: 9 2013 . 9 . . 2000 - 2022 24 .- . focus-news.net, () . 24 . 24 . . 24 . I spent my summer vacation on a personal trainer. I didnt plan it, which Ive discovered is a great way to just do it. Impulsiveness can work in your favor. Some people even call it decisiveness. Famed motivational speaker Tony Robbins tells people that its best not to think too much once you make a decision to act. Do it before you talk yourself out of it, he says. Not acting can become a debilitating habit. You can (and most of us regularly do) talk yourself out of doing anything that requires even a modicum of time, money and energy. So maybe its best to stop before you can think of excuses. A Hindu priest named Dandapani put it another way Yes, something you should know about me is that I occasionally hang out with Hindu priests. He said, People act like they are going to live forever, but they arent. We waste time doing things we dont want to do and not doing things we want to do, he said. We make excuses, put things off, do things that deplete us instead of building us up. We act as if we have all time in the world. As if there will be time to do those good things on our list later, instead of figuring out the best way to spend our time right now. In Charles Duhiggs 2012 bestseller The Power of Habit, he explains the nuance of habits, saying that our routines are much more pliable than we give ourselves credit for. Often people become obsessed with destroying bad habits or developing new habits, instead of focusing attention on swapping out old habits for improved habits. Take old cues for behaviors you dont like and use those cues to make better choices. Its a subtle shift and not as easy as it sounds, but it can produce groundbreaking results. You want to start working out after work but you usually go home to watch bad TV and sit on the couch. Instead go watch bad TV from the treadmill at the gym. We can swap out that bad TV habit later. Fake yourself out But how do you do that? Pack your clothes in the morning, put them on before you leave the office, drive past the gym on your way home. It may not work every day, but it may work enough days to create a habit loop that feels good. If you start acting on a decision immediately, you dramatically increase your chance of doing it. Sounds logical, right. See doughnut, eat doughnut BUT ... if you walk past the doughnut and start doing something else, youre significantly less likely to go back. Less likely is key. Once you stop to think about the consequences or stop to think about something else, youre less likely to act even in the face of a tasty doughnut. So I had a snap decision to make as I used the last session of my Groupon for personal training at Studio Element. Id spent a few hours over the last week being ordered around by someone half my age. Yes, apparently they are making adults younger than they used to. When it was time to make a decision about whether or not Id continue, a barrage of excuses flooded my brain. Its expensive, its too far to drive, its wasteful, I should learn to work out on my own, I should go to the gym near my house, I should find a workout buddy and skip a trainer but I illogically signed up for a package of 30 sessions that cost more than a month of my combined household bills. And I went. Commit to not quitting I didnt just go because it would be a waste of money not to. I didnt just go because I enjoyed the feeling of having gone (but I did). I went because Id made a commitment and I had an appointment. Dentists know what they are doing when they schedule your next appointment six months in advance. If you have a commitment, youre exponentially more likely to show up even if you dread it. Studies show that just writing down your plan to do something on a calendar helps keep you on task. I hold people accountable, said my trainer Adelaide Summers, whose long brown locks were dyed bright pink at the tips and clipped at the sides with colorful barrettes. Shes a bubbly ball of good cheer, not the typical no-pain-no-gain, give-me-five-more type of trainer. If you like a drill sergeant type, you can find your fill, or maybe you prefer Pilates or yoga or whatever. The most effective workout is the one you show up for, so if you dont have a Summers, find someone or some strategy to hold yourself accountable. There's no good excuse Katie Mackenzie of Gymguyz jokes that we take away all the excuses. Trainers with the firm will literally come to your front door, office, neighborhood park, coffee shop, you name it, in a van with more than 300 pieces of equipment. We come to you with the equipment and the motivation so you cant say, I dont have the time, I dont know what to do, I dont have the discipline, she said. You can still say, I dont have the money (you probably spent your vacation money). A session with any trainer will run you $35 to $85 an hour depending on how many sessions you buy in bulk. Thats out of reach for many. Recruit a buddy, spouse, co-worker and you can drop that price by half. No buddy? Try an app. I like Sworkit because you can customize the time and type of workout. It plays videos in order with a timer for each exercise. No equipment needed. Its free for Apple and Android devices. No device? Maybe an impetuous walk to the librarys health and fitness section could be a good start. Updates with details from confrontation SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Authorities are trying to determine the motive for an attack in which a Missouri State University instructor is charged with fatally stabbing a retired professor. Springfield police Capt. Vance Holland said Thursday that police believe they understand what happened in the attack that killed Marc Cooper, 66, and injured his wife, Nancy, The Springfield News-Leader reported. But he added that authorities are "still piecing together the why." Edward Gutting, 43, of Springfield was charged Thursday with second-degree murder, assault, burglary and armed criminal action. He is jailed on $1 million bond. No attorney is listed for him in online court records. A probable cause statement said Marc and Nancy Cooper were sitting inside their home in an affluent Springfield neighborhood Wednesday night when Gutting came in through the back door wielding a large knife. Gutting chased Marc Cooper through the kitchen into the living room, knocked him down and stabbed him to death, according to the statement. Nancy Cooper was also cut several times as police say she tried to fight with Gutting. The statement said Gutting told Nancy Cooper at one point "it was between him and Cooper," and he didn't want to kill her but he would if he had to. Nancy Cooper was eventually able to call for help, and Gutting was arrested after officers found him walking in the street outside of the Cooper residence covered in blood, according to the statement. Holland said Cooper and Gutting knew one another, but he could not say if they were friends. Missouri State issued a statement saying Cooper was an emeriti history professor, and Gutting is an instructor of modern and classical languages. The university said Gutting, who has worked at the university since 2011, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation. Cooper, Gutting and Gutting's wife, Angela Hornsby-Gutting, worked in the history department together from 2011-2014, according to a Missouri State spokeswoman. A bond recommendation from prosecutors said Hornsby-Gutting is not cooperating with police. She doesn't have a listed phone number. Ray Weiner, president of the Temple Israel, a Jewish synagogue in Rogersville where Cooper was an active member, described the victim as a friendly, soft-spoken man who would sometimes lead services when the rabbi was out of town. "It's hard to imagine anybody having a conflict with him," Weiner said. "He came across as a very caring person in every dealing that I had with him." More than 20 teachers gathered at the flagpole outside Sperreng Middle School Thursday with more on their minds than just the first day of school. Their strained relationship with Lindbergh School District administrators is entering its second year, with salaries being the sticking point. The high-performing district in south St. Louis County has been drawing more students but not more revenue, leaving teachers less compensated than their peers in some neighboring districts. About 15 minutes before the bell rang, teachers stood as a group as buses and parents dropped off children in front of the school. Then teachers entered the building together in a quiet show of solidarity. It was a scene that also played out at the seven other schools in the Lindbergh district. There were no signs and no chanting. Just a line of teachers entering the door together and a few buttons that read, Stand up for our students. Every teacher standing out here would rather be in their classroom right now, said Gretchen Moser, a social studies teacher at Sperreng. Our voices have not been heard for so long, unfortunately. We have to bring some attention to this. Late last spring, Lindbergh High School students held a walkout and a sit-in to show support for their teachers and to protest low pay. Then in June, the Lindbergh School Board approved a salary schedule that gave teachers a 1.25 percent raise but no advancement up the pay ladder to reward years of experience and education. Members of the teachers union had rejected the proposal 203-1. Teachers responded in July by voting to work no more than their contracted hours something teachers say will be difficult for them to do. This puts an end to some clubs and activities run by teachers who do the work without pay. It also ends the after-school tutoring teachers were doing on their own time, and it means teachers will respond to parent emails only during contracted hours. Furthermore, classrooms may not be as decorated the first day, states a post on the Flyers Unite blog, since most of our contracted time before school starts has been filled with meetings. District officials say they want to pay teachers more but cannot afford to raise salaries any higher this year because of flat revenue and the continuing influx of new students. In three years, teacher and administrative salaries have increased by 9.75 percent, district spokeswoman Beth Johnston said. Nevertheless, teachers say they arent paid competitively. Starting teacher pay in Lindbergh is $39,234 with a bachelors degree and $40,298 with a masters. In comparison, teachers in Kirkwood schools start at $43,000 and $46,000, respectively. Amy Sears, a librarian at Sperreng, called the situation disheartening. Enrollment in Lindbergh schools has been growing by 200 to 300 students annually in recent years. The district has added 43 teaching positions since 2013. Next year, it will open a new elementary school. The district has about 6,600 students. Even with growth, Lindbergh teachers say better compensation is doable. Some of them question the priority of several capital purchases, such as carpet replacement in a band room and improvements made to office space used for professional development, over teacher compensation. They give examples of the district throwing out classroom desks to replace with classroom tables and improving floors. In January, the district bought the former Johnnys Market site on Gravois Road using $1.66 million in district reserves. Central office staff will move its offices there next year. The move will provide Lindbergh High with eight more classrooms. Some district residents have accused the district of paying more than market value for the property. The district bought it for about $76,400 less than its appraised value, Johnston said. Moments before teachers joined students in starting the school year, Moser said there were limitations to what teachers could do to express their dissatisfaction. Missouri law prohibits teachers from striking. What we hope is the community sees were united and there is a lot more to this job than 7:30 to 2:40, Moser said. Maybe seeing that will change things. Staying true to its Republican heritage, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's political committee on Friday endorsed GOP gubernatorial nominee Eric Greitens. Chamber president Dan Mehan said Greitens supports each of the organization's legislative initiatives, including enactment of a "right-to-work" law that would bar employment contracts requiring union membership or dues. "Missouri can't afford to let pro-jobs policy be derailed by our governor," Mehan said. "We need our next governor to work with employers, not against them." Mehan also cited the leadership ability of Greitens, a former Navy SEAL, and said he has "immense potential to inspire" positive improvements in the state. The chamber's announcement follows Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chris Koster's endorsement earlier this month by another usually reliable backer of Republican statewide candidates - the Missouri Farm Bureau. The farm bureau had never before chosen a Democrat for a Missouri statewide office in its 40-year history of endorsing candidates. Koster, the Missouri attorney general, also recently picked up the support of two other agriculture groups in his bid for the support of rural Missouri. That's a part of the state which has become more and more Republican in recent years. While the state chamber supports Greitens in part because of his pro-"right to work" stance, labor unions which oppose that measure are going all out to help Koster. JEFFERSON CITY Twenty-two religious leaders convicted of trespassing while protesting the Missouri Senate in 2014 wont have to go to jail, but they could pay up to $500 each in fines. A jury opted Thursday to fine the protesters for their class B misdemeanor charge, which could have resulted in sentences of up to six months in prison. They were found not guilty of the second charge they faced, for obstructing government function. On May 6, 2014, religious leaders protesting in the Senate gallery sang hymns, prayed and chanted to call on lawmakers to expand health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The Senate recessed until police escorted the protesters, who came to be known as the Medicaid 23, from the chamber. One of the group has yet to be tried. The state argued that participants wanted to get arrested to bring attention to their cause. Prosecutors also said that they shouldnt have disrupted senators speaking on the floor and should have left when Capitol police asked them to. Defense attorneys argued that since no police officer who testified was able to identify a specific protester theyd tapped on the shoulder and asked to leave, a trespassing charge didnt hold weight. Speaking at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia on Thursday, Gov. Jay Nixon voiced support for the defendants, saying the clergy are on the front line of the working poor. They have a right to be upset. I agree with them on the policy, Nixon said, explaining that it could be frustrating if youre a minister, and for three, four years, people come in and ask you for counsel about why they got cancer, and even though theyre working, they dont have health care, but somebody in 20 or 30 other states does, whether its Democrats or Republicans, Republican legislators doing it, Republican governors doing it, and (Missouri lawmakers) saying they cant do it. People certainly have the right to come, to be there, in an open public place, he added. Republicans have largely argued that expanding Medicaid would mean pouring vital state dollars into a broken system that should be fixed before invested in an argument Nixon dismissed. Weve gone three long years with nobody fixing anything. Theyve been making up false excuses to cover up their politics, he said. JEFFERSON CITY State Rep. Tony Dugger, R-Hartville, resigned from the Missouri House of Representatives on Friday, citing a new law taking effect Aug. 28 that would keep him from becoming a lobbyist for six months after his term ends. As first reported by the Kansas City Star, Dugger, who is term-limited, wants to step down to keep his options open. If (lobbying) is what I decide to do, I dont want to wait, he said in a phone interview with the Post-Dispatch. He explained that he would really be in limbo nearly a year. Hed have to finish out the last four months of his term, he said, and then wait six months on top of that. Under current law, Missouri lawmakers can become lobbyists immediately after leaving office, cashing in on their public service experience and Capitol connections for their new employers. Cooling off periods lasting a year or two years were both originally proposed last session, but a six-month wait was eventually negotiated in committee, something supporters said was a necessary concession that would make the revolving-door ban more likely to pass. It was part of a series of ethics reform bills that moved through the legislature after two lawmakers resigned last year after being accused of having inappropriate relations with interns. Some lawmakers maintained that six months wasnt enough. Others argued that legislators should be free to pursue whatever career they choose after leaving office, and that it was a policy that would do little to improve the culture or public opinion of Jefferson City. Dugger said he fell into the latter category. If you look at the current structure of lobbyists in Jefferson City, probably only a handful of them are former legislators, he said. I dont think its a large problem. Still, its a debate thats sure to continue. Supporters have vowed to push for a longer waiting period next year, and candidates looking to be Missouris next governor have also weighed in. On the Democratic side, a staffer for Missouri Attorney General Chris Kosters campaign previously told the Post-Dispatch that a longer cooling off period will help remove the appearance of impropriety and help to restore the publics faith in our government. GOP candidate Eric Greitens, a former Navy Seal who has vowed to clean up a culture of corruption in the states capital city, said in a statement that for every year lawmakers served in office, they should have to wait a year to do paid lobbying, a rule he said he would push for if elected governor. ST. LOUIS The Missouri History Museum has lost thousands of dues-paying members over the last five years, a trend leaders hope to reverse while operating under some new philosophies. The problem isnt for a lack of public interest: The free museums annual attendance broke 400,000 in consecutive years in 2014 and 2015, the first time that has happened since the 1960s. But revenue from membership dues has fallen from $959,000 in 2011 to $782,000 in 2015. In that time, membership peaked at 9,537 in 2012 but fell by nearly 40 percent to 5,800 in 2015. Other contributions have made up for that loss in revenue, but the trend is changing the museums relationship with its members. Whereas members were previously enticed with certain benefits such as free admission to all exhibits, President Frances Levine said there was now more focus on how a membership supports a cause. You dont just give to, say, National Public Radio, just so you can get the tote bag, Levine said at a budget committee meeting Monday. You give because you support what theyre doing. The biggest shift in membership came on the heels of months of bad publicity for the museum in late 2012 and early 2013. An audit revealed the museum spent $875,000 buying property from former St. Louis Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. without an appraisal in 2006. In 2013 the land was valued at $232,000. It also became public in the audit that then-President Robert Archibald received $515,000 in pay and benefits annually, raising allegations that administrators were being overcompensated at an institution that receives millions in public dollars. The current president, Levine, received $276,000 in total compensation in 2015, according to museum tax filings with the Internal Revenue Service. The museum, which gets $10 million annually from tax revenue collected by the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District, lost more than 2,800 members during that period. We did take a hit, but ultimately we came out as a stronger institution, museum spokeswoman Leigh Walters said. Walters said individual member contributions had increased since then and stabilized the falling revenue, which grew slightly from $742,000 in 2013 to $782,000 in 2015. Thats despite the loss of 700 members after 2013 and 200 between 2014 and 2015. Annual attendance of more than 400,000 remains above that of some comparable institutions, including the Chicago History Museum, which reported 272,000 visitors in 2014. The membership drop also comes as museum leaders hope to avoid charging for future special exhibits. The museum hasnt had a ticketed exhibit since 2014. That exhibit on the Prohibition era, at $10 per ticket, attracted 38,000 visitors and positive reviews, but a free exhibit just across from it drew 300,000 people in the same period. Since then the museum hasnt charged entry fees for any of its traveling exhibits. A bigger, more diverse audience is definitely getting into more exhibits now, Levine said. Members can still get first access to exhibits and gifts for joining, Walters said, but the hope is that members will stay with the museum ultimately because they support its mission. Perhaps it did make some people nervous at first, but its working for us and it goes along with becoming that stronger institution and putting our focus on the community, Walters said. A survey of museum attendees nationwide in 2014 found about half consider museum memberships as consumer transactions rather than charitable giving. The survey by New York-based Reach Advisors, a research firm that surveyed museum goers, also found that only about 21 percent of childless people under 40 have museum memberships. The museum is finding ways to get students and young professionals to join. Leaders established a Young Friends group to attract people in their 20s through 40s to attend museum trivia nights, the History On Tap discussion series at local breweries and a battle of the bands. The museum also is creating more exhibits with a focus on local history, including the recently opened Route 66 exhibit and exhibits opening in the next two years titled Capturing The City and St. Louis: No. 1 in Civil Rights. What were trying to do is create a museum where theres no barrier to learning about local history and history in general, said Jody Sowell, the museums director of exhibitions and research. What that does mean is we need people who can afford to donate or become members so we can keep the museum free for everyone. For more than half a century, Dorie Wilner volunteered for the Humane Society of Missouri though volunteer hardly seems like an adequate term for her contributions. She fundraised the old-fashioned way, Humane Society of Missouri president Kathy Warnick said. She raised nickels and dimes and pennies and quarters from canister days at local grocery stores and from bake sales. She ended up raising more than $2.5 million over her 50-year tenure as a volunteer at the Humane Society. Eleven years ago, when kidney failure threatened Mrs. Wilners life, the Humane Society of Missouri found a way to give back. A staff member donated one of her own kidneys to Mrs. Wilner. Doris Dorie Wilner died on Saturday (Aug. 13, 2016) at Manor Grove in Kirkwood from respiratory failure. She was 85. Mrs. Wilner was born in St. Louis and remained active in the community throughout her adult life. Immediately after graduating from college, she founded a nursery school in University City. She also was involved in the University City PTA and park commission. After she and her husband, Burton J. Wilner, moved to Olivette, they were part of the successful effort to stop a Walmart store from being built in the municipality. They beat Walmart, her son Jeffrey Wilner said. Not many people can say that. His mother, he said, was a firecracker, a bottle rocket. She had a personality that was amazing. She never met a stranger who wasnt a friend. In recent years, Mrs. Wilner had taken to visiting McDonalds in the morning for coffee in part to take a break from caring for her husband, who had had a stroke. Shed walk in and start talking to everyone, Jeffrey Wilner said. Of all her work, Mrs. Wilner was most proud of her involvement with the Humane Society of Missouri. In 1977, she led efforts to create the Humane Society of Missouri Auxiliary, which raised money for various projects, including capital campaigns, a rescue truck and equipment and funding for the Humane Societys Westport Center facility in Maryland Heights. Mrs. Wilner was also a longtime member of the Humane Society of Missouris board of directors. She was the Energizer Bunny of fund-raisers, Warnick said, not only through her own efforts but also in her ability to encourage others to join her. She was also quite visionary, Warnick added. Early on she recognized the importance of spay-and-neuter (programs), and she raised money for a spay-neuter clinic and veterinary expansion and kennels at the (Humane Societys) Westport Center. She was not one for (praise), Jeffrey Wilner said. She hated that. She didnt want anyone talking about her ever. She wanted to do things for other people. Ms. Wilner is survived by her husband of 64 years, Burton J. Wilner; two sons, Jeffrey Wilner of Florida and Keith Wilner of California; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Ms. Wilner was laid to rest on Wednesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Missouri and the National Kidney Foundation. (c) 2016, The Washington Post. As the outpouring of public support continues for the family of a young woman who was killed earlier this month while on a nightly jog, the victim's father has an unusual and unexpected offer to her killer: Surrender. In return, more than $250,000 in reward money will go to the murderer's family. Phil Vetrano made the offer during a walk in his daughter's honor on Tuesday, two weeks after she was last seen alive. "Turn yourself in. I will make sure the reward money goes to the person of your choice. Your sister, your brother, your mother. It's a life changer," Vetrano said, according to CBS News. Karina Vetrano, 30, went for a run on Aug. 2. Her father, along with detectives, later found her body in marshland not far from her house in Queens. Police told reporters on Aug. 3 that the young woman had been strangled and may have been sexually assaulted, according to a New York NBC affiliate. A week after her death, members of the community of Howard Beach, the Queens neighborhood where Vetrano lived, started a GoFundMe fundraising campaign in her name. The funds are intended to supplement the $20,000 reward money that the New York Police Department is offering to anyone who can help catch the killer, according to the page. More than 3,000 people, including three kids who raised money by selling painted shells at a beach club, have donated funds. As of Thursday afternoon, $252,469 has been raised. Karina Vetrano is described in the GoFundMe page as a "beautiful, vivacious 30-year-old woman." She "has become the daughter of the entire community and we are committed to seeing justice served in her memory," the page states. "It doesn't matter if you knew Karina, or if you know her family or how much you give. . . The only thing this fund was created for was to bring support to the family and justice for a beautiful young woman whom I hope is looking down and seeing how much she meant to those who knew and loved her, those who never met her and those who are just helping because they are good people," Patricia Adams, one of the people who started the page, said in a comment. On Tuesday, hundreds of Howard Beach residents retraced the young woman's steps before she died, according to a New York CBS affiliate. Many carried white and pink balloons. "The community has come together all through this - not just tonight, from the minute she was missing, the community has been there and only gotten stronger and stronger and stronger," Phil Vetrano said, the TV station reported. "This is a showing for the world to see how strong this community is." "Turn yourself in," Phil Vetrano said, addressing his daughter's killer. "Turn yourself in." Phil Vetrano was unavailable when The Washington Post called his family's New York residence Thursday. In an interview with a New York ABC affiliate, Vetrano said his daughter fought her attacker, and somebody knows what happened to her. "A crime like this, they talk about it, you know. They talk about it. They brag about it," Vetrano told the TV station. "Somebody saw somebody come home with scratches, with a bruise, because Karina fought back. So there are bruises." Karina Vetrano is one of three women who were killed within the past month while jogging and whose unrelated deaths caught the public's attention. In late July, three days before Vetrano's death, Alexandra Brueger, a 31-year-old nurse, was shot multiple times in Michigan while on an afternoon run, according to the Detroit News. On Aug. 7, Vanessa Marcotte, a Google employee who lived in New York City, was found dead about a half mile from her mother's house in Princeton, Mass., where she was visiting for the weekend. Police said she went for a jog that afternoon. During a news conference Thursday, Vetrano addressed his daughter's killer one more time. "I know you're tormented. I know that you're being driven crazy," he said, according to ABC News. "I know that you want to do the right thing." So did Karina Vetrano's mother. "Show someone that you care about, that you're not as evil as the whole world thinks that you are," Cathy Vetrano said. "You can't run. It's just a matter of time." Police Commissioner Bill Bratton told ABC News that investigators have yet to identify a suspect. newyork-jogger This week Russian bombers flew out of Iranian air bases to attack rebel positions in Syria. The State Department pretended not to be surprised. It should be. It should be alarmed. Irans intensely nationalistic revolutionary regime had never permitted foreign forces to operate from its soil. Until now. The reordering of the Middle East is proceeding apace. Where for 40 years the U.S.-Egypt alliance anchored the region, a Russia-Iran condominium is now dictating events. Thats what you get after eight years of U.S. retrenchment and withdrawal. Thats what results from the nuclear deal with Iran, the evacuation of Iraq and utter U.S. immobility on Syria. Consider: Iran The nuclear deal was supposed to begin a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran. Instead, it has solidified a strategic-military alliance between Moscow and Tehran. With the lifting of sanctions and the normalizing of Irans international relations, Russia rushed in with major deals, including the shipment of S-300 ground-to-air missiles. Russian use of Iranian bases now marks a new level of cooperation and joint power projection. Iraq These bombing runs cross Iraqi airspace. Before President Obamas withdrawal from Iraq, that could not have happened. The resulting vacuum has not only created a corridor for Russian bombing, it has gradually allowed a hard-won post-Saddam Iraq to slip into Irans orbit. According to a Baghdad-based U.S. military spokesman, there are 100,000 Shiite militia fighters operating inside Iraq, 80 percent of them Iranian-backed. Syria When Russia dramatically intervened last year, establishing air bases and launching a savage bombing campaign, Obama did nothing. Indeed, he smugly predicted that Vladimir Putin had entered a quagmire. Some quagmire. Bashar Assads regime is not only saved. It encircled Aleppo and has seized the upper hand in the civil war. Meanwhile, our hapless secretary of state is running around trying to sue for peace, offering to share intelligence and legitimize Russian intervention if only Putin will promise to conquer gently. Consider what Putin has achieved. Dealt a very weak hand a rump Russian state, shorn of empire and saddled with a backward economy and a rusting military he has restored Russia to great power status. Reduced to irrelevance in the 1990s, it is now a force to be reckoned with. In Europe, Putin has unilaterally redrawn the map. His annexation of Crimea will not be reversed. The Europeans are eager to throw off the few sanctions they grudgingly imposed on Russia. And the rape of eastern Ukraine continues. Ten thousand have already died and now Putin is threatening even more open warfare. Under the absurd pretext of Ukrainian terrorism in Crimea, Putin has threatened retaliation, massed troops in eight locations on the Ukrainian border, ordered Black Sea naval exercises, and moved advanced anti-aircraft batteries into Crimea, giving Moscow control over much of Ukrainian airspace. And why shouldnt he? Hes pushing on an open door. Obama still refuses to send Ukraine even defensive weapons. The administrations response to these provocations? Urging both sides to exercise restraint. Both sides, mind you. And in a gratuitous flaunting of its newly expanded reach, Russia will be conducting joint naval exercises with China in the South China Sea, in obvious support of Beijings territorial claims and illegal military bases. Yet the president shows little concern. He is too smart not to understand geopolitics; he simply doesnt care. In part because his priorities are domestic. In part because he thinks we lack clean hands and thus the moral standing to continue to play international arbiter. And in part because hes convinced that in the long run it doesnt matter. Fluctuations in great power relations are inherently ephemeral. For a man who sees a moral arc in the universe bending inexorably toward justice, calculations of raw realpolitik are 20th-century thinking primitive, obsolete, the obsession of small minds. Obama made all this perfectly clear in speeches at the U.N., in Cairo and here at home in his very first year in office. Two terms later, we see the result. Ukraine dismembered. Eastern Europe on edge. Syria a charnel house. Iran subsuming Iraq. Russia and Iran on the march across the entire northern Middle East. At the heart of this disorder is a simple asymmetry. It is in worldview. The major revisionist powers China, Russia and Iran know what they want: power, territory, tribute. And theyre going after it. Obama takes Ecclesiastes view that these are vanities, nothing but vanities. In the kingdom of heaven, no doubt. Here on earth, however Aleppo to Donetsk, Estonia to the Spratly Islands it matters greatly. Charles Krauthammer Copyright the Washington Post Can we be assured that the plant will not pollute our land or water supply so that we are not discovering something decades later like so many areas in Missouri? At what was once a remote desert outpost with spotty cell service and little infrastructure other than the shell of a quarter-billion-dollar futuristic hangar, Christine Anderson has watched the transformation of Spaceport America from her office window. The hangar sits just to the south, its patina metal paneling and glass walls rising from the valley floor. Its Andersons favorite view. I always get inspired, she said of being at the spaceport. It sounds so trite, the dawn of the new space age, but you know it really is. I think its just going to be amazing what we in our lifetime get to see happening in this industry. Even though commercial flights at Spaceport America have yet to begin, Anderson executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority says her job is done as the spaceport stands ready for anchor tenant Virgin Galactic and other companies working in the industry. Anderson announced her resignation this summer, and finished up in mid-August. The search is underway for her successor. Anderson said the decision to leave had been difficult but noted she initially signed up for only a year. She has served in the position now for more than five years. I figured, This sounds fun. Lets see if I can help out for a year as part of the transition process, she said. Of course, I got so involved and so excited about the job and the commercial space industry that one year led to the next and the next and the next. It hasnt been easy. There were numerous contracts to manage during a rocky construction period. Then there were delays and other setbacks as Virgin Galactic worked to develop and test its spacecraft. Some state legislators called for pulling the plug, adding fuel to criticisms that the project first initiated by former Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, and British billionaire Richard Branson was a boondoggle. Anderson was grilled at legislative hearings. She held fast to the idea that the spaceport would be a game changer for New Mexico. There are naysayers, she said. I think you just have to maintain the high road with all of that because its an important project, and with any new thing this whole spaceport business is new you just have to have patience. Spaceport Authority board chairman Rick Holdridge praised Anderson after news broke of her resignation. He said she took a collection of contracts that were barely in place and built a fully functional spaceport. I dont think the people of New Mexico realize what she has done for the state, he said. After beefing up its business plan more than a year ago, the spaceport has attracted new customers and hosted events for the public. The next open house will be in October. Officials also are in discussions with three major aerospace companies interested in using it as a testing ground. Many companies have nondisclosure agreements that prevent spaceport officials from talking about the projects being conducted at the facility, Anderson said. While the names may remain secret, Anderson said the effect on the bottom line is welcome. Spaceport America is on track this year to have three-quarters of its operating budget covered by revenues. Next year, thats projected to be 90 percent. The goal is to have operations paid entirely by lease revenue and other user fees given that the state and taxpayers in southern New Mexico already have contributed about $220 million to construct what is the nations first purpose-built spaceport. Another six rocket launches are planned over the next six months, and the spaceport is readying to serve as a base for a major project with Boeing and the adjacent White Sands Missile Range as researchers work on a transportation system that can shuttle cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station. After starting with little, Anderson said, the spaceport is on the right track. When I got here in 2011, it was a construction site. You couldnt go out there without your hard hat on, she said. It was tough because it is in the middle of nowhere. We actually had to build a whole city in the middle of nowhere. Stretching across 28 square miles of the Jornada del Norte desert basin north of Las Cruces, the spaceport also benefits from thousands of square miles of restricted air space belonging to the missile range. That remoteness is drawing customers, Anderson said. They value the privacy and our airspace and our 24-7 security, she said. This is a competitive industry, and theyre doing a lot of aerospace testing that they dont want other people to necessarily keep tabs on. Anderson, who spent 30 years with the Air Force as a civilian before heading up the spaceport authority, said the one thing shed miss was being in the front row as the burgeoning industry grows. The tons of files and boxes of notes she has amassed have been handed down to her crew. I thoroughly believe in the commercial space industry, and I think weve gotten to that place where we can pass the baton, she said. The BMX course lived up to its reputation The BMX competition began on what many riders feared would be a treacherous course. They ended up being right. Several riders crashed in the BMX men's quarterfinals, and two-time defending gold medalist Maris Strombergs of Latvia was eliminated. All three American riders advanced to the semifinals, including Connor Fields, who summed up the day like this: "The best I can describe it is, put 800 lions in a cage, throw out a big steak and open the doors. That's BMX." LONDON MARKET CLOSE: FTSE makes weekly gain but banks weigh on Friday Friday, October 28, 2022 - 17:08 The FTSE 100 managed a weekly gain, despite underperforming peers on Friday, while strong results from oil majors lifted the mood in New York, shaking off poor numbers from Amazon. Central banks move into focus again next week. The Federal Reserve announces its rate decision on Wednesday, with the Bank of England following on Thursday. The FTSE 100 index closed down 26.02 points, or 0.4% at 7,047.67 on Friday, but finished the week 1.1% higher. The FTSE 250 ended down 165.25 points, or 0.9%, at 17,916.67 - closing the week up 4.1%. The AIM All-Share closed down 4.09 points, or 0.5%, at 805.37, finishing 2.7% higher over the past five days The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.5% at 703.81, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 1.0% at 15,378.84, and the Cboe Small Companies ended down 0.5% at 12,320.39. The pound was quoted at $1.1595 at the London equities close Friday, up slightly from $1.1573 at the close on Thursday. Though sterling's marked rise tempered slightly on Friday, the currency has gained 3.2% over the past week. Markets have so far taken confidence from the new UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In the FTSE 100, Centrica added 5.2% after it announced the reopening of the Rough natural gas storage facility off the east coast of England. Centrica, which owns British Gas, said the facility is operational for winter. The facility increases the UK's storage capacity by 50% despite it operating at just 20% of its previous capacity. GSK closed up 2.3% after it said its majority owned ViiV Healthcare venture has received the European Medicines Agency's validation for its marketing authorisation application for HIV prevention, and said its MAA for respiratory syncytial virus adult vaccine has also been accepted. NatWest was the worst performer. It plunged 8.3% as it reported strong income growth in the third quarter, boosted by both increased lending and higher interest rates, but the bank warned it is keeping a close on eye on any change in behaviour from its customers. In the three months to September 30, operating profit before tax rose to 1.09 billion from 976 million a year before. Putting a cap on the bank's profit, NatWest set aside 247 million in the quarter to cover an expected increase in bad loans, which is reversed from a 221 million gain the year prior. Lloyds fell 3.3% in negative read across. Glencore fell 1.0% as it trimmed annual guidance for some of its commodities after a disappointing third-quarter performance dominated by supply chain disruptions in Kazakhstan, extreme weather in Australia, and strikes in Canada and Norway. In the FTSE 250, ASOS tumbled 11%. The stock was rocked by a Telegraph report which stated some hedge funds have shorted the stock, just days after retailer Frasers bought a stake. Elsewhere in London, China-focused investment trusts fell. JPMorgan China Growth & Income fell 2.9% and abrdn China Investment dropped 3.5%. Investor sentiment turned sour as Chinese cities doubled down on Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Stocks in New York were firmly in the green at the London equities close, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 2.0%, the S&P 500 index up 1.7% and the Nasdaq Composite up 1.8%. After disappointment from tech stocks, oil majors put some shine on this week's US corporate earnings calendar. Exxon Mobil revenue in the third quarter of 2022 jumped 52% to $112.07 billion from $73.79 billion a year prior. Attributable net income soared to $19.66 billion from $6.75 billion. The oil major's bottom line rose 10% from $17.85 billion in the second quarter. Chevron posted pretax earnings of $14.80 billion, up from $8.06 billion the year before. Revenue increased to $66.64 billion from $44.71 billion the year before. Exxon shares rose 1.8%, while Chevron was up 0.3%. Amazon slid 10%, after its poor numbers overnight. Wall Street also shook off a higher inflation reading for the US on Friday. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Fed's preferred inflationary measure, the core personal consumption expenditures index, which excludes food and energy, shot up 5.1% year-on-year in September, quickening from a 4.9% hike in August. "The Fed's favoured measure of inflation is heading higher, rather than lower, while employment costs continue to rise at double the rate experienced over the past 15 years. The market is probably right to expect the Fed to slow the pace of rate hikes from December, but this is by no means guaranteed," analysts at ING commented. On Thursday, the European Central Bank on Thursday lifted its benchmark interest rates by 75 basis points, as expected. In European equities on Friday, the CAC 40 in Paris ended up 0.5%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt ended up 0.2%. The euro stood at $0.9943 at the European equities close Friday, lower against $0.9984 at the same time on Thursday. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP147.54 late Friday, higher compared to JP145.90 late Thursday. Gold was quoted at $1,640.91 an ounce at the London equities close Friday, down sharply against $1,662.60 at the close on Thursday. The precious metal has an inverse relationship with the greenback, weakening as the dollar strengthens. Brent oil was quoted at $93.34 a barrel at the London equities close Friday, down from $94.75 late Thursday. In Monday's UK corporate calendar, there are full year results from self storage company Lok'n Store and kidney disease-focused diagnostics firm Renalytix. In the economic calendar, the EU will publish its latest GDP and CPI readings. Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. As we have since July 2006, each Friday well post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler. 1) The cigar industry can cheer what is the first of hopefully many wins in lawsuits challenging the Food and Drug Administrations tobacco regulations. This week U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta (pictured at right) ruled a tobacco product shouldnt be considered newand therefore re-subject to FDA approvalsimply because its label changes. The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed last year by subsidiaries of Imperial Brands, Reynolds American Inc., and Altria Group over FDA guidelines clarifying what changes to a tobacco product require regulatory approval under the 2009 Tobacco Control Act, which gave the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products, reports Reuters. Judge Mehta did find, however, that changing the quantity of cigarettes included in a product does amount to a change that would require the new product to submit to FDA approval. The lawsuit specifically challenged how the Tobacco Control Act was being applied to cigarettes, but has significant implications for how the agency can apply its rules to cigars. 2) On Wednesday, Patrick S was interviewed on KOH 780 AM, a news talk radio station in Reno, Nevada. The conversation, which focused the FDA regulation of cigars, is an excellent resource if youre looking for the basics and need to get up to speed. You can listen to his segment here (beginning at the 20-minute mark). 3) In partnership with expert tobacconists and mixologists, and in association with Cigar & Spirits magazine, online retailer Famous Smoke Shop has released a new cigar and spirit pairing guide. The interactive tool helps determine recommendations on what cigars to pair with different spirits. Once you get your suggested pairing, there are recommended articles to read, including an article from StogieGuys.com. 4) Inside the Industry: One of the more anticipated new releases from Tatuaje is the Reserva Broadleaf Collection, which consists of 100 cigars, 10 of each size. The collection features Brown Label blends with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. In addition to the six original Brown Label sizes, also included are the Tatuaje Reserva SW, Tatuaje Reserva J21, the new Tatuaje K222, and the Tatuaje Cojonu 2003. The 100-count collection retails for $1,200. As Tatuaje owner Pete Johnson noted to us in an email ahead of the release, to differentiate the original Reserva blends (which use an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper) from the Broadleaf versions, youll start to see Broadleaf noted on secondary bands. 5) From the Archives: In 10 years, only 53 cigars have earned our highest rating of five out of five stogies. What was the first? The Davidoff Grand Cru No. 3. The review praised the cigars explosion of delicate toasty notes, particularly hints of sweet hay [with a blend of tobaccos that] yielded a unique, harmonious flavor pleasing to the whole palate. 6) Deal of the Week: Just $27 will land you this Lucky 7 Sampler. Included are three each of the Alec Bradley American Sun Grown and Oliva Serie O, plus a Punch Gran Puro, and a free cutter thrown in for good measure. Be sure to add the coupon code stogie for 10% off. The Stogie Guys photo credit: Wikipedia Justin Williams, chief executive of Stratford Town Trust. THE new chief executive of Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust regards the organisations 2,000 members as the representatives of the community from whom the trust should take guidance. Speaking to the Herald Justin Williams, said: It is a membership organisation. The community are members of the trust. When I think about that, a decision is not just a decision for today, but for tomorrows future of Stratford, and that is the way we have to go. It has to be said that Mr Williams is speaking from a certain historical perspective given that he has taken over the running of an organisation whose origins go back several hundred years and pre-date the birth of William Shakespeare. It is also an organisation with assets worth around 55million, which enables it to dispense about 1million a year in discretionary grants to worthy causes in the town, as well as a statutory grant of roughly 500,000 a year to King Edward VI School (KES). Mr Williams, a New Zealander who has worked across the spectrum of commercial, not-for-profit and charity sectors both in Britain and his native country, started his new job on Monday. He is replacing the outgoing chief executive, Helen Munro, who retires at the end of this month. He added: I want to run a strategy where the trust is governed by its members, to set the objectives of what they would like. I want to take guidance from the community on what are the priorities of the community. You cannot make a decision without listening first. Every Friday I will have an open-door policy, so people from the community can come in and have a cup of coffee, come up with ideas and have a conversation. That is very much the start of building a very robust membership-based trust and how we see Stratford today, tomorrow and in a few years time. This is a long-term operation. It is not something you decide on a three-month or six-month timescale. He added: When you think what this trust has been able to do over the years, the question is: How best can we serve Stratford? Mr Williams said that openness and transparency were essential. Some decisions would be made that were easy, and others because they were right. Some would have long-term objectives. But all must be taken on the basis of what the community wanted. You dont serve anyone well by not including them as part of the process, he said. And it is great to hear that it is a membership base that is passionate. I see everyone in Stratford as a member. You have to serve not just the current members but the future members, and to me that is very important. He added: This is a long-term trust and it must look after the members of the futures interests not just the members of today. That is the true balancing act. And I want the trust to be vibrant. I dont know what it will look like in 50 years time, but I would like to think it will be serving the communitys needs as it is serving the needs of the community today. Reiterating his point about community involvement, Mr Williams said: The membership have the right and the responsibility to elect the trustees. What I want them to feel, when they look at the objectives of the trust, is that these are the objectives that will resonate with the community. I want people to be able to say: this supports our community, this protects our community and this serves our community. Mr Williamss emphasis on the involvement of the community in the trusts decision-making processes will come as welcome news to a good many people in the town who believe the organisation in recent years has been out of touch and moved in a direction that has made it hugely unpopular. Herald Viewpoint: Nordic American Tanker (NYSE: NAT) said in a press release: A person, Stanislav Oleynikov, wrote the article with the heading Nordic American Tankers Is Heading Into A Perfect Storm earlier this week. The person says in the article that he is short the NAT stock, i.e. he has commercial interest that the price of the NAT stock goes down. NAT is absolutely not in a storm. Below is our reaction to him: ----------------------------- Dear Mr Oleynikov, The management of NAT are not in the guessing game or speculation business. Our experience over many decades is that it is impossible to predict the future tanker market, both in the short term and in the long term. Our goal is, and has always been, to be the best tanker company in both good and bad markets, but we never bet on a rising market. I see from your disclosure that you are short the stock. History has proven that shorting the tanker market when rates are at opex level can be a dangerous bet. We ask ourselves; how much can the rates fall and how much can they rise? Our Chairman has a good statement about the tanker market: always expect the unexpected. We are conservative and will always run our company with a low risk approach. We have never been in distress or had to restructure due to a weak markets or the age of our fleet. Needless to say, we have enjoyed a great relationship to the largest shipping banks in the world and our leverage level is healthy. At the same time we have managed to grow our fleet significantly over the last few months as the overall industry struggles to make new investments. We believe it is completely irrelevant to compare NAT to other shipping companies that have other asset classes, higher leverage, different business strategy and do not have the track record in public markets. It is well known in the capital market and in the industry that the current spot crude tanker market is weak. We believe this fact is reflected in the share prices as news travel fast in todays market. We believe NAV is a wrong indicator for shipping investors. It is more than the value of each individual ship that counts when valuing a company. One important component to consider is how well management have performed over time. The bigger the discount the less confident the market is about management. NAT is proud to be a premium company and we will work hard to continue to build on the trust we have in the investor community over many years. We continue to focus on cash flow and total return over time, not the age of our assets but the cash yield they return over time. Strong operational track record and close relationship to key customers are more important than the age of the fleet. Since NAT was publicly listed more than 20 years ago, no other company has performed better than us and we are nearly the only company still around from the inception. Our Chairman has been in the business since 1974. Going forward, we believe our recent vessel acquisitions will increase our total return and create more values for our shareholders. BEIJING, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheetah Mobile Inc. (NYSE: CMCM) ("Cheetah Mobile" or the "Company"), a leading mobile internet company that provides mission critical applications to help make the internet and mobile experience speedier, simpler, and safer for users worldwide, today announced its unaudited consolidated financial results for the second quarter of 2016. Second Quarter 2016 Highlights Total revenues increased by 18.1% year-over-year to RMB1,046.7 million (US$157.5 million), exceeding the Company's previous guidance of RMB975 million to RMB1,000 million. The better-than-expected results in total revenues was primarily driven by the Company's strategies to rejuvenate revenue growth in 2016, including refreshing its app products and ad layouts as well as improving its direct sales programs. increased by 18.1% year-over-year to RMB1,046.7 million (US$157.5 million), exceeding the Company's previous guidance of RMB975 million to RMB1,000 million. The better-than-expected results in total revenues was primarily driven by the Company's strategies to rejuvenate revenue growth in 2016, including refreshing its app products and ad layouts as well as improving its direct sales programs. Mobile revenues increased by 36.7% year-over-year to RMB772.3 million (US$116.2 million). Mobile revenues accounted for 73.8% of total revenues. increased by 36.7% year-over-year to RMB772.3 million (US$116.2 million). Mobile revenues accounted for 73.8% of total revenues. Overseas revenues [1] increased by 25.3% year-over-year to RMB560.7 million (US$84.4 million). Overseas revenues accounted for 53.6% of total revenues and 72.6% of mobile revenues. increased by 25.3% year-over-year to RMB560.7 million (US$84.4 million). Overseas revenues accounted for 53.6% of total revenues and 72.6% of mobile revenues. Content-driven products made solid progress in the second quarter of 2016, particularly in the U.S. market. According to App Annie's July 2016 data, News Republic, a global mobile news service operator recently acquired by the Company, was ranked as one of the top three news & magazine apps in the U.S. on Google Play. Live.me, the Company's recently launched live streaming app, was ranked as one of the top five social apps in the U.S. on Google Play. In early August, Live.me was also ranked as one of the top ten social networking apps in the U.S. on Apple App Store. Second Quarter 2016 Key Operating Metrics The number of mobile monthly active users ("Mobile MAUs") was 623 million in June 2016. The number of mobile MAUs from overseas markets accounted for 79.4% of total mobile MAUs in June 2016. Total global mobile user installations was 3,099 million as of June 30, 2016. Mr. Sheng Fu, Cheetah Mobile's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased that the initiatives we have implemented to rejuvenate sustainable growth for our company are starting to bear fruit. In the second quarter of 2016, we achieved better-than-expected total revenue growth. We expect revenues to resume its sequential growth trends in the second half of 2016, primarily driven by steady and sustained revenue growth generated by our existing utility apps. Additionally, we further expanded our content-driven product portfolio to include news service, short video, live streaming and casual gaming. Most notably, two of our content-driven products, News Republic and Live.me, demonstrated strong performance over the past quarter, particularly in the U.S. market. According to App Annie's July data, News Republic, our newly acquired global mobile news service operator with thousands of high-profile media partners worldwide, was ranked as one of the top 3 news & magazine apps in the U.S. on Google Play. Live.me, a live streaming app, was ranked as one of the top 5 social apps in the U.S. on Google Play in July and was ranked as one of the top 10 social networking apps in the U.S. on Apple App Store in early August. While we don't want to downplay the challenges we face in our transformation from a utility app based mobile company to a content-driven mobile company, our initial success proves that we are on the right track and is progressing according to plans. Going forward, we will continue to leverage our over 600 million mobile MAUs to support our content strategy, deliver more personalized and relevant content to our users, and build Cheetah into one of the world's leading mobile Internet companies." Mr. Andy Yeung, Cheetah Mobile's Chief Financial Officer, commented, "Our total revenues this quarter increased to RMB1,047 million, which well exceeded our guidance and was primarily driven by the success of our strategies to rejuvenate revenue growth in 2016, including plans to refresh our app products and ad layouts as well as improve our direct sales programs. On the cost side, we have also implemented stricter controls and more efficient management of our product promotion strategies. We expect these initiatives to continue to help sustain our growth and improve our financial recovery in the coming quarters. Looking ahead, we remain focused on aggressively executing on our content strategy to establish a sustainable and profitable growth model for the long term. We are confident that by doing so, we will be well positioned to grow our business and deliver additional value to all of our shareholders." Second Quarter 2016 Consolidated Financial Results REVENUES Total revenues increased by 18.1% to RMB1,046.7 million (US$157.5 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB886.2 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by the Company's organic business growth, which was attributable to the Company's larger global mobile user base compared to the prior year period and its continued improvements in mobile monetization. Revenues from online marketing services increased by 24.0% to RMB939.1 million (US$141.3 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB757.2 million in the prior year period. Mobile advertising revenues represented approximately 77.9% of online marketing revenues in the quarter, as compared with approximately 66.7% in the prior year period. The increase in mobile advertising revenues was driven by the Company's larger global mobile user base compared to the prior year period, and higher demand from advertisers, including third-party advertising platforms, for the Company's mobile advertising services worldwide, as well as the improved monetization of light causal games through in-game advertising. increased by 24.0% to RMB939.1 million (US$141.3 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB757.2 million in the prior year period. Mobile advertising revenues represented approximately 77.9% of online marketing revenues in the quarter, as compared with approximately 66.7% in the prior year period. The increase in mobile advertising revenues was driven by the Company's larger global mobile user base compared to the prior year period, and higher demand from advertisers, including third-party advertising platforms, for the Company's mobile advertising services worldwide, as well as the improved monetization of light causal games through in-game advertising. Revenues from internet value added services ("IVAS") were RMB79.6 million (US$12.0 million) in the second quarter of 2016, as compared with RMB109.3 million in the prior year period. The year-over-year decrease was due to the decline of mobile game publishing revenues in China, which was offset by the Company's growth in overseas markets. were RMB79.6 million (US$12.0 million) in the second quarter of 2016, as compared with RMB109.3 million in the prior year period. The year-over-year decrease was due to the decline of mobile game publishing revenues in China, which was offset by the Company's growth in overseas markets. Revenues from internet security services and others increased by 41.5% to RMB27.9 million (US$4.2 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB19.7 million in the prior year period. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by higher internet software licensing revenues from Kingsoft Japan. By platform, revenues generated from mobile business increased by 36.7% to RMB772.3 million (US$116.2 million) from RMB565.1 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by the Company's larger global mobile user base, and the higher popularity of the Company's mobile marketing services worldwide. By region, revenues generated from overseas markets increased by 25.3% to RMB560.7 million (US$84.4 million) from RMB447.5 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by the Company's larger overseas mobile user base and improvements in overseas monetization compared with the prior year period. COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT Cost of revenues increased by 58.4% to RMB354.7 million (US$53.4 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB223.9 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by increased investments in content for the Company's content-driven products, higher traffic acquisition costs associated with the Company's third-party advertising publishing business on the Cheetah Ad Platform, and higher bandwidth and internet data center costs associated with increased user traffic worldwide and data analytics. Gross profit increased by 4.5% to RMB692.0 million (US$104.1 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB662.3 million in the prior year period. OPERATING INCOME/LOSS AND EXPENSES Total operating expenses increased by 19.5% to RMB755.0 million (US$113.6 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB632.0 million in the prior year period. Total non-GAAP operating expenses increased by 15.6% to RMB666.6 million (US$100.3 million) from RMB576.6 million in the prior year period. Research and development expenses increased by 54.9% to RMB227.5 million (US$34.2 million) from RMB146.9 million in the prior year period, primarily driven by an increase in personnel-related costs and share-based compensation expenses. The increase in personnel costs associated with research and development was primarily driven by the Company's increased investments in big data analytics and new product development, particularly the development of new content-driven mobile applications and services. Non-GAAP research and development expenses, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, increased by 37.5% to RMB178.1 million (US$26.8 million) from RMB129.5 million in the prior year period. Selling and marketing expenses increased by 16.2% to RMB407.2 million (US$61.3 million) from RMB350.3 million in the prior year period, primarily driven by higher expenses on promotional activities for the Company's content-driven products, as well as on sales and marketing personnel as a result of the Company's strategy to expand direct sales operations. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, increased by 16.9% to RMB405.9 million (US$61.1 million) from RMB347.2 million in the prior year period. General and administrative expenses increased by 33.0% to RMB160.7 million (US$24.2 million) from RMB120.9 million in the prior year period. The year-over-year growth was primarily driven by an increase in expenses associated with higher headcount, share-based compensation expenses and staff benefits. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, increased by 43.0% to RMB123.0 million (US$18.5 million) from RMB86.0 million in the prior year period. Other operating income was RMB40.4 million (US$6.1 million) for the second quarter 2016, which primarily consisted of government grants, subsidies and financial incentives that the Company received for its operations that were not subsidies for research and development projects. Operating loss was RMB63.0 million (US$9.5 million), as compared with an operating profit of RMB30.3 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP operating profit was RMB25.5 million (US$3.8 million), as compared with RMB86.4 million in the prior year period. Share-based compensation expenses increased by 57.8% to RMB88.6 million (US$13.3 million) from RMB56.1 million in the prior year period. OTHER EXPENSES The Company recognized impairment losses of long-term investments of RMB95.2 million (US$14.3 million) for the second quarter of 2016, primarily driven by one-time non-cash write downs in certain investment assets, which the Company considered other-than-temporary, to their fair value. These write-downs were a result of lower-than-expected performance and financial position of the Company's investees, including a web game developer as well as a global social and mobile advertising software provider. NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHEETAH MOBILE SHAREHOLDERS Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders was RMB150.5 million (US$22.6 million) in the second quarter of 2016, as compared with net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders of RMB60.1 million in the prior year period. The decline in net income was partly attributable to increased investments in content-driven products and an RMB95.2 million net impairment loss of investments. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders was RMB61.9 million (US$9.3 million), as compared with Non-GAAP net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders of RMB116.2 million in the prior year period. NET LOSSES PER ADS Diluted losses per ADS in the second quarter of 2016 was RMB1.08 (US$0.16), as compared with diluted earnings per ADS of RMB0.42 in the prior year period. Non-GAAP dilute losses per ADS in the second quarter of 2016 was RMB0.44 (US$0.07), as compared with Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS of RMB0.81 in the prior year period. ADJUSTED EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) decreased by 46.0% to RMB67.6 million (US$10.2 million) from RMB125.3 million in the prior year period. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, RESTRICTED CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS BALANCE As of June 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB1,421.1 million (US$213.8 million). SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING As of June 30, 2016, the Company had a total of 1,425,162,680 Class A and Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding. One ADS represents 10 Class A ordinary shares. Recent Developments Acquisition on News Republic During the second quarter of 2016, Cheetah Mobile acquired News Republic, a global mobile news service operator, for a total consideration of up to US$57 million. Headquartered in Bordeaux and San Francisco, News Republic leverages editorial, algorithmic and community intelligence to offer a sharp and wide perspective on the world by enhancing relevance and discoverability in custom news flows. Readers can gain access to articles, videos and photos from thousands of high-profile media partners around the world. News Republic is available in 37 languages and 40 editions. Users can download the app from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, and the app is also preloaded on certain popular smartphones brands. News Republic has received multiple Best News App awards globally, including the Best Media and Publishing App at MWC 2015, as well as the Editors Choice and Super Developer on Google Play and recognition of "Great Apps" and "Best of AppStore" on iOS. News Republic is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheetah Mobile, and the News Republic app will continue to operate independently while receiving development assistance and improvements from the global Cheetah Mobile team. Disposal of Suzhou Jiangduoduo During the second quarter of 2016, Cheetah Mobile disposed of its 65% interest in Suzhou Jiangduoduo ("JDD") and realized a gain on disposal of RMB13.6 million (US$2.0 million). JDD is engaged in online lottery sales business in China, which has been suspended since March 2015 in response to the PRC government's regulatory measures. Departure of Chief Marketing Officer Mr. Xinhua Liu, Chief Marketing Officer of Cheetah Mobile, resigned from his position for personal reasons, effective July 11, 2016. Update on Share Repurchase Program On March 16, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase plan, pursuant to which the Company may repurchase its own issued and outstanding ADSs with an aggregate value of up to US$100 million from the open market, in negotiated transactions off the market, or through other legally permissible means in accordance with applicable securities laws from time to time within one year after March 16, 2016. The share repurchase plan does not require the Company to acquire a specific number of ADSs. As of August 18, 2016, the Company had repurchased a total of 2,536,808 ADSs, representing 25,368,080 Class A ordinary shares, at an average price of $10.7483 per ADS. Business Outlook For the third quarter of 2016, the Company expects its total revenues to be between RMB1,100 million (US$166 million) and RMB1,150 million (US$173 million), representing an estimated year-over-year growth of 7% to 12%, and quarter-over-quarter growth of 5% to 10%. This estimate represents management's preliminary view as of the date of this release, which is subject to change and any change could be material. Conference Call Information Company will hold a conference call on Friday, August 19, 2016 at 8:00 am Eastern Time or 8:00 pm Beijing Time to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers: International: +1-412-902-4272 United States Toll Free: +1-888-346-8982 China Toll Free: 4001-201203 Hong Kong Toll Free: 800-905945 Conference ID: Cheetah Mobile A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.cmcm.com/. Exchange Rate This press release contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars in this press release were made at a rate of RMB6.6459 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2016 as set forth in the H. 10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. Such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB amounts could be converted into U.S. dollars at that rate or any other rate, or to be the amounts that would have been reported under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). About Cheetah Mobile Inc. Cheetah Mobile is a leading mobile internet company. It aims to provide the best apps for mobile users worldwide, while building a leading global mobile ad platform for advertisers. Cheetah Mobile had approximately 623 million global mobile monthly active users in June 2016. Its mission critical applications, including Clean Master, CM Security, Battery Doctor and Duba Anti-virus, help make the internet and mobile experience speedier, simpler, and safer for users worldwide. The Company also provides multiple user traffic entry points and global content promotional channels capable of delivering targeted content to hundreds of millions of users. Its customers include direct advertisers and mobile advertising networks through which advertisers place their advertisements. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements, including management quotes and business outlook, constitute forward-looking statements under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but are not limited to the following: Cheetah Mobile's growth strategies; Cheetah Mobile's ability to retain and increase its user base and expand its product and service offerings; Cheetah Mobile's ability to monetize its platform; Cheetah Mobile's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; competition with companies in a number of industries including internet companies that provide online marketing services and internet value-added services; expected changes in Cheetah Mobile's revenues and certain cost or expense items; and general economic and business condition globally and in China. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Cheetah Mobile's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Cheetah Mobile does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement Cheetah Mobile's consolidated financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Cheetah Mobile uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: Non-GAAP operating expenses reflect operating expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses. reflect operating expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP operating profit reflects operating profit excluding share-based compensation expenses. reflects operating profit excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP net income (losses) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders is net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses. is net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP diluted earnings (losses) per ADS is non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders divided by weighted average number of diluted ADSs. is non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders divided by weighted average number of diluted ADSs. Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-operating income and share-based compensation expenses. The Company believes that separate analysis and exclusion of share-based compensation expenses and the use of Adjusted EBITDA add clarity to the constituent parts of its performance from the cash perspective. The Company reviews these non-GAAP financial measures together with GAAP financial measures to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses the non-GAAP financial measures for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures are useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the effect of share-based compensation expenses, which have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in its business. However, the use of non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company's net income for the period. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not measured in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measure in isolation from or as an alternative to the financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Cheetah Mobile Inc. Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" and "Cheetah Mobile Inc. Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Cheetah Mobile Shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)" at the end of this release. [1] Overseas revenues refers to revenues generated by the Company's operating legal entities incorporated outside the People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan for the purposes of this press release), or the PRC. Such revenues are primarily attributable to customers located outside the PRC. Cheetah Mobile Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited, in '000) As of December 31, 2015 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB USD (As adjusted, unaudited) (a) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1,843,233 883,721 132,972 Restricted cash 156,161 156,822 23,597 Short-term investments 29,234 380,597 57,268 Accounts receivable 633,440 581,952 87,566 Prepayments and other current assets 360,004 440,042 66,213 Due from related parties 60,794 80,756 12,151 Deferred tax assets 5,101 8,874 1,335 Total current assets 3,087,967 2,532,764 381,102 Non-current assets: Property and equipment, net 121,241 131,990 19,860 Intangible assets, net 233,092 266,723 40,133 Goodwill 617,863 953,572 143,483 Investment in equity investees 124,708 103,775 15,615 Other long-term investments 700,113 920,427 138,495 Deferred tax assets 12,843 19,732 2,969 Other non-current assets 28,724 24,652 3,709 Total non-current assets 1,838,584 2,420,871 364,264 Total assets 4,926,551 4,953,635 745,366 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Bank loans 130,273 344,450 51,829 Accounts payable 137,883 186,819 28,110 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 1,308,717 1,107,800 166,689 Redemption right liabilities 474 866 130 Deferred revenue 56,070 56,933 8,567 Due to related parties 56,932 69,180 10,409 Income tax payable 29,822 47,119 7,090 Deferred tax liabilities 414 - - Total current liabilities 1,720,585 1,813,167 272,824 Non-current liabilities: Bank loans 10,523 69,209 10,414 Deferred revenue 8,166 8,062 1,213 Deferred tax liabilities 99,006 102,478 15,420 Other non-current liabilities 73,826 33,123 4,984 Total non-current liabilities 191,521 212,872 32,031 Total liabilities 1,912,106 2,026,039 304,855 Shareholders' equity: Ordinary shares 226 229 34 Treasury stock - (178,991) (26,933) Additional paid-in capital 2,414,706 2,589,594 389,653 Retained earnings 317,818 178,073 26,794 Accumulated other comprehensive income 121,317 165,332 24,878 Total Cheetah Mobile shareholders' equity 2,854,067 2,754,237 414,426 Noncontrolling interests 160,378 173,359 26,085 Total equity 3,014,445 2,927,596 440,511 Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and shareholders' equity 4,926,551 4,953,635 745,366 Note: (a) The above condensed consolidated balance sheets have been prepared as if the Kingsoft Japan had been owned and operated by the Cheetah Mobile throughout the periods presented in accordance with ASC 805-50. Kingsoft Japan became a subsidiary of the Company on January 29, 2016. Cheetah Mobile Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited, in '000, except for per share data and number of shares and ADSs) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD (As adjusted, unaudited) (b) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Revenues 886,222 1,114,988 1,046,664 157,490 Online marketing services 757,170 992,279 939,125 141,309 Internet value-added services 109,308 102,268 79,601 11,977 Internet security services and others 19,744 20,441 27,938 4,204 Cost of revenues (a) (223,929) (321,010) (354,710) (53,373) Gross profit 662,293 793,978 691,954 104,117 Operating income and expenses: Research and development (a) (146,875) (207,462) (227,496) (34,231) Selling and marketing (a) (350,323) (443,782) (407,206) (61,272) General and administrative (a) (120,878) (133,085) (160,735) (24,186) Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (20,216) (2,350) - - Other operating income 6,340 14,948 40,446 6,086 Total operating income and expenses (631,952) (771,731) (754,991) (113,603) Operating profit (loss) 30,341 22,247 (63,037) (9,486) Other income (expense): Interest income, net 4,028 3,387 2,715 409 Changes in fair value of redemption right and put options granted 167 20 (308) (46) Settlement and changes in fair value of contingent consideration 2,677 (683) (664) (100) Foreign exchange (loss) gain, net (188) (1,362) 486 73 Impairment of investments - - (95,206) (14,326) Losses from equity method investments (6,846) (7,731) (6,070) (913) Other income, net 35,777 651 17,620 2,651 Income (Loss) before taxes 65,956 16,529 (144,464) (21,738) Income tax expenses (9,646) (2,998) (1,964) (296) Net income (loss) 56,310 13,531 (146,428) (22,034) Less: net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests (3,786) 2,826 4,022 605 Net income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders 60,096 10,705 (150,450) (22,639) Earnings (Losses) per share Basic 0.04 0.01 (0.11) (0.02) Diluted 0.04 0.01 (0.11) (0.02) Earnings (Losses) per ADS Basic 0.44 0.08 (1.08) (0.16) Diluted 0.42 0.07 (1.08) (0.16) Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic 1,374,275,098 1,392,324,511 1,391,355,172 1,391,355,172 Diluted 1,438,132,050 1,441,882,966 1,391,355,172 1,391,355,172 Weighted average number of ADSs used in computation Basic 137,427,510 139,232,451 139,135,517 139,135,517 Diluted 143,813,205 144,188,297 139,135,517 139,135,517 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of nil Foreign currency translation adjustments (7,352) (6,473) 54,165 8,150 Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net 7,161 1,215 (389) (59) Other comprehensive (loss) income (191) (5,258) 53,776 8,091 Total comprehensive income (loss) 56,119 8,273 (92,652) (13,943) Less: Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests (3,323) 4,234 7,117 1,071 Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders 59,442 4,039 (99,769) (15,014) (a) Share-based compensation expenses (In '000) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD (As adjusted, unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Cost of revenues 744 339 140 21 Research and development 17,387 40,129 49,410 7,435 Selling and marketing 3,117 6,144 1,300 196 General and administrative 34,858 44,835 37,707 5,674 Total 56,106 91,447 88,557 13,326 Notes: (b) The above condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income have been prepared as if the Kingsoft Japan had been owned and operated by the Cheetah Mobile throughout the periods presented in accordance with ASC 805-50. Kingsoft Japan became a subsidiary of the Company on January 29, 2016. Cheetah Mobile Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (Unaudited, in'000, except for per share data and percentage) For The Three Months Ended June 2016 GAAP % of Net Share-based % of Net Non-GAAP % of Net Non-GAAP Result Revenues Compensation Revenues Result Revenues Result ($) Revenues 1,046,664 1,046,664 157,490 Cost of revenues (354,710) 33.9% 140 0.0% (354,570) 33.9% (53,352) Gross profit 691,954 66.1% 140 0.0% 692,094 66.1% 104,138 Research and development (227,496) 21.7% 49,410 4.7% (178,086) 17.0% (26,796) Selling and marketing (407,206) 38.9% 1,300 0.1% (405,906) 38.8% (61,076) General and administrative (160,735) 15.4% 37,707 3.6% (123,028) 11.8% (18,512) Other operating income 40,446 3.9% - - 40,446 3.9% 6,086 Total operating income and expenses (754,991) 72.1% 88,417 8.4% (666,574) 63.7% (100,298) Operating (loss) profit (63,037) 6.0% 88,557 8.5% 25,520 2.4% 3,840 Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders (150,450) 14.4% 88,557 8.5% (61,893) 5.9% (9,313) Diluted losses per ordinary share (RMB) (0.11) 0.07 (0.04) Diluted losses per ADS (RMB) (1.08) 0.64 (0.44) Diluted losses per ADS (USD) (0.16) 0.09 (0.07) For The Three Months Ended March 2016 GAAP % of Net Share-based % of Net Non-GAAP % of Net Result Revenues Compensation Revenues Result Revenues Revenues 1,114,988 1,114,988 Cost of revenues (321,010) 28.8% 339 0.0% (320,671) 28.8% Gross profit 793,978 71.2% 339 0.0% 794,317 71.2% Research and development (207,462) 18.6% 40,129 3.6% (167,333) 15.0% Selling and marketing (443,782) 39.8% 6,144 0.6% (437,638) 39.3% General and administrative (133,085) 11.9% 44,835 4.0% (88,250) 7.9% Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (2,350) 0.2% - - (2,350) 0.2% Other operating income 14,948 1.3% - - 14,948 1.3% Total operating income and expenses (771,731) 69.2% 91,108 8.2% (680,623) 61.0% Operating profit 22,247 2.0% 91,447 8.2% 113,694 10.2% Net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders 10,705 1.0% 91,447 8.2% 102,152 9.2% Diluted earnings per ordinary share (RMB) 0.01 0.06 0.07 Diluted earnings per ADS (RMB) 0.07 0.64 0.71 For The Three Months Ended June 2015 GAAP % of Net Share-based % of Net Non-GAAP % of Net Result Revenues Compensation Revenues Result Revenues Revenues 886,222 886,222 Cost of revenues (223,929) 25.3% 744 0.1% (223,185) 25.2% Gross profit 662,293 74.7% 744 0.1% 663,037 74.8% Research and development (146,875) 16.6% 17,387 2.0% (129,488) 14.6% Selling and marketing (350,323) 39.5% 3,117 0.4% (347,206) 39.2% General and administrative (120,878) 13.6% 34,858 3.9% (86,020) 9.7% Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (20,216) 2.3% - - (20,216) 2.3% Other operating income 6,340 0.7% - - 6,340 0.7% Total operating income and expenses (631,952) 71.3% 55,362 6.2% (576,590) 65.1% Operating profit 30,341 3.4% 56,106 6.3% 86,447 9.8% Net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile Shareholders 60,096 6.8% 56,106 6.3% 116,202 13.1% Diluted earnings per ordinary share (RMB) 0.04 0.04 0.08 Diluted earnings per ADS (RMB) 0.42 0.39 0.81 Cheetah Mobile Inc. Reconciliation from Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Cheetah Mobile Shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (Unaudited, in '000) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD Net income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders 60,096 10,705 (150,450) (22,639) Add: Income tax expense 9,646 2,998 1,964 296 Interest income,net (4,028) (3,387) (2,715) (409) Depreciation and amortization 38,867 37,076 42,126 6,339 Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests (3,786) 2,826 4,022 605 Other non-operating (income) expense, net (31,587) 9,105 84,142 12,661 Share-based compensation 56,106 91,447 88,557 13,326 Adjusted EBITDA 125,314 150,770 67,646 10,179 Cheetah Mobile Inc. Revenues Generated from PC-based and Mobile-based Applications and Services (Unaudited, in '000) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD PC 321,107 288,398 274,329 41,278 Mobile 565,115 826,590 772,335 116,212 Total 886,222 1,114,988 1,046,664 157,490 Cheetah Mobile Inc. Revenues Generated from Domestic and Overseas Markets (Unaudited, in '000) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD Domestic revenues 438,697 481,373 485,972 73,123 Overseas revenues 447,525 633,615 560,692 84,367 Total 886,222 1,114,988 1,046,664 157,490 Investor Relations Contact Cheetah Mobile Inc.Helen Jing ZhuTel: +86 10 6292 7779 ext. 1600Email: [email protected] ICR, Inc.Jessie Fan Tel: +1 (646) 417-5395Email: [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cheetah-mobile-announces-second-quarter-2016-unaudited-consolidated-financial-results-300315819.html SOURCE Cheetah Mobile LAS VEGAS, NV, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - DEQ Systems Corp. (TSXV: DEQ) ("DEQ" or the "Company"), has named Ms. Libby Lamm as its new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective immediately. Ms. Lamm will be based in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. "Libby will be an instant asset to the executive team. Libby's broad financial experience and knowledge of not only gaming but various industries will be invaluable as we continue to execute our business plan and strategic initiatives, stated Joseph E. Bertolone, President and Chief Executive Officer of DEQ." "I look forward to joining the team at DEQ and contributing to the company's success with my extensive financial experience. I am impressed by the team's dedication for solid strategic growth and anxious to do great things here, stated Ms. Lamm." Before joining DEQ, Ms. Lamm served as CFO for Red Lake Ventures in Kingman, Arizona, since 2014. Prior to joining Red Lake Ventures Ms. Lamm held various and diversified roles as CFO for KTHLS Limited in Orlando Florida from 2011 2014 and CFO for TCS John Huxley Americas in Las Vegas, Nevada from 2007-2011. Ms. Lamm has held various and diversified financial and controller positions within a variety of organizations and industries. Ms. Lamm holds Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Walsh College in Troy, Michigan. ABOUT DEQ DEQ Systems Corp. (TSXV: DEQ) is one of the market leaders in Table Games, Progressive Systems, Proprietary Table Games content and Utility solutions. DEQ's systems and games are installed in over 300 casinos, in 30 countries around the world. The combination of our services, industry leading products and revenue generation capabilities make DEQ a leader for innovation in the table game bonusing segment of the global gaming market. For further information, please visit www.deq.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE DEQ SYSTEMS CORP. TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Williams (NYSE: WMB) board of directors has approved a regular dividend of $0.20, or $0.80 annualized, on the companys common stock, payable September 26, 2016 to holders of record at the close of business September 9, 2016. Williams has paid a common stock dividend every quarter since 1974. About Williams Williams (NYSE: WMB) is a premier provider of large-scale infrastructure connecting North American natural gas and natural gas products to growing demand for cleaner fuel and feedstocks. Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., Williams owns approximately 60 percent of Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ), including all of the 2 percent general-partner interest. Williams Partners is an industry-leading, large-cap master limited partnership with operations across the natural gas value chain from gathering, processing and interstate transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids to petchem production of ethylene, propylene and other olefins. With major positions in top U.S. supply basins and also in Canada, Williams Partners owns and operates more than 33,000 miles of pipelines system wide including the nations largest volume and fastest growing pipeline providing natural gas for clean-power generation, heating and industrial use. Williams Partners operations touch approximately 30 percent of U.S. natural gas. www.williams.com Portions of this document may constitute forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Although the company believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the companys annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005649/en/ Williams Media Contact: Lance Latham, 918-573-9675 or Investor Contacts: John Porter, 918-573-0797 or Brett Krieg, 918-573-4614 Source: Williams Refinery units are heavily damaged after an explosion at the Exxon-Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, February 18, 2015. REUTERS/Bob Riha Jr. By Liz Hampton HOUSTON (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) has defended its handling of an outage at its Los Angeles refinery following a blast in February 2015 after a prominent trading company told a state commission that the process had lacked transparency. Speaking before a committee of the California Energy Commission on Tuesday, Brad Lucas, a West Coast trader for Vitol [VITOLV.UL], said that lack of information about the restart of the refinery made it difficult to time cargo deliveries into the West Coast market. Lucas said at the meeting that "In my opinion, there was a lack of transparency with what was going on with Torrance." He said Exxon kept saying the Torrance refinery would come back online "next month". The explosion at Exxon Mobil's 149,500 barrel-per-day Torrance refinery, which provides about 10 percent of California's gasoline supply, knocked a gasoline-producing unit offline for more than a year. The higher prices created an incentive for traders to import fuel into California, but only if they could gauge when prices might fall after a refinery restart. "ExxonMobil is committed to the highest standards of business conduct and rejects these allegations," ExxonMobil said in an emailed statement on Thursday. "We have operated responsibly and in strict compliance with all laws." Vitol said in a statement on Friday "there was a lack of clarity regarding the restart date for the refinery," but added that it had "never suggested the lack of clarity was the responsibility of ExxonMobil, nor that ExxonMobil mislead (stet) the market." The meeting by the Commission's Petroleum Market Advisory Committee was to discuss gasoline price volatility and policy alternatives to mitigate price spikes. PBF Energy (NYSE: PBF) acquired the Torrance facility from Exxon on July 1. California Attorney General Kamala Harris issued subpoenas to refiners in the state in May as part of a probe into whether they manipulated gasoline prices since 2014. In July 2015, refinery outages and tightened supplies pushed Los Angeles wholesale CARBOB gasoline prices to record levels of more than a $1.30 a gallon premium to the U.S. RBOB futures contract . Kinder Morgan, which operates pipelines and terminals, also spoke at the hearing. (Editing by Terry Wade and Matthew Lewis) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry attends a a bilateral meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Vientiane, Laos July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Kenya, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia next week for talks with senior government officials on regional issues, the State Department said on Thursday. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the visit to Kenya would focus on South Sudan's peace process and Somalia's political transition. In Nigeria, he would meet President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss cooperation on the fight against Boko Haram militants, the Nigerian economy and human rights issues, the spokesman said. In Saudi Arabia, Kerry would meet senior Saudi leaders as well as counterparts from Gulf Arab states to discuss the conflict in Yemen, Kirby said. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; editing by Grant McCool) By Joachim Dagenborg ARENDAL, Norway (Reuters) - Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said she saw some advantages if Britain joined the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) after quitting the EU, qualifying past doubts about British membership. Solberg also said in an interview with Reuters that Britain's 65 million people would radically change EFTA, which now comprises Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein with a combined population of just 14 million. Prime Minister Theresa May is undecided about her country's future role in Europe after Britons voted to leave the European Union in a June referendum. One option could be to join EFTA, which Britain helped found but quit to enter the EU in 1973, though it is far from clear that is a path that Britain wants to follow. "It's easy to see some advantages of British membership. It's a big country with a big economy," Solberg said. But that benefit of more clout also means Britain might demand conditions that would mainly help it - rather than its putative EFTA partners - when negotiating trade deals. "Some countries will probably think it's fine to have a free trade deal with us (EFTA), but won't necessarily think that it's equally simple to have a free trade deal with Britain," she said. EFTA has about 30 free trade deals with nations including Canada, Chile, Morocco and Singapore. Solberg cited farming as one example of a possible conflict of interest. Britain exported food and drink worth 18 billion pounds ($24 billion) in 2015 while Norway imposes high import barriers to protect farmers in a country that stretches into the Arctic. "I don't think that the EFTA path is necessarily the way Britain should be interested in going," she said. She said her Conservative Party was in "continuous dialogue" with their peers across the North Sea led by May, whose first weeks in office have been dominated by a debate over the terms and timing of Britain's divorce from the EU. Overall, Solberg's comments were less skeptical about British membership than shortly after Britain's vote, when she stressed that it would "change the balance of power in EFTA". That variable picture has parallels within the EU, where Germany has held out the prospect of granting Britain a special status in its post-Brexit relationship while France has pushed for a more hardline approach. Within EFTA, all member countries have to approve new members, giving each a theoretical veto. "It would be wrong to flag a veto or no veto now, and I believe anyway that we will find good solutions to these problems," Solberg said. She said it was important for all countries to set out their national interests in the debate. "Then all must be prepared for anything, if it turns out that Britain joins EFTA," she said. Alongside being members of EFTA, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein also have free movement of goods, services and people with the 28-nation EU. Switzerland is outside that deal. ($1 = 0.7599 pounds) (Writing by Alister Doyle; editing by John Stonestreet) By Tom Bergin LA HULPE, Belgium (Reuters) - More than a dozen current and former board directors and senior managers of SWIFT, the bank messaging system that helps transmit billions of dollars around the world every day, have told Reuters the organization for years suspected there were weaknesses in the way smaller banks used its messaging terminals but did not address such vulnerabilities. The sources said that until February, when hackers tried to steal nearly $1 billion dollars by breaking into the messaging system at Bangladesh's central bank, SWIFT had not regarded the security of customer terminals as a priority. Top executives either did not receive information from member banks about specific attempts to hack the messaging network, or failed to spot those attempts themselves, the managers said. In SWIFT's annual reports and strategy plans from the past 17 years Reuters could find only one reference to SWIFT helping its users to secure their systems. That reference to helping "our community to strengthen their own infrastructure" was in the 2015 annual report published in June this year, months after the Bangladesh heist, in which the fraudsters ended up making off with $81 million. "The board took their eye off the ball," said Leonard Schrank, who was chief executive of SWIFT from 1992 to 2007. "They were focusing on other things, and not about the fundamental, sacred role of SWIFT, which is the security and reliability of the system." Schrank said he was broadly aware that users' terminals were a weak link in SWIFT's overall security, but paid too little attention to it. "So I am partially responsible," he said. The messaging business failed to act in part because the risks were not properly appreciated, the former directors and managers said. SWIFT did not comprehensively track security incidents or monitor the extent of sloppy security practices among users. It saw smaller banks as a potential but not immediate threat to the security of the network, according to the former managers and directors. SWIFT never acted, former board member Arthur Cousins said, because the organization believed bank regulators rather than SWIFT were responsible for ensuring smaller banks' security procedures were robust enough to repel hackers. A spokeswoman for SWIFT, a cooperative owned by banks, defended the organization. "SWIFT and its Board have prioritized security, continually monitoring the landscape and responding by adapting the specific security focuses as threats have evolved. Today's security threats are not the same threats the industry faced five or ten years ago or even a year ago and like any other responsible organization we adapt as the threat changes." SWIFT was, and still is, dominated by large Western banks, including Citibank, JP MORGAN, Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas, that built the network decades ago. That contributed to the lack of concern over security, said the former directors, because the larger banks tend to have sufficient defenses to prevent criminals from hacking into their SWIFT systems. But since the 1990s, many smaller banks in emerging markets have joined SWIFT, and some may have weaker computer security. In all, more than 10,000 institutions are now connected to SWIFT. Gottfried Leibbrandt, CEO since 2012, said it was only with the benefit of "hindsight" that one could see that SWIFT needed to put more focus on security at customer terminals. "Hindsight is always a wonderful thing," he said. "Sometimes it takes a crisis to change things." RISE IN SMALL USERS In the Bangaldesh heist, hackers broke into a computer interface called Alliance Access, a piece of software sold by SWIFT for accessing its central network. It is still unclear exactly how the thieves gained entry. Bank Bangladesh has alleged that a botched upgrade of its system left vulnerabilities in it. SWIFT has rejected any responsibility for the way Bangladesh Bank upgraded its systems. Whatever specific weakness the thieves in the Bangladesh case exploited, former SWIFT directors and managers said the system became more vulnerable as it got bigger. Alessandro Lanteri, a former executive with Italian bank Unicredit who served on SWIFT's board between 1995 and 2000, said security challenges increased when smaller banks in emerging markets joined the SWIFT network. "The difficulty is always to keep the security system very effective when you deal with little banks and emerging countries," he said. "There, it is very difficult to be sure that all the procedures of security are managed in the correct way." The number of countries and territories covered by SWIFT swelled from 126 in 1994 to 200 in 2003 and 212 now. Bigger western banks considered SWIFT more cost effective and secure than alternative means of communication, Cousins said, and encouraged smaller banks to become members. But despite the rise in the number of smaller institutions as members, the big banks continued to dominate SWIFT. The organization's revenues, which hit 710 million euros last year, are driven by a concentrated number of large western correspondent banks like Citigroup and HSBC, former SWIFT staff said. Traditionally, 90 percent of messaging revenue comes from banks in just 25 countries almost all developed nations data in the decade to 2011, the last year for which SWIFT published a breakdown, shows. Some people working at the coalface spotted evidence of deteriorating security well before this year's Bangladesh case. Two years ago, Martin Ullman, a Prague-based SWIFT consultant, was browsing a LinkedIn forum for SWIFT users when he saw a posting from a recently-appointed technician at the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI). The technician needed to install an upgrade to the bank's SWIFT messaging system but didn't know how. He wanted advice. Ullman emailed the man and told him that raising such issues in a public forum could endanger security and advised him to seek expert help. The technician said the bank couldn't afford it, and said he finally managed to install the system himself. CBSI declined to comment. Reuters was unable to contact the technician to confirm the incident. Yet security was vital: Six former directors of SWIFT said any breach of the broader system could put the bedrock of SWIFT the willingness of banks to accept messages at face value at risk. TRAIL OF INCIDENTS Hugh Cumberland, a former SWIFT executive who now advises banks on payments technologies, said he first saw security risks in 1993. He told Reuters that, when he was working as a technology contractor with BZW, an arm of BARCLAYS, in London. Cumberland arrived for work one day to be met by policemen carrying Heckler & Koch submachine guns. Two staff members had been arrested for attempting to use their access to a SWIFT terminal to send 10 million pounds of "unnamed client money" to accounts controlled by them. Cumberland did not know the outcome of the case. Both SWIFT and Barclays declined to comment. Another incident occurred in 1995, when officials at Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) began sending fraudulent payment instructions to Citibank, telling it to pay money from DIB's account at the U.S. bank into the account of a fraudster, according to a lawsuit DIB filed against Citibank in New York in 1999. More than $150 million was allegedly stolen by DIB executives in collaboration with Foutanga Dit Babani Sissoko, a West African businessman previously jailed for trying to bribe U.S. customs officials. Sissoko was deported from the United State before the DIB allegations were made in court. Reuters could not contact him. A lawyer involved in the case confirmed the messages were sent via SWIFT, which has a near monopoly on such international payment instructions. The court dismissed the claim of negligence against Citibank. The banks declined to comment on the case. (Swift was not involved in the legal proceedings.) More recently, thieves exploiting SWIFT systems stole $250,000 from Bangladesh's Sonali bank in 2013 and more than $12 million from Ecuador's Banco del Austro in 2015. Later in 2015, Vietnam's Tien Phong Bank foiled an attempt to steal money via SWIFT, which was reported by Reuters in May. SWIFT officials said the banks involved in these three cases did not immediately inform it of the incidents, though the banks did confirm them later. The senior management at SWIFT appears to have been unaware of the events. Leibbrandt told Reuters in May that, before the Bangladesh heist in February, he had not been told of any successful or unsuccessful attempt to steal money using SWIFT. Asked why SWIFT had not logged the incidents described above, a spokeswoman said: "SWIFT has always maintained an uncompromising focus on security as evidenced by our track record." CHANGING ATTITUDES Some former SWIFT executives and directors said the failure to spot the security risks around user terminals reflects weaknesses in SWIFT's board. Schrank, the chief executive from 1992 to 2007, said some directors lacked the experience needed to help steer such a big and important enterprise. "Generally the SWIFT board, with very few exceptions, are back-office payments people, middle to senior management," he said. Of 48 current and former non-executive SWIFT directors for whom Reuters could find career histories, only two sat on their employer's management board. Only one sat on the board of a listed company other than their employer. Fritz Klein, a former Credit Suisse banker who served on SWIFT's board from 1998 to 2002, said an even greater concern was the length of tenure of some members, which he said did not encourage fresh thinking. At any time, a third of members had been there for "very long, perhaps too long," he said. A spokeswoman for SWIFT said: "SWIFT's large and diverse group of Board members have decades of experience in operations, management, IT, risk assessment, and various other disciplines. SWIFT's Board composition includes long-standing members with a deep understanding of how SWIFT works, as well as newer members who contribute with a fresh outside view." The board is dominated by larger banks: the six countries which have the greatest messaging volume have the right to appoint two directors each. The next 10 largest user countries can appoint one each. Lanteri, the former Unicredit banker who used to be a SWIFT director, said: "When I was on the board I had no direct contact with the little countries." Board members came from all over the world, he said, but "from the most important banks." The Bangladesh heist has changed attitudes. In May, SWIFT published a new "customer security plan," promising to strengthen security on software tools such as Alliance Access; to develop new tools to spot when an account has been compromised and when a payment instruction deviates from normal patterns; and to allow banks to issue "stop payment" orders quickly. In July, SWIFT announced the creation of a "Forensics and Customer Security Intelligence team," in conjunction with cyber security firms BAE Systems1 and Fox- IT2. The team will gather information on any attempts to commit thefts through SWIFT, analyze the risks these attacks highlight and share the lessons with the wider SWIFT community. (Additional reporting by Andrew MacAskill in London; Edited by Richard Woods and Alessandra Galloni) UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 16, 2016 UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. UNITED AIRLINES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 001-06033 36-2675207 Delaware 001-10323 74-2099724 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number) 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (872) 825-4000 (872) 825-4000 Registrants telephone number, including area code (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. On August 18, 2016, United Continental Holdings, Inc. (the Company) announced that Andrew C. Levy was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company to be effective on Monday, August 22, 2016. Upon such effective date, Gerald Laderman, the Companys acting Chief Financial Officer, will return to his position as the Companys Senior Vice President Finance, Procurement and Treasurer. Mr. Levy, age 47, has served since January 2015 as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of AML Ventures, LLC, an investment and advisory firm specializing in the airline industry. Previously, Mr. Levy held leadership roles at Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant) for thirteen years, including as Chief Operating Officer and a Director from September 2013 to October 2014; President from September 2009 to October 2014; Chief Financial Officer from October 2007 to May 2010; and Managing Director, Planning & Treasurer from April 2001 to October 2010. Prior to joining Allegiant, Mr. Levy worked at Mpower Communications, Inc., Savoy Capital, and ValuJet Airlines, Inc. He holds a law degree from Emory University and a bachelors degree from Washington University in St. Louis. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Levy and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as an officer of the Company. Mr. Levy does not have any family relationship with any director or other executive officer of the Company, and there are no transactions in which Mr. Levy has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Compensation Committee) approved the terms of Mr. Levys compensation, to be effective upon his commencement of employment with the Company. Under such terms, the Company will provide Mr. Levy an annual base salary of $675,000, a 2016 annual target incentive compensation equal to 100% of his pro-rated 2016 base salary, and a 2016 long-term incentive opportunity equal to 335% of his pro-rated 2016 base salary. In addition, upon his employment effective date, Mr. Levy will receive a sign-on award of 86,000 stock options. The stock options will vest over a three year period on each anniversary of the grant date and will have a seven year term. The 2016 long-term incentive awards consist of (i) restricted shares, (ii) performance-based RSUs (with a return on invested capital metric), and (iii) performance-based RSUs (with a relative pre-tax margin metric). Mr. Levy will be an eligible participant in the United Continental Holdings, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the Plan). The Plan provides Mr. Levy certain payments and benefits upon termination of employment. In the event he is terminated by the Company without cause or he terminates for good reason (as defined in the Plan), Mr. Levy will receive a cash severance payment equal to two times the sum of his annual base salary and target annual incentive compensation opportunity as in effect immediately prior to termination and continued coverage pursuant to the Companys or an affiliates welfare benefit plans for 24 months following termination. The Plan provides that all termination payments and obligations of the Company or its affiliates are subject to receipt of a signed and irrevocable release agreement relating to certain legal claims and liabilities against the Company or its affiliates. Under the terms of the Companys restricted share agreements, Mr. Levy will be subject to post-termination restrictive covenants during a limited time period relating to solicitation or hiring of any employee of the Company or its affiliates and certain non-competition obligations (except upon involuntary or good reason termination). In addition, he will be bound by obligations of confidentiality and non-disparagement for an indefinite duration with respect to the Company and its affiliates. In connection with his return to the position of Senior Vice President Finance, Procurement and Treasurer, the Compensation Committee approved a retention award for Mr. Laderman. The retention award consists of a $500,000 cash payment and an award of 45,000 restricted stock units that will vest over a three year period and will settled in cash based on the 20 day average closing price of the Companys common stock prior to the vest date. The cash portion of the retention award will be subject to a clawback provision under which Mr. Laderman will be required to pay back 50% of the cash portion of the retention award if he leaves the Company within two years following the payment date. The retention award was approved effective August 16, 2016. The $40,000 monthly stipend previously approved for Mr. Laderman for his service as acting Chief Financial Officer will terminate beginning as of the first calendar month following Mr. Levys effective date. On August 18, 2016, the Company also announced that James Compton, Vice Chairman and Chief Revenue Officer, will retire from the Company, effective December 31, 2016. In connection with his departure, Mr. Compton will receive the benefits under the Plan that are provided upon an involuntary termination without cause and his outstanding long-term incentive awards will receive the treatment applicable to retirement eligibility, as provided for pursuant to the terms of the award agreements. The benefits payable under the Plan were previously described in the Companys 2016 Proxy Statement under the heading Executive Compensation Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control. The terms of Mr. Comptons departure were reviewed with and approved by the Compensation Committee on August 16, 2016. Mr. Compton will continue to serve as Vice Chairman of the Company through December 31, 2016 and will remain eligible to receive a payout under the 2016 annual incentive plan, based on actual performance during 2016. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (a) - (c) Not applicable. (d) Exhibits: Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit 99.1 Press Release issued by the Company on August 18, 2016. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. UNITED AIRLINES, INC. By: /s/ Jennifer L. Kraft Name: Jennifer L. Kraft Title: Deputy General Counsel and Secretary Date: August 18, 2016 Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit 99.1 Press Release issued by the Company on August 18, 2016. Exhibit 99.1 News Release United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations 872.825.8640 [email protected] United Appoints New Senior Leaders Andrew Levy Named Chief Financial Officer; Julia Haywood Named Chief Commercial Officer CHICAGO, August 18, 2016 - United Continental Holdings, Inc. (UAL) today announced the addition of two key members to the companys executive leadership team with the appointment of Andrew Levy as executive vice president and chief financial officer and Julia Haywood as executive vice president and chief commercial officer. Gerry Laderman, who has been serving as acting chief financial officer, will continue in his previous role as senior vice president, finance, procurement and treasurer. Jim Compton, who currently serves as chief revenue officer and vice chairman of United, will retire at the end of the year, after supporting the transition. Levy comes to United following more than thirteen years of leadership at Allegiant Travel Company, a highly successful ultra-low cost carrier. Levy brings a comprehensive airline background to United, having held the roles of president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Andrew is the ideal candidate to join United. His deep experience in not only finance, but airline operations is critical as we are redefining all aspects of our business to build a truly great airline, said Oscar Munoz, president and CEO. Gerrys leadership over the last year has been invaluable. He is a trusted advisor and I look forward to continuing to work with him as a member of the executive leadership team. Haywood joins United from The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she served as partner and managing director. Most recently, Haywood was a partner on BCGs revenue and network transformation team at United. I have spent the last few months working with Julia as she has been partnering with our revenue and network teams, and her expertise in global consumer travel will be a tremendous addition to drive Uniteds strategic direction, said Munoz. I cant thank Jim enough for his leadership during his years at United. The entire United team wishes him well on his upcoming retirement and recognizes the significant contributions he has made to our business in his years at the company. United Appoints New Senior Leaders/ PAGE 2 Munoz continued, Julia and Andrew bring a powerful combination of industry perspective and experience to our leadership team. During his time at Allegiant, Levy initially led the efforts to successfully restructure and assume ownership control of the company. Levy then had a leading role in the development and execution of the innovative plan that resulted in Allegiants success, including responsibility for strategy, planning, finance and operations. Prior to Allegiant, he held several leadership positions at MPower Communications, serving as vice president of network development and network planning. Levy is currently on the board of Copa Airlines. Levy has a bachelors degree from Washington University and a juris doctor from Emory University. Haywood has been at BCG for twelve years, where she has ascended to lead the firms airline transformation practice globally, with specific expertise in commercial strategy and execution, network planning and revenue growth. Throughout her career she has worked with more than a dozen airlines ranging from ultra-low cost carriers to large global network carriers, including a series of complex multi-year transformations for airlines on three continents. Prior to BCG, Haywood served in various roles for the International Olympic Committee, focusing on strategy and operations. She has a bachelors degree from Laurentian University and an MBA from Melbourne Business School. About United United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2015, United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have the worlds most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 720 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737 NGs, 787s and 777s. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com , follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of Uniteds parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL. # # # Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. I used to sit beside him on the rocks in the sun and watch the waves roll in. He was a little cruiser. Now Julie Grahams little mate has gone tragically and needlessly taken. It is just so, so sad and really hard to take. A significant part of the countrys history, the New Zealand Land Wars was acknowledged today with the return of Rangiriri Pa to Waikato-Tainui says Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell. The Minister joined other Crown representatives today at the 10-year Koroneihana (Coronation Anniversary) held at Turangawaewae Marae to mark the return of Rangiriri Pa and Te Wheoro Redoubt historic reserve to Waikato-Tainui. Mr Flavell says Crown confiscation of 1.2 million acres of Tainui land during the land wars, such as the Pa and Redoubt in 1863, marks a dark moment in history for the Tainui people, the Kingitanga and the nation as a whole. At this historic moment, these famous Tainui words ring true, I riro whenua atu, me hoki whenua mai as land was confiscated so land should return, he says. Its a sign of our maturity as a nation that we tell all our stories, good and bad, Mr Flavell says. Returning these spiritual sites is important. It continues building the relationship between the Crown and Tainui since the historic Battle of Rangiriri 152 years ago. Budget 16 secured $4 million funding to go toward initiatives to commemorate the New Zealand Land Wars. Its time we all recognise the importance of honouring those who perished on home soil just as we honour those who died overseas. These battles shaped our country and people and its important that we recognise our shared history. Iwi leaders have discussed with the Minister a desire for an annual date for national commemorations. Mr Flavell is currently working with them on identifying a proposed date. The $1 million per annum funding over four years will provide financial support to mark commemorative events and may also support education-related activities for schools, kura and communities about the Land Wars. SOURCE: Office of Te Ururoa Flavell The parents of a motorcyclist killed by an inexperienced foreign driver are concerned she will be deported before serving her time. On Friday, High Court Justice Jillian Mallon quashed the jail sentence handed to Chinese national Jieling Xiao in June after she had earlier plead guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of Tauranga motorcyclist Rhys Middleton, 23, in February. The port's current concession holder and an investment group are waiting for a report to tell them when the licence granted to Jose Banus in 1968 runs out Puerto Banus. SUR The sale of Puerto Banus to a group of investors, which has been under negotiation for more than a year, is being delayed by an apparent formality. The current concession-holder, Puerto Banus SA, and the investment group interested in buying the marina are waiting for the government to produce a report to confirm when exactly the current concession to manage the port runs out. So far the content of the negotiations has been kept secret, however sources consulted by SUR state that even the sum of the transaction has been agreed, albeit dependent on the final answer regarding the length of the original concession. The deal also includes a clause that allows for a significant increase in the sum paid if permission is obtained to expand the marina. Both the Junta de Andalucia and Marbella town hall have been kept informed of the negotiations. The sources stated however that they didnt expect to receive the official report before the new central government has been formed. 99 years The original concession to run Puerto Banus was granted to the entrepreneur Jose Banus on 4 March 1968 for a period of 99 years. This would indicate therefore that the current concession-holders right to run the port would expire at the start of 2067. However, after Spains transition to democracy, different pieces of legislation have been passed related to this type of concession, shedding doubt on the legal situation of licences granted during the dictatorship. In September 2011, during the last Socialist government, a revised version of the law governing state ports and merchant navy, was passed by royal decree. This established 35 years as the maximum length of administrative concessions affecting public port domain. However in 2014, then with the PP in power, a new decree described as urgent measures for growth, competitiveness and efficiency put the maximum period up to 50 years. Modification requirements were also altered allowing an extension in certain cases to 75 years. Therefore, depending on the law applied, the Banus concession could run out in 2018, 2043 or 2067, which considerably alters the value of the firm up for sale and even the viability of the transaction. Puerto Banus SA, which believes that the original conditions should be respected, approached the Junta de Andalucia, responsible for the area through the ports authority, APPA, as well as the central environment ministry requesting a report to certify the length of the concession. No government, no report The APPA stated that the interpretation of a state law was the responsibility of the central administration, whose response is taking its time, possibly due to the current uncertain political situation in this country, which has been in the hands of an acting government since December. The situation has been complicated further by a sentence handed down by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg on 14 July, stating that the automatic extension of this type of concession violated the European right to free competition. This sentence responded to a claim by an Italian firm against the automatic renewal of the contract to run a kiosk and pier area on Lake Garda in Italy. This could affect the Puerto Banus negotiations as there would be no guarantee that the concession could be renewed when it expires. To activate the text-to-speech service, please first agree to the privacy policy below. Taipei, Aug. 19 (CNA) With the number of tourists from China traveling to Taiwan on the decline, the number of Chinese visitors who arrived at and departed from the nation's airports, with the exception of the Taipei Songshan Airport, fell in July, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said Friday. We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. Italian engineers guilty of pollution Two dAmico employed engineers have admitted that they deliberately concealed their vessel's discharge of oily waste into the sea, according to a report from the US Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey. On 11th August, Chief Engineer Girolamo Curatolo of the Handysize product tanker Cielo di Milano, pleaded guilty before US District Judge Susan Wigenton in Newark federal court to a charge of one count of conspiring to violate the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. Danilo Maimone, the tanker's first assistant engineer, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to obstruct justice. According to documents filed and statements made in court, Cielo di Milano owned by d'Amico Shipping Italia. and managed by d'Amico Societa di Navigazione, visited terminals in New Jersey several times, as well as terminals in Maryland and Florida. Curatolo admitted that the crew had intentionally bypassed the required pollution prevention equipment by discharging oily waste from the engine room through its sewage system into the sea. He also admitted that he falsified the vessel's oil record book, a required log, which is regularly inspected by the US Coast Guard. Curatolo also admitted he made false statements to the USCG during its inspection of the tanker in January, 2015, instructing lower-level crew members to make false statements and destroying the vessel's sounding log which records the contents of storage tanks aboard the vessel, including those containing oily waste by ripping the pages out and burning it in the vessel's boiler after the inspectors had boarded the vessel. Maimone admitted concealing the discharge of oily waste, as well as causing a false oil record book to be presented to the USCG during the inspection. He also admitted making false statements and instructing subordinate crew members to make false statements during the inspection. These charges each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offences. Both men will be sentenced on 21st November, 2016. At the hearing, US Attorney Paul Fishman praised USCGs investigative service agents, under the direction of the agent in charge, Richard Cox. The US Government was represented by Assistant US Attorneys Kathleen OLeary of the US Attorneys Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit and Kelly Graves of the US Attorneys Office General Crimes Unit in Newark, and Trial Attorney Brandy Parker of the Environmental Crimes Section of the US Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division Defence counsels were for Curatolo - Michael Chalos of New York - and for Maimone - Ronald Sarachan of Philadelphia. The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and Palmali Shipping have signed a series of five-year agreements. Under these agreements, RS will render a whole range of services on classification and the statutory surveys of ships. The agreements involve 49 ships, including oil tankers, chemical tankers and dry cargo ships. The average fleet age is nine years. This event is significant as demonstration of confidence in the Register from one of the worlds leading operators. Signing of the agreements is considered by RS as an extension of our strategic co-operation, said Kostantin Palnikov, RS Director General. Team Tankers hit by weaker chem tanker market Team Tankers International reported EBITDA for the second quarter of this year of $9.7 mill, compared with $14.2 mill in the 1Q16 and $16.9 mill in 2Q15. Net loss for the second quarter was $4.4 mill, compared with net profit of $4.5 mill in 1Q16 and a net profit of $4.6 mill in 2Q15. The average daily TCE rate for the fleet was $13,242 in 2Q16, compared with $14,000 in the previous quarter. In 2Q16, the company took delivery of the North Contender, a 19,925 dwt stainless steel chemical tanker, which was previously on bareboat charter to Team Tankers. Subsequently, the company agreed to sell the vessel. In addition, during the period, the company completed the sale of the Sichem Contester, a 19,822 dwt stainless steel tanker and agreed to sell the Sichem Edinburgh, a 13,153 dwt coated tanker, with expected delivery in the third quarter of this year. A net loss $0.9 mill was recognised from ship transactions in 2Q16. With the sale of Sichem Contester and the impending sale of the North Contender, Team Tankers has now executed its previously announced exit from the deep sea stainless steel tanker class. Team CEO, Hans Feringa, commented, "With an orderbook approaching 30% of the existing fleet, large stainless steel vessels may face the greatest supply-driven pressure in the chemical tanker fleet. Team was a subscale participant in this market and we are pleased to have executed on our announced exit." The transition of the finance, accounting and corporate functions from Oslo to Westport, CT was also completed in 2Q16. The company's Oslo office will be closed as of the end of this month. Non-recurring costs of around $0.7 mill related to the relocation and transition were included in SG&A expenses for the quarter. The weaker market conditions that prevailed in the latter half of the second quarter were expected to continue into the third quarter of 2016, the company said. At a board meeting held on 16th August, 2016, the company was authorised to commence a $10 mill share repurchase programme. The objective of this programme is to reduce Team Tankers capital. Team Tankers retained Clarksons Platou Securities as sole financial advisor and manager for the share repurchase scheme. US shale oil revolution far from over- Gibson US shale production is still declining despite efficiency gains made, a recent report said. However, the sector has proved more resilient at lower prices than originally anticipated. The oil price drop, which put the brakes on the shale revolution forced producers to find innovative ways of cutting costs and maximising output, Gibson Shipbrokers said. As technology improves and service costs fall, producers are lowering their breakeven costs, prompting a rise in the US rig count. The Baker Hughes North American oil rig count has risen from a low of 316 at the end of May to 381 recently, having gone up almost every week since the end of May. Much of this increase was driven by rising oil prices, which reached $50 per barrel in June as outages in Nigeria and Canada supported prices, only to ease back. However, the rig count continued to rise, as changes in drilling activity lagged behind the oil price fluctuations.. Whether or not the rig count continues to rise over the coming weeks may have already been influenced by easing prices over the previous month, yet the significant factor remains that producers have been adding rigs in a $40-50 per barrel price Environment, Gibson said. Exact cost breakevens may be unknown but many analysts suggest the majority of wells could now be profitable at $60 per barrel whilst several wells in the Permian Basin, which account for over 30% of US shale production, could be economical at prices below $40 per barrel. In addition,, decline rates have improved drastically in recent years. When the shale industry first started a decade ago, decline rates stood near 90% but are now said to be nearer 20% over the first four months of a wells life. Whilst oilfield services costs may not be able to fall any further, technical innovation and new drilling techniques could see lower dollar per barrel costs bring more marginal wells online. Perhaps it is important to put the number of rigs into context. The 381 rigs in operation fall well short of 1,609 peak seen in October, 2014. Even with the latest additions, US crude production is likely to continue to fall, as well decline rates exceed new capacity brought online. However, with breakeven costs said to be at much lower levels, it can be argued that shale oil is now a medium, not a high cost source of oil. Longer term this indicates that as oil prices recover; shale production will become an increasingly important source of supply. Furthermore, with lower costs, it is likely that tight oil production will recover before higher cost projects (eg deepwater), impacting on tanker trade flows. Current projections from the EIA indicate that US crude production will begin to rise again in the second half of 2017, subject to oil prices firming. As domestic oil supplies increase, crude export from the regions are likely to rise, whilst imports into the US would again ease. Rising exports of US light sweet crude and falling imports of similar grades would likely support long haul trades, pushing more West African barrels East, whilst also generating increased flows from the US Gulf. However, everything comes down to price, so any further fall in oil prices could delay the anticipated recovery in shale oil production, Gibson concluded. By Will Greenlee and Laurie K. Blandford of TCPalm MARTIN COUNTY There were "indications of odd and unusual behavior" in Austin Harrouff before the Florida State University student was accused of fatally stabbing a south county couple this week, his lawyer said Thursday. "But of course no one leaps to the conclusion, when they see that kind of behavior, that homicide is going to result," said attorney Robert Watson. "Now (Harrouff's parents) feel very traumatized by this whole thing and their world is completely set on its head." Harrouff is accused of stabbing John Stevens III, 59, and Michelle Mishcon, 53, at their home on Southeast Kokomo Lane on Monday night in a random and vicious attack, said Martin County Sheriff William Snyder. Jeffrey Fisher, the neighbor from across the street who tried to help the couple and was stabbed a few times, was released Thursday from St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, officials said. Fisher "has a long healing process to go through," according to Stuart resident Mike Conner, who said Fisher is his wife's brother-in-law. "The family would like to thank everyone for the concern shown Jeff," Conner said via text. "We would especially like to thank all the first responders who came to his aid that night." Harrouff, who had surgery on his hand Wednesday at St. Mary's, remained in stable health, said Sheriff's spokeswoman Trisha Kukuvka. He is conscious but heavily sedated, and detectives hadn't obtained any statements from him Thursday. He had surgery because his thumb was almost cut off during the attack, Snyder said. When Harrouff is medically cleared to leave the hospital, he will be charged in the attack, said Sheriff's Lt. Michael Dougherty. Sheriff's officials are working with the local State Attorney's Office on the specific charges. 'ZERO EVIDENCE' OF DRUGS Investigators have noted an extreme amount of force, including Taser use, a police dog and multiple law enforcement officials, was necessary to subdue Harrouff. Some have speculated this type of strength and behavior could be associated with the use of Flakka, considered a cousin to the drug combination found in bath salts, that can cause psychotic breakdowns, hallucinations and incidents of violence without warning. Harrouff was biting and chewing on Stevens' face, Dougherty said. Detectives recovered what appeared to be human flesh from Harrouff's teeth. Watson said he is aware of "zero evidence" that illegal drugs were involved. "Subjects who have been found with Flakka have sometimes used a surprising amount of force, but this is a very strong kid," Watson said. "In an altered mental state, whether caused by organic mental health issues or some other cause, there might well be that physical strength." Detectives are waiting for test results from the FBI instead of speculating whether Flakka or bath salts were in Harrouff's system at the time of the attack. MORE FROM DETECTIVES Some of Harrouff's Alpha Delta Phi fraternity brothers from FSU who were in town have been cooperating with detectives, Dougherty said. Where they were the day of the attack, during the dinner at Duffy's and during the attack is under investigation. Witnesses have told detectives Harrouff was known to carry a knife, Dougherty said. Detectives are waiting on a crime lab report to determine what weapons were used in the attack, so they didn't know as of Thursday whether they have all the weapons in evidence. A medical examiner who performed the autopsies on Stevens and Mishcon said they died quickly because of the extent of their injuries, Dougherty said. They both had died by the time Sheriff's deputies got to them after using a Taser and a K-9 dog to pry Harrouff off Stevens. The sequence of events in the attack is under investigation, Dougherty said. Fisher went to his neighbors' house when he heard Mishcon screaming, Dougherty said. Stevens and Mishcon were alive when Fisher got there. Fisher was at his neighbors' house for a short time before Harrouff turned to attack him, Dougherty said. After Fisher was attacked, he escaped and ran home. Chief Assistant State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl didn't want to speculate on what might have caused the attack or what the possible defenses would be without having all the information about the case, but he was able to explain the procedure for when Harrouff is arrested. "If it looks like it warrants first-degree murder, then it will have to go to a grand jury for indictment," Bakkedahl said. "But we've got to figure out what we've got." Growing up, Harrouff was a quiet and well-liked kid, Watson said, which were sentiments echoed this week by acquaintances. "He was just home from college. He was working a summer job," Watson said. "The parents did notice significant and unusual behavior, but they weren't in a position to diagnose it." Watson declined to elaborate on possible mental health issues. Still, he said Harrouff is at an age that some mental health issues will come to light. "I'll leave that to the experts to discuss," he said. It's clear a tragedy occurred, Watson said, but figuring out why is critical. "This isn't something that A plus B equals C," Watson said. "This is A plus B equals Z." MEMORIAL SERVICE What: A memorial service for John Stevens and Michelle Mishcon When: 1 p.m. Friday. Open to the public. Where: Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale Staff writer Melissa E. Holsman contributed to this report. Michelle Karen Mishcon and John Joseph Stevens III By Laurie K. Blandford of TCPalm MARTIN COUNTY Michelle Mishcon and John Stevens were inseparable. If theres any peace her longtime co-worker Pete Striano can find in the wake of the couples death, he said, its in the fact they left this world together. They did everything together, Striano said. If there was something socially, it wasnt ever Michelle at something that John wasnt at and vice versa. They lived their lives for each other. Striano, who worked with Mishcon for 15 years at the Boca Raton-based Striano Financial Group of Northwestern Mutual, was asked by her family to speak at a Friday afternoon memorial service in Fort Lauderdale for the husband and wife. Mishcon and Stevens were killed in a seemingly random and unprovoked attack Monday night inside the garage of their home in southern Martin County. People packed the 1,167-seat Parker Playhouse theater in Fort Lauderdale for the memorial that lasted more than two hours, Striano said. The crowd was almost at full capacity; only the last three rows were empty. It was a moving ceremony celebrating both Michelles and Johns lives, Striano said. It was well-attended and was tough to get through, but Michelle and John deserved that. Mishcon was in charge of supervision and compliance for the financial services company. She worked directly for Striano for the past eight years. Her main job was to make sure that people who were brought into the firm were of good character, Striano said. She was the best of them. Striano got to know Mishcon well as part of a 20-member team that supported 150 financial representatives, and he described her as the integral cog of our team. He said she took great pride in always doing things the right way. She was one of the hardest working people here in our organization, Striano said. She was someone that took personal responsibility to make sure that everything was always handled in a first-class manner because she was a first-class person. Striano saw her Monday at work, where she helped someone get licensed, and a client who had lost a spouse deal with beneficiaries. She was in a great mood, Striano said. She was in the same mood shes in every day. That night, 19-year-old Austin Harrouff is accused of fatally stabbing Mishcon and Stevens. Striano got a call about 6 a.m. Tuesday from Mishcons ex-husband, who told him what happened. Its been a tough week for Mishcons co-workers ever since. Its been awful, Striano said. My team is just ... theyre here, but theyre not here. As he prepared for the speech he delivered at the couples memorial service, he recalled how Mishcon and Stevens did everything together, especially fishing and traveling. Striano said the couple were constantly smiling. He had expected the big turnout Friday at the memorial service. They had tons of friends, Striano said. INVESTIGATION UPDATE On Friday, sheriffs officials released surveillance video of Harrouff leaving Duffys Sports Grill in Jupiter less than an hour before hes accused of killing the couple. Officials worked with the local State Attorneys Office on the charges Harrouff will face once hes medically cleared to leave St. Marys Medical Center in West Palm Beach, said sheriffs spokeswoman Trisha Kukuvka. Those charges are: two counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder related to the attempted killing of neighbor Jeffrey Fisher, burglary of a dwelling while armed and resisting an officer without violence. The Florida State University student and Alpha Delta Phi fraternity member from Jupiter remained stable but in critical condition Friday at the hospital, Kukuvka said. Fisher, who was stabbed when he tried to intervene during the attack, was released from the hospital Thursday and was home resting with his family Friday, she said. A woman who answered the door at Fishers home Friday morning and a man who drove up to the house and said he was Fishers uncle both declined to comment. Regarding Harrouffs pending toxicology results, sheriffs officials have requested the help of the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, to lead in the testing of his blood for the chemicals found in flakka and bath salts. Flakka, which is considered a cousin to the drug combination found in bath salts, can cause psychotic breakdowns, hallucinations and incidents of violence without warning. Bath salts are synthetic cathinones and shouldnt be confused with products such as Epsom salts that people use during bathing. Those results typically take one to three weeks, but officials asked to expedite them. Theres been no confirmation of flakka in Harrouffs system at the time of the attack, Kukuvka said. On Friday, Harrouffs attorney, Robert Watson, released the following statement: The Harrouff family expresses their deepest sympathy for the pain and suffering caused by Austin Harrouff. The Harrouff family loves Austin as they know the Stevens and Mishcon families loved John Stevens III and Michelle Mishcon. There are no words we can offer to give any real comfort for this tragic loss. There are no words we can offer that can make up for the injury sustained by Jeff Fisher who was doing what we would want all good neighbors to do which was try to help innocent people from being hurt or killed. We love our son and know that he is not the person some are making him to be for their own purposes. We allow the full legal process to find the facts and the truth here. DID YOU SEE HIM? Anyone who saw Austin Harrouff in the areas of Jupiter and/or Tequesta on Monday night is asked to call the Martin County Sheriff's Office at 772-220-7060. Staff writer Will Greenlee contributed to this report. SHARE Joseph Falco IV By Nicholas Samuel of TCPalm FORT PIERCE A pest control worker was arrested Wednesday on burglary and stolen firearm charges, according to a St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office arrest report. Joseph Falco IV, 20, of the 600 block of North Second Street, was charged with two counts of dealing in stolen property, four counts of grand theft of a firearm and burglary of a dwelling while armed, St. Lucie County Jail officials said. He is being held at the jail on a $75,000 bail. All homes burglarized used the same pest control company, North Accurate Pest Control. Falco is an employee of the company and grandson of the owner. Four handguns were reported missing from a home July 15. The pest control company owner also reported his home was burglarized June 18 to June 20, and told deputies Falco was the suspect. Several other burglaries also were reported from the end of April to August, according to the Sheriff's Office. A witness arrested on a stolen firearm charge Wednesday told deputies he purchased two firearms from Falco for $100 each, the arrest report states. Deputies arrested Falco at his home. Indian River County school bus By Andrew Atterbury of TCPalm INDIAN RIVER COUNTY School officials say the Indian River County School District is inching toward resolving a 1967 federal desegregation order. However, the Indian River County NAACP chapter disagrees, maintaining the district has yet to create an equitable education system for minority students. Now the two sides are gearing up to take the battle back to court for the first time since 1995. That could lead to a positive outcome for the community, according to one expert. "If schools are making progress, oftentimes localities want to demonstrate that progress to the community," said Ashley Taylor, a lawyer who served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights from 2004 to 2010 and is now in private practice. "What better way than to petition to court?" The School Board and NAACP officials met regularly in public meetings but that came to a halt on Aug. 10, when the board asked its lawyers to draft a resolution seeking "partial unitary status." Full unitary status absolves a school district from a desegregation order and specific steps to create racially-balanced schools. Partial unitary status releases a district only from some elements of the order, and is a common tactic to demonstrate progress, Taylor said. Until the resolution is prepared, the board will not meet with NAACP officials without both sides' lawyers, said Superintendent Mark Rendell. Rendell said he will continue to meet with NAACP officials. "The board is trying to show they want to formally move this along," Rendell said. "To say, 'Let's sit down and work this out' doesn't lead to any binding decisions." The incentive to go back to court and seek a partial lifting of the desegregation order was the completion of a $150,000 report the district commissioned from an outside law firm. The School Board reviewed the report behind closed doors on Aug. 9. It provided NAACP officials everything but the legal analysis of the district's successes and failures under the desegregation order. The NAACP is doing its own analysis of the report, said Tony Brown, president of the Indian River County NAACP. Brown said the district is being neither transparent nor trustworthy in its effort to pursue unitary status. "We're in the dark, and we're not part of the process," Brown said. "That's not how this is supposed to work." Brown points to statistics on low graduation rates and test scores and disproportionate discipline as indications that the school district has not improved how minority students are educated in Indian River County. But the School Board is seeking to be only partially absolved from the desegregation order, which includes standards for hiring minority educators comparable to the student ratio and establishing a multicultural achievement plan among other caveats. Still, the actual remedy the school district is seeking from the U.S. District Court and the specific components of the plan the districts wants lifted will remain a closely guarded secret until the resolution is presented to the NAACP. Then, it's up to court, Taylor said. "(Partial unitary status) is a matter of demonstrating progress," he said, "and having that progress measured by the court." INDIAN RIVER COUNTY - Captain Selby Strickland, commander of the Indian River County jail, walks between the two fences in October of 2011 that inmates Leviticus Taylor and Rondell Reed climbed over and under during their escape from the facility. SHARE By Lamaur Stancil of TCPalm 52: Age now 30: (at least) crimes committed, most involving theft 6: Incarceration escapes 8: States where crimes committed 4: Car crashes while evading authorities THE ESCAPE Here's how Rondell Reed and Leviticus Taylor sawed, climbed and dug their way out of the Indian River County Jail on Oct. 24, 2011: --Used two saws to cut through the foundation of the steel bars that blocked the air-conditioning vent in their cell --Vent leads to utility room, which was locked from the inside. They used the steel bars they had removed to knock loose the doorknob. The door opens to the jail's outside recreation area. --The jail is surrounded by two fences lined with barbed wire. Reed and Taylor scaled the first fence and used homemade rope to protect themselves from the razor wire. They dug underneath the second to gain their freedom about 12:42 a.m. --Before leaving their cells, Reed and Taylor padded their beds with newspapers and other material. Two corrections deputies were responsible for looking into the cell overnight but they did not peer closely enough into the cell to verify the men were inside. --The escape was not discovered until 4:54 a.m. Source: Indian River County Jail After-Action Report JASPER ? For a man who has been running away for decades, Rondell Reed said the toughest place from which he's ever run is the Indian River County Jail. When Reed, 52, made the sixth incarceration escape of his criminal career alongside cell mate Leviticus Taylor, 26, a year ago this week, he said he felt exhilarated to complete an effort he thought at times wouldn't succeed. He ran for five days before he was caught in Ohio after a traffic accident. Taylor, who had been jailed for killing Vero Beach resident Nestor Perez during a 2009 burglary, was captured in Martin County a few hours after the breakout. He's serving life in prison at the Mayo Correctional Institution in Lafayette County and couldn't be reached for comment. Today, Reed sits in the Hamilton Correctional Institution Annex, one of two facilities that combined, can hold 2,600 inmates of all risk levels. He is serving a life sentence for the April 2011 shooting death of Sebastian auto shop owner James Malone and for his escape from the Indian River County Jail. He spoke in an exclusive interview Oct. 10 with the Indian River Press Journal detailing his life of crime and his Oct. 24, 2011, jail escape that prompted local officials to make several security changes. "I could escape (Hamilton) if I wanted to. I believe I could," Reed said. "(But) I've had 27 broken bones. That catches up to you. I'm getting too old for this. "I'll put it this way: Indian River was twice as hard as a place like this (to escape)," Reed said. In response to Reed and Taylor's escape, the Indian River County Jail spent more than $200,000 in security measures, Capt. Selby Strickland said. They added more than a foot of cement under the exterior fence where the inmates dug their way to freedom and scattered a couple of layers of barbed wire on top. Reed said those additions may have botched their escape. JAIL CHANGES SINCE ESCAPE The Indian River County Jail cited nearly two dozen procedural changes and security improvements made in response to last year's escape. The enhancements have cost more than $200,000 so far. Those changes include: Camera surveillance: 64 cameras were added throughout the facility, providing a total of 256. Cost:$58,652 Utility room doors: Two steel bars and a bolt have been added to all 48 doors.Cost: $8,945 Concrete base: A work crew poured concrete along the 1,100-foot perimeter fence where last year's escapees dug their way to freedom. The concrete is 8 feet wide and 8 inches deep.Cost: $50,000 Razor wire: On top of the concrete is five new rolls of razor wire to impede the path of someone who tries to reach the fence.Cost: $76,890 Lighting: An ongoing plan is under way to add lights along the fences. The Kentucky native said most of his escapes involved sawing through a wall or a window. But escaping Vero Beach was much more complicated. "Indian River was like a prison," he said. "Back when I was breaking out of jail in the 1970s and 1980s, they weren't surrounded with fences." The Art of Escape Reed said he began committing crimes as an adolescent. He began escaping when he was sent to a boys' youth detention center in Indiana in the late 1970s. "I'd run away from one place and they'd put me somewhere that was a little bit harder," Reed said. "You're in an environment that you don't want to be in." By associating with criminals for so many years, Reed picked up on several methods for escaping. Barbed wire, for instance, can be manipulated to avoid serious scrapes, he said. "You put people with criminal minds together and they pick up on things," Reed said. The escapes were always motivated by Reed's desire to see his family. He has three sisters and one surviving brother; the other died in a car crash several years ago. Reed was married twice and had a daughter and a stepdaughter with his first wife. His mother, who turned Reed over to the state welfare system when he was 9 years old, and his father, who committed crimes in tandem with his son, are still alive, he said. Since arriving at Hamilton at the beginning of the year, Reed said he has written letters to several family members but hasn't received any responses or visits. When he was captured last October, Reed asked if he could be incarcerated closer to his family members, said Indian River County Sheriff's Sgt. Milo Thornton, who investigated last year's escape. "He asked me if he could do his time in Indiana," Thornton said. "He asked about Ohio and he asked about Georgia. He went state by state. He wanted to do time anywhere other than a Florida prison." Runs in the Family Reed's father, Rondell Hubert Reed Sr., 72, has been in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections system since 1983 for aggravated burglary, according to its website. He is eligible for parole before his sentence ends in 2021. Jim Thorpe, a longtime law enforcement veteran in Stanton, Ky., said he's familiar with father and son. Thorpe, 72, went to high school in Stanton with the father, who dropped out, he said. "I didn't hear anything about him again until his son turned up" at the Powell County Detention Center in Stanton in 1981, where Thorpe now works the graveyard shift as a deputy jailer. Thorpe said the younger Reed stands out for the escape he made from the detention center that year. "He and two other guys cut through the brick mortar of a cell," Thorpe said. "They put the bricks back when no one was looking. I think a fourth person was supposed to go with them but didn't." That fourth person, Reed said, would have been his uncle, who couldn't fit through the hole. Reed said his accomplices were killed in a shootout with police when they were on the run. Reed was later recaptured, he said. Authorities at the Powell County Sheriff's Office said their records do not extend to 1981, so a report about the escape was not available. "They're in it for the thrill," Thorpe said about Reed and other inmates who make escape attempts. "They know they'll get caught eventually, and they don't care how much time gets tacked on to their sentences." Reed said he was often caught after his escapes because law enforcement officers knew he would try to reach his family. In his nine months at Hamilton, he has not received a letter or visit from any relative, he said. Despite all the escapes he's made, authorities have kept Reed behind bars for at least half of his life. That includes six years of prison in Ohio for burglary and a 20-year-old sentence for a series of robberies and firing a gun at a police cruiser in Texas. He was released from prison in 2010 after being extradited to North Carolina to serve one year for climbing over a fence at a minimum security prison in Haywood County in 1989. Sometimes, it was family that motivated him to stay behind bars. "I promised my second wife that if we stayed together that I wouldn't escape" while incarcerated in Texas, he said. The length of his Texas incarceration took its toll on the marriage, which ended eight years into his imprisonment, he said. "She was able to come visit me two days at a time, but that last day she spent more time crying," Reed said. "It kinda tears you up. I told her after her last few visits, maybe it would be a good idea to go our own ways." Full Circle Reed had been out of prison for just six months before shooting Malone in Sebastian. He was caught and placed among the high-risk inmates at the Indian River County Jail who were also facing charges for violent crimes. "The whole jail knew my history," Reed said. "From the moment I was arrested, they thought of me as this big escape artist. I'm sure there's others who have escaped more times than I have." Reflecting on his criminal career, he said he may have never needed to make all of the escapes if he had never made the first one. "I realized if I had just stayed in the boys' school and dealt with their routine, I could have probably gotten out when I was 18 and joined the Armed Forces," Reed said. "I could have done a number of things. But I was too impulsive." Indian River Medical Center SHARE By Janet Begley, Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers INDIAN RIVER COUNTY It soon will be easier for qualifying local residents to receive indigent care provided by the Indian River County Hospital District. Beginning Oct. 1, the district is rolling out a pilot program of identification cards that will be recognized by health care providers throughout the county. Rather than going through the registration paperwork at each provider they visit, individuals who qualify for indigent care will go through the process once and then receive an ID card that will be recognized at other local providers such as doctors and the emergency room. Local agencies that routinely qualify people for indigent care will provide their results to the Hospital District. ID cards will be valid for six months. "We've been talking about having this card for some time," said program liaison Jennifer Frederick. "Each agency will still do its own qualifying for indigent care, but then report the name, birth date, address and qualifying date to us and we will issue the card." Providers will be able to verify a patient's eligibility online. Currently, residents are qualified for indigent care based on residency and financial status. But if a patient has multiple doctors, dentists and therapists, they must requalify with each provider before receiving service. Hospital District Executive Director Ann Marie Suriano said she believes the new program will expedite the delivery of health care services to the poor. "If you're qualified in one place, then you won't have to fill out multiple forms at other providers," said Suriano. "But until we put a pilot program out there, we can't work out all the bugs." Vicki Soule, CEO of Treasure Coast Community Health, said her organization will participate in the pilot project. "It's always good when we can reduce duplication," said Soule. "It's good for patients and good for our own staff." Soule estimates about 10,000 people qualify annually for indigent care through Treasure Coast Community Health, and she's hoping the ID cards save time and money. "There probably will be some bugs in the beginning," said Soule, "but I'm confident we can work them out." The open-ended pilot program will provide data on participation in the indigent care program, as well as on organizations that routinely receive public funding. The Hospital District will maintain that data but not any medical or financial information on clients. FILE PHOTO Vero Beach Power Plant. (ERIC HASERT/ TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) By Colleen Wixon of TCPalm Indian River Shores is moving on to Plans B and C as hopes of becoming Florida Power & Light Co. customers fade. While Vero Beach Mayor Jay Kramer maintains a partial sale of the Shores customer base to FPL still is possible, his plans would require the Shores to kick in money down the road. That's if the $30 million offered by FPL failed to protect remaining customers from higher electric rates. Kramer led the way Tuesday in Vero Beach City Council's 3-2 vote, essentially rejecting FPL's $30 million offer for the Vero electric customers living in the Shores. The city countered with a $47 million price. Vice Mayor Randy Old and Councilman Dick Winger sided with Kramer; Pilar Turner and Harry Howle dissented. Kramer said he still supports selling the Shores customer base to FPL, but only if the Shores would be on the hook for another $17 million, the amount Vero Beach estimates is needed to keep its remaining customers unaffected by the loss of Shores customers. The $30 million offer already included about $3 million that Shores customers would pay through a surcharge. "We just want to make sure there is no risk (to those remaining customers)," Kramer said. Kramer said his plan would require the Shores to pay any additional costs resulting from the loss of the 3,500 Shores customers. Shores officials maintain $30 million would keep the city electric system "whole," while Vero's electric analysts dispute that. Vero's advisers say the offer is about $17 million short. Details of Kramer's plan, such as exactly how it would work and for how long, are sketchy. Shores officials, for their part, dismissed the idea. "Why would we agree to something like that?" asked Shores Mayor Brian Barefoot. Instead, the Shores is looking for relief next month from the Florida Public Service Commission, despite the agency's previous staff recommendation that Vero does have the authority and obligation to continue providing electric to Shores residents, even after its franchise agreement ends in November. The Shores is hoping to evict Vero, or be compensated for allowing Vero to keep transmission lines and equipment on Shores' property. Barefoot said the town is prepared to appeal to the Florida Supreme Court. He said the town also might explore natural gas as an alternative to electricity. For its part, FPL also is moving on, leaving its $30 million offer on the table until Thursday, five days before Indian River County's primary election, in which Kramer is seeking a seat on the County Commission. FPL's Pamela Rauch, vice president of external affairs and economic development, left no question the utility was uninterested in negotiations, rushing immediately to the speaker dais after the Vero Beach City Council voted down the offer. The $30 million offer is final, she emphatically told Vero council on Tuesday, adding she wished the city well if it rejects the deal. Kramer said he thought the deadline imposed after the offer was made was politically motivated. He said he is unsure if he could work out the details of his plan before Thursday. Vero had little time to consider the offer, he said. "I don't respond very well to making big decisions like this at a moment's notice," he said. Barefoot said Kramer likely has lost votes in Indian River Shores, including his, for his County commission run. "My votes are for people who help us," he said. But, Kramer said, the position he took on the deal last week likely helped him win more votes from Vero Beach electric customers who could face higher bills if the Shores customers left the system. Florida drivers are in a class by themselves. Unfortunately, it's a class filled with zippers, plodders, honkers and road ragers. Have you ever had a Close Encounter of the Vehicular Kind and proclaimed, "Florida drivers are the worst!" Well, you might be right. A new study confirms what many of us know intuitively: The Sunshine State has the worst drivers in the nation. At this point, I could draw on several personal examples, but one will suffice. MORE | Poll: How do you rate the skill of Florida drivers? Southeast Colorado Avenue just north of Kanner Highway in Stuart narrows abruptly from two lanes to one. Northbound drivers in the right lane where I found myself a few weeks ago must merge to the left before the right lane ends. Traffic is always bumper-to-bumper at rush hour. Apparently, the young man in the yellow pickup truck in front of me thought I was following him too closely. So he opened his rear cab window, turned around and flipped me off. Judging by his excellent finger control and skilled gesticulation, it was clear Pickup Guy is an experienced flipper. Being an older, seasoned motorist, I simply smiled and continued on my way. Really. How do we explain the routine stupidity and occasional outrage we encounter on Florida's roads and highways? SmartAsset, a financial tech firm, reviewed data from four key metrics to determine the best and worst drivers: Percentage of uninsured drivers DUI arrests per 1,000 drivers Vehicle-related deaths per 1,000 drivers Google trends on driving offenses Florida posted abysmal scores in two of the four categories: percentage of uninsured motorists and Google trends on driving offenses. Only 76.2 percent of us in the Sunshine State have automobile insurance second-lowest in the nation behind Oklahoma (74.1 percent). The fact almost one in four motorists in Florida is uninsured might help explain why one in four crashes in Florida involves a hit-and-run driver. Florida topped the SmartAsset study for online searches of traffic offenses. (The thinking here is drivers are seeking information because they've committed offenses and need answers.) "Floridians Google 'speeding tickets' and 'traffic tickets' more than any other state," according to the study. In combination with average scores in the other two categories, Florida motorists earned the dubious distinction of Worst Drivers in the Nation. Not convinced? Here's more. A recent survey by Cheapcarinsurance.net asked drivers in the nation's four most populous states California, Florida, New York and Texas to characterize the skill of drivers in their respective states. Florida topped the "worst" list here, too. Almost 52 percent of respondents rated Florida motorists as "terrible" (13.8 percent) or "fairly bad" (38 percent). The next closest was Texas, with a combined score of 38.8 percent. Are we really this bad? Heck yeah! But it's not completely our fault. During "season," seemingly every other vehicle on our roadways is sporting an out-of-state tag. For six months a year, Florida is home to drivers from New Jersey (No. 4), Michigan (No. 11) and other states that posted poor to average scores in the SmartAsset study. We might be the baddest of the bad, but we have an excuse: It's the snowbirds' fault! We are being dragged down by a smorgasbord of out-of-state drivers who descend annually on Florida and sully our (already shaky) reputation. Then again, the guy in the yellow pickup had a Florida tag. Maybe our badness stands on its own. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. According to the latest tidbits of information, Google will be releasing the final version of Android 7.0 'Nougat' on August 22nd. As discovered by Android Central, this is the date Canadian carrier Telus lists in the software release schedule for the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. There are two factors that give credence to this rumor. Firstly, Telus accurately stated the launch date for Android 6.0 'Marshmallow' ahead of time last year. Secondly, August 22nd is also the date that an Android 7.0 preview program begins for Korean LG G5s, and presumably manufacturers wouldn't be allowed to publish any sort of update before the final code is released, even if they have access ahead of time. So it's looking likely that Google will make an announcement on Monday regarding the release of Android 7.0, followed by the usual over-the-air rollout of the update and availability of system images for Nexus handsets. Android Nougat has been available for Nexus devices since March in a developer preview, the final version of which was released last month. The updated operating system brings new features like split-screen multitasking, an enhanced app switching screen, an improved notification system that shows more information, and typical tweaks to performance and battery life. The release of a new version of Android typically coincides with new Nexus handsets, although this time it seems the update will launch a few weeks before we hear anything about new smartphones. Instead, the LG V20 will be the first device to ship with Android 7.0 on board. With the rise of tech-savvy terrorist groups like ISIS, social media has become a battleground where many of these organizations spread their propaganda and recruit new members. It's been a particular problem for Twitter in recent times, but in the last 12 months the company has clamped down on accounts linked to terrorism. Earlier this year, Twitter revealed it had suspended over 125,000 accounts since the middle of 2015 for threatening or promoting terrorist acts, primarily related to ISIS. In the six months since that announcement, the microblogging site has suspended an additional 235,000 accounts for violating its policies related to terrorism - making a total of 360,000 suspensions across the previous 12 months. Twitter admits that fighting online extremism is a challenge and that there is no "magic algorithm" for identifying terrorist content. However, thanks to its spam-fighting tools and reports from other users, daily suspensions are up 80 percent since last year. "Our work is not done," the company said. "Our efforts continue to drive meaningful results, including a significant shift in this type of activity off of Twitter." The news comes just as people are calling for social media sites to be held accountable for the material they host. A father of a US student who was killed in the Paris attacks last year is suing Twitter, Google and Facebook, alleging that the companies provide "material support" to Isis and other extremist groups. The wives of two Americans who were killed in a Jordan terrorist attack last November sued Twitter for allegedly violating the Anti-Terrorism Act by giving Isis support to spread its message. A federal judge in San Francisco dismissed their case last week, saying that Twitter was not responsible for what third parties posted online. Twitter's terms of service policy came under the spotlight last month when it removed the account of Breitbart's tech editor Milo Yiannopoulos following accusations that he encouraged his supporters to send abusive tweets to Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones. In today's connected society, having a grievance with someone often involves unsubtly having a go at them on social media. And the practice isn't limited to people; companies can do it as well. Motorola has taken to Twitter as a way of suggesting that Samsung stole the "always on display" feature found in the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and Note 7 from the US firm. It didn't name the South Korean company or its products directly, but it doesn't take a genius to work out who Motorola is referring to in the tweet. "In what galaxy is it okay to steal competitor phones' cool features? #TheOriginalAlwaysOnDisplay #motozdroid," it read. In what galaxy is it okay to steal competitor phones' cool features? #TheOriginalAlwaysOnDisplay #motozdroid pic.twitter.com/T75byy5bIx --- Moto US (@Moto_USA) August 18, 2016 Samsung has pushed the always on display, which can show information such as battery life, time, date, and other information, as a desirable feature on its range of Galaxy 7 series smartphones, starting with the release of the S7 and Edge variant back in February. Motorola seems to be claiming that it was the first company to introduce the feature, presumably with the 2013 Moto X and its "Active Display." But many on Twitter have pointed out that while this may have been first Android smartphone with an AOD, Nokia's Symbian-powered N86 from 2009 had an always-on clock and date. A few years later, the Finnish firm introduced the Glance screen feature to its Lumia devices, which also shows always-on information. It's pretty unlikely that Motorola would start any sort of legal dispute with Samsung, especially with Nokia seemingly coming up with the idea first. But the incident shows how companies don't shy away from using Twitter to throw jabs at each other. Naruto is one of the most popular manga/anime to have emerged from Japan in the last decade, with millions of fans worldwide. Though the anime is still ongoing, the main Naruto manga ended serialization back in November 2014. Now almost two years later, Naruto creator Mashashi Kishimoto sounds like he is almost ready to reveal what his next project will be. In an interview set to appear in an upcoming issue of the Japanese magazine Shueisha's Jump GIGA (via Anime News Network), Kishimoto says he is planning his next project and that he has already conducted research for it. He goes on to say in the interview that he believes he can announce the project sometime this year, though he didn't give a specific release date or release format for his new work. It's not much to go on, but comments from Kishimoto at this year's New York Comic-Con provide a few more details. He revealed there that his new project would be some kind of science fiction story, but once again didn't dive into specifics. Regardless of details, fans of Naruto will definitely want to keep an ear open for whatever comes next from the talented creator. Kishimoto, of course, has still been busy the past two years despite the end of Naruto. He wrote the one-volume sequel manga Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring and served as chief production supervisor on Baruto: Naruto The Movie, a spin-off about Naruto's son. Kishimoto continues to oversee the Baruto manga that started earlier this year. He did, however, take a much-needed vacation as well. While the manga is over, the Naruto anime is still going strong after more than 500 episodes. Fans of the Naruto anime recently got a surprise in the form of a flashback episode that at long last revealed the face of Kakashi, after hundreds of episodes with the character hidden behind a mask. The reveal might not have been exactly what fans were expecting. The events of the episode don't happen in the manga, and though viewers get to see Kakashi's face, Naruto and his friends aren't so lucky, despite their efforts all episode to do so. Kakashi turns the tables on his pupils by walking in plain sight among them disguised as somebody else entirely. You can read more about the big reveal here. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Humans are not the only creature that talk to their unborn baby. Findings of a new research have revealed that the Australian zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) also sing to their eggs before hatching. This particular species of bird appear to sing songs to the unborn chicks to prepare them for a warmer world driven by climate change. The zebra finches were observed singing to their eggs when the weather is hot or above 78 degrees Fahrenheit at the end of incubation, or about five days before the eggs are supposed to hatch. Researchers also noticed that the calls become more frequent as the hatching time gets near. Suspecting that the birds were actually talking to their eggs, Mylene Mariette and Katherine Buchanan, from Deakin University in Australia, conducted a study that recorded the incubation calls of male and female finches inside an aviary. The researchers then played either the songs made by expectant parents before their eggs hatch in warm weather and regular calls made by adult zebra finches for eggs in an incubator. They found that the chicks in eggs that were exposed to the so-called hot calls hatched smaller and grew slower compared with the others. The smaller size offers a survival advantage to these birds because a more compact size makes it easier for them to cool down in hot climates. The researchers think that the songs affect the growth of the babies because they are made during the last one-third of the incubation period, during which the temperature and regulation system of the hatchlings start to develop. The findings suggest that the zebra finches may actually be singing songs that help prepare their chicks so they are born and grow with more likelihood to survive amid warming climate. "We demonstrate that zebra finch parents acoustically signal high ambient temperatures (above 26C) to their embryos," the researchers wrote in their study, which was published in the journal Science on Aug. 19. "We show that exposure of embryos to these acoustic cues alone adaptively alters subsequent nestling begging and growth in response to nest temperature and influences individuals' reproductive success and thermal preferences as adults." The researchers also found that these hot-call birds tend to have more offspring than other birds that do not make preparatory songs for their eggs during the hot weather. If a similar strategy is found being used by other animals, the study authors said it would suggest a survival mechanism that helps creatures better adapt to global warming. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A coastal village in Alaska has voted to relocate amid the threat of rising sea levels in their area, city council officials announced Wednesday. The native community of Shishmaref which consists of 600 people, almost all of whom are Inupiat Inuit welcomed votes from tribal and non-tribal residents to decide on the relocation. City council officials say the community has chosen to relocate rather than remain in place with extra security measures against rising waters. According to National Public Radio, the unofficial count say that 94 votes favored moving while 78 votes favored remaining in place. The council is set to discuss the options of where the village will relocate. A previous feasibility study evaluated four possible sites, but Council Secretary Donna Burr says the options have now been narrowed down to two. To Stay Or To Move Shishmaref is currently situated on a tiny island north of the Bering Strait that separates Russia and the United States. Statistics from Auburn University in Alabama and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reveal that the tiny island is losing up to 3 meters (10 feet) of shoreline every year. Along with others, the mayor of Shishmaref has voted to stay at their current place, arguing that it is the most cost-effective. Jane Stevenson, tribal coordinator, is also leaning toward remaining because the site is closer to subsistence food sources. On the other hand, Burr and Arctic Youth ambassador Esau Sinnok, a native from Shishmaref, both support relocating. Sinnok wrote in a blog post that the island has lost about 762 to 914 meters (2,500 to 3,000 feet) of land due to coastal erosion over the past 35 years. He recalled that his family has moved 13 houses in just 15 years, from one end of the island to other all because of the loss of land. Unfortunately, Shishmaref is one the 31 indigenous Alaskan villages that currently face increasing threats of erosion and flooding due to climate change, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported. Safer Place Wednesday's decision is not the first time the Shishmaref village has decided to relocate. In 2002, the community opted to move due to shoreline erosion and climate change, but efforts had been stalled because of lack of federal funds. The country's Interior department allocated $8 million for all tribes seeking relocation, but it's $192 million short of the estimated $200 million fund the village needs to relocate. Burr says Wednesday's vote still needs to be certified. And because of the lack of federal and state funding, the Shishmaref village will have to find resources to move. "It's not going to happen in our lifetimes," says Burr. "We just want to take the right steps forward for our children." Photo: USCG Press | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A federal judge has rejected Uber's proposed $100 million settlement of a class action lawsuit that was filed against the ride-sharing company by its drivers. With the rejection, the case might go through a high-profile jury trial, unless another settlement is reached with the drivers. U.S. District Court Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled that the settlement, which would have paid out $100 million to about 385,000 drivers from Massachusetts and California, was an unreasonable, inadequate and unfair offer. Under the terms of the settlement, which was put forward in April, Uber would have been allowed to go on with its set-up of classifying its drivers as independent contractors, which would allow the company to avoid the expenses of classifying them as employees with benefits such as health insurance, paid sick days and overtime and Social Security. The proposal also included the provision that Uber will no longer be allowed to terminate drivers at will, with a panel to be created to allow drivers to appeal if they feel they have been wrongfully terminated. Uber would also have to make it clear to customers that tips are not included in the fares for Uber rides. Drivers have contested the $100 million settlement, as the amount would not be sufficient when divided among the 385,000 individuals that have joined the class action lawsuit. The amount was also much lower than what the drivers were seeking, as the plaintiffs calculated potential damages of more than $850 million. In addition, as Chen noted, $16 million of the proposed amount would only have been paid to the drivers if the valuation of Uber increased by a certain percentage within a year of an IPO. Chen did not consider the amount as part of the settlement because Uber could not prove that the valuation increase was likely, with the judge then stating that the remaining $84 million was a substantial discount to the full value being claimed by the drivers. If Uber would end up being forced to classify drivers as employees, the ride-sharing company's business model will be placed at risk. Uber has enjoyed dramatic growth over the past six years by providing a smartphone app that connects riders with drivers, bypassing the regulations enforced in public transportation methods such as taxi cabs. If the drivers would be classified as employees, Uber would incur many additional expenses that would very much hurt its bottom line. Jill Hazelbaker, a spokeswoman for Uber, revealed the company's disappointment on the rejected settlement, as it believes that it was reasonable and fair to both sides. The company will now be taking a look at its options moving forward with the class action lawsuit. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Asus ZenWatch 3 To Launch On Aug 31 | TechTree.com Asus seems to be all set to launch the ZenWatch 3 on Aug 31, according to a new teaser by the company, revealed on Twitter. The new generation smartwatch, is expected to have a new form factor, and might be round in shape. Like the previous edition, ZenWatch 3 is perhaps one of the more feature rich smartwatches in the market, vis-a-vis it's price. However, more details will be known only after the official release. The teaser on Twitter had mentioned that, 'Incredible is coming' and also included the date of August 31, 2016 and the IFA 2016 hashtag. However, one could also be expecting a smartphone, tablet, or a laptop at the IFA 2016 event, but just like the ZenWatch 3 launch, it remains under speculative information as to what might come on the day, though ZenWatch 3 is the most probable product that could be released, as reported by NDTV. In-fact, ZenWatch 3 images were leaked on Chinese website ePrice, along with its accessories. However previously, the ZenWatch 2 was launched at the IFA trade show in two variants with display resolutions of 320x320 pixels and 280x280 pixels. The watch was launched with an Amoled display, alongside a 2.5D curved Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on the dial, adding to the durability and resistance factor of the device. The smartwatch was then launched at a price point beginning at Rs. 11,999 in India, but what the latest edition will bring, remains to be seen, as most details have been withheld. Another interesting aspect would be to witness the launch of the rival Samsung Gear S3, as revealed by Pocket Lint. With the date clash with Asus, it is stated to be a battle for who makes the bigger impact, as the IFA 2016 takes place from September 2 to September 7, again a very crucial timeline for gaining market visibility. TAGS: smartwatch, Asus, Asus ZenWatch 3 Well folks, it looks like the future has finally arrived. While we may not have flying cars quite yet, Uber is taking us one step closer this month by announcing its first self-driving cars. You may be saying to yourself, What about Googles self-driving car? Yes, that exists, but the difference here is that these cars will be picking up actual people in the city of Pittsburgh, starting this month. News of Ubers plans broke in early 2015 and excitement continued to grow earlier this year when they announced that they were beginning to test cars in Pittsburgh. Unlike Google, who is creating their own cars, Uber has teamed up with Volvo to modify their cars and make them self-driving. They do this by outfitting cars with autonomous driving kits. A key player in this modification is Otto, a start-up that was quickly snapped up by Uber when they started toying with the idea of bringing self-driving technology to trucks. Ottos technology can be used in existing trucks, and now Uber is using it to turn Volvos into self-driving vehicles. Now that the cars will be put to actual use, its clear that Ubers development was much more successful than Googles. When I first heard the news, I was slightly wary. If such a high-tech company like Google cant produce a perfect car, how can Uber do it? Dont worry; Uber is going to be implementing safety precautions in each of the 100 modified Volvo XC90s. Every car will have an engineer in it, who can take the wheel if needed. There will also be a co-pilot to observe and take notes. In addition, there will be a liquid-cooled computer sitting in the trunk that records trip and map data. Youre safe as can be in this scenario; theyre testing self driving cars but have people standing by at the ready in case anything goes wrong. Everyone at Uber seems to be excited to get the ball rolling. Uber Chief Executive Travic Kalanick told The Wall Street Journal, The technology is going to happen because the promise is so realIts existential. We have to have all the best minds working on this. If they can successfully pull this off in Pittsburgh, were likely to see self-driving Ubers spring up all around the U.S. While this may be cool for those of us fascinated by the thought of self-driving cars, it spells bad news for the over 1 million Uber drivers who will have to find some other way to make a profit. So if youve always dreamed of working as an Uber driver, now may be your last chance to give it a try. Edited by Stefania Viscusi Elecciones presidenciales El pais mas grande de la region elige este domingo a su proximo mandatario. Tras no lograr hacerse con la mayoria de los votos en los comicios del 2 de octubre, Luis Inacio "Lula" Da Silva y Jair Bolsonaro se disputan la Presidencia en una balotaje que enfrenta tendencias y valores contrapuestas. Con equipos en el terreno, Telam presenta una cobertura exclusiva con noticias, analisis, opinion, fotos y mas. On Friday, former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took advantage of the last debate between candidates before Sunday's presidential elections to accuse the current president,... | Read More The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a five-year grant to the Center for Promotion of Quality of Life (LIFE) in Vietnam to strengthen community-led approaches to HIV prevention, care and treatment. The USAID Enhanced Community HIV Link - Southern project, implemented in Ho Chi Minh City, aims to deliver effective HIV/AIDS services to men who have sex with men and people living with HIV, the US Embassy in Hanoi said in a statement. In the first two years, the project will significantly contribute toward the fight against HIV in Vietnam by serving more than 18,000 people in the first target group and 1,550 in the second group. The project will mobilize members of local organizations to apply creative and effective approaches to detect new HIV cases and connect at-risk populations to healthcare. Community-based organizations are critical partners as Vietnam strives to achieve its ambitious targets, said USAID Vietnam mission director Michael Greene. We expect that our partner, LIFE, will strengthen the capacity of community-based organizations and the HIV/AIDS services that they provide to support a sustainable HIV/AIDS response in Vietnam. The US-funded grant will build on the success of the USAID Community HIV Link-Southern project, also implemented by LIFE from May 2014 to May 2016. This project successfully delivered effective community-based HIV/AIDS services to 8,000 people from at-risk populations, including drug users and female sex workers, and 2,000 people living with HIV in HCMC, Can Tho and An Giang provinces. The project also strengthened capacity for 23 community-based organizations working on HIV/AIDS in these provinces and facilitated coordination with key stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS sector at the provincial and national level. In an abrupt volte-face, police in a northern Vietnamese province said a criminal investigation is underway after two provincial leaders were shot to death by another official Thursday. Maj Gen Dang Tran Chieu, director of the Yen Bai Department of Public Security, told Thanh Nien that the investigation aimed to find out the shooter's motives. Chieu's announcement came just seven hours after he said at a press conference, citing the Penal Code, that no investigation was planned because the shooter killed himself after the shooting. But he made an about-face later, saying a study of the crime scene showed "sufficient basis" to warrant the probe. The shooting of the two senior officials, which Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said "had never happened anywhere in Vietnam", took place at about 7.45 a.m. Thursday in the Yen Bai town Party Committee building. Do Cuong Minh, head of the forest rangers office, allegedly shot Pham Duy Cuong, secretary of the Party Committee, and Ngo Ngoc Tuan, chairman of the People's Council, in their respective offices. Minh then shot himself in the head. Pham Duy Cuong, secretary of Yen Bai Province Party's committee (L), and Ngo Ngoc Tuan, chairman of the province People's Council, were shot dead Aug. 18 . The People's Council is the elected legislature while the Party Committee plays various roles, from decision-making to consulting, in making policies and nominating candidates for senior positions, including that of People's Council leaders. According to Chieu, Minh used his duty pistol in the shooting. The three men were rushed to Yen Bai General Hospital, but Cuong and Tuan succumbed to gunshot wounds in their head, chest and abdomen and were pronounced dead at 1.30 p.m. Minh was confirmed dead two hours later. In the wake of the unprecedented shooting, a government working group led by Phuc went to Yen Bai Thursday. Phuc ordered the Ministry of Public Security to work with the Yen Bai police to investigate the case "in a detailed and legal manner." The outcome would be reported to related authorities and made public, he said. The burkini is a full-body swimsuit which covers the body and hair The decision by a handful of French mayors to ban the Islamic burkini swimsuit has divided the country and shocked its neighbours, with critics seeing the prohibitions as profoundly discriminatory. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Manuel Valls waded into the debate, saying the garment was "not compatible with the values of France and the Republic" and that he supported towns that banned it. The remarks by the Socialist premier propelled the latest row over the place of Islam in France from the beaches onto the political front benches. Valls cited the tensions in France after a string of jihadist attacks -- including July's truck massacre in Nice -- for backing mayors who barred a garment "founded on the subjugation of women". The burkini, which covers the body and hair, is a "provocation" that risks causing "public disorder", he told La Provence daily, echoing the mayor of Cannes, where three women have been fined 38 euros ($42) for sporting the swimsuit. Valls however ruled out implementing any nationwide ban. His intervention came as the mayor of the northern resort of Le Touquet announced he would follow the lead of his counterparts in the south. Le Touquet's right-wing mayor Daniel Fasquelle told AFP he had yet to catch sight of a burkini in his town but did not want to be caught "offguard". Details of the different kinds of Islamic clothing and the French position on their use in public 'Acts of fanaticism' Beyond France's shores the bans, which one mayor sought to pass off on hygiene grounds, have been widely ridiculed. "France cites latest threat to security: The Burkini," the International New York Times teased in a front-page headline last week. "The French emphasis on keeping religious attire out of public life can at times seem strange to foreigners," the paper wrote, noting that head-covering bathing suits had been worn by several Arab athletes at the Rio Olympics without causing disturbances. People sunbathe and swim on August 17, 2016 at a beach in Leucate, where the burkini is probihibited by an order of the mayor. For Britain's Daily Telegraph, the burkini bans enacted in the name of combatting extremism were themselves "foolish acts of fanaticism". While expressing understanding for France's security jitters, the paper found there to be "no earthly reason why banning them (burkinis) would help to thwart France's violent Islamists". "If anything, it is more likely to alienate and upset moderate Muslims," it added. Islamic dress has long been a subject of debate in France, which was the first European country to ban the Islamic face veil in public in 2010, six years after outlawing the headscarf and other conspicuous religious symbols in state schools. Proponents of these bans argued that religious symbols should be relegated to the private sphere. Critics note however that the measures mainly target the Muslim minority and impinge on freedom of religion. Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Wednesday he believed the French model -- which stresses the need for immigrant communities to assimilate -- had failed. "Alas, I don't think the French model has worked very well," he told Corriere della Sera, saying the burkini bans were "a potential provocation" and could make France even more vulnerable to attack. Radicals on all sides The rash of bans comes as anti-Muslim sentiments mount in the mainly conservative south in the wake of the Nice attack. Last weekend, youths on a beach on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica came to blows with a group of Muslim families, reportedly after a tourist snapped pictures of women bathing in burkinis. Tunisian women, one wearing a "burkini", walk in the water on August 16, 2016 at Ghar El Melh beach near Bizerte, north-east of Tunis. Five were arrested Wednesday over the mass brawl, in which five people were injured. For sociologist Michel Wieviorka, the brouhaha is proof of a "radicalisation on all sides -- by nationalists, secularists and Islamists". "Politicians should try to calm tensions and stop creating hysteria," he told AFP, asking politicians and burkini wearers to both step back from the fight. France's Human Rights League took aim at Valls for backing the anti-burkini mayors, accusing him of "participating in the stigmatisation of a category of French people who have become suspect, by virtue of their faith". Jean Bauberot, a sociologist specialising in secularism, saw the bans as proof of an illiberal drift in the home of liberty, equality and fraternity. "You can be shocked by the headscarf or the burkini, and we can and should debate it, but without banning it. That's democracy: tolerating difference, accepting otherness," he told the Liberation newspaper. China's navy has carried out drills in the Sea of Japan, the Chinese military's official newspaper said on Friday, describing the exercises as routine and done in accordance with international law and practice. The Chinese navy has increasingly been exercising in waters far from home as it seeks to hone its operational abilities. Last year, five Chinese ships carried out exercises in international waters in the Bering Sea off Alaska. The People's Liberation Army Daily did not say exactly where the latest drills took place, describing it only as a "certain part of the Sea of Japan". Drill commander Xu Haihua said the exercises were part of routine annual arrangements and were meant to help improve the fleet's ability to fight far out at sea. The paper said some of the ships involved were on their way back from the U.S.-hosted Rim of the Pacific exercise, or RIMPAC, held in Hawaii. "Exercises far out at sea in international waters are commonly done by navies of the world, and this year our navy has many times organized fleets to carry out exercises far out in the Western Pacific," the newspaper said. "This deep sea exercise is part of annual training arrangements, is not aimed at any specific country, region or target, and accords with international law and practice," it said. The Sea of Japan is a strategic waterway bordered by Japan, Russia, South Korea and North Korea. A Philippine flag flutters in front of the BRB Tubbataha, a coast guard ship, one of 10 multi-role vessel the Philippines is acquiring from Japan under a 8.8 billion pesos (US$ 190million) agreement, as it arrives in south harbor, metro Manila, Philippines August 18, 2016. Japan on Thursday delivered to the Philippines the first of 10 coastguard vessels to help it improve its maritime security and law enforcement in the South China Sea where tension has been rising over a territorial dispute with China. China claims almost the entire South China Sea where about $5 trillion worth of sea-borne trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea believed to have rich deposits of oil and gas. Japan has no claims in the waterway but worries about China's growing military reach across sea lanes through which much of Japan's trade passes. Port personnel assist in docking of BRP Tubbataha, a coast guard ship, one of 10 multi-role vessel the Philippines is acquiring from Japan under a 8.8 billion pesos (US$ 190 million) agreement, as it arrives in south harbor, metro Manila, Philippines August 18, 2016. Philippine coastguard chief Rear Admiral William Melad said the 44-metre (144-foot) vessel from Japan would be sent out to sea on patrols and law enforcement operations. "It can be used for maritime security operations but it's not for combat," Melad told reporters. The boat would also be used for humanitarian work and disaster relief operations. Japan will supply nine more of the vessels under a 7.3 billion peso ($158 million) soft loan agreement. Melad did not mention China but its increasingly assertive claims in disputed South China Sea waters pose for the Philippines its most pressing security concern. China has dredged up sand and built up reefs to make seven islands in the Spratly islands, some with port facilities and air strips. China says is has the right to do whatever work it wants on its territory, and its aims are entirely peaceful, but an arbitration court in The Hague last month rejected China's historic claim to the South China Sea. BRP Tubbataha (L), a coast guard ship, one of 10 multi-role vessel the Philippines is acquiring from Japan under a 8.8 billion pesos (US$ 190million) agreement arrives in south harbor, metro Manila, Philippines August 18, 2016. At right is a Presidential ship 'Ang Pangulo'. China did not participate in and has refused to accept the July 12 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Japan and the Philippines are in talks about two more large coastguard ships worth about 10 billion pesos ($215 million) and the lease of four TC-90 surveillance aircraft. Japan has also warming relations with Vietnam, promising to help strengthen its coastguard with training, vessels and other equipment. Philippine coastguard spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said the force would be expanded over the next two years with the recruitment of 6,000 more personnel and the acquisition of more boats and aircraft from the United States to protect the country's exclusive economic zone. A contraction of "bikini" and "burqa", the burkini was developed as beachware for Muslim women who wish to keep themselves covered from head to ankles The burkini, a body-concealing swimsuit worn by Muslim women that has provoked a national debate in France, is little worn in the country with Europe's largest Muslim community. Where is the burkini from? A contraction of "bikini" and "burqa", the burkini was developed as fashionable beachware for Muslim women who wish to keep themselves covered from head to ankles. Its invention is attributed to Aheda Zanetti, an Australian woman who unveiled a line of "religiously correct" sportswear in 2003. In Australia, where beach culture is pervasive, there was a "hole in the market that needed to be filled" for more modest beachwear, she told AFP in 2007. When did it arrive in France? Influential "orthodox" Muslim blogger Fateh Kimouche says the burkini reached French shores in around 2008. It can be bought online from "Islamic fashion" websites but is a rare sight on the beaches. Kimouche says the use of the swimwear in France is impossible to quantify, but is quite limited. "It's much more common (for Muslim women) to swim with (regular) clothes on," he says. How big is the market? Zanetti says she has been surprised by the success of the burkini, enjoying sales around the world. The British retailer Mark & Spencers, which began selling two burkini models this year, says it has sold out. "France is behind with Islamic fashion," Helene Agesilas, co-creator of the Fringadine label, said in March when Marks & Spencers and Uniqlo began marketing Islamic clothing lines, causing a stir in France. Nonetheless, "there is a real demand", said Agesilas, who sells "modest fashion" clothing. The world market for Islamic clothing was estimated at $230 billion in 2014 and could reach $320 billion (280 billion euros) in 2020, she added. What does the Koran say? The Muslim holy book does not explicitly require wearing a veil or head covering and opinions vary over the interpretation of its writings on the subject, according to Franck Fregosi, an Islam expert at France's national research centre (CNRS). "There are references to rules of modesty, but no codification," he says. What does French law say? Since the burkini does not conceal the face, it is allowed in public places under French law. Only the niqab, which covers the face, has been banned since 2011. Several towns have banned the burkini this summer, arguing that they wish to avert "public disorder" in the context of a heightened fear of jihadist attacks, notably after last month's Bastille Day truck massacre. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. At least six people were arrested in Baton Rouge Wednesday night for violating the parishwide curfew, including one man who led police on a chase down North Foster Drive and a drunken driver who couldn't see where he was going because the hood of his truck was open, according to Baton Rouge police reports. The 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew was ordered Tuesday by Sheriff Sid Gautreaux amid concerns of looting following historic flooding in south Louisiana. It's not clear when it will be lifted, although Gautreaux has said the need for the curfew is being re-evaluated daily. CNN is reporting that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, will travel to Baton Rouge on Friday to tour damage from catastrophic flooding in Louisiana. Trump supporters have called on him to visit Louisiana to see the flood-affected areas first-hand, but his campaign has not announced a scheduled visit. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards' office responded to news of Trump's visit with a statement encouraging him to spend his time here volunteering or donating money to the relief effort. "Donald Trump hasn't called the governor to inform him of his visit. We welcome him to Louisiana, but not for a photo-op," the statement read. "Instead we hope he'll consider volunteering or making a sizable donation to the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund to help the victims of this storm." Trump, during a campaign rally in North Carolina on Thursday, said the flood crisis illustrates the need for the nation to come together. Describing Louisiana as "state that is very special to me" Trump's comments were the first public remarks he has made about the flood that has led to federal disaster declarations in 20 parishes across the southern portion of the state. +2 Hillary Clinton 'closely monitoring' flooding in Louisiana Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Tuesday said via social media that she's "We are one nation. When one state hurts, we all hurt and we must all work together to lift each other up. Working, building, restoring together," Trump said during his rally in Charlotte. "Our prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, and we send them our deepest condolences. Though words cannot express the sadness one feels at times like this, I hope everyone in Louisiana knows that our country is praying for them and standing with them to help them in these difficult hours. We are one country, one people, and we will have together one great future." Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton earlier this week directed supporters to the American Red Cross, where they can make donations to flood victims. Though Louisiana's state government officially wasnt working Thursday, the pressure of paying expenses created by the historic flood catastrophe prompted officials to gather in the closed State Capitol to start the process for taking out a short-term loan. Even as people are still being pulled from their houses and transported to shelters, questions have arisen on how the state is going to pay for all of this. Were burning cash at a fast rate now and were not taking in revenues, said Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said. The state has spent about $12 million in less than a week on the disaster and thats just the beginning. The Louisiana National Guard, alone, costs about $800,000 a day. We are going to spend whatever is necessary and the event is not done yet, Dardenne said, noting the flooding keeps moving south. Going into the unexpected disaster, state government was short of money and already was looking at booking a loan for a few months. Its a 40-day process with specific goals that have to be met along the way, before the next steps can be taken. The loan would have to be repaid by June 2017. Under similar emergency conditions, the Bond Commission would have postponed its Wednesday meeting. State officials hadnt completely decided whether to take out the pay day style loan the state hasnt taken one since the 1980s and started gathering information, just in case. The urgency of paying for the disaster response prompted the Bond Commission to convene, despite state government being closed Wednesday, and to firmly push the process along. We have to keep that ball in the air, Dardenne said. Obviously the storm has changed things, said State Treasurer John N. Kennedy, chairman of the Bond Commission. The State Bond Commission had gathered proposals and bids from four bond attorneys and six banks in case the pay-by dates of the states invoices and the cash intake timelines dont match. The cash flow problem is because most of the states money comes in during the second half of the fiscal year after January while most of the bills arrive at the July start of the fiscal year. This year it looked as if the state might not get enough money to pay those early bills. Made up of the states top government financial executives and legislative leaders, the Bond Commission preliminarily approved seeking loans of up to $500 million. Final approval will be needed in September once the details are worked out. Just how much the state ultimately will seek to borrow is still up in the air, said House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia and banker by profession, adding that he suspects itll be around $250 million to $300 million. Louisiana leaders weigh possible short-term loan to shore up cash flow Louisiana leaders are developing a game plan just in case the state starts to experience cas The state is racking up all sorts of expenses from overtime for first responders to fuel for boats to pillows for shelters. State government must pay those bills along with the day-to-day costs of government. Additionally, flood waters inundated public buildings and state-owned vehicles as well as undermined the stability of roads and compromised the safety of bridges. State government will have to pay those costs and do so in advance. When youre trying to recover, hospitals, schools, roads, none of these things can wait, Barras said. The federal government eventually will reimburse the state for 75 percent of that spending but state taxpayers will have to cover the remainder, which could be costly. We have to cover our 25 percent and thats going to be significant, said Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego. We need to be very, very careful with everything we spend. The Edwards administration already is talking with federal officials about the federal government upping its share of the costs to 90 percent of the total, said Matthew Block, executive counsel for Gov. John Bel Edwards. Though he thinks the state may have to spend about $600 million, there are no set thresholds or established procedure. Were going to need an act of Congress, literally, to get it done, Block said. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close It's easy to bash Washington at times of immense frustration and stress. Such a reaction is often warranted. But not always. And, I'd argue, not now. Gov. John Bel Edwards, who has a better view than just about anyone, went on MSNBC Thursday night and told viewers that "I don't feel forgotten by the federal governmentWe have what we need from the federal government." Edwards and his allies stressed Thursday that they've been in daily communication with White House officials. FEMA administrator Craig Fugate, an emergency response specialist who before joining the Obama administration oversaw Florida's disaster responses, has been here. So has Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. President Barack Obama started issuing disaster declarations quickly, which frees up federal resources and gets the ball rolling on longer term needs. Inspectors are on the ground. It's a miserable time for the many thousands affected, but a faulty response isn't making it more miserable. In short, as far as the federal government goes, this is not Katrina. Eleven years ago, the federal government was caught flatfooted by a storm that was predicted to cause widespread devastation; that the damage came as much from faulty federal levees as from the hurricane itself doesn't change the fact that the feds should have been ready. Michael Brown and Michael Chertoff, Fugate and Johnson's predecessors, carried a toxic relationship into the situation, we later learned. And George W. Bush's political operation tried to shift public blame onto the state, which was itself overwhelmed. Like so many Louisianans, the federal government learned from that disaster, and is much better positioned to do what needs to be done. That doesn't mean things will necessarily go smoothly from here forward. Rebuilding will be a long, difficult slog. Congress will have to approve any aid beyond what FEMA offers automatically which, for the many residents who didn't think they needed flood insurance, tops out at $33,000 and usually amounts to much less. Louisiana's relatively junior congressional delegation will have some serious convincing to do to make any additional aid a reality. The state will surely seek to have its 25 percent match for its own immediate costs reduced to 10 percent; we'll all have to keep our fingers crossed on that one. Still, so far things are working the way they should, and Louisiana is benefiting from the lack of drama. Sure, a visit from President Barack Obama might bring some needed attention along with a bunch of logistical complications. But if he were to be photographed flying Air Force One over Louisiana, the image would not become a symbol of his administration's underlying detachment and failure, as it was for Bush. There's been little finger pointing so far, and little cause for it. What a relief. This historic Louisiana flood inundated areas that never before have seen waters rise. That has left many without flood insurance -- or experi The floodwaters that swept through south Louisiana over the past week may have reached 31 percent of the homes in Baton Rouge and the eight surrounding parishes, according to a detailed but preliminary economic analysis of the disaster released Friday. The report from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber translates that figure into an estimate of roughly 110,000 homes, valued at $20.7 billion, that could have flooded because they were located in neighborhoods where water pooled. The homes included in the analysis are spread across East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana. The potential damage figure is far higher than any put forward thus far. State officials have said over the past week that at least 40,000 homes were thought to have flooded, although BRAC officials cautioned that the 110,000 homes in flooded areas may not all have taken on water, accounting for some of the discrepancy. The new analysis makes clear that Livingston Parish was the hardest-hit parish, with a whopping 86.6 percent of its homes located in flooded areas. Just 21.7 percent Livingston Parish homes are covered by flood insurance, suggesting that perhaps three-fourths of those who flooded will be forced to go into debt or tap savings to rebuild. That group, in Livingston Parish alone, could number in the tens of thousands, the analysis suggests. +2 Livingston Parish officials setting up for food distribution later this week As rescue calls dwindle and Livingston Parish officials prepare to establish places for the Regionally, the data show there were about 52,896 flood insurance policies in effect about half the estimated number of homes that flooded. But because some people with flood insurance did not experience flooding, the proportion of flood victims with flood insurance is probably far lower than 50 percent. The good news is that the three parishes that appear to have suffered the most damage -- Livingston, East Baton Rouge and Ascension, according to the report -- are the ones with the highest proportion of insured people and the greatest number of flood policies. Still, BRACs numbers suggest that at least 42,000 households in those three parishes may have flooded and didnt have insurance policies. Across the capital region, an average of just 15 percent of households have flood insurance. The highest take-up rates are in Ascension and Livingston, at 23 and 22 percent, respectively. +2 Got flood insurance? FEMA says you're eligible for early payments Flood insurance policy holders in areas of Louisiana where a disaster has been declared will BRACs analysis represents the first complex effort that attempts to measure the impact of the flooding that has ruined thousands of homes and forced thousands of families to evacuate to shelters across the region. As such, it comes with a series of caveats. The biggest is that the analysis is not an actual count of damaged properties, but an estimate of how many might have flooded. That may explain why BRAC data for West Baton Rouge Parish, for instance, suggests there was far more damage from flooding than there actually was. The report puts more than 3,000 homes in the flood zone, but West Baton Rouge Parish President Riley "Pee Wee" Berthelot told The Advocate that only approximately 30 homes received "minor damage" from flooding. BRAC President and CEO Adam Knapp said that his agency's numbers should not be considered a damage estimate, which he said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will calculate. The $20.7 billion figure of the value of homes in flooded areas cited in the report is only meant to represent how much the homes are worth. The chamber expects FEMA to calculate damages that cost far less. "This is something that is always going to be a living analysis," Knapp said. "It could change today, it could change tomorrow, it's been changing over the course of the week." Knapp also noted that the numbers for flooding in Ascension Parish are still in great flux and may rise, as flooding there has been ongoing throughout the week even as other parishes have started to dry. It should come as no surprise that getting a fix on the extent of damage is taking some time. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005, it took many months for local leaders to estimate how many homes had flooded and how much damage had occurred. Six months after the storm, state and federal officials were still squabbling over how many homes were damaged by Katrina and Rita, with the feds pegging the number at 167,000 and Louisiana leaders putting the number at around 212,000. BRAC conducted its analysis by using geographic information system data of areas that were affected by the flood; the chamber counted the homes and residences that fall in the flood-affected areas. "We're being careful not to say there are a specific number of damaged homes, but the number of potentially damaged is more than 2.5 times the number that we've been looking at thus far," Knapp said. New flooding numbers that City Hall released Friday for East Baton Rouge Parish also do not sync up closely with BRAC's data. The city-parish data shows floodwaters inundated more than 58 percent of the parish over the past week, suggesting more than 50,000 homes flooded -- far more than what BRAC estimated. City-parish officials and Knapp both said the City Hall data is more up-to-date and accurate. The city-parish gathered its information by using the 100-year floodplain map and adding data sets for calls for rescue, calls to 911, calls to 311 for flooding or sewer backups and more. But like the BRAC data, the city-parish data does not assess precisely how many homes took on water, but rather how many homes are located in areas that were inundated. Both the city-parish and BRAC are still trying to tweak their data to make it as accurate as possible, and asked for help from the public in doing so. "We've already had comments from some people that were in the 100-year flood zone that did not receive any flooding," said city-parish Director of Information Services Eric Romero. He encouraged people to look at the map and point out incorrect information in it by emailing gis@brgov.com. BRAC also estimated that more than 7,000 businesses that employ nearly 74,000 people are in flood-affected areas in the capital region. The businesses in areas that flooded make up 21 percent of businesses in the overall area. The data shows that retail, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and food and drink services are the hardest-hit sectors. Staff Writer Terry L. Jones also contributed to this report. The floods ravaging south Louisiana are the largest natural disaster the American Red Cross has responded to since Hurricane Sandy ripped up the eastern seaboard in 2012, the president of the relief organization said Thursday. Seven days after rain and floods started pelting the region, standing floodwaters remained in only a few pockets of East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes, but Ascension continued to suffer roads cut and houses inundated by rising bayous and streams. At least 13 people have died in the flood, and at least 40,000 homes have been damaged. "You can drive through the affected area and as far as the eye can see, you can see people's belongings on the curb," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "You can see where the water level was. It's really devastating and it's extremely difficult for the residents here." The comparison to Sandy is telling the storm hit New Jersey and New York in the fall of 2012, destroying thousands of homes, leaving millions without power and causing more than 100 deaths and more than $60 billion in damage in the United States. In Louisiana, the Red Cross is operating several shelters and pledged to stay until people are back on their feet. Across the region, 4,070 victims spent Wednesday night in shelters, Gov. John Bel Edwards said. In some places, officials are taking drastic measures to prevent more flooding. Ascension and Iberville parish officials decided jointly Thursday to cut a 40-foot break along the top of Alligator Bayou Road to drain away high water in the Bluff Swamp and the Spanish Lake Basin that is threatening homes to the south. The road acts like a levee, holding water in the basin and nearby Bayou Manchac in the northwest corner of eastern Ascension and western Iberville parishes. The cut will be in Ascension parish. It will be the second time in the past three days that officials have decided to make openings in part of the parish's levee protection system to allow floodwater to escape the overwhelmed system. As The Advocate's editorial board and residents have called on President Barack Obama to visit the areas coping with disaster, the governor said Thursday he is unconcerned that Obama has not visited yet. On Thursday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson traveled to Louisiana to meet with Edwards, visit shelters and view flood-affected areas. Federal Emergency Management Agency head Craig Fugate came to Louisiana earlier this week. Obama is on a family vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts this week. He has not commented publicly on the flooding that has sparked disaster declarations for 20 parishes, nor has he announced plans to travel to Louisiana. Edwards, a Democrat, said the visits from other federal officials, plus near daily communication with the White House, show the flooding is a priority for the federal government. He said a visit from Obama would require heightened security and road closures and would drain resources as the state still works to respond to the flood. "Quite frankly, that's not something I want to go through right now," Edwards said. "I would just as soon he wait a week or two." In East Baton Rouge Parish, water had receded in most places by Thursday except around Hoo Shoo Too Road near the Amite River, Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesman Curt Monte said. As rain slammed the parish Wednesday night, the Fire Department received many reports that two to three feet of water was rising near Scenic Highway and Harding Boulevard, Monte said. He said the fire department started preparing boats to help, but people began calling back a half hour later to report that the water was subsiding. A 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew remained in place in East Baton Rouge on Thursday night despite complaints from many business owners, who said they were losing money and unable to pay their workers because they were having to close so early. At least six people were arrested Wednesday night in Baton Rouge for violating the curfew. All but one were booked on other counts as well; the sole exception told police he was simply trying to walk to a store. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux sent a letter Thursday to Metro Councilman John Delgado, who had complained about the curfew on Wednesday. Gautreaux repeated that he will lift the curfew when it is safe to do so. "I realize that the curfew causes inconvenience and hinders opportunities for some, but my number one priority is the preservation of life and property," he wrote. "A curfew is one way to not only secure the safety of residents and first responders, but also curb criminal activity such as looting. Thousands of homes and businesses, some destroyed by floodwaters, are left vulnerable and without power." Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Carey Chauvin said the city-parish operating with limited workers because many have been affected by the floods is struggling to meet the demands for inspections, permitting and plan reviews as people start to rebuild. Chauvin said the city-parish will probably hire contractors to help keep up with the workload. The city-parish's contractor for debris pickup will also start service on Monday, and is holding a hiring event Friday for people interested in the job. Floodwaters had receded throughout much of Livingston Parish by Thursday afternoon but remained over roads in Maurepas, French Settlement and Port Vincent, said Lori Steele, spokeswoman for the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office. Calls for rescue also slowed dramatically, she said. For many Livingston residents and business owners, Thursday was spent lugging ruined furniture and inventory to the curb, gutting drywall and ripping out flooring. "We're running out of space to put it all," said Hunter Miller, grandson of Al Bye, who co-owns Theater Antiques in Denham Springs. Relief distribution points opened at several locations in the parish, including Bass Pro and the Satsuma Community Center, offering meals ready to eat, known as MREs, and bottled water, parish officials said. In Ascension, standing water remained in Galvez, St. Amant, Gonzales, Sorrento and other places. Further south, in St. James parish, at least eight homes flooded Thursday near Blind River. But parish officials were hoping that the standing water could be gone as soon as Sunday and that no more homes will flood. St. James parish has not had any evacuations or any shelters open. Staff Writers David Mitchell, Heidi Kinchen, Joe Gyan and contributor Della Hasselle contributed to this report. Catherine C.C. Bihm was determined to get food and diapers to her best friend in Ascension Parish this week. From the start it was out to do something different. In a grand antebellum mansion in the Lower Garden District, under the low rafters of a gr Canberra Greyhound Racing Club secretary Debbie Collier is still waiting for a call from the ACT government. It's been more than a month since the decision was made to ban greyhounds in Canberra, something that will take away the jobs of Ms Collier and others. Debbie Collier, secretary of the Canberra Greyhound Racing Club, with three greyhounds, Sadie, Jackson and Liz. Credit:Rohan Thomson Members of the club say they are still relying on the media, and follow politicians' Facebook and Twitter accounts for news on what will happen to them. Ms Collier and a handful of others brought 2500 letters written in support of the industry to the ACT Legislative Assembly on Friday. Wombats have a reputation for being cute and cuddly but a woman mauled by one in Canberra has warned others to stay away from the marsupials. Kerry Evans suffered more than 20 bites and lacerations across her body after she was attacked by a large wombat while walking her dogs in a suburban street in Banks, in south Canberra, on Monday night. Banks woman Kerry Evans was attacked by a wombat while walking dogs Murphy and Pirate (pictured) in the suburban street of Tom Roberts Avenue in Banks, ACT. Credit:Karleen Minney She told Fairfax Media she was taking her two English springer spaniels along their usual route on Tom Roberts Avenue about 7.30pm when she saw what appeared to be a "large boulder" ahead in a front yard. "I thought 'I don't remember seeing this before' and I got quite close to it and I saw it move and all of a sudden it dawned on me what it was," Mrs Evans said. The company and union signed statutory declarations in mid-2015 to the effect that all workers were better off from the deal. Brisbane night fill worker Penny Vickers, an SDA delegate, said workers did not know they would be underpaid when they voted to approve the deal. "This is dreadful, what happened," she said. "It's not appropriate to pay less than the award and hide that from employees." "Why wasn't it brought to our attention? Why were we were asked to vote for an agreement that pays less than the award," she asked. "I'd have never voted for an agreement that would pay me less than the award." A Coles spokesman defended the deal. "It is our firm belief that all monetary and non-monetary benefits should be taken into account as well as wages when assessing the overall value of the benefits Coles provides its team members," he said. The Fair Work decision gave limited weight to the non-monetary benefits of the Coles deal as it found part-time and casual workers, who make up 80 per cent of the Coles workforce, were hardest hit. Tim Lyons, Per Capita research fellow and a former ACTU assistant secretary, said Coles would have known all along the effect of its workplace deal on its bottom line and on wages. "This is an incredibly sophisticated company, they make these claims with the aim of reducing wages costs. Any sense they would have been shocked by the decision - that is just bullshit." Mr Lyons said the SDA needed to take some responsibility for agreeing to Coles' demands. But he said the bulk of the blame lay with Coles and the Fair Work tribunal which originally approved the agreement. "They would know the effect these [terms] would have on their bottom-line wage costs," Mr Lyons said of Coles. "In the end, the main responsibility lies with the boss." As part of the recent Fair Work case, lawyers for Coles commissioned Ernst & Young partner Bruno Cecchini to analyse and report on store rosters from Benalla and Northcote. The raw data from the January report, analysed by Fairfax Media, shows that the average underpayment was $1497 a year. Taken across all its stores, that works out to between $64 million to $70 million a year. Industrial researcher Josh Cullinan, who helped bring the original case against Coles, estimates the underpayment to be worth between $70 million to $100 million a year. The overall results are likely to be conservative as the two stores featured in the case study have relatively limited trading hours. Since the full bench decision in late May, Coles has refused to negotiate a new agreement with the union. Workers have instead been reverted to a 2011 agreement with Coles undertaking to keep the higher base pay rates from the 2015 deal. Ms Vickers has now taken action at the Fair Work Commission to terminate that 2011 agreement. A successful challenge would result in Coles workers being moved onto the award which pays lower hourly base rates of pay but much higher penalties and night payments. The confidential Coles figures are embarrassing for the SDA which has consistently argued that the "vast majority" of its members were better off under the deal. It also raises questions about a string of similar agreements across the retail and fast food sectors. A US federal judge on Thursday struck down a proposed class-action settlement between Uber and a group of its current and former drivers, potentially continuing a lawsuit that questioned a key tenet of the ride-hailing company's business. Under a settlement forged in April, Uber had been set to pay up to $US100 million ($130 million) in reimbursement damages to nearly 400,000 drivers. The drivers first sued Uber in 2013, claiming that they should have been classified as employees rather than independent contractors of the company. Uber has opposed having its drivers be categorised as employees, a more costly designation that would require the company to pay payroll taxes and ensure that drivers earn at least the minimum wage. In documents filed Thursday in US District Court for Northern California, Judge Edward M. Chen ruled that the April settlement was "not fair, adequate, and reasonable" as grounds for denial. He also said a small portion of the $US100 million amount reflects only 0.1 per cent of the potential full verdict value of the case. The decision is a blow to Uber in a long-standing battle with its drivers, many of whom have argued that the type of control Uber exerts over them constitutes conditions of employment. As employees, Uber drivers would be entitled to reimbursement for expenses and vehicle maintenance, costs that as independent contractors they now pay themselves. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says China faces ''strong reputational costs'' if it refuses to abide by the UN ruling. Credit:Tony McDonough Not since 2003 has the Australian government produced a foreign affairs white paper. Free trade agreements with China, Japan and South Korea were a glimmer in the government's eye. Illustration: John Shakespeare "No country in Asia will supplant Japan's importance to Australia's prosperity for at least another decade", it predicted, though China's growing importance was "the single most important trend in the region". Indonesian stability, deeper engagement with ASEAN nations, the threat of Islamic terrorism and the US alliance were all prominent. Advancing the National Interest, published on the eve of the invasion of Iraq, gazed into the crystal ball and identified some of the geo-strategic challenges Australia would face (and was certainly more value than the Asia-focused 1997 white paper, which was published on the eve of the Asian Financial Crisis and rapidly dated). Oddly, the Rudd, Gillard and Abbott governments never produced foreign affairs white papers though all three commissioned Defence white papers, and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet produced the Asian Century white paper for Gillard. But planning for the new white paper, which flew under the radar during the election campaign the Coalition promised to develop a "contemporary and comprehensive foreign policy strategy within 12 months of the election" is well under way. Bishop tells Fairfax Media it will establish a "philosophical framework to guide Australia's engagement, regardless of international events" and will be one of the first tasks set for the new secretary of her department, Frances Adamson. "We need a contemporary foreign policy strategy, we are a significant regional voice, we have achieved a considerable amount over three years. This will look at the challenges, the threats, and the opportunities. "It will look at how to maximise our influence through our policies, but also shape the thinking of other nations. Its about strategy our global focus and our global interests." Bishop's expansive vision for Australia's role in the world is that of a confident, forward-leaning minister, on top of her brief. But Bishop and Adamson a former Turnbull adviser and China ambassador who also worked for Labor will have their work cut out for them in fashioning an enduring foreign policy strategy that stands the test of the time. To some extent, the key issues identified in the 2003 white paper terrorism, regional engagement are the same today, and require an update rather than a reimagining. But this is not the case with China. The increasingly bellicose superpower, fresh from bucking an international court ruling that found in favour of the Philippines in the dispute between the two nations over the building of artificial islands in the South China Sea, presents the most immediate challenge for Australia and the region. In the wake of that ruling Bishop, US secretary of state John Kerry and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida released a joint statement that called on all parties to respect the court's ruling and warned against "unilateral actions that cause permanent physical change to the marine environment". China's Global Times, well known for its sometimes outlandish editorials, responded to that joint statement by warning "if Australia steps into the South China Sea waters, it will be an ideal target for China to warn and strike". A more nuanced view was advanced by Zhu Feng, a professor of international relations at Nanjing University, who argued the tribunal ruling provided a lesson for China to be smarter in mastering international rules and that the rest of the world needed to "work patiently to keep the country heading in the right direction". Bishop sits firmly in the latter, more pragmatic camp, insisting Australian has "excellent" relations with China, pointing out that Australia is not a claimant state in the South China Sea and that the dispute "does not define our relationship". "We will do what we have always done, the Australian navy and airforce will exercise freedom of navigation and overflight [in the region]," she says. "The position we take is adhering to the rule of law and calling for de-escalation," she says, though adding this rider:"China risks reputational damage if it doesn't respect the rule of law, if it doesn't respect the court's findings." The Australian National University's Michael Wesley strongly backs the decision to produce a new white paper, but warns "the old plan of not acceding to China's demands, that's not working". "China is a big player but it's not the only player in the region. The key to dealing with China is through realising exactly that," he says. To that end, both Bishop and Turnbull should during the coming month of summits and bilaterals "pull key regional partners aside and say where does [court ruling] leave us, can we start a conversation about a new plan for the future?" "It's time to lift the conversations to a strategic level, to say what does this mean? Essentially we now have an unequivocal international law ruling that China has categorically rejected and we have a situation in which south-east Asian solidarity has splintered." The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's executive director Peter Jennings says summit season will give Turnbull and Bishop a chance to "touch base with friends ... and think through, collectively, how to deal with China, which is emerging as a very different China to 15 years ago". "The South China Sea is a symptom of a bigger issue. The only way to deal with China is to have a clear sense of our strategic interest and to argue for them in the face of potentially loud and aggressive diplomacy. We, as a country, need to develop the confidence to do that," he says. "My experience of negotiating with senior People's Liberation Army officers, which I did in Defence, was that you got a measure of respect if you articulated your interests, but if there was a sense of weakness or a willingness to concede, the Chinese would ruthlessly exploit it." A second-term white paper should provide a "clearly articulated sense of what our strategic interests are". Malcolm Turnbull will be hoping his meetings with world leaders will restore some of his diminished political standing just as it did for Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott ahead of what will be bare knuckle, year-ending fights to pass the budget and election promises such as the restoration of the construction watchdog. For Julie Bishop, the coming round of diplomacy may produce less obvious political benefits in the short term. But for Australia it could prove to be, in the medium term, potentially of far greater import. Loading The application of sales proceeds by federal and state governments during the 1990s and early 2000s to reduce the burden of public sector debt was welcome at the time. But the broader "political economy" problem of governmental overspending was unaddressed. If politicians lack the discipline to control spending, as budgetary developments in recent years attest, then the sale of public sector assets today could perversely help to financially validate the excessive expenditures of the past. Putting these considerations together, the promise of privatisation revenue is no substitute for sound public sector financial management practices. There are far more compelling reasons to privatise than fundraising, so in relation to the revenue question there is merit in the argument posed by the national competition policy regulator. The second major issue that Sims raised in his Melbourne talk related to the implications of privatisation for competition, not only from the perspective of rivals competing with the owners of the privatised asset but for downstream industries and final consumers. Ever since privatisation became a part of the policy reformer's toolkit, it has been stressed that a privatised entity as part of a highly competitive environment, with numerous sellers already in place, is preferable. At the very least there should be contestability pressures, or a credible threat of competitive entry into the industry by potential rivals, if a situation of converting a public monopoly into a private one is to be avoided. In addition, a government preferably should not pursue any contractual arrangement that crimps competition, such as giving the buyer of privatised infrastructure a right of first refusal over future facilities located nearby, even if that potentially loses some privatisation sales revenue. If a competitive environment cannot be ensured prior to privatisation, including through the structural separation of the privatised entity into its contestable versus monopolistic activities, it is recommended some form of regulated price oversight is needed to ameliorate the risk of monopolistic pricing. Where privatised entities exist in sufficiently competitive markets governments have tended to relax price controls, whereas for private monopolies a regime of price monitoring, or even determinations of allowable price increases, have been implemented across Australia. There is often a regulatory clamour for more prescriptive controls on prices charged by privatised entities and this can be fuelled by mischievous claims that privatisation, as opposed to government policies or changing market conditions, is responsible for price increases. But there are risks surrounding more prescriptive price controls upon privatised entities, given the potential for regulatory action to deter new investment. There seems little doubt that economic regulators would see additional pricing powers over privatised entities as highly desirable, but any potential changes must be scrutinised, with relative costs and benefits weighed judiciously. The contrarian attitude assumed by Sims aside, it is helpful to reacquaint ourselves with the reasons why privatisation has become commonplace in Australia, Western Europe, North America and even in former and current communist countries. Government-owned entities are forced to adhere to political imperatives, such as providing subcost services to favoured constituencies, while being insulated from the direct effects of competition and the threat of bankruptcy or takeover. Such circumstances are prone to lead to wastage as government entities generally operate less productively than their private sector peers. Although cases surrounding postprivatisation performance will vary several academic surveys, such as those undertaken by Bill Megginson, show an improved performance of privatised entities by way of efficiency gains and service reliability. Sims has opened up a good debate about ensuring the political motives underpinning privatisation are sound, but his statements don't contravene the reality that governments tend to be poor allocators of capital. There are still plenty of Australian government assets, in communications, human services, infrastructure, property and utility sectors, whose ownership could be divested. Governments should investigate alternative ways to truly give assets back to the people where circumstances permit, such as transferring assets to community groups or gifting shares to Australians. "What did he know and when did he know it?" was Senator Howard Baker's immortal question on Nixon and Watergate. Ours, regarding Greater Sydney Commissioner Lucy Turnbull should be, "What doesn't she know, and why for pity's sake doesn't she know it?" Turnbull's admission on ABC 702 this week that she was "not aware that there are houses going to be demolished at Haberfield," was the most shocking public statement in this country since George Pell agreed priests should be insured against paedophilia charges, although not quite for the reason you might think. Turnbull's Westconnex lacuna is symptomatic of Sydney's massively dysfunctional planning system right at its moment of maximum change. It's a system where all the big, driving decisions are taken by men-armed-with-numbers engineers, traffic guys, bean-counters, politicians, developers and "planning" is left to trot along behind. A system, in other words, where planning is treated like a girl. You might think Lucy Turnbull's role as Greater Sydney Commissioner counters that view, but her 702 moment says otherwise. Across the eight months of Turnbull's appointment as Sydney's uber-planning maestro, the Haberfield demolitions have been intensely controversial. The constant protests, sit-ins and arrests did not stop 53 demolitions across seven streets, but you'd have to be comatose at the wheel to miss them. All very much on Turnbull's watch. The 50th anniversary of the battle of Long Tan was supposed to be a truly memorable event with thousands of Australians making the pilgrimage to the old Australian battle grounds to commemorate. What went wrong? Why, some are asking, weren't we welcomed there like we were by the people of Turkey at Gallipoli? Signs apparently were building that the Vietnamese government was becoming increasingly uneasy about the commemorations an event which would undoubtedly have translated closer to "celebrations" to the Vietnamese authorities. Even Little Pattie was making a return appearance for a concert, echoing her performance at the nearby Australian military base at Nui Dat on the day of the battle back in 1966. This added to the sense of Australian victory and increasing Vietnamese unease. What we seem to have overlooked is that a comparison with Turkey isn't working. Kemal Ataturk's Turkey replaced the Ottoman Empire. The old Ottoman Empire was gone and replaced by a modernist reformer welcoming increased Western ties. In contrast, Vietnam remains a one party communist state run by the same government that won the war in April 1975, when it overwhelmed and swallowed up the Republic of South Vietnam that Australians had fought to support. There is little space in the national narrative of the unified Vietnam for a counter-narrative of the Australians as underdogs defeating a far larger Vietnamese force. The Vietnamese authorities have worked hard to manufacture their own account of a glorious victory at Long Tan, with stories promulgated of hundreds of Australians killed and dozens of "tanks" destroyed. Their account sits in stark contrast to the authoritative accounts of Australian tactical prowess and bravery under extreme duress, let alone their military dominance in battle. Julie Bishop will kick-start her second term as Foreign Minister with a new white paper that will establish a "philosophical framework to guide Australia's engagement, regardless of international events". The new work will be the first foreign affairs white paper since the Howard Government's 2003 paper Advancing the National Interest, and its creation will be driven by Ms Bishop and the new secretary of her Department, Frances Adamson. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says the white paper will 'look at how to maximise our influence'. Credit:Tony McDonough In the nearly 14 years since Advancing the National Interest was released in February 2003, Australia has experienced an unprecedented mining boom and benefited from the rapid growth of the Chinese economy, signed up to new free trade agreements including with South Korea, China and Japan and more and participated in peacekeeping missions in hotspots around the world. The Asian Century white paper, produced by former Treasury chief Ken Henry, who worked with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for then prime minister Julia Gillard, came closest to replicating a foreign policy white paper and was widely welcomed at the time, but has since fallen by the wayside. If you've had trouble moving down Brunswick Street in Fitzroy or Campbell Parade, Bondi, this morning, blame Kanye West. The rapper turned fashion mogul announced 21 pop-up stores across the globe for his Pablo fashion spin-off this weekend, including Melbourne and Sydney. Hundreds of people were already queuing around the block ahead of the scheduled opening of the stores at 10am on Friday. The brand of gothic typeface-printed sweatshirts, T-shirts, denim and swimwear comes off the back of his latest album, Life of Pablo. According to Luxxotica, the multinational company that owns the eyewear brand, more than 16,500 Facebook-related Ray-Ban scams have been shut down since the beginning of the year. "There are sophisticated operators behind this, registering thousands of domains," said Justin Gaudio, an intellectual property lawyer with the firm Greer Burns & Crain and one of the people tasked with getting fake Ray-Ban stores off the Web. "It's a coordinated effort. There's no doubt about it." It's impossible to tell precisely who is behind these schemes, on both the Web store and the Facebook-promotion end. Domain registrants are required to provide a name, physical address and other contact information, but in the case of the Ray-Ban scammers, that's frequently invented. Experts such as Stefanko suspect a loose syndicate of Chinese hackers and scammers, who buy up cheap Ray-Ban-related domains in bulk. They can then cycle a pre-made Web store template from site to site if and when each is taken down. On Facebook, the scam's mechanism is slightly less straightforward - Stefanko says the scammers use both malware and more conventional password hacks to gain access to user accounts around the world. Once they have that access, they create an event, copy-paste the usual promo text (usually in broken English, though Stefanko has also seen it in Japanese and Spanish), and invite hundreds or even thousands of the user's friends. These mass invitations are risky for spammers, of course: Any one of the invitees could alert Facebook or their friend to the suspicious account activity. At the same time, if even one of the invitees buys from the fake Web store, it's just paid for itself. That makes the Ray-Ban charity scam a special challenge for Facebook, which is not unaware of its spread. "(It's) unique in that, unlike other applications of machine learning, there's a live adversary on the other end, trying to get around your controls," said Melanie Ensign, a Facebook spokeswoman. "This makes spam-fighting a fascinating engineering challenge." Ensign says the plague of Ray-Ban event-invites is actually far smaller than it could be: Facebook prevents most spam from ever posting, using a combination of automated systems and manual auditing. Facebook's automated spam system looks at roughly two million distinct "classifiers," or signals, to guess when something might be spam - and the site runs about one million checks per second on other types of suspicious behaviour, from mass event-invites to rapid-dash friend requests. Facebook also monitors for malware, Ensign said, and alerts users when it suspects their machine may be infected, even providing a free scanner they can use to clean it up. But that won't help users whose passwords have been bought or guessed ... and the scammers are forever dreaming up new techniques. No one knows this struggle better than the intellectual property and legal teams at Luxxotica, the people charged with fighting back against fraud old and new. (During the past two years, in fact, the teams have bulked up to better address some of these issues.) The company works with a third-party monitoring agency to identify fraudulent Web stores, then sues for trademark infringement in the federal court system of whatever country the scammer was selling to. Gaudio, the intellectual property lawyer, handles these cases for Luxxotica in the United States, sometimes suing thousands of websites and website owners at a time. Rarely does Luxxotica see any response from the defendant - let alone damages. Instead, the company generally gets a court injunction that transfers the fake store's URL to its ownership, and lets it post the corporate equivalent of "sorry for that weird invite message". "WARNING: Website shut down!" Reads the usual text, as seen on former fake Ray-Ban store fbger.com. "The online store that formerly used this domain has been disabled, pursuant to a U.S. federal court order, for the sale of products bearing counterfeit trademarks." Luxxotica declined to estimate how much money it had lost from these schemes - that's a difficult number to settle on. And it's equally difficult to calculate how much scammers make, Stefanko said, because consumers aren't usually willing to fess up when they've fallen for a scam like this one. Across Facebook, however, you can easily find thousands who will admit to having been hacked by the Ray-Ban scammers - people like Simon Lane, a father from southern England, who found out he'd been sending weird invites when a friend asked him about it. Lane changed his password, got his 14-year-old son to check his settings, and posted the following, predictable status: Disagreement over the idea of digging a "bodacious" road tunnel under Oxford Street punctuated a debate among lord mayoral candidates for the City of Sydney on Friday. Angela Vithoulkas, a councillor running for mayor on the independent "Sydney Matters" ticket, is pushing the idea of digging a tunnel under the troubled shopping strip to help remove traffic. But Cr Vithoulkas has not estimated the cost of the tunnel, nor secured the support of the state government to pay for and dig the tunnel. The "cut and cover" construction method she has proposed for the tunnel could also close the street to traffic for years. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn arrives at the Lindt cafe siege inquest. Credit:Kate Geraghty "Scipione did not put a stop to the internecine warfare that was going on between Cath Burn and Nick Kaldas," says the source. "It was incredibly destructive, and polarising for the entire NSW police leadership team, and it was allowed to go on for years." Kaldas, an Arabic-speaker who had worked closely with Sydney's Islamic communities, departed the force only this year to pursue an international policing post , his reputation intact but reportedly worn out by the internal battle. He was off duty sick on the night of the siege. But he followed events closely, at one point ringing in to convey an offer of help from religious leader the Grand Mufti. Hostages flee from the Lindt cafe in Martin Place during the early hours of December 16, 2014. Credit:Andrew Meares No one disputes the bravery of the police tactical teams who were on the frontline that night and stormed the cafe in the early hours of December 16, 2014. Having waited hours in a nearby vehicle bay for an order to go in, loaded with weaponry and on high alert, they testified that they expected to die that night, still believing gunman Man Haron Monis to be armed with a bomb. But for those higher up the chain, the coronial inquiry - triggered by the deaths of cafe manager Tori Johnson and barrister Katrina Dawson (who perished from police bullet fragments) - has been an excruciating examination of decisions on the night. Former deputy police commissioner Nick Kaldas departed the force this year. Credit:Cole Bennetts There is a whole generation of good officers who have great potential who are starting to look elsewhere because of the lack of opportunity. Senior officer Why did police wait for a hostage death before they stormed the cafe? Why did senior commanders decide not to approve a so-called "deliberate action" that would have given tactical police commanders the option of bringing the siege to an end at a time of their choosing? What were the barriers to a greater role for the defence force? Why were technical and equipment failures not notified on the night to senior commanders - particularly Burn, who had line responsibility for resourcing these areas? Why were the resources of agencies such as ASIO apparently not tapped at the earliest opportunity? Why were third party intermediaries, such as the Grand Mufti, not utilised? Why did senior police stick so long with a "contain and negotiate" strategy that might have worked well in the sieges that NSW police had encountered to date - mostly of the domestic violence sort - but which, as the hours dragged on, became increasingly ill-suited to what was shaping up as the most critical terrorist incident yet to occur on Australian soil? "Counter-terrorism capability is a system of systems, with complex moving parts, and different operational and tactical units required to work together seamlessly in live time," says the expert source. "What we saw revealed at the Lindt inquest is that this did not occur. It was broken and needs to be fixed." Scipione and Burn were the final witnesses in the long-running inquiry, which heard from 119 witnesses over a total of 109 hearing days, spread over 15 months. Giving evidence about their role, both took a strikingly similar tack: that despite their positions at the very top of the police hierarchy, neither issued any orders that night because that was the preserve of operational commanders. Burn said she had been assigned the role that evening of liaising with the state crisis committee (which includes NSW Premier Mike Baird and other ministers) as well as federal and interstate agencies and the media. Scipione said he did not have the requisite expertise, nor would it have been appropriate given his many other responsibilities. Yet both held reserve powers by virtue of their office to issue orders if they thought it necessary, as Burn acknowledged in evidence. And both said they were there to provide advice and support as needed. Despite this, neither took steps to follow up on the failure of senior commanders to approve a controlled deliberate action plan (the DA) before Burn and Scipione went home to rest between 10.15pm and 11.30pm on the night of the 15th. Even though police negotiators had failed to strike up direct contact with Monis as the siege dragged into its 13th hour, Scipione sent Burn a late text which seemed to reflect an assumption that the situation would hold till the morning. "See you bright and early in the morning" it finished. The fact that a DA was never approved for police to have in their back pocket on the night has deeply upset the Johnson and Dawson families, if questions asked by their lawyers during the hearings are any guide. One police expert told Fairfax Media he believed it "unprecedented" for there not to have been a DA. "It should have been up there clearly on the whiteboard." Senior police gave evidence that they persisted with their "contain and negotiate" strategy because they still felt it held out the best prospects for a peaceful resolution. But as another expert source points out: "In 14 hours, they had not got into a conversation with the perpetrator. If that was a strategy, it was not working. If not for the fact that two innocent people lost their lives, it would be risible. Where was their plan B? It was an abrogation of responsibility. Can you imagine somebody in French or British policing having the temerity to say this in a command role?" The "see you bright and early" text was controversial for another reason. It is the only one that has survived from the phone Burn was using that night. She says she deleted the texts from that period, regarding them of no importance, having been told the morning after the siege that she would not be deemed an "involved officer" in a critical incident inquiry. So when the text turned up last Tuesday morning it landed like a bombshell. Burn said she had forgotten about it, but that it survived because she emailed it to herself at 10.57 on the night of the siege. It is still not clear how and when police unearthed it. But Jeremy Gormly, SC, counsel assisting the inquiry, was visibly annoyed, particularly as it revealed Scipione had visited technical officers at the forward command post at the height of the standoff and discovered they had had to borrow equipment from "another agency" (which was not identified) - apparently to deal with deficits in audio and visual surveillance of the cafe. "You knew your texts might have been relevant to police reviews?" Burn was asked. "I did not assess that was the case," she responded. Yet according to several sources consulted by Fairfax Media, "policing 101" should have dictated the retention of such texts in these circumstances even if only to prove later, as she asserted, that they had no significance. Another area of confusion was over the triggers for an emergency action, or EA, which police finally launched after Tori Johnson had been forced to his knees and executed at the point of Monis' sawn-off shotgun. The inquiry heard different officers had different views as to what the emergency triggers were. Some thought the firing of a shot, others the imminent threat of harm or death to a hostage. In the event, when a sniper finally saw Johnson forced onto his knees shortly after the escape of half a dozen terrified hostages at 2.03am, the message did not get through to the decision-makers in time for them to order the EA. Disturbingly, the inquest heard this was likely due to radio communication problems. Johnson died at 2.13am. A tactical commander later gave evidence that if he had known about Johnson being on his knees, he would have recommended an immediate storming of the building. Pressed on whether she supported the inquest process this week, Burn replied "yes". But she conceded there had been "concern" among police at the prospect of an open inquiry into the Lindt cafe deaths. And when it was put to her that many police would have preferred a "quick inquiry behind closed doors" of a kind conducted by French authorities after their terrorist crises, she didn't demur. The evidence of recent weeks is a vivid illustration of why that might have been the case. The Lindt cafe saga has served to put Baird on notice that he needs to be thinking hard, now, about a successor for Scipione. The rift between Kaldas and Burn effectively ended their chances of taking the top job when it exploded into public view. Burn appears even less feasible as a successor after this week. Some observers believe there is no obvious candidate now within the ranks of NSW police to take over when Scipione retires next June (he has already had a two-year extension and now been in the role for nearly a decade). Others say Mick Fuller, the force's current spokesman for domestic violence, the southern regional commander Gary Worboys and Geoff McKechnie, one of the assistant commissioners who has rotated through the acting deputy commissioner role since Kaldas' departure, could be credible candidates to step into the nearly $600,000-a-year job should there be an internal appointment. But it is also known that the NSW government has been sounding out figures from the federal arena. One name quietly being mentioned is that of current head of the Australian Border Force, Roman Quaedvlieg. For now, until there is change at the top, the senior levels of the force remain frozen. Fairfax Media has spoken to several senior officers who say the instability and infighting at the top has trickled down through the ranks. They are frustrated by the little to no change in top brass - commissioner, deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner over the past seven to five years. This has meant holding back the current future leaders of the force at the inspector and superintendent level. "There is a whole generation of good officers who have great potential who are starting to look elsewhere because of the lack of opportunity," says one senior officer. Two men have died after a head-on crash in Victoria's north-east on Friday morning, bringing to four the number of deaths on the state's roads in a horror 24 hours. Police believe a sedan and a hatchback collided head-on on Beechworth-Wodonga Road in Wooragee, near Wodonga, about 9.25am. The scene where two drivers died on Beechworth-Wodonga Road. Credit:Shana Morgan The two drivers, who died at the scene, were men aged 42 and 43. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash. Two women died and three people were injured in two separate crashes in Victoria's north-west on Thursday afternoon. Victorians could be slugged a $1-a-trip tax in taxis, hire cars and ride-sharing vehicles, as the state government tries to compensate existing taxi owners for the business they have lost to Uber. Taxis will be able to set their own fares in Melbourne, Uber will be legalised and customers will be given fare estimates prior to booking, under proposed state government reforms designed to level the playing field. Uber Technologies has asked its Russian drivers to temporarily bear the load of a new tax charge. Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan presented a plan to deregulate the industry to colleagues on Monday, saying the state government was prepared to buy back taxi licences, according to News Corp. When asked by Fairfax Media to confirm details of the plan, Ms Allan said it was "no secret" the government had been working to reform the ride-sharing industry and details would be announced "once they have been finalised". When it comes to engaging teenagers in science, it helps if you enlist plenty of gross images. A book called The Invisible War depicts runny poo, eruptions of intestinal mucus, viruses that look like alien spiders and body parts such as the anus and pyloric sphincter. But the book, to be launched by former premier Ted Baillieu on Saturday, also has a history component; it's a very unusual recipient of a major state government Anzac Centenary grant. It is a fact-based graphic novel about the "internal war" of World War I nurse Annie Barnaby's fight with dysentery, the infection of the intestines. She's the glamorous and self-assured new head of Freemasons Victoria, but there will be limits to chief executive Jane Sydenham-Clarke's power within the secretive society. "She won't be allowed into a formal meeting, no," Most Worshipable Brother and Grand Master of Freemasons Victoria Don Reynolds told Fairfax. Freemasons Victoria first woman chief executive Jane Sydenham-Clarke aims to reach out to younger generations of men she considers in need of fraternal support. Credit:Eddie Jim There were other meetings, he hastened to say, that were sometimes open to "non-Masons and females". Ms Sydenham-Clarke was announced on Friday as the new head of the 127-year-old organisation, which traces its history back to 17th century England and is known for its archaic rituals, quasi-mysticism and secrecy. It looks like a nice day on a wintry Perth beach- but Facebook user Linton Allen noticed something more sinister lurking below the surface. Taken a few metres off Clancys in City Beach, Linton Allen noticed the shape when he got home, and posted it to Facebook page Dorsal Perth Shark Reports. When you see it... Credit:Linton Allen, Facebook "Just got home and checked my photos from City Beach at lunch today .... and saw the shadow in the wave," Mr Linton posted. The shadow appears to be five metres from shore, and is visible just under the breaking wave. London: China is to step up personnel training and humanitarian assistance to President Bashar al-Assad's Syrian government, state media reported on Thursday, in a sign of growing concern in Beijing about the course of Syria's civil war. Rear-Admiral Guan Youfei, who heads China's office for international military cooperation, met Lieutenant-General Fahd Jassem al-Frejj, the Syrian defence minister, in Damascus earlier this week, the Xinhua news agency said. "They reached consensus on improving personnel training, and the Chinese military offering humanitarian aid to Syria," the Xinhua report said of the meeting. Xinhua said Rear-Admiral Guan also met Lieutenant-General Sergei Chvarkov, the Russian general in charge of the reconciliation centre Russia set up earlier this year to monitor a short-lived ceasefire between the government and rebel groups. It shows two Syrian children, Omran Daqneesh and Alan Kurdi, whose images have rocketed around the world as the human faces of the Syrian crisis, despite their different fates. The illustration by Sudanese artist Khalid Albaih , depicting the "choices for Syrian children", was shared on Facebook Friday morning. A cartoon depicting two haunting images of Syrian children impacted by war is rapidly being shared around the world via social media. A drawing of Omran is above the words "if you stay", while an image of Alan is next to the words "if you leave". On Thursday, a video showing five-year-old Omran after he was pulled from the rubble of a bombardment in Aleppo, was rocketed across the world within minutes of being posted to social media by witnesses and journalists. The Syrian boy's stunned, bloodied face was a stark symbol of the horror of life in the Syrian city. The boy was one of 12 children under the age of 15 treated on Wednesday - not a particularly unusual figure - at one of the hospitals in the city's rebel-held eastern section, according to doctors. Omran's parents were later said to have survived the attack. Last year, an image of Alan Kurdi - the Syrian toddler who drowned last September and whose lifeless body washed up on a Turkish beach - gained similar worldwide attention. The gut-wrenching image was dubbed "the picture that moved the world". The commander of Australian troops at Long Tan was among some veterans and their families who were turned away from the battle's memorial cross on the 50th anniversary late on Thursday. Harry Smith, the commander of D Company, was stopped by authorities on a road leading to the cross and returned to his hotel in the nearby town of Vung Tau. He told the ABC he planned to "say a prayer for the soldiers lost that day." Many others of the about 3000 Australians who travelled to Vietnam were allowed to visit the cross briefly after waiting in long queues for up to three hours. Auto Lab Live - Car Comment or Concern? Call 888-692-7234 Saturday 7-9 AM (EDT) The Auto Lab is Broadcast Live Saturday's 7 to 9 AM On New York City's WNYM Radio AM 970 and Streamed Worldwide Here On The Auto Channel Broadcast Date: August 20, 2016 Car Question or Concern? Call Toll Free 888-692-7234 Auto Lab is a 28 year old interactive automotive-focused New York area radio call-in show hosted by Professor Harold Wolchok. Each week a cadre of experienced hands-on automotive experts are in-studio with advice for the New York area's 12 million people, providing listeners with honest, practical and street-smart car repair and buying advice. Auto Lab is also about the automotive industry, its history, and its culture, presenting the ideas and advice of leading college faculty, authors, and automotive practitioners in a relaxed, conversational interactive format. Listeners can hear the past 18 years of archived Auto Lab shows as simulcast on www.theautochannel.com. Listen - Auto Lab Page (Includes Audio-on-Demand Archives, Auto Programs at Community College Database, Guests Pictures Broadcast Date: August 20 2016 Auto Answers - Maintenance, How To's, Safety, Used and New Car Buying, Ombudsmen Suggestions. From These Auto Lab In-Studio Experts Harold Bendell- Major Auto Fred Bordoff-Bronx Community College, CUNY Libby Demarco-Broadway Sunoco Peyton Knight- Knights Automotive Repairs Joanne Porcelli, Esq Michael Porcelli - Central Avenue Auto Repairs & I-CAR Nicholas Prague- MTA and Rockland Community College, SUNY Jose Ramirez - Ramirez and Sons AAA Auto Repair Broadcast Date: August 20, 2016 Auto Lab Correspondents Report Auto Safety News, New Car Reviews, Technology and Latest Auto World Information That May effect You! Robert Erskine, Senior European Correspondent, Suffolk England WHAT'S IN A SIGNAL? John Russell-Senior Correspondent HYUNDAI SONATA SPORT Russ Rader, Vice President Insurance Institute for Highway Safety STRUCTURAL CHANGES BOOST SMALL OVERLAP FRONT PROTECTION IN FORD ESCAPE Holly Reich, Automotive Journalist CADILLAC HOUSE SOHO, NEW YORK 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, Now Even More - Review By Larry Nutson 2017 Nissan Pathfinder Now with even more By Larry Nutson Senior Editor and Bureau Chief Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel Nissan recently hosted us at their Adventure Drive media launch of three new 2017 vehicles in their truck lineup. The 2017 Pathfinder was one of them and this gave us a chance for both on-road and off-road driving experiences around Californias Central Coast. Its Nissans Year of the Truck and the refreshed 2017 Pathfinder is a part of their onslaught to make inroads in the ever-popular U.S. pickup and SUV market. The current generation Pathfinder was introduced in 2013 and sales climbed 90% over the previous version. Now for 2017 this mid-cycle refresh brings more newness. On the outside theres new front and rear facias, a new V-motion grille and available LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. The hood, fog lamps, tail lamps and wheels are also new. Overall the Pathfinder looks more SUV-like and less car-like. On the inside the center console has been redesigned with an illuminated front storage bin and redesigned cupholder size and shape. Theres also new metallic and wood trim finishes. The biggest change is in technology and the new standard Advanced Drive-Assist display located in the center of the instrument cluster that provides a quick look at infotainment and driver-assistance features. The 3.5-L V6 has gotten some refinement and now is rated at 284 HP (up from 260 HP) and develops 259 lb.-ft. of torque (up from 240 lb.-ft.) to provide improved acceleration, highway merging and mid-range performance needed, for example, after turning a corner and coming back up to speed. In our test drives we drove freeways, hilly terrain, and local roads and the new Pathfinder performed well with no noted shortcomings. The 2017 Pathfinder uses Nissans third-generation Xtronic transmission. This CVT uses D-step control logic that gives a better feel under acceleration and works well with the V6 engine. EPA test-cycle fuel economy ratings for the 2WD Pathfinder are 23 mpg combined, with 22 city mpg and 27 highway mpg. EPA tweaked their test procedure that, in general, caused all manufacturers combined mpg rating to drop by one. The improvements in the Pathfinder engine offset that and negated the one-mpg drop keeping their ratings among the best in class. At the same time the Pathfinders max trailer towing weight increased to 6000 lbs. (was 5000 lbs.). Road manners have been improved through changes to springs, front struts and rear shocks. Theres less body roll, pitching and an overall better ride quality. Steering effort and feedback is quite good with quicker response due to changed steering ratio. Tire design has even been tweaked for better road manners. The Pathfinder still has great off-road abilities with its available on-demand four-wheel-drive system. For on-road efficiency, power goes to the front wheels but easily switches to the rear wheels under slippery conditions. We bounced around a mild off-road trail and the Pathfinder proved its ability. All Pathfinders have an 8-inch touch-screen display and a motion-activated rear liftgate that opens with a swing of the foot under the rear bumper. Rear cargo space is 16 cuft with all seats upright and is nearly 80 cuft with both seat rows folded. Nissan has added new driver-assistance safety features to the Pathfinder line-up. Forward emergency braking, blind spot warning, intelligent cruise control, an around view monitor with moving object detection, rear cross traffic alert and rear sonar system are available, depending on model. The ramp-up in driver-assistance safety features really help in real-world driving. All these new-technology safety features will help prevent accidental collisions and avoid possible injury and costly repair. The around view monitor with moving object detection provides a 360-degree view while backing or moving forward at slow speeds. Forward emergency braking can help prevent that rear-ender in a moment of distraction perhaps from one of your toddlers. Eventually it will be standard on all vehicles. The seven-passenger 2017 Pathfinder is offered in 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive configurations and a choice of four trims or grades: S, SV, SL and Platinum. There are various option packages to upgrade equipment on each. Detailed information and specs on the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder can be found here at www.nissanusa.com. Take a look right here at The Auto Channel for information on other competitors SUVs. The 2017 Pathfinder offers a lot and is well suited as a family hauler. Theres lots of versatility and enough cargo space for all those toddler-necessities. Its overall size doesnt make it too unwieldy and urban dwellers should be comfortable maneuvering the congested streets of a large city. And, you still get towing and off-road capability for those weekend jaunts. The 2017 Pathfinder will be priced under $30,000 to start and goes on sale in September. We expect full pricing to be released around the on-sale date. 2016 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy More Unbiased "Tell not Sell" Nissan Vehicle Research Information Anywhere! if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi... Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi... The heat was typical for a Nebraska summer afternoon, hot and muggy. If the heat helps the corn grow, Im glad something positive comes from these sticky days. But we are fortunate because were never far from an air-conditioned room or vehicle to escape the brutal heat. It wasnt that long ago when autos didnt have air conditioning, or even windows for that matter. A little over 100 years ago, people in autos without windows drove across the United States with the determination to get from New York to San Francisco. Long before interstates or highways with numbers, there was just a smattering of dirt roads and paths across the country. In 1913, this started to change with the revolutionary idea to create a marked roadway across America. It was called the Lincoln Highway. On this hot afternoon, I stood at the very location where the Lincoln Highway entered eastern Nebraska in downtown Omaha. Above me was the constant roar of traffic racing across the Interstate 480 bridge between Council Bluffs and Omaha. I glanced east over the river and spotted three pylons sticking out of the muddy waters. From my limited research, I figured this was what was left of the original Lincoln Highway bridge. And so my short adventure to follow the old Lincoln Highway route across Nebraska began. I would trace the route of the highway that is etched into our history. Today we know the route as Highway 30, which was built on top of much of the old roadway. There are still reminders found along the route: fragments of the red, white and blue signage; cement posts with a blue letter L; and metal signs. I cant count how many times I have passed these old signs and never noticed them. The concept of the Lincoln Highway is a little deceiving. It wasnt the picture we create in our minds of a highway. It was a marked route that linked pre-existing roads, or dirt paths, so drivers knew they were heading in the right direction. In the beginning, the route wasnt maintained by the state but instead by the farmers and residents of communities that the road passed through or by. This meant there was little travel during the winter, early spring or late fall. During those times, people could be faced with the reality of being stranded or worse, perhaps never making it. The invention of the Ford Model T suddenly made cars available to more people; the assembly line made them cheaper. Most of the early touring cars had no windows, just a canvas roof as protection from the sun or rain. Without the roof, drivers and passengers were exposed to brutal heat and insects. Driving across the country on the Lincoln Highway was not an easy task, but it promised adventure. Because of that, I set off across Nebraska along this route to see what I could discover and learn. Instead of speeding up and racing by, I would slow down to see and explore the small communities linked by this route. My truck has windows, air-conditioning and a few other amenities not available in 1913. But, I have the same curiosity that took countless people along the Lincoln Highway and the belief that the road would lead to something new and interesting. Hospital offers safe option to dispose of meds, narcotics Los Robles Health System is working to crush the opioid drug crisis by raising awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications. Crush the Crisis will take place... Alzheimers Foundation to host free conference The Alzheimers Foundation of America will host a free virtual educational conference from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tues., Nov. 15. The event is part of the foundations 2022 national Educating America Tour. The conference, which is free and open... Authorities warn about rainbow fentanyl Victims often arent aware theyre taking it The Ventura County Office of Education and state health officials have issued a warning to schools and families about rainbow fentanyl, a form of the potentially fatal synthetic opioid that comes in bright colors. Rainbow fentanyl can be found in... Cancer support community to host remembrance event Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara invites family members and friends of those who have died from cancer to attend the second annual Evening of Remembrance from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 3 at Cancer Support Communitys Garden of Hope,... Residents in five neighborhoods of New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Cleveland awoke to discover a life-sized, naked Donald Trump statue in their midst. The five identical statues were erected simultaneously at around 8 a.m. ET on Aug. 18 and tweets about the sculptures began almost immediately. The studio behind the project, the self-described American Activist Collective INDECLINE, was credited on the base of each sculpture and the artists signature, Ginger, was engraved in each clay figure. The Washington Post broke the story that INDECLINE was behind the project and released some of the first statements by the studio. The life-sized figure depicts Trump with a constipated grimace on his face, helmet-like yellow hair, a protruding belly, and veiny, peach-colored flesh. And, of course, no balls. The collaboration, entitled The Emperor Has No Balls, was the brainchild of INDECLINE, who, according to artist Joshua Monroe, who used the alias Ginger to avoid backlash, had very specific criteria set as to what the statue would include and what it would not. Inspired in part by the Hans Christian Anderson story about an overly self-assured leader who fails to realize his new suit is in fact his birthday suit, according to a studio spokesperson, the intent was to create a mocking tribute to the modern day Emperor of Fascism and Bigotry. Monroe was chosen to create the likeness of the monstrous presidential candidate because of his experience designing monsters for horror movies and haunted houses, including serving as the director for Eli Roths now defunct Goretorium in Las Vegas. It would have been a dream come true to work side by side with Eli Roth, Monroe told The Daily Beast, but the artist never actually got to work with Roth. After working for close to five years to get the project going and pulling all-nighters in the weeks leading up to the grand opening, Monroe said that he parted ways with the owner and management after finding out they had merely bought Roths name. For the Trump statues, Monroe was brought aboard after being tapped by INDECLINE and was the only collaborator on the project not previously part of the studio. The undertaking began in April and required over 1,500 hours of work over the course of four months. Monroe, who works an average of 15 hours a day, six days a week at a day job he declined to describe, told The Daily Beast that he was averaging three hours of sleep a night. The process of creating the sculpture consisted of two stages, according to Monroe. The first was sculpting the original, 700-pound model in specialty clay using a 6-foot-2 hired model with similar proportions to Trump. After the prototype was complete, Monroe made a giant silicone mold so that he could create identical replicas. In all, the project required 300 pounds of Monster Makers Oil Clay, 400 pounds of Concrete and Rebar, 400 pounds of Walter E. Disney Clay (for the mold), one gallon of smooth cast 300 (liquid resin), and 10 gallons of Foam It, costing around $6,000. The INDECLINE spokesperson said the studio had never worked in this medium before and found it quite time consuming. After finishing the sculptures in an undisclosed studio on the West Coast, Monroe and INDECLINE team members shipped them to the five locations where they would be unveiled. The five locations were chosen based on where the activist collective has existing collaborators, the INDECLINE spokesperson told The Daily Beast. Purposely designed to be torn down, the replicas were lightweight and anticipated to last about a half-hour at most, said Monroe. According to the INDECLINE spokesperson, the statues all went up without a hitch using insult teams with hard hats and neon construction vests. The studio had no permit for the pieces, which they remarked were on public property and believed that city police would feel they would have to step in and take them down. The spokesperson told The Daily Beast that the New York City piece, which was erected in Union Square, was taken down about half an hour after The Washington Post [article] went up because the article was making them look bad and feel like they should go do their job. The spokesperson said he did not know where the piece was taken and only saw it being slid into the back of a pickup truck. As of 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, the L.A. sculpture was still erect, as were the San Francisco and Seattle artworksa big surprise to the studio and artist. Despite being a painstaking and labor-intensive project, Monroe described his collaboration with INDECLINE as a labor of love. He said he did the piece pro bono and while hes worked out the percentages should the piece sell, he would be very happy to work with the studio again. Monroe was quick to claim that he had no intent to fat-shame Trump because hes not a skinny guy myself, but thinks that there would have been a lot worse reaction to a similar statue of the Democratic Partys nominee. If it were a statue of Hillary everyone would be crying sexism and misogyny. [The piece] was readily accepted because he is a man and one who is quick to body-shame, Monroe told The Daily Beast. To see him standing in public wearing no clothes is, to me, hilarious. When asked if the studio would consider making a sculpture of Hillary Clinton in a similar style, the spokesperson replied enthusiastically. Hillarys not much better than Trump so well probably make one of her too, he said. What about Bernie Sanders? If he had gotten the nomination we probably would [have left] good old Bernie alone. Monroe was similarly eager about creating a Hillary artwork, saying he would do so in a heartbeat. I have utter detest for her and her rapist husband. In fact, while Monroe was always enthusiastic to be part of The Emperor has no Balls project, he was upfront with the studio at the outset, admitting he was planning on voting for Trump. Eventually, as he worked through the project, however, and heard more of the amazingly stupid things Trump has said, he became less excited about the prospect of a Trump presidency. The last straw, Monroe told The Daily Beast, was when Trump made fun of the disabled reporter. I have family members who are disabled and I was raised to know that you just dont do that. Monroe said he will be voting for Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson in the 2016 election. In a press release for the project, INDECLINE outlined its hopes for the impact of their collaboration with Monroe: These fleeting installations represent this fleeting nightmare and in the fall, it is our wish to look back and laugh at Donald Trumps failed and delusional quest to obtain the presidency. It is through these sculptures that we leave behind the physical and metaphorical embodiment of the ghastly soul of one of Americas most infamous and reviled politicians. While the statues may be torn down and disposed, it is likely that few observers will forget the day they saw GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump ball-less and naked standing before them as an awesome monstrosity. Months after he was supposed to give away more than $100,000 for college scholarships, Milo Yiannopoulos says all of the money is still sitting in his bank account. The Breitbart editor and professional political agitator (recently banned from Twitter for harassment) came under fire this week as allegations surfaced that his charity, which would provide college scholarships exclusively to white men, has so far done no charity work with the money. Yiannopoulos told The Daily Beast on Thursday that his lawyers are drafting paperwork that would establish it as a legal charity, but experts say that the way in which the Yiannopoulos Privilege Grant accepted donations was unethical and possibly illegal. Yiannopoulos promised in January to create a college scholarship fund for white men who wish to pursue their post-secondary education that would be awarded in early summer 2016. The fund has raised somewhere between $100,000 and $250,000 to date, Yiannopoulos told The Daily Beast via email. But the Yiannopoulos Privilege Grant has not filed any paperwork to become a charity in the United States. When asked if an application for tax-exempt status had been sent by his lawyers to the Internal Revenue Service, Yiannopoulos said, Ill check. No scholarships have been awarded and the charitys website shows there isnt even a way for prospective students to apply for them. The grant program was announced with the self-congratulatory fanfare typical of many Breitbart articles written about its chief firebrand. In a move certain to infuriate the left, Breitbart Tech Editor Milo Yiannopoulos has created the Yiannopoulos Privilege Grant, a scholarship exclusively available to white men who wish to pursue their post-secondary education on equal footing with their female, queer and ethnic minority classmates, staff writer William Bigelow wrote in Breitbart, providing a wide audience for the grants publicity, on Jan. 21 this year. The promise at the time was that the fund would disburse 50 grants of $2,500 to poor, young white men, a move intended to rile the left and raise the profile of the website and the so-called alt-right, a movement whose ascendancy reached new heights this week when Breitbart News executive Steve Bannon was made chairman of Donald Trumps presidential campaign. After the initial announcement in January, Yiannopoulos and several figures in the alt-right hosted a five-hour online telethon to collect money from donors. In the description for the video on Yiannopouloss account, there is a promise that the Privilege Grant will give 100 grants (not 50 as promised earlier) totaling $250,000 to white men in support of their post-secondary education. While the group vowed that an application page would open on the website by the spring of 2016, it has yet to appear as of this writing. The grants website currently states that applications are not yet open and please do not write to us if you are a prospective Grant applicant. The initial flurry of interest in the Privilege Grant, and my skyrocketing media profile, left us behind on logistics, Yiannopoulos said in a statement to The Daily Beast on Thursday. Yiannopoulos said he was announcing a new administrative lead, Colin Madine, after a series of questions about the program from The Daily Beast and on social media. This was compounded by our previous administrator leaving the team. I am pleased to have Colin leading the Privilege Grant team so we can begin to help students achieve their college dreams in short order. Yiannopoulos claims that about $100,000 has already been donated and an additional amount up to $250,000 has been pledged from donors and himself. The funds troubles came to the surface on social media this week in a public spat between the two proprietors of the operation, Yiannopoulos and Margaret MacLennan, a self-described Canadian conservative YouTube personality who she said was tasked with running the grant. MacLennan alleged in a tweet that Yiannopoulos was transferring money intended for the grant to a personal account. MacLennan posted a screenshot of the alleged transfer to bolster the claim, sarcastically stating, We all know I clearly profited from donations to the Grant. She claimed to The Daily Beast that this was for the purpose of transparency. The screenshot was of a document given to donors that provided instructions for wiring money into Yiannopouloss bank account (PDF). It is the only indication anywhere about the destination of the money, MacLennan said. She said she was unaware as to how much had been collected. But when asked by The Daily Beast about her involvement in the operation, MacLennan claimed: I dont know anything about the financial side. I was never privy to it. She said that in her role as director, MacLennan was tasked with developing applications and the reward process. I was not able to meet these goals, she said. A source familiar with the internal workings claimed that MacLennan did little work on the project partly due to disinterest. After MacLennans tweet, Yiannopoulos emailed her to settle things and came to an agreement to start accepting applications and begin the transition of the grant process to a different administrator, Marc Roberts. MacLennan said that she could not reach the goals of assisting in the application process because [she] didnt have the administrative software or similar to start. If I cant organize the names of prospective applicants, then I would be unable to begin to plan to set out applications, she explained. According to Pace University law professor James Fishman, Yiannopouloss charity must file a Form 1023 for tax-exempt status with the IRS within 27 months of the first month it was incorporated. Given the amount of money raised, I think it is inexcusable that this organization has not filed the Form 1023, or found an exempt 501(c)(3) organization willing to serve as the fiscal sponsor of the organization you mention, Fishman told The Daily Beast. A fiscal sponsor is a sponsoring organization that controls the books of the not yet exempt nonprofit, which can bootstrap on the fiscal sponsors exempt status, he added. Ellis M. Carter, a lawyer specializing in nonprofit groups, told The Daily Beast that the charity might be violating both federal law and some state laws by not declaring itself as a charity to both states and donors. Theres state and federal laws against fraud and misrepresentation for declaring a scholarship fund prior to getting an exemption, said Carter. They need to be honest about their status if theyre not a 501(c)3. Forty states and the District of Columbia require registration in advance of engaging in any fundraising or solicitation activity, Carter added. Most states require that you register before you solicit your first donation in their state. If you have a passive Donate Here button, some states will let that fly. But not all of them feel that way, said Carter. If youre aggressively emailing and reaching out and getting people to donate to your cause, thats different. Carter added a telethon would likely meet that criterion. A Reddit thread published on Wednesday drew more attention to the missing scholarships, alleging that the money was funnelled into Yiannopouloss business Caligula Limited, which is now defunct. However, a source familiar with the transactions told The Daily Beast that the money is in a bank account separate and apart from Caligula Limited. Blaire White, another person who participated in the telethon, expressed frustration with the lack of clarity in the money collection process. I feel duped for having been a part of the fundraising stream, she tweeted. People need an explanation. Tons of money collected. White did not immediately respond to a request for comment. For her part, MacLennan said that her tweet (showing an application for a wire transfer to an account under Yiannopolouss name) was appended to every person who emailed the Grant asking how to donate. Outside of this independent project, Yiannopoulos has strong ties to grassroots efforts for the Donald Trump campaign both on and off the web. Near the RNC, he hosted a Citizens for Trump rally at Clevelands Settlers park. The conservative columnist is even a moderator on the largest online Donald Trump community, Reddits r/The_Donald. He also faced a high court order in the U.K. for unpaid wages to workers for his startup blog The Kernel in 2013. All of my very best ideas start as mischievous jokes because they will wind up the right people, Yiannopoulos boasted about the project back in January. This time, it may have wound up the wrong ones. Everybody is worked up about extreme vetting, and thats fine, theres a lot to be worked up about in the idea of a loyalty oath for all immigrants. Law professor Jonathan Turley did a good job of running through the history and the debate the other day in The Washington Post, concluding, somewhat surprisingly, that Trump may have the law on his side here. I understand why liberals especially have a Pavlovian response to the phrase loyalty oaths, but I was far more troubled by the passage in Trumps speech that came right after he improvised the extreme vetting remark. It went like this: As soon as I take office, I will ask the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to identify a list of regions where adequate screening cannot take place. We will stop processing visas from those areas until such time as it is deemed safe to resume based on new circumstances or new procedures. The size of current immigration flows are simply too large to perform adequate screening. We admit about 100,000 permanent immigrants from the Middle East every year. Beyond that, we admit hundreds of thousands of temporary workers and visitors from the same regions. If we dont control the numbers, we cant perform adequate screening. This isnt the first time Trump has said this. Maybe, in the context of all the other nuttiness that surrounded it, I just noticed it more. But its absolutely ghastly. Think about it. His administration will identify regions where adequate screening cannot take place. And hell keep people out from those regions. Not just people who cant answer loyalty-oath questions properly. Everyone. Previously Trump has made the same claim about countries compromised by terrorism. What countries would that include? Well, lets see. Certainly it would include France, doesnt it? Itd be awfully hard to make the case that France isnt compromised by terrorism. And to invoke Trumps more recent criterion, it also seems pretty hard to argue that France has adequate screening. So a Trump administration would ban immigration from France? Germany is pretty compromised. Ditto the United Kingdom. Israel? Please! And I dont mean just Hamas. There are right-wing settler terrorist groups too. There is no way for American law to distinguish between Jewish terrorists and Arab ones. No way. But heres whats really offensive about all this. Think in terms of three categories of peopleterrorists, refugees, and everyone else. Obviously, we all want to keep out terrorists to the extent that we can. With respect to refugees, Id rather see us welcome in far more Syrian refugees than we are, but I get that theyre a politically controversial category. But everyone else? Regular visa applicants? David Leopold is an immigration lawyer in Cleveland. He told me Wednesday that he has a standard immigration law practice in many ways, which is to say that he handles a lot of deportation cases. But he also does some stuff thats more unusual than that. His clients include corporations and hospitals that want to bring over specialists from around the world. A hospital might want a highly regarded surgeon to come over here and open up a new program, he told me. Or a leading researcher to conduct a study. And sometimes, Leopold says, theyre from the kinds of countries Trump surely has in mind. Ive had many clients from Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Lebanon, Leopold told me. Physicians coming over here to do critical research. Hes talking about doctors, hes talking about engineers, hes talking about artists, hes talking about everybody. Heres a complete list (Excel) from the Department of Homeland Security of immigration flows to the United States from every country in the world. Look through the numbers yourself. Country by country, they are not vast: Iraq, around 19,000 in 2014; Iran, about 11,000; Jordan, 5,500: Syria, 3,500; Lebanon, 3,200. But add them up, and then add in countries that arent in the Middle East but that nevertheless fit Trumps description of being compromised. The Philippines, for example, which sent a hefty 50,000 people here in 2014. And nearly all of these people are exactly the people we should want most. Theyre desperate to come to America and get away from the turmoil. And people seeking green cards already jump through enormous hoops to come live here. If you are from Iran, Iraq, Syria, or Sudan in particular, its now tougher than ever to get here, ever since the government tightened some laws in January. As usual, Trump doesnt know what hes talking about. He just wants to paint a picture of horrorof Obama not caring, of bureaucrats sitting around doing nothing, of sharia-loving hordes overrunning the customs outposts. He fosters, and counts on, ignorance. And into the bargain, hed destroy our commerce with other nations, trade, scientific and technological research projects, educational relationships, cultural exchanges, everything. Hes the one who needs to be extremely vetted. Chances are you have never been harassed in a public restroom, detained at an airport, or denied medical care because of your gender. But you probably have fallen in love. Thats what executive producer Kate Fisher was counting on when she and her team released the now-Emmy-nominated web series Her Story, which tells the story of two transgender women in Los Angeles as they navigate sex and dating with new suitors. We always wanted to tell, first and foremost, a love story, Fisher told The Daily Beast. Being able to see that play out onscreen with characters that you dont necessarily see represented accurately a lot of the timethat has proved to be a window in for a lot of people who didnt understand [trans people] before. When it comes to transgender storytelling, Her Story isnt unique so much as it is peerless. The six-episode series, available for free on YouTube, is one of the few projects to cast transgender actors (co-creator Jen Richards and Angelica Ross) in transgender roles. And instead of telling a story about perpetual heartbreak and discrimination, it acknowledges the beauty that trans people bring into the lives of their friends and partners. So its no wonder that Her Story picked up an Emmy nod for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Seriesand, indeed, Fisher, while incredibly grateful for the recognition, is not totally stunned by it. Its kind of surreal, she said, but its also not in [the sense] that we knew we had something that we thought was special. It is, however, a small miracle that Her Story was even in a position to be considered. The series was the first project for Fishers new production company, Speed of Joy, and it was made on a small budget with a primarily LGBTQand femalecast and crew. A crowdfunding campaign helped cover post-production costs while giving fans a personal stake in the success of the project. We had over 600 people donate anything from five dollars to 20 dollars, Fisher recalled. We had people donate a dollar, and that was just as important. Fisher and her co-producers could have sought outside investment but, for the Her Story team, it was important to tell the story their way or not at all. We wanted to do it the way that we wanted to do it and to set a model both in terms of quality, but also in terms of assembling the team behind it, Fisher said. When you have outside investors coming inespecially ones who might not get their money backthey want a certain amount of control that we didnt want to let go of in those ways. The independent route paid off. Her Story has a level of realism that other shows with trans characters can approximate but never quite attain. Whether its transgender waitress Violet (Richards) being preoccupied by the size of her hands while sitting next to her cisgender crush Laura (co-creator Laura Zak) or transgender attorney Paige (Ross) dreading an uncomfortable conversation about her identity with the hunky James (Christian Ochoa), the series is full of details that could only come from having transgender people involved in every aspect of production. Even just having your sound mixer on set be transyou might not see it on film, but it shows up on film, said Fisher. That nuance in the storytelling, that authenticityit all comes from having a set where everyone felt safe and respected and free to be who they are. The road from the shows January premiere to the Emmys has been grassroots all the way, Fisher said. Fans of the showthis writer includedbecame proselytizers, sending the YouTube link to friends and family. (Speaking of, heres that link one more time.) Because the team couldnt afford to send out DVD screeners, they were almost completely reliant on this word-of-mouth buzz to earn the nod. In fact, they were the only indie series to make it into their category, which otherwise includes shows like the Adult Swim comedy Childrens Hospital and an unREAL-themed Lifetime miniseries. The groundswell of support is a testament to how broadly Her Story connected outside of the LGBT community. YouTube commenters often praise the series for being informative but, more often than not, they can be found cheering for the couples and time-stamping their favorite lines. Thats a sign that the shows novelty is more than matched by its quality. At this point, seeing more of Her Story is a matter of when, not if. Fisher told The Daily Beast that talks with companies and platforms to turn the project into a full-length series are moving forward. Its not just a question of finding anyone who will give us money to do it, she said. Its a question of finding the right fit. Thats the stage were in right now. While those talks continue, Emmy voters will be casting their ballots. And no matter what happens, Fisher and her team are happy that theyve made it this far considering how far theyve come. I know its a cliche to say that its an honor just to be nominated but in this case the biggest hurdle was getting nominated, she said. Weve already won quite a lot so regardless of the outcome on the 11th [of September], were going to have our 25-person crew partying hard and winning in our own way, regardless of whether or not thats with a statue." Donald Trumps campaign chief executive Stephen Bannon is widely known as the notorious Breitbart News honcho and as a fierce Trump loyalist. He also happens to be one of the lousier right-wing propagandists to ever operate in Hollywood. After he amassed his personal fortune in his years in investment banking, Bannon left it all behind and headed to Los Angeles to become a film producer. He began mainstreamfor example, he was the co-executive producer for Titus, the 1999 thriller and Shakespeare adaptation starring Anthony Hopkins. But in the aughts, he turned to directing. Now, its not too often that the head of a major-party presidential campaign has a past life as a director in Hollywood, so I eagerly sat down to binge-watch all eight of Bannons documentaries in one sitting. Little did I know what a relentlessly soul-sucking endeavor it would be. But I did it for you, the reader. First up was his 2004 directorial debut, In the Face of Evil: Reagans War in Word and Deed. Upon first glance, its pretty clear that all that influence from the talented communist and fascist filmmakers didnt do him much good. In the Face of Evil has all the gravitas and memorability of a History Channel documentary, but without the Illuminati or space invaders. Its an eye-opening, educational documentary, only if you had no idea that Republicans think Ronald Reagan was good and the Soviet empire was bad. The film depicts Reagan as a titan, a hero of Western civilization, conqueror of all commies. Naturally, the movie puts a happy face on the less savory aspects of the Reagan administrations anti-communist secret plan, such as all those times Reagan politically and financially backed rapist death squads. Good versus evil in this epic tale which chronicles Ronald Reagans crusade to destroy the most tyrannical and depraved political systems the world has ever known, the summary reads. The marketing for the film portrays President Reagan in the same manner that Bannon might describe Trump todayas an outsider, a radical, with extreme views, ready to wage glorious war against totalitarian evil. A BRILLIANT EFFORTEXTREMELY WELL DONE, right-wing talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh blurbed for Bannons doc. Next up was Bannons Citizens United Productions collaboration Generation Zero, a 2010 Fox News-endorsed love letter and blown kiss to tea partiers. The documentary features Newt Gingrich and John Bolton, and examines how liberal regulatory excess of the 1960s led to our debt and economy sucking today. The 90-minute production, which you can view in its entirety below, is less a documentary and more a prolonged super-PAC ad that you immediately put on mute whenever it comes on in prime time. If you enjoy watching Lou Dobbs tell you how you and your American kids were everlastingly screwed by the Democratic Party, then this movie is your best friend. In 2010, Bannon also wrote and directed smaller-time fare such as Fire from the Heartland and Battle for America, which stars someone who the film promotes as the countrys top political strategist Dick Morris. (Dick Morris is only the countrys top political strategist in the sense that he can never seem to prognosticate his way out of a paper bag.) Generation Zero was never going to win Bannon many accolades from his Hollywood colleagues, but it was enough to catch the attention of Sarah Palin, whom Bannon partnered with in 2011 to mount his masterwork: The Undefeated, a political documentary that glosses over all of Palins many failures and shortcomings to prop her up as a courageous and triumphant rebel. At the time of its release, CNN noted that the pro-Palin film had Clockwork Orange-esque evocative images sprinkled throughout (shark attacks, bodies being buried, warfare both modern and ancient), and was imbued with artistic symbolism that is almost dadaist. The shark attacks are the best part of the movie. The Undefeated, the new political image-branding effort from ex-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is really a troop-rallying campaign infomercial as imagined by Michael Bay: hero-worshipping, crescendo-edited at a dizzying pace, thunderously repetitive and its own worst enemy as a two-hour, talking-points briefing, the Los Angeles Times reported upon its small theatrical run, in what was one of the movies less damning reviews. Watching the film, you get the sense that Palin is one of Americas very few champions of the people, not a bumbling political figure who has struggled to achieve continuing relevance post-2010. The films narrative couldnt be more perfect for Palins brand if Palin had written the thing herself: the GOP establishment is feckless and corrupt, and liberal media is something bordering on evil, and the only way to salvage whats left of this republic is to ensure that more Americans think and act like Sarah L. Palin. Youre the dumb one for thinking Palin is dumb. All in all, the movie is less compelling than re-watching that clip of Palin trying to talk about vegans and purgatory. This seems like a good time to mention Bannons inspirations. When asked by The Wall Street Journal in 2011 about his top cinematic influences, Bannon quickly cited legendary Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein and the influential Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl. People have said Im like Leni Riefenstahl, he said. Ive studied documentarians extensively to come up with my own in-house style. Im a student of Michael Moores films, of Eisenstein, Riefenstahl. Leave the politics aside, you have to learn from those past masters on how they were trying to communicate their ideas. (Speaking of those past masters, Bannons new boss Trump allegedly used to regularly read Adolf Hitlers collected speeches from a book kept tucked away in a cabinet next to his bed.) In 2012, Bannon was back with The Hope & the Change, another Citizens United production that NBC News dubbed the most ambitious production yet of Citizens United. The doc tells the story of dozens of Democrats and independents disillusioned with the state of the Obama era. You see interviews with ordinary Americans complaining about the gridlock and division of the Obama years, juxtaposed with news footage of the president saying things like, You know, if I had a son, hed look like Trayvon. Yawn. In 2012, the year President Obama was re-elected, the Breitbart chairman directed two more flicks: District of Corruption and another Citizens United joint titled, Occupy Unmasked. The latter which stars Andrew Breitbart himself, attempts to form an expose on the Occupy Wall Street movement as a bunch of violent, vulgar, sex crime-committing moochers. The film was distributed by Magnolia Pictures, a company co-owned by Mark Cuban (a billionaire businessman who now campaigns for Trumps general-election rival, Hillary Clinton). Breitbart spends his screentime lumbering about New York City explaining why the biased mass media isnt telling you about the true dangers of Occupy. He teases his attempted expose as the story of the century. (Spoiler: It isnt.) The film, of course, isnt content to paint the protesters as mere idiots or losers. Bannons doc teaches us that the organizers behind OWS are a direct threat to American institutions and our way of lifeevery loud, unkempt demonstrator is the moral and ideological cousin of Bane from The Dark Knight Rises. Its tiresome hippy-punching, with an added dose of apocalyptic hysterics you typically reserve for when the Red Armys tanks are advancing on your hometown. As much as hed like to be, Bannon is no Riefenstahl or Eisensteinhes Dinesh DSouza without the box-office hits. At least now, he can give filmmaking a break and channel his outrage and artistic impulses towards shaping the Trump presidential campaign in his image. Theres a revolt going on in this country, and the old paradigmcontrolled and financed by a collection from the Party of Davosis cratering, Bannon told The Daily Beast late last year. Theres a tsunami of rage from populist conservatives. Glenn Beck seems to be an endless source of nutty stories. Maybe the multimedia oddball spent too much time being spun around while strapped in a giant gyroscope that, as he told his fans, helped cure him of a mysterious brain illness that quite honestly has made me look crazy. Or maybeaccording to his detractors, anywayhes just getting strange legal advice. Whatever the reason, a multimillion-dollar fraud, breach of contract, and dereliction of duty lawsuit that Becks company, Mercury Radio Arts, filed three weeks ago against Christopher BalfeMRAs former chief operating officer and the ex-CEO of its subsidiary The Blazecould end up biting Beck in the behind. According to Balfes certified letter that was hand-delivered on Thursday to The Blazes nearly empty Manhattan offices (with a copy sent to New Yorks secretary of state), Beck is not only required to indemnify his former executive against his own lawsuitwhich was filed July 29 in Dallas District Courtbut he must also pay in advance for Balfes rapidly mounting legal fees. This, the letter argues, is because Balfe, as a director and officer of The Blaze at the time he committed the acts alleged in MRAs complaint, is protected from all litigation relating to his official duties under the laws of the state of Delaware, where The Blaze was incorporated. Delaware law does this because nobody would ever agree to serve as a director or officer of a company if they were personally liable for the decisions they make in that capacity, said a source close to Team Balfe. So the company has to act as a shield or nobody would ever do it. The Daily Beast attempted to verify this interpretation of state law with the Delaware attorney generals office, but didnt receive an answer by deadline. Meanwhile, the corporate bylaws of The Blaze, Balfes letter contends, require Becks company to pre-pay his attorneys fees, which could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars if Becks lawsuit goes forward. And because of the provisions of Delaware law, says the Team Balfe source, Beck would end up having to pay damages to himself were he to prevail in a jury trial. Team Beck might be expected to vehemently disagree with the assertions in Balfes letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Daily Beast, but Eric Ostroff, an attorney for Beck and MRA, declined to comment. Balfe, who launched a digital media company, Red Seat Ventures, with several other former Beck execs after he was fired from The Blaze in December 2014, also declined to comment. But if Beck and MRA President Jonathan Schreiber ignore his letter, Balfe can be expected to file his own lawsuit in order to enforce its claims. Even more weirdly, in what is already a topsy-turvy circumstance, Balfe continues to hold a slightly more than 10 percent stake in The Blaze, more than 70 percent of which is owned, in turn, by Becks umbrella company, MRA. Beck owns 100 percent of that company. According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Balfe was owed $1.6 million in deferred income when Beck asked for his resignation. After they parted ways, with Beck publicly praising him for help[ing] me build one of the industrys first truly independent multi-media companies, Balfe was paid $40,000 per month for 18 monthsthat is, until The Blaze, which was having financial difficulties, losing viewers, and being dropped by its cable television distributor, missed a payment in May. That was when Balfe sent a letter to MRA indicating he would explore his legal options if payments were not forthcoming. Shortly afterward, with more than half of Balfes deferred compensation still due, MRA filed suit against him. Maybe they thought they could spend $40,000 a month on their lawyers for a few months and get out of paying him, said the Team Balfe source. In the end, a 48-hour period in August may be remembered as the moment that Donald Trump stopped trying to win the presidency. On Wednesday, Trump announced that he had hired as the CEO of his campaign Steve Bannon, the chief executive of Breitbart News , a publication that could generously be described as the slightly more mainstream iteration of Stormfront, the white nationalist website. By elevating Bannon, Trump effectively neutered his campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, a creature of the Republican establishment who had been hired to much fanfare less than five months before. Manafort allies desperately tried to spin Bannons hiring as a welcome addition to Trumps campaign that in no way reflected negatively on the chairmans performance, but by Friday, Manafort was out. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign, Trump said in a statement issued to reporters. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success. That last thing, about Manaforts professionalism, may have been what did him in. That and the avalanche of negative stories raising questions about his unusual and possibly illegal business dealings in Ukraine. Its a shitshow, one source with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity said on Friday morning. Its hostile on the 26th floor, the source added, referring to Trumps sprawling and dated Trump Tower office, which is 21 stories above the 5th floor campaign headquarters which are, literally, housed in an old production studio for The Apprentice. Over the last several weeks, the source said, the mood on the 26th floor had gotten more and more tense as his poll numbers dropped and his minor compromises to do things Manaforts way didnt result in a total reversal of luck. Paul had basically stopped trying to change his behavior by telling him precisely what to do or what to say, the source said. He had been getting that funny look from Trump for a little while, the source added, Trump would stop listening. Thats what happens, you get a funny look. When he was hired in March, Manafort succeeded in taking over control of the campaign from Corey Lewandowski, a novice operative who served as Trumps campaign manager despite having never run a presidential race. By June 20, Manafort had pushed Lewandowski out completely. But Trump, for reasons that continue to confuse campaign insiders, always had a fondness for Lewandowski and the two have continued to talk even after his firing and subsequent second life as a CNN contributor. The source said it was Lewandowski, and separately Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, who had been in Trumps ear with concerns about Manafort and Ukraine: Corey was trying to give the boss in the impression that any minute now he was going to get caught up in an international money laundering scandalPaul just bled out. He was having no more impact on Trump. Minutes after The New York Times published a story detailing some of Manaforts Ukraine dealings on Aug. 14, Lewandowski tweeted it with the headline, Secret Ledger In Ukraine Lists Cash for Donald Trumps Campaign Chief. On Friday morning, after Manaforts resignation became public, he retweeted journalist Sasha Issenberg, saying, Lewandowski is winning so much even he may get tired of winning. The ousting of Manafort will likely have a ripple effect on the campaign and the transition team, where the former Reagan and George H.W. Bush operative had installed his allies. Trump is now surrounded, much like he was during the majority of the Republican primary, by people who share his Trump-centric worldview and are unlikely to challenge him. The one possible bright spot is pollster and campaign veteran Kellyanne Conway, who was promoted to campaign manager this week. Conway, an effective public speaker who frequents cable airwaves, managed to make Trump seem sane during a CNN interview after her hiring. And it was to her credit that Trump delivered what was received as a relatively even-keeled speech on Thursday evening. Still, she faces stiff headwinds of alt-right mania. The shift comes just as Trump needs challenging from those on his side, as hes unlikely to bounce back while campaigning as the definition of insanitydoing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. But as always with Trump, his personal dramas have overshadowed his message, if he even has one. Just before the campaign announced Manaforts exit, they released their first big-budget ad, which they will spend $4.8 million to run in Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Florida. Not that anyone cares now. Four years after a former Navy SEAL was threatened with prison for writing about the Osama bin Laden raid, the Pentagon has dropped its claim that Matt Bissonnette revealed secrets harmful to national security. Bissonnette, who wrote No Easy Day under the pen name Mark Owen, will have to forfeit more than $6.7 million in book earnings for writing the tell-all, first-person story of the 2011 mission without the Pentagons pre-publication reviewa violation of military nondisclosure agreements, according to a settlement finalized Friday. Hell also have to pay the U.S. government back $1.3 million for his legal fees, which hed paid out of his book earnings. After the initial accusations of me leaking all that classified stuffthey found nothing, Bissonnette told The Daily Beast. They were just upset with me and wanted to get me one way or another. For four years, they looked into every little thing. Nowone signature and it all goes away, he said. Granted, Ill have to write a bunch of big checks, and Ill be about a million and a half in debt, he added dryly. The deal closes a controversial chapter for the Obama administration, which was criticized for taking legal action against a SEAL who risked his life for the mission, when so many administration officials had already publicly described the raid that killed the top al Qaeda leader in detail. Obama officials had even gave Zero Dark Thirty filmmaker Katherine Bigelow unprecedented access to interview top intelligence officers to craft her film, which Republican lawmakers charged was done in part to help President Obama win re-election in 2012. Bissonnette has agreed to pay the United States all of his past and future proceeds from the publication of No Easy Day as part of the agreement, said Justice Department spokesman Nicole Navas. That includes $100,000 in speaking fees for speeches Bissonnette gave using slides the government had not approved. This enforcement action does not discredit Mr. Bissonnettes military service, but reinforces that it is important for our service members....to protect classified information after leaving the U.S. military and government in an effort to protect our nations national security, she added in an email, referring to the consent decree filed Friday in the Eastern District Court of Virginia. Left unsaid is that the government has dropped any claim that Bissonettes book contains classified information. Its a far cry from the original August 2012 letter by then Pentagon General Counsel Jeh Johnson, which said the Department of Defense concluded that the author is in material breach and violation of the agreements to protect classified information, implying the book had revealed classified information. Thats the dog that didnt bark, said Bissonnettes Washington, D.C.-based litigator, Robert Luskin. When they heard him out and they made an extensive review of what they thought might be classified, I think they decided the right result was to walk away from that, he told The Daily Beast of the Pentagon legal teams settlement. The settlement did require the bin Laden-raider-turned-author to issue a public apology for failing to seek permission for what he disclosed: Unfortunately, the advice I gotthat I did not need to submit the book for pre-publication reviewwas wrong, Bissonnette wrote in his statement. I acknowledge my mistake and have paid a stiff pricepersonally and financially, for that error. Defense officials did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Most of the money Bissonnette has to repay has been sitting in an account set up when the government launched legal action after his book was published by Penguin imprint Dutton Books in September 2012. Hell have four years to come up with the $1.3 million to repay the government what hes paid to his defense team. His lawyer Luskin said it could have been worse. The government allowed the publisher, book agent Elyse Cheney, and co-author Kevin Maurer (a Daily Beast contributor) to keep their earnings, instead of forcing Bissonnette to pay those too. I think its a fair result, Luskin said. Its a harsh result from a financial perspectivebut he owns what he did. Its the third and final legal hurdle, after the government abandoned two previous attempts to bring cases against Bissonnetteincluding one that Luskin said accused him of violating the espionage act by allegedly disclosing classified information in No Easy Day. The government came back to us in August 2015 to say they were closing the investigation and made determination that he didnt violate criminal law, Luskin said. They also declined to prosecute Bissonnette in a second case that accused him of profiting illegally when he was paid as a consultant to a video game company, while he was still on active duty at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, also known as SEAL Team Six. Bissonnette is pushing ahead with a legal case of his own, against the original former special operations attorney who advised him that he didnt need to seek a pre-publication review from the Pentagon. Bissonettes Dallas-based malpractice lawyer Randy Johnston said he expects to take former Army lawyer Kevin Podlaski to trial in 2017, for wrongly advising the SEAL that he could publish without submitting the manuscript to the Pentagon first. He is now claiming he never said hed vet the book, though his contract with Bissonnette and emails that followed say otherwise, Johnston said in an interview about the ongoing legal action. Podlaskis New York-based lawyer Mike Furman emailed to say, We are aggressively defending these allegations in court. Bissonnette sought and got prepublication review from the Pentagon for his second book, No Hero, published by Penguin in 2014. Yeah, it was my bad, a contrite Bissonnette told The Daily Beast at the time of his failure to submit his first book for review. If the point of the governments exercise was to make Bissonnette an example of what can happen for speaking of top secret operations without prior permission, it worked. Id rather go back overseas and fight this countrys worst enemies rather than go into another room full of bullshit lawyers, he said with some feeling. The Navy SEAL Command essentially declared him persona non grata, including a missive in 2014 from then-commander Rear Adm. Brian Losey. We do not abide willful or selfish disregard for our core values in return for public notoriety and financial gain, Losey wrote in a widely reported memo to the force. Any vet has earned the right to tell his story. I dont care who you are or what youve done, Bissonnette counters. Bissonnette is still bitter about what he sees as a double standard, which allowed senior administration officials like CIA Director Panetta to make money from his own book, which spends a few chapters describing the bin Laden raid. Seeing Panetta introduce movie director Bigelow to his SEAL Team Six commander at a closed CIA event was what originally got Bissonnette thinking that the operators should tell their own story. While Panetta got to keep his profits, Bissonnette said he intended to give his to charity, and remain anonymous. He was named first by Fox News, and then by other reporters including this one, resulting in an infamy he never intended. Yeah, Im the asshole who wrote the bookbut I hope Ive proven I wasnt trying to get famous, he said. I still dont advertise. I still dont show my face. I still use the name Mark Owen, and make people call me Mark at speaking events. And hes continued to volunteer for charities, including being one of the guest special operators competing at The Great Americans Shoot, held annually by the Special Forces Charitable Trust, according the charitys executive director, David Guernsey. He was the captain of the top fundraising team for the last two years, helping raise more than $2 million in two events, Guernsey said. Bissonnette said the people who count to him havent shut him out. The ones I hang out with have always been my friends, and they are still my friends, he said. Every knucklehead who goes on TVand goes on about me violating a code, Ive never met. He is hoping any lasting stigma will fade with the conclusion of his legal troubles, especially with so many other SEALs now profiting from their time in service, like Robert ONeill, who claims to have killed Bin Laden. (Bissonnette disputes his account, saying a third still-unidentified SEAL in the dark hallway took the kill shot.) Bissonnette said he is still coping with an injury from that 2011 raid, suffered when the helicopter he was in crash-landed inside Bin Ladens compound. He said the Department of Veterans Affairs gave him medication but wouldn't perform surgery for a serious neck injury, so a former Air Force surgeon he met at a speaking event has performed two surgeries for free. (VA officials said Bissonnette would have to fill out privacy release forms to allow them to comment on his case, as per U.S. law regarding patient privacy rights.) To earn a living, the former SEAL is now launching a start-up he declined to describe, and says hes glad this chapter is over. He accepts his responsibility, but this ones gonna hurt for some time to come. When I left the military, I got a plaque with my name misspelled, shitty medical care, and now Im a million dollars in debt, he said with frustration. Thank you for your service. Editor's Note: This story has been updated with comment from the Justice Department and Veterans Administration. MOSCOW Tatars knew Remzi Memetov as a jovial cook who made the best traditional plov, a dish of rice and lamb, in the little Crimean town of Bakhchysarai. Memetovs cooking was especially popular among Muslims coming to the local mosque to participate in religious festivals. Nobody in the towns sizeable Tatar community would have imagined that their favorite chef would be accused of terrorism. At 6 a.m. the morning of May 12, the Memetov family heard a knock at the door of their house on Lazurnaya Avenue. The voice outside said: Open up, this is the Federal Security Service. The visitors were two FSB investigators, two official witnesses, who the FSB invited to be present while they searched the house, a camerawoman, and several people who did not identify themselves. After a few questions, they looked through all the rooms in the house, confiscating a few religious books and a few CDs. As the investigators were taking Remzi Memetov away, his neighbors gathered around the FSB officers to ask why they were arresting a friendly cook everybody loved. An official said Memetov would just be away a few minutes, just enough to sign a few papers. Shame, Shame! people chanted. And soon their worst expectations came: Memetovs wife and two adult sons learned he was accused of participating in terrorist activities as a part the Islamic movement Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned in Russia. He was accused together with three more neighbors, who were arrested the same day. One of them, Enver Mammoth, had seven little children. Soon after Moscow annexed what had been Ukrainian Crimea in 2014, Russian security agencies began to crack down on Muslims there, and after many arrests they knew only too well what happened when the FSB detained one of them. The Daily Beast interviewed several Tatar families whose loved ones disappeared last year. The Tatars complained that detentions, abductions, false accusations, and torture became a part of Crimeas daily life. And today, prosecutions of alleged Hizb ut-Tahrir Muslims in Crimea are just one part of Russian President Vladimir Putins big new war on terror launched in the Ural regions, in Siberia, in annexed Crimea, and in central Russia. In a country of conspiracies and major unsolved crimes, in which security services operate without the oversight of politicians or civil society, no one can be sure of the true nature of terrorist plots and incidents. What is unclear in Putins present war on terror is how many threats are real and how many expedient. Sometimes security services persecute people when it is convenient, Alexander Cherkasov, chairman of Memorial, a group of human-rights defenders, said in recent interview. [We] reported on thousands of cases involving abduction or killings of Muslims in the Northern Caucasusand sometimes there is a real threat of terrorism. We need to be careful looking into each case, he told The Daily Beast. On Wednesday, Russians woke up to the news of a terror threat and the sound of explosions in the center of Saint Petersburg. Up to 20 security service vehicles surrounded an apartment building on Leninsky Prospect. At 11:20 a.m., residents heard two blasts, saw smoke pouring from a window and men in gas masks emerging onto the balcony of one of the apartments. Russian authorities reported that four Islamic militants were killed in that special operation. According to the RIA.ru news agency, the security services in the Kabardino-Balkaria republic asked the FSB to detain a group of alleged militants from the North Caucasus who had made their way to Saint Petersburg. The FSB report said that as a result of the operation, in addition to those killed, three militants were detained. On Thursday RIA.ru reported that the antiterrorism agency in Kabardino-Balkaria refused to give any comments about Wednesdays special operation. The methods used by the FSB in the North Caucasus and have been a matter of concern for human-rights defenders for years: Members of the security forces and law enforcement bodies still resort to illegal means such as abductions and secret detentions, extrajudicial killings and torture, and they continue to enjoy almost complete impunity, a draft resolution by European Council declared in April. Now the Kremlins leader is talking of new terror threats coming from Ukraine. Last week, Putin sat down with his top military commanders and intelligence officers from the Security Council and accused Ukraine of plotting terrorist attacks and killing two Russian officers in Crimea the previous day. Russia was not going to forgive Ukraine for that, Putin said, and declared he would strengthen Crimea, conduct war games, and review the scenarios for counter terrorism security measures not only along the land border, but also offshore and in the air. Meanwhile in Western Siberia, the Russian Federal Security Service discovered an international network of terrorism propaganda. Last week, the same day as the Security Council meeting, the FSB searched at least 26 apartments and detained as many as 96 people in the Tyumen, Sverdlovsk, and Cheliabinsk regions. See, the FSB have to demonstrate that they can work well and find terrorists, says Igor Bunin of the Center for Political Technologies, a Moscow-based think tank. I expect that the majority of the detainees were Salafis but did not recruit for ISIS. But, then again, as Katia Sokirianskaia, a Turkey-based researcher at the International Crisis Group, tells The Daily Beast, In the last several years, as some Russian Muslims radicalized, there were cases of jihadists also leaving for Syria from Siberia, including those from the local Muslim community and Muslims who had come to Siberia to work. It looks like terrorists are everywhere, both inside and outside Russias borders. But the accusations about Ukraine remain the most problematic at many different levels. Putin now refers to Ukraine as a country practicing terrora state sponsor, as it wereand is no longer dealing with its leadership. The Kremlins hopes to solve the Ukrainian issue and see some of the economic sanctions against Russia canceled by the end of this year seem to have fallen by the wayside as Putin said he saw no sense in negotiating peace with terrorist Ukraine. Many analysts see behind this ploy a thinly veiled threat of war, and there is an oft-cited historical precedent. Back in May 2008 the Kremlin also decided to stop communicating with then-Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, and by August there was a war between Russia and Ukraine, with Russian tanks rolling inside the Georgian border toward Tbilisi before a ceasefire was agreed on. This time it is hard to find anybody in Moscow who believes the Kremlin is ready for a bigger conflict in Ukraine, which could trigger World War III. And for all Putins bravado, there are signs the top leadership is shaky. Putin seems to have lost faith in his senior team. Last Friday morning he sacked the head of his administration, his longtime ally and fellow KGB/FSB veteran Sergey Ivanov. Ivanov symbolized Putins old team, who clearly had no strategy and reacted by inertia, Yuri Krupnov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst, told The Daily Beast. Putin loves to embrace the language of the West and then use it against Western policies. Thus in Syria, while attacking Western-backed opponents of the Assad regime, he claims he is fighting terrorists. Now he says Russia is threatened by terror and will fight it just the way the West doesbut in Russias case its coming from Ukraine. War on terrorism is the new trend, said Cherkasov. It sounds serious to both the West and to many in Russia. In the last two years, over a dozen Ukrainians were accused of organizing or assisting terrorist attacks. At least four of them are on trial in Rostov-on-Don, a town in southern Russia near Ukraine. Putins FSB detained seven suspects for involvement in the alleged terrorist attack on the Crimean peninsula that, according to the FSB, took place on Aug. 7. Both Kiev and Moscow started war games close to the Black Sea. Russia acknowledged it deployed S-400 anti-missile systems to Crimea and strengthened its defense of the peninsula. I believe that the FSB put a lot of pressure on Putin after this attack in Crimea; but he would hate to have a real war with Ukraine now, as the Russian economy is going down the drain, said Bunin. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko alerted his forces to get ready to fight with the Russian army at any moment. In the last few months the FSB war on terror concerned many Muslims in North Caucasus and in the Ural regions. Last month five Muslims were punished with prison terms in Bashkortostan, a republic in the Ural mountains. But its the Muslims in Crimea, mostly Tatars, who are the real focus of hostility: Earlier this year 14 Crimea Muslims were accused of organizing terrorist activities. And that jovial cook, Remzi Memetov? He admitted, very likely under duress, that he had been a part of Hizb ut-Tahrir. The Crimean court decided to keep him under arrest until his next hearing in October. First they extended the 15 minutes by two months, then they probably realized they had no evidence against him but kept him behind bars for a couple months more, Memetovs oldest son, Deliaver Memetov, told The Daily Beast in a phone interview, and if the court finds him guilty, he will spend more than 10 years in prison. The series of arrests reminded Crimean Muslims of the 1944 deportations, when Soviet leader Joseph Stalin accused the community of collaborating with the Nazi occupiers and ordered more than 100,000 Tatars put onto cattle trains, moving them out of their historical settlement on the Black Sea peninsula to Central Asia. This year the FSB investigated more than 2,000 cases related to terrorist activity. This conveyor belt of terrorism seems to target Tatars in three different regions of Crimea to push the community off the peninsula, Anton Naumlyuk, a Radio Free Europe investigative journalist, told The Daily Beast. This year Naumlyuk followed over a dozen cases of new Russian terrorists. As a result of FSB arrests, he said, Crimean Muslims became a much more united community. The Tatars agreed. None of us is going to leave Crimea again, our community has been pushed around enough, Deliaver Memetov told The Daily Beast. When it comes to fighting a real war against Ukraine, Russians seem to be united, too. They dont want it. Even the alleged threats of terror could not convince them, or at least not those who listen to Echo of Moscow, that war would be a good idea: The social polls the radio station ran last last week showed that 82 percent of Russians were against a Russian army offensive operations in Ukraine. So the army most likely will not deploy, but the FSB will be more active than ever. SEATTLE In an upbeat downtown office, Renee Hopkins, the executive director of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, and her team of about 20 are doing for the people of Washington state what seems impossible in Washington, D.C., and many state capitalspassing real gun safety reforms. When we think of the insane, bloody gun culture Republicans lawmakers have created, a few words come to mind: obstruction; obfuscation; obstreperousness. It is easy to believe the situation is helpless. The National Rifle Associationled by a coterie of money-grubbing radicals addicted to arms dealers cash and indifferent to the actual views of the gun owners theyre supposed to representcontrols enough senators and congressmen to block even reforms supported by an overwhelming majority of voters. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention, and so its been left to a hub of the tech world to find a way to disrupt those broken politics and revivify a 100-year-old progressive innovation: the ballot initiative. This November, Washingtonians will get to vote on a ballot measure to place extreme-risk-protection orders into law. If that passes, it would be a second big win, after the people of Washington instituted universal background checks on the purchase of all firearms in 2014. These new protection orders would be modeled on the states domestic violence and sexual-assault-protection orders, giving family members or law enforcement the right to petition a court to remove firearms from someone who is a danger to themselves or others. It is the sort of simple common sense measure that could avert mass shootings around the country. When I talk to Stephanie Ervin, the manager of the campaign, shes optimistic, but cautious, that the group can build from its previous success: In 2014, we were able to win 60 percent of the vote for universal background checks in a non-presidential year. Even as gun groups were placing a separate measure on the ballot with the sole purpose being to confuse voters. Pollingif youre not into chemtrails and unskewingseems to back up Ervins proposition. The Elway Poll, which released numbers this week on a variety of ballot initiatives set to go before voters in November, found that a solid 64 percent of Washington voters intend to support I-491 (the name of the ballot measure), with only 18 percent opposing it. This includes a majority of Republicans (55 percent) and men (57 percent), and huge margins among Democrats (75 percent) and women (70 percent). The initiative also has a number of prominent third-party endorsees, including judges, prosecutors, police officers, faith leaders, health experts, the domestic violence prevention community, gun owners, and gun violence survivors. They have over 14,000 donors and have gathered over 330,000 signatures for their petitions. All rather impressive for a measure the NRA claims has no popular support. Washington also legalized marijuana and gay marriage (before the court decision legalizing it nationally) through ballot initiatives. But with the substantial distortion of our democracy around guns, they are the issue with which this particular method most adheres to the original intentions of the progressives who created it a century ago, at a time when large interests such as timber and railroads blocked popular reforms in legislative bodies around the country. Additionally, this application of direct democracy is not simply a way to ensure the moneyed death-peddlers behind the NRA cant veto laws Washingtonians overwhelmingly want, but also provides a model for the 24 statesamong them large population centers such as California, Florida, Illinois, and Ohiothat allow citizens to change laws via direct democracy. Both Nevada and Maine have run with their own measures this year to institute background checks that more than 80 percent of their citizens want, which will in turn influence the conversation and provide more evidence that just as the sun sets in the west and swimmers making up stories about robbery in Rio is a bad idea, gun laws work. As the Alliance says on their website, survivors and family members of those killed in mass shootings at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle in 2006, Seattles Cafe Racer in 2012, University of California Santa-Barbara in 2014, and others have all testified that they believe this type of law could have been used to prevent these tragedies. Like clockwork, after almost every one of these tragedies, we discover the maddening truth that someone who knew the shooter knew they were dangerously unstable. What the Alliance for Gun Responsibility and its allies are doing is nothing short of trailblazing the path that can free America from the hostage takers of bought-off legislatures and gun nuts with grudges. Its a path that leads to a country where tragic, meaningless death and injury on a daily basis are no longer daily occurrences but a thing of the dark past. Did anyone see the article about chicken cruelty in the other local paper last week? I seriously doubt it, since it was tucked neatly into a corner on page six. An animal rights group has released an undercover video showing Tyson Foods workers abusing and killing chickens at Virginia breeding facilities, prompting the company to fire 10 employees. Christine Daugherty, a Tyson vice president expressed outrage because, in her words, the workers were all trained in proper animal handling, yet chose to ignore it. The company said it will aggressively re-emphasize its animal welfare policies to workers and end a practice known as boning. It involves inserting a piece of plastic in a male birds nostrils to stop it from assessing a female chickens feeder. The three minutes of footage show workers smacking fluffy white chickens and swinging them by their legs and wings. One worker steps on a birds throat as it appears to suffocate. Chickens are crammed into cages. Some are crushed under vehicles. Animal control officers in the Southside Virginia counties where the Tyson facilities are locatedBuckingham, Lunenburg and Mecklenburgconfirmed to the Associated Press that they are investigating allegations of animal abuse in the wake of the video. I have written, several times, about the cruel and unusual practices at this company (though previously unnamed); however, this is the first I have seen that could well concern the Virginia facilities. I guess we can chalk this up, one more time, to theyre just chickens, they aint got no feelins. I am so sick of hearing people expound upon the dumbness of animals. I mean, after all, look around at some of those among us who are supposed to be the higher animals. Sometimes the comparison gets a little into the gray area. Im sitting here wondering just what might the requirements be to work in a chicken breeding facility, or a chicken slaughter-house? It is mind boggling, isnt it? The vice president of the company says the employees were all trained in proper animal handling, yet chose to ignore it. She, however, didnt extrapolate. What, in Gods name, does she expect? Think about it. Who is going to apply for a job breeding chickens? Am I being stereotypical? Perhaps, but just how many of those folks will, or even expect to work their way up to management? And, not least of all, it is nasty business. Unfortunately, Tyson is not the only company where documented animal cruelty exists. This item just happened to make the local news because it may have occurred within our commonwealth. I viewed a tear-jerking, however, heart-warming video this morning that I think deserves writing about. In the wake of numerous cases of not only domestic, animal cruelty, but livestock being left to die because of owners, who either are too lazy or just dont care enough to feed and tend to their animals properly, this video was refreshing. A young girl and her mother, who live in Iowa, were on their way to a swap-meet early one morning when the mother decided to take a different route to their destination. Down the highway a piece, they spotted a horse grazing beside the road. The animal was skin and bones, had sores around her hooves, and her hind legs appeared swollen. She wore no halter or anything that could have led to the identification of her owner. In anticipation of lots of purchases, the mother had hooked a trailer to her car, but the horse could not be persuaded to climb aboard, instead it collapsed into a ditch. Getting it back onto its four feet, the young girl, determined to save the animal, decided to attempt to lead the horse the 9 miles back to their home. Several hours later, the horse was in a stall with food, water and plenty of hay on which to rest her weary bones. Not only was the poor animal nearly starved to death, her back bone was sticking up 3 inches from the rest of her emaciated body. It has been surmised that the animal ran away from home to escape an abusive owner. At any rate, no one has come knocking on the door looking for his missing equine. It was not stated why no one called for help to transport the animal. I just write em the way I sees em. Animal cruelty knows no geographical home. It is rampant everywhere. Since late July, the ASPCA has been on the ground in Westport, Massachusetts, assisting in a massive farm animal cruelty case. All of the animals have been removed from the scene and transported to safety. The majority are currently being sheltered and cared for at a temporary shelter set up and operated by the ASPCA, while a small number have been placed with various rescue organizations. They have found numerous deceased animals throughout the property. The total number of animals rescued has climbed to nearly 1,075, with more than 1,000 animals still in our care. The species range from farm animals like cows, pigs, sheep and chickens, to more unusual species like pheasant and peacock. With approximately 45 responders on the scene, well continue to provide daily care, medical evaluations and forensic support as the case develops. In addition to ASPCA emergency shelters, their forensics science team is assisting with evidence collection to support the criminal case, and their legal advocacy team is working closely with the attorney generals office to assist with successful prosecution. And while Im at it, dont forget about the massive raid on a farm in North Carolina that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago. And what about the horses that our Franklin County Animal Control Officers rescued recently, or the exceptional work accomplished by Pat Muncy at the Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue, where those horses were taken? It leaves one to wonder, what kind of person leaves any animal locked up with nothing to feed upon but its own waste? I beg of you to ponder that question. The following quote is by Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who has made it her lifes work to create methods by which animals may go to the slaughter less stressed, making it, not only easier for the animal, but for the workers involved. Those who have utilized her methods have seen a great difference. However, unfortunately, in most facilities the bottom line, not the humane treatment of those going to slaughter, prevails. Temple Grandin, the HBO movie starring Claire Danes is available on Netflix. I believe that the place where an animal dies is a sacred one. There is a need to bring ritual into the conventional slaughter plants, and use as a means to shape peoples behavior. It would help prevent people from becoming numbed, callous, or cruel. The ritual could be something very simple, such as a moment of silence. In addition to developing better designs and making equipment to insure the humane treatments of all animals that would be my contribution. -- Temple Grandin One of the most important programs for county youth is getting under way at the Rocky Mount YMCA. The Water Wise program will teach more than 600 second-graders in all 12 elementary schools in the county. The program teaches lifesaving swimming skills and water safety because one of the single largest causes of childhood deaths is drowning, and many of those drownings occur within 10 feet of safety. More than 1,200 students have participated and learned water safety skills over the last two years. In a community with two large lakes and numerous rivers, it is absolutely essential that we teach water safety for children, said Andrea Fansler development director with the YMCA. There is no other organization in our region that teaches as many children to swim as we have. The Y also offers a competitive swim team and hosts teams from around the region at its local meets, and it has even developed a full swim curriculum for summer camp and preschool childrens programs. The second-graders in the program are introduced to water safety and given swimming lessons over a two week program at the Rocky Mount YMCA, said J.T. Boyd, aquatic director at the YMCA. In addition to swim instruction, children get free time to play and practice the skills theyve learned, and on the final day of a swim lessons, parents are invited to observe and celebrate all that their children have learned. The Water Wise program is funded by the YMCA and its community partners, which have included Rocky Mount Rotary Club, Centra Health, The Foundation for Roanoke Valley, American National Bank and a few anonymous donors, who have contributed more than $24,000 towards the program. But the total cost of the program is about $47,000, about $70 to $80 per student, so the Y needs the support of the community in the form of donations to ensure the sustainability of the program. Local residents, businesses and parents interested in donating should contact Andrea Fansler at 540-489-9622 or visit franklincountyymca.org. The Franklin County Family YMCA will begin its third year of offering the Water Wise swim program to every second grader in Franklin County. This program provides free swim lessons to second-graders in all 12 elementary schools in the county. The YMCA does this because of the number of rivers and lakes in the county, the inability of many families to afford to pay for swim lessons, and the Ys mission to help those in the community who need it. The program teaches lifesaving swimming skills and water safety because one of the single largest causes of childhood deaths is drowning, and many of those drownings occur within 10 feet of safety. More than 1,200 students have participated and learned water safety skills over the last two years. In a community with two large lakes and numerous rivers, it is absolutely essential that we teach water safety for children, said Andrea Fansler development director with the YMCA. There is no other organization in our region that teaches as many children to swim as we have. In the past two years, this program has taught more than 1,100 children to swim. We saw the urgent need, so we have done what we could to help the community, which is our mission. Since 1998, the YMCA has been the leader in aquatics programming in Franklin County, teaching thousands of children how to swim over the years. The Y also offers a competitive swim team and hosts teams from around the region at its local meets. The Y has even developed a full swim curriculum for summer camp and preschool childrens programs, something few other childcare programs offer. The second-graders in the program are introduced to water safety and given swimming lessons over a two week program at the Rocky Mount YMCA, said J.T. Boyd, aquatic director at the YMCA. In addition to swim instruction, children get free time to play and practice the skills theyve learned, and on the final day of a swim lessons, parents are invited to observe and celebrate all that their children have learned. This program is funded by the YMCA and its community partners, which have included Rocky Mount Rotary Club, Centra Health, The Foundation for Roanoke Valley, American National Bank and a few anonymous donors, who have contributed more than $24,000 towards the program. The total cost of the program is about $47,000, about $70 to $80 per student. The Y asks for community support in the form of donations to ensure the sustainability of the program. Local residents, businesses and parents interested in donating should contact Andrea Fansler at 540-489-9622. A 35-year-old Boones Mill woman who acknowledged having sexual activity with a minor has been ordered to serve six months in jail. Kimberly Marie Weber pleaded guilty Wednesday in Franklin County Circuit Court to four counts of taking indecent liberties with a child while being in a custodial or supervisory relationship. Judge James Reynolds sentenced Weber to a 20-year term, with the bulk of that time to be suspended after she serves six months Weber was indicted by a grand jury in June on nine counts of indecent liberties. Through her plea agreement, five of those offenses were dropped but she now carries 19 years in suspended time and will have to register as a sex offender with Virginia State Police. After her release from custody, shell be on probation for five years. Weber did not offer any statements to the judge and was taken into custody at the end of the hearing. Franklin County Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Duncan Vick declined to explain the exact nature of her custodial relationship, but said the offenses to which Weber pleaded occurred earlier this year while the teenage victim was staying in her home. The case had been set to go to trial this week, but Vick said the plea allowed the felonies to be prosecuted without the victim having to testify. Discussions with police indicated the victim willingly participated in the activity, but as a minor was too young to give consent, Vick said. He said the charges against Weber came about during an inspection in her home on an unrelated matter by the Department of Social Services. Iowa high school football playoffs: All the state quarterfinal games The winners of this week's Round-of-16 games advanced to next week's state quarterfinal round of the playoffs. CAMPINA GRANDE, Brazil The temperature was already soaring when mosquito control agents fanned out one morning amid a maze of crumbling brick homes on the edge of this lakeside city. Garbage clogged a drainage canal. Makeshift sewers lined the dirt streets. It was, in short, ideal habitat for the mosquito that spreads the Zika virus. Behind one house, an agent found water being stored in a broken washing machine. She drew a sample into a pipette and held it up to the sun. It was full of writhing mosquito larvae. All around were places where water could pool and the enemy could lay its eggs: old cinder blocks, the dogs water dish, even a discarded bottle cap. Everything would have to be drained or treated with larvicide, they told the family living there. There are thousands of homes like this one in the sprawling Three Sisters neighborhood of Campina Grande, and thousands of neighborhoods like this one across a country of 200 million. With no vaccine or treatment for Zika, Brazils government has few options besides sending teams to every infested region to hunt down and kill the insects that carry the virus, Aedes aegypti. Can the mosquito be defeated? It has been done before in Brazil, and much of Latin America. But that was more than half a century ago. The battlefield looks very different now, and experts fear that this time it is an unwinnable fight. The epidemic might wane, but as long as the mosquito remains, the virus can strike again. The agents inspecting the home with the washing machine were especially concerned because an 18-year-old living there was pregnant. If she were to be infected with Zika, the consequences could be devastating. The virus has already caused more than 1,600 birth defects in Brazilian infants. The young woman, Carla Andreia de Sousa, asked what symptoms she should watch for. We see on the news that there are many people getting sick, she said. But most people with Zika dont experience any symptoms. An agent urged her to get an ultrasound, to check that her fetus is developing normally. Aedes aegypti most likely arrived in Latin America from its native Africa on slave ships in the late 18th century and has been spreading deadly viruses ever since. Brazils first assault on the species came early last century in response to recurring epidemics of yellow fever that had claimed tens of thousands of lives, brought commerce to a halt and emptied cities of those who could flee. Then, as now, Brazils government declared war on the species, deploying legions of public health workers to carry out house-to-house searches, spray pesticides and eradicate the pools of standing water where the mosquito breeds. But the campaign part of a well-funded, internationally led crusade against the mosquito was waged in ways that would not be tolerated today. It was a dictatorial and highly intrusive operation, with fumigators sometimes entering houses by force. The weapon of choice was the infamous pesticide DDT, which was effective against the mosquito but was later found to have toxic effects on wildlife and human health. In 1958, international health authorities declared Brazil free of Aedes aegypti, and within four years, most of the continent had achieved the same success. But then governments relaxed their efforts. By the late 1960s, the species was back in northern Brazil, and soon across much of the continent. Today, the virus-toting mosquito is responsible for hundreds of deaths a year in Brazil from dengue and chikungunya. Experts say the chances of beating the species are even lower now than they were 50 years ago. For one, demographic shifts have multiplied the habitat where the mosquito thrives. Cities have exploded in size, and infrastructure development has not kept pace with population growth. Millions of people lack plumbing and store water in open containers that make ideal breeding sites. Even emptying or covering standing water cannot guarantee extermination of the mosquito. Its eggs can survive dry for months. To make matters worse, the country is in the midst of its most crippling recession in decades and a political crisis that has seen the president impeached and much of Congress and the new Cabinet mired in allegations of corruption. At one point last year, the federal government stopped shipping larvicide a key weapon against mosquitoes to some of the places hardest hit by the Zika epidemic. Rossandra Oliveria, who oversees mosquito abatement in Campina Grande, a city of 400,000, said the shortages lasted for months and became so acute that health workers started experimenting with alternatives such as using household bleach and small fish to kill insect larvae in water storage tanks and drainage canals. The shipments have resumed. Still, Oliveria lamented that she does not have the authority, government backing or resources that were available to her predecessors in the 1940s and 1950s. Even if the country managed to eradicate the mosquito, the risk of its returning is higher than ever, given the movement of people and goods that has come with globalization. Its just a completely different world now, said Stan Cope, president of the American Mosquito Control Association. In the hillside neighborhood of Pedregal, one of Campina Grandes poorest, it is a race to get Alessandra de Sousa Amorims four daughters in and out of the bathroom before the faucets run dry. The area is without running water three days a week, and the cut-off times are unpredictable. There was a loud shriek when one girl was left with a head full of shampoo and no water to rinse it off. The family stores water in a backyard shed for such occasions. The neighborhood is full of mosquitoes. Homes dont have screens on doors or windows, and hardly anybody can afford bug spray. Im not going to stop buying food in order to buy repellent, said Amorim, 34. Last summer, when she was pregnant with her fifth child, she developed a fever, rash and joint pain telltale symptoms of a Zika infection. Two months later, she went for an ultrasound. It was her dream to have a son. When the doctor said it was a boy, she screamed with joy. It took her a moment to realize that the doctor was tearing up. The fetus had an unusually small head, a condition known as microcephaly that is one of the most visible defects caused by the Zika virus. When Samuel was born in December, scans showed damage to his brain. For whatever their reason, these celebrities reportedly waited to have sex after they got married. Demoted to the back bench by a domineering boss one who tried to copyright the phrase youre fired Connecticuts Paul Manafort resigned Friday as Donald Trumps campaign chairman. Trump confirmed the split in a statement, marking the latest shakeup for his faltering presidential campaign. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign, Trump said. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Neil Vigdor / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Chip Somodevilla /Getty Images Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Tom Williams /Congressional Quarterly /Newscom /Zuma Press /TNS Show More Show Less 5 of 5 Manaforts exit from Trumps campaign, which is playing catch-up with Hillary Clinton in terms of its infrastructure, comes at a time of turmoil for the GOP nominee. It also coincides with intense scrutiny of Manaforts ties to the pro-Russian political party of deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, which a secret ledger showed had made $12 million in off-the-books cash payments to the New Britain native. Manafort has denied receiving the money. A post-convention shift In what was widely viewed as a demotion for Manafort, Trump earlier this week hired Stephen Bannon, a top executive for the conservative news website Breitbart, as the campaigns chief executive and promoted pollster and senior adviser Kellyanne Conway to the job of campaign manager. If he walks, its because he sits there and says, I quit, Richard Dick Foley, of Danbury, a former state GOP chairman and friend of Manafort, said Wednesday. Manaforts partnership with Trump proved meteoric, with the hard-nosed tactician enlisted by the real estate mogul in March to corral delegates in anticipation of a contested convention. But the rebellion against Trump was quashed, changing the dynamic of Manaforts role from strongman to legitimizer of the brash nominee as presidential. The transition was a rough one, with the candidate preferring to stick to the recipe that won him the nomination Trump being Trump rather than teleprompter speeches. Trump trails Clinton by a 6-point average on national polls, according to the website RealClearPolitics. Hes been hurt by a series of missteps, including Trumps public feud with the Gold Star parents of a Muslim U.S. Army captain killed in Iraq. Trump compounded his problems with his recent comments that gun owners could stop Clinton from appointing U.S. Supreme Court justices who would overturn the Second Amendment. No room for him anymore Scott L. McLean, professor of political science at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, said Friday that Mannaforts attempt to make Trump kinder and gentler failed. Its a clear rejection of his strategy, which was to sand off the sharp edges of Trumps persona and make him a more conventional candidate, McLean said. He must have been exasperated in having to explain Trumps statement one day, and have Trump turn around the next day and say he was joking. McLean believes that Manaforts departure might mean he has no faith in Bannon and Conway. Whether he believed in Trump or not, his professional reputation was in the hands of someone who has no experience in a political campaign, let alone a presidential campaign, McLean said. Gary L. Rose, is chairman of the Department of Government, Politics and Global Studies at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, said Friday that a confluence of events and circumstances led to Manaforts resignation. Rose said he expects that more revelations on Manaforts Ukrainian and Russian business connections is bound to emerge. There is some suggestion that he was violating federal law on registering as a lobbyist, Rose said. Combined with declining polls for Trump and the discrepancy in fundraising figures between Trump and Hillary Clinton and the fact that Manafort failed in bringing the Republican Party party together, theres no room for him anymore. When Bannon and Conway joined the campaign, Manaforts role was thoroughly usurped. There was a combination of factors, Rose said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK Work ground to a halt on Wall Street Place this month, leaving neighbors wondering when the roughly $45 million mixed-use development project viewed by many as part of the rebirth of the neighborhood would be completed. It slowed to a crawl about three or four weeks ago. Its very disconcerting, said Michael D. McGuire, redeveloper of 64 Wall St. and president of the Austin McGuire Co., a commercial real estate appraisal firm at the address. I understand Ken is very sick but there has to be succession planning. POKO Partners Managing Member Kenneth M. Olson, who spearheaded Wall Street Place from its inception to groundbreaking last summer, turned over operations to his brother, Rich Olson, after becoming chronically ill. Rich Olson, chief operating officer for POKO Management Corp., said in an email Friday that he had no comment, at this time, on the progress of Wall Street Place. Mayor Harry W. Rilling, who helped bring the project to groundbreaking, said he was not at liberty to comment on why work stopped but indicated that the matter lay between POKO Partners and lender CitiBank. He expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved. We have confidence that the project will resume shortly and that it will be brought to a conclusion, Rilling said. We are monitoring it very closely and were ready to work with CitiBank and meet on a regular basis to discuss the current status and discuss the future. Were confident that the project will be moving forward. He said the city will hold an informational session to bring residents and businesses up to speed on whats happened and what they can expect regarding Wall Street Place. Phase One of Wall Street Place calls for 101 housing units, 16,000 square feet of retail space, 23 surface parking spaces and an automated parking garage with more than 200 spaces available to residents and the public in the area of the Isaacs Street Parking Lot. POKO-IWSR Developers, the Port Chester, N.Y.-based developer selected by the city to develop the site, broke ground on the first phase of the project in June 2015 after years of delays. The developer attributed the delays to the Great Recession and complex package of financing for the project. The package included a roughly $19.8 million loan from Citibank, a $5 million loan from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and low-income housing tax credits from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. After last years groundbreaking, work proceeded rapidly on the first phase of Wall Street Place. Were starting construction and were not going to stop until the building is finished, Kenneth M. Olson said at the time of the groundbreaking. Were mobilizing and were starting construction. Its a seven- or eight-month process to pour the foundation and then they go vertical. The first unit will be occupied before Dec. 31, 2016. On Friday afternoon, construction machinery and materials stood idle although several people could be seen moving about the site. According to the Norwalk Town Clerks Office, no liens have been filed by contractors seeking payment, but several tax liens remained in place against POKO. As of Friday, the company owed the city $60,591 in unpaid taxes, with liens remaining in place for bills unpaid from January and last July, according to the Norwalk Tax Collectors Office. Wall Street Place is governed by a tri-party agreement between the city, POKO-IWSR Developers and the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency. The agreement spells out deadlines, obligations and provisions should POKO be unable to complete the project. Any turnover of the project to another developer would require the approval of the parties. Wall Street Place is among a number of large, mixed-use and multifamily developments that have sprouted in Norwalk over the last several years. City officials describe the construction as the biggest building boom in Norwalk in years. Michael F. DiScala, president of M.F. DiScala & Co., which is currently building apartments on upper Smith Street as part of Head of the Harbor South, expressed sympathy for Olson. Ken Olson has been quite ill and our heart goes out to him and his family, DiScala said. Asked if his company would be interested in completing Wall Street Place if POKO Partners were unable to do so, DiScala answered, I have plenty of projects underway in Norwalk right now, so my plate is full. Work on Wall Street Place has caused disruptions for a number of businesses. Among other things, the work has required the placement of concrete Jersey barriers along Isaacs Street and elimination of many on-street parking spaces. Bruce J. Chimento, Norwalks director of public works, said he plans to move the barriers inward toward the construction site and thus restore two-way traffic on Isaacs Street as early as next week if he does not see construction resume. Stan Stamatis, co-owner of Pontos Taverna restaurant on Isaacs Street, described the construction-related disruptions as horrible and the halt of construction as worse. Its worse because its taking longer for them to get the job done, Stamatis said. In the wake of an unexpected federal appeals court decision, a Texas federal judge on Wednesday eased the restrictions of the states onerous voter identification law for this years election. But despite Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos acceptance of the compromise 2016 plan worked out by the state, the Justice Department and minority rights groups and despite several other favorable decisions affecting Texas and other states the battle against Republican efforts to tighten voting laws is hardly over. In Texas, the 2016 plan will allow someone without a photo ID to vote by signing an affidavit that he or she is a U.S. citizen and presenting proof of residence, such as a paycheck, bank statement or utility bill. But it wont keep state officials from pressing to preserve the 2011 law requiring photo ID, including appealing the 5th Circuits ruling against it to the Supreme Court. And dont underestimate the resilience of groups backing tighter voting curbs in the name of preventing largely non-existent voter fraud. Court decisions throwing out restrictive measures in North Carolina and Ohio are being challenged in an effort to limit their impact in those two battleground states. At the same time, Republican nominee Donald Trump added a potentially explosive new issue in one of his typically inflammatory-but-uniformed statements, raising the prospect of an election rigged by widespread voter fraud. In what many saw as a possible excuse if he loses in November, Trump told The Washington Post, If the election is rigged, I would not be surprised. He cited the voter ID situation, adding, We may have people vote 10 times. And on Tuesday, he praised the North Carolina voter ID law that courts have rejected. Though he provided no evidence, Trump will soon be able to cite a forthcoming book by the president of the conservative legal group Judicial Watch, Tom Fitton, which alleges Justice Department efforts to block voting curbs could instead trigger widespread voter fraud. This counter-attack comes as federal courts are showing increasing resistance to the post-2008 GOP-led effort to curb voting in the name of preventing fraud, despite the slim evidence that fraud is a serious problem. In recent weeks, separate rulings by two appeals courts the 5th Circuit dominated by conservative judges and the 4th Circuit controlled by liberals rejected the strict voter ID laws passed by Texas and North Carolina, confounding expectations of contrary verdicts requiring a Supreme Court resolution. That may yet happen, though the death of Justice Antonin Scalia has left the court split 4-4 on many issues and unable to provide much legal guidance. But the Supreme Court split may change next year, presuming the next president wins Senate confirmation of a justice to fill the courts vacant ninth seat. A Hillary Clinton nominee could provide a majority to overturn the 2008 decision legalizing state voter ID laws, a decision whose recent skeptics include the appeals court judge whose decision the high court upheld. In the North Carolina case, a 4th Circuit panel ruled out both the states voter ID law and other restrictions that reduced early voting days and limited the kinds of documents voters could use to identify themselves. And it rejected an appeal by the state that would have prevented the decision from taking effect this year. On Monday, a GOP-controlled Board of Elections in Greensboro shelved a plan that would have made voting harder for college students and black residents. Meanwhile, in Ohio, where a federal judge blocked the Republican Secretary of States efforts to shorten early voting time, Judicial Watch went to court to challenge the assertion that the limit would disproportionately burden African-Americans. Elsewhere, federal judges have eased restrictions in voter ID laws in Wisconsin and North Dakota and blocked an effort to require evidence of citizenship for voting in Kansas. The Wisconsin judge said he would have thrown out the states law entirely, except for the 2008 Supreme Court decision. It will take some time for these various cases to be resolved, both legislatively and in the courts. Texas GOP officials make clear they do not regard the matter as over. But Richard Hasen, an expert on voting law and a professor of law and political science at the University of California, Irvine, expressed optimism in The New York Times: We are nearing the end of an era of increasingly restrictive voting rules imposed just about exclusively by Republican legislators and election officials over the objections of Democrats and voting rights groups. Four students from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy diversified their clinical experience during a five-week medical mission in Antigua, Guatemala from June 20-July 22, through the Schools Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE). Participants included Class of 2017 PharmD candidates Thomas Kelly, of St. Louis, Decaturs Regan Kitchens, Glen Carbon native Yasmyn Knight, and Janet Ellis, of Latham. While in Guatemala, the students worked in rural clinics continually run by Guatemalan clinicians trained in ambulatory care services, community outreach and education, explained Misty Gonzalez, PharmD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at SIUE. The students helped more than 520 patients in pop-up clinics that we arranged, and in the public health clinics during their time there. The experience also allowed time for exploration of Guatemala, including trips to Lake Atitlan and Tikal. The students clinical responsibilities included interdisciplinary ambulatory care treatment, medication selection, dispensing, counseling, health promotion and disease prevention education. In addition to clinical practice, students gained experience in cultural competency, health literacy and health disparities. Experiencing healthcare in a poverty-stricken country like Guatemala was an eye-opening experience, said Kelly. Living in the U.S., we often take access to quality healthcare and medications for granted. The U.S. offers the most cutting edge, top of the line services and diagnostic tests. In Guatemala, patients often only receive the most basic of healthcare in the free clinics. Now in its second year, the Schools Guatemala APPE is a partnership with Saint Louis University School of Medicine physicians, medical students and local Guatemalan healthcare practitioners. The SIUE School of Pharmacy offers additional global opportunities for students, including experiences in Costa Rica, Jamaica and India. For more information, visit the Schools Global Education Facebook page. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A.Ibrahim Almuttaqi Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 While much of the worlds attention including that of ASEAN has focused on the Brexit referendum, another one that took place much closer to home has been left unnoticed. On Aug. 7, 61 percent of those who voted in Thailands referendum approved a new constitution the kingdoms 20th version which critics argue strengthens the military juntas (National Council for Peace and Order, or NCPO) grip on power at the expense of Thailands parliamentary democratic system. While the referendum passed off peacefully, with major political leaders accepting the publics verdict, it should be noted that voter turnout was low at only 59 percent. Given that the military junta had targeted an 80 percent turnout, the numbers suggest that the majority of Thailands 50 million registered voters were against the new constitution and either actively expressed their opposition by voting no at the ballot box or indirectly by shunning the referendum. Certainly opportunities to express opposition to the draft constitution had been severely restricted in the run up to the referendum. Activists openly campaigning for a no vote had been detained by the authorities for violating the Referendum Act and face punishments of up to 10 years in prison. So concerned have the authorities been to crackdown on any form of dissent that two eight-year-old girls were charged with obstructing the referendum process, destroying official documents and destroying common public property for simply tearing down voter lists posted outside their school that they liked the color of. In such a climate, it is questionable whether voters were really able to make an informed choice on such a crucial decision for the kingdoms future. The results of the referendum mark an important step in the military juntas repeatedly postponed roadmap toward a fully functioning democracy and pave the way for a general election to be held next year. While this should be welcome, the criticisms leveled against the constitution and the referendum process should not be ignored. For example, the lack of public involvement in the military-drafted constitution was highlighted by pro-democracy activists. Among the more controversial provisions is one that sets forth an upper senate entirely appointed by the military junta. Given that the referendum also saw the approval of a proposal for the senate to have a role in appointing the next prime minister, there are fears that the military junta will thus be able to ensure its preferred candidate occupies Government House. Previously only an elected member of the lower House of Representatives could hold the office of prime minister. On the part of ASEAN, there has been mostly silence on the going-ons in one of its founding members. This may be explained by member-states unwillingness to be seen as interfering in the domestic affairs of another; one of the creeds of ASEAN. It may also be explained by the regional groupings preference for quiet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy that seeks not to embarrass its member-states openly. Certainly the ASEAN way was successful when it came to the case of Myanmar and ensuring it implemented its own roadmap toward disciplined-flourishing democracy. At the same time, it may also demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of the unique challenges facing Thailand. The kingdom is sharply polarized between the so-called Red Shirts and Yellow Shirts, had been beset by violent political instability before the militarys intervention and still faces continued angst over its future given the poor health of its revered king. Nevertheless, Thailand, along with the other nine member-states of ASEAN, is signatory to the Bali Concord II, which was adopted under Indonesias chairmanship of the regional grouping in 2003. Considered both historic and significant, the Bali Concord II commits ASEAN to a just, democratic and harmonious community. At the time, the Bali Concord II was widely applauded for breaking the long-held taboo over the use of the term democracy, let alone the subject of democracy, in the lexicon of ASEAN. The fact is that a decade since the Concords adoption, it is highly questionable that one of ASEANs founding members is now under the control of a military junta that has forced through a military-drafted constitution with no civilian input, and where there was a crackdown on public debate or activities interpreted as dissent against the referendum process. ASEAN must not turn a blind eye to what is happening in Thailand and should take steps to remind the military junta of its obligations and responsibilities to the Bali Concord II. One concrete way of doing this would be to put the situation in Thailand on the regional agenda in a similar way that political developments in Myanmar regularly featured under dedicated paragraphs in the various ASEAN Chairs Statements and Joint Communiques of ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meetings over the years. ASEAN should start by following up on the short statement that was issued by the ASEAN leaders in December 2013 that called on all parties concerned to resolve the current situation through dialogue and consultations in a peaceful and democratic manner. An updated statement would help keep the spotlight on the military junta and put some pressure on Thailand to uphold its promise. Given that ASEANs credibility is in question over its handling of the South China Sea disputes, it cannot afford to give its critics further ammunition by failing the people of one of its founding members. ______________________________________ The writer heads the ASEAN Studies Program at The Habibie Center in Jakarta. The views expressed are his own. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Simon Tay (The Jakarta Post) Singapore Fri, August 19, 2016 Controversies over the South China Sea have dominated headlines, especially after the recent decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, brought by the Philippines and denounced by China. But many businesses may look on more quizzically. What is the impact on the bottom line? Will prospects for ASEAN countries diminish if tensions with China escalate? Yes, political differences can spill over to economic engagement and bilateral development assistance can dry up when relations sour. Yes, an outright naval confrontation or incident at sea especially between China and the USA or Japan could be destabilizing. But negative outcomes are not inevitable. Differences can be managed with win-win areas to keep the dispute in context. Both sides and indeed all those interested in a prosperous and more interdependent Asia have much to gain. Beijings grand future vision of a One Belt One Road will run through the region and beyond, by land and by sea. Chinas newly created Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is expected to fund major parts of that vision and increase connectivity, both within the region and to major partners beyond. But while China is a key player, it is not inevitable that Beijing will dominate the region. Existing multilateral agencies like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank can step up. So can other donors and partners, like Japan. The USA too can play a greater role through high quality trade agreements like the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), now pending ratification, and with support for the innovation-led sector. ASEAN is not dependent on China but well balanced between Beijing and other partners. Consider the trade and investment figures. China is the regions top trading partner with total bilateral trade at 15.2 percent of total ASEAN trade, but this is followed by Japan, the EU and the USA, with each at about 10 percent. Investment data shows the EU leading with 16.4 percent of the total inflows, followed by Japan at 14.5 percent, the US at 10.2 percent and China at just 6.8 percent. While the global economy is facing strong headwinds and China is slowing, ASEAN continues to outperform. It is not only ASEAN who needs China. As an immediate neighbor, China stands to benefit economically and strategically from cooperation the group is not doomed to be anyones puppet and can instead be a worthy partner to key players. But this will require ASEAN to be competitive and more closely integrated. The groups economic ministers met in Laos on Aug. 3 and nudged forward the ASEAN Economic Community, inaugurated at end 2015. A framework will monitor and evaluate progress on integration, for regular review from now and towards 2025. Yet while this can help, some doubt whether the group can really push ahead. Protectionist sentiments and narrow nationalism seem to be on the rise and ASEAN is not a supra national organization that can command governments to obey. What remains more important is what is happening at the national level. Here, while less apparent, signs are emerging that key ASEAN economies show more ambition for reform than at any time in recent years. Take Indonesia for example. President Joko Jokowi Widodo has rolled out 12 economic reform packages aimed at stimulating economic growth and attracting fresh investments into Indonesia. This was followed by an announcement of a big bang plan earlier this year to reduce restrictions on foreign investment in 49 sectors. This is the countrys largest opening to international investment in a decade. While nationalist voices are loud, the Jokowi administration is signaling ambition to go beyond the export of natural resources, and move up the global value chain. Reforms will be essential and must include efforts to increase government efficiencies and address corruption as well as balancing the budget. Indonesia is not alone in such efforts, moreover. Economic reforms are being planned across ASEAN, from Thailand with second largest GDP, to Myanmar, the frontier economy. They are seeking the right kinds of investment that bring good-paying jobs for more workers and more opportunities to local small and medium businesses In todays political climate, governments strive for inclusive growth whether they are populist like the Duterte presidency in the Philippines or controlled, like Vietnam and Thailand. Such reforms can spur the majority within the region to be more competitive and better integrated. In this regard, it is not so much the ASEAN at the regional level that is setting the pace to deepen economic integration. Rather, the efforts are coming from the national level, through these parallel reform initiatives. Much remains to be done. Reform will not be easy and building infrastructure across the region will require long term effort. But these are necessary and indeed essential. National governments will otherwise struggle to grow their economies and jobs for their people. ASEAN can only remain central by twinning its political centrality with economic dynamism and moving ahead with integration. This is the way to better manage bumps and controversies, even sensitive concerns like the South China Sea, and move ahead on an agenda for integration and reform that all governments, businesses and ultimately ASEAN citizens may partake and benefit. *** The writer is chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). On Aug. 22, the SIIA is organizing the 9th ASEAN & Asia Forum. --------------- We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to community@jakpost.com. For more information click here. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hipolitus Yolisandry Ringgi Wangge (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Trust is the most crucial factor for a state dealing with regional dissatisfactions that turn to conflict. And the absence of this vital prerequisite for constructive engagement is clear to see when there have been no truly genuine and consistent efforts to build it. Trust, or the lack thereof, is a significant challenge faced by the newly appointed coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister, Wiranto. Since President Joko Jokowi Widodo selected the former New Order general Wiranto to replace another retired general, Luhut B. Pandjaitan, as chief security minister, one long overdue matter to be immediately addressed is the Papua problem. Two prominent issues so far are the internationalization of the Papua issue across the South Pacific under the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG); and the unresolved human rights issues and serious underdevelopment in Papua. Those two issues were addressed by Luhut during the past two years, but there are no obvious signs that results have been forthcoming. A key concern is that Wiranto will take the same stance as his predecessor. The Papuan international campaign has been massive in the last decade, particularly in the South Pacific. Nonetheless, for years the government has not adopted any comprehensive strategy to deal with the issue. In contrast to the South China Sea dispute, internationalization of the Papua issue has attracted little public discussion. During his short tenure as a coordinating minister, Luhut made certain efforts to deal with the internationalization of the Papua issue. His last visit to Papua and trips to England and Australia clearly sent a message not only for the central government and Papuans, but also for the international community. Yet such efforts have had little effect on Melanesian communities in the South Pacific, the main supporters of an independent West Papua. To contain the international campaign for Papua in the South Pacific, Luhut traveled to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Fiji, two proponents of Indonesias internalization of the Papuan issue. Using economic diplomacy, specifically ad hoc economic assistance and bilateral agreements, the primary objective was to defuse the Papua issue in the Pacific particularly thanks to the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP), which was granted observer status in the MSG in 2015. In exchange for Jakartas support, PNG and Fiji successfully contained ULMWPs lobbying to attain full membership status at the MSG meeting last month in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and they will make a similar effort at the MSG Meeting next month in Port Villa, PNG. The whole objective of such efforts is to keep the Papua issue on the sidelines in the South Pacific region. The other three members of MSG, namely the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Kanak National Socialist Liberation Front, are in favor of the West Papua campaign. Melanesian communities tend to sympathize with the struggle of Papuans. Wiranto is unlikely to pursue a different path. As a former military commander who dealt with regional disputes in the early days of Reformasi, there is little chance for a breakthrough on the internationalization of the Papua issue. The defensive diplomacy of the past, and its concomitant denials of the human rights violations that brought Papua to international attention, will seemingly remain the prominent approach. Another prominent agenda item during Luhuts short period was addressing human rights violations in Papua. Accordingly, he formed a special task group to discuss and find solutions to the issue. This group comprises officials, human rights activists and Papuan figures. Three cases have been categorized as human rights violations and received much attention: the Wasior incident in 2001, the Wamena incident in 2003 and the Paniai shooting in 2014. The inclusion of only these cases has drawn criticism from Papuans, since many past human rights cases have been overlooked. Among the incidents that have been deliberately ignored by the government are the massacres in the 1970s, including a military operation in 1977-1978 that cost many indigenous lives, and a dozen shootings in various cities in Papua. The Third Papuans People Congress in Jayapura in 2011 has also been off the governments radar. The three cases chosen by the task group have another shortcoming, which is the most important one: the lack of the perspective of the victims, particularly Papuans who have been treated unfairly by security forces. There is not sufficient room for victims families to counter the arguments of the security apparatus, which has often labeled Papuans as separatists simply because they expressed their political and cultural rights in public. This omission is amplified by the governments resistance to holding a dialogue to discuss Papuas issues more comprehensively, from historical to environmental problems. Furthermore, Wiranto with his negative reputation on human rights, such as the incidents in East Timor in 1999, will hamper his ministerial performance and programs to deal with gross human rights violations in Papua. Wiranto was closely related to the Biak Massacre in July 1998, which claimed over 100 Papuan lives, when he was the armed forces commander and defense minister. His reputation contrasts with the long-overdue spirit of reform needed to deal with human rights issues in Indonesias easternmost region. The appointment of Wiranto is another sign of the Jokowi administrations unwillingness to comprehensively address the sensitive problems in Papua, rather than its standard sole reliance on development programs. The Presidents unwillingness will be perceived as another half-hearted gesture by most Papuans and will exaggerate the problem of trust between Papuans and Jakarta. *** The writer is a researcher at the Marthinus Academy, Jakarta. --------------- We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to community@jakpost.com. For more information click here. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Los Angeles Fri, August 19, 2016 Amber Heard said Thursday she is donating her entire $7 million divorce settlement from Johnny Depp to a pair of charities that will use the money to benefit women who have been abused and sick children. Heard writes in a statement released Thursday that the money will be split between the American Civil Liberties Union and the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Heard says the money to the ACLU is being given to help its efforts to combat violence against women. Heard and Depp settled their contentious divorce on Tuesday, one day before the actors were scheduled to begin a restraining order hearing that would center on Heard's allegations Depp repeatedly abused her during their marriage. Depp denied he abused Heard, and his attorney accused Heard of making the domestic violence allegations to obtain a more favorable settlement. "As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves," Heard wrote. Heard writes that she knows the organizations will put the money to good use, and she plans to support them with future donations. In a joint statement on Tuesday, Heard and Depp acknowledged volatility in their relationship, which began after they met on the set of the 2011 film "The Rum Diary." "Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love," the actors' statement said. "Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm." Heard filed for divorce in May and days later obtained a temporary restraining order, accusing the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star of hitting her during a fight in their Los Angeles apartment in May. The 30-year-old Heard, who came to court with a bruise on her right cheek below the eye, accused Depp of repeatedly hitting her and throwing a cellphone during the fight. Police said they responded to the actors' apartment but found no evidence of a crime. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Facetime has always been a feature used among iPhone users, as they can simply use their phone number or email to video call someone. But Google recently launched a similar new app called Google Duo that also only requires a phone number to conduct a video call. Compatible with both iOS and Android, Google Duo can be used to call between the two devices and is already available on App Store and Google Play. (Read also: Google to release own handset by year-end) Using the app is quite easy. First, no Google account is needed to register; it only needs a verification code through SMS to validate your Duo account. Second, Google Duo allows easy switching between mobile network and your Wi-Fi without disrupting your call, by lowering your resolution when signal is bad to keep the call going. Third, a feature called Knock Knock allows access to your callers livestream before you accept the call to see their surroundings as a hint as to why they are calling. For Android devices, Knock Knock appears in the lock screen, while for iPhone it only works if users are on the application. This feature only appears when your caller is in your contact list. Lastly, calls are encrypted to ensure privacy between callers. Google previously released the news of this app at the annual conference event Google I/O 2016 and provided a beta version. According to kompas.com, Google Duo is already available for users in Indonesia. (kha/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Barbara Ortutay (Associated Press) New York, United States Fri, August 19, 2016 Twitter said Thursday it has suspended 360,000 accounts since mid-2015 for violating its policies banning the promotion of terrorism and violent extremism. The San Francisco-based company said in a blog post that it has also made progress in preventing users who were suspended from immediately returning to the platform using different accounts, which has been a problem in the past. It said its rate of daily suspensions is up 80 percent since last year, though it did not provide specific numbers. The suspensions spike immediately following terrorist attacks, it said. (Read also: Twitter revises policy banning threats and abuse) Twitter noted that there is no magic formula for identifying extremist accounts. Like other social media companies, it uses a variety of tools, including spam-fighting technology, automatic identification as well as reports from users, to help combat abuse. The report on its efforts come after Twitter has been criticized for not doing enough to keep extremist groups like Islamic State from using the short-messaging service to crowdsource supporters and potential attackers. Last week, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Twitter that accused the company of supporting Islamic State by allowing it to sign up for and use Twitter accounts. The judge agreed with Twitter that the company cannot be held liable because federal law protects service providers that merely offer platforms for speech, without creating the speech itself. At the same time, Twitter stressed that it was working to combat violent extremism on its service. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Bekasi Thu, August 18 2016 One of two alleged ATM robbers was killed after their car hit a tree while attempting to escape from police officers in Pebayuran district, Bekasi, early on Wednesday morning. Pebayuran Police chief Adj. Comr. Siswo said the alleged robber, identified by the initials MKL, was 16 years old and in high school. The other robber is 22 years old and identified as VS, he said as quoted by tribunnews.com. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Klaten Thu, August 18 2016 Police have named Ignatius Rendi Relianto, 21, the son of a church worker, as a suspect in relation to the vandalism of St. Joseph Church in Gondang Winangun, Klaten, Central Java. Rendi reportedly admitted to police that he had vandalized statues of Jesus and Mary because he was annoyed after being scolded by his mother. He said his mother had told him to clean the house, but he did not immediately comply because he was unwell, leading his mother to lose her temper. For the time being, Rendi is the sole suspect, but we will further study the case. We will also examine 20 witnesses to confirm the description of the suspect, Klaten Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Faizal said on Wednesday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Dozens of activists calling themselves the Urban Kampung Forum have written an open letter to President Joko Jokowi Widodo and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri to ask them not to endorse Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama in next years gubernatorial election. We are multidisciplinary scholars and practitioners we want to contribute to the development of cities and urban kampungs in Indonesia according to democracy values, humanity, justice and sustainability, they said. First, we would to like emphasize that our focus is on policies and their impact, not on the person himself. They said Ahoks policies and their impact were not in line with PDI-Ps vision, arguing that forced evictions, especially those using violence, contradicted PDI-Ps claims to be the party of the little people. Besides evictions, they also claimed Ahoks policies leaned toward corporations, as evident in the Jakarta Bay reclamation project, with the artificial islands to serve mostly as upscale gated communities. We are sure there is no moral and ideological basis for PDI-P to endorse Ahok. Democracy, justice, and siding with the little people are PDI-Ps ideology, which cannot be found in this candidate, the letter said. Among the activists were people working on urban issues like Sandyawan Sumardi of Ciliwung Merdeka and Wardah Hafidz of the Urban Poor Consortium. Several other work for education institutions, like Rita Padawangi, a researcher at the National University of Singapore, Amalinda Savirani, a lecturer at Gadjah Mada Universitys School of Politics and Government, and Thamrin Amal Tomagola of the University of Indonesia. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Dismissed energy and mineral resources minister Arcandra Tahar may have his Indonesian citizenship reinstated in a week as the Law and Human Rights Ministry has begun the citizenship-reinstatement process. Efforts for the former minister to have his citizenship reinstated are being carried out as the government sees Arcandra as someone with vast capabilities that may prove beneficial for the country, director general for public law administration at the ministry Freddy Harris said on Thursday. "Arcandra holds patent rights, therefore he may provide useful input for the country," Freddy said as quoted by tribunnews.com. The government will speed up Arcandra's citizenship-reinstatement to be completed within a week. The process also includes approval from the House of Representatives, Freddy said. "The government is ready and we ask the House of Representatives to give their consideration," he added. Arcandra gained US citizenship in 2012 after spending 20 years there as an oil executive. Although the US recognizes dual citizenship, Indonesia does not. According to the law, Arcandra lost his Indonesian citizenship after pledging alliance to another country. Shortly after being offered a position as a minister, Arcandra renounced his US citizenship, government officials confirmed. Arcandra, who held his position as energy minister for 19 days, has several international patents in offshore fields. He was dismissed with honor by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Monday evening amid controversy over his citizenship status. (rin) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Indonesia Fri, August 19 2016 Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said on Thursday that two female Indonesian students were arrested on Aug. 11 in Daura, Turkey, for alleged links to the Hizmet movement led by Fethullah Gulen. The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara has tried to meet the students, Arrmanatha said. It has also prepared a lawyer to provide legal assistance to them. Earlier on June 3, Indonesian student Handika Lintang Saputra, 21, was arrested in Gaziantep on similar charges. The embassy has provided him with a lawyer, and he is currently awaiting a trial date. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Problems continue to pile up for app-based transportation services as the deadline for formalizing their position approaches, diminishing hopes that their operations can run smoothly in October. About 100 drivers, partners of app-based ride-hailing services such as GrabCar and Uber, signed up to obtain type A driving licenses for public transportation vehicles at an event recently this week. The specific type of driving license was one of the requirements set by the Transportation Ministry for the drivers to operate legally on the streets. However, by the end of the day, only seven drivers had passed the test and obtained the license. The situation highlighted ongoing problems, both external and internal, faced by GrabCar and Uber. They have been racing against time because in October the government will start enforcing the recently issued Ministerial Regulation No. 32/2016 that will determine their future. It stipulates that drivers partnering with ride-hailing services must possess type A driving licenses for public transportation vehicles, have their cars undergo vehicle roadworthiness tests (KIR) and register their cars under a cooperatives name. Indonesian Car Rental Businessmen Association (PPRI), a cooperative that partners with GrabCar, states that only 966 cars out of a total 5,000 have passed the KIR test so far. The number of drivers possessing the type A driving licenses is even lower at 50 drivers. The PPRI claims the problems lie within the drivers themselves and with the authorities. PPRI chairman Ponco Seno said it designated 70 cars to undergo the KIR test every day, but many drivers were still reluctant to comply. But the transportation agencies at the regional level, such as in Bekasi and Tangerang, dont have infrastructure and facilities ready to support the KIR tests for our cars either, he said over the phone. The KIR test comes under the responsibility of each respective transportation agency. The Transportation Ministry merely gives recommendations for the drivers. Ponco said the drivers faced difficulties passing the driving simulation test as well to get the type A licenses for public transportation vehicles, hence only three drivers passing the test on Monday. Ubers cooperative partner, Jasa Trans Usaha Bersama cooperative, is also struggling to meet the requirements. Of 5,000 drivers, only 1,500 drivers have already taken the KIR test and 1,000 drivers already possess the license. Jasa Trans Usaha Bersama chairman Agung Eko Ismawanto claimed that the regional transportation agencies did not make it easy for them to undergo the KIR test. They say they are waiting for certainty from the Transportation Ministry. Basically it is waiting for the ministerial regulation to take effect later in October, Agung said. The government has previously declared that app-based transportation services can operate legally subject to certain legal requirements. It gave the companies until May 31 to meet the requirements, including having a legal entity, having at least five vehicles that have undergone the KIR test and partnering with cooperatives that own a carpool and repair services. As of May 30, only 329 cars that partnered with Uber, GrabCar and newcomer Go-Car had passed the KIR test, whereas their combined fleet of cars stands at around 13,000. The PPRI hopes to see 3,500 cars undergo the KIR test by year-end, while Jasa Trans Usaha is aiming for almost 5,000 cars. Grab Indonesia managing director Ridzki Kramadibrata said it would suspend drivers who failed to show up for the KIR test. Transportation Ministry director general for land transportation Pudji Hartanto Iskandar said that it would enforce the regulation in October as planned. Drivers that violate the regulation will face several consequences, ranging from warnings to the revocation of permits. The KIR and the driving license are really important because they will affect the safety of passengers, he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kristen Gelineau (Associated Press) Sydney, Australia Fri, August 19, 2016 Australia's treasurer on Friday formally blocked Chinese bidders from leasing a Sydney electricity grid, saying the deal would not have been in the nation's best interest. The announcement by Treasurer Scott Morrison comes one week after he announced preliminary plans to ban Chinese state-owned State Grid Corp. and Hong Kong-registered Cheung Kong Infrastructure Group from bidding for a 99-year lease over a 50.4 percent stake in Ausgrid due to classified national security reasons. Morrison's initial announcement prompted criticism from China and accusations from some in Australia that his decision was made to appease influential lawmakers with xenophobic views a critique the treasurer has rejected as false. "In making this decision, national interest concerns have been paramount," Morrison said in a statement Friday, without elaborating on what those concerns were. Last week, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency criticized Australia for rejecting the bid along with Britain's recent move to delay a decision on a new nuclear power plant backed by Chinese investment. The agency said that although China's "dramatic development, huge population and unique culture" may cause concern for some countries, it could also result in "China-phobia." The deal for the New South Wales state-owned electricity network would have earned more than 10 billion Australian dollars (US$7.6 billion). On Friday, state Premier Mike Baird said he was irritated by Morrison's decision, saying it would delay the sale. "My frustration is that this should have been determined much earlier," he told reporters. "What we need to do now is get on with the job." Chinese foreign investment, particularly from state-owned companies, has become increasingly contentious in Australia as China takes a more aggressive stance in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Last week, Bob Carr, director of the Sydney-based Australia-China Relations Institute and a former foreign minister, accused the treasurer of bowing to the wishes of anti-establishment lawmakers who gained from the country's general election last month. Morrison's decision was welcomed by Pauline Hanson, leader of the One Nation party that has four senators who oppose Asian and Muslim immigration as well as trade liberalization. They and other lawmakers not aligned with either of the country's major parties oppose Australia's free-trade deal with its biggest trading partner, China, and want tighter foreign investment rules. In a sign that the United States is stepping up its military effort to shore up the now-stretched Afghan security forces against the Taliban resurgence, U.S. Air Force (USAF) Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers are back in the Afghan skies. The large aircraft played a pivotal role in forcing the hard-line Islamist Taliban regime out of power in 2001 after a U.S.-led international military coalition attacked Afghanistan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. U.S. authorities blamed Afghanistan-based Al-Qaeda militants for the attacks on its soil and launched a military offensive after the Taliban failed to hand over Al-Qaeda leaders. This week, USAF Chief of Staff General David L. Goldfein announced the return of the massive bombers. "We got the B-52 back in the fight in Afghanistan," Goldfein said in a press statement on August 16. "We have the B-52 contributing to a significant ground effort and employing weapons in close proximity of friendly troops who are under attack [and] who are preparing the battlefield in new ways." The statement added that the B-52 used 27 bombs and missiles to support two counterterrorism operations. It is, however, not clear when exactly the operations resumed in Afghanistan after 10 years. The return of the B-52 to the Afghan theater comes after U.S. President Barack Obama ordered in June that air power be used more proactively to support the Afghan forces in fending off a resilient Taliban insurgency. The USAF has conducted more than 800 sorties and more than 140 strikes in Afghanistan since June. Since the departure of most NATO troops in late 2014, Afghan forces have lost large swathes of the countryside to the insurgents. Media reports suggest that U.S. airstrikes have spiked in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar and southern Helmand Province, where Afghan forces are battling Islamic State (IS) and Taliban militants. In Nangarhar, Afghan forces have reclaimed several mountainous district from IS. U.S. and Afghan officials say the groups leader for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hafiz Saeed Khan, was killed in an U.S. drone strike in Nangarhars Kot district on July 26. This region also includes the Tora Bora cave complex, where the B-52 bombers reportedly pinned down Osama Bin Laden and other key Al-Qaeda leaders in late 2001 before anemic Afghan ground forces prevented them from slipping into neighboring Pakistan. In Helmand, however, the U.S. airstrikes have not stopped the Talibans advances. After capturing several rural districts in recent weeks, the insurgents have virtually besieged the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. as/fg Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Damar Harsanto (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Bali Police have issued a warrant on a foreign couple, British national David James Taylor and Australian national Sara Connor, over their alleged connection to the murder of a traffic police officer at Kuta Beach last week. The two are wanted for questioning, since statements from eyewitnesses, including a taxi driver and a hotel staff member, suggested the couple may have knowledge on the circumstances surrounding the homicide. Second Adj. Insp. Wayan Sudarsa Sudarsa from the traffic unit of Kuta Police was found dead on the beach in front of the Pullman hotel. He was wearing his uniform, with his walkie-talkie lying next to him, while his police cap was spotted 20 meters away from his body. Police investigators discovered many broken beer bottles around the scene that were allegedly used to beat Sudarsa. They also found a broken surfboard and a leather handbag near the body. Several eyewitnesses, including a taxi driver, told investigators that the two tourists had stopped a taxi in front of the Pullman hotel. On their way, the female passenger had apparently asked the driver to drive back to where the body of Sudarsa was found. From the beach, they had asked the driver to take them to their hotel. An employee of the Kubu Kauh Beach Inn, where Taylor reportedly stayed after Aug. 9, said a cleaning staff member had found blood spatters in Taylors room. Meanwhile, Denpasar police chief Sr. Comr. Hadi Purnomo was quoted by tribunnews.com on Friday as saying that police were coordinating with the immigration office to prevent the two tourists from leaving Indonesia. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 The brouhaha over the dismissal of Arcandra Tahar from his position as energy and mineral resources minister because of his US citizenship has focused attention on relaxing the countrys strict policy on dual nationality. Indonesia does not recognize dual citizenship, citing security reasons, but government officials and a number of legislators claim the current legislation prevents talented Indonesians who have lived abroad and may have foreign citizenship from contributing to their native land. In his address to hundreds of Indonesian high achievers from various fields at the State Palace on Thursday, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said he had invited 74 Indonesian professors living in the US, some of whom may already hold US citizenship, to return and help his administration develop the country. I dont want our people who have succeeded [abroad] being taken by other countries because we dont use them. [I also dont want to see] them moving to another country because the environment in our country is not welcoming to them, he said, adding that 24 of the 74 professors had accepted his invitation. We are now seeing a trend in which talented Indonesians go to developed countries to seek experience and improve their capabilities, and some of them want to return to their homeland, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said separately at the House of Representatives. The government and the House would have to hold a meeting to discuss the issue, including the possibility of revising the 2006 law on citizenship, Kalla said. Indonesian expatriates have long been pushing for a revision of the law so that the country could allow dual nationality. In October last year, President Jokowi told Indonesians in the US during a meeting at the residence of Indonesian ambassador to the US Budi Bowoleksono that he would back efforts to allow dual nationality. But neither the government nor the House had followed up on Jokowis pledge until the controversy erupted over Arcandras appointment as a minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle. The bill containing revisions to the 2006 Citizenship Law has been included on the long-list of the 2014-2019 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas), but the House has not started its deliberation as it is waiting for the governments initiative. House Speaker Ade Komarudin of the Golkar Party said the House would likely revise the Prolegnas list and drop bills that were not urgently needed to make room for the discussion on the citizenship bill, even though he had not yet talked about it with the President. We can [revise] all bills deemed as important, but we will discuss it with Baleg [the House Legislation Body] to determine which bills are worth prioritizing, Ade said. Golkar is among the political parties that support a revision of the Citizenship Law, along with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Democratic Party, National Mandate Party (PAN) and United Development Party (PPP). The remaining factions in the House, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) the leader of the pro-government coalition the NasDem Party, the Hanura Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB), oppose the plan. Those who object to the revision argue that compromising citizenship regulations could jeopardize national interests. The government is now seeking input from various sources on the feasibility of dual-citizenship solutions as demanded by members of the Indonesian diaspora, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said. The government and the House will sit together to discuss it, he added. _______________________________ To receive comprehensive and earlier access to The Jakarta Post print edition, please subscribe to our epaper through iOS' iTunes, Android's Google Play, Blackberry World or Microsoft's Windows Store. Subscription includes free daily editions of The Nation, The Star Malaysia, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Asia News. For print subscription, please contact our call center at (+6221) 5360014 or subscription@thejakartapost.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19 2016 The brouhaha over the dismissal of Arcandra Tahar from his position as energy and mineral resources minister because of his US citizenship has focused attention on relaxing the countrys strict policy on dual nationality. Indonesia does not recognize dual citizenship, citing security reasons, but government officials and a number of legislators claim the current legislation prevents talented Indonesians who have lived abroad and may have foreign citizenship from contributing to their native land. In his address to hundreds of Indonesian high achievers from various fields at the State Palace on Thursday, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said he had invited 74 Indonesian professors living in the US, some of whom may already hold US citizenship, to return and help his administration develop the country. I dont want our people who have succeeded [abroad] being taken by other countries because we dont use them. [I also dont want to see] them moving to another country because the environment in our country is not welcoming to them, he said, adding that 24 of the 74 professors had accepted his invitation. We are now seeing a trend in which talented Indonesians go to developed countries to seek experience and improve their capabilities, and some of them want to return to their homeland, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said separately at the House of Representatives. The government and the House would have to hold a meeting to discuss the issue, including the possibility of revising the 2006 law on citizenship, Kalla said. Indonesian expatriates have long been pushing for a revision of the law so that the country could allow dual nationality. In October last year, President Jokowi told Indonesians in the US during a meeting at the residence of Indonesian ambassador to the US Budi Bowoleksono that he would back efforts to allow dual nationality. But neither the government nor the House had followed up on Jokowis pledge until the controversy erupted over Arcandras appointment as a minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle. The bill containing revisions to the 2006 Citizenship Law has been included on the long-list of the 2014-2019 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas), but the House has not started its deliberation as it is waiting for the governments initiative. House Speaker Ade Komarudin of the Golkar Party said the House would likely revise the Prolegnas list and drop bills that were not urgently needed to make room for the discussion on the citizenship bill, even though he had not yet talked about it with the President. We can [revise] all bills deemed as important, but we will discuss it with Baleg [the House Legislation Body] to determine which bills are worth prioritizing, Ade said. Golkar is among the political parties that support a revision of the Citizenship Law, along with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Democratic Party, National Mandate Party (PAN) and United Development Party (PPP). The remaining factions in the House, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) the leader of the pro-government coalition the NasDem Party, the Hanura Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB), oppose the plan. Those who object to the revision argue that compromising citizenship regulations could jeopardize national interests. The government is now seeking input from various sources on the feasibility of dual-citizenship solutions as demanded by members of the Indonesian diaspora, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said. The government and the House will sit together to discuss it, he added. ______________________________________ To receive comprehensive and earlier access to The Jakarta Post print edition, please subscribe to our epaper through iOS' iTunes, Android's Google Play, Blackberry World or Microsoft's Windows Store. Subscription includes free daily editions of The Nation, The Star Malaysia, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Asia News. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ken Thomas (Associated Press) New York Fri, August 19, 2016 Hillary Clinton's family foundation will no longer accept foreign and corporate donations if she is elected president, and will bring an end to its annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting regardless of the outcome of the November election. Former President Bill Clinton made the announcement at an afternoon meeting with foundation staff members, according to participants who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement. Bill Clinton said the foundation plans to continue its work, but intends to refocus its efforts in a process that will take up to a year to complete. The former president, who turns 70 on Friday, said he will resign from the board, and the foundation will only accept contributions from U.S. citizens and independent charities. It will no longer take money from any foreign entity, government, foreign or domestic corporations, or corporate charities. At the staff meeting, Clinton said he and his daughter, Chelsea, did not face any external pressure to make the changes, but wanted to avoid any potential issues or second guessing for Hillary Clinton should she move into the White House. The future of the Clinton Foundation has been one of the overarching questions shadowing Clinton's campaign. The sprawling charitable network, founded after Bill Clinton left office in 2001, has raised more than $2 billion for initiatives focused on global health, climate change, economic development and increasing opportunities for women and girls. While Hillary Clinton stepped down from its board after launching her 2016 campaign, her husband and daughter have remained in leadership roles, prompting questions about the ability of the organization to continue its work should Clinton win the White House. Some of the group's funding has come from foreign donations and political donors to the Clinton family. Money accepted from countries such as Saudi Arabia drew scrutiny from both Republicans and Democrats early in Clinton's presidential bid. Republicans said the changes fell short and urged the Clinton Foundation to immediately stop receiving foreign donations. Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus said the announcement was "too little, too late," adding, "if everything was above board while Hillary Clinton ran the State Department as the Clintons have said, then why change a thing?" Priebus said the foundation "should immediately cease accepting foreign donations and return every penny ever taken from other countries, several of which have atrocious human rights records and ties to terrorism." He said the foundation's continued acceptance of foreign donations during Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign was a "massive, ongoing conflict of interest that gets bigger by the day." When Clinton served as secretary of state, the foundation reached an agreement with the Obama administration to prohibit, and in some cases curtail, foreign donations to its programs. But questions persist about the level of influence foundation donors had at the State Department. That criticism intensified after emails from Clinton's time at the department were made public as part of a lawsuit. After she left the State Department, the foundation resumed accepting donations from overseas. Bowing to pressure in April 2015, the group announced that it would restrict donations to only six Western nations and disclose its donors more frequently. Former Sen. Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, questioned Hillary Clinton at length about the foundation and potential conflicts of interest in early 2009 during her nomination hearing. He was pushing for more transparency than what was ultimately agreed upon between the foundation and the Obama transition team. Lugar said moving forward, if she wins the White House, he hopes she and Bill Clinton make a completely clean break from the foundation to avoid anyone thinking that favor is being given to people who helped out the foundation. "The Clintons, as they approach the presidency, if they are successful, will have to work with their attorneys to make certain that rules of the road are drawn up to give confidence to them and the American public that there will not be favoritism," Lugar said earlier this week. Members of the Clinton Foundation board met earlier in the day to ratify the changes. In September, the former president will convene his 12th and final Clinton Global Initiative, an annual meeting that has included Obama, foreign heads of state, corporate leaders and celebrities to discuss commitments aimed at addressing poverty, health care, education, climate change and other topics. The foundation has estimated that commitments by its members have improved the lives of more than 430 million people in more than 180 countries. Bill Clinton said that similar meetings like the Clinton Global Initiative America and CGI International will end with next month's meeting. He said he was hopeful that his organization could continue CGI University, an annual meeting of college students held on a college campus. Associated Press writers Lisa Lerer and Eileen Sullivan contributed from Washington. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hendarsyah Tarmizi Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Indonesias monthly exports suffered a sharp decline in July, reversing the upward trend of the previous month. The fall also indicates that the series of economic policy packages introduced since September last year has yet to bring a positive impact on the countrys export performances. According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesias monthly exports plunged 26.67 percent in July to US$9.51 billion, the lowest level recorded since 2009. The plunge occurred following a 12.18 percent increase in June, which many trade analysts previously predicted would become the turning point in the trend of the countrys export growth. Meanwhile, the monthly non-oil and gas exports, which accounted for about 90 percent of the total, dropped 27.75 percent to $8.52 billion last month. On an annual basis, exports in July dropped by 15.22 percent to $8.52 billion from the export figure recorded in the same month last year, while the cumulative exports in the January-July period reached a total of $79.08 billion, a 12.02 decline year-on-year. Trade analysts have mostly estimated that the growth momentum in June will continue in the following months, as demand from overseas buyers is expected to increase. However, in reality, the global demand remained weak, with exports from Indonesias main buyers such as China, the US and Japan further falling. In addition to the weak global trade, BPS said that the shorter working time in the month had also contributed to the worsening of the countrys export performance. According to the BPS, exports were seasonally lower in July because of a shorter working period during the month. Last month, there were only 16 effective working days because of the public holidays entailed in the Idul Fitri celebrations. It is true that for the past several years, monthly trade in July has always been lower than the previous month. But the decline in this July was far lower than 15.5 percent in 2015 and 8 percent in 2014. With the fewer working days, the fall in the exports could not be avoided, but this should not be taken as the main reason behind the massive drop. If we observe our bilateral trade with major trading partners, the declines in the monthly exports figures were quite worrying. Exports to the US, for example, dropped by $633.8 million (39 percent), to Japan by $425.4 million (34.11 percent), to China by $306.3 million (25.07 percent), to Singapore by $240.2 million (29.45 percent), to Malaysia by $159.5 million (30.28 percent), to India by $121 million (15.63 percent), to South Korea by $118.2 million (24.51 percent), to Thailand by $112.6 million (26.71 percent), to Germany by $72.1 million (30.06 percent), to Taiwan by $33.1 million (16.02 percent) and to the Netherlands by $8.5 million (3.31 percent). The only exports that saw increases were to Australia, by $87.8 million (44.34 percent), and to Italy, by $2.4 million (2.03 percent). Total exports to the 13 main trade partners dropped by 26.31 percent. The sharp drops in exports to the countrys major trading partners were apparently caused by the inability of the countrys goods, especially industrial products, to compete in the global market. The sharp decline should, therefore, receive special attention from related government offices, especially the industry and trade ministries, which are directly responsible for the countrys international trade. The sharp drop in Julys exports could also indicate that the governments series of policy packages launched since September last year has failed to materialize as expected. As part of efforts to stabilize the countrys economy, President Joko Jokowi Widodos administration has introduced 12 economic policy packages since September last year. The economic packages are mostly intended to accelerate the countrys economic recovery through deregulation, improving the ease of doing business, removing business uncertainty and improving legal enforcement. There are also special incentives given to labor-intensive industries so as to enable them to lower operating costs. Medium-sized and small companies are also given cheaper loans to enable them to increase their production. With such incentives, the government hopes that domestic companies, especially those oriented toward exports, will be able to better compete in the global market. However, the reality is often much different from the expectation. The series of economic packages has not yet borne fruit. It is therefore imperative for the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and the trade and industry ministries to evaluate and reassess the implementation of the economic policy packages. In previous newspaper reports, many investors complained that they were unable to benefit from the incentives as a result of the strict requirements being imposed. Besides this weakness, most of the incentives and the facilities given under these policy packages are often too general, as they are not specifically intended for certain export-oriented sectors. The countrys manufacturing sector, which contributes about 75 percent of total exports, should receive special attention, given its important role in the countrys international trade. The government has revised this years export growth target to 0.1 percent from 2.2 percent previously amid the uncertainties in the global economy. Last year, exports of goods and services dropped by 2 percent. It is certainly not business as usual, with no signs of recovery yet in the world economy, at least until the end of this year. Extra efforts should therefore be taken to prevent the countrys exports from falling any further. ___________________________________ The writer is a staff writer at The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hendarsyah Tarmizi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19 2016 Indonesias monthly exports suffered a sharp decline in July, reversing the upward trend of the previous month. The fall also indicates that the series of economic policy packages introduced since September last year has yet to bring a positive impact on the countrys export performances. According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesias monthly exports plunged 26.67 percent in July to US$9.51 billion, the lowest level recorded since 2009. The plunge occurred following a 12.18 percent increase in June, which many trade analysts previously predicted would become the turning point in the trend of the countrys export growth. Meanwhile, the monthly non-oil and gas exports, which accounted for about 90 percent of the total, dropped 27.75 percent to $8.52 billion last month. On an annual basis, exports in July dropped by 15.22 percent to $8.52 billion from the export figure recorded in the same month last year, while the cumulative exports in the January-July period reached a total of $79.08 billion, a 12.02 decline year-on-year. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19 2016 Digital payment service DimoPay plans to further expand its partnerships with banks as it gears up to launch two new deals with major lenders. The new deals will pave the way for the pay by QR [quick response] technology to be included in the banks e-money mobile applications. When the technology is embedded in the app, users will be able to pay for goods and services online or offline at up to 1,400 merchants that display the QR logo. DimoPay CEO Brata Rafly said it expected the system to go into operations in the next two months, adding that the move was also part of the companys commitment to educate the public about financial technology (fintech). Our service is available on apps that cater to the habitual payment behavior of the public, such as paying for food and services. I think that by focusing on that habitual factor, people are going to be more easily educated about payment using their smartphones, he said recently. Brata, however, declined to provide details on the identities of major banks that it would partner with. DimoPay has partnered with various e-money applications, including those provided by telecommunications operators such as Smartfrens Uangku app, Indosat Ooredoos Dompetku and Telkoms T-Money. As for banks, DimoPay currently only partners with Bank Sinarmas. Brata claimed usage of these apps had increased by more than 1,000 percent since DimoPay sealed partnerships with the companies at the beginning of the year. The growth shows there is a growing interest among the public in using this technology in their daily lives, he said. Many fintech start-ups have found a home in Indonesia, a market with 43 percent smartphone penetration. The smartphone penetration rate is slightly higher than the 41 percent of the banking industry, but this is still a stellar achievement considering the first smartphones appeared in Indonesia less than 10 years ago. On the other hand, the banking industry has around 60 million customers from a population of 240 million, despite having existed for more than 180 years. Estimates vary over the size of Indonesias fintech industry. Statistas Digital Market Outlook estimates that the transaction value of local fintech reaches US$14.5 billion at present and expects it to grow by 18 percent annually until it reaches $28.8 billion in 2020. That compares with the sharia banking industrys total assets of Rp 297.39 trillion ($22.72 billion) as of May. Bank executives have said they are turning to technology to cover more areas, instead of establishing traditional bricks-and-mortar branches, and some banks have expended hundreds of billions of rupiah to develop the necessary IT systems. Meanwhile, Brata said DimoPay had no plans to launch an app of its own, but would continue to provide technology for its partners. -------------- To receive comprehensive and earlier access to The Jakarta Post print edition, please subscribe to our epaper through iOS' iTunes, Android's Google Play, Blackberry World or Microsoft's Windows Store. Subscription includes free daily editions of The Nation, The Star Malaysia, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Asia News. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19 2016 Jakartas 2017 gubernatorial election campaign is likely to cool down if the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) gives a ticket to Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama and Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat. Many believe there are no other candidates strong enough to challenge the incumbent governor. Ahok has claimed that PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri expressed an interest in supporting him and Djarot in the race when they met at the partys executive board office on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar, South Sulawesi Fri, August 19, 2016 The family of Mohammad Sofyan, a member of the tugboat Charles 001 who managed to escape from his Abu Sayyaf captors in the Philippines on Wednesday, have said they hope the government will immediately return Sofyan to Indonesia. Im here asking for [the government's] help to immediately return my husband to his hometown, so he can be with us again. We are really worried with his condition, Sofyans wife, Sri Dewi, 21, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. Sri said she had received official notification of her husband's escape from the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. I got a phone call yesterday [Wednesday] from a Foreign Ministry official, who said my husband had escaped his Abu Sayyaf captors and that he is safe now, she went on. Sri said she and her family thanked God for receiving the good news after seeing Sofyans face on television. Alhamdulillah [thank God]. We are really grateful that my husband finally managed to escape his captors safely, she said. Sri hoped to be able to speak to her husband for this first time in three months following his abduction. Sri said Sofyan had made his last phone call in May before he departed for the Philippines, promising to return in good time to celebrate Idul Fitri with Sri and their 13-month-old son in their hometown in Mangara Bombang district, Takalar, South Sulawesi. Sofyan had worked a crewmember based in Kalimantan for a year before the kidnapping occurred on June 21. He returned to Takalar once every three month. (ebf) Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti (third right) raises her fists as she moves from the Orca 1 vessel to warship KRI Karel Satsuit Tubun during a patrol with the Navy in the waters around the outer islands of Natuna, Riau Islands, on Wednesday. The security patrol was held to prevent illegal fishing in Indonesian waters.(JP/Dhoni Setiawan)(third right) raises her fists as she moves from the Orca 1 vessel to warship KRI Karel Satsuit Tubun during a patrol with the Navy in the waters around the outer islands of Natuna, Riau Islands, on Wednesday. The security patrol was held to prevent illegal fishing in Indonesian waters.(JP/Dhoni Setiawan) OSH, Kyrgyzstan -- Kyrgyz officials in the southern region of Osh have detained a group of religious followers for illegally propagating Islamic teaching. Osh regional police department spokesman Zhenish Ashirbaev said on August 18 that seven members of the Yaqyn Inkar Islamic movement, including teenagers, were detained for propagating their ideas without legal permission. The activities of the movement are not banned in Kyrgyzstan, but religious organizations have to obtain permission from local authorities to promote their views. The group's members live as people did in the seventh century when the Prophet Muhammad was alive. They do not use modern technical devices, travel by foot, do not cut their hair regularly, and wear only traditional white Arabic clothes. Religious experts consider the group an offshoot of the Tablighi Jamaat Islamic group, which is legal in Kyrgyzstan but officially banned in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Russia. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Anton Hermansyah The government has allocated a food subsidy of Rp 19.8 trillion (US$1.5 billion) in next years budget to be distributed in the form of vouchers. The amount, however, is lower than the Rp 22.5 trillion in a similar allocation in 2016. National Development Agency (Bappenas) head Bambang P. S. Brodjonegoro said the food vouchers would be distributed by the Social Affairs Ministry to the rightful recipients to buy rice and staple foods. The vouchers will be in the form of paper or electronic cards, depending on the available facilities in the targeted community, he said on Thursday in Jakarta, adding that the voucher scheme was in accordance with President Joko Widodos instruction not to give lump-sum cash payments to help the poor. Aside from the food subsidy allocation in the 2017 state budget bill, the government is also allocating Rp 31.2 trillion for a fertilizer subsidy and a Rp 1.3 trillion crop subsidy. These two allocations are up by Rp 1.1 trillion and Rp 300 billion, respectively. However, the fertilizer and crop subsidies are to be given in cash, Bambang said, adding that the government had submitted the 2017 state budget bill to the House of Representatives on Tuesday and expected approval by October. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19 2016 JAKARTA: Having recently returned from a vacation to the Netherlands and Italy, actress Laudya Chintya Bella says she prefers traveling with best friend Zaskia Sungkar, rather than her boyfriend. For me, vacationing with my girlfriends is fun. We get to go shopping together, eat together. Its just more enjoyable, she said as quoted by kompas.com. Bella said she needed a break before taking on a number of projects this coming September. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Indonesia continues to push for the finalization of the code of conduct (COC) in the disputed South China Sea amid rising tensions in the disputed waters, an official said on Thursday. "The implementation of the code of conduct is important considering the rising tensions in the South China Sea," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir told reporters on Thursday. Arrmanatha was responding to reports on China's aim for the document to be concluded by mid-2017, saying that Indonesia wanted discussions to be finalized even sooner. Involved parties were not obligated to stick to the time frame projected by China, he added. Discussions on the COC between China and ASEAN, of which four of its member states are claimants to the disputed region, have been taking place for over a decade, with little to no progress in creating concrete results on the biding set of rules. To this, he said Indonesia's commitment for the implementation remained firm. China also expressed its keenness to realizing the COC during discussions at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Vientiane, Laos last month, Arrmanatha said. The issue is likely to be highlighted at the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos next month as part of efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. Indonesia, which is a not claimant to the vast waters, has been one of the most proactive countries pushing for negotiations and the immediate settlement of the framework, he added. (rin) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Economic inequality in Indonesia has slightly narrowed as the contribution of income earners in the middle-income segment increased amid the government's effort to boost labor-intensive infrastructure projects, the Central Statistics Agencys (BPS) latest report indicates. Indonesia's Gini ratio -- a measure of inequality where zero represents complete equality and one represents complete inequality -- fell to 0.39 in March 2016 from 0.40 during the same period in the previous year, meaning an improvement in wealth equality" as BPS head Suryamin said in Jakarta on Friday. He mentioned six factors that reduce inequality, including wage improvement in agriculture and construction sectors, spending improvement of the bottom 40 percent of the population of income earners, the government's social assistance program and improvement in civil servants salary. The agency uses the World Bank's spending distribution formula to measure disparity, with particular attention to the low-income segment. The bottom 40 percent of the population contributed 17.02 percent in March 2016 spending, a slight decrease from 17.1 during the same period in the previous year. The top 20 percent of the population contributed 46.89 percent of spending, down from 48.25 in March 2015, while the middle 40 percent of the population provided 36.09 percent in spending distribution, rising from 34.65 percent in March 2015. The improvement in [the middle-income segment] spending also indicates that the 12 economic policy packages have taken effect, Suryamin said. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Colin Rubenstein (The Jakarta Post) Melbourne Fri, August 19 2016 There is no doubt, as Daniel Kurtzer writes at length (Israels Hawks and Military Doves, Aug. 10), that senior members of Israels defense establishment, past and present, believe it is in Israels interests to reach a secure and lasting two-state peace with the Palestinians. But so do Prime Minister Netanyahu and most of his government, as Netanyahu has stated on many occasions. So do consistent majorities of the Israeli public, as polls show. It is also true that, as the defense establishment is reflective of Israeli society on the whole, there are members who believe Israel should be doing more to achieve such a peace, just as there would be others who disagree. However, there would not be too many who would argue that Israel can achieve peace without a serious peace partner on the Palestinian side and that is the situation in which Israel, sadly, currently finds itself. In the past year, Netanyahu has offered repeatedly to meet the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas anywhere and any time, without preconditions, to discuss peace, but Abbas has steadfastly refused. In fact, visiting Japan in February this year, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki stated at a press conference, We will never go back and sit again in a direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra Fri, August 19, 2016 Several journalists, including two victims, Andri Syafrin of MNC TV and Array Agus of Tribun Medan, reported recent attacks allegedly perpetrated by members of the Indonesian Air Force in Medan, North Sumatra, to military police on Thursday. Reports were filed individually by the families of each victim, who were accompanied by Muslim Lawyers Team (TPM) and Medan Legal Aid Institute (LBH) lawyers. Andris legal team head, Irsyad Lubis from TPM, said his client filed a report claiming the violation of Article 170 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on violence against other people and Law No.40/1999 on the press. The lawyer said it was also expected that the report could serve as a basis for the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen.Gatot Nurmantyo to follow up on the case, in hopes of sanctions being placed on those involved in the attack. Andris wife, Malahayati, said her husband was still undergoing medical treatment after sustaining broken ribs during the attack. Im seeking a justice here. All soldiers who attacked my husband must immediately be brought to justice. Andri and Array were attacked while covering a clash, reportedly triggered by a land struggle, between Air Force personnel and residents of Sari Rejo subdistrict, on Monday. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Caleb Jones (Associated Press) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Fri, August 19, 2016 For the first time in three years, lava from a volcano on Hawaii's Big Island has crept down miles of mountainside and is dripping into the Pacific Ocean, where it's creating new land and putting on a crackling, hissing, fire-spitting show. Thousands of visitors from around the world have swarmed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by land, sea and air to take in the spectacle. The billowy, bright-orange lava pops and sizzles, and reeks of sulfur and scorched earth, as it oozes across rugged terrain and eventually off a steep seaside cliff. When the hot rocks hit the water, they expel plumes of steam and gas and sometimes explode, hurling chunks of searing debris. The 2,000-degree molten rock is from Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Its Puu Oo vent began erupting in the 1980s and periodically pushes enough lava seaward that people can access it. Reaching the latest flow requires a boat, a helicopter or strong legs the hike to the entry point, where the lava meets the sea, is 10 miles roundtrip on a gravel road surrounded by miles of treacherous, hard lava rock. Pablo Aguayo, of Santiago, Chile, took a sunrise boat tour of the flow earlier this month. "It's pretty amazing," he said. "You start in the middle of the ocean in the darkness, and you end up in this beautiful lava falls." Aguayo said he could feel the lava's heat, and it smelled "super funny." "It's like welding something," he said. "We have many volcanoes back home in Chile. We have plenty. But nothing like this." His tour boat was a 42-foot aluminum catamaran operated by Lava Ocean Tours owner Shane Turpin, who said he navigates to within a few yards of the entry point for the best view. On Aug. 9, a second branch of lava started to spill into the sea, giving Turpin's passengers a look at two lava flows about 200 yards apart. "Just to have one drip (of lava) touching the ocean is awesome," Turpin said as people snapped photos of the dual flows. "But to get a show like you're getting this morning, well, it sets the bar pretty high for a second trip." The park has seen an increase of about 1,000 to 1,500 visitors per day since the current lava flow reached the sea in late July, boosting attendance to about 6,000 people daily, officials said. Park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane warns the area can be dangerous. Hikers can get close enough that the soles of their shoes get hot. Also, the area is flanked by hardened lava rock as sharp as glass. Many people have suffered lacerations while trying to cross the jagged landscape, Ferracane said. "Everybody wants to see the lava flow, but not everybody should be hiking out there," she said. Additionally, when the lava touches the ocean, it reacts with the saltwater and produces harmful hydrochloric acid, which wafts into the air, said Janet Babb, a U.S. Geological Survey geologist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The lava then quickly solidifies and creates a new landscape. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Puu Oo vent alone has created about 500 acres of new land since it began erupting a few decades ago. The latest flow, which began in May, has created about 8 new acres. Most of Kilauea's activity has been nonexplosive, but a 1924 eruption spewed ash and 10-ton rocks into the sky and left a man dead. Puu Oo's 1983 eruption resulted in lava fountains soaring over 1,500 feet high. In the decades since, the lava flow has buried 48 square miles of land and destroyed many homes. In 2008, after a series of small earthquakes rattled the island, Kilauea's summit crater opened and gushed lava and rock over 75 acres of the mountain, damaging a nearby visitor overlook. It's hard to predict when the volcano will inflate or when the current flow will stop, Babb said. It could slow down any day or keep cascading into the sea for months. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan who is also currently serving as acting energy and mineral resources minister has called on newly appointed geology agency chief Ego Syahrial to be extra cautious regarding Mount Sinabungs eruptions. Quoting Soerono, the previous head of the Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG), Luhut warned that the volcano, located in Karo regency, North Sumatra, was expected to continue erupting for the next 10 years. Make sure that nobody lives within a 5-kilometer radius of the mountains crater, Luhut said during Egos inauguration at the ministrys office in Jakarta on Thursday. Soerono is well known for his expertise in volcanology. Before leaving his position as PVMBG head to enter retirement, he warned local residents living around Mt. Sinabung to permanently abandon the area. In response, Ego said he would coordinate with other agencies to evacuate Karo residents to more secure locations. Evacuations surrounding Mt. Sinabung need cooperation across agencies and government institutions. We have to coordinate with local administrations and Basarnas [the National Search and Rescue Agency] to ensure local peoples safety, he said. Luhut added that he hoped Ego, as the new PVMBG chief, would manage the institution well and take it to the level of the British Geological Survey, which is recognized around the world. (rez/ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Star/ANN) Putrajaya Fri, August 19, 2016 The Malaysian PM harps about his role in facilitating talks with the Philippines, to resolve Asias longest-running insurgency as well as working with Indonesia, Myanmar and Bangladesh to address the issue of migrants at sea. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said he made a clear break from Malaysias past foreign policies when he took office, fostering ties that promoted peace, security and prosperity instead. He said he believed that foreign policy should be about building partnerships to benefit the country and people instead of insisting on awakening old quarrels or harping on old slights. While Malaysians are warm, approachable and collaboration-oriented people, for decades we had a leader who intentionally adopted confrontational foreign policy positions, perhaps for personal popularity, he said in an obvious reference to Dr Mahathir Mohamad. But when I became prime minister, I chose to be different and make a clear break with past approaches, he told delegates of the biennial Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management (Capam). From having to deal with legacy issues with Singapore, Malaysias relations with its neighbour have since moved on to working together to build a high-speed railway between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, he said. With the Philippines, Malaysia facilitated negotiations to resolve Asias longest-running insurgency, said Najib, adding that the government had also worked with Indonesia, Myanmar and Bangladesh to address the issue of migrants at sea. Indeed, relations with our friends across the continents have never been so warm. And these relationships have borne tangible results, the Prime Minister added. The good relations, Najib said, were reflected in the growing trade between Malaysia and China, and the country became a signatory to the Trans-Pacific Partnership on its own terms without sacrificing national interest. We decided that our foreign relations would no more be characterised by caustic words and barbed comments, he said. If he had not forged an independent and neutral path, Najib said Malaysia would not have been able to reach out to the rebels in Ukraine to secure the wreckage, black boxes and the bodies of victims of flight MH17. We would never have been able to bring 28 countries together in an unprecedented coalition during the disappearance of flight MH370 unless we had pursued a policy of being open and friendly to all, he said. Najib said while Malaysia believed in reaching out to other states, it was against foreign intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries, pointing out that the days when imperial powers told others how to behave were over. Najib said innovation had not only brought resilience, growth and an inclusive model for the Malaysian economy, but was also the path that led the nation to reset its foreign relations, resulting in tremendous gain in terms of jobs, leverage and future prospects. We live in an age of a new equality between nations. And innovation, both in the public service and across our societies, is the key to unlocking the potential that countries across the Commonwealth possess in abundance, he concluded. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has urged the government to improve the productivity and competitiveness of domestic businesses, 70 percent of which have no dedicated buildings for their activities. BPS head Suryamin said on Friday that only 7.8 million of the 26.7 million businesses registered in the 2016 economic census had special buildings for their operations. Many of the remaining 18.9 million businesses are run out of residential properties or on the streets. "The challenge Indonesia is facing is quite large in the era of open competition, since more than 70 percent of businesses do not occupy a building specifically for their business activities. Productivity and business competitiveness need to be improved," Suryamin said. Suryamin did not elaborate on how having a dedicated building could increase a businesss productivity and competitiveness. According to BPSs latest economic census, Indonesia has 26.7 million business entities, excluding agriculture, as of 2016, a 17.6 percent increase over the 22.7 million business units counted in 2006. "There was an increase of four million businesses in the past 10 years," Suryamin said. Java still dominates the business sector with 16.2 million entities, but the eastern regions of Maluku and Papua recorded the fastest growth in business registration over the past decade and are home to 500,000 entities today. Ask Geotripper Is there something about geology that you are curious about? Do you have questions about the scientific aspects of political controversies? I can try to provide a scientist's perspective. Your questions and possible answers could be a springboard to a blog discussion, or they can be private. Anonymity is always assumed. Contact Geotripper at hayesg (at) mjc.edu. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Poso Fri, August 19 2016 Central Sulawesi Administration is to allocate Rp 1 billion (US$76,152) to safeguard the Lore Lindu National Park in Dongi-Dongi, North Lore district, Poso, from environmental damage caused by illegal miners. Ive prepared Rp 1 billion until December 2016 to maintain security at the site, Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola said on Thursday. Over 1,000 illegal gold miners have descended on Dongi-Dongi in the past month. The illegal miners reportedly come from areas in Gorontalo, Central, North and West Sulawesi, Kalimantan and Java. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has promised to pay attention to the open letter from dozens of activists under the banner of the Urban Kampung Forum on Friday protesting the possibility of the PDI-P endorsing Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama. PDI-P central executive board (DPP) vice secretary general Ahmad Basarah said the party was still monitoring public opinion and would take it into consideration when they decided on candidates. Currently the party is still monitoring the publics aspirations, including the request that was expressed by the forum. We take notice and pay attention to their protests, Ahmad told The Jakarta Post on Friday. Another PDI-P politician Andreas Pareira said the party would consider the publics suggestions, whether for or against Ahoks nomination. The PDI-P, the only party that has enough seats in the City Council to endorse its own gubernatorial candidate, has yet to make its decision. While some party members have expressed their opposition to Ahok, others want the PDI-P to endorse him, paired with PDI-P politician, Djarot Saiful Hidayat. President Joko Jokowi Widodo has been reported to be supporting Ahok by wooing PDI-Ps chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri. Ahok on Wednesday claimed that Megawati had given him the partys support. On Friday, dozens of scholars and activists published an open letter to Jokowi and Megawati. They asked the party not to endorse Ahok because the incumbents policies, especially in relation to forced evictions, Jakarta Bay reclamation, and Ahoks non-budgetary allocations, showed he was not in line with the partys ideology. The PDI-P often calls itself as the little peoples party. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 The inauguration of an industrial estate in Central Java will be one of the highlights of an upcoming Indonesia-Singapore leaders retreat later this month. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, several Singaporean ministers and CEOs from Singapores 14 top companies plan to visit the Kendal Industrial Estate (KIK) during a retreat held in Semarang from Wednesday to Friday next week. The Foreign Ministrys East Asia and Pacific director Edi Yusup said on Thursday Prime Minister Lee and President Joko Jokowi Widodo would attend a ceremony to inaugurate the 2,200-hectare industrial estate. The first phase of the estates development will cover up to 1,000 hectares of land. It is expected to finish in 2020, Edi said, adding that the industries targeted to operate in the KIK included furniture, garment and automotive industries. The estate is a joint venture between PT Jababeka, which holds a 51 percent stake, and Singapores Sembawang Corporation. Edi said that so far, 16 companies from Singapore, Indonesia, Germany, China and Japan had started construction of business facilities in the industrial estate with total investment of around Rp 3.2 trillion (US$244 million). We hope the 14 CEOs from Singapore will be interested in investing in the industrial estate and also in other parts of the country, Edi told a press briefing, adding that KIKs development was expected to trigger economic growth in Central Java. During the retreat, the leaders of Indonesia and Singapore will discuss various bilateral, regional and global issues that are of mutual concern for the two countries. Meanwhile, ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir did not rule out the possibility that transboundary haze pollution (TBHP) would be an issue that Jokowi and the Singaporean prime minister might discuss during the retreat. He did, however, emphasize that Indonesia had repeatedly proved its commitment to mitigating forest and land fires and its adverse effect on the environment and neighboring countries. Among the steps weve taken are water bombing runs, weather modification, integrated patrols, awareness-raising campaigns and canal digging all of them underscore Indonesias commitment to overcoming the [fire and haze pollution] issue, he asserted. TBHP has proved to be a thorny issue in the otherwise solid Indonesian-Singaporean bilateral relationship, with the city-state seeking any opportunity to lambast Jakarta for its perceived inability to cope with the annual forest and peatland fires that have posed serious health concerns to neighboring countries. Earlier in June, Jakarta rejected a request by the Singaporean government to access confidential information on culpable companies, with the city-state later threatening to enforce a politically motivated Transboundary Haze Pollution Act aimed at deterring and prosecuting entities responsible for TBHP. Arrmanatha insisted that concrete steps have been taken to penalize errant companies connected to the fires and that such efforts had significantly reduced the number of hot spots in Indonesia, dropping by 74 percent from the same January-August period of last year. According to recent data from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there have been 1,950 hot spots so far this year, compared to 6,312 hot spots from Jan. 1 to Aug. 17 in 2015. (vny) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo confirmed on Thursday that two of eleven Indonesian sailors held hostage by Philippine militant group Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippines had escaped their captors. The sailors, identified as Mohammad Sofyan and Ismail, were among seven crewmembers of tugboat Charles that was hijacked in the Philippine's Sulu waters on June 23. They had been held captive by the notorious group for over 50 days. "I have cross-checked the information. Sofyan and Ismail are currently in Zamboanga to undergo a health check-up with the medical team," Gatot said in a statement on Thursday. Gatot praised the Philippine's commitment to seeing for the release of the Indonesian captives, making the escape possible. An operation conducted by the Philippine armed forces that aimed to block the militants' movement had secured the breakout of the two hostages. "We hope the [remaining hostages] are released as soon as possible," he said, referring to the remaining nine captives held by Abu Sayyaf. Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, meanwhile, said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi had coordinated with her Philippine counterpart and the two sailors were now under the protection of the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines. (rin) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 19, 2016 Two Indonesian female students were arrested by Turkish authorities in their residence in Bursa, Turkey during a crackdown last week, an official said on Friday. The two students, DP from Demak, Central Java and YU from Aceh, were arrested by local authorities on Aug. 11, the Foreign Ministry's Indonesian citizen protection director Lalu Muhammad Iqbal said. The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara has carried out efforts to provide protection for the two students, he added. A day after the arrest, embassy officials went to the Bursa police to ask for consulate access. Indonesian officials also delivered a note to the Turkish Foreign Ministry asking for clarification over the arrests. The officials visited the Bursa District Court on Aug 16 to meet with prosecutors in anticipation of the case proceeding to court. The embassy has made sure the students are provided lawyers. Their families have also been informed of the arrests, Iqbal said. The ministry has not obtained official details on the charges against the two students but received reports that DP and YU were initially not targeted for arrest. "However, when security personnel arrested people in a house managed by the Gulen Institute, the two students were inside the house and said they lived there, Iqbal said. Prior to the arrests, Indonesian students had been questioned by local authorities amid tightening security in Turkey aimed to forestall any future attempts to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Following a failed coup in July, the Turkish government has cracked down on people and companies suspected of having links to the US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. (rin) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Edith M. Lederer (Associated Press) United Nations Fri, August 19, 2016 The United Nations is saying for the first time that it was involved in the introduction of cholera to Haiti and needs to do "much more" to end the suffering of those affected, estimated at more than 800,000 people. Researchers say there is ample evidence that cholera was introduced to Haiti's biggest river in October 2010 by inadequately treated sewage from a UN peacekeeping base. The United Nations has never accepted responsibility, and has answered lawsuits on behalf of victims in US courts by claiming diplomatic immunity. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq's statement referring to the UN's "own involvement," which was sent to The Associated Press on Thursday, came a step closer to an admission of at least some responsibility and was welcomed by lawyers for the victims. "This is a major victory for the thousands of Haitians who have been marching for justice, writing to the UN and bringing the UN to court," said Mario Joseph, a Haitian human rights attorney whose law firm has led a high-profile claim on behalf of 5,000 cholera victims who blame the UN for introducing the disease. In a decision issued late Thursday, a US federal appeals panel in New York upheld immunity for the UN and affirmed a lower court's 2015 judgment dismissing that case. Cholera victims and their lawyers have 90 days to decide if they will seek an appeal with the US Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Haq said that the United Nations has been considering a series of options, and "a significantly new set of UN actions" will be presented publicly within the next two months. He told reporters later that a UN-appointed panel already looked into the UN's involvement and found that a local contractor failed to properly sanitize the waste at the UN base. "We've been trying to see exactly what we can do about our own particular role as this has been going on" and how "to bring this outbreak to a close," he said. Haq wouldn't say whether reparations were under consideration. His statement on UN involvement was first reported by The New York Times. Five UN human rights experts criticized the United Nations in a letter to top UN officials late last year for its "effective denial of the fundamental right of the victims of cholera to justice." At least one lawsuit was dismissed because of the UN's diplomatic immunity claim. But a US federal appeals panel in New York is weighing whether the lawsuit that Haitian lawyer Joseph is involved in can proceed, or if the United Nations is entitled to immunity. Haq reiterated Thursday that the UN's legal position in claiming diplomatic immunity "has not changed." According to government figures, cholera has sickened more than 800,000 people, or about 7 percent of Haiti's population, and has killed more than 9,200. As of March, it was killing an average of 37 people a month. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and only 24 percent of Haitians have access to a toilet. Sewage is rarely treated and safe water remains inaccessible to many. At a dusty crossroads on the outskirts of Haiti's capital, local residents gathered Thursday at a trash-clogged stream to wash clothes and bathe. "So now they are going to find a way to clean the disease from the country? It's been here for years and it seems like it is here to stay," said laborer Jhony Nordlius as he pushed a wheelbarrow past a fetid canal where children were splashing and collecting garbage. Maxcilus Vale, who ekes out a living shining shoes by the trash-clogged waterway, was more hopeful about the UN's statement. "Maybe now we'll get more sanitation and water treatment to help make cholera go away. I hope so because it has harmed many people," said Vale, as he washed his socks in a roadside pool of stagnant water. Researchers said cholera was first detected in the central Artibonite Valley and cited evidence that it was introduced to Haiti's biggest river from a UN base where Nepalese troops were deployed as part of a peacekeeping operation which has been in the country since 2004. Cholera is endemic in Nepal. In December 2012, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced a US$2.27 billion initiative to help eradicate cholera in Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic, which share the island of Hispaniola, but the ambitious 10-year plan is underfunded. According to a report last November, only $307 million has been received. Haq said the announcement of UN plans for new action to address cholera was made in response to a draft report by the UN special investigator on extreme poverty and human rights. Ahead of its release, likely in late September, he said "we wanted to take this opportunity to welcome this vital report." Haq said its findings and recommendations "will be a valuable contribution to the UN as we work towards a significantly new set of UN actions." ___ Associated Press writer David McFadden in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, contributed to this report. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin David McFadden (Associated Press) Port-Au-Prince, Haiti Fri, August 19, 2016 A US federal appeals court has upheld the United Nations' immunity from a damage claim filed on behalf of 5,000 cholera victims who blame the UN for an epidemic of the deadly disease in Haiti. In a decision issued late Thursday, the US 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York affirmed a lower court's January 2015 dismissal of a lawsuit brought in the worst outbreak of cholera in recent history. "We have considered all of plaintiffs' arguments on appeal and find them to be without merit," the US appellate judges said. The ruling came shortly after UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq referred to the United Nations' "own involvement" in the introduction of cholera to Haiti. It was a significant statement because the UN has for years kept silent about allegations its peacekeepers introduced cholera to Haiti. It has answered lawsuits on behalf of victims filed in US courts by claiming immunity under a 1946 convention. Haq said in a statement that the UN needs to do "much more" to end the suffering of those affected and pledged that "a significantly new set of UN actions" will be presented publicly within the next two months. But Haq reiterated that the UN's legal position in claiming immunity hasn't changed. Brian Concannon, executive director of the Boston-based Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, said advocates for Haitian cholera victims will be watching the UN's actions closely. They have 90 days to decide whether to file an appeal to the US Supreme Court. "We will decide how to proceed based on whether the UN's actions fulfill the cholera victims' rights to an effective remedy," Concannon said in a statement. Since its introduction to Haiti in October 2010, cholera has killed more than 9,300 Haitians and sickened over 800,000. It showed up some 10 months after a devastating earthquake in the south of Haiti, deepening the country's misery at a time when it was ill-equipped to cope with another crisis. The waterborne disease is now considered "endemic" in Haiti, meaning it's an illness that occurs regularly. Researchers say there is ample scientific evidence the disease was introduced to Haiti's biggest river by inadequately treated sewage from a base of UN peacekeepers from Nepal, one of the units that have rotated in and out of a multinational force in Haiti since 2004. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Bradley Klapper (Associated Press) Washington Fri, August 19, 2016 The Obama administration said Thursday that a US$400 million cash payment to Iran seven months ago was contingent on the release of a group of American prisoners. It is the first time the US has so clearly linked the two events, which critics have painted as a hostage-ransom arrangement. State Department spokesman John Kirby repeated the administration's line that the negotiations to return the Iranian money from a military-equipment deal with the US-backed shah in the 1970s were conducted separately from the talks to free four US citizens in Iran. But he said the US withheld the delivery of the cash as leverage until Iran permitted the Americans to leave the country. "We had concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release," Kirby said, citing delays and mutual mistrust between countries that severed diplomatic relations 36 years ago. As a result, he explained, the US "of course sought to retain maximum leverage until after the American citizens were released. That was our top priority." Both events occurred Jan. 17, fueling suspicions from Republican lawmakers and accusations from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump of a quid pro quo that undermined America's longstanding opposition to ransom payments. In a speech Thursday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, Trump accused President Barack Obama of lying. "He denied it was for the hostages, but it was. He said we don't pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages, openly and blatantly," Trump said. Kirby spoke a day after The Wall Street Journal reported new details of the crisscrossing planes on that day. US officials wouldn't let Iran bring the cash home from a Geneva airport until a Swiss Air Force plane carrying three of the freed Americans departed from Tehran, the paper reported. The fourth American left on a commercial flight. Earlier this month, after the revelation the US delivered the money in pallets of cash, the administration flatly denied any connection between the payment and the prisoners. "Reports of link between prisoner release & payment to Iran are completely false," Kirby tweeted at the time. The money comes from an account used by the Iranian government to buy American military equipment in the days of the shah. The equipment was never delivered after the shah's government was overthrown in 1979 and revolutionaries took American hostages at the US Embassy in Tehran. The two sides have wrangled over that account and numerous other financial claims ever since. Obama has said his negotiators secured the US a good deal on a busy diplomatic weekend that also included finalizing the seven-nation nuclear accord. But he and other officials have consistently denied any linkages. "We actually had diplomatic negotiations and conversations with Iran for the first time in several decades," Obama said Aug. 5, meaning "our ability to clear accounts on a number of different issues at the same time converged." "This wasn't some nefarious deal," he said. The agreement was the return of the $400 million, plus an additional $1.3 billion in interest, terms that Obama described as favorable compared to what might have been expected from a tribunal set up in The Hague to rule on pending deals between the two countries. US officials have said they expected an imminent ruling on the claim and settled with Tehran instead. Some Iranian officials immediately linked the payment to the release of four Americans, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who had been held in Iranian prisons. Another of the prisoners, pastor Saeed Abedini, also had linked the two events. He said that as the prisoners waited for hours at an airport to leave Iran, a senior Iranian intelligence official informed them their departure depended on the plane with the cash. US officials had pinned the delays on difficulties finding Rezaian's wife and mother, and ensuring they could depart Iran with him. House and Senate Republicans have peppered the administration for more details about the transaction. "If it quacks like a duck, it's a duck. If a cash payment is contingent on a hostage release, it's a ransom. The truth matters and the president owes the American people an explanation," Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said Thursday. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., the chairman of the Senate Banking national security subcommittee, said he sees congressional hearings as necessary for answering questions. The House Financial Services Committee hasn't yet decided whether to hold hearings. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., who chairs the Financial Services oversight and investigations subcommittee, asked the Treasury and Justice departments and the Federal Reserve last week to provide all records related to the $400 million payment as well as the names of government officials who authorized the payment and those who objected to the cash transfer. Duffy wants responses by Aug. 24. Congress returns from a lengthy recess after Labor Day. ___ Associated Press writer Richard Lardner contributed to this report. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Fri, August 19 2016 Jakarta may not be the most comfortable city to live in, but the Big Durian, with its endless complexities, attracts a various and vibrant stream of figures: not only those looking to earn a living and make their way in life, but also artists and writers who paint the city in their works. Here we look at five literary works that peel the cores and shores of the city. Aku ingin Menemanimu by Acep Zamzam Noer Aku Ingin Menemanimu (I want to accompany you) by talented poet Acep Zamzam Noer recounts the everyday banalities of Jakartas denizens with a flourish of romanticism. The 20-line poem focuses on the daily journeys most working- and middle-class Jakartans endure between the city center and their homes on the outskirts. It describes vividly the chaos of the citys transportation system, which forces commuters into gruelling journeys using various modes. The protagonist takes a city bus before shifting to a Metromini that grinds through the congestion, followed by a motorcycle taxi to reach the final destination a rented house. Aku Berkisar Antara Mereka by Chairil Anwar Although renowned poet Chairil Anwar does not mention Jakarta explicitly in his poem Aku Berkisar Antara Mereka (I evolve around them), the work strongly hints at the capital. The poem mentions cinemas that screen American films and new songs played in dance clubs. The reference to the Bioskop Capitol is an allusion to one of the oldest cinemas in the city, the Metropole in Menteng, Central Jakarta, which used to be called the Bioscoop Metropool. Other elements of the city mentioned include gathering in bus stations, we wait for the trams. The poem, written in 1949, a few months before Chairil died at the age of 26, brims with desperation and pessimism. Opera Jakarta by Titi Nginung Opera Jakarta (Jakarta Opera) is the work of noted writer Arswendo Atmowiloto under the pseudonym Titi Nginung. The work was initially published as a serial in Kompas daily. The work tells the love story of Yoko and Rum, whose relationship is encumbered by the pairs respective families, ex-lovers and friends. The strength of the story lies in its depiction of everyday worries and sadness; the characters are common people, not the usual heroes of film and TV. The work bridges the high art of literature and the realism of popular culture, and was made into a film by Sjuman Djaya in 1985, starring Ray Sahetapy, Zoraya Perucha and Deddy Mizwar. Ciliwung Yang Manis by WS Rendra Ciliwung Yang Manis (The sweet Ciliwung River) was written by famous poet and artist WS Rendra in 1955. The poem personifies the river, which flows through the capital. Lines like Ciliwung mengalir dan menyindir gedung gedung tua Jakarta (The Ciliwung flows and teases the old buildings of Jakarta) shows how the river historically served as a center of activity, with buildings erected on its banks. The poem also depicts the gloom of modernity. Jakarta is lethargic in its bland noise, in wondering hungry faces, is a nod to issues such as enduring poverty and uninspiring development. The river is also depicted as a friend of the poor. River banks are a popular space for many residents, especially the poor, to build settlements. Cerita Dari Jakarta by Pramoedya Ananta Toer Although many of the stories written by Nobel laureate nominee Pramoedya Ananta Toer are set in Surabaya, East Java, and Buru Island, where he was imprisoned, the novelist also wrote this capital work. Cerita Dari Jakarta (Tales from Jakarta) is a collection of thirteen short stories written between 1948 and 1956. According to goodreads.com, the stories not only give the readers a taste of Pramoedyas early writings, but also lead them on a tragic tour through mid-century Jakarta with her downtrodden residents as their guides. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Straits Times/ANN) Taiping, Malaysia Fri, August 19, 2016 Malaysia is seeing a return of the haze despite Indonesia's swift action to combat forest fires. Some cities in the country have recorded moderate API (air pollutant index) readings in the past week. When asked about it, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the haze season was back. Wan Junaidi said it had been happening for a week due to the forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia. But he said things had changed as the Indonesian authorities were taking swift action to combat forest fires but the effects of it were still being felt in the country. "It hasn't reached critical stage but I will write a letter to Indonesia Forestry and Environment Minister [Siti Nurbaya Bakar] to tell her that the haze is coming here," he said. "We don't want to pick a fight but we just want to notify them that the haze is back," he told reporters after launching the National Ecosystem Mangrove Conservation Day at the Larut-Matang Mangrove Swamp here. Earlier last month, Wan Junaidi said Malaysia would not experience a severe trans-boundary haze this year. He said this was because Indonesia seemed to be doing its part to honor its commitment to keep the annual phenomenon in check. Wan Junaidi added that the haze would not be so serious this year as Indonesia faced a lot of pressure from Malaysia and Singapore as both nations suffer the most. He revealed that there were several hotspots in the country but the Environment Department and other agencies had rectified the situation quickly. DES MOINES The polls seem to agree on Chuck Grassleys lead in his re-election bid. A new Quinnipiac University poll published Thursday shows Grassley, Iowas longtime Republican U.S. Senator, with a lead of 9 percentage points over Democratic challenger Patty Judge. In a survey of 846 likely Iowa voters conducted Aug. 8 through Tuesday, 51 percent said they plan to vote for Grassley and 42 percent said they plan to vote for Judge. The margin of error was 3.4 percentage points. That lead is consistent with what other polls have shown on the Senate race in Iowa. In five of the six most recent polls tracked by Real Clear Politics, Grassleys leads over Judge were between 7 and 10 percentage points. The lone outlier is a Loras College poll from late June that showed Grassley leading by just 1 percentage point. Iowans have known, liked and voted for Sen. Chuck Grassley for decades. Thats why he appears in strong position to avoid the kind of down-ballot bloodletting that may hurt some Republicans in other states who are not as well attuned to the views and values of their home base, Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said in a news release. Brown said Grassley is faring better than some other Republican candidates because Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president, is faring better in Iowa than other states. In Quinnipiac poll results published Wednesday, Trump trailed Democrat Hillary Clinton by 3 percentage points. That is much closer than in some other election battleground states; for example, Clinton leads Trump by double digits in Colorado and Virginia, according to recent Quinnipiac polls there. In Quinnipiacs poll on Iowa, Grassley and Judge both have strong support from within their respective parties but Grassley leads by 20 percentage points among no-party voters, 57 percent to 37 percent. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Vung Tau, Vietnam Fri, August 19, 2016 Under pressure from Australia, Vietnam lifted a sudden ban on veterans who had traveled to the country to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia's most costly battle of the Vietnam War, but officials prevented hundreds from paying their respects at a monument to Australian casualties, Australia's prime minister said Friday. About 1,500 Australian and New Zealand veterans and their families traveled to Vietnam to commemorate the anniversary on Thursday of the Battle of Long Tan at a cross marking the site where 18 Australian soldiers and hundreds of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops died on a rubber plantation on Aug. 18, 1966, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said. Turnbull said he spoke to his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc for an hour on Wednesday night to persuade the Vietnamese government to lift a ban on all commemorations announced that day. But officials at the memorial, insisting that only small groups gathered and without uniforms, medals, flags or banners, turned away all but 700 veterans, Turnbull said. "We're very disappointed that not all of the Australians and their families were able to go to the Long Tan complex and reverently commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day before the Long Tan Cross," Turnbull told Radio 3AW. "We respect the right of the Vietnamese government to determine what ceremonies and observances are held in their country, but to change the rules literally the day before was very unreasonable," he said. Veterans' Affairs Minister Dan Tehan earlier said Vietnam had informed Australia of the ban late Tuesday. Tehan on Wednesday called that "a kick in the guts." He told reporters the veto reflected "deep sensitivities" within Vietnam and was not a response to problems in the bilateral relationship. The Long Tan anniversary is Australia's official Vietnam Veterans Day and has been commemorated by Australians at the battle scene since 1989. Turnbull said the rules for next year's commemoration would be agreed with Vietnam "very, very clearly and very publicly so there is absolutely no possibility for any misunderstanding." In the fighting, a company of 105 Australian soldiers plus three New Zealanders supported by artillery survived a rain-drenched, three-hour battle by driving off wave after wave of attacks by more than 2,000 enemy troops. On Thursday, hundreds of veterans and their families gathered in the Australian capital to mark the anniversary at the Australian War Memorial. Australia deployed more than 60,000 military personnel to Vietnam between 1962 and 1973, of whom 521 were killed. ___ Associated Press writers Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, and Kristen Gelineau in Sydney contributed to this report. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Manila Fri, August 19, 2016 Two top Philippine communist rebel leaders have walked out of a maximum security jail to join next week's resumption of Norway-brokered peace talks aimed at ending one of Asia's longest-raging rebellions. The Communist Party of the Philippines has welcomed the successive releases of 22 detained rebels who are to join the negotiations in Oslo as consultants, saying the move boosts confidence in President Rodrigo Duterte's determination to find peace. Top rebel couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon smiled and raised their fists Friday as they stepped out of detention at the national police headquarters, where their supporters greeted them. In a news conference after their release, they thanked Duterte for their release and for a restart of talks that will tackle wide-raging reforms in a bid to end the conflict. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tan Hui Yee (The Straits Times/ANN) Bangkok Fri, August 19, 2016 A Thai military court has issued arrest warrants for 17 people amid a massive hunt for those responsible for last week's wave of bombings and arson attacks in southern resort destinations. Police are preparing to seek more warrants for suspects who allegedly planted the bombs, and were captured on closed-circuit television. Attackers set off 11 bombs in the provinces of Phuket, Surat Thani, Phangnga, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Trang, and staged arson attacks on shops in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi, on Aug 11 and 12, several days after the politically divided country held a constitutional referendum. The wave of violence killed four people and injured more than 30. No group has claimed responsibility, although the police refused to call it "terrorism" and instead labelled it "local sabotage". On Thursday, a top legal adviser from the ruling junta, Colonel Burin Tongprapai, told reporters that 15 of the 17 people with outstanding warrants were being detained at army barracks in Bangkok, while the authorities were looking to take back into custody others who had been released earlier. The detainees, who face charges of illegal assembly and being part of a criminal association, will be handed over to the police today. Junta spokesman Winthai Suvaree told The Straits Times: "It may be found later that some of them are linked to the attacks in the seven provinces." Police chief Chakthip Chaijinda, however, shrugged off the military detention and addressed instead surveillance video footage of suspects who allegedly planted the bombs in the seaside district of Hua Hin, where two people were killed. Local press reports say police in Hua Hin and Surat Thani are preparing to seek arrest warrants based on CCTV footage. The probe, so far, has been marked by seemingly independent actions taken by the military and the police. While local policemen have been combing separate bomb sites for evidence, soldiers have detained at least a dozen people across the country on Aug 13 - the day after the blasts - according to human rights group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. Thailand has been run by a military government since the 2014 coup, under an interim Constitution which gives the junta absolute power. The blasts were detonated by improvised explosive devices containing mobile phones, power banks and other materials, going by some unexploded devices picked up near the sites. Despite some analysts' assessment that it was likely the work of militants waging a separatist insurgency in Thailand's southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, and a part of Songkhla, police have tried to played down the possibility. Such a scenario would threaten Thailand's lucrative tourist industry, which survived a deadly bomb attack in central Bangkok last year to pull in almost 30 million visitors. Two ethnic Uighurs from China's Xinjiang region are on trial over the blast. Instead, various members of the junta suggested the attack was orchestrated by people who had "lost benefits" after the referendum on Aug 7, where voters endorsed a draft Constitution that would give the junta oversight over the future elected government through its selection of a fully appointed Senate. The ousted Puea Thai party, as well as leaders of the "Red Shirt" movement allied with it, have publicly denied a role in the attacks. It was an educational evening with potentially life-saving ramifications for more than a dozen Rabbonim from the Passaic area who attended a conference arranged by Agudath Israel of New Jersey. The event introduced local Rabbonim to the many services provided by Chayim Aruchim, a division of Agudath Israel of America. The gathering was held at the Yeshiva Ktana of Passaic Girls school and followed similar gatherings for Rabbonim in Lakewood and Edison area. The purpose of this meeting was to inform Rabbonim of the nuances, questions and difficulties that arise in end of life situations, explained Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, vice president of Community Services for Agudath Israel of America. When a Rav is approached for a medical psak, he needs to have a comprehensive grasp of all the issues so that he can pasken accurately, added Rabbi Avi Schnall, New Jersey director of Agudath Israel of America. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Duvy Gross of Passaic who shared his own experiences as the owner of Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers which has several New Jersey locations. Mr. Gross shared the many pressures he faces from insurance companies who encourage him to prioritize cost over life saving measures. That same sentiment was echoed by Dr. Chaim Gejerman, a well known radiation oncologist affiliated with Hackensack University Medical Center, who stressed the importance of culturally sensitive medical services. Dr. Gejerman lamented the lack of emphasis on the value of life exhibited by some medical professionals, as well as the financial pressures from insurers that influence health care decisions. Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, chairman emeritus of the board of Trustees of Agudath Israel of America, shared several of Chayim Aruchims success stories, instances where their intervention literally saved the lives of those who had been written off by the medical community. In one case, the family of a very sick individual consulted with a posek who was grappling with giving them the go ahead to discontinue life support based on the information he was provided. One family member reached out to one of Chayim Aruchims poskim who understood immediately that the information had been presented incorrectly. The Chayim Aruchim Rov further clarified the situation, contacted the primary posek and the correct psak was issued. Rabbi Weinberger explained that it is only because Chayim Aruchims Rabbonim are so well educated in the medical field that they know how to ask the relevant questions, a skill that has literally saved lives. Rabbi Eliezer Gewirtzman, a member of Machon Chayim Aruchim the organizations rabbinic advisory board, presented the halachic issues in end of life situations, advising participants of particular questions that should be asked, particularly in cases that involve feeding tubes and dementia as well as other factors that can play a crucial role when paskening shaylos of this nature. Finally, Rabbi Schnall discussed the importance of completing a halachic medical directive, particularly in light of the recent initiative in New Jersey to legalize assisted suicide. The proposed law, which has already passed the New Jersey Assembly, would give patients who are told they have six months or less to live the right to self administer life-ending drugs and would create additional pressures to discontinue treatment of those who are deemed to be in the final days of life. Feedback from the conference was extremely positive, noted Rabbi Schnall, with several contacting the Agudah office to thank them for hosting the event. Many Rabbonim are unfamiliar with the realities of end of life situations, explained Rabbi Schnall. The feedback we got was tremendous with several Rabbonim telling us that they have been approached with questions in the past about situations of this nature and that there were many issues here that they were simply not aware of. [TLS] We received some sad news in the last day regarding former Essex Street Market butcher Jeffrey Ruhalter. Heres a statement from his family: Sylvia and Allen Ruhalter, their daughter Francine Levine, cousins, nieces, and nephews and friends mourn the loss of our beloved Jeffrey Richard Ruhalter on August 17, 2016. Jeffrey had the most generous and giving heart. He was the creative innovator of Jeffreys Meats, a unique store which brought food and art together. Jeffrey was not only an expert butcher and chef but a true friend to his customers. He fed anyone that needed help. He taught classes on butchery and cooking that inspired people and brought them joy. During the recession that began in 2008, he even fed steak dinners to over 200 people who were laid off from their jobs. Jeffrey was recently diagnosed with cancer, but he kept all of his pain to himself. Despite being ill, he worked until a few weeks ago and continued to be a legendary friend to so many. We will never forget you, Jeffrey. Lovingly, your family and friends. Facing increased rent and other financial hardships, Ruhalter made a decision to close his Essex Street Market stall in 2011. He was the last original tenant in the market (Ruhalters grandfather established a shop there in 1940; his dad ran the business until the year 2000). Over the years, he tried to cope with a changing neighborhood, walking a fine line between serving longtime customers and new people who just arrived in the community. During the tumultuous events leading up to the closure of his shop, Ruhalter wrote: This is my world; a week ago a lady came to my shop, drunk, and I knew that she needed food. I went to the Pain DAvignon bread store in the market and wanted to buy bread for her, in which the bread company gave me some bread for free to help my cause. I came back and made her a sandwich to fill her belly. Moments later the next customer spent 45 dollars on some of my prime dry aged steaks to feed her family for dinner. I dont decide who gets what. I respond to the communitys needs as they arise because, if it were not for the community, I wouldnt be here. I can say that the community feeds my soul as their butcher but in addition, is that the community fuels my existence. What I know to be true is that we belong to each other and without the community, you, I dont exist. Thank you for giving my family our life blood. In 2010, the New York Times profiled Ruhalter in a story titled, An Endangered Butcher Gets His Groove Back. The article documented his struggles running a small business during a brutal recession, but also captured Ruhalters quirky spirit: He was so depressed, psychologically and fiscally, that he discontinued Day of the Rose, a random holiday when he handed out 20 dozen roses to women at the market. All you had to do was breathe if you were a woman; 2 years old or 82 years old, you got a rose, he said. I couldnt afford it anymore. Though Day of the Rose remains on hiatus, female customers still get special attention from Mr. Ruhalter, who wears his long brown hair in a ponytail and has two hoop earrings on his left ear. Swashbuckling, is how he describes his look. A longtime practice he has maintained, despite everything, is paper-wrapping a handful of thick-cut bacon for each new customer. If he knows it is your birthday, it might be a free steak. Last week, a young blonde stepped up to the counter and seems uncertain about buying a goose, saying she would check back. Dear lady, when you make up your mind, call me; and if my wife answers (Ruhalter was not married), hang up right away and call back five minutes later, he told her. Ruhalters funeral was held today in New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Tenement Museum in Jeffrey Ruhalters memory. I like to travel but flying makes me anxious. On a plane, I am cramped in a seat for hours, with little to do but to inhabit the abyss of my mind. I wish I could shut out the world and sleep, but the incessant chatter of fellow passengers, drone of engines, and upright seats keep me awake. When I was fifteen, on a fourteen-hour sojourn from Hong Kong to Vancouver, the legroom was so scarce that my knees hit the seat in front of me. Somewhere near the International Date Line, I began eyeing the emergency exit doors. I wanted to open them and jump into the sky. These days I live in Denver, where most major American cities are two to four hours away by plane. I travel often, whether for work or for pleasure, and on these short flights I see the proverbial light at the end of the aluminum tunnel before we depart, as long as I have earplugs and something to keep me occupied. I cannot seem to work or write, though I wish I could imagine how much I could get done. What I need, I have found, is a good book. But there is airplane reading and airplane reading. I write poetry, but I cannot read poetry on a plane. I picked up Cynthia Cruzs third collection Wunderkammer when it came out and brought it with me to San Francisco the next day. Wunderkammer is saturated with images of old world Europe the cover is a sepia photograph of James Joyces daughter Lucia dancing at a Parisian ball yet the book made me think of California. Cruzs poems blend decadent imagery with tense, controlled lines she pushes to breaking; perhaps I saw in her style an antidote to Californias excess. In any case, I wanted to read the book. But after two or three poems, I needed to take a walk and the trip down the aisle to the bathroom was nowhere near enough. I needed space to dwell in the silences of the work. I also remember trying to read Djuna Barness modernist novel Nightwood on a return flight from Miami. Granted, after a madcap Halloween weekend of drinking and boating on Biscayne Bay, I probably would not have been able to read a grocery list, but as much as I loved the gorgeous rhythms of Barness language, I could not follow the ellipses in the story. I have not picked up the book again. I keep looking at it on my shelf, wanting to get back into the thorny opulence of its world, but Nightwood strikes me as a book that demands all of our inner resources, which lately I have not been able to marshal in my everyday life, much less in the brain fog I get at 35,000 feet. Oddly, its the personal essay collection that seems to soothe my nerves on the plane. I read Melissa Broders essay collection So Sad Today on a recent flight to Charlotte, beginning when we took off from Denver, taking a break in transit in Minneapolis, and finishing just as I saw the lights of my destination in the night sky. It was a dream: the world fell away and reassembled just as I returned to land. So Sad Today is not an easy read: Broder writes about her experiences with anxiety, depression, addiction, and abjection, among other things. I especially loved her meditations on her husbands chronic illness, their open marriage, and the love that sustains a long relationship. I had to close my eyes after each essay, reassessing the stories I tell myself about my life, but I kept reading. There is a thematic unity to the collection, but each essay could stand by itself, a perfect capsule of intensity that engaged my restless mind on the plane. Another good experience: reading Wendy C. Ortizs Hollywood Notebook while flying to Boston last summer, on the way to Provincetown for a writing workshop. The book, which Ortiz calls a prose poemish memoir, was born out of a blog Ortiz kept when she lived in Hollywood in her late twenties. The ninety short chapters range from a few lines to two or three pages, from meditations to lists and quotes, charting the banalities and epiphanies of a young woman trying to figure out who she is as a person and an artist. In the three hours I spent with Hollywood Notebook, I reflected on my own circuitous path to writing, the places I want to go in my own work. I did not find answers, or even questions; for a moment, I was content that my thoughts remained amorphous. As much as I love reading personal essays, I rarely write explicitly from my life. At this point, it is not the genre that best channels the questions I am asking in my work. But I learn a lot from these writers who examine the interstices of life that we or at least I tend to overlook. I learn a language to describe the recesses of my mind that I would rather avoid. And on the plane, I can read personal essays without the anxiety of comparison. Some years ago, I met Chloe Caldwell in Portland. Her book Legs Get Led Astray, which chronicles her early twenties in New York, had just appeared that year. I said that I had read it on a plane I dont remember which now, but it might have been that very flight to Oregon. She wrote in my copy of the book, A book for airplane rides. I still have it on my shelf. I look to it as a reminder that we can write from the idiosyncrasies of our experiences, whether in life or in the sky. Editors note: This story contains content some readers may find objectionable.HAMPTON Mark Retterath of Osage testified Thursday that he never molested the man accusing him of sexual abuse and he never planned to kill him. Retterath, 52, who is on trial for attempted murder, solicitation to commit murder and third-degree sexual abuse, said he did order castor beans online and printed online instructions for extracting the deadly toxin ricin from them. However, he said he never planned to extract the ricin and mix it with drugs to put on the accusers property as the state alleges. Retterath said he wanted to grow castor plants for their ornamental value and to kill varmints on his land. The state claims Retterath got the idea for extracting ricin from castor beans and mixing it with drugs to kill his accuser from a friend who told him about an episode of the TV series Breaking Bad in which a character used this method to kill another character. Retterath said his friend was at his house one day while he was ordering castor beans online. He said they were being advertised as a deterrent for moles, deer and gophers. The friend looked over his shoulder and saw what he was ordering, and said, You will be able to make ricin, Retterath said. When he asked the other man what he meant, he said he saw it on Breaking Bad. Retterath said he friend started to explain, but then said, Hell, just Google it. Retterath did a search using the term how to extract ricin from castor beans. He printed the instructions. He said he read them but never extracted the ricin. He claimed he opened a file cabinet and tossed the instructions into a folder at random. The instructions were found by law enforcement in a file labeled Roth IRA during a search warrant in June 2015 after the two men Retterath allegedly spoke to about killing his accuser talked to the police about those conversations and the castor beans. Officers also found a small plastic bag containing some catsor beans in a pocket of Retteraths jeans in his bedroom. Retterath denied asking two other men to help him carry out plans to kill his accuser. He said he was angry with the young man and cussed him out plenty. Retterath said he may have said he wanted to kill him while the was venting to others, but actually doing it wasnt even a thought. Retterath said he knew if his accuser was murdered, he would be the primary suspect. The state alleges the accuser, the son of friends of the family, was 13 when Retterath first began acting inappropriately with him while they were alone together in a truck on the property near Stacyville by showing him pornography and encouraging him to masturbate. The prosecution also claims the accuser went over to Retteraths house several times beginning when he was 16 and the defendant molested him there. Deb Rolland, Retteraths long-time girlfriend, said the young man never went with Retterath to plant trees on his land until he was 18. Rolland said Retterath could not have been alone in the house when the accuser came over during high school and as a young adult, even when she was at work. The couples young child, who Retterath cared for while she worked, and some of Rollands older children would have been in the house, she said. Rolland said although Retterath was upset after he was charged with sexual abuse in February 2015 and angry with his accuser, he didnt want him dead. He wanted to clear his name, she said. The accuser testified earlier this week that Retterath had a sword tattoo on his penis. The state showed the jury a photograph of the tattoo, as well as a drawing the accuser made for law enforcement. On Thursday Retteraths attorney, Angela Campbell, showed the jury a photo of another sword tattoo her client has on his arm. Rolland also testified that Retteraths tattoo on his penis is not a family secret. I think pretty much everybody knows it, she said. The trial was moved to the Franklin County Courthouse in Hampton due to pre-trial publicity and all the people involved being from Mitchell County, according to presiding Judge Gregg Rosenbladt. MASON CITY The trial of a Hampton man accused of killing his girlfriend is scheduled to begin Monday. Ronald Rand, 51, is charged with felony first-degree murder. He is accused of fatally shooting Michelle Key, 51, with a shotgun on Dec. 13, 2015, after an argument in his home on First Street Northeast in Hampton. Documents shed light on Hampton death HAMPTON A Waterloo woman killed in Hampton last week was shot to death with a shotgun afte His attorney, Susan Flander, and state prosecutors discussed a series of ground rules with District Court Judge DeDra Schroeder at a pre-trial conference on Friday at the Cerro Gordo County Law Enforcement Center courtroom in Mason City. At the hearing, Schroeder ruled on a series of motions regarding what could and could not be shown to the jurors during the trial in Osage. She will allow Flander to show portions of transcript of Rand talking with police and his daughter after the incident, but barred much of Keys mental health history and allegations of past drug or alcohol use from the trial. The judge also denied a request by Keys father, brother and mother to restrict media coverage of their testimony. Jury selection will begin Monday morning at the Mitchell County Courthouse in Osage. The trial was moved there from Hampton due to press coverage. Rand will remain in jail in Mason City, where he has been held since shortly after his arrest. Kingston council have recently been slammed for a poster advertising for the coil. The poster reads You spent the night in Clapham, but you left your pill in Kingston. It might be time to consider the coil. The get it, forget it campaign has been described as disgusting and offensive for apparently promoting for women to have unprotected sex. The poster does not acknowledge that women might want to protect themselves against STIs (sexually transmitted diseases) as well as protection from becoming pregnant. Critics have commented that the council should be warning people of the risks of STIs rather than sending out a dangerous message such as that on the poster. This is especially relevant since the number of young people aged 15-24 with STIs in the capital has risen by five percent in the last year. Lambeth, the area surrounding Clapham, has one of the highest rates of Chlamydia in London, seeing 2,920 out 100,000 25 year olds with the infection, according to Public Health England. Independent councillor Mary Clark said in the Telegraph: I am very broad-minded but I just find this campaign disgusting. The posters have no place in the middle of New Malden high street. The message is completely confused Whilst Clark claimed that the council agreed to take the posters down, a council spokesperson confirmed the posters would remain in place. He claimed that 700 coils have been fitted in Kingston in the last 12 months - naming this a success. He described the councils enterprise as A responsible public health campaign. Brook, the UKs only national sexual health charity for young people, advises that condoms should be used alongside the pill or the coil as this is the only way to prevent STIs. Find more information on the NHS website here. The Gender Dysphoria in Children report It discusses at length the difference in opinion regarding this topic but ultimately calls out against treating trans kids at all, instead calling for counselling to be the only treatment offered to get them through it; but it does so in an ignorant and transphobic way. The college is an advocacy group of doctors based in Florida who endeavour to assist parents and influence society based on the policies that they set out. The group, however, has questionable roots as the organisation was started in protest to The American Academy of Pediatrics support for gay couples adopting children, and this background has clearly coloured this most recent controversial report. Written by Michelle Cretella, the report takes a stand against giving treatment to children with gender dysphoria with the hardline view that only therapy can help them. The college argues that allowing physical treatment is abusive on the basis that children have unsophisticated reasoning skills and so cant know what they want. Whilst some children do go through periods of being gender non-conforming, to suggest that all children cant know what they want discredits those who are truly transgender. Many adults claim to have known that they were transgender from a very young age and so surely the issue is identifying those who might feel differently in the future rather than refuting giving treatment to anyone? The report does recognise, though, that the reasoning behind suppressing puberty is often to allow the child to explore gender identity free from the emotional distress of going through puberty. But the full effects of treatment are not yet known as a large, controlled study hasnt been completed to fully understand the long term effects and for the American College of Pediatricians this is worrying. Many medical professionals agree that arguing against children receiving treatment for being trans is benefitting them in the long run since the drugs used have a variety of side effects including infertility. Its a hot topic of debate and the report claims that it is a violation of international law because a child lacks full, free, and informed consent when they are sterilised by undergoing this treatment. But this argument could be used with any medical treatment that a child receives. Should we just not treat children medically because they cant fully consent? It sounds like a crazy idea and thats because it is. The report entirely misses the psychological effects that not having treatment can have on the child and it seems that trans kids arent taken seriously at all. For instance, it states that the College is concerned about an increasing trend among adolescents to self-diagnose as transgender after binges on social media sites indicating that it believes a lot of adolescent gender dysphoria to be a fad and ignores that teenagers can and often do understand to an extent who they are and what they want. Of course there will be teenagers who see it as cool but by passing off the majority of gender dysphoric youths as only experiencing transgenderism as a trend actively ignores the fact that some teenagers are truly transgender, which only worsens the problem. The report also says that going through sexual reassignment doesnt put the mental health of transgender people on par with the general population. They claim that those who have had sex surgeries or use cross- sex hormones have suicide rates 20 times higher than the general public. It does recognise that this doesnt mean these treatments cause suicide, but it claims that they dont make the people who have them happy. This seems very narrow minded. Their argument is that the treatment doesnt seem to make these people happier, so whats the point? But its not that the treatment doesnt give them satisfaction, its the fact that society continues to not accept transgender people, no matter what stage of their transition they are in. And the irony of this is that the report contributes to the ignorance that causes society to mistreat trans people and therefore it is at the root of the problem. It isnt the treatment that hurts these people, its societys attitude that kills them and if the medical world cant see this then we have a lot further to go in terms of trans rights. A less than flattering statue suddenly made an appearance Union Square in Manhattan, New York City yesterday, depicting Presidential candidate Donald Trump totally starkers. s/o to whoever installed this Trump statue in Union Square last night pic.twitter.com/Cldd4qkgyI JamesMichael Nichols (@jamesmichael) August 18, 2016 Seeing what Trump potentially looks like without his clothes on has been putting New Yorkers (and the rest of us unfortunately enough to see it) off our food. Can someone let me know whose responsible for the naked Donald Trump statue in Manhattan, becuase I want to send them my future therapy bill Efty (@EftyTreb) August 18, 2016 I was about to have lunch until the Internet showed me the naked Donald Trump statue at Union Square. #gagging #nolunchforme #thanksinternet Haille S. (@haille623) August 18, 2016 Although some people think its brilliant. There's a naked Donald Trump statue just chilling in Union Square. pic.twitter.com/qzrnfYolUH Tyrike (@TyTwinny) August 18, 2016 The site of the statue is also a Pokestop - some top marketing tactics there. Someone put a statue of naked Trump (with giant belly + tiny peen) in NYC today and apparently it's also a Pokestop pic.twitter.com/31Sh6W8OwN Josh: Butler. (@JoshButler) August 18, 2016 And New York isnt the only place where this kind of statue has mysteriously popped up. It seems to be part of some sort of campaign. Heres a naked Trump in LA. And there was one in San Francisco, too. This tweet appears to show the statue in NYC has now come down, however. And then there was no naked Trump statue. City parks dept sweeping remains. They say it was glued to the ground. pic.twitter.com/19Sugf6GJR New York City Patch (@NYC_Patch) August 18, 2016 But there are some things in this world that just cant be unseen. Imagine having to give the police 24 hours notice every time you have sex. Awkward, uncomfortable, inconvenient and just plain weird thats the situation IT consultant John ONeill has found himself in. ONeill has said that he has been unable to work or claim benefits because he is subject to the Sexual Risk Order. (Nigel Roddis/PA) 45-year-old ONeill was cleared of rape charges last November, and since then has been subject to an interim order with a number of conditions attached. These include having to hand over the PIN for his mobile phone to police, and not to use internet-connected devices that cannot be later checked by officers. (Philip Toscano/PA) Mr ONeill, who has previously admitted to having an interest in sado-masochism and used to attend a Fifty Shades Of Grey-style fetish club, claimed the order breached his human rights and said he had no prospect of forming a relationship while he lived by its terms. The former mature English literature student, a single father of two, told the BBCs Victoria Derbyshire programme he is now camping in a tent in a wood near York. He said: I was homeless before for four years. I thought all this was behind me. To have to go back to it, it has been a bit of a shock. But to be honest Im entirely focused on the hearing and Im not thinking about much else. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) North Yorkshire Police will apply to the district judge sitting at York Magistrates Court to make the order against Mr ONeill permanent. ONeill said he had no criminal record, not even a parking ticket. He has previously said: I dont have a life, I cannot work, I cannot have any form of relationship, its absolutely ridiculous. Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. 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Namun jangan khawatir, disini sebagai situs slot gacor MGS88 kami akan memberikan penjelasan lengkap mengenai tentang istilah yang ada di RTP SLOT dibawah ini. Editors note: This story contains content some readers may find objectionable. HAMPTON An Osage man was found guilty Friday of molesting a young man from the time he was a teen and plotting to kill him using a method allegedly inspired by the TV show Breaking Bad. Mark Retterath, 52, showed no emotion as he was pronounced guilty of attempted murder, solicitation to commit murder and third-degree sexual abuse. A Franklin County jury returned that verdict after an hour and a half of deliberation. The trial was moved from Mitchell County due to pre-trial media coverage and all the participants being from Mitchell County. Retterath will be sentenced Oct. 10. Retterath has a long, twisted history with his victim that began when the accuser was 13, said Assistant Iowa Attorney General Denise Timmins during closing arguments. That twisted path led to Retterath plotting last year to kill the victim, who is now a young adult, after he reported the abuse, according to Timmins. The state claimed Retterath got the idea for his method for killing the accuser when a friend told him about an episode of the TV show Breaking Bad in which a character extracted ricin from castor beans to kill someone. Computer records show Retterath ordered the beans online and did a Google search for how to extract ricin from them and how long it takes ricin to degrade. After two men went to police and said Retterath asked them for help in carrying out his plan, officers executed a search warrant at his residence and found the ricin instructions and a small plastic bag with some castor beans in a pocket of a pair of jeans Retterath had been wearing the day before. The castor beans are a cocked gun, Timmins said. He had them in his pocket. They could have been crushed at any time. She said crushed castor beans could easily be mixed with a drug like heroin. The informants told police Retterath planned to mix ricin with heroin and have one of them put it inside the home of the victim, who was addicted to drugs. Timmons said although Retterath, whose family was on friendly terms with the victims family, did not touch him in a sexual manner until the boy was 16, he began grooming him when he was 13. During the trial the accuser testified Retterath showed him pornography and encouraged him to masturbate while they they were alone in Rettearths truck on some land he owned near Stacyville, where the two of them had gone to plant some trees. The accuser said Retterath pulled out a Lugar handgun and placed it on the center console of the truck. Although he didnt point the gun at the boys head, the presence of the weapon was a subtle threat that stayed with him and colored his subsequent encounters with Retterath, according to Timmins. How could anything after that be consensual? she said. The victim testified that on several occasions from the time he was 16 until he was a young adult, Retterath had him watch pornography with him and asked him to masturbate side-by-side with him. The young man said when he complied, Retterath would reach over and touch his penis. Angela Campbell, Retteraths attorney, said the accuser made up his molestation story, noting he told one version of events to law enforcement more than a year ago but told a different version during the trial. For example, the young man initially told police Retterath first touched him sexually when he was 13, not 16, she noted. Campbell said although law enforcement did forensic examinations of Retteraths computers and cell phone, they never found the texts one of the informants said he and Retterath exchanged about plans to kill the accuser. During the trial Retterath testified he is a plant enthusiast and ordered castor beans because he wanted to grow castor trees. He also said he wanted to use some of the beans to put down a gopher hole on his property, hoping to get rid of the pests. FLOYD | The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing regarding changes to a dangerous Avenue of the Saints intersection. The meeting regarding an interchange at Quarry Road is scheduled for Nov. 9 at the Floyd Community Center, according to an email sent to local legislators by DOT Director Paul Trombino III. No time has been set. The DOT plans to complete an environmental study before designing the interchange in 2017, according to the letter. The Iowa Transportation Commission will then discuss funding the project for fiscal 2019-20 or 2021-22. The letter says the DOT has proposed short-term safety improvements, some of which have already been completed. They include reducing the speed limit near the intersection and additional signage. At least 35 crashes have been reported at the Quarry Road/Avenue of the Saints intersection since 2011, according to county data. T.J. Houdek, a 23-year-old Charles City motorcyclist, was killed in July after driving in front of an oncoming semitrailer. Ashley Miller CEDAR RAPIDS As he seeks a seventh term in the U.S. Senate, Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley continues to see public service as the best way to help improve our society. Its an opportunity to make a better country, he told members of the Cedar Rapids Daybreak Rotary when asked why he is running for re-election. Its not the only way to contribute, but the difference about government, I suppose, is when you make a decision you have a wider impact, Grassley said. Thats true, said Sam Roecker, spokesman for Grassleys Democratic challenger, Patty Judge. Thats why its so unfortunate that hes single-handedly keeping the Supreme Court vacancy open and failing working families in Iowa by playing political games instead of doing his job, Roecker said. Patty Judge has always worked to build consensus and do the right thing for Iowa. Sadly, Chuck Grassley has changed and hes not working for Iowa anymore. Grassleys visit to the Rotary wasnt a campaign event, but the election figured in a number of the questions Grassley field in about 35 minutes with the Rotarians. In one case, he was thanked for blocking President Barack Obamas appointment of another liberal judge to the Supreme Court. Well, since he didnt ask a question and its very controversial, Ill move on, Grassley said eliciting laughter from his audience. When asked about what differentiates him from Judge, Grassley noted one policy difference and one more philosophical. He contrasted his opposition to WOTUS the Waters of the United States with Judges support for additional regulation of waterways. He said under WOTUS, which has been blocked by a federal court, 97 percent of Iowa land would be subject to EPA rules. A mud puddle would qualify as a navigable waterway, he said. Grassley also suggested that Judge would follow the philosophy of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton that the solution to any problem is more taxes, more regulation, more spending. That inhibits risk-taking and investment, resulting in a stagnant economy, he said. In responses to questions, Grassley, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, called for constitutional protections for gun ownership and against law enforcement seizures of civil assets such as cash and vehicles. He believes at least 51 senators would have supported legislation to ban people on the Department of Homeland Securitys no-fly list from buying a gun as long as there was a constitutional due process approach so people would know why they were on the list and be able to challenge that designation. However, there were not 60 votes to end debate and vote on the legislation. Reforming civil assets forfeiture laws is part of his sentencing reform legislation he hopes to get passed before the end of the year. Current laws allow law enforcement to sell seized assets and keep the proceeds. We cant have the government seizing anything they want, Grassley said. There has to be a judicial process. Grassley also visited Rockwell Collins and ITC Midwest where he had question-and-answer session with employees at both places before hosting a roundtable discussion on foster child care Friday afternoon. Police top brass assure envoys Phuket safe for tourists after Patong bombs PHUKET: Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Wuthi Liptapallop today (Aug 19) assured 15 consuls in Phuket that the island was safe for tourists after the bombings in Patong last Friday (Aug 12). violencetourismpolice By Suthicha Sirirat Friday 19 August 2016, 06:27PM Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Wuthi Liptapallop (front,centre) assured 15 consuls in Phuket that the island was safe for tourists after the bombings in Patong. Photo: Suthicha Sirirat Gen Wuthi pledged his assurance at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Police headquarters in Phuket Town this morning, when many of the consuls aired their grievances about being poorly informed of police action in investigating the bombings. At the high-powered meeting were Central Investigation Bureau Deputy Commissioner Maj Gen Adis Ngamchitsuksri, Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Maj Gen Chalit Thinthani and Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teerapol Thipjaroen. Also present was Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat, the superintendents of all police stations across Phuket and a host of other law-enforcement officials. Maj Gen Teerapol recognised that many people, especially tourists and other visitors, were concerned for their safety after the explosions in Patong last Friday. (See story here.) The Provincial Police has drawn up a four-pronged strategy to improve security here. First, officers will investigate all reports of foreigners becoming victims of crime and ensure that all relevant agencies know of these incidents so better crime-prevention strategies can be developed. Second, we will collect as much information about tourists and the areas where they gather in large numbers so we can boost police security in those areas, Gen Teerapol explained. Third, police will use public relations, including local press and foreign volunteers from each country, to inform tourists of incidents and current issues, and fourth, we will use technology to improve security, such as set up CCTV and creating lists of names of known suspects and suspicious items found. All this will help provide maximum security for tourists, both Thai and foreign, and prevent such incidents from happening again, he said. And right now, Phuket is back to normal, Gen Teerapol said DES MOINES Selling Southbridge Mall remains a key hurdle to advancement of Mason Citys reinvestment district project, a city official told the states economic development board Friday. The city seeks from the state $10 million in financial assistance for the project, which includes plans for a hotel, music pavilion, ice arena and parking ramp. The state board has given preliminary approval for incentives to the project, but is waiting for progress before giving final authorization for the incentives. Mason City set to approve next step toward hotel construction MASON CITY The City Council on Tuesday will consider setting a public hearing on conveyanc The project is planned for the space currently occupied by the former J.C. Penney building in Southbridge Mall. The mall must be sold before the state incentives can be awarded and the project can proceed. Mason City administrator Brent Trout told the Iowa Economic Development Authority board at its regular meeting Friday in Des Moines that multiple buyers have expressed interest in the mall, although no timetable for its sale has been set.(tncms-asset)4476475c-431c-11e6-a3a6-00163ec2aa77(/tncms-asset) Obviously we continue to look forward to the ownership of the mall changing. Thats the biggest thing were waiting on, Trout told board members. My hope is well have something pretty soon. Officials involved with the project previously asked the board to give the proposal a contingent approval, saying they think it would help expedite the mall sale.(tncms-asset)06597e3c-34b5-11e6-9bc5-00163ec2aa77(/tncms-asset) The board thus far has not shown an inclination to meet that request, but Trout said that is not an insurmountable hurdle. Theyve already given their preliminary approval, and theyve always followed through on that as long as we meet our requirements, Trout said. Theyve already committed, so were happy with the board having done that. Trout said once the mall sale is completed, the rest of the project will move quickly.(tncms-asset)f84a329e-1927-11e6-b6c9-00163ec2aa77(/tncms-asset) Once we have a signed lease with them regarding the area where the arena will go, theyll be able to move forward as a private corporation to hire a design firm to design the arena, Trout said. Our understanding is its a four- to five-month process and then anywhere from 11 to 12 months for construction. So if you really look at it conservatively, its 18 months from design to construction completion, he said. Southbridge Mall went into foreclosure in May 2012 and was placed into receivership with the Chicago office of Jones Lang LaSalle. In December 2012, CIII Corp. bought the mall at a sheriffs sale for $8.8 million and retained Jones Lang LaSalle to manage it. The Iowa Economic Development Authority board has said the mall must be owned by a new private entity before state financial assistance will be available for the downtown redevelopment project. 11AAA semis will be awesome and more from HS football quarterfinals The Class 11AAA high school football playoffs should be awesome, and 11B and nine-man teams also offer plenty of excitement. The Iowa Economic Development Authority board Friday awarded a $100,000 grant to Mason Citys North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to assist with the four new and expanded programs and one new position. The expansion will extend the effective geographic reach of the centers Virtual Rural Accelerator and increase the volume of high-intensity clients served on an annual basis, according to a board news release. MASON CITY | North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is now offering its criminal justice program as an associate of applied science degree and as a certificate. The program prepares students for employment with public or private agencies concerned with public safety, crime prevention or the apprehension and rehabilitation of criminals. Credits can also transfer for completion of a four-year degree. To register for classes, call the NIACC Admissions Department at 641-422-4245. Email George O'Donnell at odonngeo@niacc.edu for more information on the program. NORTHWOOD Northwood-Kensett is ready to start school Tuesday with all renovations completed. Everyones pretty excited about it, Superintendent Michael Crozier said. The improvements include an expanded and renovated kitchen, a larger art room and renovated concession area. The project cost just over $1 million. Kenison Construction of Northwood served as the general contractor. Work began just after spring break, according to Crozier. When youre taking your kitchen out, its got to be done by Aug. 23, Crozier said. It really was quite an accomplishment. Those working in the kitchen will have a new walk-in cooler and freezer. Construction wrapping up at North Iowa schools With a new school year on the horizon, several other North Iowa schools are completing or co It was $164,000 in equipment in the kitchen alone, Crozier said. He pointed to the large mixer brought from the old kitchen, saying it is a $15,000 appliance. Its not cheap. Its a lot of dough invested, Crozier said, as he laughed. The serving area was expanded, allowing food to be served cafeteria-style. A salad bar supplements hot lunch, and items can also be purchased a la carte. Charles City Middle School gets 'treehouse,' much more CHARLES CITY After 13 months of construction, Charles City Middle School will open before Students will also have two televisions with daily and weekly menus posted. Lunches range from tacos with black bean and corn salsa to crispy chicken wraps to the classic hamburgers and hot dogs. The concession stand is smaller but now has two windows to serve through. The art classroom was expanded into the old concessions area. In the back of the classroom, where the counter for the concession stand was, there is a clay area with a sink for pottery. Its much more functional, Crozier said. Included in the remodel was a power upgrade to meet increased demand. Crozier said a new transformer was added. Tim E. Showalter OSAGE Tim E. Showalter, age 65, of Osage, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, at his mothers home in Osage after a battle with cancer. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage with Father Raymond Burkle officiating. Following services, there will be a time for lunch and fellowship at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Osage. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family of Tim E. Showalter. Tim was born May 4, 1951, at Mason City, Iowa, the son of Everett Earl and Marjorie Grace (Dodge) Showalter. He graduated from Osage High School in 1969, and attended Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. Tim was owner/operator of Custom Cycle Design in Iowa City where he was the designer of many unique motorcycles. He then was a self-employed precision machinist at his business, T.S. Machine Services in West Branch, Iowa, engineering intricate parts for medical devices, printing presses, etc. He was a member of Boy Scouts of America and served as a scout master for 15 years. While in high school, Tim enjoyed playing bass guitar with The Music Bachs band at school dances. He also enjoyed woodworking, photography, fishing, hunting, camping, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Tim put his blacksmithing and metalsmithing skills to use in making muzzleloaders and other items for his use in pioneer rendezvous activities. Most of all, Tim treasured time spent with family, especially those times spent fishing with his children and grandchildren. Tim is survived by his son, Kris (Liza) Showalter of Coralville; his daughter, Heather Showalter of Coralville; granddaughters, Darian Marie Showalter and Kenadee Ann Showalter; his mother, Marjorie Showalter of Osage; sisters, Cheryl (Stan) Webb of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and Cherie (Court) Ehrhardt of Madison, North Carolina; several nieces and nephews; Carol McGhan of West Branch; and several aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father, Everett Showalter; and brothers, Andy Showalter and Kim Showalter. Information available and condolences accepted at www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com. Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, 641-732-3706. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 57F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds from time to time. Low 36F. Winds light and variable. IMK Business Consultants(IMK) is a Business management consulting firm offering practical and feasiblebusiness solutions. IMK operates regionally in four East African countriesnamely; Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda; with other occasional consultanciesmade world over to our clients in Europe and other parts of the world. Ourmission is to be a world leader in matching demand for and supply of Talent, HRand Business development services by ensuring quality work to our clients andhaving experienced competent professionals with the best practical tailor madesolutions/training skills to our important asset-THE CLIENT. Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat To live in the universe of Breitbart News is to live in a universe of perpetual fear and agitation. Suspected illegal immigrant allegedly carjacks elderly woman, one headline on the hyper-conservative, verging-on-nationalist site read Thursday morning. Fire Department ordered removal of U.S. flags from fire trucks, blared another. The ObamaCare Bomb: Plan 9 from Collectivist Space, warns still another headline. Scroll down for more news about the jihadists in our midst and our surly neighbor to the south Mexico. And Americas savior? Well, that would be one Donald J. Trump. The Republican nominees face is everywhere on the site. And its tough to distinguish Trumps anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric from that of the bold-faced headlines that burst from the screen. Thus its no surprise that the de facto merger between Team Trump and Breitbart has finally come to pass with the appointment of one of the sites senior executives, Steve Bannon, as the Trump campaigns CEO. Bannon is one-half of a two-headed leadership team that also includes longtime Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway, whos pushed the troubled Paul Manafort (he of Ukrainian Cash fame) from the top of the Trumpian Heap. Its the campaigns second reset in as many months. But if you were expecting a kinder, gentler Trump as a result, you can pretty much forget it. While Conway brings a much-needed dose of professionalism to Trumps foundering campaign (hes trailing Democrat Hillary Clinton by double-digits in many key battleground states and by an average of 6 percent nationwide), Bannon is another matter entirely. As The Washington Post reports, Bannon is a big fan of Nigel Farage, the former head of the ultra-right wing U.K. Independence Party. And Bannon stands pretty much alone in continuing to think that foisting Sarah Palin on the voting public was a good idea. Its widely expected that Bannon, a former Wall Streeter, will just encourage Trumps more nationalist instincts, rather than blunt them. The candidate himself was reportedly agitated with attempts to domesticate him and wants to return the two-fisted brawling that won him the GOP nomination. In that, Bannon is a perfect match. In the past few weeks and months alone, the Breitbart site has, as The New York Times reports, accused President Obama of importing more hating Muslims; compared Planned Parenthoods work to the Holocaust; called Bill Kristol, the conservative commentator, a renegade Jew; and advised female victims of online harassment to just log off and stop screwing up the internet for men, illustrating that point with a picture of a crying child. In a statement, Trumps campaign favorably cited a Bloomberg Politics report describing the pugilistic entrepreneur as the most dangerous political operative in America, who, along with Conway,has the experience and expertise needed to defeat Hillary Clinton in November. Trumps final pivot to the Breit-wing will no doubt play well with the crowds who fill the candidates rallies, gleefully shouting Lock her up! every time Clintons name is mentioned. But to senior Republicans looking to hold onto their majorities in the U.S. House and Senate this is bad news. And it will surely send more Republicans, especially those in marginal seats, fleeing to the exits. Its a mixed bag, meanwhile, for Clinton. Theres no doubt that more radioactive rhetoric from the Trump camp will hurt the Manhattan moguls standing in the polls. Thats good news for Clinton, who can gin up the Democratic base by citing Trumps latest outrage on the stump. That will also help lure moderate Republican voters, such as those in the Philadelphia suburbs and northern Virginia, into Clintons camp. But more aggressive attacks, spearheaded by a guy whose website specializes in giving Clinton agita, will keep the Democratic nominee on defense. Questions about Clintons honesty and trustworthiness remain her campaigns weakest spot. And Clinton is her own worst enemy when it comes to trying to explain that behavior. Heading into the home stretch, though, shell have to gamble that voters will detest Trump more than they dislike her. And since Letting Trump be Trump has prompted The Donalds decline, Bannon may only hasten the final meltdown. As the controversy continues to boil over Amnesty India, the Union Home Ministry is planning a stricter clamp downwhich could spill over to other NGOs. The MHA reads out the rule book on Amnesty India and others which have not registered themselves under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) but have been operating in India for a long period of time and are keen to receive foreign aid periodically. The rules mandate that the NGOs, which are not registered under the Act, can apply for "prior permission" to receive foreign aid, but such permission allows the NGOs to receive funds only twice. It is now being looked into whether Amnesty India took foreign funds more than two times under the prior permission category. While Amnesty India is facing charges of sedition, unlawful assembly and promoting enmity following alleged raising of anti-India slogans at an event in Bengaluru last week, the MHA and IB scrutiny is likely to have a spill over effect with the Home Ministry keen to enforce its rules clearly defined under FCRA . "Prior permission to receive foreign aid comes with riders and all NGOs must be aware of it," said an official. Moreover, the ministry has also made it clear that NGOs operating in the country for a long period of time will need to get themselves registered under FCRA if they want to receive foreign aid. Applying under the prior permission category to receive foreign funds is meant for new NGOs starting work in the country and not for the established ones, said the official. The move is likely to impact some other NGOs in the country who have been working for a long period of time but have not got themselves registered under FCRA . Will India and Pakistan finally have their long overdue foreign secretary talks this month? Pakistans foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Friday called India high commissioner Gautam Bambawale and handed him an invite for Indias foreign secretary S. Jaishankar to visit Islamabad by the end of the month for talks. The letter was in response to Jaishankars letter to Islamabad conveyed on August 17, in which he expressed his willingness to Islamabads earlier invite for the talks. Jaishankar has written that the discussions should focus on pressing aspects of Jammu and Kashmir which include Cessation of cross border terrorism by Pakistan Ending incitement to violence and terrorism from Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir Detaining and prosecuting internationally recognised Pakistani terrorist leaders Closing down of Pakistani terrorist camps Denying safe haven to terrorists in Pakistan who have escaped Indian law. Islamabads invite, while still mentioning the K word, has an entirely different perspective. It starts by inviting the foreign secretary with a view to finding a fair and just solution to the Kashmir dispute as per United Nations Security Council resolutions. It, however, calls for putting an immediate end to human rights violations against the people of Indian occupied Kashmir and for providing medical facilities to the injured. The invite and responses have been going on all this week. India now has to respond to this latest development. It may be recalled that foreign secretary talks were proposed last year to take forward the stitching of relations begun by Prime minister Narendra Modis impromptu visit to Nawaz Sharief. However, within days, Pakistani terrorists attacked Pathankot air force base and relations plummeted. The talks were never officially cancelled, but rescheduled, with the ministry of external affairs repeatedly saying they would be held in the near future, but never giving the date. Even as the Gujarat Government has announced setting up of a fast track court to handle the case of public flogging of four Dalit youths of Mota Samadhiyala in Una, family members of three Dalit youths killed in Thangadh four years ago in police firing have renewed their demand for a CBI inquiry and reopening two cases in which 'C' summary has been filed. A 'C' summary report means that the case is false, but filed because of misunderstanding and without malicious intent. Mehul Rathod, 16, Pankaj Sumra, 17, and Prakash Parmar, 26, had died in police firing in 2012. Since then their families have been longing for justice. Family members, who have sat on an indefinite dharna in Gandhinagar since August 1, said in Ahmedabad on Friday that their children were not criminals. They alleged that the police fired at them following what they described as a minor altercation with people of Bharwad community. The family members and the Gujarat Anusuchit Jaati Atyachar Sangharsh Samiti have planned a massive public meeting in Gandhinagar on August 21 to demand justice for Thangadh victims. Manjula Pradeep, director of Navsarjan Trust, one of the oldest voluntary organisations working in the grassroots for the scheduled caste people, said that they were expecting 10,000 people to attend the meeting but the turnout could be even more. Their charter of demands also include doing away with untouchability in Gujarat, installing a tall statue of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, speedy clearance of pending cases nearly 5,000 under the Atrocities Act and giving five acres land to families involved in skinning of dead animals. Mehuls father Valjibhai said that the family members were not happy with the investigation by the CID (Crime). He also demanded that the state government give them a copy of the report of the probe committee headed by IAS officer Sanjay Prasad. Valjibhai said that it was ironical that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said that shoot me instead of targeting the Dalits, was only 55 kilometers away at a rally when the incident occurred. Modi was then the chief minister of Gujarat. The victims' kin have also demanded that family of each victim be given Rs 10 lakh. The next course of action would be declared at August 21 meeting. Valjibhai said that the police should also lodge an FIR in the case of Shanubhai Vamia, who was injured in police firing when he was trying to save one of the victims. Their demands also include justice for the victims of Una incident. They wanted that the police should file FIRs against policemen allegedly involved in Una incident. Just suspending them is not enough. The families of the victims, however, seemed unhappy with Dalit activist Jignesh Mewani, who emerged as a leader following Una incident. Valjibhai said that though Mewani knew that they had been sitting on indefinite dharna he had not come to meet them. One of the Dalit leaders P. J. Parmar said that though everybody was welcomed for the meeting, Mewani would not be allowed on the stage. Interestingly, at a rally in Una on August 15, one of the founders of Navsarjan Trust Martin Mackwan was not given an opportunity to speak though he was present. The Trust has been working for Dalit rights for over two decades. CLEVELAND, Aug. 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, today announced that its Board of Directors has elected William R. Skip Bowman, age 58, as Vice President and President Instrumentation Group. Mr. Bowman succeeds John R. Greco, who recently announced plans to retire effective September 30, 2016 after more than 40 years of dedicated service to the company. Skips capabilities and broad experience make him ideally suited for this role, said President and Chief Operating Officer, Lee Banks. Having spent time across three operating groups within the company, he exhibits the depth of talent and successful experience that we are looking for in our group leadership roles. Skip is particularly excited to take on this new role having spent most of his career in divisions within the Instrumentation Group. This familiarity will allow him to transition smoothly to his new responsibilities." Mr. Bowman was most recently Vice President of Operations for the Filtration Group, a position he held since 2015. He joined Parker in 1983 as a manufacturing engineer for the Instrumentation Connectors Division. Subsequently, he held progressively responsible engineering and operations roles at the Tube Fittings Division and Instrumentation Connectors Division. Beginning in 1998, he held several general manager roles with the UHP Division, the Instrumentation Valve Division and the Instrumentation Products Division. In 2007, he was named Vice President of Operations for the Fluid Connectors Group with broad oversight for multiple divisions globally. Banks added, I would like to thank John for his dedication throughout four decades with Parker. His depth of experience and long tenure have added great value to our company, as did his character and warmth. His leadership of the Instrumentation Group has been critical in overseeing the smooth integration of the Climate and Industrial Controls Group and the establishment of a new operating structure and vision for growth in Instrumentation. We wish him well in his retirement. Mr. Greco has had an outstanding career at Parker since joining the company in 1976. He began as a research and development engineer in the Fluid Connectors Group. As he advanced through various positions including project engineer and chief engineer, he had significant roles in major acquisitions for the Fluid Connectors Group. In 1996, he became General Manager of the Parflex Division. In 2005, he expanded his responsibilities after accepting an assignment as Vice President/General Manager with responsibility for the Parflex and Polyflex divisions of the Fluid Connectors Group. Mr. Greco was named to his current role in October 2006. With annual sales of $11 billion in fiscal year 2016, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company has operations in 49 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 60 consecutive fiscal years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit the company's website at www.parker.com, or its investor information website at www.phstock.com. ### In an unprecedented move, Tel Aviv education officials have decided to RL introduce a new program into the curriculum of city kindergartens and elementary schools. The city plans to include toeiva education into the curriculum for teachers, to get the message of acceptance out to the children at the youngest age possible. This will be done with the cooperation of the Hoshen NGO, which to date worked with junior high and high school students only. Now, with the support of Tel Aviv City Hall, the program is being expanded RL. The report states that the program is voluntary, and it will only be introduced to schools requesting it. Hoshen volunteers are also working to train teachers in Herzliya to spread their message of accepting a toeiva lifestyle and is working to expand to schools in other cities in Israel. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Housing Minister (Kulanu) Yoav Galant visited the Gush Etzion area this week, getting a firsthand look at the growing Jewish communities. Galant met with area leaders including Efrat Mayor Oded Ravivi, who told him over 1,000 new housing units are under construction in the community. Galant emphasized he views the continued building of Gush Etzion as a national project, citing he envisions the area will be home to 500,000 residents within the next decade. It is reported that today, there are about 75,000 residents of the Gush based on the Central Bureau of Statistics in 2014. The largest Gush Etzion district community if Betar Illit with over 45,000 residents, followed by Efrat with over 8,500 residents. Ravivi explained there is a large building program in place for Efrat, which he predicts will increase by 60% in the coming years, the Givat Eitam project. Most Israelis view Gush Etzion as part of the national consensus and believe it will remain an integral portion of the State of Israel in any and all agreements made with the PA (Palestinian Authority) and Israels neighbors. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Despite the ongoing mantra calling on chareidim to mainstream by sharing in the burden by serving in the IDF and agreeing to include secular subjects in schools, when it comes down to it, chareidim in Israel remain unwanted and the target of discrimination in schools, the IDF and workplace. In its latest move, Israels Council of Higher Education (CHE) is opposing two schools which are trying to introduce programs exclusively for women in the hope of attracting chareidi women. However, the council will not hear of it, demanding coed programs with the exception of institutions of higher education that have special approval to maintain gender separation. In fact, two schools that have separated males and females are being punished for daring to do so. The CHE has punished and reprimanded two academic institutions that separated men and women. The Azrieli College of Engineering in Jerusalem was punished after it opened an engineering curricula for industrial engineering exclusively for women as well as an undergraduate program in psychology. The school was reprimanded and required to cancel the program. The school was not penalized since it was its first violation. The CHE maintains there is no room for gender-separated programs since they exclude segments of the population on the basis of religion, race or gender. The CHE has permitted special cases, programs designed to meet the needs of chareidim but this is not permitted for so-called regular institutions. The school explained that there is a need for women engineers today, and that is why the program was developed. Simultaneously, the psychology program for women was launched, and Rebitzen Tzipi Lau, wife of Chief Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita was enlisted to serve as the president of the program. However, the CHE would not hear of it. According to the Walla News report, the council a number of months ago decided to against Azrieli towards killing the programs. The CHE has also asked for clarification from Achva College, which has since stopped advertising a program exclusively for women. Once again, with the exception of the chareidi schools, the CHE opposes gender-separated classes as per its decision of March 2015 since it feels higher education must be premised on equality, not separation. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) [PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] 74% of Israeli Jews would prefer to have egalitarian wedding ceremonies for themselves or their children, including an egalitarian exchange of wedding rings and an egalitarian Jewish marriage contract, which would include equal obligations for both spouses. 92% of secular Jews and 81% of traditional Jews would be interested in having egalitarian wedding ceremonies. Among Zionist Orthodox Jews, 69% are opposed, but 31% support the idea. The relatively high level of support for egalitarianism among Orthodox respondents once again indicates that the battle for religious freedom and diversity is not between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews, but rather between those who embrace democracy and progress, and those who would see Israel become a theocratic, pre-modern state. Of note: Among voters for the Zionist Orthodox Jewish Home party (Bayit Yehudi), 51% would be interested in having egalitarian wedding ceremonies. This is likely due to the high percentage of non-Orthodox Jewish Home party voters. Head of Hiddush Rabbi Uri Regev responded: The survey underscores the degree to which the Jewish community, including a growing percentage of the religious community, is growing away from the archaic institution of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. The public has clearly expressed that it does not prefer the antiquated and anti-egalitarian wedding ceremony imposed upon it by the intransigent Rabbinate. Many want a Jewish ceremony, but one that matches their values and ways of life, namely a modern, egalitarian ceremony. Nevertheless, the Chief Rabbinate and the Orthodox political parties insist upon non-egalitarian Jewish wedding ceremonies; they are Judaisms number one enemies and breed hatred in the hearts of the public toward Judaism. The traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, according to Jewish law, designates men an active role, and designates women a very passive role one of consent and silence. The man places the ring on the womans finger, he sanctifies her as his own, and only his obligations are outlined in the Jewish marriage contract. In recent years, opportunities for egalitarian weddings have increased in Israel; and in honor of the Jewish holiday of love (Tu BAv), Hiddush explored the level of public demand for them. Unfortunately, due to the intransigent ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinates monopoly over Jewish marriage and divorce, egalitarian Jewish weddings are not recognized by the State of Israel, unless citizens get married outside of Israel. Even then, married couples who wish to divorce may only do so via the official Israeli Rabbinate in non-egalitarian, Orthodox ceremonies. Israel is the only Western democracy that denies its citizens the right to marry as best befits their beliefs, values and lifestyles, as evidenced by Hiddushs international marriage map, which provides a comparative analysis of marriage restrictions in some 200 countries around the world. According to Regev, The obvious solution is to demand that the civil political parties pass a law, legalizing civil marriage and divorce. Unfortunately, the current Government has set new records for submissiveness to the ultra-Orthodox parties political blackmail and coercion; and the opposition parties have been making great efforts to remain in the ultra-Orthodox parties good graces. Until the Rabbinates monopoly is finally done away with, citizens must vote, and continue to get married in independent, egalitarian Jewish ceremonies, which arent yet recognized by the State. The question was worded as follows: If you or one of your children wanted to get married to what degree would you be in support of or opposed to a wedding ceremony that is gender egalitarian, for example: a mutual exchanging of rings and a Jewish wedding contract, which includes equal obligations for both spouses? It is important to note that the survey did not examine theoretical support, but rather personal preferences, related to the respondents and their families. Further, the survey did not mention the legal question of doing away with religious ceremonies or instituting civil marriage, but rather whether the respondents would or would not prefer egalitarian versions of commonly accepted Jewish wedding customs. As noted, 74% of Israeli Jews, three out of four, would be interested in having egalitarian wedding ceremonies for themselves or their children. As expected, there was a difference in responses between men and women. 78% of women and 70% of men favored egalitarian wedding ceremonies. Among left leaning voters, 100% preferred egalitarian ceremonies, as did 94% of centrist voters. Only 58% of right leaning voters favored having egalitarian wedding ceremonies, for most Zionist Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox voters are right leaning. Among immigrants from the former Soviet Union 83% favored the idea, compared with 73% of native Israelis. This is likely due to the relatively low number of Orthodox Jews among the immigrant population. 87% of voters for the opposition parties preferred egalitarian wedding ceremonies, as did 77% of voters for the non-religious Coalition parties. However, 61% of voters for the ultra-Orthodox and Zionist Orthodox political parties were opposed. This survey was conducted by the Smith Polling Institute for Hiddush Freedom of Religion for Israel ahead of Tu BAv, the Jewish holiday of love. The survey was conducted by telephone on July 25-27 among a representative sample of 700 people from the adult Jewish Israeli population. It was conducted with generous support from IREP the Israel Religious Expression Platform. A recent Hiddush survey, also sponsored by IREP, found that 71% of Israeli Jews attach great importance to the issue of marriage freedom, and 60% of the Jewish Israeli public supports the involvement of American Jewish organizations in advancing marriage freedom in Israel. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Authorities in Florida are looking for a man they say posted a series of messages on Twitter, threatening to shoot students and put pipe bombs inside some schools in the Orlando area. The Orlando Sentinel reports officials with the FBI, Orlando police and the Orange County Sheriffs Office dont believe the threats are credible. But theyre looking for a 23-year-old transient whos lived in Florida, California, Virginia and Maryland. Officials say the threats started July 24 and targeted four high schools and a middle school. The posts also encouraged people to shoot up the schools. Orange County Schools sent messages to parents letting them know about the messages. FBI Special Agent Amy Pittman says every investigative lead is being aggressively followed to locate the suspect. (AP) The Israeli prime ministers office says a former conservative commentator who has spoken derisively about U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry has taken up his post as a government spokesman after months of delays. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office on Thursday confirmed that Ran Baratz began work as director of communications several weeks ago. Baratz was appointed last November, but his appointment was delayed after the emergence of earlier social media posts in which he suggested Obama is anti-Semitic and said Kerry could not be taken seriously. Netanyahu disavowed the comments, and Baratz apologized. But the affair became another chapter in the uncomfortable relationship between the Israeli and American leaders. Baratz declined to comment. There was no immediate reaction from the White House. (AP) IRVING, Texas, Aug. 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Dallas announced today a partnership between its Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business and the global community management firm Associa. Partnerships such as this enable the college to further its mission to prepare students in a wide variety of management specialties across a broad range of industries. "Associa's core values, which include integrity, customer service and innovation, complement the university's mission to develop principled and moral leaders," says Gupta College of Business Dean Brett J. L. Landry. "For 50 years, we have been providing community partners with high-quality, practical business education. With this partnership, we continue to expand our network of organizations who value what a real-world educational experience can bring to their workforce." Through this partnership, Associa employees more than 10,000 in five countries are eligible for tuition benefits from the University of Dallas. The benefits can be applied to master's and continuing education programs in the college's Center for Professional Development. "We are honored to partner with the University of Dallas and offer our employees the opportunity to continue their education at such a renowned and established institution," remarks Associa Vice President of Leadership & Organization Development Todd Strosnider. "Having earned my Master of Business Administration from UD, I can attest to the first-class level of the program and its marketability in the workforce." According to a 2016 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, new jobs grew by five percent in the Dallas/Fort Worth market last year. With thousands of organizations competing for the same job prospects, companies are looking for new ways to attract and retain employees with limited budgets. One way to do this is to provide them with educational discounts from top universities like the University of Dallas. "Since our founding, UD has empowered thousands of working professionals through flexible programs serving a variety of specialties," says University of Dallas Director of Corporate Relations and Partnerships Halley Netsch. "Through academic partnerships with UD, employers can develop employees from within their own companies with the added benefit of preparing their workforces to lead their organizations forward into a competitive market." Corporations interested in engagement opportunities with the University of Dallas may contact Halley Netsch at hnetsch@udallas.edu. About the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business The Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas has been perfecting graduate business education for more than 50 years. Located in Irving, Texas, the college offers Texas' only AACSB-Accredited Doctor of Business Administration, in addition to Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and many professional education programs, making it one of the most popular choices among Dallas/Fort Worth's business leaders. SB Hall, which opened in January 2016, houses the college, providing students with state-of-the-art technology and practical tools to prepare them for their future career. For more information, visit www.udallas.edu/cob. About Associa Building and managing successful communities for more than 37 years, Associa is the worldwide leader in community management with over 10,000 employees operating more than 180 branch offices in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, the United States, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. Based in Dallas, Texas, our industry expertise, financial strength and innovation meet the unique needs of clients across the world with customized services and solutions designed to help communities achieve their vision. To learn more about Associa go to www.associaonline.com. About the University of Dallas The University of Dallas, located in a metropolitan area of nearly seven million people, is a leading Catholic university widely recognized for academic excellence by well-known publications, organizations and accrediting bodies. It offers distinctive individual undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in the liberal arts, business and ministry that are characterized by an exceptional, engaged faculty, a commitment to shaping principled, well-skilled leaders and academic rigor in the Catholic intellectual tradition. For more information, visit www.udallas.edu. A Mexican judge has issued an injunction that could send drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman from a prison in a border state back to the maximum security prison from which he previously escaped outside Mexico City, one of his lawyers said late Wednesday. Lawyer Jose Refugio Rodriguez said the government could appeal the decision and it could take three months to resolve. Guzman was recaptured in January and initially placed back in the Altiplano prison. However, authorities transferred him in May to a federal prison in the northern state of Chihuahua, saying security measures were being improved at Altiplano. The cartel leader is awaiting extradition to the U.S. and his lawyers complained that the new location made it difficult for them to remain in contact with their client. Guzman heads Mexicos powerful Sinaloa cartel. On Tuesday, authorities in Jalisco state announced that his son was among six people abducted from a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. Guzmans lawyers have not spoken with their client since last Thursday, Refugio said. So they had not informed him of his sons abduction, but he could not say whether other relatives had told him. (AP) Hillary Clintons team is bracing for what Donald Trumps campaign shakeup portends: a political fight that that could drag out every Clinton family drama, tabloid scandal, and conspiracy theory of the past three decades. But the Democratic presidential nominee doesnt plan to adjust her strategy or shift staffing in response, according to interviews Wednesday with campaign advisers, surrogates, and party strategists. While Trumps hiring of Breitbart News executive chairman Stephen Bannon as his campaigns CEO signals that the Republican nominee wont moderate his attacks, Clinton aides say she has built her general-election strategy around combating such tactics. Veterans of Clintons 2008 run are also keenly aware of the potential repercussions brought on by campaign staffing changes. Trumps installation and elevation of Paul Manafort, a lobbyist who has advised past mainstream Republican presidential candidates, coupled with the June firing of campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, held out the possibility that Trump would morph into a more reined-in, conventional candidate than the one who gleefully trounced his primary opponents. But Trump refused to be managed. By hiring Bannon and promoting pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager, while Manafort retains his campaign chairman title, Trump may be formalizing the negative tack the Clinton team has been anticipating. After several failed attempts to pivot to a more serious and presidential mode, Donald Trump has decided to double down on his most small, nasty and divisive instincts, Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook told reporters on a conference call scheduled to respond to the Bannon hire. This latest shake-up turns his campaign over to someone whos best known for running a so-called news site that peddles divisive, at times racist, anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. A Trump campaign official who spoke on condition of anonymity disputed that the new staff signals a plan to use tabloid-style tactics. Instead, the official said, the campaign will be unpredictable and wont follow the standard playbook. One Clinton campaign official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that throughout staff discussions Wednesday, the consensus was that Trumps moves shouldnt change anything in terms of Clintons lines of defense. Aides reaffirmed a strategy they agreed to in May, when it became clear Trump would be the Republican nominee, of avoiding what they saw as a trap of getting into a tit-for-tat with Trump over personal attacks. The campaigns thinking then and now, the official said, is that Clinton should take the high road, and if Trump goes after her personally, she should shift the message to focus on groups Trump may be attacking. If the staff shakeup emboldens Trump to embrace more nationalistic or divisive rhetoric, as many Democrats are predicting, it could give Clinton an opportunity to expand her defense of Trumps rhetorical targets, including women, Muslim-Americans, and other minority groups. Clinton seemed to underscore this thinking at a campaign appearance in Cleveland hours after Trumps changes were announced, saying, There is no new Donald Trump. This is it. Donald Trump has shown us who he is, she said. He can hire and fire anybody he wants from his campaign. They can make him read new words from a teleprompter. But he is still the same man who insults Gold Star families, demeans women, mocks people with disabilities, and thinks he knows more about ISIS than our generals. Key outside groups supporting Clinton say that they too plan to stick to the strategies theyve had in place for months. David Brock, who founded the Clinton-defending super-political action committee Correct the Record, said his group was ready for such a turn. Its safe to say that the takeover of the Republican presidential campaign by the purveyor of a lunatic right-wing website signals a doubling down on the kind of anti-Clinton pseudo scandals and conspiracy theories that are red meat for the base already supporting Trump but will do nothing to move other voters unless it backfires with them, Brock said in an e-mail, predicting another round of unfounded attacks against the Clinton Foundation by Trump. But, he added, our first responders will be ready. I think its sort of more of the same, said Jess OConnell, executive director of Emilys List, which supports women seeking public office who back abortion rights. Theyre prepared for the antics. Letting Trump be Trump is just not a campaign strategy. We will be responsive. Im sure the Hillary campaign will be responsive too. Justin Barasky, communications director of pro-Clinton super-PAC Priorities USA Action, said his group will also stay on course. If its possible for Trump to get more offensive and unhinged and disgusting, Im sure he will, but that is all ammunition for Priorities to turn attacks back around on Trump, he said. At the same time, Clinton backers said Trumps shakeup could expand her options to go on offense. Breitbarts own past antagonism of mainstream Republican leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, may allow Clinton or her surrogates to further drive a wedge between Trump and other leaders in his party. Trumps personnel moves reflect instability atop his campaign, the official said, while Clintons leadership team has been largely unchanged since she announced her candidacy in April 2015. Trump hired Manafort in March, hired and fired political director Rick Wiley in the spring, and fired Lewandowski in June. Former Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes is said to have taken on a more active advisory role since being ousted from his job last month. At Clintons Brooklyn headquarters, there have been no shakeups or high-profile departures and no layering of senior aides on top of one another. Theres been only one high-level addition to the initial team, senior adviser Minyon Moore, who joined the campaign this spring and was already an active outside adviser to Clinton, plus hires and staff moves as Clinton chose Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine as her running mate. Presidential campaigns, especially in general elections, dont typically have CEOs, and Bannons title at least nominally clashes with those of Manafort, the campaign chairman, and Conway, the campaign manager. Leaving aside questions of competency, Trump has a CEO, a campaign manager, and campaign chairman who says he is chief strategist, President Barack Obamas 2008 campaign manager, David Plouffe, who frequently speaks to Mook, wrote Wednesday on Twitter. Cluster. (c) 2016, Bloomberg Margaret Talev, Jennifer Epstein It seemed bitcoin exchange Bitfinex was doing all the right things. In the end, that didnt stop hackers from stealing $65 million. The latest in a long list of attacks on the digital currency since its birth in 2009 has been particularly vexing for the bitcoin community. Not only was Bitfinex the largest exchange for U.S. dollar transactions, but the hack highlights that the industry hasnt figured out critical security, despite years of learning from mistakes and making improvements to its infrastructure. Even as the incident has triggered calls for audits in certain parts of the industry, experts dont anticipate the investigations will unearth new ways of radically strengthening protection. Whats more telling, they say, is that the communitys willingness to vilify targets while shrugging off the need for industry-wide solutions is a sign its doomed to happen again. There is a long tradition of blaming the victim in the bitcoin community, said Emin Gun Sirer, a Cornell University computer science professor who researches the currency. But when you have a six-year long history of near-continuous key theft, at some point, we have to stop shirking off the responsibility. The fallout has been widespread. Bitfinex imposed a levy on customers to cover the lost $65 million, taking 36 percent of everyones assets whether they had been hit by the hackers or not. The price of bitcoin also plunged on news of the hack, slashing the value of the digital currency well beyond Bitfinex. Collectively, investors have lost about $1.2 billion since the attack, according data from Coindesk. Thats not to say bitcoin security hasnt come far, through the efforts of thousands who work and volunteer to improve the digital currency. Since Mt. Gox at one time the worlds largest exchange was hacked for $450 million in early 2014, most venues have adopted tough security measures, including segregated client accounts, external audits of systems and two-factor authentication for securing logins. Another step forward has been multi-signature security, which essentially splits the private keys attached to every bitcoin into several copies and hides them in multiple locations. The technology requires a sign-off from a majority of the copies (for example, two out of three) before the bitcoin can be moved again. That forces hackers to breach multiple systems before they can get access to funds. Bitfinex made use of the technology and, as suggested by security experts, stored copies offline and with a third party, its security partner BitGo Inc. When it was implemented in June 2015, confidence was so high that BitGos chief executive officer boasted the system made breaches such as those of Mt. Gox impossible. Bitfinex hasnt disclosed details of how hackers managed to compromise that system, saying the investigation is still pending. It did suspend its use of BitGos technology and said hackers had increased withdrawal limits without BitGo realizing it. BitGo has said its software functioned properly and denied its systems were breached. Securing tiny electronic files from leaking keys pushes the bounds of known computer science, Jeff Garzik, one of Bitcoins earliest developers and founder of blockchain startup Bloq Inc., wrote in an e-mail. Multi-sig raises that bar considerably, but nothing is perfect. After a hack thought impossible just a year ago, Bitcoin proponents are scrambling for solutions. Some argue that existing technology is strong enough to keep out hackers, but implementation has to be better. Individuals, for example, can protect themselves by storing bitcoin in individual wallets rather than at exchanges, which remain targets for attack. When users choose to store their bitcoin in a custodial wallet or exchange, they are giving the provider control over their bitcoins, said Peter Smith, chief executive officer of Blockchain, which provides bitcoin wallets to individuals. As a result, customers are not only subjected to the possibility that they will lose their funds via cybertheft but also that the provider can impose a tax to cover the loss of other clients, as Bitfinex is doing here. A more radical solution is to use technology to punish thieves. This summer, hackers siphoned off about $60 million of ethereum, the worlds second most-popular digital currency behind bitcoin. The community reacted by adopting a so-called hard fork, which effectively migrated users to a new version of ethereum in which the theft never occured. The decision triggered a rebellion from a significant chunk of the community, who argued that nullifying the theft was a violation of ethereums free market ethos. Given such extreme steps, some say the time has come for the Bitcoin community to consider a form of regulation, either self-imposed or with the assistance of governments. The key, they say, will be educating regulators so that they dont slow down innovation in the name of protecting consumers. Some, including BitGo, have begun work with auditors like Deloitte LLP to standardize security requirements for the industry, although how and who would enforce the guidelines is unclear. Even Bitcoin enthusiasts are slowly realizing that regulation is necessary, said Trond Undheim, a former senior lecturer at Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Sloan School of Management. Thats the only way it will survive. Thats also the key to its wider adoption. Investors want solutions. Kay Van-Petersen, a strategist at Saxo Capital Markets, avoided Bitfinex but still saw a tenth of his Bitcoin investment wiped out as prices dropped after the attack. Every time an exchange gets hacked, it just looks bad on everybody, he said. (c) 2016, Bloomberg Yuji Nakamura Donald Trumps campaign shakeup and new plan to run more directly against the Washington establishment could force more defections by mainstream Republicans who are increasingly worried about preserving their House and Senate majorities. House Speaker Paul Ryan and other congressional Republicans will be under added pressure to decide whether to stick with Trump or campaign more openly to keep Congress in Republicans hands as a check on a future President Hillary Clinton. At the same time, Trumps decision to hire Stephen K. Bannon, executive chairman of crusading right-wing website Breitbart News and a former Goldman Sachs banker, as chief executive of his campaign has buoyed the most conservative Republican lawmakers, who are eager to see the real-estate mogul stay the course that helped him triumph in the Republican primaries. Either way, the changes complicate what was already a difficult task for congressional Republicans to defend their majorities in both chambers and hold together a splintering party. Under Bannon, Breitbart News has targeted establishment Republicans, including former Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. As part of Trumps move, the Republican presidential nominee plans to restore a full-bore anti-establishment tenor to the campaign, ending sporadic efforts to moderate his tenor and reach out to skeptical Republicans and independents, according to a person familiar with the matter. Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, who made clear in early August that he wont be voting for Trump, said Bannons hiring could push some Republican congressional fence-sitters to take a firm stance on Trump. It might give them more incentive to make a decision one way or the other, Dent, co-chairman of a group of about three dozen House centrists, said in a telephone interview. It will be kind of hard to just try and not say anything, he said of Republican candidates. It just seems to me that this campaign has been largely run by the candidate himself and this shake-up is just another indication of disorder ahead. But Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina called Trumps move a good prescription for worried congressional Republicans. To suggest that we need to go with more of an establishment type of campaign really would be to ignore everything that is happening in the world, and certainly in Washington, D.C., said Meadows, a founder and leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which played a key role in ousting Boehner and since has challenged Ryan on several legislative fronts. Theres a reason why millions of Americans on both sides of the aisle feel they want an outsider whether that would be Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump. Meadows added, I think an anti-establishment campaign is just want the doctor ordered whether in North Carolina, California, or Illinois. Even voters in California and Illinois, two areas less conservative than his own state, know Washington, D.C., is broken, he said. The Trump campaign for the last two or three weeks, in particular, has seemed off course. The shift in tone will probably make it harder for Ryan to pursue his stated goal of bolstering party unity by uniting around a set of policy plans. This is sure not a plea for party unity, joked Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, in Poughkeepsie, New York. Aides to Ryan declined to comment. Meadows said that Trump shouldnt be thinking about making the Republican establishment happy as he works to win the White House. People are looking for something different, even if they disagree with some of the rhetoric, said Meadows. He said the addition of pollster Kellyanne Conway as campaign manager will be able to provide to the Trump campaign some credence in terms of what matters to most people. House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price of Georgia said what Trump is reflecting, and what I support, is the frustration and anger that has come across the nation over the inability of government leaders as a whole to address challenges in many policy areas, such as health care and education. Thats what hes tapped in to, said Price. Thats what the American people are embracing. But Price conceded that not all congressional Republicans have constituencies that necessarily see things that way, and these candidates know they must calibrate their local strategies accordingly. Individuals down-ballot have a constituency that is by definition more narrow than the nation. People run the races they have to run, said Price, saying the same goes for Democrats. I respect that and know Mr. Trump respects that as well. There are no solid signs yet that Trump is heavily influencing potential congressional race outcomes across the nation, said Miringoff of the Marist Institute. Heres the dilemma. There are going to be some people who vote for Donald Trump, said Miringoff, creating a challenge for Republican candidates who oppose him. On the other hand, for some Republicans who draw too close to Trump, theres the danger that he either gets clobbered in that district, or he depresses Republican voter turnout. This totally could make things more difficult, he said. (c) 2016, Bloomberg Billy House It is no longer legal for unclaimed bodies to be released to medical schools without the consent of the deceaseds spouse or next of kin. Today, NY State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Unclaimed Bodies bill, which was sponsored by Senator Simcha Felder and Assemblyman Mike Simanowitz. After numerous cases of unclaimed bodies being delivered to medical schools for uses that may have been in stark contrast with the religious or personal wishes of next of kin, this law now makes it illegal to show such disrespect to the deceased, said Senator Felder. My colleague Assemblyman Simanowitz and I were both aware of heart-breaking cases that pained families and we feared that these scenarios would repeat. Now, these worries come to an end. I am grateful to Governor Cuomo for signing our bill into law. Senator Felder recognized Dr. Barbara Sampson, the Chief Medical Examiner, New York City, as well as Simcha Eichenstein from Mayor de Blasios Office of State Legislative Affairs, for their efforts on behalf of the bill. (YWN Desk NYC) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times Dayan Yechezkel Roth Shlita is one of the premier Poskim in the United States, and formerly the dayan of the Satmar Rebbe zatzal, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum. Dayan Roth heads the Beis Talmud LHoraah Karlsburg which has a number of illustrious dayanim, and heads of the Beis Din among them are Rav Hershel Ausch Shlita and Rav Yitzchok Stein Shlita. Rav Stein had delivered a number of shiurm on the topic of Kashrus seals under the auspices of the remarkable Irgun Shiurei Torah organization. Recently, the highlights of the shiur he delivered have been published in a small forty-two page pamphlet which is available at finer Seforim stores. There are 39 sections in the pamphlet. What follows is a summary of Rav Steins conclusions. The summary, of course, is not exhaustive. WHY SOME ITEMS NEED TWO SEALS In the first section Rav Stein delineates what food items need two seals and what need just one. He cites three opinions as to the nature of the distinction: The Rashba and Rambam write that items that are biblically forbidden require two signs, and Rabbinically proscribed foods only require one. Rashi writes that expensive foods require two and the cheaper ones require one and the Ran cites the Yerushalmi that it depends whether or not its prohibition is internal or on account of some outside factor. The clear conclusion of Shulchan Aruch is like the Rambam and the Rashba. THE GEMORAHS BARREL SEAL In the second section he discusses the Gemorah in Avodah Zarah (69b) which indicates that a barrel seal alone is considered as one seal. Rav Stein then quotes one of Rashis Rebbeim, Rav Yitzchok Ben Yehudah, who forbade it because he distinguished between the types of barrels in the times of Chazal and those in use in Germany and France. Rav Stein, however, does not bring Rashis response (Responsa #161), nor Tosfoss disagreement with Rashis Rebbe. The upshot of Rav Steins conclusion is that normative halacha is like Rav Yitzchok Ben Yehudah, when it seems to this author that the opposite is, in fact, the case. This is not only from these two sources but from the way the meforshei Shulchan Aruch deal with this issue. HOW MANY SEALS DOES WINE REQUIRE? The next few sections deal with a Chosaim within a Chosaim. In section seven and eight Rav Stein cites Acharonim who disagree with the Aruch HaShulchans conclusion (YD 118:18) that nowadays wine only requires one seal not two. The Tzitz Eliezer (Vol. XII #56), however, cites a number of factors where he states quite unequivocally that only one seal is required. WHEN THE GENTILE HAS NO BENEFIT In section twenty one, Rav Stein discusses the leniency of when the gentile has no benefit. He seems to conclude that it is not ideal to rely on this lechatchila. However, even if this is correct, it seems that this is only true in regard to food items that require two seals, but it is lechatchila in regard to foods that only require one seal. In section twenty-three he discusses a lone opinion (against twenty five other RAV STEINS RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING SEALS In the 39th section, Rav Stein makes some practical suggestions. 1. Ideally, one should not send food items that require a chosaim (seal) without a completely valid seal even in a public place. 2. The notion of He does not benefit in the switching is not a lechatchila heter since some Poskim were stringent even though the overwhelming majority of Poskim are lenient. 3. Even cooked or baked items that gentiles do not generally make require a proper seal. 4. Stores and supermarkets owned or operated by gentiles require extreme care in regard to seals. 5. It is necessary for any seal that is used to be placed in such a manner that it would be apparent if the gentile had opened it. For example, words should be printed on the package where half of the letters are on the sticker while the other half are on the box or wrapper. HOUSEKEEPERS AND BABYSITTERS Rav Stein also provides six strong recommendations for those that have a housekeeper or babysitter that is either one who does not keep kosher or is aina yehudis. 1. There must not be a set time in which no one from the household is not present. If this is difficult, a rotation arrangement should be made where someone from the household would pop in during these times. 2. The home should not be locked in such a manner where one who enters would be readily noticed and would give opportunity to hide non-koser food. If this is not possible then upon the persons arrival one should make sure that no food items were brought. 3. To make some sort of an identifying feature in the meat or fish that are not sealed for example that which is set aside for lunch or dinner. 4. Generally speaking it is a good idea to set a hard and fast rule that no outside food be brought into the house so that there will not be any questions on the pots the oven or even the microwave. 5. They should be warned not to cook or arm any tem in pots or pans because if an item is cooked in a manner that constitutes Bishul Akum the vessels would be rendered non-kosher. 6. If post-facto cooking did occur the vessels become non-kosher even after one has waited 24 hours. In a case where the item cannot be koshered otherwise, a Rabbi should be consulted as to the leniencies available. FOLLOW UP As a follow up to a previous article regarding the Exxon station on Route Nine in Lakewood, NJ, I have been informed that it is now under a recognized hashgacha that also has 24 hour video surveillance. Furthermore, there have been a number of situations where, in fact, the Cholov Yisroel milk in gentile establishments (that stock other milk) have been switched over so caveat kosherus emptor. The author can be reached at [email protected] Attention Readers: The seventh volume of Not Your Usual Halacha has just been released. The authors books, including the Not Your Usual halacha Series, Hilchos Shabbos, Hilchos Meuzah, Hilchos Kashrus can be purchased at amazon.com A federal judge hearing the case of two former allies of Republican Gov. Chris Christie in the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal has ruled that recent filings are to remain under seal. U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton ruled Thursday that unredacted filings in the case could implicate individuals who havent been charged in the September 2013 lane closures. Bill Baroni and Bridget Kelly have pleaded not guilty to charges including wire fraud and civil rights violations. Prosecutors say they closed access lanes to the bridge in Fort Lee to punish that citys Democratic mayor for not endorsing Christies re-election. The redacted documents hint that the defendants and David Wildstein also targeted Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. Wildstein has pleaded guilty. Baroni and Wildstein were former appointees of Christie at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns and operates the bridge. Kelly was Christies former deputy chief of staff. Christie has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing. The ruling comes after the publication last week in court filings of transcripts of a text conversation that indicated a former Christie aide believed Christie had lied to reporters about whether senior staffers were involved in the lane closures. Baronis and Kellys attorneys are expected to argue to a jury that the scheme extended well beyond their clients and that they are being scapegoated for the actions of others. The texts released last week might just be an opening round of new information that sheds light on who knew what and when. Thursdays ruling says the unredacted filings will remain sealed until a later ruling. (AP) MINES MANAGEMENT REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2016 FINANCIAL RESULTS AND MONTANORE PROJECT UPDATE Spokane, Washington, Aug. 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MINES MANAGEMENT, INC. (NYSE-MARKET: "MGN", TSX: "MGT")(the "Company") announces financial and operating results for the second fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2016. Overview On May 23, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger ("merger agreement") with Hecla Mining Company ("Hecla"). Pursuant to the merger agreement and subject to approval of the Company's stockholders and the satisfaction of other conditions specified in the agreement, a subsidiary of Hecla (HL Idaho Corp.) would merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Hecla. Each outstanding share of the Company's common stock will be exchanged for 0.2218 shares of Hecla's common stock per the terms of the merger agreement. The merger agreement, as amended, may be terminated in certain circumstances prior to the closing, including by either party if the Company fails to obtain stockholder approval of the merger agreement or the merger is not consummated by the deadline. The merger agreement has been amended to extend the deadline for consummating the merger agreement to September 30, 2016. On May 23, 2016, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into a term loan and security agreement with Hecla as lender ("the term loan agreement"). The term loan agreement provides for a $2.3 million secured term loan which bears interest at a rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus five percent and, as amended, matures on the earlier of September 30, 2016 or the date the merger is completed. The term loan becomes due and payable in full upon a change of control or event of default (as such terms are defined in the term loan agreement) or if the merger agreement is terminated for any reason other than a breach of the merger agreement by Hecla. The term loan is secured, subject to certain permitted liens, by a security interest in substantially all of the Company's assets, including the Montanore Project. The Company's cash reserves as of June 30, 2016, are insufficient to continue operations through the end of the third quarter of 2016. If the proposed merger with Hecla is not completed, the Company will need to seek additional capital or consider other alternatives, which could include bankruptcy or the sale of some or all of its assets. As of June 30, 2016, all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's Series B 6% convertible preferred stock had been converted into 5,085,176 shares of common stock. Based on information provided by the Company through June 30, 2016 and the Company's May 24, 2016 press release announcing a merger agreement with Hecla, the NYSE MKT granted a revised plan period for the Company to regain compliance with certain continued listing standards until September 30, 2016. Financial and Operating Results The Company continues to expense all of its expenditures when incurred, with the exception of equipment and buildings which are capitalized. The Company has no revenues from mining operations. Financial results of operations include primarily general and administrative expenses, permitting and maintenance of the Montanore Project, and legal, accounting, and consulting expenses. Quarter Ended June 30, 2016 The Company reported operating expenses of $1.2 million for each of the quarters ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. The most significant differences in operating expenditures between those two quarters include: (i) a $0.1 million decrease in general and administrative expenses primarily due to the lack of stock compensation and the lack of expenditures for an annual meeting and directors compensation during 2016, (ii) a decrease of $0.2 million in technical expenses in 2016 primarily due to the completion of the final environmental impact statement on the Montanore Project ("FEIS") and issuance of the federal and state records of decision, which resulted in reduced fees paid to the contractors working on obtaining and maintaining project approvals and permits as well as a reduction in the baseline studies associated with the Environmental Impact Study, and (iii) a $0.3 million increase in legal, accounting and consulting fees primarily associated with the agreement and plan of merger with Hecla. Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 The Company reported operating expenses of $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The most significant differences in operating expenditures between those two quarters include: (i) a $0.2 million decrease in general and administrative expenses primarily due to the lack of stock compensation during 2016 (compared to $0.1 million during 2015) and the absence of expenditures for an annual meeting and director compensation during 2016 (compared to $0.1 million during 2015), (ii) a decrease of $0.3 million in technical expenses in 2016 primarily due to the completion of the FEIS and issuance of the records of decision, which resulted in reduced fees paid to the contractors working on obtaining and maintaining project approvals and permits as well as a reduction in the baseline studies associated with the Environmental Impact Study, and (iii) a $0.1 million increase in legal, accounting and consulting fees primarily associated with expenditures related to the agreement and plan of merger with Hecla. Liquidity During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the net cash used in operating activities was approximately $1.8 million, which was $0.8 million less than the net cash used in operating activities during the same period in the prior year. Net cash provided by financing activities during 2016 included approximately $1.3 million provided by the term loan agreement entered into with Hecla and $0.2 million in proceeds from stock options exercised, offset by $0.1 million cumulative preferred stock dividends paid. During 2015, net cash utilized by financing activities included $0.1 million cumulative preferred stock dividends paid. The Company's cash and cash equivalents decreased from $1.2 million at December 31, 2015 to approximately $0.8 million at June 30, 2016. The Company does not currently have enough cash on hand to fund ongoing operating expenses through the end of the third quarter of 2016. The Company expects to fund its operating expenses during this period, prior to completion of the merger with Hecla, by borrowing the remaining funds available from Hecla pursuant to the $2.3 million term loan described above. The Company does not have a recurring source of revenue or sufficient cash to fund normal operations or meet its debt obligations without raising additional funds. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. If the proposed merger with Hecla is not completed, the Company will need to seek additional capital or consider other alternatives, which could include bankruptcy or the sale of some or all of its assets. About Mines Management Mines Management, Inc. is engaged in the business of acquiring and exploring, and if exploration is successful, developing mineral properties containing precious and base metals. The Company's primary focus is on the advancement of the Montanore silver-copper project located in northwestern Montana. The Montanore is an advanced stage exploration project, which contains mineralized material of approximately 81.5 million tons with average grades of 2.04 ounces silver per ton and 0.74% copper. Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Mineralized Material: This press release uses the terms "Mineralized Material". We advise U.S. investors that the term, while permissible under the Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 7, does not indicate "reserves" by SEC standards. There can be no assurance that any part of the mineralized material at Montanore will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant "reserves". Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted. Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Some statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws including comments regarding the anticipated merger with Hecla Mining Company, the Company's plans to fund its operating expenses during the period prior to the merger with Hecla by borrowing from Hecla; the terms of the Hecla loan and the Company's lack of cash to fund its ongoing operating expenses through the third quarter of 2016. Investors are cautioned that forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include delay in or failure to complete the merger with Hecla, the failure of either party to comply with the merger agreement or loan agreement, whether the Company's operating expenses are higher than anticipated; whether external financing for the Company's business can be obtained on acceptable terms or at all if the Hecla merger is not completed; possible bankruptcy filing or sale of a portion or all of the Company's assets if the Hecla merger is not completed, continued disputes regarding claim ownership and rights in the Montanore Project area; the outcome or effects of shareholder litigation challenging the Hecla merger; changes in interpretation of geological information, whether additional permitting may be required at Montanore in the future; the results of delineation drilling and feasibility studies; continued decreases and future fluctuations in silver, gold and copper prices; and world economic conditions. Mines Management, Inc. assumes no obligation to update this information. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Mines Management, Inc. will be those anticipated by management. Please refer to the discussion of risk factors in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. For more information, contact: Douglas D. Dobbs President, Mines Management, Inc. Phone: 509-838-6050 Fax: 509-838-0486 Email: info@minesmanagement.com Web: www.minesmanagement.com HUG#2036063 Getting bankers to splutter on their cappuccinos takes some doing, but high-profile press reports stating the City had given up all hope of gaining access to the single market as part of a Brexit deal did just that yesterday. Bankers and financiers were right to be astonished and incensed because as far as they can make out, the Square Mile has neither an official nor semi-official line on what it hopes to achieve from Government negotiations with the European Union. In fact there is no one single voice representing the financial services industry, so there is no earthly way that 'the City' is in a position to put its case. Bankers spluttered on their cappuccinos upon reading high-profile press reports stating the City had given up all hope of gaining access to the single market as part of a Brexit deal Thus the idea that this nebulous 'City' had given up all hope of access to the single market before even deciding on what they might want could only be mischief-making or plain wrong. The reports proved to be the latter confused at best, and watered down. But not before the British Bankers' Association, which had been inundated by furious bankers from some of the world's biggest lenders, knocked down the story. The BBA's Anthony Browne says the City most certainly does want to have full access to the single market if possible. As far as we know, sources behind the report came from two of the half-a-dozen or so City lobbying groups which have been set up independently post-Brexit to formulate and co-ordinate views across the sector. Those two being Shriti Vadera's self-appointed and long-winded taskforce, the European Financial Services Chairman's Advisory Committee, and the CityUK campaigning group. It may be the sources had confused two quite separate but subtle approaches to any Brexit deal: the difference between retaining full market 'access' to the single market and retaining full 'membership' of it. The latter option involves being a member of the European Economic Area, which brings obligations such as budget contributions and freedom of movement. Yet most City financiers, along with the BBA, are confident the UK is in a strong position to be able to keep access to the single market without the conditions which apply to EEA members Norway and Iceland. So what is going on? Why would these groups give up before trying? It's not clear but it does seem as though there is some jockeying for position ahead of Theresa May's special Brexit cabinet committee next month. As well as Vadera's group and CityUK, there is the BBA; a new Financial Forum, headed by Daniel Hodson, ex-Liffe boss and deputy chairman of Vote Leave; and a special CBI group. Jon Moulton, part of Hodson's forum, says the City needs as much access to the single market and as little regulation as possible. Given the weakness of the eurozone economy, the City is in a strong position to negotiate arrangements to ensure EU financial firms retain passporting access to London. And it's often overlooked that Europe's banks and investors need access to London's capital markets, which are the deepest and most liquid on the continent, if not the world. What this episode shows is that May's Brexit committee needs to set up a City hit squad of top financiers that should then pull together different ideas from the rival lobbying bodies. There are as many conflicting views on a Brexit deal as there were over the vote. The idea the City was for Remain is a red herring. Brakes off in Cambridge This was not supposed to happen. Overseas investors were meant to flee, and funding for UK start-ups was to dry up. Yet Cambridge Innovation Capital has just raised another 75million to invest in British tech. CIC's Victor Christou has brought in Neil Woodford's investment fund, as well as the Oman Investment Fund. Set up by serial entrepreneur Peter Keen, CIC is also backed by University of Cambridge, Lansdowne and ARM Holdings. Christou says CIC likes to pick-out companies that need 2million to 5million always the most difficult amount to raise. # To get a flavour of their ambition, he also always asks the owner of the companies: 'What are your ambitions if money were not an object? What would you do if the brakes were off?' That's surely enough to rev up any young dreamer. Sugary excuses Supermarkets are making fools of themselves with their response to the Government's decision to drop some anti-obesity measures against the food industry. Sainsbury's Mike Coupe says stricter rules on sugar and fat measures should be made compulsory across the industry. Why? Surely there is a better option. Coupe and his fellow supermarket bosses should get together and tell their food manufacturer suppliers that they will not buy from them unless they cut the levels voluntarily. If a sofa manufacturer was caught buying fabric they knew to cause fire, the retailers would stop buying. The picture has got a lot shakier at 21st Century Technology, a provider of closed-circuit TV on buses whose shares halved at one point during a torrid session today. It is now in cost cutting mode as it issued a revenue and profit warning on Friday morning. In fairness the warning signs have been there since April when the company said trading had been slower than expected in the first three months of 2016. Shares depart: 21st Century Technology, a designer of passenger information and ticketing systems, saw its shares halve at one point during a torrid early session today At that time, 21st Century indicated trading was expected to pick up in the second half of the year, but rather like when waiting for a bus on a freezing cold wet night, the pick-up is taking longer to arrive than anticipated. The company said that although its Passenger Systems arm has a number of irons in the fire in terms of contract bids, order intake has been well below expectations, and the board now expects full year revenue will be lower than last year, resulting in a significant loss for the full year. By mid-morning the stock had recovered a little of the initial losses and was down just 20 per cent at 1.89p. At that price the company is worth a micro 1.9million, or just 700,000 more than the cash it had on its balance sheet at the end of June. Lets hope that is enough to get it through a tough second half. Looking at the wider small cap market, volumes have been subdued, as is normally the case in the middle of the summer holidays. This was reflected in the movement of the FTSE AIM All-Share, which edged 0.2 per cent higher this week. The AIM 100 lost half a percentage point, which was slightly better than the FTSE 100, which reversed 0.9 per cent. Sticking with the losers. Independent Oil & Gas was down around 14 per cent Friday and off around 30 per cent over the week. The movement was prompted by news that the company concluded its latest drilling without adding extra resources to the Skipper project in the North Sea. The big gainer this week was Harvest Minerals, which added three-quarters to its value. It followed the release of a scoping study that examined the economic potential of developing the Arapua fertiliser project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Currently changing hands for 16.5p, the shares have bounced from around the 4.75p level at the end of July. The projects where we wanted it to be, Brian McMaster, the companys chief executive told Proactive Investors on Thursday. We banked the cheque in January and here we are seven months later with a clear line of sight to getting ore on the pad. This week's gainer: Harvest Minerals is a potash and phosphate exploration and development company with projects located in Brazil Another big winner was Edenville Energy, up 57 per cent this week after being given a boost by the Tanzanian authorities, which have put an embargo on coal imports. Thats good news for the AIM-listed mine developer which just happens to have deposits in the country that can be fast-tracked into production. AFC Energy has also had a decent run, pushing ahead 24 per cent over the last five sessions. It has enjoyed an even more spectacular 70 per cent jump over the past month as investors have warmed to the fuel cells company, which is gaining commercial traction for its technology. It also unveiled its new brand identity this week. I lika, you lika; so whats not a lika about Ilika? Well, quite a bit it would seem if the share price over the last year is anything to go by. It is down by around a quarter in the past year. However the last week has seen a revival in the stock market fortunes of the battery maker with shares advancing 16 per cent this week after it landed a 365,000 grant. Uber has been accused of treating drivers as independent contractors instead of staff TAXI ROW A 76million settlement between ride-sharing app Uber and some of its drivers has been rejected by a US judge. The deal, agreed by Uber, would have seen the money split between about 380,000 drivers to stave off a class action lawsuit. The action follows claims Uber has been treating drivers as independent contractors instead of staff, with the lawsuit contending they should be compensated for expenses such as petrol. CARE CRISIS Britain's biggest care home group, Four Seasons, is expected to post another set of disappointing figures next week as the firm risks falling into the hands of its creditors. The debt-laden group, owned by City financier Guy Hands's private equity vehicle Terra Firma, admitted in April it does not have enough money to meet its long-term needs. VULTURES CIRCLE US and Asian firms are ramping up their interest in British companies as they look to capitalise on sterling's collapse following the EU referendum result. Despite fears that Brexit uncertainty would choke off M&A activity, there is a growing appetite from US, Chinese and Japanese firms looking to buy British as the pound struggles to recover. SCHOOL FEES Parents expect to spend nearly 200 on sending their child back to school after the summer break. The research found the average cost per pupil is 186. This could mean parents collectively spending more than 1.5billion, according to Nationwide Credit Cards' study. MARKETING MYSTERY British businesses need to be better at marketing to take advantage of the trade opportunities after Brexit, according to the Chartered Institute of Marketing. CIM boss Chris Daly said that firms 'will need to look to the wider world for new customers and growth post-Brexit, and to do that they need good marketing skills'. FIRST FLOAT Conference call provider LoopUp will be the first tech firm to float on AIM since the EU referendum result. The business, which lets users manage remote meetings on their mobile phone or computer, lists on Wednesday. Meeting: Horta Osorio spent time in a Singapore hotel room with Wendy Piatt Embattled Lloyds boss Antonio Horta Osorio is expected to face a tricky return to work next week after his alleged affair was exposed. He was on holiday when it emerged he had spent time in a Singapore hotel room with Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group of universities. Horta Osorio has not set foot in the office since, the Mail understands, although insiders said he was due back after the weekend. Lloyds has insisted no rules were broken but questions remain over what was paid for on expenses when he was joined by Piatt while at a conference in June. The bank chief, 52, racked up a 3,276 bill at the five-star Mandarin Oriental hotel, with 550 spent in its spa. Lloyds said any personal costs were paid out of his own pocket. But the lender, which is still 9 per cent owned by taxpayers following a bailout, is under pressure to explicitly set out what, if anything, it covered during the trip. Horta Osorio, who earned 8.8million last year, was on holiday with wife Ana in the Portuguese resort of Comporta when the story broke. Spouse: Horta Osorio, pictured with wife Ana, insists no rules were broken but questions remain over what was paid for on expenses when he was joined by Piatt at a conference There are concerns he is open to charges of hypocrisy after championing better ethics in banking. In 2012 he pledged to 'always lead by example' and warned that 'reputations take years to build and can be destroyed overnight'. The DVLA is pocketing 10million a year by selling drivers' details to private firms which are chasing parking fines. Around four million records of vehicle details will be handed to parking companies between 2016 and 2017. The rise is thought to be down to soaring numbers of private parking companies requesting information from the DVLA so they can chase motorists for fines. The DVLA is pocketing 10million a year by selling drivers' details to private firms which are chasing parking fines (file photo) The agency is legally entitled to pass on the information from its database of 36.5 million vehicles to registered firms, even though the data would usually be kept private under the Data Protection Act. Private parking companies operating in supermarkets, retail parks and hospitals track car owners down by requesting registered names and addresses from the DVLA. The DVLA charges firms 2.50 a time to make a request. Penalties of up to 100 are levied by private companies for overstaying in car parks, with some issuing fines of up to 250. Access to vehicle records has rocketed since 2012, with firms accused of aggressive tactics to pursue motorists. The government agency raked in 8.3million last year from the practice, up from 6.1million in the previous year. It collected 1.3m in 2007/08, 2.9m three years later, 6.1m in 2014/15 and 8.3m last year. Over the past eight years the trade has netted the agency 31.8m. UK Parking Control Ltd made 16,500 requests for information last December, costing it more than 41,000. Soaring numbers of private parking companies are thought to be requesting information from the DVLA so they can chase motorists for fines (file picture) The requests - all granted - came just three months after the firm admitted some of its employees had altered photographic evidence to unfairly impose parking charges. Its right to obtain drivers' details was suspended last October while the DVLA investigated. A DVLA spokesman said: 'We take our responsibility to protect information extremely seriously and we have robust safeguards in place to ensure data is used correctly. 'If we become aware of any issues, we will investigate and take swift action where appropriate. 'This year we also received a high assurance rating from Information Commissioner's Office in their Data Protection Audit Report. 'DVLA's data release charges are set to recover the cost of providing the information.' Steve Gooding, from the RAC Foundation, told The Times: 'In an ideal system, few if any drivers would get penalty charges, certainly not several million annually. 'Yet we have heard of examples where some firms actually pay landowners for the privilege of managing their car parks in the anticipation that they will make their money back from penalties. How can that be right?' VALLETTA, Malta, Aug. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Birgu Fest, one of Malta's most popular annual festivals will take place on October 8-9, 2016 in the picturesque city of Vittoriosa (Birgu). The festival has gained popularity among locals and foreigners alike, and has become a national event showcasing the culture and history of this archaic city in a unique and romantic way -- by candlelight! During the festival the ancient streets of this fascinating historic city are gently lit up by the flickering light of thousands of candles. The walled, maritime city of Birgu lies in the south of the island and is one of the most historic and oldest in Malta. It's known as the first home of the Knights of the Order of St. John in Malta and filled with both architectural and natural beauty. The Birgu Fest's romantic candlelit atmosphere is heightened by the delightful melodies of the many choirs and local and international bands that emanate from all over the city. Enhancing the overall experience, visitors can witness historic re-enactments and various musical concerts, ranging from classical to modern. Visitors can also satisfy their culinary tastes with the vast selection of local and international cuisine to choose from. Special prices will be available during the festival for entry to museums and cultural sites. About Malta: The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere. Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta's patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire's most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. For more information, visit: www.visitmalta.com, http://www.visitmalta.com/en/event-details/2013-10/birgufest-6470 Photo Credits: The city of Birgu viewingmalta.com A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41161 Rip Off Britain presenter Gloria Hunniford says banks' security 'must be stronger' after she was ripped off herself for 120,000 by a fraudster posing as the elderly star. A plump elderly woman presented herself at a Santander branch in Croydon North End claiming to be the 76-year-old Loose Women star. She had the stars bank details and then brandished ID and a bank card in the name of Mary Winifred Gloria Hunniford - the presenter's real full name. Scroll down for video Gloria Hunniford, 76, (pictured left) TV presenter for Rip Off Britain had 120,000 stolen by the fraudster who pretended to be her in a Santander bank (right) The TV star told the Mirror: 'If you looked at my driving licence, you would certainly know it was not the same person. 'If they were checking that, where were her eyes? She should have gone to Specsavers because there was no similarity.' Personal banker Aysha Davis, 28, dealt with the fraudster, who had gone into the bank with two other people pretending to be Hunniford's daughter and grandson. The trio demanded the 'grandson' become an extra signatory on the account, and Ms Davis duly helped them complete the paperwork, including photocopying their documents. Alan Dowie, 18, (pictured) who faced jail has been spared jail by the judge so he can go to university The woman pretending to be Gloria Hunniford made no mention to Ms Davis that she was a celebrity, and merely said she had 'a few bob' in the account, and wanted to add her teenage 'grandson' as a signatory because she had been ill. Ms Hunniford's account was subsequently drained of 102,000 that same day, and then a further 18,000 was taken. Once the theft was reported, Ms Davis was arrested and charged with in on the scam. However, she told the court she had never heard of Gloria Hunniford, and insisted she had no reason to suspect anything was wrong with the customer's request. She said she only realised Ms Hunniford's fame when she later Googled her. She told the court the star was not of my time. Police are still hunting for the lookalike and her daughter, while stand-in grandson Alan Dowie, 18, from Surrey, who was the only one of the trio to ever be caught, has been spared jail by the judge and told to go to university. Prosecutor Sheilagh Davies at the Old Bailey said: 'As my lord saw from the CCTV and better quality stills, she looked really nothing like the rather more glamorous and better presented Ms Hunniford, which perhaps those who watch TV are familiar with.' Speaking to the Evening Standard Ms Hunniford said: If my husband or one of my two sons went into my bank and said they wanted to be a co-signatory Id expect very thorough checks. But in this case somebody was able to go to the bank with a copy of a driving licence or something. I didnt understand it from the off. I felt completely violated. These were my savings. You expect your money to be safe in a bank but it is not. These days, banks have no interest to give you. I am left with no trust. You think anybody can walk into a bank pretending to be someone else and get it all signed over. Banks are going to have to step up their security with staff and systems. If someone can be scammed as easily as this they have to up their game. Theres no way I could have foreseen this. In this case, a bank official took them on their word and did not, in my opinion, double-check the facts. It was such a shock. You keep your savings where you feel they are safe. What else can you do with them? Banks give out advice all the time on scamming but the one piece of advice I think they need to pick up on is that their own security checks have to be stronger. Advertisement The court heard Santander have reimbursed the money stolen from Ms Hunnifords account after it was drained of 120,000. Giving evidence, Davis said she had never met Dowie before he walked into the bank and had to google TV star Ms Hunniford - who regularly appears on This Morning and The One Show - to find out who she was. The name on the ID card was Mary Winifred Gloria Hunniford, and sorry to be stereotypical but this lady looked like a Mary, she told jurors. I had to Google Gloria Hunniford and even if I passed her on the street I wouldnt recognise her because shes not from my time. Prosecutor Sheilagh Davies said: But shes pretty famous. Do you recognise this woman believed to have posed as the 'daughter' of the TV star 'lookalike' who fooled a bank worker she was famous Jurors giggled when the defendant replied: In your opinion. But Ms Davies told the court: 'They were a middle aged lady, who purported to be the real Gloria Hunniford but the bank account was held in the name of Mary Winifred Gloria Hunniford and the woman presented herself as Mary. 'She was later to produce a driving licence in the name of Mary Hunniford, which the Crown allege was fake. 'With that lady was another woman of around 40 years of age and with this defendant, Alan Dowie, they attended by prior arrangement and were seen by the personal banker Aysha Davis. 'They were taken to her office and there was an arrangement to add Alan Dowie to the account of Mary Winifred Gloria Hunniford. 'It was presented as a fact that he was her grandson of the lady who had attended purporting to be Ms Hunniford. 'She said she had "quite a few bob" in her account and she was not in good health. 'She wanted her grandson to enjoy the benefits of the very substantial funds she held in that account.' The court heard that within 90 minutes the first tranche of 19,000 was paid into Dowie's bank account and over the course of the day a total of 102,000 had been drained. Another payment of 18,940 was paid into the account of Dillon. 'When the money started to filter through into his account he, and others, went on a shopping spree,' said the prosecutor. Some 429 was spent at a branch of Zara while a massive 80,000 was spent on Rolex watches, one costing just under 30,000. If you recognise the women police are looking for email us at jessica.duncan@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement The prosecutor said it was ironic that Ms Hunniford presented consumer complaints programme Rip Off Britain. Davis said she had spent the morning doing paperwork, before going to the cash desk to book customers in for meetings about opening new accounts. She then went to the main banking hall to help any customers who had not yet joined a queue and looked like they needed help. CCTV footage shows Davis approaching a black male to ask him if he needs assistance, before speaking to the three fraudsters. The lady said Ive come to add my grandson to my account she said she had a few bob in there and that shed been ill. The old lady had her bank card and her driving licence - its not rare people wanting to add someone to their account, so this was just the same as always. Personal banker Aysha Davis, 28, (pictured) admitted she didn't know who the TV star was despite her being on programmes like The One Show and Loose Women When asked by Michael Peters of the defence counsel if she would recognise Gloria Hunniford, she replied: I didnt recognise her or I would have done something about it. I wouldnt have gone ahead with the transaction. She said she had passed both driving licences under the UV scanner and both had illuminated correctly and then photocopied them. I had never seen these people in my life before - I had no part in what I am accused of. 'Banks get defrauded every day but because of the high profile of the person on the account, I am being used as a scapegoat to try and repair the damage to the banks reputation. I was three months pregnant at the time and the only thing I was focused on was the pregnancy. She continued: I spoke to the black male before and if he had said I want to open an account, would have taken him up to my office. The prosecutor said: The account had a significant cash balance, the boy was clearly young, only 17, did you not question it? Davis continued: I asked the older lady How come youre adding your grandson and not your daughter? she said shed been ill and she wanted to add her grandson. Im a working class person and I dont see that kind of money every day, but some people you think would have lots of money have nothing, and some people who you think wouldnt have much have quite a lot. Ironically Ms Hunniford (pictured left) is a presenter of Rip Off Britain a programme that helps warn viewers of scams She said that as they had all the correct ID documents and paperwork it wasnt her job to pry for fear of causing offence. Jurors were told that one of the forms was missing, but Davis said: If I was purposefully doing something wrong I would have done everything right to cover my back. Just because I made a mistake and I would have gotten into trouble at work it doesnt implicate me in this fraud. Davis, of Streatham High Road, south London, denied one count of conspiracy to defraud. Dowie, of Oxted, Surrey, has already pleaded guilty to the same charge. But today was given a suspended sentence for his role in the scam. Dowie was caught after 102,000 was funnelled into his bank account before his card was used to blow hundreds of pounds on clothes and 80,000 on Rolex watches. He told police he had been recruited by a pal called Timmy to go into the bank with a woman pretending to be his grandmother and another posing as his aunt. Dowie later claimed he was enlisted in the scam by a friend in the year above at Reigate College, where he was studying for his A-levels, and was told he would receive 1,000. The teenager, has just completed his A-Levels, achieving grades allowing him the choice to attend Sussex or Swansea University. Ms Davies said: 'He said he was brought into this dishonest scheme by someone he referred to as Timmy, who he knew at college. 'Timmy rang him during the course of the morning of the 3rd, and said he had to leave and go to Croydon to meet these other people. 'He knew at this stage it was to be dishonest, and he knew it was a way of making some easy money.' 'He brought his own genuine driving licence which was used by him to present to Aysha Davis as identification. 'But he was aware there were fake IDs as far as certainly the older woman purporting to be Gloria Hunniford. 'He had full knowledge of the dishonest scheme. It was dishonest from the outset. He allowed himself to be drawn into it. 'It was a deliberately targeted account where it was known to those involved there were very substantial funds in the account.' Dowie's barrister, Richard Merz, said: Alan Dowie was taken for a ride almost as much as the bank itself. Handing Dowie an 18-month term of detention, suspended for two years, Judge Timothy Pontius said he accepted the youngster was a dupe in the scam. The judge told him: You were the supposed grandson of the Gloria Hunniford look-alike - or look-not-very-much-alike. He continued: You achieved nothing accept your arrest and criminal conviction which will be on your record for many years. You received not a penny piece out of it. It was a totally unprofitable venture as well as it being a thoroughly stupid one. I therefore hope you have learned a very salutary lesson.' He added: You are not going inside today. I dont think it would be right to deprive you of a golden opportunity to go to university, get a degree and pursue a productive, honest life in your chosen career. He added: 'I find it very difficult to understand how someone as intelligence as you came to be involved, not merely in some lark amounting to criminal activity, but very serious dishonest crime. 'Grandson': Reyon Dillon, 18, from Croydon pleaded guilty to laundering some of the cash from the scam 'It is quite extraordinary. 'You are not some half-witted naive youth. You are an intelligent young man. You come from a good home.' Noting his good A-level results and aspirations to study at university, Judge Pontius said: 'Not many young men have that opportunity, even these days. 'It cannot have been long before you became aware of exactly the nature, the scale of the enterprise. 'Six figures ended up in your account, and also the same day, and indeed the next day as well, a great deal of that money was spent. 'So what was it all for? You achieved nothing except for your arrest and a criminal conviction which will be on your record for many years.' Reyon Dillon, 18, of Croydon who laundered some of the cash from the scam will be sentenced on 7 September. Following today's case a Santander spokesperson said: 'Santander takes fraud extremely seriously. 'As soon as we identified this fraudulent activity we alerted the authorities as well as Ms Hunniford herself. 'We are very sympathetic to the distress caused to Ms Hunniford for being the victim of a scam and as is our normal practice in a case like this, we have reimbursed her fully for her financial loss. 'We have also made significant improvements to our processes to ensure this type of fraudulent activity is prevented in future.' CHICAGO, Aug. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- David L. Schwartz, a Northwestern University law professor, will speak at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago on August 31 about patent litigation. The lecture, "Predicting Settlement and Adjudication: Empirical Evidence from Patent Litigation," will use empirical data to examine what factors contribute to settlements in patent litigation and to the length of litigation. In his talk, Schwartz will examine the evolution of patent disputes starting from the complaint, using benchmarks drawn from the rules of civil litigation and accounting for a range of dispositions including settlement, summary judgment and trial. His analytical framework will examine key predictors including the types of litigants, their counsel, judges, judicial districts and the underlying patents. Professor Daryl Lim, the director of John Marshall's Center for Intellectual Property, Information Technology & Privacy Law, said, "Dave is an outstanding example of someone who marries theory and practice in a way that makes his scholarship both academically rigorous and relevant to the practice of patent law." CLE credit is available and a reception will follow. Schwartz is one of several notable legal professionals who have spoken this year at John Marshall about intellectual property. Others include Kirkland & Ellis partner Ken Adamo (LLM '89); Director of Intellectual Property for the Americas and Deputy General Counsel for Continental Automotive Themi Anagnos (JD '00); Chief Judge Sharon Prost of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; Probir Mehta, Assistant US Trade Representative; Director of the Midwest Regional Patent & Trademark Office Christal Sheppard; former Federal Trade Commission Chairman William Kovacic; Professor Hugh Hansen, founder and director of the Fordham Intellectual Property Law Institute; Acting Chief Judge of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Nathan Kelley; and Chief Judge Ruben Castillo and Judge Edmond Chang of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. About John Marshall's Center for Intellectual Property, Information & Privacy Law Continuing to lead the way in IP legal education, John Marshall's nationally ranked intellectual property program is one of a select number of law schools to participate in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Law School Clinic Certification Program. It is the only law school in Illinois whose USPTO program offers both patent and trademark legal services to independent inventors and small businesses on a pro bono basis. With more than 50 specialized IP courses, John Marshall's program draws students from around the U.S. and across the globe. It has partnered with IP lawyers in the People's Republic of China for 20 years. It also conducts an ABA-approved summer program in China directed exclusively to IP issues. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save With their creativity, skills and great respect for the traditional techniques and methodologies, independent watchmakers represent an exceptional resource for the entire watchmaking industry.The dream of any independent watchmaker is the creation of a timepiece whose components - with the exception of parts that are rather difficult to manufacture like jewels and springs - are made by hand, under one roof and without assistance. This is the so-called "George Daniels method", from the name of the great British watchmaker.With this goal in mind, the young and talented watchmaker- born in Sweden in 1982 - recently started his own firm (or atelier) in Berne, Switzerland. Initially trained at the Watchmaking School in Borensberg in Sweden from 1999 to 2003 and then attending the Wostep Refresher course, he also worked at Ulysse Nardin and Vianney Halter.Korpelas first creation is the, a rectangular wristwatch reminiscent of the Art Deco style and somehow inspired by watches like the Patek Philippe Gondolo or the Cabaret from A. Lange & Sohne.Only 5 pieces will be created and each one will be completely hand-crafted by the Swedish watchmaker. Except for jewels and springs, Kaj will create each part from raw materials, only using traditional manual machines and hand tools.Kaj spent around 2,000 hours for the creation of the first prototype. The use of CNC machines could help reducing the total time to around 400 hours but the magic of 100% hand-crafted timepiece would be lost.The prototype case (43.4 mm x 25.7 mm x 8.5 mm) was crafted from brass with pink gold coating but for the final watch each customer will be able to choose among platinum, various gold colours and steel. Same for the movement: bridges, mainplate and wheels can be made in precious metals or German silver.The front of the watch is characterised by simple shapes and follow the principle of readability. Two skeletonized hands show the time by sweeping on a raised dial on top of an engine turned background. The bottom half is dominated by the eye-catching one-minute tourbillon which is visible on both sides.On the back, the gear train bridge covers most of the movement except for the tourbillon which is visible through a round window and a meticulously finished bridge with a beautiful and intricate shape.For the final pieces, this part alone will require around 100 hours of work to be finished with sharp corners, evenly polished bevels and perfect symmetry.The 3 Hz (21,600 vph) hand wound movement features a free sprung BeCu balance with 4 platinum inertia weights with a power reserve of around 60 hours. BeCu is a beryllium copper alloy which combines high strength with non-magnetic and non-sparking qualities.The price of the Kaj Korpela Timepiece No. 1 will be discussed with each customer based on the specific requests. A life time warranty and regular overhauls are included. LAFAYETTE, Ind., Aug. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC), a diversified industrial manufacturer and North Americas leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems, today announced Jeff Taylor, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Mike Pettit, Vice President Finance and Investor Relations, will conduct one-on-one meetings to discuss the companys business prospects with securities analysts and institutional investors at the Seaport Global Industrials and Coatings Conference on September 1, 2016, in Chicago. A current investor presentation can be accessed on the day of the event by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Wabash National Corporation website at www.wabashnational.com. About Wabash National Corporation Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC) is a diversified industrial manufacturer and North Americas leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems. Established in 1985, the company manufactures a diverse range of products including: dry freight and refrigerated trailers, platform trailers, bulk tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, truck-mounted tanks, intermodal equipment, aircraft refueling equipment, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade and pharmaceutical equipment. Its innovative products are sold under the following brand names: Wabash National, Beall, Benson, Brenner Tank, Bulk Tank International, DuraPlate, Extract Technology, Garsite, Progress Tank, Transcraft, Walker Engineered Products, and Walker Transport. Visit www.wabashnational.com to learn more. BELGRADE, Mont., Aug. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xtant Medical Holdings, Inc. (NYSE MKT:XTNT), a leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of orthopedic products for domestic and international markets, today announced that the NYSE MKT LLC (the "Exchange") notified the Company that it is not in compliance with Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide due to negative stockholders equity of approximately $496,000 as of June 30, 2016 and net losses in five of the most recent fiscal years. Previously, the Company was exempt from the minimum stockholders equity requirement since (i) at least 1,100,000 shares are publicly held, (ii) a market value of publicly held shares was at least $15,000,000, (iii) there were 400 round lot shareholders, and (iv) the market capitalization of its public float was more than the required $50,000,000 or total assets and revenue of $50,000,000 each in our last fiscal year, or in two of our last three fiscal years. However, this exemption is no longer available due to the recent decline of the Company's common stock price. The Company must submit a plan by September 15, 2016 advising actions it has taken or will take to regain compliance with the continued listing standards by February 15, 2018. If the Company does not submit a plan or if the plan is not accepted, delisting proceedings will commence. Furthermore, if the plan is accepted but the Company is not in compliance with the continued listing standards by February 15, 2018 or if the Company does not make progress consistent with the plan during the plan period, the Exchange staff can initiate delisting proceedings as appropriate. The Company may appeal a staff delisting determination in accordance with Section 1010 and Part 12 of the Company Guide. "We are well in the process of developing a plan to resolve this matter and are confident that our plan will be accepted by the Exchange and that we will resolve this matter within the required time frame", said Dan Goldberger, Chief Executive Officer of Xtant Medical Holdings. About Xtant Medical Holdings Xtant Medical Holdings, Inc. (NYSE MKT:XTNT) develops, manufactures and markets class-leading regenerative medicine products and medical devices for domestic and international markets. Xtant products serve the specialized needs of orthopedic and neurological surgeons, including orthobiologics for the promotion of bone healing, implants and instrumentation for the treatment of spinal disease, tissue grafts for the treatment of orthopedic disorders, and biologics to promote healing following cranial, and foot and ankle surgeries. With core competencies in both biologic and non-biologic surgical technologies, Xtant can leverage its resources to successfully compete in global neurological and orthopedic surgery markets. For further information, please visit www.xtantmedical.com. Important Cautions Regarding Forward-looking Statements This press release contains certain disclosures that may be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "continue," "efforts," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "strategy," "will," "goal," "target," "prospects," "potential," "optimistic," "confident," "likely," "probable" or similar expressions or the negative thereof. Statements of historical fact also may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. We caution that these statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, among others: our ability to integrate the acquisition of X-spine Systems, Inc. and any other business combinations or acquisitions successfully; our ability to remain listed on the NYSE MKT; our ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms; our ability to increase revenue; our ability to comply with the covenants in our credit facility; our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity to fund our operations; the ability of our sales force to achieve expected results; our ability to remain competitive; government regulations; our ability to innovate and develop new products; our ability to obtain donor cadavers for our products; our ability to engage and retain qualified technical personnel and members of our management team; the availability of our facilities; government and third-party coverage and reimbursement for our products; our ability to obtain regulatory approvals; our ability to successfully integrate recent and future business combinations or acquisitions; our ability to use our net operating loss carry-forwards to offset future taxable income; our ability to deduct all or a portion of the interest payments on the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes; our ability to service our debt; product liability claims and other litigation to which we may be subjected; product recalls and defects; timing and results of clinical studies; our ability to obtain and protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights; infringement and ownership of intellectual property; our ability to remain accredited with the American Association of Tissue Banks; influence by our management; our ability to pay dividends; our ability to issue preferred stock; and other factors. Additional risk factors are listed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading "Risk Factors." You should carefully consider the trends, risks and uncertainties described in this document, the Form 10-K and other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC before making any investment decision with respect to our securities. If any of these trends, risks or uncertainties actually occurs or continues, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially adversely affected, the trading prices of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Mark Hallum The City Council voted Tuesday to affirm the April ruling of the Landmark Preservation Commission, which designated the Lydia Ann Bell and William J. Ahles House at 39-26 213th St. in Bayside a landmark once and for all. The final motion is the result of work that started in 2009 with then-Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and other preservation activists, and ended with Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside), who brought vocal support for the motion to the chamber. The Ahles House dates to 1873, long before Bayside was consumed by the growing city of New York. It was built by Robert Bell as a gift for his daughter Lydia and her husband William. It is one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood, a remnant of the estate of the Bell family, after whom Bell Boulevard is named. Landmark designation of the property took seven years due to lack of cooperation from the owner. According to former corporate attorney Chris Murillo a major reason behind the length and complexity of the landmark-creation process is the fact that the designation can remove the legal rights of owners to do as they please with their property. Extra caution is taken when putting a label on buildings which locks the property into one use. LPC rulings go through multiple agencies to ensure the rights of residents are not infringed upon. The Subcommittee on Zoning, community boards and Zoning and Land Use are just a few of the entities needed to approve landmark designations, according to Vallone. We had to work with the owner to make sure that he understood that we werent doing something against his wishes, but that we were trying to protect something from 1873, and it all worked out, Vallone said, adding that the vote in the Council Chamber was 44-to-1 in favor of the designation. This is as good of a landmark as were going to see around here. Over the past 20 years, the Bayside Historical Society has been a steady and true advocate for landmark certification of the Ahles House in Bayside, said Paul DiBenedetto, president of the Bayside Historical Society. We were thrilled to hear that this 1870s Bell family estate, a critical reminder of Baysides rich and rapidly disappearing past, is now an official NYC landmark. Vallone has been an outspoken supporter of preserving historic places in his district, such as the Hawthorne Court Apartments on the corner of 43rd Avenue and 216th Street, which received landmark designation in 2014. The apartments, designed by the architect Benjamin Braunstein, were built during the late 1920s and early 1930s in the Tudor Revival style. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams The arrest of a suspect in the cold-blooded murder of an Ozone Park imam and his assistant near their mosque has brought some relief to the Bangladeshi community in Queens, but Muslims in the borough remain fearful about their safety. Oscar Morel, a 35-year-old Hispanic man from East New York, over the Brooklyn border from Ozone Park, was charged with the first-degree murder of the beloved Imam Maulana Akonjee, 55, and his associate, Thara Uddin, 64, as they walked home from an afternoon prayer service at the Al-Furqan mosque. The Queens DA said the motive for the killings was still unclear but his office was investigating whether the execution-style attack was a hate crime. At the funeral for the men in Brooklyn, chants of We want justice rippled through the crowd. Ozone Park is an immigrant enclave dominated by Hispanics and Muslims, where tensions usually are kept in check. Richmond Hill HS has a large number of students from each camp who rarely cross ethnic lines to socialize. There is prejudice on both sides about the other groups ethnicity and religion. But the gunning down of the two Bangladeshi men in the street goes far beyond the occasional bias remark or casual insult, fanning the fears of Queens Muslims who have been targeted in recent attacks. These incidents have occurred against the drum beat led by presidential candidate Donald Trump a Queens native, the son of an immigrant and the husband of an immigrantthat Muslims should be barred from the country or extensively vetted. In December a Muslim grocery clerk in Astoria was beaten by a Florida man threatening to kill Muslims. Residents of many faiths rallied behind him. In April two men high on drugs yelling anti-Islamic slurs injured 10 people at the Jamaica Muslim Center. In June a 14-year-old boy was arrested in the brutal assault of a Muslim man outside a Queens Village mosque. After the imam and his associate were shot Saturday, Mayor Bill de Blasio did not call their families but sent a City Hall emissary to the mosque. Other high-ranking public officials went to the community. He should be a stronger ally for city Muslims. For all those here who want justice, we want justice, too, and we will get it, de Blasio said when he appeared at the funeral Monday and promised greater police presence in Muslim neighborhoods. Thats fine, but when an Islamic religious leader is cut down as anti-Muslim political rhetoric grips the country, its the mayors job to stand up immediately for that community. After all, a murder one charge is usually reserved for police killers. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Patrick Donachie Jamaica Hospital Medical Center celebrated its designation as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons, and a police officer injured in a hatchet attack, who was treated at the hospital, was on hand to celebrate the new designation. Im here because of Jamaica Hospital, Officer Kenneth Healey said during a news conference held in the hospital at 8900 Van Wyck Expressway in Jamaica. Healey was struck in the head by a man wielding a hatchet along Jamaica Avenue in October 2014. After receiving care at Jamaica Hospital, he recovered and is now back at work with the NYPD. Geoffrey Doughlin, the medical director of trauma for the hospital, said the hospital had been designated as a Level 1 center by the city and state in the past. But the ACS designation, which was issued on March 16 and lasts for three years, verifies that Jamaica Hospitals trauma unit acts with a premier level of preparedness and care. Bruce Flanz, the hospitals chief executive officer, said the hospital is near the intersection of three expressways and the closet hospital to John F. Kennedy Airport. Several of the trauma team staff were on hand for the announcement, including Beverly Brown, RN, the trauma program manager and Dr. Jeffrey Chan, a trauma surgeon. Brown said the national standards determined by the ACS offered a greater uniformity of care throughout the country. It makes sure that trauma centers are doing the same thing, she said. You cant have a hospital in Pennsylvania doing something different from a hospital in New York. Chan agreed, saying that the new designation was a welcome affirmation of the quality of care the hospital has offered since it first began providing trauma care in 1985. A Level 1 trauma center must be able to provide total care from the arrival of the patient to dismissal. The ACS conducted an analysis of quality indicators for the hospitals previous 12 months and conducted a site visit. Chief Operating Officer William Lynch said the standards the hospital had to adhere to in order to garner the ACS Level 1 designation were varied and exhaustive. Do we have anaesthesia 24/7? Do we have an operating room available 24/7? If the first team goes into surgery, is the second team available on call? he said, citing a few of the many examples of indicators that ACS investigated in its analysis. He said the designation could be an additional assurance to EMT workers in the field who were bringing their patients to Jamaica Hospital. Finally, he said the designation was particularly important considering the wide area Jamaica Hospital covered, including most of southern Queens, eastern Brooklyn and the Rockaway Peninsula. The nearest Level 1 Trauma Center besides Jamaica Hospital was New York Presbyterian Queens in Flushing. In the south Queens area, Lynch said, were it. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Gina Martinez A new proposed homeless shelter in Maspeth has outraged residents and led to ongoing protests. Hundreds of Maspeth residents and several lawmakers expressed their opposition to a 110-family homeless shelter during a raucous town hall meeting held Aug. 11. The meeting was coordinated by the civil group, COMET: Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together, which are against the shelter. The city has plans to turn the Holiday Inn Express, located at 59-40 55th Rd., into a shelter. Plans for a potential Oct. 1 opening of the shelter were proposed earlier this month when the Mayors Office met with CB 5 and elected officials at the Maspeth Public Library. The Department of Homeless Services met with members of the Maspeth community to listen to community concerns about the proposed shelter. CB 5 is planning to hold a public hearing on the shelter proposal Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at the Knockdown Center in Maspeth. COMET President Roe Daraio has organized a weeklong protest after a number of people marched to the Holiday Inn when the town hall ended. Dozens of Maspeth residents continue to hold signs and protest in front of the Holiday Inn Express. On the associations website Daraio wrote This is our community and we all need to stick together! I know the weather has been brutal, but please try to come out and support your neighbors. This will be ongoing for the entire week. DHS has tried to explain its mission to Maspeth residents. New York City is legally obligated to provide shelter to any New Yorker who would otherwise be turned out onto the streets, DHS said in a statement. We have met with community leaders and participated in an open community forum to continue to build a constructive dialogue around this issue. Homelessness is a citywide challenge that requires a citywide response. The shelter would house 220 people. There are currently about 250 people in shelters who listed their most recent address as Community District 5 in Queens, according to DHS. It would take the homeless from around the city and other states. City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) joined the hundreds who attended the meeting at Martin Luther School at 60-02 Maspeth Ave. and said one of the main issues residents have with the new homeless shelter is the fact that there are already three within the Maspeth area. As the administration is already well aware, there are three shelters literally within walking distance of the Holiday Inn site greatly impacting Maspeth, she said. One of these shelters, the Pan American Hotel, houses more than 200 families. We were told that this would be a safe site, with no sex offenders and no one negatively impacting the community. However, not one but two sex offenders have made a home inside the Pan Am, crime has been on the rise and schools have longer wait lists. The shelters referred to are the Quality Inn, located at 53-05 Queens Blvd. in Woodside, currently housing 37 families; the Pan Am hotel at 79-00 Queens Blvd. in Elmhurst; and Metro Motel at 73-00 Queens Blvd. in Woodside. English Danish The FDA had requested updated information on the pen delivery device for iGlarLixi as part of its New Drug Application, which has been submitted by Sanofi Consequently, the FDA has extended their review time by three months A regulatory decision on iGlarLixi in the U.S. is now expected at the end of November 2016 Zealands financial guidance for 2016 remains unchanged Copenhagen, 20 August 2016 Zealand Pharma (Zealand) announced today that Sanofi has submitted updated information on the pen delivery device for iGlarLixi to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of the New Drug Application (NDA) for the product. IGlarLixi is a once-daily, fixed-ratio combination of lixisenatide (AdlyxinTM) and insulin glargine 100 Units/mL (Lantus) for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. The submission of the additional information, requested by the FDA, constitutes a Major Amendment to the NDA, resulting in an extension of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date by three months. A U.S. regulatory decision on iGlarLixi is now expected before the end of November 2016. Zealand invented lixisenatide, a once-daily prandial GLP-1 receptor agonist, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and granted global development and commercial rights to the product, including for use in combinations, to Sanofi. On 27 July 2016, lixisenatide was approved by the U.S. FDA under the brand name AdlyxinTM for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. Lixisenatide is approved and marketed globally by Sanofi outside the U.S. under the brand name Lyxumia. Sanofi submitted the NDA for iGlarLixi to the FDA in December 2015, and on 25 May 2016, the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee (EMDAC) of the FDA recommended, by a vote of 12 to 2, its approval. Britt Meelby Jensen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zealand commented: The extension of FDAs review time for iGlarLixi by three months to November 2016 is related to a request for additional information on the pen device. IGlarLixi is a combination of two already FDA approved diabetes medicines and has in clinical trials demonstrated significant benefits for adults with type 2 diabetes. The combination received a convincing positive recommendation for approval by an FDA advisory committee in May, and Sanofi believes that the additional information submitted will result in an offering that will serve the patient needs. Sanofi submitted the fixed-ratio combination of lixisenatide (AdlyxinTM/Lyxumia) and basal insulin glargine 100 Units/mL (Lantus) for regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in March 2016. A regulatory decision is expected in Q1 2017. Financial guidance for 2016 remains unchanged The extension of the FDA review time for Sanofis NDA for iGlarLixi in the U.S. by three months does not change Zealands financial guidance for 2016. For further information, please contact: Britt Meelby Jensen, President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: +45 51 67 61 28, email: bmj@zealandpharma.com Hanne Leth Hillman, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications Tel: +45 50 60 36 89, email: hlh@zealandpharma.com Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Mark Hallum There will be a Republican primary in the race to choose a nominee for the seat that will be vacated by U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Melville), whose district covers parts of eastern Queens. A federal court decided Wednesday that state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola) will face Philip Flip Pidot in a Republican primary to be held Oct. 6. The winner of the primary will go up against former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, the Democratic nominee. Several state and federal court proceedings were held as Pidot pushed for a slot in the Republican primary, which originally would have been held on June 28, the same day as the Democratic primary. Though a state court eventually determined Pidot had enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, the court ruled that there was not enough time before the June 28 date to get him on the ballot. Since then, Pidot has petitioned courts to set a new date. A state ruling late last month determined that it was the responsibility of a federal court to set a new primary date. In an interview, Pidot said he was expecting Wednesdays positive federal ruling , noting that there were two valid candidates and no primary plans. Jack Martins and the political machine literally tried to steal an election from voters and it took a federal court to step in and stop it, Pidot said in a statement about the decision. What should frighten voters most is the number of people throughout this four-month legal process that simply shrugged about it, saying rhetorically, What do you expect on Long Island? OBrien Murray, a spokesman for the Martins campaign, contended that the federal courts decision to set a new primary datecould have troubling consequences when it comes to the general election. The judges decision, while I respect the issue, is a great error for the issue of military ballots and absentee ballots for the general election, he said. Whatever the courts decision, we will abide by that decision. Pidot said Murrays concern about these ballotsg was disingenuous, saying that the original intent of the Martins campaign was not to have a primary election in the first place. Recall the solution they had was to cancel the election outright, which would disenfranchise all military voters, he said. The Suozzi campaign submitted petitions, which met the 3,500 minimum on Aug. 1, to add a third line on the ballot titled Fix Washington. This is in addition to the Democratic line , which he already qualified for by winning the Democratic primary in June. Martins recently challenged those petition signatures collected by Suozzi on the basis that more than 3,500 of them were fraudulent and included individuals who were not registered, lived outside the district or were illegible. . This is more of the same Tom Suozzi that voters just cant trust, said Murray, Martins spokesman. Its time for Tom Suozzi to end the charade and admit these independent petitions dont qualify for the ballot. Murray did not respond to inquiry about the possibility of a state Board of Elections hearing on the objections, or the specific number of objections. He claimed Suozzi panicked when the objections were raised and allegedly ran to court to have a quick decision made to save his signatures. Jack Martins is so worried about his record of raising property taxes, defending Dean Skelos, and voting for Trump, hes doing everything he can to kick everyone off the ballot so he wont have to explain himself to voters, Kim Devlin, a Suozzi campaign consultant, said. 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Ambridge music museum to close & go up for sale; items to be relocated Fans of Johnny Carino's can put aside any fears of the Italian eatery shuttering its Tuscan atmosphere any time soon. Tom Zurawski, general manager for the local store, said he received a few phone calls after Monday's Times Record News article that said the local store was not on the chopping block after Fired-Up Inc. had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But, the filing won't affect the Wichita Falls chain at all. He said the Wichita Falls store is owned by Randy Kamp, who has five other locations in Oklahoma City. All of those operate under KampCo Foods, LLC. 'In terms of our purchasing agreement and our own leases and everything else, we're a total franchise,' he said. 'If they (Fired-Up Inc.) decide to go away, then we'd still own our portion of the Johnny Carino's name and we'd continue forward operating just as we are.' Zurawski, who worked for Fired-Up Inc. in Dallas, said they have every intention of keeping the Wichita Falls location open for the foreseeable future, offering Italian dishes made from scratch and continuing their popular Happy Hour. It was announced in June 2003 by Kamp that he was going to build a new Johnny Carino's in Wichita Falls and opened in 2004. Fired Inc. of Austin operates the 36 Johnny Carino's locations across Texas. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 14. This happened less than four months after the company emerged from an earlier Chapter 11 filing. The Austin Business Journal reported the parent company blamed the slump in the oil industry and the Affordable Care Act for its business downturn. The company reportedly owes $19 million to creditors and $905,000 to its employees in wages and benefits. THIS WEEKEND TEXAS RANCH ROUNDUP: Friday and Saturday, MPEC complex. Ten ranches compete. Trade show, Kids Roundup. $10/$15 for Friday ($5 for children); $18/$12 for Saturday ($6 for children). It's $5 for the trade show. 940-687-4914. 'ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT': 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 27 (dinner is served at 6:30 p.m.), Backdoor Theatre, 501 Indiana. In this hunting/family reunion comedy, Reuben Soady is hoping to get his shot and shed his title of being 'the buckless yooper.' But as opening day of deer season approaches, a series of weird occurrences and crazy locals seem to prevent him from bagging his buck. $35 with dinner; $19 without dinner (call the theater to find out about discount tickets). 322-5000 or backdoortheatre.org. DISNEY'S 'THE LITTLE MERMAID': 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday, Wichita Theatre, 10th and Indiana. Ariel seeks the help of sea witch Ursula to win the heart of Prince Eric. $21 to $24 for adults; $11 and $12 for children 12 and younger. Discounts for students and military with ID. The show plays on Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 20. 723-9037 or wichitatheatre.com. BUSTED IN BAYLOR COUNTY MOTORCYCLE RALLY: Through Sunday, Seymour rodeo grounds. Bike rides, biker games, music, food, Lone Star Barbecue Society cookoff. bustedinbaylorcounty.com. SANDI GANT EXHIBIT: Friday to Oct. 15, West End Gallery, Kemp Center for the Arts, 1300 Lamar St. Free admission. 767-2787 or kempcenter.org. KEMP CAMPS EXHIBIT: Ends Saturday, What's Up Downstairs Gallery, Kemp Center for the Arts, 1300 Lamar St., downtown. Free admission. 767-2787 or kempcenter.org. DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET SEASON: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays through October, Eighth and Ohio. 322-4525. STUDIO SATURDAY: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Kemp Center for the Arts, 1300 Lamar St. Free arts activities. 767-2787. SALSA DAY: 9 a.m. Saturday, Downtown Farmers Market, Eighth and Ohio. 322-4525. BURKBURNETT MOVIES IN THE PARK FEATURES 'AVENGERS 2': 7 p.m. Saturday, Friendship Park, Burkburnett. To be screened: 'Goosebumps,' Sept. 10; 'The Peanuts Movie,' Sept. 24. Movies begin at 7 p.m. SUPPER CLUB AT THE GYPSY KIT: 7:15-9:15 p.m. Saturday starting at the downtown Gypsy Kit Cafe and ending at Gypsy Kit Uncorked. $45/person. 264-8646. LAKESIDE CITY MOVIES IN THE PARK: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Lakeside City Park in Lakeside City, 47 Donna St. To be screened: 'Paddington.' Free movie and popcorn. LIVE AT THE LAKE FEATURES WICHITA THEATRE: 6 p.m. Saturday, Priddy Pavilion on Sikes Lake, grounds of the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU, 2 Eureka Circle. Free admission. A food truck will be on site. 397-8900. DURING THE WEEK RAHR AND SONS TAP TAKEOVER: 5-8 p.m. Monday, the Iron Horse Pub, 615 Eighth St. Featuring four select brews. 767-9488. LIVE AT THE LAKE FEATURES THE KEN NELSON QUARTET: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 25, Priddy Pavilion on Sikes Lake, grounds of the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU, 2 Eureka Circle. Free admission. A food truck will be on site. 397-8900. HOTTER'N HELL HUNDRED BIKE RIDE AND RACE: Aug. 25-28, MPEC facilities. About 12,000 to 14,000 pro and amateur cyclists expected at this event, which also includes a trade show, concerts, mountain biking events and more. hh100.org. CONTINUING EVENTS J.R. 'RUSTY' COOK EXHIBIT: Through Sept. 24, NorthLight Gallery, Kemp Center for the Arts, 1300 Lamar St., downtown. Free admission. 767-2787 or kempcenter.org. MARY KIMBELL EXHIBIT: Through Sept. 17, Galleria at the Forum at the Kemp at the Forum, 2120 Speedway Ave. Free admission. 766-3347. About 10:45 a.m., fire was again reported in the structure and trucks returned. Firefighters controlled the second blaze within a few minutes. An apartment complex fire resulted in extensive damage and some minor injuries in north Wichita Falls Friday morning. Wichita Falls firefighters were called to the Cedar Creek Apartments near Old Burkburnett Road and Trigg Lane at 5:43 a.m. Heavy flames and smoke were visible when they arrived on the scene and they quickly called it a three-alarm fire. Eight housing units were damaged. Some residents suffered minor injuries when they jumped from the second floor and one pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries, according to fire officials at the scene. The cause of the blaze was not immediately determined. A truck from Sheppard Air Force Base assisted about a dozen fire trucks from the Wichita Falls Fire Department. The Red Cross was called to help people left homeless by the fire. Status: On a mountain of skulls, in the castle of pain, I sit on a throne of blood. Re: Many United States companies believe that the rising cost of employees [ #permalink Being commander in chief is complicated. A case in point: the terrorist prison at Guantanamo Bay. President Barack Obama isn't likely to keep his pledge to close it during his eight years in office. So he's trying to empty it. Monday, his administration announced its single biggest transfer of Guantanamo detainees 12 Yemenis and three Afghans, who had been held for 14 years without trial sent to the United Arab Emirates. As Obama points out, Guantanamo has long been a recruiting tool for terrorists, a cash pit for taxpayers and a stain on our national honor. But in Donald Trump's all-out war on terror, it's all so simple. Laws or constitutional principles don't matter. Ethics or morals are for the weak. In his big terrorism speech Monday, he made clear that he would keep Guantanamo open and vowed to capture 'high-value targets.' He has said he wants to bring back waterboarding and worse, though he later said he wouldn't order the military to violate international laws against torture. And last week, he said it'd 'be fine' to try U.S. citizens suspected of terrorism at the Guantanamo military tribunal, never mind our fundamental legal rights or that it would be illegal without an act of Congress. The tribunal has been flawed. The five alleged co-conspirators in the 9/11 attacks were charged four years ago, but no trial date has been set. So why would we consider it for Americans? Trump will reportedly get his first classified intelligence briefing as a presidential candidate on Wednesday, so maybe he'll start realizing how complex national security is. Or maybe not, given how little he seems to have learned during the campaign. Then-President George W. Bush opened the Guantanamo detention center at the U.S. naval base in Cuba in January 2002 after the Sept. 11 attacks and the subsequent war in Afghanistan. The population at Guantanamo peaked at 684 in June 2003. When Obama took office, 242 detainees remained. The latest transfer leaves 61, including 20 others who have been approved for release. But releasing them has its own pitfalls. Officials said in March that of 532 detainees let go under Bush, 111 were confirmed to have conducted more terrorist activities and that of 144 released under Obama, seven have returned to terrorism. It would be better to close it and house the remaining detainees in U.S. prisons, but Republicans and some Democrats in Congress won't allow it. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton supports Obama's plan to shutter Guantanamo, saying that it has 'inspired more terrorists than it has imprisoned.' Unless she has a friendlier Congress as president, she will have difficulty, too. But at least she understands the limits of presidential power and the importance of upholding our principles. Hudson The Rocky Romano Bocce Tournament on Saturday promises some serious spinning and trash talk straight out of the old country. Columbia County Sons & Daughters of Italy is hosting the tourney, which begins with court assignments at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by the rolling and ricocheting of bocce balls at 10 a.m. The annual event at 27 Bridge St. is in memory of Romano, an Italian immigrant, longtime local barber and enthusiastic bocce player who was a member of the group's county chapter. For charter member Phil Abitabile, like many Italian-Americans, bocce is a nostalgic reminder of days gone by and a way to continue celebrating his heritage. More Information Bowl over the competition The Rocky Romano Bocce Tournament begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, at Columbia County Sons & Daughters of Italy, 27 Bridge St., Hudson. Call 828-3824. See More Collapse "I'm Italian-American, and I live the ideals of family, food and religion, mostly in that order," said Abitabile, 67, who helped start the chapter in 1985. "We're facing the same kind of problems that many fraternal organizations are, mainly that young people aren't interested, but bocce is a part of our culture, which still reaches people." Bocce, pronounced casually as bot-chi, can be traced to ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. The word "bocce" is the plural of the Italian word boccia, which means "bowl" in the sporting sense. The sport related to British bowls and French petanque developed into its current form in Italy and is played throughout the world, particularly where Italians have immigrated. It became popular in the United States at the turn of the 20th century and was played on homemade courts. That was the case in Hudson, where a group of 50-plus Italian immigrants, including Abitabile's grandfathers, would gather on Sundays and play in the alley below the former Italian Heritage Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, between Warren and Union streets. "It was very heated and they argued over a quarter of an inch, always in Italian," Abitabile said. "You could watch them, and as kids we were amazed at how good they were, but there wasn't even a question that on Sundays, you don't go down the alley during that time everyone in the neighborhood knew it." There can be from two to eight players on a team. Competitors pitch a pallino a small, brightly colored ball onto the court before the eight other regulation-sized boccia can be bowled. Players then throw those balls to get nearest to the pallino. The closer they are, the more points they potentially have unless they're knocked out of contention with a fly (volo) or other balls. Registration for the tournament is $20. Teams will consist of two people. Play will be double elimination, with each team competing in at least two games on six courts. The courts were rebuilt with donations after a landslide caved in a third of the lodge's property, including the original courts. Trophies will be awarded and the winning team will have its name placed on a permanent plaque, donated by the Romano family, on display at the lodge. Columbia County Sons & Daughters of Italy hosts events throughout the year and works with the Hudson City School Districts' Kindness Club, letting students practice on its courts and sponsoring a bocce team in regional and state Special Olympics games. In turn, team members have volunteered for the organization's cultural events, like the Rocky Romano Bocce Tournament. "The best part for me personally was when my grandson and my father threw out the first bocce ball last year," said Abitabile, whose father, Antonio, died in May. "That's the thing with bocce, it's about families being together, getting spirited, having fun and promoting our culture." jpatterson@timesunion.com @JenSPatterson 518-454-5340 A longtime railroader who recently retired as chairman, CEO and president of the Norfolk Southern Corp. has been named president and CEO of Amtrak. Charles W. "Wick" Moorman will succeed current President and CEO Joseph Boardman, a former state Department of Transportation commissioner and Oneida County native, Sept. 1. Moorman was instrumental in overseeing the establishment of the Patriot Corridor, a joint effort with Pan Am Railways that connects the Capital Region to the Boston area. He also saw the revival of the former Boston & Maine railyards in Mechanicville. And he oversaw the acquisition of the former Delaware & Hudson rail line from the Capital Region to Binghamton and central Pennsylvania from Canadian Pacific. Norfolk Southern has since undertaken a number of upgrades on the line. The appointment drew praise from the Association of American Railroads, the industry trade group. "Wick Moorman is a proven railroader whose track record of success demonstrates his commitment and adherence to rail safety, efficiency and service to customers," said asociated president and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. "The AAR and its freight rail members recognize the importance of Amtrak as a reliable U.S. passenger rail service and look forward to working with Wick in his new capacity." The National Association of Railroad Passengers welcomed Moorman's selection. "Wick's 40 years of railroad experience at Norfolk Southern, along with his obvious commitment to a strong and thriving national rail network, positions him perfectly to execute a vision for a 21st century Amtrak," said passenger association president and CEO Jim Mathews. "It was my understanding that Wick was looking forward to enjoying well-earned time off with his family. The fact that he came out of retirement to help Amtrak meet the opportunities and challenges that come with 15 years of explosive growth demonstrates a true passion for America's rail system." Boardman served as transportation commissioner in the Pataki administration before leaving to head the Federal Railroad Administration. Boardman joined Amtrak as president and CEO in 2008. Mathews said National Association of Railroad Passengers valued working with Boardman, who he said understands "that for the railroad to thrive, it needs to be a national service, and that long distance trains areas Joe said himselfthe 'backbone' of America's national network." Boardman's eight years as head of Amtrak are exceeded only by the 11 years that the late W. Graham Claytor headed the passenger railroad. Claytor also came out of retirement to head Amtrak beginning in 1983 after retiring as CEO of Southern Railway, Norfolk Southern's predecessor. eanderson@timesunion.com 518-454-5323 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Schenectady The city Planning Commission has approved multiple site plans for a $19.4 million building project to transform the Craig Street Boys & Girls Club and the old Horace Mann elementary school down the block into apartments. The Hillside View development by The Community Builders, Inc., of Boston, calls for a total of 58 apartments at multiple sites in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood. The company's plans include converting several blighted properties and empty land at 716-720 Stanley St. and demolishing 807-809 Emmett St. for apartments. The Horace Mann school building at 602 Craig St. would be turned into 25 units of senior housing while the club site, located in the former St. Columba school, would be renovated into 25 apartments for families, consisting of studio and 1- ,2- and 3-bedroom units and lots of green space. The entire project calls for 25 apartments for seniors and 33 units for families. Besides giving the four site plan unanimous approvals, the commission Wednesday also granted a special-use permit to The Community Builders for the creation of a "community artist makerspace" on the first floor of the club. A makerspace is a community center with do-it-yourself spaces where people can gather to create, invent and learn. The second and third floors would be apartments. Commission Chairwoman Mary Moore Wallinger had to recuse herself because she served as a consultant on the project. Bradley Lewis, vice chair, sat in for her. On Wednesday, Jennica Petrik-Huff with The Community Builders, told the commission that the nonprofit organization that also handles property management would be maintaining the historic nature of the building upgrades. The old elementary school and the former parochial school building are on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Three dwellings on Stanley Street are considered historically significant. She also said the satellite office of the Schenectady police department would be located on the first floor next to the makerspace. Architect Dave Sadowsky said there will be ample parking on- and off-site and that there are also plans to enter into an agreement with a parking company for additional spaces. Molain Gilmore, who has lived in Hamilton Hill for about 30 years, praised the plans for Hillside View. "TCB (The Community Builders) has done a tremendous job of bring together the community and providing jobs," said Gilmore who lives on Emmett Street near the structures that will be torn down. "I know I speak for my community because we need a change." In late 2014, Community Builders won final site plan approval from the Planning Commission for the project, but had to attend Wednesday before the planning officials because approvals are only good for a year. Petrik-Huff, project manager for The Community Builders regional office in Albany, said last week that the company wasn't able to move forward with the project in 2014 because it was still awaiting funding from state Homes and Community Renewal. In June, the firm received the cash from the state. She said Community Builders opted to go with rental properties instead of making the dwellings available for purchase after doing a market analysis. Once the firm finalizes financing for the project in December, 14 months of construction work will start in January. The Community Builders has also renovated and manages properties in the Vale neighborhood as well as other communities in the region. pnelson@timesunion.com 518-454-5347 @apaulnelson This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SARATOGA SPRINGS The Budweiser Clydesdales are appearing around the Capital Region this week. The horses are stabled near the warming hut at Saratoga Spa State Park, where visitors may see them through 4 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. On Friday, they are at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center for a Philadelphia Orchestra performance pre-party from 5-6:30 p.m. and a parade down Avenue of the Pines from 6:30-6:45 p.m. On Saturday, they will be at the Altamont Fair from with pictures in the fairgrounds from 2:30-4 p.m. On Sunday, they visit the Troy ValleyCats at the Joseph Bruno Stadium, Hudson Valley Community College, Troy. Take pictures in the main parking lot from 3:30-4:15 p.m. and watch a parade on the field form 4:30-5 p.m. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany A 26-year-old man accused of driving drunk and killing two people in a July 4, 2014 crash on the Thruway in Guilderland admitted he was partying in the hours before the deadly collision, a state trooper testified at a pre-trial hearing Friday. The defendant, Tyler Pascuzzi of Albany, allegedly made the admission while being questioned by State Police Investigator David Burns at Albany Medical Center Hospital, where Pascuzzi was being treated after the crash that took the lives of Alicia Tamboia, 24, of Wingdale in Dutchess County and Cody Veverka, 23, of Cairo, Greene County. Trooper Michael Schroll testified that he witnessed Pascuzzi make the remark to Burns during the pre-dawn hours of July 5, 2014. "He asked him if he had been partying that night and he said, 'Yeah, I ended up here didn't I?'" Schroll testified during the pre-trial hearing before state Supreme Court Justice Thomas Breslin in Albany. On Friday, Schroll was being questioned by Assistant District Attorney Mary Tanner-Richter, the case's prosecutor, during a hearing to determine what evidence will be allowed at trial. Pascuzzi is charged with a 14-count indictment that accuses him of aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, aggravated driving while intoxicated, DWI and reckless driving. The first charge alone carries 8 to 25 years in prison. Police and prosecutors allege Pascuzzi was drunk and driving his Volkswagen about 150 mph, when he struck one vehicle, then a tractor-trailer, killing the passengers between exits 24 and 25 on I-90. The authorities said Pascuzzi had a 0.18 percent blood alcohol level, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, when he lost control of his car. Schroll testified that Pascuzzi appeared to have all his faculties when he was speaking to police and when he observed him speaking to medical examiners. During cross-examination, Pascuzzi's lawyer, Michael McDermott, noted that Schroll took no notes and did not record the questioning. He suggested that Schroll was eavesdropping on his client's conversations with medical examiners. McDermott sought to make the case that the injured Pascuzzi was not in the proper state of mind to answer questions from State Police. McDermott questioned whether Schroll even had permission to be in the room where Pascuzzi was being treasted. "Were you there to be a witness in hopes of obtaining some kind of admission?" McDermott asked. "I was just asked to go in the room with him as (Burns) questioned him," Schroll testified. The judge will render a decision before the trial as to what evidence jurors will be allowed to hear. rgavin@timesunion.com 518-434-2403 @RobertGavinTU This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SARATOGA SPRINGS The 10th Annual Trooper Joseph Longobardo Memorial Walk/Run is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday at Saratoga Spa State Park. It is named for Trooper Joseph Longobardo, who died of wounds he suffered when he was shot during a manhunt. In April 2006, Ralph "Bucky" Phillips broke out of the Erie County jail, where he was being held for a parole violation. Phillips went on a spree of car thefts and burglaries; authorities believe he was aided by family members throughout Western New York. The pursuit took a darker turn that June when Phillips wounded Trooper Sean Brown, and on Aug. 31 shot Longobardo, 32, of Greenfield and Trooper Donald Baker Jr. of Halfmoon as they were staking out the home of a Phillips relative. Longobardo died four days later. Both of the wounded officers recovered. Longobardo and Baker were both assigned to Troop G, headquartered in Loudonville. Phillips was captured just over the state border by Pennsylvania State Police on Sept. 8, 2006. The memorial event for Longobardo will be at Orenda Pavilion and includes a 5K run/walk as well as kids 800m and 100m runs. Money raised benefits the Longobardo Memorial Scholarship Fund. Music, a bounce house and hot dogs and hamburgers will be available. Register at http://www.finishright.com/ Washington A firm run by Donald Trump's campaign chairman directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the country's pro-Russian government, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. The lobbying included attempts to gain positive press coverage of Ukrainian officials in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press. Another goal: undercutting American public sympathy for the imprisoned rival of Ukraine's then-president. Gates personally directed the work of two prominent Washington lobbying firms in the matter, the emails show. He worked for Manafort's political consulting firm at the time. Manafort and Gates' activities carry outsized importance, since they have steered Trump's campaign since April. The pair also played a formative role building out Trump's campaign operation after pushing out an early rival. Trump shook up his campaign's organization again this week, but Manafort and Gates retain their titles and much of their influence. The new disclosures about their work come as Trump faces criticism for his friendly overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Thursday that, if elected, he will ask senior officials in his administration not to accept speaking fees for five years after leaving office from corporations that lobby "or from any entity tied to a foreign government." Manafort and Gates have previously said they were not doing work that required them to register as foreign agents. Neither commented when reached by the AP on Thursday. The emails show Gates personally directed two Washington lobbying firms, Mercury LLC and the Podesta Group Inc., between 2012 and 2014 to set up meetings between a top Ukrainian official and senators and congressman on influential committees involving Ukrainian interests. Gates noted in the emails that the official, Ukraine's foreign minister, did not want to use his own embassy in the United States to help coordinate the visits. Gates also directed the firms to gather information in the U.S. on a rival lobbying operation, including a review of its public lobbying disclosures, to determine who was behind that effort, the emails show. And Gates directed efforts to undercut sympathy for Yulia Tymoshenko, an imprisoned rival of then-President Viktor Yanukovych. The Ukrainian leader eventually fled the country in February 2014 during a popular revolt prompted in part by his government's crackdown on protesters and close ties to Russia. The emails do not describe details about the role of Manafort, who was Gates' boss at the firm, DMP International LLC. Current and former employees at Mercury and the Podesta Group, some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they are subject to non-disclosure agreements, told AP that Manafort oversaw the lobbying efforts and spoke by phone about them. Gates was directing actions and seeking information during the project using an email address at DMP International, which he still uses. Manafort did not return phone and email messages Thursday from the AP to discuss the project. After AP reported earlier this week that Manafort helped the Ukrainian political party secretly route at least $2.2 million to the two Washington lobbying firms, Manafort told Yahoo News that AP's account was wrong. "I was not involved in any payment plans," Manafort said. Gates said Thursday he was busy with Trump campaign focus groups and promised to review AP's questions in writing, then did not respond. Manafort also said in a statement earlier this week that he never performed work for the governments of Ukraine or Russia. Gates previously told the AP, "At no time did our firm or members provide any direct lobbying support." Under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, people who lobby on behalf of foreign political leaders or political parties must provide detailed reports about their actions to the Justice Department. A violation is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The emails illustrate how Gates worked with Mercury and the Podesta Group on behalf of Ukrainian political leaders. None of the firms, nor Manafort or Gates, disclosed their work to the Justice Department counterespionage division responsible for tracking the lobbying of foreign governments. "There is no question that Gates and Manafort should have registered along with the lobbying firms," said Joseph Sandler of Sandler Reiff Lamb Rosenstein & Birkenstock, a Democratic-leaning Washington law firm that advises Republican and Democratic lobbyists. Manafort and Gates have said that they did not disclose their activities to the Justice Department because they did not oversee lobbying efforts and merely introduced the Washington firms to a Brussels-based nonprofit, the European Center for a Modern Ukraine, which they said ran the project. The center paid Mercury and the Podesta Group a combined $2.2 million over roughly two years. The emails appear to contradict the assertion that the nonprofit's lobbying campaign operated independently from Manafort's firm. In papers filed in the U.S. Senate, Mercury and the Podesta Group listed the European nonprofit as an independent, nonpolitical client. The firms said the center stated in writing that it was not aligned with any foreign political entity. The 1938 U.S. foreign agents law is intended to track efforts of foreign government's unofficial operatives in the United States. Political consultants are generally leery of registering under it, because their reputations can suffer once they are on record as accepting money to advocate the interests of foreign governments especially if those interests conflict with America's. Moreover, registering under the law would have required Gates, Manafort or the lobbying firms to disclose the specifics of their lobbying work. If City Court Judge Thomas Keefe ran his courtroom the way he handled his soon-to-be exit from the bench, he might not be leaving. Keefe, 64, deftly spun a highly embarrassing situation that ultimately cost him his job into a face-saving exit for a judge confronting allegations of serious wrongdoing from the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. He gets to resign Sept. 30 without saying he did anything egregiously wrong. And Keefe very much downplayed his conduct in a resignation letter Monday to Mayor Kathy Sheehan. But court documents released by the commission showed Keefe clearly admitted to some of the most jaw-dropping allegations the commission brought. On Sept. 10, 2015, Keefe signed an amended answer to the commission counsel's charges against him. Keefe acknowledged he "admits the allegations" in nearly 90 paragraphs of the panel's complaints. That included Keefe's remarks on May 8, 2013, to defendant Elizabeth Santos, whom he ordered to jail because she had the audacity to contact her attorney. Keefe explained to Santos that he had "very, very specifically told you not to bug your lawyers but you've ... paid no attention to me, so, therefore we're going to send you back (to jail) and I'm going to have a conversation with you next week if you can go a week without calling your lawyers. OK? Bye." More Information Contact Robert Gavin at 518-454- 2403 or email rgavin@timesunion.com. On Twitter: @Robert GavinTU See More Collapse A week later, Keefe told Santos: "Last week you were here and I abruptly sent you back to jail to come back for a week, right, with the instructions again to not call your lawyer during the week, right? ... And you did that. You've not called your lawyer during the week. Thank you, very much ... Now, I also put on the record that a judge telling a defendant that they're going to jail, and I'm prohibiting you from calling your lawyer, is a violation of your constitutional rights, OK? ... It's outrageous." If that was the only undisputed complaint against Keefe, it would be a lot. But it was not. Keefe admitted making "impatient, discourteous and undignified" remarks to prosecutors for District Attorney David Soares. Keefe admitted that on June 25, 2012, he told Assistant District Attorney Shannon Corbitt: "I'm going to do my job as I see it and if people don't like it, they should do something about it instead of whining about it, right? So, the bottom line is, I have all the time in the world. I'm running for re-election unopposed. I'm going to be here for 10 years and if you think that I've caused problems up to this moment, you haven't seen anything yet." Keefe admitted he met privately with defendants in holding cells (called ex parte communications, which are improper) in at least one case without giving any notice to attorneys on either side. Keefe admitted that on June 19, 2013, he entered a police booking room and spoke to defendant Ernest Muller, who had a marijuana relapse. And Keefe admitted that in response to a question asked by that defendant, Keefe said, "What are you apologizing for?" "You can do one puff but not two," and "What about the crack cocaine?" Keefe admitted to more bizarre behavior in August 2013 when he grilled Joseph Hayner, an Iraq War veteran who was a defendant before him, about whether Hayner had killed anybody in Iraq or if Hayner had killed anyone in Albany that week. "I am trying to be a generalized (expletive) and I'm pretty good at it, aren't I?" Keefe said to Hayner. In his letter to Sheehan, Keefe called his questioning of Hayner the "worst thing I have done in my 14 years as a judge." But before you credit Keefe for being contrite, it is important to note that in his amended answer to the commission's charges in 2015, Keefe did not admit to the paragraph that said he should be disciplined for cause for his words to Hayner. Keefe, in the end, became a master spin doctor. He managed to leave the bench by admitting what he could not deny and denying what he could not admit and then he took it a step further in his letter to the mayor by suggesting he could have easily beaten the charges. And the commission cannot come out now and tell him he is wrong. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. In 2007, Keefe harshly criticized Soares' chief investigator, Christian D'Alessandro, for meeting with a defendant without the man's attorney present. But in his resignation letter to Sheehan, Keefe downplayed the allegations against him as merely "procedural issues, inappropriate demeanor, and improper ex parte communications." Keefe noted he was not accused of corruption. "With the proceeding concluded, I am free to disclose that the formal written complaint contained no allegations that I used my position to benefit myself, that I presided over matters in which I had a conflict of interest, that I mishandled funds, or that I harmed any defendant or party appearing before me," Keefe told the mayor. "Although I remain confident that most of the charges pending before the Commission on Judicial Conduct would not be sustained on a full review by the commission, I have realized that it is not in my interest to spend another possible 18 months defending myself so that I can remain in a job that I no longer find rewarding," Keefe's tenure as a City Court judge will be remembered by many as disastrous. From a damage control perspective, Keefe's exit from the bench might get an "A." rgavin@timesunion.com 518-434-2403 @RobertGavinTU The Crown Heights Riots began 25 years ago today. The three ensuing days of sporadic violence, protest, and destruction placed Crown Heights in the international spotlight and laid bare deep, bitter divisions between the neighborhood's black and Lubavitch Jewish communities. Gothamist spoke to people who were thereactivists, journalists, police, and politiciansabout their recollections of the events of August 19-21, 1991, which were sparked when a black child was killed and his cousin seriously injured by a driver in the motorcade of Lubavitcher Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. We also spoke about what happened before the riots, and where the neighborhood is today. Each day this week, we've run edited excerpts of our conversations. This is the final installment of the series. This mini oral history is not an attempt to offer an authoritative or comprehensive account of what happened during those three days. That would require a book, or several books. (The Girgenti Report, commissioned by then-Governor Mario Cuomo to analyze what happened, clocks in at 616 pagesif you're interested in the chronology of events, the Daily News did a solid write-up.) Rather, these are a series of snapshots. Gothamist: What is the legacy of the riots? Errol Louis Errol Louis is the host of Inside City Hall on NY1. He has written for the New York Sun, the Daily News, and Our Time Press. In 1991, he was living in Crown Heights, working for a nonprofit and freelancing as a journalist. All of us who lived in the neighborhood and had some claim to leadership were convinced beyond any doubt that we had to do things differently. It was a horrible, horrible indictment of all of us. We couldn't pretend to be running our little organizations and running our candidates and pretending that we were making something good happen if something like those riots could happen again. It was international infamy. I certainly did and I know a lot of other people did, we made sure we had each other's phone numbers. We vowed to stay in touch. We began to make time to do things that would strengthen group relations even if there was no immediate, impending crisis. To this day, I don't take phone calls at night. When I'm at home with my family, I pretty much turn the phone off unless it's a call from one of my Crown Heights neighbors. Those will always get first priority. We actually had an incident ten years later that was almost a scary kind of replay. There was a little girl playing in the street on Lincoln Place, near Washington Avenue. She pokes her head out, and a car that's speeding by hits her. She's gravely injured. The car was driven by a Hasidic Jew. A crowd gathers. They start getting grabby. They start thinking about having street justice, and it looks like we're going to go through the whole thing all over again. This time, everybody came running from every corner of the neighborhoodfrom Richard Green to James Davis. I came over as a reporter, but also started making additional calls. And we tamped the whole thing down. It was like a divine test to see if under almost the same conditions, we had figured out how to not let the neighborhood burn itself down. We passed that test. The neighborhood's in a better place. Here's an example: I was at Brower Park with my son and a couple of nephews a few Sundays ago, and at around noontime a bunch of Jewish kids came over and they wanted to shoot. All of the adults sat back and let the kids work it out among themselves. My son and his cousin ended up playing two-on-two hoops with a couple of Jewish kids. I took pictures. I was amazingly happy because that's what it's supposed to be about. The adults have, I think, figured out how to shut up and hang back and take all their little prejudices and past hurts and put all of that in a drawer and let the kids work it out. There are still some, for lack of a better word, urban arsonists who are out there, who are always willing to see the worst in other groups, make inflammatory charges, and try to stir things up again. My job, and the job of others like me, is to make sure that those poisonous seeds fall on barren ground. You can't plant those kinds of seeds in Crown Heights anymore because we're not going to water it, we're not going to fertilize it. You give us half a chance, we will come and just tear it up and root it out. Scott Heins / Gothamist Rabbi Shea Hecht Rabbi Shea Hecht is the chairman of the National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education. At the time of the riots, he was living in Crown Heights and working for the committee. The number one person that should be thanked for many of the changes is Borough President Howard Golden. He was the one who created the Crown Heights Coalition. I, along with Edison O. Jackson, president of Medgar Evers College at that time, chaired this coalition. We had leaders of the communityyouth leaders, ministers, pastors, rabbis, school teachers. We discussed the issues. Subsequently, he sprung off different discussions between young people. He was successful in bringing us into schools: Black schools, the Jewish schools, and talking about our neighbors, explaining who our neighbors are, getting to know your neighbor. That was probably the number one thing that was done. That coalition met for the next four years, and did a lot. There were people in the black community who did come out and condemn, not only Lemrick Nelson, but also others who behaved like hooligans. The nature we find often is that we blame the victim. We forget to blame the perpetrator. That's part of our society. Many have then still attacked the Jewish community, rather than attacking the rioters, and the group that surrounded Yankel Rosenbaum. It wasn't one guy who stabbed him, it was 20 kids, or 15 kids that surrounded him. They all took part. We don't know any of their names. We haven't brought any of those kids to justice. Jews have a big history. We don't dwell on negative pasts so much. [Our] kids are not being brought up in the shadow of riots. We're dealing with our day-to-day struggles, which are challenging within themselves. Scott Heins / Gothamist Ife Charles Ife Charles is the Center for Court Innovation's coordinator of anti-violence programs, including the Save Our Streets programs in Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy. At the time of the riots, she was working at a hospital and living in East New York. After the tragedies, there was room and opportunity to make change: an opportunity for education on both sides, an opportunity to learn about each other and to be able to respect each other's culture and understand. A lot of people didn't understand. A lot of brown and black people did not understand why our Hasidic Jewish brothers and sisters lived life in a very insular way. A lot of folks didn't understand the culture of the Jewish community. There was this group called "Mothers to Mothers," this group of brown and black and Jewish mothers that would come together, and have conversations and dialogue, and talk about all of the issues that we deal with as mothers, wives, and women. That group allowed me to grow beyond measure. We'd go out for dinner, we'd go out for shows, we'd go to movies. I was one of the younger mothers at that time, but there were a bunch of women who were older, who were able to mentor and to mold, and to help me, as a young mother, even with the loss of my son. They did a lot of work around the community, having conversations about race and class and gender. And about what it was to be a Jewish woman, what Judaism means, what being Hasidic means; and what it is to be African American and Caribbean. It helped heal because sometimes women have to take the lead. Men are still angry, their egos come in the way. It trickled out through the women, through us having conversations. I felt as though I had the ownership to be able to talk to young men and women of colorto educate my community. And with the Jewish women, it allowed them to educate their community around us, as black and brown. That's the trickle out effect. Did it hit massive group of folks? I don't think so, but it touched individuals. We talked about food. We exchanged recipes, like jerk chicken, curry chicken, all of that stuff. I didn't think that Jewish people ate curry chicken and all that stuff. I'm being realthat was my ignorance. There's growth. The riots were horrible. It was horrible, but out of that is growth. I go into Mendy's every doggone time that I can. When I need a midnight snack, that's where I am. The guy knows me well. That wouldn't have happened years agoblack people eating in Jewish stores. It's happening now. Now, I think more frustration is around the gentrifiers. I think if you talk to people, they would be like, "Oh, is it the Jews? Nah." They'll be like, "No, it's all these damn gentrifiers." I think that'll be the same thing from the Jewish community. They'd be like, "It's the damn gentrifiers." Albany On the heels of Albany County changes to its job application, the city of Albany also is working on updates that would remove the question of whether a potential employee has been convicted of a crime. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said department heads and human resources are working out the details for which positions may still require background checks, like police or those working with children. Meanwhile, the county has removed specific questions on criminal history from its civil service application, a spokeswoman for Albany County said Thursday. Sheehan said the changes benefit those in the community who are returning from incarceration, who have served time, but face checking the box and providing an explanation. "It's a deterrent from someone even applying for the position in the first place," she said. "I also think that from the standpoint from really assessing capability of performing a job, the first thing that we're looking at shouldn't be a prior conviction." While the changes have moved slower than Sheehan would like, she said it's something that's been considered for some time. Research has shown employers are reluctant to hire applicants with criminal records, and those who may have lost out on jobs because of this have difficulty proving it, proponents of the ban say. A survey by the Albany-based Center for Law and Justice did six years ago found 70 percent of employers would reject any applicant with a criminal record. While city officials continue to work out the details, Albany County has removed questions on the county civil service application that asked whether a potential employee has ever been convicted of a crime or if they're currently "under charges for any crime," county spokeswoman Mary Rozak said. This was a planned initiative by County Executive Dan McCoy, which he talked about in his equity agenda in March, Rozak said. On July 28, Legislator Samuel Fein, D-Albany, introduced a local law to bar the county from inquiring about criminal history through questions during an interview or a box on the job applications. At the time, the County Executive's Office issued a statement, saying it follows all state and federal regulations. It continued: "There are procedures which are narrowly tailored for screening applicants and employees for criminal conduct where the state statute requires us to do so. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. Our goal is to protect the people that we serve, and at the same time, implement robust fair-chance employment practices that ensure a fair decision making process for job applicants." Meanwhile, the city Common Council on Monday approved support of Fein's proposal. Fein said he wasn't aware of the changes made on the county employment application, adding that he'll continue with the law since it lays out when a background check will be performed, what positions are impacted and an appeal process for those who may be denied a job due to a criminal history. "The question in the application isn't the whole piece of the law," he said. "If this law passes, it confirms that no question could be added back in to any job application. It sets it in stone." afries@timesunion.com 518-454-5353 Saratoga Springs The majority of $500,000 that was to be spent on maintenance and repairs to Victoria Pool went to other Spa State Park projects, raising the ire of both the Save the Victoria Pool Society and state Sen. Kathy Marchione who secured the funding. Efforts to repair the 1935 pool started back in the spring of 2014 when state senators Marchione and Betty Little successfully earmarked the $500,000 in funding for one of the state's most elegant swimming holes. They celebrated with a poolside news conference. Smiling and posing for the cameras, they held up a giant cardboard check. But then, nothing happened, said Louise Goldstein, one of the founders of Save the Victoria Pool Society. Today, that is clear. Peeling paint, rusty railings, black mold, broken porcelain in the bathroom and a tree growing out of the entry way's chimney are among the unpleasant sights that the 16,000 annual pool patrons see. The money, which went into the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation coffers, was spent on what agency calls the Victoria Pool complex. A total of $311,522 paid for renovating the kitchen of Catherine's in the Park, a restaurant adjacent to the pool. Another $88,741 went to metal roof repairs around the building that surrounds the pool. "Since 2011, we have spent $900,000 on the Victoria Pool complex," said Randy Simons, public information specialist with Parks. "This speaks to our commitment to one of the most beautiful pools in our system." Goldstein, whose says her pleas to Parks have been ignored for the past two summers, disagrees with the agency's commitment. "The restaurant has nothing to do with the pool," said Goldstein. "Either do the repairs to the roof. Parks people come around and say the pool is perfect, but it's not. We can't even get a bench out in front of the pool where 200 people wait to get inside every morning." Marchione isn't happy either. "When the Save the Victoria Pool Society asked for my assistance to help secure state funding for necessary repair and renovation work at Victoria Pool, I was glad to help," said Marchione. "Victoria Pool is a recreational, cultural and architectural treasure and a true asset for our community. The $500,000 that my colleague Senator Betty Little and I secured in Parks capital funding was supposed to go toward specific repair and renovation work at the pool. The fact that much of the repair and renovation work has not moved forward is unacceptable." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. Some of that money did go to the pool. A total of $60,704 went to masonry. Of that, more than $11,800 went to consultant design fees for masonry. Another $400,000, said Simons, is slated for more roof repairs before 2020. Simons said the agency must balance the needs of 215 parks and historic sites throughout the state. "Every year we get a laundry list of what needs to be done at parks throughout the state. We have to prioritize," said Simons adding, "Health and safety first and foremost and that's what we have done at the Victoria Pool." In an effort to resolve the disagreement, Marchione has called a meeting with Save the Victoria Pool Society and State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey so that they can discuss concerns over neglected repairs. The meeting, at a later date, will be at the pool so that Harvey can see what needs to be done. "One way or another even if it includes my inserting language in the upcoming 2017-18 state budget as a member of the Senate Finance Committee I'm confident that the necessary repair and renovation work at Victoria Pool is going to be completed as promised," Marchione said. wliberatore@timesunion.com 518-454-5445 @wendyliberatore THE ISSUE: A new report finds rail companies making inadequate progress on safety improvements. THE STAKES: Will Congress again sit by and let railroads run out the clock? More Information To comment: tuletters@timesunion.com or at http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion See More Collapse Congress last year rewarded the railroad industry for blowing a federal deadline to implement safety controls by extending the deadline at least three more years. The result? Some railroads again seem to be running out the clock. Railroads have been required since 2008 to install "positive train control" technology, systems capable of slowing or stopping speeding trains to prevent derailments, collisions, and other accidents. Proponents of the technology say it could help prevent accidents caused by operator inattention, distraction, falling sleep or other human factors. Even with seven years of lead time, however, the industry failed to meet the original deadline this past December. Congress shrugged, and allowed a three-year extension until the end of 2018. Companies that can show they've made substantial progress can even go another two years past that. To their credit, some rail companies have made substantial progress in implementing PTC, according to a report issued this week by the Federal Railroad Administration. Overall, however, PTC is in operation on only nine percent of freight route miles and 22 percent of passenger train miles. While close to three-fourths of the freight radio towers have the required technology, only about a third of the locomotives and 11 percent of the track is equipped. The picture is worse, for the most part, on the passenger rail side fewer than half the radio towers, not even 30 percent of the locomotives, and 12 percent of the track has PTC installed. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. In New York, two major commuter railroads, Metro North and the Long Island Railroad, received zeros. The National Transportation Safety Board has said that PTC could have prevented a 2013 Metro-North train derailment that killed four and left 60 injured. How many of the 1,907 train accidents that occurred in 2015 or the 609 accidents so far this year might have been prevented by PTC is unclear. But it doesn't take a federal study to know the rails would be measurably safer if PTC were in place. And, wouldn't you know, another one of the reasons it isn't is the same Congress that sets deadlines and then lets railroads slide. The White House requested $1.25 billion in the 2017 federal budget year to help commuter railroads install PTC, but Congress came back with spending bills providing only $199 million. The total bill for commuter rail alone is expected to be almost $3.5 billion. It would be sad to think the more than $9 million railroads have donated to members of Congress in the current election cycle, and the more than $42 million they've spent on lobbying the last two years, has bought them the ability to flout the law and endanger public safety. A Congress that truly values the lives of citizens more than campaign donations would not be waiting for the industry to plead for more time in 2018. It would haul the laggards in now and remind them that their time is running out. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. [August 19, 2016] Adapt IT Partners With Yellowfin for World-Class BI Solution Offering JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- South Africa based specialist ICT services provider, Adapt IT, has signed a reseller agreement with global Business Intelligence (BI) and analytics software vendor, Yellowfin. Under the guidelines of the partnership, Adapt IT will sell Yellowfin's BI platform, and associated suite of professional services, to its current and future clients throughout South Africa. With over 14 years' experience in providing complete and integrated BI solutions to its clients, Adapt IT has formed strategic partnerships with the world's leading technology and business software providers, delivering customers robust, reliable and enduring solutions. Adapt IT Senior Executive for Business Solutions, Leon Breedt, said that Adapt IT partnered with Yellowfin in order to enhance its technology portfolio by offering its clients a world-class BI solution. "Together with our strategic technology partners, we have cemented a solid reputation and become a trusted advisor to South Africa's leading businesses across a wide range of industries," said Breedt. "In an ever-changing and increasingly competitive global business environment, it has never been more important for organisations to have information that allows them to optimise processes identify risks and drive decision-making. BI as a strategic tool is thus a critical element of any successful business." Yellowfin, a recognised international leader in BI, has been measured among the world's elite BI vendors by leading analyst firms. Created with a focus on user experience and the development of easy-to-use Web-based interfaces, Yellowfin was designed from the ground up to make BI easy, said Yellowfin South Africa Marketing and Sales Director, Gustav Piater. "We pride ourselves on working closely with our partners and clients to better understand their needs in a shifting technology landscape," said Piater. "The ease of business we enable is matched only by the ease-of-use that is the foundation of Yellowfin's BI solution. This is borne out by the fact that Yellowfin boasts over two million end-users and more than ten thousand clients in over 70 countries." About Adapt IT Adapt IT is an innovative information technology (IT) services and specialised solutions provider, delivering IT solutions to some of the most successful manufacturing, financial services, education and energy organisations in over 38 countries worldwide. Headquartered in South Africa, Adapt IT operates strategically through its regional divisions located in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town as well as Gaborone, Botswana. For more information, visit www.adaptit.co.za About Yellowfin Yellowfin is a global Business Intelligence (BI) and analytics software vendor passionate about making BI easy. Founded in 2003 in response to the complexity and costs associated with implementing and using traditional BI tools, Yellowfin is a highly intuitive 100 percent Web-based reporting and analytics solution. Yellowfin is a leader in mobile, collaborative and embedded BI, as well as Location Intelligence and data visualization. Over 10,000 organizations, and more than 2 million end-users across 70 different countries, use Yellowfin every day. For more information, visit www.yellowfinbi.com For regular news and updates, follow Yellowfin on Twitter (@YellowfinBI), LinkedIn (Yellowfin Business Intelligence), YouTube (Yellowfin Team) or email [email protected] to subscribe to Yellowfin's free e-newsletter. For further media information, interviews, images or product demonstration, please contact: Lachlan James, Yellowfin Global Communications Manager on +61 (0)3 8617 4954, +61 (0)431 835 658 or [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150930/8521506452LOGO [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Most of the people featured in the blatantly trolling NY Times real estate column "The Hunt" are portrayed as annoying but harmlesswell-off yupsters molting in self-satisfied chrysalises made of dividend checks and clippings from Kinfolk Magazine who float about the city spending small fortunes on photogenic homes and $288 mosquito nets. The Times's Joyce Cohen has a special gift for finding these precious snowflakes and shoving their sun-drenched kitchens in our faces. And the sun-drenching from this week's "The Hunt" is like that radiant glow you used to get when your babysitter put you in the microwave to dry you off after your creme de menthe bath. This will only take a minute. Meet Kendall Huberman, a design assistant with a graduate degree from Parsons whose parents gave her money for the down payment on a $400,000 home after she realized that paying $1,800 to live with a roommate in a mouse-infested East Village apartment could be easily avoided by getting money from her parents. Huberman had her heart set on Williamsburg (duh), thanks to its youthful vibe and bustling live music scene. But like many hopeful Brooklyn pioneers, she was disappointed to find that even $400,000 won't put you in a studio in Williamsburg these days. Determined to prove that she's "a person who can make a lot out of nothing," [YES THAT IS AN ACTUAL QUOTE NO THIS MICROWAVE DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE] she chose to trek through the wilderness to other Brooklyn neighborhoods. Did she bring enough provisions for her journey, which inauspiciously began in the dead of winter? Read on... One winter Sunday, Ms. Huberman set out for Brooklyn to look at some co-op apartments. She figured she could meet a co-ops financial requirements, which tend to be more stringent than those of condos, by purchasing with her father. At a one-bedroom in Crown Heights, she realized how far the neighborhood was from work and friends. With some subway trains out of service that day, the trip was lengthy and confusing. Things looked grim for our frostbitten heroine as she visited one unacceptable dump after another. She turned down a badly-lit Prospect Heights one bedroom for $389,000 (fair enough) and said no to a similarly-priced Fort Greene place because the neighborhood felt like "an uncharted territory to me and that commitment seemed too daunting." Enter: the government. Huberman's realtor informed her that despite her giant downpayment check from mom and dad, she could still qualify for a NYC Housing Development Fund Corporation co-op, a tax-subsidized form of affordable housing intended to make home ownership possible for lower-income New Yorkers. Suddenly a whole new frontier of apartments were within Huberman's grasp, and The Hunt triumphantly climaxes in her parents' check being cashed and Huberman filling her new sunlit L-shape studio with Scandinavian homewares... but still complaining that the building is a walk-up"I still feel guilty when people come through my door and they are out of breath." Ah, so that's what she feels guilty about. Got it. And so here we have an upwardly-mobile millennial using her parents' money to claim an apartment through a program that was, at least at one time, intended to bridge the homeownership gap for struggling New Yorkers. For the Times, this is the sign of a savvy Hunter and something to celebrate, and there's no need to bum anyone out by considering how this symbolizes New York's obscene real estate market transforming the city into a Pinterest-board-actualization-quest for people who take the Taylor Swift song seriously. Wealth does not inherently make one a bad person, but bragging about using your parents' money to game the city's broken housing subsidies takes a special lack of self-awareness. You can blame Huberman's realtor for setting up the deal, or you can blame the currently broken HDFC co-op system that allows this sort of thing to happen repeatedly. But save room to blame the Times for glorifying itand letting quotes like these hang in the air forever. "Its great to own, Huberman concludes. "It feels kind of adultish and comforting and stabilizing." Yes, there's no greater sign of adulthood then when your parents buy you a home in Williamsburg. PSA: The NY Times has a weakness for self-parodying trend-baiting, masochistic Millennial obsessing, and the perverse lifestyles of the filthy rich. If a reporter with the Real Estate, Style or Weekend sections approaches you about a story, just smile gently and run in the opposite direction. No one is forcing you to become representative of everything that everyone hates about New Yorkers. Corporate Risk Holdings, LLC Fiscal Year 2016 Q3 Investor Update Conference Call Corporate Risk Holdings, LLC will host an Investor Update Conference Call for fiscal year 2016 Q3 on Wednesday, August 24th 10:30 a.m. (ET), for qualified participants. Corporate Risk management will provide an update on the company's fiscal year 2016 Q3 financial performance and business operations. Qualified participants can access call-in information through an Intralinks site, which may be accessed via the Investor Relations location on the company's website at www.corprisk.com. About Corporate Risk Holdings, LLC Corporate Risk Holdings is headquartered in New York, NY and is the parent company of three separately managed businesses, each a leading global provider of risk and information services: HireRight, specializing in employment background screening and eligibility solutions; Kroll, recognized worldwide for risk management services spanning cyber security, investigations, due diligence, compliance and security risk management; and Kroll Ontrack, focused on technology-enabled e-discovery, information management and data recovery services and solutions. Additional information about Corporate Risk Holdings is available at corprisk.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005705/en/ [August 19, 2016] ExxonMobil Contributes $500,000 to Flood Relief in Louisiana Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) announced today that it will donate $500,000 to the American Red Cross and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to support local flooding disaster relief assistance in Louisiana. "Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends and neighbors in Louisiana who have been impacted by storms and severe flooding in the region," said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation. "We hope that this donation will help provide some relief to Louisianans as recovery efforts begin." ExxonMobil employs more than 5,500 employees and contractors in the Baton Rouge area where it has operated for more than 100 years. Baton Rouge employees spend more than 4,000 hours volunteering in the community each year supporting 168 local organizations. Annually, the company donates about $5 million to agencies and schools in the Baton Rouge area. The Red Cross provides food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the victims of disasters. The agency has supported more than 10,000 people at over 50 shelters during this response effort. The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank services an 11-parish service area, provides food to 130 agencies and distributed more than 8.7 million meals in 2015. The agency's food warehouse was severely impacted from the flooding. About ExxonMobil Exxon Mobil Corporation, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world's growing energy needs. ExxonMobil engages in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, with a focus on math and science in the United States, promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria. In 2015, together with its employees and retirees, ExxonMobil, its divisions and affiliates, and the ExxonMobil Foundation provided $268 million in contributions worldwide. Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contribution programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005701/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 19, 2016] Kantar Media CIC Launches "China Social Media Landscape 2016" SHANGHAI, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Kantar Media CIC, China's leading social business intelligence provider, launched the "China Social Media Landscape 2016" in Shanghai with over 150 international brand and industry elites. Kantar Media CIC has published this annual update on trends in the China social landscape since 2008, to provide a comprehensive analysis for brands on innovation in social media platforms and audiences. Michael Toedman, the new CEO of Kantar Media CIC, and Sam Flemming, Founder and Chairman, opened the event and reinforced Kantar Media CIC's commitment to be the leading social business intelligence provider in China. Toedman said, "Social media in China dominates the media landscape in engagement, trust, and increasingly influence in e-commerce, which is why leading brands recognize the considerable business value of social media insight and trends. And as the pioneer in social media analysis, Kantar Media CIC continues to lead the market to extract accurate intelligence from big data of social media, to drive business and effective marketing decisions." Linda Xu, Head of Research and Consulting, presented the 2016 landscape to over 150 delegates and discussed the developments of social media in China while also emphasising the future of e-commerce in China. Key developments from the 2016 report are: Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent and Sina (AKA "BATS") are the core of China's social and digital landscape, and have grown evermore powerful as they are at the heart of making the Chinese internet VIRAL, INFORMATIVE and PRACTICAL (VIP). and Sina (AKA "BATS") are the core of social and digital landscape, and have grown evermore powerful as they are at the heart of making the Chinese internet VIRAL, INFORMATIVE and PRACTICAL (VIP). Chinese e-commerce is integrating more social features and consequently improving consumers' shopping experiences as well as creating desires for new products purchasing. Video websites and apps from various brands are continuing to emerge in the market, thus reaching several different target groups. Ask Me Anything sites (AMA) like Fenda and Zhihu Live are going through a renaissance in China and are becoming increasingly popular among KOLs and are becoming increasingly popular among KOLs Wang Hong (cyberstar) has become a newcomer in the KOL landscape and is a powerful online influencer. The celebrity economy has started to grow explosively. Sam Flemming added, "For eight years running, Kantar Media CIC has launched the China Social Media Landscape to help clients track the unique, fragmented and dynamic world of social media. We are very proud of how this iconic presentation has become a key tool for us to help our clients not only navigate but also make sense of China social media." To find out more about the China Social Media Landscape 2016 visit: http://www.cicdata.com/landscape About Kantar Media Kantar Media is a global leader in media intelligence, providing clients with the data they need to make informed decisions on all aspects of media measurement, monitoring and selection. Part of Kantar, the data investment management arm of WPP, Kantar Media provides the most comprehensive and accurate intelligence on media consumption, performance and value. For further information, please visit us at www.kantarmedia.com Asia-Pacific branch Kantar Media CIC is China's and the APAC region' leading social and digital business intelligence provider. Powered by proprietary technology, the experts from Kantar Media CIC enable enterprises to fully leverage the power of social media and other Internet based big data intelligence across the organization. Since 2004, Kantar Media CIC has pioneered social technology, research and consulting. Founded as CIC, it was acquired by WPP's Kantar Media in 2012. Kantar Media CIC PR contact: Renay Cheng Senior BD & Marketing Manager Tel: +86 21 6404 9191*8761 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ciccorporate.com Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160819/0861608441-b Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160819/0861608441-c [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 19, 2016] Target Donates to Louisiana Communities Following Devastating Floods Target (News - Alert) Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced a donation of up to $400,000 to assist Baton Rouge, LA, and surrounding communities affected by heavy rainfall and severe flooding this past week. The donation includes $100,000 to both the Salvation Army and American Red Cross to aid shelter and relief efforts. Additionally, the retailer will donate $30,000 to aid recovery efforts for impacted local schools. In the earliest days of the flooding, Target reached out to local food banks to donate more than $100,000 of food, and is partnering with local non-profits throughout the area to distribute $20,000 in Target GiftCards for necessary supplies for recovery efforts currently underway. Target will also initiate a team member matching program, where the company will donate up to an additional $50,000 to the American Red Cross. Complementing the monetary donations, Target team members are volunteering their time to contribute to the relief efforts. Target has six stores and more than 1,000 team members in the affected area. The store teams have been working together to support one another while also helping the comunity recover. "Communities where we have a presence don't just represent a store to Target; these communities are home to many of our team members and countless valued guests," says Laysha Ward, chief corporate social responsibility officer, Target. "We're extremely proud of our team members' efforts, not only as volunteers, but also in making sure our stores closest to the disaster areas are ready with needed supplies. We're honored to work with incredible partners like The American Red Cross and Salvation Army to provide relief and comfort during the response and recovery." About Target Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,797 stores and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit to communities, which today equals more than $4 million a week. For more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom. For a behind-the-scenes look at Target, visit Target.com/abullseyeview or follow @TargetNews on Twitter (News - Alert). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005239/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 19, 2016] Tech Giant Google and LPU Collaborate JALANDHAR, India, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- - LPU Goes Google: Signs-up MoU With Google Inc. for Hosting Google Center of Excellence at LPU Campus - Special Courses in Android Programming are to be Offered Under Google Expertise - Tie-up to Strengthen Students' Abilities to Meet Global Challenges of Industry-ready Manpower - LPU Students to get Android Certifications as a Part of Their Syllabus Tech giant Google and Lovely Professional University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer courses with specialization in Android programming. For this, LPU is going to establish 'Center of Excellence' at its campus, and this center will be counted among very few centers across the world. Android app is Google's flagship product and the world's most popular mobile operating system. As for its recent usage, Android captures 40% of the market share and its penetration in India is the highest. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160202/10139327 ) A few months back, Google's Indian-origin CEO, Mr Sundar Pichai was in India where he had said, "As per the new plan of Google, we will train two million Android developers in partnership with 30 universities. This will be done over the time period of next three years. For me, getting many developers in the workforce is that it is going to solve many new things." On these lines, LPU advanced itself and availed the coveted opportunity. In fact, Android powers hundreds of millions of mobile devices in more than 190 countries around the world. It is the largest installed base of any mobile platform and is continuously growing fast. Every day another million users power up their Android devices for the first time and start looking for apps and other digital content. This historical tie-up is to strengthen students' abilities to meet global challenges. LPU students will get Android certifications as a part of their syllabus and that too at no additional cost. LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal shares, "Nowadays, more and more people are using smartphones and most of these phones are powered by Android apps in one or the other form. As such, each and every company is also recruiting students who are expert in Android programming." Mr Mittal added, "Seeing this, all courses of Android programming have become utmost necessity for LPU. We came out with the idea that no one else could be a great partner than Google itself. Under this collaboration, our students will be trained through Google expertise. For this training, LPU is going to set the state-of-the-art Google Center of Excellence with ultra-modern facilities and Google Chromebooks." About Lovely Professional University (LPU): LPU, a part of Lovely International Trust, is the largest university in India in terms of number of students on a single campus. LPU has more than 30,000 fulltime students on its 600 acre campus which is located on Jalandhar-Delhi National Highway at Phagwara (Punjab), India. The University campus has many architecturally striking buildings with all the requisite facilities for the students available therein. More than 18,000 students reside in 6 boys' and 6 girls' hostels on the campus. The University has a rich diversity in its students' population, with students coming from all the 29 states of India and 35+ countries including the USA, China, Colombia, Thailand, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Tanzania, Nigeria, Congo, Rwanda and more. In addition to regular students on its campus, more than 1,00,000 students are pursuing distance education programs. For more information, visit: http://www.lpu.in/ Media Contact: Harpreet Singh [email protected] +91-9876015105 LPU [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Top 5 Vendors in the Smart Parking Market in Western Europe from 2016 to 2020: Technavio Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recent smart parking market in Western Europe report until 2020. This research report also lists 32 other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. Increased adoption of smart parking sensors Smart parking aids in reducing traffic congestions in highly populated areas. Smart parking systems use sensors that are deployed in the center of a parking area. The data gathered from these sensors helps get information regarding the number of standby vehicles and the number of vehicles in the queue to acquire parking space. The data also helps analyze and process traffic flow and notify passengers with relevant alerts. Moreover, smart parking has the tools to improve workforce management and generate revenue by enabling real-time monitoring and control of the available parking space. A two-way M2M communication takes place between smart parking sensors and connected cars. This communication helps reduce parking-related issues. Competitive vendor landscape According to the report, the smart parking market in Western Europe is highly fragmented and comprises of various stakeholders such as smart parking solution providers, telecommunications operators, automotive OEMs, and IT and business service providers. In Western Europe, there are many mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and mobile virtual network enablers (MVNEs) that provide wireless M2M connectivity services and solutions. "The smart parking market is evolving and consists of few market players. The market is moderately competitive, but it is expected to witness increasing competition in the forecast period. Vendors are focusing on mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their foothold in the market; they are forming strategic partnerships to enter different geographies and extend their footprint," says Rajesh Kumar Panda, a lead M2M and connected devices research analyst from Technavio. In addition, the market is witnessing the entry of many cloud-based software vendors that are competing with traditional vendors in the market. However, the smart parking industry is experiencing a growing trend toward consolidation and outsourcing of parking operations and services. Request sample report: http://goo.gl/xlFv8C Top five smart parking market vendors in Western Europe IPS Group The IPS Group and is headquartered in California, US. The group is into engineering and manufacturing and focuses on wireless telecommunications, payment processing systems, Software as a Service (SaaS (News - Alert)) management software, and parking technologies. The group offers products to customers worldwide, especially in the US. It also receives annual certification by the PCI (News - Alert) Security Council for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) and the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS). The IPS Group employs 70 people and has offices in the US and Europe. It has sales offices in Canada and other locations across North America. The group delivers IoT and ITS solutions for transportation and parking operations, globally. Libelium Comunicaciones Distribuidas Libelium Comunicaciones Distribuidas was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Zaragoza, Spain. The company designs and develops wireless sensor network devices for system integrators and engineering and consultancy companies to provide smart city solutions to end-users. It delivers low power consumption devices for smart city solutions and an extensive range of M2M and sensors projects worldwide. The company offers products in the categories Waspmote, Plug & Sense!, Meshlium, and Cooking Hacks. In addition, it provides face-to-face workshops, custom training courses, custom hardware, and solutions to deploy IoT, M2M, and smart city projects. Parkeon Parkeon is in the urban mobility industry and supplies a unique range of parking management solutions and public transport ticketing solutions. The company has offices in France and the UK. The company has subsidiaries in the UK, Italy, Spain, Australia, Germany, Belgium, the US, and the Netherlands. It provides services to more than 4,000 clients, globally. It has installed approximately 200,000 parking meters in more than 60 countries. Streetline (Kapsch TrafficCom) Streetline was established in 2005 and is headquartered in California, US. The company has smart parking deployment centers across the US, Canada, and Europe. It delivers smart data and advanced analytics to resolve parking issues for customers, globally. Streetline provides real-time and historical parking applications for technology adopters through a portal called ParkSight. It also enables ParkEdge, a platform that allows parking providers to add off-street parking information on both Parker and ParkerMap. TransCore TransCore was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Tennessee, US. It is a leading company in the transportation industry that provides innovative, technical solutions and engineering services used in different applications. Some of the prominent vendors are: 3M Aeris Communications Cisco Systems (News - Alert) Deutsche Telekom Gemalto HCL IBM (News - Alert) Jasper Technologies MSR-Traffic Nedap Mobility Solutions Source (News - Alert): Technavio Browse Related Reports: Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact [email protected] with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005008/en/ [August 18, 2016] Evolve IP Listed in Inc. Magazines 2016 Inc. 5000 WAYNE, Pa., Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolve IP, The Cloud Services Company, today announced that for the 4th time since 2012 the company has been included on Inc. magazine's annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Evolve IP is one of the nation's leading cloud services companies with more than 1,300 commercial business accounts, and well over 110,000 users, licensed seats and managed end points across the globe. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, LinkedIn, and many other well-known brands gained their first national exposure as honorees of the Inc. 5000. One of the nation's fastest growing cloud companies, Evolve IP provides cloud services to organizations in virtually every industry including: healthcare, legal, insurance, banking, technology, travel, veterinary medicine, and retail and to some of the world's most recognizable brands. The company's Evolve IP OneCloudTM solution allows organizations to deploy both cloud computing and cloud communications services onto a single, unified platform including: virtual data centers / servers, disaster recovery, virtual desktops, IP phone systems / unified communications, contact centers, and more. "For a decade Evolve IP has demonstrated sustained, significant growth and we are very pleased to be listed in the Inc. 5000 for a fourth time," said Thomas Gravina, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-Founder of Evolve IP. "This recognition is a tribute to the dedicated and talented team we have across the country along with our continued innovation in the cloud. We're extremely excited about the future and the ongoing growth opportunities for the company." "The Inc. 5000 list stands out where it really counts," says Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg. "It honors real achievement by a founder or a team of them. No one makes the Inc. 5000 without building something great usually from scratch. That's one of the hardest things to do in business, as every company founder knows. But without it, free enterprise fails." In addition to being named to this year's Inc. 5000, Evolve IP has received numerous nationally recognized honors. These credits include being named as a one the countries "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America" by Entrepreneur Magazine, getting noted as one of Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, inclusion as a Red Herring Top 100, and winning numerous product awards across the company's entire cloud services suite. For an up-to-date list of Evolve IP's honors and awards please click here. For more information about Evolve IP please visit: www.evolveip.net ABOUT EVOLVE IP Evolve IP is The Cloud Services Company. Designed from the beginning to provide organizations with a unified option for cloud services, Evolve IP enables decision-makers to migrate all or select IT technologies to its award-winning cloud platform. Evolve IP's combination of security, stability, scalability, and lower total cost of ownership is fundamentally superior to outdated legacy systems and other cloud offerings. Today the company's services, including virtual servers, virtual desktops, disaster recovery, IP phone systems / unified communications, contact centers and more, are deployed by more than 1,300 commercial business accounts with a combined 110,000+ users, licensed seats and managed end points. Visit www.EvolveIP.net for more information. PRLog ID: www.prlog.org/12580886 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/evolve-ip-listed-in-inc-magazines-2016-inc-5000-300315712.html SOURCE Evolve IP [August 18, 2016] Inceptrum Delivers FIX Testbench, an Automated Test Platform to the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). OTTAWA, Ontario, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- INCEPTRUM Technologies Inc., a FIX infrastructure solutions provider to the capital market industry, today announced that the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has deployed FIX Testbench, an automated test platform (with high session capacity) for verifying and profiling FIX trading networks. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/399473 CSE selected FIX Testbench to automate, Functional, Performance and Stress testing of their FIX trading network, while also reducing test execution times and associated operating costs. "We selected Inceptrum because of our past experience working with their flexible, feature rich, cost-effective FIX infrastructure solutions said David Timpany, Vice President, Technology & Operations, CSE. "The recent release of their high capacity automated test platform, FIX Testbench, provides us with the next step in our strategy to fully automate our Regression testing that compliments other initiatives at the CSE, focused on cost and operational efficiencies and increased quality assurance." Dmitry Kursov, President & CTO, Inceptrum said "The rapid adoptio of FIX Testbench by CSE, is proof, that we are providing the right set of features, such as, the ability to execute and profile 1000+ FIX sessions within a single test run. We believe that our new FIX Testbench platform provides an innovative, cost effective and flexible approach for FIX trading network and application testing." Please visit www.inceptrum.com for more information on this product. [email protected] About CSE The Canadian Securities Exchange is home to more than 300 uniquely listed issues covering a broad range of industry sectors. The exchange provides trade execution, smart routing, risk management, compliance and market information services for Canadian listed instruments. Recognized as an exchange by the Ontario Securities Commission in 2004, the CSE is designed to facilitate the capital formation process for public companies through a streamlined approach to company regulation that emphasizes disclosure and the provision of efficient secondary market trading services for investors. www.thecse.com About INCEPTRUM INCEPTRUM Technologies Inc. is a Canadian privately held company, located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, providing software and hardware FIX infrastructure solutions to a wide range of capital market sectors. The company specializes in providing creative, leading-edge, low data latency solutions for the financial industry. www.inceptrum.com Media Contact: Ian Hughes, Dir. Business Development Inceptrum Technologies Inc. [email protected] 616.699.2016 (direct) This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inceptrum-delivers-fix-testbench-an-automated-test-platform-to-the-canadian-securities-exchange-cse-300315684.html SOURCE Inceptrum Technologies Inc [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 19, 2016] O.P. Jindal Global University to Host Global Policy Summit on Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights During 19-21 August, 2016 NEW DELHI, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Policy Summit Brings Together 50 Distinguished International Speakers Representing 10 Government Agencies, 16 Universities, 15 Leading Corporations, Industry Associations and Law Firms O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) and Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) are organizing India's largest conference on innovation, competition and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues pertaining to the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector. This global meet will bring together 50 distinguished speakers from around the world, representing 10 government agencies, 16 universities, 15 top corporations, industry associations and law firms. To be held on August 20th and 21st in New Delhi, the conference aims to promote a high-level discussion on 'INNOVATION FOR SHARED PROSPERITY'. Delegates will discuss and evaluate critical issues involving innovation, entrepreneurship and social development, and introspect on the best practices in an international backdrop. Emerging Asian economies such as Taiwan, South Korea, and most recently, China have increasingly embraced a stronger IPR regime. China, in particular, has witnessed a strong policy push towards investment in its IP systems, along with a new national IP policy. This has resulted in rapid increase in patent filings and investments related to technology standards. The Indian government is taking a step in the right direction by trying to incentivize innovation to ensure 'Make in India', 'Digital India', 'Startup India' and 'Invest in India' initiatives become successful. The conference is taking place in the backdrop of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi government's efforts to formulate policies that can foster an innovation-led growth. Many countries have formulated policies and re-oriented their economy to foster innovation as it is seen as a major source of economic growth. Intellectual property, patents in particular, is seen as necessary to foster technological innovation in the globalized world. Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University and Dean of Jindal Global Law School said, "This conference is a golden opportunity for all the stakeholders i.e. government, industry, policy-makers, legal practitioners and economists, amongst others, who are interested in the growth and development of India to deliberate on the key issues that can transform the nation into an 'Innovative India'. As a global university that is deeply committed to research, knowledge creation and capacity building, we are delighted to enable policy discussions that can reflect upon such issues in an intellectually rigorous manner." In order to facilitate such a discussion, JGU through its initiative, i.e. Jindal Initiative on Research in IP and Competition (JIRICO) in organizing this conference seeks to reflect upon six thematic sessions relating to IP Polic and Innovation, standard developing agencies and their role in standardizing new technologies, role of regulatory agencies in maintaining equilibrium between innovation and consumer welfare, issues related to commercialization/licensing of technologies, key regulatory and legal developments in developed and developing economies and lastly challenges posed by emerging technologies. The conference will feature some of the most important voices on the subject. Mr. Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Government of India will deliver the presidential address at the conference on 20th August. DIPP is India's nodal agency for implementation of the national IPR policy and for all IP-related matters. Hon. F. Scott Kieff, Commissioner of United States International Trade Commission, will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session. Commissioner Kieff was nominated by President Barack Obama in 2013, and he is on leave from George Washington University Law School where he is a Professor. A special address will be delivered by Mr. Rajiv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary of DIPP, and in-charge of implementation of the national IPR policy. On 21st August, a keynote address will be delivered by the distinguished Professor Josef Drexl, Director, Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition in Germany. Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, and Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, will give the valedictory address. The international conference is being preceded by a pre-conference panel discussion today that will bring together leading scholars and industry experts to discuss issues of IPR's, Technology and Policy. Dr. M V Rajeev Gowda, Member of Parliament, and adjunct faculty at IIM Bangalore will chair the discussion. Distinguished panelists at the pre-conference discussion include Ms. Chandrima Sinha, Vice President, Invest India - National Investment Promotion Agency; Ms. Meenu Chandra, Senior Attorney - IP Unit and Digital Crime Unit Lead - Microsoft India; Mr. Amar Sundram, National Director - Legal and General Counsel - Ernst & Young India, among others. These eminent panelists will facilitate discussions and prepare the ground for interactions between academicians, practitioners, lawmakers, and professionals of international repute participating from around the world in the international conference over the next three days. The conference is organized by the Jindal Initiative on Research in IP and Competition (JIRICO) of O.P. Jindal Global University. Apart from the cutting-edge in-house research, JIRICO activities will include international conferences, workshops for academics and practitioners, and international moot court competitions for law students. Dr. Vishwas H. Deviah, Associate Professor, JGLS & Co-Convenor, JIRICO observed that, "India needs to embrace an IP culture that can incentivize start-ups to pursue innovation and research-driven business that can compete with the best at the global level." JIRICO will provide a unique platform to facilitate dialogue amongst industry partners, policy makers, regulators, practitioners and academicians. Dr. Indranath Gupta, Associate Professor, JGLS & Co-Convenor, JIRICO said, "The serious initiatives taken up by the government in the field of IP mark a beginning for generation of Indian innovators. The national IP policy has set the right tone and we hope to increase confidence amongst investors promoting innovation." JIRICO will focus on global developments, with a special emphasis on the Indian policy environment, which can inform stakeholders about the issues in this niche area. Dr. Ashish Bharadwaj, Associate Professor, JGLS & Co-Convenor, JIRICO said, "With the DIPP discussion paper, the government has given an opportunity to the academic community to think about important legal, economic and policy questions pertaining to the ICT sector. It has the potential to improve India's position in the world of innovation, and this is going to be an important topic of discussion in the conference." About O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU): JGU is a non-profit global university established by the Haryana Private Universities (Second Amendment) Act, 2009. JGU is established in memory of Mr. O.P. Jindal as a philanthropic initiative of Mr. Naveen Jindal, the Founding Chancellor. The University Grants Commission has accorded its recognition to O.P. Jindal Global University. The vision of JGU is to promote global courses, global programmes, global curriculum, global research, global collaborations, and global interaction through a global faculty. JGU is situated on a 80-acre state-of-the art residential campus in the National Capital Region of Delhi. JGU is one of the few universities in Asia that maintains a 1:15 faculty-student ratio and appoints faculty members from different parts of the world with outstanding academic qualifications and experience. JGU has established five schools: Jindal Global Law School, Jindal Global Business School, Jindal School of International Affairs, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy and Jindal School of Liberal Arts & Humanities. For more information, visit: http://www.jgu.edu.in/ Media Contact: Kakul Rizvi Additional Director, Communication & Public Affairs O.P. Jindal Global University krizvi@jgu.edu.in +91-8396907273 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 19, 2016] Load Cell Market Opportunities, Size, Share, Trends 2021 Forecasts PUNE, India, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Market-Research-Reports.com adds reports on "Global and Chinese Load Cell Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report" latest study of 150 pages, published in Aug 2016, to the Electrical and Electronic collection of its store. This report estimate 2016-2021 Load Cell Industry Cost and Profit with Market Competition of Load Cell Industry by Country: (Including Europe, U.S., Japan, China etc.), By Company and Application. Complete report on Load Cell market divided into 11 major chapters that offer an overview of current market scenario as well as 2021 forecasts is now available at http://www.market-research-reports.com/466837-load-cell-industry. This Global and Chinese Report 2016 is a result of industry experts' diligent work on researching the world market of Load Cell. The report helps to build up a clear view of the market (scenario and survey), identify major players in the industry, and analyzes the upstream raw materials, downstream clients, and current market dynamics of Load Cell Industry. The report reviews the basic information of Load Cell including its classification, application and manufacturing technology. This report explores global and China's top manufacturers of Load Cell listing their product specification, capacity, Production value, and market share etc. The report further analyzes quantitatively 2011-2016 global and China's total market of Load Cell by calculation of main economic parameters of each company. In the end, the report makes a proposal for a new project of Load Cell Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2016 global and China Load Cell industry covering all important parameters. Order a copy of this report at http://www.market-research-reports.com/contacts/purchase.php?name=466837. The first chapter introduces the Load Cell Industry by Brief Introduction, Development & Status of Load Cell Industry. The second chapter focuses on Manufacturing Technology of Load Cell, the third one gives Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers (Including Company Profile, Product Specification, 2011-2016 Production Information etc.). The forth chapter deals with 2011-2016 Global and China Market of Load Cell. The chapter 5 summarizes Market Status of Load Cell Industry. List of Tables and Figures for Global & China Load Cell Industry Figure Load Cell Product Table Load Cell Classification Table Load Cell Applications Figure Load Cell Manufacturing Technology Table Major Manufacturers Production Technology List Table Load Cell Industries Policy List Figure 2016 Global Load Cell Market Share By Country Figure 2016 Global Load Cell Major Manufacturers Market Share Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Capacity List Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Capacity Market Share List Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Production List Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Production Market Share List Figure 2011-2016 Global Load Cell Capacity Production and Growth Rate Another research titled Global and Chinese Femtocell Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Femtocell industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Femtocell manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. The report estimates 2016-2021 market development trends of Femtocell industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Femtocell Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2021 global and Chinese Femtocell industry covering all important parameters. Comprehensive Table of Contents and more for the report is available at http://www.market-research-reports.com/471711-femtocell-industry . Explore more reports on Electrical and Electronic Industry at http://www.market-research-reports.com/cat/information-technology/electrical-electronic-market-research. About Us: Market Research Reports is an aggregator of syndicated market research studies that offer current and future market intelligence across multiple industrial verticals through is high quality database. Market Research Reports aims to help you take business decisions accurately and on time, every time. Understanding your time constraints, we can help you find the most relevant research based on the requirements you share with us. Our customers get 24 X 7 email and phone support. Feel free to reach us at +1 888 391 5441 with your business intelligence needs. Contact: Ritesh Tiwari UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune - 411013 Maharashtra, India. Tel: +1-888-391-5441 | [email protected]h-reports.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today [August 19, 2016] The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum (IPHF) Announces 2016 Inductees -- Bridging Photography's Pioneering Past with its Fantastic Future ST. LOUIS, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in honor of the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum's (IPHF) 50th anniversary and World Photo Day, the IPHF announced its 2016 class of Photography Hall of Fame inductees. Eight photographers or photography industry visionaries that embody the spirit, artistry and innovation of modern photography have been selected for induction, including: Ken Burns , documentary filmmaker , Ernst Haas , 20 th century professional photographer , Steve Jobs , former Apple Inc. chairman and CEO and technology pioneer , John Knoll , co-creator of Adobe Photoshop , Thomas Knoll , co-creator of Adobe Photoshop , Annie Leibovitz , portrait photographer , Graham Nash , creator of fine art digital printing, photographer and musician , Sebastiao Salgado, documentary photographer and photojournalist Inductees were selected by a nominating committee made up of IPHF representatives and distinguished leaders in the photography industry. To be eligible, inductees must have made a notable contribution to the art or science of photography, having a significant impact on the photography industry and/or history of photography. "As we look ahead to the next 50 years of the IPHF, we are honored to continue to recognize and celebrate photographers and industry professionals that have made significant contributions to the profession, helping to shape and define modern photography," said Patty Wente, executive director of the IPHF. "This year's inductees represent the perfect combination of innovation and artistry; bridging photography's pioneering past with its fantastic future." The IPHF is the only organization worldwide that recognizes and honors those who have had a significant impact on the evolution of photography. Past inductees to the Photography Hall of Fame include Ansel Adams, George Eastman, Edwin Land, Edward Steichen, and 65 other esteemed professionals. Inductions will be held at the Induction and 50th Anniversary Celebration Event on Friday, October 28 in St. Louis, Mo. For details, contact Patty Wente at 314-479-2698 or [email protected]. As a Hall of Fame and Museum, the IPHF has work from more than 500 artists, 5,000 historical cameras and more than 30,000 photographs in its permanent collection. More information on the International Photography Hall of Fame and inductees can be found at www.iphf.org. Additionally, leading up to the Induction and 50th Anniversary Celebration Event, the IPHF has teamed up with the World Photo Day organization to profile one inductee on the organization's blog each week. About the 2016 inductees: Ken Burns: Ken Burns is an acclaimed American documentary filmmaker. Among the many films he's produced and directed are The Civil War, Jazz, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, and, most recently, Jackie Robinson. His next project, scheduled for broadcast on PBS September 20, 2016, is Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War. Burns' films incorporae a distinct style of using archival photographs, panning across and zooming in on them to create a sense of motion that engages viewers. The style prompted Apple Inc.to create in their iMovie and Final Cut Pro programs the "Ken Burns Effect," so users could achieve the same results Burns uses in his documentaries. Ernst Haas Ernst Haas (1921-1986) is acclaimed as one of the most celebrated and influential photographers of the 20th Century, and considered one of the pioneers of color photography. In the 1950's he began experimenting with Kodachrome color film and went on to become one of the premier color photographers of the decade. In 1953, Life featured his groundbreaking 24-page color photo essay on New York City, the first time such a large color photo feature was published in the magazine. In 1962, a retrospective of his work was the first color photography exhibition held at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Throughout his career, Haas traveled extensively, photographing for Life, Vogue and Look, to name a few of many influential publications. Haas has continued to be the subject of museum exhibitions and publications such as "Ernst Haas, Color Photography" (1989), "Ernst Haas in Black and White"(1992) and "Color Correction" (2011). Steve Jobs: Steve Jobs was an American inventor and entrepreneur who cofounded Apple and led it to become the world's most innovative company. Steve helped create products that revolutionized the creative world and became essential tools for designers, filmmakers, music producers and photographers. Passionate about photography both in his work and personal life, his most profound contribution to the artistic community and the world is the iPhone which, in less than a decade, has changed both the art of photography and the industry around it. John Knoll: John Knoll is the chief creative officer at Industrial Light & Magic and co-creator of Adobe Photoshop. He also is the sole inventor of Knoll Light Factory, a digital lens flare generating software. Today Photoshop is the industry standard in digital photo editing, allowing photographers to digitally alter and manipulate photo files to create extraordinary images. John created Adobe Photoshop along with his brother Thomas, and together the Knoll brothers have revolutionized the photography industry and completely changed the way people create and edit images. Thomas Knoll: Thomas Knoll is an American software engineer who co-created Adobe Photoshop with his brother John. Knoll created the first core image processing routines for Photoshop in 1988, and when his brother saw them he encouraged Thomas to bundle them into one package. Since licensing Photoshop to Adobe in 1989, Thomas Knoll has continued to work for Adobe creating updates to Photoshop and Photoshop related products. His recent work includes the Camera Raw plug-in for Photoshop, the develop module for Adobe Lightroom, and the DNG file format. Annie Leibovitz: Annie Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer whose bold use of colors and poses has become her trademark style. Leibovitz began her career as a staff photographer for Rolling Stone magazine where she helped define the magazine's look. She was the first woman to have a show at the National Portrait Gallery when her exhibition was shown in 1991. Some of her notable portraits include Demi Moore for the cover of Vanity Fair, Caitlyn Jenner for the cover of Vanity Fair, and a portrait series of Queen Elizabeth II. Graham Nash: In addition to his prodigious talent for music, Graham Nash is also a renowned photographer, collector of photography, and digital imaging pioneer. In the 1980s, Nash began experimenting with digital images, but soon found that there was no printer capable of reproducing what he saw on his computer screen. Nash began searching for a printer that was capable of reproducing high-quality images and eventually discovered the IRIS printer. In 1991, he founded Nash Editions, a fine art digital print company that further adapted the IRIS printer to print high-quality digital photography and art prints as large as 3 feet by 4 feet. Nash Editions is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution for its role in the invention of and accomplishments in fine arts and digital printing. Its original IRIS 3047 printer and one of its first published works - Nash's 1969 portrait of David Crosby is now housed in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Graham Nash also is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and with the Hollies. His new studio album This Path Tonight was released April 15, 2016, and he is set to embark on an U.S. East Coast tour beginning Sept. 23. Sebastiao Salgado: Sebastiao Salgado is a renowned documentary photographer and photojournalist with a deep love and respect for nature while also sensitive to the socio-economic conditions that impact human beings. He has traveled to over 120 countries for his projects. He is perhaps most known for his long-term social documentary projects. Among them: Workers (1993) documenting the vanishing way of life of manual laborers across the world, Migrations (2000), a tribute to mass migration driven by hunger, natural disasters, environmental disaster and population explosion, and most recently GENESIS (2013), an epic eight-year expedition to more than 30 countries to rediscover the mountains, deserts, oceans, animals, and peoples visioned as they must have been at the dawn of creation. Salgado has been the recipient of numerous awards and has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2001. Salgado is the author of eight books and soon the forthcoming "Kuwait: A Desert On Fire" (Taschen) which documents the battle to extinguish the environmentally devastating oil fires in Kuwait started by fleeing Iraqi forces at the end of the Gulf War. SPONSORS FOR THE IPHF'S INDUCTION AND 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT INCLUDE: Emerson, Steward Family Foundation, PNC Bank, Ameren, Ken Kranzberg, Anna Harris, PBS, Professional Photographers of America (PPA), The Lawrence Group, Fashion Fund, SM Wilson, H&H Color Lab and Schillers. About the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to celebrate the achievements of the inventors, pioneers, and pivotal artists throughout the history of photography. The IPHF has preserved the art of photography and its contribution to modern civilization since 1965, and is the proud home to over 6,000 historical cameras and 30,000 images. The IPHF is located in the Grand Center Arts District in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information, please visit www.iphf.org. Contact: Angie Taylor, Weber Shandwick 314-552-6752, [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-international-photography-hall-of-fame-and-museum-iphf-announces-2016-inductees----bridging-photographys-pioneering-past-with-its-fantastic-future-300315844.html SOURCE International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 19, 2016] Cyber Security Market to Grow at CAGR 8.3% Till 2021 Says TechSci Research Report NEW YORK, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Increasing cyber-attacks on the critical infrastructure has rendered worldwide security at risk. The prime motive behind these attacks is to gain access to financial information and retrieve sensitive information related to an organizations' operational strategies, government defense moves, etc. Further, banking & financial institutions, stock exchanges are also becoming highly vulnerable to the cyber-attacks. According Identity Theft Resource Center, in 2015, around 163 million records were exposed in total of 781 breaches across the globe. Due to rising number of cyber-attacks, the government and private enterprises are propelled to heavily spend on the upgradation of their network security to avoid any data or network breach. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140117/663730 ) Global Number of Data Breaches and Records Exposed, 2015-2015 Records Exposed Year Data Breaches (Million) 2005 157.00 66.9 2006 321.00 19 2007 446.00 127.7 2008 556.00 35.7 2009 498.00 222.5 2010 662.00 16.2 2011 421.00 22.9 2012 471.00 17.5 2013 514.00 92 2014 783.00 85.61 2015 781.00 169.07 Source: Identity Theft Resource Centre According to recently published TechSci Research report titled "Global Cyber Security Market By Security Type, By Solutions, By End Use Industry, By Region, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011-2021" - the global market for cyber security is bound to grow at 8.3% CAGR till 2021. The cyber security market is divided between Network Security, Content Security, End Point Security, Wireless Security, Application Security & Cloud Security. Though the market is dominated by Network Security but during next five years the maximum growth will be witnessed in Cloud Security market. Browse 51 market data Tables and 121 Figures spread through 222 Pages and an in-depth TOC on "Global Cyber Security Market" https://ww.techsciresearch.com/report/global-cyber-security-market-by-security-type-network-security-content-security-etc-by-solutions-identity-access-management-risk-compliance-management-etc-by-end-use-industry-by-region-competition-forecast-and-opportunities-2011-2021/687.html With growing adoption of cloud computing services across the world, requirement for security measures for cloud computing are also increasing. Further, growth in enterprise mobility and bring your device(BYOD) concept is fueling the requirement for cloud security. The IT infrastructure landscape in organizations is shifting from CAPEX to OPEX based investment scenario. Organizations are shifting from their traditional IT infrastructure to agile, secure and cost-efficient cloud infrastructure due to which cybersecurity vendors needs to develop advanced cloud security solutions for manage demand and supply gap - the opportunity identified in TechSci report. Regionally, North America dominates the cyber security market but the highest growth will be witnessed in APAC region in next five years. Asia Pacific cybersecurity market is projected to outpace global growth and grow at a CAGR of 11% during 2016-2021, registering fastest growth rate across the global. Growing Internet user base, and mobile penetration in the region, are anticipated to upsurge the APAC's cybersecurity market. Download Sample Report @ https://www.techsciresearch.com/sample-report.aspx?cid=687 Customers can also request for 10% free customization on this report. However, with increasing demand for Cybersecurity solution market across the globe depicts scarcity of IT talent. The need of IT security developers, as well as administrator requirement is high, however, the educational institutes do not provide sufficient training to these human resources. It is recommended for cybersecurity solution providers to partner with educational institutes, to train and prepare for future manpower requirements. Further, cybersecurity firms should participate in various government programs which encourages the training of human resources. Symantec Corp. has recorded largest revenue market share in cyber security market in 2015 but Palo Alto Networks & FireEye are expected to witness highest growth till 2021. The competitive landscape is set to witness radical changes with the development of advanced and innovative cyber security solutions highlights TechSci Research report. "Global Cyber Security Market By Security Type, By Solution, By End Use Industry, By Region, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011-2021" provides market size, share, structure and market forecasts. The report will prove to be a perfect tool for strategy managers working for cyber security vendors. Browse Related Reports Global Biometrics Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2020 http://www.techsciresearch.com/report/global-biometrics-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2020/395.html Saudi Arabia Biometric Systems Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2020 http://www.techsciresearch.com/report/saudi-arabia-biometric-systems-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2020/404.html Saudi Arabia Access Control Systems Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2020 http://www.techsciresearch.com/report/saudi-arabia-access-control-systems-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2020/409.html About TechSci Research TechSci Research is a leading global market research firm publishing premium market research reports. Serving 700 global clients with more than 600 premium market research studies, TechSci Research is serving clients across 11 different industrial verticals. TechSci Research specializes in research based consulting assignments in high growth and emerging markets, leading technologies and niche applications. Our workforce of more than 100 fulltime Analysts and Consultants employing innovative research solutions and tracking global and country specific high growth markets helps TechSci clients to lead rather than follow market trends. Contact Mr. Ken Mathews 708 Third Avenue, Manhattan, NY, New York - 10017 Tel: +1-646-360-1656 Email: [email protected] Connect with us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/TechSciResearch Connect with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/techsci-research [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 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. A four-month-old infant died on Thursday night after being discovered unconscious inside an East Harlem apartment, according to the NYPD. A spokeswoman for the department said that the person who discovered the infant "provides care for the child," and may have been operating a day care facility out of the apartment. Police sources told Pix11 that the day care may not have been properly licensed. Police responded to a call of an unconscious infant inside apartment #4H at 1662 Park Avenue near the corner of East 117th Street shortly after 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. There they discovered the infant, Ady Seck of East Harlem, unresponsive. EMS transported Seck to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The boy reportedly had no visible injuries. The medical examiner will determine cause of death. The address where Seck was found is next door to the offices of Manhattan's Community Board 11. Reached for comment, a member of the CB declined to provide her name, but said that no one in her office had any knowledge of a day care facility on the block. "There are no storefront day cares on this block that we know of," she said, adding, "That doesn't mean it's not happening inside of an apartment." The only storefronts on the block are a notary, and a tapas restaurant. Of the nearly 11,300 day care facilities in NYC, only 2,272 of them are licensed by the city. The rest are state-licensed, and are required by law to conspicuously post any violations. The Mayor's office in May mandated letter grades at city-run day cares, following findings that hundreds of group day care facilities in NYC have consistently failed their annual health and safety inspections without consequence. A group of state senators issued the report [PDF] on day care violations in November, prompted by the tragic death of three-month-old Karl Towndrow on his first day at a SoHo day care last July. Towndrow's parents, Amber Scorah and Lee Towndrow, have been campaigning for paid parental leave since their son's death. Next week, Scorah plans to deliver a petition with 134,000 signatures to the New York campaign headquarters of both presidential nominees. Mayor de Blasio announced six weeks of paid parental leave for non-union city workers in December, and Governor Cuomo enacted 12 weeks of partially-paid leave for all workers employed for at least six months in April. The anarchist collective that mysteriously erected unauthorized public statues of a naked Donald Trump in five cities across America yesterday has come forward to explain themselves, anonymously. A representative from the group, which calls itself INDECLINE, agreed to answer a number of questions from Gothamist over email while on a flight to the west coast this morning. Here is the group's unedited response to our questions. Why? Trump is a monster relentlessly stalking America in a nightmare we cant seem to wake up from. INDECLINE wanted to erect a tribute that spoke to Trumps true nature using Hans Christian Andersens tale as our inspiration. If you know the story, you understand its about the Emperors fragile and delusional mental state INDECLINE was also hoping to provide some of the thrust behind the hammer that currently seems to be driving the nail into his comedic and ridiculous run at the presidency. How did you install these without anyone stopping you? Each member of the installation teams wore hard hats and bright neon construction vests. Nobody looked twice at them. Installations took less than 5 minutes in each city. The one in Union Square was done on top of a police station. How did you decide on the cities / locations? Cleveland was chosen based on the fact that its Gingers hometown (he currently resides in Las Vegas). [Editor's note: Ginger is the artist who made the sculptures; more on him here.] The other cities were chosen based on two requirements: the first, that INDECLINE as a collective had a strong and willing support base available to work on the project and the second being that these cities and more so the areas we chose were all pretty vehemently Anti-Trump. We hoped this would lengthen the shelf life on these kamikaze installations a little. Do you think art can stop Trump, or change anyone's opinions? Trump will stop Trump. He is his own worst enemy. All we can do is inspire those around us who feel the same way about his existence and gently remind his mentally malleable fanatics that an educated and passionate America is going to stand in the way of this joke of a political candidate. Were better than that and in the coming weeks, this will most likely all be over if we continue the fight. What do you hope to gain from this? We were pleased with the response and have been receiving hundreds of incredible emails from people from all over the world. People are inspired and want to know how to get involved in the INDECLINE movement. What we really need to focus on right now as a country is to stay active in our opposition to Trump. A lot of us made the mistake of laughing him off in the beginning and were dismayed to see how successful he was up to this point. Despite the fact that Hillary will most likely brutalize him come November, it would be a huge (yuge) mistake to stay inert. Do you think it would be fair for Trump supporters to erect unflattering Naked Hillary statues in public? INDECLINE thinks it would be fair for Trump supporters to go pick up a copy of Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States and learn a little something about America before they cast as vote for someone hell-bent on destroying it. Is making fun of normal human flaws stooping down to Trumps level? Lots of people do look like this and now theyre having passersby call them disgusting' by proxy. America wants to see his tax returns. INDECLINE wants to know if hes got a small dick. Simple as that. How much did this project cost? Where does the money come from? INDECLINE uses the funds received from online sales to fund these projects. The statues cost about $6,000 to create. What's next? INDECLINE will just sit back and wait for America to do something disgraceful, then go paint a mural or make a film. Thats typically how we roll. Should be about a week before you hear from us again. Unfortunately, its been that kind of year. In NYC, the Trump statue caused quite a stir in Union Square for several hours before being removed by the NYC Parks Department, which issued the following statement Thursday: "NYC Parks stands firmly against any unpermitted erection in city parks, no matter how small." Both Sprint and T-Mobile are shaking up their unlimited data plans, with the latter shifting away from tiered data plans. But which carrier offers the best deal for data-hungry users, whether you need a family plan or just an individual one? To settle that question, let's look at what both Sprint and T-Mobile have to offer with their new unlimited plans. What Sprint Offers Sprint's new Unlimited Freedom offering cuts the price on unlimited data to $60 a month for a single line. That's $15 less than what Sprint used to charge users for unlimited talk, text and data. The new plan goes into effect August 19. MORE: Sprint Phone Plan Buying Guide For family plans, Sprint offers discounts as you add additional lines. A second line of unlimited data costs $40 a month, so a two-person plan would run you $100. Adding lines after that costs $30 per month for each line, up to 10 lines. That means a family of four would pay $160 a month for an unlimited data plan. If unlimited data is more than you need, Sprint continues to offer tiered pricing. Plans start at $20 a month for 1GB of data along with unlimited talk and text, though the $30 monthly 3GB plan is more in line with amount of data the average user consumes. What T-Mobile Offers T-Mobile's new T-Mobile One plan debuts Sept. 6, offering unlimited LTE data along with unlimited talk and text for $70 a month on a single line. That's $25 less than T-Mobile's current unlimited plan. In fact, T-Mobile One will be the carrier's main data plan going forward, so if you'd rather pay a lower price for a tiered data plan since you don't anticipate needing unlimited data, you'll want to check out prepaid plans from T-Mobile or its MetroPCS subsidiary or consider another carrier. Note that T-Mobile told us that it is not eliminating its cheaper Simple Choice plans "right now" but there's no guarantee that they will stick around. MORE: T-Mobile Phone Plan Buying Guide T-Mobile says the bulk of its business comes from family plans, and that's where T-Mobile One's true appeal lies. A second line of unlimited data costs $50, while lines three through eight cost $20 each. That means a family of four would pay $160 a month or $40 a line, as T-Mobile likes to say. You should also know that the price here require you to enroll in automatic payments with T-Mobile. Otherwise, you'll pay another $5 per month for each line. Who Wins on Price It depends on exactly what kind of plan you need. A single user would save $10 a month with Sprint Unlimited; a two-person plan would save $20 each month by opting for Sprint. Pricing becomes more comparable as you add more lines: Both Sprint and T-Mobile charge a family of four $160 a month for unlimited data. Winner: Sprint, particularly for individuals and two-line plans. For families, it's a draw. Who Wins on Extras Both carriers are turning to optimized data streams to supply you with all this unlimited data. In Sprint's case, the carrier says it uses optimization for video, gaming, and music. That means video streams at 480p, gaming at up to 2 Mbps and music at 500 Kbps. Sprint says customers have told them that the streaming quality is indistinguishable at those levels. Likewise, T-Mobile's video will stream at 480p for T-Mobile One subscribers, with the carrier describing that resolution as "DVD quality." If you want a higher-resolution stream, you can pay T-Mobile $25 a month for each line to get up to 4K video on your phone. If you use your phone as a mobile hotspot, T-Mobile One offers unlimited hotspot data, but at 2G speeds. For high-speed tethering, you would pay $15 for 5GB. A Sprint spokesperson told us that 5GB of hotspot data is included with its unlimited plan. Where T-Mobile gets the edge here is with its other extras. Travelers can use their T-Mobile plan in Canada and Mexico just like they would in the U.S. As for the rest of the world, T-Mobile offers unlimited texting and data in more than 140 countries, though data is reduced to considerably slower speeds. The carrier's T-Mobile Tuesday program offers weekly giveaways to subscribers, and new customers are eligible to get one share of stock in the carrier. If you're traveling on a flight the features Gogo's wireless service, you can get an hour of Wi-Fi plus free in-flight texting thanks to your T-Mobile subscription. Sprint has an Open World program for subscribers that offers free calling and texting when you're in the Americas, plus 1GB of high-speed data. You also get unlimited texting when traveling to many other countries, though Sprint charges for calls and data in 126 other countries and territories. Winner: T-Mobile Who Wins on Network Performance This is where T-Mobile hopes to draw a big distinction, as Sprint's service typically ranks lowest among major carriers in terms of network coverage and performance. Our most recent survey of network speeds put T-Mobile second, just behind Verizon, while Sprint finished in fifth place behind T-Mobile's MetroPCS subsidiary. Other tests echo those results. Earlier this month, OpenSignal said that T-Mobile had inched past Verizon for the fastest LTE speeds. T-Mobile also outranked Sprint in network availability and download speeds. Sprint took top honors from OpenSignal for latency, a sign of a more responsive network. Winner: T-Mobile, by a lot Which Carrier Should You Pick? T-Mobile's better-performing network gives it an edge over Sprint that could make up for that $10 difference in monthly rates for individual subscribers. Two-person households might find the $20 savings with Sprint too big to overlook, especially if you live in an area where Sprint's network is strong. For families of four, the cost is the same, so T-Mobile's stronger network performance will likely be the deciding factor. Inno3D revealed its lineup of Nvidias newly launched 3GB GeForce GTX 1060, which features half the memory and a slightly cut down GPU with one fewer shader module and 128 fewer cores. As opposed to the likes of MSI and EVGA, which launched nearly a dozen cards between them, Inno3D kept its lineup to a more sensible three models. The company is offering a compact Mini-ITX sized board, a dual fan option with better cooling, and a triple-fan option with factory-overclocked GPU and memory. The GPU for the GTX 1060 iChill comes from the factory with an additional 63 MHz on the core base clock and 76 MHz on the boost clock. Inno3D also took the memory up a notch from 8Gbps to 8.2Gbps. The iChill model is cooled by iChill X3 cooler, which features Inno3Ds Power Direct Cooling Solution and three scythe blade fans. It also includes a full-cover HerculeZ back plate, breathing red LED logo, a detachable metal shroud and removable fans. The iChill card also includes an 8-pin power connector, which gives it a 150W max power draw. We dont actually have the specifications for the Inno3D GTX 1060 Twin X2. The product page for the card isnt online yet, but Inno3D told us the card is launching alongside the iChill model, which is available now. Judging by the specifications of the 6GB GTX 1060 Twin X2, we expect this card to come out of the box with Nvidias reference clock speeds. This card features a dual-fan cooling solution. Its unclear if these fans are removable. The Inno3D GTX 1060 Compact features a reference clocked GPU and 3GB of 8Gbps GDDR5. The components are cooled by a single fan and protected by a metal shroud. The card features a single 6-pin power connector, and its maximum power draw is rated at 120W. Inno3D didnt release pricing information for either card, but the iChill and Twin X2 models should be available now. Confrontation is what A.B. Original are and what they stand for, and their upcoming appearance at BIGSOUND may just be the push in the right direction many avid music fans need to hear. The duo, consisting of NIMA award winning rapper Briggs (Bad Apples Music) and ARIA award winning producer Trials (Funkoars), will be having a no-doubt heated discussion at this years panel, and it goes without saying that the pair will be bringing informed but brutally honest opinions on some very charged topics especially in light of the powerful anti-Australia Day protest song they dropped yesterday with Dan Sultan, titled January 26. Were subtle like a sledgehammer. Being subtle and humble is what the oppressor wants. And were not about that. says Briggs. Weve been raised to know to second guess the things that have been put in the papers, adds Trials. We know its not our agenda that theyre really trying to serve. The two multi-talented producers, rappers and songwriters have joined forces to speak for those who cant say what they wanna say because of their position, a sentiment already clearly expressed on tracks like 2 Black 2 Strong and Dead in a Minute. Given the nature of our project, were gonna be talking about a lot of Indigenous issues and what that means in music, Trials explains. We get to find out these things first hand through our family and the fact we get to bring it to national attention, is something Briggs and I feel that is very, very important. While the conference will see a definite focus on the subject of Black Lives Matter, the frequently off-the-cuff Briggs explains that the pair wont exactly be reading off a teleprompter. I kinda prefer not knowing what Im going to be talking about, I prefer it to be up front and organic. Adding some sort of structure to proceedings will be enowned triple j presenter and musician Lindsay McDougall, who will be hosting the discussion. Hes a great interviewer, very switched on and knows a lot. Hes one of the best at what he does. If you want a crash course on current Indigenous matters told through the medium of music and stacks of humour, then A.B. Original is a definite tick for your BIGSOUND schedule we can guarantee that there wont be a dull moment when youre with these two. Bigsound Key Note Speech A.B. Original Interview With Lindsay Mcdougall (The Doctor) Date: Thursday 08 September Time: 2pm 3pm Bigsound Showcase Date: Thursday 08 September Venue: The Elephant Hotel (Outdoor Venue) Time: 09:40pm 10:10pm Rolling Stone Live Lounge Show Date: Friday 29 September Venue: The Workers Club, Melbourne After appearing together on one of the most stacked rock tour lineups of the year, Dune Rats and DZ Deathrays have revealed they are currently working on music together, sharing the big news via the formers Facebook page. HAVIN A CRACK AT WRITING CHUNES WIV OLD MATES DZ Deathrays TODAY!!!! they wrote, accompanied with the hashtag #cockrock. The news comes ahead of the two bands massive joint European tour, which kicks off in October. The Dunies have certainly been busy of late. In addition to announcing the latest signing to their label, they also recently took to Instagram to reveal that theyve just finished polishing off some of their own new tunes. Yet somehow they still found the time to make it down to the NRL Footy Shows studios and show support for good mates, countrymen, and tour partners Violent Soho, who put on a blistering in-studio performance earlier this week. THE DUNE RATS & DZ DEATHRAYS INTERNATIONAL DISTASTER TOUR Part 1: UK & EU Tickets are available now through dunerats.tv and dzdeathrays.com Oct 9th | Exil, Zurich Oct 10th | Futurum, Prague Oct 11th | Bassy Club, Berlin Oct 12th | Hafenklang, Hamburg Oct 14th | Rotown, Rotterdam Oct 15th | Winston, Amsterdam Oct 16th | La Station Gare Des Mines, Paris Oct 18th | Moth Club, London Oct 19th | The Shacklewell Arms, London Oct 20th | The Rainbow, Birmingham Oct 21st | Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds Oct 22nd | Bleach, Brighton Oct 23rd | The Cellar, Stafford Oct 24th | The Exchange, Bristol Oct 25th | The Soup Kitchen, Manchester It seems that Kansas City newsrooms are clearing out their current stable of hotties in a reminder to all news wenches that their freshness date is just about up after 27-years-old which is actually much more cruel than anything out ofBut I digress . . .It's unlikely that she's still dating Hosmer or that they'll be able to pull of a long distance relationship but now that she's not a local news babe anymore . . . She'll be able to save face and move on to the next pro-athlete who doesn't mind cleat marks on the back of his new love.More in a bit . . . Objective journalism in KC? This morning acomment from our blog community offers an important perspective on local media coverage of the streetcar effort and an important juxtaposition that very few in this town have bothered to make.Here's the word . . .As you know, journalists are supposed to ask the hard questions, be objective, and NOT practice public relations. In the case of the streetcar, they're all drinking the City's kool-aid.But never do these reporters compare the streetcar to the Max bus. You never see it.These idiots they talk to on camera are acting like the streetcar will finally bring customers to their businesses, even though the Max bus and other buses have been doing that for years. But none of these reporters ever say that.They're all still acting like there has been no public transportation in Kansas City since the demise of the streetcar in the 1950's.What are the odds that even one reporter from the four local TV stations will do a remote while riding a bus? They've done plenty while riding the streetcar. But I haven't seen a single reporter doing their report while riding a bus along the same route as the proposed streetcar expansion route.############## FOLLOWING AN INITIAL OUTPOURING OF ONLINE SUPPORT FOR THE CHIEF AMID RECENT CONTROVERSY . . . A RECENT RALLY REVEALED VERY FEW DEDICATED REAL WORLD FANS OF THE CURRENT KANSAS CITY TOP COP!!! "There was a rally on the steps of City Hall to support Chief Forte' last night. Only 7 people showed up, but Forte took to Twitter thanking each attendee personally. Sad. "He then got into an argument on Twitter and embarrassed himself more than having only a handful of supporters. Apparently when asked about Kansas City homicides and injured children he doesn't care what Kansas City thinks." AMID THE RISING KANSAS CITY HOMICIDE COUNT AND RECENT DEBATE WITH COLLEAGUES, THE KCPD CHIEF CONFRONTS SIGNIFICANT OPPOSITION WHILE HIS BASE OF SUPPORT HAS OBVIOUSLY DWINDLED!!! With homicides in Kansas City at near record levels for this time of year,finds himself at the center of a social media firestorm that could threaten his tenure.To wit . . .Thanks to eyewitnesses at the scene, our blog community can take a look at the photo and this testimony . . .Here's the word . . .Accordingly, what this protest reveals is simple . . .While mainstream media is content to file upbeat editorials filled with high praise . . .Is the Chief doing the best that can be expected amid a tumultuous election season and rising violence throughout the nation? As MSM shamefully contends: Is the Chief's connection to the African-American community the only thing keeping KCMO from enduring a riot like so many other racially divided cities? OR, are his his critics correct and the Chief's problems stem from difficulty as an administrator, defending the department from police cuts along withYou decide . . . Oscar-winning director Alexander Payne, 54 became an honorary citizen of the town of Aigio in Peloponnese, during an official ceremony on August 18, only a few months after marrying a local 27-year-old Greek woman Oscar-winning director Alexander Payne, 54 became an honorary citizen of the town of Aigio in Peloponnese, during an official ceremony on August 18, only a few months after marrying a local 27-year-old Greek woman. According to media reports,it was love at first sight between him and young philologist Maria Kontos. They met last spring when the Greek-origin director visited Aigio, his birthplace, in Greece, while attending an event. Payne continued his trip to Athens, where the young philologist accompanied him giving him a tour to the Acropolis Museum. It was then, when they realized that they were meant to be together. When Payne returned to US, they continued to talk and after a month young Maria decided to leave everything behind her and begin a new life next to her husband. 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 Greece should initially claim the German debts through negotiations with the German government but also in court if Germany insists on its current negative stance Greece should initially claim the German debts through negotiations with the German government but also in court if Germany insists on its current negative stance, said Greek parliaments intergroup committee for the claim of German debts report that was voted and submitted to the parliaments plenum. "The repercussions of WWII for Greece and its citizens were tremendous and irreversible because the country experienced a premeditated and unprovoked attack as well as the barbarous occupation by the forces of the German Nazis, of the fascist Italy and Tsars Bulgaria," reported. This triple occupation led the Greek people to extreme poverty because it destroyed the countrys economy. This finding is easily documented by the existing official state material and is justified by a large number of strong and undeniable testimonies and by a plethora of historical sources" says the parliaments committee report. 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 Opinion Drive carefully Most of us have a habit of saying a little orison before taking our vehicle out for a spin. Some might mumble their religious sayings over and over again if you have noticed. But for me, I take a deep breath. All thanks to the government for giving me an opportunity to drive in the UAE for 16 years after getting my licence on the first try. Nicosia is showing concern following meetings Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci had with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara Nicosia is showing concern following meetings Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci had with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara a few days ago, Radio Proto reported on Friday. Erdogan and Akinci discussed the Cyprus problem the ongoing negotiations and the critical meetings coming in September on Wednesday. Both are said to have agreed on the strategy that the Turkish Cypriot side will follow in the upcoming meetings, the progression of the negotiations, and the Turkish positions. Akinci told CNN Turk on Thursday that he wants an international conference to be held in New York in September to discuss the territory, guarantees, and security issues, if there is a positive outcome during the last stage of negotiations. He added that amounts, names of areas, and maps should not be submitted or revealed during the meetings that he and President Anastasiades are expected to have in August. The goal is to find a solution in 2016, Akinci said. The government is preparing for the meetings, Radio Proto reported on Nicosias reaction, adding that they expect as a minimum that the Turkish sides position with become clearer. Political parties in Cyprus however, have been accusing Akinci of following Ankaras line only and that it is misleading representation of the good climate being fostered in Cyprus talks. The Cyprus problem is expected to be high on the agenda of a meeting between the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias at their discussions in Athens on August 29 and 30. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report A German government report alleges an "ideological affinity" between Turkey and Islamist organizations. The links are nothing new. The German Interior Ministry has said that, based on information from Germanys intelligence service, BND, it believes Turkey has "developed into a central platform of activity for Islamist groups in the Middle East." As an example of the "ideological affinity" between the Turkish government and Islamist groups, the ministry cited Turkeys ties to the Palestinian group Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, as well as armed Islamist opposition groups in Syria. With regard to Hamas, the German government takes its cue from the European Union, which has classed the group as a terrorist organization since 2003. Whereas the West was shocked when Hamas won the 2006 parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories, Turkeys AKP government received a Hamas delegation in Ankara, validating them as representatives of the Palestinian people. Ankara countered Western criticism by saying that "the international community should openly convey its expectations to Hamas." Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal appeared to be pleased with the support from Turkey. At the time, the Islamization of Turkeys foreign policy was just beginning to become an issue. But the reception of the Hamas delegation gave a taste of things to come. According to Turkish diplomatic sources, Erdogan again met with Mashaal this past June. The support for Hamas reached a high point in 2010 when a Turkish organization loaded a ship with aid supplies for Palestinians and attempted to breach an Israeli sea blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israeli commandos raided the ship, killing 10 Turkish activists. A diplomatic row between Turkey and Israel ensued, and the two countries only normalized relations a few weeks ago. Sympathies were clear Erdogans goodwill toward Egypts Muslim Brotherhood is also not new. When brotherhood member Mohammed Morsi became Egypts first democratically elected president, he had Erdogans support. And when the Egyptian military toppled Morsi in 2013 in the wake of mass protests and banned the Muslim Brotherhood, Erdogan protested and spoke of a coup, accusing Israel of being involved. According to the German Interior Ministry report, Turkey continues to show solidarity by, among other things, sheltering numerous leading members of the brotherhood. Egyptian exiles are also permitted to oppose the new Egyptian government on a Turkish propaganda channel broadcast by satellite. Less clear is the relationship between Turkey and the so-called "Islamic State" and other radical Islamic jihadist groups. Officially, the Turkish government has labeled IS a terrorist organization. At the same time, reports have repeatedly surfaced during the civil war in Syria that Ankara has bought oil from IS, supplied it with weapons and money, and allowed wounded jihadists to be treated in Turkish hospitals. On the other hand, IS has also claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in Turkey. It is clear that, for the Turkish government, any growth in power of the Kurds in Syria or Iraq along the Turkish border is suspect, because it fears the separatist tendencies of the Kurdish minority in Turkey. Since the West is supporting the Kurds in the fight against IS, and Syrian President Bashar al Assad is also an opponent of Erdogan, it stands to reason that Erdogan has, at least selectively, benefited from "Islamic State." Acid test: NATO None of this is really new. But up until now, it was also not part of the public discourse. Foreign policy specialist for Germanys Christian Democrats (CDU) Roderich Kiesewetter confirmed this recently in an interview with public broadcaster WDR: "Turkey has been supporting Hamas for 10 years now. We have discussed this matter privately with Turkey very intensively. We have also very clearly voiced our concerns that Turkey is helping to finance IS." Kenan Engin, a Turkish-Kurdish political scientist from the University of Heidelberg told Nordwest Radio that Turkey is not just passively tolerating IS, but rather, actively supporting the organization. So, what are the consequences? Kiesewetter sees no cause to end the EUs refugee deal with Ankara, nor to end the dialogue with Turkey. Berlin is used to negotiating with "much more difficult countries," such as Saudi Arabia or Iran, he said. However, Turkey does need to understand where the line is. "A visa deal with Turkey is only possible if democratic principles are upheld," he said. He also called on NATO to address the fact that "a major member country is clearly supporting an enemy that is being fought by NATO states." Deputy parliamentary group chairman for the Social Democrats (SPD), Rolf Mutzenich, says its not so much Turkeys role that is the problem. "The yardstick will be whether this platform for activity is being used to commit acts of violence," Mutzenich told the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper. CDU politician Kiesewetter has also stressed that isolating Turkey will not help improve the situation. "If Turkey were to turn its back on NATO and Europe, then we would have a giant power between Europe and Asia that would be difficult to control." 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 In September, October and November, fiery autumnal hues - much magnified by the many lakes across the Arctic Circles Lappish states - plus dustings of snow and, of course, the magnificent colours of the Aurora Borealis combine to create exquisite and enchanting scenery in Northern Lights territory. (TRAVPR.COM) UK - August 19th, 2016 - In September, October and November, fiery autumnal hues - much magnified by the many lakes across the Arctic Circles Lappish states - plus dustings of snow and, of course, the magnificent colours of the Aurora Borealis combine to create exquisite and enchanting scenery in Northern Lights territory. Visit during the autumnal transition into winter, when wildlife is preparing to bed down, burnished shades of red and orange spread across the Arctic forests, and Mother Natures shimmering theatrics are reflected in the still-unfrozen lakes. The original Northern Lights company, The Aurora Zone, not only offers expert-led experiences of the Lights, but guarantees a truly immersive exploration of Lapland. Plan a trip in the autumn for extraordinary photographic opportunities, wildlife encounters, hiking with huskies, and foraging for edible berries. If youre looking for more than a simple box to tick, consider one of these short but in-depth trips, created by experts in the Aurora Borealis: Luosto, Finland a four-night trip based at the Hotel Aurora, with new Arctic View rooms (upgrades available), including a mini dig for gems at the impressive Amethyst Mine (one of the last remaining few in Europe), plus expert-guided Aurora hunts on foot and by minibus. How about hiking with huskies, in the midst of training for a winter of sledding, and learning about the husky-musher relationship? Spend time at a reindeer farm with insight from a traditional herder on the vital role these docile creatures play in Lappish culture, and attend an Aurora workshop to explain the science behind the mystical Northern Lights. Costs from 1,175 pp (two sharing), departs on 7 and 30 October and 4 November*. Nellim, near Lake Inari, Finland a four-night trip staying at Nellim Wilderness Lodge, close to Finlands third largest lake, just nine kilometres from the Russian border. A guided walk will take you to the border post and the Paatsjoki Bridge, affording amazing views of the waterways in Russia, and deemed to be one of the best local vantage points for Northern Lights viewing. Spend time in Inari, the capital of Sami culture, and home to the Sami Siida Museum; go on an expert-led nature hike, hopefully encountering wildlife foraging for fuel for the winter, and perhaps find some edible treats for yourself, such as juicy berries, to accompany dinner that night. Spend an evening outside at an Aurora Camp, located for prime views of unpolluted skies, with roaring fire and hot drinks provided, and set off on Aurora searches by car or by minibus, led by guides equipped with up-to-the-minute Northern Lights forecasts. Costs from 1,285 pp (two sharing), departs on 21 September, 4 and 14 November*. Autumn photography in Torassieppi, Finland - witness the raw wilderness of Torassieppi before it is blanketed in thick snow on this four-night trip. Partake in two photography workshops - learn how to capture the Lappish landscapes during the day, and acquire the technical skills to photograph the Aurora at night. Explore the fells and forests of the Pallas National Park and inhale its pristine air, visit husky and reindeer farms, try your hand at cooking over an open fire in the wilderness, relax in an authentic Finnish sauna and, for the hardy and brave, there is a lake adjacent for a quick dip! Costs from 1,299 (two sharing), departs on 23 September*. Abisko, Sweden- a four-night trip to Abisko, up in the Arctic Circle, where the rugged scenery of the national park, and the nearby Norwegian town of Narvik, on the coast are best appreciated on foot before the snow falls. The trip includes a scenic guided walk, starting at the beautiful Lake Tornetrask, to Tornehamn, home to the Railway Navvy Graveyard. Additional historical guided walks follow the Navvy Trail to the Norwegian town of Narvik, a splendid fjord area occupied by Nazi forces during the Second World War with a fascinating Visitor Centre. Two evenings are dedicated to the Northern Lights hunts, with an expert-led minibus search and an Aurora hike into the wilderness. Costs from 1,385 pp (two sharing), departing on 20 October, 2 and 16 November*. *All prices include return flights (London), transfers, full or half board, all activities, cold weather clothing if necessary, and expert guides. For further information, please visit www.theaurorazone.com. To discuss Aurora-hunting tours with an expert, please call the well-travelled team at The Aurora Zone on 01670 785 012. Press: For more information, high-res images or to discuss a commissioned press trip, please contact Julia Farish or Paul Bondsfield at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or j.farish@travelpr.co.uk or p.bondsfield@travelpr.co.uk. ### New Delhi, August 19 Domestic air passenger traffic jumped by nearly 26 per cent in July, registering double-digit growth for the 24th consecutive month with lower fares attracting more fliers. No-frills carrier IndiGo saw its market share climb to 39.8 per centthe highest for any local airlinelast month. It had a market share of 37.9 per cent in June. Latest data from aviation regulator DGCA showed that local airlines flew 85.08 lakh passengers in July compared to 67.62 lakh fliers recorded in the year-ago period. This is the 24th straight month that domestic air traffic has registered high double-digit growth, which also comes against the backdrop of many airlines offering lower fares as they compete to attract more passengers. Indian aviation continues to soar. July passenger growth reaches a record breaking 25 per cent, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said in a tweet. In terms of market share in July, IndiGo is followed by Jet Airways (16.3 per cent), Air India (14.8 per cent), SpiceJet (11.7 per cent), GoAir (8.4 per cent), Vistara (2.6 per cent) and AirAsia (2.2 per cent). When it comes to load factora measure of seat occupancy in flightslow-cost carrier SpiceJet emerged on top with 92 per cent in July. The same stood at 93 per cent in June. During July, IndiGos load factor stood at 83.6 per cent, higher than 77.9 per cent seen in the previous month. Among other airlines, GoAir registered a load factor of 90.3 per cent, followed by Air Asia with 85.7 per cent while that of Jet Airways and Vistara were 83.8 per cent and 75.2 per cent, respectively. National carrier Air India registered a lower load factor of 80.3 per cent in July compared to 82 per cent in June. Scheduled domestic airlines shelled out compensation to the tune of Rs 35.56 lakh for denied boarding to passengers last month. For cancellations, the carriers gave a total compensation of Rs 23.22 lakh while the overall amount for flight delays, a total amount of Rs 61.33 lakh was given towards compensation and facilities. According to DGCA, 1,111 passengers were affected by denied boarding, 4,796 people by cancellations and delays impacted 65,953 passengers. Last month, as many as 948 passenger-related complaints were received by the scheduled domestic airlines with maximum number coming against Air Pegasuswhich saw disruptions in its operations amid financial woes. As much as 34.2 per cent complaints were related to flight problems, followed by customer service (27.4 per cent) and baggage (17.5 per cent). Passengers carried by domestic airlines during Jan-Jul 2016 were 560.87 lakh as against 455.95 lakh during the corresponding period of previous year, thereby registering a growth of 23.01 per cent, DGCA said. SpiceJet said that in July it registered best On-Time Performance (OTP) and highest Passenger Load Factor (PLF) among major carriers having sizeable operations in the four metros of Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. OTP for the month of July 2016 stood at 79.2 per cent; while the airline again topped the PLF chart registering 92 per cent for the same period, it said in a release. Further, the airline said diligent planning and efficient utilisation of the resources, among other factors, helped it improve performance in July. PTI A certain bully president made an appearance in Helena Thursday as part of a ceremony honoring the creators of a collaborative forest management plan in the Blackfoot Valley. President Theodore Roosevelt, portrayed by impersonator Adam Lindquist, made camp on the lawn of the Montana Historical Society along with the Montana Wildlife Federation to present the federations newly created Collaborative Conservation Achievement Award to the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project steering committee. The project, first proposed more than a decade ago, has generated attention during the last few months as several conservation groups reinvigorated the call for Montanas congressional delegation to push legislation forward. The projects components include designation of nearly 80,000 acres of new wilderness in four sites along the Swan Range and Mission Mountains, some new snowmobile access, timber production and restoration work. The areas are widely considered prime wildlife habitat and strongholds for both bull and cutthroat trout. Much of the timber production has already been realized through the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program in 2010 while the recreation components have yet to come to fruition. The project has seen opposition from some conservation groups opposed to trading logging for wilderness as well as those opposed to collaboration for excluding some interests. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., first supported the legislation as part of his Forest Jobs and Recreation Act in 2008. Republicans U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke have not co-sponsored legislation formalizing the project, although they are said to be interested, the Missoulian reported. Speaking in character, Lindquist chronicled Roosevelts early life as he suffered from asthma as a child to the passion for conservation that would come to define his presidency. We must inspire our children to take up the pursuit of hunting, to spend their day in the wilderness, to spend their day in the forest, to fish the streams and to enjoy all we have in this amazing country, he said. In that spirit of outdoor legacy, conservation historian Jim Posewitz presented the award as an example of citizen driven cooperation to solve complex land management issues. The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project emerged from the womb of time at a critical time in Montana conservation history, he said. It is the time when the last wild lands, the last high quality blue ribbon rivers of this Last Best Place hang in the balance. It is to our great satisfaction and appreciation that we recognize these grassroots, boots-on-the-ground Westerners. Longtime Bob Marshall outfitter and member of the steering committee Smoke Elser was on hand to accept the award. Waiting more than a decade is too long for a project that brings together diverse interest to a management consensus, he said. Its going to set aside a piece of land so that it can be managed by the national forests in a good way and setting it aside so that it can be conserved in a doable way for wildlife and habitat in particular, he said. Weve got to get our congressmen to move ahead and get it done with. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 19 A 27-year-old youth was stabbed to death over a money dispute allegedly by his friend at Mani Majra this evening. Sources said the victim, Hitesh, who worked as a mechanic at the motor market in Mani Majra, had an altercation with his friend, Avtar, alias Chhotu, near the Community Centre at Gobindpura. The police said Chhotu was carrying a knife and stabbed the victim with it multiple times on the stomach and the chest. He then fled from the spot. Passersby heard the cries of the victim and called the police. The victim was rushed to the PGI in a PCR vehicle where doctors declared him brought dead. The police have registered a case of murder against Chhotu at the Mani Majra police station. The body has been kept at the mortuary and the postmortem will be conducted tomorrow. The police said raids were being conducted to nab Chhotu, who also worked at the motor market. Rajinder Nagarkoti Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 18 Continuing with its drive against illegal mobile towers installed by Reliance Jio on government land, including various green belts in the city, the local Municipal Corporation (MC) today impounded three gensets of these towers. The engineering wing of the MC carried out the drive in Sectors 19, 20 and 23, and impounded the gensets. A senior MC official said they would now put up the case file before MC Commissioner B Purushartha for strict action against Reliance. The MC had issued two notices to the company to remove these illegal towers, but to no avail. Yesterday, the MC initiated action against the company and disconnected power supply to 15 towers. After receiving directions from the UT Estate Office and complaints from different quarters, the MC staff had detected 15 illegal towers in different parts of the city. Besides, a report was submitted to senior officials of the MC that 12 illegal towers had been installed in the area of other departments, which would be dealt by the respective departments. UT Deputy Commissioner Ajit Balaji Joshi had sought a report from the company by Friday on whether or not it had taken permission. The mobile tower policy of the Chandigarh Administration has been challenged by cellular operators in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The cellular operators claim that as per the Central Government policy, none of their mobile towers is illegal and the UT policy has a number of flaws. According to the new tower policy released by UT Administrator Kaptan Singh Solanki in March 2015, the towers should be located only in open areas, like unused spots in parking spaces and open areas of institutions in such a manner that the functionality of the place does not get affected in any way. Towers can be installed on top of commercial or institutional buildings not less than three-storeys high. Rajinder Nagarkoti Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 19 The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has decided to recover land fee from back date from Reliance Jio, which had installed 15 illegal towers in the city. A senior official said the MC would recover fee from the company for using its land from August 11. Company representatives met MC Commissioner B Purushartha today and were asked to obtain permission from the UT Estate Office and the MC. The MC engineering wing today continued its drive against the illegal mobile towers installed by the company and impounded three more gensets from Mani Majra and Sectors 32 and 46. The gensets have been kept at the MC store and will be released after the company pays the fine, the official said. If the company failed to get permission, the drive would continue in the next week, the official said. A spokesperson for Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd said, As a responsible corporate, we have always abided by all legal requirements and will continue to do so in future. The locations of our sites are as per the existing tower policy of the city and we are following all prescribed guidelines for the installation of towers. We are cooperating with the authorities for some additional procedural formalities as per their advice. According to the new tower policy released by UT Administrator Kaptan Singh Solanki in March 2015, the towers should be located only in open areas, like unused spots in parking spaces and open areas of institutions in such a manner that the functionality of the place does not get affected in any way. Towers can be installed on top of commercial or institutional buildings not less than three-storeys high. MC survey found 15 illegal towers According to the report of a survey conducted by the MC, no-objection certificates were issued for 43 sites for the installation of mobile towers. However, the company installed 15 illegal towers without any NOC. The MC issued two notices to the company and later snapped power supply to these illegal towers. Aarti Kapur Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 18 Seven dignitaries, who have excelled in various fields, will be honoured by Panjab University at a special convocation to be held on the campus in the coming months. The plan regarding the convocation, in which four prominent personalities will be honoured with honorary degrees and three with awards, will be tabled at a meeting of the Syndicate for approval tomorrow. Sources said Prime Minister Narender Modi was likely to be the chief guest at the convocation. The university authorities were making efforts in this regard. A five-member committee, headed by PU Senator SS Johal, decided the names of the dignitaries to be awarded at the special convocation. The names proposed for the honoris causa degree are Murli Manohar Joshi, Dr Narinder Singh Kapany, Prof Gurdev Singh Khush and Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar. Three personalities whose names have been proposed for awards are Anupam Kher, Prof Dalip Kaur Tiwana and Dr Parshotam Dass Gupta. PU VC Arun Kumar Grover said after approval from the Syndicate and the Senate, the authorities would finalise the chief guest for the event. Honorary Degree Dr Murli Manohar Joshi His name has been proposed for DLitt (Honoris Causa). He is a politician, a leading member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Member of Parliament for Kanpur. Dr Narinder Singh Kapany: His name has been proposed for DSc (Honoris Causa). He is an India-born American Sikh known as the father of fiber optics. Prof Gurdev Singh Khush: His name has been proposed for DSc (Honoris Causa). He is an agronomist and geneticist known for improving the global supply of rice during a time of exponential population growth. Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar: A renowned personality, his name has been proposed for Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa). He is a Judge of the Supreme Court and an alumnus of Panjab University. Award Anupam Kher: The actors name has been proposed for the Kala Rattan award. He has acted in 500 films and many plays. He has also appeared in acclaimed international films. Prof Dalip Kaur Tiwana: Her name has been proposed for the Sahitya Rattan award. She is a novelist and short-story writer of contemporary Punjabi literature. She has won awards, both regional and national, and is a widely translated author. Dr Parshotam Dass Gupta: His name has been proposed for Vigyan Rattan. He is serving as the Director, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 18 Panjab University will receive Rs 40 crore as the second instalment of its grant from the University Grants Commission (UGC) by Monday. This assurance was given by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar at a meeting with Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover and Satya Pal Jain, a PU Senate member and Additional Solicitor General, in New Delhi today. The minister agreed to reconsider the invitation to visit the PU campus. Jain said the minister had not yet finalised the date of his visit, but he would try to reschedule his visit to the campus next month. During the meeting, a detailed report on the financial status of the university was submitted to the minister. He assured that he would get back to them on the issues of the university after obtaining inputs from the officials of the ministry and the UGC. If need be, he would ask the Vice-Chancellor to visit him again in New Delhi for this purpose. Grover said the university expected the same amount as the second instalment as the one it had received in June as the first instalment. He said the grant was expected to reach by Monday as the file had been processed. The revised budget estimate had put the expenditure of the PU for 2016-17 at Rs 502.11 crore and the income at Rs 249.51 crore. Earlier, the Non-Plan budget estimates had envisaged an expenditure of Rs 517.33 crore and an income of Rs 210.61 crore for 2016-17, which included the projected recruitments on the campus. Sawraj Singh America is like a miniature of the world. There are communities from every country and region living in America. I have lived in America for more than 40 years and have also had the opportunity to visit many countries and regions of the world and interacted with different communities. Ever year, we hosted Diversity Day. Hundreds of people, cutting across communities, came to our farmhouse. Extensive interaction with diverse communities revealed that Punjabis are one of the unhealthiest people in the world. Wherever comparative studies were carried out, my views were validated. Even though these studies did not single out Punjabis, yet a study done in Canada and England on the Indian population has to include more Punjabis than people from any other state in India. One gets the impression that Punjabis are in much poorer health than the people of other states. For example, at an average Punjabi party more alcohol and food is consumed per person than in any party of people of non-Punjabi origin. The same is true in the marriage palaces in Punjab. Punjabis are setting new records in alcohol and food consumption, and wastage of food. In a poor country like India, where many people do not have enough to eat, you can see huge piles of wasted food outside marriage palaces. The results of a study prove that most of my impressions were correct. A study jointly done by the medical colleges of Punjab and the PGIMER, Chandigarh, proves beyond any doubt that Punjabis can compete for the Olympic gold medal for the title of the unhealthiest people in the world. The enthusiasm that Punjabis have shown for adopting western consumer culture and abandoning the traditional wisdom and the path of moderation and contentment shown by the Gurus, is almost unparalleled in history. They are paying the price for this. A healthy lifestyle has become the biggest victims of the consumerism of Punjabis: The study identified six risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Low fruit and vegetable intake, less physical activity, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking and alcohol intake. Only 1 per cent of Punjabis are free from all of the risk factors. In other words, 99 per cent of Punjabis cannot really be called healthy. If these statistics do not help Punjabis to qualify for the Olympic gold medal, then at least they will bring us very close. This study is confined to Punjab but Punjabis outside Punjab and in other countries are not much different. This study and other studies done in Canada, the UK and America are limited to physical health. Another impression that one gets is that Punjabis have equally bad, if not worse, mental health indicators. This I state on the basis of my observations and inputs from mental health professionals. After talking to psychiatrists and mental health workers, one can conclude that there is a high incidence of anxiety and depression in Punjabis. For example, Punjab seems to have a much higher rate of farmer suicides than neighbouring Haryana. Increased mental stress is responsible for divorces and broken marriages. The main reason for the poor physical and mental health of Punjabis is their adopting a lifestyle which is contrary to the one in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Moderation, contentment and living in harmony with nature to fulfill one's needs, instead of running after desires, were the main components of a healthy lifestyle. However, Punjabis have moved away from their traditional lifestyle, culture and value system. They have become the ardent followers and advocates of Western capitalist, consumer culture that promotes selfishness, greed, arrogance and extravagance. No wonder, they are paying a heavy price for this. In Haryana, people are closer to their traditional lifestyle and are more healthy than Punjabis. One way to prove or disprove this contention is to conduct a comparative study of the health of the leading communities in these states, Jats of Haryana and Jatts of Punjab. My prediction is that the Jats of Haryana are healthier. This study should help to identify the causes of what has gone wrong with Punjabis. Both these communities are genetically almost identical, with similar social and economic conditions. Therefore, the difference can be attributed to the fact that the Jats have not given up their traditional lifestyle, culture and values to the extent that the Jatts of Punjab have. The writer, a doctor, is Chairman, Washington State Network for Human Rights. Ian Johnston A worldwide hunt for a line in the rock that shows the beginning of a new geological epoch defined by humanity's extraordinary impact on planet Earth will get underway soon. The surge in global temperatures by an average of one degree Celsius in little over a century, the burning of vast amounts of fossil fuels, the extinction of many animal species, the widespread use of nitrogen fertilisers, the deluge of plastic rubbish and a number of other factors have all caused changes that will remain visible in rocks for millions of years. Later this month, an expert working group set up to investigate whether these changes are so significant that the 11,500-year-old Holocene epoch is now at an end will present its latest findings to the 35th International Geological Congress (IGC) in South Africa. They then plan to search for what is known as a golden spike a physical point in the geological record that shows where one epoch changed to another which could win over any remaining doubters among the geology community. This process could see a formal declaration that we are living in the Anthropocene by the International Union of Geological Sciences in just two years. Colin Waters, Secretary of the Anthropocene Working Group said: The key thing to us is the scale of the changes that have happened. It's of comparable scale with the Holocene and the transition from the last ice age. In the past, humans had no input into that and all the changes have been because of that natural oscillation, said Dr Watson, a geologist, But really in the last century we have had such a huge impact that we're actually taking the planet away from that natural oscillation and changing the trend for global temperatures from what should have been a cooling trend to a warming trend. The mid-20th century has emerged as the favourite time for the beginning of the Anthropocene. Radioactive particles from the open-air nuclear bomb blasts, which began in 1945, were scattered all over the planet. The same is true of smoke from the burning of fossil fuels, which increased dramatically after World War II. Discarded plastic, which is expected to last for thousands of years, and blooms of algae caused by chemical fertilisers washed and blown into rivers, lakes and the sea are already caught up in sediments that will make the rocks of the future. Pesticides have also left their own chemical signature. Global warming has melted glaciers, enabling plants to grow and creating a sharp dividing line in the sediment, and raised the temperature and altered the acidity of the oceans. It is also thought the golden spike might be found in corals, which have suffered widespread bleaching because of the warmer water. In a paper in the journal Science earlier this year, Waters and others said an age range of 1945 to 1964 had been proposed for the start of the Anthropocene. According to Professor Jan Zalasiewicz, a palaeobiologist at Leicester University, There's a majority of opinion on the working group to say the Anthropocene is real. The feeling is that it would be better, most geologists would be more comfortable, if there was a 'golden spike' a physical reference point in the strata. And then we'll choose one of these to say 'this is the reference point, this marks the beginning of the Anthropocene'. Writing in the journal Nature, Professor Clive Hamilton, an ethicist at Charles Sturt University in Australia, spelled out how drastic the changes were that were prompting scientists to think about declaring a new epoch. The Anthropocene was conceived by Earth-system scientists to capture the very recent rupture in Earth's history arising from the impact of human activity on the Earth system as a whole. Understanding the Anthropocene, and what humanity now confronts, depends on a firm grasp of these concepts, he wrote. According to Hamilton, some scientists even write: Welcome to the Anthropocene, adding, At first I thought they were being ironic, but now I see they are not. And that's scary. The idea of the Anthropocene is not welcoming. It should frighten us. And scientists should present it as such. The writer is the Environment Correspondent of The Independent. THE death of a lecturer at Khrew, near Srinagar, on Wednesday night posted yet another face to the alleged brutalities by security forces in Kashmir. It is an indefensible act. No inquiry will erase the bloodied image from the hate India discourse in Kashmir. Such acts provide an extra flow of oxygen to the vested interests, and also make the commoners subscribe to their anti-India propaganda. Whatever the law and order problem and whatever the provocation, such matters should be left to the state police to handle. Such missteps only invite greater international attention, and global human rights groups get an opportunity to reinforce the Kashmir is a dispute narrative, and the Army gets tagged as an occupational force. Ever since the trouble erupted after terrorist Burhan Wanis death on July 8, the states political leadership has run out of imagination. There have been 68 deaths, 10,000 civilian and police injuries and a totally soured-up Valley, and yet no way out of the dark alley. Both sides have hardened their attitudes and the suffering majority is unable to speak up. Separatists have been warned by youth against any slowdown or pause in the all life-squeezing and provocative calendars of protests. Beyond responding to the shutdowns and calls for march with curfew, the Centre is clueless. It is not having any visible plan except the use of force against the stone and petrol bomb throwing protesters. The doors of talks with Pakistan have been shut. Any idea of entertaining separatists has been ruled out. The other stakeholders like the civil society, parents and those whose economic interests lie in peace, have been silenced by the situation and the menacing mobs of stone-throwers. With a dramatically critical situation, bordering on anarchy, further violence threatens to derail the idea of India. Sooner than later, the troublemakers would need to be isolated, whatever it may require to do so. The real spirit of insaniyat (humanity) in action needs to be invoked. This initiative should come from the countrys civil society, not the politicians, to reach out to the Kashmiris, feeling besieged, angry and, perhaps, abandoned. Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 19 Haryana Advocate-General was kept in the loop on the CBI probe into reservation stir violence in Rohtak an action construed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court as an attempt to undermine the authority of a constitutional post. As the reservation agitation case came up for resumed hearing, amicus curiae or friend of the court Anupam Gupta placed before the Bench copies of three newspapers with reports on CBI probe. He said the police, on one hand, was investigating and filing challans. On the other, it had handed over the probe to the CBI. Responding to the reports, the Bench of Justice SS Saron and Justice Lisa Gill asked Additional Solicitor-General of India Tushar Mehta and Advocate-General Baldev Mahajan whether they were aware of the developments. Appearing for the state, Mehta completely denied knowledge. Mahajan, too, claimed ignorance, but tried to justify his position by claiming he was aware of contemplations in this regard. The Bench asked the state the logic behind placing before the court tables and charts to show the progress in the investigations carried out by the police, when the case had already been referred to the CBI. What part have you given to the CBI? Rohtak was the epicentre of the reservation violence and 60 per cent of the cases were registered by the police there. Would it mean all these cases will now go to the CBI? the Bench questioned. Justice Saron said the decision to handover the case would be administrative and they were fine with it. But, Justice Saron questioned the reason behind not informing the Advocate-General. We do not want the government to undermine the authority of the Advocate-General. It is a constitutional post. The amicus would, probably, welcome the decision. However, we wanted the police to do it. Our effort was not to make the police feel demoralised. As the case came for re-hearing post-lunch session, the Bench was told just three FIRs had been referred to the CBI. Content with the reply, the Bench adjourned the matter till September 1. Amicus curiae creates flutter Amicus curiae Anupam Gupta on Friday created flutter in the court after he told the Bench that information on "witness" Amrik Singh deposing before Prakash Singh Committee was given to him by a panel member. The Bench, on a previous date of hearing, was told that Sukhdev dhaba owner had deposed before the panel that he saw a "rush of young and older women" with their clothes in shreds. Gupta had added that Director General of Police KP Singh and Additional Chief Secretary Vijay Vardhan were also present at the time of Amrik Singh's assertion. The development had prompted Gupta to demand the submission of affidavits by Prakash Singh, KP Singh and Vardhan on their interaction with Amrik Singh. During the resumed hearing, Gupta said the member's conscience did not permit him to sleep over the matter; and he through a senior officer tried to contact him. Later, the officer himself called him up to inform him of the deposition. Among other things, he said Amrik Singh told the panel that senior police officers "magically appeared" to escort the victims from Murthal after the incident. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 19 Haryana has admitted to molestation of women travelling on the national highway during the Jat agitation earlier this year. State counsel Tushar Mehta told the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday that from the investigation so far the rape incident appeared to have taken place. He said it was evident from the semen found on the two ladies' undergarments recovered from the spot, which seemed to be those of the victims. However, he added that it could not be said if it was connected to the agitation. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) It was said that five people had been arrested in this connection and call details of 161 mobile numbers were examined. The SIT report was presented in camera to the court about the investigation carried out so far. Mehta told the court that eyewitnesses had confirmed molestation of women but no one had witnessed rape. Mehta said the journalist who had recorded the conversation of the victims mother was not cooperating and all efforts to persuade him had failed. Mehta said rape cases might have taken place, but no victim had come forward. Arson, rioting, looting and molestation had been established, he told the court. The CCTV footage of the entry and exit points to Sukhdev dhaba in Murthal were not available, it was said. There were some victims; the DNA of the accused had been sent to the forensic lab, it was said. Mehta said there seemed to be some rape victim as was evident from the semen found on the undergarments. The court also pulled up Haryana for keeping the court in the dark about ordering a CBI inquiry into the Jat agitation at Rohtak. As the AG claimed ignorance about the order, the court told the state to inform it if the CBI probe was ordered, after the lunch. Thumbs up Thanks to Lewis and Clark County and Helena College, local children will soon have the rare opportunity to play on a piece of playground equipment enjoyed by their parents and grandparents. Were talking about the beloved rocket slide at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, which is not something youre likely to see at any other park these days. Standing at an impressive 30 feet tall, the slide shaped like a rocket dates back to the 1960s, when space exploration was on virtually every childs mind. And while many longtime Helena residents have fond memories of climbing the metal spiral staircase into the nose cone and then rocketing back down the slide to earth, today's children can only imagine what that might have been like since the deteriorated slide had to be removed. But not for long. County officials removed the rocket from its base this week and loaded it onto a trailer bound for Helena College, where it will be refurbished before it is re-installed at the fairgrounds. The county will pay for the materials, the college will donate its labor, and the Helena community will get a timeless gift as a result. *** Thumbs up After its tumultuous start in 2014-15, Smarter Balanced computerized standardized testing for Montana students went smoothly last school year. Thats good news for our states students and educators, who ended up missing out on instruction time as a result of all the glitches that plagued the system during its inaugural year. Standardized testing provides important data about students past academic achievement and future potential, and we know local and state officials put a lot of time and effort into making sure the latest round of testing went off without a hitch. Students throughout the state are better off because of those efforts, and we want Montana educators to know they have not gone unnoticed. Nitish Sharma Tribune News Service Ambala, August 19 A 7-km stretch from Boh village to Ghasitpur will be notified to keep a check on the mushrooming of illegal colonies on the Tangri river bed. The Irrigation Department has moved a file to the government for the notification of the river bed. As per the information provided by the department, nearly 7-km stretch (from Boh village to Ghasitpur) and the entire width of the river bed between the bandh has been included for the notification. Tangri is a seasonal river and residents of colonies located on the river bed in Ambala Cantonment. The colonies on the river bed are illegal, yet construction goes on without any regard to safety. Because of the illegal colonies, the river has shrunk and it poses a danger to the people residing there. More than 1,700 families reside on the river bed. This year, the administration had put up notices in the colonies built on the river bed, asking residents to vacate their houses and shift to safer places. While the administration calls the colonies illegal, residents are miffed at the situation and claim they had been issued water and electricity connections. They also claimed they had been paying house tax. They asked why no action was taken when the colonies were being built. The residents said the government should rehabilitate them. While checking the arrangements made by the administration for flood control before monsoon, Cabinet Minister Anil Vij had asked the Irrigation Department to get the river bed notified, so that no further construction was done. Prince Saini, SDO, Irrigation Department, said, The 7-km stretch has been included for notification. AK Raghuvanshi, XEN of the department, said, The file has been sent and once the government issues the notification, construction of houses can be kept under check. About the houses already constructed, the XEN said, The notification is our first priority and further action will be taken as per the rules. New Delhi, August 19 The Delhi High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking quashing of government notifications declaring nilgais and wild pigs vermin, leading to their culling in various states. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal refused to entertain the plea after the counsel for Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated that the decision to cull the animals was a temporary measure. Central government standing counsel Shiva Lakshmi said the states had reported harm to life and property, including large-scale destruction of agriculture due to over-population of wild pigs outside forest areas. So the Centre, in one of its recent notification, declared wild pig vermin. The notifications in response to requests of respective state governments are based on ineffectiveness of available options. Even though state governments requested for declaration of these animals as vermin for three to five years, the notifications have been issued for one year only in order to understand the impact covering all seasons. Furthermore, the notifications are valid for the said limited period, the Centre said. On this, the court observed that since the notification was limited to some states and was only for a year, no order was required in the writ petition and dismissed the plea. The court order came on the plea by one Salek Chand Jain, seeking a direction to the Centre to provide devices developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute to farmers to keep away vermin, including nilgais and wild boars, instead of killing them. The plea had said according to the Constitution, the states should endeavour to protect and improve environment to safeguard forest and wildlife and alleged that the National Board for Wildlife has failed to discharge its duties. It had alleged that following a 2015 notification of the Centre declaring nilgais and wild boars vermin in Bihar for a year, nearly 500 nilgais were killed in the last six months by hunters unscientifically. The first notification issued by the Ministry dated December 1, 2015, declared nilgais and wild boars vermin in some districts of Bihar for one year. The second notification, dated February 3 this year, declared wild boars vermin in some districts of Uttarakhand for one year, while the third notification issued on May 24 declared rhesus macaque (monkey) vermin in certain districts of Himachal Pradesh. PTI Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, August 19 Chief Justice of India (CJI) TS Thakur today said large vacancies of judges in the country was a national challenge and the Centre was being persuaded to take steps so that the whole process can be expedited. The CJI, who is here on a three-day visit, refused to elaborate or comment on the issue of filling of vacancies of the judges, which has virtually brought the judiciary and the Central government on a path of collision in the recent past. The CJI today inaugurated the hostel block of the Rs 163-crore HP Judicial Legal Academy at Ghandal, near here, and laid the foundation stone of the National Law University (NLU) to be constructed at a cost of Rs 136 crore. Justice Thakur said some of the states like Himachal were lucky as against a sanctioned strength of 13 judges, there were only two vacancies. In my home state of Jammu and Kashmir, against a sanctioned strength of 17, there are only eight judges, leading to a lot of problem, he remarked. The issue of huge pendency of cases, as studies have revealed, is directly linked to high literacy rate and affluence, he remarked. He added that this was quite evident from states like Kerala which with its high literacy and high awareness levels had a huge pendency. The CJI said in Himachal too the situation was more or less the same as the people here were conscious of their rights and were highly literate, leading to filing of more cases. He said in the case of Himachal against a pendency of 59, 133 on November 27, 2013 the number has been reduced to almost half at 30, 509. The Chief Justice of Himachal High Court needs to be complimented for bringing the pendency down to half, a situation which I wished existed in other high courts as well, he said. The subordinate judiciary in the state, he added, had disposed of 2.51 lakh cases in 2015. He said since the number of judicial officers in Himachal was 135, he was of the firm opinion that spending such a huge amount of Rs 163 crore on a judicial academy would be justified only if these are fully utilized and quasi-judicial officers in the state government also undergo training here. It will be criminal and unfair if these academies remain unutilized as the state government has provided funds by putting other pressing needs of the public pertaining to water, school and hospital on the backburner, he said. On the request of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh that the CJI should urge the Centre to provide Rs 100 crore to HP for the setting up of the Law University, the CJI said normally he did not intervene in such matters but considering the financial restraints faced by small states like HP will take up the matter with the Prime Minister. Moreover, since Himachal is my wifes home state, I am bound to make this request to the PM, he added. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said though there has been expansion of judiciary in HP the pendency of cases was a matter of grave concern. The high court under Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir has done a commendable work in reducing pendency but speedy justice must be ensured to the people for which the state government will extend all possible help, he said. Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir said judicial education was essential for enhancing and improving the standards of justice. Moreover, independence of judiciary largely depends upon public confidence. Law and Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur and Justice Rajiv Sharma, president of the judicial academy also spoke on the occasion. Nostalgic moment Going down memory lane, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur recalled his four-decade long association with the Queen of Hills. With his wife hailing from Himachal, the CJI is a frequent visitor to the place It was an emotional moment for Thakur, on his first visit to the state after his elevation as the CJI, as he shared his association with Shimla since the first time he visited the city in 1976. It was way back in 1976 that I came here for the first time with my father DD Thakur. With my wife being from the state, I have had a close and warm association with the state and many people here, he recalled while getting emotional. He was speaking at the felicitation programme organised by the HP High Court Bar Association. Incidentally, the CJI is staying at the Raj Bhawan, where his marriage had taken place way back in May 1969. His wife Amita Thakur studied here in the town and her father CS Panwar was Director, Information and Public Relations. Thakur said during his frequent visits to the town with his father, an eminent jurist, he would frequently visit the chambers of some prominent lawyers, including Justice Bhawani Singh, Justice LS Panta, Lt Inder Singh and Chabil Dass, from whom he got to learn a lot as a young lawyer. Thakur, who has been a very frequent visitor to the town said after his retirement he would be seen even more often than before. I urge young lawyers to work with dedication and sincerity with concentration on their brief rather than pleasing judges, he said. (by Vijay Arora) e-court fee system inaugurated Tribune News Service Jammu, August 19 The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu, has deferred its call for a one-day Jammu bandh within five hours after facing pressure from different sections of the society. The CCI members had given a call for the Jammu bandh for Saturday as they received no communication from Kashmir for an intra-region dialogue. But the chamber in its updated statement has deferred the strike call saying that it has received communications from a few but prominent members of influence from the Kashmir civil society to give at least a weeks time to convince the stakeholders in Kashmir other than the government for intra-region dialogue. In view of this assurance the chamber feels that reasonable time be given to the nationalists forces in Kashmir who are trying to urge and impress upon the masses there for an early intra-region dialogue. Hence, the call for Jammu bandh on Saturday (August 20) is hereby deferred till further information, said Rakesh Gupta, president, CCI, Jammu. Meanwhile, the BJP termed the bandh call against the state and nation and a campaign was also started on the social media against the call of Jammu bandh given by the CCI. People on the social media strongly condemned the call for Jammu bandh after which the chamber issued a revised statement in which the call for bandh was deferred. None of the political or social organisation, including transporters and Bar Association, came out in support of the call for Jammu bandh. The chamber expressed serious concern that mockery of the law of the land was being made everyday wherein social media, print and electronic media were being misused to misguide and provoke religious sentiments against the Indian state. The chamber also questioned that how the religious places were being permitted to make announcements of non-religious activities and being used to make announcements to wage a war against the Indian state. The chamber questioned the law-enforcing agencies in the state for the silence and demanded immediate action against the culprits failing with the chamber would have no option but to file a PIL in the court for justice. The chamber also questioned the government for taking no action against the employees for their unauthorised absence from duties. The chamber was seriously concerned that how could the employees be paid salaries without work in a state where the salary bill was more than Rs 3,000 crore per month and it was a common mans money that was being misused. The chamber demanded that in the wake of the present law and order situation, the Darbar should be moved back to Jammu as it had been 40 days that no work was done and neither the public in general could reach the secretariat. Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 19 Within hours of the pellet-firing incident that led to injuries to an ambulance driver here on Thursday evening, the CRPF has suspended a sub-inspector and started investigation. Sub-inspector BS Yadav has been suspended and departmental action initiated against him for the incident, a CRPF spokesman told The Tribune. He said the pellet fire was opened by the SI while handling a stone-pelting incident in Safakadal area. The CRPF man, however, did not take necessary precaution in view of the ambulance movement. The ambulance on its way to SMHS hospital came in the way during the clash and the pellet fire hit the driver, causing injuries in his hand. Driver Ghulam Mohammad Sofi managed to drive his ambulance to the hospital ferrying patients from Ganderbal, where he was also admitted for a fracture in his hand. The government has come in for severe criticism for the use of pellet guns that has led to injuries, blindness and deaths in the clashes between protesters and security forces. With the death of a college lecturer at Khrew on Wednesday night, the death toll in the recent violence has gone up to 66 while thousands have been injured following the killing of militant Commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Meanwhile, curfew was clamped in Srinagar, Anantnag town and Beerwah area of Budgam district on day 42 of the ongoing unrest in Kashmir. Curfew remained in force in the entire Srinagar district. Curfew was extended to the entire district since Wednesday to thwart the separatists call for a 72-hour march to the UN office. Srinagar downtown areas have been reeling under curfew unabated for the past more than a month. Curfew was imposed in Magam and Beerwah area of Budgam district to prevent any attempts of the separatists to march towards Aripanthan village to pay tributes to the four people killed by security forces on Tuesday. Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, in a fresh protest programme, has called for march to the village to offer the Friday prayers and pay tributes to the four youths killed. In south Kashmir, curfew is on in Anantnag town, while restrictions are in place in other areas of Anantnag district, apart from Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts. Restrictions are also in force across all other districts in central and north Kashmir areas. Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, August 19 The unrest in Kashmir has deepened the regional divide in Jammu and Kashmir, with the Jammu and Ladakh regions pitching against handling the situation in isolation by ignoring genuine and reasonable stakeholders from these two areas. Owing to the ideological differences, the Jammu and Ladakh regions have virtually extended no or least support to violent protests in the Kashmir valley which has been reeling under a vicious cycle of violence since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8, leaving Kashmir in isolation. Barring sporadic protests in Muslim-dominated parts of the Jammu region and Kargil district of Ladakh, the people of Jammu and Ladakh have maintained a complete distance from the turmoil in Kashmir. In other terms, the Azaadi demand of Kashmiri people has found few takers in these two different regions. Geographically, J&K has a total area of 2.22 lakh sq km and its total population is 1.25 crore. The Jammu region has 26,293 sq km area while the Kashmir valley has 15,948 sq km area. Ladakh constitutes two-thirds geographical area of J&K. The region is spread over a total area of 1.73 lakh sq km, of which 1.16 lakh sq km is under illegal occupation of Pakistan and China. This time around, the sense of alienation and discrimination took birth in Jammu after parliamentarians and political class while debating the prevailing Kashmir unrest in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and in the all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar on July 21, allegedly ignored the aspirations of Jammu people who believe that there is nobody in New Delhi and PDP-BJP government who could speak about them. The political and social groups of Jammu asked the Centre to take all stakeholders (from Jammu) on board while holding any dialogue to find a solution to the problem. They were of opinion that Jammu had equally suffered in terms of economic loss due to the turbulent situation in Kashmir as trade and tourism of both regions was directly proportional to each other. The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI)the representative body of tradersopposed the way of protests chosen by Kashmiri people and claimed the Kashmir civil had approached them to intervene and help them for restoration of normalcy as they could not speak or do anything but to sit as prisoners in their homes for more than one month now because of the fear and threat of guns of anti-nationals. Similarly, various religious groups of Ladakh, including Muslims, rejected the domination of Kashmiri leadership in the state while reiterating their demand for Union Territory (UT) status for the arid region. They categorically made it clear that leaders of Kashmir valley can never be leaders of their people and their assimilation with the people of the Valley is next to impossible. The heads of religious groups in Ladakh while submitting a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently warned that any attempt at handling the Kashmir issue in isolation by ignoring the problems of Ladakh will be short-sighted and prove counterproductive. It is absolutely erroneous to equate the Kashmir valley with the rest of the state. Ladakh constitutes 69.6 per cent of the total J&K territory with a distinct geo-political and geo-cultural identity of its own. The aspirations of the people of Ladakh and their national outlook are different from those of the people of Kashmir, they said in the memorandum. Rifat Mohidin Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 19 A day after Education Minister Naeem Akhter sought cooperation from the public so that the Valley schools could be reopened, the statement has drawn flak from parents who have called it illogical as Kashmir continues to be under curfew for the past 41 days. On Thursday, the Education Minister said the parents should cooperate with the government in reopening of the schools across the Valley, assuring them that the government will provide every facility to the students. The statement, however, has been widely criticised as there is no end in sight to the ongoing agitation. It is an irresponsible statement from the minister. On the one side, bullets and pellets are being showered on children in streets and on the other side, the government is trying to show normalcy and open the schools. We cannot send our children to schools, their lives are important to us. Education can wait, said Mushtaq Ahmad, a parent from Srinagar. While appealing to the people to cooperate with the government, the minister had also asked the civil society to come forward to supplement the efforts of the government for reopening of the government-run schools. However, parents said they would not send their children to school till normalcy returned to the Valley. Yesterday, a teacher was beaten to death by the Army, what was his fault? Why didnt the minister give any statement on that, why doesnt the minister say anything about the blinding of children in Kashmir. Why doesnt he visit the hospital and meet the children. He should stop making such statements if he cannot say anything with a healing effect. The statement is just politics by him. Does he want that the children who are safe at homes should come out in this situation? He wants to show normalcy at the cost of children which we cannot let happen,said another parent, Abdul Hamid. The educational institutions across the Valley were closed for the annual summer break on July 1. The break scheduled to end July 17 was then extended up to July 25 due to the turmoil. Our Correspondent Jaisalmer, August 19 A Pakistani spy allegedly belonging to ISI was arrested on Thursday night from a hotel here in a joint operation by Rajasthan Police Intelligence agencies. The spy named Nand Garg, alias Nand Maharaj, a Hindu, was nabbed based on intelligence inputs from RAW. He is a frequent traveller to India, and had come to Jaisalmer on Thursday morning on a valid visa and passport, Superintendent of Police Gaurav Yadav said. He is reported to be into textile business in Pakistans Sangar village. It needed to be investigated whether the accused was directly involved in smuggling of narcotics, arms and ammunition from across the border, the SP said, adding no such material was recovered from him so far. The accused used to get salary from ISI and Indian mobile sims were also found in his possession. New Delhi, August 19 Karima Baloch, who is the chairperson of Baloch Students Organisation fighting against atrocities in Balochistan, has on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi her brother and urged him to be the voice of Baloch genocide, war crimes and human rights violation at international forums. The young political activist has in her message to the Indian Prime Minister stated that the sisters of Balochistan consider him as their brother. #WATCH Baloch activist Karima Baloch wishes PM Modi for Rakhsha Bandhan (courtesy: Karima Baloch's Twitter)https://t.co/gq6KdEkWGn ANI (@ANI_news) August 19, 2016 On this day I have come to you and would like to say that we consider you as our brother. And we expect that you become the voice of Baloch genocide, war crimes in Balochistan, human rights violation in international forums and become the voice of those sisters whose brothers are missing, Karima said in a video message. We will fight the war own our own, but we want you to be our voice and make the voice heard in any part of the world, she added. Expressing the plight of many sisters whose brothers are missing, she said that many of them have been killed by the Pakistani Army. Today in Balochistan, there are many brothers missing or have been killed by the Pakistan Army... The sisters of Balochistan are even today waiting for their brothers to return. Amongst them there are few who may never return, she said. Prime Minister Modi, in his Independence Day address, had thanked the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for the goodwill they have shown towards him. He had last week in an all-party meeting on Kashmir said the time has come that Pakistan shall have to answer to the world for the atrocities committed by it against the people in Balochistan and PoK. His statement about atrocities in Balochistan has hit a nerve with Pakistan, who has now voiced that it would raise the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Karima, the first female chairperson of the Baloch Students Organisation as well as its party the Baloch National Front, is currently in Canada. She reportedly arrived in Canada after escaping a Pakistani military attack in Balochistan. ANI New Delhi, August 19 Bangladesh has sought from India details about Zakir Naiks operations, even as it said several prominent ulemas wanted action against the Islamic televangelist much before deadly the Gulshan attack last month. Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who is here on a six-day visit, said his country has cracked down on Naiks Peace TV by banning its broadcast and indicated that it is waiting for Indias action against the controversial preacher. Inu said his country doesnt have any evidence of links between home grown terrorists in Bangladesh with extremists outfits in India but at the same time slammed Pakistan for harbouring terrorism. He said Bangladesh has witnessed over 43 attacks on thinkers, bloggers and people from Sufi faith and it has been found that in almost 90 per cent cases, the attackers had links with banned Jamaat-e-Islami which he alleged was a corroborator with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation war. From Bangladeshs side Zakir Naiks case has been settled. We have stopped the broadcast of Peace TV. In last one year, ulemas came up with written complaints against Naik. We are examining it. We think his teachings, in certain cases are not in compliance with the Quran or Hadith. So, that is creating confusion. In certain cases it is instigating. So, we have taken our position. We have asked the Indian side to take their position and give us necessary information, Inu told reporters. In the backdrop of reports that ISIS was gaining ground in Bangladesh, he asserted that terror networks in his country is home grown. Bangladesh had banned Naiks Peace TV following the terror attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan Thana locality on July 1 in which 29 people were killed. About his meeting with Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Inu said both sides have agreed to broadcast their respective national TV channels in each others country. The Minister said terrorism is Bangladesh is very different from terror networks in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East as his country has a secular approach, but insisted that the evil has its legacy in the 1971 liberation war. There is no so-called radicalisation in my country. So, terrorism has a top-down approach in our country. It is not like Pakistan. In my country, a few people are involved in terrorist activities. Having said that terrorism in Bangladesh has a legacy and that legacy is the 1971 liberation war. Here Jamaat-e-Islami, a party using Islam, was a corroborator with Pakistani aggressive force, he said adding terrorism in Bangladeshi has its roots in Jamat-i-Islami and Pakistans ISI. PTI Patna, August 19 The Bihar government has suspended 15 police officials, including Inspector of Town Police Station of Gopalganj district, following the hooch tragedy, in which 18 people so far have died due to consumption of spurious liquor in the district. Six people have been arrested in the case and an FIR has been registered against 14. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The illicit liquor unit was running at Khajurwani village under the jurisdiction of Town Police Station. Director General of Police PK Thakur said FIRs had been registered against 14 people in two different cases. He said six people had so far been arrested and a massive manhunt is on to nab the main culprits. Agencies Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 18 In a telling reflection of his thoughts on criticism faced by him and his party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the BJP had faced more adversities in independent India as compared to what the Congress might have during the British rule. Speaking at the bhoomi poojan ceremony of the BJPs new headquarters here, he said every effort of his party was seen in bad light although it made more sacrifices than any other party. The BJP will be the only party that has faced adversities since its inception. It faced difficulties at every turn and its every effort was seen in bad light. Even during the British times, the Congress would not have faced so much adversity that we an our dedicated workers have gone through in 50-60 years, he said at the event that was attended by whos who of the party, including Amit Shah, LK Advani, Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley. No party has perhaps made more sacrifices than us (the BJP) after freedom, the PM asserted. Hundreds of workers were killed because they were not associated with the prevalent ideology of those times, he said. Even in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections it became difficult for BJP candidates to hire an office in Kolkata as anybody willing to give them space would face trouble, he added. According to Modi, with growth in the countrys strength, divisive forces became more active and it is now important to ensure that the society is strengthened and made more harmonious, which is where the role of the BJP workers comes in. BJP workers do not work for crowd, but for organisation as anybody can collect a crowd by talking about populist issues, but what is more important is to stick to an ideology, he said. He rued the lack of recorded material such as photographs about important events associated with BJP leaders through its history. Global research bodies began studying the Jana Sangh, the BJPs forerunner, when it came to power in Madhya Pradesh in 1969, he said. The world was surprised again over how much we had grown when the government of Vajpayeeji was formed. The worlds curiosity has arisen again now, he said. New Delhi, August 19 Efforts by the Centre and Uttar Pradesh to clean up the Ganga have borne "zero" result, the National Green Tribunal said today, as it pulled them up and sought reports on the discharge of industrial waste in the river between Haridwar and Kanpur. The green panel came down heavily on the Ministries of Environment and Forests, Water Resources, Central Pollution Control Board and other authorities for not taking a clear stand with regard to the cleaning of Ganga and gave them the "final opportunity" to submit the reports within two weeks. "Everybody comes before us and says 'we have done this, we have done that'. But the result is zero. The main question is how are you going to protect the river Ganga from Haridwar to Kanpur? What do you propose to do? Tell us your plans. "You just come before us and indicate that the problem is very serious. But what is the solution? Unfortunately, despite repeated directions, nothing has come out on record. The state governments may have different priority. But we have only one priority and that is to clean Ganga and we will do that," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said. Irked at the non-compliance of its directions, the NGT granted "final opportunity" two weeks to all authorities, ministries and Uttar Pradesh government to submit the requisite information and warned that in case of default, it would impose a cost of Rs 25,000 on each of the Secretary concerned. Nothing substantial has also been done in regard to the source of finance for the river cleansing project, the possibility of applying Zero Liquid Discharge (waste water purification) to various types of industries and installation of online monitoring system for all industries along the river banks, it said. Advocate MC Mehta, who has filed the plea for cleaning of Ganga, said the river will never be clean unless the state governmentd and its agencies come out with clear data on the industries. He referred to various Supreme Court judgements on Ganga since 1987 and said the authorities have allowed the mushrooming of several industrial units that were openly discharging effluents in the river. The counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board said many small-scale industries are operating along the banks of the river and the main reason for pollution in Ganga was the release of industrial waste in the water from these units. PTI Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 19 For the first time, Haryana today admitted that evidence suggesting rape had surfaced during police investigations in the Murthal case. Less than six months after the state claimed garments strewn in the fields of Murthal were that of tribals, it took a U-turn to say these could be of rape victims. Five accused arrested in connection with the case were being subjected to DNA mapping, the Punjab and Haryana High Court was told. The state, again for the first time, quoted witnesses as saying that women were molested and dragged out of vehicles during the reservation stir a statement the amicus curiae (friend of the court) Anupam Gupta interpreted as suggestive of rape. Gupta said witnesses had all along claimed before the media that women were dragged out of the vehicles into the fields and raped. The admission on rape before the Bench of Justices SS Saron and Lisa Gill came with a proviso. Appearing for the state, Additional Solicitor-General of India Tushar Mehta said the incident could have taken place prior to the agitation. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) At the onset, he told the Bench that garments with traces of semen were sent for forensic examination to determine when the crime had been committed but they were told that semens age could not be ascertained. Mehta said the blood samples of five persons arrested in connection with the Murthal case had been sent for DNA tests to determine if these matched with the semen found on the garments at the crime site. The challan was presented specifically mentioning that DNA mapping results were awaited. Those travelling on the highway during the stir, when contacted on the basis of mobile data, had said women were molested near Sukhdev Dhaba, but none had referred to rape, the court was told. The CCTV footage of the entry and exit points to Sukhdev dhaba was not available. Mehta claimed the story on an NRI victim's rape, that went viral on the social media, was a figment of imagination. The investigators had zeroed in on the person who had created the story on the basis of reports appearing in The Tribune. The laptop used for drafting the mail too was shown to the police. Referring to the audio conversation with an alleged victims mother, Mehta said the former web portal journalist, who had recorded it on his cellphone, was not cooperating, despite repeated requests by the SIT incharge. The scribe did not furnish the phone number of the cab driver, who reportedly took them to the victims mother, and claimed that his phone had been reformatted, Mehta said. Taking a note of these assertions, the Bench made it clear that the SIT must carry out a fair investigation as per the law and appreciated the marked improvement in the investigations. The Bench granted Mehta time for addressing the court on the issue of supplying probe documents to the amicus. This was done after Gupta placed before the court a three-Judge Bench Supreme Court judgment on providing the amicus documents, including case diaries and statements recorded by the police, under Section 161 of the CrPC. The Bench also asked the state to specify in an affidavit the action taken, or proposed to be taken, on the Prakash Singh panels report on the role of government officials during the quota stir. Pradeep Sharma Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 18 The Haryana Government has recommended a CBI probe into the large-scale violence and arson during the Jat agitation in Rohtak. This includes the violence that took place at the residence of state Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu. Sources said the Centre had been requested to probe the criminal and political angle to the large-scale violence and vandalism of public property, including the residence of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Circuit House, besides the ministers house and government buildings. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Rohtak was the epicentre of the Jat agitation for a quota in jobs and education in which over 30 lives were lost and property worth hundreds of crores destroyed. While several government and private buildings were damaged by protesters, burning and vandalism of Capt Abhimanyus palatial house had evoked widespread criticism and anger. On February 19, a mob broke into the ministers house, set it ablaze and tried to kill nine members of his family. The minister, who was in Chandigarh at that time, later said, It was a political conspiracy to wipe out my entire family This was a conspiracy by disgruntled elements and political opponents who could not make it to power corridors through democratic ways. Talking to The Tribune, he said he welcomed the probe by the central agency to bring out the truth into the large-scale violence in Rohtak during the Jat quota agitation. Everybody wants to know the truth, he said. The BJP government had charged former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hoodas one-time political adviser Prof Virender with conspiracy to provoke violence. Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 18 A speeding bus of Dabwali Transport, a company owned by the Badal family, today crushed two members of a family to death on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway near Mullanpur. The victims, Hardev Singh (61) and his son Harmeet Singh (24), were on a motorcycle. The bus, which was on its way to Bathinda, was torched by furious passengers, who accused the driver of being negligent. Both the driver and conductor fled after the incident. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The passengers alleged that their pleas to the driver not to be rash fell on deaf ears. We warned him that reckless driving could lead to an accident. But he paid no attention, said a passenger. The victims were welders. Harmeet Singh, who was riding pillion, was carrying tools. The bike was hit from the rear. Ajay Raj, DSP, said: The victims were rushed to the DMC Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. The bus driver has been booked. Ravneet Singh Bittu, Member of Parliament from Ludhiana; Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly; HS Phoolka, Aam Aadmi Party leader, and several other leaders rushed to the accident site and expressed solidarity with the protesters, who blocked the road and raised slogans against what they termed road terrorism by the ruling family. Darshan Singh Shivalik, MLA from Gill, faced a hostile crowd. Jaspinder Singh Grewal, general secretary, Small-Scale Bus Operators Association, has condemned the incident. Lucknow, August 19 Muzaffarnagar riot accused firebrand BJP MLA from Sardhana in Meerut, Sangeet Som, has now compared the Assembly election in his constituency to a war between India and Pakistan. Taking polarisation of voters on the lines of religion to a new low, Som has asked people to unitedly back him in his constituency as it was like a war between India and Pakistan. His contender in the electoral battle is former minister Haji Yaqoobs son Imran, who is contesting on a BSP ticket. The video of his speech given at a public function in Sardhana has gone viral after it was released by Samajwadi Party MLC Arun Pradhan, accusing the BJP MLA of polluting the political environment ahead of the Assembly poll. Distancing itself from its MLAs statement, state BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya refused to comment saying that he was getting the statement examined. The BJP legislator earlier was accused of making inflammatory speeches during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar communal riots which left more than 50 persons dead, although he denied playing any role. TNS Los Angeles, August 18 The US is set to cede power of the Internets naming system to a non-profit organisation on October 1, ending the almost 20-year process to hand over a crucial part of the Internets governance. The Domain Naming System, DNS, is one of the Internets most important components. It pairs the easy-to-remember web addresses with their relevant servers. Without DNS, one would only be able to access websites by typing in its IP address, a series of numbers such as 194.66.82.10. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) More by circumstance than intention, the US has always had ultimate say over how the DNS is controlled but not for much longer, the BBC reported today. The US will give up its power fully to Los Angles-based ICANN the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers a non-profit organisation. The terms of the change were agreed upon in 2014, but it wasnt until now that the US said it was finally satisfied that ICANN was ready to make the change. ICANN will take charge of Internets naming system on October 1, the report said. Users of the web will not notice any difference because ICANN has essentially been doing the job for years. But its a move that has been fiercely criticised by some US politicians as opening the door to the likes of China and Russia to meddle with a system that has always been protected by the US. The proposal will significantly increase the power of foreign governments over the Internet, warned a letter signed by Republican senators, including former presidential hopeful, Ted Cruz. ICANN was created in 1998 to take over the task of assigning web addresses. Until that point, that job was handled by one man Jon Postel. He was known to many as the God of the Internet, a nod to his power over the Internet. Postel, who died not long after ICANN was created, was in charge of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). Its administration was contracted to ICANN, but the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) kept its final say over what it was able to do. It is that final detail that is set to change from October. PTI Washington, August 19 The US has accepted more than 53,000 Hindu refugees since 2005, almost all from Bhutan, the State Department has said. Between 2005 and August this year, as many as 53,662 Hindu refugees 53,015 from Bhutan have been accepted into the US. Of the rest 647, Sri Lanka topped the list with 383, followed by Nepal (144), Myanmar (95), India (11), Pakistan (six), Vietnam (five), Bangladesh (two) and Cambodia (one). The latest figures from the State Department suggest the maximum number of Hindu refugees 11,836 came to the country in 2009, followed by 9,190 in 2011, 8,401 in 2010, 7,380 in 2012 and 6,296 in 2008. This year, 1,234 Hindu refugees have entered America so far, of whom 1,181 are from Bhutan and 36 from Sri Lanka, suggests the data obtained from the State Departments Refugee Processing Center. Comparatively, according to Pew Research Center, the US has received 28,957 Muslim refugees so far in fiscal year 2016, or nearly half (46 per cent) of more than 63,000 refugees who have entered the country since the fiscal year began on October 1 last year. That means already this year, the US has admitted the highest number of Muslim refugees of any year since data on self-reported religious affiliations first became publicly available in 2002, the research center said. After Muslims, Christians are the second-largest group of refugees to the US so far this fiscal year; 27,556 Christian refugees have entered the country, nearly as many as the number of Muslim refugees. A slightly lower share of this years refugees were Christian, 44 per cent than Muslim, the first time that has happened since fiscal 2006. PTI WHITEHALL -- A chronic case of uranium showing up in Whitehalls two public wells is forcing the town of about 1,000 people to look for money to solve the problem. Residents do not need to use an alternative water supply and the uranium is not an immediate risk, according to the city. Whitehall, however, will likely need to drill a new well or install treatment in the existing wells, Kristi Ponozzo, director of public policy at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, said Tuesday. She also confirmed that the situation is not acute. Mayor Dale Davis said Tuesday that he doesnt know where the town will get the money to treat the problem. We dont know what were going to do, Davis said. This is the fourth time Whitehall has gotten dinged by the DEQ for having uranium rates over the drinking water limit in its water supply. The problem began in early fall 2015. Whitehalls two public wells were most recently sampled July 12. DEQ received the sample results electronically after 5 p.m. Aug. 2, DEQ spokeswoman Lisa Peterson said. DEQ notified the town by Aug. 4. The samples showed the uranium level measured 46 parts per billion at the Division Street well. The Fire Hall well came in one point above the maximum level for uranium, which is 30 parts per billion. Most ingested uranium is eliminated from the body, but studies indicate that drinking water with elevated levels of uranium over time can affect the kidneys, according to a DEQ fact sheet. A flier from the city mailed to residents to tell them of the uranium situation says that for some, drinking water containing uranium in excess over many years can increase risk of cancer and kidney toxicity. Naturally occurring uranium has low levels of radioactivity, according to the DEQ fact sheet. Uranium is naturally occurring in this part of Montana and the cause is the bedrock; the problem is not due to any change the town has made to its water supply or wells. Peterson said 1,100 people drink from Whitehalls groundwater wells. Ponozzo said DEQ is sampling Whitehalls water quarterly. Peterson said DEQ doesnt know why uranium is showing up in the water supply now and wasnt a few years ago. She said it could have had to do with a shift in the bedrock. Other well systems throughout Montana have shown uranium exceeding the limits, Ponozzo said. The town of Whitehall has notified DEQ that the town is hiring an engineering firm to assist in developing a plan to pursue grants and find other funding sources. Whitehall has asked for more time to work on creating a solution and is providing bi-weekly progress reports to DEQ, according to Ponozzo. How long the town has to get back into compliance will depend on which type of solution the town chooses. Peterson said there are two common types of treatment for the problem. One is reverse osmosis, which filters water through a membrane. The other is ion exchange, which removes the uranium through a chemical reaction. Ashok Kaura Phagwara, August 19 Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today asked Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal not to rest on his laurels over the state Governor being reappointed the Chandigarh Administrator, instead he should assert states complete claim on Chandigarh. Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the Halqe Vich Captain programme, he said, The way Badal is reacting over the Central Governments decision to reverse the appointment of a separate Administrator hints that he has forgotten that Chandigarh actually belongs to Punjab. Asked to comment on Badals statement that the 2017 elections would be the fought between pro and anti-Punjab forces, he said, There cannot be a bigger enemy of Punjab than the Badals. The way the Badals have looted and robbed the state for 10 years makes them eligible for the enemy number one of Punjab title. He asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to clarify on the charges of his NGO Parivartan being funded by the Ford Foundation and the CIA. He said AAPs graph had taken a dip with senior leaders revealing how they were asked to pay Rs 50 lakh for the party ticket. About estranged BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhus possibility of joining the Congress, he said he was always welcome. Sidhu has the Congress DNA in him and he will always be better off in the Congress than any other party, he said. About the list of party candidates for the forthcoming elections, he said the PPCC would finalise its recommendations in the next 10 days after which the party high command would take the final call. During an interaction with party workers, he said if voted to power, the Congress would provide five-marla plots to the homeless and eradicate the scourge of drugs within four weeks. Tribune News Service Baba Bakala, August 18 Prominent political parties today sounded the poll bugle at their conferences on the occasion of Rakhar Punia here. The ruling SAD-BJP alliance came up with its report card, banking on its development work and social welfare schemes. It also attacked AAP and the Congress terming both parties anti-Punjab. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the Assembly elections would be a fought between pro- and anti-Punjab forces. If the SAD-BJP alliance is voted to power again, the state will witness unprecedented development, but if anti-Punjab forces like the Congress and AAP got a chance, the state will face the worst of its time. Be extra cautious in chosing between foes and friends, he said. He alleged that the successive Congress governments at the Centre had denied the state right over Punjabi-speaking areas, its capital Chandigarh and even its legitimate share of river waters. Similarly, the CM cautioned the people not to get swayed by AAPs false promises. He listed major initiatives taken by the SAD-BJP government, including free power and interest-free loans to farmers, regularising the services of contractual employees etc. Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal said if AAP was voted to power there would keep on clashing with the Centre and hit the states growth. Manish Sirhindi Tribune News Servce Patiala, August 19 Former Akali Minister Harmail Singh Tohra has accused SAD president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal of denying him the party ticket on the grounds that his family did not have enough money to contest the elections. Tohra started showing signs of dissidence after his wife Kuldeep Kaur was removed from the post of halqa incharge of Patiala II constituency and former Akali rebel Satbir Singh Khattar was appointed in her place. Tohra said during a recent meeting with Sukhbir Badal he was told that as he did not have enough money to contest the elections, so he should not stake claim for the party ticket. He alleged the party leadership was not keen on fielding honest candidates, but those with money power. He said it was apparent that SAD tickets were also being sold. He said the party had deviated from panthic values and now its sole aim was to grab power. Panthic and loyal workers of the party had been ignored and it would have to face the consequences in the next elections, he said. He said he had enough evidence to highlight misdoings of the party leadership and would make it public in the coming months. Washington, August 19 An Indian-American couple has donated USD 100,000 to a top American university to support graduate students studying Sikh and Punjabi culture there. The endowment by Harkeerat and Deepta Dhillon, to University of California, Riverside, will help attract graduate students with an interest in Sikh and Punjabi culture, and support fieldwork on Sikh communities in the United States, the univestity said in a statement. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) This gift is a testament to their commitment to higher education, their passion for the arts and humanities, and their desire to expand the knowledge base about Sikh and Punjabi culture, said Milagros Pena, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. The Harkeerat and Deepta Dhillon Endowed Research Award for Sikh and Punjabi Studies in the Arts and Humanities will provide much-needed support for dissertation research and writing on arts and humanities topics that relate to Sikh and Punjabi culture, said Pashaura Singh, professor, Jasbir Singh Saini Endowed Chair of Sikh and Punjabi Studies, and chair of the Department of Religious Studies. Dhillon, a prominent Riverside orthopaedic and hand surgeon, had earlier helped raise funds needed to launch the endowed chair in Sikh Studies in 2008. We believe that establishing this award will enhance the belief that this is an educational institute that recognises diversity and teaches diversity, he said. PTI Tribune News Service Dehradun, August 19 Guest teachers of government schools held a silent protest march here today in support of their demand for regular jobs. The protesters wearing black ribbons in their forearms gathered at the Parade Ground. The march passed through Lansdowne Chowk and Survey Chowk to Rajpur Road before culminating back at the Parade Ground. During the rally, the protesters tried to storm the state Congress office but were stopped by the police and Congress workers. Vivek Yadav, president of the Uttarakhand Guest Teachers Association (Madhyamik), led the protest march. He accused Chief Minister Harish Rawat of failing to keep his promise of regularising the services of guest teachers. During Presidents rule, when Harish Rawat was out of office, he himself came to our dharna site at the Parade Ground and promised regular jobs to guest teachers. He returned to power but the promise is yet to be kept, he said. They would hold a march to the Secretariat in Dehradun tomorrow. Harish Arya, Daulat Jagudi, Mahavir Chauhan and Praveen Thakur took part in the protest. The state government had discontinued the services of as many as 6,000 guest teachers working with various government schools. Tribune News Service Dehradun, August 19 The Uttarakhand High Court has sought a status report from the police and a reply from the CBSE within two weeks in the alleged National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) Phase II paper leak case. The court has also fixed September 5 as the next date of hearing. The CBSE, which had rejected the charge of paper leak, had conducted the NEET Phase II examination on July 24 while the NEET-I exam was held on May 1. The police had nabbed five persons in Haldwani for allegedly conspiring to leak the NEET Phase II paper on July 23, a day ahead of the examination. Following Haldwani arrests, Anshul Sharma, an applicant, had moved the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the NEET Phase 11 examination. The Supreme Court referred Anshul Sharmas plea to the High Court. Taking up the hearing, the single Bench of the Nainital High Court led by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said the matter was serious and directed the CBSE and the Nainital Police to respond within two weeks. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Congress president Kishore Upadhyay has sought Chief Minister Harish Rawats intervention in the matter. We have appealed to the Chief Minister to direct the Uttarakhand Police and the states Advocate General to make all necessary details available to the High Court for a judicious outcome to the matter, as it concerns future of a large number of students. Upadhyay praised the Haldwani police for promptly arresting five persons who were allegedly involved in the NEET II paper leak. Upadhyay had sought an inquiry from the Central Government saying that since the CBSE conducted the exam, it was its responsible for the paper leak. Washington, August 19 Indian-American Congressman Ami Beras 83-year-old father has been jailed for one year and a day for organising a money-laundering scheme that illegally funnelled around $2,60,000 to his sons congressional campaigns in violation of the US federal law. Babulal Bera, a retired chemical engineer who emigrated to the US from India, was handed down the prison term yesterday by US District Judge Troy L Nunley. California Congressman Ami, 51, the only Indian-American lawmaker in the US Congress, was not in the courtroom when the sentence was pronounced. This is more than just a naive person who doesnt know how elections work. The defendants efforts were calculated, Nunley said during the sentencing hearing in Sacramento, California. Earlier in May, Babulal had pleaded guilty to the charges of funnelling around $2,60,000 in illegal contributions to his sons campaign through straw donors. Ami, who has denied that he knew about it, is seeking his third term from a tightly contested seat in California. He won the first two elections after recounting of votes. Pollsters predict a similar closely contested election this year too with his opponent Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones seeking to make this a political issue in the seventh Congressional District of California. Devasted, heartbroken This is one of the most difficult moments my family has ever experienced. My dad is 83-year-old and my mom is 82, and Janine and I are worried about both of my parents. Of course, Im absolutely devastated and heartbroken for how todays decision will impact our entire family. But my father has accepted what he did was wrong, he has taken responsibility and I love him more than words can express, Ami said in a statement after the courts order. PTI New York, August 19 Donald Trumps life-size naked statues were installed across five American cities by an activist art group, which said the controversial Republican presidential candidate should never become the US President. The statues were put up in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Cleveland on Thursday by the group called Indecline, which has lashed out at Trump in the past. Amused and surprised passers-by flocked to take pictures with the statue showing a stern-faced Trump with trademark flock of bright yellow hair and hands folded over a bulging belly. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) A report in NBC News quoted a statement by the group as saying that the hope behind putting up the statues is that Trump is never installed in the most powerful political and military position in the world. It is through these sculptures that we leave behind the physical and metaphorical embodiment of the ghastly soul of one of Americas most infamous and reviled politicians, the group said in a statement. A statue in Manhattans Union Square quickly drew the attention of people before it was removed by the citys parks department. While several people took pictures with the statue, others shouted anti-Trump slogans. The New York City Parks Department told the report, NYC Parks stands firmly against any unpermitted statues in city parks, no matter how small. Trumps campaign declined to comment on the statues. The group said statues on the West Coast were still in place. In San Francisco, onlookers stopped to take photos with the statue in the gay neighbourhood of the Castro District, according to the report. The statues have been designed by sculptor Joshua Monroe, also known as Ginger, who was once a Trump supporter. Ginger told Pix11News that he, at one point, believed in Trump but disapproved of him when he mocked a New York Times reporters muscular disorder during a campaign speech in November last year. PTI Washington, August 19 Controversial Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump says he regretted causing personal pain to people sometimes by not choosing the right words and uttering the wrong thing even as his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton termed his remark a mere well-written phrase. Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues, Trump said at an election rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also said that he was not a politician. I have worked in business, creating jobs and rebuilding neighbourhoods my entire adult life. Ive never wanted to learn the language of the insiders, and Ive never been politically correct it takes far too much time, and can often make more difficult, the 70-year-old tycoon said. But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth. I speak the truth for all of you, and for everyone in this country who doesnt have a voice. I speak the truth on behalf of the factory worker who lost his or her job, Trump asserted. Trump said his only interest is the American people. So while sometimes I can be too honest, Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite: she never tells the truth. One lie after another, and getting worse each passing day, he said. In a late-night statement, the Clinton Campaign said Trump has much for which he should apologise. Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. We learned tonight that his speech writer and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologise, said Christina Reynolds from the Clinton Campaign. Naked statues of Trump Trumps life-size naked statues were installed across five American cities by an activist art group, which said he should never become the President. Amused passers-by flocked to take pictures with the statue showing a stern-faced Trump with trademark flock of bright yellow hair and hands folded over a bulging belly. The group called Indecline, which has lashed out at Trump in the past, was quoted as saying the hope behind putting up statues is that Trump is never installed in the most powerful position. PTI Voters confidence in Trump, Hillary still low BILLINGS -- U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said its easier to justify to his Senate colleagues the expense of fighting wildfires in the West if hes seen those operations first-hand. Thats one reason the Montana Democrat took a 60-minute tour this week of interagency dispatch and firefighting facilities at Billings Logan International Airport. Aviation and Transit Director Kevin Ploehn and Irv Leach, fire management officer for the Bureau of Land Managements Billings office, helped lead the tour for Tester and his staff. Nothing comes without a price tag, Tester said following the Wednesday tour, which also included an up-close look at a Conair fire tanker aircraft. Tester noted that the U.S. Forest Service and BLM must spend an ever-growing share of their budgets each year fighting fires. Such visits as Wednesday's tour help you realize that funding has to be done efficiently. Dispatchers chatted with Tester and his staff as Leach and Angie Pollock, the assistant manager, explained how firefighters and resources are dispatched throughout Eastern Montana. Operating out of five work stations, each equipped with three monitors, dispatchers are sometimes called upon to work 16-hour shifts during the busy fire season. Were like family in here, Pollock explained. Next door at the firefighting facility, dozens of firefighters stood alongside their fire equipment to welcome Tester and answer his questions. Many firefighters also hold down other jobs, including a handful who are Billings firefighters. A group of 20 BLM firefighters all of them military veterans were hired this year, Leach said, under a special funding program. Not only do veterans bring a quality work ethic to firefighting, he said, but they understand the chain of command, which is vital in firefighting. A tanker parked on an apron adjacent to an airport runway can drop retardant in swaths between 50-100 feet from an altitude as low as 200 feet. To date, about 350,000 gallons of retardant has been pumped. That number, fire officials told Tester, is about average. Tester and other political leaders all come to see what we have going on, Leach said. It gives them a better understanding of our fire programs. That way they can speak (to their colleagues) from a firefighters standpoint. Its a better education than having a third party giving him the information. DECATUR Changes at a Caterpillar Inc. plant in North Carolina will result in shifting some work to the company's Decatur facility. Caterpillar plans to relocate the manufacturing of some components used in large mining trucks from Winston-Salem, N.C. to Decatur. The change is part of the company's efforts to evaluate the most efficient and effective use of its manufacturing footprint. The Winston-Salem facility will be transitioning from a mining to rail facility later this year. Operations there will transfer to Progress Rail, a wholly-owned Caterpillar subsidiary. Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe said Friday the announcement is an encouraging sign about the company's commmitment to the city. They have put a ton of money into this plant, Moore Wolfe said. This sends a good message to our community. This is good news for us. We need this. Uncertainty about the plant's future has swirled around the community as Caterpillar confirmed earlier this week layoffs have been occurring at its factory operations in Decatur. It did not confirm the number or types of workers involved, or say when the latest round of job cuts started. The company did not say if any jobs would be moving to Decatur from North Carolina. However, it does expect a total workforce reduction of up to 155 positions associated with its room and pillar business, which is being impacted with changes at its Houston, Penn. facility. Caterpillar is exploring the possible closure of that facility. It said the reduction will allow it to more closely align employment levels with current end-market demand. Caterpillar also said approximately 40 positions will be eliminated in Denison, Texas as a result of its track drill exit and other facility restructuring. We are targeting our investments within the mining product portfolio to concentrate on those areas with the highest profitability potential, said Denise Johnson, group president with responsibility for Resource Industries. At the same time, we continue to manage through the longest down-cycle in our history. We know these ongoing restructuring actions are not easy on our workforce. I'm grateful for our team's ongoing dedication. The room and pillar underground mining products under strategic review include continuous miners, feeder breakers, coal haulage systems, highwall miners, roof bolters, utility vehicles and diesel vehicles. While under review, Caterpillar plans to stop taking new orders. Production of track drills will be discontinued and no new orders will be taken. These moves, which align with Caterpillar's ongoing restructuring, will allow us to focus resources on those areas of the business that provide the highest, sustainable growth and best long-term returns, Johnson said. Caterpillar remains committed to an extensive mining product portfolio. We firmly believe mining is an attractive long-term industry, and we continue to invest in a broad range of products, both surface and underground. The company and its dealers remain committed to existing customers and will support those room and pillar and track drill fleets currently in operation. Rolf Lockwood Every once in a while, I get talking to a civilian who asks about trucking. Depending on their intellectual wattage, the questions dribble away pretty fast. I do chat with brighter lights, of course, but almost nobody on the four-wheel side of the street seems to have a clue. Not long ago I found myself in the midst of one such chat with a guy who understood zip about our game, but he was curious. He asked me about truck safety and driver fatigue and such. Ive been through this a zillion times, enough to know that things can go one of two ways, depending largely on the kind of car the other person drives. Seriously. In this case, I happened to know that his wheels were dull a green Toyota sedan, a very bad sign in the present context. Ownership of any such car implies that the road is no source of excitement. Had it been an old Z28, no sweat. You get the picture. I assumed he had likely swallowed a lot of crap about trucking in the mainstream press. He was a smart guy, though, so I employed a little flair. I went through all the usual statistical stuff that shows how safe we really are per mile traveled, how more commuters fall asleep at the wheel than truck drivers do. And then I attacked. I said, If theres a problem on the highways, its your fault. My fault? Yeah, yours. It all comes down to watermelons, I told him. He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes, looking a little taken aback. Toyota drivers dont smoke, bless their clean souls, but it was the kind of moment where people like me light up a cigarette and hunker down a little. Watermelons, he said. Not a question. Yep, I retorted. You want your watermelons fresh, right? Of course, he said. And you want em cheap, right? Well, yes, he replied. So its to your advantage that the trucker who drags those watermelons from Arkansas or Mississippi should do it fast and cheap, right? And the guy who does it fastest and cheapest will sell his load first and head south for more before the next guy, right? Well, sure, he said, but I dont want anyone breaking his neck on my behalf. Ah, yes, I countered, but do you have any idea about what has to happen to bring those melons to your table? Do you really even care? Your only priorities are already established here fresh and cheap, end of story. The conversation went on at some length, and of course I switched watermelons to cars and lumber and all the other things that he might buy as an ordinary consumer. In an era when the customer is king, the solitary truck driver is always the one at the end of the line. The one forced to perform, regardless, because Joe Consumer wants it now and wants it cheap. I wasnt whining on your behalf. I was just telling him the way it is. The way its been for ages. And all the while I was thinking of those suits in charge who aim to change the regulations that govern your lives without talking to drivers and dispatchers and other folks in the trenches. Without understanding watermelons. Earlier this month, a cable news station discussed a suspected sharp drawdown of stocks in the month of August. However, these opinions should be viewed with a questioning eye because conflicting data may support a different view. The financial media has been disseminating that an August swoon is imminent, holding that August is the worst month of the year and implying that it is always down. Of course, that statement circulated by the financial media caused selling which put downward pressure on the market. This comes at a time when fears from Brexit and Chinas decline have been easing somewhat. However, we have continuing timid economic growth and have encountered the new fears of mounting global terrorism and increasing election uncertainty at home. Be aware that it is not uncommon for the market to encounter false influences. As a financial adviser, I believe its important to question the media and decide for myself and my clients what is true after my own research. In this case, Ive found that it is incorrect that the market is always down in August. While there are many reasons to think the market could be down some at this point before it goes higher, it may be true most of the time after a market advance. The market may have a shakeout soon, but I expect it to recover. I dont believe it is the best idea to sell all now and buy back in a month and advise my clients along these lines as well. Timing the market is very difficult, and basing decisions simply on the calendar is rarely an advisable action. In my opinion, the financial media is often influenced by information they hear from hedge funds and institutional investment managers. While that may seem reasonable, as the sources are so knowledgeable, some of the data may be disseminated by the source in an effort to influence the market for their benefit. Some of the biggest manipulators in the world are statisticians with hidden agendas. These opinion leaders are capable of altering the formulas, data or timing to misdirect and support a conclusion that is deceptive and not actually true. The financial media, unaware of any hidden agenda, may inadvertently pass the information on to the public, thereby influencing the market. Consumers should be aware of this and factor it into any decision-making. Ddecide for yourself what it may mean for you and your investments, taking into account your own goals, time horizon and comfortable risk parameters. The truth is that although August may be one of the months with the average worst returns of the year, it is not always down. Performance data from the S&P 500 for the last 19 years shows it was up in 10 years and down nine years. Whats more, in the last 10 years it was up six times and down only four times, which means it was up in 60 percent of the years. The most important note is that since 2000 the month of August has not been down any two years in a row. That is important since the month of August was down last year. That may make it look like a given to be up this year, but we all know there are no certainties. However, the data is definitive that August is not always down. So my opinion is that if this leads to a significant market drawdown, then you should consider taking advantage of such a turn. My guess is that the institutional investors will be doing just that in spite of what the financial media might be saying . OKLAHOMA CITY Craft brewers and others on Friday packed an ABLE Commission meeting, asking the agency to revisit its interpretation of a new state law to allow them to sell strong beer on premises. Keith Burt, Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission director, said the agency has interpreted the recently passed Senate Bill 424 to mean breweries can sell strong beer only for consumption off premises. But brewers, a lawmaker and others said the legislative intent was to allow breweries to sell strong beer for consumption on and off the brewery premises. Burt said the agency has asked for guidance from Attorney General Scott Pruitts office. In anticipation of the request for an official opinion, the Attorney Generals Office has expedited our review process and is currently researching the issue, a spokesman for Pruitts office said in a statement. We intend to respond with a formal opinion next week, prior to the law taking effect. Brewers told commissioners that they had invested a lot of money in their facilities in anticipation of being able to sell strong beer by the glass when the law takes effect Aug. 26. An interpretation to the contrary would hurt small-business owners, they said. The House author of the measure, Rep. Cory Williams, D-Stillwater, told commissioners that people had made important financial decisions based on an understanding that consumption would be on premises. He said that although the language of the measure may not be perfect, getting an alcohol bill through the Capitol was a tough task. He urged the commission to come to a speedy resolution. Im frustrated because at the end of July we had conversation and it was interpreted the way we thought it would be for the on-premises consumption, Williams said after the meeting. A week from implementation, a lot of brewers had done significant financial outlays and/or have planned parties to celebrate the passage and implementation. Zach Prichard, president of Krebs Brewing, said that after the measures passage, his company intended to open in Oklahoma City. While the language in the measure is not perfect, its intent was known, he said. Eric Marshall, founder of Tulsa-based Marshall Brewing Co., also spoke. I thought it was a great showing of not only local breweries and planning, but concerned citizens to voice their opinion on an informal ruling that takes a very restrictive stance towards the implementation of Senate Bill 424, Marshall said after the meeting. I think that is ultimately a good thing when citizens are concerned and hope that the commission and the AG office listen to the voice of the people. ABLE Commission Chairman H. Trey Kouri III said he took three pages of notes. Your comments will not go unheard, he said. Burt said the ABLE Commission just recently became aware that brewers wanted to be able to sell strong beer for consumption at their facilities. He said legislative intent is important. I hope it goes their way, he said. State regulators are directing two disposal wells near a surge in earthquake activity around Luther to shut down, while another 19 are to further reduce volumes from earlier mitigation efforts. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission in a news release Friday said its latest steps are in addition to the widespread 40 percent volume reduction plans completed by the end of May. The two wastewater wells within three miles of the seismicity will be shut down on or before Thursday. Another 19 of them within three to 10 miles are to operate at or below the latest reported 30-day average volume, according to the letter sent to well operators. The limit is the particular wells 30-day average, said OCC spokesman Matt Skinner. It varies by well, but the overall volume reduction for the area works out to 26 percent less than the original 40 percent reduction total. Kim Hatfield, chairman of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association induced-seismicity work group, said the latest measures appear to be reasonable and localized, not a shotgun approach that has irked well operators in the past. Hatfield noted that one of the two wells to be shut down has not injected wastewater in the past six months, while the other disposes of only about 1,200 barrels a day. Thats not really considered a large injector, he said, adding that most of the wells of interest to scientists inject 2,500 to 7,500 barrels per day. Hatfield noted the well that has been injecting but slated for shutdown is of particular interest because its close to a preferentially oriented fault. In other words, its next to a fault that is more apt to produce man-made seismicity based on its alignment. Earthquake activity The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude-4.0 temblor at 8:34 a.m. Wednesday about five miles east-northeast of Luther at a depth of three-fourths of a mile. In the past seven days, three other quakes of magnitudes 3.5, 2.8 and 2.5 have registered in the area. Going back 30 days, an additional four quakes have occurred there, including another magnitude-4.0 quake on Aug. 10. Overall, seismicity has declined significantly this year compared to 2015. But Luther in Oklahoma County and Fairview in Major County are areas that have not shaken that trend. In 2015, Oklahoma chalked up 480 quakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater (14 of 4.0 or larger) from Jan. 1 through June 30. That year concluded with 902 quakes of 3.0 and 28 of 4.0 or more both state records. Through the midpoint of 2016, the state tallied about 394 temblors of 3.0 or greater (seven of 4.0 or larger). Studies and regulations The Oklahoma Geological Survey, in conjunction with the oil and gas industry, recently started dropping instrumentation into a handful of inactive wells to begin logging data on water pressures and densities. A crucial part of whats in question is whether rate and pressure, or the volume of wastewater disposed, are most correlated with man-made quakes. Theres a general agreement that saltwater injection into disposal wells is correlated with induced seismicity, but the specific mechanisms are up for debate. Better understanding of those mechanisms could lead to improved industry regulations or well practices that in theory would significantly reduce the likelihood of induced quakes. The World in mid-January reported on an OGS study that showed an 81 percent jump from 2009 to 2014 in wastewater volumes pumped back underground from oil and gas activities. The rise coincides with the states leap in seismicity. Even more strikingly, wastewater injected into the Arbuckle formation ballooned 141 percent in the same period. Arbuckle wells are the target of concern because that sub-ground layer contacts the states granite rock basement, which has critically stressed faults in it. The study noted wastewater volumes expanded to 1.538 billion barrels in 2014 from 849 million in 2009. Arbuckle volumes leaped to 1.047 billion barrels in 2014 from 434 million barrels in 2009. For additional perspective, one barrel is 42 gallons. Officials say data indicate about 1 million barrels less a day of wastewater is being sent back into Oklahomas deepest wells as of the end of May. The plans for large-scale wastewater volume cutback unveiled in February and March by state regulators were completed in May. Well operators were to drop volumes by 40 percent based on 2014 levels. A USGS study released in March put Oklahoma at the countrys forefront in potential hazards from induced earthquakes, with ground-shaking risks similar to California. The quake forecast covers through 2016, with the Fairview area topping the charts at a 10 percent to 12 percent shot of experiencing a damaging temblor. A significant swatch of central and north-northwestern Oklahoma was placed at a 5 percent to 10 percent chance. The third-strongest quake in state history a 5.1-magnitude northwest of Fairview already had struck by mid-February. Hatfield said that while the latest mitigation measures appear reasonable, well operators arent smiling about more restrictions. The general feeling is not real happy about (the evolving regulations), Hatfield said. Its kind of like you have a root canal; youre not happy about it, but you need it. Its hard to get excited and jump up and down about it. Thousands of students throughout the area returned to school Thursday, as several suburban districts opened their doors for the new year. Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, Sapulpa, Bartlesville and Claremore all started classes. At Broken Arrows Highland Park Elementary, cars were parked along the side of the road and on the grass in some areas, as parents chose to walk their children to the door on their first day rather than drop them off. Grandparents and younger siblings in strollers could also be seen in the halls, and children carrying still-empty backpacks were showing signs of both apprehension and excitement. A few could be seen holding flowers for their teachers. In one classroom, students were working on an assignment asking them to write about their summer. Thursday was also the first day the districts new start times and bus schedules went into effect. Broken Arrow had to make the change to address a growing student population that was putting stress on the transportation system. The change moved the district from a two-bell system to a three-bell system, meaning elementary, middle and high school now all have different start times. The biggest change came at the middle school level, where students are starting more than a half-hour later than last year. District spokeswoman Shelli Holland-Handy said the new times are an improvement for most students. Kids will be spending less time on the bus, she said. Superintendent Jarod Mendenhall said the old system was causing a variety of issues, including kids being dropped off by late-arriving buses, as well as having to sometimes wait as long as 40 minutes after school for a bus to pick them up for their route home. Were doing it for the right reasons, Mendenhall said of the change. The changes will also increase the districts efficiency and save money on fuel and drivers during a time of education funding cuts, when all savings matter. More than 60 percent of the districts student population which has surpassed 19,000 rides buses. Mendenhall spent time visiting several schools on Thursday. He said two of the biggest things to look forward to at the district this year are a new strategic plan and a recommendation on the high school configuration process. Mendenhall, who took the helm at Broken Arrow in 2010, said this will be the second strategic plan process the district has undertaken since he started as superintendent. He said all stakeholders will have a place at the table during the process. As for the high school configuration process, a committee has been researching how best to address the growing population at the districts one high school. The options being considered are adding a high school, separating the high school into academies like a fine arts academy, or a STEM academy or dividing the high school population into grade centers. Mendenhall said a recommendation will be made in the spring. In Owasso, high school students started their year with a Chromebook computer in hand. Assistant Superintendent Amy Fichtner, who spent the day visiting school sites, said this is the first year the students received their own Chromebook. Last year, the devices were used in class sets. This year each (student) had it issued to them, that way they can utilize it in all of their classrooms, she said. Fichtner said the new language arts textbooks are on the devices, and each year as the district purchases new books, textbooks for other subjects will be digital. The district started the year with all staff vacancies filled, Fichtner said. She said the effects of the budget cuts will not be visible to most parents this year, because class sizes have increased only incrementally. Fichtner said the district, which has just under 10,000 students, is renewing its focus on STEM activities. She said the states reduction of high-stakes testing will allow districts to focus on giving students richer experiences. It gives us back instructional time, so that is a tremendous benefit for our students, she said. The remaining districts will start their academic years within the week. Jenks students return to school Friday, Tulsa and Union students return on Monday, and Sand Springs students will start classes on Tuesday. Every day that we get closer to Nov. 8, the pressure builds on Gov. Mary Fallin and the Oklahoma Republican leadership. Right now they have two problems and 140.8 million possible solutions, but thats not nearly enough. Here are the governors Nov. 8 problems: 1. State Question 779 University of Oklahoma President David Borens plan to raise the state sales tax 1 percent and use the money to fix the funding problems of education goes before voters. 2. Statewide, Republican incumbent legislators will face Democratic teachers, retired teachers, school superintendents, school board members and other pro-education candidates in a year when voters from one end of the country to the other have been opting for change in any way its offered. If Fallin wants her last two years in office to be as comfortable as her first six, she needs to do something to address both of those problems and the sooner the better. Thats why shes been talking about a special session of the Legislature, but shes 159.2 million solutions short of making that work. The solutions, of course, are money. Fallin starts out with $140.8 million. Thats the amount of money that was left in the state bank account on June 30, the end of the states fiscal year. That surplus was the odd result of a series of deficits. Twice during the budget year, Fallins crew figured there wasnt going to be enough state revenue to fund all the spending the Legislature appropriated. So, as is required by the state Constitution, Fallins money people declared a revenue failure and cut the amount of money going out to state agencies proportionally until the checkbook balanced. The first time, appropriations were cut 3 percent. It wasnt enough. The second cut took an additional 4 percent. That was too much. The year ended and there was $140.8 million left over. By law, Fallin and the Republican leaders have two choices: Give the money to the agencies in the same proportion that it was taken from their appropriations or call the Legislature back to the Capitol. If you call the Legislature back, it can appropriate the money any way it sees fit, including giving it all to schools to undercut the Boren plan and those pesky school teacher candidates. Heres a critical point: Those appropriations cuts caused a lot of things to not get done in state government. Were most familiar with the impact on schools, where districts cut teachers and started closing for the week on Thursday afternoon. But all state agencies did 7 percent less than they had planned to do with whatever appropriations they were supposed to get. Thousands of poor people who should have been able to get mental health services from the state, didnt. Colleges and universities cut student services and eliminated course offerings. And the problems that started last year got rolled into this years budget too. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol leadership says they dont know how theyre going to make it through the current year without laying off troopers. The state prison system says it either gets more money or ... they dont know what happens. They just have to have more money. Heres another critical point: There wont be $140.8 million left over after this years budget. Its all spoken for. So, if you spend it on something that would still be an expense the next year like a teacher pay raise you better have an idea where that moneys coming from in the future. But thats next years problem. Right now, the governor has $140 million to deal with and, facing what could be an education wave election in November, she wants to do something big for schools. Something like a $5,000 teacher pay raise, the same size raise SQ 779 promises. To get there, she needs roughly $300 million. She got 140.8 million solutions, but she need 159.2 million more. Theres lots of means to those ends available to Fallin and the Republican leaders, but most of them are uncomfortable to people running for re-election because they involved higher taxes. The most obvious starting point: the $1.50-a-pack cigarette tax increase Fallin has previously endorsed, but which got submarined late in the legislative session by Republicans and Democrats. Interestingly, Fallin is alone in this $159.2 million hunt, at least publicly. When she first announced she was considering a special session to do something for schools with the budget surplus, there was a notable silence. There werent any Republican legislators running up to the microphone to say that a special session sounded like a good idea to them. In fact, some said it was a bad idea. Seven weeks after the end of the fiscal year, things havent moved forward any. Fallin says shes still working on a plan, and theres still no one on her side who seems to be on her side. Meanwhile, theres a lawsuit pending that seeks to force her to just give the money to the agencies that would have gotten it if it hadnt been for the overambitious budget rollback. Somewhere in Fallins office, theres someone working the phone furiously, trying to come up with a deal that can fly through a quicky one-week special session with the intended result of making every voting parent feels a little bit better about their local public school on Nov. 8. Until then, Mary Fallin has 140.2 million solutions, but not nearly enough. OKLAHOMA CITY The new chief of a state drug interdiction agency on Thursday told prosecutors he wants to put more agents into rural areas. John Scully was recently tapped to head the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, replacing Darrell Weaver, who retired in November. Scully has been on the job since his March retirement from the Oklahoma City Police Department, where he was a deputy chief. He told a meeting of the District Attorneys Council that he has 140 employees, 90 of whom are agents. Of those agents, 48 percent have offices at the Oklahoma City headquarters, he said. He wants to send more agents into rural areas. The smaller communities I do think need help, Scully said. The agency has district offices in Ardmore, Lawton, McAlester, Tulsa and Woodward. It also has 15 regional offices. I want to get out there and help rural law enforcement as much as possible, he said. Scully added that he would not ignore the states metropolitan areas. With agents all over the state, the agency will be a support unit for prosecutors, Scully said. Meanwhile, prosecutors discussed the need for additional funding to improve the salaries of assistant district attorneys and other employees. Suzanne McClain Atwood, the councils executive coordinator, said one of the biggest needs is to increase pay for assistant district attorneys who can earn more by seeking employment elsewhere. Prosecutors expressed concerns about submitting a budget when it is uncertain how much money will be available for the next fiscal year. They must make their budget requests by Oct. 1. Budget problems have forced state agencies to make repeated cuts. Lawmakers had $1.3 billion less in crafting a fiscal year 2017 budget. Some predict the next Legislature again will face budget problems. Atwood said she will seek a meeting with state finance officials in an effort to obtain more information about the states upcoming budget situation. VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis on Wednesday named an American to head the new Vatican office for families and laity as part of his aim to bring a more pastoral bent to the Vatican's bureaucracy. Dallas Bishop Kevin Farrell, a former Legion of Christ priest whose brother is also a top Vatican official, becomes one of the highest-ranking Americans at the Holy See. Francis appointed the Irish-born Farrell on Wednesday as he formally created the new Dicastery for the Laity, Families and Life, which combines several Vatican offices into one. The reform is part of Francis' bigger overhaul of the Vatican bureaucracy to make it more efficient and reflects the pope's focus on better ministering to Catholic families and laity. In a related appointment Wednesday, Francis named the former head of the Vatican's office for family matters, Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, to lead the Vatican's bioethics think tank and marriage institute. Combined, the appointments signal a more moderate direction for Vatican offices responsible for hot-button, culture war issues such as life and marriage. Paglia, for example, is a moderate Italian who was responsible for investigating and pushing through the beatification of El Salvador Archbishop Oscar Romero over opposition from Latin American conservatives who accused him of Marxist sympathies. The two institutes which Paglia now heads, the Pontifical Academy for Life and the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, were both created during the pontificate of St. John Paul II to emphasize defense of traditional church teaching opposing abortion, artificial contraception and other life issues. In a statement on the Dallas diocesan website written in both English and Spanish in a reflection of Farrell's Latino flock Farrell said he was humbled by the unexpected appointment and was leaving his home of 10 years with mixed emotions. Farrell, a tweeting and blogging 68-year-old, said he looked forward to promoting the laity and family in accordance with Francis' recent teaching document on family life, "The Joy of Love." The document has been controversial because it opened the door for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion. Farrell and his brother, Brian, were both ordained as priests of the Legion of Christ religious order. Kevin Farrell left the scandal-marred order in the early 1980s and incardinated into the Archdiocese of Washington. Brian Farrell remains a Legion priest and is the No. 2 in the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey wants a permanent and fair solution in the long-standing Cyprus issue. Erdogan said Turkey "sweated and continues to sweat every effort" to find a fair and permanent solution to the Cyprus issue, during a news conference with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' President Mustafa Akinci late Wednesday. "These efforts aim to establish a partnership with two equal communities that can live in the island, within the scope of UN parameters" Erdogan said. It is "obligatory" for Turkey to solve the Cyprus issue by providing "political equality" for Turkish Cypriot side and providing security and rights of the people, he said. "Resolving the issue will contribute to the region's security, stability and prosperity," Erdogan added. Reunification talks between the Greek and Turkish communities on the island resumed in May 2015 and are expected to be resolved by the end of this year with the formation of a federal administration. Previous negotiations stalled in October 2014 due to a dispute over gas exploration. The eastern Mediterranean island was divided into a Turkish Cypriot state in the north and a Greek Cypriot administration in the south after a 1974 military coup was followed by the intervention of Turkey as a guarantor power. Turing to the Fetullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its leader, Fetullah Gulen, Erdogn said the group was recognized as a terrorist organization by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on July 21 and said FETO and its extensions "cannot find a way to live" in the TRNC. "We hope this attitude will be seen as an example by other friendly countries," Erdogan said. Ankara accuses Gulen of masterminding the failed coup and has sent the U.S. two official requests for his extradition to face trial. Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999. The coup attempt left 240 martyrs in its wake and nearly 2,200 others injured. Akinci said Turkish Cypriots want a deal that will provide the fundaments of any nation. "There will be a total of seven meetings between Aug. 23 and Sept 14. Feeling Turkey's supports gives us power. We will continue our way with your support," Akinci said. "Hope we can achieve an agreement that includes three fundamental elements: Equality, freedom and security, he said. Akinci also hailed Erdogan for standing against the July 15 coup bid. "You showed a great example of leadership that night. We all saw that. Your leadership triggered a true patriotism of Turkish people," Akinci told the Turkish leader. Anadolu Agency Three police officers were martyred in a PKK car-bomb attack on a police station Thursday in eastern Turkey's province of Elazig, the regional governor confirmed. Speaking to reporters regarding the attack, Elazig Governor Murat Zorluoglu said at least 146 people, including civilians, were also hurt in the attack. According to the Health Ministry, some of the injured were in critical condition, who were being treated in local hospitals. Meanwhile, the Radio and Television Supreme Council banned all broadcasts about the deadly attack in the interest of public safety and ongoing police probe. The blast comes hours after two other terrorist attacks hit the eastern city of Van and Hakkari, a province in southeastern Turkey. Three people, including a police officer, died in the Van attack, which also injured over 70 people. Van Governor Ibrahim Tasyapan said PKK terrorists detonated a car bomb near a police station in the city's Ipekyolu district shortly after 11 p.m. [2000 GMT] local time, Wednesday. Tasyapan said a suspect was caught during an operation launched after the attack and confirmed that many buildings in the area had been damaged. In Hakkari, two police officers were hurt in an attack by the PKK, a security source added. The source told Anadolu Agency the officers were wounded when PKK terrorists opened fire on police headquarters in the provinces Semdinli district. The PKK listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015. Since then, more than 600 security personnel have been martyred and more than 7,000 PKK terrorists have been killed. Anadolu Agency Coup plotters planned to escape Turkey using three military aircraft once they realized their July 15 bid to topple the countrys elected government had failed, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Thursday. In remarks made during Anadolu Agency's Editor's Desk meeting in Ankara, Isik said: "They were going to escape from the Akincilar airbase" using three CASA aircraft. According to the minister, if the airfield at the Akincilar airbase had not been hit on the orders of Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, all of the coup plotters would have been abroad today. He termed the night of July 15 as the most important night of Turkeys democracy history. "That night, we confirmed once again that Turkish democracy had reached the level of maturity," he said. He also said 3,725 soldiers from land, naval and air forces, as well as gendarmerie and coast guard, had been dismissed so far. He added 137 soldiers, including nine generals and admirals, were currently on the run following the foiled coup. Turkey's government has said the defeated coup, which left 240 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999, and his FETO network. Gulen is also accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state. About the PKK terrorist group, the defense minister said the PKK must realize the Turkish Republic was now much more powerful today than it was on the night of the July 15. He added that traitors in the Turkish Armed Forces had been substantially cleansed and the PKK would not be able to find any support from inside the military anymore. "Let the PKK and the heads of it think about what is to come [next]," he added. The PKK listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015. Since then, more than 600 security personnel have been martyred and more than 7,000 PKK terrorists have been killed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Thursday a parliamentary delegation from Pakistan, who is on a five-day visit to Turkey to express solidarity with the Turkish people and parliament. During the closed meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Erdogan thanked both houses of the Parliament for unanimously passing resolutions expressing strong support and solidarity with Turkey in defeating the July 15 coup attempt and protecting democracy, according to a press release by the Embassy of Pakistan. The resolutions were passed by the National Assembly and the Senate on August 3. Erdogan described the visit as "very significant," adding '"your support to Turkey in the aftermath of the July 15 coup attempt is exemplary", the statement said. Erdogan told the visiting parliamentarians that he would be visiting Pakistan soon to thank the Pakistani people for their support. The president also condemned the August 8 suicide attack at a hospital in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta which killed at least 70 people. Erdogan sent his condolences to the families of the victims, and expressed Turkey's support in the struggle against terrorism. Head of the 8-member all-party delegation, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, expressed solidarity to Turkey, as well as support for democracy. Sayed praised Erdogan's brave leadership during the coup attempt, and touted him for having taken the initiative to mobilize people to resist the coup bid. Sayed said Pakistan and Turkey had "a special and extraordinary bond" and "are part of the same ummah." Turkey's government has said the defeated coup, which left 240 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999, and his Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) network. Gulen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state. Anadolu Agency Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin decried Thursday European heads of states failure to visit Turkey to express their solidarity following the foiled July 15 coup. "Not a single European head of state has visited Turkey since the failed putsch to express solidarity," Kalin, a top aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said in guest op-ed for Politico.com headlined, Turkey: Brussels, youve got a problem. "The EU portrays itself as a guardian of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, but its weak response to the most serious attack against democracy in any candidate country was disappointing," Kalin added. Kalin said former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt was the "sole exception" who urged Europe to stand up for Turkish democracy. He also criticized Brussels for missing out on Turkeys "newfound spirit of solidarity." Kalin said the coup attempt marked a "turning point" not only for Turkish people but also for relations between Turkey and Brussels. "Some of the first statements from EU leaders were ambiguous, leading to anger and even conspiracy theories," he added. Kalin charged: "Instead of unequivocally condemning the coup and supporting the elected governments efforts to bring the putschists to justice, Europe chose to attack Turkeys leaders for holding the would-be junta accountable for their crimes. "The EUs reputation as an advocate of democracy, human rights and the rule of law is on the line. By giving Turkey the cold shoulder, Brussels not only alienates a major ally; it also betrays its values and principles." He added that Brussels should show "greater sympathy" to the Turkish people, who defended democracy and freedom during the coup attempt. Kalin called on European heads of states to cooperate and communicate "more closely" with Turkish officials before making public statements. "And they must do their homework and recognize the destruction the Gulenists have caused," Kalin added. He stressed that army officers have confessed and admitted that they are members of the Gulenist cult. "It is neither realistic nor ethical to expect Turkey to carry on this fight on its own. The countrys European and American allies should come to its aid. EU membership remains a strategic goal for Turkey, but it takes two to tango," Kalin added. Ankara accuses Fetullah Gulen, the leader of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), of masterminding the failed coup, which left 240 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured. Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999, is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state. Anadolu Agency Anews ticker at Istanbul's International Ataturk Airport displayed a message on Friday which reads, "Travel Warning! Did you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide?" The headline was taken from a report from the Turkish newspaper Gunes and it comes days after Sweden's Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom tweeted on Sunday, "Turkish decision to allow sex with children under 15 must be reversed. Children need more protection, not less, against violence, sex abuse." The allegation regarding child abuse, which have also been raised by a derogatory statement at Vienna International Airport in Austria aswell as the Swedish foreign minister's comments, have revived European anti-Turkish sentiment and led Ankara to make an official complaint. Ankara is angry about a news statement displayed at Vienna International Airport which falsely claimed that Turkey allows sexual intercourse with children under the age of 15. The statement was removed following harsh criticism, and Ankara expressed its "disappointment and denunciation." A written statement from the Foreign Ministry read, "We deplore and strongly condemn that an international airport, located in the center of Europe and used by passengers from different countries, was abused by a discredited newspaper to spread irresponsible, distorted and falsified messages which defame a friendly country and the nation." The Constitutional Court released a statement regarding the false claim late on Monday. "The allegations are baseless," said the court in the statement after explaining the legal aspects of the matter. "Sexual intercourse with and abuse of minors under 15 continue to be classified as crimes under Turkish law," the statement added. The news ticker is courtesy of Kronen Zeitung, an Austrian newspaper that was responsible for a sign urging people not to visit Turkey shortly after the foiled July 15 coup attempt, when the news update at the airport read: "Traveling to Turkey means you are supporting [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan." The statement, a quote from a story in Kronen Zeitung, was removed after the Turkish Embassy in Vienna complained. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom also faced criticism over her remarks. Foreign Minister Cavusoglu criticized Wallstrom's statement, saying that contrary to her claims, Turkey is taking action against child abuse. He added that he will call her to tell her that Turkey is concerned by such statements. Cavusoglu added that Turkey accepts criticism, but lies and slander should not be confused as criticism, and that such remarks reflect rising Islamophobia and anti-Turkish sentiment in Europe. "It is a scandal for a foreign minister to post such a tweet based on false news or speculation." The issue stems from a recent verdict from Constitutional Court that calls for different classification of prison terms for different age groups in cases of child sexual abuse. Recently on Saturday, the Turkish Embassy in Vienna took action based on orders from Foreign Minister Cavusoglu to remove a live ticker at the Vienna airport displaying a provocative statement falsely claiming that Turkey allows sexual intercourse with children under the age of 15. In Turkey, the age of consent is set as 18, in line with the Civil Code. The Turkish Penal Code classifies any kind of sexual activity with minors under 18 who are unable to understand the legal meaning and consequences of such actions as child sexual abuse. Source: Daily Sabah Those who carried out an attempted coup in Turkey were well aware of the U.S.s failure to stymie previous military overthrows, particularly in Egypt, an expert said Wednesday. Shadi Hamid, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said he has no doubt the coup plotters thought to themselves well, hey, in previous coups that happened in the Middle East, including the one in Egypt, what was the U.S. stance? That precedent is a dangerous one that the coup plotters had to be aware of, he said during a SETA Foundation panel discussion in Washington. SETA is a Turkish think tank. If the July 15 coup attempt had been successful then the U.S. would have been indulgent toward the coup plotters, Hamid said, adding, Secretary of State John Kerry harbors a soft spot for dictators. Lets be honest about it, he does, Hamid said. His inclination would have been to make peace with the coup if thats where Turkey was going. Still, Hamid cautioned against conspiracy theories of U.S. complicity in the putsch, noting that President Barack Obama has worked to disentangle the U.S. from the Middle East. To be involved in a coup plot takes a lot of time, effort and attention, and that is not something that Obama could conceivably be involved in from any reasonable standpoint, he said. Relations between Ankara and Washington have soured since rogue members of the Turkish military attempted to overthrow the state last month. Turkey accuses U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen of masterminding the plot, and is actively seeking his extradition so he can face trial in Turkish courts. Turkey's government says the foiled putsch, which left 240 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, was organized by followers of Gulen known as the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). Hamid doubted whether Turkey would grant Gulen a fair trial. Its pretty clear that would not happen, he said. Kadir Ustun, the executive director of the SETA foundations DC office, sought to throw cold water on such concerns, saying PKK leader Abdullah Ocalans trial was certified fair by European observers and the same could be expected for Gulen. A fair trial is perfectly possible. We have actually precedent for that, he said. The Obama administration has insisted on fulfilling legal obligations under a 1981 treaty signed between Washington and Ankara. The administration is right to point to the legal process, I think Turks perfectly understand that, but theres also the political side of this, said Ustun. You need to assure the Turks who are going through this trauma that the U.S. will be there as their ally, politically, but also legally, he added. Anadolu Agency FORSYTH According to the Ecclesiastes, a cord of three strands is not easily broken. When Decatur Christian School teachers arrived at Life Foursquare Church on Thursday for their annual two-day meeting before the first day of school, they received a tube of Aquafresh toothpaste with a three-strand cord tied around it. Our focus is one of those strands being church, one being home and the other being school, said administrator Randy Grigg. All of those strands need to work together if we're going to have the strongest product at the end. We want our kids to come out well, surrounded by the same message at church, at home and at school. The cord was one visual reminder of those three strands, and the toothpaste is in three colors, making it a reminder as well, he said. Classes begin at Decatur Christian on Aug. 22, and teachers meet together for the two days of professional development, fellowship and worship together to start the school year off on the right foot. Their featured speaker this year was Macon-Piatt Special Education District behavioral specialist Lori Kruse, who began her talk with a photo of her family. My family trumps everything, she said. No matter what goes on at work or elsewhere, she said, her family comes first, and she wanted the Decatur Christian teachers to know a little about her so they'd have a connection while she gave her talk. Another part of her story is that she couldn't read in third grade until she encountered a teacher who gave her the confidence and individual attention she needed. Eventually, she became a special education teacher, with certifications in three areas, which is unusual, she said, and today is a behavioral specialist. Her message to the teachers of Decatur Christian: All children can learn, but maybe not on the same day and not in the same way. Every year when we do this, it's always encouraging and recharges me as an educator, that what I'm doing is valuable, said Ginger Artime, who will teach advanced math to juniors and seniors in high school this year. We leave our fingerprints on the lives of young people. The meetings remind her that each child has worth and value as a creation of God, she said, and each has a contribution to make. The small classes make it possible to give each student individual attention, and she's thankful for that. I can tailor my instruction to each child's needs, Artime said. That doesn't mean I lower my standards, but I can speak to each child differently. The goal is to motivate students to (take) responsibility and to know how to thrive. That's our goal, to teach them how to thrive. Not just make it. Thrive. Fans of RuPauls Drag Race have been subjected to legal notices from Foxtel after holding viewing parties using a VPN. Foxtel says any delays to the airdate are due to the production company, World of Wonder. Foxtels legal team sent Melbourne drag queen Karen From Finance an email demanding she shut down her viewing parties of the eighth season of the show. I started a screening party in my backyard in Carlton for season six [in 2014], Karen told Daily Review. I started it because amongst my circles, RuPauls Drag Race was very popular, but we all struggled to find streaming links each week to watch the show. Foxtel shut the party down in March this year, when it moved from her home to the Curtin Bandroom on Lygon Street, Carlton. Drag Race is so popular now that on the day of the screening, you cannot go anywhere near social media or you will have the results spoiled and ruined for you. Nobody waits to watch it on Foxtel she suggested. A Foxtel spokesperson said, We have been told by our distributor (Passion Distribution) that the production company, World of Wonder, is extremely protective of RPDR and will not release materials until after its US telecast date. Plus, file transfer is out of the question, and episodes must be shipped on hard drive, (and Foxtel was told) they are a small company with a tiny post-production department, they simply dont have the machine, staff or bandwidth capacity to do it any other way. The result of this is a delay between the US and Foxtel telecast. We understand the publics frustrations, we love RuPaul too! We are continuing to work with the distributor to ensure a tighter turnaround on all episodes and will advise the Foxtel telecast date as quickly as we can. Karen said she would now focus her line of attack on the Los Angeles based World of Wonder. Source: Daily Revew, Star Observer Its bridal wars in TV land and it just got very dirty. Seven has trumped Nines plans to return Married at First Sight on Monday nights by launching Australias Cheapest Weddings this Monday at 9pm following the premiere of Zumbos Just Desserts. It will now hold a replay of the Closing Ceremony until 10pm (originally due at 9pm). Seven counter-programmed after Nine revealed their hand and gives it gives it a one week advantage over the return of Married at First Sight, due at 8:40pm on Monday August 29. Last year networks promised they would not be copy-catting shows. We didnt believe them then. Standby for Have You Been Paying Attentions Tom Gleisner wearing a bridal veil? Over to you, promo dept. Photo: Stock image. Ukraine expects practical assistance, namely artillery systems, from Germany. Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk said this in an interview with Reuters. "We expect strengthening defensive weapons, artillery positioning systems, intelligence systems," Melnyk said. As reported, this is the only way to strengthen the Ukrainian army. As a reminder, the ruling Germanys Christian Democratic Union supported the idea to provide Ukraine with a larger number of reconnaissance assets and defensive weapons. ol Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, eight soldiers were wounded in ATO area in eastern Ukraine over the past day. Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on the ATO Oleksandr Motuzianyk said this at a briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, eight soldiers were wounded as a result of armed hostilities in ATO area in eastern Ukraine over the past day, he said. The Spokesman noted that the servicemen were killed in Donetsk region. ol The Senate of the U.S. state of California adopted the resolution on the occasion of celebration of Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24, 2016 in the presence of Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Valeriy Chaly. This is reported by the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States. It is noted that the document was supported by the upper chamber of the Californias Senate. The resolution says about the significant contribution of the American citizens of Ukrainian origin to the enrichment of the political, economic and cultural heritage of California. In addition, the document reads about the eternal struggle of the Ukrainian people for freedom and independence and the achievement of the democratic ideals that remain relevant at the current stage of development of Ukraine. ol Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the annexed Crimea to take part in two events. "Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the Crimea, where he will hold the meeting of the Russian Security Council and take part in the Tavrida Youth Educational Forum," TASS Russian news agency reports. As reported, at the previous Security Council meeting on August 11 Putin discussed the additional measures to ensure safety of citizens and infrastructure of Crimea due to the so-called "prevention of the terrorist attack on the peninsula by the Russian special services." Putin has visited Crimea at least five times since Russia occupied the peninsula. ol A team of scientists from the Zhytomyr National Agroecological University has won in the competition of the projects within the Erasmus+ programme, which is funded by the European Union. Universitys rector Oleh Skydan said this in a commentary to an Ukrinform correspondent. The Ukrainian scientists will implement the educational module "Agricultural Policy of the European Union" during the three academic years. The cost of the project is UAH 798, 456 (EUR 28,224). "The grant funds will be spent on development and teaching by the participants in the "Agricultural Policy of the European Union" module. This module focuses on the EU and the European integration topics and includes the following topics for the study: The European Union: From Its Origins to Strategy 2020, Common Agricultural Policy of the EU: Experience and Current Model, Rural Development Policy in the European Union, the EU Agribusiness, Organic Farming and Food Quality and Safety Standards in the EU," Skydan explained. ol Two reports issued today show that 12 countries taking part in a UNHCR strategy to end detention of asylum seekers and refugees have made important progress towards ending detention of children over the past two years. But achievements were mixed in the two other targets of the UNHCR global strategy Beyond Detention 2014-2019: ensuring alternatives to detention are available in law and implemented; and where detention is necessary and unavoidable, ensuring conditions in detention meet international standards. The strategy was launched two years ago to assist governments to tackle this important issue. In partnership with states and civil society organizations, it has been rolled out in Canada, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. Data compiled from 2013 is used as a baseline, presented in one report alongside a progress report. Too many refugees and asylum seekers, including children, are forced to stay in detention centres; when they should be in an environment where they can get the information, support, privacy, and access to their legal rights said UNHCRs Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Volker Turk, adding that asylum seekers and refugees accounted for 17 per cent of all people detained for immigration-related purposes in 2015 in the 12 countries, up from 12 per cent in 2013. This strategy is an important step in ending the counter-productive use of detention and we welcome the encouraging progress made in these two years, he said, yet stressing that more needs to be done by governments and other stakeholders in the coming years. The report, which sets out the strategies and achievements in all 12 countries, notes encouraging progress in ending child detention. Improvements came in areas such as adoption of protective laws and policies to limit or rule out child detention; prioritized processing of the asylum claims of children; enhanced access to age appropriate information in a child-friendly format; and increased attention to the process of appointing qualified guardians. These measures contributed to an overall decrease end 2015 of 14 per cent in the total number of children detained across the 12 countries in comparison to 2014, when all the countries detained children for immigration-related purposes. By the end of 2015, two countries had also stopped detaining asylum-seeking children. In the UK, while there has been progress towards meeting the governments 2010 commitment to end child detention, 128 children were still held in immigration detention in 2015. An automatic judicial oversight of detention for those detained over four months and 72 hours limit on the detention of pregnant women were another two encouraging steps taken by the government in 2016, but the report also highlights an urgent need to make further progress on the use of alternatives to detention - measures that can effectively alleviate the high human cost and financial burden of detention estate. The UK uses detention in asylum procedure more frequently than most other countries in the EU. In 2015, nearly half of the 33,000 people detained in immigration detention were asylum-seekers. UNHCR is committed to support the UK government in exploring alternatives to detention such as schemes currently successfully employed by authorities in Canada, Belgium or Hong Kong. These programmes have high compliance rates and they cost considerably less than the detention model. Given that the Home Offices own Enforcement Instructions recommend that alternatives should be used wherever possible, full implementation of such an approach is strongly encouraged by UNHCR. Ensuring referral to alternatives to detention in all focus countries, the second goal of the global strategy, has proved more of a challenge. Officials in most of the focus countries still rarely or never consider alternatives in each individual case before detaining. On the final goal of improving detention conditions, progress has been moderate, with asylum-seekers and refugees still facing the risk of indefinite detention in one-third of the focus countries due to the absence in law of a maximum time limit in detention. The report reveals that in a majority of these 12 countries, asylum seekers are still penalised for irregular entry or stay and that they may be detained together with people suspected or convicted of a crime. Access to asylum procedures in detention and procedural safeguards such as the right to access to legal advice are not always guaranteed in practice. Although too early to assess the medium and long-term impact of the roll-out of this strategy, this first assessment indicates emerging trends which could herald changes in coming years in immigration detention policies. The progress results will form the basis for further dialogue with all stakeholders and to help identify and remedy shortcomings and support policy making, particularly in reception and alternatives to detention. The 12 countries were chosen based on criteria, including regional and thematic diversity, size and significance of the problem, and prospects of progress in the initial roll-out period. Each government has established a national action plan to help address change and implement the strategy. A national action plan was established in each of the twelve countries to help address change and implement the strategy. To read the two reports, go to: unhcr.org/detention UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is increasingly alarmed at the unfolding situation in northeast Nigeria, where the advancing military campaign by Government forces, in cooperation with the Multi-National Joint Task Force against Boko Haram, has in recent weeks been exposing catastrophic levels of suffering among the population of the area, many of whom have been out of reach of humanitarian help over months or years. At present, and with the military campaign still in progress, the situation is shifting and remains dangerous and volatile. There have been frequent hit-and-run incidents by militants, including suicide bombings, attacks on civilians, torching of homes and thefts of livestock. On 27 July a UN convoy was attacked with an improvised explosive device and gunfire, resulting in injuries to three humanitarians as well as members of the military escort. The level of peril and difficulty in delivering life-saving help is high as, by consequence, are the costs. While many areas are still beyond reach, in Borno and Yobe States the picture of suffering is shocking. There are numerous reports of human rights violations, including deaths, sexual violence, disappearances, forced recruitment, forced religious conversions and attacks on civilian sites. Some 800,000 additional internally displaced people have been identified as needing help. Severe malnutrition on a wide scale is being reported, and the needs are growing with each day. In Borno State 51,474 people are on our critically vulnerable list, 21,912 of these being children more than three quarters of whom have lost one or both parents. An additional displacement complication has arisen from the knock-on effect of the military activity and the resulting further spread of insecurity to the north and west across the borders and into parts of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, where the violent attacks against military personnel in Bosso town, Diffa, on 3 June, resulted in the worst displacement there since the beginning of the crisis in 2013. Amid this, some 106,000 Nigerian refugees have been pressed back into Borno (67,000), Adamawa (22,000) and Yobe (17,000) states, becoming new internally displaced people in the process and also needing reception, registration and other protection help, plus shelter, psycho-social support and material assistance. UNHCR is responding by scaling its operations up. The immediate focus is the needs of some 488,000 highly vulnerable people in critical condition and now concentrated in 10 newly liberated Local Government Areas in Borno State, plus the needs of the returned refugees. UNHCR teams, together with other UN agencies, the Nigerian Government and NGO partners, took advantage of a narrow and recently opened corridor to coordinate rapid joint needs and protection assessments in Damboa (about 70km southwest of Maiduguri), Dikwa (west of Maiduguri and about 40km from the Cameroon border) and several other areas in May and June. More recently, we have been able to assess humanitarian needs in Bama, the largest city in Borno after the capital, Maiduguri, with a pre-insurgency population of 350,000. There are no civil administration or police services in these areas as of yet, although there have been slight and gradual changes since the aftermath of the UN convoy attack. Most inhabitants have fled, homes and infrastructure are battered and meanwhile counter-insurgency operations are continuing. Many of the displaced are women, children, the elderly and others with urgent needs. We have seen adults so exhausted they are unable to move, and children with swollen faces and hollow eyes and other clear indications of acute malnutrition. Many also show signs of severe trauma. People complain about a lack of food and water (shortages of diesel fuel in the area mean pumping water is difficult). New displaced people arrive daily. Beyond these areas, access in others remains impossible without military escort, and is for periods of only a few hours at a time. There is urgent need for armoured vehicles and military escorts, providing security and protection for UNHCR and humanitarian partners to be able to more effectively reach vulnerable populations. A number of satellite camps for internally displaced people, which at present are being run by the military or local security groups, are below standard and need to come under the management of humanitarian actors with the proper expertise, and to help ensure the civilian character of these sites. The insurgency in northeast Nigeria has mutated into a vast regional crisis confronting Nigeria and its three Lake Chad Basin neighbours Chad, Cameroon and Niger. Insecurity has driven more than 187,000 Nigerians across the border, but incursions by Boko Haram into the surrounding countries have generated growing numbers of internally displaced people too. There are 157,000 internally displaced people in Cameroon, 74,800 in Chad and over 127,000 in Niger. As of the most recent available date there are 2,066,783 internally displaced persons in Nigeria, out of which over 1.8 million have been displaced over the course of the conflict with Boko Haram. Photos and video from the Nigeria emergency including material from Cameroon, Chad and Niger as well as northeastern Nigeria can be downloaded from Refugees Media (registration required). For more information on this topic, please contact: SPRINGFIELD A day after Republicans largely avoided mentioning their partys presidential candidate during Governors Day at the Illinois State Fair, Democrats on Thursday lauded candidate Hillary Clinton and sought to tie Gov. Bruce Rauner and the rest of the Illinois GOP to Donald Trump. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of Chicago, who also chairs the state Democratic Party, vowed during a breakfast meeting of party leaders ahead of Democrat Day at the fair that the party and its labor union allies will continue to stand up to the extreme agenda of Rauner and Trump ahead of Novembers election. Rauner in particular leads an effort to reverse a trend in American government that has held steady since the start of Franklin Roosevelts presidency, Madigan said. For 83 years, the American national government and state governments, including Illinois, have always worked to raise wage levels and the standard of living and to protect the vulnerable in our society, he said. Thats been the policy of American governments for 83 years. However, today in Illinois, Gov. Rauner is attempting to advance an extreme agenda that would actually take the state of Illinois in the opposite direction. At the breakfast and an afternoon rally at the fairgrounds, Madigan and fellow Democrats touted their efforts to block Rauners turnaround agenda, which they say would hurt working- and middle-class families. They also blamed the governor for spending most of his first term so far holding the states budget and residents in need of state services hostage in an attempt to force his ideas through the General Assembly. Those ideas include business-friendly changes to workers compensation laws and diminished collective bargaining rights, which he says would make Illinois more attractive to employers and help spur economic growth. Rauner said Wednesday that Republicans will use the unprecedented campaign cash that he and his wealthy allies have brought to the party to launch the biggest ground game (thats) ever been done for legislative races in state history. But Democrats said theyll use their network of union members and ordinary, everyday Illinoisans to counter the millions of dollars Rauner and his allies are pumping into the election. I think Democrats know a little bit about the ground game, Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan of Decatur said at the breakfast meeting, which dwarfed a similar GOP event held Wednesday morning. Its in this room. You live in Illinois; youve raised your family in Illinois; its your community. You know how to get out and work for your candidates. Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, whos challenging incumbent Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger, urged her fellow Democrats to go to the polls Nov. 8 and to make phone calls and knock on doors to convince others to do the same. I need you to do it not just for me but for every single Democrat on the Democratic ticket this year from the top to the very bottom, she said, specifically mentioning state Reps. Brandon Phelps of Harrisburg and Mike Smiddy of Hillsdale and state Sen. Gary Forby of Benton, all top targets in the GOPs effort to cut into the Democratic supermajorities in the General Assembly. Republicans have been airing TV commercials all summer labeling those lawmakers and others minions of Madigan, whom they blame for the states many fiscal woes. Madigan said hes not surprised by the tactic, which has been tried unsuccessfully many times in the past, although without nearly as much money behind the message. Theyre doing that because they dont want to talk about themselves, he said. They dont want to talk about the record of the Republican Party nationally, the record of the Republican Party here in Illinois, because they know the national Republican Party under Trump and the Illinois Republican Party under Rauner is a Republican Party of extremism. And Illinoisans are prepared to reject extremism. While Democrats were eager to talk up their 2016 candidates up and down the ballot, they werent so willing to discuss who might step up to challenge Rauner for the governors office in 2018. Several people whove been mentioned as potential candidates, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, waived off questions about possible gubernatorial bids and said theyre focused on their current jobs and helping fellow Democrats win in November. One candidate who received a strong showing of support from her party in the November race was U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, who spoke at the breakfast and is challenging U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in one of the most closely watched U.S. Senate contests nationwide. Nigerian refugees leave their camp in Ngouboua, on the shores of Lake Chad, in this February 2015 file photo. UNHCR/Olivier Laban-Mattei GENEVA Gains made by a military campaign against Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria have in recent weeks exposed catastrophic levels of suffering among the population of the area, many of whom have been out of reach of humanitarian help for months or years, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency warned today. The push by Nigerian Government forces in cooperation with the Multi-National Joint Task Force has rolled back gains by the militants, whose insurgency has displaced more than 1.8 million people within Nigeria since 2009. At present, and with the military campaign still in progress, the situation is shifting and remains dangerous and volatile, UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards told a news briefing in Geneva on Friday (August 19). There have been frequent hit and run incidents by militants, including suicide bombings, attacks on civilians, torching of homes, and thefts of livestock, he added. The level of peril and difficulty in delivering life-saving help is high, as are the costs." Edwards said that a UN convoy was attacked with an improvised explosive device and gunfire on July 27, resulting in injuries to three aid workers as well as members of the military escort. He stressed that the level of peril and difficulty in delivering life-saving help is high as, by consequence, are the costs. While many areas are still beyond the reach of aid workers, Edwards said that in Borno and Yobe States, the picture of suffering is shocking. There are numerous reports of human rights violations, including deaths, sexual violence, disappearances, forced recruitment, forced religious conversions, and attacks on civilian sites. Some 800,000 additional internally displaced people have been identified as needing help. Severe malnutrition on a wide scale is being reported, and the needs are growing with each day. In Borno State 51,474 people are on UNHCRs critically vulnerable list, 21,912 of these being children more than three quarters of whom have lost one or both parents. NIGERIA - A stranger's kindness An additional displacement complication has arisen from the knock-on effect of the military activity and the resulting further spread of insecurity to the north and west across the borders and into parts of Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The violent attacks against military personnel in Bosso town, Diffa, on June 3, resulted in the worst displacement there since the beginning of the crisis in 2013. Amid this, some 106,000 Nigerian refugees have been pressed back into Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, becoming new internally displaced people in the process, in need of reception, registration and other protection help, plus shelter, psycho-social support and material assistance. Edwards said UNHCR is responding by scaling its operations up. The immediate focus is on the needs of some 488,000 highly vulnerable people in critical condition and now concentrated in ten newly liberated Local Government Areas in Borno State, plus the needs of the returned refugees. UNHCR teams together with other UN agencies, the Nigerian government and NGO partners took advantage of a narrow and recently opened corridor to coordinate rapid joint needs and protection assessments in Damboa, Dikwa and several other areas in May and June. More recently, UNHCR has been able to assess humanitarian needs in Bama Bornos largest city, after the capital Maiduguri -- with a pre-insurgency population of 350,000. There are no civil administration or police services in these areas as of yet, although there have been slight and gradual changes since the aftermath of the UN convoy attack. Most inhabitants have fled, homes and infrastructure are battered and meanwhile counter-insurgency operations are continuing, Edwards told reporters at the briefing. Many of the displaced are women, children, the elderly and others with urgent needs. We have seen adults so exhausted they are unable to move, and children with swollen faces and hollow eyes and other clear indications of acute malnutrition, he added. "We have seen adults so exhausted they are unable to move, and children with swollen faces and hollow eyes. Edwards said many also show signs of severe trauma. People complain about a lack of food and water, as shortages of diesel fuel in the area mean pumping water is difficult. New displaced people arrive daily. Beyond these areas, access in others remains impossible without military escort, and is for periods of only a few hours at a time. There is urgent need for armoured vehicles and military escorts, providing security and protection for UNHCR and humanitarian partners to be able to more effectively reach vulnerable populations. A number of satellite camps for the internally displaced, which at present are being run by the military or local security groups, are below standard and need to come under the management of humanitarian actors with the proper expertise, and to help ensure the civilian character of these sites. Since it began seven years ago, the insurgency in northeast Nigeria has mutated into a vast regional crisis confronting Nigeria and its three Lake Chad Basin neighbours Chad, Cameroon and Niger. Insecurity has driven more than 187,000 Nigerians across the border, but incursions by Boko Haram into the surrounding countries have generated growing numbers of internally displaced people too. There are 157,000 internally displaced people in Cameroon, 74,800 in Chad and over 127,000 in Niger. As of the most recent available date there are 2,066,783 displaced people within Nigeria. A UNHCR staff member carries a dehydrated baby to receive help at Moria camp, Lesvos, Greece. UNHCR/Andrew McConnell GENEVA UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Friday paid tribute to the inspiration, courage and sacrifice of humanitarian workers worldwide who place their lives at risk to help people in need in danger zones. Since 1964, UNHCR has lost 50 colleagues. In an address to staff at the UN Refugee Agencys headquarters in Geneva, Grandi said World Humanitarian Day was a fitting occasion to remember those who went through the supreme sacrifice. First and foremost, we must draw inspiration from the courage of our fallen colleagues. But we must also acknowledge that today, more than ever, humanitarian workers are targeted and continue to die, he said. The High Commissioner urged staff to remember and pay tribute to three UNHCR colleagues who lost their lives in Somalia during the past year. In December 2015, Amina Noor Mohamed was shot dead in an ambush in Mogadishu in which the driver from a partner organization was also killed. Then, in April, gunmen shot and killed Fawzia, a mother of five children who worked as a cleaner in UNHCRs offices in the Somali capital. Last month, a car bomb took the life of another colleague, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, as he travelled from the office in Mogadishu on foot. Millions of reasons why - World Humanitarian Day 2016 Grandi said that approximately 50 per cent of UN Refugee Agency staff work in dangerous zones, including Afghanistan, Somalia and Syria, all of which he visited this year. We should not forget that the majority of our colleagues are national staff whose lives are sometimes at even greater risk than international staff. He said his commitment to ensuring to the extent that it is possible maximum protection for staff working in dangerous areas, and maximum preparation for those deployed to them. He specified that support should be both material and psychological, and be available to all staff, including UNHCR's affiliated workforce. In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated August 19 as World Humanitarian Day in honour of the 22 colleagues including a former senior UNHCR official, Sergio Vieira de Mello who lost their lives in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad five years earlier. Grandi stressed that ensuring a strong response to emergencies remains a major priority for UNHCR. He recalled how Vieira de Mello was himself a strong advocate of field presence, and swift emergency response. He spoke very passionately about the importance of being in the field, being with the refugees. He said: Dont sit here, go out there. Be with the people that need us, the High Commissioner said. Grandi led staff in observing one minutes silence to remember UN colleagues who have given their lives in the service of humanity. He then laid a floral wreath at the staff memorial. The theme of World Humanitarian Day this year is "One Humanity. It highlights the commitments made in May at the World Humanitarian Summit in Turkey, and rally people from around the world to demand greater global commitment and support for humanitarian action. In music class, children learn traditional Brazilian songs with lyrics changed to singing about the dangers of mosquitoes, says Ana Maria Pereira da Silva, Principal of the Maria das Vitorias Municipal School in the impoverished Bairro das Cidades on Campina Grandes outskirts. In science class, they learn to make a traditional, inexpensive mosquito repellent from lemon, rubbing alcohol, cloves and oil. In art class they draw and colour mosquitoes and ways of preventing them from breeding. The classes began taking place, along with weekly school assemblies in which local health agents and doctors speak with children about the danger of mosquitoes. The children also perform skits with some dressed up as mosquitoes and others as health agents, and sing songs, watch videos and answer quizzes about how to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and not be bitten. Seven-year-old Monique is dressed as a mosquito, wearing all black with wings on her back and a large silver stinger covering her face. She had just performed a skit in front of some 100 students in her weekly general assembly. Xo Zika! she shouts, which translates to Get lost, Zika! Spreading the word to stop the virus Knocking on the doors of their neighbours is not only an important community service, but also an excellent learning experience for the children; its a chance for them to teach adults in the neighbourhood, as well as their parents and family members what they have learned at school. Today, accompanied by an adult chaperone, four of the children are visiting homes near their school. Carrying informational pamphlets and stickers, they call out Ola! at the door of one of the small homes. Ms. Edinalia Pereira comes to the door and smiles when she sees the children. Can we talk to you about preventing mosquitoes from breeding in your home? says 11-year-old Miguel. We also want to come in to see if youre doing all the things you need to do to make sure that we get rid of Aedes from our neighbourhood. Yes, of course, says Edinalia. What do I need to know? UNICEF/UN028362/Rich JUBA/NAIROBI/NEW YORK, 19 August 2016 More than 650 children have been recruited into armed groups in South Sudan since the beginning of this year, UNICEF said today. Fearful that renewed conflict could put tens of thousands of children at ever greater risk, UNICEF called for an immediate end to recruitment and the unconditional release of all children by armed actors. An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups and armed forces since the crisis in South Sudan first began in December 2013. UNICEF said children continue to be recruited and used by armed groups and forces despite widespread political commitment to end the practice. The dream we all shared for the children of this young country has become a nightmare, said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth, speaking from Nairobi following a trip to Bentiu and Juba in South Sudan. At this precarious stage in South Sudans short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent. In 2015 UNICEF oversaw the release of 1,775 former child soldiers in what was one of the largest demobilizations of children ever. Renewed fighting and recruitment in South Sudan risks undermining much of this progress. UNICEF also highlighted increased grave violations in the worlds youngest country, noting that gender-based violence, already pervasive, has greatly intensified during the current crisis. Children continue to endure horrific ordeals, said Forsyth. Recent reports point to widespread sexual violence against girls and women. The systematic use of rape, sexual exploitation and abduction as a weapon of war in South Sudan must cease, together with the impunity for all perpetrators. UNICEF noted that unconditional access for all humanitarian interventions in Juba and all other parts of the country is urgently needed so as to provide support, protection, and assistance to children and women across the country. Without a fully operational humanitarian sector, the consequences for children and their families will be catastrophic, said Forsyth. ### Download multimedia materials at: http://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AM40800PZIM Note to Editor: Since fighting broke out in December 2013: Around 900,000 children have been internally displaced; More than 13,000 children are missing, have been separated from their families or are unaccompanied; unaccompanied; Over half of all South Sudanese children are out of school - the country has the highest proportion of out of school children in the world; proportion of out of school children in the world; 250,000 children are facing severe acute malnutrition. UNICEF in South Sudan reports and monitors on grave child rights violations as part of the UNs Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) Country Task Force. MRM documents six abuses committed against children. These violations are: NEW YORK, 19 August 2016 What human being can see the stunned suffering of Omran Dagneesh, the small boy rescued from a destroyed building in Aleppo, Syria, and not feel an overwhelming sense of empathy? Can we not extend the same empathy to the more than 100,000 children also trapped in the horror that is Aleppo? They are all suffering things no child should suffer or even see. And empathy is not enough. Outrage is not enough. Empathy and outrage must be matched by action. Children of Omrans age in Syria have known nothing but the horror of this war waged by adults. We all should demand that those same adults bring an end to the nightmare of Aleppos children. ### New Delhi, Aug 19 (UNI) Nepals Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi, who is also the special envoy of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, today met with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and would also be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee. Mr Nidhi is expected to extend Nepalese President Bidyadevi Bhandaris invitation to Mr Mukherjee to visit her country, and to finalise the date and agenda of the upcoming trip of Mr Prachanda to India. Mr Prachanda is expected to visit India before he leaves for New York to attend the 71st UN General Assembly in late September, Nepalese media quoted Mr Nidhi as saying at the Kathmandu airport before leaving for India yesterday. He would also lay the ground for Ms Bhandaris visit to India, which was abruptly called off in May this year in the midst of political turmoil in Nepal. Mr Nidhi, who is also the Home Minister of his country, is also slated to meet some political leaders. It is understood that several unresolved issues in the new Constitution of Nepal would be discussed in his talks with Indian leaders. UNI NAZ SW RP1830 Proceeds to fund several projects in four countries with a focus on child refugees and orphans August 18, 2016 The $1 million award for the first Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity will fund projects in Rwanda, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Brazil. The proceeds will support initiatives that are combatting child poverty, advancing aid and rehabilitation for child refugees and orphans. As Aurora Prize Laureate, Marguerite Barankitse founder of Maison Shalom and the REMA Hospital in Burundi received a $100,000 grant, and was offered the chance at even greater impact by being asked to nominate humanitarian organizations which would receive the Prizes $1 million award. Ms. Barankitse chose her longtime partners: Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse; Fondation Jean-Francois Peterbroeck; and Fondation Bridderlech Deelen. Today, those three organizations announced the projects they have chosen as recipients of the funds. The beauty of the Aurora Prize is the unique ability to share this wonderful gift with causes so close to my heart, said Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse. Through the Aurora Prize we can show children around the world the power of love and kindness over hate and violence. The Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse will use the award to support their project providing for 200 Eritrean refugees arriving in Ethiopia from Egypt. The project protects young people from trafficking and incarceration, provides vocational training and is building a training center that can accommodate at least 200 refugees per year. The Aurora Prize will support the Fondation Jean-Francois Peterbroeck to empower girls and young women whove been affected by abuse, abandonment, displacement or other hardship through programs aimed at reintegration, education and economic community rehabilitation. The Fondation Bridderlech Deelen plans to use the funds to offer educational opportunities to young people living in one of the poorest areas of Rio de Janeiro. This will include a citizen education program for 100 children and 67 parents to give them the skills to protect themselves against the lure of drug traffickers and trafficking. In conjunction with a Catholic Diocese in Rwanda, they will also dedicate funds to improve and upgrade school infrastructure, including renovating and rebuilding classrooms, latrines and rainwater pipes. The three organizations will also continue to support the remarkable work of Barankitses organization, Maison Shalom, which provides social and economic assistance to Burundian refugees in Rwanda by extending funds for education and vocational training and restores dignity to orphans, street children, formerly incarcerated children or children of poverty-stricken parents. Since its creation in 1993 when Barankitse took charge of 25 orphans, Maison Shalom has aided over 30,000 orphans and children in need. Were gratified to see the inaugural Aurora Prize drive real and substantial change to help those who need it most in communities all around the world, said Ruben Vardanyan, co-founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. As part of the Aurora Initiative, the Aurora Prize is meant to reach across the globe to back exceptional efforts such as Marguerite Barankitse's. Marguerite and the organizations she has selected will use the Prize to continue the cycle of giving and thus ignite positive change for generations to come. -###- About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is committed to building a broad, global humanitarian movement. The initiative is rooted in inspiring stories of courage and survival that emerged during the Armenian Genocide, when 1.5 million Armenians perished. Those fortunate few who survived were saved by the courageous and heroic acts of intervening institutions and individuals. A century later, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative seeks to express gratitude, share remarkable stories of survivors and their saviors, and celebrate the strength of the human spirit. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative instigates, includes and supports projects designed to raise public awareness and address some of the worlds most pressing humanitarian issues. These projects include the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the Aurora Dialogues, the Aurora Humanitarian Index, the 100 LIVES Initiative and the Gratitude Projects. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is a part of the IDeA Foundation (Initiatives for Development of Armenia). About the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Recipients will be recognized for the exceptional impact their actions have made on preserving human life and advancing humanitarian causes. On behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, an Aurora Prize Laureate will be honored each year with a US$100,000 grant as well as the unique opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by nominating organizations that inspired their work for a US$1,000,000 award. The Aurora Prize Selection Committee includes Nobel Laureates Oscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee; former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; human rights activist Hina Jilani; former Australian Foreign Minister and President Emeritus of the International Crisis Group Gareth Evans; President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York Vartan Gregorian; and Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney. The Aurora Prize will be awarded annually on April 24 in Yerevan, Armenia. Further information is available at www.auroraprize.com. IDeA Foundation An Armenian Apostolic clergyman, who has been dismissed as an Etchmiadzin parish priest in the Dutch city of Maastricht for speaking at demonstration outside the Armenian Embassy in Amsterdam in solidarity with the SasnaDzrer armed group that seized a Yerevan police building in July, has now issued a video-appeal calling on judges not to sell their conscience and to find the jailed members of the group not guilty. In his opening remarks at the Amsterdam demonstration, Father Armen Melkonian called the SasnaDzrer members heroes, who have fought in defense of Artsakh in the past and are now struggling for justice in Armenia, and are now being persecuted by the authorities in Armenia. Father Melkonian in his appeal called Sincere Words; Our Dreamt About Armenia (see attached video) has called on his fellow clergymen to take a stand on the side of justice and to visit the injured SasnaDzrer members now jailed and awaiting trial. In the video, Father Melkonian criticizes successive regimes in Armenia since independence for working against the best interests of the country, thus forcing thousands to leave in an atmosphere of disillusionment and despair. The Armenia of today, according to Father Armen, is the opposite of the paradise country the diaspora and the nation has dreamt about. While Melkonian has been dismissed as a parish priest, he hasnt been defrocked because he is a member of the Cilician See brotherhood. To get more on the story, Hetq contacted LevonRafifiSarkis, secretary of the Ani Armenian community organization in Maastricht. Sarkis had recently received a letter from Bishop VahanHovhannessian, Etchmiadzins Pontifical Legate of Western Europe, saying that Father Mekonian no longer could serve in any parish in Holland but would remain on the sidelines. In addition, Sarkis must now inform the bishop prior to any church services. From left: Levon Sarkis, the mayor of Maastricht, Father Armen Melkonian In essence, I must write a letter requesting a priest for the Divine Liturgy. Our parish is growing and services are held twice weekly. We organize religious classes, meetings, marriages and funerals. Father Mashdots, who doesnt have a car, cant travel 260 kilometers every time, Sarkis said. Sarkis added that the parish is upset about what has happened to Father Melkonian and demand answers. He hasnt done anything wrong. The priest has always stood beside his people. Father Armen helps the church and flock, always finding benefactors, said Sarkis. Prior to Bishop Hovhanessians letter, Father Melkonian served as the visiting priest for the St. Garabed parish in Maastricht, performing marriages, baptisms and the Divine Liturgy. Photo: Father Armen Melkonians Facebook page With the growing concern over the high tuition rates in the United States, some students may be considering getting an online education. Another alternative would be to earn a degree overseas. According to the College Board, the average tuition and fees for in-state students at public universities was at $9,410. Moreover, the average published tuition and fee price for full-time out-of-state students at public four-year educational institutions is about 2.5 times as high as the price for in-state students. U.S. News listed down 10 public universities around the world that actually offers more affordable education than schools in the U.S. Check out these alternatives and see whether there a university in Europe or Asia may be perfect for you. 1. Austria Public universities in Austria offer low tuition fees to international students from non-European Union or European Economic Area countries. International students at the University of Vienna pay around $800 (or 726.72 euros) per semester plus about $21 for student union fees. The main language of instruction is German but there are programs offered in English as well. 2. Saudi Arabia Students who want to pursue a graduate degree in science or technology should consider enrolling at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The school offers financial support to all admitted students, covering the cost of tuition, housing as well as medical and dental coverage. 3. Germany There are no tuition fees for domestic or international students at public universities in Germany. Instead, students pay semester fees, which is around $160 (142.30 euros) at Heidelberg University. Living expenses, including rent, food and health insurance costs, will cost about $800 - $960 (between 725 - 864 euros) per month. 4. South Korea KAIST, a public university in South Korea, offers students scholarships that covers their tuition fees as well as other expenses, provided that they meet specific GPA requirements. One scholarship requires students to maintain a GPA greater than 2.7 on a 4.3 scale. 5. France At the renowned Pierre and Marie Curie University - Paris 6, students pay about $200 - $675 (roughly between 184 - 610 euros) per year in registration fees. Fees are a bit higher for medical and paramedical programs. Getting an online degree is easy nowadays. Technology has certainly helped a lot of people get an education anytime and anywhere. However, do employers give the same treatment to candidates who gained their education online as with someone who went through traditional college? U.S. News reported that 39-year-old Anthony Jones, from Virginia, did not regret getting his bachelor's degree online from a for-profit school. What he was worried about, though, was his job prospects. "I did not want to invest a great deal of time, effort and money, and in the end my efforts would not be recognized to the same stature as traditional brick-and-mortar establishments and their students," he admitted. There have been mixed opinions from employers and recruiters about online degrees. This is due, in part, from the for-profit sector's declining enrollment, low graduation rates, high student loan default rates and questionable recruitment practices. However, that mindset may be starting to shift. Amy Glaser, senior vice president of employment agency Adecco Staffing, noted that employers are now more willing to extend an offer to applicants who have online degrees because of the job market's current state as well as the low unemployment rates. The publication has added, though, that, when caught between two equally qualified job candidates, employers are more likely to choose the applicant that had an undergraduate education at a traditional university over someone with an online for-profit degree. "My guess would be that if you've got five really qualified applicants, and one of them has the for-profit degree, it could work against them," Greg Keller, chief operating officer at Bloomfield & Company, said. According to Jay Houston, president of finance and accounting at the Addison Group, a school's reputation actually matters less than whether or not an online program is accredited. Moreover, education becomes secondary for a candidate that has had several years' worth of work experience. "So many times, we know that a given person with an online degree from a for-profit institution has all the capabilities of anybody else, especially if they balanced a job with their education," Houston said. "That context is important." Located within the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard performs several critically important missions, from interdicting drug smugglers far out at sea to safeguarding the marine environment. However, the Coast Guard is also one of the nation's five armed services, and has fought in every major American conflict since it's founding in 1790. When the nation's first Department of Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton, founded the service that became the Coast Guard, it did not have an official title. It was simply referred to as the cutters or the system of cutters. Hamilton established this fleet to enforce tariff laws, so these cutters were armed but manned by civilian crews under the Treasury Department. Since the Continental Navy was disbanded in 1785, there was no navy initially under the Constitution and the cutters were the only maritime force available to the new government. Between 1790 and 1798, Hamilton's cutters were the only armed vessels protecting the coast, trade, and maritime interests of the new republic. Between 1797 and 1801, the U.S. and France fought an undeclared naval war known as the Quasi War. However, without a navy early in the conflict, American authorities conscripted revenue cutters to help battle French privateers. Painting of the Revenue Cutter Massachusetts. Although the Revenue Cutter Vigilant was the first cutter to be launched, records concerning when it actually entered service were lost in the fire at the Treasury Department in 1833. Tradition has it that the cutter Massachusetts, launched in July 1791, was the first to actually enter service as a commissioned vessel of the U.S. government. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo) With an urgent need for naval vessels trumping the need for law enforcement vessels, Congress passed legislative acts authorizing the president to employ the cutters to defend American sea coasts and commercial vessels, deploy Marines to serve aboard cutters, put cutters under the same wartime rules, regulations and compensation as the re-established U.S. Navy and transfer cutters from the Treasury Department to the Navy Department in time of war. These legislative acts dictated the use of civilian-manned cutters in wartime until 1915, when Congress altered the status of the service from a civilian agency to a military one. With the exception of the Barbary Wars, the Revenue Cutter Service participated in every American naval conflict of the 1800s. With each new conflict, the service added new combat roles. The War of 1812 marked the beginning of cutters engaging in shallow water combat operations, a wartime mission the service has conducted ever since. During the Seminole Wars, cutters attacked war parties, broke up rendezvous points, rescued survivors of raids, transported troops and supplies and wrested inland waterways from Seminole control. During the Mexican War, revenue cutters continued their earlier combat missions and added the assignment of blockading enemy ports. In the Civil War, cutters undertook new missions of shore bombardment, command ship duty and offshore blockade enforcement. The Revenue Cutter Service also rendered conspicuous service during the Spanish-American War with cutters serving in Caribbean theater and, for the first time, in combat operations outside the Western Hemisphere, including the Battle of Manila Bay. In January 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Act to Create the Coast Guard, merging the U.S. Life-Saving Service with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. The act formally designated the new Coast Guard as a military service. On April 6, 1917, the day the U.S. formally entered World War I, Coast Guard activities transferred from the Treasury Department to the Navy. During the1900s, the Coast Guard underwent a great deal of change, including the introduction of aviation to the service, a merger with the U.S. Lighthouse Service, a rapid influx of assets and personnel, formation of the Coast Guard Reserve and Coast Guard Auxiliary, racial and gender integration of the service, the development and implementation of new technologies, such as long-range navigation (LORAN) stations and the helicopter, and the addition of the former Bureau of Marine Safety and Navigation (which became permanent in 1946). In wars of the 20th century, including World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the Coast Guard performed combat missions as well as traditional service mission such as aids to navigation, search and rescue, marine safety, convoy escort duty, troop transport and amphibious operations, port security and beach patrols. The Coast Guard's newest National Security Cutter, the 418-foot Cutter Hamilton. As the 4th cutter out of planned eight Legend-class cutters, the Hamilton is scheduled to be commissioned and homeported in Charleston, South Carolina, Dec. 6, 2014. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile.) The service has also fought in modern conflicts. In operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Coast Guard law enforcement detachments (LEDETs) helped clear enemy oil platforms and boarded hundreds of foreign-flagged commercial vessels. The service deployed Reserve port security units (PSUs) and flew aviation missions to monitor spills from sabotaged Iraqi oil platforms. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Coast Guard LEDETs have provided maritime interdiction and boarding support while PSUs deployed to ports in Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq. Coast Guard assets and personnel also provided oil terminal security, maritime environmental response expertise and aids-to-navigation to mark the Khor Abd Allah River shipping channel. Whether equipped with civilian-manned sailing cutters of the18th century or modern National Security Cutters manned by military personnel, the Coast Guard has always been prepared to fulfill its defense mission. Regardless of the maritime threats and challenges confronting America today and tomorrow whether it's rescuing mariners in distress, protecting our nation from illegal drugs, preventing and responding to oil spills, or safeguarding the nation against military threats the Coast Guard continues to protect the nation from threats to its maritime interests at home and abroad and will always be Semper Paratus, or always ready, whenever and wherever needed. By William H. Thiesen, Atlantic Area Historian, USCG Provided through Coast Guard Copyright 2016 Comment on this article By Annie Demirjian It is quite shocking to see the pictures of handcuffed and peaceful demonstrators in the streets of Yerevan but for a Canadian it was doubly shocking for me to see the pictures of the Canadian artist Arsine Khanjian handcuffed and taken away at a Yerevan public square. Twenty some years after the fall of the Soviet Union, we hoped that gradually, the country will move more towards democratic system and respect for rule of law, moving away from outdated autocratic regime. Well, looking at these pictures that went around the world, it looks like Armenia is moving backwards and not forwards. In 2009-2013, I worked in Armenia when I was heading the Democratic Governance portfolio for UNDPs regional center. Like other post-soviet countries in the region, Armenia was struggling from many social, political and economic malaise. Agreed that the country is in a hostile neighborhood (and Syria, Chechnya conflicts are not that far away from their borders), but the home-grown problems of the country was astounding. It was blatantly evident that the country had all sorts of corruption problems: oligarchyism imported from Russia, political cronyism, weak judicial system, poor human rights record most specifically vis a women, elderly, children, and extremely weak and ineffective public institutions and administration at all levels national regional and local. The list goes on.. In addition, there is a macho-machismo culture so outdated almost caricaturist, like the attitude of the country towards LGBT community. But there were also many positive developments in the country. Armenia continued to have one of the most active, well organized civil society from media, to NGOs, to womens groups to community based organizations. In the absence of official, institutional checks and balances in the country, the media and the civil society organizations play the oversight role and are holding the government accountable hence we see the daily demonstrations against the governing elite, clamoring for police, social and economic reform. But the Armenian civil societies alone cannot act as an oversight instrument and drive the reform agenda. These checks and balances have to be established and implemented from within and for that to happen the government has to have the serious political will to establish transparent and accountable governance system and institutions that can implement reform. Last 20 years, many multilateral institutions have come to Armenias assistance to help establish decent, functioning and professional institutions and systems. Among them were EU, OSCE, WB, UN/UNDP and many others. Some of these international institutions paid lip service to Armenias public sector reform, others provided skeleton support that was meaningless, yet others tried and later gave up due to the absence of the political will to truly exert reform. In my dealings with senior officials I worked with well-meaning officials who were committed to reform. On one occasion, after several false starts I worked with the office of the president to establish an anti-corruption mechanism and process based on the UN convention against corruption. See full text HERE All the latest Uttoxeter news Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Armenias Appeals Court today decided to release Davit Sanasaryan, a member of the Barev Yerevan faction in Yerevans Municipal Council now in pre-trial detention, if he can pay 1,500,000 AMD ($3,150) in bail. Sanasaryans lawyer Robert Revazyan told Hetq that his client, charged with inciting violence during the July standoff at a Yerevan police building seized by the armed Sasna Dzrer group, will pay the bail. During todays court session, Sanasaryan denied the charges levied against him. He said, I have been politically active for ten years and have never made calls prompting violence. Rather, I have only called for calm, said Revazyan. Vacutech CEO is Guest Speaker for e2e Wyoming Laramie Meeting John Tucker, CEO of Vacutech, will be the guest speaker at e2e Wyomings meeting in Laramie Sept. 21. (Photo provided by WTBC) The CEO of a company that is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of central vacuum systems used in industrial, car wash, commercial and medical markets will be the guest speaker at the e2e Wyoming meeting in Laramie next month. John Tucker, CEO of Vacutech, will share his companys story, from inception to strong growth, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 5:30-7 p.m., in the University of Wyoming Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, located at 222 S. 22nd St. John is continuing to advance his industry through new and impressive engineering designs, says Christine Langley, COO of the Wyoming Technology Business Center (WTBC). Hes a true innovator. Tucker was born and raised in San Diego, Calif., and spent most of his young adult life managing various divisions of the familys central vacuum business. He left California in the early 1980s to begin his own business in Denver, Colo. At 36, he sold that company, and spent the next 15 years developing real estate and offering his services in several corporate turnarounds. Tucker and his brother, Tom, formed Vacutech in 2004 to design and manufacture central vacuum systems used by car wash and industrial customers. Vacutech thrived in Denver before it soon outgrew its facility. After careful investigation, Tucker made the decision to move Vacutech to Wyoming. He oversaw the construction of Vacutechs 45,000-square-foot facility in Sheridan. The companys fully integrated product design, engineering, manufacturing and installation expertise enables Vacutech to manufacture world-class, custom-built vacuum systems. Vacutech took an investment from Vonne Capital in 2014 to assist with the growth of the company, which currently employs 125 people. The companys systems can be found in every state in the U.S., and throughout Asia, Australia and Europe. When John Tucker made the decision to move and grow his business in Wyoming, it was a real win for the community of Sheridan and the state of Wyoming, Langley says. E2e is an educational networking program with chapters in Laramie, Casper, Gillette and Sheridan. It is designed to improve the climate for the startup and growth of entrepreneurial companies. Each e2e chapter meets bimonthly for 45 minutes of networking, followed by a 45-minute program. The programs feature successful entrepreneurs telling their stories, panel discussion on relevant topics and advice from experts in specific businesses. Administered by the UW Office of Research and Economic Development, the WTBC is a not-for-profit business incubator that provides entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools necessary for success. For more information on e2e, call the WTBC at (307) 766-6395. Wyoming Business Tips for Aug. 28-Sept. 3 A weekly look at Wyoming business questions from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (WSBDC), part of WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming. By Brett Housholder, Wyoming Entrepreneur Procurement Technical Assistance Center program manager It seems like since Ive looked into government contracting that I have accumulated endless user names, passwords and URLs for all of the registrations and certifications that I am required to do. How do I keep all of this stuff straight? Anne, Sheridan One thing you learn very quickly when you jump into the world of government contracting is that, much like patience, organization is a virtue. There are several websites you will need to familiarize yourself with and, potentially, multiple invoicing systems that different agencies use. Also, user names and passwords are unique to each system or website, all with different requirements for combinations of letters, numbers and special characters. Lets do a quick example to illustrate this point. The two absolute requirements for government contracting are a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number and a SAM (System for Award Management) registration. So, thats two websites, user names and passwords right away. If you are going after a certification like a woman-owned small business or HUBZone, you will need a separate account for the Small Business Administrations General Login System. If you want to invoice for work done for any agency in the Department of Defense or the Department of the Interior, there are two more websites, user names and passwords for those. And these are just a few examples. It is enough to make your head spin and forget which user name goes with which site and which registration needs to be renewed once a year, once every other year, etc. This is where a few minutes on the front end and strong organizational skills will save you a lot of frustration and time. We recommend creating a list from the beginning that contains the various sites you will need to remember and a brief description of what role they play in the contracting process (basic registrations, websites to find opportunities, invoicing websites, etc.). Spreadsheets are a convenient way to organize your list. Just make three columns and keep it simple: name of website/system, the URL and the purpose of the site. With cybersecurity an ever-increasing concern for businesses and individuals alike, one thing we dont recommend is storing your user names and passwords in a spreadsheet like this. It may be tempting to put everything together in one place, but a spreadsheet simply isnt secure enough. Thankfully, there are plenty of password managers out there to give you a few options for storing this information in a more secure format. Bottom line: You will accumulate many websites, user names and passwords that will be easy to confuse or forget. Creating an organized system from day one will save you many headaches as your business starts winning contracts. A blog version of this article and an opportunity to post comments are available at www.wyen.biz/blog1/. The WSBDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming. To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY, 82071-3922. Rita Moran Columnist SHARE JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Fried yuca is served with garlic remoulade at Copa Cubana at the Ventura Harbor. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Ropa vieja, shredded flank steak with peppers, onions and hearty tomato-based sauce, is served with three-bean salad with mint lime dressing and fried plantains at Copa Cubana at the Ventura Harbor. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Frijoles negros is on the menu at Copa Cubana at the Ventura Harbor. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Copa Cubana at the Ventura Harbor is operated by the owners of 805 bar & Grilled Cheese, which is next door to the new restaurant. Copa Cubana is a newbie among the restaurants and watering holes clustered along the Ventura Marina waterway, but it's affiliated with the longer-running 805 Bar & Grilled Cheese. In fact, it's so closely tied that it's operated by the same owners. We were welcomed at the new Cuban restaurant with the offer to have our meal in the 805, on the other side of the wall. Both have access to a pleasant outdoor patio facing the water and its view of boats both moored and moving. There's also a back patio for patrons. But we decided to stay in Cubana because we'd come for the Cuban menu. Our cheerful server, who was busy on both sides of the wall, let us stay on the less familiar side for our early dinner and we were eventually joined by another couple, then a band setting up for the night. The room itself wasn't nearly as exciting as we hoped the food might be. With dark wood tables and chairs and little sign of more exotic tendencies, the room served its purpose but didn't exude the Cuban vibes that we'd find in the cuisine, which leaned heartily toward Cuba with its dishes, albeit with milder seasonings. For starters we ordered the sopa de frijoles blancos con tomate (white bean and tomato soup, $6) and a plate of fried yuca ($5). The soup was very tasty and the yuca, similar to fries made from potatoes but with more body, was pleasantly crisp and served with a garlic sauce for dipping. From the eight platos available as main courses we selected the ropa vieja ($16), arroz con pollo ($16) and a newer dish on the menu, camarones creole ($18). Each came with platanos maduros (fried sweet plantains), which were sweet and light. I must admit we were drawn to ropa vieja as much for its name, which according to the menu translates as "old clothes," as for the ingredients. But the shredded flank steak was full-flavored and tender, a good mate for the peppers and onions and hearty tomato-based sauce that came with it. And while the dish may look like old clothes to some, we thought of it simply as a casual mix of flavors and textures. It came with two sides and my friend really enjoyed the yuca mojo de ajo, with the yuca resting in a garlic marinade, along with arroz amarillo, rice flavored with saffron. The familiar arroz con pollo, with its chicken thighs and drumsticks combined with vegetables and rice, was a mildly spiced dish. It comes with one side, my friend's choice of frijoles negros, cuban-style black beans. Empanadas also are offered as a side. Camarones creole stood out for its reasonably large shrimp cooked to perfection in the moderately spicy creole sauce, a mix of tomatoes and other basic veggies. From the shortlist of sides we opted for the three bean salad with a lemon mint dressing, a cool and refreshing complement to the bolder flavors of the main dish. We finished with a slice of flan ($4), a sample of the more textured style of the dessert. Also offered is a "Cuban milkshake," combining guava and banana flavors. Copa Cubana's brief menu notes that new plates are added weekly, so it's quite possible it will be expanding regularly. Other main dish items include lechon asado, a Cuban-style roasted pork; and a Cubano (pork) sandwich on Cuban bread. Three specialty drinks a classic mojito, fresca daiquiri and pina colada are listed on the Cuban menu. Naturally all the mixed drinks and beverages served at 805 are also offered at Cubana. Rita Moran visits restaurants unannounced and pays for her food. If you know of a new, unusual or just plain good restaurant, please contact her at rita.j.moran@gmail.com. COPA CUBANA Location: 1575 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 101, Ventura Harbor Village. 642-9463. Adjacent to and also operated by 805 Bar & Grilled Cheese. Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays Impressions: Dark room with dark wood furnishings, plus two patio spaces, one with channel view; pleasant but intermittent service; Cuban specialties plus a few related items Whats hot: Sopa de frijoles blancos con tomate, camarones creole, ropa vieja 2 for dinner Starters: Sopa de frijoles blancos con tomate (white bean and tomato soup, $6) + fried yuca ($5) Entrees: Camarones creole (shrimp in creole sauce, $18) + ropa vieja (shredded flank steak, $16) + arroz con pollo (chicken and rice, $16) Dessert: Flan ($4) Tab for two: $24-$36 JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Farmworkers, their families and their supporters gather inside Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin's office to have their voices heard by Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios (back), district director for Irwin's office. About 50 people staged a demonstration over farmworker overtime pay outside the office in Camarillo on Thursday. SHARE JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Yrene Gomez joins farmworkers and allies in a demonstration Thursday outside Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin's office in Camarillo over farmworker overtime pay. The protesters hope to persuade Irwin to support a bill in the state Legislature that would grant farmworkers the right to overtime pay after eight hours of work in a day, or 40 hours a week. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Artemio Ortiz, a strawberry worker from Oxnard, joins farmworkers and allies in a demonstration on overtime pay Thursday outside Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin's office in Camarillo. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Helena Cervantes (right), a strawberry worker, joins farmworkers and allies in a demonstration on overtime pay Thursday outside Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin's office in Camarillo. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR More than 50 people demonstrate outside Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin's office in Camarillo on Thursday. By Claudia Boyd-Barrett, Special to The Star Life is a never-ending struggle for Oxnard strawberry picker Beatriz Arreguin. The 46-year-old single mother frequently works 10 hours a day as a requirement of her job, she said. That leaves her little time to spend with her four children, make them dinner and go to their school functions. Yet even when her shifts are long, Arreguin doesn't see much of a bump in her paycheck. That's because, under current labor laws, farmworkers are not entitled to overtime pay unless they work more than 10 hours a day or 60 hours per week. "It's an injustice," Arreguin said in Spanish. "If we work over eight hours, we should get paid overtime like everyone else." Arreguin joined about 50 farmworkers and their supporters Thursday for a rally outside the Camarillo office of Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks. The protesters hope to persuade Irwin to support a bill in the state Legislature that would grant farmworkers the right to overtime pay after eight hours of work in a day, or 40 hours a week. The measure, Assembly Bill 1066, would phase in the change starting in 2019. Irwin in June abstained from voting on a similar bill that failed by four votes. The bill has been tweaked since then and reintroduced into the Legislature. Farmworker advocates see gaining Irwin's support as critical to getting the measure passed. "If we're able to show legislators like Jacqui Irwin who represent thousands of farmworkers, thousands of family members of farmworkers, thousands of former farmworkers, in her district that folks in her district really want this, really need this, then we believe we can flip her vote," said Lucas Zucker, an organizer with Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy, or CAUSE, one of several groups at the rally. The protesters chanted for almost two hours outside the office, holding up signs that read "Justice for farmworkers" and "We want our rights to be respected" to passing cars. Irwin was not at the district office because she was in legislative session. Even so, about a dozen farmworkers, children of farmworkers and union organizers met with Irwin's district director, Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, and handed her a letter asking for Irwin's support for the bill. Litzy Hernandez, a 16-year-old daughter of farmworkers, spoke about how she and her four siblings rarely got to see her parents growing up because they always had to work long hours in the fields. She said many children of farmworkers are in the same situation. "There are hundreds of children out in the city and the county and in the state who are going home to parents who cannot read to them a bedtime story or really have time to be around," she said. "If the companies were to really need the harvest, then let (workers) be paid accordingly." Sanchez-Palacios offered a letter written by Irwin earlier this month explaining her position on the previous bill. In the letter, Irwin says that after considering both sides, she feels such a change would put too much pressure on an agricultural industry that is already dealing with recent increases in the minimum wage, and that it wouldn't benefit farmworkers because they would just end up with shorter shifts. John Krist, CEO of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, cited similar concerns. He said the overtime laws for farmworkers reflect the nature of agricultural work, which requires longer shifts during the times of the year when the harvest needs to be collected promptly so food doesn't spoil. He said farm employers likely would just reduce workers' shifts and hire other laborers to cover the additional hours if the bill passed. "I think there's a basic misunderstanding on behalf of the people who are supporting this as to the nature of agricultural work and the needs of farmworkers and farm operators," he said. STAR FILE PHOTO Highway 101 passes by farmland near Conejo Creek, property included in a SOAR renewal measure for Camarillo. SHARE By Kathleen Wilson of the Ventura County Star Calleguas Land Co. on Thursday appealed a ruling allowing the SOAR renewal measure for Camarillo to remain on the November ballot. The company asked the 2nd District Court of Appeal for an emergency order to overturn a decision issued Wednesday by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Vincent O'Neill. Calleguas asked the appeals court to disqualify the measure by Friday. Elections officials said they needed to know the final court decision by that date to meet printing deadlines. Attorney Sean Welch said the lower court had "flatly ignored controlling law" in his 48-page petition for a reversal of O'Neill's ruling. "Without this court's swift action, there might as well be no laws or standards governing the initiative process in Ventura County," the attorney wrote. Calleguas and Camarillo resident Wayne Davey sued the city of Camarillo in July over the petition process that was used to qualify the initiative. Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources measures, enacted in the 1990s and 2000s across the county, require voter approval for development of protected farmland and open space. Voters in seven cities including Camarillo also have established growth boundaries. They limit city governments from developing land beyond those borders for urban purposes without voter approval. Camarillo's 1998 initiative expires at the end of 2020, and renewal, if approved by voters in November, would extend it until 2050. But beyond extending current provisions, the Camarillo measure planned for the November ballot contains a new wrinkle. It would add the "Conejo Creek Voter Participation Area" for hundreds of acres of agricultural land outside the city limits. Voter approval would be required to rezone the property at the base of the Conejo Grade to a nonagricultural use if the city annexes the land. Calleguas owns most of the property and had plans to develop 895 acres, but the project was rejected by the Camarillo City Council in the face of stiff community opposition. The company argues that the petition misled voters into thinking they had control over unincorporated county land. A city attorney's summary described the land as being within the city when it is not. Calleguas' attorneys cited that description as one reason to block the measure. But O'Neill's ruling said that issue was beyond the realm of procedural matters properly brought before an election, especially given the short time for a decision. Nor did the judge find any other flaws that were serious enough to disqualify the measure from the ballot. Calleguas also claimed the proponents of the measure failed to give required notice to the public and did not include the full text of the initiative in the petition that voters signed. Nor did the measure contain required language, the plaintiffs' lawsuit stated. Attorney Richard Francis, who represents one of the circulators of the petition, said the odds of winning an appeal were steep. "The judge did really work hard to do the right thing," he said Thursday. "Even if we had lost, the amount of thought the judge had given to it is going to defeat any appeal." STAR FILE PHOTO Christie's will auction next month some items from the home of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. The money raised from the items owned by the former president and first lady will go to the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute. SHARE By Bartholomew Sullivan, USA TODAY WASHINGTON Frank Sinatra's gift to President Ronald Reagan of a marine chronometer and Margaret Thatcher's gift of silver beakers are just some of the items Christie's will put on the auction block next month to benefit the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute. The New York City auction will include items from Ronald and Nancy Reagan's home in Bel Air that are not currently on display or archived at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, according to foundation spokeswoman Melissa Giller. "The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute ... sustains the Reagan museum, the Air Force One Pavilion, all of the education outreach projects, our speakers programs and many more things," Giller said. The auction is expected to raise more than $2 million, according to Christie's. Elton Gallegly, a former congressman and mayor of Simi Valley, applauded the idea of holding an auction to raise funds for an institution that is administered by the National Archives but was built with private funds. The library's "Peace Through Strength" gallery is named for Gallegly, who was with Reagan in 1988 when the president settled on the hilltop property as his and his wife's final resting place. "I don't know whether I'll make a bid, but the Ronald Reagan library has been a large part of our life," Gallegly, of Simi Valley, said in a telephone interview. Programs at the facility, which hosts an annual defense forum and speakers programs as well as archives of documents from Reagan's years as governor of California and president, are expanding, and that entails additional costs, he said. "Having an auction like this, and having the private sector rather than the government involved, is a classic example of what Ronald Reagan was all about," Gallegly said. Some of the items to be auctioned were displayed in London earlier this year, including some diamond and gold Van Cleef and Arpels earrings worn by Nancy Reagan during a state visit to Britain in 1988. Their estimated value is between $15,000 and $20,000. Also for sale will be a pair of English cowhide leather ottomans in the form of elephants with tusks, valued at $2,000, and a 70th birthday monogrammed needlepoint pillow, valued at $1,000. The Sept. 21 and 22 sale also will include furniture, books and paintings from the Bel Air home. A complete catalog of items is to be released Monday. AP file photo SHARE By Amanda Covarrubias, amanda.covarrubias@vcstar.com A Ford dealership in Thousand Oaks that had been family owned since 1968 was sold this month to Oregon-based Lithia Motors Inc. The former Kemp Ford at the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall is now operating under the name DCH Ford of Thousand Oaks, Lithia officials said in a statement. John Jeffrey Kemp said this week that he sold the dealership because he wanted to retire. Kemp, 66, said he had been looking for a buyer in earnest since late last year. He declined to reveal the sale price. "I was looking around for someone to sell to, and this was a good fit and a good company," Kemp said. Kemp said he started working at the dealership in 1976 under the tutelage of his father, the late John S. Kemp, known as "Jack." The elder Kemp bought the store from Hal Loynd, who opened it in 1968. Loynd Ford was among the first dealerships at the auto mall off the 101 Freeway, he said. As the owner's son, Kemp said he got "kicked around a lot." "It was good-natured," he said. "Owners' sons do have targets on them in most businesses." Kemp said his father is a former vice president for the Ford Motor Co., where he once oversaw sales and marketing in Europe. "I learned a lot from him," Kemp said. After the elder Kemp retired, he was looking for a place to settle down and decided to purchase the Thousand Oaks dealership. Kemp said the store averaged $35 million to $40 million in sales annually. Lithia president and chief executive officer Bryan DeBoer said in a statement that the Thousand Oaks dealership marks its third acquisition this year under the DCH brand and "complements our existing operations in Southern California." It has 140 stores in 15 states. Star file photo Meagan Hockaday was shot and killed by an Oxnard police officer responding to a report of a domestic dispute at this apartment complex on West Vineyard Avenue on March 28, 2015. SHARE Star file photo Marchers carry signs during an April 2015 march to call attention to the death of Meagan Hockaday, who was shot by an Oxnard police officer. By Cheri Carlson and Megan Diskin Ventura County District Attorney's Office has found an Oxnard police officer justified in last year's fatal shooting of a 26-year-old woman. Meagan Hockaday, an Oxnard mother of three, was shot and killed by Officer Roger Garcia early on March 28, 2015. Garcia had responded to a report of a domestic dispute about 1 a.m. at The Timbers apartment complex on West Vineyard Avenue. District Attorney Greg Totten released a 27-page report Thursday detailing the night of the shooting. It described the incident inside the apartment that unfolded in a matter of 20 seconds from the time the officer got to the apartment's open front door to when he fired four shots. "Any time you have a young woman in the prime of her life who is the mother of three small children shot inside her home, it is a heartbreaking tragedy," Totten said Thursday. "But it's equally clear to us that the officer had no choice because he was confronted by this same woman who was about to stab him," he said. "It's a very sad case. But our job is to look at the law and the facts, and we have done that and I believe properly concluded that the officer acted in accordance with the law and was justified in his decision." According to the report, Hockaday had rushed at Luis Morado who described himself as her husband but was referred to by Hockaday's mother as her fiance with a knife in her right hand. When Morado then ducked behind the officer to get away, Hockaday didn't stop, the report said. The location of her injuries was consistent with her swinging her right arm at the time she was shot, the DA's Office said. She was less than 15 inches from the muzzle of Garcia's gun when he fired four shots, and she fell to the ground. The DA's Office routinely conducts criminal reviews of officer-involved shootings. Senior Deputy District Attorney Thomas Dunlevy, who was assigned to review the case, examined close to 750 pages of reports and materials, from audio recordings to witness interviews, officials said. The 911 call came in at 12:54 a.m. on March 28, 2015. The report identified the caller as Morado. He told the dispatcher to send an officer and gave his address. Hockaday had been drinking and had hit him, Morado told the dispatcher, according to the report. There were children in the house, and it was "too much for the kids to handle." On the 911 recording, Hockaday could be heard screaming in the background, the report states. The couple had a 4-year-old, 2-year-old and a 7-month-old. All were in the apartment that night. Morado was bare-chested and had red scratches covering his back and on his neck and chest when Garcia got to the apartment. Dunlevy said the officer activated his belt audio-recorder before he made contact with the couple. The sound of four gunshots being fired can be heard about 17 seconds after Garcia initially asked: "What are you guys doing?" the report said. Morado had responded that he wasn't doing anything and to look at what "she" was doing. Hockaday apparently went into the kitchen, and Morado said, "She's gonna get a knife. She's gonna get a knife." Morado later told police that he already had taken a knife away from Hockaday that night, the report said. He also said Hockaday had scratched, kicked and hit him, and he had pinned her down a few times, including when he made the 911 call. When Morado ducked under the officer's gun and ran to the door, he told police he was afraid of Hockaday and believed she was coming for him, not the officer, the report said. After the gunshots, the report said Morado can be heard on the recording saying, "Don't shoot her!" Hockaday was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:19 a.m. A kitchen knife with a 5-inch blade was found near her body. Detectives found additional knives scattered around the kitchen area, the report said. The Medical Examiner's Office said Hockaday died of multiple gunshot wounds. The location of her injuries was consistent with her swinging her right arm at the time she was shot, Dunlevy said. The autopsy showed she was hit by a bullet on her elbow, her shoulder and on the right side of her back. The bullet's path showed she was not hit straight on from behind, Dunlevy said. The bullet hit her at an angle, which he said was consistent with her swinging her arm. After the shooting, the audio recording continued as Garcia called for paramedics and went to Hockaday, told her that help was on the way and to stay with him. After her daughter's death, Monique Wallace criticized police, saying the officer did not need to fire his weapon to subdue her daughter. On Thursday, she said she is going forward with three lawsuits, one alleging wrongful death, against the Oxnard Police Department and the city. "It's not revenge I'm looking for," Wallace said, adding that no amount of money could dry her tears or bring back her daughter. "All I would really want of a lawsuit is to start a law, a movement, for officers to be held accountable," Wallace said. More than 100 people turned out for a march weeks after the shooting. Some wore shirts or held signs with photos of Hockaday and her family. They called for justice for the family. Wallace said officials with the Ventura County District Attorney's Office hand-delivered a copy of the report Thursday. She has not read the report but instead plans to send it to her attorney. Hockaday's mother said the nation is currently dealing with "police brutality at its worst." In June, Totten and others in the DA's Office met with Wallace and other family members at their request. Additional investigation was requested, and the DA's Office said that work was completed by July 12. Garcia, a nine-year veteran on the force, was placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting, which is standard procedure in such a case. Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams said Thursday that Garcia since has been physically and mentally cleared for work and has returned to full duty on patrol. An administrative review of the shooting is ongoing, Williams said, but so far the department has not altered any existing policies or added training related to this fatal shooting. "No officer ever wants to be in a position where they have to use deadly force," Williams said. "This incident and all domestic violence incidents are volatile for our officers to respond to," she said. She declined to comment further citing ongoing litigation. Garcia also was one of two officers who fired their weapons on Feb. 5, 2014, after responding to a report of a suicidal woman at Del Sol Park. Rosa Guillen, who police said brandished what was later determined to be a replica handgun, survived. STAR FILE PHOTO The papal throne of Pius XI and with other religious items are on display at the "Vatican Splendors" exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley. The exhibit, which has drawn record crowds, is being extended through Sept. 11. SHARE By Michele Willer-Allred, Special to The Star The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is extending its popular "Vatican Splendors" exhibit through Sept. 11. Thursday's announcement came a little more than week before the exhibit was originally scheduled to close. Record crowds since "Vatican Splendors" opened on March 13 convinced library and Vatican officials to keep it open longer, officials said. Museum attendance has been up 42 percent from the same period last year. "This exceeded our expectations for turnout," said Melissa Giller, chief marketing officer for The Reagan Foundation and Institute. More than 232,000 people have toured the Vatican exhibit since it opened. "We're honored that the Vatican has allowed us to extend this exhibit an additional two weeks," said John Heubusch, executive director for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. "It is our hope that this will allow everyone who wanted to see the exhibit the opportunity to do so." The Reagan Library will now be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. all Saturdays and Sundays until the exhibit closes. Regular hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will apply to weekdays only. The 10,000-square-foot exhibit, comprising one of the largest Vatican collections ever to tour the United States, includes historical and religious objects, some dating to the first century. On exhibit are original works of art by Michelangelo, Bernini and Guercino. Many of the pieces have never been on display in North America, and some are not on view to the general public elsewhere, even at the Vatican itself. The Reagan Library is the exclusive West Coast destination of the exhibit, and guests have come from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Giller said the library's goal is to attract 370,000 visitors between October 2015 and September 2016. With the huge success of the Vatican exhibit, library officials believe they'll exceed 415,000 people. "We hoped for this turnout; however, until the exhibit opens, you just never really know what to expect," said Giller. After the exhibit closes, the items will return to the Vatican, which has ordered that they never be gone for more than a year at a time. Given the large crowds, the public is encouraged to book tickets in advance at www.reaganlibrary.com/tickets. Giller said the next exhibit that will open on Oct. 22 is called "Interactive! The Exhibition How Pop Culture Reshapes Technology." She said it will allow guests to experience popular culture's influences on modern technology with a variety of "hands-on" experiences, including Oculus Rift virtual reality, interactive robots, the driverless car, multiple gaming stations, remote control drones, 3D printing stations and more. "It will be a great family exhibit," Giller said. For more information and pre-sale tickets for "Interactive!" go to www.reaganlibrary.com/interactive. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAUL KELLY Attorney Aaron Lacey speaks about the closure of Brooks Institute at a meeting on campus Aug. 12. SHARE By Arlene Martinez, amartinez@vcstar.com Since announcing a week ago the school was closing, those involved with shutting down Brooks Institute have poured their energy into getting students and faculty on solid footing, officials said. That includes working to finalize transfer and teach-out opportunities with nearly 20 schools and talking with those institutions about employment opportunities for faculty, said attorney Aaron Lacey, a spokesperson for Brooks Institute who was hired to assist with the transition. Lacey said the school had finalized or was in the process of finalizing agreements with roughly seven higher education institutions and was talking with 10 to 12 others. In a teach-out, a student continues an equivalent course of study or program at another school. Lacey said the goal is to get students enrolled in a new school in time for the start of fall semester. "Our No. 1 priority for a lot of reasons, as you would expect, is to get arrangements for the students," he said. Brooks' owners organized a school fair Wednesday and Thursday, with 100 students attending the first day, Lacey said. The options vary geographically and include for-profit and nonprofit options: the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Columbia College Hollywood, Antioch University Los Angeles and Santa Barbara City College, among them. At the same time, rumors continue to swirl over why the visual arts school with a once-stellar reputation closed. When gphomestay whose parent company is Green Planet bought it last year, Brooks was already struggling with significant drops in enrollment, and as a for-profit higher education institution would soon be facing a tighter regulatory environment. Lacey acknowledges the company knew all of that when it bought Brooks. But the company saw Brooks as a quality school that fit with its mission of expanding the scope of its offerings. Gphomestay had banked on its expertise in tapping into foreign markets, which it had done for years in the K-12 system, to draw more international students. "While not totally unsuccessful, it didn't go as they had hoped it would," Lacey said. Lacey didn't have numbers for how many international students had enrolled, but he noted the effort was more expensive than anticipated. Having a large international population would have been key for Brooks, because those students don't receive federal financial aid and therefore aren't subject to gainful employment rules. The rules went into effect July 1, 2015, and look at what a student earns two years after graduation compared to debt load. If they don't meet the standard, schools lose access to federal financial aid. Brooks was in danger of not meeting those standards, which didn't become entirely clear until after gphomestay came in and ran its own numbers, Lacey said. Additionally, the costs to move to downtown Ventura were higher than expected and the buzz didn't translate into enough of a jump in enrollment. But the "straw that broke the camel's back" didn't happen until June and July, when it looked like the U.S. Department of Education would soon strip Brooks' accreditor of its ability to accredit, Lacey said. Though federal rules give schools 18 months to find a new accreditor, California's laws were unclear and might have led to Brooks immediately losing access to federal financial aid, which only goes to accredited schools. Lacey declined to comment on the company's contracts with the city of Ventura and other property owners and managers with whom it had secured leases. Brooks owes back rent and apparently never paid contractors for the extensive work done on those properties. The school "acknowledges and understands there are many conversations that need to take place with the city and contractors related to the move downtown (and they're) committed to having those conversations," Lacey said. The company's first priority is to students, he said. Former President Edward Clift, who was fired three days before the closure was announced, said he felt the school was on track for success. "It takes time to turn around a school," he said. In Clift's estimation, Brooks would have started breaking even in January, its second semester downtown. Clift admits that it would have been a challenge to meet the gainful employment regulations and find a new accreditor and that it took time to build up an international population. It could have been done though, he said. "We had a very good plan in place and we could have addressed all the other issues," he said. Appeals court hands down ruling in Godspeak church fight State appellate judges handed down their ruling in Godspeak Calvary Chapel's more battle with Ventura County over the COVID-19 lockdown. SHARE This week Russian bombers flew out of Iranian air bases to attack rebel positions in Syria. The State Department pretended not to be surprised. It should be. It should be alarmed. Iran's intensely nationalistic revolutionary regime had never permitted foreign forces to operate from its soil. Until now. The reordering of the Middle East is proceeding apace. Where for 40 years the U.S.-Egypt alliance anchored the region, a Russia-Iran condominium is now dictating events. That's what you get after eight years of U.S. retrenchment and withdrawal. That's what results from the nuclear deal with Iran, the evacuation of Iraq and utter U.S. immobility on Syria. Consider: Iran The nuclear deal was supposed to begin a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran. Instead, it has solidified a strategic-military alliance between Moscow and Tehran. With the lifting of sanctions and the normalizing of Iran's international relations, Russia rushed in with major deals, including the shipment of S-300 ground-to-air missiles. Russian use of Iranian bases now marks a new level of cooperation and joint power projection. Iraq These bombing runs cross Iraqi airspace. Before President Obama's withdrawal from Iraq, that could not have happened. The resulting vacuum has not only created a corridor for Russian bombing, it has gradually allowed a hard-won post-Saddam Iraq to slip into Iran's orbit. According to a Baghdad-based U.S. military spokesman, there are 100,000 Shiite militia fighters operating inside Iraq, 80 percent of them Iranian-backed. Syria When Russia dramatically intervened last year, establishing air bases and launching a savage bombing campaign, Obama did nothing. Indeed, he smugly predicted that Vladimir Putin had entered a quagmire. Some quagmire. Bashar Assad's regime is not only saved. It encircled Aleppo and has seized the upper hand in the civil war. Meanwhile, our hapless secretary of state is running around trying to sue for peace, offering to share intelligence and legitimize Russian intervention if only Putin will promise to conquer gently. Consider what Putin has achieved. Dealt a very weak hand a rump Russian state, shorn of empire and saddled with a backward economy and a rusting military he has restored Russia to great power status. Reduced to irrelevance in the 1990s, it is now a force to be reckoned with. In Europe, Putin has unilaterally redrawn the map. His annexation of Crimea will not be reversed. The Europeans are eager to throw off the few sanctions they grudgingly imposed on Russia. And the rape of eastern Ukraine continues. Ten thousand have already died, and now Putin is threatening even more open warfare. Under the absurd pretext of Ukrainian terrorism in Crimea, Putin has threatened retaliation, massed troops in eight locations on the Ukrainian border, ordered Black Sea naval exercises, and moved advanced anti-aircraft batteries into Crimea, giving Moscow control over much of Ukrainian airspace. And why shouldn't he? He's pushing on an open door. Obama still refuses to send Ukraine even defensive weapons. The administration's response to these provocations? Urging "both sides" to exercise restraint. Both sides, mind you. And in a gratuitous flaunting of its newly expanded reach, Russia will be conducting joint naval exercises with China in the South China Sea, in obvious support of Beijing's territorial claims and illegal military bases. Yet the president shows little concern. He is too smart not to understand geopolitics; he simply doesn't care. In part because his priorities are domestic. In part because he thinks we lack clean hands and thus the moral standing to continue to play international arbiter. And in part because he's convinced that in the long run it doesn't matter. Fluctuations in great power relations are inherently ephemeral. For a man who sees a moral arc in the universe bending inexorably toward justice, calculations of raw realpolitik are 20th-century thinking primitive, obsolete, the obsession of small minds. Obama made all this perfectly clear in speeches at the U.N., in Cairo and here at home in his very first year in office. Two terms later, we see the result. Ukraine dismembered. Eastern Europe on edge. Syria a charnel house. Iran subsuming Iraq. Russia and Iran on the march across the entire northern Middle East. At the heart of this disorder is a simple asymmetry. It is in worldview. The major revisionist powers China, Russia and Iran know what they want: power, territory, tribute. And they're going after it. Barack Obama takes Ecclesiastes' view that these are vanities, nothing but vanities. In the kingdom of heaven, no doubt. Here on Earth, however Aleppo to Donetsk, Estonia to the Spratly Islands it matters greatly. Charles Krauthammer's email address is letterscharleskrauthammer.com. He writes for The Washington Post Writers Group. SHARE Education cannot be stagnant. It must evolve and adapt with our world to ensure that our children are prepared to be successful in their lives. A teacher who simply dusts off an ancient syllabus every year does more harm than good to the students who sit through outdated, boring lectures. It was encouraging to read in the story this week by The Star's Jean Cowden Moore about the exciting new approaches and innovations being rolled out this fall at some of the school districts in our county. Using anecdotal examples, she showed approaches focused on broadening the base knowledge of students, on stimulating discussions about what students will do with their learning when they leave school, and on providing teachers with the technology and training to make that learning more creative. Much of this is the result of local decisions on how to spend some of the money that has been returned to schools after the severe education funding cuts of the Great Recession. Voters in Ventura County will have an opportunity in November to weigh in on how schools are doing, and on whether they want to continue to invest more in education. There are three statewide ballot initiatives related to education on the ballot and six community-specific measures. Proposition 51 would authorize $9 billion in bonds to fund facilities for K-12 schools and community colleges. Proposition 55 would extend the tax on higher-income California residents that was approved by voters in 2012 as a temporary increase. It would generate $4 billion to $9 billion a year through 2030, with most of the money going to K-12 schools and community colleges. Proposition 58 on the Nov. 8 ballot would repeal many of the provisions of Proposition 227, the initiative approved by voters in 1998 to require that English learners be taught in English in California schools. Here's a look at the local school issues: n Measure D would allow the Oxnard School District to issue up to $142.5 million in bonds, primarily to upgrade school facilities. n Measure R would allow the Ventura Unified School District to renew its $59 parcel tax, with the money going into school programs. n Measure S would allow the Oak Park Unified School District to issue $60 million in bonds for school facilities. n Measure V would allow the Fillmore Unified School District to issue $35 million in bonds for school facilities. n Measure X would allow the Simi Valley Unified School District to issue $239 million in bonds for school facilities. n Measure Y would limit Simi Valley Unified School District board members to two consecutive terms in office. Over half of the California general fund budget, which comes from the taxes and fees that each of us pays, goes to education. There is no question that is a lot of money. But it does not take long in talking with educators, or visiting our schools, to recognize that the need continues to be greater than the supply of money. But before any of us raise our hands to answer the question about whether these initiatives should be approved this fall, we should all do our homework. All voters should spend the time to determine whether they believe there is sufficient need for these additional investments in our children, and whether they endorse the direction that learning is taking when they see the innovations being offered in our schools. That's your assignment for this fall. Your answers are due no later than Nov. 8. At Wendell Williams Elementary School, Councilman Ricki Barlow and the Las Vegas Rescue Mission teamed up to provide 100 families in need with a full Thanksgiving dinner (Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com). Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. With help from Whole Foods Markets, Councilman Barlows office and the Las Vegas Rescue Mission helped a total of 500 families at 5 different schools, and will be doing the same for local low-income senior communities as well. Please visit http://www.vegasrescue.org/ to learn more about The Las vegas Rescue Mission. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com. The product offers multiple advanced benefits and a wide range of protection for up to 88 critical illnesses, hence provides an optimum financial solution for customers to have a chance of prompt treatment and recovery. 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The reasonable premium suitable to all Vietnamese families is an additional advantage of CI-88 to help release customers from financial burden to focus on taking care of their beloved ones. Nowadays, thanks to the advancement of medical technology and treatment therapy, most of critical illnesses could be detected right from the early stage, enabling many patients the opportunity to recover and return to normal life. As a leading Japanese life insurer who always adheres to the business philosophy Thinking people first, we have spared no efforts to help customers and their families to overcome financial hardships, assuredly get treated and recovered in case of suffering critical illnesses, Tran Dinh Quan, general director of Dai-ichi Life Vietnam, said. Health is the most precious asset of human. With our mission For a better life to all Vietnamese people, the launching of CI-88 product expresses our desire to accompany customers and their families in health protection and improving the quality of life, affirming our commitment to being a Lifetime partner with the Vietnamese country and its people, he added. For the first six months of 2016, Dai-ichi Life Vietnam continues to reach impressive business performance with new premiums reaching VND878 billion ($39.3 million), increasing 67 per cent against the same period of 2015, and total premium revenue of over VND2 trillion ($94 million), growing 50 per cent more than that of last year. Foreign ambassadors visiting the Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh Province Chua Me Dat (Oxalis) Adventure Tours, the exclusive tour organizer, said Quang Binh Province authorities have decided to allow only 640 visitors next year. Depending on weather conditions, Oxalis may organize tours for 500-600 tourists, the company said in a statement August 15 when it opened the sale of tickets. Thousands of people have sought tickets, which would be sold on and a first come, first served basis to those who satisfy health requirements, the company said. Oxalis has been organizing five-day tours to the cave with 10 people at most. The cave opens from January to August every year to avoid bad weather. This year 442 people have visited so far, including a group of diplomats from several countries like Argentina, Sweden, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Oxalis, headquartered in the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh, has been organizing tours to Son Dong Cave since 2013. A tour party usually comprises around 25 people, including porters, a cook, a tour guide, two cave experts and two park rangers. Tickets for 2017 cost VND66 million (US$3,000) per person. Tourists are required to be fit enough since the tour involves a trek of 50 km (31 miles) in a jungle and mountain; elevation of up to 400m (between road and valleys); 40 river crossings (10-50m wide river, knee deep); 10 km caving including rope climbing, rocky terrain and scrambling; 80m descent with rope and harness; crossing underground rivers with strong currents and five days inside. Son Doong, which is 150 meters high and 200 meters wide, became known worldwide in 2009 when it was explored by members of the British Cave Research Association together with local man Ho Khanh. Oxalis often sells out its tours well before it starts. In July the company obtained a license to organize tours to the Tien 2 Cave, which discovered earlier this year. On August 8, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha ordered the investigation after receiving complaints from locals that the fertiliser plant discharges solid waste containing gypsum. This chemical contains toxic phosphor, which in large volumes can cause serious environmental pollution and harm people health. Ha assigned the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) to check the plants operation and report to him before August 12. On August 10, Dinh Vu DAPs general director Nguyen Van Sinh submitted a report to the VEA on its environmental protection measures as well as its waste treatment system. Accordingly, toxicity volumes in the waste sample were under the permitted level. Notably, the total phosphate (P2O5) volume in the gypsum residue is under 1 per cent, well below the permitted level of maximum 1.4 per cent, the pH content is higher than 2.2, and, especially, no P2O5 overflows into the environment were detected. In addition, Dinh Vu DAP confirmed that it absolutely complies with the contents of the environmental impact assessment report approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE). However, the Haiphong Department of Natural Resources and Environments unannounced inspection on July 20 showed very different results than the companys report. Notably, the sulphur volume exceeds 1.05 time more than the permitted level. Besides, the pH content in the gypsum residue stands between 2.09 and 2.01 instead of the 2.2 level reported by the company. In the larger context, this is the fifth time the company causes an environmental break-down since it started operation in April 2009. Notably, on July 26, 2009, Dinh Vu DAP leaked seven tonnes of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) from its depot. However, employees prevented the spillage from spreading out the environment and managed to contain it within the plants grounds. On February 25, 2011, another leak incident, this time ammonia (NH3), actually reached the environment. On June 23, 2013, the companys reservoir overflew, killing fishes in residents ponds. The company had to pay a compensation of VND115 million ($5,198) to the residents. On September 4, 2015, the company negligently dumped seven cubic metres of gypsum residue into the environment. In addition, VEAs conclusion released on May 10, 2016, showed that the company has once again violated environmental regulations. Notably, according to the environmental impact assessment, the gypsum landfill area is supposed to be 10 hectares and the licensed storage time is three years only. However, in reality, the landfill has an area of 13 hectares and the storage time reaches up to five years. Furthermore, during inspection, the local authorities detected that the infrastructure for environmental protection does not meet the regulated standards and hides risks of environmental pollution. The Haiphong Department of Natural Resources and Environment submitted documents to the MoNRE and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to call attention to the Dinh Vu DAP case of environmental pollution. Vinachem loses big-time in fertiliser plant Vietnam National Chemical Group is shouldering great debts after developing Ninh Binh nitrogenous fertiliser plant, which has been amassing continuous losses in its operations, according to newswire Antt.vn. Formosa fined for fish deaths The culprit of the biggest environmental scandal in Vietnam, Taiwans Formosa Plastics Corp, which operates a $10.5 billion steel and port complex in the central province of Ha Tinhs Vung Ang Economic Zone, has to pay $500 million for its violations but will not face criminal charges. Another Vinachem plant announces huge losses State-run Vietnam National Chemical Groups (Vinachem) fertiliser subsidiaries have had difficulty in selling products due to oversupply, leading to continuous losses. The cabinet leader urged the center to let people know about the necessary responses, and collect different forecast resources from other countries like the US, Japan and China to improve the accuracy of its service. All meetings at both central and local levels should be halted from August 19 to focus on coping with the storm to protect peoples lives and assets, Phuc said, which will require preparations for the evacuation of residents and the shoring up of breached dykes in coastal provinces. On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung hosted an online meeting with 28 cities and provinces to discuss ways to cope with the storm. The Deputy Prime Minister asked localities to do their utmost to ensure safety for the people and their property. Also on August 18, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue inspected storm prevention and control in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam visited Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces. According to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, heavy rains began to come to the whole northern and northern central regions from the afternoon of August 18 and the storm is likely to slam into the regions at noon of August 19. Accordingly, Viet A Bank will be Phuoc Son Golds tax debt guarantor to pay VND334 billion ($14.9 million) in tax arrears and VND100 billion ($4.48 million) in late payment fines. The debt will be paid within 12 months, starting in August 2016, with an average payment of VND27 billion ($1.2 million) per month. According to Phuoc Son Golds acting general director Paul Seton, restarting Phuoc Son Golds operation will maintain 1,000 jobs, create revenue to cover the tax debt, as well as contribute to preventing illegal gold exploitation. Dak Sa is currently Vietnams largest gold mine, with a deposit of 30 tonnes. Once it resumes operation, it will have an exploitation and processing capacity of 18,000 tonnes of ore per month. Tran Dinh Tung, Deputy Chairman of the Quang Nam Peoples Committee, said that the province will provide favourable conditions for the company to operate effectively. However, the province will supervise tax payment and ensure that environmental regulations are upheld. Earlier in July, the Quang Nam Department of Planning and Investment withdraw the business registration of Phuoc Son Gold, due to delays in paying its tax arrears. Along with the tax debt, Phuoc Son Gold had to suspend its operations for two years due to a chronic lack of capital and huge losses. Notably, the company generated a loss of $15.9 million, $60.6 million of which is short-term debt. The company has not published a financial report for the 2014-2015 period. Ha Noi sees heavy rain and strong wind yesterday evening under the influence of the storm Dianmu. - VNS Photo Viet Thanh The storm, the third of this year, is due to hit the northern region from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa provinces today. During his visit yesterday, PM Phuc asked the centre to expand international co-operation and collect different forecast resources from other countries like the US, Japan and China to improve the accuracy of its service. All meetings at both central and local levels should be halted from today to focus on dealing with the storm to protect lives and assets, he said, which will require preparations for the evacuation of residents and the shoring up of breached dykes in coastal localities. The Government leader asked ministries, agencies and localities to carry out measures to counter flooding and landslides to protect peoples lives the most important target in disaster prevention and control. They were also requested to avoid complacency and have plans on food, medicine and environmental sanitation when the storm is over. Yesterday, Deputy PM Vuong inh Hue visited the northern port city of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Province, Deputy PM Trinh inh Dung toured northern Nam inh and Thai Binh provinces while Deputy PM Vu uc am worked with Ninh Binh provinces authorities to inspect preparations to cope with storm Dianmu in these localities. The localities were requested to call upon all ships operating at sea to return to the mainland or seek safe shelter. More efforts should be taken to evacuate residents from areas outside sea dykes and prevent weak dyke sections from breaking up. The storm, by 4pm yesterday, was in Chinas Leizhou Peninsula, moving west at 20km per hour and was predicted to gain strength before making landfall in Viet Nam, according to the National Centre of Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. By 5pm, there were more than 2,500 ships from Hai Phong City and 300 ships from Nam inh Province operating at sea. According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, torrential rains began in the entire northern and northern central regions from yesterday afternoon. Stay well-prepared Localities in tropical storm Dianmus path have hurriedly made preparations to minimise damage from the storm. In Quang Ninh Province, chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen uc Long organised an urgent meeting to direct local agencies to take measures to cope with the storm yesterday morning. The first task is ensuring safety for local residents, he said. Long ordered all offshore vessels to be informed about the storms developments so that they could seek safe anchorage and all tourism vessels on Ha Long Bay must cease operations before 1pm today. He directed the head of Co To Island District to take actions to keep islanders and nine tourists stranded there safe. Hoang Ba Nam, Party Secretary of the Peoples Committee of the island district, said it had prohibited vessels from sailing to the island from Wednesday afternoon, and had stored food for local residents and tourists. In Ninh Binh Province, the local administration started to evacuate residents living in areas near Binh Minh II Dyke and people residing in areas with high risks of landslide. The evacuation was set to be finished before 8pm today. The administration had posted more workers on duty to keep dykes and reservoirs safe during the storm. The Committee on Natural Disasters Prevention and Control of northern mountainous ien Bien Province yesterday directed districts to review locations with high risks of flash floods and landslides then quickly evacuating residents. In Nam inh Province, chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Pham inh Nghi requested all local units to prepare for the storm. Authorised agencies would help residents reinforce houses and farms to cope with the storm, he said. In Thai Binh Province, the provincial Peoples Committee decided to open drainages to reduce water levels in rivers before the storm. By 7am yesterday, the province had evacuated 360 residents to safety. PM Phuc directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure safety for hydro-power reservoirs and the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, the National Committee on Search and Rescue were assigned to be ready to support localities in emergencies. Heads of Peoples Committee of localities were told to make plans to allow students off school when the storm made landfall. The forecasting centre put northern mountainous provinces, encompassing Lai Chau, ien Bien, Son La, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai on high alert of flash floods and landslides, while alerting provinces in the northern delta and central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh of floods. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Twenty years since the last Khmer Rouge fighters were integrated back into mainstream Cambodian society, militiamen from formerly rival factions say they are happy with the development their border communities have seen since the end of hostilities. In Pailin city, a ceremony at Wat Korng Kang presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen signaled the end of a bitter civil war and the beginning of modern development in the former Khmer Rouge strongholds. Since 1979, the Khmer Rouge, backed by China, had fought the Vietnam-backed government in Phnom Penh which ousted their leadership from power. Tens of thousands of soldiers and their families, led by the regimes former foreign minister Ieng Sary and two other commanders Y Chheang in Pailin province and Sok Pheap in the Malai region carried on the fight. So Vun, 54, a resident of Bo Tang Sou village in Pailin city, said the immediate aftermath of the integration was a difficult time. After the integration, though some people struggled then, peace allowed people who had served as soldiers for more than 30 years to live a life without fear and war, he said. But since integration, life is still a struggle. We just try and make a livelihood and work. In the past, we had no jobs and escaped with our families from bombs, but now we dont need to run. Vun has one demand that he wants the government to address with urgency: improving the lot for poor farming communities. Its a refrain heard often among impoverished former Khmer Rouge families, many of whom beat their swords to plowshares after the Pailin agreement. The price of cassava, a key crop in the area, is too low for Vun to afford to feed his family and pay for his six children to attend school, he says. Snguon Seng Long, the 24-year-old son of a former cadre, dropped out of school in grade eight to till the fields after his parents died. We need to buy rice, snacks, vegetables, meat and sometimes the cost of the kids [medical] treatment, and each month pay back 60,000 riel [about $14.50] for the interest on our loans, so we have no money to save at all, he said. Our money goes on paying off the interest on our loans, and for the kids treatment. Suppose I get sick... I am the breadwinner and Id be lost. Uon Chantha, 47, a resident of the ex-Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng, had served as a message runner for the Khmer Rouge, moving into cassava farming and carpentry after integration. For me, I dont want to see war, I only want peace, like it is now, he said. Of course I like the current situation, but its not perfect things, particularly law enforcement, is not implemented well like in other countries, where things go smoothly, he said. Chantha sees social injustices and this has caused him to question the new system, but generally he says he is impressed with the achievements of his local authority. As with many other former Khmer Rouge who have turned to farming, he wants the government to set price controls on cassava to ensure an income for the community. While the former cadres no longer fear war with their fellow countrymen, tensions with neighboring countries come up regularly in conversations about the state of the peace. Our country has peace and if there is not any crisis in the future, I dont believe there will be another war among the Khmer because Khmer people have been through war. It lasted so long and no-one wants to see it happen again, said Vun. I think thats impossible, but perhaps less so with neighboring countries. If a border war happens, I will join the army. Cambodias borders with both Thailand and Vietnam are the subject of ongoing and often tense disputes. Claims that Vietnam has encroached on Cambodian territory have prompted fierce protests and led to a rising anti-Vietnamese sentiment among Khmers. Cambodias heavily militarized border with Thailand was the site of armed clashes in 2008 over the Preah Vihear temple. Chea Say, a 66-year-old farmer in O Ta Vao village in Pailin, said that although he is poor, I am also happy with whatever happens, except war. When there is war theres destruction and no development for the nation and people, adding that if the disputes with Cambodias neighbors came to war he would take up arms. Chea Leab, deputy governor of Pailin province, said numerous government programs since the civil war ended have helped people in the region. People are not struggling. Since integration, they are happy because they no longer hear the sound of bombs. They no longer worry about where and when they need to escape. They just concentrate on farming, she said, adding that the recent drought had hurt the price of cash crops such as cassava, which many local farmers rely on. Ou Sokhon, another resident of Anlong Veng, said the reliance on cash crop farming left rural families in a precarious situation, whereas before the peace agreements subsistence farming was the norm. Compared to then, we are happy with our farming because we have a market... but we want to sell our products at a slightly higher price in the market. It is our request. Hor Chhinvirakyuth, governor of Anlong Veng district, said the sentiment of local people is to work together and praised the lack of discrimination between former Khmer Rouge and people from the cities. However, Youk Chhang of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) says more needs to be done to create a lasting peace. A national policy [of reconciliation], we need to exercise this constantly because the generation of survivors from the Khmer Rouge regime is not gone yet, he said. Part of the peacekeeping process involves education, he adds, which DC-Cam plays a vital role in through building centers that serve as educational facilities on the history of the war, text books for schools and training teachers, as well as building pagodas, and other ways to help the process of healing and reconciliation. Pheap, the former commander of the Malai region, said peace must be strengthened since its hard to earn. If we read history, our country has never had peace until now, because of the Win-Win Policy, he said, referring to Hun Sens reconciliation program. The peace from the win-win policy is almost 20 years old. The main issue now is the income of soldiers and the livelihoods of their families in the Malai region.I see a lot of development, like roads, electricity, water, markets, farming products and small businesses, and their livelihoods and housing is growing rapidly. Its not like before, he added. However, Kek Galabru, the founder of the local human rights group Licadho, said that real and lasting peace remained elusive. If we want to have social stability, we have to build the trust in national institutions, particularly the judicial system and electoral institutions, because in democratic countries people have freedom of expression and elect the leaders they want, she said. When the leaders of both major political parties that won seats in the last election agreed in July 2014 to end a year-long political stalemate, the oppositions 55 elected lawmakers entered the National Assembly, quickly calling on ministers for questioning on issues of national importance. However, since July last year, a wave of arrests and court cases brought against opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party officials has stifled debate. The CNRPs president, Sam Rainsy, and its deputy leader, Kem Sokha, both face ongoing legal proceedings that could lead to imprisonment. Since the cases against Sokha and Rainsy were initiated, a new parliamentary boycott was started by the opposition, which analysts now say was a serious misstep that has allowed the Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party to get a free pass in the legislature. Sam Kuntheamey, head of the election monitoring group Nicfec, said the continued boycott of parliament by the CNRP was hurting the partys legitimacy. Its not beneficial to society when they dont enter meetings, because they represent [almost] half of the population throughout the country, with 55 seats. With 55 seats, its a lot for millions of people. When their voices are not heard during the enactment of laws and other things, its a severe loss, he said. Kuntheamey urged the CNRP to reconsider its position and re-enter parliament so that the CPP could be challenged. The so-called culture of dialogue that was initiated in a meeting between Hun Sen and Rainsy on July 22, 2014, that ended the post-election boycott, has been abandoned, and Meas Ny, a social researcher, says that despite the ongoing difficulties that lawmakers face in carrying out their duties, the deteriorating political situation means that their presence in parliament has never been more needed. Regarding the recent murder of Kem Ley, I think that opposition members of parliament could write a petition to convene a session of the National Assembly to question government officials in order to speed up investigation, he said, referring to the July 10 fatal shooting of a prominent local political analyst and dissident. I think if they dont enter parliament, the tense political situation will continue, he added. Lawmakers have the right according to parliamentary procedure to summon officials for questioning and to publicly submit questions to the government, which the government is then obliged to respond to. While analysts spoken to for this story said this mechanism should be made use of in the current political climate, Son Chhay, the CNRPs chief whip, said the legal action taken against senior party members had driven lawmakers away from the legislature, adding that they continued to conduct casework outside of the National Assembly. I want to clarify that we always pay attention to our work we must use our duties and activities in the state framework to serve the people at the highest level, he said. Despite the absence of the CNRP in sessions, Sok Eysan, a CPP spokesman, said parliament could continue to pass laws and ratify agreements, despite the rules stating that a majority of lawmakers must vote in favor of a decision. The ruling party argues that the parliamentary code refers to a majority of lawmakers who attend a session, rather than of the total elected members. However, as the CPP holds a majority of the seats 68 out of a total of 123 even with the presence of the CNRP it is likely that the CPP could push through any laws in a majority vote. If the other party doesnt attend, and parliament is attended by only CPP lawmakers, they can still pass laws as it only requires 50 percent plus one, Eysan said. The second-oldest confirmed shipwreck in the Great Lakes, an American-built, Canadian-owned sloop that sank in Lake Ontario more than 200 years ago, has been found, a team of underwater explorers said Wednesday. The three-member western New York-based team said it discovered the shipwreck this summer in deep water off Oswego, in central New York. Images captured by a remotely operated vehicle confirmed it is the Washington, which sank during a storm in 1803, team member Jim Kennard said. This one is very special. We don't get too many like this, said Kennard, who along with Roger Pawlowski and Roland Chip Stevens has found numerous wrecks in Lake Ontario and other waterways. The sloop Washington was built on Lake Erie in Pennsylvania in 1798 and was used to transport people and goods between western New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario. It was placed on skids and hauled by oxen teams across the Niagara Isthmus to Lake Ontario in 1802 after being sold to Canadian merchants. The 16-meter-long ship was carrying at least five people and a cargo of merchandise, including goods from India, when it set sail from Kingston, Ontario, for its homeport of Niagara, Ontario, on Nov. 6, 1803. The vessel was caught in a fierce storm and sank. At least three crew members and two merchants were on the sloop. All aboard died. According to Kennard, contemporary records said portions of the cargo and pieces of the ship were found the following day on a shore near Oswego. The Washington is the oldest commercial sailing vessel found in the Great Lakes and the only sloop known to have sailed on lakes Erie and Ontario, Kennard said. Single-masted sloops were replaced in the early 19th century by two- and three-masted schooners, which were much easier to sail, according to Carrie Sowden, archaeological director at the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo, Ohio, which sponsors the New York team's explorations. Since there are no known drawings of the Washington, the sloop's discovery will help maritime historians learn more about the design and construction of that type of sailing vessel used on the Great Lakes between the American Revolution and the War of 1812, she said. Every shipwreck offers something different that adds to our knowledge base, Sowden said. The oldest vessel found in the Great Lakes is HMS Ontario, a British warship that sank in Lake Ontario in 1780. Kennard and another explorer found that wreck in 2008. Five days after he claimed he was held up at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro, 12-time Olympic medal-winning swimmer American Ryan Lochte apologized for not being "more careful and candid" in his description of what exactly happened in the early hours Sunday at a gas station in Brazil. But nowhere in his apology did Lochte address whether or not he lied about being robbed at gunpoint by men posing as police. Here is Lochte's statement in full: Perhaps that's why the Twitter hashtag #lochte is alive and well. Tweets range from the humorous to accounts of his privileged upbringing to ugly accusations of racism all the way to just plain online shaming. Here is a sampling: Al Roker, who adopted a stronger tone compared to his tweet, and his co-anchors discussed the scandal on NBC, where Lochte had made appearance. Here is Lochte on NBC News on August 15, a day after the incident. On August 20, 2015, President Pierre Nkurunziza was sworn in for a hotly disputed third five-year term in office. The swearing-in followed an election that most of his opponents boycotted. He won with 69 percent of the vote. In his oath of office, the Burundian president swore loyalty to the constitution, to assure national unity and to bring stability to the deteriorating security situation. One year later, the sounds of gunfire might have gone silent, but political tensions and human rights abuses persist. According to human rights organizations, more than 450 people have been killed since April 2015 and a quarter-of-a-million have fled the country seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Dieudonne Bashirahishize, a member of the Burundi Bar Association and vice president of the East African Law Society, says the abuse against civilians and killings continues. People are still harassed, he says. Some are still in detention without following the due process and the rule of law .... There are those who got disappeared, and their families dont know their whereabouts. Many more people are tortured in prison." We want the abuses to end Last month, a coalition of Burundian non-governmental organizations submitted a report to the United Nations Committee Against Torture, describing the human rights situation. The group documented torture, ill-treatment during arrests, extra-judicial killings and forced disappearances. Four Burundi lawyers face disbarment for testifying. Bashirahishize is one of them. He says the government should respect the laws and prosecute those behind the killings and torture that is taking place in the country. [The government] thought this was one of the ways to silence [us] so that we do not report the violence and abuses committed against our people," Bashirahishize said. "We want the abuses to end and those behind the crimes to be prosecuted. The government should also respect and abide by the constitution and the international law. The government has repeatedly denied targeting civilians and opposition areas, and insists it is defending the country against armed people. The International Crisis Group said in a recent commentary that hardliners have taken over Nkurunziza's government. The Brussels-based research organization said the spoilers are determined to do away with the institutional system established by the Arusha accord, which ended the countrys civil war and created an ethnic power-sharing agreement between the Hutu majority and Tutsi minority. Vital Nshirimana, head of Burundis Forum for Strengthening the Civil Society, says President Nkurunziza is destabilizing the army. He has disrupted the ethnic balance within the army, and those Hutu extremists are the ones who are appointed to any important position, whereas Tutsis are arrested on a daily basis," Nshirimana said. "We are very scared that the army one day will be divided, and people will no longer have protection. Cameroon took full control of the Bakassi peninsula from Nigeria three years ago as a result of a U.N.-supervised agreement. The transfer ended decades of dispute, but residents say they still feel conflicted. Many still feel Nigerian. The Nigerian national anthem being sung at a meeting of Nigerian businessmen in Kombo Abedimo serves as a fitting illustration of the identity crisis still affecting the Bakassi peninsula. Nigeria officially handed Bakassi over to Cameroon in 2008. About 30 percent of residents have since taken Cameroonian nationality, according to the government. But even they say they still feel Nigerian. "No matter how long a stick lives in a river, it can never become a snake. I am a Nigerian. I will die a Nigerian, says Deffand Agnes, a 46-year-old nurse who came to Bakassi from Calabar in Nigeria ten years ago. Economic ties to Nigeria, too, remain strong. Obi Emmanuel runs an engine boat between Calabar and Bakassi, regularly shuttling gasoline to the peninsula. This has been his business for the past 25 years. "Here, we don't have a petrol station. Without Nigeria, it should have been very difficult, so we consider Nigeria to be very sustainable for us, Emmanuel says. The transition Bakassi started out as part of Cameroon but it attracted so many Nigerians that Nigeria placed it under the administration of Cross River State. Tensions rose, and in the early 1990s, Cameroon troops tried to take it back leading to bloody confrontations with Nigerian soldiers. Cameroon took the matter to the International Court of Justice which ruled in its favor in 2002. The five-year U.N.-supervised transition period began in 2008. When it ended, Cameroon created a Bakassi development fund to improve living conditions. Ndoh Berta Bakata, president of Cameroon's government commission to develop Bakassi, told VOA that more than $8 million have been spent. "We need that more workers be sent to the zone to occupy those buildings. When they are there, they will keep safe those structures. We also need to try to ameliorate the conditions of the workers because some of them feel that they are being punished by going there. I must also say that it is a risky zone so something has to be done to improve their working conditions especially putting up electricity and water because that is essential for their stay," Bakata says. In spite of the investments, schools in Bakassi look deserted. Agbor Innocent teaches at the government school Kombo Abedim. "When the children come up to class five (fifth grade), they are taken to Nigeria. They don't stay in Cameroon. When there is fish, the children come. When there is no fish, they go away and they go with the children," Innocent says. Over 90 percent of the peninsulas 300,000 inhabitants are said to be of the Efik ethnic nationality from Calabar, Nigeria. Myanmar's leader, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, met with Chinese president Xi Jinping Friday to discuss the future of relations between the two countries. Xi said he hoped the five-day visit would strengthen the relationship between the two countries, which has suffered as Myanmar pushes more democratic reforms and stalls Chinese-funded projects in the country. "China attaches great importance to developing relations with Myanmar," Xi said during a meeting at a government guesthouse in western Beijing. "We should adhere to the correct direction to push for new progress of bilateral relations and to bring tangible benefits to the two peoples." A $3.6 billion dam project in northern Myanmar suspended in 2011 by Aung San Suu Kyi's predecessor, Thein Sein is expected to be a key topic of conversation during the visit. Since Aung San Suu Kyis appointment in April, Chinese officials have pushed for her to resume construction, but the project still faces overwhelming local opposition. Aung San Suu Kyi said that "both sides are advancing relations and deepening mutual understanding and friendship" during the meeting, but later told reporters she had nothing new to announce regarding the Myitsone Dam. Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to the Chinese capital is her first major diplomatic mission since her National League for Democracy party won a historic landslide election last year that finally brought an end to five decades of tight-fisted military rule. The Nobel Peace laureate is barred from serving as president under a military-drafted constitution, but she holds several key posts, including state counselor and foreign minister. A city in northeastern Syria has become a flashpoint in the country's civil war as Syrian warplanes attacked Kurdish forces Thursday, and the United States responded by sending in its own aircraft to protect U.S. coalition forces in the area. Thousands of civilians have been fleeing the Kurdish-majority city, Hasaka, since the Syrian airstrikes started on Thursday, which witnesses said have killed dozens of people. The airstrikes mark the first time since the start of the country's civil war in 2011 that Syrian government warplanes targeted a majority Kurdish enclave. They also appear to mark a break between Syrian government troops and Kurdish forces that had been working loosely together against Islamic State fighters in the city since 2014. Witnesses said three Syrian government fighter jets targeted military positions belonging to a Kurdish group, according the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group that has researchers on the ground. VOA video shows Syrian military planes circling over the city as residents sought cover on Friday. "They [warplanes] are targeting specific areas to weaken the local Kurdish forces," Hasaka resident Aziz Abe told VOA. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway said the Syrian Air Force conducted strikes against "ground forces in the vicinity of Hasaka" on Thursday, however the strikes did not threaten coalition forces who are operating in the area. In response, the U.S. scrambled aircraft to protect coalition forces, and the Pentagon contacted the Russian government, which has been carrying out airstrikes in Syria in support of the Assad government. The spokesman said Russia indicated that Russian aircraft were not involved in the strikes in Hasaka, and "we made clear that coalition aircraft would defend its troops on the ground if threatened." Reached by the VOA, the Kurdish YPG refused to comment on the involvement of U.S. warplanes in Hasaka. But a commander with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) told VOA that the fighting is ongoing. Our people are expecting the anti-IS international coalition to stop Syrian warplanes from bombing them in Hasaka, because this is part of that war on terrorism, said Nasir Hajji Mansur, a comannder with the SDF. In addition to airstrikes, Syrian government forces used heavy artillery in the city, killing at least 14 people and wounding dozens more, local news reports said. No comment The Syrian military or the pro-regime press did not comment on the strikes. A spokesperson for the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), the main armed Kurdish group in Syria, said that clashes have occurred in the past between the two sides but this is the first time the government has used warplanes against the Kurds. The use of warplanes (by the Syrian government) comes as the (U.S.-backed) YPG and Syrian Democratic Forces made achieved overwhelming victories against (IS) in Manbij, said Redur Xelil, YPGs spokesman, in an official statement. He said that the Syrian government was not pleased with Kurdish-led forces making advances on IS in Manbij, because it went against their interest. Since 2012, the Kurdish region has been administrated by local Kurdish forces after government troops largely withdrew to focus on fighting rebels elsewhere. In major cities like Hasaka and Qamishli, however, government and Kurdish groups have been tacitly sharing control. Entangled conflict Analysts believe that some regional powers oppose Kurdish gains in Syria, further complicating the entangled conflict in the country. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech Thursday that Ankara was "ready to move against the Kurds if they represent a threat to Turkey." Gulf-based Middle East analyst Theodore Karasik told VOA that the attack on Kurdish militia targets in Hasaka is directly connected to Russias (new and stronger ties) with Iran. Russia recently began using an Iranian airbase in Hamedan to attack Syria. Karasik said Russia, Iran and Turkey have concluded that the empowerment of Kurdish factions, especially those (trained and supported) by the U.S., is a threat, and that those Kurdish militias must be put in check with some deterrence of their on-the-ground support systems. The presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton this week attempted to further distance itself from the Clinton Foundation, a charitable group founded by her husband, former President Bill Clinton. The group has done charity work around the globe but has increasingly become a liability for Clinton as she seeks the presidency. What is the Clinton Foundation? Established in 1997, the Clinton Foundation is a non-profit corporation that funds global philanthropic work on issues such as global health, disaster relief, women's rights, economic growth and climate change. Since its creation, the group has raised more than $2 billion from a large global network that includes foreign governments, organizations and individuals, including some with questionable human rights records. Why is its funding controversial? Under U.S. law, foreign donors and countries are ineligible to give money to U.S. political campaigns. But by donating to the Clinton Foundation, some say those donors are exploiting a workaround that in effect buys them influence with the Clintons. Before becoming secretary of state in 2009, Hillary Clinton agreed to separate her activities at the State Department from those at the Clinton Foundation. But conservative groups have long been suspicious that there was still an overlap. Why is that an issue now? Recently unveiled emails show that State Department aides to Hillary Clinton looked into doing favors for Clinton Foundation donors or people who were linked to donors, in what was for many a confirmation of overlap between the two entities. What exactly do the emails prove? Shortly after Clinton stepped down as secretary of state in 2013, the State Department expressed interest in, but didn't follow through with, buying real estate from a Nigerian company run by a man whose brother donated at least $1 million to the Clinton Foundation. In another instance, a senior Clinton Foundation official, Doug Band, asked a top Clinton aide at the State Department about possibly getting a job for an individual whom he said it was "important to take care of." The individual, whose name was redacted in the email, was subsequently sent "options," according to a reply by Huma Abedin, the State Department aide. The outcome of the apparent job placement effort is not clear. Are any of those actions illegal? It's not clear. But what was revealed in the emails does suggest a possible conflict of interest, according to Scott Amey, general counsel at the non-partisan Project on Government Oversight watchdog. "I doubt my emails were going to get responded to by Huma Abedin," Amey said. "And at that point, you've created a system that allows favoritism." But at this point, it does not appear that Hillary Clinton was implicated directly in any of the emails. Is that behavior out of the ordinary? Not really, Amey says. "I think this is the kind of thing that happens every day in Washington, D.C.," he said, citing the outsized influence of wealthy lobbying groups and the tendency for top government officials to go back and forth between working in public and private positions. "You always have to worry about whether people are getting some sort of unfair competitive advantage that is skewing the system or that isn't in the public interest," he added. How has Trump responded? Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says the emails are evidence that the Clintons are corrupt, and that donors essentially engaged in inappropriate "pay to play" practices with them. The accusation fits a longstanding attack pattern by conservatives, who have for decades tried to paint the Clintons as the ultimate insiders who have gotten wealthy by their connections to Wall Street billionaires. How has Clinton responded? The Clinton campaign has firmly denied any wrongdoing, saying that any decisions by State Department officials were made without considering the influence of donors. But the Clintons have also been forced to distance themselves from their foundation. This week, Bill Clinton said the organization would no longer accept foreign or corporate money and that he would resign from its board if Hillary Clinton is elected. Can the Clintons really separate themselves enough? Probably not, says Mark Rom, a professor of public policy at Georgetown University. "When your name is on it, it's pretty hard to do that," he said. "Even if you really are entirely separate, and there is no communication at all, people will still say that they gave to the Clinton Foundation." There have been increasing calls for the Clintons to shut down the organization altogether, and those calls seem likely to only grow louder as Election Day approaches. Where does it go from here? The controversy probably won't go away, since Trump seems determined to make it a key campaign issue. There could also be more revelations about links between the Clinton Foundation and the State Department. "There's bound to be more," said political scientist Larry Sabato. "The opposition party always saves things for the last few weeks of a campaign." Opposition lawmakers in Colombia have proposed a bill that aims to cut the use of mercury and other toxic chemicals in illegal gold mining, that has polluted rivers and blighted the ancestral lands of indigenous tribes. Colombia has one of the highest rates of mercury contamination in the Americas. The chemical - widely used to extract gold - seeps into the food chain and causes soil erosion and health problems. The bill, proposed by two congressmen this week, aims to impose stricter penalties on those who use mercury and other chemicals such as cyanide in mining operations with prison sentences of up to 12 years and tougher fines. "The bill aims to adopt provisions that allow the various state authorities to combat criminal mining causing environmental destruction in a transparent and effective way," congressman Edward Rodriguez, one of the bill's sponsors, said in a statement. For every gram of gold mined illegally, one ton of soil is contaminated with cyanide, sulphuric acid and mercury, according to the government. Record gold prices and a government crackdown on cocaine trafficking have prompted the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and new criminal gangs linked to former far-right paramilitaries to seek new revenue sources and expand into illegal mining, the Colombian police say. Illegal gold and silver mining now yield bigger profits than returns from drug trafficking, making it the main source of revenue for many organised crime groups in Colombia, they say. A study this year by Colombia's Externado University found 60 percent of all mining operations in Colombia are illegal and said 180 tons of mercury are dumped every year. Health Risks For centuries miners have used mercury to separate gold from rock or soil. Mercury seeps into soil, rivers and the food chain and can cause serious health problems, like kidney failure and acute anemia, which may not appear for years, according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Most affected by mercury contamination are Colombia's indigenous tribes and Afro-Colombian communities whose ancestral lands are rich in gold reserves, particularly those living in the rainforest province of Choco on Colombia's Pacific coast. Along with health problems, high levels of mercury pollution are one reason why indigenous groups are being driven off their lands, according to the United Nations refugee agency in Colombia. Tribal rights group Survival International has said mercury poisoning is also threatening the health and survival of Amazon tribal peoples living in Peru, Brazil and Venezuela. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos last year declared a war on the $2.5 billion illegal mining industry. The government says it is shutting down and confiscating equipment used in hundreds of mines operating without a license every year. Army helicopters and police patrol remote jungle areas targeting illegal mines run by organized crime networks. Rights groups and indigenous tribes say the government has been too slow to react to the armed groups' intrusion on the mining boom and that as soon as illegal mines are shut down, new ones spring up within weeks. Theyve got names like Black Panther, Deathstroke, and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl superheroes in some of todays most popular comic books. Theres also been a lot of excitement over recent movies like Batman and Suicide Squad, said Brandon Zuern, manager of Austin Books & Comics in Austin, Texas. "People want to know more about them, so just having these characters in public view helps sell the comics. Comic book sales have steadily increased over the past five years, as Americans have been watching new TV programs featuring comic book characters and movies like the Avengers, the series of films based on a Marvel Comics superhero team. In fact, June was the best-selling month for comics in two decades; retailers bought 8.5 million copies of the top 300 comics. Until the 1970s, most comic books were found in grocery stores, newsstands, and toy stores, marketed to kids, especially boys, to take home and read. Then, with direct marketing of comic books, brick-and-mortar shops cropped up and prospered, like Heroes Arent Hard to Find, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Austin Books & Comics. More recently, retailers began selling on the Internet. Todays clients are mostly adults in their 20s and 30s, about 60 percent men and 40 percent women, said Zuern. Comics have come a long way since I was going to comic shops when I was young," he added. "Now comics are in movies costing millions of dollars. Hollywood has released more than 30 superhero movies over the past five years, and there are more to come. But Shelton Drum, owner of Heroes Arent Hard to Find, says that people who are into the films arent necessarily buying the comic books. He and Holly Interlandi, buyer for the largest comic book store on the west coast, Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles, attribute the recent rise in sales to DC Comics rebirth series. Starting in May, DC Comics relauched their entire line of comic books and there was a really great response to it, with a return of classics like Batman, Superwoman, and Wonder Woman, Interlandi said. Although most customers are still coming into the store, she said, others are buying comic books digitally from Meltdown Comics. But she said they arent reading them online because they like to have them in their hands, and see the gorgeous art, she explained. Drum and Zuern said they dont focus on internet business, but rather on people who walk into their stores. Austin Books & Comics' huge 557 square meter store and off-site warehouse contain at least a million comic books, Zuern said. He said comic book publishers are trying to appeal to a diverse public. He points to super cool superhero females like Ms. Marvel, a Muslim Pakistani-American teenager, who came out of the Avengers series. Another is the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, a college student, who can talk to squirrels and often tries to fight crime using non-violent means. With new releases this year, Zuern said the Black Panther, an African leader of the fictional country, Wankanda, is very popular. Two African-Americans, a magazine writer and a famous comic book artist, put together the series. The Black Panther has wide appeal, but it certainly brings in more African-Americans, said Zuern. As long as there are comic book enthusiasts, Zuern hopes the upswing in sales will continue. Comics are all about keeping readers hooked, he explained. "The end of every issue leads into the next issue, so you want to see what happens next. Donald Trump's first-of-its-kind campaign ad begins with a warning: In Hillary Clinton's America, the system stays rigged against Americans.'' The commercial, which aired Friday as part of his $5 million swing state ad buy, harkens back to a claim Trump has been hammering for weeks that the general election is rigged against him. The questionable claim looks to mobilize Republicans, with the all-important start of early voting in some states just weeks away. The presidential nominee has voiced strong support for North Carolina's stringent voter ID law struck down as discriminatory, but to be appealed saying without it, voters will cast ballots 15 times'' for Democrat Hillary Clinton. He also launched a new effort on his website last week seeking volunteers to root out fraud at the polls. Some things to know about voting fraud: What are voter ID laws? That ID law Trump referred to had involved a broader package of restrictions among them, reducing early in-person voting, which is popular among blacks in particular. At the same time, it exempted tough photo ID requirements for early mail-in voters, who were more likely to be white and Republican. In all, 17 states were set to have restrictions for the first time in a presidential election, pending final appeals, such as voter ID or cuts to voter registration or early in-person voting. Among them: the battlegrounds of North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Wisconsin and Georgia. Florida and Iowa had restrictions in place since 2012. The potential impact is significant: Barack Obama's strength among early voters in 2012 helped him capture Florida and Iowa despite losing the election-day vote in those states, according to voting data compiled by The Associated Press. He narrowly lost North Carolina by 92,000 votes; in 2008, Obama had won all three states plus Colorado, thanks to early voters. Is voting fraud a problem? Not the type that Trump is referring to. While fraud can occur, the number of cases is very small and the type that voter IDs are designed to prevent voter impersonation at the ballot box is virtually non-existent. News21, a reporting project affiliated with Arizona State University, in 2012 found 2,068 cases of election fraud nationwide since 2000. Of those, just 10 involved voter impersonation or one out of every 15 million prospective voters. More common was absentee mail-in ballot fraud, with 491 cases. None affected the outcome of an election. Lorraine Minnite, a political science professor at Rutgers University-Camden, says voter impersonation fraud is rare because it's difficult to do on a large-enough scale to tip an election. It's so irrational to even try just for one or two more votes,'' said Minnite, author of The Myth of Voter Fraud.'' In court cases that temporarily invalidated some of the ID laws, including North Carolina, Wisconsin and North Dakota, election officials could barely cite a case in which a person was charged with in-person voting fraud. But Trump continued his warnings, calling last week for election observers'' on his official website to stop Crooked Hillary from rigging this election.'' Volunteers who sign up are directed to a donation page. A new Pew Research Center report released Friday found that 38 percent of registered voters who support Trump are very confident their vote will be accurately counted. This view stands in contrast to the 2004 and 2008 elections, when substantial majorities of voters who backed Republicans George W. Bush and John McCain expressed confidence in the count of their votes. The survey found that 67 percent of Clinton supporters have a high degree of confidence that their vote will be counted accurately. What can we expect with early voting? North Carolina is the first to kick off early voting on Sept. 9, when its residents may request and submit mail-in absentee ballots through election day for any reason. It will be followed by Georgia, Wisconsin, Virginia and Iowa. A total of 37 states also offer in-person early voting, typically in mid- to late October. Over the years, mail-in early voters usually have been older, better educated and more likely white, while in-person early voters were often young people and black Americans, according to University of Florida professor Michael McDonald, an expert in election statistics. As a result, early voting will likely be concentrated heavily among registered Republicans initially before turning in the Democrats' favor in late October to early November. Those initial numbers will offer clues as to the depth of Trump's support among his biggest partisans, who vote right away, McDonald said. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, a potential wild card is its voter ID law. An appeals court recently invalidated restrictions that cut in-person early voting from 17 to 10 days, but the governor has vowed to appeal, creating uncertainty about the extent of early voting this fall. Voter mobilization is a key part of Clinton's strategy to winning North Carolina, as it was for Obama. Seeking to build on its expanding ground game, the Clinton campaign sent out an email to supporters Friday asking for their help to get people registered and ready to vote with early voting just weeks away. Will rulings invalidating voter ID increase the Democratic vote? Not necessarily. More likely, it will prevent a net loss of would-be Democratic voters the black Americans, young people and the poor, whom recent rulings said would be less able to vote if newly passed state voter ID laws remained. Based on rulings as they stand now, voters in North Carolina and North Dakota are ultimately unlikely to face new ID requirements, while those in Wisconsin and Texas will in some form. A number of factors can influence voter turnout, beyond ID laws, such as voter excitement for a candidate, as was seen in 2008 and 2012, when voters rushed to the polls to help elect the first-ever black president, said Richard Hasen, a law professor at the University of California at Irvine. In Cameroon, a new trade deal with the European Union is stirring up controversy. Other Central African states have refused to ratify the agreement, saying it was neither fair nor balanced. Civil society activist Emmanuel Mbami addressed a small crowd gathered near Cameroon's Ministry of Finance Thursday, protesting the new trade deal. Mbami said Cameroonian President Paul Biya was motivated by his desire to stay in office. He said Biya was afraid if he didn't sign the deal, he would lose the support of European leaders. Biya, he added, has shown Cameroon to be shameless state that would betray the other countries in the region. In late July, leaders in the Central African bloc CEMAC met in Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea, and decided not to sign the proposed trade agreement. But then, on August 4, Cameroon ratified the agreement on its own. Trade balance will not be there Lawmaker Njong Evaristus says Cameroon was wrong because the agreement favors Europe. "We are tilting towards the Asian countries, China and the rest, and if you have to clear the custom duties for European goods, it is going to affect us so much because, first, our budget depends on the custom duties," Evaristus said. "We are a third-world country. We don't have developed industries that are up to a level that they can compete with the industries from Europe. In that case, you cannot balance the economy since we are a country that is dealing with agricultural products and the rest, and they are dealing with goods which are already finalized goods. The trade balance will not be there." The European Union is Cameroons top trade partner, accounting for 35 percent of imports. The Economic Partnership Agreement, or EPA, removes customs duties on imports from the EU. The EU argues that the agreement is favorable to developing nations as it also allows countries to export goods to the EU without tariffs or maximum quotas under World Trade Organization rules. EU claims development agreement Francoise Collet, head of the EU delegation to Cameroon, says the country will benefit from the deal. "It will be a safer environment for trade, and for expanding trade between our regions but also for expanding trade within the regions. Thats one of our hopes," Collet said. "It is not only a trade agreement, it is also a development agreement. That is the aim of the EPA everywhere in the world and including Cameroon." African countries had until October 2014 to ratify the EPA, without which preferential treatment being given to their exports to European markets were to be suspended. Central African nations were able to get the deadline extended to August 1, 2016. Cameroons former minister of economy and current minister of public works, Emmanuel Nganou Ndjoumessi, is part of the negotiating team. He told VOA they saw no reason to disrespect their commitment. "We are ratifying [the deal] in order to continue selling our goods in this market without paying customs duties. Cameroon has to respect its international engagements," he said. "We have been selling to the European Union without paying custom fees, consequently, we could easily sell our banana, our chocolates, our beans and so on." The five other CEMAC countries which refused to sign on to the deal are Gabon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea. At its last meeting, CEMAC asked Gabonese President Ali Bongo to meet with President Biya to discuss the matter. A catastrophic humanitarian situation is unfolding in northeast Nigeria, where Boko Haram Islamists have displaced nearly 2 million people since 2013, the U.N. refugee agency said Friday. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said the extent of the suffering to which Boko Haram victims have been subjected was only now becoming visible. It said government forces' advances into the Islamist groups previous stronghold in northeast Nigeria had exposed the destitution of the displaced population. UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said aid agencies could not move around freely amid the continuing military campaign. He said that the situation in the region remained dangerous and volatile and that it was impossible to go to some areas without a military escort. Edwards said the suffering in Borno and Yobe states was shocking. He cited numerous reports of human rights violations, including deaths, sexual violence, disappearances, forced recruitment, forced religious conversions and attacks on civilian sites. He said population of Bama, the largest city in Borno after the capital, Maiduguri, had been deeply traumatized. Many of the displaced are women, children and the elderly, he said. We have seen adults so exhausted they are unable to move, children with swollen faces and hollow eyes and other clear indications of acute malnutrition," Edwards said. "Many also show signs of severe trauma. We have people screaming at night. We have aggression among children. People complain about a lack of food and water. Regional crisis Edwards said that with the lack of security along the borders with Niger, Chad and northern Cameroon, the insurgency in northeast Nigeria had turned into a vast regional crisis, with immense suffering among both the Nigerian refugees and internally displaced nationals. One consequence is that Nigerian refugees are fleeing back into their own country, into one of the most catastrophic areas as far as humanitarian needs are concerned that we are seeing at the moment," he said. "So, it is moving, it is dynamic. It is very difficult, and the insecurity, as I said, it is making it a very tough job indeed, getting these people the help that they desperately need. The UNHCR is scaling up its operations to provide lifesaving assistance to nearly 500,000 people. The World Food Program and U.N. childrens fund said they were trying to reach more than 700,000 people in desperate need. The beneficiaries are concentrated in 10 newly liberated local government areas in Borno state, but the U.N. agencies said the thousands of refugees who have returned to Nigeria from the three Lake Chad Basin neighbors also urgently needed care. In a poor corner of remote northeastern Brazil often viewed as the country's 'Wild West', a young state prosecutor is chalking up wins in the fight to stop corrupt land deals. The state of Piaui has been targeted as the next frontier for large-scale agriculture investment with a University of California researcher saying land possession in the state is often still decided by the "law of the gun." Francisco Rodrigues Santiago, the local prosecutor, wants to clean up his state's reputation as a place for shady deals. For while investment in agriculture is important and can boost food production and reduce poverty, say experts, Brazil's land acquisition system is vulnerable to abuse with many competing land registries and unclear property titles. Last month Santiago and fellow prosecutors won a landmark case to block the acquisition of a Los Angeles-size swath of territory he described as an "illegal land grab" and he is now working on laying charges against some of the 14 people involved in the 124,000-hectare deal. "It's important to investigate these cases because the land is rich in Piaui but the people face poverty: it's very unfair," Santiago, 35, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. State officials have pledged to step up prosecutions targeting cases of "grilagem," a Brazilian term for land scams. "Since the 1990s, this problem of grilagem has intensified," he said. "We are trying to diminish this practice. The grilleros do not produce food; they're speculators." Whose Land is it Anyway? In a bid to kick-start economic growth in the recession hit-country, Brazil's interim government is planning to make it easier for foreigners to buy farmland. But the prosecutor said he is not currently investigating any foreign firms for unlawful land deals. However the job of stopping fraud in rural Brazil isn't easy, analysts said. "There is not a single, unified map which definitively shows ownership rights to each parcel of land," said Malcolm Childress, a former World Bank official who now co-directs the Land Alliance, a Washington D.C.-based research group. "Without a unified map, there is a great space for ambiguity and fraud," Childress told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Land can be registered by local notaries, he said, while federal agricultural agencies hold a separate set of title deeds and tax authorities have a third set. "The key weakness from a governance standpoint is that those registries are not integrated and there is no final word," he said. This means prosecutors need to unpack each land claim to try to understand its legality which is a time consuming process, said the former World Bank official. More than 20 percent of the land in Brazil, South America's largest country, doesn't have an official owner, according to government data cited by the Climate Policy Initiative research group. "We don't even know who really owns some of these lands [where the unlawful deals occurred]," Santiago said. This lack of data makes it harder for officials to tackle corrupt deals, although Brazilian government agencies have pledged to improve rural land titling for small farmers. Inside a Rural Scam Prosecutors began investigating the Los Angeles-sized land deal in December 2015 following complaints from Piaui residents, Santiago said. Speculators used notaries - a type of lawyer responsible for officially approving documents - to register plots of land under their own names or the names of shell companies, Santiago said. Local land offices in rural states, and some notaries, can be key initial players in the manipulation of documents to illegally claim swathes of land, he said. The investigation identified irregularities on the public registries that breached the law, the prosecutor said, although it remains unclear if the registry officials themselves will face charges or other sanctions. Court documents viewed by the Thomson Reuters Foundation show that a part of the deal involved registering land in the name of a dead man. Childress noted the government's authority has been historically weaker in Brazil's northeast when it came to regulating land compared to wealthier areas in southern Brazil. "This region has parallels with the Wild West but updated for the 21st century," Childress said. "You have big capital and big technology capable of quickly converting landscapes, with all the pros and cons associated with that." Iraq has resumed pumping oil from fields operated by state-run North Oil Company via a Kurdish pipeline to Turkey, a spokesman for the oil ministry in Baghdad said Thursday. About 70,000 barrels per day (bpd) are being pumped through the pipeline controlled by the Kurdish regional authorities, spokesman Asim Jihad told Reuters, giving no further details. Pumping stopped in March because of a dispute between the government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government over the control of Kurdish oil exports. The resumption of crude flows through the Kurdish pipeline should ease the financial burden on the Kurdish government, which was hit hard by the collapse of oil prices two years ago. Kurdish officials in February warned that the economic crisis could increase desertions from their Peshmerga fighters who are battling the Islamic State group, which controls vast swaths of territory just west of their region. The new oil minister in Baghdad, Jabar Ali al-Luaibi, expressed optimism on the day of his appointment Monday that the problem with the Kurds could be resolved. Kurdish control Kurdish forces took control of the long-disputed Kirkuk and its oilfields in June 2014 after the Iraqi army's northern divisions disintegrated in the face of Islamic State's advance. The Peshmerga and the Iraqi army have taken back territory from the militants in northern Iraq and are preparing the final onslaught on their capital, Mosul, with the backing of a U.S.-led international coalition. Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite militias are also fighting Islamic State near the Kirkuk fields. Former oil minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in March demanded that the Kurds return to a previous oil agreement or sign a new agreement in order to resume pumping through their pipeline. The previous agreement provided for the Kurdistan Regional Government to transfer to Iraq's central state oil marketing company 550,000 bpd produced in its region, in return for a 17 percent share in the federal budget. The Kurds stopped oil transfers to the government last year, at which point they also stopped receiving federal funds. OPEC's second-largest crude producer after Saudi Arabia, Iraq produces 4.6 million bpd, of which about 500,000 bpd come from the Kurdish region. The rest comes from the oil-rich south. In comments Thursday, Luaibi said he would focus on increasing the nation's oil and natural gas output and also develop its refining capacity in order to cut its fuel imports bill, the ministry said in a statement. Here's a definitive account of why you shouldn't necessarily believe what you read on the internet. It's a story about how the internet can take a perfectly fascinating story and make it misleading. No it's not a pyramid Case in point, some news was made this week when Viktor Novozhenov, an archaeologist with the Saryarka Archaeological Institute at Karaganda State University in Kazakhstan spoke with Live Science about a Bronze Age mausoleum he helped unearth in Kazakhstan. I'll link to the article because Owen Jarus from Live Science did the hard work of finding Novozhenov (http://www.livescience.com/55796-ancient-mausoleum-not-worlds-first-pyramid.html) and talking to him about this very cool archaeological discovery. The Mausoleum, according to the article is about 2 meters high and about 15 by 14 meters long. Novozhenov told Live Science. It's "made from stone, earth and fortified by slabs in the outer side." Its shape is pyramidal to the extent that the walls of rubble that define the mausoleum rise towards the center of the excavation. I don't think that's what he's saying But the internet being what it is - the story of the mausoleum went viral in a really bad way. Conspiracy sites like disclose.tv ran with this headline: "Scientists discover Pyramid in Kazakhstan that predates Egyptian Pyramids by 1,000 years." Not to be outdone Yahoonews had this headline: "Archaeologists Discover Ancient Pyramid In Kazakhstan OLDER Than Egyptian Structures." Ummmm, not quite. First of all let's keep in mind the Kazakhstan "pyramid' is only 2 meters high, so we're not talking Indiana Jones material here. The other thing is that while this site is certainly old, it's not as old, as some of the most ancient Egyptian pyramids like the famous Djoser pyramid, one of the oldest, built in the 26th century BCE. Djoser predates the Kazakhstan mausoleum by at least 1,000 years. The real problem, of course, is the hyperkinetic headlines take away from the fact that this is really a very interesting find, worthy of note. The mausoleum resembles those produced by the Begazy-Dandybai culture that flourished in the region between the 12th and 8th centuries BCE, but Novozhenov says this one is much older. Its size also suggests it was meant for a king, though it was looted long ago. In just a few weeks, NASA will launch a bowtie-looking craft into space for a hopeful rendezvous with an asteroid called Bennu. The ship is called OSIRIS-REx an acronym for the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer spacecraft. Big Name, What's it Do? The U.S. space agency is sending the craft to do some pretty impressive things. Perhaps the most impressive is to collect and bring back a sample of rock from the surface of Bennu. Scientists call Bennu a "primitive" asteroid, one that's been around for a long time. They say the asteroid's regolith, the loose rock covering its surface, may "contain the molecular precursors to the origin of life and the Earths oceans." Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator, says the origins part of the project is one of the most important because of what it could tell us about our solar system and possibly about life on our planet, and perhaps on other planets got its start. Getting a sample back to Earth for analysis is vital because the spacecraft is only about six meters long with its solar panels deployed. Lauretta says it's not nearly big enough to fit any highly sensitive lab equipment on board that could examine the samples, so they have to bring it back. How's that going to happen? The launch window for the spacecraft opens on September 8 and Gordon Johnston, OSIRIS-REx program executive, says NASA's plan will put OSIRIS-REx in the orbit of Bennu in about two years. NASA is giving it plenty of time to find a suitable collection spot, and then the little spacecraft will get close enough to Bennu to deploy a mechanical arm called the "Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism" (TAGSAM). The craft won't really land on Bennu, but will make contact with the asteroid for about five seconds. A bucket-like contraption on the end of the arm will scrape up about 60 grams of Bennu's surface and deposit it in an interplanetary suitcase called the Sample Return Capsule. The SRC will be the only part of OSIRIS-REx to make it back to earth. A few years later, the little SRC will hit our atmosphere at a speed of about 12.4 kilometers per second. Two parachutes will slow the SRC down and it should land safely in the Utah desert in September of 2023. That's a big asteroid! Another reason the scientists want to take a close look at Bennu is because it's one of the most dangerous asteroids around our solar system. According to NASA, Bennu "... has a relatively high probability of impacting the Earth late in the 22nd century." Bennu is no little space rock that will sparkle when it hits our atmosphere. It's basically round and has a diameter taller than New York City's Empire State Building. It's traveling at more than 100,000 kilometers per hour and weighs 60 million tons. Bennu gets reasonably close to Earth every six years or so, within 500,000 kilometers. If it hits us, it could do the same amount of damage as the asteroid that almost scoured the planet of all life some 60 million years ago. Another thing that makes Bennu dangerous is that its trajectory around the solar system is changing because of something called the Yarkovsky effect, which is what happens when a cold piece of rock gets close enough to the sun to warm up. That warmth is energy and that energy has a tiny effect on the asteroid's orbit, changing it just a tiny bit over time. Getting a chance to study exactly how the Yarkovsky effect works will help scientists who are looking for other objects out there that could be on a collision course with Earth. That's a lot of responsibility for a little spacecraft! VOA will be covering the launch in September, so stay tuned. A new smartphone app aims to keep Nigerians one step ahead of flooding during the annual rainy season. The WetIn app is free to download for Android phones and gives users in three flood-prone Nigerian states advanced notice when an inundation is expected. The goal is to provide four- to five-day lead time warning on river height to allow government officials and planning agencies and disaster management agencies to take adequate precautions, said Timothy Olalekan Williams, Africa director for the International Water Management Institute, which developed the app. Ideally, the app will give farmers and residents in the three states Kogi, Benue and Anambra enough notice so that they can pack up their belongings, harvest their crops and flee if a flood is expected in their area. Two major rivers, the Niger and the Benue, converge in Nigeria before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Both are known to flood. In 2012, hundreds of people were killed and seven million affected by flooding in the country. Avoiding repeats Fourteen people have been killed and 208 injured by floods this year, says Kayode Fagbemi, deputy director of planning, research and forecasting for the National Emergency Management Agency. He worries that a repeat of the disaster of four years ago could occur. The level of water on river Niger has risen to a level where, if there is continuous rainfall, and if there is a high velocity of rainfall, we may experience flooding similar to what we experienced in 2012, Fagbemi said. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency gets the word out about floods by sending bulletins to newspapers and television and radio broadcasters. Williams says WetIn app makes it easier to spread the word to remote areas. For the first time ever, we will put into the hands of individual planners or anyone with a smartphone ... should be able to have this information at his or her fingertips, Williams said. The app was rolled out earlier this month, but Williams said no flood warnings have been issued. When they are, the app will get its all-important first test. Hundreds of aid workers signed a petition on Friday calling for greater protection in conflict zones, urging the United Nations to end "a culture of silence and dishonesty" that they say allows relief workers to be targeted with impunity. Launched on World Humanitarian Day, the petition describes "a decades-long pattern of callous negligence" by U.N. agencies, governments and international relief groups in protecting those on the frontlines of delivering relief. "In the first half of this decade, more than 2,000 aid workers were kidnapped, extorted, used as proxy targets, bombed, assaulted, shot or otherwise attacked for doing their jobs," the petition reads. "We, a global community of serving and former humanitarian aid workers, can no longer remain silent while so many of us are murdered, raped, taken hostage, and attacked with impunity in crisis zones around the world." The campaign on online petition website Change.org was set up by three aid worker support groups, including "Fifty Shades of Aid," a social media group with more than 7,000 members. Within hours, it had more than 1,000 signatures. The petition calls for the granting of protected legal status to humanitarian workers under international humanitarian law and the appointment of a special U.N. rapporteur on aid worker wellbeing. It also urged U.N. agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Red Cross movement to adopt a common code of duty of care to aid workers. "A culture of silence and dishonesty has grown around the realities of delivering aid in dangerous places," it says. Megan Nobert, founder of Report the Abuse, a Geneva-based NGO that collects data on sexual violence against aid workers and one of the groups behind the petition, said it was up to the United Nations "to take up the charge" on aid worker safety. Nobert, 29, went public last year after being raped in South Sudan by a sub-contractor employed by a U.N. agency. "Violence against humanitarian aid workers in general happens on a regular basis," she said. The petition's authors say the campaign was sparked by outrage over an incident in July in which uniformed South Sudanese forces killed a journalist and gang-raped aid workers at a compound in the capital city, Juba. Those present accuse the U.N. peacekeeping mission stationed nearby of failing to respond to calls for help. On Wednesday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched an independent special investigation into the incident. Nobert said greater access to social media made it easier for humanitarian workers to speak out. "There is such momentum and this is the timing for humanitarian workers to start talking about issues sexual violence, kidnappings, negligence and liability. Are we delivering aid responsibly and are we doing it well?" More than 650 children have been recruited as soldiers by armed groups in South Sudan this year, according to UNICEF. The fear is that many more children will be forced to fight because of renewed conflict in the capital, Juba, and other parts of the country, says UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac. "When children are faced by armed groups or forces, they suffer immense physical and psychological long-term damage, Boulierac said. We fear that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent. We call for an immediate end to recruitment and the unconditional release of all children by all armed actors." An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited as soldiers since war between the government and rebel groups broke out in December 2013. Last year, UNICEF oversaw the release of 1,775 former child soldiers. It says it is very concerned that renewed fighting is undermining last years progress and putting tens of thousands of children at risk. In addition, Boulierac says, a large number of women and girls have been subjected to sexual violence since fighting broke out July 8 in Juba. "The systematic use of rape, sexual exploitation and abduction as a weapon of war in South Sudan must cease together with impunity of all perpetrators, he said. It is also important to note in South Sudan that while women and girls represent a majority of those affected, cases of men and boys being raped and sexually assaulted have also been reported." As the South Sudan conflict moves toward the three-year mark, UNICEF reports that fighting has killed nearly 1,200 children. In addition, more than 13,000 children are missing, have been separated from their families or are unaccompanied. Twenty-five years ago, on August 19, 1991, a hard-line group calling itself the State Committee for the State of Emergency (known by its Russian acronym GKChP) announced that it was removing the Soviet Unions reformist president, Mikhail Gorbachev, from power and taking control of the country. The GKChPs goals were to halt Gorbachevs policies aimed at liberalizing the economy and relaxing controls on freedom of expression, and to restore the centralized Soviet state. Thousands of people took to the streets in Moscow to oppose the GKChP, and while three demonstrators were killed in a confrontation with security forces, there was no mass use of force against the protesters, and the attempted coup fell apart in a few days. Dissolution soon followed Still, the failed putsch further destabilized the Soviet state, which was already coming apart because of a steady loss of faith in the Soviet Union's ruling communist ideology and rising nationalism in its constituent republics. The Soviet Union was dissolved four months later on December 26, 1991. One of the coup plotters committed suicide, while the remaining seven, along with three other officials, were put on trial starting in late 1993. All 10 were amnestied the following year. Russia's current president, Vladimir Putin, once called the dissolution of the Soviet Union the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century. He has been in power for 16 years. During that time, he has rolled back many of the democratic reforms Gorbachev inaugurated three decades ago. In a survey conducted last month, the Levada Center, Russias only independent national polling agency, found that 58 percent of respondents said they largely trusted Putin and 20 percent said they completely trusted him, while only 12 percent said they largely distrusted him and 6 percent said they completely distrusted him. Assessing failed coup In a separate Levada Center poll conducted in late July, respondents were asked to assess the failed August 1991 coup. Thirty percent of the respondents called it a tragic event which had disastrous consequences for the country and the people, while 35 percent called it just an episode of power struggle in the top leadership of the country. Only 8 percent called it the victory of a democratic revolution that ended the power of the Communist Party, while 27 percent said they were undecided about how to assess it. Asked whether they would come out to protect Russian democracy if something like the 1991 coup attempt happened today, 16 percent of the respondents answered yes, 44 percent answered no while the rest said they didnt know whether they would or not. Gennady Burbulis was a close associate of Boris Yeltsin, the Russian leader who resisted the August 1991 coup attempt and became post-Soviet Russias first president. Burbulis told VOAs Russian service that while the Soviet Union disintegrated nearly a quarter a century ago, an imperial mindset persists in Russia. An imperial complex has left deep roots that formed over centuries," he said. And it hasn't gone anywhere. Burbulis added that Russia is also dealing with a Soviet heritage that manifests itself in increased confrontation and violation of basic human rights, including international law. Speaking from Kazakhstan, Dosym Satpayev, director of the Almaty-based Risk Assessment Group, told VOA that many members of his countrys older generation are nostalgic for the Soviet period. Younger people don't relate "Many of the older generation regret the collapse of the Soviet Union and think it was a mistake, he said. "As for young people or, as they are called, the generation of Independence who were born after 1991, all of these events are for them approximately what the Middle Ages or even Ancient Greece are for us. That is, they do not relate to these events either positively or negatively, simply because many do not know anything about them. Views of the Soviet Union's collapse nearly 25 years on are much different in countries like the Baltic states, which even before 1991 had fully developed independence movements. Although it is assumed that the collapse occurred in December 1991, by that time, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania had already left the Soviet empire, Kalev Stoicescu, a researcher with the International Center for Defense Studies in Tallinn, Estonia, told VOAs Russian service in an interview from the Estonian capital. While the Soviet Unions breakup was the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century for the president of one large state, Stoicescu said, for me and for the vast majority of Estonians, it was the best thing that could have happened. The leader of Spain's Socialist party on Friday rejected pressure to help break an eight-month political deadlock by supporting their conservative rivals and told acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to find help elsewhere. Spain is the closest it has been since two inconclusive elections in December and June to filling a vacuum after Rajoy said this week he was now ready to face a parliamentary confidence vote for a second term in office. But he faces major obstacles, including a steadfast refusal by the Socialists to support his candidacy in a highly fragmented parliament. Rajoy's center-right People's Party (PP) still lacks the majority it needs to win the confidence vote even as it closes in on a deal to get support from centrists Ciudadanos ("Citizens"), Spain's fourth-biggest party. But Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez on Friday repeated he would not come to the rescue and in turn tried to heap pressure on Rajoy to find support elsewhere for a stable government. "I'm warning you that the Socialists will not only vote against [Rajoy] in the investiture vote but also, to be consistent, if he is invested as the next prime minister we will vote against his budget, which I'm sure will include more spending cuts," Sanchez told reporters on the island of Ibiza. "What Rajoy needs to do is to keep talking to potential allies, and we are not among them," Sanchez said. Even with Ciudadanos' support, Rajoy remains seven seats shy of an absolute majority, thrusting the ball into the second-placed Socialists' court. Their abstention in a confidence vote would be enough to enable a PP-led minority government. Sanchez, who oversaw the Socialists' worst result in the June ballot, faces a tough choice between allying with a long-time foe or being blamed for triggering a third election, most likely on Christmas day. The Socialist party lost power to Rajoy in 2011 at the height of Spain's financial crisis and its support has been eroded by the rise of anti-austerity Podemos ("We Can"), which hopes to succeed as the dominant left-wing force. Regional support A cluster of small regional parties which in the past have swayed either side of Spain's political spectrum are wildcards which could potentially still help Rajoy clinch a majority. These include a nationalist party in the Basque Country, but regional elections there on Sept. 25 are likely to complicate his attempts to get them on board in time. Rajoy has support from a single delegate from the Canary Islands, but a deepening stand-off with one-time allies in Catalonia over a secessionist challenge there means that is likely a dead-end. Even members of Rajoy's party admit that getting the support of these parties looks unfeasible. If Rajoy fails in his bid to become prime minister in two weeks' time, it would trigger a two-month window to try and form a government, during which he could try and face another confidence vote. If a government is not formed in that time, a new election would automatically be called. A week after bombings in southern Thailands prime tourist locations killed four people and wounded dozens of others, the tourism industry hopes for quick rebound. A string of explosions and arson attacks, beginning late August 11 and into the next morning, rattled popular beach resort areas including Hua Hin, where the Thai royal family has a residence. Other targets included the provinces of Phuket with almost 30 million visitors in 2015 Surat Thani, Phangna, Trang, Chumphon and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Lisa Onghang, president of the Hua Hin Cha Am Tourism Association, said a sense of normalcy has returned to the region after the initial shock. "When it happened, Thai people feel afraid so there was cancellations by some Thais but not from abroad," she said. " I have many emails from our clients who seem to understand. So now the situation in Hua Hin has come back to normal." But economists at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce say the attacks may deter as many as 365,000 visitors, triggering as much as $170 million in revenue losses. And analysts say any further violence would have a deeper impact on an industry considered a cornerstone of the Thai economy. More than 33 million visitor arrivals were forecast for 2016, with almost a third from China. The World Travel and Tourism Council says Thailands tourism generates $72 billion annually. It creates jobs directly or indirectly for about 5 million people, accounting for over 14 percent of total employment. Earlier setback Thailands tourism industry suffered a dramatic 20 percent slide after the August 2015 bombing of a Hindu shrine in Bangkok left 20 people dead and more than 120 wounded. Many were from Asia. Visitor numbers dropped sharply in the last quarter of 2015, with recovery only evident with the new year. Sukanya Jandoo, vice president of the Thai Hotels Association and general manager of the Dusit Thani Bangkok, said the recent bombings have brought fewer cancellations than after last summers attack. "It was nowhere near the magnitude of the previous tragic event. In terms of business impact," Sukanya said. "I would say that city and provinces where the attack took place have been more affected than the others." Whos behind attacks? Thai authorities have arrested two men and on Friday issued a warrant for a third. According to the Associated Press, a police spokesman said the suspect comes from Narathiwat, a southern province where a Muslim separatist insurgency took hold in 2005. Uncertainties about whos behind the attack have led to fears of further violence, said economist Somphob Manarangsan. "It depends on whether its going to happen again," Somphob said. "I think if it is only one incident and no more like that, I dont think its going to have a big impact to the Thai economy, particularly the business sector." But he said a key concern is whether the bombings mark renewed political violence in Thailand. The attacks came days after voters in a national referendum approved a new military-supported constitution that is expected to increase the militarys influence in the next elected parliament. Other analysts have tied the attacks to Thailands Muslim insurgency in the southernmost border provinces with Malaysia amid a slow pace in peace talks with the military government. Vote of confidence Pornthip Hirunkate, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the industry has called on the government to step up security at tourist-related sites such as airports and hotels to prevent a repeat of the attacks. We have to be alert and prepared if anything happens, Pornthip said. The Thai tourism industry received a vote of confidence after the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said it was pressing ahead with a September 27 event in Bangkok to mark World Tourism Day. The Dusit Thanis Sukanya remains upbeat about tourism because of the Thai government attempting to restore foreigners confidence and also woo visitors back with increased security measures, promotion campaigns and also every citizen lending a hand in this effort to keep [tourists] coming. Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump tried to woo African-American voters away from Hillary Clinton Friday, saying Democrats like Clinton take the African-American vote for granted. At a speech in Dimondale, Michigan, Trump used the city of Detroit about 150 kilometers east of Dimondale as an example of how Democrats have neglected urban areas. "Look at how much African-American communities have suffered under Democratic control," Trump said. He claimed that 40 percent of Detroiters live in poverty and half of the city is unemployed. He said the only way things will change is a change in leadership. "To those hurting, I say: What do you have to lose by trying something new, like Trump?" he asked. "You're living in poverty, your schools are no good. You have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployed, what the hell do you have to lose?" Trump placed much of the blame for economic woes on free trade deals, a common theme in his campaign speeches. He also accused Clinton of wanting to give jobs to refugees rather than black youths, who Trump said "have become refugees in their own country." Criticizes comment Clinton responded by retweeting an excerpt from Trumps speech with the comment, "This is so ignorant its staggering." Polls suggest Trump has a lot of ground to make up with black voters, as his support in that demographic often hovers in the single digits. But Trump promised Friday that if hes elected, by the end of his first term, "I guarantee you I will get over 95 percent of the African-American vote." Earlier Friday, Trump's campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, resigned, the campaign said in a statement. Manafort's role was diminished this week when Trump hired a new campaign chief executive officer and campaign manager to try to help the nominee reverse falling poll numbers that have deeply worried Republican party leaders. Manafort also has been the subject of extensive news coverage over his work for pro-Russia former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich that allegedly involved overseeing millions of dollars in secret payments. Manafort denied that he received any off-the-books cash payments. The campaign said Manafort offered his resignation and Trump accepted it, thanking him for his help during the Republican convention and calling him a "true professional." Trump in flood-hit Louisiana Trump visited flooded parts of the U.S. Southern state of Louisiana earlier Friday. Trump and his running mate Mike Pence drove through flood-ravaged areas and met with disaster relief volunteers outside the state capital, Baton Rouge. Video of their visit shows Trump helping unload supply packages from a truck. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, said he had not been informed of Trump's visit and hoped the candidate was not in town solely "for a photo-op." Edwards said, "Instead, we hope he'll consider volunteering or making a sizable donation ...to help the victims of this storm." Clinton said she had had spoken with Edwards, and urged her supporters in an e-mail to donate to relief efforts in Louisiana. Unprecedented flooding has left at least 13 people dead and thousands displaced after record-breaking rains of more than 75 centimeters that began last week. An estimated 40,000 homes have been damaged. In a rare public confession Thursday, Republican presidential nominee Trump said he "regrets" some of the sharp-tongued and insulting rhetoric that has become his trademark during the campaign. "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words ... and believe it or not, I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain," he told supporters in Charlotte, North Carolina. Moments later, the familiar Trump returned when he called President Barack Obama a "liar" for denying that a recent $400 million payment to Iran was ransom for hostages. He also accused Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton of being a "bigot," saying she sees African-Americans only as votes and disregards the opportunities they deserve. Trump directly appealed to black voters, saying Democratic administrations and liberal polices had failed them. He promised blacks "amazing results" if he is elected. "What have you got to lose by trying something new?" Trump asked. Blacks traditionally have voted for Democrats since the Great Depression of the 1930s, after decades of backing Republican candidates. Clinton Foundation Also Thursday, the charitable foundation started by Bill and Hillary Clinton announced it would stop accepting corporate and foreign donations if Hillary Clinton was elected president in November. Former President Bill Clinton told foundation staffers at a meeting Thursday that the organization would take money only from U.S. citizens and charities without ties to any government. The ex-president also said he would resign from the board if his wife became the next commander-in-chief. He said there should be no questions surrounding the foundation, which has raised about $2 billion to improve the lives of people in developing nations. Some Republicans have alleged that large donors to the foundation won special access to Hillary Clinton or senior aides when she was secretary of state charges she has always denied. There was no comment from Trump on the foundation's new policy. But he did say in Charlotte that he would ask senior officials in his administration to reject speaking fees for five years after leaving office, and not to accept money from companies that lobby or "from any entity tied to a foreign government." Turkey's foreign minister says he has made a surprise visit to Iran just days after the two countries agreed to greater cooperation on Syria despite their differences. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Turkish state media on Friday that he stopped in Tehran on his way to India on Thursday. The Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers met in Ankara last week and said they would cooperate more on finding a lasting solution to the crisis in Syria. Turkey and Iran have held opposing positions on Syria, with Iran backing the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Turkey advocating for Assad's departure. State-run Anadolu Agency quoted Cavusoglu as saying: We have to increase our efforts. The [Syria] problem grows deeper and more insolvable with time. A British-Australian dual national living in Dubai who wanted to raise money for Afghans who fled their country's long war has been detained for weeks over promoting a charity, his supporters said Friday. Scott Richards' case appears to be the first prosecuted under a new law that regulates charities amid regional concerns about cash donations reaching extremists. However, his supporters warn the regulations can be applied to anyone wanting to do good by donating to international causes or even talking about them online. I'm shocked and horrified. It's heartbreaking because you're trying to do something so simple to make a positive difference just to help, Richards' brother, Brett Richards, told The Associated Press. Relieving suffering was the only goal Scott had. Richards, who grew up near Adelaide, Australia, and is married with two children, remains held at a Dubai police station. He appeared at a brief hearing on Thursday. He was arrested July 28, apparently over his support of the Zwan Family Charity in Afghanistan after advising the local government there, his brother said. Since the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, a number of small charities have set up in Kabul to aid those maimed or left homeless by the country's decades of war. Zwan Family Charity, registered as a public charity in Richmond, Texas, with the Internal Revenue Service, joined them relatively recently, in 2013. One of its projects focuses on providing tarps to protect against the elements for those living in Charahi Qambar, a community of mud homes northwest of the Afghan capital, Kabul. The thousands living there are largely ethnic Pashtuns who fled Helmand and Kandahar provinces, part of the Taliban's southern heartland in the country that has seen 15 years of violence. Children and others in the camp have frozen to death there in winter. We have a hard time getting someone to donate something like a tarp,'' said Kimberly Wolenski, the vice president of Zwan Family Charity. ``It just doesn't seem to fall on heart strings the same way. Richards was a friend of a friend to the organization and put out a statement supporting it and urged people online to donate to the tarp project, Wolenski said. She stressed the nonprofit has full accounts of its finances, urges its donors to follow local laws and has no ties to political or militant groups in Afghanistan. For Richards, his trouble apparently began after posting online about the charity and being quoted in a local Dubai newspaper about its efforts. I think he was trying to raise awareness about the situation in Afghanistan, his brother said. He was just shocked when he saw the conditions. I think he just thought, Maybe I can do something. Under a decree last year by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the emirate banned raising money or promoting any charity online or through the media without first getting the approval of the city-state's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. The decree, which exempted ruling family members, set penalties of up to one year in prison or a 100,000-dirham ($27,000) fine for violators. While liberal compared to other parts of the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates has strict laws governing speech and online conduct. The Dubai charity decree also comes as Mideast nations face Western pressure to crack down on charity donations that get funneled to regional extremist groups. Sheikh Mohammed's decree did not mention that concern, though a report on the state-run WAM news agency at the time quoted a charity leader saying the law protects philanthropists from falling prey to fraud and racketeering. The Dubai Media Office declined to immediately comment on Richards' case. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Richards traveled on his British passport to the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. The British Foreign Office acknowledged Friday it was providing him consular assistance, without elaborating. For now, Richards remains held without a formal charge, said Radha Stirling, a lawyer based in Britain whose advocacy group Detained in Dubai is assisting in his defense. Since his case, Stirling said she's received a number of calls from panicked expatriates worried about their own charity donations or online comments being used against them by anyone holding a grudge. A lot of cases in general come from someone offended by something you said or something you did on your Facebook, she said. It could be anything. They have a look at anything else you've done that might be in breach of the law to make a complaint. For the first time since a deadly cholera epidemic broke out in Haiti in 2010, the United Nations has admitted that its peacekeeping troops played a significant role in the spread of the disease, which has killed nearly 10,000 people in the Caribbean nation and infected hundreds of thousands of others. A spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the United Nations needs to do "much more" to address the cholera epidemic in Haiti, and promised a "significant new set of U.N. actions" to respond to the crisis, probably in two months or less. Haitians have tried to sue the United Nations for its part in creating the epidemic, but the U.N. has claimed diplomatic immunity. Late Thursday, a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the U.N.'s "immunity from claims filed on behalf of Haitian cholera victims." Thursday's developments came 10 days after completion of a confidential report that is said to have sharply criticized U.N. involvement in the crisis. Philip Alston, a law professor who advises the U.N. on human-rights issues as a special rapporteur, wrote the report, which will not be released until next month's General Assembly session at U.N. headquarters. The New York Times said the document states clearly that cholera in Haiti "would not have broken out but for the actions of the United Nations." Haiti was considered "cholera-free" before the beginning of the outbreak. The disease broke out in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that killed about 200,000 people on Jan. 12, 2010. Cholera victims suffer from dehydration caused by severe diarrhea or vomiting; many of the Haitians afflicted with the water-borne disease were already in a weakened state following the earthquake and the loss of their homes. Morally unconscionable Haiti's cholera epidemic was traced back to a U.N. facility on the Artibonite River, near a base for Nepalese peacekeepers in the town of Mirebalais. Nepal was in the grip of its own cholera outbreak at the time its troops arrived in Haiti. Haitians have tried to sue the United Nations for its part in creating the epidemic, but the U.N. has claimed diplomatic immunity. Rapporteur Alston wrote that the United Nations handling of the cholera crisis has been "morally unconscionable, legally indefensible and politically self-defeating," since the U.N. insists its member states must respect human rights but disclaims any such responsibility for itself. Mario Joseph, a human-rights lawyer in Haiti representing cholera victims, said the report's conclusions are "a major victory for the thousands of Haitians who have been marching for justice, writing to the U.N., and bringing the U.N. to court." He said it is high time that the U.N. proves to the world that "'human rights for all' means for Haitians, too." Russia said Thursday that it would support a 48-hour cease-fire in Aleppo, a move the U.N. Syria envoy said would allow aid to reach besieged areas soon, as long as all sides respected the temporary truce. Moscow said it was ready to start the first "humanitarian pause" next week. U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura has long called for a 48-hour halt in fighting each week to allow aid delivery and medical evacuations from both rebel-held eastern and government-controlled western Aleppo. He welcomed the Russian Defense Ministry tweet and said the U.N. humanitarian team "is now set to mobilize itself to respond to this challenge." "Our plan is to collectively work out the operational details and be ready for delivery as soon as possible," de Mistura's office said in a statement. Moscow must ensure that its allied Syrian government forces adhere to the pause, while the United States and regional powers must ensure that the opposition fighters are also on board, he said. Millions in need Aleppo, Syria's most populous pre-war city and its commercial hub, has become the focus of fighting in the five-year-old civil war. Up to 2 million people on both sides lack clean water after infrastructure was damaged in bombing. Escalating violence there, where Russia and Iran are supporting bombing campaigns against the rebels, some of whom are backed by Arab and Western powers, has caused the breakdown of Geneva peace talks overseen by de Mistura. The Syrian opposition has said it wants to see a credible pause in the bloodshed and improved humanitarian aid access before peace talks resume. "Trucks with food, water and medicine are ready to move immediately, and ambulances to evacuate urgent medical cases are on standby," said Jens Laerke, spokesman for the U.N. Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. A Western diplomat said it was important for the United Nations to lead the aid effort. "It is not a Russian operation. It has to be a U.N. operation to be a good and credible operation," the diplomat told Reuters. "It would start at the beginning of next week on condition that there is an agreement between the U.N., Russia and the [Syrian] regime on modalities." U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin speaks at a roundtable session regarding entrepreneur at 100 State on Aug 18, 2016 in Madison, WI. PHOTO BY SAIYNA BASHIR Republicans are sharply criticizing the Obama administration over Thursday's revelation that the United States used a cash payment of $400 million to Iran as leverage to ensure the release of a group of American prisoners being held by Tehran. House Speaker Paul Ryan released a statement saying President Barack Obama and his administration "have been misleading us since January" and the president owes the American people a "full accounting of his actions and the dangerous precedent he has set." Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called Obama a "liar" for early denying that the payment was ransom. The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Republican Ed Royce, said the payment "put more American lives at risk. And we've emboldened Iran. We've encouraged them, frankly, to take more hostages." WATCH: Secretary of State Kerry - US does not pay ransom State Department denies ransom payment The State Department has repeatedly denied the payment was a ransom. U.S. policy forbids the government from paying ransoms in order to avoid encouraging the kidnapping of American citizens. Instead, the Obama administration has said that the negotiations to return the Iranian money the result of an aborted arms deal in the 1970s with the U.S.-backed shah were conducted separately from the talks to free four U.S. citizens in Iran. "We had concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release,'' State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters, citing years of mutual mistrust between the two countries. "Obviously when you're inside that 24-hour period and you already now have concerns about the endgame in terms of getting your Americans out, it would have been foolish and prudent, irresponsible, for us not to try to maintain maximum leverage." The prisoners were: Washington Post Tehran bureau chief Jason Rezaian; Marine veteran Amir Hekmati; Christian pastor Saeed Abedin; and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, whose disappearance had not been publicly known before he was freed. The cash transfer and the hostages' release both on January 17 came at the same time as Iran's deal with the United States and five other world powers restraining Tehran's development of nuclear weapons, along with the lifting of sanctions that had hobbled Iran's economy. Iranian media reports have quoted senior Iranian defense officials as saying they considered the cash as a ransom payment. WATCH: President Obama on why US paid cash Cash transfer On the day of the transfer, non-U.S. currency cash in euros and Swiss francs among others was stacked on wooden pallets and flown into Iran on an unmarked cargo plane. It was the first installment on a $1.7 billion settlement stemming from the failed U.S. weapons pact with Iran in 1979 just before its last monarch, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, was toppled. The U.S. dispatched the cash in foreign currencies because any transaction with Iran in dollars is illegal under U.S. law. The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops and leaders of the Council of Churches in Zambia, seeking to ease post-election tension in the country, have called for calm among all political parties and quick action by the courts to settle disputes. The main opposition, the United Party for National Development, on Friday challenged the outcome of the August 11 presidential election before the Constitutional Court. In its petition, the UPND alleged that incumbent Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front was fraudulently re-elected, and it asked the court to annul his status as president-elect. It also called for a nationwide recount of the votes cast because of what the UPND said were numerous voting irregularities. In a letter to Zambians, the church leaders appealed to aggrieved parties to adhere to provisions in the law for settling election disputes. "We also appeal to the victorious party to avoid celebrating in a manner that will incense and provoke the losing party," they said. "We further appeal to our courts to adjudicate the possible petition justly and expeditiously. We believe that our courts are the arbitrators of justice and play a critical role in strengthening the rule of law. Father Cleophas Lungu, secretary-general of the bishops conference, said there were some campaign challenges that should have been resolved before the elections. There were issues of electoral violence, issues of intimidation, issues of the lack of freedom to assemble for campaign and to express oneself in ways that would not go along with those in power," he said. "You could see the tension building up as the results were coming in" so much so, he added, that when results were announced in some parts of the country, especially the northwestern part, there were incidents of violence. It is the constitutional right of any candidate or competing party to bring their issues through the court of law," Lungu said. "And when they take that route, we believe that thats the best way to resolve these issues, rather than for people to take the law into their hands and behave in such a manner that brings havoc and destabilizes the flow of life of ordinary Zambians, some of whom do not really mind who wins or who loses. The church leaders also called on the PF and UPND to take responsibility and urge their supporters to desist from acts of violence. Church groups including the Council of Churches in Zambia, the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, the Jesuit Center for Reflection and the Zambian Conference of Catholic Bishops deployed over 1,600 people across the country to monitor this month's election. Lungu said the poll observers concluded that the elections had been conducted very well. Lungu said there was some conduct that didn't contribute to strengthening democracy in the country, including the tardy opening of some polling stations and campaigning by some people on election day. "But by and large, we would say the electoral process could be said to be credible, he said. Zambia's main opposition leader has filed a petition at the constitutional court challenging last week's re-election of President Edgar Lungu. Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development, or UPND, says the vote was rigged and Lungu did not receive the 50 percent required to avoid a run-off. Zambia's electoral commission said Lungu, of the ruling Patriotic Front, won 50.35 of the vote against 47.63 for Hichilema. The court challenge will delay Lungu's scheduled inauguration because of a law that says a president cannot be sworn into office if the election is contested in court. The constitutional court has 14 days to hear the petition. "What we are asking for is the nullification of the election," said Gilbert Phiri, a lawyer for Hichilema. Zambia's electoral commission has insisted the August 11 vote was free and fair. The election campaign was marked by weeks of clashes between supporters of the rival parties, which saw at least three people killed. Lungu has served as president since January 2015, following the death of President Michael Sata. He defeated Hichilema in a snap election called last year, winning by just 28,000 votes. The political tension in Zambia is accompanied by a struggling economy, largely because of a fall in the price of copper, the country's main export. Zambia is in talks with the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance. Two cases of the Zika virus have been identified in Miami Beach, one of the world's most popular tourist spots, U.S. media reported Thursday. The mosquito-borne virus, first detected in Brazil last year, is relatively mild in most cases. However, pregnant women who are infected with Zika risk giving birth to babies with a congenital defect called microcephaly, which causes an abnormally small head and developmental problems. The first local transmission of the Zika virus in the United States was detected in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, in the southern state of Florida, earlier this month. Florida's Department of Health said there are 35 cases of likely local transmission in the state, including the two new cases that were identified Thursday outside of the Wynwood neighborhood. Miami Beach officials were not available to comment, although The Miami Herald reported Thursday that Miami Beach officials were sent to the area to inspect for mosquito breeding sites. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention referred calls by Reuters to state health officials. The spread of the virus is alarming for the hospitality industry in South Florida, which is a huge tourist destination. In 2015, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau said 15.5 million people spent at least one night in the Greater Miami area and generated nearly $24.4 billion in revenue. Of those visitors, 48 percent stayed in Miami Beach, the bureau said. Some Ghanaians suspect that President Robert Mugabe cancelled his four-day visit to the country because of ill-health and social, economic and political problems back home. Speaking on the line from Ghana, some of them said they were eagerly awaiting for President Mugabe while others stressed that they were not interested in him as they are focusing on many domestic issues Mr. Mugabe was expected to be conferred with a Lifetime Africa Achievement Award by the Millennium Excellence Foundation for playing a critical role in liberating Zimbabwe. Freelance journalist, Selase Kove-Seyram, said, Just this day in the morning I realized that he wasnt going to come anymore. Down here in Ghana people are saying that its because of domestic turmoil in Zimbabwe I dont know what the official reason is and I didnt bother to ask anybody. He further noted that most Ghanaians were not necessarily interested in President Mugabes visit as they were focusing on domestic issues. I think Ghanaians are a bit different when it comes to politics in other countries unless you are having may be a specific discussion with people because locally they are concerned about their politics, whats happening with their parties and so you wouldnt see any Ghanaian being vocal about politics in another nation. Several other people said they viewed the presidents visit as any other business being conducted by politicians for their own benefit. Foreign Affairs permanent secretary, Joey Bimha, said the trip was cancelled as President Mugabe is preparing for forthcoming meetings in Kenya, Swaziland and New York. Effective Monday, August 29th, Studio 7 will stop its English program. However, English news on Zimbabwe will continue to be broadcast on VOAs English To Africa Programs Africa News Tonight, Monday through Friday, and Daybreak Africa, Saturday and Sunday. Studio 7 will continue programming in English on Livetalk, which has been expanded to one full hour. You will also be still able to get Zimbabwe news on our website. We will continue broadcasting in Shona and Ndebele, Monday to Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday where weve expanded Shona and Ndebele programs to 30-minutes. Broadcast Schedules: Shona and Ndebele Monday Friday, Saturday and Sunday Time: 1700UTC 1800UTC Frequencies: 15460, 6065, 4930 Shortwave Frequencies; 909-Medium Wave. VOA English to Africa Program: Africa News Tonight - Monday Friday Times: 1800UTC 1830 UTC Frequencies: 6080 15580 17530 - SW Frequencies Daybreak Africa: Saturday & Sunday Time: 1800UTC - 1830 UTC Frequency: 909 4930 Medium Wave. Most farmers in Mashonaland West say they are ill-prepared for the 2016/2017 agricultural season, noting that some of them have not yet been paid for the produce delivered last year to the state-controlled Grain Marketing Board. Some of them say they dont even have agricultural inputs. One of the farmers, Munashe Mujeri, said most of the farmers do not have funds for the 2016/2017 agricultural season as they were not paid for delivering maize, sorghum and other products to the GMB. Another farmer, Khlupeko, said some farmers lost their implements to financial institutions for failing to service bank loans. Zimbabwe Farmers Union president, Abdul Credit Nyathi, added that his organization has appealed for credits in the form of maize seed and fertilizer from companies producing agricultural inputs. But Mr Mujeri said inputs from such companies are too expensive and make farming business unprofitable. Nyathi noted that due to climate change his union has embarked on an educational drive urging farmers to plough early and late crops and to cultivate drought-tolerant crops like sorghum and millet. Khlupeko said unions are not doing enough to protect farmers from unscrupulous financial institutions that are confiscating their farm implements. Khlupeko said farmers organizations should engage the government on reviewing producer prices to cushion farmers from high agricultural input costs. But farming analysts said for farmers to produce enough to feed the nation government should subsidize inputs like what other countries like Zambia and Malawi are doing. A 50 kilogram bag of fertiliser that cost $35 in Chinhoyi is selling for $7 in Zambia. Members of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise pressure group Friday marched to the offices of the Ministry of Education in Harare demanding free education for their kids, almost 24 hours after staging a similar protest in Zimbabwes second largest city, Bulawayo. More than 300 placard-carrying demonstrators handed a petition to the ministrys permanent secretary, Sylvia Masango, demanding that the government should introduce free education. Section 27 of the Zimbabwe Constitution stipulates that the state must take all practical measures to promote free and compulsory basic education for children and compulsory education and higher and tertiary education. WOZA coordinator, Jenni Williams, said children must not be asked to pay school fees because education is a right that is enshrined in the new national constitution adopted in 2013. She said WOZA members had taken a decision to stop paying fees for their children with immediate effect, adding that they would approach the Constitutional Court if the government does not address their concerns. Education officials were not immediately available for comment. In a related development, another demonstrator, Benhilda Mutuvha, said it was worrisome that the education sector was not growing despite parents contributing over $100 million in schools fees every year. Masango told Studio 7 that she would forward the petition to Education Minister Lazarus Dokora, who said he would only comment after reading the petition. At the same time, the Dzamara family and friends petitioned Unicef on Friday over the organizations recent statement that children should not be used in protests. This, after children of missing activist Itai Dzamara were part of the protests held last week over Dzamaras abduction by suspected state security agents in March last year. Dzamaras brother, Patson, who submitted the petition to Unicefs country representative Reza Hossaini together with Itais wife, Shefra, and two children, said they would continue to protest against Unicef until it retracts its statement. Tajamuka Sesijile Campaign members also petitioned Unicef on Thursday over the same issue. Unicef officials declined to comment. Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. Earlier this week, Amber Heard agreed to drop the domestic-violence charges against her now ex-husband Johnny Depp as part of a divorce settlement that was reported to total $7 million. It is now being confirmed that Heard will indeed receive the $7 million, and that she will donate the full amount to charity. Half will go to the American Civil Liberties Union and the other half to the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, which the actress has worked with as a volunteer for years. Heard has released a statement explaining why she selected those organizations, and you can read it in full below. As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves. As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated. This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future. The donation will be divided equally between the ACLU, with a particular focus to stop violence against women, and the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, where I have worked as a volunteer for the past 10 years alongside organizations like the Art of Elysium. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how more funding for staffing, better equipment and better medication can make the difference between life or death for a child. I know these organizations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future. Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most. - Amber Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images The only thing Lauren Graham loves more than dropping obscure film references is a revival series. Shes already bringing back Lorelai Gilmore with Netflixs upcoming Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, and now shes hoping it might be time for Parenthoods Sarah Braverman to make an appearance. According to EW, Graham joked on Twitter that she wants the Braverman family to return: *Sits at home waiting for script @nbcParenthood: A Year in the Life* she tweeted. Still Talking, but not as Fast: From Parenthood to Parenthood, and Everything in Between #nextbook? #jk #butmaybe? The NBC family drama ended after six seasons in January 2015, but former Parenthood creator Jason Katims told TVLine he wants to return to the show when the time is right. Before that can happen, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Netflixs four-part revival, will be released Nov. 25. Four days later, on Nov. 29, Graham will publish, Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between, a memoir of her time on the show and in Hollywood. A Dance 4 A Cause luau featuring live music from The Morticians will be from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at University Baptist Church, 1701 Dutton Ave. Tickets cost $25 per person or $40 for a couple, with proceeds to benefit the Family Abuse Center. A cash bar will be available, and soda and snacks will be for sale. No outside food and drinks will be allowed. For reservations, email the names of guests to Jennifer_Martinsen@ baylor.edu. For more information, call Van Davis at 716-8605. Backpack giveaway Bledsoe Miller Community Center, 300 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., will host a backpack giveaway event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The event will include free backpacks full of supplies, haircuts, food, drinks, a bounce house and a fitness class provided by S-n-S Burn Camp. ARU reunion at VA The Alcoholic Rehabilitation Unit, formerly at the Waco VA Medical Center, will have its annual ex-patient and staff reunion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in Building 7, Room 1C-117, at the Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4800 Memorial Drive. All former ARU graduates and staff, family members and friends are welcome to attend. A free barbecue meal will be provided. For more information, call David Hardt at 772-0032. Robinson food pantry Shepherds Heart Robinson Food Pantry, 106 W. Lyndale Drive in Robinson, will be open from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday for residents in need of supplemental food. All clients, new and existing, must be prepared to complete a new registration form and show proof of residency, which could include a drivers license, state ID or water bill with the clients name. For more information, email robinsonfood pantry@gmail.com or call 307-7225. Lifelong Learning Lifelong Learning will have a free coffee event to kick off its fall-winter series of educational classes at 10 a.m. Friday in the Science Building at McLennan Community College. The program will include a tour of the Science Building, which includes a museum and a simulated hospital ward. Parking is available in Lot H, located off Highlander Drive. For more information, email Bob Anne Senter at BobAnne_Senter@baylor.edu or call 710-6440. Submit items for Briefly in printed or typed form to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco 76702-2588; fax to 757-0302. Coryell County has opted not to reimburse McLennan County for this years 10th Court of Appeals salary supplements, putting a longstanding but informal agreement between 17 of the 18 counties the court serves in limbo. It has also left McLennan County leaders flustered. The 17 counties have participated in the funding system for more than a decade to reimburse McLennan County for supplemental pay to Chief Justice Tom Gray, Justice Rex Davis and Justice Al Scoggins, but it appears Coryell County has not paid its share this year. Each county pays $1,938 into the judges salaries. But as both sides have indicated, Coryell County leaders have never signed anything requiring them to reimburse its $1,938 allocation. Part of the issue, Gray said, is the voluntary payment program was organized long before most of the commissioners in both counties took office. The idea behind the system was to avoid a more stringent system laid out in state law, he said. McLennan County Judge Scott Felton said while he didnt know the details, it appears Coryell County officials decided not to pay this year. County Auditor Stan Chambers said since 2005 an agreement has existed between the counties represented by the 10th Court of Appeals. McLennan County would serve as the administrator of the court, paying the judges at the beginning of the year, then bill the other counties allocated portions at the end of the year, he said. Coryell balked on that this year. Weve already paid it. They arent going to reimburse us, Chambers said. It may be that we need to go back and revisit the whole thing. Felton said he didnt see why McLennan County should have to cover Coryell Countys costs. Chambers said even though Coryell County participated all these years, The response I got was, We never signed anything. Coryell County Commissioner Daren Moore said the court decided the payment was not mandated by the state so they opted to not include the funding during budget talks. Coryell County Commissioners Don Jones and Wyllis Ament directed questions to Coryell County Judge John E. Firth, who did not return messages asking for comment. During fiscal year 2015, 432 civil and criminal cases were filed with the 10th Court of Appeals from Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Coryell, Ellis, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Johnson, Leon, Limestone, Madison, McLennan, Navarro, Robertson, Somervell and Walker counties. Hamilton County has never participated in the cost-sharing agreement. Of the more than 400 cases, McLennan County, population 245,000, had the most with 100 filings. The county with the lowest amount of filings during that time period was Somervell, population 8,700, with two filings. Coryell County, population 75,500, had 25 filings with the 10th Court of Appeals during that time period. So far this fiscal year, the 10th Court of Appeals has had 417 filings, of which four came from Somervell, 32 came out of Coryell and 87 came out of McLennan County. Felton plans to contact Coryell County to discuss the matter. He said they may look into drawing up a document for each county to sign. The bottom line is were not going to get in a big fight over $1,900, Felton said. McLennan County Administrator Dustin Chapman said commissioners meeting minutes record the beginning of the plan in 2005. Chapman said Coryell County has paid its portion every year prior. According to county documents, only a few counties contributed to the salary supplement before 2005. That year the judges agreed to create an agreement, in which it stated Burleson and Coryell counties had tentatively agreed to a prorated share of the cost moving forward, according to county documents. Burleson and Coryell counties at the time found it necessary to cap their participation, according to documents. The documents contain signatures from many, but not all, of the counties. Coryell County leaders did not sign the form. Chief Justice Gray said a lot of the players have changed over the years, which may be part of the issue. Ultimately, he said, the benefits of the current voluntary system far outweigh the burden of the alternative mandatory option. Supplemental pay Gray, who joined the court in 1999, said early on the state took the position that it would allow counties to supplement the pay of the 10th Court of Appeals. The chief justice at the time approached four counties for the funding: Limestone, Somervell, Johnson and McLennan counties. For years, and I dont know how many, for a long time those four counties, and only those four counties, paid our supplements, said Gray, who was elected chief justice in 2003. By 2003, he said, they agreed to reach out to all 18 counties to ask them to split the costs. Everybody, other than Hamilton, agreed to the deal, he said, adding that Hamilton County was candid about not being able to afford participation. Over the years the system has worked great, Gray said. Gray said he supports this method over the counties adopting a Chapter 22 statute in the state government code. There are 14 courts of appeals in the state. The 10th Court is the only one that does not have Chapter 22 funds. Chapter 22 requires the collection of an additional filing fee of $5 on each case filed, Gray said. That money can then be used to pay the supplements for the justices. Implementing that statute makes the $5 fee mandatory. The system creates an increased burden on each countys district and county clerks because a process would have to be set up to collect and record the new fee, Gray said. Each county would get no direct benefit, but their employees would be engrossed in more paperwork, he said. Gray said if they can get most of the counties to pay the supplement voluntarily, it eases their burden. Gray said he plans to sit down with Coryell County leaders and ask them to reconsider funding the supplement. The legislature was looking across the state and seeing some discrepancies where district judges were earning more than the court of appeals judges, he said. Gray said while appeals judges can receive supplemental pay, theres a statutory barrier that mandates they cant earn more than a certain percentage of the Supreme Court justices salaries. The district court judges cant make more than the court of appeals judges, he said. This was also a mechanism by which the counties could pay their district judges more, Gray said of increasing the court of appeals salaries. McLennan County Commissioner Ben Perry said if it financially doesnt make sense for Coryell County to participate in the salary supplement, the court could contact the other counties about splitting Coryells portion. I dont think its right for McLennan County to eat the unpaid expenses for Coryell County, Perry said. Commissioner Will Jones said if its true there is no agreement between the counties, a document needs to be created. You would hope that they would want to play fair, Jones said. Mike Freeman, who put four men on death row as a hard-nosed prosecutor before becoming a judge almost 10 years ago, will end 40 years of public service in January. In January, Ill be 72, and my wife is approximately that age and we just decided it was about time for me to retire and help take care of our grandchildren and enjoy life a bit instead of having such a busy schedule, Freeman said. It just feels like the time. Freeman, one of two county court-at-law judges, will retire with about two years left on his current four-year term. That leaves it up to the McLennan County Commissioners Court to appoint his successor, and the line of would-be replacements could stretch around the courthouse. Judge Ralph Strother, the countys administrative judge, said Freeman will be missed. Judge Freeman has a long record of exemplary public service as a lawyer and jurist, Strother said. He has served the people of McLennan County and of Texas honorably and with distinction. I have been honored to have had him serve as a prosecutor in my court, and I have been proud to have served with him as a colleague on the bench. I wish him well as he transitions to another phase of his life. Freeman, who has three grown children and seven grandchildren, served as an elected county attorney in Nebraska from 1976 to 1991 and was an assistant county attorney three years before that. He moved to Waco in March 1992 and went to work for then-District Attorney John Segrest as one of his top felony prosecutors. Freeman prosecuted capital murder defendants Kenneth McDuff, Gerald Tigner, Carroll Joe Parr and Michael Dewayne Johnson. All have been executed with the exception of Johnson, who killed himself in prison on the eve of his execution. Freeman became county court-at-law judge in January 2007, presiding over misdemeanor cases and other matters. Freeman cites his creation and development of the countys first DWI-drug court in 2007 at or near the top of his many professional accomplishments. With 130 graduates since its inception, the program provides intensive supervision and counseling programs for defendants with substance abuse problems. I have enjoyed that particular part of this job more than anything because you are helping people become a better person, a better spouse, a better employee, and it is just a win-win situation for the county and it makes them better individuals, Freeman said. Waco attorney Jason P. Darling, a former McLennan County prosecutor, serves as the local defense bar associations representative on Freemans DWI-Drug Court. He was actually one of my supervising attorneys in the DAs office, and I worked under him as a prosecutor and in front of him as a prosecutor and now as a defense attorney, Darling said. It will be a sad day in the county when he leaves because he is one of the good ones. He has always been fair and reasonable, always willing to help lawyers do better in the courtroom. The DWI-Drug Court is his baby. He was responsible for its formation. That proves what kind of man he is. He worked hard to help improve peoples lives and to make them better citizens for our community, Darling said. County Judge Scott Felton said Freeman has not notified him of his plans, but said he will be missed. He is a good man and a good judge, Felton said. The judges position pays $157,000 a year. Those seeking the appointment must be at least 25 years old, have been a licensed attorney for four years, be a U.S. citizen and be a county resident for at least two years before the appointment. A former 14-year veteran of the Woodway Public Safety Department was placed on deferred felony probation Friday for trying to obtain prescription painkillers by fraud. Craig Patrick Bouse, 37, a former Woodway corporal and police K-9 handler, pleaded guilty in July to fraud charges. Judge Ralph Strother on Friday placed him on deferred adjudication probation, fined him $1,500 and ordered him jailed 180 days as a condition of his probation. Bouse, who declined comment after sentencing, acknowledged he tried to fill prescriptions for painkillers in a fraudulent manner at pharmacies in Hewitt and Belton. The judge granted a request from Bouses attorney, Edward Spears, of Dallas, to allow Bouse to serve his jail time on a work- release basis so he can keep his job at a local restaurant. In work-release programs, county jail inmates are released to go to work during the day but return to spend the night in jail. Bouse forfeited his law enforcement certification as part of the plea agreement. It is a shame that his career ended like this because Craig Bouse had unlimited potential. He was a very good officer, Woodway Public Safety Director Yost Zakhary said. When officers are correct, we must stand behind them. But when officers cross the line and are wrong, we must be transparent and hold them accountable to a higher standard because that is what the public expects, and that is what we did. I hope he can get his life back together and be successful. Spears said Bouse was injured in an on-duty car accident while chasing a suspect and tried to come back to work too soon so he could support his family. He grew to rely on painkillers and eventually was addicted to them, he said. Bouse has been to drug rehab and has undergone psychological counseling, Spears said. Convicted murderer Richard Bryan Kussmaul and the three co-defendants who testified against him 22 years ago are actually innocent, and Kussmaul should be freed from prison, a retired state district judge ruled Friday. Judge George Allen, who presided over Kussmauls 1994 capital murder trial, recommended that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals grant applications for writs of habeas corpus for Kussmaul, James Edward Long, Michael Dewayne Shelton and James Wayne Pitts Jr. Kussmaul is serving a life prison term in the 1992 shooting deaths of Leslie Murphy, 17, and Stephen Neighbors, 14, in a mobile home near Moody. At a hearing in July, Long, Shelton and Pitts all testified that they gave false testimony against Kussmaul at his trial because a prosecutor promised them probation and a deputy coerced their confessions by threatening them with the death penalty. The judges findings will be forwarded to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which will make the final decision. Allen wrote in his four-page opinion that newly discovered DNA evidence that was not available at the time constitutes clear and convincing evidence that no reasonable juror would have found (the defendants) guilty beyond a reasonable doubt had the new evidence been available at trial. Long, Shelton and Pitts testified at Kussmauls 1994 trial in Waco that all four of them raped the girl before Kussmaul shot both victims in the back with a high-powered rifle. The trio recanted their confessions soon after they were sentenced to 20 years in prison on sexually assault charges. Long and Pitts both served their full 20-year terms, while Shelton served 17 years before his release. All three testified at the July hearing, which the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ordered on the four defendants claims that they are innocent and that DNA evidence excludes all four in the sexual assault. David Sheppard, an Austin attorney who represents Kussmaul on his writ application, said he had not seen the judges order but is pleased with his decision. That is very good. I think that is the correct ruling, Sheppard said. The evidence just seemed overwhelming, with the DNA evidence having excluded these men from any contact whatsoever with these people. State payments If the Court of Criminal Appeals grants the relief sought by the four and their claims of actual innocence are upheld, they stand to become instant millionaires. Texas pays its exonerated prisoners $80,000 a year for every year served in prison, meaning Kussmaul could collect more than $1.7 million. I would hope that they would spend it wisely and get an education and take care of themselves and their families, Sheppard said, cautioning he didnt want to put the cart before the horse. The next-best outcome from the hearings for the four could be a ruling from the Court of Criminal Appeals that they deserve a new trial. But with the current state of the evidence, officials say it would be difficult if not futile to retry any of the four. McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna, whose office defended the convictions against the writ applications, did not return phone messages Friday. Long, Shelton and Pitts told similar stories at the July hearing. All charged that former McLennan County Sheriffs Detective Roy Davis threatened them with the death penalty and coerced them into signing 15-page confessions that he wrote. They said Davis tailored their stories to match the evidence. I was willing to say anything they wanted me to say because I thought I was getting probation and no prison time, Long said. I had two small children and I was afraid of going to prison for life or, worse, getting executed. Long now works as a refrigeration technician in Odessa. After the three testified in graphic detail about the killings and sexual assaults at Kussmauls trial, Allen rejected the plea offers for probation and gave the men a chance to withdraw their guilty pleas. They declined, and the judge sentenced them to 20 years in prison, the maximum penalty for sexual assault. Kussmaul did not testify at the hearing last month. Shelton is a heavy machine operator in San Antonio, while Pitts, 45, said he is living in Dallas and having a hard time finding a job because of his sex-offender status. In his previous ruling, Judge Allen wrote that an unknown mans DNA was found on a number of clothing items from the victims and that the four defendants in the case were excluded as contributors of the DNA. Allen also noted that a hair that couldnt have belonged to the four defendants was collected from the victims bodies. The probative value of the testimony given by Long, Pitts and Shelton at Kussmauls trial is outweighed by the persuasiveness of the physical evidence . . . for two primary reasons, the judge wrote. The plea bargains offered to Long, Pitts and Shelton created a powerful incentive for each of them to falsely admit culpability, and material inconsistencies between and among the statements made and testimony given by Long, Pitts and Shelton call into doubt the veracity of those prior incriminating statements. Allens previous ruling was upheld by Wacos 10th Court of Appeals. Baylor University announced the appointment of Christopher Holmes as the universitys general counsel Thursday. Holmes replaces Charles Beckenhauer, who died July 5 after a lengthy illness. Holmes has served as interim general counsel since February, according to a university press release. I can think of no one better qualified than Chris Holmes to serve as general counsel for Baylor University, Interim President David Garland said in a statement. I have greatly admired his work during the many years I have known him at Baylor and believe him to be a perfect fit. He has had extensive experience, is highly respected in the legal community and by the regents and has performed admirably in the interim role. Holmes started at Baylor in 2002 as assistant general counsel and was named associate general counsel in 2012. Before Baylor, he was general counsel at Dallas Baptist University and a lawyer with Cowles and Thompson P.C. in Dallas, according to a press release. He earned a bachelors degree in political science from Baylor in 1988 and a law degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin, according to the press release. I am honored to serve as general counsel for Baylor, Holmes said in a statement. It is humbling to follow Charlie Beckenhauer, who led the office these last 10 years and was such a gracious lawyer and good friend. I look forward to working with Baylors administration and our legal team as we continue to help Baylor University carry out its mission. Holmes and his wife, Dawn, have four children, two of whom are Baylor students, according to the press release. Police are investigating an overnight break-in at Hewitt Elementary School after two masked men broke into the elementary school and stole at least one iPad early Friday morning, Hewitt Police Chief Jim Devlin said. Shortly after 1:10 a.m., two men broke in through a classroom window on the south side of the school at 900 W. Panther Way and entered a hallway of the vacant school, Devlin said. The suspects tried to get into three other classrooms, including a computer lab, he said. Authorities were notified of the burglary at about 5:15 a.m. and reviewed interior security camera footage provided by the school. At least one iPad was taken from the school, but school officials and police are conducting an inventory of other items that may have been taken, Devlin said. Classes for Midway schools start Tuesday. I think (suspects) just saw this as an opportunity to try to steal something, Devlin said. I think it was just a pretty brazen, random opportunity to force entry into (a school). Police said both suspects were wearing masks and gloves during the break-in. Photos from the schools surveillance system were released late Friday afternoon in hopes of identifying the suspects. If anyone has any information about the burglary, contact the Hewitt Police Department at 666-6272. LINCOLN - Alerts continue at Pawnee Lake and Branched Oak Lake in Lancaster County, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The state also issured a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County and Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County. Samples taken earlier this week at Iron Horse Trail and Willow Creek were above the states health alert threshold of 20 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin (a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.) Alerts are still in effect at Pawnee and Branched Oak because levels were high last week. Lakes that are on health alert must have two consecutive weeks of readings below the threshold before the alert is discontinued. When a health alert is issued, signs are posted to advise the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches are closed during the alert. Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but the public is advised to avoid activities that could involve accidental ingestion of water and to avoid full immersion in water. Do not let pets get in the water or drink from the lake. People can still use the public areas for camping, picnics and other outdoor activities. Weekly sampling has been conducted at 50 public lakes in Nebraska since the beginning of May. The lakes will continue to be monitored weekly throughout the 2016 recreational season. Sampling results for toxic algae and bacteria will be updated every Friday and posted on NDEQs web site, http://deq.ne.gov. WAVERLY The Waverly City Council now has more information about the state of Waverlys curb ramp compliance with the American Disabilities Act. A presentation was made at the councils last meeting, and the results werent altogether pleasing for officials. Of the 403 ramps inventoried by a team of JEO Consulting Group interns, only seven were found to be compliant with ADA standards. The other 396 need some work. Are you sure you only found seven, Council member Joe Dalton asked the interns. That was indeed the case, said Nathan Meduna. We double-checked a few times to make sure we got every one, he said. A group of four interns completed the study over six days. Using iPads, they took photos of every ramp and used smart levels and engineers tape measures to collect data. They followed the Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) to determine the range of curb ramp dimensions for ADA compliance. They measured length, width, long ramp slope, ramp cross slope, top turning space slope and bottom turning pace slope. After that information was gathered and analyzed, the interns ranked the various ramps according to the priority in which they need to be updated. The priority was based on a points allotted to each individual ramp. Some features, like excessive slopes or other barriers, were given higher points. One such example in the study were ramps that did not have an opposite receiving ramp or ramps to nowhere, said Council Member Greg Rickers. Those higher-level noncompliant features make it more difficult for pedestrian travel, and sometimes force individuals to take completely different routes, the study reads. Other features, like cracks or insufficient width received lower points. Ramps nearer to schools also received higher priority points. The highest priority ramps were located at 147th and Eastbourne streets, as wells as 140th and Heywood streets. The interns compiled all of the information into an online database readily available for use by the city. All of that data should be helpful as the city attempts to tackle a planned project to bring the communitys infrastructure into compliance with the ADA. Such an endeavor would likely take years to enact. The city agreed earlier this year to allow the interns to complete the study, shortly after Waverly resident Larry Nedrow filed a lawsuit against the city regarding the state of ADA accessibility on city walkways and the citys alleged lack of response to his complaints. That litigation is still ongoing. The cost of bringing the entirety of a communitys sidewalks into compliance can be a burden on small towns, said Brian Craig of Disability Rights Nebraska earlier this year. Prioritizing projects allows cities to slowly unfold large-scale upgrades over a period of time. Council members thanked the interns for their work over the summer, which also included a project at the wastewater treatment plant. I hope you got an A plus, said Council Member Chad Neuhalfen. The interns said the project taught them a lot about their chosen field. When youre actually doing it, you have to think about every single thing, Paulina Guzek said. And getting to spend time in Waverly was also a plus. I thought it was really cool just walking around Waverly, Guzek said. In other business, the city and Trackside Bar and Grill owner Craig Blake hammered out some details in their lottery operator agreement. Blake operates keno at the restaurant. Perhaps the biggest change would be reducing the citys take of the overall keno haul from 8 percent to 7 percent. Blake argued doing so would allow his business to compete against other keno locations in the county. In recent years, Trackside hasnt been paying out as well as other keno spots, Blake said. That makes driving out to Waverly less attractive to keno players from outside the area. Im at a disadvantage right now, he said. As were sitting here. The boost the operation will receive by reducing the citys percentage should allow him to increase promotion, Blake said. Were not asking for anything thats not already out there, he said. There wasnt much opposition from the city. I dont have any heartburn doing 7 percent, said Mayor Mike Werner. I really dont. Council Member John Hestermann deferred to Blakes experience in the gambling business. If hes telling us we need to do 7 percent, Im with him, Hestermann said. Were just kind of a silent partner here. Yumna Junaid is a Sun Prairie High School senior who was one of more than 50 students honored at a June graduation organized for Madison-area Muslim students. Junaid said she hopes the graduation will boost the confidence of younger Muslim students who may fear bullying in light of comments made by Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump. When five police officers were killed in Dallas by a lone gunman during a Black Lives Matter protest, Dallas police chief David Brown put out a call to the community asking anyone to apply to join the police force. According to a CBS news report, 467 people applied to join the Dallas Police Department, nearly a 250 percent increase in applications compared to the same time frame a month earlier. Yet in south-central Wisconsin, applications for local police agencies are down, and while the decline in interest can be traced to before the Dallas attacks, law enforcement leaders believe the trend is related to such incidents. Most believe national media portrayals of officer-involved shootings since Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and others in New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, Minnesota and South Carolina and several other states are affecting people who might otherwise pursue law enforcement as a career. Yet those kinds of shootings are rare in the smaller communities of Columbia, Sauk and Juneau counties. Dangerous job Rural sheriffs agencies and small town police departments in the region dont see the level of violence that has driven some of the headline-grabbing incidents around the country. However, small communities arent immune to the dangers police officers face every day. Theres this perception if youre a small town law enforcement officer, youre never going to be faced with those dangerous situations, said Sauk Prairie Police Chief Jerry Strunz. Thats simply not true. Its just to a lesser degree. Larger communities are better equipped and have better resources to handle those situations. Unlike the response to Browns call for action at the Dallas Police Department, area agencies report fewer applicants respond to job openings for police officers. Local police departments in Sauk Prairie, Reedsburg, Mauston, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, as well as the Sauk, Columbia and Juneau county sheriffs departments all report receiving fewer applicants in the past two years. Fewer applicants Mauston Police Chief Mike Zilisch said recruiting and hiring has declined in the last 10 years in his community. The application process improved hugely for Dallas after the chief said if you want to make a change, apply for the department, Zilisch said. Will that transpire to local places? Im not sure. Reedsburg Police Chief Tim Becker said his departments pool of applicants has decreased compared to previous years. Wed get between 75 and 100, and now were pulling 50 or 60 applications. There are still strong candidates out there, theyre just harder to find. Portage Police Chief Ken Manthey said his department has seen a similar decrease. For one opening, wed get 80 to 120 applications, Manthey said. We recently had two openings, and we only had 40 applications. Juneau County Sheriff Brent Oleson reported an even more significant decline. When I started as sheriff we might get 70 applicants now we get under 10, Oleson said after 18 years as sheriff. The last opening we had, we had seven applications, and we didnt even test them. We re-advertised. Columbia County Lt. Detective Roger Brandner said 10 years ago, the department would get 150-200 applicants for a position. It now receives about 60. Even in Sauk Prairie, a community located only about 20 miles from Madison, there have been fewer and fewer applicants. We were getting 200 applicants two, three, five years ago, Strunz said. Recently, our lowest pool has been about 60. Were told our department has a great reputation and the community is a great place to live. But we have seen that trend where its gotten to be fewer and fewer applicants. Public sentiment Wisconsin Dells Mayor Brian Landers was a lieutenant on the local police department for 18 years and chairs the criminal justice program department at Madison College. He said a number of factors have come together to drive people away from law enforcement as a career. There is a huge decline in those people who want to go into the academy, Landers said. It was a perfect storm. There is a sentiment against law enforcement and concerns from people entering that career. Plus, the state has increased the amount of hours required in the academy. From working nights, weekends and holidays, to the perils of dangerous criminal encounters, becoming a police officer isnt a job for everyone. But with public scrutiny of officers so visible because of video and Internet technology, some law enforcement officials said the job can be even less desirable to young people who might consider becoming a police officer. Prairie du Sac village administrator Alan Wildman has sat in on some of the interviews at the Sauk Prairie Police Department. Candidate quality The number of applicants arent there and some of the quality isnt there thats traditionally been there in the past, Wildman said. Whats going on nationally is starting to have an effect regardless of whether its warranted. And were a long way from the end of this. Strunz said national media coverage of officer-involved shootings has increased the apprehension among those considering becoming a police officer. There have been a lot of situations across the country in the media that show law enforcement in an unfavorable light, Strunz said. It makes people think, Do I want to subject myself and my family to the threats Im going to receive simply because of my badge and the uniform? Landers agreed that national media attention on events like the Dallas shootings can affect young people who still may deciding upon a career path. Brandner said he believes the perception about the risks involved in law enforcement have been skewed. What were seeing is the global or national level affecting those wanting to get into law enforcement, he said. The young recruits interpret it as theres not enough support out there and its a more dangerous job than it has been when they see the constant disconnect between citizens and law enforcement. Placing blame Those people in the academy or in the field are concerned and touched by those aggressive acts but they know the job is inherently dangerous, Landers said. What bothers them more is the political response that occurs and the pandering to certain groups. He said the incidents of officer-involved shootings tend to bring scrutiny on the officer, and thats what the media focuses on primarily. They look at these incidents and instantly throw the blame at law enforcement, Landers said. Ive heard it from new students and veterans that everybody wants to train them on how to be racially sensitive and understand what bias is, but not how to deal with some of these things tactically. If thats all we focus on, were selling our officers short. Landers said the law enforcement profession has a high suicide rate. More officers take their own lives than are killed in the line of duty, Landers said. Theres an incredible amount of stress on the job, and we want to teach officers healthy ways of dealing with that stress. Part of the training is to weed out those who realize they dont have the mental ability to deal with the stress involved with the job. Good wages Sauk County Sheriff Chip Meister said law enforcement, even with its dangers and odd hours, remains a great career to pursue. He said Sauk County focuses as much on retention as on recruitment, and the opportunities for advancement to other positions is unique in the industry. One of the ways to retain those officers is to pay a decent living wage, Meister said. There are lots of opportunities for advancement. If youre hired as a deputy and assigned to the jail and your goal is to be a detective, you can work toward that goal and apply for a patrol position. Manthey said being a police officer is more than just a job. Its a calling, its not a job, Manthey said. There are not a lot of people who can do this job. I just started my 40th year on the department, and the atmosphere now is similar to what we were seeing in the 70s during Vietnam and all the hatred toward government. Use of deadly force down Incidents in which a law enforcement officer used deadly force were much higher in the United States in the 1970s than now. Dolan Consulting Group researcher Richard Johnson, a former Illinois State Trooper with a PhD in criminal justice, points to several trends showing such incidents are far below previous levels. In a July, 2016 article titled, Dispelling the Myths Surrounding Police Use of Lethal Force, Johnson cites a number of statistics comparing officer-involved shooting deaths over four decades and compares the statistics to other types of deaths. In 1971, the New York City Police Department alone had 1,562 officer-involved shootings (4.2 per day), and the Philadelphia Police Department had 78 shootings (1.5 per week), even though the U.S. population was 36 percent smaller than it is today. Comparing these numbers to the Washington Post estimate of just 990 deaths from police use of force nationwide in 2015, with a third larger U.S. population, reveals that police use of lethal force is only a fraction of what it was in previous decades. Impact of technology The advent of easily accessible video recorders on phones have allowed bystanders and sometimes people who are subject to arrest themselves to post their perspective of the incidents online. The videos are powerful tools that can affect the publics perception about an officer-involved incident. However, they also can be edited or even manipulated to affect what a viewer may or may not see from the situation. Some police departments are fighting back by also recording their interactions with the people around them. Zilisch said Mauston made an investment in documenting the interactions between police and the people they encounter on calls. The city just spent $30,000 in getting body cameras and in-squad car cameras for every officer and every vehicle, Zilisch said. Were doing this so the officer knows theres an independent thing there taking in audio and video. It gives the ability to give an independent view of what took place. Training Area law enforcement leaders also point to improved training to prepare officers for serious situations. Our incidents of use of force are very, very low, Strunz said. That doesnt mean we dont have violent situations we respond to. Weve had tasers for 13 years and weve deployed them six times in that time. Oleson will travel to Washington, D.C. this month along with other law enforcement officials from around the country to participate in the Presidents 21st Century Policing Initiative, a year-long initiative through the U.S. Department of Justice. The program will help bring lessons learned by other agencies in the field to local agencies around the country. A police agency cannot be effective without public support, Oleson said. Its a necessary part. In cities youre seeing that erosion and its tough to get that back. If theyre looking for insight on what we can do to improve relations in the community, part of our problem in policing today is mainstream media. Positive exposure National events such as Dallas also can have a positive effect in local communities. After the July 7 fatal shootings, some local law enforcement agencies were inundated with gifts, cards, thank-you letters and random acts of kindness, sometimes from people none of the police officers have met before. On July 17, after yet another news story broke of three police officers shot by a lone gunman in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Shawn Fuss had just left a meeting where he works at the Sauk Prairie Small Animal Hospital in Prairie du Sac. He had some time to spare on his way home, so he stopped into a local bakery and bought a dozen assorted donuts and dropped them off at the Sauk Prairie Police Department. Amid giggles and gratitude, he ate donuts with Police Chief Jerry Strunz and Lt. Travis Hilliard. I have a lot of family members that are police officers, and with all that was going on, I couldnt imagine how I would feel, Fuss said. I ran track with Jerrys daughter and we were really good friends. I couldnt imagine if something happened to one of my friends parents who are police officers or one of my own family members. Theres no reason for any of this. Displays of gratitude Sauk prairie police administrative assistant Mandy Gibson took a photo and posted it to the departments Facebook page, along with the rest of the growing numbers of visitors to the office bearing gifts since the Dallas shooting. Many community members took the time to comment on the posts and similar sentiments can be found on the Facebook pages of law enforcement agencies in Sauk, Columbia and Juneau counties. The gratitude can be found offline as well. I was on a motorist assistance call where a guy spilled waste oil out of his truck. Some lady slowed down, rolled down her window and called out God bless you! Manthey said. Our department, like many departments, are embedded with the community. Zilisch said the Mauston community has been full force in its support as well. In the days surrounding Ferguson, there were probably five to 10 if not more businesses and individuals that came in and gave us things like Gatorade, meat and cheese platters, water bottles, donuts and cookies. After Dallas, we had more outspoken and vocal support with people going out of their way to say thank you. Meister said the response in Sauk County has been similar. It kind of brings a tear to your eye to see how much people appreciate what we do, Meister said. As we reported three weeks ago, the Commemorative Air Forces High Sky Wing, based in Midland, Texas was set to begin refurbishing Grumman F-14A Tomcat Bu.160403 on July 27th, 2016. This airframe, if you recall, is of particular significance, because it was the first Tomcat to shoot down another aircraft in combat. CDR Henry Hank Kleemann and LT David DJ Venlet of VF-41 flew her as callsign Fast Eagle 102 from the decks of the USS Nimitz during the Gulf of Sidra Incident of August 19th, 1981, splashing the first of two Libyan fighters the US Navy dispatched that day. The second Libyan SU-22 Fitter fell to a Sidewinder missile from another VF-41 Tomcat, Bu.160390 Fast Eagle 107 flown by LT Lawrence Music Muczynski and LTJG James Luca Anderson. Members of the Navy Flight Deck Veterans Group have been working on Fast Eagle 102, and we are happy to report that they have made great progress. The aircraft will be ready for its formal unveiling during the High Sky Wing CAF Airsho 2016 on Saturday, August 27th as originally promised. For those of you wishing to attend the unveiling, it will be well worth the effort. A number of significant aviators will be present, including now Vice Admiral David Venlet, US Navy (ret), who will reunite with the Tomcat he flew in as a young Radar Intercept Officer during the famous encounter with the Libyan Fitters over the Gulf of Sidra. In an interesting development, a pair of F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters from the current VFA-41 will also be on hand, flanking their older sister during the event. This should make for a remarkable photographic opportunity! While we would love to show some current images of Fast Eagle 102 (she looks fabulous!), we dont want to spoil the surprise. That being said, we will have some terrific images to share soon after. The CAF High Sky Wing is continuing to accept donations to help with the restoration project on Fast Eagle 102. Contributions can be made out to CAF High Sky Wing, and sent to the following address: CAF High Sky Wing F-14 Project, P.O. Box 61064, Midland. TX 79711. For more information contact: gena@highskywing.org or 432-528-0997. Click HERE to Support This Project Alibaba Group Holding Limited is an eCommerce and Internet technology giant headquartered in the People's Republic of China. Its core platform, Alibaba.com, is the worlds 3rd largest eCommerce platform by sales. The company, through its vast network of subsidiary companies, provides the infrastructure and marketing to help merchants of all sizes develop their brands and to connect with customers in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company also aids other businesses with a vast array of digital and logistical solutions with a reach that spans the globe. Alibaba was co-founded by Jack Ma in 1999 when it became clear the Internet and digitization were the future of commerce. Mr. Ma is a billionaire investor, businessman, and philanthropist who believes in an open and free-market economy. The company went public in September 2014 with an IPO on the NYSE. The IPO set a record with its valuation of $25 billion and the company is now worth more than $225 billion and ranked among the 10 most valuable companies by market cap. Alibaba is also ranked 5th largest globally in regards to its work in AI, and it owns the world's largest B2B, B2C, and C2C eCommerce portals. In 2022, Alibabas Singles Day event brought in $139 billion to set a new one-day record. The principal purpose of Alibaba Group Holding Limited is to open the Chinese market and connect it to the world. The company operates through seven segments including China Commerce, International Commerce, Local Consumer Services, Cainiao, Cloud, Digital Media and Entertainment, and Innovation Initiatives and Others. The companys eCommerce platforms include Taobao Marketplace, Tmall, Alimama, 1688.com, Alibaba.com, Aliexpress, Lazada, Trendyol, and Daraz. Taobao Marketplace is a social-media eCommerce platform while Alimama is a monetization platform for entrepreneurs. 1688.com and Alibaba.com are wholesale marketplaces where individuals and businesses can connect with bulk items and the remainder are eCommerce retail platforms and search engines targeting specific markets. In addition, the company also operated a retail chain called Freshippo and Tmall Global which is an import platform for eCommerce. Other digital services provided by Alibaba include Taoxianda, which is a digital integration service for FMCG goods and grocery retailers, and Cainiao Network which is a logistical services platform complemented by Ele.me, a delivery and services platform. Alibaba also supports the infrastructure of the Internet with a range of products and services that include computing, storage, network, security, database, big data, and IoT connectivity. This segment includes a suite of cloud-based services such as Alibaba Pictures and content platforms that provide streaming media. S&P 500 3,901.06 DOW 32,861.80 QQQ 281.22 Apple Inc. Stock Q4 Results Beat Negative Outlook, Stock Rises Elon Musk takes over Twitter but where will he go from here? Why is Amazon Stock Falling? Is the Sell-Off Overdone? McDonalds Stock Sizzles, but Will it Hit a New All-Time High? Chevron Gushes More Profits; Is it Time for Investors to Buy? Will Ryanair Stock Gains, Strong Estimates Help it Fly? S&P 500 3,901.06 DOW 32,861.80 QQQ 281.22 Zim Integrated Shipping Services Stock: High Yield or High Risk? Apple Inc. Stock Q4 Results Beat Negative Outlook, Stock Rises The One Question that Matters for Altria Stock Elon Musk takes over Twitter but where will he go from here? Why is Amazon Stock Falling? Is the Sell-Off Overdone? McDonalds Stock Sizzles, but Will it Hit a New All-Time High? Plans to replace a dilapidated South Side motel with a $5.2 million, 124-room hotel, once envisioned as a potential catalyst for development in the area, have fallen through. Instead another proposal has come forward, which calls for razing the shuttered Expo Inn at 910 Ann St. for a car dealership. An application for demolition permit approval was submitted this week for the property, which fronts the Beltline. Timothy Parks, a planner in the citys department of planning and community and economic development, said the motel will be replaced with a Mad City Sales dealership. Last year, Shariff Syed proposed a WoodSpring Suites extended stay hotel for the site, which he planned to build through his development company Macro Hospitality. Ald. Sherri Carter, whose 14th district includes the property, said she was disappointed that the hotel plan fell through but had no details about what had happened. I felt a new hotel would bring energy to that area and believe it would have created more job opportunities, she said. She added, I do believe (the car dealership) is a good fit over there. Parks said that, to his knowledge, Syeds hotel proposal never progressed beyond an initial development concept meeting with city staff. The city also never received any requests for financial assistance to redevelop the property. City tax records show the property still is owned by Macro Hospitality. Its 2016 assessment was $410,000, a drop from $751,000 in 2015. If I could be the catalyst to get this going, then other investors might see an opportunity to come in and revamp that area, Syed said in Nov. 30, 2015, State Journal story about his hotel proposal. As soon as I break ground, somebody else might come in and do something else and somebody else might come in and invest money, he said. Its unclear whether Kansas-based WoodSpring Suites, which operates more than 200 extended stay hotels nationally, will build in Madison. The project is on hold on our end, said Ron Burgett, WoodSprings executive vice president of franchise development and operations when asked about Syeds Madison proposal. Syed said he still hopes to build a WoodSpring Suites somewhere in Madison and was looking at other South Side sites. Carter said she has met with Mad City Sales. She said the used vehicle dealership plans to close its existing location at 99 W. Beltline once its new site is built, but she did not know a timetable for construction or completion. The company declined to discuss its plans when contacted by the State Journal. The car dealership is the latest proposal for the Expo Inn property, which closed in September 2011. The motel had been targeted by the city as a nuisance because of its history as a magnet for violence, drugs and prostitution. South Side car dealerships have been active along the Beltline in recent weeks. In June, Neenah-based Bergstrom Automotive held a grand opening for its Chevrolet dealership at 1225 Applegate Road. In mid-July, Kayser Automotive of Madison sold its Nissan brand to Rosen Automotive Group of Milwaukee. Earlier this month, Field Enterprises, which sells Land Rover and other premium brands, was identified as the buyer of the Badger Bowl property at 6624 Seybold Road, where it plans to build a car dealership. While a new hotel would have brought new jobs and encouraged development in the South Side, Carter said the car dealership also will yield benefits. This will be a good opportunity for (Mad City Sales), she said. Its not what was looked at initially (for the property) but I think it will be a good thing for that area. Gillon McLachlan has withdrawn from this year's Carbine Club grand final week lunch after the club failed to meet an AFL-imposed deadline to introduce women into its membership ranks. Breaking a tradition that has lasted for 52 years, the league CEO has told the club he cannot speak at the post Brownlow Medal luncheon. The AFL is also considering withdrawing the Carbine Club lunch from its Grand Final week calendar of events. The 2014 Carbine Club grand final lunch. Mr McLachlan, who is a Male Champion of Change, delivered the message to Carbine Club chairman Graham Halbish last week shortly before travelling to the Rio Olympics. Having threatened to pull out of last year's function, McLachlan attended on the condition the all-male luncheon and sporting club would introduce women members before the 2017 grand final. However some long-standing club members resisted the move on the basis the AFL was forcing their hand and and imposing a deadline upon them. One of the US hedge funds behind the class action filed against Australia's largest banks is the famous hedge fund that was the inspiration for the book and film The Big Short. Frontpoint, which is based in Connecticut and has itself been rocked by an insider trading scandal, is linked to a slew of legal cases brought in New York against banks around the world - including this week's filing against ANZ Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank and Macquarie. Joining Frontpoint in the class action demanding the Australian banks "disgorge their ill-gotten gains" is Sonterra Capital Master Fund and famed derivatives trader Richard Dennis also known as the "Prince of the Pit". Frontpoint and Sonterra's legal battles include a separate case brought against a host of banks including ANZ Bank and Macquarie in July this year for the alleged rigging of inter-bank lending rates in Singapore and foreign exchange rate. "It starts with toilets and ends up costing us our Australian way of life." Cancel the rest of the year, that's the winner: the political quote of 2016. It's the kind of thing you can imagine as a tag to a sketch in one of those comedy shows that used to rule prime time in the 1990s. Who knows. It possibly featured in a skit where they lampooned Pauline Hanson. And yet, there it is, at the hand of Pauline herself on her 2016 Facebook page right beneath a video in which she shared her exasperation at the Australian Taxation Office installing squat toilets in its building. You know, one of those ones they use in Asia or somewhere. Hence: "If they don't know how to use our toilets " That quote, by the way, might be the runner-up. On some level, I get it. Hanson's big idea is that Australia is under relentless attack from minorities that swamp us without assimilating. That was her story in the '90s and it's her story now, with Muslims mostly substituted for Asians and terrorism adding some extra edge. And when you have a big idea like that, the small examples are the most powerful. Fixating on toilets might seem strange, but if you're on board Hanson's narrative, it's evidence of just how thoroughgoing the threat really is. Its seriousness derives precisely from its smallness. You can imagine how this might go: "It's not enough they take our jobs, they're even taking our toilets!" ... "We can't even shit our way in our own country anymore!" Etcetera. These sorts of stories have long been a staple of reactionary nationalists. Often they're just made up like that one about how a British bank had stopped using piggy banks in their advertising because they were deemed offensive to Muslims. But here's the thing about those conspiratorial panics: they're always discussed so breathlessly. The people invoking them are deadly serious because they're trying to portray some grave cultural threat. And that's what's striking about Hanson's video: she's not particularly serious. In fact, her delivery is marked by its conspicuous lack of gravity. She seems to find it all pretty funny, like she's in on the joke. Patrick Norman Pat Chapman is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who was last known to be in Piedmont which is near the area of Greenville, Missouri on May 10, 2020. Pat had stayed the night with a friend and his wife at their home. In the early morning when the friend woke to go to work. Pat was gone in his own Burgundy color 1995 Ford Escort. That is the last anyone was known to have seen him. The vehicle was later recovered on May 29, 2020 in Mill Spring, Missouri. Fisher King Winery is leaving downtown Mount Horeb for a fast-developing business park in Verona. Relocating to a still-to-be-built location at 1105 Laser St. weighs on winery founder and owner Alwyn Fitzgerald. But he said he has been assured by developers his nearly 7,000 square-foot space in Liberty Business Park will be ready in time for him to move. The clock is ticking for Fitzgerald, who must be out of his current location at 102 W. Main St. in downtown Mount Horeb by Nov. 30. He had been preparing to move to a nearby location at 108 S. 2nd St., a few blocks from his existing site, but lease talks broke down, which left Fitzgerald scrambling to find a new home for his rapidly growing business, which does more than $500,000 in annual sales. Fitzgerald said he was disappointed he was unable to remain in downtown Mount Horeb, where he launched his business in August 2011, because the villages favorable walking environment brought foot traffic into his retail business. But hes ready for the new opportunity. I dont like losing the foot traffic, but the people who were coming to downtown Mount Horeb werent just coming here for my winery, they were coming here to walk around downtown, Fitzgerald said. Our (business) model was to be in a downtown setting, but a bigger space will mean new opportunities. The Liberty Business Park in Verona puts Fitzgeralds winery closer to Madison and the nearby headquarters of technology giant Epic Systems. Other business neighbors include Sugar River Pizza Co. and Wisconsin Brewing Co. Wicked Jezebel Bootleg Distillery also is scheduled to open later this year. Fitzgerald believes his business will be a good fit with the others. Our current space is about 3,500 square feet, he said. About one-third of the space is dedicated to wine production and the rest is for the retail shop and storage. Fitzgerald frequently hosted gatherings of about 50 people, but often turned away events that had between 100 and 150 people. For someone who wanted to do a small wedding reception for between 80 and 100 people, I couldnt accommodate them, he said. Fitzgerald has been actively selling his wine throughout the state. In addition to being sold though his retail store, its also available at many retail locations including Woodmans and Festival Foods. As sales continued growing, Fitzgerald needed more production space, which the Verona location provides. He said his new retail space will be able to hold events with up to 150 people, but there is potential to host larger events because he also will have a 1,000 square-foot outdoor patio area. Its likely the bigger location will mean Fitzgerald will need more staff. Fisher King Winery employs nine people today but Fitzgerald expects he will need additional serving staff and possibly an events coordinator. Im sure the ebb and flow of the business will change, but I believe the trade-off to losing the foot traffic will be the ability to host larger events that we couldnt before, he said. A burglar made off with cartons of cigarettes from a store in Janesville early Friday morning, with police looking at surveillance video to get a description of the suspect. The burglary happened at about 2:45 a.m. at X-Treme Smoke and Vapor, 1822 W. Court St., police said. Police were notified of the burglary by an intrusion alarm at the store. Officers found forced entry to the rear door, but nobody was found inside. "Staff confirmed cartons of cigarettes had been taken, but could not give an exact amount," said Sgt. Joshua Norem. Officers checked the area around the store but no suspect was found. A 19-year-old Hartford man was killed Friday morning in a single-vehicle crash in Dodge County. The crash was reported at about 5:30 a.m. on Highway A south of Highway W in the town of Oak Grove, the Sheriff's Office said. The preliminary investigation determined the vehicle was going south on Highway A when it missed a curve and drove off the road, hit an embankment and vaulted into two trees. The victim was the only person in the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the victim was withheld pending notification of family. The Sheriff's Office said his name will be released Saturday. The crash remains under investigation. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 19, 2016 | PADUCAH, KY By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 19, 2016 | 05:32 PM | PADUCAH, KY Drivers in the Kentucky Oaks Mall area will now be monitored by video camera when going through one of Paducah's busiest intersections. The Paducah Police Department says it has placed a "NetVision 360" camera system at the intersection, and will be using real-time video to catch traffic violators. Officers say they will be watching for westbound drivers turning left onto James Sanders Boulevard and running the red light at the intersection. Officers can monitor the camera feed from their cruisers and stop vehicles that run the light. Officer Brian Kopischke said the point of the camera system is to cut down on the number of people running the light and ultimately the number of accidents at that intersection. "It also should help the congestion in the eastbound lanes caused when people are not able to proceed when their light turns green because of the people running the turn light. Kopischke said. Capt. Anthony Copeland stressed that this is not the same as a traffic camera, and said no tickets will be sent through the mail. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. A suspected heroin dealer was arrested without incident Tuesday morning on Madison's East Side, with police seizing three handguns during the arrest. Jesse Stephens, 40, of Madison, was tentatively charged with three counts of delivery of heroin, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, maintaining a drug dwelling and receiving stolen property, Madison police said. The arrest of Stephens came during the execution of a search warrant shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday in the 3800 block of Sycamore Avenue. The search was by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the Madison Police SWAT and police dog Krahnie. Three cellphones, drug paraphernalia and documents also were seized during the search. By The Associated Press Aug. 18, 2016 | 07:52 PM | FRANKFORT, KY Republican Gov. Matt Bevin says the new University of Louisville board that he appointed should continue to meet despite a judge temporarily stripping them of its authority. Bevin told radio host Terry Meiners on Wednesday that the board should continue to meet because it has work to do. He said Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd overstepped his authority and has been trying to "walk this back." Bevin issued an executive order in June abolishing the University of Louisville board of trustees. He replaced them a few weeks later with new board members. Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear sued Bevin, saying his order was illegal. Shepherd then temporarily blocked Bevin's order. Beshear said Bevin "encouraged the defiance of a court order," calling it "a serious action that should concern all Kentuckians." By The Associated Press Aug. 18, 2016 | 07:55 PM | FRANKFORT, KY An attorney representing the former commissioner of the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission says his client wasn't given a reason for his dismissal. Louisville attorney Kenneth Handmaker told the Lexington Herald-Leader that Steven Edwards was fired on Aug. 5 and has received no explanation as to why. Gov. Matt Bevin filed an executive order Monday to remove Edwards from his post, saying he had "lost confidence" in his ability to lead. Bevin referred to "matters" being brought to his attention, but did not elaborate. Before Edwards was commissioner, he served on the ABC board and was the distilled spirits administrator. He is also the former division chief for claims at Fort Knox. Edwards served in an appointed position that paid $100,000 annually. ___ Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com Update: The man surrendered peacefully to police and deputies. It isn't known if he will be charged with any crimes. Law enforcement officials are talking to a man who apparently has barricaded himself in a Mount Horeb home. A caller to 911 at about 10:45 a.m. Friday asked for police to check on the welfare of a person in the home on Nesheim Trail. Dane County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Elise Schaffer said the man appears to be alone in the house, and it doesn't appear he has any sort of weapon. A negotiating team was dispatched to the scene. Given the somewhat meandering nature of his career and the extra-curricular dalliances that have peppered it along the way, Michael Chopras Wikipedia page makes for interesting reading in parts. However, after a recent edit, rather bizarrely reported to have been made from a UK government computer, Chopras personal life section just got a whole lot more interesting. The Michael Chopra Wikipedia article was just edited anonymously from a UK government computer: https://t.co/uO72UNZzpC Whitehall Edits (@WhitehallEdits) July 15, 2016 The revision in question really is a work of surrealist art, with Chopras bio newly amended to include this intriguing little snippet from last month: In July 2016, Michael Chopra was suspected of accepting money to dress up as a ballerina and ride on the back of highland cow, after owing money to [a] Portuguese escort. He owed the money after betting that he could beat her in a penalty shootout. He lost 3-1. Nope. We havent got a clue either. Suggested further reading 10 Of The Best Footballing Personal Lives Sections On Wikipedia 25 Footballers With Astoundingly Crap Wikipedia Profile Photos Coming as a surprise to quite literally absolutely nobody, Sunderland have announced the signing of Steven Pienaar on a one-year deal. The 34-year-old South African winger, who, as you may recall, used to play under David Moyes at Everton, had been training with the Black Cats after being released on a free at the end of last season. Today came the inevitable news that hes managed to secure himself a short-term contract #SAFC can confirm the signing of Steven Pienaar on a one-year deal. pic.twitter.com/iVZGdaQHze Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 19, 2016 And with that, Moyes impressively narrow scouting system pulls another ace out of the hat. The future of the freeze on University of Wisconsin System tuition is becoming murkier after UW officials said Gov. Scott Walker is open to ending the cap after a one-year extension in the next state budget, and the governor did not commit Thursday to a longer limit. Walker wants to continue the freeze, he told reporters Thursday, but added that he has not yet decided whether to propose extending it for one or both years of the 2017-19 state budget. Were a long ways off from putting the budget together, but the bottom line is I want to make (tuition) affordable, said Walker, who has championed the politically popular freeze since helping put it in place in 2013. Well make a decision between now and February when the budget comes up, but I would like to keep it as close to a freeze as possible. Pressed on exactly how long he wants to see in-state tuition capped, Walker said, We havent made a final decision on whether or not its a two-year freeze. UW System President Ray Cross said in an appearance on Wisconsin Public Televisions Here and Now on Aug. 12 that Walker has told UW officials he is committed to freezing tuition in the first year of the budget, but is interested in options and hes flexible about the second year. UW System officials want legislators to end the freeze entirely. (Walker) wants to understand what we would like to do and what proposals we have, Cross said on the program. Our response is: Lets have the (UW Board of Regents) make that decision, governor. Walkers comments Thursday came soon after the Regents approved the Systems operating budget request, which seeks $42.5 million in new state funding. During the Regents meeting at UW-Madison, Cross described the budget as a reasonable request for state investment in UW that will boost Wisconsins economy with a range of new initiatives meant to bolster the number of well-educated students in the workforce. Programs included in the request aim to improve student advising, make it easier for high school students to earn college credits and expand efforts to connect UW institutions with local businesses. The Regents approved the budget on a voice vote, with state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers casting a lone vote against it. The $42.5 million the System is asking for would return just 17 percent of the $250 million that was cut from the System last summer in the 2015-17 state budget, Evers noted. This budget, in my estimation, falls short of what the university system needs, Evers said. Cross responded that, because the last budget includes a lapse of $25 million in state funding for this fiscal year, the Systems base budget will grow by $50 million over the two-year budget. Combined with the $42.5 million UW is requesting, that could mean $92.5 million in new funding, Cross said. Officials also said securing their funding request and reversing years of declining state support for the UW System will be a lengthy and difficult process. We have a great deal of hard work ahead of us convincing the governor and legislators that the UW can serve as an economic engine for all of Wisconsin, Regents President Regina Millner said. The request will now go to the governor, who has said he plans to provide some new performance-based funding for the university system when he proposes his budget early next year. Although he has told most state agencies not to expect additional state dollars in that budget, Walker said Thursday that funding for UW is one of his top priorities, along with money for K-12 education and Medicaid. The Regents also approved a capital budget request that calls for $454.6 million in general fund-supported projects. UW will request new authority from the state in the budget as well, including greater power to purchase specialized equipment and approve building projects that dont require state funding. State Journal reporter Mark Sommerhauser contributed to this report. Local marijuana advocates failed to gain the needed traction to get a question legalizing the drug on the November ballot. Members of the Madison chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) circulated a petition that supported reducing municipal fines in Monona for pot possession to $1 in hopes of placing a binding referendum on the citys Nov. 8 ballot. The group needed 719 signatures to meet the 15 percent threshold, but aimed for 1,200 to ensure the petitions viability if some signatures were thrown out during the verification process. Given this was our first ever effort collecting signatures to put direct legislation on the ballot, we had a lot to learn, said Nate Petreman, the groups president. He said the group plans to focus more on awareness prior to launching its next campaign. This was only the beginning of our efforts to enact local legislation, Petreman said. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/08/2016 (2262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA The City of Winnipeg quietly resolved its fight with the federal government over the tax bill for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in June, leaving the museum a multimillion-dollar deficit it is now negotiating with Ottawa to solve. The tax solution, which was mostly in the citys favour, finally settles a seven-year-old dispute between Winnipeg and Ottawa over the assessed value of the national museum and gives museum officials certainty in budgeting as it negotiates with the federal minister of heritage for a new funding model. At least now we know what that amount is, said museum chief financial officer Susanne Robertson. We are happy to be supporting the City of Winnipeg. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Visitors in the Canadian Journeys exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The City of Winnipeg quietly resolved its tax fight with the museum. in June. The agreed-upon assessed value of the museum and its land for tax purposes is $108 million, resulting in a 2016 tax bill of $2.7 million. The museum is facing a deficit of more than $4 million to cover the payment of back taxes through the end of 2015, but an official couldnt say Thursday how much the museum budgeted to cover the 2016 bill. Ottawa is technically exempt from paying property tax to any other level of government but to account for the fact federal buildings use city services such as roads, sewers and fire departments, they make what are called payments in lieu of taxes. The amount is the same and they are assessed and charged the same way. It was initially feared the museums tax bill could exceed $5 million. When the city issued the first tax bill in 2009, it assessed the property at $565,000. By the end of 2010, the assessed value, based on what is on the property at the time, grew to $6.9 million. The federal government balked and said the land was worthless to anyone other than a museum and offered to pay taxes on an assessed value of $1. Winnipeg filed an appeal with the payment in lieu of taxes dispute advisory panel, which sided mostly with the city. It set the value at $6.5 million, and the 2009 and 2010 taxes, about $360,000 total, were paid. The disputes continued, as the assessments grew. By 2015, the city assessed the property at $101 million, while Ottawa continued to insist it was worth less than one-third of that. By the end of last year, the city said the museum was $6.7 million in arrears on its taxes. Last winter, city finance committee chairman Marty Morantz approached Liberal MP Terry Duguid to try and push the issue with the federal government. Duguid said Thursday he raised those concerns internally but wouldnt say with whom. A city spokeswoman, however, told the Free Press this week the lobbying efforts from Morantz and Duguid ultimately resulted in a meeting between city tax officials and bureaucrats from Public Service and Government Services Canada on June 2. At that meeting, the seven-year battle was resolved and since then Public Works has paid the entire $6.7 million in back taxes, as well as $2.7 million for the 2016 tax year. The museum and the department are now sorting out when the museum will pay back Public Works. In the meantime, Robertson acknowledges, the federal funding agreement for the museum is being renegotiated and the tax bill is part of the talks. mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca Gov. Scott Walker said Thursday that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would benefit from focusing on his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, instead of sideshow issues. Walker spoke to reporters after an event at UW Hospital in Madison. Walker was asked about the recent shakeup in Trumps campaign, in which a new campaign CEO and manager were named. Trumps new campaign CEO is Stephen Bannon, former chairman of Breitbart News. The conservative online outlet frequently stokes controversy within the GOP by publishing articles that tout Trump, his allies and his signature issues while attacking Trump critics. Breitbart was a key platform for Paul Nehlen, the pro-Trump primary challenger of House Speaker Paul Ryan. The incumbent Republican from Janesville won easily earlier this month. The changes were widely viewed as a sign Trump will not moderate his tone, seek to become less controversial or become a better team player with fellow Republicans between now and Election Day. Walker, who is supporting Trumps candidacy, said the New York businessman would benefit from focusing the campaign on how he differs from Clinton. Id like to hear more about the contrasts between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Walker said. If its about the two of them, then I think the race gets more competitive. If its about sideshow issues, then its a lot tougher for him to win. Walker was asked about the recent riots in Milwaukee after the shooting death of a man by a police officer on Saturday. He called Sherman Park, the north Milwaukee neighborhood in which the unrest occurred, a good and decent neighborhood with decent people. Walker said Milwaukee religious leaders with whom he met after the riots mentioned the need for more jobs and businesses in and around Sherman Park. The governor said he has instructed Department of Workforce Development Secretary Ray Allen to work with pastors in the neighborhood to help local people get connected to the skills they need to fill open jobs in the Milwaukee area. Its not about bringing businesses in as much as it is helping build a workforce, Walker said. We need to do more to help people get the skills and qualifications they need to be gainfully employed. Walker dished out a rare bit of snark in response to a question about an adviser to Trump. Roger Stone, in a recent op-ed article, alleged there are strong indications that Scott Walker and the Reince Priebus machine rigged as many as five elections in Wisconsin. Such allegations are not supported by evidence, and the suggestion was roundly criticized. Apparently thats what the long-term effect is of legalizing marijuana in the District of Columbia, Walker said a joking reference to the legalization effort approved by D.C. voters in 2014. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/08/2016 (2262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. During the past several decades there has been an avalanche of apologies from national governments for wrongdoing: the Second World War internment of Japanese in both Canada and the United States, apartheid in South Africa, Japanese war crimes, the stolen generations of Australian Aboriginals, the potato famine in Ireland. Politicians have stood, with great solemnity, to say they were sorry, seek forgiveness and, in some cases, provide compensation for historical wrongdoing. Earlier this month, it was announced the Trudeau government is considering a national apology for people who were imprisoned, fired from jobs or persecuted because of their sexual orientation. The government is reportedly working with Egale a national LGBTTQ* human rights organization on the details and scope of such an apology, which is expected to come as early as this autumn. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett This week, over a three-day period, the Canadian government apologized for the relocation of Manitobas Sayisi Dene First Nation people 60 years ago. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett delivered the long-overdue apology Tuesday, first in Tadoule Lake and then in Churchill, where 250 Sayisi Dene were forced to relocate in 1956 under horrific conditions. On Wednesday, Ms. Bennett apologized again at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. Along with the apology, the Liberal government has announced a $33.6-million compensation fund to be invested in a trust and 13,000 acres of land at Little Duck Lake. This comes nearly a decade after the formal apology in 2008 by then-prime minister Stephen Harper to the 80,000 former students (and their families) who were victims of the residential school system. Another apology came in 2015 when the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was provided to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said Canada accepts its failure in caring for thousands of aboriginal children sent to residential schools, where many endured physical and sexual abuse. Canadians have a national government that can apologize and for that, it shouldnt be sorry. Formal apologies can go a long way in restoring trust in government institutions, but they need to be more than just performance. They need to go beyond economic redress to a firm commitment such behaviour will not continue. Ask people in South Africa about the apology and reconciliation attempts made in the years following apartheid. Nearly three decades after the national apology in 1997 and the establishment of that countrys Truth and Reconciliation Commission, critics say little has been done to change the conditions for black South Africans, who are still underemployed and more likely than white South Africans to live in poverty. In Canada, the same can be said of indigenous people who still live in Third World conditions on reserves and struggle with poor education and health care. Or young aboriginal adults such as Tina Fontaine, 15, whose body was found in the Red River two years ago. Or Colten Boushie, who entered a farmers yard north of Biggar, Sask., reportedly seeking help for a flat tire and was shot and killed. The racist comments on social media following the 22-year-olds death Aug. 9 prompted Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and the National Farmers Union to issue statements condemning the hate-filled postings. For those families, and for those coping with the aftermath of colonization, sorry wont cut it for long. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 18/08/2016 (2263 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Laurence Fernandezs life story is a testimony to the generosity of strangers. Fernandez is the executive pastor of Riverwood Church Community in Elmwood, a long way from his birthplace of Costa Rica. Born in 1977, Fernandezs arrival came as a surprise. His mother was in her early 40s and his father was older than that. Tony Zerucha August 17, 2016 - The generosity of complete strangers changed Laurence Fernandez's life for the better. Shortly after his birth, Fernandezs father contracted tuberculosis and was unable to work. That left his mother, an orphan with a second grade education, to support the three of them by cleaning floors and delivering documents for a law practice. I did not come into the most desirable of all situations, Fernandez admitted. Left with few options, his mother placed him in a daycare which partnered with the Christian Childrens Fund of Canada (CCFC). Supporters make a monthly donation which pays for a childs daycare spot. That $25 to $30 a month was a godsend for Laurence Fernandez. His family was assigned a social worker and had access to food and health care. What my mom still remembers is once a month they would have a meeting, Fernandez said. A speaker would talk about budgeting, nutrition, or the importance of leading a spiritual life. That was something she took a lot of interest in. Fernandez said his mom knew from the beginning there was something different about the people at the daycare. They found reward solely by helping others with no expectation of a return. In Costa Rica, we have a term padrino which is someone who comes alongside of you to help raise the children, Fernandez said. These people were like godparents. His mother became a Christian and Fernandez said her self-image immediately began to change. She didnt feel judged because she had a child out of wedlock, or because she could not provide for her child. Now there were people in her life who were helping her make things better. Someone who didnt know her, somewhere in North America, was helping her make things better. While Fernandez had to leave the program at 14, the lessons he learned remained. He began attending Bible school in Costa Rica, and through a series of miracles he received an invitation to visit another in Texas. My mom would have needed to save every cent for three years just to afford the plane ticket, Fernandez said. Someone at the airline heard of his plight and spoke with a friend who paid for the flight. Once in Texas, Fernandez worked hard in classes and at a camp and was offered a one-year scholarship. After that first year, Fernandez stayed to work at the camp and met his future wife Kelly, who was from Winnipeg. At summers end he received another blessing and was invited to spend a second year in Texas. The following summer Kelly and Laurence visited Winnipeg. Included in his luggage were letters he saved from his CCFC sponsor, including postcards of the buffalo in Riding Mountain National Park and details of trips across western Canada. I really liked the buffalo because they were different from the frogs, turtles and fish I was used to in Costa Rica, Fernandez said. I began to love Canada. Fernandez was watching television one evening when a CCFC commercial aired. He immediately recognized the logo and dialed the number on the screen in an effort to thank the family. Eventually he convinced staff to take his phone number and forward it to his sponsor family from years ago. Sure enough, they called from Brandon, Fernandez said. Laurence Fernandez had travelled from Costa Rica to Texas to Winnipeg, and learned he was less than three hours away from the family who changed his life. They agreed to meet in Portage la Prairie, and both brought the letters the other sent more than a decade ago. It was a great moment to say thank you and show them gratitude, Fernandez said. They have stayed in touch over the years, and Fernandez has introduced them to his mother, wife, and children. I told them (his sponsor family) that because they believed in a number of children from Costa Rica for decades there are many children and families that can now support themselves. We are very glad they decided to do without so a number of families could do with. Facebook.com/TheHeraldWPG Twitter: @HeraldWPG Last weeks flooding did roughly $2 million worth of damage to public infrastructure in Buffalo County but not enough for the county to qualify for federal disaster relief. FEMA officials made their assessments this week, needing to find $8 million of public damage in Buffalo and neighboring counties before federal money could be doled out. Overall estimates werent anywhere near that, said Stephen Schiffli, emergency management director for Buffalo County, and officials have already shifted their attention to securing the next best thing. Were going to require the state to provide assistance to our municipalities, Schiffli said. There are programs that could help our communities immensely. Thats what theyre there for. There shouldnt be any issues with that. Schiffli said most of the needs in Buffalo County could be handled through the Wisconsin Disaster Fund and grant programs under the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The county would make repairs with the understanding it would be reimbursed by the state, he said. Buffalo County is still calculating its private damage, Schiffli said, and residents should report any damage they see. In parts of the county, thunderstorms Aug. 11 and 12 dumped nearly a foot of rain. Families are still reclaiming their yards and homes from the floodwaters, and roads are still closed with washed-away bridges. Crews have repaired many county and town roads that were blocked off after the storm but with more rain forecast over the next couple days, Schiffli said the county is bracing for the possibility some of that work might be undone. With the amount of road damage weve had, roads have a high probability of getting damaged again, Schiffli said. If that happens, we want people to turn around, and dont drive through water. The last thing we need is someone driving through water. Schiffli reported no injuries from last weeks flooding, but said there are displaced families still being supported by the county. Officials with Trempealeau County, which was also swamped after the storm, were not available Thursday to comment on their own recovery efforts. Winona County will be looking for a new director of Planning and Environmental Services. In a brief statement Thursday, Winona County Administrator Ken Fritz announced only that "Mr. Eric Evenson-Marden is no longer with Winona County." Fritz said in an interview that Wednesday had been Evenson-Marden's last day of employment, but declined further comment on the circumstances surrounding his departure, citing data privacy regulations regarding personnel matters. A recommendation that Fritz be appointed interim director will be on the Aug. 23 county board agenda. Fritz said he would recommend the board conduct a search to fill the position on a permanent basis. "We will work with the planning department staff to ensure things continue to move along as applicable and communicate as we move forward in filling the vacancy," Fritz said in an email Thursday afternoon. Evenson-Marden was hired in November 2015. Prior to coming to Winona County he served as a zoning supervisor for Becker County in central Minnesota and was a former administrator of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. His departure comes amid the county nearing a final decision on banning or adding additional regulations to the frac sand industry; the county board is also expected to discuss a proposal Tuesday put forth by the county's planning commission following multiple meetings. The Wesley United Methodist Church United Methodist Women will host the River Valley U.M.W. Annual District Meeting Saturday, Sept. 17, at the church, 114 W. Broadway in Winona. Worship services will take place in the morning and afternoon along with the annual district meeting and election of officers for 2017. The Ridgeway/Witoka United Methodist Women will provide the morning coffee. Providing music for part of the afternoon worship service and special memorial service is organist Jonelle Moore and during the sing-a-long, Becky Wisted. District Superintendent Rev. Cynthia Williams will be the morning keynote speaker. One of the special events during the afternoon will focus on our own Methodist woman in Winona, Emma Norton. She gave $25,000 in 1921 to help secure the future of a home for young girls and women in St. Paul that continues helping women, children and families live healthy and productive lives. Members will be treated to a live portrayal of Emma Norton by Debi Neville. Neville is a playwright, poet, freelance writer and editor, and is involved in all things theatre from acting, directing and producing to costuming and stage design. Chairing the event is Susan Althoff, and leaders are: Registrar, Nancy Nelson; Worship, Norma Duden; Program Resources, Nancy Dunbar; Luncheon, Sue Macey; and Public Relations/Communications, Bonnie Thurley. With a $500,000 grant from Dane County, the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development is setting its sights on expanding its re-entry housing services for ex-offenders. But a recent proposal to purchase a new home for the program is facing criticism from community leaders and residents because of its close proximity to an elementary school. The organization is looking to establish a re-entry home in a duplex at 2310-2312 Post Road, a property that sits at an intersection next to Leopold Elementary School on the citys South Side. The county would purchase the property and lease it to Nehemiah on a 10-year lease with the potential for two five-year extensions. The County Board allocated $2 million for low-cost housing in its 2015 capital budget, and Nehemiah was awarded $500,000 to purchase and renovate multi-family properties to provide re-entry housing. The Nehemiah Center, which also provides services in youth education, community wellness and economic development, would use the $199,000 duplex to house six or seven men who would pay rent and need to fulfill requirements, such as remaining clean and sober, to live there. Men living in the house would also be subject to routine and random house checks and participate in weekly house meetings, said Anthony Cooper Sr., the director of re-entry services for the center. The center also helps re-entry participants find stable employment and offers them mentoring and advocacy services. Staff from Nehemiah and local officials met with community members earlier this week to provide them with more information about the potential house on Post Road, with many in attendance expressing frustration and concern over how close the proposed property is to Leopold Elementary. In response to residents concerns, Nehemiah Center Executive Manager Rich Henderson said the house could be an asset to the area and would provide residents with an avenue to receive support from the center. We dont want to put the community at risk; we want to bring services to the community, he said. Erv Bendorf, the president of the Leopold Neighborhood Association, said he was concerned that the re-entry house would deter people from moving into the area and sending their children to the school. I dont think (potential buyers are) going to want their kids to go to that school, he said. Others at the community meeting expressed concerns about bringing additional high-risk people into the neighborhood. Katie Buhrandt, who has 3-year-old twin boys and lives in the neighborhood, said additional low-cost housing is necessary but said she wished residents had been notified sooner about the plan. I think its worthy. I think our community should embrace it, she said. My only concern was the school. A County Board committee will vote on authorizing the lease between the county and the center later this month, and the full board will vote on the final approval in early September. The following editorial appeared in Mondays Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It will soon be 53 years since a bomb was planted and set off by a hatred-filled group of Klansmen, killing four little black girls preparing to worship inside the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. It would be years before justice would come for Lisa McNair, 11, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Morris, all 14. Now, the only surviving person convicted in their deaths will remain in prison where he should stay. The Alabama parole board recently did right by refusing to grant a release for Thomas E. Blanton Jr., who was among the Klansmen who put a bomb outside the church. Though for years believed to be a suspect in the case, he was not convicted of the murders until 2001. The sister of Addie Mae, Sarah Collins Rudolph, who is now 65 and was seriously injured in the bombing, asked the board to ensure that her sisters killer stayed put. He is in a one-person cell in Springville, Ala. Two other men convicted in the bombing died in prison. As heartbreaking as it is to remember what happened that Sunday, Sept. 15, 1963, it is equally devastating, and disheartening, that Blanton has neither taken responsibility for the murders nor shown a shred of remorse. The former U.S. attorney who prosecuted Blanton agreed that he should not be released. Doug Jones said that letting Blanton out would increase the insurmountable pain the childrens families have faced and send the wrong message to anyone with a hate-filled heart. Hes correct. Healing must always be given advantage. Hate must never be given advantage. Brandon Ketchum, a veteran of the Marine Corps and National Guard, took his own life last month after allegedly being denied inpatient treatment at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Now his friends and family are working to help other veterans who are struggling with similar issues. Chris Kemp served with Ketchum in Iraq and is working to start Ketchums House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans and their families deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Kemp said Ketchums House will be a retreat where veterans and their families can go to network with one another. He wants veterans to know they are not alone, and their struggles are not insurmountable. In addition to the retreat, Kemp said he would also like to start local support groups across the country, where veterans struggling with PTSD can go for support. Kemp has started a GoFundMe page and is working with several charity events around the country to raise money for the retreat. Ketchum grew up in Baraboo and graduated from high school in Wisconsin Dells. His mother, Bev Kittoe, has been a hair stylist in Baraboo for over 20 years. She said her son enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a particular interest in art. He had a talent that was just amazing, Kittoe said. He could draw and sketch anything. He did that a lot. Ketchum enlisted in the Marines in 2004 at the age of 22 and served two tours in Iraq. He was a combat engineer, and his job was to locate and clear roadside bombs. Kemp said Ketchum kept everyone in good spirits with his sense of humor. He was kind of the class clown the joker, Kemp said. He was always up for a good time. He always had a witty comeback or a joke for the situation we were in. Ketchum and his brother served in Iraq at the same time. Kittoe said it was difficult as a mother to have both of her sons overseas. I wouldnt hear from them for days, Kittoe said. I would watch the news and be on the internet all the time because I couldnt get enough news to see if there was anything that was going on in the area where they were. Ketchum served in the Marines Corps until 2008. He enlisted in the Army in 2010 and was deployed in Afghanistan with the Iowa Army National Guard. After serving for nine months, he was injured by a roadside bomb. He was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and underwent extensive back surgery. Kittoe said Ketchums PTSD escalated after the injury. He abused painkillers and eventually moved on to harder drugs. Ketchum struggled with depression and PTSD and was flagged multiple times by the VA over the past year. After allegedly being denied inpatient treatment at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center last month, he took his own life. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Ketchums family is going through his medical records. Kittoe said shes frustrated with how the situation was handled. All we want is to stop this from happening to another veteran, she said. If you ask to be admitted, it shouldnt matter. He was told no because he needed to go home and take his medication. Kemp said hes also frustrated with the VA but said the veteran community should come together to prevent similar situations from happening. They are responsible in the sense that they turned him away at that moment in time, but I think the veteran community is also responsible, he said. We kind of turned a blind eye to the PTSD issue. Im hoping the Ketchum House will help others deal with that. Kittoe said she hopes Ketchums House will be a way for her son to continue helping others. A couple of his buddies were suicidal, and they came to him, she said. He made sure they got the help. It was so easy for him to help other people, and hes still doing that now even though hes not here. Mauston photographer Eric Grzenia combines his passion for outdoor photography and nostalgia in the new DVD Wisconsin Postcards; Then vs. Now, A Visual Documentary. Grzenia is selling the films this week at the Juneau County Fair in Mauston. This years fair runs through Sunday. I was always interested in photographing dilapidated county churches, schoolhouses and barns. And then, once it got too hard to find that stuff out in the country, I kind of gave up and got into postcards, Grzenia said. This whole project leads into that, combining both interests. Grzenia said the film project took almost five years. In Wisconsin Postcards, the Mauston photographer features old postcards and recreates many of their images in modern day scenes. During this 41-minute film, Grzenia presents 162 comparisons in 15 chapters. For those whove seen a Wisconsin image on a postcard from the 1930s and wondered what that same place looks like today, chances are Grzenia has the answer. The photographer features vintage photos from 1907 to mid 20th Century. I went back to 1907 because thats when picture postcards really started becoming popular, Grzenia said. On the DVDs cover, Grzenia took an image of a young woman holding the American flag, sitting atop Petenwell Rock near Necedah, looking north. The image high above Lake Petenwell is breathtaking. In the modern version, Grzenia hired a model to pose with a flag, sitting perched on Petenwell Rock. Grzenia also features images of Mauston, then and now, and a comparison of Route 33, now Highway 33, in Wonewoc when the road was a dirt path through the bluffs. Grzenia said finding the images on old postcards was a painstaking process. The thing about postcards is people dont realize how rare they are. If people have them, theyre local to that area and theyre not giving them up. If youre outbid on Ebay of say a downtown shot of Mauston, you might be waiting years to find another one, if ever, Grzenia said. Back then they often printed nine postcards to a sheet so you could maybe only have nine, total, that were ever made. In Wisconsin Postcards, Grzenia presents a dissolving slide show, with background music, of iconic images across the state. Grzenia photographed and compared downtowns, railroad depots, historic sites, castles, small, unincorporated villages, and other Wisconsin attractions, such as Door County. Grzenia also takes viewers on a tour of filming locations for the 2009 film, Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp. The film recounts the days of notorious bank robber John Dillinger and parts of the movie were shot in Wisconsin. Grzenia said some of the locations he shot in the past few years have already changed due to construction projects. The photographer has plenty of interesting stories about how each shot was reproduced. In one instance, I was waiting for a train to pass over the worlds last five-arched, stone train bridge, not far from Beloit. On one occasion, I waited from sunrise to sunset and it didnt pass, Grzenia said. I had to go back on my next day off because the first winter storm was on its way so I had to either get it that day or I didnt get it. I couldnt sit in my car; I had to be in a remote location to get it. That was the most excruciating one. In another instance, Grzenia was trying to recreate an image in Manitowoc from more than 100 years ago. Several people were in the photo on the postcard so Grzenia took to Facebook to promote his project and attract local volunteers to recreate the image. I tried to get people to stand in the place where people stood more than 100 years ago they all stood me up, Grzenia said. I forget how much that cost in gas, but by the time I had started looking for new volunteers, it started raining. But, it happened to be Halloween Day and the volunteers I did get were all working in a haunted house. They posed in costume and I thought that was pretty cool. Another challenge was dealing with how much places have changed through the decades. In Wausau, Grzenia had to attach his camera to a long pole to attain a reach of 30 feet. His goal was to reproduce an image from the 1920s in downtown Wausau. What used to be a quaint scene there is now a shopping mall, he said. There were also times, like when high winds destroyed a castle-like structure in Maribel that Grzenia had to drive back to the location to reshoot the image. Grzenia said Wisconsin Postcards appeals to every Wisconsinite because of the wide range of comparisons throughout the state. Grzenia is selling the DVDs at the fair for $16, limited to the first 100 sold, and online at www.wisconsin-postcards.com for $18.99. Grzenia may also sell the films at Hustler Fest in Hustler next weekend. The loss of a block-long piece of prime booth space downtown created a scramble for compromise this week by Wo-Zha-Wa Days organizers. The organizers, led by festival co-chairman and Dells Alderman Ed Wojnicz and long-time Wo-Zha-Wa guiding force Bud Gussel, agreed Wednesday night, during a lively, first Wo-Zha-Wa Days organizing meeting, to explore alternative solutions to re-locating the booths of a few, potentially displaced Dells community organizations. Construction this summer of the new Duchess Plaza, on the north side of Oak Street where it meets Broadway, means the Dells Lions Club, which has long occupied a booth during Wo-Zha-Wa at that location, will have to relocate for the 2016 festival. The committees original proposal would have shifted the Lions east one block to the north side of Elm Street and also shifted the American Legion booth to the next block up to Cedar Street, but Legion members at Wednesdays meeting strongly protested that plan. Were not real big fans of moving down to the Cedar Street location at all, said Legion Post Vice Commander Gary Thompson, who was among several who voiced similar opinions during the meeting. Wojnicz and the committee agreed to work out a different plan, and by Friday, the committee awaited word on whether a proposed compromise that would relocate the booths of Lions Club and the Polski Klub (formerly Polish Club) of Wisconsin Dells would meet with those groups mutual approval. We dont have a result yet, Wojnicz told the Dells Events Friday morning. The latest proposed compromise would move the Lions booth to the south side of Broadway and Elm next to the Chalet building, and move the Polski Club from that location to the north side of Cedar and Broadway. The committee Wednesday night also addressed lingering concerns regarding the farmers market traditionally held on the south side of Trinity Lutheran Church, a market severely truncated last year due to what has since been called a misunderstanding between festival organizers, the church and the Dells Police Department. With Trinity Lutheran board president Doug Jonas in attendance, the committee which includes Dells Police Chief Jody Ward emphasized that the farmers market must sell harvested goods. Some non-harvested goods were sold at the site in 2015, which in part led to the dispute. Whats the difference in a person selling stir fry and whats in a farmers market, Ward asked rhetorically. I think we have to be careful of people buying packaged items to sell at a farmers market. Well try to do whatever you want us to do, Jonas told the committee. Local service clubs, churches and other nonprofit groups within the Wisconsin Dells School District can have the festivals $750 permit fee waived contingent upon them turning 20 percent of their profits over to the Wo-Zha-Wa committee. The committee itself has established these rules and the Wisconsin Dells Police Department has an agreement with the committee that it will enforce those rules. As Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel tours the state meeting with community leaders, he hears concerns about a number of issues, but two linked issues seem to pop up everywhere he goes. We are hearing a lot recurring themes, Schimel said. Most of them revolve around substance abuse and mental health. Schimel was in Mauston last week to sit down with police, health officials and elected officials to hear their concerns. After the session he spoke to the media about the problem of substance abuse especially opiates and what the state is doing to combat the problem. Many people are aware drug issues lead to a crime increase. As drug abuse increases, so do crime, arrests and jail time, but the issue goes much deeper. You hear from human services that theyre setting record levels for child placements because of neglect, Schimel said. Seventy percent of the children theyre placing in care have parents who are abusing substances somehow. This is affecting all levels of what were doing. While many communities share problems, Juneau County has some unique issues of its own. Local police have to take someone to Oshkosh for mental health emergency detention. Driving so far takes officers away from their communities for an extended period. Schimel said its an issue larger communities, with local mental health facilities, dont realize exists. More local communities are trying to implement local mental health care. This sometimes allows cases to be handled locally, and therefore no hospital transportation is needed. While mental health care is imperative and strides are being made, much of the focus Schimel comes back to is about opiates. Coming in as Attorney General I had made the opiate epidemic my top priority and this confirms to me, from the perspective of Juneau County, thats certainly the right track, Schimel said. He said he hopes the Juneau County S.A.F.E. Coalition, which is working towards a drug free community, receives the federal grant it applied for. Local groups have made big contributions in helping prevent drug abuse, Schimel said. The help from local communities is needed, but Schimel said there is also a strong state-wide plan in place. He feels the state is doing a lot of strong work, but its only within the last couple years things have started to move forward. He said things will continue to take some time. The state uses the Dose of Reality campaign to help prevention efforts, especially with prescription painkillers which are so often a starting point for opiate abuse. To take it a step further, the Department of Justice sat down with the medical community to talk about the issue of prescription drugs. Whenever you go to a trade organization or professional organization like that, their initial reaction is We have to be careful, because if we start talking too much about this, someone is going to say were liable, Schimel said. Were very pleased because they made a conscious decision to ask the lawyers to sit this one out and ask about what we can do to make some changes. They really stepped up in Wisconsin. The state Medical Examining Board recently released new guidelines to address opiate addiction. Most hospitals in the state have, or are developing protocols, for proper issuing of opiate drugs. He said the leaders of health organizations have been happy to help with the guidelines. Frankly, because of the work Wisconsin has been doing, Ive been asked to speak at events other Attorney Generals are holding in other states, Schimel said. He thinks many ideas that used to be controversial are now finding consensus acceptance. He said he supports needle exchange programs to help stop the prevention of disease between intravenous drug users. You can go all the way back to maybe 2007 in Waukeasha County, as DA, when the AIDS Resource Council came to us and said, Were going to have a van come to your county and do (needle) distributions. Schimel said. Our first reaction as law enforcement people was, No youre not, because youre going to make it easier for them. Youre facilitating their drug use. The more thoughtful approach we arrived at is, they are using anyway. Theyre shooting up today not because they want to, but because they have to. He said the clean needles will reduce the spread of disease, and stop the health issues coming from using the same needles over and over. Schimel said he is also 100 percent on board for treatment courts. He said many people did not set out to become criminals, they became criminals because of their addiction. Prisons have treatment, and its good for what it is, but its custodial treatment, Schimel said. Treatment while youre confined in prison or a locked treatment facility only goes so far. When youre in the real world you need a different kind of help. He understands relapsing is part of treating addiction. Addicts wont be kicked out of treatment court for relapsing as long as they are honest and continue to show up and follow their plan. Strides are being made, but Schimel knows there is a long way to go to stop opiate abuse. If I accomplish nothing else as attorney general, it will be worth all the effort, worth running and serving, if I can be part of an effort that has some success in this, he said. MILWAUKEE (AP) Wisconsin voters may be able to start casting ballots for Novembers general election as early as next month if an appeals court doesnt act before then on a federal judges ruling that struck down a host of Wisconsin election laws. Municipal clerks must set early voting dates. By law, ballots have to be in the hands of clerks by Sept. 21, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The Madison city clerks office said early voting will begin Sept. 26, and Milwaukee Election Commission executive director Neil Albrecht said he expects Milwaukee will follow a similar timeline. The law had been whittled down, so were working out the final details but it will include multiple voting sites and weekend hours, Albrecht said. Local elections officials will have a chance to set up voting stations at college campuses and other locations, rather than requiring people to come to the clerks offices to cast early ballots. Among the election laws struck down Judge James Peterson in July are certain limits on absentee and early voting, which the judge found unfairly benefited Republicans. Before the judges ruling, early voting was scheduled to begin Oct. 24. Republican Gov. Scott Walker has twice signed laws limiting early voting in recent years. Walker said he was not focused on the early voting limits, but is more concerned with making sure the courts uphold the states voter ID law. UW-Madisons Red Gym could soon be home to the latest physical location of Amazon, after the universitys governing board approved a plan for the online retail giant to open a package pickup location inside the historic campus building. One Downtown business owner says shes concerned the new location could hurt nearby retailers, however. The Amazon Pickup Point, called Amazon@UWMadison, would take up about 2,000 square feet on the first floor of the Red Gym, 716 Langdon St., and is set to open next spring. A UW-Madison spokesman said the agreement with Amazon hasnt yet been finalized but was approved Thursday by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. It calls for a five-year contract between UW-Madison and Amazon that will earn the university hundreds of thousands of dollars in commissions from the packages. UW-Madison would be guaranteed at least $100,000 per year from Amazon, but a description of the contract given to the Regents says commissions are expected to be higher. The agreement will be automatically renewed for another five years unless the university or Amazon backs out. Shoppers will only be able to pick up items they purchased online at the site. Although Amazon has recently opened some in-person retail stores, nothing will be sold at the UW-Madison location. Amazon says shipping orders to the staffed Pickup Point is a more secure delivery option for customers, and allowing shoppers to send packages to the new location will also reduce the number of deliveries on campus, according to UW officials. Sandi Torkildson, owner of A Room of Ones Own bookstore a few blocks from the Red Gym, said the Pickup Point could make life harder for Downtown businesses, many of which are already in stiff competition with Amazon, and hinder efforts from city officials to boost retail on and around State Street. Torkildson said the locations more secure package delivery eliminates one advantage brick-and-mortar retailers had over Amazon, and could make customers more inclined to shop online rather than in person. This is giving them a competitive edge that they dont have now, Torkildson said.Amazon has opened several Pickup Point spaces on and near college campuses around the country, including at the University of Texas-Austin and the University of California-Berkeley. Since the Red Gym, which was built in 1894 and now houses several student organizations, is a National Historic Landmark, UW officials noted that any changes to the structure involved in building Amazon@UWMadison could require approval from the university, the Wisconsin Historical Society and the U.S. Park Service. A jury on Thursday found Stephanie McMillen not guilty of first-degree attempted homicide, bringing the four-year-old case to a close in Columbia County Circuit Court. Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Brian Pfitzinger read the verdict, coming in after less than three hours of deliberation. The jurors did convict McMillen of stalking and obstruction of justice. Court was called early on Wednesday as both witness lists were exhausted, though Pfitzinger, acting on an early promise that he had no interest in a forced late-night decision, released the jurors and ordered jury instructions be drawn up so closing arguments could begin first thing Thursday morning. In his instructions to the jury, Pfitzinger said, You cannot look into a persons mind to find intent or knowledge. Assistant District Attorney Crystal Long again returned to the roadmap she had developed for the jury, portraying McMillen as a woman who was incapable of accepting the end of a relationship with Michael Tennier in April 2012, desperate to reconnect in a series of emails and texts over the next several months leading to an encounter with Tenniers wife, Kimberly, at their house on Sept. 10. During testimony from Michael Tennier, details from emails suggested a more drawn-out process. Defense attorney Richard White alluded to a far more painful process in which Tennier replied to emails from McMillen in messages that were both intimate and ambiguous, saying on Aug. 12 he was still conflicted. Long highlighted McMillens failed attempts to get back with Tennier, leading up to a far more conclusive exchange on Aug. 23, with a string of suspicious Internet searches beginning the next day, with inquiries into bomb making, then a call to a fireworks company, searches involving Trina Worth, an alias she would use to text and email Kimberly Tennier. Among the Internet searches were also queries into real suicide notes and depression, which White pointed to, and McMillen testified to, as evidence that at the time she was only a danger to herself. Its not how you would expect to see suicide information, said Long, Stephanies explanation was that she was looking up other suicide notes because she was trying to organize her thoughts she was really distraught and spinning out of control and she didnt think she could organize her thoughts. But you dont organize your own suicidal ideations by looking them up, you just spill it out on paper. Instead, Long suggested that McMillen was researching how to write a suicide note for somebody else. White addressed this in his closing statements, saying that despite the claim of McMillen forming a detailed plan including a faked suicide, that there was no note found on her computer. In a rebuttal, Long suggested that the digital evidence was combed from Internet searches leaving the possibility of damning documents still existing somewhere. Ms. Long mocks Ms. McMillen, when Ms. McMillen says, I realized: what am I doing? This is crazy. I have to leave, White said regarding the Sept. 10 incident of the disguised McMillen drawing Tennier out of her house to look for a fictional cat. We can all be cynical, but isnt that what we want out of another human being? To do the right thing not soon enough to prevent bad behavior, but ultimately, to do the right thing. White did not defend McMillen in claiming that there was any good reason for her to be at the Tenniers home or to contact Kimberly Tennier in the first place. Instead he explained that it was the endpoint of a series of bad decisions that McMillen could only honestly explain as a symptom of anxiety, depression, irrationality, and by saying, I dont know why. Her unwillingness to be forthright with detectives, White told the jury, was only a natural response of a sad and embarrassed person wanting to get away from a personal low point. This is the most disturbing aspect of the case to me, said White. It is that singular moment at the Tennier residence. There is no unequivocal proof other than speculation, maybes and possibilities of an intent to kill. White said the prosecution proceeded as if it were McMillens burden to prove she did not try to kill Kimberly Tennier, rather the state proving the opposite to the jury. Thats just not the way things work, folks, White said. Thats not the way we do things in the United States of America. The case was tried in full in May 2015, before a mistrial was declared due to issues with the jury. During that process McMillen was, for the most part, a silent participant. On the last day of testimony, Wednesday afternoon, McMillen decided to take the stand. In her emotional answers to questions about her romantic and mental well-being throughout 2012, she broke with the stoic pose she held throughout prior court proceedings. She returned Thursday to her quiet, attentive position next to her attorney, holding it throughout the reading of the verdict, at which point the only outburst was a collective sigh among attendees those supporting McMillen, those supporting Kimberly Tennier and/or both. The end had to come and, quite frankly, our outcome here was to hopefully have the jury agree with us as to the attempted homicide, said White. The other charges were certainly not as debatable, but the attempted homicide conviction is an absolute life-changer. The jury was excused and preparations were made for the next hearing regarding sentencing for stalking and obstruction. Pfitzinger announced the hearing closed and emotional floodgates were opened as McMillen turned around to hold her parents and a line of more than a dozen friends and family lined up to make their way to the front of the courtroom, wiping away tears before even reaching her. It did give me new faith in the judicial system, because I never thought she was ever guilty of any attempted murder charges, said one family friend who was present throughout the proceedings. I didnt have a lot of faith, but it renewed by faith. The family met outside the front doors of the courthouse where White addressed them as a group and thanked them for their support. Around the corner, the jurors bus was pulled up waiting to take jurors back to Dodge County. As the McMillen family and friends headed toward the parking lot, they waved and thanked the jurors as they loaded into the bus and then pulled away. We are tremendously grateful for the jurys decision on the attempted homicide, said White. We look forward to getting this matter behind her and the sentencing hearing is a necessary part as far as the other two counts. Misconceptions about the border result in strategies that can be counterproductive. Thats why solutions have to be carefully vetted to make sure they do more than just feel good. Some false promises are clearly evident: Fencing hasnt stopped Mexican drug cartels from using air cannons to fire bundles of marijuana into Arizona. That doesnt mean we dont need barriers. It does mean we should not see them as the panacea. Some problematic solutions are more subtle: The cartels practice of cajoling or coercing juveniles into picking up and transporting those drugs on the U.S. side has resulted in troubling prosecutions in Cochise County. That doesnt mean juveniles who help smugglers should be given a pass. It does mean we should consider the circumstances and consequences of hanging an adult felony conviction around a childs neck. Between June 2015 and June of this year, the Cochise County attorney prosecuted at least 60 juveniles as adults on felony marijuana charges, according to reporting by The Republics Elizabeth S. Eaton and Daniel Gonzalez. Its a rare get-tough policy that involves prosecuting all or most juveniles caught by local and federal law-enforcement agencies that includes those the U.S. attorney has declined to prosecute. Other counties prosecute these youth as adults on a case-by-case basis. The Cochise County prosecutions are designed to deter juveniles from becoming involved in smuggling and there is some logic to that approach. Criminal groups have a history of recruiting juveniles from border areas to transport drug loads. They offer the kids a quick profit and the promise that juveniles will not face harsh consequences if caught. The criminals target youth on both sides of the border U.S. citizens, undocumented immigrants and youth in Mexico and some human-rights advocates say some of the children have no choice. The cartels can threaten and coerce kids into doing their dirty work. Young people targeted by the cartels in Mexico can face violence if they do not go along. Rather than getting tough on kids, the goal should be to go after the real criminals. ... Whats more, a 14-year-olds brain is not sufficiently mature to make adult decisions. Even if a teen gets a relatively minor sentence of 18 months, being branded as an adult felon is a stigma that endures. Yet Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre says the number of prosecutions of juveniles as adults for drug smuggling has fallen off in recent months from about six new cases a month when the prosecutions began to one, maybe two, he told The Republics Eaton and Gonzalez. He hopes that is because word has gotten around that the easy money comes with hard consequences. But there is another effort one McIntyre also is involved in that is also aimed at getting the word out. A Border Patrol educational program called Operation Detour gave presentations to 27 schools in the 2015-16 school year, offering a scary lesson on the dangers of the cartels and the consequence of prison. Educating children first is a much better approach than prosecuting them as adults after they have made the mistake of their young lives. But this gets complicated because the Border Patrol cannot be involved in educating children in Mexico. Nor do U.S. law-enforcement operations have the power to move against cartels operating in the Mexican neighborhoods where young people are being pressed into illicit service. Like other problems related to the border, this requires careful thought and a rational look at the long-term consequences. In that light, the prosecution as adults of first-time juvenile offenders does not look like a wise use of resources. This kind of policy should be widely discussed and evaluated, not arbitrarily implemented by one border county. A Minnesota artist has traveled to Reedsburg to work on a mural celebrating one of the communitys most important historic moments. Wesley May of Red Lake, Minnesota, was commissioned by Reedsburg ArtsLink and Little Eagle Arts Foundation in Wisconsin Dells to create a mural honoring Ho-Chunk Chief Ahuchoga, otherwise known as Blue Wing. Ahuchoga is considered one of the founding members of Reedsburg because he owned 40 acres of land and facilitated positive relationships between the tribe and the white settlers. Melanie Tallmadge-Sainz, founding director of LEAF, told the volunteer painters the story of her ancestor, Ahuchoga. She said the Ho-Chunk, like so many native nations, faced relocation early in Reedsburgs history. Rather than allowing the tribe to be transported to Nebraska the settlers banded together to block the train and stop the army. One of the reasons the Ho-Chunk have a prominent presence in the area today is thanks to the efforts of Ahuchoga and the settlers, she said. He was just a kind, simple man that brought the communities together, May said of Ahuchoga. The train depot also still exists and is now home to the Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Plans call for the mural to hang on a former hardware store on Vine Street, within viewing distance of the depot. May said between 30 and 40 volunteers showed up on the afternoon of Aug. 18 to paint. They came from Reedsburg, Tomah and Nekoosa. Connections May said he has always had an interest in drawing and painting but didnt seriously pursue them until about 7 years ago. He specializes in murals and has done projects across the country. He said the Reedsburg mural symbolizes Ahuchogas legacy. Volunteers from different communities have united to paint the base colors and shapes. Unity is the basis for a successful community like Reedsburg. The bluebird design was inspired by the image that appears on Ahuchoga Memorial Marker at Blue Wing Cemetery in Tomah. Ahuchoga later moved to Tomah, where he eventually died. The exact year of his death is unknown. Once the bases are finished he and his apprentice, Christopher Sweet, will add more detailed imagery. The mural will have feathers with symbols for the Ho-Chunk clans as well as scenes depicting the train, army and citizens standing with the natives. The 30-by-8-foot mural is expected to be finished by Aug. 21. Community painting days will continue from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 20 and 21. The idea for the mural came about when Reedsburg ArtsLink started researching Ahuchoga about two years ago. The groups founder and director Joann Mundth Douglas said she contacted Tallmadge-Sainz because shes both an artist and descendant of Ahuchoga. Mundth Douglas said they wanted to do something special to commemorate the story. The circle Tallmadge-Sainz said the very act of making the mural represents the Ho-Chunk philosophy. She said they believe in the circle of life. Elders tell their stories to their children, who in turn pass down the tales. The children who worked on the mural represent another part of the circle, May added. He said its important for youth to be involved so that 20 years from now they can point to the mural and tell their children about their contribution. Tallmadge-Sainz added that the turnout for the mural along with the story of Ahuchoga symbolize the areas commitment to friendship and loyalty. Fellowship, she said. To me thats now synonymous with Reedsburg. This past June, 10 members of the Wisconsin Dells High School Key Club completed an international service trip to Costa Rica. The students were in country for nine days and performed community service. The trip began with a drive from San Jose to La Fortuna. While in La Fortuna students worked at a university greenhouse planting seeds, making compost, replanting seedlings, and various other tasks. The next morning students volunteered at a local elementary school by helping to construct a bathroom for students with disabilities. Students took a break from service to take part in a cultural lesson at a local hacienda and ate a tasty meal served on a banana tree leaf. They also hiked to a waterfall in Arenal Volcano National Park and zip lined above and through the rainforest. The final three days were spent in the coastal town of Uvita. Students were able to pick up trash that was deposited on the beach and construct houses for local families. The students learned a lot about the manual construction of houses and brought back skills that will serve them in the future when they get their own houses. The final day was spent swimming and surfing in the Pacific Ocean before saying adios to their new friends. The students wish to thank the Kiwanis Club of Wisconsin Dells for their support and encouragement. They also wish to thank Culvers of Lake Delton, Culvers of Wisconsin Dells, MACS, Alpha Beta Karma, Joey Van Dinter of American Family Insurance, the many residents who they raked leaves for, community members, teachers, family members and friends who participated in fundraisers and provided anonymous donations. They apologize for anyone they may have missed in thanking, but please know they are grateful for the opportunity to serve abroad. Based on the success of this trip and the wonderful guides of Rustic Pathways, Key Club will most likely begin planning a similar trip for June of 2018. If you are interested in more information on the trip or would like to support a future trip, please contact Key Club advisor Emily Behn at ebehn@sdwd.k12.wi.us or 608-253-1461 ext.1204. KENOSHA Fethullah Gulen is the man the Turkish president blames for a coup attempt on July 15 in Turkey. Well known as a Muslim social advocate and the inspirational leader of a civil society movement called Hizmet, Gulen has now been branded a terrorist by the Turkish authorities without any court order or hard evidence of his involvement. Is Gulen really a terrorist leader? Actually, the Turkish people asked the very same question in 2000 when Ankara State Security Courts chief prosecutor opened a case against Gulen charging the Turkish preacher had set up a terrorist network. The prosecutor has charged hundreds of schools and organizations founded by people inspired by Gulens ideas, and Gulen was acquitted of all charges. Now the Turkish government follows the same path and designates the Hizmet initiative, which promotes education, community service, and interfaith dialogue, a terrorist organization. After studying the movement, I have seen that Gulen has been preaching understanding, tolerance, human rights and democracy but definitely not violence. Schools established by the Hizmet volunteers are aimed to raise generations who respect universal human values and are educated through modern sciences and spiritual formation. Gulen reiterated his views on education in the interviews July 17, right after the attempted coup. If any of these schools were ever involved in any terrorist activity, as the Turkish government blindly claims, the many host countries would be the first to shut them down. In his 56-page defense presented to the Turkish court in 2001, Gulen emphasized that his personal views and the surveys and studies conducted on the movement proved that both national and international academic circles did not see Hizmet as a terrorist organization or Muslim supremacist cult. Almost everyone both in Turkey and abroad knows that Gulen was the first Muslim leader who condemned the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Gulen stated, I would like to stress that any terrorist activity, no matter who does it and for what purpose, is the greatest blow to peace, democracy and humanity. When people were searching for moderate Muslim voices, he had already issued press releases for the attacks in Madrid, London, Boston, San Bernardino, Mogadishu, Orlando, Lahore, Paris, Istanbul, Nairobi, Brussels and many other places, condemning any type of terrorism and religious extremism. Given the popularity of the Hizmet across the world and lack of evidence that Gulen is indeed linked to terrorism, I believe it will be unequivocally impossible to confirm that the movement is a separatist terrorist organization, as claimed by the Turkish president. Gulen always makes a broad social critique of violence, terrorism and racism, while promoting social justice, harmony and peace. Yes, the Turkish government blames Gulen and his sympathizers for the attempted military coup. Gulen has rejected all accusations that he was behind the coup attempt and declared his clear stance on democracy. This is also what he stated back in 1994: I believe, from now on, both in Turkey and in the rest of the world, there will be no going back from democracy. Discussing particles face-to-face ATLAS experiment Spokesperson commends enthusiastic SA physics students. Of the 3 000 people working on the ATLAS experiment at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland, 1 000 are students, including postgraduates from the School of Physics at Wits. The students are a crucial part of the experiment, says Professor David Charlton, Spokesperson (scientific head) of the ATLAS Collaboration at the worlds largest and most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. From his engagement with physics students and academics from the School of Physics, Charlton said that most noticeable about South African students at CERN is their enthusiasm. It is great to have young people coming through who are so enthusiastic to do the science, he says. SA-CERN His visit to Wits and its partner universities (Cape Town and Johannesburg) in the SA-CERN consortium is unique as he has only been able to visit a small fraction of the 182 institutions involved in CERN since he becoming Spokesperson for the ATLAS Collaboration in 2013. His role is to build and enhance better collaboration among the institutions, physicists, students and teams. Today, it is much easier for people to collaborate internationally and generally they do not work in national teams, but with people from all over the world who share their interests. Thus, location is remarkably unimportant these days. Everything we do at CERN is video-conferenced and people join in from anywhere. However, meeting people face-to-face is still the best way to ensure that collaborations work well, he added. Charlton, professor of particle physics at the University of Birmingham, was hosted at Wits by Professor Bruce Mellado, who leads the Universitys involvement in the Atlas experiment at CERN. Wits-ATLAS Physicists from the Wits-ATLAS group are at the forefront of experiments on Atlas at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The group was also part of the historic observation three years ago of the Higgs boson, a puzzle piece in the Standard Model of Particle Physics, that opened up possibilities to discover more exotic particles. Read more about Wits various activities and involvement at CERN. SA must free itself from the burden of owning a national airline The country needs to accept the reality that the time when national airlines flew as carriers of national pride is a thing of the past. Some national carriers South African Airways (SAA) as a prime example have become major liabilities. They must be cut loose to protect the pride of the nation. Across the globe the feature of national airlines as a natural property of nation states has been in decline. Entrepreneurs have invaded the market and the success of a few national carriers, like Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates and Singapore Airlines is a function of some special features. With a few exceptions, the situation in developing countries is particularly bad. They cant afford the huge financial burden that comes with failing national carriers. South Africa, which is facing economic difficulties, is such a case. In raising the alarm over the countrys credit rating, the international agency Standard and Poor warned that the government faced risks from public enterprises with weak balance sheets. It included SAA on its list. The country narrowly missed being downgraded to junk status. SAA is currently kept in the air on the basis of financial guarantees from the government amounting to R14 billion. This is coming out of over-stretched government coffers. And it must be stressed that it is taxpayers who have provided SAA with these costly guarantees. This is not the first time the airline has been in trouble. It has a long history as a failed state owned enterprise. Yet it manages to stay afloat by asking for government bailouts and by using every available means to shut down competitors. Dubious uncompetitive behaviour The airline has once again been in the news for all the wrong reasons. This time it is making news headlines because of its role in the demise of Nationwide Airlines, one of the few competitors it faced on domestic routes. The state-owned airline has driven Nationwide out of the market and put another one (Comair) under pressure. This has ensured that there is limited competition in the domestic airline market. This, in turn, has prejudiced customers in a big way. On August 9 2016 the South Gauteng High Court ruled that SAA must pay liquidated Nationwide Airlines a fine of some R104 million. Nationwide was liquidated as it could not compete with SAA. The court found that SAAs abuse of market dominance from 2001 to 2006 contributed to the liquidation. If interest is added to the damages awarded to Nationwide, the amount can double to some R200 million. SAA seemingly does not have the money to pay this claim. This is obvious from the fact that even before the court case it had asked the government (read: South African taxpayer) for a further guarantee of R5 billion. There can be little doubt that SAA will attempt to take the court ruling on appeal. After all, when taxpayers underwrite failed business ventures such as SAA, appeal is always an easy option. It is expensive, but somebody else carries the cost. But more is to come. Comair has brought a court application similar to the one brought by Nationwide. In this case the claimed damages amount to R875 million. If interest is added in this instance, the claim amounts to some R1,5 billion. Again this is money that SAA does not have. Badly managed That South Africas national airline is in a parlous state is no longer in dispute. It has delayed releasing its financial statements four times over the past 10 months. No convincing reasons have been provided for the delays. The failure to issue financial statements on time is partly a reflection of the incompetent leadership that has led the airline astray in recent years. To be sure, the airline has been rocked by boardroom shenanigans for some time. It has over the past 10 years or so experienced unprecedented leadership volatility with frequent changes to the board and the CEO post. The tenure of the current board chairperson, Dudu Myeni, has taken things to a new level of scandalous corporate governance. It is clear that Myeni is unqualified for the post of chairing the SAA board and has only survived due to her close relationship with President Jacob Zuma. The unceremonious and expensive firing of former finance minister, Nhlanhla Nene, came after he crossed swords with Myeni. And she appears to remain untouchable for the returning finance minister Pravin Gordhan. He has correctly called for the revamp of the airlines board before advancing new bailout funds. His call has gone unheeded. Ordinary citizens are the losers Customers are indeed the losers in all of this. Many are also taxpayers, and it is their hard-earned tax contributions that provide guarantees to SAA, thus giving it the power to squeeze competitors. This action increases the cost of airfares to the detriment of the very same group of people that funds SAA by means of guarantees. This is clearly an untenable position. There is only one solution. The South African government must simply give SAA away. This is, if anybody is interested in taking it. SAA clearly has no value. It is not necessary to do any expensive due diligences to ascertain this. The mere fact that it is kept in the air on the back of a guarantee of R14 billion and has asked for another R5 billion confirms the matter. The South African government can no longer afford to keep its national airline afloat. Neither should South African taxpayers be expected to. Jannie Rossouw, Head of School of Economic & Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The US election: whats at stake for Africas quest to deepen democracy Should Trump win the election the main lesson for Africas democrats would be that no democracy, however old and institutionally strong, is ever secure. When my students ask about the implications for Africa under the direction of Donald J. Trump or Hillary Rodham Clinton, I have two reactions. The first, and easy one, is that with the November 8 vote still months away, there will be plenty of opportunities to weigh the candidates' arguments and interactions. The more immediate question is what their campaigns tell us about the strengths and weaknesses of the US democratic experiment that might hold lessons for democracy in Africa. Trumps strongest supporters are Americans who prefer strong men over strong institutions. Trump is tribal. He is no democrat. He promises authoritarian leadership to an angry majority of Republican Party members. They fear a loss of status; they resent globalisation and immigration. Theyre scared of terrorists and want a more assertive America dominated by white Christian males. Make America great again! Trumps demagogic genius has been to circumvent the Republican elite and appeal directly to the partys alienated majority. He has gained support from both only on the basis of their shared hatred of Clinton. Clinton won the Democratic nomination on a completely different ticket. It included a celebration of American diversity and concessions to a progressive faction demanding greater economic justice. Africans have bitter experiences with demagoguery, authoritarianism and foreign exploitation. After all they live on the worlds most ethnically diverse and fractious continent. Achieving greater freedom and equality for all identity groups has long been African democrats' primary goal. By contrast, American democrats have traditionally been preoccupied with individual rights. Today on both continents democrats are testing variations of these ideals. These are experiences they might usefully share. Democratic experiments Democracy is best defined as a political experiment whose sole aim is to keep the experiment running. And a constitution limits and shares power among all parties to the agreement. Americas 1789 constitutional bargain excluded many. Most notably it excluded women and most egregiously African slaves in what today would be deemed a crime against humanity. How Americas two major parties have dealt with excluded identity groups' demands has defined their priorities since the 19th century. In the 1960s the Democratic Party lost a large faction when it passed civil rights legislation. Virtually all the white segregationists who controlled the bloc of southern states quickly turned Republican (and remain so). The effect was to further hinder the centuries-long struggle by African Americans for full and equal voting rights. In this election Democrats are more determined than ever to advance equal rights for all groups, however self-identified, within constitutionally acceptable limits. Americas Democratic Party is now perhaps the worlds most diverse political party. And like most other voters the world over, Democrats cast ballots primarily according to their self-ascribed identities. They do so with an agreed party platform of supportive policies. There were striking visual differences between the two US national conventions. Republican delegates were nearly all white. By contrast the Democrats could be mistaken for a meeting of the United Nations, although with more women and fewer suits. This same loose coalition of Hispanic, Asian, and African-Americans, plus the young and the well-educated, gave Obama his two terms in the White House. Demographically they are Americas emerging majority. Lately they started acquiring proportional representation appropriate for equal standing in Americas evolving version of democracy. Lasting political reform will be possible only if a more pluralistic majority gains greater control over Americas national institutions. For 227 years the Constitution has ensured disproportionate power for small states. This has helped perpetuate the domination of descendents of a founding group of Europeans. Implications for Africa The African Union is very different from the US. But it has adopted a long-term vision, Agenda 2063, that envisions pan-African integration by democratic means. More immediately and substantially, the African Unions Constitutive Act of 2002 enshrines a consensus that supports democratic development in all 54 African states. The African Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance commits all member states to hold periodic credible elections and invite AU observation. States will no doubt invoke traditional rights of sovereign equality to impede Pan-African integration. This is analogous to the persistent claims of Americas 50 states against encroachment of federal authority. Africas approach to democracy differs from Americas in another important way. It focuses more on ensuring horizontal equality among diverse cultural and ethnic groups, rather than among individual, or vertical rights. Highlighting this distinction helps clarify the historic nature of Americas 2016 presidential election. Democrats are seeking greater horizontal equality. For Republicans the focus is on the unfettered rights of individuals. Take the issue of gun ownership. Lately African commitments to democratic governance, nationally and regionally, appear to be faltering. Leadership provided by South Africa in founding the AU and advancing an African Renaissance is missing. No new champions have emerged. Authoritarianism is reviving under leaders more like Vladimir Putin than Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. Africas democrats therefore have a special stake in the outcome of the US election. Democratic lessons for Africa A win for the Democrats on November 8 would affirm the maturing of American democracy in several ways that are relevant to Africas democratic development. The most obvious gain would be greater gender equality, with the election of Americas first woman president. A Republican defeat would also mark another post-colonial turn for America. A turn away from the historic domination of one identity group and towards democratic pluralism based on greater equality among several identity groups. African Americans will be prominent among these identity groups. They are likely to be even more influential under Clinton. They are playing a role as crucial to Clintons nomination as angry whites are to Trumps. Recent polling shows Trumps support from black Americans to be less than 1%. With Clintons victory increasingly likely, the AU should consider new ways to strengthen ties with leading African-Americans. They are, after all, the richest and most influential segment of Africas global diaspora, the so-called sixth region of the African Union. John J Stremlau, Visiting Professor of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. As racial martyrs go, you could hardly do worse than Sylville Smith. He was no Trayvon Martin or Tamir Rice, no unarmed innocent gunned down. No, Milwaukee police say Smith was an armed 23-year old with a lengthy arrest record drugs, weapons, robbery who bolted from a traffic stop Saturday afternoon. They say he ran a short distance, then wheeled around, gun in hand, refusing orders to drop it. Whereupon the police officer shot and killed him. Im not going to say he was an angel, Smiths godmother, Katherine Mahmoud, told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The officer who killed him was a year older than Smith and black, like him. Though perceptions are obviously subject to change once body-cam footage is released, there is at this writing no reason to believe the officer acted improperly and, indeed, no serious allegation that he did. As such, this incident seems an unlikely focal point for public outrage. That it became one anyway, that Smiths death sparked two nights of arson, shooting and general unrest, is an ominous sign. It suggests the rise of a species of anger inimical to any hope of racial reconciliation in Milwaukee and cities far beyond. A certain amount of anger in the face of injustice is not necessarily a bad thing. Such anger defined as a passionate impatience with unfair status quo is often a necessary catalyst for progress. But when there is no progress even after long years, anger can intermix with frustration and despair and become something much less constructive. It can become something that doesnt listen, doesnt reason, doesnt even hope. Something that simply explodes. African-Americans in Wisconsins largest city say Smiths death was the last straw after years of racially stratified policing. It is hardly immaterial that an officer was not charged just two years ago in the controversial shooting death of a mentally ill black man. Or that the department is under Justice Department review which, to its credit, it requested. Who will be shocked if that probe finds what other probes have found in cop shops around the country: patterns of institutionalized racism that corrode public trust and impinge the ability of police to do their jobs. Unfortunately, there is a tendency, when such probes are done, to treat the affected department as unique, an outlier. Think of the person who sees a drop of water here, a drop of water there, another drop over there, yet somehow never perceives the storm. Its worth noting, too, that Mike Crivello, president of the Milwaukee police union, issued a statement after the shooting to denounce the idea of racism in the departments ranks. Of course, no institution of any size can credibly make a blanket claim of freedom from bias, but that didnt stop him. That should tell you something. Heres the thing: You get tired of being treated as an unreliable witness to your own experience. You get sick of not being heard. Black Milwaukee has complained for years about biased policing. Yet the police chief pronounced himself surprised by this uprising. Apparently, he hasnt been listening. The rest of us would do well to avoid that mistake. If this unrest is an omen, it is also an opportunity for civic self-examination and accountability, for giving the people a voice, for listening to what they have to say. For making change. This violence, following what might well have been a justified shooting, was tragic and troubling. But it also made one thing starkly clear. African-Americans have been demanding justice a very long time. And theyre getting tired of asking nicely. Friday morning commuters had to contend with heavy rain and strong winds in south central Wisconsin and the Madison area, as thunderstorms moved through the region, a taste of of inclement weather that could continue through Saturday. The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement shortly before 7 a.m. for Dane County and other counties to the east, warning of torrential rainfall that could cause localized flooding. Police reports indicated several crashes and roll offs on area highways, but no major incidents. 27 Storm Track meteorologist Branden Borremans said the storms could last through mid-morning, then the hot, sultry weather returns for the afternoon, with a high of 87 expected in Madison. Showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday night and Saturday, as a cold front moves through the region. Rainfall could total up to an inch in Madison, the National Weather Service said. The cold front will knock the heat and humidity out of the air, with Saturday's high only forecast to reach 75, and Sunday's high only hitting 72. Nighttime lows are expected to drop to 58 on Saturday night and 51 on Sunday night, Borremans said. Rain should end Saturday evening but there's a slight chance for a shower on Sunday, before sunshine returns on Monday and Tuesday, with highs of 78 and 83 to start the work week. Rain could come back on Wednesday with a high of 82, then the sun returns on Thursday with a high around 80, forecasters said. Thursday's high in Madison was 86, 7 degrees above normal and 15 degrees below the record high of 101 for Aug. 18, set in 1936. The low on Thursday was 65, 6 degrees above normal and 24 degrees above the record low of 41 for the day, set in 1977. A total of 0.10 inches of rain fell at the airport on Thursday, bringing the August rainfall total up to 3.26 inches, 0.71 inches above normal. The record rainfall on Aug. 18 was 3.39 inches in 2007. For the meteorological summer of June through August, Madison has received 13.84 inches of rain, 2.57 inches above normal. Since Jan. 1, Madison has received 23.63 inches of precipitation (rain and melted snow), 0.53 inches above normal. Warm welcome: new Tribe students arrive on campus Welcome Class of 2020: Orientation aides cheer on students as they arrive to their new residence halls. Photo by Stephen Salpukas Welcome Class of 2020: Orientation aides cheer on an incoming freshman as she totes belongings to her new home. Photo by Stephen Salpukas Welcome Class of 2020: New students and their families arrived on campus Friday with arms full of mini-fridges, ironing boards, fans, and boxes. Photo by Stephen Salpukas Welcome Class of 2020: President Reveley made the rounds to welcome new students and greet student volunteers during the move-in festivities. Photo by Stephen Salpukas Welcome Class of 2020: The sidewalks outside residence halls were crowded with students' belongings in the early morning hours. Photo by Stephen Salpukas Welcome Class of 2020: Student volunteers donning blue shirts were part of the move-in crew, helping new students find their ways and tote heavy boxes to their new homes. Photo by Stephen Salpukas Photo - of - Hide Caption College students might not be known as early risers, but as the soft morning light poured into campus Friday, William & Mary was more than ready to rumble. It wasnt quite 7:15, but a long line of cars packed with boxes and bins had already formed along the path leading down toward Green & Gold Village, where a spirited brigade of upperclassmen whooped and cheered in unison. Clad in neon yellow and baby blue T-shirts, the lively welcome crew was there to make sure move-in day for the incoming students went as smoothly and was as much fun as possible. I had such a great time at my freshman orientation, so I decided to get involved this year to make sure new students feel as welcome as I did on my first day, said Sarah DeVellis 19, an orientation aide and government major. And coming up with the different songs and cheers for each residence hall is also a lot of fun. {{youtube:medium:left|ZJLAAz8t20o, Class of 2020: Freshmen Move-in Day}} According to Lauren Garrett, director of first year experience, W&M welcomed approximately 1,520 freshmen into eight residence halls. Additionally, 187 transfers, 29 exchange students and 21 St Andrews Joint Degree Programme host students checked in for orientation. Together, theyll be introduced to their new surroundings by a team of 225 orientation student leaders, which includes Eboni Brown 17, an orientation area director for Green & Gold Village. Our role here today is to make sure new students have everything they need to get through orientation and get them started here, including IDs, room keys, mailbox keys and other basic information, said Brown, who is serving her third year as an orientation leader. Then once the logistics are done, we just want to make sure everyone is as excited and hyped to be here as we are. Brown and her team were accompanied at freshmen residence halls by 184 student volunteers who were part of the Sweating for You move-in crew [and, under mid-80s heat, sweat they did]. As student volunteers clambered about, hoisting boxes, mini-fridges and TVs from pickup trucks and toting them up flights of stairs, others offered heartfelt support by sharing their own first-year experiences with nervous students and their parents. One of those parents is Yin Wong, who drove down from Ashburn, Virginia, to help her daughter, Amanda, move into Spotswood Hall. Shes my second child to go to college, but its still emotional, she said. I try not to cry, but I know eventually the tears will come. Shes comforted, though, by Amandas excitement at coming to W&M. I really liked the environment here it feels very close-knit and welcoming, Amanda said. And the students Ive met so far have been really nice. I didnt expect all the singing on move-in day, but its been nice to see everyones excitement. At Monroe Hall, Francesca Babetski, a Monroe Scholar from Sterling, Virginia, was prepared for the orientation cheers, thanks to some light summer reading. I follow the Admissions blogs, so I kind of knew what to expect today, she said. Overall, Im a little nervous about my first day here, but Im more excited than anything. Back at Green & Gold Village, Hank Blackburn was having similar sentiments as he prepared to say his goodbye-for-nows to his mother, who was headed home to Dallas, Texas, after move-in day. William & Mary is far away, but in a good way, he said. This will be a cool way to see who I am on my own. I do have a Texas flag to hang on my wall though. I had to bring one little piece of home with me. As Blackburn -- and all new students -- will learn throughout the course of orientation, home, at least for the next four years, will be right here on campus. I had two stellar orientation aides my freshman year who literally erased any thoughts of homesickness I had within 30 seconds of me being here, said Brown. I hope the new students come in and feel like this is their home right away. There will be lots of opportunities for them to learn about themselves and grow, and if they just dive headfirst into all of it, I think theyll have a very successful four years at William & Mary. I am Kerry Burgess. This is what I think. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A NEW YOU: Dont stop... you have to keep going WOONSOCKET Quick, grab your field glasses the meteors of Hollywood are streaking across the city again next week. Operating system accused of broad user manipulation Digital privacy advocates have expressed growing concerns over the privacy of Microsofts Windows 10 operating system. The concerns relate specifically to the aggressiveness of the software giants push to implement Windows 10, and the ways that it harvests information from users. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) outlined its fears in a recent post on its DeepLinks blog. The technology rights organization pointed out deceptive practices used to manipulate users into downloading Windows 10. In May 2016, Microsoft changed the interface used to either accept or reject the download. When users clicked the x in the top right corner of the alert, the download was automatically initiated, reversing an almost universal set of practices for expressing rejection in a digital environment. The EFF goes on to note that the default settings for Windows 10 are set up to automatically send huge amounts of usage data back to Microsoft. The settings can be changed to limit the transmission, but only enterprise users can opt out entirely. Users have noted that after changing the settings the system claims to transmit no data, but a more careful examination reveals that transmission is still a part of the task scheduler. Adding to the concerns, the nature of the data is unknown. In the most benign cases it could be used by Microsoft to make improvements to the user experience. More likely, however, is that it is being tracked, stored, and then sold to marketers hoping to deliver more targeted ads. Experts have also pointed out the risk of making data transmission a precondition of using the software. There is a very real tension between the need for privacy and the need for mission critical apps. In an enterprise environment, businesses could be forced to share sensitive information in order to avoid crippling their IT capabilities. Some have called for federal legislation prohibiting this practice. The practice is already illegal in EU countries. Microsoft is not the only company to surreptitiously harvest user data. McAffee security software also monitors usage data, though using a different transmission technology. The company has defended the practice by saying its necessary for providing up to date threat protection. Windows 10 was first released to consumers in July 2015. Unlike previous versions of Windows, the updated operating system was free to users and available in its entirety though a download. In recent months the company has aggressively pushed the operating system on users in an effort to phase out older versions of Windows and focus support resources exclusively on the most current product. Microsoft hopes to have Windows 10 running on 1 billion devices by 2018. A young man wanted to make a point about racism in the United States, but his plan backfired when he was exposed for a liar by police. 20-year-old Khalil Cavil of Texas was working at the Saltgrass Steak House in Odessa when he claimed he was discriminated against because of his Muslim name. Cavil took Wolfgang Hoelderich at the police station with the lobster By: Chan Yuan A tourist from Germany, was angry over bad tasting food in Thailand. The elderly tourist was eating at a restaurant on Walking Street in Pattaya, which is in the area that is well-known for its nightlife scene. The man ordered lobster, but after eating a few bites, he decided that the food was not good. Wolfgang Hoelderich, 70, asked the employees for a refund for his food that he claimed was rotten. The manager of the store refused to give him a refund, saying that he already ate some of the food. Hoelderich decided to take the matter to the police. He placed the rest of his food in a doggy bag and took it to the police station. Hoelderich filed a complaint at the police station at about 11:00 p.m. With the help of a translator, Hoelderich told a detective that after eating a few bites, he realized that his lobster was rotten, but he was refused a refund because he had already eaten some of it. Hoelderich paid THB 1,848 ($53) for the lobster. The detective tasted the food and determined that Hoelderich was right. The food was indeed spoiled. Police reportedly saved the food for further testing, and they took Hoelderichas complaint to the Health Department for further inspection. Louise Walker with her son Reece Stevenson By: Wayne Morin A mother of the United Kingdom, was shopping at Asda, when she heard workers call her son fat. Louise Walker was shopping for a kiddie pool at the Manchester Fort Shopping Park in Cheetham Hill, when she heard the workers make fun of her overweight son. Walker said that when her 8-year-old son Reece Stevenson, ran ahead to the escalator, he walked past the workers. Walker said the staff members who didnat see her coming, called aReece fat, out loud.a aI couldnat believe it. I was absolutely fuming, I was disgusted,a Walker said. The 31-year-old mother went over to the employees and reprimanded them for their actions, but they denied talking about the boy. They claimed that they were talking about someone else. Walker said that she looked around, but she did not see anyone else in the area. Walker demanded to see a manager, who offered her a A10 ($13) gift card as an apology. When her son heard the commotion, he came to his mother to see what was going on, and that is when he learned that workers called him fat. Walker said that her son was aheartbroken and he asked her: awhy did they say that? I canat help it.aa The mother said that her son is asensitivea about his weight. aA A10 gift card is a joke. It isnat any sort of compensation considering what happened,a the angry mother said. aReece is not fat, he is short and stocky, and he is young,a Walker added. Wrexham AFC DSA @WrexhamDSA Some Autumn sunshine gracing the car park this afternoon. All set up and ready for matchday. Enlarge Wrexham.com @wrexham A Dementia Friends art group in Wrexham is preparing to showcase its work at an exhibition next year: (LINK) Wales Air Ambulance Launches Most Advanced Incubator For Vulnerable Babies This article is old - Published: Friday, Aug 19th, 2016 Significantly quicker transfers of neonatal babies are to be introduced with the launch of Wales first flight incubator. Two 70,000 bespoke incubators will will be introduced on board the Wales Air Ambulance Charity (WAAC) are the most advanced in the UK. Its introduction will replace long road ambulance journeys for vulnerable babies. The charity operates the official National Childrens Air Ambulance in Wales, airlifting 250 children a year from life-threatening emergencies or to childrens hospitals across the UK. At 100kg, the incubator is fitted to a sled and requires two people to lift into the air ambulance helicopter. It boasts the worlds first infant harness tested to aviation emergency landing conditions. Known as a mini-hospital, or a heated house for a baby, incubators provide warmth, oxygen and air. They are attached via a bridging system to external equipment such as the ventilator. WAAC does not receive any funding from the national lottery or the government. It relies entirely on charitable donations to raise more than 6m million annually to keep the helicopters flying for Wales. Its medical crews, seconded from NHS Wales, provide pioneering treatments and work closely with all other official emergency agencies and hospitals in Wales. Wales Air Ambulance Charity chief executive Angela Hughes said the incubators were the latest advance in the air ambulances constantly-evolving service. She said: Crucially, the incubators are heated, and have a Perspex chamber, meaning that medics can see clearly in order to monitor the baby during the course of the flight. While we will continue to carry Babypods which are chambers without an electrical heat source and with a smaller window for emergency missions, this flight incubator means we can now transfer very poorly neo-natal patients between hospitals Were always seeking to improve our range of equipment and our service offering. Itll enable us to accept more missions to help save lives across Wales. The incubators have been paid for by NHS Wales, whose medical staff worked with its Swiss manufacturer to design it to their specific requirements. From April 2015, Wales Air Ambulance has had consultants and critical care paramedics on board its aircraft, meaning the charity can provide even more advanced treatments, including blood transfusions and anaesthesia. Dr Dindi Dill, EMRTS Cymru interim director, added: Having the incubator system will further enhance the ability of the EMRTS teams to manage neonates born at home or in hospital. This advancement will be particularly important for premature neonates. It is recognised that temperature control is extremely important to this group of patients and therefore we welcome the ability to carry the incubator on Wales Air Ambulances helicopters. Furthermore, the incubator system will further enhance the ability of neonatal retrieval teams in Wales and beyond. The new incubator system will go into service on the WAACs newly-introduced fourth aircraft an EC135 T2e which will operate across Wales. Crew training is currently taking place and the incubator service will run as a trial to the end of 2016. Jacob Appelbaum, a computer security specialist who has until recently been a core member of the Tor Project, was forced to step down from the project following a series of sexual misconduct accusations. In a June 6 statement, Appelbaum said, In the past few days, a calculated and targeted attack has been launched to spread vicious and spurious allegations against me. Given the way these accusations have been handled, I had little choice but to resign from my position as an advocate at the Tor Project I want to be clear: the accusations of criminal sexual misconduct against me are entirely false. Tor is an acronym for The Onion Router, and is a network and tool for anonymizing ones internet traffic. It has routinely been the target of attacks by the FBI and NSA. Slides leaked by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden in 2013 reveal frustration on the part of US intelligence agencies, with one partially redacted slide reading, Tor Stinks We will never be able to de-anonymize all Tor users all the time. Appelbaum, who previously worked with WikiLeaks, has regularly spoken against state surveillance and censorship. After WikiLeaks published the Iraq War Logs in 2010, Applebaum was detained at the airport in Seattle for several hours and denied access to a lawyer. Appelbaum has also had contact with Snowden and accepted an award from Transparency International on Snowdens behalf, giving a speech with notes Snowden gave him personally. He was the spokesperson and public face of the Tor Project up until his ouster. The rape allegations themselves are extremely dubious. What can best be described as a character assassination site was published shortly before the accusations became public. It is filled with stories detailing the abuses suffered by his alleged victims and pictures of Appelbaum looking vaguely sinister. Of the stories published, only a few constitute sexual assault, let alone rape. The rest are anecdotes or opinions portraying him as brutish, abusive and manipulative. Half of the stories end by editorializing about how Appelbaum has great power and is a bully, due either to his own malicious personality or to his semi-celebrity status in the hacker community. These stories invariably end by pleading for action against him or by hailing the present smear campaign. Those leveling charges are silent on the fact that Applebaum has been systematically spied on by the most powerful state in the world and legally advised against returning to the US. Appelbaum is made out to be a powerful figure himself and the truly powerful are left uncriticized. Death threats have been brought against Appelbaum via a twitter account by the name of VictimsOfJake. This name was changed from the more incendiary, TimeToDieJake. The account has an image that is clearly taken from jacobappelbaum.net and several figures within Tor have expressed suspicion that the same person who manages the site owns the account. One recent tweet accuses Appelbaum of bowing to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. Jill Bahring, one of the victims listed on the site, later denied the story that was posted in her name. Bahring gave a different version of events and declared that, far from assault, Appelbaum did nothing illegal or offensive. She went on to question the motives behind his accusers: Reading this highly distorted version of my experience, which is being used as one of the bulletproof examples of Jacobs alleged misbehavior, I cant help but wonder. Wonder about all the stories that have been published the last days. Wonder not only about mob justice on twitter, caused by rumors and speculation, but also about the accounts repeated by those who call themselves journalists. Wonder about how many other stories have been willingly misinterpreted. Wonder about the witnesses in all these stories, who coincidentally always seem to consist of the same set of people. Wonder about their motive to speak on my behalf without my consent. Meanwhile, a group of 11 women who had previously worked with Appelbaum wrote a letter testifying to his character and at odds with the depiction of his accusers. The letter appeals to reason and due process. The Tor Project has recently conducted a two-month internal investigation into the matter and concluded that the allegations are true. However, the circumstances of the investigation are extremely suspicious. The internal investigation did not question Appelbaum himself, nor has it resulted in any legal charges against him. As of December 2015, the new executive director of Tor Project is Shari Steele, a lawyer who has a long history working with the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Her husband is currently a vice president at Amazon and previously worked for the Chief Information Officer at the Pentagon and the US Army Personnel Information Systems Command. Since the investigation began, it is not just Appelbaum who has been replaced, but the entire Tor Project board of directors. Additionally, the project has moved its headquarters across the US, from Cambridge, Massachusetts to Seattle, Washington. Several others in the orbit of the project have left in the wake of Appelbaums ousting. One such contributor, David Robinson, wrote on his blog: I have no confidence in Tors will or ability to ensure professionalism among its personnel or to execute an effective communications policy. As a Tor volunteer and contributor, I feel at risk not only from the Seattle Police Department, but now also from Tor Project members who are targeting a growing list of individuals for shunning and character assassination with no apparent push-back from managementindeed, with managements collusion. Marie Gutbub, a journalist, and prior to these events, an advocate for the Tor Project, wrote: I am strongly wondering if this was really about protecting women. Heres what I noticed: I am a woman, and I estimate that more than half of the Tor core people know I was dating him, or at least close to him. If Tor believed there was victims, why did no one ask if I had bad experiences with Jake? As a woman I have never felt as unsafe at Tor as now. Tor purged Jake, the horrible predator, and Tor is now a safe space? Who is supposed to buy this? Before this happened, the discourse was: the hacker/freedom community is dominated by straight, male-identified people among which we can find a certain number of predators, or at least of men who dont always behave respectfully around women. This meant: there is a general problem. Now the discourse is: we have purged Jake, thanks to those who started this campaign we are safe nowseriously? These allegations come in a definite context. The Snowden revelations showed that US intelligence agencies had been trying to surveil Tor users for some time. It is not at all unlikely that they would try to infiltrate the organization. Recently-leaked internal Tor IRC logs reveal that an ex-CIA officer who worked with the agency for eight years and held Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance was briefly employed at the Tor Project in late 2014, though there was a falling out when it was discovered that he used to be CIA. It is currently unknown what his role was, although according to Cryptome he joined Tor the day after Operation Onymous, a drug raid targeting markets on the Tor network, ended. Another document leaked at the same time purports to lay out plans for a campaign to destroy Jake by exploiting the rise of the micro-aggression/trigger/safe space/victim American subculture. The authenticity of this document has not been confirmed. Delegates to an International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) caucus in San Francisco voted last week to open discussions with the employers representative on an extension of their contract signed last year. Over a hundred delegates met last Thursday to vote on the request by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) the industry representative for 78 shippers, marine terminal operators and stevedores. The ILWU reported, By majority vote on Thursday, delegates voted to enter into discussions with representatives of PMA regarding the concept of a contract extension and report back to the membership. Presently, the contract, which covers about 14,200 longshoremen clerks and foreman working at 29 ports along the entire West Coast, expires July 1, 2019. Discussions may begin in the next 30 to 60 days according to PMA head James McKenna. An extraordinary aspect of the campaign for a contract extension is the wide scale intervention by politicians, businesses and the media. This is at a point at which the contracts expiration is still three years in the future. An article in the Wall Street Journal cited a meeting held this past April in Los Angeles by President Obamas Commerce Secretary, Penny Pritzker, with McKenna and ILWU Vice President Ray Familathe, in order to exert pressure from the White House for an extension. The meeting echoes the approach of the White House in February, 2015. At that time Pritzker, whose family fortune has made her a billionaire, along with Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, made an unprecedented intervention into the tense negotiations and demanded that the ILWU come to an agreement in the face of the PMAs last, best and final offer. Two days later the union announced a new agreement. Hovering over the negotiations at that time were threats of a national walkout by oil refinery workers, strikes by port truckerswhich dockworkers had honoredand the possibility of a strike by Los Angeles teachers. Fearing that the increasingly militant dockworkers might take matters into their own hands and intersect with an offensive by large sections of the working class, the ILWU, with the support of the Obama administration, acceded to PMA demands for concessions on health care, casual longshore workers, and the introduction of a three-member arbitration panel. This spring, several congressmen led by US representative Dan Newhouse and Dave Reichert, Republicans from Washington state, wrote a letter which, according to the Journal of Commerce (JOC), urged the PMA and ILWU to engage in serious and early discussions to prevent further port disruption. In a clear threat to longshoremen, and the working class as a whole, the JOC, which operates as the media mouthpiece of the ports and shipping industry, headlined a recent article, PMA President: US government wont allow another West Coast port crisis. A recent article in the Progressive Farmer stated, The service disruption at the West Coast ports diminished the US reputation as the most reliable exporter in the global marketplace. It quoted Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition: Such a contract extension will provide greater predictability of the supply chain for those industries, including agriculture, that depend upon West Coast ports. The thrust of this campaign is to brand strike activity as beyond the pale under conditions of the protracted crisis of the US economy and its relative decline in relation to its European and Asian rivals. The unions have responded to this declineand more fundamentally, globalization as a wholeby systematically sacrificing all the gains made by the working class in the bitter struggles of the 1930s and post-World War II period in order to enrich the US corporate elite. The nationalist perspective on which the unions are based serves to pit American workers against their brothers and sisters in other countries in a drive to lower wages and increase productivity in order to boost the competitiveness of American industry. This is underscored by recent remarks of ILWU President Robert McElrath in his statement that the union will keep [T]he wellbeing of the rank and file, our communities, and the nation in mind. He continued, No one likes to get to the point where we are in a strike situation. Every longshore contract since 2002 has extracted major concessions from the workforce: in 2002, computerization was implemented with huge job losses, the same with automation in the 2008 contract. A protracted struggle over the newly built EGT grain terminal in Longview, Washington in 2012 culminated in dismantling the union hiring hall and other significant concessions. The lockouts of longshoremen by the Mitsui-owned United Grain terminal in Vancouver, Washington and the Marubeni-owned Columbia Grain terminal in Portland, Oregon in 2013 was ended after a year and a half with the ILWU agreeing to equalize the master contract on the basis of the EGT concessions. Underlining the subservience of the union to the bosses as well as their expectation of such subservience, the JOC wrote, [T]he ILWU and PMA now share the same goal, which is to make the West Coast ports the preferred gateway for US trade with Asia...by earning a reputation for efficiency and reliability. The opening of the Panama Canals new Neopanamax locks this year, which accommodate giant container ships capable of carrying up to 13,000 standard container units as opposed to the old 5,000 units, may allow Asian shippers to more profitably bypass ports on the West Coast and travel to ports on the East and Gulf Coast. Therefore, the insistence by the terminal owners on labor stability. Shippers and terminals on the Atlantic side of the US also seek such stability. Similar negotiations on a contract extension for East and Gulf Coast dockworkers have been ongoing between the International Longshoremens Association and the United States Maritime Alliance since 2014, for a contract that expires in 2018. Recently, however, talks on a ten-year extensionuntil 2025have shifted, according to media reports, to a more traditional three-year length. The initial soft sell on a contract extension with only minor changes may change very abruptly. A major unresolved issue in the 2015 negotiations was the so-called Cadillac tax on health care imposed by the Affordable Care Act. Due to take effect in 2018, PMA estimated the cost of this tax to be $150 million and indicated at that time that it would seek to reopen negotiations on this issue. Longshoremen should consider carefully the eight-year contract extension imposed by the International Association of Machinists on Boeing Company workers in Washington and Oregon State in 2013-2014. Amid a barrage of attacks by politicians, the media and the union itself, machinists were forced into a second voteafter the first vote resulted in an overwhelming rejection of an extension. The second vote, held under blackmail threats of massive job losses, resulted in ratification of an extension that imposed sweeping concessions. Pensions were frozen with new hires receiving inferior 401Ks, and higher health care costs in line with Obamacare were imposed. There were only minimal wage increases over the eight-year span of the agreement and the right to strike was eliminated until 2024. The author also recommends: Union imposes another concession deal on West Coast dockworkers [26 May 2015] Boeing workers denounce union for ramming through sellout deal [7 January 2014] As opposition to social inequality and war continues to grow, pseudo-left organizations are advocating increased state powers based on various forms of identity politics. Their goal is to divide the working class and mobilize the support of more privileged and affluent layers of the middle class for military interventions and right-wing law and order politics. A prime example of this is the Revolutionary Internationalist Organisation (RIO), which operates in Germany in the sphere of the Left Party and the trade unions and is part of the international organization, Trotskyist FractionFourth International (FT-CI). For several days, this pseudo-Trotskyist grouping has displayed on its website a statement entitled Solidarity with Gina-Lisa, which welcomes the tightening of laws governing sexual offences that the German parliament passed unanimously at the beginning of July. Paragraph two of the statement, posted under the category heading Women and LGBTI*, reads The basic principle no means no, which we called out so loudly last time, has been enshrined in law. Its about time. Feminists have been demanding this for a long time. Like the so-called New Years Eve incident in Cologne, the case of Gina-Lisa Lohfink, with which RIO declares its solidarity, has been used systematically by politicians and the media to strengthen the power of the state and tighten criminal laws. In 2012, a sex tape was made available to the public in which Lohfink was seen having intercourse with two men. She later claimed that they had drugged and raped her. She then pressed charges. During evidentiary hearings a judge, basing herself on a review of video and photographic materials as well as a toxicology report, ruled that Lohfink had made false statements. The judge set the accused men free and instead required the former Germanys Next Top Model participant to pay a fine in the amount of 24,000 for bringing false charges against them. At this point, German Minister of Justice Heiko Maas (Social Democratic Party, SPD) rushed in to insist that the case proved the urgency of his plan to tighten the laws on sex crimes. If the perpetrators cannot be punished, that is a second bitter humiliation for the victim, Maas told Germanys Bild newspaper. The reforms for which he was fighting were urgently needed in order to close glaring loopholes. Offenders must be strictly punished. Manuela Schwesig (SPD), the minister of family affairs, entered the debate, declaring, No means no must stand, the word stop is clear. In fact, the case of Gina-Lisa is so dubious that even many in the bourgeois media have questioned Lohfinks version of events. The reality is that only one thing is clear in the Lohfink case: that nothing is clear, wrote Die Zeit recently. Anyone who reads the records of the investigation must come away with substantial doubts that the model was raped. Several details contradict the version of events described by Lohnfink and her attorney. The no, no, no heard in the film could relate to the filming of the events, not to the intercourse itself, writes the paper. None of this has prevented RIO from placing itself at the forefront of the hysterical law and order campaign promoted by the government and supported by both opposition parties in parliament. We are in solidarity with Gina-Lisa, not only because we think she has been done a gross injustice, but because in doing so we are also defending ourselves and our rights. Our organization against your violence! declares the RIO statement. In reality, the legal amendment praised by RIO (and the German minister of justice!) is neither a defence of rights nor a means of defending women against violence. It is part of a concerted campaign by politicians and the media to exploit an emotionally charged issue in order to strengthen the state apparatus and, in particular, to persecute refugees. The World Socialist Web Site has already provided a detailed account of the reactionary content of the so-called no means no law in an earlier article. The revision of Paragraph 177 of the criminal code stipulates that sexual behaviour contrary to the manifest wishes of another person can now be punished with a sentence of up to five years in prison. The problem is that it remains entirely unclear when the wishes of another person become manifest, who determines this and whether the perpetrator himself must recognize it. The introduction of this ambiguous clause not only makes it easier to press charges against or investigate someone, but it also opens the floodgates to judicial arbitrariness. The new criminal code also greatly expands the definition of what constitutes a criminal offence. An addition that will soon be incorporated into the new law recalls the principle of family liability. According to Paragraph 184 J, anyone who belongs to a group of people who throng around someone in order to commit a crime, can be imprisoned for up to five years if a member of the group perpetrates a sexual offence. Furthermore, the new legal provisions make it easier to deport immigrants convicted of a criminal offence, regardless of the severity of the sentence imposed upon them. RIO is fully aware of the reactionary thrust of the law. There is no reason to celebrate, since i[t] was carried out by racist means. At the same time, it made deportations easier, says the statement. But this does not stop the group from once again explicitly supporting the expansion of the law: Yes, we need better laws in order to make our lives easier. RIOs call for harsher laws is not a momentary slip, but is consistent with the established practice of the group. Back on June 10, one of its leading representatives, Wladek Flakin, published an inflammatory article in Junge Welt, calling for tougher punishment of the US student Brock Turner, who was charged with sexual assault. Under the title, USA: leniency for elite student, Flakin blustered in the style of an extreme right-winger: Only six months imprisonment after sexual attacks at Stanford University. The public is outraged. Flakins so-called outraged public is led by US Vice President Joe Biden, whodespite the rather nebulous and contradictory facts of the caseintervened in the ongoing proceedings and denounced the leniency of the sentence. The World Socialist Web Site published an article opposing the propaganda campaign against presiding Judge Aaron Persky and commented: The campaign around the sentencing of Turner, it should be stated directly, is lacking entirely in anything that might remotely be described as politically and socially progressive. The feminist professors at Stanford University who have whipped up the campaign against Persky and who are screaming for a harsher sentence for Turner have not bothered to work out the implications of their positions and actions. The focus on victims rightsthe notion that criminal proceedings are intended to facilitate convictions and satisfy the victims desire for revenge rather than ensure a fair trial for the accusedhas been a trademark of right-wing legal theorists for decades. The American political and media establishment has, through long practice, made a science out of turning tragedies into profitable sensations and political opportunities. The participation of self-described left and feminist and progressive figures in these right-wing campaigns, side-by-side with state prosecutors and the gutter press, only testifies to the disoriented moods that prevail in these circles. However, in the case of RIO, the issue is not so much disorientation. Rather, it is engaged in a conscious shift to the right on the basis of identity politics. In a de facto alliance with reactionary politicians such as Biden in the US and Maas in Germany, RIOs hysterical campaign for more toughness toward alleged sexual offenders is directly bound up with the intensification of the class struggle on a world scale. Like the established representatives of the bourgeois order, its appendages in the pseudo-left sense that in the future only a strong state will be able to counter growing opposition to austerity and war. In a town hall meeting on CNN this Wednesday, US Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein and her running mate Ajamu Baraka answered questions from audience members and host Chris Cuomo, one of the networks leading news anchors. The event was simulcast on CNN International, CNN en Espanol, CNNGo, and Sirius XM satellite radioby far the most significant coverage given to the Green Party this election cycle. During the Democratic Party primaries, widespread popular opposition and anger found expression in support for the campaign of Bernie Sanders. With Sanders craven endorsement of Hillary Clinton, the Greens are, with the backing of the pseudo-left and sections of the capitalist media, presenting themselves as the continuators of Sanders fraudulent political revolution. Over the course of the 80-minute program, the comments of the Green Party candidates confirmed the pro-capitalist character of the Green Party, which is seeking to corral disaffected workers and youth back within the confines of bourgeois politics. In the corporate media environment at CNN, Stein and Baraka refrained from using the words capitalism, socialism, working class, and above all, class struggle. The very fact that Chris Cuomo remained solicitous and friendly throughout the event should give one pause as to the anti-establishment or outsider character of the Green Party. The town hall questions focused primarily on three main issues: the 2016 US elections, the Green Partys positions on war and foreign policy and police violence. In each case, the candidates presented the policies of the ruling class entirely in subjective terms, referring at various times to the Obama administrations decisions to bail out the banks and prosecute imperialist war abroad as individually poor decisions on the part of Obama himself or his administration as a whole. The first question from the audience came from Gloria Tso, a former Sanders supporter, who asked, What would you like to say to win over Sanders supporters like me, who are absolutely not voting for Trump but are feeling somewhat disillusioned by Clinton? Stein replied with gushing and uncritical praise for the Sanders campaign, saying, The political system will never be the same Youve learned really, in real time, why it is that you cant have a revolutionary campaign in a counterrevolutionary party. Bernie did everything right and his supporters did everything right, but the playing field was really steeply and unfairly tilted against you. After decrying the anti-democratic character of the nomination process and the corruption of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign, Stein sought to present the Greens as a revolutionary party for former Sanders supporters. Bernie himself said, its a movement, its not a man. And its clear Hillary does not represent what you were working for Many people have looked to us from Bernies campaign as plan B, so that if they ran into trouble they could continue building this revolutionary campaign, but now all the stronger for being inside of a revolutionary party that supports the work that youre doing and will continue to build it until we prevail. In fact, the Sanders campaign was not and the Green Party is not revolutionary. Steins identification of the impulse behind the support for Sanders with the candidate himself starkly reveals the conventional and pro-capitalist politics of the organization. Sanders groveling endorsement of Clinton laid bare the basic purpose of the campaign from the beginning: to channel social opposition behind the Democratic Party. Now, Stein and the Greens are seeking to tap into the same social unrest in order to contain it within the confines of bourgeois politics. The bulk of the town hall meeting centered on questions of foreign policy, militarism and war, with Stein and Baraka presenting themselves as peace candidates in contrast to Clinton and the Democratic Party. They did so, however, in a wholly unprincipled manner, characterizing the war on terror and US wars more broadly as catastrophic policies driven by incompetency, instead of the deliberate actions of the worlds most powerful imperialist state. There was no mention of the economic impetus for imperialist war, including the drive to secure access to oil resources, nor of the broader geo-strategic interests of the American capitalist class. In her opening remarks, Stein called for enacting foreign policy thats based on international law, human rights and economic justice, not on military and economic dominance thats blowing up at us. In effect, Stein is giving support to wars sanctioned by the UN Security Council, such as the 2011 War in Libya, and the promotion of human rights as the all-purpose justification for war used by American imperialism. After Stein hinted that the Greens intend to close all US foreign military bases, Cuomo asked, I'm just trying to be clear, would you close all of them? Stein reassured her listeners in the political establishment, There may be certain bases for certain circumstances that need to remain open, but our presumption is to close the bases. This equivocal language leaves open the door to any number of foreign military bases remaining open under the Greens. Baraka said, One of the reasons why we have the ISIS threat today is because of the enormous incompetency of US policy in the so-called Middle East over the last 16 years. You cant talk about the ISIS threat and then not look at the kinds of policies that helped to facilitate the growth of ISIS. [] The security issue is real, theres no question about that. And people are concerned about that, and we understand that. But this sort of knee-jerk response in terms of military action, weve got to be very, very critical of that. Nowhere did Stein or Baraka fundamentally challenge the legitimacy of the war on terror, during which over one million people have been killed in Iraq alone, along with hundreds of thousands more in Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. Instead, they merely assert that is it being waged incorrectly and at too great an expense. Elsewhere, Stein has called for reducing the military budget by half, leaving intact a whopping $300 billion if one were to go by the governments underestimated figures. Their promotion of the Sanders campaign (Stein at one point went so far as to offer him the Green Party presidential nomination) further belies the Greens phony claims to be opposed to war. Throughout his campaign, Sanders repeatedly expressed support for the Obama administrations war policies, including the illegal and unconstitutional drone assassination program that has killed thousands. The history of Green parties internationally also exposes the fraudulent character of their pacifism. In Germany, the Red-Green alliance of the Green Party and Social Democratic Party, in power from 1998-2005, supported the US bombing of Iraq in 1998 and the war in Afghanistan in 2001. The Australian Greens supported the 1999 military intervention in East Timor and have supported the brutal oppression of refugees in recent years. The US Greens are complicit in the pro-war record of their international collaborators, whom they have never denounced. In closing the town hall meeting, CNN had the Green Party leaders address a question on Black Lives Matter and identity politics. Lacey Dickinson, a Green Party supporter from Philadelphia, asked, As everyone knows, the Black Lives Matter movement has raised a lot of awareness around violence that's been committed against people of color, and its also exposed a great incompetence in many local police forces. What do you think the role of the federal government should be in kind of structuring and working with local forces, and how would you work to ensure that officers are brought to justice who kill citizens? In response, Stein presented American history as one long sequence of racial oppression and violence, referring to an ongoing crisis of racial injustice that really has been a continuing legacy from the criminal institution of slavery on which this country was founded. From slavery, to lynchings, to Jim Crow, to segregation, mass incarceration, the War on Drugs and now police violence. Baraka reiterated this racialist narrative of American history, declaring, The real root issue is the issue of oppression, systematic oppression. And I think that the courageous activity of our young folk to bringing attention to the war being waged against black people and brown people and native people in this country is the kind of attention we need to have. [] Why do we have the kinds of police that we have in these black communities? Because we have colonized territories, where basically the police are actually like a military force, and they behave like a military force, because you are policing basically a population that at this point in history is almost superfluous. Stein and Baraka deliberately obscure the reality that a plurality of those killed by police in the US are white, while the President of the country and numerous politicians leading major cities are black. Fundamentally, they deny the history of class struggle in the US and the need to unite workers of all racial and ethnic backgrounds in a common struggle to overthrow capitalism. By framing the issue of police violence entirely in racial terms, the Greens wind up offering the most tepid solutions to police violence. At the local level, Stein called for ensuring that every community has a civilian review board, so that communities are in charge of their police and not the other way around, and that each community have access to an independent investigator responsible for investigating police killings. Nationally, the Greens are calling for a truth and reconciliation commission so that we can actually understand what is this living legacy of fear, of racism, of incredible racial bias that police violence is just the tip of the iceberg. Stein elaborated, Were calling for this truth and reconciliation commission so that we can share our stories, we can share music, art, have a facilitated conversation that our campaign hopes to help engender so that we can come to terms with who we are as human beings and overcome this legacy thats dividing us. The notion that sharing music and art is going to do anything to address the reign of police violence is laughable. It is also aimed at presenting police violence as a matter of the supposed intolerance of white people, rather than as a matter of the building up of the powers of the capitalist state against the working class and youth of all races. The Greens refusal to raise the fundamental questions of capitalism demonstrates their hostility to a class analysis and the political independence of the working class. Each of their policy proposals leaves the basic underlying structure of private ownership over the means of production wholly intact. Acting as a flank of bourgeois politics, the Greens promote nothing more than protest and pressure politics within the confines of the existing economic and political system. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexicos bourgeois liberal National Regeneration Party (MORENA) last week brightly displayed his class stripes in guaranteeing unconditional amnesty to all those in power if he is elected President of Mexico in 2018. At a conference on August 11, Lopez Obrador assured the members of the group in power, despite the great damage they have caused the people and the nation, we bear them no ill will and we assure them, before their possible election defeat in 2018, that there will be no reprisals or persecution of anyone. We declare this anticipated amnesty because what is needed is justice, not vengeance. This offer clearly extends beyond the every-day cronyism and corruption, such as that involving payment for the Mexico City mansion of President Enrique Pena Nietos wife, and the award, of a lucrative contract to build a high speed rail line to one of Nietos cronies, but also to involvement of government officials in brutal acts of violence and their coverup, such as the disappearance and likely murder by the army and police of the Ayotzinapa 43 teaching students in September 2014 in Guerrero state, and the recent shooting by federal police of protesting teachers at Nochixtlan in Oaxaca state. There will be no investigations or prosecutions of such criminal activity. This from the politico whose main political plank consists of decrying the corruption he describes as a mafia in power dedicated to plundering Mexico, and promising an end to impunity for such misconduct. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stressed that his movement is not against those who commit to invest, create jobs, earn legitimate profits, and to the development of Mexico, but rather only to those who amass great fortunes overnightsupported by illegality, and influence peddlingin the shadow of public power. This is a clear signal to longstanding Mexican billionaires such as Carlos Slim Helu, the worlds second richest man, and Emilio Azcarraga Jean, the Mexican media magnate, that their domination of Mexico will continue on unimpeded. In fact, Lopez Obrador is viewed by sections of the Mexican financial elite as a Mexican Bernie Sanders: The most viable means to contain the Mexican masses should they step up their rejection of a capitalist system that is sucking them dry. Along these same lines Lopez Obrador sweet talks the teachers movement engaged in a prolonged work stoppage in southern Mexico so as to disarm it. For the last two months he has been calling for teachers to resolve their differences at the negotiating table with the government, without demanding as a precondition abrogation of Pena Nietos education reform law, legislation that is aimed at privatizing education, driving down teacher pay, depriving education workers of any independence in teaching methods, and placing on them, and on parents of students, the burden of the lack of sufficient government expenditure on education, particularly in poorer states. Talks between the National Committee of Education Workers (CNTE), a dissident wing of the National Education Workers Union (SNTE), and the Education Ministry have gone precisely nowhere because the government is intransigent. The government has fired thousands of teachers and withheld the salaries of teacher in Chiapas state, since May. The CNTE, allied dissident sections of the SNTE, and other teachers continue to block roads and government building in Michoacan, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas and other southern states. They have threatened to ramp up that activity, for example, by blocking the highway in Chiapas state leading from the border crossing from Guatemala. In response President Pena Nieto said in a Televisa interview on Tuesday that "the government of the Republic will have no qualms about applying the use of force" when the path of dialogue has been exhausted with the CNTE. He emphasized that the education reform would not be canceled, and that the dialogue with teachers is limited to hearing their complaints. Students are scheduled to return to school from summer vacation on Monday. Many teachers will continue their work stoppage. Clashes are inevitable, especially in light of Pena Nietos less than veiled threat. Teachers also continue to face dismissal for not showing up at classes. It is clear that Lopez Obrador is simply another representative of more nationalistic sections of the Mexican bourgeoisie, with a base in well to do sections of the middle class. Such elements are in the main focused on identity politics and environmental issues, at the expense of the largely impoverished working class. The Mexican working class can have no confidence in any political representative of the bourgeoisie, including the fake left Morena party. It can only protect its interests through building an independent political movement based on a socialist, anti-capitalist program, uniting its struggles with the working classes throughout the Americas, including in the United States, who face the same concerted attacks by their ruling financial oligarchies. Nor should teachers maintain illusions that their union leaders, dissident or not, will conduct a serious fight for their interests. Decades of corruption under former long-time SNTE head Elba Esther Gordillo show that union leaders will feather their own nests and capitulate to the powers that be, despite sometime militant rhetoric or action. Photographs and video of five-year-old Omran Daqneesh have rapidly become ubiquitous in the media in the US and Western Europe after being distributed by a group aligned with the CIA-backed Islamist rebels in Syria. The toddler is shown sitting somewhat dazed in the orange seat of a new and well-equipped ambulance, his face covered in dust and tinged with what appears to be dried blood from what was reportedly a cut to his scalp. Video shows him waiting unattended as a number of photographers and videographers record his image to be broadcast around the world. Clearly, those in charge sensed that the boy, with a mop of hair covering his brow and a cartoon t-shirt, provided a marketable image. CNN proclaimed the child the face of Syrias civil war, while the anchor-woman theatrically burst into tears recounting his story. The New York Times called him a symbol of Aleppos suffering, while USA Today published a short editors note reading, This Syrian boy is Omran. Will you pay attention now? More direct in its approach was the British daily Telegraph, which headlined an article: For the sake of Aleppos children, we must try again to impose a no-fly zone in Syria. Among the most obscene pieces was one penned, predictably, by Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times, who conflated the plight of Syrias children with the death of his family dog. He went on to invoke a statement by Secretary of State John Kerry that ISIS is engaged in genocide as a rationale for the US to launch cruise missile attacks on the Syrian government, which is fighting ISIS. The effort to obliterate rational thought in the name of human rights is stunning. What we are witnessing is a carefully orchestrated war propaganda campaign, designed to appeal to the humanitarian sentiments of the population in order to corral it behind a new escalation of imperialist violence in the Middle East. Whether the incident with Omran was itself staged by the rebels and their CIA handlers, or Washington and the corporate media are cynically exploiting the real suffering of an innocent child, is an open question. What is indisputable is that the feigned concern over this one child is being foisted upon the public with very definite and undeclared political and geo-strategic motives that have nothing to do with protecting the lives of innocent children. They have died by the hundreds of thousands over the last quarter century of US-led invasions, bombings and proxy wars throughout the region. The image of Omran was chosen because it comes from the eastern sector of Aleppo, where roughly one-sixth of the northern Syrian citys population lives under the domination of US-backed Islamist militias. The most important of these is the Fateh al-Sham Front, which, until last month, called itself the al-Nusra Front and was Al Qaedas designated affiliate in Syria. Syrian children killed by the Al Qaeda militias hell cannons, fired indiscriminately into the government-controlled neighborhoods of western Aleppo, do not have the same effect on the tear ducts of newspaper editorialists and media talking heads. Nor, for that matter, do the images coming out of Yemen of children slaughtered by Saudi airstrikes carried out with US-supplied bombs and the Pentagons indispensable logistical support. The horrific video of US-backed moderate Syrian rebels sawing off the head of a ten-year-old Palestinian boy likewise provoked no significant outrage. The driving forces underlying the renewed propaganda campaign are two-fold. In the first and most immediate instance, the rebel offensivearmed and funded by the US and its regional alliesto break the government siege of eastern Aleppo and intensify the war against the civilian population in the west of the city has stalled, and the Syrian army, backed by Russian air power, is again making significant gains on the ground. Hence the renewed demands for an immediate ceasefire. More far-reaching in its implications is the development of closer collaboration between Russia, Iran, China and Turkey in relation to the five-year-old war for regime-change in Syria. Iran has over the past week allowed Russia to use Iranian bases to attack Syrian targets, while Beijing has announced an increase in military aid to Damascus. Meanwhile, in the wake of last months abortive US-backed military coup, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sought a rapprochement with both Moscow and Tehran. Washington views this potential alliance with increasing disquiet, seeing it as an impediment to its military drive to assert US hegemony over the Middle East and its vast energy reserves. It cannot accept such a challenge and will, inevitably, prepare a military response. It is to this end that the humanitarian propaganda campaign to save the children of Syriaand rescue Washingtons Al Qaeda-linked proxies in the bargainhas been mounted. The methods employed in this campaign are well-worn to say the least. Twenty-five years ago, the first Gulf War against Iraq was prepared with a chilling tale, told to the US Congress, of invading Iraqi troops stealing incubators from Kuwaiti hospitals and leaving babies to die. The supposed eyewitness to this atrocity, a woman identified as a nurse, was subsequently exposed as the daughter of the Kuwaiti ambassador and a member of the emirates royal family. The entire story was a propaganda hoax. In the years that followed, the US imposed punishing sanctions on Iraq that claimed the lives of half a million Iraqi children, about which then-US ambassador to the UN Madeleine Albright infamously declared, The price was worth it. Subsequent US wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria have killed hundreds of thousands more. In reviewing these 25 years of violence and bloodshed, the newly published book A Quarter Century of War: The US Drive for Global Hegemony, 1990-2016 by David North states: The scope of military operations continuously widened. New wars were started while the old ones continued. The cynical invocation of human rights was used to wage war against Libya and overthrow the regime of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The same hypocritical pretext was employed to organize a proxy war in Syria. The consequences of these crimes, in terms of human lives and suffering, are incalculable. The last quarter century of US-instigated wars must be studied as a chain of interconnected events. The strategic logic of the US drive for global hegemony extends beyond the neocolonial operations in the Middle East and Africa. The ongoing regional wars are component elements of the rapidly escalating confrontation of the United States with Russia and China. The flood of war propaganda presaging an imminent escalation of the US intervention in Syria threatens to hasten such a confrontation, and with it, the real danger of a global nuclear war. In what was billed as his first major economic speech since barely surviving the July 2 election, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on the opposition Labor Party to help push through an initial package of social spending cuts, worth $6.5 billion over four years, as soon as parliament resumes on August 30. The so-called Omnibus Bill will be based solely on 21 tough and unpopular measures that Labor leader Bill Shorten pledged to support during the election campaign, including substantial cuts to welfare, healthcare, tertiary education, pensions, aged care and family payments. This is just the first instalment. Altogether, in a bid to meet the requirements of the corporate elite, Labor junked promises to oppose or reverse budget measures totalling an estimated $33 billion over the next four years, as well as hospital funding cutbacks of $57 billion over 10 years. But even these cuts are nowhere near enough to satisfy the demands of the financial markets, which have threatened to scrap the countrys AAA credit rating unless Turnbulls unstable Liberal-National Coalition government can demonstrate its capacity to slash the $40 billion annual budget deficit. These dictates reflect the worsening world slump and the deepening reversal of the fortunes of mining export-dependent Australian capitalism since the 2008 global crash. Addressing business executives at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia lunch on Wednesday, Turnbull made an appeal for bipartisanship. He said the government was ready to reach across the aisle on the basis of Labors commitment to support spending reductions they have already said they will back. Turnbull declared that the global economy is perhaps more fragile than at any time since the financial crisis. Growth is slowing across the international economy, and uncertainty is rising. The rating agencies had sent unambiguous signals that tough choices had to be made now. The pressure being applied to the government was underscored just after Turnbull spoke. Moodysone of the ratings agenciesdeclared that the governments very thin majority in parliaments lower house and a splintered Senate could undermine efforts to retain the AAA rating. It said Australias gross public debt was no longer low after rising from 19 percent of gross domestic product six years ago to reach an estimated 45 percent by 2020. This warning highlighted the precariousness of the government and the political establishment as a whole. Turnbull called the rare double dissolution election of all members of both houses of parliament to try to break through a protracted political deadlock, in which consecutive governments since 2007, Coalition and Labor alike, have been unable fully impose the severe spending cuts stipulated by the financial elite. Instead, an increased number of people expressed their hostility toward this agenda by voting for candidates who posed as opponents of the major parties, including the Greens, which propped up the previous Labor government. As result, the Coalition holds a major of just one in the House of Representatives and only 30 seats in the 76-member Senate, making it reliant on Labor and/or the Greens to pass legislation, unless it can secure the votes of 9 out of 11 crossbenchers. The prime ministers speech was delivered against a backdrop of mounting concern in ruling circles that his government had failed, either before or after the July 2 election, to provide the economic narrative that Turnbull promised when he ousted his predecessor Tony Abbott last September. In a front-page interview with the Australian Financial Review last Monday, Business Council of Australia president Catherine Livingstone said the political system had to face up to the harsh realities of chronic budget deficits. Representing the largest companies operating in the country, she referred to a failure of a core responsibility of political leadership. Livingstone scathingly dismissed Turnbulls election pitch of jobs and growth. This had not convinced voters, she said. Rather, his claims of exciting times ahead had jarred with the need for budget repair. Livingstone cited last weeks speech by the retiring Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens insisting that difficult cuts had to be inflicted, despite popular opposition, or the measures would be imposed via a moment of crisis. The social reality driving the political disaffection was underscored this week by the release of official statistics showing the continuing destruction of full-time jobs65,000 since the start of the yearwith 137,000 more workers forced into insecure and lower-paid part-time positions so far this year. Wages data also showed record low annual growth of 1.9 percent, marking four years of slowing pay growth, which is increasing the stress on millions of over-stretched working class households. During Wednesdays speech, Turnbull reinforced his plea for Labors support by saying that political unity was needed in the face of the rising social discontent, not just in Australia but internationally. He declared that political divisions in advanced economies were feeding on a sense of disenfranchisement among many people who feel the rapid economic changes of our time have left them behind. In response, Shorten complained that Turnbull was negotiating by megaphone. Conscious of the public disaffection, he tried to keep some distance from the government, saying Labor needed to see the Omnibus Bills detail before the party decided its position. Nevertheless, he confirmed his readiness to cooperate. Our position will be consistent with what we said before the election, he told reporters. The Greens party, which has repeatedly stated its desire to help stabilise the parliamentary framework, signalled that it wanted to be included in the austerity compact. Greens treasury spokesperson Adam Bandt proposed an alternative, supposedly fairer, suite of measures to raise the specified $6.5 billion and said both Labor and the Coalition should back it. Reflecting the Greens commitment to shoring up the political establishment and the profit system, the bulk of Bandts package would consist primarily of schemes already proposed by Labor, including to reduce multinational tax avoidance and abandon some income tax cuts for those receiving more than $80,000 a year. Todays Australian carried a reminder that the Australian ruling elite has relied historically on the Labor party to implement sharp cuts to working and living conditions. The newspaper featured a column by former Hawke and Keating Labor government cabinet minister Graham Richardson, declaring that the major parties will have to work together. Richardson warned of the complete upheaval in the world economy and that many people had lost faith in the political system. He condemned nine years of purposeless politics, of weak, incompetent leadership, compared to the good government provided by Hawke and Keating from 1983 to 1996, followed by the Howard Coalition government of 1996 to 2007. Working in close partnership with the trade unions, the Hawke and Keating governments imposed the free-market restructuring demanded by big business, suppressing the resistance of workers and shattering their jobs, living standards and basic rights. Today, an even deeper economic and social assault is underway, posing the necessity to build a new socialist leadership in the working class. Some 12 weeks after the Communications Workers of American (CWA) shut down the strike by 40,000 Verizon workers, about two dozen strikers remain victimized and on-the-job harassment continues. More than 39,000 Verizon workers struck for seven weeks this spring resisting concession demands by management, including the imposition of hundreds of millions of dollars in additional health care costs. The CWA isolated and betrayed the strike, accepting a sellout agreement that imposed cuts in healthcare and left workers victimized for picket line infractions. As a result of an agreement on strike discipline signed by the CWA in 2012, management can fire workers for a number of violations, including so-called hate speech. The agreement, signed by the CWAs Dennis Trainor, now vice president of CWA District 1, can be viewed here. Since the end of the strike the CWA has said virtually nothing about the fate of the victimized workers, other than to take up work place collections to assist with their expenses. Meanwhile, the sellout of the strike by the CWA has given management a green light to step up workplace harassment, especially of field technicians, who are being closely monitored for productivity. The situation facing Verizon workers refutes the claim of the CWA leadership and a host of pseudo-left groups that operate in the orbit of the trade union bureaucracy that the Verizon strike was a victory. Instead, the result of the contract betrayal has been lowered living standards and stepped up attacks on Verizon workers. A veteran Verizon worker in New York City told the World Socialist Web Site, There has been harassment and suspensions. It is taking a subtle form, but it is all about productivity. The union is doing nothing. The guys in the field are being harassed at an unmerciful level. Management stopped the QAR [Quality Assurance Program]. But the drive for productivity is increasing. Because of the nature of the work, very often the guy with the lowest productivity is actually working the hardest. It is counterintuitive, but it is the case. If you are assigned an installation job with a great deal of physical labor involved it takes longer. It is not like an assembly line where tasks can be measured. Every job is different. If on one installation you have to attach a wire to five telephone poles another job might require you attach only one to one pole. About the victimized workers he added, I think management is doing it because the union signed away their rights. That is what allowed these workers to be fired. Dennis Trainor signed the agreement. They signed away their rights. Most workers understand that you can be fired for hate speech. What they dont understand is that the union signed off on it. The CWA is being very tight-lipped about it. In Local 1101 [New York City] there are five. They are collecting donations from members rather than using money from the unions defense fund, which is creating a lot of anger. In the case of one of the fired workers a manager claims he called him a f----t. There were six workers there who said he didnt say it, but they took the word of the manager. He was a steward in the union. A World Socialist Web Site reporting team spoke with Verizon field technicians in New York City Thursday at the truck yard on 39th street and 11th Avenue in Manhattan. Workers told the WSWS that they were unhappy with the outcome of strike. As the workers rushed out from the yard most were interested to take a leaflet but, as one worker explained, I cant stop to talk because I am on my way home to see my family. Just struggling to be able to get out on time is one way we are harassed. Commenting on the workers fired for strike-related issues one worker said, There is a code of ethics for how we conduct ourselves during a strike. However, supervision is quite capable of making up things. The company takes hostages. Another worker volunteered, They follow you around, even when you go out of the yard to an assignment. A worker who stopped briefly said, Verizon would like to break the union. They want to have contractors, not employees. They are enforcing rules to a microscopic level. They want to get up your butt. They want to know when you are going here and doing this, and when you are there doing that. That thing about hate speech, they can define anything as hate speech if they want. Rushing by, a worker replied, I have seen some harassment. It is micro-management. They go after certain people they want to get rid of. They are eliminating our rights. Tony, who has worked for Verizon for 20 years, gave his analysis of the attacks on the workers: The harassment is really more red tape, such as that we have certain assigned Saturdays. It used to be that I would work only every other Saturday. Now they make guys work five Saturdays in a row. I couldnt be with my family during July vacation. They are setting it up to let technology smash things. For example, Verizon is trying to set things up so routers and the entrance units are combined. This would reduce the amount of wiring and the amount of work. But then it will all be made wireless. Then they will be able to reduce the work force. Meanwhile, with the contract settled after the strike, we pay more for health care; our co-pay is higher and we pay more per month. It used to be that if you work harder, you get paid more. There is no middle ground anymore. They want cheap labor. They bring in more people who have education in order to get cheap labor. They ship profits overseas and hide it. Meanwhile, earlier this month AT&T Internet employees voted by a 92 percent margin to strike. The 1,200 workers are members of the CWA. Negotiations have been in progress since June, but the CWA has not set a strike deadline. Sixteen thousand AT&T West workers in California and Nevada are still without a contract in talks that have dragged on since April. The CWA ordered the AT&T West workers to stay on the job without a contract during the Verizon strike in order to isolate the Verizon workers and prevent a united struggle. At the same time, in an effort to diffuse tensions, the CWA has called a series of diversionary grievance strikes. The CWA says the two sides are still far apart. AT&T is reportedly offering an insulting 1 percent pay increase while demanding an 8 percent increase in out-of-pocket healthcare costs. The company also wants to reduce annual paid sick time for current employees from 12 to eight days and eliminate paid sick time altogether for new hires. Socialist Equality Party vice presidential candidate Niles Niemuth condemns US-backed war in Yemen Click here to like the SEP US on Facebook and get updates on the election campaign. Get involved in the SEP election campaign: www.sep2016.com Donate: www.sep2016.com/donate SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Police in Savannah say several officers were injured while grappling with a naked man in a "drug-induced rage" who smashed a restaurant's windows and damaged several cars before breaking into a home and attacking its owner. Savannah-Chatham County police said in a news release Thursday that 21-year-old Brandyn Johnson was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery and other crimes after officers subdued him using pepper spray and Tasers . Officers responded at 2 a.m. Thursday to a report of a nude man causing damage outside a restaurant. Police say he fled, broke into a house and assaulted the owner, who was taken to a hospital. Police spokeswoman Michelle Gavin said Johnson injured several officers. She declined to say how many. It was not immediately known whether Johnson had an attorney. GADSDEN COUNTY, FL (WTXL) - A Gadsden County woman has broken her silence after leaving what she calls and abusive relationship in hopes that others like her will get help. Abrilla Couch is pregnant and expecting to give birth to a baby with special needs in October. She said she has been abused by a man she lived with for two years, but now, she is ready to get help. "Honestly, I don't understand how I let this man get a hold of me like that," she said. "It was always 'I love him.' People were confused at why I was going around looking like I was -- black eyes, dealing with the things I was." Couch stayed at a shelter for women for about 45 days, but that is the maximum time that someone can stay. She was offered relocation services, but she said her situation made that move impossible. Gadsden County victim advocate Tia Thorpe said women are expected to shoulder their own cost of living after the 45 days. "You would have to have a job or something once they help you move, but you would have to keep up the rent and the utilities and everything else that comes along with having a home," Thorpe said. Couch said she had no choice but to go back to her boyfriend's house. In July, police reports stated that James Haga beat her again and sent texts threatening to kill her and her unborn baby. "He made me feel...like I was nothing, and I couldn't do anything for myself. I couldn't work. I couldn't do anything," Couch said. Haga, now in Gadsden County Jail, faces charges of aggravated battery and stalking. Couch said it took a lot for her to finally press charges. "It's a big step for me," she said, "and I'm proud of myself, because this is me taking my life back now." Couch said that one day, she hopes to help other victims of domestic abuse. She said women often want to here from survivors, and she's willing to be a voice for them. If you are a victim of abuse or know someone who needs help, call 1-800-962-2873 or visit the Florida Department of Children and Families here to submit a report. Refuge House, a local organization that provides direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, can be contacted here. TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - The man that Florida deputies said murdered a Florida couple and was found biting off pieces of a man's face had his own Youtube page with bizarre videos. A video, posted five days ago by 19-year-old Austin Harrouff, showed him talking about why he does not need steroids. "I know what's right for me, I don't need drugs. I know that they can change me," said Harrouff in the video, "Steroids really are not for me." Dr. Laurence Miller, a clinical and forensic psychologist who has not treated him, said the behavior was a red flag. "Well, first impression one get is here's somebody who's protesting a little bit too much. I mean all he's talking about is how he doesn't do steroids, do steroids but there's kind of a loopy dreamy approach to his narrative," said Miller. Harrouff's Youtube profile also reads, "I've got a psycho side and a normal side. I've lost my mind, help me find it." "When someone says, 'I'm psycho', a lot of times what they're trying to do is build up their sense of dangerousness and unpredictability," said Miller. The Florida State sophomore's mother told police her son had recently been acting oddly as well. Miller said, "It's not like there's some murder drug out there that turns everybody into a character from the walking dead. You have to have some type of predisposition to violence, and the drug lights the fuse." Harrouff is still in the hospital recovering. Results for synthetic substances could take up to two weeks. You are the owner of this article. Submit An Obituary Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration said Thursday that a $400 million cash payment to Iran seven months ago was contingent on the release of a group of American prisoners. It is the first time the U.S. has so clearly linked the two events, which critics have painted as a hostage-ransom arrangement. State Department spokesman John Kirby repeated the administration's line that the negotiations to return the Iranian money were conducted separately from the talks to free four U.S. citizens in Iran. But he said the U.S. withheld the delivery of the cash as leverage until Iran permitted the Americans to leave the country. "We had concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release," Kirby said, citing delays and mutual mistrust between countries that severed diplomatic relations 36 years ago. As a result, he explained, the U.S. "of course sought to retain maximum leverage until after the American citizens were released. That was our top priority." "Reports of link between prisoner release & payment to Iran are completely false," Kirby tweeted at the time. Some Iranian officials immediately linked the payment to the release of four Americans, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who had been held in Iranian prisons. "If it quacks like a duck, it's a duck. If a cash payment is contingent on a hostage release, it's a ransom. The truth matters and the president owes the American people an explanation," Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said Thursday. Ben Gurion International Airport was in a state of emergency on Thursday night after a plane from El Al's low cost Up Airline en route to Kiev experienced a wheel malfunction with 182 people on board. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Parts of one of the tires were found on the runway at Ben Gurion, suggesting that the tire blew upon takeoff. The plane circled the airport for an hour and a half to burn off fuel before making an emergency landing. Magen David Adom and other rescue services arrived at the airport in case anything was to happen, but the plane landed safely. The plane safely landed (Photo: Israel Airports Authority) The crew realized that the tire had blown about 20 minutes into the flight, and it took ground crews 10 minutes to clean up the pieces. The captain, pilot Yuval Koren, recalls that "after takeoff one of our indicators showed that one of the wheels wasn't retracting. I then realized that we needed to return and land at Ben Gurion. I updated the passengers and crew as to what was going on, and I decided to give everyone all of the information I had." The blown out tire "Half an hour before the emergency landing, I told the passengers that we are expecting the best. The landing was very stressful," Koren added. Passengers on board the aircraft reported hearing a large explosion as the plane was taking off. The El Al plane's flight path Miri from Yehud said "when the plane began to take off, we heard a loud 'boom' which shocked everyone on the plane. We didn't understand what it was. They told us about the problem half an hour after we took off." Meanwhile, Miri from Petah Tikva said "they explained to us what happened, and the pilot was reserved and spoke well. He tried to keep us calm. He was really nice." The event occurred on the busiest day at the airport this year. There were 40,000 people who took off on 240 flights, and there was also a similar number of arrivals. Two members of Palestinian security services were killed overnight Thursday while attempting to arrest armed men in Nablus. The two gunmen managed to escape while two other members of the security services were wounded. One of the casualties was a member of the Special Forces, while two others were national security members. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Hours after the incident, Palestinian security forces deployed large numbers of men to the Old City of Nablus where the attack occurred. Security forces launched a manhunt for the two suspects and in the early morning hours Friday, identified their residence. Security forces raided the apartment and in the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the two militants were seriously wounded. They were evacuated to a city hospital and shortly thereafter confirmed dead. Palestinian security services discovered three M-16 rifles in the apartment following the raid. Security services estimate that there are more militants who took part in the attack and the manhunt continues throughout the city. Following the incident, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement on the death of the two members of Palestinian security forces. In the past year, there have been several serious incidents between gunmen and members of security forces in Nablus. The incidents are criminal in nature and have arisen as a result of criminal elements attempting to challenge the Palestinian Authority for control over the city. At the end of last June, two security officers were killed in Nablus by gunfire directed at them after they responded to an assault on the home of another officer. In an extensive interview with Ashraq al-Aswat, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey's stance on Bashar al-Assad remaining in power will not change despite the improvement in relations with Russia. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "We are talking about the practical side of things, not the emotional or personal," said Foreign Minister Cavusoglu to the pro-Saudi newspaper. "Assad has murdered more than 600,000 people and as such, we do not believe that opposition factions will agree to his staying in power or his presence in any power transfer agreement." X As for the dialogue with the Russians on the matter, the Turkish Foreign Minister said, "We believe that Assad must go as soon as possible and it is impossible for a transfer of power process to occur with his presence. I think they are still sticking with their position on the matter and therefore, there should be more dialogue with the Russian side." Bashar al-Assad (Photo: AP) Foreign Minister Cavusoglu also claimed that Turkey does not support Assad staying in power for a short period such as six months, which was claimed in the past. "Assad must go immediately." As for common points with Russia over Syria, Cavusoglu outlined leaving the territorial integrity of Syria together, support for a political solution to the crisis and consensus on the importance of humanitarian aid. As for the attempted coup in Turkey, Cavusoglu said that the assertion that the United States was behind the attempt is not the stance of the Turkish government, but rather that of the Turkish people. This can change, if the US will extradite Fethullah Gulen to judicial authorities in Turkey, he said. While fighting continues in Aleppo, opposition sources claim that government forces dropped incendiary munitions on the only field hospital in Daraya, outside of Damascus, which is controlled by rebel forces. The opposition claims that the regime has been heavily bombing the area for some time. Videos and pictures depicting the alleged damage have been uploaded to social media. Russian bombers operating in Syria X Photo: Reuters Photo: AFP Photo: EPA One such video is that of Omran Daqneesh, the five year-old child pulled from the rubble of a building in Aleppo. The child is shown sitting in the back of an ambulance stunned and covered in blood and dust. A year and a half ago, the professional leadership of the Israeli security apparatus, with the support of Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, gave a recommendation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the aid proposal that Israel would receive as a result of the nuclear deal with Iran. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter In addition to increasing the amount of aid for the next decade, the US proposal included other deals which would have had dramatic impacts on security cooperation between the two countries and on Israel's strategic abilities Due to political reasons reasons which Ehud Barak called "reckless gambling" Netanyahu rejected the security forces' recommendation, and in March 2015, Netanyahu decided to speak in front of the US Congress to try and convince them to come out against Obama and stop the nuclear deal. Senior US officials who were frustrated with Netanyahu already knew that at the end of 2014 to the beginning of 2015, that Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel passed a message from President Obama to Netanyahu regarding US intentions to station strategic weapons in Israel. These are weapons which could have also deterred attacks, or protected Israel if the Jewish state felt threatened and decided to attack Iran. Ehud Barak speaks at a Darkenu movement event (Photo: Darkenu) One can also assume that the US government was ready to provide Israel with the US's most effective weapons; bunker buster missiles which could destroy Iranian nuclear production facilities. Israel requested these missiles, and one can assume that the Americans had several ideas as to how they would have integrated these weapons into Israeli systems if the need arose. The transfer of these weapons systems would present a significant leap in Israeli technological and operational capabilities and in security cooperation between the two nations. However, this didn't happen. It's not clear if this is what Ehud Barak was referring to two days ago when he blamed Netanyahu for exposing Israel to major threats and security challenges. Barak claimed that what he was talking about which he wasn't allowed to fully expose shows that Netanyahu is someone who is unable to correctly ascertain Israel's security interests, and as someone who hasn't internalized the potential for cooperation between Israel and the US. Ehud Barak speaks at a Darkenu event (Photo: Darkenu) Since this means that there are secret channels between the two countries, channels which the Prime Minister's Office can deny exist, it's only right that Barak present his finding in a secret subcommittee, such as the Defense and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee. While Barak is indeed a civilian, the doors of the Pentagon are still open to him, and he has a good working relationship with National Security Advisor Susan Rice. However, even with all of this, and Barak's relations with Netanyahu, it is unlikely he actually knows what is going on between the White House and the Prime Minister's Office behind closed doors. BAMAKO- Mali authorities on Thursday released a prominent talk show radio host from prison after his arrest sparked protests in the capital Bamako in which one person was shot dead and others wounded. Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, who often attacks policies of the government of President Ibrahim Boubacar on his radio show, was arrested on Monday on accusations of commiting an outrage against public decency. The specific reason for his arrest was not clear. "He was released yesterday evening," said a security source on Friday who spoke on condition of anonymity. A second security source confirmed his release. BEIRUT - Syrian Kurdish militia have seized several positions from government forces in the divided city of Hasaka, a Kurdish official said on Friday, expanding their control in one of the heaviest clashes yet between Kurdish groups and the government. The fighting this week led to the first use of Syrian air force jets against Kurdish groups that are a crucial ally of the United States in its fight against Islamic State insurgents. The government has not commented on the fighting. The Kurdish YPG militia holds wide areas of northern Syria, where its political allies have set up an autonomous government since Syria's civil war began in 2011. The government still has a foothold in the cities of Hasaka and Qamishli. SINGAPORE - Two Singaporeans who the government says intended to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS have been detained under a colonial-era law that allows suspects to be held without trial. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Singapore has been on heightened vigilance since Indonesian police arrested a group of men they believed were plotting a rocket attack on the wealthy city-state with the help of a Syrian-based ISIS militant. A major financial centre and the most westernised society in Southeast Asia, multi-ethnic Singapore is increasingly seen as a target for radicalised religious militants, authorities say. ISIS fighters in Aleppo (Photo: AP) Rosli bin Hamzah, a 50-year-old car washer, and Mohamed Omar bin Mahadi, a 33-year-old waste truck driver, received two-year detention orders this month, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. Both had been radicalised, the ministry said, adding they were prepared to die as martyrs in Syria. Singapore, which has not suffered a militant attack in decades, deploys extensive surveillance and is largely seen as one of the safest countries in the world. But some critics say security comes with a cost to civil liberties. The Internal Security Act, under which the two were held, has been criticised by rights groups for allowing detention without trial. Authorities have detained or repatriated dozens of people in the past year, most of them migrant Bangladeshi workers, for suspected links to militant fund-raising or other "terrorism-related activities". Sufian Bakri Abdu, the terrorist who was released three days ago from prison after a 14 year sentence, was arrested Friday morning by Jerusalem Police on suspicion of incitement and supporting a terrorist organization. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter According to police, he was arrested in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber following a celebration for his release in which he was waving Hamas flags and calling for violence against Israel. Abdu was brought to HaShalom Court in Jerusalem, where he was remanded into custody until Monday. Arrest of Sufian Abdu X Abdu was arrested in August 2002 after he planned the poisoning attack and colluded with Utman Said Kianyah from Silwan, a chef in Jerusalems downtown Cafe Rimon. The two agreed that Abdu would provide Utman with the poison who would then put it in the cafe customers food and drinks. The poison was supposed to go into effect 15 hours after being consumed making it more difficult for authorities to identify traces of deliberate poisoning, making cardiac arrest a more plausible cause of death. Sufian Abdu celebrating his release X During the investigation, police showed that Abdu had made contact by email with various Hamas activists and expressed his willingness to assist the organization, where he was appointed to be in charge of the forum on Hamas's website. Abdu also recruited Mussa Nasser, who in turn raised money and recruited another friend, an Egyptian engineer, to assist in building rockets. Abdu celebrating in Jabel Mukaber following his release Security forces arresting Abdu for incitement Or Tzemach, a lawyer for "Lach Yerushalayim," an organization that works for applying Israeli sovereignty in all parts of the city, responded, "I praise the police for their quick response in arresting the terrorist Sufian Abdu, who celebrated his release by inciting violence against Israel. However, unfortunately this is not a specific case, but a real phenomenon. Terrorists who are released go back to an environment that encourages more terrorism and violence. I call on Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan to create a release procedure for prisoners in order to prevent incitement on the streets of the capital of the State of Israel." A Muslim man stabbed a 65-year-old Jewish man in Strasbourg, France on Friday, calling out "Allahu Akbar" while doing so. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The attacker used a kitchen knife with a 10-centimeter-long blade to wound the victim, a member of the Chabad community. The Jewish man was rushed to hospital in light-to-moderate condition. Scene of the attack Police arrested the attacker, who is known for previous offenses. It is also being investigated if the attacker suffered from a mental disorder. Mendel Samama, a Chabad emissary in Strasbourg, told Ynet, "About 15,000 Jews live in this area. This is a very strong community, organized and unified. I hope all this darkness becomes light. Do not be afraid." He added, "Usually in this city everything is pretty good and there are not many problems. The perpetrator is known and has already done something anti-Semitic a few years ago. We hope that the response time on the part of the authorities will be strong." Two Syrian girls aged eight months and five years who were reporedly found to have drowned Friday along with four other people when a wooden boat carrying war refugees trying to make it to Europe capsized off the coast of Libya The bodies were recovered about 22 nautical miles from Libya on Thursday when the small vessel packed with 27 Syrians flipped over and sank, the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) humanitarian group said. The bodies of two women and one man were also recovered, while another person who was on the boat was not found, MOAS reported. MOAS operates two rescue boats in the Mediterranean Sea between Italy and Libya. The media spotlight refocused on the plight of civilians in Syria's conflict this week following a wrenching video of a dust-covered, disoriented five-year-old boy, Omran Daqneesh, pulled from the rubble after a bombing raid in Aleppo. For the first time since declaring his presidential run, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump acknowledged that his caustic comments may have caused people pain, saying that he regrets some of what he's said "in the heat of debate." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A day after announcing a campaign shake-up and as he trails in the polls, the GOP nominee said that he recognized that his commentswhich have angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the general election electoratemay have been ill-advised. Donald Trump apologizes X "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that," Trump read from a prepared text at a rally in Charlotte, N.C. "And believe it or not, I regret itand I do regret itparticularly where it may have caused personal pain." GOP nominee Donald Trump (Photo: Reuters) He added that "Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues." As the crowd cheered, Trump pledged to "always tell you the truth." The remarks came as Trump was trying to rescue a campaign that has struggled since the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions from a series of self-created distractions. Early Wednesday, Trump announced that he was overhauling his operation, bringing in Steven Bannon as his campaign's new chief executive and appointing a new campaign manager. Rarely do presidential campaigns wait to advertise, or undergo such leadership tumult, at such a late stage of the general election. Yet Trump has struggled badly in recent weeks to offer voters a consistent message, overshadowing formal policy speeches with a steady stream of self-created controversies, including a public feud with an American Muslim family whose son was killed while serving in the US military in Iraq Trump's decision to tap Stephen Bannon, a combative conservative media executive, as his new campaign chief, suggested to some that he planned to double down on the playbook he used in the primary, playing to his angry rally crowds and bouncing from one controversy to the next. Instead, a new Trump emerged on Thursday: a less combative, more inclusive candidate who said he was running to be the "voice for every forgotten part of this country that has been waiting and hoping for a better future" and for those who "don't hear anyone speaking for them." Earlier Thursday, Trump moved to invest nearly $5 million in battleground state advertising to address daunting challenges in the states that will make or break his White House ambitions. The New York businessman's campaign reserved television ad space over the coming 10 days in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to Kantar Media's political ad tracker. While Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has spent more than $75 million on advertising in 10 states since locking up her party's nomination, Trump's new investment marks his first of the general election season. Election Day is 81 days away, with early voting in the first states set to begin in five weeks. In his remarks, Trump struck a new, inclusive tone and tried to appeal directly to non-white voters, shown by polls to an overwhelmingly unfavorable view of the candidate. "I will not rest until children of every color in this country are fully included in the American Dream," Trump told his audience, again accusing Democratic Hillary Clinton of "bigotry." Clinton, he claimed, "sees communities of color only as votes and not as human beings worthy of a better future." He urged African-American voters to give him a chance, saying: "What do you have to lose by trying something new?" Clinton's campaign, meanwhile, brushed the speech off as just words he read from a teleprompter. "Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret," said spokeswoman Christina Reynolds in a statement. "We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize. But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets and changes his tune altogether," she said. It remains to be seen whether Trump's reboot comes too late, and whether he has the discipline to maintain it. Trump now trails Clinton in preference polls of most key battleground states. And his party leaders, even at the Republican National Committee, have already conceded they may divert resources away from the presidential contest in favor of vulnerable Senate and House candidates if things don't improve. Trump supporters, in any case, largely accepted the change of tone, even if some saw it as unnecessary. "It takes a lot of strength to say, 'I'm sorry, ' to admitnot that he was wrong, but he wished he hadn't done it," said Cindy Ammons, 70, a Trump supporter from Spindale, North Carolina. "I think he's evolving." Paul Manafort resigned as chairman of Donald Trump's US presidential campaign on Friday, Trump said, days after the Republican candidate effectively demoted him in a leadership shakeup aimed at boosting his struggling White House bid. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Trump said in a statement he had accepted Manafort's resignation, but did not offer an explanation for the departure. Campaign sources said that Trump had been unhappy with Manafort for a multitude of reasons. Paul Manafort (Photo: MCT) Manafort had presided over a period in which Trump had fallen behind in opinion poll numbers in the race against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for the Nov. 8 election. On Wednesday, Trump overhauled his campaign team, hiring Seven Bannon, the head of conservative news Breitbart News , to bolster his combative image and try to reverse poor opinion poll numbers. That move, his second staff revamp in less than two months, essentially served as a demotion for Manafort, who had been brought in to try to bring a more professional touch but struggled to rein in Trump's freewheeling ways. "This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign," Trump said in a statement on Friday. "I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success, Trump said. According to a campaign source, in recent days Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had been searching for someone to join the campaign whom both he and Trump could agree was trustworthy. Both, the source said, had grown uncomfortable with Manafort, though it was Kushner who had reportedly brought Manafort into the campaign. Trump also was not pleased with ongoing revelations about Manafort's past lobbying for the formerly pro-Russian government in Ukraine, said a source familiar with the situation. Manafort has come under scrutiny in recent days over his alleged ties with pro-Russian political groups in Ukraine. On Thursday, it was reorted that Manafort's firm orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's then-ruling political party. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. Earlier on Friday, a Ukrainian lawmaker offered more details of what he said were payments made to Manafort by the political party of the Kremlin-backed former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich. Manafort, in a statement earlier this week, denied any wrongdoing. The allegations were first made in The New York Times on Monday. The Russian defense ministry said on Thursday that Russian bombers launched another day of air strikes against militants in Syria from an Iranian air base. The ministry said Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 fighter bombers struck ISIS targets in the Syrian province of Deir al-Zor. According to reports, military aircrafts that had taken off from bases in both Russia and Iran destroyed six command posts and a large number of fighters and military equipment. All the Russian planes returned to base after the strikes, the defense ministry said. After a long battle with US forces, ISIS fighters fled Manbij, located in the Aleppo Governorate of Syria. ISIS' losses, however, were kept to a minimum: footage taken by UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) operated by the Syrian Democratic Forces shows that ISIS militants used human shields in their escape, which prevented the rebel forces from causing them greater damage, but resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Kurdish rebel forces that had taken over Manbij found themselves facing another battle, as Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces struck them in the city of Al-Hasakah, even as ISIS forces were retreating from Manbij. The freed residetns on Manbij (: ) X ISIS fleeing Manjib using human shields to protect themselves The SDF is an amalgamation of militia forces opposing ISIS in Syria. As the war raged on,thousand more fled the battle zones in search of safety. British rock band and 80s favorites the Stranglers has announced plans to perform in Israel on Nov. 17. Heading off a possible nationwide panic that the concert might be sold out, producers have assured the media that additional performances are an option. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Stranglers were formed in 1974 when drummer Jet Black (or Brian Duffy, as his parents know him) teamed up with bass player/vocalist Jean-Jacques Burnel, guitarist/vocalist Hugh Cornwell and keyboardist dave Greenfield, who replaced their original keyboardist/guitarist Hans Warmling. Initially, the band focused on punk rock with psychedelic undertones, but they hit it big when they switched to a post-punk, new wave sound in the late 80s, coupled with more melodic rock. The band's greatest hit to date is the catchy "Always the Sun." Despite Corwell leaving the band in 1990, the Stranglers continued to work together, putting out their last album in 2012. Strangely enough, the international plot helmed by billionaire George Soros, which recently came to light due to certain leaked documents, were not given much coverage by Israeli media, and certainly not when compared to US media. Soros himself is a known anti-Israeli, and the vast support systems he has set up is not only aimed at influencing the Arab-Israeli conflict, but goes way beyond it. He decided to call his endeavor the Open Society Foundations, a somewhat odd name; the secrecy surrounding its global strategy can be called many things, but open is not one of them. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Anyone who follows NGO Monitors reports on Soros knows that he isnt involved in projects that promote peace, solidarity and conciliation among different peoples. Thats not his what hes about. Rather, what Soros has focused on was the funding of different bodies, most of them Palestinian, which had all taken part in a campaign that delegitimized and demonized Israel. This is already known to whoever wishes to look into Soros' track record, as Soros himself has admitted that his actions promote anti-Semitism. This evil man, who has been indicted in France for insider trading, was reportedly behind financial speculation that threatened to topple entire nations. Noted philosopher Slavoj Zizek said of him that Soros daily routine is a lie embodied: half of his working time is devoted to financial speculation, the other half to humanitarian activities (the inside quotes are my own). Zizek is admittedy a well-known anti-Zionist himself, but even anti-Zionists can get it right some of the time. George Soros (Photo: AP) For a moment, a sneaking suspicion makes you wonder whether the relative quiet with which Solos leaked documents were received here was the work of some of the organizations that he had backed, such as the New Israel Fund and breaking the Silence. This only further stresses the ridiculousness of the NGO Law passed by the Right, which demands that all NOGs be transparent only in regard to the backing they receive from organizations outside of Israel, when private organizations and citizens intent on ushering in a new world order can be far more dangerous. The take-home message from the Soros affair is that a practical response must be carried out. There has to be some legislation the deals more seriously with NGO donations. When private or governmental bodies, be they Soros or Sweden or an Irish church fund, begin assisting organizations that deny Israels very existence, or that support racism, they should not be allowed to donate to politically-affiliated NGOs in Israel. It is simply unacceptable that a body that denies Israels right to exist should be allowed to interfere in its inner workings through a generous donation to an NGO that supports, for instance, the Palestinian right of return. A country cannot stay indifferent to a campaign that works toward its undoing. Israel's Basic Law: the Knesset, which limits the extent of any body denying Israels right to exist to act as an elected representative, must also be implemented in regard to NGO funding. This Account has been suspended. Malcolm Gunning, principal of Sydney based real estate agency Gunning, this week claimed that while the taxation and regulatory changes arent particularly onerous, Chinese buyers in particular believe they have been singled out by governments across Australia. The message that has been picked up in China and seconded through our client base is that Australia doesnt want Chinese investment, Gunning said. While the changes to stamp duty, land tax and increase in compliance powers granted to the ATO as well as rules to ensure foreign residents meet their capital gains tax liabilities arent unreasonable the message is what is of concern, he said. Gunning believes that perception could have a serious impact across the property market in Australia, in particular the apartment sector which could see projects mothballed as Chinese buyers take their money elsewhere. But while Gunning believes Chinese buyers feel they are being picked on, not all in the real estate industry believes investors from the Asian superpower have been turned off Australian real estate. Nobody is sulking in the corner. In our experience, most buyers can easily separate state policy from anything directed at them personally, Gavin Norris, head of Australia for Juwai.com, an online portal that markets real estate to Chinese buyers, told Your Investment Property. The number of enquiries buyers made via Juwai.com to property sellers in Australia was 37% higher in July than in June, Norris said. James Pratt, director of auctions for real estate franchise Raine & Horne, also agreed with Norris and said foreign buyers are made to feel welcome in Australia, particularly by the real estate industry itself. I think international buyers do feel welcome. Through the sales process, and especially at auction, its common to see real estate agents going out of their way to help buyers who dont speak English as their native language, Pratt told Your Investment Property. They will write the price down for them, in case they cant follow the auction. Its the same they would do for any local buyer who needed extra help, he said. Norris said there may be a few Chinese buyers who are put off Australian real estate following the legislative changes, but many will still target our shores due to reasons that arent price related. Undoubtedly, some buyers will decide the new taxes change the equation for the worse, but its too soon to say how many, he told Your Investment Property. The majority of Chinese buyers of residential property in Australia are at least partly motivated by education. As long as their children are studying at Australian schools or universities, they still have a strong incentive to provide a safe and comfortable home away from home. The taxes do raise the price of entry, but they dont affect any of the push factors that are encouraging Chinese to invest in property. As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today a jury convicted Jose Castro-Felix of Queen Creek, Arizona of Conspiracy, Conducting an Illegal Enterprise, Possession of Cocaine for Sale, Possession of Heroin for Sale, and Money Laundering for his involvement in a Mexico-based cocaine and heroin trafficking organization. The conviction stems from Castro-Felixs possession of more than a $1,000,000 worth of heroin and cocaine and $50,000 in drug proceeds in August 2012. Castro-Felix failed to show up for his trial and is currently on the run. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest. In August 2012, members of the Phoenix Police Department (PPD) and United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned of an organization involved in the distribution of heroin and cocaine using pickup trucks. The officers conducted surveillance, which led them to a stash house hidden in a neighborhood near Ocotillo and Ironwood Roads. On August 15, 2012, officers saw a pickup truck arrive at the house and learned it had crossed from Mexico into the United States through the Douglas Port of Entry a few hours earlier. Castro-Felix was seen taking possession of the truck and backing it into the garage. Investigators obtained a search warrant and examined the truck inside the garage. The trucks front drive shaft was missing and the rear drive shaft had an empty aftermarket compartment in it. They also found the front drive shafts in an attic above the truck. Officers found cocaine hidden inside of the drive shafts. Additionally, the officers found a significant amount of cocaine, heroin, and currency in buckets which were also hidden in an attic. In all, PPD and DEA seized 33 pounds of heroin, 22 pounds of cocaine, and more than $50,000 in drug proceeds. Castro-Felix was convicted on August 16, 2016. A Maricopa County jury found him guilty of Conspiracy to Possess and Transport Narcotic Drugs for Sale, Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, Money Laundering in the Second Degree and Possession of Cocaine and Heroin for Sale. Anyone with information on Castro-Felixs whereabouts should call their local law enforcement agency immediately. The Arizona Attorney Generals Office Drug and Racketeering Enforcement Section prosecuted this case. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey and Secretary of State Michele Reagan today recognized the 96th anniversary of womens suffrage. On August 18, 1920, the following words were ratified into the United States Constitution: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Always the trailblazer, Arizona was one of the first states in the nation to grant women suffrage in 1912. As Arizona continues to lead the nation in providing opportunity for all, were reminded today of our historic role in securing voting rights for women 104 years ago a full eight years before womens suffrage was recognized in the U.S. Constitution, said Governor Ducey. This election year, as Arizonans cast their ballots, lets reflect on our trailblazing efforts to ensure voting equality, and honor those Arizonans who fought hard for it along the way. Lets not take for granted this fundamental right, and the tireless efforts of those early pioneers. As Secretary of State, I take great pride in the fact that I have the privilege of serving a state with a rich history of empowering women, said Secretary Reagan. Historically, Arizona has been a catalyst of justice and equality for all from becoming one of the first states to recognize a womans right to vote, to sending the first woman to the U.S. Supreme Court, to having more women governors than any other state in the nation. Today, all voters honor the Arizona spirit that paved the way for women everywhere. Latest News Dallas, Texas - Three Dallas area auto dealers, collectively known as Southwest Kia, have agreed to pay an $85,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they violated an FTC administrative order barring them from deceptively advertising the cost of buying or leasing a car. According to the FTC, New World Auto Imports Inc., New World Auto Imports of Rockwall Inc. and Hampton Two Auto Corporation concealed sale and lease terms that added significant costs or limited who could qualify for vehicles at advertised prices, in violation of a 2014 order. In a TV ad, for example, the dealers offered two cars for under $200 per month, but in fine print that appeared for two seconds, disclosed that the offer applied only to leases, not sales, and required a $1,999 payment at lease signing. One dealer mailed ads claiming a new car could be purchased for $179 per month, but in print too small to read without magnification, disclosed that $1,999 would be due up front, along with tax, title and license fees, and that $8,271 would be due at the end of a 38-month financing term. The FTCs complaint also cited a TV ad targeted at people with major credit problems, such as repossessions or foreclosures. The ad touted vehicles for $250 per month, but in fine print disclosed that the offer was based on a 4.25 annual percentage rate that few, if any, consumers with such major credit issues could obtain. In addition, the FTC alleged that the dealers advertised credit and lease terms without clearly and conspicuously disclosing information required by federal law, and failed to keep records required by the 2014 order. In addition to the $85,000 civil penalty, the proposed order prohibits the dealers, in any ad for buying, financing or leasing vehicles, from misrepresenting the cost of purchase with financing, the cost of leasing, or any other material fact about price, sale, financing or leasing. It also prohibits misrepresentations that anyone, including those with poor credit, is likely to receive financing or leasing, including particular finance or lease terms. The proposed order also bars the dealers from violating the Truth in Lending Act and the Consumer Leasing Act, which require clear and conspicuous disclosure of credit and lease terms. The case was part of Operation Steer Clear, a nationwide crackdown on misleading advertising regarding motor vehicle sales, financing and leasing. The Commission vote to authorize the staff to refer the complaint to the Department of Justice and to approve the proposed stipulated order was 3-0. The DOJ filed the documents on behalf of the Commission in U.S. District Court for the District of Texas, Dallas Division, on August 18, 2016. Latest News Washington, DC - The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Underwater Archaeology Branch recently began an assessment of a M1 Garand rifle used by U.S. Marine Corps raiders during the Makin Island raid in World War II. The Makin M1 was originally discovered in 1999, when the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command's Central Identification Laboratory Hawaii (CILHI) returned to Makin Island to relocate, recover and repatriate the remains of the Marines who died there. The raid, which took place Aug. 17-18, 1942, destroyed enemy radio communication points, fuel, military stores and helped divert attention from the 1st Marine Division landing on Guadalcanal. During the raid, which was remarkably launched from the submarines USS Nautilus (SS 168) and USS Argonaut (SM 1), 19 Marines from the 2nd Raider Battalion lost their lives and were buried together on Makin Island. The rifle was discovered in the grave and returned to CILHI before its eventual transfer to the Raiders Museum located at Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ). After more than 50 years buried in a wet marine environment, the Makin M1 displays significant surface concretions, corrosion and physical damage. Curators at the National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) reached out to archaeological conservators at the NHHC Underwater Archaeology Branch to perform an assessment of the artifact and help ascertain its stability. Prior to transportation of the Makin M1 to the NHHC Archaeology & Conservation Laboratory at the Washington Navy Yard, the USMC Explosive Ordnance Disposal team at MCBQ inspected the rifle interior to ensure it contained no live ammunition. Conservators then performed a detailed examination of the Makin M1, documented its current condition, and are now developing treatment plans to address its immediate and long-term preservation. The M1 Garand is a .30 caliber semi-automatic rifle, which lent a significant advantage to U.S. troops during World War II and marked the first time semi-automatic rifles were generally issued to the U.S. military for use in combat. The M1 Garand is equipped with a gas cylinder located beneath the barrel. Gas pressure produced when firing a round traveled back through the gas cylinder to drive the piston and operating rod back, eject the empty cartridge case and push the next round from the clip into the chamber. This auto-reload system allowed for reliable, quick fire capability and reduced recoil which helped maintain accuracy. In addition to being an important piece of U.S. military history, the Makin M1 is also particularly significant for the Marine Corps as it was used in one of the earliest engagements of Marine Corps raiders in the Pacific. NHHC, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history, and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus. Latest News Washington, DC - The United States condemns in the strongest terms terrorist attacks yesterday and today in southeastern Turkey. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. We remain steadfast in our support for Turkey, our NATO Ally and partner, which continues to be afflicted by terrorist attacks that indiscriminately kill and wound both security personnel and civilians. We are in close touch with Turkish authorities and will continue to work together with Turkey to confront the threats we face from terrorist groups. Vice President Biden will travel to Ankara next week to reaffirm our commitment to Turkeys security and democracy. Washington: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said he regretted causing pain to people by not choosing the "right words" sometimes and uttering "wrong thing" even as his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton termed the statement as a mere "well-written phrase". "Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues," Trump said at an election rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also said that he is not a politician. "I have worked in business, creating jobs and rebuilding neighbourhoods my entire adult life. I've never wanted to learn the language of the insiders, and I've never been politically correct, it takes far too much time, and can often make more difficult," he said. "But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth. I speak the truth for all of you, and for everyone in this country who doesn't have a voice. I speak the truth on behalf of the factory worker who lost his or her job," Trump asserted. Trump said his only interest is the American people. "So while sometimes I can be too honest, Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite: she never tells the truth. One lie after another, and getting worse each passing day," he said. In a late night statement, the Clinton Campaign said he has much for which he should apologize. "Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. We learned tonight that his speech writer and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologise," said Christina Reynolds from the Clinton Campaign. "But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets and changes his tune altogether," Reynolds said. "The American people are still waiting for Hillary Clinton to apologise for all of the many lies she's told to them, and the many times she betrayed them. Tell me, has Hillary Clinton ever apologised for lying about her illegal email server and deleting 33,000 emails," he asked. "Has Hillary Clinton apologized for turning the State Department into a pay-for-play operation where favours are sold to the highest bidder. Has she apologised for lying to the families who lost loved ones at Benghazi? Has she apologised for putting Iran on the path to nuclear weapons?" he asked. Trump alleged that Clinton's mistakes destroy innocent lives, sacrifice national security, and betray the working families of this country. "Please remember this. I will never put personal profit before national security. I will never leave our border open to appease donors and special interests. I will never support a trade deal that kills American jobs. I will never put the special interests before the national interest. I will never put a donor before a voter, or a lobbyist before a citizen," he said. "Instead, I will be a champion for the people," he said. "The establishment media doesn't cover what really matters in this country, or what's really going on in people's lives. They will take words of mine out of context and spend a week obsessing over every single syllable, and then pretend to discover some hidden meaning in what I said," he alleged. Washington: A group of 72 American lawmakers has asked US President Barack Obama to publicly support the right of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet and call for an immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners languishing in China. "We write to ask that you redouble efforts in support of the Tibetan people during your remaining months in office. We believe it is critically important to move beyond words to actions," the lawmakers said in a letter to Obama. "The Tibetan people view the US as their friend. It is time to honour that friendship with new, creative strategies to encourage meaningful dialogue, protect Tibetan rights, and preserve their unique cultural, religious and linguistic identity," the three-page letter, dated August 17, said. The letter, organised by Congressman Jim McGovern, urged Obama to invite the Dalai Lama to every event, on every occasion, where his knowledge and decades of reflections would be helpful for addressing the world's problems. The letter, released yesterday, call for the US government to facilitate the involvement of the Dalai Lama or his representatives in the global debate on climate change and its potential consequences, given Tibet's fragile environment, rapid warming and critically important reserves of freshwater. Urging the US government to publicly support the right of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, the letter asks Obama to publically and regularly call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners held by the People`s Republic of China whose cases have been documented by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. It seeks the establishment of a US consular office in Lhasa, Tibet to help the US observe and address the obstacles to freedom of movement that affects both Tibetans within China, and US citizens, including Tibetan-Americans, who seek to travel to Tibetan areas of China. The letter also seeks enforcement of norms of reciprocity to ensure that senior Chinese officials responsible for restricting the access of US officials, journalists, Tibetan- Americans and other citizens to Tibetan areas of China are themselves restricted in their travel when they are in the US. Prominent among those who signed the letter are Congressman Eliot Engel, Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee Nita Lowey among others. Beijing: China will develop its next- generation cruise missiles based on a modular design, allowing them to be tailor-made for specific combat situations with high level of artificial intelligence (AI), a senior missile designer said. "We plan to adopt a 'plug and play' approach in the development of new cruise missiles, which will enable our military commanders to tailor-make missiles in accordance with combat conditions and their specific requirements," Wang Changqing, director of the General Design Department of the Third Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, said. "Moreover, our future cruise missiles will have a very high level of AI and automation," Wang was quoted as saying by the state-run China Daily. "They will allow commanders to control them in a real-time manner, or to use a fire-and-forget mode, or even to add more tasks to in-flight missiles," he said. The future combat will require weapons to be cost- efficient and flexible. Therefore, the modular design will be a good solution, he said. China last year for the first time displayed its?Dongfeng -21D missile, the anti-ship ballistic missile described as the "carrier killer" which caused concern among US defence officials as it could blow up aircraft carriers from a distance of about 1500 km to 1700 kms. Dongfeng-21D along with long and short range missiles were displayed at the country's biggest military parade last year held to mark 70th anniversary of victory against Japan in WW-II. Wang Ya'nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said a modular missile will be capable of changing its destructive capacity, flight mode and range, and so is suitable for striking targets on the ground or at sea. Modular design is not new to the world's missile developers. The European missile developer and manufacturer MBDA displayed its CVW102 Flexis modular missile concept at last year's Paris Air Show. The system will allow missiles to be configured, according to mission requirements, the China Daily report said. Missiles will be selected and assembled with different warheads, engines and guidance devices based on target information, a report on advanced missiles published by the Beijing Hiwing Scientific and Technological Information Institute, which researches aerodynamic missiles and unmanned systems said. Dhaka: A new Bangladeshi militant outfit, aligned to the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB), has prepared a list of local Hindus and secularists, and finalised plans to kill a Hindu doctor, police said. The Ansar Rajshahi outfit has finalised plans to kill a doctor, Nirendranath Sarker. The members communicate with each other through secured messaging application Threema and social media website Facebook, police said. Absconding JMB leader Shariful Islam Khalid, a Rajshahi University student who was involved in the murder of his teacher A.F.M. Rezaul Karim in April this year, is one of the organisers of the Ansar Rajshahi, the Dhaka Tribune reported. Police came to know about the outfit after they arrested two cousins of Shariful -- 23-year-old Aminul Islam Rumi and 22-year-old Enamul Huq Sabuj on Monday. Both Rumi and Sabuj had hailed the Gulshan cafe terror siege in which 22 people, mostly foreigners were killed. Since last year, the JMB has killed at least seven Hindu priests across the country and threatened several dozen Hindus and Christians with death. The outfit also targeted three Christians, killing two of them. The Baghmara area, in Rajshahi district, is known as a stronghold of outlawed JMB. It saw a deadly suicide bomb attack on a local Ahmadiyya mosque on December 26 last year that killed the JMB suicide attacker and injured 10 persons. In 2004, JMB second-in-command Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai established a reign of terror in the area by killing and torturing scores of people, Dhaka Tribune reported. Shariful alias Rahat alias Talha, 25, has remained missing for the last 15 months, his family members say. He is the son of Abdul Hakim of Sreepur Khamarpara. He was a student of English department at Rajshahi University. Police claim he was one of the JMB operatives who hacked Prof Rezaul to death near his house in Shalbagan area on April 23. The family members of Shariful filed a general diary with the police on July 4 seeking information about him. He used to meet Rumi and Sabuj regularly before going missing last year. The police on July 29 announced a Tk one lakh bounty for Shariful and another JMB militant - Nazrul Islam alias Bike Hassan who was wanted in 11 cases filed over the recent targeted killings including of Prof Rezaul. Nazrul was killed in an alleged gunfight with the police on August 1. Rajshahi Police Superintendent Moazzem Hossain said that they had found Threema app on the phones of Rumi and Sabuj. Through the app, Rumi recently asked a member of his group whether he would launch the attack on the Hindu doctor as he had refused to convert to Islam. Hailing the July 1 Gulshan terror attack, Rumi regretted that he could not embrace martyrdom like the five Gulshan attackers and sought blessings so that he could succeed in killing the Hindu doctors of the area. In another communication, Sabuj told someone that he wanted to carry the operational cost of killing the targeted Hindu doctor, the Dhaka Tribune reported. Bengaluru: Police on Friday resorted to 'mild' lathicharge to disperse ABVP activists staging a protest in front of the Amnesty International India office here demanding the arrest of those who allegedly raised anti-India slogans at an Amnesty event. Several ABVP activists were injured, with a girl student fainting in the commotion before she was rushed to a hospital, police said, adding they detained many activists during the crackdown on the protest. Additional Commissioner of Police Bengaluru East P Harishekaran said police had to disperse protesters as they tried to burn an effigy in a residential area. "With two bottles of petrol, they tried to burn an effigy in front of Amnesty International here. We had in prior warned them against any effigy burning as it is a residential area and from the security point of view," he said. The protesters alleged that the police under the DCP's leadership behaved in an "inhuman" way and more than 10 ABVP activists were injured in the lathicharge. Calling their protest "peaceful", ABVP national general secretary Vinay Bidre said, "We demanded that police vacate Amnesty staff who were recording our protest from their office. We told the police we won't cause any harm to them. We did not try to barge into their premises and tried to burn Amnesty's effigy, but police unnecessarily used force on us." He accused the Congress-led Karnataka government and police of protecting those involved in anti-national sloganeering. Stating that ABVP would continue its protest, Bidre claimed, "We will intensify our protest across the state after today's atrocity, we will show this government student power." As a precautionary step, police have asked Amnesty International India to keep its office in Bengaluru closed until the ABVP protest subsides, following which the organisation had asked its employees to work from other locations. Amnesty International had on Saturday organised the event as part of a campaign to seek justice for "victims of human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir, which took an ugly turn with heated exchanges and alleged raising of pro-Kashmir 'Independence' and anti-Army slogans. ABVP activists had submitted a CD containing video recording of the event after filing a complaint with police, who have registered a FIR against Amnesty International. IPC sections 142 (Being member of an unlawful assembly), 143 (whoever is a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) have been invoked against the organisation. Patna: Lalu Prasad, whose RJD is a major ally of the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar, has advised habitual drinkers to consume "toddy", locally called "tadi", to avoid incidents like the hooch tragedy that has killed 16 people. Lalu, who described the hooch tragedy in Gopalganj as a 'heart wrenching incident', said in his own style: "Sarab bandi ke baad ab jo milega jahrila hi milega. Aisi ghatna se sabak le, jaruri ho to tadi piyen. (After the liquor ban what you get will be poisonous. Draw a lesson from this, and if necessary drink toddy)". For hundreds of thousands of people in rural Bihar toddy is considered the poor man's beer and regarded as natural juice. For ages, toddy has been a favourite of villagers as a natural drink from the palm tree. Soon after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced total prohibition in the state from April 5, 2016, a large number of people, including alcoholics, thronged toddy shops after the government banned "desi" or, country-made liquor as well as foreign made liquor. But later the state government also banned the sale of toddy, which was opposed by the people, including by Lalu as well as the opposition BJP and its allies. According to RJD leaders, Lalu was not in favour of banning toddy. Lalu Prasad as Chief Minister in the early '90s had declared toddy tax-free in Bihar to help the people engaged in the business, particularly the 'Pasi' caste Dalits. However, last month in view of increasing pressure from main ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar decided to lift the ban on the sale and consumption of toddy. The move was welcomed by the people. Toddy is cheap and easily available at roadside shops and open fields in the morning and evening in rural areas. It is also available in urban localities. Mumbai: Asserting that education is fundamental to bringing social change in society, Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said, the government is giving final touches to the New Education Policy, which will lay thrust on quality education for all. The minister said suggestions on the draft education policy are welcome and a deadline for comments on the draft was extended till September 15 this year. Speaking at a function organised in Ruia College, Mumbai to facilitate meritorious poor students, Javadekar said that active participation of society was also essential for ensuring education for all. Javadekar said the education policy should be in sync with contemporary realities and address the aspirations of the new generation. He called active participation of society essential for ensuring education for all. "You cannot entrust the entire responsibility to government alone," he said. The minister expressed concern that there were 20 lakh vacancies of teachers at various levels from primary schools to IITs. He urged students to consider teaching as an honourable career option, not confining themselves to engineering and medical fields. On the occasion Javadekar also handed over financial assistance to meritorious poor students who had scored high marks in SSC examination of Maharashtra Board, fighting against all odds. Moscow: Russia on Friday denied that one of its air raids hit a dazed and bloodied Syrian boy whose heart-wrenching photograph has drawn worldwide attention. The defence ministry issued an official denial that it carried out a strike on eastern Aleppo on Wednesday evening when the images of four-year-old Omran were taken. "The Russian planes operating in Syria never work on targets that are inside settled areas," ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement. The photographer who shot the video for Aleppo Media Centre, a network of activists, told AFP he took the images after an air strike on Wednesday night hit the Qaterji neighbourhood in eastern Aleppo. Konashenkov said Qaterji was particularly out of bounds for Russian strikes because it adjoins two of the humanitarian corridors Moscow has opened for residents to flee. He branded Western media reports on Omran as a "cynical exploitation" of the tragic situation in eastern Aleppo and "cliched anti-Russian propaganda". He suggested the attack could have been carried out by rebels in Aleppo using homemade rockets to target roads close to the humanitarian corridors to undermine Russia`s efforts. He also suggested however that the area where Omran was may not have been bombed at all, citing footage of unbroken windows. "If a strike really did take place," he said, it was not an aerial strike but either a gas cylinder "used in large quantities there by terrorists" or a mortar shell. Russia said Thursday that its strikes by warplanes based in Iran hit areas held by the Islamic State jihadist group in Deir Ezzor province, the third day of raids from the Hamedan base. Chandigarh: The Haryana government has recommended a CBI probe into the incidents of arson and violence during the Jat agitation for reservation in Rohtak, including the attack on the residence of state Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu. The Centre has been requested to probe the "criminal and political" angle to the large-scale violence and vandalism of public property, including the residence of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Circuit House, the minister's house and government buildings, a source said. Rohtak was the epicentre of the Jat agitation for quota in jobs and education in which over 30 lives were lost and property worth hundreds of crore of rupees was destroyed. Several government and private buildings were damaged by protesters, including Capt Abhimanyu's palatial house, which had evoked widespread criticism and anger. On February 19, a mob broke into the minister's house, set it ablaze and allegedly tried to kill nine members of his family. The minister, who was in Chandigarh at that time, had later said, "It was a political conspiracy to wipe out my entire family...This was a conspiracy by disgruntled elements and political opponents who could not make it to power corridors through democratic ways." The minister has welcomed the probe by the central agency, saying "everybody wants to know the truth". New Delhi: Karima Baloch, the Baloch Students Organisation chairperson, on Friday addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as her brother and urged him to be the voice of Baloch genocide, war crimes, and human rights violation at international forums. Taking to Twitter, Karima shared a video of hers on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan in which she said: On this day I have come to you and would like to say that we consider you as our brother. And we expect that you become the voice of Baloch genocide, war crimes in Balochistan, human rights violation in international forums and become the voice of those sisters whose brothers are missing. Here is the video she tweeted: My #RakhshaBandhan msg to India's PM @NarendraModi on behalf of my #Balochistan sisters who lost their brothers. https://t.co/VSUK4Le32f Karima Baloch (@KarimaBaloch) August 19, 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi had supported "freedom" for Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in his Independence Day speech on Monday. In a first for any Prime Minister in an August 15 address, Modi referred to human rights abuses in these areas. "The world is watching. People of Balochistan, Gilgit, Baltistan and occupied Kashmir have thanked me a lot in the past few days. I am grateful to them," Modi said, referring to his comments last week on excesses in Pakistan's largest province and in the part of Kashmir it holds. Pasighat: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday said that the Chinese army had transgressed the border of Arunachal Pradesh on two occasions last month, but these could not be described as incursion. "We cannot term it as incursion, but transgression, as the Chinese army just crossed the perceived area along the Line of Actual Control," he told reporters here after inaugurating the Pasighat Advance Landing Ground (ALG) in the northeastern state. Rijiju said one incident was reported from Kibithu area in remote Anjaw district on July 22 and another at Thangsa in Tawang district during the month. He said when the matter was reported from Kibithu by ITBP, the Centre verified it and found that it was only an act of transgression. The ALG will allow fighter aircraft like Su 30 MKI to land and take off in a major fillip to India's military capabilities along its border with China. On government's efforts to match China's infrastructure development across the border, Rijiju said that the Centre had already started strengthening the infrastructure and the ALG at Pasighat was a major step in this direction. "We are not challenging or competing with any other country by strengthening our border infrastructure. We will have to build robust infrastructure to strengthen our defence and whatever we have done is because India is an emerging power with capability. "So IAF should have operational bases in all the bordering states," he said, noting that the Centre attaches priority to development of border infrastructure. Asked about the proposed ALG at Tawang, the minister said an area had been identified between Tawang and Lumla at an altitude of 11,000 feet and at that height, such a rugged terrain was very challenging. "We will have to see whether the site is feasible or otherwise we will have to look for an alternative place," he said. To a question about some leaders of insurgent outfits from the northeast taking shelter in Myanmar, Rijiju said that India has requested Myanmar to take action against the insurgent groups taking shelter in that country. "There are reports of some leaders of insurgent outfits from the northeast taking shelter in Myanmar and we are in constant talks with the government of that country requesting it to take action against them," the minister said. New Delhi: A Delhi Police constable was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in outer Delhi on Friday evening, police said. According to a senior police officer, the incident took place at around 9.18 p.m. at Samosa Chowk area of Shahabad Dairy in outer Delhi. "A PCR call was made at 9.20 p.m. about a quarrel in the area, but the constable was found critically injured with the bullet injury there," the senior police officer told IANS. The victim has been identified as Anand. A case has been registered and investigation is on. Islamabad: Ignoring India's offer to hold talks on cross-border terrorism, Pakistan on Friday invited Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss Kashmir dispute "as per the UN Security Council Resolutions". Upping the ante, it called for an immediate end to "human rights violations in Kashmir" and sought permission for Pakistani doctors and paramedics to travel to the state. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said its Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry had given a reply to Jaishankar's proposal for talks on cross-border terror. The reply was handed over to Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambwale by Chaudhry in Islamabad. The spokesperson said the letter invites the Indian Foreign Secretary to visit "Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, with a view to finding a fair and just solution, as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations" of the people of the state. Pakistan has also called for "putting an immediate end to the human rights violations against the innocent people" of Jammu and Kashmir and for providing medical facilities to the injured, "including the permission for doctors and paramedics to travel." Earlier, Pakistan had on Monday invited India for talks on Kashmir, saying it is the "international obligation" of both the countries to resolve the issue. However, India on Wednesday rejected Pakistan's proposal to hold Foreign Secretary-level talks on Kashmir and insisted that discussions should be held on "aspects related to cross- border terrorism which are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir." Jaishankar, while expressing willingness to travel to Islamabad to discuss cross-border terrorism, had maintained that Pakistan has no locus standi in addressing any aspect of the situation in J&K, which is an internal matter of India, except to put an end to cross-border terrorism and infiltration. Ballia: Lashing out at Pakistan, BJP MP Yogi Adityanath has said if the neighbouring country dares to fight with India, its existence would be in danger and that Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would soon be a part of India. The BJP lawmaker from Gorakhpur, who was here to attend a function in Rasra area, said last night that India should take a stand on the issue of Balochistan. On senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh's comments referring to Kashmir as "India-occupied Kashmir", Yogi said Singh's reaction reflected the values of his party. Holding the Congress responsible for Kashmir problem, he said if Sardar Patel would have got the responsibility in place of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the issue would have not arisen. He said time has come for freedom of PoK and it would be part of India soon. On Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's appeal to Pakistan Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, to send troops to Kashmir to "obey" the pending order of M A Jinnah, Yogi said the neighbouring country has suffered four crushing defeats. Addressing a rally held under the banner of 'Defence Council of Pakistan' in Karachi on Sunday, Saeed had claimed, "Kashmiris had announced before the partition that they wanted to remain with Pakistan. But after the partition, India forcibly sent Army to Jammu and Kashmir. "On this, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah ordered his commander-in-chief to respond by sending troops but he refused (to obey his orders). Now, I ask Gen Raheel Sharif to send troops in Jammu and Kashmir as Quaid-e-Azam's order is pending," Saeed had said. Pasighat: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday said there had been reports of the Chinese Army transgressing into Arunachal Pradesh on two occasions recently. One incident was reported from Kibithu area in remote Anjaw district on July 22 and another at Thangsa in Tawang district in the same month, the minister told reporters here after inaugurating the Pasighat Advance Landing Ground. Rijiju said he was not describing these as acts of incursion, but transgression. "We cannot term it as an incursion, but transgression as the Chinese Army just crossed the perceived area along the Line of Actual Control," he said. He said when the matter was reported from Kibithu by the ITBP, the Centre verified it and found that it was only an act of transgression. Asked about the government's efforts to match China's infrastructure development across the border, the Union minister said the Centre had already begun strengthening infrastructure across the border and the ALG at Pasighat was a major step in this direction. "We are not challenging or competing with any other country by strengthening our border infrastructure. We will have to build a robust infrastructure to strengthen our defence and whatever we did is because India is an emerging power with capability. So IAF should have operational bases in all the bordering states," he said. He said the NDA government at the Centre attached priority to the development of border infrastructure. Asked about the proposed ALG at Tawang, the minister said an area had been identified between Tawang and Lumla at an altitude of 11,000 feet and the height in such a rugged terrain was very challenging. "We will have to see whether the site is feasible or will have to look for an alternative," he said. When his attention was drawn to the civilian terminal at the ALG at Pasighat which is yet to be constructed, Rijiju said three locations were identified and he would discuss the matter with the Airport Authority of India and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the new face of Incredible India campaign, it has been reported. According to India Today, the Union Culture and Tourism Ministry, which runs the campaign, has picked PM Modi for the job after much deliberations. The ministry has also asked the producers to submit the concepts of the ad films, which will show PM Modi speaking about the significance of different places, in a week's time. Earlier, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma had hinted that PM Modi is the "best face" for the campaign. Actor Aamir Khan was the last brand ambassador for the campaign. However, his contract was not renewed after his "leaving India" remark, which triggered a major controversy. Since then, several names, including superstar Amitabh Bachchan, were doing the rounds to lead the campaign. Finally, the ministry has zeroed in on PM Modi. PM Modi has emerged as an ideal choice as he has been touring the world and making efforts to have India's voice heard on globally. Srinagar: As unrest continues in Kashmir, Army Friday appealed for calm, saying "everyone needs to step back" and sit together to find a way out of the current situation. Asking everyone involved to look at ways to de-escalate the situation rather than provoking it further, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda said while security forces have been directed to exercise maximum restraint, the other side also needs to see that security forces, police stations and bases of security forces are not attacked. He said the "cycle of conflict and violence" has been going on for more than 40 days now and "no one is going to get away from it unhurt". "My appeal is for calm. We have to sit down, put our heads together and see if we can find a way out of this situation. So everybody, who is in anyway involved in J&K, needs to introspect and see what we can do to stop it. It is not person or one organisation which can do it (alone)," the top Army commander told reporters here. "It is a statement of facts because everybody is involved, whether it is security forces, whether it is separatists, governments, students leaders. My appeal is to everyone. We need to find a way forward from this," he added. He noted that the unrest has affected the children who cannot go to school, the youth, those in the hospital, as also employees, traders and even the policemen and security forces. The unrest and the cycle of violence began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8. Asked if his appeal was addressed to the separatists, Lt Gen Hooda said "everyone needs to step back. Where are the protest calendars coming from?" Separatists have been issuing calendars for protests, with the latest week-long schedule issued only yesterday. In response to a question, he said a decision has been taken that Army will provide assistance to security forces and police in securing the highways and district roads in order to ensure movement of vehicular traffic during the day. "This will instill a sense of normalcy. Law and order is dealt with by the police and CRPF. We will provide whatever assistance in terms of reinforcement at police stations where the number of police personnel is low," he said. Asked if there was a possibility of Army taking over Kashmir, Lt Gen Hooda said "the situation is not there for the Army to take over". He said the unrest has affected the counter insurgency operations but the forces will resume these in right earnest. "The civil disturbance has affected the operations, particularly in South Kashmir. A deliberate decision has been taken to go after the terrorists. It will start in right earnest," he said. Srinagar: Authorities continued curfew and restrictions across Kashmir on Friday as the separatists announced extension of the protest shutdown till August 25. "Curfew shall continue in Anantnag, Magam town and parts of Srinagar city while restrictions shall remain in force at other places," a senior police official said here. The police has lodged an FIR under section 302 of criminal procedure code (CrPc)against army personnel for the alleged murder of a teacher, Shabir Ahmad Mongu of Khrew area in Pulwama district. Family and villagers alleged that army personnel ruthlessly beat the teacher to death as they ransacked homes in the area on Thursday. The death toll has risen to 67 in the ongoing cycle of violence that started here on July 9 after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed. Meanwhile, Baseer Khan, Kashmir divisional commissioner has scorched rumours that oil companies have stopped supplies of fuels to the Valley. Khan said the oil companies had issues of security to tankers bringing in supplies and they had been assured adequate security. All educational institutions, shops, public transport and other businesses have remained closed. Srinagar: The CRPF has informed Jammu and Kashmir High Court that if pellet guns are banned as a crowd control measure, its personnel will be forced to fire bullets in extreme situations, which can cause more fatalities. "In case, this (pellet gun) is withdrawn from the options available with the CRPF, CRPF personnel would have no recourse in extreme situations but to open fire with rifles, which may cause more fatalities," the CRPF said in an affidavit submitted to the High Court on Wednesday. The paramilitary force submitted the affidavit in response to a PIL filed before the court, seeking ban on use of pellet guns as a means for crowd control mechanism in the Valley, which has been rocked by violent protests since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. The force said pellet guns were introduced in 2010 and were an accepted weapon of riot control. It said that following the standard operating procedures while dealing with a dynamic law and order problem is difficult in case of moving, bending and running target. The SOP regarding use of firearms for crowd control in extreme situations requires that the weapon be aimed below the waist. "But the situation prevailing on the streets during an ongoing law and order incident is dynamic and mobile. "In such a situation, sometimes it is difficult to go in for precise aimed fire at a moving, bending and running target," it said. The CRPF said it has fired around 3,500 pellet cartridges from July 9 to August 11 during violence by protesters in the Valley. The PIL was filed by Kashmir High Court Bar Association on July 30. While the CRPF and BSF have submitted their replies, the state government has not filed its response so far. The case is listed for hearing tomorrow again. Hyderabad: Former Supreme Court judge N Santosh Hegde has said slapping of sedition charges against Amnesty International for hosting an event in Bengaluru where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised is justified, even as he questioned the credibility of the NGO. He said Amnesty International cannot "run away" from its responsibility by saying that none of its employees shouted slogans. "What's the responsibility of Amnesty International? They should have known that when you bring these people and allow whatever they want to speak, (and) then to say I am not responsible. No, you have made a platform available to them... You are an abettor. You cannot run away from that," Hegde, also the former Solicitor General of India told PTI. "Raising pro-independence slogans amounts to sedition. It amounts to sedition according to me," he said. "Let's take the institution's (Amnesty's) crediblity. What did Amnesty International do when soldiers were killed ? What did Amnesty International do when other terrorist activities were taking place in this country? Did they ever call a meeting like this? You try to get some popularity and when it backfires, you run away from it," he said. "Taking into consideration what was spoken in the Bengaluru incident, I would say it certainly amounts to sedition," the former Karnataka Lokayukta said. At the event organised by the Amnesty on Saturday, anti-India slogans were allegedly raised during a discussion on Kashmir, prompting the authorities to book the NGO under relevant IPC sections including sedition. Amnesty, on its part, has rejected as "without substance" the allegations made by ABVP, which had also filed a police complaint in connection with the event and submitted a CD of the proceedings, and claimed that none of its employees shouted any anti-India slogans at any point. Thiruvananthapuram: There should be a CBI investigation into the reported disappearance of gold worth crores from the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here, former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan said on Friday. The veteran CPI-M leader said in a statement issued here that when he brought up the shady deals going on in the temple long ago, he was attacked on grounds that had little to do with reason or facts. Achuthanandan said he felt vindicated as a Supreme Court-ordered audit carried out by former Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Vinod Rai stated that "gold worth Rs 186 crore has been stolen." "The only way to find out the truth about the stolen gold is a CBI probe," added Achuthanandan. The affairs of the temple were looked fter by the erstwhile Travancore royal family until 2014 when a Supreme Court bench entrusted the administration of the temple to a five-member panel. The court's order was based on a report submitted by amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium that things were not fine under the administration of the erstwhile Travancore royal family. The court was originally moved in 2011 by former Indian POlice Service officer-turned lawyer T.P. Sundara Rajan who asked for an inventory of the temple's treasures to be prepared. The court decided to take stock of the previous stock of gold and other valuable treasures worth more than Rs one lakh crore and also asked former CAG Vinod Rai to conduct an audit of the accounts of the temple for the past 25 years. Rai's report is believed to run into 1,800 pages. It recommended a committee to be formed to probe the discrepancies that he flagged. Since 2011, the temple and its surrounding area are under a heavy security cover and visitor arrivals have multiplied also. The royal family has expressed its displeasure over Rai's report, saying he never spoke with them in his enquiries. Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) veteran and former chief minister V S Achuthanandan today sought a CBI inquiry into the alleged theft of gold articles from the famous Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple here. Achuthanandan, in a statement here, said it has been revealed that gold, valued at Rs 186 crore, had been stolen from the secret treasure vaults of the centuries-old shrine. The Marxist leader said both the Supreme Court appointed amicus curiae and the committee headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai had come to the same conclusion that "gold valuables had been stolen." "In this circumstances, those who are behind the theft have to be exposed. For this, a CBI inquiry is necessary," Achuthanandan said. He also pointed out that he had years ago publicly stated about the alleged theft at the shrine. "But, at that time, many people had tried to level false allegations against me," he said, adding observations by the amicus curiae and a committee headed by the former CAG had virtually shut the mouth of these people. There were reports that the committee headed by Vinod Rai had found "abnormal" increase in the expenditure at the temple and gold pots valued at Rs 186 crore had gone missing and that it had recommended constitution of a panel to probe the "irregularities". One of the richest shrines in south India, the temple is now under the administration of a committee appointed by the Supreme Court as a case is pending in the court over issues related to its management. The Administrative Committee is headed by a district and sessions judge. The Padmanabha Swamy temple shot to international fame after treasures worth crores of rupees were found in the secret vaults of the temple basement four years ago. Bhopal: Life in the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions of Madhya Pradesh has been severely affected by floods caused by heavy rains with reports that scores of families have been marooned and are waiting to be rescued. The authorities have commissioned a helicopter to rescue six persons who are perched for many hours on a tree in Magraj village in Amarpatan area of the Satna district, Superintendent of Police Mithilesh Shukla said on Friday. More people across Satna district are reportedly marooned by flood waters and need rescuing -- including many families in Ganeshpur in Maihar area and Madhavgarh Majar area. Continuous rains have flooded many villages and caused rivers and streams to overflow in Rewa and Satna districts in the Vindhya region and Chhattarpur, Panna, Damoh and Tikamgarh districts in Bundelkhand. In Rewa, rivers have risen and vital roads have been flooded. The Tamsa river has risen after dam water was released into it, threatening to inundate villages situated along its banks. Chhattarpur has received continuous rains for two days with its rivers in spate and low-lying areas flooded. Road links with many villages in this district are now under floodwaters. Overflowing rivers in Tikamgarh district have also snapped road links with Chhatarpur and Lalitpur. Mumbai: In an unexpected move, Dr Santosh Pol, dubbed as 'Dr Death', praised police for cracking the case that led to his arrest last week. In a hand-written note addressed to Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil, Dr Death, arrested for murdering at least six persons between 2003 and 2016, saying, "SP Sir, firstly a great salute to you". The letter read: "If you ask me why I am doing all this, then the question should be asked to the corrupt officials from the (police) department and the dormant society between 2003 and 2016. It was a police inspector from the local crime branch and the in-charge officer of Wai police station who cracked the case last month. 'Dr Death' was arrested last week on the charges of kidnapping and killing a 49-year-old aanganwadi worker. The persons whom Pol allegedly killed comprised five women and one man. As per the police, Pol killed Surekha Chikane on May 20, 2003. On August 12, 2006, he killed Vanita Gaikwad; on August 13, 2010, he killed Jagabai Pol. Nathamal Bhandari, a jeweller, was killed on December 7, 2015. On January 17, 2016, he murdered Salma Shaikh, and on June 16 he killed Mangala Jedhe. It was Jedhe's disappearance which led the police to him. Pol and his associate, a nurse Jyoti Pandurang Mandre, have been arrested and charged with the kidnap and murder of Mangal Jedhe, which blew the lid off the shocking crimes. Imphal: Irom Sharmila, who recently ended her fast-unto-death, had a pleasant surprise on Friday when her aged mother, Sakhi, came to meet her after 16 years. Sharmila said, "It was quite a surprise that my mother came to visit me after 16 years. She and my sister came to meet me." Sharmila said that she explained her new strategy to demand repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, from Manipur. It was not immediately known if her mother believed her. It is also not known what transpired during their talks. Reports say that her elder brother, Singhajit, had also come to visit her. But Sharmila said, "He did not meet me." It was also reported that the family has not disowned her. When Sharmila started her fast on November 4, 2000, for repeal of AFSPA, her mother blessed her and said she should return home only after accomplishing her mission. When Sharmila ended her fast on August 9 all sections of people disowned her. She was not allowed to stay in any locality by the people. Eventually she had to return to the hospital room which has been her home for the last 16 years. The Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur branch, offered her accommodation. However she has not shifted there so far. Sharmila has said that she wants to get married. She said she will join politics to become the next Chief Minister so that she could lift AFSPA. Even her close supporters, including Save Sharmila Organisation, have distanced themselves from her. She has slowly started taking solid food. Pasighat (Arunachal): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday dedicated to the nation the Pasighat advanced landing ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh which will allow fighter aircraft like Su 30 MKI to land and take off, in a major fillip to India's military capabilities along its border with China. Terming it a red letter day in the history of the state, Rijiju said with the formal inauguration of the ALG that is capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters after Tezpur and Chabua, development process has started in the state which was lagging behind even after 70 years of independence. Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command, who was present on the occasion said, "The ALG would enhance air support capability for the Army, paramilitary forces and the civil administration and would facilitate air connectivity for the people of Arunachal Pradesh with the rest of the country." Pasighat ALG is a strategic asset and would be one of the operating bases under the Eastern Air Command capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters, Easterm Air Command spokesperson said. Activation of this ALG would not only improve the response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of the air operations in the eastern frontier. The Union Minister of State for Home said, "The Northeast region abundant with rich natural resources is lagging behind in terms of development due to various reasons and the NDA government at the Centre is committed for its development on par with other parts of the country." "The Northeast, a jewel in the country's crown was known to the rest of the country only after the 1962 Chinese aggression," he said. Rijiju added that the commitment of the Centre was proved after Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed all the ministers to personally visit the region along with departmental officers to oversee the requirements. Bulandshahr: The interrogation of six persons arrested in the Bulandshahr gang-rape case has led to startling revelations. In a shocking disclosure, the six criminals arrested in the case, have confessed of being involved in more than 50 gang-rapes and dacoity incidents. The report was published in IBN Live. Main accused Salim Bawaria told the police that on June 30 the gang had targeted a family in Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. The dreaded criminal confessed to gang-raping the girl of the family. Not only, after sexually assaulting the girl, the gang members brutally attacked her, following which the girl later died in a hospital. Divulging further, Salim reportedly told his interrogators that in July, his gang successfully led four dacoity incidents on National Highway-91 and admitted to being involved in a gang-raped incident in Khurja area. Besides being active in Uttar Pradesh, the gang was involved in similar crime incidents in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttarakhand, the report stated. The criminals targeted families in Bulandshahr, Baghpat, Shamli, Nainital, Ranchi, Bihar Sharif, Patna and Asansol. A woman and her 13-year-old daughter were brutally gang-raped at gunpoint after being dragged out of their car in Bulandshahr on NH-91 when they were travelling with their family from Noida to Shahjahanpur on July 29. The case led to huge uproar and a total of six persons were arrested in connection with the incident. Lucknow: Incessant rains in many parts of Uttar Pradesh have resulted in floods and rivers including the Ganga and Yamuna continue to be in spate, an official said on Friday. More than two dozen houses were destroyed in Bahraich as the Ghagras river breached an embankment and flooded the city. The rains and rise in river water has led to submerging of many low lying areas in Allahabad and Varanasi as the water from the Ganga has breached the danger mark, the official told IANS. "People have been asked to move to safer places" a district official informed while adding that NDRF and PAC personnel have been deployed for rescue operations at some places. The river has breached the danger mark in the Elgin bridge area and the Ghaghra is flowing 30 cm above the danger mark. More than two dozen houses in the Kayampur area, including a primary school have collapsed due the floods. All the stairs at Sheetla Ghat in Varanasi have been submerged. Three persons were killed in Varanasi on Thursday when heavy rains resulted in the collapse of a house in Mirzamurad area. The deceased belong to the same family. Six persons of a family were killed in Mirzapur when the car they were travelling fell into an overflowing drain. The family was headed for a religious Sufi shrine - Dargah Sharif in Chunar. The Regional Met department has predicted continued rains in eastern Uttar Pradesh while off and rains were also likely in central and western parts of the state. Aligarh: A Samajawadi Party leader's nephew was stabbed to death here after which mobs went on a rampage and ransacked half a dozen shops. Mohammad Adil (20), nephew of SP's district vice president Sagheer Ahmad, and his friend Faheem Chaudhary were stabbed by about six armed men in Civil lines area last night, police said here today. The two were rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College where Adil succumbed to his injuries. One of the assailants was nabbed by locals, while the others escaped. As the news spread, protesters took to the street and ransacked several shops and also attacked a police picket. Police said that the motive behind the killing was still not clear but it was working on important clues. Additional Superintendent of Police A K Srivastava said that an FIR had been filed this morning on the basis of the complaint filed by the victim's family. The main accused in the FIR is Sameer Chaudhary, Kakrala, who has a long criminal history. Lucknow: An Uttar Pradesh Police constable was critically injured when he was shot by a colleague following a spat in Bastipur district on late Thursday night, officials said on Friday. Officials said the incident took place at Hanumanganj police station, where both constables -- Kameshwar and Hari Kishore Tiwari -- are posted. Another constable Rakesh sustained bullet injury while trying to calm tempers. Kameshwar, who shot his colleagues, has been arrested. Critically injured Tiwari had to be rushed to the Lucknow Trauma centre for treatment. The incident occured after both Kameshwar and Tiwari drank liquor at the police station and headed for food at a roadside eatery where they had a bitter quarrel, resulting in the shooting. Kameshwar shot Tiwari and when Rakesh tried to pacify them, he shot him also. Rakesh sustained a gunshot injury in his arm. Senior police officials, who rushed to the crime scene, had to overpower Kameshwar to arrest him. Tiwari admitted tp the trauma centre in Lucknow continues to be critical, officials said. Moscow: Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack on a traffic police post outside Moscow on Wednesday in which both attackers were killed, calling it revenge for Russia`s aerial bombing campaign in Syria. The militant group made the claim via the Amaq news agency, which it regularly uses to issue statements, and released a video in which the purported attackers said they wanted to take revenge for Russia killing Muslims in the Middle East. Russia has been bombing militants in Syria since September last year, part of a military campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad. Islamic State called on its members to carry out jihad or holy war in Russia in a YouTube video last month, after which the Kremlin said such threats would not affect its fight against international terrorism. "We have taken the path of jihad on the orders of our Amir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi," one of the purported attackers said on the video released by Amaq, speaking in a mix of Arabic and Russian. The video named the attackers as Uthman Mardalov and Salim Israilov. "We have called this operation `revenge operation`. Revenge for you bombing our brothers, because you kill our brothers every day in Syria and Iraq. ... This will be the start of everything that will come to you." Russian investigators said on Wednesday that two unidentified people armed with a firearm and two axes had attacked a traffic police post outside Moscow. One of them was shot dead while attacking the post, while the other was killed when he tried to put up armed resistance, the Investigative Committee said in a statement. Two police officers were wounded in the attack, one seriously. Tokyo: Japan aims to develop a prototype drone fighter jet in two decades with private sector help in a technology strategy that focuses on weapons communications and lasers, according to a document seen by Reuters. The plan will be announced this month when the Defence Ministry also unveils its request for a record budget of 5.16 trillion yen ($51 billion) for fiscal 2017, as tension rises in the East China Sea and North Korea steps up its missile threat, government officials with direct knowledge of the matter said. The military technology plan calls for first developing an unmanned surveillance aircraft in the next decade and then an unmanned fighter jet 10 years later, the document showed. The rise of 2.3 percent over this year`s budget of 5.05 trillion yen marks the fifth successive annual increase sought by the ministry, which is keen to stiffen Japan`s defences as North Korea upgrades its ballistic missile technology. However, one security analyst said the spending was insufficient. "The security environment surrounding Japan is severe, due to neighbouring North Korea and China," said Takashi Kawakami, a security expert at Japan`s Takushoku University. "I personally think it`s not enough." Japan will this month formally unveil budget requests for its defence and other ministries for the year ending March 2018. The defence ministry`s request covers the 100 billion yen cost to upgrade Japan`s PAC-3 missile defence system, said one government source, who declined to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media. Such an upgrade would roughly double the missile system`s range to more than 30 km (19 miles), other sources have said. The budget proposal also includes the cost of production of the Block IIA version of the Standard Missile-3 system being jointly developed with the United States to shoot down missiles at higher altitudes, the source added. The ministry will also allocate budget funds to acquire an upgraded version of the F-35 stealth fighter, made by U.S. company Lockheed Martin Corp, the source said. The budget request also includes the cost of strengthening the coast guard in the southern islands of Miyakojima and Amami Oshima to allay worries over China`s more assertive activities in the East China Sea, said the source. Tension mounted this month after a growing number of Chinese coast guard and other vessels sailed near disputed islets in the East China Sea. Japan, China and South Korea are in talks to hold a meeting of their foreign ministers next week. Beijing: Myanmar`s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi expects China to support historic peace talks with armed groups near the countries` troubled joint border, she said Friday during a landmark visit overshadowed by a stalled dam project. "We do believe that as a good neighbour China will do everything possible to promote our peace process," Suu Kyi told reporters in Beijing ahead of meeting China`s President Xi Jinping. "China, as a neighbour which shares a very important border along which there are many ethnic armed groups, is important in its goodwill," she added. Myanmar will hold a long-planned conference with armed ethnic groups later this month, as Suu Kyi targets peace as a prelude to rebooting the economy after her party won a landslide election victory. "If you ask me what my most important aim is for my country, that is to achieve peace and unity among the different peoples of our union," Suu Kyi said. "Without peace, there can be no sustained development". Several complex ethnic conflicts -- with some groups fighting the government for decades -- simmer across Myanmar`s poor and militarised borderlands, hampering efforts to build up the country`s economy after the end of junta rule. Some of the groups have ethnic and cultural links to the neighbouring Chinese province of Yunnan, and the porous border is notorious for trade in drugs, arms and precious stones. Suu Kyi`s first major foreign trip since her civilian administration took power in March has been dominated by the $3.6 billion Beijing-backed Myitsone dam, on hold since protests in 2011. China has been pressing for its resumption ever since. Suu Kyi confirmed that Myanmar had set up a committee to review the project, without saying whether it would be resumed. "It is for the commission to find out what the best answer is," she said. "I cannot say now what the best solution is."Beijing was instrumental in shielding Myanmar`s former junta rulers from international sanctions while Suu Kyi, now State Counsellor, languished for over a decade under house arrest as a democracy activist. At the time Myitsone --- -- originally designed to supply most of its electricity to China -- was seen as emblematic of Beijing`s economic dominance over Myanmar. The state-run Global Times acknowledged that a "real breakthrough" on the dam was unlikely during the visit, but insisted: "It is only a matter of time before the project will be resumed." The newspaper, which is close to the ruling Communist Party also chided people in Myanmar who claim that Beijing is exploiting the country`s resources. "The misguided thought is the result of people`s impulse at the initial stage of democratisation and the manipulation of the Western media," it said. Myanmar has drawn closer to the United States during its transition to civilian rule. But the state-run China Daily said in an editorial that Suu Kyi`s visit showed she was a "political realist" who realises the importance of "reassuring" China. Suu Kyi insisted that she would pursue the same "non-aligned" foreign policy as her predecessors. Domestically, job creation and agricultural development were top priorities following her administration`s first 100 days in office, she said. "The 100 days have not made a great difference to the economic scene in Burma. The more important projects will start taking off in the next three to four months," she said. She vowed to follow a different development strategy than the export-led model favoured by China and other East Asian countries. "There are many people who still think that the way to economic development is through garment factories," she said. "But I sometimes wonder if that is very 20th century, and we`re now in the 21st century". Beijing: China`s Navy has carried out drills in the Sea of Japan, the Chinese military`s official newspaper said on Friday, describing the exercises as routine and done in accordance with international law and practice. The Chinese navy has increasingly been exercising in waters far from home as it seeks to hone its operational abilities. Last year, five Chinese ships carried out exercises in international waters in the Bering Sea off Alaska. The People`s Liberation Army Daily did not say exactly where the latest drills took place, describing it only as a "certain part of the Sea of Japan". Drill commander Xu Haihua said the exercises were part of routine annual arrangements and were meant to help improve the fleet`s ability to fight far out at sea. The paper said some of the ships involved were on their way back from the US-hosted Rim of the Pacific exercise, or RIMPAC, held in Hawaii. "Exercises far out at sea in international waters are commonly done by navies of the world, and this year our navy has many times organised fleets to carry out exercises far out in the Western Pacific," the newspaper said. "This deep sea exercise is part of annual training arrangements, is not aimed at any specific country, region or target, and accords with international law and practice," it said. The Sea of Japan is a strategic waterway bordered by Japan, Russia, South Korea and North Korea. Islamabad: A Pakistani man has stabbed 17 women this year, killing one, in a misogynistic spree because he wanted "revenge" for a cruel stepmother, police in the garrison city of Rawalpindi said Friday. Mohammad Ali, 22, targeted women in the streets at random from late January until this month, police investigator Malik Zulfiqar Hussain told AFP. "He told police, `I hate women, I was taking revenge,`" Hussain said. "He has confessed to injuring 17 women," Hussain said, adding that Ali had used a knife. "One of them was a hospital nurse, who died this week." Ali told officers his mother had died when he was young and his father married again, but that the second wife had mistreated him. He has been charged with murder and attempt to murder, Hussain added. A second police official confirmed the account. Ali said his only target was women of any age, and described how he would lay in wait and attack whenever the opportunity arose, according to Hussain. All the attacks took place in the streets of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad. Women in deeply conservative Pakistan have fought for their rights for years, in a patriarchal society where so-called "honour" killings and attacks on women remain commonplace. Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday arrived in annexed Crimea, Russian news agencies reported, days after he accused Kiev of attempting an armed incursion into the peninsula. Putin is to chair a meeting of his powerful security council in Crimea and visit a youth forum on his fifth visit to the strategic Black Sea peninsula since annexing it from Ukraine in March 2014. The visit comes after Putin last week lashed out at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea and Ukraine, accusing it of "practising terror" and sending a group of saboteurs into Crimea ahead of the elections. Two Russian officers were killed in the incident, in which Ukraine denied any involvement. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshnko on Thursday said he considered the likelihood of an escalation "high" and could not rule out a "full-scale Russian invasion along all fronts." Kiev said yesterday heavy rebel shelling killed three soldiers in its east, where the government has been battling pro-Russian separatists since 2014. Western leaders expressed alarm at the possibility of any escalation. Rome: Two Syrian girls, one of them an eight-month-old baby, are among up to six people who died when a boat carrying would-be migrants to Europe capsized off Libya Thursday, rescuers said. Five bodies were recovered and one passenger was missing, presumed drowned, following the capsize on Thursday. Some of the 21 survivors told aid workers there had been 27 people from eight Syrian families on the boat. The Phoenix, a rescue boat run by the Malta-based NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) and the Italian Red Cross (CRI), recovered the corpses of two women, one man and the baby while the five-year-old`s body was picked up by a fishing boat, the organisations said. Details of the tragedy emerged as the world`s attention has been re-focused on the crisis in Syria by this week`s poignant pictures of the bloodied, dust-covered face of four-year-old Omran following the bombing of his home in the war-torn city of Aleppo. MOAS co-founder Regina Catrambone said the latest deaths were a tragic reminder that hundreds of migrant children continue to perish at sea a year after toddler Aylan Kurdi`s body was washed ashore on a Turkish beach last year."It is very sad and frustrating to witness the tragic loss of life at sea, especially that of such a young child," she said. "It is time for the international community to come to terms with this reality and to implement safe and legal solutions for the most vulnerable among us to avail themselves of the rights and protections they are entitled to." Children represent a growing proportion of the migrants trying to reach Europe by sea from Turkey and North Africa -- 27 percent of all arrivals in the first six months of this year were minors, according to the UN refugee agency. Italy`s coastguard said the five deaths occurred on a day when they supervised the rescue of 534 people in 11 different operations off Libya. Nearly 100,000 migrants have landed at Italian ports this year, roughly in line with the level of arrivals in the same period in 2015. Numbers arriving in Greece have dropped sharply since an EU-Turkey deal in March that is aimed at stemming the flow. More than 3,000 people have died trying to reach Greece or Italy since the start of the year, a 50 percent rise on last year. It is relatively rare for Syrians to try to reach Italy via Libya. Over 90 percent of the migrants arriving on Italian shores this year have come from sub-Saharan Africa. Anakar: Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 84 university academics suspected of links with US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, blamed by authorities for last month`s failed coup, media reported Friday. Police launched an operation in 17 provinces including Konya in central Anatolia, a conservative bastion of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the private Dogan news agency reported. Twenty-nine academics have been detained so far, it added. A large majority of the suspects were from Selcuk University in Konya, including the university`s former rector, Professor Hakki Gokbel. To the alarm of its Western partners, Turkey has pressed ahead with a vast crackdown on alleged coup plotters in the wake of July 15 military action seeking to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said this week that more than 40,000 state employees had been detained in the purge, with 20,335 remanded in custody. More than 5,000 civil servants have been dismissed and almost 80,000 others suspended, he added. Gulen, a former Erdogan ally, has a powerful network of influence in institutions such as the judiciary and police as well as the media and has long been accused of running a "parallel state" in Turkey. The reclusive cleric, who has lived in self-exile in the United States since 1999, vehemently denies he was behind the coup attempt. Geneva: Russia said on Thursday it would support a 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo, a move the U.N. Syria envoy said would allow aid to reach besieged areas soon, as long as all sides respect the temporary truce. As pictures of a dazed child pulled from the rubble in heavily bombarded rebel-held eastern Aleppo captured the plight of the city`s civilians, Moscow said it was ready to start the first "humanitarian pause" next week. Western diplomats gave cautious welcome to the announcement, while raising questions about Moscow`s motives and stressing the United Nations must be in charge of a sustained aid operation. U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura has long called for a 48-hour halt in fighting each week to allow aid delivery and medical evacuations from both rebel-held eastern and government-controlled western Aleppo. He welcomed the Russian defence ministry announcement and said the U.N. humanitarian team "is now set to mobilize itself to respond to this challenge." "Our plan is to collectively work out the operational details, and be ready for delivery as soon as possible," de Mistura`s office said in a statement. Moscow must ensure its allied Syrian government forces adhere to the pause, while the United States and regional powers must ensure opposition fighters are also on board, he said. "The challenge will be in operational arrangements and making sure there is a real pause in fighting and that it (Russia) is not using this for its own strategic advantage and gathering forces for another offensive," one Western diplomat told Reuters. "It`s no surprise this has come at a time when the rebels have managed to break through the besiegement of Aleppo and establish their own corridor." Aleppo, Syria`s most populous pre-war city and its commercial hub, has become the focus of fighting in the five-year-old civil war. Up to 2 million people on both sides lack clean water after infrastructure was damaged in bombing. Escalating violence there, where Russia and Iran are supporting bombing campaigns against the rebels, some of whom are backed by Arab and Western powers, has caused the breakdown of Geneva peace talks overseen by de Mistura. The Syrian opposition has said it wants to see a credible pause in the bloodshed and improved humanitarian aid access before peace talks can resume. "Trucks with food, water and medicine are ready to move immediately and ambulances to evacuate urgent medical cases are on standby," said Jens Laerke, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Another Western diplomat said it was important for the United Nations to lead the aid effort. "It is not a Russian operation, it has to be a U.N. operation to be a good and credible operation," he told Reuters. "It would start at the beginning of next week on condition that there is an agreement between the U.N., Russia and the (Syrian) regime on modalities." In Berlin, a German diplomat told Reuters that Moscow had a special responsibility to guarantee that hostilities in Aleppo did not escalate further ahead of a ceasefire. Washington: The United States has expressed shock at a photo circulating worldwide on social media that shows a dazed Syrian boy covered in blood and dust, calling him "the real face" of the country's war. "That little boy has never had a day in his life where there hasn't been war, death, destruction, poverty in his own country," State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters during his daily press briefing yesterday. Departing from his usual diplomatic talking points, Kirby asked the reporters how many among them had seen photos of the child. The shocked boy, a four-year-old named Omran, is pictured sitting in an ambulance covered in blood and dust after an air strike Wednesday in the rebel-held district of Qaterji in the southeast of Aleppo, which has been devastated by the five-year war. "You don't have to be a dad, but I am. You can't but help look at that and see that that's the real face of what's going on in Syria," Kirby said. Since the image's release, the photo has reverberated around the globe, much like that of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi, whose body washed ashore on a Turkish beach last year. Kirby, whose boss John Kerry has for months attempted to forge a pathway with Russia to end the war, said Thursday that "we all have to pull together to try to reach a better outcome." Kerry "continues to urge Russia to work with him on a set of proposals that we agreed to in Moscow and teams are still trying to work out, try to get the cessation of hostilities to be more enforceable across the wide expanse of Syria in an enduring way," Kirby said. In July, Washington and Moscow reached an agreement to cooperate more closely in an attempt to salvage a failing truce and focus on battling the Islamic State jihadists. The American roadmap to end the war includes a national ceasefire, opening up of humanitarian aid, and the resumption of political negotiations between the Syrian regime and opposition in Geneva. Under a cessation of hostilities, Kirby said, people would hopefully be spared "any more images like the one of that young boy today in Aleppo." YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. The scandal over the NKR President Bako Sahakyans interview to the electronic newspaper of the French Parliament is a result of the active intervention of the Azerbaijani, perhaps, also the Turkish propaganda machine, NKR Presidents spokesman Davit Babayan said in an interview with Armenpress. In fact, here we can see components of hybrid war. Starting from the April four-day war the worlds prominent media have paid a special attention on Nagorno Karabakh. A number of famous media were publishing various information and materials on Nagorno Karabakh. This process accelerated especially after the four-day war. Recently, the major Argentine TV company has dedicated extensive reports on Nagorno Karabakh. The leading Ukrainian TV channels also report on Nagorno Karabakh. We see this in Russia, the US, the French media. And recently the newspaper of the French Parliament has published the interview with the NKR President on its website which is a great political achievement, Babayan said. He said Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey cannot put up with it since it is obvious that their caviar diplomatic methods do not work in the information field. They have now adopted cunning, insidious policy, but I should say it has showed certain results. The representatives of their propaganda special services have started to criticize that interview through fake accounts, as well as under the Armenian names. This is an absurd. For example, they cut various words from the context, make the word mutual concession to concession, in case when the President said the conflict cannot be solved based on concession. Now they are trying to use the Armenian environment, certain Azerbaijanis are spreading lies under the Armenian names. Unfortunately, they included people with certain Armenian non adequate ideas, he said. Babayan said the major aim of this is that Azerbaijan, defeated in the four-day war and having numerous losses, understood that it could not win with its material advantage since we have a very strong ideological component. Now Azerbaijan is trying to attack that ideological component, to undermine Armenia-Nagorno Karabakh-Diaspora trinity and create unhealthy atmosphere in our Armenian environment. It is necessary to analyze all this very seriously and make relevant conclusions since such a campaign is for the first time in our reality, Davit Babayan concluded. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. United Nations officials acknowledged, for the first time, the role peacekeepers played in the 2010 deadly cholera outbreak in Haiti that killed 10,000 people and sickened hundreds of thousands of others, RT reported. The Office of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in an email this week said "the UN has become convinced that it needs to do much more regarding its own involvement in the initial outbreak and the suffering of those affected by cholera," reported the New York Times. For six years, UN officials refused to accept blame for bringing cholera to Haiti, but suspicions settled on a group of UN troops from Nepal who arrived after the January 2010 earthquake. Nepal had a cholera epidemic underway at the time and raw sewage from the latrines at the UN troops came was allowed to seep into an adjacent river. The earthquake crippled the capital of Port-au-Prince, killing 200,000 people, then the cholera outbreak sickened hundreds of thousands of others, and killing 10,000. The families of 5,000 Haitian cholera victims petitioned the United Nations in 2011 for redress, but its Office of Legal Affairs simply declared their claims not receivable. An attorney who represents Haitian cholera victims who have filed a suit in US federal court seeking reparations from the UN told the Washington Post that acceptance of culpability could make it more likely plaintiffs will finally receive financial compensation. The UN has broad immunity from national courts, but that has always been conditioned on providing remedies out of court to victims who are harmed by UN operations, Beatrice Lindstrom told the Washington Post. It has been in breach of the treaty granting it immunity in the first place, so if the UN follows through on remedies, that would make questions of immunity mute. UN peacekeepers were deployed to Haiti following the 2004 ouster of then-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The deputy spokesman for the secretary-general, Farhan Haq, told the New York Times the United Nations will draft a new response within two months and present it "once it has been fully elaborated, agreed with the Haitian authorities and discussed with member states." "This is a major victory for the thousands of Haitians who have been marching for justice, writing to the UN and bringing the UN to court," said Mario Joseph, a Haitian human rights lawyer representing victims of the epidemic. The UN acknowledgment comes after top officials were provided a draft 19-page report by an adviser criticizing their handling of the cholera outbreak. The report written by NYU law professor Philip Alston, the special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, will likely be published in September and present by Ban at the UN General Assembly in October. Alston wrote that the United Nations Haiti cholera policy is morally unconscionable, legally indefensible and politically self-defeating,according to the New York Times. Alston went beyond criticizing the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to blame the entire United Nations system.As the magnitude of the disaster became known, key international officials carefully avoided acknowledging that the outbreak had resulted from discharges from the camp, he noted. When the outbreak occurred it spread rapidly in the muddy, crowded tent camps where Haitians had sought refuge after the quake. The disease continues to sicken Haitians, especially in rural parts of the country without access to clean drinking water. A new spike of infections has been reported this year. A recent report by Doctors Without Borders has raised the possibility the disease may have killed far more Haitians than previously estimated. The secretary-general stopped short of saying the United Nations caused the outbreak. The organization continues to hold the position it is immune from legal action as a result of the outbreak. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. The official launch ceremony of the Amulsar gold projects construction took place in Vayots Dzor. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Levon Yolyan, Economy Minister Artsvik Minasyan, World Bank Armenia director Laura Bailey, IMF Armenia director Theresa Daban Sanchez, US Ambassador to Armenia H.E. Richard Mills and UK Ambassador H.E. Judith Farnworth. Prime Minister Abrahamyan said the government has assisted the project from the very first day and expressed confidence in its success. We passed a long path, we also had objective and subjective difficulties, but the important thing is todays launch of the construction, for which I am very happy, as head of government. In conditions of decreasing foreign investments the launch of this large project is important. I would like to welcome the participation of prestigious international financial institutions International Financial Corporation and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. I am convinced the Amulsar project will create new opportunities of development for Armenias economy, the PM said. President and Chief Executive Officer of Lydian International Mr. Howard Stevenson congratulated all interested parties on the occasion of the launch of a new and important stage of the Amulsar project, thanked the government of Armenia, nearby communities and heads of diplomatic representations for trust and continuous support. I am sure that your desire is to see various and better mining project in Armenia. I would like to assure that we will do everything to show that it is possible to work in another way, that mining can be responsible, safe and can benefit nearby communities. We, along with all of you, will realize this in the upcoming 12 months, he said. Amulsar is the largest international investment in Armenia. The 2016-2018 constructions capital expenses will total 370 million dollars. Lydian Armenia will employ 700 people during 10 years of mining. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. Realizing the potential in energy sector in Armenia, French Schneider Electric company President on Russia and the CIS states Johan Vanderplaetse expressed a wish to take steps for investments in Armenia, reports Armenpress. He considers positive Armenias opportunities for the development of alternative energy. Of course, Armenia has a great potential for the development of alternative energy. In Armenia 40% of electricity is provided by the atomic energy, 30% from hydro energy, 30% through gas which is being imported from Russia and Iran. But after coming to sources of the alternative energy, this mixture will have another look, the electricity generated from solar energy will play significant role there. Armenia has also another advantage, it is a sunny country, more than 300 sunny days are being recorded here in a year. Thats why, I am confident the new technologies will help Armenia. Thats why we are here. We are ready to bring our production to Armenia, as an investor company, we will show the other companies Armenias potential, he said. He said during the visit in Armenia they held meetings not only with their partners and clients, but also they held constructive meetings with the Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the rector of National Polytechnic University of Armenia. Johan Vanderplaetse considers important the role of universities in the investment of new technologies. We understood that the Armenian Government is also interested since it also understands that this is a unique opportunity for Armenia. But this is important not only for Armenia, but also the region since Armenia is located in the heart of the region. We have agreed with the Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to create a staff which will conduct detailed research on this field in order for us to be able to bring the new technologies inside Armenia, he said. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. A criminal case has been filed in Lori Province Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia over illegal tree felling in Dsegh, press service of the Investigative Committee informed Armenpress. On August 18 the media reported that the fir and other trees located in Armenian prominent writer Hovhannes Tumanyans Museum in Dsegh village were cut causing considerable damage to the natural world. A criminal case has been filed under the Article 296 point 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. An investigation is underway to clarify the details of the case. The Police forces take the necessary measures to clarify the persons identity who committed the crime. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. On August 19, at 16:07 an emergency call has been received that a fire broke out in the bread factory of Bangladesh district of Armavir province, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia told Armenpress. Two fire brigades left for the scene. The fire was localized at 16:56 and extinguished at 17:36. The restaurants Directors office, which is located in the former bread factory, has been burnt. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. The State Security Service of Azerbaijan has arrested a group of people who may have links with US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen who is being blamed by Turkey for organizing the military coup attempt in the country, RIA Novosti reports. The Azerbaijani State Security Service has arrested a group of people in suspicion of carrying out illegal operational-intelligence activities inside the country. During the search operations in the house of one of the suspects Fuad Ahmedli, a literature on Gulens movement, CDs, as well as documents were found which prove Ahmedlis relations with the Gulens movement. As if to evidence that people dont want to relocate anywhere, tractors, bulldozers, and rollers keep driving around the three streets of Shishmaref, preparing the roads of the settlement for paving. Workers from Drake construction company are clearing the streets of sand that is deposited by strong winds. Trucks bring crushed stone to the settlement and strew it over the black rubber road lining. Another construction company is finishing laying asphalt on the runway of the new airport and will soon start paving the streets of Shishmaref. After spending about a month in different parts of Alaska and talking to many experts, I was downright surprised that the roads of the island that is in the permafrost area are going to be paved. The black surface of asphalt will heat the permafrost under the sand even more, which may cause the rapid destruction of the roads. In the future, it may influence the neighboring buildings that could sink in the thawed shaky ground. The first road worker who I asked about it said that he was perplexed too but he was only executing the job ordered by the authorities from the settlement. Sara Tocktoo, Head of the Shishmaref Native Corporation is also puzzled with this initiative by those in charge. Nobody has asked us about it, we did not vote to have our roads paved with asphalt. She says that it is not only about asphalt heating the soil: Many drivers in Shishmaref dont have the experience of driving all-terrain vehicles, now they will start driving faster and get into accidents. I am also concerned about the children who fall from their bikes all the time. It is one thing to fall on sand, and a different one to fall on asphalt. Mayor Howard Weyiouanna does not share these concerns. Well-paved roads improve the life of the settlement, he says. Our island is made of sand, there is no permafrost under it. It seemed to me that by covering Shishmaref in asphalt, the administration of the settlement is trying to secure its location on the map. Unfortunately, the practice shows that such roads will have a short life in Arctic conditions. Apartment Investment and Management Company AIV, commonly known as Aimco, disclosed the acquisition of Indigo in Redwood City, CA. The move comes as part of the companys portfolio revamping strategy. Aimco met the funding of this $320 million acquisition with 1031 like-kind exchange proceeds generated from asset sales done earlier this year. Currently 27% leased, this ten-story luxury communitys takeover is a strategic fit for Aimco. Its position within downtown Redwood City is around 25 miles southeast of San Francisco and on the northern edge of Silicon Valley. The property enjoys good accessibility. Moreover, with the downtown Redwood City serving as a hub for the adjoining residential population together with a thriving community of tech-related jobs, this property is expected to enjoy decent demand. Notably, Aimco is revamping its portfolio through lowest-rated portfolio dispositions and reinvesting the proceeds in select apartment homes with higher rents, superior margins and greater-than-expected growth. Through these measures, the company increased its conventional portfolio (market-rate apartment communities) percentage net operating income (NOI) in target markets to 91% in second-quarter 2016 from 89% a year earlier. Moreover, revenue per apartment home improved 8% year over year to $1,900 from $1,759 a year ago. Going forward, Aimcos solid portfolio, which is diversified both in terms of geography and price point, is expected to help it enjoy relatively stable revenues despite new supply in various markets. Further, portfolio revamping efforts are expected to help the company improve its overall asset quality and achieve a favorable mix. Yet, even if the divestitures pay off in the long run, its near-term adverse effects on earnings cannot be ignored while stiff competition poses challenge. Aimco currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the residential REIT industry may consider stocks like Select Income REIT SIR, Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp. SBY and Sun Communities Inc. SUI. Each of these stocks holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Story continues APARTMENT INVT Price APARTMENT INVT Price | APARTMENT INVT Quote Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report APARTMENT INVT (AIV): Free Stock Analysis Report SILVER BAY RLTY (SBY): Free Stock Analysis Report SUN CMNTYS INC (SUI): Free Stock Analysis Report SELECT INCOME (SIR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research People pass by the GAP clothing retail store in Manhattan, New York, U.S., August 15, 2016. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (Reuters) By Subrat Patnaik (Reuters) - Gap Inc forecast a full-year profit below analysts' estimates as the apparel retailer struggles to attract shoppers to its Banana Republic stores. The company has been working on refreshing its Banana Republic line of clothing, but comparable sales at the company's third-biggest brand fell for the sixth straight quarter as its merchandise did not resonate with shoppers. "The assortment is at the heart of Banana's issues and symbolizes a brand that has simply lost its way," Neil Saunders, chief executive of research firm Conlumino, said. "Customers are confused and, of course, increasingly unwilling to pay the premium that Banana once commanded." Gap forecast a full-year adjusted profit of $1.87-$1.92 per share. The company had earlier forecast a profit of about $1.92. Analysts on average were expecting earnings of $1.96, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. MERCHANDISE MARGINS INCREASE Gap has also been trying to reduce promotions and sell more merchandise at full price. Chic and trendy clothes at lower prices from off-price, online and fast-fashion retailers such as H&M , Forever 21 and Inditex's Zara have lured away shoppers looking for deeper discounts. The company's merchandise margins increased in the second quarter, Chief Financial Officer Sabrina Simmons said on a post-earnings conference call. San Francisco-based Gap has also been controlling inventories and shortening production times as it attempts to replicate the success of its Old Navy brand at its Gap and Banana Republic chains. "After a string of quarters with merchandise margins declines, Q2 represented a turning point, driven by healthy Old Navy selling," Nomura analyst Simeon Siegel said. The company's net income fell to $125 million, or 31 cents per share, in the second quarter ended July 30, from $219 million, or 52 cents per share, a year earlier. Story continues Excluding items, the company earned 60 cents per share, beating the average analyst estimate of 59 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Net sales were unchanged from the $3.85 billion the company provided on Aug. 8. Shares of Gap, which also owns the Athleta and Intermix clothing brands, were down 0.82 percent in after-hours trading. Up to Thursday's close of $25.88, the stock had lost nearly a quarter of its value in the last 12 months. (Reporting by Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German chemicals and mining workers union IG BCE and utility RWE have agreed an annual one percent pay rise covering the next two years for about 11,000 workers in Germany, a spokesman for IG BCE said on Friday. The deal, similar to one agreed on Tuesday between the company and Verdi, another union representing service sector workers, entails a one percent rise in annual wages on Jan. 1, 2017, and again on Jan. 1, 2018. But staff at RWE Generation SE and RWE Power AG would not receive a one-off payment of 1,000 euros (867 pounds) next year, unlike those covered by Verdi's deal, who have to be employed in divisions that do not offer early retirement to qualify for the cash, the spokesman said. Instead, workers in those two divisions would benefit from early retirement options, which would in turn allow RWE to reduce activities in the increasingly unprofitable coal- and gas-fired power sector. RWE has been hit by a downturn in electricity demand and prices, prompting it to seek savings in operating and employment costs, along with other measures. (Reporting by Tom Kaeckenhoff; writing by Vera Eckert; editing by David Evans) TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - August 18, 2016) - Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX:K.TO) (KGC) today released its Corporate Responsibility Report, a comprehensive account of the Company's commitment to sustainable mining and transparency. The Report provides an in-depth review of Kinross' corporate responsibility strategy and performance in 2014 and 2015 and highlights key achievements in the areas of health and safety, education, economic benefit, community engagement and the environment. "Mining responsibly is integral to our business strategy and our approach to operational excellence," said J. Paul Rollinson, President and CEO. "The mining industry has a unique opportunity to make a positive and lasting contribution to the well-being of employees and host communities. At Kinross, we believe our long term strength is underpinned by our ability to transform that opportunity into real and sustainable returns for all our stakeholders." Highlights of the 2015 Corporate Responsibility Report, which is available at 2015corporateresponsibilityreport.kinross.com: Health & Safety Best safety performance in the company's history in 2015 23% decline in total reportable injury frequency rate from 2013-2015 Economic Benefit US$4.8 billion spent in host countries through wages, taxes and procurement from 2014-2015 97.4% of Kinross workforce hired in host countries 79% of goods and services sourced in-country Community Engagement 168,000 interactions with stakeholders in 2015 Reached more than 770,000 beneficiaries through community programs, initiatives and events through cash and in-kind contributions representing 1.4% of EBITDA Environment 38% reduction in water use over past two years 10% increase in the volume of waste recycled at our mines Safety remains a top priority for the Company and is reflected in Kinross' 2015 safety record. Kinross' total reportable injury frequency rate declined 23% between 2013 and 2015, with zero fatalities in 2013, 2014 and 2015, marking these the safest years in Company history. The Company has also underscored the importance of mining as a springboard for shared prosperity. Kinross' economic benefit footprint, which the Company began measuring in 2011, shows that 73% of Kinross' revenue was spent in our host countries through wages, in-country procurement, community investments and contributions to the local tax base. Story continues The Report's key features include a detailed stakeholder engagement table, which documents key issues and Kinross' response on a site-by-site basis, and provides insight into the positive influence of mining on the human development index in Brazil. Four video case studies illustrate the Company's progress related to the environment, communities, workforce and economic benefit. 2015 Corporate Responsibility Report case study videos: The Report complies with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4, in "accordance" with Core. About Kinross Gold Corporation Kinross is a Canadian-based senior gold mining company with mines and projects in the United States, Brazil, Russia, Mauritania, Chile and Ghana. Our focus is on delivering value based on the core principles of operational excellence, balance sheet strength, disciplined growth and responsible mining. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:K.TO) and the New York Stock Exchange (KGC). We're sorry, you encountered a page that doesn't exist. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ CargoLogic Air load one of their mega all cargo aircraft. In addition to purpose built frighters, many end of first lease, state-of-the-art wide-bodied passenger aircraft are currently being snapped up and rapidly re-purposed for all cargo operation. As the 21st Century trend is away from airport hub/spoke operation - apparently Heathrow [LHR] is yet to get the memo -and towards single aisle narrow bodied passenger/cargo hold aircraft, working point to point schedules continues apace ... JULIAN BRAY ++44(0)1733 345581 Illustrated Convention Lectures & Workshops, Keynotes, Broadcast Briefings, Media Presentational Training, Aviation Security and Operations Incident Management Consultancy http://www.freelancedirectory.org/?name=Julian.Bray.aviation.comment (ISDN BROADCAST LINK ++44(0)1733 345 020) all codecs G.722 & ATX Developed for use in ISDN remote broadcasting, G.722 is the original wideband speech codec to be standardized by the ITU-T. By sampling the speech signal at 16 kHz, G.722 more than doubles the encoded speech information, providing richer sound and better clarity than narrowband speech codecs. 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[ BH VENDOR #10476453 add PE28xl ] SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK (directly wired Ethernet connection on high speed Virginmedia cable) ALSO GLENSOUND ISDN GSGC5 ISDN LOCATION UNITS FOR PROFESSIONAL DRY HIRE http://www.freelancedirectory.org/?name=Julian.Bray.aviation.comment Julian Bray provides: Opinion, comment, forward thinking speculation, keynote presentations and workshops for corporate organisations on Travel, Cruise & Aviation: conflict zones, terrorist impact, cybercrime and DoS issues, drone (UAV) issues, safety (black boxes, emergencies), airline operations, aviation finance, political implications, and all forms of incident risk. He operated at board level with several airline and aviation groups, including Alitalia, British Island Airways, British Airways, Galileo , British Aerospace, Skyways, former CEO City firm Leadenhall Assoc. (PR WEEK TOP 150) Founder CNS City News Service. Director NTN Television News (joint co. with ITV Wales TWW) Debretts People 2017 and featured in launch edition of the PRWeek Black Book. Investigative Journalist and Broadcaster. After-dinner speaker and presenter. NUJ LIFE MEMBER & FULL EQUITY MEMBER. Direct links to a selection of television and radio contributions can be found at foot of this page. Scroll down. Join the conversation here or on Twitter at @aviationcomment @julianbray. A retweet, comment or other publication by any means does not constitute an endorsement. Quoted Content subject to creditline 'Julian Bray' . During career an active MCIPR, MMC & MBDS. Main UK telephone and prime contact number 01733 345581. Mob: 07944 217476 http://www.freelancedirectory.org/?name=Julian.Bray.aviation.comment ISDN2 Loop Test (by arrangement) 01733 345020 Download the new CAA DRONECODE HERE : http://dronesafe.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Dronecode.pdf Glensound GSGC5 ISDN LOCATION (COOBE - FLYAWAY) COMMENTARY UNITS/COLES LIP MICS FOR PROFESSIONAL HIRE VIDEO PROJECTOR & SMALL FORMAT PUBLIC ADDRESS/ MUSIC PLAYOUT HIRE Nevada's Rx Abuse Prevention Summit Set for Aug. 31-Sept. 1 The meeting provides the opportunity for the first lady's Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force and subsequently the Multidisciplinary Prevention Advisory Committee to update the community on laws put into place as a result of the 78th Legislative Session and Nevada's Strategic Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan. Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and First Lady Kathleen Sandoval will host a prescription drug abuse summit Aug. 31-Sept. 1 in Las Vegas, and the state now has posted its agenda. The meeting provides the opportunity for the first lady's Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force and subsequently the Multidisciplinary Prevention Advisory Committee to update the community on laws put into place as a result of the 78th Legislative Session and Nevada's Strategic Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan. Speakers listed on the agenda include Scott Pattison, executive director of the National Governors Association; Dr. Alexander Isani of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in North Las Vegas; and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Nevada has established policies that have become national models in prescription drug monitoring and ongoing coordination between the public and private sector. I am proud of what we have accomplished, but there is more work to be done," Gov. Sandoval said in June 2016. "This summit will bring together all stakeholders as well as community advocates and leaders in a united effort to eradicate this growing epidemic and create safe and livable communities." According to that announcement, the summit will focus on these four priority topics: NTSB Releases Report Summarizing 2015 Marine Accidents The year "brought us another grim reminder of the importance of safety in marine transportation," Chairman Christopher Hart wrote in his introduction to "Safer Seas Digest 2015." The National Transportation Safety Board this week released its annual report summarizing marine accidents and the lessons to be learned from them. This one, titled "Safer Seas Digest 2015," is available both in print and here on NTSB's website; it examines 29 major marine casualty investigations the agency closed during 2015. "'Safer Seas Digest 2015' represents our continuing commitment to sharing the lessons that we learn through our investigations," said NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart. "Many marine accidents can be prevented when crews know of and respond to safety issues early and when crews work together effectively in the event of a crisis." The 72-page report discusses the need for better voyage planning, effective communications, and recognizing the dangers of crew fatigue. Hart began his introduction in the report by referencing the loss of the cargo ship El Faro, which sank near the Bahamas in Hurricane Joaquin. All 33 crew members died in the sinking on Oct. 1, 2015, a event that "turned our thoughts once again to how unforgiving the sea can be and the respect it demands. Our investigation of the El Faro sinking is still ongoing, but its toll underscores the indisputable importance of safety at sea," Hart wrote. This is the third report in this series, which he described as a "our 'one-stop shop' for mariners and others to review concise summaries of a full year's accident investigations," adding, "Since we first published Safer Seas 2013, we have heard that the yearly digests are used in crew training and safety meetings both on board and shoreside. Indeed, safety culture begins at the top; the lessons of Safer Seas Digest should be of interest not only at sea, but also in C-suites. Safer Seas Digest 2015 represents our continuing commitment to sharing the lessons that we learn through our investigations. Many marine accidents can be prevented when crews know and respond to safety issues early and when crews work together effectively in the event of a crisis." The Depersonalization of Retail: Horrific Disappointment in the Sad Little Box Editors note: I think most of us have had an experience like this, so theres an important message here for all retailers! A True Fable for Online Retailers: Do Better With Gifts By Brody Ehrlich On the eve of my birthday, not long ago, I came home to a sad little box on my doorstep. All alone on the doorstep, it looked abandoned and cold. It was a dirty brown box the typical kind one you would see in the back of millions of trucks, traveling thousands of miles every day, pumping billows of gray clouds into the air. The mundane brown box was banged up from its travels, the corners so squished I called it a box out of pity, sealed awkwardly with layers of clear tape wrapped around and around. A suspicious package indeed. I wondered how it found its way to my doorstep. Did it arrive in the gentle hands of a smiling delivery man? Or was it left without thought by a cold, emotionless drone? Where did it come from and who sent it? I could not tell as I approached it. There was nothing on the outside that screamed, Its from ME! I took an educated guess that it was a present of some sort it was, after all, the eve of my birthday. But what family member or friend would send a gift in such a cold, lonely box? I figured that the warmth of the gift must be inside, hidden beneath the desolate exterior for its own protection. So I rushed to rip open the box in a moment of excitement, undaunted by the struggle of tearing through the layers and layers of tape. When after minutes of exertion I finally succeeded in opening the box, my excitement was ripped away as I saw the gift, unwrapped, sitting in its original retail box. Another sad little box so much for a personal connection or effort and still I did not know who would send such a gift. Then, in the corner of my eye, I saw a stack of papers. Of course! A nice, thoughtful handwritten card would come with the gift. My elation returned as I picked up the papers but it was short lived. It was obviously computer generated fluff they had no idea about my interests or desires. The first page was from the retailer, asking me to buy more stuff. Stuff I do not use, nor would I ever need. The second was a coupon, so I could save 20%! Useful I suppose, but the fine print said it expired tomorrow, and it did not exactly make me feel special. On the third and final page, after minutes of work, I finally found out who had sent the little box. There were some nice words from my mother on the same page as the invoice, although I could not read it all because a printer had misaligned, cutting off the end of each line. It was then that I knew it was no fault of the sender, for my mother would never send a gift if she knew it to be cold. With a heavy heart I took the box inside, thankful at least that my mother had tried. But I spent the rest of my birthday with one thought I could not shake. Why would a retailer try to bring joy with just a sad little box on my doorstep? About the Author Brody Ehrlich is the General Manager of KeepTree, Inc., a video technology company where he oversees operations management, business development and strategic retail and brand partnerships. Before joining the company in 2011, he worked in television business and legal affairs with Big Media Holdings, LLC. Brody earned his bachelors degree in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University, has a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and is a member of the bar in New York and New Jersey. Other Point of Sale news articles of interest: Image courtesy of Eric Lewis on Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/kXi7 First American Payment Systems Supports Dallas Law Enforcement and Families with Donation Fort Worth, TX (PRWEB) August 18, 2016 First American Payment Systems, a supporter of the law enforcement community, has donated $6,515 to The Line of Duty Fund of The Dallas Foundation in response to the July 7th police shootings. First American has been active in donating to charities in the Dallas and Fort Worth area for many years, said Neil Randel, Chief Executive Officer. When we witnessed the attack on our law enforcement officers in July, our employees felt that we had to do something. Knowing that this donation goes directly to the families of the affected officers of the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority made this cause very important to us. Employees at the Fort Worth corporate office donated money over a few weeks in July and August. Those funds, combined with a corporate donation from First American, reinforce the support and appreciation First American has for law enforcement officers and their families. # # # About First American Payment Systems First American Payment Systems, L.P., based in Fort Worth, Texas, is a BBB Accredited payment processor that provides comprehensive electronic transaction processing services for more than 140,000 merchants throughout the United States and Canada. First American recently celebrated 25 years of business. In addition to credit, debit, and EBT card processing, First American offers a complete line of proprietary business solutions, including 1stPayPOS tablet-based point-of-sale system, 1stPayMobile, Secur-Chex check services, FirstPay.Net e-commerce solutions, and Govolution government e-payments. For more information, visit http://www.first-american.net. More POS news: With the intent to expand capacity in popular tourist spots, Southwest Airlines Co. LUV plans to launch new flights to Mexico this year. The flights will operate between Los Angeles and three Mexican resort towns Cancun, San Jose del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. The flights are expected to start from Dec 4, subject to approval from the government of Mexico. To promote the new routes, Southwest Airlines is offering special fares for travel between Dec 4, 2016 and Mar 2, 2017. The seats are available for booking up till Aug 21, 2016. MexicoExpansion Southwest Airlines received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) last month to fly from Oakland International Airport to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. Dependent on approval from the Mexican government, the flights from northern California is expected to be flagged off on Feb 12, 2017. In addition to the new flights, Southwest Airlines operates daily flights between Los Angeles and Liberia/Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The expansion into Mexico may prove beneficial for Southwest Airlines as the country continues to gain popularity as a holiday destination. The airline also plans to increase capacity by 5%6% in 2016. July Traffic Southwest Airlines recently reported traffic details for the month of July wherein traffic (measured in revenue passenger miles, RPMs) increased 1.4% while capacity measured in available seat miles (ASMs) rose 2.3%. The company suffered a technology outage in July which led to cancellation and delays of several flights. As a result, operating revenue per available seat mile (RASM) in the third quarter has been impacted by 50 basis points and is expected to decline in the range of 3.5% to 4.5% instead of the 3% to 4% decline projected earlier. SOUTHWEST AIR Price SOUTHWEST AIR Price | SOUTHWEST AIR Quote Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider Southwest Airlines currently holds a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Better-ranked stocks in the transportation sector include Copa Holdings SA CPA with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Star Bulk Carriers Corp. SBLK and SkyWest Inc. SKYW with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SOUTHWEST AIR (LUV): Free Stock Analysis Report COPA HLDGS SA-A (CPA): Free Stock Analysis Report SKYWEST INC (SKYW): Free Stock Analysis Report STAR BULK CARRS (SBLK): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Zanders Skate Crates are back with episode 5 featuring raw footage of UK stalwart Paul Silvester. Born in Yorkshire, Paul moved to Scotland about a decade ago where he rapidly integrated into the skate scene up North before moving over to Canada to start a new life as an official Leaf a couple of years ago. Pauls section for Weather Permitting was filmed whilst juggling a full-time job and two children but, as always (and hence the nickname) he was resolutely the man for the job. Previous episodes of Zanders Weather Permitting Raw Skate Crates can be found here , with all earlier episodes of Skate Crates located here . https://mpora.com/videos/AAei5pvjy9w9#hOxq1LZXJEU2qFM2.97 Rehash Episode 3 John Rattray After a slight delay Rehash is back with one of the greatest skaters to have ever come out of the... Zander Ritchie coming through with the Scottish footage again. This Skate Crates Bonus episode features the Harvest Skateboards Gang Charles Myatt, Fergus Wood, Miles... From the 'rocking horse shit' like 1996 Dope Clothing video 'Time For Tea' comes two and a half minutes of lesser seen Thomas Penny asleep... Jake Martinelli presents Boroughs Episode 1 Waltham Forest Part 1 of a new series from London-based VX wielder Jake Martinelli where he and his... Sometime ago, we received an email from Seb Price, a Graphic Design student studying in London who had decided to incorporate some of the issues... Newsletter Terms & Conditions Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy. Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions. Grant Taylor, Oskar Rozenberg Hallberg and Jacopo Carozzi hit up two epic DIY builds in British Columbia, with the resulting sessions capture by Jeremy McNamara for Spitfire Wheels. If you build it, they will come The final section in Tor Strom's Tredje Akten sees the Polar squad sharing closing duties. All terrain ripping from one of the most stacked teams... P-Stone is an edit dropping machine at the moment - here's another dose of gnar in the form of the sessions which celebrated Daan Van... if you haven't seen it then put the kettle on, sit back and prepare yourself for some seriously good skateboarding... The latest visual feast from Bill Strobeck has just dropped in the form of 'King Puppy', featuring Grant Taylor, Kevin Bradley, Vincent Touzery, Eric Koston,... Newsletter Terms & Conditions Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy. Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions. If you run a small ecommerce business or are a brick and mortar retailer that also sells online, you need to know about ShipBob, a next generation fulfillment service that provides Amazon-scale same-day delivery for orders placed in Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles. But more than that, the company offers shipping services for merchants and customers outside these metro areas, too. Actually, ShipBob offers two services: a software platform that the company lets businesses use for free to manage orders, inventory and customer communication. On the back end, it provides physical logistics to warehouse inventory and fill orders. ShipBob is not an old-school logistics provider but a next generation fulfillment center, said ShipBob co-founder Divey Gulati in a telephone interview with Small Business Trends. Were located close to end consumers and merchants in three metropolitan areas Chicago, New York and Los Angeles which lets us give Amazon Prime Now style same-day pickup and delivery services at a price small businesses can easily afford. How It Works Merchants that do business in one of the metro areas ShipBob serves enter shipping orders into the software platform. A ShipBob agent (referred to as a Ship Captain) will then pick up the merchandise, take it to the warehouse, package the item, and mail it via the most reliable carrier at the cheapest cost, the company website says. ShipBobs platform integrates with eBay, Shopify, Amazon, Magento, Big Commerce, WooCommerce, ShipStation and Backerkit, to automate the shipping process. Integration with Volusion, Etsy and Squarespace is also on the drawing board. Merchants not located in one of the three major metro areas ShipBob serves can ship inventory to any or all of ShipBobs warehouses. And while the company primarily targets the three metro areas, it can send goods all over the globe, and often does. Pricing As to pricing, ShipBob ships at the lowest rate possible, Gulati said. Pickup and warehousing fees are part of the mix, but the company requires no inventory or order minimums. Neither does it charge pick and pack or per unit fees. It also provides standard packaging material free of charge. Merchants need not worry about long-term contracts either. All of ShipBobs services are available on-demand. How ShipBob Got Its Start Gulati said the company got its start almost accidentally quite literally by two guys (Gulati and the company co-founder Dhruv Saxena) walking into the post office to ship products they were selling via their own eCommerce shop and encountering others who were doing the same. My co-founder and I were selling photographs via an online store, Gulati said. When an order came in, we would rush to the post office to mail the item. We began to realize that we saw the same people doing the same thing every day. Gulati asked the other merchants if they would be willing to pay a certain amount to outsource shipping and received a positive response. From there, the idea for ShipBob was born. Since Gulati and his co-founder were both software engineers, they began by developing the platform and built the logistics side of the business over time, starting in Chicago with daily pick-up and delivery, and then expanding to each of the coasts. ShipBobs Value Proposition ShipBob bases its value proposition on the premise that, by selling on Amazon, smaller merchants arent controlling their brand. Consumers search Amazon to find the lowest price, Gulati said. They dont know who you are or what your value proposition is. In that sense, Amazon has commoditized eCommerce. Instead, ShipBob gives businesses an opportunity to sell on property they own their website where they can control the branding, target their marketing and improve the customer experience, and still receive Amazon-level logistics and shipping. Were democratizing what Amazon has done for their sellers by giving the same logistics capabilities to everyone else, Gulati said. We help small eCommerce businesses build a brand for themselves. Plans for the Future Gulati said that, initially, plans are to focus expansion to larger metro areas. Eventually, the company will establish a distribution network across the country that, not unlike Amazon, brings goods closer to the end consumer and merchant alike. That way, we can reach customers in one or two days without charging sellers expensive overnight shipping rates, he said. Currently, ShipBob serves 1,600 small businesses, some of which just use the software for management purposes. It has grown from working mainly with mom and pop businesses to where, currently, the median-sized customer ships an average of 100 orders per month. For more information or to try the service, visit the ShipBob website. See Also: 6 eCommerce Customer Service Benchmarks for Your Business Small businesses are devoting more of their efforts toward compliance, just another way of describing the effort businesses put into dealing with government regulations. And if small business owners are talking about it more and devoting more resources to it as part of the necessary process of running a business, that means theres more of the proverbial red tape to deal with. Its only going to get worse, says Manta CEO John Swanciger. 2016 has already brought major changes at the federal and state levels, and more changes are on the horizon, he said. Entrepreneurs are trying to figure out how to remain profitable amidst the growing costs of compliance. Swancigers comments come on the heels of a new study by his company, the Semi-Annual Wellness Index, which gauges the small business community on several factors. Small businesses tell Manta that compliance is a pain point on the federal, state and local levels. What are the Top Compliance Issues? The survey found that tax compliance was the top bete noire of small business owners. One in three of those surveyed by Manta confirmed that tax regulations and the way they are constantly changing are the most baffling. If you were thinking Obamacare, known also as the Affordable Care Act, would be the biggest compliance nightmare for small business owners, you were close. Obamacare compliance was picked as the most confusing by 21 percent of those responding to the Manta survey. Another 15 percent said SEC crowdsourcing rules and regulations were the most perplexing and just 7 percent said dealing with OSHA regulations was their most difficult task. And complaints over regulations go much deeper than ideaology, the survey found. Sure, some regulations are designed to protect the common good, but entrepreneurs say things have now reached a point where compliance is taking a substantial amount of time. Mantas survey shows that 41 percent of owners say regulations have negatively impacted their operations. Nearly as many 40 percent said that compliance was costing them 1 to 5 hours per week. Ten percent said they spend between 6 and10 hours on compliance and another 11 percent spend at least 10 hours devoted to compliance issues. So, how does your small business deal with the 40-pound-and-growing gorilla in the room? Voting away regulations and government red tape isnt likely. No matter where your vote is cast in November yes, even for a Libertarian its likely that government red tape and the growing burden of compliance will not go away. But what you can do is arm yourself and your business with help and resources. First, have a handy list of people on virtual standby whom you can call when theres a tricky compliance issue. This could help shave hours off your week. Manta also suggests joining local and other affiliated organizations that can help your business with compliance. This may even just be a group that keeps you informed of the latest in compliance updates. Half of Mantas respondents said theyre not getting these updates in a timely manner. If you recognize that compliance is a growing problem for your business, its time to implement training programs that help make compliance requirements a part of your companys routine. The human gut is a complex and amazing system, and the more we learn about it, the more amazed we are. It turns out Teacher Preparation Competency-Based STEM Teacher Ed Program Gains State Pre-Approval A new initiative to test out competency-based learning for training middle and high school teachers in science and math has shown enough mastery to gain the "informal" approval of the state where it's located. The Woodrow Wilson Academy of Teaching and Learning, first announced last year, has received pre-approval from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to offer master's degrees for teachers in biology, chemistry and math. The project is being pushed by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on developing leadership where it's needed in this case, STEM teacher training development for low-income communities and high-needs schools. The program is a joint effort of the foundation and MIT. Currently, content knowledge competencies for biology, chemistry and math are under review by teacher educators, subject-matter experts and K12 teachers. These competencies form the foundation of an interactive, challenge-based curriculum that encourages the participants to demonstrate what they've learned or mastered and show how it will be used in a classroom setting. MIT played a major role in developing and testing out the challenge model, creating a suite of games and simulations for use by teachers, and building the technology infrastructure for supporting the academy's program. The academy expects to name its first cohort of "Fellows" to begin class in time for the 2017-2018 academic year. It will be working with five local school districts in the state: Burlington, Cambridge, Natick, Revere and Somerville. Those same school systems have identified "exemplary" STEM teachers whom they would like to have participate in the academy. The foundation is also accelerating creation of professional development, to launch in parallel with the master's degree program. That will be constructed and tested out through the Walter Buckley Teaching and Learning Lab, an incubator and innovation lab that forms the second component of the academy alongside the graduate school of education. "A year ago, we announced plans to chart a new course in educator preparation, one focused on what aspiring teachers know and are able to do," said foundation President, Arthur Levine, in a prepared statement. "Working with MIT, our efforts in competency and curriculum development, licensure and accreditation, strategic partnerships, program development and fundraising have made great strides." Funding for the academy has come from sources that have long supported innovative education projects, including the Bezos Family Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Amgen Foundation, Simons Foundation and the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. Productivity Software Microsoft Updates Office 365 Education Microsoft has added new features to its Office 365 Education portfolio of products for students and teachers. In April, the company released Microsoft Classroom, which provides course management operations for teachers. For school IT staff, an updated Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer tool would let them set up shared devices in bulk for classroom scenarios where students share devices. Finally, an updated release of Windows 10 offered Windows Ink, a technology that enables the user to write on his or her device as if it were paper. Now, Microsoft has introduced two new features in time for the new school year. First, a version of Microsoft Classroom and a new software product called School Data Sync will help IT administrators connect existing school systems to Office 365, enabling a single sign-on for teachers and students while automating Microsoft Classroom set-up. Microsoft representatives described School Data Sync as "the easiest way to provision online classrooms in Office 365 Education." It will also allow teachers to create and manage online classes and then connect that data with third-party apps or other databases that the schools might rely on. An advancement on Windows Ink is OneNote Ink that now in addition to letting students shade, sketch, draft, save and share ideas recognizes math equations. The belief is that students will now be able to show their thought processes while working on math problems and teachers can better identify the gaps in understanding. IT administrators can get started with Microsoft Classroom and School Data Sync while teachers learn about the new OneNote Ink. E-Reading Microsoft Collaborates with Booktrack to Make E-Books and Reading Platform More Accessible Booktrack, a reading technology platform that synchronizes movie-style soundtracks of music and ambient audio with no spoken words to e-books and audiobooks, is partnering with Microsoft to get its products in front of more students and teachers than ever before. Booktrack has implemented Microsofts single sign-on technology and will provide integration with Microsoft Office 365 for its Booktrack Classroom platform. Currently, 110 million students and teachers are using Office 365 at school and in the home, according to a news release. Were so thrilled to be collaborating with Microsoft, in particular because of their commitment to empowering educators with effective technology, said Paul Cameron, CEO of Booktrack, in a prepared statement. Weve been in talks with them for close to a year and through this time weve come to recognize the great synergies between our two companies in terms of our common focus on education. The integration will also make Booktrack Classroom accessible to the nearly 1.5 million educators from 235 countries who are members of the Microsoft Educator Network. This reach should build awareness of the platform to young families through students and teachers. In Booktrack Classroom, students can choose from a large selection of books or write their own, easily add a soundtrack, then publish their booktracked story for their classmates to read. In addition, with Booktrack, students can rediscover reading from the classics, young adult and other favorite genres. Today, Booktrack is used in more than 15,000 classrooms, the company said in a news release, and was voted a top three education website by the American Association of School Librarians. For more information or to try Booktrack and Booktrack Classroom, visit booktrack.com or booktrackclassroom.com. Online Assessments Company Fails to Return Test Scores for 200,000 Nevada Students For the second year in a row, Nevada is experiencing serious problems with the online standardized tests given to thousands of public school students. The state is again threatening legal action against the company it paid millions of dollars to administer the tests and return the scores, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. Minnesota-based Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) hasnt provided Nevada with the individual test scores for its 200,000 tested students, who completed their exams in spring 2016, and DRC wont explain why. The Nevada Department of Education in good faith has reached out to DRC to maintain a good existing relationship, but DRC has stonewalled the Nevada Department of Education, Nevada Deputy Attorney General Gregory Ott wrote in a letter to DRC this week. In the letter, obtained by the Reno Gazette-Journal, Ott informs DRC of a breach in contract by failing to meet deadlines without explanation. Nevada is paying $51.5 million to DRC to test all students annually in third through eighth grade in English language arts and math, as required by federal law. Testing occurs each spring, according to the Gazette-Journal. DRC replaced another testing company that Nevada dumped after last years testing fiasco. The previous company, Measured Progress, had different problems: Its computer servers kept crashing, preventing two-thirds of Nevada students from being tested in 2015. Testing servers did not crash this year. All students were successfully tested, the Gazette-Journal said. We know the scores are there, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Canavero told the Gazette-Journal. But DRC is having its own difficulties. DRC did not return calls for comment made by the Gazette-Journal, nor are they actively talking to state officials. In a statement provided to THE Journal on Aug. 24, Susan Engeleiter, CEO and president of DRC, said: "We respectfully disagree with the complaints in the letter and have sent a formal response to the department." Ott said the state is troubled by DRCs utter failure to communicate why test scores havent been returned to Nevada. Canavero said he doesnt want a protracted legal battle. He just wants Nevadas families and public schools to receive the students individual test scores. It would be their first opportunity to see if students are meeting Nevadas new Common Core academic standards. DRC was supposed to provide the test scores by Aug. 1, before the start of the 2016-17 school year, according to the contract and the Gazette-Journal. The results would have been used to help place students in classrooms and identify the childrens needs. State officials estimated that families and schools probably wont know the student scores until Nov. 1, the Gazette-Journal reported. BAMAKO (Reuters) - Mali collected 245 billion CFA francs ($422 million) in state revenues from mining companies last year, a near 11 percent fall on the previous year, owing to stagnant production and lower gold prices, the statistics office said on Thursday. The figure came in lower than the 275 billion CFA francs in 2014, despite Mali exporting a record 70.2 tonnes of gold last year. Mali is the third biggest gold producer in Africa behind South Africa and Ghana, and gold overwhelmingly dominates its mining sector, itself about a quarter of government revenues. Mohamed Ouedrago, director of Mali's Planning and Statistics Unit, told Reuters the main reasons for lower revenues were a lower average gold price in 2015 of $1,068 per ounce, against about $1,200 per ounce in 2014, and stagnant production. Gold output was virtually flat at 50.502 tonnes in 2015, against 49.865 tonnes in 2014, Ouedrago said. The discrepancy with export figures is because Mali is a also hub for the regional gold trade, receiving supply from artisinal miners in neighbours such as Ghana and Guinea. Gold producers including Randgold Resources and AngloGold Ashanti have operations in Mali. The revenues for 2015 included 165.5 billion CFA in taxes, 33.898 billion CFA in customs duties and 45.57 billion CFA in dividends and other income streams, Ouedrago said. He added that gold contributed 6.2 percent to GDP last year, against 6.5 percent in 2014. The land-locked country expects to produce 47.37 tonnes of gold this year, lower than an earlier forecast of 52.85 tonnes, owing to a failure to restart its Kodieran mine. In March, Mali upgraded its estimated of below-ground gold reserves by a third to 800 tonnes, enough to maintain current levels of output for the next 15 years. ($1 = 580.2400 CFA francs) (Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Tim Cocks, editing by David Evans) By Krishna N. Das and Serajul Quadir (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Bangladesh's central bank have agreed to withdraw additional payment security measures put in place after one of the world's biggest cyber heists, the theft of $81 million (62 million pounds) from Bangladesh Bank's account at the Fed, two sources said. The decision comes after SWIFT, the global financial messaging platform, promised in May to strengthen security on software tools used by its clients and to develop new tools that would spot a compromised account and raise a red flag when a payment instruction deviates from normal patterns. The decision was taken at a meeting in New York this week between officials from Bangladesh Bank, the New York Fed and SWIFT, said a source close to Bangladesh Bank who has direct knowledge of the matter. They have agreed on a tentative timeline to withdraw the additional security measures but the source declined to give details. "(The New York Fed and Bangladesh Bank) want to use (only) SWIFT for secure communication," said the source, declining to be named as he was not authorised to brief the media. "We are talking about normalising our communication channels as soon as possible." The New York Fed and SWIFT could not immediately be reached for comment. In early February, hackers used stolen Bangladesh Bank credentials to send three dozen SWIFT messages to transfer nearly $1 billion from its Fed account, eventually managing to route $81 million to a bank in the Philippines. Most of the money was laundered through casinos in Manila and remains missing. Following the heist Bangladesh Bank initiated a new protocol under which the Fed could only clear any SWIFT request from Dhaka after a voice authentication. Fed officials had to call one of two or three Bangladesh Bank officials whose voice samples were shared with the Fed. A senior Bangladesh Bank official in Dhaka, who declined to be named, said more time was needed "to improve the system" before moving back to a SWIFT-only transfer mechanism. Story continues Both sources said the New York Fed wanted to do away with the additional measure as it delayed genuine transfer instructions. SWIFT has told Bangladesh Bank its system was secure and that the Asian bank needed to tighten its own defences to prevent criminals from hacking into their computer systems. Bangladesh Bank spokesman Subhankar Saha said he was not aware of the agreement and would comment only after the bank's delegation came back from the United States. The bank said in a statement on Wednesday that its officials discussed with the New York Fed and SWIFT "certain technical details" of the heist to enhance their understanding of how the fraud occurred and "steps that have been and will be taken to remediate the event". The Bangladeshi delegation also requested the New York Fed to put more pressure on the Philippines' Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) (RCB.PS), to recover the rest of the stolen money, said the source close to Bangladesh Bank. The funds were routed to four accounts at the bank before they disappeared into casinos in the city. The New York Fed in June wrote to the Philippines' central bank, prodding it to help Bangladesh Bank retrieve the money. Bangladesh Bank officials believe the nudge from the Fed was one of the reasons the Philippines central bank this month slapped a record fine of 1 billion pesos (16 million pounds) on RCBC in connection with the heist. (The story removes extraneous word in second paragraph) (Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda expects its coffee exports in the 2016/2017 season to increase by 13.5 percent helped by favourable weather in a major growing area, an industry body official said on Friday. Shipments over the next crop year which begins in October will likely rise to 4.2 million 60-kilogram bags from 2015/16's revised forecast of 3.7 million, David Muwonge, head of marketing at the National Union of Coffee Agribusiness and Farmer Enterprises (NUCAFE), told Reuters. "If we have good rains now, and not a prolonged January-March drought, then the southwestern crop should be good," he said. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; editing by Aaron Maasho and Jason Neely) US private equity firm Vista Equity Partners has agreed to buy Granicus, which provides cloud solutions for the govern Published On Aug 19, 2016 By Abhay for Renault KWID 2015-2019 Affordable, attractive and innovative. Renault India says these are the keywords that define the the Kwid. Can't really disagree, as the French carmaker's fresh approach to making a small car has helped it carve its own niche in a segment several other manufacturers haven't really been able to crack. And that too in a relatively short time span of just one year, particularly thanks to its SUV-like design. Not to mention, a host of first-in-class features have helped it find favour with small car buyers, irrespective of whether they were first time buyers or not. The news of Renault planning to the launch the Kwid with a 1.0-litre engine in addition to the 800cc motor was only welcome then, as a larger engine means more power, and that's always good news! Add to that the Kwid's appealing design, elaborate feature list and you have a more likeable package. Renault invited us to drive the car with the new engine, and here's what we thought of it. To begin with, there's almost no change to the car visually, except for silver coloured outside rear view mirrors and chequered stickering on the sides, which incidentally is the only place you'll see the 1.0 mentioned on the car. This means you get the same appealing design with nice looking headlights, a muscular looking grille and lots of black cladding all round for the SUV-like feel. The story is the same on the insides too, as interiors are identical to the 800cc engine equipped Kwid. So you get the same, rather well-built cabin with good quality plastics, large digital speedometer behind the steering wheel and of course, the touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation. All of these, as you would remember, are segment firsts. The insides of the Kwid 1000cc feel slightly more premium than other cars in the category, which is one of its highlights. The cabin feels nice to be in, though shoulder room isn't exactly generous for those with a large frame. Interestingly, the Kwid now gets seat belt pre-tensioners, which the manufacturer claims is yet another segment first. Sadly, there is still some time before we get to see features like ABS and dual airbags make it to this segment of cars, and Renault India says customers are not willing to pay more for these safety features yet. That said, Renault says the Kwid will soon be exported to other markets abroad, and the car is ready to be fitted with the aforementioned safety features. Moving onto the biggest change, which is the engine under the hood. The bore and stroke of the three-cylinder, 800cc engine were increased to achieve the higher displacement which means that the basic engine architecture is identical. Power and torque are thus up, with the engine offering 68PS of power and 91Nm of torque as compared to 54PS and 72Nm earlier. The engine is mated to the same five-speed gearbox as before, and the ratios are the same as well, with the only difference being the strengthening of the drive shaft to handle the additional torque. As opposed to 25.17kmpl figure for the 800cc version, Renault is claiming 23kmpl for the 1.0-litre Kwid, which means you can expect similar numbers in the real world, of course depending on how you drive. Start the engine and it comes to life with the typical three-cylinder thrum. The additional power does not make itself felt as you take off, though as I started driving the difference in performance was noticeable rather quickly. However, the 1.0-litre Kwid is 40kg heavier than the 800cc version, which takes away some of the advantage the extra 14 horses try to offer. The car feels quicker to accelerate, especially through the gears, with a slightly more torquey feel than the 800cc engine. The 1.0-litre engine also makes for a more stress-free drive as speeds build up, since the engine feels more relaxed than its smaller version at high speeds. In effect, the 1.0-litre engine makes the Kwid a better car when cruising at speeds of 90-100kmph, which should also enhance its abilities as a car to drive over long distances. The engine feels as smooth as its smaller version, but, tends to sound a bit gruff at higher revs, purely due to the three-cylinder configuration. The clutch has the same light feel and gears are easy to slot in spite of a slightly rubbery feel. Brakes could have done with more bite as well, since they offer a slightly spongy feel when you have you slam the pedal. The Kwid 1.0 feels identical to its 800cc version in terms of ride and handling as there are no mechanical changes to the car outside of the engine. The suspension thus makes for a rather comfortable ride on most surfaces. That said,it tends to feel bumpy over undulated roads at higher speeds. The Kwid isn't exactly meant for cornering and thanks to the softer suspension setup there is some body roll too, but it feels confident even when chucked into a corner. Tyres still feel skinny and could have offered better grip. We would have also preferred a slightly softer compound as compared to the current ones. To sum it up, the 1.0-litre engine has made the Kwid a bit more fun to drive, and you're not really left wanting for power on most occasions. The improved performance helps in making the Kwid a better car, be it in the city or on the highway. The bigger engine is being offered only with the top two variants, as Renault says these variants have made up for 80 per cent of the car's total sales. And it's obvious that someone buying the more powerful version of the car will want a feature rich variant and not the lower ones. Prices for the car will be announced on August 22, and we expect the 1.0-litre Kwid to cost about 40-50,000 rupees more than the 800cc version. And that's not a lot of money when you consider how much more the 1.0-litre engine compliments the Kwid's appealing design and expansive feature list. At present, there are a handful of state bar associations or professional conduct boards that have warned attorneys that marijuana (medicinal or otherwise) remain illegal under federal law and that counseling marijuana clients could violate professional conduct rules, reports Marijuana Business Daily . "I don't think you take it lying down," said Norton Arbelaez, owner and general counsel of Denver-based RiverRock Cannabis, operator of a chain of dispensaries in Colorado. "You force the issue," he said, explaining that it sometimes requires working within the current system and having a dialogue with the bar association and members to bring about change. Attorneys are learning sometimes it may be difficult to represent medical marijuana firms due to a haze of issues involving professional ethics rules. The publication said "the warnings given in New Mexico and Ohio and earlier in Connecticut have triggered alarm bells among some lawyers and cannabis entrepreneurs." "This is indicative of the first wave of issues that a jurisdiction has to deal with when they decide to regulate cannabis," said Arbelaez. In several states including California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Maine there have been the different state bar associations "looking at this issue of whether or not one can give counsel to an entity that is arguably breaking federal law," Arbelaez said. In Colorado, a 2014 order from the State Supreme Court made that state the first U.S. jurisdiction to formally recognize the right of lawyers to counsel pot industry clients. Other U.S. states or territories that have since followed Colorado's lead include Washington State, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, Arizona and Guam. "For the most part, after the issue is really looked at they come on board through the practical necessity that people need counsel and that this is legal under state law," he added. Yet, there also have been cases where warnings led to local attorneys severing ties with cannabis-related businesses. "It's already affected the way I do business," Greg Miller, the owner of cannabis processor X-Ray Pharms in New Mexico, was quoted as telling MJBizDaily. "My New Mexico lawyers cut me off last week. What happens if I need legal representation on something as mundane as a property line dispute?" State Bar of New Mexico Executive Director Joseph Conte told CNBC in an emailed statement that he stands by the recent opinion of the state bar's Ethics Advisory Committee. "They give careful consideration to the issues, conduct through research and set forth reasoned opinions for members of the bar to consider when undertaking any representation in an area with apparently conflicting laws or complex ethical and/or legal issues," Conte said. He explained that the broader issue is essentially states' rights and federal supremacy, and he believes it will be up to the courts and Congress to resolve the conflict. "I would be purely speculating on whether [New Mexico] attorneys will be discouraged by [New Mexico's] recent Ethics Advisory Opinion on the subject and would not presume to know how individual attorneys would approach such representation," he said. In Ohio, the State Supreme Court's Ohio Board of Professional Conduct earlier this month announced that attorneys who counsel marijuana entities will violate professional conduct rules. That follows Governor John Kasich signing a medical marijuana legalization bill into law in June. Elsewhere, an opinion issued by the Connecticut Bar Association's Professional Ethics Committee in 2013 advised that "a lawyer shall not counsel a client to engage, or assist a client, in conduct that the lawyers know is criminal or fraudulent, but a lawyer may discuss the legal consequences of any proposed course of conduct with a client." CNBC reached out to the Ohio and Connecticut state bars but had not heard back at deadline. The State Bar of California has not taken a formal position on lawyers representing marijuana-related entities, but a spokeswoman said some local bar associations in the Golden State have issued ethics opinions detailing how attorneys may ethically represent clients with respect to a medical marijuana enterprise. In 2014, the Supreme Court of Nevada took a position that attorneys can represent cannabis entities but required them to advise clients about federal law and policy. Several states, including Nevada and California, have voter initiatives on the ballot this fall to legalize recreational use of marijuana. In California, a poll released Wednesday found nearly 64 percent of the respondents in the state support Proposition 64, a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana use, according to the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, which released the findings. In all, there are nearly 10 states with measures on the ballot this year involving cannabis use. Scientists are now able to better track the giant ice sheets movements Scientists say the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica may be melting faster than in past years, raising concerns about the consequences if it shrinks faster than expected. Its actually nicknamed the doomsday glacier because of what could happen if it began to rapidly add water to the ocean. In a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, researchers suggest the massive ice sheet could begin melting twice as fast as in the past. To make their projections, the scienti... Peggy S. Teel, a former head teller, the $112 million Bear Paw Credit Union pleaded guilty Monday to embezzling $129,409 from the Harve, Mont. Credit union over nine years. A police investigation found Teel had been stealing from Bear Paw CUs ATMs, teller cash drawers, a lobby coin vault and the credit union vault, according to court documents. In 2007, executives began having unusual cash shortages at two ATMs at a local health center and at a convenient store on a Native American reservation. Newly formed human rights coalition, In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDefend|) calls on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte not to make his governments war on drugs a war on human rights. In their joint statement, the group emphasized that no matter who is extrajudicially killed or whose rights are violated, he or she is a human being with rights and dignity and that human rights are for all, especially for the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable.Since May 2016, more than 700 people have been killed by police and vigilantes in the Philippines for being suspected of using or dealing drugs, as a direct result of President Dutertes campaign to get rid of illegal drugs within six months. In addition, more than 500, 000 alleged pushers and users have already surrendered to authorities under the Oplan Tokhang out of fear and humiliation.The international community has already expressed serious concern with the increasing number of reported extrajudicial killings and other forms of human rights violations in the name of drug control measure. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) even reiterated that such actions contravene to the provisions of the international drug control conventions and will not help to ensure that all people can live a life in good health, dignity and peace, and with security and prosperity.Prompted by this alarming human rights situation, more than 30 non-governmental organizations of human rights defenders joined hands to form today a new coalition called In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement or iDefend. The group believes that the arbitrary killing of suspects that bypasses the fundamental due process endangers everyone in the Philippine society as anyone can now be accused of any crime or involvement in illegal drugs and be executed before and without having a chance to publicly defend themselves in court.Illegal drugs are harmful. But by encouraging the police to use their guns to deal with it is even more dangerous and will not stop the vicious cycle of violence. It only creates a climate of fear, insecurity and helplessness. Ms. Rose Trajano, Convenor of iDefend said.The iDefend challenges the Duterte administration that if the government is really sincere in curbing crime and drugs trade, it should do it by introducing policies that will alleviate poverty, stamp out corr uption at all levels of government and reform the criminal justice system.We cant cow to silence when day after day people are being killed. There is no compromise to human rights. We cant allow this abnormal situation to become normal. We need to have unrelenting courage and determination to defend and to advance our human rights, Ms. Trajano added. - A militant group has vowed to bring down planes - The group wants headquaters of oil companies be moved to Akwa Ibom - It warned oil worker to vacate the region A Niger Delta militant group, Oyobio-Oyobio has warned that it is going to carry out its threat following the expiration of its seven-day ultimatum. Vanguard reports that the group had warned Mobil Producing Nigeria to relocate its headquarters from Lagos to Akwa-Ibom or face their wrath. READ ALSO: Buhari has what it takes to end Niger Delta crisis group General Obuma Oyobio who is the leader of the group said since the threat has expired without the company making the move to relocate; it will start bringing down aeroplanes. We hereby give a seven-day ultimatum to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and other oil firms operating in Akwa Ibom State to relocate their headquarters to the state or face dire consequences. We have the capability to burn down any tank farm and bring down aeroplanes and choppers. Oil and gas pipelines will not be spared during our operations. READ ALSO: 5 things that may likely happen if Republic of N'Delta emerges The group also advised ExxonMobil to carry-out a clean-up just like Shell is doing in Ogoniland. The militants called on all oil workers in the state both onshore and offshore locations to stay away from work on the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum for their safety." Meanwhile, a new intelligence report has continued to link Goodluck Jonathan to the Niger Delta Avengers. A splinter group, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers had accused the former president of being one of the sponsors of the militants although the former president has denied this. READ ALSO: Niger Delta Avengers agree dialogue Also, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) accused the ex-president of having ties with militants and this was also swiftly denied by Jonathan who also accused MEND of attempting to assassinate him. The Nation reports that despite the former presidents denial, new security report indicated that oil and gas pipelines had already been laced with explosives before Jonathan handed-over to Muhammadu Buhari in May 29, 2015. The intelligence report has been submitted to the presidency and is being studied. Source: Legit.ng Ooni at 48: Monarch's new wife Olori Mariam goes on her knees, prays in Arabic and Yoruba languages for hubby Olori Mariam Anako heartily celebrated her hubby, Ooni of Ife, on the occasion of his 48th birthday. A clip showing the moment she prayed for him surfaced on IG - Nigeria has gotten a $100 million credit facility from India for its power sector - The sector has been a major hindrance in the country's quest for economic prosperity - Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed his delight in the facilitation of the loan Nigeria has obtained a $100 million credit facility from India to solve the niggling problems in the power sector, Daily Trust reports. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday, August 18 welcomed the loan from India for Nigerias power sector. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Speaking at the State House Abuja while receiving a delegation led by the Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria Nagabhushana Reddy, Osinbajo called for more active engagement between both countries. Osinbajo noted that there were opportunities in agriculture and technology for Nigeria and India, adding that diplomatic and economic relationship between both countries had been extremely good. READ ALSO: 10 signs the Nigerian economy is fully in recession According to him, the federal government is expected to achieve a 50 percent target reliance on renewable energy for the power sector by 2020. His words: We are doing some expandable work in solar energy adding about 1000MW of solar. We are looking at 50% reliance on renewable energy sources by 2020. The Buhari Presidency is determined to improve access to electricity for our people. Responding, the Indian high commissioner promised that his country will continue to support President Muhammadu Buharis administrations economic plan. Minister of power, Babatunde Fashola recently revealed that his ministry is currently working to complete the 215MW Kaduna power plant, the transmission line for the Gurara 40MW plant the Kashimbilla Plant and some of the other power projects. He also added that his ministry is remobilizing contractors back to the transmission sites. READ ALSO: According to him, it is necessary to revitalize the transmission lines, most of which had stopped for over two years as a result of non-payment of contractors. Source: Legit.ng The moment that most indigenes of Osun and attendees of the annual Osun/Osogbo Festival cherish the most is when the Arugba (the woman who carries the calabash with the authority of the goddess) appears from seclusion. She is expected to be a virgin young girl who is pre-selected by the oracle to be the custodian of the enviable and exalted calabash, and her appearance is always seen as one of the highlights of the week-long festival. Legit.ng crew on ground at the event report that the young girl was brought from an unknown seclusion within the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo by some women who performed certain rites on the floor where she was to progress from. As she appeared, spotting a blue Aso Oke with a white clothing on her head, the young lady is being guided by women who know what to say and where she must not step her feet. Onlookers in return started praying for her, telling her that the carrying of the calabash would not result in a terrible omen for her as they also prayed that this year's festival will breed new tidings for the entire capital and the state at large. As at the time of filing this report, the Arugba was being prepared to leave for the Grove where all the locals and travelers will also follow her to render series of prayer requests to the Yeye Osun (river goddess). Our crew will bring in other images from events as they happen from the Osun state capital. Source: Legit.ng - The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is getting battle ready to defeat Nigeria's adversaries - NAF is securing alliances with friendly-nations in order to be on top of their game - Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar made the plans of NAF known in a recent interview The Nigerian Air Force is making efforts to boost its capacity in order to meet its responsibilities and to defeat Nigeria's adversaries. Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, who made the revelation yesterday, August 18 said it is necessary to tame all the security issues threatening the peace of the nation. File photo of Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and other senior NAF officers According to him, NAF is involved in the battle to rid the Niger Delta region of militancy and also to defeat the insurgency ravaging the North east. READ ALSO: Nigerian Air force denies killing of Chibok girls by its fighter jets Abubakar was speaking in a programme on NTA, where he informed Nigerians that NAF would soon take delivery of 12 new Mi-35 attack helicopter gunships fitted with modern facilities to fire guided missiles at enemy positions. Apart from the gunships from Russia, Abubakar said new set of fighter jets with ISR facilities would soon be delivered to NAF. Commenting on the activities of Boko Haram terrorists and their camps in Sambisa, Air Marshal Abubakar said: We have degraded the capacity of the Boko Haram terrorists group to move around inside the Sambisa forest. The only problem we are having is that of the terrain. It is a big challenge because the place has been mined and troops cannot just move freely. Meanwhile, U.S Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Nigeria next week to hold talks with President Muhammadu Buhari and other senior government officials. READ ALSO: Boko Haram kills five on reopened highway The talks will focus on regional issues, the insurgency in the North east, human rights issues in Nigeria and Nigerias dwindling economy, the State Department spokesman, John Kirby said in a statement yesterday, August 18. Source: Legit.ng Long-time New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof has penned an op-ed advocating more US military aggression in the guise of humanitarianismbecause we are after all exceptional, and as such exempt from the lessons of (very recent) history. His article, titled Obamas Worst Mistake, is not about any of President Obamas numerous human rights violations; rather, it is about one of the few things for which he can and should be applauded: Resisting immense pressure from his advisors to bomb the Syrian government. I admire Obama for expanding health care and averting a nuclear crisis with Iran, Kristoff writes, but allowing Syrias civil war and suffering to drag on unchallenged has been his worst mistake, casting a shadow over his legacy. Since this is the New York Times, the legacy Kristoff speaks of is not quite the same legacy the rest of the world is familiar with. He presumably does not interpret Obamas terroristic drone war as having cast a shadow over that legacy, nor Obamas intensification of the war in Afghanistan (still not over), nor Obamas proposal to spend $1 trillion upgrading and modernizing our massive nuclear arsenal in clear violation of international law, nor Obamas casual dismissal of Israeli war crimes, nor Obamas decision to sell billions of dollars worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, nor Obamas repeated military provocations of Russia (e.g. positioning defensive NATO missiles in Eastern Europe), nor Obamas decision to topple Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, the horrific consequences of which are still unfolding, etc. These facts are unfortunate for the mainstream liberal narrative; they dont dovetail with the notion that Barack Obama is a dedicated agent of peace and justice, and so they clearly have no place in Kristoffs article. But I digress. The Syrian civil war, according to Kristoff, is a crisis that cries out for American leadership, and Obama hasnt shown enough. His only qualification before going full-jingo is to say that it is unknown whether the hawkish line on Syria espoused by Hillary Clinton and many others would have been more effective. Indeed. Its worth noting another omission at this point, namely that the Obama administration has prosecuted a quasi-clandestine intervention in Syria from the very beginning of the conflict, when they decided to illegally funnel weapons to Islamist rebels through the Turkish border. Again, this fact contradicts Kristoffs assumptions and is therefore ignored; standard disinformation tactics. After quoting Obamas favorite general, James Cartwright, who contends that the US can do many things to create security in selected areas, protect and stabilize those safe zones and allow them to rebuild their own country even as the conflict continues in other parts of the country, Krisoff defers to the opinion of former secretary of state Madeleine Albrightbest known for asserting that 500,000 dead Iraqi children was a price worth paying in order to cripple Iraqs economy in the 90swho argues that the US has an obligation to establish humanitarian areas in Syria. No consideration is lent to the fact that taking this course of actioncarving out humanitarian areas and so forthpresupposes violating Syrian sovereignty, a major crime. Once again, inconvenient and ergo unimportant. The pretext for dissolving Syrian statehood is of course Assads reputation as a savage dictator who deliberately kills his own civilians with barrel bombs and chlorine gas. And while Assad clearly has the blood of thousands of people on his hands (hes fighting an all-out war against suicidal religious fanatics, after all), any condemnation from the West is hypocritical and ultimately meaningless. Furthermore, theres no getting around the reality that a defeat for Assad is a victory for ISIS and al-Nusra (read al-Qaeda), a circumstance no non-Wahhabi could possibly desire. And while Kristoff and his fellow disinformationists maintain that they are not necessarily calling for air strikes against the Syrian governmentthey merely want to provide relief for the besieged civilians, they saythat line doesnt wash with recent history. In a 2011 op-ed titled The Case for a No-Fly Zone, Mr. Kristoffsurprise, surpriseargued in favor of US humanitarian intervention in Libya, where, according to Western propaganda, Muammar Gaddafi was massacring civilians with helicopters and distributing Viagra to his soldiers so that they might terrorize the population with mass rape. Both charges were unsubstantiated, but that didnt faze the likes of Kristoff, who assured us that intervening at the request of Libyan rebel forces (secular and democratic, no doubt) was the right thing to do. Concluding his column, which relies on quotes from US government and military officials, Kristoff dismissed nonintervention in Libya as essentially a policy for wimps: So lets remember the risks of inactionand not psych ourselves out. For crying out loud. Contained in that statement is the long-held doctrine of American Exceptionalism, according to which the US, owing to its unique nobility, has not merely a right but a moral responsibility to meddle in the affairs of other countries. Curiously, this moral imperative only applies to conflicts from which the US stands to benefit, whether by containing an official enemy or controlling lucrative markets. And if things go awry? Well, perhaps it was a mistake, but our intent being benign as it was, we cant really be faulted. So what if a couple hundred thousand people were incinerated? Move on. It should be said that the UN Security Council did indeed authorize a no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians in harms way. The Security Council did not, however, authorize NATO to function as the air force for the rebels, which it promptly did, overwhelming Gaddafis security forces and creating a power vacuum of which ISIS and other jihadists have taken full advantage. The result is terror on a massive scale. And herein lies the most significant omission from Kristoffs recent column on Syria: no mention is made of his prior support for humanitarian intervention in Libya, or the widespread destruction engendered by that policy. All is forgotten. In fact, the US is now conducting regular airstrikes in Libya, without Congressional approval. There have been already been over 40 airstrikes since August 1. Moreover, the Pentagon recently confirmed, following repeated denials, that a small number of US troops are currently stationed in Libya to help combat ISIS. Boots are officially on the ground, in other words, and not only US boots. French boots are there as well, much to the chagrin of many Libyans, who recently protested their illegal presence with signs that said Get your hands off Libya and No French Intervention. All of which is entirely predictable for anyone paying the slightest bit of attention. The result is the same every time. Regime change doesnt work. It fosters chaos and terror. It destroys societies, countries, regions. And yet the lesson is unlearned, or simply ignored, by both the US government and its media representatives, raising questions about whether they actually desire a better outcome in the first place. We know that carnage and mayhem is good for the weapons industry, those purveyors of death and destruction, and whats good for the weapons industry is good for the Pentagon, which now receives more than half the discretionary budget. To call it a conflict of interest is a radical understatement. Meanwhile, college graduates drown in debt and millions of Americans scarcely have enough money to feed themselves, much less access quality medical care. Environmental catastrophe looms. But these are issues for another day, evidently; perhaps when the US is all out of Hitlers to overthrow, or when liberals who think like Nicholas Kristof cease to dominate the political discourse. Not holding my breath. When I was 38 weeks pregnant, my obstetrician informed me if I didnt go into spontaneous labor by my due date, she would schedule me for a repeat C-section. Having spent my entire pregnancy rallying my doctors, spouse, family and friends to support my goal of delivering vaginally, I was now facing D-day (C-day?) and it was up to me to get things moving. Talk to any full-term pregnant woman and shes likely already Googled every method to get the baby out. (Side note: never tell her to enjoy this time and rest while she can. Just dont.) Pelvic pain and sciatica meant that many methods for natural labor induction were off the table for me, namely long walks and dont-even-talk-to-me-about-sex. Acupuncture and acupressure were out of my budget, and I wasnt about to start experimenting with Chinese herbs or inserting evening primrose oil into my nether regions. That left me with one option: food. There are countless anecdotes surrounding certain foods for their abilities to induce labor and I set out to try as many as I could. My first stop was Caioti Pizza Cafe in Studio City, California, founded by the late Ed LaDou. The chef, known in culinary circles as the father of gourmet pizza, opened his restaurant nearly 30 years ago, but I wasnt there for the pizza. For decades, The Salad, as its officially called on the menu, has been purported to induce spontaneous labor. Thanks to word-of- mouth success stories, pregnant women waddle into the small cafe almost daily to dine on the romaine and watercress tossed with walnuts, (pasteurized) Gorgonzola cheese and balsamic vinaigrette, in the hopes of going into labor. Over the years, owner Carrie LaDou has engaged with pregnant customers to learn their personal stories: We always ask if this is their first salad baby, and of repeat customers, seven or eight out of 10 say that it worked for them before. Of course, she points out, what constitutes working varies among women, since labor has kicked in anywhere from a few hours to several days later indicating it may have happened with or without the salad. LaDou says her physician once suggested the enzymes in the dressings balsamic vinegar sourced from a top-secret region can cause muscle contractions. I think its a combination of the dressing with the salad itself, she says. It was a happy accident so Im not going to mess with it. I tried the salad with extra dressing a week before my due date, taking only tentative bites because I wasnt quite ready for the desired effects to kick in. Its delicious, for sure, and along with friendly wait staff that seemed genuinely curious about my pregnancy and piles of guest books filled with other womens stories, it made for a welcoming atmosphere. Still, I had no signs of labor in the coming days. I briefly debated stocking up on fresh pineapple, thought to ripen the cervix. But the theory is that one would have to eat multiple pineapples to reap the benefits of the effective enzyme, bromelain. Therefore it was time for the next option: spicy food. I went all out on my mission: five-alarm buffalo chicken wings, cheese-and-jalapeno-stuffed bread with a peppery dipping sauce, chips and extra-hot salsa. Eating spicy food is probably the most common folklore regarding natural labor induction, but again, the exact properties remain largely unknown. Spicy foods can make the gut work faster, so some think it can cause the uterus to contract as well,explains Dr. Jonathan Schaffir, associate professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. In his report, half of 201 women surveyed used unprescribed methods to encourage labor, including spicy food, laxatives and herbs. He draws a potential connection between foods that have a laxative effect and labor: Many women notice gastric upset prior to going into labor because the prostaglandins that are involved in uterine labor can also cause intestinal contractions. Based on that logic, it explains why black licorice is also recommended to induce labor, and why a Jordanian study showed that women who ate six dates a day in the weeks leading up to birth had higher rates of spontaneous labor and increased cervical dilation upon hospital admission. I skipped out on the licorice but dutifully ate plump, sweet Medjool dates every day and can attest that they are, in fact, rich with fiber. Still, even though women may report anecdotal success stories, Dr. Schaffir believes most methods merely stem from old wives tales without any scientific evidence backing it up. Theres always bound to be someone who is successful because theyre about to go into labor naturally anyway, he says. In general, the safest thing is to let nature take its course. Two days before my due date, after a second round of cheesy jalapeno bread, I lost my plug but had no other signs of labor. A quick trip to the hospital confirmed that it still wasnt my time yet. I ate my daily allotment of dates, and the next night, ordered in an eggplant Parmesan sub from a local Italian restaurant. I had only faint hopes for this one since the lore stems from a very specific dish at Scalinis Italian Restaurant, located 2,000 miles away near Atlanta. The restaurant, which opened in 1980, claims to have had more than 300 pregnant women give birth within 48 hours of dining on the famous eggplant Parmesan. If I had any energy, I could have recreated their recipe at home, in the hopes of having my eggplant baby. Instead, I decided to add extra oregano and basil to my own order, which some theorize is the trigger in Scalinis dish. That night, my water broke. On my exact due date, I was admitted to the hospital where it was confirmed that my amniotic sac had ruptured, but my cervix was as uncooperative as it could be. My beautiful daughter was born via C-section by mid-afternoon. And it was a delicious journey getting there. Ms. Regina Berka Lukong to Supervise e-Learning, IT, Library & Gender Issues By: Saint Monica University Contact JJ Asongu ***@smuedu.org JJ Asongu End -- Saint Monica University (SMU): The American International University today announced that it has appointed Ms. Regina Berka Lukong as its Associate Vice President of Distance Education and Learning Resources (AVPDELR) as well as the University's Gender Specialist. Ms. Lukong will report to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs with regards to her position as AVPDELR, and to the Associate Vice President of Human Resources as well as the University's President with regards her other rule as Gender Specialist."I am quite impressed with Ms. Lukong's accomplishments and her exemplary leadership makes her a valuable member of my top administration,"said Professor Januarius Jingwa (JJ) Asongu, President and Chief Executive Officer of SMU. "Saint Monica University is committed to gender balance and she ensures that we remain a leader in gender equilibrium. Ms. Lukong will also supervise all information technology activities; online and distance education; the University library; instructional technologies;and a host of related activities."Ms. Regina Berka Lukong has been serving as SMU Gender Expert since she was appointed to that position on March 3, which is the International Women's Day. Her new position of AVPDELR will be held cumulatively with the former. Prior to this, she was the Coordinator of the SMU School of Business and Public Policy. Before coming to SMU, Ms. Lukong had over 20 years of teaching experience in secondary, vocational and higher education."I am committed to helping our visionary President make Saint Monica University the indisputable leader in higher education in Cameroon and Africa," said Ms. Regina Berka Lukong, AVPDELR and Gender Expert at SMU. "Our top priority is implementing best practices in online education and we have a strong team of professionals ready to make the difference. In addition to all other areas of my office, I'll also ensure that women continue to have a strong voice in SMU and in the society."Ms. Lukong is almost completing her PhD in Finance. She has a Master of Business Administration in Banking & Finance; a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance; and a Diploma in Theology. She has authored a book in Computer Science that is used by students preparing for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) at the Advanced Level. In addition, she has written a number of academic papers.Saint Monica University (SMU) is a leading private university in Cameroon. It is an American-style non-ecclesiastical Catholic institution, offering career-focused programs that are at the intersection of the liberal arts, science and technology. It is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, entrepreneurial and professional development of a diverse student population. SMU is focused on the student experience and helping our students achieve their educational and career goals, and contributing to a more sustainable society. We offer various certificates and diplomas as well as bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through the School of Arts, Education, & Humanities (SAEH); School of Business & Public Policy (SBPP); School of Health & Human Services (SHHS); and School of Science, Engineering & Technology (SSET). SMU is accredited in the United Kingdom by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ASIC) with Accreditation No: AS22357/0614 and is listed on the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP) with the UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN): 10048183. SMU is also fully accredited in Cameroon by the National Commission on Private Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education (MINESUP) with the Ordinance of Creation No: E14/0028/MINESUP/SG/DDES and the Ministerial Letter No: 15-09643/L/MINESUP/SG/DDES/ESUP/SDA/MM authorizing SMU to offer over 60 undergraduate and graduate diploma and degree programs. SMU is a member of many international academic organizations including the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), Global Universities In Distance Education (GUIDE), and the Talloires Network. For more information about SMU, visit our website: http://www.smuedu.org or write to us at admissions@smuedu.org. Horizons in Molecular Biology is an international symposium in the field of molecular life sciences, which is organized by PhD students of the MSc/PhD Molecular Biology Program - International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS). Horizons Meeting Goettingen Contact MoBiTec GmbH Goettingen, Germany ***@mobitec.com MoBiTec GmbHGoettingen, Germany End -- This year, the 13th annual Horizons in Molecular Biology will take place from September 12-15at theinThe aim of the symposium is to provide a forum for young scientists from all over the world to discuss their research and form networks.The organizing committee will present a program that provides participants with access to cutting edge research in the field of molecular life sciences. During these four days, some of the most renowned scientists will deliver lectures on their groundbreaking research in the fields of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Biotechnology, Structural Biology, and Neuroscience and Behavior.In addition, participants will have the chance for discussion not only during poster sessions and presentations but also during the numerous social activities. Selected participants will also have the opportunity to present their work in an awarded student talk, for which travel grants and a fee waiver will be provided. Furthermore, the 10th annual Career Fair for Life Sciences will be presented on Monday, September 12th, in which participants can network and interact with leaders from industry, publishing, and academia. The Career Fair is free of charge.Be assuered that Horizons in Molecular Biology will offer you new perspectives, visions, and opportunities!The Meeting is accompanied by an industrial exhibition, and MoBiTec invites interested participants to stop by for a chat.We are looking forward to meeting you in Gottingen!For details on the meeting please see: http://www.horizons.uni- goettingen.de/ (Goettingen, Germany) is a privately held company (founded in 1987) that offers research tools for molecular and cell biology. Products include DNA vectors for cloning and expression, cell transfection reagents and cell culture tools, immobilized and soluble enzymes, products for genomics and proteomics research, numerous antibodies and recombinant proteins, superior fluorescence reagents and kits, affinity chromatography products, as well as general laboratory equipment.In parallel to its own product lines, MoBiTec distributes products from international companies in Germany. MoBiTec products are distributed worldwide, in Germany from their home office, in other countries by distributors.www.mobitec.com Highly integrated Industrial-Grade Wi-Fi/BT SDIO Wireless Solution By: SparkLAN Communication INC. Contact Marketing Group ***@sparklan.com Marketing Group End -- SparkLAN Communications, Inc., an embedded wireless M2M (machine to machine) networking solution provider, introduces Industrial-Grade 802.11b/g/n Single-Band IoT / Bluetooth Card for wireless connectivity applications.SparkLAN launches WSDB-104GNI(BT), an IoT module integrated with Broadcom BCM43438 chipset based on advanced COMS process, featuring 2.4GHz WLAN 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth combo IoT solution, which provides up to 150Mbps Wi-Fi throughput by utilizing 1x1 802.11 b/g/n MIMO technology with Bluetooth Low Energy version 4.1 support. It is specifically designed to provide excellent performance with low power consumption for applications in general and extreme temperature conditions.WSDB-104GNI(BT) is a solution that is relatively small in dimension, cost-effective, better power management, and operates in temperature ranging from -40 ~ +85 degree Celsius. Its WLAN host interface supports SDIO to connect with host processor and high-speed UART interface provided to Bluetooth. And features advanced security encryption, 64/128-bit WEP, WPA and WPA2 to prevents from malicious attacks.The design to withstand in extreme temperature is ideally suitable for industrial embedded wireless environment & platform, such as rugged PC, IPC, POS, indoor/outdoor devices. It's also highly suitable for applications in general smart home applications such as home appliances, monitor and control, smart meter and energy management that require lower cost with high performance. Standard: IEEE 802.11b/g/n Host interface: SDIO, Hi-Speed UART Operating temperature range : -40 ~ +85 degree C. Chipset: Broadcom BCM43438 Antenna: PCB Printed ANT or U.FL connector, 1T1R Data rate up to 150Mbps Support Bluetooth 4.1Founded in 2002, SparkLAN is one of the worldwide leading wireless networking solution providers. Our product mix covers wireless embedded modules, and wireless networking devices, offering a comprehensive line of solutions for M2M connectivity in the highest growing broadband communication application. For more information, please visit www.sparklan.com Ghana Fashion & Design Week brings luxury and lifestyle brands experience to guests in a new experience at fashion week with Mercedes-Benz this October 21 23 OCT, at the Labadi Beach Luxury Hotel. End -- Ghana Fashion & Design Week (GFDW) welcomes back luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz for the second time in partnership to the fashion business week event this year, to take place on 21 23 OCT, at the Labadi Beach Luxury Hotel, curated under the theme; NEO AFRICA,supported by the brand sole and leading agent, Silver Star Auto Ltd. (SSAL).in Ghana.Globally recognized for its diverse affiliation with Fashion weeks across the global fashion map, Mercedes-Benz brand is synonymous with fashion, luxury and design innovation, established as a leader in support of fashion industry development and nurturing of emerging creative talents, providing unique opportunities for them to engage with the industry and evolve through experience. Mercedes-Benz is recognized for its fashionable alignment with innovative fashion week platforms that expresses the brand's luxury vision and ethos for fashion and creative business development. Design innovation remains at the center of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars unique engineering, pioneered by its inventor Carl Benz.We are pleased to have the support of Silver Star Auto Ltd. ( http://www.silverstar.com.gh ) (SSAL), creating the opportunity for meaningful partnership with the Mercedes-Benz brand in Ghana, sharing in our vision for innovation in fashion, design, creative industry advancement and talent development. We are excited to bring together experiential lifestyle brands at this year fashion week, that well compliment the Mercedes-Benz luxury car brand, especially as the new Mercedes E-Class will be revealed by Silver Star Auto this year at the event.Event activities this year will offer guests the opportunity to indulge in both business and lifestyle experiences, interact live with lifestyle brands, involve in business seminars, to experiencing runway shows and curated exhibition showcase, as well as engage in new creative experiences and meeting the makers.New Talent Spot initiative space at GFDW will unveil the collections of 3 emerging graduate designers in development at the space, and welcome 2 new recent graduate talents to the space for business development support.We are excited about the growth potential of the fashion industry across Africa, as fashion business takes a new route on the continent, we continue to offer one-of-kind support platform for creative entrepreneurs focused on Ethical fashion and sustainable luxury products made in Africa. The business innovation seminars this year will equally offer attendees a wealth of insight into brand development and essential business knowledge for advancement.We appreciate the continuous support of our partners and collaborators who shares in our creative vision for innovation, including; Mercedes-Benz, Silver Star Auto Ltd. Gh, Sai Gh, Canon (Oman Fofor Gh) Grey Goose, Vogue Italia, Time Out Accra, Business Day Ghana Newspaper, The Guardian Newspaper & Lifestyle (Nigeria), Complete Fashion Magazine (Nigeria), EventLabgh (Gh) Pulse Gh, Fashion One TV (USA), & Neighbourhood Gong(Gh).GFDW 2016 EVENT INFORMATIONTICKETS | BUSINESS SEMINAR REGISTRATION | PRESS ACCREDITATIONVia Website: www.ghanafashiondesignweek.com Press & Media Enquiriespress@ghanafashiondesignweek.comEvent Ticket & General Enquiries:event@ghanafashiondesignweek.comParticipation EnquiriesCATWALK PRESENTATION:designers@ghanafashiondesignweek.comTRADE EXHIBITION SHOW: exhibit@ghanafashiondesignweek.comMODELS Participation:models@ghanafashiondesignweek.comSEMINAR Registration:seminars@ghanafashiondesignweek.comINTERNSHIP Enquiries: internship@ghanafashiondesignweek.comSPONSOR / PARTNERSHIP:sponsor@ghanafashiondesignweek.comAbout Mercedes-Benz:Mercedes-Benz has a history of making history. Since the first car, Mercedes-Benz has set the pace for what all cars might someday become. With an ongoing stream of firsts in safety, performance and driving enjoyment, it's an ever more exciting roadmap to the future.About Silver Star Auto Ltd:Silver Star Auto Ltd (SSAL) was incorporated as a business entity in 1996. It is a limited liability company that deals in the sale and service of Mercedes-Benz vehicle and spare parts.SSAL is the sole agent of Daimler AG in Ghana. As a sister company to Japan Motors Trading Company, Silver Star Auto Limited started in its former' premises with 3 technicians until 1997 when it moved to the premises of Modern Automobile Services, in Accra (MAS).As a result of the high standards of professionalism and quality services delivery, the company expanded, leading to the movement of the workshop to a new ultra- modern service center in Tema, in October 2003, as well as relocating its showroom from Graphic Road to the Silver Star Tower, Airport City in January 2008.The Company's four main departments, which includes After-Sales and workshop, and Customer care unit are all specially set up to cater for the comfort and convenience of its esteemed customers.About GFDW:Ghana Fashion & Design Week (http://www.ghanafashiondesignweek.com/)(GFDW)is Ghana's most innovative fashion business week platform, pioneering innovation in fashion business and creativity. An international platform for commerce envisioned to support, direct and lead both emerging and established creative business practitioners. The event focus is directed at fashion and product design entrepreneurs, including accessories and interior design practitioners in Ghana, and in the Diaspora of the mother continent, alongside international designers, and businesses to showcase and exhibit their collections and products to a global audience for trade and marketing.GFDW New Talent Spot initiative space empowers and supports the development of talented nascent new graduates. Focused on providing essential business start-up continuity and creative design support as they transit from graduates to becoming new creative business entrepreneurs in Ghana.ETHIKHA platform at GFDW centers on Ethical Fashion & Sustainability development, dedicated to designers and social enterprises committed to driving social impact through fashion and design innovation, to improve the lives of society's underprivileged.#Ends Announces New, Deluxe Cruises to Meet Increasing Market Demand By: Katarina Line Katarina Line MV Infinity Deluxe Cruiser Contact 1430 Broadway, 17th Floor NY, NY 10008 ***@herman-almontepr.com 1430 Broadway, 17th FloorNY, NY 10008 End -- Katarina Line, Croatia's leading DMC and premier small ship cruise company, announced that it is launching new initiatives to attract travel agents in North America. These include expanding its sales and marketing programs and increasing its participation at major travel trade shows, such as the USTOA Annual Conference in Arizona, December 5 9. The company pays commissions to travel agents, who account for more than 95% of its bookings worldwide. It is also a member of many travel associations, including the USTOA, ASTA, NTA, RDA, ETOA and STAN.Katarina Line represents more than 50 ships in four different sizes and categories, with cruises that serve approximately 30,000 guests annually of all ages and budgets offering weekly guaranteed departures during high season from major tourist centers that include Opatija, Split and Dubrovnik. Katarina line recently added new, deluxe cruises in response to a growing demand from the U.S. and Canadian markets for a more luxurious cruise experience on the Croatian coast."Katarina Line is already widely known for its exceptional DMC land products that serve more than 70,000 clients worldwide with programs for organized groups and FIT's," said Daniel Hauptfeld, marketing director for Katarina Line"All of these can be conveniently combined with our cruises and all our land programs have guaranteed departure dates too."Katarina Line's cruise itineraries offer travelers a unique opportunity to explore the spectacular Mediterranean coastline and picturesque Croatian towns in a more intimate way. Guests can swim in the crystal blue waters and enjoy the local attractions at every port as they hop from island to island. Vessels range from the deluxe, ultra-modernthat can carry up to 38 passengers to the more traditional gullets two-masted and three-masted wooden sailing vessels that hold from eight to fourteen people. All vessels are lavishly designed, fully air-conditioned, with every modern convenience including Wi-Fi and spacious cabins.With local offices throughout Croatia, Katarina Line provides exceptional customer service, responding to customer needs quickly and efficiently. Through its extensive DMC operations, the company also enjoys strong partnerships with every quality hotel in Croatia and surrounding countries such as Slovenia, Montenegro, and Serbia, ensuring that any pre- and post-cruise land tours booked through Katarina Line feature the best accommodations for the money."North American travel agents bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to their jobs, reflecting the same commitment to excellence that Katarina Line offers its customers," said Hauptfeld. "We are fully committed to providing agents some of the industry's most generous incentives for partnering with us and providing their customers with the vacation of a lifetime."Katarina Line participates in travel trade shows around the world, including almost all major shows in Europe and many shows in the U.S. In addition to the USTOA Annual Conference, it will also participate in several other shows presenting their programs and itineraries directly to travel agents.Katarina Line is Croatia's premier small ship cruise company and leading DMC with weekly guaranteed departures from the end of April to mid-October, operating out of the major tourist centers of Opatija, Split and Dubrovnik. With a fleet of more than 50 ships in four different categories, the company serves more than 70,000 clients that include 30,000 cruise guests of all ages and budgets. Katarina Line itineraries give travelers the chance to explore the stunning natural environment and picturesque Mediterranean towns of Croatia while hopping from one island to another, offering guests the unique opportunity to experience the true Croatia. The company enjoys an exceptional relationship with travel agents, which account for more than 95% of all bookings worldwide. Katarina Line is a member of many different travel associations, including USTOA, ASTA, NTA, ACTA, RDA, ETOA, STAN. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-485-3121 or visit www.katarina- line.com and www.incomingcroatia.com Contact GIS Cloud Andrea Kovac, Marketing/PR Manager at GIS Cloud ***@giscloud.com GIS CloudAndrea Kovac, Marketing/PR Manager at GIS Cloud End -- GIS Cloud is excited to announce that its Offline Maps for Mobile will be released at the FOSS4G 2016 Conference in Bonn, together with the first glimpses of future platform.FOSS4G 2016 takes place in Bonn, Germany (August 24-26), and it is the largest geospatial Open Source event. GIS Cloud is proud to sponsor and attend the conference. In the words of Dino Ravnic, GIS Cloud's CEO and Co-Founder:"We are looking forward to sponsoring this year's FOSS4G in Bonn. It will be a great opportunity to meet with users, partners and peers in our industry. GIS Cloud is built on open source so we'll be sharing insights on how we are using different geospatial technologies."GIS Cloud will also have a booth (No 3) in the exhibition space, where the conference visitors will get a chance to meet the team in person and ask anything they want to know, or request a demo.Marko Santic (CTO and Co-Founder) and Igor Farkas (Business Development Manager) will hold the company presentation on Friday, 26th of August in the Plenary Office (14:30-15:00), dedicated to glancing into the future of GIS Cloud platform.Dino Ravnic will hold a presentation about Offline Maps for Mobile on Thursday, 25th of August at 11am in Room Berlin: "Using SQLite to take maps offline on mobile devices ( http://2016.foss4g.org/ talks.html#375 )"."Providing support for offline maps ( http://www.giscloud.com/ blog/offline- maps-available- for-e... ) has been a priority for GIS Cloud this year. Even though internet access is today available for many locations, there are still many areas that lack internet connection. By providing a way to store, access, visualize and search for large and small map data on any mobile/tablet device, we are looking forward to bringing users more value out of using our apps while working in the field in remote areas." - Dino Ravnic, GIS Cloud's CEO and Co-FounderGIS Cloud will also attend B2B meeting on 23rd of August.For arranging a face-to-face meeting, contact GIS Cloud at hello@giscloud.com.About GIS Cloud:GIS Cloud, launched in 2010, is one of the leading cloud GIS providers in the market. Offering a range of mobile and web based applications, GIS Cloud provides solutions for many different industries, focusing on the development of an intuitive platform with unmatched collaboration and sharing capabilities.Learn more at www.giscloud.com The Norwegian wealth fund downgraded the value of its British real estate portfolio by 5 percent after the Brexit vote. This is a reaction to the uncertainty due to the forthcoming exit of Great Britain from the EU. The necessity of a further decrease the fund management, however, regards as Photos: Aberdeen UK Property Fund, Aberdeen UK Property Fund [] Rockcastle Global Real Estate acquired Bonarka City Center in Krakow for 361 mln. The fund has signed a preliminary agreement with Trios Dutch Holdings - the owner of the shopping centre controlled by TriGranit (TPG). Savills has represented the purchaser. This transaction follows the previous acq... [] Coral reefs are delicate ecosystems, which are endangered by climate change and human activities. The restoration of these underwater environments is typically carried out by transplanting corals from healthy reefs to compromised ones. This practice can be problematic, as it overlooks the local characteristics of each reef, and may reduce genetic diversity. The first step towards an ecologically mindful restoration is the detailed understanding of the population structure and genetic variation of each reef. Yuna Zayasu and Chuya Shinzato, from the Marine Genomics Unit of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), investigated 298 colonies from 15 locations across the Nansei Archipelago, in Japan. They compared the DNA of one of the most widespread coral, scientifically known as Acropora tenuis, to gain a deeper comprehension of its genetic diversity. Their project was a collaboration between several institutions: the Japanese Fisheries Research Agency, the University of the Ryukyus, OIST Marine Biophysics Unit and the OIST Marine Genomics Unit. Their results are published in Ecology and Evolution. "We wanted to check the genetic correlation between different colonies," Zayasu explained. The researchers used a technique similar to the one commonly employed for paternity test, comparing 13 DNA portions for each different sample of the coral. Such portions are called 'microsatellites'. "The results show that there are at least two different populations of A. tenuis in the Nansei, despite the fact that there is no geographic boundary between these populations." The finding is particularly interesting, because it questions the previous assumption that A. tenuis has the ability to easily disperse throughout the Nansei islands. This assumption was based on the importance attributed to the main marine current in the Nansei -- the Kuroshio Current -- in the life cycle of the coral. Specifically, on the influence that the Kuroshio could have while the coral is in its larva form, swimming to select a settlement site. Zayasu and colleagues are suggesting that there are other factors that are key to explain the complex population structure. Specifically, a local current -- ignored in coral studies to date -- that flows in the opposite direction of the Kuroshio. This new hypothesis is supported by the fact that the Kuroshio Current flows from south to north, while one of the A. tenuis population shows signs of north to south expansion. The south of Okinawa Island is the potential contact point of the two populations. "While we have clearly detected two populations, it is possible that there are more," Zayasu said. "Whole genome analysis -- that allows full access to the DNA of an organism -- could in the future reveal more detailed population relationship, possibly even highlighting historical events such as local extinction and recovery." The uniqueness of the coral reef that this study presents is noteworthy, because if each reef is a distinctive environment for unique varieties of corals, reef restoration should aim to protect the specific characteristics of each local habitat and population. In a first-of-its-kind study, James Cook University scientists have discovered a mosaic mix of marine zones could benefit populations of prey fishes. The research, conducted by JCU's Dr April Hall and Professor Michael Kingsford, looked at whether fishing of predators on the Great Barrier Reef had effects on the reproductive dynamics of their prey. Dr Hall said it was the first study to demonstrate that the depletion of predators can cause cascading ecological effects, and impact prey species at a biological level. The scientists collected a prey species -- the bridled monocle bream -- from two management zones in the Palm Island group: marine reserves, which are protected from fishing, and open zones, which are heavily fished. Predators such as coral trout, snapper, and emperor fish are popular fishing targets on the Great Barrier Reef, and play a vital role in coral reef food webs. "We predicted that in marine reserves, where predators were abundant, prey would allocate more energy to predator avoidance compared to fished zones with fewer predators, and that this would affect their growth and reproduction," said Dr Hall. The team found that in the predator-rich marine reserves, the bream had reduced growth, poorer body condition, and a reduced capacity to reproduce compared to fished areas. In fished areas, depletion of predators meant prey species grew faster, and had a greater reproductive capacity. Dr Hall said that the study emphasises the importance of long-term protection of predators in marine reserves. "It's important to recognise that this pattern of predators influencing prey is a natural process, and marine reserves are the best way to ensure that this process continues." Professor Kingsford says the research has potential implications for understanding the connectivity of fish populations across management zones. "One of the things we now understand is that the reproductive effort of prey fish outside protected areas can flow back into reserves. This suggests that a mixture of zones is important for the health of fish populations." Dr Hall said it's likely that the patchy mosaic design of fished zones and marine reserves around the Palm Islands enables this process. "This is significant, and provides support for the multi-zone system of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park," she said. Apparently, it's more convenient to Florida residents to save water while brushing their teeth than to cut back on lawn irrigation, according to a new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension report. Alexa Lamm, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of agricultural education and communication and Extension specialist, surveyed 932 people deemed to be high-water users in Orlando, Tampa/Sarasota and Miami/Fort Lauderdale. Respondents were asked how often they engage in water-related behaviors. Among the results, 68 percent saved water when brushing their teeth, but only 29 percent reduced irrigating their lawns in the summer, according to a recent report. To put this data into context, about 50 percent of Floridians' daily water use is for outdoor purposes, such as landscape irrigation, according to the South Florida Water Management District. The 50 percent figure is 20 percent more than the national average, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In Lamm's opinion, homeowners' association rules -- which often require lush landscapes -- are part of the reason homeowners won't reduce their outdoor watering. But she said there's probably more to it than that. "It is easier to save water indoors," Lamm said. "You can turn off the faucet easily when washing dishes or only run your dishwasher and laundry when they are full." But when it comes to their sprinkler system, some homeowners are more hesitant and will probably rely on either the installer to have done it correctly or the person that maintains their yard to manage it, she said. advertisement "This puts their decision-making in the hands of others," Lamm said. "The second reason is because I believe, and the literature says, many move to Florida for the lush, green lifestyle it represents. When homeowners move from another part of the U.S., where they had brown lawns a significant part of the year, they want a lawn that is pretty and green year-round because they can here. They are willing to pay to have it and may not be thinking about the environmental consequences." Homeowners can do a lot to become more environmentally friendly, Lamm said. They can: Learn more about their irrigation system to ensure it is working properly. Manage the amount of fertilizer they use to ensure it is applied appropriately. Make their outdoor systems don't leak. Install moisture sensors. Get more engaged and be part of the decision-making process. In addition to the data being useful for homeowners, Lamm hopes it helps UF/IFAS Extension educators. They can work with water management districts, local governments and utility companies to develop sound policy that will assist in saving water while maintaining the lifestyle we all enjoy in Florida. "Extension faculty can teach homeowner's how to manage their technology and tell them it doesn't have to be a scary, unknown thing that is outside and not thought about," she said. "They can also assist in developing incentive programs related to outdoor water use -- installing sensors, rain barrels and replacing landscapes so they are Florida Friendly, just like we have done with indoor water use through water conserving appliances -- toilets and showerheads." To date, it has been assumed that the differentiation of stem cells depends on the environment they are embedded in. A research group at the University of Basel now describes for the first time a mechanism by which hippocampal neural stem cells regulate their own cell fate via the protein Drosha. The journal Cell Stem Cell has published their results. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to differentiate into many cell types. However, the cell types that somatic stem cells produce are usually restricted to those of the organ in which they sit. The current view proposes that stem cell differentiation is controlled by their local environment, the so-called niche. Thus, stem cells receive and interpret specific factors present in their niche that guide their differentiation into specific and restricted cell types. In the adult brain, the hippocampus is responsible for specific forms of memory -- a brain region that is also affected in diseases such as dementia, depression and epilepsy. The functions of the hippocampus are based on different cell types, some of which are generated throughout life by neural stem cells. Neural stem cells are generally accepted to produce three different cell types: neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. However, the adult hippocampus does not produce oligodendrocytes -- the reason for this was so far not known. Intrinsic cell mechanism Researchers from the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel have now found that the fate of adult hippocampal stem cells is not only controlled by their local niche, but also by a cell-intrinsic mechanism. Their study describes the central role of the enzyme Drosha in this mechanism. Drosha degrades the messenger RNA for NFIB in the adult hippocampal stem cells and prevents the expression of this transcription factor which is necessary for the differentiation of oligodendrocytes and thus blocks their development and therefore biases differentiation towards neurons. The team lead by Prof. Verdon Taylor was able to demonstrate for the first time a cell-intrinsic mechanism regulating stem cell fate. "Our research results about the function of Drosha challenge the way we used to think about how stem cell fate is controlled," says cell biologist Taylor. His research group now wants to study if and how stem cells are able to modulate the activity of Drosha in order to satisfy demand. Texas legislators are investigating the benefits of RAPIDO, a pilot program developed with recommendations from Texas A&M University's Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center (HRRC), that dramatically reduces the time it takes to rebuild homes destroyed by natural disasters. The Texas Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations is studying RAPIDO and other disaster recovery efforts in Texas to develop policy recommendations prior to the January 2017 state legislative session. In a Texas Senate hearing on post-disaster housing recovery held last year, a San Benito resident, Amita Melendez, testified that her mother, who had tried for years to rebuild her home that was badly damaged by Hurricane Dolly in 2008, was able to move into a modern, customized home within six months of entering the RAPIDO program. The program is managed by buildingcommunityWORKSHOP, a Texas-based, nonprofit organization that employs design to improve community livability and viability. The group was founded by Brent Brown '91, who earned bachelor of environmental design and master of architecture degrees at Texas A&M. In developing recommendations for RAPIDO, HRRC researchers reviewed 40 reports detailing obstacles and challenges faced by homeowners trying to rebuild in the wake of Gulf and Atlantic coast hurricanes between 2005-2015. "One key finding was the need to address long delays faced by those transitioning from temporary housing to permanent housing," said Shannon Van Zandt, the HRRC research faculty fellow and professor of urban planning who headed the review. "The RAPIDO program was developed to respond to this challenge by helping residents return to their property within three months, then build their home incrementally." Van Zandt was assisted by Jaimie Hicks Masterson, an HRRC research assistant, and Master of Urban Planning student Katherine Barbour, who earned a degree in 2015. Once accepted into the RAPIDO program, families move into pre-assembled modules erected on their property within days of a disaster. Then, the homeowners provide design input for their new homes, which are constructed around the module at a pace and budget they can afford. The process creates a much quicker and more equitable path to permanent housing for low-income residents, who are often most at risk from disasters, say the researchers. In her testimony to the Texas senators, Melendez said the RAPIDO program provided her mother the safest, healthiest home she's had in years, but the obstacles to rebuilding prior to her joining the program were such that her father passed away before the new home was finished. His death speaks to the urgency of disaster recovery needs, Melendez said. "We cannot leave Texans waiting year after year for safe housing after a hurricane or tropical storm." The RAPIDO program will be featured at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York in "By the People: Designing a Better America," an exhibit of exemplary design models in the U.S. The exhibit, slated to run Sept. 30, 2016 through Feb. 26, 2017, will highlight design solutions that expand access to education, food, health care and affordable housing; increase social and economic inclusion; offer improved alternative transportation options; and provide a balanced approach to land use between the built and natural environments. In a paper published in Science this week, Philip M. Fearnside of Brazil's National Institute for Research in Amazonia (INPA) explains how the country's environmental licensing is under threat from a flurry of proposed laws and constitutional amendments. These have jumped into the forefront as anti-environment politicians rush to exploit the opportunity offered by Brazil's current political turmoil. Legislators are eager to help provide short-term stimulation to the country's flagging economy, as by removing social and environmental restrictions on proposed development projects. Many legislative functions, such as attendance in committee hearings, are emptied out while attention is focused on presidential impeachment proceedings. Interested groups of legislators can appear in force at key sessions and vote to approve controversial items, such as the proposed constitutional amendment (PEC-65), pending since 2012, that was suddenly approved by a Senate committee in April. A "maneuver" by opponents on the Senate floor managed to return the proposal to the committee, but the same senators who approved it remain as committee members. PEC-65 would essentially eliminate licensing for infrastructure such as dams and highways, making the mere submission of an environmental impact assessment an automatic and unstoppable approval for building a project. Amending Brazil's highly detailed constitution is relatively easy: since the current one came into effect in 1988 it has been amended 91 times. Other threats include a Senate proposal for a law (PL-654/2015) that would also gut environmental licensing, condensing the three-step process into only one and setting a deadline for the environmental agency to approve projects that is only one-seventh the normal time for licensing, with the project being automatically approved if the deadline is exceeded. This has recently been approved in committee and awaits a full senate vote. Another pending law (PL-1.610/1996) and a proposed constitutional amendment (PEC-210) would open indigenous lands to mining, while another proposed amendment (PEC-215) would remove the power of the government's environmental and indigenous agencies to create new protected areas, including indigenous lands. A proposal backed by state governments (Processo 02000.001845/2015-32) is progressing through the National Council of the Environment (CONAMA) to allow "self-licensing" for many development projects. Fearnside's paper predicts that the current political climate will cause other "sleeping" proposals to surge forth and to have increased chances of being passed. As if on cue, while the Science paper was in press another assault on Brazil's environmental licensing system sprang from the woodwork and was designated for a "priority regime" in preparing for a vote. This is a proposed law (PL-3.729/2004) that had been pending in the House of Deputies since 2004; it would create a special "simplified" licensing for "strategic" projects such as dams. A "substitutive" endorsed by the rapporteur (relator) of the proposal would replace the original wording with the even more radical wording of PEC-65. In summary: Reality Environmental licensing is threatened by Brazil's current political situation. Risks Development projects, such as dams and highways in Amazonia, often have major environmental and social impacts. Wise decisions require assessing and weighing these impacts before projects are implemented. Without environmental licensing, damaging projects will have little or no consideration of impacts before they go forward. In addition to their deliberately caused impacts, such projects can set in motion processes that are largely outside of government control. Deforestation and loss of environmental services affect people in Brazil most directly, but these losses also affect all inhabitants of the Planet. The Amazon forest's important roles in maintaining climate stability and biodiversity are global, as well as national, concerns. Response People in Brazil are the most affected by unwise development decisions in the country and are also the ones who decide what happens to the country's environment. In practice, political decisions on environmental issues often do not reflect the best interests of the population, as was made starkly clear in 2011 when the House of Deputies voted by a seven-to-one margin to gut the country's Forest Code, despite 80% of the population opposing any change. The scientific community has long contributed to documenting the environmental services of Brazil's ecosystems and the impacts of destroying them. This information is more important than ever in providing a basis for debate on the multitude of legislative proposals threatening environmental policies. The ultimate enemy is fatalism: the presumption that avoiding environmental destruction is a lost cause. The amount of sea level rise in the Pacific Ocean can be used to estimate future global surface temperatures, according to a new report led by University of Arizona geoscientists. Based on the Pacific Ocean's sea level in 2015, the team estimates by the end of 2016 the world's average surface temperature will increase up to 0.5 F (0.28 C) more than in 2014. In 2015 alone, the average global surface temperature increased by 0.32 F (0.18 C). "Our prediction is through the end of 2016," said first author Cheryl Peyser. "The prediction is looking on target so far." Scientists knew that both the rate at which global surface temperature is rising and sea level in the western Pacific varied, but had not connected the two phenomena, said Peyser, a UA doctoral candidate in geosciences. "We're using sea level in a different way, by using the pattern of sea level changes in the Pacific to look at global surface temperatures -- and this hasn't been done before," she said. advertisement Peyser and her colleagues used measurements of sea level changes taken by NASA/NOAA/European satellites starting in 1993. Using sea surface height rather than sea surface temperatures provides a more accurate reflection of the heat stored in the entire water column, said co-author Jianjun Yin, a UA associate professor of geosciences. "We are the first to use sea level observations to quantify the global surface temperature variability," Yin said. The team found when sea level in the western Pacific rises more than average -- as it did from 1998 to 2012 -- the rise in global surface temperatures slows. In contrast, when sea level drops in the western Pacific but increases in the eastern Pacific as it did in 2015, global surface temperatures bump up because the heat stored in the ocean is released, Yin said. advertisement The paper by Peyser, Yin, Felix Landerer of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, and Julia Cole, a UA professor of geosciences, titled, "Pacific Sea Level Rise Patterns and Global Surface Temperature Variability," is being published online in Geophysical Research Letters. People already knew the tropical Pacific Ocean was relatively higher in the west -- the trade winds blow from east to west, piling up water on the western side of the Pacific. However, the degree of the tilt from west to east changes over time, much like a seesaw. Sometimes the western Pacific near Asia is much higher than the ocean's eastern coast with the Americas. At other times, Pacific sea level in the west is not much greater than sea level in the east. Others had documented that two different climate cycles, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the El Nino/La Nina cycle, affected how much the surface of the Pacific Ocean tilted from west to east. From 1998 to 2012, the rate at which the global surface temperature increased slowed down -- a phenomenon dubbed "the global warming hiatus." During the same time period, sea level in the western tropical Pacific Ocean increased four times faster than the average global sea level rise. Yin wondered if the two phenomena -- sea level and global surface temperature -- were related and asked Peyser, his graduate student, to investigate. To figure out whether there was a connection, Peyser used state-of-the-art climate models that show what the climate system would do in the absence of global warming. The models showed that changes in sea level in the western Pacific were correlated with changes in global surface temperature. Verifying the correlation allowed the researchers to calculate the numerical relationship between amount of tilt and global surface temperature. Once the researchers had the correlation, they used actual Pacific sea level data from satellites to calculate the Pacific Ocean's contribution to global surface temperature. "What I found was that during years when the tilt was steep in the western Pacific, global average temperature was cooler," she said. "And when the seesaw is tilted more toward the eastern Pacific, it's warmer." "We could say that for a certain amount of change in the tilt, you could expect a certain change in the temperature," she said. "Natural variability is a really important part of the climate cycle." Understanding the variability is crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying the warming hiatus, Yin said. During the global warming hiatus, more heat was being stored in the deeper layers of the western Pacific Ocean, muting warming at the surface, the researchers said. Because warmer water expands, that stored heat contributed to the extreme sea level rise in the western Pacific during that time. Starting in 2014 the ocean's tilt started to flatten out as the climate cycle changed to an El Nino pattern. The heat previously stored in the ocean was being released, warming Earth's surface and reducing sea level in the western Pacific. Yin was surprised to find the Pacific Ocean plays such an important role in the global surface temperature. He said, "Our research shows that the internal variability of the global climate system can conceal anthropogenic global warming, and at other times the internal variability of the system can enhance anthropogenic warming." The next step, he said, is figuring out the mechanisms that allow the Pacific to change the global surface temperature so quickly. In 2015, two researchers remotely hacked a Jeep Cherokee being driven by a reporter who documented how the researchers controlled everything from the car's radio and media console to its brakes and steering. For Dr. Shucheng Yu, an associate professor of computer science at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the exercise demonstrated how vulnerable smart cars with GPS, Bluetooth, and internet connections are to cyberattacks. "These cars have become the trend of the future," Yu said. "There could be some very severe consequences if someone hacked into the car. A car can be fully controlled by the hacker if it is not protected." So Yu and his student, Zachary King, a junior majoring in computer science at UALR, spent the summer researching how to keep cars safe from cyberattacks. They worked on the project during an intensive eight-week summer research program at UALR. King was one of 10 college students from across the country recruited through a National Science Foundation grant-funded project, "REU Site: CyberSAFE@UALR: Cyber Security and Forensics Research at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock." The goal of the program is to decrease cyberattacks on people using mobile technology and social networking sites, said Dr. Mengjun Xie, an associate professor of computer science and director of the CyberSAFE@UALR program. advertisement "The basic idea is to integrate cybersecurity and cyber forensics research with the latest technology in mobile cloud computing and social media to provide research opportunities to students," Xie said. More than 130 students applied for 10 spots. Participants included undergraduate college students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher who are majoring in computer science, computer engineering, math, physics, or electrical engineering Those selected spent eight weeks conducting research full time with a faculty mentor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Participants received a $4,000 stipend, on-campus housing, a meal plan, and travel expenses. How to protect your smart car In his project, "Investigating and Securing Communications in the Controller Area Network (CAN), King created a security protocol to protect smart cars from hacking. He also built an experimental environment that simulates the communication system in a smart car, which allows the security protocol to be tested through simulations The research focuses on the development of a security protocol to protect the Controller Area Network (CAN), an internal communications system in vehicles. advertisement "There are many ways that hackers can control CAN," King said. "Once they access it, hackers can pretty easily control your car however they want. We are proposing to add a layer of security, so if an unauthorized person accesses it, they still wouldn't be able to control your vehicle." The security protocol protects the CAN in two ways. It authenticates messages sent through the network by creating an authentication code. This authentication code allows nodes on the network to differentiate between a valid message and an attacker's message. The second security feature protects against replay attacks, when a hacker attempts to breach the network by repeatedly sending an old message. The protocol uses a timestamp to calculate when the network last received the message, which verifies the message's "freshness." Yu and King are continuing their research this fall. In the future, Yu hopes to collaborate with industry and funding agencies to implement the security protocol in commercial vehicles and protect cars from hackers. As for King, participating in this summer research program has left him considering a career in cybersecurity once he graduates in 2018. "Three months ago, I wouldn't have been able to tell you much about cybersecurity and what a security protocol would look like," he said. "After having completed this program, I am more interested in cybersecurity than I was before, and I may end up going that route." A summer of innovative research The CyberSAFE@UALR participants were honored during a commencement ceremony July 29 at the UALR Engineering and Information Technology Building. Their research topics range from utilizing cybersecurity and social network forensics to understanding cyber warfare to the use of facial emotion recognition for security purposes. The participants, faculty mentors, and projects included: Jonathan Ming, a junior at Azusa Pacific University (mentor: Mengjun Xie): "Remote Live Forensics for Android" Monica Bebawy, a junior at Azusa Pacific University (mentor: Mariofanna Milanova): "Facial Emotion Recognition for Security" Dennis Frank, a junior at Georgia Institute of Technology, and Jasmine Mabrey, a sophomore at Norfolk State University (mentor: Kenji Yoshigoe): "Neurological User Authentication: Security Framework" Antwane Lewis, a senior at Philander Smith College (mentor: Mengjun Xie): "Real Time Motion-based Authentication for Smartwatch" Brandon Dalton, a sophomore at Wentworth Institute of Technology (mentor: Nitin Agarwal): "Utilizing Cyber and Social Network Forensics for the Understanding of Cyber Warfare" Edsel Paula-Aquina, a senior at Warren Wilson College, and Ying Vang, a senior at California State University-Fresno (mentor: Chia-Chu Chiang): "Computer on Encrypted Data" Diana Anguiano, a senior at California State University-San Marcos (mentor: Mengjun Xie): "Comparison between Fingerprint Authentication and Behavioral Biometric Authentication using 2D and 3D Gestures" Koa is quite a name for a potbellied pig - it means "warrior." But in Koa's case, the name couldn't be more apt. Koa was discovered by a Good Samaritan in Ohio, with gashes and wounds all over his body, apparently beaten and left for dead. When the person tried to help, the terrified pig ran into the woods. It took all night, but volunteers from Sunrise Sanctuary and PETA combed through the trees and finally found Koa. They rushed him to Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital. Floodwaters have a way of hiding the devastation that lurks beneath, wrapping the terrible toll of a disaster - ruined homes, churches, business, lives - in a murky embrace. Josh Pettit But Josh Pettit has seen a lot of hope. Often, it floats. Like when he was boating through a flood-ravaged area near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this week, where neighborhoods once stood, and all he could see was dark, angry water for miles around. Josh Pettit But then he spotted a pair of eyes staring at him, wide-eyed with terror, from just above the surface. Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Couple Meets A Beach Dog In Mexico Who Changes Their Life Josh Pettit A dog, treading wildly to stay above water that was around 8-feet high. "She was so tired," he tells The Dodo. "We got her in the boat and she was exhausted." Pettit says the dog rested her head on his lap and cried and moaned. This browser does not support the video tag. Josh Pettit That was Sadie. And since being hauled from the depths, she's been reunited with her owner. But that wasn't the end for Pettit, who's been part of a group of locals plying the waters and helping any humans and animals they find. "We pulled over 200 people off of roofs and probably 20 or more dogs and cats," he says. Josh Pettit Along the way, he and his friends are putting their lives at risk. But that hardly matters. "I'm here because I'm a local and this is my community and local people," he says. "We take care of one another down here." If you happen to be in Louisiana these days, you will likely hear that same refrain a lot. The nation's worst disaster since 2012's Hurricane Sandy has seen at least 13 people killed, and thousands more displaced. 6,900,000,000,000 gallons of water in a single week will do that. But while around 20 parishes are underwater, heroes are also rising to the surface. People like Pettit. And Mike Anderson and Darrell Watson, who have been saving dogs, literally, from death's doorstep, since the disaster began. People who see every life as precious and worth saving. MIKE ANDERSON That's why animal rescue groups and individuals are scrambling in the region, working together to find housing for pets who had to be evacuated from shelters that no longer exist. "We're helping to get the animals to come out, getting them fostered, getting them in homes, getting them adopted," Kathy Perra, director of Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO), tells The Dodo. Rescue groups are making sorties into flooded areas, hauling back cats, dogs and other pets from shelters that simply disappeared in the downpour. Thousands of pets, both lost and evacuated from shelters, are being hosted in temporary facilities. "I don't know how to explain it," an emotional Perra explains. "It's just devastating out there. There are parishes that have lost 60 percent of their homes or more. The people who are displaced, they have animals. "When they were evacuated, people weren't able to take their animals." And pets, as we've seen time and time again, are key to bringing hope and healing in times of disaster. "A lot of these areas don't typically flood," Perra explains. "There's a lot of people with no flood insurance. My heart just goes out to them. What do you do?" "What do you do when you lose your family member? Your animal is your family member," she said. "People are frantically searching for them." ARNO, along with groups like Villalobos Rescue Center, has been working tirelessly to haul animals out of Baton Rouge-area shelters, while pleading with the public to foster them. "They're looking for homes anyway," Perra says. "And for those that are owned, that didn't come from shelters, every effort is going to be made to try to find their owners." One dog got more than she bargained for when she decided to take a trip far away from the comforts of home. Last week, Hat Trick - called Hattie for short - left her large backyard in Virginia, Minnesota, after she was let out around 9 p.m., and never returned home. The 12-year-old Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever then wandered right into the thick of a nearby construction site. To her family, it was as though she had disappeared overnight. "Typically ... [her family] let her go out and she comes back without a problem," Judy Jacobs, a public affairs administrator with Minnesota's Department of Transportation (MnDOT), told The Dodo. "They have an invisible fence and she had never broken through the barrier until recently when she went to a local lake for a swim and the night she went to the construction site." The construction site Hattie wandered into | Minnesota Department of Transportation While it isn't known when, how or why Hattie scaled the rock wall, somehow she was able to descend down the wall only so far before she became hopelessly stuck. What's even more mind-boggling (or, arguably, impressive), is that Hattie, a senior dog, is on medication for stiff joints, Jacobs said. Dodo Shows Comeback Kids Family Stops At Nothing To Help Their Great Dane Run Minnesota Department of Transportation "The contractors were alerted to the dog's presence after hearing rocks falling down the wall," MnDOT wrote on Facebook. "At first glance they thought she was a fox (the workers had seen multiple foxes climb up and down the wall without issue in the past)." Minnesota Department of Transportation Hattie, frightened by her predicament, did not respond to contractors trying to coax her further down the rock wall, so one worker volunteered to go up to the dog himself. "The pup reportedly jumped right into the basket and was an obedient guest, sitting nicely the whole way down," MnDOT wrote. "The worker even brought an extra safety harness to clip the dog in the basket for extra security." Minnesota Department of Transportation Once Hattie was safely back on the ground, she happily drank from a bowl of water and accepted head pats. Thankfully, she wore a collar with an ID tag. Her owners were called and they arrived within half an hour to take Hattie back home. Other than being covered in dirt, the dog was found to be in good health and spirits. Minnesota Department of Transportation Life is full of decisions - some good, some bad. This little guy chose the latter. He got stuck. Northampton Police Department There's no telling exactly what the lovable, but hapless raccoon was thinking when he decided to wedge his head through a clearly too-small opening on a sewer grate. But it's fair to say he wishes he'd thought about it a little longer. See that face? That is the face of regret. Dodo Shows Odd Couples Kitten Isn't Sure About His Pittie Brother At First Northampton Police Department Fortunately, the clumsy coon's self-imposed predicament didn't go unnoticed. He was discovered this week outside a medical center in Massachusetts, after which Northampton Police Department animal control officer Shayla Howe stepped in to help. Freeing the raccoon wouldn't be so easy, however. Northampton Police Department It wasn't simply a matter of nudging the raccoon back down through, like opening a bottle of wine at a picnic without a corkscrew. His head was so tightly jammed, Howe had to remove the grate and lube him up with cooking oil first. "It took a while," she told MassLive / The Republican. Again - regrets. Northampton Police Department In the end, all that effort (and the greasy mess) paid off. The rueful raccoon was finally free! Northampton Police Department LONDON Way up in One Canada Square, in the Canary Wharf financial district, a map of post-Brexit London is flashing. The electronic model on the 30th floor traces the route of a new rail line that George Iacobescu, captain of Canary Wharf Group Plc, hopes will prevent an exodus of bankers from his vast development east of the City of London. Few places in greater London encapsulate the challenges posed by Britains vote to exit the European Union quite like Canary Wharf, home to JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc. and HSBC Holdings Plc. Iacobescu has spent the past 30 years transforming the development into a modern rival to the medieval Square Mile, about four kilometres west. Only now, the future of the City and of Canary Wharf, its smaller brother has been thrown into doubt. Already, commercial property prices are falling across London, as banks, corporations and ordinary people try to assess the business and economic fallout. For many, Canary Wharf has become the ultimate Brexit bellwether. Their landlord, however, is undaunted. The opening of Crossrail, which will slash commuter times by connecting the district to Londons main transport nodes, is due in 2018, about when the terms of the divorce from Brussels should become clearer. Iacobescu says these links and the 14 years his leases have left to run on average are why hes unfazed by warnings that tens of thousands of financial-services jobs could be lost, threatening his main source of revenue renting office space to banks. Bringing the line here is the most important achievement in the companys history, Iacobescu, 70, said in an interview. We are close to 100-per-cent leased, so I wouldnt worry about Brexit. The engineer, who grew up behind the Iron Curtain in communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescus Romania, has seen six prime ministers come and go since the 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher phoned the Canadian developer he was working for at the time to implore the company to oversee the development of a modern alternative to the centuries-old City of London. The task defeated the districts original developer Olympia & York and a refinancing was required in the aftermath of the global credit crunch to stave off a potential default. Now with 36 buildings, about half of which Canary Wharf Group still owns, the 100-acre (40.5-hectare) estate is once again bracing for upheaval. The U.K. commercial property market fell into recession in July following the Brexit vote, according to MSCI Inc., with the value of central London offices falling 3.6 per cent. Canary Wharf is pivoting toward residential and retail construction and pushing to lure tech startups, a plan that has continued since Qatar Investment Authority and Brookfield Property Partners LP acquired the firm and took it private last year. That was in part because of the companys pipeline of development projects, according to Brookfield Property Chairman Ric Clark, who sits on Canary Wharfs board. The new owners agreed to pay 2.6 billion, a 34-per-cent premium to the share price before the bid. The next phase of Canary Wharf couldnt be more exciting, Clark said. We will be very appealing to the millennials that are driving most local economies. Three blocks southeast of One Canada Square, where four cranes surround a 50-foot hole dug below the waterline, the concrete core of the areas next skyscraper is just emerging. But this one, along with most of the other two dozen buildings that will make up the new neighbourhood, will be residential. The future includes slender luxury apartment towers ensconced among lowrise office buildings designed to lure tech companies. Stores and cafes will line the streets, a change from the shopping malls built beneath the towers to reduce the threat of terrorist attacks by Irish republicans in the 1990s. When Iacobescu was named CEO in 1997, banks accounted for about 80 per cent of the groups rental income. Today, the percentage is less than 60 and falling, so the longer-term threat from Brexit is overblown, he said. Still, lenders remain Canary Wharfs largest source of income, so a lot will hinge on the fate of EU passporting rights, which allow lenders to sell to customers inside the bloc from bases in Britain. Banks are also shrinking. Citigroup and Credit Suisse have already sublet space to other companies in the district and Barclays is in talks to do so. Morgan Stanley wont renew the lease on half of one of its buildings when it expires next year and Bank of America Merrill Lynch is due to leave Canary Wharf altogether by the end of 2017. HSBC plans to move 1,000 workers to Birmingham, Britains second-biggest city, to cut costs and separate its U.K. operations. The need to diversify Canary Wharf Group away from banking, already clear for several years, is becoming increasingly urgent, according to Ronald Dickerman, founder of Madison International Realty. His company bought a 2.5-per-cent stake in Canary Wharf Group in 2012 and subsequently sold the shares to QIA and Brookfield. Prime Minister Theresa May is not expected to trigger the clause in the EU charter that will start the two-year deadline to fix the terms of departure until 2017. All eyes will be on Canary Wharf during that process, according to Tony Travers, a professor at the London School of Economics. With more than 100,000 workers, many of them foreigners, in industries ranging from banking and technology to media, the district is a bellwether for the post-Brexit economy, he said. A big question facing Canary Wharf is exactly what the immigration rules are going to be, Travers said. It is very important to the continued success of Canary Wharf that there is relatively free movement of labour. Whatever happens, Mays new government needs Iacobescu and his team at Canary Wharf to continue to be upbeat about the economy, which will flatline without optimism, according to Travers. For Iacobescu, a naturalized citizen who was knighted in 2012, theres an irony to this. As a vocal opponent of Brexit, he lashed out at the Leave campaigns plain lies about some of the EUs problems. When former London Mayor Boris Johnson, the leading Brexiteer, trumpeted Canary Wharf as an example of how the U.K. could thrive outside the EU, Iacobescu shot back that the districts success was due in part to its membership in the bloc, not in spite of it. Back on the 30th floor of One Canada Square, Iacobescus irritation with Johnson still smoulders. In an otherwise jovial tour of photographs of the officials whove aided Canary Wharf over the years, Johnsons portrait elicits a cooler response. Our new foreign secretary, he says, nodding to a portrait of Johnson, his smile fading. And in that role, Johnson will help negotiate the terms of Brexit with Brussels, tying the Eton and Oxford graduates political future to the business fortunes of an immigrant from eastern Europe. Read more about: SHARE: Mickey-D employees rejoice: you can earn one year of a college business diploma in Ontario by training instead at the Golden Arches. But you have to be management material, and it will take up to three years . McDonalds Canada says employees training to become managers can now receive the first year of course credits towards a college business diploma at any of the provinces 24 public colleges in a first-of-its-kind agreement struck with Colleges Ontario. The fast food giant estimates the partnership will translate into tuition cost savings for eligible workers of up to $4,500, or half, since it takes two years to get a business or business administration diploma at Ontario colleges. Were proud to offer our employees training and opportunities that build skills relevant in todays world and that they can take with them well into their futures, said Sharon Ramalho, Chief People Officer of McDonalds Canada. She says McDonalds management training teaches skills that will set young employees up for future success, including leadership, communications, team-building, hospitality, problem-solving and profit management. Workers in the burger behemoths management development program have to take a few courses at the head office in Don Mills over about three years. But besides ongoing reading and learning from numerous manuals, its only about two weeks of actual classes. So the vast majority of the training is very hands-on in the restaurant, Ramalho noted. Its not a walk in the park, said Doug Fisher, president of food consultancy FHG International in Toronto, noting training typically includes 40 or 50-hour work weeks. Its an attempt to catch them (young people) early. I think its what the industry needs, he said. Fisher says he could see competitors like Subway and Burger King following suit down the road. Its a low-paying, bad wages and long hours industry, so its encouraging that their work will really count for something, he noted. The average age of McDonalds managers likely to take advantage of the program is 18 to 25, the company said. Once they successfully complete the training, they have the choice of going to college full-time, part-time, or online. This marks a new way of thinking about how employees can get access to further education and training without repeating learning they have already acquired, said Linda Franklin, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. The first year of a college business program has 10 to 12 courses including introductory business, accounting, marketing, mathematics, business communication, management, some systems fundamentals and ethics, she said. Though it will mean less tuition money heading into Ontario colleges, Franklin said overall it will translate into more potential students pursuing a business degree. McDonalds Canada offers a similar program in B.C. with one post-secondary school, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and is also exploring programs with other post-secondary institutions across the country. The burger giant employs 12,000 managers across Canada, including 4,000 in Ontario. Read more about: SHARE: Two years ago, Gap Inc. put such celebrities as Anjelica Huston and Elisabeth Moss in simple outfits button-downs and blazers, jeans and airy, dull-hued blouses and told shoppers to Dress Normal for its fall ad campaign. It backfired. Sales slumped over the next two months and stores were forced to discount heavily. The companys chief marketing officer departed less than a year later. You see, people didnt want to be normal. They want to stand out. That is Gaps problem. Sure, theres nothing wrong with selling basics. Plenty of shoppers need to keep their closets stocked with T-shirts, tank tops and sweats for everyday wear. But much has changed since the mid-2000s, when Gaps business was thriving. That was an age of uniforms. High schoolers flocked to Hollisters seagull and college kids donned the Abercrombie & Fitch moose. Looming over it all was the Gap, which also clothed them and everyone else, for that matter. They were the cheap, cool option, Bridget Weishaar, an analyst at Morningstar, said of Gaps basic clothes from that era. Theyve just been displaced. The numbers are concerning. Comparative store sales fell 3 per cent at Gaps namesake brand last quarter, the company reported on Thursday. The situation is even worse at its Banana Republic stores, which dipped 9 per cent. Gap plans to close dozens more of its 3,700 stores in order to knock total square footage down 2 per cent by the end of the fiscal year. Chief executive officer Art Peck said in a statement that he remains unsatisfied with the slow recovery, adding that his management team acknowledges the urgent need for progress. Analysts wonder if Gap can afford to stay so large in a world where ubiquity of style is no longer relevant. The company operates almost 3,300 shops under its Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta and Intermix brands. Simeon Siegel, an analyst at Nomura Securities, wrote in a note to clients that hes concerned that Gaps businesses have overreached. The way he sees it, Gap is simply too large in the new normal where physical distribution has become a liability and uniformity is no longer cool. The new rulers of mass-market apparel are Spains Inditex, which owns Zara, and Swedens Hennes and Mauritz AB (thats H&M, in case you were wondering), which are using a new playbook to grow to unprecedented size. These fast-fashion companies take styles from catwalks to store shelves within weeks, creating a constantly shifting selection of clothes. Though their stores are even more pervasive than Gaps, its this sustained fluctuation that keeps things fresh. In the U.S., Gaps home market, Forever 21 is using the same tactic. When Gap peaked in 2005 with $16.2 billion in revenue, each of these companies was less than half its size. Now, as Zara and H&M flood the world with new stores, Gap is abandoning chunks of territory. In May, it announced the shutdown of about 75 locations. There is a consumer for high-quality, predictable, basics, said Weishaar. But the market has shrunk since when theyd built up that store base. SHARE: OTTAWAThe RCMP has thrown a cloak of secrecy over many of the details around its Aug. 10 takedown of alleged terrorist Aaron Driver, saying investigations are ongoing. In the immediate aftermath of the incident senior RCMP commanders provided a few key pieces of the story but put off many questions. They said investigations into a still unfolding event had not been completed. But the Mounties were clear last week they had no information that Driver had any accomplices in what they said was a plan to cause mass casualties in an urban centre with a homemade explosive device. Driver was buried Thursday in a private service. One week after his death, the Mounties remain tight-lipped. Cab driver Terry Duffield, who was injured in the event, is demanding answers to his questions. Duffield spoke out Thursday to say the police put his life in danger by failing to warn him as he waited in the driveway for the 24-year-old to emerge from his sisters home in Strathroy, Ont. Why did the police put my life jeopardy? They did absolutely nothing to help me at any time, Duffield told the London Free Press. They did absolutely nothing at any time to prevent me from getting in that situation. The RCMP did not respond to a request Thursday for comment on Duffields concerns. The RCMP also declined the Stars repeated requests over the past few days for information about the status of the investigation into what explosive material Driver had amassed, and how and where he obtained the material. That investigation is being led by RCMP forensics and explosives experts, said assistant commissioner Jennifer Strachan last week. At the time of his death, Driver was subject to a peace bond that restricted his Internet and cellphone communications and banned him from possessing or acquiring any firearms, ammunition, prohibited devices or explosive substances. Sgt. Harold Pfleiderer told the Star Wednesday by email, We wont be commenting on an ongoing investigation and, of course, the details you are looking for would fall into that. He would not reveal whether the investigation into Drivers acquisition of explosives was even complete. The RCMP also declined a request for clarification of the source of information that last week the Mounties said indicated Drivers unspecified threat would target an urban centre, during morning or afternoon rush hour, within a 72-hour period. Drivers martyrdom video references none of that information. In it, he recited in Arabic a prayer, and went on in English to threaten retaliation today for Canadas so-called participation in a war on Islam. Last week, at an Ottawa news conference, deputy commissioner Mike Cabana, in charge of federal policing, said the RCMP received credible information from the FBI including a martyrdom video that the attack was imminent. Based on the information, the attack was supposed to be taking place within the following 72 hours and was likely to target an urban centre either during morning or afternoon rush hour. It remains unclear whether that information was provided by a human source an informant or an FBI agent or came through intercepted communications; whether it was information the FBI initially collected or whether it was conveyed to the FBI by another agency like the National Security Agency, the American electronic signals intelligence agency; whether it was scooped up from a server or website where Driver may have time-stamped its publication or distribution for after his attack, and whether the information originated in Canada or the U.S. The Mounties thanked all their intelligence partners including the FBI and CSIS and said the national security investigation would continue, while the OPP would investigate the officer-involved shooting. It was Drivers father Wayne and brother Rob who publicly revealed the results of an autopsy in interviews with the Star. On Tuesday, they said RCMP told the family the 24-year-old man was killed by a police bullet and not shrapnel from an explosive device police say he detonated when confronted by police. The OPP later confirmed he died from a gunshot wound. Now, a week after the RCMP news conference held within 24 hours of the police operation outside Drivers sisters Strathroy home, no more answers have been provided by the Mounties. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale declined Wednesday to provide an update on the explosives aspect of the investigation, referring what he said were operational questions to the RCMP. These are matters of evidence and police information and I would leave it to them, said Goodale. The police Im sure would want to be as forthcoming as they possibly can to inform Canadians about what they find out. In the context of a legal case there are obviously limitations on what they do and how they can put things in the public domain. Asked what legal case he is referring to, given the suspects death, Goodale said: Youre dealing with a criminal investigation and it must be conducted properly and not in news conferences. On Thursday, Pfleiderer again issued a blanket no-comment to any and all questions. The investigation is still ongoing, thus we will not be providing any comments. SHARE: OWEN SOUND, ONT.Police in Ontario said there is no indication of foul play in the death of a 19-year-old soldier from Nova Scotia, whose body was found along a rugged shoreline of Georgian Bay following a nearly week-long search. During a news conference Friday, Owen Sound police Chief Bill Sornberger said the body of Pte. Andrew Fitzgerald was recovered Thursday following a search that involved Canadian Armed Forces, Ontario Provincial Police and Owen Sound police. There is no indication of foul play in this investigation and we are no longer searching for Andrew Fitzgerald, said Sornberger. Obviously this was not the outcome we were looking for, but it is an outcome. Sornberger said the six-day search was unprecedented in Owen Sound, and officers had remained hopeful that Fitzgerald would be found alive. He said the body was found along the shore near a water treatment facility on the Owen Sound harbour. The body was located on the shore just in the water, he said, adding the area was about two kilometres from a gas station in Owen Sound where Fitzgerald was last seen on Saturday. Sornberger said the investigation was ongoing, and police still needed to talk to a few people who knew the young soldier who had been out celebrating his graduation from basic military training. He said a post-mortem examination was expected to be conducted over the weekend. Fitzgerald, who is from Cape North, N.S., graduated from an infantry course last Friday at 4th Canadian Division Training Centre in nearby Meaford, Ont. The base commander said Fitzgerald was a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment and was assigned to serve with the 2nd Battalion in Gagetown, N.B., but was never deployed. Lt.-Col. Christian Lillington said while military personnel took part in the search, local police were handling the investigation. He said the military is focused on providing help for those who knew Fitzgerald. The Canadian Armed Forces is providing direct support to Andrews family and friends with compassionate assistance during this most difficult time, he said. The search for Fitzgerald had galvanized the community, located on the southern shore of Georgian Bay. The generosity of the community in Owen Sound, even as commented to me by (Fitzgeralds) parents before they departed...was overwhelming, said Lillington. It was very supportive, people were very compassionate. And it certainly represents sort of what we all love as being Canadian. In a statement, Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy expressed condolences to the Fitzgerald family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Private Fitzgeralds family and friends. At a time they should be celebrating his graduation, they are now enduring agony. Our community offers our support at this tragic time. SHARE: Ottawa is recommending that pregnant women and women who plan to get pregnant avoid travelling to South Florida after more cases of Zika virus linked to mosquitoes were reported in the area. The Public Health Agency of Canada issued a travel health notice Friday after Florida health officials announced five cases of Zika had been connected to mosquitoes in Miami Beach, bringing the states caseload to 36 infections not related to travel outside the U.S. The agency says it is working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to provide Canadians with the most up-to-date information possible regarding the virus. RELATED: Zika virus disrupts travel for moms-to-be The CDC, meanwhile, announced that it was expanding its travel warning for pregnant women to include an area in Miami Beach known for nightclubs, pedestrian thoroughfares and beaches. It previously warned pregnant women to avoid the Wynwood arts district in Miami. In its statement Friday, the agency said pregnant women may also want to consider postponing non-essential travel throughout Miami-Dade County if theyre concerned about potential exposure to the mosquito-borne virus. Health officials say symptoms of Zika virus can include fever, headache, conjunctivitis and skin rash, along with joint and muscle pain. They say the illness is typically mild and lasts only a few days and the majority of those infected do not have symptoms. There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Zika virus infection. The Public Health Agency of Canada says experts agree that Zika virus infection causes microcephaly in a developing fetus during pregnancy and Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder. Several countries have reported cases of microcephaly and Guillian-Barre Syndrome. With files from The Associated Press SHARE: A Toronto man who was arrested after human remains were found outside a Riverdale butcher shop has now been charged with second-degree murder. On April 19, police responded to a call for human remains found behind Charlie's Meat and Seafood, near Broadview Ave. and Gerrard St. E. An employee called police after a torso and other remains were discovered in a bag. Police later identified the remains as those of Melissa Cooper, 30, of Toronto. Albert Ian Ohab, 38, of Toronto, was arrested on April 29 and charged with committing an indignity to a dead body. On Friday, police laid an additional charge of second-degree murder against Ohab. He was scheduled to appear in a Toronto court on Friday. Coopers death is now listed as Torontos 43rd homicide of 2016. Her friend Gen Reynolds described Cooper as a generous and friendly person. Its a shock when it's somebody you know, said Reynolds, who had been putting up missing posters for Cooper just before police identified the human remains. With files from Michael Yang SHARE: After recovering from two bullets to the abdomen, the victim of a shooting at Christie Pits Park will return to jail. Alejandro Jose Vivar, 34, a fitness instructor who served eight years behind bars and was released from Bath Institution correctional facility in March, had his parole suspended following the shooting, police said. On Monday, he sent a message to his followers on the @_257fitness Instagram account. Its been 2 weeks and I just want to let you guys know Im doing well, he wrote. I also want to thank everyone who came to support Prison Pump that day. I want to sincerely apologize for putting any of you in danger. My goal has and will always be to bring health, joy and happiness to others through fitness Nothing can stop us Vivar was shot just before 9 a.m. on July 30 while instructing the fitness class. According to witnesses, a participant of the class (who arrived late), started shooting at Vivar during his workout. The suspect is still at large and police consider him armed and dangerous. According to investigators, a total of three shots were fired with a stray bullet grazing the foot of a second male victim, who was released from hospital that same day with minor injuries. Vivars parole was suspended July 31. There are no new charges against him. Obviously, this is a security incident, Holly Knowles, a spokesperson from the Parole Board of Canada, told the Star. We look at what risk an offender presents to the community, thats the bottom line. Toronto police Det. Darren Worth of 14 Division is investigating the shooting and told the Star police were obligated to execute the decision to suspend Vivars parole. Worth confirmed that it was obviously a targeted attack on (Vivar) for whatever reason, so his safety is of a concern. The detective added he has nothing to confirm (the shooting is) gang related but that it wasn't just a random assault. Its obvious (that) people are pretty serious when they're pulling out a gun at a fitness class," he said. Vivar and nine other men were convicted of multiple criminal weapons and drugs charges in 2007. He was arrested as part of the police investigation "Project Cheddar," where a search revealed a gym bag containing three kilograms of cocaine, 242.8 grams of MDMA and a loaded handgun with an additional magazine. A search of Vivars residence found four handguns, 848 rounds of ammunition, 1,839.96 grams of cocaine, 119.37 grams of MDMA and 488.93 grams of marijuana, according to the parole boards pre-release decision. I entered prison a gangster, convicted of serious crimes, Vivar wrote in his column in The Kingston Whig-Standard. And my first year in prison was a battle between being a gangster for the rest of my life and recreating myself into something brand new. By many accounts, he was turning into something new. Vivar earned his Personal Training Specialist certification while behind bars. His parole decision also outlines that he successfully completed the Alternative, Associates and Attitudes program in January 2012. He remained violence free in prison and obtained support from institutional parole officer and community, according to the parole board. The model inmate also planned on attending Seneca for a journalism program. His release plan also included a job offer where he could use other skills acquired in prison, such as welding and fork truck driving. The board believes that you have honestly made every effort that you can in order to disassociate yourself from the gang that you belonged to, and from other individuals you believe would not be pro-social in their outlook, the parole records state. Kyle Lawlor, a spokesperson with Correctional Service Canada, could not comment on the specifics of the case, but told the Star jail is the only place to send someone in Vivars circumstances. Any time we put forth a recommendation for someone to have their parole revoked, it is for the safety of themselves or the community which theyre in, said Lawlor. We usually do it because (a person is) no longer manageable in the community, or the risk of public safety has increased. Vivars lawyer, John Struthers, told the Star hes prepared to fight a return to prison. You cant lock people up for their safety if he hasnt done anything wrong, thats not one of the rules, said Struthers. Incarcerating people because youre concerned about them is hardly concern. Frankly, its a ridiculous overreaction. Worth, meanwhile, hopes a witness will still come forward or a tip will come to his attention about the shooter. Someone out there knows something, he said, (until then), well plug away. SHARE: Owen Sound police believe they found the body of a missing Canadian soldier in the harbour Thursday. Ground searches for Andrew Fitzgerald, 19, started Saturday in the area around the Meaford military base. Police reported the OPPs underwater unit found a body near the east shore of the Owen Sound harbour around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, close to the areas water treatment facility. A post-mortem exam is scheduled at the London Health Sciences Centre, but its date and time have yet to be confirmed. Owen Sound police will provide more details at a news conference Friday morning. Pte. Andrew Fitzgerald, of Cape Breton, had just graduated from infantry training Friday and was last seen around 4:30 a.m. the next day. Fitzgerald was scheduled to take a bus to the airport that morning, where hed head to CFB Gagetown, in New Brunswick, then home in Cape Breton for two weeks on Aug. 18, his family told the Star. Talking to the Star about Fitzgerald on Wednesday, Capt. Jonathan Link, a Canadian army public affairs representative, said the army had no reason to believe that hes a threat at all. In a Facebook conversation Wednesday, Emily Fitzgerald described her brother as very outgoing, caring and always making people smile. He was excited about graduation and coming home for a bit to visit his family, she said, adding the rest of her family is asking for privacy. Fitzgeralds family flew in from Cape Breton to help celebrate his graduation before he went missing. With files from Verity Stevenson SHARE: KINGSTON, ONT.Johanne Wagner describes her journey from fearing her little girls would die to watching them grow healthy after successful liver transplants as akin to travelling through hell and arriving in paradise. But something was always missing. That something turned out to be Kris Chung. Wagner, 46, beamed at the uniformed military cadet as he playfully wrestled with the twins at the family home on Thursday. Chung entered their lives a total stranger, donating his liver to little Binh Wagner last year, just months after Wagners husband, Michael, gave his to Binhs twin, Phuoc. And now Chungs family. Its been a blessing, Johanne Wagner said. She and Michael have nine children, four of whom were adopted from Vietnam. The youngest are twin girls, Binh and Phuoc (or Phu, as everyone calls her), who were adopted from a Ho Chi Minh City orphanage in 2012. The girls, now 5, were born with Alagille syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that damaged their bile ducts and caused other health complications. Their doctors determined last year they needed liver transplants to stay alive. Michael, a veteran of three tours in Afghanistan, was a match but he only had enough liver for one of them. So while Michael gave his organ to Phu in February 2015, a decision they left to the doctors, Binh still needed a donor. The hunt was on for an anonymous benefactor, with Johanne leading the push for maximum media coverage that caused hundreds of people to apply to be Binhs donor. Enter Chung. Then 19 and majoring in English at Kingstons Royal Military College, Chung saw their story and it pulled at his heart. The photos of Michael in uniform sealed it for him. Most people know whats the right thing to do, deep down inside, Chung said on Thursday, as the girl whose life he saved scrambled up his camouflage uniform and wrapped her arms around his neck. It was something I had to do. The undergraduate student, who doesnt touch coffee or booze, went through numerous tests in Toronto that were kept secret from his parents and professors, who grilled him for missing class. I tried to be a silent professional about it, he explained. One night in April, he got a call from Dr. Gary Levy, the head of the liver transplant program at Toronto General Hospital. Chung understood he was second in line to donate to Binh, but the first choice had bailed out. Could he come to Toronto? The operation would take place in the morning. The news was jarring, but hes glad it happened that way. The more time I had, the more time I had to second-guess myself, he said. He booked a train to Toronto and went under the knife. Chung said that after the surgery, he felt healthy in a matter of weeks, though he lost some weight and has a vertical scar on his abdomen thats about the length of a pen. In the meantime, the medias appetite for Binh and Phu was insatiable. Their picture made the cover of a national magazine, while TV stations and newspapers carried the story all across the country. Chung said he followed their progress and was heartened to know that Binh, especially, was doing well. He watched the Facebook page that Johanne keeps to give updates on the twins condition. A few weeks after Binh returned home, Johanne said she got an anonymous message. It said Binhs donor was named Kris Chung. At first Johanne was angry that someone would breach his anonymity, but curiosity got the better of her and she looked him up. She realized a Kris Chung was liking many of the posts about her girls. He even commented once, commending the family on its generosity and strength. Eventually they started messaging, and both now say they suspected the other knew that Chungs liver was filtering Binhs blood. But it took them months to admit it. It was like a well-choreographed dance, Johanne said, but always with the question: is he ever going to say who he is? Around Easter this year, he did after Johanne texted him: You know I know, right? Soon Chung was sitting across from Johanne and Michael at a Starbucks near Queens University. The trio spoke for hours, a meeting that Johanne recalls as effortless and revelatory, like we had known each other for years. It was only a week and a half until Chung met Binh. Chung showed up at the army base pool after Binhs swimming lesson, feeling about as nervous as he did before surgery: a little. A few months later, its not surprising to hear that Binh took to Chung. She and her twin sister seem to take to everybody. When a reporter and a photographer walked through their front door Thursday, the girls raced up, hugged their legs, and playfully tugged at camera straps and a notepad, their boundless childhood energy so striking compared with their presurgery condition. Then, plastic gastric tubes poked through their bellies, and their jaundiced skin was peppered with small lumps of fat their livers couldnt break down. In the kitchen Thursday, Johanne fielded calls from the media. Its part of the push, with Chung, to publicize the charity they have founded to honour Binh and Phu: Twins For Hope. Johanne explained the organizations aim to raise $25,000 by December for impoverished children in Vietnam, where four of her kids were born. The whole clan all 11 Wagners, plus Chung plan to go there in December for charity work. The big family, evidently, is now a little bit bigger. Michael shares a piece of him with Phu. Kris shares a piece of him with Binh, Johanne said. There was always something missing. But not anymore. SHARE: Toronto Zoo panda behavioural specialist Gabe Magnus spends his days watching pandas. Hes been doing that since 2013 and now everyone can watch what he watches via the zoos new livestream of their panda exhibit. The Star spoke to Magnus about his job and some tips for panda-watching. Whats it like watching pandas for a living? Well, its pretty cool. Its a lot of fun getting to watch pandas all day. Its not something I ever expected to do, but its really interesting. Theyre far more active and surprising than most people give them credit for, and honestly, much more than I ever expected. Its been really cool to see the change in them throughout the years, and I really just have been following them every step of the way every major event through these observations. Are you collecting data for research? That was the primary reason that they brought me on in the first place, was to monitor the pandas for use of the Toronto Zoo facilities as well, to make sure that they have the best welfare. But because this is a highly endangered species and because theyre animals that have limited numbers in captivity particularly outside of China, everything that we learn about them is useful. So everything Ive been learning and everything Ive been observing, Im writing down. . . . Every minute, I record what the pandas have been doing for the majority of the previous minute, for all the pandas. Even when theyre sleeping, Im recording at least six things every single minute with regards to their position and where they are and what element of their exhibit theyre interacting with. . . . Any of it is potentially helpful for us to kind of figure if theyre comfortable, if theyre relaxed, if the exhibit is providing for their basic needs. Everything we can learn is very useful to the larger zoological community and eventually were hoping to get to the point where well be writing papers. We have six or seven different ideas now of different papers that are likely to be pushed forward toward publication in the next couple of years. Is it a 9-to-5 kind of thing? Well, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a lunch hour. But yeah, I come to the zoo, I sit down in front of my computer, pull up my spreadsheet and start recording and thats my job. How did you get the job in the first place? I did my bachelors and masters degrees at the University of Guelph. Wildlife biology was my undergraduate degree, and I did animal science for my masters. I had just graduated from my masters at the end of 2012, and as you know, the pandas arrived in early 2013. I did some of my research for my masters degree here at the zoo, so that allowed me to already know some of the people around here. My supervisor for my masters was a wonderful woman named Esther Finegan who does a lot of work on animal thermoregulation. She spoke with some of the curators here and advised them that I was applying for jobs. Maria Franke, who is the curator of mammals here, who is in charge of the entire panda program, brought me in for an interview, and she was kind enough to hire me for a position. And honestly, shes just incredible for dealing with all the challenges with these animals, as challenging as they are, because theyre certainly not like your average zoo animal. How do you tell the cubs apart? They are extremely similar. Im very lucky to have been here since Day 1 to kind of get to know them over time, because otherwise, Id be equally lost Unless you can really see their faces, its very hard. The girl, whos Jia Yueyue She has a slightly thicker band on her back than the male, Jia Panpan, does. But thats usually not a great way to tell the apart If you can see them head-on, the female cub, if you look at her eyes, theres a little spot that kind of reaches in a little bit more on the nose. If you think of glasses and having that little, the part where the glasses rest on your nose, its almost like she has a little bit of that. And the males are much more uniform. But honestly, thats about it. And its easy for me now because Ive watched them for so long and see them all day, so I can pick them out pretty quickly when I see that. Have you picked up on any weird behaviours or quirks? There are infinite weird things they do that you could talk about. Theyre just incredible. Even the adults do weird things all the time... But the cubs are even weirder. They love being upside down. Any chance the cubs get, theyll flop on to their backs or on to their shoulders and just sit with their butts up in the air. Its ridiculous, and we have no idea why it happens, but they love it. Often, youll see them climbing up on to different objects, and sometimes they just climb straight up and climb right back down. And thats like, Why did you do that? They have the baby urge to put things in their mouths a lot. . . . Even the mom, sometimes youll notice when shes playing with them, shell tuck herself right over as if shes on all fours, but then shell put the top of her head on the ground. Normally, thats the kind of thing you see if a females receptive to mating, but for some reason she does it when shes playing with the cubs. I think, honestly, as much as anything, I think shes just trying to protect her ears, because the cubs love to bite her ears. Any tips for people panda-watching at home? Look out for how much they play with each other, particularly with Er Shun. A lot of people think they just eat and sleep all day, and they do eat and sleep a lot. Thats definitely the majority of their day for the adults anyway, but the cubs play a lot, particularly first thing in the morning. Thats the best time to tune in because theyre dealing with all their enrichment for the day for the first time and just getting fed. I really hope people enjoy it. Thisinterview has been edited for length. SHARE: The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is doubling down on its decision not to provide funding for legal representation at coroners inquests to families of police shooting victims. Meanwhile, a Toronto MP has written to the federal justice minister, suggesting the creation of a national program that would support the legal rights of these individuals at inquests. This comes as at least four coroners inquests probing police shooting deaths are set to take place soon in the GTA, including that of Andrew Loku in Toronto. This is urgent. It cant just sit on the backburner, said former Metro Toronto councillor Bev Salmon, who wrote to Premier Kathleen Wynne in the spring urging the government for funding. There are too many inquests coming up, and these families need to know where they stand. They cant be worrying about whether they can afford a lawyer or not. The police are covered (for legal expenses), so you need a balance. Salmon said her letter to Wynne was referred to Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Yasir Naqvi. She recently received a response from Deputy Minister Matthew Torigian, stating that the Coroners Inquest Legal Fee Reimbursement Program assists parents and spouses of individuals whose deaths have been deemed to be the result of a criminal act. As critics have pointed out, the near totality of police shootings in Ontario do not lead to criminal charges against the officers, and so families likely wouldnt qualify for legal representation funding at an inquest. (A ministry spokesman repeated to the Star what Torigian told Salmon.) Salmon is a friend of Heather Thompson, whose son, Ian Pryce, was killed by Toronto police. At the inquest into his death earlier this year, Salmon said she was struck by the sheer number of lawyers representing the individual officers, the chief and the police services board. Thompson was represented pro bono by lawyer Peter Rosenthal. That would not have worked, Thompson said of the idea of having to represent herself. Already being emotionally hurt and having to go through all that information, to see the gory details, it would have been double the pain. Knowing how to ask the right questions, when the police have all those lawyers, and keep it together at the same time, is an impossible task. Salmon now plans to send a letter about the issue to every MPP and Toronto city councillor. Her concerns are shared by Jackie Baker, whose 20-year-old son, Beau, was killed in 2015 in Kitchener after reportedly advancing on police with a knife. She learned last week that the coroners office, after reconsidering a decision not to hold an inquest into his death, had ordered a probe. The police have top paid legal representation, so for a citizen to just walk in and expect to know the law, to interview witnesses, its impossible, said Baker, who said she cant afford a lawyer because she lives on a fixed income, including disability benefits. Its a pretty hopeless feeling, but I dont plan on giving up. Im writing some letters, hoping that someone in government comes forward to make the necessary changes. Ontarios police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, does not release its full reports to the public, and names the officer only if charges are laid. The vast majority of Ontario police forces also keep secret their internal reviews of shootings. Inquests are often the only avenue for families of people killed by police to learn more about what happened to their loved one, including the name of the officer responsible for the death. As the police are often given publicly funded counsel, its imperative that families of police shooting victims receive the same in order to make it a level playing field, said Ndija Anderson, policy and research lawyer at the African Canadian Legal Clinic. Many times, the victims of these shootings are coming from vulnerable communities whose families may not have the legal savvy or the know-how to properly define their interests, so it's important to have legal representation so that their interests are being taken care of, she said. Its imperative to have adequate legal representation, so that not only the families voices can be heard, but so that the African-Canadian community, as a whole, can be heard in these instances where the police have caused fatalities in our community. At the federal level, Toronto MP Adam Vaughan, following correspondence with Salmon, wrote to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to highlight the lack of funding for legal representation. He wrote of how a significant number of police-involved fatalities in Toronto over the last few years have involved members of the African-Canadian community. He suggested that a program to support the legal rights of the victims families at inquests could ensure they are not shut out of the process. Even when the families are granted status, often they cannot afford the lawyer fees that accumulate during the lengthy inquest that may follow, Vaughan wrote. Leaders in the community would like to have the government fund victims families to make sure that their legal issues are represented and that their evidence is presented. A spokeswoman for Wilson-Raybould said the minister will be reviewing Vaughans letter but that the conduct of coroners inquests is a provincial responsibility. Upcoming cases: Andrew Loku: The 45-year-old father, originally from South Sudan, was shot and killed inside his Toronto apartment building hallway in July 2015 after reportedly advancing on police with a hammer. The SIU declined to lay criminal charges. The date of the coroners inquest into his death has yet to be set. Eric Osawe: The 26-year-old father of two was shot after police and an armed tactical unit entered an Etobicoke apartment with a search warrant in September 2010. Osawe was killed and his younger brother arrested on weapons charges. Const. David Cavanagh was charged with manslaughter later upgraded to second-degree murder but the charges were thrown out by a judge due to lack of evidence of wrongdoing. That decision was upheld on two appeals. The inquest into Osawes death begins in September. John Caleb Ross: The 21-year-old summoned police after making a fake 911 call in 2014 that a mother and her daughter had been shot. York Regional Police arrived on scene in Aurora to find Ross brandishing a pellet gun. He was shot and died of his injuries in hospital. The SIU declined to lay charges. The inquest into his death begins in October. Beau Baker: The 20-year-old Kitchener man had been living with mental health issues when he reportedly advanced on police with a knife outside his Kitchener apartment building. He was fired on seven times. The SIU declined to lay charges. A date has yet to be set for the inquest into his death. SHARE: In early July, Betsy Davis emailed her closest friends and relatives to invite them to a two-day party, telling them: These circumstances are unlike any party you have attended before, requiring emotional stamina, centeredness and openness. And just one rule: No crying in front of her. The 41-year-old artist with ALS, or Lou Gehrigs disease, held the gathering to say goodbye before becoming one of the first Californians to take a lethal dose of drugs under the states new doctor-assisted suicide law for the terminally ill. For me and everyone who was invited, it was very challenging to consider, but there was no question that we would be there for her, said Niels Alpert, a cinematographer from New York City. The idea to go and spend a beautiful weekend that culminates in their suicide that is not a normal thing, not a normal, everyday occurrence. In the background of the lovely fun, smiles and laughter that we had that weekend was the knowledge of what was coming. Davis worked out a detailed schedule for the gathering on the weekend of July 23-24, including the precise hour she planned to slip into a coma, and shared her plans with her guests in the invitation. As the weekend drew to a close, her friends kissed her goodbye, gathered for a photo and left, and Davis was wheeled out to a canopy bed on a hillside, where she took a combination of morphine, pentobarbital and chloral hydrate prescribed by her doctor. Kelly Davis said she loved her sisters idea for the gathering, which Betsy Davis referred to as a rebirth. Obviously it was hard for me. Its still hard for me, said Davis, who wrote about it for the online news outlet Voice of San Diego. The worst was needing to leave the room every now and then, because I would get choked up. But people got it. They understood how much she was suffering and that she was fine with her decision. They respected that. They knew she wanted it to be a joyous occasion. Davis ended her life a little over a month after a California law giving the option to the terminally ill went into effect. She spent months planning her exit, feeling empowered after spending the last three years losing control of her body bit by bit. The painter and performance artist could no longer stand, brush her teeth or scratch an itch. Her caretakers had to translate her slurred speech for others. Dear rebirth participants youre all very brave for sending me off on my journey, she wrote in her invitation. There are no rules. Wear what you want, speak your mind, dance, hop, chant, sing, pray, but do not cry in front of me. OK, one rule. Wearing a Japanese kimono she bought on a bucket-list trip she took after being diagnosed in 2013, she looked out at her last sunset and took the drugs at 6:45 p.m. with her caretaker, her doctor, her massage therapist and her sister by her side. Four hours later, she died. Friends said it was the final performance for the artist, who once drew pictures on a stage with whipped cream. What Betsy did gave her the most beautiful death that any person could ever wish for, Alpert said. By taking charge, she turned her departure into a work of art. SHARE: ROSARIO DO SUL, BRAZILWith the worlds eyes focused on Rio, I prepare to ride out of Brazil. After four months and 2,000 kilometres on my year-long journey to Ushuaia, Patagonia, I am a mere five days from the Uruguayan border in one of Brazils forgotten corners. Nearly every night of the 40-plus days crossing Rio Grande do Sul state, I sat around a wood fire, drinking mate to keep warm, listening to the locals. Here in the city ofRosario do Sul, where the pampas of South America begin, there are no patriotic painted faces; no world records; no Brazilian flags swaying in the chilly, winter wind; no shiny gold medals. The people are hard-working and proud but look at the Olympics with frustration. We have just impeached our president and we are living (in) the worst corruption scandal in Brazilian history. How can we get excited about anything right now? said Doeli Valente, a rancher and businessman in Rosario do Sul, echoing the sentiment shared by many gauchos. The gaucho is a different breed one near extinction in the 21st century. For the rest of Brazil anyone from this state is a gaucho but a true gaucho is a hard-working ranch hand cowboy with an almost mythical reputation. For them, the past cannot be forgotten and their culture must be lived daily. Even the smallest towns have a Centro de Tradicoes Gauchas (CTG), a kind of community centre offering traditional dance, song and poetry groups, and even long roping arenas and spaces for large fundraising events. The Centro is the heart of our community and it ensures our culture remains alive, said Valente, the president of one of the three centros in Rosario do Sul. Many nights during the lively barbecues to welcome me, a gaucho would stand and begin reciting poetry to the soft sound of the accordion. Children performed traditional dances. And elderly men strummed old, out-of-tune guitars and belted out gauchesco songs about love, land and horses. The gauchos horse, the criollo, the mustang of South America, originated in the pampas of Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. In these cold and desolate lands, the stocky, indefatigable criollo, used for work, war and sport for decades, became a god to these men. My own arrival on horseback was a revelation for them. Everyone welcomed me with gifts. I was given a rooster, a poncho, two knives, two bombachas (baggy pants worn by gauchos), 12 bottles of wine, five bottles of cachaca, two hats, three gourds to drink mate, seven bags of mate erva, too many barbecues to count and friendships I will cherish for a lifetime. Playing tourist I rode my mares across the state. In the north I visited the Salto do Yucuma, the longest waterfall on the planet. The falls, which separate Brazil from Argentina, are 1,800 metres in length and reach 20 metres in height at some points. In the centre of the state, I travelled back in history where a grandiose cathedral built by the Jesuits in 1635 still stands in the centre of Sao Miguel das Missoes. The ruins, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, are an architectural masterpiece. In the southern half of Rio Grande do Sul I visited the Grotto Our Mother of Fatima, built in a cave system extending 400 metres in length one of the longest in South America. The labyrinth of caves lead to a gorgeous, tall waterfall named the Brides Veil. The truth It was all beautiful, but my favourite moments this past month were spent sitting with gauchos in old horse barns far from the tourist spots, drinking wine, talking politics, eating meat with our hands and laughing. These barns were barely lit, reeking of horse manure and urine, filled with smoke from the wood stove, making it hard to breathe. But it was genuine. I make minimum wage ($366 Cdn. per month), said a gaucho with a shrug and a toothless smile. I struggle to live while Brazils crooked politicians rob more money than you and I will ever know in our life. F--- the Olympics. This is what I love about traveling horseback. What you see is what you get. Plenty of s--t. No bull. Filipe Masetti Leite is a filmmaker, Ryerson University journalism graduate and cowboy en route to Tierra del Fuego. Over the next year, he will file monthly reports to the Star from the trail. Dispatches from both this trip and his 2012 journey from Calgary to Brazil can be seen at http://www.outwildtv.com/expeditions/journey-america-part-2/posts http://www.outwildtv.com/expeditions END . A book and TV series are to be published this year. Read more about: SHARE: Donald Trumps campaign shakeup and new plan to run more directly against the Washington establishment could force more defections by mainstream Republicans who are increasingly worried about preserving their House and Senate majorities. House Speaker Paul Ryan and other congressional Republicans will be under added pressure to decide whether to stick with Trump or campaign more openly to keep Congress in Republicans hands as a check on a future President Hillary Clinton. At the same time, Trumps decision to hire Stephen K. Bannon, executive chairman of crusading right-wing website Breitbart News and a former Goldman Sachs banker, as chief executive of his campaign has buoyed the most conservative Republican lawmakers, who are eager to see the real-estate mogul stay the course that helped him triumph in the Republican primaries. Either way, the changes complicate what was already a difficult task for congressional Republicans to defend their majorities in both chambers and hold together a splintering party. Under Bannon, Breitbart News has targeted establishment Republicans, including former Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. As part of Trumps move, the Republican presidential nominee plans to restore a full-bore anti-establishment tenor to the campaign, ending sporadic efforts to moderate his tenor and reach out to skeptical Republicans and independents, according to a person familiar with the matter. Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, who made clear in early August that he wont be voting for Trump, said Bannons hiring could push some Republican congressional fence-sitters to take a firm stance. It might give them more incentive to make a decision one way or the other, Dent, co-chairman of a group of about three dozen House centrists, said in an interview. It will be kind of hard to just try and not say anything, he said of Republican candidates. It just seems to me that this campaign has been largely run by the candidate himself and this shakeup is just another indication of disorder ahead. But Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina called Trumps move a good prescription for worried congressional Republicans. To suggest that we need to go with more of an establishment type of campaign really would be to ignore everything that is happening in the world, and certainly in Washington, D.C., said Meadows, a founder and leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which played a key role in ousting Boehner and since has challenged Ryan on several legislative fronts. Theres a reason why millions of Americans on both sides of the aisle feel they want an outsider whether that would be Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump. Meadows added, I think an anti-establishment campaign is just want the doctor ordered whether in North Carolina, California or Illinois. Even voters in California and Illinois, two areas less conservative than his own state, know Washington, D.C., is broken, he said. The Trump campaign for the past two or three weeks, in particular, has seemed off course. The shift in tone will probably make it harder for Ryan to pursue his stated goal of bolstering party unity by uniting around a set of policy plans. This is sure not a plea for party unity, joked Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Aides to Ryan declined to comment. Meadows said that Trump shouldnt be thinking about making the Republican establishment happy as he works to win the White House. People are looking for something different, even if they disagree with some of the rhetoric, said Meadows. He said the addition of pollster Kellyanne Conway as campaign manager will be able to provide to the Trump campaign some credence in terms of what matters to most people. House Budget Committee chairman Tom Price of Georgia said what Trump is reflecting, and what I support, is the frustration and anger that has come across the nation over the inability of government leaders as a whole to address challenges in many policy areas, such as health care and education. Thats what hes tapped into, said Price. Thats what the American people are embracing. But Price conceded that not all congressional Republicans have constituencies that necessarily see things that way, and these candidates know they must calibrate their local strategies accordingly. Individuals down ballot have a constituency that is by definition more narrow than the nation. People run the races they have to run, said Price, saying the same goes for Democrats. I respect that and know Mr. Trump respects that as well. There are no solid signs yet that Trump is heavily influencing potential congressional race outcomes across the nation, said Miringoff of the Marist Institute. Heres the dilemma. There are going to be some people who vote for Donald Trump, said Miringoff, creating a challenge for Republican candidates who oppose him. On the other hand, for some Republicans who draw too close to Trump, theres the danger that he either gets clobbered in that district, or he depresses Republican voter turnout. This totally could make things more difficult, he said. Read more about: SHARE: Its Donald Trump like hes never been seen before. Life-size naked statues of the Republican presidential nominee greeted passers-by in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Cleveland on Thursday. They are the brainchild of an anarchist collective called INDECLINE, which has spoken out against Trump before. In a statement, the collective said the hope is that Trump, the former host of The Apprentice reality TV series, is never installed in the most powerful political and military position in the world. For much of the past year, Donald Trump proved uniquely untouchable, a political force of such mind-boggling invulnerability that he even bragged about attracting voters after hypothetically shooting someone on Fifth Avenue. Hoping to strip away the Teflon Dons legendary confidence to reveal the fleshy mortal beneath the expensive suits and long ties, members of INDECLINE decided they would showcase the aspirant president in the most humiliating way they could imagine: without his clothes. The Emperor Has No B--s, as the project is called, arrives several months after the group covered stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with the names of African Americans who have been killed by police. In the past, the collective has also claimed responsibility for an anti-Trump Rape mural on the U.S.-Mexico border and a massive piece of graffiti art in Californias Mojave Desert. The groups latest project has been four months in the making and was inspired, in part, by The Emperors New Clothes, Hans Christian Andersens story about an overly confident leader without clothing, according to an INDECLINE spokesman. Suggesting Trump is more of a (potential) ruler than a revolutionary, the statues also poke fun at the authoritarian tendency to erect large monuments in ones likeness. Like it or not, Trump is a larger-than-life figure in world culture at the moment, said the spokesman, who discussed the project with The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity. Looking back in history, thats how those figures were memorialized and idolized in their time with statues. A statue in Union Square quickly drew the attention of people before it was removed by the citys parks department. NYC Parks stands firmly against any unpermitted erection in city parks, no matter how small, parks spokesman Sam Biederman said. A video posted by DNA Info showed onlookers booing and groaning as workers snapped the statue off its base, leaving the feet behind, and loaded it face-down into the back of a pickup truck. One woman yelled, Take his nasty feet, too! Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio, when asked about the naked Trump statue, said, That is a frightening thought. When hes wearing clothes I dont like him. INDECLINE said statues on the West Coast were still in place. Unlike monuments of most political figures in cities across the globe, the Trump statues are far from flattering. Theyre oddly shaped, lack one key element of the male reproductive system and dramatically play down another. The eyes scowl, the mouth pouts and the veiny, almost reptilian skin looks like it was torn off a human-size frog and dipped in bronzer. The job of conceptualizing and creating the statues fell to a man who goes by the name Ginger, a Las Vegas-based artist. Ginger told The Post that he has a long history of designing monsters for haunted houses and horror movies. In addition to doing makeup for a Busta Rhymes video, Gingers resume includes another source of great pride for the artist: Hes a regular keynote speaker at haunted house conventions across the country. (We checked and, yeah, theyre a thing.) When the guys approached me, it was all because of my monster-making abilities, he said, referring to INDECLINE members. Trump is just yet another monster, so it was absolutely in my wheelhouse to be able to create these monstrosities. And thats not the only reason the sculptor considered himself the ideal candidate. Gingers mother gave birth to him via C-section and before doctors had time to remove him from the womb his hand popped out of the slit in his mothers abdomen, covered in maternal slime, he said, prompting a nurse to faint. Before I was out of the womb, I was scaring people, he said. The artist, who has a full-time job, said he spent up to 25 hours each week working on the statues since they were commissioned in April. Ginger used 300 pounds (135 kilograms) of clay and silicone to create the statues and said the candidates mouth ended up being his biggest sculpting challenge. The goal was to give him the slightest hint of a scowl a constipated look that hinted at Trumps implicit frustration with contemporary America, Ginger said. He has a very distinct little mouth, the way his chin meets the jowl, it had to look right, he said. Also challenging was figuring out how to create unsettling body parts in a realistic fashion, a process that required extensive online research. If somebody were to look at my browser history, it would be a little disturbing, Ginger said. Turns out theres not too many Google results for saggy old man butt. Included in the statues are subliminal jokes carved into the texture of the statues skin, he noted. On the right hand, the statue version of Trump is wearing a Masonic ring, a piece of jewelry emblematic of privilege, secret handshakes and cloistered groups of powerful people, the artist said. Each statue weighs 80 pounds (36 kilograms) and was glued to the ground using industrial strength epoxy, an adhesive that dries within several minutes. When Ginger began the process, he said, he was actually considering punching his ballot for Trump in the general election because the candidates message resonated with the middle class. The more familiar he became with Trump, however, the more that familiarity bred contempt. Starting on the project and looking at his face day in and day out when Id come home, I began to build up some resentment, Ginger told The Post. The straw that broke the camels back was when he made fun of the disabled reporter from the New York Times. I have family members that are physically and mentally handicapped and who need different types of care, he added. When I saw what he did, I was in such a rage. That rage, he said, is one of the reasons he wont mind seeing the statues destroyed by police or dismantled by angry Trump supporters like a silicone pinata. In fact, INDECLINE members have placed bets among themselves about which city will destroy its statue first. Right now, the suspicion is that San Franciscos Trump will remain intact the longest, with local lefties coming to its rescue, the groups spokesman said. I dont expect these things to last more than 30 or 45 minutes, he added. But I would love to watch some irate 65-year-old Trump supporter try to take the thing down with his bare hands. With files from The Washington Post Read more about: SHARE: WASHINGTONThe Obama administration says it will stop using private prisons to house federal inmates after officials concluded they are both less safe and less effective than facilities run by the government. In a memo to the Bureau of Prisons, Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates told it to start reducing and ultimately ending the Justice Departments use of private prisons. They simply do not provide the same level of correctional services, programs, and resources; they do not save substantially on costs; and as noted in a recent report by the Departments Office of Inspector General, they do not maintain the same level of safety and security, Yates wrote. The Obama administration says the declining federal prison population justifies the decision to eventually close privately run prisons. The federal prison population now at about 193,000 has been dropping due to changes in federal sentencing policies over the past three years. The policy change does not cover private prisons used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which hold up to 34,000 immigrants awaiting deportation. Private prisons served an important role during a difficult period, but time has shown that they compare poorly to our own Bureau facilities, Yates wrote in the memo. As private prison contracts come to an end, the bureau is not to renew the contract or it should at least substantially reduce its scope, Yates wrote. She did not specify a timeline for when all federal inmates would be in government-owned facilities. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says the U.S. should move away from using private facilities to house inmates. The Clinton campaign has said it no longer accepts contributions from private prison interests, and if it receives such a contribution, it will donate that money to charity. The private prison industry is a major contributor to Republican political campaigns, particularly in recent years. GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has said he supports the use of private prisons. In response to the inspector generals report, the contractors running the prisons noted that their inmate populations consist largely of non-citizens, presenting them with challenges that government-run facilities do not have. Scott Marquardt, president of Management and Training Corporation, wrote that comparing federal facilities to privately operated ones was comparing apples and oranges. He generally disputed the inspector generals report. Any casual reader would come to the conclusion that contract prisons are not as safe as BOP prisons, Marquardt wrote. The conclusion is wrong and is not supported by the work done by the (Office of the Inspector General). The federal government started to rely on private prisons in the late 1990s due to overcrowding. As of December 2015, private prisons held about 12 per cent of the total federal prison population, or 22,500 inmates, according to the inspector general report released earlier this month. Many of the inmates are foreign nationals who are being held on immigration offences, the audit said. Immigration and human rights advocates have long-complained about the conditions in privately-run prisons. Amnesty International, on Thursday, urged states to follow suit. Some states, such as Kentucky, already have. Before Thursday, the Bureau of Prisons had been working toward the goal of phasing out private prison contracts when, three weeks ago, it did not renew a contract for 1,200 beds, Yates said. Thursdays policy change also included direction to change a current solicitation for a private prison contract, cutting the maximum number of beds required by 66 per cent. With files from the Washington Post. Read more about: SHARE: CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA.Spacewalking astronauts installed a new front door for visitors at the International Space Station on Friday, the crucial first step in welcoming commercial crew capsules as soon as next year. The two Americans, Jeffrey Williams and Kate Rubins, hooked up the docking port in just a few hours. SpaceX delivered this new gateway last month, packed in the trunk of a Dragon cargo capsule. Americans havent rocketed into orbit from their home turf since NASAs last shuttle flight in 2011. SpaceX and Boeing expect to resume human launches from Cape Canaveral in another year or two. But their crew capsules cant dock without this new-style parking spot, which replaces the now obsolete shuttle setup and is meant to be internationally compatible. Fridays success paved the way for these future spaceships. Thanks for your help in getting the front door on the space station, Mission Control radioed. SpaceX is shooting for a test flight of its souped-up Dragon with two astronauts as early as a year from now. Boeing is aiming for a two-person shakedown of its Starliner capsule in early 2018. Until then, Russia will keep providing all the rides at a hefty price for U.S. taxpayers. NASA started using private U.S. companies to carry out cargo shipments a few years back. Commercial crew launches will be an even bigger advance. This commercial hand-off is freeing up NASA to focus on true outer-space exploration; the space agency is working to get astronauts to Mars in the 2030s. This is actually NASAs second new docking ring. The first was destroyed in a SpaceX launch accident last summer. NASA ultimately wants two of these 3 -foot-by-5-foot-on-the-inside parking places at the lab. Another one cobbled together from spare parts should fly up in about a year. Flight controllers in Houston set the spacewalking stage earlier in the week, using a robot arm to move the docking port to within a few feet of its intended lock-down position the very spot where Atlantis undocked on July 19, 2011, to close out the shuttle era. An hour into Fridays spacewalk, the mechanical arm let go, and Williams and Rubins took over, connecting a slew of hooks and cables. The last of the 12 hooks were driven into place, firmly securing the port, as the 250-mile-high complex soared over the Indian Ocean. The space station is currently home to two Americans, one Japanese and three Russians. Up there for five months, Williams and two of the Russians will return to Earth in a couple weeks. Williams will conduct one more spacewalk with Rubins on Sept. 1 to retract a radiator. A newcomer to spacewalking, Rubins is only the 11th American woman to conduct a spacewalk and the 12th in the world. The first professional virus-hunter in space, she has been experimenting with a DNA decoder also delivered last month. SpaceXs crew Dragon ship will fly on the companys own Falcon rocket from a former shuttle launch pad at Kennedy Space Center and, at missions end, splash down off the Florida coast. Boeings Starliner, meanwhile, will launch aboard the United Launch Alliances trusty Atlas V rocket and parachute down somewhere in the American Southwest, possibly New Mexico. These test flights intended to go all the way to the space station and dock will last about two weeks. NASA will provide most if not all of the initial test pilots. One of four NASA astronauts training for these test flights, Robert Behnken noted last week that the space agency has come a long way since 2011, when he kept being asked, Hey, now that theyve retired the shuttle, is there still a NASA? We cant tell you exactly what month this launch is going to be, Behnken said during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. But were well on a track to actually get launches off the Florida coast happening again. Read more about: SHARE: MANILA, PHILIPPINESPhilippine communist rebels declared a weeklong ceasefire Friday to promote the resumption of long-stalled peace talks aimed at ending one of Asias longest-raging rebellions, adding they were open to discussing an extension of the truce if the government frees all political prisoners. The Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New Peoples Army, said in a statement that the unilateral ceasefire would be in effect next week. Government and rebel negotiators are to resume talks in the Norwegian capital of Oslo on Monday. The Maoist guerrillas expressed hope the government would reciprocate with a similar ceasefire as a show of all-out determination to move forward with peace negotiations, but said the rebel truce would proceed even if the government does not declare its own ceasefire. To further bolster peace talks, the rebels said they are open to discuss the possibility of a longer ceasefire upon completion of the release of all political prisoners. Two top rebel leaders, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, were freed from a maximum-security jail Friday to participate in the Norwegian-brokered peace talks. The rebels have welcomed the releases of several detained rebels who are to take part in the negotiations as consultants. Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende will open the talks on Monday at an Oslo hotel, his ministry said in a statement. The Tiamzons smiled and raised their fists as they stepped out of detention at the national police headquarters, where their supporters greeted them. In a news conference, they thanked Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for their release and for a restart of talks that will tackle wide-raging reforms in a bid to end the decades-long conflict. These releases are goodwill measures that will create a positive environment for the progress of the peace talks, Benito Tiamzon said. His wife called on young people to become more involved in fighting the monsters of society. For the Filipino youth and other countrymen now hooked on catching monsters in Pokemon Go, you know, there are so many real monsters in our country, Wilma Tiamzon said to laughter in the room. Instead of Pokemon Go, what is better is Revolution Go. The insurgency has left about 150,000 combatants and civilians dead since it broke out in the late 1960s, drawing support from the ranks of those dissatisfied with economic inequality and the Philippines alliance with the U.S. It also has stunted economic development, especially in areas of the countryside where the rebels are active. Benito Tiamzon is chairman of the CPP and the New Peoples Army, according to the military. Wilma is said to be the secretary general. Their release after posting bail on charges including multiple murders comes after an initial setback to the rebels friendly ties with Duterte, who calls himself a leftist president. Duterte declared a ceasefire on July 25 but withdrew it five days later after the guerrillas killed a government militiaman and failed to declare their own truce within Dutertes deadline. But on Monday, Duterte met with the rebels lawyers and allies at the presidential palace, smiling for cameras with linked arms. The president said that while he was hurt by the sharp exchanges between him and CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison ... he gave assurances that he will walk the extra mile for peace, presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said after that meeting. Under Dutertes predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, peace talks stalled over the governments refusal to heed a rebel demand for the release of some captured guerrillas. Duterte, however, has agreed to the release of rebels who would be involved in peace talks, and appointed two allies of the guerrillas to Cabinet posts in concessions aimed at fostering the talks. SHARE: Will the Socialists dare to steal Christmas? Thats the question that Spaniards are asking after caretaker Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy agreed to face a confidence vote in parliament at the end of this month. The result of that ballot will hinge on whether Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez Castejon sticks to his pledge to oppose Rajoy. If he does, Spains electoral calendar means the countrys third election in a year would probably fall on Dec. 25. Lets see if @sanchezcastejon has the guts to send 36 million Spaniards out to repeat elections on Christmas Day, Xavier Garcia Albiol, leader of Rajoys Peoples Party in Catalonia, said in a tweet Thursday after the confidence vote was called. Rajoy is trying to win a mandate from lawmakers after sealing a pact with the liberals of Ciudadanos to support his bid to end eight months of political deadlock. Hes still short of votes though, and needs at least some Socialist lawmakers to abstain if hes going to finally claim a second term after inconclusive elections in December and June. If he fails, parliament will be dissolved two months after the Aug. 30 confidence vote. Under Spanish law, there has to be a period of 54 days before the election. Spanish ballots are traditionally held on a Sunday, making Dec. 25 the most likely date. This certainly looks like part of the PPs strategy to get the Socialists to abstain, said Antonio Barroso, a political analyst at Teneo Intelligence in London. Its starting to get crazy now. The Socialists are trying to force Rajoy to step aside in favour of someone else from his party. They say the caretaker prime ministers ties to a PP corruption scandal make him unfit to govern. Rajoy denies any wrongdoing. We want a clean and just government and that is not the government of Rajoy, Sanchez said in an Aug. 17 tweet. Thats why we will vote: NO. Rajoy, for his part, says theres no way hes stepping aside and if Sanchez maintains his veto then Spaniards will be forced to vote again. The premier says the political stalemate is jeopardizing the countrys economic recovery and stalling efforts to tackle unemployment, while the European Union is demanding further cuts to stabilize the public finances. Spain is due to send its 2017 budget to Brussels by the middle of October. Im optimistic, PP Deputy Secretary General Pablo Casado said in a radio interview with Cadena Ser. The Socialists are not going to allow a third election in a year, which Sanchez would end up being held responsible for. SHARE: WASHINGTONThe U.S. scrambled fighter jets Thursday to protect American special operations forces and allies from Syrian government attacks near the northeastern Syrian city of Hassakeh, the Pentagon said Friday. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said the U.S. has increased combat air patrols in that area and has warned Syria that America will defend coalition troops. Meanwhile, scores of residents of Hassakeh took advantage of a lull in fighting between Kurdish forces and Syrian government troops to flee to safer areas nearby. The airstrikes on Kurdish-controlled positions in the city were the first time government aircraft had struck the city, Kurdish officials and activists said. Davis said he believes this is the first time the U.S. has scrambled aircraft in response to an incident like this involving Syrian government bombings. He said a small number of U.S. commandos were in the area training and advising opposition Syrian Democratic Forces. The strikes, he said, did not directly impact our forces. They were nearby close enough that it gives us great pause. The fighting between the Kurdish troops and government forces could potentially open a new front in the Syrian civil war, now in its sixth year. Also Friday, the Russian military said two of its ships launched cruise missiles at militant targets in Syria from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The development came after Russia this week began launching airstrikes from bases in Iran. The U.S. initially contacted the Russians over the airstrikes, and Moscow denied responsibility. The U.S. then relayed the warning to Syria through Russia, which is allied with the Syrian government. The Russian missile attacks add an extra dimension to the aerial campaign Russia has conducted since September in support of President Bashar Assads military. Russian warships have in the past launched cruise missiles at targets in Syria from both the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean. In Hassakeh, after dozens of townspeople fled, fighting broke out anew, a Kurdish official said. Nasser Haj Mansour, of the predominantly Kurdish Syria Democratic Forces, said Syrian government warplanes and helicopters launched more attacks on areas controlled by Kurdish fighters Friday. The area around Hassakeh had witnessed battles between the two sides in the past, but this weeks violence has been among the worst since Kurdish fighters took control of predominantly Kurdish areas in northern Syria in 2012. The main Kurdish force in Syria, known as the Peoples Protection Units, or YPG, has been the main U.S.-backed force in Syria and the most effective force in fighting Daesh, also known as ISIS and ISIL. Last week, the Syria Democratic Forces, a coalition led by the YPG, captured the former Daesh stronghold of Manbij in northern Syria under the cover of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group that tracks the conflict, said the fighting first began Wednesday. So far, 16 people, including six women and children, have been killed on the Kurdish side. Five pro-government gunmen of the National Defence Force were killed as well, the Observatory said. Mansour told The Associated Press on Friday that the YPG fighters captured several areas, including the wheat silos and the economics college, and that the Kurdish troops were advancing in the central neighbourhoods of Ghweiran and Nashwa. We are fighting mercenaries, he said, referring to pro-government gunmen fighting alongside Assads forces. Saying the U.S. will do what is needed to protect coalition forces, Davis added, The Syrian regime would be well advised not to do things that would place them at risk. The U.S. aircraft arrived as the two Syrian jets were leaving, Davis said, so the U.S. had no radio contact with them. Efforts by Kurdish forces on the ground to contact the Syrian jets were unsuccessful, he said. The additional U.S. combat air patrols will monitor the situation and provide assistance to coalition forces if needed, but are not enforcing any kind of no-fly zone, Davis said. U.S. President Barack Obama has authorized the deployment of up to 300 U.S. special operations forces to Syria to work with the Syrian Democratic Forces. Small groups have routinely been moving in and out of the country to conduct the training and advising mission. Meanwhile, the United Nations reported a breakthrough in getting aid to besieged regions in Syria Friday, saying the Syrian Arab Red Crescent evacuated up to 39 people for medical treatment from two Syrian towns under siege. The office of the UN Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, said several children were among those evacuated Friday from the towns of Foua and Madaya. Rebel-held Madaya near Damascus is besieged by government forces and their allies while government-held Foua in the north is besieged by rebels. De Mistura called the evacuations, which are not common from besieged areas in Syria, a positive step. He regretted that aid convoys have been blocked from reaching a number of places, including Madaya and Foua, for over 110 days amid increased fighting. Read more about: SHARE: In Britain, ancient artifacts have a way of popping up where you least expect them. King Richard IIIs bones were found buried beneath a parking lot. Roman tablets were revealed during the excavation of Bloombergs new London headquarters. And earlier this month, when a maintenance crew went to rewire a room in St. Johns College at the University of Cambridge, they found a shoe in the wall, thought to be about 300 years old. Unlike the bones or tablets hiding under an undignified crust of modern infrastructure, the shoe had been secreted away in the wall by its contemporaries. The footwear hidden in the wall about a mens size 6 today, its sole worn through had a purpose. The shoe, historians say, was meant to protect academics from evil. Given its location, it is very likely that it was there to play a protective role for the Master of the College, said Richard Newman, a Cambridge archeologist, in a statement. It may even have been one of his old shoes. The position of the shoe, with a window on one side and the chimney interior to the other, is exactly the sort of location where you would expect to find a shoe being used in this way. The earliest record of such shoes dates back to the 1500s. Most were deposited solo, according to the Northampton Museum, and well-worn. Why this trend caught on is a mystery, but scholars believe the practice persisted to the 19th century. (Occasionally, people tucked shoes into the walls through the 1960s, although reports at the time describe it as scratching a time capsule itch, like hiding a dated coin or newspaper.) Australian settlers borrowed the practice, leading historian Ian Evans to spend a better part of a decade hunting for them. This is all part of the ancient practice of defeating witches and evil by placing artifacts in those parts of buildings where harmful spirits might lurk, Evans told the BBC. He argued the practice stuck around at least until the 1920s, which is when a childs shoe found its way into a pylon in the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The items fall under a type of popular magic called apotropaios Greek for turning away, as in evil. Such items have been found in structures such as cottages, pubs and mansions. The nastier objects included horse skulls and cat corpses, although shoes seemed to have a particular anti-witch cachet. Why shoes held such an appeal is a matter of debate; it is possible they acted as a spirit trap, according to the University of Cambridge. Or, perhaps, since footwear could not have been mass manufactured at the time, their custom-made nature, coupled with the fact that leather shoes conformed to the wearers foot, imbued the object with the owners identity. Newman said apotropaic items were of particular value, as they had a tendency to survive in the state in which they were employed. There is not a lot of documentary evidence about peoples beliefs in ritual magic in the past, and often the sources that we have are very negative and disparaging about such practices, he said. These discoveries are important because they give us a material record of what people may have believed at the time. The old shoe will be returned to the wall, the university said, once researchers are able to determine its exact age. SHARE: CHARLOTTE Donald Trump on Thursday expressed regret over causing personal pain through ill-chosen words he has used in the heat of debate, an unexpected and uncharacteristic declaration of remorse for a candidate whose public persona is defined by his combative and bombastic style. Speaking during his first campaign rally since rebooting his campaign, the Republican presidential nominee sought to frame himself as a truth-telling candidate who occasionally crosses boundaries in that pursuit. He also sought to contrast himself with his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, whom he accused of dishonesty and pandering. Sometimes in the heat of debate, and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, Trump said, with a slight smile, during a campaign rally here. And believe it or not, I regret it. I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues, he said. But one thing; I can promise you this: I will always tell you the truth. The speech marked a sharp departure for Trump, who has avoided apologizing or expressing regret in more than a year of campaigning, after a seemingly endless stream of feuds and controversies. Notably, he said earlier this month that he did not regret his feud with Gold Star parents Khizr and Ghazala Khan, who lost their son Army Capt. Humayun Khan while he served in Iraq in 2004. Speaking Thursday, Trump did not specify what he regretted and did not directly apologize to anyone. Trump tore into Clinton during his speech, which he read from prepared remarks on a teleprompter, and called on her to apologize for one lie after another. Trump has regularly accused Clinton of dishonesty in an attempt to exploit her low honesty ratings in public opinion polls. While sometimes I can be too honest, Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite: She never tells the truth. One lie after another, and getting worse each passing day, he said. The American people are still waiting for Hillary Clinton to apologize for all of the many lies shes told to them, and the many times shes betrayed them. Thursday marked Trumps third teleprompter speech since Monday, a departure from his typically free-wheeling campaign rallies. The speeches appear to be an attempt to keep the candidate on message after weeks of self-inflicted wounds, focusing on law enforcement and combating terrorism. His campaign has sought to reframe Trump in a more presidential light in the past, only to find those efforts derailed as the candidate waded into controversial waters. Trumps decision to restructure his campaigns leadership was taken as a rebuke of those efforts to rein in his pugnacious style. But the move could backfire, seeming inauthentic for voters who see a clear departure from his past performances. As supporters left the rally in Charlotte on Thursday, several said that they didnt notice any change in the candidate they want to be president. But others said they immediately noticed the teleprompters on the stage and that Trump appeared different. All of these politicians have been doing that for all of these years, so now he sounds a little bit more like a politician but I guess thats what the people want to hear, said Tom Freeman, a 56-year-old small business owner who lives in the Charlotte area. The undecided voters would rather hear this, so hes probably appeasing undecided voters. And I like him better when hes speaking like that. A woman who overheard Freeman shook her head and said, I like it when he free-libs better. Clinton has pre-emptively slammed Trumps attempt to pivot, saying Wednesday during a campaign event in Cleveland that staff changes and speeches will not change Trump as a candidate. Donald Trump has shown us who he is. He can hire and fire anyone he wants from his campaign. They can make him read new words from a teleprompter, she said. But he is still the same man who insults Gold Star families, demeans women, mocks people with disabilities and thinks he knows more about ISIS than our generals. The Clinton campaign also issued a statement: Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize. Trump also blamed some of the controversy over his missteps on the media, which has become a regular punching bag for the Republican candidate. The establishment media doesnt cover what really matters in this country, or whats really going on in peoples lives, he said. They will take words of mine out of context and spend a week obsessing over every single syllable, and then pretend to discover some hidden meaning in what I said. Such speeches may do little to change the minds of minority voters, many of whom have accused Trump of racism. This spring, protesters clashed with Trump supporters in cities across the country, sometimes violently. Those clashes carried uncomfortable racial dynamics: While a large contingent of the protesters were black or Hispanic, Trumps supporters are overwhelmingly white. Trump notably made a direct pitch to black voters Thursday, promising to give attention to the inner cities and accusing the Democratic Party of pandering. He also accused Clinton of bigotry, echoing a remark he made Tuesday during a speech on law enforcement in West Bend, Wisconsin. What do you have to lose by trying something new? Watch, I will fix it. Watch. You have nothing to lose, Trump said. They have been playing with you for 60, 70, 80 years. Many, many decades. You have nothing to lose. I will do a great job. Trumps broader pitch to minority voters in recent days has rested on the notion that Democratic politicians have failed to improve economic conditions in inner cities despite relying on Hispanic and African-American support at the ballot box. But Trumps critics have repeatedly accused him of alienating and even attacking minorities, and have faulted him for failing to speak to minority groups. Last month he turned down an invitation to address the NAACP annual conference in Cleveland. Read more about: SHARE: BATON ROUGE, LA.Donald Trump and his running mate Mike Pence were in Louisiana Friday to survey the flood damage that killed at least 13 people and displaced thousands more. The visit comes amid an ongoing staff shakeup. Trumps campaign chairman Paul Manafort resigned Friday following revelations about his work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. In a statement, Trump praised Manaforts work on the campaign and called him a true professional. The Associated Press reported Thursday that Manaforts firm orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraines then-ruling political party. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. Pence arrived in Baton Rouge ahead of Trump Friday, where he met with Louisianas most senior Republican officials. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, says he wont be involved in Trumps visit. A torrent of about 60 centimetres of rain inundated the southern part of the state, devastating areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina over a decade ago. Trump said this week hes overhauling his campaign operation, bringing in a new chief executive and appointing a new campaign manager. Trumps decision to tap Stephen Bannon, a combative conservative media executive, as his new campaign chief suggested to some that he might continue the divisive rhetoric that has angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the general election electorate. His trip to Louisiana, a rare departure for the candidate whose campaign so far has consisted largely of mass rallies and television phone-ins, comes a day after he made a rare expression of remorse for making comments that may have caused personal pain. In a highly uncharacteristic move at a rally in North Carolina on Thursday night, Trump said for the first time that he regrets some of the caustic comments hes made in the heat of debate. Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, the GOP nominee, reading from prepared text, said at a rally in Charlotte, N.C. Thursday night. And believe it or not, I regret it and I do regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain. It was a rare admission for a man who has said that he prefers not to regret anything and it underscored the dire situation Trump finds himself in. With just 80 days left until the election, Trump is trailing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in preference polls of most key battleground states. At the same time, party leaders have conceded they may divert resources away from the presidential contest in favour of vulnerable Senate and House candidates if things dont improve. Earlier Thursday, Trump moved to invest nearly $5 million (U.S.) in battleground state advertising to address daunting challenges in the states that will make or break his White House ambitions. While his rival Hillary Clinton has spent more than $75 million on advertising in 10 states since locking up her partys nomination, Trumps new investment marks his first of the general election season. Trumps first general election TV ad contrasts his strict approach to immigration with what he calls Clintons plan to do more of the same, only worse. In Hillary Clintons America, the system stays rigged against Americans, it begins. Trump also made a last-minute scheduling change, scrapping a planned event in New York on Friday in order to travel to Baton Rouge. The decision came after the White House said President Barack Obama was unlikely to break from a New England vacation to survey the damage, despite calls for him to visit and meet with responders and victims. In an editorial published Wednesday, The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge called on Obama to visit the most anguished state in the union. The newspaper noted that Obama interrupted his two-week vacation on Marthas Vineyard earlier this week to attend a fundraiser for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on the Massachusetts island. Trumps decision to visit, however, was met with harsh words from Edwards. We welcome him to LA, but not for a photo-op, said his spokesman Richard Carbo in a statement. Instead we hope hell consider volunteering or making a sizable donation to the LA Flood Relief Fund to help the victims of this storm. Edwards meanwhile, defending the administrations response Thursday, saying he has spoken daily with the White House and would prefer Obama hold off on visiting because such stops pull local police and first responders into providing security. Trumps new campaign manager Kellyanne Conway suggested that the visit was part of a larger effort, like his speech on Thursday, to pivot to a more presidential phase. Its also presidential today to have him and Governor Pence going to Louisiana in a decidedly non-political event, she told ABCs Good Morning America Friday, adding that they would be going to help people on the ground who are in need. Read more about: SHARE: ISTANBUL A pro-government Turkish newspaper placed an ad at Istanbuls main airport on Friday warning against travel to Sweden due to alleged high incidences of rape, the state-run news agency reported, in the latest escalation of tensions between Turkey and its European allies. Anadolu Agency said the ad by Gunes newspaper appeared on two billboards at Ataturk Airports International Terminal and read in Turkish and in English: Travel Warning! Did you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide? The ad was apparently placed in retaliation for a similar news ticker at the Vienna airport last week claiming Turkey allows sex with children and a subsequent tweet by Swedens foreign minister calling on Turkey to respect child rights. Both incidents were in response to an earlier decision by Turkeys constitutional Court to scrap an article in the penal code defining sexual acts against children as abuse, triggering concern among childrens rights advocates that the move will lead to an increase in child sexual abuse cases. Turkish officials said the article was scrapped on a technicality and that parliament has six months in which to enact new legislation. The Turkish foreign ministry summoned diplomats from both countries following the incidents, which Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed reflected the racism, anti-Islamic and anti-Turkish (trend) in Europe. On Friday the Swedish Embassy in Ankara suggested on its website that the information was based on misconceptions. It said that comparing reported rapes in Sweden to those in other countries does not describe reality correctly due to different legal and statistical systems. Tensions between Turkey and Europe have been running high following the attempted coup on July 15 in which more than 270 people died. Ankara accuses its European allies of not providing the elected government sufficient support in the face of the attempted coup or its crackdown on suspected coup plotters. Meanwhile European nations have voiced concern over Turkeys pursuit of alleged supporters of a religious movement led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara claims orchestrated last months violent coup. In a related development, the southern Turkish resort town of Alanya decided to cancel a twinning arrangement with the Austrian town of Schwechat following last weeks news ticker incident, Anadolu reported. SHARE: BEIRUTThe past four years have been hell for Aleppo native Mohib Abdelsalam, as Syrias civil war left thousands dead and reduced entire neighbourhoods to rubble in opposition-held areas of his hometown. But this summer, the 26-year-old rebel said, life got even worse. A burst of intensified fighting has rocked the flashpoint northern city, long divided between rebel districts in the east and government-controlled areas in the west. The 300,000 residents of the eastern enclaves suddenly faced a punishing siege and worsening shortages of food, water and drugs amid a surge in attacks by government and Russian fighter jets. For Abdelsalam, an emergency responder who lost four family members to a bombing in June, the horrors have become almost unbearable. You dont understand, he said, speaking via Skype. Now its like any kind of day-to-day life is impossible. The ongoing fighting appears to be building into an important battle in Aleppo, Syrias largest city before conflict erupted five years ago, killing 400,000 people across the country and displacing millions. Winning control of the entire city is a goal that has eluded both sides since rebel forces stormed it in 2012, and the fierceness of this summers battles underscores how much both still see it as a potential game-changer in the war. For residents, though, the stakes are more immediate and measured in daily suffering. Rebel fighters this month managed to partially lift the government blockade of their strongholds in the city. Now those fighters some of them linked to al-Qaida are expanding their offensive to shell and besiege government-run neighbourhoods, which are also experiencing water and food shortages. Meanwhile, Shiite militants from Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan have led the pro-government counterattacks against the eastern areas, while Syrian and Russian planes target hospitals and just about anything that moves there, including cars and people walking to the market, residents say. Theres no mercy from the sky, said Issam Ghazal, a 50-year-old resident of the eastern district of al-Zeydiya. The situation has prompted dire warnings from aid groups and UN officials. In Aleppo, we risk seeing a humanitarian catastrophe unprecedented in the over five years of bloodshed and suffering in the Syrian conflict, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday. Such distant expressions of concern mean little to Abdelsalam. He feels as if the rest of the world has left him to deal alone with catastrophes like the one that engulfed his family on June 23, about the time forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad were beginning their attempt to cement the encirclement of eastern Aleppo. At about 8 a.m. that day, Abdelsalam said, he received a phone call telling him to rush to his family home in the Meyer neighbourhood. A rocket had smashed into it, and casualties were likely, the caller said. When he arrived, he saw nothing but rubble where the building he had grown up in had stood. Under it lay the bodies of his sister-in-law, 35-year-old Samar, and her three children: Abdelsalam, 13, Ahmed, 11, and Aya, 9. I just remember seeing them dead, and then waking up on the ground. I passed out. It was too much, Abdelsalam said. He, nevertheless, pulled himself together and helped retrieve the bodies. During the conflict, he said, he had developed strong nerves while volunteering as a first responder during scores of similar incidents in the rebel-controlled part of the city. What he cannot forget, though, he said, is the sight of his 40-year-old brother Mohammed, who somehow emerged unscathed from the rubble. Mohammed, an elementary-school Arabic teacher before the war, just stood there, Abdelsalam recalled, as he watched a scrum of shouting men pick through concrete and rebar to pry out his wife and children, whose crushed, limp bodies were smeared with dust and blood. He didnt talk. He didnt move, Abdelsalam said. He just stood there in disbelief. Shortly after that, in early July, government forces cut off the main supply road to eastern Aleppo and imposed a blockade on the area. People began running out of food, Abdelsalam recalled, hoarding all they could. Abdelsalam began restricting his meals to a piece of bread, cheese and, if he could get it, canned tuna. Fruit and vegetables all but vanished. The siege has had a traumatizing effect, he said. He recalled seeing one woman, a mother who had recently lost her husband during a bombing, using paper scraps and pieces of wood to bring a pan to boil in the middle of the street. Her three young children sat around her as she prepared what he thought was a meal. But when I looked at what she was boiling, it was just water, he said. It was like she was pretending that she was cooking food for her kids, but she wasnt pretending. Before the war, Abdelsalam worked repairing computers and cellphones. As the peaceful uprising of 2011 turned into armed conflict, he said, he felt compelled to help the rebellion drive government forces out of Aleppo. During the war years, he has regularly posted on his Facebook page video footage captured on his cellphone of the aftermath of government air raids. From time to time, he said, he has fought alongside various rebel groups in the city. One such time was earlier this month, when he said he helped fellow rebels launch a surprise offensive to break the siege of eastern Aleppo. He has also worked since to bring in food, medicine and fuel from rebel-held Idlib province to the west. It is a dangerous journey, he said, with Russian and government aircraft targeting anything that seems to be moving in and out of rebel parts of Aleppo. He takes obscure routes, driving at night with headlights turned off to avoid detection. We call it the way of death, he said. But it is the only way to bring sustenance to rebel areas of Aleppo. A few days ago, a rocket exploded near the Ford Explorer he was riding in. The vehicle was destroyed, but he and the other passenger were not injured, he said. Abdelsalam does not expect such luck to continue. But, he said, he must continue with the dangerous missions so that desperate residents can eat. Its either we fight the regime and win, or we die trying, he said. Read more about: SHARE: Theyre just showing up and dying. Those six words made emergency responders ears perk up in Huntington, W.Va., when they buzzed over the radio. An official was quoting a caller who needed help at a local home. I just caught a bit of that, another official replied. What are people showing up and doing? All they can tell us is that people are showing up and dying, the first official said. Were not sure whats going on. It was Monday afternoon, and an unusual mass crisis was beginning to unfold in Huntington, a city of nearly 50,000 on the western edge of West Virginia a crisis increasingly familiar to paramedics, firefighters and police officers across the United States. When police arrived at the house shortly after 3:30 p.m., they found seven people four inside, three outside in the yard who had just overdosed on what appeared to be an especially nasty batch of heroin. Yet that was only the beginning. Ive just got another one that just came in, an official radioed a few minutes later, bringing news of another overdose call. Annnnnd we just got another one. Ive got two additional overdoses. The calls didnt stop. All afternoon, ambulances, police officers and firefighters began crisscrossing the city, responding to reports of more than two dozen men and women overdosing in homes, in a gas station bathroom, at a Family Dollar store, in a Burger King parking lot, slumped behind the wheel in traffic on the West 17th Street Bridge. Others appeared at the hospital. Overdoses are not something new to Huntington, a college town that often sees drugs flow in from Detroit and Columbus, Ohio. Gripped first by pill mills and now by a heroin epidemic, West Virginia has the nations deadliest overdose rate by far, with 35 of every 100,000 residents dying each year. Huntingtons overdose rate is more than three times higher. Its not uncommon to find them slumped over at a red light, car in gear, Huntington Police Chief Joe Ciccarelli said. We have led the state in last two years in DUI arrests, and 65 per cent of those arrests are people on drugs. But what happened earlier this week was exceptional. Cabell County normally sees about 18 to 20 overdose calls a week, according to Gordon Merry, the director of Cabell County EMS, whose offices are in Huntington. In just five hours on Monday, the county blew way past that weekly average. From 3:21 p.m. to 8:33 p.m., officials responded to calls for 26 overdose victims, almost all of them in Huntington, according to city spokesman Brian Chambers. Their ages ranged from their 20s to their 50s. 3:30 to 4 p.m. was unbelievable, Merry said. Ive never seen it that bad. ... Truly, it was overwhelming for us. Investigators think that its likely a potent batch of drugs had just appeared in Huntington and had been distributed and taken widely and quickly, leading to a crush of overdose cases all at once. As the opioid addiction crisis has grown across the U.S. in recent years, illicit batches of unusually powerful opiates can bring overdose outbreaks with dozens of victims, such as when at least 11 people died in the Sacramento County area in Northern California last spring. In some of those cases, the drugs are laced with a powerful and potentially lethal additive such as fentanyl that can cause addicts to stop breathing and their hearts to stop beating. On Monday night, officials responded to what they didnt initially realize was their 27th call, a Huntington man who died after being taken to the hospital. A relative reported that the man had been suffering a seizure, and did not mention that he was an addict, Ciccarelli said. The next day, officials found another body outside city limits, a man who had been in recovery from addiction and who had likely overdosed Monday, Ciccarelli said. But given the scale of the crisis that had unfolded, those were the only two deaths. For that, Huntington likely has naloxone to thank. Last year, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed a bill into law expanding access to naloxone, the highly effective opioid overdose antidote, to first responders and the public. Now, every Cabell County ambulance crew carries naloxone, and since earlier this year, so do the local police and fire crews. One Huntington officer used naloxone on a man and a woman when he arrived at the house with seven overdose victims. Officials said EMS responders gave naloxone to about 10 other victims. Expanded naloxone access came after opioid overdoses had surged in recent years to epidemic levels and become the third-leading cause of death in Huntington, killing 58 of the towns residents in 2015, according to Dr. Michael Kilkenny, the physician director of Cabull-Huntington Health Department. In response, the city expanded its anti-drug efforts to include overdose treatment in addition to needle-exchange programs to prevent transmission of HIV and hepatitis B and C. As a result, needle-sharing has plummeted among addicts, and so far in 2016, overdose deaths have dropped 25 per cent to 30 per cent, Kilkenny said. I think that it reflects that our strategies are working, Kilkenny said. Naloxone is a great tool to use, and especially useful in the hands of community members closest to the victims. But it takes more than just tools, you have to know how to use them, and the communitys done a great job about education concerning drug overdoses. But the struggle will continue, and officials have to watch out for how addiction can affect the next generation of West Virginians. Jan Rader, the deputy chief of the Huntington Fire Department and a registered nurse, has worked in the area for 22 years and rarely used to see overdose calls. Now, emergency responders might respond to a home and find parents who shot up and overdosed while their children were in the room. Children being present with the overdose victim is the norm, not the exception, now, Rader said. Kids are being raised in this environment. As Rader spoke on the phone, she was interrupted by a loud alert noise. I have an overdose that just came in over my radio, Rader said. Sorry about that. SHARE: What are you feeling? With all journalisms troubles, thats the question that might finish it off. Case in point? The Olympics. When Rosie MacLennan won trampoline gold, an interviewer asked: What are you feeling in your heart right now? What is she - a cardiologist? Yet the athletes keep trying to answer, knowing theyve heard the question often, and surely these askers know what theyre doing. Who are mere athletes to respond: I dunno, what are you feeling in your heart right now? But of course they dont know what theyre feeling. Thats because its a feeling, its not an idea or phrase. If you could say it, it wouldnt be a feeling. Right after Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee won silver in double sculls, David Amber and Andy Petrillo asked how they felt. The rowers were dumfounded. Then they were shown a clip of the race and started burbling articulately: Omygawd, I didnt know they were so close to us etc. Thats how feeling breaks into speech. But Amber broke the magic again by asking how they felt. It makes you wonder if these journalists experience feelings themselves. The question wasnt always a standard part of interviewing, even if thats hard to picture now. Mike Wallace (later of 60 Minutes) was formidable and ego-driven but he challenged his subjects. He didnt ambush them about what they were feeling, he ambushed them with things theyd said or written. Oriana Fallaci argued with her interviewees, she didnt fish for their feelings (i.e., verbal substitutes for feelings). Barbara Frum, Canadas archetypal interviewer, went down the feelings road but never fully committed. Comic Greg Malone used to parody her asking, Are you bitter? - which she claimed shed never said. It didnt matter, he caught the gist. When the IRAs Bobby Sands died in prison on a hunger strike in 1981, Frum asked former Irish MP Bernadette Devlin if her feelings were as shed expected them to be. Devlin lashed back furiously that the question was disgusting. Yet Frum drew out something illuminating, not through vague emo-fishing but by implying a critique of Devlin. The point is: even Are You Bitter? Is better than What Are You Feeling? because its specific. The Question may have its roots in the new journalism of the 1960s, when journalists began inserting their own feelings into their stories. So when Bobby Kennedy was shot, we found out how Pete Hamill of the Village Voice felt: The Jack Ruby in me was rising up - referring to the man who killed the killer of Bobbys brother. (The Hemingway in him may have been rising up too.) The shift to stupid occurred when journalists began interrogating the feelings of others, rather than their own. The classic exploration of unarticulated feelings is psychoanalysis but the shrink never asks what youre feeling. That would drive it further underground. They simply insist that you say whatever comes to mind. Amber and Petrillo wouldve done better to ask the rowers to free associate. It might be pumpkin pie, though its more likely, Omygawd theyre so close - and you go from there. Its true TV interviewers dont have weeks or months to wait till the patient bursts forth, but they could push it. I had a shrink whod get bored with my sullen silences and say, Oh cmon, theres always something on your mind. Id pay-per-view for a conversation like that. Ive always hated it when parents tell agitated kids to use your words. Its not fair, its a sneak attack. The kids are expressing feelings, why should they use words? Theres a precious, seamless world of emotion that came prior to verbality which we all passed through and then lost touch with. Why hasten that loss, itll happen soon enough. (Shades of the prison-house begin to close/ Upon the growing boy,/ But he beholds the light, and whence it flows,/ He sees it in his joy) Its just a way to get the kids to quiet down and not embarrass the parents while theyre waiting for a table in the restaurant. Anyway think of the damage mere words can do. For most of their lives, once they become fully verbal, most of the harm done to and by them will be inflicted by words. Its probably more useful and humane to say, Dont use your words. Free association? Donald Trump. SHARE: Next week, Canadian physicians will gather for the annual meeting of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), often called Canadas "Parliament of Medicine." One of the meetings strategic sessions will zero in on the health consequences of climate change. Slated to start with a keynote address from Dr. James Orbinski, past president of Doctors Without Borders, it comes at an auspicious time for a city coming to grips with and responding to the recent brutal and oppressive heat wave. Its no secret that the city of Toronto and Toronto Public Health have been in overdrive, issuing extreme heat warnings, turning libraries into cooling centres and alerting residents to the dangers of heatstroke and exhaustion. Though everyone is vulnerable, socially isolated seniors, racialized minorities, the homeless and those with chronic illnesses, including mental illness, are most at risk. Extreme heat produces ill-health in a number of ways. Nitrous oxides and volatile organic compounds, emitted largely in Toronto from motor vehicles, are catalyzed in high temperatures into ozone. Known to increase inflammation in the lungs, higher levels of ground level ozone are linked to higher emergency department visits and more hospitalizations for those with asthma. For countless Torontonians with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a higher risk of death can be added to that list. To help mitigate these ill-effects on health, doctors wisely recommend seeking shelter in a cool, air-conditioned environment. Ironically, the use of air conditioners for temporary relief can be counter-productive in the long-run. Drawing power from an energy grid that still relies heavily on gas generation to meet peak demand pumps ever more greenhouse gas emissions into our atmosphere. Unfortunately, these climate-related health consequences represent only the tip of the (rapidly melting) iceberg. Thankfully, both the health care sector and policy makers are starting to take action. Last year, CMA members directed their organization to divest its financial holdings in fossil fuels. This year, MD Management, a financial services company and subsidiary of the CMA, recently launched one of the few Fossil-Fuel Free mutual funds in Canada. Just last month, Toronto Public Health released "Health Benefits of a Low Carbon Future" -- a report zeroing in on the local health benefits of reducing greenhouse gases and the steps needed to achieve them. Though the scope of climate change problems is large, a prescription for local action, focused through health, is worth a closer look. For example, the report lists transportation reform as one of the city of Torontos lowest hanging fruits. Motor vehicles are amongst the worst climate change offenders. Encouraging active transport and alternatives to driving play an important role in changing that. Building mixed-use neighborhoods where errands can easily be accomplished without a car is one step in that direction. Toronto deserves much credit for its expansion of Bike Share Toronto and the new Bloor Street bike lanes. However, Mayor John Torys insistence on cuts to the operating budget of the TTC threaten to reverse these hard-fought, climate-positive gains. The old adage of "reduce, reuse, recycle" also still rings true. In 2013, when the city first outlined its waste strategy, it was largely focused on finding new space for a landfill and doing more of the same. After three years of campaigning, the Toronto Environmental Alliance secured city councils unanimous support for a reformed strategy that focuses not just on the 3Rs, but also on a path that embraces zero waste as a long-term goal. Reducing the impacts on the air, soil and water from waste transportation, processing and disposal is a big win for health. Climate change is a complex problem, one that touches on so many parts of our lives, not least our health. The question remains whether Torontos current pace of change will be enough to match the urgency of the changing climate. Danyaal Raza is an advisor with EvidenceNetwork.ca, a family physician at St. Michael's Hospital and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. He also serves on the board of directors of the Toronto Environmental Alliance. Read more about: SHARE: Re: No to partisan ads, Aug. 14 No to partisan ads, Aug. 14 I could not agree more with you excellent and timely call to reintroduce more oversight into the Wynne governments ads, including more authority for the auditor general to screen them for partisanship. One good example of why this is required is the Wynne government spent over $8 million of our scarce tax dollars on partisan advertising trying to convince Ontarians about the merits of the now abandoned made in Ontario pension plan. Since it is our tax dollars that pay for these ads, the government should not be allowed to blow its own horn with our money. With the ongoing reckless spending by the Wynne government, the more oversight like this the better. Larry Comeau, Ottawa Break trust and the consequences can be severe: our doctors, teachers, police, employers and politicians. This editorial is resounding support for independent verification. Restore the auditor generals authority. I buy that. Does this make me a cynic? If it did I wouldnt bother writing this. Colour me an abused optimist. The Star does a good job at pointing out why. Authority over partisan ads. Is there a cover-up, a possible abuse of power? Having voted for over 50 years, Ive been roughed up, trust-wise, at the polls. Independent verification is security. Thats what happens when your experience turns you into a bruised optimist. Health care? The agenda appears to be divide and control. Different data appear logical. Is confusion the governments strategy? I demand the truth: at my age I cant afford to gamble. Will health care still love me when Im 74? Wheres the truth? The same with education. Health and education are too important to be left to politicians. Wheres the truth? Local government. Why isnt the GO going? Whats the truth about our infrastructure that triggers park-in-the-sky nightmares? Why isnt the 407 part of the solution in the larger transit crawl? Wheres the truth? Whats the cause of this breach of trust at so many levels? Do politicians enter the ring to beat up the truth? Why the need to muzzle our auditor general? Is this politics versus governing? Is the voter to blame for lowering the election bar so low? ( In the U.S., were looking at an underground high jump!) Or do we promise our vote as long as we get what we want and not pay for it? History points out that it doesnt matter whether were right-wing, left-wing or in between. Why has this layer of independent verification become a critical component of trust with our governments? With the way our lives are unfolding, wed better figure this out soon. In the meantime, I vote for prove it! Don Graves, Burlington SHARE: Re: Moving targets, Aug. 16 Moving targets, Aug. 16 Adam Mayers excellent expose of the ludicrous car-insurance-by-postal-code system we have in Ontario is very revealing. The system is in need of an overhaul. When the same driver driving the same car pays a 50 per cent higher premium for living across the street, theres something wrong. The insurance companies will suggest that across the street has more accidents. Thats not the reason the rates are higher. What drives the cost for insurers is the cost per claim. When I met with the Insurance Bureau of Canada in 2011, the average cost per claim in Ontario was $8000. The average cost per claim in my riding of York South-Weston was over $30,000. York South-Weston is the poorest riding in Toronto, so people arent crashing bigger, more expensive cars here. Whats really happening is that many more people in poorer places do not have good jobs with sick leave and medical benefits. As a result, when an accident happens to such a person, the insurance company is on the hook for more wage loss and medical costs. So the per-collision cost is higher. Simple. But when the provincial government lets insurers subdivide the province into smaller and smaller plots of land, it has the unintended consequence of forcing poorer people to pay higher rates. The solution is simple. For the purposes of premiums for accident benefits wage loss and medical the district should be the province. If carriers want to base premiums for property damage and vehicle damage on frequency of accidents, fair enough, but really, only rural vs. urban is necessary. Mike Sullivan, former MP, Toronto I retired at the end of last year. For 26 years, I drove an hour each way to work and back, driving between 35,000 and 40,000 kilometres each year, and my wife, who is self-employed, drove about the same amount. After I retired my car insurance went up $176/year even though I had no claims and no tickets and was driving the same, 3-year-old car and driving about half as much as I was previously. It seems to me that insurance companies are playing some sort of game that has little to do with your driving record (unless youve proven your self to be high risk). It seems to be based on how stupid they perceive their customers to be and how much they think they can get away with. Needless to say I am no longer with my old insurance company and I have found that you have to change insurance companies every three to five years if you dont want to be treated like a chump. Gordon Miller, Trenton, Ont. Thank you, Insurance Bureau of Canada. I got a good laugh today while reading about your CLEAR (Canadian Loss Experience Automobile Rating) program, given that the way insurance rates appear to be arbitrarily calculated is anything but clear. In fact, insurance companies seem to have mastered the art and science of obfuscation. Years ago, the IBC bought the Vehicle Information Centre of Canada (VICC), an independent company that specialized in churning out vehicle-risk ratings. Now it looks like its been re branded into CLEAR. Either way, the province has no independent claims data of its own and therefore no truly effective way of challenging the rate filings. In the end, the insurance companies get what they want. Of course the province doesnt want auto insurance to be an election issue and this explains the constant barrage of broken promises of lower rates that always result in higher rates or lower rates for lower coverage. Either way, were being screwed and thats the only thing thats clear. Jeff Green, Toronto While glancing at the preferred locations for car insurance rates in the GTA, it appears the lowest rates tend to be in the wealthiest parts of the city. And having travelled by car in many of these areas over time I have seen the same level of carelessness and driver incompetence regardless of owner or social status. With all this computer technology I can't see why were still making these generalizations about location and risk. Or is it just easier to milk a poor cow than a rich one? Richard Kadziewicz, Toronto SHARE: British anti-trust regulators have given U.S. automatic teller machine maker Diebold (DBD) until Aug. 26 to come up with ways to lessen the impact of its 1.7 billion ($1.9 billion) takeover of German rival Wincor Nixdorf (WNXDF) (WNXDY) - or face an in-depth inquiry and months of uncertainty over the future of the deal. In an announcement, Friday, the Competition and Markets Authority said both the U.S. and German buyers supplied ATMs to banks and independent "deployers" together with related software and maintenance. But while the merger had been given the go ahead by a number of competition regulators in other countries, the situation in the U.K. could lead to a substantial lessening of competition of the money dispensing machines. The CMA said that at present Duluth Ga.-based NCR (NCR) is the only other credible competitor in the U.K., and there are limited prospects of other companies entering the U.K. market in the near future. "This merger would reduce the number of credible competitors in the market from three to two," said Sheldon Mills, CMA senior director, in a statement. "Based on our initial investigation, this reduction in the number of credible bidders for the supply of ATMs could significantly reduce customers' ability to obtain competitive bids." Diebold of North Canton, Ohio, and Wincor Nixdorf first agreed the deal in November, but did not receive the go ahead from the German competition watchdog until earlier this year. Diebold formally launched its bid for Wincor Nixdorf in February, offering shareholders 39.98 in cash and 0.434 of a Diebold share for each Wincor share. In the intervening months it has received competition clearance from regulators across much of the globe, from Australia to Poland and Russia and from Brazil to Portugal. However, the U.K. sees itself as a separate market. The CMA said in June it was launching an initial inquiry and last week prepared the ground for today's decision by ordering the two companies to halt any further integration processes that might already be underway in the U.K., including any transfer of staff between the two companies or even discussing Wincor's commercial secrets in Diebold meetings. Diebold's share dropped 1.25% on the Frankfurt market this morning, and was trading at around 24.51 at lunchtime. Kansas City Southern (KSU) recently was the beneficiary of a large investment by Keith Meister's activist fund, Corvex Management, raising speculation that the Kansas City, Mo., railroad company could be put in play and acquired at some point down the road. The fund revealed in an Aug. 15 securities filing that as of June 30 it owned 615,154 shares, valued at the end of June at $55 million. Speculation has increased of late that the operator of the Kansas City Southern Railway could become an M&A or activist target - especially after Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) in April cancelled its hostile $28 billion pursuit of Norfolk Southern (NSC) after regulators and at least one key legislator telegraphed messages to the railroad that they had serious reservations with CP's proposed transaction. In a conference call with analysts shortly after the bid was cancelled, CP CEO Hunter Harrison acknowledged that CP experienced a significant setback with its unsuccessful Norfolk bid but that it was looking at other opportunities. Could an acquisition of KCS be one of them? "We are continually looking for opportunities strategically for this organization to grow and take advantage of our strengths," Harrison told analysts. "Having said that we just got cut off at the pass with M&A activities. But look that's not the end of the world. There are other opportunities for this organization that we'll be continually exploring and for obvious reasons I can't get into the level of detail about what they might be." In July, Harrison suggested that he still is expecting consolidation in the rail sector. He told the Wall Street Journal that "it's not 'if" it's when." For many, that means potentially pursuing another acquisition, though perhaps on a smaller scale. And Corvex's acquisition of Kansas City Southern shares suggests that Meister believes the railroad operator could be put in play. And if not willingly, Corvex could agitate for a deal. Corvex is no stranger to campaigns and proxy contests to meet its goals. Meister has launched 13 activist campaigns, including one ongoing one at Pandora Media P as part of his effort to drive change at targeted companies, according to FactSet Inc. And then there is this: According to a 2014 Trains magazine article, Kansas City Southern was exempted from Surface Transportation Board rules governing railroad mergers. The panel came to the conclusion that a merger between KCS and one of the larger North American railroads "would not necessarily raise the same concerns and risks" as a combination involving other large railroads. Nevertheless, there are lots of caveats. In November 2015, Harrison also suggested that he was concerned about Kansas City Southern's Mexico operation, noting that he didn't like Mexico because there are " people stopping the trains and stealing all the goods. It's like the Wild West." John Barnes, analyst at RBC Capital Markets in Richmond, Va., said he believes an acquisition of Kansas City Southern by CP or (CSX) (CSX) or any major North American railway company is unlikely because it would be dillutive to the acquiring company's earnings, partly because KCS has been performing so well lately. He also argues that it would also run into regulatory problems from the STB in Washington. KCS stock price has been rising in recent months, up from about $64 in January to trade recently at $96.61 a share, making it a potentially expensive acquisition. Finally, someone who might have been a major driver of a potential further CP bid is departing the Canadian railroad company's board. Embattled activist investor Bill Ackman and his Pershing Square Capital Management earlier this month liquidated its mammoth CP stake. Ackman had previously suggested that an acquisition of Norfolk was an ideal activist situation. But now he plans to step down from CP's board at its next annual meeting, likely in April 2017, leaving one less potential agitator for a deal. A KCS spokesman did not return calls. "I don't think U.S. rails are going to look at it and I don't think anyone has the appetite for it," said Barnes. "You would have to prove that it is enhancing competition and regulators won't like it." - This article was originally published by The Deal, a sister publication of TheStreet that offers sophisticated insight and analysis on all types of deals, from inception to integration. Click here for a free trial. NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Exxon Mobil (XOM) were down in late morning trading on Friday as the Irving, TX-based energy giant is entering a joint bid with Chevron (CVX) and Hess (HES) to drill for crude in Mexico's deepwater oil areas, Bloomberg reports. The three companies have reached a joint operating agreement that allows them to bid to produce oil in the 10 areas. The areas, which are located in the Perdido region near the maritime border with the U.S. and the southern Gulf's Cuenca Salina, are up for auction on Dec. 5, according to Bloomberg. Mexico is looking to raise $44 billion in its first-ever sale of deepwater drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico. Approximately 76% of the country's prospective oil resources are offshore in deep waters. Officials in Mexico have said the Dec. 5 auction is the most likely opportunity to attract large foreign oil operators that possess the resources to produce crude miles below the surface of the Gulf. Other companies, such as Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A), Statoil (STO) and BP (BP), are expected to enter into similar agreements. Mexico's capital requirements for bidding are too large for individual producers to bid alone, Bloomberg noted. Shares of Chevron and Hess were lower in late morning trading on Friday. Separately, TheStreet Ratings objectively rated this stock according to its "risk-adjusted" total return prospect over a 12-month investment horizon. Not based on the news in any given day, the rating may differ from Jim Cramer's view or that of this articles's author. TheStreet Ratings has this to say about the recommendation: We rate EXXON MOBIL CORP as a Hold with a ratings score of C. The primary factors that have impacted our rating are mixed - some indicating strength, some showing weaknesses, with little evidence to justify the expectation of either a positive or negative performance for this stock relative to most other stocks. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its reasonable valuation levels, solid stock price performance and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including feeble growth in the company's earnings per share, poor profit margins and weak operating cash flow. You can view the full analysis from the report here: XOM XOM data by YCharts NEW YORK (TheStreet) --Facebook (FB) announced Thursday that it would be partnering with Unity in an attempt to move further into the development of desktop games, playable on the Facebook platform. Piper Jaffray senior research analyst Mike Olson joined CNBC's "Closing Bell" on Friday afternoon to comment on the potential impact this move could have on Facebook. "I think in general if you look at Facebook's goal here, it's to be more open and connected. Ultimately I think that's what gaming is all about. I think the old view of gaming, sitting in the basement and playing alone, is over. Now, it's about multiplayer gaming on consoles, desktops, or even mobile," Olson explained. Additionally, Olson noted that with a base of over 600 million gamers already using the Facebook platform, developers will jump at the opportunity to make new games that can instantly be published on Facebook. "I think what it results in is that it doesn't compete with things like Activision (ATVI) or EA (EA), or any of the big guys. It does compete with Steam which is another gaming platform for desktop, and a private company called Valve in Seattle," Olson said. Moreover, mobile gaming companies Zynga (ZNGA) and Glu Mobile (GLUU) will stand to benefit immensely from this recent decision by the social media powerhouse. "Interestingly enough the current CEO of Zynga and the current CEO of Unity, conveniently worked at EA together previously," Olson concluded. Shares of Facebook closed lower on Friday. (Facebook is held in Jim Cramer's charitable trust Action Alerts PLUS. See all of his holdings with afree trial.) Separately, TheStreet Ratings rated Facebook as a "buy" with a score of B+. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income and expanding profit margins. TheStreet Ratings feels its strengths outweigh the fact that the company is trading at a premium valuation based on our review of its current price compared to such things as earnings and book value. TheStreet Ratings objectively rated this stock according to its "risk-adjusted" total return prospect over a 12-month investment horizon. Not based on the news in any given day, the rating may differ from Jim Cramer's view or that of this articles's author. You can view the full analysis from the report here: FB Published: August 18, 2016 UT Junior Analyzes Crime with French Gendarmerie Claire-Marie Maillot 18 is used to traveling with her parents back to France each summer, the country where her father was born. But this year, she went without them and spent a month with the French military police. Maillot had an internship with the Forensic and Criminal Intelligence Agency of the French Gendarmerie outside of Paris. She explored the many divisions within the agency and delved into closed and cold cases, studying the details and analyzing potential motives learned from her criminology courses at UT that shed debate with the officers familiar with the cases, who would reveal if she was right, providing further investigative insights. Ever since I was 15, my passion in life has been to help people, said Maillot, a criminology major in the Honors program from Mandeville, LA. Im interested in solving problems. I love going into a crime scene and seeing how I can analyze all the clues and how they all come together to a single person or group of people. Maillot toured the criminal intelligence central department (SCRC), which specifically concentrates on data processing and runs criminal databases for the French military police, and learned how intelligence for all types of crime that are committed in France is produced, said Cedric Michel, Maillots internship advisor at UT. This internship was the perfect vehicle to determine whether such a career was a good fit for her, said Michel, assistant professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Criminology internships provide an exceptional opportunity for students to apply theoretical concepts that they have learned in the classroom to a more practical setting. They also become familiar with the workings of a criminal justice agency. Maillot, who has a French minor, said the staff she worked with asked her just as much about the American legal system, eager to know more about the similarities and differences between the two countries and cultures. In addition to her research, Maillot was able to translate as needed, such as when Polish law enforcement made a visit to her office and she was called upon to assist in the translation of the English language of the meeting. Claire-Marie had a chance to intern at a foreign criminal justice agency unlike most of our students, said Michel. This approach is in keeping with the criminology departments emphasis on comparative justice and, more broadly speaking, with The University of Tampas mission to expose its students to global issues. In addition to affirming her career aspirations to become an investigator or profiler of violent crimes, Maillot said the internship gave her more confidence in working in a professional setting and being more assertive. It was a summer experience for which she is grateful. Anyone who is really passionate about their work is happy to show you what they do, Maillot said. I would encourage students to look for internships in any major to determine that it's the right career choice for them." Neil Moore, the president of the Dimensions Healthcare System, the parent company of Prince Georges Hospital Center said that the testing of water samples revealed the presence of pseudomonas bacteria in four sinks in the neonatal intensive care. (Hamil Harris/The Washington Post) Neil Moore, the president of the Dimensions Healthcare System, the parent company of Prince Georges Hospital Center said that the testing of water samples revealed the presence of pseudomonas bacteria in four sinks in the neonatal intensive care. (Hamil Harris/The Washington Post) Prince Georges Hospital Center officials say that the potentially deadly bacteria found in the nasal swabs of three of their infant patients was also found in the plumbing of the neonatal intensive care unit and a unit for adult patients. At a news conference Friday, the president of Dimensions Healthcare System, the parent company of the hospital center, said that the testing of water samples revealed the presence of pseudomonas bacteria in four sinks in the neonatal intensive care. The findings led hospital officials to the conclusion that the infants were exposed to the bacteria from the water system in the NICU, Dimensions President Neil Moore said. The NICU has been closed since Aug. 9, when nine babies were transferred from the hospital in Cheverly, Md., to Childrens National Medical Center in the District after they tested positive for the pseudomonas bacteria. Hospital officials said Friday that the three infants are doing well but that the unit will remain closed while a team of doctors, nurses, epidemiologists and building engineers test pipes to learn how the problem occurred. We are doing everything possible to remediate this situation, Moore said. The exterior of Prince George's Hospital Center. (Mark Gail/The Washington Post) Moore, along with Sherry Perkins, executive vice president of Dimensions Healthcare, and Anthony Harris, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said hospital officials were working to rectify the problem. Moore noted that two sinks within the adult inpatient care unit have been taken out of use and have been treated. Perkins talked about the other precautions that have been put in place since the discovery, including bathing newborns with sterile water and redirecting high-risk pregnant mothers to deliver at other hospitals. She said bacteria-catching filters have been installed in the NICU and the ICU and that there are plans to put filters through the entire hospital. Caring for patients and families is what we do, and patient care has driven this investigation, Perkins said. We have taken care of 116 patients in our NICU. These patients are precious to us. It saddens us with their families to ever lose a baby. Perkins said that since the beginning of the year, seven infants in the NICU have died. She noted that the infants were premature and had complex medical problems. Some were as small as one to two pounds, she said. But Perkins said she could not rule out whether the bacteria may have played a role in their deaths. Our epidemiologist continue to investigate any links between the deaths of these babies and the presence of pseudomonas in our water supply, and we dont have the answers to that yet, she said. When found in tap water, the most common strain of pseudomonas is not harmful to most healthy people, experts said. But it is a bigger problem in hospitals, where it can be fatal in patients with weakened or immature immune systems. Perkins said that infection-control precautions used at the hospital center are the same as those used across the country. It is not a gap in those practices that led to this, she said. What we are trying to understand [is] how there would be this transmission from our water to these babies. The best determination we can make from this, as we have done the investigation and mapped the plumbing, is that it was in the pipes from the water system that leads to the NICU. Harris, from the epidemiology department, said that he is confident the hospitals remediation plan will be successful. Hospital officials said they would like to reopen the NICU next month but couldnt say with certainty whether they would be able to. The Shaw neighborhood is reflected in the window of HalfSmoke, a fast-casual sausage restaurant coming to the area. HalfSmoke is the brainchild of 29-year-old entrepreneur Andre McCain. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post) Andre McCain, 29, arrives at his board meeting wearing jeans and carrying a backpack. The youngest and quietest person in the room, he takes his seat at the head of table. Earlier, during a daily meditation session, he tried to picture how this meeting with investors in his restaurant venture might unfold. Now, he thinks over his questions: Is it overkill to have fire pits, giant Jenga and a bocce court on the back patio? What about couches? Should the restaurants logo be red or blue? Or blue and red? Around him, seasoned entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and businesspeople settle in. In all, theyve contributed nearly $2 million to HalfSmoke, the restaurant McCain plans to open this month in Shaw. The concept? Fast-casual sausage fare, with a lounge atmosphere. The others make small talk about cherry blossoms and tomato plants, but McCain doesnt join in. He sips his coffee and swivels in his chair. When its time to begin, McCain looks up. Awesome, he says. Thanks for coming. McCain, who grew up in Northeast Washington near the Anacostia River, is used to being out of place. He is young and black, and most of the people around him on Wall Street, in private equity and commercial real estate, and now in Washingtons fierce restaurant scene are not. But he is no stranger to entrepreneurship. McCain started his first business at age 14, his second one a year later, and by 17 was making nearly $70,000 a year selling sneakers and clothing on his website, UrbanFly.com. He spent his early 20s in New York, working as an analyst for Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and UBS, where he learned to make sense of complex, multibillion-dollar deals with intricate models and charts. Around him, the country spiraled into recession. Now he is back in Washington, returning to his entrepreneurial roots. HalfSmoke is his first foray into restaurants, a treacherous business. McCain has done everything he could think of to prepare. He has invested $50,000 of his own money and built a network of mentors, cold-calling dozens of executives and contacting hundreds more through LinkedIn to ask for advice. He is a very thoughtful listener and he takes it all in, said Minal Damani Kundra, who, with her husband, Monish, is an investor in HalfSmoke. Hes very data-driven, and all of us love that about him. He studies cookbooks. He reads research reports. He thinks about every decision he makes none of it is done lightly. When nobody would hire him for a corporate restaurant position, he quit his $220,000-a-year job in commercial real estate to work for $9 an hour at chains Sweetgreen and Pret a Manger, where he made sandwiches in the basement and rang up salads at the cash register. On weekends, he worked at McDonalds. Its not rocket science, but I knew that experience was necessary if I was going to learn the business from the ground up, McCain said. That lack of experience could sink your restaurant. At HalfSmoke, the idea is to create a more affordable dining option about $15 a person for a sausage and beer in a fast-gentrifying neighborhood. McCain discarded a dozen ideas sushi bar, sandwich shop, even an upscale Italian drive-thru for reasons as varied as volatile fish prices and high real estate costs before settling on sausages. The appeal? They cook quickly, and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. He plans to offer a sausage for everyone, including duck, rabbit and vegan options from family-owned farms, that will come made-to-order atop a bun, salad, flatbread or rice bowl. Also on the menu: Fun, in the shape of tater tots, milkshakes, funnel cakes and cotton candy. And he will offer beer, wine and cocktails and a laid-back atmosphere to lure the areas college students and young professionals. If you look at what Starbucks did with coffee, there are a lot of similarities with what Im trying to do with sausages, he said. Coffee, before Starbucks, was considered a low-quality, low-cost item that wasnt very customizable. There was no romance associated with it. But people tend to drink coffee every day. Can McCain persuade customers to make sausage a staple? He thinks so. In the boardroom, he outlines his expectations: 486 customers a day, annual revenue of $2.49 million, nearly $600,000 in profit. McCain started his first business at age 14 and his second one a year later. By 17, was making $70,000 a year selling sneakers and clothing on his website. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post) The 29-year-old fought for more than a year to get Douglas Development to rent him the 4,000-square-foot space at th ecorner of Florida and Georgia Avenues NW. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post) Making a pitch This, says McCain, stepping over a mound of rocks, is where youll walk in. There is a mini-excavator in the middle of the restaurant. The walls are missing and the floor has been ripped out as part of a six-month, $2 million renovation. The plumbing and electric lines will be replaced, along with the walls and the ceiling. Part of Florida Avenue NW needs to be slashed open so crews can increase the capacity of the gas and water lines. McCain isnt fazed. He looks past the debris: The foosball table will go here, he says. And back there, the bar and the TVs. The wood-burning oven thats being handmade in Italy will be in the corner. He fought for more than a year to get Douglas Development to rent him this 4,000-square-foot space, which was once a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, then a pharmacy and later an arts-and-crafts store. Executives at Douglas Development were reluctant, McCain said, to give prime real estate on the corner of Florida and Georgia Avenues NW to a first-time restaurateur. They eventually relented when a number of McCains mentors made calls on his behalf. It is important, McCain says, to be in the heart of this transitioning neighborhood. Upstairs, a shop called Beauty Island sells tubes of lipstick for $1.49. A block away, the boutique Lettie Gooch sells $278 hoodies and $148 leggings. He hopes his restaurant will bridge those two worlds, creating a meeting space for the neighborhoods longtime residents as well as the more recent influx of well-heeled millennials. It is an ambitious undertaking. The lease on the 4,000-square-foot corner space alone is more than $250,000 a year. McCain will hire 70 employees, including 10 bartenders and at least three people who know how to use a wood-fired grill. On weekends, he plans to stay open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., which means hell cycle through three shifts of workers. McCain has assembled a 120-page business plan that includes case studies on companies such as Chipotle, Pinkberry and Protein Bar. The reasons restaurants fail are quite simple, he says high employee turnover, spotty service, inconsistent quality. He hopes to avoid the pitfalls that wipe out 59 percent of restaurants within three years. When McCain began toying with the idea of opening an eatery, he set a daily goal for himself: He would send at least 100 LinkedIn requests and 25 introductory emails to executives in the restaurant business. He was obsessive in his approach, some days sending out messages from 9 a.m. to well past midnight. Some weeks, he didnt leave his apartment. If I wasnt emailing people on LinkedIn, I was reading about the industry and revising my business plans for 10 different concepts, he said. I spent all my time either trying to find people or sending them my ideas. Some, like Don Thompson, a former chief executive of McDonalds, he found on LinkedIn. Others, like real estate developer Adrian G. Washington, he cold-called. Both are investors in HalfSmoke. One of the first things I told him when he called was, Dude, this is a really good idea. You shouldnt just be sending it to strangers like this, said Washington, chief executive of Neighborhood Development Company and a member of HalfSmokes board. Here was this young guy, very humble shy, almost but very enthusiastic. He had worked so hard. I could tell he was on to something. McCain, left, has built a network of mentors, cold-calling dozens of executives and contacting hundreds more through LinkedIn to ask for advice. Among his investors are (from left to right) Adrian Washington, chief executive of Neighborhood Development Co., Minal Damani Kundra, managing director of 1000 Urban Scholars; and Jamie Mcintyre, founder of Rewire Capital. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) The dude in the suit McCain was a high school freshman when he started his first business, snapping digital photos at local nightclubs and selling them for $10 apiece. It was 2000, and go-go parties were all the rage. Nightclub promoters recruited high school students to pass out fliers for late-night, all-ages events. McCain called up one of those promoters with a proposition: If he bought a digital camera, printer, ink and paper about $2,000 in supplies McCain would shoot photos and split the profit. It worked. They made up to $1,000 a night offering an alternative to Polaroids. By his sophomore year, McCain had moved on to his second venture, reselling clothing and shoes. It was, he says, an obvious endeavor for a 15-year-old who spent his spare time scouring eBay for Air Jordans and Versace T-shirts. He started small, buying up extra sneakers, Polo shirts and North Face jackets and selling them to friends. From there, his business expanded to Wilson High School, where he circulated brochures and took orders from classmates. Within a few months, he hired students at nearby schools who would hawk his wares for a commission. He first called his company Break Yo Neck Kicks (because when you saw the shoes, youd break your neck looking at them) but changed its name to Urban Fly. After school, hed pack shoes in his mothers living room and take them to the post office. He was a merchant on PayPal and a power seller on eBay. By his junior year, McCain was making $20,000 a year. He used that money to buy two cellphones, two cars a 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme for $1,300 and a 1993 Cadillac Seville STS for $2,800 and put about half of it back into the business. What was left over, he saved. It started as a simple way to make additional money to help support me and my mom, McCain said. I didnt know it would become so big. I was really only able to do this because it was all online. No one knew how old I was. McCain has always seemed older than his years, his mother said. As a child, he loved to dress in suits. For his fifth birthday, when his mother offered to throw a party at Chuck E. Cheeses, he asked if they could have dinner at Red Lobster instead. He was always so grown-up, said his mother, Williesteen McCain, 70. From an early age, he had that business mind. He was calm, but you knew he was always thinking about something. McCain grew up in Deanwood on the Districts eastern tip. His mother worked as a pharmacy tech. He never met his father. He was 16 when he was introduced to white-collar America, landing an internship at AG Edwards. He bought a three-piece suit at Burlington Coat Factory and tried his best to blend in, three days a week from noon to 6 p.m. Here I was, 16, and it was the first time in my life talking to a business person, McCain said. Nobody in my family worked in a job like that. At school, where he had a reputation for wearing the newest fashions, showing up in the same suit and boxy dress shoes three days a week was unthinkable. Wearing a suit was just it was the worst thing possible, McCain said. Unless you were going to a funeral, that was just something you did not do. He tried everything: stashing the suit in his backpack, wearing just the shirt and pants, leaving it all in a heap in his locker. Eventually, I had to just own it, McCain said. I was the dude in the suit. McCain has assembled a 120-page business plan that includes case studies on companies such as Chipotle, Pinkberry and Protein Bar. The reasons restaurants fail are quite simple, he says high employee turnover, spotty service, inconsistent quality. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) Work life McCain arrived on Wall Street in 2006, fresh off his sophomore year at Morehouse College, a historically black, all-male school in Atlanta. The U.S. economy was booming and Wall Street was in full swing. The 19-year-old spent 80 hours a week interning at Merrill Lynch. The bank paid for lavish dinners and had a limousine service drive him home each evening. On weekends, he went to parties in the Hamptons hosted by his bosses. It was, once again, a world apart from his own and at times, perplexing. People were making a lot of money, there were open bars and fancy dinners, but the day-to-day was the opposite: It was not glamorous, McCain said. Most of the people who worked there did not enjoy their lives. They didnt get to spend time with their families, didnt have any sense of fulfillment or joy. Despite his misgivings, he returned to Wall Street the next summer to work at Morgan Stanley. After graduation, he accepted a job as a real estate analyst at UBS. These days, he works around the clock. McCain doesnt date much anymore. Its hard to find the time, he said. Sometimes his mother asks him about it: Whenre you going to bring over a young lady? He always has the same reply: Aw, ma. I dont ask Andre too many questions, she said. Andre is so private. He says, Ask me anything, and I say, Yeah, right. Once a year in December, McCain picks a city hes never been to Asheville, N.C., say, or Philadelphia and books a hotel room for a few nights. He turns off his cellphone and reflects on his life. He has created a scorecard that hes been grading himself against for 13 years. Did he go to the gym at least five times a week? How many books did he read? Did he save at least 20 percent of his income? In a category he calls memorable moments, McCain tracks whether he had one new experience each month. Ive always been a planner, a control freak, he said. This year was an interesting one, McCain says. I kept trying to envision what my life will be like, and this time its difficult, he said. Im turning 30 this year. Im opening HalfSmoke. This is a new chapter in my life. That uncertainty makes him uneasy. Im reminding myself to slow down, he said. You cant be too prescriptive. Sometimes you have to let things unfold. Most of the people who worked there did not enjoy their lives, McCain said of his colleagues on Wall Street. They didnt get to spend time with their families, didnt have any sense of fulfillment or joy. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post) A goal to give back The restaurant is three months from opening. Inside, a dozen workers are installing ventilation systems and building stairs to the basement. Outside, the patio is a mess of tangled weeds and steel rods. But things are moving quickly. Its time to think about hiring. On a rainy morning in May, McCain sits with Don Schaefer, a restaurant consultant who has handled operations for Sweetgreen and Le Pain Quotidien. McCain is laying out his plans. Hed like to create a curriculum, as he calls it, for his employees. The idea is that after you have worked at HalfSmoke for a year or two, he says, you will have learned things beyond just the Xs and Ys of a restaurant. McCain plans to pay more than the minimum wage and to offer opportunities to climb the ranks of the restaurant. Hed like to have a speaker series for employees, homework, team-building activities things that helped shape his path. After an hour, the meeting is about to end. Theres one more thing Im trying to think through, McCain says. Hed like to model HalfSmoke after companies like Toms Shoes, with their one-for-one models. Buy a pair of shoes, and the company will give a pair to someone in need. In his case, McCain says, hed like to give away food. Once again, he turns to statistics: Thirty percent of children in the District dont have regular access to dinner. For each sausage meal he sells, McCain would like to give one away. If youre a restaurant making food, my belief is that you should be helping by providing food, he says. From a pricing standpoint, if I build that into the model, I think people will be willing to pay. But operationally, I dont know. He considers a few options: setting up a kitchen in the basement, or renting space in a restaurant incubator, where staffers can assemble simple meals sausage, vegetables, fresh fruit and give them out every day. There is a lot to figure out, McCain says. Schaefer looks down at his notebook, which he has filled with pages of notes. Youve got a lot going on here, he says. Youre definitely not taking the easy way out. No, Im not, McCain says, But thats the reason Im talking to people like you. Three leaders in commercial space flight Elon Musk of SpaceX, Jeffrey P. Bezos of Blue Origin and Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic discuss the path to making commercial spaceflight a reality. (Jhaan Elker/The Washington Post) Later this year, tech entrepreneur turned space pioneer Elon Musk is planning the blastoff of a new rocket, the Falcon Heavy, that would be twice as powerful as any other in use and one of the biggest since the Apollo eras mighty Saturn V. The stage for the rockets debut: the Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A, where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took off for the moon in 1969. SpaceXs use of 39A is the ultimate symbol that the governments monopoly on space travel is over. To Musk, it also is proof of an additional triumph over his fellow billionaire and rival Jeffrey P. Bezos, who had fought to secure the launchpad for himself. Nearly five decades after the United States beat the Soviet Union to the moon, another space race is emerging, this time among a class of hugely wealthy entrepreneurs who have grown frustrated that space travel is in many ways still as difficult, and as expensive, as ever. Driven by ego, outsize ambition and opportunity, they are investing hundreds of millions of dollars of their own money in an attempt to open up space to the masses and push human space travel far past where governments have gone. Musk, who made his first fortune on Zip2 and PayPal, and Bezos, who founded Amazon and owns The Washington Post, are the most prominent of a quartet of billionaires aspiring to open the frontier of space the way the public-private partnerships of the 19th century pushed west at the dawn of the railroad age. The two others are Paul Allen, a Microsoft founder, and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson. All have upended industries, including retail, automobiles and credit cards, and are now embarking on the greatest disruption of all making space travel routine in a business long dominated by commercial-space contractors such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin. While their efforts have reignited interest in space, they also have raised moral complexities and regulatory challenges in pursuing an endeavor that is inherently dangerous. Congress has opted to regulate the industry only loosely, granting it an extended learning period that would allow companies to grow and to practice space travel. Already, one pilot has died in the quest to make commercial space travel a reality. But his sacrifice came in the service of a company, Scaled Composites, that was operating a spacecraft for Virgin Galactic, not a government acting in the national interest. Some critics, such as Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.), said that safeguards should not be overlooked. When the inevitable accident with significant loss of life occurs whether its a year from now or five years from now, she said, the American public will look back at what we are doing today and ask how we could be so shortsighted? With SpaceX, Elon Musk aspires to send an uncrewed spacecraft to Mars as soon as 2018 and hopes that people could arrive by 2025. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images) Blue Origin founder Jeffrey P. Bezos says commercial space exploration can advance at the fast pace of Internet commerce only if the cost is reduced through advances in reusable rockets. (Matthew Staver/Bloomberg News) Space is not orbit Since late last year, when Musk and Bezos traded what were interpreted as barbs on Twitter over who pulled off the most daring feat in space, they have apparently entered a detente, with peace offerings, even words of encouragement. But there is something about the exchanges that still bothers Musk, who in a recent interview wanted to make it clear: Space is not orbit. Thats what he meant when he lit up Twitter after Bezoss Blue Origin flew a rocket to the edge of space and landed it at its West Texas test range, a feat that NASA has never achieved. Bezos declared the reusable rocket the rarest of beasts. Not quite rarest, Musk shot back, pointing out that SpaceX has previously launched rockets in test flights and landed them after relatively short trips. In a series of tweets, he vowed something even more spectacular, and difficult landing a much larger and more powerful rocket capable of traveling many times the speed of sound, which is required for going into orbit. Later, after SpaceX landed its Falcon 9 rocket, Bezos tweeted what many considered a backhanded compliment: Welcome to the club! Months later, Musk still was fixated on it. Bezoss Blue Origin may have crossed the boundary into space, a somewhat arbitrary barrier generally agreed as starting at 62 miles above Earths surface. But Musks SpaceX spacecraft dont just go up; they go up and out, following an arc and moving so fast about five miles per second that they stay aloft and can circle the Earth in less time than it takes to watch Star Wars. Reaching the threshold of space is a somewhat simple up-and-down endeavor like shooting a cannonball up and then the cannonball falls down for four minutes of free fall, Musk said. Orbit and space are different leagues, Musk said. The tension began appearing in legal briefs in 2014. SpaceX challenged a patent held by Blue Origin that gave it the right to land rockets on floating barges at sea a feat SpaceX has now pulled off multiple times. The point of landing the rockets, though, is to reuse them, which then would dramatically lower the cost of space flight. SpaceX has yet to refly any of its rockets, although it says it plans to this year. Blue Origin, by contrast, has flown the same booster four times in test flights, showing that recovering the rocket is not the same as reusing it. And there was Launch Complex 39A. Musk won the lease in 2013, but Blue Origin filed a legal protest, arguing that the criteria NASA used to come to its decision were flawed. Musk derided the protest as a phony blocking tactic and an obvious one at that. Blue Origin had not yet sent a rocket to space, which Musk eagerly pointed out, and did not have one qualified to carry people. If they do somehow show up in the next 5 years with a vehicle qualified to NASAs human rating standards that can dock with the Space Station, which is what 39A is meant to do, we will gladly accommodate their needs, Musk wrote in an email published at SpaceNews.com. Then, in a taunt that shot across the Internet, he added: Frankly, I think we are more likely to discover unicorns dancing in the flame duct. At the time, Blue Origin was tight-lipped about the remarks. But years later, it responded by announcing that Bezos had secured a spot of his own at Cape Canaveral: Launch Complex 36, just down the road from 39A, so he and Musk will be neighbors. Virgin Galactic's Richard Bransons goal is to create the first commercial spaceline. More than 700 people have bought tickets at $250,000 each to ride on his spacecraft. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post) Paul Allen teamed with aerospace engineer Burt Rutan to develop SpaceShipOne, which was the first commercial vehicle to reach space in 2004. Now hes building Stratolaunch, the worlds largest airplane. (Vulcan) Dreams are born It was supposed to have happened by now: space tourism. Bases on the moon. Humans to Mars and beyond. The next giant leap. And the next. Bezos was 5 years old during the Apollo 11 moon landing and remembers watching it on his living-room television with his parents and grandparents. It was a seminal moment for me, he has said. In 2013, he embarked on a three-week quest to recover from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean the F-1 engines used in the Apollo-era Saturn V rockets. Using deep-water rovers, his team found its quarry: castaway engine parts, more than three miles down, deeper than the wreck of the Titanic. Where others might have seen piles of rusted debris fit for a junkyard, Bezos saw art. A magic sculpture garden, he called it. After Musk sold his first company, Zip2, to Compaq, for more than $300 million, he started thinking more seriously about space exploration and wondered when NASA was planning on getting to Mars. He searched the space agencys website for its Mars plan but could not find one. Because, of course, there had to be a schedule, he said in a 2012 speech. And I couldnt find it. I thought the problem was me. Because, of course, it must be here somewhere on this website, but just well-hidden. And it turned out it wasnt on the website at all, which was shocking. Musk, who also runs Tesla Motors, plans to send an uncrewed spacecraft to Mars as soon as 2018, and hopes that people could arrive by 2025. While that seemingly impossible goal remains aspirational, SpaceX continues to build bigger and more powerful rockets, and has disrupted the existing commercial and military launch markets by offering affordable and transparent prices. Last year, however, a unmanned Falcon 9 rocket carrying cargo to the International Space Station blew up, forcing the company to delay all launches for six months. But it now has a backlog of more than 70 missions representing more than $10 billion in revenue. Were sort of checking the various boxes that are needed to do this, Musk said, while providing useful services to NASA and commercial companies. As a child, Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, knew the names of the Mercury 7 astronauts, as if they were the star players of his favorite baseball team. Like countless other boys, I planned to become an astronaut when I grew up, he wrote in his memoir. For sheer adventure, you couldnt beat outer space. In 2004, Allen teamed up with legendary aerospace engineer Burt Rutan to develop SpaceShipOne, which won the Ansari X Prize, a $10 million contest, and became the first commercial vehicle to reach space. Allen licensed the rights to the technology behind the spacecraft to Branson and concentrated on other interests. But now hes back. He is building Stratolaunch, that would become the worlds largest airplane with a wingspan wider than a football field, end zones included. It is designed to carry a rocket tethered to its belly to an altitude of about 35,000 feet. The rocket would drop away from the plane, fire its engines and air-launch into orbit. Bransons goal is to create the first commercial spaceline. And he is proud that more than 700 people more than the approximately 550 people who have actually been to space have bought tickets to ride on his spacecraft, some paying as much as $250,000. Perhaps it is in our culture, perhaps it is in our DNA, or perhaps it is a bit of each of those, but we humans seem hard-wired to explore, Bransons Virgin Galactic says on its website. But because government space agencies are not asked to help ordinary citizens to become astronauts, most of our planets seven billion people have had no opportunity to experience space and all of its possibilities for themselves. Landed SpaceX rockets sit in Launch Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. SpaceX continues to build bigger and more powerful rockets, and has disrupted the existing commercial and military launch markets by offering affordable and transparent prices. (NASA via Getty Images) Commercial milestone The last time the United States was not able to launch its own astronauts to space, the hiatus lasted 2,098 days, from the last of the Apollo-era missions in 1975 to the first space shuttle flight in 1981. Today, NASA is again in a hiatus, this one beginning when the shuttles were retired in 2011. But now there is a painful twist: The United States has to rely on Russia, the country it bested in the Cold War race to the moon, to ferry U.S. astronauts to and from the International Space Station. That is expected to end by late 2017, or early 2018, when a cadre of carefully chosen NASA astronauts would board a spacecraft on the Florida Space Coast and launch from U.S. soil. That historic moment would feature a rocket that for the first time would be owned and operated by a commercial company, not NASA. Today, SpaceX and Boeing, the companies that NASA is entrusting with the lives of its astronauts, are vying to see which will fly first. The victor would become the company that restores U.S. human spaceflight in what would be one of the most tense and dramatic launches in decades. Then could come the birth of regular commercial space-tourism trips. Wealthy ticketed passengers, fresh off days of space training camp, could board a private spacecraft, buckle into luxurious window seats and shoot just past the edge of space, where they would float weightless, joining the ranks of the worlds first space tourists in a flight that would last several minutes. Virgin Galactic had said its first flight would be as early as 2009, but that has been delayed again and again, most recently when an aircraft came apart during a test flight, killing the co-pilot. Since then, the company has rebounded, unveiling its new spacecraft earlier this year. While Virgin Galactic no longer gives a timeline, Bezos has said he believes Blue Origin could start taking tourists by 2018. Branson and Bezos, both known to prize customer service, are honing their sales pitches, one promising a concierge to the cosmos and the other promoting windows the size of doors for a better view. But while the companies say they are not in a race to see who flies customers first, some corporate jockeying is underway. Branson has said he thinks people would prefer the comforts of SpaceShipTwo, a space plane that would land on a runway, over a rocket launch that would propel a thimble-like capsule into space and then land under parachutes. We believe going into space in a spaceship and coming back in that spaceship, on wheels, will be a customer experience that people would prefer than perhaps one or two other options that are being considered, he said in an interview late last year. And wed love to see whether were correct about that. Amazon CEO Jeffrey P. Bezos, left, unveils a Blue Origin rocket. Bezos has talked about building the highway to lower orbit so that the next generation will be able to use that heavy infrastructure for a huge dynamic entrepreneurial explosion in space. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP) Innovation revolution To these space barons, the dawn of this new Space Age is similar to the advent of the personal computer and the Internet. Regular access to space is a new catalyst for innovation, one that as Allen recently said, holds similar revolutionary potential. He, Musk and Branson have plans to launch constellations of small satellites. These satellites could more affordably beam the Internet to the billions who are not now connected, provide better communication and allow companies and governments to continuously monitor events on the ground including phenomena as diverse as wars and agriculture. When such access to space is routine, innovation will accelerate in ways beyond what we can currently imagine, Allen said. Thats the thing about new platforms: When they become easily available, convenient and affordable, they attract and enable other visionaries and entrepreneurs to realize more new concepts. For years, many have been waiting for the commercial space industry to become a real market, one where companies actually make money and prosper. William Gerstenmaier, the head of NASAs human spaceflight division, said he thinks that the industry is on the crest of another wave. Theres a lot of hype, he said at a Federal Aviation Administration space conference this year, citing other times when industry felt it was on the cusp of revolutionary change. But will we be able to generate enough demand? he said. It cant just be solely government demand. It has to be augmented by the private sector. . . . Will that be enough to push us over or to reach that tipping point that actually enables this industry to become more self-sufficient than it was in the past? Bezos, Branson and others are betting that there will be enough demand especially if theyre successful in getting to space quickly and easily, like flying a plane. Bezos has talked about building the highway to lower orbit so that the next generation will be able to use that heavy infrastructure that I put in place so there can be a huge dynamic entrepreneurial explosion in space. His goal is eventually to establish such a transportation link that all heavy industry could be moved off Earth into space, where companies could mine asteroids for their precious metals. Earth, then, could be preserved as if it were exclusively zoned residential and light industrial, he said. Musk is focused on Mars. Its fundamentally about transport. Without transport, you cant get there. You need to build the Union Pacific, he said. Once theres a transportation link established to Mars, itll open up incredible entrepreneurial opportunities for anyone that wants to go there and establish everything from the first iron foundry to the first pizza joint to things we dont even conceive of on Earth that are just new on Mars. That effort will be exceedingly difficult, and probably even fatal, he said. The timeline Musk has laid out is incredibly ambitious, with the first unmanned flight coming as soon as 2018. Of the 43 robotic missions to Mars, including fly-bys, attempted by four countries, only 18 have been total successes. No private company has ever dared try it before, and SpaceX has yet to fly the Falcon Heavy, which has been delayed repeatedly because of technical challenges. In the past, such bold, because it is hard pronouncements were made by presidents, not billionaires. But Musk and Bezos are now cast in a sort of Cold War reenactment, performing the roles once held exclusively by nations and their heroes. Bezoss rocket is named after the first American astronaut, Alan Shepard, who reached the edge of space in a 15-minute ride in 1961. But unlike his Soviet counterpart, Yuri Gagarin, Shepard did not reach orbit. That would not happen for the Americans until the next year, when John Glenn rode a more powerful rocket. Bezos, too, is preparing his next giant leap: producing by the end of the decade a rocket that can reach orbit. By then, though, Musk could be shooting for Mars. 13 people died in Bihar's Gopalganj locality after the consumption of poisonous alcohol. From the same hidden stock, Bihar police recovered 1,000 litres of illegal country made liquor on Wednesday. Police admitted that liquor recovered from Khajur Vani was manufactured at the same place and was hidden underground. Photo: PTI By Rohit Kumar Singh: The police recovered 1,000 litres of illegal country made liquor in Gopalganj's Khajur Vani locality on Wednesday. The recovery has been made from the place where hooch tragedy happened in which 13 people lost their lives. In this huge recovery, illegal country made liquor was stored in big barrels hidden in cavity dug in the farm land and a house. advertisement The police crack down came after 13 people died consuming liquor from this hidden stock. The police arrested five people in connection with the recovery. All of them are being questioned by the police. "We have recovered huge quantity of liquor from the locality. Five people have been arrested. Investigations presently are at a nascent stage", said Sunil Kumar, IG of Muzaffarpur zone. The recovery of illicit liquor from underground hideouts indicates that despite prohibition in the state, police turned a blind eye towards the thriving business of illegal liquor in the locality. Police admitted that liquor recovered from Khajur Vani was manufactured at the same place and was hidden underground. The police however, is clueless as to who was running this racket and who is the mastermind behind the tragedy. "We have not been able to ascertain who was running this business here", said Sunil Kumar. Also read: Nitish government should take hooch tragedy seriously, says Lalu --- ENDS --- On July 3, Shomari Stone and Kristal Southern exchanged vows before a small group of family and friends at Seasons 52 restaurant in North Bethesda, Md. (Natalie Binion/Buzz365Media) In late November 2015, Kristal Southern got the surprise of her life while watching the 11 oclock news. It wasnt the news itself, but the sight of the reporter that caused her stomach to drop. He was her first love Shomari Stone. In preparation for an early morning run the next day, Kristal had flipped to NBC4 Washington to catch the weather forecast. She would usually check her phone, but her mother had been urging her to catch the nightly news. Everything you need to know will be on in the first 15 minutes, Kristals mother often said. Kristal, a veterinarian with the Waldorf Animal Clinic and a lead surveillance epidemiologist with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, turned up the volume and was walking to the kitchen when a deep, distinctive voice stopped her in her tracks. In disbelief, she quickly returned to the television for a closer look. She immediately recognized the face and thick eyebrows. He had shaved his black, curly hair, but his smile was the same. Could it really be him? The family poses for a picture after the couples wedding ceremony at Seasons 52 restaurant in North Bethesda, Md. (Natalie Binion/Buzz365Media) Kristal inched closer to the screen. Underneath the familiar face was a caption: Shomari Stone. She was stunned. She was even more shocked when she noticed his location, Washington, D.C. I thought I was tripping, that there had to be something wrong with me, Kristal says. Im like, You have to be kidding me! [Are you getting married in the Washington region? Tell us why we should feature your nuptials here.] Kristal, 36, and Shomari, 39, first met as teenagers in Detroit in 1993. Introduced by a neighborhood friend, they lived five minutes apart. They bonded over mutual interests, and a romantic relationship soon formed. Dates consisted of grabbing a bite at the local Dunkin Donuts and challenging each other to hoops. Shomari, says Kristal, was her first crush, her first kiss and her first boyfriend. He set the baseline for everybody else, she says. They dated for eight months, but their relationship was cut short when Shomari moved to California in ninth grade to go to boarding school. Kristal was crushed. There were a lot of tears, on both ends, she recalls. For a year, the pair exchanged letters and phone calls. This is before social media, mind you, Shomari says. We didnt have Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Vine or any of that. Meet 10 incredible couples and hear the fascinating stories behind the start of their relationships. (McKenna Ewen/The Washington Post) Eventually, they lost contact. Shomari attended the University of Michigan and pursued his dream of becoming a TV reporter, covering stories in Florida, Washington state and, ultimately, the District in 2011. Kristal fulfilled her long-held ambition of attending Tuskegee University in Alabama, then became a veterinarian and moved to Washington in 2005. Neither of them had a clue the other lived in the city. I could have honestly ran right past him and it wouldnt have clicked, Kristal says. Even if I had seen his face pass by on the side of a bus, it wouldnt have registered. After catching Shomaris broadcast, Kristal decided to shoot him a short Facebook message. It took me an hour to write it, she says. I thought, Hes not going to even remember who I am! Hes going to think, Who is this groupie? Who is this fan girl? Thankfully, he did remember, but he was worried that this blast from the past was too good to be true. I was amazed and a little nervous, Shomari confessed. At first, I thought it was a joke. But she said some things that were so precise, like our address and the neighborhood, that it obviously couldnt have been a catfish. [A fender bender brings a couple back together after 33 years] Shomari, who was divorced, was still getting adjusted to dating in D.C. and didnt want to get his hopes up too quickly. A day later, he called Kristal. As soon as he heard her voice, he knew she was the real deal. I didnt know if it was a con or a joke, but when I got her on the phone, I was stunned, he says. It was the same voice. That night, they met for dinner at 8407 Kitchen Bar in Silver Spring. Both were worried about what might unfold and whether there would still be a spark. But the conversation was easy and the connection immediate. I remember he came up to me, gave me a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek and said, Its really you, Kristal says. With his warm welcome, her nerves vanished. When he walked in, I just felt something come over me. It was like, If he wants to be with me, I know I want to be with him, she says. I didnt want to rush into something based on nostalgia, but a part of me just knew that this was right. It took no time at all, Shomari says, for things to fall into place. Within a month, they were dating exclusively. Kristal bonded with Shomaris two young children during Snowzilla, taking care of them while Shomari covered the storm. Over time, people change due to their life experiences, but Kristal is still the same exact person today, in terms of her heart and the way in which she treats others, Shomari says. On a blustery, rainy day this March, the two boarded the VIP gondola on the Capital Wheel at National Harbor. At the top of the 180-foot-tall Ferris wheel, overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, Shomari dropped to one knee, pulled out a sapphire engagement ring and proposed. Of course! Kristal excitedly replied. On July 3, Shomari and Kristal exchanged vows before a small group of family and friends at Seasons 52 restaurant in North Bethesda, Md. We knew we didnt want a big wedding and didnt want to be engaged for five years. We had already waited 23, Kristal says, laughing. I was ready to get my happily ever after as soon as possible. During the ceremony, the couple exchanged wedding bands made by Kristals mother that were engraved with the phrase My first. My last. My forever. Reflecting on their serendipitous reunion, Shomari expressed gratitude and encouraged others to never give up hope. You just never know, he said after the wedding. Your love could be right around the corner and could pop up out of nowhere. Are you getting married in the Washington region? Tell us why we should feature your nuptials here at wapo.st/weddings. More from On Love: A fender bender brings a couple back together after 33 years She was told 50 first dates was the key to relationship success. He was No. 98. Wedding trends: Enough with the white dresses Growing up, Ruby Corado faced many challenges as a transgender woman, from rape and assault, to homelessness. Today she is a pioneer for the LGBT community, making it her mission to one day help all homeless LGBT youth in the Washington area. (Ashleigh Joplin/The Washington Post) Ruby Corado sits in her makeshift office, a plastic chair behind a Northwest Washington rowhouse, when her phone rings again. Its someone from the mayors office checking to see whether she can attend a party that Muriel E. Bowser is throwing. She cant. She apologizes and explains that she is traveling to New Orleans that day to deliver a keynote speech at a national conference on the plight of sex workers. There was a time when no one with influence cared what Corado had to say. In the realm of the marginalized, she lived on multiple ledges: undocumented, homeless, HIV-positive, transgender. But now her phone rings every few minutes with calls from the head of a national LGBT organization or a police department official or a jailed prostitute. The rowhouse behind her has a name, her name: Casa Ruby. She rented the first floor in 2012 for $1,500 a month, envisioning it as a drop-in center for the most vulnerable in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community: the young and discarded. Now Casa Ruby has a budget of $1.3 million and occupies the whole building plus three others nearby, offering everything from emergency shelter to health counseling to immigration services. In the past nine months, more than 2,200 transgender and gay people nearly all of them black or Latino, nearly all of them poor, nearly all of them familiar with discrimination and violence have turned to Casa Ruby. Even then its not enough, Corado says. Casa Ruby has a housing wait list of about 100 names, and the organizations phone rings constantly with others seeking help. Sometimes its a transgender immigrant who cant speak English looking for assistance finding a job. Sometimes its a young person who is about to be released from jail and needs a bed. Sometimes its a desperate teen or young adult who just wants to speak with Corado. Sometimes all I can do is talk to them because they are suicidal, Corado says. In life, some people reinvent themselves. But Corado has undergone two major transformations in her 46 years that make her one of the most influential voices for a community whose needs have multiplied alongside its rights. [We just want to be accepted. At vigil, transgender community mourns. ] She was a 16-year-old boy who arrived alone in Washington from El Salvador ; now she is a curvaceous, red-haired woman many call Mom. She was a rape and assault victim who once walked into a hospital psychiatric ward hoping not to come out; now she is an advocate who gives speeches, testifies at hearings and manages a nonprofit that has become a beacon of hope to young LGBT people in the nations capital and beyond. Corado walked into Casa Ruby recently to find a Brazilian man who cried when he saw her. He told her, I knew if I saw Ruby I was going to be okay. He destroyed me The bell above the front door serves as Nytina Walkers cue to say, Its a beautiful day at Casa Ruby. Nytina Walker, left, looks away while talking with Tanisha Phillips, 20, at Casa Ruby. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post) Charlie Thompson, a transgender man, talks with Mariah Hill, a transgender woman, outside Casa Ruby. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post) Walker, a 37-year-old transgender woman, is legally blind and can see only the shadows of those who walk into the organizations headquarters on Georgia Avenue. But for hours, she will say those welcoming words over and over, grateful for the opportunity. There wasnt a program like this when I was young, Walker said. If there had been, she said, maybe she wouldnt have ended up smoking crack and not knowing what hotel she might wake up in: Ive been to a lot of funerals. Walker knew Corado when they were younger, and it was normal for transgender women to buy hormones off the black market and inject harmful silicone in their breasts and hips to make their bodies reflect how they felt. She knew her when they both sold sex to survive. Corado, who learned she was HIV-positive in 1995 and is now working toward becoming a U.S. citizen, doesnt deny her past. She speaks about it as someone else might their resume. She doesnt have a prestigious degree or a string of notable jobs. What she does have, she says, is life experience that allows her to relate to anyone who walks into Casa Ruby. Corado was a teen when she came to Washington, sent by a father who feared his effeminate son, then named Vladimir Orlando Artiga, would be killed in El Salvadors civil war. She said she lived with a family who worked as smugglers of undocumented immigrants and labored as a maid to pay off her debt to them. She left, she said, when the father tried to rape her the first of several encounters with violence. The first time she heard the word gay, she said she looked up the definition and saw that it meant happy. But life as a gay man didnt feel that way to her, and nothing felt right until she met a transgender woman. By 1996, Corado was living as a woman, and in 2004 she changed her name. She was doing well, she said, until 2008. When she talks about that year, she sobs. As she tells it, a man she dated asked her to move in with him. She declined but agreed to meet him one night. He told her he had a gift for her. As she was getting ready in the bathroom, she said, she saw his face in the mirror. For hours, she recalled, he beat her and raped her. Ruby Corado weeps as she recalls parts of her past before founding Casa Ruby. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post) I couldnt understand how someone who had shown me affection literally wanted to destroy me, she said, her eyes a mess of mascara and tears. He destroyed me. I felt so empty. Afterward, she said, depression and addiction took hold. She quit her job as an outreach worker at the Whitman-Walker clinic and when she couldnt pay her rent, she became homeless. Eventually she began receiving therapy from the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, moved into a room at the YWCA and received about $12,000 in Social Security disability back payments, she said. It was with that check that she paid for the first years rent of what would become Casa Ruby. The organization is now funded through grants and donations. The only thing that kept me alive was doing this work, Corado said. For a big part of my life, I felt I should have never been here, but I kept being here. I think I was given this life so that anybody who is going through anything, if they have any doubts that theyre going to be okay, they can look at me and know theyre going to be fine. I made it, and Im still fabulous, she said with an exaggerated smile. Still stunning and fierce. Alison Gardner, a longtime LGBT advocate who donates money to Casa Ruby, said she has watched with whiplash as Corado changed her life from one of suffering to one of service. Former D.C. mayor Vincent C. Gray (D), who walked Corado down the aisle at her wedding in 2014, said he and other officials rely on her insights. Its an important role Ruby plays in giving voice to people who could easily be ignored, or, frankly, disparaged, he said. If her voice wasnt there, it would be a tremendous loss to the city. We have a long way to go In the past few years, the rights of the LGBT community have multiplied, with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality and the Obama administration allowing people who are gay and transgender to serve openly in the military. Transgender celebrities command magazine covers and star in TV shows. But the young people who have come out in response are still too often met with rejection by their families and friends, said Ellen Kahn of the Human Rights Campaign. Many wind up on the streets, or prostitute themselves to survive. Among homeless young people, nearly 40 percent identify as LGBT and 60 percent are youths of color, said Gregory Lewis, executive director of the True Colors Fund, which was created to end homelessness among LGBT youth. Things have gotten better, Lewis said. But we have a long way to go. [Nearly half of homeless youth in D.C. are LGBT, first-ever city census finds] The young people at Casa Ruby are proof of that. Selena Cruz, who grew up in Winchester, Va., has lived at Casa Ruby twice. The first time, she was 20 and had been in jail several times for shoplifting. The staff at Casa Ruby helped her get a bed and medical care. Corado was by her side when she took her first hormone shot. Selena Cruz, a transgender woman at Casa Ruby, is seen at the outreach center for LGBT in Washington. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post) At 23, Cruzs body continues to change, and she is eager to show off her curvier physique. She saunters through the organizations front door one afternoon, wearing a shirt intentionally cut high and low so that her stomach and bra show. Corado warns her to be careful she is deeply aware of the dangers that still exist for the transgender community. She knew Deeniquia Dee Dee Dodds, a 22-year-old transgender woman who worked as a prostitute and died last month after being shot in the District. In 2015, at least 21 transgender people were killed around the country, the most ever recorded, according to the Human Rights Campaign. While mourning Doddss death, Corado found herself sitting on the porch of Casa Ruby, holding the hand of a 30-year-old transgender woman from El Salvador who had just told police what happened on her way to work: A man pulled her into a nearby alley and tried to rape her. Corado also knows that sometimes the abuse isnt physical but emotional. For weeks the staff at Casa Ruby had worked to prepare six transgender young people for their first trip to a public pool dressed as women. Bathing suits were bought. Fears were assuaged. But when the group walked into Banneker Recreation Center, they were directed to the mens room and ridiculed. Gwendolyn Crump, a spokeswoman for the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, said officials deeply regret the incident, which involved two summer youth employees. Since then, she said, the staff at Banneker has received sensitivity training, and Keith Anderson, the departments director, met with Corado. After a trauma at Casa Ruby, Corado does what she rarely does otherwise: She puts down her phone. Everything else can wait. She tells the young men and women to gather in a circle. Two dozen of them are holding hands one afternoon when Corado tells them that at Casa Ruby they are respected; they are loved. Ruby Corado, seated, with LGBT clients who frequent her outreach center. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post) Individually, society can break us and they will punch you, they will try to destroy you but when you stand together its going to be really hard, Corado tells them. I understand when we walk out of these doors anything can happen. Once we break the circle, we can go back to a world that doesnt care. But I want to remind you while youre here, you are cared for. I have a very special love for people no one wants to touch, she says. I was one of them. Jennifer Jenkins contributed to this report. The leader of a Virginia organization for Latino immigrants was found guilty of fraud Thursday after a jury found that she had cheated two clients out of several thousand dollars while posing as a licensed attorney. A Fairfax County jury recommended that Rose Sanchez-Canete, 48, serve two years in jail and pay $5,000 in fines for falsely promising to help two immigrants in the country illegally obtain legal status. The trial, which began Monday, tapped into a growing problem with immigration fraud nationwide as people from Latin America, Asia and Africa seek to gain U.S. asylum or other forms of legal status by turning to unscrupulous notaries public, tax preparers and nonprofit organizations that promise affordable and fast results. [Advocate on trial in Va. for allegedly defrauding undocumented immigrants] During the past three years, about 150 people in the Washington area have said they were tricked out of fees by a person not licensed to practice law or otherwise accredited to appear in immigration courts, said Anne Schaufele, an attorney with the Ayuda nonprofit group who works to prevent such cases of notario fraud. RoseSanchez-Canete (Fairfax County Police) Officials at the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review which oversees the nations 58 immigration courts said they have received 400 fraud complaints since 2012. Sanchez-Canete is director of the Latino Federation of Tenants Organization in Alexandria (LAFEOTA), an organization that started in the 1980s to help Latino immigrants with landlord-tenant disputes. Since 1996, the organization has been investigated 10 times by the Virginia State Bar for suspected immigration fraud. On Thursday, Sanchez-Canete was found guilty of promising two of her clients green cards when both were in the country illegally and had no chance of gaining legal status. The jury found her not guilty of another felony fraud charge involving a third client. In each of the cases in which she was convicted, Sanchez-Canete charged several thousand dollars in fees for her services, according to the office of Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Ray Morrogh. This deserves years in jail, multiple years, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Rachel Roberts told the jury, accusing Sanchez-Canete of preying on the hope of immigrant clients who are desperate to gain legal status in the United States. Several of Sanchez-Canetes supporters testified on her behalf, arguing that the dispute was the result of confusion by LAFEOTA clients. They characterized Sanchez-Canete as an impassioned advocate for Latino immigrants who worked weekends to help people. At no point has she said to me that she was an attorney, said Rafael Alberto Nunez, who claimed that Sanchez-Canete helped him gain legal residency in 2010, and then his U.S. citizenship. Ive never had a problem with her. Every time Ive spoken with her shes given me the truth. Ricardo Ramos, a friend of Sanchez-Canetes for 21 years, said she has worked tirelessly to help her community. Shes always working; thats the thing, he said. Weve always tried to get her to have a social life. During the sentencing Thursday, Sanchez-Canete stared straight ahead as her jail sentence was read out by a courthouse clerk. Afterward, she retreated into a witness room with her friends and loudly sobbed. Alan Rubin, a retired nuclear engineer who volunteers in Montgomery County, Md., classrooms, works with an eighth-grade class at Farquhar Middle School in Olney. (Courtesy of SSE/AAAS STEM Volunteer Program) Shortly after the start of the school year, Gary Temple will be back in a Maryland classroom to help students get excited about science and unravel the mysteries of topics such as genetics, evolution and the latest scary virus. But its not because hes a teacher. Temple is a scientist who was once a program director at the National Human Genome Research Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. Now retired, he has become a classroom regular part of a band of science and engineering volunteers who support teachers in the regions schools and bring a working-world perspective to thousands of students. Id like them to know science can be fun and interesting and relevant to their lives, said Temple, a molecular biologist who once focused on genetic diseases and now spends a day or two a week with students at Earle B. Wood Middle School in Rockville. The volunteer program, which started in Montgomery County in 2004, includes more than 170 people working across 10 Washington-area school systems, including those in Fairfax, Arlington and Prince Georges counties. Program leaders say demand for the volunteers is rising and that in an area flush with professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math or STEM they are hoping to get more people to sign on. We are only in a relatively small fraction of the schools we want to be in, and wed like to make a larger impact, said Don Rea, a retired chemist who once worked for the Jet Propulsion Lab in California and leads the STEM volunteer program, which is affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Educators say the volunteers often help make lessons lively while adding expertise and real-life connections. Some see their efforts as especially notable in elementary grades, where fewer teachers have degrees in science, much less experience in professional research labs. Doug Rambo, a retired physicist who volunteers at Sugarland Elementary School in Loudoun County, brought in kits he made for third-graders so they could construct their own wind turbines a way to enrich class lectures about renewable-energy sources, he said. The kids had a blast, he said. Rambo said he wants students to see science as approachable and themselves as potential scientists or engineers. Its not as hard as they might think, he said. For retirees, he said, the program means rewarding work in classrooms without the administrative burdens of teaching. All I have to do is show up and do good science with the kids, he said. Elementary grades are a key time to spark interest in science and the programs volunteers help make that happen, said Peter Moran, principal of Glenallan Elementary, a high-poverty school in Silver Spring, with a focus on STEM. Its really been a wonderful partnership for us, he said. Its like having a science expert in the building. [Scientists and lab coats: A new approach for a Montgomery elementary school] Rea and two engineer acquaintances began developing the concept of bringing the regions scientists into schools in 2004 after mulling over an editorial in Science magazine lamenting the publics lack of science literacy. They knew about school volunteer programs focused on scientists in Northern California and Boston, Rea said, and they thought they could start a similar program in the Washington area. The program began in Montgomery that year with eight volunteers. Last year, more than a decade later, the county had 63 volunteers supporting 87 teachers in 45 schools, said Rob Thomas, leader of Montgomerys program. But schools across the region need more. We will disappoint a large number of teachers this year if we dont get significantly more people, Thomas said. About 80 percent of the volunteers are retirees, and those who are still in the workforce often have jobs or schedules that allow for community service. In the District, a team from the National Transportation Safety Board helped with the robotics program at the School Without Walls last year. Betty Calinger, a project director with the American Association for the Advancement of Science who has helped support the effort, said she has watched it grow, with admiration. The schools benefit, she said, and the volunteers enjoy it. Some of the volunteers are in their 80s and find the work rejuvenating. It keeps them engaged with their discipline in a different way, she said. [Academies of Loudoun will take collaborative approach to STEM education] At Forestville Elementary School in Fairfax, fourth-grade teacher Lisa Goglio-Zarczynski praised her classroom volunteer Dave Conover, a mechanical engineer saying the two collaborate well. Last year, her students would ask after Mr. Dave if he missed his weekly Wednesday stint. With his engineering background, she said, Conover sometimes knows the answer to a students question say, about the structure of a bridge before she does. Its another voice in the classroom to emphasize to the kids the importance of what theyre doing in the long-run so that its not, Oh, Im never going to use this, Goglio-Zarczynski said. Volunteers with the program are a steady classroom presence, not one-time lecturers. Teachers needs drive their work, and some say they prepare extensively for the topics their classes cover. Retirees typically come to class one day a week for the full school year. Science supervisor Dat Le said that Arlington schools welcome the outside talent, focusing their efforts on the Virginia systems elementary schools. Twenty people volunteered last year. At one school, Stephen Mamber, a biologist, helped students learn about bacteria by taking swabs of their hands, samples he then cultivated in agar-filled petri dishes in his lab. Mamber brought in photos of the bacterial growth for students to see, Le said. He made connections to what they learned about cells and helped them understand that bacteria are examples of cells that are all around us, Le said. Others say the volunteers make a difference for older students, too. At Wheaton High School in Montgomery, the program enables teenagers to meet people who have had careers in fields they want to pursue, said Principal Debra Mugge. The volunteers also help make the material engaging, she said. When you have scientists, mathematicians and engineers in the classroom standing beside the teacher and working before the students, it brings the curriculum to life, Mugge said. Four miles away, at Wood Middle School, Temple the retired NIH molecular biologist said his partnership with teacher Sumaya Fahmy has made a big difference. Shes very good at knowing when I can make a contribution and pulling me in, he said. Temple has done a range of work with students at Wood during his five years as a volunteer there. He cut windows into eggshells so students could peer in at developing chicken embryos from the very early stages until hatching. He has given topical talks on the Zika and Ebola viruses. He led a genetics lab that involved inserting a gene from a jellyfish into a single-cell organism, which turned the organism from white to green. Hes very generous with his time and his knowledge and his resources, said Mike McGough, formerly head of the science department at Wood. The kids love him. THE DISTRICT Pedestrian fatally struck by car in NW A 29-year-old man was struck and killed early Friday by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash near Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington. Police in the District later identified the man as David Narvaez of Arlington. Police said the crash happened just before 3 a.m. near M Street and New Hampshire Avenue NW. A vehicle was headed south on New Hampshire Avenue when it struck him. The driver fled the scene in the vehicle, which police said was black and had front-end damage. Dana Hedgpeth National Zoo to hold party as Bei Bei turns 1 Like many children turning the big 1, the National Zoos giant baby panda is going to get his own cake Saturday. The 100-pound cake will be made from ice and frozen juice with bits of fruit and vegetables to eat and possibly destroy in a public celebration that thousands of visitors are expected to attend. Bei Bei will celebrate his milestone birthday, which actually is Aug. 22, with several events Saturday. The zoo has a public ceremony from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Dana Hedgpeth MARYLAND Potomac drowning victim identified Police on Friday identified a Maryland man who drowned near Great Falls earlier this week as Abdul Qadir, 28, of the 6200 block of Fernwood Terrace in Riverdale. On Tuesday at about 6:10 p.m., officers responded to a report of a possible drowning of a man in the Potomac River, Montgomery County police said in a statement. Witnesses said the victim, who did not know how to swim, waded into the water, slipped and was pulled under by strong current, the statement said. --Justin Wm. Moyer VIRGINIA Two church youth workers charged Two men who work with youths at churches in Virginia were arrested this week in separate incidents after they had inappropriate contact with juveniles, police said. On May 29, Derrick Ryan Trump, of Centreville, was reported to have had inappropriate contact with a victim at the Greenwich Presbyterian Church in Nokesville sometime in May, Prince William County police said in a statement. Trump, the churchs youth director, had inappropriate contact on more than one occasion with a 16-year-old girl at the church and at his home in Fauquier County, the statement said. Trump, now a resident of Fairfax, was arrested Tuesday and charged with indecent liberties by a custodian, police said. He is being held on a $3,500 bond. On July 7 in a separate case, 25-year-old Jordan David Baird, of Warrenton, was reported to have had inappropriate contact with a victim at the Life Church in Manassas in 2015, Prince William County police said in a statement. Baird, a youth pastor at the church, sent inappropriate text messages to a 16-year-old girl and inappropriately touched her on more than one occasion between January and September of last year at the church, the statement said. Baird was arrested on Thursday and charged with two counts of indecent liberties by a custodian, police said. He is being held on a $10,000 bond. Justin Wm. Moyer Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will be the featured guest at the Maryland GOPs annual Red, White and Blue fundraiser in September. (Darren Hauck/Getty Images) The Maryland Republican Party has booked Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a nationally known union adversary and former 2016 GOP presidential candidate, to headline its annual Red, White and Blue fundraiser in September. The event, announced on the organizations website earlier this month, could help the state GOP make up ground after Marylands Democratic Party ended the last campaign-finance reporting period in June with nearly six times as much cash as Republicans. The fundraiser will also give Walker an opportunity to bolster the already strong support in Maryland for Gov. Larry Hogan (R), whose approval ratings in recent polls have been above 60 percent. Donald Trump, the Republican Partys presidential nominee, spoke at the state GOPs annual fundraiser last year. [When Donald Trump appeared to be the honey badger of American politics] Walker spokesman Joe Fadness said the Wisconsin governor will highlight the reforms of Hogan and other governors that continue to put taxpayers first. The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Maryland Council 3, the states largest union representing public employees, said middle- and working-class families are deeply disappointed that the party would invite Walker to raise campaign money in the state. At a time when Americans feel frustrated with an unbalanced economy, manipulated by corporations and CEOs, it is no surprise Governor Walkers anti-working family campaign for president was clearly rejected by voters, Patrick Moran, the Council 3 president, said. Walker, who was elected to a second term in 2014, aggressively pushed for changes to the states public-sector unions in 2011. That made him a target of Democrats and labor leaders across the country but also a favorite of tea-party activists and conservatives. In 2012, he won a recall election and was widely considered to be on the shortlist of possible vice-presidential candidates for then-GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Walker, who entered a crowded field of Republican presidential candidates for the 2016 election, was considered an early favorite to win the Iowa primary. But he dropped out of the race in September after Trump established himself as the front-runner. Longtime supporters said at the time that they hardly recognized Walker, who struggled in polls and made some contradictory statements during the final weeks of his campaign, including about the issues of birthright citizenship, building border walls and accepting Syrian refugees. Joe Cluster, executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, said the party chose Walker for its fundraiser because he is a huge national figure, adding that the organization has tried to book him in the past but struggled because of scheduling conflicts. Hes a governor who has won in a purple state, Cluster said. Hell have a good message to Marylander Republicans about what it takes to win in a tough state. The Red, White and Blue fundraising dinner is scheduled to be held Sept. 9 at Michaels Eighth Avenue, a reception hall in Glen Burnie. A dog was found abandoned and matted with urine and feces in Alexandria. It had to be euthanized. (Courtesy of AWLA Animal Services) The dog, a brown and black Yorkshire terrier mix, only had a purple collar on its neck and could be heard faintly whining when a couple found it last weekend, abandoned and covered in urine and feces inside a crate outside an apartment complex in Northern Virginia. They took it to a nearby veterinarian clinic where it ultimately had to be euthanized because it was in such poor health. The incident happened Sunday, and authorities in Alexandria are offering a $1,000 reward for information in the case that leads to a prosecution of the person or people involved. Officials said the couple was doing yardwork outside their apartment near North Patrick and Madison streets and heard a whining sound. When they looked around, they found the dog in a crate under a bush. The crate, officials said, was soiled, and so was the dog, with urine and feces. They smelled it, before they saw it, said Brian Rees, chief of the animal services division for Alexandria. The family called the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, which advised them to take it to a vet. They did, and the animal was evaluated. Vets found the dog was matted with filth and was suffering from dehydration and labored breathing a possible case of severe heatstroke, according to a statement. Even with treatment, the dog could not be revived, officials said. Rees said the dogs condition was so bad it was immobile and had infections in both eyes, along with other problems experts decided the most humane option was to euthanize it. The animals body will be sent for a necropsy to a state lab in Warrenton, Rees said. Officials estimated the dog was male and believed to be barely a year old. They said it was a mix of poodle and terrier. Officials said they are trying to locate the owner. The dog was wearing a collar, officials said, but there was no tag or microchip. It was one of the worst [cases] Ive seen in a long time, Rees said. Weve had some bad ones, but this poor little guy couldnt move. The only option he had was to sit in his own feces and urine. Rees said pet owners should remember that if they become unable to care for an animal that shelters are always the best option. If you come to a point where you cant take care of an animal, a shelter is a safe haven, he said. Were not going to go after you if you do that. Youve recognized you need help, and well take that animal in and provide it with the appropriate care. And well get it to a family that can care for it. Anyone with information on the abandoned dog is asked to call 703-746-5582 or email brees@alexandriaanimals.org. By Akshaya Nath: Continuing their demand of action be taken against Amnesty international, ABVP is protesting outside Amnesty International office at Indira Nagar at Bengaluru. ABVP had begun their protest post an event called Broken Families conducted by Amnesty International at Bengaluru. The ABVP has alleged that during the event on August 14th anti-national slogan were raised and a case was registered against the NGO by ABVP on the same regard. advertisement THE PROTEST Protests have been conducted by the ABVP because of the alleged inaction of the police department. "We won't tolerate any statement against our country or our army. Why was such an event conducted in a peaceful city like Bengaluru is still a question. Amnesty needs to apologise and the people have to be arrested," said Shyam Bhat, President ABVP south Bengaluru. Police officials who took up the case following registration of a complaint have sent the video taken during the event for forensic test as the audio in the visual is otherwise too vague. Police officials have assured that necessary action will be taken once the details are clear. AMNESTY TO MEDIA Meanwhile, Amnesty international in their media statement had said that it was a constitutional right that is being questioned and assured that there were no anti-national slogans raised during the event. The statement also said that none of their employees had any involvement in the protest that began in the spot. "Merely organizing an event to defend constitutional values is now being branded 'anti-India' and criminalized," said Aakar Patel, Executive Director, Amnesty International India. "The police were invited and present at the event. The filing of a complaint against us now, and the registration of a case of sedition, shows a lack of belief in fundamental rights and freedoms in India." Following protest by ABVP members, Amnesty had asked its employees to work out of other offices in the city and the protest today outside their office comes as a nightmare for the Amnesty international officials. The FIR mentions a number of offences against Amnesty international including 'sedition', 'unlawful assembly', 'rioting' and 'promoting enmity'. Also read: Amnesty unlikely to get permission to set up South Asian hub in India Amnesty International 'bypassing' Indian laws to procure funds since 2000? --- ENDS --- The man shot by Prince Georges County police Thursday night has an extensive criminal history and was being tracked by law enforcement officers investigating his suspected ties to a series of other violent incidents, according to court records. Terrence Turbo Franklin, 27, of Capitol Heights has been charged with assault, reckless endangerment, illegal firearms possession and several other weapons-related charges in connection with the police-involved shooting, according to charging documents filed Friday. The incident began about 9:50 p.m. outside a townhouse complex in the 7000 block of Shady Glen Terrace, police said. Undercover narcotics officers and uniformed police saw Franklin in the area of Central Avenue and Shady Glen Drive and followed him before initiating a traffic stop, the charging documents state. Authorities were searching for him because he is suspected in multiple felonies, the charging papers show. [Police shoot, wound suspect in Capitol Heights area] When officers in a cruiser flashed their lights, the car Franklin was driving fled, stopping in a courtyard, where police said Franklin ran from the scene. Police chased Franklin, who turned and pointed a handgun at one of the officers but did not fire, charging documents show. An officer fired three rounds from a patrol rifle, hitting Franklin in the arm, according to police. Police identified the officer who shot Franklin as Police Officer 1st Class Brandon Farley. Farley works in patrol and is on routine administrative leave, police said. Police recovered a .40-caliber handgun with an extended magazine at the scene, charging records state. The weapon was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, with 14 in the magazine and one loaded in the chamber, according to charging papers. The gun was reported stolen in North Carolina in 2014, according to charging papers. Franklin also was charged with illegally possessing a weapon. A prior felony conviction bars him from having a firearm, police said. Police have said they stopped Franklin because he is a suspect in a variety of violent crimes but declined to be more specific. Online court records indicate that Franklin has at least 70 traffic, criminal and domestic violence charges against him in Maryland spanning from 2009 to May. Court records show that most of them are traffic-related charges from driving with a suspended license to failing to produce a license during a stop. There also are several criminal charges, including incidents in 2013 and 2014 in which he is accused of fleeing or attempting to elude police. It was unclear Friday whether Franklin has an attorney representing him on the charges filed after Thursdays incident. As of Friday afternoon, Franklin was in the hospital awaiting a hearing before a court commissioner, according to a spokesman from the Prince Georges County States Attorneys Office. Franklin is being held without bond, police said. Police on Friday identified a Maryland man who drowned near Great Falls earlier this week. On Tuesday, officers responded about 6:10 p.m. after the report of a possible drowning of an adult male in the Potomac River near Great Falls, Montgomery County police said in a statement. Witnesses said the victim, who did not know how to swim, waded into the water, slipped and was pulled under by a strong current, the statement said. Although police began a search immediately, they did not locate the victim until about 11:30 a.m. Thursday after a kayaker between Offutt Island and the Maryland shore called 911 to report a body in the water, according to the statement. Police identified the victim as 28-year-old Abdul Qadir of Riverdale. The search continues for a seventh missing person at the scene of the explosion of an apartment building in Silver Spring, Md. Aug. 16, 2016 The search continues for a seventh missing person at the scene of the explosion of an apartment building in Silver Spring, Md. Bill OLeary/The Washington Post At least 6 were killed after a blast destroyed an apartment complex in Silver Spring. At least six were killed after a blast destroyed an apartment complex in Silver Spring. At least six were killed after a blast destroyed an apartment complex in Silver Spring. A rapid gas leak into a basement utility room at a Silver Spring apartment complex caused a swift buildup of fumes, leading to the explosion that killed seven people and reduced four floors of apartments to rubble, according to investigators and the complexs management. The leak was fast, said Clark Melillo, president of Kay Apartment Communities, the management company. The Aug. 10 explosion, which crumbled walls and led to the collapse of floors above the basement, also tore open a gas line, feeding more fuel into the inferno and making it difficult to extinguish. The exact site of the gas leak and the source of what ignited it have yet to be pinpointed, investigators said Friday. The probe is being led by the pipeline division of the National Transportation Safety Board, which took over as lead investigator Thursday from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. Crews in Silver Spring, Md., continued to look for bodies on August 16 and clean up after a massive fire and explosion six days earlier at an apartment complex. At least six people are believed to have been killed. (Video: Dan Morse/The Washington Post; Photo: Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) The NTSB generally investigates only two or three such pipeline disasters a year selecting incidents in which the boards conclusions could lead to widespread improvements in equipment or engineering. We dont want 20 different accidents like this one, said Ravi Chhatre, a senior NTSB pipeline investigator. He said the federal probe will involve testing equipment pulled from the rubble and hopes that the investigation will be complete within a year. Like many gas-heated apartment buildings, the one that blew up at 8701 Arliss St. receives high-pressure natural gas through a two-inch service line into a utility room. From there, the gas passes through a regulator, which reduces the pressure and sends it into a bank of meters that feed it to individual apartments. In the utility room, the regulators, the meters and the pipes serving that equipment are managed by Washington Gas, according to Washington Gas and Kay Apartment Communities. The pipes coming out of the meters and into the apartment units are managed by Kay. Investigators have focused sharply on the utility room gas system, and while searching through rubble, they found the buildings regulator, its backup regulator, the piping infrastructure and the bank of meters and positioned them on a piece of plywood creating a mock-up of how the equipment was lined up when it was on a wall, which had been blasted out, according to Chhatre and investigators who were at the scene for seven days. The effort to locate the source of the leak also has been aided by information from tests Washington Gas conducted after the explosion and fire. Investigators of an Aug. 10 fire in Silver Spring have focused their attention on a basement utility room at 8701 Arliss Street like the one pictured here, from 8707 Arliss Street. This photo was taken within the last week, and shows a bank of gas meters similar to the setup in the utility room that blew up. The gas comes in from the left, passes through a regulator that decreases the pressure, and is distributed to the meters linked to specific apartments. (Kay Apartment Communities) Washington Gas tested the service line leading into the utility room and found it sound, company spokesman Jim Monroe said earlier this week. That has helped lead investigators to believe the leak was probably inside the utility room and in the area of the regulator, according to several officials with direct knowledge of the case. Monroe declined to comment Friday. Chhatre said its too early to pin any blame on the regulators in the utility room. He said he expects to soon learn their age. Theyre quite old, he said. The source of the ignition may never be definitively known, however one person familiar with the probe said investigators are looking at the role of a gas-fired hot- water heater in the utility room adjacent to the bank of meters. It provided hot water to 14 apartment units, so it could have been operating before midnight on Aug. 10, when the explosion erupted, according to Kay Apartment Communities. Its highly suspect, said a law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the case, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he did not have permission to discuss an ongoing investigation. Officials are looking at other possible ignition sources as well, including those in an adjacent room or even one floor above the explosion site. At a news conference Friday, Daniel Board, an ATF agent, said investigators conducted more than 100 interviews with witnesses and watched hours of surveillance video. He said investigators found no evidence of a crime or unauthorized entry into the utility room. Also Friday, Montgomery County police named three victims of the fire whose identities have been confirmed and said they do not expect to recover more remains from the building. The three named lived in Apartments 101 and 103 units directly above the utility room. The victims confirmed killed are Saul Paniagua, 65, Augusto Jimenez, 62 and Maria Castellon, 53. [Couple killed in apartment blast built housecleaning business with eye on retiring in Nicaragua] Identification of other remains removed from the debris continues and awaits DNA results, among other testing. [Death of retired painter and grandfather confirmed in apartment fire] Some residents have recounted seeing families dropping children from windows to save them and of fleeing down stairwells that were collapsing around them. In an interview Friday, Melillo, the property management president, said there were staffers in two adjacent rooms to the utility room until 6 oclock the night of the explosion. None smelled gas, he said. There was no gas in there when they left, he said. He also confirmed what officials had said earlier Friday: that there was no gas detector in the utility room. He said that depending on the results of the NTSB probe, the company may install such devices in utility rooms. This is an incredibly rare event. I am very eager to get the results of the investigation, he said. The NTSBs Railroad, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials Investigations division has four staff members who specialize in pipeline accidents, according to the NTSB. Two of the four are senior investigators, the NTSB said. Chhatre, the senior pipeline investigator leading the Silver Spring probe, has been with NTSB for more than 15 years. He has an undergraduate degree in metallurgical engineering and graduate degrees in that field and in materials science. In an interview, Chhatre said the NTSB uses several criteria to select which pipeline accidents to investigate, including fatalities, serious injuries and/or significant property damage. The board also assesses whether an investigation of a specific incident could have broader impact and maximize safety improvements. Given the safety focus, Chhatre said, incidents that appear most likely due to a single error from operator hold less interest for the focus of the investigation than would a scene that could prompt enhancements in equipment or in industry-wide operations or regulations. A resident of 8701 had reported a smell of gas at the apartment building on July 25, which Montgomery County firefighters responded to, county officials have said. At the Friday news conference, Alan Hinde a division chief for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue -- said firefighters used detection meters to search for gas throughout the building and found no positive hits. The July 25 call was the most recent to the building about the smell of gas, fire officials said. Two men who work with youths at churches in Virginia were arrested this week in separate incidents after they had inappropriate contact with juveniles, police said. On May 29, Derrick Ryan Trump of Centreville was reported to have had inappropriate contact with a victim at the Greenwich Presbyterian Church in Nokesville sometime in May, Prince William County police said in a statement. An investigation found that Trump, the churchs youth director, had inappropriate contact on more than one occasion with a 16-year-old girl at the church and at his home in Fauquier County, the statement said. Trump, now a resident of Fairfax, was arrested Tuesday and charged with indecent liberties by a custodian, police said. He is being held on a $3,500 bond. On July 7 in a separate case, 25-year-old Jordan David Baird of Warrenton was reported to have had inappropriate contact with a victim at the Life Church in Manassas in 2015, Prince William County police said in a statement. An investigation found that Baird, a youth pastor at the church, sent inappropriate text messages to a 16-year-old girl and inappropriately touched her on more than one occasion at the church between January and September of last year, the statement said. Baird was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of indecent liberties by a custodian, police said. He is being held on a $10,000 bond. Cecilia Marshall, 88, the widow of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, is pictured in the home where they both lived with their two sons in Falls Church, Va. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) Cecilia Cissy Marshall sinks into a red wingback chair in her Northern Virginia living room. All around her are memories of her late husband, Thurgood Marshall, the great litigator for the NAACP who helped win the landmark case that ended legal segregation in Americas public schools. Visitors to the Smithsonians new National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opens Sept. 24, will find Thurgood Marshalls image and words featured inside. But Cissy Marshalls living room is its own museum, featuring front-page newspaper stories, letters from presidents, and a black-and-white photo of Cissy reaching up to help him with his robe as the grandson of a slave became the countrys first African American on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967. She had a flower in her hair. He wore his trademark black horn-rimmed glasses and gazed down at her. She was a 4-foot-11 woman of Philippine descent married to a black legal giant. He was 6-foot-2. He would always say, Hows the weather down there, gal? Id say, Same as up there, man! Id keep telling him: I dont care how tall you are. I could still beat you up. Ill get on a chair, she says, laughing. She relishes telling stories about the man she married when she was 26 and he was 46. He would come home from the nations high court in the evenings and cook fabulous meals for her and their two sons. Chicken. Chitlins. He would use every pot in the kitchen, she recalls. I learned early. I would be right behind him in the kitchen, with a rag cleaning up. He was a great cook. They had one car a Cadillac. Ever since he was a young man, he wanted a Cadillac, she says. He needed room. By contrast, she had to sit on pillows to see over the steering wheel. At 88, Cissy Marshall has been a widow for more than two decades. Thurgood Marshall retired from the court in 1991 and died in 1993. She visits his grave at Arlington National Cemetery as often as possible. At their home, he remains ever present. [Historically Black: Collecting artifacts of the African American experience] Shes sitting where she and Thurgood used to spend their evenings watching television. Well, she watched TV. He was usually thinking about cases, she says, though he never discussed the courts inner workings or decisions with her. Sometimes, Id say, Why did you do that? He would raise his hand. He would say he couldnt even discuss it with me, she remembers. Its a hot afternoon in Falls Church, Va., where they moved more than 30 years ago. At the time, they were the only nonwhite family on their block, she says. The floor-to-ceiling curtains in her sunroom are pulled apart, and she has a view of Lake Barcroft across the street. Her sons, Thurgood Marshall Jr., a lawyer who served in the Clinton White House, and John W. Marshall, a former Virginia secretary of public safety and U.S. Marshals Service director, live in the area. Cissys journey here was an unlikely one. Born in Hawaii to immigrant parents, Cecilia Cissy Suyat moved to New York after her father balked at her marrying a Filipino whose family spoke a different dialect. For my father, that was a no-no, she said. Imagine that? Another dialect, instead of another race? So he said, You go to New York with your aunt and uncle and take some business courses. And if you still love him in a year, come back and marry him. Instead, she says, she decided she wanted to stay in New York. Her father agreed but told her, Youve got to support yourself. She went to the employment office. The clerk, she saw my dark skin, and she sent me to the national office of the NAACP, she says. That is the only reason I can think of that she sent me to the NAACP for my first job. And to this day, I thank her, because had it not been for her, I wouldnt have known anything about a race problem. She also wouldnt have met Thurgood Marshall, the head of the NAACPs legal team. In 1948, she started working as a stenographer, then was promoted to be the secretary to the director of the NAACPs branch offices. She earned $35 a week and played a supporting role in the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision. From left, George E.C. Hayes, Thurgood Marshall and James M. Nabrit join hands outside the U.S. Supreme Court on May 17, 1954. The three NAACP lawyers led the fight for abolition of segregation in public schools in Brown v. Board of Education. (AP) Thurgood Marshall, who led the NAACPs legal team, and his wife, Cecilia, leave the Supreme Court after the high court ordered the Little Rock School Board to proceed with integration at Central High School. (UPI) The NAACPs legal department spent four years honing its arguments. Cissy typed and retyped briefs. She would take notes as the lawyers practiced their oral presentations, both in New York and in Washington at Howard University Law School. We would have mock court trials. Theyd have so-called judges sitting there, and lawyers would argue their cases as though they were arguing before the Supreme Court, so they could get hints as to where to improve, what to say, what not to say and how to say it better, right there at Howard University. We would work until midnight. The legal team argued the case for the first time before the Supreme Court in 1952 and again in 1953. Thurgood Marshall led the arguments on behalf of black children denied access to all-white schools, challenging the separate but equal legal doctrine that stood since 1896 with the Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson. In her wingback chair, she opens a book to a page showing the famous black-and-white photo of him running up the steps to the Supreme Court, rushing to hear the Brown ruling. It was May 17, 1954. [Cissy Marshall recalls day of Brown v. Board of Education decision] Chief Justice Earl Warren delivered the unanimous ruling that forever changed the country: We conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of separate but equal has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. The triumphant NAACP lawyers flew back to New York later that day. Everybody celebrated in the office, Cissy recalls, though she doesnt remember any toasts with sparkling wine. I dont think anybody had any money for champagne. After a couple of hours of jubilation, Thurgood headed back to his office. He knew the fight to desegregate schools was just beginning, Cissy says. I dont know about you fools, she says he told his co-workers, but Im going back to work. Because our work has just begun. [On Brown v. Board anniversary, new evidence schools are resegregating ] Nine months after the Brown decision, his first wife, Vivian Buster Burey, died of cancer at the age of 44. One of the countrys most accomplished black men was suddenly a widower. He soon began courting Cissy, who resisted when he proposed. I said, No way. No way. People will think you are marrying a foreigner, she says. Her own family would raise objections, too. He said, I dont care what people think. Im marrying you. He was so persuasive. So we got married. And, actually, there was no repercussion because people knew me. On Dec. 17, 1955, Roy Wilkins, then executive secretary of the NAACP, gave her away at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Harlem. At their New York apartment, the couples visitors included the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Cissy Marshall holds a 1965 photo of her family at the White House with President Lyndon B. Johnson, when he appointed Thurgood Marshall as solicitor general. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson named him solicitor general. Cissy picks up a faded photo from that day. This is the photo with Justice Hugo Black swearing him in, she says. It was ironic because Black, she notes, had been a member of the Ku Klux Klan when he was young. Then when he got into the court, he turned out to be one of the most liberal justices. Thurgood Marshall joined Black on the Supreme Court in 1967. The morning of his swearing in, Cissy chose a pink linen suit and put a flower in her hair. The Marshalls drove to the White House in their Cadillac. I was numb, she remembers. Her husband was making history again. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. (Wally McNamee/The Washington Post) An early-morning runner is seen near the Washington Monument. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) The Washington Monument will remain closed for at least 10 days while technicians examine its trouble-plagued elevator, the National Park Service said Friday. The elevator has been out of service since Wednesday, and was shut down last Saturday and Sunday. And it was down for a week in late July. The 10-day shutdown will allow staff and elevator technicians to perform a thorough evaluation . . . to understand the reasons for the recent failures, Mike Litterst, a spokesman for the Park Service, said in a statement. Work to be completed includes inspection and cleaning of the hoistway, checking the integrity of the circuit breakers . . . inspection of . . . the fans on top of the elevator car; and cleaning and lighting work in the stairwell, Litterst said. Since 2014 when the monument reopened after damage from a 2011 earthquake was repaired one of the most important elevators in Washington has been on the blink 24 times. The Park Service said there are a host of reasons. Mainly, the elevator is 15 years old, and mechanical and electrical systems seem to be wearing out, Litterst said in an interview Friday. And the elevator may have sustained damage as a result of the quake on Aug. 23, 2011, that is just now revealing itself, he said. [5.8 Virginia earthquake shakes East Coast, rattles residents] Moisture that got in through the cracks, and the water that was in there that shouldnt have been, he said. We may now be seeing, five years down the road, the corrosive effects on very sensitive electronics. The Park Service plans to replace the elevators dated control system, Litterst said. This is a horrible inconvenience, and frustrating for us and our visitors, he said. The elevator was only slightly damaged during the 5.8-magnitude earthquake but sat idle for more than two years as structural repairs were made to the monument. The most recent problem began about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday when a compensation cable that steadies the elevator in its shaft came loose, shutting down the system, Litterst said. On Saturday night, the elevator shut down near the top level of the 555-foot monument because of a tripped circuit breaker. No one was on board. But 73 visitors had to walk down the 896 steps from the observation level, Litterst said. Repairs were made. The elevator resumed service Sunday morning, but it broke down 20 minutes later, at the same level, when a circuit breaker again was tripped, he said. Repairs were quickly made and 64 temporarily stranded visitors rode the elevator to the bottom. It resumed service Monday, only to shut down again two days later. [Earthquake that damaged Washington Monument was 2,000-year event] On July 23 a bearing failed, crippling the elevator for six days. The failure happened during a pre-opening run. That was just a flat-out end-of-its-useful-life mechanical sort of thing, he said. It dated back to the 1999-2001 new elevator installation. They tell us you expect fifteen, twenty years out of those, depending on how hard the elevator is used, he said. There may not be a harder-working elevator, at least in this city. It runs uninterrupted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the year round, he said. And then in the hottest months of the year, its running from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is, unfortunately, no rest for this elevator. The previous major shutdown was May 13, when the elevator was out of service until May 16. That was traced to a faulty computer chip, he said. Had to be replaced and reprogrammed. On March 29, it broke down with 19 people on board and 23 stuck on an upper level. All were evacuated safely. The cause was an electrical problem. The monuments steps have been closed to visitors, barring emergencies, since the 1970s, Litterst said. The Confederate memorial statue Appomattox is seen at the intersection of S. Washington and Prince streets in Alexandria. (Dayna Smith/The Washington Post) The Jefferson Davis Highway in Alexandria should be renamed and the Confederate memorial statue in Old Town should stay, a group convened to address vestiges of the Civil War is recommending to the City Council. The recommendations in a report released Thursday come almost a year after Alexandria officials began grappling with how the suburb honors its legacy of fighting in a war that would have kept African Americans enslaved. City Council members considered the matter in September, setting up a task force of community leaders to examine Confederate memorials and street names by studying history and gathering comments from the public. [Alexandria reconsiders its Confederate memorials] Their final report proposes a partial scrubbing of vestiges to the Souths lost cause: changing the name of a local stretch of the highway honoring the president of the Confederacy, adding more historic context to the Appomattox memorial statue and taking the local streets named after Confederate generals on a case-by-case basis. The war was and is an important thread in our ongoing local and national history, and we must understand it through treating it in the entirety of our national story, the report says. This, in turn, requires we preserve the few authentic assets we have, yet amplify the complete story better than we have. The two African Americans in the group have said the recommendations should have gone further in clamping down on Confederate symbols. LaDonna Sanders, the president of the Alexandria branch of the NAACP, and Eugene Thompson, the first director of the citys black history museum, dissented from the reports recommendations. The committee was most divided on changing the name of streets honoring Confederate generals and fighters. In 1953, the City Council set a policy of naming north-south streets in the newly annexed West End after Confederate leaders. At least 30 street names in Alexandria honor Southern war figures, while another 30 may have Confederate-related names, but their historical origins are murky. The report says a wholesale change to street names, which would cost more than $200,000, is impractical. Theres value in those names even if they are currently offensive to people because it allows people to have that conversation, task force member Molly Fannon said at a June meeting. Others disagreed. If I could wave my hand and get rid of all these streets, I would, Thompson said at the June meeting. But its not going to happen from City Council, so Ill take what I can get. The City Council in September had already agreed to stop flying the Confederate flag on public property. It will consider the groups latest recommendations next month. The report says that removing the Appomattox statue in Old Town honoring fallen Southern soldiers poses practical challenges including securing permission from state lawmakers, while changing the highways name would be easier. The state of Virginia designated U.S. 1 within the state after the former Confederate leader, but several portions of the highway within Alexandria city limits are instead called Patrick and Henry streets, the report says. In 1952, the Alexandria council changed the local stretch of road from River Road to Jefferson Davis Highway, which still appears on some addresses and on 20 street signs. The report says there may be significant costs in changing the name for local businesses and residents, and urges the council to offer financial assistance to property owners to change deeds and legal documents. A price tag on those record changes isnt available, but the city estimates spending $27,000 to replace the Jefferson Davis Highway street signs. The local stretch of Jefferson Davis Highway extends into Arlington County, which would probably need approval from the legislature for a name change, Alexandrias city attorney has said. [Va. governor vetoes bill regarding removal of Confederate and other war memorials] It probably wouldnt get a welcome reception from the Republican-controlled General Assembly. State lawmakers had passed a bill earlier this year to prohibit cities and counties from removing Civil War memorials and monuments, but Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed the legislation. After vacationing in Kashmir all by herself on her birthday, Adaa is spending some quiet moments in Kerala. Adaa Khan is vacationing in Kerala these days. Picture courtesy: Instagram/Adaa Khan By India Today Web Desk: It's no more a secret that Naagin's Sesha, Adaa Khan, likes to vacation alone to rejuvenate herself. The actress beats her stress by going to the mountains. So after a solo journey to Kashmir (she visited Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam), the beautiful actress is in Kerala to recharge her batteries. Also read: Adaa Khan aka Sesha joins Mouni Roy in Naagin Season 2 advertisement Adaa is surely having the time of her life with mountains and Kerala's scenic beauty to give her company. In fact, the Naagin actress has hashtagged the experience as 'spiritual' in her instagram post. Also read: We bet you don't know these interesting facts about Adaa 'Naagin' Khan "Never knew Kerala was sooo beautiful. I am loving it," her Instagram caption read. Adaa also gives us the peek of her Kerala experience by posting video of a waterfall, and it sure looks like a wonderful and relaxing holiday. ???????? #nature is all u need!! #healseverything ???? A video posted by adaa (@adaakhann) on Aug 18, 2016 at 8:34am PDT Dil jhoom jaaye aisi ... Bahaaron mein le chaloon ...?? A photo posted by adaa (@adaakhann) on Aug 19, 2016 at 11:20am PDT On the work front, Adaa is returning back to the small screen as Sesha in Naagin Season 2. She will be joined by Mouni Roy and Sudha Chandran, who will be reprising their characters from Season 1. Happy Nagpanchami behan ???? @imouniroy ???? #naagin #shesha #shivanya #shivsha #love u loads ?????? A photo posted by adaa (@adaakhann) on Aug 7, 2016 at 1:44am PDT Naagin Season 2 is expected to go on air Sept-Oct this year. We think it is a good idea to rejuvenate yourself ahead of a hectic work schedule. Happy holiday, Adaa! --- ENDS --- From left to right, President Reagan, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., his wife Avis Vessey, and Vice President George H.W. Bush at the generals retirement ceremony in 1985. (Diana Walker/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images) Retired Army Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., a self-professed mud soldier in two wars whose tenure as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff coincided with twin crises in Grenada and Lebanon, and who later served as a presidential emissary to Hanoi for POW/MIA matters, died Aug. 18 at his home in North Oaks, Minn. He was 94. His daughter, Sarah Vessey, confirmed the death but did not provide a cause. Gen. Vessey was 16 when he enlisted as a private in the Minnesota National Guard in 1939. After his unit was activated in World War II, he fought through North Africa and Italy and received a battlefield commission in 1944 at the Anzio beachhead south of Rome. A longtime field artilleryman, he regarded himself as a mud soldier who experienced the hardship and sacrifice of combat. As President Ronald Reagans top uniformed officer from 1982 to 1985, he was the first Army general to serve as Joint Chiefs chairman who had not trained at West Point. By the time he stepped down, Gen. Vessey was one of the few remaining World War II combat officers on active duty. Gen. Vessey was described as a late bloomer. He completed a bachelors degree at 41 after years of toiling in night school, and later an MBA. He received the Armys second-highest decoration for valor at 45, after he prevailed in battle against overwhelming enemy forces in Vietnam. And he finished Army helicopter school at 48, attending classes with people decades his junior. Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stands with President Reagan at a ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base marking the generals retirement in 1985. (AP) But I was the first to solo, he told the New York Times, and there were a lot of guys who would have dropped out but said: If that old fogy can do it, we can do it. He received his first generals star after 27 years of commissioned service long behind many peers but was promoted swiftly thereafter. The antithesis of showboating commanders such as George S. Patton Jr. and Douglas MacArthur, Gen. Vessey was plain-spoken and unassuming but nonetheless a resolute cold warrior. He believed in caution as well as the projection of power at all times. As commanding general of all U.S. forces in South Korea in the late 1970s, he was among the many who criticized President Jimmy Carters effort to withdraw U.S. troops from the peninsula. His stance was widely believed to have cost him a coveted job as Army chief of staff in 1979, and he was passed over in favor of a subordinate. But Gen. Vessey soldiered on as vice chief, running the Armys day-to-day operations until Reagan who called him a soldiers soldier picked him to head the Joint Chiefs. Gen. Vessey was said to have struck a personal rapport with Reagan and remained influential within the presidents circle of advisers, in part because of the chairmans stated preference to stay out of the news. He dubbed his deliberately low public profile effective anonymity. Both agreed on the need for a continuing Cold War defense buildup. That included Reagans proposed Star Wars space-based missile defense initiative (never fully developed), and the deployment of nuclear-capable Pershing II missiles to Europe. But Reagan disregarded the generals warnings against getting further embroiled in Lebanon, a country in the midst of a protracted civil and sectarian war. An assault by Islamic militants on April 18, 1983, on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut killed 63 people, and another on a U.S. military compound on Oct. 23 left 241 U.S. service members dead, most of them Marines. Two days later, Reagan ordered the incursion into Grenada, a Caribbean island nation that had undergone a Marxist-inspired coup. The deposed prime minister had been executed, the Cubans were aiding in a military buildup on the island, and Reagan said he wanted to ensure the safety of several hundred Americans attending medical school there. Nearly 6,000 U.S. military personnel were deployed and gained control over Grenada in three days against marginally equipped opposition. The leader of the rebellion, Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard, was captured and imprisoned. Nineteen Americans, 45 Grenadians and 25 Cubans were killed. None of the medical students died. Two years after Gen. Vesseys retirement in 1985 from the chairmanship, Reagan tapped him to serve as a special envoy to Vietnam to determine the fate of American servicemen missing in action since the wars end in 1975. In an interview, Ann Mills-Griffiths, chairman and chief executive of the National League of POW/MIA Families, credited Gen. Vessey with significant breakthroughs in talks with the Vietnamese after years of fitful progress. His work led to the formation of full-scale field operations that enabled Pentagon search teams to look for and recover missing personnel from the Vietnamese countryside. More than 1,000 bodies have been brought home from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and 1,618 are still missing and unaccounted for, including civilians, Mills-Griffiths said. There is no evidence at present to indicate that U.S. personnel are still being held as POWs, she added. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush awarded Gen. Vessey the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor, for his work on MIA/POW issues. John William Vessey Jr. was born in Minneapolis on June 29, 1922, and grew up in the suburb of Lakeville. He lied to enlist in the Minnesota National Guard, telling recruiters he met the minimum age requirement of 18. It wasnt any great idealistic thing, he later told the Times. I guess it was probably more an opportunity to wear high leather boots and ride a motorcycle. During World War II, he participated in decisive campaigns in Tunisia against German forces overseen by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Amid the Allied invasion at Anzio, he was promoted to second lieutenant and served as a forward observer, noting his luck when two others in the same assignment were soon killed. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He later served in Vietnam, and for his actions in March 1967 at the battle of Suoi Tre, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Armys second-highest medal for valor. Although wounded in action, then-Lt. Col. Vessey led a battalion that repulsed a staggering onslaught of Viet Cong. He helped man a howitzer and a grenade launcher, firing point-blank at the enemy. His wife of 69 years, the former Avis Funk, died in 2015. Survivors include three children, John W. Vessey III of Pittsboro, N.C., Sarah Vessey of North Oaks and David C. Vessey of Colorado Springs; a sister; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The general once contemplated leaving the military to become a Lutheran minister. That he remained with the defense establishment did not mean he took a liking to every facet of it, particularly its bureaucratic patois. Resource-constrained environment, he quipped to the Times, are fancy Pentagon words that mean there isnt enough money to go around. And he once told a college audience, From my own experience, I can tell you, more has been screwed up on the battlefield and misunderstood in the Pentagon because of a lack of understanding of the English language than any other single factor. Workers clean the sewer system in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami as part of efforts to stop the spread of the Zika virus through mosquitoes. (Cristobal Herrera/EPA) Florida New Zika zone possible in Miami Beach Health officials in Florida have identified a possible new area of Zika transmission involving several cases in Miami Beach, said an official familiar with the situation who declined to speak on the record because of the ongoing investigation. The development, first reported by the Miami Herald, would mean that the local virus outbreak no longer is contained to the Wynwood neighborhood north of downtown Miami, where more than two dozen people have been infected by Zika in recent weeks. Earlier this month, federal health authorities urged pregnant women not to visit Wynwood the first time officials had warned against travel to part of the continental United States because of the outbreak of an infectious disease. If the virus is confirmed in Miami Beach, CDC officials likely would issue an updated travel advisory that includes the newly affected area. It was unclear Thursday where the boundaries of such a warning might be. In a statement, Gov. Rick Scott (R) said the outbreak remained confined to Wynwood. We still believe local transmissions are only occurring in an area that is less than one square mile, he said. Brady Dennis Chicago Ofcers may be fired over shooting coverup Seven Chicago police officers should be fired for filing false reports in the fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald in 2014, the police superintendent said Thursday, in a move aimed at repairing the reputation of a department dogged by decades of coverups and scandal. The release last year of official police reports that contradicted video evidence of McDonalds shooting by a white police officer turned a spotlight on long-standing concerns about a code of silence in Chicagos police force, in which officers stay quiet about or conceal possible misconduct. Superintendent Eddie Johnson said that after accepting the recommendation of the citys inspector general, he will take it to the citys police board. The board will make the final decision on whether the officers, who Johnson did not name, should be fired. Associated Pres Pennslyvania Governor nominates new attorney general Gov. Tom Wolf (D) on Thursday nominated Kathleen Kanes former top deputy to step in as attorney general for the remaining months of her term on the heels of her conviction and resignation from the states top law enforcement job. Bruce Beemer would take over the beleaguered 800-employee attorney generals office. The Senate is expected to confirm Beemer in a couple of weeks at the earliest. Voters will chose a permanent successor to Kane in November. The successor will be sworn in Jan. 17. Wednesday was Kanes last day in office, leaving it to be run by recent Kane hire Bruce L. Castor Jr., who did not have the support of Wolf or top lawmakers. Associated Press Clerics wont be jailed: Twenty-two religious leaders were spared from jail Thursday but still could face fines after being convicted of trespassing during May 2014 protests in the Missouri Senate in support of expanded Medicaid coverage for low-income adults. Struggle against wildfire: Air tankers bombarded rugged slopes with fire retardant Thursday and a squadron of helicopters dropped load after load of water to corral a destructive wildfire threatening mountain homes 60 miles east of Los Angeles. On the ground, firefighters and bulldozers worked to protect the ski town of Wrightwood and other areas high in the San Gabriel Mountains. Police estimated that half the 4,500 residents of Wrightwood heeded evacuation orders. Lava meets the sea: For the first time in three years, lava from the Kilauea volcano on Hawaiis Big Island has crept down miles of mountainside and is dripping into the Pacific Ocean, where its creating new land and putting on a crackling, fire-spitting show. From news services RUSSIA Putin visits Crimea, ups Ukraine tensions Russian President Vladimir Putin flew into annexed Crimea on Friday, a day after staging war games there, and said that he hoped Ukraine would see common sense when it came to resolving diplomatic crises. The Russian leader accused Kiev last week of sending saboteurs who clashed with Russian troops. Kiev, which has fought a two-year war against pro-Russian separatists in two eastern provinces, denies that the incident took place and calls it a fabrication that could be used as a pretext for an invasion. Putin has used threatening rhetoric, promising unspecified counter-measures, and has built up troops ahead of a military exercise next month. Reuters TURKEY Bank inspectors are latest to be detained Turkish authorities detained dozens of bank inspectors on Friday and vowed to cut off financing to companies suspected of having ties to last months failed coup. Turkey has detained about 40,000 people in its investigation into the July 15 attempted putsch, which it says was orchestrated by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Police detained 29 inspectors from the BDDK banking watchdog, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. They were detained on suspicion of making irregular probes into the account of a government-related foundation and those of business people, including some close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Reuters INDIA Violence in Kashmir overwhelms hospital More than 40 days of clashes between protesters and security forces have overwhelmed the main hospital in Indian-administered Kashmir, where some patients with severe injuries said they had been beaten in their homes by troops. House-to-house searches continued Friday, authorities said, for suspected ringleaders of street protests set off by the July 8 slaying of Shabir Ahmad Mangoo, a popular field commander of a Pakistan-based separatist group. At least 65 people have been killed and 6,000 injured in the ensuing clashes, many of them wounded by shotgun rounds fired by security forces enforcing a curfew across the Muslim-majority region. Reuters U.N. panel advances nuclear arms measure opposed by U.S.: A majority of countries on a United Nations-mandated working group is urging the General Assembly to consider launching multilateral negotiations on nuclear disarmament, a process boycotted by the worlds nuclear-armed powers, including the United States. Ambassador Thani Thongthakdi of Thailand, who chaired the Open-Ended Working Group on Nuclear Disarmament, hailed the 68-to-22 vote as a strong signal but said many countries would have preferred consensus among voting countries. Trudeau promotes rookie politician in cabinet reshuffle: Canadas Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweaked his cabinet Friday, promoting a rookie member of Parliament to fill a gap left earlier this year by the resignation of a minister who sought treatment for addiction issues. Bardish Chagger, the daughter of Indian immigrants, was sworn in as the new leader of the government in the House of Commons. Trudeau has emphasized the need for gender and ethnic diversity in his cabinet and Chaggers appointment to the prestigious role further highlighted that. U.N. to give assistance to Haiti cholera victims: Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is working on a package that would provide material assistance to cholera victims in Haiti, his spokesman said Friday, strongly indicating for the first time that hundreds of thousands of people affected will get financial help from the United Nations. The statement from deputy spokesman Farhan Haq follows Thursdays acknowledgment that the world body was involved in the introduction of cholera to Haiti and needs to do much more to end the suffering of those who contracted the disease, estimated at more than 800,000 people. London begins overnight subway service: The London Underground is starting its first-ever overnight service, a move city leaders hope will make the British capital a truly 24-hour city and bolster the local economy. The new service will run only on weekends and initially be available on the well-traveled Central and Victoria lines. There also will be only six trains running each hour. But the expanded service comes at a good time for London, which has been anxious to reassure the world that the city is open for business and ready to welcome tourists despite Britains recent vote to leave the European Union. From news services Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a roundtable discussion on national security in his offices at Trump Tower in New York. (Gerald Herbert/Associated Press) Shaken by the fact that hes losing, Donald Trump has fled into the parallel universe of the extreme right and apparently plans to stay there for the remainder of the campaign. Lets see if the rest of the Republican Party is dumb enough to follow him. Trump has reportedly been feeling boxed in and controlled by the few people around him who actually know something about politics. Advice from these professionals to tone it down must be responsible for his slide in the polls, he seems to believe. So he has hired as chief executive of his campaign a man named Stephen Bannon, who will not only let Trump be Trump but also encourage him to be even Trumpier. Bannon runs Breitbart News, a website that creates its own ultranationalist far-right reality one that often bears little resemblance to the world as it really is. As I write, the site is claiming that Hillary Clinton has some serious undisclosed health problem (her doctor says she is just fine), that one of Clintons aides has very clear ties to radical Islam (which is totally untrue) and that Clinton herself has clear ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin (when in fact it is Trump who often reveals his man-crush on the Russian leader). The sites since-deceased founder, Andrew Breitbart, once described Bannon, with sincere admiration, as the Leni Riefenstahl of the Tea Party movement, according to a Bloomberg News profile. Riefenstahl was the brilliant filmmaker who became one of Hitlers most effective propagandists. I think the comparison is wrong; Bannon is not nearly as talented. He is a practiced provocateur, however, with a gift for reinforcing the worldview of far-right true believers. Bannon gives readers the impression that the nation is in grave and imminent peril, that Muslims are conspiring to impose sharia law throughout the land, that Mexican immigrants are running rampant in a wild crime spree, that only Trump can save us and that polls showing him far behind Clinton are somehow skewed, incompetent or irrelevant. Here's what you need to know about the Breitbart News chairman who just became Donald Trump's new campaign CEO. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) None of this is true, not a word. Its all a paranoid fantasy, designed to exploit anxieties about demographic and economic change. And Trump has decided that his best chance of winning is to peddle this garbage, some of which he may actually believe. So if anyone was wondering whether this election cycle could get any worse for the GOP, it just did. The fact is that not a single national poll since July 24 has shown Trump in the lead, according to the tally kept by RealClearPolitics. Clinton has also pulled ahead in all of the battleground states and has become competitive in traditional Republican strongholds such as Georgia and Arizona. It now appears to be a good bet that Republicans will lose control of the Senate. It is far too early to predict a wave election that might threaten the GOPs big majority in the House, but Democrats are allowing themselves to dream. For Republicans, the two most likely outcomes of the election are bad and worse. Trumps decision to throw in with the likes of Bannon can only increase the probability of a GOP debacle. Does it have to be spelled out for you in neon lights, Republicans? Trump could not care less about the party, and he would happily destroy it to feed his own ego. Bannon, likewise, appears to view the party of Lincoln as merely a vehicle for his own ambition, which is to nurture and grow a nationalist-right movement. His website is as critical of the Republican establishment as it is of the Democrats. He has no interest in making Trump more palatable to the general electorate. Like all would-be revolutionaries, he first wants to heighten the contradictions within the system he ultimately seeks to destroy. It was perhaps foolish of me to hope that very many Republican elected officials would reject Trump on principle. But now, perhaps, more will do so for reasons of self-preservation. 1 of 60 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad What Donald Trump is doing on the campaign trail View Photos The GOP presidential nominee is out on the trail ahead of the general election in November. Caption The GOP presidential nominee is pressing his case ahead of Election Day. Nov. 7, 2016 Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at SNHU Arena in Manchester, N.H. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. Trump has made his decision. In a town hall meeting this week moderated by Sean Hannity of Fox News, Trump ignored opportunities to embrace traditional American values and instead reinforced a message of nationalism, xenophobia and fear. He offered himself as the only solution, promising, like any tinhorn strongman, that I have as big a heart as anybody. But there is no room in that heart for the GOP. Trump wont save you, Republicans. You had better save yourselves. Read more from Eugene Robinsons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. You can also join him Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for a live Q&A. A biker rides along the C&O Canal towpath near Glen Echo. (Jahi Chikwendiu/Washington Post) Along with the light bulb, telephone and airplane, American ingenuity invented the national park. On Thursday, the National Park Service celebrates its centennial, though the federal park system dates to 1872, when Congress gave Yellowstone a special designation to save it from development. Created in 1916 to administer a burgeoning portfolio of prime properties, the National Park Service now includes national monuments, recreation areas, historic seashores and battlefields. For Yellowstone, we can largely thank the railroads that connected the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1869. Visitors to the Wild West gushed over the Rocky Mountains, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and the bounteous beauty of California, which helped fuel patriotic fervor. In 1893, a visit to Colorados Pikes Peak inspired Katharine Lee Bates to compose the poem America the Beautiful. I grew up in the suburbs of New York, and nature was something far off. Purple mountain majesties came via Hudson River School paintings and Ansel Adams photos. My experiential epiphany occurred many moons ago, when I rode a bicycle from sea to shining sea. Leaving Eureka, Calif., and the Pacific Coast, we hugged the rugged Trinity River valley. A few days later, we stopped at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Staring at the massive, imploded volcano triggered wide-eyed wonderment, as for travelers in the 1800s who were also captivated by the dramatic Western landscape. And Glacier National Park in Montana nurtured my appreciation of open spaces. Life evolved, and my interaction with national parks became scarce until I moved to the District six months ago. Soon, I discovered the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Thirteen years ago, I bought a super-charged mountain bike, designed to conquer the toughest trails served up by any national park or recreation area. But I never got my moneys worth until now. A cross between a Ferrari and a Range Rover, the rig sat in my apartment, begging to be used. A colleague inspired me to ride, and I resolved to build stamina along the flat, pebbly towpath. Amazing! Just a quarter mile beyond the Francis Scott Key Bridge (a.k.a. the Car-Strangled Spanner) stands an oasis of calm in a bustling city, among the more spectacular urban getaways in the country. Every time my tires thrum in the rocky gravel, I am a kid again. At first, I promised myself I would take it easy, but adrenaline always kicks in. Each new adventure finds me eating up more turf. One day, perusing a map at Fletchers Boathouse in kiln-like weather, I realized that Great Falls Park lies 14 miles from the trailhead. A few weeks later, navigating a throng of nature-lovers, legs burning, I reached the overlook on a gorgeous Fourth of July weekend and gazed at the cascading water for hours before the sun dipped. The Potomac Rivers grandeur is underappreciated, perhaps because of its proximity to the bright lights of a big city. Being outdoors can be transcendent, but national parks feed the soul in a special way. The National Park Service presides over the most significant natural wonders and historic landmarks in the United States, a pretty impressive list. Attesting to the concepts soundness, countries around the world emulated our example, preserving Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina), Victoria Falls (Zambia) and Zhangjiajie National Park (China) for posterity and, of course, tourism. Despite its tortured past and tumultuous present, Congress established the national park system by taking Yellowstone off the auction block during a period rife with corruption, a rare moment when groupthink spawned a beneficent American, and democratic, creation. Marc Ferris is author of Star-Spangled Banner: The Unlikely Story of Americas National Anthem. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web, it gets more and more difficult to imagine life without it or without cat videos. And although our world certainly has been transformed by the Webs capabilities, its history includes some persistent myths and comically naive predictions. Myth No. 1 We know who invented the Web and the Internet, and when. Ask Google who invented the Web and the Internet, and it will give you an answer. But the concept of invention does not map well to the actual histories of these technologies, which arose from collaborations among large numbers of people and whose development features very few moments that were obvious transformations. The history of the Web has one singular figure, Tim Berners-Lee, who wrote the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to format text-based documents, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to send documents across the Internet, and a software program to view or browse pages. But Berners-Lee did not sit down one day and create the Internet. There were many precursors, including ideas and systems sketched by Paul Otlet, Vannevar Bush and Ted Nelson. And Berners-Lee began to play with hypertext programs in 1980, nearly 10 years before he and Robert Cailliau developed a proposal for an information-management system. Other milestones included the posting of the first Web site on Dec. 20, 1990; when Berners-Lee announced the Web project to a public mailing list on Aug. 6, 1991; and the declaration on April 30, 1993, that the Webs underlying code would be publicly and freely available. Myths about the Internets militaristic origins and Al Gores role have proved difficult to kill, despite some clear documentation of the facts by networking pioneers including Stephen Lukasik, Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn. Myth No. 2 The Web is an American innovation. Discussions about Internet governance often focus on international pressure to diminish U.S. control. The Defense Department spent hundreds of millions of dollars from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s developing the core technologies of the Internet. Through entities such as the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and the Defense Communications Agency, defense investments played major roles in the creation of the digital infrastructure that we use to browse the Web. Congress and the White House yes, including congressman and later vice president Al Gore passed legislation and set policies to support the development of the commercial Internet and e-commerce. And of course many icons of the Webs history are American: Yahoo, AOL, Google and others. But the Webs origins are distinctly European, and even the American contributions were infused with international collaboration. Berners-Lee, an Englishman, created some of the Webs key technologies while working as a software consultant alongside Cailliau, a Belgian engineer, at a Swiss lab. The American protagonists of Internet development at ARPA, Cerf and Kahn, worked closely with European researchers and built on the concepts of French computer scientist Louis Pouzin. And when Gore promoted the information superhighway, he did so within the context of an explicitly globalist vision, such as in a famous 1994 speech at the International Telecommunications Union. Myth No. 3 Government power is obsolete on the Internet. The Web came of age in an era of globalization, so people writing about it picked up some of the same dizzying enthusiasm about what the future might hold. The best example is John Perry Barlows A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace, which he wrote in Davos, Switzerland, in 1996. Barlow, a libertarian rancher from Wyoming and lyricist for the Grateful Dead, included some beautiful lines in his manifesto: Governments of the Industrial World, you weary giants of flesh and steel, I come from Cyberspace, the new home of Mind. . . . You have no sovereignty where we gather. . . . Your legal concepts of property, expression, identity, movement, and context do not apply to us. They are all based on matter, and there is no matter here. Experience suggests that Barlows enthusiasm got the better of him. Over the past three decades, governments at all levels local, state, national and international have claimed and exercised jurisdiction over behavior online. Examples include filtering and censorship regimes such as Chinas Great Firewall, court rulings that forced Yahoo to remove Nazi memorabilia from its online auction service in France and international treaties to protect intellectual property (implemented in the United States via the Digital Millennium Copyright Act), to say nothing of vast systems of espionage like those exposed by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden. Barlows essay also embodied some deeper flaws in cyberlibertarian arguments, which obscure the formative role of government in the creation and maintenance of network technologies. In his scolding of Governments of the Industrial World, Barlow wrote, You have not engaged in our great and gathering conversation, nor did you create the wealth of our marketplaces. In doing so, he ignored the ingenuity and investment of the government employees who created the Internet and the Web. Myth No. 4 The gatekeepers are dead; everything is disrupted! Another example of breathless futurism is Thomas Friedmans 2005 book, The World is Flat. Friedman (and others) saw the Web and the Internet as a sudden revolution in connectivity that constituted a major flattening force and would provide equal opportunity for all competitors. The obvious factual error in the books title should have alerted readers that Friedmans other metaphors such as the level playing field might also be flawed. The notion that the Web hurt gatekeepers is not entirely wrong. Plenty of musicians, including Justin Bieber and Katy Perry, got record deals after they went viral on YouTube. A similar phenomenon has reshaped academia, where researchers can post their work on their own websites, bypassing the slow and costly apparatus of academic publishing. But in music, academic publishing and elsewhere, these shifts have not generated the predicted revolutions. Major music labels eventually adjusted to Web-based distribution and revenue models, as did the old giants of academic and popular publishing. Other ideas that promised to disrupt this or that have fallen flat, such as the MOOC (massive open online course) craze that led some pundits to predict the end of college as we know it. The best example, of course, was the dot-com crash. Entrepreneurs and starry-eyed investors had fueled the bubble, eager to believe that the Webs rise changed all the rules. But by 2000, everyone had learned the harsh reality: Sound business practices were not fundamentally disrupted by the get big fast ethos of Web entrepreneurship. And despite predictions that the Web portends a new economic era of commons-based peer production, old-fashioned industrial capitalism has proved quite resilient. Even companies that lead the sharing economy, such as Uber and Airbnb, have massive capital expenditures and valuations that rival those of industrial giants such as Ford and General Motors. Myth No. 5 A massive cyberattack is coming. One constant in the Webs history has been the expectation that a major event will come along and change everything. Political figures often issue warnings about a digital Pearl Harbor or a cyber Pearl Harbor (see Richard Clarke in 2000 and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) in 2015). In Elon Universitys fascinating Imagining the Internet survey from 2004, two-thirds of Web experts agreed with the statement: At least one devastating attack will occur in the next 10 years on the networked information infrastructure or the countrys power grid. But so far, weve seen nothing of the sort. Even though a large-scale attack hasnt materialized, experts continue to use the threat of one to try to shake the Web out of some bad habits and inferior technologies. Neither the Web nor the Internet was designed with unshakeable commitments to security or privacy, and efforts to update them have, for the most part, failed. There have been plenty of proposals with broad consensus among technical communities, such as the World Wide Web Consortiums Platform for Internet Content Selection and Version 6 of the Internet Engineering Task Forces Internet Protocol (the current Internet runs mostly on IP Version 4). These and other efforts have faltered, however, because of poor design and lethargic adoption rates, leaving Web users vulnerable to governments, corporations and anonymous bad actors of all kinds. In the meantime, most users have grown accustomed to intrusions from hackers and viruses; they assume that there is no way to guarantee privacy or security on the Web. But despite the massive vulnerabilities and the regular occurrence of significant data breaches, the long-predicted digital Pearl Harbor has not come to pass. Twitter: @RussellProf Five myths is a weekly feature challenging everything you think you know. You can check out previous myths, read more from Outlook or follow our updates on Facebook and Twitter. After Amnesty Bengaluru was slapped with the charges of sedition for hosting an event where anti-India slogans were raised, the chances of it getting permission for opening a hub is unlikely. ABVP activists shout slogans at a protest against Amnesty International India in New Delhi on Wednesday. Protesters are demanding immediate arrest and sedition charges against the accused for anti-India slogans. By Mail Today: Amnesty International is unlikely to get permission for opening a hub in India to look after its operations in South Asia after the organisation was slapped with sedition for hosting an event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised. The Centre will also ask Amnesty India to get itself registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) after a preliminary inquiry found the organisation had bypassed laws while accepting foreign funds in the last 16 years. advertisement The Amnesty International had in 2014 and 2015 issued statements to the media making it clear that it would not register under the FCRA, which it described as much-abused. FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION REGULATION ACT The Act was, and is, a much abused law, and NGOs have experienced the unfairness of it both in the bureaucratic sense of inordinate delays and in the more overt sense of it being used too often to curb the freedom of expression of NGOs, especially those that work on the issues that hold up the mirror and demand accountability from the powers that be, it had said. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SOUTH ASIA FOUNDATION Amnesty has registered a non-profit organisation in the name of Amnesty International South Asia Foundation on May 8, 2015. Soon after, it sought the government's permission to open a hub to look after its activities in South Asia, excluding India, and wanted to bring in foreign funds to the tune of Rs 18,62 crores under the prior permission category for its operations. "The application (for setting up the hub) is under examination and in all likelihood we are going to deny the permission as we have found that the NGO has been getting foreign funds without registering under FCRA, thus bypassing laws," a senior Home Ministry official said. "During preliminary inquiry", the official said, "the Home Ministry found that the NGO received Great Britain Pound (GBP) 3.52,057 (Rs3.09 crores) and Rs2.24 crores in four separate instalments since 2000 without having registered under the FCRA. All NGOs whose expenses are Rs10 lakh or more in three preceding years have to register under the FCRA." "But Amnesty has not applied for the FCRA registration yet. We are going to tell them to register under the FCRA first," the official said. At the Bengaluru event organised by the Amnesty on Saturday, anti-India slogans were allegedly raised during a discussion on Kashmir, prompting the authorities to book the NGO under various IPC sections including sedition. Amnesty, on its part, has rejected as without substance the allegations made by ABVP, the students wing of RSS, which had also filed a police complaint in connection with the event and submitted a CD of the proceedings, and claimed that none of its employees shouted any anti-India slogans at any point. advertisement Also Read Amnesty denies its employees raised anti-India slogans, ABVP protests in Bengaluru Bengaluru Police : Will Examine 90 minute video given by Amnesty --- ENDS --- Yoichi Funabashi is chairman of the Rebuild Japan Initiative. Chung Min Lee is a professor of international relations at Yonsei University in Seoul and a nonresident senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. As the world watches the U.S. presidential election with bewilderment and unease, Americas allies in Asia are particularly concerned about the possibility of U.S. disengagement from the region. In Japan and South Korea Americas most important allies in the Asia-Pacific the rise of Donald Trump, along with inward-looking rhetoric from others across the U.S. political spectrum, has been seen as an indication of a broader shift in public sentiment. Tokyo and Seoul fear that many Americans believe that withdrawal from international alliances and institutions can, to use Trumps formulation, make America great again. Isolationism and protectionism took a firm hold on U.S. politics during the primaries. In his foreign policy speeches, Trump declared that America First would be the overriding theme of his administration, and the Asia-Pacific doesnt appear to register in his worldview at all. But a U.S. withdrawal or fundamentally reduced U.S. military presence in Asia would not only undermine regional security; it would also ultimately weaken the United States at home and abroad. While Trump is right to question whether many U.S. allies are essentially free-riders, this cant be said of either Japan or South Korea. As the worlds third- and 11th-largest economies, respectively, Japan and South Korea assume a significant portion of the cost of stationing U.S. forces within their borders. Japan pays about $4.5 billion a year in base-related expenses, while South Korea contributes about $870 million 75 percent and 40 percent of the total costs, respectively. For the United States, it is cheaper to station troops in these Asian nations than it would be to house them at home. Equally important, these two allies are major markets for U.S. arms exports. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, from 2014 to 2015, Japan imported $741 million and South Korea $470 million worth of arms from the United States. So how do Japan and South Korea make the United States strong? First and foremost, through alliances that demonstrate the importance of shared democratic values, interoperable military capabilities and deep economic linkages. Absent partnerships with Japan and South Korea, not to mention Australia, the United States would have no real presence across the Asia-Pacific. In such an instance, China would quickly move to fill the vacuum and establish its own Sino-centric order. Second, both Japan and South Korea have been exemplary partners in the fight against nuclear proliferation. Indeed, while Trump has suggested that Tokyo and Seoul should consider their own nuclear options in the face of a nuclearized North Korea, the best way to counter Pyongyang is through robust alliances with the United States, including an ironclad nuclear umbrella. Enticing as it may seem, a nuclear South Korea and Japan would trigger a regional nuclear arms race, cripple their alliances with the United States and lead to a much more aggressive China and Russia. Third, Japan and South Korea are both committed to fostering free trade and the rules-based liberal international order that the United States created and benefits from the most. Political candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties have convinced the public that the Trans-Pacific Partnership would hurt the U.S. economy, when in reality the United States would gain the most from the agreement, with analysts estimating that real incomes would increase by $131 billion and annual exports by $357 billion. The TPP would allow the United States to continue to set the rules of the road on trade, rather than being subjected to a regime designed by another country. Of course, we dont really know how Trump would approach Asia in the White House. As president, Trump says unpredictability would be his secret weapon rather than telling allies and adversaries what the United States would do in a given situation, he hopes to gain the upper hand by keeping them guessing. On the face of it, Trump is combating what political scientist Stephen M. Walt called a credibility addiction that can leave the United States entangled in costly wars just to reaffirm its resolve. The United States has made mistakes, but credibility is vital in a world of uncertainty especially in Asia. The Obama administration has demonstrated that credibility need not be purchased through force; it can come from articulating clear strategies that give other nations confidence the United States will follow through. Even if Trump loses in November, Japan and South Korea must wake to the negative long-term impact that his campaign could have on Americas politics. History offers a lesson as to what their response should be. After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, then-presidential-candidate Jimmy Carter called for a total pullout of U.S. troops from the Korean Peninsula. Acknowledging a shared fear of U.S. disengagement from the region, and despite rocky relations in the years prior to the proposal, Japan and South Korea cooperated on opposing the plan, and their joint efforts were successful. Likewise today, Tokyo and Seouls priority should be to build on last years thaw in ties by scheduling a first full state visit and bilateral summit between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The Obama administration has made clear that the United States destiny is inseparably tied to the Asia-Pacific, but the tone of the current election may render a post-Obama rebalance to Asia untenable. Japan and South Korea cannot assume that the United States will make the rational choice of placing its bets on Asia as the dominant region of economic growth in the 21st century. As the linchpins of the U.S. alliance in the Asia-Pacific, Japan and South Korea will need to work together to convince policymakers in the United States that an America First policy would result only in what Trump might call a tremendous loss for the United States, its closest allies and the world. The unfortunate death of former congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley brings to mind a memory about her [Md. congresswoman was a staunch booster of Baltimores port, Metro, Aug. 7]. She was on a congressional delegation that monitored an election in El Salvador. I was on the staff of that delegation. When we returned and landed at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, the delegation went to the White House to brief President Ronald Reagan on the election. The communist threat in Central America was a major foreign policy issue at the time. Reagans chief of staff, Howard Baker, escorted the delegation into a room to brief the president. As each member of the delegation spoke, Reagan seemed somewhat detached and not terribly interested. When Bentley related an event she observed, Reagan lit up and nodded very approvingly. He loved it. She said, Mr. President, as you know, the communists threatened to kill anyone who voted in the election. I was at a voting site in a rural area, and an elderly peasant woman was in line to vote and she was dressed up in her Sunday best. Just before she entered the voting booth, she took a small mirror from her purse and powdered her cheeks and put on some fresh lipstick. John Plashal, Great Falls Michael S. Roth is president of Wesleyan University. His most recent books are Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters and Memory, Trauma and History: Essays on Living With the Past. No one knows the system better than me, Donald Trump said when accepting the presidential nomination of the Republican Party, which is why I alone can fix it. Mr. Trump has long been labeled a narcissist by people across the political spectrum, an accusation that suggests he has an excessive sense of his own grandeur while also being overly sensitive to any perceived slight. Whatever the topic at hand, narcissists bring it back to themselves. Heres Trump on why he chose Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate: So one of the primary reasons I chose Mike was I looked at Indiana, and I won Indiana big. Moderate Republican (and anti-Trump) columnist David Brooks observed, Theres sort of a gravitational narcissistic pull that takes command whenever he attempts to utter a compound thought. Narcissists. You know the kind. People who may seem really into you one moment and then act as if they dont know you at all. People who are hypersensitive to any potential disrespect when it comes to themselves but havent a clue about the feelings of others. In todays popular culture fueled by social media, everybody seems to know somebody who can be labeled a narcissist whether its the bad boyfriend, the unfeeling killer or the pretentious artiste. In The Selfishness of Others: An Essay on the Fear of Narcissism, cultural journalist Kristin Dombek begins by saying that we know the new selfishness when we see it, and apparently we are seeing a lot of it these days. In todays narcisphere, she argues, groups that feel injured find it expedient to label those they hold responsible as narcissists. Narcissism is the favorite diagnosis, she writes, for political leaders in whatever party opposes ones own. So maybe we dont know the kind after all. Maybe we just deploy the label narcissist to feel superior amid our confusion about how others are behaving. Dombek writes breezily and well about the history of the idea of narcissism, leaning heavily on Elizabeth Lunbecks excellent The Americanization of Narcissism. In the psychoanalytic tradition, narcissism was a normal stage of development but you were supposed to grow out of it. Sigmund Freud thought narcissism was linked to a strand of femininity that turned inward, lovingly cultivating ones own beauty instead of turning toward others unlike oneself. Later writers in this field, especially Otto Kernberg and Heinz Kohut, investigated disorders of self-regard that persisted much later in life, and Kohut developed therapies that led from narcissism to relationship building and empathy. For the psychoanalysts, the typical narcissist was a woman who wouldnt return male affection, while in todays self-help industry, its the bad boyfriend who exudes only indifference. Dombek notes wisely that historically, the gender of the archetypal narcissist shifts according to whos got the power of diagnosis, and that this power conveys a sense of moral superiority on the person who gets to do the labeling. "The Selfishness of Others: An Essay on the Fear of Narcissism" by Kristin Dombek (FSG) Bloggers and pundits blame social media for creating a generation of people who need to be followed or liked, while business leaders who care only for profit are labeled corporate narcissists. Sexual narcs are good in bed, but only to shore up their own selves, while spiritual narcissists seek a connection to the universe only to compensate for their own emptiness. Dombek displays a healthy skepticism about most of the theorists (and all the pop diagnosticians) she discusses. The exception is cultural theorist and literary critic Rene Girard, who brilliantly investigated the role of imitation in the formation of our selves and our desires. Girard argued that we become who we are only by imitating others we are made of each other, as Dombek puts it. We develop as individuals by copying what others do, who they are, and we grow up to be people who expect those we like to imitate us. But there is a dark side to this intermingling of selves through imitation. Our desires are constituted not only by empathic imitation but also by violent rivalry. Just because were made of sharing, Dombek tells us, doesnt mean our understanding of others . . . leads us to care about them or treat them well. In the early 1990s, neuroscientists discovered that in primates, the same neurons lighted up when the animals watched others perform an action as lighted up when the primates did the same thing themselves. Deep in our primitive brains are mirror neurons wired to respond to and imitate others. Some writers have concluded from this discovery that we have profound biological sources of empathy, but Girard and Dombek remind the reader that these neurons are also the sources of competition and conflict. On just the other side of the comfort of fellow feeling, she writes, is war. Dombeks study of our fascination with the new selfishness leads her to spend lots of time with self-help books and websites that deal with matters like how to love someone who cant love you back and how to seduce as many partners as possible. She punctuates her survey of thinkers and pop culture with asides about her boyfriend, waiting for subways and living in Brooklyn. These digressions, for me, were mostly of marginal interest, not saying enough about either the writer or her concerns. She is sharp when seeing through puffed-up social scientists who know how to find what they are looking for (and publicize it), but she agonizes about her own choice of subject: Any book you write is its own asylum, but a book about narcissism is like the padded cell inside the asylum. Really? This is a short book, but maybe she should have taken more breaks. Labeling others as narcissistic may merely be an expression of our frustration that they dont really get us. The selfishness of others is the feeling of your dependence revealed, as their gaze turns away, Dombek writes. If they dont understand us, she perceptively points out, we label them narcissists to show they are incapable of trying. She knows that our embrace of the idea of narcissism is a symptom of other things going on in our culture, but I dont think shes figured out why we are so enamored of the new selfishness right now. She probably started her book before Trump began to dominate politics and the media, when self-centered teenagers and bad boyfriends seemed the most important (and amusing) examples of narcissism. Alas, while writing this book in her padded cell, she has been overtaken by a very perilous turn in the history of American narcissism. Has our overuse of the concept of narcissism made us more vulnerable to the wounded megalomania of a Trump? Whats the connection between the contemporary politics of resentment and the new selfishness? Todays American attraction to an ultra-irritable would-be strongman is more important than our perennial griping about selfishness in young people and our exes. Maybe Dombek will turn to such issues in her next essay. Meanwhile, theres a very real and very dangerous narcissist on the loose. PRISONS AND jails are struggling to contain the spread of an easily smuggled drug, Suboxone, prized by incarcerated addicts to dampen their craving for heroin and other hard-to-get opioids. But in trying to keep it out of facilities, some corrections officials are going overboard, imposing restrictions that punish the families and children of inmates, most of whom are blameless. That is what has occurred in Maryland, where, in an effort to block Suboxone and other contraband, state prison authorities established a policy that prevents inmates from prolonged holding or cuddling even their small children and babies. The policy, in effect since last fall, is draconian and cruel: It applies equally to fathers, mothers and even grandmothers behind bars, including one who wrote a moving piece in The Posts Outlook section this month, pleading for more time to hold her baby granddaughter. The challenge posed by Suboxone is that it is maddeningly easy to conceal and convey as contraband. It comes in the form of pills that can be crushed and ingested or wafer-thin strips that can be hidden in the pages of a notebook, a deck of cards even behind a postage stamp on a letter. Prison administrators are right that Suboxone poses a real problem. Although it provides a milder high than heroin, its presence in penal institutions, like that of any banned substance, can spur drug dealing and violence. The trouble is that the policy they have devised is overkill, and there is little indication it works. It forbids inmates from physical contact with their loved ones until the end of a visit, and then permits only a brief embrace. That may make some sense for adult visitors; for small children, who need physical affection from parents and grandparents, it is callous. There is also little indication it is effective. Prison authorities have no data none showing that children have been frequently used to convey contraband. Whats more, seizures of Suboxone and other illicit drugs conveyed by visitors dropped just 16 percent in the first seven months of this year compared with the same period last year. That suggests the impact of the restrictions, imposed Nov. 30, is marginal at best. In large part, the policy was driven by a scandal at the Baltimore city jail three years ago, in which inmates had effectively taken charge of the facility, procuring all manner of contraband, including drugs and cellphones, in copious quantities. But in that case, the contraband was conveyed not by visitors but by jail guards, including women who were having sex with prisoners. Societies are fairly judged by how they treat those they have condemned. Correctional institutions are not, and should not be, summer camps, but they are wise to strike a balance between the need for effective security and control, and the value of compassion and humanity in promoting rehabilitation. In Maryland, officials have gotten the balance wrong by denying small children and inmates, including mothers, the opportunity of engaging in more than fleeting moments of physical affection. THE OBAMA administration announced this week groundbreaking rules on heavy trucks, promising that by 2027 the vehicles that move massive amounts of freight across the country will be as much as 25 percent cleaner. This is good news. But it also highlights the fact that the executive branch has been given only command-and-control tools to combat climate change. If Congress would act, the country could do much better. Big trucks are about 5 percent of the nations vehicle fleet but account for a fifth of transportation-sector emissions. Most of that comes from big rigs that carry up to 50,000 pounds of freight at a time and often travel more than 150,000 miles a year. The Environmental Defense Fund reckons that one of these big trucks equates to about 50 passenger cars in fuel consumption. The new rules would tie specific fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions requirements to each vehicle size and type, making them steadily more stringent over the next decade. Past standards were based on vehicle technologies already in use. The new ones will require innovation and deployment of new fuel-saving technologies, such as aerodynamic alterations that reduce wind resistance. Trucks will be more expensive to buy but cheaper to operate. The rules would allow companies that overshoot the targets to sell credits to those that have a harder time complying, making for a more flexible system. And the regulations would apply evenly across the country: The Environmental Protection Agency, the Transportation Department and the state of California, which has special dispensation in federal law to set vehicle emissions standards, collaborated to send a unified signal to industry. Given the importance of fighting climate change and Congresss resistance to act, actions such as these, which are fully legitimate under existing executive authorities, are valuable. But they also represent a second-best approach. Last month brought some bad news for a different set of the administrations vehicle rules those on cars and light trucks. The EPA announced that the nations car fleet will not meet the 54.5 miles per gallon fuel efficiency goal the administration previously set for 2025. This is not as bad as some of the headlines made it sound. New cars will still have to meet government standards, which vary according to their size, and fuel efficiency will still rise. But Americans are buying more light trucks than they were a few years ago, pushing down the miles per gallon that the light-duty fleet is, on average, projected to meet. This does not show that rules such as these are ineffective. The fleet will still meet an average fuel efficiency of 50.8 mpg. But regulators cannot perfectly predict the future, and government mandates can never be fine-tuned enough to account for unanticipated changes. What the country needs is a simple carbon dioxide policy that applies equally across all sectors and empowers consumers and businesses to determine the details. Placing a simple, significant and rising tax on carbon dioxide would make it unnecessary for the auto industry to wait for the EPAs latest decree on emissions regulations. It would nudge consumers to economize and businesses to get greener on their own, making emissions-cutting relatively cheap, maximally efficient and minimally coercive. After years of cost overruns, construction problems and a still-unresolved lawsuit, the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring soon will celebrate its first birthday. Now its time to figure out what should happen to the space around it. The transit center, at Colesville Road and Wayne Avenue, brings together the Red Line, MARC commuter rail, Metrobus, Ride On buses, MTA commuter buses and intercity buses, as well as several major bike trails. The original plan was to surround the transit center with offices, hotels and apartments, all with ground-floor shops and restaurants. But that vision has remained just that because Montgomery County discovered serious structural defects in the transit center, and its builder, Foulger-Pratt, was slated to develop the land around it. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), in his attempt to cut costs on the Purple Line, which will have a stop at the transit center, moved it away from the Red Line platform and onto the empty land, meaning that theres less space left to build on. Today, the 60,000 riders who use the transit center each day arrive in a grassy field. What should be Silver Springs front door is instead a blank canvas. The rest of downtown Silver Spring is a long, uphill walk from the transit center, and anyone new to the area would be surprised to hear that just beyond it are awesome shops, restaurants, music venues and theaters. Great transit hubs arent just places to wait for a train or bus; theyre anchors for entire communities. Riders stepping out of these stations should emerge onto a lively, buzzing city street, as they do in Columbia Heights. Silver Spring should be no different. How can we make this happen? Montgomery County owns the land, and county officials will lead the design and planning process for it. Their highest priority should be to ensure that the walk from the transit center to the core of downtown is as enjoyable and engaging as it can be. To start, the three streets around the transit center Colesville Road, Wayne Avenue and Ramsey Avenue need a lot of activity. That means creating buildings with ground floors with shops, restaurants with outdoor seating and cultural amenities such as art galleries and performance spaces. People passing through should walk down sidewalks with trees and landscaping, benches and outdoor dining tables, and big shop windows with things to look at. Anything that would interrupt this experience blank walls, loading docks or parking entrances should be tucked in back if possible. This would not only make the walk more pleasant but also help calm traffic on some of downtowns busiest streets. Replicate 14th Street NW in the District, which has so much going on for long stretches at a time that you could walk for miles and not even realize it. Above street level should be the uses that would help populate all of those restaurants and shops on the street level. Offices would bring workers to support these businesses during the morning and afternoon, while apartments and hotel rooms would bring residents and visitors at night. Creating this critical mass of activity would help knit together the different parts of downtown Silver Spring, from the theaters along Colesville Road to the new residential buildings on Ripley Street. Some county officials, including council member Hans Riemer (D-At Large), suggested a few years ago turning the land around the transit center into a park. However, the backs of the transit center and surrounding buildings as well as adjacent busy roads make a less-than-ideal backdrop for outdoor relaxation. This is one of the most valuable development sites in Montgomery County, and building up around the transit center would allow us to benefit from the massive public investment weve already made there. My neighbors and I are happy that the Silver Spring Transit Center is open, safe and helping everyone get around. Now its time to make this the true, beating heart of downtown Silver Spring, cementing its role as a regional gathering place. The writer, an urban planner, blogs at Just Up the Pike, which focuses on Montgomery County. A Muslim woman releases a dove as a symbol of peace during a rally against the Islamic State in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2014. The banner reads: "ISIS is not Islam's voice. Stop killing journalists. (Tatan Syuflana/Associated Press) The Islamic State hasnt had much success in recruiting militants among the vast Muslim populations in Southeast Asia. But what happens when the caliphates capitals in Syria and Iraq are destroyed, and hundreds of foreign fighters from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines try to go home? Experts here in Australia see the counterterrorism challenge as a regional problem, rather than simply an affliction of the Middle East and North Africa. They fear that a potentially dangerous new phase may lie ahead, as the jihadists look for new sanctuaries. Governments in Southeast Asia have been working quietly with the United States, some for more than a decade, to monitor and try to disrupt radical Islamist groups, and theyve had considerable success. The United States helped train an Indonesian police unit known as Detachment 88, which has largely destroyed Jemaah Islamiah, the al-Qaeda affiliate responsible for the 2002 Bali bombing that killed more than 200 people. But the prisons, slums and youth gangs of Southeast Asia provide an ecosystem where terrorism could fester anew, experts say. Islamic State operatives in Syria have tried to reach out to these potential jihadists, as in the bombing in January in Jakarta that killed eight people, for which the Islamic State claimed credit. Most Southeast Asian Muslims reject such violence, but to plot mass-casualty attacks, it takes only a tiny fringe. We have more activity among jihadi groups than at any time in the last 10 years, said Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, in a speech in April in Australia. The would-be catalysts for violence are the jihadists who traveled from Southeast Asia to Syria and Iraq. Experts estimate that this foreign-fighter network includes as many as 500 to 600 Indonesians, 110 Australians, about 100 Malaysians and a small number of Filipinos. This Southeast Asian contingent is far larger than the number who traveled to Afghanistan to join al-Qaeda before Sept. 11, 2001. And in Iraq and Syria, the volunteers have fought and killed. We havent yet seen the worst in Southeast Asia, said Aaron Connelly, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute, a foreign policy think tank in Sydney that arranged my visit to Australia. Experts worry about three risk factors that could expand the currently small terrorist network in Southeast Asia: declaration of an Islamic State affiliate in the lawless jungles of the southern Philippines, recruitment of new Islamic State volunteers in the Malaysian army and a jihadist push by released prisoners in Indonesia. Islamic State fighters from Southeast Asia proposed a Philippines caliphate in a video that was released in June. This region could be a haven for jihadists; a Muslim revolt against the Catholic-dominated government has been simmering there for a century. Kill the disbelievers where you find them and do not have mercy on them, Abu Abdul Rahman al-Filipini urged in the video, which was recorded in Raqqa and translated by SITE Intelligence Group . In Malaysia, the army has been a worrying source of recruits. The countrys defense minister told parliament last year that at least 70 former members of the military volunteered for the Islamic State. Malaysian authorities long wary of Western help have been working closely with the United States and Australia since last year to contain such jihadist activities. In Indonesia, police have campaigned aggressively against jihadists, killing or imprisoning many leaders. But as in Iraq and Syria, the prisons have been a breeding ground for extremism. Based on her research in Jakarta, Jones argued in a recent study: The prison system where plots are hatched, travel arranged and [Islamic State] supporters recruited needs urgent attention. Experts worry that as many as 200 former jihadists are due to be released from Indonesian prisons soon. For nearly 15 years, the United States has been quietly funding counterterrorism efforts in Southeast Asia. A study published last year by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point noted that the United States had provided $441 million in security assistance to the Philippines, mostly for its military, and $262 million to Indonesia, mostly for its police. Police efforts appear to be a better bet: Terrorist attacks increased in the Philippines by 13-fold between 2002 and 2013; attacks declined 26 percent over that period in Indonesia. The Islamic State may lose its caliphate in Syria and Iraq. But there could be a boomerang effect a bigger jihadist threat in countries to which the fleeing fighters return. Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Mohammad Ali Salih is a Washington correspondent for Arabic publications in the Middle East. When Islamic State fighters swept into the Yazidi villiage of Kocho in Iraq in the summer of 2014, teenager Farida Khalaf was kidnapped along with her sister and about 80 other Yazidi girls. Her father and brother and other Yazidi men were defiant but overwhelmed by the onslaught, and were shot to death outside the village. Her mother and other women were forcibly taken to the Islamic State-controlled city of Tal Afar in Iraq, while Farida and the other girls wound up as slaves in the Islamic States capital, Raqqa, in Syria. The Islamic State refuses to acknowledge the Yazidi religion, and as the girls learned from their captors, their families were slaughtered because they were infidels. It was our right to kill them, one of the men told them. For that is what it says in the Quran: Kill the Infidels! Another man piped in: And take their wives. Thats why you belong to us now, and we can do what we like with you. You dont have any rights. In her book, The Girl Who Escaped ISIS, Farida recounts the horrors she and the other young women endured in captivity. Her story highlights the suffering caused by the Islamic States flawed interpretation of the Koran and the groups brutal intolerance of peaceful religions. In Kocho, Yazidis and Muslim Arabs live side by side in tense accommodation. When a local Muslim leader heard that Islamic State fighters were heading toward the village, he knew what was in store for the Yazidi, and he sought to convert them. But Faridas mother and father resisted. Within a few days, the Islamic State had killed her father and kidnapped her mother. "The Girl Who Escaped ISIS: This Is My Story" by Farida Khalaf and Andrea C. Hoffmann (Atria) Islam and the Yazidi faith have similar, conservative views on sex. In her life before her kidnapping, Farida and her friends used to slip away in the evenings to meet other kids. The adults frowned upon this, because they were afraid of illicit friendships the members of the two sexes, she writes. But her experiences were innocent. After all, my friends and I had been brought up strictly according to our communitys code of honor. For us, premarital relationships were out of the question. But her captors had no respect for her modesty, bred of her Yazidi faith, and abused her simply because she was not Muslim. In one scene, she recounts how Islamic State men gathered around her, discussing her unmarried status and her virginity. When a guard called her fresh goods, another man said: Wed have to try them out to be sure. At which point a fighter began stroking her hair with sausagelike fingers and then sticking his fingers into her mouth to check the quality of her teeth. I was reminded of the livestock market in Kocho, she writes. This is how the men would check donkeys and cows before buying them. . . . Instinctively, and out of the blue, I bit him as hard as I could. For her defiance, she was beaten with the butt of a rifle until she fainted. She won a temporary reprieve, but the inevitable soon occurred. She and a friend named Evin from her village were assaulted together. When we awoke the following morning on two shabby mattresses, our bodies were burning and aching, she writes. The smell of blood and sperm clung to the dresses that Evin and I were still wearing from the night before. We felt such shame that we could barely look each other in the eye. For months, Farida was bought and sold among Islamic State men until she escaped with a few other girls and found shelter at a refugee camp near the Kurdish city of Dohuk, where a German humanitarian organization was providing help. At the camp, she met Andrea C. Hoffmann, a reporter who later helped her move to Germany and write her book. Farida is now going to school in Germany. When Ive finished school, she writes, Ill study to become a math teacher as Ive always wanted to. The fanatics who degraded us and treated us like objects are not going to stop me pursuing this goal. I survived to prove to them that Im stronger than they are. This photo, grabbed from Russian Defense Ministry video footage issued Aug. 16, is said to show a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber releasing its payload above Syria after it took off from an air base in Iran. (Russian Defense Ministry / Handout/European Pressphoto Agency) This week Russian bombers flew out of Iranian air bases to attack rebel positions in Syria. The State Department pretended not to be surprised. It should be. It should be alarmed. Irans intensely nationalistic revolutionary regime had never permitted foreign forces to operate from its soil. Until now. The reordering of the Middle East is proceeding apace. Where for 40 years the U.S.-Egypt alliance anchored the region, a Russia-Iran condominium is now dictating events. Thats what you get after eight years of U.S. retrenchment and withdrawal. Thats what results from the nuclear deal with Iran, the evacuation of Iraq and utter U.S. immobility on Syria. Consider: Iran The nuclear deal was supposed to begin a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran. Instead, it has solidified a strategic-military alliance between Moscow and Tehran. With the lifting of sanctions and the normalizing of Irans international relations, Russia rushed in with major deals, including the shipment of S-300 ground-to-air missiles. Russian use of Iranian bases now marks a new level of cooperation and joint power projection. Iraq These bombing runs cross Iraqi airspace. Before President Obamas withdrawal from Iraq, that could not have happened. The resulting vacuum has not only created a corridor for Russian bombing, it has gradually allowed a hard-won post-Saddam Iraq to slip into Irans orbit. According to a Baghdad-based U.S. military spokesman, there are 100,000 Shiite militia fighters operating inside Iraq, 80 percent of them Iranian-backed. Syria When Russia dramatically intervened last year, establishing air bases and launching a savage bombing campaign, Obama did nothing. Indeed, he smugly predicted that Vladimir Putin had entered a quagmire. Some quagmire. Bashar al-Assads regime is not only saved. It encircled Aleppo and has seized the upper hand in the civil war. Meanwhile, our hapless secretary of state is running around trying to sue for peace, offering to share intelligence and legitimize Russian intervention if only Putin will promise to conquer gently. Consider what Putin has achieved. Dealt a very weak hand a rump Russian state, shorn of empire and saddled with a backward economy and a rusting military he has restored Russia to great-power status. Reduced to irrelevance in the 1990s, it is now a force to be reckoned with. In Europe, Putin has unilaterally redrawn the map. His annexation of Crimea will not be reversed. The Europeans are eager to throw off the few sanctions they grudgingly imposed on Russia. And the rape of eastern Ukraine continues. Ten thousand have already died and now Putin is threatening even more open warfare. Under the absurd pretext of Ukrainian terrorism in Crimea (reminiscent of Hitlers claim that he invaded Poland in response to a Polish border incursion), Putin has threatened retaliation, massed troops in eight locations on the Ukrainian border, ordered Black Sea naval exercises and moved advanced anti-aircraft batteries into Crimea, giving Moscow control over much of Ukrainian airspace. State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Aug. 18 that negotiators had deliberately leveraged Irans desire to get a $400 million payment from a decades-old arms deal to ensure authorities would not renege on freeing three Americans in January. (U.S. Department of State) And why shouldnt he? Hes pushing on an open door. Obama still refuses to send Ukraine even defensive weapons. The administrations response to these provocations? Urging both sides to exercise restraint. Both sides, mind you. And in a gratuitous flaunting of its newly expanded reach, Russia will be conducting joint naval exercises with China in the South China Sea, in obvious support of Beijings territorial claims and illegal military bases. Yet the president shows little concern. He is too smart not to understand geopolitics; he simply doesnt care. In part because his priorities are domestic. In part because he thinks we lack clean hands and thus the moral standing to continue to play international arbiter. And in part because hes convinced that in the long run it doesnt matter. Fluctuations in great power relations are inherently ephemeral. For a man who sees a moral arc in the universe bending inexorably toward justice, calculations of raw realpolitik are 20th-century thinking primitive, obsolete, the obsession of small minds. Obama made all this perfectly clear in speeches at the U.N., in Cairo and here at home in his very first year in office. Two terms later, we see the result. Ukraine dismembered. Eastern Europe on edge. Syria a charnel house. Iran subsuming Iraq. Russia and Iran on the march across the entire northern Middle East. At the heart of this disorder is a simple asymmetry. It is in worldview. The major revisionist powers China, Russia and Iran know what they want: power, territory, tribute. And theyre going after it. Barack Obama takes Ecclesiastes view that these are vanities, nothing but vanities. In the kingdom of heaven, no doubt. Here on earth, however Aleppo to Donetsk, Estonia to the Spratly Islands it matters greatly. Read more from Charles Krauthammers archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. The Rotunda at the University of Virginia. (Norm Shafer/For The Washington Post) For the third time in four years, the University of Virginia, the states flagship public school of higher education, is embroiled in an extraordinary controversy. In 2012, there was the cloak-and-dagger melodrama within the Board of Visitors that resulted in the firing and quick reinstatement of the popular president, Teresa Sullivan. Next came a flawed story in Rolling Stone about a phony rape that roiled emotions On Grounds, as the campus is known in Wahoo lingo. And now, the subject is finance. The school has miraculously come up with a $2.2 billion strategic investment fund that could be used to pay tuition for in-state students from families who make less than $125,000 a year, hire more faculty and do more research. But some legislators, political bloggers and alumni see only sin as they wonder where the fund came from. They also ask why tuition is going up when the school is sitting on such a stash of loot. Leading the charge is former rector Helen Dragas, a Virginia Beach business owner who engineered Sullivans brief ouster in 2012 in what Dragas called an existential crisis. She revealed the funding controversy in an essay on The Posts higher education blog, Grade Point, in July, touching off a public and venomous exchange of views. After I contacted her, Dragas, who left her post as rector in July, sent me an email detailing her views. She said that the school denied requests for a detailed accounting of the original sources and originally intended or approved uses. She provided statements from the University of Virginia Investment Management Co. showing University operating funds of $1.64 billion on Dec. 31. The next report, on March 31, showed University Strategic Funds of $1.84 billion, but nothing was listed as operating funds. In other words, operating funds seem to have somehow morphed into a strategic investment fund while adding $200 million or so in interest. In response, the Board of Visitors held a meeting Aug. 14 and 15 at which it selected a committee to examine how the strategic fund was handled. In a telephone interview, William Goodwin, a Richmond businessman who is now rector, said that the money did not come out of operating funds, its been in our endowment for years. Whats next? Dragas and others want immediate tuition cuts even though the school plans a 7.1 percent increase for the 2017-2018 school year. All it means is that the school is charging too much for in-state tuition, said state Sen. John Chapman Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax). I have had thousands of people through my office complaining of tuition hikes. Petersen said that he was highly suspicious of entrenched academic bureaucrats who dislike being questioned. Yet, price tags raise obvious questions. Petersen said that when he started U-Va. law school in the early 1990s, tuition was $4,400. By his last year, it had expanded to $7,000. Today it is $56,000. Why has it grown so much? he asked. Thats a worthy question, but speaking as the father of a recent U-Va. graduate, I believe that critics are going overboard. The school is a great bargain. In-state tuition and fees for 2016-2017 are relatively high at more than $19,000, but that isnt the highest in the state, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. That distinction goes to the College of William & Mary at $21,234. At Virginia Military Institute: $17,492. The real problem here that no one wants to discuss is creeping privatization. It started a decade or so ago, when the cheapskate General Assembly agreed to grant U-Va. less in state funding in exchange for more school autonomy. Doing so put pressure on the university to get more creative with its financial investments and seek more out-of-state students, who pay higher tuition. Another factor is that conservative politicians and alumni dislike the idea of providing free tuition. They are less focused on having the school produce good teachers, nurses and other middle-class workers. Hedge-fund managers, who can donate big money as alumni, might be more like it for them. But that goes against the aim of Thomas Jefferson: to provide Virginians with an excellent education at a public university so they can serve their communities. If there is any existential crisis at the University of Virginia, this is it. By PTI: Melbourne, Aug 18 (PTI) Scientists have for the first time proven that the 5,000-year-old great circles - the earliest standing stone monuments in Britain that predate the Stonehenge - were constructed specifically in line with the movements of the Sun and Moon. Researchers at University of Adelaide in Australia used 2D and 3D technology to construct quantitative tests of the patterns of alignment of the standing stones. advertisement "Nobody before this has ever statistically determined that a single stone circle was constructed with astronomical phenomena in mind - it was all supposition," said project leader Gail Higginbottom, Visiting Research Fellow at University of Adelaide. The researchers examining the oldest great stone circles built in Scotland - Callanish on the Isle of Lewis, and Stenness on Isle of Orkney - both predating Stonehenges standing stones by about 500 years. They found a great concentration of alignments towards the Sun and Moon at different times of their cycles. Two thousand years later in Scotland, much simpler monuments were still being built that had at least one of the same astronomical alignments found at the great circles. The stones, however, are not just connected with the Sun and the Moon. Researchers discovered a complex relationship between the alignment of the stones, the surrounding landscape and horizon, and the movements of the Sun and the Moon across that landscape. "This research is finally proof that the ancient Britons connected the Earth to the sky with their earliest standing stones, and that this practice continued in the same way for 2000 years," said Higginbottom, who is also a Visiting Research Fellow at the Australian National University. Examining sites in detail, it was found that about half the sites were surrounded by one landscape pattern and the other half by the complete reverse. "These chosen surroundings would have influenced the way the Sun and Moon were seen, particularly in the timing of their rising and setting at special times, like when the Moon appears at its most northerly position on the horizon, which only happens every 18.6 years," said Higginbottom. "For example, at 50 per cent of the sites, the northern horizon is relatively higher and closer than the southern and the summer solstice Sun rises out of the highest peak in the north," he said. "At the other 50 per cent of sites, the southern horizon is higher and closer than the northern, with the winter solstice Sun rising out of these highest horizons," he added. "These people chose to erect these great stones very precisely within the landscape and in relation to the astronomy they knew," said Higginbottom. advertisement "They invested a tremendous amount of effort and work to do so. It tells us about their strong connection with their environment, and how important it must have been to them, for their culture and for their cultures survival," he said. The research was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. PTI MHN SAR MHN --- ENDS --- For some of us, the puzzle of this election is not why Donald Trump is doing so badly but why he is doing so well. Given his obvious lack of qualifications, his absurd proposals, his hypocrisy, his obnoxious rhetoric, his sheer incompetence as a candidate, why is he not down 10 points in every state? In other words, who are Trumps voters and why do they stick with him? Sometimes a good writer with a keen eye can provide more insight than a dozen polls. J.D. Vance has done just that in his lovely book Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis. The book has rocketed up the best-seller lists deservedly so. But it has some interesting and important gaps. We all now know that Trumps rise has been fueled by the alienation and anger of the countrys white working class. That cohort has seen its incomes stagnate, cities crumble and dreams vanish. But Vance gets underneath the data and shows us what these impersonal forces mean to actual people. He describes the abandoned children, the poor work habits, the drug abuse, the violence, the rage. But he does it with sympathy and love. They are his family, after all. For Vance, the problem is ultimately cultural, one of values, attitudes and mores. We hillbillies must wake the hell up, he writes, and stop blaming Obama or Bush or faceless companies and ask ourselves what can we do to make things better. His own life story coming from low expectations, dysfunctional relationships and persistent poverty to end up a graduate of Yale Law School and a Silicon Valley executive demonstrates that grit can conquer all. But Vance got some help along the way. He tells us that his public schools were decent enough and, when he got motivated, his teachers helped him succeed. He notes that his trajectory changed when he was admitted to Ohio State University, which he was able to attend because of generous federal loans and grants. And the turning point in the book and his life takes place when he decides to enlist in the Marine Corps. He describes how the armed forces taught him discipline, hard work, high expectations and good values. (When he was contemplating buying a car, an older Marine steered him away from his choice of a flashy BMW and toward a Honda.) Speaking at a campaign rally in Charlotte, N.C., Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump energized voters during his speech where he called for equality for African Americans, gays and Hispanics. (The Washington Post) This is federal bureaucracy engaged in shaping mores and morals, the ultimate example of government as nanny. When so much of what government does is under siege, it is odd that Vance seems to minimize the role that government can play in providing opportunities for others like him. The other, larger gap in Vances book is race. He speaks about the causes of the anxiety and pain of the white working class, but he describes the causes almost entirely in economic terms. Their jobs have disappeared, their wages have stagnated, their lives have become more unstable. But there is surely something else at work here the sense that people who look and sound very different are rising up. Surveys, polls and other research confirm that racial identity and anxiety are at the heart of support for Trump. Vance touches on this sideways, when speaking about the almost pathological suspicion his hillbillies have for Barack Obama. Vance explains that it is because of the presidents accent clean, perfect, neutral his urban background, his success in the meritocracy, his reliability as a father. And, one wants to whisper to Vance, because hes black . After all, over the years the white working class has voted for plenty of Republican and Democratic candidates with fancy degrees and neutral accents. Thats not what makes Obama different. The white working class has always derived some of its status because there was a minority underclass below it. In his seminal work, American Slavery, American Freedom, Edmund Morgan argues that even before the revolution, the introduction of slavery helped dampen class conflict within the white population. No matter how poor you were, there was security in knowing there was someone beneath you. The rage that is fueling the Trump phenomenon is not just about stagnant wages. It is about a way of life under siege, and it risks producing a politics of cultural despair. That phrase was coined by Fritz Stern to describe Germany a century ago. The key to avoiding that fate is not a series of public policies whether tariffs or tax credits but enlightened politics, meaning leadership that does not prey on peoples fears and phobias. Read more from Fareed Zakarias archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Donald Trump points to a supporter at a rally in Mount Pleasant, S.C., in December, when he called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States. (Randall Hill/Reuters) Khaled A. Beydoun is an associate professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and an affiliate faculty member at University of California at Berkeley. Donald Trumps calls for a ban on Muslims entering the United States and, more recently, for extreme vetting of anyone seeking to immigrate to the United States have been condemned as breaks from the nations traditions of religious tolerance and welcoming immigrants. Actually, Trumps proposals reflect a long-standing, if ugly, strain of U.S. immigration policy, one that restricted the entry of Arab and South Asian Muslim immigrants and barred them from becoming citizens until the middle of the 20th century. The Naturalization Act of 1790, which limited citizenship to any alien, being a free white person, drastically restricted the ability of Muslims to become citizens. The requirement meant that immigrants seeking lawful residence and citizenship were compelled to convince authorities that they fit within the statutory definition of whiteness. Arabs, along with Italians, Jews and others, were forced to litigate their identities in line with prevailing conceptions of whiteness which fluctuated according to geographic origin, physical appearance and religion. Courts unwaveringly framed Islam as hostile to American ideals and society, casting Muslim immigrants as outside the bounds of whiteness and a threat to the identity and national security of the United States. During a speech in Youngstown, Ohio, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump outlined some of his plans to defeat the Islamic State and protect the United States. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) Long before 9/11 and the war on terrorism, U.S. courts painted Islam as more than merely a foreign religion, but rather as a rival ideology and enemy race. In a notable 1891 case, the Supreme Court highlighted the intense hostility of the people of Moslem faith to all other sects, and particularly to Christians. Scores of Muslim immigrants were turned away at U.S. ports in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Christian immigrants suspected of secretly being Muslims were also excluded. In 1913, a South Carolina court rejected the citizenship petition of a Lebanese Christian, saying that his skin complexion, about [the color] of walnut, or somewhat darker than is the usual mulatto of one-half mixed blood between the white and the negro races, provided evidence of miscegenation with Muslims. Ahmed Hassan a native of Yemen and the first Arab Muslim to apply for citizenship was denied naturalization in 1942, because, a court said: It cannot be expected that as a class they [meaning Arabs, a term used synonymously with Muslims at the time] would readily intermarry with our population and be assimilated into our civilization. The United States functional ban on Muslim immigration persisted until 1944, two years before Trumps birth. It was shifting U.S. geopolitical interests, not evolving perceptions of racial or religious inclusion, that drove dissolution of the restrictions. The post-World War II era saw the United States in direct competition with the Soviet Union over regions of influence, including the Arab world. The naturalization of Arab Muslim immigrants promoted the broader project of enhancing the United States profile in strategically important nations, most notably oil-rich Saudi Arabia. Indeed, the first court ruling to grant naturalization to an Arab-born Muslim was for a Saudi man, in Ex Parte Mohriez, in 1944 and, even then, based only on the finding that Arabs should be considered part of the white race. Despite the Mohriez decision, the Naturalization Act remained the law of the land until 1952, and restrictive immigration quotas stayed on the books. These quotas sought to preserve the ideal of U.S. homogeneity and prevent the entry of Muslim immigrants. Before 1965, the Muslim American population was overwhelmingly composed of native-born African Americans. The dismantling of the Naturalization Act and immigration quotas opened the door to immigrant Muslims from various corners of the Arab world, South Asia and Africa, boosting the U.S. Muslim population from 200,000 in 1951 to more than 1 million in 1971. Today in the United States, Islam is practiced by 8 million people, a growth rate higher than any other faith group. But the threat of the Islamic State and intensifying Islamophobia has Trump, more openly than any other politician, actively revisiting Americas dark chapter of xenophobia and anti-Muslim animus. In that sense, Make America Great Again is far more than a campaign slogan. It is a racial plea that evokes a time in the United States when whiteness was the legal hallmark of American citizenship, and Muslim identity the embodiment of everything un-American. On Jan. 8, 1810, Francis Scott Key bustled up Capitol Hill to the Circuit Court for the District of Columbia. An aspiring lawyer, at 30, Key was known as an evangelical Episcopalian who considered slavery inhumane and the slave trade an outright evil. He was going to file some of the first slave petitions for freedom he had handled, including one for Priscilla Queen against the Rev. Francis Neale a Jesuit priest, a slaveholder and the incoming president of Georgetown College. Georgetown University recently and frankly acknowledged its slaveholding past. We are seeing the messy arrangements of slavery in surprising corners of American life. Queens case against Georgetowns slaveholding president was a pivotal moment in the perpetuation of slavery. In 1838, the Jesuit priests and founders of Georgetown sold 272 slaves to sugar planters in Louisiana and used the proceeds to stabilize the colleges rickety finances. But for years after the American Revolution, the Jesuits fought in courts to protect their hold on slaves. Georgetowns president and colleagues were not alone in defending slavery. Even so, the effects of their particular actions deserve close scrutiny. American Jesuits were neither accidental nor inconsequential slaveholders. Eventually accumulating nearly 13,000 acres and more than 200 slaves on at least five Maryland plantations, the Jesuit priests formed a corporation that managed their estates, along with Georgetown College, like a trust. One of its founders, the Rev. John Ashton, took over the management of the nearby White Marsh plantation in 1767 and remained its proprietor for 39 years. In the 1790s, at least 24 members of the Queen family sued Ashton for their freedom in Prince Georges County, arguing that their ancestor was a free woman of color who was an indentured servant. Witnesses testified to a disturbing but essential truth in these cases: that the slaveholding priests were blind and deaf to her claim, thus trapping Queen and three generations of her descendants. Initially, the Queens litigation was successful. Ned Queen, Priscillas cousin, won his suit against Ashton, and one branch of the family gained immediate freedom. Neds lawyers, Philip Barton Key (Franciss uncle) and Gabriel Duvall (a future Supreme Court justice), used hearsay evidence about his grandmothers status, and they persuaded the Maryland general courts of appeal to allow secondhand testimony in exceptional cases such as freedom suits, in which an individuals personal liberty was on the line. Enslaved families and their lawyers spoke publicly against the inhumanity of slavery. Slavery is incompatible with every principle of religion and morality, one lawyer told the jury. It is unnatural and contrary to the maxims of political law, more especially in this country, where we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal. As dozens of slaves went to court, the Jesuits took their own quiet but decisive steps. They paid Philip Barton Key to quit representing enslaved families on their plantations, as they put it, to stop the mouth of lawyer Key. Although Key appears to have accepted the retainer, he continued to represent the Queens in the 21 cases he had filed earlier in Prince Georges. All were freed. But another branch of the Queen family remained enslaved. Locked in a battle with Ashton over the court costs, the Georgetown trustees, including Rev. Neale, began considering selling various White Marsh slaves. Georgia traders were beginning to show up in Prince Georges. When Neale moved to Georgetown, Priscilla Queen seized the moment and filed her petition for freedom. So, Neale has the unflattering distinction of being one of the last in a long line of Jesuit priests sued by his enslaved property. Neither Francis Scott Keys plea nor the Queens previous legal successes won the day. The D.C. justices applied the hearsay rule more strictly than the judges had in the Maryland courts and disallowed much of the favorable testimony used in Neds case. The ruling was a crushing blow. Priscilla Queens enslavement continued. Worse, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that hearsay could not be used when slaves petitioned for their freedom because slaves were nothing more than property. An avenue of freedom closed as quickly as it had opened. The Jesuits held on to their slaves for 25 more years. But the effects of their stubborn litigation lasted much longer, helping to deflect the momentum of emancipation after the American Revolution and to solidify the legal principle of slavery as a matter of property. These legacies need reconciliation 200 years later. Georgetown Universitys leaders are taking valuable steps, but the responsibility is not solely theirs. Reconciliation will require an honest reckoning with the past. We will need to ask difficult and unavoidable questions about what reconciliation means for the families whose freedom was delayed. We need to know more about these families and what happened to them. Then we can ask how an institution, such as Georgetown, might resolve its role in perpetuating slavery. Its time we see and hear these stories and repair the history we share. The writer is a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation fellow. Catherine Steiner-Adair is the author of The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age. They all lurk out there in the cyber-world: perverts, predators, bullies. But the scariest threat may lie within ourselves. Author Mary Aiken warns that as the Internet increasingly dominates our world, our life online is fundamentally changing the way we behave as humans. We can look away, we can deny it, but the more were online, the more compulsive, more secretive, more cruel and more disconnected from our better selves we are liable to become. This cyber-effect not only threatens adults but also is influencing our children and the kind of grown-ups they will be. Aiken, a leading forensic psychologist, is perhaps more popularly known as the inspiration for the TV crime drama CSI: Cyber. In her book, The Cyber Effect, she offers a fresh voice and a uniquely compelling perspective that draws from the murky, fascinating depths of her criminal case file and her insight as a cyber-psychologist an expert on human behavior in the cyber-realm. She shows us the patterns of our online behavior were either too close to see or too uncomfortable to acknowledge. Who are we in the impulsive, disinhibiting, unfettered freedom of the cyber-environment, and whats at stake in the consequences? (Spiegel & Grau ) Her job, as she says, is to be armed with facts, evidence and insights about potential risks so I can be prepared for the worst-case scenario. As we say in risk assessment, Start at the apocalypse and work back. Her book offers a critical crash course in Cyber Psych 101, outlining core risky behaviors, why we engage, why we are vulnerable and why we cant ignore the evidence of damaging cyber-effects any longer. Shes no alarmist, though she finds the evidence alarming: From my perspective this is an emergency. Aiken is at her best when she uses her forensic lens to interpret material from across disciplines of applied psychology (behavioral, cognitive, social, evolutionary) as well as other fields of science, history, literature and popular culture. She uses the science of human behavior to define cyberspace as a unique environment an actual space not simply a virtual extension of the pre-digital world and our characteristic behaviors there. Yes, we still hang out, connect, flirt, fight, learn, do business and do good online. But disinhibition and anonymity in cyberspace foster a particular pattern of impulsivity, careless or inflammatory expression, social cruelty, deception, exploitation and vulnerability. Consider the unsettling phenomenon of ubiquitous victimology, in which the criminals are well hidden but you arent. That extends from the ordinary streets of online life to the deep, criminal underground where predators roam and perps hawk illicit wares from drugs, guns and hired assassins to trafficked humans and tools for terrorism. Forget reality TV, this is reality. And its a mouse click away from your living room and your curious child. Our real-world senses do not serve or protect us adequately in cyberspace, Aiken warns. As humans, were caught in the gap between evolution and a sea change in our environment. Our instincts for appraising mates, pals and trustworthy others are visceral, designed by nature for face-to-face, embodied interaction in a physical environment. They fail to pick up signals when we meet in the cyber-realm. Without those protective filters, and unaware that theyve been disabled, were vulnerable in new ways. Connecting online feels so easy and natural that we come to assume a newfound sameness and closeness with strangers. This phenomenon of online syndication, as Aiken calls it using the Internet to find others we think are like-minded and to normalize and socialize underlying tendencies is a setup for easy disaster, as Aiken shows in her examples of people caught in cyber-crises: humiliating exchanges or exposure, debt, love affairs, fetishes, porn and gaming addictions, or the lure of criminal behavior. They fail to see the big disconnect between who they are in real life and who they are online, and the gap is fraught with consequences. We see examples in the headlines every day, but Aiken also supplies more direct summary evidence. For example, earlier this year Britains National Crime Agency reported a six-fold increase in online-dating-related rape offenses over the previous five years, with 71 percent of the rapes occurring on the first date. Potential explanations offered in the report included that people feel disinhibited online and engage in conversations that quickly become sexual in nature, which can lead to mismatched expectations on the first date. But this is more than a catalogue of crime stories, stats and scientific findings. Aiken presents a common language a glossary of terms to describe the emerging concepts we need to understand to make headway on these issues. To familiar terms like cyberspace and cyberbullying she adds more than dozen new ones that effectively define distinct aspects of this evolving behavioral territory. Cyberromance and cyberinfidelity might seem obvious in their meaning, but they represent more than the addition of a trendy prefix. The behaviors, dynamics and consequences of each present an identifiable pattern in which cyber-actions play a unique, defining and often destructive role in our intimate relationships. Or if youve ever gone online to seek medical information about a cough or a bug bite, you know that in todays online diagnostic milieu, a quick search of a symptom can deliver an astonishing array of terrible possibilities. Maybe youve felt an impulse to keep clicking, keep searching, whether out of curiosity or growing anxiety. It can be a swift, slippery slope to cyberchondria, Aiken explains, in which an individual habitually and compulsively conducts health-related searches and finds only more and more catastrophic things to obsess about for themselves. The online ease makes it simple to extend that behavior on behalf of friends cyberchondria by proxy. Aikens psychologically sophisticated delineation of the process of cyber-migration, in which online behaviors become socially acceptable in real life, enables us to see clearly the insidious processes that are changing fundamental aspects of human relationships and potentially, she warns, the course of humanity. Since smartphones became ubiquitous appendages, weve fragmented our attention continuously, even compulsively, tuning out our immediate surroundings or conversations to text, check emails, shop or play games. Well ignore our babys gaze or our childs needs to fixate on our screens. As Aiken notes, our devices are so compelling that they can overwhelm basic human instincts. The chapters devoted to children are more of a look back than fresh reporting. They succeed, however, in sharing long-established evidence for those who arent familiar with it, and for those who are, gathering it in one place to make the case again. Aiken is concerned for childrens development, health and safety in a cyber-environment that replaces face-to-face interaction with online engagement and includes easy access to pornography and hyper-stimulating, addictive activity. The evidence is in, she says, and it shows conclusively that there are windows in the formative years when very specific skills need to be learned. When those developmental windows close, a child may be developmentally or emotionally crippled for life. The often-chilling detail from her casework is ample evidence, as she writes, that the Internet is clearly, unmistakably, and emphatically an adult environment. It simply wasnt designed for children. So why are they there? Indeed, why are we giving kids keys to the Internet? Who would ever think its a good idea for children to have miniature computers in their pockets that can take them anywhere online, unsupervised and unprotected? Aiken describes the lack of regulation, accountability, privacy and protection for children caught in this digital transition as a crime against innocence. It represents a massive seduction of parents and other adults who should know better, she argues. Her forensic perspective compels us all to demand better protection, reminding us that children ages 4 through 12 are the most vulnerable population on the Web. Aiken laments that public concern and public policy have been muted, or mired in denial or debate over freedom vs. protections, in what she refers to as a lawless cyber-jungle. Fortunately, at least part of her audience is already working as passionately as she is for responsible change. In the past decade, science has given us an impressive body of literature that fuels the conversation about concern and caution. Illuminating books and blogs by psychologists, educators, scientists, physicians, journalists, parents and even kids have brought additional insight and urgency to the mix. An expanding movement in the United States and internationally is engaged in revamping core curriculum to prepare children to be savvy consumers of and participants in the digital domain. The Cyber Effect gives activists authoritative evidence and a rallying cry to bolster their work. This is Aikens cyber cri de coeur as a forensic scientist, and she wants everyone on the case. Its not enough to bemoan our kids missteps and vulnerability, or our own, in the cyber-realm. We have to act. As Aiken sees it, we have to hold the tech industry and policymakers to a higher, human standard. Its not that cyberspace or our devices are malevolent by design, but rather that we need to consider our own proclivities and the cyber-effect that can bring out our most vulnerable selves or our worst selves. Its time we used our extraordinary connectivity for collective action to develop policies and regulations that aim to create a safer cyber-environment for children and the rest of us, Aiken writes a Magna Carta for the cyber-world. We cannot stand by passively and watch the cyber social experiment play out, she warns. In human terms, to wait is to allow for the worst outcomes. We get it. It's hot outside. But cool weather is coming, even though we can't promise exactly when. In the meantime you can chill out with our quiz on snow, ice and the coldest weather in history. With Latinos making up just 2 percent of its voters, Georgia isnt usually a place where presidential campaigns go looking for Hispanic support. But as she pulls away from Donald Trump in traditional battlegrounds, Hillary Clinton is aggressively wooing Latino voters here and in other states with smaller Hispanic populations in hopes of expanding her margins in November. The efforts in states such as Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania illustrate the extent to which Latinos are transforming electoral politics beyond competitive states that they have long dominated, including Colorado, Florida and Nevada. You dont take for granted the Latino community in these states that arent traditional battleground states, because when youre deciding states by one, two or four percentage points, you have to lean on them, said Lorella Praeli, the Clinton campaigns director of Latino voter outreach. You have to be communicating to them bilingually; you need to be sophisticated enough to talk about the issues they care about in the state. As Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tries to rally Hispanic voters in battleground states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina, the Posts Ed OKeefe explains what her running mate Tim Kaines ability to speak Spanish brings to her campaign. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) The Clinton campaign announced plans this month to invest more money and manpower in Georgia and Arizona, buoyed by recent surveys showing her trailing Trump by single digits because of overwhelming Hispanic support. How exactly Clinton plans to campaign and organize in those two states which havent been won by a Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton in 1992 (Georgia) and 1996 (Arizona) is up for debate, according to campaign officials and Democrats in both states. It cant happen without voters like Arturo Cerezo. A legal immigrant from Mexico, he decided to become a U.S. citizen and register to vote this year after he and his wife heard Trump again say something about deporting immigrants. [Clinton expands battleground state map with push in Arizona, Georgia] We dont know what this guy is going to do in the future, so we said, Why not get our citizenship now just in case? Cerezo said recently after he took the Oath of Allegiance at a federal building in Atlanta. We have to express our disapproval by voting, he added. I dont know how the process works, but I will do whatever I need to do. Thanks to Trumps harsh anti-immigration positions and rhetoric, polls show Hispanics are poised to vote this year for Clinton in overwhelming numbers. But as Cerezo suggested, many will be first-time voters or may struggle to grasp basic details of when and where to vote. Thats why the Clinton campaign recently hired Jheison Nieto, a former Senate aide, to lead Latino voter outreach in Pennsylvania and Irene Godinez, a former Planned Parenthood official, to do the same in North Carolina. Albert Morales, a former Democratic National Committee official who was responsible for Hispanic voter engagement, said neither of President Obamas campaigns had Latino voter directors in those states. Given Clintons current strength in states such as Colorado, Virginia and Pennsylvania, theyre hiring because theyre not having to spend millions of dollars on TV in Colorado or in the Philadelphia market, he said. Gaspar Sanchez, at the Atlanta office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, on Aug. 10, 2016. Becoming a U.S. citizen and voting in will be a very big weight off my shoulders, he said. (Kevin D. Liles/For the Washington Post) Other Latino leaders were more measured in response to Clintons moves. Arturo Vargas, executive director of the nonpartisan National Association of Latino Elected Officials, faulted her campaign for extending its Latino voter outreach into new areas only as those states come into play. This strategy still ignores the vast majority of the Latino electorate. We are not a three-state or seven-state population. We are a 50-state population and Puerto Rico. Despite attempts by GOP leaders to improve Hispanic outreach, Trump has done little to cultivate Latinos. In the past week, the Republican National Committee launched a new online campaign to reach Hispanics with a series of videos explaining GOP policy positions. But a new Fox News Latino poll showed Latino party identification shifting further toward Democrats, in part because of Trumps rhetoric. Sixty percent of Hispanics identify with Democrats and 21 percent with Republicans a six-point swing since 2012, the poll said. In Georgia, there were 92,000 Latinos registered to vote at the beginning of the year just 2 percent of the states 4.7 million registered voters, according to the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. That number has nearly tripled since 2004. [The mainstream response to Trump affirms Latino political power] The Latino voting population could be 8 percent, but they dont all vote at that rate, said Stacey Abrams, the Georgia House Democratic leader who also leads the nonpartisan New Georgia Project. Her group has spent the past two years registering minority voters, especially the states African American population, but is now partnering with other organizations to register the fast-growing immigrant populations in the Atlanta metro area. If you just hold steady and increase just a little bit in those populations, add that to the African American vote and add it to the white progressive vote, thats your victory, Abrams said. To the extent investment comes to Georgia, and particularly the work were able to do down-ballot, you not only elect Hillary Clinton, you activate voters in those pockets of minority voters where you can take state House races. Nearly half of Georgias 1 million Latinos are undocumented immigrants, and civic leaders pushing for broader Hispanic civic engagement said that focusing on Trumps comments about building a Mexican border wall or keeping out Muslim immigrants is likely to resonate. When either campaign mentions something about immigration, Latinos in Georgia have been paying attention, said Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the nonpartisan Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO). Praeli said the campaigns outreach efforts in Arizona and Georgia are likely to mirror what is underway elsewhere. During the Democratic primary campaign in Nevada, the Clinton campaign focused on organizing Hispanic women, encouraging them to find friends and close relatives to join the campaign and airing a television ad that showed Clinton comforting the daughter of undocumented immigrants. In Pennsylvania, the campaign is touting her economic message as it mobilizes Puerto Rican transplants who fled the islands economic woes. Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania are found primarily along the 222 corridor a squiggly stretch that runs along a state highway with that number from Bethlehem in the east through northern neighborhoods of Philadelphia and south toward Lancaster. The region has been a magnet for Puerto Ricans seeking manufacturing and farming jobs and a lower cost of living compared with traditional enclaves in New York, New Jersey and Florida. [Tim Kaine can speak Spanish. But most Hispanics dont care.] In Colorado, North Carolina and elsewhere, campaign officials said that dreamers the children of undocumented immigrants will be recruited to knock on doors and persuade registered Hispanic voters, especially those living in mixed-status households, to vote for Clinton. Here in Georgia, much of the legwork of finding new Latino voters is done by groups such as GALEO, which has deployed staffers and volunteers to towns such as Gainesville, a poultry industry mecca that is home to thousands of working-class Hispanic families. The outreach also happens at citizenship ceremonies held by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. At the federal agencys Atlanta office last week, volunteers from GALEO and the nonpartisan League of Women Voters waited to sign up freshly minted citizens. State officials established the program as a way to ensure that new citizens have an easier time submitting voter registration forms that comply with a strict voter-ID law. Cerezo was one of 114 immigrants from 51 countries who took the Oath of Allegiance in a ceremony that lasted 15 minutes. When it was over, 93 of the new citizens walked into an adjoining room and registered to vote. Weve lived here for a long time and we now have obligations and rights, and we should do this, said Idelson Castillo, 54, a Peruvian immigrant who owns a local HVAC company. He said he will vote for Clinton because my kids are already Democrats. Gaspar Sanchez came in 1989 from Guatemala and said that Trump is throwing all of us Spanish-speaking people under the bridge. We work hard in this country. . . . When he threatens all Latinos, it gives me a bad feeling. He said he doesnt know much about Clinton because I dont have time to watch the news. But from what he knows of her so far, he said, it seems that she will make the country better. Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the number of years the New Georgia Project has been registering minority voters. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton speaks at a press conference announcing a new initiative between the Clinton Foundation, United Nations Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies in December 2014. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images) The Clinton Foundation announced Thursday that it would no longer accept donations from corporations or foreign entities if Hillary Clinton is elected president. The decision comes amid mounting criticism of how the foundation operated during her tenure as secretary of state, potentially allowing donors to seek special access through her government post. Former president Bill Clinton also announced to staff Thursday that the final meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative would be held in September in New York City, regardless of the outcome of the election. A spokesman for the foundation confirmed the decisions, which were first reported by the Associated Press. The moves also come amid new allegations that foundation donors may have been given favored access while Hillary Clinton ran the State Department. Republican nominee Donald Trump has been highly critical of the foundation for accepting money from foreign governments in particular Saudi Arabia, saying the contributions undermine Clintons record on womens rights. Former president Bill Clinton speaks to participants in the annual gathering of the Clinton Global Initiative America, which is a part of the Clinton Foundation, in Denver in 2015. (Brennan Linsley/AP) CGI, launched in 2005, is an arm of the foundation that hosts gatherings bringing together government leaders, private companies and not-for-profit organizations to discuss ways to solve the worlds problems. The initiatives chief event is an annual meeting in New York City, tied to the United Nations General Assembly. The meetings provide networking opportunities for participants and a forum for private companies to make pledges to conduct charitable projects around the world, monitored by the Clinton Foundation. The Clintons have long acknowledged that significant changes would need to be made to the foundation in the event that she is elected. Therell clearly be some changes in what the Clinton Foundation does and how we do it, and well just have to cross that bridge when we come to it, Bill Clinton said at a CGI event in Atlanta in June. [Two Clintons, 41 years, $3 billion: Inside the Clinton donor network.] According to a newly released batch of emails obtained by the conservative group Judicial Watch through a public records lawsuit, a foundation aide asked State Department staff to arrange a meeting on behalf of a foundation donor, a wealthy Nigerian businessman of Lebanese descent who had donated between $1 million and $5 million, according to disclosure reports. The official said that he never connected with the businessman and denied that anyone had asked him to meet with the man. Bill Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, sit during their visit to the Ramotsa Clinic in Hammanskraal, near Pretoria in 2013. The former president was visiting Clinton Foundation projects in Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Africa. ( Stringer . / Reuters/REUTERS) Following the release last week, Trump accused Clinton of breaking the law and engaging in pay to play practices. Trump and his family members have donated to the foundation in the past. When asked about it on the campaign trail, he has said that he regrets doing so, accusing the foundation of mismanaging its finances. The Boston Globes editorial board called on the Clintons this week to shutter the foundation if she became president, saying it would pose an unacceptable conflict, given that some donors were foreign governments and corporations. The inherent conflict of interest was obvious when Hillary Clinton became secretary of state in 2009, the Globe wrote. She promised to maintain a separation between her official work and the foundation, but recently released emails written by staffers during her State Department tenure make clear that the supposed partition was far from impregnable. [Foreign governments gave millions to foundation while Clinton was at State] The sentiment was echoed by Clinton ally and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell in a recent interview with the New York Daily News. Itd be impossible to keep the foundation open without at least the appearance of a problem, Rendell said. The foundation, which was renamed the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation after Hillary Clinton left the State Department, has operated since 1997 and expanded in subsequent years into an international charity. It has never previously restricted contributions from foreign citizens and companies or domestic corporations. After Hillary Clinton launched her presidential campaign in 2015, she stepped down from the board, and the foundation promised to disclose its donors more frequently and limit foreign governments that could donate to a select list engaged in particular projects. The foundation had also put in place certain restrictions on accepting donations from foreign governments while Clinton was secretary of state. It said it would seek State Department approval for any new foreign government donations or any substantial increase in donations from a preexisting government donor. But the rules did not prevent the foundation from accepting millions of dollars in foreign government donations while she was in office. A 2015 Washington Post report also revealed a government donation that was not properly submitted to the State Department for approval. According to a 2015 Post analysis of foundation donors, a third of contributors who had given more than $1 million were foreign governments or other entities based outside the United States. Jose A. DelReal contributed to this report. Paul Manafort, known to his friends as having a pricey lifestyle with tailored suits, choice seats at Yankee Stadium and a house in the Hamptons, appeared to experience some turbulence in 2004. A Florida horse farm he owned with his wife faced the threat of foreclosure, according to property records, and he used his Virginia house as collateral for a quarter-million-dollar loan. After bursting on the Washington scene in the 1970s and 1980s working for the likes of Gerald R. Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, his political consulting career had largely disappeared from view. In 2005, Manaforts fortunes seemed to improve. He signed on as an adviser to a Ukrainian steel magnate, who, according to people who worked there with Manafort, connected him with one of the countrys most powerful politicians, Viktor Yanukovych. Back home, corporations linked to Manafort purchased a unit in Trump Tower for $3.7 million and then two other high-priced apartments in New York, while Manafort and his wife bought a new house in Florida. This spring, Manafort returned to the U.S. spotlight from the wilderness of Eastern European politics and business to run Republican Donald Trumps presidential campaign. Manafort was considered a steady professional who could stabilize the chaotic operation, while the campaign offered him a chance to reclaim a major role in U.S. politics. Manaforts reentry sputtered this week as Trump diminished his role, selecting two other strategists to take charge even as Manafort retained his title of chairman. As a lobbyist and political consultant in the 1980s, Donald Trumps campaign chairman Paul Manafort worked with international clients that included two dictators who were then allied with the United States. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) The campaign shake-up followed reports this week that Manaforts name had surfaced in an inquiry by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. The agency has been investigating claims that Yanukovych, who won the presidency with Manaforts help in 2010, and others aligned with his Party of Regions stole up to $100 billion in assets before Yanukovych fled to Russia in 2014. Investigators said this week that they discovered a black ledger showing that $12.7 million had been designated for Manafort between 2007 and 2012 by Yanukovychs party. The anti-corruption agency published a list Thursday on its Facebook page of the alleged payments, showing 22 installments assigned to Manafort. Manafort issued a strong denial this week in response to reports of the alleged payments, saying that he never received a single off-the-books cash payment and that he never represented the governments of Ukraine or Russia. He said his firm received payments for political work in the country, and called the alleged secret cash payments, first reported by the New York Times, unfounded, silly and nonsensical. Neither Manafort nor his attorney responded to requests for further comment. The discovery of the ledger could trigger scrutiny of Manaforts connections to Ukraine by FBI officials, who have been on the ground in Kiev working under a June agreement with the anti-corruption agency. FBI officials declined to comment on the specifics of the agencys involvement. Peter Carr, a spokesman, said that we remain committed to helping recover stolen assets on behalf of the people of Ukraine. Paul Manafort, chairman of Donald Trumps presidential campaign, talks to reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 17. (Matt Rourke/Associated Press) Manaforts 2005 entry into Ukrainian politics and finances came when he signed on as an adviser to the steel magnate Rinat Akhmetov, one of Ukraines richest oligarchs and a key supporter of Yanukovych and the Party of Regions, according to interviews with Ukrainians and Americans who worked with Manafort. Manaforts first job was to burnish the local and international reputation of a company owned by Akhmetov based in the Russian-speaking industrial Donetsk region. Akhmetov was one of several oligarchs involved with the Party of Regions, which was led largely by men who made a quick fortune after the Soviet Union dissolved and Ukraine became a financial free-for-all. The report said that a third of the 50 wealthiest oligarchs in Ukraine belonged to the party and together had an estimated wealth of $35.4 billion, according to a report by the private intelligence firm Stratfor. Over time, Manaforts role with the party expanded. He was tasked with rehabilitating the image of the partys leader, Yanukovych, who had been imprisoned twice, according to people familiar with Manaforts work there. It was, in the words of John E. Herbst, the U.S. ambassador at the time, an extreme makeover, according to a cable he sent Washington that was subsequently published by the WikiLeaks organization. Manafort and half a dozen businessmen, lawyers and political analysts involved in Ukraine at the time brought discipline and focus that the Yanukovych-led campaigns had lacked. He got Yanukovych to comb his hair better, to stay on message during public appearances and to adopt the kind of sharp rhetoric that had worked so well for Manaforts mentor, Republican strategist Lee Atwater. Paul gave the team a belief in victory, said Hanna Herman, a former press secretary and close adviser to Yanukovych. That was his higher purpose. Then all the professional American tactics he brought also helped. Taras Chornovil, a former member of the Party of Regions, recalled in an interview how Manafort provided image consulting to Yanukovych and members of his party during the parliamentary elections of 2006 and 2007, seeking to soften the edges of politicians from the rough industrial cities in Ukraines southeast. He drilled them on talking points and told them what suits to wear. He tried to control everything, Chornovil recalled. How people who represented the party would be dressed, the words they said, their makeup and the stylists. Every small detail. Yevgen Kopachko, a pollster who worked with Yanukovych on parliamentary and presidential campaigns, said that Manafort had a phenomenal ability to work with sociological information. Ukrainian political consultants said that Yanukovych grew to trust Manafort, and that Yanukovychs victory in the 2010 presidential election was considered proof that Manaforts approach was successful. Since Yanukovych became president, that means he worked pretty effectively, said Boris Kolesnikov, a former Party of Regions lawmaker and Yanukovych ally. In Washington, Manafort and his team met with State Department officials and other opinion leaders to convince them that Yanukovych was a pro-Western democrat who supported NATO and was willing to work more closely with Washington, said several colleagues and former U.S. officials. Manafort tried to influence U.S. officials into thinking that Yanukovych was redeemable, a guy who could be oriented toward the West, said one former senior State Department official who met with him at the time and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Manafort did not, however, register as a foreign agent or as a lobbyist in Washington for his work with Ukraine. Two well-known Washington firms that helped with the Ukrainian lobbying effort Mercury LLC and the Podesta Group registered as lobbyists but not as foreign agents. Although it is common for U.S. political consultants to work for overseas candidates and political parties, ethics experts say that anyone who is directly paid by a foreign government or political party for work in the United States must register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Officials at Mercury, a Republican-leaning firm, and Podesta, a Democratic-oriented firm led by Tony Podesta, the brother of Hillary Clinton adviser John D. Podesta, said they received signed assurances that the money they received came from a Brussels-based nonprofit called the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine, not from any government or political party. The two lobbying firms, whose work linked to Manafort was first reported by the Associated Press, registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act rather than the Foreign Agents Registration Act on the advice of an attorney. Had the firms been advised that the foreign-agent registry was appropriate, we would have gladly registered under FARA, said Kimberley Fritts, chief executive of the Podesta Group. As Manafort built a political consulting practice in Ukraine, he also developed financial connections with wealthy figures in the region, some of whom face ongoing scrutiny from the Justice Department. In 2008, he tried to develop an $850 million Manhattan luxury apartment project with Dmitry Firtash, a Ukrainian energy tycoon with a history of legal trouble. U.S. prosecutors charged Firtash in 2013 with money-laundering and bribery as part of a broad international corruption investigation and have sought his extradition, although Firtashs attorneys have called the effort politically motivated. Manaforts alleged role in the deal was detailed in documents submitted as part of a 2011 New York lawsuit that accused Firtash of working with Manafort and others to invest ill-gotten profits from energy transactions in Ukraine. Manafort denied wrongdoing, and the case against Manafort and Firtashs energy company ultimately was dismissed. In another business venture, Oleg Deripaska, a Russian aluminum magnate, accused Manafort in a court in the Cayman Islands of taking nearly $19 million intended for investments, then not accounting for the money, returning it or responding to numerous inquiries about exactly how the money was used. In his legal filing, Deripaska said he expected that the money would be used to make acquisitions in Russia, Ukraine and other countries in eastern and southern Europe. Instead, the petition argues, the partnership made only one purchase: buying a stake in Ukrainian cable television and Internet ventures. Deripaska, squeezed by the 2008 credit crunch, asked for the partnership to be liquidated and his money returned, according to Deripaskas petition. But the filing said it was unclear who was controlling the Ukrainian cable TV and Internet assets and what happened to the money Deripaska initially provided. Richard Hibey, Manaforts attorney, did not respond to repeated Washington Post requests for comment on the current status of the dispute. Manaforts financial connections to the region, along with those of other top Trump advisers, have fueled concerns among U.S. national security experts about Trumps foreign policy positions, which included praising Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressing some doubt about the U.S. commitment to NATO countries that have not paid their share of defense costs. As the controversy regarding Manafort and Ukraine swelled this week, Manafort said he had cut his ties with his Ukrainian client in 2014. But colleagues in Kiev and Moscow said he continued to work for the Party of Regions, now called the Opposition Bloc, led by Yanukovychs former chief of staff, and was seen in the country as recently as last year. He was with the Opposition Bloc, said one colleague who said he saw him in Kiev in October, adding that Manafort said he was in Kiev to negotiate for money he was owed for consulting with the new party. Ukrainian business registration records reviewed by The Post show that Manafort did not officially close his business in Kiev until April 2016, the month after he joined the Trump campaign. Roth reported from Kiev. Natalie Gryvnyak in Kiev, and Rosalind S. Helderman, Alice Crites and Anu Narayanswamy in Washington contributed to this report. A trial court in court Delhi questioned the Central Bureau of Investigation over delays in filing the chargesheet in Antrix-Devas deal and obtaining subsequent permissions. By Anusha Soni: A trial court in court Delhi questioned the Central Bureau of Investigation over delays in filing the chargesheet in Antrix-Devas deal and obtaining subsequent permissions. Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar asked the CBI as to why it took such a long time when the FIR was filed much earlier. CBI has sought more time to seek sanctions under CRPC 197 to prosecute former senior ISRO officials including the former Chairman. advertisement The trial court has granted one month time to get appropriate government sanctions to prosecute ISRO officials.The court will take cognisance of chargesheet on September 29. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the Antrix-Devas deal and had named ex-ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair and other senior officials as accused. The CBI has alleged loss of Rs 578 crore to the exchequer. THE CASE CBI has registered an FIR against KR Sridhara Murthi, former executive director of Antrix, MG Chandrasekhar and R Vishwanathan of Forge Advisors, Devas Private Limited and unnamed officials of Antrix, ISRO and the department of space . The CBI has alleged ISRO officials had entered into a criminal conspiracy and favoured Devas by giving them multimedia rights. Devas, Ann Indian Company headquartered in Bangalore had taken Antrix and the government to the International Court after its contract was cancelled by the cabinet committee on security in 2011. Antrix had earlier been slapped with a fine of about Rs 4,400 crore by the International Arbitration Court for unilaterally terminating the contract with Devas. Devas was planning to use an ISRO owned spectrum to launch satellite-based multimedia services. --- ENDS --- Student Adama Athie, left, sits next to Ibrahima Thiaw, 50, center, and fellow students, Djidere Balde, Madick Gueye, Pape Leity Diop and Aicha Kamite off the shore of Goree Island in Dakar, Senegal in May. (Jane Hahn/For The Washington Post) The archaeologist rose in the bow of the speedboat, pointing to the choppy waters where the 18th-century slave ship had gone down. Its somewhere over there, Ibrahima Thiaw said. Off the western tip of mainland Africa lie some of the most important vestiges of the transatlantic slave trade: the wreckage of ships that sank, carrying thousands of African men, women and children to the Americas. But despite historians immense interest in that period, no one has ever tried to excavate them. Until now. For years, the wrecks were considered too hard to find. The work was too expensive. And few African researchers were willing to take on the project in countries where the slave trade is often considered a source of shame not a subject worthy of study. Thiaw, a tall 50-year-old archaeologist from rural Senegal, is one of the pioneers trying to find the wrecks. There has been only one known excavation of a ship that went down off the African coast while carrying slaves the Sao Jose, found thousands of miles away, off South Africa. Artifacts from the vessel will be displayed at the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture, opening next month. Thiaw hopes his discoveries will eventually be featured by the museum, too. The stories that will help us understand the slave trade, this crucial moment in human history, are down there, Thiaw said, gazing from the boat into the Atlantic Ocean as he began the search on a bright day in May. But as he would discover over the following months, it wouldnt be easy. [Haunting relics from a slave ship are headed for African American museum] Senegal was a major exporter of slaves for about 400 years. When Thiaw was in school, though, that history was barely discussed. As a boy, he visited Goree Island, just off the coast of Dakar, where a tour guide told him about the slaves waiting, shackled, for boats headed for the Americas. After listening to him, he recalled, I screamed. It was the beginning of an obsession. His parents were farmers, but Thiaw decided to be an archaeologist, studying at the University of Dakar and then earning a PhD at Rice University in Houston. Some of his friends and family joked that he was searching for garbage. Senegal had became known worldwide for its landmarks of the slave trade, particularly on Goree, a major entrepot, or trading center. But the scholarship turned out to be shaky. In the 1990s, American researchers claimed that those sites had been misidentified. The famed Door of No Return was not in fact a final departure point for slaves, they said, but probably just a door in a private residence. For Thiaw, the controversy reinforced his commitment to archaeological research. I decided I would find my own true stories, he recalled. [What Obama really saw at the Door of No Return] The shores of Goree Island in Dakar, Senegal on Thurs., May 5, 2016. (Jane Hahn/For The Washington Post) In 2000, Thiaw did some research on Goree Island that helped explain how and where slaves lived, and supported the idea that the island was probably a major employer of domestic slaves, not just an exporter. He found a shackle that he keeps in a box in his office. But many of the islands relics had been worn down by tourism or buried under construction. He came to realize that some of the most meaningful artifacts of the slave trade were elsewhere. More than 1,000 slave ships had sunk around the world, according to archival records. Archaeologists had barely scratched the surface of what they held. Thiaw had one logistical problem, though: He didnt know how to swim. So two years ago, an instructor taught him to paddle. A few months later, he was enrolled in a scuba-diving course. A few months after that, he helped teach his graduate students at Cheikh Anta Diop University to dive, too. His timing was perfect. The Smithsonian had just announced funding for research on the slave trade, as part of the international Slave Wrecks Project. Suddenly, Thiaw had a benefactor, at least for the first phase of the work, which cost about $35,000. We needed a committed archaeologist who wanted to bring his work underwater, said Paul Gardullo, curator of the new African American History Museum. Thats Ibrahima. In May, Thiaw and six of his graduate students boarded a boat off a Dakar beach and sped into the Atlantic chop for their first research voyage. The archaeologist handed out typewritten pages to his students with the names of boats. There were two French vessels, the Nanette and the Bonne Amitie, that had disappeared in 1774 and 1790. There was a British sloop called Racehorse that had vanished in November 1780. All were thought to have sunk just miles off the coast. And there were hints of many others. Theres so much down there, Thiaw said eagerly. He and his team dragged a torpedo-shaped device along the ocean floor that held a magnetometer, which can detect buried metal. The data from the device would be sent for analysis to South Africa. Once enough evidence emerged that a wreck had been found, the team would start intensive diving. No one on the team wanted to think about how long their quest might last, or whether their funding would be sufficient. It took researchers more than a decade to locate and document the remains of the Sao Jose off Cape Town, South Africa. That discovery was announced only last year. But for Thiaw, the physical difficulty of finding the wrecks was only part of the challenge. A bad part of our history In Senegal, where President Obama traveled in 2013 to see the remains of the slave trades prisons and ports, slavery is rarely a subject of academic interest. Weve turned to contemporary issues, to discussing about the future, former Senegalese prime minister Aminata Toure said in an interview. Why focus on such a bad part of our history? During the last presidential election, in 2012, then-President Abdoulaye Wade argued that his opponent, Macky Sall, couldnt be elected because he was the descendant of slaves. Sall won the election, but only after rejecting that claim and citing his non-slave lineage. That bias is even embedded in the local language, Wolof. If someone is acting badly, Senegalese will often call him a jaam a slave. Its like its something in your blood, in your genes, with all the dishonor and everything that goes with it, Thiaw said in an interview in his office. Its not something people want to delve into, or learn more about. He paused. I feel like we havent abolished it yet. The reluctance to research or teach about slavery exists across much of West Africa, where, in the 20th century, nations emerging from colonial rule encouraged historians to study themes that might build a sense of national identity. Part of the sensitivity regarding slavery comes from the complicity of some Africans in the trade merchants who profited from the sale of men and women, and sometimes owned slaves themselves. Thiaw wanted to tell the story of the lives of slaves what they brought with them on their journeys, what they scrawled on the walls of the boat. The more intimate the details, he thought, the harder it would be for his countrymen to brush off the past. As he put it: Finding a good wreck could help us disentangle this to show that the slave is the victim. For many years, what was known about the slaves middle passage across the Atlantic came largely from the documents of slave traders, things like tax records, receipts and diaries. It was useful information, but difficult to verify and clinical in its description of the inhumanity shown to slaves. Finding untouched artifacts, Gardullo said, meant a chance to fill the silences in the written record. But, as Thiaw found, the quest could be frustrating. In the first few weeks of searching, he and his team made a few preliminary dives, but they discovered only sunken fishing boats. Thiaw sent one of his students to the countrys national archives to look for more leads. Three months after their first voyage, they are still waiting for analysis of the data they gathered underwater and sent to South Africa. Now Thiaw is worrying about lining up additional funding, and keeping his graduate students involved, because some will graduate soon. If I cant keep them focused on this program, maybe they will move on, Thiaw said. Im getting nervous. It was hardly the first time hed grown anxious over his research. But this time the stakes felt higher. He could almost see the Atlantic from his office window, with all the wreckage buried underneath. Read more Al-Qaeda affiliates are threatening West Africas most peaceful cities Heres everything you need to know about Senegals recent referendum A first look inside the Smithsonians African American museum Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world A woman under her burqa walks down a street in the old city of Kabul in 2009. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images) German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere proposed a partial ban on full veils for Muslim women Friday at a conference discussing new security measures following a spate of attacks in the country. At the conference, state interior ministers from de Maizieres center-right party said they want to make it a regulatory offense for women to cover their faces in courtrooms, administrative buildings and schools, as well as while driving or attending demonstrations. We are opposed to the full veil . . . which only makes the eye visible, de Maiziere said at a news conference. It doesnt fit in with our open society. To show ones face is crucial for communicating, for living together in our society and keeping it together. In the areas where it serves a function to show ones face, we want to make it a rule . . . and this means whoever breaks it must feel the consequences, he added. [Banning burqas isnt a sensible response to terrorism] The proposal comes at a time when a debate about the burqa a Muslim outer garment that covers a womans entire body and face, leaving open only a small grid for the eyes is stirring passions across Europe. The French beach town Cannes recently banned the so-called burkini, a swimsuit that covers a womans body and head. Several other French coastal towns followed suit, with seven municipalities banning the swimwear or planning to do so. The Swiss canton of Ticino last month made it illegal for women to veil their faces in public. Belgium, France and the Netherlands previously imposed full or partial burqa bans. [Burkini beach brawl breaks out on French island] While proponents call the bans a forceful statement against the oppression of women, opponents say the measures violate the rights of Muslims and are alienating them, thereby sowing more societal divisions. In an interview published Friday by the local newspaper network RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed her interior minister and argued that wearing a burqa would inhibit Muslim immigrant women from assimilating into German society. In my view, a fully veiled woman in Germany has almost no chance to integrate, she said. [Europes migration crisis is just beginning] Yet critics said that by suggesting a partial ban, the interior minister was trying merely to smooth over divisions within his and Merkels Christian Democratic Party on the issue. They said the move, ahead of local elections in two German states next month, also is aimed at appeasing voters unsettled by a massive wave of predominantly Muslim migrants fleeing war or poverty in their homelands. Its already a matter of course that women must take off the veil in situations where they have to identify themselves or in the car, said Nils Diederich, a political scientist at Berlins Free University. The announcement is merely designed to save de Maiziere the embarrassment of having to reject the ban. Earlier this month, de Maiziere dismissed calls from his partys hard-liners to outlaw the full-body veil. You cant ban everything youre against, he said. And Im against wearing a burqa. Read more: Banning burqas isnt a sensible response to terrorism Beach brawl leads third French city to ban burkini Burkini bans continue a long history of men controlling womens beachwear Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Mohib Abdelsalam, 26, a rebel fighter and volunteer first responder in his home town of Aleppo, Syria, says conditions in opposition-held areas of the city have grown more dire this summer. (Courtesy of Mohib Abdelsalam) The past four years have been hell for Aleppo native Mohib Abdelsalam, as Syrias civil war left thousands dead and reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble in opposition-held areas of his home town. But this summer, the 26-year-old rebel said, life got even worse. A burst of intensified fighting has rocked the flash-point northern city, long divided between rebel districts in the east and government-controlled areas in the west. The 300,000 residents of the eastern enclaves suddenly faced a punishing siege and worsening shortages of food, water and drugs amid a surge in attacks by government and Russian fighter jets. For Abdelsalam, an emergency responder who lost four family members to a bombing in June, the horrors have become almost unbearable. You dont understand, he said, speaking via Skype. Now its like any kind of day-to-day life is impossible. The ongoing fighting appears to be building into an important battle in Aleppo, Syrias largest city before conflict erupted five years ago, killing 400,000 people across the country and displacing millions. A Syrian man covered with dust carries pieces of metal on a street cluttered with rubble after a reported airstrike on the rebel-held Aleppo neighborhood of Sakhur on Monday. (Ameer Alhalbi/AFP/Getty Images) [Battle for Aleppo may be the most crucial of the Syrian civil war] Winning control of the entire city is a goal that has eluded both sides since rebel forces stormed it in 2012, and the fierceness of this summers battles underscores how much both still see it as a potential game-changer in the war. For residents, though, the stakes are more immediate and measured in daily suffering. Rebel fighters this month managed to partially lift the government blockade of their strongholds in the city. Now those fighters some of them linked to al-Qaeda are expanding their offensive to shell and besiege government-run neighborhoods, which are also experiencing water and food shortages. Meanwhile, Shiite militants from Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan have led the pro-government counterattacks against the eastern areas, while Syrian and Russian planes target hospitals and just about anything that moves there, including cars and people walking to the market, residents say. Theres no mercy from the sky, said Issam Ghazal, a 50-year-old resident of the eastern district of al-Zeydiya. The situation has prompted dire warnings from aid groups and U.N. officials. In Aleppo, we risk seeing a humanitarian catastrophe unprecedented in the over five years of bloodshed and suffering in the Syrian conflict, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday. Such distant expressions of concern mean little to Abdelsalam. He feels as if the rest of the world has left him to deal alone with catastrophes like the one that engulfed his family on June 23, about the time forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were beginning their attempt to cement the encirclement of eastern Aleppo. At about 8 a.m. that day, Abdelsalam said, he received a phone call telling him to rush to his family home in the Meyesr neighborhood. A rocket had smashed into it, and casualties were likely, the caller said. When he arrived, he saw nothing but rubble where the building he had grown up in had stood. Under it lay the bodies of his sister-in-law, 35-year-old Samar, and her three children: Abdelsalam, 13, Ahmed, 11, and Aya, 9. I just remember seeing them dead, and then waking up on the ground. I passed out. It was too much, Abdelsalam said. He, nevertheless, pulled himself together and helped retrieve the bodies. During the conflict, he said, he had developed strong nerves while volunteering as a first responder during scores of similar incidents in the rebel-controlled part of the city. What he cannot forget, though, he said, is the sight of his 40-year-old brother Mohammed, who somehow emerged unscathed from the rubble. Mohammed, an elementary-school Arabic teacher before the war, just stood there, Abdelsalam recalled, as he watched a scrum of shouting men pick through concrete and rebar to pry out his wife and children, whose crushed, limp bodies were smeared with dust and blood. He didnt talk. He didnt move, Abdelsalam said. He just stood there in disbelief. Shortly after that, in early July, government forces cut off the main supply road to eastern Aleppo and imposed a blockade on the area. People began running out of food, Abdelsalam recalled, hoarding all they could. Abdelsalam began restricting his meals to a piece of bread, cheese and, if he could get it, canned tuna. Fruit and vegetables all but vanished. The siege has had a traumatizing effect, he said. He recalled seeing one woman, a mother who had recently lost her husband during a bombing, using paper scraps and pieces of wood to bring a pan to boil in the middle of the street. Her three young children sat around her as she prepared what he thought was a meal. But when I looked at what she was boiling, it was just water, he said. It was like she was pretending that she was cooking food for her kids, but she wasnt pretending. Before the war, Abdelsalam worked repairing computers and cellphones. As the peaceful uprising of 2011 turned into armed conflict, he said, he felt compelled to help the rebellion drive government forces out of Aleppo. During the war years, he has regularly posted on his Facebook page video footage captured on his cellphone of the aftermath of government air raids. From time to time, he said, he has fought alongside various rebel groups in the city. One such time was earlier this month, when he said he helped fellow rebels launch a surprise offensive to break the siege of eastern Aleppo. He has also worked since to bring in food, medicine and fuel from rebel-held Idlib province to the west. It is a dangerous journey, he said, with Russian and government aircraft targeting anything that seems to be moving in and out of rebel parts of Aleppo. He takes obscure routes, driving at night with headlights turned off to avoid detection. We call it the way of death, he said. But it is the only way to bring sustenance to rebel areas of Aleppo. A few days ago, a rocket exploded near the Ford Explorer he was riding in. The vehicle was destroyed, but he and the other passenger were not injured, he said. Abdelsalam does not expect such luck to continue. But, he said, he must continue with the dangerous missions so that desperate residents can eat. Its either we fight the regime and win, or we die trying, he said. Heba Habib in Stockholm, Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul and Louisa Loveluck in Washington contributed to this report. Read more The last few doctors still in Aleppo sent a letter to Obama pleading for help In a Syrian town under a brutal siege, a young girl is left deaf and hopeless Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Armed men in uniform identified by Syrian Democratic Forces as U.S. Special Operations troops ride in the back of a pickup truck in the village of Fatisah in the northern Syrian province of Raqqa on May 25, 2016. (Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images) U.S. fighter jets scrambled to eastern Syria this week when Syrian bombers attacked in the vicinity of American and coalition Special Operations forces working with Kurdish and Arab opposition fighters, the Pentagon said Friday. The unprecedented incident, near the Syrian city of Hasakah, did not result in a direct confrontation or any injury to U.S. or coalition forces. But it illustrated the increasingly tense and ambiguous Syrian battlefield, where aircraft and ground troops from multiple countries with multiple agendas and loyalties are fighting overlapping wars. Following the initial Thursday incident, the coalition began actively patrolling the airspace nearby, a Defense Department official said. Early Friday, two Syrian SU-24 aircraft attempted to transit the area and were met by coalition fighter aircraft, which encouraged the Syrians to depart without further incident, said the official, who spoke on a Pentagon-imposed condition of anonymity. The Syrian military, engaged in a five-year civil conflict, has generally given a wide berth to U.S. aircraft targeting the Islamic State, as have Russian jets aiding their Syrian ally. But local fighters being assisted by U.S. Special Operations forces on the ground are often opposed to both the Islamic State and the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. If the U.S.-led coalition think for once that by allowing them into Syrian airspace they can do whatever they wish inside, they are mistaken, said a post on a Syrian Arab Army Facebook page. The Syrian Arab Army is the land element of Assads forces. [A picture of a Syrian boy goes viral, but the war goes on] U.S. aircraft will defend coalition forces on the ground, a Pentagon spokesman said tersely, and Syrias military would be well advised not to interfere. Marine Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway said that the Syrian strikes targeted Kurdish forces in Hasakah on Thursday. Social-media reports indicated that several Kurds were killed in the bombing. U.S. forces initially contacted Russia, using deconfliction channels established to ensure that Russian and U.S. planes over Syria avoid each other, but were told that the bombers in question were not Russian. Ground forces received no response to attempts to contact the planes through a recognized radio channel. The United States then launched a combat air patrol, Rankine-Galloway said. It arrived in the area as the Syrian Su-24 ground-attack aircraft were leaving. While he would not specify from where the U.S. aircraft were launched, the United States maintains a contingent of F-15 fighter jets at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. [How the U.S. military in Turkey scrambled to keep working during the coup attempt] The Syrian Arab Armys Facebook page, which initially described the potential confrontation as an interception by the United States, later denied that there had been any attempt at interception. Virtually all of northeast Syria is controlled by Kurdish forces and has remained mostly quiet since major fighting there, primarily between U.S.-backed Kurdish forces and the Islamic State, ended last year. Although the Syrian government has rarely been active in the area since the war began, Arab populations in the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli remain loyal to Assad, at least to the extent of mobilizing into quasi-governmental National Defense Forces (NDF) militias. The two cities are divided between militia-controlled Arab and Kurdish portions, the latter held by the Peoples Protection Units, YPG by its Kurdish initials. These Syrian Kurds have formed the bulk of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces that have driven the Islamic State out of much of eastern and northern Syria and are being advised in the area by U.S., British and French special forces. The partnership has been a continuing irritant in the relationship between the United States and NATO member Turkey, which considers the YPG an extension of Turkeys Kurdish separatists, with whom Turkey is at war. While frequent skirmishes have arisen in Hasakah and Qamishli between the YPG and the government-backed militias, they havent escalated to a huge degree, said Chris Kozak of the Institute for the Study of War. The government has a base outside Hasakah and operates an air facility at Qamishli; the YPG generally does not interfere with road travel between the two cities. At the same time, Kozak said, there are a number of U.S. Special [Operations] forces in the outskirts of Hasakah city, and several bases run by the YPG. According to the Syrian military, Kurdish forces this week started an illegal arrest campaign against Arabs in Hasakah, who turned to the NDF for protection. After an exchange of shelling, which eventually involved Syrian army forces, the government for the first time brought in airstrikes. Individuals close to the Kurdish forces agreed that the clashes had escalated but said they began when the NDF began arresting Kurds. The Kurds, the individuals said, think the government-backed moves are linked to a secret agreement between Assad and Turkey which publicly backs U.S. insistence that a peace agreement in Syria is not possible until Assad leaves office. Events during the week have also been cited to buttress additional theories about increasing Turkish cooperation with Russia after the healing of a rift between those two governments was consolidated by the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this month to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Syrias decision to escalate against the Kurds now makes me put more credence into rumors that Russia, Turkey and the [Assad] regime are now back-channeling a bit, Kozak said. Russia had been flirting with the Kurds, he said. Now, with Turkey and Russia coming back together, that might be swinging the other way. Turkey, Kozak said, ranks the Kurdish threat above the Syrian regime threat. A senior Obama administration official, asked about the warming Turkey-Russia relationship, denied any concern and said that weve welcomed the de-escalation of tensions between them. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House to preview a visit of Vice President Biden to Turkey next week, said, We dont have any concerns that Turkey is somehow drifting away from the United States or NATO. Read more: The BJP leader demanded that the state government make public the viscera report of all the 25 deceased. By Rohit Kumar Singh: BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Modi today slammed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the hooch tragedy in Gopalganj district in which 15 people were killed earlier this week. Accusing Nitish Kumar of hiding facts, Modi said that it was media pressure that forced the CM to act. Modi alleged that had the media not highlighted the issue, the local administration would have turned it into a case of deaths caused due to consumption of sulphas tablets or heart attack. advertisement Modi also alleged that the state government had successfully managed to cover the deaths of 25 persons who died by consuming spurious liquor. Further lashing out at the Nitish government, Modi questioned that if the local administration had indeed conducted 667 searches and raids in Gopalganj district, how could they miss Khajur Vani which was only a kilometre away from the town police station. The BJP leader demanded that the state government make public the viscera report of all the 25 deceased. Raising questions over the new prohibition bill, Modi said that the bill in itself was contradictory. "According to the prohibition bill, if liquor is found in someone's house, all the adult members of the family would be imprisoned. But if someone dies due to alcohol consumption, the his family would get Rs 4 lakh compensation. This is contradictory," he said. The state government had failed completely in enforcing prohibition and curbing illicit liquor trade, Modi said. --- ENDS --- Twenty-two mothers have entered into a second week of a hunger strike, protesting an inordinately long detention and the harmful impact upon themselves and children. The Obama administration claims that it detains families claiming refugee status no longer than 20 days, but by the end of this month, some families will have been in custody for nearly a year. The hunger strike began on August 8 at Berks County Residential Center in Pennsylvania, according to a poignant letter the mothers had sent to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson: We are 22 mothers who have been imprisoned at the Berks Family Residential Center for 270 to 365 days. We have relatives and friends who would be responsible for us and who wait for us with open arms, but the Department of Homeland Security has denied our release. The reason for this letter is to inform you that since Monday, August 8, we have begun a hunger strike to protest our indefinite detention, and to request that you end this practice of detaining mothers and children and allow our immediate release. These families had fled to the United States from Central American countries such as El Salvador and Honduras to escape gang violence, poverty, and death. The American government has been responsible for much of the violence and destruction in these countries by arming and supporting right-wing militias and coups. While Hillary Clinton was Obamas Secretary of State, Washington backed the 2009 military coup in Honduras. A mother named Margarita, only 22, whose real name has been changed for fear of reprisal, left El Salvador with her son, presented herself to immigration agents on the US-Mexico border and sought asylum. Immigration officials, however, in accordance with the rules set by the Obama Administration, sent her to a detention facility in Texas, from which she was transferred to the family detention center in Berks County, where she and her son have spent more than 300 days. Being locked up for this long is a form of cruel and unusual punishment, with horrendous ramifications for the psychological well-being of the mothers and particular the young children. According to Olga Byrne, of Human Rights First, an advocacy group for immigrants, The Obama Administrations detention of families has had severely traumatizing effects on both children and their mothers. Even a few days in detention can be harmful to the health of children. The mothers open letter vividly describes these traumatizing effects on kids: The teenagers say that being here, life makes no sense. One of our children said he wanted to break the window to jump out and end this nightmare. On many occasions, our children ask us if we have the courage to escape. They grab the cord that holds their ID cards and tighten it around their necks, saying they want to die if they dont get out. And the smallest children, who are only two years old, cry during the night because they cannot express what they feel. For some time, our children have not eaten well, and they have lost weight. The detention center itself is actually operating without a license, making it unlawful to even hold these children. In October 2015, the state Department of Human Services declared that it would not renew a license, which expired on February 21, 2016, for the Berks County Residential Center as a child residential facility, because it was de facto confining immigrant families, including adults. A ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in July of this year upheld a lower courts ruling, stipulating that children cannot be detained in unlicensed detention centers. This concurs with a 2015 ruling by the US District Court for the Central District of California that the governments detention policy violates the 1997 Flores settlement under which principles had been set for holding minors in detention facilities. The detention center, which is owned by Berks County but staffed with both federal and county employees, is leased to and operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a unit of the federal DHS. It was in the news earlier this year when an employee was sentenced to jail time for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old mother who had fled from Honduras. The gross human rights violations at the Berks facility are symptomatic of those widespread and at other detention facilities in the US. A 2010 Humans Rights Watch report, for instance, details extensive sexual abuse and harassment. A more recent report by Human Rights First, titled Lifeline on Lockdown: Increased U.S. Detention of Asylum Seekers, describes the failure of the Obama administration and the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to provide existing parole guidance for asylum seekers and reasonable bond levels for indigent individuals held in immigration detention. Thousands of immigrants are detained for extraordinarily long periods of time or simply denied release. President Obama has deported more immigrants than any other president in US history, earning him the title of deporter-in-chief from immigrant rights groups. The mothers end their letter by saying: We are desperate, and we have decided that we will get out dead or alive. Japan is planning to deploy a new type of missile to the East China Sea, where Tokyo is engaged in a tense territorial dispute with Beijing. The decision marks a significant milestone in the drive by Prime Minister Shinzo Abes government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to remilitarize Japan. The planned missile system will be designed locally, by the countrys expanding defence industry, rather than being supplied by the United States or another ally. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on August 14 that the new surface-to-ship missile will have a range of 300 kilometres, the longest of any missile currently in Japans armament. The weapon will be GPS-guided and vehicle-based, making it easy to deploy. Placed on islands in the East China Sea, any Chinese or other vessel approaching the disputed Senkaku (Diaoyu in China) Islands would fall within its range. Later this month, the government intends to request funding for its new missile in the military budget for the 20172018 fiscal year. Japan has steadily increased its budget in recent years, including record-high military spending in March of this year. The Defense Ministry also plans to use the development of the new missile to boost the arms industry. In April 2014, Tokyo removed a ban on its arms dealers that had prevented them from exporting weaponry to other countries. In February 2015, the government announced it would provide aid to foreign militaries for the first time. By doing so, the government hopes to expand its military influence, largely at the expense of China. Scheduled to be available in 2023, the missile is expected to be deployed to locations such as Miyako, Yonaguni and Ishigaki Islands in the Okinawa Prefecture, and Amami Island in the Kagoshima Prefecture. In December 2015, Tokyo announced it would deploy additional soldiers and weaponry to Miyako, Ishigaki and Amami by 2019. In March 2016, a Self-Defense Forces (SDF) unit was deployed to Yonaguni Island, along with a new radar installation. The five uninhabited rocks that make up the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands have become one of the most dangerous flashpoints in Asia over recent years. In 2014, President Barack Obama declared that the islands were covered by the US-Japan security agreement, effectively threatening China with war if it took any action against Japans control over them. The US commitment, and the broader US military pivot against China, has emboldened the Abe government to take a more aggressive stance in the region. Last month Tokyo stated that it had scrambled jets to intercept incursions into the air space it claims in the East China Sea a record 199 times in the second quarter of this year. In July, Beijing accused two Japanese F-15 fighter jets of locking on to Chinese aircraft, a highly provocative move as it leads the targeted pilot to believe he is about to be fired upon. This month, the Japanese Coast Guard deployed armed ships against 200 to 300 Chinese fishing boats, allegedly escorted by Chinese patrol ships, which Tokyo claimed were violating its territorial waters around the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. Japans confrontational operations are taking place with the backing of the United States, which recently cleared the way for Japan to purchase 246 SM-2 Block IIIB surface-to-air missiles from military contractor Raytheon. The company brags that the projectile is lethal against subsonic, supersonic, low- and high- altitude, high-maneuvering, diving, sea-skimming, anti-ship cruise missiles fighters, bombers, and helicopters in an advanced electronic countermeasures environment. Abe and the LDP are exploiting the US pivot in Asia to cast off the last vestiges of the restraints imposed upon Japanese imperialism following its defeat in World War II. After pushing through legislation in March to permit overseas military deployments, Abe is proceeding with plans to revise the countrys constitution to repudiate the so-called pacifist clause that formally prohibits Japan from engaging in war. The entire Japanese ruling elite backs these changes to allow Japan to project military power once more. While the opposition Democratic Party poses as an opponent of Abe, it has put forward its own legislation to expand Japans overseas military operations, so long as they have the cover of the United Nations. Japanese troops are currently training to be sent to South Sudan in November. While justified as a humanitarian mission, the deployment is, in fact, a test case for overseas operations and is being used to assert Japanese energy interests in the oil-rich country. Abes new defense minister, Tomomi Inada, recently returned from Djibouti on the Horn of Africa, the location of Japans only overseas base. It was the first destination she visited after her appointment on August 3. While there, she discussed increasing Japans role in Africa, an indication of the importance that Tokyo places on the continent and on challenging the influence that China has built up there over the past decade. The reassertion of Japanese imperialism parallels developments in Europe, where the German ruling class is likewise pursuing a program of remilitarization, and elements within the political, media and academic establishment are downplaying or denying the crimes of the Nazi regime. The very appointment of Inada was understood internationally as a signal that Japan is turning to a more aggressive, nationalist and militarist foreign policy. She is associated with the countrys far right. Formerly the LDP policy chief, she has posed for photographs with figures like Kazunari Yamada, the leader of a Japanese neo-Nazi group. She has denied war crimes such as the abuse of comfort womensex slaves used by the Japanese army before and during World War II. Asked whether Japanese imperialism had invaded other Asian countries, Inada declared earlier this month: Whether you would describe Japans actions as an invasion depends on ones point of view. Commenting on Inada, Sven Saaler, a Japanese history professor at Tokyos Sophia University, told USA Today this week that her provocative views posed the potential for conflict not only with Asian neighbors, but with the United States, as well. Immediately, the blatant denial of the past crimes of Japanese militarism disrupts the US agenda of forging an anti-China alliance between Japan and South Korea. Korea was one of the main victims of Japanese imperialism in the first decades of the twentieth century. More fundamentally, the agenda of Japanese imperialism in Asia is not identical to that of Washington. After more than two decades of economic stagnation and facing immense internal social antagonisms, the Japan ruling class is again being propelled on the path of militarism and war in a desperate attempt to gain access to markets, resources and sources of profit. Processes are underway that could ultimately bring Tokyo once more into a direct military confrontation with its current US ally. Relations between Ankara and the Western powersparticularly Berlinhave reached new lows, more than four weeks after the aborted military coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which by all indications enjoyed at least the tacit backing of Washington and sections of the German ruling elite. On Wednesday, German Interior Minister Thomas De Maiziere told German regional broadcaster RBB: Theres nothing to regret, when asked if he regretted the release of a paper prepared by his ministry. The Interior Ministry document accuses Turkey of having been a central platform in the Middle East for Islamist groups since 2011 and criticizes Erdogan for having an ideological affinity to Hamas in Gaza, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and armed Islamist forces in Syria. The report, largely drawn up by the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), came as a confidential answer to a parliamentary query by the Left Party (Die Linke). It unleashed fury within the Turkish government after it was disclosed by German public broadcaster ARD earlier this week. The allegations are a new manifestation of the twisted mentality, which for some time has been trying to wear down our country by targeting our president and government, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in an official statement. It also accused Berlin of double standards, demanding that the German government offer Turkey more support against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). It is obvious that behind these allegations are some political circles in Germany known for their double-standard attitudes in the fight against terror, the statement continued. As a country which sincerely fights against terror of every sort whatever its source, Turkey expects that its other partners and allies act in the same way. The hostile exchange between the German interior ministry and the Turkish foreign ministryeach openly accusing the other of supporting terrorismhighlights the stark deterioration in relations between the Western powers and Ankara that had already developed prior to the July 15 coup attempt. As far back as June, a resolution passed by the German parliament (Bundestag) describing the mass deaths of up to 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide led to a sharp reaction in Ankara. Erdogan warned that Berlins move could damage diplomatic, economic, political, commercial and military relations between the two countries. Another row followed weeks later, when Turkey blocked a visit by German parliamentarians to 250 German soldiers stationed at Incirlik air base in southern Turkey. Not only does Incirlik serve as the main base for the US-led bombing campaign against Syria and Iraq, but it turned out to be at the center of the failed putsch against Erdogan. The coup attempt took place amid a stark shift in Turkish foreign policy towards Russia, after Erdogan became increasingly concerned that the Western-backed regime change operation in Syria is strengthening separatist Kurdish forces backed by the US and Germany. The tensions that have continued to grow since the failed coup between Washington and Berlin on the one side, and their nominal NATO ally Turkey on the other, confirm the analysis of the World Socialist Web Site. It explained from the beginning that the coup has been organized to prevent a possible alliance between Russia and Turkey and possibly Iran and China that would cut across Western foreign policy in the Middle Eastin particular, plans to overthrow Russias last remaining Arab ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In the past days, Western officials and foreign policy strategists attacked Ankara sharply for purging pro-Western putschists in the Turkish army, and raised concerns over Ankaras rapprochement with Moscow after Erdogan met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg last week. Coup-proofing doesnt work except that it fractures and divides armed forces, complained Aaron Stein, a Turkey expert at the Washington-based think tank Atlantic Council. Soner Cagaptay, an expert on Turkish security issues at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy warned: For the first time in recent memory, some in Ankara are questioning Turkeys NATO membership and discussing whether the country should instead move toward becoming a friend of Russia. NBCs foreign correspondent Matt Bradley reported that among the newly promoted leaders are a group of officers who are typically distrustful of the U.S. and NATO and seek a closer relationship with Russia and military powers further east. On August 12, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif visited Ankara. Unlike Western leaders, he congratulated the Turkish nation for the defiance they showed against the coup-plotters. He praised the improvement of Russia-Turkey relations and their new efforts to stem the conflict in Syria. We also have great ties with Russia on the [Syrian] issue, and we believe that all parties must cooperate to provide security and peace and stop the conflicts [in the region]. We are ready to co-operate with both Turkey and Syria on this issue, he said. In an interview with the Turkish Hurriyet Daily News this week, Turkish defense minister Fikri Isk indicated that Ankara is indeed considering a closer strategic and military alliance with Russia and China: Our priority is our allies, but that cannot prevent us from cooperating with Russia or China when necessary. If our allies approach remains to keep Turkey at arms length, that will force us to develop our own capacity with other types of cooperation. We cant shut the door to non-NATO countries like Russia or China. As relations warm between Russia, Iran, China and Turkey in the Middle East, and with US-backed Islamist forces on retreat in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, the Western powers are increasingly building up Kurdish militias as proxies to further their imperialist interests in the region. On August 12 the strategically important Syrian town of Manbij near the Turkish border was reconquered from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) under the coordination of the US Central Command. The strongest force within the SDF are the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG). At the same time Germany began resupplying the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in Northern Iraq. According to the Suddeutsche Zeitung, around 70 tonnes of German weaponryincluding 1,500 G36 assault rifles, 100 anti-tank missiles and three armoured vehiclesarrived on Tuesday in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region. In Turkey itself a series of bombings targeting Turkeys security forces, blamed on Kurdish rebels, killed at least 11 people and wounded 226 others, Turkish media reported on Thursday. Two of the attacks were car bombings targeting police stations in eastern Turkey, while the thirda roadside blasthit a military vehicle carrying soldiers in the southeast of the country. The independent European media platform EurActiv reported yesterday that, in a move which could amount to virtual breakdown of the US-Turkish alliance, Washington has started transferring its nuclear weapons stationed at Incirlik air base in Turkey to Deveselu air base in Romania. According to an anonymous source, the transfer is very challenging in technical and political terms: Its not easy to move 20+ nukes. As the danger of direct conflict between the great powers grows in the Middle East, tensions are not only exploding between NATO member states, but also within the Western governments themselves. In an unprecedented move, the German foreign ministry led by Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) dismissed the German interior ministrys report attacking Ankara. After the meeting between Erdogan and Putin, Steinmeier had declared: There wont be a solution to the civil war in Syria without Moscow and without Iran, Saudi Arabia or Turkey. Francis X. Bushman and Ramon Novarro in Ben-Hur. (Photo: Everett Collection) The 1959 epic Ben-Hur is one of the biggest films in Hollywood history, so it makes sense that it has generated its share of outsized urban legends: A stuntmans actual death can be seen in the film; a red Ferrari zooms through one frame of the chariot race; a screenwriter added a gay romance without star Charlton Hestons knowledge. Of those rumors, only the last appears to be true (read more about it here). But none of these legends are as crazy as what actually happened on the set of the original Ben-Hur, a wildly expensive and unsafe 1925 production that killed at least one cast member and more than a hundred horses. In the end, the studio didnt care because the adaptation of the 1880 Lew Wallace novel about ancient Rome was a hit. With the third Ben-Hur feature film opening in theaters today (thats not counting the one-reel short from 1907), lets look back at the mind-boggling events that made the first one possible. Related: Remember When Gore Vidal Said He Secretly Turned Charlton Hestons Ben-Hur Into a Thwarted Gay Romance? The story of the original Ben-Hur which also includes fire, floods, fascism, and looting was recorded by film historian Kevin Brownlow in his 1968 book The Parades Gone By, a chronicle of Hollywoods silent era based on extensive interviews with people who were there. From the beginning, producers of the ancient Roman epic seemed to be in over their heads: Months of largely unsupervised shooting in Italy in 1923 yielded terrible footage, prompting the studio to fire the director and most of the stars and start over from scratch. Watch scenes from the original Ben-Hur in this excerpt from the 1980 documentary series Hollywood, directed by film historian Kevin Brownlow: Under replacement director Fred Niblo, filming resumed in Rome, which had been under the control of Mussolinis National Fascist Party for about a year. Political tensions leaked onto the set during the filming of the first big action sequence, a sea fight between a Roman war galley and a pirate ship (both life-sized, seaworthy boats built especially to be destroyed for the film.) The casting director hired dozens of Italian peasants to play the ships crews, and decided to add some realism to the conflict by placing the fascist extras in one crew and the anti-fascist extras in another. Niblo intervened, which is when he discovered that the ships were equipped with real, sharpened swords. The weapons were removed from set before anyone could be stabbed. Story continues Nevertheless, things got gory. At the climax of the scene, the Roman ship was supposed to catch fire. While Niblo was shooting the effect, a wind fanned the flames and caused the fire to spread rapidly. The extras began leaping overboard. Some were wearing heavy armor; many couldnt swim. Francis X. Bushman, one of the films stars, said that he pleaded with the director to help the drowning men, to which Niblo replied, I cant help it! Those ships cost me $40,000 apiece. Three extras were recorded as missing after the scene was filmed. Some production members claim that either two or three men re-appeared days later, having been rescued by a fishing boat; others are certain they drowned. In Brownlows chilling words, Opinions differ as to the casualty rate. Bushman and Novarro (Photo: Everett Collection) If those men did survive, then the sea-battle catastrophe was the second-worst thing to happen during Ben-Hur. Before we get to the actual worst thing, here are some of the runners-up: An elderly actor nearly caught pneumonia when forced to shoot on a raft in the Mediterranean Sea for three days. Fred Niblo got angry and threw stuff at child extras. Set construction had to wait because of political riots. The props were destroyed in a warehouse fire. And finally, crew members accidentally dug into an ancient Roman catacomb, destroying the site and enabling a free-for-all pillage of 2,000-year-old artifacts. Which brings us to the chariot race. Filming for the big action sequence the centerpiece of all Ben-Hur adaptations began in Italy on a custom-built Coliseum set, under the guidance of second-unit director B. Reeves Eason. The set looked real, but the surface of the track hadnt been adequately prepared to handle horses and chariots. After a few laps, ruts formed in the ground, with deadly consequences. During one take, we went around the curve and the wheel broke on the other fellows chariot, said Bushman, who played Ben-Hurs rival charioteer Messala. The hub hit the ground and the guy shot up in the air about 30 feet. It was like a slow-motion film. He fell on a pile of lumber and died of internal injuries. Dozens of horses were also killed, either during chariot crashes (one of which nearly took out the films leading man, Ramon Novarro) or because Eason ordered them to be shot. They never had a vet attend any horse, Bushman told Brownlow. The moment it limped, they shot it. The equine death toll was estimated at about a hundred. A trailer for the first, silent Ben-Hur: After all that, the footage from the Roman chariot race turned out to be unusable, because the outdoor location had too many shadows. The whole sequence was reshot on a Culver City soundstage months later by 42 cameramen and 30 assistants hidden strategically around the set. (One of those assistants was a young William Wyler, who would go on to direct the 1959 Ben-Hur.) This time, things went more smoothly until the scenes climactic chariot crash, when two chariots inadvertently became tangled and a pile-up ensued. At least five horses were killed, and things got so hairy that assistant director Henry Hathaway ran into the arena to try and stop the oncoming drivers. As seen in Brownlows 1980 documentary series Hollywood (above), Hathaways accidental cameo made the final cut. Also in the final cut: extras jumping overboard from the flaming ship and horses being crushed by chariots. All of those dangerous moments helped created the larger-than-life movie that thrilled audiences in the 1920s. Ben-Hur was enough of a hit to nearly justify its $3.9 million budget, by far the largest of any silent-era film, and moviegoers had no idea how hazardous those action sequences actually were. (For curious modern-day viewers, the film is currently available to stream on multiple sites, including YouTube, under the title Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.) The directors of subsequent Ben-Hurs made sure not to repeat the silent films mistakes. The breakneck chariot scene in 1959 was actually assembled with great caution by Wylers second-unit director, legendary stuntman Yakima Canutt. That rumors of stuntman and horse deaths in the Heston film persist to this day is a testament to just how notorious that original 1925 production became. For the 2016 remake, director Timur Bekmanbetov had the benefit of CGI though he boasted to Business Insider that his scene was shot mainly in-camera, including actual chariots pulled by 90 horses on a thousand-foot-long set. You really feel youre in that chariot driving it, the director said. Judging from how things went on the first Ben-Hur, though, were all better off on the sidelines. Watch a clip from the chariot race of the new Ben-Hur: Notice: Array to string conversion in /home/sites/www.businessinsider.com/releases/20160817204652/classes/Util/Posts.php on line 494 Jeff Bezos Good morning! Here's the technology news you need to know this Friday. 1. Univision is shutting down Gawker.com. The flagship site will shutter next week. 2. A judge has rejected Uber's $100 million (76 million) settlement with drivers. Judge Edward Chen denied the plaintiff's motion to settle the case, saying that it was neither fair nor accurate. 3. Uber and Volvo have agreed a $300 million (228 million) alliance to develop autonomous vehicles. The cars will be hitting the streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this month. 4. UBS' blockchain chief is leaving. Alex Batlin is leaving "to pursue an opportunity outside of UBS." 5. The camera on the smaller iPhone 7 could be getting a feature that's traditionally reserved for Apple's largest iPhone. The regular-sized model of the iPhone 7 will reportedly have a camera that features optical image stabilization (OIS). 6. Amazon has a job listing for somebody to make movies and TV shows for virtual reality. We did hear about Amazon looking to build a virtual reality app several months ago. 7. T-Mobile is only going to sell one plan. It's getting rid of all its data plans and replacing them with one plan that offers unlimited 4G LTE data, minutes, and texting. 8. Reddit is refusing to hand over details of a user who may have leaked a track from the "Suicide Squad" soundtrack. Atlantic Records wants it to hand over the IP address of a user. 9. A mobile carrier with 40 million subscribers is about to deploy network-level ad blocking. Econet Wireless, a mobile carrier based in South Africa, has announced a partnership with Israel-based ad blocking company Shine. 10. Hampton Creek is facing SEC scrutiny for buying some of its own product. The SEC's inquiry was prompted by concerns that the purchases could have had an impact on the company's bottom line. NOW WATCH: This device will make you feel less guilty about leaving your dog home alone More From Business Insider Athens (AFP) - Around 100 migrants were rescued after their boats ran aground Friday off the coast of Greece, police said, while two Syrian girls, one of them a baby, drowned off the Libyan coast. One group of 67 migrants, including 13 children, was found stranded in their wooden boat off the western Greek port of Methoni on the Peloponnese peninsula, facing southern Italy. The migrants, whose nationalities have not been revealed, appear to have been trying to leave Greece for Italy, according to initial reports. They were taken to Methoni to be processed and identified, according to harbour police, who revised their earlier figure of around 50 migrants rescued. In another incident, a sailboat was stranded off the Aegean island of Mykonos, which is popular with tourists and is near Turkey. All 36 migrants on board, including seven children, were rescued by the local authorities. After a major lull since the European Union (EU) signed a controversial deal with Turkey to stem the migrant influx in March, there has been a slight uptick in arrivals in Greece in recent days. Between Thursday and Friday morning, 261 new arrivals were registered on the Aegean islands -- mainly Lesbos -- an increase on recent days, according to the SOMP agency which is coordinating Greece's response to the migrant crisis. The number of new arrivals, at an average of 100 a day, is however considerably lower than the peak of several thousand daily last summer. Under the deal, Turkey agreed to take back Syrians who make it to Greece, in return for being allowed to send one from its massive refugee camps to the EU in a more orderly redistribution programme. Lat week there were between 13 and 147 new arrivals every day. Both Greece and the EU fear that the migrant floodgates could re-open as Turkey focuses on a purge of officials following the failed coup of July 15 which has led to a souring of relations between Ankara and Brussels. Some 10,000 migrants remain encamped on the Aegean islands -- which have a capacity to host just 7,450 migrants -- with most claiming asylum to either avoid or postpone their forcible return to Turkey under the deal. Story continues - Two girls drowned - Despite the extreme danger involved, some migrants are still turning to the longer, considerably more perilous route from Libya to Italy. On Thursday, two Syrian girls, one of them an eight-month-old baby, were among six people who died when a boat carrying would-be migrants to Europe capsized off Libya, Italian rescuers said. Five bodies were recovered and one passenger was missing, presumed drowned, following the capsize on Thursday. Some of the 21 survivors told aid workers there had been 27 people from eight Syrian families on the boat. The Phoenix, a rescue boat run by the Malta-based NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) and the Italian Red Cross (CRI), recovered the corpses of two women, one man and the baby while the five-year-old's body was picked up by a fishing boat, the organisations said. After dazzling attendees at the 2016 Geneva auto show with its latest one-off limited edition, the spectacular Centenario coupe, Lamborghini has done what we knew it would eventually do: Scalp the thing. Its no surprise at all. Lambo announced in Geneva that the limited production run of 40 would be split evenly between coupes and roadsters. At least we didnt have to travel halfway across the globe to see the open-top edition, as it was revealed at the The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, California, during the automotive extravaganza that surrounds the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance. The Centenario, conceived to commemorate the 100th birthday of company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, uses the mid-engine, all-wheel-drive architecture that underpins the Aventador as well as that cars naturally aspirated V-12, bumped up to 759 horsepower19 more than its rating in the Aventador Superveloce. This makes the Centenario roadster the most powerful open-top vehicle ever built by Lamborghini. The redline has also been raised to 8600 rpm. Lamborghini expects that the Centenario will be able to hit 62 mph in 2.8 seconds; keep the pedal on the floor and you could see 188 mph in just 23.5 seconds. As with the coupe, top speed is governed somewhere above 217 mph, but Lamborghini wouldnt say exactly how far above. It also features Lamborghinis new rear-wheel-steering system, which it claims both tightens the turning circle and stabilizes high-speed handling. The systems affect also changes according to the drivers selection of Strada, Sport, or Corsa driving modes, which also control powertrain behavior, stability control intervention, steering effort, and more. While the coupes dramatic, intimidating body was rendered entirely in bare carbon fiber with yellow accents, the roadster is painted a special matte-silver color: Argento Centenario. Buyers, however, can specify any color they want, including naked carbon fiber with a choice of matte or gloss finish. Despite losing its roof, the Centenario roadster is instantly recognizable, retaining its distinct silhouette, hexagonal side glass, and predatory face. The dramatic grille, slashlike air intakes, and blown diffuser (which routes exhaust gases through the center diffuser zone to add downforce) are present and accounted for, as are the dramatic Y-shaped taillamps that slice across the rear, just a couple of inches below the rear spoiler, which extends and rotates up to 15 degrees. The roof is simply missing, with no alternative configuration to provide for weather or security. This gives onlookers a particularly good view of the cars interior, with its carbon-fiber sport seats, stitched leather, and microsuede upholstery as well as its 10.1-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Wi-Fi connectivity. As we reported from Geneva, Lamborghini says all 40 Centenarios were sold before the car was ever shown. The roadsters $2.23 million price is about a quarter-million dollars costlier than the coupe, which is probably pocket change for many attendees at The Quail, a few of whom, we suspect, are on this cars owner list. About a third of these cars will come to North America, with deliveries starting by the end of this year and continuing into 2017. Nitish Kumar's liquor ban in Bihar has opened doors for smuggling poisonous alcohol. This has led to death of 6 people in Gopalganj. "My father reached home late and refused dinner. He complained of agonizing stomach pain on Tuesday morning. We took him to the local government hospital, where he died," said Mahto's daughter Neetu. By Amitabh Srivastava: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar might have banned liquor in the state, but that has not stopped the people from consuming it. As many as 6 people in Gopalganj district lost their lives last week after consuming fake liquor smuggled from the neighbouring states One of the victims, Parma Mahto, a 55-year-old fruit seller, had consumed liquor on Monday evening near the railway crossing in Khajurbanni locality, an area that falls under the jurisdiction of the town police station. advertisement "My father reached home late and refused dinner. He complained of agonizing stomach pain on Tuesday morning. We took him to the local government hospital, where he died," said Mahto's daughter Neetu. "This is the ill-effect of prohibition," she added. Earlier, Parma Mahto used to get his daily dose of liquor from a licensed shop, but with licensed liquor no longer available for consumption, he had to spend more for accessing inferior and illegally brewed liquor. REHAB CENTRES OF NO USE? While imposing prohibition, the government had anticipated the trauma that habitual drinkers would face, which is why de-addiction centres were opened in every district of Bihar. State excise department had estimated that Bihar had close to 4.5 lakh habitual drinkers, but only about 5,000 have showed up at the de-addiction centres. It was clear that only a fraction of habitual drinkers had sought help at these centres, while a majority among them could still be trying to get their daily dose of alcohol. Prema obviously was one such drinker, who died because the government agencies -- that were supposed to prevent the illegal sale of liquor and take the habitual drinkers to the de-addiction centres to help them give up alcohol-- were unsuccessful in doing the job. WHATS HAPPENING IN LALU'S TOWN Incidentally, Gopalganj is the home district of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi, both former Chief Ministers and senior partners in the grand alliance government led by Nitish Kumar. The chief minister has asked for a report. Gopalganj health officials have confirmed that all the six deaths were caused by consumption of spurious liquor. Properly filtered ethyl alcohol, a grain alcohol, is used in making licensed country liquor. But the fake liquor manufactures often use methyl alcohol, the consumption of which can lead to respiratory and multi- organ failure. Methyl liquordegrades into formic acid, which then attacks the optic nerve. Also Read Amid liquor ban in Bihar, hooch tragedy kills 13, probe ordered --- ENDS --- advertisement Moscow (AFP) - Communists waving Marxist pamphlets and Twitter storms praising the Soviet Union are probably not what the thousands of Russians who rallied in 1991 against a coup by anti-democracy hardliners expected to see 25 years later. And yet as Russia marks the symbolic anniversary of the August 1991 putsch this week, pro-Kremlin media have concentrated on nostalgia for the Soviet regime, while the authorities have barred a rally by those who manned the barricades. On August 19, 1991, a group of security chiefs and Communist bosses who opposed Mikhail Gorbachev's decentralising reforms declared themselves in charge, ushering in three days of turbulence. Calling themselves the State Committee for the State of the Emergency, they said Gorbachev had stepped aside for "health reasons" and sent tanks rolling into the centre of Moscow. But crowds flocked to the White House parliament building to defend Boris Yeltsin, the president of the Russian republic of the USSR, who was then seen as a symbol of reform and democracy. For the last 24 years the people who were on the barricades have held a day of remembrance for the abortive coup that was a starting point for the new democratic Russia. This year, Moscow city hall has for the first time refused permission to hold a rally outside the White House, citing complaints about noise from local residents. "For 25 years we have been doing exactly the same thing every year," said Mikhail Shneider, the event's organiser. "There's never been a time when they completely denied us." During the putsch, Shneider was one of the activists calling Muscovites to the barricades around the parliament building, distributing flyers and convincing metro drivers to make an announcement to passengers. "Our rallies were numerous at first," Shneider said, but after Vladimir Putin came to power as prime minister in 1999, they started to decrease. Putin famously called the breakup of the Soviet Union a great catastrophe. Story continues - Short-lived euphoria - This week, while barring Shneider's rally, city authorities sanctioned a Communist demonstration and former Soviet officials were shown on state TV voicing nostalgia for the repressive regime. Yeltsin's former vice-president Alexander Rutskoi who supported him on the barricades though they later fell out now claimed the putschists had the right idea in 1991. "The only mistake by the State Committee for the State of the Emergency was to send troops to Moscow," he said at a news conference organised by state-owned domestic news agency Rossiya Segodnya on Thursday. Meanwhile at state-owned TASS news agency, Communist party chief Gennady Zyuganov gloomily said he wished the coup had succeeded and put the country back on track toward Communism. Even online, a Twitter hashtag #OsuzhdayuRazvalSSSR (I condemn the breakup of the USSR) was shared widely earlier this week, though it was not clear how many of those posting were paid pro-Kremlin trolls. A survey by Levada independent pollster published this week showed that fewer Russians condemn the putschists, while the number of those supporting their actions was slightly up. The aborted coup lasted just three days. Its end was seen as the final nail in the USSR's coffin, followed by euphoric speeches and the dismantling of the statue of Soviet secret police founder Felix Dzerzhinsky, seen as a symbol of the KGB's dominance over Soviet society. But that euphoria was short-lived and today, as Russia plunges deeper into a protracted recession, "the Soviet past beckons with its certainty and predictability", wrote Vedomosti daily columnist Andrei Sinitsyn. Dzerzhinsky's statue is still gone from its former spot outside the security service headquarters and now stands in a park, but in a sign of the times, this summer restorers erased the protest graffiti on its pedestal that demonstrators painted in 1991. Twenty-five years after a failed putsch in Moscow, leaders of the opposition Yabloko party laid wreaths to honor the three people who died in street protests against the Communist power grab. According to RFE, party leader Emilia Slabunova said those who died defending democratic principles offered important lessons for today. Moscow authorities denied permission for a larger march through the city to commemorate the anniversary, RFE said. Just months after the failed coup, the Soviet Union was dissolved. Credit: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty By Julie Steenhuysen CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. health experts estimate that as many as 270 babies in Puerto Rico may be born with the severe birth defect known as microcephaly caused by Zika infections in their mothers during pregnancy. The estimate is the first to project the potential impact of Zika on Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory located in the Caribbean that has borne the brunt of the outbreak in the United States. Puerto Rico had 10,690 laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika, including 1,035 pregnant women, as of Aug. 12. Rising infection rates of the virus in Puerto Rico prompted the U.S. government to declare a state of public health emergency last week. Using the most recent available data, researchers from the Puerto Rican Health Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecast that between 5,900 and 10,300 pregnant women in Puerto Rico will become infected with Zika during the initial outbreak, which began in Puerto Rico in December 2015. "Based on the limited available information on the risk of microcephaly, we estimate between 100 to 270 cases of microcephaly might occur" between mid-2016 and mid-2017, said Dr. Margaret Honein, chief of the birth defects branch at the CDC, who was one of several authors of the study published on Friday in JAMA Pediatrics. Honein said the findings do not paint the entire picture of Zika, which has also been linked to a number of other birth defects, including various brain abnormalities, limb joint deformities, club foot, deafness and eye abnormalities. "It's going to be very important to follow up on these infants," she said. Honein said the CDC was working closely with the Puerto Rican Department of Health to reduce the incidence or mitigate the impact of Zika infection, particularly in pregnant women. "I think it's critically important that we do everything we can to prevent Zika virus during pregnancy, and to minimize this very severe and devastating outcome." Honein said while the study was based on an imperfect understanding of Zika and its impact on unborn children, she said it was important to release the data to help the country plan for the services that will be needed to care for the children born with microcephaly. The condition, in which infants are born with abnormally small heads for their age, is estimated to cost $10 million over the lifetime of one child. The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last fall in Brazil, which has now confirmed more than 1,800 cases of microcephaly that it considers to be related to Zika infection in the mothers. (Editing by Bernadette Baum) 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. Based on the true story of two twenty-something arms dealers, Miles Teller and Jonah hill star in "War Dogs," as the Miami pair win a lucrative government contract to supply weaponry to troops in Afghanistan. - What's it about? - Friends since high school and both looking for a bit of business, Efraim brings David on board his industry-disrupting arms dealership. Not long after, they've landed a $300m deal with the US government, sending them around the world on a mission to fulfill get things done by any means possible. Offering the US a supply contract too good to be true, the pair have to outwit military officials and outrun militias as they attempt to make some serious money. - Who's in it? - Jonah Hill (Diveroli) might have started out in comedy films like "Knocked Up" and "Superbad", but has proven his dramatic ability with "Moneyball" and latterly "The Wolf of Wall Street", for which he was nominated for an Oscar. Conversely, Miles Teller (Packouz) established himself with "The Spectacular Now", "Whiplash", the ongoing "Divergent" franchise, while "21 & Over","That Awkward Moment" and "Get a Job" provided lighter material. His next film, "Bleed It Out", is also highly anticipated. Also prominent among the "War Dogs" cast are Ana de Armas ("Hands of Stone"), J. B. Blanc (children's TV series "Peter Rabbit,") and Bradley Cooper ("American Hustle.") - Who's behind it? - Director Todd Phillips co-wrote "War Dogs," adapting it from Guy Lawson's original article for Rolling Stone, having done double duty on 10 of his 14 previous movies, including "Old School", "Starsky & Hutch", and the second and third "Hangover" films (which co-starred Cooper). Phillips also produced one of Teller's early breakthroughs, house party flick "Project X." Story continues - Is it any good? - Review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes pegs the R-rated "War Dogs" with a 62% approval rating derived from an average review score of 6/10, though its pick of top critics were slightly less enthusiastic (59%, 5.9/10). But Metacritic's spread of scores, from 18% ("vacuous, ugly, unfunny" -- Consequence of Sound) to 90% ("nimble, gripping, and terrific" -- Variety), illustrates the wide breadth of opinion provoked by "War Dogs"; on IMDb, 350 early scores from users combine for a 7.3/10 rating. - When's it out? - An August 19 opening in the US and Canada (plus India, Sweden, and several Eastern European countries) is preceded by debuts a day earlier in Brazil, the Netherlands, Israel, Russia and more. The week of August 24 sees "War Dogs" arrive in the UK, Argentina, and the Philippines, opening in Singapore on September 1, in France on September 14, Hong Kong September 15, and Germany September 29. - Trailers & Social - 'Find your Hustle' trailer (plus playlist): youtu.be/KWs5qnZnhfo Facebook | Twitter | Instagram It's the harrowing 911 call of a brave California boy who describes saving his 2-year-old brother from an attempted kidnapping just moments before. Read: Meet The 8-Year-Old Sister Who Saved Her Baby Brother From Kidnapping The 8-year-old was with his mother and 2-year-old brother by a Glendale elementary school when cops said a stranger approached the family, and tried to kidnap the toddler. "He said, 'You have a beautiful kid,' and tried to get the baby out of our hand," the boy could be heard saying to the 911 dispatcher. While it was originally the boy's mother who called police, the dispatcher asked the woman to pass the phone onto her older son due to her heavy accent. The boy was up to the task, and replayed the scene to the 911 dispatcher. "It didn't happen to me, it happened to my little brother," he explained. "He was walking, sneaking past us and trying to get the baby out of our hands. And then she hit my mom, and I said 'let my brother go' very strongly." The boy then said he was able to push the attacker off and keep his brother safe, but the attacker got away. "We were guarding my little brother, so she couldn't take him," said the 8-year-old, whom police are asking media to keep unnamed. When the 911 dispatcher asked the boy to describe the attacker, the boy responded: "He drives a small, gray car. It was a man, it looked like a lady. We weren't sure. Her, his voice looked like a girl but he looked like a man." According to a press release by the Glendale Police Department, a similar incident was reported just 20 minutes earlier. A mother was taking a walk with her infant child, who was in a stroller, when what appeared to be the same attacker approached the pair, and grabbed the child out of the stroller, surveillance footage showed. The attacker, whom police later identified as 52-year-old Lisa Arnold, could be seen in surveillance footage running back to her silver car empty handed after a struggle with the distraught mom. Story continues Read: Woman Who Kidnapped Newborn, Raised Her for Nearly 2 Decades, Gets 10 Years in Prison Arnold, of Glendale, was arrested and taken into custody several days later on two counts of attempted kidnapping involving a child under the age of 14. Police are not looking for any other suspects at the time. She has since pleaded not guilty. Watch: Meet #PrisonBae, the Woman Whose Flawless Mugshot Seems to Absolves Her of All Crime Related Articles: 19 Aug - Actor Aga Muhlach has finally made his return to home network, ABS-CBN, and his first stop will be the upcoming reality competition, "Pinoy Boyband Superstar". As reported on Coconuts Manila, the 47-year-old star, who attended the contract signing held on 18 August looking as dashing as ever, will be joining the programme as one of the judges alongside Vice Ganda, Sandara Park, and Yeng Constantino. "The former matinee idol joins the next search for next Boyband Superstar!" wrote Star Cinema on its official Twitter account. Muhlach previously hinted about his return to the Kapamilya network by posting a photo of the network's iconic broadcast tower, saying, "Long time no see!" ABS-CBN has also been teasing its viewers with hints about its final judge via Instagram recently, describing each one of them as "Phenomenal", "Pop Rock", "Pop Sensation", and "Heartthrob". Muhlach, who was part of the network for two decades, previously moved to TV5 before he took a short hiatus in 2014 after hosting two seasons of "Let's Ask Pilipinas". (Photo source: instagram.com/ericjohnsalut) Quoting figures from the Bihar police, Sushil Modi said cases of rape have increased by 55% in June in comparison to April this year. Modi said that the figures on crime exposed Nitish Kumar tall claims on prohibition and its so called positive impact. Photo: PTI By Rohit Kumar Singh: Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi said that despite prohibition imposed in the state for the last five months, there has been no decrease in crime figures and on the contrary there has been a rise in crime across the state. Modi said that the increase in crime has exposed the reality of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's ambitious prohibition law. advertisement RISE IN CRIMES The BJP leader alleged that doctors, engineers, businessmen and politicians from opposition parties in the state were being targetted by the Bihar government. Modi alleged that the killing of BJP leaders Bisheshwar Ojha in Arrah and the recent killing of BJP leader Ashok Jaiswal in Danapur punctured claims made by Nitish Kumar that crime had declined in the state after prohibition. The former deputy chief minister said there was a slight dip in crime rate in April when prohibition was imposed in Bihar but from May onwards the crime graph is on the increase. Quoting figures from the Bihar police, Modi said cases of rape have increased by 55% in June in comparison to April this year. THIS EXPOSES THE FAILED LAW: SUSHIL MODI "Nitish Kumar has to explain that why despite prohibition enforced in state, crime against women has risen?", asked Sushil Modi. He said that there has been an increase of 22% in cognizable offences and 14% increase in murders cases in the state from April onwards. He further added that dacoit cases increased by 52% and riots cases rose by 59% since April this year. Modi said that the figures on crime exposed Nitish Kumar tall claims on prohibition and its so called positive impact. --- ENDS --- Bamako (AFP) - Ahmad Al-Faqi Al-Mahdi, whose war crime trial in The Hague opens on Monday, is a quiet Koranic scholar turned ruthless enforcer for jihadists when they occupied the fabled Malian city of Timbuktu. Born around 40 years ago in Agoune, 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Timbuktu, the curly-haired former teacher was steeped in Islamic learning from a young age. He fast became a fervent proponent of the strictest interpretations of Islamic law, which had little popular support in Mali, but his chance came when jihadists descended on Timbuktu in April 2012. Mahdi was soon recruited by the Islamist group Ansar Dine as "the most competent and prominent person in Timbuktu when it came to being knowledgeable in religious matters", in the words of International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors. Among a group of outsiders, Mahdi stood out for his local knowledge while also being a fluent Arabic speaker, and his scholarly background lent a veneer of credence to the Islamists' call to destroy several UNESCO-listed sites they considered idolatrous. Mahdi has made clear "his wish to plead guilty" to orchestrating the destruction of nine mausoleums and a section of the revered Sidi Yahia mosque, which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. - Phenomenal memory - The war crime charge he faces relates to their destruction. His former teachers recall a quiet, even introverted boy who impressed with the much-prized feat of memorising the entire Koran, Islam's holy book. "Among the 82 students in the madrassa (Islamic school), Ahmad had the most phenomenal memory, by a long way," said El Hadj Mohamed Coulibaly, his teacher in the 1980s. "He had the whole Koran in his head. We couldn't catch him out," Coulibaly said. A brilliant pupil, he spent time in Libya and Saudi Arabia, then went on to a Koranic college and worked as an Islamic teacher elsewhere in Mali before returning to the Timbuktu area shortly before jihadists entered the city. Story continues Waves of unrest had led to a military coup in March that year and an all-out rebellion in the country's north, led by Tuareg groups who were soon sidelined by Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists, including the Ansar Dine group. When the jihadists swaggered into town, Mahdi was working at an association for Muslim youths, providing them with religious advice, and was well known for his rigid principles and advocacy of sharia law. He already had connections in the jihadist world, rubbing shoulders with the man who would become spokesman for Ansar Dine in Timbuktu, Sanda Ould Bouamama, and through his marriage to the niece of Houka Houka Ag Alfousseyni, an Islamic judge. Life in Timbuktu altered quickly to fit the vision Mahdi had always wanted for his nation: adulterers were stoned, thieves had their arms amputated, and smokers and drinkers were whipped. In a city known also for its long musical tradition, singing and concerts were banned. Mahdi became the head of the "Hisbah", or morality police, which upheld the jihadists' narrow interpretation of the Koran's teachings. As the head of this brigade, "he used the carrot and the stick", said a senior religious figure in Timbuktu, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, personally whipping women he judged "impure", but holding sympathetic meetings with smokers reconsidering their habit. - Shocked humanity's consciousness - Mahdi was "a bit town sheriff" in his style, also presenting himself as the boss of all the city's imams, a local official told AFP. By late June in 2012, Mahdi had grown frustrated by the townspeople's unwillingness to desist from their long-held practice of worshipping Timbuktu's shrines of Muslim saints. Using pickaxes, chisels and pick-up trucks, his men destroyed 14 shrines and a section of the mosque, wiping out centuries of tradition that attracted pilgrims from across Africa and the Middle East. "The prophet (Mohamed) said break apart these mausoleums because all people are equal and so in a cemetery no tomb must rise higher than another," he told an AFP journalist, shortly before the destruction began. Mahdi's role was to "justify all decisions made in the name of sharia, the name of the Koran," he added. But Ansar Dine's actions, led by Mahdi, shocked "humanity's collective consciousness", said prosecutor Fatou Bensouda at the Hague in March, leading to an unusual type of war crime charge. His ICC trial is a collection of firsts: the first to be brought by the world's only permanent war crimes court over the extremist violence in Mali, the first jihadist to face justice before the court, and the first time an ICC defendant has said he will plead guilty. His lawyer Jean-Louis Gilissen defended him as "an intelligent, reasonable and educated man" who had sought to do good in response to a "divine message". But though the tombs have been rebuilt, the city once known as the "Pearl of the Desert" has yet to regain its shine, riven with insecurity and violence under the watch of Islamist and criminal gangs. Air Products and Chemicals Inc. APD has opened a new advanced non-electronics specialty gas and helium transfill center in Ochang, North Chungcheong, South Korea. The company has built the facility to cater to the growing demand of numerous industries including automotive, analytical, petrochemical and bio-healthcare, among others. The industrial complex of Ochang houses fine chemical, pharmaceutical and electronic materials producers. The location will enable Air Products to transfer high purity gases more efficiently and consistently to the industries situated in the area. The new plant will be producing high purity specialty gases (99.995% and higher) including rare gases and mixtures along with packaged helium. Air Products aims to strengthen its supply abilities locally and cater to the growing markets. The new facility in South Korea will thus help the company serve this important specialty gas and helium region better. Specialty gases help industries improve returns, reduce costs and work efficiently. Air Products Ochang facility will supply the gases in 10 liter 150 bar cylinders, 47 liter 150 bar cylinders and cylinder packs, as well as 50 liter 180 bar cylinders. These cylinders will be supplied in 50 liter 200 bar high-pressure and large-volume cylinders. The company has a number of other helium manufacturing plants. With its focus on Asia, last month Air Products announced its decision to expand in east China. The company has decided to build a new plant and the infrastructure associated with it, in the Pukou Economic Development Zone (PKEDZ), Nanjing. The plant will provide customers in the park with ultra-high purity gases. Recently the company was also awarded a long-term supply contract in South Korea. It will supply oxygen to KCC Corporations new glass wool production line in Gimcheon which is expected to come online in Jan 2017. AIR PRODS & CHE Price Story continues AIR PRODS & CHE Price | AIR PRODS & CHE Quote Shares of Air Products rose roughly 0.8% to close at $154.97 on Aug 18. Air Products saw higher profits in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 (ended Jun 30, 2016), backed by restructuring and operational improvements. Adjusted earnings of $1.92 per share for the quarter beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues of $2,434.4 million missed the same. The company reported double-digit EPS growth for the eighth consecutive quarter. Air Products expects earnings from continuing operations for fourth-quarter fiscal 2016 to be in the range of $1.91$2.01 per share. The company also raised the lower end of its fiscal 2016 earnings guidance to the band of $7.45$7.55 per share from the earlier view of $7.40$7.55. The company reiterated its estimated capital expenditures of around $1.2 billion for fiscal 2016. Air Products currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked companies in the chemical space include Innospec Inc. IOSP, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. SHECY and Innophos Holdings Inc IPHS, all sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AIR PRODS & CHE (APD): Free Stock Analysis Report INNOPHOS HLDGS (IPHS): Free Stock Analysis Report INNOSPEC INC (IOSP): Free Stock Analysis Report SHIN-ETSU CHEM (SHECY): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research From Popular Mechanics LONDON (AP) - A blimp-shaped, helium-filled airship considered the world's largest aircraft flew for the first time Wednesday with a short but historic jaunt over an airfield in central England. Engines roaring, the 302-foot (92-meter) Airlander 10 rose slowly into the air from Cardington airfield, 45 miles (73 kilometers) north of London. A hybrid of blimp, helicopter and airplane, it can stay aloft for days at a time and has been nicknamed the "flying bum" because of its bulbous front end. The stately aircraft performed a circuit of the area - watched by hundreds of local people who had parked their cars around the perimeter of the airfield - before touching down about half an hour later as dusk fell. The Airlander is designed to use less fuel than a plane, but carry heavier loads than conventional airships. Its developer, Hybrid Air Vehicles, says it can reach 16,000 feet (4,900 meters), travel at up to 90 mph (148 kph) and stay aloft for up to two weeks. "It's a great British innovation," said chief executive Stephen McGlennan. "It's a combination of an aircraft that has parts of normal fixed-wing aircraft, it's got helicopter, it's got airship." The aircraft was initially developed for the U.S. military, which planned to use it for surveillance in Afghanistan. The U.S. blimp program was scrapped in 2013 and since then Hybrid Air Vehicles, a small British aviation firm that dreams of ushering in a new era for airships, has sought funding from government agencies and individual donors. The vast aircraft is based at Cardington, where the first British airships were built during and after World War I. That program was abandoned after a 1930 crash that killed almost 50 people, including Britain's air minister. That accident and others - including the fiery 1937 crash in New Jersey of the Hindenburg, which killed 35 - dashed the dream of the airship as a mode of transportation for decades. Story continues Unlike hydrogen, the gas used in the Hindenburg, helium is not flammable. Wednesday's flight came days after a test flight planned for Sunday was scrapped at the last minute because of an unspecified technical issue. The successful journey was a milestone in the development of a vehicle that remains untested as a commercial proposition. McGlennan is confident there will be plenty of customers for Airlander - both civilian and military - because of its potential to gather data and conduct surveillance for days on end. It can also carry up to 10 metric tons (22,050 pounds) of passengers or cargo. The company hopes to have an even bigger aircraft, capable of carrying 50 metric tons (110,000 pounds), in service by the early 2020s. McGlennan said Airlander has many of the assets of a helicopter. It can "provide air transportation for people and goods without the need for a runway. But this thing can take more over longer distances, it's cheaper and it's greener." Chris Pocock, defense editor of aviation magazine AIN, said the jury is still out on whether the craft is commercially viable. "Airships and hybrids have still got a credibility gap to cover," he said. "Technically I think they are there now, but economically I'm not so sure." You Might Also Like From Harper's BAZAAR If you've been stuck at home while your friends Instagrammed the hell out of their summer vacations, now's the time to get revenge. Airfare is about to get way cheaper, and that means it's time for a perfect fall getaway. According to researchers at the travel app Hopper, the cost of airfare has started to drop, likely because peak summer travel is over. They predict that the cost of a plane ticket will drop 8.2% this fall, to reach a low of $213 for a domestic round-trip ticket in October. That number is just $1 more expensive than last fall's low, and 16% lower than 2014's fall fares. "Certainly, there's a big seasonal effect driving down fares," Patrick Surry, Hopper's chief data scientist, told CNBC. "Airfares almost always come down in the fall because there are fewer people flying." Surry says the low fares have two key causes: low fuel prices and empty seats that need to be filled. "We're seeing more flash fare sales where carriers offer tickets for half price for a limited period of time," he told the network. "They need to fill these planes even if it means selling seats at lower prices. If you want to get out of town ASAP, Hopper predicts that flights to Dallas, Austin, and Washington D.C. are the most likely to drop in price this month. If you'd prefer to go abroad, try Grenada, Costa Rica, or the Dominican Republic. You Might Also Like Amber Heard will donate the $7 million she received in her divorce settlement with actor Johnny Depp to two different organizations, including a childrens hospital and a group that helps victims of domestic violence, she announced Thursday. The Zombieland actress said her full settlement will be equally divided between the American Civil Liberties Union to aid the groups efforts to stop violence against women and the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, where she worked as a volunteer for the past decade. As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves, Heard said in a statement obtained by TIME. I know these organizations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future, she added. Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most. Heard and Depp settled their divorce Tuesday after the actress filed for one in May, according to the Associated Press. Heard, who had accused the Oscar-nominated actor of hitting her during a fight at home, also withdrew her physical abuse allegations, the news agency said. Two days after Amber Heard and Johnny Depp reached a $7M divorce settlement, the actress says she is donating the entire amount to charity. The recipients are the American Civil Liberties Union, with a particular focus to stop violence against women, and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves, Heard said in a statement today. As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated. This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future. Read her full statement below. On Tuesday, Heard filed paperwork in L.A. Superior Court withdrawing her request for a restraining order against Depp. They were married in February 2015, and she had filed for divorce three months ago. For years, we have worked through the courts and legislatures around the country to make sure that domestic violence victims are fully protected by the law and receive the government assistance they deserve, ACLU executive director Anthony Romero said today. We could not be more thankful for Ms. Heards support; she can be confident that this gift will help other women live safely and freely. Added Paul Viviano, president and CEO of Childrens Hospital in L.A.: On behalf of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles leadership, staff and the thousands of brave patients and their families who will benefit from this donation, I would like to thank Amber Heard for this tremendous gift. Her generosity will support the lifesaving treatments and cures that Childrens Hospital Los Angeles provides for critically ill children each year. Here is Heards full statement: As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves. As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated. This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future. The donation will be divided equally between the ACLU, with a particular focus to stop violence against women, and the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, where I have worked as a volunteer for the past 10 years alongside organizations like the Art of Elysium. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how more funding for staffing, better equipment and better medication can make the difference between life or death for a child. I know these organizations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future. Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most. Amber Story continues Related stories Amber Heard Drops Johnny Depp Restraining Order Request As Couple Settle Dispute WME Signs 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Scribe Terry Rossio ACLU Urges New York To Pass Bill Linking Diversity To Film Incentives Amber Heard has donated her full $7 million divorce settlement from Johnny Depp to charity. "As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves," Heard, 30, said in a Thursday statement obtained by PEOPLE. The actress added: "As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated. This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future." Earlier this week, Depp and Heard announced that they had reached a divorce settlement outside of court, just one day before their scheduled restraining order hearing. The former couple confirmed the settlement in a joint statement to PEOPLE commenting that their relationship was "intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love." On Tuesday, a judge dismissed the domestic violence case against Depp and terminated the actor's temporary restraining order, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. Heard added in her statement on Tuesday that the donation will be divided amongst a number of charities but with "a particular focus to stop violence against women" as well as the Childrenas Hospital of Los Angeles, where Heard has worked as a volunteer for the past 10 years. "I know these organizations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future. Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most," the actress concluded in her statement. Heard has donated the full sum to ACLU and the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. ACLU executive director Anthony Romero issued a statement, in which he thanked Heard for the donation. "For years, we have worked through the courts and legislatures around the country to make sure that domestic violence victims are fully protected by the law and receive the government assistance they deserve," he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "We could not be more thankful for Ms. Heard's support she can be confident that this gift will help other women live safely and freely." The hospital's CEO Paul Viviano also thanked Heard: "Her generosity will support the lifesaving treatments and cures that Children's Hospital Los Angeles provides for critically ill children each year." Heard was first granted a temporary restraining order in May after claiming that Depp had verbally and physically abused her throughout their relationship and marriage. She filed for divorce a few days prior to end their 15-month marriage. American Girl is releasing a brand new doll TOMORROW, and were already so in love with her American Girl is releasing a brand new doll TOMORROW, and were already so in love with her Its time to say hello to Melody, the newest American Girl doll on the block. Have you ever wanted to go back to being like, 9-12 years old again so much in your life? And not that you cant buy the doll for an awesome little girl in your lifeor keep her for yourself. two Melody Ellison is part of American Girls ongoing BeForever line, so shes got a time period, a place, and an awesome story that is sure to inspire all girls, both young and old. Shes nine-years-old and hails from Detroit in the 1960s, aka, the Civil Rights era and will be the third African-American doll, joining Addy and Cecile before her. And not only is Melody growing up in the Civil Rights movement, but shes also around for the birth of Motown music in her hometown needless to say, Melody loves music The accompanying Melody books (because you cant have forgotten that all American Girls come with BOOKS), are actually already available if you want to get to know this young, awesome girl ASAP. And in a truly amazing move, American Girl is also giving out FREE Melody books to children in Detroit now through the end of 2016. On the American Girl website, Melody describes herself in her own words, and were like : Fairness and equality for all people sounds like music to my ears. More than ever, I need to lend my support at home, at church, and around my neighborhood. Itll take courage, but adding my voice to others, can really make a difference. The new doll was first announced earlier this year, but now, you can actually take her home with you. If youre around Detroit, you can head over to the Detroit Public Library or the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for Melody kick-off events and at the Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Michigan starting TOMORROW, August 20th. Story continues Everyone else has to wait until August 25th to start placing online and catalogue orders. Melody will also be available for purchase at all American Girl stores then, too (if youre lucky enough to live by an American Girl store). Welcome, Melody! Were so happy to meet you. The post American Girl is releasing a brand new doll TOMORROW, and were already so in love with her appeared first on HelloGiggles. American Idol, the highly rated reality competition series that recently ended its 15-season run on Fox, has been chosen by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for its 2016 Governors Award "in recognition of its game-changing impact on the medium," the TV Academy announced on Friday (Aug. 19). Kelly Clarkson Makes History as First 'American Idol' Contestant With 100 Billboard No. 1s The Governors Award is presented annually to "an individual or organizational achievement in the television arts and sciences that is so exceptional and universal in nature, it goes beyond the scope of annual Emmy Awards recognition." Past recipients include William S. Paley, Masterpiece Theater and the "It Gets Better" project. The Ryan Seacrest-hosted Idol was created by Simon Fuller, who served as its executive producer for its entire run. Its judges famously included Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Jennifer Lopez, among others. And several of its competitors have gone on to phenomenal success in the music business, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, among others. 'American Idol' Stars: Then And Now "American Idol wasn't just a hit show," said Governors Award selection committee chair Michael Levine. "With its successful integration of social media, dominance of the pop-culture conversation and legions of imitators, it changed television in a profound way. You could meaningfully divide the history of television into 'before American Idol' and 'after American Idol.'" Idol's only 2016 Emmy nomination was accorded to Seacrest, who is up for outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program. The show cumulatively has received 59 Emmy nominations and won eight Emmys, though never one for outstanding reality series or a denomination thereof. The show did, however, previously receive another Governors Award, in 2007, for its episode "Idol Gives Back." This article was originally published on The Hollywood Reporter. By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) today signed an MoU with University of Latvia for establishment of an academic chair for ayurveda research in the European nation. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by CCRAS Director General Vaidya K S Dhiman and Valdis from University of Latvia in the presence of AYUSH Secretary Ajit M Sharan and Stella Ankrava, first secretary, Lativa Embassy. advertisement "A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and University of Latvia on establishment of an academic chair in Ayurveda was signed today," the AYUSH Ministry said in a statement. The MoU will provide a structured framework for taking forward academic and research activities in Ayurveda through deputation of an Ayurveda Professor to the University of Latvia. PTI JTR KUN --- ENDS --- Jimmy Feigen Jimmy Feigen, one of the American swimmers involved in the controversy surrounding gold medalist Ryan Lochte's falsified account of armed robbery in Rio de Janeiro, has agreed to pay a $10,800 "donation" in exchange for his passport, Feigen's lawyer told the Associated Press on Friday. Attorney Breno Melaragno said Feigen would leave the country upon making the payment. From the AP: "Attorney Breno Melaragno said under the agreement, Feigen will make the donation, get his passport back and depart. "Melaragno did not specify where the money will go, but his use of the term 'institution' can be taken to mean a charity. He said that under Brazilian law, a donation can be made to avoid criminal prosecution for minor offenses, but did not say what charge was being contemplated." Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, the two swimmers pulled off their flight on Wednesday night and subsequently questioned by Brazilian authorities, both flew home late Thursday. Their attorney told the AP they had not lied in their testimony and were questioned only as witnesses. From the AP: "Bentz and Conger 'were heard only as witnesses. This has to be made very, very clear,' lawyer Sergio Riera told The Associated Press. 'They did not make any untruthful testimony. They did not lie in their statements.'" Though all four swimmers will shortly be back in the US, the AP reported that the saga is not necessarily over. Rio authorities are reportedly considering charges of falsely reporting a crime and destruction of property. On Thursday, the Rio police declared that no armed robbery had occurred, despite Lochte's account to the authorities and to NBC. "No robbery was committed against these athletes," Civil Police Chief Fernando Veloso said in a news conference. "They were not victims of the crimes they claimed." The United States Olympic Committee released a statement strongly suggesting that some form of robbery did occur, while also apologizing for the behavior of the athletes. Story continues From the USOC statement: "An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment." The letter went on to apologize to the city of Rio and called the swimmers' behavior "not acceptable." The four swimmers were accused of vandalizing part of a gas station, which resulted in Rio police officers arriving on scene. From the AP: "After a few minutes, the swimmers stand up and appear to exchange something perhaps cash, as police said with one of the men. "The footage doesn't show a weapon, but a police official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing, said two guards pointed guns at the swimmers." Lochte's lawyer has maintained that the story was not fabricated. "There was a uniformed person with a gun who forced them to hand over their money," attorney Jeff Ostrow told The New York Times. More From Business Insider Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - American taekwondo veteran Steven Lopez overcame pre-fight nerves to keep his dream of becoming the ancient Korean combat sport's oldest Olympic champion alive in Rio on Friday. The 13th seed, champion in Athens and Sydney, shrugged off his 37-years to see off Russian fourth seed Albert Gaun in the first round and avoid the fate that befell him four years ago. In London 2012 he crashed out in his first fight, only disclosing later that his preparations had been hampered by a broken foot. "The only thing I've asked God is to give me my health and to be able to go out there and perform at my best," Lopez said after the early morning win at Rio's Carioca Arena in the Barra Olympic Park. Despite competing at his fifth Games - he picked up bronze in Beijing to add to his 2000 and 2004 titles - the Nicaragua-born star admitted to suffering pre-fight butterflies in his stomach. "I had to pray and just smile to remind myself this is what I love to do. "I'm here to enjoy it but nonetheless those nerves are still there just like they were when I was a little kid. "The only thing is to manage those nerves, just so long as I go out there and enjoy myself I think it's going to be a great day." Lopez will face Lutalo Muhammad in the quarter-finals after the British number one breezed through his opener 14-0 against Australian Hayder Shkara. The tall, imposing Muhammmad declared he is in Rio for only one purpose. "I came here for gold so it's gold or bust for me," said the 25-year-old from the London borough of Walthamstow. The fifth seed in Rio was controversially chosen over the then-British number one Aaron Cook for the London Games. After a falling out with the British taekwondo powers that be Cook took dramatic action, switching nationalities to fight under the Moldovan flag. He could meet Muhammad in the final, which would be taekwondo's greatest ever grudge match with bad blood simmering between the pair since the 2012 selection row. New Zealand's bowlers held the advantage on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Friday. South Africa struggled to 236 for eight at the close of play after deciding to bat in overcast conditions, with the floodlights on for most of the day. Left-arm opening bowler Trent Boult struck two telling blows, making the first breakthrough when he had Stephen Cook caught behind for 20, then dismissing top-scorer Hashim Amla for 53. Fellow left-arm seamer Neil Wagner finished the day with the best figures of three for 47, while left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner halted a promising fightback by South Africa when he dismissed Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma in the space of three balls. Batting was never easy on a slow but well-grassed pitch, with Boult in particular getting the ball to swing and seam. Cook got a faint edge to a ball which straightened off the surface after several other deliveries had swung in to the right-hander. Amla, by contrast, was caught behind off an inside edge when a ball swung in to him. South African-educated Wagner used the short ball effectively, having JP Duminy caught at fine leg off an ill-judged pull shot. Wagner then dismissed former schoolmate Faf du Plessis with the help of a spectacular diving catch at gully by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. Du Plessis, standing in as South African captain for the injured AB de Villiers, made 23 in an 84-ball vigil. Bavuma and De Kock both batted positively in adding 48 for the sixth wicket. De Kock made 33 runs off 33 balls before going down the wicket to try to hit Santner for a third successive boundary, lofting a catch to wide mid-off. Two balls later Bavuma missed a sweep against Santner and was leg before wicket for 46. Doug Bracewell, who replaced leg-spinner Ish Sodhi in the only change from the New Zealand team that won two Test matches against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo recently, took the other wicket when he had opener Dean Elgar caught at second slip. Amy Schumer talked at length about Kurt Metzger, a writer on her Inside Amy Schumer Comedy Central series, in an interview with Charlie Rose. Metzger sparked a social media furor over comments he made on Facebook about a sexual abuse scandal, comments to which Schumer responded. He baits people, Schumer told Rose said. Hes the problem, no question, but the focus is on him rather than on what the really the real main problem is. Rose interjected asking Schumenr you mean a smart understanding of what rape has become, to which Schumer responded affirmatively. To focus your energy on online trolling, if I did that, I wouldnt get anything done, she said. Lets focus on actually getting the problem done. Schumer also talked about the mood in the writers room for her show, and how Metzger is a welcome presence. One of the reasons hes such a great writer, and such a great contributor to our television show is because his views are so different from that of mine and most of the other writers in the room, explaining that Metzger offers a real male perspective. Kurts my friend, she told Rose. I love him. Im not on Facebook so I dont read his crazy rants. Like he just he gets something from going after people, making them mad. That is not representative of me at all. I and, you know, Ive asked him, just, can you just stop? Because it comes back to me. You can watch the interview in the video above. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MwLOq1mU74&w=970&h=546] Related stories Kurt Metzger Clarifies Rape Comments Following Amy Schumer Tweets; Apologizes Pete Hammond's Emmy Handicaps 2016: Actress In A Comedy Series 'Inside Amy Schumer' Not Over But No Season 5 "In Foreseeable Future" - Update There is something unsettling about the conviction of Anjem Choudary, and the chorus of approval that has followed it, from Muslims and non-Muslims alike. A disciple of the Islamist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, who fled Britain for Lebanon in 2005, the 49-year-old former lawyer was a founding member of al-Muhajiroun, a banned Islamist group that had once called for jihad against India, Russia, and Israel and defended the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Africa. For 20 years, Choudary had made a career out of Islamist activism, becoming a rent-a-quote radical the British media have been only too willing to enlist. He is a larger than life character, whose jihadi rhetoric and outlandish posturing make him the perfect scapegoat for assuaging fears over the real jihadis who remain hidden among us and seemingly come out of nowhere, making a mockery of our counterterrorism efforts. He is, in other words, a distraction, whose monstrous celebrity diverts us from the more unpalatable reality of the jihadi terrorism we face. As far as we know, Choudary has not plotted to murder and maim innocent civilians; he has not tried to join the Islamic State in Syria, Iraq, or any other provinces under the groups control, preferring to stay put in godless Britain, under whose generous patronage he lives; and he has not given money to the Islamic State or solicited funds on its behalf. Choudarys offense, rather, is to have pledged support for the group and encouraged others to do the same. Choudary and his associate Mohammed Mizanur Rahman were convicted on July 28, but details of the trial, including the verdict, could not be reported until a few days ago, when the Metropolitan Police issued a statement announcing the convictions. According to the statement, Choudary and Rahman were found guilty of inviting support, between June 29, 2014, and March 6, 2015, for a proscribed terrorist organisation, namely ISIL, also known as ISIS or the Islamic State, contrary to section 12 Terrorism Act 2000. For this, they face up to 10 years in jail and will be sentenced on Sept. 6 at the Old Bailey. The case seems to have hinged on the following evidence: On July 2, 2014, Choudary and Rahman met in a restaurant where they convened a Skype meeting with Mohammed Fachry, a convicted terrorist based in Indonesia. During this meeting, both men pledged their allegiance to the Islamic State and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Fachry, with Choudarys permission, then published this oath on an Indonesian website. The oath of allegiance was a turning point for the police, said Cmdr. Dean Haydon, head of the Metropolitan Police Service Counter Terrorism Command. At last we had the evidence that they had stepped over the line and we could prove they supported ISIS. The police statement also notes that Choudary and Rahman are believed to have been recruiters and radicalisers for over 20 years and have been closely associated with another proscribed organisation Al Muhajiroun [ALM]. Yet, strikingly, it does not cite or allude to any evidence supporting this claim. Of course, there is no doubt that Choudary, over many years, disseminated speeches and wrote material that was hateful, especially toward moderate or nominal Muslims, whom he and his fellow activists in al-Muhajiroun regarded as apostates fit for slaughter. It is also clear, based on the police statement, that Choudary personally supports the Islamic State and tried to persuade others to follow him in such beliefs. But we have no evidence that Choudary went any further than that say, by facilitating the journeys of men and women to Islamic State territory. And despite his associations with convicted terrorists, like Michael Adebolajo, and Islamic State members, like Siddartha Dhar, we have no firm evidence that Choudary was the driving force behind their radicalization, or anyone elses for that matter. Indeed, it is not even clear that such evidence could ever be available, given the impossibility of counterfactually demonstrating that the men supposedly radicalized by Choudary would not have undergone this transformative process had they not met him. Yet none of this has prevented the British media, which loves to hate Choudary, from portraying him as the Keyser Soze of the British Islamist scene, radicalizing hundreds of men, as though these poor souls had no agency in their own life stories but were brainwashed by Choudarys awesome demagogic powers. Choudary, as the British journalist Andrew Anthony observed in his illuminating profile of the cleric, no doubt has a certain charm and charisma. But it stretches credulity to believe that this mans sermonizing made anyone do anything they didnt already want to do, still less that they would risk everything because he told them to. It also dangerously mischaracterizes radicalization as a one-dimensional, low-budget, made-for-British-TV psychological drama of shadowy, charismatic recruiters manipulating naive and vulnerable malcontents. Whereas the little we know about radicalization suggests the opposite: a convoluted and unscripted process where real people with limited knowledge, resources, and power collide and make extraordinary decisions. But even if Choudarys rhetorical powers were as formidable as his condemners suggest, this wouldnt alter or minimize the wrongheadedness of convicting him under terrorism legislation, when the behavior for which he was convicted has little or nothing to do with terrorism, as standardly defined as, in the words of the philosopher C. A. J. Coady, the organized use of violence to attack noncombatants or innocents (in a special sense) or their property for political purposes. Choudarys offense, rather, relates to a speech-act: namely, that of supporting the Islamic State and defending its legitimacy as a state. As a British citizen, this also makes Choudary a defector: someone who has gone over to the other side. The deeper significance of Choudarys conviction is that it inaugurates a new and disturbing phase in Britains pushback against extremism: the criminalization of radical dissent and defection. Before Choudarys conviction, the drastic widening of the definition of terrorism to include speech-acts was an abstract worry here (the United States, for its part, began moving in this direction in 2013). But now its real. The irony is that the thinking behind Choudarys conviction is not altogether different from that of his own. According to Choudarys worldview, a perfect Islamic society would violently punish those who rejected its foundational tenets. When asked on Fox News in 2015 about his attitudes toward apostates (i.e., those who have renounced the Islamic faith) Choudary was clear and categorical: They should be put to death. This is a view that finds support across the four major schools of Islamic law, and reflects a widely held belief among classical Islamic scholars that apostasy is as grave an offense as murder, since it threatens the very unity of the Muslim community the ummah from within. As the Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi put it: Waging war against Allah and His Messenger by speaking openly against them is more dangerous to Islam than physically attacking its followers moral mischief in the land is more hazardous than physical mischief. Choudary is not facing the death penalty for his sundry speech crimes, but the impetus behind his conviction is informed more by concerns over his moral mischief than by any physical threat he poses. The same thinking and anxieties underlie Saudi Arabias decision, taken in 2014, to criminalize atheism as terrorism. But of course atheism is no more terrorism than is defection from Western values. Choudary is a clown with odious views. But he should not be criminalized, still less branded as a terrorist, for espousing these views. Rather, he should be subjected to trenchant criticism and ridicule. In Choudarys imagined utopia, it would be a capital offense to criticize Islam and the Prophet Mohammed. By criminalizing views that challenge its defining principles, liberal democracies risk replicating the unfreedom that Choudary so brashly and shamelessly stands for. Photo credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 19, 2016 / Khang & Khang LLP (the "Firm") announces that a class action lawsuit was filed against Inovalon Holdings, Inc. ("Inovalon" or the "Company") (INOV). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares on or about the February 12, 2015 initial public offering ("IPO") date, are encouraged to contact the Firm prior to the August 23, 2016, lead plaintiff motion deadline. If you purchased Inovalon shares on or about the IPO date, please contact Joon M. Khang, Esquire, of Khang & Khang, 18101 Von Karman Avenue, 3rd Floor, Irvine, CA 92612, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or by e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com. There has been no class certification in this case. Until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. You may choose to take no action and remain a passive class member. According to the complaint, Inovalon's Registration Statement issued in connection with the IPO failed to disclose material facts and contained misleading and/or false statements. The Company did not disclose that it receives significant revenues from sales in New York City and New York State, both of which were pushing to collect more taxes from out-of-state businesses like Inovalon. The corporate tax rate increases were implemented on January 1, 2015. This increase significantly raised Inovalon's effective tax rate, and lowered the Company's 2015 earning potential. When this news was announced, the Company's common stock value dropped significantly, causing investors harm. If you would like to learn more about this lawsuit, or if you have any questions concerning this notice or your rights, please contact Joon M. Khang, a prominent litigator for almost two decades, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or by e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com. This press release may constitute Attorney Advertising in certain jurisdictions. Contacts Joon M. Khang, Esq. Telephone: 949-419-3834 Facsimile: 949-225-4474 joon@khanglaw.com SOURCE: Khang & Khang LLP 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. A search party was organized that night to find the 54-year-old grandmother, but they only found her sandals, headscarf and jacket, and the tools she used to gather rubber at the time. 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. the wolf of wall street Anyone living in New York City is familiar with the stereotypical "finance bro" the young guy with a job on Wall Street who acts as if he never left his frat house. According to former entry-level employees who spoke to Business Insider, you won't find many of these people at Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. If we're talking about personality stereotypes, said one person, then you're more likely to find an entry-level employee who's "nerdy" and introverted. And there's a much higher chance they don't have the finance background of many of their Wall Street counterparts. Hedge funds have always been somewhat removed from the world of Wall Street banks, but Bridgewater is in a league of its own. Nestled in the woods of Westport, Connecticut, the firm operates on a system of "radical transparency" established by its founder, Ray Dalio. Over the past 40 years, Dalio has established a set of investment and management principles that constitute the machinery of his 1,700-person firm with $150 billion in assets under management. Dalio's management and life insights are known simply as the "Principles," and every employee must become familiar with all 210. "Pain + Reflection = Progress" are words to live by at Bridgewater, and all employees learn to "probe" each other, which entails questioning each other's logic in a stoic, unfiltered way. Most meetings are recorded digitally on an audio or video file, and each week, one of these videos is used in a companywide email for training purposes. Needless to say, this environment requires a certain type of personality, and Dalio doesn't limit his recruiting efforts to like minds from the financial world. On the company's website, college internships and jobs for new college graduates are broken down into management, investment, and technology associate roles, and it's made clear that none require a financial background. Story continues "We look for individuals with extraordinary intellectual capacity and curiosity, as well as the ability to rapidly learn and apply new concepts," the job posting for an investment associate reads. "We seek diversified educational backgrounds for our team and therefore encourage applicants from all academic disciplines to join." Financial experience would become more valuable for higher-level investment positions, but the general ethos applies to senior-level hires as well. For example, Dalio hired Silicon Valley veteran Jon Rubinstein as co-CEO earlier this year partially because Dalio valued Rubinstein's mentorship by Steve Jobs. The site also includes a video testimonial from a senior employee, identified as Bob E., who says he studied botany before joining Bridgewater after graduation. ray dalio A former employee said that to them it felt like the more an entry-level candidate wanted a traditional finance career, the less likely they were to get a job at Bridgewater. This person said that as graduation approached, they felt at a loss for what to do next, thinking that only a "weird" company would accept them for their eclectic background. Brian Kreiter, Bridgewater's head of client service and marketing and cohead of its core management team, told Business Insider he wouldn't go so far as to say that the company avoids young employees with traditional finance backgrounds, but that its approach allows for a much more diverse set of backgrounds than you may find elsewhere. "We think of people in terms of the building blocks of their values, their abilities, and their skills," he said. This means that recruiters will be searching for the top students at elite colleges, even if that person studied art history or psychology. While this isn't unheard of Steve Cohen's family office Point72 recruits some fresh graduates with liberal arts backgrounds if they are interested in learning about finance Bridgewater takes it to the next level. Bridgewater would not reveal how many people it hired 2015, but said that 10% were directly from campus recruiting, and that entry-level employees with nonfinance backgrounds are enrolled in a 15-month program where they learn in a classroom setting, typically for two three-hour sessions each week. Bridgewater's unusually large size and resources for a hedge fund allow it to invest so heavily in training and education. "From a values perspective, we're trying to understand the way the world works that's what our business is and so we're really interested in people that have a sort of deep curiosity, people that have the patience to understand deep and complex systems," Kreiter said. "Now, whether those are biological systems, or economic systems, or political systems, it doesn't really matter. Somebody who has an interest in and an ability to understand that deeply is interesting to us." If you have firsthand knowledge of what it's like to work at the world's largest hedge fund, reach out to rfeloni@businessinsider.com. We can offer anonymity. NOW WATCH: MALCOLM GLADWELL: Anyone who gives a single dollar to Princeton has completely lost their mind' More From Business Insider Away from all the media attention, Chief Justice of India is on a three day visit to a Himachal Pradesh, where he talked to local women and promoted literacy. By Manjeet Sehgal: While the face-off between him and the union government on the issue of the appointment of high court judges is still fresh, CJI TS Thakur took a day off and spent a night in a peaceful and lonesome Himachal Pradesh village. Far from the maddening crowds and hustle and bustle of Delhi, was in Daro Deoria village in Sirmour district of the hill state. Justice Thakur is married to Amita Thakur who belongs to Daro Deoria. He was here to meet his mother in law. This was his first visit to the village after he became the Chief Justice of India. advertisement He was given a rousing welcome and offered local cuisine. His relatives narrated how the CJI makes them feel that he is a common man too. "He has not changed at all. He is simple and down to earth. He sat with us and was in tears when he remembered his past. He likes local cuisine, the malpuas in particular," says Satender Panwar,Thakur's father-in-law. NO PAPARAZZI Justice Thakur avoided speaking to the media on the ongoing standoff between the judiciary and the central government, and appeared relaxed. The CJI refused to speak on camera but greeted reporters. Interacting with the visitors, most of them his relatives, the Thakur couple shared their foreign trip experiences. While his wife said she liked China, Justice Thakur was magnetised by Dubai. He also shared how he got lost in a Dubai mall and told the people about the big shops in that city. Justice Thakur, who is currently on a three-day Himachal Pradesh visit, on Thursday laid emphasis on female legal literacy and appealed to women to take up legal education. LITERACY FOR WOMEN The courts can play a big role by imparting legal education to females. They should involve more and more women in the legal literacy programmes," he said. He also met locals, young girl students in particular and asked them to study law and become brand Ambassadors.He also asked the local courts to involve more and more females in legal literacy programmes. He also shared how girls can become a judge like him and do justice. "I am glad that you are studying BBBS from China but you must learn Chinese and practice back home," Justice Thakur advised Swati Tomar who lives in his wife's ancestral village. He also met Shakshi Tomar ,a local law student and told her how she can become a judge like him. Also Read CJI Thakur takes a dig at PM Modi for his silence on judicial appointments --- ENDS --- Australia's Malcolm Turnbull Friday said he was "very disappointed" that hundreds of Vietnam war veterans were unable to attend 50th anniversary commemorations at a key battle site after plans were changed at the last minute. More than 1,000 Vietnam war veterans and their families had travelled from Australia to the Southeast Asian nation to attend a ceremony on Thursday, only for the Vietnamese government to cancel the event the day before. Prime Minister Turnbull, who spent an hour speaking to his Vietnamese counterpart on the issue, said the initial ban was later reversed but in the end only 700 veterans had been allowed access to the site on Thursday. "We're very disappointed that not all of the Australian veterans and their families were able to go to the Long Tan complex," he told Fairfax Radio. "What happened was that about 700 Australian and New Zealand veterans did attend the Long Tan area... (to) reverently commemorate that battle." Long Tan was the most costly single battle fought by Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War. Turnbull said Australia understood that the conflict was "a very sensitive issue in Vietnam". "We respect the right of the Vietnamese government to determine what ceremonies and observances are held in their country, but to change the rules literally the day before was very unreasonable," he said. A force of just 108 Australian soldiers held off an assault by around 2,000 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese fighters at Long Tan on August 18, 1966. Eighteen Australians died in action and 24 were wounded while at least 250 Vietnamese fighters perished. Australia has said the 50th anniversary plans had been under way with Vietnam for 18 months and Veterans Affairs Minister Dan Tehan described the abrupt cancellation of events as "a kick in the guts". Australia's Foreign Ministry said that Vietnamese authorities would allow further access to the Long Tan Cross site on Friday with strict conditions. A dual national British-Australian man has been arrested and detained in Dubai for sharing on Facebook a link to a fundraising campaign benefiting refugees in Afghanistan. Scott Richards, who lives in the United Arab Emirates city with his family but is a citizen of both Australia and the U.K., was charged with fundraising without permission, the BBC reports. The 42-year-old was first arrested three weeks ago after sharing a link to a crowdfunding effort to bring clothes, blankets and other supplies to children at a refugee camp outside of Kabul. New laws in the gulf country prohibit charities from operating without officially registering with the government and under these laws, any donations to charities or fundraising campaigns must first get approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, according to the BBC. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reports that Dubai authorities charged Richards on Friday. He did not receive bail and is expected to be kept in jail for another two weeks; if he is deemed guilty, he faces a year in prison and a fine of nearly $18,000. His conditions in jail have been bleak, his mother told the BBC. Changes of clothes are infrequent and he has to buy his own water. His wife is under extreme stress, his mother said. SYDNEY, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison on Friday officially rejected bids by two Chinese companies in the A$10-billion ($7.67-billion) sale of the country's biggest energy grid, Ausgrid, after they failed to overcome security concerns. Morrison announced last week that neither State Grid Corp of China nor Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, the preferred bidders, would be allowed to seal a deal. On Friday, Morrison said the acquisition by foreign investors would be contrary to the national interest. The decision has caused a rift between Australia and biggest trading partner China, which accuses it of bowing to protectionist sentiment in blocking the bid, as well as an earlier one by a China-led consortium to buy cattle company Kidman & Co. (Reporting by Jonathan Barrett; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) By Jonathan Barrett and Anshuman Daga SYDNEY (Reuters) - China voiced anger on Friday over a decision by Australia to rule out on security grounds the preferred Chinese bidders for an energy grid potentially worth more than $7 billion (5 billion pounds) and restart the sale process. Australia's Treasurer Scott Morrison, who must approve major foreign investments, formally blocked the sale of Ausgrid to State Grid Corp of China [STGRD.UL] and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings earlier in the day. Last month, Britain said it would review plans to build two nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point with financial backing from China General Nuclear. Prime Minister Theresa May was concerned about the security implications of the proposed Chinese investment, a former colleague and a source said. The disqualification of State Grid and Cheung Kong Infrastructure prompted the state of New South Wales (NSW) to restart the tender process for a majority stake in the grid. "The NSW Government will now move immediately to relaunch the transaction process for the partial lease of Ausgrid and notes the strong market interest for this valuable asset," NSW Premier Mike Baird said in a statement. The decision to halt the A$10 billion ($7.6 billion) sale - Morrison made a preliminary decision to block last week before confirming the stance officially on Friday - has caused a rift with China, Australia's biggest trade partner, just eight months after their A$100 billion free trade agreement took effect. China's commerce ministry said in a statement on its website that the decision showed uncertainty in Australia's investment environment and would seriously hurt the willingness of Chinese companies to invest in the country. State Grid said it "found it hard to understand and deeply regretted" the decision, adding it had followed regulations set by Australia in its bid and met all the bidding requirements. The Ausgrid delay is the latest in a series of setbacks for planned privatisations across the country, including the shelving of energy asset sales in Queensland and the Fremantle Port in Western Australia; both of which were disrupted by a lack of support in their state parliaments. Story continues Proceeds from the sale of Australian state-owned assets are designed to be ploughed back into the economy through job-creating infrastructure projects, including public transport networks. AUSTRALIAN BIDS FAVOURED The re-run of the Ausgrid tender opens the way for a local bidder, with Australia's pension funds likely to play a role as a partner in any fresh offers. One investment manager at a major Australian superannuation fund told Reuters that the bar on foreign bidders meant his fund would now look more closely at the asset, although he said it would take a long time to be in a position to bid. "Typically around the world the Chinese have been the highest payers," said the investment manager, who declined to be identified. "As investors, we've been reluctant to get involved. This might open the door but it's very early." Morrison said on Friday that the proposed structure of the Ausgrid bids would be contrary to the national interest. He has previously cited "national security issues", without elaborating. Foreign bidders will likely need to restructure their deals and bring in local partners to succeed in Australia, said Matthew Fitzgerald, an Australian-based corporate partner at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. "One example would be that rather than have a majority Chinese consortium buying the asset, you might have three or four different investors, some of whom are Australian, some of whom are Chinese," Fitzgerald said. ($1 = 1.3141 Australian dollars) (Additional reporting by Matt Siegel in SYDNEY and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Dale Hudson) * Australia formally rejects Chinese bid for energy provider * State leader pledges to reboot privatisation process * Australian pension fund will consider new tender (Adds comment from China's State Grid) By Jonathan Barrett and Anshuman Daga SYDNEY, Aug 19 (Reuters) - China voiced anger on Friday over a decision by Australia to rule out on security grounds the preferred Chinese bidders for an energy grid potentially worth more than $7 billion and restart the sale process. Australia's Treasurer Scott Morrison, who must approve major foreign investments, formally blocked the sale of Ausgrid to State Grid Corp of China and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings earlier in the day. Last month, Britain said it would review plans to build two nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point with financial backing from China General Nuclear. Prime Minister Theresa May was concerned about the security implications of the proposed Chinese investment, a former colleague and a source said. The disqualification of State Grid and Cheung Kong Infrastructure prompted the state of New South Wales (NSW) to restart the tender process for a majority stake in the grid. "The NSW Government will now move immediately to relaunch the transaction process for the partial lease of Ausgrid and notes the strong market interest for this valuable asset," NSW Premier Mike Baird said in a statement. The decision to halt the A$10 billion ($7.6 billion) sale - Morrison made a preliminary decision to block last week before confirming the stance officially on Friday - has caused a rift with China, Australia's biggest trade partner, just eight months after their A$100 billion free trade agreement took effect. China's commerce ministry said in a statement on its website that the decision showed uncertainty in Australia's investment environment and would seriously hurt the willingness of Chinese companies to invest in the country. State Grid said it "found it hard to understand and deeply regretted" the decision, adding it had followed regulations set by Australia in its bid and met all the bidding requirements. Story continues The Ausgrid delay is the latest in a series of setbacks for planned privatisations across the country, including the shelving of energy asset sales in Queensland and the Fremantle Port in Western Australia; both of which were disrupted by a lack of support in their state parliaments. Proceeds from the sale of Australian state-owned assets are designed to be ploughed back into the economy through job-creating infrastructure projects, including public transport networks. AUSTRALIAN BIDS FAVOURED The re-run of the Ausgrid tender opens the way for a local bidder, with Australia's pension funds likely to play a role as a partner in any fresh offers. One investment manager at a major Australian superannuation fund told Reuters that the bar on foreign bidders meant his fund would now look more closely at the asset, although he said it would take a long time to be in a position to bid. "Typically around the world the Chinese have been the highest payers," said the investment manager, who declined to be identified. "As investors, we've been reluctant to get involved. This might open the door but it's very early." Morrison said on Friday that the proposed structure of the Ausgrid bids would be contrary to the national interest. He has previously cited "national security issues", without elaborating. Foreign bidders will likely need to restructure their deals and bring in local partners to succeed in Australia, said Matthew Fitzgerald, an Australian-based corporate partner at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. "One example would be that rather than have a majority Chinese consortium buying the asset, you might have three or four different investors, some of whom are Australian, some of whom are Chinese," Fitzgerald said. ($1 = 1.3141 Australian dollars) (Additional reporting by Matt Siegel in SYDNEY and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Dale Hudson) Baku (AFP) - Officials in Azerbaijan on Friday said they had arrested four men over suspected ties to US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of masterminding last month's attempted coup. The four are accused of an "abuse of power" while working for a mobile phone company for having passed on private information about subscribers and their call history, Azeri prosecutors said. During a search of the home of one of the accused, investigators discovered "religious literature, disks, brochures containing speeches by Fethullah Gulen and other documents," they said in a statement. A close ally of Ankara, Baku earlier this week opened a criminal investigation into supporters of Gulen, who is accused by Turkey of ordering the July 15 coup in a bid to remove President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power. Gulen has consistently denied any involvement in the failed putsch. Azerbaijan last month shut down a private television channel over plans to broadcast an interview with Gulen, "in order to avoid provocations aimed at damaging the strategic partnership between Turkey and Azerbaijan". Gulen's Hizmet movement has affiliated schools around the world, including in ex-Soviet Kazakhstan, normally funded by wealthy Turkish businessmen. Fuel cell producer Ballard Power Systems Inc. BLDP announced that it has signed an agreement with Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("TTC"), a unit of the Toyota Group, to expand its operations in Japan. This strategic tie-up will help Ballard market it fuel cell products in the country. Details of the Agreement Per the agreement, Toyota Tsusho will act as a distributor for Ballard-powered fuel cell products in Japan. The product distribution agreement will runs up to Dec 31, 2020, unless the parties decide to extend it further. The President and CEO of Ballard Power, Randy McEwen is visibly optimistic about the agreement. He believes that the company will be able to leverage Toyota Groups extensive network across a wide range of end-markets to distribute its fuel cell products. The Future of Fuel Cell Energy in Japan After the Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan has persistently steered clear of nuclear energy, instead focusing on fossil fuels and alternate sources for generating electricity. The decision to shut down all nuclear power plants post the incident has been driving the demand for fossil fuels and alternate sources of energy in Japan. Referring to hydrogen as an 'energy of the future', the Japanese government has revealed ambitious plans involving expenditure of more than $100 million on the development of hydrogen infrastructure and other initiatives over the next five years. Thus, the scope of hydrogen-powered fuel cells in literally massive in Japan and the latest deal will enable Ballard Power to explore untapped opportunities. BALLARD PWR SYS Price BALLARD PWR SYS Price | BALLARD PWR SYS Quote Ballards Presence in Asia Last month, Ballard and China-based Guangdong Nation Synergy Hydrogen Power Technology Co. Ltd. formed a joint venture to produce fuel cell stacks at a facility in the city of Yunfu, located northwest of Hong Kong. The five-year deal has a potential to generate total revenue of $168 million for Ballard Power. Positive Investor Reaction The news of Ballard Powers tie-up with Toyota Group has gone down quite well with investors, with the companys shares gaining 9.6% yesterday to finally close the trading session at $2.16. Zacks Rank & Key Picks Ballard Power Systems currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the same industry include OSI Systems, Inc. OSIS, AU Optronics Corp. AUO and BWX Technologies, Inc. BWXT. All these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AU OPTRONCS-ADR (AUO): Free Stock Analysis Report BALLARD PWR SYS (BLDP): Free Stock Analysis Report OSI SYSTEMS INC (OSIS): Free Stock Analysis Report BWX TECHNOLGS (BWXT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research A member of the St. George Fire Department assists residents as they wade through floodwater at the Chateau Wein Apartments in Baton Rouge, La. (Photo: Gerald Herbert/AP) The summer of 2016 will go down as one of the most painful in Baton Rouges history. Its residents were still recovering from two violent tragedies the shooting of Alton Sterling and an ensuing deadly ambush on law enforcement when devastating floodwaters engulfed great swaths of land, destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, and killed more than a dozen people. The tragedies last month were the result of human actions and were understood as the tension between police and local residents that has been boiling over lately, making the lines between black and white all too stark. The flooding, however, was an indiscriminate act of nature that affected everyone. Ernest Johnson, president of the Louisiana NAACP, told Yahoo News that these three disasters should prompt Americans to look into their hearts and think about the direction our country is headed in. He said only one of these tragedies was an act of God. The others could have been avoided entirely. Its really now time, I believe, that we come to a point where we just make the decision that were going to live together in peace and harmony, because I think the country is going in the wrong direction with the guns and the killing, he said over the phone. A Baton Rouge police officer shot and killed Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, outside a convenience store on July 5. Video footage of the confrontation led to widespread unrest and further tarnished the already troubled relationship between law enforcement and the African-American community. On July 18, in retaliation, a 29-year-old veteran from Missouri ambushed Baton Rouge cops killing three and wounding three others. People climb aboard a boat to get supplies. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Sarah Wampler, 30, has deep Baton Rouge roots. She was born in Gonzales, a suburb of Baton Rouge, and her family has always lived in the city or just south of it in Ascension Parish, which was also devastated by the flood. She went to high school in Baton Rouge and has lived there since her days at LSU. Story continues Wampler, who owns a Highland Road bridal shop, Bustle Bridal Gowns and Accessories, said a lot of negative press has surrounded her beloved community this summer, and some of it was warranted: Theres still progress to be made in race relations and police training, and Sterlings death highlighted an area of injustice that still needs to be solved. Slideshow: Unprecedented flooding slams Gulf Coast >>> What the press neglected to highlight about our area is the passionate love that we have for where we live and the people who live here. After the death of Alton Sterling and the terrible assault on our police officers, I overheard countless How are you? Everythings going to be OK conversations all around the city between people of all races, she told Yahoo News. A big story in Baton Rouge that didnt command the national news cycle the way either tragedy did was #25onthe25th. More than 100 restaurants in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area pledged 25 percent of their sales on July 25 for the families of the slain police officers. There wasnt an empty table at a Baton Rouge restaurant. Lines were out the door, and wait times were over an hour at places that never see business like that on a weeknight, according to Wampler. When we think people need our help, we show up in vast numbers and with a passion that is not easily understood by anyone not from here, she said. A resident wades through floodwater at Tiger Manor Apartments, by the North Gate of LSU. (Photo: Brianna Paciorka/The Advocate via AP) Wampler has spent a lot of time cooking and delivering meals to her fellow Louisianans who werent so lucky. For every person who has been devastated by this storm, I know two other people who are organizing meal deliveries and shelter donations, offering their houses to those who need them, showing up at neighbors houses to help them put all their possessions in the trash pile at the road, she said. And, naturally, some of us have had our kitchens going all day every day making sandwiches for relief workers and those in shelters and hot meals for people who are suddenly ripped from their homes. Locals with flat-bottomed boats showed up wherever they could launch their boats to reach as many people as possible, Wampler said. Thats just who we are, she added. The Cajun Navy just shows up with life jackets, rain boots, food and water for the people they rescue and bug spray. Because Louisiana. Earlier this week, Baton Rouge resident Chris Macaluso, 40, told Yahoo News about his experience in the Cajun Navy of local first responders setting off in boats to rescue their neighbors. Ann Chapman, from the Louisiana State Animal Response Team, carries a dog she helped rescue. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images) I pulled up to peoples front doors, and they got out of their houses into the boats, and we pulled them to the highest ground we could, he said. Volunteers are pulling thousands and thousands of people out. The floodwaters are mostly receding across southern Louisiana, but the struggle is just beginning. Many of the flood victims, Macaluso said, lost everything and still need basic necessities: drinking water, clothes, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. We took people out who were carrying small bags, their purses with their medicines, Macaluso said. We also took people out who didnt have shirts on or were just in T-shirts. I dont know where they are all winding up, but hopefully they are getting to shelters. East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said during a press conference on Tuesday that more than 150 employees in his department had been displaced by flooding. But many never stopped doing their jobs during the crisis, he said. Were all in this together, and we have a long way to go. We received a tremendous outpouring of support and assistance from other agencies as well as the community, he said. Once again, I cant tell you how proud I am of the response that weve received from the Louisiana Sheriffs Association. Weve got sheriffs from my parish, from Livingston Parish, and other affected parishes who have come here from all over the state to lend us assistance. An aerial image shows flooded areas of North Baton Rouge. (Photo: Patrick Dennis/The Advocate via AP) President Obama signed a major disaster declaration for Louisiana on Sunday, making federal funding available to people affected in the East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena and Tangipahoa parishes, as well as to the state and local governments and eligible nonprofits responding to the disaster. It appears unlikely that the president will cut short his vacation on Marthas Vineyard to visit Louisiana. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrived Friday to survey the damage with his running mate, Mike Pence. As of Friday morning, more than 95,000 people and households registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance, and more than $16.7 million has been approved to help survivors with rental assistance, home repairs and other serious needs. Thats the new number there thats gone out the door to survivors. Youll see that number continue to grow throughout the day and in the coming days as well, Rafael Lemaitre, the director of public affairs for FEMA, told Yahoo News. More than 22,000 survivors with National Flood Insurance Program policies have submitted claims for flood loss, and FEMA issued $1 million in advance payments to policyholders. More than 1,000 FEMA personnel (including more than 560 housing inspectors) are currently on the ground in Louisiana. Johnson, who also lives in Baton Rouge, said he hopes that this summer of tragedy will inspire a change in the way people treat one another that sticks around long after the current crisis. I would ask everybody to pray for south Louisiana and Louisiana as a whole, and pray for our safety and that we will overcome this flooding disaster, he continued. I just think we need to have a change of heart. I think we need to see more love in our communities rather than hate. There are many ways to help Louisiana right now. Visit volunteerlouisiana.gov to find out about volunteer and donation opportunities across the state. The political blame game between the Lieutenant Governor and Delhi government finally came to an end and Najeeb Jung today banned the use of Chinese manjha. By Tanseem Haider: After the death of two children on Independence Day, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung today banned the use of metal coated manjha under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) with immediate effect. Manjha is a strong nylon glass-coated string used in flying kites. Coated with a metallic powder, this Chinese manjha is considered dangerours because when it comes in contact with a electric cables it can electrocute the kite flier, a passerby and even the birds. advertisement Four people have died and three people have been injured in kite string accidents in Delhi. A political blame game had ensued between the state government, Aam Aadmi Party and the Lieutenant Governor yesterday over the delay in manjha ban. Also Read: Political blame game ensues over manjha ban But the LG cleared the file today and the ban will be implemented with effect from today and any person selling, using or possesing a Chinese manjha will be punished under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. Also Read Manjha kills 3-year-old girl, injures cop --- ENDS --- Low fuel prices had lifted airlines stocks last year but the outlook has turned negative this year thanks to overcapacity, terrorist attacks, Zika outbreak currency headwinds and plunging fares. Most airlines have reported disappointing earnings for the recent quarter. About the Company Headquartered in Santiago, Chile, LATAM Airlines Group (LFL) is Latin America's largest airline. They provide passenger services to about 136 destinations in 24 countries and cargo services to about 140 destinations in 29 countries. They have about 50,000 employees and a fleet of 328 aircraft. The Companys shares are traded in Santiago as well as on the NYSE in the form of ADRs. Weak Second Quarter Results The company reported a net loss of $92 million for the second quarter. Net operating loss of $0.17 per share was much worse than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.03 per share. Total revenues plunged by 12.5% due to a 13.7% decline in passenger revenues and a 22.3% decline in cargo revenues. Per management, the revenue decrease continues to reflect a weak macroeconomic environment in South America, particularly in Brazil. They continue to adjust capacity in Brazil to bring it in-line with demand conditions. The management made no changes to their guidance for this quarter and expect passenger capacity to be relatively flat this year with respect to 2015. Falling Estimates Zacks Consensus Estimates for the current and the next year have fallen to $0.17 per share and $0.47 per share, from $0.26 and $0.34 respectively, before the earnings release. The company missed in two out of last four quarters, with an average negative quarterly surprise of 104%. Settlement of Bribery Charges In July, the airline agreed to pay more than $22 million in fines to the SEC related to an old bribery case. The Bottom Line While low fuel prices benefit airlines earnings, they also put pressure on pricing, particularly due to heavy discounting mainly by low-cost carriers. Many airlines expanded capacity in the wake of lower fuel prices which has now led to a fare war, In addition to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), the stock has poor Style ScoresF for Growth and Momentum and C for Value--resulting in a VGM Score of F. Further, the Airlines industry is currently ranked 241 out of 265 Zacks industries (bottom 9%). Investors looking to play this industry could look at Copa Holdings (CPA) which currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). More Stocks to Sell. Now. Beyond our Bear Stock of the Day, today's list of 220 Zacks Rank #5 Strong Sells demand even more urgent attention. If any are lurking in your portfolio or Watch List, they should be removed immediately. Many appear to be sound investments but, since 1988, such stocks have actually performed more than 11X worse than the S&P 500. See today's Zacks "Strong Sells" absolutely free >>. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report LATAM AIRLINES (LFL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The Childhood of a Leader, starring Berenice Bejo and Robert Pattinson, has found a new home in the U.K. following the insolvency this week of its former British distributor, Metrodome. The films sales company Protagonist Pictures moved quickly to rehome Brady Corbets pic, which opens Friday in the U.K. The movies British release will now be handled by Soda Pictures. The film, described by the Guardian as steely, sinister and utterly gripping, won the award for best debut at last years Venice Film Festival, as well as the directors award for Venices second-tier Horizons section. Edward Fletcher, managing director for Soda Pictures, commented: The circumstances surrounding Metrodome are deeply upsetting to all of us at Soda as a fellow independent film distributor, we are acutely aware of the challenges faced in todays marketplace, and we are completely committed to continuing their wonderful work. We will be looking to make the transition as seamless as possible, and wish the entire Metrodome team the best of luck in their future endeavors. Mike Goodridge, Protagonist CEO, said: We are deeply saddened by the situation at Metrodome. Its dedicated team has worked tirelessly to position The Childhood of a Leader in the U.K. market, but our urgent priority this week was to ensure a smooth release for the film. Our international sales manager George Hamilton swung into action and we are thrilled that Soda Pictures has picked up the baton. The movie, which also stars Liam Cunningham, Stacy Martin and newcomer Tom Sweet, is loosely based on Jean-Paul Sartres 1939 short story of the same name, and imagines the wealthy, dysfunctional and unhappy childhood of someone fated to become a fascist leader, according to the Guardian, which awarded the film a maximum five stars. Earlier this week, Metrodome entered administration, the U.K. equivalent of Chapter 11, which gives it protection from creditors following insolvency. Home entertainment distributor 101 Films acquired many of Metrodomes library titles, but the fate of its forthcoming theatrical releases is in doubt. Its most high-profile upcoming releases were Oliver Assayas Personal Shopper, starring Kristen Stewart, and Terence Davies A Quiet Passion. Story continues Related stories U.K. Distributor Metrodome Declared Insolvent, Seeks Protection From Creditors Berenice Bejo to Star in Tom Shoval's 'Shake Your Cares Away' (EXCLUSIVE) Cannes: U.K.'s Curzon Buys Shia LaBeouf's 'Borg/McEnroe,' Lars von Trier Serial Killer Pic What would happen if you sent your uninhabited grandfather and three of his friends on a seemingly haphazard excursion across Asia? If Henry Winkler, William Shatner, George Foreman and Terry Bradshaw are any indication, there would be plenty of hilarity. Better Late Than Never is a surprisingly delightful (albeit ridiculous) late-summer entry for NBC, which usually does well this time of year thanks to reality staples Americas Got Talent and American Ninja Warrior. Unlike those offerings, this new series is billed as an alternative comedy in other words, an older-skewing celebreality show thanks to flashy split-screen editing, rapid scene cuts, current music and situations reminiscent of Bad Grandpa. Its an American remake of the popular South Korean series Grandpas Over Flowers. The premise is simple enough: Winkler, who also serves as executive producer, calls up his three real-life buddies and asks them to go on an adventure alongside the unknown sidekick type, Jeff Dye. Over the course of the series they travel to four countries and explore six cities, in which they push each other to go a little further, sleep in ridiculous quarters and experience the local culture. Also Read: 'Better Late Than Never' With William Shatner, Henry Winkler Gets NBC Premiere Date (Video) In the premiere that means heading to Tokyo, where Winkler, still best-known as Fonzie from Happy Days, mugs for the local tourists (even though they dont know him), Shatner takes the guys out for a dinner of pork genitalia, and Dye books the group into a Capsule Hotel a place where Japanese men reportedly book a stay in a coffin-like room on nights theyre too drunk to go home. It sounds gimmicky and completely set up, but with this bunch it works. These are men who have certainly earned their fame on their own merits, but parlayed it over time into lasting legacies thanks to cheesy album releases, cameos, commercials and the like. None of them are afraid to poke fun at themselves or are worried about not being taken seriously, and thats where the real fun comes in. Story continues Shatner cracks jokes about Priceline and former athlete/grill-master Foreman can admit hes too damned old to climb steps to see Mt. Fuji in all its glory. Meanwhile they all ride each other over their respective idiosyncrasies and will do pretty much anything for a laugh. That includes riding a mechanical horse, jiggling around in a vintage weight-loss machine and fighting each other in giant life-sized robots at an after-hours club. These guys may not be as young as they once were, but they prove youre never too old to accomplish the things on your bucket list. Sure, there is some concern for their general well-being thanks to challenging treks, a hectic schedule and situations that dont exactly look comfortable for a 20-year-old to partake in, let alone an octogenarian. But by the end of the episode that becomes one of the jokes, as they ponder who might drop out first. (Current bets are on Shatner, at 85 the oldest of the bunch.) Also Read: ATX Television Festival to Honor Henry Winkler, Lineup Includes 'Orphan Black,' 'Revenge,' 'Bates Motel' (Exclusive) If youve ever dreamed about taking a vacation with your wild and wacky grandfather, this will certainly provide you with all of the motivation you need. But if that isnt in the cards, Better Late Than Never is definitely something you can watch together. Better Late Than Never premieres Aug. 23 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. 10 Shows Featuring Ex-'Friends' Stars Ranked: From 'Feed the Beast' to 'Cougar Town' (Photos) friendssplit matt leblanc episodes Showtime ABC NBC odd couple matthew perry thomas lennon CBS HBO matthewperrygoon NBC kudrowwebtherapy Showtime joeymatt mr sunshinematthewperry ABC feed the beast AMC Jennifer Aniston, TheWrap Previous Slide Next Slide 1 of 12 The six stars of NBCs 90s sitcom smash have had a mixed record with TV follow-ups, as David Schwimmer tackles AMCs latest crime drama The six stars of NBC's '90s sitcom smash have had a mixed record with TV follow-ups View In Gallery Related stories from TheWrap: Henry Winkler, William Shatner Set for NBC 'Better Late Than Never' Reality Series Garry Marshall Remembered: Henry Winkler, Seth Meyers, Rob Lowe Pay Tribute ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady reportedly has gotten an ultimatum. According to US Weekly, Bradys wife, Gisele Bundchen, has informed him that either he leaves football to spend time with the family or she is gone for good. Its not specified whether he must leave now or next month or after the current year ends. Brady [more] Tagazhout, a village in southwest Morocco of Berber origin, has long survived on its fish, as well as the production of beauty products such as argan oil. Peppered with colorful houses and fishing boats, the jagged coastline cuts into the ocean at intervals, seemingly indistinguishable from the beaches of other neighboring towns in the region of Agadir. But as the sound of the Muslim call to prayer echoes through the streets five times a day, local villagers are not the only ones bustling for space on the crowded roads. Clad in wetsuits and boardshorts, surfers from around the world make their way toward the beach. A surfer, a camel and a local in Tagazhout. Recent attention from a gaggle of intrepid surfers has triggered an influx of tourism to Tagazhout, bringing economic development with it. As in Costa Rica, California, Indonesia and beyond, surfing has created an entire tourist economy practically from scratch in this town, with surfers bringing everything from hotels to restaurants to board shops. Two such adventurers to Tagazhout were Samuel Wills and Thomas McGregor, Oxford-trained economists with a passion for waves. Tired of the dreary weather of the UK, the pair traveled to the Moroccan surf haven over a year ago and became inspired to complete a research project that studied the effect of surfing on local economies. I thought I was going to a really isolated little fishing village just to surf this wave. It was a nighttime flight, it was dark everywhere except for the lights just around this little fishing village which is really lit up, Wills told Travel + Leisure of his first trip to Tagazhout. Theres nothing different between this village and the village up the road except for the surfing waves. A surfboarder against the sun in Morocco. The economists compared the quality of surfing waves in a given area with that same areas economic activity. Good waves were chosen by a website crowdsourced input from experienced surfers, and economic activity was measured by light emissions. Across more than 5,000 locations, they found a strong correlation between quality waves and higher levels of economic activity. Story continues Taking into account food, drink, hotels, and other expenses, McGregor and Wills found that good waves amounted to an added $18-22 million per wave per year, or $50 billion globally. This practice of quantifying wave-breaks has been deemed surfonomics, falling under the larger umbrella of natural resource economics. In the span of a couple decades, Tagazhout went from being relatively isolated to being populated with shops, restaurants and taxi stands. Beyond the immediate economic effectsthe proliferation of surf shops and hostelsthe presence of surfing tourism has spilled over into all aspects of the economy: supporting local agriculture, fueling real estate development, and attracting local workers, according to Wills. However, the value of the waves, as they translate into economic activity, is not completely independent of all extrinsic factors. Countries that had high levels of conflict or poor business infrastructure did not see as high a return on their quality waves as those of countries that did. Its not enough just to have a really good wave, youve got to have the conditions conducive to surf tourism, McGregor said. More than 5,000 miles from Morocco, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the region of Tamarindo had long since emerged as one of those locales where surf tourism had taken hold and flourished. With its warm water, sandy beaches and a variety of surf-breaks suitable for wave-riders of all levels, Tamarindo was fertile ground for surfers when it began to get popular in the late 1980s. In the time since, surfers, along with scuba divers, beachgoers and all manner of explorers have flocked to the central American town. One staple for surf aficionados in Tamarindo is the Iguana Surf Shop. Founded in 1989, the institution now hawks gear of all kinds, in addition to surf classes and other tours. The speed of development and tourist arrivals has skyrocketed in the past decade and a half, according to Lindsey Gaston, operations manager for Iguana and sister of the shops owner. A surfer in Tamarindo. When my brother bought in 2000, there was only three surf shops at the time, and now theres 37, Gaston, told T+L, adding that the increase in restaurants and hotels has been just as drastic. The trend has been similar in places as seemingly disparate as Indonesia and California: the surfers come first and everyone else follows. Such was the case in Californian surf spot Trestles, where surfers have been flocking to the shores since the days of the Beach Boys in the 1960s. In recent years some 330,000 visitors to the region have spent $8-13 million per year on gas, restaurants, surf shops and sundries, according to Chad Nelsen, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation that has fought for natural conservation in the area around Trestles. They are the trendsetters and the early explorers, said Nelsen, one of the pioneers of surfonomics. The intrepid, explorer surfers were the first to show up. Related Articles Former President Bill Clinton turns 70 today. He served from 1993 to 2001 as the 42nd president of the United States. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president and the first baby boomer to get the keys to the White House. He oversaw the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in U.S. history, but was also only the second U.S. president to be impeached. Before becoming president, Clinton served as governor of Arkansas for five two-year terms, from 1979 to 1981 and 1983 to 1992. He was also the state's attorney general from 1977 to 1979. In 1992, Clinton became the first Democrat to win the presidency since Jimmy Carter in 1976, defeating incumbent George H.W. Bush in a rare three-way battle that also included billionaire H. Ross Perot. Despite being seen as the most gifted politician of his generation, Clinton suffered repeated setbacks as president, notably the 1994 Republican Revolution that saw the GOP recapture the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. After decisively winning re-election over Republican Sen. Bob Dole in 1996, Clinton in 1998 became the second president in U.S. history to be impeached. The Repulblican-held House of Representatives formally accused him of perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice in connection to a sex-and-lies scandal featuring a former White House intern. The Democratic-led Senate acquitted him, and Clinton served out his term. Clinton left office with the highest end-of-office approval rating of any U.S. president since World War II. Since then, he has been involved in public speaking and humanitarian work. Clinton created the William J. Clinton Foundation to address international causes such as the prevention of AIDS and global warming. (Olivier Knox/Yahoo News) See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumblr. McGregor throws bottle UFC It might have gotten off to a slow start, but thanks to a late appearance by Conor McGregors Ty Cobb-esque throwing arm and the Diazs crew of misfits, yesterdays UFC 202 presser managed to end on a highly embarassing note involving water bottles, Monster energy cans, and more F-bombs than The Wolf of Wall Street. mcgregor diaz bottles UFC In the time since what has officially been dubbed the Bottle Throwing Massacre, both McGregor and Diaz have given their sides of the story, with the former claiming self defense (and also, F*ck everything) and the latter giving his typical rundown of being the realest motherf*cker to ever step foot in the octagon. The one thing we havent heard, however, is whether or not McGregor and Diazs incredibly childlike actions would result in some form of punishment from either the UFC or the MGM Grand. You cant just try to use some guys laptop as a throwing device in the heat of the moment and expect to get off scot-free, after all. Otherwise were all just.animals. In any case, it looks like swift judgement has been handed down to both fighters crews in the form of an outright ban from UFC 202. Both Avila & Lobov confirmed that their respective entourages have been banned by the MGM. Only licensed corners allowed. UFC has confirmed. Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 18, 2016 One can only imagine that Jake Shields was given the boot based solely on account of his throwing prowess, but still, its interesting that McGregors team would be banned from attending UFC 202 when they had nothing to do with the incident in question. Probably for the best, though. Of course, it turns out that Nick Diaz never had any chance of being able to corner his brother in what is arguably the biggest fight of his life due to some pending issues from his recently-finished suspension. As NSAC director Bob Bennett told Fox Sports: As of this date Nick Diaz is not permitted to work the corner of his brother Nate because he is still suspended. Although the term of Mr. Diazs suspension expired on August 1, 2016, he remains on suspension pursuant to term 1.03 of his Settlement Agreement because he has failed to either pay his fine in full (his balance is $75,000) or enter into an approved payment plan. As such, the prohibitions of NAC 467.895 apply to Mr. Diaz at this time. Ah, these must be the technical difficulties Nate was speaking about on yesterdays edition of UFC Tonight. Its honestly baffling to me that the 209 crew would even be allowed within 100 yards of an arena on fight week considering their repeated run-ins in the past (the Elite XC brawl, the Strikeforce: Nashville brawl, the WSOF brawl), but then again, the sport would probably be just a biiiit more boring if they were. The first look poster of Tollywood megastar Chiranjeevi's yet-untitled 150th film will be out on his birthday (August 22). By India Today Web Desk: Tollywood megastar Chiranjeevi is presently shooting for his forthcoming yet-untitled film, which is the official remake of Ilayathalapathy Vijay's blockbuster Tamil film Kaththi. ALSO READ: Chiru 150- Prabhudheva to choreograph Chiranjeevi in his comeback film ALSO READ: Dhruva First Look- Ram Charan looks smashing as a police officer While the shooting of the film is catching up its pace, the makers of the film have planned to release the first look poster of the mega film on Chiranjeevi's birthday, which falls on August 22. Also, the title of the film is expected to be released along with the first look poster. The team is all set to reveal the first look of Megastar Chiranjeevi's 150th film on 22nd August! #Chiru150FirstLook pic.twitter.com/oUoMjarlR7 #Chiru150 (@KonidelaPro) August 18, 2016 advertisement Excited about uncle Chiranjeevi's film, Allu Sirish shared this news on Twitter. OMG! #Chiru150 title announcement and first look on Aug 22nd. I'm excited for this! Are you? Follow @KonidelaPro for official updates. Allu Sirish (@AlluSirish) August 11, 2016 Popularly known as Chiru 150 among fans, Chiranjeevi will reprise actor Vijay's role in the Telugu remake and will be seen in dual avatars. Actor Tarun Arora, who last seen in Tamil actioner Kanithan, will be locking horns with Chiranjeevi. Actor-choreographer Prabhudheva has been roped in to compose a song in the film, which is touted to have a fast-paced number. Directed by VV Vinayak, the team recently completed the first schedule of shooting recently. The film marks actor Chiranjeevi's 150th film, which will have music by Devi Sri Prasad, a popular music director in the Telugu industry. Jointly produced by Ram Charan and Lyca Productions, the film is scheduled for a worldwide release on 13 January 2017. --- ENDS --- Tokyo (AFP) - A Brazilian chef won the World Sushi Cup Friday, bursting into tears of joy after his knife skills and artful preparation of salmon roe, tuna and shrimp delicacies wowed Japanese judges. With the country's UNESCO-recognised cuisine enjoying an explosion of global popularity, the competition -- sponsored by Japan's agricultural ministry -- aims to improve sushi standards overseas. Dressed in white coats and hats, 27 chefs from countries ranging from France, Brazil and the US to Pakistan, nervously prepared fish and made traditional "Edo" style sushi, in tightly timed rounds. Their techniques were closely watched and evaluated by a panel of Japanese sushi masters, with 20 chefs making it through to the finals on day two, where they had to show off their own original styles of sushi. "I had fun," said cup winner Celso Hideji Amano, 38, a Brazilian of Japanese ancestry who shone in the traditional sushi making round, before busting into tears. "It's not an easy competition," Usman Khan, a 32-year-old Pakistani chef working at a branch of the prestigious Nobu restaurant chain in Cape Town, told AFP. "You're under a lot of pressure," he said on Thursday, the first day of the competition. The annual contest was first held in 2013 and Khan, who has competed twice and made it through to the finals this year, said it was a good challenge. "What better way to test your limits by competing against other chefs in the same profession in Japan," he said. - Soaring popularity - Khan first encountered sushi after he moved to South Africa from Kuwait 13 years ago. "I couldn't believe people could eat raw fish," he said. "I was disgusted initially but I got intrigued." As of July 2015, there were 89,000 Japanese restaurants outside Japan, up from 55,000 two years before, according to the ministry. But many establishments outside the country serve sushi without proper knowledge and skills, competition organisers said. Story continues "Quite a lot of people are learning from the internet and books," said World Sushi Cup chairman Masayoshi Kazato, who has worked as a sushi chef for more than four decades. "Improvement of the level of cooking and hygiene through this competition -- that's what we're aiming for," he said. One of the contestants, French chef Eric Ticana Sik, 31, said his goal in participating was simply to learn more. "We are one of the countries that eat the most sushi in the world, but there is really a lack of training," he said. "Only Japanese can teach us the basics." Sik, whose signature sushi brings together elements of Japan and France by combining salmon and brie cheese, said he wanted to meet other chefs from around the world to "discuss and share" views. The origin of sushi dates back to the Heian Period (794-1185), when salted "funa" fish were fermented together with rice, according to the ministry. The current style was developed in the Edo Period (1603-1867) when the public began using vinegar mixed with rice. While Bill Clinton could soon be the first male presidential spouse, he wont be fully participating in a 24-year-old presidential election tradition for spouses: the Family Circle Presidential Cookie Poll, a.k.a the First Lady Cookie Contest. The recipe the Clintons have opted to submit to the magazinelabeled the Clinton Familys Chocolate Chip Cookiesis Hillary Clintons original 1992 recipe, according to the Washington Post. In the poll that opened Thursday, those cookies will face off against Melania Trumps Star Cookies. This cookie face-off actually has a long history with the Clintons, as Hillarys comments on the campaign trail in 1992 are the reason it began. During a debate before the Michigan and Illinois primaries, Bill was accused by a rival of delivering favorable contracts to his wifes law firm during his tenure as governor of Arkansas, TIME reported. The comment rattled Hillary, resulting in her making a comment that provoked immediate backlash: I suppose I could have stayed home, baked cookies and had teas, she said, speaking of the sort of thing that happens to women who have their own careers. Her comments outraged many American women into a fit of rage, as evidenced by the Letters section in the April 20, 1992, edition of TIME: The response to her comment had plenty of ingredients and flavor but not much sweetness. For instance, there is the reaction of disaffected voter June Connerton of Princeton, N.J.: If I ever entertained the idea of voting for Bill Clinton, the smug bitchiness of his wifes comment has nipped that notion in the bud. Then add the annoyance of homemakers like Cindy Berg of La Crosse, Wis.: I resent the implication that those of us who stay at home just bake cookies. We hardly have the time! Family Circle saw an opportunity in the controversy, according to the Post, setting up a bake-off between Barbara Bush and Clinton. Clinton said, reported the New York Times that July, that if the cookie comment were going to become a competition, she intended to win. Not only was her recipe the product of a lifelong love of chocolate-chip cookiesbeginning with her familys Christmastime tradition of seeing who could bake the largestbut she was also willing to campaign hard on behalf of her recipe. My friends say my recipe is more Democratic, she was quoted as saying, because I use vegetable shortening instead of butter. Story continues Clintons determination (or at least her sweet tooth) paid off. She wonalong with her husband, who defeated George H.W. Bush to become the 42nd President of the United States. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter The winner of Family Circles First Lady Cookie Cook-Off ended up in the White House in every election between that contest in 1992 and 2008, when Cindy McCain took home the prize. Clinton has won against Bushs chocolate chip cookies in 1992 and Elizabeth Doles pecan cookies in 1996, now shes up against Melania Trumps sugar cookies. LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May will not begin formal divorce talks on leaving the European Union before the end of the year, a government spokeswoman said on Friday. Bloomberg cited unidentified officials as saying that May is sympathetic to the case for acting by April at the latest. "We don't recognize this briefing," a Downing Street spokeswoman said when asked about the report. "The government's position has not changed. Article 50 will not be invoked before the end of the year," the spokeswoman said. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Stephen Addison) Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - British number one Lutalo Muhammad steamrollered into the taekwondo men's under 80kg final on Friday where he was joined by Ivory Coast's Cheick Sallah Cisse. Muhammad ended American veteran Steven Lopez's dream of becoming the oldest ever taekwondo Olympic champion in the quarter-finals. Then the fifth seed saw off Milad Beigi Harchgani of Azerbaijan in the semi-finals. His bright progress at the Carioca Arena ensured he betters his bronze medal finish at London 2012 where he was controversially selected for the British team over the then number one Aaron Cook. Cisse booked his spot in the gold medal fight-off with a crowd-rousing 7-6 defeat of Tunisian Oussama Oueslati. He celebrated with a lap of honour, the Ivory Coast tricolor draped around the third seed's shoulders. His joy was in stark contrast to Cook's earlier utter dejection. Cook, now representing Moldova after falling out with the British taekwondo powers that be, was left distraught after crashing out in the opening round. For Cook, Rio has proved a traumatic return to the Olympic arena. The second seed was fighting in the Olympics for the first time since Beijing after being controversially overlooked by British selectors for London 2012. After a costly appeal - funded in part by his parents - failed to get him reinstated in the team Cook took dramatic action, switching nationalities to fight under the Moldovan flag. The move was funded by Moldovan billionaire taekwondo federation president Igor Iuzefovici. But his long circuitous route back to the Olympics after an eight-year absence came to nothing, his ambitions for gold left in tatters on the mat at Rio's Carioca Arena by Taiwan's Liu Wei-Ting. With a significant height advantage the 15th seed managed to avoid Cook's trademark spinning headkicks to beat him 14-2. The 25-year-old Dorchester born Cook was on the verge of tears as he tried to come to terms with his Olympic dream transformed into a nightmare in the space of a few minutes. Story continues "I'm absolutely devastated - all that hard work and sacrifice by myself and my parents, I just feel I've let everyone down," he shrugged, staring blankly into the distance. "It didn't go right on the biggest stage and it's heartbreaking." Lopez had begun his fifth Games encouragingly. Shrugging off his 37-years he defeated Russian fourth seed Albert Gaun to avoid the fate that befell him four years ago. In London 2012 he crashed out in his first fight, only disclosing later that his preparations had been hampered by a broken foot. Despite competing at his fifth Games - he picked up bronze in Beijing to add to his 2000 and 2004 titles - the Nicaragua-born star admitted to suffering pre-fight butterflies in his stomach. "I'm here to enjoy it but nonetheless those nerves are still there just like they were when I was a little kid." Unfortunately for his legion of fans he met his match in Muhammad, 12 years his junior. The tall, imposing and charismatic Muhammmad had declared after his first round win that he was in Rio for only one purpose. "I came here for gold so it's gold or bust for me," said the 25-year-old from the London borough of Walthamstow. Now only Cisse stands between him and the precious metal he seeks. The women's under 67kg final is between France's Haby Niare and Korean Oh Hy-eri. London (AFP) - A British-Australian man has been detained in Dubai for highlighting the work of an Afghan refugee charity on social media, a campaign group and his brother said on Friday. Scott Richards, 41, was arrested on July 28 and has been held at Al Murraqabat police station ever since, without being charged and without access to a lawyer, according to UK-based support group Detained in Dubai. The father-of-two is accused of breaching a new law on promoting foreign charities, according to the support group's founder, Radha Stirling, who is also a long-time friend of Richards. "The police have said that they're investigating him for breaching the charity law by sharing information about a charity registered outside the United Arab Emirates on Facebook," she told AFP. Brett Richards said his brother had also mentioned the name of the US-registered "Keep Qambar Warm" charity, which supports the Charahi Qambar refugee camp near Kabul, in an interview with local media. "He pointed to their website on his social media and talked about it in the press, about the conditions in the camp. That was his crime, apparently," Brett Richards told AFP. He added: "It came as a shock to everybody. I'm sure he didn't think what he was doing was illegal. Not for a second. "It wasn't an act of defiance. He was just trying to help people." Stirling said the detention of Richards was "a breach of international human rights standards". "He's been denied bail on three occasions. We're waiting for them to drop the case or at least go to court so we can defend it," she told AFP. - Desperation - She said Richards was "not doing well". "He's concerned that he'll be at the police station for the next year. The fear of that is difficult to live with. "And the conditions are horrible. He's becoming more desperate as time goes on." Story continues There was a brief court hearing on Thursday, when a judge approved his continuing detention, Stirling said. Richards has applied to be transferred to a normal prison. Richards grew up in Adelaide in Australia and then lived in London, before moving to Dubai about eight years ago, she said. He is married with two boys aged 14 and three. He came across the charity during a visit to Afghanistan, where he has worked as an economic development policy advisor for the government, according to his brother. A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office in London said: "We are providing support to a dual British/Australian national detained in Dubai." Indonesian police Friday detained an Australian woman and a British man over the brutal murder of a policeman on a popular Bali beach. Traffic police officer Wayan Sudarsa was found dead in his uniform early Wednesday on Kuta beach, in the south of the resort island, with wounds to his head and neck. "A smashed beer bottle and smashed-up surfboard were found near him, we suspect those were used in the attack," Bali police chief Sugeng Priyanto told AFP. Authorities launched a hunt for Australian woman Sara Connor and British man David Taylor over the murder, after Connor's ATM card and driver's licence were found at the crime scene. The pair, whom police believe are a couple, headed to the Australian consulate where they were arrested on Friday afternoon and then taken to a police station in the Balinese capital Denpasar, said Priyanto. "We are investigating whether they are the perpetrators or not," he said. He said he had questioned Connor himself and she had said that she was drunk on the night of the murder and did not remember exactly what happened, but admitted to having had an argument with a policeman. Taylor refused to say anything as he was waiting for his lawyer, the police chief added. Witnesses said they saw a man with dreadlocks -- like Taylor -- arguing with a police officer, according to Priyanto. A man and woman matching their description were later spotted asking a motorcycle taxi to take them to a hotel but the driver refused as the man was covered in blood. Police are yet to name either a suspect, a formal step in the Indonesian legal system which means detectives have enough evidence to consider filing charges. A spokesman for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the department was "providing consular assistance to an Australian woman in Bali". A spokesman for the British embassy in Jakarta said: "We can confirm the arrest of a British national in Bali." Bali, a pocket of Hinduism in Muslim-majority Indonesia, is a popular tourist destination known for its tropical climate and palm-fringed beaches. Petty crime is common on the island, although grisly murders are rare. It's going to be a big year for Brody Jenner. On Wednesday, the deejay and reality star celebrated his 33rd birthday with his closest friends and fiancee Kaitlynn Carter. After arriving with a group of 15 at Italian hotspot Aventine Trattoria in Hollywood around 9:30 p.m., Jenner and his friends dug into gnocchi, pizzas and ravioli while sipping on cocktails. " Kaitlynn and Brody were super affectionate and looked more in love than ever," says a source. Midway into the meal, the birthday boy was toasted by his loved ones. RELATED VIDEO: Brody Jenner Is Officially Off the Market! After wrapping up dinner, the group headed over to hotspot Warwick (co-owned by JT Torregiani and Sylvain Bitton), where they took over two tables next to the deejay booth. Jenner was presented with a birthday cake around midnight that came complete with sparklers and champagne. "Everyone sang 'Happy Birthday,' and Kaitlynn even gave him a big kiss after the sparklers went out," says the source. A CBI special court in Delhi framed fresh charges against Gupta and five others in another coal scam case. By Anusha Soni: After breaking down at the CBI special court and seeking cancellation of his bail, legal troubles for former coal secretary HC Gupta are not over yet. A CBI special court in Delhi framed fresh charges against Gupta and five others in another coal scam case. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Moira and Madhujore-North and South-coal blocks in West Bengal to VMPL in September 2012. advertisement Besides HC Gupta court also framed charges against a private firm Vikash Metals and Power Ltd, former joint secretary in Ministry of Coal K S Kropha, the then Director of Coal Ministry, K C Samria, Managing Director of Vikas Metals , Vikash Patni and its authorised Signatory Anand Mallick. Charges have been framed under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 409 which pertains to criminal breach of trust by public servants, 420 (cheating) and under sections 13(1)(c) and 13(1)(d) (criminal misconduct by public servants) under the Prevention of Corruption Act. All these accused pleaded not guilty to the charges framed against them and claimed trial after which the court fixed 9 September to commence the trial. In September 2012, the CBI had registered an FIR in the case and later filed a closure report. Later in 2014 the CBI special court rejected the closure report in the case & asked to further investigate the matter. --- ENDS --- ZURICH, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Swiss private bank BSI, which was involved in a corruption scandal linked to its dealings with Malaysian state investor 1MDB, has settled a lawsuit over bonus payments to the former head of its Asian operations. Hanspeter Brunner, who left the bank in March, had filed a lawsuit in Singapore courts over deferred bonus payments. "We confirm that the bank has settled the bonus lawsuit with Hanspeter Brunner and that the claim against the bank has been withdrawn in its entirety," a BSI spokesman said on Friday, confirming a Bloomberg report. The details of the dispute over Brunner's bonus payments and the terms of BSI's settlement with Brunner were not made public. After his departure from the bank, Brunner was one of six former or current senior BSI executives referred by the Singapore Monetary Authority in May to the city state's public prosecutor for possible criminal charges. Singapore's central bank also ordered the closure of BSI's operations in the city state for serious breaches of anti-money laundering rules. BSI is currently appealing a decision by FINMA in May that the Swiss bank breached money laundering regulations through business relationships and transactions linked to corruption scandals surrounding Malaysian state-owned fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad. (Reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; Editing by Susan Fenton) The week encompassing the Monterey historic auto races and the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance has become a de facto auto show, particularly for luxury-brand manufacturers. Cadillac was one of the first to recognize this, and over the past few years it has used the occasion to debut a new concept car. This year is no different, with the now-SoHo-based brand taking the wraps off the Escala concept at an evening cocktail party in Carmel, California, on the Thursday before the big classic-car show. Whats Different This Time Except that this time is different. Previously at Pebble Beach, Cadillac has shown dream machines such as the Ciel four-door convertible from 2011 and the gorgeous Elmiraj coupe from 2013. The Escala, although still presented as a concept car, has its 22-inch tires and wheels more firmly planted on the ground. This is less a flight of fancy than a preview of the new design language from Cadillac. Although the recently arrived CT6 is currently the brands largest and most expensive sedan, there has always been the expectation that a larger, more expensive model would arrive above it to serve as the Caddy flagship. The Escala (the name means scale in Spanish) is based on the same Omega platform, but this car is larger in all key dimensions. Versus the CT6, the wheelbase has been stretched by 4.7 inches and the overall length by 6.5 inches. The front track is wider by 2.7 inches, the rear by 2.4 inches. Taki Karras, the Escalas exterior design manager, also points out the longer dash-to-axle ratioa key visual metric of luxury-car design. The Escala also is more powerful. Whereas the CT6 tops out with a 404-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6, under the Escalas extended hood beats a 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-8, an engine that is slated to debut in the CT6 and likely will power the production version of the Escala as well, bringing some 500 horsepower to the table in the latter application. Compared with the radical Ciel and the dramatic Elmiraj, the Escala looks more conventionalalthough still handsome. One unconventional aspect, however, is that the big four-door is actually a hatchback rather than a notchback sedan. Perhaps the success of the Audi A7/S7 has emboldened Cadillac to brave the pejorative hatchback labelor perhaps a production version would revert to a conventional trunk, as the liftover height is uncomfortably high. In the show car, the liftgate opening does not extend down toward the bumper, so the cargo floor rises up to make the loading and unloading of luggage easier. Story continues A New Look The rear of the car comes to a point in the center, and the thin-blade vertical taillightswhich here extend up onto the tops of the rear fendersboth continue current Cadillac design language. We see a greater evolution at the front, where the wide, mesh grilles shield shape exactly mirrors that of the Cadillac crest that floats within it. The vertical lighting elements are toned down from recent Cadillac models, and horizontal lighting elements are introduced. Cadillac says the new front-end look is one that will begin appearing on production models soon. A highlight of the profile view is a brushed-metal trim piece at the base of the front door that sees its shape repeated in the kick-up of the beltline at the C-pillar. To our eyes, the overall design tacks tastefully between boring and overwroughtjust as a luxury sedan should. Inside, a woven wool cloth provides relief from the otherwise monochrome pale-gray leather. The clothan unusual choice for a luxury car todayappears on the seatbacks, the door panels, the lower dash, and the rear seats. The upper dash features a layered trio of curved-OLED digital screens in front of the driver; rear-seat passengers have retractable screens in the front seatbacks. Overhead is a panoramic glass roof, and thin A-pillars and the B-pillar-less greenhouse further contribute to the cabins airiness. Johan de Nysschen, president of Cadillac worldwide, characterizes the Escala as a statement of intent for the next iteration of the Cadillac design language, and also technical concepts in development for future Cadillac models. The design language previewed here will begin to appear on production models starting in the late-2018 time frame. But as to the bigger question of whether this car directly previews a new flagship model, de Nysschen hedges a bit: Depending on the development of [the] market segment for large luxury sedans, Escala is a potential addition to our existing product plan. It could be that just when Cadillac appears to have its flagship sedan in near-production-ready form, the market for such cars will be too inhospitable to launch it. In that case, Caddys future flagship will be the same as its current one: the Escala-de. Know a hero? Send suggestions to heroesamongus@peoplemag.com. For more inspiring stories, read the latest issue of PEOPLE magazine Gregory Kloehn was turning a condemned building in Oakland, California, into condominiums in 1998 when he noticed that some of the homeless people camping near his project had built themselves small shelters with cardboard, two-by-fours and sheets of plastic. Every morning, when he returned to his job site, city sanitation workers would come by and clear the hovels away, forcing the occupants to go in search of new materials and rebuild from scratch. "I admired how they threw them together every day and didn't give up," Kloehn, 45, tells PEOPLE. "As I watched them go in search of new garbage to build with, something clicked. I thought, 'I wonder if I could build a home like that in a few days with throwaway supplies that I found on the streets?' " One week and $50 later, using an old box-spring mattress as a base, walls made from old futon frames, a camper shell as a roof and a refrigerator door for a front door, Kloehn's first miniature home was finished. After putting wheels on the abode to make it portable, he decided to give it to a homeless couple one cold and rainy night. California Man Builds Portable Shelters on Wheels for Oakland's Homeless: 'I Wish That I Could Help Them All'| Heroes Among Us, Good Deeds, Real People Stories "I handed them the keys and some champagne and they immediately started debating what color to paint it," Kloehn remembers with a laugh. "They were so grateful and it made such a huge difference for them to have a shelter they could take with them. I knew right then that I was on to something." Eighteen years later, with help from volunteers, Kloehn has made more than 50 portable homes with unique touches such as Victorian color schemes, mailboxes and hardwood floors, through his Homeless Homes Project, using recycled supplies found on Oakland's streets. California Man Builds Portable Shelters on Wheels for Oakland's Homeless: 'I Wish That I Could Help Them All'| Heroes Among Us, Good Deeds, Real People Stories "Contractors illegally dump their stuff on the street so they don't have to pay to take it the dump," he tells PEOPLE, "so I have no problem finding two-by-fours, plywood, shelving, shingles and paint. Last time I checked, I had 150 gallons of perfectly good paint. Nothing goes to waste." Oakland City officials applaud Kloehn's efforts, even though they wish they could get people off the streets permanently rather than support short-term solutions. Story continues California Man Builds Portable Shelters on Wheels for Oakland's Homeless: 'I Wish That I Could Help Them All'| Heroes Among Us, Good Deeds, Real People Stories "Greg's a great guy although the portable homes don't get at the root of homelessness, they do provide better shelter than a tent," Joe DeVries, assistant to the Oakland City administrator, tells PEOPLE. "And they're also giving unsheltered people a higher sense of safety." Married with two teenage sons (his wife, Erica, teaches children's theater), Kloehn, who works as a "jack of all trades" when he isn't building mini homes, donates many of his creative shelters to single homeless women or people with health issues. California Man Builds Portable Shelters on Wheels for Oakland's Homeless: 'I Wish That I Could Help Them All'| Heroes Among Us, Good Deeds, Real People Stories "I try to give them to people who I know really need them and will keep the homes and not try to sell them," he says. "I ask only one thing: That if their situation changes and they no longer need it, that they give it somebody else who does. I want them used for people not for dogs or some kid's playhouse. So far, people have been pretty good about honoring that." California Man Builds Portable Shelters on Wheels for Oakland's Homeless: 'I Wish That I Could Help Them All'| Heroes Among Us, Good Deeds, Real People Stories Having a home that is off the ground away from rats, insects, wind and rain has made a huge difference to Rhonda Davis, 62, who became homeless after losing her job eight years ago. Kloehn built her haven around an old satellite dish. "It's a blessing to have my little home Greg's kindness has given me a stepping stone on my path to recovery," Davis tells PEOPLE. "When I lock my little door at night, I go to sleep with peace of mind." Adds Sheila Williams, 58, homeless for 17 years: "This little house of mine on wheels is a dry and warm place to sleep and a place where I can feel comfortable and safe. It's the best gift anybody has ever given me. I wake up every morning feeling grateful." Kloehn says he has only one regret since starting his project. "I wish that I could help them all," he tells PEOPLE. "I wish that we could do away with homelessness and I wouldn't have to be out here at all, looking for materials. As long as people are living on the streets, I intend to keep doing what I'm doing for as long as I can." By Nia Williams (Reuters) - Canada's British Columbia unveiled a new climate action plan on Friday that kept its carbon tax frozen at C$30 per tonne, a move environmental groups warned would undermine the province's target of cutting 2050 emissions by 80 percent from 2007 levels. Premier Christy Clark said British Columbia is the only province in Canada to currently have a carbon tax, which has been unchanged since 2012, and raising it further would undermine jobs and drive capital into other jurisdictions. "What happens in situations like that is polluters just move right across the border and pollute where it's cheap, and we want to make sure we fight pollution across Canada and across the world," Clark told a news conference. "We will consider raising the carbon tax once other provinces catch up." Clark said British Columbia will reduce net annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 million tonnes below current forecasts by 2050 through steps including making electric vehicles more affordable and reducing emissions in natural gas production. The province's legislated emissions target for 2050 is 13 megatonnes. Josha McNab, B.C. director at the Pembina Institute, said under the plan carbon emissions would not start to drop significantly for almost 15 years, and fell short of the level of ambition needed to reach the 2050 target. "The key missing ingredient continues to be a strengthened carbon tax and the province-wide incentive it would provide to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency," McNab said. Canada committed to reducing 2030 carbon emissions by 30 percent at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris last year. The provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Quebec are projected to see emissions fall by 26, 22 and 23 percent, respectively, by 2030 based on actions they have taken or committed to. Alberta, home to Canada's oil sands and the country's biggest polluter, plans to introduce an economy-wide carbon tax in 2017, while Ontario will soon join Quebec in having a carbon cap-and-trade regime. Merran Smith, executive director of Clean Energy Canada, said Clark was too focused on attracting investment in proposed liquefied natural gas export terminals on the Pacific coast. "Her vision is not a vision of a clean energy future, it's a vision of an LNG future," Smith said. Smith was a member of the province's Climate Leadership Team, which last year put forward a number of proposals to tackle emissions, including raising the carbon tax. (Additional reporting by Alastair Sharp in Toronto; Editing by Chris Reese) Montreal (AFP) - Emilio Wawatie, a member of Canada's indigenous Anishnabe community, says he grew tired of the stereotypical portrayal of his country's indigenous peoples on the silver screen. So at age 18, he launched into a film career. "You don't have to go back to black-and-white films," the filmmaker says. "Not that long ago, aboriginals were represented as 'wild Indians' in popular cinema, a cliche perpetuated by whites." Now 25, Wawatie is part of a new generation of indigenous Canadian filmmakers who are unafraid to turn their cameras on the brutal poverty, violence and other problems their communities face. Many got their start from a video production company called Wapikoni, which provides young indigenous people with the cameras, editing tools and guidance they need to make films. The non-profit group has been taking filmmaking to the people for the past dozen years, dropping mobile film production studios into communities for five weeks. It has helped produce 900 films, including winners of 120 international prizes. They have helped draw attention to the social problems afflicting native communities that number some 1.4 million people in Canada, or more than four percent of the population. Suicide rates among indigenous Canadians are five to seven times higher than the average, according to official figures. Aboriginal women are also much more likely to become victims of assault or homicide. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government launched a public inquiry this month into 1,200 missing or murdered indigenous women over the last three decades. Wawatie initially worried that his native community of Kitigan Zibi, which lies some 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Ottawa, and other Algonquin groups would reject his efforts to highlight their woes. But his documentary films -- which include an examination of divisions within the community -- have earned praise for their honest portrayals. Story continues His first short film in 2006 "revealed my people's suffering and I gained the support of my peers," he said. "That gave me tremendous confidence in my abilities." - Taking filmmaking to grassroots - The growth of indigenous filmmaking reflects a broader trend throughout the Americas. "A generation is speaking out in defense of its culture and their words are radiating through audiovisual productions," Wapikoni founder Manon Barbeau says. The company's productions range from films examining difficult subjects such as rape and bigotry to lighter comedies and musicals. Wapikoni is also reaching out to young indigenous people beyond Canada's borders through a network of production companies called RICAA, created in 2014. Among those it enabled to showcase their peoples' traditions, 22-year-old director Analicia Lopez Matos of Panama's Kuna Nation attended the Montreal First Peoples Festival earlier this month. "I want to show (young people) there is a way out," she said. "That drugs and violence are not the solution." Wawatie says a similar message resonated with the Sami people, who live in the Arctic part of Finland when he visited there in 2013. "We do not speak the same language, we do not have the same skin color," he said. "But the concepts are the same between our peoples: a connection to the land, to nature and all that surrounds us." Notice: Array to string conversion in /home/sites/www.businessinsider.com/releases/20160817204652/classes/Util/Posts.php on line 494 Syria cartoon Editor's Note: This story contains images that may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised. As Syria's civil war drags on into its fifth year, families are faced with an impossible choice stay and brave the bombs and artillery raining down on Syria's cities, or leave and take the chance on a dangerous journey to Europe. It's hard to say which is safer when both could easily lead to death. Images of Syrian children caught in the middle of this conflict have illustrated this point particularly powerfully. First, late last year, a photo of three-year-old Alan Kurdi lying dead on a beach shocked the world at the height of the refugee crisis. Kurdi drowned while attempting to cross the Mediterranean and escape the war in Syria. aylan kurdi europe refugee migrant crisis Then, this week, a photo and video of five-year-old Omran Daqneesh being pulled from the rubble of his home near Aleppo went viral. The boy's home had been hit by an airstrike carried out by either the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or Russia, which is backing the regime. A still image taken on August 18, 2016 from a video posted on social media said to be shot in Aleppo on August 17, 2016, shows a boy with bloodied face sitting in an ambulance, after an airstrike, Syria. Social Media Political cartoonist Khalid Albaih contrasted the two images in his illustration, which he gave Business Insider permission to republish. "My inspiration came from the fact that I consider myself as a refugee," Albaih, who now lives in Qatar but was born in Romania while his father was based there as a Sudanese diplomat, told Business Insider via email. "[M]y children are within the same age and could also be in the same situation." Nearly half a million people have died in the Syrian civil war, and nearly 5 million have fled. Story continues The conflict started with a rebel uprising against Assad, widely regarded as a dictator, who has been accused of relentlessly bombing his own people in an effort to hang onto power. Terrorist groups are now also in the mix in Syria ISIS holds territory in some parts of the country, and Al Qaeda-linked jihadists have become a major player on the battlefield. Analysts contend that the bloodshed will continue for as long as Assad remains in power. The US has called for him to step down, but has stopped short of intervening to depose him. Civilians, including children, have been caught in the crossfire those who remain in their homes face daily bombings and airstrikes, and those who attempt to flee face the daunting task of obtaining asylum in another country. Albaih does not seem optimistic about the situation changing anytime soon. "My cartoon of Alan went viral as well but the situation is still the same," Albaih said. "[C]hildren are the biggest victims of the grownups' world." NOW WATCH: Trump rips a protester in Pennsylvania: 'Your mother is voting for Trump' More From Business Insider Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f184802%2fmiamibeach The U.S. government is taking the unprecedented step of advising pregnant women and their partners against traveling to one of Americas largest counties Miami-Dade amid a second confirmed Zika virus outbreak in southern Florida. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Friday it is also warning pregnant women not to travel to a specific, narrow zone of Miami Beach, where mosquitoes infected with Zika are actively spreading the virus. SEE ALSO: The first Zika vaccine trials are underway, but research funding is running out Over the past 24 hours, a new area of active Zika transmission has been identified in an area of Miami Beach, CDC Director Tom Frieden told reporters on a conference call Friday. The area of Miami Beach affected by the travel advisory lies in the heart of the city's tourism area, including part of famous South Beach. The area of Miami Beach where Zika has been spreading, Aug. 19, 2016. Image: Florida Governor's office We advise everyone living in or traveling to Miami-Dade County to be aware that Zika could be spreading there, and to enhance their efforts to avoid mosquito bites, he said. We cant predict how long this will continue, but we do know it will be difficult to control. In a separate press conference, Florida Governor Rick Scott said that local mosquitoes infected five people with the Zika virus in Miami Beach. The three men and two women included two Florida residents and three travelers from New York, Texas and Taiwan, respectively. These travelers had not been to any area where Zika was spreading, other than visiting Miami Beach. The new cases bring Floridas total number of locally acquired Zika cases to 36, Scott said in a televised news conference. Wynwood, a small neighborhood just north of downtown Miami, experienced the states first outbreak in late July. It also marked the first time Zika was found to be transmitted via infected mosquitoes in the continental United States. Story continues The outbreak prompted the CDC in early August to issue an unprecedented travel warning , advising pregnant women and their partners to avoid the neighborhood. The agency had never previously warned people against traveling to an American neighborhood for fear of catching an infectious disease. Wynwood, near downtown Miami, first reported cases of locally acquired, mosquito-borne Zika in July. Image: Florida governor's office The CDCs new warning for Miami Beach applies to a 1.5-square-mile zone encompassing much of South Beach, a glitzy tourist draw and a major economic hub for the region. About 15.1 million tourists visited Miami and its beaches from September 2014 to September 2015, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. Pregnant women should avoid travel to the designated area of Miami Beach, in addition to the designated area of Wynwood because active local transmission of Zika has been confirmed, the CDC said Friday in a news release. The agency went further than that, though, stating: The Zika virus is known to cause birth defects and brain damage in children whose mothers were infected during pregnancy. The CDC confirmed in April that Zika is to blame for a rise in newborns with microcephaly, or an unusually small skull. A transmission electron micrograph of the Zika virus. Image: Cynthia Goldsmith/CDC We recognize this is a difficult time for pregnant women, Dr. Celeste Philip, Floridas surgeon general, said Friday during the press conference. She advised pregnant women to slather on bug repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid mosquito bites, and to contact Floridas health department for additional advice and information. Scott sought to assure Floridians and visitors that officials would quell the Zika outbreak and protect residents from future infections. We have a safe state, and were going to keep it that way, he said during the news conference. But CDCs Frieden acknowledged the challenges of fighting mosquitoes in densely populated areas such as Miami. He said that, despite the states aggressive efforts to spray mosquitos and eliminate pools of standing water and other breeding grounds, The mosquitoes are persistent, and we wont know for at least another couple of weeks if these aggressive control measures have worked. Frieden added that fighting mosquitoes in Miami Beach would be particularly challenging because the areas dense cluster of high rises made it impossible to do aerial spraying of pesticides. Well be restricted to ground-based technologies, like backpay spraying, he said. Zika cases reported in the U.S., as of Aug. 17, 2016. Image: CDC The fact that many visitors and residents spend much of their time in South Beach donning bikinis and bathing suits means theyre less protected from mosquito bites. The mosquito that spreads Zika, known as the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is an aggressive biter during the day. The amount of exposed skin also makes it harder to reduce the risks of infections there, Frieden added. The CDC said 2,260 cases of Zika in the U.S. had been reported as of Aug. 17, not including the latest cases in Miami Beach. Of that total, 14 cases were locally transmitted by mosquitoes. The remaining cases 2,245 were from travelers returning home after visiting other countries. Twenty-two of those travel-related cases were sexually transmitted. U.S. territories, by contrast, are suffering far higher numbers of local Zika cases. Puerto Rico, for example, had reported 7,855 cases of locally acquired Zika as of Aug. 17, the CDC said. Miriam Kramer contributed reporting to this piece. One of the hottest Broadway shows to ever hit the New York City stage, "Hamilton," a hip-hop musical by composer-lyricist Lin-Manual Miranda, has been captivating audiences since its debut in 2015. Opening with a startling commentary on Hamilton's illegitimacy at birth, this brilliant musical sets the stage about one of our country's best-known Founding Fathers. The show's edgy style puts a new spin on the life and times of Alexander Hamilton and is based on the book, "Alexander Hamilton," by Ron Chernow, one of many biographies written about Hamilton, with a unique point of view and story to tell, particularly surrounding his birth and early years. With all the hype surrounding the musical, there's been a growing interest among history buffs and travelers alike to learn more about Hamilton and how his early life began on a tiny island in the Caribbean. If "Hamilton" has you yearning to embark on a pilgrimage to Nevis, here's what you need to know to plan an enriching trip to remember. [Read: 4 Convenient Caribbean Destinations for Families.] Hamilton's Early Years in Nevis Born on Nevis in the West Indies in 1757 to Rachel Fawcett and John Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton was immediately shamed as an illegitimate child. According to Evelyn Henville, the former executive director of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society, Hamilton's mother and maternal grandmother, Mary Uppington, were smart, strong-willed and opinionated women and were the inspiration for Hamilton's driven personality and problem-solving capabilities. He was scorned by the Anglican Church school, located just 100 feet from his home in the town of Charlestown and was instead educated by a local Jewish woman. The slave market was a block from Hamilton's home and he walked by it every day. He would also watch as the ships carrying the slaves pulled into port. In fact, he grew up with three slaves that were owned by his family whom he considered friends. Because of his early and personal exposure to slavery, his thoughts and opinions about the institution were already formed by the time he left the island for St. Croix in 1765. Nevis Known as the "jewel of the Caribbean" in the 18th century, Nevis was wealthy and prosperous thanks to its 100 sugar plantations. The small Caribbean isle was embattled several times by the Spanish, English and French seeking the riches of "white gold," as sugar was known. There's a rich history on Nevis with the oldest church, the first-known hotel and the oldest wooden structure in the Caribbean, all of which are still standing today. And, of course, the ruins of many sugar plantations, one of which belonged to Hamilton's family until the 1950s, is located just outside of Charlestown. Nevisians are proud of their heritage and embrace ties to this famous man who did so much for America and also left a legacy for the Caribbean. "When people ask me 'What has he (Hamilton) done for Nevis?' I say look at America. He wrote such a masterful document and created a democratic country right next door. The freedom in America is why the Caribbean is free and safe today. He created the Coast Guard to keep us safe and the treasury to manage the country's revenue," Henville says. "When Haiti became a free nation, they asked him to write their constitution. Just because he didn't come back and build a house here or have a street with his name on it, we need to remember him and bring him home. He's a national hero," she explains. Apart from offering the perfect setting to learn about Hamilton's early years, Nevis offers plenty of rich cultural and history-filled attractions worth visiting. Henville suggests taking the walk that young Hamilton would have taken from his family home to the Jewish synagogue and cemetery, along the harbor where the ships would come in and past the slave market in the historic area of Charlestown. Nevis Highlights In addition to the island's unique history, Nevis is breathtakingly beautiful. A volcanic island that's lush and green with a large rain forest, Nevis Peak, at an elevation of 3,232 feet, is visible from almost every vantage point around the island. Wild goats, donkeys, pigs and even cows roam the island freely along with Nevisian sheep (that look more like goats due to the lack of wool) and then there's the Green Monkey. Islanders have a love-hate relationship with this cute, but pesky creature. [See: The 10 Most Affordable Caribbean Destinations.] The mango, one of the island's most prolific fruits, comes in over 40 varieties and grows all over the island in the summer. The island even hosts a Nevis Mango and Food Festival each July to celebrate the many creative ways Nevisians integrate mangoes in meals and drinks. Where to Stay in Nevis Four resort properties on Nevis are offering immersive Hamilton packages through December, along with Paradise Beach, a villa property. Each lodging option features a unique Hamilton experience. At the Four Seasons Resort Nevis -- a stunning luxury resort located directly on Pinney's Beach -- you'll find spectacular views of the rainforest and Nevis Peak. The resort's "Hamilton's Perfect Union Package," offers a combination of history, romance and relaxation. Two of the highlights are a private candlelit dinner on the beach with a historic storyteller and colonial era menu, along with a private tour of the former Hamilton Estate. Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, a plantation-style boutique hotel, is set amid 30 acres of green grass and swaying palm trees, and is located directly on the beach. The Great House, which dates back to around 1776, sits at the front of the property, just behind the remains of one of the island's former sugar plantations. The property's "Take it to the Bank Package" features an island tour, a trip to the home where Hamilton was born and a candlelit dinner for two along the beach. Montpelier Plantation & Beach Hotel, a beautiful Relais & Chateaux property, is built on a former sugar plantation. The hotel's Hamilton package includes a four-night stay with a half-day excursion to Charlestown, an outdoor couples massage and a signature cocktail named in honor of the patriot, a Brandy Alexander Hamilton. [See: The 10 Best Hotels in the Caribbean 2016.] If you want to stay at one of the oldest wooden buildings in the Caribbean, check into the Hermitage Plantation Inn, a quaint plantation retreat that offers a "Full Hamilton History Package." The package includes a specially curated island tour and an afternoon sail around the island. Make sure to try one of their famous rum punches, one of the best on the island. Gwen Pratesi is a James Beard Finalist in Journalism, award-winning food and travel writer, and coauthor of PratesiLiving.com, where she shares the stories of her international food and travel experiences. She also freelances for other regional, U.S., and international publications. You can follow her at Twitter @bunkycooks, Linkedin, Google+, Facebook, and Instagram @bunkycooks. Bangladesh Police have recovered a list of 27 more militants, all women, from a laptop seized from Istishna Akter (Afroz) Oishee, a medical intern at Dhaka Medical College & Hospital. By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Bangladesh arrested four women militants, suspected to be members of a home-grown militant group, Jamaatul-Mujahideen-Bangladesh (JMB) four days ago from Dhaka and Gazipur. A list of 27 more militants, all women, was recovered from a laptop the police seized from Istishna Akter (Afroz) Oishee, a medical intern at Dhaka Medical College & Hospital. Police have initiated a massive drive to trace these women. advertisement Out of these 27 women, 25 of them have been interacting with each other on social media, mostly through Facebook pages 'Islam Class for Girls Page-3' and 'Blood Rose'. RAB apparently got important clues from these two pages. We, however, couldn't find these pages on Facebook. RAB MILITANTS US TELEGRAM IDS RAB said that the militants use mobile applications used for 'secure messaging' like Threema. They post about latest developments on the Islamic State using their Telegram ids. If reports are to be believed, out of the 27 women, one is responsible for radicalising more women and others train them to be fit for suicide missions. The key members are lead by the Islami Women Student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami. Police remanded 4 women militants for 5 days after a request for remand was granted by Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pronab Kumar Hui. Earlier, Shahjalal Alam, inspector (operation) of Dhaka's Mirpur police station, had presented them before a court to seek a 10-day remand. Aklima Rahman Moni, Istishna Akter (Afroz) Oishee, Khadiza Parvin Meghla, and Ishrat Jahan Moushumi were taken to remand. Media could collect some cruicial information about some of the women listed, but two out of 27, Rasheda Tanjum Hena, Oishee's medical friend and Tasnim Nishad, still seem to be active. These two were trained from a house in Dhanmondi. EFFORTS TO EXPAND NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN SUICIDAL SQUAD Rabeya Binte Azhar was working to make the brain into militancy. Munni, Amina, Sweety, Shahida, Tania, Maria, Moushumi, Sultana, Khaleda, Nilufa, Tahera, Labia, Tamina and Pakistani national Shapur are responsible for raising funds. Some are also trying to expand the number of people in the suicidal squad. Dr Oishee's father, Dr Biswash Akter (Afroz) Hossain, is an associate professor at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Her mother, Nasima Sultana, is a physician. Khadiza Parvin Meghla, a student of Pharmacy department at Manarat International University, confessed that she has Facebook account by the name of 'Adhora Dhruba'. She communicates with other militants using this fake ID, with over 100 friends. She was influenced by Mou, who said A Caliph will come for Muslim Ummah as Naubat and will rule the world. Mou also gave her some jihadi books and they have been working together since last three years. BLOOD ROSE GROUP RECRUITS NEW PEOPLE advertisement They have a group named "Blood Rose". The group members connect with new people and try to influence them. Aklima Rahman Moni, a Pharmacy student of Manarat University, said she was engaged in recruiting new members for Hijbut Tahrir and the Islamic State. She poses as the Vice President of Student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami on social media. She also manages to raise funds and transfers it to others. Ansar Ali of Tongi area received money sent by her. Mahmudul Hasan, another militant, received money from Ansar Ali. Recently, RAB arrested Mahmudul. Ishrat Jahan Moushumi aka Mou confessed to the detectives that she was influenced by the philosophy of Al-Qayeda leader Anwar Awolaki, and helped spread the message. Her mother Maqsuda is a Jamaat supporter. She also said that she has listened to as many as 22 audio cassettes with Anwar Awolaki's speeches, and collected at least 30 Bangla dubbed series of his other speeches. JIHADI PHILOSOPHY Mou said one of the lecturer's in her department, Abdul Aziz, gave her some information in a pen drive. Aziz, who has lived in Saudi Arabia for a long time, also taught Arabic. advertisement Ziaur Rahman and one other teacher taught them jihadi philosophy. These two teachers advised students to listen to lectures on At Tamqin website. Mou said they were trying to build a stronger, bigger group and for this they shared links of Ansar Islamia and Khilapha news. Police said, "We are conducting drives to trap those whose names we got from pen drives, laptop and other devices. Jihadi books, documentaries, audio, and video have been recovered after arresting the 4 militants." Also read: 4 women militants linked to group that attacked Dhaka cafe arrested --- ENDS --- A Chinese man with 10 rhino horns and scores of carved ornaments worth over $100,000 was arrested in South Africa as he tried to board a flight to Hong Kong, police said on Friday. The 48-year-old man was detained on Thursday at Johannesburg's O.R Tambo international airport and will appear in court on Monday on charges of trafficking in rhino horns. "The suspect claimed to have acquired the rhino horns from Maputo, Mozambique," police said in a statement. South Africa is battling a rhino poaching crisis, with nearly 1,200 animals killed for their horns last year. Most of the animals are poached from the Kruger National Park, which shares parts of its borders with Mozambique. South African authorities often say poachers who usually use high-calibre weapons to shoot the animals and saw off the horns, come across the border from Mozambique. Rhino horn is composed mainly of keratin, the same component as in human nails, but the substance is believed in some Asian countries, to have medicinal properties that could cure cancer - as well as being an aphrodisiac -- in Vietnam and China. Although scientifically proven to be false, the belief has fuelled a lucrative illegal trade in rhino horn in Asia. South Africa is estimated to host around 80 percent or around 20,000, of the world's rhino population. Cape Town, South Africa When countries face complicated global issues immigration, terrorism, climate change progress is usually slow. But often, those problems hit cities first, and mayors have to find solutions while national leaders (or political candidates) are still busy debating which policies to enact. There is a sense in which cities are beginning to assume a part of what was traditionally attributed to national sovereignty: the responsibility to secure the life, liberty and sustainability of citizens in a world where nobody else is doing it, Benjamin Barber, a political theorist and the founder of the Global Parliament of Mayors, a new city-centric international governing body, tells Business Insider. I call it the devolution revolution. The fact is that authority is being devolved increasingly to cities. According to Barber, because of how interconnected our world has become and how much less significance geographic borders now hold, a coalition of city governments has the potential to get more done than any international accord. To explain why he believes its time for mayors to step up and take on the issues national governments are failing to solve, Barber gives two examples. Refugees and migrants struggle to jump off an overcrowded dinghy on the Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing in rough seas from the Turkish coast, October 2, 2015. REUTERS/Dimitris Michalakis Nation-states are supposed to control the flow of refugees and immigrants who enter a country, he says. But whether or not people enter legally, with the proper paperwork, city governments are often the ones who have to figure out what to do with these new residents theyre the areas absorbing, housing, and employing undocumented immigrants. What happens is that cities have begun to develop programs to register and provide immigrants legal or illegal with their own so-called urban visas, he says, citing New Yorks NYC ID program, which allows any resident of the city with proof of residence (like an electricity bill, for example) to get a government-issued identification card. Citizens can use the card to get memberships at local cultural institutions, sign up for bank accounts, get access to public buildings, and more. Story continues The city in effect becomes the one that authorizes, controls, registers and oversees the immigrant population that has gotten into these places without the permission of the nation-states, which aren't in a position to control them and dont, Barber says. Second, he says, climate change in another area in which cities are leading the way despite inaction from their national leaders. Citizens and lawmakers in New Orleans and New York know climate change is an imminent threat, he says, because theyve already dealt with climate disasters. The leaders of those cities are now taking action to protect their residents, while the federal government remains stagnated by disagreement. Hurricane Katrina We're already seeing bike share programs, electric vehicle programs for buses, above-ground rapid transit systems those are all city-based solutions that address the problem of global climate warming through actions that cities can take,"Barber explains. "And if they take them together, they can have a tremendous impact on greenhouse gas emissions, even if nation-states dont. Barber founded the Global Parliament of Mayors with the hope that by unifying the leaders of cities around the world, the group can address the complicated issues that national governments and the UN have thus far been too slow to deal with. The Parliaments first meeting will take place in the Hague the same birthplace as the League of Nations in mid-September. This is an effort to establish a new global governance organization, different than any other urban network that currently exists, he says, that takes actions in common, that decides on common policies to address global issues of the kind that nation-states and international organizations are no longer able to or willing to address. Washington DC The list of attendees at the inaugural convening including the mayors of Washington D.C, Paris, Cape Town, and Rio de Janeiro suggests that many leaders are already onboard. Barber expects 70 to 80 cities to be represented. By next year, he predicts the membership will have doubled. The topics of discussion at the meeting include how to integrate refugees, balance migration and security, and manage urban resources. By the end of the three days, Barber hopes mayors will have taken ownership of the organization, assumed leadership roles within it, and even planned their next gathering. Our new international is inter-urban, he says. NOW WATCH: Here's what could happen to Earth over the next 500 years More From Business Insider Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. CLF has announced its decision to redeem all of its outstanding Senior Notes due Jan 2018. This decision reiterates the companys focus on reducing debt and interest expenses. The principal amount due for the notes is around $284 million. Based on the conditions mentioned for the notes as well as the agreement governing it, the total amount payable to holders of the notes is roughly $301 million, excluding accrued and unpaid interest. When the notes are completely redeemed, Cliffs will save $17 million annually on interest payments. Holders will be provided with a notice on the redemption as well as the procedure for the same. Cliffs is able to redeem the notes following the successful closure of its equity offering. The company will now have around four years before the next maturity of outstanding notes. CLIFFS NATURAL Price CLIFFS NATURAL Price | CLIFFS NATURAL Quote Shares of Cliffs fell around 1.1% to close at $6.28 on Aug 17. Cliffs adjusted earnings of 6 cents per share and sales of $496.2 million for the second quarter of 2016 topped the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company raised its 2016 sales volume guidance for its U.S. Iron Ore division from 17.5 million long tons to 18 million long tons. The production volume guidance for 2016 has also been raised by 500,000 long tons to 16.5 million long tons. Cliffs remains focused on reducing debt. Its total debt fell around 4% year over year to $2.7 billion at 2015 end and further reduced to $2.5 billion at the end of the last reported quarter. In the second quarter of 2016, the company paid off the remaining balance of the outstanding equipment loans of $23 million. These measures will also help reduce Cliffs interest expenses. Management has lowered its interest payment guidance from $220 million to $200 million for 2016. Cliffs currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other equally ranked companies in the mining space include Fortescue Metals Group Limited FSUGY, Coeur Mining, Inc. CDE and Kumba Iron Ore Ltd. KIROY. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CLIFFS NATURAL (CLF): Free Stock Analysis Report KUMBA IRON ORE (KIROY): Free Stock Analysis Report FORTESCUE METAL (FSUGY): Free Stock Analysis Report COEUR MINING (CDE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research On Thursday night, Donald Trump gave a speech that contained a surprising admission of regret for his past statements. This prompted some observers to wonder if the GOP nominee had finally pivoted his freewheeling campaign to address the general election. Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing, Trump said at Thursdays rally, reading prepared remarks on a teleprompter. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. On Friday, Trump traveled to Louisiana to survey the damage from flooding there. The new tone came after yet another changing of the guard, and as Trump fell well behind Hillary Clinton in the polls. Campaign manager Paul Manafort is out amid criticism of his ties to Russias government, and Breitbart chairman Stephen Bannon and pollster Kellyanne Conway are now leading the team. But the Clinton campaign pushed back strongly against the notion that the brash real estate mogul is toning things down for the overall electorate, which is far more moderate than that of the Republican primaries. The Clinton campaign and its allies pointed to Trumps first general-election TV ad, which was released Friday, as proof. The ad falsely claims that Clinton wants open borders and that she would keep undocumented immigrants with criminal histories in the country. In case you thought for a split second Trump was genuine about feeling regret, he is back to demonizing immigrants again in his new ad today, Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon wrote on Twitter. Clinton spokesman Jesse Ferguson was similarly dismissive of the idea that Trump himself was changing as a candidate: Sounds more like Donald Trumps TELEPROMPTER regrets things he says, while Donald Trump stands behind them. https://t.co/eIjPn8iWj3 Jesse Ferguson (@JesseFFerguson) August 19, 2016 Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook, meanwhile, released a statement Friday saying Manaforts departure doesnt end the odd bromance Trump has with Putin. Mooks statement noted that Trump himself has echoed Russian President Vladimir Putins talking points on some issues and that Trump continues to have other advisers with ties to Russian interests. Story continues Earlier this week, Mook also told reporters that Trumps pick of Bannon to run his campaign means the real estate mogul would double down on more hateful and divisive rhetoric, more conspiracy theories. Mook also said Trump had won the battle within his campaign to be himself. Even Clinton herself has insisted that Trump is not pivoting, telling supporters in Ohio on Wednesday, There is no new Donald Trump. This is it. The coordinated message all the way from the candidate on down suggests that the campaign wants to prevent any message about a toned-down Trump from gaining traction. But Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster who works for pro-Clinton super-PAC Priorities USA, told Yahoo News that Trump has become well defined negatively in voters minds already. (A Washington Post poll found that 61 percent of registered voters polled early this month have an unfavorable view of Trump.) And even if Trump were able to sustain a new tone until Election Day, the airwaves will be inundated with ads reminding voters of his past statements, Garin argued. An important part of our mission is to make sure people dont forget who he really is, the pollster said. And to keep the true Donald Trump in front of peoples faces all the way until Election Day. trump putin but it's more about trump The Hillary Clinton campaign on Friday brushed off the resignation of a top strategist to Donald Trump, contending that the move would not extinguish the "bromance" the billionaire allegedly has with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Paul Manafort's resignation is a clear admission that the disturbing connections between Donald Trump's team and pro-Kremlin elements in Russia and Ukraine are untenable," Robby Mook, the Democratic presidential nominee's campaign manager, said in a statement. Mook added: "But this is not the end of the story. It's just the beginning. You can get rid of Manafort, but that doesn't end the odd bromance Trump has with Putin." Manafort, who was the chairman and chief strategist for the Republican presidential nominee's campaign, had been criticized for his close ties to the Russian government and ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. "Trump still has to answer serious questions hovering over his campaign given his propensity to parrot Putin's talking points," Mook said in the statement. Trump suggested in an interview last month that he supported Russia's invasion of Crimea, and language in the Republican Party platform that referenced supporting Ukrainian nationalists was removed. Manafort did work for pro-Russian forces in Ukraine before he joined the Trump campaign, and some pointed fingers at him as Trump seemed to adopt pro-Russian rhetoric. Manafort's role in the Trump campaign was marginalized earlier this week with the hiring of Breitbart News chairman Steve Bannon, who is now CEO of the campaign, and the promotion of Kellyanne Conway, who is now the campaign manager. Manafort resigned on Friday. NOW WATCH: Trump attacks Clinton on immigration in his first general election TV ad More From Business Insider WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Clinton Foundation will stop accepting foreign and corporate donations if Hillary Clinton is elected president and will stop holding the annual Clinton Global Initiative meetings whatever the outcome of the November election, a foundation spokesman said on Thursday. Former President Bill Clinton told staff members on Thursday he would resign from the foundation's board and that it would only accept donations from U.S. citizens and independent charities. The former president also said he would hold the 12th and final Clinton Global Initiative in September. The annual meetings have included current and former heads of state, corporate leaders and celebrities who discussed poverty, healthcare, development and other issues. Foundation spokesman Craig Minassian confirmed the moves, which were first reported by the Associated Press. The foundation has come under fire during Hillary Clinton's Democratic presidential campaign, with Republicans charging that donors were rewarded with access to her and her aides as well as her husband while she was secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. Other critics have said the foundation's reliance on millions of dollars from foreign governments created conflicts of interest for a would-be U.S. president. Clinton resigned from the foundation's board after launching her successful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. She will face Republican Donald Trump in the Nov. 8 election. The Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, founded in 2001, has raised more than $2 billion for causes that focus on health and environmental issues, mainly in the developing world. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Reporting by Eric Walsh; Editing by Peter Cooney) By Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S.-led coalition sent aircraft into northeastern Syria on Thursday in a "very unusual" move to protect American special operation ground forces from attacks by Syrian government jets, a Pentagon official said on Friday. Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis told reporters the coalition aircraft reached the area around the city of Hasaka as the two Syrian SU-24s were leaving, and the U.S. special operation forces were in the area where the strikes were taking place. He said the Syrian planes did not respond to efforts by ground forces to contact them. Davis said he was not aware of any other instances where coalition aircraft had been scrambled to respond to Syrian government bombing. "This is very unusual, we have not seen the regime take this kind of action against YPG before," Davis said, using an acronym for the Syrian Kurdish fighters. Additional combat air patrols have been sent to the area in order to protect the ground forces. On Friday, two Syrian aircraft tried to pass through the airspace around Hasaka, but left without incident when they were met by coalition fighter jets. The coalition fighter jets were F-22 aircraft and came within 1 mile (1.6 km)of the Syrian planes. On Friday, the Syrian government carried out a second day of airstrikes and artillery bombardment, causing thousands of civilians to evacuate Kurdish areas of the city. Dozens of civilians have been killed over the last 48 hours. The Russians were contacted through a channel used for air safety, and they made clear the bombing was not being carried out by their jets, Davis said. The Russians were asked to tell the Syrian government that U.S. aircraft would defend its troops on the ground if they were threatened, Davis said. "The Syrian regime would be well advised not to interfere with coalition forces or our partners," he said, adding that the United States had the right to defend its troops. Faysal Itani, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank, said it was easy for the Syrian government to avoid bombing large bases, but far more risky to strike areas close to YPG forces being trained by U.S. forces. "If the regime continues bombing in close proximity to U.S. forces, then simply I think the United States will shoot down the regime aircraft," Itani said. (Editing by Bernadette Baum and Jonathan Oatis) Lucknow (India) (AFP) - Coca-Cola has temporarily halted operations at a bottling plant in northern India over alleged environmental violations, an ongoing controversy which has dogged its factories in the country. The beverages giant told AFP it had voluntarily suspended manufacturing at its Dasna plant near New Delhi while the local environmental authority investigates. Activists say the factory in Uttar Pradesh state contaminates groundwater meant for farmers and pollutes the soil, and that sewage is not properly treated. "We received a communication from Uttar Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and submitted a detailed response," Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, which bottles drinks in India for the US giant, said in a statement Thursday. "To show our commitment to compliance with regulatory norms, we decided to temporarily suspend manufacturing at Dasna plant," it said. Some 54 plants produce fizzy drinks in India for Coca-Cola, which has eyed expansion in the world's second-most populous country where income levels are rising. But the Atlanta-based company has met stiff opposition from activists who have waged a more than decade-long battle against it in India over alleged environmental offences. "We conducted an inspection and based on the findings, the UPPCB has withheld the consent to operate this Coca-Cola Plant in Dasna for some valid reasons," S.R. Sachan, chief environmental officer at the Uttar Pradesh environmental board said, without giving further details. Amit Srivastava, who leads the India Resource Center, an activist group that has targeted Coca-Cola for years, said the company's action did not go far enough. "This is not really a victory because of all the pending issues such as the polluted groundwater and soil, as well as the loss of livelihood for the contract workers and farmers in the area," Srivastava told AFP. "There is a lot more that needs to be done to remediate the problems caused by Coca-Cola in Dasna." Story continues Coca-Cola, which has said it plans to invest $5 billion in India by 2020, has faced a string of objections over the years from local communities over water use. In 2004, it shut one of its plants in southern Kerala state over similar allegations. The company denies any wrongdoing. Last year it dropped plans to open a new bottling plant in southern Tamil Nadu state over protests by locals who also claimed it would rob them of groundwater. Coffee lovers rejoice, there is reportedly yet another benefit to your favorite morning beverage! According to a recent study out of the United Kingdom, the regular consumption of coffee slashes the risk of liver cirrhosis by 44 percent. Cirrhosis occurs when the liver is scarred, most often caused by an excessive consumption of alcohol. ER physician Dr. Travis Stork is quick to highlight that this does not apply to people who might be battling alcoholism and drinking in high volumes. Watch: Toddlers Drinking Coffee? I do think for people out there who do have drinks of alcohol from time to time, its nice to know that your coffee consumption might have a liver protective effect, he says. Family medicine physician Dr. Rachael Ross points out, Its important to keep in mind, that once the liver is damaged you cant undo it. Dr. Stork adds, Im amazed at all the studies coming out about the positive effects of coffee. Obviously, you dont want to overdo it. If youre developing restlessness, insomnia, thats too much coffee. Watch: Cut Skin Cancer Risk with Coffee? Enjoy your cup of joe, but remember that moderation is key! United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Bogota pushed Friday for the United Nations to supervise Colombia's ceasefire with the FARC rebels, even before the country votes on a peace deal to end the long-running civil war. The government and the country's biggest rebel force, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), laid the groundwork for a full peace deal when they signed a definitive ceasefire in June. That deal will be followed by a full peace accord only if the agreement is approved in a referendum in the coming months. "We need the mission to deploy as quickly as possible," Sergio Jaramillo, Colombia's high commissioner for peace, told reporters. Jaramillo said that when the referendum is held, the ceasefire mission should be already on the ground, giving "guarantees to Colombians that they can vote freely." The first group of observers, of which there will eventually be 450, primarily from Latin America, has arrived in Colombia to verify the disarmament and monitor the ceasefire. "From what I understand, at the latest in three or four weeks they should be able to be there in full force," Jaramillo said. Their recruitment "took a bit of time to get going but now the numbers seem to be there," he added. After the UN's onsite visit last week, the international organization and Bogota "have a much better idea of what happens on the ground," Jaramillo said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday delivered a report on the practical technicalities of the mission to the Security Council, which is expected to discuss it on August 26. Ban confirmed that the UN mission will have about 450 observers, in addition to some civilian staff. The mission will operate in 40 "widely dispersed locations," he said. The ceasefire will be monitored by a three-party body manned by the government, FARC and the UN. Ban's report highlighted the "positive reaction of the civilian population" and said conditions "show that preparations are on track not only from a technical viewpoint but also from a political perspective." Story continues But he pointed out that only 80 observers had been recruited. "Important issues remain on the table" in Havana, where the talks were held, the UN chief said. The sustainability of the peace agreement depends on "the implementation of a reliable program of reintegration of the FARC-EP combatants," he said. The government and the Marxist rebels are still in the final phase of four years of peace talks aimed at ending more than half a century of conflict. The two sides signed a ceasefire and disarmament deal on June 23, with the guerrillas aiming to become a political party. The territorial conflict began in 1964 and is the longest-running war in Latin America, having left at least 260,000 people dead, 45,000 missing and 6.8 million displaced. FARC will begin to call in their troops for disarmament once the final peace accord is signed, which is seen as likely in the coming weeks. MNS chief Raj Thackeray said that courts should not interfere in festivals and directed his men to celebrate the Dahi Handi festival in the usual manner. By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray today slammed the Supreme Court for its verdict on the Dahi Handi festival where the apex court ruled that nobody under the age of 18 will be allowed to participate in human pyramid formation on Janmashtami on August 25 in Maharashtra. Flouting the court's order, the MNS chief said that courts should not interfere in festivals and, in a statement issued later, directed his men to celebrate the festival in the usual manner and to go ahead with the four-tier pyramid. Thackeray's men also formed a pyramid outside his residence and made a young fellow climb on top of it. advertisement "The court has begun to poke their nose in every other thing. Why should we have elections then? Let the courts run the government," Raj Thackeray said. 'COURT TARGETING HINDU FESTIVALS' The MNS chief's remarks came a day after an apex court bench of Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice L. Nageswara Rao said the height of the human pyramid should not be more than 20 feet, observing that on the grounds of religious feeling acrobatics could not be permitted. "Does the court expect us to break handis on a table instead? CM Fadnavis said that he felt bad about the decision but what does that mean? The state government did not even provide a proper lawyer to fight the case," he said. The MNS chief also accused courts of targeting Hindu festivals while showing leniency to other religious festivals. Thackeray said that the court's order only reflected the failure of the state government. --- ENDS --- Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f182332%2famyschumer Disclosure: Sophie Hirsh, one of the writers of this piece, is also currently a student at the Upright Citizens Brigade. Comedian Amy Schumer is supposed to be celebrating the release of her new book this week, but on Wednesday, the writer and actor tweeted a very different kind of message. Schumer had recently come under attack after a former staff writer for Inside Amy Schumer, Kurt Metzger, posted a series of inflammatory remarks on social media over the weekend. Metzger had criticized social media users for quickly condemning Aaron Glaser, a comedian who had been banned from the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), New Yorks largest comedy school, over sexual assault allegations. Metzger's posts, which he later admitted were inflammatory, included provocative comments about rape victims and their process of coming forward. For his part, Glaser has denied the sexual assault allegations. SEE ALSO: Male sexual assault victims on TV are changing how people think about the crime On Wednesday, Schumer called Metzger a friend but made clear that the writers views did not represent her own. I am so saddened and disappointed in Kurt Metzger. He is my friend, a great writer and I couldnt be more against his recent actions, Schumer wrote on Twitter. Metzger both wrote and acted on dozens of episodes of Inside Amy Schumer, Schumer's Comedy Central show, from 2013 to 2016. When Schumers Twitter followers continued to ask why she still employed Metzger, Schumer responded by saying: Kurt does not work for me. He is not a writer on my show. Please stop asking me about it. His words are not mine. Later in the evening, Schumer came out with a pair of cryptic tweets: She has since clarified that she is breaking from the show for a comedy tour, but she has not said specifically when the show would return nor if Metzger would be on staff. In a clip from an interview with Charlie Rose posted to YouTube Thursday, Schumer said the show isn't expected to return in the "near future," adding that the reason Metzger was hired was because he added a different perspective to the writer's room. Story continues "We butt heads, we get in fights because he infuriates us," Schumer said. "We don't want it to just be one-sided ... It feels very positive to have someone saying, well this is from the male perspective." In January, Comedy Central announced that the show had been renewed for another season. In October 2015, Schumer announced that Metzger had been promoted to producer. The show has yet to respond to Mashable's request for comment. How did this all start? After UCB's announcement went viral on Saturday, Metzger made a series of Facebook posts, some of which received upwards of 200 likes, accusing some comedians in the community of conducting a witch hunt targeting Glaser. By Wednesday, Metzger complained on Facebook that Glaser's critics had turned their focus to him. "My punishment the mob is howling for is now officially more severe than the one for the actual rapist," he wrote, adding, "I realize that when emotions are running high, it might not be the time to aggressively philosophize on a sensitive topic. I stand by the points I made, but I sincerely apologize for using inflammatory language to make them." The comedian had condemned social media users for relying UCB's investigation as opposed to a criminal case. He also criticized people who don't take their complaints of sexual assault to the police. It is unknown if the women Glaser allegedly assaulted reported him to authorities, as all have chosen to remain anonymous. While there are many reasons women might choose not to report sexual assault to the police, some victims contact authorities at where the attack took place or they met their attacker to inform them of the assault and perhaps seek some kind of resolution. Kurt Metzger has been criticized for inflammatory remarks regarding another comedian's alleged assaults. Image: bobby bank/getty UCB ban Metzgers comments followed a turbulent weekend for the Uprights Citizens Brigade, after the theater announced it would be banning Glaser, a standup comedian who, up until now, hosted a monthly show at UCB in New York. Glaser was banned on charges of sexual assault by an unknown number of women in the comedy community. Shortly after the ban, Glaser made two Facebook posts in response, both of which claimed his innocence. He has since taken them down. "I know these are serious accusations, and I know they are untrue," Glaser wrote in a post that was screenshotted and shared with Mic. Byron A. Divins Jr., Glaser's attorney, told Mashable that UCB's decision to ban Glaser was made "without speaking to him." "They did not give him the opportunity to find out who made the accusations or what the accusations were," Divins told Mashable over the phone. UCB, which was cofounded by Amy Poehler, has produced impressive alumni and often has famous comedians drop in to perform (Schumer is among them, as are Louis CK and Chris Rock). Its improv school is a nationally accredited training program, and UCB is known as something of a breeding ground for comedic actors in New York. Many students and performers have devoted their lives to pursuing comedy, and the community wields extensive cultural influence. While getting banned from an improv theater may sound trivial to an outsider, to a practicing comedian like Glaser, it can have lasting professional consequences. Though UCB published no official release regarding Glaser, the news of the ban broke after the theater's director of student affairs made the announcement via Facebook, according to the Revelist. The post quickly went viral and was shared on multiple comedians' private and public Facebook pages. Many shared sentiments to show their support of victims such as "I believe you," while some posted angry comments on Glaser's Facebook wall. Raina Falcon, a spokesperson for UCB, told Mashable in an email: After word got out that UCB had banned Glaser, other comedy venues followed suit. Rebecca Trent, owner of The Creek and The Cave in New York commended UCB and banned Glaser as well. Comedians applaud UCB, criticize Schumer Some women in the comedy community said UCBs decision to ban Glaser was justified even comforting. I think UCB responded empathetically and appropriately to a man who has been accused of raping multiple women over several years, Rachel McKay Steele, 31, a student at UCB told Mashable in an email. They are sending a message that they will not tolerate sexual assault in this community. While it's unclear what, if any, legal consequences Glaser will face, other UCB students were happy to see that the school responded swiftly to the allegations. What I see is a privately run theatre that went through their own system of due process and decided that an individual, with multiple, justified claims against him was a threat to the company and its community, said Maggie Widdoes, 26, an improv house team performer at UCB. Fans of Inside Amy Schumer initially criticized Schumer for not being more proactive in disavowing Metzger, who showed disdain for Glaser's critics and even egged them on. "At what point does the Jackie from UVA lesson kick in? Well I hope UCB gets sued and not only that," he wrote on Facebook, "the fucker did it and UCB still has to pay. How you like me now?" In a separate post, Metzger went after women who didn't encourage victims to reach out to the police first. "Pull your heads out of your c*nts and your c*nts out of your blogs, and try actually helping victims instead of spotlighting how unique and enlightened you are for being against rape," Metzger wrote on Facebook. Though it remains unclear whether Metzger will be a writer for Inside Amy Schumer when the show goes back into production, some fans criticized the comedian for hiring Metzger three years ago after writers complained of harassment on Twitter. In 2013, Metzger was accused of harassing feminist writers on Twitter including Sady Doyle and Lindy West. Both women accused him of making impersonator accounts on various social platforms and sending them lurid, photoshopped images of themselves. When fans reignited their criticism of Metzger on Twitter and directed their comments at Schumer, some reported that Schumer responded by blocking them. Image: lily du/twitter Feminist media responds Both UCBs ban of Glaser, as well as Metzgers inflammatory response, stirred up controversy on social media. On Reductress, a womens satirical magazine, the site changed their homepage to focus on articles that satirized rape culture. Chill ways to just sort of live with it, read one headline. Most women lie about witch hunts, read another. And, seemingly in direct response to Metzgers case: This brave man hates social media witch hunts so much he decided to start his own. Image: reductress Moving forward As more about the allegations and Metzger's responses came to light, some comedians tried to pave a positive way forward. Even Metzger himself explained on Facebook that he wanted to see justice for the victims while still maintaining due process for those accused: "I was talking to the perennial social media mob who, without knowing victim or accused, GLEEFULLY want to be part of social mob justice. Some of whom are my friends ... No one sees that down the road, next time we might get it wrong," Metzger wrote. Other comedians went down a slightly different path, and explored how the dialogue around rape culture was beginning to change. I think what needs to happen is already starting now ... women are forming supportive networks and realizing they aren't alone when someone in the community has been assaulted or abused, Sarah Pappalardo, co-founder and editor of Reductress, told Mashable over email. Whatever happens to Glaser or to Metzger or to Schumer's show, the incidents have sparked a meaningful conversation within the comedy community. We issued an updated research report on Companhia Siderurgica Nacional SID or CSN on Aug 18, 2016. The company is one of the leading steel producers in Brazil. Over time, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional has been reaping benefits from its diversified business structure, with exposure in steel, iron ore mining, logistics, cement and energy industries. In second-quarter 2016, roughly 37.6% of the companys total revenue was sourced from non-steel businesses while investments have been planned for the expansion of the non-core operations. In addition, the companys geographical diversification and a wide array of products, including hot and cold-rolled flat steel, galvanized sheets and tin plates for the packaging, automotive and construction industries will bode well for it in the quarters ahead. Despite such long-term advantages, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional has low investment ranking as it faces risks arising from near-term headwinds. Huge debt levels and higher costs and expenses, if left unchecked, will prove detrimental to the companys profitability. Exiting second-quarter 2016, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional had approximately R$29 billion of long-term debt, resulting in 8.3x of net debt/EBITDA ratio. Moreover, the companys international operations are subject to risks from unfavorable foreign currency translations. In the recently reported second-quarter 2016 results, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional recorded loss as revenue growth was offset by increase in costs of sales and selling expenses. Crude steel production declined 55% year over year, while production of rolled steel decreased 35%. Also, steel sales volume decreased 1% year over year. We believe continued weakness in these parameters might be unfavorable for the company, going forward. In addition, world steel demand is projected to contract 0.8% while that in Brazil is likely to decline 14% year over year. Such contraction might adversely impact the companys businesses. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Companhia Siderurgica Nacional has widened from a loss of 25 cents per American Depository Receipt to a loss of 48 cents for 2016, and from a loss of 14 cents to 31 cents for 2017. Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider With a $4.2-billion market capitalization, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks in the steel industry include ArcelorMittal MT, Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. SCHN and Gerdau S.A. GGB. While ArcelorMittal and Schnitzer Steel Industries sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Gerdau carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CIA SIDERUR-ADR (SID): Free Stock Analysis Report ARCELOR MITTAL (MT): Free Stock Analysis Report GERDAU SA ADR (GGB): Free Stock Analysis Report SCHNITZER STEEL (SCHN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research BRAZZAVILLE (Reuters) - An opposition leader in Congo Republic, detained since June on charges of violating state security and illegally possessing weapons of war, was denied bail on Thursday by an appeal court in the capital Brazzaville, his lawyer said. Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, the former army chief and a power broker in the former French colony's 1990s civil war, finished third to long-serving President Denis Sassou Nguesso in a March election criticised by opposition parties and foreign powers for irregularities. Sassou Nguesso's government has accused Mokoko of involvement in an alleged coup attempt in 2007. Mokoko's supporters say the president is trying to stifle dissent, a charge the government denies. Mokoko's lawyer, Yvon Eric Ibouoanga, told Reuters the court's decision "lacked a legal basis". Additional charges of incitement of public disorder were also brought against Mokoko on Thursday, apparently in connection with his calls for civil disobedience after the election results were announced. Sassou Nguesso, 72, has ruled the small oil-producing nation for 32 of the last 37 years. He successfully pushed through changes to the constitution last year that allowed him to stand for a third consecutive term, triggering violent protests that killed at least 18 people. Another opposition leader, Paulin Makaya, was sentenced to two years in prison last month for his role in protests against the referendum on the third term. (Reporting by Christian Elion; Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Tim Cocks) By Aaron Ross KINSHASA (Reuters) - Congo's government announced pardons for 24 jailed critics of President Joseph Kabila on Friday in a bid to ease tension ahead of a presidential election set for November. The opposition considers the detained politicians and democracy activists to be political prisoners and the apparent olive branch may blunt international criticism of the government over its human rights record. It could also put opposition leaders on the defensive over their demand that they will hold pre-election talks only once political prisoners are released and if Kabila agrees to step down in December at the end of his second and final term. "The government ... has decided to take measures to ease tensions," Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba told a news conference, announcing the prisoners would be freed. Kabila's opponents accuse him of trying to cling to power in Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that has not seen a peaceful change of government since independence in 1960. The government says it lacks the money and resources to hold an election this year and the top court says Kabila can stay in power until the vote. The election commission says it will take over a year to enroll millions of voters. Opposition leader Joseph Olengankhoy said the government should also pardon Moise Katumbi, a top presidential candidate who in June was sentenced in absentia to three years in prison for real estate fraud. "The main people who are supposed to participate in the dialogue ... (over the election) are not being freed," he told Reuters, referring to two party leaders accused of sexual assault and real estate fraud respectively. His comment appeared to undermine the position of the African Union facilitator of the election talks, former Togolese prime minister Edem Kodjo, who welcomed the pardons and said talks would begin next week. Opposition leaders say Kodjo favors the government and they want him removed as a mediator as a condition for the talks. At the same time, there was confusion over how many of those pardoned were actually still in prison. Only four remained in jail, said Georges Kapiamba, a leading human rights activist. They are pro-democracy activists arrested in what the United Nations and human rights groups said was a crackdown on freedom of expression ahead of the election. Fred Bauma and Yves Makwambala were charged with plotting against Kabila following their arrest at a March 2015 workshop to promote youth participation in politics. Youth activist Jean-Marie Kalonji was held in December, while Christopher Ngoyi was arrested during anti-government protests in January 2015. In another move to ease tension, the government reopened two television stations controlled by opposition politicians. It said a third such station will remain closed. (Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Richard Balmforth) LONDON (Reuters) - The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party has refused to say whether he would defend a NATO ally if one was invaded by Russia. Jeremy Corbyn was asked several times at a leadership debate in Birmingham, central England, on Thursday if he would support the military alliance's key principle of "collective defence" where any attack on one member country is considered an attack against all members. Corbyn declined to give any assurances that he would do so if he won power. Instead he stressed the need for diplomatic solutions, saying he wanted to achieve a world where there was no need to go to war. "You'd obviously try to avoid that happening in the first place, you would build up a good dialogue with Russia to ask them and support them is respecting borders," he said. "We would try and introduce a de-militarisation of the borders between Russia, Ukraine and all the other countries down in the border between Russia and eastern Europe." The Labour Party has been in turmoil since Britain's June 23 vote to leave the European Union, with veteran left-winger Corbyn's position being challenged by fellow lawmaker Owen Smith. Smith said he would go to the aid of a fellow NATO member. In the past Corbyn has backed Britain's withdrawal from NATO though more recently he has talked of a more restricted role for the alliance. Though Smith is backed by most of Labour's elected lawmakers, Corbyn is strong favourite to win the leadership contest thanks to widespread support at grassroots level. The outcome of the leadership election is expected on Sept. 24. NATO's mutual defence guarantee is a commitment that comes without any "conditions or caveats," British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said last month. (Reporting by James Davey,; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) [The first paragraph made an incorrect statement about countries with nationwide bans on alcohol. It has been modified.] Indonesia is considering a nationwide ban on alcohol. The move, currently being deliberated by the House of Representatives, could spell a different kind of vacation for holidaymakers in Bali, the country's most popular tourist destination. That is, a dry one. As a predominantly Muslim country, alcohol in Indonesia is already heavily taxed and expensive. But the bill, introduced jointly by two Islamist parties, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), would ban the production, distribution and consumption of drinks with an alcohol content of over one percent, reports The Jakarta Post. The bill claims its purpose is to "protect citizens from the negative impacts of alcoholic beverages, to raise awareness of the dangers of the beverages, and to ensure order and peace in society, free from disturbances caused by consumers". As outlined by a recent piece in The Sydney Morning Herald, bootleg alcohol has been a scourge for Indonesian health authorities, contributing to the deaths of 12 people in May who died within 24 hours of drinking the poisonous liquor, and another 26 people in February. But a nationwide alcohol ban isn't the answer, warns the hotel industry, which pointed out that such a drastic move would lead to disaster for the tourism sector, particularly as many Bali visitors hail from European countries with a strong drinking culture. Alcohol is already banned in the province of Papua and the Surabaya in Java. The government is expected to vote on the bill in the coming weeks. Last October, Flipkart announced its 'Big Billion Days' sales from the 13th to the 17th of the month, one of many in the home-bred online retailer's nearly 10 years of existence, during which it has sold hundreds of products at deep discounts. However, much to the company's embarrassment, its app crashed, leaving many buyers red-faced. "Anything you click goes out of stock. Flipkart should stop this flop show," tweeted Vicky Vohra, an aggrieved customer. E-commerce giants like Flipkart will exercise caution in holding such mega sales blitzes again, especially after the government in March prohibited e-tailers from offering big discounts on their platforms. The government also capped total sales originating from a group company or one vendor on an e-commerce platform at 25 per cent. The norms came at a sobering time for India's e-commerce sector, with investors holding back funds and even 'established' e-tailers wallowing in losses. With tightening of norms on the one hand and a shrinking of business on the other, froth in the segment finally seems to be settling down. advertisement "The irrational exuberance has subsided as of now," says Ashvin Vellody, a partner with consulting firm KPMG India. Companies are now devising new strategies to keep customers engaged and shopping more online, despite the restrictions on discounts. For instance, Amazon India, an arm of the US multinational, has built its India strategy on the three simple pillars of massive selection, low prices and fast delivery, similar to their global standards. It recently added to its offering a value-added service called Amazon Prime, which promises speedier delivery among other benefits. Flipkart unveiled Flipkart Lite in 2015, a web app built to give users a rich experience online and offline. To expand its customer base, Snapdeal launched flight and bus ticket bookings, hotel reservations and food ordering services on its platform in July, the first e-tailer to do so. The end-result of these new efforts is heart-warming. Media reports say that the total gross merchandise value (GMV), or the value of all goods sold through various online retail platforms, grew 13.3 per cent year-on-year to $10.2 billion (Rs 68,136 crore) at the end of May 2016. Much of this growth was from Amazon India, which grew to $2.7 billion(Rs 18,036 crore) from $1 billion(Rs 6,680 crore) last year. Meanwhile, Flipkart's GMV remained unchanged at $4 billion (Rs 26,720 crore approx.), while Snapdeal's GMV halved to $1.2 billion (Rs 8,016 crore approx.), reports said. To be sure, the restrictions on e-tailers came along with a big bonanza. The government allowed 100 per cent FDI in e-commerce in the 'marketplace' model, bringing in more clarity on foreign investments in the sector (Flipkart and Snapdeal have foreign investors on board). The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), which came up with the new guidelines, also clarified on the definitions of marketplace- and inventory-led models. In the first, an e-commerce firm provides an IT platform on a digital and electronic network to act as a facilitator between buyer and seller. On the other hand, in an inventory-based model, the e-commerce entity owns goods and services which are sold to consumers directly. A marketplace entity will be permitted to enter into transactions with sellers registered on its platform on a B2B basis, the DIPP clarified. advertisement THE FUNDS SQUEEZE Can this be a sign of maturity in the segment, a more nuanced approach from e-commerce players? Possibly, but it comes at a time when there has been much pain. Investors, including venture capitalists and private equity players who have bankrolled over 2,000 of India's start-ups over the past 10 years, want more bang for their buck. A KPMG and CB Insights study says private equity and VC firms infused just $1.15 billion (Rs 7,682 crore) in the three months to March in Indian start-ups, 24 per cent lower than in the December 2015 quarter. US-based mutual fund T. Rowe Price, which had invested about $100 million (Rs 668 crore) in Flipkart in December 2014, marked down its shares in the study company by 15 per cent in April. In July, it further cut the value of its stake by a fifth, even as the e-tailer said it was cutting 300-600 jobs to reduce costs. A markdown in shares means a lower overall company valuation, making it cheaper for a potential buyer, in case of a stake sale. This was Flipkart's third major setback after February 2016, when another investor, Morgan Stanley, marked down its shares by 27 per cent. Meanwhile, investors are reportedly reluctant to pour in fresh funds into Snapdeal at valuations expected by its promoters. "It's a sentiment downturn, irrational exuberance has come down in the e-commerce segment...investors are cautious," says Avnish Bajaj, MD, Matrix Partners, a private equity firm. advertisement The revenues of most successful start-ups so far were thanks to the deep discounts they offered, which in turn was driven by investors' largesse. But that is set to change. It has to, for it's high time e-commerce players focused on a sustainable model, which also brings in steady profits. As of now, the situation is bleak. The combined revenues of 22 top e-commerce players grew 191 per cent in fiscal 2014-15 while their total losses jumped 264 per cent to Rs 7,900 crore, a study by Kotak Institutional Equities shows. Now for the positives. India offers one of the hottest markets for e-commerce. At almost 252 million, the country has the third highest number of internet subscribers in the world after the US and China. This number is expected to double in the next five years. Much of online buying happens over the mobile phone. The country is the second largest smartphone market, behind China, with 235 million subscribers in the quarter ended March 2016, says research firm IDC. Forrester, another research firm, finds that only 14 per cent of Indian internet users (some 35 million) shop online, but adds that the number will grow to 128 million by 2018. Industry body Assocham maintains that India's e-commerce sector was worth $23 billion (Rs 1.53 lakh crore) in calendar 2015, and will touch $38 billion (Rs 2.53 lakh crore) by end-2016. advertisement THE AMAZON EFFECT Domestic players apart, overseas online retail giants like Amazon and eBay too are eyeing a share of this pie. Amazon, which entered India three years ago, is not only committing huge investments (founder Jeff Bezos announced a $3 billion, or over Rs 20,000 crore, infusion in June this year), it is also building a strong backend infrastructure and ensuring quicker product delivery. By January 2016, the company had overtaken Snapdeal as the country's second largest online retailer (Flipkart is reportedly the largest). In fact, in 2015-16, the company, which earns from seller commissions, advertisement revenues and sales of its Kindle e-reader, grew six-fold over the previous fiscal. The portal was the most-visited commerce site in the country and also had the fastest growing shopping app among all e-commerce companies in 2015. "We are at a very early stage in the life cycle of e-commerce in India, and very early in Amazon's life cycle in India," says Amit Agarwal, MD, Amazon India. "We have a very long-term perspective of what we want to do and what we want to achieve. We want to transform how India buys and sells, and in that process, do our little bit in transforming people's lives." Agarwal believes his company is today India's largest online store, with over 55 million products. It has 1.3 billion products at its fulfilment centres (industry jargon for warehouses) ready to be shipped out. "This is the largest selection by order of magnitude and we are very excited about it," says Agarwal. For low prices, Amazon focuses on the simple principle it follows globally-lower operations costs for sellers. The company owns 21 fulfilment centres in 10 states. In July this year, it opened its largest centre in Sonepat, Haryana, spread across 200,000 sq. ft with a capacity of over 800,000 cu. ft. Meanwhile, Flipkart launched pick-up stores last year to allow customers to pick up delivery parcels at a convenient time, and has plans to launch 20 such centres in 10-plus cities across India. It has its largest warehouse yet on the outskirts of Hyderabad, a 220,000 sq. ft tract of land with a storage capacity of almost 600,000 cu. ft. The automated centre helps it expand operations, serve customers better, and also creates 17,000 jobs directly and indirectly in the district. Its logistics arm, EKart, has also tied up with Mumbai's dabbawallas for better reach. Snapdeal, which offers its portal in 10 Indian regional languages, has invested $300 million (over Rs 2,000 crore) over the past 18 months to strengthen its logistics and supply chain. It has 63 fulfilment centres across 25 cities, and has opened 'integrated one-touch logistics centres' in the top 10 Indian cities. "We have strengthened our flagship Snapdeal Plus (SD+) programme, which screens product quality and packaging, while having end-to-end visibility on all products shipped through our centres," says a company spokesperson, adding that 80 per cent of orders are fulfilled through these SD+ facilities. With the new discount norms in place, how much more challenging has it become for e-tailers to win over buyers? Amazon's Agarwal is unfazed. "When we have the triple effect of lower costs, higher sales and lower defects, you make more absolute rupees per sale," he says. "This is funnelled back as low prices and that's our sustainable way for 'everyday low prices' in India." He also welcomed the clarifications on FDI in the marketplace model. "We have always welcomed the model in India, providing reach to tens of thousands of sellers on services like warehousing, fulfilment, logistics and much more," he adds. DISCOUNTS DON'T WORK Some e-tailers say discounts have never been their focus. "We don't try to win the market with discounts. Our way of keeping customers loyal is to customise products for each phase of their lives and through better customer service," asserts Ashish Shah, founder of Pepperfry.com, an online furniture and home marketplace. The company has created a suite of inhouse labels around the needs of every age group. It also has in place stringent quality control checks, and every solid wood product is certified using 'international compliance standards' before it is shipped out. Mahesh Murthy, founder of digital advertising firm Pinstorm and an early start-up entrepreneur, told india today in an earlier interview that India's e-tailers were driving themselves to the edge by offering deep discounts, and that it was not a sustainable model. "Companies are in an unhealthy spin, which is suicidal-except in the case of Amazon," he said. "In all of history, no one has made money on discounts." Amazon staff at the company's largest 'fulfilment centre', in Sonepat, Haryana. Photo: Vikram Sharma An active investor in start-ups, who did not want to be named, says most e-tailers get into price discounting, though they never admit to it. The Retailers Association of India (RAI) had taken on e-commerce firms in May 2015 when it filed a case in the Delhi High Court accusing online retailers of misusing their foreign funding. "Discounting is unhealthy, because these firms are conditioning customers to low prices, and will lose them the moment they hike the price," says Murthy. The RAI's protest is said to have also triggered the government move to put the new norms in place. "Amazon discovered a long time ago that the healthiest is the 'everyday low price' model, which means it is generally low priced. That's the winner strategy," says Murthy. "Very slowly you will see the others also move into this, as this is the only sustainable strategy in e-commerce." Sustainability is turning out to be the most important word in the e-commerce lexicon. "The key to business is to reach sustainability," says Ben Nelson, founder and CEO of Minerva Schools, a California based start-up. If your core business is sustainable, you can then invest in growth, he adds. "If you allow bloat to come in, you become less productive," Nelson, who's also the former CEO of photo-sharing portal Snapfish, says. Matrix Partners' Bajaj says e-commerce will continue to grow exponentially in India, since the underlying drivers are intact. More and more customers are buying goods online, and the mobile is becoming the prime instrument for it. However, firms cannot afford to be complacent. For established players, it is now time to focus on profitability. After all, no one can afford to ignore basic business fundamentals for long. Follow the writer on Twitter @MGArun1 --- ENDS --- earth miniature black holes sm nasa First, the good news: You have not been killed by a black hole. The strange news is that it's possible the universe is teeming with microscopic black holes that formed at the dawn of time, all of them hurtling through space like cosmic bullets. Some could weigh nearly as much as Earth's moon, others an asteroid, and still more somewhere in between. Whatever their weight, most would be smaller than the period in this sentence. If this sounds like science fiction, it could be. But perhaps not. Astrophysicists are running out of options to explain what most of the stuff in the universe is made of. They know roughly 80% of it is dark matter, which exerts a gravitational pull on the other 20% "normal" matter yet has remained invisible to experiments for more than 80 years. Devices in space and underground have sought out particles of dark matter for years, but have so far turned up empty. Which is why researchers are turning to the (somewhat frightening) notion that we're surrounded by countless black holes that formed 13.8 billion years ago. "On the dark matter particle side of the spectrum, the range of possibilities is narrowing down quickly," Alexander Kashlinsky, a cosmologist at NASA, previously told Business Insider. "If nothing is found there, and nothing is found in the black hole theater, then we may be in a crisis of science." The hope and havoc of mini black holes black hole To be clear, physicists aren't betting a lot chips on the existence of infinitesimal black holes. As we've previously reported on Business Insider, the leading hunch is that dark matter particles do exist; it's just that this search has proven more difficult than anticipated. And those scientists who are seeking out ancient black holes, including Kashlinsky, think they're pretty heavy perhaps between 20 and 100 times the mass of the sun. That idea even got a boost after the recent and groundbreaking discovery of gravitational waves, which two black holes of unusual size (30 solar masses) triggered when they collided. Story continues Yet an unpublished research on "primordial" black holes those formed in the hot particle soup of the Big Bang, not by collapsing stars suggests ones that are very small in diameter could exist in droves. If these mini-black holes are real, Kashlinsky says the heaviest of them would weigh less than the moon, yet would be shrunken down to about 0.25 millimeter in diameter, or about the width of a human hair. asteroid 951 gaspra nasa galileo Timothy Brandt, an astrophysicist at the Institute for Advanced Study, said the very lightest, asteroid-size holes would have an apparent size of less than an atom. The reason is because black holes are so dense. In fact, beyond a certain point, pretty much any bit of matter in the universe squeezed tightly enough will collapse beyond a gravitational point-of-no-return. That boundary is spherical and called an event horizon, and beyond it not even photons of light the fastest things in the universe can escape if they fall in. Any black holes smaller than an asteroid probably evaporated long ago due to Hawking radiation, a fantastical consequence of the laws of nature that Stephen Hawking deduced in 1974. So what if tiny black holes are out there how often would they swing by, and what might they do? "Asteroid-mass black holes, if they were all of the dark matter, might pass through the Earth once a millennium or so, but would be very, very hard to detect," Brandt told Business Insider. "If you had somebody right there, they might be able to observe one." Brandt was skeptical asteroid-size black holes would be all that dangerous, though. And if a heavier, sub-moon-size black hole came too close? "We certainly would notice if one passed near the Earth, since it would affect the orbits of all of our satellites," he wrote in an email. "I imagine that it would mess up GPS for example." The good news here, says Brandt, is that mini-black holes of this size would pass between Earth and the sun once every 100 million years or so. "We would, on average, have to wait much longer than the age of the Universe for one to pass through the Earth. Though such an event is absurdly unlikely ... It would cause some havoc," he wrote. That could definitely kill someone, Brandt noted, since it would be "a bit like a bullet, but with the damage being done by tidal forces deforming the object and generating intense heat." Yet the scariest scenario at least to scientists like Brandt and Kashlinsky is what super-tiny, essentially impossible-to-detect black holes would mean for science. "It's possible there is no interaction of dark matter [with normal matter] except through gravity," Brandt said. "If that's the case, we're in trouble. We've never come to that point where we know something is out there but is completely invisible to our experiments." NOW WATCH: There's a black hole in our galaxy, and it's not far from Earth More From Business Insider A young Iowa couple is facing felony charges after police say they stole a wedding party sheet cake, clothing, bicycles, and a television from a college campus in Iowa. Authorities were tipped off to the pair, 20-year-old Parker Bollhoefer and 18-year-old Lyndi Littrel, after staff at Central Colleges spirit store noticed a lot of stuff missing merchandise. I have no idea why they stole a sheet cake, Chief Robert Bokinsky of the Pella Police Department said. It was a big one. It was probably about a foot and a half long by a foot wide and when we executed the search warrant, it was there on the kitchen counter, and about three-quarters of it was gone. I don`t know if that served as a couple meals or what the purpose was but sure enough, they took it. Kayla and Tim Powell of Sabine County, Texas survived a frightening lightning strike that hit their patio as they were unloading groceries on August 14. Miraculously, the couple were unharmed aside from some minor bruises, and this surveillance camera footage captured the entire moment, as well as the reaction from one of the Powells sons. I remember a little bit of heat, but after the white light, thats it," Tim Powell told local news station KTRE. I definitely feel blessed, someone was watching for us on that day. Credit: Facebook/Kayla Powell - A Brazilian judge has ordered European Olympic president Pat Hickey to be kept in prison while a black market Rio Games tickets ring is investigated, authorities said. The 71-year-old was arrested at his luxury hotel on Wednesday and is being kept in the Bangu high security prison complex, a police statement said. Bangu is one of Brazil's most notorious prisons. But the most dangerous prisoners are usually held apart. Hickey spent time in a Rio de Janeiro hospital after his detention which stunned the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the Rio Games hit its peak. Hickey's lawyers asked for the IOC excutive member to be freed while the investigation goes on but judges refused the request on Thursday, according to a police statement. The sport baron was then "taken to the Bangu penitentiary complex," Rio police said. AFP American swimmers Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger were booed and called liars by a crowd as they left a police station in Rio de Janeiro on August 18. The athletes had testified on the alleged robbery case involving swimmer Ryan Lochte, James Feigen and themselves. When they left the station, a crowd of photographers, journalists and passersby waited for them. In this video, it is possible to hear the crowd calling the athletes liars and shame. Credit: Joao Taveira crude oil spray Earlier this week, crude-oil prices jumped into a bull market. But this latest rally is based on "shaky foundations" and will revert soon, according to Thomas Pugh, commodities economist at Capital Economics. We were here just a few months ago. In April, oil producers in OPEC and non-OPEC nations met to try and reach a freeze agreement on output levels, which were too high. Ahead of the meeting, chatter from Russian officials and others that suggested the meeting would end with an agreement drove traders to buy oil futures. The meeting ended with no deal because Saudi Arabia did not want to enter one without Iran. "The recent rally in oil prices has been primarily driven by speculation about a possible deal between OPEC and major non-OPEC producers to freeze production," Pugh wrote in a note on Friday. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained nearly 23% through Thursday from the bottom in early August, when they fell below $40 per barrel. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose above $50. It wasn't a sudden disappearance of excess inventories that sparked the current rally. Instead, it was the same thing that we saw in oil markets leading up to the failed April OPEC talks. Some pessimism is warranted about a pact to slow down production. "As a result, we think that prices will fall back over the next few months as the outcome of next month's unofficial meeting underwhelms market expectations," Pugh wrote. Meanwhile in the US, oil producers have been bringing rigs back online. This week, the oil-rig count rose for an eighth-straight week, extending the longest-gaining streak of this year. In short, crude oil is rising on hopes of talks between OPEC that may result in a production freeze but very well may not. And the supply imbalance in the market has not been dealt with. NOW WATCH: How ISIS makes over $1 billion a year More From Business Insider (Reuters) - Legendary Russian-American dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov has denounced Donald Trump as a "totalitarian opportunist,' saying the Republican presidential candidate's speeches remind him of his years in the Soviet Union. Baryshnikov, 68, who defected to the West in 1974, made his views known in a video released on Wednesday in which he threw his support behind Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton. "Today, as a citizen of the United States, for the first time, Im hearing rhetoric that reminds me of the Soviet Union of my youth, where it was a crime, and continues to be, a crime to be different," Baryshnikov said. "Take it from one who knows. Hundreds of thousands of people like me have fled from countries led by dangerous totalitarian opportunists like Donald Trump," he added. Baryshnikov's video, titled '#ITrustHer', was produced by Humanity for Hillary, a social media campaign of artists that aims to build support for Clinton ahead of the Nov. 8 election. Baryshnikov, regarded as one of the world's best ballet dancers, defected from what was then the Soviet Union seeking more artistic freedom. He went on to lead the American Ballet Theatre and to co-found the White Oak Dance Project, as well as building a career as an actor in films like "The Turning Point" and the TV series "Sex and the City." You can watch the video here: http://bit.ly/2bqM7sn (Reporting by Reuters Television; Writing by Melissa Fares in New York; Editing by Frances Kerry) Daniel Radcliffe shaved his own head onscreen for the first time in Imperium, in which he plays an FBI agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a radical right-wing terrorist group. From first-time writer-director Daniel Ragussis, the Lionsgate Premiere drama - released Friday in theaters and on demand - also stars Toni Collette, Tracy Letts and Sam Trammell. Below is The Hollywood Reporter's edited chat with Radcliffe and Ragussis about realistically portraying an undercover gig, humanizing the white supremacy community and questioning the media's fascination with Donald Trump. Why did you want to make this movie? DANIEL RAGUSSIS: I was researching the Nazis for another project and stumbled onto the American neo-Nazi community. There are hundreds and hundreds of comments on YouTube videos of Hitler's speeches, saying, basically, 'Rest in peace, Adolf,' and 'This is the greatest leader of the 20th century.' I was just stunned at the size, depth, breadth and diversity of this community. Then I found Mike German's story and I thought, 'That's the perfect way into this world, to see it through the eyes of an undercover FBI agent.' I tracked him down, and we agreed that a movie couldn't be based on his own cases due to privacy reasons, but we'd make a fictionalized story that nonetheless drew inspiration from his work. Read more: 'Imperium': Film Review DANIEL RADCLIFFE: I immediately responded to the script. I like films that explore worlds authentically, and this did that on two levels. First, the undercover world: there are so many assumptions I've made about going undercover that turned out to be completely wrong. Like, the fact that it is actually really shit for your FBI career. You think, 'You're doing something really freaking brave; surely, that gets you brownie points.' No. If you want to advance quickly through the FBI, you just stay in the office. Also, the white supremacy stuff that's explored was so horrifyingly fascinating, or fascinatingly horrifying. The breadth of how many different kinds of beliefs there are - it's an umbrella term that we use, it actually describes a ton of different kinds of people. Story continues The thing I loved most was that it did something that very few scripts have the guts - and frankly, the quality of writing and the brains - to do. So many scripts I've seen set up the character as smart, and that's his weapon and how he solves problems and overcomes adversity for the first two-thirds of the movie; and then in the final third, they go, 'F - it, he's Jason Bourne now, he can do whatever,' Out of nowhere, they put in a scene of him learning Judo and then he can just kill 10 people at a time. I've always found that a real cop-out. It doesn't work. To see a script where a character is smart until the end of the movie is really cool. What research did you do? RAGUSSIS: Works written by ideological leaders of the movement, memoirs from people who had gotten out of the movement, and works by social scientists who had spent years living among people in the movement, interviewing them and letting them present themselves in their own world, [plus] memoirs written by FBI undercover agents. And the Internet, of course. There are online communities populated by millions of people who feel like they're in a world where they can't express their opinions or talk openly about what they believe. So it's very important for them to find a community, even if it's online, where they can be outspoken about not only talk about their political and ideological beliefs, but also everything from 'What's your favorite painting?' and 'Who's your favorite composer?' to 'This is a great recipe,' and 'I'm looking for love.' When all they talk about is anti-Semitism and racial and ideological things, you get a certain picture. But then when the same person is curating paintings and talking about Beethoven and this amazing cake that they made, it forces you to realize that they're a whole person, just like everyone else. Seth Numrich and Daniel Radcliffe in 'Imperium.' Photo credit: Lionsgate Premiere. Did you spend time with real white supremacists? RADCLIFFE: No, but I know some really f - ing racist people, friends I vehemently disagree with. They're not white supremacists, they would never be that extreme, but they are anti-immigration and absolutely voted to leave in Brexit. And I'm still friends with them because I don't think that friendship should be drawn along those lines. That'd be a really sad way of viewing the world. But yeah, I definitely have got first-hand experience with this. And also, just get into a cab in London. Some of the most unbelievably racist shit I've ever heard came out of a cab driver's mouth in London, and you just go, 'Dude, you're taking a chance. I know I'm white, but you can't just assume that I'm gonna agree with you.' My girlfriend was in an Uber the other day in L.A., and the guy was like, 'So, who are you voting for?' Why is that small talk in a 45-minute cab ride? At the beginning, she was like, 'Hillary,' and then she couldn't help herself and asked, 'Are you voting for Trump?' And his actual response was, 'Yeah, just to see what happens.' Which is just the worst. It's the same people who say, 'Well, I just love Trump because he says what he thinks.' But isn't the problem that he thinks that in the first place? How important was it to humanize these characters? RAGUSSIS: The highest priority. There are people you could probably sit with for a couple hours and have the time of your life, and all of the sudden, you find out their political beliefs and you're shocked because you still have these common human qualities. That's the complexity of the situation. You can't just take somebody with these political beliefs and say, 'They're evil, they're a monster.' RADCLIFFE: That's true. And I honestly really hope [people with these beliefs see this movie]. I think some might go to hate-watch it, and actually would be surprised by the very human portrayal of them that is given by all the actors and in Dan's writing. But also, if it makes one of them think critically about the things they're doing, it's entirely worth it. That's why I make films. We have to believe that minds can still be changed. Read more: Daniel Radcliffe Explains Why He Won't Watch 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' Play If you're gonna feel something for these people, feel sorry for them. There's something incredibly sad about a world where all the races are separate, and it's so depressing and bleak to me, the fact that that's what these people want. We should look at ourselves as trying to help them to come to an understanding. Absolutely, there are some people who will never have their minds changed, but we have to go forward with the belief that we can change at least some percentage of peoples' minds out there. Racism is learned; we don't come out of the wombs thinking this. I do think we human beings are essentially selfish, but good; we'd rather do a good, selfish thing than a bad one on the whole. In order to change something, to change someone's mind, you have to have a conversation, but people won't engage with you if they know that you've already written them off as stupid and evil. Why would they? What was the toughest scene to shoot? RADCLIFFE: The rally. Saying [racial slurs] was much harder than wearing [them on clothes], you forget that you've got it on after a while. And we're out in a real city; this stuff doesn't exist in a vacuum. I really am in a car park, shouting those words at a Hispanic man. Everyone understands that it's acting, but it still feels horrible to do it, and I definitely did a lot of checking in with the people I was working with. RAGUSSIS: That was the biggest scene and it had the most moving parts. Of course, we had filmmaker's luck and there was a hurricane at the time. We would shoot for a half an hour and all of a sudden, the heavens would open and we'd herd everyone inside, stop, and then bring them out again. People's clothes were getting wet and we'd have to dry them for continuity. .' Photo credit: Lionsgate Premiere. Did you want this movie to comment on today's political climate? RAGUSSIS: Not directly. These beliefs and ideologies and political convictions have always been out there, but they're now becoming more visible. I think that's good. Because even as I was shopping the script around, I can't tell you the number of times people would say, 'Come on, people don't really think that way anymore, maybe this was 40 years ago.' No, this has been happening, but it wasn't something that was making national TV, but now it is. And if we're ever gonna have a hope of dealing with these things and transcending them, the first step is to be aware that they're out there, and try to understand them: where they come from, what constitutes them and all the rest of it. How do you see the presidential election playing out? RADCLIFFE: Well, I didn't think Brexit was gonna happen, so there goes what I f - ing know. I hope Hillary gets in. I want to think there's a ceiling to how much support Trump can get, and he hopefully will alienate more of his own voters by the time we get to the election. But it's not a sure thing; that's what's certain. It's not enough for him to lose [on his own], you need to really try and protect it. RAGUSSIS: The one thing you can count on that's happened all the way through this is that it's never going the way that you thought it was gonna go. A lot can happen in three months. We need to keep our eyes open. Read more: Daniel Radcliffe Pens Heartfelt Tribute to Alan Rickman What do you wish you could tell the media about covering Donald Trump? RADCLIFFE: Don't help him propagate things that are blatantly untrue. The things that always winds me up is when you hear Hillary Clinton say she wants to do background checks for gun control, and then you hear Trump say, 'She wants to take away your guns!' No, she doesn't; she has at no point said that, so don't repeat what he's said. [The media] has actually started doing it: somebody sent me a screenshot the other day of their TV which read, 'Donald Trump Says He Did Not Say This Thing. [He Did.]' He should be very much treated like a politician and not a reality TV star because otherwise, he'll be allowed to get away with a lot more. RAGUSSIS: [What Trump says] is incredibly compelling material, so I can't say I'm not interested in it; I'm fascinated by it. But there's also clearly a responsibility to get information out there, to hold politicians accountable, to communicate the reality of things. I feel like a lot of people in media are wrestling with these issues. What's the difference between the responsibility toward public service and to make things that are sellable, to get the most eyeballs and the most clicks? RADCLIFFE: Some journalists get paid by the f - ing click. They should not be in the position where that is what they have in mind. Toni Collette and Tracy Letts in 'Imperium.' Photo credit: Lionsgate Premiere. Tracy Letts plays a conservative radio host, with the ears of millions at his fingertips. How much responsibility does someone in his position have for the actions of those who listen to him? RADCLIFFE: I think you do have responsibility if you've got that much sway over people. The fact that the idea of legalist resistance is something that was propagated and put forward by the intellectual elite of lots of different extremist movements. It allows the leaders of the movement to spout out all this stuff instead of actually getting their hands dirty in committing a crime. RAGUSSIS: Just because you can't be put in jail over it doesn't mean it's not something that you don't bear responsibility for, and that it doesn't have great impact or damage to our society. The whole legalist resistance philosophy is really convenient for that. If you're an ideological leader of one of these movements, you're probably enjoying living in a respected position, selling a bunch of books, having the adulation of your fans, making a lot of money. It's true of any organization that commits acts of terrorism. You don't see the leaders of Al Qaeda going out and blowing themselves up either. RADCLIFFE: The difference is when someone like [Charleston shooter] Dylann Roof does those things, they're much slower to be regarded as terrorists. 'He's just a lone wolf, he's crazy, a psycho on his own.' Actually, no, this is a terrorist tactic that has been carefully thought out. RAGUSSIS: It's violence intended to provoke political change. RADCLIFFE: What other definition could it be? Copenhagen (AFP) - Hundreds of Danish Turks have withdrawn their children from Danish schools with alleged links to the US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of masterminding last month's attempted coup, Danish media reported Friday. A document circulating on Facebook listed 14 private schools in Denmark as being linked to Gulen and urged parents to "Save your children from Fethullah Gulen's terror organisation's schools", according to a translation from Turkish by broadcaster TV 2. A total of 366 students had been pulled out of the schools after the summer break, the broadcaster said. At the Hillerod Private School 35 kilometres (22 miles) northwest of Copenhagen, 45 out of around 180 students had left, according to its deputy head Jorgen Skaastrup. Parents "do not dare let their children go to a school that Erdogan has labelled a terrorist school", Skaastrup told AFP. While the parents he had spoken to had told him that "they know they are not being brain-washed", some had received threats from family members in Turkey and were afraid of not being able to travel there, or of having property confiscated, he said. Gulen's Hizmet movement has affiliated schools around the world. Most of the Danish schools on the list "confirmed being inspired by Gulen's ideas... on education", but denied having any direct links to him or including his ideas in their teaching, according to TV 2. Skaastrup said that "on a personal level there are of course teachers among the Turkish staff who are inspired by Gulen". "It is in no way whatsoever included in the school's curriculum, goal or values," he added. Gulen is accused of ordering the July 15 coup during which a group within the Turkish military tried to remove President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power, a claim he strongly denies. Tens of thousands of his alleged supporters have been detained or sacked in a sweeping post-coup purge that has worried Ankara's Western allies. By India Today Web Desk: Egypt's state-owned broadcaster has suspended its 8 female TV presenters, asking them to lose weight in a month's time to retain their jobs, reports The Hollywood Reporter. The channel has taken the step in an attempt to revamp its image, which was branded as "sluggish". The move has however invited criticism from all quarters including women's rights groups. "It is humiliating and even scandalous," Khadija Khatab, one of the suspended TV hosts, told the Al Watan newspaper. "It is just an attempt to get rid of the successful [presenters] and retain others who present programs that have no strong content," she added. advertisement "Judging anybody on the basis of his or her body weight is not the right criterion," Eman Beibers, chair of the Cairo-based Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women, told Gulf News. "Our problem is that we judge people by appearance rather than performance and content. It does not matter if the presenter is fat or thin as long as he or she does not use nasty words on the air and knows well how to deal with guests," said Beibers quoting the "successful example of Oprah Winfrey." --- ENDS --- Delta Air Lines DAL and Southwest Airlines Co. LUV - with their market capitalizations of $28.09 billion and $22.86 billion, respectively are two well- known players in the US airline industry. However, both these well-established stocks are currently under pressure as is displayed by their Zacks Rank # 5 (Strong Sell). The tough times are not limited to these two carriers only. The entire airline industry is reeling under an array of headwinds which include the surge in terror attacks, uncertainty following the Brexit vote, unit revenue issues and technological glitches. Additionally declining airfares have the potential to hurt the top line of airline companies, affecting profits. The Zacks Industry rank of 241 (among 260+ groups) carried by the Transportation-Airline segment is indicative of the tough times that the stocks in this space are going through. Q2 Outperformances Fail to Lift Stock Prices The second-quarter 2016 earnings season did see quite a few airline companies reporting better-than-expected earnings or revenues or both. But the outperformance has done little to bolster the stock prices in most cases. For example, the Delta, which beat on earnings but missed the top line, has shed over 9% ever since its earnings release on Jul 14. Southwest Airlines, on the other hand, missed on earnings but topped on revenues in second quarter. The Dallas-based low-cost carrier has also seen its stock price decline since its earnings release on Jul 21 despite outperforming on the revenue front. In fact these two well-established names have been struggling for quite a few months due to the above mentioned headwinds and second quarter outperformance (bottom-line for Delta and top line for Southwest) have failed to entice investors. The toiling of these well-established carriers are indicative by the fact that the Delta stock has lost 26.87% year-to-date while Southwest Airlines has seen a double-digit slump in its stock price since the commencement of 2016. Moreover, earnings estimates have also moved south for these carriers further highlighting that these two stocks are not favored by analysts at present. Story continues In case of Delta, 2016 Zacks Consensus Estimate fell in excess of 8% over the last 60 days to $5.79 per share. The 2016 Zacks Consensus Estimate has declined almost 5% over the last 30 days to $3.87 per share for Southwest. Lets take a look at some of the major headwinds plaguing these two well-known carriers which have affected their stock price. Unit Revenue Delta and Southwest like their peers have been plagued by unit revenue issues for quite some time. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM: a key measure of unit revenue) declined at both these carriers in the second quarter. Moreover, PRASM fell 7% in July at Delta impacting the stock. The sharp drop was due to foreign exchange woes along with the ongoing supply-demand imbalance in the Transatlantic and softness pertaining to domestic yield. Southwest Airlines too was impacted when it gave a bearish guidance with respect to operating revenue per available seat mile (RASM) for the third quarter. RASM is now anticipated to decline in the range of 3.5% to 4.5% as compared to the earlier projected range of 3.0% to 4.0%. Disruptions Both these stocks were in the news recently owing to disruptions in their operations causing undue harassments to its passengers. On Jul 20, Southwest Airlines had to cancel 400 flights, and delay nearly 2,000 due to a computer glitch. Operations at the Atlanta, GA- based Delta were similarly disrupted due to a power outage in Atlanta on Aug 8 which affected the computer systems resulting in disruption of the companys operations worldwide. Deltas Chief Operating Officer issued a statement apologizing for the delay. The company also issued a $200 travel voucher to customers whose flights were delayed by over three hours or had been cancelled altogether. Surge in Terror Attacks & Brexit The increase in terror attacks is a looming threat to airline stocks with Delta and Southwest being no exceptions to this threat. This is because such attacks give rise to the possibility of air travel demand slackening on account of security fears. Furthermore, uncertainty following the Brexit vote in late June has also hurt the stocks due to declining demand for Business travel. With respect to exposure to Britain, Delta is very much at risk as it has a significant stake in British airline Virgin Atlantic. To counter the threat, the carrier has decided to trim 6 points of the U.S. - U.K. capacity from its winter schedule. While it is true that the above-mentioned headwinds have caused the two stocks to fall out of favor of late as far as investors are concerned all is not lost for these carriers. As with their impressive fundamentals they will be looking to turnaround things. Lets take a look at the favorable factors. Oil still Below $50 Fuel costs represent one of the major expenses for airlines. Unsurprisingly, weak oil prices are a boon to airlines. Oil is currently hovering around the $45 a barrel mark. While this represents a strong resurgence from the 12-yeqar low of around $26 a barrel hit in February, the fact remains that the commodity is still trading at levels much lower than those ($100+ a barrel) witnessed in mid-2014. It is also true that since oil has been cheap for almost 2 years, this major tailwind has already been priced in and is not as big a growth driver now as it was a few quarters back. Having said that, it remains a fact that this major input cost for airlines is still low. For example, second quarter earnings at both Delta and Southwest expanded in double-digits on a year-over-year basis on the back of cheap oil. With oil unlikely to touch the mid-2014 highs any time soon, soft oil prices should continue to benefit carriers including Delta and Southwest going forward. Dividend Cheap oil has resulted in huge savings for carriers, improving their financial health. This has caused most carriers including Delta and Southwest to shell out and hike their dividend payouts. In May 2016, Delta hiked its quarterly dividend payout by 50% to over 20 cents a share. Also in May, Southwest hiked its quarterly dividend by 33.33% to 10 cents a share. Both companies, apart from having a good dividend paying history, are also rewarding its shareholders through buybacks. It is a no-brainer that investors are extremely attracted by high yielding stocks in terms of dividend and here Delta scores over Southwest as its annual dividend yield of 2.2% is much better than Southwests comparable figure of 1.09%. Deltas Record Profit Sharing Earlier this year, Deltas employees received the highest payout in the history of corporate profit sharing programs. The total payout of $1.5 billion meant that employees received more than 21% of their 2015 annual earnings. The comparable figure was 16% in 2014. On the other hand, Southwests profit sharing payment was $620 million which equates to approximately 15.6% of each employees earnings in 2015. Even though Southwests payment was also the highest in the low-cost carriers history, it came nowhere close to Deltas payout. We anticipate Delta to trump Southwest with respect to profit sharing in future too owing to its strong balance sheet. Deltas Debt Reduction Impresses At the end of the second-quarter 2016, Delta had $1.66 billion in cash and cash equivalents and adjusted net debt of $6.78 billion. The company has managed to reduce its net debt significantly from 2009 levels. Delta generated free cash flow of $1.6 billion and adjusted operating cash flow of $2.6 billion in the second-quarter 2016. Other Metrics Despite the woes, Deltas earnings per share in the current year are projected to grow at 25.5% which is much higher than Southwests projected bottom-line growth of 9.8% for 2016. Deltas earnings growth rate (3-5 years) is 11.07% which again compares favorably to Southwests 9.83%. In terms of forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) too, Delta wins the contest as it is cheaper than Southwest. The valuation metric for the current year at Delta is 6.41, which is much lower than Southwests 9.53. Moreover Deltas PEG ratio of 0.59 is lower than Southwests 0.97. Also in terms of VGM Score Delta scores over Southwest. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Deltas VGM score is A compared to B for Southwest. Finally, Deltas larger business size compared to Southwest gives it the gargantuan scale to stand up a bit better to industry headwinds. The above parameters suggest that Delta will come out of the present mess faster than Southwest. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SOUTHWEST AIR (LUV): Free Stock Analysis Report DELTA AIR LINES (DAL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research SAN DIEGO -- A tourist is coming to town, which generally is not big news in San Diego. However, when that visitor is Zack Greinke, the San Diego Padres take notice. Greinke leads the Arizona Diamondbacks against San Diego on Friday night in the second contest of this three-game series. The Padres won a 9-8 in the series opener Thursday. Both teams are playing out the string on disappointing seasons, but Greinke, no matter what team is on the front of his jersey, does well at Petco Park. The right-hander, who left the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in the offseason, is 3-1 with a 1.69 ERA in eight career starts in San Diego's downtown digs. That includes winning his only decision in two starts against the Padres this year, and it came at Petco. Overall, Greinke has dominated the Padres to the tune of 7-1 with a 1.91 ERA. San Diego could be the soothing tonic Greinke seeks after getting blistered in his last outing. He lasted only 1 2/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox, as they ambushed him for nine runs, 10 hits and three home runs on Sunday. "It just happened so fast, I didn't realize how bad it actually was," Greinke said. It was the second-most runs ever allowed by Greinke, falling short of the 11 he yielded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 2005 game while he was with the Kansas City Royals. Greinke pitched like royalty before the Boston massacre. In his previous 10 starts, he was 8-0 with a nifty 2.47. That is why Arizona manager Chip Hale expects Greinke will find his groove again while battling a lineup consisting mostly of rookies instead of proven hitters who litter the Red Sox's order. "Well, they just hit everything he threw up there," Hale said after the Sunday game. "It was good pitches they hit. He obviously had some bad locations on some that they hit also. But it was one of those days. We've all been there. We've all been on the good side, and we've all been on the bad side." Story continues The Padres are looking for the good side from their Friday starter, Jarred Cosart, who was acquired in July from the Miami Marlins. Cosart (0-1, 5.03 ERA overall) is making his fourth start as a Padre and his eighth in total this year. The right-hander pitched well his last time out on Saturday, although he didn't figure in the decision. In six innings, he allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out two as the Padres dropped a 3-2, 11-inning decision to the New York Mets. Cosart recorded 15 of his 18 outs via groundballs. "That's usually the kind of pitcher I am," Cosart told MLB.com. "Ground-ball guy -- that's what I've been in the past, going all the way back to the minor leagues. "Earlier this year and my last two starts, I was up in the zone a little bit, a little sporadic. If you pitch up in the zone to any big league team, you're going to get hit." The Padres (51-70) and Diamondbacks (50-71), battling to avoid the NL West cellar, will be familiar with each other down the stretch. Over the final 41 games, they will play each other nine times. Disney just made this blink-and-youll-miss-it change to a major ride Disney just made this blink-and-youll-miss-it change to a major ride Once upon a time, there was this attraction at Disney World called, The Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Actually, its still in the park right now Hollywood Studios, to be specific so if youre in the Orlando area right now, you can go and ride it. But if you go and ride it, one thing about it is going to be different. Are the ride vehicles different? Does the attraction now pipe in music that isnt Aerosmith? Is there no longer a gift shop at the end? Do they no longer take your picture on the ride?? Dont worry, all of these things remain the same. Whats changed is a lot smaller, and barely noticeable unless youre an eagle-eyed Disney fan who is known for spotting brand new things in the parks. Disney has digitally altered one of Steven Tylers fingers. As our story goes, during the pre-show of Rock n Roller Coaster, Aerosmith frontman Tyler has placed his hand on his forehand, and made the shocker hand gesture, and its one that has a negative, sexual connotation [Aside: okay, but honestly, tbh friends, Ive seen the Rock n Roller Coaster pre-show literally hundreds of times, and Ive never picked up on this before. End aside]. Not wanting to showcase this hand gesture to the world, Disney decided that it was time to change it, and recently, digitally altered Tylers fingers so his palm is now completely outstretched, no hand gesture to be seen. The only thing isDisney made this change 17 years later. Rock n Roller Coaster has been in Hollywood Studios since 1999. This hand gesture has been there the whole time. Its not that people are upset that suddenly this well-known ~moment~ is gone from the Rock n Roller coaster pre-show. People are upset its been there for 17 years and Disney just got around to changing it now. Story continues @tvaziri How much do you think it cost Disney to digitally remove Steven Tyler's "shocker" gesture after 17 years pic.twitter.com/uUTVedomG8 Cabel Sasser (@cabel) August 17, 2016 Tyler himself took to social media to note it, too (his response: not happy), along with Ken Marino. Because Ken Mariano is the other guy in the pre-show, did you know that?? While we totally see and understand Disneys reasoning for changing the pre-showit is kinda funny that it took them 17 years to get around to doing this. Were not sure exactly what promoted Disney to make the change almost two decades later, and well probably never know. The Rock n Rollercoaster pre-show will never be the same, but also, you might not even realize its different to begin with. The post Disney just made this blink-and-youll-miss-it change to a major ride appeared first on HelloGiggles. We expect Dollar Tree Inc. DLTR to beat expectations when it reports second-quarter fiscal 2016 results on Aug 25. Last quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 11.3%. However, the company has delivered negative earnings surprise in three of the trailing four quarters, with an average negative surprise of 15.9%. Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement. DOLLAR TREE INC Price and EPS Surprise DOLLAR TREE INC Price and EPS Surprise | DOLLAR TREE INC Quote Why a Likely Positive Surprise? Our proven model shows that Dollar Tree is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of the two key ingredients. Zacks ESP: Dollar Tree currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.11%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate of 76 cents is above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 73 cents. A favorable Zacks ESP serves as a meaningful and leading indicator of a likely positive earnings surprise. Zacks Rank: Dollar Tree carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Note that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), #2 or #3 (Hold) have a significantly higher chance of beating earnings. Conversely, sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or #5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement. The combination of Dollar Trees Zacks Rank #2 and positive ESP makes us reasonably confident of an earnings beat. What is Driving the Better-than-Expected Earnings? Dollar Tree has been doing well on the back of its long-term strategies and growth initiatives, including store expansion and productivity gains, tapping of new markets and incorporating innovative sales channels to serve its patrons better. Also, the companys strategy of increasing consumables mix, rolling out freezers/coolers at stores, along with multi-price point expansion bode well for top-line growth. The company is progressing well with the integration of the Family Dollar buyout. While this integration is expected to generate synergies in the long run, the related costs and cannibalization will continue affecting results throughout the integration and re-banner process. Nonetheless, the companys strategic investments in technological advancements and acquisitions bode well. All this, along with the companys optimistic guidance for fiscal 2016 make us confident about the upcoming results. Stocks that Warrant a Look Here are some other companies you may want to consider as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter: GameStop Corp. GME, slated to report earnings on Aug 25, has an Earnings ESP of +3.70% and a Zacks Rank #3 . Sanderson Farms, Inc. SAFM, scheduled to report earnings on Aug 25, has an Earnings ESP of +4.96% and a Zacks Rank #1. Star Bulk Carriers Corp. SBLK, expected to report earnings on Aug 29, has an Earnings ESP of +13.33% and a Zacks Rank #2. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report STAR BULK CARRS (SBLK): Free Stock Analysis Report SANDERSON FARMS (SAFM): Free Stock Analysis Report GAMESTOP CORP (GME): Free Stock Analysis Report DOLLAR TREE INC (DLTR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin once said that God, not people, elect U.S. presidents. But as Palins former spokeswoman Pam Pryor knows, sometimes God needs a little help. Thats why the Trump campaign announced today that it has hired Pryor to lead its faith and Christian outreach effort. According to the Trump aide Alan Cobb, she will oversee communications, social media, events, and other efforts aimed at attracting religious voters. Pryors resume includes positions with many conservative and Christian heavy-hitters, but with Trump, she has her work cut out for her. Typically, a religious outreach director for the Republican presidential nominee has a fairly easy job. In past elections, evangelical Protestants and Mormons have been a shoo-in. Conservative Catholics have often supported Republican candidates, as have some of their more progressive counterparts. All that staffer has had to do is host a few events and slip some religiously coded language into the candidates speeches and the job is done. But Trump is turning out to be a little more complicated nominee when it comes to religious voters. Trump currently has more support from white evangelicals than Mitt Romney did four years ago, but some conservative Christian leaders vocally oppose him and are encouraging their constituents to follow suit. He has less support from Catholic voters and Mormons than Romney did in 2012, and his struggles with the latter group means that even Utah may now be in play. Recommended: The Era of 'The Bitch' Is Coming Trump hasnt exactly helped matters with his religious blunders on the campaign trail: placing money in a church communion plate, being unable to cite his favorite Bible verse, admitting hes never asked God for forgiveness, and committing his now-infamous Two Corinthians gaffe. It didnt help that he picked a fight with the pope, either. Someone in the Trump camp must be paying attention to these strugglesPryor appears to be an effort to fix these problems. Along with several other recent hires in what has been called a campaign shakeup, Pryor represents a push to create the infrastructure necessary to win support among religious voters. Story continues Pryor has ties to the Church of the Nazarene, a conservative evangelical denomination whose members include the Focus on the Family founder James Dobson. Pryors undergraduate degree is from Southern Nazarene University and she has taught at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and Bethany Nazarene College in Oklahoma City. In 1995, Republican Representative J.C. Watts of Oklahoma hired Pryor as his press secretary and later promoted her to chief of staff. Watts was a part of the 1994 Republican Revolution when the GOP won control of the House for the first time in four decades. As the sole black Republican in Congress, Watts was often a divisive figure on matters of race. Prior to delivering the Republican response to President Clintons 1997 State of the Union address, Watts referred to some black political leaders as race-hustling poverty pimps. Working under Watts earned Pryor recognition inside the Beltway, and in 2001, she was named one of the 100 most powerful women in D.C. by Washingtonian magazine. Pryors real catapult into the national spotlight came when she was appointed spokesperson for Sarah Palins Political-Action Committee. Pryors old boss is not a fan of Trump, though. I just dont feel like Trump is speaking to meas a believer, as an African American, as a conservative, he told The Oklahoman. Watts added, What hes said about blacks, Hispanics, women, Muslimsyou can't be a constitutionalist and ignore the Constitution. Pryors real catapult into the national spotlight came when she was appointed spokesperson for Sarah Palins Political-Action Committee. A member of the Palin team referred to Pryor as Palins go-to girl during the 2008 election, according to Tulsa Today. If Sarah has a doubt about anything, she talks to Pam. If Sarah wants to do something, she talks to Pam. Pam is a solid lock in Palins future. The goal of the PAC under Pryor was helping the former Alaskan governor continue to be a strong voice for energy independence and reform. Her work contributed to making Governor Palin an influential voice in some conservative circles. Pryor later served as a national policy advisor to Palin, who endorsed Trump in January. Recommended: America Is Ignoring the Worst Natural Disaster Since Superstorm Sandy In between and during these stints, Pryor has spent time with a host of other political groups and non-profits. She has worked as a consultant for Convoy of Hope, a faith-based humanitarian organization, along with Habitat for Humanity and the Department of Labor. Pryor was formerly a senior advisor for the Republican National Committee, where she served as a liaison to the McCain presidential campaign. And she has long worked for Freedom Partners, an organization funded by the Koch brothers, the Republican billionaires who have thus far refused to support Trump. Perhaps Pryor will follow the pitch made by her erstwhile boss, Palin, who was asked by Samantha Guthrie whether Trump is the godly candidate that [conservative Christians] are looking for. Palin responded, I hope voters arent trying to find the most Christian-y, godliest candidate out there because who are we to judge one anothers level of faithour Christian quotient, if you will. Pryors job is to convince religious Americans that Palin is right: They dont need a Christian-y president. If she cant succeed, not even God can help Trump come November. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. By Parmita Uniyal: Ekta Kapoor's latest supernatural drama--Brahmarakshas - Jaag Utha Shaitan, has opened to impressive numbers in its premiere week. The show has straightaway grabbed the No. 2 spot with 10821 impressions* and if it continues to weave the same magic, it might soon compete with Naagin Season 2, set to premiere in a month or two. Right now, Kumkum Bhagya rewind has caught the fancy of masses and the show is on No. 1 position with 12369 impressions*. advertisement If you think about it, Brahmarakshas is similar to Naagin in many ways. First, it is a supernatural show, two, it is airing on weekends (same as Naagin) at 9pm, a slot you can never go wrong with. Third, it takes inspiration from a folklore much like Naagin. Most importantly, it has a plot and pace that could excite a lot of weekend audience, who wish to be entertained, without straining their minds. Also read: Kishwer Merchantt grabs negative role in Ekta Kapoor's new show Brahmarakshas Brahmarakshas is the story of a young girl from Mumbai named Raina who goes to Kamalpura with her best friend to attend a wedding. What they probably do not know about is the existence of a Brahmarakshas who kills newly married brides who wear sindoor, chooda and maangtika. There is a psychological and supernatural explanation behind the transformation of a normal man into a Brahmarakshas, and that sets the foundation for the future episodes. Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki has retained its position in the Top 3 by garnering 8949 impressions. Raman and Ishita need to rebuild their chemistry if they want Yeh Hai Mohabbatein to rise up to the top again. Right now the show is sitting on No. 5 position with 8716 impressions*. The chemistry of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai's new pair Naira and Karthik seems to have worked and the show is on No. 4 with 8779 impressions*. Meanwhile, supernatural genre welcomes this Rakshas in the world dominated by Naagin and daayans. *Impressions in thousands --- ENDS --- If you only read one thing: Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is out Friday morning, following a campaign shakeup days earlier and a steady drip of stories about his past business dealings in Ukraine. A veteran lobbyist, Manafort was initially brought in to manage the campaigns delegate operations before the GOP convention, but rose to assume full command in June after pushing out former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski in a power struggle. He was one of the leading proponents of putting the bombastic nominee on message and having him act more presidential. But Trump bristled at the calls for discipline, and Manafort was demoted earlier this week when Trump brought in Breitbart boss Stephen Bannon as CEO and elevated pollster Kellyanne Conway to be his new campaign manager. But Trumps operation is not the only one making news. The Clinton Foundation announced Thursday after months of speculation that it would scale back its operations and cease accepting foreign and corporate donors should Hillary Clinton win the White House. The organization, briefly called the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, has faced questions for years about its role trying to influence State Department policy and to broker access for donors to the agency when Clinton served as Secretary of State. The long-delayed, but necessary, move comes after a ferocious round of fundraising in 2013-4 from all sources, designed to keep the organization flush should the Clintons move back into the White House. But lingering questions about the foundationsand the former presidentsroles remain and only exacerbate the ethical cloud hanging over Clinton. Speaking of questionable decisions: Hillary Clinton reportedly told FBI investigators that former Secretary of State Colin Powell advised her to use private email. So what happened to that convenience explanation from last year? Story continues The Obama administration is facing a firestorm over its admission Thursday that a $400 million cash payment to Iran in January was held as leverage until U.S. prisoners in Iran were released. For months the administration has denied the payment was ransom, rather a coincidental transfer after two independent teams negotiated the payments and the prisoner release. But that explanation seemed to fall under the leverage admission, as Republicans blasted the White House for breaking with U.S. precedent and paying ransom. Expect a lot of dictionary reading on the floor of Congress when lawmakers return to Washington. And then there is more from the Republican nominee. Trump expressed regret Thursday night for some of the hurtful things hes said on the campaign trail as he delivered one of the most effective speeches of his campaign with the aid of the teleprompter. But like the blanket apology in a romantic comedy, in which one partner is angry at the other and the aggrieving party is unaware of what they have done to cause it, its unlikely Trumps sweeping statement will stick. At bare minimum, it tees up the opportunity for reporters to ask Trump if he regrets each and every one of his most controversial statements this cycle. Meanwhile, aides are hoping they can convince the the candidate to remain scripted, but if history serves as a guide, Trump will soon grow bored and seek to return to his off-the-cuff rallying style. Trump added a last minute stop in Louisiana Friday to tour flooding in the state in a moment designed to portray him as presidential. But the states Democratic governor is warning him against simply using it as a photo-op. The billionaires reshaping Trump. And Pence blames the media. Here are your must reads: Must Reads How One Familys Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trumps Campaign The Mercers backed Ted Cruz, now theyre helping remake Trump [New York Times] Donald Trump Says He Regrets Some Past Remarks But which remarks? [TIME] Mike Pence Blames Donald Trumps Problems on The Media The GOP ticket is on the ropes, but fighting back, TIMEs Philip Elliott reports Hillary Clinton Told F.B.I. Colin Powell Advised Her to Use Private Email What happened to convenience? [New York Times] Clinton Family Plans to Scale Back Foundation If Hillary Clinton Wins Election Operations to be handed to independent parties; Clinton Global Initiative to be halted [Wall Street Journal] State Department: US held up cash until Iran released Americans Leverage [CNN] Sound Off Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues. Donald Trump in Charlotte Thursday night. With concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release given unnecessary delays regarding persons in Iran who could not be located as well as, to be quite honest, mutual mistrust between Iran and the United States, we, of course, sought to retain maximum leverage until after American citizens were released. That was our top priority. State Department Spokesman John Kirby on the $400 million payment to Iran. Bits and Bites Trump advisers waged covert influence campaign [Associated Press] Manaforts man in Kiev [Politico] The Donald Trump ABCs [Bloomberg] A Hillary Clinton Loss Would Hobble Gun Reform, Says Connecticut Senator [TIME] Hillary Clinton Releases Ad Hitting Donald Trump on His Tax Returns: Hes Hiding Something [TIME] Donald Trump Focuses on Americas Safety in First TV Ad [TIME] Louisiana governor warns against Trump photo-op [Politico] Justice Department says it will end use of private prisons [Washington Post] donald trump Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump hinted in September that he might apologize for some things. Almost a year later, the real-estate mogul briefly pivoted from his usual rhetoric during a Thursday speech in Charlotte, North Carolina. Reading from a teleprompter, Trump said: "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing ... And I do regret it ... particularly where it may have caused personal pain." Trump did not highlight any particular incidents that he regretted and while he is better known for simply leaning into controversies rather than avoiding them, he has previously suggested that he is not above reproach. In a September 2015 interview on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon, Trump quipped that "apologizing is a great thing, but you have to be wrong ... I will absolutely apologize sometime in the hopefully distant future if I'm ever wrong." Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's campaign did not buy Trump's mea culpa on Thursday. A statement from Christina Reynolds, the campaign's deputy communications director, called the billionaire businessman's speech a "teleprompter regret." "Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people," the statement read, adding that the apology was only "a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying, and divisive comments he regrets and changes his tune altogether." NOW WATCH: TRUMP: 'I regret' comments that may have caused 'personal pain' More From Business Insider In his first speech since reordering his campaign leadership, Donald Trump told a crowd in Charlotte, N.C., that he regrets some of what he has said, a rare admission from him that some of his campaign rhetoric has stirred controversy. Sometimes in the heat of the debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing, Trump said in his speech. I have done that, and believe it or not I regret it. And I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues. He was not specific about what he regrets, but added that sometimes I can be too honest. One thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth, he said. Trump named Kellyanne Conway, a well-known pollster, as his campaign manager, and Breitbart News executive chairman Steve Bannon as his CEO. That led to speculation over any changes that would occur in Trumps approach to the race. Trump previously rejected notions that he should apologize for controversial remarks. Earlier this month, he said he did not regret his attacks on the parents of a Muslim soldier killed in Iraq. His father, Khizr Khan, spoke at the Democratic National Convention and chided the Republican nominee. Trump also argued that the media was distorting what he has said. They will take words of mine out of context and spend a week obsessing over every single syllable, he said. In his speech, Trump said that his campaign is about representing the great majority of Americans who read the newspaper, or turn on the TV, and dont hear anyone speaking for them. All they hear are insiders fighting for insiders. Related stories Paul Manafort Resigns From Donald Trump's Campaign NBC, MSNBC to Simulcast Primetime Forum Featuring Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton Clinton Foundation to End Global Initiative Event, Curb Donations Donald Trump Donald Trump has now expressed remorse for things he has said during his raucous presidential campaign. At a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday, the Republican presidential nominee suggested that he may have gone too far since announcing his bid for the White House more than a year ago. "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that," Trump mused, amid laughter and applause from the audience. "And I do regret it," he added, "particularly where it may have caused personal pain." It is the first time the GOP nominee has offered a blanket mea culpa for his caustic statements on the campaign trail, though he has walked back certain missteps before. Though Trump was not specific about what he regretted, there has been no shortage of controversy along the brash billionaire's march to the general election. Trump last year disparaged Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who spent five years in a prisoner-of-war camp after his plane was shot down over Vietnam in 1967. More recently, the real-estate mogul had a bitter feud with a family of a Muslim-American soldier who was killed in Iraq, and he made a comment that was widely interpreted as a suggestion of violence against his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump Thursday's speech was Trump's first since he radically overhauled his campaign staff earlier this week. The new additions to the businessman's operation among them, Breitbart News chairman Steve Bannon were perceived as Trump's doubling down on his more abrasive tactics. After admitting his regrets, Trump turned to Clinton, slamming the former US secretary of state for the email scandal that has plagued her campaign. The Clinton camp sent out a statement following Trump's speech, saying: "Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret." Story continues "That apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying, and divisive comments he regrets and changes his tune altogether," the statement said. You can watch a portion of the speech below: More From Business Insider Donald Trump and his running mate Mike Pence plan to tour flooded areas in Louisiana on Friday. Details of the trip have not been publicly released, and Trumps campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Richard Carbo, a spokesman for the Louisiana governors office, told CBS on Thursday that they had not been contacted about the Republican nominees trip. Carbo said he welcomed Trump to the state, but not for a photo-op, and that he should consider volunteering or making a sizable donation to the LA Flood Relief Fund to help the victims of this storm. Trump opened his speech in North Carolina Thursday night with words for Louisiana, a state that is very special to me, he said. When one state hurts, we all hurt and we must all work together to lift each other up, Trump continued. Our prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, and we send them our deepest condolences. Though words cannot express the sadness one feels at times like this, I hope everyone in Louisiana knows that our country is praying for them and standing with them to help them in these difficult hours. Read More: Donald Trump Says He Regrets Some Past Remarks On Friday morning, Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas who ran against Trump in the primary, criticized President Barack Obama for not visiting the state himself. Its a dereliction of duty, Huckabee said on Fox Business Mornings with Maria, Politico reports. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson visited Louisiana on Thursday. At least 13 people are dead and tens of thousands more displaced after 48 hours of rain devastated southern Louisiana. The Red Cross has said it is the worst natural disaster to hit the United States since Hurricane Sandy four years ago, CNN reports. [CBS News] Kinshasa (AFP) - The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday vowed to release two dozen "political prisoners and prisoners of conscience", including two prominent detainees who were arrested last year during a workshop on good governance in Africa. Fred Bauma, 26, is a member of the LUCHA or Struggle for Change pro-democracy movement, which is based in Goma, in the restive North Kivu province in the east of DR Congo. Yves Makwambala, 33, who is from Kinshasa, works with the Filimbi civil society group that organised the good governance workshop. They were arrested on March 15, 2015. Theirs were among 24 names of "people who should be freed or released on bail", according to a list signed by DR Congo's Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba. Accused of "inciting revolt" against President Joseph Kabila, Bauma and Makwambala were jailed in Kinshasa amid a crackdown on dissent, though their trial has now been stalled for several weeks. On a visit to Goma this week, Kabila met LUCHA activists who demanded that the government ease its restrictions on political activity. Kabila said he would have an answer within 48 hours. The president visited Goma just after several dozen people were hacked to death in the town of Beni, also in North Kivu province, last weekend. Deadly protests erupted in Beni, the site of the massacre, with angry residents accusing the government of failing to secure the area. - 'Ease tensions' - Justice Minister Thambwe on Friday told reporters in Kinshasa the detainees' release was a condition set by the opposition to "ease political tensions" in the country ahead of an "inclusive national dialogue". Thambwe added that the aim of the slated talks was to pave the way for elections, with Kabila's term expiring in December. Human rights activist Christopher Ngoy, held since January 2015, should also be released. The list of those set for release was given to the government on August 4 by the European Union's delegation in DR Congo, Thambwe said. Story continues All but two of the people on the original list would be freed, he said. Those who would be kept behind bars are accused of rape and fraud. The minister also mentioned former minister Eugene Diomi Ndogala, arrested in 2014, and Jean-Claude Muyambo, who leads a small opposition movement and who was detained during a protest in January 2015. Political tensions have soared in DR Congo as President Joseph Kabila nears the end of his term after 15 years in power. In a region that boasts the tallest peak in the eastern Himalayas and a body of water so impressive it has been nicknamed the "Everest of rivers," an enormous canyon has been carved through the rock over the course of millions of years. This imposing landscape is the result of powerful erosion and dramatic tectonic activity, but the interactions between the surface and interior processes in this part of the Himalayas have been the subject of major debate among scientists. Now, a new study provides evidence that a patch of extreme rock-uplift in the eastern Himalayas the area of greatest tectonic activity has been slowly migrating northward, drifting rather than remaining anchored to the location of river erosion, as researchers had previously theorized. "Of course, you get feedback between surface processes and tectonics, but our data says the surface processes do not control the tectonics in this area," said study lead author Georgina King, a geologist at the University of Cologne in Germany. [Photos: The World's Weirdest Geological Formations] To calculate the movement, researchers used a cutting-edge mineral-dating technique called optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) thermochronometry. As common minerals like quartz and feldspar move away from the Earth's hot center, they cool. And at temperatures specific to each mineral, they begin trapping electrons, the researchers said. So, until the traps are filled, a chunk of bedrock can tell scientists how recently that rock reached certain temperature milestones, which correspond to depths below ground. That information, in turn, can be translated to tectonic rates of exhumation, or how quickly rock is moving toward the surface. The researchers combined older data with a new analysis of samples from eight spots within the region, known as the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, to model a "continued migration of tectonic structures towards the northeast." Story continues "The beauty of the technique is it gives you resolution at timescales that we didn't have previously," Noah Finnegan, a geologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who was not involved in the study, told Live Science. The process can date rocks within thousands of years of accuracy, back to around 200,000 years ago. "That'll have applications for almost anywhere in the world," he added. Finnegan was the lead author of a 2008 study, published in the Geological Society of America Bulletin journal, which looked at the same region and noted the overlap in area of the most erosion and highest rates of rock uplift. That study proposed that the powerful river influences the tectonics by weakening the surface rock, allowing greater uplift in a "tectonic aneurysm." The new study provides an alternative form of mineral-dating, and another piece of evidence on the tectonic side of the debate over the geological history of the region. "This present paper shows that bull's-eye [of uplift activity] is moving in time, and importantly, the location is moving away from the river that we argued is responsible," Finnegan said. In other words, the shared location of intense erosion and uplift is "coincidence rather than causative," King told Live Science. The new study's conclusions are "acceptable," George Mathew, a geologist at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in Mumbai who was not involved with the new research, told Live Science in an email. But the eastern Himalayas is just one region. "The role of surface processes on tectonics remains unresolved," Mathew told Live Science.. The new findings were published today (Aug. 18) in the journal Science. Original article on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Join Simran Rastogi and Dhruv Paliwal, as they embark on this breath-taking drive in a special Maruti Suzuki Ertiga to explore the many wonders of our beautiful country. The Seven Wonder Drive is all about connecting the different wonders of India and presenting it to you in a never seen-before way. By Dhruv Paliwal: DAY 2 (ALSO READ: Exploring Seven Wonders of India in Maruti Suzuki Ertiga- DAY 1) After a delayed start to the morning, we bundled into the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and with Simran at the wheel, we headed out onto NH19 towards the second wonder on our list, Nalanda University. Ahead of us lay 650 kms of roads that none of our crew members had ever traversed before which led to some uncertainties among us about the road conditions. On NH19, @runsimrun is hard at work munching up kilometres in the morning shift! # WondErtiga pic.twitter.com/mtuL2tqYOs AUTO TODAY (@AUTOTODAYMAG) August 18, 2016 advertisement All these worries were blown away as we got out of Kanpur and saw the butter smooth roads that lay ahead us. Simran's over-enthusiastic right foot decided to make full use of the excellent road conditions and a nap later, we had already crossed Allahabad and were nearing Varanasi . By now the anxiety in our minds had been replaced by hunger in our stomachs. The roads may be butter-smooth but there is a lack of food joints on this highway. We could not find one place that looked like it would serve fresh food, and so we kept moving towards our destination. Blocked on all sides. More than a kilometre long jam at the Varanasi Bypass toll Is it always like this? #WondErtiga pic.twitter.com/zJgZYhVNes AUTO TODAY (@AUTOTODAYMAG) August 18, 2016 Crossing Varanasi required some smart manoeuvring of the Ertiga as the bypass was choked with traffic. We finally found a place to eat about 20 kilometres after crossingVaranasi, a small place called 'Family Dhaba' which was tucked away in the Choupal Sagar (An ITC supermarket chain) compound, and really easy to miss. We finally found a place to eat about 20 kilometres after crossing Varanasi , a small place called 'Family Dhaba' which was tucked away in the Choupal Sagar (An ITC supermarket chain) compound, and really easy to miss. Belly full of food and mind refreshed, I took over the driving duties from Simran. We encountered strong rains on the way which again put us in doubt about reaching our destination for the night. Strong winds also kept slapping the body of the Ertiga creating wind turbulence, and that coupled with the rain slowed down our progress. Tonight's stop is at Bodh Gaya, the land of Enlightenment and Salvation. #7WondersDrive pic.twitter.com/E8OueFyyGy AUTO TODAY (@AUTOTODAYMAG) August 18, 2016 Slowly and steadily we crept towards Nalanda, but could only make it toBodh Gaya (85 kms short of our intended destination) by nightfall where we decided to call it a day. Keep reading for Day 3. (ALSO READ: Exploring Seven Wonders of India in Maruti Suzuki Ertiga- DAY 1) Follow Auto Today on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to get all the live action as we explore India as never before. advertisement Also follow the #7WondersDrive on Twitter to know about our journey. --- ENDS --- (Reuters) - Rapper and fashion designer Kanye West is turning his tour merchandise into high-demand fashion, and eager fans lined up on Friday to be among the first to get their hands on the limited-edition "Life of Pablo" clothing. Hundreds waited outside pop-up stores in London, Manhattan and Los Angeles a week ahead of the rapper kicking off his "Saint Pablo" North America tour for his "The Life of Pablo" album. The collection of t-shirts, hoodies and jackets featuring lyrics and phrases from West's album written in large gothic font, is being sold at 21 pop-up stores around the world, including Melbourne, Singapore and 14 U.S. locations. Items ranged from $55 for a short sleeve T-shirt to $105 for hoodies and $325 for a camouflage print jacket. West fan Perriante Biffle showed off his new long sleeve white t-shirt printed with the 'New York' location and song lyrics. "It's Yeezy (Kanye West's nickname). You just gotta get it, bro," Biffle said. "Even though everybody is gonna get it ... if you got that item, you're the man. So you got to get it. It's a trend." In Los Angeles, fashion designer Cesar Martinez waited 24 hours to be first in line and was rewarded with a phone call from the rapper himself. "We're going to work together. I have a notebook, I'll show it to you, you'll love it. I'm the future, bro," Martinez told West. He also thanked the rapper for inspiring him, saying "I got out of the projects because of you." Karim Perez said he spent more than $900 in the Manhattan store on Friday on items including a black hoodie and a jacket. He said prices were around $10 to $20 higher compared to the first round of "Pablo" pop-up stores in Manhattan and Los Angeles in March. "I just don't like the fact that because of the first time it was successful, they raised the prices on the items," Perez said. Jason Smith said he hadn't planned on queuing outside the Manhattan store until he saw people camping overnight. That's when he decided to make some extra cash. "I'm not going to wear stuff with giant rap lyrics in old English. But I know I can probably buy this stuff, and maybe double or triple my investment today," Smith said. On Friday, a black 'Pablo' jacket was being offered for $750 on EBay, while t-shirts were selling for more than $100. (Reporting by Reuters TV in London, New York and Los Angeles Writing by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by James Dalgleish) Concho Resources, Inc. CXO is an independent oil and natural gas company that could be an interesting play for investors. That is because, not only does the stock have decent short-term momentum, but it is seeing solid activity on the earnings estimate revision front as well. These positive earnings estimate revisions suggest that analysts are becoming more optimistic on CXOs earnings for the coming quarter and year. In fact, consensus estimates have moved sharply higher for both of these time frames over the past four weeks, suggesting that Concho Resources could be a solid choice for investors. Current Quarter Estimates for CXO In the past 30 days, 10 estimates have gone higher for Concho Resources while 1 has gone lower in the same time period. The trend has been pretty favorable too, with estimates increasing from 2 cents a share 30 days ago, to 16 cents today, making a significant move. Current Year Estimates for CXO Meanwhile, Concho Resources current year figures are also looking quite promising, with 12 estimates moving higher in the past month, compared to no downward revisions. The consensus estimate trend has also seen a boost for this time frame, increasing from a loss of 38 cents per share 30 days ago to earnings of 14 cents per share today, making a considerable increase. CONCHO RESOURCS Price and Consensus CONCHO RESOURCS Price and Consensus | CONCHO RESOURCS Quote Bottom Line The stock has also started to move higher lately, adding 9.2% over the past four weeks, suggesting that investors are starting to take note of this impressive story. So investors may definitely want to consider this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock to profit in the near future. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CONCHO RESOURCS (CXO): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research YOUNGSVILLE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / August 19, 2016 / RedHawk Holdings Corp. (IDNG) ("RedHawk" or the "Company") announced today that EcoGen Europe Limited ("EcoGen"), in which the Company currently has a 25% ownership interest, has signed an exclusive agreement to license and supply a new non-patent infringing generic spray formulation of Sildenafil Citrate ("Sildenafil") in the U.K. EcoGen will market the new spray under the brand name Azulvig. EcoGen expects to begin marketing the Azulvig in about 12 months after receipt of final U.K. regulatory approval. While waiting on final U.K. approvals, the Company said it will work with the LSU Innovation Center and the LSU Health Sciences Center to develop the most effective marketing strategy for Azulvig. Sildenafil, developed by Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and sold as Viagra and other trade names, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. By some estimates, the global erectile dysfunction drug market is expected to reach $3.2 billion by 2022 (Grand View Research Inc., 2015). Sildenafil accounts for more than 40% of the total global market and is generally considered as the first line of treatment for erectile dysfunction (IMS data). The taste of Azulvig is masked to allow for oral absorption through sub-lingual or buccal membranes. The oral spray permits faster routes of absorption than oral tablets, which are limited by various factors, such as first pass metabolism. Azulvig will be offered in a "bag on valve" pump actuated dispenser of either 10ml or 30ml sizes. Azulvig will allow clinicians to more accurately control patient doses in order to achieve optimum control of the condition, while reducing the potential for side effects. About RedHawk Holdings Corp. RedHawk Holdings Corp., formerly Independence Energy Corp., is a diversified holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in sales and distribution of medical devices, sales of branded generic pharmaceutical drugs, commercial real estate investment and leasing, sales of point of entry full-body security systems, and specialized financial services. Through its medical products business unit, the Company sells WoundClot Surgical - Advanced Bleeding Control, the Disintegrator Insulin Needle Destruction Unit, the Carotid Artery Digital Non-Contact Thermometer and Zonis. Its real estate leasing revenues are generated from various commercial properties under long-term lease. Additionally, RedHawk's real estate investment unit holds limited liability company interest in various commercial restoration projects in Hawaii. The Company's financial service revenue is from brokerage services earned in connection with debt placement services. RedHawk Energy holds the exclusive U.S. manufacturing and distribution rights for the Centri Controlled Entry System, a unique, closed cabinet, nominal dose transmission full body x-ray scanner. Story continues Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be," "potential" and any similar expressions are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties. In evaluating forward-looking statements, you should consider the various factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements including those listed in the "Risk Factors" section of our latest 10-K report. Further, the Company may make changes to its business plans that could or will affect its results. Investors are cautioned that the Company will undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Media Contact: Julie Calzone (337) 235-2924 jcalzone@calzone.com Company Contacts: Thomas J. Concannon, CEO (908) 625-7811 tom.concannon@redhawkholdingscorp.com G. Darcy Klug, CFO (337) 269-5933 darcy.klug@redhawkholdingscorp.com SOURCE: RedHawk Holdings Corp. Most theatrical road movies take a trip through the landscape; this one goes on a journey through time. Directed by Rachel Chavkin, Anything That Gives Off Light, part of the Edinburgh International Festival, is a Scottish-U.S. co-production that digs deep into the collective past of the two nations to examine the gap between truth and mythology. If it sometimes feels more like a political treatise than a fully fledged drama, it is nonetheless compellingly acted by the American actress Jessica Almasy with Scotlands Brian Ferguson and Sandy Grierson, and constructed with a heady disregard for the Aristotelian unities. An acronym for Theater of the Emerging American Moment, Brooklyn company The TEAM specializes in cross-cultural mash-ups, routinely fusing video, music, history, literature and politics. Edinburgh favorites since the award-winning Fringe shows Give Up! Start Over (2005) and Particularly in the Heartland (2006), the company first collaborated with the National Theater of Scotland on 2008s Architecting, which made a characteristically unorthodox link between Gone with the Wind and post-Katrina New Orleans. Meanwhile, founder-director Chavkin (Hadestown, Small Mouth Sounds) has productions all over New York this year, and steps up to Broadway with her $14 million production of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, opening at the Imperial Theater in November. Comparatively, Anything That Gives Off Light is less eclectic in its source material, although it has a similar breadth of ambition in its grand political statement about our place in history. The set-up is straightforward: Red, a woman from West Virginia (Almasy), stumbles into a Scottish bar and meets real-estate manager Brian (Ferguson) and his drop-out friend Iain (Grierson), who offer to take her on a sight-seeing trip to the Highlands. All three are conflicted. Far from home, Red is in Scotland on a second honeymoon but has arrived without her husband. Leaving isnt a simple matter, she says. Carrying the ashes of his left-leaning grandmother, the London-based Brian is in his native Scotland for the weekend and wrestling with his identity: Im calibrating my Scottishness. In a late-developing storyline (too late for emotional impact), Iain reveals that his frequent outbursts of anger are a response to a secret cancer diagnosis; his body is literally at war with itself. Story continues This inner uncertainty finds a parallel in the journey they take. They tick off the destinations in the standard tourist itinerary, but keep finding contradictions in the historical narrative. Its all very well romanticizing the Scottish Highlander (think Mel Gibson in Braveheart), but if your ancestors were from the Lowlands, they were probably complicit in destroying the Highland way of life during the clearances of the 18th century. That in turn led to an exodus to the U.S. and, with it, some of the ideas that characterize the American mindset to this day. Slipping seamlessly from continent to continent and century to century in Chavkins fluid production (complete with country-folk interventions by the onstage band), the play suggests the spirit of free enterprise, exemplified by the invisible hand theory of Scottish economist Adam Smith, has led to desolation in the Scottish countryside and environmental ruin in the coalfields of West Virginia. As an analysis, it has its roots in John McGraths landmark play The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil, a socialist overview of the historical exploitation of Scotlands poor. In its concerns about the nature of identity, it has much in common with Stephen Greenhorns Passing Places (another road movie for the stage) and several plays by David Greig. Thanks to the American collaboration, it moves those ideas onto a global platform, although it sometimes feels more like undigested polemic than fully embodied drama. To compensate, we have Almasy, Ferguson and Grierson, three distinctive actors perfectly matched, giving tough, intelligent performances, masking an inner warmth behind their deadpan wit. Related stories Confused By Broadway's 'Great Comet' Seating Chart? Think Of It As The Culmination Of A Wild Night in Moscow Off Broadway Review: 'Hadestown' Broadway 'Glass Menagerie,' Alan Cumming Lead Edinburgh International Festival Slate Delhi Police busted fake insurance racket by arresting two of its kingpins, who duped Rs 41 lakh from a retired Jammu University Registrar. By Tanseem Haider: Delhi Police Crime Branch on Friday busted a gang of cheats, who were involved in a fake insurance scam. Satish Kumar and Suraj Singh, both residents of Uttam Nagar, Delhi were arrested by police. The accused had cheated many innocent people all over the country promising huge dividend on their existing insurance policies. The accused persons used several bank accounts using the names of different companies such as 'Unigrow Ventures Pvt Ltd', 'CRC', 'C C Legal & Recovery', 'Easy Customer Services', 'Union Solution Service' and a few others. All the bank accounts were opened using fake identities. The victims were asked to deposit money in these accounts. advertisement A special Team of Crime Branch was working on certain inputs about the accused, who were running fake call centers and finally arrested the two kingpins. THE CASE Yogendra Gupta, a resident of Kidwai Nagar, Delhi was duped of Rs 41 lakh over a period of two years. Gupta, a senior citizen and a retired registrar of the Jammu University was contacted by one Muneesh Malhotra, impersonating as the Reliance Insurance officer. Gupta was informed that he had got a handsome amount of bonus of Rs 6.4 lakh on his existing insurance policy. He was asked to open an account with Unigrow Ventures Pvt Ltd to receive his bonus amount. FIR AFTER LOSING Rs 41 LAKH Gupta signed a cheque of Rs 1 lakh in favour of Unigrow Ventures Pvt Ltd. But, after some time Gupta got another call from Malhotra to issue another in favour of CRC to clear the file for approval of the bonus. Then again in a few weeks' time, Gupta got a call from Rawat, who again asked him to deposit some amount for CA audit before the bonus could be released. Gupta kept following and falling prey to the cheats. This continued for two years, when he realized that to get a bonus of Rs 6.4 lakh, he had already deposited Rs 41 lakh in various bank accounts. Finally, Gupta approached Sarojini Nagar police station and registered a case of duping with the Delhi Police. MODUS OPERANDI During their investigation, the police found that both Satish and Suraj resorted to various means of fraud. They would collect unauthorized information about prospective victims from their jobs in call centres. Then, they would pose as insurance officers luring the victims with an unexpected dividend. Later, they would impersonate as income tax officials, asking the victims to deposit various taxes against the said dividend. If they realized the need, they would even pose as RBI officers to pressurize victims to pay further. To some of their victims, they presented themselves as the officials of the Integrated Grievance Management System (IGMS), launched by IRDA as grievance redress tool. To some others, the accused impersonated as the officials of the National Savings Fund Department, set up under an Act of 1995, to replace the Employees Welfare Fund with the objective of providing benefits to the retired employees or their families. advertisement --- ENDS --- Egyptian state television has stoked a firestorm of criticism domestically and internationally after suspending eight on-air female talent and ordering them to lose weight. The women, including Channel 2 host Khadija Khattab (pictured above) who has asked viewers to judge for themselves whether she deserves her job, have been given one month to gain what the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU) an appropriate appearance and be allowed back on air. The move was unsurprisingly criticized from several corners of Egyptian society, including members of the countrys Parliament as well as womens rights group. The Womens Centre for Guidance and Legal Awareness in particular condemned the ERTUs actions, calling it unconstitutional and, according to the BBC, a form of violence against women. ERTU, which has at least one female director, has refused to change course even as it insists the women in question wont have their pay and benefits suspended. Meanwhile, commentators are fiercely debating whether or not the suspensions are justified, with the argument, with some defenders of the suspended women, like MP and journalist Sayyid Hegazy not exactly helping even if they mean well. Who is an ideal weight in Egypt? Hegazy said to the Sada al-Balad news site, adding that a presenter might be a little overweight, but she is eloquent. The debate has even spilled over into Egyptian social media where, as with social media debates the world over, has been conducted with considerable dignity and restraint. Just kidding of course; as would be the case everywhere else, the online debate has been a flamewar, and the matter does not look to be quelled any time soon. Via the BBC. Related stories Richard Wilson Dies: UK TV Exec & Benevolent Fund CEO Was 58 Matt LeBlanc "Not Sure" If He Is Returning To 'Top Gear' - TCA BBC iPlayer Users To Pay For Catchup Service Starting Next Month A Tale of Love and Darkness, Natalie Portmans directorial debut film, is based on a true and very personal story: the Amos Oz memoir of the same name. But its also set within a larger true story, the tale of life in the area that was not yet Israel. When the film picks up in the mid-1940s, though World War II and the Holocaust were only just drawing to a close and thus drawing attention to the plight of the worlds Jewish population, the story had already been developing for decades. Since 1923, Palestine had fallen under the British mandate, in a system that gave the British the responsibility for creating a Jewish homeland in the region. Ozs parents were among those Jews who came to Palestine between World Wars I and II, as a mass of Jewish immigration flowed out on to the desert, as TIME would later put it. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter But the question of who controlled the land, and especially of the holy city of of Jerusalem, was immediately a bloody one. The film picks up in 1945, and the electric tension that gripped Jerusalem at that time was the subject of a lengthy TIME cover story almost exactly 70 years ago, on Aug. 26, 1946: One of Asias suffering cities, by virtue of its peculiar sanctity, destiny and tragedy, was a focus of world drama last week. Jerusalem, the thrice holy, a Christian, Jewish and Moslem shrine, dominated the bitter struggle over Palestine. The struggle involved the British Empire, world Judaism, Pan-Islam, Russia and inevitably, as a result of its new world eminence, the U.S Why had Palestine, a narrow, 10,000-square-mile strip of desert land, become a concern to all men? In part the answer, as old as history, was the yearning of Israel for its promised land: By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. . . If I forget thee, 0 Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. In part it was as old as mans desire to be free, now manifested in Arab determination to win independence. In part it was as old (and as new) as the facts of 20th Century power politics. For nearly two thousand years, since the Romans first drove them into exile, Jews, wherever they were, dreamed wistfully of a return to Palestine, waited for the Messiah who was to lead them back. But by one of historys ironies it was not the religious fervor of Judaism that finally brought them back from the Diaspora. It was a new feeling of nationhood among a people united partly by religion (though among them were atheists), partly by race (though many bore no blood relation to the biblical tribesmen who were their ancestors), partly by tradition (though they included extreme political and social experimenters), but chiefly by fellow-suffering. Despite differences among them, they were all Jews to a world whose affection was inconstant and whose hatred through the ages had been sudden and cruel. Then came World War I. Britain, with her back to the wall, acted to safeguard the Middle East, its highway of Empire, and to strike at Germany through Turkey. It promised Arab leaders independence from the Turks and self-government through most (the Arabs now say all) of the Middle East. At the same time Britain sought to rouse world Jewry (including German Jews) to support the Allied cause and weaken Germany. In his famous Declaration, Foreign Secretary Arthur (later Lord) Balfour informed Lord Rothschild, the prominent British Zionist, that His Majestys Government view with favor the establishment in Palestine of a National Home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object. Britains League of Nations mandate over Palestine incorporated this pledge. From the double root of those conflicting promises to Arabs and Jews has grown the present conflict. Many years later, writing for TIME in 1993, Amos Oz would describe the way in which that conflict had remained ever-present in the decades that followed: The case between Israelis and Palestinians is a tragedy precisely because it is a clash between one very powerful claim and another, he wrote. Israelis are in the land of Israel because there is not and cannot be a national homeland for the Jews anywhere else. The Palestinians are in Palestine because their ancestors have been here for more than a thousand years. Where one powerful claim clashes with another, there can be either an endless cycle of bloodshed or a somewhat inconsistent compromise. An electrician who was badly shocked during filming on Selma in 2014 has filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures and a subsidiary that supplies lighting and grip equipment for location shoots. Ronnie Sands was setting up lights at the historic Wheat Street Baptist Church in Atlanta when he was nearly killed by a jolt of electricity. The suit was filed in Georgia State Court in June, two years after the accident, but only has come to light now. According to the suit (read it here), the accident happened because a safety feature called a micro-switch was not operating correctly and plaintiff sustained a significant electric shock. The suit claims that the studio and its Paramount On Location subsidiary owed a duty to (Sands) to provide properly functioning arc light systems and breached this duty by supplying an arc light system with a malfunctioning micro-switch. Paramount declined comment. Related stories Paramount Taps Peter Giannascoli To Co-Run Domestic Marketing 'Mission: Impossible 6' Halts Prep Until Tom Cruise And Others Deals Get Worked Out 'Ben-Hur' Review: I'm With Hur - Just Not This Version Maybe the only thing you need to hear about War Dogs, Todd Phillipss aggressive new comedy about two Miami stoners who became gun-runners and Iraq War profiteers, is the supreme lameness of its intertitles. For every act break, the film cuts to black and flashes a line of text on screen, something provocative like If I wanted you dead, youd be dead already, or, That sounds illegal. Then, a few minutes later, someone will say that very line, and you can almost smell the self-satisfaction wafting from the screen. The movie is based on the true story of Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz, two small-time arms dealers who conned their way into a $298 million contract from the Pentagon and were eventually convicted of fraud. In the endless Middle East quagmire that followed the Iraq War, Diveroli and Packouz were venal opportunists, cutting corners to supply arms to the U.S. military and its allies, and eventually getting busted for trying to repackage substandard Chinese bullets for use by Afghan soldiers. Phillipss film has a chance to satirize a heartlessly corrupt era in American military policy, one that led to the rise of morons like Diveroli and Packouzto be The Big Short with bullets, if you will. But theres one big problem: It seems to think its despicable protagonists are worth rooting for. Well, thats one of the problems, at least. Packouz, as played by Miles Teller, is a harmless mope, a hardworking grunt who just wants to provide for his pregnant girlfriend Iz (Ana de Armas). Stuck in a dead-end job as a masseuse, he reunites with his high-school buddy Diveroli (Jonah Hill), a glass-eyed lunatic who almost immediately pulls a submachine gun from the trunk of his car and fires it into the air, emitting a demented laugh that sounds like air escaping a balloon. Most people would steer clear of this sort of person, especially one whose fashion sense seems heavily indebted to Al Pacino in Scarface, but with more Hebrew medallions. But Packouz throws his whole lot in with Diveroli, joining his fledgling gun-running business and quickly making a fortune trawling for arms on the internet and shipping them to American soldiers. Story continues Hill has a blast playing Diveroli, bringing all the best tricks he learned working with Martin Scorsese on The Wolf of Wall Street to play an even bigger, more unpredictable sleazebag. He at least imparts a sense of danger: Diveroli is certainly a fool, skirting trade embargoes one minute and offering random women money to sleep with him the next, but you keep waiting for him to snapfor his strangled cackle to turn into a snarl. On the other hand, Teller, who was so promising as a normal young man warped by his mentor in Whiplash, is sleepwalking here, never very troubled by the ethical quicksand he and his partner have wandered into. Teller is so often good at playing the emotional turmoil boiling right under the surface of his characters, but if Packouz is supposed to be an audience surrogate, hes a bad one, repeatedly lying to his poor, one-dimensional girlfriend and falling for Diverolis obvious lies. Anytime Phillips brushes up against a horrifying reality, he pulls back. Phillips, who has directed several outrageous comedies (Road Trip, Old School, Due Date, and The Hangover series), seems enamored by the true story hes telling, even though much of the film is a fabrication (a jaunt through Iraqs Triangle of Death is entirely invented). Hes also clearly delighted by the fact that his anti-heroes are Jewish, finally overcoming some oft-mentioned, obvious stereotypes about being nerds in high school by obnoxiously firing guns and dressing like Miami gangsters. Philips is especially happy to let Packouz off the hook as a well-meaning patsy who got screwed over by the mercurial Diveroli. Thatd be an easier storyline to swallow if Diveroli werent such an obvious huckster from the start; its galling that Phillips thinks his viewers can stomach almost two hours of Packouz running guns and then forgive him by the end. War Dogs was always going to be an unapologetically bro-y testosterone fest on some level, but it couldve offered incisive commentary, too. Just a decade ago, the war in Iraq saw the government practically handing its keys over to people like Packouz and Diveroli just to stay ahead of enemy combatants. When Bradley Cooper shows up midway through the film as an older, even more ethically compromised arms dealer who goes into business with the boys, theres a brief feeling that War Dogs is finally going to acknowledge the dark heart of its unbelievable true story. But anytime Phillips brushes up against a horrifying reality, he pulls back, focusing on the lead characters rather than the nastier (and more interesting) circumstances that made them such successes. At best, War Dogs is a missed creative opportunity; at its worst, its a quasi-celebration of two vile schemers, one that ignores the brutality of the world they capitalized on. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. New York (AFP) - Donald Trump sought to reboot his flagging presidential bid, dismissing his tainted campaign chairman and seeking to broaden his shrinking support base by appealing to black voters and visiting flood-ravaged Louisiana. The resignation of the seasoned Republican strategist Paul Manafort -- under fire for his pro-Kremlin ties and role in a Ukrainian corruption scandal -- represents the Republican nominee's latest effort to get back on track after weeks of crisis. "This morning, Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign," Trump said in a statement, thanking him for "his great work" and proclaiming him a "true professional." Earlier in the week Trump appointed Steve Bannon, a right-wing news executive, as CEO and promoted pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager, in what has signaled a marked new tone following colossal missteps. Trump shocked many on Thursday by expressing "regret" for past mistakes, and began airing his first television ads on Friday in a desperate attempt to chip into Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's yawning lead in the polls. The New York billionaire followed up by touring a flood-ravaged region of Louisiana, where officials say more than 86,000 people so far have registered for federal aid and 13 people have died. Clinton took to Facebook to explain her own absence by saying that while her "heart breaks" for Louisiana, "right now the relief effort can't afford any distractions." Local Democratic officials had opposed Trump's visit, saying it was wrong to divert valuable manpower. But others in the state have complained that President Barack Obama, currently on holiday in the exclusive New England resort of Martha's Vineyard, has not visited. He is due to arrive next week. - 'What do you have to lose?' - Trump flew into Michigan later on Friday to address a rally, explaining his appearance in an open-necked shirt and trucker hat by saying he had come straight from "a tour of the suffering and devastation in Louisiana." Story continues "The spirit of the people is incredible, the devastation likewise," he said. "Honestly, Obama ought to get off the golf course and get down there," he added to cheers from the crowd. He then launched into a sustained pitch for African-American voters, who have overwhelmingly flocked to Clinton. "Look how much African-American communities have suffered under Democratic control," he said. "To those I say the following: what do you have to lose by trying something new like Trump?" Citing disproportionate levels of poverty, unemployment and failing schools, Trump claimed that "no group in America" has been more harmed than blacks by the former secretary of state's policies. He told the overwhelmingly white crowd that he was asking for the vote of "every single African-American citizen" in the country. The Clinton campaign shot back that Trump's comments had only shown he is "out of touch with the African-American community." Marlon Marshall, Clinton's director of state campaigns and political engagement, said African-Americans had everything to lose from Trump "who questions the citizenship of the first African-American president, courts white supremacists, and has been sued for housing discrimination against communities of color." Whether the Trump campaign can get its wheels permanently back on track still remains unclear. His more than year-long, highly controversial campaign has attracted white supremacists, alienated immigrants and done little to win over minorities. African-Americans vote overwhelmingly for Democrats. In 2012, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney won only six percent of the black vote. Clinton now leads 47.2 percent to Trump's 41.2 percent among Americans, according to an average of national polls from Real Clear Politics, and is ahead in virtually every swing state. - Ukrainian distraction - Manafort had sought to turn the brash-talking 70-year-old candidate, who has never previously held elected office, into a figure more palatable to the general electorate while building up a traditional campaign structure. But Trump "was not a candidate that could be corralled," former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele said on MSNBC television. Trump appeared to sideline Manafort on Wednesday by appointing Bannon, a Breitbart News executive, and Conway. Manafort's ties to the pro-Kremlin former president of Ukraine, whom he advised for years, had become a serious distraction to the campaign. The head of Ukraine's newly formed National Anti-Corruption Bureau, Artem Sytnyk, confirmed this week that more than $12 million had been unofficially earmarked for Manafort from 2007 to 2012, although it remains unclear whether he received any payment. Manafort denied any wrongdoing, saying he had "never received a single 'off-the books cash payment,'" or worked for the governments of Ukraine or Russia. But the Clinton campaign pounced on his resignation in an attempt to fan accusations of nefarious pro-Kremlin influence on Trump, who has spoken admiringly of Russian President Vladimir Putin and even sensationally suggested that Moscow should hack Clinton's emails. "You can get rid of Manafort," campaign manager Robby Mook said, "but that doesn't end the odd bromance Trump has with Putin." Perfect for muggy monsoons, when even freshly set hair can look like something the cat brought in, hairstylist Rod Anker launches the first-ever 'Braid Bar' service for Delhi's stylistas. By Radhika Bhalla/Mail Today: Anyone worth their style sense in the Capital is acquainted with hairstylist Rod Anker and his ability to transform hair into personality-driven, glamourous styles with the snip of his scissors. Hailing from Australia and trained across the world, Anker has worked with Indian hair texture and styles over the past 8 1/2 years in the country, starting out with celebrity stylist Kim Robinson and finally launching his own brand. advertisement "If you have to continue on a path of success, you have to grow," he shares with LIFESTYLE in a moderate Australian accent with an impressive smattering of Hindi words. His eponymous brand 'Rod Anker Salons' across Delhi and Noida has been creating steady ripples since its launch in November last year, and just when Delhi divas had settled into the rhythm of getting the perfect cut, he has launched his brand new 'Braid Bar' service recently. The Rod Anker salon in Meharchand market is bright, sunny and minimal in its decor. Photo: Mail Today The new 'Braid Bar' service offers customers the chance to change their hairstyle without a drastic makeover. Photo: Mail Today The first-of-its-kind service is currently available at his minimally furnished salon in Meherchand Market, and it provides style-conscious fashionistas with an easy way to change their look without a drastic makeover. As Anker says, "The concept is simple - people want to go out and want something different with their hair, and that is what we're here for. We can pretty much do any braid, from a hairdo you have seen on Pinterest to Kim Kardashian's style or a red carpet look." People are hailing this hairstyle as the 'messiah of frizzy hair'. Photo: Mail Today Australian hairdresser Rod Anker has been in India for over eight years, and has launched his own chain of salons. Photo: Mail Today Also read: This hairdresser in London is giving free haircuts to the homeless, and winning hearts Quite naturally, the concept has quickly gained its share of followers. Those with particularly untameable hair during monsoon's rising humidity are also hailing it as the 'messiah of frizzy hair'. "I think it is appealing because it changes the perception of a person, or maybe the personality slighty because it can go from being very bold look to something very elegant. Unlike a blow dry, which everyone gets done, braids help you stand out," he explains. Kim Kardashian's cornrows -a hairstyle popular with the African community - are a big hit with Delhi's younger fash frat. Photo: Mail Today Keeping the party-perfect style in mind, the 'Braid Bar' is available only on Friday and Saturday, from 1pm to 7pm. Speaking of his signature style, he states, "I believe the hair should sit very fluid and move naturally without much effort. So I often texturise the hair either to create, add or bring out the natural flow." He adds, "While I am happy to cut blunt lines or do very bold cuts, it has to work with the natural flow of hair without using products. You don't want your mane to be like Page 3 hair that is stuck in place and if you run your finger through, you think 'oh no, what is that'!" advertisement The 'Braid Bar' service can be availed between 1pm & 7pm on Friday and Saturday. For bookings contact 011-41010011. --- ENDS --- Engineering and technology behemoth Emerson Electric Co. EMR recently announced that it has inked an agreement to purchase Pentair Valves & Controls, a business unit of Pentair plc PNR. This buyout comes as part of the companys diligent portfolio repositioning strategy that had begun in 2015 to drive efficiency and growth. This $43.15 billion buyout which is expected to close in the next four to six months after meeting regulatory approvals comes close on the heels of the companys announcement to divest its Network Power, Leroy-Somer and Control Techniques businesses. Buyout to Bolster Automation Portfolio Integrating Pentairs (PNR) Valves & Controls business will allow Emerson to bolster its foothold in control, isolation, pressure relief valves and actuation business lines. In short, the company is planning to strengthen its automation portfolio and Pentair Valves & Controls is a strategic fit. Emerson believes this acquisition will help it in offering complete valve solutions portfolio and robust service network, thereby elevating its brand value. Switzerland based Pentair Valves & Controls has a prominent presence in chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, power, mining and other process industries across the globe. The companys major brands Anderson-Greenwood, Crosby, Vanessa, Keystone and Biffi have garnered an unparalleled reputation of providing valve solutions for customers. Pentair Valves & Controls core values such as global customer support, service, best cost sourcing and manufacturing, mirror Emersons own, signaling easy integrating going forward. Business Streamlining Driving Margin Growth Emerson has taken a series of concerted efforts under its restructuring initiatives since 2015 to develop a better brand with significant customer focus. The company is resorting to devised cost cutting and divestment plans to unlock greater benefits. During third-quarter 2016, Emersons EBIT margin expanded 20 basis points on a year-over-year basis, largely driven by benefits from restructuring actions and solid operational execution. Story continues Recently, the company stated that the sale of three of its businesses Network Power, Leroy-Somer and Control Techniques will generate $5.2 billion in proceeds. Notably, Network Power is being sold to Platinum Equity for $4 billion. Post this transaction, Emerson will retain a subordinated interest in Network Power. Similarly, Japan-based Nidec is taking over the Leroy-Somer CT business. The company has also shared its plans to divest the ClosetMaid business by 2017. Emerson believes that undertaking these extensive streamlining measures will free up resources which can be reinvested in core business areas to boost growth. Once the restructuring is complete, the company expects to be better equipped to cross-leverage its remaining portfolio and navigate between businesses in an effortless manner. EMERSON ELEC CO Price EMERSON ELEC CO Price | EMERSON ELEC CO Quote Energy Market Softness Mars Prospects Despite a dominant foothold in the energy market, Emersons business has been hurt by the slowdown in oil and gas markets. This has affected both capital spending and operational expenditure of clients, thus marring Emersons prospects. Also, the issue of oversupply is continuing to hamper prices and spending levels in the oil and gas sector, adding to the companys challenges. With the current economic factors at play, Emerson anticipates the dull prospects to continue till 2017. Also, Emerson believes global economic conditions may take a turn for the worse on account of political uncertainty which will keep spending levels considerably low for the rest of fiscal 2016. Due to such tough economic conditions and dwindling order numbers, the company forecasts underlying sales to be down 56% in fiscal 2016. Emerson currently holds a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Better-ranked stocks in the sector include Franklin Electric Co. FELE and EnerSys ENS. Both the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report EMERSON ELEC CO (EMR): Free Stock Analysis Report FRANKLIN ELEC (FELE): Free Stock Analysis Report PENTAIR PLC (PNR): Free Stock Analysis Report ENERSYS INC (ENS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research On Emmy nominations morning, many were shocked to learn that Crackle's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee - the Jerry Seinfeld web series shot with three GoPro cameras and this season comprising six episodes, each ranging from 16 to 23 minutes - was nominated for best variety talk series over several late-night stars: CBS' The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, NBC's Late Night With Seth Meyers, TBS' Full Frontal With Samantha Bee and Conan, and Comedy Central's The Daily Show With Trevor Noah and The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore (which was canceled Aug. 14). Why? Because the unconventional streaming show beat out the sort of network or cable late-night series that had become synonymous with variety talk at the Emmys: those that air four or five nights a week, for 30 or 60 minutes an episode. We've been heading in this direction for some time. In 2015, the TV Academy split the variety category in two - variety sketch (e.g. NBC's Saturday Night Live, CC's Inside Amy Schumer) and variety talk (the hosted shows in late night and elsewhere) - in recognition of the recent explosion of sketch offerings. This division was intended to ensure that similar shows compete against one another. But the variety talk category still is filled with apples and oranges. How is an Emmy voter supposed to compare Seinfeld's sporadic schmoozing with nominees who follow the traditional monologue/interview format every week for a half-hour (HBO's scripted Last Week Tonight With John Oliver) or an hour (HBO's debate-centric Real Time With Bill Maher) or nightly for an hour (CBS' The Late Late Show With James Corden, NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!)? Maher has hosted both nightly network and weekly cable shows - ABC's Politically Incorrect (1993 to 2002) and Real Time (since 2003), respectively, accruing 18 series noms between the two yet no wins. One might assume Politically Incorrect was the more demanding gig, but Maher insists otherwise. "[Real Time], even though it's on once a week, takes so much more out of me and so many more hours," he says. "There's only so much preparation you can do for an every-day show, the charm of which has to be, 'We're throwing some shit against the wall, and we're going to see what sticks.' But this is a different kind of show, and I want it to be somewhat polished." Read more: Feinberg Forecast: Where the Variety Talk and Sketch Races Stand Now That perspective is not one that resonates with Kimmel, who will host the Emmys Sept. 18. "If we only had to do 30 shows a year [Maher does 35], I can guarantee you 26 of them would be very strong," he told THR this summer. "The advantage for me is you can be looser and there's not so much pressure and focus on what you're doing. You can try new things. From a creative standpoint, it's probably more fun to do the show every night. But from a 'What one episode are your voters going to look at and judge?' it's probably disadvantageous. I get jealous [of weekly shows] at midnight when I'm still working on the show or when I spend a whole Saturday working on something." Corden certainly isn't phoning it in, either. On top of nightly monologues and interviews, his frequent "Carpool Karaoke" segments - by the way, what is it with funny people in cars? - require immense planning. There's a reason they are beloved by viewers (Adele's appearance has attracted 122 million views on YouTube, more than any other late-night clip ever) and voters (The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Prime Time Special got a variety special nom of its own). Does there need to be another category split to ensure the talk contenders have a more level playing field, separating the shows by minutes per episode or episodes per season or something along those lines? There already are 113 Emmy categories awarded over three nights, so what's one more? Corden, though, envisions a future in which such distinctions don't really matter. "TV channels are just going to become apps," he postulates. "The line between your phone, iPad and TV is already blurred. Your screen is going to be a group of apps that you will either subscribe to or not, and that's it. And there's not going to be any notion of, like, 'When's it on?' " This story first appeared in a special Emmy issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. When they are properly funded, 401(k) plans can help you build a nest egg for retirement. But employees often fail to take action and start saving in the account. To get more people to participate in the plan, many employers now automatically sign workers up for the company 401(k) plan unless they opt out. Here are some of the strategies companies are using to encourage employees to save for retirement. [Read: How Your 401(k) Balance Stacks Up.] Automatic enrollment. Just over half (51 percent) of 401(k) plans automatically enrolled employees in the account in 2015, up from 40 percent in 2011, according to a T. Rowe Price analysis of 662 plans with over 1.6 million participants. Automatic enrollment has succeeded in getting more workers to participate in 401(k) plans. Significantly more employees (88 percent) save in 401(k) plans with automatic enrollment than plans without this feature (48 percent), T. Rowe Price found. Enrolling employees in the 401(k) plan by default has been especially effective in getting 20-somethings into the 401(k) plan, who are typically less likely than older employees to sign up for the retirement account on their own. A higher default savings rate. Employees who are automatically enrolled in the 401(k) plan tend to save a smaller percentage of their salary than workers who select their own amount to save. The most popular default savings rate for automatically enrolled employees is 3 percent of pay, and 38 percent of T. Rowe Price plans withheld this amount from employee paychecks in 2015, down from 50 percent in 2011. That's far less than the 7 percent average deferral rate among all T. Rowe Price plan participants. But employers are increasingly enrolling their workers in the 401(k) plan at a 6 percent or higher default savings rate, climbing from 17 percent of plans in 2011 to 30 percent in 2015. [See: 10 Ways to Make Your 401(k) Balance Grow Faster.] The default savings rate can also have implications for qualifying for a 401(k) match. If your employer will match your contributions up to 6 percent of pay, but 3 percent of your salary is automatically withheld, you will miss out on half of the match on offer. It's worth looking into the amount you need to save to receive the full 401(k) match your job provides and switching to that savings rate if you are able to do so. Workers have the option to increase their 401(k) contributions or to stop automatic deposits to the retirement plan. Story continues Automatic increases. Many employers (69 percent) also automatically increase the amount their employees save for retirement over time, typically by 1 percent each year. A few plan sponsors boost the savings rate by 2 percent annually unless employees make another selection. The default investment. Almost all employees (96 percent) who are automatically enrolled in a T. Rowe Price 401(k) plan are invested in a target-date fund, which is a single diversified fund that grows more conservative over time. However, target-date funds vary considerably in how quickly the asset mix changes as you approach retirement and the fees charged. If you have concerns about the costs or underlying investments in your target-date fund, check out the other investment options available in your 401(k) plan. The default investment is assigned to you largely based on your age, but might not be appropriate for your specific circumstances or risk tolerance. [Read: How to Avoid 401(k) Fees and Penalties.] An opt-out option. Retirement savers are generally allowed to stop their 401(k) contributions or increase the amount they are saving at any time, and can move their money into other investment options in the 401(k) plan. But if you do nothing, you will continue to save at a rate of your company's choosing and invest in a fund selected by the employer or plan sponsor. Automatic enrollment can prevent procrastination and quickly get new employees enrolled in the plan at what is often a busy time of changing jobs and getting settled into a new work routine. However, individuals should carefully look over the default settings to make sure they match up with saving and investment goals. Emily Brandon is the author of "Pensionless: The 10-Step Solution for a Stress-Free Retirement." * Expects FY2017 adj profit $3.38-$3.44/share vs est $3.53 * 4th-qtr sales $2.65 bln vs est $2.66 bln * Sales in the Americas rise 1.4 pct * Shares fall as much as 4.25 pct (Adds CFO comment, updates shares) By Jessica Kuruthukulangara Aug 19 (Reuters) - Cosmetics maker Estee Lauder Cos Inc forecast a lower-than-expected profit for the full year, hurt by fewer customer visits to department stores and uncertainties in some markets. The company's shares were down 2.6 percent at $92.59 in afternoon trade on Friday. Estee Lauder said uncertainties surrounding Britain's vote to leave the European Union, attacks in France and sluggish spending in the Middle East will weigh on its full-year profit. The New York City-based company said it expects fiscal 2017 adjusted profit to be between $3.38 and $3.44 per share, missing the average analyst estimate of $3.53 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. "We believe risk of other economic and political disruptions will remain high as we start our new fiscal year," CFO Tracey Travis said on an earnings call. Rival L'Oreal SA earlier reported second-quarter sales growth marginally below forecast as it said Western Europe was being held back due to a "very difficult market in France". Estee Lauder said it expects "especially strong external headwinds" in the current quarter. Sales are expected to be in the range of $2.86 billion-$2.89 billion, missing the average analyst estimate of $2.94 billion. The company also reported a smaller-than-expected rise in quarterly sales, hurt by lower tourist spending due to the strong dollar and a dip in customer visits at stores such as Macy's Inc and Target Corp, where it sells high-end beauty products. Macy's and Target also cited lower traffic for the drop in sales in their latest quarter. Sales in the Americas, its biggest market, rose 1.4 pct to $1.1 billion on a reported basis, its slowest growth in four quarters. Total sales rose to $2.65 billion from $2.52 billion. Story continues Lower retail traffic in the United States mainly affected the company's "heritage" brands Estee Lauder and Clinique, and a few M.A.C freestanding stores, the company said. Weak sales in some Asia-Pacific countries, mainly Hong Kong, also dented total sales. Net income attributable to the company fell to $93.5 million, or 25 cents per share, in the quarter. Excluding items, the company earned 43 cents per share. Analysts on average had expected a profit of 40 cents per share and revenue of $2.66 billion. The company also said it expects to incur charges of about $80 million-$100 million in fiscal 2017, related to restructuring initiatives, including exiting businesses in certain markets and reducing its workforce globally. Up to Thursday's close, the stock had risen 13.5 percent in the past year. (Reporting by Jessica Kuruthukulangara and Gayathree Ganesan in Bengaluru; Editing by Martina D'Couto) A European-based North Korean official involved in managing a foreign currency slush fund for the country's leadership has fled his post with a sizeable sum of money, South Korean media reports said Friday. The reports follow the defection to South Korea this week of the North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain -- one of the highest ranking diplomats to flee the isolated state. Both the Yonhap news agency and the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper cited unidentified informed sources as saying the official was in "protective custody" in an unidentified European country. It was not immediately clear if he had defected or was seeking a country to take him in. The Unification Ministry in Seoul declined to comment. The two reports carried contradictory details, with Yonhap saying the official had initially "disappeared" late last year with several million dollars, while the Dong-A Ilbo suggested he had fled his post in June with as much as $400 million. Both said he was a senior official in Office 39 -- a secretive organisation within North Korea's ruling Workers' Party that maintains a hard currency slush fund for the top leadership. US intelligence says Office 39 oversees a network of illegal money-making operations, including drugs smuggling and counterfeit currency. Both media reports said the man had been living in Europe for two decades, but gave no specific details on the official post, or posts, he had occupied during that time. Yonhap said he had initially sought asylum in the United States, but was turned down, while the Dong-A Ilbo said his disappearance had triggered an extensive manhunt by North Korean agents. South Korea has scored a number of propaganda coups recently with some high-profile defections, including the deputy ambassador and, in April, a dozen waitresses who had been working in a North Korean restaurant in China. By Madeline Kennedy (Reuters Health) - Middle- and lower-income children dont visit eye doctors as often as wealthier kids, and as a result, thousands of them may have undiagnosed sight-threatening conditions, U.S. researchers say. All of the nearly 900,000 children in the study were covered by a national health insurer, but still, there were disparities in their access to eye care, researchers report in Health Affairs. Experts advise that all children under age 5 be screened for two eye diseases, strabismus and amblyopia. In strabismus, the eyes are not aligned with each other, causing double vision. To get rid of the double vision, the brain will ignore sight from one of the eyes, which can lead to the development of amblyopia, or so-called lazy eye, in which vision from that eye is permanently reduced. The earlier in life strabismus is detected and properly treated, the less likely the eye will become lazy and the more likely any vision loss that may have occurred can be reversed, said lead author Dr. Joshua Stein of the University of Michigan. People need to know the importance of testing for these sight-threatening diseases in children, Stein added by email. To determine the effect of wealth on eye care visits and diagnoses of these two conditions, Stein and his colleagues used healthcare data on 890,090 U.S. children between 2001 and 2014. The children were from families of varying wealth levels, but all had the same type of health insurance. The researchers found that children in the lowest wealth category had 16 percent fewer visits to any eye care professional than those at the middle wealth level, while children at the highest wealth level had 19 percent more visits than middle-income kids. A similar trend was seen for visits to ophthalmologists, medical doctors who treat eye diseases like strabismus and amblyopia. For visits to optometrists, who are more likely to conduct screenings and provide glasses, the middle wealth category had the highest number of visits. Children from less wealthy families were also older at their first visit to the eye doctor. Compared to those in the middle wealth category, lower income children were 15 percent less likely to have their first eye doctor visit during the study period, while higher net worth children were 19 percent more likely to have a first visit. Wealthier children were 64 percent more likely to be diagnosed with strabismus by age 10 than the lowest income group and 55 percent more likely to be diagnosed with amblyopia. Assuming the wealthiest kids were not being misdiagnosed, the authors calculate that the differences mean a lot of cases of eye disease are being missed in less-wealthy children. Specifically, they estimate there were nearly 13,000 missed strabismus diagnoses and 5,000 missed amblyopia diagnoses over a 10-year period just in their sample group. Even for families with health insurance, having a lower income can cause logistical issues in seeking eye care, said Cathy Williams, a senior researcher at the National Institute for Health Research. Williams, who was not involved in the study, said eye care providers might be located far from low-income housing sites and that lower income families may not understand the need for this type of vision screening. It may be more difficult for parents to take time off from work to take their children to an eye care professional, compared with more affluent families, Stein said, adding that copayments and deductibles might also be an issue for lower-wealth families. Williams said vision screenings are important to catch other types of sight problems as well. If having blurred vision in both eyes reduces a childs ability to learn and engage with their education, as it may, this could lead to lasting reductions in their life chances - all for the want of glasses, she said by email. Stein noted that vision screenings sometimes take place at schools or health fairs. If ones child has a failed vision screening, it is essential to promptly take him or her to an eye care professional so they can further evaluate the child to check for these serious eye diseases, he said. SOURCE: bit.ly/2b9j6kN Health Affairs, August 2016. wolf wall street dwarf Mutual fund T. Rowe Price has filed a lawsuit against Valeant Pharmaceuticals, alleging that the company's executives lied to it and other investors about its drug price gouging, general business practices, and financial health. One of the most brutal parts of the complaint looks at what Valeant may have been doing at its now defunct secret pharmacy, Philidor. It was the revelation of Philidor's existence, combined with government scrutiny over Valeant's drug pricing, that sent Valeant's stock cratering 90% starting last October. US Attorney Preet Bharara has launched a criminal investigation into Philidor's practices to see if its employees were directed to defraud health-insurance companies in order to make them pay for drugs that they would otherwise not pay for. How exactly that may have been done is described in T. Rowe Price's complaint as well. It alleges that Philidor employees were taught what management called "back door approaches" to get prescriptions filled. That included "altering prescription information, making claims for refills that were never requested by patients, and misrepresenting the identity of dispensing pharmacies in order to bypass denials of claims for Valeant drugs." Senior management was aware of all of this, according to internal emails cited in the complaint. Philidor employees talked about it, too. This posting on website Cafepharma was cited in the complaint (emphasis added): "They took the list of customers who had been approved by [insurance] and had refills available. Instead of waiting for the customer to call they would dial and leave a msg saying your refill will be shipped unless you call within 24 hrs. They would do this on the 30th day of the rx. Previously they had a Co pay so would have to wait to get approval to charge the 35.00 Co pay, making the Co pay [...] allowed them to ship refills whether u wanted them or not. Not a bad money making idea except most people did not really need refills of Solodyn so soon . . . Of course these refills were out the door ASAP sometimes within an hour of the call and the [insurance] money would come in. Story continues "What patients don't get is your [insurance] company is paying 500 plus bucks for an old medication reformulated and refills not needed. I would bet a lot of Solodyn and Jublia bottles are just lying around still in the shipping package. "If you ever saw Wolves of Wallstreet well that was sorta what some of us saw at Philidor. Let's say on average a person does not need a refill of Solodyn for 45 or 60 days from the 1st fill and you force them to take it at 30 days every month $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and a ton of it! Think about it." Valeant didn't technically own Philidor. It bought a $100 million option to buy Philidor for $0 in 2014. The company has argued that its relationship with Philidor wasn't that close, but reporting by The Wall Street Journal revealed that all sorts of weird stuff was going down between the two companies. Valeant employees were working at Philidor under different names, for example. NOW WATCH: 3 Wall Street legends share one investment they find attractive right now More From Business Insider This former Miss Universe says shes becoming a U.S. citizen just in time to cast her vote against Donald Trump. Read: Former Miss Universe Accuses Donald Trump of Fat Shaming: 'He Called Me Miss Piggy' Alicia Machado, the Venezuelan-born beauty contestant, says Trump accused her of gaining 40 pounds after being crowned Miss Universe in 1996 when she was 19 years old. She claims Trump made her work out to drop the extra pounds, and called her "Miss Piggy" in private. On Friday, she became a U.S. citizen in Miami and proudly held an American flag as she was sworn in. She told Inside Edition: "Today is a very important day for me; I am now a U.S. citizen. I am so proud and so inspired to be a U.S. citizen." She is urging her fellow Latin Americans to get out and register to vote. "This is a very important election," she said. Machado said she became an American citizen "for my daughter, my country, and to [exercise] my right to vote. The United States is in a very important moment and we need to take the power to go and vote." Read: See Awkward Moment CNN Anchor Tells Trump Adviser He's Down in the Polls: 'Says Who?' The 39-year-old is throwing her support behind Hillary Clinton. I so proud and inspiration to be a U.S. Citizen! I'll be Voting! All my power and my support become with my next President @hillaryclinton Miss Housekeeping and miss Piggy Can Vote @realdonaldtrump A photo posted by Alicia Machado (@machadooficial) on Aug 19, 2016 at 8:54am PDT She even appeared in a campaign endorsement photo for Clinton, which the former beauty queen posted to Instagram. Manana los espero en mi recorrido por el #Doral #Florida mi apoyo total a las madres trabajadoras mi apoyo total @hillaryclinton Manana conversaremos el porque estoy con la senora #hillaryclinton @mamis_solas A photo posted by Alicia Machado (@machadooficial) on Aug 19, 2016 at 9:04am PDT In May, she told Inside Edition that Trump "is not a good person. She claimed he bullied her all the time. Story continues Watch: 'Hypocrites!': Dixie Chicks Singer Bashes Country Radio Stations for Support of Donald Trump Related Articles: (This version of the story corrects to separate sixth and seventh paragraphs) By Nate Raymond (Reuters) - A former State Street Corp executive has waived his right to UK extradition proceedings and has pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges that he engaged in a scheme to defraud six clients through secret commissions on billions of dollars of trades. Edward Pennings, a former State Street senior managing director who worked in the bank's London office, entered the plea in federal court in Boston on Monday to charges including securities fraud and wire fraud, prosecutors said. Pennings, a Dutch citizen who resides in the United Kingdom, was released on a $2 million bond, according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston. Roger Burlingame, a lawyer for Pennings, said on Tuesday that his client voluntarily came to the United States to contest the charges and to clear his name. "He did not commit a crime and had absolutely no intent to do so," Burlingame said in an email. The arraignment followed Pennings' indictment in April with Ross McLellan, an ex-State Street executive vice president. State Street has faced several regulatory actions involving allegations of overcharging clients, most recently resulting in its July 26 announcement that it would pay $530 million to resolve several U.S. regulatory matters and lawsuits. State Street in 2014 reached a related settlement with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. It paid a fine of 22.9 million pounds, or $38 million at the time, for charging "substantial mark-ups" to six clients, including Irish and British government pension funds, on certain transactions. Prosecutors said that from 2010 to 2011, McLellan, Pennings and others conspired to add secret commissions to fixed income and equity trades performed for the six clients. Prosecutors said the clients were using a State Street unit that helps institutional customers move their investments between asset managers or liquidate large investment portfolios. Story continues The commissions, which McLellan and Pennings took steps to hide, came on top of fees the clients agreed to pay despite written instructions to the bank's traders that they should not have to do so, prosecutors said. McLellan, a Massachusetts resident, pleaded not guilty in April. Both men are scheduled to face trial in October 2017. The case is U.S. v. McLellan et al, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, No. 16-cr-10094. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Dan Grebler) Acting on the erring policemen, Gopalganj SP, Ravi Ranjan said that despite prohibition in Bihar, the policemen at the Town police station did not make any effort to conduct checks and raids in their area despite spurious liquor being manufactured in Khajur Vani locality. By Rohit Kumar Singh: After 15 persons died in the suspected hooch tragedy in Gopalganj, 25 policemen including station house officer (SHO) of Town police station have been suspended with immediate effect for dereliction of their duties in strictly enforcing liquor ban. Incidentally, Khajur Vani locality where the incident took place falls under the jurisdiction of Town police station. Acting on the erring policemen, Gopalganj SP, Ravi Ranjan said that despite prohibition in Bihar, the policemen at the Town police station did not make any effort to conduct checks and raids in their area despite spurious liquor being manufactured in Khajur Vani locality. advertisement POLICEMEN SUSPENDED FOR NEGLIGENCE "25 policemen including SHO of Town police station B P Alok have been suspended with immediate effect after they were found guilty of dereliction of their duties in strictly enforcing liquor ban", said Gopalganj SP. What made matters worse for the suspended policemen was the recovery of 1000 litres of illegal country made liquor from Khajur Vani a day after the tragedy happened. The police recovered illegal liquor which was hidden by digging the ground. ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON EXCISE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday had given clear instructions that apart from the accused who was running the business of manufacturing illicit liquor in the area, action will also be taken on officials of police and excise department who were found wanting in discharge of their duty. ALSO READ Nitish govt faces heat as hooch tragedy kills 13 amid liquor ban in Bihar 5 arrested in Gopalganj hooch tragedy, 1000 litres of spurious liquor recovered --- ENDS --- "I welcome the change," Craig Robinson tells ET on a Wednesday afternoon in August. The actor, most famous for playing Darryl Philbin on The Office and comedic films like Hot Tub Time Machine and This Is the End, is flipping the script, so to speak, with two major dramatic roles showcasing his more serious side. "I saw it in the back of my mind somewhere," Robinson, 44, says of the distinct shift in his work. "I didn't really seek it out, but it found me." Robinson plays Curtis Gentry, a single father, in the coming-of-age dramedy Morris From America, which is currently airing on DirecTV and has a limited theatrical release on Friday, Aug. 19. The film tells the story of 13-year-old Morris, played by Markees Christmas, who relocates to Germany with his father. While Morris struggles to fit in his new surroundings, Curtis tries to find a way to connect with his son. "That was a challenge to, you know, take each other to that level," Robinson says of bonding with Christmas to fully realize their father-son relationship onscreen. The actor -- who doesn't have kids of his own, but does have two turtles -- ended up "treating him like a little brother." While he says he never felt restrained in the role, which is a far from the louder parts he's landed as one of Judd Apatow's recurring players, he was aware that audiences are not used to seeing him be tender. "I felt I just had to do what was there," Robinson says. His effort paid off, earning him the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Individual Performance at Sundance and a recurring role as the villainous Ray Heyworth on USA's Emmy-nominated Mr. Robot, which is currently in the middle of its second season. Creator Sam Esmail saw a few scenes from Morris and told Robinson, "You can make the turn that I need you to make," so the actor signed up for the mysterious part. USA "It's definitely an intense show," Robinson says of working on the hacker hit. Admittedly, he hasn't watched any of the new season (though he did binge the first before signing on) but has been told he's really creepy. "Which I took as a compliment," he says. "If you can be creepy on Mr. Robot, that's good." Story continues Despite not watching the show, he does enjoy reading up on all the theories. His favorite at the time: "Friends ask, 'Are you an orderly at the mental hospital?'" While not wholly right, fans were proven correct when (SPOILER ALERT) Mr. Robot revealed that the show's central character, Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), has, in fact, been in a correctional facility for all of season two. While his other major film roles -- voicing Mr. Grits in Seth Rogen's R-rated animated Sausage Party and a supporting part in Mark and Jay Duplass' upcoming romantic dramedy Table 19 -- put him back in the comedy realm, Robinson has no set plans for what direction his career will take. For now, he's wholeheartedly embracing the newfound attention. "It's like, 'Alright, we got that.' Let's keep that going for a while and see what happens," he says. Related Articles AMC's Fear the Walking Dead returns this Sunday for its sure-to-be-shocking second half of season two, and we have the inside scoop from the series' stars on all the bloody drama looming our way. "There's a lot of death, there's separation, there's chaos, and hurt feelings," Mercedes Mason, who plays Ofelia, teased to ET at Comic-Con last month. "There's a lot of individual growth because we ended the first half of this season with of a lot of loss and I think that forces you to wither and crumble or it strengthens you." When we last saw our Fear TWD gang in the mid-season finale, the group suffered from multiple heart-wrenching fissures with Travis (Cliff Curtis) choosing stay with his chaos-craving son Chris (Lorenzo James Henrie) and Nick (Frank Dillane) deciding to live as a drifter among the undead. EXCLUSIVE: Jeffrey Dean Morgan Talks Negan's Debut With 'That Bat' on 'TWD' Now that almost all of her family has abandoned her, Madison's (Kim Dickens) mental state is going to be severely shaken. "She's kind of messed up when we first come back," Dickens confessed. "She's kind of distraught and very unmoored, but she doesn't give up hope. She's frantically searching for them." AMC Alycia Debnam-Carey, who plays the ever-evolving Alicia Clark, revealed that due to the many different paths that the Fear characters are now on, the next upcoming episodes are going to tell isolated stories. "In the second half we really focus on people," the actress said. "It's really one-on-one, and very intimate in that way, so that's one of the biggest changes for the second half." "We also take the claustrophobia aspect out of the story," Mason added, referencing The Abigail, the boat that served as the group's tight-spaced home earlier this season. "We don't have each other to rely on so much anymore, and now we're out in the open in a new culture with a new language and it puts a lot of pressure on a group." Story continues WATCH: 'Fear' Star Danay Garcia Previews Her 'Brave' New Character Speaking of new, fans will be introduced to a brand new survivor, played by Danay Garcia, who will provide key insight into how the Mexican culture deals with this apocalyptic tragedy. "The Mexican culture views death in a very unique way," Garcia explained to ET. "There are three kinds of death: the day you die, the day you get buried and the day you're forgotten." Garcia revealed that this "evolution of death" is something that is going to be the main catalyst of problems for life in this new world. It's a completely new world. It's a completely new story. Now we're talking about foreigners coming to this land," she shared. "They don't really know what's going on and it changes everything. Characters that really come to life -- they become desperate and they really want to survive." Fear the Walking Dead premieres Sunday, Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC. Related Articles Kevin James is back home at CBS, but he says the real hero of his new series, Kevin Can Wait, is his onscreen wife, Erinn Hayes. The comedian tells ET that Hayes fell ill the morning of their pilot taping, but soldiered on to get the job done. WATCH: Kevin James Feels Right at Home in New Series 'Kevin Can Wait' "Food poisoning the whole day," James says, pointing at Hayes. "[She] comes out a trouper. We would have canceled. She's on her back the whole day getting IV! That is the true hero of Kevin Can Wait." In the series, James stars as a retired police officer looking forward to spending quality time with his wife and three kids, but he has a rude awakening when he learns that being at home presents tougher challenges than anything the mean streets can dish out. James let us know what he thinks are the biggest differences between his new character and his former role on King of Queens. "Kevin Can Wait is four pounds heavier," James jokes. "He's a little smarter?" Another difference is that on the current show, James has children. In real life, James has four kids with wife Steffiana de la Cruz: Sienna-Marie, 10, Shea, 9, Kannon, 5, and Sistine, 1. RELATED: Kevin James and Wife Steffiana de la Cruz Welcome Fourth Child James shared that one of his children might be causing a little confusion about what he actually does for a living. "My kid always says to me, 'Why do you got to keep doing adult movies?'" he says. "And I go, 'It's grownup movies.' She'll say in front of everybody. She goes in front of people like, 'He keeps doing adult movies,' and I'm like, 'I do movies for grownups.'" Kevin Can Wait is set to premiere Sept. 19 on CBS. Related Articles This story was updated Aug. 18 at 5:53 p.m. EDT. Despite reports that the land bridge connecting the Americas is "older than the hills," it is actually quite young, geologically speaking only about 2.8 million years old, a new review of studies finds. The finding contrasts with several recent studies purporting that the land bridge, known as the Isthmus of Panama, formed between 6 million and 23 million years ago, and reveals important details about the evolution and migration of animal species in different regions of the Americas. These dates didn't jibe with data from other studies, the scientists of the new paper said. So they did an extensive review of studies on the geological, paleontological and molecular evidence from the isthmus and the animals that lived there, with the goal of deducing its true age, they said. [In Images: How North America Grew As a Continent] "Our study had the simple aim of refining the timing of isthmus formation in a format intelligible for a wide audience of interested scientists, including geologists, ecologists, paleontologists, climatologists and evolutionary biologists, each of whom were begging for clarification of the question," study lead author Aaron O'Dea, a staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama, told Live Science in an email. In the end, O'Dea and his colleagues found that while the isthmus developed slowly over a period of 30 million years, "all rigorous evidence" suggests that the land bridge formed 2.8 million years ago, thanks to a geologic uplift and a drop in sea level, he said. Why age matters Before the isthmus arose, waters from the Caribbean and Pacific mingled, allowing local marine life to call both oceans home. But the watery gap separated plants and animals that lived on land, meaning that those in South America stayed south and those in North America stayed north, for the most part. Everything changed once the isthmus formed. The land bridge separated the oceans, meaning that marine animals in the Caribbean began to evolve independently from those in the Pacific. Moreover, the bridge connected the Americas, allowing land animals to travel freely between the two continents. For instance, South American terror birds and possums made their way north. Story continues Finding the so-called isthmus birthday is crucial for evolutionary biologists, as the isthmus is "the only place on Earth" that allows them to examine the molecular rates at which ocean populations diverge, said review co-author Harilaos Lessios, a senior staff scientist of evolution of marine organisms at STRI. O'Dea said that finding the age of the isthmus has even broader implications. "It's a fundamental question with major consequences for understanding ecology, evolution and the origin of life today in the seas and land of the Americas," he said. Disputed findings Since the 1970s, when researchers studied data from deep-sea drilling, some scientists have speculated that the isthmus was about 3 million years old. Some recent studies, however, upended that idea. For instance, the isthmus must have existed earlier than scientists previously thought, according to a 2015 study published in the journal Science, because the researchers found evidence that a river carried 40-million-year-old zircon rock crystals, unique to Panama, across the isthmus to Colombia between 13 million and 15 million years ago. However, the researchers who worked on the new review say those zircons could have come from places other than Panama, and that more evidence is needed to say that the isthmus existed before 3 million years ago. [Photos: The World's Weirdest Geological Formations] The lead author of the 2015 study, Camilo Montes, a geologist at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia, contests this finding. The new review "can't point at a single magmatic rock that crystallized nearly 40 million years ago" that's not from Panama, Montes told Live Science in an email. The new review also called into question work done by Christine Bacon, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. In a 2015 study, Bacon and her colleagues compared molecular data from land animals and plants, and said that the results indicated that phases of migration across the isthmus happened prior to 3 million years ago. The authors of the new review said they found several problems with Bacon's study. For instance, they said she didn't analyze all of the available evidence. Furthermore, she assumed that mitochondrial DNA (found inside the powerhouse of a cell) diverges at a rate of 2 percent every 1 million years, when, in fact, different species evolve at different rates, Lessios said. But Bacon said this misrepresents her work. "We assumed that rate for only 52 data points of the 424 total (ca. 12 percent of the entire dataset)," she told Live Science in an email. "It seems like misrepresentation like I used a universal divergence rate over the entire dataset." What's next Though the new review doesn't make a definitive conclusion on the isthmus's age, it is an important step in figuring it out, said Carina Hoorn, a researcher at the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, who was not involved in the new research. "Although there are no real new data in this study, the authors make it clear that the revolutionary new idea on 'old' Panama needs to be consolidated with further evidence," Hoorn told Live Science in an email. "Friend and foe agree that deformation of the region started over 30 million years ago [but] when exactly the bridge was formed will need further evidence." There needs to be more research into species evolutionand further examination of the fossil and marine record, Hoorn said. That's already happening, but it will require hard and cooperative work by many scientists, she said. The review was published online today (Aug. 17) in the journal Science Advances. Editor's Note: This article has been updated to correct the location of where the zircon crystals originated, according to Camilo Montes and his colleagues. It was Panama, not the northern Andes. Original article on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Dr. Drew didnt hesitate to comment on Hillary Clintons health care. (Photos: Getty Images) During a radio interview yesterday, Dr. Drew Pinsky made some strong accusations about Hillary Clintons health care, referring to her medical treatment as bizarre, very unconventional, and old-fashioned. Astonishingly, the records Dr. Pinsky chose to comment on have been making the rounds for months and have been proved to be fake. In a statement provided to FactCheck.org by the Clinton campaign, Clintons longtime physician, Lisa Bardack, MD, director of internal medicine, Mount Sinai Health System at CareMount Medical, dismissed the authenticity of these documents, saying they are false, were not written by me, and are not based on any medical facts. Just to preface this, its extremely difficult to make an assessment from afar on specific treatments for specific people because not everyone falls into one treatment category, Kristine S. Arthur, MD, internist at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., tells Yahoo Beauty. Heres what our medical expert had to say in regards to Dr. Drews evaluation: Dr. Drew said: Shes being treated with hyperthyroidism with something called Armour Thyroid, which is very unconventional and something that we used to back in the 60s. Dr. Arthur says: We would typically start with a different type of thyroid formulation, more commonly like Synthroid or Levothyroxine. Its [Armour] an appropriate option its just not considered the typical first-line option. I would think they would have tried the commonly used or conventional treatment first, and then if perhaps she could not tolerate those, they moved her on to something not used as much but can still balance out her thyroid. Related: Tom Arnold Pens Passionate Essay Arguing for Gun Control After Nephews Suicide Dr. Drew said: So she goes on Coumadin thats weird because Coumadin really isnt used anymore. Story continues Dr. Arthur says: These new blood thinners like the medication Dr. Drew was talking about arent typically used for this type of a clot [a brain clot] theyre used for the leg clots. And, yes, Coumadin has been around for a long time and its an old drug. It was used and its still used. There are some newer medications, as he mentioned, that could be used for those types of leg blood clots, but Coumadin is certainly still used. Its kind of a personal preference as to what people are comfortable with. But when it comes to something like this [a brain clot], Coumadin would be an indicated treatment for it. Typically, that would be several months and then youd be done. From her letter last summerwhich was a couple of years after it [her concussion] happened the doctor formally said she was still taking Coumadin. That suggests to me that maybe there is something else going on that would be putting her at a predisposition of developing blood clots. If her doctor felt she needed to leave her on lifelong anticoagulation its a big commitment to put someone on it you would really want to make sure theres a reason for it. According to a 2013 New York Times article, Geoffrey T. Manley, MD, the vice chairman of neurological surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, stated that given Clintons history of having a blood clot in her leg back in 1998, this suggests she may have a tendency to form clots and may need blood-thinners long-term or even for the rest of her life. Dr. Bardack, her longtime physician, told USA Today that follow-up medical exams in 2013 revealed complete resolution of the effects of the concussion. Related: Gabby Douglas Responds to Hurtful Social Media Bullying at Rio Olympics: It Doesnt Really Feel Good Dr. Drew said: When they screened her for heart disease, again, they did an old-fashioned screening. Dr. Arthur says: I couldnt find any type of heart test they did on Hillary. Typically, we do stress testing, where it can be putting someone on the treadmill or nuclear medicine stress testing. What would be considered old-fashioned screening? Im not entirely sure. All I can say is that maybe it was only a treadmill test, when now we have some newer type of nuclear imaging that we can get great pictures of the heart, for instance that would be a more in-depth type of test. But I would hate to have someone read this and think, My doctor gave me a treadmill test and I guess thats old-fashioned. Its a perfectly acceptable test to do. But again, you have to take the whole patient into consideration. For one person, the treadmill test can be perfectly acceptable and for someone else it would be considered not adequate. Unless her legitimate doctor released exactly what shes had, its impossible to judge. Again, you never know unless you go into somebodys specific chart as to why they would need certain treatments versus others. Sometimes theres a great medication that we would love to give someone yet they cant tolerate it, so they we move to something else that might be not as good or older because its all we can do. Its difficult to judge from afar. Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Global health officials are racing to better understand the Zika virus behind a major outbreak that began in Brazil last year and has spread to many countries in the Americas. The following are some questions and answers about the virus and current outbreak: How do people become infected? Zika is transmitted to people through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same type that spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said Aedes mosquitoes are found in all countries in the Americas except Canada and continental Chile, and the virus will likely reach all countries and territories of the region where Aedes mosquitoes are found. How do you treat Zika? There is no treatment or vaccine for Zika infection. Companies and scientists are racing to develop a safe and effective vaccine for Zika, but the World Health Organization (WHO) had said early in 2016 that it would take at least 18 months to start large-scale clinical trials of potential preventative shots. A vaccine is not expected to be ready for widespread use for at least two or three years. U.S. government researchers said they started their first clinical trial of a Zika vaccine. How dangerous is it? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that infection with the Zika virus in pregnant women is a cause of the birth defect microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities in babies. The CDC said now that the causal relationship has been established, several important questions must still be answered with studies that could take years. According to the World Health Organization, there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can cause the birth defect microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems. In addition, the agency said it could cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can result in paralysis. Conclusive proof of the damage caused by Zika may take months or years. Brazil reports the number of confirmed cases of microcephaly at 1,835 as doctors and Brazilian health officials find that some suspected cases of microcephaly are not the disorder. Suspected ones under investigation had declined to 3,257. Brazil registered 91,387 likely cases of the Zika virus from February until April 2. Current research in Brazil indicates the greatest microcephaly risk is associated with infection during the first trimester of pregnancy, but health officials have warned an impact could be seen in later weeks. Recent studies have shown evidence of Zika in amniotic fluid, placenta and fetal brain tissue. What are the symptoms of Zika infection? People infected with Zika may have a mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain and fatigue that can last for two to seven days. But as many as 80 percent of people infected never develop symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those of dengue or chikungunya, which are transmitted by the same type of mosquito. How can Zika be contained? Efforts to control the spread of the virus focus on eliminating mosquito breeding sites and taking precautions against mosquito bites such as using insect repellent and mosquito nets. U.S. and international health officials have advised pregnant women to avoid travel to Latin American and Caribbean countries where they may be exposed to Zika. How widespread is the outbreak? Active Zika outbreaks have been reported in at least 55 countries or territories, most of them in the Americas, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Brazil has been the country most affected. (http://1.usa.gov/1ovAJyh) Africa (1): Cape Verde Americas (46): Anguilla, Antigua, Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saba, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelmy, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Eustatius, St. Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Cacos, U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela. Oceania/Pacific Islands (8): American Samoa, Fiji, Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga. What is the history of the Zika virus? The Zika virus is found in tropical locales with large mosquito populations. Outbreaks of Zika have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Southern Asia and the Western Pacific. The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys and was first identified in people in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania, according to the WHO. Can Zika be transmitted through sexual contact? The World Health Organization (WHO) said sexual transmission is "relatively common" and has advised pregnant women not to travel to areas with ongoing outbreaks of Zika virus. It also advised women living in areas where the virus is being transmitted to delay getting pregnant. The U.S. CDC is investigating about a dozen cases of possible sexual transmission. Those cases involved possible transmission of the virus from men to their sex partners. But the CDC issued updated recommendations for preventing and testing for Zika infection on July 25, warning that the virus can be transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected female partner. A reported case of female-to-male sexual transmission in New York City, and limited human and non-human primate data indicating that Zika virus RNA can be detected in vaginal secretions, led to the new warning, the agency said. CDC's expanded warnings on sexual exposure to Zika now caution against sex without a condom or other barrier method of protection with any person, male or female, who has traveled to or lives in an area with Zika, including female to female transmission with a pregnant partner. British health officials reported Zika was found in a man's semen two months after he was infected, suggesting the virus may linger in semen long after infection symptoms fade. The PAHO said Zika can be transmitted through blood, but this is an infrequent transmission mechanism. There is no evidence Zika can be transmitted to babies through breast milk. The WHO has identified Zika cases in Argentina, Chile, France, Italy and New Zealand as likely caused by sexual transmission. What other complications are associated with Zika? Zika has also been associated with other neurological disorders, including serious brain and spinal cord infections. The long-term health consequences of Zika infection are unclear. Other uncertainties surround the incubation period of the virus and how Zika interacts with other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue. (Compiled by the Americas Desk) Photo credit: BlackTail From Town & Country A Cuban-inspired bar in New York City was just named the best new cocktail bar in America. BlackTail, which is designed to mimic the decadent American bars in Cuba during Prohibition, was crowned "Best New American Cocktail Bar" at 2017 Tales of the Cocktail festival in New Orleans. "We are proud and humbled to win the Best New American Cocktail Bar Spirited Award. We dedicate this win to the everyday people of Cuba who inspire us with their resilience, grace, and high spirits," says Jack McGarry, managing partner at BlackTail. The bar's name comes from the lavish seaplanes (whose tail ends were painted black) that ferried "dry" (and thirsty) Americans down to the "wet" island during Prohibition for liquid libations in the sun. It opened at New York Harbors historic Pier A in 2016. Photo credit: BlackTail One of the drinks on its menu, dubbed the Rum & Cola, is definitely decadent. As Grub Street first pointed out, the typical frat house drink is elevated through the addition of champagne, Fernet Branca, and homemade bitters. In fact, it's the champagne that gives this drink its carbonation, since it's made with cola syrup instead of Coca-Cola. Here's the recipe: Rum & Cola 1 Dash Orinoco Bitters 1/2 Tsp Fernet .75 oz Cola Syrup 1 oz Bacardi facundo NEO 4 oz Champagne Method: Built Glassware: Rocks & Big Rock Garnish: Lemon Twist You Might Also Like By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - The FBI last year questioned a Macau billionaire charged with participating in a bribery scheme at the United Nations about whether one of his partners was involved with Chinese foreign intelligence, according to court records. A transcript of a Federal Bureau of Investigation interview of Macau real estate developer Ng Lap Seng following his 2015 arrest was filed in federal court in Manhattan last week by his lawyers. In a motion, they noted FBI agents questioned Ng on whether he knew if a business associate, Qin Fei, was a Chinese agent or had contact with Chinese intelligence. The transcript said Ng said he did not know. He called Qin a "partner" at a U.N.-focused news outlet that prosecutors say Ng founded and that was used as a conduit to pay bribes to former U.N. General Assembly President John Ashe. Ng also said Qin was a consultant at his company, Sun Kian Ip Group. Qin could not be reached for comment. Ng's lawyers did not respond to requests for comment. The FBI and Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's office declined to comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported Qin's link to the case on Friday. Prosecutors last year accused Ng, 68, of giving Ashe over $500,000 in bribes in exchange for, among other things, supporting a U.N.-backed conference center in Macau his company would develop. Ashe, a former U.N. ambassador from Antigua and Barbuda who served as General Assembly president from 2013 to 2014, died in June awaiting trial. Ng has pleaded not guilty. The FBI's interview of Ng came after he and an assistant were arrested in September 2015 on earlier charges that they made false statements about why they brought $4.5 million into the United States from China. Charging papers in that case said some money Ng claimed was for gambling was instead used to renovate the house of "Business Associate-2." That matches Ng's description of providing money to help Qin renovate his $10 million Long Island mansion, the transcript showed. Not long before Ng's arrest, an "Individual-1" drove him to Business Associate-2's Long Island house, court papers said. A source previously identified Individual-1 as Ying Lin, who worked for Air China and was charged last year by Brooklyn federal prosecutors specializing in national security with structuring bank deposits to evade reporting requirements. Records list Lin, who has pleaded not guilty, as an agent for Qin's property. Her lawyer declined to comment. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI and U.S. Justice Department are investigating possible U.S. ties to alleged corruption involving the former president of Ukraine, including the work of firms headed by political operatives Paul Manafort and Tony Podesta, CNN reported on Friday, citing multiple U.S. law enforcement officials. The broad-based investigation was looking into whether U.S. companies and the financial system were used to enable corruption by the party of former pro-Russian Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, CNN said. A person who answered a telephone number for Manafort said Manafort was not available for comment. The person, who said he was an associate of Manafort and who gave his name only as David, referred queries to a lawyer in Washington, who did not immediately respond to a phone call and an email. Manafort, who resigned as chairman of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's campaign on Friday, had not been the focus of the probe, CNN said, citing the officials. The probe was looking at the work of other firms linked to the former Ukrainian government, including the Podesta Group, a lobbying and public relations company headed by Tony Podesta, whose brother John Podesta is chairman of the campaign to elect Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Manafort's attorney Richard Hibey did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The FBI declined to comment, CNN reported. The Podesta Group has hired an independent legal firm to investigate whether it had been misled by the Centre for a Modern Ukraine, a not-for-profit group linked to the ousted Ukrainian government, a spokeswoman for the group said in a statement. The Justice Department, asked to comment on the report, said it remained "committed to helping recover stolen assets on behalf of the people of Ukraine." Investigators in Ukraine have said Yanukovych and his party engaged in widespread corruption. He fled to Russia following a popular uprising in 2014. (Additional reporting by John Walcott and Mark Hosenball; Reporting by Eric Walsh; Editing by James Dalgleish) The government hopes that its latest social-media strategy will help build a positive atmosphere of trust and greater engagement with common citizens. By Reema Parashar: Alarmed by the aggressive Facebook warfare that Kashmiri separatists mounted during the recent unrest in the valley, the Modi government has re-designed its social-media strategy. A photo-shopped image of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg with pellet-gun injuries on his face has been widely shared on social media as part of an anti-India online campaign aimed at drawing international attention to Kashmir. Anti-India separatists also posted a number of videos portraying security forces in a bad light, especially for their use of pellet guns that fire metallic ball-bearings at violent demonstrators. advertisement COUNTERING THE PROPAGANDA Highly active on Twitter so far, the Modi government has now focused its attention on Facebook to counter negative propaganda on the social-networking site, official sources said. "The government has realized that common masses, especially the young people, are connected more on Facebook than Twitter," said a top-ranking official. As part of the new social-media plan, all ministries have, therefore, been advised to reach out to the people through Facebook, he added. The government hopes that its latest social-media strategy will help build a positive atmosphere of trust and greater engagement with common citizens. The external-affairs ministry has created a special Facebook page for answering public questions. MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF FACEBOOK On Friday, minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore inaugurated a workshop for government officials on how to use Facebook more effectively for communication. "We need to open up," the minister told officials. "Typically, governments have been surrounded with iron curtains all around. But time is changing. So we also need to change our mindset," Rathore said. "You cannot hide information in today's world. You have to share that information. The idea is to send the right kind of content that people can engage with," he noted. Officials across ranks will be also be trained in the use of Facebook, authorities say. Mechanisms will be developed to enable citizens to hold live chats with ministers and senior bureaucrats on the social site, according to official sources. BJP president Amit Shah has held a series of meetings with bloggers and social-media activists over the past three months, according to insiders. Meantime, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have ordered all government and semi-government employees to join their duty immediately. Most of the government staff have reported absent from work since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 triggered deadly protests in the valley. ALSO READ: Gradual decline in enthusiasm for Facebook, Twitter: Study --- ENDS --- Last month, after FCC Chair Tom Wheeler called on the telecom industry to finally do something about the nuisance of pre-recorded, auto-dialed robocalls, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson agreed to head up a joint private-public Robocall Strike Force tasked with actually doing something about these calls. Today, this elite squad of telephonic titans is meeting for the first time. The Strike Force has been given a deadline of 60 days (Oct. 19) to lay down a clearer path toward a world with fewer automated calls that arent just obnoxious, but are often illegal. Americans are fed up, began Wheeler. Robocalls are a scourge. Its the number one complaint that we hear from consumers on a daily basis, with more than 200,000 gripes being filed with the FCC each yearand thats just from the very small number of people who take the time to file a complaint. Americans have a right to be fed up, continued the Chair. Its an invasion of privacy, rife with fraud and identity theft The bad guys are beating the good guys with technology. While phone companies could undoubtedly do more to block robocalls or give their customers more tools for eliminating these calls, Wheeler is quick to point out that this is a community problem affecting the entire telecom and broadband industries. Online phone services dont just allow for robocall scammers to blast out a seemingly endless barrage of prerecorded calls, they allow the scammers to cheaply place these calls from foreign countries. These robocallers, explained Wheeler, rely on the fact that existing phone networks arent ready to deal with them The profit motive has driven bad guys to a level of technological innovation that exploits consumers by exploiting networks and equipment. Related Stories from Consumer Reports Story continues This is why the Strike Force, which will meet at least twice a week for the next two months, includes representatives from phone service and broadband providers (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon), manufacturers (Apple, Nokia, Samsung), and network bandwidth providers like Level 3 Communications. This has to be multi-carrier, cross-carrier, and a community solution, urged Wheeler. Stephenson, whose record on robocalls is far from perfect, concurred. This gonna require more than individual company initiatives, acknowledged the CEO. And its going to have to go beyond one-off blocking applications to address this issue. He admitted that the industry has thus far taken a piecemeal approach to robocalls and weve have very limited success. Part of the problem, cautioned Stephenson, is that while everyone hates robocalls, not all of them are against the law. We have calls that are perfectly legal that are not wanted, like telemarketers and public opinion surveys, he explained before jumping to the other end of the spectrum where you have millions of calls that are patently illegal, and theyre violating the Do Not Call registry, or worse theyre trying to steal identities or money shutting down the bad guys is a very important step. #SquadGoals By the end of the 60 days, the Strike Force should have achieved a number of goals, including some sort of solution on call-authentication standards for VoIP (cable) phone calls, meaning the carrier will have a reasonable degree of certainty that it knows where the call is coming from and going to. The Strike Force must also discuss solutions for expediting the deployment of third-party call filters that can be used either by consumers or by the phone companies. Lets give folks the opportunity to get creative about blocking robocalls, said Wheeler. The FCC also expects the Strike Force to develop cross-carrier solutions, like a Do No Originate list that would identify likely sources of repeat robocalls and block those calls before they ever get to the customer. Finally, the Strike Force needs to tell the FCC what the Commission needs to do to help industry achieve these goals. What Wheeler doesnt want is for the industry to be paralyzed by the possibility that it wont reach a perfect solution right away. The nature of software is start and continually improve, he explained. Lets not sit around and wait for the ultimate solution. Lets start solving the issues immediately, and lets improve it tomorrow, and make it even better the day after tomorrow. Tim Marvin, our colleague at Consumers Union who heads up the End Robocalls campaign called the plan unveiled at todays meeting an important initial victory for consumers and an indicator that the industry is taking serious steps to address the issue. Consumers are sick and tired of robocalls and have made it clear that they expect the phone companies to take action, said Marvin. Well be monitoring the work of the Strike Force closely in the next 60 days to make sure they deliver on these promises. However, Marvin noted that AT&Ts Stephenson did not directly address Wheelers previously raised concerns about the need for solutions for traditional landlines, and the need for fast publication of applicable standards. Its critical that the Strike Forces solutions address the needs of the most vulnerable consumers who still use landlines, he explains, and that the move forward towards standards be on the same timeline as the report. Adoption of standards should not and cannot be a waiting game. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright 2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S. By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Firefighters were gaining ground on Friday against a wildfire burning in a Southern California mountain pass that has forced tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes and destroyed about 100 houses, officials said. The Blue Cut fire, named for a narrow gorge near its origin in the Cajon Pass about 75 miles (120 km) northeast of Los Angeles, has blackened 37,000 acres (14,973 hectares) of drought-parched heavy brush and chaparral after breaking out on Tuesday. The blaze has destroyed 96 single-family homes and 213 outbuildings, according to a preliminary assessment from teams in the field, fire information officer Lyn Sieliet said by telephone. Officials previously said dozens of structures were gutted, without providing exact figures. Officials said firefighters were able to carve containment lines around 26 percent of the blaze as of Friday morning - up from 4 percent a day earlier - in dry, hot and windy weather conditions and treacherous terrain. The intensely burning blaze, which has produced cyclone-like whirls of flame, continued to threaten some 34,500 homes and other structures in communities including the ski resort town of Wrightwood, fire officials said. More than 80,000 residents were told to evacuate their homes on Tuesday. Since then, some people have been allowed to return home, Sieliet said, but she could not say how many. While many residents opted to stay put, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office said deputies arrested three people suspected of attempting to loot from the abandoned homes of evacuees. Transit authorities on Thursday reopened Interstate 15, the primary traffic route between greater Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Nevada, after it was closed for two days by the fast-moving blaze. The Blue Cut fire is one of nearly 30 major blazes reported to have scorched some hundreds of square miles in eight Western states this week, in the midst of a wildfire season stoked by prolonged drought and unusually hot weather, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. (Additional reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; editing by Janet Lawrence and Cynthia Osterman) Washington (AFP) - The ratings agency Fitch cut its outlook for Turkey's sovereign debt rating to "negative", saying last month's coup attempt underscored risks to political stability in the country. The agency affirmed the country's rating at BBB-, a notch above junk grade. Fitch said political uncertainty follow the failed coup will impact economic performance and could hurt economic policy. "The authorities are responding to the coup attempt with a purge of the followers of those it blames, with around 70,000 public sector workers suspended so far," the agency said in a statement. "The implications for checks and balances, which in Fitch's opinion have eroded in recent years, are unclear, as is the potential for further disruption from those behind the coup attempt." Elements within the Turkish military on July 15 attempted the ouster of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but were quickly repulsed by loyalists. The poor rating will help elevate the prices Turkey pays to borrow on debt markets. Fitch said revenues from tourism arrivals were down 41 percent year-on-year for the first half of 2016, a sector which accounts for 13 percent of external receipts. "Growth is forecast to dip due to lower investment," the statement said, "although a strong start to the year means that, at a Fitch-forecast 3.4 percent of GDP in 2016, it will be above the peer median." By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) The Commerce and Industry Ministry will soon set up a team of experts to consider in detail issues raised by the Global Innovation Index report and suggest ways to further improve Indias ranking. India has been ranked 66th on a list of most innovative economies, jumping 15 places from last year, according to a new UN report - Global Innovation Index 2016. The report has called for more transparent policies if the country aspires to become a global driver of innovation. advertisement "I will form a group to look into the results of this report. It will go in depth as in what is there in it. Not just ranking, but the identified weaknesses and challenges," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here at a CII function. She said the team of experts will "quickly advise the government on where we should take a step back or where we should move forward". The group, which will have representation from outside, will be formed in a few days. "It is more to look at the report in depth, identify the challenges in order to solve those issues and advise the government as to which direction we have to move (in)," she added. Although Indias ranking improved this year, the team will suggest ways to further improve it next year. It is expected to facilitate environment for promoting innovation in the country. "Steps will have to be identified by this group based on what the report says," she said, pointing to future departmental participation. The report has stated that India shows weakness in two sub-pillars of business environment and education. The Global Innovation Index ranks innovation performance of 128 countries and economies around the world, based on 82 indicators. On jugaad or frugal innovation, she said in a country where resources are scarce, "you have to adapt to jugaad". To references that Indian innovation is capable of only jugaad activity, the minister said: "I am sorry. No, that was only a survival technique." Citing the example of Mangalyaan, she said: "Isnt that frugal?... Keep your expenses optimum, but also come out with something that is going to make a difference." She wanted the Niti Aayog, the policy think-tank, to look at a system of not driving children to perform only in a predictable examination. "It is unpredictability which is going to bring in performance and innovation," she added. Speaking at the event, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said India is becoming a centre for innovation and hoped that its ranking will jump substantially next year. advertisement According to Niti Aayog Principal Advisor Ratan P Watal, it is in the middle of preparations of a 15-year development vision document linked with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PTI RR ARD --- ENDS --- Evo 2016 finals at Mandalay Bay (Stephanie Lindgren) The International 2016 is arguably the biggest esports event of the year. Okay, with a prize pool worth over $20 million, maybe there is no argument there. While I typically cover fighting games, it only made sense to check out TI6 since it features the highest level of Dota 2 competition and it takes place in my backyard here in Seattle. I wanted to see what the big deal was. Spoiler: its a big deal. A week at TI6 got me thinking about what the FGC and Capcom could do for its mega-events. The International 2016 stage (Dota 2 Flickr) Bigger can be better Evo 2016 set a new standard for presentation and production value in the FGC by holding its finals day at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. However, The International is on an entirely different plane of esports existence, boasting soundproof booths on a stage that also functions as a display, a massive four-sided Jumbotron hanging from the rafters so you can see it from any angle, and countless caster and analyst booths spread all over KeyArena in Seattle, WA. Yes, it takes money to do all of that. But the FGC is a creative bunch and not every event has to be quite that over the top (but Capcom Cup sure should be.) One of the coolest parts of TI6 was the draft stages between each match. Little alternate reality versions of heroes were displayed on the Jumbotron and the broadcast during picks and bans. The production crew even had a guy in their control center animating the AR heroes, making them taunt or dance in place. While the players were mostly inaccessible (one area where the FGC has no real issues), the casters desks were right by the crowd. Theyre almost as popular as the players, too, as fans took the time between matches to get autographs and take selfies. Its a nice touch, but, beyond Combo Breaker, few FGC events implement this. Simplify qualifying There are a lot of Street Fighter V CPT events this year. In addition to the automatic qualifying Premier Events, Capcom created more ways to qualify through more Ranking Events, Regional Finals, and even qualifying events for Regional Finals. Its become a quite convoluted. Story continues TI 6 simplifies matters substantially. Teams attend qualifiers and play their way in, while a handful of teams receive invites. For the CPT? You can attempt to earn a berth through a Premier Event, qualify for a Regional Final to play for a chance to qualify for Capcom Cup, qualify through the Red Bull Proving Ground series to play for a chance to qualify for the Regional Final (which itself offers a shot at qualifying for Capcom Cup.) Or you could just qualify by having enough points on the Global Leaderboard. If that isnt confusing enough as it is, what happens if someone wins multiple events and are already qualified for qualifying events? What a headache. Making matters worse is the fact that pros are now traveling abroad, eating up all the Regional qualifying spots and events and taking those points or opportunities away from local players. Technically, theres nothing wrong with that top Asian players have been coming West to win our tournaments for years. But some tournaments lately have been trying to prevent foreign players from entering, leading Capcom to step in and clarify CPT events are open to all. As much as I love seeing so many events out there, sometimes less is more. There has to be a way to simplify the CPT. Crowdfunding the right way When The International 2015s prize pool ballooned to over $18 million thanks to crowdfunding, I wondered why Capcom wasnt doing something similar. Dota 2 fans can purchase Compendiums which offer all sorts of goodies, and 25 percent of that purchase goes directly into TIs prize pool. Last years Dota 2 winners Evil Geniuses took home $6.6 million. This year, the prize pool checked in at over $20 million; Wings Gaming won an incredible $9.1 million. By comparison, Ryota Kazunoko Inoue won Capcom Cup 2015 and earned$120,000. Recently, Capcom finally got on the crowdfunding train by selling a $25 DLC pack that includes a CPT-themed stage, new costumes, and new character colors. Proceeds from the purchase goes towards the CPT and Capcom Cups prize pool. Im curious how much it will help Capcom Cup. Many Street Fighter V players feel like they bought an incomplete game. Charging $25 for a DLC pack seems like a steep price despite the content being pretty cool. In addition, Capcom has been cagey about how the $25 is being divided up. Some percentage of that goes towards Capcom Cups prize pool and apparently part of it will go towards the CPT in the future. However, Capcom said after revealing the DLC that the majority of it would go towards Capcom Cup. Part of the reason TI6s crowdfunding works is that its transparent. People get cool stuff and they know exactly how much of their contribution goes into the prize pool. Players should feel the same way about Capcom Cups prize pool. Capcom Pro Tour Ring of Destiny stage in Street Fighter V (Capcom) Tell me a story Powered by a slew of crazy upsets, TI6 had incredible storylines, and the production played up the drama all the way through finals. What I realized as I got to know more about these Dota 2 players and teams throughout the week of TI6 was that we dont really know the players in the FGC. Joe LI Joe Ciaramelli making top 8 at Evo 2016 was the ultimate Cinderella story. Barring him making it into Capcom Cup top 8, Im not sure anything will top it in the FGC this year. But even that story came along in the final hour of play on a Saturday night. When you think about the rest of top 8, neither Evo nor Capcom introduced us to any of the other players at the event (at least not if you were in attendance). Who the heck is Fujimara Yukadon Atsushi or Hiroyuki Eita Nagata? How dominant has Evo 2016 Street Fighter V champion Team Razers Seon-woo Infiltration Lee been this year? Why is it a big deal some guy from Long Island, New York made it into top 8? His top 8 berth prompted an even bigger story involving his dad flying across the country to see him play on the biggest fighting game stage ever. Looking back at Capcom Cup 2015, Capcom put together a fantastic video about what Ultra Street Fighter IV meant to the players. But there was nothing chronicling their journey to get to there. Im not talking about commentators relaying this information on the broadcasts, either. Im talking about well-produced videos that give us an idea of who these players are as people. TI6 (and other big esports events, like League of Legends at MSI) nailed it, and when it comes down to it, we dont have esports without the players. And we dont have drama without some context. Analyze this If you watched TI6, you probably saw a guy breaking down key moments in every match with an amazing touchscreen monitor. He was zooming in on the maps. Drawing squiggly lines to show paths and breaking down the highlights so that anyone, even idiots like me, could understand exactly what was happening. The FGC has a wide-range of commentators who are great at breaking down the action during matches. But we only get to see analysis at mega-events like Evo or Capcom Cup, and it isnt on the same level as what I saw at TI6. That isnt for the lack of talent or capability from the analysts. Its just not incorporated well into the event itself. Even though fighting games might be one of the most spectator-friendly esports, it isnt always easy to understand whats taking place during high level play. Analysis is a good opportunity to educate new and casual fans by getting into the minds of players and explaining the choices they make in key moments. Because the action is so fast-paced, commentators dont always have time to break down why, for instance, Hajime Tokido Taniguchi could use his parries more effectively against Infiltration at CEO than any of the other numerous times they had played before. Sometimes, things just get too hype and analysis goes right out the window. FGC events are just now using technology to pull highlights and replays during matches. Get a great analyst and one of those swanky telestrator displays to go over those highlights and were set. Michael Martin was completely out of his element at TI6, but still had a great time. Follow him on Twitter @Bizarro_Mike. Sydney (AFP) - Australia will block the sale of its largest electricity network to foreigners, the government said Friday, as two Chinese bids for the grid were rejected over national security concerns. Canberra has become increasingly concerned about the purchase of Australian infrastructure and land by foreigners, and recently banned a sale by the country's biggest private landowner to a Chinese-led consortium. Treasurer Scott Morrison last week said in a preliminary decision that bids by China's State Grid Corp and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings for a 99-year lease on 50.4 percent of Ausgrid -- the electricity grid of its most populous state of New South Wales -- were "contrary to the national interest". Morrison confirmed the decision on Friday, saying he had "made an order under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act prohibiting the proposed acquisition by foreign investors" of Ausgrid under the current proposed lease structure. "The acquisition by foreign investors under the current proposed structure... of the lease of 50.4 percent of Ausgrid... would be contrary to the national interest," Morrison said in a statement. The lease of Ausgrid was estimated to raise more than Aus$10 billion (US$7.6 billion) for the New South Wales government to help fund new infrastructure investments in the state, which is home to the nation's biggest city Sydney. Both Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings and State Grid Corp already have investments in numerous Australian state energy infrastructure. Morrison's announcement last week was slammed by Chinese state media, with the official Xinhua news agency calling the latest decision "absurd and almost comical". The decision came just months after the government introduced tougher rules for the sale of major Australian state-owned infrastructure to private foreign investors after concerns about a 99-year lease for the Port of Darwin to China's Landbridge Group. Canberra also recently knocked back the sale of the country's biggest private landowner, cattle firm S. Kidman and Co., to a Chinese-led consortium, citing national interest. (MINNEAPOLIS) Retired Army Gen. John W. Vessey, who rose through the ranks in a 46-year military career to become chairman of the joint chiefs of staff under President Ronald Reagan, has died. He was 94. Vessey who enlisted as a private in the Minnesota National Guard in 1939, fought in World War II and Vietnam, and was the nations top military officer when he retired to his home state of Minnesota in 1985 died Thursday evening, his daughter, Sarah Vessey told The Associated Press. He was surrounded by family and died of natural causes, she said. After being named chairman of the joint chiefs in 1982, Vessey helped oversee the military buildup that Reagan championed when he took office just over a year earlier. It was probably the greatest peacetime modernization of the American military establishment that ever took place, Vessey recalled in a 2004 interview. We improved every facet of the armed forces, from the recruiting and retention, the selection of individuals, to the way they lived, but most importantly to the way they fought. Vessey said the Soviet Union had been making a big push to solidify its position in Europe, deploying SS20 intermediate-range nuclear missiles and strengthening its ground forces in East Germany, dabbling in West European elections at a time when NATO was shaky, and stepping up its espionage. By the time Vessey retired in 1985, he said, NATO was strong once again, the United States had deployed Pershing II and cruise missiles in response to the Soviet SS20s, and negotiations with the Soviets to eliminate each sides intermediate-range missiles were just about complete. He was smart and combined good common sense with good military judgment, and he knew how to get things done, Lawrence Korb, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Washington think tank, said in a 2006 interview. Korb worked with Vessey while serving as an assistant secretary of defense from 1981 to 1985. He was a person of integrity. Story continues Even in retirement, Vessey heard from presidents and the Pentagon looking for help. Reagan sent Vessey back to Vietnam in 1987 to account for Americans missing in action and bring back any still alive. His other tasks included reuniting separated families and getting former South Vietnamese leaders out of prison camps, Amerasian children out of Vietnam and the Vietnamese out of Cambodia. In typical Ronald Reagan optimistic fashion, he said, Well, it ought to take you about three months,' Vessey recalled with a laugh. Six years later I told Bill Clinton that I had checked off all of those things and would like to be relieved. Vesseys work to resolve the fate of the MIAs was terribly important because the issue had become a rallying cry for people who thought the United States had pulled out of Vietnam too soon or that the Pentagon was covering something up, Korb said. In retirement, Vessey also chaired the advisory board of the Center for Preventive Action, an arm of the Council on Foreign Relations that seeks to prevent conflicts before they erupt; consulted for the Defense Science Board, Army Science Board and the Sandia National Laboratory; and led a campaign to build up the endowment funds of colleges affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. While Vessey generally wielded his influence in military and foreign policy circles away from the public spotlight after he retired, he made news in 2006 when he spoke out against a push to weaken protections under the Geneva Conventions against torture of prisoners, particularly as they applied to suspected terrorists. He wrote Sen. John McCain expressing concern that doing so would undermine the moral basis that had traditionally guided U.S. conduct in war, and that could give opponents a legal argument for the mistreatment of Americans being held prisoner in time of war. Another retired chairman of the joint chiefs, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, called Vesseys comments powerful and eloquent in his own letter to McCain. Those letters became ammunition in the congressional debate over the use of coercive interrogation techniques in the war on terror. He never strayed from his morals or values or faith and he was an extraordinary patriot, Sarah Vessey said of her father. Vessey was born in Minneapolis in 1922. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard at age 17, when the threat of Nazi Germany was looming over Europe. He was called to active duty and fought in Northern Africa and Italy, where he received a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant at the battle of Anzio in 1944. He married his wife, Avis, right after he shipped home. He made the Army his career, serving mostly in field artillery units stateside and abroad. His postings included several in West Germany. During the Vietnam War, Vessey was a lieutenant colonel in the battle of Suoi Tre, where U.S. forces held off a fierce attack from a much larger North Vietnamese and Viet Cong force in 1967. Vessey was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Armys second-highest medal, and his unit received a Presidential Unit Citation. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1971. He earned his fourth star in 1976 and was put in charge of U.S. and U.N. forces in South Korea. Vessey showed his character after his opposition to President Jimmy Carters proposal to withdraw from Korea cost him a promotion to Army chief of staff, Korb said. Instead, Vessey became vice chief of staff of the Army in 1979 under the younger Gen. Edward C. Meyer. You never heard him complain or not defer to the real chief, Korb said. Vessey was building a lake home back in Minnesota when Reagan asked him to defer retirement and named him the 10th chairman of the joint chiefs. The general was never a self-promoter and never lobbied for the job, Korb said. Congress didnt strengthen the chairmans role until 1986, Korb said, so while Vessey was nominally in charge, he had to lead by consensus. Vessey had the perfect temperament for that, Korb said. Vessey and the joint chiefs advised against the 1982 deployment of Marines to Lebanon, which ended after 241 Marines were killed in a suicide attack on their barracks in Beirut in 1983. However, he directed the swift and successful 1983 U.S. intervention in Grenada. Jack Vessey always remembered the soldiers in the ranks; he understood those soldiers are the background of any army, Reagan said at a ceremony when Vessey finally did retire in 1985. He noticed them, spoke to them, looked out for them. Jack Vessey never forgot what it was like to be an enlisted man, to be just a GI. Vessey then settled on Little Whitefish Lake near Garrison, Minnesota, keeping a promise to his wife that theyd return before the snow fell. He and my mom were so happy to be back, Sarah Vessey said Thursday. The couple had two other children: John III and David. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush awarded Vessey the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian award, paying tribute to his efforts to account for the missing in action. Bush called him, the ultimate never-say-die soldier, the last four-star combat veteran of World War II to retire. Associated Press writer Sarah Rankin in Chicago contributed to this report. Washington (AFP) - The Pentagon has dropped a claim against a former Navy SEAL who wrote about his experiences in the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden, after he agreed to forfeit earnings from the book, his lawyer said Friday. Matt Bissonnette, who in 2012 published a book about his role in the raid titled "No Easy Day," has finalized a settlement with the US government, Robert Luskin confirmed to AFP. "Mr Bissonnette has agreed to pay the United States all of his past and future proceeds from the publication of 'No Easy Day,'" Department of Justice spokesperson Nicole Navas said earlier in a statement. Bissonnette will pay the US government some $6.8 million in book royalties and speaking fees, Luskin said. The Obama administration had filed a claim against Bissonnette for publishing the book without Pentagon approval and violating non-disclosure agreements. "After the initial accusations of me leaking all that classified stuff... they found nothing," Bissonnette told the Daily Beast. "They were just upset with me and wanted to get me one way or another," he added. "For four years, they looked into every little thing. Now... one signature and it all goes away." The US government had been accused of a double standard for targeting Bissonnette after US officials described the Bin Laden raid in great detail to Mark Boal, the screenwriter for "Zero Dark Thirty," directed by Kathryn Bigelow. SEALs and other commando units are shrouded in secrecy and, traditionally at least, the special operators have frowned upon talking publicly about past missions. How I found my identity in gender dysphoria How I found my identity in gender dysphoria When I was born, the doctors told my parents they had a baby girl. My parents named me Naseem, which means gentle breeze in Persian. They bought me dresses, stuffed animals, and books. What they didnt realize was that I was not a baby girl. Growing up, I told everyone that I wanted to be a boy but that wasnt really accurate, either. What I meant was that I didnt feel like a girl. What I meant was that a combination of polycystic ovarian syndrome and Middle Eastern genes gave me too much facial and body hair to feel like a woman. What I meant was that I didnt care about makeup or clothes, that looking in the mirror was my ultimate nightmare, and that Id rather spend time with boys because I didnt know what it meant to be a girl. Still, I was a daughter. I was taught to sit like a lady. I was supposed to mark female as my gender on forms. Spoiler alert: Im not a woman. Im non-binary. The scholar Judith Butler calls gender a performance. She means that gender is not a biological reality, but a concept we learn, and relearn, and project onto the world. In a Big Think video, Butler says, We act and walk and speak and talk in ways that consolidate an impression of being a man or being a woman. We consider different traits and actions to be masculine or feminine. When a woman negotiates her salary, she is behaving like a man. When a man takes time to care for his appearance, he is behaving like a woman. These are the little ideas that permeate our society. Dress is a part of this performance, as clothes are the costume we put on before the show. But our words and actions can also be part of our gender makeup. So if my gender identity is non-binary, what does that mean? URL: when will my reflection show who i am inside? IRL: never! cause gender is a scam A photo posted by DarkMatter (@darkmatterpoetry) on Aug 16, 2016 at 8:26am PDT I cant speak for everyone in the community nor should I, as gender is an individual choice but I can describe how I experience it. I believe that being a non-conforming gender means that I take characteristics often ascribed to men dominance, assertiveness, confidence, hands-on mentality, leadership and embrace them. I believe it means that I then take characteristics often ascribed to women grace, elegance, nurturing instincts, human connection and integrate them into my larger sense of self. In action, this means I can walk into a room and speak my opinions without hesitation, while encouraging others to do the same. But why do any of those characteristics have to be associated with a certain gender? They absolutely shouldnt be. Gender is a fragile thing, and thats partially why I reject the gender binary. http://plannedparenthood.tumblr.com/post/148008892147/artisticauthor-androgyny-is-so-often-considered Story continues And what about the relationship between gender and biological sex? Well, disorders of sex development are so common that not even biological sex is a binary. Caster Semenya is an Olympic silver medalist, and still not considered a woman by some because she is intersex. Caster Semenya is an Olympic silver medalist, and still not considered a woman by some because she is intersex. At a conservative estimate, 1 in 2000 babies have ambiguous enough genital to warrant calling a specialist. A review of medical literature between 1955 and 1998 found that 1 in 100 people had bodies differing from the standard male or female. Let those numbers sink in. If there is no simplicity when it comes to sex development, then perhaps gender identity isnt so simple either. The reality of my non-binary gender is that, unless I tell a person, nobody knows. In my everyday life, people assume Im female. In some ways, that makes things easier I dont have to clarify that on some days it is okay to use the she pronoun, and on other days, its not; I dont have to explain what it means to be non-binary; I dont have to worry about raised eyebrows and shrugs. If I look like a woman, isnt it fair to assume that I am one? But do I look like a woman? Dress is the easiest way to distinguish or express a non-conforming gender and its something I think about a lot. I try to keep my day-to-day outfits simple, but unless I throw on a tie, suit, or vest, my usual jeans and cotton shirt are unremarkable. Check me out on @mtv's snapchat discover channel all day today! The story will be up through late tonight Posted by Jacob Tobia on Sunday, July 10, 2016 With my size and curvy shape, I have struggled to make myself appear androgynous or even masculine. Every time someone looks at me, they see a woman. I watch their eyes study me, and see them check off one of two boxes. How can I tell them, hey, I dont reject all things female, and I dont embrace all things male? How can I tell them, you only have Mr. and Ms. as options on this form, and those are both gendered? How can I say, please use they as a pronoun for me, because English is gendered in a way that Persian is not? It didnt always bother me indeed, for a long time, I almost didnt mind that I passed as a woman. But recently, ever since the communities Im a part of have been targets for violence and hate, I feel ashamed that I am invisible. To those who look at me, I am the norm. I appear to be a healthy, happy, 20-something straight white woman, married to a man. When people hear that Im a scientist, they assume that Im also an atheist I dont look as though I am a practicing Sufi. But after all of these years, Ive come to terms with that. Heres the truth: I am proud of my identities. I am proud to be non-binary. I am proud to be Persian, a child to Iranian immigrants. I am proud to be Sufi, a sect of Islam, because Im proud to be Muslim. I am proud to be queer. I am proud to not just function, but thrive, despite having severe depression and anxiety. Instead of letting my gender dysphoria make my life miserable, Ive used it to define me. And I am proud of who I am, even if no one else can see it. The post How I found my identity in gender dysphoria appeared first on HelloGiggles. A leading cleric in Uttar Pradesh has declared listening to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed's speeches 'haraam' and said that those who consider terrorists their leaders are not a part of Islam. By India Today Web Desk: In a startling development, a leading cleric in Uttar Pradesh has declared listening to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed's speeches 'haraam' (un-Islamic) and has urged Muslims in India to "stay away from such people". In a 'fatwa' issued on Thursday, Mufti Mohammad Saleem Noori of the Dargah Aala Hazrat in Bareilly has said, "Those who consider terrorists their representatives or leaders are not a part of Islam." advertisement READ: Lashkar terrorist: 'Chacha' Hafiz Saeed is supreme leader, LeT trained us to target Indian Army, police The seminary belonging to the Barelvi sect has dubbed Saeed, founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and carrying a $10-million bounty on his head, as an "outcast" from Islam and declared that following him or considering him as Muslim is "illegal". The 'fatwa' was issued in reply to a question asked by one Mohammad Moinuddin of Jaipur, who had mentioned in his query that Saeed considered those writing against Allah and Prophet Muhammad as Muslims. A 'fatwa' is a legal pronouncement in Islam which is given by a mufti, a Muslim scholar of a recognised authority, who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law. Noori has appealed to the Indian Muslims to refrain from listening to Saeed's provocative speeches. "People like Hafiz Saeed are a disgrace to Islam and the Prophet's teachings. They only talk of hatred and bloodshed," he said. The 'fatwa' adds that it is 'haraam' even to pray with or talk to such people. "Therefore, it is compulsory for every Muslim not to follow him and keep away from his ideology," it said. Saeed, chief of Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa, is wanted by the Indian government for masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks, India's worst terror incident ever, in which 169 people were killed. The fatwa against the 66-year-old terrorist comes on the heels of him asking the Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif to send troops to Kashmir to "obey" the pending order of Pakistan's founder, MA Jinnah. Also Read: Hafiz Saeed does it again, asks Pak Army chief to send troops to Kashmir Hafiz Saeed asks Pakistan government not to allow Rajnath Singh's visit After Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin, Masood Azhar joins the Kashmir chorus --- ENDS --- By Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's top shares index fell on Friday to post its worst weekly drop since mid-June as its earlier rally up to 14-month highs stalled, with mining stocks hit by weaker copper prices. Britain's FTSE 100 (.FTSE) ended down 0.2 percent at 6,858.95 points, taking its total fall for the week to 0.8 percent. This marked its biggest weekly decline since mid-June, before Britain voted to leave the European Union. Speculation that Britain could formally begin the process of leaving the European Union early next year also caused a brief wobble in the FTSE 100. A government spokeswoman said Prime Minister Theresa May would not invoke Article 50 - needed to trigger the process - before the end of this year. "The less time the UK has to get things in order, the greater the market fears the fallout," said ETX Capital analyst Neil Wilson. Mining stocks such as Glencore (GLEN.L) were the worst performers, with the sector impacted by weaker copper prices. [MET/L] Shares in oil majors BP (BP.L) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) also dipped as oil prices retreated. [O/R] EasyJet (EZJ.L), however, rose 2.5 percent on the back of a media report of takeover interest in the budget airline. The FTSE 100 has recovered from an initial slump after Britain's shock "Brexit" vote in late June to quit the EU, thanks partly to the Bank of England's decision to cut interest rates to a record low. The record low rates have hit returns on bonds and cash, weakening sterling and giving a boost to exporters and the FTSE 100's internationally-focused firms that earn revenues in U.S. dollars and typically benefit from weakness in the pound. The FTSE 100 is up around 10 percent so far in 2016, although the value of UK shares in U.S. dollar terms has been hit by the pound's fall on currency markets. (additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta) General Electric Company GE and Hitachi, Ltd. HTHIY recently entered into a definitive agreement with a provider of nuclear components, BWXT Canada Ltd. (BWXT Canada) to divest the GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (GEH-C) unit for an undisclosed amount. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2016. Headquartered in Lynchburg, VA, BWX Technologies, Inc. BWXT is a power generation company, supplying precision manufactured components and services to the commercial nuclear power industry. The company offers technical, management and site services to governments in complex facilities and environmental protection activities. A subsidiary of the company, BWXT Canada has an impressive track record of providing sustained nuclear power generation services in Canada. For over 60 years, GEH-C has a rich history of providing extensive innovation and expertise in the industry, especially in CANDU nuclear power industry. The company employs around 350 skilled employees across three major locations, namely Ontario, Peterborough, Toronto and Arnprior. This transaction will augment BWXT Canadas business with an extended portfolio. Per the deal, the company will also absorb GEH-Cs employees. Despite volatility in the energy sector along with macroeconomic issues, General Electric reported a 31% year-over-year increase in revenues to $6,639 million in the second-quarter of 2016 from the Power sector. The continued focus on operational improvements to reduce costs has been a major reason for this gain. GENL ELECTRIC Price GENL ELECTRIC Price | GENL ELECTRIC Quote General Electric is actively pursuing its massive restructuring initiatives in order to create a simpler and nimbler firm. From a classic conglomerate with diversified business interests in financial services, media, industrial and technology-based operations, the company is pruning its operating portfolio to focus on core manufacturing businesses with a digital edge. Story continues Earlier this year, General Electric completed the divesture of its appliance business to Haier Group, a Chinese multinational consumer electronics manufacturing firm. The transaction unlocked incremental value by allocating more resources to high-growth core industrial businesses. The company continues to exit from the financial business and has increased its investments in core industrial businesses through restructuring, state-of-the-art technology, and R&D initiatives. We remain encouraged by the restructuring endeavors. General Electric currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked stock in the same space includes Barloworld Ltd. BRRAY, holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report GENL ELECTRIC (GE): Free Stock Analysis Report BARLOW LTD-ADR (BRRAY): Free Stock Analysis Report HITACHI (HTHIY): Free Stock Analysis Report BWX TECHNOLGS (BWXT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research General Motors Company GM announced that its Chevrolet brand will be introducing an all-new compact midsize family sedan in China. The sedan will be launched at the Chengdu Auto Show, to be held on Sep 2, under the Cavalier nameplate. General Motors is strengthening its Chevrolet portfolio in China. The new sedan will be using the Cavalier nameplate for the first time in China. According to the automaker, Cavalier will also complement the recently launched new-generation Cruze in China. Cruze is the best-selling model of General Motors, both in China and the global markets. Notably, the company sold 14,000 Cruze vehicles in China in July. General Motor believes that the new compact sedan will appeal to buyers with young families. The Cavalier vehicles will offer fuel efficiency along with smart design and technology. Nowadays, customers prioritize fuel efficiency. Cavalier features a 1.5L DVVT inline four-cylinder engine. Cavalier is expected to provide class-leading fuel efficiency of 5.4 liters/100 km. Customers can opt for six-speed automatic DSS intelligent transmission or a five-speed manual transmission. General Motors hopes that customers will be attracted by Cavaliers details and the brands new global design. The sedan will feature Chevrolet's signature dual-port grille in the front and a robust stretched rear-end design. This will offer refinement and dynamism to the vehicle. In addition, the interior of the Cavalier vehicles is equipped with Chevrolet's classic dual-cockpit styling with ample front-seat space and a comfortable back seat. Customers comfort will also be enhanced with the PM2.5 fine particulate matter air filter. Moreover, the vehicle features a 7-inch HD touchscreen to deliver an interactive experience. In addition, consumers can avail Chevrolet's new-generation MyLink infotainment system. General Motors and its joint ventures in China reported an 18% year-over-year increase in sales for Jul 2016, taking the figure to 270,529 vehicles. The improved performance was driven by solid sales of the Cadillac and Buick brands, and strong performance of the Baojun brand. Story continues GENERAL MOTORS Price GENERAL MOTORS Price | GENERAL MOTORS Quote General Motors currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Stocks that Warrant a Look Some better-ranked automobile stocks include The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company GT, Ferrari N.V. RACE and Gentex Corp. GNTX, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report GENTEX CORP (GNTX): Free Stock Analysis Report GOODYEAR TIRE (GT): Free Stock Analysis Report GENERAL MOTORS (GM): Free Stock Analysis Report FERRARI NV (RACE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By Caroline Copley and Michelle Martin BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives have agreed that women should be banned from wearing the face veil in schools and universities and while driving, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Friday. The move follows an influx last year of more than 1 million, mainly Muslim, refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, and growing security fears among the public after two Islamist attacks and a shooting rampage by a mentally unstable teenager. Regional interior ministers belonging to Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and her Christian Social Union (CSU) allies presented a declaration in Berlin on tougher security measures, including more police and greater surveillance in public areas. Among the more disputed proposals is a call for a partial ban on the burqa and niqab garments. Lorenz Caffier, interior minister for the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, said the full body veil is a barrier to integration, encourages parallel societies and suggests women are inferior. "We all reject the full veil - not only the burqa but also other types of full veil that only leave the eyes visible ... It has no place in our society," de Maiziere told reporters. "Baring one's face is essential for our communication, co-existence and social cohesion and that's why we're asking everyone to show their faces. We want to introduce a law to make people show their faces and that means that those who breach that law will have to feel the consequences." The conservative interior ministers want to ensure women show their face while driving, when they register with authorities, at passport controls and at demonstrations. They also want civil servants, teachers, students at schools and universities, judges and witnesses in court to be banned from wearing the full veil. CENTRE-LEFT COALITION PARTNER OPPOSES MOVE De Maiziere said that the regional interior ministers' declaration sent a signal that the full veil was not wanted in Germany, although it was not possible to fully ban everything that was undesirable. The CDU proposals must be adopted by the government before they can become law. The debate over a ban on the face veil has divided Merkel's ruling coalition; her Social Democrat (SPD) junior coalition partners largely oppose the demands. The CDU's calls for a partial ban come as it has lost support to the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which says Islam is incompatible with the constitution and wants to ban the burqa and minarets on mosques. The AfD is expected to perform well in regional elections in Berlin and the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in September. SPD Labour Minister Andrea Nahles has said the calls were a sign of an "increasingly xenophobic" political discourse in Germany and could be a serious setback to efforts to integrate immigrants. Justice Minister Heiko Mass, also from the SPD, said debates about the burqa and security should be kept separate. Germany has nearly four million Muslims, about five percent of the total population. There are no official statistics on the number of women wearing a burqa - which covers the face and body - in Germany but Aiman Mazyek, leader of its Central Council of Muslims, has said hardly any women wear it. A study carried out by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in 2009 found that more than two-thirds of Muslim women in Germany did not even wear a headscarf. The niqab covers the hair and face except for the eyes. Public debate about a ban on full body veils has broken out in several European countries since three French Mediterranean cities banned body-covering Muslim burkini swimwear, saying the burkini defies French laws on secularism. France, which has the largest Muslim minority in Europe, estimated at 5 million, has banned the wearing of the niqab and burqa in public since 2010. (Reporting by Caroline Copley; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Berlin (AFP) - Germany's interior minister on Friday proposed partially banning the full-face burqa Islamic veil, as a debate on integration rages after two jihadist attacks and ahead of key state elections. The call by Thomas de Maiziere comes as Chancellor Angela Merkel's government attempts to address public fears surrounding last year's record influx of nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees, most from predominantly Muslim countries. It also echoed a controversial decision by several French towns in recent weeks to outlaw burkinis, the full-body Islamic swimsuit, at a highly sensitive time for relations with the Muslim community following a series of Islamist attacks. De Maiziere, one of Merkel's closest allies, said after a meeting with regional counterparts from his conservative bloc that the burqa ban would cover "places where it is necessary for our society's coexistence" including government offices, schools and universities, courtrooms, demonstrations and behind the wheel. He told reporters that the full-face veil "does not belong in our cosmopolitan country", adding that it was "not a security issue but an integration issue". The minister acknowledged that the burqa was not a common sight on German streets, calling the proposed ban a "preventive measure". "Of course the issue of the full veil stands for the question which role certain branches of Islam play in Germany," he said. - 'No emancipated woman can accept burqa' - De Maiziere did not say when he would put forward a draft bill, acknowledging that the Social Democrats (SPD), junior partners in the ruling coalition, had reservations about the move. But he indicated that outlawing the burqa only under certain circumstances -- as opposed to the blanket ban favoured by the hard right of Merkel's Christian Union bloc -- would be likely to win approval in parliament. Merkel's right-left "grand coalition" holds an overwhelming majority in the Bundestag lower house but faces a general election in a year's time. Story continues In an interview with a regional newspaper this week, Merkel underlined her objections to the burqa. "From my point of view, a woman who is entirely veiled has hardly any chance at integrating," she said. However Bilkey Oney, a Turkish-born integration expert from the SPD, said a burqa ban was too blunt an instrument to fight radicalisation. "In France they long ago outlawed the burqa but it apparently couldn't stop a single terror attack. However I don't like the mentality behind a burqa either -- it is a piece of clothing that no emancipated woman can accept," she told the daily Die Welt. She said that rather than regulating clothing, Germany would be better served by expanding integration efforts. "You have to convince people to no longer want (the burqa). We must ensure that Muslims and migrants emancipate themselves but that will take time." News website Spiegel Online was more forceful in its opposition, saying that German conservatives "apparently have so little faith in the attractiveness of values such as individual freedom and equal rights that they think bans are necessary". - IS threat 'already there' - "With a burqa ban, Germany ends up on a par with Iran and Saudi Arabia -- countries where the government decides what a woman can wear in public." De Maiziere's position represents a compromise with hardliners ahead of two pivotal regional polls next month in which the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party looks set to make strong gains. Just last week he had rejected a call from conservative state interior ministers for a sweeping burqa ban, saying: "We can't ban everything that we reject, and I reject the wearing of the burqa." He made the comments on August 11 as he unveiled tough new anti-terror measures after two attacks in Germany last month claimed by the Islamic State group. They included a controversial proposal to strip jihadist fighters of their German nationality, as well as to speed up deportations of convicted criminal migrants and boost police resources. The AfD in particular has attempted to link the record influx of migrants and refugees last year to an increased threat of terrorism -- an argument Merkel sharply rejected this week on the campaign trail in her home district. "The phenomenon of Islamist terrorism by IS is not something that came to us with the refugees -- it was already there," she said, referring to the threat posed by homegrown militants. Germany might try to ban face veils, and that is *so* not okay Germany might try to ban face veils, and that is *so* not okay Officials in Germanys ruling coalition have proposed a partial ban on face veils, according to CNN. The ban would apply to public places where identification is required. In Germany, this includes schools and kindergartens, as well as government and registry offices. European bans on the Muslim face veil, or niqab, arent new. In fact, a 2014 BBC roundup of European attitudes toward this form of Muslim dress, as well as burkas and hijabs, is a reminder that France and Belgium have banned the full-face veil since 2011, while some restrictions on the garb and/or local bans exist in a number of other countries. Those in favor of the ban say that full-face veils dont fit in with German society, and that the ban would promote security and national cohesion. At a press conference held by the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union which govern in a partnership Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said, Full-face veils, as mentioned, we reject this. Not just the burka, any full-face veils that only shows eyes of a person. Interior Minister of Berlin Frank Henkel showed support for the proposal, adding that the full-face veil does not fit in with our understanding of a tolerant, free society. It does not fit in with our view of women. While Henkels words echo the many people who view the niqab as oppressive, it also seems as though the opinions of women who actually wear the niqab (or other restrictive religious clothing, for that matter) arent being considered. Those who do wear it and share their own opinion, like Sahar Al Faifi in her piece for Independent, consistently say that wearing such clothing is a matter of personal choice, and it doesnt interfere with their ability to be powerful and vocal members of a wider community. It does not fit into our society for us, for our communication, for our cohesion in the society. This is why we demand you show your face, continued de Maiziere during the proposals introduction. Story continues Despite the insistence that the intentions behind the proposal are good, there is a clear dissonance between promoting a tolerant, free society, as Henkel says, and de Maizieres demands that women show their faces. Hopefully, the ban doesnt end up in place but as Faifi suggests in her piece: Muslim women too must raise their heads, speak on behalf of themselves and platforms should be given to them. The post Germany might try to ban face veils, and that is *so* not okay appeared first on HelloGiggles. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Madison Bumgarner had stymied the New York Mets over the years with his pitching. This time, the Giants' ace turned the tables and delivered the big blow with his bat. At this point, manager Bruce Bochy's ballclub will take a win however it comes. Bumgarner hit a go-ahead two-run homer off Jacob deGrom in the fourth inning - moments after giving up a grand slam - and San Francisco came back from four runs down to beat the Mets 10-7 on Thursday night. Bumgarner, who narrowly missed a home run in his first at-bat, hit a 2-2 pitch into the stands in left field to cap a five-run inning when the Giants batted around. It was Bumgarner's third home run this season and the 14th of his career. ''I don't know if anybody's ever going to say they're comfortable against (deGrom) but for whatever reason I was seeing the ball a little better today,'' Bumgarner said. ''With the RBI situations I've had the last few games, I wanted to shorten up and just try to make contact.'' The highly anticipated matchup between pitchers with two of the five lowest ERAs in the majors wound up being a slugfest. San Francisco and New York combined for 17 runs and 30 hits. ''I didn't see that kind of game coming,'' Bochy said. ''You had two good ones out there and they just weren't on top of their game.'' New York had taken a 4-0 lead in the fourth on Justin Ruggiano's second career grand slam in his first game back off the disabled list. San Francisco bounced back with three runs in the bottom of the inning before Bumgarner's home run. The home run helped overcome a shaky outing by San Francisco's four-time All-Star. Bumgarner (12-7) allowed four runs over five innings and struck out six. ''It was kind of rough the whole game,'' Bumgarner said. ''Location wasn't that good. Even when we were throwing strikes in the zone, the strikes weren't located how I'd want to.'' Story continues DeGrom (7-6) had allowed only two earned runs over his previous 27 2-3 innings before giving up career-highs in runs (8) and hits (13). He struck out five and walked one in losing to the Giants for the first time in four starts. ''It seemed like everything I threw went right down the middle,'' deGrom said. ''Tonight's on me. I was terrible.'' Eduardo Nunez had four hits and three RBIs for San Francisco, Brandon Crawford and Denard Spann added three hits apiece while Joe Panik drove in two runs. Six Giants pitchers combined to retire the final 12 batters. Santiago Casilla worked the ninth for his 28th save. San Francisco ended a four-game losing streak and pulled within one-half game of the first-place Dodgers in the NL West. Los Angeles lost to Philadelphia earlier Thursday. Travis d'Arnaud and T.J. Rivera had two hits apiece for the Mets. New York scored three times in the sixth to pull to 8-7 then loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh before Derek Law got Ty Kelly to ground out. Buster Posey hit a two-run double in the eighth to give the Giants breathing room. MILESTONE MOMENT It was Bochy's 1,769th career win, tying him with long-time Pirates and Tigers manager Jim Leyland for 15th on the all-time list. ''I'm humbled to even reach this milestone with somebody who's done so much for the game and was one of the best managers ever in the game,'' Bochy said. RARE AIR Bumgarner is the second pitcher in the modern era to allow a grand slam then hit a go-ahead home run in the same inning, according to EliasSports. Hal Jeffcoat did it with the 1957 Cincinnati Reds. TRAINER'S ROOM Mets: SS Asdrubal Cabrera (strained left patella tendon) and OF Yoenis Cespedes (strained right quad) are expected to join the team Friday. ... 2B Neil Walker (lower back) missed his third straight game. ... RHP Gabriel Ynoa was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas. Giants: RHP Matt Cain was placed on the 15-day DL with a lower back strain. RHP Cory Gearrin was activated off the DL. UP NEXT Mets: RHP Seth Lugo (0-1) will make his first start of the season Friday in place of Steven Matz. Matz was scratched late Thursday with shoulder soreness.. Giants: RHP Johnny Cueto (13-3) pitches for San Francisco looking to end a six-game winless stretch. We have issued an updated research report on the premium steel & iron firm Gibraltar Industries, Inc. ROCK on Aug 19, 2015. The company enjoys a leading position in the industry, thanks to its diversified product offering. Bullish Factors Gibraltar Industries intends to boost its financial fundamentals through its productive value-creation strategy. Under this program, the company continues to improve its operational performance through more economic pricing, reduction in overhead expenses, consolidation of important facilities and increased efficiency in all three business segments. Based on these strategic initiatives, Gibraltar Industries now anticipates full-year 2016 earnings in the range of $1.37$1.47 per share as against the previously estimated range of $1.30$1.40. Moreover, the RBI acquisition is expected to support Gibraltar Industries revenue and margin growth in the quarters ahead. Also, the companys four-pillar growth strategy and tactical restructuring initiatives are expected to boost its near-term results. Risks Though we believe that this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock would witness improvement its top line and bottom line in the quarters ahead, certain industry-specific headwinds are likely to hurt its commercial prospects. For instance, intense competition exposes the company to risks of market share loss as well as pricing wars. Further, the firms international operations might face adverse effects from unfavorable foreign currency movements. Stocks to Consider Other well-ranked stocks in the industry include Caesarstone Ltd. CSTE, James Hardie Industries plc JHX and Trex Co. Inc. TREX. All the three companies currently hold a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report TREX COMPANY (TREX): Free Stock Analysis Report JAMES HARDI-ADR (JHX): Free Stock Analysis Report GIBRALTAR INDUS (ROCK): Free Stock Analysis Report CAESARSTONE LTD (CSTE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By PTI: Broadcasting New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Underlining that cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the field of Information and Broadcasting will help "combat" terrorism and "misgivings", New Delhi and Dhaka have agreed to broadcast their respective national TV channels in each others country. Bangladesh has also asked India the list of nearly 8000 soldiers who laid their lives during the Liberation War so that they could be honoured for their contribution. advertisement The two sides have also agreed to cooperate on film making, preparing documentaries on the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the father of Bangladesh. Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who met his Indian counterpart Venkaiah Naidu, also raised the issue of broadcasting Bangladeshi channels in India and mooted a proposal whether India consider lowering the fees for SAARC nations. "With joint production of documentaries on history, culture, we can counter rumours, false propaganda. Terrorists thrive on false propaganda. "To diffuse the poverty bomb, we need to diffuse the communal bomb. We need proper dissemination of information in all these sectors," he said today, adding that it requires a "collective" and "multi-dimensional" approach. The two countries have also decided to have MoU under which information could be shared under which a Joint Working Group of Officers will be formed immediately . He also mooted a proposal before Naidu to have slots on religion in Doordarshan as Doordarshan have no slots to discuss religion and history. "What I discussed with the I&B Minister (Naidu) is that can we dedicate a particular time in Doordarshan, Akashwani, for history, regional cooperation, culture and religion, particularly to combat terrorism. The two sides will have also agreed to cooperate on film- making and training professionals from mass media like journalists and even civil servants. "India has also sought cooperation in archival section as the first Devdas produced in South Asia is with Bangladesh," Inu said. PTI PR RG --- ENDS --- Goldman Sachs (GS) is diving back into a business most of Wall Street has eschewed in the wake of the global financial crisis. The bank is buying a stake of less than 10 percent in private equity firm Littlejohn & Co., through its Alternative Investments and Manager Selection group's Petershill fund. The AIMS group manages more than $150 billion, including investments in hedge funds, private equity and other strategies. "The investment follows a 17-year relationship between AIMS and Littlejohn in which AIMS has been an investor in all of Littlejohn's committed capital private equity funds," a statement issued by Littlejohn this week said. That would put Goldman in Littlejohn funds dating back to around 1999, when it raised its Littlejohn Fund II, according to Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund data. That fund saw an internal rate of return, or return on its investments, of 12 percent, the data state (not bad for a private equity fund, in other words). Littlejohn's next fund went far better a 2005 fund netted a rate of return of more than 25 percent outstanding by private equity industry standards. The 2010 Littlejohn Fund IV netted a rate of return of more than 11 percent. By 2014, when Littlejohn raised Fund V, it took in $2 billion from its investors. Goldman did not comment and neither side disclosed the sale price. But, its Littlejohn deal is far from its only recent foray back into private equity. Last month, the bank was reportedly preparing to raise another private equity fund of its own, for the first time since the global financial crisis. The new fund, which will raise between $5 billion and $8 billion, is named West Street Capital Partners (for the bank's new headquarters' address). In the case of its latest private equity fund, as well as investing in outside funds like Littlejohn, post-crisis regulations now require about 97 percent of funding is drawn from clients not the bank's balance sheet. That regulation forced many Wall Street banks to spin out their in-house private equity firms, forcing them to raise all their investment capital from outside sources of funding (and leaving some of them unable to match prior fundraising totals). The passive stake Goldman's AIMS picked up in Littlejohn also reflects a vote of confidence for the middle market investor. The bank has also been making other private equity investments in 2016. Also via the AIMS platform, Goldman has invested in Neuberger Berman's Dyal Capital Partners and GP Interests, which both put money in other private equity firms. GWC On the second floor of Goldman Sachs' headquarters in downtown New York, a group of 40 girls are diligently working on their final technology projects. Many of them have never been introduced to computer science before, but after weeks of training, they are creating apps, computer games, and demos of their own. Noor Kamal, a 16-year-old from Long Island, is working on an app that provides relaxing assistance for people affected by anxiety. Rosa Olguin, a 15-year-old from the Bronx, is developing an app that acts as an aid for individuals to acknowledge, target, and solve their bad habits. Together, these bright young girls are part of a seven-week summer-immersion program run by Girls Who Code (GWC) and sponsored by Goldman Sachs. They've worked on everything, from programming in Scratch and Python to object-oriented and web programming and robotics. And now, as the experience draws to a close, they're working on two weeks of final projects. It's clear that the program has had an effect. Kamal and Olguin, who were in different classes, hugged like long-lost friends as soon as they saw each other, chatting excitedly about what they were doing. "I was really intimidated walking into Goldman Sachs," Kamal said. "At the beginning no one was talking to each other." By the end, however, they clearly felt like a family. GWC girls Kamal had no prior experience in tech before attending the program, but is now looking into a potential career in cybersecurity after a fireside chat with Phil Venables, Goldman's chief information risk/security officer. GWC, founded in 2012 by politician Reshma Saujani, is a nonprofit dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. The organization runs after-school and summer programs that expose female high-school students to computer science and programming. GWC provides the teachers and teaching assistants while Goldman Sachs provides the resources, including the space, food, MetroCards, speakers, and mentors, and hosts the open house as well as the graduation ceremony. Story continues Liz Byrnes, Goldman Sachs In addition to the courses, the program features talks from Goldman Sachs' chief information risk officer, the global head of fixed income, and the head of technology. The program also includes sessions by external speakers from companies like IBM and GitHub and field trips to tech-company offices in New York City. The partnership between GWC and Goldman Sachs began four years ago, when Liz Byrnes, the managing director of Goldman technology and head of the firm's Women in Technology network, met Saujani at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing conference in 2012. Byrnes wanted the network to do more in the community, and while they found several interesting initiatives, it proved challenging to find a collaboration that was tech-related. "We heard a rumor that there was a program in NYC to teach girls to code," she said, "and we were furiously emailing this startup asking how can we get involved." Then, when Byrnes bumped into Saujani and her team at the conference, she was "hooked." The next summer, they collaborated with GWC for a summer-immersion program, the first financial-services company to do so. In 2014, Goldman expanded its commitment to two groups and 40 girls. Every girl gets paired with a junior and a senior mentor, who are Goldman employees, and they meet every Monday for "mentoring Monday" sessions. Over a hundred female employees at Goldman are involved with GWC, either though the mentoring sessions, workshops, or discussions. The girls graduate this week and have been working on their final projects. They ranged from apps on forest conservation and addictions to eating disorders and how the Electoral College works. GWC2 "After they learn the basics of computer science, we turn it back to them and say, 'OK, how do you want to give back to the world? What do you want to do with the software now that you've learned what you've learned?'" said Byrnes. "They are doing all different things that they can relate to now that they have a new skill set in technology that they can use." It's important for Goldman to support the development of technology and the next crop of engineers, especially among women. Women represent just 21.2% of senior executives at the firm, and minority women far less than that. The partnership also comes as Goldman Sachs pitches itself as a tech company. The bank's technology division makes up more than a third of the firm, or about 11,000 people, and the company is focused on hiring top tech talent. Several teaching assistants involved with GWC in previous years are now interns at the firm in the technology division, and Byrnes plans to stay in touch with the female coders through the alumni program. NOW WATCH: Here's what Goldman Sachs looks for in a resume More From Business Insider Notice: Array to string conversion in /home/sites/www.businessinsider.com/releases/20160817204652/classes/Util/Posts.php on line 494 A protester against the United States' acceptance of Syrian refugees uses a U.S. flag to block a counter-protester's sign that read A group of six refugees and their parents have filed a class-action lawsuit claiming that they were denied the right to equal educational opportunities in the US after fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries. The students, ages 17 to 21, are refugees from Somalia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burma "who have fled war, violence, and persecution in their native countries," according to the suit. The complaint alleges that the Pennsylvania School District of Lancaster either denied students access to any schooling in the district or forced them to attend Phoenix Academy, an alternative high school for "underachieving" students. While most other students in the district attend JP McCaskey High School, the plaintiffs attended Phoenix, which is run by the for-profit education group Camelot Education. Phoenix has a 42:1 student-teacher ratio, whereas McCaskey's ratio is 14:1, according to the suit. Camelot Education, the company who runs Phoenix, however, claims the ratio is 14:1 the same as McCaskey's. It plans to correct this information in court, a spokesperson told Business Insider. The suit lays out some striking differences between the schools: "The percentage of classes taught by 'highly qualified teachers,' as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, at McCaskey is 92% whereas 0% of the classes at Phoenix are taught by 'highly qualified teachers.'" "For Advanced-Placement testing, 32% of students at McCaskey take AP tests, whereas 0% of Phoenix students take AP tests." "According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 'college ready' students comprise 83% of McCaskey students whereas 0% of Phoenix students are deemed 'college ready.'" The suit also claims that at Phoenix "students are subject to pat-down searches, prohibited from bringing belongings into or out of the school, forced to wear colored shirts that correspond with behavior and not allowed to wear watches or jewelry ... and can be subjected to physical and even violent restraint, as part of the school's disciplinary policy." Story continues teacher classroom education school Included on the list of prohibited belongings for students at Phoenix are backpacks, lunch bags, and even products for women on their periods, Elise Chesson, a program manager contracted by the government to resettle refugees in Lancaster, told Lancaster Online. The school, however, offers its own books and supplies, and female students can ask for feminine products. Phoenix operates "more like a detention center" than a school, Chesson told Lancaster Online. Attorneys for the Lancaster school district, however, say the characterizations of Phoenix Academy are overblown and that it's "not the prison some people would make it out to be." Some of the criticism of Phoenix stems from the pace of instruction that it's too fast and the school intentionally tries to turn over students quickly. Describing the benefit to students that Phoenix provides, the school district's superintendent, Damaris Rau, hit back on those allegations. "The intention of the Phoenix program is to accelerate kids' credits so that they can get back and we have tons of kids who go back to [the public high school] McCaskey and graduate on time," Rau said, according to Pennsylvania National Public Radio station WPSU. " So I think they're doing a really good job, and it's a shame that it's come to this." Further, the school district's attorney, Sharon O'Donnell, placed the blame on the plaintiffs for not asking for the help they need at Phoenix. "[Help is] there, and it's there in copious amounts," O'Donnell said in opening arguments, according to Lancaster Online. The plaintiffs are seeking a court injunction that requires the district to admit class members to McCaskey and make appropriate modifications to overcome language barriers in time for the fall semester. The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed the suit in July on behalf of the students and their families. "Our clients have already experienced much trauma and loss before arriving in this country," Reggie Shuford, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said in a statement. "Rather than helping them make the difficult adjustment by providing educational resources required by law, the school district has denied them an education completely or forced them into an alternative school, where they are often bullied and don't learn." Editor's note: This post has been updated to reflect Camelot Education's dispute of the student-to-teacher ratio. NOW WATCH: This animated map shows the most probable path to a Trump victory More From Business Insider SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - A California gun rights group has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the state's restrictions on openly carrying firearms. The California Rifle and Pistol Association, the local arm of the National Rifle Association, and four gun advocates filed suit against Democratic Attorney General Kamala Harris and Los Angeles Sheriff James McDonnell on Wednesday, saying state law granted cities and counties too much power to restrict the open carry of firearms by residents who wish to do so. The lawsuit said that in light of a recent ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding restrictions on carrying concealed weapons, the state must allow open carry because to do otherwise would effectively strip most people of their right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The attorney general's office did not comment on the case other than to say officials were reviewing it. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles, comes as the NRA and other gun rights organizations are embroiled in numerous battles with gun control advocates in the most populous U.S. state. Last month, Democratic Governor Jerry Brown signed several gun control measures into law, including one requiring background checks for ammunition purchases. Gun rights advocates have expressed alarm over the measures, calling the package of bills a "gunpocalypse." Another gun control package will go before voters on the November ballot. (Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Peter Cooney and David Gregorio) It probably won't come as a great surprise that the man who appeared on Wednesday night's episode of MTV's Catfish thinking he was dating Katy Perry, was not in fact dating the pop superstar. He was being catfished. This Man Thinks He's Dating Katy Perry in New 'Catfish' Clip The show's focus, Spencer, says he had been talking to a woman claiming to be Katy Perry for the past six years and was so smitten that he even bought her an engagement ring using his grandmother's emerald. He had started messaging her using a texting app and, basically, just fell for the whole thing. She lured him along with emails and, once, a phone call that cost him more than $200 to a Canadian cell phone because, you know, she claimed to be touring in Canada at the time. Turns out it was really some Canadian woman named Harriet who was living in London all along, and the show's hosts Nev and Max tracked her down via the email she used to create her fake profile on the app. But simply seeing her online with the different pieces of proof presented was not enough proof for Spencer, as the tone of the writing on her social media sites didn't match that of the "Katy" with whom he'd been communicating. Katy Perry Shares 'Cheeky' Vacation Photo It took a trip to England to confront Harriet to actually convince Spencer he was wrong here. But even meeting the catfisher in person didn't totally convince poor old Spence, even after she even offered certain tidbits of information from their conversations such as his middle name, some Halloween costume and the name of their kids they had talked about. Things began to sink in the morning after meeting but Spencer still sent "Katy" a message after meeting Harriet, believing he was messaging the real Katy Perry. Finally, after doing some research of his own -- and surely some more personal reflection -- Spencer said he had come to terms with the fact he had been lied to all along. Watch the first act of the episode below and watch the whole thing at MTV.com, if you have a cable subscription login. By India Today Web Desk: The proof of his age lies in a temple register, somewhere in Varanasi. He claims to be 120 years of age, and is looking to make it into the Guinness World Records hall of fame. This monk goes by the name of Swami Sivananda, and swears by yoga as the only means of fitness through his extra-long span of life. "Yoga, discipline and celibacy," he claims are the secrets to longevity. advertisement Born on August 8, 1896, according to his passport, Swami Sivananda is looking to beat Japan's Jiroemon Kimura--who died in June 2013, aged 116 years and 54 days--as the oldest man to have ever lived, reports AFP. "I lead a simple and disciplined life. I eat very simply--only boiled food without oil or spices, rice and boiled dal (lentil stew) with a couple of green chillies," he told AFP. And that's not all--Sivananda sleeps on a mat on the floor and uses a wooden slab as his pillow. "I avoid taking milk or fruits because I think these are fancy foods. In my childhood I slept many days on an empty stomach," he added. Having seen times change more than anyone else, Sivananda is not exactly happy about technology taking over our lives. "Earlier people were happy with fewer things. Nowadays people are unhappy, unhealthy and have become dishonest, which pains me a lot," he said. --- ENDS --- Harley-Davidson, EPA Reach Settlement Harley-Davidson has reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the sale of one aftermarket tuning product used to calibrate motorcycles intended for off-road and closed-course competition. As part of the settlement agreement, the company will no longer sell its competition-only tuner in the United States. The company will continue to sell a performance tuner designed to ensure Harley-Davidson motorcycles retain 50-state and EPA on-road emissions compliance. The EPA alleged that by selling its Pro Super Tuner through its U.S. dealer network, Harley-Davidson enabled dealers and customers to tamper with motorcycles used on public roads. Harley-Davidson disagrees with the EPA's position, noting that the tuner was designed and sold as an aftermarket, competition-only product used to adapt engine parameters for use with Harley-Davidson aftermarket equipment. "This settlement is not an admission of liability but instead represents a good faith compromise with the EPA on areas of law we interpret differently, particularly EPA's assertion that it is illegal for anyone to modify a certified vehicle even if it will be used solely for off-road/closed-course competition," said Ed Moreland, Harley-Davidson's Government Affairs Director. "For more than two decades, we have sold this product under an accepted regulatory approach that permitted the sale of competition-only parts. In our view, it is and was legal to use in race conditions in the U.S." Harley-Davidson, one of many suppliers in the aftermarket performance parts industry, says it has safeguards in place to educate dealers and customers on the implications of installing Harley-Davidson performance products on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This includes clear product labeling of competition-only products and detail on what performance enhancements are considered street legal and for competition-use only, the legal consequences of tampering with emission controls and components, and what enhancements would void the vehicle warranty. "Concern for our U.S. customers and dealers weighed heavily in reaching this compromise with the EPA," said Moreland. "By settling this matter, we can focus our future attention and resources on product innovation rather than a prolonged legal battle with the EPA." The announcement included no dollar figures in the terms of the settlement. joe biden At a Tuesday event held by the Biden Institute, former Vice President Joe Biden is set to oppose a radical form of wealth distribution known as universal basic income (UBI), Axios reports. UBI involves giving everyone a standard amount of money on a regular basis to uplift the social welfare, and it's seen surging levels of attention in a number of countries over the last couple years. According to an Axios report, however, the former VP is planning to denounce UBI under the premise that work is valuable, because a job is "about your place in the community." An old idea gets newfound interest UBI is gaining newfound interest, but the system itself stretches back to the 16th century, when Spanish-born humanist Juan Luis Vives praised a system of unconditional welfare. "Even those who have dissipated their fortunes in dissolute living through gaming, harlots, excessive luxury, gluttony and gambling should be given food, for no one should die of hunger," Vives wrote in 1526. Over the next few centuries, political scientists and sociologists honed the idea of a minimum income even further. Even Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. declared his support for basic income at a Stanford lecture in 1967. "It seems to me the Civil Rights Movement must now begin to organize for the guaranteed annual income and mobilize forces," King said, "so we can bring to the attention of our nation this need ... which I believe will go a long, long way toward dealing with the Negroes' economic problem and the economic problem many other poor people confront in our nation." martin luther king jr A big experiment, briefly lost to history The decade between 1969 and 1979 marked a crucial turning point in the basic income movement for two reasons. Story continues The first was President Richard Nixon's 1969 proposal of the "Family Assistance Plan." The legislation promised to give an additional $10,400 (in 2016 dollars) each year to families who had kids, depending on income. While the FAP easily made it through the House of Representatives, it ultimately died in the Senate. The second was the "Mincome Program" that took place in Manitoba, Canada. Between 1974 and 1979, residents in the city of Winnipeg and smaller nearby town of Dauphin received additional monthly income, again based on their income levels. Spondoolicks money cash It wasn't until University of Manitoba economist Evelyn Forget discovered the Mincome files 20 years later that anyone realized what a success the program had been. Forget's research showed hospitalization rates fell by 8.5%, high school completion rates went up, and new mothers could afford to work less. And in general, few people stopped working one of the key fears that's often cited about basic income. By nearly all measures, the conclusion was clear: Basic income held serious potential as a way to lift people out of poverty. A radical idea tiptoes toward the mainstream Forget's research was critical because it helped revive the basic income movement after two decades of dormancy. Advocates had been praising the concept all the while, but only within the last five years have mainstream economists considered putting it back into action. Some of the biggest names in business, particularly the tech world, have endorsed UBI, including Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Richard Branson. In over a dozen countries and many more cities around the world, academics and policymakers have launched basic income experiments of their own some completed, some ongoing. Many of the projects have already replicated the effects Forget found in the late 1970s. The most recent experiments have launched in Kenya, Finland, Ontario, and Oakland. Later this fall, the charity GiveDirectly will launch the pilot phase of the largest basic income experiment in history. More than 6,000 people in East Africa will receive one of three basic incomes: a lump sum of one year's income, a monthly income for two to three years, or a monthly income for over a decade. The goal will be to establish once and for all how people's lives change when you put money directly into their pocket. NOW WATCH: MALCOLM GLADWELL: Anyone who gives a single dollar to Princeton has completely lost their mind' More From Business Insider Once considered ground zero for the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, in recent years San Francisco has been lauded as a success story for reducing transmission rates of the disease. But in both the Bay Area and the rest of the nation, people of color continue to be disproportionately infected with HIVwhich makes some health advocates wonder why San Franciscos approach to reducing infection rates isnt being focused on the black and Latino communities. According to Dr. Darpun Sachdev, a clinical prevention specialist at the San Francisco Department of Public Health and director of the citys Linkage, Integration, Navigation, and Comprehensive Services program, which helps connect patients with treatment, a lack of access to PrEPwhich stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis and is an anti-HIV medicationand health care in general are major obstacles to lowering infection rates among people of color. At least 6,000 people in San Francisco are on PrEP. But African Americans only make up 10 percent of those prescribed, Sachdev told TakePart. We need to increase the access of PrEP particularly among African American and Latino MSMshorthand for men who have sex with men. RELATED: A Bold New Plan Could Keep More HIV/AIDS Patients in Treatment Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 44 percent of estimated new HIV diagnoses in the United States were among black people, who are only 12 percent of the U.S. population. Latinos accounted for almost one-quarter of all estimated new diagnoses, despite representing about 17 percent of the total population. Even more alarming, fewer than half of Latinos with HIV are receiving medicines to treat their infection, and as of 2012, only 37 percent of black people with the disease were receiving treatment. Meanwhile San Francisco, which is home to the first dedicated AIDS ward and was the testing ground of the first antiretroviral drug, has distributed clean needles to drug addicts since 1992 and actively promotes preventive treatment for those at risk of acquiring HIV. PrEP, found commercially as the pill Truvada, is distributed at clinics at no charge to the uninsured. Story continues Along with boosting resources for getting residents tested, in 2013 San Francisco created the Rapid Antiretroviral Program Initiative for New Diagnoses (RAPID), which guarantees a quick doctors visit even if the patient cannot afford it. RAPID also helps with obtaining insurance, a primary care physician, and transportation to appointments. Experts have supported the San Francisco model of funding programs that enable people to be tested and treated immediately following diagnosis and that eliminate the stigma associated with the disease. World Health Organization guidelines for treating HIV released in 2015 mirror this model but are not yet implemented widely. Now San Francisco has launched Getting to Zero, an ambitious campaign that unites city health agencies, NGOs, businesses, and research institutions. The campaign has a goal of cutting HIV transmissions and related deaths by 90 percent by 2020. Even though the city has cut new diagnoses from 2,332 in 1992 to 302 in 2014, infection rates are declining much more slowly among minority groups. Reaching into communities of colorespecially teens and young adultsand ensuring that all of the practical issues that may make it harder to be on PrEP are addressed is essential, Sachdev said. I think were trying to become more aware of the challenges that are leading to the racial disparities and head-on address them, Sachdev said. Were hoping to do a PrEP demonstration project among youth in the next couple of years, in order to make sure that you are able to access PrEP and have a way of getting to PrEP quickly without jumping through a bunch of hoops. A lack of access to health insurance and cultural prejudices that associate HIV infection with drug use or being gay can also make seeking a diagnosis or treatment tough for people of color, according to Patrick Sullivan, a professor at Emory University whose work focuses on HIV prevention in minority communities. Black gay men in Atlanta, for example, have a higher risk of acquiring HIV than white gay men. One of the factors that really explains that disparity is lack of health insurance, Sullivan said. HIV testing should be part of routine medical care, but if folks dont have health insurance and arent getting routine checkups, thats a missed opportunity for early diagnosis. All the way down the line, lack of access to health insurance is a critical issue. RELATED: Scientists Working to Stop HIV See Fresh Hope in Vaginal Ring Trials For the MAC AIDS Fund, a charitable organization funded by lipstick sales, cultural barriers are the biggest obstacle to expanding outreach. The issue is if you can put this institutional ego aside and really engage nonprofit partners in an ego-free way, Nancy Mahon, director of the MAC AIDS Fund, said. San Francisco has an incredible history of tolerance and not judging people about either sex or drug use. Mahon said that this attitude is essential for governments that work with organizations such as MAC AIDS Fund. The approach will be key to getting to zero in all groups, including those in San Francisco whom progress has so far left behind, Sachdev said. Were trying to deal with the structural issues as we get closer to zero, and thats very challenging, Sachdev said. We really understand that addressing racial disparities are essential to the getting-to-zero mission. Donate: Give to Grassroot Soccer, and Help Stop the Spread of HIV in Africa Related stories on TakePart: Turning Barbershops Into Safe Spaces for Gay Black Men Magic Johnson Speaks HIV/AIDS Truth to Teens The Worldwide Fight Against HIV/AIDS Just Scored a Major Win Original article from TakePart A scene from the new Hillary Clinton ad. (Screenshot: YouTube) Hillary Clintons campaign is launching a new ad on Friday emphasizing the Democratic nominees concern for children and families in seven battleground states. In the 30-second spot, Clinton is seen hugging and chatting with children, as a narrator says the former secretary of state gets the concerns of American families. Standing up for families and children has been her lifes work, the narrator says, adding that Clinton supports affordable childcare, paid time off for parents, and debt-free college. The ad provides a snapshot of Clintons agenda for a new economic future for working families, including Latino families, a Clinton aide said. The Clinton campaigns director of coalitions press, Xochitl Hinojosa, told Yahoo News they are connecting with Latino voters through both Spanish commercials and English ads, such as this one. According to data released earlier this year by the Pew Research Center, the number of Spanish speaking Latinos in the U.S. is declining while a growing number of American Latinos speak only English at home. The campaign will continue to reach voters where they are, and that is why we will continue to run ads in Spanish, but also reach Latino voters through advertisements in English like this one in battleground states to ensure were speaking directly to all Latino households about how Hillary Clinton will fight for them, Hinojosa said. Clinton has pulled ahead of Donald Trump in the polls over the past few weeks and has taken a daunting lead in key swing states like Virginia. But about 54 percent of likely voters nevertheless have an unfavorable impression of Clinton, according to a RealClearPolitics average of recent polls. Ads that stress her commitment to kids and families could boost those numbers and fight back against the frequent public assertions that she is untrustworthy. The Clinton campaign has used children as a theme of its ads before. During the Nevada primary, the campaign released an ad showing Clinton comforting a 10-year-old girl who was afraid her parents would get deported. More recently, the campaign released a tough commercial called Role Models, which showed young kids supposedly watching Trump make crude and provocative remarks on a TV screen. Our children are watching, the ad informed viewers of the presidential race. Story continues The Clinton campaign has spent $61 million on TV ads over the past two months, while Trumps camp spent zero ad dollars over the same period. Trumps campaign recently said it would begin to roll out television spots. The new Clinton ad debuting Friday will appear in Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Watch it below: The Trump and Clinton campaigns dont have in common, but now, they arguably share the same motto: Let Trump Be Trump. As Trumps campaign stumbles in the polls, he has reshuffled his staff and brought on new advisors willing to let him return to the unbridled style that won him the Republican nomination in the first place. And there is every indication that Clinton wants nothing more than to simply get out of his way. On Thursday, the Clinton Foundation, the global charity founded by Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, announced that if she were elected president, it would stop accepting donations from foreign sources and from US corporations. Related: Is the Clinton Foundation Hillarys Achilles Heel? The move is a clear effort to shut down a question raised earlier this week when a Boston Globe editorial called for the foundation to be shuttered in the event Clinton becomes president. A high-profile Clinton supporter, former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell on Wednesday publicly agreed that the foundation would need to be disbanded if Hillary Clinton wins the White House. The Clinton Foundation has been a major source of ammunition for Clintons opponents throughout the election, and Trump in particular has been relentless about insinuating the Clintons used donations from foreign sources and quid pro quo arrangements while Mrs. Clinton was secretary of state, to line their own pockets. While there is no evidence for Trumps claims, the foundations involvement with foreign donors while she ran the State Department created at least the appearance of conflicts of interest, which would be magnified mightily were she to become president. Related: Is Trump Is Changing Gears Because Manafort Organized Anti-NATO Protests? The decision to get in front of the question of how the foundation would operate during a Clinton presidency is interesting because it is such a departure from common Clinton practice. The Clintons have never been reluctant to brazen their way through politically dicey situations. Mrs. Clintons handling of the revelation that she used a private email server while secretary of state, potentially exposing sensitive national security information to hackers, is only the most recent example. For months, she insisted that no classified information had been sent over the system and that all records relevant to her work at State had been handed over to the government. Both statements turned out to be false, but a combination of chutzpah and an egregiously flawed general election opponent seem to have let her get away with it in the court of public opinion. Story continues So why address the issue of the foundation so promptly? Perhaps its because, unlike Trump, Clinton and her team understand that when your opponent is melting down in real time, the absolute last thing you want to do is give traction to a story that moves the focus elsewhere. Trump, coming off the worst two-week stretch in an already troubled campaign, announced late Tuesday night that he had brought on Steve Bannon, proprietor of the bomb-throwing conservative website Breitbart.com, as his campaigns chief executive officer. Related: Trump or Clinton? Either Way, Get Ready for More Intrusive Government Profiles of Bannon that included multiple allegations of sexism and racism immediately began appearing in the media. And the mainstream press, which has never withheld its disdain for Breitbart, played up its support of white ethnocentrists, like columnist Milo Yiannopoulos. At the same time, evidence began piling up that Trumps campaign chair, Paul Manafort, had worked closely with politicians in Ukraine who acted directly against US interests, had facilitated deals for people with ties to Russian organized crime, and acted as an agent for a foreign political party without filing the required disclosures with the Department of Justice. Even if having the Clinton Foundation swear off accepting foreign and corporate money wasnt originally in the plan, now it seems like a no-brainer to take the issue off the table, step out of the way and, well, let Trump be Trump. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Mississippi cops on their lunch break took the time to share a meal with a troubled man, but the generosity of the officers did not end there. Read: Good Samaritan Surprised Teacher By Paying For School Supplies She Intended to Buy for Needy Students Sergeant David McCoy of the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department in Hernando was on his way to lunch with three deputies when they saw the man outside Wendy's. "I noticed a gentleman sitting on the curb with his face in his lap so I decided to go over there and talk to him, and see if he's ok," McCoy told InsideEdition.com. "He began to tell me that he had been hitchhiking from Ohio." The man, who identified himself as Dan Williams, said was trying to make his way down to Louisiana where he hoped to find work after spending all his money visiting his elderly parents in Ohio. Williams later told InsideEdition.com when he met the officers, he had been in town for more than a week. Temperatures were exceeding 100 degrees, and because hitchhiking is illegal in nearby Tennessee, he wanted to wait for the weather to cool down before he walked along the highway into the next town. He considered walking at night when it was cooler, but knew it would have been dangerous. Sympathetic of the man, McCoy asked if he was hungry, and offered him something to eat. After they ordered, McCoy's act of kindness was met with more generosity. "The Wendy's there even offered to pay for him," McCoy said. Williams, 57, then took his food and made his way to table, where McCoy followed, and asked if he could join. They chatted at length, and when Williams told him about what his plans were for the rest of his journey, "I couldn't let him do that," McCoy said. "Me and a couple deputies that were there, we got together and bought him a bus ticket home," he told InsideEdition.com. Between him, Deputy Hunter Garrett, Deputy Thomas Brea, and Deputy Bryan Andrews, the officers pooled together enough money to buy Williams an $89 bus ticket, and an additional $60 for food in his journey home. Story continues "He seemed like a nice gentleman, maybe a little down on his luck right now," he said. "We couldn't let him hitchhike from there." After lunch, the officers drove him 30 minutes to the nearest Greyhound terminal in Memphis, Tennessee, where Williams then embarked on his six-hour journey home. Read: Police Officers Go Beyond Call of Duty to Help 7-Year-Old Found Selling Stuffed Animal for Food "It's not all about writing people tickets, taking people to jail," McCoy said. "We're here to help." Williams told InsideEdition.com Friday that he has since arrived safely in Louisiana and will begin looking for work as a painter or carpenter after resting up from his long journey. Watch: Police Officer Photographed Kneeling to Clean Homeless Man's Feet: 'You Just Feel Compassion' Related Articles: NEW DELHI (Reuters) - HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL), part owned by steel tycoon L N Mittal, plans to shut its 180,000 barrel per day (bpd) Bathinda refinery in northern Punjab state for about 40 days from mid-March to raise its capacity by a quarter, sources said. During the shutdown HMEL will raise the crude processing capacity of the existing crude distillation unit to about 225,000 bpd, sources with knowledge of the plan said. State-refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL.NS) and Mittal Energy Investments Pvt Ltd own 49 percent stake each in the project. HMEL will also raise the capacity of its sulphur recovery unit to 700 tonne a day from 600 tonnes as it seeks to increase the processing of cheaper tougher grades to maximise profit, said one of the sources. The refiner will also increase the capacity of its vacuum gasoil hudrotreater to 3.5 million tonnes a year from 3 million tonnes now and build a bitumen blowing unit, this source said. Bitumen demand in India is rising as the country expands its road network. The refiner also plans to convert its captive power plan, running on diesel and gas, to be petcoke fired. All other secondary units such as the delayed coker and fluid catalytic cracker will also be shut for maintenance, said the two sources, who are not authorised to speak to the media. HMEL's chief executive Prabh Das did not respond to calls from Reuters seeking comment. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma, editing by David Evans) By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Proposal by BJP to make Surya Namaskar compulsory in BMC school is facing flak by Samajwadi Party. Old traditional Indian way to keep fit by way of Surya Namaskar is finding itself in controversy now in BMC after the BJP corporator has proposed that it should be made compulsory in all BMC school. Reason being, Surya Namaskar globally qualifying as an accepted form of fitness. advertisement "It's accepted by world that Surya Namaskar is best form of exercise. There nothing wrong in starting it in schools as it will help student stay fit," says Manoj Kotak, BJP group leader in BMC. SAMAJWADI OPPOSES MOVE This move of BJP has been opposed by Samajwadi Party at BMC. The party feels that the move is BJP's agenda to spread Hindutva through Surya Namaskar. Moreover, if the practice of Surya Namaskar gets compulsory in BMC schools then Samajwadi Party demands Salam Alaikum or Bismillah al Rahman al Rahim, a note used by Muslims before beginning anything should be made mandatory as well."It's their clear cut agenda to spread Hindutva through Surya Namaskar. There is physical training period in schools where we can introduce physical training course," said party corporator Rais Shaikh. SHIV SENA'S LOYALTY TEST? In this regard Samajwadi Party has written to Congress, NCP, MNS and Shiv Sena to oppose this proposal. On August 23, there will be discussion on this proposal at BMC where Shiv Sena's stand will be crucial, who has so far been clear about their stance. It would be interesting to see if Shiv Sena will help their alliance partner in the smooth sailing of the proposal or chooses to side with opposition. Also read: Yoga protocol and renaming roads: India being saffronised? --- ENDS --- A poster for upcoming Hollywood movie "Arrival" mistakenly featuring a Shanghai landmark on Hong Kong's skyline was taken down from the film's official Facebook page Friday after sparking outrage and ridicule. Hong Kong is deeply divided over mainland China's governance of the city, with many angered by what they see as Beijing's tightening grip, and the error sparked a torrent of comments on social media under the hashtags #HongKongisnotChina and #HongKongindependence. Others called for a boycott of the film, due for release in November. The poster showed a giant vertical spaceship over the semi-autonomous city's harbour with the Oriental Pearl Tower, perhaps Shanghai's best known landmark, prominently featured in the foreground. "Please remove this ugly tower from Victoria Harbour," Facebook user Chin Chiu-man commented, while another angry user said: "Why don't you put a pyramid in New York". The poster was still displayed on the official Facebook page on Thursday evening but was replaced by a message on Friday blaming a contractor for the gaffe. "An error in one in a series of posters for 'Arrival' was made by a third party vendor," the message read. "We are disappointed to have not caught the error," it added. Hong Kong was returned to China by former colonial ruler Britain in 1997 under the agreement that its freedoms would be guaranteed for 50 years. But there are growing concerns Beijing is no longer adhering to the deal and critics accuse it of interference in a wide range of areas, from politics to the media and education. So-called localist groups are pushing for more autonomy for Hong Kong, characterising it as culturally separate from the mainland. A fledgling independence movement is calling for a break from the mainland after mass pro-democracy rallies in 2014 calling for fully free leadership elections ended without concessions from Beijing. Story continues The idea of independence is dismissed as illegal by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities, and was a taboo subject until recent months. "Arrival" stars actors Amy Adams, Forest Whitaker and Jeremy Renner and is directed by Canada's Denis Villeneuve. It opens in the United States and other major markets in November. The Oriental Pearl Tower and the Hong Kong skyline are not thought to have featured in any of the film's trailers so far released. By Randi Belisomo (Reuters Health) - Teens with dying parents dont benefit as much from hospice services as older members of the family do, a new study suggests. The needs of teenagers with parents in hospice are often not met or even assessed, the study found - even though the hospices take a team approach to care delivery thats designed to manage the physical, psychosocial and spiritual concerns of dying patients and their families. Most of the surveyed adolescents with a parent in hospice had zero or limited contact with staff, researchers reported in the Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing. In hospice, the unit of care is to the patient and family, but kids are being overlooked, said study author M. Murray Mayo of Ursuline Colleges Breen School of Nursing in Pepper Pike, Ohio. Mayos team interviewed 30 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18, living in the midwest U.S., who had a parent receiving hospice care. The team asked open-ended questions about how the youngsters learned their parent was dying and how they navigated the stress with ongoing responsibilities inside and outside of school. Twelve teens reported they had no interaction at all with hospice staff. Timing of providers visits was largely to blame. Hospice visits happen between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and kids arent there, Mayo said. Efforts need to be made on the kids time to say were here for you, too. Seven of the children reported in-passing interaction - brief contact that lacked meaningful support. For example, a 16-year-old boy whose mother was dying of cancer told researchers: Um yeah, we talked about a few things, they said a few questions to me, I mean, I dont know what they said, but we had a few (words exchanged). A 12 year-old boy whose father was a hospice inpatient said: I was really curious, like everyone was. I asked the nurse how much time he had, and I got really mad because the nurse only said, Maybe if he is lucky, three weeks. The teen did not know how close his father was to death; he died six days later. Six reported engaged interaction with positive, ongoing contact with at least one hospice staff member. Six had formal interactions;" they were referred to professionals, such as bereavement counselors or art therapists. Adolescents are willing to talk, and they have something to say, Mayo said, pointing out that teens willingness to participate in this study is instructive to providers. Outreach before a parents death, experts say, can have long-term benefits. A little prevention could go a long way to decreasing post-death suffering for these kids, said co-author Denice Kopchak Sheehan of Kent State University. Several studies suggest that the death of a parent during adolescence can result in psychological issues that stretch into adulthood, including depression, self-injury and post-traumatic stress. No healthcare or social service professional ever talked with me when I was 15 and my father was dying of brain cancer, said Barry J. Jacobs, a psychologist and co-author of the newly-released AARP Meditations for Caregivers. I didnt have any guidance for grieving my fathers death, and this had long-term detrimental consequences for my emotional development. Teens need the outreach efforts of hospice programs. At JourneyCare, the largest hospice provider in Illinois, social workers attempt to talk to all of a patients children- no matter what age. Mary Ann Green, a JourneyCare project director and licensed counselor, stresses that normalizing the experience of illness and death is crucial for teens at an age when fitting in is a priority. Being able to be truthful and say that we cant fix it is very empowering to a teen, because we can sit there in the pain with them, Green said. Its about listening, giving them the opportunity to share what they are feeling and validating their feelings. They want someone to understand that its painful, its frightening, and it feels out of control. JourneyCare social workers find success connecting with teens through legacy making: making a scrapbook together, encouraging letter writing, or producing a video or a song. When teens of the dying find meaningful support and ways to channel their frustration, fear and sadness, Green says that they find resiliency unmatched among their peers. They are way beyond their years in things they have to do and things they have to burden. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2btAAsq Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, August 2016. By Cathal McNaughton and Fayaz Bukhari SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - More than 40 days of clashes between protesters and security forces have overwhelmed the main hospital in Indian-administered Kashmir, where some patients with severe injuries said they had been beaten in their homes by troops. House-to-house searches continued on Friday, authorities said, for suspected ringleaders of street protests set off by the killing on July 8 of a popular field commander of a Pakistan-based separatist group. At least 65 people have been killed and 6,000 injured in the ensuing clashes, many of them wounded by shotgun rounds fired by security forces enforcing a curfew across the Muslim-majority region. Pictures taken by a Reuters photographer at Srinagar's main SMHS Hospital on Thursday showed men with wounds across their backs and buttocks they said had been caused by beatings. Another showed a crying boy, his head swathed in bandages, being comforted by his family, who said he had been wounded by shotgun pellets. The Indian army has apologized for the death in custody of Shabir Ahmad Mangoo, a 30-year-old college lecturer. The commander of India's Northern Army denounced the beatings and ordered an inquiry. "These actions are absolutely not sanctioned. These actions are absolutely not tolerated," Lieutenant General DS Hooda told a news conference in Srinagar on Friday. India's security laws grant wide discretion to the armed forces in "disturbed" areas such as Kashmir. Human rights activists say those responsible for excessive violence are rarely brought to justice. EXHAUSTED DOCTORS Hospital doctors were exhausted, with one saying they had performed more eye operations in the past month than they had over the last three years. "We are in physical and mental stress," said Nisarul Hassan, senior consultant at SMHS Hospital who was forced to use an ambulance to get home. Dozens of volunteers received the injured at the hospital as ambulances brought them in from rural areas. Paramedics and ambulance drivers said government forces attacked them on the way. The curfew restricts movement, severely disrupting daily life. "India and Pakistan are fighting over my homeland but in the end it is only our blood that they manage to secure," said Faizal Wani, 24, whose father was being treated for pellet wounds suffered in the clashes. Another doctor said patients had been brought in with abdominal injuries from rifle bullets. "Our operating theaters are working non-stop," the doctor told Reuters. Troops have resorted to firing rifles and shotguns to quell stone-throwing protests sparked by the death of Burhan Wani, a field commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen separatist group. India's Central Reserve Police Force, which deploys a large contingent of paramilitaries in Kashmir, told a regional court that more than 100 people had been partly or completely blinded by shotgun pellets. Kashmir is at the center of a decades-old rivalry between India and Pakistan, which rules a northwestern section of the divided region, and backed an insurgency in the late 1980s and 1990s that Indian security forces largely crushed. A U.N. human rights official has expressed "deep regret" at the failure of both India and Pakistan to grant access to the separate parts of Kashmir that each runs to investigate allegations of serious human rights violations. (Additional reporting by Danish Ismail; Writing by Rupam Jain; Editing by Douglas Busvine and Janet Lawrence) Photo: Thinkstock Four Singaporeans have been issued detention and restriction orders under the Internal Security Act this month for their involvement in terrorism-related activities, said the Ministry of Home Affairs. Among them are waste truck driver Mohamed Omar bin Mahadi, 33, and his wife Dian Faezah binte Ismail, 34, a housewife. The couple had been making plans to travel to Syria with their children to join extremist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Omar was given a two-year Order of Detention (OD). Dian was given a two-year Restriction Order (RO), which prevents her from, among others, changing her residence or employment, or travelling. Starting in 2010, Omar began listening to Batam-based religious radio station Radio Hang, which sometimes features speakers who preach extreme religious views. In 2012, he also encountered online materials by radical Al-Qaeda ideologue Anwar al-Awlaki. By 2014, Omar was convinced that ISIS was fighting to bring glory to Islam, and that it was his religious duty to become an ISIS fighter in Syria. His wife Dian supported him in this endeavour. Desire for martyrdom The other two Singaporeans dealt with under the ISA are car washer Rosli bin Hamzah, 50, and building technician Mohamad Reiney bin Noor Mohd, 26. They were issued an OD and an RO, respectively, for a period of two years. Last month, Rosli was investigated after returning from a visit to his Indonesian wife and children in Batam, Indonesia and subsequently arrested. He began listening to Radio Hang in 2009, and was introduced to radical materials about ISIS via social media contacts. Rosli became interested in armed jihad and was prepared to die for the ISIS cause as he thought it would make him a martyr. He was keen to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS and also actively shared radical online content on social media. Reiney encountered radical ISIS-related materials in 2014 while searching for religious knowledge online. He later aspired to fight for ISIS and was prepared to die in battle and become a martyr. Reiney intended to bring his family with him to Syria and had thought of saving money for the trip. He had also checked online for travel routes to Syria. He will undergo religious counselling while on RO. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 19, 2016 / iCo Therapeutics (ICO.V) (ICOTF) ("iCo" or "the Company"), today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. Amounts, unless specified otherwise, are expressed in Canadian dollars and presented under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). "Our second quarter results attest to the substantive conclusion of our reorganization, reducing the loss for the Q2 2016 period by roughly 74% relative to Q2 2015. We now estimate our runway to be extended to Q2 2018 based on the current burn rate with multiple milestones upcoming within that time horizon," stated Andrew Rae, President and CEO. Summary of Second Quarter 2016 Results iCo incurred a total comprehensive loss of $193,270 (loss per share of $0.00) for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to a total comprehensive loss of $738,607 (loss per share of $0.01) for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, representing a decrease in loss of $545,337. This increase is primarily a result of reduced operating costs related to the Company's reorganization announced on January 18, 2016 plus reduced research and development expenditures for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Research and development expenses were $88,966 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 compared to $176,049 for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, representing a decrease of $87,083. This increase was primarily the result of reduced activity during the Q2 2016 period related to the manufacturing scale up of our Oral Amp B Delivery System. For the quarter ended June 30, 2016 general and administrative expenses were $215,405 compared to $480,852 for the quarter ending June 30, 2015, representing a decrease of $265,447, primarily as a result of reduced operating costs subsequent to the Company's reorganization announced on January 18, 2016. Foreign exchange loss in for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $13,655 compared to foreign exchange loss of $67,494 for the same period in 2015, representing a decrease of $53,839. The changes for the period primarily reflect fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Canadian and U.S. dollar on iCo's cash balances. Story continues Liquidity and Outstanding Share Capital As at June 30, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $2,726,166 compared to $3,753,982 as at December 31, 2015. As at August 19, 2016, we had an unlimited number of authorized common shares with 84,457,713 common shares issued and outstanding. For complete financial results, please see our filings at www.sedar.com. The Company also announces that John Meekison has resigned as the Company's Chief Financial Officer to pursue other interests. He will continue in his role as a director. Michael Liggett, CPA, CA, Bsc. Pharm., has assumed the role of CFO effective immediately. Michael Liggett brings 30 years of experience in the health care sector. Michael was a practicing pharmacist for 7 years before obtaining his training and certification as a Chartered Accountant. After spending 7 years at Price Waterhouse Coopers (then Price Waterhouse), he joined Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in the capacity of Chief Financial Officer. He provided leadership through multiple financings and other strategic initiatives before successfully transitioning the company to establish its footprint in the forestry sector as Eacom Timber. His background includes over 19 years as a public company CFO with strategic and operational expertise and proven success in finance, M&A, strategic partnerships, restructurings, and risk management. BSc in Pharmaceutical sciences at the University of British Columbia. Chartered Accountant designation. "Mike brings a wealth of experience to the iCo team, possessing intimate knowledge of the biotechnology industry and strategic financial transactions. He has demonstrated value added leadership on multiple occasions, including the evolution of Inflazyme into Eacom. I also want to take the opportunity to thank John Meekison for his many years of service as CFO and co-founder of the corporation and I look forward to continuing working with John in the future," stated Andrew Rae, iCo Therapeutics co-founder, President and CEO. About iCo Therapeutics iCo Therapeutics in-licenses and redefines existing drug candidates or generics by employing reformulation and delivery technologies for new or expanded use indications. The Company holds worldwide rights to an oral drug delivery platform, with Oral Amphotericin B (Amp B) as the initial platform candidate, utilizing a known anti-fungal drug to treat life-threatening infectious diseases. iCo also has worldwide rights to two drug candidates: iCo-007 is a second generation antisense drug candidate targeting C-Raf kinase and iCo-008 is a monoclonal antibody targeting eotaxin-1. With Phase 2 clinical history, Bertilimumab (iCo-008) is a candidate for the treatment of vernal or atopic keratoconjunctivitis. iCo-008 is in Phase 2 clinical studies with iCo's partner, Immune Pharmaceuticals. iCo trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ICO" and the OTCQX under the symbol "ICOTF". For more information, visit the Company website at: www.icotherapeutics.com. No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the content of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulatory Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements included in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will," and similar references to future periods. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on iCo's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to iCo and relate to, among other things, anticipated financial performance, business prospects, strategies, regulatory developments, market acceptance and future commitments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to iCo and speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by iCo in its public securities filings and on its website, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. iCo disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Andrew Rae, CEO 778-772-7775 rae@icotherapeutics.com SOURCE: iCo Therapeutics The shag carpets and the orange countertops are long gone, but the iconic California house made famous on the hit 1970s sitcom, The Brady Bunch remains and was the target of a recent break-in, police confirm to PEOPLE. On Wednesday at 10:28 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a call of a break-in at 11222 Dilling Street in Studio City, California, which was used for exterior shots for the classic sitcom, which ran on ABC from 1969 to 1974. Unknown intruders allegedly smashed the glass of a rear sliding door to gain entry, police say, adding that they ransacked the main level of the home before heading upstairs. It was unclear if anything had been stolen and no arrests have been made, police say. The pair allegedly fled when the homeowner, an elderly woman, turned on a bedroom light, say police. "She didn't hear anything until they were inside," says a police spokesman. The woman was not harmed. Iconic Brady Bunch House in California Ransacked by Burglars: Police| Crime & Courts, True Crime, Brady Bunch, The Brady Bunch, Susan Olsen 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. The house has become a frequent tourist stop for fans of the show, which became wildly popular after it began running in syndication in 1975. The show revolves around architect Mike Brady, his wife, Carol, the three boys and three girls they each brought to the marriage and their beloved housekeeper, Alice. The show's creator, Sherwood Schwartz, told the Los Angeles Times that he chose the house to use for exterior shots because "we didnat want it to be too affluent, we didnat want it to be too blue-collar. We wanted it to look like it would fit a place an architect would live." The interior of the Dilling Street home looks nothing like the house on the show, which was created on a set at Paramount Studios. From Esquire Charlie is taking a well-deserved break this week. In his absence, we'll be remembering some of his greatest hits from throughout this election cycle. In the below, originally published in the May 2016 issue and online April 29, he reflects on the role that ignorance of our history has played in the rise of Donald Trump. -The Editors In Lenin's Tomb, his lucid account of the end of Soviet Russia, David Remnick uses as an epigraph a famous quote from Czech author Milan Kundera. "The struggle of man against power," Kundera wrote, "is the struggle of memory against forgetting." The philosophy was central to Remnick's contention throughout the book that one of the critical weaknesses of the Soviet state, and of all of its satellite governments in Eastern Europe, including Kundera's Czechoslovakia, was that it required its citizens to fight against their own memory, to unknow what they clearly knew. Sooner or later, the effort to forget and to unknow becomes too much of a burden for too many people and they force the collapse of the system. Humans are driven to remember. Humans can crack from the effort it takes to deny and to forget. The consequences can be therapeutic or they can be catastrophic, for people and for the political societies into which they organize themselves. This is as true of liberal democracies as it is true of authoritarian states. In fact, the effects of forgetting can be worse in the former, because citizens of authoritarian states see the effects of forgetting and unknowing in every transaction in their daily lives. In liberal democracies, and especially in this one, there are so many distractions and so many options and so much media that the corrosive effects of the loss of the power of memory can elude anyone's notice until something important comes apart all at once. Language and memory must work together not only to preserve the past but to illuminate the present and to build a future. Story continues The 2016 presidential campaign-and the success of Donald Trump on the Republican side-has been a triumph of how easily memory can lose the struggle against forgetting and, therefore, how easily society can lose the struggle against power. There is so much that we have forgotten in this country. We've forgotten, over and over again, how easily we can be stampeded into action that is contrary to the national interest and to our own individual self-interest. We have forgotten McCarthy and Nixon. We have forgotten how easily we can be lied to. We have forgotten the U-2 incident and the Bay of Pigs and the sale of missiles to the mullahs. And along comes someone like Trump, and he tells us that forgetting is our actual power and that memory is the enemy. The first decade of the twenty-first century gave us a great deal to forget. It began with an extended mess of a presidential election that ended with the unprecedented interference of a politicized Supreme Court. It was marked early on by an unthinkable attack on the American mainland. At this point, we forgot everything we already knew. We knew from our long involvement in the Middle East where the sources of the rage were. We forgot. We knew from Vietnam the perils of involving the country in a land war in Asia. We forgot. We knew from Nuremberg and from Tokyo what were war crimes and what were not. We forgot that we had virtually invented the concept of a war crime. We forgot. In all cases, we forgot because we chose to forget. We chose to believe that forgetting gave us real power and that memory made us weak. We even forgot how well we knew that was a lie. Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Twenty-odd years ago, at the urging of a great editor, I wrote a long piece at another magazine about my family's experience with Alzheimer's disease, which eventually took my father and all of his siblings. It is a terrifying disease for a writer because it attacks those aspects of the individual that are so crucial to the act of writing-namely memory and language. Without memory, there can be no connection with the world, nothing salvaged or brought forward. Without language, memory is orphaned. Without both of them, history is mute. That story, and the experience of writing it, has bled into parts of my work in a hundred different ways, but the main points remain the same. Language and memory must work together not only to preserve the past but to illuminate the present and to build a future. The disease robbed my father of both language and memory, and thus it robbed him of his past, his present, and his future. He spent his last years as a kind of vagabond, a stranger to himself, a permanent refugee in an unmoored life. I watch the presidential campaign this year, and I watch how the country has abandoned self-government and the idea of a political commonwealth, and I see a country that is voluntarily taking upon itself my father's disease. A vagabond country, making itself a stranger to itself, a permanent refugee country, unmoored from its history. A country that remembers, a country with an empowered memory that acts as a check on the dangerous excesses of power itself, does not produce a Donald Trump. It was the very first Republican president who said the most memorable thing about memory, and its mystic chords, and how he hoped, one day, those chords once again would be touched by the better angels of our nature. That was Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address. By the time he came to deliver his second, in which he appealed to the country to remember how it had torn itself apart, six hundred thousand Americans had slaughtered one another in a war that was only then beginning to come to an end: Fondly do we hope-fervently do we pray-that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether." Remember, this passage said to the people of a tattered and bleeding nation. Bind up the wounds. Take care of him who has borne the battle, and his widow and orphan, too. Achieve a just and lasting peace between yourselves and all nations. But first, remember how this misery came to pass. Remember what we are capable of doing to one another if we lose faith in every institution of self-government, especially those into which we are supposed to channel our passions to constructive purpose. Remember, Lincoln said in this speech, which was his last warning to the nation he'd preserved. Remember that we can be killers. Remember that, and you can be strong and powerful enough to not allow it to happen again. The late historian Michael Kammen likened even the newest Americans to Fortinbras in Hamlet, who declares that he has "some rights of memory in this kingdom." Even the immigrants most lately arrived can, Kammen argued, "have an imaginative and meaningful relationship to the determinative aspects of American history." In the campaign now ongoing, we see successful candidates running against the very notion of what Kammen was talking about. When Trump chants his mantra-"Make America Great Again"-the rest of the slogan is unsaid but obvious. The implied conclusion is "Before All of Them Wrecked It." And that is what has been selling, all year long, because while the struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting, there is no guarantee that either struggle will end in triumph. Originally published in the May 2016 issue. Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page. You Might Also Like The Islamic State claimed responsibility for its first attack in Russia, where a traffic post near Moscow was under attack on Wednesday. Two police officers were injured in the attack while both the attackers were killed. By India Today Web Desk: What Russia suspected, the Islamic State has confirmed. That the IS has taken roots in Russia. The IS has claimed its first terror attack on Russian soil. The IS released a video of the two attackers, who tried to kill police officers near Moscow. Two assailants had attacked a traffic post on a motorway in Balashika near Moscow on Wednesday. Two police officers were injured in the attack while both the attackers were killed. advertisement IS IDENTIFIES ATTACKERS In its video, the IS named the two attackers as Uthman Mardalov and Salim Israilov, hailing them as "soldiers of the Islamic State". In the 90-second video, the two men, speaking a mixture of Russian and Arabic pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and claimed that they had "taken a path of jihadi on the command of the emir". Russia's Investigative committee said that one of the attackers was killed during the attack at the traffic post while the other was gunned down when he raised "armed resistance". One of the injured police officers is said to be in serious condition. IS ATTACK A REACTION? With IS's footprints getting deeper in Europe, Russia cracked down on suspected IS supporters from Balashika in July. Several suspects were arrested for distributing IS propaganda literature and attempting to recruit militants for the terror organization. Mardalov and Israilov were said to be of Chechen descent. Though, it is not clear whether they were among those arrested from Balashika, it is being suspected that Wednesday attack was a kind of retaliation by the IS. IS HAD THREATENED ATTACK The Islamic State had warned Russia last week that it would launch a terror attack on Russian soil. In a video message, a masked IS fighter threatened Russia's President Vladimir Putin saying militants would "come to Russia and kill you in your homes". Last year, the IS had gunned down a Russia bound plane flying from Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt to St. Petersburg killing all 224 people on board including 219 Russian passengers and crew. This happened just after Russian fight planes started bombing IS held areas in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. ALSO READ: I was trained in Pakistan: Arrested Islamic State militant to Afghan agency Russian warplanes take off from Iran to target Islamic State in Syria --- ENDS --- By Bernadette Christina Munthe and Glenys Kirana JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's disaster agency urged prompt action against slash-and-burn plantation fires on Friday as the annual smoke "haze" begins to drift across the Malacca Strait to neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. Fires in Indonesia, set in the dry season by companies clearing land for plantations, cause an annual crisis that at times blankets large parts of the region in choking smog, closing airports and schools and prompting warnings to residents to stay indoors. Home to the world's third-largest area of tropical forests, Indonesia has been criticized by green activists and by neighboring Southeast Asian nations for failing to stop the annual fires. "Smoke from forest and land fires in Riau has started to enter the Malacca Strait. Let's prevent and put out the fires," agency spokesman Sutopo Nugroho said on his Twitter account @Sutopo_BNPB on Friday, referring to a district on the main island of Sumatra. He said that over the past week, the numbers of fire "hotspots" in West Kalimantan, on the nearby island of Borneo, had "increased significantly." Dry weather that complicates firefighting efforts would reach its peak in September, Nugroho told Reuters, noting that the "critical period" for fires was from August to October. The government's early announcement of a state of emergency for fires in five provinces this year had helped to prevent them from spreading as extensively as in 2015, he said, when El Nino made the problem worse. "Countermeasures, including the response from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, have been faster and better. Last year the emergency status was declared only after the fires were widespread," he said. Heavy smoke from slash-and-burn clearing often comes from the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, where large forest concessions are used by pulp and paper and palm oil companies, some of which are listed in Singapore. Singapore has pushed Indonesia for information on companies suspected of causing cross-border pollution. "As we go through the legal process, all the information will be publicly available," Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said on Thursday. Indonesia imposed record fines against a local plantation company last week in the hope of deterring companies and individuals from using fire to clear land. (Writing by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Nick Macfie) Los Angeles (AFP) - A young man slumbers in the open air at the foot of some mattresses piled up near a modest collection of books and a table laden with salad and fruit. For more than a month, Black Lives Matter has maintained a makeshift encampment in front of Los Angeles City Hall to demand the resignation of police chief Charlie Beck. "It's a black-led space. When white people, come they are not to take the reins, but to be there in support," says Christina Griffin, 28, a spokeswoman for the movement's LA branch. The protesters are trying to run the camp along the lines of the world in which they'd like to live, Griffin explains, with "less police, more resources." In August 2015, Redel Jones, a 30-year-old black woman, was shot dead after she allegedly moved towards LAPD officers while holding a knife. Then in July, the Los Angeles Police Commission found that the officer who opened fire had not violated deadly force rules. The decision was at odds with a statement from a witness quoted by the Los Angeles Times, who said police opened fire as the woman was running away. Black Lives Matter members, outraged by the decision, marched to city hall, where they have maintained their vigil ever since. Last week, emotions ran high as they commemorated the two-year anniversary of the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Ezell Ford, who was gunned down after two LAPD officers stopped him as he walked alone and unarmed in South LA. Community members cast doubts over the police account that Ford had attacked one of the officers, countering that he was mentally ill and had been complying before he was shot. - Nationwide protests - Ford's death came only days after Michael Brown was killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, the most high-profile in a spate of cases that have made headlines and set off nationwide protests. According to an internal LAPD report, officers shot 38 people last year, 21 of whom died. Eight of those involved in the incidents were black, yet African Americans represent less than 10 percent of the city's population. Hispanics, who represent just under half of "Angelenos," made up 58 percent of the cases. Story continues Scrutiny has also fallen on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which killed an African-American man while hunting a carjacker in July and subsequently admitted the unarmed victim had nothing to do with the case. Critics of the nationwide BLM movement say it ignores black-on-black killings -- by far the most common type in the African American community -- and blames police even when the slain suspect looks to have been at fault. They say the high proportion of black deaths at the hands of police can in part be explained by their disproportionate involvement in violent crime. While blacks account for around 13 percent of the US population, black offenders committed 52 percent of homicides recorded between 1980 and 2008, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics. More recent but less comprehensive statistics by the FBI tell the same story. - 'Threatened by police' - Undeterred and angry, the LA branch of Black Lives Matter is in its third protest in two years. Morning and evening, a few dozen mainstays gather at the encampment to talk about their goals and air their grievances. Many go to work or take courses during the day and return to sleep at the camp at night, using toilets in public buildings and relying on the kindness of the public for food. "The only times I've felt threatened so far is by the police. One day they gathered in a line with their weapons," says assistant nurse Brittany Craig, 24. "They try to make our life difficult, asking us to move from there to there." An LAPD spokesman told AFP the police had asked the group to leave a basement leading to an underground area of a shopping mall but otherwise had allowed them to go about their business. According to a count by LA radio station KPCC, the LAPD shot 375 people between 2010 and 2014 and in that time no officer has been prosecuted. "The LAPD kills more of its residents than any other police in the country," says Melina Abdullah, one of the leaders of LA's BLM movement. The activist, a professor at California State University, said more city money should be spent on education and housing, rather than on a high police budget. Black Lives Matter sent a 9,000-signature petition almost two weeks ago to LA mayor Eric Garcetti demanding the police chief's head. While media attention has focused on violent protests in New York, Ferguson and Milwaukee, campaigners say the hurt is just as deeply felt in LA, even if the demonstrations are largely peaceful. "We chose not to burn the house," says one 68-year-old protester who only gave his first name, Akili. But he added that "grief and outrage" had led the city's black community to the "enough-is-enough point." WARNING: This post contains spoilers for the upcoming season of Vanderpump Rules! (Uh, kind of?) After four seasons of commitment issues, lenient ultimatums, and endless bubbie talk, Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz finally -- finally! -- tied the knot on Wednesday in Northern California, with Bravo cameras rolling the entire time. A source tells ET the woodsy wedding will serve as the finale for season five. Until then, here's a look inside the nuptials... RELATED: Lisa Vanderpump to Return for 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Season 7: The Pump Is 'Still in the Game' First, the dress: It's a non-crop topped Zuhair Murad gown, which reportedly retails for $12,000. Fun fact: you can actually watch Katie try on wedding gowns and say yes to this dress in a video for Glamour magazine. As far as what has been shared on social media, here's the money shot: At first glance, the untrained eye might be like, aww. Cute wedding. True #PumpRules devotees will immediately notice a few crucial details, though. Let's dig in, starting with the fact that Lisa Vanderpump officiated! Cancel every other wedding from now until the end of time, because no wedding could ever top a wedding officiated by Lisa Vanderpump. Snapchat Katie's bridal party included Stassi Schroeder, possibly the maid of honor, Brittany Cartwright, Scheana Shay and Kristen Doute. (Katie's Pucker & Pout co-founder, Jennifer Hoffner, and Mr. Robot actress Stephanie Corneliussen were also bridesmaids.) Question: Brittany -- Jax's girlfriend who works at SUR now -- is second in the bridal party line? Ahead of Scheana? What TF happens this season?! Also, it's worth pointing out that Ariana Madix is the only full-time cast member not in the wedding party. Snapchat Meanwhile, Jax Taylor and Tom Sandoval served as groomsmen for Schwartzy: And Peter Madrigal was there, too, schlepping candy: LISTEN: John Legend Croons the 'Vanderpump Rules' Theme Song and It's Everything Here's a reeeeal deep dive that not even most die-hard VPR fans will care about, but Stassi and Scheana's moms were both in attendance and we loved these 'Grams so deeply that we must include them. Story continues The wedding was seemingly drama-free, which means sh*t had to go down at the reception! Except there doesn't appear to have been any tears or catfighting or drunken DJ James Kennedys there, either? The entire day was heavily documented by Scheana on Snapchat -- her medium of choice -- and she and Ariana aren't even feuding anymore! Bravo, what's going on here?! Snapchat Lest you think a Pump Rules finale should pass without a musical number, Katie changes into a sequined mini dress and sailor hat to perform some sort of karaoke singalong with Schwartz. And Sandoval played the trumpet. Snapchat Should've let him perform "T.I.P." during the first dance. Just saying. Find out even more about the Bubbas saying "I do" in the video below. Related Articles TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 19, 2016 / Profound Medical Corp. (PRN.V) will host a conference call to discuss the results of the second quarter 2016, to be held Monday, August 22, 2016 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. To participate in this event, dial 877-407-9210 domestically, or 201-689-8049 internationally, approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the call. If you are unable to participate during the live event, you may access the teleconference replay by dialing 877-481-4010 domestically or 919-882-2331 internationally, referencing conference ID # 10061. The replay will be available beginning approximately 2 hours after the completion of the live event, ending at midnight Eastern on September 22, 2016. About Profound Medical Corp. Profound Medical is a Canadian medical device company that has developed a unique and minimally invasive procedure to ablate malignant prostate tissue. The company's novel technology combines real-time Magnetic Resonance imaging with transurethral, robotically-driven therapeutic ultrasound and closed-loop thermal feedback control. It provides a highly precise treatment tailored to patient-specific anatomy and pathology. This method of prostate ablation offers short treatment times and low morbidity, allowing for fast patient recovery. For more information, visit profoundmedical.com SOURCE: Investor Calendar BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters have evacuated their families from a Syrian town at the Turkish border near a city that they recently lost to U.S.-backed militias, a monitor group said on Friday, a sign they may be preparing to face an attack there. Last week's capture by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of Manbij, 25 miles (40km) to their south, has left Islamic State fighters in Jarablus in danger of being cut off from the militant group's main territorial possessions. The town is located at the eastern edge of an Islamic State salient stretching 33 miles (55km) along the Turkish border, and could be encircled by any SDF thrust northwards from its positions further to the west. SDF positions on the Euphrates already look directly across to Jarablus on the opposing bank. More than 50 families of Islamic State fighters and leaders arrived in the group's stronghold of Raqqa from Jarablus and the larger town of al-Bab, between Manbij and Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, said. Separately, a senior Syrian rebel source told Reuters that Islamic State was moving personnel out of Jarablus. The SDF have not yet declared what their next target will be after capturing Manbij. A successful advance north could cut Islamic State off from the Turkish border, while a thrust west could threaten al-Bab, an important Islamic State stronghold. After Manbij fell to the SDF, some local fighters announced they had established a military council for al-Bab, signaling they believed an assault on Islamic State in the town would soon take place. The SDF denied having any links to the council. The U.S.-backed SDF is made up of both Kurdish fighters, including the YPG militia, and local Arab armed groups. It has denied any links to a military council established last week. (Writing by Tom Perry) Jerusalem (AFP) - Jerusalem police said on Friday they have rearrested a Palestinian man days after he completed a 14-year prison sentence for a plot to poison diners at an Israeli restaurant. A police statement said the man was detained on Thursday in the Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Jabal Mukaber, where he lives. "Police units arrest terrorist from Jabal Mukaber who served 14 years in prison for terrorism," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld posted on his official Twitter account. "He was arrested again for supporting terrorism." Rosenfeld did not identify the man, but Israeli media named him as Sufian Abdu, an accomplice in a 2002 plan by Palestinian cook Othman Qihanya to kill customers at west Jerusalem landmark Cafe Rimon, on behalf of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Jerusalem Post said Abdu had left prison only three days before his rearrest. Police said he was suspected of "supporting and identifying with a terror organisation", without elaborating. Israeli public radio said he was picked up again because of "the waving of Hamas flags and the voicing of calls to violence and incitement against Israel" at a party to welcome him home from prison. He was brought before a magistrate on Friday and remanded in custody for further questioning by the Jerusalem police "minorities" (Arab affairs) unit, a police statement said. Actor Jack Riley, who specialized in playing neurotic comic characters like psychologist patient Elliot Carlin on The Bob Newhart Show of the 1970s, died Friday. He was 81. Riley, who also voiced Stu Pickles on the Rugrats cartoon and appeared in several Mel Brooks comedies, died in a Los Angeles hospital of pneumonia after a long illness, Paul Doherty at Cunningham Escott Slevin & Doherty told The Hollywood Reporter. Riley appeared in the Brooks-directed films Silent Movie (1976), High Anxiety (1977), History of the World: Part I (1981) and Spaceballs (1987) and in two other movies that Brooks produced, Frances (1982) and To Be or Not to Be (1983). A native of Cleveland, Riley was funny as the mean-spirited and morose Elliot in 49 episodes of CBS The Bob Newhart Show, which starred the comic as a psychologist working out of a Chicago high-rise. The series aired from 1972-78. Riley also appeared as Eliot on ALF and St. Elsewhere and as a very Eliot-like character on Newhart's next CBS sitcom in the 1980s. His film resume also included Mike Nichols Catch-22 (1970), two Robert Altman films - McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) and The Long Goodbye (1973) - Gene Wilders The Worlds Greatest Lover (1977), Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978), A Dangerous Woman (1993) and Boogie Nights (1997). Riley provided the voice of Stu Pickles, the absent-minded toy inventor and dad, on the long-running Nickelodeon series Rugrats (and its TV movies and films) and on the follow-up series All Grown Up! And he played Chappy, a friendly old codger who lives on the beach in Malibu, in the 2000-02 Baywatch spoof Son of the Beach. Born Dec. 30, 1935, Riley attended John Carroll University in Ohio, served in the U.S. Army and then returned to Cleveland as a radio host. He was friends with Tom Conway and wrote for the comedian (and later appeared in Conways 1980s variety show). Riley landed his first regular TV gig in the 1960s on the sitcom Occasional Wife and quickly appeared on such shows as Gomer Pyle: USMC, I Dream of Jeannie, The Red Skelton Hour, Rowan & Martins Laugh-In and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Story continues Later, he showed up on Columbo, Family Ties, One Day at a Time, Silver Spoons, Night Court, Friends, Mike Hammer, Private Eye, That 70s Show and Seinfeld (in the 1997 episode The Muffin Tops). Survivors included two children. Read more: Hollywoods Notable Deaths of 2016 Activist Karima Baloch has made a Raksha Bandhan appeal to PM Modi, asking him to become the voice of Balochistan's struggle. By India Today Web Desk: A Free Balochistan activist on Thursday appealed to 'brother' Narendra Modi to become the voice of the Baloch struggle, days after the Prime Minister raised the Balochistan issue in his August 15 speech at the Red Fort. Karima Baloch, the Chairperson of the Baloch Students Organisation, recorded a video message for PM Modi on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan calling him her brother. advertisement 'APPEAL AS A SISTER' "Countless brothers are missing... Sisters in Balochistan are still waiting for their brothers to return. There is a possibility that they will never return and their sisters will always lay in wait," she said. "We appeal to you that as our brother, you speak about the genocide and war crimes in Baloch on international forums and become the voice of the sisters of Baloch." "We will fight this on our own, we just want you to become the voice of our struggle," she said. She finished the video with a brief message in Gujarati - PM Modi's native language. The video was posted on YouTube by Canadian writer and broadcaster Tarek Fatah. You can watch it here: 32-year-old Karima Baloch is said to have escaped a Pakistani military attack in Balochistan's Tump town. She evaded arrest and stayed underground for nearly a year before reaching Canada in November last year. She has now applied for a refugee-status in the country. Karima's message comes after PM Modi's Independence Day address this week, in which he thanked the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for "the way their citizens have heartily thanked me, the way they have acknowledged me and the goodwill they have shown towards me." His statement elicited passionate reactions from Pakistan - while rights activists in Balochistan thanked PM Modi, many Islamabad leaders criticised him. Pakistan's Opposition leader Bilawal Bhutto said, "Modi should first stand accountable to the international community for unending and perpetual atrocities against Kashmiris, Muslims and Dalits in Kashmir and in India." THE BALOCH STRUGGLE Balochistan, the poorest province of Pakistan, was captured by the Pakistan Army in 1948. Since then, countless cases of military atrocities have been reported from the province. Officials posted in the region have been accused of ill treatment, torture, arbitrary arrests, executions and indiscriminate acts of violence. Close to 4,000 people have reportedly gone missing in Baloch since 2006. The missing include students and political activists. PM Modi's statement is strongest made by an Indian leader on the Baloch issue so far. --- ENDS --- The long and at-times agonizing wait for Frank Ocean's Boys Don't Cry isn't quite over. Though the elusive R&B star eased some of the suffering with the release overnight of Endless, his so-called "visual album." Ocean began streaming the mysterious live feed on his Boysdontcry.co site late Thursday night (Aug. 18). Endless is now available to stream exclusively through Apple Music, and the digital music service has shared the tracklist and accompanying album credits. Frank Ocean Plays New Music in Live Stream, Drops 'Visual Album' James Blake, the London Contemporary Orchestra, Om'Mas Keith and Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood (on string orchestration) are all featured on Ocean's cover of The Isley Brothers' "At Your Best (You Are Love)". Arca has a programming credit on "Mine," Sampha appears on "Alabama" and Jazmine Sullivan contributes vocals on four songs. Ocean has piano, guitar and programing credits on the "visual album" and he's listed as executive producer and creative director (see below). Sources close to the artist confirm Endless is a separate album, which means the wait goes on for Boys Don't Cry. Or whatever it will be known as. Various unconfirmed reports suggest Ocean will scrap the title. Everything We Know About Frank Ocean's Long-Delayed 'Boys Don't Cry' Album Ocean's follow-up to his Grammy-nominated Def Jam debut Channel Orange was expected for release in July 2015, as teased in a cryptic post on his official site. The rumor-mill cranked into overdrive that he was going to second album on Aug. 5. It didn't. But the buzz around Ocean and his new material was so great his debut returned to the Billboard 200 after a three-year absence. Track list with credits pic.twitter.com/VwIJ8KM6AG - Antonio (@BruhManAnt) August 19, 2016 TOKYO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Japan's defence ministry will seek a record budget of 5.16 trillion yen ($51 billion) for fiscal 2017, as tension rises in the East China Sea and North Korea steps up its missile threat, a government official with direct knowledge of the plan said. The hike of 2.3 percent over this year's budget of 5.05 trillion yen marks the fifth successive annual increase sought by the ministry, which is keen to stiffen Japan's defences as North Korea upgrades its ballistic missile technology. Japan will formally unveil budget requests for its defence and other ministries later this month, in line with usual practice. The defence ministry's request covers the 100 billion yen cost to upgrade Japan's PAC-3 missile defence system, said the source, who declined to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media. Such an upgrade would roughly double the missile system's range to more than 30 km (19 miles), other sources have said. The budget proposal also includes the cost of production of the Block IIA version of the Standard Missile-3 system being jointly developed with the United States to shoot down missiles at higher altitudes, the source added. Japan's defence ministry will also allocate budget funds to acquire an upgraded version of the F-35 stealth fighter, made by U.S. company Lockheed Martin Corp, the source said. Also included in the budget request is the cost of strengthening Japan's coast guard in the southern islands of Miyakojima and Amami Oshima, to allay worries over neighbour China's more assertive activities in the East China Sea, said the source. Tension mounted this month after a growing number of Chinese coast guard and other vessels sailed near disputed islets in the East China Sea. Japan, China and South Korea are in talks to hold a meeting of their foreign ministers next week, Japanese media said this week. China's foreign ministry admitted the three were in talks, but revealed no date for the meeting. ($1=100.2700 yen) (Reporting by Nobuhiro Kubo Writing by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) By Nobuhiro Kubo TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan aims to develop a prototype drone fighter jet in two decades with private sector help in a technology strategy that focuses on weapons communications and lasers, according to a document seen by Reuters. The plan will be announced this month when the Defense Ministry also unveils its request for a record budget of 5.16 trillion yen ($51 billion) for fiscal 2017, as tension rises in the East China Sea and North Korea steps up its missile threat, government officials with direct knowledge of the matter said. The military technology plan calls for first developing an unmanned surveillance aircraft in the next decade and then an unmanned fighter jet 10 years later, the document showed. The rise of 2.3 percent over this year's budget of 5.05 trillion yen marks the fifth successive annual increase sought by the ministry, which is keen to stiffen Japan's defenses as North Korea upgrades its ballistic missile technology. However, one security analyst said the spending was insufficient. "The security environment surrounding Japan is severe, due to neighboring North Korea and China," said Takashi Kawakami, a security expert at Japan's Takushoku University. "I personally think it's not enough." Japan will this month formally unveil budget requests for its defense and other ministries for the year ending March 2018. The defense ministry's request covers the 100 billion yen cost to upgrade Japan's PAC-3 missile defense system, said one government source, who declined to be identified, as he was not authorized to speak to the media. Such an upgrade would roughly double the missile system's range to more than 30 km (19 miles), other sources have said. The budget proposal also includes the cost of production of the Block IIA version of the Standard Missile-3 system being jointly developed with the United States to shoot down missiles at higher altitudes, the source added. The ministry will also allocate budget funds to acquire an upgraded version of the F-35 stealth fighter, made by U.S. company Lockheed Martin Corp, the source said. The budget request also includes the cost of strengthening the coast guard in the southern islands of Miyakojima and Amami Oshima to allay worries over China's more assertive activities in the East China Sea, said the source. Tension mounted this month after a growing number of Chinese coast guard and other vessels sailed near disputed islets in the East China Sea. Japan, China and South Korea are in talks to hold a meeting of their foreign ministers next week. ($1=100 yen) (Reporting by Nobuhiro Kubo; Writing by Kaori Kaneko and Linda Sieg; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Nick Macfie) Strasbourg (France) (AFP) - A mentally disturbed man shouting "Allahu Akbar" stabbed a Jewish man in the northeastern French city of Strasbourg on Friday, police and Jewish community sources said. The victim, a 62-year-old retiree who was wearing a kippa skullcap, was stabbed in the abdomen in the city's Jewish quarter by a man with a record of anti-Semitic violence, Strasbourg's chief rabbi, Rene Gutman, told AFP. The victim was admitted to hospital but Gutman said his injuries were not life-threatening. Several witnesses said the attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) as he set upon his victim with a knife. The local prosecutor's office confirmed the alleged attacker's arrest and said an investigation had been launched. Police have not commented on the motive for the assault, but said the suspect, a man in his forties, had a history of mental health problems. In 2010, he attacked another kippa-wearing Jewish man in Strasbourg, beating him with an iron bar in a public square. Put on trial for attempted murder, he was considered to be not mentally responsible for his acts under criminal law and detained in a psychiatric hospital. Prosecutors at the time said the aggressor believed himself to be "the victim of a Jewish conspiracy" which he blamed for "all his misfortunes". - 'Lucky escape' - Condemning the latest attack, the chief rabbi said it "in no way reflects the prevailing climate in Strasbourg," which is home to around 15,000 Jews. But he also called for action to prevent the attacker reoffending. "If this person can go back onto the street, and stabs any man in a kippa he meets, that's a problem," he said. The attack happened as the victim left his home to do some shopping. Witnesses to the attack seized the assailant, "who did not put up any resistance", the prosecutor's office said. Mendel Samana, another rabbi who came on the scene shortly after the stabbing, said the victim was "very shocked and feels he had a lucky escape". Story continues Samana said the victim, a father of three, had told him he had managed to escape after receiving a single stab wound and sought help in a nearby bar. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve phoned Gutman after the attack to express his solidarity with the Jewish community, the rabbi said. France has the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in western Europe. Its Jewish community is estimated at 500,000 to 600,000 people, and there are around five million Muslims. The attack comes as the country reels from a string of jihadist attacks in the past year-and-a-half, beginning with the January 2015 killings in Paris at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket. Amedy Coulibaly, a Frenchman claiming allegiance to the extremist Islamic State group, shot dead four people at the kosher grocery, two days after the Al-Qaeda-linked Kouachi brothers killed 12 people at Charlie Hebdo's offices. On January this year, a 15-year-old supporter of the Islamic State group attacked a Jewish teacher in Marseille with a machete. Amber Heard is giving away every cent of her $7 million divorce settlement. The 30-year-old actress, who filed for divorce from 53-year-old Johnny Depp in May, said she is giving half the money to the American Civil Liberties Union for its violence against women campaign. It comes after Heard, who was photographed with bruises on her face after filing for divorce, accused Depp of hitting her during their tempestuous marriage. Depp has denied the allegations. Read: Amber Heard Says Johnny Depp Tried to Suffocate Her As She Shares New Photo of Bruised Face The other half will go to the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, where Heard has volunteered for the past 10 years. In a statement, she said: "Money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves. "As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million, and $7 million is being donated. This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future I know these organizations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future. Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most. Read: Johnny Depp's Famous Friends and Exes Come to His Defense Amid Domestic Violence Claims Both organizations have expressed their thanks to the actress. We are incredibly grateful that Ms. Heard has so very generously shown her support for the important and necessary advocacy for victims of domestic violence, Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement. Paul S. Viviano, president and CEO of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, said her generosity will support the lifesaving treatments and cures that Childrens Hospital Los Angeles provides for critically ill children each year. Story continues The couple, who married in February 2015, jointly announced their divorce settlement Tuesday. They said their relationship was "intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Watch: Amber Heard and Johnny Depp Release Strange Apology for Dog Smuggling Related Articles: The Daily Show's past and The Nightly Show's present converged one last time. Jon Stewart stopped by Larry Wilmore's final episode of The Nightly Show on Thursday, initially there to take Wilmore's gifted champagne, but he stayed to chat. "What are we doing this week?" he asked, before Wilmore could pass on the bad news that it was his final show. "Your last show? Oh, my God, what, did you piss off Peter Thiel?" Stewart, an exec producer on the show, joked, giving a nod to the recent Gawker lawsuit; later, he adviced Wilmore: "Do not confuse cancelation with failure." "What you, my friend, were tasked to do, you have done and done beautifully," he added. "You gave voice to underserved voices in the media arena." "You started a conversation that was not on television when you began, and you worked with a group of people who you invited to that conversation to collaborate with you, to sharpen that conversation," Stewart said, "and what you don't realize is that when you walk out of here, that conversation doesn't end," he added. Stewart ended with one final note: "You did it, my...mishpucha" (choosing Yiddish instead of the word Wilmore was visibly worried he might use). Wilmore worked with Stewart as the "senior black correspondent" when the latter was host of The Daily Show, popping in to share his colorful thoughts on the latest news stories relating to black issues in America. During his final show on Thursday, Wilmore also addressed the "one thing we can all agree on: Ellen DeGeneres is a pure delight." He discussed the latest debate, whether her recent tweet about Usain Bolt. He turned to his contributors for their takes, but most of them were already on vacation or looking for their next jobs. Read more: Larry Wilmore Opens Up About 'Nightly Show' Early Exit, Saying Farewell and What's Next Story continues "I'm Larry Wilmore, your host for the next 29 minutes," the host began his show. "It's never easy when your television show gets canceled, but for me, there has been a silver lining, you guys. All the free booze!" Wilmore has been getting gifts all week from his fellow late-night hosts, including today's pastries from The Daily Show, and wine and liquor earlier this week. Thanks for the pastries @thedailyshow but did you not get the memo about booze! https://t.co/IMB9rggiN9 - Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) August 18, 2016 The host received some "basic-cable wine" from Full Frontal's Samantha Bee, which led Wilmore to tell the audience Wednesday that "I was going to do the show sober, but then Colbert sent this," showing a photo that he posted earlier on Instagram of himself surrounded by mini bottles of alcohol, a gift from The Late Show's Stephen Colbert, which he brought out for his show guests. "You gotta step it up Last Week Tonight - daddy needs more juice," he called out John Oliver's HBO series. (Oliver later sent him champagne with a note that encouraged Wilmore to get "premium cable wasted"). Former Daily Show colleague Lewis Black appeared with Wilmore on Wednesday's episode to talk about Donald Trump and his thoughts on the Republican party. "As soon as he said, 'Mexicans borders pillaging they're eating all the avocados and there's no shrimp dip!' - as soon as he said that, any party with any moral compass whatsoever would say, 'You can run; you just can't run as a Republican,'" said Black. "That was the moment in time people began to watch, thinking, 'Oh, this'll be great. This'll be f - ing fun to watch.'" Read more: Larry Wilmore Jokes About 'Nightly Show' End: "Racism Is Solved" Comedy Central announced the cancelation of The Nightly Show on Monday. "Unfortunately, it hasn't connected with our audience in ways that we need it to," network president Kent Alterman told The Hollywood Reporter. The series, which has aired for two seasons, averaged a night-of rating of 0.2 in the 18-49 demo. On Monday, the host addressed the show's cancelation in the opening of the show, joking that "on the plus side, our show going off the air has to mean one thing: Racism is solved. We did it." "I'm really grateful to Comedy Central, Jon Stewart and our fans to have had this opportunity," Wilmore told THR. "But I'm also saddened and surprised we won't be covering this crazy election or "The Unblackening" as we've coined it. And keeping it 100 [a reference to his mantra], I guess I hadn't counted on "The Unblackening" happening to my time slot as well." Wilmore is also an executive producer on ABC's Black-ish, and began at the Viacom-owned network in 2006 as the "senior black correspondent" on The Daily Show. Chris Hardwick's @Midnight will slide into the 11:30 p.m. slot as a temporary replacement on Comedy Central. Read more: Critic's Notebook: Yes, Larry Wilmore's 'Nightly Show' Will Be Missed By A. Ananthalakshmi, Bernardo Vizcaino and Carolyn Cohn KUALA LUMPUR/SYDNEY/LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - U.S. investment bank JPMorgan will include Islamic bonds, or sukuk, in its emerging markets indices for the first time from later this year, widening the appeal of Islamic instruments among global debt investors. JPMorgan, which runs the most widely used benchmarks of emerging market debt, will include eight sukuk across its index family starting Oct. 31. The decision was taken after JPMorgan conducted an annual governance review it said in a research report to clients, and seen by Reuters. Dollar-denominated sukuk from Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia will be included in JPMorgan's flagship EMBI Global Diversified index, against which an estimated $313 billion in assets is benchmarked. The move could help sukuk break away from their traditional buy-and-hold investor base. "Despite having a market size of $200 billion, so far sukuk was seen as an exotic asset class mainly targeted at Islamic banks," said Okan Akin, emerging market credit analyst at AllianceBernstein in London. The decision by JPMorgan would increase the liquidity of sukuk instruments, the lack of which has been the main negative feature of the market, Akin said. Including sukuk into such benchmarks would attract higher bids and may support prices at higher levels, said Anita Yadav, head of fixed income research at Emirates NBD in Dubai. "Non-traditional investors that generally hesitate to invest in sukuk may also be forced to buy should they be using JPMorgan as their performance benchmark," Yadav said. Sukuk, which follow religious principles such as bans on interest and gambling, have their core centres in the Gulf region and Southeast Asia although the funding format has made inroads in Western markets in recent years. TEST FOR REGULATORY REGIME While the inclusion of sukuk will benefit the sector in the short term, the omissions of some names could also encourage regulators to address persistent weaknesses in the sector. Story continues To be eligible sukuk must be rated, have their liquidity assessed prior to inclusion in the JPMorgan indices and meet other criteria similar to conventional bonds. At the outset, however, not all issuers might meet such requirements. Only two corporate sukuk will be included in the JPMorgan Corporate Emerging Markets Bond Index: a 2023 sukuk from Dubai's DP World and a 2024 sukuk from the Gulf region's largest utility Saudi Electricity Co. Pakistan's $1 billion sukuk maturing in 2019 will be included in the JPMorgan Asia Credit Index alongside sukuk from Indonesia and Malaysia, but the likes of Qatar and Bahrain are currently absent. Malaysia was the only country to have its local currency sukuk included in JPMorgan's Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets, which comprises higher yielding local debt. Two sukuk from Malaysia maturing in 2023 and 2026 will be included in the GBI-EM index, which is tracked by an estimated $207 billion in assets under management. "We believe this move could boost foreign interest on a gradual basis," said Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, deputy chief executive officer of Malaysia's CIMB Islamic Bank. "Active investors will move into markets when they spot opportunities and this would be one of them." Foreign holdings in the two Malaysian sukuk would be expected to increase over the next three to six months due to inclusion in the index, said Winson Phoon, fixed income analyst at Maybank Investment Bank. (Editing by Eric Meijer) Curfew and restrictions continue to cripple normalcy in the Valley. About 66 people have died in the unrest following the killing of Burhan Wani. By Shuja-ul-Haq : Curfew and restrictions continued on 42nd day in Kashmir. Protests and shutdown have been called by the joint separatist leadership which the crippled life. About 66 people have died in the unrest and thousands have been injured. Last night, an ambulance driver was allegedly shot at by the security forces in old city Srinagar. This is while he was ferrying patients from Kangan in Ganderbal district. advertisement SEPARATISTS INSTIGATE PEOPLE The separatists leadership has now asked the people to march towards Aripanthan village in Budgam district where four civilian were killed in firing on August 15. The current unrest in the valley began on the day when Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with government forces on July 08. Also read: Kashmir unrest: Lecturer allegedly beaten to death by army Jammu and Kashmir: Amid rising resentment in the state, 308 join Indian army Army chief Dalbir Singh reviews security situation in Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan formally invites India for talks on Kashmir Amartya Sen to India Today: Kashmir brutality biggest blot on our democracyBlame game continues: Mehbooba Mufti accuses Centre for Kashmir unrest --- ENDS --- (Adds details of settlement, comments, background, byline) By Jonathan Stempel Aug 19 (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co on Friday said it will receive $645 million in a settlement of litigation with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp and Deutsche Bank AG arising from its purchase of Washington Mutual Inc's banking operations during the financial crisis in 2008. According to a regulatory filing, JPMorgan will collect the cash payment from the estate of Washington Mutual Bank, for which the FDIC acts as receiver. In exchange, JP Morgan, the largest U.S. bank by assets said it will drop its more than $1 billion in claims related to the Washington Mutual (WaMu) purchase. JPMorgan also said Deutsche Bank, the trustee overseeing 99 trusts holding residential mortgage securities backed by soured WaMu home loans, will have a claim against the estate. JPMorgan had filed lawsuits seeking to force the FDIC to indemnify it on claims relating to the WaMu purchase, in which it also assumed some of the thrift's liabilities. Deutsche Bank had filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the FDIC and JPMorgan over losses stemming from alleged defects in WaMu's mortgage underwriting. JPMorgan said the settlement requires court approval, and would end four WaMu-related lawsuits involving the bank and the FDIC, and pending in the federal court in Washington, D.C. The bank and the FDIC have long fought over who is liable to investors for claims arising from Seattle-based WaMu's collapse. WaMu had been nation's largest savings and loan before the FDIC seized it on Sept. 25, 2008 and sold its banking operations to New York-based JPMorgan for about $1.9 billion. The parent holding company of WaMu filed for bankruptcy protection. FDIC spokesman David Barr and Deutsche Bank spokeswoman Oksana Poltavets declined to comment. The FDIC's full name is the . (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co on Friday said it will receive $645 million in a settlement of litigation with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp and Deutsche Bank AG arising from its purchase of Washington Mutual Inc's banking operations during the financial crisis in 2008. According to a regulatory filing, JPMorgan will collect the cash payment from the estate of Washington Mutual Bank, for which the FDIC acts as receiver. In exchange, JP Morgan, the largest U.S. bank by assets said it will drop its more than $1 billion in claims related to the Washington Mutual (WaMu) purchase. JPMorgan also said Deutsche Bank, the trustee overseeing 99 trusts holding residential mortgage securities backed by soured WaMu home loans, will have a claim against the estate. JPMorgan had filed lawsuits seeking to force the FDIC to indemnify it on claims relating to the WaMu purchase, in which it also assumed some of the thrift's liabilities. Deutsche Bank had filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the FDIC and JPMorgan over losses stemming from alleged defects in WaMu's mortgage underwriting. JPMorgan said the settlement requires court approval, and would end four WaMu-related lawsuits involving the bank and the FDIC, and pending in the federal court in Washington, D.C. The bank and the FDIC have long fought over who is liable to investors for claims arising from Seattle-based WaMu's collapse. WaMu had been nation's largest savings and loan before the FDIC seized it on Sept. 25, 2008 and sold its banking operations to New York-based JPMorgan for about $1.9 billion. The parent holding company of WaMu filed for bankruptcy protection. FDIC spokesman David Barr and Deutsche Bank spokeswoman Oksana Poltavets declined to comment. The FDIC's full name is the . (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) A jury will decide if Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer should have paid a few dollars more for its use of Clint Eastwood classics after a California federal judge allowed some claims to survive summary judgment. PEA Films sued MGM in 2014, claiming the studio has been underpaying for its distribution rights to For a Few Dollars More; The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; and Last Tango in Paris. The suit alleges MGM has been using creative accounting methods to lower its payments by inflating expenses, in part by misclassifying Fox as a servicing company instead of as a subdistributor - shorting PEA by $4.6 million. U.S. District Judge Beverly Reid O'Connell found that PEA failed to adequately allege its misclassification claims. The claims were added late in the proceedings and, while O'Connell agreed to hear motions on the issue, she declined to allow PEA leave to amend its complaint. "Plaintiff apparently seeks to bypass the pleading process and informally incorporate its misclassification claim into the proceedings," O'Connell wrote in an Aug. 10 ruling. "To allow Plaintiff to amend its Complaint now would fly in the face of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure." The judge dismissed the misclassification claims with prejudice, so PEA will have one less arrow in its quiver moving forward. O'Connell also addressed whether there is an issue of material fact as to the reasonableness of expenses paid to Fox by MGM. Under the agreement with PEA, MGM is entitled to deduct from its total profit distribution and packaging expenses that were incurred by Fox and charged to MGM. At issue is a $10.6 million expense, which PEA has argued was unreasonable - but the parties dispute whether any evidence was presented before the discovery cutoff. An expert witness made the claim in a supplemental report filed at 8:47 p.m. on the day of the deadline, which MGM argued was untimely. O'Connell noted that PEA complied with the court's deadlines and overruled the objection. Story continues MGM also argued the expert's report was inadmissible hearsay, but O'Connell disagreed and overruled that objection. Moving on to the issues of good faith and fair dealing raised by PEA, O'Connell found that the expert's claim that Fox overcharged MGM by $1.2 million-$1.8 million for manufacturing and by $300,000 for packaging is enough to defeat summary judgment. In dismissing the motion, O'Connell found "a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether Defendant acted unreasonably by simply 'adopting' and passing these expenses on to Plaintiff without investigating them or ensuring they were reasonable." PEA on Monday filed an ex parte application for an order clarifying O'Connell's ruling, asking her to make clear the dismissal with prejudice of the misclassification claim is not a ruling on the merits of the claim. In its opposition, MGM argues the application is merely a "thinly veiled motion for reconsideration" and is not appropriate for ex parte relief. Trial is currently scheduled to begin Oct. 4. The inevitable has finally happened. Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford's 14-year-old daughter, has landed her first solo magazine cover - er, covers. The high schooler is featured on three different covers of Pop Magazine's fall issue looking fierce in a Chanel ensemble, Charlotte Chesnais earrings and impeccably groomed brows. A photo posted by POP Magazine (@thepopmag) on Aug 18, 2016 at 2:50am PDT Technically, she's only been professionally modeling since signing with IMG last year. But in that short time, Gerber has been busy, shooting for brands like Alexander Wang, Miu Miu and Chrome Hearts, and filling her portfolio with spreads for Teen Vogue, Vogue Paris (which she covered alongside Mama Crawford) and Love Magazine, for which she was photographed by Kendall Jenner. A photo posted by POP Magazine (@thepopmag) on Aug 18, 2016 at 2:52am PDT Gerber and Crawford aren't the only models in the family. Presley Gerber, Kaia's 17-year-old brother, also is a catwalker. The blonde teen most recently hit the runway for Moschino's Los Angeles presentation and Dolce & Gabbana's menswear show, and made an appearance in Calvin Klein's star-studded fall campaign. A photo posted by Kaia Gerber (@kaiagerber) on Aug 18, 2016 at 9:36am PDT We expect to see plenty more of the budding supermodel in the future. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Gunmaker Kalashnikov, whose AK-47 assault rifle has armed Russian forces for 70 years and been the preferred weapon of insurgents across continents, has opened a store at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport selling souvenirs including plastic model guns, the company said. An airport official said the shop, offering novelties including pens, umbrellas, bags, hats, camouflage gear and "I love AK" T-shirts, would be situated in the rail-link section of the airport complex. The model guns - automatic pistols and rifles - would very clearly be imitations and would pose no security problems, he added. "Kalashnikov is one of the most popular brands that come to mind for most people in the world when they hear about Russia," Kalashnikov's head of marketing, Vladimir Dmitriev, said in a press release. "So, we are pleased to provide the opportunity for everyone to take away from Russia a souvenir with our company brand." The AK-47, the first rifle the firm produced, has acquired an iconic status due to its low production costs and reliability in extreme conditions. It was introduced in 1948, armed the whole of the Soviet Union and eastern Europe in communist times and served largely pro-Soviet rebel forces across Africa and Asia. Produced also under license beyond Russian frontiers, it remains one of the most popular assault rifles in the world. Sheremetyevo International Airport is Moscow's and Russia's largest airport by passenger traffic. In 2015, it handled more than 31 million passengers. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly and Gleb Stolyarov) Moscow (AFP) - Russia's biggest international airport on Friday expressed concern after gunmaker Kalashnikov opened a store there selling lifesize replica rifles. The Kalashnikov Concern, producer of the ubiquitous AK-47 rifle, earlier this week launched a store at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow. "You can buy company souvenirs, clothing, bags and other useful items," the company said in a statement. "Our sales cases will also feature replicas of firearms which can be bought as a souvenir by anyone of full legal age." In video footage from the store's opening, located in one of Sheremetyevo's terminals, various rifle models were clearly on display. Most firearms are illegal to own in Russia, and airports in the country have some of Europe's strictest security measures, following a 2011 suicide bombing at the Domodedovo airport which left 37 dead. A spokeswoman for Sheremetyevo told AFP the store's selection of replicas was a concern. "This issue is seriously important," spokeswoman Anna Zakharova said in an email to AFP. "The situation is being monitored by our aviation security service," she said adding that if "issues of permanent conflict" arose from the store, the airport might "make recommendations" regarding their merchandise. Keira Knightley on the red carpet. (Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images) Being a Hollywood superstar has its perks the fame, the fortune, the lavish awards-show gift bags. But as Keira Knightley has revealed in a new interview, it can also be absolute murder on your hair. In a Q&A with InStyle U.K, the Pirates of the Caribbean actress revealed that, thanks to years of dyeing her hair for various roles, the damage was so bad she started to go bald thus requiring her to employ the aid of wigs. I have dyed my hair virtually every color imaginable for different films. It got so bad that my hair literally began to fall out of my head! So for the past five years Ive used wigs, which is the greatest thing thats ever happened to my hair, she said. Certainly, a look back at some of Knightleys roles reveal that she is nothing if not a coiffure chameleon. She was blond and long-locked in 2003s Pirates of the Caribbean (as well as its first two sequels, in 2006 and 2007): Pirates of the Caribbean. (Photo: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection) In 2005s Pride and Prejudice, she sported long, brunette locks: Pride and Prejudice. (Photo: Working Title/Kobal) Immediately after filming Pride and Prejudice though, she drastically changed her look with a highlighted cropped cut for the bounty-hunter drama Domino: Domino. (Photo: New Line Cinema/Kobal) In 2010s Never Let Me Go, she sported deep brunette locks with some serious bangs: Never Let Me Go. (Photo: Fox Seachlight) According to Allure, every one of her dark and curly hairstyles in 2012s Anna Karenina were achieved via wigs: Anna Karenina. (Photo: Laurie Sparham/Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection) While Knightleys hair-dyeing habits may have left her follically challenged, she isnt alone. Back in 2011, Lady Gaga told People that bleaching her hair has caused it to start falling out, forcing her to get special chemical haircuts. And in 2013, Mad Men actress January Jones confessed to British magazine Grazia Daily that I have been every color and now my hair is falling out in clumps Ive been blonde, red with extensions for this film, then blonde, then black, and now blonde again. Im going to have to shave it off and wear a wig. For more Entertainment Tonight celebrity news, visit Yahoo View. Washington (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel next week to Kenya, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on a three-nation tour focused on counterterrorism, the State Department said. The top US diplomat arrives in Nairobi on Monday for talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on "regional security issues and counterterrorism cooperation, as well as bilateral issues," State Department spokesman John Kirby said. He is also scheduled to speak with several of his East African counterparts on the conflicts in South Sudan and Somalia, notably the fight against the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shabaab militants. On Tuesday, Kerry arrives in Nigeria where he will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss "counterterrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption, and human rights issues." Washington is a key ally of Abuja in the fight against Boko Haram rebels, but has regularly challenged the country and its armed forces on their civilian rights record during crackdowns against the Islamist militants. Kerry will also travel to Sokoto in northern Nigeria to deliver a speech on "the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism." On Wednesday Kerry heads to Saudi Arabia, where he will visit Jeddah to meet with his counterparts from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council as well as British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson and UN special envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. While in Saudi Arabia, Kerry will focus on the conflict in Yemen as well as the war in Syria and the fight against the Islamic State group, the State Department said. "It is not for me to say who should do what but yes, everyone needs to discuss the issue," Lt Gen DS Hooda said. By Shuja-ul-Haq : After political parties, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the army in Kashmir has now come out in favour of holding discussions with separatists leaders to solve the ongoing crisis in the Valley. Interacting with the media, the Northern Army Commander today in Srinagar hinted at possible talks with separatists to bring peace in the violence-hit region. "We all have to sit down and put our heads together to see if we can end this. Everyone needs to introspect," Lt Gen DS Hooda, Northern Army Commander, said. advertisement "It is not for me to say who should do what but yes, everyone needs to discuss the issue. After all, where are the protest calendars coming from," he added. Earlier, it was only the PDP who had come forward to discuss the problem with separatists. Senior minister Naeem Akhtar had said separatists needed to help the government to bring peace and stability in the region. Several state parties also agreed to hold talks with separatist leaders. The Valley has been witnessing massive protests and violence for the last 42 days. As many as 66 people have lost their lives and several have been injured during clashes with security forces. --- ENDS --- By Krystian Orlinski WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. (Reuters) - The main highway linking Southern California to Las Vegas reopened on Thursday as firefighters gained ground on a fast-moving wildfire that raged for a third day in mountains east of Los Angeles. More than 80,000 residents were ordered to evacuate because of the so-called Blue Cut Fire, named for a narrow gorge near its origin. Authorities lifted mandatory evacuation orders for some areas on Thursday, although it was not immediately clear how many residents were allowed back home. The blaze erupted on Tuesday in the Cajon Pass near Interstate 15, the primary traffic route between greater Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Nevada, to the northeast and quickly devoured canyons and hillsides filled with dense, drought-parched brush and chaparral. Authorities reopened Interstate 15 in both directions through the Cajon Pass as the fire's leading edge moved away from the highway on Thursday, ending a two-day closure. However, the intense blaze, producing cyclone-like whirls of flame, has charred some 36,000 acres near the ski resort town of Wrightwood and destroyed dozens of structures, including an unspecified number of homes, fire officials said. Despite being impeded by treacherous terrain, hot, dry, windy weather and the ferocious blaze, authorities said nearly 1,600 firefighters had been able to carve containment lines around 22 percent of the fire zone, up from just four percent earlier in the day. Much of the fire was burning across unpopulated swaths of the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains about 60 miles (95 km) east of Los Angeles, but Wrightwood and several adjacent communities were being threatened. Many residents, having made it through previous wildfire emergencies unscathed, opted to stay put for the time being but packed their belongings in preparation to flee. "I can't take the risk. Last night the smoke was blowing into town," Perry Van Dran, a Wrightwood musician and construction worker, told Reuters after filling his truck with his instruments and tools. "You could look down Highway 2 and see where the fire was burning, and that's a little too uneasy for me," he said. The Blue Cut fire is one of nearly 30 major blazes reported to have scorched at least 530 sq miles (1,370 sq km) in eight Western states this week, in the midst of a wildfire season stoked by prolonged drought and unusually hot weather, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. The cause of the fire was under investigation. (Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis and Nichola Groom in Los Angeles, Laila Kearney in New York and Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Toni Reinhold, Cynthia Osterman and Paul Tait) Bill Ackman Finance Insider is Business Insider's summary of the top stories of the past 24 hours. To sign up, scroll to the bottom of this page and click "Get updates in your inbox," or click here. Mutual fund T. Rowe Price has filed a lawsuit against Valeant Pharmaceuticals, alleging that the company's executives lied to it and other investors about its drug price gouging, general business practices, and financial health. One of the most brutal parts of the complaint looks at what Valeant may have been doing at its now-defunct secret pharmacy, Philidor. The complaint includes a line from a posting on a blog about Philidor that reads: "'If you ever saw Wolves of Wall Street well that was sorta what some of us saw." In related news, here's the meltdown Bill Ackman had when he found out what was going on at Valeant. One of the recurring complaints about hedge funds is that they are all investing in the same things, in a phenomenon known as crowding, and that these bets haven't been working out. It looks like that is beginning to change, though. Elsewhere in hedge fund news, Starboard Value, the hedge fund that shook up Yahoo, is crushing it, and aspiring 'finance bros' may have a hard time getting a job at Bridgewater Associates. Also, here are the stocks that are most important to hedge funds, and here are the stocks they're shorting. In Wall Street news, a Deutsche Bank whistleblower pulled a gutsy move to highlight what's wrong with the big banks. Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize-winning economist and former adviser to US President Bill Clinton, says the consensus surrounding neoliberal economic thought has come to an end. If you're into cars, here are a couple of fun posts: Story continues Lastly, a group of 15-year old girls started building apps, and it could land them a job at Goldman Sachs. Here are the top Wall Street headlines at midday: We just received a bizarre letter that's purportedly from the $35 billion market-cap company with no revenue and $1,000 in the bank - Neuromama, the company whose market value spiked to $35 billion before trading was halted by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, has apparently fired back at what it called "incorrect" stories about the business. Healthcare companies may be tricking people into Obamacare - Some healthcare providers may be steering patients toward Obamacare instead of Medicare and Medicaid, according to a release from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. Viacom's CEO is getting an insane $72 million severance package when he steps down - The bitter wrangle for control over 93-year-old billionaire Sumner Redstones $40 billion media empire has reached a conclusion. Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins says he's seeing customers 'pause' because of Brexit - Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins says he's seeing a "pause" in UK customers due to the uncertainty around Brexit, although he downplayed its impact on the broader European market. China is flashing more warning signs - The latest data on Chinas economy have underscored worrisome concerns about its gross domestic product (GDP) outlook for the second half of 2016 and 2017. Vancouver's crazy housing market is melting down - Vancouver's frothy housing market appears to be melting down. More From Business Insider Jiang Yumei, the 32-year-old karaoke hostess accused of killing her roommate, tried to cover her tracks by wiping off the bloodstains in their shared bedroom in Geylang. The Chinese national allegedly slashed Zhao Jinhua, who was also a karaoke hostess, with a cleaver and landed blows on the 26 year-old victims head, neck and face in 2013. The bloodstains had spluttered across the walls, floor and furniture in the bedroom. But Jiang was not successful in the clean-up job, said a prosecution witness at the hearing of Jiangs case at the High Court on Friday (19 August). Lim Chin Chin, a former forensic scientist from the Health Sciences Authority who investigated the case, said, Jiang had attempted to clean up the scene of the crime. She had wiped the floor and walls of the room but we were still able to find bloodstains. Jiang allegedly killed Zhao, also a Chinese national, at their rented flat in Kim Court, Lorong 9 Geylang at between 11 pm, February 11, and 10 am, February 12, 2013. She faces one charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Zhaos body was discovered near the bed that she shared with Jiang, with her head partially underneath the bed. A piece of Zhaos scalp with a tuft of her hair was found about 40 centimetres away from her body. Giving her testimony before Judicial Commissioner Hoo Sheau Peng, Lim said there was bloodstains found on one of the walls in the room, which showed signs of an attempt to wipe them off. One bloodstain was found about two metres from the floor to a wall, possibly because the 1.56 metre tall Jiang could not reach it, Lim added. Bloodstains and DNA belonging to the deceased were also found on the pyjamas that Jiang was wearing on the night of the alleged offence. When asked by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Mohamed Faizal on how the stains ended at the back of the pyjamas, Lim said that it could be due to the way that Jiang stabbed her victim. The movement of her hand, when she is pulling the weapon upwards, could cause blood cast offs to fly off the weapon, she added. Jiang, who is represented by her lawyer Leo Cheng Suan, is facing a lifetime behind bars or up to 20 years jail and a fine if she is found guilty. The trial will resume on Tuesday (23 August). By Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - Civilians fled a city in northeastern Syria where government warplanes bombed Kurdish-held areas for a second day on Friday, as the Syrian army accused Kurdish forces of igniting the conflict by trying to take over the area. The fighting this week in Hasaka, which is divided into zones of Kurdish and Syrian government control, marks the most violent confrontation between the Kurdish YPG militia and Damascus in more than five years of civil war. The YPG is at the heart of a U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State in Syria, and controls swathes of the north where Kurdish groups have set up their own government since the Syrian war began in 2011. A Pentagon official said U.S.-led coalition aircraft were sent near Hasaka on Thursday to protect coalition special operation ground forces in response to bombing by Syrian jets, and additional combat air patrols were being sent to the area. The government air strikes on Hasaka mark the first time the Syrian military has deployed its warplanes against Kurdish groups during the war. Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the incident was not an intercept and the coalition aircraft reached the area by the time the Syrian government warplanes were leaving. YPG spokesman Redur Xelil told Reuters that Kurdish authorities had evacuated thousands of civilians from their area of control. "Whoever can bear arms is fighting the regime and its gangs," Xelil said. "Our situation is so far defensive but it will change all the while the regime escalates in this way." In its first comment on the situation, the Syrian army accused a YPG-affiliated security force known as the Asayish of igniting the violence through escalating "provocations" including the bombardment of army positions in Hasaka that had killed a number of soldiers and civilians. In a statement, the military command said the Asayish were aiming to take control of Hasaka city, and the army had responded appropriately by firing at armed groups' "sources of fire". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks the war using a network of activists, said civilians were using lulls in the fighting to flee the city. Xelil said dozens of civilians had been killed over the past two days. The YPG and Syrian government have mostly avoided confrontation during the multi-sided war that has turned Syria into a patchwork of areas held by the state and an array of armed factions. Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, has focused mostly on fighting Sunni Arab rebels who have been battling to oust him in western Syria with support from countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The Syrian and Russian air forces are routinely deployed in the war in western Syria. The YPG, or People's Protection Units, has meanwhile prioritized carving out and safeguarding predominantly Kurdish regions of northern Syria. The group has ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey. While the YPG controls most of the northeast, the Syrian government has maintained footholds in the cities of Hasaka and Qamishli at the border with Turkey. The YPG has controlled most of Hasaka city since last year. It is the second major eruption of fighting between the YPG and Syrian government fighters this year. In April, they fought several days of lethal battles in Qamishli, north of Hasaka city and also mostly YPG-held. The Observatory said Kurdish forces had gained ground in the southern part of Hasaka. Rami Abdulrahman, Observatory director, said the fighting began this week after pro-government militiamen detained a number of Kurdish youths, a step that had followed advances by Kurdish security forces towards government-held areas. (Additional reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Richard Balmforth) Days after learning that his Comedy Central late-night series The Nightly Show would be coming to an abrupt end, Larry Wilmore signed off Thursday night with an episode that centered on celebrating the show's family of contributors, including exec producer Jon Stewart. The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Wilmore shortly before his final Nightly Show taping about saying goodbye, his late-night legacy and what's next. Read more: Jon Stewart Joins Larry Wilmore for Final 'Nightly Show' How are you feeling? It's hard to describe. It all feels surreal. It's a mixed feeling of proud of the things we've done and sad that we're not going to be able to do it anymore. I guess it's a swirl of that - we have an ice cream truck here today and they're swirling a lot of flavors, so that's what I feel like today. Take me back to your conversation with Comedy Central. What was your immediate reaction and what questions did you have for them? I had already been informed by my agent, so by the time I spoke to Comedy Central I already knew what was going on. I thanked them for the opportunity because at that point there was nothing to be done. It was a generally pleasant conversation. I've known these guys for a long time; we started at The Daily Show. As disappointed as I was, it's weird but I was more filled with gratitude at this point to have had the opportunity. If it was a conversation before the [cancelation] decision had been made, it probably would have been a much more engaged conversation. What kind of questions would you have had for them if this was before the decision? We would have tried to work it out, tried to find a way to really get the show seen more and get more eyeballs on it - to try to work together to do that. Given how much the late-night landscape has changed - and as you look at the rising importance of these viral clips on social media - what do you think you could have done differently? Story continues You never know; sometimes you're a victim of circumstance. We were a bit invisible where we were and we did have some clips that did go viral but there is a lot of competition out there and eyeballs go to a lot of different places. It's hard to predict viral-ness, because by its nature it's unpredictable. There's no formula for it, so it's a tough thing to answer. As it sits now, you have no outlet to cover the election. Had you had the opportunity to talk with Comedy Central before it made its final decision, would you have considered doing a short deal extension just to cover it? We didn't end our season; it's been cut short. That's why I was surprised - because the new season starts in January. We started our first season in January this year, so it pretty much looked like that of a season. I thought we were going to go through the election, so I was just very disappointed that we weren't. Read more: Larry Wilmore and Comedy Central's $100 Million in Vanished Profits Have you thought about where you would like to provide commentary on the election? I haven't had a chance to yet. I'm going to sit down next week with some of my peeps and try to think about all of that. I've had a few people call me with ideas and things like that and a lot of them I'm like, "Slow your roll everybody! Give me a chance to breathe, we're still here." I have some time to think it through. I really appreciate the outpouring of support and thoughtfulness; it really is amazing. Because it's such an unusual election, I wouldn't mind having some input somewhere. But I'll figure it out. It may be as simple as me tweeting, or it may be something a little more structured. Who have been some of the people who have reached out with ideas? I'd rather not say; it's just some people around the industry. You have a long relationship with TBS/TNT's Kevin Reilly, dating back to The Office. TBS has found success with Samantha Bee and may need a companion. Have you thought about doing that? Have you spoken with Kevin? No, I haven't spoken with Kevin yet. I'm open to many possibilities. I also want to get back into half-hours and creating content. It's something I really enjoyed. So, getting into another late-night show is not actively what I want to do. There are some larger things that I want to do as well. I may produce something a bit larger scale and maybe have this show incorporated as part of that. I'm always excited about the next phase. I always try to live life like I get an abundance of something, rather than the deficit of it. Because now I look at it like, "OK, I can go somewhere and do something else and present something in a different way." Have you thought about a hybrid show that's part scripted and part commentary? In terms of what another show would look like, I haven't thought about it at all. We'll see. I'll take all I've learned from this process and from doing this show and put it into the next one, that's for sure. There are a lot of things that I really liked about this and you wonder about things that are a little more frustrating, too, and whether there are ways to produce it or preform. It does take a while to get comfortable. I give people that make it look easy a lot of credit. It's impossible to know what it's like until you're doing it. With Nightly Show in the books, how open are you to doing late night again? Very open. I don't know if I'd want to do it every night though. If I'm going to switch it up I'd really think about doing a once-a-week thing. I think it might be more suited to what I do. I'm in my 50s at this point! Seriously, why do I need to be working every day?! I should be setting an example for pacing yourself, not for wearing yourself out! Let the young guys do the everyday thing, that's what I say! I need to be a role model for my own people! And when I say "my own people," I'm talking age right now. By the way, that's been one of the most rewarding things of doing this show: all the love I've gotten from people - let's say the 35-60 group. That's the group the advertisers really don't care about, right?! We've been so proud that all age groups have really embraced our show. People say they watch with their family and I love that. To me that is a plus, not a minus. When you're working where the younger group is the most coveted and you have to target them, that's very frustrating to me as someone who doesn't really care about that. But what are you going to do?! Read more: Critic's Notebook: Yes, Larry Wilmore's 'Nightly Show' Will Be Missed You've addressed the outpouring of support on the air, with booze from Samantha Bee and Stephen Colbert. Who else has reached out? John Oliver sent me a note the other day. He and I are good friends. He texts that he's sending booze, but I haven't seen any booze! Trevor Noah [host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show] reached out. I really don't know Trevor well but we've spoken a couple of times and they sent over some pastries. Stephen sent me a note, too. Everyone's been really nice. You started with The Daily Show as the "Senior Black Correspondent." Have you considered popping back in with Trevor? You never know! The Senior Black Correspondent technically never lost his job. Maybe he was away on assignment! Would you work with Comedy Central again? You never say never in this business. Those things are unlikely right after this; this is a place that probably felt like they had their shot with me. It's not likely that they are going to want to do something right away. I would say that that would probably be an unlikely scenario. But, never say never. Let's talk about the last show. What do you hope to accomplish with this final episode? We have Jon Stewart guest and he just wanted to say a few words and he interrupted my top of show thing, which is fun. I want to show a retrospective of some of the work from the contributors and let them get their applause in front of the audience and have my last roundtable with all of them out there just shooting a breeze and talking about fun little bits of behind-the-scenes stuff and questions from the audience for them. It's like you get to see the whole family together. Finally, I'll have a simple thing that I'll say to the audience - a simple thank you and sign off very simply. What advice did Jon have for you about moving forward from this? I don't know if we've talked about that. I know I want to grow a beard like he has! I'll ask him some advice on that and raising pigs because I know he's doing that. He gave me one of those pep talks and we commiserated a bit. How upset was he? He was very upset. It was very nice just to be able to talk to him. He's been through this before himself, too. People forget Jon went through quite a time before he did The Daily Show and had a lot of ups and downs so he's been there before. Read more: Larry Wilmore on the Challenges of Breaking Into Late Night and Why He Teases John Oliver Have you talked about collaborating again with him? I'm sure that's always a possibility. He's awesome. Normally when shows like this end, they see the end coming and hosts are able to drop the filter. But you really never seemed like you were particularly filtered. That's true. Our motto is "Keep it 100." That's the whole point - drop the filter and that's what the audience comes to expect and that expectation creates a lot of fun on our show and fun for the audience. It wasn't just a game; it was our freedom. I enjoyed that all the time. It was very challenging and raised the bar. We had to be honest with ourselves about a lot of different things. Is there anything you feel that you had to hold back on over the last 20 months? I don't think so. Whenever we hit stories, we gave it our all. There was nothing where I was like, "I should have talked about that." Looking back, what kind of legacy do you hope Nightly Show will leave behind? When people talk about it what's the thing that you want them to say? I'm very proud of the fact that we put voices on TV that rarely get voices and say and control the narrative. We were a diverse group of people - both the front-of and behind the camera. We talked about issues that aren't easy issues to talk about in America. We had that conversation and we had a lot of fun with it. Sometimes we succeeded, sometimes we didn't succeed so much. We gave it our all and I hope people kind of appreciated that we did that. We were the little show that kept on it. You made sure to get one last Bill Cosby mini-rant in this week. Is not seeing that story through to the end a bigger regret than not seeing the election through to its end? It's funny that that issue really was the bigger issue for me on our show as opposed to race or politics. I was probably the most passionate about abuse and harassment. I feel that it's powerful when men can speak up on these things and give voice to it. It's something that I'm very happy to do. I'm not going away though. I can still speak up on that. Read more: Larry Wilmore Jokes About 'Nightly Show' End: "Racism Is Solved" You have HBO's Issa Rae comedy Insecure coming up on and you're an EP on ABC's Blackish. How much of a focus will you have on scripted going forward? Will you be more involved in one or both of those? I left Blackish to do this but Insecure, I was a consultant on the first season after co-creating it. We'll see. That will be some of the things I'll be thinking about and, when I talk about scripted, that's what I mean, half-hour and getting back into that world. I really love storytelling. It's really something that I miss. As much as I love doing this, I really love storytelling as well. I'll probably be doing something like that more immediately. Do you have an overall deal anywhere? Is that something that's of interest to you? Definitely. I'd love to set up shop somewhere and develop projects - film, TV, digital - would be a fun thing to do. And I love mentoring people, too, and working with Kenya Barris [on Blackish] and then being able to go somewhere else again. If you had the option of going anywhere - broadcast, basic/premium cable or streaming - what kind of space would you like to be in? That's a tough question to answer because even as you're saying that it just goes to show how many outlets there are. And they're all attractive. You talk to the people and you see where you have relationships where you can accomplish what you want to do. I've been around so long that I know a lot of the people - and most of the places, too - which is nice because there's mutual respect and we can really talk about the types of collaborations that we're looking for. Read more: Larry Wilmore Toasts 'Nightly Show' With Samantha Bee-Gifted Wine Where do you feel most comfortable: late-night host, stand-up comedian, writer, actor or producer? Probably producing. I like putting it together and seeing it through from beginning to end. Writing is the most frustrating, but it's something that I've always done. All writers have a love-hate relationship with writing. Preforming is fun, too, but I wouldn't say it's my favorite. But the most fulfilling is producing. Wrapping up, how would Ryan Lochte explain The Nightly Show's cancelation? [Laughing] He would say that there was a gun held to the heads of the people at the network! I cannot believe that situation! That is amazing! Minister Saseendran told the Chief Minister that he would not tolerate Thachankery in his department and wanted to replace him. By Revathi Rajeevan, Jeemon Jacob: Kerala government removed Transport Commissioner Tomin J. Thachankery from the post after Transport Minister A.K Saseendran complained against his style of functioning in the department. Government appointed S. Anandakrishnan, Additional Director General of Police Crime Branch as new Transport Commissioner. Minister Saseendran told the Chief Minister that he would not tolerate Thachankery in his department and wanted to replace him. advertisement CONTROVERSIES 87 batch IPS officer Thachankery stirred a controversy when he issued a circular to celebrate his birthday on August 10 distributing sweets and cakes among the public and employees. Later he apologised for his behavior in public. Minister has directed Chief Secretary S.M Vijayanand to probe on the behavior of the official issuing circular to celebrate his birthday. Chief Secretary presented his report before the Cabinet meeting held in the morning. Thachankery who is known for his proximity to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has been a controversial officer since he joined the service. During his tenure as Transport Commissioner , he issued transfer orders without consulting the Minister and directed IAS officials to remove the flag from their official vehicles. VS Achuthanandan government suspended him from service in 2010 April for undertaking the foreign trip without its prior consent and he was reinstated in service by Chandy government. --- ENDS --- By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - A prominent Texas lawyer was acquitted on Thursday of charges he made up thousands of fake clients to sue BP Plc for damages that the oil company caused in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico spill, court records show. Mikal Watts was among five defendants found not guilty by a Mississippi federal jury of charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud a program set up by BP to compensate people who suffered economic losses from the spill. Two other defendants were found guilty. The U.S. Department of Justice had accused the defendants of submitting claims on behalf of more than 40,000 people who had not agreed to be represented by Watts' firm, or else were identified with stolen or bogus Social Security numbers and other personal information. According to the indictment, one alleged victim, named Lucy Lu, who supposedly was a deckhand on a commercial seafood vessel, was actually a dog. The convicted defendants were Gregory Warren and Thi Houng "Kristy" Le, who prosecutors said helped collect names and information. Also acquitted were Watts' brother David Watts and Wynter Lee, who both worked for Mikal Watts' San Antonio law firm, and field representatives Hector Eloy Guerra and Thi Hoang "Abbie" Nguyen, who was Le's sister-in-law. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Mikal Watts, who represented himself at trial, and lawyers for Warren and Le did not immediately respond to a request for comment. BP last month estimated it would incur $61.6 billion of overall liabilities for the April 20, 2010 spill, including for cleanup costs, damages claims and regulatory penalties. The case is U.S. v. Watts et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi, No. 15-cr-00065. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York) The morning after reality star Toya Wright learned her brothers had been shot to death in New Orleans, her ex-husband Lil Wayne flew in to support her and her family, she says. It didnt surprise me that he showed up, Wright tells PEOPLE exclusively about her relationship with her rapper ex. Were still very, very close. The couple, married for nearly two years before splitting in 2006, raised Ryan Rudy Johnson, one of Wrights brothers who were gunned down inside a vehicle on July 31. Another brother Joshua Fish Johnson also died at the scene. New Orleans police officials say its an ongoing investigation. Wright and Lil Wayne have a 17-year-old daughter named Reginae Carter. Wright says Reginae, who grew up with Ryan, was devastated after hearing the news. [Lil Waynes] daughter needed him and he was there, Wright says. He calls and checks on us all the time. The burial was difficult for everyone. Lil Wayne did not attend because he didnt want it turning into a media thing, she says. He really cant handle funerals. Neither can I, she continues. It was so hard to see my two brothers in caskets. I had nightmares afterward. It was so hard. For more on how Toya is healing, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday. The New York Times best-selling author has been trying to stay busy since she buried her brothers on Aug. 5. She appears on WeTVs Marriage Boot Camp and is preparing to release a memoir next month, titled In My Own Words. Although recent events have made life overwhelming at times, Wright is reminded of the importance of family. Me and my daughter both wish we had one more day to say, I love you. Related: For more news videos, visit Yahoo View. By Toni Clarke (Reuters) - Florida health officials have found evidence of local Zika virus transmission in Miami Beach, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, opening a new front in the fight against the mosquito-borne virus, according to a source familiar with the investigation. A handful of Zika cases have been identified and health officials are deciding which area or areas to include in any updated travel guidance, the source said. An announcement is expected to be made as early as Friday. The virus, which has spread rapidly through the Americas since it was first detected in Brazil last year, can cause the rare birth defect microcephaly, marked by abnormally small heads and developmental problems. A spokeswoman for Florida's health department, Mara Gambineri, said the department believes active transmissions are still only occurring in a small area in the Wynwood area of Miami but acknowledged two new Zika cases outside that area. "If investigations reveal additional areas of likely active transmission, the department will announce a defined area of concern," she said in a statement. Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine told a press conference late on Thursday that state and federal health officials have yet to conclude the tourist hotspot is the latest area where Zika has been transmitted. "We don't know the exact link, one could be a tourist, one could be someone who may have worked on Miami Beach," Levine told reporters. "If it was confirmed we'd be able to talk about that, but it's not." Levine said health department investigations are ongoing, and a determination could come as soon as Friday. So far there have been 35 cases of likely local transmission in the state, including the two new cases announced on Thursday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention referred calls to state health officials. The prospect of the virus spreading to the tourism-dependent Miami Beach area is likely to alarm tourism officials. Story continues Last year, some 15.5 million people spent at least one night in Greater Miami and the beaches, generating nearly $24.4 billion in direct expenditures, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. More than 48 percent of all visitors stayed in Miami Beach. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said it would not be surprising to see new clusters of Zika cases pop up in different areas or counties of Florida. Local mosquito populations could pick up the virus from a person returning from another area where Zika is active. He said it is important to alert people as soon as possible if local transmission is occurring so that pregnant women can protect themselves and get tested for the virus. At the same time, he said, "you don't want to jump to conclusions right away and cause people to panic or stigmatize an area that doesn't have local transmission." Earlier this month Florida began aerial spraying of insecticides to kill mosquitoes in the Wynwood neighborhood. The CDC also issued an unprecedented warning to pregnant women and their partners to avoid the area. It is unclear what kind of mosquito control may be implemented, if any, in Miami Beach. The Zika virus has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of microcephaly in Brazil, raising alarm among public health officials globally about its spread. The virus can also be spread through sex, making it unique among mosquito-borne diseases. President Barack Obama in February requested $1.9 billion to fight Zika but Congressional efforts to approve part of the funding deadlocked before lawmakers adjourned for the summer. (Reporting by Toni Clarke in Washington; Additional reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa and Zachary Fagenson in Miami; Editing by Michele Gershberg, Bernard Orr and Michael Perry) London (AFP) - All-night services finally begin on the London Underground on Friday, after being delayed for months by a dispute with workers and a lack of political will according to the city's mayor. The Night Tube is seen as a boost for revellers, tourists and shift workers, who on Friday and Saturday nights will be able to travel on the network at any chosen hour. The new service will begin on the Victoria and Central lines, crossing through the centre of London and covering neighbourhoods including Notting Hill and Brixton. There are plans to extend the scheme later this year to the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, with the latter reaching Heathrow airport. The night-time service was scheduled to start in September last year but was delayed by a dispute with trade unions over staff conditions and pay. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who was elected in May, said he had seen widespread enthusiasm for the scheme and was surprised it had taken so long. "It's not me making a cheap point, but the previous mayor did announce the Night Tube start date on one occasion and that wasn't met, on a second occasion, that wasn't met, on a third occasion, that wasn't met, and then gave up," said Khan, referring to predecessor and current Foreign Minister Boris Johnson. "My point is TfL (Transport for London) staff work incredibly hard. It can't be beyond the wit of a full-time mayor and TfL to make this work properly," he told the Press Association news agency. The mayor has recorded welcome messages to be played out at Oxford Circus station in the heart of the capital. - Safety concerns - Tube operating firm TfL claims the Night Tube will create jobs and boost the night-time economy of bars, clubs, restaurants, and music events. Concerns, however, have been expressed about the safety of the new service, after a leaked internal assessment by TfL indicated that sexual offences and other crimes are likely to increase. Story continues The British Transport Police are providing 100 more officers to patrol the 144 stations that will be open all night when the service begins. All stations will also be staffed by Tube employees, who had staged a series of strikes in their dispute with Johnson over rotas on the new service. Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said on Thursday the association would resist any attempts to deliver the overnight service "on the cheap". "Huge logistical challenges in areas like safety, maintenance and engineering will remain under close scrutiny by the union," Cash said in a statement. London has a vibrant party scene but relatively few venues are open past 1 am, an early finish compared to cities such as New York, and most pubs still serve their last drinks at 11 pm. There is also increasing concern about the number of nightclubs that are closing down in the city. The latest under threat is Fabric, which temporarily closed its doors last weekend after two teenagers died of suspected drug overdoses in the past nine weeks. Advocates of the Night Tube also emphasise its benefits on the rest of the cultural sector, with theatres and galleries now more able to stay open late if visitors can get home. The Tube dates back to 1863 and carries over one billion passengers every year. TfL estimates that 180,000 trips will be made on the new Night Tube between half past midnight and 6 am, more than half of them switched from existing bus and taxi routes. London is relatively well served by night buses but they can be slow and unreliable, particularly in the outer suburbs of the capital. Meanwhile taxis are expensive. The CW may shift from The Vampire Diaries to The Lost Boys. After a multiple-network bidding war, the younger-skewing network has signed on to team with Veronica Mars and iZombie creator Rob Thomas to develop a new take on 1987 vampire movie The Lost Boys, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The new take, which landed at The CW with a script commitment, reimagines the film over seven seasons (and 70 years) with each frame covering a decade. In success, the first run will be set in San Francisco during 1967's so-called Summer of Love. Each season will see the humans, setting, antagonist and story all change. Only the vampires - aka the Lost Boys - will remain the same. Thomas will pen the script for the CW's take and exec produce via his Warner Bros. Television-based Spondoolie Productions banner alongside frequent collaborators Danielle Stokydk and Dan Etheridge. Gulfstream's Juliana Janes, Mike Kartz and Bill Bindley also will exec produce after the production company came up with the idea to remake the feature film that starred Sutherland, Jason Patric, Jami Gertz, Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. Read more: From Tina Fey to Bryan Fuller, 41 Hollywood Producers Explain the Weird, Personal Origins of Their Company Names The potential Lost Boys series comes as The CW is prepping to say farewell to The Vampire Diaries - with the Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec show signing off after its upcoming eighth season. The series was once the cornerstone of the network but has recently been topped by DC Comics entry The Flash, which now ranks as The CW's most-watched entry. Reboots continue to remain in high demand as broadcast, cable and streaming outlets look for proven IP in a bid to cut through a cluttered scripted landscape that is quickly approaching 500 original series. Key to the remakes is having the original producers involved in some capacity - which The Lost Boys has in Warner Bros. - as more studios look to monetize their existing film libraries. Other reboots in the works include Varsity Blues at CMT and L.A. Law, though the latter does not yet have a network attached. The upcoming broadcast season features a number of familiar titles, including MacGyver (CBS), Training Day (CBS), Frequency (The CW), Lethal Weapon (Fox), 24: Legacy (Fox), The Exorcist (Fox) and Taken (NBC). Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f183688%2fgettyimages-590202948 Nearly a week after catastrophic rains barreled down on Louisiana, burying swaths of the state underwater, residents are still struggling to recover from what could be the worst U.S. natural disaster since 2012s Hurricane Sandy. Around 30,000 residents have been rescued and at least 13 people have died, state officials confirmed. More than 85,000 people have registered for federal disaster assistance in the days since President Barack Obama declared the floods a natural disaster on Aug. 14, said Mike Steele, a spokesman for the Governors Office of Homeland and Security and Emergency Preparedness. SEE ALSO: Why the extreme Louisiana floods are worrying but not surprising Were in the middle of still fighting the flood in some areas, but weve already started the recovery process in others, he told Mashable on Thursday afternoon. Its a multi-phase attack from the state at this point, he said. An animation shows satellite-based measurements of rainfall as it accumulated over the southern United States from Aug. 12-14, 2016. Image: nasa earth observatory Homes are seen in flood waters in Denham Springs, Louisiana, Aug. 15, 2016. Image: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images The American Red Cross said the devastating floods, which affected nearly a third of the states 64 parishes, is likely the nations worst natural disaster since Sandy pummeled the East Coast, destroying waterfront communities and displacing thousands of families for years. Relief efforts in Louisiana are challenging, with life-threatening floods and road closures making conditions dangerous, Brad Kieserman, vice president of disaster services operations and logistics for the Red Cross, said Monday in a media release. The Red Cross estimated its response to the Louisiana floods could cost more than $10 million, an amount that includes providing community shelters, serving prepared meals and dispatching dozens of emergency response vehicles. The total damages from the floods, though, is likely to climb into the billions. Hurricane Sandy, by comparison, killed at least 88 Americans and racked up nearly $72 billion in total U.S. economic damages. Story continues Mud-covered belongings are seen on the floor of a home after flood water receded in Denham Springs, Louisiana, Aug. 17, 2016. Image: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images Steele said flood damages in Louisiana had already surpassed an estimated $6-7 million, the states threshold for receiving assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It will probably take weeks to determine the full impact, partly because the fight is still going on in some areas, he said. He noted that, just minutes before the Thursday phone call with Mashable, a weather app alerted him to a flash flood warning this evening near Baton Rouge. Were at the heart of when we are usually impacted by tropical weather, he said. Theres a number of dreary scenarios. As full as these waterways are, [a tropical storm] would be terrible right now. Nestle India just launched new flavours and varieties of Maggi that will take your world by storm. Now is the best time to have the ultimate Maggi party. Picture courtesy: Instagram/nuffeesa By Shreya Goswami: Gone are the bad days when Maggi was off the market. And we've been celebrating the greatest comeback in the history of 'quick noodles' ever since. But the real celebration is just beginning. How? Well, Nestle India just launched some new and amazing flavours of Maggi that will take your world (we mean your Maggi obsessed palates) by storm! advertisement So what are the new variants you should try immediately? First, go get some Maggi Hot Heads. If you love all things spicy and hot, and were adding extra green chillies to your bowl full of golden Maggi all these years, this is just the thing you need. Now, Maggi comes with all the chillies you want! This new Maggi variety is going to quench all your chilli cravings. Picture courtesy: Instagram/glassfwine Also read: 3 things you can cook in Indian hostels, apart from Maggi Hot Heads comes in three varieties of hotness: Green Chilli, Barbeque Pepper, and Peri Peri (all priced between Rs. 20 and Rs. 22 for a 71 gm packet). So the moment you crave some spicy Maggi that'll make your ears steam, go for one of these three. Finally, a Maggi variety Jains can enjoy. Picture courtesy: Twitter/BaniyaDeals If you've had to stay away from Maggi all these years because you can't have any onion or garlic (basically, if you're Jain or hate root veggies), then the new No Onion No Garlic Masala variety (priced at Rs. 15 for a 70 gm packet) is your answer to midnight munchies. You can just get a packet of Maggi, and finally join the rest of us for a little Maggi party! You might have been depressed when Nestle didn't re-launch Maggi Cuppa Noodles when it made its comeback. But worry not, because now Cuppa Noodles is back-with a vengeance. Also read: Try getting this Maggi song by Vir Das and Alien Chutney out of your head Cuppa Noodles are back with a vengeance. Picture courtesy: Twitter/sam2hack_india Yes, the third new variety is your favourite Cuppa Masala (priced at Rs.40 for 70 gm)! And that's not all. There's a new flavour of Cuppa Noodles as well-Cuppa Chilly Chow-that's totally droolworthy. With the great promise of hot Chinese flavours, this is all you need when you're travelling or just plain lazy to cook dinner. We just can't wait to grab all of these new flavours, and we're sure the rest of India agrees. With these amazing new variants, we just know what we'll do this coming weekend-let the ultimate Maggi party begin! advertisement With inputs from IANS --- ENDS --- By Serena Chaudhry LONDON (Reuters) - Not many Bollywood film stars go from the big screen to television, but the Indian actor and producer Anil Kapoor has not had a traditional career. Kapoor acted in the Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire", and now he's back with a second season of "24", the Indian remake of the U.S. television series about a counter-terrorism agent. He stars as Jai Singh Rathod, the Indian equivalent of Jack Bauer. "People say that movie stars and big movie stars don't do television because from the big screen you're in everybody's bedroom, it's small screen. So that risk was there," Kapoor told Reuters in an interview in London. "But I've always taken risks in my career, and I love playing with fire." The 59-year-old actor first came to London in 1979 as a backup dancer in a show at the Royal Albert Hall. Since then, he has acted in more than 100 films, including "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" with Tom Cruise and numerous Bollywood hits like "Mr India" and "Taal". He also acted in the American "24". The second season of Indias "24", which will also air in London on Colors TV, is a 24-episode series representing 24 hours in Rathod's life as he races to save civilians from becoming collateral damage in a medical terrorism plot. Kapoor said the story is relevant in today's world, where terrorism is the biggest threat. "The content has to be great and I felt that '24' has that potential. It's a great story, it's great content ... Initially, yes, when I was doing it, there was a risk, but in my mind I was very confident that people are going to like it," he said. The show aims to break up viewing habits in India, which are dominated by women and tend towards programs centered on love and the complex relationships within an extended Indian family. It will take time to change that mindset, Kapoor said, but India's middle class and youth want more realistic fare. "It has to be as real as possible. If there was a film which is slightly the way it was made earlier, which is melodramatic or doesn't look believable, starts looking fake, those films are rejected," he said. The actor, whose three children have also followed in his footsteps into the Indian film industry, said shooting for television was more intense than doing a film because it required longer working hours for a longer period of time. After wrapping up the second season of "24", Kapoor plans to start work on the upcoming Bollywood family drama "Mubaraka". He has also secured the rights to make Indian versions of the shows "Modern Family" and "Prison Break". (Editing by Larry King) By Kristen Haunss NEW YORK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Chefs' Warehouse this month cut its earnings forecast by about 20% just weeks after it obtained millions of dollars in financing, drawing the ire of some lenders. The distributor of specialty food products said it had a net loss for the second quarter of US$8.5m compared to net income of US$3.4m for the same time period in 2015, according to an August 2 earnings release. Chefs' also this month updated its 2016 adjusted Ebitda guidance to between US$53m and US$58.5m. In May it forecast US$68m to US$73m. Investors in Chefs' US$305m term loan, which was arranged by a group of banks led by Jefferies, were frustrated after the company changed its earnings forecast just weeks after they agreed to provide financing for the company. Potentially complicating the investment are acquisition limits placed on the borrower by its credit agreement that require a certain ratio of debt compared to earnings. The 20% reduction in Ebitda guidance is a "sizable reduction, no question about that," Pete Trombetta, an analyst at Moody's Investors Service, said in a telephone interview. Chefs' is growing and part of that process is to make acquisitions to speed growth, often targeting a certain city, he said. The integration of a 2015 purchase has weighed on the company this year. Under the permitted acquisitions basket of the company's credit agreement, Chefs' needs to be below 4.9 times total net leverage on a pro forma basis in order to do an acquisition, according to Ian Feng, an analyst at Covenant Review. The company is allowed to net up to US$25m of unrestricted cash from its debt calculations, he said. The company said it projected total leverage with the financing to be 4.9 times, according to a June lender presentation. That figure was calculated before Chefs' increased the size of the term loan by US$25m. Moody's said in a June 16 report that the loan upsize would increase leverage to about 5.3 times. Story continues With the new 2016 earnings guidance, adjusted leverage for this year is now 5.7 times to 6.1 times, according to an August 8 Moody's report. John Austin, the company's chief financial officer, in response to a question about its leverage covenant on an August 2 earnings call said the company can do incremental acquisitions as long as it does not go above a set leverage level at close, according to the transcript. He said it may be a function of how much Ebitda gets added. Chris Pappas, Chefs' chief executive officer, said on the call that the company is not in a rush to do additional acquisitions at this time. A spokesperson for Chefs' declined to comment. A bank meeting for lenders was held on June 2 to discuss the financing package that was arranged by Jefferies, Bank of Montreal, JP Morgan and Wells Fargo, according to sources. The company was seeking a US$75m asset-based revolving line of credit, a US$280m senior secured first-lien term loan, which was increased to US$305m, and a US$50m senior secured delayed-draw term loan, the sources said. A JP Morgan spokesperson declined to comment. Spokespeople for the other arranging banks either did not return telephone calls or could not immediately comment. WHERE'S THE BEEF? Chefs' had been expanding its presence with acquisitions, including the 2015 purchase of Del Monte Capitol Meat Co. A year and a half later, and the integration has not been going as quickly as planned. "I think the main driver for the miss was that the [Del Monte] integration isn't going as smoothly as they expected," Trombetta said. "The cost savings they expected to get is going to take longer to achieve. The acquisition of Del Monte was a positive, I think it will work for them, it will just take longer to get there." After seeking the financing in early June, the company announced June 27 it had acquired almost all of the assets of M.T. Food Service. Chefs' has also been impacted by a slowdown in the restaurant industry, though it is unclear what the exact cause of that slowdown is, Trombetta said. Wendy's, for example, announced this month a net income of US$26.5m in the second quarter, compared to US$40.2m during the same time period in 2015, according to an August 10 news release. The rising cost of certain types of beef has also impacted the company, Trombetta said. Protein accounts for about 40% of total sales, according to the Moody's report, and beef, along with poultry and seafood offerings, anchor Chefs' portfolio, according to the lender presentation. And while the price of beef in general has declined - retail ground beef prices in May were US$3.72 a pound, down 10 cents from the month before - the price of certain types of beef, such as prime beef, which makes up a large portion of Chefs' Allen Brothers business, has increased, according to Moody's. While investors may not be happy about Chefs' falling guidance, Trombetta said there are positives. "At the end of the day, the company is still doing the right things," Trombetta said. Chefs' "has a lot of room for growth in some new markets. I think they are doing the right things and it's just that the benefits from the Del Monte acquisition are being pushed out." (Reporting by Kristen Haunss; Editing by Leela Parker Deo and Jon Methven) HOUSTON (Reuters) - LyondellBasell Industries was restoring production at its 263,776 barrel per day (bpd) Houston refinery after a midday power interruption robbed the plant of steam supply on Thursday. "Operations impacted by the power interruption from the external electrical and steam supplier have resumed," Lyondell spokeswoman Faye Eson said in an emailed statement. A single turbine producing steam was restarted mid-afternoon by supplier Calpine Corp, said a Calpine spokesman. Three Gulf Coast market sources said the refinery's two crude distillation units were operating at mininum levels and a plan was being developed to restart the 90,000 bpd gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracking unit over the weekend. Each of the two CDUs was operating between 80,000 and 90,000 bpd. The larger of the two crude units has a capacity of 147,000 bpd and the smaller's capacity is 120,000 bpd. Lyondell hopes the refinery will reach a total crude throughput above 70 percent of capacity by sometime Friday, the sources said. The timing of the FCCU's return may depend on the restart of a second steam-producing turbine, so the unit has redundant supply, according to the sources. Eson said no injuries were reported at the refinery due to the loss of steam, which powers turbines, compressors, and for the flare system. A thick plume of black smoke, visible 10 miles away, streamed from the refinery for about two hours after the steam loss. Eson said initial air testing showed "no level of concern for the surrounding community." Before the steam loss, the refinery had been at reduced production levels since Wednesday, when the 42,000 bpd coking unit was shut to replace piping on the unit that may be subject to corrosion, the sources said. Thursday was the second time this month Lyondell had to contend with an unplanned interruption. A power outage at the sulfur recovery complex on Aug. 9 triggered 12 hours of flaring at the refinery that released 592,500 pounds of sulfur dioxide, according to a regulatory notice. CDUs do the initial refining of crude oil coming into the refinery and provide feedstock for all other units. Cokers boost the yield of refinable material taken from barrel of oil and convert residual crude to petroleum coke. (Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and David Gregorio) PM Modi will be the face of Incredible India campaign of the Union Culture and Tourism Ministry. Union minister Mahesh Sharma had earlier hinted that Modi is the "best face" of the campaign. By Anindya Banerjee: Its official. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the face of Incredible India campaign of the Union Culture and Tourism Ministry. After much deliberations, a decision has been taken in this regard. Concepts for ad films have also been directed to be submitted in a week's time. Modi will be talking about the significance of different places in those films. advertisement Union Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma had earlier hinted that Modi is the "best face" of the campaign but no formal decision was taken back then. Bollywood actor Aamir Khan was the last brand ambassador for this campaign. However, he was not approached agains for renewal of his contract in the wake of his "leaving India" controversial remark. This ended the contract. Since then, the names of the suitable candidate for the campaign was being speculated. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan's name was also being discussed. There were demands to appoint someone apart from Bollywood as the brand ambassador. However, the finally, the name of Modi has been sealed. The Prime Minister has been touring the world and making efforts to have India's voice heard on international forums and also on one-on-one basis with different countries. Modi has also been trying to isolate Pakistan by creating a rapport not only with the US, which funds the neighbouring country's defence requirements but also several Islamic countries. --- ENDS --- A 74-year-old Florida man was arrested by wildlife officials after he opened fire on an alligator that he claims was terrorizing his horses. Reginald Blanton said he walked through his Sumter County pasture with his 9mm handgun because something was spooking his livestock. Read: Grandmother Outraged After Alligator Eats Her Dog During Family Walk In The Park When he saw a 9-foot, 300-pound gator a few feet away from his animals, he fired four rounds, he said, striking the predator three times. His stepson, thinking the reptile was dead walked up to it, only to be severely bitten. Thats when Blanton dialed 911. My stepson just got bit by a damn alligator, he told the dispatcher, according to audio of the call made on June 21. Wildlife officers later euthanized the gator. Blanton said he was floored when he was arrested earlier this month and charged with illegally shooting an American alligator, a misdemeanor. I was shocked because I wasnt expecting it, he told WKMG-TV. I dont think I should be charged with that. Blanton's stepson, Jackie Hildreth, 58, spent 10 days in the hospital after he was attacked, suffering serious wounds in his calf, thigh and neck. The gator, Blanton said, "raised up like he'd been shot out of a cannon" and latched onto Hildreth. "He's bleeding bad," Blanton told the emergency dispatcher. Read: Hear 911 Call After Alligator Attacks Swimmer: 'It Completely bit Her Arm Off!' The Florida Wildlife Commission spent more than a month investigating the shooting and agents "felt there was enough evidence and the state's attorney agreed" to charge Blanton with the illegal taking of an alligator, spokesman Robert Klepper told InsideEdition.com on Thursday. A judge will determine what, if any, punishment Blanton will face, Klepper said. The maximum penalty is up to $500 in fines and 60 days in jail. Story continues Blanton said he was only protecting his horses and did nothing wrong. Watch: Man Stunned to See 10-Foot Alligator Seeking Shelter in His Garage Related Articles: A 74-year-old Florida man was arrested by wildlife officials after he opened fire on an alligator that was terrorizing his horses, the rancher said. Reginald Blanton said he walked through his Sumter County pasture with his 9mm handgun because something was spooking his livestock. Read: Grandmother Outraged After Alligator Eats Her Dog During Family Walk In The Park When he saw a 9-foot, 300-pound gator a few feet away from his animals, he fired four rounds, he said, striking the predator three times. His step-son, thinking the reptile was dead walked up to it, only to be severely bitten. Thats when Blanton dialed 911. My step-son just got bit by a damn alligator, he told the dispatcher, according to audio of the call made on June 21. Wildlife officers later euthanized the gator. Blanton said he was floored when he was arrested earlier this month and with illegally shooting an American alligator, a misdemeanor. I was shocked because I wasnt expecting it, he told WKMG-TV. I dont think I should be charged with that. Blanton's step-son, Jackie Hildreth, 58, spent 10 days in the hospital after he was attacked, suffering serious wounds in his calf, thigh and neck. The gator, Blanton said, "raised up like he'd been shot out of a cannon" and latched onto Hildreth. "He's bleeding bad," Blanton told the emergency dispatcher. Read: Hear 911 Call After Alligator Attacks Swimmer: 'It Completely bit Her Arm Off!' The Florida Wildlife Commission spent more than a month investigating the shooting and agents "felt there was enough evidence and the state's attorney agreed" to charge Blanton with the illegal taking of an alligator, spokesman Robert Klepper told InsideEdition.com on Thursday. A judge will determine what, if any, punishment Blanton will face, Klepper said. The maximum penalty is up to $500 in fines and 60 days in jail. Story continues Blanton said he was only protecting his horses and did nothing wrong. Watch: Man Stunned To See 10-Foot Alligator Seeking Shelter In His Garage Related Articles: MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - The African-American man whose shooting death by police over the weekend sparked riots in Milwaukee was shot once in the chest and once in the right arm, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office said on Friday. It did not release additional information about its autopsy on Sylville Smith, 23, fatally shot on Saturday by a police officer who said Smith refused to drop his gun. Two nights of rioting erupted after the shooting, with many protesters saying racial bias by police was behind the incident. Eight officers were wounded, and dozens of people were arrested, police said. One person suffered a gunshot wound. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has urged state officials to release video of Smith's shooting as soon as possible in hopes that it would corroborate the police department's account and convince protesters the use of deadly force was justified. Wisconsin state law requires police shootings be investigated by an independent state agency, which controls such evidence. Besides reviving a national conversation about race, inequality and the use of deadly force by police, the riots called attention to Milwaukee as one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States. (Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) With its close proximity to the nations capital and wide diversity of filming locations including the Appalachian Mountains, the Chesapeake Bay, multiple small towns, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland offers producers multiple shooting options. To sweeten the pie, the state provides a generous 25% refundable tax credit for films and a 27% refundable tax credit for television. Other program specifics include a minimum spend of $500,000 per project and a $500,000 compensation cap. The state has no project cap. To qualify, a production must conduct at least 50% of its principal photography in Maryland. Over the years, many high-profile projects have filmed in the Old Line State. In particular, shows with a political orientation looking for opportunities to shoot near Washington D.C. have set up shop in Maryland. These include TV series The West Wing (NBC), which ran from 1999 to 2006; and ongoing series Veep and House of Cards (both on HBO). HBOs The Wire, which ran from 2002 to 2008, is set in the grittiest parts of Baltimore and also shot there. Feature films that have shot partly in Maryland include Pixels (2015), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), and Ted (2012). Going back, Maryland has hosted films such as The Accidental Tourist, Hairspray, and Enemy of the State, and True Colors. Information courtesy of EP Financial Solutions, a production incentive consulting and financial services company. Production Incentives $500k Minimum spend $500k Compensation cap 25% Refundable tax credit for film 27% Refundable tax credit for TV 50% Principal photography that must take place in state Related stories Discovery Channel's 'Hello World' Lets Music Stars Go Wild About Species, Habitats How HBO's 'The Night Of' Prepared DP Robert Elswit for 'Nightcrawler' Emmy-Nominated Comedy Series Have No Boundaries on Hilarity PORT LOUIS (Reuters) - Mauritius said on Friday that tourism revenue in 2016 will be 1.8 percent higher than it had previously forecast, after a surge in visitors during the first half. Tourism is a valuable source of foreign exchange for the tiny Indian Ocean country known for its luxury spas and beaches. Earnings from the sector are now expected to reach 56 billion rupees this year, up from an earlier forecast of 55 billion in May, according to Statistics Mauritius, an official body. Last year, tourism earnings totalled 50.2 billion rupees. The statistics agency also raised its forecast for 2016 arrivals to 1,250,000 tourists from 1,240,000. Visitors in 2015 numbered 1,151,723. In the first half of 2016, Mauritius attracted 586,464 tourists, up 9.9 percent from a year earlier. (Reporting by Jean Paul Arouff; Editing by Aaron Maasho and Dominic Evans) Its Vintage Week at Yahoo Style! In honor of our favorite environmentally-friendly way to make sure youre never wearing the same outfit as anyone else, were bringing you insider intel on the best vintage what to look for, where to find it, and how to make the most money when selling yours. Stay tuned all week for more. The rental archive floor at New York Vintage. Fashion insider, like fashionista, is one of those terms that gets bandied about all too often, rarely meaning much more than once quaffed Champagne next to so-and-so. With Shannon Hoey, the force behind the museum-quality clothing collection known as New York Vintage, the term actually fits. Pieces from her collection have made appearances in films like The Great Gatsby or A Winters Tale and on television shows like Boardwalk Empire and shes dressed everyone from Beyonce to Miley and Lupita. Related: How To Do Naked Black Tie Like Miley and Rihanna Hoey, whose business is located in Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood, looks unassuming in her casual uniform of jeans and a cashmere sweater, but when she talks about seaming and craftsmanship, its immediately clear she knows her fashion history inside and out. She can tell 100% the difference between a masterfully-made 1920s gown, and a present-day knockoff, she says. Women used to go blind in the 1920s sewing beads onto dresses. And youll see, every now and then, a bead will be a different color. Thats how you know its hand-finished, and not machine-finished. 1920s dresses by unknown designers. Hoey came into fashion through a side door, after studying art history and working with her husbandwho was raised in the antiques businesssorting through vast estate sales. We were on an estate and I discovered this trunk full of the most pristine 1940s hats. And to me they were works of art, these beautiful, architectural pieces. So I began collecting, and eventually decided to jump in with both feet, opening a retail store. She opened her shop in 2001. Story continues Related: Lupita Nyongo Trades One Elie Saab Dress for Another While some might choose to double down on selling popular Pucci dresses, Hoey developed a passion for the rare birdslike a 1958 Christian Dior gown designed by Yves Saint Laurentthat were investment pieces, things you just couldnt sell. (If you did, says Hoey, the gown appraises at $8000-10,000.) And so a business was born. Hoey now rents out everything from 1880s whale-boned corsets to Edwardian top hats, flapper-style gowns and statement costume jewelry from the 1980s. Price? Expensive. The cost of collectible couture has soared to new heights lately. These are truly works of art, she notes. Viewings, naturally, are by appointment only and you might have to wear white gloves as you peruse since the oil from hands can ruin the more delicate pieces. Claude Montana Dress, Dior Capelet, Dior Dress There are indeed other prop houses in Manhattan, where a films wardrobe team might borrow 1970s garb in bulk. The difference between those businesses and New York Vintage is that Hoey has curated a top of the line collection thats as fitting on the red carpet as it is in a film close up or an editorial in a fashion magazine. Its even good enough for Michelle Obama, who borrowed a 1950s Norman Norelli gown for the annual Christmas in Washington concert in 2010. Related: Michelle Obama Wears Michael Kors to the SOTU; Channels The Good Wife F. Pinet Shoe, Veil Hat by Unknown Designer You can be sitting in a taxi reading an editorial with a New York Vintage piece in it, when a bus pulls up to you with some big campaignEstee Lauder or LOrealwith some of our jewelry, larger than life, and then you go to the movies and the lead is wearing one of our dresses, Hoey laughs, marveling at the reach of her family-run business. Her office is adjacent to the second floor loft that houses the collection, and next door to that is a nursery for her three children, seven and under. Early on, says Hoey, Id take my children on these buying trips to Europe. Which takes passion, and fortitude, and probably a little bit of craziness. Id have one of them in the carrier, and one holding my hand and Id be saying How much for the tiara? When Galliano stopped by the store, I was like, Im sorry, the baby has to eat! Go about your business! Thierry Muggler Dress, Paco Rabanne Necklace, Versace Dress What Hoey and her team offer (along with her husband, she currently has 7 employees) is ultimately an encyclopedic knowledge of fashion history. Need an ostrich capelet or a chain-mail dress by Paco Rabane, stat? If price is no object, New York Vintage has you covered and you just might bump into Rihanna in the dressing room. Shannon Hoey, owner of New York Vintage. By India Today Web Desk: The transformation of controversial model and former Bigg Boss contestant Sofia Hayat into Gaia Mother Sofia has been much talked about. Mother Sofia, who has in the past churned up numerous controversies thanks to her bizarre statements, now likes to dole out a lot of spiritual gyaan. So, what happens when a page from her life before her spiritual makeover reopens? Well, the lady who supposedly "gave birth to Lord Shiva", gets confused. advertisement Also read: Spiritual makeover! Bigg Boss 7 contestant Sofia Hayat is now Mother Sofia So, in an attempt to promote the UK TV premiere of her film Cash and Curry, the actress shared a poster from the movie, where she can be seen holding a gun along with other cast members. This is what the Instagram post read: "Its finally here! CA$H&CURRY has its UK TV premiere tonight 10:30pm channel 8 Freeview,117 Sky,159 Virgin watch me shoot guns! That was some time back..please do not forget I am now the holy sacred Mother and do not condone gun violence ever. Blessings. Gaia Mother Sofia." Also read: Homosexuality is a lie, it does not exist: Sofia Hayat But Mother Sofia definitely did not realise that she shouldn't have promoted the movie on her Instagram, if "she does not condone gun violence ever." "Why do you need to promote it now, if you are a mother? You should be least bothered about such things," another Instagrammer echoed our sentiment. To support shooting guns or not, is a call Gaia Mother Sofia need to take now. --- ENDS --- Initial results from a criminal probe into the downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over war-torn Ukraine two years ago will be revealed next month, Dutch prosecutors said Friday. The results are expected to shed light on the exact type of missile used to shoot down the jetliner on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board, and exactly where it was fired from. "We have informed victims' relatives that we will have a new meeting on September 28 where the results of the criminal investigation will be unveiled," said Wim de Bruin, spokesman for the Dutch public prosecutor's office. The information specifically relates to "which weapon was used and from where it was fired," said De Bruin, whose office is leading an international team of investigators. Next month's meeting, to be held in Nieuwegein outside Utrecht in central Netherlands, will be open to relatives only in the morning, followed by a press conference in the afternoon, De Bruin said. Relatives last month marked the two-year anniversary of the incident when the Boeing 777 was shot down during a routine flight between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur. The majority of those on board were Dutch citizens. An international inquiry concluded last October that the plane was downed by a Russian-made BUK missile fired from a zone held by pro-Russian separatists, but stopped short of saying who was responsible. Separatist authorities deny responsibility for the disaster, saying Ukrainian forces were responsible for the attack. The European Union in early July formally extended damaging economic sanctions against Russia by six months due to lack of progress in resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. When Michael J. Fox's The Good Wife role was first announced back in August 2010, it was just supposed to be for one episode. Six years later, Fox has logged 26 total appearances on the recently departed CBS legal drama and earned five Emmy nominations for best guest actor in a drama series - including one this year - for his memorable portrayal of manipulative defense attorney Louis Canning. Although the veteran actor already has five Emmys at home for his roles in Family Ties, Spin City and, more recently, Rescue Me, Fox is the first to acknowledge his performance on The Good Wife has allowed him to show a different side, far from the leading men he so often has played. The experience also has been a personal one for Fox, as Louis Canning has a condition causing erratic body movements not dissimilar to dyskinesia, a side effect of Parkinson's, which Fox was diagnosed with in 1991. Fresh off his latest Emmy nomination, Fox speaks with The Hollywood Reporter about channeling his own life experience for the part, his final scene in the series and what he wants to do next. Read more: 'The Good Wife' Creators on "Closure" for Alicia and Will, and Who Almost Delivered Final Slap How did your involvement with The Good Wife originally come about? I was on Long Island, it was middle of summer six years ago, and I got a call from some writers from The Good Wife, and I had happened to see the show. It was a weird thing because it's not historically in my demo, but I had watched the first episode because it was on, and I got hooked on and thought it was a great show. So it was interesting when they called me because I thought, "Did somebody inform on me? That I'm a big secret Good Wife fan?" But they pitched an idea for a character, and it just sounded great, and the show, like I said, was really great and I enjoyed it. The writers, Bob and Michelle [King] - I didn't know them at that point - sounded really informed and very smart and very excited about trying to do something with me. Story continues Your character has a condition that causes erratic body movements - something that is referenced frequently on the show. Was that always a part of the pitch for the character? How did that part of it come into the conversation? Actually, originally they talked about him being wheelchair-bound, and I had just done Denis Leary's show Rescue Me, and I played a character that was in a wheelchair, so I didn't want to do that again. I thought it might be interesting to have a kind of version of Parkinson's, maybe not Parkinson's explicitly but dyskinesia, which is a side effect of it. So we toyed with that idea, and they came up with that scene in the courtroom where I stand in front of the jury and say, "You may see me move this way or that way" - I think it kind of blew people away on the set that I would be so open with it, but I just knew this was a perfect opportunity to funnel a lot of my life experience into a character and be coy with it and kind of let it out in dribs and drabs and see if I can make it an effective tool for him to do his job, as opposed to something that prevented him from doing his job. Read more: Emmys: Is There Too Much Variety in the Variety Talk Category? What was that like when you were shooting that? It's funny because whenever a show or any representation of characters with disabilities on television tend to be sentimental, with soft piano music playing in the background, and I wanted to prove that disabled people can be assholes, too. And you want to feel sorry for him, but he's such a dick, whether intentionally or not. I think he's pure-hearted, I think he just wants to win, and whatever may be seen as a deficit, he'll turn into an asset in order to prevail. What quality or trait of your character did you tap into the most and why? Given my history, I'm used to being the bass or the drums of the show, and in this, I get to be a soloist, doing riffs on the side, where I didn't have to worry about carrying a show. Julianna [Margulies] and the cast are so amazing, and the show is structured so well where it just kind of goes along with this stream, and you just have to get in the current and swim with it. What was fun for me was to make an enemy enigmatic and not to worry about throwing in a lot of personal notes and building a foundation for the character, just let him trickle out and be a mystery. He's the kind of guy that can quote from The Road to Damascus and at the same be riffling through Alicia's purse while she searches for her missing daughter. As you said, Louis will do whatever it takes to win a case, and he really was an antagonist for Alicia, yet he was a fan-favorite character. Why do you think that is? I think it goes back to that enigmatic thing; you just see the cracks and you can't help looking at him. He shows up, and he attracts your interest. Beyond what I did, I think the character was just so brilliantly constructed that he was just an unfolding mystery. "Oh yeah, that guy again. What the hell is he up to?" I think that gave him his longevity; they could always just find a way to put him in there. They were really great for me because they really worked around my schedule. They would say, "We've got an idea for an episode coming up, are you free?" And I'd say, "Yeah," and I'd cancel whatever else I had going on because I loved doing the show so much. What great advice or life lessons you were able to glean during your time on the set of The Good Wife? No, they're just great examples on that show. Julianna works so hard and was so good and so consistent and so fun to work with and Christine [Baranski] as well and the rest of the cast, and I just wanted It's a means to a mean, it's not a means to an end. Acting, performing, playing a character - you're not driving toward something, you're just driving and enjoying the scenery. Read more: Emmys: Keri Russell, Sarah Paulson and 7 More Actress Nominees Reveal Favorite Scenes, Biggest Challenges Over the years you were on the show, were there any changes you noticed in the character or maybe in your approach to the character? Well, it became clearer and clearer that he was fixated and obsessed about Alicia. So it was just a matter of playing against that and playing that and when to make it evident and when to make it not evident and when to make it something that people maybe had doubts about again and what his fixation was: if it was getting her and the firm or owning her firm or having them work on a case together. It became more and more obvious that he was fixated. So it was very appropriate that in his last scene on the show, he told Alicia he loved her. I loved that. I thought that was so great. That's what those writers do and what Bob and Michelle are so clever at. They could have concepted a big, long goodbye for him and mentioned that relationship, but it would have been overstated, and it would have dragged down the show, but just to have him just say, "God, I love you," and her say, "I know" - it was the perfect ending. What was your take on the finale and particularly the slap at the end? I thought it was perfect. I don't question Bob and Michelle. They always know the right note to begin and end. What do you think Louis Canning is doing now? If your character could get an extended life, what would you want him to do next? I don't know if he's the kind of character you want to flesh out and carry his own show or something. I don't think it would work. But I'd love to see him get into and get out of trouble. He's never really been busted on his actions, and I would love to see missteps he makes and what shit he puts his foot in. The Good Wife spinoff debuts next year. Have there been any talks about you reprising your role on that project? Not that I'm aware of. But I haven't given it much thought. Read more: Christine Baranski Talks 'Good Wife' Spinoff and Why She Was "Shaken" by That Finale Slap Would you be open to it? I don't know. I mean, probably. It's hard to know what tomorrow brings. I always live day-to-day and so I take every adventure as it comes, but I don't try to anticipate anything. Now that you've been playing this more antagonistic role for six years, how has that changed what roles you're approached about? I think the biggest thing I've noticed is the reaction of people who really love the character and love seeing me play somebody that was kind of against type for me. There's a lady I always think of [My wife] Tracy [Pollan] and I were on the beach in The Hamptons a couple summers ago, and a lady came over and said, "I have to make a confession to you. I was watching you walk down to the water with your wife, and I felt this feeling of revulsion and hatred and I couldn't figure out why. And then I realized it was because of Louis Canning," and I said, "Oh, I'm flattered." (Laughs.) That must have been one of the first times you've heard that. I thought it was so cool because I'm so used to being Alex P. Keaton or Marty McFly, and it's cool to have this other persona that I'm identified with, especially one that was so well-constructed and so well-delivered by the writers and directors. It's such a great experience and a real privilege. You obviously have your pick of projects these days, so at this point in your career, do you have an idea of what you'd like to do next? I'm in no rush. I mean, if something happens like The Good Wife, where I get a phone call from some writers that I don't know pitching a show that I was kind of a little familiar with and it's just a great match and a great experience, and I'm really grateful that they called me ... If I get a similar call for a similar situation, I'd be happy to do it. And if not, I'm just happy hanging out with my family and doing my writing and working with my foundation and taking it easy. It has to be something really tempting to get me to go at this point, but certainly something may change or something along the lines of the experience I had on The Good Wife would be temptation enough. Michael Moore has a theory about Donald Trump: The Republican nominee never wanted to be president, and he is now sabotaging his campaign as a way to get out of the race. Donald Trump never actually wanted to be president of the United States. I know this for a fact, the well-known documentary filmmaker wrote on his website earlier this week. Moore does not offer concrete evidence for his claim. Im not going to say how I know it, he wrote. If you want to believe what he has to say, you have to trust him. The claims have been shared thousands of times on social media and re-printed in media outlets, including The Huffington Post and CNBC. Its the latest in a series of high-profile statements Moore has made about Trump. He recently penned an open letter to Ivanka Trump imploring her to stage an intervention as her fathers comments and behavior have become more and more bizarre and detached from reality. In May, Moore told Bill Maher you and I are going to take him down on an episode of HBOs Real Time. No, seriously. This is the end of Donald Trump, Moore said. Yet Moore, a liberal activist who supported Bernie Sanders during the primary race, has demonstrated that he has something in common with Trump. He and the Republican presidential nominee are both willing to present controversial yet unsubstantiated claims as fact, even when doing so may be reckless. Recommended: The Era of 'The Bitch' Is Coming Moore tells quite a story. He claims that Trump decided to run for president not because he thought he would win, but because he was unhappy with his deal as host and star of his NBC show The Apprentice and hoped to strengthen his negotiating position. The plan went horribly wrong, however, when NBC instead cut ties over Trumps remarks about Mexican immigrants. By the time Trump realized he would actually become the nominee, running for president no longer looked so appealing to him. Moore then suggests that recent controversies caused by Trump on the campaign trail may be all part of his new strategy to get the hell out of a race he never intended to see through to its end. Story continues For anyone horrified by the prospect of a Trump presidency and baffled that a reality-television star became the Republican presidential nominee, it must be comforting to imagine that even Trump never thought things would end up like this. That this was a ploy, rather than an earnest attempt to win the hearts and minds of American voters. But whatever Trump thought of his chances when he entered the race, and whatever his motivations, his campaign has clearly resonated. Moore acknowledges Trump's success, writing that the candidate reached the top of the polls among Republican voters as he ignited the country, especially among people who were the opposite of billionaires. In the past, Moore has even warned that Trump should be taken seriously. Nobody should treat it like its a joke, he told Fox News host Megyn Kelly in May. And in July, Moore predicted on Real Time that Trump will win. Yet telling people that the candidate never intended to run a winning campaign, and may now be looking for an exit, nevertheless delegitimizes the idea of Trump as a serious candidate. Recommended: America Is Ignoring the Worst Natural Disaster Since Superstorm Sandy To dismiss the rise of Trump as unserious is to avoid reckoning with his very real popularity and what that says about the American electorate. Any theory that Trump is now actively sabotaging his campaign also leaves the impression that the candidate will be responsible for his own un-doing. If Trumps political end looks like foregone conclusion, whats the motivation for those who oppose him to volunteer and organize during the election, or even get out and vote? It would be one thing if Moore made clear that the claims are speculation. But he says that he knows for a fact that Trump never actually wanted to be president without providing hard evidence. By the time he gets around to the idea that Trump is sabotaging his own campaign, however, he frames it as a theory. Let me throw out another theory, Moore wrote, before adding: Maybe the meltdown of the past three weeks was no accident Unless he is just crazy, the only explanation for the unusual ramping up, day after day, of one disgustingly reckless statement after another is that hes doing it consciously (or subconsciously) so that hell have to bow out or blame others for forcing him out. (Moore did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hope Hicks, Trumps spokeswoman, declined to comment on Moores claims.) Trump himself is no stranger to presenting unsubstantiated and controversial claims as though they were fact. Consider, for example, Trumps claims that when the World Trade Center collapsed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, there were people over in New Jersey that were watching it, a heavy Arab population, that were cheering as the buildings came down. Sites like PolitiFact and The Washington Post fact checker repeatedly debunked his assertions, despite Trumps insistence. But rather than sink his presidential prospects, these claims seemed to animate Trumps core-base of supporters. Recommended: The Republican Party in Exile While Trump has taken aim at entire groups of people, Moores assertions focus on one person: Donald Trump. Claims made by the documentary filmmaker do not have the same potential to become the basis for American public policy, nor does Moore have the kind of platform or influence that comes with running a presidential campaign. Moore also has a clear record of past statements that he believes Trump should be taken seriously and could win. Finally, while Trumps claims have been discredited by fact-checkers, Moore may yet end up vindicated. Nevertheless, their comments show a shared willingness across the political spectrum to present unsubstantiated claims as fact even when doing so could prove reckless. Moore, like Trump, is no stranger to controversy, and surely knows that gets attention. Many of the people reading Moores assertions may well be skeptical. Others may be willing to trust what he has to sayperhaps, just like Trump supporters, because they desperately want to believe that the inflammatory statements are true. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. After much anticipation, Miguel Bose finally dropped the first single from his MTV Unplugged album today (Aug. 19). Along with the new version of "Bambu" featuring Fonseca, Bose also premiered the video shot while filming his Unplugged in Mexico City back in April. "Bambu" is now available on all digital platforms. Bose: MTV Unplugged is set to release Oct. 7. After months of teasing the remix to their summer anthem "Andas en mi cabeza," Chino Y Nacho premiered the new version of the fun track, featuring reggaeton superstars Don Omar, Wisin and Daddy Yankee, today. As expected, the powerful collab doesn't disappoint and takes the chart-topping track to a whole new level. Carlos Vives & Shakira Drop 'La Bicicleta' Remix Featuring Maluma: Listen Venezuelan crooner Ricardo Montaner is back with new music this Friday dropping his new single "Aunque ahora estes con el." The love tune is the first single to his forthcoming album Ida Y Vuelta dropping this fall. To round up the new releases, Roberto Carlos Lange, aka Helado Negro, premiered the eclectic track "Transmission Listen," the second single to his upcoming album Private Energy due Oct. 7. The up-and-coming artist, born to Ecuadorian parents and raised in Florida, is known for his soulful vocals and Chicano rock ballads, mainly in English. Listen to the new releases below: Miguel Bose "Bambu" ft. Fonseca Chino Y Nacho "Andas en mi cabeza" ft. Daddy Yankee, Wisin & Don Omar Ricardo Montaner "Aunque ahora estes con el" Helado Negro "Transmission Listen" This little girl loves her pink floral top. (Photo: Facebook / Deborah Grimshaw Skouson) A mother has been heartened by the generosity she encountered after she launched an appeal to find a replacement for her daughters favorite top. Deborah Grimshaw Skousons daughter Cami, who has autism, has been fixated on a pink floral T-shirt from Target for more than four years. The shirt is no longer available in the stores, so Deborah took to Facebook in a bid to find a new one. The mom, who lives in St. George, Utah, explained that her daughter wears the top when she comes home from school and in bed. She wrote: She got her first one in kindergarten 5 years ago, and we have found 4 more since then, mostly on eBay. Her current one is almost unwearable, and eBay has gone dry. This shirt is a CIRCO brand from TARGET. They were sold in 2011-2012. This is where you come in. We need another pink flower shirt, so will you please share this post or even just the photo? We will pay for the shirt and the shipping if someone would be kind enough to sell it to us. It has to be this exact shirt! Weve tried similar shirts, and they dont cut it with Cami! Thank you so much!! (any size is great!) The post was shared almost 4,800 times, and Deborahs message was also reposted by the Love What Really Matters Facebook page, where it was shared more than 13,000 times (the post has been removed). Camis mom later responded to the post, reporting that she had received no less than 78 shirts. I am so grateful for the kindness that my daughter has been shown! she wrote. I made this post a week ago in the hopes of finding a few shirts for backup. Cami adores this shirt, and it brings her a lot of comfort and security, which is sometimes hard for her to come by in her chaotic little world. She doesnt wear it all the time, but likes to put it on after school, and she wears it to bed as a pajama shirt. At last count, we are at 78 shirts, and Ive had many offer to make her teddy bears, pillows, blankets, and other keepsakes out of the extras. These are all total strangers. People are inherently good and kind, and Im glad Ive been able to be a recipient of that kindness. May God bless you all! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. NEW YORK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A closely watched measure of the cost for banks to borrow dollars posted its first weekly decline since June, signaling less strain in U.S. money markets amid reduced demand from market funds to hold short-term bank debt. The London interbank offered rate on three-month dollars , or Libor, was fixed on Friday at 0.81711 percent, up from 0.80110 percent on Thursday. It was lower than the 0.81825 percent rate a week earlier, marking the first weekly decrease in eight weeks for three-month dollar Libor, a benchmark for over $300 trillion worth of financial products worldwide. Libor for other maturities kept rising however. One-month Libor rose on Friday to 0.52106 percent, its highest level since March 2009, while six-month Libor climbed to 1.21456 percent, its highest since June 2009. Since July, some U.S. prime money market funds, which had been major holders of commercial paper and other bank debt, have changed over to funds that hold only government securities. Government-only money funds are exempt from rules on share value and fees from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that will go into effect on Oct. 14. U.S. commercial paper outstanding shrunk in recent weeks in the wake of this conversion among prime money funds. In the week ended Aug. 17, the amount of commercial paper supply fell to $1.012 trillion on a seasonally adjusted basis, which was its lowest level in 10 months, according to Federal Reserve data released on Thursday. It is unclear whether three-month Libor would soon resume its recent ascent after hitting a seven-year high at the 0.81825 percent level last week. (Reporting by Richard Leong Editing by W Simon) Millions of Americans are turning to the internet to figure out how to cast their ballots this falland online searches related to the election are already much higher than they were in 2012, according to data released by Google. Google searches related to voter registration are up 323% compared to four years ago, led by swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. Vermont, home base of former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, saw the biggest spike in searches related to the election, a rise of 358% compared to 2012. Voter registration data isnt yet available for this year, but Googles data offers some early insight into trends. To serve the many people searching for election information, Google has rolled out new features including an enhanced how to vote search result launched this week and a how to register search result launched earlier in the summer This is a special election, where were seeing a huge increase in the information needs people are coming to us in terms of the election, said Emily Moxley, Googles project manager for the how to vote search feature. Google often sees a spike in voting-related searches after big news events, like Hillary Clintons speech at the Democratic National Convention in July, which coincided with Donald Trumps condemnation of the father of a fallen Muslim U.S. soldier: There was a 190% increase in voter registration searches compared to the weeks leading up to the convention. The multiplicity of probe agencies, as opposed to one authority, is doing more damage than good for bringing closures to criminal cases, believes a majority of notable experts from the criminal justice field. By Atir Khan: Is multiplicity of investigating agencies good for system or do these agencies help a criminal? A majority of luminaries in the field of criminal justice system believe multiplicity of probe agencies is only doing more damage rather than doing any good to cases. There are others, who say the prevailing system is good and leaves no scope for culprit to get away. advertisement High profile cases like Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi, Jignesh Shah and legendary Harshad Mehta cases in the past have suffered setback due to the prevailing system of multiple investigating agencies working separately, eminent personalities in the field of law believe. They suggest the Government should come up with an executive order and form an authority, which would look into cases involving multiple agencies. Investigating agencies like CBI, ED and DRI should designate nodal officers who will report to the authority to avoid differences and confusion. It is usually seen that in cases involving financial offences, the Income Tax Department or the local police registers a case first. Subsequently, the CBI registers its own case and is followed by the ED. Finally, the DRI also joins in. hence, one after the other these agencies register separate cases and start their own investigations. In some cases, SEBI and Serious Fraud Office also join investigations. So there is a plethora of agencies, which investigate cases against a particular individual or a company. So far there is no system of joint interrogation of accused once the suspect is caught. The accused is interrogated separately by all the agencies. They come up with divergent views and often work at cross purposes, thus, giving the accused an advantage. If an accused in bailed out in one case then there are high chances that he may be bailed out in other cases as well. Senior advocate KTS Tulsi says in financial cases there is complete confusion. No one agency is responsible and all of them blame each other. Unless one agency with all authority investigates, such cases they are unlikely to succeed. Take for example Vijay Mallya case. His look out circular was withdrawn and then he left India. Thereafter, another agency starts issuing his warrant. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. They believe all offences should be clubbed together and should be investigated by one authority. Otherwise, we will continue to watch such spectacle where one agency wants an acccused in India while the other lets its go. advertisement According to the Naresh Chandra Committee recommendations, multiplicity of investigating agencies leads to delay in the overall judicial process and possible misinterpretation of information. Regulators under the Company Law, the Securities Laws and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office should have an inter-se cooperation agreement. In fact, the Naresh Chandra Committee Report on Corporate Audit and Governance (2002), set up by the then Department of Company Affairs, had recommended that a Task Force should be constituted for each case under a designated team leader. In the interest of adequate control and efficiency, a Committee each, headed by the Cabinet Secretary should directly oversee the appointments to, and functioning of this office. Besides, it should also coordinate the work of concerned department and agencies. The mode of cooperation and the specification of inter-se duties, areas of investigation ought to be determined at the initiation of the investigation so as to avoid conflicting reports. The inter-regulator committee for instituting criminal and civil recovery proceedings should be supported by highly trained professionals so that serious frauds are controlled and adequate deterrence measures are put in place against defaulters. During the Harshad Mehta scandal, the Special Courts Act was empowered to consider both civil and criminal actions from the securities fraud transaction. A special bench of the Company Law Board or its successor, the National Company Law Tribunal, should be invested with special powers for adjudication of civil recovery actions and for criminal offences and penalties to be levied there under. advertisement Such a bench should have time management processes for disclosure and pre-trial discovery admissions for determining the issues to be proved. They should also have leads of evidence on a day-to-day basis and a specified time line for rendering the judgement after a collaborative time-table between the court /NCLT/prosecutors and defence counsel is set at commencement after the charge sheet or the plaint is instituted. The bench should endeavour to dispose of matters concerning securities frauds or serious frauds within a time frame of six to 12 months from commencement. Senior advocate Majid Memon said that in a case he recently met the authorities and informed them that his client was involved in a cheating case and was languishing in jail. He said the accused was willing to pay the full amount for which he was booked. But the authorities did not take much interest on the ground that the matter was sub-judice. Clearly, the criminal justice system needs to be more victim-oriented as it is in the US. advertisement He said investigations are not up to the mark either due to dishonesty or inefficiency of the agencies. As a result, truth and justice are not met. However, some experts believe multiplicity of agencies is good for the system as they leave little chances for culprit to get away. Certain provisions of Indian laws pertaining to financial offences also need revision. For instance, punishment under Section 420 of Indian Penal Code for a Re 1 cheating case is same as that of Rs 1,000 crore. A senior police officer working in the Economic Offences Wing said it has also been observed that in case of bank loan defaults or cheating, the bank officials often hesitate reporting the offences under criminal law. They prefer to go for civil proceedings instead. This takes a long time and culprit manges to get away. Also read: Court raps CBI over delay in filing report in Kalburgi, Pansare and Dhabholkar murders --- ENDS --- Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to support Myanmar's peace process Friday as he met with the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Beijing ahead of historic talks with armed groups near the countries' troubled joint border. During the sitdown between the leaders Xi pledged to "play a constructive role in promoting Myanmar's peace process" the official Xinhua news agency reported. "China attatches great importance to developing relations with Myanmar," Xi said, according to an official statement. Myanmar will hold a long-planned conference with armed ethnic groups later this month, with Suu Kyi targeting peace as a prelude to rebooting the economy after her party won a landslide election victory. "As a good neighbour, China will do everything possible to promote our peace process," Suu Kyi told reporters in Beijing ahead of meeting China's President Xi Jinping. China's goodwill was particularly important as the two countries share "a very important border along which there are many ethnic armed groups;" she added. Several complex ethnic conflicts -- with some groups fighting the government for decades -- simmer across Myanmar's poor and militarised borderlands, hampering efforts to build up the country's economy after the end of junta rule. Some of the groups have ethnic and cultural links to the neighbouring Chinese province of Yunnan, and the porous border is notorious for trade in drugs, arms and precious stones. "If you ask me what my most important aim is for my country, that is to achieve peace and unity among the different peoples of our union," Suu Kyi said. "Without peace, there can be no sustained development". However, Suu Kyi's first major foreign trip since her civilian administration took power in March has been dominated by the $3.6 billion Beijing-backed Myitsone dam, on hold since protests in 2011. China has been pressing for its resumption ever since. Story continues Suu Kyi confirmed that Myanmar had set up a committee to review the project, without saying whether it would be resumed. - 'Manipulation' - Beijing was instrumental in shielding Myanmar's former junta rulers from international sanctions while Suu Kyi, now State Counsellor, languished for over a decade under house arrest as a democracy activist. At the time Myitsone -- originally designed to supply most of its electricity to China -- was seen as emblematic of Beijing's economic dominance over Myanmar. The state-run Global Times acknowledged that a "real breakthrough" on the dam was unlikely during the visit, but insisted: "It is only a matter of time before the project will be resumed." The newspaper, which is close to the ruling Communist Party also chided people in Myanmar who claim that Beijing is exploiting the country's resources. "The misguided thought is the result of people's impulse at the initial stage of democratisation and the manipulation of the Western media," it said. Myanmar has drawn closer to the United States during its transition to civilian rule. But the state-run China Daily said in an editorial that Suu Kyi's visit showed she was a "political realist" who realises the importance of "reassuring" China. Suu Kyi insisted that she would pursue the same "non-aligned" foreign policy as her predecessors. Domestically, job creation and agricultural development were top priorities following her administration's first 100 days in office, she said. She vowed to follow a different development strategy than the export-led model favoured by China and other East Asian countries. "There are many people who still think that the way to economic development is through garment factories," she said. "But I sometimes wonder if that is very 20th century, and we're now in the 21st century". Former Republican presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, (R-GA), weighed in on the recent shift in tone for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on the campaign trail. His tone all week has been reassuring, its been calmer, its working off of teleprompters. And I think that this is a very smart guy and he clearly was doing some things that werent working. He took a deep breath and I think were now seeing sort of a new plateau of how Trump operates and I think that hell probably sustain this for the rest of the campaign, Gingrich told the FOX Business Networks Maria Bartiromo. When Bartiromo asked Gingrich how Trump can build more support among groups such as Hispanics, African-Americans and women, Gingrich responded, In one sense, in every case the message has to be the same, which is I care about you, I understand your lives, I know what youre worried about, I want to be helpful to you in your terms. People need to know that you care before they care that you know, so I think thats part of it. Gingrich discussed how Trump can expand support among the African-American community. In the case of the African-American community, his speech the other night in Milwaukee was historic. This is the first Republican candidate in modern times who is going straight at how liberal institutions and liberal bureaucracies and liberal unions have ruined lives for millions of poor people and trapped them in places of tremendous danger and I think if Trump continues that, he is going to get a surprising share of the African-American vote Election Day. Gingrich then addressed how Trump can better connect with Latino voters. I think with the Latino community, he has to emphasize one, if youre here legally Im totally for you. You have every right to be here. I hire legal immigrants. Im married to a legal immigrant. My mother was a legal immigrant. So Im for immigrants who are here legally. Second, Im for you having a better job, your child having a better education, you having more take-home pay and you being physically safe. Those messages are pretty powerful I think. Story continues Gingrich explained that this will help clarify Trumps views on immigration. And once people accept the fact that he is not anti-Hispanic, he is anti-illegality, I think in fact youll see a lot of people who decide they want to give him a second look. Then former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee asked Gringrich how Trump can appeal to Republicans who are still not supporting Trump as the partys nominee. The folks who are out here, who are somehow looking for a perfection test, you know, its Donald Trump or perfection, particularly if theyre House and Senate members, you have to wonder if they dont need to have their heads examined for this reason. If Hillary Clinton wins, theyve got four more years of being the opposition party, they have four more years of executive orders, they have four more years of a president who constantly outmaneuvers them. On the other hand, with Trump, theyre going to get 60% or 70% or 80% of what they want in a positive, problem-solving way. Related Articles Viacom watchers have more questions than answers about the companys fate following last nights board vote for a deal that reaffirms the power of controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone and his daughter, Shari. The stock rose 1.5% today as everyone waited for lawyers to nail down the fine points. But the main terms make it a turning point for the countrys most troubled Big Media company. Philippe Dauman agreed to drop lawsuits seeking to retain his central role in Redstones media empire. Hell resign as Viacoms CEO, pocketing $72 million, and remain non-Executive Chairman until September 13. Hell work on a deal to sell 49% of Paramount, which would only take effect if the board unanimously approves. Tom Dooley goes from COO to interim CEO until September 30, the end of Viacoms fiscal year. Its up to the board expanded to 16 with five people picked by the Redstones to decide whether he remains in charge beyond that date. Big changes. But what do they portend for a company whose cable networks have been losing viewers and ad dollars, whose studio likely will end this year losing money, and whose stock has lost about half its value over the last two years? Heres an early look. Q: What can Viacom do today that it couldnt do before the settlement? A: It can make big decisions. Executives could only engage in business-as-usual until Delawares Chancery Court determined whether Sumner Redstone, 93, was mentally competent enough to exercise his right to change Viacoms directors. Now the handcuffs are off, with a board that includes five additional directors picked by the Redstones. Q: Is there an immediate decision directors have to make? A: In the few weeks during which hell stay on as non-Executive Chairman, Dauman will try to work out a deal to sell 49% of Paramount. If hes successful, then he can present it to the board. But it will require unanimous support to pass. Story continues Q: What are the odds? A: Flip a coin. The Redstones have opposed a deal. Sumner won Paramount after a bitter bidding war in 1993, and considers it one of his brightest trophies. Theyve also said that having a partner would make it hard to sell Paramount or Viacom or merge it with CBS. Q: If theyre opposed, then why give Dauman a few weeks to negotiate a deal and present it to the board? Is that just a charade? A: Not necessarily. Up to now, a Paramount deal would have strengthened Daumans case to remain CEO. That shouldnt matter now that hes headed out. We could see that the real power has shifted from Sumner to Shari, who likely feels less sentimental about Paramount. In any case, a deal would make sense if the Redstones want to keep Viacom. Q: How would selling a stake in Paramount help Viacom? A: The company needs cash. It has nearly $11 billion in debt with $400 million due this year, $1 billion in 2017, and $500 million for 2018. Moodys Investors Service warned this month that Viacoms debt rating could be downgraded if it cant demonstrate clear progress in fixing its underperforming business units and explore strategic alternatives. Meanwhile, Wall Street covets the companys $600 million a year in dividend payments. Q: What do investors expect? A: An arrangement that values Paramount at $4 billion or more would be deemed a major positive especially with this weekends Ben-Hur remake looking like the latest studio misstep Wunderlicht Securities Matthew Harrigan says. MoffettNathanson Researchs Michael Nathanson would prefer to see Viacom dump Paramount entirely. Short of firing the entire Paramount leadership team, there is little a new CEO could do quickly to improve its film pipeline, he says. [A]s Hollywood has become more and more of a global, tentpole business, Paramount doesnt have the franchises to compete with Disney, Universal or Warner Bros. Q: Viacom and CBS, which the Redstones also control, were in the same company until 2006 and CBS is doing well. Why not reunite them? A: Viacom investors would like that. Its hard to believe that anything will be solved until the CBS-Viacom pieces are put back together again, Nathanson says. Supporters of a new union fear that a lot of Viacoms networks will be left out as pay TV distributors craft skinny bundles with fewer channels, and a lower price, than todays expanded basic packages. A re-merged company could insist that anyone who wants the must-have CBS also must carry channels such as Comedy Central, Spike, and VH1. Q: Sounds like a no-brainer. A: Not quite. CBS independent shareholders would bury directors with lawsuits if they agree to a deal that mostly helps Viacom. A merger would be a lot easier to justify if Viacom can first demonstrate that its networks and studio are improving. Q: Whos Tom Dooley, and what should we expect now that hes interim CEO? A: Hell have to assure Shari Redstone, other investors, employees, and Hollywood that he understands their concerns about the company, and can help it to get back on track. They already know him well, though. He has been at Viacom since 1980, except for a period from 2000 to 2006: Redstone helped Dooley and Dauman to go off and form a private equity firm, DND Capital Partners, after Viacom bought CBS and its chief, Mel Karmazin, wanted the company owners confidants out of the way. In 2004, Karmazin was replaced by Tom Freston, who lasted two years before Redstone kicked him out and brought back Dooley and Dauman. Q: Will Dooley clean house? A: Possible, but unlikely for now. His tenure as interim CEO just lasts through September, the end of Viacoms fiscal year. If he wants to stay in the job without the interim modifier then hell need to win the support of a board thats still dominated by directors who are (or at least were) close to Dauman. Power will shift early next year: Three of Viacoms directors will leave. That presumably will give Sumner and Shari Redstone, and the five directors they just added, the majority of what will then be a 12-member board. Q: Viacoms been a mess. Seems like anyone could do a better job than Dauman. A: Hes made plenty of mistakes by focusing too much on short term earnings, waiting too long to engage with digital media, and failing to keep or cultivate talent. But Viacoms biggest problem is that its networks including MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, and Comedy Central target young viewers who are switching from conventional, ad-supported linear TV to Internet-delivered and on-demand sources. Q: So what really changes? Did Viacom just replace one bean counter with another? A: Dooley has loyally stood in Daumans shadow. If he has a different strategic vision, he has kept it private. Still, he has important managerial skills that his stiff and lawyerly predecessor seemed to lack. Dooley is shrewd as well as smart. Hes comfortable in his own skin. He enjoys engaging with people. And he frequently answers tough questions without sounding like hes reciting PR talking points. Those qualities made him popular on Wall Street, and among others seeking insight into the world that Redstone and Dauman often preferred to keep walled off. Q: Any other changes? A: Yes, and its significant: Daumans power came from his ability to please Sumner Redstone, a father figure with a huge ego and insatiable appetites. He didnt simply make Dauman Viacoms chief. Redstone gave him positions on his family trust and National Amusements that put him in line to control his patrons media empire including CBS. Dooley should have a far less fraught relationship with Shari, who stands to run her familys holdings. Theyre about the same age. They share a deep interest in digital media. And Dooley would clearly be a hired manager, not a potential rival. Related stories Sumner Redstone's Granddaughter Seeks To See & Maybe Stop Dauman Exit Deal Viacom Officially Resolves Leadership Dispute: Dauman Out, Thomas Dooley Interim President & CEO Tom Dooley: Philippe Dauman Was "Always A Champion For Viacom" Managua (AFP) - Nicaraguan firefighters on Friday were trying to bring under control a huge fire at their country's only oil refinery that has been burning for two days, creating health fears over noxious smoke. The blaze started Wednesday when one of four big fuel tanks exploded at the Puma Energy facility in the Pacific port of Puerto Sandino, some 70 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of the capital Managua. A second tank ignited on Thursday and fire crews were working to try to prevent the other two also being consumed. No casualties have been reported. But the authorities have warned residents in the area to avoid exposure to the dark smoke, which was billowing up to 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) into the air, although mostly toward the ocean. Shelters have been prepared in the event the smoke changes direction. Four US experts and a Canadian specialist were in the country to advise officials on how to bring the fire under control, a deputy minister for government, Luis Canas, told state media on Thursday. Puma Energy, a majority Dutch- and Angolan-owned company with headquarters in Switzerland, bought the refinery in 2011. It had previously been run by the US group Exxon. Puma Energy issued a statement on Friday saying it was working to "contain the situation," emphasizing that the safety of nearby residents was a priority. "We don't know the origin of the event that occurred, but an investigation and studies are underway to determine the causes," it said. Nicaragua's energy regulator INE said unspecified "guarantees" were in place to ensure that the blaze does not result in any domestic fuel shortage. (Adds quote, details) ABUJA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Nigeria is to allocate 60 billion naira ($180 million) more spending on capital projects as part of the 2016 budget in a bid to boost the economy, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said on Friday. Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, is suffering its worst financial crisis in decades as a slump in oil revenues hammers public finances and the naira. The central bank governor has said recession is likely. Government capital spending so far has exceeded 400 billion naira this year, Adeosun said, despite the budget being held up for months by wrangling between President Muhammadu Buhari and parliament. However, with oil prices dropping, the government has struggled to fund the budget. It is now seeking advisers to manage a $1-billion eurobond it intends to offer this year. "We are going for another capital allocation meeting where we are going to allocate another 60 billion. We are pumping money into the economy at a very rapid rate," Adeosun told reporters. Buhari on Thursday said the country needed to balance monetary and fiscal policies in order to return to growth. Adeosun said apart from infrastructure investments, the government was reviewing its tax policies to improve collection and widen the net, make its import tariffs more competitive and cut costs to boost the economy. Nigeria generated 200 billion naira from independent sources this year which includes revenues from government departments that would have otherwise not been captured in the budget. The West African nation will tap partnerships with the private sector to boost investment. Adeosun said the government was in discussion with General Electric to develop and operate rail services to improve transport for goods across the country. (Reporting by Chijioke Ohuocha, Camillus Eboh and Felix Onuah) National Conference chief Omar Abdullah will be meeting Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday to brief the President about the situation in the Valley. By Ashwini Kumar: After remaining closeted behind the doors and active only on the social networking sites the working President of the National Conference Omar Abdullah is ready to play active role in restoring normalcy in Kashmir valley. Omar has been very active on the social networking sites and feeling frustrated for a long time over poor handling of the current situation by the Mehbooba Mufti led alliance govt in the state. advertisement He was very vocal in his criticism and targeted the Centre for allowing the situation to go out of hands by not taking adequate measures. National Conference sources said that Omar is scheduled to lead a group of 20 opposition leaders from the state to meet President of India in New Delhi on Saturday where they are expected to brief him about the current situation prevailing in the Valley. WHO ALL ARE PARTICIPATING? Among others who will be part of the delegation include JKPCC president G A Mir, CPIM state secretary and MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami, PDF chairman and MLA Khansahib Hakeem Yaseen, AIP chief and MLA Langate, Abdul Rashid, and former minister and DNP chief Ghulam Hassan Mir. "The appointment with the President is scheduled at 1.30 pm on Saturday in his office in New Delhi," sources said. Earlier, the opposition parties held a meeting here in the summer capital and passed a 4-point resolution demanding special session on the present unrest, among other things. The parties had also recommended political dialogue with all stakeholders and with Pakistan for resolution of the Kashmir issue. Also read: NC chief Omar Abdullah asks if New Delhi has declared a war on Kashmir --- ENDS --- An obscure website published a vague report Thursday making the dramatic claim that relations between Washington and Ankara had deteriorated so badly that the United States had begun moving nuclear weapons from Turkey to Romania. The problem is that there doesnt seem to be any basis at all for the report, which alleged B61 nuclear weapons were on their way to Romanias Deveselu base. Romanias defense ministry promptly denied it and experts dismissed the idea as illogical for technical and other reasons. But that didnt stop some of Russias rabidly anti-American news outlets, including Sputnik and Pravda, from picking up the story and running with it. Where do U.S. nuclear weapons travel from Turkey? read a piece in Pravda posted Friday, speculating wildly about how the whole alleged transfer would work. Although the Obama administration declined to comment, officials privately scoffed at the report when asked by FP. The article that set off the chatter came from EurActiv, and did not impress nuclear weapons expert Jeffrey Lewis, the director of non-proliferation studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey. For starters, Lewis tweeted, Romania does not have the special WS3 vaults needed to store the weapons safely. And, he noted, the article lacked evidence or quotes to back it up. They consulted one person, a generalist who said it was bunk, and Romania, which denied it. Then published anyway, tweeted Lewis, a contributor to Foreign Policy. Lewis added that the story cites B61 weapons but that it was written by a guy who doesnt know what a B61 is. The author, Georgi Gotev, defended his story but acknowledged in a tweet he did not know what a B61 is. (Its a 300-pound U.S.-made tactical nuclear bomb thats carried by fighter jets with a blast yield of up to 340 kilotons). Romanias Defense Ministry said in a statement that it firmly rejects these pieces of information and that so far there have not been any plans or discussions (among NATO members) on this topic. Story continues Romania also is not part of a small number of NATO member states like Turkey that have agreed to host U.S. nuclear weapons and deploying the bomb to Romania would be deemed a provocative move by Moscow. Although the article was widely rejected as off the mark, the failed coup last month in Turkey has set off questions about whether the United States might reconsider keeping nuclear weapons deployed at its Incirlik air base. During the attempted coup, Turkish authorities cut off electricity to the base. And Turkey has been at odds with the Obama administration over the legal fate of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric who Ankara accuses of orchestrating the July 15 attempted coup. Turkey is demanding his extradition, but the U.S. says Ankara hasnt provided enough evidence of his involvement. Photo credit: Incirlik Air Base/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Medal count | Olympic schedule | Olympic news RIO DE JANEIRO The United States Olympic Committee, in the midst of a spectacular all-around performance by its athletes, took time Thursday night to apologize to the Brazilian people. USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus, whose health is not good, took time Thursday night to register his regrets. Ryan Lochte, the man at the center of the situation generating the apologies, finally got around to one of his own Friday morning. It was a statement that went through the P.R. car wash, rinsed, scrubbed and spit-shined into a verbiage not readily associated with the former reality TV star. But Lochte is only the one millionth athlete to do that. While there were some excessive rationalizations and twisted logic within the statement if he waited to apologize until the situation had resolved itself, why was he talking to Matt Lauer and TMZ earlier this week? he at least owned up to screwing up. We are a forgiving society. Thats a good thing, because most of us need it that way. There was some question whether hed ever get around to it because in his airy head he seemed convinced he was the victim of a robbery more than the perpetrator of an international hoax. That stance helped empty his personal bandwagon very quickly this week. Ryan Lochte claimed he was robbed at gunpoint. (Reuters) One of the major issues with this entire saga was that it undercut one of the greatest American swimming performances of all time. Think of the images U.S. swimmers created in Rio last week: Michael Phelps in tears as he authors a five-gold-medal goodbye to the sport he has dominated like no other human. Katie Ledecky in tears after what might have been the most powerful Olympic performance ever by a female swimmer. The open-mouthed delight of Simone Manuel, trailblazing gold medalist, and Maya DiRado, underdog gold medalist who shocked a seemingly unbeatable rival. The dazzling international arrival of Ryan Murphy, with three gold medals and a world record. Story continues The blunt fearlessness of Lilly King to speak her mind about a performance-enhancing drug user, then back it up by beating her. The glowing smile of SuperMom Dana Vollmer, winning medals less than 18 months after giving birth. The booming voice of Elizabeth Beisel, whose Olympic competition ended with a lackluster performance on the first day but continued as the chief American cheerleader every day thereafter. So many good stories. And what is the biggest takeaway from Rio for a lot of people? The Lochte debacle. [Featured: Ryan Lochtes one-act play of stupidity] No wonder so many people associated with USA Swimming are privately furious with the 12-time Olympic medalist. At 32, Lochte wants to continue competitive swimming and remains a potentially valuable member of the U.S. National Team with Phelps retiring, he is by far the top American in the 200 individual medley, for instance. But he almost certainly will face substantial discipline from USA Swimming, not to mention some personal resistance from a lot of people whose opinions matter. Some former American Olympians are less private about it Rowdy Gaines and Summer Sanders expressed their feelings on Twitter, calling for a Lochte apology. Troy Dalbey, who was Lochte before Lochte, weighed in as the voice of unpleasant experience. When the American team wins 33 medals, 16 of them gold, and the primary talking point becomes ugly American Lochte, drunk Lochte, vandal Lochte, fabricator/exaggerator Lochte and detained Lochte sidekicks, that will engender hard feelings. Swimming bathes in a bright but brief spotlight for about eight days every four years, with a window afterward to reap the benefits of that short-lived fame. To quote Everclear, so much for the afterglow. Ive never known Ryan Lochte to be a malicious guy. Not the brightest, but largely harmless. But in this instance he has done damage to people other than himself and he should take ownership of that. Upon returning to the United States, every Olympian is going to hear questions and wisecracks about what really happened with Lochte and the boys on the infamous night in question. Thats now inevitable. But nobody is bringing home more baggage from this affair than Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, the two youngest members of Lochtes Foolish Four. The 20-year-old Bentz and 21-year-old Conger have learned the destructive power of a single bad decision the decision to go along with Ryan Lochte when he goes out to blow off post-Olympic steam. In exchange for hanging with one of the legends of their sport, Bentz and Conger got the following: an extended and involuntary stay in Brazil, at the behest of an insulted nation wanting to make someone pay; repeated perp walks in front of the international media, without ever being charged with doing anything wrong; and becoming the somber young faces appearing endlessly on TV and the internet. They may not be completely blameless, but they certainly were left in the worst situation. [Featured: Michael Phelps explains why hes retiring for good this time] It was impossible to look at Bentz and Conger on parade and remember they actually won gold medals as members of the American 800 freestyle relay. Their Olympic experience had been completely hijacked by the destructive power of a single bad decision. From left, Conor Dwyer, Townley Haas, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps from the United States celebrate winning the gold medal in the mens 4200-meter freestyle relay. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) While they were on the griddle, the fourth swimmer, Jimmy Feigen, at least stayed off-air. But hes in more trouble than they are, having joined Lochte in filing the police report alleging robbery. Feigen, 26, still is in Brazil, and reportedly will have to pay a sizable amount of cash to buy his way out of legal trouble. Meanwhile, Lochte has spent the week at home in the United States doubling down on a dubious story that his party pals ultimately refuted. His boys remained behind to serve as pinatas for the Brazilian legal system and media to bat around. The governing body of his sport was voicing its displeasure. The head of the American Olympic movement was apologizing for his actions. Fortunately, Ryan Lochte got around to some public accountability for what went wrong in Rio. He had to, before he was the only person left on his own bandwagon. More from Yahoo Sports: The United States and Israel are close to clinching a massive 10-year arms deal, but Washington is pushing to scrap a coveted provision that has allowed Israel to pump hundreds of millions of dollars directly into its defense industry. If successful, the administrations push to remove the clause would inflict some real pain on Israels growing security sector, which already exports more arms overseas than almost any other country apart from the United States. On the flip side, the change would mean a potential windfall for American defense contractors scrambling to sell their wares abroad to make up for declining sales at home. The Middle East and Asia are now driving growth for major U.S. contractors, with about a quarter of revenue coming from international sales, compared with 15 percent in 2008. The proposed shift could be very good news for the U.S. defense industry, said Loren Thompson, a longtime consultant for American military contractors, because domestic defense spending is flat as a pancake and Israel is a consumer of high-end military technology. The issue has been a sticking point in the talks over the new military aid package because it could deprive Israels security firms of roughly $10 billion over the next decade, a vast sum for a crucial sector of the countrys economy. The deal, which doesnt involve the direct transfer of military hardware but instead a commitment from Washington to finance Israels weapons buying, illustrates how the two countries security ties remain strong enough to transcend the tensions that have plagued relations between U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Under the change proposed by the White House, Israel would have to spend all the funds it receives in the arms package on U.S.-made weapons instead of being allowed to spend a portion of it on Israeli-manufactured arms and fuel. That would mean American aerospace giants such as Lockheed Martin, which builds the F-35 fighter jet, and Raytheon, which sells precision-guided missiles and sensors to U.S. partners worldwide, would stand to benefit. Story continues The rationale for setting aside a chunk of U.S. money for Israeli-made arms dates back to the 1980s, when the country was trying to build up its own defense sector. But, since then, Israels security firms have flourished and in some cases now compete with U.S. defense contractors in global markets, selling $5.7 billion worth of weaponry in 2015, with sophisticated radars, electronic systems, drones, and missiles topping the list of high-end exports. That was almost double the $3 billion worth of equipment it exported in 2003. Helped by the investments Washington has made in the Israeli defense industry over the decades, Israel has emerged by far as the worlds largest exporter of drones, biting into the U.S. export market with over half of all sales going to Europe while also pushing to grow its presence in Asia. Japan and Israel are currently in talks to co-develop new armed and unarmed drones. We believe these arrangements, which are unique to Israel, no longer serve U.S. or Israeli interests, a senior administration official told Foreign Policy. Since the provision was introduced three decades ago, Israels economy has grown dramatically, and Israel is one of the top 10 arms exporters in the world, so the objective has been achieved. The rule has meant U.S. companies have lost out on billions of dollars in potential revenue, the official added. But Israel argues it faces a dizzying range of threats amid upheaval in the Middle East and that it needs to retain the flexibility to address these threats. The Israelis also maintain that their tech-savvy defense firms have cooperated closely with American contractors over the years and that the U.S. military has benefited from Israels innovations, including in its drone programs, cyberwarfare, and parts tailored for Apache helicopters. The current arms package, which was signed in 2007 and will expire in 2018, provided Israel a total of $30 billion to spend on weapons and supplies over a 10-year period. That arrangement allowed for 26.3 percent of the funding to be spent on Israeli-made defense products and fuel, a provision that no other U.S. ally in the world enjoys. Although the White House is pushing Israel to buy American, the bitter pill is offset slightly by its offering of a pot of guaranteed money for critical missile defense programs over the next decade. Traditionally, funding for programs like the Iron Dome which has knocked down hundreds of Hezbollah rockets in recent years has had to come from the U.S. Congress on a year-by-year basis. That proposal has received a mixed reception in Israel as well, however, because it comes with the caveat that Israeli officials would have to refrain from lobbying U.S. lawmakers for additional missile defense batteries in return for the 10-year guaranteed funding. Analysts in Washington say the Israeli defense industry has grown by leaps and bounds since the last deal was signed in 2007 and has become one of the worlds most influential arms exporters. Some Israeli defense companies have become players in the U.S. market as well. Elbit Systems has opened several offices in the United States in recent years and now supplies parts, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, for advanced U.S. weapons like Apache helicopters, F-16s, and Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. In 2014, Elbit even scored a bit of a coup, beating out several U.S. defense giants for the $145 million contract to install sensor towers along the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite misgivings on the Israeli side about the U.S. proposal, the negotiations on the new memorandum of understanding (MOU) on military aid have gained traction in recent months after nearly faltering more than once. The deep rift between Obama and Netanyahu, which came to a head over the Iran nuclear accord negotiated last year, raised doubts as to whether they could agree on any arms package while Obama was in office. But once it became clear Republicans in Congress could not muster enough support to block the nuclear deal with Iran, U.S. and Israeli officials resumed negotiations last December. The United States is offering Israel $3.5 billion to $3.7 billion a year in military assistance over a decade, a major increase from current levels but less than the $4 billion a year initially proposed by Netanyahus government. Israel currently receives more than 50 percent of all U.S. foreign military assistance, and under the proposed deal, Israels share of that funding would expand further. The MOU that Washington has put on the table would represent the largest single pledge of military assistance to any country in American history, administration officials said. There have been four rounds of talks on the MOU, and officials and experts say that after frustratingly slow progress this year, the negotiations have gained momentum and there is cautious optimism that a final agreement can be reached before Obama leaves office in January. Weve made progress and closed many of the remaining gaps. We soon hope to be able to reach a final agreement, the administration official told FP. The political climate 10 years ago during the formation of the last aid package before Obama entered the White House was dramatically different. Ten years ago, the White House was advertising its closeness to Israel, and now the White House has to remind people of its closeness to Israel, said Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He said despite political differences, the amount of collaboration between the two countries on counterterrorism and intelligence programs is higher than at any time in history. Despite the strain between Obama and Netanyahu, postponing a deal until the next U.S. president would mean renegotiating many issues with no result before the spring of next year, at the earliest. Given the need for Israel to continue to upgrade its arsenal and to make long-term strategic plans, Netanyahu cant afford not to have a deal, Alterman said. Former U.S. officials, congressional staffers, and experts said it was unlikely the deal would require an immediate end to U.S. funds set aside for Israeli-made arms. Instead, the provision likely will be phased out over a period of years to allow the Israeli defense sector to make a smooth transition. Theyll meet somewhere in the middle, said Ilan Goldenberg, a former senior official at the State and Defense departments. I would expect that whatever reduction there is, it will be graduated, giving the Israeli defense industry time to adjust, said Goldenberg, who is now a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. But whatever the timeline, there will be a concrete effect felt in Israel, according to Jonathan Schanzer, the vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. I think Israel will take a hit economically, and the defense industry will take a hit, he said. Thats a significant sum of money for a country the size of Israel. For U.S. defense firms selling high-end, sophisticated weapons, any expansion of the Israeli market represents a lucrative opportunity, as the American companies can no longer count on major increases in the Pentagons budget, which has leveled off in recent years. Joel Johnson, an analyst with the Teal Group Corp., said even if the subsidies are phased out, Israel would seek to offset the effect by asking American companies to buy some Israeli-made products for the weapons systems being provided. Israelis will probably find a way to get a good deal of that back from the U.S. firms, Johnson said. Photo Credit: MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images DailyFX.com - Talking Points US Oil prices have hit six consecutive sessions of gains the longest series since March 26, 2015 The rate of change through this six-day period is the strongest since the rally through April 12 Lifted trade restrictions have increased buyers of US oil Showcase your trading skills against your peers in FXCMs $10,000 Monthly Challenge here. US Oil prices have now advanced for six consecutive sessions, marking its best run since March 2015. Earlier this month, a 4-day rally ended after government forecasters raised their outlook for domestic production. That increased production forecast seemed to generate skepticism with the market dubious that there will be enough demand to soak up additional output from OPEC and non-OPEC producers, extending losses. Earlier this year President Barack Obama signed a bill ending 40 years of export limits for crude oil. This lifted ban has increased the amount of countries purchasing US Oil and has allowed existing customers to obtain more. Recently, weekly EIA inventory data revealed an unexpected drawdown of 2.51 million barrels. This implies that the quantity demanded could be increasing faster than the anticipated increase in production. Excluding the threat of headwinds by Saudi oil production, this supply-demand imbalance may contribute to a continuation for this extraordinary run of advances. With supply-demand speculation still weighing in, the Baker Hughes U.S. rig count will serve as top scheduled event risk for oil watchers as we head into the end of the trading week. Even though the count has increased for 10 of the past 11 weeks, the number of operating rigs a measure of US crude supply is still near it lowest since April 1999. Oil Prices Rally Most Consistent Run in 16-Months Assisted by Lifted Restrictions original source DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets. Learn forex trading with a free practice account and trading charts from FXCM. By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Nepal today conveyed to India the steps being taken by Prime Minister Prachanda to promote political stability by resolving all contentious issues, besides initiatives to speed up post-earthquake reconstruction. Nepals Deputy Prime Minister and Special Envoy Bimalendra Nidhi, in a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, apprised her about the priorities of the new government and appreciated Indias goodwill and support to the peace process in the Himalayan nation. advertisement Swaraj noted that India attaches the "highest priority" to its relations with Nepal, and offered full assistance and cooperation for Nepals economic development. Official sources said, in his meeting with Swaraj, Nidhi shared the vision and priorities of the new government, noting that implementation of the Constitution to promote political stability was a focus area. "Discussions were very warm and cordial in accordance with the unique ties that India shares with Nepal," a source said. The Madheshi issue figured in the meeting and the Nepalese envoy is understood to have conveyed to Swaraj that efforts are on to fulfil the demands of the community. He told Swaraj that priority of the new government was to take the Constitution and peace process forward by addressing all issues through a process of consensus building between all major political parties, and focusing on post-earthquake reconstruction efforts. Nidhi appreciated Indias assistance for Nepals economic development and emphasised the need to strengthen bilateral partnership in all areas, including development co-operation. "Swaraj appreciated the initiative of Prime Minister Prachanda to send Nidhi as his Special Envoy to India. She said that India stands ready to work closely with Prachandas government and to welcome him in India soon on a bilateral visit," the source said. There was also a discussion on possible high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in the coming months, including the invitation to President Pranab Mukherjee to visit Nepal as well as a visit by Prachanda to India. Earlier, Nidhi met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and also called on President Pranab Mukherjee. In his meeting with Mukherjee, Nidhi reiterated the invitation to him extended by his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari to visit Nepal at his "earliest convenience". "Dates for these visits will be worked out through diplomatic channels," said the source. The visit of special envoy Nidhi is the first high-level visit from Nepal to India after the formation of the new government in Nepal under Prachanda. PTI MPB ZMN --- ENDS --- A dentist in Tulsa, Oklahoma has been allegedly caught on camera abusing his girlfriends 19-month-old son, resulting in injuries that led to the boys death, according to a report. Prosecutors presented the video as evidence on Wednesday, as they alleged that Bert Franklin, 35, dropped Lincoln Lewis on his head and then kicked him in the footage, KFOR, a local NBC, affiliate reports. Although prosecutors believe the video is incriminating, Franklins lawyer Scott Adams reportedly disagrees. Theres really nothing on the video that surprised me, he told the station. I mean it is what it is. And again, Dr. Franklin has told us there was a dog in there and any actions he had was towards the dog and I believe him. The clip obtained by KFOR does not show exactly what happened as the camera is in the kitchen and the July incident occurred in the living room, but a prosecutor reportedly said that despite the angle of the camera, she believes that Franklin dropped Lincoln on his head and started kicking him. In the same footage, Franklin then allegedly carries the toddler back into the kitchen. According to KFOR, Lincoln sustained a skull fracture and brain bleed consistent with abuse. He was taken from the home to Mercy Hospital, before reportedly being flown to Tulsa Hospital where he died. Lincolns mother Roxanne Randall was home at the time of the alleged incident, but reportedly stated she was upstairs when she heard a loud thud. When she ran down to see what the sound was, Franklin told her he was throwing a ball to the dog and that the baby was asleep, KFOR reports. Around 2 a.m. the next morning Lincolns mother reportedly noticed something was wrong when she went to wake him for his bottle, but his eyes were already open and he was struggling to breath. According to the news station, prosecutors are considering the fact that Randall had been spending time with Lincolns father as motive for the alleged crime. Franklin was reportedly denied bail as the judge called him a danger to the community. It is not yet clear how Franklin has plead. Story continues Related: For more news videos, visit Yahoo View. * Marin wins Spain's first badminton title * India's hopes of first Olympic gold at Rio crushed (Adds quotes, details) By Ian Ransom RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Carolina Marin overhauled a brave Pusarla Sindhu in the women's singles final on Friday to win Spain's first badminton title and crush India's hopes of a maiden gold medal at the Rio Olympics. The top seed, known as the "Rafa Nadal" of badminton in Spain for her tenacity and fierce left-handed game, closed out a 19-21 21-12 21-15 victory over the 21-year-old Sindhu who was majestic in her Olympic debut. "I'm very excited, I don't know how I'm feeling now but it is amazing that my dream has come true. I just had to believe in myself," Marin told reporters. "It is more than a medal because of everything behind the medal. I have the best team behind me, they helped me a lot and were amazing." Letting out a blood-curdling shriek with every winning point, the Spaniard was jeered by spectators at the Riocentro in a nerve-shredding deciding game as she pushed the bounds of good sportsmanship with constant stalling tactics. But the ruthless 23-year-old got the job done, charging away to set up six match points and sealing it on the second with an imperious smash down the line that her opponent did well to get a racquet to. Flag-waving Spanish fans jumped up and down as twice world champion Marin pumped her fists and bellowed in triumph, having survived a huge scare. The flamenco-trained dancer from Andalucia beamed dry-eyed as she accepted the medal on the podium but wept freely as Spain's flag rose in the arena to the sound of the national anthem. Roared to the finish by Indian fans, Sindhu will bow out with huge acclaim as her nation's first woman ever to win silver and having clinched the country's second medal at these Games. It was also India's second medal in badminton, coming four years after compatriot Saina Nehwal grabbed a bronze in the same event in London. Japan's Nozomi Okuhara won the Rio bronze in a walkover after her Chinese opponent, the 2012 singles champion Li Xuerui, pulled out of their playoff with a serious knee injury. Sindhu, coached by the same man who took Nehwal to her London medal, was under huge pressure from the nation of a billion people to end India's agonising wait for a Rio champion. Despite bringing their biggest ever delegation, about 50 percent stronger than London where they won six medals, India had only celebrated a solitary bronze won by freestyle wrestler Sakshi Malik on Wednesday. "I thought it would be a gold but never mind, I got a silver," the Hyderabadi shuttler said. "I never thought I would make it to here." (Editing by Jan Harvey and Nina Chestney) By Stephen Eisenhammer RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The Netherlands' Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen beat Russia's Konstantin Semenov and Viacheslav Krasilnikov 2-0 to take bronze, their country's first ever beach volleyball medal, in a tight match at the Rio Games on Thursday. Brouwer and Meeuwsen had never competed at an Olympics before but appeared unfazed by the big stage, using a more clinical attack to prevail 23-21 22-20 on a damp night in Copacabana where the arena was only half full. The Russians were left to rue two wasted set points in the first, as the Netherlands went on to take that set before asserting their dominance in the second. Meeuwsen effectively countered the towering six-foot 11-inch (2.10 metres) Semenov at the net, often drawing the big Russian out wide where his block attempts bounced out of play. (Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes) NEWS BRIEF Massachusetts will investigate whether a town in the state violated a Muslim groups civil rights when it rejected plans to build a Muslim cemetery, U.S. federal officials said Thursday. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said the investigation seeks to determine if town officials in Dudley, Massachusetts, infringed on the civil liberties of the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester when they rejected the groups request in November to establish a Muslim cemetery on 55 acres of farmland owned by the society. All Americans have the right to worship and to bury their loved ones in accordance with their religious beliefs, free from discrimination,Ortiz said in a statement. We are opening this investigation to assess whether there have been violations of federal civil rights laws in connection with the request to establish an Islamic cemetery in Dudley. The group filed a lawsuit against the town last month after town officials rejected the plan, citing traffic and environment issues. In a town meeting in February, residents voiced concern over Islamic burial practices, arguing that traditional Muslim burialswhich avoid embalmingcould lead to groundwater contamination. Others cited issues related to vandalism, traffic, and noise, with one resident reportedly likening the Islamic call to prayeroften played at mosquesto crazy music. Recommended: The Era of 'The Bitch' Is Coming Dudley town officials said the towns zoning practices are not discriminatory. The Dudley Board of Selectmen welcomes this investigation as an opportunity to show that the Town's zoning and land use practices do not violate any religious rights of the Islamic Society, nor do such practices discriminate against any assembly or institution on the basis of religion or religious denomination, town officials said in a statement. Proposals for the establishment of mosques have been met with similar resistance. Last month, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the Bensalem Township in Pennsylvania after its town officials rejected a bid by a Muslim congregation to construct a mosque, alleging that the town lacked justification. Also in July, the Islamic Center of Fredericksburg in Virginia faced pushback from city officials over plans to construct a new mosque. Story continues Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. An orthodox Jew is recovering in hospital after he was attacked by a man with a knife in the French city of Strasbourg on Friday. The victim, named locally as Mr Levy, was wearing distinctive religious signs when he was attacked, according to the AFP newswire. Once injured, he took shelter in a bar next door where he was aided by members of the public. Officers have arrested a man who reportedly has a psychiatric history and is known for committing similar offenses, and are carrying out an investigation into the incident. Witnesses reportedly said the attacker shouted Allahu Akbar, but these accounts were not independently confirmed. BREAKING: Jewish man stabbed by a Muslim in Strasbourg France, he was lightly- moderately injured,attacker arrested. pic.twitter.com/AtiYuEsRLp Sam-News_Executive (@News_Executive) August 19, 2016 Mendel Samama, a Rabbi based in Strasbourg, told local newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche that the victim is stable and is aware of being a miracle as he was stabbed in his abdominal region just centimeters away from a vital organ. Je viens de voir M. Levy, victime d'une attaque au couteau. Sa situation est stable. Prions pour son etablissement rapide.#Strasbourg Mendel Samama (@EURORabbi) August 19, 2016 I just spoke to Mr. Levy, victim of a knife attack. His situation is stable. Pray for his quick recovery, the Rabbi wrote on Twitter. Strasbourg, in north-eastern France, is home to a large community of 15,000 Jews, who make up around 5% of the citys population. France has been on high alert following a spate of attacks across the country since the Paris attacks last November. In July, a Catholic priest was slaughtered by two 19-year-old Islamists who stormed a church in the small French town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, and took hostages during morning mass. [AFP] Los Angeles (AFP) - More than 17,000 firefighters struggled Friday to contain dozens of large fires that have burned huge swaths of land and destroyed hundreds of buildings across 10 US states, with parched California especially hard hit. On Thursday alone, 31 fires burned nearly 400,000 acres (162,000 hectares) in the affected areas, including seven blazes in California and six in Idaho, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). In California, the Bluecut Fire in the mountains of the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles has swallowed up 37,000 acres in three days and is just 26 percent contained. More than 82,500 people are under evacuation warnings, and 34,500 homes are affected in the evacuation zone. "There is imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures in the Cajon Pass, Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Oak Hills and surrounding areas," the NIFC's InciWeb said. "Please follow the evacuation instructions, as this is a very quickly growing wildfire." Authorities say 96 homes have burnt, along with 213 additional buildings. No victims have yet been reported, but search dogs are being deployed to search for possible bodies in burned-out buildings. Three people have been arrested for trying to loot evacuated homes, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Further north in California, massive blazes were burning through forests near Santa Barbara (Rey Fire), San Luis Obispo (Chimney Fire) and the tourist hub of Big Sur, where the Soberanes Fire has charred 81,400 acres. Nearly 1,000 homes have been destroyed and seven people have died since the start of the year due to fires in America's most populous state. Despite a growing number of large fires in recent weeks, this year's fire season is still the least destructive in recent years. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f184206%2f364212f24ac247e58e599e78e31ac11a In the rocky hills of what is now Montana, a Tyrannosaurus rex once lumbered across the land, standing as high as 20-feet tall and stretching up to 40-feet long. Some 66 million years later, a team of U.S. paleontologists have unearthed its skull, making an extremely rare find for the realm of dinosaur fossils. The 2,500-pound boulder of a bone traveled west this week to Seattle, where it arrived at the University of Washingtons Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. SEE ALSO: Because regular lightning is not scary enough, here's T-Rex lightning The combination of the skull features, the size of the bones, and the honeycomb-like appearance of the bones tell us this is a T. rex, Greg Wilson, the museums adjunct curator of vertebrate paleontology, said in a media release on Wednesday. This was a very exciting moment for us, he said. The plaster-covered T. rex skull arrives at the Burke Museum in Seattle, Aug. 18, 2016. Image: Burke museum/facebook Wilson led a team of more than 45 people who helped excavate the dinosaur fossils over the course of a month this summer. Luke Tufts and Jason Love, two paleontology volunteers with Burke Museum, were searching for signs of fossils in the Hell Creek Formation when they encountered a large scattering of bone fragments at the surface of the sandstone. The 4-foot-long skull featured a keyhole-shaped opening that paleontologists said was unmistakably the squamosal bone of the enormous carnivorous vertebrate, according to Burke Museum. When we started to see those teeth with the skull, we knew we had a fantastic specimen, Wilson recalled in the media release. The T. rex is now nicknamed the Tufts-Love Rex in honor of the two enterprising volunteers. The Tufts-Love Rex skull settles into its new home at the Burke Museum, Aug. 18, 2016. Image: burke museum/facebook Despite the T. rexs prominent role in our dinosaur dreamscapes, this finding is incredibly rare: Only about 15 reasonably complete T. rex skulls are known to exist in the world, the Burke Museum noted. Story continues Paleontologists have so far excavated just 20 percent of the Tufts-Love Rexs full skeleton, including the skull, teeth, ribs, vertebrae, hips and lower jaw bones. The Burke Museum team said it successfully shipped the skull, wrapped in a plaster field jacket, to its Seattle location on Thursday. Promotional materials for Paramount Pictures' forthcoming sci-fi flick Arrival, starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, are generating attention in China for all the wrong reasons. One of the 12 teaser posters released for the film earlier this week features an orb-like alien spaceship hovering over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor. But the spacecraft isn't the only object out of place in the picture - Shanghai's iconic Oriental Pearl Tower has been Photoshopped into the foreground as if it were part of the Hong Kong skyline. The gaffe almost immediately struck a nerve in politically divided Hong Kong, where a vocal portion of the population is concerned about Beijing's encroaching control of local media, politics and civic life. The film's Facebook page has been flooded with angry and sarcastic comments with the hashtag #HongKongIsNotChina. Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997 after a century and a half of British colonial rule. Under the conditions of its return, Hong Kong operates as a Special Administrative Region of China, governed under its own political framework and legal systems, which provide greater freedom of speech and assembly. But many Hong Kong residents, who have a strong sense of regional identity, worry that these freedoms have begun to erode under the encroachment of mainland Chinese money and political interference. Such sentiments spilled over during the Occupy Central street protests in 2014. "Please don't mix up Shanghai and Hong Kong," wrote Facebook user Steven Hin on the Arrival page, adding: "They are totally different [and] it's very offensive to a lot of people from Hong Kong." Read more: 'Arrival' Trailer: Amy Adams Can Talk to Aliens "Hong Kongers are now feeling insulted and offended," posted Derek Ng, adding the hashtags #ApologizeToHK #HongKongIsNotChina #BoycottArrivalMovie Paramount soon deleted the offending poster and offered the following statement on Twitter and Facebook: "An error was made in an 'Arrival' poster by a 3rd party vendor. It's been corrected and we are disappointed we didn't catch the error." Story continues The statement did little to tamp down the outrage among Hong Kong observers, however, as many noted that it did not actually contain an apology and some speculated that the studio had stopped short of saying sorry for fear of offending the powers that be in the far larger market of Mainland China. "That is a lame excuse, not even a word of 'sorry'," said Larry Ngan on Facebook. A replacement poster created by the studio only added to the umbrage. Paramount swapped the poster featuring Hong Kong's harbor for a new one showing Shanghai. Read more: Shawn Levy on Netflix's 'Stranger Things,' a 'Real Steel' Sequel and His Secretive Alien Movie 'Arrival' As sensitive as Hong Kong is to indications of Mainland incursion, Beijing is even more charged to any suggestion of Hong Kong independence. An editorial in China's official state media outlet Xinhua recently described any such campaign as a "blatant denial of history with no legal basis," adding that it would "jeopardize the fundamental interests of the country and the region." "Thank you for making it clear that the renminbi (mainland China's currency) is more important," wrote Facebook user Celine Ying. "Stay away from HK with your movie," she added. Arrival is set for release in North America on Nov. 11. It does not yet have an opening date in Hong Kong or Mainland China. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film stars Adams as a linguist who is recruited by the military to determine whether alien spacecraft that have landed around the world come in peace or malice. Paul Manafort has resigned as Donald Trumps campaign chairman. The move came Friday, several days after the Republican nominee restructured his leadership team. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign, Trump said in a statement. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success. Manaforts work for pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia after he was ousted in 2014, has been the subject of an onslaught of press scrutiny. Recent reports have scrutinized Manaforts business ties to Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs. The Associated Press reported on Thursday that a firm run by Manafort and an aide orchestrated a pro-Yanukovych lobbying campaign, but did not register as foreign agents. On Wednesday, Trump named Kellyanne Conway as his campaign manager and Steve Bannon as CEO. Manafort was named to Trumps campaign in March, and his appointment quickly ignited speculation over the role of then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, with reports that the two clashed. Lewandowski departed in June, and tweeted out earlier this week a New York Times story on Manaforts business dealings in Russia and Ukraine. Related stories Donald Trump Says He Regrets Some Comments He's Made NBC, MSNBC to Simulcast Primetime Forum Featuring Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Calls Donald Trump 'F---ing Hitler' Paul Manafort has resigned from Donald Trump's campaign. The announcement happened Friday morning. Manafort took over for Corey Lewandowski. "This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign," Trump said in a statement. "I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success." Manafort faced heavy scrutiny this week for allegedly accepting millions in cash payments from Ukraine while a political consultant there. The New York Times reported Sunday in part: "Handwritten ledgers show $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments designated for Mr. Manafort from [former President Viktor F. Yanukovych] pro-Russian political party from 2007 to 2012, according to Ukraine's newly formed National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Investigators assert that the disbursements were part of an illegal off-the-books system whose recipients also included election officials." Manafort's lawyer told the newspaper Manafort did not receive any such payments, The Times reported. Read more: Donald Trump Releases First TV Ad of General Election By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Aug 19 (PTI) Hundreds of gay right activists and sexual minorities wearing colourful outfits and makeups paraded here today demanding equal status and implementation of their rights enshrined in Nepals new Constitution. Almost 1,500 gays and lesbians took part in the rally organised to draw public attention towards the rights and welfare of the people belonging to sexual minorities. advertisement Although the Nepalese Constitution guarantees equal rights and welfare of the LGBT community (Lesbians, Gay, Bio-sexual, Trans-sexual) they are still facing social discrimination due to the traditional thinking of majority of the people. The participating members said they still do not have equal rights despite a constitutional guarantee against discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation. "Implement our rights guaranteed by the constitution and do not deprive us from our rights," were the slogans on the banners carried by the activists. Some prominent diplomats including US Ambassador to Nepal Alaina B Teplitz were among the distinguished people, who witnessed the parade and showed their support, according to eye-witnesses. The Blue Diamond Society, an organisation dedicated to protecting the rights and welfare of the sexual minority has been organising the parade annually on the day of Gaijatra also known as "Cow festival". During the festival, people wearing colourful dress put make up pretending as cows and parade across the city as part of the Hindu tradition that is believed to help liberate the soul of those who died during the year. Nepal had recognised a third gender as early as in 2007 when the Supreme Court ordered the government to scrap all laws that discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This year, it also issued passports with "other" as the choice for those who do not wish to be identified as male or female. However, activists say they face many difficulties in obtaining these passports. PTI SBP SUA AKJ SUA --- ENDS --- Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators will seek to question departing Donald Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort as part of a widening investigation into $12.7 million in payments allegedly designated for him from a secret account kept by the political party headed by the countrys former pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, the head of a panel overseeing the probe told Yahoo News. Officials of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine have to interrogate him. This has to happen, said Serhiy Leshchenko, chief of the Ukrainian Parliaments anti-corruption subcommittee, in an interview from Kiev on Friday, hours after Manafort announced his resignation as chairman of the Trump campaign. Leshchenko held a Friday press conference in Kiev, where he presented new details about the $12.7 million in payments that were found in an 800-page black book from Yanukovychs Party of Regions. Leshchenko told Yahoo News that ledgers in the book include 22 separate entries for Manafort most of them for fees under his contract as a political consultant to the party, but others for exit polls, computers, international observers and other expenses. On seven of those entries, there were signatures indicating that the money was received for Manafort by Vitaly Kalyuzhny, a former member of Parliament who also served on the board of the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine, a Brussels-based nonprofit. As reported by Yahoo News this week, Manafort hired Washington lobbyists to represent the nonprofit between 2012 and 2014 to improve Yanukovychs image. Manafort has denied he received any off the books cash payments from the Party of Regions, saying all his payments were for his entire political team, including expenses for polling, research and television advertising. Earlier in the day, Trump announced Manaforts departure in a statement. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success. Story continues Manafort had officially taken over the GOP nominees operation after Trump fired campaign manager Corey Lewandowski in June. But earlier this week, Trump suddenly elevated pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager and Breitbart News executive Stephen Bannon to campaign CEO an apparent demotion for Manafort. That shakeup occurred after Trump struggled to regain his footing following last months political conventions. A series of firestorms, including Trumps public feud with a Gold Star family and his provocative quip about Second Amendment people, have since roiled his White House bid. The most recent RealClearPolitics average of national polls gives Democrat Hillary Clinton a 6-point lead over Trump. The news of Manaforts resignation was immediately hailed by Alexandra Chalupa, the former Democratic National Committee consultant whose personal emails were hacked after she began conducting opposition research on Manaforts Ukrainian connections last spring. Im ecstatic that Paul Manafort resigned from the Trump campaign, Chalupa told Yahoo News. Mr. Manafort is someone who spent the last decades working against our nations foreign policy interests overseas, as most recently demonstrated in Ukraine when he worked for Putins former puppet president, Viktor Yanukovych. Former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort at the Republican Convention in Cleveland. (Photo: Carlo Allegri/Reuters) Manafort has also been battling weeks of critical scrutiny, from Yahoo News and other outlets, related to his ties to Russian political interests in Ukraine. Just days ago, former Congressman Vin Weber, R-Minn., told Yahoo News that Manafort recruited him in 2012 to lobby for the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine. Weber said that hed repeatedly asked Manafort for the names of the businesspeople backing the nonprofit, but that Manafort had declined to do so. It turns out that the backers had close ties to the pro-Russian government of Yanukovych. It would be very hard to look at this entity and say it was not directed by the then Ukrainian government, Adrian Karatnycky, a Ukraine expert at the Atlantic Council, told Yahoo. Its pretty clear they were running interference on sensitive issues on behalf of Yanukovych. Washington (AFP) - The Pentagon on Friday moved to tamp down talk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying extra troops along the border were associated with a regular military exercise. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday said he could not rule out a "full-scale" Russian invasion. His warning came amid increasing violence in the pro-Moscow separatist east and accusations that Russia is increasing its forces, replenishing munitions and building up military hardware in the region. Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the United States was concerned by the increasingly strident rhetoric from both Ukraine and Russia. "We are concerned about Russia's continued occupation of Crimea, and we are concerned about the heightened level of violence in eastern Ukraine," he said. "What we don't see (is) this unicorn a lot of people are chasing, this idea that there's some massive short-term build up or movement about to happen." Russia holds military exercises in the region each year, with the next one due next month. "I think we are seeing movements associated with the upcoming exercise, we are not seeing this massive buildup of forces that has been suggested," Davis said, noting that the United States continues to monitor the situation closely. Kiev and its Western allies accuse Moscow of trying to escalate a 28-month conflict in Ukraine's rust belt that has claimed more than 9,500 lives and began just weeks after Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in March 2014. Poroshenko attended a summit of NATO leaders in Warsaw last month in which the alliance agreed to bolster its eastern flank in order to calm fears of Russia in both Ukraine and among other east European states. Now that Jon Hamm and Bryan Cranston are out of the way, and the AMC dominant shows Mad Men and Breaking Bad are off the air, the Lead Actor in a Drama Series race is a wide open affair with no obvious favorite. This could finally be the year two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey finally grabs the gold for his indelible Frank Underwood on House of Cards. The competition is relatively new, with Bloodlines Kyle Chandler, Ray Donovans Liev Schreiber, and Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk in just their second year competing, joined by first-timers Rami Malek of Mr. Robot, and Matthew Rhys of The Americans. Kyle Chandler Bloodline Netflix With his fifth overall Emmy nomination including his second consecutive nod for this Netflix series, Chandler is the only one of the six nominees to have previously snagged an Emmy in this categoryin 2011, for Friday Night Lights. His role as John Rayburn in the increasingly popular show gives him a good shot of getting a statuette, as he is clearly popular with his fellow actors. Rami Malek Mr. Robot USA If there is a breakout success this season, it has definitely been this first season USA series, which also earned Maleks Elliot Alderson, a cybersecurity employee by day and hacker by night, a Golden Globe nomination and a win from the Critics Choice Awards. Hes the hot new kid on the block, and the fact that his show also made the grade in the drama series category in its first time out gives him a decent shot. Bob Odenkirk Better Call Saul AMC This is Odenkirks second consecutive nomination in two tries for this Breaking Bad spinoff, in which he once again plays shyster lawyer Saul Goodmanaka Slippin Jimmy McGillin the prequel to the smash multiple-Emmy winning show. Ironically, Odenkirk was never nominated with the Bad gang, and seems way overdue to finally grab a win for this iconic character, who carries on now as the lead of his own show. Matthew Rhys The Americans FX There was a collective cry from fans and critics when Rhys finally won his first Emmy Nomination for this acclaimed but oddly Emmy-less show, which managed to run three seasons without a nod for Drama Series or its two leads. This year, that has been remedied, and Rhysas a Soviet Intelligence agent posing as an American family manhas his shot at last. Will Emmy voters be ashamed it took this long and make it up with a win? Story continues Liev Schreiber Ray Donovan Showtime Schreiber is back in the running for the second year in a row, but actually, its surprising it isnt the third year in a row, as the actor was overlooked for the first season of this tough Showtime drama that provides a great showcase for the ever-reliable star. With his characters name firmly doubling as the title of the series, Donovan is an overpowering and complex role that shouts Emmy. Kevin Spacey House of Cards Netflix Its hard to believe, but this Tony and two-time Oscar winner has been nominated now nine times, and has never won an Emmyso the odds that he can finally take it home for his iconic Francis Underwood in this very political election year are better than ever, especially now that some of the perennial and tougher competition is no longer competing. He has been nominated for this role in each of its first four seasons, so if he doesnt win now, he may never win. PETES PICK: Tough call, but toss a coin. Mine came up Bob Odenkirk. Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series Jonathan Banks was great as Mike in Breaking Bad, but never really got the Emmy recognition he deserved; and now he has, with a second consecutive nomination for Better Call Saul. Last years winner, Peter Dinklage of Game of Thrones, might be less of a threat for his fellow nominees, as he has to compete for the first time with Kit Haringtons iconic Jon Snow. That pair could cancel themselves out. Michael Kelly is ever reliable and could benefit, like his House of Cards co-stars, from the Emmys falling right in the heart of a heated presidential race, giving impetus to his show. Ben Mendelsohn is simply superb as Danny Rayburn in Bloodline, but will voters watch it in the numbers he needs to stand out? Then there is veteran Jon Voight, returning to the nominees circle as Ray Donovans father after being absent last year. This is as solid a group of actor-actors as the category has seen in some time. PETES PICK: Mendelsohn deserves it, but Peter Dinklage will likely again ride in on the Game of Thrones gravy train. Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones.jpeg This post was originally published August 19, 2016. Related stories Emmys By The Numbers: Wins By Program & Network 'Veep' Re-Elected To Back-To-Back Emmy Wins With Different Showrunners Emmy's Biggest Surprises: Tatiana Maslany, Kate McKinnon, Rami Malek And More By Sally Hayden LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Hundreds of aid workers signed a petition on Friday calling for greater protection in conflict zones, urging the United Nations to end a culture of silence and dishonesty that they say allows relief workers to be targeted with impunity. Launched on World Humanitarian Day, the petition describes "a decades-long pattern of callous negligence" by U.N. agencies, governments and international relief groups in protecting those on the frontlines of delivering relief. In the first half of this decade, more than 2,000 aid workers were kidnapped, extorted, used as proxy targets, bombed, assaulted, shot or otherwise attacked for doing their jobs, the petition reads. We, a global community of serving and former humanitarian aid workers, can no longer remain silent while so many of us are murdered, raped, taken hostage, and attacked with impunity in crisis zones around the world. The campaign on online petition website Change.org was set up by three aid worker support groups, including "Fifty Shades of Aid", a social media group with more than 7,000 members. Within hours, it had more than 1,000 signatures. The petition calls for the granting of protected legal status to humanitarian workers under international humanitarian law and the appointment of a special U.N. rapporteur on aid worker wellbeing. It also urged U.N. agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Red Cross movement to adopt a common code of duty of care to aid workers. "A culture of silence and dishonesty has grown around the realities of delivering aid in dangerous places," it says. Megan Nobert, founder of Report the Abuse, a Geneva-based NGO that collects data on sexual violence against aid workers and one of the groups behind the petition, said it was up to the United Nations "to take up the charge" on aid worker safety. Nobert, 29, went public last year after being raped in South Sudan by a sub-contractor employed by a U.N. agency. Violence against humanitarian aid workers in general happens on a regular basis, she said. The petition's authors say the campaign was sparked by outrage over an incident in July in which uniformed South Sudanese forces killed a journalist and gang-raped aid workers at a compound in the capital city, Juba. Those present accuse the U.N. peace keeping mission stationed nearby of failing to respond to calls for help. On Wednesday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched an independent special investigation into the incident. Nobert said greater access to social media made it easier for humanitarian workers to speak out. There is such momentum and this is the timing for humanitarian workers to start talking about issues - sexual violence, kidnappings, negligence and liability. Are we delivering aid responsibly and are we doing it well?" (Reporting by Sally Hayden @sallyhayd; editing by Timothy Large. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, which covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte rejected on Friday criticism from the United Nations about a surge in killings of suspected drug traffickers and denied government responsibility, his spokesman said. About 900 suspected drug traffickers have been killed since Duterte came to power after winning a May election on a vow to wipe out drugs and warning traffickers they risked death if they did not mend their ways. The United Nations this week called on the government to protect all people from targeted killing and extrajudicial executions. "The president ... decries the attribution of killings to the Philippine government," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters. "This is simply unfair, especially to the hardworking men and women in uniform who risk their lives and limbs to win the war against drugs." Police have said many of the dead drugs suspects were shot while resisting arrest or were killed by rival gang members. A staunch critic of the president, Senator Leila de Lima, will next week start a congressional inquiry into the killings, summoning top police and anti-narcotics officials to explain the "unprecedented" rise in the body count. Duterte responded by warning legislators not to interfere with his campaign, saying they could be killed if they blocked efforts aimed at improving the country. "Be careful with me because when I say I will do it for my country, I will do it even if I have to kill you or be killed in the process," he said on Wednesday, directing his statements to opposition senators. This week, he also told police officers not to be intimidated by a suggestion from de Lima that the United Nations might be asked to look into the surge of extrajudicial killings. "Do not investigate us as if we are criminals," Duterte said in a speech to police. "Let the police do their duty." (Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by Robert Birsel) Manila (AFP) - The Philippine government on Friday criticised as "baseless and reckless" a UN statement that President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs amounted to a crime under international law. Duterte's chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo told AFP the administration was not behind the extra-judicial killings targeting alleged criminal suspects, challenging UN human rights experts to visit the Philippines and investigate. Two UN rights experts said Thursday that Duterte's directives calling on law enforcers and the public to kill suspected drug traffickers "amount to incitement to violence and killing, a crime under international law". "When you are in New York or somewhere else, 10,000 kilometres or miles away from the Philippines and then you make such judgments, that's recklessness," Panelo said. "Those statements are misplaced and baseless, and they better come over and see for themselves the real situation." Duterte, 71, won May elections in a landslide on a promise to kill tens of thousands of suspected criminals to prevent the Philippines from becoming a narco-state. He has offered security officials bounties for the bodies of drug dealers. When he took office on June 30, Duterte told a crowd in Manila: "If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful." However, Panelo said the UN should not take such statements seriously. "He is just asking the public to cooperate with the campaign." Duterte's spokesmen have said his statements are just hyperbole but police have reported killing more than 600 people since he took office. The nation's largest broadcaster ABS-CBN has put the death toll at over 1,100, which includes reported vigilante killings where bodies turn up on streets with card board signs branding them as drug pushers. Panelo insisted police only killed suspects in self-defence while other deaths were the work of drug syndicates who feared their members would surrender and cooperate with authorities. Story continues "How can you stop the killing of members of the syndicates? You cannot be guarding them all the time," Panelo said in response to the UN experts' call. International and local rights groups, some lawmakers and church leaders in the mainly Catholic nation have condemned the killings. The Philippine Senate set to launch an investigation next week into possible rights violations in police operations. Still, Duterte's police chief Ronald Dela Rosa said Friday law enforcers would not be deterred and the campaign was just starting. "It's a low (point) when we are being investigated but we go on... we never back down." JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Oscar Pistorius' lawyers will argue that "enough is enough" when his case resumes in court on Aug. 26 to hear an appeal by state prosecutors against his six-year murder sentence on the grounds it is too lenient. In court papers filed by Pistorius' lawyers on Aug. 11 and seen by Reuters on Thursday, his defence team says it will argue "a continuation of this matter is inimical to the interests of justice, patently unfair and that enough is enough." The National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said the case would be heard at the High Court in Pretoria next Friday before the original trial Judge Thokozile Masipa. Pistorius is not expected to attend the hearing. The Paralympic gold medallist was sentenced in July for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013. The state said last month it would appeal the jail term, which was less than half the 15 years it had sought. A Pistorius family spokeswoman could not be immediately reached for comment. The track star was treated in hospital for wrist injuries earlier this month, but prison officials said Pistorius denied trying to kill himself. The incident coincided with the first day of competition in the Rio Olympic Games. (Reporting by Tanisha Heiberg; Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Andrew Roche) Bimalendra Nidhi, the special envoy of the Nepals Prime Minister, is in New Delhi as Kathmandu tries to find a balance between its diplomatic ties with India and China. By Smita Sharma: In a move to signal that all is well between Nepal and India after recent strain in ties, special envoy of the newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal Pushp Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' reached New Delhi last evening. Bimalendra Nidhi, who is the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister in the new Cabinet formed in Kathmandu, has arrived in New Delhi as a special emissary. advertisement Nidhi will be in a luncheon meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh this afternoon. Subsequently, he will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and call on President Pranab Mukherjee later this evening. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Nidhi's visit is being viewed as an attempt of Nepal to send out a message of warmth to the Narendra Modi government. Commenting on the visit, MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup underlined that India shared unique centuries old ties with Nepal nurtured by regular high-level exchanges. He added that this first high-level visit from Nepal to India after the formation of the new government in Nepal "provides an opportunity to understand the priorities of the new government, and to discuss ways in which we could strengthen our multi-faceted ties with Nepal." FINDING BALANCE IN DIPLOMACY The special envoy is expected to invite President Pranab Mukherjee to Kathmandu, reportedly ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's much expected visit to Nepal in October this year. Prachanda who took oath in Nepal for the second time as Prime Minister this week, is also likely to travel to India in mid-September. Bimlendra Nidhi's Delhi visit aims at finalising the Nepal's Prime Minister's schedule. "India attaches the highest priority to its relations with Nepal, and looks forward to working closely with the new government," Vikas Swarup said. NEW GOVERNMENT IN NEPAL Prachanda wrested power from his predecessor K P Oli after the latter resigned just ahead of a no confidence motion in Nepal's Constituent Assembly last month. Oli was seen as increasingly using anti-India card for governance failures and inclining closer to China. It is also being said that Pachanda became the Prime Minister of Nepal under a power sharing agreement, according to which Prachanda will hand over power to Nepali Congress's Sher Bahadur Deuba after eight months. Prachanda whose CPN-MC had supported the KP Oli government, is now in power with support of NC . MULTIPLE CHALLENGES In this short span, Prachanda faces multiple challenges of expediting the post earthquake reconstruction work, which has moved at a snail's pace. The new government requires to sending comforting signals to the Madhesis and other ethnic communities, agitating against the new constitution, which they deem as 'discriminatory'. Another major challenge for the Prachanda government is find a balance between New Delhi and Beijing in the sphere of diplomacy. advertisement In its tight rope act, Nepal had recently sent another Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara to placate Beijing and convey the message that deals inked with China during K P Oli's regime will be honoured and implemented by the new government in power. --- ENDS --- Produced by Tom St. Louis, Sam Larkin's Classic Song "Mirabeau Bridge" Will be Sung by Marianne Girard, who Originally Performed it Live at a CD Release Party LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 19, 2016 / Tom St. Louis, a songwriter and performer who has been a part of the industry since the 1970s, recently announced the launch of his latest project, a cover of Sam Larkin's "Mirabeau Bridge." Performed by Marianne Girard, who first sang the song at a Sam Larkin release party in Toronto, the "Mirabeau Bridge" cover will be a tribute to Larkin and help renew interest in his back catalogue. To learn more about the Mirabeau Bridge project, please visit goo.gl/cjlTxb According to St. Louis, Larkin - a man of mystery - wrote "Mirabeau Bridge" himself. Accompanied by an inspired melody that audiences enjoy singing along to, the song romanticizes Larkin's perfect lover. The song is a part of an album that Larkin was set to release before his death in October 2013. At this time, St. Louis and Girard have taken their project to Indiegogo, where they seek the necessary funds to create a professional recording of "Mirabeau Bridge" as a tribute to Larkin. The project's goal includes estimates for studio time, post-production mixing and mastering, packaging, promotional fees, and travel costs. In exchange for the public's support, St. Louis and Girard are offering supporters a number of perks, such as digital downloads of "Mirabeau Bridge," command performances, and executive producer credits. "I heard Marianne Girard sing 'Mirabeau Bridge' at the release party - she sang the hell out of it and I said out loud, 'Where's the single? This song could be huge!'" said St. Louis. "The fact that a rough around the edges live in-studio performance attracted 115,000 suggests the song has wide appeal." Individuals interested in learning more about Sam Larkin, Tom St. Louis, Marianne Girard, and their work can visit the project's Indiegogo page for additional information. Story continues About Sam Larkin and Marianne Girard: It's pared-down and authentic, holding true to what makes folk such an amazing and popular genre in the first place. Both Sam Larkin and Marianne Girard's music is known to fans as honest and down-to-earth. This latest project promises to be no exception. Avoiding over-produced ostentation and superficial pop-glamour, the recording of "Mirabeau Bridge" is going to spread the word about this song and pay a fitting tribute to Sam Larkin, the mentor of a generation of canadian songwriters, including people like Ron Sexmith and Bob Wiseman. For more information, please visit https://goo.gl/cjlTxb Contact: Jeffery Adkins admin@rocketfactor.com (949) 555-2861 SOURCE: Sam Larkin and Marianne Girard Florida health officials say they have evidence of "likely" local Zika virus transmission in Miami Beach, according to Reuters. The news comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new complication to the virus: Increasing cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare paralyzing condition they think will be seen in about every 5,000-10,000 infections like Zika. Guillain-Barre is rare, but can be a complication to many different kinds of viral infections. Usually, it manifests as a temporary paralysis that can worsen if an individual's breathing muscles are affected. Most patients recover with proper care. Florida's Department of Health refused to confirm reports that Zika had migrated to Miami Beach, though cases were verified in the city's Wynwood neighborhood, the first site of local transmission in the continental United States. "The department still believes active transmissions are still only occurring in the area that is less than one square mile in Miami-Dade County," Mara Gambineri, a spokeswoman for the department, told Reuters, referring to Wynwood. "If investigations reveal additional areas of likely active transmission, the department will announce a defined area of concern." Officials are leery of warning against travel to tourist-heavy Miami Beach as the summer season winds down last year, 15.5 million people spent at least one night in Greater Miami, according to the area's Convention and Visitors Bureau, with nearly 50 percent of that figure staying in Miami Beach. The CDC has listed 529 pregnancies affected by Zika in the continental U.S. and another 691 in U.S. territories, mostly Puerto Rico. In the U.S., 16 babies with birth defects caused by the virus have been reported, while five have died, miscarried or been aborted because of Zika damage. Guillain-Barre Syndrome adds to the pile of complications linked to Zika, including the most commonly mentioned: Microcephaly in children of women infected by the virus. Health officials are recommending pregnant women not travel to an area in Miami Beach that is confirmed to have some local transmission of the Zika virus from mosquitoes. On Friday, after Florida confirmed five cases of Zika believed to be contracted in an area of Miami Beach, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a recommendation that pregnant women should avoid travel to the area. The agency had already advised pregnant women not to travel to an area north of downtown Miami called Wynwood, which also has some local transmission of the virus. We believe we have a new area where local transmission is occurring in Miami Beach, said Florida Governor Rick Scott during a press conference on Friday. There are now 36 cases of Zika from local mosquitoes in Florida. Scott said that among the five cases there are people from New York, Texas and Taiwan who were infected in the Miami Beach area. The affected area in Miami beach is less than 1.5 square miles. Pregnant couples in or traveling to the area are asked to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, sexual transmission, and consider postponing non-essential travel to Miami Dade County altogether. While the virus has not been found to be spreading in other areas of Miami, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said in a press conference that it is possible there could be local transmission of the virus in other areas that hasnt been discovered yet. The CDC says its most concerned about the designated Wynwood Miami Beach areas. You can see a map of the locations, here. We understand this is concerning, especially for pregnant women, said Frieden, adding that the CDC will continue to support the state and local communities. It is in the process of fulfilling a request from Florida Governor Rick Scott for 5,00o Zika antibody test kits How long the outbreak will continue remains to be seen, though Florida has been doing active mosquito control for some time. The mosquitoes are persistent and we wont know for a least a couple of weeks if these aggressive control measures have worked, said Frieden. The CDC also recommends that all pregnant women living in the United States be evaluated for possible exposure to Zika during every prenatal visit. So far there are 2,260 cases of Zika reported in the continental United States and Hawaii, which includes 529 pregnant women. Twenty two of those cases are thought to be due to sexual transmission. Considering Lee Chung-yong came out and publicly criticised Alan Pardew back in April, it was quite remarkable that he remained at the club and even more so that he started Crystal Palace's opening Premier League fixture of the 2016/2017 season. Chung-yong even mentioned that he'd like to leave the club in the interview with Sport Seoul, but his change of attitude has been fantastic to see. Putting in a fine showing against West Bromwich Albion was a testament to that. Having been frustrated at Pardew's decision making process and his lack of playing time in the closing stages of last season, the South Korean didn't hold back in his assessment of the situation. Pardew is very smart in training but hes too hot tempered in matches, so he even forgets how many substitutes are left," he stated. He told me to warm up, then we used all three substitutes, so I sat on the bench again. Five minutes later, he told me to warm up again so I told him there was no substitutes left. He just said: Oh, sorry." Pardew also made me train as a starter for the whole week and decided to leave me out on matchday as an injured player who had not trained all week recovered and felt okay on the day. That was absurd. A player who's had his fair share of injuries over his career, including an infuriating hairline fracture of his leg just after joining the Eagles back in 2015, which, in combination with the club's dire run of form, made it understandable why Chung-yong was so eager to play and help his team. However, this approach probably wasn't the best avenue in which to confront the predicament. His stinging words weren't limited to the afore, though, as he also ripped into Pardew about never giving him a sufficient chance to prove his worth. If I had enough opportunities and had disappointed here, I would not make any excuses. But I never had opportunities," he insisted. I have a contract with Crystal Palace until 2018 but I dont have any reason to stay here next season. I think I should try to talk to other clubs. Pardew runs the team with very short-term vision." Story continues Despite Chung-yong's claims that some of his words were misinterpreted in translation, Palace dealt with the issue by handing the former Bolton Wanderers attacker a fine. Moreover, Pardew also reminded him if he has any further gripes in the future that a solution should be sought in house, not by speaking to the media. While this ugly incident could've easily been the end for Chung-yong's career at Selhurst Park, to his credit, he's overcome this obstacle, accepted the punishment and showed his willingness to contribute this season. "I am looking forward to this season," he told the Croydon Advertiser ahead of the new campaign. "Hopefully I will get some more minutes and get the chance to show what I can do. Last season I didn't get too many minutes, so I hope to play more this season. We have a lot of good players here, and for me, it is important to show everyday what I can do and to take my chance when it comes." Seeing as Palace are a side that lack creativity and subtlety going forward, his decision to stay and fight for his spot is a real positive for Pardew's men. Crystal Palace play-maker Lee Chung-yong has slammed manager Alan Pardew's managerial credentials, claiming that the former Newcastle manager sometimes even forgets how many substitutes he's used in a game. The South Korea international admitted that he will be actively looking for a transfer in the coming summer, after starting just four Premier League games in the current season. He is said to have told Sports Seoul: Pardew is very smart in training but hes too hot tempered in matches,... Even though they suffered a 1-0 loss to the Baggies at the weekend, Chung-yong's encouraging performance was a real highlight for the home side. Playing essentially as a number 10, just in behind striker Connor Wickham, the mobile Korean did a great job of livening things up in the attacking third. Operating in this role is never easy against Tony Pulis' extremely well organised and physically geared West Brom outfit, but Chung-yong consistently managed to find openings. Furthermore, the fact this central attacking role is a somewhat unfamiliar one to him, for he's usually deployed as a winger, only amplified what an admirable effort it was by him. Using a mixture of his adroit understanding of space and strong work rate, he was able to find unoccupied space in which to weave his magic. He'd drift out wide to the channels and cleverly exploit areas in between the opposition's defensive and midfield lines, but he was at his most effective when dropping deep. By coming into midfield, this gave Palace an extra number in this area of pitch, which ensured Palace outnumbered the Baggies 3v2 in the middle of the park. Moreover, this provided the foundation needed for Palace to completely dominate possession, something that was well documented by the statistics that state they enjoyed a sizeable 62% of the ball. Indeed, Chung-yong's presence guaranteed his two central midfielders, Jason Puncheon and Mile Jedinak, always had an option to utilise when they looked up. Receiving the ball in such dangerous central areas let the 28-year-old use his ingenuity on the dribble and in his passing to unlock the West Brom backline with regularity. In spite of the away side's best efforts to stop him, Chung-yong's razor sharp close control and ability to rapidly turn away from his markers only amplified what an elusive customer he was for the Baggies throughout. Getting his season off to such a wonderful start was the best possible way to put his previous petulance behind him and to regain his manager's previously waning faith. Moving forward, Chung-yong will now know he's far better served letting his feet do all the talking. And if he can continue do so, there's absolutely no reason to suggest why the talented creator can't cement his spot within Pardew's side. Which was something that well and truly seemed like a distant dream back in April. President Obama will visit Louisiana on Tuesday in the wake of severe flooding in the state, the White House has announced. At least 13 people have died and tens of thousands have been displaced by the floods. The White House said in a statement that Obama has received regular updates on the situation while on vacation in Marthas Vineyard, and has worked with Louisiana officials to determine the best time to visit and decided on the Tuesday trip to Baton Rouge. The President is mindful of the impact that his travel has on first responders and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts, the statement reads. He is also eager to get a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods, hear from more officials about the response, including how the federal government can assist. On Tuesday, @POTUS will head to Baton Rouge to see the impact of the devastating #LAfloods: https://t.co/g7j1hLHfNu pic.twitter.com/79F22EAcMq The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 19, 2016 Donald Trump toured the state on Friday to mixed opinions: While some welcomed the Republican candidate and saw his visit as a sign of caring, critics (including those in Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards office) saw it as a photo op. According to journalists on the scene, Trump took a swipe at President Obama for his absence. Former Senator Mary Landrieu said she hoped Obama and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton would follow in Trumps footsteps and pay visits as well. TRUMP SWIPES OBAMA Woman: "Were glad you are not playing golf in Marthas Vineyard." Trump: "Somebody is, somebody is that shouldnt be." Edward Mejia Davis (@TeddyDavisCNN) August 19, 2016 Aug 19 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. The Times Britain's largest brickmaker is to cap the liabilities of its pension fund and block present members from making fresh contributions. Ibstock Plc launched a two-month consultation after announcing proposals to scale back the cost of its final-salary pension scheme, which entitles retiring members to pensions linked to their earnings at the point of retiring. http://bit.ly/2bBj4kx Sports Direct International Plc has confirmed that it will publish a long-awaited report next month into its working practices after the retailer brought in lawyers to look into allegations of mistreatment of its staff. http://bit.ly/2bBj5ou The Guardian The Institute of Directors has backed Prime Minister Theresa May's decision to review the 18.5 billion pounds ($24.32 billion) Hinkley nuclear scheme but launched a savage attack on successive government policies for failing to deliver energy security. http://bit.ly/2bBitit Hundreds of jobs are at risk at one of Britain's biggest high street retailers, Monsoon Accessorize, after it decided to close its largest shops. http://bit.ly/2bBixyU The Telegraph National Grid Plc has slashed its forecasts for the number of big new power plants expected to be built in coming years, while admitting its estimates for the growth of solar farms and other small-scale generators were almost 50 times too low. http://bit.ly/2bBkrzm Sky News Jack Wills, the preppy British fashion brand, will gain a new shareholder in the coming days in a deal that will prompt the departure of the former Government minister who chairs the company. http://bit.ly/2bBj6Jf BP Plc is sounding out top investors on a new boardroom pay policy after a humiliating revolt this year saw a majority of shareholders vote against a 14 million pounds package for its chief executive. http://bit.ly/2bBj4Ru Story continues The Independent The staggering cost of UK's uncompetitive energy market has been revealed today, as new research shows consumers have handed an extra 18.7 billion pounds to gas and electricity suppliers than if they had regularly switched to the best deals. ($1 = 0.7606 pounds) (Compiled by Ismail Shakil in Bengaluru; Editing by David Gregorio) According to a 2015 survey, Kerala's policy on liquor ban could be costing the state its tourism. The Trade Research 2016 which compiled date from the Kerala Tourism Statistics and Economic Review of 2015, shows that the tourism growth rate fell from 8.1 percent in 2013 to 7.6 percent in 2014 and 5.9 percent in 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS By Revathi Rajeevan: Kerala may no longer be foreigners' top favourite tourist destination if the figures by the tourism department are anything to go by. A recent study by the department shows a fall in the foreign tourist arrivals and all stakeholders have the state's liquor policy to blame. The Trade Research 2016 which compiled date from the Kerala Tourism Statistics and Economic Review of 2015, shows that the tourism growth rate fell from 8.1 percent in 2013 to 7.6 percent in 2014 and 5.9 percent in 2015. advertisement "Previous government's liquor policy has pulled the growth of tourism industry backwards," said Tourism Minister AC Moideen. BANNING POLICY LACKS CLARITY He blamed the lack of clarity in the policy that, according to the study, has led to even conferences and meetings that were held in the state being taken outside. "The perception about Kerala outside is that it is a state with liqour ban, a completely dry state. That is not true. Enough liquor is available here," he said. NO FRESH LICENSES ISSUED AFTER 2014 The Congress led UDF government had refused fresh licenses to 418 bars in April 2014 and decided to shut the then operating 312 non five star category bars. In April 2015, the Kerala High Court upheld the government's liquor policy which led to the shutdown of all non five star category bars. Only 24 five star hotels are allowed to serve liquor. Following this, the report states, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) have also been taken outside the state. The growth rate of tourism in Kerala which was above the national average, fell below that in 2014. While the national average was 10.2%, foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala grew only by 7.6 percent. MANAGERS WANT TO SERVE ALCOHOL TO THEIR CLIENTS "There are many client who needs a drink at the end of the day. That has affected us. We don't entertain general public but at least in-house guests we should be able to serve. MICE business has also been affected. Guests will have cocktail dinner on one of the days which doesn't work or he should take a one day license," said Sobi Devadasan, General Manager, Thomas Hotels. "One of the requests we get from guests is please get liquor license. Because they don't have any other option other than standing in a queue which we don't entertain," added Sobi. The previous government had however allowed the shut bars to reopen as beer and wine parlours. But not all tourists seem to be happy drinking beer. BEER IS NOT A SOLUTION FOR EVERYONE "I don't think everybody wants to drink beer in the evenings. I certainly don't. It fills me up. I am fat enough as it is. And wine. The quality of the wine available is not particularly good . So I don't have much choice. It severely restricts the enjoyment of any evening," said Geoffrey Oliver, who is in Kovalam on a vacation from England. The idea of standing in a queue for liqour was dreadful said Oliver. advertisement "It is ridiculous. It spoils fun for everybody. Tourists who come to have a good time, who come to drink. There's no fun. Alcohol is injurious to health but smoking kills. Not just you but even those around so why don't they ban smoking and not liquor?" asks Ian Douglas, another tourist. But for those like Greta and Samantha from Italy, who are in Kerala for ayurvedic tourism, the policy does not make any difference. INCREASING COMPETITION FROM OTHER TOURISM PLAYERS The biggest factor affecting tourism arrivals along with the excise policy has been increased competition from other destinations followed by connectivity, lack of marketing and high rates. But the biggest factor affecting MICE business has been the present excise policy said 55 percent of the 103 respondents (hotels and resorts). advertisement With the opposition leader himself confessing that his government's policy did not do them any good during elections, there is only a handful of leaders who continue to bat for the existing policy. The LDF government had hinted that the policy would change once they are in power and the Tourism Minister has clearly stated that there is a need for change in the policy at least in tourist destinations. Also read: Staring at a woman for over 14 seconds can land you in jail, says Kerala official --- ENDS --- A Washington Post report revealed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to end the use of private prisons in a phased manner. Following this news, shares Corrections Corporation of America CXW and The GEO Group, Inc. GEO tanked on Aug 18. Officials were instructed to review the contracts as each reaches the term end. Subsequently, they will either not renew contracts or let them expire or reduce their scope. Reasons for Winding Up Private Prisons Announced in a memo by Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, this decision to wind up privately run federal prisons comes at a time when inmates population is declining and executives have concluded that such facilities not only lack safety and security standards, but also do not save significantly on costs, and are less efficient at offering correctional services than the federal Bureau of Prison facilities. Also, a recent report from the Justice Departments inspector general revealed that safety and security incidents were more in private prisons than at the Bureau facilities. How Prison Stocks Reacted to DOJ With these revelations, investors worried about the fate of the private prison operators and their cash flows, and hurriedly disposed their stakes in Corrections Corporation and The Geo Group. The panic was so intense that these stocks fell over 40% during the session and their trading was temporarily halted. Finally, Corrections Corporation and The Geo Group ended the day at $17.57 and $19.51, respectively, declining 35.45% and 39.58% from the previous days close. Any Chance of Recovery? No doubt, the move would affect the business of Corrections Corporation and The Geo Group which run the majority of the 13 impacted facilities. But the extent seems to be limited with the bulk of U.S. prisoner population being housed in state prisons. This is because Yates directives are applicable for the federal Bureau of Prisons correctional facilities. That constitutes a smaller fraction of the prison REITs total business. In fact, contracts with the U.S. Marshals Service as well as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency remains unaffected. Further, in recent years, prison REITs have opted for diversification, focusing on other services, building re-entry facilities and stressing on rehabilitation programs. That should partly help in mitigating the negative impact. Nevertheless, some panic-stricken investors now worry that eventually ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service may stop keeping detainees in private prisons. Well time can only give the answer to this. Currently, Corrections Corp. carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), while The Geo Group has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CORRECTIONS CRP (CXW): Free Stock Analysis Report GEO GRP INC/THE (GEO): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research BOSTON (AP) -- Prosecutors can examine a cellphone owned by former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez for possible evidence in his upcoming double murder trial, the highest court in Massachusetts ruled Friday, ending a long-running legal battle. Hernandez gave the phone to his former attorney in 2013 when he was being investigated in the killing of Odin Lloyd. The former tight end was convicted in that case and is serving a life sentence. Hernandez is now awaiting trial in the 2012 killings of two men he encountered at a Boston nightclub. Prosecutors say Hernandez was angry that one of the men accidentally bumped into him at the club and caused him to spill his drink. Hernandez is also accused of shooting and wounding a friend, Alexander Bradley, to keep him from talking about the killings. Bradley was with Hernandez the night of the killings and is expected to be the star prosecution witness at his trial, scheduled to begin in February. Hernandez's former attorneys had argued that they had the right to keep the phone because Hernandez had given it to them at a time when he was seeking legal advice while under investigation in Lloyd's killing. In its ruling, the Supreme Judicial Court found that once Hernandez's attorneys downloaded the contents of the phone, they had ''no legitimate purpose'' for keeping it. ''In such circumstances, the continued retention of this device can only be understood as having the effect of concealing or removing it from the observation of others, namely the Commonwealth,'' Justice Francis Spina wrote for the court. Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said prosecutors have already begun the process of seeking a search warrant for the phone. ''The SJC's decision is grounded in the law and in common sense,'' Conley said. ''No court or legislature ever intended that critical evidence could be placed beyond the reach of investigators, in perpetuity, simply by providing it to an attorney.'' Hernandez recently hired a new defense team, led by Jose Baez, a Florida attorney who won an acquittal for Casey Anthony in the killing of her daughter. Baez did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Photo: AFP Outgoing Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan is not one to mince words. He has been in news as much for his path-breaking accomplishments as for his forthright criticism of the system. The result: a displeased government at the Centre, whose priorities didnt quite align with his, and a term extension ruled out eventually. But that hasnt dampened his enthusiasm. With barely a couple of weeks left, he continues being outspoken. And for the right reasons. Last Tuesday, at a banking event, Rajan once again raked up the debate on public-versus-private sector jobs, especially in the banking sector, with yet another blunt statement of fact: One of the problems, of course, is that public sector overpays at the bottom but underpays at the top, I also feel underpaid. At the time when most PSUs are grossly underperforming, this statement throws light on one of the many reasons why they may be way behind their private sector counterparts failure to attract and retain top talent. To put it in perspective, Indias top central banker Rajan makes around Rs.24 lakh annually while someone working in a similar capacity in one of the top private banks in the country earns crores annually. The figure pales in comparison when likened to those of top honchos of international financial institutions as well. While Rajan receives an annual package of US $35,731 (approx.), plus accommodation and transport, the US Federal Reserve Chief Janet Yellen gets $201,700 and European Central Bank Chief Mario Draghi around $500,000. Tasked with the all-important job of managing the monetary policy at the top bank of the fastest growing economy in the world, the pay check is hardly commensurate with the huge responsibility. Similar is the case for other high-ranking employees in most PSU banks. Salaries are considered pitiably low and hardly an encouragement. Not only salaries, but also incentives are a far cry from private sector ones. As a result, qualified and experienced candidates prefer the private sector to PSUs, which remain mired in corruption and poor performance. To solve the issue, Rajan even suggested that state-run lenders should reward employees with ESOPs (employee stock options), a widespread practice in the private sector. Story continues The current situation sounds all the more bizarre when you consider the fact that starting salaries at PSU banks are actually highly competitive. Even for a Class III entry-level job, they offer much more than private sector lenders and hence have a lot of overqualified employees in such positions. The problem lies in retaining them as they move up the corporate chain. A concern highlighted by Rajan: We get lots of engineers, MBAs even in Class III jobs. Our strategy has been to try and expand opportunities these people have while saying that you are not just there for clerical work, we are asking you to do much more value entry level positions. The RBI Governor also pointed out the problem of lateral hires to which many PSUs have strong aversion to because they break the cadres. Overall, his plea to make the system more flexible resonates well with the public. Courts prohibit public sector banks from hiring from specific campuses, the entrance exams are an involved process and too much regulation from various quarters has made sure changing the system stays in limbo perpetually. To revamp the work culture in the public sector, sweeping changes have to be ushered in. And overhauling the salary structure is an important part of it. To make them more profitable, bigger salaries and better incentives are a must. Only then can government-owned banks hope to attract and retain talent at senior positions. But for that other changes need to happen in tandem. The most important being the bureaucratic red-tape resulting from various departments and authorities with overlapping responsibilities. Today, a variety of authorities - Parliament, the Department of Financial Services, the Bank Board Bureau, the board of the bank, the vigilance authorities, and of course various regulators and supervisors including the RBI - monitor the performance of the public sector banks. With so many overlapping constituencies to satisfy, it is a wonder that bank management has time to devote to the management of the bank, Rajan said. Coming from the big boss of the nations central bank, this once again throws light on one of the key reasons for underperformance of the PSUs. The CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association on Thursday challenged warnings by the U.S. government that Zika virus infection could spread widely throughout the island. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects the Zika virus could infect a quarter of Puerto Rico's 3.5 million residents by the end of this year. The U.S. government on Friday declared a public health emergency on the island. But PRHTA Chief Executive Clarisa Jimenez said the CDC forecast does not reflect what is happening on the ground, and the warnings have contributed to a drop in tourism. "From the very beginning the numbers that were given were based on projections. The reality is that as of today, less than half of 1 percent of the population has the virus," she told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Thursday. The United States declared the state of emergency as the number of cases of Zika virus infection in Puerto Rico reached 10,690 since the first instance was found December, The Associated Press reported. In setting its estimate for Zika infections, CDC officials have cited the example of a 2014 outbreak of chikungunya, which is spread by the same mosquito that carries Zika. The outbreak eventually affected about 25 percent of Puerto Ricans between May and October of that year. Jimenez argued that Zika has not spread as quickly in Puerto Rico as chikungunya did. She credited action taken by the central government, municipalities and private businesses to halt the spread of the mosquitoes and educate residents and visitors about prevention. To be sure, the CDC estimates 80 percent of people infected with Zika do not show symptoms. Jimenez said the virus is easily avoided by taking simple measures like spraying with repellent and wearing proper clothing. She acknowledged it is reasonable for pregnant women or couples trying to have children to avoid places with documented cases of Zika, which has been linked to microcephaly and a number of other birth defects. Story continues The CDC did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. The agency's director, Tom Frieden, on Thursday told NBC News the CDC is not overstating the Zika threat in Puerto Rico "Unfortunately when babies start to be born with microcephaly, that will change perceptions," he told NBC. "We projected, based on our chikingunya experience, that Zika might infect a quarter of the population in the first year (in Puerto Rico) and it is very much on track to do that." MOYALE, Kenya-Ethiopia border Tears slipped down Mishamo Hosisos cheek as he trudged silently through the desert. Four slender frames moved through the darkness in front of him, seven behind. All were barefoot, all slowly losing hope that the gamble of a lifetime would pay off. There had been warning signs, but Mishamo had pushed them from his mind. His family was counting on him. They had paid smugglers nearly $4,000 roughly 10 times what they made in a year on their one-hectare farm to ferry him to South Africa, a place he knew little about but thought to be flush with opportunities unimaginable in his native Ethiopia. A week prior, he had dreamed of making a fortune and building a house. Now, as he made his way across the dry, porous border into Kenya the first leg in a 2,500-mile journey that he expected to take 15 days it was clear he had stepped into a nightmare instead. Things went wrong almost immediately. The smugglers, having herded him and 11 other migrants into one of the many dirt roads that crisscross the low, asperous hills between Ethiopia and Kenya, beat them savagely as soon as they were in the wild. Then they stole all of their belongings, right down to their shoes. What happened over the next week Mishamo remembers as a series of murky flashbacks. There was the seemingly endless trek through 100-degree heat. The ride in the back of a battered white lorry, pressed so tightly against the other migrants that he couldnt move his arms. Then there was the cluttered encampment beneath a highway overpass where they waited for a second truck. It was full of heavy machinery: steamrollers, graters, massive bucket loaders. The smugglers called the place China Camp, a reference to the Chinese laborers at work building a new highway. Mishamo and the other migrants were told to climb into a cement drainage pipe and hunker down so they wouldnt be visible; the new truck would collect them the following night. But two days passed and then three. When a Chinese foreman wandered past the drainage pipe and spotted them down below, he thought they might be members of the Somali militant group al-Shabab or at least that was the jail gossip Mishamo heard later. The foreman called the police, who arrested everyone. Story continues His first night behind bars, Mishamo kept replaying a pair of phone conversations he had had before setting out across the Kenyan border. One was with Mengistu, a friend from grade school who had already made it to South Africa and promised to help him find a job. The other was with his older brother Abraham, whose unsuccessful attempt to reach South Africa had ended in similar fashion the previous year. Im leaving tonight, he had told his brother. It might be awhile before I can call you again. Prisoners in the Marsabit County Jail in northern Kenya wait to begin a day of hard labor. (Photo by TY MCCORMICK | FOREIGN POLICY) As Europe confronts its biggest wave of migration since World War II, there is a sense that the worlds dispossessed have suddenly uprooted themselves en masse to knock at the doors of developed nations. The images are ubiquitous: desperate Africans and Middle Easterners packed into sinking boats, risking everything to escape calamity and war. That picture has rightly jolted the world to attention. But it has also given a false sense that Europe is at the heart of the global migration crisis. Thousands of miles from the chaotic detention facilities of Lampedusa, Italy, and Calais, France, there is another, much larger migration crisis that is taking place entirely within Africa. Like Mishamo and his brother Abraham, the vast majority of African migrants arent traveling to Europe but to another country on the continent. In 2000, the last year for which the World Banks Global Bilateral Migration Database has numbers, fully 75 percent of African migrants lived in another African country while only 16 percent lived in Europe. One of the most well-traveled migrant routes runs from the volatile Horn of Africa region to South Africa, by far the continents most developed economy, which has become a magnet for fortune-seekers from across Africa despite rising unemployment and xenophobia. Experts call it the Southern Route, and as many as 20,000 people take it each year, according to a 2009 study by the International Organization for Migration. Many are Ethiopians, risk-takers like Mishamo and Abraham. Some hit it rich on the other end of the continent and return home to perpetuate the myth that South Africa is a Promised Land. In Hosaena, the small town in southern Ethiopia where both brothers grew up, new houses sprout up practically every day. They are bigger and sturdier than the round mud-and-thatch dwellings that people used to live in and its an open secret where people are getting the money to build them. Its coming from men who found work in South Africa, Abraham told me as our hired Land Cruiser swerved through a traffic jam of battered minibuses and plodding donkey carts. We turned off Hosaenas main road onto a narrow dirt track leading to the countryside. Soon, Abraham, who has high cheekbones and a perpetually furrowed brow, was rattling off success stories. The brown stucco building to our right that housed a welders shop: financed with remittances from South Africa. The half-finished villa on our left with the imposing metal gate: paid for with South African money. The roadside shop selling fresh fruits and vegetables: South Africa once again. People are leaving here because they can see for themselves what you can do in South Africa, he said. Its not a myth. Its real, and you can see the evidence all around you. Far more often than they succeed, however, migrants from places like Hosaena have crushing stories of failure. The long trek south is fraught with potential pitfalls, some of them deadly. A dearth of legal avenues for moving among countries in Africa particularly for unskilled laborers has meant that most migrants rely on shadowy networks of smugglers and corrupt government officials that are little more than mechanism[s] for robbing and murdering some of the poorest people in the world, according to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. Every day on the news we hear about migration to Europe, says Caroline Njuki, the regional migration coordinator for the Intergovernmental Authority for Development, a regional bloc that includes Kenya and Ethiopia. The Southern Route is highly neglected, and its just a matter of time before it really becomes a problem. Already, irregular migration to South Africa has carved a deep channel of abuse and corruption down the spine of East Africa. Dozens of migrants have died of asphyxiation in the backs of trucks or perished in boat accidents in the Indian Ocean and on Lake Malawi. Hundreds and perhaps thousands more there is no official tally languish in jail in transit countries along the way, guilty of the crime of believing they deserve more than their impoverished countries have to offer. Abraham Hosiso walks through his family's fields in a village near Hosana, Ethiopia. (Photo by ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER | FOREIGN POLICY) Like many migrants from rural Ethiopia, Mishamos and Abrahams abortive journeys to South Africa really began 140 miles from Hosaena in the shimmering Ethiopian capital. Addis Ababa, which rises unexpectedly out of the montane forests of the countrys central highlands, has the look and feel of a giant construction site. Its a sea of heaving cranes, rickety scaffolding, and belching Ivco trucks. Each day, it seems, the city sucks a little more of the surrounding countryside into its vortex, depositing a clutch of identical new apartment buildings here or an additional highway flyover there. Thirty-two years after what the BBC famously described as a biblical famine claimed nearly a half-million lives, Ethiopia is wrapping up a decade of double-digit economic growth. It has the biggest airline in Africa, the largest hydroelectric dam project, and it mints more new millionaires each year than any other country on the continent. It has made massive infrastructure investments, dramatically expanded primary education, slashed infant mortality, and lifted millions out of poverty. But the same powerful forces that transformed Addis Ababa into a monument to progress have also caused unprecedented social dislocation, uprooting millions of people. The government has inflamed ethnic tensions with its aggressive urban development schemes, and cracked down violently on protesters. According to rights groups, it has killed nearly 500 demonstrators in the Oromia and Amhara regions since November 2015 alone. It has also leased vast tracts of land to commercial agriculture ventures and sent the previous residents packing. Those unmoored by the rapid pace of development have streamed into the capital, and live alongside those uplifted by the nations progress. Beneath the glistening new high-rises and posh five-star hotels, often separated by mere feet, unfurls an avalanche of listing hovels whose rusty metal roofs are held in place by heavy stones. Their inhabitants are a teeming underclass whose hunger for prosperity is heightened by its proximity to it. This is the world Abraham entered five years ago when he left the village outside Hosaena to see if he could make something of himself. Like millions of others, he struggled to find work. He woke up early and waited at a traffic circle where contractors picked up day laborers. Some days he earned 50 or 60 birr (between $2 and $3) doing finishing work at construction sites. Some days he sat at the circle all day and never got hired. Abraham wanted more. So he opened a bank account and began putting away whatever he could. One hundred birr here and there. After four years he had saved about $1,000. Then one day his sister sent him nearly $3,000 more from Kuwait, where she was working in the home of a rich Arab family. Finally, the South African dream felt within reach. But Abrahams journey south took nearly a year and ended in heartbreak. He spent six months stranded in Nairobi the result of a dispute between smugglers before taking the treacherous sea route to Tanzania. From there he was bundled into a truck bound for Malawi with nearly 100 other migrants. They were arrested soon after crossing the border, and he spent three months in a general holding cell in Lilongwe, the Malawian capital. He received one meal per day porridge with beans but was often too sick to keep it down. He was eventually deported back to Ethiopia along with several hundred of his countrymen, one of whom died en route. Many of the smuggling networks in southern Ethiopia abide by an informal three-strike policy. If you dont make it to South Africa on your first or second try, they will smuggle you again for free. After his ordeal, Abraham wasnt interested. But his brother Mishamo knew about the policy and begged for permission to go in his place. He wouldnt let it go. For him it was about the money we had already paid, Abraham said. I told him not to go. He didnt understand because he hadnt experienced it. When I told him what I experienced, he didnt really feel it. It wasnt real to him. From left to right: prisoners Tarekeny Ashengo, Mishamo Hosiso, and Shafi Erango at the Marsabit County Jail in northern Kenya. (Photo by TY MCCORMICK | FOREIGN POLICY) Tarekeny Ashengo writes his wife's mobile phone number in a Foreign Policy reporter's notebook. Please tell my wife I will see her soon by the mercy of God, he said. (Photo by TY MCCORMICK | FOREIGN POLICY) Shafi Erango sits with another prisoner in the yard at the Marsabit County Jail. (Photo by TY MCCORMICK | FOREIGN POLICY) When I met Mishamo in the Marsabit County Jail, about 150 miles south of Moyale in northern Kenya, he had been there for a little more than a month. He had been sentenced to a year in jail. But he hadnt been given an opportunity to contact his family, so nobody knew where he was. Mishamo, who is 24, is short and stocky for an Ethiopian. He has wide brown eyes, a blunt nose, and lips that curl down slightly so that he often looks as if hes smirking. The day we met, he wore his V-neck jail jersey open in the front so that a puff of chest hair was visible above the hem. He speaks Amharic, the national language of Ethiopia, and his tribes local language, but not Swahili or English, Kenyas two official languages. He said a translator had been present for the beginning of his trial on Feb. 16, when records from the Principal Magistrates Court in Marsabit show that he was convicted of being illegally present. But by the time the magistrate had sentenced him to a fine of 100,000 Kenyan shillings (roughly $1,000) or a year in jail, to be followed by deportation, the translator had departed for the day. Court officials must have assumed he wouldnt be able to pay the fine, he told me, because they shuffled him back to jail without asking. (Kenyas Ministry of Interior did not respond to multiple requests for comment.) Mishamo is not the only migrant to have disappeared into the Marsabit County Jail. (Ethiopians are allowed visa-free entry to Kenya for up to 90 days, but only with a passport or other identifying papers that most poor migrants trying to make it to South Africa lack.) Of the more than 20 Ethiopian inmates I interviewed at the jail, none had been given a chance to reach out to friends or family members who might have been able to pay to have them released. Six of them scribbled the mobile phone numbers of loved ones into my notebook, asking me to call them. Please tell my wife I will see her soon by the mercy of God, said Trekeny Ashengo, who was two months into a one-year sentence and has a 2-year-old daughter back home. Tell my family that I am alive. They will be happy just to know that I am alive, said Shafi Erango, who was also serving a one-year sentence. During the day, all the inmates do hard labor, breaking stones for use in construction and cutting wood with long metal saws in the courtyard of the jail, which is ringed with wire fencing and overgrown with shrubs. In his dimly lit office that looks out on the courtyard, the warden keeps a handwritten document on each of the inmates. Among other things, it lists their age, nationality, and the length of their sentence. Mishamos reads, 1 year LABOR BALLAST, a reference to his new job crushing rocks into gravel that is used to make roads. (Perhaps some of it makes its way to China Camp for use on the new highway, Mishamo mused in our interview.) Further down, the document lists Mishamos brother Abraham as N.O.K, or next of kin. His mobile number is printed clearly in blue ink. Someone will call it, the warden told me, if Mishamo dies. The number of people vanishing into jails on their way to South Africa is anybodys guess. Last year, more than 400 were reportedly arrested before they reached Isiolo, a city about 150 miles south of Marsabit, where 80 Ethiopian inmates recently staged a hunger strike to protest their one-year sentences. Hundreds more were arrested in Nairobi and on the Kenyan coast, where migrants often take the same route Abraham did to Tanzania. Many hundreds of others quite possibly thousands are rotting behind bars in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Once in custody, they must navigate badly broken legal systems that are already stretched to the limit. Some fall victim to extortion schemes by police and jail officials. Others are physically abused or denied medical care. Generally speaking, there is a lack of legal protection for these people, said Bram Frouws, the coordinator of the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat, which monitors migration in the Horn of Africa region. They are seen as illegals, and that almost automatically means they dont have any protection. Those without documentation are in the worst position. Authorities may not be able to conclusively determine their country of origin a legal requirement for deportation. If theres no way of returning you, then you are forgotten, said Njuki, of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development. Even when a migrants nationality is not in question, it can take months and even years for them to be deported. The Malawian government has admitted to detaining migrants long after their sentences were served because it lacked the resources to deport them right away. Frouws says this is not uncommon and that even when migrants are deported, they are rarely sent all the way back to their home country in accordance with international law. If they are arrested in Tanzania, for example, they will be deported to Kenya. But of course they are still illegally in Kenya, so they will just be arrested again. Mengistu was hustling back to his shop in Alexandra, a hard-up township in Johannesburg where Nelson Mandela briefly lived in the 1940s, when his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Mishamo calling from Moyale, on the Ethiopia-Kenya border. He was about to make the long and dangerous trip to join him in South Africa. God willing, I will reach you in 15 days, Mishamo said. Mengistu could detect a hint of apprehension in his old friends voice. The two knew each other well. They had gone to first through eighth grade together back in Ethiopia. As teenagers, they used to pick up the odd shift on the minibuses in town, hanging out the door to collect fares and bobbing their heads to the rap music blaring through the speakers. But Mengistu had his sights set higher than the bus business. As soon as he had the money to pay a smuggler, he was on his way to the border. He arrived in Johannesburg in 2011, one of 106,904 foreigners who claimed asylum in South Africa that year. What he found was far from the Promised Land he had envisioned growing up. More than two decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa is still struggling to provide basic services like water and electricity to many of its citizens. Millions remain mired in poverty, and a quarter of the population is unemployed. Richard Ots, the chief of mission in South Africa for the International Organization for Migration, says the disconnect between migrants expectations and what they find in South Africa is the result of a deliberate misinformation campaign being waged by smugglers, particularly in southern Ethiopia. The idea that is given is that the moment you arrive in South Africa, the streets are paved with gold; there is money hanging from the trees, he said. Not only is the reality much harsher, struggling South Africans have occasionally lashed out at foreign migrants, between 500,000 and 2 million of whom have arrived since 1994. As elsewhere in the world, these people are often tarred as criminals and freeloaders who are stealing jobs from native South Africans. Last year, the traditional king of the Zulus, South Africas largest ethnic group, referred to foreigners as lice and ants and demanded that they pack up their bags and leave. A wave of anti-immigrant attacks followed in which hundreds of shops owned by migrants were torched and at least six people were killed. Mengistu found work in one such shop, run by other Ethiopians from near Hosaena. It survived last years xenophobic violence, he told me, but had been burglarized twice since then. One of his suppliers had also been swept up in a raid by security forces. Still, he encouraged his friend to make the trip. The streets may not have been paved with gold, but they still held more promise than the rutted dirt tracks of his ancestral village. Neither man thought to agree on a rendezvous point for when Mishamo would eventually arrive in South Africa or even a rendezvous city. There were simply too many things that could go wrong between then and now, too few reasons to believe that things might actually go right. The same skepticism was evident in Mengistus interactions with me. We spoke at length on the phone, through a translator, several times, and he eventually agreed to meet me in Johannesburg. But when I arrived at the appointed meeting place, a joint called Africa Cafe on the third floor of a chaotic Ethiopian marketplace on Jeppe Street in the center of town, a few blocks from the old headquarters of the African National Congress, he was nowhere to be found. I reached him again by phone, but this time he sounded wary. We set another appointment and again he didnt show. When I tried him one last time, he said he couldnt meet me. Please dont call this number again, he said. These are people who have been taken advantage of and abused by virtually everyone, from smugglers to authorities to other migrants, Dereje Fanna, who heads the Ethiopian Community Association of South Africa, told me. Fanna claimed asylum in South Africa 19 years ago and now helps other Ethiopians navigate the process. He said many new arrivals dont trust anyone. He has helped people who were trafficked, who had been kept in a room for three years, and they didnt speak out. The South African government has exacerbated this trust deficit in recent years by stepping up its efforts to detain and deport what it calls illegal foreigners under the pretext that they pose a security threat. In practice, the term is applied indiscriminately to asylum applicants, refugees, and undocumented migrants, according to Roni Amit, a researcher focusing on migration at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Even the official response to the explosion of xenophobic violence last year followed this pattern. Instead of mobilizing to protect foreigners, the government launched a series of raids on immigrant neighborhoods and detained or deported thousands of people. The nation that absorbed more asylum seekers than any other between 2006 and 2012 is increasingly turning its back on them. Yet the flood of indefatigable young men like Mengistu shows no sign of abating. Abraham and his father Hosiso Hankebo walk through their farm with other members of the family. (Photo by ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER | FOREIGN POLICY) Abraham's father stands outside the family's house with one of his cows. (Photo by ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER | FOREIGN POLICY) Abraham and his mother Ayelech sit inside the family's home. (Photo by ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER | FOREIGN POLICY) Abraham began to worry when he hadnt heard from his brother in more than a month. He called Mishamos smuggler several times but couldnt get through. Then one day a Kenyan number he didnt recognize flashed on his mobile screen. It was the last thing he was expecting: A reporter calling from the Marsabit County Jail. Through a translator, I explained what I knew, that Mishamo was in jail but scheduled for release in February 2017. I met Abraham a few weeks later in Hosaena. He is slighter than his brother and more withdrawn. One could easily believe that he is the younger sibling, although he is five years older. The two were inseparable as kids, he told me, walking to class together every day for the three years they attended the same primary school and turning farm work into games that would drive their father crazy. Sometimes, they would shirk their duties altogether and play tetherball around the base of a eucalyptus that was hidden behind a screen of false banana trees. I used to beat him every time when he was little, but then he grew up and started beating me, he recalled, a hint of a smile curling about his sparse goatee. There was less to worry about back then. Now he has his aging parents to worry about, a brother and six sisters here in Ethiopia, and Mishamo behind bars in Kenya. I may have to go back to Addis to work construction again, he told me. The farm isnt big enough to support all of us. It was the same painful logic that compelled Abrahams father, Hosiso Hankebo, to watch two of his sons set out on a journey he knew could take them away forever. A lean, careworn figure with deep wrinkles about his eyes and a patchy graying beard, Hosiso met us outside one of the familys circular mud huts and bid us to enter through the rough-hewn frame that was missing a door. He hadnt been expecting us, but he asked no questions and motioned for us to sit on a row of wooden benches that hugged the wall. On the opposite side of the dimly lit room were two beds made up with pink and blue duvets. Between them stood a table laden with pots and pans, above which a faded poster of Jesus prayed down from the wall. Abraham introduced me as the reporter who had called with news of Mishamo. At first, the room grew quiet. Then everyone began speaking at once. My translator relayed the questions as best he could: How is his health? What is he eating? When will he get out? After imparting all the information I had, I took out my cell phone and pulled up a photo of Mishamo standing with some of his fellow inmates. It is a disturbing photo insofar as it shows a man shorn of his freedom. But it is also a silly photo, since Mishamo and the other inmates are posing awkwardly, almost as if they are members of a boy band shooting an album cover. I handed the phone to Abraham, who examined it before taking it around to show the others. Hosiso stared at it for a long time, grasping the phone between his arthritic palms. He didnt say a word. Abraham shows his mother and siblings a photo of their brother Mishamo, who is serving a one-year sentence in Kenya for "being illegally present." (Photo by ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER | FOREIGN POLICY) Later, he took me on a brief tour of his one-hectare plot. From the back of the two matching huts, the land sloped gently down toward a stand of cedars perched on the edge of a creek. The earth was dark brown where it had been broken apart by the till, and the first young shoots of wheat and teff were barely poking through the surface. Hosiso had inherited the farm from his father, who inherited it from his father before him. But weather patterns have changed since it passed into his possession, he told me, and now its producing less. Living in poverty is a terrible thing, he said. In order to struggle out of poverty, my sons chose this route to South Africa knowing it is not all good. We all knew it could lead to this. As I prepared to leave, a quiet young man with stained teeth and dark frizzy hair pulled me aside. He had been shadowing Hosiso and I silently as we walked about the farm, looking as if he had something to say. He introduced himself as Barakat Gebre, and explained that he was the son of one of Hosisos brothers so Abraham and Mishamos cousin. Quietly, so that the others couldnt hear, he told me he was planning to take the Southern Route as well. I have been here 28 years, and still there is nothing for me, he said in English. Going to South Africa now that can be life-changing. Hosiso Hankebo and his wife Ayelech Erdado stand on their farm. (Photo by ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER | FOREIGN POLICY) The optimism of young men like Barakat has unnerved the governments of rich countries almost as deeply as the nihilism of young al Qaeda recruits. Europe, especially, has sought to combat migration by pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into law enforcement and immigration services in key source and transit countries. In May, the German newspaper Der Spiegel reported on a secret European Union plan to help Sudan set up detention facilities and train its border police. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir faces charges of genocide and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, but Western governments are happy to work with him to keep unwanted migrants from washing up on their shores. The EU has also tried to persuade would-be migrants to stay at home by helping to create jobs and raise living standards in Africa. Its $2 billion Emergency Trust Fund for the continent, unveiled in November, seeks to combat the root causes of migration by promoting economic and equal opportunities, security, and development. Yet most migration experts predict that the number of Ethiopians headed abroad for work will increase in the coming years no matter what Europe does. The country is set to continue its impressive growth trajectory, according to the World Banks most recent projections, but its still at a fairly low level of development. Per capita income is just $550. In a 2014 survey published by the Center for Global Development, the economist Michael Clemens found that migration tends to increase in tandem with development until countries reach middle-income status (a per-capita income of roughly $7,500). In other words, European efforts to foster development in places like Ethiopia may actually accelerate migration before tamping it down. Ethiopia has a population of close to 100 million, but less than 1 percent have migrated abroad. By contrast, roughly 10 percent of Mexicans and Filipinos have left home in search of work. With ongoing economic development in Ethiopia, people acquiring more resources, I would expect more people to migrate, said Frouws, of the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat. They will have more aspirations to migrate and more resources to pay for it, he said. It will take a long time before their labor market can accommodate such a large population. Current migration trends suggest that the bulk of new migrants from the Horn of Africa will seek their fortunes elsewhere on the continent. Most African migration is and always has been intracontinental. Many people will undoubtedly take the Southern Route. But unless avenues for legal migration are expanded, they will be condemned to use the same dangerous smuggling routes that failed Mishamo and his brother Abraham. Many will end up in detention for long periods. Some will die. You should see how these migrants are packed into the trucks. Its a wonder any of them survive, said Charles Mwenge, the chief of police in Marsabit, who arrested Mishamo in February. Efforts to dissuade would-be migrants with public information campaigns seem equally unlikely to succeed. In Hosaena, Abraham told me he had seen a government broadcast warning about the dangers posed by smugglers and that he was aware of the threat of xenophobic violence in South Africa. He said the potential upside of better economic opportunities outweighed the risks. Virtually everyone I spoke to in Hosaena said the same thing. When you have dreamed your whole life of going to South Africa, what does it mean that you might be arrested or even that you might die? Abraham asked. It means nothing until you have been there. On a crisp Sunday in May, I was sitting with Fanna, of the Ethiopian Community Association of South Africa, in a cafe in Little Addis Ababa, in downtown Johannesburg. We sipped thick Arabica coffee from thimble-sized cups as old men deep in conversation at the cheap plastic tables around us laughed and slapped one anothers backs. It was 2 p.m., but the commerce on the street had already started to die down. By 2:30 p.m., the owner of the cafe was stacking chairs and hurrying customers to the door. Crime is so bad in downtown Johannesburg that many businesses lock up hours before sundown, Fanna explained. This is a hard place, he said. A lot of people had false expectations about South Africa, but when they arrive they find its a struggle to survive. I asked Fanna why he thought so many continued to risk everything to get to a place where jobs were scarce and foreigners were sometimes attacked. Why didnt more accurate information about South Africa make it back to Ethiopia? He reformulated my question and asked it back to me: Why are people only listening to success stories? I suggested that perhaps the success stories were drowning out the stories of hardship and suffering, since people who are locked away in jail or are dead cant send word back home. Fanna said he agreed that might be part of it, but he had another theory. If you want to believe in something, you block out those things that undermine that belief, he said. I think a lot of people want to believe. Top image: JILL FILIPOVIC / FOREIGN POLICY Moscow (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin was on Friday visiting annexed Crimea to boost security measures there, just days after accusing Kiev of attempting an armed incursion into the peninsula. Putin chaired a meeting of his powerful security council in Crimea as he made his fifth visit to the strategic Black Sea peninsula since annexing it from Ukraine in March 2014. "We have gathered because of the well-known incident, after stopping an attempt by Ukrainian army sabotage groups to stage an incursion into Crimean territory," he said during the meeting whose aim was to "discuss and implement additional security measures." Last week, Putin lashed out at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea and Ukraine, accusing it of "practising terror" and sending a group of saboteurs into Crimea ahead of the elections. Two Russian officers were killed in the incident, in which Ukraine denied any involvement. Putin however continued his accusations Friday, saying "our partners in Kiev have decided to exacerbate the situation" because they did not want to uphold their end of the European-brokered truce agreement signed in Belarussian capital Minsk last year. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday said he considered the likelihood of an escalation "high" and could not rule out a "full-scale Russian invasion along all fronts." Kiev said Thursday heavy rebel shelling killed three soldiers in its east, where the government has been battling pro-Russian separatists since 2014. Western leaders have expressed alarm over the possibility of an escalation. By Olesya Astakhova and Andrew Osborn BELBEK AIR BASE, Crimea/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin flew into annexed Crimea on Friday a day after staging war games there, and said he hoped Ukraine would see "common sense" when it came to resolving a diplomatic crisis over the peninsula. Two years after Russian troops seized the peninsula, it is again the focus of international tension, after the Russian president accused Kiev last week of sending saboteurs who clashed with Russian troops. Kiev, which has also fought a two year war against pro-Russian separatists in two eastern provinces, denies the border incident ever took place and calls it a fabrication that could be used as a pretext for a new Russian invasion. The Russian leader has used threatening rhetoric, promising unspecified "counter-measures", and has built up troops ahead of a big military exercise next month. He addressed the crisis again on Friday, opening a meeting of his Security Council at an air base near the naval port of Sevastopol on his first visit to Crimea since he made the initial accusations. "It is clear that we have gathered for a well known reason after the infamous incident, after we thwarted attempts by groups of Ukrainian army saboteurs to break into (our) territory," he said. "Judging by all accounts, our partners in Kiev have decided to escalate the situation. We are all familiar with this method of escalation. It goes back a long way and has sometimes been used successfully but not always. "I hope that this won't be a final choice ... and that common sense will prevail," he added. WAR GAMES On Thursday, Russian naval and land forces practiced swiftly moving military hardware and troops to Crimea, already one of the world's most militarised areas, in a logistics exercise that foreshadows larger war games planned for next month. Russia's Black Sea Fleet, around 2,500 troops and up to 350 armored vehicles were involved in the exercise, which unfolded as tensions have also flared in eastern Ukraine, where a truce that curbed fighting is looking increasingly shaky. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Thursday he did not rule out introducing martial law and a new wave of military mobilization if the east Ukraine conflict worsened. Putin on Friday accused the Ukrainian government of trying to destabilize Crimea to distract attention from its failure to implement a peace deal covering the conflict in eastern Ukraine, a region known as the Donbass. While fighting that killed thousands of people in the Donbass has ebbed since early 2015, pro-Russian separatists there regularly exchange fire with Ukrainian government forces, and both sides accuse each other of failing to implement terms of the truce, known as the Minsk peace process. Although Kiev believes Putin is preparing for more fighting, some experts believe he is more interested in gaining diplomatic leverage, seeking to use the latest crisis to prod the West to press Ukraine into doing more to uphold the accords. "Despite the strongly worded statements by Putin, and the continued Russian military build-up on Ukraine's borders, IHS Markit continues to hold the view that Russia is not preparing for an imminent overt invasion," said Alex Kokcharov, principal analyst at the London-based consultancy. "By accusing Ukraine of terrorism and by building up military threats, Russia is attempting to weaken Western support for Kiev and to pressure both the West and Ukraine to agree to the Donbass settlement on Moscow's terms." (Additional reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Peter Graff) With tensions still simmering and war drums banging between Russia and Ukraine, Russian president Vladimir Putin visited Crimea on Friday to deliver a few more jabs during a meeting with his Security Council at an airbase near the Crimean naval port of Sevastopol. Nearly two years after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, the peninsula is once again at the center of tensions between Moscow and Kiev. Last week, the FSB, Russias state security service, said that it thwarted attempts by a Ukrainian intelligence officer to enter Crimea accusations that Kiev promptly denied and the European Union have called not credible. Since then, Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko have traded insults, Ukrainian troops were placed on high alert, and Russia began building up its forces along its Western border and in Crimea itself. Judging by all accounts, our partners in Kiev have decided to escalate the situation, said Putin on Friday just before discussing war games with his team of security advisors. It is clear why this has been done because [Ukraine] does not want to or cannot, for whatever reasons, fulfill the Minsk agreement, referring to the peace process brokered between Kiev, Moscow, and pro-Russian separatists in the capital of Belarus in February 2015, and which has subsequently been all but a diplomatic dead-letter. Putins visit to Crimea is sure to inflame tensions with Ukraine even further and comes on the heels of comments made by Poroshenko on Thursday, in which the Ukrainian president warned of the deteriorating situation in eastern Ukraine, and said that a military draft or even martial law could be introduced if hostilities continued. The probability of escalation of the conflict remains very significant, Poroshenko said during a televised speech. We dont rule out a full-scale Russian invasion. Russia is currently preparing to hold major annual military exercises, called Caucasus 2016, near the Ukrainian border in September. The exercises are the the militarys first aimed at integrating Crimea and the peninsulas defense into its plans. Moscow is also in the process of bolstering its military presence along its Western frontier in a bid to counter deployments by Western NATO forces in Eastern Europe and Ukrainian troops. Story continues Fighting in eastern Ukraine has increased since the beginning of the current standoff, with small arms fire and shelling reaching levels not seen since last year, prior to a cease-fire agreement in September, according the Ukrainian armed forces. Throughout the war in Ukraine, Russia has stationed tens of thousands of troops on the border in temporary camps to support pro-Russian separatists with military hardware and even direct support on the battlefield. Ukrainian officials said, according to the Wall Street Journal, that Russia slipped new air defense equipment and troops across the border into eastern Ukraine this week, as part of an effort to step up pressure on Kiev. Although Kiev remains nervous that the Kremlin is preparing for an invasion, some experts believe that Russias recent actions are intended to provoke an overreaction from Ukrainian officials and put Moscow on more favorable footing as Europe prepares to debate extending tough economic sanctions that were levied following Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent war in eastern Ukraine. As the current round of escalation comes just weeks ahead of a G20 meeting in China on 4-5 September 2016, Russia is likely attempting to raise the stakes in negotiations and demand reformatting the Donbass talks, said Alex Kokcharov, the Ukraine and Russia analyst at IHS Markit, a London-based consultancy, referring to the Minsk peace process. Both the European Union and the United States have tied the decision to remove economic sanctions on Russia to the success of the Minsk deal. However, both Moscow and Kiev have become frustrated with the stalled and oft-violated agreement and are hoping to leverage concessions from the other side ahead of the next round of talks. While some European countries have signaled a willingness to relax sanctions on Russia, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the German outlet Redaktions Netzwerk Deutschland on Friday that she supports keeping the sanctions in place and that implementing the Minsk deal is and remains the yardstick for the future of sanctions. Photo credit: YURI LASHOV/AFP/Getty Images Yasmine Al Massri is lending a voice on behalf of refugees around the globe. Growing up as a Palestinian refugee, the Quantico star opened up to PEOPLE about the cruel realities and hardships she faced, and her decision to speak at the United Nations World Humanitarian Day Gala on Friday. "The biggest misconception is that refugees are dirty people who don't take a shower, who come to your house, eat your food and then spit on you," the actress said. "There is an inhuman, selfish, uneducated idea of what a refugee is a very negative image that was built because of lack of information, miscommunication to make people, in the West especially, to think that refugees are bad people." Born in Lebanon to a Palestinian father and Egyptian mother, Al Massri always considered herself "privileged" due to the fact that she was able to get an education. However, she was restricted from enjoying basic human privileges. "We weren't allowed to go to the park and play," the actress, 37, said of her childhood. "I didn't really have that outdoor chill that kids have. Everything was very protective. I remember that my family avoided talking any politics in the house. We just had to focus on our school, our homework and just getting very good grades. They never really told me that I'm different." As she grew older, Al Massri discovered her passion for law, but was quickly denied the ability to practice. "I went to Lebanese Law University and I remember the director of the university telling me, 'Yasmine, you're a very smart kind but I just want to tell you I don't know if you're aware that even if you graduate with a law degree, you will never be able to become a lawyer in Lebanon because you are a Palestinian refugee,'" she recalled. "I was shocked and very angry." At the age of 20, Al Massri moved to Paris, France in effort to pursue a higher education turning to the arts. "I wanted to be an artist because I cannot stand to be limited or conditioned by a space in order to work and think," she said. After graduating from L'Ecole des Beaux Arts de Paris in 2007, the same year she made her film debut in the Lebanese LGBT-themed dramatic comedy Caramel, Al Massri went on to star in numerous international films. After becoming a U.S. citizen in May 2016, which Al Massri described as "humanly humbling," she was invited to speak at the United Nations World Humanitarian Day Gala on behalf of a Syrian refugee family. "Human beings are in need of help in order to survive," she said. "Everybody around the world is responsible of you when you are in this situation. Whenever I saw politicians speak against Syrian refugees, the funny thing about it, those people have the same agenda against everybody else. Those people always are just against any kind of equal human right because this will affect their small businesses and small interest and that's sad." Having interacted with refugees around the world, Al Massri continues to stay true to her childhood lessons. "From a very young age, I learned that I have to speak up," she said. "I am only intimidated by watching someone suffer. This gives me a lot of pain. Since I was a child, I really wanted to speak out at these kinds of injustices." Now, a mother to a beautiful little boy, Al Massri hopes to further spread the message of compassion. "Doing what I'm going to do on Friday is really what I hope to dedicate myself to in the future as an actress," said Al Massri. "I hope that I'm going to have more following so I can give my voice to as much people as possible and inspire as much people as possible around the world." Oil companies in Kashmir today approached the state government to report the impact of Kashmir unrest on their business. By Ashwini Kumar: "Following the unrest in Kashmir after Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani's killing, 28 oil tankers have been damaged in violent mob attacks," Oil companies told Jammu and Kashmir government today. Anan Sharma, President, J&K Petroleum Tankers Association said that usually about three hundred tankers of petrol and diesel are loaded for Kashmir Valley and Ladhak region from the main petrol depot in Jammu, but after the threat to drivers not more than two dozen tankers are dispatched. Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir Baseer Khan confirmed that Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil have filed a written plea stating that their tankers are being attacked in the Kashmir valley. advertisement "The oil companies have informed that 28 tankers have been damaged in attacks by violent mobs and it has become difficult for them to operate amid prevailing law and order situation," he said. Khan said the oil companies have been assured of adequate security by the state government to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to Kashmir. "We have asked the oil companies to ensure adequate supply of fuel to Kashmir and have assured them of security as well," he said. Khan also sought people's cooperation in ensuring hassle-free movement of oil tankers to Kashmir. Also Read Kashmir unrest: Lecturer allegedly beaten to death by army Amarnath Yatra concludes: 2.2 lakh pilgrims despite Kashmir unrest, 22 dead --- ENDS --- Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f18202%2fgettyimages-550971509 A sanctuary in New Zealand got an adorable surprise when they discovered that one of their rare birds loves to boogie. The Orokonui Ecosanctuary posted footage of the young kiwi dancing around in his feeding station around 7 a.m NZDT. As a notoriously reclusive and nocturnal bird, it's rare for the animal to be so active, so close to sunrise. Speaking with the publication StuffNZ, the sanctuary's head ranger Kelly Gough said it was difficult to know exactly what the chick was up to. "The fact he is just jumping around without any provocation ... normally, if they're going to jump around it's because of another kiwi poking them out of the way or giving them a kick," she said. Gough added that the birds, born in December, will hopefully be realised into the wild by their first birthday. We're left to ponder just what had the flightless native bird flitting about with such excitement and so close to their bedtime. Greatest Olympic win ever hilariously narrated by a very Australian man Michael Phelps understandably doesn't have time for an airport interview How the 'Scott Pilgrim' movie didn't stick to the comic books it's based on Olympic weightlifter's celebration dance got a green screen treatment United States swimmer Jimmy Feigen. (AP) Medal count | Olympic schedule | Olympic news The drama continues in Brazil, where one of the four American swimmers engulfed in controversy still remains. Jimmy Feigen, the only swimmer involved in the alleged Rio robbery earlier in the week who has not returned to the United States, has agreed to contribute $11,000 to a Brazilian charity in an attempt to resolve the ongoing international incident, according to an ABC News report early Friday morning. Feigens lawyer in Rio announced the agreement after meeting with a judge and officials from Brazils prosecuting ministry for four hours Thursday. The swimmers passport will be returned after the payment is made and he will be free to leave the country. [Featured: Michael helps explains why hes retiring] Police said Thursday that if found guilty of providing false testimony the swimmers would likely be required to pay a fine but would not face prison time. As the controversy was brewing, Ryan Lochte returned to the U.S., leaving the other three to deal with an increasingly complex situation. Fellow swimmers Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger left Brazil Thursday night after meeting with police, according to a statement from the U.S. Olympic Committee. Feigen will reportedly donate 35,000 Reals to Reaction Institute, a non-governmental sporting program created by Olympic medalist Flavio Canto in 2003 that touts itself as an organization that uses judo to promote development and social inclusion. Famous American mixed martial artist and judoka Ronda Rousey donated $30,000 to the institute in 2015. The gloves from my last fight sold for 30k, and after visiting @flaviocanto's @institutoreacao I could think of no better cause to donate to. The look on his face was priceless Can't wait to visit the kids again fresh off another win after #ufc190 ???? A photo posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on Mar 21, 2015 at 12:46pm PDT This is a developing story. More video from Yahoo Sports: Judah (Jack Huston) in Ben-Hur. (United International Pictures) Secret ending? No. Running time: 123 minutes (~2 hours) Ben-Hur is a historical action drama thats based on the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, and is the fifth film adaptation of the story. It revolves around a Jewish princes escape from slavery to seek revenge on the man who condemned him to such a fate. It stars Jack Huston (Judah Ben-Hur), Morgan Freeman (Sheik Ilderim), Toby Kebbell (Messala), Nazanin Boniadi (Esther), and Rodrigo Santoro (Jesus). It is rated PG13. The title alone conjures up images of an epic saga of revenge and redemption, and its inevitable that viewers will compare Ben-Hur and its Academy Award-winning predecessor. A word of advice. Dont. While it may have benefitted from high production values, little attention has been paid to the script, resulting in a film that can hardly stand on its own merit. Its a mess of poor decisions, and falls short of being the great film that was promised to us. Ben-Hur and Sheik Ilderim (Morgan Freeman) in Ben-Hur. (United International Pictures) Highlights High production values Well, the costumes and make-up are easy on the eyes, and show evidence of mindful design and good aesthetics. The physical and digital aspects of the sets are blended into a seamless whole, and when viewed in 3D, truly give the sensation that youre in a slave galley or at a colosseum. This is perhaps the part of the film that does the most justice to the source material. Messala (Toby Kebbell) in Ben-Hur. (United International Pictures) Letdowns Vomit-inducing cinematography Dont watch this in 3D. The shaky shots and violent lurches will have you sick in the first few minutes. The film overuses hand-held camera shots that focus more on the minutiae of the set pieces than telling you whats happening. Its certainly atmospheric, but you have no sense of location or where everyone is in relation to one another. Its a wild ride with no substance to show for it. Story continues Messala is justified in his actions The problem with this script is that Judahs (Jack Huston) stupidity completely justifies what Messala (Toby Kebbell) does. The antagonist has his hands tied because of what Judah does, and theres no way to extricate his brother from his predicament. Judah himself carries the idiot ball so well that you wonder how he managed to even get this far in life. Ironically, you identify more with Messala than Judah, because its just so frustrating to see Judah ignore good advice and go on to make increasingly inane decisions. Cliche-ridden dialogue Youll snort out loud at the hammy lines the actors have to spout. Its not dialogue, its just random cliches thrown together to form what could charitably be called a script. A life worse than death. Youll pay for this. And Judah, who is Jewish, even exclaims Oh my God at one point. The actors would have been better off ad-libbing their lines. The Jesus subplot is tacked on The scenes with Jesus (Rodrigo Santoro) are brief and forgettable, and could be chalked up to being a distraction if not for the fact that the Jesus subplot rears its head at the end of the film, presumably because all those previous scenes were meant to be impactful. Theyre not. It feels like they filmed all the Jesus scenes at the last minute and tossed it in just to pad out the movie. Chariot racing in Ben-Hur. (United International Pictures) The only thing that went well for Ben-Hur was its budget. Should you watch this if its free? OK. Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? If you like chariot races. Score: 2.1/5 Ben-Hur opens in cinemas: - 18 August, 2016 (Singapore) - 15 September, 2016 (Malaysia) - 17 August, 2016 (Philippines) Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. Hes also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes at marcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own. It's hard to imagine anyone else singing Rihanna's hit single "Work," but according to producer PartyNextDoor, she almost didn't record the hot track. The 22-year-old Canadian rapper, who co-wrote the song with Drake, told the New York Times in a recent interview that Rihanna's record label "didn't care for Caribbean music at the time." RELATED: Rihanna Poses With Huge Bikini-Clad Statue of Herself: 'Went to Visit My Boobs' He considered keeping the song with Drake, or giving it to Alicia Keys, but Rihanna's team finally came around "when it was all that she could sing around the house," he said. "She fought for it," he added. "She said, 'This is my family's favorite song.'" PartyNextDoor also opened up about his close relationship with Drake, but kept coy about his friendship with Keeping Up With the Kardashian star Kylie Jenner, which made headlines earlier this year. "I openly share music with Drake, especially when it's time for him to have a project," he said, adding that he feels like he has an "older brother I can text anytime, someone who's super invested because my name is tied into his." WATCH: Kylie Jenner Shares a Steamy Smooch With PartyNextDoor "It's just creatives cooking," he continued of their working relationship. "If he sees something in a song of mine that he feels he can spin around and make better, who am I to say I'm going to selfishly keep it? As a fan of music, that's wrong." When asked about casting Jenner as the love interest in his new music video for "Come and See Me," he politely shared, "I'm grateful that really pretty girls like my music, and social media just happens to like really pretty girls." Jenner and PartyNextDoor sparked romance rumors back in May, after the reality TV star split from her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Tyga. The two have since reconciled. Story continues Related Articles A diary recovered from the Pakistan Hindu spy has revealed that ISI funded the spy network. He claimed that about 35 kgs of RDX have been brought to India so far. By Sharat Kumar: Intelligence Bureau, RAW and Rajasthan state intelligence agency have arrested a suspected Pakistani spy from Rajasthan. Nandlal Maharaj (26) was arrested in a joint operation by the intelligence agencies. Sources have revealed that Nandlal and his network sneaked in about 35 kilograms of RDX from India-Pakistan border along Rajasthan. The explosives were dispatched reportedly to carry out blasts at various locations across the country. advertisement The intelligence has also recovered a diary from Nandlal. The diary reportedly has details of financial transactions between the spy and Pakistan's premier intelligence service Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The diary reveals key details like time and amount of transactions. DIARY RECOVERED DIVULGES DETAILS OF TRANSACTIONS As per the diary, Nandlal was reportedly paid about Rs 70,000 for trading the explosives. The agencies have initiated a probe to find out where all these explosives have been dispatched by the suspected spy. Nandlal, who is a Hindu, hails from Khipro, Sanghar in Sindh of Pakistan. According to sources, Nandlal operates a textile showroom in Pakistan and earns a sum of Rs 3,000 each month. Police recovered two mobile phones and about 20 Pakistani SIM cards from him. Maps belonging to several military networks too were recovered from Nandlal. NANDLAL NABBED AFTER 48-HOUR LONG OPERATION Nandlal was nabbed after a 48-hour-long search operation carried out by the three intelligence agencies. Police have said that about eight other operatives who worked closely with Nandlal have fled after they learnt about his arrest. The arrest of the spy and recovery of the RDX cache has raised several questions on the functioning of the Border Security Force (BSF). Sources said that Pakistan has been recruiting Hindus residing in towns adjacent to the border to camouflage them as Indians. The spies reportedly communicated using satellite phones with their agents in Pakistan. Also read: "Provide consular access to Pakistani spy: Hyderabad police --- ENDS --- Its back to the one-hour grind for Rob Lowe, who joins CBS Code Black this fall as Dr. Ethan Willis, a character who judging by this exclusive photo looks about as intense as the faux attorney he played Foxs The Grinder. RELATEDBlind Item: This Falls Biggest Casting News Has Not Been Announced Of course, unlike the overly-earnest Dean Sanderson, Lowes Code Black MD has been to hell and back. As we previously reported, Willis is a seasoned combat surgeon who is coming off a stint in war-ravaged Afghanistan. He gets placed at Angels Memorial to teach the staff what the military has learned about combat medicine, and, while his aggressive, rule-breaking style is greeted positively by Rorish (Marcia Gay Harden), the other docs are not quite as smitten. Series creator Michael Seitzman is confident viewers will take a shine to Willis. Two of Robs many remarkable qualities are the same traits we needed in Willis, the EP tells TVLine. He makes you want to know him and at the same time makes you feel youve known him your whole life. RELATEDComedy Central to Roast Rob Lowe Lowes Dr. Willis make his Angels debut in Code Blacks Season 2 premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 10/9c. Launch Gallery: Fall TV Cast Changes: New, Leaving Actors for Returning Shows Related stories NCIS: New Orleans: Vanessa Ferlito Has the Team on Edge! -- Fall TV First Look Good Wife Fave Targeted by CBS' Bull, Playing Serial-Like Investigator Ratings: Olympics Hit Another Low, Rush Hour Finale Eyes Summer High From Town & Country When U.S. travelers head across the pond, they're looking to catch a glimpse of the monarchy (just don't tell the Founding Fathers). According to new tourism numbers, 2.3 million Americans traveled to London last year, an impressive 11 percent more than did in 2012. And the biggest draw for these visitors was the city's real-life Royals. Buckingham Palace topped the ranking of "Bucket List" experiences in the UK's capital city (other spots included the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and the film locations of Spectre). And Queen Elizabeth herself beat out Princes William and Harry, the Duchess of Cambridge, Adele, and David Beckham for top honors in the "dream tour guide" category. The survey also found that nine out of ten US tourists believe London's cultural attractions to be the best in the world. It's a number London mayor Sadiq Khan is especially proud of. "Our city's world-class museums, galleries and exhibitions have firmly positioned London as one of the most welcoming and culturally rich cities to visit," he said. "Not only does our unique cultural scene make a substantial and vital contribution to our city's economic prosperity, but I'm delighted to see that London's creative sector plays such an important role in entertaining tourists from home and across the Atlantic." Clearly they're doing something right: Two-thirds of visitors said they plan to make a return trip. From Town & Country The ballet audience at Lincoln Center looked as excited as Beliebers. But 10 minutes into a critically acclaimed Serenade by George Balanchine, my philistine mind began to wander. I looked at my watch. I thought about bills I had to pay and where to go for dinner. The publicist who had procured the fine opening night seats for me and my host, a dance critic, lingered nearby. I could not just walk out gentle into that good night. To stay or not to stay, that is the question. Increasingly, the answer has become not to. (Because no production of Pericles is that good, thank you.) While some may think that leaving at intermission is as much a god-given right as turning right on red, it can ruffle feathers. A few years ago, when a Wall Street Journal reporter wrote "Confessions of a Broadway Bolter," she was widely lambasted. It didn't help that her tone was righteous and gleeful. Producers and publicists called for her head. But it seemed to me a tempest (and not Shakespeare's) in a teapot. Maybe 30 years ago walking out of a performance was a big deal. These days-with the lure of social media and 5 million TV options, not to mention over-the-top ticket prices-many choose to reject what isn't working. And why not? It's your money and time, so why be miserable? Because of feelings, some would say, whether for the host who is treating you or for the actors who see freshly vacated seats. But even this point can be debated. The director Robert Falls, for example, thinks it clears out bad vibes when unhappy people leave. Others would say that when you walk out you're sending the creative team an honest response to its work. So, the first item of protocol: If you must leave, how to depart? Always quietly, of course, and with a simple excuse to the person next to you about not feeling well. And it doesn't take a latter-day Emily Post (if such a person exists) to realize that trashing a show on your way out (or at intermission, if you stay) before you figure out how your companions feel about it can be not just dispiriting but insulting. Story continues Still, in a world where rude is the new normal and ringtones interrupt quiet stage moments (inciting fury in actors from Patti LuPone to Benedict Cumberbatch), there are times when leaving early doesn't seem like an option. For instance, if someone has invited you because he or she loves the production or is involved in any way. Leaving before intermission? Definitely a no-no. Even so, I have my own reasons, lame as they are, for breaking the rules. Who doesn't? Last December I walked out of a performance of Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall. I was a guest of a lovely new in-law who wanted to include me in his annual family tradition. Between my lack of appreciation and thoughts of getting out of town to start an overdue Christmas vacation, I couldn't bear to wait for the second intermission. So I left my front row seat at the first, flushed with shame-and relief. I had the same feeling when I walked out of a Robert Wilson production at the Comedie-Francaise years ago. This despite the fact that my ticket to the sold-out event had been obtained by a friend and there was no intermission. With both shame and vigor, I squeezed past offended Parisians in the oppressively small jewel box theater and out into Place Colette. Does being abroad give you some leeway? Gordon Greenberg, who is directing Holiday Inn on Broadway this season, never walks out of shows in his native New York. "But in London I walk out without worry, because I don't know many people there," he says. Others actually have a point to make when departing. One producer friend told me she walked out of a production of A Streetcar Named Desire because she could not tolerate the sexual violence. In that case leaving was an act of personal protest. But a similar exit can take on a threatening tone if done by a person in power. When Joseph Stalin walked out of a 1936 production of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, for example, it was a warning to Shostakovich and all other artists that he would not tolerate works that showed bourgeois leanings. But with all this departing, could we be missing the point? Whether it's a play, a marriage, a seated dinner, or a job (look at all the fashion designers leaving their posts after short terms, not to mention Michael Strahan leaving Kelly Ripa after just four years), isn't commitment part of the deal? Don't we lose the chance to feel anything, let alone think about things in a new way, if we don't sit still long enough for something to work its magic? Especially with theater, when the action kicks in only after some exposition sets the plot in motion? "There are so many shows with great second acts," producer Daryl Roth notes. And sometimes third and fourth acts as well. Much as I dreaded the prospect, I felt obliged to see the divisively long Pulitzer Prizewinning play The Flick last year. It went on for more than three hours and was full of long silences in the most unglamorous of scenarios. I totally understood why so many people I knew had declared the right to defect. And yet, as I let the feelings of the characters into my head, they resonated so deeply that I left the theater elevated. Cynics will say that that's how you always feel after pushing yourself to endure anything, with the pleasure in the completion. But perhaps it's more than endurance. It may be that the humility it takes to cede control and go along for a ride in someone else's mind (whether by struggling to finish another 600-page installment of My Struggle, the sprawling, obsessively detailed autobiographical novel by Karl Ove Knausgaard, or sitting through a four-hour Long Day's Journey into Night that culminates with Jessica Lange as a morphine addict descending a staircase in a mind-blowing final moment that is as eerie as it is avant-garde) is exactly what challenges us to be stronger. Sometimes it can surprise us, too. I recently met a young art adviser who took some friends to see the late director Chantal Akerman's nearly plotless 201-minute Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080, Bruxelles. "It was excruciatingly long and boring, and I was so embarrassed I wanted to scream," she says. "But when I apologized to my friends afterward they all said it was the best film they'd ever seen. It really changed the way I look at things." I wish I could have said the same about the ballet. After we left Lincoln Center, I gently asked my friend the critic why she cared about it so much. "Because when I watch great dancers and choreography, it makes me feel I'm looking at something as powerful as a force of nature," she said with explosive enthusiasm. "So much is so ugly in the world right now, but ballet, with those perfect bodies in motion, is so exquisite that it always gives me hope." I found her response not just inspiring but revelatory-giving me a new way to think about dance and life and art as well. And needless to say, it made it worth it staying through the entire ballet that night, which cost me nothing except some time. Notice: Array to string conversion in /home/sites/www.businessinsider.com/releases/20160817204652/classes/Util/Posts.php on line 494 russia mcdonalds When McDonalds opened its first store in Russia back in 1990, one of the biggest challenges was getting employees to smile. We were always a little bit afraid of Americas smile, a former worker from that McDonalds told Alix Spiegel in the podcast Invisibilia. Three decades later, things have changed radically. Russia's retail workers now smile more than Americas, according to the 2016 Smiling Report, compiled by Better Business World Wide from more than 1 million mystery shopper evaluations across a spectrum of industries. Russia ranked 10 on the Smiling Report with 90% of retail workers smiling. This is a major improvement from 2005, when only 45% smiled. America once famous for its smiling customer service ranked 19 at 87%. What changed? For one thing, Russians liked the mood at that first McDonalds. Everywhere else you go it was just gloomy and dark and dirty and there were troubles, stress, and you come to McDonalds and it's everybody's always happy and you see smiles, Chekalin told Invisibilia. Over time the smiling culture caught on. For one thing, Russians have realized that polite employees boost sales and attract clients, Oxana Aukchenkova of the mystery shopper organization NEXTEP told Russia Beyond The Headlines. The region that smiles least these days is Asia, with clerks smiling at customers only 65% of the time. NOW WATCH: Panera Bread CEO says he was 'offended' by this McDonald's commercial More From Business Insider KIGALI (Reuters) - Rwandan national police said they killed three suspected Islamist militants and arrested three others in the western district of Rusizi on Friday. A police statement said the three who were killed had turned violent in resisting arrest during a raid that followed a tip-off from the public. Police found the suspects had barricaded themselves inside a house for two weeks. "Initial findings indicate they were in a radicalisation campaign aimed at recruiting jihadists," the statement said. It did not give further details such as the name of the suspected militant group, where it was based, or whether any attacks might have been planned in the small, central African country. On Thursday, national police said they had been investigating "individuals suspected of being radicalized and linked to foreign terrorist organizations" since last year. Several had appeared in court but no further details were given. Another suspected militant was killed late on Wednesday in a raid in the capital Kigali, police said. Two of those arrested in Rusizi were in police custody and a third was hospitalized for injuries sustained in the raid. In January, Rwanda police said they had killed a Muslim imam as he tried to escape custody while under investigation for encouraging young Rwandans to join Islamic State militants, who are active in the Middle East and North Africa. Subsequently, 23 men and women were arrested on suspicion of links to the preacher. Last week, a high court in Kigali granted police more time to keep them in investigative detention. About 2.5 percent of Rwanda's 11 million people are Muslim, with the rest mostly Christian. (Reporting by Clement Uwiringiyamana; writing by Duncan Miriri; editing by Mark Heinrich) Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry invited India to discuss Jammu and Kashmir in Islamabad end of this month. By India Today Web Desk: Despite India's condition to discuss cross-border terrorism, Pakistan on Friday invited Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to Islamabad to discuss the Valley dispute "as per the UN Security Council Resolutions". In response to Jaishankar's proposal for talks on cross-border terror, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry invited India to discuss Jammu and Kashmir in Islamabad end of this month. advertisement In a letter to the Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambwale in Islamabad, Pakistan said it wanted to find a solution "as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations" of the people of the state. Slamming India over the ongoing protests in Kashmir, in which more than 66 people lost their lives, Pakistan called for an immediate end to "human rights violations in Kashmir" and sought permission to allow Pakistani doctors and paramedics to travel to the state. Pakistan on Monday had invited India for talks on Kashmir, saying it is the "international obligation" of both the countries to resolve the issue. However, India on Wednesday rejected Pakistan's proposal to hold Foreign Secretary-level talks on Kashmir and insisted that discussions should be held on "aspects related to cross- border terrorism which are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir." With inputs from PTI --- ENDS --- When Sangu Delle was a kid, his family moved to a new neighborhood in Accra, Ghanas capital. Their new haunts were still under development, and no shops or roadside stands had popped up yet. Workers toiled away in the heat, constructing new roads and buildings. Young Delle saw an opportunity. Before school hed fill up plastic bags with water and pop them in the fridge. When he got home hed take the chilled water outside and sell it a childhood lemonade stand, Ghanaian style. Delles inner hustler hasnt gone away, and today hes an investor who wants to change the way people think about economic growth in Africa. The 29-year-old heads up Accra-based Golden Palm Investments, a fund backing early-stage companies in sectors such as health, finance and agriculture. Its goal? Create world-class, competitive African companies to build local industry and labor forces. Theres an economic sweet spot in Africa, says the TED and Soros Fellow, one overlooked by those pinning hopes on microfinance or international trade as poverty solutions. Delle would know. The triple Harvard threat, armed with a B.A. and completing a joint J.D.MBA, honed his skill at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and San Franciscobased venture firm Valiant Capital. Oh, and in his spare time, he runs CleanACWA, a nonprofit that provides clean water to 60,000 to 120,000 people in Ghana. A lot of people talk about socially conscious investing, but there are very few people who can do it the way he does it, says Lake Wang, a former colleague, classmate and fellow investor. Hes the kind of guy who is not afraid of failing. Ted 15725051 Divide and conquer, the colonists said. Delle prefers thinking Pan-African. Source Ryan Lash/TED Delles thinking goes like this: Why invest 200 bucks on 500 different banana sellers when you could invest $100,000 on one visionary banana seller who wants to create multiple banana products at scale? Theres an obsession with this idea that all poor people are entrepreneurs, says Delle. Its like the 2016 version of the Happy African meme, which romanticizes poverty and paints Africans as monolithic beings with little variance in or capacity for complex emotions. In reality, he argues, not everyone is born with an enterprising spirit or the know-how to grow small pools of money into magnified success. It has nothing to do with Africa. I wouldnt give money to half my friends at Harvard, he says. With microfinance, money can only go so far. Thats why hes invested in companies like Andela, which aims to pump out 100,000 high-class African coders in a decade who can then, in theory, go on to start their own internationally competitive tech companies. Story continues He takes the notion a step further too, advocating for investment over aid he wants do-gooders to shift their mind-sets and their dollars from nonprofits to money-and-job-generating investments, whether thats his fund or investing directly in African companies. Its the same sell, he says, with a different destination. He has a point. Real per capita income today is lower than it was in the 1970s, despite $1 trillion in African development-related aid over the last 60 years, says Delle in his TED Talk above. Its something international donors are loath to point out. Instead of reinventing the aid wheel, though, he wants to shift the cash to the private sector. Despite Delles ingrained business savvy, he didnt grow up in a household of wheelers and dealers. His father, a doctor and human rights activist, made the family home a refuge for Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees fleeing conflict, once housing a famous journalist who was beaten and forced into hiding after he penned a critique of then-Liberian president and warlord Charles Taylor. His father hoped his son would grow up to be a doctor too and fight for the rights of the poor. Delle played the part of social activist: He wrote scathing critiques of the World Bank, calling out the oil-military nexus in Africa and working for the Government Accountability Project. At Harvard, he led a sit-in at the presidents office to protest low wages for campus workers. One day, back in Ghana, he asked some community members what sorts of poverty reduction programs they wanted. Their answer? Jobs, please. Delle made a quick pivot. Thats when, intellectually and philosophically, there was that merge, he says. Today there are just a handful of African investors creating African investment firms to invest in African companies. Theyre woven into an unofficial network across the continents large urban hubs like Lagos, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Accra, often even putting money into the same deals. Its a small farm, in other words. And many still, understandably, shy away the continent may offer big returns in the future, but its a long time frame to wait. In Africa you have a lot of entrepreneurs with great ideas, but the infrastructure, culture and regulations are all very different and a lot of times ambiguous, says Wang. That can create a huge trust and communication gap for American investors. Its high-risk with often imperfect information; getting the data to make informed business decisions can be a herculean effort, says Delle. So investing in African startups means taking a hyper hands-on approach. It also means showing up for meetings, calls and schmoozing over beers and leveraging those personal networks. But for those with moxie, an entrepreneurial spirit and a hefty dose of capital? Theyre seeing dollar signs and hope theyll trickle down to everyone else. Related Articles Sao Tome (AFP) - Sao Tome's former premier Evaristo Carvalho on Friday was officially declared winner of the tiny West African nation's stormy presidential election, picking up 100 percent of votes cast in the last round. Carvalho, the 74-year-old ruling party candidate, won 41,820 votes, with 1,522 blank and 7,884 spoiled ballots at a run-off vote Sunday in which he ran against no one, official results showed. Abstention in the one-candidate final leg of the race was high, with only 46 percent of the archipelago's 111,222 registered voters turning out. Incumbent president Manuel Pinto da Costa, who picked up 24.83 percent in the first round of the vote, had refused to participate in the run-off. Carvalho will be sworn in on September 3. He was initially declared winner of the first-round vote on July 17 with more than 50 percent of the ballots -- but his tally was revised down to 49.8 percent, prompting the run-off. But Pinto da Costa, who had lashed the process as fraudulent and demanded it be scrapped, announced he would not contest the second round. Sao Tome, a former Portuguese colony that is reliant on foreign aid for 90 percent of its budget, has formerly been held up as a model of democracy compared to neighbours like Chad and Equatorial Guinea with rulers who have held power for decades. The nation of 200,000 people has a tradition of premiers and presidents from opposing camps governing together peacefully, although the set-up has led to turf wars in the past. The president has an arbitrating role in government but no executive powers, leaving the prime minister in the dominant position. Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada is seen as the main winner of the run-off result now that both of Sao Tome's top jobs are set to be held by his centre-right ADI party. Pinto da Costa became the first post-independence ruler in 1975 and established a Marxist-Leninist state. His policies devastated the economy of what had been, at the start of the 20th century, the world's leading cocoa producer. A clamp on the opposition sent many dissidents into exile, including Trovoada's father Manuel, after relations between the two men soured. Manuel Trovoada returned after Sao Tome became a multiparty democracy in 1991 and was twice elected president. DUBAI (Reuters) - The Saudi-led coalition expressed deep regret over a decision by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) to evacuate staff from northern Yemen and said it was trying to set up "urgent meetings" with the medical aid group. MSF said on Thursday it was evacuating its staff from six hospitals in northern Yemen after a Saudi-led coalition air strike hit a health facility operated by the group killing 19 people. "The coalition to support the legitimacy in Yemen expressed its deep regret over MSF decision to evacuate its staff from six hospitals in northern Yemen and asserts its appreciation for the work the group is undertaking with the Yemeni people in these difficult circumstances," the coalition said in a statement carried by Saudi state news agency SPA. The coalition said it was committed to respecting international humanitarian law in all its operations in Yemen and had set up an independent team to investigate incidents in which civilians are killed. "The coalition is seeking to hold urgent meetings with MSF to find a way on how to jointly find a solution to this situation," the statement said. MSF is one of handful of international medical aid groups operating on the ground in Yemen where a 16-month civil war between a Gulf Arab coalition and an Iran-allied militia has killed more than 6,500 people and brought one of world's poorest countries close to famine. Dozens of Saudi-led air strikes and shells launched by the Houthis have hit civilians in Yemen since the Arab coalition began military operations in March 2015 to restore President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power. MSF said many of these attacks had struck health facilities, putting patients and staff in danger and displayed a failure by warring parties to control the use of force. A coalition air strike on Tuesday hit a hospital operated by MSF in the northern Hajja province killing 19 people, including one of its staff members, and injuring 24, the group said. On Saturday, an air attack hit what MSF described as a school in neighboring Saada province, killing 10 children. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the air strike and called for a investigation, which the coalition said it would conduct. MSF said it had met with officials from the Saudi-led coalition and shared GPS coordinates of the hospital it operates in with parties involved in the conflict but aerial bombings had continued. "The decision to evacuate the staff from a project is never taken lightly but in the absence of credible assurances that parties will respect the protected status of medical facilities there may be no other option," said the statement. The cost from damage to infrastructure and economic losses in the civil war is more than $14 billion so far, according to a confidential report seen by Reuters. (Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari and Omar Fahmy,; Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Nick Macfie) It's August, and the jet setting Gulf crowd has taken over L.A., spending like only they can. Driveways at the Montage Beverly Hills, Beverly Wilshire and Hotel Bel-Air are overflowing with Ferraris with Arabic plates, flown over to drive during the summer sojourn. Tea houses and coffee shops, such as Urth Caffe and Nespresso in Beverly Hills, are packed into the evening. And boutiques on Rodeo Drive are in overdrive. Read more: The New Beverly Hills: Riyadh Overruns Rodeo Drive L.A. is increasingly becoming the August vacation destination for travelers from Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Gulf States, who are attracted by the laid-back lifestyle, and possibility of rubbing elbows with celebrities they see on TV and social media. Last weekend, a certain Saudi princess contacted personal shopper Nicole Pollard Bayme of LalaLuxe for help dispatching two children's gift baskets valued at $50,000 to a friend. By Monday, Kim Kardashian was displaying the pink toy car, blue toy plane and $10,000 worth of Loro Piana fur toy animals on her SnapChat, with no mention of the discreet royal giver. "How cute is this gift for North and Saint, you guys? The best gifts ever! They're gonna die when they wake up in the morning." A video posted by Kim Kardashian Snapchats (@kimksnapchats) on Aug 15, 2016 at 10:00pm PDT Saudi Arabian Airlines now offers four weekly nonstop flights from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles, with 61,300 total seats, up 22.1-percent from 2015. And in January, Qatar Airways added a new nonstop route seven days a week from Doha to Los Angeles, bringing in an additional 94,946 seats in 2016. (First class amenities include flat beds, said to be the widest in the skies, Frette linens and Missoni sleep suits and slippers.) According to the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board's most recent data from 2014, visitors from Saudia Arabia had "the highest per trip spend of any international market in Los Angeles, with an average trip expenditure of $4,550 per person and a collective spend of $259.3 million." Story continues Bayme, the personal shopper, says August is her biggest month, and attributes the popularity of L.A. with Gulf guests to the celebrity culture (here, one with an unlimited budget can possibly buy in-person time with the likes of Justin Bieber or rent out Dodger stadium) and an increasingly cosmopolitan, yet casual, atmosphere that's a contrast to London and Paris, where many of these families own homes and send their children to school. A photo posted by L A L A L U X E (@lalaluxe) on Aug 12, 2016 at 6:48am PDT Coveted items on women's shopping lists this August include Hermes crocodile Birkin bags and the latest Yeezy sneakers, and Bayme regularly calls on designers for gowns that ring in at well over $100,000 each, along with gowns for children (about $50,000) and babies (about $30,000). "I have clients who book extra hotel rooms just for their clothes," says Bayme. When it comes to beauty, many Gulf clients head to Ramirez Tran salon (where hair cuts are $200 to $400), where they can discreetly unveil in the private rooms. Vanessa Hernandez, who counts Gwyneth Paltrow as a customer, is a top pick for "medical-grade facials" ($375). "Clients look to social media to find out who the best experts are and then ask for them," says Bayme. "They literally go on to Kim Kardashian's Instagram page and see who is cutting her hair. It's a culture on the pulse of what's in - where celebrities are eating, what Gigi Hadid is wearing today." Read more: Kim Kardashian Will Use Snapchat As a Parenting Tool Spa Connections, a mobile company that brings beauty and wellness services to hotels, homes, and on tour with the likes of Justin Bieber and Amy Schumer, tends to many royal visitors from the Gulf region, according to owner Allison Stein. Top services are massage therapy (starting at $200), manicure-pedicures (starting at $250) and brow or facial threading (from $300). "We are doing appointments until 1 or 2 a.m.," says Stein. "A royal client visiting from Saudi Arabia wasn't allowed to be seen in gym clothes, so she ended up working out with a trainer in a large hotel closet." For dining, Mama's Secret Bakery & Cafe on Third Street is a popular spot for brunch. "We have a lot of customers from the Gulf area," says owner Alican Bayar. "Their [favorite] items [on the menu] are the Turkish Breakfast, gozleme (Turkish flatbreads similar to quesadillas), hummus, halloumi cheese, and menemen (similar to shakshouka)." A photo posted by Mama's Secret Bakery & Cafe (@mamassecretcafe) on Aug 15, 2016 at 10:34am PDT If they don't bring cars from home (shipping costs run about $30,000), they buy new ones, and lavishly customize them. "We do 24-karat gold wheels, platinum interiors, hand-stitched leather interiors and Swarovski headlights," says Allen Klevens, VP of business development for LA Car Connection. "We even did a $7.5 million solid gold Lamborghini Aventador. Everything for these clients has gold involved." Saul Halpert, a legend in local Los Angeles broadcast news whose career spanned 40 years and included a stint hosting NBC4s public affairs show NewsConference as well as teaching at USC has died. He was 93 and according to NBC4 had lived in an assisted facility. During his career, Halpert worked at KNXT (now KCBS) and later NBC4, and reported on some of the biggest local stories of his era. Among them, he was a street reporter in 1964 during The Beatles first Los Angeles vist, and he covered the Baldwin Hills Dam collapse the year before, during which he and his KNXT crew had to be rescued from the scene. Halpert was an alumnus of both USC and UCLA and in later years taught broadcast journalism at USC. A private memorial is planned for his family and friends. Related stories Los Angeles Area Emmys: NBC4 Leads With 8 Wins; KMEX, KVEA & Time Warner Cable SportsNet L.A. Follow With 5 Each Los Angeles Rams Partner With KCBS-TV To Air Preseason Games L.A. Area Emmys: KTLA, CBS2, KCAL, NBC4, KMEX, KVEA Win 3 Or More Each From Cosmopolitan In news that will make your blood boil, Golden Heritage Polytechnic College in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, has instituted a "true love waits" policy that forbids students from having romantic relationships with people of the opposite sex while they are enrolled. As ABS-CBN news explains, this is to prevent teen pregnancies so more students can finish their education. According to a big yellow banner hanging outside the school, "[a] love affair will surely destroy the life of a young lady student therefore this institution prohibit intimate relationship between a male & female students." Bonus: It's also printed on teacher's uniforms. It's unclear if this rule specifically targets female students or if it's universally enforced, though the phrasing here would suggest it's just the "young lady students" who are considered at risk. It's also unclear if this applies just to relationships between students or any romantic relationship a student has, even if it's with someone outside the college. Some (me) would argue that a more effective way to prevent "love affairs" and pregnancy would be promoting safe sex and giving students resources like contraception, rather than making it something they have to keep secret and therefore afraid to ask important questions about. Whatever the case, six students were already expelled last year for violating the policy. No word on if education has improved since the rules instatement, but if the consequences involve taking students out of school, that would be a little hard for some (again, me) to believe. Cosmopolitan.com has reached out to Golden Heritage Polytechnic College for comment and is awaiting their reply. Follow Kathryn on Twitter. HONG KONG (Reuters) - Arnold Schwarzenegger says being a bodybuilding champion, movie star and governor of California is not enough - he wants people to be fit too. Schwarzenegger was unveiling the inaugural Arnold Classic Asia Multi-Sport Festival in Hong Kong. The event, which will run until Sunday, features a range of activities such as fencing, bodybuilding, rugby, yoga, weightlifting, arm wrestling, chess and solving Rubik's cube puzzles. "To me, it was not only important to be a bodybuilding champion and to do movies and to be the governor, but also to use my power of influence to promote health and fitness all over the world," Schwarzenegger told reporters. Schwarzenegger has held similar events elsewhere around the world. (Reporting By Reuters Television) 13 years after the blast, Parbhani district court today acquitted the four accused in 2003 Parbhani Masjid blast case because of lack of evidence. By Vidya : Parbhani district court in Maharashtra today acquitted the four accused in 2003 Parbhani Masjid blast case. On November 21, 2003 four motorcycle borne youth had hurled two bombs at the Mohamadia Mosque in Rahmat Nagar killing one person and injuring 35. Soon after the blasts the mob ransacked the nearby market and set shops on fire. The city had witnessed eight long days of curfew since the incident. advertisement The accused in the case Maroti Keshwarao Wagh, Yogesh Ravindra Deshpande, Sanjay alias Bharauo Vittal Chowdhari and Rakesh Dhawade were charged under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Arms and Explosives Act. However, on Thursday the district court ruled that there was not enough evidence against them, so giving the benefit of doubt the accused were let off after 13 years. Rakesh Dhawade continues to remain in prison as he is facing trial in five different cases out of which three are over. He is yet to face trial in Nanded blast case and Malegaon blast case of 2008. Also Read 4 youths arrested for IS link in Maharashtra's Parbhani, many Muslim youths stop using internet fearing similar crackdown --- ENDS --- New Delhi (AFP) - For asthma sufferer Mohan Lal, regular visits to the Indian capital's hospitals were a nightmare of waiting in endless queues in sweltering corridors that swarm with mosquitoes. But a spotless and air-conditioned clinic boasting innovative diagnostic technology and sharply-dressed doctors has just opened in Lal's neighbourhood, bringing healthcare into the 21st century. For Lal, who needs regular treatment for his asthma, the sparkling free clinic and 100 others developed by the New Delhi government in mostly low-income neighbourhoods are a revelation. Like most of the city's millions of poor, he was used to the traditional state-run hospitals, often stretched to breaking point, where patients face long delays for even minor treatment and are forced to share beds. "The hospital is far from my house, I had to walk quite a bit and then I had to wait in long queues for hours in smelly, sweaty hallways," he said, grimacing at the memory. The Delhi government allocated an initial $790 million in this year's budget for the clinics, after promising at the 2015 elections to improve healthcare and ease the burden on its ageing hospitals. The crowning glory of Lal's neighbourhood clinic is a newly invented device that conducts 50 common medical tests from a single blood sample, including sugar levels and cholesterol. In a city where diabetes, dengue, hepatitis, typhoid and other illnesses are common, the small, rectangular device provides swift diagnosis -- thereby allowing for early treatment. Results of most of the tests are known within two minutes and are uploaded onto an IT cloud for access by patients and their doctors on their smart phones and the clinic's tablets. "II (information technology) does make a pretty significant difference," said Indian biomedical engineer Kanav Kahol, who developed the device that he hopes will soon be installed in all of the other new clinics. Story continues It was originally aimed at easing India's overburdened public health system, whose basic medical services are provided free of charge. But Kahol said other countries have also expressed interest in the machine, which costs about $1,000 to buy. "We were very surprised by the fact that what we had developed for India, people all over the world were actually looking for," the 37-year-old said of the device called the swasthya (health) slate. "Even in places like England and the US, we've seen a demand for technology like this." - 'Can't afford treatment' - At the clinic in western Delhi, a doctor admonishes Lal after examining his test results, which have been uploaded to his digital medical records kept at the centre. "Your blood report is not good. You must cut down on smoking and drinking," the doctor said, as the 62-year-old grinned sheepishly. Lal then goes for his regular treatment -- inhaling steam through a nebuliser to decongest his lungs -- before moving to the clinic's pharmacy to collect free asthma medication. India spent just 1.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare in 2014, according to the World Bank, lower than neighbouring war-torn Afghanistan on 2.9 percent. As a result, Indians avoid the state-run system if they can, with many flocking to private clinics and hospitals. But a consultation with a private GP can cost 1,000 rupees ($15), a huge sum for millions living on less than $2 a day. More than 60 percent of the population's out of pocket expenses goes on medicines and healthcare, the government estimates. "I have four daughters and one or the other always keeps falling sick. I simply can't afford private treatment," said Kamta Devi, who does laundry for a living, as she waited her turn at another of the clinics in south Delhi. "Here I don't even need to spend any money on commuting as it is so near my house," said the 50-year-old, who lives in a nearby slum. Although doctors working at the clinics say they are making a difference, they also concede to a range of teething problems, including dealing with Delhi's patchy infrastructure. "Sometimes the internet is slow or there is no electricity. Some patients insist on handwritten prescriptions as they are not used to computers and tablets," said doctor Alka Choudhary. "Also at the moment the clinics are not digitally linked with the big hospitals so the medical records of a patient cannot be retrieved if he is admitted there in a case of emergency. "It's still early days. It is not a perfect system but at least we have made a positive start." Russian summer. Moscow is dispatching thousands of soldiers to its border with Ukraine, along with more armored vehicles, more aircraft, and more missile defense systems in moves that have Kiev on edge, and U.S. military officials watching closely. And Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Crimea Friday for meetings with security officials. What does it all mean? Most U.S. officials are highly skeptical that Moscow is planning a move into Ukraine, saying that the maneuvers could be just another round of exercises and planned troop rotations, or an effort to stir up nationalistic passions before upcoming parliamentary elections next month. Still, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have flared in recent weeks after Russia accused Ukraines military of killing two Russian soldiers during alleged cross-border raids into Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Over the past two weeks, the Institute for the Study of Wars Kathleen Weinberger says, Russia has deployed new naval, ground, and air units, along with the S-400 air defense system on near Ukraines borders. These new deployments constitute a significant expansion of Russias force projection capabilities and may signal preparations for a large-scale military conflict. Russias current force posture allows it to threaten or conduct military operations into Ukraine from multiple directions. Speaking on Ukrainian television Thursday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that we dont rule out full-scale Russian invasion. The Donbass. Things are heating up in eastern Ukraine as well, where government officials say theyve been on the receiving end of the biggest artillery barrage in a year. August has been a typically violent month since the conflict broke out in 2014, with fighting peaking around the late summer. That pattern seems to be holding once again, with a Ukrainian military spokesman saying troops have seen 500 mortar and 300 artillery rounds fired at them, raising fears that an even more direct Russian intervention could be forthcoming. Washington to Jerusalem. The U.S. and Israel are inching closer to finally inking a massive 10-year arms deal worth well over $30 billion, but one of the sticking points is Washingtons insistence on scrapping a coveted provision that has allowed Israel to pump hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars directly into its own defense industry. FPs Dan De Luce and Paul McLeary write that while the Obama administrations push to remove the clause would inflict some real pain on the countrys small but growing defense industry which has become the worlds largest supplier of drones that industry can now stand on its own, U.S. officials argue. More on NSA hacking. Software vulnerabilities are the NSAs best weapons, Silicon Valleys worst nightmare, and a new target for hackers, writes FPs Elias Groll. Earlier this week, just days after a mysterious group of hackers released what they claimed were a set of NSA hacking tools, a familiar and frustrating pattern was taking shape. Americas premier signals intelligence agency had once again discovered unknown flaws in products used to secure computer networks around the globe, but instead of telling the manufacturers, the NSA pocketed those flaws, like skeleton keys that would let them open doors to others networks whenever and wherever they wanted. Good morning and as always, if you have any thoughts, announcements, tips, or national security-related events to share, please pass them along to SitRep HQ. Best way is to send them to: paul.mcleary@foreignpolicy.com or on Twitter: @paulmcleary or @arawnsley China China is putting the finishing touches on its first homemade aircraft carrier, according to satellite imagery reviews by IHS Janes. The pictures reveal that shipbuilders in the Dalian Shipyard show the hull, bow, and other sections of the Type 001A aircraft carrier nearly complete. China has been modernizing its military and attempting to develop platforms that will allow its forces to operate further abroad. The Peoples Liberation Army Navy currently has one aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, a Soviet era carrier which it purchased from Ukraine and has been using for training purposes. Islamic State in Russia The Islamic State is claiming an association with two Russian men who were killed in an attack on police in a town outside Moscow, according to the Long War Journal. The Amaq news agency, a propaganda mouthpiece linked to the Islamic State, released footage of the two men pledging loyalty to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi along with a statement claiming they were fighters for the jihadist group. The two men attacked police officers while brandishing axes and a gun before being shot dead. Delete your account Twitter has booted 235,000 accounts of people promoting terrorism since February, the Washington Post reports. The social media company has come under increasing pressure to do more about terrorist propaganda on its platform after aggressive fans of the Islamic State began signing up to use the service en masse. This most recent round of suspensions marks an uptick over the previous round of 125,000 suspensions. Twitter says its devoted more personnel to review reported extremist content and taken other, unspecified measures to prevent booted account holders from quickly signing back up again. Syria Russias defense ministry says it would support a proposal for a two day long ceasefire in Aleppo next week, Agence France Presse reports. Russia had previously offered to respect a three-hour ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach the city, but United Nations officials said that the pause would not be enough to allow them to reach populations in need. UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said he hoped Russia would be able to pressure the Assad regime into abiding by the terms of the proposed ceasefire. The conflict in Syria is getting yet more complicated as reports come in about Assad regime warplanes targeting areas held by the U.S.-backed Kurdish YPG. Reuters reports that Syrian airstrikes targeted the town of Hasaka, killing 13. The strikes mark a notable downturn in the relationship between the Assad regime and the YPG, which hasnt clashed with the regime in same way Syrias Sunni Arab rebels have. South Sudan The AP got a hold of documents circulating at the United Nations claiming that the South Sudanese government coercively recruited child soldiers from a local village. UNICEF also reported this week that as many as 650 children have fought in conflicts in South Sudan this year. Photo Credit: Alexei Pavlishak\TASS via Getty Images Edward Snowden Newly released documents from former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden confirm what many experts had already believed: The 234-megabyte archive of NSA hacker tools, exploits, and implants that leaked online earlier this week is real. The key to confirming the leaked files, which was uploaded to various file-sharing sites earlier this week by a group called the "Shadow Brokers," came in a top-secret agency manual published on Friday by Sam Biddle of The Intercept. It instructed NSA hackers on how to track their malicious software by using a 16-character string buried in the code. The tracking string in the manual, ace02468bdf13579, also appears inside code for a software implant called "Second Date," which was leaked as part of the archive posted earlier this week. But that's not the only piece of evidence that shows the leak was, in essence, a software "toolbox" for NSA hackers to target adversaries. Among other files in the archive are implants code-named Banana Glee, Jet Plow, and Zesty Leak, which were all documented in a top-secret 50-page catalog of NSA tools that was published in late 2013. "One of the interesting things about the exploits is they are very professional and they clean up after themselves," Dave Aitel, an ex-NSA research scientist who now leads penetration-testing firm Immunity, told Business Insider. "Not only do they turn things off, but they turn things back on. When you're looking at stuff that's written by a lot of hackers, it will backdoor something but it won't 'un-backdoor' something." Put simply: Your average hacker will build tools that break in, but a sophisticated hacker such as those employed by the US or some other nation will build tools that break in, hide all their tracks, and turn everything off once they get what they need. Story continues "These are the type of tools that are really exclusive to governments," a source who worked for NSA's elite hacker unit, Tailored Access Operations, told Business Insider on condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters. nsa Now that the NSA toolkit has been confirmed as legitimate, the remaining mystery is how they came into public view. There are now two prevailing theories as to how the Shadow Brokers obtained the files: Either they hacked a server used by NSA hackers to stage attacks that had the files mistakenly left there by an operator, or an agency insider downloaded the data and later leaked it online. Both scenarios are plausible, though neither has been confirmed, and the NSA isn't likely to say anything. The previously-unknown Shadow Brokers created a number of social-media accounts earlier this month on Reddit, Github, Twitter, and Imgur before announcing on August 13 that its "cyber weapon auction," which promised bidders a "full state sponsor tool set" from a hacking unit believed to be within the NSA known only as "The Equation Group." It released a 234-megabyte archive on various file-sharing sites with half being free to view and use, while the other half was encrypted. The winner of the auction, the group said, would get the decryption key. But an auction for hacking tools and exploits is not something that ever happens, experts say. Instead, exploits are bought and sold on the black market for hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of dollars in private. The NSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NOW WATCH: MITCH McCONNELL: Snowden 'did not perform a public service, he was a traitor' More From Business Insider DURBAN (Reuters) - New Zealand removed both South Africas openers in the first session on the opening day of the first test at Kingsmead as the home team elected to bat on an unpredictable wicket but with a wet outfield and went to lunch on 94 for two wickets. South Africa were hoping a wet ball would nullify the predicted swing but both Stephen Cook, in only his second test, and Dean Elgar both offered edges and were dismissed to full deliveries. Cook was caught by wicketkeeper BJ Watling off Trent Boult for 20 and Elgar fell for 19 three overs later to Doug Bracewell, the only change the visitors made to their line-up after beating Zimbabwe in a two-test series over the past month. Hashim Amla, whose test career on his home ground has been patchy, set about the Kiwi bowling with a quick-fire 42 from 41 balls and was unbeaten with JP Duminy (13) at the end of the first session. The test is the first in August in Durban. (Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Alison Williams) By Denis Dumo and Michelle Nichols JUBA/NEW YORK (Reuters) - South Sudan's opposition leader, Riek Machar, is in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations said on Thursday, several weeks after he withdrew from the capital, Juba, during fierce fighting with government troops. The world body said its peacekeeping mission in the DRC became aware of Machar's presence in the country on Monday and contacted the Congolese government, which then asked the mission to pick up Machar. That operation took place on Wednesday, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters in New York. "Riek Machar has been handed over to the authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We're not in a position to confirm his location," Haq said. A spokesman for the DRC government, Lambert Mende, denied it had been in touch with any party on helping the former South Sudanese vice president, but Haq said Machar was removed from an area close to the border with South Sudan. "We can confirm that an operation was undertaken by MONUSCO (U.N. mission) on humanitarian grounds to facilitate the extraction of Riek Machar, his wife and 10 others from a location in the DRC in support of the DRC authorities," Haq said, adding MONUSCO was considered the best-suited party to move Machar safely. A statement issued by the leadership of the SPLA In Opposition (SPLA-IO) said he had left on Wednesday to a "safe country within the region". Machar led a two-year rebellion against forces loyal to his longtime rival, President Salva Kiir, before the two sides reached a peace deal in August 2015. Under the deal, Machar returned to Juba in April to resume his role as vice president. But fighting flared last month, leading Machar to withdraw with his forces from Juba around mid-July. Opposition spokesman James Gatdek Dak, writing on his Facebook page, said opposition fighters had "successfully relocated our leader to a neighbouring country where he will now have unhindered access to the rest of the world and the media." Machar had sustained a leg injury from weeks of walking in the bush but not serious enough to require medical attention, Gatdek Dak said. Since the July fighting, Kiir has sacked Machar from his post and appointed Taban Deng Gai, a former opposition negotiator who broke ranks with Machar, as vice president. The United Nations told Kiir any political changes must be consistent with the peace deal, which stated that the vice president must be chosen by the South Sudan Armed Opposition. (Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York and Aaron Ross in Kinshasa; Writing by Edmund Blair and Duncan Miriri; Editing by Toby Chopra and Peter Cooney) The refurbished advanced landing ground became operational with the first landing of the advanced fighter jet Su-30 MKI today morning. By Indrajit Kundu: In a major boost to India's military capabilities along the China border, the advanced landing ground (ALG) at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated by Union MoS Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday. The refurbished advanced landing ground became operational with the first landing of the advanced fighter jet Su-30 MKI today morning. It also marks the first ever landing by any modern jet anywhere in Arunachal Pradesh. advertisement Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju along with Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command inaugurated the facility. Just 100 km from the China border, Pasighat ALG will be a strategic asset that will not only improve the IAF's response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of air operations in the eastern frontier. With the new airstrip, not just modern fighter jets like the Su-30MKI but even heavy transport aircraft like the C-130J Super Hercules can now land at Pasighat. It will be one of the operating bases under the Eastern Air Command and enhance air support capabilities for the army, paramilitary forces and the civil administration. The IAF took over the ALG in 2000 and began work to revamp its operational capabilities. Considered the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh, Pasighat is the oldest town in the state. It is a small cantonment and administrative town in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Pasighat is the fifth forward airfield that has operationalised in Arunachal Pradesh after Along, Ziro, Walong and Mechuka. --- ENDS --- What better way to remember a trip to Russia than with a fake Kalashnikov assault rifle, now available for purchase at the Moscow airport? The Russian gunmaking company announced Friday that it will soon open a souvenir shop at Sheremetyevo International Airport, where T-shirts, pens, umbrellas, and, yes, fake AK-47s will be available for purchase. There will also be I Love AK T-shirts for sale, because, hey, why not? Some 31 million people passed through the major airport last year. Kalashnikov is one of the most popular brands that comes to mind for most people in the world when they hear about Russia, Vladimir Dmitriev, the companys marketing chief, said in a news release. Thats because the AK-47 is one of the most popular rifles in the world, and notoriously used by rebel groups everywhere from Colombia to Central African Republic. It was the first rifle ever produced by the Kalashnikov company and entered the gun market in 1948. Even though its just about the last item any airport security officer would want to see a passenger carrying on a plane, the gunmakers claim the fake ones will be evidently made of plastic and easy to distinguish from the real deal. [W]e are pleased to provide the opportunity for everyone to take away from Russia a souvenir with our company brand, Dmitriev said. Photo credit: LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images Madrid (AFP) - Spain's ruling Popular Party began talks Friday with upstart party Ciudadanos in a bid to spare voters a third election in a year on Christmas day. The move is a first step towards unblocking the eight-month-long political paralysis that has gripped Spain as squabbling parties remain unable to reach any kind of agreement on a government following two inconclusive general elections. The Popular Party (PP) of acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy needs Ciudadanos's votes if it is to form a minority government. And the centre-right formation will not back him unless it can agree on Mr Rajoy's future policies. The corruption-hit PP has already accepted hard-to-swallow conditions set by its partner to enter the talks: a set of anti-corruption measures and a reform a Spain's electoral law, currently unfavourable to smaller parties like Ciudadanos. But even if Ciudadanos, which gained 32 seats in June elections, accepts to support the PP, Rajoy will still not have a majority to push his government plans through. He also needs the support of the Socialists, his traditional rivals, or at the very least their abstention when he asks for a confidence vote in Parliament. So far they refuse to help him. Mr Rajoy has appealed to their sense of responsibility and warned that Spain would be the laughing stock of Europe if it was unable to form a government and voters had to go back to the polls. He increased the pressure one notch on Thursday by announcing he would address parliament on August 30 to call for a confidence vote, which under constitutional deadlines means the next election would take place on December 25. "Let's see if (Socialist party chief Pedro) Sanchez has to nerve to force 36 millions Spaniards to vote on Christmas day," Rajoy's lieutenant in Catalonia Xavier Albiol said on Twitter. But Pedro Sanchez remained adamant on Friday, repeating that his party would vote against a Rajoy government. "It can say it louder but I cannot say it more clearly," he told reporters. By Angus Berwick MADRID (Reuters) - The leader of Spain's Socialist party on Friday rejected pressure to help break an eight-month political deadlock by supporting their conservative rivals and told acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to find help elsewhere. Spain is the closest it has been since two inconclusive elections in December and June to filling a vacuum after Rajoy said this week he was now ready to face a parliamentary confidence vote for a second term in office. But he faces major obstacles, including a steadfast refusal by the Socialists to support his candidacy in a highly fragmented parliament. Rajoy's centre-right People's Party (PP) still lacks the majority it needs to win the confidence vote even as it closes in on a deal to get support from centrists Ciudadanos ("Citizens"), Spain's fourth-biggest party. But Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez on Friday repeated he would not come to the rescue and in turn tried to heap pressure on Rajoy to find support elsewhere for a stable government. "I'm warning you that the Socialists will not only vote against (Rajoy) in the investiture vote but also, to be consistent, if he is invested as the next prime minister we will vote against his budget, which I'm sure will include more spending cuts," Sanchez told reporters on the island of Ibiza. "What Rajoy needs to do is to keep talking to potential allies, and we are not among them," Sanchez said. Even with Ciudadanos' support, Rajoy remains seven seats shy of an absolute majority, thrusting the ball into the second-placed Socialists' court. Their abstention in a confidence vote would be enough to enable a PP-led minority government. Sanchez, who oversaw the Socialists' worst result in the June ballot, faces a tough choice between allying with a long-time foe or being blamed for triggering a third election, most likely on Christmas day. The Socialist party lost power to Rajoy in 2011 at the height of Spain's financial crisis and its support has been eroded by the rise of anti-austerity Podemos ("We Can"), which hopes to succeed as the dominant left-wing force. REGIONAL SUPPORT A cluster of small regional parties which in the past have swayed either side of Spain's political spectrum are wildcards which could potentially still help Rajoy clinch a majority. These include a nationalist party in the Basque Country, but regional elections there on Sept. 25 are likely to complicate his attempts to get them on board in time. Rajoy has support from a single delegate from the Canary islands, but a deepening stand-off with one-time allies in Catalonia over a secessionist challenge there means that is likely a dead-end. Even members of Rajoy's party admit that getting the support of these parties looks unfeasible. If Rajoy fails in his bid to become prime minister in two weeks' time, it would trigger a two-month window to try and form a government, during which he could try and face another confidence vote. If a government is not formed in that time, a new election would automatically be called. (Editing by Sarah White and Richard Balmforth) By Heather Somerville SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - U.S. mobile payments company Square Inc posted three new job openings in Europe on Thursday, signaling it is moving closer to ramping up operations in the region through an initial venture in Britain. San Francisco-based Square, which makes a card reader that turns a mobile phone into a payment terminal, hopes to seize on the region's growth of small businesses that are quickly adopting new technology. Square posted three openings on the job board Indeed.com. It is seeking a compliance analyst and communications manager, both based in London, and a technical customer support representative, based in Dublin. A Square spokeswoman declined to comment on the job postings. Square began beta testing of its payments system in London in June to prepare for an initial launch in Britain, Reuters reported last month. The company incorporated a business called Squareup Europe Ltd in Britain, where its payments processing technology is already being used by merchants. "We do view it as a very interesting market," Chief Executive Jack Dorsey said on a recent call with investors when asked about the UK. Previously, Square's payments service had only been available in the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia. The position in Dublin indicates that Square has its sights set beyond the UK. Dublin has a high density of tech talent -- companies including Alphabet Inc's Google and software analytics company New Relic have offices there -- making it appealing for a business like Square, according to a person familiar with the company's thinking. Square will compete with established European players such as Sweden's iZettle and SumUp in London. Competitor Apple Pay launched in the UK last year and has partnerships with banks across Europe. Google's Android Pay is also in the UK. Gearing up for its UK operation, Square in May added Paul Deighton to its board of directors. Deighton, a Conservative member of the upper House of Lords, served as Britain's commercial secretary to the Treasury until last year. Square, whose chief Dorsey is also the CEO of Twitter Inc, has expanded since its 2009 founding to offer an array of services for businesses such as point-of-sale registers, invoice software and loans. The company this month reported a 41.5 percent jump in revenue and 42 percent growth in payments processed on its system for the second quarter. However, it is still unprofitable with a loss of more than $27 million for the three-month period. (Reporting by Heather Somerville in San Francisco, additional reporting by Mia Shanley in Stockholm; Editing by Tom Brown) By Heather Somerville SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - U.S. mobile payments company Square Inc posted three new job openings in Europe on Thursday, signalling it is moving closer to ramping up operations in the region through an initial venture in Britain. San Francisco-based Square, which makes a card reader that turns a mobile phone into a payment terminal, hopes to seize on the region's growth of small businesses that are quickly adopting new technology. Square posted three openings on the job board Indeed.com. It is seeking a compliance analyst and communications manager, both based in London, and a technical customer support representative, based in Dublin. A Square spokeswoman declined to comment on the job postings. Square began beta testing of its payments system in London in June to prepare for an initial launch in Britain, Reuters reported last month. The company incorporated a business called Squareup Europe Ltd in Britain, where its payments processing technology is already being used by merchants. "We do view it as a very interesting market," Chief Executive Jack Dorsey said on a recent call with investors when asked about the UK. Previously, Square's payments service had only been available in the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia. The position in Dublin indicates that Square has its sights set beyond the UK. Dublin has a high density of tech talent -- companies including Alphabet Inc's Google and software analytics company New Relic have offices there -- making it appealing for a business like Square, according to a person familiar with the company's thinking. Square will compete with established European players such as Sweden's iZettle and SumUp in London. Competitor Apple Pay launched in the UK last year and has partnerships with banks across Europe. Google's Android Pay is also in the UK. Gearing up for its UK operation, Square in May added Paul Deighton to its board of directors. Deighton, a Conservative member of the upper House of Lords, served as Britain's commercial secretary to the Treasury until last year. Story continues Square, whose chief Dorsey is also the CEO of Twitter Inc, has expanded since its 2009 founding to offer an array of services for businesses such as point-of-sale registers, invoice software and loans. The company this month reported a 41.5 percent jump in revenue and 42 percent growth in payments processed on its system for the second quarter. However, it is still unprofitable with a loss of more than $27 million for the three-month period. (Reporting by Heather Somerville in San Francisco, additional reporting by Mia Shanley in Stockholm; Editing by Tom Brown) We issued an updated research report on Starbucks Corporation SBUX on Aug 17. On Jul 21, Starbucks reported soft third-quarter fiscal 2016 results. Adjusted EPS of 49 cents per share were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Further, earnings grew 17% year over year as strong margins and lower-than-expected taxes mitigated the slow sales growth. Though sales rose 7% year over year, it missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Sales were primarily hurt by a slowdown in comps and traffic trends. Global comps grew 4%, lower than 6% in the previous quarter, owing to a slowdown in traffic in the flagship U.S. market. The disruption due to the changes in the rewards program and its negative impact on one of the most popular yearly promotion - Frappuccino Happy Hour - impacted sales in the U.S. At the call, management also stated that the political uncertainty and the profound weakening in consumer confidence has hurt overall restaurant traffic trends in the country. Importantly, comps growth in the U.S. went down below 5%, ending its impressive streak of 25 straight quarters of comparable-store sales growth of 5% or greater. Third quarter comps were also weak in Europe and Japan. Following the weak sales performance in the quarter, the company curtailed its full year issued sales and comps outlook. STARBUCKS CORP Price and Consensus STARBUCKS CORP Price and Consensus | STARBUCKS CORP Quote However, the third quarter headwinds were mostly temporary and Starbucks expects U.S. comps to improve in the next quarter. We believe that digital initiatives like mobile order/pay, delivery services along with third-party loyalty partnerships, food/beverage innovation, Starbucks Reserve premium coffees and Teavana tea can stimulate stronger sales trends in the Americas. The coffee giants latest digital initiative, Mobile Order and Pay, is witnessing increased usage and could prove to be a key growth driver as its adoption increases. This initiative allows customers to order before arriving at a Starbucks cafe and pick up the items at their preferred Starbucks outlet, thus saving time. Mobile Order & Pay now represents nearly 5% of total U.S. transactions, close to 20% of all mobile payment at Starbucks. Story continues Starbucks started food and beverage delivery through its employees at New Yorks Empire State building last October. The company also began testing food and beverage delivery in collaboration with on-demand delivery service, Postmates, in a few areas of Seattle last December. These initiatives are anticipated to accelerate service, increase convenience and enhance customer loyalty, thereby driving mobile payment transactions and in turn, traffic. Further, CPG growth across the world as well as international expansion will enhance value creation. Starbucks plans to sell Starbucks-branded Nespresso compatible pods/capsules in the U.S. and France later this year, thereby expanding its single-serve offering globally. The company recently launched ready-to-drink beverages in Latin America under its North American Coffee Partnership (NCAP) with PepsiCo, Inc. PEP and has plans to launch the drinks in China with partner Tingyi by the end of this year. Starbucks also plans to bring Teavana ready-to-drink (RTD) tea in the U.S. in partnership with Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV BUD in the first-half 2017. However, accelerated global employee and digital investments can keep fiscal 2016 profits under strain. Over the past couple of quarters, higher employee expenses, particularly in the U.S., as well as digital investments put pressure on profits. Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider Starbucks has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked stock in the restaurant sector is Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. TACO with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ANHEUSER-BU ADR (BUD): Free Stock Analysis Report PEPSICO INC (PEP): Free Stock Analysis Report STARBUCKS CORP (SBUX): Free Stock Analysis Report DEL TACO RSTRNT (TACO): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research From Country Living Pretty soon, there are going to be round-ups across the internet of the best small towns to visit this fall, which is why we felt that the town of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, deserved its own shot in the "places you should visit" spotlight. A tight-knit community overlooking the White Mountain National Forest, Sugar Hill was incorporated in 1962, making it the second youngest town in the state. Currently, there are only a little more than 500 people who can call it home, which is hard for us to wrap our minds around given that it has some of the most beautiful fall landscapes we've ever seen. Photo credit: Diana Nault/Getty Images Photo credit: Darrell Gulin/Getty Images Photo credit: Yuri Kriventsov/Getty Images Seriously, this Grafton County town has gorgeous scenery that looks almost too perfect to be real. Photo credit: Getty Images Sugar Hill attracts visitors for its Lupine Festival that happens each year in early summer. During the month of June, it has become the must-visit location in New England with its striking natural beauty. Photo credit: Yuri Kriventsov/Getty Images Luckily, after the summer ends, this town upholds its quaint and classic look as the leaves start to change. Photo credit: Ron and Patty Thomas/Getty Images Photo credit: Getty Images Isn't it charming? Photo credit: Kenneth Wiedermann/Getty Images We're in love with it, too. By India Today Web Desk: The monsoon season is not suited for travel. And that's a big reason why airlines and the hospitality industry offer huge discounts to attract travellers. Even though travelling is still possible to many parts of the country during monsoons, wildlife travellers stand no chance at all because the wildlife reserves are closed during this period. But not anymore. According to a report by TravelBizmonitor.com, the Ministry of Tourism has opened the doors of Pench National Park and Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve for the tourists this season, and will offer the usual forest safaris to travellers. advertisement This decision has been taken in order to provide wildlife lovers an opportunity to explore the unique charm of forests during the rainy season. The routes that will remain open for the forest safaris include Moharli-Khatoda-Tadoba-Padharpouni-Navegaon, Kolara-Jamani Chowk-Waghai-Padharpouni, Jamani Chowk-Tadoba. and Khutvanda-Khatoda-Tadoba via Jamumbodi. Also read: Pages from an affair with the Ranthambore tigers Coming in support for this initiative, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has opened bookings to its resorts located close to these parks. Commenting on this, Satish Soni, Jt MD, MTDC, said, "In India, monsoons may bring disappointment for wildlife lovers because many parks get closed in this season. But considering that monsoon only further enhances the picturesque beauty of these forest areas and more people are demanding to experience this wildlife experience in the monsoon season MTDC has given them an opportunity to take a nature trail in this season too. Visiting the Todaba-Andhari and Pench Tiger Reserve in monsoon will prove to be a photographer's delight too. Some of the best wildlife shots can be taken in this misty season." --- ENDS --- BEIRUT/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian warships in the Mediterranean Sea fired cruise missiles at targets near Aleppo on Friday, a further sign of Moscow's broadening military effort in Syria days after it began to fly bombing missions from an airbase in Iran. Russian air power had helped Syrian President Bashar al-Assad make steady advances against rebels seeking to oust him since Moscow's intervention a year ago, but a recent insurgent advance in Aleppo has checked that momentum. In northeastern Syria, warplanes from a U.S.-led coalition flew patrols on Thursday to protect local ground forces they back against Syrian government airstrikes that are targeting the Kurdish city of Hasaka, the Pentagon said. "The Syrian regime would be well advised not to interfere with coalition forces or our partners," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said. Russia's three cruise missile launches were its first against targets in Syria from the Mediterranean, with previous ones made from its Caspian Sea fleet. On Tuesday Russian bombers began flying missions in Syria from Hamedan air base in Iran. Russia's Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted the Islamist militant group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, known as the Nusra Front until it broke formal ties with al Qaeda last month before playing a big role in the sudden rebel advances in Aleppo. The upsurge in fighting and airstrikes in and around the city, split between government-held west and rebel-held eastern sectors, has prompted growing international concern, galvanized by pictures on Thursday of a dazed, bloodied child. The plight of civilians in Aleppo has been aggravated in besieged areas by dire shortages of basic goods, leading the World Food Programme to warn of a "nightmarish" situation. In Daraya, a suburb of Damascus, rebels and a war monitor said the Syrian army's helicopters had dropped incendiary barrel bombs early on Friday, putting the opposition-held town's only hospital out of action. On Thursday Russia, Assad's most powerful military ally, said it supported a proposal for a weekly 48-hour pause in fighting in Aleppo to allow aid to reach the besieged areas and that it was ready to start the first one next week. On Friday, the main umbrella group for the Syrian opposition also cautiously welcomed the idea provided the U.N. monitored the truce and enforced compliance. During a previous humanitarian pause this year, both sides complained the other had broken the truce as fighting escalated again. DOZENS KILLED IN HASAKA On Friday Syrian Kurdish authorities evacuated thousands of civilians from Kurdish areas of Hasaka following government air strikes, a spokesman for the Kurdish YPG militia, an integral part of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said. The SDF is at the heart of Washington's military campaign against Islamic State group and last week seized the town of Manbij from the militant organization, part of a growing swathe of northern Syria it controls. The U.S.-led coalition aircraft arrived at Hasaka as two Syrian SU-24s, which had carried out the strikes, were leaving. "This is very unusual, we have not seen the regime take this kind of action against YPG before," the Pentagon's Davis said. Hasaka is divided into zones of Kurdish and Syrian government control and fighting between them has killed dozens of civilians in the past 48 hours, YPG spokesman Redur Xelil said. The YPG and the government have mostly avoided confrontation during the multi-sided war that has turned Syria into a patchwork of areas held by the state and an array of armed factions. The Syrian army said on Friday that this week's fighting was caused by Kurdish security forces attempting to take over Hasaka, prompting it to return fire on armed groups. Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, has focused mostly on fighting Sunni Arab rebels who have been battling to oust him in western Syria with support from countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The YPG, or People's Protection Units, has meanwhile prioritized carving out and safeguarding predominantly Kurdish regions of northern Syria. The group has ties to Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels in Turkey. While the YPG controls most of the northeast, the Syrian government has maintained footholds in the cities of Hasaka and Qamishli at the border with Turkey. The SDF seizure of Manbij from Islamic State last week raised the prospect of possible advances towards al-Bab, near Aleppo. Families of Islamic State fighters in al-Bab and another nearby town, Jarablus, were evacuated to the militant group's stronghold of Raqqa, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitoring group, said. ALEPPO TRUCE Rebel groups, including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, stormed a Syrian army complex in southwest Aleppo two weeks ago, breaking a siege on opposition-held parts of Aleppo and prompting fierce counter-attacks. A senior rebel commander said there was a "positive atmosphere" surrounding talk of a ceasefire. "But so far there are no details." Syrian warplanes had carried out 46 sorties in the last 24 hours, including strikes in Aleppo that destroyed a tank, a vehicle loaded with ammunition and three mortar emplacements, and killed dozens of rebel fighters, a military source said. Continuing clashes between rebels and the Syrian army and allied militias were fiercest in the southwest of city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based monitor of the five-year-old civil war, said on Friday. It added that air strikes and shelling in and around Aleppo had killed 422 civilians, including 142 children, this month. "We need a 48-hour pause, we need it now," WFP spokeswoman Bettina Luescher told a briefing in Geneva on Friday. While the rebel advance this month opened a narrow corridor into opposition-held areas of Aleppo, access remains very limited and dangerous, meaning aid supplies are scarce. "It's crucially important that we go in there because people are absolutely desperate," Luescher added. "From both sides, these sieges have to stop - it's inhumane, awful, disgusting, nightmarish. Not necessarily U.N. words, but that's what it is." (Reporting by Angus McDowall and Tom Perry in Beirut, Polina Devitt in Moscow, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; editing by Ralph Boulton and Richard Balmforth) Hasakeh (Syria) (AFP) - Syrian regime jets pounded US-backed Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria for a second day, even after the US-led coalition scrambled jets to protect its military advisers working on the ground. In another escalation of Syria's bloody conflict, warplanes from President Bashar al-Assad's regime were bombarding the city of Hasakeh -- targeting Kurdish forces that for months have worked closely with coalition military advisers helping local fighters combat the Islamic State group. On Thursday, the United States sent fighter jets to head off air strikes conducted by regime planes and to protect coalition advisers, but the Syrian planes had left by the time they arrived. It was apparently the first time the coalition had scrambled jets in response to a regime action, and possibly the closest call yet in terms of Syrian forces coming close to killing American or coalition advisers. "This was done as a measure to protect coalition forces," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said. "We will ensure their safety and the Syrian regime would be well-advised not to do things that place them at risk... We view instances that place the coalition at risk with the utmost seriousness and we do have the inherent right of self-defense." But the Pentagon warning appeared to fall on deaf ears. Two Syrian regime warplanes attempted to fly to the area again on Friday, but were met by coalition aircraft, a US defense official said in a statement. "The presence of the coalition aircraft encouraged the Syrian aircraft to depart the airspace without further incident," he said. "No weapons were fired by the coalition fighters." Most of Hasakeh city is controlled by Kurdish forces, while the rest is held by fighters loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Since Wednesday, clashes between the two forces have rocked the city, leaving 23 civilians -- including nine children -- and 16 combatants dead, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Story continues Davis said no coalition injuries were reported in Thursday's strike by two Syrian SU-24s, and US special operations advisers have been moved to a safe location. A Syrian military statement said Kurdish forces had surrounded Hasakeh and caused civilian and military casualties by shelling, and that it had taken the "appropriate response," targeting "the source of fire and positions of those responsible for these crimes." The Observatory said thousands of inhabitants had begun to flee Hasakeh, where bread was running out and electricity supplies have been cut. - Extra patrols - Thursday's government raids were the first time the regime had bombarded Kurdish positions from the air. As soon as the strikes began, Kurdish ground forces unsuccessfully tried to hail the pilots via radio. US forces then contacted Russia, which has been bombing parts of Syria for nearly a year in support of Assad, but Russian military officials said the planes were Syrian. "This is very unusual, we have not seen the regime take this type of action against YPG before," Davis said of the US-supported Kurdish People's Protection Units fighting the Islamic State group in northern Syria. The coalition is now conducting additional combat air patrols in the region, he added. The regime and Kurdish forces share a common enemy in IS, which controls most of the Euphrates valley to the south, but there have been tensions between them in Hasakeh that have sometimes led to clashes. The Kurds, who control much of northeastern and northern Syria along the Turkish border where they have proclaimed an autonomous Kurdish region, recently demanded that the pro-government National Defense Forces disband in Hasakeh. A government source in the city told AFP that the air strikes were "a message to the Kurds that they should stop this sort of demand that constitutes an affront to national sovereignty." The YPG are a key US ally in the fight against the IS group. Washington regards them as the most effective fighting force on the ground in Syria and has provided weapons and special forces advisers. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP US special forces were based some six kilometers (nearly four miles) north of Hasakeh and that "new reinforcements" arrived Friday "from inside and outside Syria, accompanied by military helicopters." Separately, two Russian ships in the Mediterranean launched long-range cruise missiles against jihadist targets in Syria, the Russian defense ministry said. Russia's navy fired them Friday morning in its first use of cruise missiles against Syria since December. It said two Buyan-class corvettes including its new Zelyony Dol patrol ship staged three launches of Kalibr missiles against targets linked to the former Al-Nusra Front group, which has renamed itself the Fateh al-Sham Front. More than 290,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011. Rome (AFP) - Two Syrian girls, one of them an eight-month-old baby, are among up to six people who died when a boat carrying would-be migrants to Europe capsized off Libya Thursday, rescuers said. Five bodies were recovered and one passenger was missing, presumed drowned, following the capsize on Thursday. Some of the 21 survivors told aid workers there had been 27 people from eight Syrian families on the boat. The Phoenix, a rescue boat run by the Malta-based NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) and the Italian Red Cross (CRI), recovered the corpses of two women, one man and the baby while the five-year-old's body was picked up by a fishing boat, the organisations said. Details of the tragedy emerged as the world's attention has been re-focused on the crisis in Syria by this week's poignant pictures of the bloodied, dust-covered face of four-year-old Omran following the bombing of his home in the war-torn city of Aleppo. MOAS co-founder Regina Catrambone said the latest deaths were a tragic reminder that hundreds of migrant children continue to perish at sea a year after toddler Aylan Kurdi's body was washed ashore on a Turkish beach last year. - 'Very sad and frustrating' - "It is very sad and frustrating to witness the tragic loss of life at sea, especially that of such a young child," she said. "It is time for the international community to come to terms with this reality and to implement safe and legal solutions for the most vulnerable among us to avail themselves of the rights and protections they are entitled to." Children represent a growing proportion of the migrants trying to reach Europe by sea from Turkey and North Africa -- 27 percent of all arrivals in the first six months of this year were minors, according to the UN refugee agency. Italy's coastguard said the five deaths occurred on a day when they supervised the rescue of 534 people in 11 different operations off Libya. Story continues Nearly 100,000 migrants have landed at Italian ports this year, roughly in line with the level of arrivals in the same period in 2015. Numbers arriving in Greece have dropped sharply since an EU-Turkey deal in March that is aimed at stemming the flow. More than 3,000 people have died trying to reach Greece or Italy since the start of the year, a 50 percent rise on last year. It is relatively rare for Syrians to try to reach Italy via Libya. Over 90 percent of the migrants arriving on Italian shores this year have come from sub-Saharan Africa. (New throughout, adds more details and comment from Consumers Union comment) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - More than 30 major technology and communication companies said on Friday they are joining the U.S. government to crack down on "robocalls," automated, prerecorded phone calls that regulators have labeled a "scourge." AT&T Inc, Google parent Alphabet Inc, Apple Inc, Verizon Communications Inc and Comcast Corp are among members of the "Robocall Strike Force" that held its first meeting with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. The strike force will report to the FCC by Oct. 19 on "concrete plans to accelerate the development and adoption of new tools and solutions," said AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson, chairman of the group. The strike force hopes to implement Caller ID verification standards to help block calls from spoofed phone numbers and consider a "Do Not Originate" list that would block spoofers from impersonating legitimate phone numbers from governments, banks or others. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in July urged major companies to take new action to block robocalls, which often come from telemarketers or scam artists. "This scourge must stop," Wheeler said on Friday, calling robocalls the No. 1 complaint from consumers. "The bad guys are beating the good guys with technology," Wheeler said. In the past, he has said robocalls continue "due in large part to industry inaction." Stephenson emphasized "the breadth and complexity" of the problem. "This is going to require more than individual company initiatives and one-off blocking apps," Stephenson said. "Robocallers are a formidable adversary, notoriously hard to stop." The FCC does not require robocall blocking and filtering but has strongly encouraged phone service providers to offer those services at no charge. The strike force brings together carriers, device makers, operating system developers, network designers and the government. Story continues "We have to come out of this with a comprehensive play book for all of us to go execute," Stephenson said. "We have calls that are perfectly legal, but unwanted, like telemarketers and public opinion surveyors. At the other end of the spectrum, we have millions of calls that are blatantly illegal." Stephenson said technical experts representing the companies have had "preliminary conversations about short- and longer-term initiatives." Joan Marsh, AT&T vice president of federal regulatory issues, called the problem complicated. "We have been wrangling with this problem long enough to know there is no silver bullet," she said. "Nothing by itself is going to do it." Other companies taking part include Blackberry Ltd, British Telecommunications Plc, Charter Communications Inc, Frontier Communications, LG Electronics Inc, Microsoft Corp, Nokia Corp , Qualcomm Inc, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd , Sirius XM Holdings Inc, T-Mobile US Inc and U.S. Cellular Corp. Consumers Union, a public advocacy group, said the task force is a sign "phone companies are taking more serious steps to protect their customers from unwanted calls." (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Lisa Von Ahn and David Gregorio) (Adds details about Mega Bank's anti-money laundering violations) By Suzanne Barlyn NEW YORK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - The New York branch of Mega Financial Holding, one of Taiwan's biggest banks, has agreed to pay $180 million to New York state's financial regulator for anti-money laundering violations that included lax attention to risk exposure in Panama, authorities said on Friday. It is the first time in a decade that a Taiwan-based financial institution has been penalized by U.S. authorities, according to Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission. Mega International Commercial Bank of Taiwan, the New York branch, was "indifferent" to risks associated with transactions involving Panama, a high-risk area for money laundering, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) said in a statement on Friday. NYDFS said its investigation also found "a substantial number of customer entities" with accounts at several other Mega Bank branches, "that were apparently formed" with input from the Mossack Fonseca, the Panamanian law firm at the center of a massive leak of offshore financial data. Governments across the world have begun investigating possible financial wrongdoing by the rich and powerful after the leak of more than 11.5 million documents from the firm, which specializes in setting up offshore companies. Mossack Fonseca has said that its operations were legal. Mega Bank, in a settlement with the New York regulator, has agreed to hire a consultant and monitor as steps toward beefing up the New York branch's anti-money laundering compliance. The NYDFS investigation found a number of suspicious transactions between Mega Bank's New York and Panama branches, the regulator said. The fine will affect Mega International Commercial Bank's earnings this year, though at a manageable level, Mega Financial said in a statement. (Additional reporting by Faith Hung and Loh Liang-sa; Editing by Richard Balmforth and Tom Brown) Israeli filmmaker Tali Shalom Ezer will direct Ellen Page and Kate Mara in the romance-drama Mercy with shooting set to begin in Cincinnati in September. Ezer, who made her feature debut with Princess, will direct from a script by Joe Barton. Amy Seimetz, Pablo Schreiber and Elias Koteas have also been cast in key roles. Producers are Christine Vachon and David Hinojosa for Killer Films along with Page and Mara. Executive producers are Robert Halmi Jr. and Jim Reeve through their Great Point Media and Karri OReilly. Page is portraying Lucy, the daughter of a man on death row falling in love with Maras Mercy character, a woman on the opposing side of her familys political cause. As a result, Lucys value for truth is tested as her world begins to unravel. Page first revealed the then-untitled project last year during a news conference at the Zurich Film Festival, where Freeheld was screening, saying, Im focusing mostly on stories that are meaningful to me and stories for women and supporting more gay characters. Page starred with Julianne Moore and produced Freeheld and came out during the 2014 production of the drama, which focuses on police officer Laurel Hesters fight to allow her pension benefits to be transferred to her domestic partner after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Vachon and Hinojosa said in a statement that they were moved by Princess, which screened in competition last year at Sundance: We were so enthralled by Talis first film and have been looking to work with Ellen and Kate for years. This is the perfect project to bring everybody together. UTA and WME are jointly representing domestic rights. Page can be seen in Netflixs Tallulah and A24s Into the Forest, which she produced and starred in opposite Evan Rachel Wood. Credits include her Oscar-nominated role in Juno, X-Men: Days of Future Passed, X-Men: The Last Stand, Inception and Whip It. Shes producing and co-hosting the second season of Vicelands Emmy-nominated documentary series Gaycation, which Page created with Vice and Spike Jonze. Viceland will release an Orlando Pulse Night Club special on Aug. 24, then start its second season on Sept. 7. Story continues Mara starred in Fantastic Four, Captive and The Martian last year. Her upcoming titles include the sci-fi thriller Morgan for director Luke Scott, the psychological thriller Man Down, the drama Leavy with Tom Felton and Edie Falco and Chappaquiddick, in which she will play Mary Jo Kopechne. Mara received an Emmy nomination for her role in House of Cards and portrayed a mentally unstable ghost in American Horror Story for FX. Ezers Princess, which centered on a 12-year-old girl whose relationship with her mothers boyfriend becoming sexually abusive, screened in competition at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. It won the Grand Prix at the 2015 Kiev International Film Festival and best debut feature at the Raindance Film Festival. Killer Films credits include Still Alice, Carol, Boys Dont Cry and Far From Heaven. It had four films screen at Sundance this year Goat, Weiner Dog, Frank & Lola and White Girl and just wrapped on Todd Haynes Wonderstruck for Amazon Studios. Halmi and Reeve founded Great Point Media in 2012. Halmi has over 300 production credits, including Tin Man and Lonesome Dove. Reeves credits include Foyles War and On Dangerous Ground. Page is repped by WME. Mara and Ezer are repped by UTA. Related stories Emmys Reality Nominees Shift to Harder-Hitting Topics Ellen Pages Gaycation to Air Orlando Shooting Special in August Q&A: Tallulah Director Sian Heder on Working With Ellen Page, Allison Janney and a Baby By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Piramal Groups real estate firm Piramal Realty has awarded Rs 700-crore contract to L&T Group for construction of its housing project in Mumbai. The Mumbai-based realty firm is developing a project in Byculla - Piramal Aranya - with the total investment pegged at Rs 4,450 crore, including land, and project development and execution costs, the company said in a statement today. advertisement "Piramal Realty has awarded engineering and construction company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Construction with the contract for the core and shell civil work for Piramal Aranya. Covering nearly four million sq ft of construction area, the contract is worth over Rs 700 crores," the statement said. Following the successful launch in March 2016, the company is unveiling new inventory of the 3BHK elite harbour facing suites. Bookings for this inventory will commence from August 20, 2016. "We launched Piramal Aranya in March earlier this year in an endeavor to build world-class luxurious residential high rises in the city. It is our most significant residential development and we are making every effort to ensure that it is one of the finest buildings in the world," said Anand Piramal, Executive Director, Piramal Group. In 2015, Goldman Sachs and Warburg Pincus, two international equity partners, invested about USD 434 million in the company at the entity-level, making it one of the largest foreign investment in real estate. Piramal Group is one of Indias leading conglomerates with interests in pharmaceuticals, financial services, information management, glass packaging and real estate. It is founded by Ajay Piramal and has a market value in excess of USD 6.5 billion. PTI MJH BAL ABI --- ENDS --- Positive news flowed in at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. TEVA when the European Commission approved its marketing authorisation application for Cinqaero (reslizumab; interleukin-5 (IL-5) antagonist monoclonal antibody) for use as add-on therapy in adult patients with severe eosinophilic asthma inadequately controlled despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus another medicinal product for maintenance treatment. The EU approval was largely expected as the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use had issued a favorable opinion this June. The company expects to make Cinqaero commercially available in Europe within a few upcoming months. We remind investors that Cinqaero is already marketed in the U.S. and Canada under the trade name Cinqair. Regulatory applications in other global markets are, however, pending. TEVA PHARM ADR Price TEVA PHARM ADR Price | TEVA PHARM ADR Quote We note that GlaxoSmithKline plcs GSK Nucala, another IL-5 antagonist monoclonal antibody, is marketed in both the U.S. and the EU. Meanwhile, companies like AstraZeneca plc AZN are also looking to bring their anti-IL-5 antibodies to the market for the treatment of severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Meanwhile, Teva has several programs ranging from phase I to registration in its pipeline with many of these focused on the central nervous system and the respiratory system (asthma, COPD and allergic rhinitis). As far as other therapeutic areas like womens health and oncology are concerned, Teva is focusing on market-ready or close-to-market products to maximize sustainable profitability. Teva is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. Anika Therapeutics Inc. ANIK is a better-ranked stock in the healthcare sector, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ASTRAZENECA PLC (AZN): Free Stock Analysis Report GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK): Free Stock Analysis Report ANIKA THERAPEUT (ANIK): Free Stock Analysis Report TEVA PHARM ADR (TEVA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By Jon Herskovitz AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday halted an execution planned for next week of a man convicted as an accomplice to a murder he did not commit in a case that raised questions about how the state applies the death penalty. Jeffery Wood, 43, was scheduled to be executed on Aug. 24 by lethal injection. He was convicted of taking part in a 1996 convenience store robbery during which clerk Kriss Keeran was fatally shot. In its decision, the appeals court asked a lower court to review his sentence and claims from Wood's lawyer that it was obtained in violation of due process because it was based on false testimony and false scientific evidence. Wood's layer questioned a witness for the prosecution, forensic psychiatrist Dr. James Grigson, who told a court in the 1990s Wood would commit future acts of violence and was a threat to society. Grigson, nicknamed "Dr. Death" for his willingness to testify against people facing the death penalty, was expelled from the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians and the American Psychiatric Association for ethical violations: making diagnoses of capital murder defendants without first examining them. "The court did the right thing by staying Mr. Woods execution and authorizing his claims related to Dr. Grigsons false testimony during the sentencing phase to be considered on the merits," said Jared Tyler, Wood's lawyer. Wood was unarmed in a vehicle outside the store when it was robbed. Prosecutors have said Wood knew the clerk might be shot. Wood's lawyers said he was unaware that a robbery was underway. Wood's roommate at the time, Daniel Reneau, was convicted of pulling the trigger and executed on June 13, 2002. "I am not aware of a case where a person has been executed with so minimal culpability and with such little participation in the event," Tyler said in an interview. Under Texas' "Law of Parties," a person can be charged with capital murder even if the offense is committed by someone else. Story continues After he heard a shot, Wood entered the store to help Reneau steal a cash box, safe and security video system. Ten people have been executed as accessories to felony murder since the United States reinstated the death penalty in 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, which monitors capital punishment. Five have been in Texas, which has executed more people than any state since the death penalty was reinstated. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by David Gregorio) BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai student activist detained for campaigning against a military-backed constitution and in the second week of a hunger strike will be released on bail on Friday, his lawyers said. Voters overwhelmingly approved the constitution backed by Thailand's ruling junta in an Aug. 7 referendum, paving the way for a general election in 2017. Critics say the constitution will stifle democracy and entrench military influence in politics. The military government prevented opponents from campaigning against the charter before the vote and the Election Commission introduced a law criminalising any such activity. Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, a student at Khon Kaen University in the country's northeast, was detained on Aug. 6 for handing out "vote no" leaflets. He went on hunger strike after he was detained and faces charges of violating the ban on campaigning. Human Rights Watch called this week for his release and said he should be given access to medical treatment after he fainted on Monday. "We're bailing him out today because we want him to stop the hunger strike and take care of his health. But we don't know yet if he will stop," said Jatupat's mother, Prim Boonpattararaksa, who is also a lawyer and is working on his case. Another lawyer working on the case, Anon Nampa, said Jatupat would be released in the evening. As many as 195 people have been arrested on charges related to the constitution and campaigning ahead of the referendum, according to the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. Thailand should "immediately drop all charges against political activists" and release those jailed for opposing the constitution, Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement. (Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Additional reporting by Pracha Hariraksapitak; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Robert Birsel) Piercing Headache This incredibly timed image of two mosquitos feasting on the blood of a frog was the overall winner of this years Nature Photographer of the Year awards, falling under the Animal Behaviour category. (Matthew Mcintosh) The winners of this years Australian Geographic Nature Photographer competition have been unveiled - and theyre jaw-dropping. Photographers from all around the world submitted their finest photographs of nature and wildlife to celebrate the natural heritage of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guineas bioregions. The judges looked for masterful snappers who managed to combine impeccable timing, patience, artistry and technique to get that perfect shot. Take a look at this years winners Sara Benincasa shared her frustration about being asked about her weight. (Photo: Iconic Pinups) Comedian and writer Sara Benincasa has more than 40,000 Twitter followers, so it feels pretty safe to say that she has a substantial fan base. And after one fan recently wrote to Benincasa, asking her, Why did you gain so much weight? she took to Medium to draft a very thorough response. In her essay, Why Am I So Fat? Benincasa breaks it down not just for the fan but also for the world at large about why its incredibly problematic when people think that they have any kind of authority or entitlement over other peoples bodies, and so little concern for the actual person who lives in that body. Id imagine the context was this fellow was looking at my videos and images from 10 years in comedy and being annoyed that I gained weight, says Benincasa. She told Yahoo Style of how the email triggered her epic, thoughtful, essential reply: Or, perhaps wanting to gain some power over me by commenting and making me feel bad. Im 35 and Ive been in comedy since I was 25, so yes, Ive gained weight (and lost, and gained, and lost). Benincasa says that she makes a point to try to thank fans and supporters for their kind words and support as often as possible. So when she received that message about her weight, she thought, What if I simply responded to this person, using the energy of my annoyance to power a genuine response based in humor? She says she wrote the post in 10 minutes, later going back and adding photos for extra impact. Benincasa says: I truly didnt think it would take off. I thought most folks who read it would get a chuckle and maybe a bit of insight into how men speak to women on the Internet. Thats it. But its gone so nuts. So many folks relate. Photo: Iconic Pinups Benincasas post has received more than 1,200 likes on Medium, 446 shares from her own Facebook page and more than 1,200 retweets from her Twitter account in only 24 hours. Story continues She explains her posts resonance. You can put a photo of yourself holding your daughter on Facebook. And a cousins cousin can write, Wow, you really got big after the pregnancy, huh? Or If you want to know about how to lose the baby weight, ask me! I teach Zumba. Really undermining stuff that isnt kind and that makes folks feel bad. Anyones image is up for public consumption on Facebook, even if you only have 30 friends there. In her post, Benincasa also mentions how remarkable it is to hear only criticism of her weight without her facing an anonymous rape threat. The seemingly casual and anonymous rape threat has become an unfortunate, dangerous and toxic part of daily life for women on social media, she says, and women in comedy face threats of sexual violence from total strangers with all-too-great frequency. First things first, thank you for not threatening to rape me! I get rape threats because Im a woman on the Internet, Benincasa writes. Rape is on trend for women in comedy in 2016 and always! I respect that you bucked the trend to fall back on a comment about my weight. This is a more traditional approach and one with which I and my peers are intimately familiar. Im not even a real famous person I think of somebody like Kerry Washington as a real famous person, you know? Im not a superstar. But if I get threats like this, imagine what Kerry must get. Or Lena Dunham, good Lord, she gets so much. Or America Ferrera, somebody who is so beautifully political and refuses to apologize for caring about what happens to people with fewer privileges than she. Imagine what they get. It scares me a little, but it upsets me more. Ive only ever had to have a bouncer walk me out of two [comedy] shows. I know women [comics] who have to be escorted all the time. Benincasa notes the unrelenting presence of threats of violence, especially sexual violence, to those in the public eye and to women in comedy, in particular. Rape is an act of power. A man who feels powerless in comparison to a woman who has a public voice? He will feel angry. He will feel shame. And he may choose to channel that into a threat of violence that he may well never act [on]. But I cant know if hes going to act or not. I have to simply protect myself as best I can and leave the rest up to fate. Its sad to say, but I truly cannot control it. Photo: Iconic Pinups We treat women like objects, Benincasa told Yahoo Style. Women treat women like objects. I even do it sometimes. Im not immune. But many men feel entitled to say whatever they wish about my face or body because Im not a full human being to them. Im a woman. Im an object to be viewed and judged and f***ed, and I should not have agency of my own. Im used to this attitude from a lot of dudes. I love guys overall and have so many great guy friends and relatives. Some of them will get mad and want to punch a guy who acts inappropriately. I appreciate the sentiment, but it wont change anything. And its probably makes things worse for me. Guys should remember that when they want to cowboy up on a man who hurts their woman friend its gonna come back to hurt us much of the time. It inflames the situation. Makes the offender want to enact revenge. And when he does, hes not coming for you, guy friend. In the meantime, Benincasa continues to help push for a culture shift in how we objectify women and womens bodies. She does this through her work and writing including things like her recent Medium post. If I push back, maybe it changes some mens minds. But Im doing it really to encourage other women to push back and take power, she says. I dont see the relationship between men and women as inherently adversarial. I do see it as complex. Men dont need to apologize for their brethren who are douchebags. They just need to not be douchebags themselves. Same with gals, but men have so much more power than us. Of course, Benincasa wishes that all the time spent talking about womens bodies and what they weigh could be spent calling attention to much more pressing issues. We could instead talk about catastrophic flooding in Louisiana, lives lost to gun violence every day, children in this country who get kidnapped who arent pretty little blond white girls. The fact that People magazine just did a cover with JonBenet Ramsay when black kids die of gun violence on the streets of Chicago every day? Its f***ing disgusting. Id say theres a lot more to cover than whether Kylie got ass implants or Khloe ate a carrot stick. And none of those things needing to be covered have anything to do with how much Benincasa, or any woman, weighs. Benincasas latest book, Real Artists Have Day Jobs, is on sale now. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Kigali (AFP) - Three suspected jihadist recruiters were shot dead by police on Friday in southwest Rwanda while resisting arrest, a police statement said. Police said that during a targeted police operation in the Bugarama sector of the Rusizi district to arrest the suspects "they turned violent, issued threats and attempted to flee". Three other suspects were arrested, one of whom was wounded. "Initial findings indicate that they were in a radicalisation campaign aimed at recruiting jihadists," the statement said. "Radicalisation materials including audio CDs and text books were seized from the house." On Thursday police said a "suspected terrorist" had been shot dead in Kigali during a three-hour shoot-out with officers. A short police statement said the armed man had been holed up in a house in a residential area in the capital. It gave no details on what group he allegedly belonged to. In January police shot dead a Muslim suspected of recruiting young people to join the Islamic State group in Syria when he reportedly tried to escape after being detained. Police said at the time that "terrorist networks" were being set up in Rwanda and made a number of arrests. Of those held, 23 are awaiting trial following a series of detention hearings, all of them held behind closed doors. Rwanda's Muslim community is tiny, representing two percent of the population, with Catholics accounting for 43.7 percent and Protestants for 37.7 percent. The country has never seen a jihadist attack but has been targeted in the past by grenade attacks, the latest in 2013. Those attacks were blamed by the authorities on rebels based in neighbouring Congo. oneplus 3 Chinese phones are having a moment. While Samsung continues to stand out in both sales and making all-around excellent phones, most of the other recognizable names in the US mobile market are facing doubts. The LG G5s stab at modularity hasnt taken off. The HTC 10 is a great machine thats entirely forgettable. The Moto Z is striking, but confused. Sony still cant get anything going. And for the first time in awhile, the buzz around Apples next iPhone feels muted itll still be huge, but iPhone sales have fallen, and there's concern over whether or not the presumed iPhone 7 will drum up enough excitement. The common link between most of these premium devices is that theyre priced, well, like premium devices. More and more, though, Samsung and Apple appear to be the only two that can get away with that $650+ price point. As the others struggle to make a case, an influx of Chinese phones have swooped in, offering seriously capable hardware at much more affordable prices. The likes of Huawei, ZTE, and OnePlus are not new names Huawei in particular is already a global giant but this is the year theyve come into their own in the US. The OnePlus 3, ZTE Axon 7, and, most recently, Huawei Honor 8 are $400 phones that have no business being $400 phones. Ive tested the Honor 8 for most of this week, and, like the OnePlus and Axon before it, Huawei's newest phone looks great, feels great, and runs with aplomb. Theres a sense of heft and flair to it that cannot come from something youd call "cheap." huawei honor 8 These kind of affordable flagships arent clones, and, some software quirks aside, they dont feel compromised theyre simply very good smartphones that also cost less. They might not have the absolute latest specs, but they realize that phones in 2016 make it easier than ever to hit the point of diminishing returns. Even then, the gap has closed check the OnePlus 3s 6GB of RAM, the Axon 7s 1440p display, or any of these smartphones' cameras, and youll see features normally reserved for the top tier. Story continues The problem for these companies and others like TCL-owned Alcatel, which has a very solid device in the next step down is carriers. A big reason theyre able to sell these devices for so cheap is because they cant get (and thus dont have to pay) a Verizon or AT&T to market them directly. Instead, they stick to selling unlocked through ecommerce channels. That works overseas, but it has a lower ceiling in America, where most people are still more likely to buy through their network providers. (It also helps explains why Lenovo, a more well-know Chinese brand, bought Motorola.) Still, if you know enough to go out of your way, this wave of Chinese value plays has made it an excellent time to be a smartphone shopper on a budget. In the process, its made any Android OEM not named Samsung feel less vital. NOW WATCH: Sorry Apple fans the iPhone 7 is going to be boring More From Business Insider guam tho A tiny island roughly five times smaller than Rhode Island in the middle of the Pacific is hosting all three types of America's strategic bombers and the most advanced missile-defense system on the planet. The B-52 Stratofortress, B-1 Lancer, and B-2 Spirit bombers coupled with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile-defense system make Guam the epitome of the US's ability to project power. And while the military installations on Guam have always been some of the most strategically important bases in US Pacific Command's portfolio, the US Army's decision to permanently deploy a THAAD battery to the island ups the ante. There are five THAAD batteries each of approximately 100 soldiers assigned to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. One of those batteries was temporarily deployed to Guam in April 2013 in order to deter North Korean provocations and further defend the Pacific region. A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency. U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency/Handout via Reuters/File Photo But the Army has decided to make the temporary, rotational THAAD battery in Guam a permanent mission. "The permanent stationing of a THAAD battery in Guam is part of the global posture that continues to provide missile-defense capability to the combatant commander in the most efficient way," US Army Col. Shana Peck, who, as commander of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, oversees all five THAAD batteries as well as four Patriot missile-defense battalions, told Business Insider. THAAD is the most advanced missile system on the planet and can hunt and blast incoming missiles right out of the sky with a 100% success rate. What's more, THAAD is also headed to South Korea after the bilateral decision between Seoul and Washington to deploy the system. In a move that has the Hermit Kingdom, China, and Russia spooked, South Korea's military will have the unique air-defense system operational by the end of 2017. Until then, the permanent THAAD system will further defend the region in Guam and will become operational by October 1. Story continues NOW WATCH: Meet THAAD: Americas answer to North Korean threats More From Business Insider The Today anchors have spent much of their time in Rio not so much covering the Olympics, but instead unwittingly and consistently embarrassing themselves. On Friday, Matt Lauer and Al Roker went clothes shopping with Brazilian supermodels Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio and let the women pick their clothes. The ladies first suggested T-shirts, but soon after went for something a little more Brazilian. Lima asked if Lauer and Roker were daring enough to try on Speedos, which they didnt immediately agree to. They decided to start out with clothes that offered a little more coverage. Roker and Lauer disappeared into their changing rooms and re-emerged wearing their new shorts and Brazil T-shirts. They complimented each other as the models commented on how Brazilian they looked, even though the only thing inherently Brazilian about the style was that each shirt had BRA across the chest. Lima and Ambrosia decided to try for the Speedos again and this time got their wish. Though neither Roker nor Lauer were shown in a skimpy suit, it was definitely implied they were wearing them as the hosts conversed from their side-by-side changing rooms. Roker did his best to add to the comedy of the situation by speaking in a terrible, fake high voice throughout the conversation. Check out how HBOs Bill Simmons would improve the Olympics: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Khail Anonymous, on Twitter. By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted the people of Afghanistan on the countrys Independence Day and said India deeply values the strong and enduring ties with it. "Wishing the people of Afghanistan on their Independence Day. India deeply values the strong & enduring ties with Afghanistan," he tweeted. Afghan celebrates its Independence Day on this day to commemorate the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919, which granted a complete neutral relation between Afghanistan and Britain. PTI AKK AKK --- ENDS --- advertisement Tom Holland in Captain America: Civil War (Photo: Marvel) Tom Holland only briefly donned his Spider-Man costume as Marvels favorite web-slinger in Captain America: Civil War. But ahead of his proper big-screen debut as the iconic crime-fighter in next summers Spider-Man: Homecoming, the 20-year-old actor is already using his superhero clout for a good cause. As seen in a series of new photos posted to Instagram, Holland spent yesterday at Egleston Childrens Hospital in Atlanta (where Homecoming is now shooting) dressed as the wall-crawler, much to the joy of the facilitys young residents. Taking a cue from his fellow Marvel superstars Chris Pratt and Chris Evans who previously dropped by hospitals dressed as Star-Lord and Captain America, respectively, Holland spent the day cheering up the hospitals patients, and in one of his photo posts, he wrote: Meeting you all today was such a wonderful experience and youre all such little inspirations. Were proud of you and we love and we hope to be back soon and thank you for having us Egleston Childrens hospital. Meeting you all today was such a wonderful experience and you're all such little inspirations. We're proud of you and we love and we hope to be back soon and thank you for having us Egleston Children's hospital. A photo posted by (@tomholland2013) on Aug 18, 2016 at 3:20pm PDT On a fan site, Holland could be seen giving a thumbs up for one boys superhero selfie: He also did some web-slinging posing alongside two fans: Co-star Jacob Batalon also got in on the Instagram action, uploading a photo of the Homecoming headliner cradling an infant: Story continues It was amazing to meet the kids today. They inspire us and their smiles are brighter than the sun we love you A photo posted by Jacob Batalon (@lifeisaloha) on Aug 18, 2016 at 2:34pm PDT As Holland wrote in a subsequent post, Thank you to our wonderful marvel team for making today possible. Im glad we could share it together. I loved every minute Thank you to our wonderful marvel team for making today possible. I'm glad we could share it together. I loved every minute A photo posted by (@tomholland2013) on Aug 18, 2016 at 7:53pm PDT Spider-Man: Homecoming swings into theaters on July 7, 2017. The Philippines released top communist leaders from jail Friday as part of a drive to end one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies, with peace talks due to resume in Norway next week. Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma raised clenched fists, hugged friends and supporters and said they had high hopes of lasting peace after they posted bail and walked out of police cells in Manila. Security officials claim the couple, who were arrested more than two years ago, ran the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army, whose 47-year campaign against the state has claimed some 30,000 lives. "Our release is a goodwill measure that will create an atmosphere conducive for peace talks," Tiamzon said. He thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for allowing 17 rebels to be provisionally freed this week. They aim to fly to Oslo for the August 22-26 negotiations and advise the rebels' political organisation, the National Democratic Front. Norway has acted as an intermediary in the talks. Peace talks stalled in 2013 under Duterte's predecessor Benigno Aquino after he rejected the communists' demand to free all imprisoned guerrillas. The 65-year-old rebel chief said that Duterte's landslide election victory in May had brought about the rebels' best chance for a political settlement. The rebel army is believed to have fewer than 4,000 gunmen left, down from a peak of 26,000 in the 1980s, when a bloodless "People Power" revolt ended the 20-year dictatorship of the late president Ferdinand Marcos. Many top communist party cadres are in their 60s or 70s, some living in exile in Europe. - Confidence in Duterte - But the movement retains support among the poor in rural areas, and its forces regularly kill police or troops while extorting money from local businesses. "We're confident the peace talks would move forward because we believe this is the first president who really desires meaningful reforms and has enough determination to see them through," Tiamzon said. Story continues Duterte has enjoyed relatively good ties with guerrillas operating around Davao, the southern city which he led as mayor for more than 20 years. A self-described socialist, the 71-year-old has since appointed two left-leaning personalities to his cabinet and even initially vowed to form a coalition government with the rebels should the peace talks succeed. Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire last month, telling soldiers and police to stop operations against leftist guerrillas. But he withdrew the ceasefire just five days later when a rebel ambush killed a government militia member and wounded four others. Total System Service Inc. TSS recently announced the extension of its payment agreement with Swisscard AECS GmbH to continue processing consumer credit and commercial card portfolios of the later. The insurer will also keep providing other payment services to Swisscard. Total Systems relation with Swisscard dates back to 2010 when the former inked a deal with Swisscard a joint venture between Credit Suisse Group AG CS and American Express Company to provide the later with consumer credit, commercial card and payment-related services through its processing platform TS2. Per the deal, Total System Service was also required to support Swisscards portfolio migration in the third quarter of 2011. Notably, Swisscard is the only company in Switzerland to offer all major credit card brands like American Express Company AXP, Visa Inc. V, Master Card Inc. MA through a single platform. Hence, its customers enjoy the largest assortment of credit card offers across all brands. Swisscards association with Total System Service has helped it achieve better stability and availability of systems. Given that the two companies are well acquainted with each others systems, the contract extension is expected to result in more innovations and in turn enhanced services for customers. Total System Service has always undertaken inorganic growth initiatives like entering into agreements and partnerships as well as making acquisitions to extend its presence to Europe. The recent acquisition of TransFirst, a leading U.S. acquirer of payment solutions is expected to place this business in a leadership position in the market. TOTAL SYS SVC Price TOTAL SYS SVC Price | TOTAL SYS SVC Quote Total System presently carries a Zacks Rank # 3 (Hold) Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CREDIT SUISSE (CS): Free Stock Analysis Report AMER EXPRESS CO (AXP): Free Stock Analysis Report MASTERCARD INC (MA): Free Stock Analysis Report VISA INC-A (V): Free Stock Analysis Report TOTAL SYS SVC (TSS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Beverly Hills auctioneer Julien's has something special (or especially icky) up for sale. The auction house is selling In Cold Blood author Truman Capote's ashes. Yes, human remains are up for sale. As described by the Julien's: "The ashes of Truman Capote are housed in a memorial Japanese carved wooden box. The ashes were kept by Joanne Carson who was one of Capote's closest friends. She often said the ashes brought her great comfort. The box is also marked "Date of Cremation: August 28, 1984. (Estimate: $4,000-$6,000)." A bit of backstory: Capote had a writing room in his home and died there on Aug. 25, 1984. Joanne Carson and Capote became friendly in 1974 when he edited a chapter of a memoir she was writing (and later abandoned). Joanne Carson died on May 8, 2015 and the executor of her estate did not know what to do with them, explained Julien's. Julien's touted the "unprecedented and certainly extraordinary" nature of the remains. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Julien's boss dismissed any ethical concerns, noting that body parts present a legal problem but ashes do not. CEO Darren Julien added, "I will say, Christie's sold Napoleon's penis years ago. And we sold William Shatner's kidney stone for $75,000. There's all kinds of precedents for this. Like I said, if it wasn't Truman Capote, we would pass because we wouldn't want to be disrespectful. And the antics he was always up to, and how much he loved press - it's no question that that is something he would have wanted done." Rahul Gandhi has tried to send across a message that what Modi said was not true. By India Today Web Desk: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has taken a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter's remark that the BJP as a political party has faced more adversities in independent India than the Congress did under the British rule. In two tweets, Rahul posted a prayer for Modi. "Lead me from ignorance to truth - from darkness to light - from death to immortality. Let there be peace for all living creatures" Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 19, 2016 advertisement The Congress vice-president has tried to send across a message that what Modi said was not true. He also wishes to reiterate that the sacrifice of the Congress during the British rule and even thereafter was unparalleled. At the foundation laying ceremony of the BJP's new headquarters yesterday, Modi had said, "Even during the British rule, the Congress party would not have faced so much adversity that we have gone through in the last 50-60 years," and added that the world knows the party only through what others have said about it. Rahul has been taking jibes at Modi. He had coined the catchphrase "suit boot ki sarkar" over the PM's pin-striped monogrammed suit that he wore on US President Barack Obama's visit during the Republic Day celebrations last year. He had also mocked Modi's "56-inch chest" and said it will be reduced to 5.6 inches. Last month, while speaking on price rise in Parliament, the Congress leader had called the PM "Arhar Modi", playing on one of the BJP's slogans - Ghar Ghar Modi - in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha election. ALSO READ | Only Modi's suit-boot friends will travel in his bullet trains: Rahul Gandhi --- ENDS --- Charlotte (AFP) - Problems? What problems? Donald Trump's supporters shrug off reports about the Republican nominee's sinking campaign, saying the media, pollsters and the establishment are working overtime against the political maverick. To them, the issues are just the latest example of "all against one." Trump hasn't led any poll since late July, according to the Real Clear Politics site that tracks political polling. Democrat Hillary Clinton has an average lead of six points -- a huge margin with less than three months to go until the election. But those numbers don't concern his fans. "I really don't believe it, because everyone I have ever spoken to says they're voting for Trump," said Peggy Overman, 58, who spoke with AFP at a conference center in Charlotte, North Carolina where Trump on Thursday made his first public appearance since shaking up his campaign team. The restaurant owner said many voters hesitate to tell pollsters they support Trump because "you might get fun of, you might get called uneducated, racist." A dozen Trump supporters told AFP they expected their silent counterparts to turn out at the polls on November 8 and carry the real estate developer into the White House. Although polls correctly placed Trump at the head of a pack of Republican candidates during the primary season, his supporters now believe those surveys are being manipulated to boost Clinton's chances. "The only thing I can come up with is they have to be not telling the truth on that," said Cheryl Hughes, a 55-year-old self-employed news junkie. Look at the size of the crowds, she said, to illustrate her point. "You go to Hillary Clinton's rallies and there are like 60 people, and then you come here and there are thousands of people -- it just doesn't make sense." - Media bias - The Republican establishment and party leaders who were reluctant to support Trump are also at fault, said Michael Scholz, 36, a supply chain sales manager. Story continues But it's the mainstream media that garner the most contempt from Trump's fans. They concede that Trump commits slip-ups, but feel the media artificially inflate the incidents into controversies. News reports are "just taking clips, chopping it up" to keep only the most controversial elements, Hughes said. She gets her news from Fox News but also conservative websites and Facebook pages where Clinton's name is usually preceded by "lying" or "crooked." "Even though sometimes he's not politically correct, he's got the right ideas," said 62-year-old Dan Wallace, who arrived at 11:30am for a 7:30pm rally. As for Trump's policies, "This is new to him. But he's intelligent enough to know who he needs to have in certain positions," the retired Fedex courier said. Many admire the 70-year-old billionaire for his political incorrectness, but some said they'd like to see him tone down his shoot-from-the-hip comments. "I just wish he would just sometimes stay away from all the gibberish on the side and really go after his policies, his policies are actually very good," said Mark Gonzales, 40, who owns a landscaping company. "I think he gets a little sidetracked" with attacking Clinton, he added. The idea of an unfair fight against the system was at the heart of Trump's message to the faithful on Thursday night. "The establishment media... will take words of mine out of context and spend a week obsessing over every single syllable, and then pretend to discover some hidden meaning in what I said," Trump said. "Every story is told from the perspective of the insiders," he added. "It's the narrative of the people who rigged the system, never the voice of the people it's been rigged against." Gonzales got his wish Thursday night, with Trump reading his speech from a teleprompter and sticking to the script, even saying he regretted making hurtful comments in the past. It showed a more disciplined approach but time will tell whether it has any effect on the polls. Donald Trump 's campaign says it has made up some ground in the fundraising race against Hillary Clinton , but new data this weekend will show whether the low-spending organization started to burn that cash more freely last month. The July numbers due Saturday night to the Federal Election Commission will not show if Trump's recent self-inflicted wounds have hurt his latest fundraising or whether both campaigns have changed their spending in recent weeks, as Clinton settled into a comfortable polling advantage. But they will give insight into the candidates' vastly different spending habits as they headed into their parties' conventions. Trump has relied on intense news coverage and social media to push his message throughout his campaign, largely shunning traditional advertising channels and some methods of voter outreach. Trump, who trails in crucial swing states in most recent polls, has only started to buy ad in battlegrounds. The July numbers may show spending well below what campaigns typically spend to reach voters at this stage in the race. Both campaigns announced initial fundraising numbers earlier this month. Clinton's campaign said it raised nearly $90 million in joint efforts with the Democratic National Committee, with about $63 million going to the campaign. It said it had $58 million on hand at the start of August. The Trump campaign said it and the Republican Party took in about $80 million, but it was unclear how much of that went to the Trump campaign itself. It said it had about $37 million on hand at the end of July. What could remain striking in July is Trump's spending relative to Clinton's and past nominees. In June, the Trump campaign committee reported $7.8 million in disbursements. Clinton's campaign said it spent $34.5 million. For perspective, in July 2012, Mitt Romney's campaign reported $32.7 million in disbursements. President Barack Obama's committee said it spent $58.9 million. The Trump campaign's spending may not show a shift yet in July. But it could in the coming months as Trump tries to make up ground on Clinton before November's election. Story continues Amid a campaign leadership overhaul this week, Trump trails Clinton by 6 percentage points in an average of recent polls that include Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson and the Green Party's Jill Stein, according to RealClearPolitics. A recent string of abrasive comments from the billionaire developer could even threaten his cash streams . On Thursday, he said "regretted" some of the things he has said "in the heat of the debate" but he wasn't specific. The Clinton campaign put up its first general election TV ads more than two months ago and has since spent more than $60 million on them. The Trump campaign's first ad buys this month in Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio cost about $4 million, according to NBC News. In June, Trump reported just over $1.6 million in expenses for "digital consulting/online advertising." With a new campaign leadership team in place determined to let Trump be Trump again, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump began airing his first TV ads of the general election campaign focused on his favorite topic: illegal immigrants and a security crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump broke through a congested field of Republican candidates early in the GOP primaries with warnings about Mexican murderers and rapists gaining easy entry into the U.S. He vowed to expel 11 million illegal immigrants and build a wall to keep them from coming back. Related: Hillary Clintons New Motto -- Let Trump Be Trump More recently, his strong anti-immigration views have morphed into ominous promises to indefinitely bar most Muslims from entering the country, extreme vetting to prevent other dangerous foreigners from gaining entrance, and aggressive policing at home to root out foreign-born residents and their children who might commit terrorist attacks like the mass killings in San Bernardino and Orlando. Trumps campaign will spend $4.8 million over the next 10 days in the battleground states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, according to various reports. He will once again stoke resentment against immigrants and denounce Democratic nominee Hillary Clintons call for immigration reform, including granting a pathway to legal status or citizenship to many undocumented immigrants. In Hillary Clintons Americas, the system is rigged against Americans, the narrator of the new ad intones. Syrian refugees flood in, illegal immigrants convicted of committing crimes get to stay, collecting Social Security benefits, skipping the line. Our border open. Its more of the same, but worse. Donald Trumps America is secure, he goes on. Terrorists and dangerous criminals kept out, the border secured, our families safe. Change that makes American safe again. Related: Is the Clinton Foundation Hillarys Achilles Heel? Story continues Trump, for sure, has some material to work with. There was a spike in the number of illegal immigrants who crossed the southwestern border into the U.S. in April, reaching the highest point in roughly two years. Central American families and unaccompanied children continued to challenge the Obama administrations efforts to control the border. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection figures, more than 38,000 illegal immigrants were caught in April alone, smashing December's record of 37,014 illegals apprehended. The number of apprehensions in April averaged about 1,271 a day. The ad is being aired just a day after Trump said in a speech that he now regrets causing personal pain in the heat of debates. Trump didnt specify which remarks he regrets having made. However, on the immigration front, there are a number he might choose from, including his repeated immigrants from Mexico as criminals and rapists, his inexplicable attack on Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the Gold Star parents of a fallen U.S. Army captain, and his derisive remarks of a federal court judge, Gonzalo Curiel, who Trump said couldnt be impartial to him in a court case involving Trump University because of his Mexican heritage. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Despite a last-minute re-shuffle of his campaign, an academic at the London School of Economics believes the race is almost run for Republican nominee Donald Trump. In an attempt to arrest sliding support, Trump this week named Steve Bannon, a former investment banker, to the post of chief executive and promoted pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager But Brian Klaas, a Fellow in Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics, told CNBC Friday that Trump may not have enough time to sway voters. "Early voting starts in the United States in a couple of weeks. So, about a third of all voters will cast their ballots before the day of the election. "And with race crystallizing at it is now, I think Trump's running out of time to fix a sinking ship," he told CNBC . He said that Trump is losing his core white male support, crucial to his success. "That is where Mitt Romney absolutely trounced Obama in 2012 and the gap is closing. He is winning fewer of those voters than Romney won. And that's a huge problem for Trump," he said. However, Democratic rival Hillary Clinton should not get too comfortable, said Klass, highlighting a lack of connection with much of the American public. "She's said many times that in the public service aspect of herself, she is much better at the service than the public. And she's not very good in the limelight." On who has the better plan to growth the American economy, Klass believed Trump's message is suggesting one thing but delivering another. "The interesting thing about this campaign is that Trump is seen as the populist when in fact his tax plan is a gift to billionaires," said Klass. The economist said Hilary Clinton's promise to tax the wealthy is a nod to Sanders supporters, but real intent remains uncertain. "So the question is whether the pandering can really be policy. There have been some U.S. states with increased taxes on the wealthy and if invested smartly they can pay dividends." With the announcement that Paul Manafort has resigned as Donald Trumps campaign manager, and that his chief aide Rick Gates has decamped along with him, its becoming increasingly difficult to view the operation run out of Trump Tower as an actual political campaign. Manafort, who was brought in to professionalize the campaign several months ago, displacing former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, has been hammered by revelations of his work for Kremlin-friendly politicians in Ukraine and by the possibility that his work for them inside the United States violated federal law. Related: Trumps First Campaign Ad Strikes a Dark, Familiar Tone But Manafort might not have been long for the Trump campaign regardless of any ties to Ukraine or the Russians. The effort to turn Trump into a conventional candidate, with a few exceptions, never really took. Trump would give a prepared speech one night, leading to speculation that the pivot had finally arrived, only to fly off the handle a day later with personal attacks on someone who offended him. Finally, the campaign announced earlier this week that pollster Kellyanne Conway had been brought in as campaign manager and that Breitbart News chairman Steve Bannon has been hired as the new campaign CEO. Though the campaign tried to call the move an expansion of the campaign rather than a demotion of Manafort, the spin was laughed off by most of the political press and sure enough, by Friday morning Manafort was on his way out the door. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign, Trump said in a statement. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular, his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional, and I wish him the greatest success. So with Manafort gone, whats left? Related: Hillary Clintons New Motto: Let Trump Be Trump Conway is a political professional, but she has never run a presidential campaign before. Bannon isnt a campaign guy at all. Hes a former investment banker who took over Breitbart News after founder Andrew Breitbart died in 2012 and turned it into a refuge for white ethno-nationalists like Milo Yiannopoulos and, ultimately, into an arm of the Trump campaign. Story continues And if the Trump operation doesnt look like a real campaign in its leadership, it doesnt look like one on the campaign trail, either. The Trump website lists five upcoming events, and where its sending the candidate is striking, given the status of the race. Trump is currently behind in the polls nationally and in swing states. He needs to carry states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Florida to have even a prayer of winning the White House. But except for a single stop in Ohio Monday evening, Trump will spend the rest of the week in states where his appearance isnt likely to move the needle at all. He will be in Michigan on Friday evening, and has a rally in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on Saturday. Michigan hasnt voted for a Republican for president since 1988 and Clinton is leading him there by an average margin of 7.3 percentage points, with the last two polls both showing a 10-point Clinton advantage. Virginia may have been a swing state a decade ago, but it went solidly for Obama in 2008 and 2012 and the Clinton campaign is currently so confident there that it has pulled money and resources out of the state to focus on closer contests. Related: The Trump-Seinfeld Connection Goes Back Further Than You Think Next week, after he leaves Ohio, Trump will visit Texas on Tuesday and Mississippi on Wednesday. A Democrat hasnt won a presidential vote in either of those two states since the 1970s. If Trump were in trouble in either Texas or Mississippi, it would be the sign of a wipeout so epic that it would threaten to outdo Ronald Reagans 49-state thrashing of Walter Mondale in 1984. But he isnt currently in danger in Texas and Mississippi. Polling averages show both states are safely within Trumps cap and arent likely to flip to Clinton. This simply isnt normal behavior for a presidential campaign that is actually trying to win an election. And that makes you wonder what, exactly, Trump is actually trying to do. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Charlotte (AFP) - Donald Trump made a rare act of contrition, saying he regretted offending people with his harsh way of speaking. The Republican nominee made the gesture at his first rally since ordering a shakeup in his campaign to save his struggling White House bid. "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing," Trump told a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. "I have done that. And believe it or not, I regret it," he said, drawing laughs and applause from the crowd. "I do regret it. Particularly, where it may have caused personal pain." He added: "Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues, but one thing, I can promise you this, I will always tell you the truth." The New York billionaire's multiple self-inflicted wounds of late have left him trailing in virtually every battleground state. One of the biggest missteps was clashing repeatedly with the parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq. Critics accused him last week of inciting violence against his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton in a remark about the right to bear arms, and media reports have swirled about a campaign in crisis and a candidate apparently incapable of reeling in crass remarks. Clinton leads Trump 47 percent to 41.2 percent, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average, following weeks of errors that have alienated establishment Republicans and seen his own supporters tear their hair out. - Campaign staff shakeup - On Wednesday, Trump appointed right-wing news executive Stephen Bannon as campaign CEO and promoted pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager. The change was seen as a demotion for campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who has been pushing Trump, among other changes, to use a teleprompter when he gives speeches as a way to stay on message -- and not ad-lib himself into saying something offensive or wrong. Story continues Bannon's Breitbart News website is virulently anti-Clinton and his appointment was seen as Trump's way of thumbing his nose at Republican leaders who have been urging him to tone down the shoot-from-the-hip style of speech he used effectively in the primaries. On Thursday, Trump did speak with a teleprompter and veered from the invisible screens only to hammer away at a given point he wanted to make. On substantive issues, he reached out to US minorities, in particular blacks. "Nearly four in ten African-American children are living in poverty. I will not rest until children of every color in this country are fully included in the American Dream," Trump said. "If African-American voters give Donald Trump a chance by giving me their vote, the result for them will be amazing," he said. And he began his speech with a message to the people of Louisiana, a state that has been hit with historic flooding in recent days. "We are one country, one people, and we will have together one great future," Trump told the crowd. He still stressed his standard campaign pillars of building a wall along the border with Mexico, keeping out undocumented foreigners and opposing international trade accords. And he also depicted himself as an agent of change compared to Clinton, whom he dismissed as an old-fashioned Washington insider, while promising to strengthen US ethics rules to fight influence peddling. Following the speech, Democrats scoffed at the idea of a more tolerant and consensus-oriented Trump. "That apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets -- and changes his tune altogether," said Christina Reynolds, a Clinton campaign spokeswoman. But the "new" Trump -- disciplined and serious -- was already gaining traction with fans. "I loved the tone," said Annette Fitch, 55, a customer service representative who was at the speech. But another supporter, 71-year old high school principal Hans Peter Plotseneder, said he regretted the candidate had lost "a little bit of personal touch." "I hope he doesn't get too PC," he said. By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Nepal Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi will soon visit the Indo-Nepal border areas, which had seen agitation by Madhesis over Nepals new Constitution. This was agreed at a meeting attended by Singh and Nidhi, who is here on a four-day visit as Nepal Prime Minister Prachandas special envoy, official sources said today. advertisement Nidhi also assured Singh to take adequate steps to ensure security at Tribhuwan Airport in Kathmandu, from where terrorists boarded an Indian Airlines aircraft and hijacked it to Kandahar in 1999. The Nepal Deputy Prime Minister conveyed that India is a very important neighbour for his country and development in Nepal cannot be achieved without the support of India. Nidhi has conveyed to Singh that his visit is primarily to "clear all misunderstandings" that cropped in the recent past between the two countries, sources said. The Nepal government has taken various concrete measures including evolving consensus on constitutional amendments and certain measures where government or Cabinet can take up in setting up of a Judicial Commission for giving suitable compensation to the affected people. Both the Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, who is also the Home Minister of that country, agreed to make a joint visit to Indo-Nepal border area and to interact with people living in the area, sources said. The Nepal blockade, which began on September 23, 2015, led to an economic and humanitarian crisis and had severely affected Nepal and its economy. The agitation by Madhesis, inhabitants of the southern plains who share strong cultural and family bonds with Indians, over Nepals new Constitution, was at its peak at that time. The protesters had blocked trade transit points with India, creating a huge shortage of essential goods and fuel in the landlocked Himalayan nation. (More) PTI ACB RG --- ENDS --- [Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters at a rally at Erie Insurance Arena on August 12, 2016 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Photo: Jeff Swensen / Getty Images] By Ginger Gibson CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Reuters) - Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump apologised on Thursday for past remarks that may have caused personal pain as he sought to refocus his message in the face of falling opinion poll numbers in his first speech since shaking up his campaign team this week. Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing, Trump told a crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues." Trump did not cite any examples of such remarks. The New York businessman has made his "tough talk and brash style a selling point of his campaign for the Nov. 8 election, rarely apologising in the face of criticism even from within his own party for own party for comments insulting women, Muslims and Mexican immigrants. In his presidential announcement speech last year, he described some Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists. He recently faced a barrage of criticism for belittling the family of a Muslim American soldier who died in Iraq in 2004, after the soldiers father spoke out against Trump at the Democratic National Convention last month. The campaign for his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, quickly dismissed Trumps apology, saying: Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologise, the campaign said in a statement. But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets and changes his tune altogether. Story continues Trailing Clinton in national opinion polls, Trump has tried to reset his campaign, announcing on Wednesday a shake-up of his senior campaign staff for the second time in less than two months. In the past week, he has abandoned his free-wheeling style of campaigning, instead using a teleprompter at every rally. Trump also began adding non-rally events to his campaign schedule, visiting a police lodge on Thursday afternoon and hosting a roundtable on Wednesday morning. Previously, Trump had eschewed such events that historically comprise a significant portion of a candidates time. Trumps speech on Thursday night, echoing remarks earlier in the week in Wisconsin, reached out to minority voters and accused Clinton of being dishonest. "So while sometimes I can be too honest, Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite: She never tells the truth, Trump said. In this journey, I will never lie to you. I will never tell you something I do not believe." Trumps new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, promised on Thursday he would stick to a more disciplined and uplifting message to voters in the final dash to Election Day without crimping his freewheeling style. Conway said the candidates White House bid could preserve his "authenticity and still move past a long string of controversies to focus on issues. We would like to take an uplifting, optimistic, policy-centric message directly to the American people, Conway told CBSs This Morning, adding she was confident the former reality television star could stick to a sharper message. Wednesdays campaign reshuffle also brought on Steve Bannon, a combative conservative who headed the Breitbart News website, as chief executive officer, in a move seen as giving Trump a chance to emphasise his unconventional style. Conway said the more disciplined approach by Trump, who has never held elective office, would not mean jettisoning his more off-the-cuff and unpredictable style. Were going to make sure Donald Trump is comfortable about being in his own skin - that he doesnt lose that authenticity that you simply cant buy and a pollster cant give you, she said on CNN. Let him be him, in this sense." Trump has so far been unable to extend his appeal beyond white middle-class voters who pack his rallies. Conway said her rise to campaign manager showed Trump valued a more policy-driven approach that would appeal to women and independent voters. "The way to speak to women and all Americans is through issues. Weve got to get away from this content-free campaign and on to the substance, she said. The campaign will put two ads on the air in five states this week, the first campaign ads Trump has aired in the general election, Conway said. He will also continue a series of policy-focused speeches after giving speeches in the past two weeks on jobs, national security and law and order. Hes going to give these policy speeches, she said on CNN. Youll see more of those. Next week is immigration week, followed by education week." (Editing by Peter Cooney) Charlotte (AFP) - Donald Trump released his first television ad of the presidential campaign, saying his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton is synonymous with disorder and illegal immigration. "In Hillary Clinton's America, the system stays rigged against Americans," claims the $4.8 million ad, which is being aired in the battleground states of Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania. "Syrian refugees flood in. Illegal immigrants convicted of committing crimes get to stay, collecting social security benefits, skipping the line. Our border open. "It's more of the same, but worse," the narrator adds, to the tune of somber music playing in the background. In contrast, "Donald Trump's America is secure," it says, the music upbeat and uplifting this time. "Terrorists and dangerous criminals: kept out. The border: secure. Our families: safe." Clinton has already spent $61 million on television ads, according to NBC television. The Republican Trump, who is trailing Clinton in the polls, chose to focus on national security for his ad, which concludes with "Change that makes America safe again," a twist on his campaign slogan "Make America safe again." But late Thursday, on the eve of the ad's release, Trump barely touched on immigration and national security during a speech in which he expressed regrets for having offended people with his brash manner. It marked a rare act of contrition. The bombastic billionaire real estate magnate is seeking to power up his campaign. On Wednesday, he overhauled his campaign management team for the second time in as many months, seeking to save his struggling White House bid. Donald Trump recently outlined a new screening process for immigrants, which he referred to as extreme vetting. The idea of the process is to ensure that immigrants who are coming into the United States of America share American values. Some of the key values that Donald was referring to were gay rights, religious freedom, and gender equality. The Daily Show correspondent, Jordan Klepper, went to a Trump rally in Wisconsin to see if some of Trumps supporters would pass Donalds extreme vetting process. Klepper found that many of them supported Trumps extreme vetting plan, but when he asked them questions about gay rights, religious freedom, and gender equality, their answers didnt pass the test. For example, one woman said, Its important to have respect for everyones religion. Then when Jordan asked her if she respected Islam, she immediately replied, No. By Tom Polansek CHICAGO (Reuters) - Advisers to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump pledged to U.S. agricultural groups that he will give growers and states a say on national farm policy should he be elected, two association leaders said on Friday. Eleven groups representing farmers, seed companies and other players in the sector met for the first time with Trump's top agricultural advisers in Washington on Monday to make recommendations on policy, following a similar meeting with representatives of rival Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in June. The presidential candidates' agriculture policies are crucial, agricultural groups say, because net U.S. farm income this year is forecast to drop to its lowest since 2002, largely due to a decline in grain prices. If that happens, incomes will be down 56 percent from a recent high of $123.3 billion in 2013. For Trump's team, the meeting came as he has tried to be more disciplined and on message as he seeks to reset his campaign against Clinton for the Nov. 8 election. He reshuffled top campaign leaders this week, and on Friday accepted the resignation of campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Agricultural trade, labor, crop insurance and food safety were among the topics discussed at the meeting with farm groups, which included Charles Herbster, national chairman of Trump's agricultural advisory committee, and Sam Clovis, Trump's chief policy advisor, participants told Reuters. Former Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, who is on Trump's advisory committee, also attended, they said. "There was an assertion that farmers will be at the tables to make decisions, and that was well received by myself and our colleagues," said Barb Glenn, chief executive officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Also, there was a focus on "the concept that the states need to be brought in to work with the federal government," she said. Story continues Clinton's campaign staff have previously made similar comments to farm groups, said Jay Vroom, chief executive officer of pesticide association CropLife America, who attended meetings with representatives of both candidates. "Both of them are quite interested in understanding where American ag is at," he said. Trump on Tuesday named 64 people to his agricultural advisory committee, including six U.S. governors, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary, and the chairmen of the U.S. House and Senate agriculture committees. The latest RealClearPolitics average of national opinion polls puts Clinton 6 percentage points ahead of Trump, at 47.2 percent to 41.7 percent. (Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) Amid his latest campaign shakeup, Donald Trump released his first television ad of the general election on Friday and, like much of his presidential campaign, the commercial focused on immigration. Until Friday, the GOP nominee had yet to release a television ad, perplexing some observers as he slipped in the polls to Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, whose campaign has spent millions on ads. (Clintons team also released a new ad earlier in the day.) The 30-second Trump spot, which the campaign said would air in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania for the next 10 days, is titled Two Americas: Immigration and aims to offer a stark contrast between Trumps America and what the country would be like with Hillary Clinton as president. The system stays rigged against Americans, a narrator warns over muted images of crowded refugee camps, and men being both arrested by Border Patrol agents and strolling freely through the street. Syrian refugees flood in. Illegal immigrants convicted of committing crimes get to stay, collecting Social Security benefits, skipping the line. As the narrator continues, claiming that Clintons White House would leave our border open, a citation quickly appears at the bottom of the screen for the Center for Immigration Studies, a conservative, anti-immigration think tank, whose past reports have been deemed misleading by several leading nonpartisan immigration-research organizations as well as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In the ad, the words border open linger in large print above images of people riding atop a train and walking through what looks like the one of the many Homeland Security-sanctioned pedestrian ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. On the other hand, the ad continued, Donald Trumps America is secure. The desaturated, foreboding scenes of lawlessness under Clinton then give way to brightly lit shots of helicopters patrolling the border and happy non-Hispanic-looking families. Red, white and blue banners declare the border secure and our families safe. Story continues The commercial was released as the Trump campaign underwent its latest reorganization. Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort announced Friday that he would resign. Earlier in the week, Trump hired Breitbart executive Stephen Bannon as his campaign CEO and pollster Kellyanne Conway as his campaign manager. The ad has already sparked a reaction from within the Clinton campaign, with press secretary Brian Fallon and deputy press secretary Jesse Ferguson taking to Twitter to dispute Trumps claims. Also, new ad by Donald "I will never lie to you" Trump repeats oft-debunked lie that Clinton supports "open borders"https://t.co/ToypClCshO Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) August 19, 2016 TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisia's prime minister-designate plans to retain the current defense, foreign and interior ministers but will name a World Bank official to take on the finance portfolio, sources close to coalition negotiations said on Friday. Youssef Chahed, named premier after his predecessor was ousted in a no-confidence vote last month, has been in talks with the two main governing parties, the secularist Nidaa Tounes and Islamist Ennahda, over cabinet posts. Chahed, a member of Nidaa Younes and ally of President Beji Caid Essebsi, has promised a cabinet capable of delivering economic reforms that have evaded past prime ministers, but opponents say he may not have the political capital to deliver. Opponent say Chahed is inexperienced and too close to Essebsi, and he will need to overcome resistance from strong unions to austerity measures called for by Tunisia's multilateral lenders. Tunisia's democratic transition since a 2011 uprising overthrew autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali has been praised as a model for the Arab world. But the North African country has struggled with Islamist militant attacks and slow progress on economic reforms needed to create growth and jobs. Sources close to the negotiations said Chahed had decided to keep the incumbent interior, foreign and defense ministers but name Marouane El Abassi, a World Bank representative for Libya and economist educated in France, as his finance minister. Chahed's new government must be presented to Essebsi, and then approved by parliament. Final negotiations were continuing with political parties. "The new composition of the government will be announced soon and once we have approval, we will go straight to work," Chahed told reporters on Friday. During his nearly two years in office, previous premier Habib Essid failed to overcome political infighting and deliver reforms including public spending cuts and improvements to laws to attract foreign investment. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; Writing by Patrick Markey; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Istanbul (AFP) - A billboard at Istanbul's international airport accused Sweden of having the highest rate of rape worldwide, AFP pictures showed on Friday, just days after Stockholm accused Ankara of legalising sex with children. Printed in English and Turkish and displayed at the international departures section of Ataturk airport, the huge banner ad reads: "Travel Warning! Did you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide?" Alongside it was an enlarged copy of the front page of pro-government newspaper Gunes with a headline declaring: "Sweden, a country of rape," according to AFP pictures. A Turkish official, who declined to be named, said: "It's an ad for Gunes newspaper and not an official notice." State-run news agency Anadolu said billboard advertisements at the airport were operated by a private company. The advert was largely seen as a tit-for-tat move after Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom caused a storm through a tweet saying the "Turkish decision to allow sex with children under 15 must be reversed", following a controversial ruling by the Turkish constitutional court. Her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu blasted her remark as "unacceptable", saying Wallstrom should have acted "responsibly" while Sweden's charge d'affaires was summoned to the foreign ministry. The airport ad sparked storm on social media, with several users hitting back at the "propaganda against Sweden" while others agreed with it. One Twitter handle @Asb Ogrenci wrote: "Sweden, a country of rape #DontTravelToSweden" while another, @ceeean, said: "There are much more cases of rape in (Turkey) than Sweden." - 'Misconceptions'- In response, the Swedish embassy in Turkey posted a statement on its website entitled "Misconceptions on rape statistics." It said that comparing reports of rape in Sweden with reports in other countries with different legal and statistical systems "does not describe reality correctly." Story continues The embassy said Sweden has a broad judicial definition of acts that are considered as rape, and uses a broad definition when calculating crime statistics. "Every single offence is for example recorded separately and all reported events are counted as crimes, even if some of them later are found not to have constituted criminal offences," it added. The controversy with Stockholm erupted earlier this week after Turkey's top constitutional court in July annulled a criminal code provision punishing as "sexual abuse" all sexual acts involving children under the age of 15, responding to a petition brought by a lower court. The top court has given parliament a six-month period to draw up new rules based on its ruling. The lower court that brought the petition was worried there was no distinction between cases of sexual acts involving a young teenager or a toddler. The legal age of consent in Turkey remains 18 and was not affected by the ruling. But it sparked outrage among activists worried it would open the way for unpunished child sexual abuse. In a similar spat with Austria over a news ticker at Vienna airport about the age of consent controversy, Ankara also summoned the Austrian charge d'affaires at the weekend. The news ticker -- supplied by mass-circulation daily Kronen-Zeitung -- said in German: "Turkey allows sex with children under 15." By Ebru Tuncay and Tuvan Gumrukcu ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish authorities detained dozens of bank inspectors and academics on Friday and the government vowed to cut off financing to companies suspected of having ties to last month's failed coup. Turkey has detained some 40,000 people in its investigation into the July 15 attempted putsch, which it says was orchestrated by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. He denies the charges. Around 20,000 people have been formally arrested. The investigation has led to a sweeping purges of the military, civil service, police and judiciary, with around 80,000 people removed from public duty. While purges of the civil service continue, the private sector is now being targeted. The extent of the purges has unnerved Turkey's Western allies, who fear President Tayyip Erdogan may be using investigations to stifle dissent. Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said the government was in talks with banks to cut off funding to firms linked to Gulen. "The cutting off of terror financing... is critical," he told broadcaster TRT Haber. "We are talking about a few hundred companies, this is not enough to impact the economy seriously." Police on Friday detained 29 inspectors from the BDDK banking watchdog, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The banking investigators were detained on suspicion of making "irregular" investigations into the account of a government-related foundation and those of business people, including targets close to Erdogan, Anadolu said. A spokesman for the BDDK, which regulates Turkey's banking sector, was not immediately available for comment. Authorities on Thursday ordered the detention of nearly 200 people, including leading businessmen, and seized their assets in an operation targeting a Gulen-linked business association. INTERFAITH DIALOGUE Erdogan has vowed to choke off businesses with ties to Gulen, describing his schools, firms and charities as "nests of terrorism". Authorities say 4,262 such companies and institutions have been shut. Also on Thursday, a court in the central Turkish city of Kayseri appointed state administrators to take over the businesses of the energy-to-furniture Boydak group, which has 14,000 employees, Anadolu said. The group's top executives have already been formally arrested. Erdogan has long accused Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, of running a "parallel network" inside government institutions and the military. Gulen has denied that charge and condemned the coup attempt. Gulen's organization, which advocates philanthropy, interfaith dialogue and science-based education, has followers across Turkish society. It helped Erdogan in the first years after his Islamist-rooted AK Party was elected in 2002. But the two men later fell out after police and prosecutors seen as sympathetic to the cleric opened a corruption investigation into Erdogan's inner circle in 2013. Authorities also detained dozens of academics and issued a total 145 arrest warrants for university staff in operations focused on Istanbul University and Konya in central Turkey, Anadolu said. At Istanbul University, 44 academics were detained and their rooms and homes were being searched, it said. Another 18 of their colleagues were set to be detained. Prosecutors in Konya issued arrest warrants for 83 academics, of which 29 have so far been detained in an operation stretching across 17 provinces, the agency said. Among those facing arrest was the former rector of Konya's Selcuk University, who Anadolu said was currently on the run. (Reporting by Ebru Tuncay and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Writing by David Dolan and Daren Butler; editing by Patrick Markey and Ralph Boulton) ATHENS (Reuters) - A Turkish soldier who fled to Greece after a failed military coup attempt in Turkey last month was interviewed by asylum officials in Athens on Friday, the first step in a legal process which will help determine whether he should be sent back home. Eight soldiers flew a military helicopter to the northern Greek border town of Alexandroupolis on July 16, a day after the coup attempt unfolded. They immediately sought political asylum but were arrested and later sentenced to two months in jail on charges of entering Greece illegally. Turkey has formally sought their extradition, calling them 'traitors' and 'terrorist elements'. The men - three majors, three captains and two sergeant majors - deny any involvement in the coup and fear for their lives if returned to Turkey, according to their lawyers. "We are ready to do everything humanly possible and legally feasible, with utmost diligence, to avert the extradition of these eight innocent people to Turkey. And be sure of this, we will make it," their lawyer Stavroula Tomara said. She did not provide any information on the progress of the hearing which lasted hours and is expected to continue next week, according to government officials. The hearings of the other soldiers will follow. The case has underscored lingering tensions between NATO allies Greece and Turkey, tho neighboring countries which came to the brink of war twenty years ago over an uninhabited islet in the Aegean Sea. It has also piled pressure on the left-led government of EU member Greece, which is struggling to emerge from a debt crisis and manage Europe's worst refugee crisis in decades. Tens of thousands of migrants have arrived on Greek shores from Turkey this year, and arrivals continue despite an EU-Turkey pact. Turkey has detained thousands of soldiers including half its generals since the coup attempt, in which more than 200 people, including civilians, were killed. The eight men say they did not know a coup was under way and were obeying orders by their superiors to transport the wounded from street clashes to ambulances, according to their lawyers. They said they fled to Greece when their Black Hawk helicopter came under fire from police on the ground. Turkey's extradition demand will be ruled upon separately by a panel of Greek judges. (Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Phoebe Fronista; editing by Ralph Boulton) By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 19 (PTI) Bollywood filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who has joined hands with actor Ranveer Singh for an ad-film, heaped praise on the "Bajirao Mastani" star saying he is a good script writer. "He is a good script writer. The basic idea for this advertisement came from him," Rohit told reporters here at the launch of the ad film. advertisement The "Dilwale" director and the 31-year-old actor have teamed up for the advertisement of noodle brand, Chings noodles. Titled "Ranveer Ching Returns", it also features "Baahuabali" actress Tamannaah Bhatia. Ranveer earlier did a music video for the brand titled "My Name Is Ranveer Ching", which became a hit for its quirkiness and the song. The new ad-film has action-packed scenes with the "Ram Leela" actor fighting the villains as the world is running out of food. According to Rohit, shooting an advertisement is both easy and difficult. "Its easy to do an ad because of the concept and the difficult part is to convert that concept." Asked if he would like to direct a film, Ranveer said, "I will leave that (directing a film) to the blockbuster directors. If I think of directing a film it will be critically panned." On working with Rohit on a full-fledged movie, the actor said, "I had great time working with Rohit. Hopefully in the near future." PTI KKP NRB PSH PSH BAS --- ENDS --- Twins from Oklahoma are the latest adolescent girls to be dress coded at high school for wearing what looks like a perfectly appropriate outfit. (Photo: Getty Images) It seems that nearly every week theres at least one story about an adolescent girl who is either warned or pulled out of class entirely because officials felt her outfit didnt meet the schools dress code. This time it was a pair of twins, Avery and Alex Curtis, who were stopped in the hallway of Guymon High School in Guymon, Okla., on Aug. 17 the first day of their junior year. The twins were told their outfits simple short-sleeved dresses that appear to hit at mid-thigh were causing concern, reports the Guymon Daily Herald. According to the online 2016-2016 parent-student high school handbook, the dress code states: Skirts, dresses, shorts, and culottes are to be mid-thigh or below. Blue jeans are acceptable without holes or tears. Biker shorts, tights, and leggings may be work if outside garment meets dress code policy. Avery and Alexs dresses dont appear to violate that dress code, but according to the Guymon Daily Herald, the sisters were told that the length in the back could be affected by their school bags, meaning that their bags might cause their dresses to ride up higher than mid-thigh. Their mom, Kara Curtis, found out about the warning and wasnt happy about it. It is my understanding that the outfits Alex and Avery wore to their first day of junior year were of concern to several faculty and staff members at Guymon High School, the mom said. They were dress coded and told their clothing was inappropriate. Several people weighed in both for and against the twins outfits. I am a teacher at Guymon High School, though I didnt see the students in question, I did hear MY students discussing the situation, commented Travis Hathcote. They all agreed the dresses were too short and tight for school. Im just saying, if other STUDENTS are saying that But mom and teacher Kathryn Combs points out that too often girls are being singled out for no good reason. I think that the dress code in most schools seems to stress rules applied to girls more than their male class mates, she wrote. We are telling these girls that they are at fault when others are distracted, not that their classmates should learn how to focus and that they are in control of their reaction. It probably was more distracting bringing it to everyones attention and disciplining the girls. Story continues Mom of four Jennifer Clinesmith King agrees. I think that it isnt that the dresses are too short or too tight, she says. I think what needs to be done is instead of the faculty being concerned about these two very beautiful girls, [they] need to stop looking at them in that way and start teaching them [in] their classes. In other words, what Im saying is get your minds off of perverted thoughts and start teaching them, that is what youre there for, to teach them to become better people and teach them to strive for their dreams and goals in life, not criticizing them. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. ROME (Reuters) - Three Syrian children drowned along with three adults when a wooden boat trying to carry war refugees to Europe capsized off the coast of Libya, a humanitarian rescue group said on Friday. The bodies of two girls, aged eight months and five years, were pulled out of the sea about 22 nautical miles from Libya on Thursday after the small vessel packed with 27 Syrians flipped over and sank, the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) humanitarian group said. The bodies of two women and one man were also recovered, but a five-year-old boy who was on the boat when it sank was not found, MOAS reported. MOAS operates two rescue boats in the Mediterranean Sea between Italy and Libya. A fishing boat and a ship operated by humanitarian group Proactiva Open Arms collected the 21 survivors, who are now being taken to aboard the Responder, a MOAS boat. The media spotlight refocused on the plight of civilians in Syria's conflict this week following a wrenching video of a dust-covered, disoriented five-year-old boy, Omran Daqneesh, pulled from the rubble after a bombing raid in Aleppo. More than 500 migrants were rescued from overcrowded and unsafe boats in seas between Libya and Italy on Thursday. They included 146 people plucked from a semi-deflated rubber vessel, Italy's coastguard said. Last year, Syrian refugees bound for Europe tended to take a short boat ride to Greek islands from Turkey. Those routes have been largely shut down this year, forcing some to make the longer and more dangerous voyage from North Africa toward Italy. Thousands of children have been killed in the Syrian civil war, now in its fifth year, and more than 3,000 migrants have died in the Mediterranean so far this year, the International Organization for Migration estimates. About a quarter of all boat migrants in 2016 - some 100,000 have arrived in Italy - are children, the U.N. refugee agency says. (Reporting by Steve Scherer; editing by Larry King) * Lochte apologises to fans and Olympic hosts * Team mate Feigen agrees to pay $11,000 to charity * U.S. swimmers accused of making up story of robbery * U.S. Olympic Committee apologises to people of Brazil * Conger, Bentz fly to Miami, avoid media (Recasts with Lochte statement) By Cassandra Garrison and Caroline Stauffer MIAMI/RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - U.S. Olympic gold medallist swimmer Ryan Lochte issued an apology on Friday and his teammate Jimmy Feigen agreed to pay 35,000 reais ($11,000) to a charity after Brazilian police said they lied about being robbed at gunpoint at the weekend. Lochte, who flew to the United States the day after Sunday's incident, said he should have been more careful and candid in his account, but said it had been traumatic to have a stranger point a gun at him in a foreign country and demand money. The 32-year-old, one of America's most decorated swimmers and the most outspoken about the incident, had originally said he and three team mates, including Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, were stopped in a taxi on the way back from a party by gunmen posing as police who stole $400 from them. However, police called this a lie, and Rio's mayor said on Friday he had "pity and contempt" for the swimmers. They said one of the swimmers had vandalised a gas station after the group stopped the taxi there to use a bathroom. The swimmers started an argument with staff at the station, who demanded payment for the damage, police added. After security video emerged of the incident, the U.S. Olympic Committee admitted an act of vandalism had taken place and apologised for the incident, which had embarrassed the host city, angered the police and government, and dominated news coverage of South America's first Olympics. "I want to apologise for my behaviour of last weekend," Lochte said on his Instagram account. "Regardless of the behaviour of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that I am sorry to my teammates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors and the hosts of this great event." 'PITY AND CONTEMPT' Police said Feigen, the last of the four swimmers still in Brazil, had agreed at a hearing with a judge on Friday to pay 35,000 reais ($11,000) to a sporting charity after giving false testimony. The charity, the Reaction Institute, said Feigen's lawyer had already contacted them about making the payment. The institute brings sports to low-income communities and helped train Brazilian gold medallist judoka Rafaela Silva. A police source said Feigen's passport would be released once he made the payment and presented a receipt to authorities. Police still want to speak to Lochte, who was also summonsed to appear before the judge on Friday, and say they hope to agree with U.S. authorities to interview him in the United States. Bentz and Conger arrived in Miami on Friday aboard an American Airlines flight from Brazil, having sat in curtained-off seats for much of the journey. Police had pulled them off a flight on Wednesday night for further questioning. Bentz and Conger said they were not robbed in revised testimony given to police hours before their departure, senior Rio police officer Alexandre Braga told Reuters. Instead, they said Lochte had vandalised a local gas station early on Sunday and had an altercation with a security guard. The three other swimmers in the car tried to leave as quickly as possible because they feared Lochte would cause more damage, G1 said, quoting from the revised testimony. Bentz and Conger were jeered by angry Brazilians before leaving for Rio airport on Thursday, but received support from some other passengers on their flight . "I've got boys that age," said Lee McNutt, a 61-year-old Silicon Valley salesman returning from the Games. "I just said 'don't let this get you down. I don't think real sports fans are going to worry about this. You're young and this will pass. I told them to take tonight off. Tomorrow, start training for Tokyo." In Miami, the two swimmers caught a connecting flight, walking through the airport in matching backpacks, a Reuters witness said. Conger kept headphones on and wore an orange Team USA hooded sweatshirt. Many Brazilians have reacted angrily to the news that the swimmers fabricated their story, but others have said it shows the underlying problems in their crime-ridden nation. "If this was a Brazilian or it wasn't the Olympics, no one would have worried about it," said Janete Carvalho, 54, an English teacher, said on the streets of downtown Rio. "It wouldn't have cost them anything to have told the truth about what happened...I don't think it will harm Brazil's image, only theirs." The incident followed a series of muggings and armed robberies of high-profile athletes and visitors in Rio, including two government ministers. On Thursday, the USOC apologised "to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil" and said the swimmers' behaviour was unacceptable. It said it would further review the incident and assess any potential consequences for the athletes. USA Swimming said it could also take possible action. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes on Friday accepted the apology given by the U.S. Olympic Committee and said the swimmers' behaviour did not represent the good spirit of Team USA. But he added: "My only feelings towards them (the swimmers) are pity and contempt." ($1 = 3.2331 Brazilian reais) (Additional reporting by Rodrigo Viga, Paulo Prada, Caio Saad, Brad Brooks and Brad Haynes; Writing by Daniel Flynn; Editing by Alison Williams and Mark Bendeich) Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - US Olympic authorities have apologized to Brazil after two US swimmers were allowed to go home having retracted a fabricated story about being mugged in Rio. A third American swimmer who is still in Brazil can leave the country after he paid a donation to an "institution" of nearly $11,000, US broadcaster NBC reported his lawyer as saying early Friday. Four US swimmers, including six gold medal hero Ryan Lochte, have been at the centre of a media storm since claiming they were held up at gunpoint after leaving a party in the early hours of Sunday. "We apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence," US Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said in a statement. Blackmun spoke after Brazilian police let Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger leave the country. "Their passports have been released and they recently departed Rio," he said. A third swimmer, James Feigen, gave police a "revised statement," Blackmun said. He agreed to a deal in which he would make a hefty donation to an unspecified group in exchange for permission to leave, NBC said. "After a long deliberation, this agreement was reached... he will donate 35,000 real ($10,800) to an institute, and with that the case is resolved," the broadcaster cited Feigen's lawyer Breno Melaragno as saying. "After this donation is done, his passport will be given back to him, and he will be free to return home." Lochte was already back in the United States when the scandal erupted. Lochte said on Sunday that the four had been victims of a robbery by at least one armed assailant posing as a Rio policeman. The claim forced Brazil's Olympics organizers into an apology for the supposed security lapse. Amid growing doubts, however, a Brazilian judge issued an order Wednesday that all four swimmers be kept in Brazil while the story was probed. Story continues Brazilian police said Thursday the athletes were drunk and got into an altercation with security staff after vandalizing a gas station bathroom during a night on the town. Blackmun indicated that the athletes, questioned by police Thursday, had confirmed the police version. "They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism," the US statement said. "An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave." - Lies and videotape - Rio de Janeiro's police chief Fernando Veloso called on the athletes to apologize. He said CCTV footage at the gas station showed a security official pulling his weapon to restrain a drunk and angry Lochte and his teammates because they tried to leave after damaging the bathroom. "There was no robbery of the kind reported by the athletes," Veloso told a press conference. "The images do not show any kind of violence against them." He said police believed the swimmers handed over the equivalent of about $50 in cash to pay for the damage before leaving. Veloso said it was still not decided what charges, if any, would be brought against the swimmers. "In theory, they could end up facing charges of falsely reporting a crime and damage to property," he said. Neither offense is punishable by prison. "It would be noble and dignified of them to apologize. The only thing they told the truth about is that they were drunk." Rio 2016 Olympics chief spokesman Mario Andrada, who had apologized to the athletes after the supposed robbery, was in forgiving mood Thursday. "Let's give these kids a break," Andrada told a news conference. "These kids were trying to have fun... They made a mistake, it is part of life." - International scandal - Lochte, one of the most visible US faces at the Olympics, said an assailant put a gun to his forehead after the swimmers' taxi was pulled over. "The guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, 'Get down,'" Lochte recounted. "He took our money, he took my wallet -- he left my cell phone, he left my credentials." His report caused the Olympic authorities huge embarrassment and overshadowed sporting action in the second week of South America's first Olympics. It followed numerous confirmed incidents of theft from Olympic athletes and media covering the Games. Brazil has deployed 85,000 police and soldiers to secure the Olympics. The Lochte affair coincided with the arrest in Rio of International Olympic Committee member Patrick Hickey on allegations of taking part in a black market ticket ring. Hickey fell ill during his arrest Wednesday. He left hospital on Thursday in a black car following a police car. He was expected to face interrogation. By John A. Byrne, Poets & Quants Four years ago, supermodel Tyra Banks made headlines when she showed off her newly won Harvard Business School diploma after completing a nine-week program for executives called the Owner/President Management program. Now shes moving to the front of the classroom as a teacher at, of all places, Harvards biggest business school rival, Stanford Universitys Graduate School of Business. Poets & Quants has learned that the 42-year-old Banks is scheduled to co-teach a spring elective for MBA students called Project You: Building & Extending Your Personal Brand with GSB lecturer Allison Kluger. The supermodel-to-professor switch apparently came about after Banks showed up on the Stanford campus last May for a fireside chat as part of a Stanford Women in Business leadership series, according to a spokesperson for the school. Kluger, formerly a producer for The View and once a host for a cable-TV shopping network, was in the audience. IN HBS FINANCE CLASSES, SHE HOPED NEVER TO BE COLD CALLED BY A PROFESSOR For the past two years, Kluger has been teaching courses in reputation management and strategic communications at Stanfords business school. An early conversation between her and Banks at the business school event ultimately led to the co-teaching partnership for the new MBA elective. Stanford GSB Lecturer Allison Kluger Banks should know a thing or two about personal branding. She turned her runway success into a multimedia brand and was at the center of two successful TV series, Americas Next Top Model and The Tyra Banks Show, which ran for 810 episodes and won two Emmys. She took the HBS executive education course to help her build and lead her self-funded startup, TYRA Beauty, a cosmetics business. Her reinvention from a model to an iconic consumer brand gives her plenty of classroom cred. When she was asked to name her most difficult HBS class, she quickly noted it was finance. For the first 30 minutes of the class, Im raising my hand, Im all into it, cause its kind of like theory and just like, the social part of the case, she told VH1 during an interview. The last hour its all like Einstein and algebraic equations and craziness. And Im just like, what the [heck] is going on? Please dont call on me because it wont be pretty. Story continues HOW TO BUILD, BROADCAST, MAINTAIN & PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL BRAND Now Banks, who gleefully tweeted a photo of herself on the HBS campus with her Harvard certificate, will get to call on others. The two-credit course, recently listed in the schools online course catalog, focuses on how to build, broadcast, maintain and protect your personal brand. According to the description of the course, Project You will help each student realize: What is a personal brand and how can it be unleashed as a valuable, competitive advantage? Why do you need a personal brand? How do you differentiate yourself and create a brand identity and strategy? How do you use social and traditional media to enhance your brand effectively as well as measure the metrics of social media responses? And how do you know when to pivot and evolve your brand for sustainability? Smiling ear2ear on the Harvard Business School campus w/ my diploma! Tnx 2 my fab photographer mama 4 the pic! pic.twitter.com/4nAUikL4 Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) February 23, 2012 Kluger and Banks appear to be planning what they are calling a highly interactive learning course that will inevitably be oversubscribed. MBAs who get into the class have to watch a video entitled Who you are, what your personal brand is, and what you want it to be. Among the assignments will be image transformations, live broadcasting of presentations at a television station, live streaming of portions of the class on Facebook Live, and YouTube recordings, according to the course catalog. For Banks, the supermodel, TV and movie star, talk show host, producer, and entrepreneur, its a chance to add yet another title to a striking resume of achievements. After all, while she wont officially be a professor at Stanford, she will be a guest lecturer at one of the best business schools in the world. By Scot J. Paltrow NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States Armys finances are so jumbled it had to make trillions of dollars of improper accounting adjustments to create an illusion that its books are balanced. The Defense Departments Inspector General, in a June report, said the Army made $2.8 trillion in wrongful adjustments to accounting entries in one quarter alone in 2015, and $6.5 trillion for the year. Yet the Army lacked receipts and invoices to support those numbers or simply made them up. As a result, the Armys financial statements for 2015 were materially misstated, the report concluded. The forced adjustments rendered the statements useless because DoD and Army managers could not rely on the data in their accounting systems when making management and resource decisions. Disclosure of the Armys manipulation of numbers is the latest example of the severe accounting problems plaguing the Defense Department for decades. The report affirms a 2013 Reuters series revealing how the Defense Department falsified accounting on a large scale as it scrambled to close its books. As a result, there has been no way to know how the Defense Department far and away the biggest chunk of Congress annual budget spends the publics money. The new report focused on the Armys General Fund, the bigger of its two main accounts, with assets of $282.6 billion in 2015. The Army lost or didnt keep required data, and much of the data it had was inaccurate, the IG said. Where is the money going? Nobody knows, said Franklin Spinney, a retired military analyst for the Pentagon and critic of Defense Department planning. The significance of the accounting problem goes beyond mere concern for balancing books, Spinney said. Both presidential candidates have called for increasing defense spending amid current global tension. An accurate accounting could reveal deeper problems in how the Defense Department spends its money. Its 2016 budget is $573 billion, more than half of the annual budget appropriated by Congress. The Army accounts errors will likely carry consequences for the entire Defense Department. Congress set a September 30, 2017 deadline for the department to be prepared to undergo an audit. The Army accounting problems raise doubts about whether it can meet the deadline a black mark for Defense, as every other federal agency undergoes an audit annually. For years, the Inspector General the Defense Departments official auditor has inserted a disclaimer on all military annual reports. The accounting is so unreliable that the basic financial statements may have undetected misstatements that are both material and pervasive. In an e-mailed statement, a spokesman said the Army remains committed to asserting audit readiness by the deadline and is taking steps to root out the problems. The spokesman downplayed the significance of the improper changes, which he said net out to $62.4 billion. Though there is a high number of adjustments, we believe the financial statement information is more accurate than implied in this report, he said. "THE GRAND PLUG" Jack Armstrong, a former Defense Inspector General official in charge of auditing the Army General Fund, said the same type of unjustified changes to Army financial statements already were being made when he retired in 2010. The Army issues two types of reports a budget report and a financial one. The budget one was completed first. Armstrong said he believes fudged numbers were inserted into the financial report to make the numbers match. They dont know what the heck the balances should be, Armstrong said. Some employees of the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS), which handles a wide range of Defense Department accounting services, referred sardonically to preparation of the Armys year-end statements as the grand plug, Armstrong said. Plug is accounting jargon for inserting made-up numbers. At first glance adjustments totaling trillions may seem impossible. The amounts dwarf the Defense Departments entire budget. Making changes to one account also require making changes to multiple levels of sub-accounts, however. That created a domino effect where, essentially, falsifications kept falling down the line. In many instances this daisy-chain was repeated multiple times for the same accounting item. The IG report also blamed DFAS, saying it too made unjustified changes to numbers. For example, two DFAS computer systems showed different values of supplies for missiles and ammunition, the report noted but rather than solving the disparity, DFAS personnel inserted a false correction to make the numbers match. DFAS also could not make accurate year-end Army financial statements because more than 16,000 financial data files had vanished from its computer system. Faulty computer programming and employees inability to detect the flaw were at fault, the IG said. DFAS is studying the report and has no comment at this time, a spokesman said. (Edited by Ronnie Greene.) It was a near disaster. A joint team of elite American special operations troops and Kurdish fighters working together on the ground in northern Syria came under fire from Syrian Su-24 warplanes, prompting urgent calls for help. The U.S. scrambled aircraft to protect the elite forces, raising the prospect that Washington and Damascus could have been in direct combat for the first time. In the end, the Syrian planes flew off without inflicting any casualties any of the Americans, though local reports said that several Kurds were killed and injured. he U.S. aircraft narrowly missed intercepting the Syrian planes, which had already left the scene near the town of Hasakah, U.S. officials said Friday. The incident illustrates the dangers faced by some 300 U.S. commandos on the ground in northern Syria advising the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition of mostly Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State. It also raises questions over the level of air support and protection Washington is willing to provide the SDF as they engage with the Syrian army, which is a fight the Obama administration is not interested in engaging in. In response to the strikes, U.S. military officials contacted their Russian counterparts also operating in Syria, who offered their assurances that their planes werent operating in the area. We made clear that Coalition aircraft would defend its troops on the ground if threatened, said Marine Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a Pentagon spokesman said in an email. The Syrian Regime would be well advised not to interfere with Coalition forces or its partners, he added. Soon after the bombing runs, coalition aircraft arrived in response, though the Syrian planes had already departed. It is unclear what aircraft were deployed, but earlier this year, Washington sent F-15 fighters, which specialize in air-to-air combat, to the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. The United States will begin increasing air patrols in northern Syria, especially near Hasakah, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters Friday. Obviously this is very unusual, he added. Weve not seen the regime take this kind of action against YPG before, he said, using an acronym for Syrian Kurdish fighters. Story continues There has been some question as to how close to the fighting the American advisors are. In May, a series of photos emerged of U.S. commandos patrolling in the village of Fatisah north of the groups de facto capital of Raqqa. Just a month prior to that, the Obama administration announced that it was sending 250 more special operators to Syria, to bolster the force of about 50 that were already on the ground. A Kurdish spokesmen later vowed revenge for Thursdays attack, raising the possibility of a widening conflict between Syrian troops and Kurdish fighters, who have focused much of their attention on beating back the Islamic State. Elsewhere in Syria on Friday, two Russian warships operating in the Mediterranean Sea fired volleys of Kalibr cruise missiles at Nusra Front targets in Syria. In October, Russian warships in the Caspian Sea fired 26 Kalibr missiles at targets more than 900 miles away in Syria. Photo Credit: DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images (New throughout, adds comment from drivers' lawyer and detail from judge's decision) By Dan Levine and Heather Somerville SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 18 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday rejected an attempt by Uber Technologies Inc to settle a class action lawsuit with drivers who claimed they were employees and entitled to expenses. In a case that has been closely watched in Silicon Valley, where many companies use on-demand workers, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled the settlement was not fair or adequate for Uber drivers. Some drivers had objected to terms of the settlement valued at up to $100 million, which would have affected roughly 385,000 current and former drivers in California and Massachusetts. Uber drivers contended in the lawsuit they should be deemed employees and reimbursed for expenses such as gasoline and vehicle maintenance. Those expenses are now borne by the drivers. The proposed settlement would have kept drivers classified as independent contractors. Several drivers who were part of the class filed objections with the court, particularly because the proposed amount was well below the total potential damages in the case of roughly $850 million. In a statement, Uber said it believed the settlement was fair and reasonable. "We're disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options," the company said. Chen noted that part of the proposed settlement, $16 million, would only have been paid to drivers if Uber's valuation grew by a certain benchmark within a year of any initial public offering. Because Uber could not provide specific information that such an outcome was likely, Chen said he would not consider those dollars as part of the settlement. The remaining $84 million, Chen said, represented a "substantial discount" on the full value of driver claims. Among Chen's primary concerns were claims related to the Private Attorney General Act, which could come with penalties far exceeding the $1 million the settlement allowed. PAGA, passed in California in 2004, states that individuals may pursue civil penalties for labor code violations, and share any payment recovered with the state. Story continues Both parties could reach a new agreement that satisfies the judge's concerns, said Shannon Liss-Riordan, the attorney representing the drivers. "But if not, as I've said before, I will take the case to trial and fight my hardest for the Uber drivers," she said. However, Liss-Riordan said, if there is no settlement agreement, the number of drivers included in the case would drop to about 8,000, because many drivers did not opt out of the arbitration clause in Uber's licensing agreement. (Reporting by Dan Levine; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and David Gregorio) By Dan Levine and Heather Somerville SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday rejected an attempt by Uber Technologies Inc to settle a class action lawsuit with drivers who claimed they were employees and entitled to expenses. In a case that has been closely watched in Silicon Valley, where many companies use on-demand workers, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled the settlement was not fair or adequate for Uber drivers. Some drivers had objected to terms of the settlement valued at up to $100 million, which would have affected roughly 385,000 current and former drivers in California and Massachusetts. Uber drivers contended in the lawsuit they should be deemed employees and reimbursed for expenses such as gasoline and vehicle maintenance. Those expenses are now borne by the drivers. The proposed settlement would have kept drivers classified as independent contractors. Several drivers who were part of the class filed objections with the court, particularly because the proposed amount was well below the total potential damages in the case of roughly $850 million. In a statement, Uber said it believed the settlement was fair and reasonable. "We're disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options," the company said. Chen noted that part of the proposed settlement, $16 million, would only have been paid to drivers if Uber's valuation grew by a certain benchmark within a year of any initial public offering. Because Uber could not provide specific information that such an outcome was likely, Chen said he would not consider those dollars as part of the settlement. The remaining $84 million, Chen said, represented a "substantial discount" on the full value of driver claims. Among Chen's primary concerns were claims related to the Private Attorney General Act, which could come with penalties far exceeding the $1 million the settlement allowed. PAGA, passed in California in 2004, states that individuals may pursue civil penalties for labor code violations, and share any payment recovered with the state. Story continues Both parties could reach a new agreement that satisfies the judge's concerns, said Shannon Liss-Riordan, the attorney representing the drivers. "But if not, as Ive said before, I will take the case to trial and fight my hardest for the Uber drivers," she said. However, Liss-Riordan said, if there is no settlement agreement, the number of drivers included in the case would drop to about 8,000, because many drivers did not opt out of the arbitration clause in Uber's licensing agreement. (Reporting by Dan Levine; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and David Gregorio) By Press Trust of India: The Centre has taken "serious steps" against insurgency in the northeast and the situation in Assam is "better" than before, Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said. SITUATION BETTER "Militant activity is under control in Assam and now the situation in the state is better than before," the minister of state for home told reporters after inauguration the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. advertisement Rijiju said, "I had talked with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and he had asked for extra paramilitary forces for the state. It had been decided to send the forces as soon as possible, but it has got delayed due to the volatile situation in Kashmir." OPERATIONS ON-GOING Referring to the August 5 gunning down of 14 people by NDFB (Songbijit) in Assam's Kokrajhar district -- the worst since the 2014 attack by the group when over 76 people were killed, he said operations against the outfit are still on and the army is participating in the ops under Tezpur-based 4 Corps Tezpur and Nagaland-based 3 Corps. The NDFB (S) attack in Kokrajhar was a "very shocking incident" after the 2014 carnage, he said, adding the Centre had recently spoken to the government of Bhutan and the Prime Minister of Myanmar about militants from here hiding in the two neighbouring countries. On the anti-talk ULFA (I), he said it is now desperate and is trying to show its strength but the Centre has taken a tough stance against it. ALSO READ: Northeast rebel groups call for total shutdown on Independence Day Chinese army transgressed Arunachals border twice last month --- ENDS --- By Anastasia Moloney BOGOTA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A U.S. federal appeals court has upheld the United Nations' immunity from a damage claim filed by human rights lawyers on behalf of thousands of Haitians killed or sickened by a cholera epidemic they blame on U.N. peacekeepers. In a decision late on Thursday, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York upheld a lower court's January 2015 dismissal of a lawsuit brought by lawyers seeking compensation and a public apology for 5,000 Haitian cholera victims. "We have considered all of plaintiffs' arguments on appeal and find them to be without merit," the U.S. appellate judges concluded. Cholera, a water-borne disease, has killed more than 9,000 Haitians and infected over 770,000 since the outbreak began in 2010, U.N. figures show. The court's decision came shortly after Farhan Haq, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, admitted the U.N.'s possible involvement in the introduction of cholera to Haiti. "...over the past year the U.N. has become convinced it needs to do much more regarding its own involvement in the initial outbreak and the suffering of those affected by cholera," he told reporters on Thursday. Lawyers for the plaintiffs said the remarks were a breakthrough because it was the first time the U.N. had acknowledged any involvement in causing the cholera outbreak. A 2011 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said U.N. peacekeepers from Nepal, where cholera is endemic, were the likely cause of the outbreak. The peacekeepers on mission in Haiti were stationed near a river and discharged raw sewage. Brian Concannon, executive director of the Boston-based Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), the group that filed the lawsuit on behalf of cholera victims, said they had 90 days to decide whether to seek an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. "We will decide how to proceed based on whether the U.N.'s actions fulfill the cholera victims' rights to an effective remedy," Concannon said in a statement. A previous January 2015 ruling on the cholera case by a U.S. court said that the U.N. can block lawsuits established by a 1946 international convention and is thus immune to such legal action. But lawyers for the plaintiffs have long argued that the U.N. is not entitled to immunity under the convention because it has failed to establish any kind of settlement process for the cholera victims, as required by the same convention. "This outcome places the onus back on the U.N. to follow through on its commitments to respond justly to victims out of court if it does not want to be an organization that stands for impunity," Mario Joseph, a Haitian lawyer who heads the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux, IJDH's partner in Haiti, said in a statement. Health experts say cholera, which had not been documented in Haiti in almost 100 years prior to the outbreak, will continue to kill and infect Haitians as long as they lack access to clean water and sanitation. (Reporting by Anastasia Moloney, editing by Ros Russell.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) Ever since swimmer Ryan Lochte alleged that he'd been robbed at gunpoint in Rio during the Summer Olympic Games, the United States Olympic Committee has been monitoring the situation but not choosing a side in the dueling accounts of what really happened that night. Until now. In a conciliatory statement obtained by PEOPLE, the USOC took the unprecedented step of apologizing to the entire country of Brazil for the alleged actions of Lochte, Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and James Feigen. Lochte has said the foursome was robbed at gunpoint early Sunday, during a taxi ride back to the Olympic village. But the new statement issued by USOC CEO Scott Blackmun seems to corroborate what Brazilian authorities said their investigation revealed about the robbery claim, including that there was actually an altercation between the swimmers and gas station security. Blackmun promises to review the matter for "potential consequences" to the athletes. Brazilian police have recommended criminal charges of falsely reporting a crime for Feigen and Lochte, after they both gave police interviews about the incident. U.S. Olympic Committee Apologizes to Brazil For Swimmers' Behavior During Alleged Robbery, Promising 'Potential Consequences'| Olympics, Summer Olympics 2016, Ryan Lochte Lochte, who returned to America earlier this week, has not yet publicly discussed the ensuing controversy, except when he reaffirmed his story in an interview with NBC. His laywer declined to comment to PEOPLE, but told ABC News in a statement that "a gun was pointed at the swimmers and they were forced to get out of their cab and give up their money. "No matter what happened at that gas station, the swimmers were robbed by people with a gun appearing to be law enforcement. No matter what country you are in that is robbery and robbery is a serious crime." Below is the USOC statement in its entirety: Two U.S. Olympic swimmers (Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger) have given statements to local authorities today regarding the incident first reported on Sunday, August 14, 2016. Their passports have been released and they recently departed Rio. After providing a statement earlier in the week, a third (James Feigen) provided a revised statement this evening with the hope of securing the release of his passport as soon as possible. Working in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate in Rio, we have coordinated the athletes' cooperation with local authorities and ensured their safety throughout the process, but we have not seen the full statements provided by Bentz and Conger. However, we understand that they describe the events that many have seen on surveillance video made publicly available today. As we understand it, the four athletes (Bentz, Conger, Feigen and Ryan Lochte) left France House early in the morning of August 14 in a taxi headed to the Olympic Village. They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism. An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave. The behavior of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members. We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States. On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, we apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence. With three days remaining in the Olympic Games, our primary focus will remain on supporting the athletes who are still competing and celebrating the achievements of those who have finished. Dozens of autonomous Uber vehicles are about to be roaming the streets of Pittsburg, but the companys chief executive says its human drivers have nothing to worry about. I dont think the number of human drivers will go down anytime soon, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick told Business Insider. In fact, I think in an autonomous world, it goes up. Many observers argue that autonomous cars pose a threat to professional drivers, who seemingly stand to be outmoded by the technology. Kalanick, however, claims that such vehicles will still require human labor for two reasons. First, they arent great at handling certain road conditions, like bad whether or countryside driving. Until the robot cars master those situations, human drivers will be necessary. Second, those robot cars still require people to maintain them. (For now, anyway.) Heres Kalanicks full quote: Business Insider: How do you keep Ubers driver partners excited about working for Uber when todays announcement is that youre one step closer to replacing them? I believe your engineering director said youre trying to wean riders off having drivers. Kalanick: The first part is that the timescale is pretty long. Weve got income opportunities today and we got ways of serving the city today. Thats part 1. Part 2 is that if youre talking about a city like San Francisco or the Bay Area generally, we have like 30,000 active drivers. We are going to go from 30,000 to, lets say, hypothetically, a million cars, right? But when you go to a million cars youre still going to need a human-driven parallel, or hybrid. And the reason why is because there are just places that autonomous cars are just not going to be able to go or conditions theyre not going to be able to handle. And even though it is going to be a smaller percentage of the whole, I can imagine 50,000 to 100,000 drivers, human drivers, alongside a million car network. I can imagine 50,000 to 100,000 drivers, human drivers, alongside a million car network. So I dont think the number of human drivers will go down anytime soon. In fact, I think in an autonomous world, it goes up. In absolute figures. Of course, in percentage its down. But then you also think, what about the tens of thousands of jobs that are necessary to maintain that fleet? That said, Kalanick has made no secret of his desire to replace Ubers human drivers. Those drivers, after all, are not full employees, but rather independent contractors contractors who often agitate for better pay and other rights, creating legal headaches for the company. His life might be simpler without them. Ubers drivers will likely be fine in the short term, but those planning on a longtime driving career would be wise to consider alternate routes. LONDON (Reuters) - The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party has refused to say whether he would defend a NATO ally if one was invaded by Russia. Jeremy Corbyn was asked several times at a leadership debate in Birmingham, central England, on Thursday if he would support the military alliance's key principle of "collective defense" where any attack on one member country is considered an attack against all members. Corbyn declined to give any assurances that he would do so if he won power. Instead he stressed the need for diplomatic solutions, saying he wanted to achieve a world where there was no need to go to war. "You'd obviously try to avoid that happening in the first place, you would build up a good dialogue with Russia to ask them and support them is respecting borders," he said. "We would try and introduce a demilitarization of the borders between Russia, Ukraine and all the other countries down in the border between Russia and eastern Europe." The Labour Party has been in turmoil since Britain's June 23 vote to leave the European Union, with veteran left-winger Corbyn's position being challenged by fellow lawmaker Owen Smith. Smith said he would go to the aid of a fellow NATO member. In the past Corbyn has backed Britain's withdrawal from NATO though more recently he has talked of a more restricted role for the alliance. Though Smith is backed by most of Labour's elected lawmakers, Corbyn is strong favorite to win the leadership contest thanks to widespread support at grassroots level. The outcome of the leadership election is expected on Sept. 24. NATO's mutual defense guarantee is a commitment that comes without any "conditions or caveats," British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said last month. (Reporting by James Davey,; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations will give "material" aid to cholera victims in Haiti and their families, the secretary general's spokesman said Friday, citing the international body's "moral responsibility." UN chief Ban Ki-moon, in a statement by a spokesman, also noted that a decision Thursday by a US federal appeals court "upheld the immunity of the organization from legal proceedings" brought against it over the cholera crisis. US courts have consistently found the international body, headquartered in New York, to be immune from lawsuits over the cholera epidemic that has killed 10,000 people since it broke out in 2010 near a UN peacekeepers' base. "The Secretary General is actively working to develop a package that would provide material assistance and support to those Haitians most directly affected by cholera," the statement said. The aid would go to "the victims of the disease and their families." It marked the first time the UN has pledged direct financial aid to victims of the epidemic. The organization has established anti-cholera and sanitation programs in cooperation with the Haitian government. The announcement came a day after the UN acknowledged it had played a role in the deadly epidemic in the poorest country in the Americas. The UN said Friday it also wants to step up its efforts to contain and eradicate the epidemic, improve health care and treatment, and develop water, health and sanitation infrastructure in the Caribbean nation. Those efforts "have been seriously underfunded," Ban said. "The United Nations has a moral responsibility to the victims of the cholera epidemic and for supporting Haiti in overcoming the epidemic and building sound water, sanitation and health systems," his spokesman's statement said. Ban's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq declined to give details about the planned measures, saying they were being decided at the highest level. The results are expected to be unveiled in two months. Story continues Cholera, transmitted through contaminated drinking water and causes acute diarrhea, is a major challenge in a country with poor sanitary conditions. Some 72 percent of Haitians have no toilets at home and 42 percent still lack access to drinking water, the UN says. The disease is still spreading. In a report earlier this month, French epidemiologist Roland Piarroux found more than 21,000 cases and 200 deaths took place from January to June. "With a rainy season that will last through November or possibly December, we worry that cholera will be especially deadly this year, easily killing 400 or 500 people." United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations on Thursday said it had found no sign of any suspicious military activity by Morocco in the disputed Western Sahara, after a separatist group complained about a Moroccan security operation in the region's far south. The Polisario Front campaigning for the independence of the Western Sahara had protested to the UN about the operation earlier this week, claiming it had involved large numbers of military units and had taken them beyond the sand wall that marks Morocco's normal area of control. Responding to the complaint, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the UN mission in the territory, MINURSO, had investigated the allegations and had "not observed military presence or equipment in the buffer strip". "The mission observed what were assessed as civilian vehicles moving across the berm but was not able to determine additional information" he told reporters in New York. "MINURSO continues its liaison with both parties in order to ascertain the facts with regards to the alleged incident." Morocco said its operation in the Gargarate area north of Mauritania's second city Nouadhibou, which began on Sunday, was aimed at stopping cross-border smuggling, particularly of second-hand and stolen vehicles. A 1991 ceasefire brokered by the United Nations that ended 16 years of conflict between Morocco and the Polisario left Morocco in control of all of the territory's main towns and the Polisario confined to a narrow strip of the desert interior. The far south was left as a no-man's land with neither side having a permanent presence. Rabat maintains that the Western Sahara is an integral part of Morocco, despite UN resolutions calling for a referendum on self-determination. The UN said earlier this month it was preparing a "formal proposal" to jumpstart talks on settling the decades-old conflict over the Western Sahara, after four rounds of failed talks since 2007. From Popular Mechanics When I was casting around for furniture to take to college, I found a red Army footlocker I'd never seen before. It probably came from the garage. My mom, who once bought a truck just to bring home tables and chests of drawers left on the side of the road, helped me paint and stencil it so it would match my dorm-room decor. In the fifteen years since, the footlocker followed me to nine apartments in three cities-filled with Halloween costumes, old photo albums, Christmas ornaments. Eventually I learned that it once belonged to my stepdad's father, Richard Purnell, who had done a tour at Osan Air Base in Korea as an Army corporal in the early 1960s, after the signing of the armistice that unofficially ended the Korean War in 1953. Apart from an insignia he had misplaced somewhere, the footlocker was the only artifact from that time that hadn't been thrown away. And I'd put it in storage. I felt a bit ashamed about that, so I started asking questions. Photo credit: Cory Dawson Every antique is a catalog of the past, and in that way refurbishing an old footlocker is much like doing construction in, say, Rome, where you must proceed carefully lest you encounter a subterranean landmark you don't want destroyed. I had no idea what I'd find under the trunk's layers and layers of paint, which were so deep in places that they'd dried in globs. I didn't want to use a heat gun and fry through wood, if that was what was under there, and I didn't want to accidentally grind the rivets flat with a power sander. "That was a long time ago," my grandpa said when I called to ask about the trunk's original condition. He didn't remember what it was made of, but he did remember getting it on the sly from a friend who worked in the supply division when he came home in 1963. "They expected you to pack your stuff in boxes and duffel bags," he said. "It was much simpler to know somebody and get them to give you a footlocker." Story continues He told me he was about to take a weeklong vacation to California with my grandma to visit my great-uncle's farm. "I'll just give you a call when I get to the bottom of all the paint," I said. "Oh, you'll still be doing that when we get back." I knocked on each of the trunk's surfaces but, not being MacGyver, couldn't tell what materials the sounds might indicate. Then I asked senior home editor Roy Berendsohn for help. Roy got a magnet, which was how we learned that the corners, handles, and rivets were steel. The panel and edge banding materials remained a mystery. Roy advised taking the restoration slowly so as to catch any markings that might appear along the way, so I dipped wet-or-dry 220-grit sandpaper in a bucket of water, folded the paper in thirds, and sanded away. Folding in thirds gives you three sanding surfaces to work with before you have to replace your sandpaper. You just flip or refold whenever the grit wears down. Underneath the top layer of paint, the trunk was red, and then yellow. I wiped away the muddy mix of colors from the center panel, and an image of a toy soldier appeared. Photo credit: Cory Dawson My grandma filled me in: My stepdad was born in 1966, three years after his dad came home from Korea. My grandma painted the trunk yellow and covered it with decals of toy soldiers to make it a toy box for her son. In one generation it had gone from a tool of war to a container for playthings. At this point, I'd gotten through only two layers, and on only one panel. I could be sanding for weeks. It was time to employ paint stripper, which I'd hoped to avoid because it's nasty stuff that requires gloves, a respirator, and eye protection. I found something much more gentle called 3M Safest Stripper, which is as thick as Elmer's glue, biodegradable, and creates no fumes. They say you can use it without gloves, but I put them on anyway. I globbed it on with a metal scraper and waited. Photo credit: Cory Dawson Three hours later, the footlocker looked like it had erupted in hives. I scraped fistfuls of bubbling paint off the panels with the scraper and used a thin steel pry bar and a pentalobe screwdriver from a cellphone-repair kit to clean the crevices around the hardware. I repeated this process again and again. There were six colors of paint in all: the light green with bronze moon stencils I'd added before taking the trunk to college in 2001; the red my stepdad added before taking it to camp in 1976; the yellow from the toy-box era; two layers of Army green that came off in a slime; and a dusty reddish primer. The biggest clue as to the trunk's original manufacture appeared on the lid after the very first stripping. An oval stamped with "Purves Manu-facturing Corp. 1948" sat above the front lock. I contacted Luther Hanson, a historian with the U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum in Fort Lee, Virginia, which catalogs the history of the Army branch that provides soldiers with clothes, food, and equipment. Hanson told me that Purves had been based in Indianapolis and had Army contracts from World War II through Korea. So even though my grandfather hadn't been to war, the trunk probably had. It might have even belonged to someone who didn't come home. After four doses of the stripper, I'd hauled more than a gallon of soggy paint out of the workshop. Most of the trunk was a patchy green-brown, but the hardware had gotten down to the primer. I found that brushing the metal with a steel-wire brush removed most of the red and imparted a dull, antiqued sheen. The flexible wet-or-dry sandpaper I'd used earlier was crucial for handles and crevices where the primer wouldn't come off. In places where the primer was thick, I used sandpaper with a rougher grit, though nothing lower than 100, to avoid scratching the metal. The edge bandings, once fully exposed, had been crafted out of some sort of composite that was too soft and oddly colored to leave bare. It might have been a thick cardboard or plastic. Regardless, I'd have to paint it. To remove the remainder of the paint stripper and any flakes, I sanded the entire trunk with wet 220-grit paper and wiped it with a rag. Then I sanded it again with dry 220-grit and wiped off the dust with a tack cloth. The trunk at this point looked like it could fit in on the set of M*A*S*H. It didn't look awful, but it would fit in at my Brooklyn apartment about as well as a tommy gun. Though I wanted to respect the trunk, I knew that if I left it a patchy Army green it would just end up back in a closet. To make it work as a coffee table, I masked the metal hardware with ScotchBlue outdoor painter's tape. (It's stickier than the indoor kind and won't slip off even after multiple coats.) Then I primed the whole trunk with Rust-Oleum's Clean Metal primer to protect the rivets and any other metal. I taped off the trim and painted two coats of white-eggshell finish on the body of the trunk with a four-inch paint roller. Then I taped off the body and painted two coats of black eggshell finish on the trim. Finally, I protected the painted parts and sprayed an acrylic over the metal hardware. The final product looked as neat as a bunk in an Army barracks. One of the times I talked to my grandfather about the footlocker, he told me he had worked as an air-ground liaison in Korea, watching his friends fly out over the DMZ almost every day or going out himself. The DMZ wasn't straight, he said. The very day before he left to come home, his captain was in a helicopter that zigged when it should have zagged. It was shot down in North Korea and soldiers hauled the captain off in something called a deuce-and-a-half. I looked that up. It's one of those hooded trucks you see in old war movies. The captain made it home, but not for another six months. That made me think about how often luck determines who comes home from dangerous places and who doesn't. It was lucky that my grandfather was in Korea ten years after the war and not during it. And it was lucky again that he made it home safe. I felt fortunate to have an old trunk that had been through so much. And I felt proud of the hard work that made it look this good again. Photo credit: Cory Dawson *This article originally appeared in the September 2016 issue of Popular Mechanics. You Might Also Like United Continental Holdings Inc. UAL announced changes to its managerial team. The company has appointed Andrew Levy as Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Levy will replace Gerry Laderman, the acting CFO who will go back to his position as the senior vice president, finance, procurement and treasurer. Meanwhile, Julia Haywood has been appointed as executive vice president and chief commercial officer (CMO). The chief revenue officer and vice chairman of the company, Jim Compton is expected to retire after the transition by the end of 2016. The new appointments are one of the several major decisions undertaken by the companys Chief Financial Officer, Oscar Munoz as he strives to bring about a turnaround at United Continental. Background of New Joiners Levy has been in the airline industry for the past 13 years. He has been part of the leadership team at Allegiant Travel Company and has served as Chief Operating Officer and CFO. Haywood has a consulting background and joined United Continental after working at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). She was also part of the leadership team at BCG having served as a partner and managing director. Before joining United Continental as CMO, Haywood was a partner on the revenue and network transformation team of BCG at United. Both Levy and Haywood have years of experience and leadership between them and it is expected that the new appointees will bring in beneficial changes for the company. In addition to appointing new leaders, United Continental has been actively working on finalizing several employee contracts to improve operational efficiency. Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider United Continental currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the transportation sector include Copa Holdings SA CPA with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Star Bulk Carriers Corp. SBLK and SkyWest Inc. SKYW with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report COPA HLDGS SA-A (CPA): Free Stock Analysis Report SKYWEST INC (SKYW): Free Stock Analysis Report STAR BULK CARRS (SBLK): Free Stock Analysis Report UNITED CONT HLD (UAL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Scientists have found DNA traces of the long-eradicated disease, smallpox, in in Siberia's melting permafrost. By India Today Web Desk: Smallpox, accorded as one of the deadliest diseases ever, took at least 300 million lives in the 20th century. It killed 400,000 Europeans during the 18th century, 11,000 Native Americans between 1775 to 1782, and over 15,000 Indians in just five months in 1974. In December 1979, the WHO declared smallpox to have been eradicated worldwide. But as per a recent report, this disease could be back with a vengeance, thanks to climate change. advertisement Scientists in Siberia fear that the rising level of melting permafrost in the Yakutia region could lead to a smallpox outbreak. How can melting permafrost cause smallpox outbreak? In the 1890s, a smallpox epidemic is said to have killed 40 per cent of a Siberian town's population. The bodies of these infected people were "buried under the upper layer of permafrost soil on the bank of the Kolyma River". This permafrost layer is now melting into the Kolyma river, as its floodwaters erode the banks away. Recently, researchers found spores of potentially fatal anthrax from bodies and carcasses buried in the permafrost at Yamal peninsula near Salekhard. They also found corpses with sores that look a lot like the scars left behind by smallpox. Experts from the Virology and Biotechnology Centre are currently testing the spores for other diseases. And while smallpox virus itself has not been found, scientists did find traces of smallpox DNA here. Global warming making matters worse The permafrost in the Yakutia region usually melts between 30 to 60 cm. But this year, according to the Permafrost Studies Institute, it has melted more than a metre. "The rock and soil that forms the Yamal Peninsula contains much ice," PSI Deputy Director Mikhail Grigoriev told The Siberian Times. "Thawing may loosen the soil rather quickly, so the probability is high that old cattle graves may come to the surface." "Some graves dug in the past may be just three meters deep, covered by a very thin layer of soil. The spores of the disease [anthrax] are now on the loose," he said. This has happened before in Siberia Currently, 24 patients hospitalised in Salekhard are being believed to have been infected by anthrax released from the melting permafrost. In July, anthrax hit western Siberia and led to the hospitalization of 13 people, including four children, and killed some 1,500 reindeer. As it turned out, the anthrax had escaped from a 75-year-old reindeer carcass buried in the permafrost, all because it had thawed. In fact, Siberia has seen several anthrax outbreaks over the years. The Independent reports that this region has at least 200 cattle burial grounds which houses frozen graves of animal which died from some disease. advertisement Whether or not there will be a definite smallpox breakout in Siberia is not certain. But with the climate change becoming more intense by the day, the threat is only more imminent. --- ENDS --- Miami (AFP) - With more private spaceship traffic expected at the International Space Station in the coming years, two spacewalking US astronauts installed a special parking spot for them on Friday. Americans Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins floated outside the orbiting laboratory for a spacewalk lasting five hours and 58 minutes to attach the first of two international docking adaptors. The astronauts spent more than two hours tying down the adaptor, after which robotic machinery at the space station completed the hard mate, making the attachment permanent. "With that, we have a new port of call," NASA commentator Rob Navias said as the space station flew over Singapore at 10:40 am (1440 GMT). During the rest of the spacewalk, astronauts connected power and data cables for the adaptor. The fittings will enable the space station to share power and data with visiting spaceships. The spacewalk was the fourth for Williams, a veteran astronaut who on Wednesday will surpass US astronaut Scott Kelly's record for the most cumulative days in space for an American. Kelly has 520 days in space over his career. Williams will have 534 days in space by the time he wraps up his stint at the ISS and returns to Earth in early September. The spacewalk was Rubins's first. She is the 12th woman to walk in space. - 'Gateway to future' - NASA describes the docking adaptor as a "metaphorical gateway to a future" that will allow a new generation of US spacecraft -- the first since the space shuttle program ended in 2011 -- to carry astronauts to the space station. The second docking adaptor is expected to be launched in late 2017, Navias said. ISS operations integration manager Kenneth Todd called Friday's installation a "very significant milestone on the path to establishing commercial crew capability." Built by Boeing, the circular adaptor measures around 42 inches (one meter) tall and about 63 inches wide. Story continues The adaptors will work with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon, two spaceships under construction that are planned to ferry astronauts to the space station. The docking adaptor is more sophisticated than past equipment because it will allow automatic parking instead of the current grapple and berthing process, which is managed by astronauts. - Spacewalk Sept 1 - During the last US spacewalk on January 15, a problem with American Tim Kopra's spacesuit allowed a small amount of water to build up inside his helmet by the end of the outing. It was the latest in a series of spacesuit issues, but not as severe as an emergency in 2013 when Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano's helmet flooded, forcing him to end his spacewalk early. Williams experienced a problem with an earpiece in his suit near the end of Friday's outing, briefly interfering with his ability to hear mission control, but NASA said the issue was not serious. The US space agency is planning another spacewalk on September 1 to retract one of the thermal radiators outside the space station. Astronauts unsuccessfully tried to push it back into position last year. ryan lochte rio While it's still difficult to parse through what exactly happened the night Ryan Lochte claimed he and three US swimmers were robbed at gunpoint, it has become clear that they were not blameless in the situation. Reports and security footage were released Thursday disputing Lochte's claims and supporting a narrative that the swimmers may have tried to urinate outside a gas station where they stopped, committed an act of vandalism, and got into a dispute with station security over the vandalism. In light of these revelations, the US Olympic Committee released a statement apologizing for the actions of Lochte, James Feigen, Gunnar Bentz, and Jack Conger. Here's the USOC's latest telling of the events of that night: "As we understand it, the four athletes (Bentz, Conger, Feigen and Ryan Lochte) left France House early in the morning of August 14 in a taxi headed to the Olympic Village. They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism. An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave." The USOC then issued an apology and suggested the athletes would be punished, saying: "The behavior of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members. We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States. "On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, we apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence." While several details remain a mystery, the USOC statement is an admission that a robbery as Lochte described it didn't take place. But it is worth noting that the USOC did emphasize that the security staff "displayed their weapons" and "demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment." This seems to suggest that the USOC contends that a robbery, in some form, did take place. Story continues The committee also revealed in the statement that Conger and Bentz had their passports returned to them and left Brazil. Here's the entire statement: "Two U.S. Olympic swimmers (Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger) have given statements to local authorities today regarding the incident first reported on Sunday, August 14, 2016. Their passports have been released and they recently departed Rio. "After providing a statement earlier in the week, a third (James Feigen) provided a revised statement this evening with the hope of securing the release of his passport as soon as possible. "Working in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate in Rio, we have coordinated the athletes cooperation with local authorities and ensured their safety throughout the process, but we have not seen the full statements provided by Bentz and Conger. "However, we understand that they describe the events that many have seen on surveillance video made publicly available today. As we understand it, the four athletes (Bentz, Conger, Feigen and Ryan Lochte) left France House early in the morning of August 14 in a taxi headed to the Olympic Village. They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism. An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave. "The behavior of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members. We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States. "On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, we apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence. "With three days remaining in the Olympic Games, our primary focus will remain on supporting the athletes who are still competing and celebrating the achievements of those who have finished." NOW WATCH: REPORT: Lochte's teammates told police he 'fabricated' the robbery story More From Business Insider DailyFX.com - Talking Points: - USD/CNH held below 6.6500 - Pair finding support at the July lows around 6.6224 - Sideways trading seems to be the order of the day until a break to either side Find REAL TIME traders positioning with DailyFXs SSI Indicator Here The US Dollar is trading sideways versus the Chinese Yuan in offshore trade, as the pair held below the 6.6500 technical level, but found support around the July lows at 6.6224. The move higher from support might now shift focus again to 6.6500 for possible resistance. A break higher could expose prior resistance levels at 6.6860 and the 6.7 handle. For bulls to really show strength, the price might need to break and hold above those recent highs. A hold below 6.6500 may shift focus again to 6.6224 initially, followed by the 6.6 handle. Sideways trading seems to be the order of the day until the pair manages to clear one of those short term tech levels. USD/CNH Daily Chart: August 19, 2016 USD/CNH Technical Analysis: Pair Set to Make a Decision --- Written by Oded Shimoni, Junior Currency Analyst for DailyFX.com To contact Oded Shimoni, e-mail oshimoni@dailyfx.com Follow him on Twitter at @OdedShimoni original source DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets. Learn forex trading with a free practice account and trading charts from FXCM. Medal count | Olympic schedule | Olympic news RIO DE JANEIRO The U.S. Olympic Committee issued an apology Thursday night to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for the role played by four American swimmers in what turned out to be an international incident resulting from Ryan Lochtes report of an alleged robbery at gunpoint. The behavior of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members, said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun in a release. We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States. Lochte, Jimmy Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger all were embroiled in controversy resulting from Lochte and Feigen reporting a robbery early Sunday morning. A subsequent Brazilian investigation disputed that claim, resulting in the detention of Feigen, Bentz and Conger. Lochte already had left the country by the time a judge ordered him to stay. [Featured: Why Michael Phelps is retiring for good this time] Bentz and Conger left Brazil Thursday night. Feigen, according to the USOC release, is still attempting to gain his release to go home after providing a revised statement to authorities. Feigen, like Lochte, had alleged that the four were robbed. Ryan Lochte claimed he was robbed at gunpoint. (Reuters) Two U.S. Olympic swimmers [Bentz and Conger] have given statements to local authorities today regarding the incident first reported on Sunday, August 14, 2016. Their passports have been released and they recently departed Rio. After providing a statement earlier in the week, a third [Feigen] provided a revised statement this evening with the hope of securing the release of his passport as soon as possible. Working in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate in Rio, we have coordinated the athletes cooperation with local authorities and ensured their safety throughout the process, but we have not seen the full statements provided by Bentz and Conger. Story continues However, we understand that they describe the events that many have seen on surveillance video made publicly available today. As we understand it, the four athletes left France House early in the morning of August 14 in a taxi headed to the Olympic Village. They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism. An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave. On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, we apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence. With three days remaining in the Olympic Games, our primary focus will remain on supporting the athletes who are still competing and celebrating the achievements of those who have finished. [Featured: There was a group of athletes that were pro-drugs Edwin Moses] USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus released his own statement, saying the organization does not condone the lapse in judgement and conduct by the swimmers. It is not representative of what is expected as Olympians, as Americans, as swimmers and as individuals, the statement said. That this is drawing attention away from Team USAs incredible accomplishments in the water and by other athletes across the Olympic Games is upsetting. The athletes and their remarkable stories should be the focus. Were extremely thankful of the support and efforts from the USOC, Department of State and U.S. Consulate General throughout this process. USA Swimming will undergo a thorough review of the incident and determine any further actions, per our Code of Conduct. Brazilian police officials said the swimmers had a gun pointed at them by a security officer after they vandalized a gas station bathroom, but were not victims of a robbery or other violence. American swimmers Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger leave the police station Thursday night. (Reuters) The swimmers would likely have to pay a fine if they were found guilty of providing false testimony or property damage but would not face prison time, police said Thursday. The group of swimmers damaged a door to a bathroom at a local gas station after arriving there in a taxi following a party early Sunday, police said. Video footage shows security confronting the swimmers. The group gave money for the broken door, and, police said, a security guard brandished a gun because he was concerned about the swimmers size and intoxication level. Feigen told the San Antonio Express-News earlier Thursday that the group was robbed. Lochte also continued to maintain his story in an interview with TMZ, saying the security video doesnt show the complete altercation because three minutes of it had been edited out. [Related: How Ryan Lochte turned a drunken, frat-boy night into an international mess] Lochte and Feigen initially filed a police report saying the four swimmers were held up at gunpoint. That alleged incident started a firestorm and further heightened security concerns, but Brazilian officials started questioning Lochtes account of what happened in the past few days. Bentz and Conger were detained at the Rio de Janeiro International Airport as they were attempting to fly home. The two originally cleared customs but were removed from their flight and prevented from leaving the country. They were taken to a local police station late Wednesday and were released after a few hours with the understanding they will meet again with authorities on Thursday. Wednesday morning, a Brazilian judge ordered Lochte and Feigen to surrender their passports as part of their investigation into the robbery claim. Lochte, however, had already returned to the United States. In a phone interview with NBCs Matt Lauer, Lochte stood by the majority of his story of what happened in the early hours of Sunday morning. He insisted he was robbed, and that a gun was pointed at him although he backed away from his previous assertion that the gun was pressed against his forehead. Lochte told Lauer that his police interview when he filed his report was casual and friendly, and that the authorities never doubted his truthfulness. No [apologies] from [Lochte] or other athletes are needed, IOC Rio Games spokesperson Mario Andrada said. We have to understand that these kids were trying to have fun. They came here, they represent their country to the best of their ability. They train for years. They competed under gigantic pressure. I understand theyre under investigation. I cant go much further into the details. But lets give these kids a break. Sometimes you take actions that you later regret. Lochte is one of the best swimmers of all times. They had fun, they made a mistake, life goes on. Viacom's board of directors voted Thursday evening to approve a settlement with media mogul Sumner Redstone that will oust chief executive Philippe Dauman, ending a months-long battle for control of the media empire behind MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures, according to three people familiar with the company. The board has given preliminary approval to a complex proposal that will hand Dauman, who has led Viacom since 2006, a near $72.5 million exit package in stock and equity, according to a source close to the negotiations. That number could balloon to $90 million with the inclusion of other incentives and compensation, according to another source. No matter what the final tally is, Dauman's golden parachute once he leaves Viacom will go down as one of the most lucrative in corporate America history. The future of Viacom's leadership has also been nailed down in the pending agreement, which teams of lawyers are now parsing through before any official announcement is made. Longtime Dauman lieutenant Thomas Dooley will be named interim chief executive ; and the agreement calls for the board to be temporarily expanded to add five new members backed by Redstone, though the size is expected to shrink back down to 11 members by Viacom's annual meeting next year, sources said. Judge Lets Lawsuit Over Viacom Board Upheaval Move Forward Any deal must still be officially approved by legal teams for Viacom, Redstone and Dauman, and is still not official. An announcement - which was seen as a victory for Redstone and his daughter Shari Redstone - could come as soon as tonight or potentially on Friday morning. Though, a source briefed on the matter said that all of the parties are hung up on one detail of the settlement that must be approved before any confirmation from Viacom. The rich payday would put to an end months of legal wrangling and maneuvering from both sides after the 93-year-old Redstone tried to kick Dauman and four others off of Viacom's board of directors. Dauman had claimed his ailing boss did not have the mental or physical capabilities to make such a decision and was under the undue influence of Shari Redstone. Story continues The case was scheduled to be heard next month. Dauman's departure would also ignite intense speculation about what Redstone, whose family trust National Amusements controls the voting rights for both Viacom and CBS, plans to do to invigorate the beleaguered company. "We hope the end is near, even though Viacom will have to give him a big check to walk out the door," said Eric Jackson of SpringOwl Asset Management, which owns a few thousand shares of Viacom and has been outspoken in Dauman's removal for more than a year. Shares of Viacom surged more than a percent in after-hours trading, a signal that Wall Street was cautiously optimistic that the drama between Redstone and Dauman might finally be winding down. The stock and Viacom's market value had been sliced in half under Dauman's leadership in the last year, though has recovered as investors pumped money into the deflated stock on speculation of a management change. A spokesman for Viacom did not immediately return telephone calls for comment. The story was first reported by Reuters. If the settlement is approved, Dauman's ouster would be the final chapter in a long and colorful history working for Redstone. The two met when Dauman worked for a law firm and had to handle a Securities and Exchange Commission filing for Redstone. Dauman then got an advisory role in Redstone's 1987 hostile takeover of Viacom. "I have worked closely with Philippe Dauman for many years, and I have a comfort level with him and high regard for his leadership abilities, strong financial and operational skills, and superb judgment," Redstone said at the time of his appointment. In recent years, he often called him "the wisest man" he has ever known. In early 2015, Viacom extended his employment contract through the end of 2018. But when Dauman was also named chairman in February, with Redstone becoming chairman emeritus, vice chair Shari Redstone opposed him. Many in Hollywood believe she has for months been orchestrating a careful campaign to strip the executive of his duties. One person with knowledge of their relationship said that Redstone used to task Dauman with communicating things to daughter Shari, including bad news, contributing to their more than rocky relationship. In May, the corporate and family drama erupted as Dauman and another longtime Redstone ally were ousted from the mogul's trust, which will control both Viacom and CBS once Redstone dies or is no longer able to oversee things. Redstone controls both companies via his National Amusements, which holds nearly 80 percent of the voting stakes in the companies. The next month, Redstone followed that up by firing Dauman, George S. Abrams, Blythe McGarvie, Frederic Salerno and William Schwartz from the Viacom board in one of the biggest assertions of power in corporate history. "It's sad that my clients, the shareholders, have been paying these legal bills," said Mario Gabelli, whose firm is the second-largest holder of voting shares behind Redstone. "I'm tired of this. They've been in courts in Los Angeles, in Boston, in Delaware. You can't make this stuff up!" Paul Bond and Kim Masters contributed to this report, originally published by The Hollywood Reporter. Viacom's board of directors voted Thursday evening to approve a settlement with media mogul Sumner Redstone that will oust chief executive Philippe Dauman, ending a months-long battle for control of the media empire behind MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures, according to three people familiar with the company. The board has given preliminary approval to a complex proposal that will hand Dauman, who has led Viacom since 2006, a near $72.5 million exit package in stock and equity, according to a source close to the negotiations. That number could balloon to $90 million with the inclusion of other incentives and compensation, according to another source. No matter what the final tally is, Dauman's golden parachute once he leaves Viacom will go down as one of the most lucrative in corporate America history. The future of Viacom's leadership has also been nailed down in the pending agreement, which teams of lawyers are now parsing through before any official announcement is made. Longtime Dauman lieutenant Thomas Dooley will be named interim chief executive ; and the agreement calls for the board to be temporarily expanded to add five new members backed by Redstone, though the size is expected to shrink back down to 11 members by Viacom's annual meeting next year, sources said. Any deal must still be officially approved by legal teams for Viacom, Redstone and Dauman, and is still not official. An announcement - which was seen as a victory for Redstone and his daughter Shari Redstone - could come as soon as tonight or potentially on Friday morning. Though, a source briefed on the matter said that all of the parties are hung up on one detail of the settlement that must be approved before any confirmation from Viacom. The rich payday would put to an end months of legal wrangling and maneuvering from both sides after the 93-year-old Redstone tried to kick Dauman and four others off of Viacom's board of directors. Dauman had claimed his ailing boss did not have the mental or physical capabilities to make such a decision and was under the undue influence of Shari Redstone. Story continues The case was scheduled to be heard next month. Dauman's departure would also ignite intense speculation about what Redstone, whose family trust National Amusements controls the voting rights for both Viacom and CBS, plans to do to invigorate the beleaguered company. "We hope the end is near, even though Viacom will have to give him a big check to walk out the door," said Eric Jackson of SpringOwl Asset Management, which owns a few thousand shares of Viacom and has been outspoken in Dauman's removal for more than a year. Shares of Viacom surged more than a percent in after-hours trading, a signal that Wall Street was cautiously optimistic that the drama between Redstone and Dauman might finally be winding down. The stock and Viacom's market value had been sliced in half under Dauman's leadership in the last year, though has recovered as investors pumped money into the deflated stock on speculation of a management change. A spokesman for Viacom did not immediately return telephone calls for comment. The story was first reported by Reuters. If the settlement is approved, Dauman's ouster would be the final chapter in a long and colorful history working for Redstone. The two met when Dauman worked for a law firm and had to handle a Securities and Exchange Commission filing for Redstone. Dauman then got an advisory role in Redstone's 1987 hostile takeover of Viacom. "I have worked closely with Philippe Dauman for many years, and I have a comfort level with him and high regard for his leadership abilities, strong financial and operational skills, and superb judgment," Redstone said at the time of his appointment. In recent years, he often called him "the wisest man" he has ever known. In early 2015, Viacom extended his employment contract through the end of 2018. But when Dauman was also named chairman in February, with Redstone becoming chairman emeritus, vice chair Shari Redstone opposed him. Many in Hollywood believe she has for months been orchestrating a careful campaign to strip the executive of his duties. One person with knowledge of their relationship said that Redstone used to task Dauman with communicating things to daughter Shari, including bad news, contributing to their more than rocky relationship. In May, the corporate and family drama erupted as Dauman and another longtime Redstone ally were ousted from the mogul's trust, which will control both Viacom and CBS once Redstone dies or is no longer able to oversee things. Redstone controls both companies via his National Amusements, which holds nearly 80 percent of the voting stakes in the companies. The next month, Redstone followed that up by firing Dauman, George S. Abrams, Blythe McGarvie, Frederic Salerno and William Schwartz from the Viacom board in one of the biggest assertions of power in corporate history. "It's sad that my clients, the shareholders, have been paying these legal bills," said Mario Gabelli, whose firm is the second-largest holder of voting shares behind Redstone. "I'm tired of this. They've been in courts in Los Angeles, in Boston, in Delaware. You can't make this stuff up!" Read more: Philippe Dauman's Sumner Redstone Legal Battle Very Much on Fast Track Aug. 18, 8:20 p.m. PT: Updated with terms of Dauman's settlement Paul Bond and Kim Masters contributed to this report. The Amity Law School faculty members under the scanner in the Sushant Rohilla suicide case resigned on Friday. By Vishakha Saxena: Amity Law School Director BP Sehgal and faculty member Isheeta Rutabhasini resigned on Friday, following determined protests by students and alumni this week. Students contacted by India Today had accused Rutabhasini of unprofessional behaviour, alleging that the 'powerful' professor maligned faculty members who disagreed with her and targeted certain students by detaining them, stopping them from giving exams and even threatening them with poor marks on their dissertations. advertisement Sehgal, meanwhile, was accused of maladministration and allegedly allowing Rutabhasini to continue her malpractices, despite being aware of them. BREAKTHROUGH AFTER PROTESTS The resignations came to light at around 2 pm on Friday, when college representatives showed their resignation letters to protesting students and alumni who allegedly suffered repeats and poor marks because of Rutabhasini. "Though I have never done anything wrong with any student, though I have always followed the IPU and BCI regulations, but considering the sentiments of the students and to pacify them, i hereby resign (sic)," wrote Rutabhasini in her resignation. BP Seghal's resignation said "considering the sentiments of my students hereby resign from the post of the Director." College spokeperson Sanjeev Bansal confirmed the resignations while talking to mediapersons, but reserved any comments on the committee investigating Sushant Rohilla's suicide, and its findings. "The investigation is ongoing. We will give more information as it comes. We have made this announcement keeping in mind (Sushant's) mother and students' emotions," he said. BK Banopadhyay who was acting as an interim director during the protests will now take over as the college director. STUDENTS REJOICE The mood at the college is much more relaxed following the resignations. "People are happy, but also mellow because we can't bring Sushant back. Besides, this is not it. Our next step is to work on bringing in reforms so that this incident is not repeated with anyone else," said a student requesting anonymity. The group spearheading protests has appealed to students in a Facebook post to "show up in college for classes (on Monday) with 100% attendance." Amity students meanwhile have taken to Facebook, posting updates like "Happy Independence Day ALSD." "Here's to the end of a draconian dictatorship. We've carried out the first step towards bringing you to justice, and we'll continue till we win this fight for you. Missing you and your sarcastic quips and your hopping around so much," read a post by one student. Another student wrote, "Though we overthrew a dictatorial ruler; undoubtedly, we lost a great teacher. Don't know how to react to this. Anyway, justice had to be done. Sacrifices are to be made on the path of success." --- ENDS --- advertisement Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f18195%2fdefault Air New Zealand are an airline that have made a name for themselves for their viral in-flight safety videos, and their latest pitch is no exception, calling on U.S. TV host James Corden to give "Carpool Karaoke" a cockpit makeover. SEE ALSO: Anna Faris and Rhys Darby make a flight safety video you'll actually want to watch The lol-loving Kiwi airline have hit up Twitter, asking Corden to jump into a plane with them and belt out a tune or three. Without missing a beat, the Twitter-verse jumped in to support them. Some people are even lining up song suggestions for the Late Late Show with James Corden host. Pun-filled, of course. With "Carpool Karaoke" having already been filmed at dizzying heights on a rollercoaster, surely the natural progression is belting out a tune at 39,000 feet. It was a shocking sight for kayakers and boaters cruising around the Von Donop Inlet in Canada when a whale breached right in front of them. Read: Songs in the Key of Ape: Orangutan Releases New Jazz Single The group recently happened upon a Humpback whale who was nursing her calf for about a half hour south of the Penn Islands before the massive whale emerged from the water and flopped around. The unsuspecting kayakers and boaters were stunned, thrilled and inspired to see the sights of the whale flipping around and started filming. Wildcoast Adventures strung the footage together to make a clip of the awesome event. Many times the whale got too close for comfort as breached in front of the surprised spectators. While a breaching whale is quite a phenomenon to behold, it can be dangerous. In September 2015, a humpback whale breached and landed on the kayak of a shocked California couple. Read: Couple Miraculously Survives After Humpback Whale Breaches, Lands on Their Kayak The kayakers were not injured and their experience was filmed by a nearby cruise ship. This was one of the more dangerous situations that I've seen out here, Captain Joe Sack of Sanctuary Cruises told InsideEdition.com. All of a sudden, this massive full-size whale does a full 180-degree breach and lands stomach first either right on top of or right next to two kayakers. The beast-like mammals can weigh up to 40 tons. Watch: Chilean Navy Dive Into Ocean To Free Humpback Whale Tangled in Fishing Ropes Related Articles: US-led coalition airstrikes in Iraq and Syria continued throughout July as a part of Operation Inherent Resolve, with bombing runs taking place in northern Syria in the run up to the liberation of Manjib by Arab and Kurdish forces. The GIF below shows a July 21 airstrike on an ISIS fighting position near Manjib. via GIPHY Anti-ISIS forces liberated Manjib in mid-August, after a protracted fight in and around the town. According to an August report verified by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, ISIS had kidnapped fleeing residents of the town, using them as human shields as the terrorist group retreated from Manjib to Jarabulus in an effort to slow the advance of SDF soldiers. After Manjib's liberation, Syrians gathered in the streets to celebrate ISIS' retreat. Syria Manjib ISIS liberation See the full video of the airstrike below: NOW WATCH: The US Army is sending Apache attack helicopters to fight ISIS in Iraq More From Business Insider Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f184157%2fsheep_dancing_show LONDON We know from the Olympics dressage event that horses are top quality dancers, but what about other farmyard animals? What about our woolly four-legged friends? SEE ALSO: Who needs Google Street View when you have Sheep View 360? In the BBC video below, Lenny, Dougal, Sam and Nobby go head-to-head in a tense on-stage dance-off at the Pembrokeshire County Show. The verdict? Well, while we can't imagine the sheep above getting their own Olympic event anytime soon, we could certainly imagine Dougal getting his own solo show. That ram's got some some moves. Griffin Newman as Arthur, Peter Serafinowicz as The Tick (Credit: Amazon Studios) The giant blue seeker of justice is back! Fifteen years after the cult fave live-action superhero comedy The Tick lived out its all too brief stint on Fox, creator Ben Edlunds spoof returns as a new Amazon pilot in which The Tick and his sidekick Arthur become actual superheroes. This thing was different enough in tone, when we finished it, for us to be partly afraid that we had failed, meaning it felt that different, Edlund tells Yahoo TV. It doesnt have the sitcom rhythm of jokes. It doesnt have the dyed-in-the-wool seriousness of a true hero fiction. It is somewhere in between. [Supervillain] The Terror flies in a giant T. Its like a bad episode of Sesame Street when he attacks you. Your destruction was brought to you by the letter T. Thats stupid, but we play it as if we didnt know it was dumb, which is a weird tone. And one that will likely be a hit with longtime fans of The Tick, whove read the comic books, watched the 1994-97 Fox Saturday morning cartoon, and still quote lines from the nine-episode 2001-02 live-action series in which Seinfeld breakout Patrick Warburton became the face of the super strong, super sincere, but somewhat mysterious antennae-ed superhero. Related: Reviews: Amazon Releases 3 Pilots: Vote for Tick and Dick As for new fans, the newest incarnation of The Tick shouldnt have trouble drawing those either. The pilot which Amazon.com visitors can watch and comment on for the next month, as part of Amazon Studios consideration of ordering a whole season of the series successfully retains the, well, yeah, weird humor and spirit of the previous Ticks, but grounds it with what Edlund whos also been a producer and writer on Gotham, Supernatural, Angel, and Firefly calls more stakes-driven drama. There are new stars, too, with British actor Peter Serafinowicz as The Tick, newbie Griffin Newman as Arthur, and an unrecognizable, but brilliant Jackie Earle Haley as The Terror. Edlund and The Tick executive producer Barry Josephson talked to Yahoo TV about why this new cast works, how The Ticks comeback began, the long process of getting the series new tone just right, and how Warburton is still very much involved. Story continues For those who may not know The Ticks origins he began as a mascot for a newsletter? Ben Edlund: Yes, he did. I had a role-playing game group. Yeah, that classic upbringing of a high school, somewhat socially stunted, role-playing group. In that culture, I developed a gag character called The Tick. It was about that time that a nearby comic book publisher was coming into being. This is like 1986, basically, when I started to use the character in a short series of newsletter comic pages. He was the superhero mascot for New England Comics. Within about a year and a half, 1988, he got his own book. The first issue of The Tick came out. Were you adding new characters all that time, or had you always had some sidekicks and friends and foes in mind for him when you first created him? Edlund: On the back of the very first issue is this big splash illustration of all these crazy characters that I was convinced I was going to put into this universe, and a lot of them have shown up, either in the comic book or in the cartoon. Its funny, because some of the strongest superhero overtones at that time were Daredevil and Batman and the Watchmen. Were really in a place right now where Daredevil is one of the strongest superhero elements in our culture. The things that The Tick started making fun of grew up and became big parts of our [pop] culture. Its like The Tick has come again now to target those things, in loving, good humor. (Credit: Amazon Studios) How did the idea for this new Tick series come about? Barry Josephson: I went back to Ben because I realized, at the time, we werent at the right network at the right time [with the 2001 live-action series]. That network is great now, but then, I dont think we were the show that they really wanted. I also think that we didnt make the best version of the show at that time. I loved it. I loved Patrick Warburtons performance. I loved what all the actors did. I just think we never had the right shot. It didnt fall together properly, and that happens often with shows. So I went to Ben and said, Lets make the version that you want to make, and let me do everything I can as a producer to support you so that you can do it your way. He embraced that. Its always an interesting transition when you take something from comics or animation form to live action. The execution has to be right. I can see him now in a world where there are so many great Marvel movies. I really love Iron Man, and I really liked Guardians of the Galaxy I loved the humor in those pieces. I felt like the timing was right. Also, Ben has evolved so much as a writer in television that it really was the right time for him to do this. This is an original version of The Tick, and its very much, I think, what Ben wanted to do. In theory, Bens laid out for all of us myself, Sony, and Amazon a path that I think will be really interesting and very different from the other show, and actually more closely aligned with what Ben did in animation. How is this Tick different from the cartoon and the previous live action or even maybe the comic book? Edlund: I think the most important difference is that this is both the great fun you can have with superheroes and thats always been the tradition of The Tick, to really just enjoy how wonderfully inventive and crazy superheroes and their world can be but at the same time, this is the first time that a real story has been built into the material. [The Tick and Arthur] have always had character and theyve always had a dynamic that they shared with each other, but its been a vehicle for looking at superhero culture. It needed more in order to be a freestanding object of its own and to be a story. Arthurs story is taken very seriously. The Ticks mystery is taken very seriously. The funniest thing you could do with The Tick at this point was take it seriously. In a weird way, we have done that. Its still funny. Its supposed to be more funny, because I think humor that comes from caring about stuff, nervous tension, creates fuller laughs. Josephson: Family Guy is an original voice of a creator. SpongeBob is an original voice of the creator. Christopher Nolans Batman is an original voice of somebody who created that franchise. I think here, this is Bens opportunity, with his original voice, to make this as funny and interesting as its ever been. Nobody writes exactly as Ben Edlund, if its his original voice, unfiltered. I think thats what makes this special. It is a special tone, this is the creators original voice, and we all backed that, including his relationship with Wally Pfister on the pilot. Wally, who is the cinematographer on Christopher Nolans movies, was the perfect compliment in helping Ben visually, as director, get the concept across that Ben wanted. Again, when its somebodys original voice, they need a really great collaborator, and thats where Wally came in so strong. He collaborated really well to integrate what Ben wanted from each of these scenes in the pilot. The pilot is visually gorgeous. Edlund: Oh, yeah. Thats Wally. What did you focus on to make this a version of The Tick that is its own real superhero story? Edlund: Well, that was a three-year process of batting drafts back and forth between Amazon and Sony and Barry and myself, and really measuring out these different quantities of things. There were periods where it was much more whimsical and had a lot more of what would have functioned as maybe the cartoon humor, more puns, more throw-away superhero-based gags. Again and again, that tone rang in a problematic way, because it was not grounded enough to really withstand the attention a bingewatcher wants to have a substantial universe to take part in. It was a strange balance, because I cannot use the same puns that I would use in the cartoon. There needed to be stakes The Tick universe has never had. Maybe the most stakes The Tick universe has ever had was in the comic books, really. From that point forward, the only blood thats been shed in the universe of The Tick was shed in the comic book, and everything else was extremely light. Now, in order for a story to take place, we incorporate a heros quest and actual dramatic stakes: life and death. Without those elements, this would not be able to pass from comment-on to participating in superhero culture. In a way, this is also risky, because its like going swimming in the deep end, and The Tick has to keep his head above water and be not just another expression of whats become a saturation, but it has to wear the skin of the thing it [comments on]. Amazon was instrumental in us arriving at the Arthur that we have, an Arthur who has a real character plate. He has, basically, a psychological superhero origin story thats uneasy. He is a real superhero mythos main character. Certainly in the cartoon and in the live-action series, he is someone who is just vaguely interested in superherodom because he wants to be adjacent to it so he can make fun of that world, and thats not really a legitimate psychological truth for a main character. (Credit: Amazon Studios) Griffin Newman (Search Party and Vinyl) is fantastic as Arthur. When you settled on what you wanted Arthur to be and what you wanted his story to convey, what were you looking for when you were casting Arthur? What was it that Griffin brought to the role that cemented him as the right person to play the character? Edlund: He was, very early on, my frontrunner. Theres a signal that comes off of him, intelligence and a little bit of indignation, and he cares. Theres something about the way he works as an entity on camera that really does a lot for this guy. Previous iterations of this character have always focused mainly on this teddy bear harmlessness. Arthurs always been a sort of nebbish, and thats perfectly reasonable. It is his basic DNA. But thats been left in the past now, because I feel like when Griffin meets the role that were developing here, Arthur just becomes a real person with real issues. Arthur in this version has been misdiagnosed since youth as a schizophrenic. He had some hard knocks, and hes not just a simple pair of shoes for the viewer to step into and walk around in. Hes got his own story. For me, I think its actually a very universal story, because its just about a person who feels like the worlds gone mad around him, and I think we all have that experience. In his world, its expressed in superheroes. In our world, its expressed in ISIS and Donald Trump. (Credit: Amazon Studios) For The Tick, too, you must have had very specific things you were looking for in casting. What were they, and what made Peter Serafinowicz (Spy, Guardians of the Galaxy) the right choice to play the character? Edlund: That was the most pivotal process, and it made this terrifying. Patrick Warburton was a big part of, and is a big part of, why this exists again. We all went together and pitched this. Hes a producer on it. Hes going to appear in it, and Im already trying to think of a role for him. We want all of that, but ultimately, over the course of the three years of making this, we realized, Wow, we really are doing this entirely over. Its a whole new re-conception of it, and it would be strange and almost disingenuous to have Patrick as The Tick in this completely new version. Then we looked out and said, Who is The Tick? It was terrifying because, man, what a weird thing to cast. It was such a heightists process, because he has to be tall and Arthur has to be short, so we couldnt cast a 6-foot Arthur. Wed need a 7-foot Tick. We couldnt cast a 510 Tick, because wed need a 5-foot Arthur in order to play that difference, because theyre going to always be demonstrating the size differential with each other. We just had great possible leads on people, and theyd just be too short, too tall, too whatever. We would be balancing these things. Griffin had the great advantage, although it was really hard to walk him in because hes a relative newcomer and theres a certain star quality quota that youre trying to satisfy for all the people involved. It was a touch-and-go process. All I wanted was Griffin for Arthur, and it just put more pressure on every element of what The Tick needed to be in order to satisfy this equation. Peter Serafinowiczs name passed through the halls early on, but we were on a different, less comedy forward, more muscled type that we were pursuing at the outset, which proved to be a dead end, in terms of the comedic agility necessary to not make The Tick look like an idiot, but make him look like something much more dangerous. It really requires something, and I had seen Peters work, but I had not seen the breadth of his work. I didnt realize how comedically inventive, how brilliant, and how many different things hes capable of. Towards the end of the process of trying to find whos going to be The Tick and getting into a crunch with, We wont physically have time to make the costume, if we dont get somebody soon, because they have to grow it in a vat full of computers and, I dont know, polymer. It takes time now, like a chicken egg. You have to grow it. There were all these factors, and we really were so fortunate, ultimately, that Peter came up. He absolutely hit what Amazon was hoping for, which is hes known, but not so well-known as to overshadow the thing hes playing, and theres the opportunity, I think, of he and this character building something that can be one of those things that people really remember. Patrick did it, and the way that Patrick fused with that suit and fused with the character has carried it 15 years further and made it possible for us to do it again. I feel like with Peter, weve landed another person who is fusing with this creature, and if we can get all our jets going, which means enough people watch this thing, enough people say yes and want more of the show, I think we can actually get a really remarkable thing up and going. Jackie Earle Haley as The Terror (Credit: Amazon Studios) Jackie Earle Haley, as The Terror, is also incredible. I didnt even recognize him in the costume, but he is truly scary in his scene with young Arthur. The Terror is one of the few characters who has been in the comics and the animated series and the live-action series. Is that why you chose him to be the first big supervillain of the series? Edlund: I think so. In a way, there was no greater villain introduced in the comic book, as far as more dangerous or menacing or powerful. From that point on, The Terrors just been this image of the evergreen human evil that gets old but does not die. It felt right. When I did just the basic averaging out of things that were always companions, The Terror had always been there. It was easy to assume there was a reason for that. When I started to expand the larger mythology for this new series Ive got four-and-a-half seasons, probably, [plotted]; I know where I want to go, and I know a lot about all of it The Terror fits in in a way that will help me have fun with all the superhero universes that we are, right now, subjects of. When we view a Marvel universe or a DC universe, they have their own distinguishing marks that have been with us for sometimes 50 to 80 years. Those marks have colonized in our brains. Theyre like swing sets and merry-go-rounds I get to play with in other peoples heads, because theyve been built by other dynasties. I get to go in now and, if I do it right, The Terror will ring all the bells that Dr. Doom and Lex Luthor and the great criminal masterminds, even The Joker, especially as expressed by Heath Ledger, did. All those figures can be evoked mythologically in The Terror. Was Jackie someone you always had in mind to play The Terror? Edlund: Yes. Ive loved him since Bad News Bears and Breaking Away. Moocher in Breaking Away is incredibly real. He did what he does, and he did it for us. Theres this moment where hes done messing with this kid, Arthur. Youll see it in the pilot, readers of this, but his eyes go dead like a shark when hes looking at this kid, where hes just like, Yeah, thats enough. Hes fked up now. Its as cold as space ice, and thats why we got him, in addition to him just looking badass. (Credit: Amazon Studios) The Tick has always had such a devoted, enthusiastic fan base, spanning its now 30-year existence. It feels appropriate that its in this place at Amazon where fans are going to get to help decide its future. Edlund: I think thats wonderful. This is a pretty geek-forward show, and the process of voting is a very geek-forward process. The cultures that speak quickly and transmit information about these kind of things the fastest, I would say, are the geek culture, and were in a potential position of advantage because of that. Poetically it feels nice. I just hope that fans like it. It was done in tremendous earnest, but its not the cartoon. Its not the comic book. Its not the previous live-action series, and for people who need it to be some previous version of itself, I hope theres enough of a bridge in it for them to come around. I know what thats like. I know very much that theres a spectrum of people out there, and that what they want is very personal. I hope enough people feel the love, because if were able to proceed, I feel like in 10 episodes, with a whole season, the visual effects, we could do such fun stuff. We could really get absurd. No other show can do that, because theyre supposed to be dignified. Theyre trying desperately not to look stupid, where Im just finding every possible way we can to get the right stupidity on screen. Youve mentioned a few things about The Ticks future: you have several seasons in mind. Youre thinking about a role for Patrick. Which other friends and foes of Ticks might pop up if it does get a full season order? Edlund: Lets see an extremely violent vigilante will show up. I wont name him yet, but hell be the worst friend theyve ever had. Ultimately, The Tick and Arthur, their story is about rags to riches. Theyre going to start at the very bottom of the hero heap and work their way to actually saving the world. Its not an easy thing to do, especially these guys. At a certain point, theyll have problems with aliens some time travel Would we eventually see other characters we already know from The Tick universe? Edlund: Yes, you will. That will always be the case, as many as I can translate. For people who are real longtime Tick fans, I know it would be fun to watch characters from the old canon get introduced into the new system. Thats its own source of reward. Thatll be one of the things that we have fun with. If someone asks you, Is this a dramedy? Is it leaning more towards comedy, or more towards drama, what would you say? Edlund: I think dramedy is probably, first of all, a strange word Maybe this requires a slightly different explanation Its almost like an opera. They take the sweeps of tragedy seriously in an opera, but its still a heightened form. Instead of using music, were using humor to heighten that relationship to the sweeps of tragedy. Josephson: Lets give it a new term. I like wicked comedy opera. Edlund: Its like a wicked comedy opera. Thats cool. Its got a little Massachusetts in it. The New Englanders will like that. Thats very appropriate, too, considering The Ticks origins. Edlund: Its either wicked comedy opera or pisser comedy opera. I think wicked is better. Wicked pisser comedy opera? Edlund: Wicked pisser comedy opera. The Tick pilot is available to stream now at Amazon. During President Bill Clintons first term in office, much of the United States took for granted that there would be welfare reform of some sort. The question was what it would look like. The answer came 20 years ago, on Aug. 22, 1996, when Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. President Clinton had promised as much during his first run for the White House in 1992, coming out of a recession that had led to a 33% increase, between 1989 and 1994, in the number of households receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. A TIME/CNN survey in 1994 found that 81% of respondents wanted fundamental reform to the welfare system, and a slightly higher percentage believed that the system already in place discouraged needy people from finding work. Several proposals emerged out of the discussion. The most out-there plan, known as Talent-Faircloth, included a stipulation to deny any benefits to women who had children out of wedlock before the age of 21, sending that money to orphanages instead. The others varied but the ones in play were largely focused on making sure that people couldnt make an active choice to be on welfare rather than working. Meanwhile, many on the left hoped that change would come in the form of more support for families, not a system that they saw as, in the words of Barbara Ehrenreich, an implicit attack on the dignity and personhood of every woman, black or white, poor or posh for the way it played on the stereotype of the welfare mother. By 1996, however, especially after the midterm election of 1994 moved the federal government to the right, with the next presidential election approaching and and two vetoes of previous Republican-crafted welfare bills under his belt, Clinton seems to have been out of options. He himself was said to have remarked that it was a decent welfare bill wrapped in a sack of st, but, as TIME reported, he signed: Historic turning points in social policy are not always obvious when they occur. Certainly Franklin D. Roosevelt did not foresee that some provisions of the Social Security Act he signed in 1935 would burgeon over the next 61 years into a mammoth federally financed and regulated welfare program. Last week, though, the equally historic nature of the decision facing Bill Clinton was clear not just to the White House but the whole nation. So the President turned his deliberations over a radical overhaul of F.D.R.s welfare system into a solemn little drama. Or perhaps a bit of Kabuki theater, as an official speculated, in which the actors played out stylized roles to a foregone conclusion. Several of the top 15 advisers who sat down with Clinton in the White House Cabinet Room for a supposedly decisive session Wednesday suspected the President had already made up his mind to sign the welfare-reform bill Congress was about to pass. A tip-off: Hillary Rodham Clinton was conveniently out of town at the Olympics in Atlanta and, White House watchers believe, already knew what her husband would do. If the First Lady had been in any real doubt about what her husband would do, Clinton watchers reasoned, Williams would have sat in to listen and report. Also, though no other participants knew it, senior policy adviser Bruce Reed had prepared only one advance draft of the speech Clinton would give, and it assumed a decision to sign (though Reed says he could have quickly revised it to defend a veto). In retrospect, it seems inevitable that Clinton would sign. And not just to take away from Bob Dole one of the few issues the Republican contender had been counting on to gain traction in the campaign. Political strategists figured a veto might cost the President about five points in the polls, but Clinton could endure that with plenty to spare. A veto, however, would have repudiated the entire moderate, New Democrat stancechampion of family values, balanced budgets, more cops on the streetsthat Clinton had been cultivating so assiduously since the rout of the Democrats in the 1994 elections. And, of course, there was that matter of his 1992 pledge to end welfare as we know it. Moreover, Congress had stripped out of its new welfare bill many of the harsh provisions that had provoked the President to veto two earlier versions. The decisive breakthrough began in early June, when two obscure G.O.P. CongressmenJohn Ensign, a freshman from Las Vegas, and Dave Camp, a third termer from Michiganconferred after a meeting of Republican members of the House Ways and Means Committee. Says Ensign: We both looked at each other and said, This is crazy! What was crazy, they thought, was a decision of the G.O.P. congressional leadership to keep welfare reform combined in a single bill with drastic changes in Medicaid. That bill would be guaranteed to draw a third Clinton veto. Ensign and Camp, however, wanted some real, popular legislation to present to their constituents. They got 52 House colleagues to sign a letter to Speaker Newt Gingrich and Senate majority leader Trent Lott urging that welfare reform and Medicaid be decoupled. Gingrich refused, but meanwhile Ensign was getting calls30 in a few days, he saysfrom lawmakers who wanted to join his group. He and Camp got more than 100 House G.O.P. signatures on a second letter, and on July 11 the G.O.P. leadership gave in. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter As TIME explained, that bill limited welfare to five years, required recipients to work, required unwed teenage mothers to live with their parents, and much more. Today that bill is seen by some as a failure and by some as a success. At least one potential problem with it was immediately clear. Even though the national welfare reform bill wasnt signed until August of 1996, a pilot program in Wisconsin had gone into effect the year before. And while the 1996 bill was still new, it had already exposed a serious problem with the way so-called workfare was being implemented: if a state required mothers to work in order to receive benefits but did not adequately increase daycare options to match, children could be put at risk. Soon, those consequences were felt across the country: in 2000, in Tennessee, three babies died when they were left in vans by daycare workers at underfunded, under-regulated and overburdened daycare centers. A 2002 study found that the effects of the 1996 law were that while toddlers in day-care centers cognitively outpaced their peers in home settings by three months or more and mothers earnings rose modestly, as TIME explained it, many still lived in roach-infested housing, had to skimp on food and spent fewer hours singing and telling stories to their children. Heres why Chris Pratt is such an expert at French braids and its actually too sweet Heres why Chris Pratt is such an expert at French braids and its actually too sweet Its practically impossible not to love Chris Pratt. The Hollywood actor and his wife Anna Faris are the greatest parents to their three-year-old son Jack, who is actually one of the most adorable humans in existence, and the pair are constantly sharing cute AF videos and pictures of him to their Instagram accounts. Here is Anna on Mother's Day with our twin sons Jack and T-Rex. Even now it's hard to tell them apart some times. A photo posted by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on May 8, 2016 at 6:54pm PDT Chris and Anna also support great causes, and recently got involved with the 22 Push Up challenge, which aims to raise awareness for the veteran suicide epidemic. When hes not using Instagram for good and for sharing sweet pictures, however, Chris gets hella real (and relatable) about the goings on in celebrity land, like this hilarious truth about how awkward he gets doing modelling shots. But did you know that Chris Pratt is actually an expert at French braids? Back in 2014, Chris Pratt stopped an interview to braid an interns hair. Story continues This all came about because of a picture he uploaded to Instagram of his wifes hair, which he braided. Now Chris has explained exactly why hes so good at French braids and its SO cute. Speaking to InStyle magazine, Chris explained that when he was a kid his sister taught him how to braid hair. I would braid Annas hair at night, he said, it was a nice little ritual. But her hair started breaking off at the top of the braid because she was sleeping on it. Thats when Annas mom decided to step in. Annas mom thought a French braid might distribute the pressure, he explained. She taught me when we were in Hawaii shooting Jurassic World. This is just the SWEETEST thing. We can totally imagine Chris and Anna sitting in front of a fire while Chris braids her hair. Literally, the definition of #relationshipgoals. Chriss interview with InStyle appears in their September issue, which is available now. The post Heres why Chris Pratt is such an expert at French braids and its actually too sweet appeared first on HelloGiggles. By India Today Web Desk: In December 2014, a young woman was raped by an Uber cab driver in Gurgaon, after she availed the taxi service to drop her home safely. The man was later identified as Shiv Kumar Yadav, and sentenced to life imprisonment. Since then, despite the culprit being punished, there have been enough reports of women being molested and sexually harassed in hired taxis for one to lose count. advertisement We are not making that up: Five cases of Uber cab drivers attacking women Uber driver molests woman in Kolkata, threatened to rape her Another Uber driver accused of molestation in Gurgaon And it happened yet again on Wednesday night, this time in Mumbai. A Facebook user shared the infuriating experience her friends had. The woman had booked an Uber cab to travel to Versova from Pali Hill. On the way, the cab driver pulled over under the pretext of cleaning the backside glass, climbed into the backseat and molested her. Here's the original text: 'We assured her she had nothing to worry about in Bombay' "Last night an expat girl friend who is currently working in Bombay took an Uber from my house in Pali Hill to 7 Bungalows. She asked us if Uber was safe and all of us jumped to assure her that she was in BOMBAY and she had nothing to worry about. Unfortunately we were proved wrong because this Uber driver tried to molest her on their way to Versova. " 'He put his hand on her thigh, tried to feel her up' "He spoke to her in a friendly manner when she first got in and asked her where she was from and made small talk. Later, he said that since the roads in Mumbai are horrible she was welcome to come sit in the passenger seat up front with him. When she refused to move he complained about low visibility through his back screen and told her he was going to pull over to clean it. She was very uncomfortable but allowed him to stop to clean the screen. She was surprised when he came to the back seat under the pretext of cleaning the window from the inside and proceeded to put his hand on her thigh and tried to feel her up. She panicked and tried to push him off and only when she started shouting at him did he move off her and go back to his seat. She managed to jump off and get home safely." 'This happens because there are no consequences' "But what angers me is that this has happened in Bombay! I cannot believe this happened to my friend. This happens because there are no consequences! advertisement And Uber? How many of us are using Uber? I'm expecting Uber to deal with this in a way that scares any Uber driver from violating someone. While we are going to make an official police complaint, Uber needs to check the backgrounds of their drivers and have consequences. And as people of this city that has always been progressive when it comes to women, where I feel safe to drive home at 3am, we cannot keep quiet. That Uber driver should have been stripped and sent home naked so he can feel the shame he deserves!" Uber fires the driver accused of molesting the woman Uber has fired the said driver and reported him the Mumbai Drivers Association. The Facebook user who shared the incident later commented to the post that Uber has also agreed to cooperate with the police during investigation. "Uber has a zero tolerance policy towards any sort of harassment or misconduct," Uber spokesperson told India Today. "We have suspended the driver from our platform and have shared all details related to the trip and the driver with the relevant authorities for official investigation". advertisement Here's what the Facebook user wrote in the comment section: Source: Viola Wadia/ Facebook From colleges to cabs, women don't seem to be safe The repetition of such episodes only establishes a theory as a fact: people are not scared of sexually harassing on women. Despite some culprits being punished and media raging over the rape/molestation cases every time they surface, perverts are still not prone to worrying about consequences. Be it in Mumbai, Delhi, a small village in the Assam or even in Manhattan, the story is same. The question now is, what are we going to do something about it? --- ENDS --- This year, the first official voters in the presidential election wont be camped out at the polls early on Tuesday, November 8. Instead, some will have already voted in person as soon as 46 days before Election Day. On September 23, 2016, eligible voters in Minnesota will be able to vote in person at a Minneapolis polling location for the general election. On that same day, the state will accept absentee ballot requests that dont require an excuse for absentee voting. The Constitution spells out that Congress has the power to set the date for a national Election Day. In Article II, Section 1, Clause 4, says that, the Congress may determine the Time of [choosing] the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States. But under state laws, votes can be cast before the official in-person Election Day, to be added to the final tally. Back in 1845, Congress decided it would be a good idea to have a national Election Day on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. During the Civil War, military members were among the first people allowed to cast absentee ballots in elections, under state laws. In the 1880s, the Australian or secret ballot changed how elections were conducted, and in the following years, different states instituted absentee voting systems. Some of these laws were challenged on the grounds they didnt provide voter-fraud protections that were offered at polling places. By the early 1960s, most states had some form of absentee voting system that allowed eligible voters to cast votes without being at their normal designated polling place on Election Day. The Voting Rights Act of 1970 provided additional protection to absentee voters. But in these cases, voters had to provide a reason for why they couldnt vote in person at their home polling location. In 1978, California became the first state to pass a no-excuses absentee voting law. And in the 1980s, Oregon introduced a vote-by-mail system where all eligible voters received a ballot that could be returned via the mail or dropped off at a location. At the same time, Texas experimented with an early voter system where people could cast ballots before Election Day at official polling locations, and other states like Oklahoma soon followed. Story continues By the time of the 2004 general election, Texas, Tennessee and Nevada reported that about 40 percent of their ballots were cast by early voters. Today, the National Conference of State Legislatures says 37 states and the District of Columbia allow early voting with no excuses or justification required. The group also says that all 50 states and the federal district allow absentee balloting, and some 20 states require a reason for that request. And three states Colorado, Oregon and Washington mail ballots to all eligible voters. Among the critical swing states in the 2016 election, only Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Virginia forbid some type of early voting or no-excuse absentee voting. Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, Nevada and Wisconsin permit early voting, no-excuse absentee voting or voting by mail. In addition to Minnesota, the states of Illinois, South Dakota and Vermont also have type of in-person early voting in late September, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Vote Foundation. The critical swing state of Ohio starts its early voting on October 12, as does Arizona. Florida and Wisconsin start their early voting late in October. Statistics from the 2012 general election show the growing importance of early and absentee voting. According to the Brennan Center, during the 2012 election the states of Texas (62.4 percent), Nevada (60.8 percent), North Carolina (56.3 percent), Georgia (43.8 percent) and Florida (28.2 percent) had high rates of early voting participation, compared to the national average of 14 percent. With that new importance has comes new court challenges centering on voter fraud and vote suppression concerns. North Carolina, for example, wants the Supreme Court to intervene in its dispute with a federal appeals court that struck down the states law that restricted early voting, along with voter ID requirements. And earlier this year, a judge rejected as unconstitutional an Ohio state law that eliminated a week of early voting. Recent Stories on Constitution Daily Can historic August polling data forecast the presidential race? A brief history of immigration testing and criteria Five little-known men who almost became president Stocks (^DJI, ^GSPC, ^IXIC) are under pressure at the midday mark, with utilities (XLU) leading the way down, and consumer discretionary (XLY) barely in the green. Keith Bliss of Cuttone & Co. joins us live from the New York Stock Exchange. To discuss the other big stories of the day, Alexis Christoforous is joined by Yahoo Finances editor-in-chief Andy Serwer and Yahoo Finances Seana Smith. Olympic nightmare NBC has been dealing with a major problem since the start of the Rio Olympics. Prime-time ratings are down 25% compared to the 2012 games among 18- to 49-year-olds, according to Bloomberg. Does NBC need to ignore this figure and concentrate on re-branding its online coverage? One small step for commercial use It was only a matter of time, but after 15 years, the International Space Station is going commercial. NASA published a request for information directed to the private sector for innovative ways to use the station. NASA isnt publicizing the ideas its receiving, but what do we know about the shift to commercial use of the ISS? Getting schooled by Tyra Banks Supermodel Tyra Banks is moving to the head of the class. Banks will be co-teaching a class at Stanfords business school. The spring elective is called Project You: Building and Extending Your Personal Brand. Can students can learn anything about branding from Tyra Banks? A California woman is being charged with stalking and electronic hacking related to electronic harassment Kris Jenner. Authorities say they arrested Christina Elizabeth Bankston of Newark, California, on Thursday on 15 counts related to hacking one of Jenners online accounts, impersonating her former spouse, Caitlyn Jenner, and sending her illicit and threats via text message, the Associated Press reported. Bankston, 36, is set to make her first court appearance on Friday. The nurses assistant from the Bay Area was indicted by a grand jury in Los Angeles. Prosecutors say she harassed Jenner and the Kardashian family between March and September 2014. Prosecutors also allege she impersonated Kris Jenner to authorities to get them to respond to a false emergency at her home. The Transformation of Caitlyn Jenner: From Olympic Gold Medalist to Vanity Fair Trans Cover Star (Photos) Fan Fuego/Getty Images Bruce jenner Where are they now Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego Bruce Jenner Where are they now Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego Bruce Jenner Where are they now Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Keeping Up Premiere Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner Getty Images Bruce Jenner AMTV Bruce Jenner Getty Images Vanity Fair Story continues Previous Slide Next Slide 1 of 19 The athlete formerly known as Bruce underwent dramatic changes to both her public image and physical appearance leading up to the announcement of her transition From her days as a U.S. track and field athlete to her marriage to Kris Jenner, Bruce's look has changed in terms of her hairstyle, her face and, now, her gender. View In Gallery Related stories from TheWrap: Caitlyn Jenner Files Lawsuit Against Paparazzi Over Fatal Malibu Car Crash Caitlyn Jenner Tells Bill Simmons That She Contemplated Suicide During Transition Dont you just hate it when you miss the last bus of the night and have to steal an ambulance to get home? An Ohio woman was arrested after she was faced with such a predicament at about 11 p.m. Thursday, jumping in an unmanned emergency vehicle following her release from Deaconess Hospital, according to reports. Lisa Carr, 43, hopped in a running Ford E-450 ambulance after she missed the last bus, police wrote in an affidavit obtained by Fox19. Read: 12-Year-Old Steals Car from Elderly Man After Getting Out of Vehicle The ambulances actual driver got the attention of passing Cincinnati police to say his vehicle was stolen while he was inside the hospital, authorities said. Using GPS, police tracked down the ambulance. After a slow-speed pursuit, Carr was taken into custody outside her home after she parked, the station reported. Read: Mom Gets Revenge On Officer's Car After Getting Parking Ticket She had reportedly made the 9.6 mile journey from the hospital to her Meredith Drive home in 20 minutes, traveling under the posted speed limit. Carr was charged with theft, failure to comply with police and driving under a suspension, online records show. She was booked into the Hamilton County Jail at about 12:30 a.m. Friday and was scheduled to appear in court later that day, but her hearing has been reportedly delayed. Watch: Watch Bold Burglars Drive Off With 8 Stolen Cars From Dealership Related Articles: El Chapo Guzman fake escape story prison photo A little over three months after arriving at a prison near the US border, Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is to be sent back to Altiplano prison in central Mexico, where he pulled off a brazen escape in July 2015. A federal judge in Mexico's Chihuahua state ruled on August 17 that prison officials had transferred Guzman in May without authorization. The decision came in response to injunction 384/2016, filed by Guzman's legal team. Guzman was jailed at Altiplano after he was recaptured in January this year. Guzman was suddenly transferred in the early hours of May 7 from Altiplano to Cefereso No. 9, a prison just outside Ciudad Juarez, which is across the border from El Paso. The move was allegedly made because a power outage at Altiplano stoked fears that the drug lord was plotting another escape. But the short notice of the transfer and the distance of Cefereso No. 9 from Guzman's legal team prompted protests, with Guzman himself saying he wanted to go back to Altiplano. "He asked us that we would file an injunction to return him to Altiplano," said Jose Refugio Rodriguez, one of Guzman's lawyers. According to Rodriguez, granting the injunction declares null the transfer orders, "and, as a consequence of that, he will return to Altiplano." El Chapo Guzman lawyer trial plead case "If they insist on the attitude of wanting a change of prison, they should present a request before a judge," said Refugio Rodriguez, who argued that federal penitentiary authorities did not have have the authority or the autonomy to move defendants freely. While Guzman's legal team was confident the transfer would be soon, the Mexican government could delay the move for weeks or months. Federal authorities can still request a review of the judge's decision by another tribunal, which could delay a ruling that would finalize the matter for at least two months. Story continues "They still haven't told us the date [of the move], for reasons of security, but already there is movement in Ciudad Juarez, it can be at any moment," Rodriguez said. According to El Universal, since August 15, airplanes and helicopters belonging to the federal government have appeared at Ciudad Juarez's international airport, and the roads connecting the airport to Cefereso No. 9 have been patrolled by personnel from the Mexican army and federal police. The facility was already guarded by hundreds of agents deployed after Guzman's transfer there. Cefereso No. 9 Mexico prison el chapo guzman Ciudad Juarez The transfer order comes at an inopportune moment for the Mexican government. While the increased security presence around Cefereso No. 9 may be related to an impending transfer, it's also reportedly tied to the recent kidnapping of one of Guzman's sons in Puerto Vallarta by the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG). The kidnapping has raised concern that Guzman's Sinaloa cartel and the CJNG Mexico's most powerful cartels are in conflict. If the cartels are warring, then Guzman's transfer would no doubt present a target for the CJNG, which has in the past downed an army helicopter and ambushed federal police. In a separate event earlier this week, Leonor Garcia, the former security director at Altiplano prison, who was arrested with many others in the wake of Guzman's July 2015 escape, was released on orders of a Mexican court. Investigations after the breakout found security protocols weren't followed, and the Mexican attorney general's office has said it would consider whether to refile charges against Garcia. NOW WATCH: 1 YEAR LATER: Heres what may come next for 'El Chapo' Guzman More From Business Insider Geneva (AFP) - Russia's import ban on pork products from the European Union is not legitimate, a World Trade Organisation panel said Friday, in a key victory for the bloc. The WTO ruling concerns a ban imposed by Russia in early 2014, which Moscow said were necessary to protect its consumers following a small flare up of African Swine Fever in some EU states. Experts at the Geneva-based WTO said it did not meet the requirements needed to justify such a sweeping ban. "The ruling sends a strong signal to Russia, and all WTO members, as regards their obligation to respect international standards," the EU said in a statement. "Today's ruling confirms that the measures taken by Russia against the EU have little to do with any real sanitary or health risks," it added. Russia widened its ban against EU products later in 2014, a move many saw as retaliation against EU sanctions imposed on Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine. The EU statement said Friday's WTO ruling pertained to the bans imposed "in early 2014", not the latter bans purportedly linked to Ukraine. If Moscow does not appeal the ruling within 60 days, it will automatically come into force, in what could be a boon for EU pork producers. In 2013, EU pork exports to Russia were estimated at 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 billion dollars). Since joining the WTO in 2012, Russia has imposed bans on dairy products, chocolates, wine and meat from countries including Lithuania, Poland, Moldova and Ukraine. By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Jawaharlal Nehru University which has been the centre of protests since the beginning of this year saw a new agitation today, this time over its iconic Ganga Dhaba whose owner has been served an eviction notice by the administration. Ganga Dhaba, which opens at 4 PM and feeds hungry students till 3 in the morning at nominal prices, is one of the favourite hotspots of the campus besides being a perfect place for campus debates. advertisement The owner of the eatery was served an eviction notice last week and was asked to vacate the place till today morning. However, the students gathered at the dhaba protesting against the alleged attack by the administration of the culture of the campus. "The new JNU administration has been proving itself as an agent, who is appointed to destroy the JNU in every manner. It has left no single instance to take the opportunity to implement all its diktats to shrink the campus democracy. It has been using the February 9 incident as a pretext to justify all its decisions," JNUSU General Secretary Rama Naga said. "Now, it has decided to shutdown the Ganga Dhaba for ever. The administration has sent a final letter to the owner of the Ganga Dhaba by saying that it will shut down the eatery," he added. JNU Vice Chancellor said the administration does not intend to "close down" the dhaba but all commercial spaces operating on the campus have to adhere to rules and the dhaba owner Bharat Tomar doesnt have a license to function there. "Ganga Dhaba is not being closed by JNU administration. It is considered as JNU heritage. Since the present occupant is illegally occupying the premises, he has been asked to vacate the place so that tendering procedure may be initiated at the earliest to run the eatery," a senior varsity official said. "Tomar is free to apply for the tender and seek a new contract," he added. The JNU authorities have stiffened the rules on campus after the sedition row in February where few students were booked under the charge for organising an event during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. PTI GJS RG --- ENDS --- On Aug 18, 2016, we issued an updated report on Xcel Energy Inc. XEL.Rising debt levels and operational risks are headwinds for Xcel Energy. However, the companys long-term investment plans will strengthen operations and help serve its expanding customer base more reliably and efficiently. Recently, Xcel Energy reported second-quarter 2016 operating earnings of 39 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents by 4.9%. However, reported earnings were on par with the year-ago quarter figure. Meanwhile, Xcel Energys second-quarter revenues of $2,499.8 million lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,530 million by 1.2% and also declined marginally from the prior-year quarter level of $2,515.1 million. The companys long-term debt has witnessed consistent growth from the 2011 level of $8.8 billion to the second-quarter 2016 tally of $13.1 billion. Rising debt levels translate into higher interest cost burden, which eats into the companys margins. Xcel Energys debt/capital ratio stands at 55%, compared to the industry average of 49.8% and the S&P 500 level of 41.9%. Note that the higher the debt relative to its capital, the higher the financial leverage and risk of default. XCEL ENERGY INC Price XCEL ENERGY INC Price | XCEL ENERGY INC Quote Compliance with stringent environmental regulations hampers Xcel Energys cash flows. Even though the company is gradually shifting to alternative energy sources, coal remains a primary fuel for power generation. The company generated 43% of its total electricity from coal-fired plants in 2015. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) finalized Clean Power Plan requires carbon emissions from the power sector to be reduced by 32% by 2030 from 2005 levels. To meet the new emission standards, Xcel Energy will have to invest substantially in pollution control measures at its power generation facilities. Nevertheless, signs of economic improvement are prominent across Xcel Energys service territories, especially in Minnesota, in comparison to the entire nation. The consolidated unemployment rate at the companys service territory was 3.4% in June, below the national average of 4.9%.The company witnessed customer additions of 1% in the second quarter. Market optimism continues to drive the companys performance. Story continues Zacks Rank and Key Picks Xcel Energy carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks in the utility space are Korea Electric Power Corp. KEP, Spark Energy, Inc. SPKE and DTE Energy Company DTE. Both Korea Electric and Spark Energy sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while DTE Energy is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report XCEL ENERGY INC (XEL): Free Stock Analysis Report KOREA ELEC PWR (KEP): Free Stock Analysis Report DTE ENERGY CO (DTE): Free Stock Analysis Report SPARK ENERGY (SPKE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 19, 2016 / Ximen Mining Corp. (XIM.V) ("Ximen") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusivity agreement (the "Exclusivity Agreement") with New Destiny Mining Corp. (TSXV: NED) whereby New Destiny will have up to forty five days to conduct due diligence on certain of Ximen's mineral claims commonly known as the Treasure Mountain Silver Project in Similkameen and/or New Westminster mining divisions, with a view to negotiating the terms of a letter of intent and, if applicable, a definitive agreement in order to complete the acquisition of certain of Ximen's mineral claims. To view the image of the Treasure Mountain Project, please click Here The Treasure Mtn. Silver Project covers geologically prospective ground in the Similkameen and / or New Westminster Mining Divisions. The Project is adjacent to Nicola Mining Inc.'s Treasure Mountain property, site of the historic Treasure Mountain Silver-Lead-Zinc Mine (polymetallic veins). The Project also occurs within the Intermontane Tectonic Belt, which hosts numerous porphyry copper deposits. The Project covers an area of approximately 9500 hectares and hosts seven gold, silver, lead, zinc and / or copper occurrences in various regions as reported in the B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines MINFILE database. These include gold-quartz vein, polymetallic vein and porphyry type occurrences. Some of these mineral occurrences have associated historic underground workings. Further details will be provided in a future news release if and when New Destiny and Ximen Mining Corp execute a letter of intent or definitive agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Christopher R. Anderson" Christopher R. Anderson, President, CEO and Director Ximen Mining Corp. 604 488-3900 This News Release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the acquisition of certain mineral claims. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements and Revolver undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. Story continues Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates, including that: the current price of and demand for minerals being targeted by the Company will be sustained or will improve; the Company will be able to obtain required exploration licences and other permits; general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms; the Company will not experience any material accident; and the Company will be able to identify and acquire additional mineral interests on reasonable terms or at all. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including: that resource exploration and development is a speculative business; that environmental laws and regulations may become more onerous; that the Company may not be able to raise additional funds when necessary; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; fluctuating prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition; potential inability to find suitable acquisition opportunities and/or complete the same; and other risks and uncertainties listed in the Company's public filings. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp. [Photo: Getty] Its hard to forget the day that the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge were engaged - and just as hard to forget the iconic blue dress that Kate was wearing at the time. The Issa dress soon became the fashion sell out of the year, and we can see why, though it didnt come at a low price - back in 2010 the original retailed at $535 (which would be around 400 at the moment). But now Daniella Helayel, founder and former creative director of Issa, is giving those of us who arent royalty a chance to own it ourselves, after launching a capsule collection with Monsoon. [Photo: Monsoon] Featuring 13 of her signature wrap-style dresses, one dress in particulars similarity to Kates engagement frock is uncanny - the Gisele. With a plunging V neckline, similar waist-cinching design and navy hue, its hard to deny that its near-identical to the one that Kate wore back in 2010. Helayel originally dressed Kate for years leading up to the Duchess engagement, but sold the label to Camilla Al-Fayed in 2013. So this new capsule collection is her first step back into the fashion world since, and were rather excited. What do you think of this version of Kates dress? Tweet us at @YahooStyleUK. The Duchess Of Cambridge Has A Lookalike Taking Part In The Olympics Looks Like Prince George And Princess Charlotte Will Be Accompanying Their Parents To Canada For Immediate Release Chicago, IL August 19, 2016 Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the Industrial Metals, part 1, including like BHP Billiton Limited (BHP), Rio Tinto plc (RIO), Vale S.A (VALE), Alcoa, Inc. (AA) and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. ( FCX). Industry: Industrial Metals, part 1 Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/88586/industrial-metals-stock-outlook---aug-2016 Last year was nightmarish for industrial metals, with prices hitting multiyear lows due to the economic weakness in China, uncertainty about the global economy, and the Fed questions. However, this year has brought a ray of hope for industrial metals with some metals prices having rebounded this year. Yet global demand and production are unilaterally low, challenged by global economic uncertainty and volatility. Nevertheless, growth in U.S GDP and continued improvement in end use sectors like automotive, aerospace, and construction will sustain increased demand for metals. This will lead to increased production and stabilization in the industry. Lets take a closer look at the price movement of a few important metals so far this year and what lies ahead. Iron Having dipped below $40 per dry metric ton in Jan, iron ore prices climbed above $60 in early April, albeit briefly. Over the first half, iron ore prices averaged close to $50, yet they remain 13% below last years prices. Buoyant prices were buffeted by Beijings stimulus plans, replenishments by Chinese steel mills and historically low port stockpiles. The surge was also buffered by the announcement of the big three producers BHP Billiton Limited (BHP), Rio Tinto plc (RIO) and Vale S.A ( VALE) having trimmed their full-year iron production guidance. Aluminum The slump in oil prices continue to take a toll on aluminum prices, given that the metal belongs to an energy intensive industry. Prices also suffered due to the oversupply of the metal, which was further aggravated by surging aluminum exports from China (the worlds biggest producer) amid waning domestic demand. Story continues Despite depressed aluminium prices, productivity gains enabled Alcoa, Inc. (AA) to report numbers that surpassed expectations. However, on a year-over-year basis, this New York-based aluminum giants earnings plunged 21% as falling prices continued to dent its sales and profits. Alcoas realized aluminum prices declined around 15% year over year. Alcoa reaffirmed its expectation of global aluminum demand growth of 5% in 2016. Russian aluminum giant RUSAL expects to see demand grow at a healthy 5.7% in 2016 on the back of strong growth in North America, Europe and Asia. The aluminum price rout had triggered Alcoas split into two companies the upstream, raw materials company which will retain the Alcoa name, and the new entity named Arconic, which will comprise the Global Rolled, Engineered Parts and Transportation & Construction businesses. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2016. Copper Concerns about Chinese economic growth rates, apprehensions surrounding Europe, continued U.S. dollar strength and weakness in commodity prices put pressure on copper prices during 2015. Copper producers Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) announced production cuts amid a weak commodity price environment last year. This year, however, prices have somewhat recovered on the back of strong U.S. economic data and expectations of a stimulus to growth in China and Europe. Demand has been relatively robust with imports from China, nearly half of the global trade in copper, hitting records during the first half of 2016. The 2016 copper prices touched a high and low through the end of June at $5,103.00 (on Mar 18) and $4,310.50 per ton (on Jan 15), respectively. Year-to-date average was $4,700.58 per ton, a 14.4% dip year over year. Industry Ranking & Outlook Favorable Within the Zacks Industry classification, the iron mining and non-ferrous mining industries (aluminum, copper, etc.) are grouped under the Basic Materials sector (one of 16 Zacks sectors). We rank the 257 industries in the 16 Zacks sectors based on the earnings outlook for the constituent companies in each industry. This ranking is available on the Zacks Industry Rank page. The way to align the ranking and outlook from the complete list of Zacks Industry Rank for the 257+ companies is that the outlook for the top one-third of the list (Zacks Industry Rank of #86 and lower) is positive, the middle one-third (Zacks Industry Rank between #87 and #173) is neutral, while the outlook for the bottom one-third (Zacks Industry Rank #174 and higher) is negative. The iron mining industry feature in the top tier with a Zacks Rank of #14, thereby garnering a positive outlook. The non-ferrous mining industry is ensconced in the middle tier with a Zacks Rank of #160, which depicts a neutral outlook. About Zacks Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Click here for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com/performance Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BHP BILLITN LTD (BHP): Free Stock Analysis Report RIO TINTO-ADR (RIO): Free Stock Analysis Report VALE SA (VALE): Free Stock Analysis Report ALCOA INC (AA): Free Stock Analysis Report FREEPT MC COP-B (FCX): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL August 19, 2016 Zacks Value Investor is a podcast hosted weekly by Zacks Stock Strategist Tracey Ryniec. Every week, Tracey will be joined by guests to discuss the hottest investing topics in stocks, bonds and ETFs and how it impacts your life. To listen to the podcast, click here:(https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/228412/how-value-investors-can-buy-growth) How Value Investors Can Buy Growth Welcome to Episode #5 of the Value Investor Podcast Every week, Zacks value stock strategist and the Editor of Zacks Value Investor portfolio service, Tracey Ryniec, talks about all things happening in the value stock universe, including her top stock picks. This week, Tracey discusses how value investors can also invest in growth by using the PEG ratio, which combines a low P/E ratio with a companys growth rate. Most value investors look for PEGs under 1.0 so Tracey ran a screen on Zacks.com, while also looking for earnings growth over 10%, to find stocks. She combined it with the Zacks Rank and came up with over 100 companies. She picked three companies she thought were the most interesting. Value stocks with Big Growth: 1. AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) has a PEG of 0.9. 2. Berry Plastics (BERY) has a PEG of 0.98 3. Hawaiian Holdings (HA) has a PEG of 0.7 What makes these 3 companies Traceys top picks this week? She discusses their fundamentals and growth trajectories in the podcast. In addition to AbbVie, Tracey also discusses some of the other value and growth stocks in the drug sector and in the homebuilders, including Toll Brothers (TOL) and Pulte (PHM). Watch out for Value Traps Not all cheap stocks have earnings growth though. Be careful. Tracey explored the difference between a cheap stock and a value trap in the podcast below. Learn the difference. Tracey Ryniec is the Value Stock Strategist for Zacks.com. She is also the Editor of the Insider Trader and Value Investor services. You can follow her on twitter at @TraceyRyniec and she also hosts the Zacks Market Edge Podcast on iTunes. About Zacks Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Click here for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com/performance Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ABBVIE INC (ABBV): Free Stock Analysis Report BERRY PLASTICS (BERY): Free Stock Analysis Report HAWAIIAN HLDGS (HA): Free Stock Analysis Report TOLL BROTHERS (TOL): Free Stock Analysis Report PULTE GROUP ONC (PHM): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia's main opposition leader filed a court petition on Friday challenging President Edgar Lungu's re-election at the helm of Africa's second-largest copper producer, saying the vote was rigged. The southern African nation's economy is buckling under weakened commodity prices, mine closures, rising unemployment, power shortages and soaring food prices that Lungu's rival, Hakainde Hichilema, blames on the current administration. "We have filed the petition. We are asking for the nullification of the election," Gilbert Phiri, a lawyer for Hichilema's United Party for National Development (UPND), told reporters. Lungu and the electoral commission, an independent state agency set up by the constitution, who are among the respondents named in the petition, have rejected Hichilema's accusation that fraud discredited the Aug. 11 vote. Lungu's inauguration has been postponed because a rule introduced in January says the winner of a presidential vote cannot be sworn in if the vote is contested in a court, which will have two weeks to decide on such a petition. In the petition, Hichilema, an economist and businessman and an old rival of Lungu, says that the president did not win the election legally as he failed to score more than the number of votes required to be declared the winner. To win, a presidential candidate must garner 50 percent of the valid votes cast plus at least one additional vote. "The first respondent did not receive more than 50 percent of the total votes cast. The voter register was not credible and its non-availability before the elections compromised the transparency of the electoral process," the petition says. In the petition, Hichilema demanded a recount, verification and scrutiny of the votes cast at the general election to ascertain the real winner. He also says in the petition that the number of ballots cast in favor of Lungu was inflated by fake, pre-marked ballots, and asked that the court nullify Lungu's victory. Lungu won 50.35 percent of the vote against 47.63 percent for Hichilema, according to the electoral commission. (Reporting by Chris Mfula; writing by James Macharia; editing by Mark Heinrich) President Obama has until Sept. 15 to choose the seven-member fiscal control board that will be empowered to effectively control the Puerto Ricos finances and devise a solution to the islands $70 billion-plus debt crisis. Six of the seven members will come from lists provided by House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Obama gets to appoint the other, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Given the events of the past few weeks in Puerto Rico, at least one if not all of the members of that board should specialize not in debt or finance, but public health, which at this point is a far bigger danger to the future viability of the commonwealth. Related: Congress Doesnt Seem to Care About Zika and Neither Do Most Americans The Zika crisis in Puerto Rico hit a critical mass last week as the the 10,000th case of infection on the island was reported. Nearly 2,000 of those infections occurred in just the previous seven days, and the new total that will likely be released today is expected to be just as grim. And thats just the people we know about: Since the majority of Zika cases show no outward symptoms, many more Puerto Ricans may have contracted the disease, which has been sexually transmitted in some circumstances in addition to being borne by mosquitoes. Over 1,000 of those infected are pregnant women, who are instantly susceptible to having their babies born with birth defects like microcephaly, where the child has an abnormally large head. And Puerto Rican hospitals have logged at least 30 cases in adults of GuillainBarre syndrome, which causes temporary paralysis. The U.S. government declared a state of emergency, which frees up special funds to combat the disease. But its not expected to be enough: Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said last week he expected fully one-quarter of the islands 3.5 million citizens to contract Zika by the end of the year. Related: Zika's Origin and Global Spread Story continues This was predictable and predicted. The public health infrastructure in Puerto Rico has teetered on collapse for months, amid the debt crisis and rampant austerity. Around $200 million in direct cuts to health services went through last year. Medicaid reimbursements are sharply lower on the island than on the mainland, making it difficult for health professionals to survive. And most people with money and skills are leaving, creating a massive talent drain. By one account, a doctor a day has left the island over the past year. And the public, skeptical of a government that ran up debt and created the conditions for austerity, isnt heeding many of the warnings to cover up and wear insect repellent. This makes Puerto Rico the last place on earth equipped to handle an outbreak of this kind, and its why Congress failure to authorize funds to fight the Zika epidemic is so unconscionable. First, Congress shortchanged the Obama administrations $1.9 billion request, and then House Republicans tried to add ideological riders to their Zika funding bill, including cuts to federal support for Planned Parenthood and even a measure to allow the Confederate flag to fly in national cemeteries. Related: US Government Shifts $81 Million to Zika Vaccine Research The White House has shuffled scarce funds to put toward Zika efforts, but that money is not nearly commensurate with their initial request. And because of that, Zika is now far more expensive in places like Puerto Rico, simply because more people will contract the disease, raising the likelihood of widespread birth defects. Consider this: If you add up the cost of pregnancy and care for a child with microcephaly or other defects like incomplete brain development, the lifetime costs, direct and indirect, could equal $4.1 million. That means that 20,000 babies born to Zika-infected pregnant mothers and with widespread infections, this is a strong possibility would cost more than the current amount of money Puerto Rico owes to creditors. Medicaid picks up a lot of that, but the lower Medicaid reimbursement rates in Puerto Rico then come into play. Related: Heres Why Obamas Medicaid Expansion Is Costing So Much More The Zika emergency will give Puerto Rico a short-term boost of needed cash. But that will simply not stretch far enough, and if it passes through directly to creditors, it will be useless. This brings us back to the fiscal control board. These seven officials will have tremendous power to allocate resources on the island and work toward a sustainable fiscal solution. But the word sustainable doesnt mean in August what it meant in February. Sustainable now refers to ensuring the islands habitability. It doesnt matter if the debt gets reduced to a certain level of the commonwealths GDP if nobody can live on Puerto Rico without being infected by mosquitoes. To my knowledge, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have not revealed their lists for the fiscal control board, which President Obama must choose from for the bulk of the panel. And the president has not revealed his selection to the board. But fiscal experts wont understand the most efficient and cost-effective way to fight the epidemic; only doctors and public health officials have the necessary expertise. They would have the contacts to appeal to non-governmental organizations or public health charities to work on the problem. They would be in the position to explain to the rest of the board the urgency of the situation how money earmarked for creditors should instead be put to help halt Zika. Related: Health Care Costs Will Push the Debt Into High Risk Territory Without that level of knowledge on the board, it is very likely to operate in ignorance of the crisis, and cut deals with financiers that will neglect the terrible consequences of Zika. Money that could be directed to building up the health infrastructure will be slashed in furtherance of balancing the islands budget. Does it matter that Puerto Rico gets on a path to fiscal stability if that also creates a path of Puerto Ricans fleeing in droves? Any other country or commonwealth facing an epidemic at the scale of the Zika crisis in Puerto Rico would mobilize as if preparing for war. If the control board only prepares to make hard choices by cutting government services to the bone and giving bondholders a deal they can smile about, they may be destroying the island in order to save it. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Notice: Array to string conversion in /home/sites/www.businessinsider.com/releases/20160817204652/classes/Util/Posts.php on line 494 An aedes aegypti mosquitoes is seen in The Gorgas Memorial institute for Health Studies laboratory as they conduct a research on preventing the spread of the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in Panama City February 4, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso Zika has now spread beyond what was previously the only neighborhood with local transmission in the continental US, Florida Gov. Rick Scott confirmed Friday. In addition to the Wynwood neighborhood in Miami, a 1.5 square-mile area of Miami Beach is also experiencing mosquito-transmitted Zika. The Miami Herald first reported the news of the local transmission Thursday citing sources familiar with Florida health officials' discussion. In total, there are 36 cases of local transmission in Florida, five of those tracing back to the area in Miami Beach. "Today, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed a second location in Miami-Dade County where it is believed active Zika transmission is occurring," Scott said in a statement. "This location is a very small area that is less than 1.5 square miles in Miami Beach. While we are adding a second location, [the Department of Health] is also able to continue reducing the zone in Wynwood." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel warning advising against pregnant women traveling to both the Wynwood and Miami Beach areas, and people living in the area should take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Miami Beach is a major center for tourism in south Florida, and Scott said in a statement that he's working with hotels, restaurants and other businesses to educate on Zika prevention. Here's the section of Miami Beach that has mosquito-transmitted Zika. Miami Beach area However, the release noted that nine areas, eight in Miami-Dade county and one in Palm Beach county, are being investigated for local transmission. Miami is the first area reporting cases of mosquito-transmitted Zika in the continental US, though the outbreak has affected other US territories, including Puerto Rico. Story continues "We are making every resource available to ensure Miami, and our entire state, remains safe for every family and visitor." Zika, which is transmitted mainly by mosquitoes, has been spreading around the Americas over the past year. The cases in Miami are the first time local transmission by mosquitoes has been reported in the continental US. Only about 20% of people who are infected with Zika ever show symptoms, which most commonly include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Here are all 54 countries and territories where local transmission of Zika has been reported as of August 12: BI Graphic_Zika Virus Map And List (6) NOW WATCH: Research reveals why women cheat, but it's not why you think More From Business Insider Zoe Saldana looked like an elegant android in this gorgeous form-fitting dress Zoe Saldana looked like an elegant android in this gorgeous form-fitting dress The fourth Star Trek movie is well on its way to living long and prospering, and we couldnt be any more excited for it! The cast of Star Trek Beyond made a tour stop in Beijing to attend a press conference where they chatted with fans about the new film. "Star Trek Beyond" Beijing Press Conference And Red Carpet Zoe Saldana, however, stole the freaking show in a gold and black, android inspired number. "Star Trek Beyond" Beijing Press Conference And Red Carpet Werkkkkkkkkk. VCG / Getty "Star Trek Beyond" Beijing Press Conference And Red Carpet Zoe switched the look up, a bit, juggling between pairs of nude and black strappy heels to accent her form-fitting dress. zoe saldana She even took the time to take some awesome selfies with fans of the franchise! Star Trek Beyond Asia Tour - Beijing Red Carpet The working mom has been putting in overtime between filming both Star Trek and Nina, and recently opened up about how grateful she is to have her family step in to help her out. See! Shes just like the rest of us! But, back to the dress zoe saldana Its absolutely perfect. Star Trek Beyond Asia Tour - Beijing Fan Meet & Greet Beam us up, Scotty! The post Zoe Saldana looked like an elegant android in this gorgeous form-fitting dress appeared first on HelloGiggles. By PTI: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Aug 19 (PTI) The US has accepted more than 53,000 Hindu refugees since 2005, almost all from Bhutan while 11 from India, according to the State Department. Between 2005 and August this year, as many as 53,662 Hindu refugees -- 53,015 from Bhutan -- have been accepted into the US. Of the rest 647, Sri Lanka topped the list with 383, followed by Nepal, 144, Myanmar, 95, India, 11, Pakistan, six, Vietnam, five, Bangladesh, two and Cambodia, one. advertisement As per the latest figures from the State Department, the maximum number of Hindu refugees -- 11,836 -- came to the US in the year 2009 followed by 9,190 in 2011, 8,401 in 2010, 7,380 in 2012 and 6,296 in 2008. So far this year, 1,234 Hindu refugees have entered America of which 1,181 are from Bhutan and 36 from Sri Lanka, as per the data obtained from the State Departments Refugee Processing Center. Comparatively, according to Pew Research Center, the US has received 28,957 Muslim refugees so far in fiscal year 2016, or nearly half (46 per cent) of the more than 63,000 refugees who have entered the country since the fiscal year began on October 1 last year. "That means that already this year the US has admitted the highest number of Muslim refugees of any year since data on self-reported religious affiliations first became publicly available in 2002," the research center said. After Muslims, Christians are the second-largest group of refugees to the US so far this fiscal year; 27,556 Christian refugees have entered the country, nearly as many as the number of Muslim refugees. A slightly lower share of this years refugees were Christian, 44 per cent than Muslim, the first time that has happened since fiscal 2006, when a large number of Somali refugees entered the US, the report said. Just two countries ? Syria, 8,511 and Somalia, 7,234 ? were the source of more than half of this years Muslim refugees. The rest are from Iraq, 6,071, Myanmar, 2,554, Afghanistan, 1,948 and other countries, 2,639, it said. During the past 15 years, the US has admitted 389,712 Christian refugees and 269,395 Muslim refugees, meaning that 46 per cent of all refugees who have entered the US during this time have been Christian while 32 per cent Muslims. This fiscal year, about 6,552 refugees, 10 per cent are members of faiths other than Islam or Christianity. "More than 2,500 belong to Buddhist traditions while about another 1,500 are Hindus. A much lower number of refugees in 2016 are atheists or claim no religious affiliation, 338 refugees overall, or one per cent of all refugees this year," the report added. PTI LKJ CPS ABH CPS --- ENDS --- advertisement Apple's efforts to secure lower component pricing from iPhone suppliers has been met with strong resistance, according to a new report from Digitimes. The report claims that Apple in recent weeks sought to convince component manufacturers to reduce their quotes for iPhone parts by 20%. Apple has historically been able to wield quite a bit of power when it comes to securing favorable contract terms, but with iPhone sales currently on the decline, Apple has clearly lost a bit of its negotiating power. Generally, Apple is able to get some of the best deals on components because suppliers can make up the difference on volume and Apple is famously willing to pay up-front for parts. But with orders for iPhone components set to decline 30% year over year, it's easy to see why some suppliers were quick to balk at Apple's demands. DON'T MISS: The 10 best deals in Best Buys huge 50th anniversary sale happening right now Notably, Apple's demand for more favorable pricing did not include chip manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) or Largan Precision as Apple can't readily find adequate replacements for companies that offer "foundry services or high-end camera modules, respectively." The report reads in part: Major downstream suppliers, notably Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) and associated companies under the Foxconn Group, have replied Apple that they could not be able to accept orders without reasonable profits at this time. Apple is leveraging the rising handset supply chain in China to force Taiwan-based companies to reduce their quotes comparable to those offered by China-based suppliers. But it makes no sense for such a requirment since the quality of products rolled out by Taiwan- and China-based suppliers is standing at different levels. With Apple and component suppliers at a seeming standstill, it'll be interesting to see how margins on the iPhone 7 are affected. Historically, and in large part due to Tim Cook's operational wizardry, Apple has for years managed to secure favorable pricing deals from component manufacturers. Even during the Steve Jobs era, Cook -- who at the time served as the head of Apple's worldwide operations group -- was highly regarded for getting Apple the absolute best deals on components. Story continues Now as to why Apple suddenly demanded a 20% discount, it all boils down to keeping the company's revenue stream healthy. With iPhone sales growth currently on the decline, Apple is simply trying to squeeze more of a profit out of each iPhone sold. Another theory we've seen suggests that because the components that make up the iPhone 7 may be more expensive than what Apple used on the iPhone 6s, Apple is simply trying to make up the difference in order to protect its precious margins. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com It might sound like William Gibson meets Edward Snowden, but is there anything really stopping the Chinese from potentially using smart TVs to peek into American households? In July, Beijing-based LeEco committed $2 billion to acquire Irvine, Calif.-based Vizio, the biggest U.S. maker of TVs. The move will give the Chinese tech conglomerate, with operations that span consumer electronics, content, cellphones, electric cars and more, a gigantic foothold in the U.S. and integrate LeEco's internet and streaming platforms into Vizio TVs, but there could be privacy and even espionage ramifications as well. In part that's because in Vizio, LeEco is buying a company that's been the subject of about 15 privacy lawsuits, recently consolidated via the multidistrict litigation process. On Monday, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in California federal court. "If you own a VIZIO Smart TV, Friday night movie night in the privacy of your home is a surprisingly public affair," opens the complaint. "This is because VIZIO Smart TVs watch what you're watching while you're watching it." The logging software is on by default. It can be turned off, according to the Vizio privacy policy, but a study by the security company Avast, cited in the lawsuit, found vulnerabilities (since corrected by Vizio) that rendered the opt-out function ineffective. And all this is before any future integration of what LeEco refers to as an ecosystem consisting of internet, cloud and streaming platforms, among others, which would seem to open up even broader data collection vistas. The lawsuit asserts claims under the Video Privacy Protection Act, the Wiretap Act and various consumer statutes passed by legislators in California, Florida, New York, Massachusetts and Washington. For now, the litigation focuses on bulk data collection, and in particular, consumers' viewing histories, but the lawsuit frames all this as highly sensitive fodder. Story continues According to the complaint, "The movies or television consumers watch may reveal sensitive information suggestive of their politics, religious views or sexuality - in other words, their most personal and intimate details." Vizio told The Hollywood Reporter that their TV sets' Video Automated Content Recognition feature "collects only anonymous data (no personal information) and matches it with publicly available broadcast programming to provide, for example, summary reports which may be helpful to media content providers." But Vizio also collects personally identifiable information, according to the company's privacy policy, such as in connection with purchases of equipment and services. That scenario is likely to become more common with the integration of LeEco's streaming services and other offerings. And it's not just about content. Just ask those who recently gained permission from the U.S. Copyright Office to circumvent protection measures in smart televisions. One of the reasons that the permission was necessary, wrote proponents, was to expose what malicious hackers might accomplish by using the built-in microphones and cameras in such devices. Worries of illicit remote access to smart TVs were sparked by a portion of Samsung's privacy policy that once advised owners to "be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party." Vizio says its TVs don't have cameras. But that could change, particularly since at least some LeEco models do. In addition, since Vizio TVs are networked even now, they have to connect to home or office LANs via Ethernet cables or else the user has to enter a Wi-Fi password during setup. In either case, the contents of home PCs and cellphones may then become accessible. Indeed, the Avast study found that the vulnerabilities (subsequently corrected) in Vizio TVs would enable attacks on a user's network. All of this raises issues beyond the privacy lawsuit. In light of the close eye that Chinese officials keep on the country's tech and content industries, could the Chinese government use these features - content logging, LAN access, microphones and cameras - to spy on specific targets of interest, such as a CIA operative at home in Virginia, a White House staffer watching CNN in the West Wing or soldiers on a base almost anywhere? At least one expert, the Brookings Institute's Susan Hennessey, thinks this sort of thing is possible but perhaps unlikely. "Supply chain security and data privacy have long been national security concerns," she said. "So I don't think the basic questions are fantasy, however the specific scenarios may be far fetched." She added, "Anyone in the [intelligence community] should be practicing high levels of operational security with regards to networked devices in the home. Unless there is specific intelligence regarding a particular company, the mere fact it is foreign-owned or even Chinese-owned is not necessarily a reason to avoid the product. The more probable threat would result from insufficient security making them vulnerable to a wide variety of sophisticated actors and not a supply chain compromise. So corporate ownership is not the exclusive consideration." Both companies insisted at their joint press conference in July that all customer data would be kept in the U.S. Said Hennessey, formerly an NSA attorney, "If data is in fact stored in the United States and not elsewhere, then it is protected by U.S. law and could not be handed over to the Chinese government." However, Vizio's current privacy policy doesn't actually appear to say that data is stored only in the U.S. or that it is not transferred to other countries. In addition, Vizio, like most companies, reserves the right to change its privacy policy at will. And, the corporate transaction will also include spinning off Vizio's Inscape Data Services data analysis and marketing unit as a subsidiary to be jointly owned by LeEco and Vizio's founder. That could bring LeEco even closer to the data, and the contours and effectiveness of Inscape's future privacy policy are unknown. The companies pointed out at the press conference that LeEco is a private company, not an arm of the government. But that boundary is scarcely impregnable in China. In fact, the country's media regulator, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, is reportedly proposing that streaming video companies grant board seats and sell equity stakes to the government. LeEco's streaming video service would presumably be affected by the proposal. In addition, Vizio's privacy policy says it "will disclose Personal Information as required by law, or if in our judgment it is necessary to respond to lawful governmental requests." What if those are Chinese laws or requests? "Our customers mean everything to us," was Vizio's answer to THR's specific questions about the above issues. "We respect our customers' privacy and adhere to fair data collection practices." The company didn't otherwise address potential espionage vulnerability. For its part, LeEco was reviewing THR's queries but wasn't able to respond in time for the initial publication of this article. We'll supplement with any responses received later. Is anyone in the U.S. government paying attention? Possibly. "The transaction is likely within the regulatory authority of CFIUS," said Hennessey, referring to the inter-agency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. However, she noted, that "does not mean they will actually exercise" their authority. The Committee, based at the Treasury Department, also includes representatives from numerous other U.S. agencies and cabinet departments. Several of those members' spokespeople failed or refused to comment or referred questions to the Treasury, whose spokesperson also declined to comment, citing legally mandated confidentiality. But Hennessey said that CFIUS has focused on Chinese investments in the past, adding, "I can't speak to the merits of the decision to investigate or not in this particular case, but there are reasons why CFIUS should be taking a particular interest in investments related to the Internet of Things." Whether these issues will come into play in the pending lawsuit is uncertain, and plaintiffs' counsel Andre Mura refused to comment on that. But there are a number of more mundane matters that will keep the parties busy. One is whether the VPPA applies at all. Past lawsuits asserting violations of the VPPA - a statute passed in 1988 after Supreme Court justice nominee Robert Bork's video rental history was leaked to a newspaper - explored the meaning of "personally identifiable information." Courts have been skeptical that something like Roku device serial numbers amount to identification, though an appeals court recently allowed a lawsuit to proceed against Gannett because of the disclosure of GPS coordinates. For this reason - and one that could spark fears over how Vizio's overlord could target specific TV viewers - the plaintiffs in the privacy lawsuit address what other sorts of information are available for disclosure. "Such information includes, but is not limited to, the online services a consumer visited and the presence of a consumer's other Internet-connected devices," states the complaint. "VIZIO also disclosed consumers' Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, media access control (MAC) addresses, and zip codes. This personally identifiable information can be used to pinpoint a consumer's physical location." At the pleading stage, the plaintiffs may be asked to address a recent Supreme Court ruling, Spokeo v. Robins, that held that privacy plaintiffs under another statute, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, must show an injury that is both "concrete and particularized." The high court justices largely left it to lower court judges to figure out what harm is sufficient to survive dismissal of a claimed privacy breach. In an interesting twist, Vizio's current privacy policy says that they do not collect viewing data from televisions located outside the U.S. That may be because some countries - particularly those in the EU - have stronger privacy protections than the U.S., but it's certainly ironic that a U.S. company's products offer more privacy to non-U.S. customers. And once Vizio becomes Chinese-owned, the plaintiffs and others may wonder whether their domestic privacy concerns have acquired an international dimension as well. Patrick Brzeski contributed to this story. At this point it's practically impossible for rival companies to compete with Samsung when it comes to flagship Android phones. For one thing, Samsung's marketing and advertising budget reaches into the double-digit billions, which is simply impossible for any other Android vendor to match or even approach. On top of that, Samsung happens to be making the best Android-powered smartphones in the world right now. As we explained in detail in our Galaxy Note 7 review, Samsung's new Note 7 is completely unmatched. As Samsung's new Galaxy Note 7 launches in the US and other markets around the world, a new leak just revealed Lenovo's upcoming next-generation Moto Z smartphone. It certainly won't come anywhere close to competing with the Galaxy Note 7 where sales are concerned, but eager Android fans should still be excited. DON'T MISS: I built a Wi-Fi paradise and all I needed was one device If you haven't read it already, you should definitely take a moment to read our full Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid review. Lenovo didn't do itself any favors by agreeing to make these phones Verizon exclusives in the US at launch. But if you spend even a little bit of time with either of these phones you'll see just how far Moto flagship handsets have come. These devices are gorgeous, insanely powerful (the highest AnTuTu scores we've ever seen), and the modular system Lenovo built is outstanding. Now, we've gotten a glimpse at the next Moto Z phone Lenovo plans to launch. Twitter leaker The Malignant has posted photos from an unnamed source that appear to show the much-rumored Moto Z Play. According to recent leaks, the Moto Z Play will feature a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 1080p resolution, a Snapdragon 625 processor, either 2GB or 3GB of RAM depending on the version, a 16-megapixel camera, the new Moto Mod modular system, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with an upgrade to Nougat already in the works. Oh, and it'll also have a standard 3.5mm audio jack according to rumors neither the Moto Z or Moto Z Force have a dedicated headphone port. Story continues The phone is essentially expected to be a lower-cost version of the Moto Z, which might even start at around $300 unlocked. The leaked photos can be seen below. Screen Shot 2016-08-19 at 8.11.37 AM Screen Shot 2016-08-19 at 8.11.25 AM Screen Shot 2016-08-19 at 8.11.15 AM Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com Every year we want our pocket computers to be even faster at doing amazing smarter things and be more energy efficient than last year. We look for faster chips, more RAM, more storage, and bigger batteries. Smartphone makers often deliver, making each new smartphone generation quicker and better than the previous one. As consumers, we often focus on processor types, and the amount of memory and storage to determine whether a certain smartphone is going to be good enough. One thing we dont always acknowledge is the quality of certain components, and we consistently fail to talk about the speed of one critical part of an iPhone or Android device: the speed of its hard drive. Having massive amounts of built-in flash memory and expandable storage isnt enough if its not fast. Thankfully, some of the companies developing these storage solutions for iPhone and flagship Android devices are working on faster and more energy efficient storage solutions. Samsung is one of the company to keep an eye on when it comes to mobile storage, as it just announced plans to make its insanely fast smartphone storage solutions even quicker in the coming years, and that might benefit the iPhone as well. DONT MISS: Best Buy has 50 hot deals that will be good for just 50 hours One of the reasons the iPhone 6s is so fast when compared to the iPhone 6 is because of Apples way of handling memory. According to AnandTechs detailed explanation of the matter, Apple adapted its MacBook SSD controller which makes MacBook data transfers incredibly fast and modified it to use inside a smartphone. Furthermore, the report revealed that the iPhone 6s uses NVMe protocol with custom NAND memory which ruled out UFS or traditional eMMC. The iPad Pro and iPhone SE uses the same type of storage as the 2015 iPhones. In tests, Apples storage solution beat the Galaxy S6 series, which came loaded with UFS 2.0 built-in storage, itself being an incredibly fast memory. Story continues Samsung this February announced that its UFS 2.0 technology is getting even faster. Furthermore capacity increased up to 256GB as speeds went up to 850MB/s (sequential reading) and up to 260MB/s (sequential writing). But Samsungs freshly released Galaxy S7 cant beat Apples iPhone 6s storage speeds, according to the same tests from AnandTech. Neither does the Galaxy Note 7 (see charts above). This, however, doesnt mean that Samsung isnt looking to come up with even faster storage solutions for mobile devices. Speaking at the Mobile & IOT 2016 Forum in Seoul earlier this week, Samsung said that UFS storage would be significantly upgraded in coming years, Business Korea reports. 4K or 8K cameras on drones make high-capacity storage devices essential parts. Samsungs Cho Hee-chang said. The use of UFS will rise in production of VR contents or semiconductors for automobiles where camera sensors are very important. Cho expects some 50 billion of connected devices by 2020, with UFS popularity set to expand in following years. Internal UFS 2.0 and UFS 2.1 memory, the one that goes into phones like the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note, and has theoretical speeds of 1.2GB/s should move to 2.4GB/s in the first half of 2018. Samsung also wants to double the speed of its UFS card v.1.0 standard (for its incredibly fast new microSD cards) that supports speeds of up to 600MB/s to UFS card v2.0, which would transfer data at 1.2GB/s speeds. And since Samsung is a major memory provider for a variety of companies, even Apple, we have plenty of reasons to be excited about the smartphones of the future, iPhone included. Sure, some will point out that Apple uses its proprietary controller technology with PCI-E NVMe protocols for its iPhone memory, while Samsung uses the AHCI protocol for its UFS V-NAND memory. It's all sounds too complicated with all the acronyms, but so far Apple's solution is the faster one according to benchmarks, with SanDisk claiming that PCI-E NVMe is the future for mobile (see this presentation). Samsung, meanwhile, is sticking with UFS for the foreseeable future, and that's not a bad thing. UFS memory will only get faster in future Galaxy S and Galaxy Note smartphones, at least according to Samsung's projections for the following years. Furthermore, Samsung has plenty of competition in the storage market that will not want to fall behind when it comes to overall storage speeds and energy efficiency. Not to mention that Samsung has been known to combine V-NAND technology and NVMe standards into a single storage package: its called Samsung 950 PRO, an M.2 SSD that features sequential read speeds of up to 2.5GB/s and write speeds of up to 1.5GB/s. It might be only a matter of time before this type of technology is miniaturized for smartphones that will have increasingly higher storage needs and speed requirements. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com If former Marine and entrepreneur Sean Bielat has his way, the law enforcement officer tentatively approaching a vehicle in the future after making a traffic stop won't be an officer at all. Rather, those are the kind of interactions fraught with uncertainty, potentially dangerous that seem to him to make perfect sense for one of his robots to deal with instead. DON'T MISS: I built a Wi-Fi paradise and all I needed was one device Bielat is the CEO of Endeavor Robotics, a privately held ground robotics company that in April spun out of Mass.-based iRobot and is focused on the defense, public safety and energy and industrial markets. It's a young company, but already Endeavor has delivered some 6,000 robots to customers, everything from a roughly five-pound throwable robot perfect for surveillance and reconnaissance up to its 500-pound beast called the Kobra. The Kobra has a 12-foot arm and can lift loads of up to a couple hundred pounds. Endeavor sees it as ideal for helping resolve large threats or dealing with things like vehicle-born explosive devices. The company has also been involved in trials with the Army using this robot, positioning it as potentially able to carry a squad's equipment load. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7S7JLBpy3U Needless to say, a company narrowly focused on these specific kinds of machines -- and on a future that puts robots increasingly at the center of war and public safety -- is a company thatll no doubt be worth increasingly watching over time. Because of what Endeavor represents, and the product line it has on offer, the company also believes it has a massively lucrative future ahead of it. Bielat said the goal is for Endeavor to be much larger than we are today. Right now, its an exciting time for us in that during the early part of the 2000s, the Department of Defense was buying a lot of robots, Bielat tells BGR. They were buying them off the shelf, with contingency funds and very rapidly and in large numbers. After we pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan, the ground robotics space saw a big decline in revenue as a result of that. But the robots have proved their value to the DoD, which has gone back to traditional acquisition approaches through programs of record. Story continues A few weeks ago, Endeavor announced a partnership with New York City-based communications technology company Persistent Systems to integrate a new communications system into Endeavors robots. Among other things, Endeavor says that new system will increase the operational range of its robots in urban areas and other radio-challenged environments. Longer term company targets include things like getting the price of robot units down so clients like cash-strapped police departments can more easily afford them. The robot on the low end of Endeavors price scale costs about $19,000. One thing worth noting as the company is on the march to expand: not only does Endeavor have defense industry clients paying up for its robots, but so increasingly are law enforcement agencies. Like agencies in the greater Dallas area, where Endeavor has acknowledged selling its robots and where, last month, Dallas police used a robot to deliver and detonate an explosive that killed the shooter who murdered five police officers. (Endeavor says it isnt sure if the robot was one of theirs.) In order to support the infantry, were going to be making lighter-weight robots and lesser expensive robots, Bielat says. Currently of the 6,000 or so weve fielded, a couple hundred have been to law enforcement -- and law enforcement really wants the technology, its just a matter of the price point. Currently, ours are out of the reach of the budgets of many law enforcement departments. As the military buys in bulk, that allows us to have a lower-priced robot thats easier for law enforcement to afford. Endeavor, Bielat went on, is also looking even beyond law enforcement uses cases. He said the company can foresee broad applicability for its robots, eventually putting them into use in commercial and industrial situations, as well. In addition to Endeavors five-pound robot, it also has one that comes in at a little under 20 pounds. It can be used to manipulate things like improvised explosive devices. Theres also a heavier one called the PackBot that weighs about 65 pounds. That one is used in counter-IED and explosive ordnance disposal roles. The largest robot above that is the Kobra. Were really focused on technologies that save lives, that reduce harm to people, Bielat said. We see all sorts of potential for robots taking people out of dangerous situations. You could imagine just like in San Diego recently, where you had two policemen shot at a traffic stop. You could imagine robots being used to approach a stopped vehicle and interact with the people inside, so the people inside arent feeling threatened by an armed officer and the officer isnt feeling threatened by the people in the vehicle and not knowing what their intention is. Youre defusing the situation. And, of course, also adding something to the situation - something profoundly new, that we as a society havent begun to completely think through yet. Its somewhat parallel to the AI-run-amok debate. Autonomy isnt a feature of Endeavors robots, but just like the cautionary notes being heard in some corners of the scientific and technology community about AI, the same thinking perhaps applies here. The implications of robot-led warfare and law enforcement raise questions about ethics, about where the line should be drawn and how far down this road we should continue. For now, Endeavor stresses that the benefits here are paramount -- its technology is in a unique position to save lives. Scholar Wendell Wallach takes the other side of the argument in his book A Dangerous Master: How to Keep Technology from Slipping Beyond our Control. It is becoming increasingly difficult to comprehend the risks entailed in emerging forms of scientific research and in the adoption of innovative technologies, he writes. Later, he continues: Our expanding reliance on complex systems whose risks we do not or cannot calculate is troubling. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) The CWC has suggested "utilising" live storage in a hydroelectric project located downstream to moderate ensuing flood in Sikkim in the wake of an artificial lake created by blockage of Kanaka river. Following massive landslide on August 13, the artificial lake was created 4 km upstream of confluence of Teesta and Kanaka rivers. The operational hydroelectric project of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Teesta-V, is situated about 21 km downstream of the present landslide dam. advertisement The landslide had occurred at So-Bhir cliff at Dzongu. The lake could burst any moment releasing huge volume of water into the Teesta, suddenly causing a major problem for the people of Dikchu, Makha, Singtam, Rangpo and some areas of north Bengal. "The live storage of Teesta-V, in consultation with the project authorities concerned, may be utilised to moderate the landslide dam breach flood in the reach of river Teesta, downstream of Teesta-V HE Project," the Central Water Commission (CWC) has suggested in its report sent to the Sikkim government. The report has been sent also to NHPC and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for "suitable action" on their part, Union Water Resources Ministry said. According to the CWC, the estimated volume for 65 m height of (the artificial) dam, based on the hydrodynamic simulation, is about 7.55 million cubic meter (MCM). The volume of the lake, for 60 m height, has been estimated about 6.1 MCM. "For the estimated volume of 7.55 MCM...for the dam break scenario, the initial condition flood in the Kanaka river has been adopted as 100 cumec (cubic metre per second), while the same for Teesta river has been adopted as 450 cumec. "Since Teesta-V can play a crucial role for flood moderation in case of breaching of land slide dam, the river reach for dam break simulation has been considered from land slide dam location up to the Teesta-V project," it said. According to the estimates, the available storage at Teesta-V between minimum draw down level (MDDL) and full reservoir level (FRL) is 5.4 MCM. "Hence, in the event of breaching of landslide dam, moderation of flood peak is possible downstream of Teesta-V through a controlled release of about 1,000 cumec from Teesta-V spillway. "The release condition may be suitably modified by the project authorities if additional rainfall is reported from the upstream catchment," it advised. MORE PTI ENM RCJ ZMN RCJ --- ENDS --- Finland-based Nokia Corporation NOK is forging ahead with its 5G expansion plans. Nokia recently entered a research collaboration agreement with BT Group plc BT, worlds leading communications service company headquartered in the U.K. The companies will work toward developing 5G technologies, creating 5G Proof of Concept (PoC) trials and developing technology standards and equipment. In Feb 2015, Orange ORAN had entered into a definitive agreement with BT Group to divest its U.K. wireless business EE which it jointly controls with Deutsche Telekom AG. Details of the Deal The main purpose of the trial is to look into the technology enablers for 5G including mmWave radio and convergence, potential commercial services like ultrafast mobile broadband, mission-critical services and the Internet of Things (IoT). Initially, Nokia has started conducting trials of its latest 5G-ready radio equipment at the BT Labs at Adastral Park, Suffolk in the U.K., using Nokias AirScale radio access. Nevertheless, this association is subject to the existing relationship through which Nokia supplies BT Groups 21C core routing platform and both the BT/EE subscriber register infrastructure and part of the EE Radio Access Network. Benefits of 5G 5G or 5th generation mobile networks or 5th generation wireless systems is the next major phase of mobile telecommunications standards after the 4G/IMT standards. 5G is expected to deliver mobile broadband speeds of up to 1 Gbps and latency in the range of one millisecond. It thus enables simultaneous streaming of data like 360-degree video streaming and mobile remote control. Nokia and BT Group presume that 5Gs ability lies in terms of flexibility and usability of mobile networks as per the different needs of customers. This requires lower latency to support critical communications or greater power efficiency and higher bandwidth usage for various applications. The new flexibility will be used to support new business and consumer services based on IoT, including connected cars, smart cities and remote health monitoring applications. The Bottom Line 5G is a revolution in the field of communications. 5G has appealed to the telecom industry and hence similar partnerships are evolving. Nonetheless, there is a lot of discussion on the technology as we know with every new G (generation) entering the wireless technology world, the demand, popularity and excitement increases among users. Although, 5G technology has just been introduced to the market, it is expected that such alliances should lead to higher adoption of the technology later this year. However, Nokia continues to face tough competition from the likes of LM Ericsson ERIC and Huwain Technologies Co. Ltd. Both Nokia and BT Group currently have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Story continues NOKIA CP-ADR A Price NOKIA CP-ADR A Price | NOKIA CP-ADR A Quote BT GRP PLC-ADR Price BT GRP PLC-ADR Price | BT GRP PLC-ADR Quote Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ERICSSON LM ADR (ERIC): Free Stock Analysis Report NOKIA CP-ADR A (NOK): Free Stock Analysis Report BT GRP PLC-ADR (BT): Free Stock Analysis Report ORANGE-ADR (ORAN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research T. rex skull Seattles Burke Museum took delivery of whats recognized as one of the finest Tyrannosaur rex skulls in the world today, but there are still more bones out in Montana to add to the treasure. Well go back again, Greg Wilson, a University of Washington biologist who led the excavation team at Montanas Hell Creek Formation, told GeekWire at the arrival ceremony. Theres more in the hill. Itll take more than a year to do the preparatory work on the skull and more than 50 other T. rex bone specimens that have been recovered over the past couple of months, including vertebrae, ribs, hips and lower jaw bones. The haul so far appears to account for about 20 percent of the complete skeleton. That puts the Burke Museums set of fossils among the worlds top 25 T. rex finds, Wilson said. He told reporters that the museums T. rex skull will be the only one to go on public display in Washington state. This is a huge discovery for the Burke Museum, science in general, and the state of Washington, he said as he stood alongside the flatbed truck that brought the plaster-wrapped skull to Seattle overnight. Minutes after Wilson spoke, a forklift operator carefully raised the 3,000-pound-plus hulk off the flatbed, moved it onto a pallet, and deposited it in the museums loading dock. The skull, still encased in rock and plaster, will go on display in the museums lobby on Saturday and stay there until Oct. 2. Then the Burkes paleontology team will go to work. The museum expects to put the partially prepared skull on exhibit again next year for its annual Dino Weekend in mid-March, and then show off the specimen in its full glory by the time the museums new building opens in 2019. Greg Wilson with T. rex skull at Burke Museum Wilson and his colleagues already have figured out some of the T. rexs history. It was probably about 15 years old, close to full adulthood, when it died about 66.3 million years ago. That time frame would be 300,000 years before the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs (except for birds, which are considered the modern-day descendants of dinosaurs). Story continues Based on the size of its skull, the T. rex was about 40 feet long and 15 to 20 feet tall in life. Its hips would have come up nearly to the height of a city bus, Wilson said. The discovery drew praise from Nathan Myhrvold, the CEO of Intellectual Ventures, who has conducted and supported paleontological research in the Hell Creek Formation. This is really great news. The T. rex has always been my favorite dinosaur, and Im really pleased that this one is going to make its home at the Burke Museum, he said in a statement. Veteran dino-hunter Jack Horner said the T. rex trove is definitely one of the most significant specimens yet found, and because of its size, is sure to yield important information about the growth and possible eating habits of these magnificent animals. T. rex skull extracted The initial find was made in May 2015, while Burke volunteers Jason Love and Luke Tufts were taking an exploratory hike through a little-traveled area of the Hell Creek Formation. We came around a corner and saw some really big pieces of bone, Love recalled. Their interest grew when they noticed that some of the bones had the honeycomb appearance associated with big predatory dinosaurs like T. rex. Confirmation of the find, and the excavation itself, had to wait until the professionals came onto the scene. Tufts and Love have been fossil-hunters since their college days, but theyre not trained paleontologists. Tufts is an accountant, while Love is a pathologist specializing in blood diseases. We dont do any digging, we dont do any disturbing of the fossils, because were not the experts, Love explained. T. rex honeycomb bone The Burke Museum got into the act because it holds a permit from the Bureau of Land Management to conduct excavations on federal land in the Hell Creek Formation. Wilson said examining the bones in the field was a long process, involving 30 to 45 people. Finally, during this summers field season, Wilson and his team removed more than 20 tons of dirt around the skull and the surrounding rock. At one point, a local rancher lent his hay bale loader to help lift the chunk of rock out of the ground. During excavation, paleontologists exposed the right side of the fossilized skull from base to snout, including teeth. Researchers assume that the rest of the skull will come to light once additional rock is chipped away. To honor the discoverers, Wilson said the specimen would be known as the Tufts-Love Rex. That kind of recognition tickled Tufts and Love, who have been dinosaur fans since childhood. This is a big thrill for a couple of aging guys in their 40s, Love said. Luke Tufts and Jason Love More from GeekWire: Edward Snowden leaked thousands of classified documents in 2013 revealing the vast US surveillance of private data put in place after the September 11, 2001 attacks (AFP Photo/Tobias Schwarz) (AFP/File) Washington (AFP) - Previously unpublished documents released by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden confirm that some of the spy agency's top-secret code has been leaked or hacked, The Intercept reported Friday. The online news site's editors include journalists that worked with Snowden to publicize his notorious 2013 NSA leak revealing the extent of government snooping on private data. The Intercept said Snowden had given the site a classified draft NSA manual on how to implant malware -- malicious code that is used to monitor or control someone else's computer. Whether code published online by a mysterious group called "Shadow Hackers" is genuine has been the source of much debate in recent days. The NSA has steadfastly declined to comment on whether it has been the victim of a security breach. Over the weekend, the Shadow Hackers posted two sets of files, one that is freely accessible and another that remains encrypted. They said they would release this additional information subject to raising one million Bitcoins -- digital currency, in this case worth about $575 million -- through an online auction. According to the Intercept, the draft NSA manual contains instructions to NSA operators telling them to use a specific string of characters associated with the SECONDDATE malware program. The exact same characters appear throughout parts of the Shadow Brokers leak, the Intercept said. According to The New York Times, much of the code was created to peer through the computer firewalls of foreign powers like China, Iran and Russia. Such access would enable the NSA to plant malware in rivals' systems and monitor -- or even attack -- their networks. Whoever obtained the code would have had to break into NSA servers that store the files, the Times said. As if the telecom wars weren't already heated enough, Sprint Corp. (S) and T-Mobile US (TMUS) each announced Thursday they are offering unlimited data plans (with some restrictions, of course) -- minutes apart from each other, reports USA Today. T-Mobile's CEO and President John Legere made the announcement on Twitter, shortly followed by snark, then an announcement by Sprint's CEO Marcelo Claure. Come on @JohnLegere all this drama for this !!! @sprint new plans are much better without the drama queen show. -- MarceloClaure (@marceloclaure) August 18, 2016 1/9 .@Sprint is proud to announce exciting new #UnlimitedFreedom. pic.twitter.com/djGbjG1r5b -- MarceloClaure (@marceloclaure) August 18, 2016 For one line of unlimited data, calls and texting, T-Mobile will charge customers $70 every month, plus $50 for a second line and $20 each line thereafter with a cap at eight lines. The new plans -- dubbed T-Mobile One -- will launch Sept. 6. On the other hand, Sprint's plans for talk, text and data would cost $60 per month at one line, followed by $100 for two lines. Lines after that would be another $30 each. All this comes after a major shift from telecom competitor AT&T (T). Earlier this week, AT&T announced it is eliminating overage charges in its new plans. USA Today notes that T-Mobile's own elimination of overage charges through an "Uncarrier" initiative inspired AT&T's decision. Verizon Communications (VZ) remains the sole carrier that charges for overages, with its "Safety Mode" program charging on lower tier plans. Shares of T-Mobile and Sprint were little changed in early trading. That said, Sprint's Claure tweeted the year-to-date stock receipt as a market reminder. Let's see drama queen @JohnLegere say that the market is lying. @sprint stock up 66.57% vs @TMobile up 19.94% https://t.co/iNKQdbDcpz -- MarceloClaure (@marceloclaure) August 18, 2016 Claure isn't afraid to get snappy on Twitter. He went on a tweetstorm about Verizon following a new ad from the company which directly and unapologetically targeted Sprint. Just Thursday, he even tweeted the now eponymous "Delete Your Account" to Verizon's incoming Wireless CEO, Ronan Dunne, who could be more prolific on Twitter than previous Verizon executives. Story continues Hint @ronandunneo2 Delete Your Account https://t.co/MvFbLgsQGC -- MarceloClaure (@marceloclaure) August 18, 2016 11 Stocks That Donald Trump Loves How to Build a Fidelity Portfolio With ETFs David Oliver is Associate Editor, Social Media at U.S. News & World Report. Follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, or send him an email at doliver@usnews.com. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than 30 major technology and communication companies said on Friday they are joining the U.S. government to crack down on "robocalls," automated, prerecorded phone calls that regulators have labeled a "scourge." AT&T Inc , Google parent Alphabet Inc , Apple Inc , Verizon Communications Inc and Comcast Corp are among members of the "Robocall Strike Force" that held its first meeting with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. The strike force will report to the FCC by Oct. 19 on "concrete plans to accelerate the development and adoption of new tools and solutions," said AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson, chairman of the group. The strike force hopes to implement Caller ID verification standards to help block calls from spoofed phone numbers and consider a "Do Not Originate" list that would block spoofers from impersonating legitimate phone numbers from governments, banks or others. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in July urged major companies to take new action to block robocalls, which often come from telemarketers or scam artists. "This scourge must stop," Wheeler said on Friday, calling robocalls the No. 1 complaint from consumers. "The bad guys are beating the good guys with technology," Wheeler said. In the past, he has said robocalls continue "due in large part to industry inaction." Stephenson emphasized "the breadth and complexity" of the problem. "This is going to require more than individual company initiatives and one-off blocking apps," Stephenson said. "Robocallers are a formidable adversary, notoriously hard to stop." The FCC does not require robocall blocking and filtering but has strongly encouraged phone service providers to offer those services at no charge. The strike force brings together carriers, device makers, operating system developers, network designers and the government. "We have to come out of this with a comprehensive play book for all of us to go execute," Stephenson said. "We have calls that are perfectly legal, but unwanted, like telemarketers and public opinion surveyors. At the other end of the spectrum, we have millions of calls that are blatantly illegal." Stephenson said technical experts representing the companies have had "preliminary conversations about short- and longer-term initiatives." Joan Marsh, AT&T vice president of federal regulatory issues, called the problem complicated. "We have been wrangling with this problem long enough to know there is no silver bullet," she said. "Nothing by itself is going to do it." Other companies taking part include Blackberry Ltd , British Telecommunications Plc [BTCOM.UL], Charter Communications Inc , Frontier Communications , LG Electronics Inc <066570.KS>, Microsoft Corp , Nokia Corp , Qualcomm Inc , Samsung Electronics Co Ltd <005930.KS>, Sirius XM Holdings Inc , T-Mobile US Inc and U.S. Cellular Corp . Consumers Union, a public advocacy group, said the task force is a sign "phone companies are taking more serious steps to protect their customers from unwanted calls." (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Lisa Von Ahn and David Gregorio) The Alphabet GOOGL versus Oracle ORCL case seems to be winding on forever and current developments dont even seem too newsy any more. But that doesnt mean its all over, not by a long shot. The last we heard about it, Google won the case against Oracle on the principle of fair use, a decision Oracle vowed to appeal. Thats because fair use is a kind of defense where the offender admits to the offense (in this case copyright infringement) but explains why the infringement was justified. Normally, fair use can be resorted to when the offender is able to show that a) the infringement benefited many, so was for common good; b) if the copyrighted material was a small part of the end product created, i.e., there was true originality/innovation in the product created that is distinguishable from the copyrighted material; c) if the infringement can cause material harm to the original work, for example by reducing its market value or impacting its ability to generate revenue. There is no dispute about Androids usefulness: it has enabled many phone makers with limited means to bring smartphones to market thereby increasing competition and lowering the price of smartphones. This in turn has made smartphones accessible to many more. Further, it has created an ecosystem of developers that can depend on it for their livelihood. Googles own revenue generation is indirect: it only makes money when customers use its apps that are pre-loaded on the devices. Second, there is also no dispute about the end product. In fact, the lines of Java code used in Android are important but a tiny fraction of Android. Java use in Android is essentially restricted to the application programming interface (API), a virtual machine-powered application platform on top of the OS that helps to add functionality to devices because it allows third-party apps to run on them. In this case, Google used Java SE (the desktop version) and not Java ME (the mobile version). Story continues Third, whether there is material harm to Oracle is debatable because while Android is a tremendous force today, thats not the way it started out. Android grew over time and Oracle didnt buy Sun (which created Java) until Android was already successful. Oracle could theoretically have devoted resources and time to develop on Java, but instead it thought it could get a bite out of Android. As far as Sun is concerned, its former CEO Jonathan Schwartz has testified in court that "We had the foundational technologies to make it work, but we weren't able to get it to market in timeIt's very difficult. We had R&D choices we had to make. We couldn't fund every project." Further, on being asked whether Suns failure to launch a Java-based smartphone had anything to do with Android, he said No. ALPHABET INC-A Price ALPHABET INC-A Price | ALPHABET INC-A Quote But thats not the end of the story. The Role of APIs APIs are like gateways or better, sockets in hardware that third parties plug their stuff into. They constitute software code that enable different programs to communicate with each other. So its important that these APIs remain neutral so companies cant fleece the world at large every time they are used. Media reports indicate that courts have thus far ruled in favor of maintaining this neutrality of APIs. And thats exactly why the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has repeatedly filed amicus curiae (friend/impartial advisor to the court) briefs so the courts hold that APIs arent copyrightable and to prevent Oracle from monetizing the Java API through its acquisition of Sun. And in fact, the case revealed that it was Suns practice to allow companies to freely use Java APIs. Suns strategy in those days was to use this approach to extend Javas reach as far as possible so more developers would build on it. The idea was that once the ecosystem gathered momentum, it would help Sun sell other products. So was Google under the impression that it could get away without a license? From the publicly available information it is difficult to determine whether Google thought it needed a license. Its clear that Sun wanted a commercial relationship with Google that didnt work out for some reason. According to Schwartz it was a combination of money and technical dependence.Google didnt want to rely, as best as I understand, on anyone else. Then again, former Android head Andy Rubin testified in court that Sun didnt want Google to give away Android for free (this could have been because its hard to fix lucrative licensing terms for something free). Alphabet chairman Eric Schmidt said he had been willing to fork out $30-40 million for a five-year license but what exactly that license was for is unclear. It might have been for the code Google used or something more than that (since the Java logo was supposed to appear in various places in that arrangement and the talks may have fallen apart because of Googles desire to give away the OS for free). The May 2016 hearing in which the jury ruled in favor of Googles fair use was therefore good news for the future of software development (and every Android user because we are not using a criminally infringing device). So Why Are We Bringing This Up Again Today? Oracle lawyers are now saying that Google withheld key information. One of the defenses Google took in the retrial depended was that it had used the desktop version of Java while Android was used in mobile devices. Oracle says that the recent launch of Google Play on Chrome therefore renders this defense groundless. They therefore think another retrial is justified so the jury can have access to this information. Googles response was that during discovery Oracle had asked for and received information about App Runtime for Chrome (ARC), so Oracle could have pursued the matter then. And the update ARC++ was still in the works at the time, so wasnt mentioned, especially since it was beyond the scope of the trial. The judge told Google "If I had been in your position, I would have disclosed." But he also questioned Oracles asking for a retrial because it didnt use the information available to influence this jury and was asking for another hearing. He will rule on the new angle in writing. ORACLE CORP Price ORACLE CORP Price | ORACLE CORP Quote In Conclusion This case isnt likely to get resolved any time soon and both companies still have a fair chance to win. Google could simply take a license or Oracle could simply back off. But neither of those two things looks like its going to happen. Here are a few companies you could focus on instead as they have favorable Zacks ranks and are therefore worth a look: NVIDIA Corp NVDA, Paylocity Holdings PCTY and Autobytel Inc ABTL. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AUTOBYTEL INC (ABTL): Free Stock Analysis Report ORACLE CORP (ORCL): Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA CORP (NVDA): Free Stock Analysis Report ALPHABET INC-A (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report PAYLOCITY HLDG (PCTY): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Matt Null, a CNN senior producer and a former Fox News producer, died on Monday while vacationing with friends in Barcelona. He was 34. Null had been worked on CNNs Early Start for more than three years. The morning shows anchor, Christine Romans, shared the news with viewers on Wednesday. It is with a heavy heart that we report tragic news of one of our own this morning, Romans said, holding back tears. A cause of death has not been revealed. Romans described Null as an exceptional producer who was a rising star here at CNN. He is literally the voice in our head every morning. When terrible things happen around the world, he is the one who brings it to you with calm and fairness, she added. He is someone who really made a difference in the world through his job. Before joining the CNN team, he worked as a producer for Fox News Channels On the Record With Greta Van Susteren, beginning in in 2012. Van Susteren also discussed Null on-air, saying the news of his death stopped me in my tracks. Null worked his way up the producing ranks of local TV news stations at WKBN in Youngstown, Ohio; WFTS in Tampa; WSVN in Miami; and KRON in San Francisco before transitioning to network news. He got his start in the industry as a reporter at KTVO Kirksville, Mo., after graduating from Truman State University. Related stories Roger Ailes Advising Donald Trump's Campaign on Debates (Report) Fox News Names Jack Abernethy, Bill Shine Co-Presidents Roger Ailes Allegations Move From Sex to Surveillance By Devarsi Ghosh: War Dogs, starring Miles Teller (Whiplash) and Jonah Hill (Wolf of Wall Street), is The Hangover director Todd Phillips's latest film. Here's our War Dogs movie review. Cast: Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Bradley Cooper Direction: Todd Phillips Ratings: (4/5) "War is an economy. Anybody who says otherwise is either in on it or stupid," so says David Packouz (Miles Teller), the infamous gun runner whose company AEY Inc., one half of which was the Efraim Diveroli (Jonah Hill), was suspended by the US government for trying to sell sub-par Chinese ammunition by repackaging it in "cardboard boxes" to the US army during the Iraq war. Their little trick was in violation of the American arms embargo on China. As a result, David had to face seven months' house arrest and Efraim spent four years in federal prison. advertisement ALSO READ: HAPPY BHAG JAYEGI MOVIE REVIEW ALSO READ: UNINDIAN MOVIE REVIEW Miles Teller and Jonah Hill play War Dogs or "bottom feeders who make money off of war without ever setting foot on the battlefield". The actors channel a modern-day Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in a film which follows the Scorsese arc of hubris getting the better of ambitious young men resulting in a tragic loss of everything that mattered a la Casino, Goodfellas, Wolf of Wall Street, you name it. War Dogs, directed by the man who made The Hangover - Todd Phillips - is a perfect marriage of crisp, economical screenwriting, confident direction and great performances. Jonah Hill's Efraim Diveroli is basically Jonah Hill's Donnie Azoff from Wolf Of Wall Street, running his own business... of 'arms trading' worth millions with the US government in all sorts of illegal ways. Hill's Diveroli fashions himself as a gangster. His dressing is gaudy, he loves cocaine and prostitutes, he is willing to take batshit crazy risks (like driving and smuggling Italian guns into Iraq through Jordan risking his life because $$$) and his idol is Tony Montana. Hill is unstoppable in this film. Miles Teller plays the more rational David Packouz. David is a guy who is trying to make it big by either massaging old people or selling bed sheets to old people. He comes from humble means and is cautious. He joins his "best friend" Efraim in the arms trading business, and soon, they are drowning in cash. But Packouz calls a spade a spade and consequently, runs into loggerheads with Diveroli. Teller, a fine actor, who won hearts as the ambitious jazz percussionist in the Academy Award-winning Whiplash, does well as the moral anchor of the film. (Top L to R) David Packouz and Miles Teller, (Down L to R) Efraim Diveroli and Jonah Hill The screenplay adapted from a Rolling Stone article, which calls Packouz and Diveroli "the stoner arms dealers", is fast and does not fool around. Todd Phillips has amazing control on the material and The Hangover director's bro-humour sensibilities are a little subdued here considering the seriousness of the story. But what use of music! When Packouz, for the first time, is enamoured by Diveroli's rich and sexy life as a gun runner, Beastie Boys' So What'cha Want plays. When the two land a multi-million dollar arms deal with the US government, they run into each other's arms and fall on the beach with Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here playing. And when, Diveroli is shooting bullets off an AK 47, laughing his belly out, in slow motion, Roger Daltrey singing Behind Blue Eyes elevates the moment to visual poetry. advertisement War Dogs is a film about two twenty-something men who do terrible things for a living. Besides echoing the Scorsese rise-and-fall story, the film is reminiscent of The Social Network - a more layered film about the moral corruption of twenty-somethings trying to win the world. Is there redemption? No. In reality, Packouz went on to invent BeatBuddy, the world's first guitar pedal drum machine. On the other hand, Diveroli wrote a memoir called Once A Gun Runner... Why are we not surprised? ( The writer tweets as @devarsighosh ) --- ENDS --- By PTI: From Suman Sahoo Vijayawada, Aug 18 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu today said there is no clarity on the Centres stand on according special status to his state and demanded that it keep the promises made during bifurcation. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of Krishna Pushkaram river festival, he said the Centre today released about Rs 1,800 crore fund whereas the state was to get Rs 16,000 crore on account of revenue deficit. advertisement "We got only Rs 1000 crore on account of revenue deficit today. The rest was for other purposes including backwards area development. The state was promised this fund as after bifurcation, revenue-generating capital Hyderabad went to Telangana. "We are having a problem of finances. We came here (the present situation) carrying debt on our head," he said. He also said there were problems between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and the Centre should intervene to solve the issues. "We are waiting for the solutions," he said. He rued that educational and other institutions have remained in Hyderabad and his state does not have enough funds for building these here. Naidu evaded a question as to why the NDA has gone into hibernation. Naidus TDP is a part of NDA at the Centre. On the Constitution amendment bill on GST, he said Andhra Pradesh will ratify it soon. Krishna Pushkaram is a 12-day festival that comes once in every 12 years. Over three crore devotees are expected to take a holy dip in the river Krishna across Andhra Pradesh. PTI SMN ZMN --- ENDS --- The CPI(M) too echoed its alliance partner, Congress on the issue and said that if the government had taken a decision then why was an all party meet called? By Indrajit Kundu: A united opposition has stonewalled Mamata Banerjee government's decision to rename the state as Bengal or Banga from West Bengal. The state government had convened an all party meeting on Thursday to discuss the name change proposal before a special session of the West Bengal State Assembly on August 26. UNILATERAL DECISION: OPPOSITION However, opposition parties refused to accept the state cabinets decision terming it "unilateral". The Congress opposed the move and demanded the formation of a commission to study the proposal first. advertisement "We are not bound to support all cabinet decisions taken by the Trinamool government. We don't want to support a decision based on futile logic. Thus we have asked for a commission that would assess the verdict of people across all sections of our society on the issue," said Abdul Mannan, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly. CPI(M) BACKS CONGRESS The CPI(M) too echoed its alliance partner Congress on the issue. "We have learnt that the cabinet has already decided on the name. Then what's the use of an all party meeting. It means that the government is not interested in any unanimity. The government must take the opinion of the masses," said CPI(M) legislator Sujan Chakraborty. OPPOSED TO NAME CHANGE: BJP The BJP however maintained its stated position that a name change was not necessary for the state. "We have been opposed to any change of name from the outset, and we stick to our stand. The opinion and sensitivity of the nine crore plus people of Bengal have not been sought. Previously too, a similar decision was taken in cabinet meetings, once during the left rule and once during the first Trinamool government without reflecting the sentiments of the people. They have the numbers so if they do it forcefully neglecting the wish of the people, it will meet the same fate as previous attempts," said Dilip Ghosh, state BJP President. ALSO READ Mamata Banerjee's plan B: West Bengal's name to change to Banga, Bangla or Bengal Mamata Banerjee gears up for renaming of West Bengal --- ENDS --- Bangladesh Information minister Hasanul Haq Inu said that orders have been issued to completely stop the broadcast of Zakir Naik's speeches. By India Today Web Desk: Bangladesh has cracked down on controversial Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik by banning the broadcast of his speeches on television. "We have issued orders to completely stop the broadcast of Zakir Naik's speeches," Bangladesh Information minister Hasanul Haq Inu said in a statement today. Naik angered Bangladesh after his speeches were found to have inspired terrorists involved in the July 1 Dhaka cafe massacre in which 22 persons, including a 19-year-old Indian girl, were killed. advertisement READ: IRF says Mumbai police report on Zakir Naik made under media pressure At least two terrorists involved in the attack in the upscale Gulshan locality were known to have been inspired by Naik's speeches and sermons, prompting the government to clamp down on his publicity mechanisms in the country. Last month, Bangladesh authorities banned Naik's Peace TV from the airwaves and online, and also his Peace mobile phone. Peace TV is also banned in India now. In India, the Mumbai police is examining several of Naik's sermons, speeches and literature from his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) to ascertain if he was using provocative or inflammatory language that had the potential to create communal rift. READ: Mumbai Police releases Zakir Naik case report, CM Fadnavis govt to press for extradition The televangelist is currently on a tour of some Arab and African countries for the past couple of months and addressed the Mumbai media via a Skype conference last month. Naik, on his part, has claimed that his statements were "doctored and tampered out of context" and asserted that he was a "messenger of peace" and unequivocally condemned all terror and terrorist activities. Also Read: Now dubbed a threat, Zakir Naik was once provided security by Mumbai Police Mumbai Police to visit Kerala to seek custody of Zakir Naik's aides Employee of Zakir Naik's IRF arrested for allegedly brainwashing youths to join ISIS --- ENDS --- Hewlett Packard has been in the innovation business for more than 75 years. Our vast intellectual property portfolio and global research and development capabilities are part of an innovation roadmap designed to help organizations of all sizes from global enterprises to local startups transition from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. Sometimes this Kat is puzzled by the selection of a company name (or names) after a corporate split, spin-off or acquisition. This Kat haspreviously shared his bemusement over the selection of the corporate name, Mondelez International , adopted in 2012 in connection with the spin-off of Kraft Foods global snack and food brands (as reported on Wikipedia, it was suggested by Kraft Foods employees and is a combination of the words for "world" and "delicious" in Romance languages). Uncertain in its pronunciation and difficult to store in ones long-term memory, this Kat still wonders. One thing, however, can be said in defense of Mondelez, after sorting out what the company name refers to, there is never any confusion between it and any other Kraft (or indeed any other) entity. The same cannot necessarily be said about the company names that were selected in connection with the 2015 split of the once-known Hewlett-Packard Company.In that connection, this Kat recently met an acquaintance, who has a long-time connection with the company. Over a cup of coffee, this Kat innocently asked: So which HP company do you now work for. And who is running the company? My acquaintance fumbled his response to both questions, before ultimately coming up with the correct answers. As Kat readers may be aware, the former Hewlett-Packard Company has split into two separate companies. The then existing company changed its name to HP Inc. and retained the companys personal computer and legacy business (with its ticker remaining HPQ), while a new company was created, called Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (with its ticker symbol HPE) and consisting of four divisionsEnterprise Group, Services, and Software and Financial Services. In May 2016, it was announced that Hewlett Packard Enterprise would sell its Enterprise Services division to Computer Sciences Corporation . This transaction is to be completed by March 2017; in the meantime, it does not appear that a name has been chosen for this new company.So what we have is that the existing company has discarded the name Hewlett-Packard Company in favor of HP Inc. (HP being a name and mark long associated with the company). The second company is called Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company. (Kat readers will carefully note that the hyphen between Hewlett and Packard has been discarded, and its full presentation, it also includes a logo in the outline form of a green rectangle.) The two companies still both roughly share the Hewlett-Packard nomenclature history.But it does not have to be this way. Consider Accenture , by some metrics the worlds largest consulting company. Accenture began as the business and technology division of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen and then became known as Andersen Consulting. Tension between the consulting and accounting practices led Andersen Consulting to change its name in 2001 to Accenture. In that same year, the Enron scandal broke , implicating Andersen Accounting and leading to its virtual demise. While the Andersen name will forever be associated with the Enron scandal, Accenture (no whiff of the word Andersen in its name) was recently recognized by Fortune magazine among the worlds most admired information technology services companies.For sure, there may have been a bit of luck involved, since one of the terms of the arbitration award in the dispute between the two companies was that the latter could no longer use the Andersen nameleading to Accenture. But it also points to the risk in sharing a common name, when the two entities are separate and independent, and each goes off in its own business direction. One wonders how Andersen Consulting would have played out if it had retained the name Andersen as the accounting company was being dragged through the mud of Enron.Regarding Hewlett Packard Enterprise (or HP or HPE or whatever), the issue is in no way connected to negative spill-overs, such as Enron, but rather what kind of corporate identities are being created. Truth be told, trying to keep straight the two companies by name and fields of activity is a constant challenge. One gets the sense that, at least for the moment, those concerned at the two companies seem to want a bit of confusion in their identities. Consider the following, which appears on the Hewlett Packard Enterprise website--Even after the split, what seems most important is that the two companies both continue to recall their common Hewlett Packard heritage,. Whether this is an effective naming strategy in the longer term will remain to be seen. During the conference which lasted for more than an hour, Lord Maginnis of Drumglass, a member of the UK House of Lords, and Malcolm Fowler, a former member of the Human Rights Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales, expressed their views that people held accountable for the shocking massacre of 1988 in Iran should be brought to justice, adding that they remain hopeful that the UK government would help further this cause. Lord Maginnis expressed his concerns over Britains foreign policy in the recent years, which he has observed during his years in Parliament. We do not have a realistic foreign policy, he stated. He urged that 1988 heinous crimes are not just something that happened in the past. Within the last 3 years, around 3,000 people have been executed in Iran. the same sort of thing has continued and will continue, so long as we treat Iran as a potential trading partner. In his opinion, it is a question of looking at morality from a British point of view. He voiced his regret that the UK does not seem to have a moral policy towards regimes, such as Iran. However, he expressed hope that Theresa May, the new Prime Minister, would take a more moral stance towards the regime, bringing to light its human rights violations. Malcolm Fowler agreed with Lord Maginnis, portraying his shock and horror at the actual death toll. Reza Malek, a former director of the Research and Survey department of the Intelligence Ministry, reported that over 33,000 people were executed during the summer of 1988. Mr. Fowler suggested that these many people were executed in Tehran alone, including children and pregnant women, and that the actual death toll in all of Iran may be much higher. During the conference, he explained how the mock trials were staged to reach a decision within moments during which time the prisoners were asked if they had allegiance with the main opposition group Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK). He praised the victims bravery for remaining true to their beliefs, instead of bowing the knee and becoming turncoats for Khomeinis regime which ordered these executions. He also illustrated the regimes machine-like style of execution, detailing the hangings people were hanged from cranes, six at a time. He called these an unrequited injustice of very serious proportions. He expressed his feelings that many people should make this their business to know, stating that instead many governments, including the UK, choose to ignore it. New insights have been revealed into the 1988 revelations, following an audio tape being released on the website of the late Hossein-Ali Montazeri. Once thought to be the heir to Irans Supreme Leader Khomeini, Montazeri fell out with the regimes rulers and spent a great proportion of his life under house arrest for speaking out against the regime. The tape revealed Mr. Montazeri arguing against the members of the Death Commission who committed the crimes. He revealed the extent of the injustice at the executions, helplessly crying out that the executors will have to respond to God for these crimes, which include the execution of pregnant women and children. Ahmad Khomeini (Khomeinis son) has personally been saying for 3-4 years that PMOI affiliates should all be executed, even if they only read their newspaper, publications or statement. He argued that the people being executed are part of an ideology and that these actions will not stop this school of thought but cause it to spread even further. Echoing his words, the NCRI has been gaining steady support over the years. The recent rally held in Paris attracted 100,000 supporters of a free Iran, a tremendous turnout. The 1988 executions have been gaining more attention in the press and support from the international community which gives hope that the people responsible for these crimes will one day be brought to justice. Jim Fitzpatrick from the UK House of Commons, sent a video message to the conference, stating that: Somebody has to be held responsible for the deaths of these people whose only crime was [being the political] opposition to Ayatollah Khomeini. Under the rule of Hassan Rouhanis regime, some 2600 people have been executed. The demonstration was planned to coincide with the anniversary of the massacre of political prisoners in the summer of 1988. In a matter of just a few months, more than 30,000 political prisoners were were allegedly executed upon a fatwa, issued by Khomeini, the founder of the theocratic regime. The majority of those prisoners were activists of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran, the main Iranian opposition movement. An audio tape has been published on a website dedicated to Hossein-Ali Montazeri, Khomeinis former heir. In it, he can be heard condemning the regimes leaders over the scope and pace of the 1988 massacre. This recording is sending political shock waves in Iran. Many of those responsible for the massacre are still members of the Rouhani government. Some still hold senior positions. Dutch Iranians who have lost family members during the 1988 massacre, and their supporters, will gather together for this huge demonstration. Farzad Madadzadeh, a prominent political prisoner who recently took refuge in the Netherlands,will be one of the speakers. The demonstrators intend to urge the Dutch government to act with its allies and call for a halt to the executions and torture in Iran. They also call for the UN Security Council to form an international court that will investigate and prosecute those responsible for the 1988 massacre in Iran. Dr. Mohammad Maleki an Iranian academic, pro-democracy activist, and former president of the University of Tehran, released his statement after an audio recording, published on a website dedicated to Hossein-Ali Montazeri, on which the former heir to Khomeini can be heard acknowledging the regimes knowledge of, and organization of, the 1988 massacre. Many of those executions were of political prisoners affiliated to the main Iranian opposition group, the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK). Dr. Maleki said, I have evidence that provides information about a large number of those executed. The 4000 to 5000 number which Montazeri and others have claimed was only related to the executions carried out in Tehran while the massacre of 1988 was also carried out in other towns and even in the villages. According to Dr.Maleki, Reza Malek, a former senior official of the regimes Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), claimed the actual number of executed PMOI-affiliated political prisoners was in excess of 30,000. Dr. Maleki said, More than 30,000 of them were from the PMOI, and two to three thousand were from other groups. I have this figure from my source, who is still alive. Dr. Maleki, 83, has been arrested many time and has spent time in prison under the Iranian regime. He has been banned from leaving the country. He publicly condemned the October 29, 2015 rocket attack against members of the PMOI (MEK) in Camp Liberty in Iraq which left 24 people killed and dozens wounded. He publicly said that the residents of Camp Liberty rocket attack will overcome all obstacles, and continue their resistance against the clerical regime with ever greater force, sayng that they seek freedom from cradle to the grave. About Me Name: Carl in Jerusalem Location: Jerusalem, Israel I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com View my complete profile [August 18, 2016] Mphasis Launches 'ComPASS,' a Comprehensive Policy Administration Service Solution A unique, cloud based platform for the insurance sector to accelerate product speed to market NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mphasis, a leading IT services provider and solutions provider, announced the launch of ComPASS, a suite of comprehensive end-to-end transformational services solutions. The ComPASS Suite includes a solution for Group Benefits carriers comprised of services wrapped around an agile platform that can be deployed on-cloud or on premise. True to its motto to "Unleash the Next," Mphasis recognizes that carriers are constantly looking to help employers optimize benefits and retirement plans while being pressured to reduce costs. Carriers are expected to do this while providing clients with flexibility and hugely competitive group products that meet the diverse needs of their employees and ensure they retain top talent. Carriers face disparate enrollment and billing systems, sub-standard user experiences that result in low customer satisfaction, high costs of benefit changes & license fes for new platforms, and annual enrollment programming that limit the ability to innovate, and high license fee costs for new platforms. In addition, carriers are pressured to retain experienced CSRs with leveling of costs that must be balanced against seasonal needs, manage poor integration across channels and difficult ongoing account management processes. ComPASS for Group Benefits provides greater agility in completing annual benefit updates, while significantly reducing operating expenses by 30 to 40 percent. Wrapped around a highly configurable PAS platform and Mphasis' cost-efficient business process services are digital enablement technologies and interactive portals that enhance user experiences and drive tighter carrier-customer relationship. This allows carriers to deliver superior account management models with Mphasis addressing the challenges of seasonal staffing and programming. "ComPASS is designed to disrupt existing operating models in the Group Benefits market by empowering digital account management while offering a high ROI, minimal adoption cost, enhanced speed-to-market, and the best use of technologies such as Analytics and Robotic Process Automation. We are excited to introduce this solution which will further enhance our leadership role in the insurance sector. We at Mphasis constantly aim to innovate and co-create with customers and the ComPASS Suite is a breakthrough solution for the insurance industry with unmatched advantages," said Dinesh Venugopal, President Mphasis Digital and Strategic Customers. About Mphasis Mphasis (an HP Enterprise Company) enables chosen customers to meet the demands of an evolving market place. Recently named by American Banker and BAI as one of the top companies in FinTech and as the "Most Distinguished Digital Company in 2015" by The Economic Times, Mphasis fuels this by combining superior human capital with cutting edge solutions in hyper-specialized areas. Contact Mphasis on www.mphasis.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 18, 2016] C2 Solutions Is Named to the 2016 Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine ranked C2 Solutions on its 35th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies, the list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment- its independent small businesses. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Domino's Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees of the Inc. 5000. "We are honored to be included on the 2016 Inc. 5000 list," said Clint Sawinski, Partner and Co-founder of C2 Solutions. "Our growth in revenue is only one of the measures that show we're building a world-class IT services company of focused experts that drive rapid technology improvements and business solutions for our clients." The 2016 Inc. 5000, unveiled online at Inc.com and with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc. (available on newsstands August 23) is the most competitive crop in the list's history. The average company on the list achieved a three-year growth of 433%. The Inc. 5000's aggregate revenue is $200 billion, and the companies on the list collectively generated 640,000 jobs over the past three years, or about 8% of all jobs created in the entire economy during that period. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. "The Inc. 5000 list stands out where it really counts," said Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg. "It honors real achievement by a founder or a team of them. No one makes the Inc. 5000 without building something great usually from scratch. That's one of the hardest things to do in business, as every company founder knows. But without it, free enterprise fails." The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring all the companies on the list will be held from October 18 through 20, in San Antonio, TX.Speakers include some of the greatest entrepreneurs of this and past generations, such as best-selling author and strategist Tony Robbins, SoulCycle co-founders Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice, Cornerstone OnDemand founder, president and CEO Adam Miller, Marvell Technology Group director and co-founder Weili Dai, and New Belgium Brewing co-founder and executive chair Kim Jordan. About C2 Solutions C2 Solutions is a specialized IT consulting firm based in Minneapolis, MN. The firm specializes in business intelligence, application solutions, digital marketing and software quality assurance. C2 has built a reputation for helping clients deploy solutions faster and with less risk. The firm delivers results with experienced consultants that understand the complexity that goes into creating a business solution. The company deploys integrated solutions with technology from leading companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Informatica, IBM, and HP. More information on the firm is available at www.c2its.com Trademarks Microsoft, Oracle, Informatica, IBM, and HP are registered trademarks. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Media Contact: Hannah Salmen C2 Solutions, 612-598-9630, [email protected] Inc. 500/5000 Methodology The 2016 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2012 to 2015. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2012. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent-not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies-as of December 31, 2015. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2012 is $100,000; the minimum for 2015 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.'s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. About Inc. Media: Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Winner of the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 15,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com. The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list of the nation's most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates their remarkable achievements. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions. For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/c2-solutions-is-named-to-the-2016-inc-5000-fastest-growing-private-companies-300315731.html SOURCE C2 Solutions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 19, 2016] RiskSense to Host Webinar Featuring Analyst Joseph Blankenship on Role of Big Data in Cyber Security RiskSense, Inc., the pioneer and market leader in pro-active cyber risk management, today announced that it will be hosting a webinar featuring security analyst Joseph Blankenship from Forrester Research (News - Alert) who will discuss the importance of big data in cyber security. Blankenship, along with Dr. Srinivas Mukkamala, RiskSense's co-founder and CEO, will explain how security operations teams can stay ahead of attackers by unifying and contextualizing internal security intelligence, external threat data, and business criticality across the enterprise attack surface. WHAT: The Importance of Big Data in Cyber Security WHEN: Friday, August 26, 2016 at 9:00 AM PDT / 11:00 AM CDT (News - Alert) / 12:00 PM EDT WHO: Joseph Blankenship, Senior Analyst, Forrester Research Blankenship supports security and risk professionals, helping clients develop security strategies and make informed decisions to protect against risk. He covers security infrastructure and operations, including security information and event management (SIEM), security analytics, and network security. Blankenship's research focuses on security monitoring, threat detection, operations, and management. He has presented at industry events, been quoted in the media, and has written about a variety of security topics. Dr. Srinivas Mukkamala, Co-founder and CEO, RiskSense Mukkamala was part of a think tank that collaborated with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Intelligence Community on cyber security best practices. He is an expert on malware analytics, breach exposure management, Web application security, and enterprise risk reduction. Dr. Mukkamala was a lead researcher for CACTUS (Computational Analysis of Cyber Terrorism against the U.S.) and holds a patent on Intelligent Agents for Distributed Intrusion (News - Alert) Detection System and Method of Practicing. HOW: To register for the event, please visit the RiskSense Webinar Sign-Up page. About RiskSense RiskSense, Inc., is the pioneer and market leader in pro-active cyber risk management. The company enables enterprises and governments to reveal cyber risk, quickly orchestrate remediation, and monitor the results. This is done by unifying and contextualizing internal security intelligence, external threat data, and business criticality across a growing attack surface. The company's Software-as-a-Service (SaaS (News - Alert)) platform transforms cyber risk management into a more pro-active, collaborative, and real-time discipline. The RiskSense Platform embodies the expertise and intimate knowledge gained from real world experience in defending critical networks from the world's most dangerous cyber adversaries. By leveraging RiskSense cyber risk management solutions, organizations can significantly shorten time-to-remediation, increase operational efficiency, strengthen their security programs, heighten response readiness, reduce costs, and ultimately minimize cyber risks. For more information, please visit www.risksense.com or follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at @RiskSense. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005076/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] anterior Avances. Estudio israeli descubre que la obesidad reduce la efectividad de la vacuna contra la gripe CHARLESTON -- A man was ordered to pay just more than $2,100 in restitution after he admitted trying to set fire to a pickup truck. Charlie A. Luby, 23, for whom court records list an address in Burbank in the Chicago area, pleaded guilty to a property damage charge alleging he tried to set the fire in Charleston on April 11, 2015. With the agreement reached in his case, Luby pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense and was sentenced to two years of probation. A felony arson charge that could have brought a prison sentence of three to seven years was dismissed. Case records indicate witnesses identified Luby as the person who lit fire to a rag in the gas tank of a truck parked in the 1100 block of Sixth Street in Charleston. Damage was limited to the truck's paint, the records say. Probation terms for Luby included payment of just more than $1,100 in restitution to the truck owner's insurance provider and another $1,000 to the Charleston Fire Department for the cost of responding to the fire. Luby was also ordered to spend two weeks in jail, one week now and the second starting Jan. 2. Substance abuse treatment and other counseling were also ordered. Coles County Circuit Judge Teresa Righter sentenced Luby based on the terms of a plea agreement that Assistant State's Attorney Tom Bucher and defense attorney Sean Britton recommended. In other cases in court recently, Righter also accepted guilty pleas from: Zachary T. Schrock, 28, whose address on record is 19967 River Road, Ashmore, to a charge of failure to register as a sex offender alleging he didn't register his address with police within three days of moving in December. There was no agreement on a sentence and Righter scheduled sentencing for Oct. 21. An aggravated battery charge alleging Schrock hit another man at the Coles County jail on April 18 was dismissed. A prison sentence of three to 14 years will be required because of Schrock's criminal record, which includes an earlier failure to register conviction for which he served prison time. Bucher is prosecuting the case and Public Defender Anthony Ortega represents Schrock. Ameer K. Abdullah, 24, for whom records list a Chicago address, to a misdemeanor cannabis possession charge alleging he had marijuana police found during a traffic stop in Charleston on April 16. A felony charge of possession with intent to deliver was dismissed and Abdullah was ordered to pay about $2,500 in fines and court fees. Traffic citations for driving under the influence and other offenses were dismissed. Righter accepted a plea agreement that Assistant State's Attorney Bryant Hitchings and defense attorney Todd Reardon recommended. Michael D. Dobbs, 31, whose address on record is 7978 Old State Roard, Mattoon, to a methamphetamine possession charge alleging he had the drug on June 26. Dobbs was sentenced to two years of first offender probation, so he won't have a record of a conviction if he follows requirements. Terms of the sentence included substance abuse treatment and payment of about $1,300 in fines and fees Hitchings and defense attorney Janett Winter-Black recommended the plea agreement. URBANA -- The night his 5-year-old daughter died, Tony Galbo said to anyone who would listen: "No parent should ever have to do this. There should be Gabby's law." Four years later, at Presence Covenant Medical Center in Urbana on Thursday, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into Illinois law "Gabby's Law," with Tony and Elizabeth Galbo, of Monticello, standing nearby. "We didn't want another family to go through what we went through," Tony said. "The State of Illinois needs to take care of its citizens, and today, with this law, it's doing that." On May 11, 2012, Gabby Galbo died from sepsis -- the bodys life-threatening response to an infection which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Gabby developed sepsis from undiagnosed Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Five days earlier, Gabby was released from Carle Foundation Hospital despite blood work that was later revealed to show she had significant signs of infection. The Galbos were told the night Gabby was released that the blood work was "unremarkable." Gabby's Law, Senate Bill 2403, requires hospitals to "adopt evidence-based protocols for the early recognition and treatment of patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock that are based on generally accepted standards of care. It requires the protocols contain certain components, including those specific to identifying and treating adults and children." The bill, championed by Sen. Chapin Rose of Mahomet, passed both the General Assembly's house and senate unanimously. This bill is an example of good public policy that will save lives, Rauner said. But we are saddened, because it was due to the loss of 5-year-old Gabby Galbo that this legislation was sent to my desk. Gabbys Law will save lives while honoring this little girl's legacy. It will have a tremendous impact in Illinois for years to come. Elizabeth Galbo was emotional, sobbing as she held her daughter Giada. "When we first went to Representative (Bill) Mitchell and Senator Chapin, I wasn't sure where it was going to go, or how far it was going to go," Elizabeth said. "But Senator Rose took his time. He told us, 'If we're going to do this, let's do it right.'" When Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign treated Gabby in 2012, it had a sepsis protocol, but not a pediatric sepsis protocol. "Every hospital needs to mandate this protocol," Tony Galbo said. "There are hospitals that have been doing this protocol for many years, but this is for the hospitals that have not." Sepsis kills more than 258,000 people in the United States each year, making it the ninth-leading cause of disease-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It accounts for more deaths each year than prostate cancer, breast cancer and AIDS combined. "There are over 1.6 million cases of sepsis per year in the United States, and over half of Americans don't know the early warning symptoms," said Kathy Johnson, an operations director and Telehealth team member for the Presence Health system. "We must raise awareness of it." Early warning symptoms include fever, shivering, extreme pain, discolored skin, extreme sleepiness, confusion and shortness of breath. Anyone with two or more of those symptoms should see a doctor. If sepsis is detected early, it can be treated. "If your health care provider doesn't screen you for sepsis, tell them you want them to," Johnson said. Chief of Party Counter Trafficking in Persons (Asia CTIP) Chemonics seeks a chief of party for an anticipated five-year, USAID-funded Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) project. This project is part of a comprehensive effort by the U.S Government to combat human trafficking in Asia. The project will focus on reducing the vulnerability of at-risk individuals and groups to human trafficking, increase the quality and availability of support for trafficked persons, and improve access to justice for trafficked persons. Responsibilities include: Deputy Chief of Party - Research and Evidence Counter Trafficking in Persons (Asia CTIP) Chemonics seeks a deputy chief of party for an anticipated five-year, USAID-funded Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) project. This project is part of a comprehensive effort by the U.S Government to combat human trafficking in Asia. The project will focus on reducing the vulnerability of at-risk individuals and groups to human trafficking, increase the quality and availability of support for trafficked persons, and improve access to justice for trafficked persons. Responsibilities include: DeWITT A Minnesota tool company plans to bring new life to a central DeWitt building thats been vacant almost eight years. Malco Products Inc. has announced plans to purchase the former Vise-Grip factory. More than 300 jobs were cut in 2008 when Newell Rubbermaid, the owner of the Vise-Grip brand and its plant in DeWitt, a town of just over 500, announced production would be transferred to China. Malco Products is based in Annandale, Minn., a town of around 3,300 residents. Company President and CEO Mardon Quandt said it was important that the company chose a rural area to expand, and added Nebraska is a good fit. Were excited about starting a manufacturing operation and we think that theres a good fit with the culture and the work environment in Nebraska, he said. The state just seems to have a real desire to get good manufacturing jobs back in Nebraska. According to the companys website, Malco got its start in 1950 when Mark W. Keymer, a young steel supply salesman, began to manufacture and market a pipe crimper he invented for use in sheet metal ductwork used with forced air heating systems. More tools followed, including a first hand seamer to employ compound leverage, a time-saving hand notcher and a hand operated, snap lock punch to complete the basic sheet metal tool set. The early product line of crimpers, seamers, notchers and punches has since been joined by hundreds of other specialty tools. In addition to HVAC equipment, the company makes tools for automotive, fence and roofing work. Quandt declined to say what would be produced at the plant and added the purchase of the building is still being finalized. Fliers from the company have been posted around DeWitt and mailed to business owners inviting the community to an event Monday to celebrate a major milestone in this process and learn more about the company. Quandt said around 12 company officials will be in DeWitt next week. He added the company is around two years away from producing at the plant, and declined to estimate how many Nebraska jobs will be created. Quandt stressed the Nebraska Department of Economic Development was helpful throughout the decision process. We have been working with the state of Nebraska on this project and they have influenced our decision to come to Nebraska, he said. We appreciate that the state has been very cooperative about different programs and is easy to do business with. The announcement that Newell Rubbermaid was moving Vise-Grip production to China in 2008 shook the town of DeWitt. Six years prior, upgrades were made to some of DeWitt's utility services, such as sewer infrastructure, to better handle the needs of the plant, according to Daily Sun archives. Larry Wattjes, a member of the DeWitt Village Board, said the announcement will be a major boost to the town in more ways than the accompanying jobs. Its a big boost to DeWitt to have some manufacturing going back in there, he said. We sell our own electricity and so we took a great big hit on that. Over the last eight years the cash flow has been really going down. The plants roots can be traced to Danish immigrant Bill Petersen patenting a pair of locking pliers in 1924 and starting production at his blacksmith shop in DeWitt. In 1985, the Petersen family sold to American Tool Company Inc. Newell-Rubbermaid bought the plant in 2002 and it has operated under the name of Irwin Industrial Tools, a company American Tool bought in 1993. An Omaha conservative activist has filed a complaint with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission against Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers. Andrew Sullivan claims Chambers misused public resources and has criminally harassed Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion through the poems he writes and pictures he draws and distributes to senators. Those "Kintner-grams," as Chambers calls them, are also showing up on Facebook, on a fan page identified as "Ernie Chambers" that neither Chambers nor his assistant administer and that Chambers, because of his lack of computer literacy, says he has never seen. Chambers has been issuing poems and drawings about Kintner for at least a week, since Kintner was fined by the commission for using his state-owned laptop computer to have cybersex with a woman in another country. Almost immediately after the incident, the woman tried to extort money from him. "As everyone knows by now, Sen. Kintner was subject to an embarrassing extortion attempt," Sullivan wrote in his letter to Accountability and Disclosure. "Chambers is continuing to harass Senator Kintner in the most embarrassing manner possible. If this continues, as I expect it will, Chambers will basically be guilty of criminal harassment and subject to a protection order." Sullivan said Chambers is aiding and abetting extortionists, the very kind that contacted Kintner in the first place. Chambers has every right to bring up issues related to Kintner, he said, but the manner in which he is doing it amounts to bullying. "He's sending it to his colleagues and everyone else out there, and in the fact of doing that he's basically engaging in criminal harassment," Sullivan said. Chambers has said he plans to continue issuing the Kintner-grams, including during the legislative session set to begin in January. "I guess it'll be a contest to see which one will run out first. My ability to rhyme or his hide to absorb what he might see as punishment," Chambers said Friday. Even though the writing consists of humor and satire, Chambers said, the subject matter is serious and factual, based on the actual conduct and words of Kintner. Kintner is included in the distribution of the writings because he is a senator, but they are not addressed to him, he said. Sullivan seemed to focus his complaint on the Facebook postings, at least in part, saying who runs the page is unclear. The postings "likely violate the terms and conditions of Facebook, and I have reported him to Facebook officials," he said. While Chambers has free speech rights, Sullivan said, his use of state letterhead for the writings can be viewed as unlawful harassment, particularly when used on Facebook. Kintner has expressed concerns about Chambers' writings as well, saying they are personal attacks, taken to a level above what Chambers usually writes about and distributes to his colleagues. On Friday, Chambers asked the commission to make Sullivan's complaint public. "In the interest of governmental transparency, the public has the right to know when one of its elected officials has been made the subject of a formal, sworn complaint by a disgruntled citizen -- or whoever," he wrote. State officials including Gov. Pete Ricketts and Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley have asked Kintner to resign. Chambers said he intends to send Kintner a template for a resignation letter in case he can't figure out the words to use. Legislative leaders will take more time deciding how they'll respond to state Sen. Bill Kintner's cybersex scandal. A much-anticipated meeting of the Legislature's Executive Board ended Friday without formal action against the outspoken conservative from Papillion. Kintner has admitted using his state-owned laptop to exchange live video of himself masturbating with a stranger while attending a conference in Boston last year. Instead of acting Friday, the 10-member Executive Board will meet again at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 29 to consider options ranging from revoking Kintner's computer access, Capitol office and parking space to impeaching or expelling him from the Legislature. "We can't carry this circus on," said Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha, the board chairman, saying it's important for lawmakers to respond quickly. Kintner has refused to resign despite calls that he do so from Gov. Pete Ricketts, Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley and others saying he apologized to his wife, God and his colleagues and that remaining in office will best allow him to continue serving God. He didn't attend Friday's meeting and said he wasn't invited to testify, but neither was he told he could be on the list of speakers. Still, Krist said, Kintner could have asked. "If I was the subject of this conversation, I would have called up and said, 'I want to be here and I want to speak for myself.' It just goes to character." In a statement Friday a few hours after the meeting, Kintner said he appreciates the board taking time to fully consider the importance of the matter and the precedent that would be set by any action it takes. Nebraska lawmakers have never booted one of their own from office. On Friday, Hadley said his research found that only 17 lawmakers have been impeached in all of U.S. history. "This is uncharted water," Krist said after the Friday morning hearing. Lawmakers are therefore establishing procedure as they go. A vote to eject Kintner from office this year could require a special session before senators convene as scheduled in January. That could cost the state upward of $75,000 and would be a waste of taxpayers' hard-earned dollars, Kintner said, especially at a time when our state is facing current and projected tax receipt shortfalls. Another option floated Friday was to make the issue a substantial debate during a regular interim meeting of the legislative council. Those were made possible by a 1937 law and have typically served as informal social functions, but Krist said lawmakers could use one to take formal action. In the meantime, the Executive Board's next hearing will give Kintner a chance to defend himself, with an attorney present if he chooses, Krist said. Members of the public will be allowed to testify as well. Kintner said he looks forward to addressing his fellow senators on the issue. Without Kintner present and other senators unwilling to act, Friday's hearing consisted mostly of a timeline, compiled by legislative staff, of how Kintner's cybersex encounter bubbled up from an initial report last summer to a public scandal in recent weeks. Cass County Democratic Chairwoman Marsha Babcock of Elmwood testified after submitting signatures from 800 of Kintner's constituents calling on him to resign. The environmental group Bold Nebraska submitted a similar list of its own with 2,042 names. And several Executive Board members made it clear they want Kintner to step down. Sens. Dan Hughes of Venango and Dan Watermeier of Syracuse both said they've personally asked him to resign. "Bill Kintner has decided to carry this on himself," Krist said after the hearing. Kintner's district includes all of Cass County and parts of Otoe and Sarpy counties. If he remains in office, he would be eligible for re-election in 2018. Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol and Ricketts learned Kintner had apparently misused his state-owned laptop more than a year ago. But the case first became public late last month, about a week before Kintner was fined $1,000 by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission on Aug. 5. Kintner contacted the patrol himself last August because immediately after the cybersex, the woman, who was from another country, threatened to release video of him masturbating if he didn't wire money to her. The patrol launched investigations into the alleged extortion and into Kintner's misuse of his computer. The extortion probe went cold, and after consulting with Attorney General Doug Peterson's office, the patrol turned over the other piece to the Accountability and Disclosure Commission. While state law allows people who misuse public property to face criminal charges, Peterson's office has determined Kintner is not subject to criminal penalty here because the incident happened outside the state. Hadley and Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers both questioned that conclusion Friday, and Chambers called for an "objective" review of the criminal case. Chambers was the first to call for Kintner's impeachment and has threatened to hijack the legislative session if the Papillion senator remains in office. "To me, it remains mind-boggling how any man whose wife has been diagnosed with cancer can be so selfish, small-minded, and lacking in ordinary, common decency as to drag his wife through a public meatgrinder of a pornographic scandal," Chambers wrote in a memo to colleagues last week. Kintner's wife, Lauren, is Ricketts' chief policy adviser, a position she also held under the previous two governors. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer days after her husband's return from Boston. "My wife has shown absolutely incredible grace and forgiveness, more so than any man deserves," Kintner has said. "I am just fortunate that we have a good, strong marriage, and my faith is stronger than ever." Krist questioned Kintner's character, both with his handling of the cybersex issue and his history of incendiary statements. Krist also referred to Kinter's comments about God and faith, saying, "Whatever phone number he's using to talk to God, I want it." A 34-year-old Colorado man who started a fire in his Lincoln hotel room that caused at least $150,000 damage got prison time Wednesday. Joshua F. Berney of Thornton called Lincoln police from his room at the Holiday Inn Express, 1101 W. Commerce Way, about 3:45 a.m. on April 6, 2015. Dispatchers couldn't understand what he wanted but sent two officers because Berney sounded upset. He refused to open the door when they got there, but officers got a key from the front desk after a fire alarm sounded and found Berney inside his smoke-filled room. Fire sprinklers kept the fire under control until firefighters got there and put it out, but the hotel was left with smoke and water damage and 35 people had to be evacuated. A fire inspector determined Berney had set bedding, a pillow and some of his personal belongings on fire. Police believe he was hallucinating. He later pleaded no contest to first-degree arson. On Wednesday, Lancaster County District Judge Lori Maret sentenced him to four to eight years in prison. A Lancaster County District judge called J C Thomas every womans worst nightmare and sentenced him to 50 to 60 years in prison after sexually assaulting and beating a woman in August 2014. Thomas, 52, lured four woman into his car and raped and/or beat them, Judge Susan Strong said at his Friday afternoon sentencing hearing. But in a plea deal, Thomas pleaded guilty to just one count of first-degree sexual assault. He has two prior felony convictions, one in Tennessee and another in Arkansas, according to attorneys, and was sentenced as a habitual felon. Prosecutor Christopher Turner said Thomas has spent most of his life in prison. Defense attorney Randall Wertz asked Strong to sentence Thomas to the minimum 10 years, arguing that he will no longer be a threat to society when he's 62. But Strong noted that Thomas committed the most recent crimes while he was on parole. You preyed on vulnerable women, she said. As a habitual felon, Thomas wont get good time credit until he serves 10 years. Strong gave him credit for 563 days already served. A divorced father worried that his teenage daughters are at risk in their mother's home because she is married to a registered sex offender cannot have custody of the girls, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Friday. A divided court upheld lower court rulings that rejected the father's request for custody of his two daughters to get them out of the home of their mother's husband, who served four years in prison after a 2003 conviction for attempted sexual assault of his then-15-year-old stepdaughter from a previous marriage. The father, who is from Central City, argued that a Phelps County District judge was wrong to find no significant risk to his teenage girls. The ruling upholds a Nebraska Court of Appeals opinion last year that found the district judge properly evaluated the facts of the case to determine that the stepfather does not pose a significant risk. A four-justice majority of the Supreme Court concluded that Nebraska's law only requires the mother to produce evidence the girls are not at significant risk. The law is written in a way that presumes that since the stepfather is a sex offender with a felony offense, and has unsupervised contact with the girls, they are at risk. But it allows the custodial parent, in this case the mother, to overcome this presumption by presenting evidence. "If she presented such evidence, then the presumption disappeared and the district court, as trier of fact, was not required to find that (the stepfather) was a significant risk," the justices wrote. Both the district court and the Court of Appeals found that the mother overcame the presumption of significant risk by citing the stepfather's rehabilitative treatment and the lack of any reports or suspicion of sexual offenses since 2002. The high court concluded the teenager girls' father presented little evidence about the risk the stepfather allegedly posed. Two justices disagreed. Justice William Connolly, who retired Aug. 1, wrote a sharply critical dissent chiding the majority for a decision that defies common sense. "It leaves the noncustodial father, who is willing and able to care for his children, feeling helpless to protect his children," he wrote. Connolly said the court should require evidence of an assessment of the stepfather by a qualified evaluator to show there is not significant risk he will harm the girls. Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman in a separate dissenting opinion said she would give the father custody of the girls. She concluded the environment surrounding the stepfather's prior felony sexual assault crime bears a strong resemblance to the current domestic setup and the mother remains largely in denial. Attorneys for the mother and the father did not respond to messages. Police arrested a 45-year-old man who they say robbed a north Lincoln bank on Friday afternoon. Police found Tyrone Estell near 40th and Superior streets shortly after the Wells Fargo bank at 27th and Superior streets was robbed around 4:15. Estell matched the description of the suspect, said Capt. Mayde McGuire. Earlier, police said someone had passed a note to a teller asking for money, but no weapon was shown. Police recovered all but $10 from what was taken from the bank, McGuire said. Police believe Estell attempted to pass a note to a teller at another bank on Friday morning. He left the Great Western Bank at 12th and N streets without turning over the note or getting any money. Estell is listed as a transient. Outside the legal challenges it previously faced, the Affordable Care Act has never been as threatened as it is right now. President Barack Obamas signature law has so destabilized the individual market for insurance that three large companies have announced they are better off not participating in the exchanges. Aetna earlier this week announced it will exit 11 of the 15 states where it has offered plans through ACA exchanges, while UnitedHealthcare plans to exit 30 of its 34 states, and Humana is pulling out of 88 percent of the counties where it offered coverage. While these big players are cutting their ACA losses, theyre fortunate enough to have other business lines to fall back on. Without those buffers, the new health insurance cooperatives that started with funding through the ACA have mostly collapsed. To date, 16 of 23 have failed, taking billions of dollars in taxpayer loans with them. As insurers exit and fold, the choices available to people will plummet next year. Before Aetnas announcement, there were at least 650 counties with only one insurer slated to offer exchange coverage. After Aetnas decision, its possible that there will be more than 1,000 counties with just one insurer and several counties without any. Why is this happening? The explanation is simple: The coverage is extremely unattractive to the vast majority of potential buyers. Every plan covers an extensive list of services, some of which are unwanted, and the plans generally have very large premiums and deductibles. For example, the cheapest unsubsidized bronze plan (covering about 60 percent of expected health care expenses) available to a family in Winston-Salem, N.C., has a yearly premium of $11,760 and a $13,700 deductible. The cheapest unsubsidized silver plan (covering about 70 percent of expected health care expenses) has a yearly premium of $13,872 and a $10,000 deductible. In addition to high premiums and deductibles, far fewer doctors and hospitals are covered by exchange plans relative to other types of plans. As a result, only two groups of people are buying plans to a significant extent: The first group includes single people with income below about $24,000, who receive very large subsidies to reduce premiums and deductibles. The second group includes people who expect to use a lot of health care services. The rest of potential buyers, generally middle-class people without insurance through the workplace, are making an economically rational decision to remain uninsured. For the most part, the ACA has made them much worse off. The only plan they can buy is expensive and provides low value relative to the price. And they must pay higher taxes to finance the laws massive new spending. This includes the penalty for remaining uninsured, which is expected to equal about $1,000 for the typical payer in 2016. The Obama administration has attempted to prop up insurers with as much taxpayer money as possible, including roughly $7 billion in payments in 2014 and 2015 that a federal judge ruled unconstitutional because the funds were not appropriated by Congress. The subsidies and corporate welfare have not worked. As choices diminish and premiums soar theyre likely to rise by an average of 25 percent next year people will rightly demand change. The change shouldnt be more corporate welfare, subsidies, mandates and rules. Instead, policymakers could repeal the laws insurance market regulations and allow people to purchase plans that appeal to them. As demonstrated throughout the rest of the economy, letting people make decisions uninhibited from Washington rules and complicated subsidy structures will almost certainly lower prices and increase quality throughout the health care market. Donald Trump supporters promised that once the bruising fight for the Republican nomination was over Americans would see Trumps thoughtful, more presidential side. Were still waiting. The foreign policy speech Trump gave on Monday was supposed to reassure Americans by presenting his plan to deal with the Islamic State and other threats to American security. Instead it raised questions again about whether he has done his homework, and whether he can discern fact from fiction. His speech was riddled with factual errors, including some that have been disproven repeatedly. Heres a short list --In an apparent attempt to portray himself as a wise man, Trump has asserted that he doubled down on the myth hes tried to peddle that he was opposed to the Iraq War from the very beginning. Trump even cited an interview with Fox New business anchor Neil Caputo as evidence. A transcript of the interview is widely available; Trump voiced no opposition during the interview. His opposition to the war came after the invasion. --Trump claimed that since Germany admitted refugees from Syria crime in that country has risen to levels that no one thought they would ever, ever see. It is a catastrophe. This is untrue. Michael Roth, Germanys European Affairs Minister said it was necessary to correct Trumps comment because it was based on fears, lies and half-truths. --Trump claimed that since he described NATO as obsolete, its members have changed their policy and have a new division based on terror threats. This is untrue. NATO has had a Defense Against Terrorism program since 2004. It still does. No new division has been created. It is true, however, that Americas biggest allies in the war against terror were unnerved by Trumps threat to ignore U.S. commitments. Trumps inability to stick to the facts is mystifying. Hes running against a candidate who Americans widely view as untrustworthy. So why cant he show that he can be relied upon to stick to the facts and tell the truth? Perhaps theres still time for a more presidential Trump to emerge. GOP Vice Presidential Candidate Mike Pence told Republican governors on Tuesday that the campaign was still in preseason. The latest shakeup in the Trump campaign does not inspire hope. New campaign manager Stephen Bannon is executive chairman of Breitbart News, which gives a platform to fringe conspiracy theories. This does not bolster confidence that Trump will get a better grasp of reality. As a veteran, Im appalled by Donald Trumps comments to the Khan family. Additionally, Im appalled by Hillary Clintons comments to the families of Americans butchered by terrorists in Benghazi in 2012. As then Secretary of State, Clinton emailed Chelsea Clinton and phoned the Libyan President, the night of the Benghazi attack, saying it was perpetrated by an, Al Qaeda like group. Later, she lied to the families, saying the attack was caused by an anti-Muslim video. When the families said Clinton knew it had been a terrorist attack when she spoke to them, Clinton said they were, ...absolutely wrong. She didnt call them liars but she might as well have. The bumper sticker on my car says, Giant Meteor, 2016, Just End It Already. Im incensed at the two clowns the political parties have foisted upon us, my apologies to clowns everywhere. As a veteran, I am ticked at Trump, but fearful of former Secretary of State Clinton. If Clinton botched the Secretary of State job so badly and lied to and bullied family members, why, I wonder, would anyone support her to be our Commander in Chief? Ive little to no confidence in either candidate. Im voting for the one I hope will appoint conservative judges to the US Supreme Court. Really, I think they are both buffoons and liars who will say whatever they feel they need to to cover their behinds and get us to vote for them or against the other. Janice Beard, Retired, U.S. Air Force, Lincoln The Nebraska American Legion on Friday expressed disappointment with Sen. Ben Sasse for his recently stated opposition to a proposed U.S. constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration of the American flag. During a town hall meeting at American Legion Post 84 in Columbus earlier this week, Sasse told a questioner he supports First Amendment protection of free speech. In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that burning or desecration of the U.S. flag represents a form of protected free speech. In a written statement, Sasse outlined his view. "Let's be blunt about two things: first, desecrating the flag is wrong, immoral and disrespectful of everyone who protects this country, and second, part of being free means that we don't outlaw everything that's wrong," he said. "But even when burned, the flag endures. The flag endures because it is a symbol of a deeper sacrifice made by generations of Americans from Bunker Hill to Fallujah. "These heroes have fought for our freedom to associate, freedom to worship as we see fit and, yes, freedom to say and to do things that are stupid and offensive. "While amendments to ban flag burning are motivated by patriotism, I fear they open the door to government control over other freedoms. I trust Nebraskans to teach our kids to respect the flag." The issue of a proposed constitutional amendment has been brewing for decades, spawned largely by flag burnings associated with the Vietnam War, and it divided Sen. Bob Kerrey and Sen. Chuck Hagel when they both represented Nebraska in the Senate in the late 1990s. Hagel supported a proposed constitutional amendment; Kerrey opposed it. Both served in the Vietnam War and were wounded in combat; Kerrey was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Sen. Deb Fischer, Sasse's Nebraska colleague in the Senate, is a co-sponsor of a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration of the flag. "Imagine the disappointment many veterans in Nebraska must feel" when Sasse expresses opposition to the proposed amendment, Beth Linn, department commander of the Nebraska American Legion, said in an email statement. "If being an American is about anything, it's about the will of the people overriding the will of self-appointed 'amendment police' who believe they know better than the people about how our nation should be run. "Free speech does not allow you to yell fire in a theater and it should not allow you to commit what amounts to a hate crime against America." In an op-ed published in The Washington Post in 2006, Kerrey said incidents of flag burning or desecration represent "rare, unpleasant demonstrations (that) are protected by the First Amendment." "I hope we are strong enough to tolerate such rare and wrenching moments," Kerrey wrote. It is freedom of speech, not the flag, that needs constitutional protection, he said. For many years, Mary Volkmer said, it was the only art show in town. Now the Festival of the Arts will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sept. 10-11 at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ, 3500 Sheridan Blvd. Over the course of that time, it has become a multi-day event with nearly two dozen artists participating, and plans for expanding in the future. Its reach stretches far beyond the women's church group that started it, and has become a fixture on Lincoln's arts calendar. In 1966, Julia Saski, a local artist, suggested that the Altar Society, a women's group at the cathedral that supports the church's masses, organize an art-centered fundraiser. She was able to obtain a few donated paintings and included some of her own. The result was a successful addition to the church's Christmas fair. After five years, it spun off into a full art show spread over multiple days, with an invitation-only preview. Its largely changed back and forth in focus, said Volkmer, the current chairwoman of the Festival's organizing committee. Weve gone from originally being a fine art show to for about a decade arts and crafts, and now were swinging back the other way into more fine art. Many other things, in fact, have changed along the way. The Altar Society is now the Parish Council of Catholic Women, for example, and the show no longer has a yearly theme. It has now gone from nearly a full week to being a weekend-only event, Volkmer said. Every year, though, it's been in the basement of the cathedral on Sheridan Boulevard, and there has always been an effort to reach to the outside community beyond the parish. Its not just about buying art, Volkmer said. It's also about being a community of parishioners and celebrating art, and being social. As chairwoman, Volkmer now coordinates all of the food, side events, music and artist applications. She also supervises the various subcommittees. This year, the festival is using an outside jury, she said, and "trying to be a little bit more selective." The exhibiting artists hail from the region around Lincoln and Nebraska, Volkmer said. Besides the artwork, the event will feature a silent auction, a drawing for prizes, and wine and beer tasting. For me, really," Volkmer said, "the focus is to take it back. Its great to make some money, but it should really be about celebrating the arts and bringing that aspect back into it. And hopefully making it something that not only members of the parish, but members of the community at large, can come to and view as an enjoyable weekend, whether they can afford to buy a piece of art or not. Part of the Festivals importance is the chance for community members to see fine art in a less intimidating environment, Volkmer said. "Maybe they [people] dont feel comfortable going into an art museum or a gallery," she said. "They can see a wide variety of art and talk to the artists themselves." When she first started working on the committee, former Festival of the Arts chairwoman Deb Schulte had been one of those people. I never went to an art gallery before," Schulte said, "and it opened my eyes. For a long time, there werent many art galleries out there." When she was on the committee, Schulte said she was once approached by a local artist who told her how much the Festival of the Arts had done for the Lincoln arts community over the years. "It helped people who never would have thought to go downtown [to the art galleries]," she said. Schulte added: "Its been a way to educate us, and make money, and its been a community-building event." Volkmer was brimming with ideas and possibilities for the future of the Festival of the Arts, indicating it may be going for another 50 years. Even the location that one thing that has always been consistent may be changing next year, as Volkmer talked about utilizing the space around the cathedral to have additional demonstrations and side events. Whatever direction it goes in, the focus won't stray far from paying tribute to great art. "Its a fundraiser, but also a celebration of art," she said, "and its important to celebrate that. Lincoln Animal Ambassadors has reached about 85% of its goal for its low cost spay/neuter project, The Mighty and The Tiny. If you own a pit bull, pit bull mix, Chihuahua, or Chihuahua mix that has not yet been spay/neutered or know someone in that situation, contact LAA. The deadline to apply for a voucher for a $25 spay/neuter procedure is Sept. 15. In June 2015, LAA received a $3,750 grant from Best Friend Society, to be used to provide spay/neuter procedures for pit bull and pit bull mixes (the Mighty dogs). Lincoln Animal Ambassadors expanded the offer to include Chihuahua and Chihuahua mixes (the Tiny dogs). To date, through The Mighty and The Tiny project, 165 pit bulls, pit bull mixes, Chihuahuas, and Chihuahua mixes have been spayed and/or neutered. Of the 165 dogs altered, 45 were female pit bulls and 42 were female Chihuahuas. Pit bulls and Chihuahuas are currently at the highest risk for ending up in shelters and for being euthanized. Best Friends Society believes, ...that collaboration with local pet shelters and animal rescue organizations, the people who know their community the best, is key to ending the killing in Americas shelters. By getting your pit bull or Chihuahua spay/neutered, you wont have to scramble to find homes for puppies. Nor will you will have to worry that any of the puppies could end up in a shelter where they could possibly be euthanized. Instead you will peace of mind knowing that you and your dog wont be contributing to animal overpopulation. There are other benefits to having a dog altered. Dogs that have been spayed/neutered will live a longer and healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer in females, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs. Neutering prevents testicular cancer in males if done before six months of age. Dogs will also behave better. A spayed female wont go into heat, while a male dog will be less inclined to roam and/or mark territory with urine. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering. If you own pit bull, pit bull mix, Chihuahua, or Chihuahua mix, contact Lincoln Animal Ambassadors for a spay/neuter voucher. You can apply directly at LAAs website, www.lincolnanimalambassadors.org/mtp or call them at 402-817-1168. Lincoln Animal Ambassadors addresses the root causes of animal homelessness in Lincoln and the surrounding area. The group prevents unwanted animals with its low cost spay/neuter program and keep animals in their homes with an income-based pet food bank. Essential places If you're a new student to Lincoln, we've got a slew of places for you to explore off campus -- restaurants, stores, bars, parks and more. Super Fair highlights From 4-H shows to mutton bustin', check out some of the best photos from the 2016 Lancaster County Super Fair. Olympic trivia Spitz or Phelps? Lewis or Bolt? Take our Summer Games trivia quiz to test your Olympic mettle. Jeff's Top Five Journal Star food critic Jeff Korbelik is spending the year listing his favorites for barbecue, Chinese food and more. Check out his lists and see if you agree. RACINE The Music & More Season Finale Concert will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. Featured performers are Martin OLeary, Ami Bouterse, Karen Archbold, John Stumpff and Nick Barootian. Pianist and composer Martin OLeary from Dublin, Ireland, will perform during the first half of the concert. His compositions have been heard throughout Europe, Israel and the U.S. His program will sample works by six contemporary Irish composers, with all pieces receiving their first performances in America. OLeary began composing at the age of 14. He earned a Ph.D at Trinity College, Dublin, and is on staff in the Department of Music at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. The Belle Ensemble vocal group will perform during the second half of the concert. Soprano Ami Bouterse is an associate professor of music at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. She received voice and opera theater performance degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Carnegie Mellon University. Mezzo soprano Karen Archbold received first place in the 2016 Sinfonietta Bel Canto Voice Competition. She studied classical voice in Bremen, Germany. Tenor John Stumpff is an active performer and teacher in the Milwaukee and Chicago region. He teaches voice at Loyola Academy. Baritone Nick Barootian is the founder of Belle Ensemble, a vocal music group aimed at bringing first class vocal performance to Racine and its neighbors, and at developing collaborations among talented vocal musicians and other artists in the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor. A silent auction of paintings donated by the estate of a local artist will be held with the proceeds benefiting the Music & More program. Concert-goers can view the paintings and bid before the concert and during intermission. Checks and cash will be accepted. Tickets cost $10 at the door. For more information, call 262-632-1686. Donations received at the 10 noontime concerts will be divided among the Health Care Network, Racine Habitat for Humanity and Racine Vocational Ministry Inc. The Mearl Mahl Youth Music Scholarship will be presented to a young musician. The church is air-conditioned and handicapped-accessible, with an elevator at the parking lot entrance. Additional parking is available in south adjacent parking lot at Living Light Community Center. STURTEVANT The crowd gathered. They formed a circle of chairs in the basement of St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 3126 95th St. With birthday cake fresh in their bellies, they sat and music began to play. A band played German polka selections. Toes started tapping. Then hands began clapping. Then out of their chairs they rose. It was time to dance. A gentleman walked over to Luise Zekanovic and asked her to dance. She obliged. Ive never danced with a 100-year-old, the man told her. The two swayed side to side for the remainder of the song. At the end of the tune, the man took Zekanovic back to her seat. This occurred numerous times Thursday as Zekanovic celebrated her 100th birthday party. Zekanovic turns 100 Sunday, but Our Harmony Club, a Racine-based nonprofit, decided to celebrate the century of Zekanovics life Thursday during one of the clubs regular sessions. Zekanovic was a club volunteer for years before she became a member. For now though, she sat awaiting the many people who would whisk her away for a dance. I'm 100. I made it," Zekanovic said in her German accent. "Nothing like a party. German roots Zekanovic was born in eastern Germany in 1916. She worked the fields of her familys farm Her family had very little. She lived there through both world wars as one of 10 children. From the time I was a baby Ive worked, Zekanovic said. I worked on the farm. After the war and the divorce of her first husband, she wanted to leave Germany with her daughter, Gerda Meyhoefer. We had to flee, said Meyhoefer, who is currently staying with her mother to help her at her house. Then Zekanovic met a Yugoslavian man named Srboljub. He, too, had very little. He grew up in the mountains of Yugoslavia. There was a slight language barrier, but he learned German so he could write her letters. He learned a little bit of German, she said. He wrote me a letter that said, I want you. With his help, they emigrated to the U.S. in 1953 and found themselves in Racine. The two married and decided to stay. The two were together until Srboljub died in 1990, but Zekanovic kept on with her active lifestyle, including travels that took her several times to Germany as well as to Australia, New Zealand, the British Isles, Switzerland, Turkey, Spain, Hawaii and Canada. Here and there Zekanovic was not one to sit idly. She always wanted to stay active. To provide for her family, she became a seamstress. She worked at Badger Shirt Co. and then Rainfair Inc. until she retired in 1979. Zekanovic also enjoyed volunteering. Zekanovic volunteered at High Ridge Healthcare and still volunteers for Toys for Tots by dressing up dolls with clothes she makes. Zekanovic began volunteering at Our Harmony Club in 2011. "She is an amazing woman," said Dawn Vlach, the coordinator of Our Harmony Club. On Thursday, Zekanovic celebrated her 100 birthday with a community she enjoys and music similar to that she was raised on. There is much better music in Germany, she said. But I like living here. Im going to die here, too. I dont know when, but Im 100 so Time flies After an hour of playing, the musicians concluded with a rendition of "God Bless America." At that point, everyone was sitting, tired from a day filled with activities. The crowd cheered. Then it was time for bingo. The group rose to get their bingo cards, but Zekanovic took a pass. It had already been a long day. "I'm going to go home, lie down and take a nap, she said. Zekanovic began collecting a long procession of goodbyes and birthday wishes for hitting the triple-digit mark. I cant believe Im already here, Zekanovic said. I'm 100. I did it." RACINE A former state corrections officer was bound over to stand trial on Thursday on charges that she had sexual relations with a female inmate, but not before her attorney took issue with the Racine County Sheriffs Offices investigation into the allegations. Katherine Rekau, 47, who recently moved from Union Grove to a residence in the 1500 block of Junction Avenue in Racine, was charged late last month with three counts of second-degree sexual assault by correctional staff member, after it was alleged she had sexual encounters with a prisoner at Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center. As a result of the charges, Rekau was fired on July 25 from her position at the institution, a womens prison located at 21425 Spring St. in the Town of Dover, according to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Rekau pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday following a preliminary hearing in Racine County Circuit Court. A preliminary hearing is where prosecutors must prove that a felony has been committed and the defendant likely committed it. According to the criminal complaint, Rekau and the inmate reportedly had written letters to each other. One of the letters was discovered torn up in the inmates trash can during a search conducted by correctional officers, according to the complaint. Rekau also allegedly gave a phone to the inmate and had pictures of the inmate on her phone, according to Sheriffs Office investigators. The two started their relations with kissing and then later escalated to sexual relations, the complaint states. The inmate reportedly told investigators that no sexual relations had occurred between her and Rekau, but that statement allegedly conflicted with statements she had given previously to a senior staff member at the prison. Rekau allegedly admitted to a Sheriffs Office investigator that she had exchanged letters with the inmate, but during Thursdays preliminary hearing her attorney, John Anthony Ward, brought up what he saw as shortcomings in the sheriffs investigation. In cross-examining Sheriffs Investigator Donald Vandervest, Ward asked if investigators were able to obtain video surveillance of the reported encounters, but Vandervest said there was no surveillance where the relations took place. Ward asked who had provided the locations of the alleged encounters and Vandervest said it had been another corrections officer at the jail an officer with whom Rekau had recently broken off a romantic relationship. The hearing was over in a matter of 20 minutes, after which Racine County Court Commissioner Michael Phegley found probable cause to pursue the charges. After the hearing, Ward stated he would be reserving the right to challenge the constitutionality of the states charges. RACINE A Chicago man is facing homicide and two drug charges for allegedly supplying the heroin that apparently killed a 28-year-old man whose body was found in a vehicle at a Burlington gas station in May. Corey J. Holmes, 30, of the 4800 block of Hubbard Street, appeared in Racine County Circuit Court Thursday, where he was charged with first-degree reckless homicide as a party to a crime, delivery of narcotics and conspiracy to manufacture or deliver heroin. According to the criminal complaint, Burlington police on May 24 discovered an unresponsive 28-year-old male in a vehicle at the Kwik Trip gas station, 1164 Pine St., which is located just north of the Burlington bypass. Officers and rescue crews attempted to revive the male with Narcan, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the complaint. An autopsy later conducted by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was an overdose of fentanyl, a controlled substance. As part of its investigation into the death, Burlington police interviewed a 31-year-old witness who was one of the last people to see the victim alive, according to the complaint. The witness directed police to a person known as Big D, who allegedly supplied heroin and other illegal drugs to the victim, according to the complaint. Big D was later identified as Holmes, police said. On June 29, officers from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the Racine County Metro Drug Unit and Burlington police arranged for the 31-year-old cooperating witness to buy drugs from Holmes in Chicago, according to the complaint. The two men met on West Madison Street in Chicago, where Holmes allegedly gave the cooperating witness what appeared to be heroin. Tests later confirmed the substance was heroin, according to the complaint. A warrant for Holmes arrest was issued July 13 and he was in custody Thursday, court records showed. Holmes was in the Racine County Jail on Thursday, being held on $100,000 bail, jail records showed. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25, court records indicate. STURTEVANT Gateway Technical College and Cardinal Stritch University signed an agreement Thursday that Gateway President Bryan Albrecht called a "premier" initiative in helping students obtain bachelor's and graduate degrees. The agreement between the two schools will allow Gateway associate degree graduates to transfer credits to Cardinal Stritch in order to earn a bachelor's and master's degree. For the first year, the program will focus on the bachelor's degree in business and master of business administration degrees offered by Cardinal Stritch, and will be available at the Pleasant Prairie campus and online. "Our nation is spending millions of dollars currently trying to help identify pathways for young people so that they can see their future going forward," Albrecht said during a meeting of the Gateway Board of Trustees. "Its just so encouraging for me to know that we can do it right here in our home community by rolling up our sleeves and collaborating and building relationships." Zina Haywood, Gateway's executive vice president and provost, herself a student at Cardinal Stritch, shared her excitement for the collaboration at Thursday's meeting at Gateway's SC Johnson Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology (iMET) Center, 2320 Renaissance Blvd., Sturtevant. "This agreement is a true partnership between two great institutions," Haywood said. "The final document was developed in record time and proves that when student success is the main focus, discussion on a forward thinking, efficient and positive outcome is the result." A delegation from Cardinal Stritch attended the Gateway board meeting, led by Stritch President James P. Loftus, who offered his praise for Gateway's educational offerings. "We are very pleased and forthright about the quality that you are offering here at Gateway Technical College, and we think we can complement that moving from an associates to a masters," he said. Success through collaboration Loftus and Albrecht signed a memorandum of understanding at the meeting. Loftus chairs the Wisconsin Campus Compact, the mission of which is to strengthen civic engagement and service-learning partnerships between Wisconsins post secondary institutions and the communities they serve. Loftus was effusive in his appreciation for Albrecht's leadership and advocacy. "Throughout my experience at Stritch, hes been very vocal and an inspiration to the Wisconsin Campus Compact," Loftus said. "Hes been a good advocate and a real partner in it." Haywood echoed the importance of Albrecht's guidance in her remarks. "I have learned many things from President Albrecht over the last 10 years, but the one overarching theme is the importance of developing, nurturing and sustaining partnerships," Haywood said. As for Albrecht, the partnership represented a new vision for Gateway and its students. "No one institution alone can achieve all of the goals they might have in their lives, but collectively together were here to support them," Albrecht said. Gov. Scott Walker downplayed the significance of the city of Madison extending its early voting hours after a federal court ruling overturned restrictions he signed into law. "For me, my primary focus had been on making sure that its easy to vote but hard to cheat," Walker said, adding that he was pleased the state's voter ID requirement was upheld by a federal court of appeals. "In terms of the other provisions out there, those were some of the things that the Legislature debated on, but our primary focus is on making sure that a strong form of voter ID is in place. At the same time, we make it easy for people to get access to that identification if theyre eligible to vote," he said. The Madison city clerk's office announced on Thursday it would begin in-person absentee voting for the Nov. 8 general election on Sept. 26, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the City-County Building. The 2013 law signed by Walker limiting hours for in-person absentee voting "intentionally discriminates on the basis of race," U.S. District Court Judge James Peterson wrote in a ruling last month overturning that provision and several other voting laws passed in the last five years. "I reach this conclusion because I am persuaded that this law was specifically targeted to curtail voting in Milwaukee without any other legitimate purpose. The legislatures immediate goal was to achieve a partisan objective, but the means of achieving that objective was to suppress the reliably Democratic vote of Milwaukees African Americans," Peterson wrote. Laws that limited in-person absentee voting to one location, limited early voting hours and eliminated weekend voting are unconstitutional, Peterson ruled. Peterson also overturned laws that increased the residency requirement for voters from 10 days to 28 days, prohibited distributing absentee ballots by fax or email and required "dorm lists" used as proof of residence to include citizenship information. The judge also required changes to the ID petition process, by which free IDs are issued, and overturned a provision of the voter ID law banning the use of expired but otherwise qualifying student IDs at the polls. "Heres a big result from our lawsuit: Gov. Walker doesnt get to decide who votes," said Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Institute one of the plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit. Talking to reporters on Thursday, Walker didn't say whether he thinks early voting hours should be limited. "Those were reasonable changes at the time, but those components werent the priorities for us. The priority was making sure that voter ID was intact," Walker said. The state Department of Justice has asked the Group Insurance Board to reconsider its July 12 decision to cover the cost of gender reassignment surgery for state workers beginning next year. Andy Cook, deputy attorney general, said in a memo to the board last week that the boards decision was based on unlawful federal rules stemming from the Affordable Care Act. The rules improperly reinterpret Title IX, which covers discrimination on the basis of sex, to apply to gender identity, Cook said. Attorneys for the state Department of Employee Trust Funds had previously advised the insurance board to start covering gender reassignment services, saying it was required by the new federal rules. In response to Cooks memo, ETF attorneys said not covering the services could jeopardize the states ability to contract with health insurance companies and result in the loss of about $36 million per year in Medicare subsidies. ETF recommended those changes after careful review of the (federal) rule, David Nispel and Diana Felsmann wrote. The debate comes after Shannon Andrews, a transgender researcher at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, filed a complaint July 26 against the insurance board, the medical school and an insurance company, saying she was unfairly denied coverage of gender reassignment surgery. The board has received two such complaints, Nispel and Felsmann said. The complaint by Andrews, filed by the ACLU of Wisconsin, came two weeks after the insurance board decided to cover the services beginning Jan. 1. Andrews seeks reimbursement of $21,000 she paid to have surgery in October to transition from male to female. She said she had no idea the policy change was coming, and she needed to have the surgery last year to prevent physical and mental health problems. Cook said the Affordable Care Act incorporates Title IXs ban against discrimination based on sex, but that is different from gender identify. Nowhere in the Congressional debates over Title IX does the phrase gender identity or transgender appear, Cook said. By ending the states previous exclusion of coverage for gender reassignment services, ETF is mandating that all such services be covered even if theyre not medically necessary, Cook said. Nispel and Felsmann disagreed, saying plans can still deny services that are not medically necessary. The memos were first reported Thursday by Wisconsin Health News. The insurance board did not take any action on the changes at a meeting Tuesday. ETF is proceeding with the decision made in July, spokesman Mark Lamkins said. Gov. Scott Walker is showing little concern for former Donald Trump advisor Roger Stone's allegations that Walker and Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus "rigged as many as five elections" in Wisconsin. "Apparently thats what the long-term effect is of legalizing marijuana in the District of Columbia," Walker deadpanned while talking to reporters on Thursday. Stone, a longtime GOP operative, raised doubts about the integrity of electronic voting machines and suggested Walker and other prominent Republicans had engaged in voter fraud in a column published Tuesday by The Hill. "As someone with great sentimental attachment to the Republican Party, as I joined as the party of Goldwater, both parties have engaged in voting machine manipulation," Stone wrote. "Nowhere in the country has this been more true than Wisconsin, where there are strong indications that Scott Walker and the Reince Priebus machine rigged as many as five elections including the defeat of a Walker recall election." Trump and his campaign's supporters started to vocalize theories about rigged elections shortly after the Republican presidential candidate began faltering in general election polls earlier this month. Earlier this week, Trump made his second trip to Wisconsin this month. Walker, who skipped the candidate's Green Bay rally, appeared with him in West Bend on Tuesday. The following day, Trump's campaign announced a staff shake-up: Pollster Kellyanne Conway will serve as campaign manager, and Breitbart News chairman Steve Bannon will come aboard as campaign chief. Bannon, through Breitbart News, has pushed against the GOP establishment most recently by boosting House Speaker Paul Ryan's primary opponent, Paul Nehlen, in his failed effort to unseat the Janesville Republican. Bannon called Nehlen the "David" to Ryan's "Goliath" during the campaign and quipped that the congressman was "grown in a petri dish at the Heritage Foundation." But while Trump's initial reluctance to endorse Ryan in the primary earned him the closest Walker would come to a rebuke telling the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel during the flap that he was "100 percent with Paul Ryan" the governor refrained from criticizing the hire of such a virulently anti-Ryan figure. Walker instead tried to shift the focus to the difference between Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who he said is "unfit to be president." Clinton, he argued, is "not the candidate of change." "Donald Trumps got to make that point, and then point out what he would do differently to take on the mess in Washington. If he can do that, I dont care whos running his campaign, thats really the core," Walker said. "If it's about Hillary and about a change election, then he wins. If its about whos running his campaign or any number of sideshow issues, then hes got a much more difficult time." 41 Madhes stir victims are martyrs The government on Thursday declared 41 protesters who died during demonstrations against some provisions of the new constitution as martyrs. Amber Heard donates $7 mn divorce settlement to charity Actress Amber Heard's $7 million divorce settlement with estranged husband Johnny Depp is going to charity. Beach Volleyball: Germany thrash Brazil to take gold German beach volleyball duo Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst took gold in the early hours of Thursday, beating Brazil in gusty conditions to win their country's first female Olympic medal in the sport and silence the partisan Copacabana crowd. Beating cheating Stringent laws and effective implementation are required to protect consumer rights Between the lines Geo-political realities and Nepals overdependence on India make their ties complex Four-day trip to focus on improving ties, high-level visits: Nidhi Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi, who arrived in New Delhi as the special envoy of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, said his four-day visit would focus on enhancing bilateral ties and laying the groundwork for high-level visits between the two countries. French woman found dead A French woman was found dead at Chiuri Bheer, Tindobato VDC-3 here in the district. Police have identified the victim as Melanie Fernande Odette. Govt seeks clarification from NOC boss, staffers The Ministry of Supply has sought clarification from Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) Managing Director Gopal Bahadur Khadka and 36 other staffers after they were found absent without notice during a surprise check. Housing aid has reached 70,803 families: NRA The distribution of the first tranche of the private housing aid has gained momentum since August 5, a day after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal pledged to distribute the aid to all earthquake-affected families within 45 days. Humanitarian responses The country should rethink and revise its strategies to prepare for and deal with disasters Mahar lands NSU top post after victory in tight race In a much tighter battle than expected, Nain Singh Mahar beat Manoj Mani Acharya on Thursday to be elected the president of the Nepal Students Union, a sister wing affiliated to the Nepali Congress. NAC resumes Dubai flights after 4-yr gap Nepal Airlines has resumed its Dubai operations after a four-year hiatus. An Airbus A320 flight was dispatched on Thursday to the destination with 158 passengers onboard. Anil Giri is a reporter covering diplomacy, international relations and national politics for The Kathmandu Post. Giri has been working as a journalist for a decade-and-a-half, contributing to numerous national and international media outlets. CPN-UML blames for 'power centers' for change of ruling coalition Leaders of CPN-UML have said the CPN (Maoist Centre) buckled under the lure of power centers to change the "power equation". Will monitor govt's works from Singha Durbar instead of attending programmes: PM Dahal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said that he would inspect and monitor the functioning of the government by staying inside the administrative building Singha Durbar instead of attending formal programmes frequently. RHL in line to get survey licences for two hydro projects The Ministry of Energy has decided to award the survey licences for two run-of-the-river hydropower projects to Remit Hydro Limited (RHL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Limited (HIDCL). UML leadership urged to set sights on polls CPN UMLs Standing Committee members on Thursday told the party leadership to focus on elections to emerge as the largest party. UN says it was involved in introducing cholera to Haiti The United Nations is saying for the first time that it was involved in the introduction of cholera to Haiti and needs to do "much more" to end the suffering of those affected, estimated at more than 800,000 people. Vehicles without permit face travel prohibition In the wake of a terrible bus accident that killed 27 people in Kavre, police have heightened the scrutiny of buses plying rural roads. Woes in the wild Animals would have so much to say about sufferings from climate change, if only they could 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 No Yes, a light case Yes, two or more light cases One serious case Two or more serious bouts Vote View Results AMMAN, Jordan (TNS) Once again, the haunting image of a little boy has become an emblem of Syrias wartime suffering. But amid a worldwide outpouring of grief and outrage at the sight of Omran Daqneesh a small, silent, solitary figure, seated bloodied and dazed in the back of an ambulance in his ravaged hometown of Aleppo the fighting ground steadily onward, spurring even a polished veteran diplomat to rail in despair over stalled humanitarian efforts. The video of Omran, taken just after he was plucked from the rubble of his family home in Aleppos Qaterji district in the aftermath of an apparent airstrike, ricocheted across social media and news sites Thursday after being posted online by activists the night before. Sooty and dust-covered, the little boy doesnt cry; not even a whimper escapes him. He just stares straight ahead, his small face blank with shock. For many who saw the video and still photos online, the sight was reminiscent of the image that circulated nearly a year ago of a Syrian toddler whose tiny drowned corpse washed up on a Turkish beach 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi, one small casualty of the enormous exodus driven by the savagery of the countrys multi-sided conflict. As then, the little boys back story took time to emerge, with some details still unclear. Medical officials and activists identified Omran by name and put his age at either 4 or 5, although the photographer-activist who captured the scene said the last name Daqneesh was a pseudonym to protect the familys privacy. Shocking images of suffering are documented daily and hourly in Syria, including many of injured children such as Omran, but it was not hard to see why this one captured worldwide attention. In the video, the barefoot boy is clad in shorts and a cartoon-emblazoned T-shirt just like any kindergartner anywhere on a hot summers evening lending the chaotic events an incongruous touch of childhood familiarity, right down to his slightly pigeon-toed pose. As elsewhere in Syria, the children of Aleppo often bear the brunt of the violence, deprived of schooling, malnourished, dying of preventable diseases, vulnerable to constant bombardment. To many online commenters, Omran became a symbol of this childrens war: the boy in the ambulance. In the video, he is first seen being handed off from one rescuer to another as first responders rushed to the darkened scene. As the camera follows him, a rescuer in a yellow vest places Omran inside a brightly lighted ambulance, settling him carefully upright in a bright-orange seat before hurrying off to help more wounded. In the adult-sized seat, the child looks smaller than ever, little legs sticking straight out in front of him, barely extending to the edge of the cushion. Silently, he reaches up to touch his mop of tousled hair and his wounded face, then seems puzzled over what to do with his hand, which comes away covered with ash and blood. Uncertainly, he wipes it on the seat. When I first saw Omran, before he was taken to the ambulance, I started crying, said the photographer, Mahmoud Raslan. Omrans three siblings, ranging in age from 1 to 11, were also rescued from the rubble, along with his parents, he said, but the structure collapsed soon after they were extricated from the ruins. I just started shouting at the rescue workers, Help the boy, help the boy! My voice was choking up, Raslan recounted in a phone interview. Medical officials said Omran and his family were treated for their injuries and released from the hospital within hours, although they had no home to go to. Even amid the ravages of Syrias five-year conflict, the plight of Aleppo stands out. In the northern city that was once Syrias commercial capital and a cultural jewel, fighting has raged in recent weeks between government forces and rebels, each of which controls parts of the city. Trapped civilians are enduring hunger, power cutoffs and airstrikes by Russian-backed government forces, and medical care is harder and harder to come by. In the citys opposition-held areas, at least two dozen medical facilities have been hit by government airstrikes, according to United Nations investigators, prompting medical and rescue personnel to use code names for hospitals in radio communications. In Geneva, the U.N. envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, cut short a meeting Thursday of a humanitarian task force chaired by Russia and the United States with the aim of deescalating the violence to allow aid deliveries. De Mistura declared that there was no sense in more talk as the transport of desperately needed supplies was delayed yet again. Tomorrow is World Humanitarian Day, and in Syria what we are hearing and seeing is only fighting, offensives, counteroffensives, rockets, barrel bombs, mortars, Hellfire cannons, napalm, chlorine, snipers, airstrikes, suicide bombers, the longtime diplomat, who came out of semi-retirement to take up the Syrian envoy post, told reporters. Not one single humanitarian convoy has so far reached any of the besieged areas this month not one single convoy, and why? De Mistura continued, looking and sounding uncharacteristically agitated. Because of one thing: fighting. Later, Russias Defense Ministry said it was prepared to introduce a humanitarian pause in the bombardment of rebel-held areas of Aleppo next week to allow aid to get through. De Mistura said the U.N. would count on Russia to ensure that Syrian government forces abided by the envisioned 48-hour pause. In the Arab world, social media users started a hashtag campaign called #Omran From Under the Rubble, which galvanized some angry denunciations of the worlds indifference to the Syrian conflict and its consequences. One widely shared image showed the childs picture digitally added to a shot of President Barack Obama conferring with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Other commenters, though, focused on the simple sorrow of the scene of a child bewildered and injured. Here words die, posted Twitter user Al-Shumari, and ones tongue is tied. ONALASKA Bill Soper acknowledges that Y North was not a very clever name when the YMCA in Onalaska picked it up temporarily a decade ago. But that changed Thursday when the curtain was dropped to unveil its new moniker, the R.W. Houser Family YMCA. The renaming, which saluted the contributions of time and and money to the Y by Ron and Elisa Houser, came during a luncheon that mirrored the one Tuesday in which the La Crosse facility was renamed the Dahl Family YMCA. Both events also marked the completion of expansions. The Houser Y site was just a wooded area when Warren and Nancy Quinlisk donated the land 22 years ago, with the only other building in the vicinity being the OmniCenter, recalled Soper, executive director of the La Crosse Area Family YMCA, which is the umbrella for both Ys. The Quinlisks dreamed of the property becoming a YMCA, and the organizations officials shared that vision, Soper said. Our dream was of becoming a gathering place for the community, he said, noting that the YMCA has outgrown its image of decades ago as somewhere to swim and work out, now including programs and amenities to improve the health of not only its members but also the community in general. The dream and the vision moved toward reality 12 years ago, when the campaign began to raise $8 million for a 60,000 square foot building. The Housers were among three families along with Harry and Carla Dahl and Dave and Barb Skogen who jump-started the drive with contributions of $1 million apiece, he said. The new $4 million Onalaska project, which added 40,000 square feet, includes a second gym, an expansion of the wellness center and track, a gymnastics center and an additional fitness center and multipurpose room to the facility at 400 Mason St., was done in tandem with the 25,000-square-foot expansion at the Dahl Y. The soft-spoken Houser attempted to divert attention from himself during an interview after the ceremony, saying, I didnt expect my name to be on the building. I turned it down once. Im just an old farm boy trying to make a living. Noting that he gets many requests for donations and contributes to many, Houser said the Y is close to his heart because it accommodates people of all ages, from infants to seniors. Dues also help support the Y and its programs, so it does not press donors continuously, he said. Its an amazing success they have had, Houser said, as those who had attended the luncheon streamed from the new Glendenning Family Gym to the Vinger Gymnastics Center across the hall, where youngsters attending a camp were trying out balance beams, high and low bars and other paraphernalia that have drawn the worlds attention during the Olympics. Houser was raised on a small family farm near West Salem. After serving in the Navy and working for a car dealer, a finance company and an insurance firm, he started Midwest National Insurance Co. in 1974. Midwest became a leading provider of health, property and life insurance, as well as administering self-funded health plans. He sold the insurance companies to United Healthcare in 2002 but remained CEO until 2006. He has since concentrated on managing other business interests, including a swine farm in Burlington, Colo. The YMCA is held in high regard both locally and nationally, YMCA of the USA resource director Dan Newhouse said during the luncheon. YMCAs across the country are looking at what you are accomplishing in La Crosse and Onlaska, Newhouse said. You are one of the success stories. The success is tied to the resolve of the Housers, the Dahls, the Skogens and other families, as well as more than 380 families, businesses and organizations that contributed $10.6 million to the building campaign, Soper said. Soper said his job offers the privilege of recruiting people who change the course of the Y. By the way, the Y North label may not have been very creative, but it served the purpose when a quick decision was required, Soper said. Y and building officials needed some type of a name to put on construction documents, so they opted for Y North as a temporary solution. But after the Ys 133-year history here, and after the facilities brought people together who didnt even realize they needed the Y with an explosion of programs that Im proud and amazed we offer, Soper said, it was time for a permanent name. MILWAUKEE Violence prompted by an officer fatally shooting a black man in Milwaukee proves the U.S. governments efforts to curb poverty have failed, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said Thursday. Johnson, a Republican locked in a tight race with Democratic challenger Russ Feingold, appeared at a downtown Milwaukee luncheon as Wisconsins largest city grapples with the aftermath of two nights of unrest this past weekend. The violence began Saturday after an officer shot and killed 23-year-old Sylville Smith during a foot chase on the citys impoverished, predominantly black northwest side. Police Chief Ed Flynn said the officer fired after Smith turned toward him with a gun in his hand. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has identified Dominique Heaggan as the black officer who shot Smith. Violence broke out hours after the shooting, with demonstrators burning six businesses, hurling rocks at police and firing gunshots. The next evening saw protesters again throw rocks and other objects at officers. More than 30 people were arrested and multiple officers were injured over the weekend. Johnson said the shooting sparked anger among inner city residents who have grown tired of living in poverty for decades. That shows costly government programs to help lift up poor people have failed, trapping people in a cycle of poverty, dependency and despair and making them dependent on government, he said. (The riots have been) literally decades in the making, Johnson said. Its the fact that well-intentioned programs didnt work. The war on poverty didnt work. ... We didnt alleviate poverty. Weve exacerbated it. He condemned the violence, saying it could deter businesses from moving into Milwaukee. Johnson said people should support police officers, who are forced to deal with social pathologies and erupting hopelessness. The solution lies in faith-based community programs that connect people with jobs one person at a time, he said, pointing to Project Joseph, a program his aides helped develop that transports Milwaukee residents to jobs in Sheboygan County. Johnsons appearance came two days after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump accused Democrats of exacerbating crime and failing blacks during a visit to West Bend, a predominantly Republican city west of Milwaukee. Johnson, who didnt attend a Trump appearance in Green Bay earlier this month citing scheduling conflicts, didnt address Trumps remarks in West Bend and went on to pivot between a host of other issues. Johnson said he agrees with Trump on the big things such as growing the economy and appointing Supreme Court justices who will uphold gun rights. Feingold spokesman Michael Tyler said in an email that Johnsons remarks show hes in lockstep with Trump and he wants only to protect multimillionaires and billionaires. Asked whether he agreed with Trumps call for extreme vetting of immigrants, Johnson said he doesnt want a blanket ban on anyone. However, immigrants should be fully vetted and they should pledge loyalty to the U.S. Constitution to ensure they dont try to impose Sharia law, he said. He also decried what he called the higher education cartel, saying colleges need to embrace the internet as a way to deliver instruction to more students cheaply, reducing their costs and student debt. He also said he prefers job certifications to diplomas. Johnson ousted Feingold from the Senate in 2010, ending Feingolds 18-year career in Washington. A Marquette University Law School poll released last week showed Feingold ahead by 6 points among registered voters and 11 points among likely voters. Johnson said Thursday that Feingold has accomplished nothing during his tenure in Washington and blasted him for not being aware of rampant prescription drug abuse at the Tomah VA Medical Center. The issue has been a hot one in their race, with each candidate accusing the other of not doing enough to stop the abuses. Its easy to understand why global warming deniers refuse to believe that the Earths temperature is climbing and human consumption of fossil fuels is to blame. Each new bit of evidence makes the climate change warnings sound like a broken record. The latest is that National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration this week reported that July was the hottest month on record for the planet. The temperature was 1.57 degrees above the 20th century average, shattering last years July record of being the warmest by 0.11 degrees, NOAAs National Centers for Environmental Information reports. July also was the 15th month in a row to break the monthly heat record. The data go back to 1880. For the year to date, the average global temperature was 1.85 degrees F above the 20th-century average, NOAA reports. This was the highest temperature for this period, breaking the previous record set in 2015 by 0.34 degrees F. Some other striking data about the planets rising temperature: The average sea surface temperature was a record high for July and from January through July. The average land surface temperature on Earth tied the 1998 record high for July and the record high for the year to date. There were near-records on some continents: Asia had its second warmest July; Oceania its fourth; North America its fifth; and Africa and Europe their seventh. The average Arctic sea ice extent for July was 16.9 percent below the 19812010 average. This was the third smallest July extent since records began in 1979. The average Antarctic sea ice extent for July was 0.2 percent above the 19812010 average, marking the smallest July Antarctic sea ice extent since 2011 and the 19th smallest on record. Human consumption of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas produces greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere. It causes the Earth to warm, polar ice and glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise, threatening coastal areas and increasing the risk of flooding. The warming of the planet also results in spreading droughts such as those occurring in California, states in the Southwest, in sub-Saharan African nations and countries like Iran. The recurring wildfires in California are also an outgrowth of global warming. Thousands of people have had to flee devastating wildfires in Southern California, which have spread across nearly 50 square miles and consumed a number of homes and businesses. Five years of drought have turned much of the state into a tinder box with eight blazes burning from Shasta County in the far north to Camp Pendleton, just north of San Diego. More than 34,000 homes and about 82,000 people are under evacuation warnings as firefighters focused on trying to save residents in the mountain communities of Lytle Creek, Wrightwood and Phelan. This is the second year that wildfires from the ongoing drought have consumed property and caused residents to become global warming refugees in California. Because of climate change, storms when they do occur are often more severe. Louisiana has borne the worst of it this summer. The southern part of that state has been slammed with rainfall and flooding, with authorities estimating that 40,000 homes have been damaged, about a dozen people killed and more than 30,000 others have had to be rescued. The rain and flooding also have caused more than 110 state highways to remain closed, making it even more difficult for families to flee to higher ground. About 68,000 people have signed up for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and that number is expected to rise. President Barack Obama has declared a number of parishes disaster areas. It enables residents to apply for grants and loans to help them clean up and rebuild. But federal budgets to help people recover from floods and wildfires have been devastated from the all-too-frequent occurrences of these climate change fueled disasters. The Paris climate change summit last year was a coordinated response of many nations to try to arrest the warming of the planet. Efforts include increasing renewable fuels from solar, wind, hydro and geothermal sources. Conservation efforts also will have to improve in addition to a continued reduction in burning coal, gas and oil as energy sources. But environmentalists worry that none of the efforts to save the planet is occurring fast enough to offset the effects of climate change. Their concern is that more disasters will keep occurring until ultimately they force peoples hand to act with a greater sense of urgency. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingolds campaign sought to capitalize this week on an attempted infiltration by a suspected conservative operative. In a fundraising email sent out Friday, the campaign accused Republicans of sending a spy to infiltrate their campaign headquarters and called it the dirtiest tactic in their playbook though they offered no evidence that the operative was working on behalf of Republicans. This person came into our campaign headquarters using a fake name, a fake story and even a fake Facebook page to try and cover their tracks, campaign volunteer coordinator Sarah Lindstrom wrote in the fundraising email. It clearly shows what you and I already know: Republicans like Senator (Ron) Johnson are scared. Theyre desperate. And theyll do anything to keep him in Washington for another six years. Feingold spokesman Michael Tyler acknowledged the campaign doesnt know if the woman who applied Tuesday to work for the campaign under the name Allison Moss was put up to it by Republicans. The woman became cagey and left abruptly when confronted by campaign officials, according to an audio recording provided by the campaign. Tyler provided evidence, including photographs, that the woman was actually Allison Maass, a registered Republican from New York who was caught trying to infiltrate the Hillary Clinton campaign last year using a false name. Maass online LinkedIn page says she works for Campus Reform, a conservative group funded by the Leadership Institute, which also trained conservative activist James OKeefe, who is known for undercover hidden camera stings on liberal groups and, in Wisconsin, on former Republican Senate President Mike Ellis. Campus Reform editor Sterling Beard said in an interview his group had nothing to do with the Feingold campaign operation and that Maass hasnt worked for his group since spring 2015. He said her online profile was removed from the groups website this week in the wake of news reports about the Feingold incident because of incorrect reports that she still worked for the group. He offered no comment on Maass alleged conduct. Johnsons campaign said it had no affiliation with Maass, and it responded with its own fundraising email criticizing Feingolds campaign for suggesting to the Huffington Post that it knew the woman didnt belong there because she was blonde haired and drove a pickup truck. Rest assured, all you pickup-driving blondes out there will always be welcome on our team, Johnsons campaign said. OTC called the phone number that Maass provided to the Feingold campaign but a message was not returned. The Feingold campaign doesnt plan to file a complaint with the state ethics board or law enforcement, Tyler said. Doyle speaks out Former Gov. Jim Doyle has criticized his successors handling of allegations of abuse at the states troubled youth prison. Doyle, a two-term Democrat, has rarely made public comments about Gov. Scott Walker, who took office in 2011. But in an appearance this week on WKOWs Capital City Sunday Doyle said more attention from the Walker administration should have been paid to the 2011 consolidation of youth facilities at the Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls juvenile detention in Irma, and because problems have surfaced since state and federal authorities began investigating the prison 19 months ago. I think everybody would know it would be a major undertaking. You would have to staff it up, said Doyle. You need to really get that thing going in the right direction and when you dont, now youve got a mess. Weisensel a pioneer who predated Anderson Fifty years before Jimmy Anderson, there was Russel Weisensel. Anderson, a Fitchburg Democrat, is likely to become the next state representative from Assembly District 47 after he won a Democratic primary earlier this month. If he wins the general election, he would be the first Wisconsin lawmaker in recent years to serve in a wheelchair. But Weisensel did so after he was elected to the state Assembly in 1966, representing eastern Dane County. Having lost the use of his legs in a farming accident, Weisensel, R-Sun Prairie, served two terms and became a champion for people with disabilities. The first time Weisensel entered the state Capitol as an elected official, he had to be carried up the steps because there was no wheelchair ramp. A temporary wooden ramp later was built. I want it understood that I was not looking for sympathy votes, Weisensel told the Wisconsin State Journal shortly after being elected in November 1966. Theres a job to be done. I know I can do it and I offered my services. Weisensel also drew notice for publicly saying he and his family would live, for a time, on a budget equal to the reduced welfare allowances for which he voted. After his legislative service, Weisensel worked for the Wisconsin Agribusiness Council and served as its first executive director until his retirement in 2000. BEIRUT The Russian military said Thursday it was ready to back a U.N. call for weekly cease-fires for Syrias contested city of Aleppo, as haunting footage of a young boys rescue from the aftermath of an airstrike shook global media. The image of the stunned and weary-looking boy, sitting in an ambulance caked with dust and with blood on his face, captured the horror that has beset the war-torn northern city as photographs of the child were widely shared on social media. An hour after his rescue, the badly damaged building the boy was in completely collapsed. A doctor in Aleppo identified the child as 5-year-old Omran Daqneesh. He was brought to the hospital, known as M10, on Wednesday night, following an airstrike by Russian or government warplanes on the rebel-held neighborhood of Qaterji, said Dr. Osama Abu al-Ezz. The boy suffered head wounds but no brain injury, and was later discharged. Rescue workers and journalists arrived shortly after the strike and described pulling victims from the rubble. We were passing them from one balcony to the other, said photojournalist Mahmoud Raslan, who took the dramatic photo. He said he had passed along three lifeless bodies when someone handed him the wounded boy. Raslan gave the child to a rescue worker, who rushed him to the ambulance. Eight people died in the strike, including five children, according to a doctor who gave only his first name, Abo Mohammadian. Many doctors working in Aleppos opposition areas do not give their full names for fear of reprisals against their relatives in government areas. A nurse who treated Omran said he was in a daze. It was as if he was asleep. Not unconscious, but traumatized lost, said Mahmoud Abu Rajab. Medical workers feared internal injuries, but an X-ray and an ultrasound revealed his wounds were superficial. Abu Rajab stitched up the child and wrapped his forehead and left eye in a bandage. Omrans three siblings, ages 1, 6, and 11, and his mother and father were also rescued from the building. None sustained major injuries. In the video posted late Wednesday by the Aleppo Media Center, a man was seen carrying Omran away from the chaotic nighttime scene and into an ambulance. Looking dazed, the boy ran his hands over his blood-covered face, then wiped them on the orange ambulance chair. The powerful imagery reverberated across social media, drawing to mind the anguished global response to the photos of Aylan Kurdi, the drowned Syrian boy whose body was found on a beach in Turkey and came to represent the horrific toll of Syrias civil war. Such scenes are commonplace in Aleppo, where 233 civilians were killed in indiscriminate exchanges of fire between rebels and government forces in the first two weeks of August alone, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. Its taxing, emotionally, said Abu Rajad. Sometimes, you have to cry. Once, there were three children both their parents had died and they were just standing in front of us. The fighting in Aleppo has frustrated the U.N.s efforts to fulfill its humanitarian mandate, and the world bodys special envoy to Syria cut short a meeting Thursday of the ad hoc committee chaired by Russia and the United States tasked with deescalating the violence so that relief can reach beleaguered civilians. The U.N. envoy, Staffan de Mistura, said there was no sense in holding the meeting in light of the obstacles to delivering aid. The U.N. is hoping to secure a weekly 48-hour pause to the fighting in Aleppo. Later Thursday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Russia would back the initiative on condition the aid convoys travel to both rebel-controlled and government-held parts of the city. He said Russia was ready to support deliveries starting next week. Konashenkov said cease-fire dates for Aleppo could be determined in coordination with the United Nations and after receiving guarantees of safe passage of the convoys from the United States. Public hearings are set for September to gather citizen feedback on the Root River One Watershed, One Plan pilot project after two years of work. Following a two-month state review for their draft water management plan, Root River One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) officials will host a public hearing Sept. 8 in Caledonia. The event will have an open house on Root River 1W1P from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. The Houston County Justice Center in Caledonia will host the hearing. After the hearing, Root River 1W1Ps Policy Committee of elected county commissioners, Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Supervisors and a watershed district board manager will review all state agency and public comments on the draft plan. The committee then will vote on whether to submit the plan to the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources for approval. BWSR will have 90 days to approve the plan, which then will go to local government units (county boards and SWCD boards and watershed district board) to vote on whether to adopt. Implementation of the plan could begin in January 2017. Root River 1W1Ps planning area covers more than 1.3 million acres in parts of six counties, including Houston. This includes the Root River Watershed; Minnesotas portion of the Upper Iowa River Watershed; and Houston Countys Mississippi-Reno Watershed. One of five 1W1P pilot projects in Minnesota, Root River 1W1P has involved planning partners representing a broad range of stakeholders, including local governments, state agencies, community members and organizations. Fillmore SWCD has led the 1W1P process and hosted meetings in Preston. Root River 1W1Ps local government units include Dodge, Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted, Houston and Winona counties, along with their respective Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), with Root River SWCD representing Houston County. Crooked Creek Watershed District in Houston County also is among them. Under 1W1P, the goal is to create a plan based on watershed boundaries rather than smaller, political boundaries. This will ensure that the most significant threats to a watersheds water resources are addressed with practices providing the greatest environmental benefits. It intends to provide a framework for consistency and cooperation on a watershed basis, allowing local governments to work together to implement projects with the highest return on investment for improving issues related to water quality and water quantity. Root River 1W1P also has a draft agreement under review that details how the watersheds partners will implement the plan and work cooperatively. The plan will not add a new layer of government. The Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources has led the statewide 1W1P program that aims to reduce the more than 200 water plans statewide to less than 100. Watershed-based plans have the potential to allow for streamlined funding and administration to maximize efficiency, minimize redundancy and prevent duplication of efforts both on the local and state levels. The Root River 1W1P draft planning document along with other related materials, such as meeting minutes is available on the Fillmore SWCD website at www.fillmoreswcd.org/rootRiverWatershed.html. Applications are being accepted for the title of Mrs. Houston County, who will have the honor of representing the county at the Mrs. Minnesota pageant, which will be held at the Wellstone Center April 29, 2017, in St. Paul. The woman chosen as Mrs. Houston County will become an ambassador from the Houston County area and will receive the official title and sash. The woman chosen as Mrs. Minnesota will receive a prize package worth $7,000 and the chance to represent Minnesota at the 2016 Mrs. International Pageant in July. The American Heart Associations Go Red for Women is the official charity of the Mrs. Minnesota pageant. To learn more, go to www.goredforwomen.org. The reigning Mrs. Minnesota is Morgan Bredde of Woodbury. Traveling all across the state, Bredde speaks on her platform No matter the minutes: hospice care for children. The 700-plus children who die annually in Minnesota now will have the safe haven that they deserve through Crescent Coves child-based hospice care. For more information, go to www.CrescentCove.org. Competitions in the pageant are personal interview, fitness wear and evening gown. There are no talent or swimsuit competitions. For married women living in Houston County who are interested in applying, write for a bio-form to Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant, P.O. Box 240537, Apple Valley, MN 55124-0537, or an online application can be filled out at www.mrsminnesota.com. Or call 1-800-262-0097 (952)432-6758 for information. Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier Those who habitually put items in their recycling bins that don't belong there are the target of the ordinance amendment, not those who make an occasional, accidental mistake, said Public Works Director Jeff Demers. EDITOR'S NOTE: This year, the U.S. National Park Service turns 100. Americans 28th President, Woodrow Wilson, formed the National Park Service in 1916 to protect the wild and wonderful landscapes in the United States. President Ulysses Grant established Yellowstone National Park as the countrys first national park in 1872. Today, the National Park Service protects over 400 parks and historical sites from coast to coast. Every week, VOA Learning English will profile one of the sites within the National Park Service. Our National Parks journey continues this week in one of the most popular and beautiful places in America: Grand Canyon National Park in the state of Arizona. The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and one of the largest canyons on Earth. It stretches for 450 kilometers. Parts of the canyon are more than 30 kilometers wide and one kilometer deep. Many writers have tried to describe the wonder of the Grand Canyon. They use words like mysterious, overpowering, and strange. But it is not possible to put human meaning to such a place. The Grand Canyon truly is beyond words. "Is this your first time at the Grand Canyon?" Yes...." And what do you think (of the Grand Canyon)? Do you have a few words to describe it? Beautiful. Amazing." "What do you think of the Grand Canyon?" "Very huge. Very colorful. "Do you have some words to describe what you are seeing?" Magic. Its so magic(al) when I see it at first look. A look back in time The canyons of Americas Southwest are deep, ancient openings in the Earth. They look as if they formed as the earth split apart. In reality, rivers formed these canyons. Forty million years ago, the Colorado River began cutting through the area around the present-day Grand Canyon. The river carried dirt and pieces of stone that slowly ate away at the surrounding rock. It left a pathway of enormous rock openings. At the same time, forces deep within the Earth pushed up the surrounding land. Rain, snow, ice, wind and plant roots rubbed away at the top of this new canyon. Below, the river continued to uncover more and more levels of ancient rock. Some of the exposed rocks along the Grand Canyons walls are nearly 2 billion years old. They are among the oldest rocks on earth, with many levels of granite, schist, limestone and sandstone. Environment The Grand Canyon measures 2,500 meters from the canyon floor to its highest point. Because of its size, the weather at the top of the canyon is often much different from the bottom. On some winter days, for example, you may find cold winds and snow at the top. But at the bottom of the canyon, you may find warm winds and flowers. The Grand Canyon is home to some 2,000 plant species. Some of these species can only be found in the park. The Park is also home to more than 370 species of bird, 90 kinds of mammals and 40 kinds of reptiles. Many of the birds spend the whole lives in the Grand Canyon. Others species depend of the Canyon for food and shelter during large migrations. The Grand Canyon was named a Globally Important Bird Area in 2014 because of the role it plays in protecting many species of birds. Humans in the Grand Canyon Native American occupied the Grand Canyon 3,000 years ago. Bones, hair, feathers and the remains of plants have been found in deep, dry caves high in the rock walls. The Hopi, the Paiute, the Navajo and other Native American tribes have all been in the area for at least 700 years. In 1869, American John Wesley Powell explored the Grand Canyon. He recorded much of what we know today about the area. Powell and his group traveled in four boats along the Colorado River. He and his group of explorers knew very little about getting over the fast, rocky waters of the Colorado River. In many places, boast could be turned over by giant waves. Soon after they started their journey, Powells group lost some of its food and equipment. Three members decided to leave the group. As they walked up and out of the Grand Canyon, they were killed by Native Americans. The rest of Powell's group survived the journey. Starved and tired, Powell and his group reached the end of the canyon. They had traveled by boat down the Colorado for more than three months. John Wesley Powells reports and maps from the trip greatly increased interest in the Grand Canyon. But visitors did not begin to go there in large numbers until 1901. That year, a railway was built that reached the area. Visiting the Grand Canyon Five million people visit the Grand Canyon National Park every year. The first sight of the canyon can leave visitors speechless. Depending on the time of day, the sun lights up the rock walls in red, orange, and golden colors. The bright colors are the result of minerals in the rock. Their appearance changes endlessly -- with the light, the time of year, and the weather. At sunset, the canyon walls display fiery red and gold hues. Then they take on softer colors of blue, purple, and green. Most visitors walk along paths partway down the canyon. It takes several hours to walk to the bottom, and even longer to climb back up. Some visitors choose to ride mules to the bottom of the canyon. Mules are strong, sturdy animals that look similar to horses. Visitors can also explore the Grand Canyon in other ways. Hundreds of thousands of people see the canyon by air each year. They pay a helicopter or an airplane pilot to fly them above and around the canyon. Thousands of people every year choose to explore the Grand Canyon by boat from the Colorado River. These trips last one to three weeks. Most people who come to the Grand Canyon National Park visit an area known as the South Rim. That area has shuttle buses that take visitors to overlooks. Fewer people see the canyon from the North Rim. The North Rim is less than 20 kilometers across the canyon from the South Rim, but visitors must drive more than 350 kilometers by car from the South Rim to access the North Rim. Visitors can also see the Grand Canyon from a huge glass walkway called the Skywalk. The Skywalk is on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in the western part of the canyon. The Hualapai Indians built it to increase tourism at the reservation. It opened in 2007. The Skywalk extends more than 20 meters from the canyons rim. It is suspended more than 1,200 meters above the bottom of the canyon, and is shaped like a giant horseshoe. Many call the skywalk an engineering wonder. But others have criticized the skywalk and its development. They say it reduces the enjoyment of nature in the Grand Canyon. For visitors hoping to get a view of the entire Grand Canyon, they will have to travel well beyond the state of Arizona. The only place to see the entire canyon at once is from outer space. I'm Ashley Thompson. And I'm Jonathan Evans. Ashley Thompson adapted this report, with materials from VOA Learning English archive and the National Parks Service. Hai Do was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story enormous - adj. very great in size or amount speechless - adj. unable to speak because of anger, surprise, etc minerals - n. a substance (such as quartz, coal, petroleum, salt, etc.) that is naturally formed under the ground helicopter - n. an aircraft that can stay in the air without moving forward and that has metal blades that turn around on its top access - v. to be able to use, enter, or get near (something) This is Whats Trending Today. A dusty and bloody five-year old Syrian boy captured the attention of people around the world this week. The boy suffered head injuries when his familys apartment building in the city of Aleppo was hit by a bomb. The boy was rescued from the rubble of the building. His family members were also rescued. None of them had serious injuries. The video and photos show the boy being lifted into an ambulance by a rescue worker. People can be heard yelling in the background. The boy, who has been identified as Omran Dagneesh, remains quiet and calm. The worker places the boy in an orange seat in the ambulance. The seat is made for an adult, so Dagneesh looks small. He looks confused about what is happening. He touches the side of his face, and feels something wet. He looks at his hand and sees blood. Soon others join him in the ambulance. They are another child and a man. But the image of Dagneesh alone in the brightly-lit ambulance brought out comments from around the world. Some people said it was similar to the photo of the dead Syrian child who washed up on a Turkish beach in September 2015. Others called the image haunting. Broadcaster Al-Jazeera noted that the boy is the same age as the Syrian war. Another person wrote, simply: Breaks. My. Heart. Others wanted to know why people around the world are not more concerned about the fighting in Syria and Aleppo. They were tweeting edited images of the wounded boy sitting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Doctors said the airstrike killed eight people, including five children. The United Nations says it is hoping to negotiate a 48-hour ceasefire. That would let them deliver aid to areas they cannot reach now because of the fighting. And thats Whats Trending Today. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Jill Robbins was the editor. How do you feel when seeing the photo of the boy? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story ambulance n. a vehicle used for taking hurt or sick people to the hospital especially in emergencies haunting adj. sad in a way that is difficult to forget edit v. to prepare (something written) to be published or used : to make changes, correct mistakes, etc., in (something written) rubble n. broken pieces of stone, brick, etc., from walls or buildings that have fallen A new report says that state security forces in Afghanistan are using schools in Taliban-held areas for combat missions. These actions, the report says, do not just interfere with children's education. Often, the schools become battlegrounds, leaving schools damaged or destroyed. Students and teachers are put in danger, too. Human Rights Watch, in a report released this week, demanded that the government take steps to stop putting schools at the center of the fighting. Keeping schools out of harm's way, the report says, is one way to protect the gains that the education sector has made in Afghanistan since 2001. Military activity in Baghlan Province The report focused on the military activities of Afghan security forces in the northern Baghlan province. This area has had intense fighting over the past year in and around its capital city, said Patricia Gossman, the senior Afghanistan researcher at the New York-based organization. Gossman explained that Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 20 teachers and school administrators, in addition to local families affected by the conflict, for the report. She noted the number of times in which Afghan soldiers occupied schools was "quite shocking." Taliban insurgents, too, have used schools in Baghlan to launch attacks. In one such case, Taliban forces occupied a Swedish government-financed school soon after it opened in 2015, the report says. In early 2016, government forces attacked the Taliban forces. The Taliban forces escaped, but the fighting destroyed the school. Afghan government challenges Human Rights Watch report Dawlat Waziri is an Afghan Defense Ministry spokesperson. He rejected the report, saying the government's investigations have not found violations. "However, we do not rule out the possibility of use of schools by security forces for an hour, or a couple of days, in instances when these facilities were closed for vacations, or in areas where operations were underway against insurgents," Waziri told VOA. Impact on education sector Gossman said that she is particularly concerned about the impact on girls' education. "We had situations where even tent schools were being used by the military. And obviously, the other concern is that this has a disproportionate effect on girls' education because if you have got a bunch of armed men in a school, families are going to be particularly reluctant to send their girls to school." Education is one of the few success stories in Afghanistan since the end of Taliban rule in 2001. At that time, less than a million children all boys were going to school. Since then, the number of children in school has risen to 9.5 million. About 40 percent of students are girls. The future of the security situation in Baghlan The security situation in Baghlan continues to grow worse. The Taliban have advanced in a number of areas and recently captured a key district just a few kilometers from the provincial capital. The Afghanistan Analysts' Network is pessimistic about the future of the security situation in Baghlan. It notes that the recently captured district was the first to fall in Baghlan province since 2001. I'm John Russell. VOA's Ayaz Gul reported this story from Islamabad. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Jill Robbins was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story combat mission n. a specific military or naval task that involves active fighting sector n. a sociological, economic, or political subdivision of society disproportionate - adj. having or showing a difference that is not fair, reasonable, or expected reluctant adj. feeling or showing doubt about doing something pessimistic adj. having or showing a lack of hope for the future 16 historic sites that could be gone in 100 years scholarship, news and new ideas in legal history A Lexington native is warning Nebraska not to make the same mistakes as neighboring Kansas by cutting tax revenue to the state government. Brian Hanson grew up on a farm north of town and graduated from Lexington High School in 1998. Until recently hed been a political science professor in Georgia. However, he felt a calling to return to his home state to work on issues I care about, he said. I thought it was time to start playing defense, Hanson said. Hes now a senior policy associate for the Center for Rural Affairs. Hanson published a report titled Kansas self-inflicted budget wound continues to bleed out, providing a cautionary tale for Nebraska. The report examined the impact cuts to income taxes in Kansas, which went into effect in 2012, have had in the subsequent years. Among his key findings: Kansas income tax cuts did not bring the promised economic and job growth. The state income tax cuts led to state budget shortfalls, depletion of state rainy day fund, school funding crises, and increases in both property and sales taxes. Nebraska already faces a budget shortfall of over $350 million through the next budget cycle that ends in 2019, due to declining tax revenues resulting from income tax cuts of years past. Kansas lags behind neighboring states, and the nation, in job growth. It had negative job growth between May 2015 and May 2016. Cuts in state aid to Kansas schools, as well as local and county governments, have more those entities more reliant on property taxes and other fees. A majority of Kansas counties have seen property tax increases since the 2012 income tax cuts, with 17 of the 20 highest property tax increases occurring in rural counties. The income tax cuts are not enjoyed by all Kansans. Due to subsequent increases in property and sales taxes, along with other usage fees like motor vehicle licensing, Kansas households making less than $42,000 per year have seen a net tax increase. Households making more than $500,000 received tax cuts of about $25,000. Cuts in income taxes in Nebraska would likely lead to both higher property taxes and more budget problems for Nebraskas public schools. Hanson also wrote that the Nebraska Legislatures attempts at property tax reform in 2016 only added to the budget shortfall, and future efforts should be targeted at homeowners and family farmers who need relief the most, based on income. Tax reform in Nebraska should be balanced, Hanson wrote. Calls for coupling property tax cuts and income tax cuts are irresponsible and would be akin to cutting off two legs of a three-legged stool, especially when the state is already on the floor. Hanson and Center for Rural Affairs Media Director John Crabtree toured the state with their message earlier in August. Crabtree said that despite Kansas well-documented economic difficulties, cutting income taxes remains a priority for some Nebraska politicians. State Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion is running for chairman of the revenue committee, and he is making the same arguments that Kansas was making before they cut taxes, he said. Its easy politically to talk about cutting taxes, but what does that mean? Crabtree continued. Everybody hates taxes. The pair also said Gov. Pete Ricketts is backing candidates for the legislature who share his vision on cutting income taxes. I wish there was some magic bullet, Crabtree said. Reasonable people need to have a conversation about how we can address these issues. When you are in a hole, your top priority has to be to stop digging. Of course, proponents of income tax reform see the situation differently. Adam Weinberg with the Platte Institute for Economic Research argued that the $350 million shortfall is more akin to an expected bonus being smaller than you anticipated, instead of losing your job or having your salary cut. They want people to think the state's revenue is shrinking and that they don't have money. The state's revenue is still growing, but not as fast as they were hoping, Weinberg said. The budget will still be balanced and the state is in no danger of being in the red. He also said it is disingenuous to compare Nebraskas situation to Kansas. The comparisons to Kansas are more histrionics by groups ideologically opposed to tax relief.Nebraska's fiscal house is in much better shape than Kansas' ever was, even before the tax cuts, and we will continue to be strong fiscally with responsible tax reform, he said. Nebraska neednt model income tax reform after Kansas in any event, Weinberg continued.Kansas created a giant tax loophole that restricted their tax base, he said, while states like North Carolina and Indiana were smarter about how they implemented reform and as a result have seen tax revenue increase, which paves the way for further reductions. Weinberg continued thatNebraska relies heavily on income tax, which is less stable than sales tax in terms of revenue. Many left-of-center groups actually do support expanding the sales tax base, they just want to spend the money on more programs, while we want to use that revenue to reduce tax rates that are causing economic hardships for people, he said. Also, we can still do tax reform that reduces tax rates without cutting a penny in spending if we're willing to close enough tax loopholes and end enough corporate handouts. That will only address half the problem, but it's still an important half. Research findings about the impact of immigrants in the State of Nebraska were released last week by Nebraska Appleseed, a non-profit, in conjunction with the Partnership for a New American Economy. The research findings marked the launch of the "Reason for Reform," a national campaign seeking to bring together state business, civic, and cultural leaders to urge Congress to take action on updating immigration laws in order to bring stability to thousands of Nebraska families and allow immigrants to make even further contributions to our economy, according to Nebraska Appleseed. We need Congress to update our antiquated immigration laws in order to grow Nebraskas economy, drive innovation, and keep our communities strong, said Jim Partington, Executive Director of the Nebraska Restaurant Association. An up-to-date immigration system is good for Nebraskans - it creates jobs for U.S.-born citizens and helps us utilize all the talent in our communities. The research report by PNAE, titled "The Contributions of New Americans in Nebrsaka," focuses on the economic vitality of foreign-born population in Nebraska, their tax contributions, their spending power, and their role in Nebraskas key industries as leaders and job creators. The report found that immigrant Nebraskans, who make up 6.4 percent of the states population, contributed $616 million in taxes in 2014, making them significant contributors to our economy. The report also highlights immigrant Nebraskans' contributions to key industries, such as agriculture and computer technology and their willingness to start new businesses. According to the report, immigrants make up 5.2 percent of all entrepreneurs in the state, and play a large role in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, a major component of U.S. economic growth. I came to the United States in 1999 and started working at restaurants as a dishwasher, then a cook and a waiter. I had a dream of one day owning my own restaurant, said David Valadez, owner of Margaritas Restaurant in Omaha. I went to Catholic Charities, and through the Microbusiness program I took classes and received technical assistance for the licenses needed for my business. Through the classes I learned a lot and received the tools I need to start my own business. In February 2008 I made my dream come true and opened Margaritas Restaurant. I have 11 employees and hope to expand. We need immigration reform that lets both big and small business hire and keep staff needed to grow," Valadez said. This study backs up recent research on the economic contributions of immigrants from the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy, which found in a 2015 report that the U.S. would see an increase of $2.2 billion in tax revenue if Congress passed a comprehensive immigration reform package. We know that updating our immigration laws is the right thing to do to preserve the unity of families who make up the cornerstone of strong communities, and this report confirms that new immigration laws are also wise economic policy, said John Griffith, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdioceses of Omaha. The United States has long been the destination for hard-working, entrepreneurial, and talented immigrants. We must act now to stop the unnecessary and devastating impact of family separation created by our current, outdated system. According to the report, "In recent decades, Nebraska has increasingly become the destination of choice for many newly arrived immigrants looking to build lives in the United States. In 1990, immigrants accounted for only 1.8 percent of the states total population. By 2010, that share had climbed to 6 percent, and between 2010 and 2014, Nebraskas foreign-born population increased by an additional almost 11,000 people, growing by almost 10 percent." Other findings of the report are listed below. * In Nebraska, there are 4,939 immigrants that are self-employed. * Immigrant-owned businesses generated $80.1M in business income in 2014. * 40 perdent of Fortune 500 companies based in Nebraska were founded by immigrants or their children. Those firms generate $28.0 B in annual revenue, and employ 58,500 people globally. * In 2014, immigrant-led households in Nebraska earned $2.5 billion dollarsor 4.9 percent of all income earned by Nebraskans that year. With those earnings, the states foreign-born households were able to contribute more than one in every 20 dollars paid by Nebraska residents in state and local tax revenues, payments that support important public services such as public schools and police * In Nebraska, over 73% of the foreign-born population is working aged, defined in this brief as falling between the ages of 25 and 64, compared to less than 50% of the native-born population. After two years apart, a Cuban family enjoyed an emotional reunion at Tampa International Airport Thursday, thanks in part to the efforts of U.S. Congressman David Jolly. Herminio Otero and wife Aida left Cuba after gaining asylum in the U.S. Couple forced to leave their daughters behind Otero's efforts to bring daughters to U.S. got attention of Congressman Jolly First, there were hugs. Then the tears started flowing. It was a scene to make any parent emotional. But for Herminio Otero and his wife, Aida, the emotion was almost beyond description. Otero and his wife left Cuba after gaining asylum in the U.S. But they had to leave their children behind. It's hard to leave all the people there," said Otero. "[But] It gives me the opportunity to come here and live, start a new life." The Oteros have two daughters. The eldest, also named Aida, is 20 years old, while the youngest, Amanda, is 12. Both were visibly emotional Thursday when they met their parents at the airport. Were very grateful to be back with our parents," said Aida, speaking in Spanish. "It was a very hard stage of being apart. But thanks to all of you we are united again." Im very touched because I didnt think we were going to be reunited," said Amanda, also speaking in Spanish. "We have been apart for two years and this was very hard for us and we wanted to see each other and thanks to everyone for making this moment possible." The girls' mother described the moment as life changing. This is like giving birth," said the elder Aida. "The ones who are mothers can tell. Its a very difficult moment and then after you think it was a nightmare." Otero said he tried everything in the time the family was separated to get the girls here. Finally, he got the attention of Congressman David Jolly. Mr. Otero had been working at this for over a year," said Jolly, who was also at the airport to witness the reunion. "He had been working this process since he had arrived here, but had run into several road blocks, and so thats where I offered to assist, and having a direct phone call from a member of Congress sometimes helps. Sometimes it doesnt. But in this case it helped." Jolly presented each girl with American Flags that were flown over the Capitol. As for their future, both girls plan to get settled into their new home and enroll in school. Theyre both excited to learn how to speak English. Two members of Congress toured the University of South Florida's mosquito lab on Friday, just ahead of the schools Zika conference. USF Health hosted "Zika at Our Doorstep: An International Public Health Conversation" today Local health and city officials discussed combating the virus Lawmakers and officials also toured USF labs working on Zika fight Representatives Kathy Castor and David Jolly learned exactly where federal money will go to help combat the spread of the virus -- straight to the front lines, where researchers hope to find breakthroughs. "When you have a public health crisis, it's very important you do everything you can up front to prevent it," Castor said. "You develop diagnostic tests, vaccine, you educate the community." But it's hard to learn more about the virus when funding is about to run out. Congress went on vacation in mid-July without approving more money to fight Zika. "As a Florida delegation, you'll see politics arent in play," Jolly said. "Politics are in play at a national level, turning this into a national debate and it shouldn't be." Total number of Florida cases of Zika now at 35 2 new potential cases of Zika being investigated in Miami Beach Zika: What you need to know Representatives on both sides of the aisle are calling for a Zika funding bill before it spreads throughout the country. Scientists aren't exactly sure how far it could spread, or how fast. Even if this is a vector borne infection, we're talking about the southern half of the entire country all the way through California thats really at risk for developing this infection, said Thomas Unnasch of the schools Department of Global Health. For now, experts said theres only one thing they know for sure: Limiting exposure to mosquitoes, and getting rid of standing water are two safe bets. When the research funding runs out, all bets are off. Researchers say they also want to learn more about how the virus is sexually transmitted. They arent sure if its rare or easily transmitted. Friday's meeting happened as health officials in South Florida work to contain transmission of the virus in Miami neighborhoods. Gov. Rick Scott said Miami-Dade County has requested funding for more staff and mosquito traps. Scott said health officials will send additional commercial pest control companies to help local mosquito control operations and "ensure the county has every possible tool to fight." "This is a virus that has been around, or identified, as long as 60 years ago, but it is truly accelerated," said Dr. Edmund Funai, the chief operating officer at USF Health. "Were not clear on why thats really happened, but frankly, its exceptionally concerning because there arent too many viruses or organisms in the world that are known to cause birth defects, very very few," he said. A Bay area ministry is joining the efforts to help those impacted by the flooding in Louisiana. Pinellas Park ministry is traveling to Baton Rouge to give aid 40,000 homes have been damaged by the floods in Louisiana The ministry is bringing enough food to feed 10K people every day Volunteers from 'Taking it to the Streets Ministry' left their headquarters in Pinellas Park just after noon on Thursday, with two truck filled with supplies. Even if its just one house that was underwater and no place to go, that would be devastating, said Pastor Joe Brockman. So that many houses, thats totally devastating. We need to do something. In addition to 6 tons of water, and more than 5 tons of food, the volunteers are bringing toiletries and other necessities with them on the 14-hour drive to Baton Rouge. Brockman said the group will try to get as close to the affected areas as possible. He anticipates the team will have to use boats once they are there. Volunteers are also bringing a mobile kitchen with them. Brockman says they have enough supplies to feed up to 10,000 people a day through the end of the week. Were all brothers and sisters, Brockman said. So were just helping our brothers and sisters out. Taking it to the Street Ministries is also raising money online. You can donate at GoFundMe.com. The senior designer of Stratcom (GLBA agency in Johannesburg), Carina Hartman, is currently working in Depot WPF in Moscow. Carina has become a part of the Depot WPF team in terms of GLBA's international exchange program for strategists, designers and managers. The internship program was launched by the Global Local Branding Alliance last autumn when Flamesun's art director Song went to Russia from China. This time it's Carina turn, one of the leading packaging design specialists from GLBA's agency in South Africa. The internship involves 100% immersion into the agencys work process. Carina has been briefed and is participating in one of the projects as a full-time designer. Her design concept will be shown to the client together with others. Comments from Carina: "It has been an amazing experience. From the minute I arrived I was greeted with warmth and hospitality. Guys from Depot WPF have made a great effort to show me what Russia is all about from the food to the history and of course the packaging. I have been very fortunate to be a part of an exciting project concept which I have thoroughly enjoyed working on. The team has been so helpful in guiding me through their processes and how they handle a project. It has been easy to fall into their process as it is very similar to how we at Stratcom would handle a project." Apart from spending time in the Depot WPF office, Carina will also have time to study Russian design "in real life". The fabulous team have organised store-checks in Moscow supermarkets for her and discussed the specialties of different product categories in Russia. "There is such a huge variety of products on the shelves that there is very strong competition between brands that need to stand out. This I believe drives the designers here to really push the boundaries in their designs to create something new and fresh to grab attention. It has truly been inspiring to see the level of creativity that goes into each piece of work. I definitely feel very inspired and hope that I can bring the team back in South Africa a new sense of creativity and a few tips I have picked up here," Carina says. Besides a lot of work, Carina has been able to take in some of the incredible sites Moscow has to offer. Carina has visited the main Moscow sights, watched a 360-degree movie in the planetarium, dropped into our favorite bars, walked in the Gorky Park and enjoyed Urs Fisher's exhibition in the Garage Museum. As far as Russian cuisine is concerned, Carina has tried traditional Russian pelmeni, "herring under a fur-coat" and buckwheat. Carinas Russian experiences will also include a remote Moscow performance and morning party in the Muzeon park of arts. "I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that I have met here at Depot WPF for accepting me as part of your team and for all the effort to the wonderful people for taking me out in the evenings to experience your amazing city and to Kate for sharing her beautiful home with me and making me feel so welcome, Thank you," Carina comments. And the Depot WPF would also like to thank Carina for sharing her South African experience with them all! Meanwhile, the next participant of GLBA's international exchange program is the Depot WPF art director Vera Zvereva. Vera is going to chase inspiration in Sao Paolo with the team of the Brazilian agency A10 who are all ready to host her soon. STRATCOM www.stratcom.co.za [Packaging that speaks volumes] www.glba.com [local experts providing global perspective] https:Facebook.com/stratcom.co.za Telephone: +27114630543 Email: az.oc.moctarts@ofni Seenu Ramasamy is a director who makes realistic Tamil movies set in a rural milieu with a lot of angst and melodrama. His new film, titled after Rajinikanths popular 1991 film Dharma Durai, has his favourite hero Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role. It was Seenu Ramasamy who introduced Sethupathi as hero in Thenmerku Paruvakaatru, the 2010 film that went on to win national awards for Saranya Ponvannan and Vairamuthu. The director and actor have now come together for the third time with the 2016 Dharma Durai, which is a feel good family entertainer largely driven by the performance by Vijay Sethupathi. Ramasamy has made it work as the film is about the goodness in people and the mistakes they make, told as a commercial entertainer. The story is set in a village near Madurai. Dharma Durai (Vijay Sethupathi) is an alcoholic and an embarrassment to his three brothers who run the family chit fund business. But his mother Pandiyamma (Radhika Sharatkumar) dotes on him and at a crucial moment helps him to escape from the clutches of his brothers who were planning to silence him. Dharma runs away unknowingly with a bag full of money, which the family had kept to settle business deals. He goes back to his alma mater, Madurai Medical College in search of his close friends Stella (Srushti Dange) who was in love with him and her best friend Subashini (Tamannaah Bhatia) who had a crush on him. Why Dharma become an alcoholic is told through a flashback, and how he meets his old friends forms the rest of the story. The story is wafer thin and there are too many coincidences in the narration. The plot twists are all commercial and at times too far-fetched. The film moves at a leisurely pace and loses its fizz with an all is well that ends well, but abrupt climax. What works for the film is a riveting performance by Vijay Sethupathi, especially the early scenes at his home. Radhika as his mother is brilliant, she brings out the anguish and pain in the character in a touching manner. Among the three heroines it is Aishwarya Rajesh (Kaaka Muttai fame) who steals the show, while Tamannaah just does not fit the bill. Srushti Dange has nothing much to do. Technically the film is quite good; Yuvan Shankar Rajas music is in sync with the theme along with Sukumars cinematography. Dharma Durai is a feel good family entertainer that works to a large extent due to Vijay Sethupathi, an actor of substance. Urdu is like French and Bengali the sort of language in which a person might spew abuse yet sound like they are telling you they love you. This lyrical tongue with all its eccentricities and beauty is one of the pegs on which hangs the weeks big Bollywood release Happy Bhag Jayegi. The other peg is a Punjabi woman called Happy. Written and directed by Mudassar Aziz, Happy Bhag Jayegi is the story of Amritsari bride Happy (Diana Penty) who runs away on the day of her marriage ceremony. Even as the groom is readying himself for their mandap, Happy boards the wrong escape vehicle and ends up in Pakistan. While her husband-in-waiting Daman Singh Bagga (Jimmy Sheirgill) and her boyfriend Guddu (Ali Fazal) desperately search for her, she creates havoc in the lives of a budding politician in Lahore, Bilal Ahmed (Abhay Deol), and his fiance Zoya played by the Pakistani actress Momal Sheikh making her Bollywood debut here. Most of this you might already have gathered from the trailer. What the trailer does not reveal is that the films best moments have been packed into it, and there is nothing much else it has to say. Happy Bhag Jayegi is hilarious at a superficial level and Penty is brimming with potential as she was in her first film Cocktail in 2012 but her Happy, despite being the titular protagonist, is the most under-written character in the entire story. So ultimately what we are left with is a film filled with laughter up to a point but completely lacking depth. Co-produced by Aanand L. Rai, the supremely successful director of Tanu Weds Manu and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Happy Bhag Jayegi starts off very well. A runaway bride landing up in the home of a prominent politician in Lahore without her passport or visa is a situation teeming with possibilities. The first half moves at an accelerated pace, the humour is unrelenting and every single member of the cast is rock solid. Deol, in particular, gets a role worth his charisma after a long time and Piyush Mishra playing his ally, the hapless senior policeman ASP Usman Afridi, nudges the funny bone each time he walks on to the screen. Besides, how can you not giggle over a film featuring a grown Punjabi man called Winkle? And then something goes wrong. What happened in the pre-interval portion is repeated post interval, and it gradually becomes evident that Mudassar Aziz who earlier made the disastrous Dulha Mil Gaya (2010) with Sushmita Sen does not know how to take his concept forward. The films limited writing is its failing. Worst of all is the treatment of Happy. She seems like an interesting creature, a free spirit who will not be constrained by a despotic father, a violence-prone fiance or misadventures in enemy territory. Yet beyond that one-line description, the film fails to acquaint us with this woman. She remains nothing more than the introductory note about her that was probably sent to the producer at the start of this project. Guddu tells Bilal that it is impossible not to love Happy once you get to know her, but we never get to know her so we do not find that out for ourselves. Imagine having your name in the name of the film, and yet being given only one calm conversation with another character throughout that films 126 minutes. Happy is constantly described with admiration and gazed at with adoring eyes by the two young men in her life, but we do not have a chance to fall in love with her ourselves because she remains such a distant figure. She is forever running in Happy Bhag Jayegi, but after a while the running too remains a gimmick that worked well in the promotional teaser but means little in a full-length story. Oddly enough, Bilals character is far better explored in the screenplay. In fact, at some point this becomes more a film about Bilal and Zoya than about Happy and Guddu. Perhaps a more appropriate title could have been Kya Bilal Happy Ke Saath Bhag Jayega? However, Azizs inadequacies show up here too. He is clearly keen to surprise us with Bilals actions and decisions towards the end of the second half, but since the mans motivations are poorly fleshed out, they remain completely unconvincing. Bagga, on the other hand, is described as a vicious fellow by Happy. You can see that he aint no saint by the behaviour of the goons who form his coterie. However, his character never rises above Jimmy Sheirgills naturally likeable personality. For the record, though most of the story is set in Pakistan, the film is shot entirely in India in Amritsar, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Aziz throws in some crowd-pleasing lines about Pakistan, but they are inoffensive and balanced out by the bond that forms between the four youngsters at the centre of the story. These are among the few moments of maturity in the screenplay. The others come in the atypical portrayal of the films Punjabis (they do not call out Balle Balle or dance the Bhangra at the drop of a hat) and in the writing of Zoya. She could have easily been pigeonholed as the evil doosri aurat (other woman) in the heros life, but somewhere along the way, a spot of nuance enters the picture and she becomes more than that lazy stereotype. One of the films nicest scenes is the one in which she urges Bilal to make his own life decisions rather than bowing to his fathers wishes at all times. Happy Bhag Jayegi includes the song Ashiq tera with the following lyrics (music Sohail Sen, words Aziz himself): Dil ke aage yeh aafat badi hai / Khwahishein phir bhi zidd pe adi hain / Humse maayus hoga zamana / Par zamane ki kisko padi hai. Roughly translated, that means: There is a huge hurdle standing in the way of my desires / but I am determined to follow my heart / The world may be disappointed in me / But who cares about this world? THIS is what the film should have been and could have been about. Happy Bhag Jayegi could have been about finding happiness in pursuing your dreams. You can see that that is what it wants to be, but does not know how to be. Aziz obviously has a flair for comedy but he needs to work on it. What he desperately needed here was either more time and thought, or a co-writer to help him build on the starting blocks he set up. Happy Bhag Jayegi is fun and funny in large parts, but the second half is also bogged down by how insubstantial and consequently forgettable it is. Disney has been on a roll lately. It seems theyve pretty much figured out the precise formula to take an older property and garnish it with just the right coat for the modern audiences. Petes Dragon, their newest entry is yet another heartwarming, consistently enjoyable and often mushy sweet film for both kids and their parents. A live action remake of the 1977 animated film of the same name, Petes Dragon chronicles Pete (Oakes Fegley), a kid who was orphaned in the jungle and was offered protection by a giant green dragon named Eliot. Pete and Eliot were happy to grow up away from civilisation, so it is quite a shock to forest ranger Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard) when she finds the boy alive and well. Things take a darker turn when Gavin (Karl Urban), a logger decides to use Pete to capture the fabled dragon. If the above description is any indication, Petes Dragon is a fairly simple story, but that is what works in its favor. Director David Lowery, who made the excellent Aint Them Bodies Saints a couple of years ago weaves some surprisingly thought provoking and often meditative visuals here. Its a far cry from the cartoonish nature of the original film, especially in the sequences where theres danger at hand. Most entertaining is the buddy relationship between Pete and his dragon their playful montage is neatly utilized as a means to be afraid when the story seems to drift them apart. And if youve ever had a pet youre in for giant laughs and also a bout of onions near your eyes during one particular sequence. But the very best thing about the film is that the villain is not a baddie for the sake of being movie evil. Theres a certain humanist approach to why Gavin behaves the way he does and how he would profit from his unscrupulous deeds. So the finale is a nice learning lesson for kiddie audiences who are generally conditioned into watching a complete white or black version of characters in childrens films. Its not often you see a grey zone in mainstream kids cinema so Disney definitely deserves some praise for attempting something different. Read on Firstpost Tarzan and The Jungle Book's Mowgli: Why we're fascinated by the 'feral child' in fiction, and real-life The performances from nearly everyone are stand out. No one in the film seems to look like theyre in a kids film. There are no exaggerated dialogues, and even in the kitschy moments Lowerys balance between sentimentality and suspension of disbelief is absolutely on point. It helps that the dragon in question is beautifully rendered, with a surprisingly human face. Fans of How to Train Your Dragon and the 90s film Dragonheart will be happy to see a new kind of dragon here, one with much more personality and charm than any previous iteration of the fabled beast. The lush New Zealand landscapes shot by cinematographer Bojan Bazelli will make you want to book the first flight out. The only reason you shouldnt see this film is if you do not have a functional heart in your body. Director Ram Gopal Varma is back to doing what he does best creating controversies. Proving it to be his favourite hobby, he has again targeted Rajinikanth on Twitter. On Tuesday Varma took to Twitter to congratulate Kannada actor Sudeep for his new film Kotigobba 2. But how could the Satya director do that without naming Rajinikanth in the tweet? @KicchaSudeep I just saw kotigobba 2 and I honestly think u shud change ur name from Kiccha Sudeepa to Rajni Sudeepa.. Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) August 16, 2016 @KicchaSudeep But Rajni can do just only one type whereas u proved ur better versatality from Autograph to Eega to Kotigobba 2 to many more Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) August 16, 2016 @KicchaSudeep U can anyday do a Robot in ur sleep but Rajnikant can't do a Eega even in his dream..Respect Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) August 16, 2016 But RGV was not done yet. He went on to say that Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan's performance was amateur in the 2001 film Kotigobba, the sequel of Sudeep's film and a remake of the Rajini-starrer Baasha. @KicchaSudeep Saw Kotigobba..compared to ur performance in Kotigobba 2 Vishnuvardhan looks amateur n if his fans disagree they also amateur Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) August 16, 2016 Thankfully Sudeep himself shut Varma up with a polite but clear tweet saying that he cannot match up to the two stars. @RGVzoomin thanks fr th appreciation sir....but I'm nowhere close nor a comparison to th two legends,,Vishnusir & RajiniSir.. Kichcha Sudeepa (@KicchaSudeep) August 16, 2016 Thalaivar fans also did not take the insult lying down and paid RGV back in his own coin. @RGVzoomin @KicchaSudeep Dear RGV, I am a fan of ur movies, for u health sake plz do concern my request, Do visit a psychiatrist near by!!! Vijay (@vijay_Aero) August 16, 2016 @vijay_Aero @RGVzoomin thank god film making became digitized! All the FILM #RGV wasted would have gone as toilet paper! VJ Abishek (@cinemapayyan) August 16, 2016 @RGVzoomin @KicchaSudeep RGV Sir you can direct #Raktcharitr 2 3 4 5 100 but you can't make atleast Robo teaser #Kabali Siddaraj M S (@imSiddaraj) August 18, 2016 This might be Varma's style of appreciating performances since he always chooses to compare people with Rajini to heap praises on them. Even while praising Amitabh Bachchan's performance in Teen, he took a dig at Thalaiva. My belief as a Rajni fan is If @SrBachchan does Robot it will do far far better and if @superstarrajini does Te3n it will do far far lesser Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) June 14, 2016 In a series of tweets in April he went all out to criticise Rajinikanth for his looks. Among other things he also said, "He is a bad looker, doesn't have 6 packs, short with a disproportionate body n knows just 2 nd half dance movements." Nowhere in world a man who looks like this can be SuperStar .I wonder what he did to God that God did this to him pic.twitter.com/k32oXkbVmn Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) April 16, 2016 But soon realising the mess he had got himself into he took a complete u-turn and said that his 'compliments' for the star were being misunderstood. Some superdumb fans of Rajnikant dint even realise that I was only complimenting the superstar Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) April 17, 2016 Just this week he had got himself into another controversy when he poked fun at US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle posting an old picture of them. Barack seems like a woman and Michelle seems like a man and that's what is an American Remix pic.twitter.com/4FV4tPKEhF Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) August 15, 2016 This and his other such tweets make us wonder what really went wrong with the filmmaker who gave us films like Rangeela and Company. Our suggestion would be to get off Twitter and concentrate on film scripts. New Delhi: Fortis Healthcare Friday said its board has approved demerger of its diagnostics business into another group firm Fortis Malar Hospitals, a move aimed at ensuring independent growth of hospital as well as diagnostics business verticals. Company's board approved a proposal to demerge its diagnostics business, including that housed in its subsidiary SRL Ltd into another majority-owned subsidiary, Fortis Malar Hospitals pursuant to a composite scheme of arrangement and amalgamation, Fortis Healthcare said in a regulatory filing. As part of the process, Fortis Malar will sell its hospital business to Fortis Healthcare by way of a slump sale for a lump sum cash consideration of Rs 43 crore. "Upon the composite scheme becoming effective, and subject to receipt of requisite regulatory and statutory approvals, the diagnostics business of Fortis Healthcare, including that housed in SRL would be vested in Fortis Malar," it said. The name of Fortis Malar will subsequently be changed to SRL, the company which is proposed to be listed on the National Stock Exchange in addition to its current listing on the BSE, it added. Fortis Malar operates a hospital in Chennai. "We believe this will unlock immense value for all the shareholders. As a result of the new synergistic groupings, both the hospital and diagnostic businesses will benefit from greater clarity, a stronger focus and an independent growth trajectory," Fortis Healthcare Executive Chairman Malvinder Singh said. Equally, this will enable the accelerated pursuit of their respective business goals while empowering them to reach their fullest potential, he added. Upon the effectiveness of the composite scheme, Fortis Malar would issue and allot to the equity shareholders of Fortis Healthcare, as on record date, 0.98 fully paid up equity shares of Rs 10 each for every 1 equity share of Rs 10 each held by them in Fortis Healthcare. The equity shareholders of SRL will be issued and allotted 10.8 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Fortis Malar for every 1 equity share of Rs 10 each held by them in SRL as on record date. Appointed date for the slump sale, demerger and merger under the composite scheme is 1 January, 2017. "Our hospitals and diagnostics businesses continue to perform equally well. However, in the longer term, they have a growth path of their own requiring distinctive strategies," Fortis Healthcare CEO Bhavdeep Singh said. The new arrangement resulting from the demerger will harness these unique capabilities and strengths, unlocking value by combining the flexibility with a focus on rapidly scaling up operations, he added. Fortis Healthcare shares ended at Rs 187.80 apiece on the BSE, down 3.27 percent from previous close. Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh assembly may ratify the constitution amendment bill on Goods and Services Tax (GST) during its monsoon session beginning on 22 August, an official said here on Friday. With this, the hill state will become the fourth after Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand to ratify the bill. "The constitution amendment bill on GST will be tabled in the assembly," S.S. Verma, Secretary to the Speaker, told IANS. The six-day session will have five sittings, with a holiday on 26 August. It will conclude on 27 August. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has hailed the passage of the bill in parliament, saying it was the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government that conceived the measure. "The Congress was in favour of the bill," the Chief Minister told reporters, adding "In fact, the UPA government had brought this bill." Political observers said the GST bill was likely to be passed unanimously as in the 68-member assembly, where the Congress has a majority with 36 members. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 27 legislators. There are four independent legislators and one from the Himachal Lok Shakti Party, which has been merged with the BJP. The four independent legislators are associate members of the Congress. Official sources said the government, during the session, would also bring an amendment to regulate the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. The Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill will also be tabled to pave the way for regularising unauthorised buildings believed to over 25,000 across the state. The bill will replace an ordinance. (Editors Note: This is an updated version of an earlier story) Finally, the much discussed merger plan of State Bank of Indias (SBI's) five associates with the parent is turning into a reality. What does it mean to the institution and the shareholders when the elephant in the Indian banking sector is set to grow even bigger. On Thursday, the boards of SBI and its five associates approved the amalgamation plan. SBIs remaining associates are State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Hyderabad. The bank merged two of its subsidiaries State Bank of Saurashtra and State Bank of Indore during former chairman O P Bhatt's time, in 2008 and 2010, respectively. SBI will also take over Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB). For every 10 shares of SBBJ, the shareholders will receive 28 shares of State Bank of India. In the case of the other two associate banks, for every 10 shares of State Bank of Mysore and 10 shares of State Bank of Travancore, investor would get 22 shares of SBI in each case. According to analysts, its a win-win for shareholders. Overall, its a good deal for the shareholders of both the parent and the target firms, said Siddharth Purohit, Senior Research Analyst at Mumbai-based Angel Broking. A back of the envelop calculation, based on Fridays stock price, shows that the shareholders of the three associate banks will get up to 6 percent premium as per the agreed swap ratio. Post the merger, the combined entity will have a total asset size of Rs 28.68 lakh crore as compared with SBI's standalone asset size of Rs 22.63 lakh crore now. That would also mean the difference between the new SBI and its nearest competitor, ICICI Bank, in terms of assets would be a whopping Rs 21.48 lakh crore. Once the merger happens, SBI may come under a bit more pressure on the asset quality front from the associates, analysts said, adding it may not be significant. Why this merger now? It wasnt long back when SBI chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya wasn't too sure about the merger plan as a priority item on the agenda. This is what Bhattacharya said in August last year. I don't think this is the right time. Because today there are a lot of challenges and those challenges are more immediate than merging banks. The conversion to digital that is happening at such a fast pace, that's a very big challenge. The fact that we have so many other layers coming in like payments banks, universal banks, licence on tap, disintermediation happening through the crowd funding platforms, crypto currency popping up here and there, so, challenges are multi-fold today, Bhattacharya said. Even if I merge them, my balance sheet will not go up, the group balance sheet remains the same. And therefore, the valuation I get will remain almost the same. Only thing that will happen is, I can bring about greater efficiency. But I can do that even without merging, she said. So what has changed since then to say now that time is right for the grand merger? None of the elements Bhattacharya listed above has suddenly become a non-challenge. They are still around, may be even bigger in nature. So, that leaves us with the assumption that the merger idea has come from the government, the owner of India's public sector banks (PSBs) including the SBI family. Now, why would the government want SBI to merge all its associates and BMB? But, this raises another key question. Is SBI, often dubbed as the elephant among Indian banks, growing too big in relation to its competitors? This is something former RBI governor, D Subbarao had highlighted in August, 2013. Presently, (there is) significant skewness in the size of banks. The second largest bank in the system is almost one-third the size of the biggest bank. This creates a monopolistic situation,' Subbarao said. The problem has grown even bigger since then. The concern of policymakers worldwide about the 'oversized' financial institutions is justified since if something goes wrong with them, this can have serious ramifications on the whole financial system. This is something that prompted the US federal reserve to finalise a rule in November, 2014 that prohibited any financial company from acquiring another, if the resultant entity's liabilities exceeded 10 percent of the total liabilities of the financial services system. The rule - Section 622 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - says once a particular entity reaches the specified concentration limit, that bank cannot acquire control of another entity. Logically, the new rule intends to shield the US financial system from the foibles of 'too big to fail' banks, which could then spark a crisis like the one in 2008 following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, which triggered a global financial meltdown. That meltdown showed that when banks become too big, they can bring down the whole financial system when they lend or invest imprudently. There is no comparison between US and Indian banking system in terms of size. But, the concerns apply here as well. In July, 2014, the central bank released a framework to identify domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) and later classified both SBI and ICICI as systemically important banks. SBI has five remaining subsidiaries - State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Patiala - of which first three are listed. In SBI's case, given the enormous size of the bank compared to its domestic peers, there is an obvious concentration risk that is building up. This is what the RBI has to monitor. If anything goes wrong with SBI, it would have repercussions not only for the bank, but the whole financial system. In a worst case scenario, if a major crisis grips the domestic banking system, a fiscally-constrained government may find it difficult to capitalise SBI, especially if it keeps growing its book at least as fast as the economy. Considering its size and appetite, the elephant is not easy to feed. Yet again, Subbarao's caution assumes importance. "We don't need monopolies, instead we need four-five banks of big size, as large banks can become too-big-to-fail, leading to moral hazard problems." Capital to feed bigger state-run banks is another concern. Already, a rapid growth in bad loans coupled with higher capital requirements under Basel-III norms, has necessitated for additional capital of Rs 2,50,000 crore by 2019. Of the Rs 70,000 crore government planned for PSBs over four years, it has already infused Rs 25,000 crore last fiscal. The government wants PSBs to go the market for the remaining amount. If too-big-to-fail banks meet with a crisis situation, can the government support them is a question. As for BMB is concerned, the idea was a failure form day-1 since creating bank for women and by women assumed that the so-called weaker section would always remain weak and can't be accommodated in the mainstream. The bottom line is this: Overall, SBI-associates merger is a good deal for the shareholders of both the parent and the target firms. But as former SBI chairman Bhatt pointed out earlier, it would have made more sense to de-link SBI's associates with the parent since they are doing good on their own. Letting the elephant grow too big can change it to an animal much more difficult to control. Data support from Kishor Kadam Mumbai: The Service Tax Department may go for another round of bidding for luxury jet of embattled businessman Vijay Mallya as the highest bid received during the auction here was a measly Rs 27 crore against the reserve price of Rs 152 crore. "The department may go for fresh round of bidding for the jet through its official auctioneer MSTC after rejecting this offer," a department official said Friday. Yesterday, the highest bid amount (of Rs 27 crore) was offered by a domestic firm SGI Commex. The only other bidder which participated in the auction was a UAE-based aviation support firm Alna Aero Distributional Finance Holdings, which last time had made an offer of Rs 1.09 crore for the jet. The previous auction, which was conducted by the department on 30 June, had proved to be a damp squib as the UAE-based lone bidder had made a paltry offer of less than a percent of the reserve price. The plane was attached by the Service Tax Department in December 2013, claiming tax dues of over Rs 800 crore from Mallya's now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. "We are still not happy at the highest bid amount (Rs 27 crore) offered by SGI Commex. Hence, we may reject the offer and go for fresh round of auction for the jet in our bid to recover the dues. However, a final call will be taken by the department within a couple of days from now," the official said. Earlier, the joint pricing committee, which comprises five members, including one additional commissioner of the department and officials from the Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence, met to discuss if the reserve price could be lowered. However, the committee felt that the reserve price at Rs 152 crore was good enough, keeping in view the value of the goods involved in the jet, the official added. Also, the lenders' attempt to sell the Kingfisher House in the city for Rs 150 crore and the Kingfisher brands for Rs 367 crore earlier this year had failed as no bidders turned up. The beleaguered tycoon owes over Rs 9,000 crore, which includes unpaid loans and accrued interest, to 17 banks. The Indian e-commerce sector may be gearing up for a major consolidation and shake-up with a report in Techcirlce claiming that Snapdeal is exploring merger with rivals Flipkart and Amazon. The development, if true, assumes significance in the the light of the news that Chinese giant Alibaba is looking to acquire another market place Shopclues in its bid to gain a strong foothold in the Indian online shopping market. Interestingly, Alibaba holds a stake in Snapdeal too. There is no confirmation on the latest Snapdeal move for now. In fact, the company has rubbished the report with a spokesperson telling Techcircle that its "so-called news is baseless". "...We categorically deny this speculative, unfounded story, the spokesman has been quoted as saying in the report. Flipkart too has vehemently denied the report, while Amazon did not respond to the queries, says the report. However, a person in the know has told the website that "only feelers have been sent (to prospective buyers)...." Interestingly, Flipkart itself was reported to have engaged with Amazon for a possible merger earlier this year. However, nothing on that front has moved yet. According to the Techcircle report, Snapdeal's move is fall out of the top level shake up in Japanese telecom giant SoftBank, a company which has led two rounds of investments worth $627 million and another $500 million in 2014 and 2015. Nikesh Arora, who had lead many of Softbank's Indian investments, decided to step down from the post of president at the Japanese company in June after its Chairman & CEO Masayoshi Son decided to continue as chairman for an extended period of time. With Arora stepping down, there have speculation that SoftBank's interest in India is likely to see a ramp down. In February, when Ontario Teachers Pension Plan and others invested $200 million, Snapdeal was valued at $6.5 billion. Flipkart, meanwhile, has been witnessing markdowns of its valuation of late, after it hit a valuation of $15 billion in 2015. Analysts have opined earlier that consolidation is the way ahead for the Indian e-commerce after venture capitalists squeezed funding and the government put in place rules restricting discount sales, which were once the dominant strategy for doing business for most of the players. Lahore: Pakistan is investigating another Mumbai attack suspect, who has recently been arrested, for allegedly providing financial assistance to the LeT men to carry out the deadly assault in 2008. "The FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) has arrested Sufyan Zafar recently and is interrogating him for his role in providing financial assistance to the accused of the Mumbai attack - who are lodged in the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi," FIA special prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar told PTI on Friday. He said Zafar was absconding after being declared proclaimed offender in the Mumbai case. A resident of Gujrawala district of Punjab, some 80km from Lahore, Zafar is among 21 other absconding suspects wanted in this high-profile case. "Zafar will be indicted in the Mumbai case after completion of the investigation," the FIA official said. A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has charged seven Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) activists - its operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum - with abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attack. The case has been underway in the country for more than six years. Lakhvi, the mastermind of the Mumbai attack, is living at an undisclosed location after getting released from jail on bail over a year ago. The other six suspects are in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The trial proceedings have come to a halt as India is yet to send 24 witnesses to Pakistan for recording of their statements in the trial court. Pakistan says the trial cannot be concluded unless India sends its nationals for recording their statements in the case. As many as 166 people were killed and over 250 injured in the attack carried out by 10 LeT men. Nine assailants were killed while the lone survivor, Ajmal Kasab, was captured and later executed. Amnesty International's request to set up office in India for operations in South Asia is likely to get rejected. Amnesty India was booked for sedition and other unlawful acts after anti-India slogans were raised at an event it organised in Bengaluru last week. On 8 May last year, the organisation had approached the government to start a hub and said that it would bring nearly Rs 19 crore as foreign funds under the 'prior permission category'. However, according to The Indian Express, a senior official in the home ministry has said that though the application is under review, it is likely to get rejected as Amnesty has not registered under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The charges against Amnesty India include sedition, rioting, an unlawful assembly and promoting enmity. An FIR was filed on Monday, two days after the RSS-affiliate Abhinav Bharat Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) lodged the complaint with audio-video evidence on 13 August and protested against Amnesty on Sunday at the venue (United Theological College) in Bengaluru. What is FCRA? When a foreign body in India wants to purchase any capital assets such as shares, property, it has to abide by RBI rules, since the apex banking organisation needs some way to regulate funds. The FCRA has hard restrictions NGOs must mention where they are sourcing the money from, how much and what the money will be used for. The foreign contributions cannot be accepted by someone standing for elections, public servants or correspondents in newspapers. The government also has discretionary powers in way of granting FCRA and can prohibit an organisation from registering if it considers the organisation to be a threat to the sovereignty of India. However, if the organisation is not registered, it can still get funds by getting prior permission from the government. What is a 'prior permission'? An organisation, which is not registered under the FRCA and wishes to receive funds, needs to obtain a 'prior permission' from the Central government. The organisation can only be granted a prior permission in the following scenarios: If it does not have a FCRA registration number. The number has been cancelled by the government. The organisation has been so instructed by the central government. The number is suspended due to violation of provisions and conditions mentioned under FCRA. The organisation is of a 'political nature', not being a political party or any person recieving funds on behalf of an organisation of 'political nature'. What's the deal with Amnesty? According to The Economic Times, in 2000, Amnesty India was granted permission for the first time to bring in 1,30,629 (approx Rs 1.15 crore); in 2003, another sum of 2,21,428 (approx Rs 1.9 crore); and in 2009, a sum of Rs 54,40,000 under the prior permission category. However four applications by Amnesty since 2010 have been denied by the government. According to ANI, BJP leader Shaina NC said that Amnesty India "needs to adhere to certain parameters of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). If the FCRA has been violated, this is the prerogative of the Home Ministry to bring it to the notice of public at large and if it has worked in accordance to law, it has absolutely nothing to worry about." The Times of India reported that the MHA is contemplating asking Amnesty India to apply for FCRA registration, however in the past Amnesty International held the position that it would not register under FCRA because it is "much abused" by the government and works to "curb the freedom of expression of NGOs. Is FCRA really misused? Journalist, political activist, Praful Bidwai wrote for South Asia Citizens Web that India has a complex "maze of laws and rules" which gives "arbitary powers to the state" and according to him FCRA falls under that category. He traces the origins of the law to 1975-1977 emergency imposed during Indira Gandhi's rule "partly out of her paranoid conviction that foreign powers were out to destabilise her by instigating domestic political groups. The FCRA originally banned funding for political parties, election candidates, trade unions, the media, etc. All applicants for a permit to receive funding would have to be registered for at least three years and be closely screened by the intelligence bureau, no less." According to a report by Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), the FCRA should focus on "on devising a proper mechanism to identify and curb such malpractices rather than penalising genuine organisations." Others echo similar sentiments, Sonia Pereira writers in The Dialogue that FCRA is "highly ambigous" and "gives the government free reign to influence work of NGOs." FCRA bars entities that are of "political nature" or those that are likely to "prejudicially" affect public interest. Death toll in the hooch tragedy rose to 17 as twenty-five policemen were suspended and six people arrested in Bihar's Gopalganj district. The police have registered FIR against 14 people. #UPDATE Gopalganj illicit liquor deaths: 25 policemen suspended, 6 people arrested and FIR registered against 14 ppl #Bihar ANI (@ANI_news) August 19, 2016 The district administration on Thursday said that the deaths may been due to consumption of either hooch or spurious substance mixed in some drink, as it mulled sending viscera and blood samples of the deceased for forensic test. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grave concern over the Gopalganj tragedy, the first major incident after Bihar was declared a complete dry state on 5 April. He told reporters that the incident was serious and expressed confidence that truth would come out in the forensic test of viscera and blood samples of deceased. Gopalganj District Magistrate Rahul Kumar said post-mortem report of the deceased indicated death due to either consumption of hooch or some spurious substance mixed in some drink. "The district administration would approach court to seek its permission to hand over viscera and blood sample of deceased for forensic test," Superintendent of Police Raviranjan Kumar said. Nitish Kumar appealed to the kin of the deceased not to be scared and speak the truth so that the culprits behind the incident could be caught and severely punished. He said if the deaths are due to hooch, compensation of Rs 4 lakh each would be given to the family members of the victims. He said Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and state police chief PK Thakur were keeping a close watch over the Gopalganj incident and there was no chance of culprits escaping from the law. The chief minister said total prohibition in Bihar since April has taken shape of a social change under which some such unpleasant events would crop up which would be dealt with sternly. The SP said that during search operations in Khajurbanni locality, 45 gallons of 'mahua' (country liquor) hidden inside the earth have been recovered. In addition, 25 empty bottles of a homeopathic medicine Dhuja which has alcoholic contents have been also found from the place of incident, the SP added. The DM said that initially 13 people had died but later two more succumbed at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in Patna where four more are under treatment. The Gopalganj incident has provided opportunity to opposition BJP and its NDA partners to attack the Nitish government. With inputs from agencies New Delhi: CBI has taken over investigation in the Bulandshahr gangrape and dacoity case in which a woman and her minor daughter were assaulted by a gang in July. The incident had taken place when six members of a Noida-based family were travelling to Shahjahanpur in western Uttar Pradesh. At the national highway passing through Bulandshahr, their car was stopped by criminals who dragged the 13-year-old girl and her mother out and raped them in a field nearby. The Allahabad High Court had ordered CBI to take over investigation in the case. CBI Spokesperson Devpreet Singh said the agency has registered a case under IPC sections related to dacoity, gangrape, kidnapping among others besides provisions of Pocso Act. "CBI took over the investigation of case No. 838 of 2016 registered at police station Kotwali Dehat, district Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) on the allegations of abduction, dacoity and rape of a lady and her daughter by five-six assailants in fields situated in village Dostpur, district Bulandshahr in the intervening night of 29/30 July, 2016," the spokesperson said. Pasighat: The Centre has taken "serious steps" against insurgency in the northeast and the situation in Assam is "better" than before, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday. "Militant activity is under control in Assam and now the situation in the state is better than before," the minister of state for home told reporters after inauguration the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. Rijiju said, "I had talked with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and he had asked for extra paramilitary forces for the state. It had been decided to send the forces as soon as possible, but it has got delayed due to the volatile situation in Kashmir." Referring to the 5 August gunning down of 14 people by NDFB (Songbijit) in Assam's Kokrajhar district the worst since the 2014 attack by the group when over 76 people were killed, he said operations against the outfit are still on and the army is participating in the ops under Tezpur-based 4 Corps Tezpur and Nagaland-based 3 Corps. The NDFB (S) attack in Kokrajhar was a "very shocking incident" after the 2014 carnage, he said, adding the Centre had recently spoken to the government of Bhutan and the Prime Minister of Myanmar about militants from here hiding in the two neighbouring countries. On the anti-talk ULFA (I), he said it is now desperate and is trying to show its strength but the Centre has taken a tough stance against it. Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained on Friday after they tried to visit Aripanthan village in Budgam district where four persons were killed in CRPF firing on Tuesday. Geelani was arrested soon after he came out of his Hyderpora residence here to offer Friday prayers in Aripanthan, a spokesman of the hardline Hurriyat Conference said. Mirwaiz, who was carrying a placard which read "stop state terrorism", was also taken into preventive custody when he tried to lead a march to Aripanthan from his Nigeen residence in the outskirts of the city, moderate Hurriyat Conference said in a statement. The separatist camp, which has been spearheading the ongoing agitation in the Valley, had called for a march to Aripanthan area of Budgam for protesting against the killing of four persons in CRPF firing on 16 August. Meanwhile, the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake here witnessed a protest demonstration shortly after Friday prayers. Soon after the prayers ended at the shrine, people who had gathered there, shouted slogans to protest the killings in the ongoing unrest and in support of "freedom", officials said. They said the demonstration later ended peacefully. While the Friday prayers were held at the shrine, no prayers could be offered at Jamia Masjid, the grand old mosque in downtown Srinagar where Mirwaiz usually delivers the sermons ahead of the prayers, for the sixth consecutive Friday. Srinagar Amid an outrage in Kashmir, Army on Friday said actions by its soldiers like the one in which, Shabir Ahmad Mungoo, a lecturer was killed will not be tolerated. "These raids were not sanctioned in the first place. It is unjusitified. Nobody can support it and it will not be tolerated," Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda told reporters in Srinagar. He said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident that took place during the intervening night of 17 August and 18 in Khrew area of Pulwama district. Shabir Ahmad Monga, a lecturer, was killed and 18 others sustained injuries when they were thrashed by army personnel who were conducting nocturnal raids to arrest stone pelters in the area. Asked about the circumstances that led to the incident, the army commander said according to information he has, the troops came under stone pelting by the mobs. "The instructions are there to exercise maximum restraint but these are difficult times. The security forces are facing tough times and sometimes things get out of hand," he added. Srinagar: Authorities continued curfew and restrictions across Kashmir on Friday as the separatists announced extension of the protest shutdown till 25 August. "Curfew shall continue in Anantnag, Magam town and parts of Srinagar city while restrictions shall remain in force at other places," a senior police official said. The police has lodged an FIR under section 302 of criminal procedure code (CrPc)against army personnel for the alleged murder of a teacher, Shabir Ahmad Mongu of Khrew area in Pulwama district. Family and villagers alleged that army personnel ruthlessly beat the teacher to death as they ransacked homes in the area on Thursday. The death toll has risen to 67 in the ongoing cycle of violence that started on 9 July after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed. Meanwhile, Baseer Khan, Kashmir divisional commissioner has scorched rumours that oil companies have stopped supplies of fuels to the Valley. Khan said the oil companies had issues of security to tankers bringing in supplies and they had been assured adequate security. All educational institutions, shops, public transport and other businesses have remained closed. New Delhi: US Ambassador Richard R Verma on Friday condoled the death of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, head of the Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), an international Hindu socio-spiritual organisation. On behalf of the American people, I express heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Verma said in a statement here. Our hearts go out to his many disciples and devotees around the world at this difficult time. he stated. Pramukh Swami (born Shantilal Patel and ordained Shastri Narayanswarupdas) passed away at the age of 95 on 13 August at Botad in Saurashtra, Gujarat, where he was stationed. His mortal remains were consigned to the flames on Wednesday. We salute the lifetime of commitment by His Holiness to interfaith harmony and tolerance which made him a close partner of countless political, civic, and spiritual leaders around the world, Verma said in his statement. We also stand in admiration of his service to his fellow human beings including promoting inclusive economic development and providing assistance to humanitarian disaster relief efforts. Ballia (UP): Lashing out at Pakistan, BJP MP Yogi Adityanath has said if the neighbouring country dares to fight with India, its existence would be in danger and that Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would soon be a part of India. The BJP lawmaker from Gorakhpur, who was attending a function in Rasra area, said last night that India should take a stand on the issue of Balochistan. On senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh's comments referring to Kashmir as "India-occupied Kashmir", Yogi said Singh's reaction reflected the values of his party. Holding the Congress responsible for Kashmir problem, he said if Sardar Patel would have got the responsibility in place of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the issue would have not arisen. He said time has come for freedom of PoK and it would be part of India soon. On Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's appeal to Pakistan Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, to send troops to Kashmir to "obey" the pending order of MA Jinnah, Yogi said the neighbouring country has suffered four crushing defeats. Addressing a rally held under the banner of 'Defence Council of Pakistan' in Karachi on Sunday, Saeed had claimed, "Kashmiris had announced before the partition that they wanted to remain with Pakistan. But after the partition, India forcibly sent Army to Jammu and Kashmir. "On this, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah ordered his commander-in-chief to respond by sending troops but he refused (to obey his orders). Now, I ask Gen Raheel Sharif to send troops in Jammu and Kashmir as Quaid-e-Azam's order is pending," Saeed had said. Guys, guess what! Chetan Bhagat is back with a new book. The writer floored us with this tweet this morning: 1 hour to go. pic.twitter.com/i0Nu8oOOEW Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) August 19, 2016 Then came a tweet with the new book title and a teaser trailer: Happy to share that my next book is called "One Indian Girl"! The teaser is here! https://t.co/tLizrZd5lq #OneIndianGirl Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) August 19, 2016 The teaser trailer summarises the protagonist's character traits, which might (or might not) have been inspired by an Ekta Kapoor soap. Here's a synopsis of the book for you: Hi I am Radhika Mehta and I'm getting married this week. I work in a top investment bank. Thank you for reading my crazy story However let me warn you. You may not like me too much. One, I make a lot of money Two, I have an opinion on everything. Three, I have had sex before. Now if I were a guy, you'd be cool with all this. Since I am a girl, these things don't make me too likeable, do they? In an interview on his blog, Bhagat tells us why he's written this book: "One Indian Girl is about an Indian girl who is intelligent and successful, because of which she finds it difficult to get love," says the writer of Two States. "I have wanted to write a book in female first person for the past several years. Not only that, I wanted that book to be about women, and deal with feminism. To do all this as a male writer was a huge challenge." The book will be out on 1 October 2016. On that note, here is an excerpt from the book, made available on Bhagat's blog. Yeah, you can thank us later! Prologue Some people are good at taking decisions. I am not one of them. Some people fall asleep quickly at night. I am not one of them either. It is three in the morning. I have tossed and turned in bed for two hours. I am to get married in fifteen hours. We have two hundred guests in the hotel, here to attend my grand destination wedding. I brought them here. Everyone is excited. It is the first destination wedding in the Mehta family. I am the bride. I should get my beauty sleep. I cant. The last thing I care about right now is beauty. The only thing I care about is how to get out of this mess. Because like what often happens to me in life, here I am yet again in a situation where I dont know what the fuck is going on. Chapter 1 What do you mean not enough rooms? I said to Arijit Banerjee, the lobby manager of the Goa Marriott. See, what I am trying to explain is... Arijit began in his modulated, courteous voice when mom cut him off. Its my daughters wedding. Are you going to shame us? she said, her volume loud enough to startle the rest of the reception staff. No, maam. Just a shortage of twenty rooms. You booked a hundred. We promised eighty then. We hoped to give more but the chief minister had a function and What do we tell our guests who have come all the way from America? Mom said. If I may suggest, there is another hotel two kilometers away, Arijit said. We have to be together. You are going to ruin my daughters wedding for some sarkaari function? my mother said, bosom high, breath heavy - classic warning signs of an upcoming storm. Mom, go sit with Dad, please. I will sort this out, I said. Mom glared at me. How could I, the bride, be doing all this in the first place? I should be worried about my facials, not room allocations. The boys side arrives in less than three hours. I cant believe this, she muttered, walking to the sofa at the center of the lobby. My father sat there along with Kamla bua, his elder sister. Other uncles and aunts occupied the remaining couches in the lobby - in a Mehta takeover of the Marriott. My mother looked at my father, a level two glare. It signified: Will you ever take initiative in life? My father shifted in his seat. I re-focused on the lobby manager. What can be done now, Arijit? I said. My family is all here. We had come on the morning flight from Delhi. The Gulatis, or the boys side, would take off from Mumbai at three p.m. and land in Goa at four p.m. Twenty hired Innovas would bring them to the hotel by five. I checked the time. 2:30 p.m. See, maam, we have set up a special desk for the Mehta-Gulati wedding, Arijit said. We are doing the check-ins for your family now. He pointed to a makeshift counter at the far corner of the lobby where three female Marriott employees with permanent smiles sat. They welcomed everyone with folded hands. Each guest received a shell necklace, a set of key cards for the room, a map of the Marriott Goa property and a wedding information booklet. The booklet contained the entire programme for the week, including the time, venue and other details of the ceremonies. My side will take fifty rooms. The Gulatis need fifty too, I said. If you take fifty, maam, we will have only thirty left for them, Arijit said. Where is Suraj? I said. We will manage last minute is what he told me. Suraj was the owner of Moonshine Events, the event manager we had appointed for the wedding. At the airport, Arijit said. My father ambled up to the reception desk. Everything okay, beta? I explained the situation to him. Thirty rooms! Gulatis have a hundred and twenty guests, my father said. Exactly. I threw my hands in the air. Mom and Kamla bua came to the reception as well. I told Sudarshan also, why all this Goa business? Delhi has so many nice banquet halls and farmhouses. Seems like you have money to throw, Kamla bua said. I wanted to retort but my mother gave me the Mother Look. They are our guests, I reminded myself. I let out a huge breath. How many from our side? my mother said. Mehta family has a hundred and seventeen guests, maam, Arijit said, counting from his reservation sheets. If we only have eighty, that is forty rooms for each side, I said. Lets reallocate. Stop the check-ins for the Mehtas right now. Arijit signaled to the smiling ladies at the counter. They stopped the smiles and the check-ins and kept the shell necklaces back in the drawer. How can we reduce the rooms for the boys side? my mother said in a shocked voice. What else to do? I said. How many rooms are they expecting? she said. Fifty, I said. Call them now. They will readjust their allocations on the way here. How can you ask the boys side to adjust? Kamla bua said. Aparna, are you serious? My mother looked at Kamla bua and me. But how can we manage in only thirty rooms? I said and turned to my father, Dad, Call them. Sudarshan, dont insult them before they even arrive, Kamla bua said. We will manage in thirty. Its okay. Some of us will sleep on the floor. Nobody needs to sleep on the floor, bua, I said. I am sorry this screw-up happened. But if we have forty rooms each, it is three to a room. With so many kids anyway, it should be fine. We can manage in thirty, my mother said. Mom? Thats four to a room. While the Gulatis will have so much space. Lets tell them. No, my mother said. We cant do that. Why? They are the boys side. Little bit also you dont understand? I didnt want to lose it at my own wedding, definitely not in the first hour of arrival. I turned to my father. Dad, it is no big deal. His family will understand. We are here for six nights. It will get too tight for us, I said. Dad, of course, would not listen. These two women, his wife and sister, controlled his remote. For once, these women were on the same page as well. Beta, these are norms. You dont understand. We have to keep them comfortable. Girls side is expected to adjust, he said. I argued for five more minutes. It didnt work. I had to relent. And do what the girls side needs to do - adjust. You and Aditi take a room, my mother said, referring to my sister. Let her be with her husband. What will jiju think? I said. Anil will adjust with other gents, Kamla bua said. Over the next twenty minutes the two women sorted out the extended Mehta family comprising of a hundred and seventeen people to thirty rooms. They used a complex algorithm with criteria like the people sharing the room should not hate each other (warring relatives kept in different rooms) or be potentially attracted to each other (mixed gender rooms were avoided, even if it involved people aged eighty plus). Kids were packed five to a room, often with a grandparent. Kamla bua, herself a widow, dramatically offered to sleep on the floor in my parents room, causing my father to offer his own bed and sleep on the floor instead. Of course, Arijit kept saying they will put extra beds in the room. But how can you compare sleeping on an extra Marriott bed versus the Punjabi buas eternal sacrifice of sleeping on the floor? I am happy with roti and achaar, Kamla bua said. Its the Marriott. There is enough food, bua, I said. I am just saying. Can you please focus on the reallocations? We need to be all checked in before the Gulatis arrive, I said. In the middle of this chaos, I forgot what I had come here for. I had come to change my life forever. I had come to do something I never believed in my whole life. I had come to do something I never thought I would do. I had come to have an arranged marriage. Here I am, lost in logistics, guest arrangements and bua tantrums. I took a moment to reflect. I will marry in a week. To a guy I hardly know. This guy and I are to share a bed, home and life for the rest of my life. Why isnt it sinking in? Why am I fighting with Suraj on chat instead? Me: Major screw-up on rooms, Suraj. Not cool. Suraj: Sorry. Really sorry. Political reasons. Tried. Really. Me: You said it will be OK. Suraj: I did. CM of Goa wanted rooms. Marriott cant refuse. Me: What else is going to get screwed up? Suraj: Nothing. Indigo from Mumbai just landed. We are ready to receive guests. See you soon. I went to the Mehta-Gulati check-in desk. All my family guests had checked in. Some did grumble about sharing a room with three others but most seemed fine. Mom said the grumblers were the jealous types, the relatives who cant stand we have reached a level that we can do a destination wedding in Goa. The supportive ones, according to mom, are those who understand what it is like to be the girls side. Do not use this girls side and boys side with me again. I dont like it, I said. Mom and I sat in the lobby, ensuring that the staff readied the special check-in desk for the Gulatis. Can you stop waving your feminism flag for a week? This is a wedding, not an NGO activist venue, my mother said. But... Nothing goes up my nose more than people who hurtle to a conclusion by reading a headline and then spray their hostility in comments that have no connection to the article. They have already decided not to agree, not to like the author and to go for it all guns blazing. Either they did not finish it or understand it. But like Custer they have taken a stand. And we know what happened to Custer. It's pointless being outraged or in-raged because it is so frustrating. Sometimes they dont even have the plain rung one common sense to read the report or article and will ignore 99.9 percent of it and cling like clams to three or four words which they then feel justifies their harangue. Then there is that monster, humour. It is such a treacherously dangerous place. With people increasingly becoming thin-skinned and super-sensitive, hunting for slight humour is a greasy pole. Their sense of indignation is only beaten for sheer comic relief by those who take humour literally. I wrote a funny piece two weeks about a newly-wed couple sitting next to me on a plane. It kind of went viral but one person wrote to me and said this: 'You are obviously a dirty old man who was ogling the young couple and spoiling their innocent joy with your contempt and your rudeness. Just because you dont understand young love does not give you the right to mock them. I pity you.' Say what? She pities me. After reading it I told my restless outrage to cool it, just wasnt worth bothering about. Trolls take the cake. If you've noticed, their remarks are largely sexual all of which underscore three aspects: they are poorly endowed by Nature, they have very low self esteem and are sexually frustrated. It must require an outrageously ugly mind to hide behind anonymity and some stupid infantile title and then let go of ones sick desires by aiming them at others who, rightly or wrongly, at least have the courage to identify themselves. And the thoughts expressed are grotesque. Here is neither sanity of debate nor courtesy nor anything but profanity dressed in drag. Yes, you do feel outraged but you are only exhausting yourself. Several people have tried to explain to me the role of a troll. I dont see it. Its like telling me termites have a positive side to them or cockroaches can be buddies once you get to know them. Trolls also destroy the comments section of any website by starting a fight among themselves that is not even remotely connected to the subject at hand. So, I, for one, have failed to find any redeeming feature in this tribe. Piff piff, comes in a can and destroys all pests. Then there are the ones still anonymous who evidently know of the author and his or her history and they go all out to make it up close, personal and vicious and get even for the past. An asp would die of shame witnessing the sheer toxicity of their venom. Do they feel a certain catharsis, like does it make them feel brave and beautiful when they verbally assault other peoples mothers and sisters and wives and suggest sexual acts that boggle the mind or twist and corrupt other religions with language so rancid it stinks the screen up? Of course, it is outrageous. That so many humans given the gift of intelligence would stoop to live in the mental gutter is depressing. On one of my posts there is a guy this morning who has taken a paragraph of filth and pasted it about 50 times. Think of it. He woke up this morning, brushed his teeth (presumably) had a bath (on the outside at least) ate breakfast and then decided that he would now engage in this literary pursuit of using a phrase about pussy or something and jump start his day by pasting it scores of times. What do you think he felt at the end of this exercise? Triumphant? Warm with a sense of achievement? Relieved by his verbal masturbation? Or all these? You have to conclude that such people are failures. In everything. That is why they have the time to be craven cowards. Even outrage is a wasted expression for them. Whatever happened to Intelligent and Informed Debate. She died, yes? Missed our 'Outrage' edition for Independence Day 2016? Read it here. London: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal will kick off a European election campaign as part of the party's "AAP Punjab 2017" agenda from next month. Kejriwal will visit Italy in the first week of September along with party leaders Kumar Vishwas, Jarnail Singh and Adarsh Shashtri, it was announced by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) UK. "Not only youth but the elders too want to be a part of a change in Punjab and eager to see corruption and drugs free Punjab. Moreover, each gurdwara committee (we visit) assure their prolonged support to AAP during upcoming Punjab 2017," an AAP UK spokesperson said. The visit to engage with Italy's Punjabi-origin population will be followed by a visit to the UK by Vishwas to hold gatherings across the countrys gurdwaras towards the end of September. Meanwhile, AAP's team in the UK has been rallying support within the British Punjabi community with a series of events, including at the annual Leamington and Warwick Mela over the weekend. "These energetic volunteers add value in social media, anti-drug awareness, membership drives, fund raising and other deeds. Few of them, very pro-actively are already in command of local social media with spreading manifesto, adding new members and events planned for the future," the spokesperson added. Punjab will go to the polls to be held early next year. AAP UK operates from a base in west London and has been engaging with the non-resident Indian (NRI) community for a few years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's advocacy for muscular diplomacy on Pakistan has caught his political rivals off guard. By raking up the issue of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, the options for non-BJP parties are considerably limited as the move is seen to have aligned with the public mood which favours an unforgiving and punitive approach towards Pakistan. This makes the Opposition's dilemma more acute as they are aware of the adverse fallout of critical approach to Modi's policies. Some discordant voices in Congress from the likes of Salman Khursheed and Digvijaya Singh, which are in any case contrary to the main opposition party's official line, are being taken as an aberration. Though no leader in opposition ranks would come on record to hail Modi's Independence Day speech, the part where he spoke of Balochistan, POK and Gilgit but privately some of his political rivals appreciate his decision to take Pakistan head on. This time around, their actual concern is different -- not how Pakistan may respond in times to come, push for terror acts, infiltration, cause greater disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir or how the international community would take it in due course but the move may become an emotional rallying point whereby people may choose to ignore Modi government's present and prospective failures. There is, however, a rider if Modi stands true to his words and stays consistent on what he said on Independence Day and at the all-party meeting. In last two years, he had not been consistent with his Pakistan policy. But now he has taken a position from where it would be difficult for him to retract and make a dovish posture. Bollywood superstar Samlan Khan's dialogue in movie Wanted "Ek baar jo maine commitment kardi, us ke baad toh mein khud ki bhi nahi suntan (Once I make a commitment after that I don't even listen to myself)" should serve as a reminder to him or his motto in this regard. A senior leader of an important regional party, which otherwise is always very critical of Modi and the BJP, requesting anonymity said, "This is a move which no party can afford to oppose. He has hit bang on by going with the growing national sentiment. You see, lately nationalist sentiments are on the rise in India, so much so that the secular-communal debate has lost its relevance. So much so that today if you are referred being a secularist, you can consider yourself to be perceived as someone who is opposed to nation's interests. An opposition to Modi on his Balochistan, PoK, Gilgit statement against Pakistan would amount to even worse, being pro-Pakistan. No right thinking leader or party can afford it. That's the reason why Congress had to clarify on Samlan Khursheed and Digvijaya Singh remarks by the official spokesman of the party. Even P Chidambaram's statement on Kashmir was swiftly clarified by Congress." With state and non-state actors from Pakistan getting involved in stoking violence in the Kashmir Valley and the fact that it was increasingly weighing heavily on the broad national conscience, it was need of the hour that India responded strongly. Modi did exactly that to keep his domestic constituency enthused to him. Even as Modi had surprised the world by talking about Balochistan, PoK and Gilgit from Red Fort after unfurling the national tricolour, he had the prudence to call an all-party meeting at Parliament House only three days ago on 12 August and deliberate on the same at length. He had taken the mandate of the all-party meet and had gone a step ahead by publicly speaking over the subject. It must be noted that Prime Minister's nationally televised speech is heard live by foreign diplomats, all policy makers, political party leaders, security forces in remotest possible corner and in border areas. An all-party meet on Kashmir was demanded by the Opposition and Modi had found it conveniently timed to him to make that big bang announcement of strategic shift in the government of India's policy. Leaders of political parties, across the party lines are closely looking at it, to assess which way thing were moving and the position they should take. The unfolding events of past few days indicate that Modi is coming true to his words, at least for now. The external affairs ministry is speaking in a language that is otherwise heard from military commanders. Take for instance, Vikas Swarup's tweet, attaching ministry's statement in response to Pakistan foreign office of proposing to send supplies in Jammu and Kashmir: "......India and others in the region have already received enough of Pakistan trademark exports -- international terrorism, cross border infiltration, weapons, narcotics and fake currency." Indian external affairs ministry's announcement of a five-point agenda for any prospective talks on Thursday and assertion that if the talks have to be held it has to be held on terrorism through a letter submitted a day earlier by Indian high commissioner Gautam Bambawale to the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, has placed Modi's words in writing. Indian Express reported India has asked Pakistan to end incitement to violence and terrorism from Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, stop cross-border terrorism, detain and prosecute terrorists like Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed, deny a safe haven to fugitives like Mumbai underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and close terror camps where terrorists like Bahadur Ali have been trained. India also proposed discussing Pakistan vacating the illegally occupied portion of Jammu and Kashmir. It also sought a briefing from the Pakistan Foreign Secretary on the progress in the 26/11 trial in Pakistan and its probe into the Pathankot airbase attack. Pakistan Foreign Ministry's assertion that by talking about Balochistan, PM Modi had crossed the "red line", has only strengthened his and his party BJP's domestic constituency. A leader of rival political party said Modi's recent talks on issues that have been agitating public mind coupled with a new trend with religion is mixed with nationalism -- like the new phenomenon of some kawariyan carrying a national flag while walking barefooted with Gangajal to their chosen destination for offering to Lord Shiva -- concerns us to revisit our strategy. And currently they don't have a political counter to that. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for a change, was less than direct in his attack on the Congress when he said on Thursday that post-1947, the BJP was subjected to treatment far worse than what the Congress endured during British rule. Even the Congress did not suffer during the British period as much as the BJP has suffered in the past 50-60 years since Independence, he said at the bhoomi poojan for his partys new office in Delhi. It could have been passed off as a generic remark but the Congress reaction to it revealed that it had hit home. The party said the prime minister had denigrated the freedom struggle and belittled the sacrifice made by crores of Indians. Thus, he must apologise to the nation. The apology demand and the sense of outrage involved sought to highlight, in a twisted way, the Congress claim to the legacy of the freedom struggle. Its ironic. The Congress lost the claim as far back in the 1960s, post-Jawaharlal Nehru and when Indira Gandhi recast the party as an entity more geared towards political survival than anything nobler. The legacy of sacrifice for Independence was effectively buried in the period when the new Congress was taking shape around the culture of absolute loyalty to the leader and ideological opportunism. Indeed, it is difficult for the party now to claim that it is the inheritor of the Nehruvian legacy either. Secularism and liberalism were the grand ideas that defined the legacy of Nehru. That the Congress of today would fail to launch a stout fightback when these superior human values are under severe attack from forces which thrive on being hateful reflects the pathetic state of the party. Trapped in its own hypocrisies and the politics of expedience on both ideals secularism and liberalism, the Congress finds it difficult articulate a clear position. A party rooted deep in true Nehruvian moorings should not find it difficult. The truth is Indiras Congress was different from the Congress to which her father belonged. The former gave idealism a quiet burial gap to replace it with realpolitik. At Thursday's address to party workers, Modi exhorted them to stay true to ideology. While the BJPs core ideology is partly nebulous, partly indecipherable, on the whole it is understandable. It may not be to the liking of many in the ideologically-neutral space and higher human values may have limited respect here but its contours have started becoming clearer. Those of the Congress has become more and more unclear over time. If it wants to exhort its party workers to stay true to ideology, it wont be able to tell them which ideology. We have entered a phase where ideas matter more than ideology. The latter is self-limiting; ideas address the ever changing dynamics on the ground better and allow political parties operational flexibility in a diverse country with diverse demands. Yet it is ideology that helps parties build their core support bases. The Congress emptiness in this regard shows clearly. It makes it a point to criticise Modis every statement, but fails to realise that it amounts to being churlish and that its criticism requires more intelligent ideological content. Is there an effort from the party to find it? It does not appear so. We have yet to hear a well-articulated view from the leaders of the party on issues of secularism, liberalism, the economy or even on the recent issue of atrocities on Dalits by gau rakshaks. Leaders continue to speak in many voices the remarks on Balochistan and Kashmir are examples. By cleverly pitting it against people on divisive issues, the BJP has managed to put the Congress in a bind. Relentless criticism of Modi only reflects the helplessness of the Congress. Perhaps it is time to introspect. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Speaker P Dhanapal on Friday once again ruled out reconsidering the suspension of DMK MLAs on Wednesday for allegedly creating a ruckus in the House, even as the suspended legislators continued to protest the action. Led by Opposition Leader MK Stalin and DMK Deputy Leader Durai Murugan, the suspended DMK MLAs staged a 'model assembly' session outside the House. The Speaker, responding to pleas by DMK's KN Nehru, who was not among those suspended since he was not present in the House on 17 August, made it clear that there was no reviewing of his decision to suspend the agitating DMK legislators for a week. "I was very patient that day and had to finally take action," he said about his decision to suspend the MLAs, even as DMK found support from allies, Congress and IUML, who also sought revoking the suspension order. Seven of the nine non-suspended DMK legislators, who were not present in the House on Wednesday, along with Congress and IUML members subsequently staged a walkout. Dhanapal on Thursday had refused to revoke the en masse suspension of 80 DMK members. The suspended members had staged a protest outside the House and their colleagues inside twice staged a walkout over the issue. Later, speaking to reporters , Stalin said the suspended MLAs had held a 'model assembly' where they were informed in advance that only people's issues should be discussed and nothing else. The 'model assembly' was led by Durai Murugan as 'Speaker', he added. Stalin reiterated his demand for live broadcast of Assembly proceedings, saying that will help in identifying on who "committed mistakes." Politics is the diversion of trivial men who, when they succeed at it, become important in the eyes of more trivial men George Nathan, American author Indeed, Uttar Pradesh continues to witness politics of trivialities non-stop. Issues, which would otherwise appear as silly, laughable, mundane or even stupid, are being thrown up to score brownie points against political adversaries. Here is an example: Earlier this month, a BJP MP from Agra, Ram Shankar Katheria, finds one fine morning that his jet-black Labrador had gone missing. Shocked and distraught over the pets absence from the house, the MP tells scribes: "The other dog in my house, Bhoora, is sad and so is my wife." His wife, Mridula, rushes to the Superintendent of Police at Agra to lodge a complaint in the meantime. "The UP police, which had shown unusual alacrity in solving the case of Azam Khans missing buffaloes, should leave no stone unturned to find my lovely pet with equal zeal," the MPs wife tells the Agra City Police boss. The police, in turn, swings into action with all the force under its command. The dog is located within 24 hours. Wonderful! The police do solve cases if and when it wants to. Away in Lucknow, Chief Minister Akhilesh Singh Yadav, who was aware of all these developments commented in a lighter vein on the sidelines of a public function: "Those who are fond of playing politics over cows are now feeling jittery over missing dogs." Just to refresh the memory of readers of the Firstpost, here is what had happened in the case of the missing buffaloes: In February 2014, Md. Azam Khan, UPs mercurial minister who is better known for throwing tantrums at slightest provocations, discovers that seven of his dear buffaloes had been kidnapped from his farmhouse in Rampur. He blows his top. The police launch a massive hunt to locate the missing animals across several adjoining districts. A number of dairy farms and slaughter houses are raided. Even sniffer dogs are pressed into action. And three policemen, who were supposed to be doing night patrolling, are suspended for alleged dereliction of duty. The missing animals are traced following the exemplary zeal shown by the UP police. Great! Kudos! But missing dogs and kidnapped buffaloes are not the only trivial topics that have been causing anxiety in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. Aaya Rams and gaya Rams have also been making enough ripples. After having suffered setbacks following desertion by Swami Prasad Maurya and RK Choudhary, the BSP camp was seen rejoicing over the entry of four sitting MLAs one from the Samajwadi Party and three others from the Congress. The aaya Rams are: Md. Muslim, who represents the Tiloi assembly constituency in Rahul Gandhiss Amethi; Kazim Ali Khan, who holds Swar seat in Azam Khans Rampur; Dilnawaz Khan, who represents the Syana segment in communally sensitive Bulandshahar; and Nawazish Alam Khan, who holds the Budhana seat in communally-turbulent Muzaffarnagar. However, the BSP doesnt think that this fresh influx of legislators joining the partys bandwagon is of little importance. Thanks to the fact that all the four new Aaya Rams happen to belong to the minority community, Mayawati and her lieutenants like to see it as a new signal of Dalit-Muslim axis in UP. But Afzal Ansari of the Quami Ekta Dal, who was taken aback by Akhilesh Yadav's refusal to allow the party's merger with SP, thinks otherwise. In his view, different Muslim outfits including Peace Party and AIMIM will join hands to form a front with smaller parties of "backwards" such as Mahan Dal and the original faction of Apna Dal. "We are in touch with leaders of Hardik Patels Patidar agitation as well as Nitish Kumar's JD(U)," Ansari said adding that the new front would not align with the SP or the BSP. "It would be desirable if the congress joins hands with us," he further said. Confusion persists in UPs jungle of contradictory signals. Perhaps it wouldnt be out of the way to recall what Barrack Obama said famously in a different context: I know that campaigns can seem small, and even silly. Trivial things become big distractions. Serious issues become sound bites. And the truth gets buried under an avalanche of money and advertising. If you are sick of hearing me, approve this message, believe me so am I. Sakshi Malik has soothed a billion frayed nerves by opening India's account at Rio Olympic Games but in order to give a real boost to our medals tally, Indian National Congress leaders should be fielded without delay. The entire world will then watch transfixed how the senior netas clinch medal after medal with their verbal gymnastics. They will vault over the poles, make volte-faces, un-balance the beams, set the high-bars low and the low-bars high and floor the routines in maneuvers that are sure to floor the global audience. Who knows, we might overtake even the Chinese in gold count. Well may such calisthenics bring medals, however, Congress and its leaders would do well to remember that mental gymnastics are ill-suited for politics, more so when it concerns matters of foreign policy. The utter confusion that reigns within the ranks of India's grand old party speaks volumes about the rudderless leadership. No one in Congress seems to have a clue what the other is saying and between igniting and dousing daily flames, India's principal Opposition party is making India appear as a divided nation on international stage. It is imperative that political parties will have differences. But as a party which has remained in power longer than any other, Congress is well-versed in statecraft. It knows well enough that the spate of contradictory and conflicting statements from its senior leaders ends up weakening India's position and strengthening Islamabad's hand at a time when India is struggling to cope with Pakistan-sponsored insurgency in Kashmir. There is a proxy war going on in the valley, there is a diplomatic blitzkrieg and propaganda war unleashed by forces inimical to India and all that Congress can do is issue irresponsible statements only to retract it the next day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Balochistan gambit and his references to Gilgit-Baltistan from the ramparts of Red Fort were supposed to divide Pakistan. Strangely, it seems to have divided the Congress instead. On Monday, Salman Khurshid slammed Modi for referring to Balochistan in his Independence Day speech. The former external affairs minister said the PM was wrong to mention Balochistan and PoK in the same sentence. "Balochistan is a different thing from PoK. We have every right to speak about PoK because it is our matter. Balochistan is not," said Khurshid, adding that it was Pakistan's "internal matter." By evening, Congress spokesperson rushed to clarify. It wasn't party's position, he said. "The Congress does not subscribe to the statement of Salman Khurshid. We believe there are serious human rights violations in Balochistan and PoK, Surjewala said via an audio statement. On Thursday, it was senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's turn. While criticising Prime Minister's statements on Pakistan, Singh said in Bhopal: "Prime Minister Modi seems more concerned about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which is welcome, than he is interested in holding talks with India's Kashmiris." "Boosting trust among Kashmiris, whether they belong to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or India-occupied Kashmir, is possible only through dialogue," said Singh. He later claimed it was slip of tongue. Whether it was a genuine or Freudian is up for debate but the damage was done. #WATCH: Digvijaya Singh addresses J&K as India occupied Kashmir, later clarifies that it's integral part of Indiahttps://t.co/6XC28a2q5T ANI (@ANI_news) August 18, 2016 Surjewala was again pressed into service. Clarifying Congress' position again, he said: "Jammu and Kashmir is part of India, will always be, Digvijaya Singh corrected what he said.. It shouldn't be made an issue." To be fair, Digvijaya Singh has a bit of a reputation of frequently putting his foot deep into the mouth. But former finance minister P Chidambaram carries no such frivolity. As an astute Parliamentarian and an erudite lawyer, his words are always carefully measured. It was significant to note that Chidamabaram would accuse Modi and his top ministerial colleagues of "exacerbating" the crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. And his advice was no less radical to stop the state from sliding into "total chaos" the ruling PDP should junk its elected alliance partner BJP and join hands with the Opposition to find a way to end the violence. "I am concerned that situation in Jammu and Kashmir is sliding into total chaos. The PDP-BJP government is squarely responsible for the sharp deterioration in the last six weeks. The statements of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister have exacerbated the crisis. Moderation in words and actions alone can retrieve the situation," he said in a statement. He also envisaged a role for his own party and hoped for a grand alliance of PDP and the unelected Congress and National Conference to "come together to find a solution: firstly, an immediate solution to stop the violence and, then, a path forward that will bring hope, peace and prosperity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir." The fantastic statement left hapless spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi struggling for words. "A person is free to write and speak, so long as he is expressing a personal opinion a hope, a wish, a desire and not going against any established party opinion... Today he has expressed his opinion. We have also said that unless we have the mandate, we have not meddled in Kashmir affairs. Tomorrow, we will have the mandate, who knows, we will go and rule Kashmir and we will show a better ruling than you are showing today," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters. Mind boggling. Modi's audacious shift in Kashmir policy reclaiming of PoK, mentioning of Pakistan's brutalities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan are tectonic changes that may alter the equations in South Asia. Meanwhile, caught between adopting a nuanced approach, political opposition to Modi and responsibilities as a national party, Congress looks like a bumbling fool. It must regroup and speak in one voice. There cannot be partisan politics over India's territorial integrity and national interest. Washington: A group of 72 American lawmakers have asked US President Barack Obama to publicly support the right of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet and call for an immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners languishing in China. "We write to ask that you redouble efforts in support of the Tibetan people during your remaining months in office. We believe it is critically important to move beyond words to actions," the lawmakers said in a letter to Obama. "The Tibetan people view the US as their friend. It is time to honour that friendship with new, creative strategies to encourage meaningful dialogue, protect Tibetan rights, and preserve their unique cultural, religious and linguistic identity," the three-page letter, dated 17 August, said. The letter, organised by Congressman Jim McGovern, urged Obama to invite the Dalai Lama to every event, on every occasion, where his knowledge and decades of reflections would be helpful for addressing the world's problems. The letter, released on Thursday, call for the US government to facilitate the involvement of the Dalai Lama or his representatives in the global debate on climate change and its potential consequences given Tibet's fragile environment, rapid warming and critically important reserves of freshwater. Urging the US government to publicly support the right of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, the letter asks Obama to publicly and regularly call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners held by the Peoples Republic of China whose cases have been documented by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. It seeks establishment of a US consular office in Lhasa, Tibet to help the US observe and address the obstacles to freedom of movement that affect both Tibetans within China, and US citizens, including Tibetan-Americans, who seek to travel to Tibetan areas of China. The letter also seeks enforcement of norms of reciprocity to ensure that senior Chinese officials responsible for restricting the access of US officials, journalists, Tibetan-Americans and other citizens to Tibetan areas of China are themselves restricted in their travel when they are in the US. Prominent among those who signed the letter are Congressman Eliot Engel, Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee Nita Lowey among others. New Delhi: Bangladesh has sought from India details about Zakir Naik's operations even as it said several prominent ulemas wanted action against the Islamic televangelist much before deadly the Gulshan attack in July. Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who is in New Delhi on a six-day visit, said his country has cracked down on Naik's Peace TV by banning its broadcast and indicated that it is waiting for India's action against the controversial preacher. Inu said his country doesn't have any evidence of links between home grown terrorists in Bangladesh with extremists outfits in India but at the same time slammed Pakistan for "harbouring terrorism". He said Bangladesh has witnessed over 43 attacks on thinkers, bloggers and people from Sufi faith and it has been found that in almost 90 per cent cases, the attackers had links with banned Jamaat-e-Islami which he alleged was a "corroborator" with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation war. "From Bangladesh's side Zakir Naik's case has been settled. We have stopped the broadcast of Peace TV. In last one year, ulemas came up with written complaints against Naik. We are examining it. We think his teachings, in certain cases are not in compliance with the Quran or Hadith. So, that is creating confusion. "In certain cases it is instigating. So, we have taken our position. We have asked the Indian side to take their position and give us necessary information," Inu told reporters. In the backdrop of reports that ISIS was gaining ground in Bangladesh, he asserted that terror networks in his country is home grown. Bangladesh had banned Naik's Peace TV following the terror attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan Thana locality on 1 July in which 29 people were killed. About his meeting with Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Inu said both sides have agreed to broadcast their respective national TV channels in each other's country. The Minister said terrorism is Bangladesh is very different from terror networks in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East as his country has a "secular" approach, but insisted that the evil has its legacy in the 1971 liberation war. "There is no so-called radicalisation in my country. So, terrorism has a top-down approach in our country. It is not like Pakistan. In my country, a few people are involved in terrorist activities. "Having said that terrorism in Bangladesh has a legacy and that legacy is the 1971 liberation war. Here Jamaat-e-Islami, a party using Islam, was a corroborator with Pakistani aggressive force," he said adding terrorism in Bangladeshi has its roots in Jamat-i-Islami and Pakistan's ISI. A passing reference to the plight of Balochistan's people in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address has rattled India's neighbour and garnered a sea of responses from within and outside the two countries. A Baloch activist, Karima Baloch has sent the Prime Minister a Raksha Bandhan message, urging "Brother Modi" to be the "voice of the Baloch people". "On the day of Raksha Bandhan, sisters from Balochistan will consider you a brother," she said. Karima, who according to her video is the president of the Baloch Student's Association has tweeted out a video appeal to the Indian Prime Minister, urging Modi to raise the plight of the Baloch people at international forums. Karima, called Modi "brother" in her Raksha Bandhan message and sought help from India to help bring the "excesses" committed by the Pakistani Army. Addressing Modi, she said, "Many of your Balochi sisters still await the return of their brothers murdered or disappeared by the Pakistan Army." The Baloch activist, however, added that Balochistan's people will fight their own battle and all they needed from Modi is to help voice their concerns at international fora. "Hum apni jung khud lad lenge aap bas humari aawaz ban jayein," she said. "We will fight our battle on our own. We only expect you to be our voice and let our plight be known to the world... We expect you to be the voice of Balochistans people at international forums against the genocides, war crimes and human rights violations in the region by the Pakistani Army," Karima said in her video. She also thanked Modi for bringing up the issue in an important way. Concluding her message, she thanked Modi in Gujarati for taking up the Balochistan issue. However, this was not the first such incident of Baloch activists welcoming the PM's comments. While encouraged by Modi's supportive words, leaders of the Baloch nationalist movement have sought support from the US and European countries against the oppressive Pakistani regime. Some other groups urged India for granting "practical support" besides raising their struggle globally. Modi had raked up a controversy by referring to the plight of Balochistan's people twice: In his Independence Day address and in the all-party meet held to mull over the Kashmir crisis. Modi, in tit-for-tat tactics, brought up Balochistan in his speech to highlight the hypocrisy of the Pakistani demand for Kashmir while ignoring a pertinent independence movement in their own country. While many foreign policy analysts termed it a watershed event, stating Indias Balochistan strategy could indeed become what dissuades Pakistan from further fuelling the Kashmir crisis. It could also be designed in a way that the nuclear stakes, as one analyst called them, are annulled. However, the Indian External Affairs Ministry chose to tread with caution and said PM Modi's Balochistan remark does not indicate a policy shift. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the Prime Minister had been thanked by the people of Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Gilgit-Baltistan, for flagging their problems at an all-party meeting and, moved by their messages, he talked about them in his speech from the Red Fort. At the same time, he said, Modi also gave "certain instructions" on the next course of action but refused to divulge details or how those instructions will be implemented. "I cannot at this stage share with you. However, MEA will do what it has to because after all people of PoK are also our people," he said. In the din of voices coming from across the border, several from Balochistan have certainly expressed gratitude to the PM's bid to attract international attention towards the region. Brahumdagh Bugti of Balochistan Republican Party, quoted by ANI, said that he thanks "Prime Minister Narendra Modi sahab on behalf of the whole Baloch nation. And we hope that the Indian government and Indian media and whole nation will not only raise voices for the Baloch nation but also strive to help practically the Baloch independence movement." Ashraf Sherjan, leader of the Baloch Republican Party also hailed Modi's speech and thanked him for highlighting the atrocities faced by the people of Balochistan. According to reports, he also said "Jai Hind." Meanwhile, as expected, Pakistan has taken strong objections to Modi's comments on its strife-torn state. The Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri said no one in the Pakistani province had supported Indian Prime Minister's statement denying that no one from Balochistan had thanked him for his support. Besides this there is the age old allegation from Pakistan that India's spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been stoking trouble in the region by sponsoring the separatist campaign there. India, on its part, has always denied such allegations. Balochistan and Kashmir are Pakistan and India's Achilles heel. But Pakistan's largest province has not received as much international attention as Kashmir mostly because the region, often described as a "black hole", is "no-go area" for journalists unlike Kashmir. On the other hand, Pakistan has always raked up the Kashmir issue globally and spoken about the alleged rights violations in India's only Muslim-majority state. So, needling each other on the issue can give some strategic stronghold to the two neighbours. However, it is ironical that both states blame each other of funding terrorism and spreading anti-state sentiment in Kashmir and Balochistan, while trying to assume a moral high ground. Fontana: Within hours, towering, fast- moving flames had ravaged pine forests near the California ski town of Wrightwood but only half of its more than 4,500 residents had heeded mandatory evacuation orders. Officials say it was another example of a disturbing trend in the state as infernos speed through drought-starved vegetation during what could be California's most hazardous fire season on record. Instead of heading for safety, many homeowners are staying put and dialing 911 for help, US Forest Service spokesman John Miller said "We have seen that throughout the state this year," said Miller, who is assigned to San Bernardino National Forest. Crews, however, aren't always able to reach those who stay behind. Some say wildfires have now become a part of living in the wildlands. Kim Boyle, who has experienced a half-dozen wildfires during her decade in Wrightwood, said she would evacuate if she saw a fire actually burning in town. "But it'd have to be closer for me, and I think that's true for a lot of folks around here because they've been through this so many times," she said. The fire 60 miles east of Los Angeles cast an ominous gray-and-orange haze over the picturesque town at an elevation of 6,000 feet that's known for its 1930s cabins. The blaze began Tuesday in the Cajon Pass region in hot, gusty conditions and swallowed an undetermined number of homes as it scorched nearly 50 square miles in mountain and desert areas. Air tankers bombarded rugged slopes with fire retardant yesterday and a squadron of helicopters dropped load afterload of water. On the ground, firefighters and bulldozers worked to protect Wrightwood and other areas high in the San Gabriel Mountains. More than 34,000 homes and some 82,000 residents were under evacuation orders at one point. No fire-related deaths have been reported so far in that blaze, but bodies have been found during other fires that prompted mandatory evacuations. In June, authorities found the burned remains of a man and woman who were caretakers of property in an area where an evacuation order had been issued near Potrero, about 45 miles east of San Diego. Sanaa: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has decided to evacuate its staff from six hospitals in Yemen after the latest Saudi-led air attack on its health facility, the group said. The MSF is evacuating its obstetricians, pediatricians, surgeons and emergency room specialists from six Saada and Hajjah hospitals in northern Yemen, the international medical aid group tweeted on Thursday. "MSF is neither satisfied nor reassured by the Saudi-led coalition's (SLC's) statement that this attack was a mistake," Xinhua news agency quoted MSF as saying, referring to Monday's aerial bombing of Abs hospital in Hajjah governorate that killed at least 20 patients, including an MSF staff member. Since the SLC intervened in Yemen conflict in March 2015, allied air strikes and fighting on the ground have killed over 6,400 persons, mostly civilians. The attack on Monday was the fourth against MSF-run hospitals in northern Yemen. Ninety-five air strikes were conducted in the last 24 hours throughout Yemen's northern cities, including the capital Sanaa, causing substantial residential and public property damage, said the Houthi-controlled official Saba news agency. The SLC supports the exiled government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi against dominant Shia Houthi rebels, who are backed by forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The coalition escalated its bombing campaign since United Nations-sponsored peace talks between Yemeni rival parties in Kuwait collapsed more than a week ago. Washington: Paul Manafort, the beleaguered chairman of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, resigned on Friday after a staff shake-up this week that marginalised him in the team amid growing speculation about his links with Ukrainian politics. "This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process," Trump said. "Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success," the 70-year-old business tycoon said. Manafort's role was reduced after Trump elevated two aides to senior positions on Tuesday, appointing Breitbart News chief Steve Bannon as campaign CEO and Kellyanne Conway as campaign manager. Manafort, who had once lobbied for pro-ISI and anti-India groups, had been recently attracting negative publicity for his alleged lobbying activities in Ukraine. Manafort had joined the campaign after Trump's historic Manafort had joined the campaign after Trump's historic wins in the Republican primaries.He successfully led the campaign in the Republican He successfully led the campaign in the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where Trump was formally nominated as the party's presidential nominee. Trump's popularity rating had been falling down after the Trump's popularity rating had been falling down after the convention. Manafort told Trump he was becoming a distraction and he wanted to end that, a Trump source was quoted as saying by CNN. The resignation comes as the campaign seeks to correct course after weeks of damaging controversies and self- inflicted wounds, effectively evaporating Trump's steady footing against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the polls and his post-convention bump. Trump is now trailing Clinton in every major poll. The most damaging for Trump was his attack on a Gold Star family - who lost their son, Army Captain Humayun Khan, while he served in Iraq -- for speaking out against him at the Democratic National Convention. He later refused to apologise or express regret. Manafort's personal business dealings have also come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, amid damaging questions over his ties to foreign governments and indications that he might have received USD 12 million in undisclosed cash payments, according to the Washington Post. The alleged payments, which Manafort denied, were noted in a ledger kept by former Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovych's political party. Since then, more evidence has surfaced that raised concerns about his ties to the Kremlin. One GOP strategist was quoted as saying that Manafort was undone by the combination of revelations about his work in behalf of pro-Russian forces in Ukraine and the elevation of Conway and Bannon. Berlin: German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere came out Friday in favour of a partial burqa ban amid a fierce national debate on integration. "We agree that we reject the burqa, we agree that we want to introduce a legal requirement to show one's face in places where it is necessary for our society's coexistence - at the wheel, at public offices, at the registry office, in schools and universities, in the civil service, in court," he said after a meeting with regional counterparts from his conservative party. De Maiziere told public television that the full face veil "does not belong in our cosmopolitan country". "We want to show our faces to each other and that is why we agree that we reject this - the question is how we put this into law," he said. De Maiziere indicated that outlawing the burqa only under certain circumstances - as opposed the blanket ban favoured by the hard right of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Union bloc -- would be "likely to win approval" in parliament. Merkel's right-left "grand coalition" holds an overwhelming majority in the Bundestag lower house. De Maiziere's position represents a compromise with hardliners ahead of two key state elections next month in which the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party looks set to make strong gains. Just last week he had rejected a call from conservative state interior ministers for a burqa ban, saying: "We can't ban everything that we reject, and I reject the wearing of the burqa." He made the comments on August 11 as he unveiled tough new anti-terror measures after two attacks in Germany last month claimed by the Islamic State group. The measures included a controversial proposal to strip jihadist fighters of their German nationality. The security package also calls for deportations of convicted criminal migrants to be sped up and police resources to be boosted. The AfD in particular has attempted to link the record influx of migrants and refugees, many from the Middle East, to Germany last year with an increased threat of terrorism -- an argument Merkel sharply rejected this week on the campaign trail in her home district. Washington: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's lead over her Republican rival Donald Trump has narrowed to four points, according to a new nationwide poll. This is quite low given that in almost all major national polls after the two back-to-back conventions Clinton's lead was around nine percentage points. "Forty one per cent of registered voters say if the election were held today they would support Clinton or lean toward Clinton, 37 per cent back Trump, 10 percent favour (Libertarian candidate Jill) Johnson and four percent back (Green Party nominee Jill) Stein," the Pew Research Center said in its findings. As was the case earlier this year, most voters have doubts that either Clinton or Trump would make a good president. Just 27 percent of registered voters say that Trump would make a good or great president, while about twice as many (55 percent) say he would be either poor or terrible (with 43 percent saying he would make a "terrible" president). Just 15 percent say Trump would make an "average" president, the poll said. Opinions about how Clinton might do as president are not as negative. Still, only about a third (31 percent) said she would be a "good or great president", while 22 percent said would be average and 45 per cent think she would be a poor (12 percent) or terrible (33 percent) president, Pew said The latest national survey by Pew Research Center were conducted 9-16 August among 2,010 adults, including 1,567 registered voters. According to Pew, the survey found that Trump supporters overwhelmingly believe that life in America is worse than it was 50 years ago "for people like them." Fully 81 percent of registered voters who support Trump say life has gotten worse, compared with just 11 percent who say it has gotten better (six percent say it is about the same), it said. "Most Clinton supporters take the opposite view: 59 percent say life for people like them has gotten better over the past half-century, while 19 percent think it has gotten worse and 18 percent see little change," the polls said. In the RealClearPolitics.com average of all major national polls, Clinton is leading Trump by 5.8 percentage points. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar has accepted his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Chaudhry's invitation for talks but has made clear that the agenda should concern only issues related to terrorism, a top official said on Thursday. This is the first time India where India, not only made terror as the basis of their dialogue but also called for a discussion on "the earliest possible vacation of Pakistan's illegal occupation of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir". In a letter submitted by Indian envoy Gautam Bambawale to the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, Jaishankar stated that the talks should focus on five aspects of terrorism. In a letter dated 16 August, Foreign Secretary has first of all underlined that Pakistan's self-serving allegations made in their communication are rejected in their entirety by the government of India, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in his weekly media briefing. Pakistan has no locus standi in respect of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of our nation, he said. According to Swarup, Jaishankar in his letter conveyed that he accepts his counterpart's invitation to visit Islamabad but made it clear that the discussions should focus first on the more pressing aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir situation. The letter stated that Islamabad should end various activities which harm India's interests. These include cessation of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan aimed at Jammu and Kashmir; ending incitement to violence and terrorism from Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir; detaining and prosecuting internationally recognised Pakistani terrorist leaders who have been publicly active recently in exhorting and supporting such violence in that state; closing down of Pakistani terrorist camps where terrorists such as Bahadur Ali, recently arrested in Jammu and Kashmir, continue to be trained; denying safe haven, shelters and support to terrorists in Pakistan who have escaped Indian law. Foreign Secretary also said that he looks forward to discussing with his counterpart the earliest possible vacation of Pakistan's illegal occupation of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson said referring to the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. The letter sought a briefing from the Pakistan Foreign Secretary on the development in the 26/11 trial in Pakistan and the ongoing probe on Pathankot attack. He stated that Jaishankar also underlined the importance of bringing to justice all those guilty in Pakistan for the Mumbai terrorist attack of 2008 and Pathankot airbase attack (in January this year). He said that his visit should provide the opportunity to receive a briefing from Pakistan's Foreign Secretary on progress in this regard, Swarup said. He stated that the world was aware that Pakistan has a long history of violence and terrorism against India, as also in the broader region. The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has been its particular target. This record began with the government of Pakistan sending armed raiders into Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 and was repeated in 1965, Swarup said. More than three decades later, displaying a similar attitude, military personnel were infiltrated across the Line of Control in Kargil in 1999. This approach to India, Swarup said, was reflected in support for terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir that continued to the present day. These acts were initially denied by the Government of Pakistan and attributed to local population, only to be admitted later by Pakistan's leaders who directed and organised such cross-border attacks on India, and assaults on the local people, he said. The spokesperson said that the Pakistan government was aware that the framework for interactions between India and Pakistan was stipulated by the Shimla Agreement of July 1972, wherein then Pakistani President ZA Bhutto agreed that the two countries should resolve to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations, as also the Lahore Declaration of February 1999 wherein Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan's determination to implement the Simla Agreement in letter and spirit. They are also based on the assurance given by (then) President (Pervez) Musharraf in January 2004 that he will not permit any territory under Pakistan's control to be used to support terrorism in any manner Swarup added. According to report by The Indian Express, when the spokesperson was asked about Narendra Modi's Balochistan's remark in the Independence Day speech and the Pakistan Foreign Secretary's statement about Modi crossing a line, he said, "I find this an extraordinary remark from a senior functionary of Pakistan that recognises no red lines in its own diplomacy. Pakistans record of cross-border terrorism and infiltration is at the heart of the problems in the region today. And this is not just Indias view. You can ask some other countries in the region too. Prime Minister had been thanked by these people for flagging their cause at the all-party meeting which represents all political segments in India. Prime Minister was sufficiently moved by these messages of gratitude to share it with the people of India in his Independence Day address, he said. The Paksitan Foreign Ministry has not commented on the letter. However they commented on PM Modi's Balochistan remark and said that Modi crossed a "red line" and that this will "forcefully" raise the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly session next month. According to a PTI report, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, said, It is the violation of the UN Charter He (Modi) crossed the red line by talking about Balochistan. With input from agencies This week Syrian crisis got a new poster-boy the five-year-old Omran Daqneesh who was photographed sitting in an ambulance following an airstrike by Russian or government warplanes on the rebel-held Qaterji. The image of the stunned and weary-looking boy sitting in the ambulance caked with dust, with blood on his face captured the horror that has behest the war-torn northern city. Unlike a lot of Syrians who have fled to the surrounding countries, the survivors in Aleppo cannot afford to escape. Scenes like the airstrike that wounded Omran are commonplace in Aleppo, where 233 civilians were killed in indiscriminate exchanges of fire between rebels and government forces in the first two weeks of August alone, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The powerful imagery reverberated across social media, drawing to mind the anguished global response to the photos of Aylan Kurdi, the drowned Syrian boy whose body was found on a beach in Turkey and came to represent the horrific toll of Syria's civil war. The heartbreaking image of the three-year-old Aylan washed ashore in Turkey, after he drowned during the dangerous boat journey to Greece depicts another reality for Syrians - escape is not an option. According to a report by activist group I am Syria, approximately 50,000 children have been killed since March 2011. Unicef has found that 8.4 million young Syrians are affected in some way by the conflict. Some are hurt by the violence in the country and some are hurt in their efforts to flee. Social media is flooded with images trying to explain the world's apathy with the Syrian situation. Images where Omran is sitting with Russian president Vladimir Putin and US president Barack Obama are also doing the rounds. After the haunting image of the rescued Omran's was circulated on social media, Russian miliraty said that it was ready to back a UN call for weekly cease-fires for Aleppo. The fighting has frustrated the UN's efforts to fulfil its humanitarian mandate, and the world body's special envoy to Syria cut short a meeting Thursday of the ad hoc committee chaired by Russia and the US tasked with deescalating the violence so that relief can reach beleaguered civilians. Doctors in Aleppo use code names for hospitals, which they say have been systematically targeted by government airstrikes. "We are afraid security forces will infiltrate our medical network and target ambulances as they transfer patients from one hospital to another," said a doctor. Omran's image, sitting in an ambulance caked with dust and with blood on his face, encapsulated the horrors of war, and remains to be one of the most powerful images of our time. An hour after his rescue, the badly damaged building the Omran was in completely collapsed. A nurse who treated Omran said, "He was in a daze." Rescue workers and journalists arrived shortly after the strike and described pulling victims from the rubble. In the video posted late Wednesday by the Aleppo Media Centre, a man was seen carrying Omran away from the chaotic nighttime scene and into an ambulance. Looking dazed, the boy ran his hands over his blood-covered face, then wiped them on the orange ambulance chair. Omran's three siblings, aged one, six and 11, and his mother and father were also rescued from the building. None sustained major injuries. Aylan's image washed up on the beach in one of Turkeys prime tourist resorts, had swept across social media. At least 12 presumed Syrian refugees died trying to reach the Greek island of Kos. The picture shows the little boy wearing a bright red t-shirt and shorts lying face-down in the surf on a beach near the resort town of Bodrum. In a second image, a grim-faced policeman carries the tiny body away. The hashtag KiyiyaVuranInsanlik humanity washed ashore had became the top trending topic on Twitter after the picture was retweeted heavily. The father of a three-year-old had said that his children "slipped through my hands" as their boat was taking in water on its way to Greece. With inputs from agencies Manila: Two top Philippine communist rebel leaders walked out of a maximum-security jail Friday to join next week's resumption of Norway-brokered peace talks aimed at ending one of Asia's longest-raging rebellions. The underground Communist Party of the Philippines has welcomed the successive releases of 22 detained rebels who are to take part in the 22 to 27 August negotiations in Oslo as consultants, saying the move boosts confidence in President Rodrigo Duterte's determination to find peace. Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende will open the talks on Monday at an Oslo hotel, Norway's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Benito and Wilma Tiamzon smiled and raised their fists as they stepped out of detention at the national police headquarters, where their supporters greeted them. In a news conference, they thanked Duterte for their release and for a restart of talks that will tackle wide-raging reforms in a bid to end the conflict. "These releases are goodwill measures that will create a positive environment for the progress of the peace talks," Benito Tiamzon said. His wife called on Filipino youth to become more involved in fighting the "monsters" of society. "For the Filipino youth and other countrymen now hooked on catching monsters in 'Pokemon Go,' you know, there are so many real monsters in our country," Wilma Tiamzon said to laughter in the room. "Instead of 'Pokemon Go,' what is better is Revolution Go." The insurgency has left about 150,000 combatants and civilians dead since it broke out in the late 1960s, drawing support from the ranks of those dissatisfied with economic inequality and the Philippines' alliance with the U.S. It also has stunted economic development, especially in the countryside, where the rebels are active. Benito Tiamzon is the chairman of the CPP and its armed wing, the New People's Army, according to the military. Wilma is said to be the secretary general. Their release after posting bail on charges including multiple murders comes after an initial setback to the rebels' friendly ties with Duterte, who calls himself a leftist president. Duterte declared a ceasefire on July 25 but withdrew it five days later after the guerrillas killed a government militiaman and failed to declare their own truce within Duterte's deadline. There were sharp exchanges in media between Duterte and his former professor, Jose Maria Sison, the Netherlands-based CPP founding chairman who described his former student as volatile and a thug. Duterte warned the rebels to deal with the government in good faith or fight for another generation. But on Monday, Duterte met with the rebels' lawyers and allies at the presidential palace, smiling for cameras with linked arms. "The President said that while he was hurt by the sharp exchanges between him and CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison... he gave assurances that he will walk the extra mile for peace," presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said after that meeting. Under Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, peace talks stalled over the government's refusal to heed a rebel demand for the release of some captured guerrillas. Duterte, however, has agreed to the release of rebels who would be involved in peace talks, and appointed two allies of the guerrillas to Cabinet posts in concessions aimed at fostering the talks. Chicago: Chicago's police chief said on Friday he was recommending the firing of seven officers accused of making false reports in the deadly cop shooting of a black teenager. A video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald's 2014 shooting death sparked outrage and was one of several police shootings of African Americans that spurred street protests around the country. Superintendent Eddie Johnson's decision to relieve the officers followed a review of documents, video and other evidence, his office said. The police officer's statements related to the incident violate a rule that prohibits "making a false report, written or oral," Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. "The officers have been relieved of their police powers." Their final fate will be determined by a police oversight board appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Johnson recommended that the board fire them. The officer who shot McDonald 16 times, Jason Van Dyke, is awaiting trial on murder charges. The other officers corroborated Van Dyke's story of the shooting, which was later contradicted by the released video. On the video, Van Dyke is seen shooting the teenager even as he appears to move away from police and after he falls to the ground. The city's inspector general had recommended the firing of 10 officers, but two of them have since retired and Johnson disagreed with the recommendation to fire a third, saying "there is insufficient evidence to prove those respective allegations." Moscow: Russia on Friday denied that one of its air raids hit a dazed and bloodied Syrian boy whose heart-wrenching photograph has drawn worldwide attention. The defence ministry issued an official denial that it carried out a strike on eastern Aleppo on Wednesday evening when the images of four-year-old Omran were taken. "The Russian planes operating in Syria never work on targets that are inside settled areas," ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement. The photographer who shot the video for Aleppo Media Centre, a network of activists, told AFP he took the images after an air strike on Wednesday night hit the Qaterji neighbourhood in eastern Aleppo. Konashenkov said Qaterji was particularly out of bounds for Russian strikes because it adjoins two of the humanitarian corridors Moscow has opened for residents to flee. He branded Western media reports on Omran as a "cynical exploitation" of the tragic situation in eastern Aleppo and "cliched anti-Russian propaganda". He suggested the attack could have been carried out by rebels in Aleppo using homemade rockets to target roads close to the humanitarian corridors to undermine Russia's efforts. He also suggested however that the area where Omran was may not have been bombed at all, citing footage of unbroken windows. "If a strike really did take place," he said, it was not an aerial strike but either a gas cylinder "used in large quantities there by terrorists" or a mortar shell. Russia said on Thursday that its strikes by warplanes based in Iran hit areas held by the Islamic State jihadist group in Deir Ezzor province, the third day of raids from the Hamedan base. Moscow: Ukraine's anti-corruption body has released entries from once-secret accounting documents that purport to show payments from a pro-Russian political party earmarked for Donald Trump's campaign chairman. The Associated Press reported earlier this week that Paul Manafort helped Ukraine's Party of Regions secretly route at least USD 2.2 million to two Washington lobbying firms. Manafort told Yahoo News that AP's account was wrong. The documents now released show Manafort's name listed as a recipient of funds totaling $12.7 million in 22 line-item entries. Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau said, however, that it cannot prove that Manafort actually received the money because other people including a prominent Party of the Regions deputy signed for him in those entries. GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. TWIN FALLS Wearing glasses and her hair in two pigtails, Gina Kutz was the first one to arrive Thursday to kindergarten class. Her teacher, Debbie Stanger, greeted her at an outdoor entrance to the classroom at I.B. Perrine Elementary School. She asked if Gina wanted her parents to come inside the classroom with her. Gina smiled and waved. Bye, mom, she said. The adults laughed. But her parents, Kyle and Claire Kutz, and two younger siblings came inside anyway to help Gina find her name tag at a child-sized table. And they showed her how to drape her pink backpack with purple straps over a plastic chair. Stanger told Gina she could play with pattern blocks at the table for 15 minutes until the bell rang. Soon, more classmates with gaggles of family members began to arrive. Thursday marked the first day of school in the Twin Falls School District, where more than 9,000 children headed back to class at 15 campuses. For kindergartners, it was a big day a time to say goodbye to their parents and the start of a long journey in the public education system. Parents gathered in Stangers classroom, using their cellphones to take photos and video of their children before class started. Claire Kutz said she was quite anxious about dropping her oldest child off at kindergarten. Im hoping she does well and succeeds. Gina didnt go to preschool, Claire said. But the 5-year-old has been excited about kindergarten since the open house, when she met her teacher. She has been waking up at 7 a.m. every morning, anticipating her first day. Nearby, Kandice Harrison knelt down to hug her daughter, 5-year-old Jessa Harrison. The kindergartner hugged her two younger siblings goodbye. Jessa is Harrisons first child to head off to school. She said its an exciting day, but also kind of sad shes old enough for school. Her daughter was already talking to a classmate sitting next to her as they played with pattern blocks. At a table behind them, a father said goodbye to his daughter, kneeling down to give her a hug and kiss. The teacher is going to tell you where to go when youre done, he said, giving her instructions of what to do when school ended. As more children arrived, Stanger told them: Have mom and dad come and help you find your name tag. Mary Fraley took a picture of her grandson Andrew Birkey, 5, with his teacher. Andrew was nervous and didnt want to go to school, Fraley said, but she reminded him how much he loved preschool. Fraley wants him to learn to read this year, have fun and make lots of friends. After exchanging hugs and kisses with Fraley and his mother, Stephanie Birkey, Andrew had a hard time saying goodbye. After sitting down, he jumped up again and gripped onto them. Birkey whispered in his ear. Andrew responded no, saying he didnt want to go back to his seat. Theres no crying in kindergarten, Fraley reminded Andrew. Stanger greeted a mother who arrived with her daughter. They discovered the girl was actually in the afternoon kindergarten class, which starts at 12:15 p.m. Shortly thereafter, Andrew ran to the classroom door, pushed it open and went into the hallway. Fraley brought him back into the classroom as he clung to her arm. Despite the hiccups, all of the parents were gone by the time the first bell rang. Stanger held a small American flag on a pole. She taught students how to put their hands over their hearts. Can you feel your heart beat? she asked students, and they nodded. Some children already knew the Pledge of Allegiance. Stanger told the class they would go outside to talk about playground rules. But before that, theres something important to do clean up the pattern blocks, she said. Aww, children responded, disappointed about stopping their activity. Students interjected with questions and comments, ranging from What happens if one of us gets sick? to Im allergic to pollen. As the chatter continued, Stanger quieted down the class. One of the No. 1 rules at school is when the teacher talks, everyone else has to listen. The children fell silent, the most important rule mastered on their first day. Nevermind, Im no longer voting for Trump Earlier this year I said I would back Donald Trump if he won the Republican Primary. I hereby retract that statement! After getting to know The Donald for the past several months, Ive concluded he is unfit for the job of POTUS! Hes got the gall to call his opponents crooked or liars, whereas he is describing himself. Hes even come up with a new tactic. Claiming sarcasm or hes joking when his speeches are questioned! The only joke here is Donald Trump. Lets review the man born with a silver pacifier in his mouth: As a youth his father suggested he get a paper route. If the weather wasnt to Donalds liking, he got the limo driver to chauffeur his paper route. Donald could have served his country in Vietnam, but again got bailed out by Daddy Trump! After he dodged the draft and finished school, Donald was handed a million dollars from Daddy, to begin his career of screwing people over! In the process he went bankrupt five times, and hes also filed 3,500 lawsuits! President? Also hes got a habit of building these towers, by screwing everyone involved in construction! Is this the man we want in the White House? The Donald and I agree on two things: Our dislike of Rosie ODonnell and a mistrust of Islam. Although I didnt like him slamming the Muslim parents of a fallen soldier, nor his slamming POW Sen. John McCain! Can you imagine Trump in a POW camp? How about Trump sandblasting Air Force One and repainting Trump on both sides? In closing, citizens of Idaho, I suggest you vote anyone but this narcissistic Dr. Jekyl-Mr. Hyde bag of hot air! Instead of the White House, this kook should be in a straight jacket in a rubber room in a credible insane asylum! Roger Paulson Shoshone The Idaho State Department of Education and the Minidoka County School District #331 are committed to supporting your efforts in encouraging your students to pursue post-secondary education. According to recently passed legislation (Idaho Code 33-4602), Students attending public school in Idaho will be eligible for $4,125 to use towards overload courses, dual credits, college credit-bearing examinations and professional certification examinations. Students in grades 7 12 are eligible to use these funds. I have been employed by the district as a college and career advisor, and am available to meet with students to develop a four, five, or six-year learning plan that will help them maximize the benefits of this program. I would be happy to work with you to develop these plans according to your students college and career interests. Here are some explanations to help you better understand some of these terms. Overload courses include high school credits taken in excess of the full credit load offered by the public high school. These courses will be paid up to $225.00 per course. Dual credits (high school courses that carry college credit) will be paid with a maximum of $75.00 per credit. Examinations that can be paid include Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College Level Examination Program, and Professional Technical. The following link is a great resource for more information: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/student-engagement/advaced-ops/index.html If you have any questions please contact me, Brooke Claridge at bclaridge@minidokaschools.org or you can schedule an advising appointment with me at https://brookeclaridge.youcanbook.me. I am happy to be a resource for you, and will stand ready to assist you and your child in making their future the best it can be. Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov who also doubles as President Putins special representative for the Middle East and Africa met with King Abdallah of Jordan on Thursday to discuss the Syrian crisis. The Russian official also met Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki for talks on developing the multidimensional cooperation between Moscow and Amman. A statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the two parties confirmed their commitment to a political settlement of the Syrian crisis on the basis of decisions of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Russias engagement in Syria is to defend the Assad regime while Jordan joined the civil war as an act of revenge for one of its pilot that was captured and killed by militants of the Islamic State. During the discussions, emphasis was made on the need to strengthen the cessation of hostilities and resolve urgent humanitarian issues, including the problem of Syrian refugees in Jordan, the statement from Moscow said. The meeting took place after Jordan was criticized in a 97-page report released on Tuesday by Human Rights Watch (HRW.) The report enumerated a series of obstacles and restrictions faced by Syrians in the Hashemite Kingdom especially the right to education. The Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani replied that no country has offered what we have to Syrian students, in spite of our limited resources and the insufficient support we receive. Bill Van Esveld, senior childrens rights researcher at HRW, acknowledged that Jordan has taken difficult, noteworthy steps to school Syrian refugees. Yet he believes that authorities should remove policy barriers that are keeping children and youth out of school. Momani said although Jordan received only around 5.5% of the $1 billion pledged by donors, it continues to uphold its moral duty with schools working double shifts to accommodate Syrian students. The influx of Syrian refugees to Jordan has been of major concern to the authorities as they struggle to help them begin a new life. Main opposition parties in Gabon chose former chairman of the African Union, Jean Ping as its candidate in an election on Aug. 27 against President Ali Bongo. The move comes a week after election campaign kicked-off in the central African nation. Ping, 74, served nine years as foreign minister under former ruler Omar Bongo before his appointment as chairman of the African Union Commission in 2008. He returned to the oil-producing nation after his term at the Ethiopia-headquartered African Union came to an end in 2012. We think that this event will constitute the real departure point for change in this country and the start of a new Gabon, said Zacharie Myboto, who presided over the signing ceremony at which Ping was chosen over several other possible candidates. Gabon, a nation of about 1.6 million people, has had three presidents since independence from France in 1960. Omar Bongo, who was in office for 42 years, was the longest-serving national leader at the time of his death at the age of 73 in 2009. The presidential election, scheduled for August 27, will pit incumbent Bongo, seeking a second term, against Jean Ping. Authorities in Kenyas coastal region of Mombasa have banned night weddings as the celebrations have become a target for criminals in the Eastern-African nation. Mombasa Regional commissioner Maalim Mohamed Maalim told BBC the decision to ban such ceremonies comes after a group of women returning from a wedding ceremony at night were allegedly attacked and had their valuables stolen. Families who want a wedding to continue after 22:00 local time, need to get police clearance and pay a fee for armed officers. The commissioner said frequent attacks have been witnessed by knife wielding gangs who are terrorizing residents in Mombasa County after night wedding events. The gangs of young criminals roam the streets of Mombasa where they brutalize and rob local residents and tourists, the commissioner claimed. While Maalim highlighted that police had arrested two youths as they were ferrying knives, BBC reported security forces in Mombasa have also been carrying out security operations and several suspected gangsters have been shot dead. Night wedding celebrations are common among the Swahili peoples in Mombasa and can last for as long as five days, and parties go on late into the night. Ghanas Electoral Commission (EC) on Wednesday said it has adopted 27 electoral reforms to make this year general elections in the West African nation, more transparent and credible. We are committed to ensuring an electoral process that guarantees people the right to cast their ballots without intimidation or violence, Mrs Charlotte Osei, the EC Chairperson told reporters. The Electoral Commission has recently deleted over 55.000 illegal names from the voters register ahead of November general elections. It is estimated that about 15,504,207 voters would participate in this years elections after a limited registration captured 1.2 million new voters last month. The opposition had claimed there were around 4 million illegal voters including some 760,000 foreigners in the old register that contained 14,535,987 names. Ghanas President John Mahama told supporters the country was overcoming its economic problems and promised a return to prosperity as he launched his campaign on Sunday ahead of what is expected to be a close-run election. Ghana was one of Africas fastest-growing economies at the beginning of the decade thanks to exports of gold, cocoa and oil. But growth has tumbled since 2014 due to a slump in commodities prices, leading to a fiscal crisis and unpopular austerity measures. Public debt stood at 71 percent of gross domestic product at the end of 2015, and two months ago, Nigeria cut gas supplies to Ghana because of unpaid bills. You're in hospital and you need to have a blood test: What do you think would reduce your pain? Sucrose (sugar water)? Painkillers? You probably went with option 2. But in babies option 1 is often prescribed. It is difficult to test whether painkillers work for very young children and we often don't know the best dose to give. But if Professor Rebeccah Slater and her research team at Oxford are successful we may find alternative ways to measure pain in babies and may eventually be able to offer babies some better options to soothe their pain. Their latest research, published in Current Biology and led by Caroline Hartley and Fiona Moultrie, looks at how babies who have been born early respond when a blood sample is taken from the heel of their foot. Premature babies have to undergo various procedures, including regular blood tests. So, with the support of parents and working with the charity SSNAP, babies were recruited to the study and the team were able to measure both brain activity and reflex responses during this painful procedure. Dr Hartley said: 'The youngest babies have disorganised and exaggerated motor responses when painful procedures are performed. For example, they might pull away both feet even when the blood test is performed on just one foot. 'As they get older, these reflex movements become quicker, shorter and smaller. They respond faster but don't pull away as much. However, you cannot directly infer how much pain a baby is experiencing from these responses for example a premature baby can withdraw both their legs even in response to a light touch. In the study the babies' brain activity was also measured by placing electrodes on their heads prior to the blood tests this technique is called EEG (electroencephalography). Dr Hartley said: 'The younger babies showed brain activity that was not specific to pain a bright light or loud noise would cause much the same pattern of activity. As they got older, brain activity matured and the evoked brain activity increased. 'Considering both measures together, we found that older babies with more mature brain activity had more refined reflexes. ' This study suggests that top-down inhibitory mechanisms may begin to emerge during early infancy. As adults, we may instinctively stop ourselves from pulling our hand away from the handle of a hot pan if the alternative would be to tip boiling water everywhere, a potentially more dangerous result: that's an example of top down inhibition. The observation that, as the babies get older, more mature brain activity is related to more refined reflex activity, suggests that these inhibitory mechanisms may begin to play a role. Pains, brains and clinical trials Professor Slater explained the context of the research: 'Previous research in animals, which has been pioneered by colleagues at UCL, has shown that top-down inhibitory mechanisms develop in early life. Our results suggest that this research can be translated into humans. 'The results are also relevant to medical practice: doctors and nurses rely on behavioural observation to make judgements about pain in babies. Our results show that the movements of a premature baby in response to a painful procedure may not be proportionate to the amount of information that is being transmitted to the brain. 'That is also critical if we are trying to develop effective pain relief for babies. If we understand better how the immature brain processes information about pain, we may be able to use these patterns of brain activity to see whether different types of pain relief are effective in babies.' Her next study, starting in September 2016 will test that. The team will measure brain activity and reflex withdrawal activity in a randomised controlled trial investigating whether morphine provides effective pain relief during clinically essential medical procedures. Professor Slater said: 'Ultimately, we would like to provide better pain relief for some of the most vulnerable patients in hospital.' Explore further Babies distinguish pain from touch at 35-37 weeks More information: Caroline Hartley et al. Changing Balance of Spinal Cord Excitability and Nociceptive Brain Activity in Early Human Development, Current Biology (2016). Journal information: Current Biology Caroline Hartley et al. Changing Balance of Spinal Cord Excitability and Nociceptive Brain Activity in Early Human Development,(2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.05.054 Buried in the fine print of many marketplace health plan documents is language that allows them to refuse to cover a range of services, many of which disproportionately affect women, a recent study found. It's unclear the extent to which these coverage "exclusions" have prevented patients from getting needed treatments. An insurance industry representative said patients are generally able to get the care they need if it's appropriate for them. Yet, some women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, advocates say, may have gaps in care because of the exclusions. More broadly, experts said that the report provides a useful roadmap to potential coverage issues that may still need to be addressed, despite significant improvements following passage of the federal health law. The study, by researchers at the National Women's Law Center, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., examined health coverage exclusions in marketplace plans offered by 109 insurers in 16 states in 2014 and 2015. The health law requires insurers to provide a general summary of benefits and coverage for every plan that states whether the plan excludes coverage of 13 specific services, including acupuncture, bariatric surgery and infertility treatment. These coverage summaries, which are no longer than eight pages, are easy to read and available online or in paper form. But other services that aren't in the summary documents may be excluded as well, although they may be hard for consumers to find because they appear in the detailed plan coverage materials. Health plans must provide a link from the online summary to those documents, which can be quite technical and run dozens of pages. Reviewing these detailed documents, researchers identified six types of excluded services that could have a disproportionate impact on women's health care, although many of them also apply to men. The excluded services included: Treatment for conditions that result from non-covered services, for example, if you get an infection following cosmetic surgery (42 percent of plans).Maintenance therapy for a chronic disease or other care that prevents regression of a stable condition (27 percent of plans).Genetic testing, except as required by law (15 percent).Fetal reduction surgery, which is sometimes recommended when a woman is carrying multiple fetuses, to protect the woman's health or improve the odds a pregnancy will be successful (14 percent).Treatment for self-inflicted conditions, such as a suicide attempt or eating disorder (11 percent).Preventive services not required by law (10 percent)."We wanted to highlight issues that would have a particular impact on women as well as show how broad some of the exclusions are," said Dania Palanker, who co-authored the study and is now an assistant research professor at Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms. It's not uncommon for women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer to run into this type of roadblock when they need genetic testing or preventive services, said Lisa Schlager, vice president of community affairs and public policy at Force, an advocacy group for people affected by hereditary breast, ovarian and related cancers. The health law requires insurers to cover services that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of medical experts, without requiring consumers to pay anything out of pocket. The task force recommends that women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancers receive genetic counseling and, if necessary, testing for a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes that are known to increase the risk of developing those cancers. However, insurers aren't required to cover testing for the 40 or so other genetic mutations that are also recognized as increasing women's risk of breast or ovarian cancer, Schlager said, and many don't do so. If a woman does test positive for a BRCA mutation, insurers may not cover earlier or more frequent screening or other preventive care she may need, Schlager said. "We are in this strange scenario where insurers are paying for the testing and then not paying for the breast MRIs or prophylactic mastectomies," she added. Clare Krusing, a spokesperson for America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade group, called the report "overblown." She said it fails to address important issues such as whether treatments are safe and effective for all patients, whether there are alternative treatments that are covered and the processes in place to enable patients to get access to treatments if for whatever reason a plan doesn't provide coverage. "If a patient has a medically necessary reason for this care, it will likely be covered," Krusing said. Kirsten Sloan, senior policy director at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said people who use the society's call center aren't generally complaining about plan coverage exclusions. Still, coverage distinctions may be confusing for patients, Sloan said, and highlight the need for better transparency in communicating coverage information. More research is needed to understand how these exclusions affect patient care, said Gwen Darien, executive vice president for patient advocacy at the National Patient Advocate Foundation. "What the study does and calls for is further uncovering where the exclusions are and to make sure plans cover them as part of the essential health benefits," she said. Explore further Insurers may share blame for some generics' price hikes 2016 Kaiser Health News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (HealthDay)Telehealth technologies can allow delivery of high-quality care at a lower cost, especially in underserved areas, but there is currently no uniform legal approach to telehealth, hampering its provision, according to a Health Policy Brief published online Aug. 15 in Health Affairs. Noting that 20 percent of Americans live in areas with shortages of physicians and health care specialists, Tony Yang, from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., discusses the use of telehealth and the legal issues pertaining to its use. Yang notes that telehealth can improve access to health care in populations that are underserved, such as rural areas. Areas of concern about telehealth include fears of breakdown in the health professional-patient relationship, problems with quality of health information, and organizational complications. Implementation of telehealth is also challenging, with variations in physician licensure requirements and questions relating to patient privacy and reimbursement. Currently there is no uniform legal approach to telehealth, which hampers its provision, although incentives are encouraging development of telehealth, including through the Affordable Care Act. Concerns about reimbursement have limited the implementation and use of telehealth for private insurers and public programs such as Medicaid. Certain telehealth services are not reimbursed or are reimbursed at lower levels than in-person services, resulting in a decreased incentive to provide telehealth services. "On balance, the benefits of telehealth are substantial, assuming that more efforts will reduce or address the risks and challenges," Yang writes. Explore further Review: Telehealth poised to revolutionize health care Copyright 2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved. A new study by Loughborough University has examined for the first time how receptionists interact with patients over the telephone. Pioneering research into GP receptionist interaction with the public over the telephone has revealed how patients have to 'push' for effective service. The study, led by Elizabeth Stokoe, Professor of Social Interaction in the Department of Social Sciences at Loughborough University, examined for the first time how receptionists interact with patients over the telephone. Professor Stokoe uses conversation analysis to understand the organisation of communication in different interactional settings and to highlight what constitutes [in]effective communication. Conversation analysis of 447 recorded calls from three GP surgeries in England showed that 'patient burden' occurred near the start and at the end of the conversation. In both instances, the onus was increasingly placed upon the patient to drive calls forward in order to achieve good service. For example, patients are left hanging. This pattern occurred when receptionists failed to offer alternatives to patients whose initial requests for information could not be met (for example, requesting an appointment but being told the GP surgery is 'fully booked'), or who failed to offer an alternative course of action (for example, the option of a call-back to let a patient know when their X-ray results were available). Independent patient satisfaction scores for the three surgeries involved in the study, which were collected from the GP Patient Survey, were compared with the relative frequency of 'patient burden'. A strong association was found between increased 'patient burden' and decreased satisfaction survey scores. Professor Stokoe said the findings of the study can be used to boost frontline GP receptionist training, by offering a better communication strategy to help improve patient experience and satisfaction. "The strengths of this study are in its analysis of actual, real-time encounters between the patient and the GP receptionist effectively the 'shop window' of the practice," she said. "This research, using conversation analysis, represents an important step forward in evidence gathering of what needs to change in order to improve the patient experience in GP surgeries. The findings can help inform future training, rather than having to rely on post-hoc reports of, or surveys about, communicative encounters. "The study has also flagged, what I would term a phenomenon of interest, whereby rather than the receptionist offering an alternative course of action during the call, the burden is placed on the patient to keep the call going and push for the service they require. This kind of scenario was common across the dataset. In one instance, the receptionist initiates a closing of the call without any alternative proposal being made. In comparison, more effective receptionists made immediate alternative offers when the patient's first request could not be met." The study entitled Calling the GP surgery: patient burden, patient satisfaction, and implications for training has been published in the British Journal of General Practice. Explore further Slaying the dragon myth: A study of receptionists in UK general practice More information: E. Stokoe et al. Calling the GP surgery: patient burden, patient satisfaction, and implications for training, British Journal of General Practice (2016). Journal information: British Journal of General Practice E. Stokoe et al. Calling the GP surgery: patient burden, patient satisfaction, and implications for training,(2016). DOI: 10.3399/bjgp16X686653 We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. Pure Georgian honey exported to Korea Georgia is making a promising start in the Korean market by promoting its long history of beekeeping and introducing its genuine, traditional honey to Korean consumers.Georgian honeybees making chestnut and acacia honey varieties have been available in Seoul, the capital of South Korea since January, reported The Korea Times.Nam Do-hyun, a local importer, said Georgian honey was becoming popular with Koreans because of its unique flavour.Compared with other types of honey, Georgian honey is slightly pricey, but considering all the health benefits that genuine honey gives, I believe it is definitely worth paying that much, he told the newspaper.He also noted that Georgian honey had nearly twice the minerals of other honey products.The reality is that most honey products in Korea contain sugar, which means that bees were fed sugar instead of nectar from flowers. It is not natural. You can tell the difference between real honey made naturally and by sugar-fed bees by taste and flavour, he added.Do-hyun told The Korea Times his importing company planned to introduce pine honey to Korea in the second half of this year.Georgias Ambassador to Korea Nikoloz Apkhazava said Georgian honey had many health benefits and Koreans preferred Georgia-made 100 percent pure honey.In the medieval Georgian medical book Tsigni Saakimo (Physicians book), honey is mentioned 118 times as an ingredient in preparing certain medicines, the Ambassador said.It was used for cooking and as a medicine. Georgians even make unique homemade chacha (a strong alcoholic drink) from honey. There is also a traditional Georgian confection called gozinaki, made of caramelised walnuts fried in honey and served exclusively on New Years Eve and Christmas, he added.Georgia is also working hard to increase honey exports to the European Union (EU).In May EU Ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman said Georgia had improved its beekeeping industry and had brought in strict rules and regulations controlling the quality of honey produced in Georgia.Thanks to these efforts the EU now recognised that Georgia-made honey was of the highest quality.The EU imposes high sanitary requirements on all products of animal origin before importing [into the EU], said Herman.Previously, importing Georgian honey to EU markets was not allowed but today we have achieved very big success in this direction, he said.A spokesperson from Georgias Ministry of Agriculture told Agenda.ge Georgia will begin exporting honey to the EU later this year. The News in Brief Ex-Defense Minister Okruashvili to Stand for Majoritarian MP in Gori Former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili said he will run for MP in the town of Gori in the October 8 parliamentary elections. One of his competitors in this main town of the Shida Kartli region will be Irakli Alasania, who was also Defense Minister before his Free Democrats (FD) party broke from the Georgian Dream coalition in 2014. Alasania, who initially was not going to stand as a majoritarian MP, announced his intention to run in Gori on August 10 after the FDs candidate in Gori, MP Tamaz Shioshvili, decided to quit the race. I do not perceive Irakli Alasania as a competitor not because I do not consider him a heavyweight [political figure], but because I have no idea whats behind his decision to run in Gori, Okruashvili said on August 12 when announcing his intention to run as a majoritarian MP. I can in advance express condolences over [Alasanias decision] to enter this race in which he is doomed to fail. The ruling party, the Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GDDG), nominated Ioseb Makrakhidze, a co-owner and chief executive of a Gori-based asphalt manufacturing and road construction company, Ibolia, as its majoritarian MP candidate in the town of Gori. The UNM opposition party has named as its majoritarian MP candidate in Gori a former senior law enforcement official in the Shida Kartli region, Alexandre Goglidze. Other candidates, who have so far been named in Gori, are National Forums Guram Mchedlidze and State for Peoples Shota Tskrialashvili. In local elections in 2014, Okruashvili wanted to run for Gori's mayoral office, but he was barred from participation on the grounds of failure to meet the two-year residency requirement. After that, Okruashvili named a close friend as a mayoral candidate, who garnered up to 30% of votes, pushing the race into a runoff in which he was defeated by Georgian Dreams candidate. Okruashvili, who was an influential government member in President Saakashvilis administration before quitting the cabinet in November 2006, was arrested in September, 2007 just two days after launching an opposition party and voicing allegations against his former ally, Mikheil Saakashvili. At that time, he was charged with extortion; less than two weeks after he was arrested, Okruashvili pleaded guilty, retracted his allegations leveled against Saakashvili and was released on bail; he then left the country in what his supporters said was in fact expulsion. He had lived in France, where he was granted asylum, before returning back to Georgia in November, 2012 after change of government. While remaining in France, Okruashvili re-emerged briefly in Georgias political developments in spring 2011 when his party joined ex-parliamentary speaker Nino Burjanadze-backed street protest rallies but the alliance was short-lived. After he returned back in Georgia some of the charges brought against him by the p revious authorities were dropped by the prosecution and he was cleared of some other charges by the court in January, 2013. In March 2016, Okruashvili was appointed as an aide to the chairman of Gori City Council (Sakrebulo) the chairmanship is currently held by Okruashvilis close ally from his Georgian Party, which garnered over 28% of votes in the 2014 local elections. Georgia has a mixed electoral system in which 73 lawmakers in 150-seat Parliament are elected in 73 single-member constituencies, known in Georgia as majoritarian mandates. A majoritarian MP candidate has to win over 50% of the votes in order to be an outright winner, otherwise a second round should be held. The remaining 77 seats in Parliament are allocated proportionally under the party-list contest among political parties, which clear a 5% threshold in nationwide popular vote. (Civil.ge) Murder of American tourist solved Officers of the Kakheti Police Department have arrested M.Ch. for premeditated murder. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the investigation established that on August 12 the defendant wounded a US citizen, born in 1975, after having a verbal conflict with him when they were traveling from the village of Lechuri to Tusheti; the offender fled the crime scene, though was arrested in a few hours. The wounded man died at the scene of the crime. The detainee has pleaded guilty. The investigation remains underway. (IPN) Census shows only 7% of Georgians living in South Ossetia Georgias breakaway region of South Ossetia has published the results of a census showing that only 7 percent of the population there are ethnic Georgians. The region, from which tens of thousands fled in the 2008 war, today has only 3,966 Georgian residents out of a total population of 53,532, according to the report published by breakaway authorities on Thursday. A total of 48,146 of residents are Ossetians and 610 are Russians. There are 26,707 men and 27,825 women in the region, while most of the people (30,432) live in Tskhinvali, according to the census, which was conducted from October 15 till October 30, 2015. The territory controlled by Tskhinvali includes two towns and four districts. There are 40 village administrations and 330 villages, out of which 40 are deserted. The average age of the population is 40.1 years. According to Georgias 2014 census, there 30,000 refugees from South Ossetia living in other parts of Georgia. (DFwatch) A group of theater-makers living in Montana and New York are staging their second Missoula production next week. The MT+NYC Collaborative is bringing "Dido of Idaho" by New York playwright Abby Rosebrock, with a cast of University of Montana alums. Director Kendra Mylnechuk said that "it's heavy material but the way that it's navigated is super-light." The dialogue is natural and often overlapping. It's peppered with allusions to 1980s pop culture such as "Designing Women" and Pat Benatar, and also realistically portrays the way that people communicate today via Facebook and email. "There's a lot of use of technology as a way of telling the age-old love triangle story," she said. Set in Moscow, Idaho, in the present, protagonist Nora, an alcoholic portrayed by Griffin, is mired in an affair with a poet and professor, Michael (Andy Greenfield). The audience soon learns that Michael is married. His wife, Crystal (Hannah Kanengieter), is a former first runner-up for Miss Idaho. Their affair discovered, Nora must compete for Michael's affections, a situation alluded to in the title, a reference to the myth of Dido and Aeneas. Concurrently, we meet Nora's mother Julie (Salina Chatlain), who's on an extended vacation at a cabin with her roommate Ethel (Holly Hamper). Nora emails her mother updates on the situation and we see her mother's reactions to her daughter's messy decisions as the drama escalates and the play begins to use flourishes of magical realism. *** The collaborative comprises University of Montana graduates who've pursued their careers elsewhere. Mylnechuk lived and worked in New York and Los Angeles for a decade. One performance in a short play program was praised in the New York Times. She and her husband, Tyler Potter, used to come back to Missoula during the summer, when New York's arts scene slows down and the heat and humidity become unpleasant. "Anyone who can afford to leave leaves," she said. They moved back to Missoula several years ago to start a family. Her friend and fellow alum, Ciara Griffin, proposed the idea of coming to Montana for several weeks during the summer, not for vacation, but work. The collaborative staged its first Montana production last summer, "The Wolf and the Woodstove," with a collection of UM grads and New York colleagues. Since then, they've staged an evening of short plays and films in New York, all with material written by Montanans now living in the city. This summer, they held a writers' retreat in Montana with mostly out-of-staters, and next year in New York they'll stage a commissioned work written by Potter called "Napalm: A Manifesto." Mylnechuk said the Missoula stagings will focus on emerging playwrights, providing a place to stage their work similar to the Colony playwriting conference. It's an opportunity for the writers, and audiences here as well, to see contemporary work. For the actors, they can zero in exclusively on their work for several weeks. "That's a real gift for the actors, to be able to focus completely," she said. "When you're living in the city, you're also working your full-time job, while frantically trying to learn lines at the stop lights." The performances are scheduled for the MASC Studio on Shakespeare Street. They wanted to support a newly revamped venue that could offer set designer Tessla Hastings more opportunities to create sets for the three different time frames. The Montana Book Festival's 2016 lineup features a Pulitzer Prize winner and an influential feminist New York poet alongside the state's homegrown talent this year. Plus pie and whiskey, and readings and workshops. "We have a lot of Montana folks that people know who will be a part of it, and then we also have some authors from outside of Montana that are engaging a perhaps different conversation about diversity in literature," said festival director Rachel Mindell. The list of authors for the late September festival reaches 150 and covers a wide range of voices. Eileen Myles, whose writing encompasses fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays and more, was described by Slate recently as "an unapologetic gender warrior." The New Yorker was an influential voice in queer fiction for decades outside of mainstream view. There was a wave of renewed interest after a recent reprinting of her memoir, "Chelsea Girls" and a new collection of her poetry. A character on the HBO series "Transparent" is based on her, and her poetry is featured in the series. Mindell said Myles is an important voice and a natural fit she was the University of Montana Creative Writing Program's Richard Hugo writer-in-residence in 2010. She'll share a keynote evening with Gregory Pardlo, a poet whose small-press collection, "Digest," was an under-the-radar winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2015. Humanities Montana received a grant for Pulitzer poetry programming and had arranged for Pardlo to come to Montana; his visit was set for the book festival. Another prominent voice is Maile Meloy, an acclaimed writer and Helena native whose stories were recently adapted into "Certain Women," a feature film by director Kelly Reichardt. The movie, which was shot in the Livingston area, screened at Sundance earlier this year and starred Montana's own Lily Gladstone alongside Kristen Stewart. Lolo resident and icon James Lee Burke, who turns 80 this year, will be in attendance with a new book, "The Jealous Kind." Sunil Yapa's debut, "Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist," has already been pegged as a best of 2016 title. The novel features a biracial protagonist caught up in the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle. More than one advance review and fellow author described it as "symphonic." Yapa has Montana ties as well: His father is Sri Lankan and his mother is from the Treasure State. ** Last year the event, which Mindell described as "a new festival with deep roots," offered a new mix of readings, panels, workshops and other events. A popular addition, Pie and Whiskey, which features desserts, drinks and writers, is returning. One of the participants this year is Montana author Virginia Reeves, whose novel "Work Like Any Other," made the long list for the International Booker Prize. A Los Angeles event called Literary Death Match is new this year. It pits four authors against each other to win the approval of three celebrity judges in a game show, variety-style format. The L.A. Times called it "the most entertaining reading series ever." Workshops this year include fiction, nonfiction, poetry. There will a paid and unpaid pitch session, in which authors get five to 10 minutes to pitch their work to a literary agent. Text Craft, a local group that creates text- and book-based art, also is holding a session and sharing work. ** In a break from previous years, not all events for the Sept. 20-25 festival are free. "In order to make the festival sustainable, it's a necessary step," Mindell said. For 15 years, the festival was known as the Montana Festival of the Book and was organized by Humanities Montana, the statewide nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts. After the loss of key sponsors, Humanities decided to refocus on its core programs. A group of local residents and organizations banded together to keep the festival going with help from Humanities, sponsors and a Kickstarter campaign. Pie and Whiskey, which proved so popular that people were turned away at the door, will have pre-sale tickets instead of tickets at the door. Tell Us Something, the local storytelling event, and the author luncheon also require tickets. All other events on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday are free. The Friday and Saturday events for adults, which include workshops, panels, keynotes and more, require a festival button, which costs $15. For individual events, there's a $5 suggested donation. The Saturday book fair at the Holiday Inn and Youth Festival at the Missoula Public Library are free. Button-holders are eligible for discount events around town. Mindell said organizers received positive responses and feedback last year. "The festival will continue to adjust based on how this year goes," she said. Like any organization, they're always reassessing and "working to build on a strong foundation." Songwriters have an allure with the law. See, for instance: I Fought the Law by the Clash, Lawyers, Guns, and Money by Warren Zevon, End of the Innocence by Don Henley and Bruce Hornsby, This Side of the Law by Johnny Cash, and Alices Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie. There are many more songs about the law. This crossed my mind when one of my neighbors asked me recently about the rule of law and what that meant exactly. Of course, this was in the context of the decision not to prosecute Hillary Clinton for her email security lapses. While I have serious concerns about the decision not to prosecute, this article does not make a judgment about that call. As someone who has made thousands of decisions about whether to charge someone or not, I have read good reports about FBI Director James Comey and his integrity, and do not know enough about the details to question his decision. The rule of law, however, is a critically important piece of our justice system and worthy of an article. The rule of law, in its simplest form, is that nobody is above the law. All people, presidents and kings included, are treated the same under the law. The rule of law appeared in print in the Magna Carta in 1215. Article 39 stated: No freemen shall be taken or imprisoned or disseised or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land. While this language is hard to follow today, the intent was that no persons life, liberty or property could be arbitrarily taken away by the king, nor was the king himself above the law. In other words, no persons fate was in the hands of a single person (the king), nor could one person (the king) get away with not being subject to the law of the land. This is critically important to our society. This protects from having a dictator suspend the law to suit himself. As James Madison wrote in Federalist Paper No. 51, in 1788: If men were angels, no government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered over by men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. This is why the framers put in place three branches of government, to separate powers so no one branch could obtain absolute power over the law. For our system to work, the rule of law is all-important. Every member of Congress, every president, every judge and every public official swears to uphold the Constitution when they take office. This is not a formality. Each branch of government swears to stay within its enumerated powers as set forth in the Constitution. For the rule law to work, the World Justice Project has set forth four universal principles which must be present: 1. The government and its officials as well as individuals and private entities are accountable under the law; 2. The laws are clear, publicized, stable and just; are applied evenly; protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property and core human rights; 3. The process by which laws are enacted, administered and enforced is accessible, fair and efficient; and 4. Justice is delivered timely by competent, ethical and independent representatives and neutrals who are sufficient number, have adequate resources and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve. These principles apply across cultures, nations and governments. For a just society to exist, these core principles are essential. While the United States has arguably been the greatest country to ever exist, we need to hang on to these principles accountability, personal rights, property rights, fairness and independence i.e., the rule of law, to continue to be a great county. I was 13 when the first Hmong refugees began arriving in Missoula from a place about which I knew nothing; a country across the planet I didn't know existed. They looked different from my classmates at Willard Elementary and, a little later, my classmates at Hellgate High School, as well as the other kids in my Lutheran Sunday-school class. They had accents or didn't speak English. They were very different from me. But everything I'd been taught by my folks, my teachers, my pastors and the world told me that different is OK. And I was never, ever afraid of the Hmong. Like most kids at that time, before the Internet, cable news, instant access to information and misinformation, I was paying attention to lots of other things than human-rights violations around the globe, wars that were supposed to be over, and the plight of refugees. So the Hmong came to live in Missoula. We went to school and church together and we figured it out. I remember a particular face, a boy my age, badly disfigured. I don't remember his name today, regrettably, but I remember that he worked hard to speak the only language I ever needed. He was kind, smart and did well in school. Only now, nearly 40 years later, do I understand that he was badly hurt in a war he had no part in starting, that his parents wanted for him what mine wanted for me: health, happiness, prosperity. That boy was a refugee. A victim of violence elsewhere, at least as innocent as I was, if not nearly as naive to the cruelty and violence that has always been a presence in our world. His mom and dad wanted him to have a chance at a good life. And I hope to hell he had one, because the start couldn't have been easy. Nor, frankly, was the rest, I suspect. And, with the advantage of years and experience and a broader view, I think of the Hmong in the same way I think of two of my grandparents, my paternal grandfather and my maternal grandmother, who sailed from Norway at the turn of the last century to join countless other folks from around the world who believed in the promise of America. And while my people weren't fleeing violence, they were fleeing hardship, were ready to work hard, contribute, make a difference and live a life of peace, love and understanding. And they did. It wasn't easy. Not everyone was a success. But they made it work and the playing field was level. And when Nels Engen's second and third sons volunteered to serve in the United States Army and landed on Guadalcanal, no one asked them where their dad was from. And when DeLores Nelson, who didnt begin to learn English until the first grade, became a nurse and cared for hundreds of Americans, patients, family, friends and neighbors over the years, no one questioned whether she belonged here. *** In the big scheme, I'm fresh off the boat. As is most of America. So when I'm asked whether we should welcome refugees, my answer is an emphatic yes. And while I don't have any actual influence or legal control over immigration, if I did, I'd still support the work of the International Rescue Committee and Soft Landing Missoula. They are welcoming and supporting folks who come from situations far worse than those of my ancestors and they step up, every day, in the face of hate and falsehoods and racism and religious bias, to help folks in need improve their lives. And for every refugee who may land in Missoula, hundreds of thousands will continue to suffer and die in camps and countries where genocide is a fact and human life is cheap. But not here. Not in Missoula. We'll be welcoming a family of six from the Congo this month. Mom, dad, four kids. This family fled in 1997. Three of the four children were born in the refugee camp. Three million refugees from the Congo are homeless and living stateless, warehoused in refugee camps. This family has lived in conditions I can't imagine and they have subjected themselves to security scrutiny that U.S. citizens would consider unconstitutional, just to have a chance at a better life. There's been opposition to refugee resettlement in Missoula, but it's largely been from elsewhere and based on misinformation, fear and outright lies. Most Missoulians, the folks I and Missoula City Council members swore to serve, believe that we're up to the task of helping our share of refugees, whatever their situation, provided they've been thoroughly vetted by our government and the agencies who only continue to exist if they keep communities and refugees safe. And if I'm wrong about this or any of a number of issues, I will learn soon enough at the polls. *** Finally, welcoming refugees to our community doesn't excuse us from taking care of everyone who is here today. There is poverty, hunger, violence and trouble right here in Missoula. We have folks who live, in some ways, as American refugees by virtue of a national political atmosphere that's created more "have-nots" than "haves." Taking care of the suffering here and those from somewhere else is not a mutually exclusive proposition. We'll take care of our own and a few others, because that's what this country is about. Sometimes this gets lost in irrational national dialogue. The fact is that the IRC Missoula has solid funding and these families joining our community will be far less subsidized by taxpayers than the richest Americans. Volunteers and the good folks at our own Soft Landing Missoula will ensure that our adopted families will thrive, assimilate and enrich our place. Most of us came from somewhere, refugees in some sense of the word. The Hmong have made Missoula better. As have the Irish, the Japanese, the Scandinavians, Italians, Germans, Brits, Jordanians, Indians, Kiwis, Lebanese, Nigerians and the many souls who can trace their roots to somewhere other than Missoula, Montana. And we're only as good as the principles and values we practice, at least as much as we preach. Give us your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free. Welcome, fellow humans yearning to be free. Would that we could accommodate the masses. Today, we welcome five, then 10, then 100. You will help us fulfill the promise of a great nation, as have countless immigrants from the time this country was born. Tater pigs, vikings and a huckleberry sundae to the hard-working organizers and community-minded participants of last weeks Western Montana Fair, which was blessed with wonderful weather every day of the six-day event and was blessedly free of the sort of problems that have plagued past fairs. All vendors passed inspection, the carnival was up and running smoothly on time with six new rides, and no one brought exotic animals in small Tupperware containers. Indeed, both ticket and carnival sales were well up from last year. The only hiccup was the last-minute cancellation of the first-ever fair Brewfest, which organizers were unable to pull together in time for this year but are already making arrangements to have in place for the 2017 Western Montana Fair. Ten thousand or is it 93,142? chokecherries to the Missoula County Sheriffs Office for submitting a 2016 budget with numerous inconsistencies to the Missoula County Commissioners for approval. While commissioners did approve budget requests for several other county departments, they spent more than half of Wednesdays meeting struggling to make sense of the budget for the sheriffs department and were ultimately unable to do so. While the communication breakdown between the sheriffs department and the county seems to go way back the county auditor suspects they began at least five years ago, well before current Sheriff T.J. McDermott took office Undersheriff Jason Johnson joined the county budget team way back in April. Any accounting issues should have been fixed by now, or there should at least be a plan in place to fix them, especially before commissioners waste hours of their time going over a budget thats missing significant pieces of information. Towers of huckleberries to the city of Missoulas Development Services staff, who this week drafted a legally binding document that is agreeable to the developers of the Mercantile building while also requiring important design considerations. The document holds Bozeman-based HomeBase Montana accountable for a building that actually matches the developers design drawings, and calls for reasonable penalties if it doesnt. An unspecified number of chokecherries to the University of Montana for refusing to release projected enrollment figures. While such data is obviously not final and therefore subject to future adjustments, UM ought to acknowledge that most members of the public are smart enough to understand the difference between preliminary information and final numbers. It especially ought to acknowledge this in light of the fact that the taxpaying public is paying a record-high recruitment bonus of $70,000 to hire a vice president focused on enrollment. If UM is going to make the argument that enrollment is important enough to warrant exceeding the Montana University Systems bonus limit of $5,000 or 10 percent of annual salary, it ought to be willing to release basic enrollment numbers as soon as they are available. Say hello to huckleberries for AT&T, the fourth-largest employer in Missoula County and still growing. The telecommunications company bought DirecTV last year in a deal that included the call center in Missoula, which is owned by the county and leased to the company, and which will count some 750 employees once AT&T fills an estimated 100 new customer service representative positions. While the positions are entry level, they come with an impressive package of benefits and help expand the local employment market to ensure more first-time job-seekers have a shot at landing a job right here in Missoula. In 2011, I opened Advanced Technology Groups Missoula Solution Center with just a handful of employees. As of this year, weve hired nearly 80, 62 of them in Missoula. ATG is a technology business that helps clients optimize their quote to cash environment leveraging world class cloud technologies. I feel lucky as a Montana native to have been able to come home to the state I love, and I volunteer my time and energy to help create a business climate where others can do the same. Its why I volunteer with the Montana High Tech Alliances board of advisors, and why Im passionate about supporting the University of Montanas Blackstone Launchpad with the Last Best Conference, or LBCon, coming up Aug. 25-26 at the Wilma Theater. LBCon aims to become an annual event in the spirit of Austins SXSW or Portlands World Domination Summit. It is the only experience in Montana where eight national speakers come together hundreds of amazing people to share their stories of courage and what it takes to pursue their passion. LBCon was inspired by the incredible startup activity in Montana, including our states No. 1 ranking for startup activity four years running by the Kauffman Foundation. LBCon matters to my business because part of why ATG can operate from Missoula is because of the high caliber of our employees, most of them UM graduates. Our business depends on securing contracts with large global companies, and we prize those connections. A key goal of LBCon is to strengthen the ties that bind together our business and entrepreneurship community from Spokane to Boise to Billings and beyond, further positioning our state as a regional hub. LBCon tickets are $199 and available until Aug. 19. Purchase them or learn more at www.lastbestconference.com. Tom Stergios, vice president and general manager, Missoula Solution Center for Advanced Technology Group, Missoula Dark money is again flooding into Montana, attempting to besmirch the reputations and good works of our best Montana legislators. Today I received a flier from the dark money machine funded by the Koch brothers. But the flier from Americans for Prosperity doesnt say funded by the Koch brothers. It tries to imply that our fantastic local senator Sue Malek does not support tax reform or school choice. It also implies we dont need health care. The fact is that Senator Malek is a great supporter of tax reform the right kind the kind that reinstates the taxes for rich individuals and corporations. When I was a kid in the 1950s and '60s the U.S. income tax rate for the wealthy was over 90 percent! Rich people had it lowered to 35 percent now - but in fact, thanks to George W. Bush, most pay less than 15 percent (investment rate). How did we let them lower it from 90 to 15 percent? We need folks like Malek to stand up and re-tax the wealthy. If rich people and corporations paid their fair share we could afford health care for all, good infrastructure, good schools. Malek has also fought for education and health care in the right way. She does not support setting up a system of elite private schools with public money. She does not support abolishing a health system that has provided care for thousands of Montanans and millions of Americans. She supports measures that help regular Montanans. Please vote to get dark money out of Montana and out of the U.S. Vote to keep good politicians who work for us, not the rich and greedy. Vote to re-elect Sen. Sue Malek. Barry L. Dutton, Missoula "Rep" stands for reprehensible, as in U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke. I'm writing from Whatcom County, Washington, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied the permits for the Gateway Pacific (coal) Terminal on the basis of the Lummi Nation's treaty rights. At least once Zinke invaded our county without extending the professional courtesy of informing our local representative. His intrusion into our affairs was arrogant, futile and inexcusable. Zinke demanded that Congress investigate the much-decorated Col. John Buck of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, interfering with Buck's duties. Now I hear he is in the pockets of the public land privatizers who want to lock us out of our heritage of access to federal land we own as citizens. He wouldn't get away with that corrupt betrayal in Washington state. I'll be watching to see how much Montanans can take of Zinke's mis-representation. Mike Sennett, Bellingham, Washington HELENA The Montana Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a petition seeking to declare a ballot initiative seeking $200 million in state bonds for medical research unconstitutional and to block it from November's ballot. The Supreme Court, in a 5-0 decision, said state law does not allow the high court to bypass lower courts in a legal challenge to a ballot initiative's constitutionality. The only instances in which the Supreme Court may exercise such original jurisdiction over initiatives is when there is a challenge either to the proposed language on the ballot or to the attorney general's legal review of the measure. "Even were there authority to exercise original jurisdiction here, this court is not eager to rush consideration of constitutional questions of public importance in a hasty pre-election review of an idea that is not, and might never become, a law," Justice Beth Baker wrote in the court's opinion. The initiative would create a Montana Biomedical Research Authority that could request up to $20 million a year for 10 years through state general-obligation bonds. The money would go into a fund to provide grants for brain research. "Through their vote on the initiative, the people of Montana will affirm that promoting and developing therapies and cures for brain diseases and injuries, mental illness and other chronic diseases is a vital public purpose," Ben Kappelman, an attorney for initiative sponsor Montanans for Research and Cures, said in a statement to the court. Three labor unions, a taxpayers' group and three state legislators had asked the high court to rule Initiative 181 unconstitutional. The plaintiffs say the measure violates the state constitution's provision barring state appropriations made to private groups that are not under the control of the state. The plaintiffs also say the law requires investments of public funds to be administered by the state Board of Investments, and the ballot initiative would give the research authority independent investment power. Further, the initiative allows private individuals to control and manage public funds outside the state treasury in violation of a constitutional requirement that the state Legislature ensure strict accountability of all money received and spent by the state, the plaintiffs claim. In response, the initiative sponsors said there would be legislative oversight of the funds, because lawmakers would have to appropriate the bond proceeds to the research authority. The head of the Montana AFL-CIO, which is the lead plaintiff in the case, said the Supreme Court ruling was expected. If voters pass the initiative, however, the labor union will challenge it again in court, said Executive Secretary Al Ekblad. "We believed, and still are confident, that this initiative is structurally unconstitutional and sets a bad precedent that would allow deep-pocketed special interests to determine Montana's budget policy through the initiative process," Ekblad said in a statement. POLSON The whitecaps waving on Flathead Lake averaged out to a perfect summer water level on Thursday, but the ups and downs of Montanas largest natural lake remain a concern for thousands of property owners around its shores. Everybodys happy with the way things are going, but we want to make sure, Polson Mayor Heather Knutson said after an informal meeting with managers of the hydroelectric dam that governs the water elevation. What drove this meeting was last year, when we had a drought. For much of 2015s summer, Flathead Lake was at 2,892.2 feet. The lake should stay between 2,892.7 and 2,893 feet from June 15 to September 15. Six inches doesnt sound like a lot, but even then I get calls, said Wayne Schile, a lakefront property owner and retired publisher of the Billings Gazette. They say, I cant get my Skidoo off the lift.' My first suggestion is to lower your lift. If it had stayed more than a foot below full pool all summer, these folks would have had 100 calls a day. On Thursday, the lake sat one one-hundredth of an inch below full pool give or take a whitecap. Nevertheless, the desire of Flathead Lake summer visitors to have their expected lake level has been a community issue since 2001, when Schile helped form a group of property owners to keep tabs on the water flows. While Flathead is a natural water body, its depth is artificially increased 10 feet by Selis Ksanka Ql'ispe Dam just downstream of Polson. Formerly known as Kerr Dam, the hydroelectric facility was purchased by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes last September from NorthWestern Energy. Its now managed by a tribal corporation called Energy Keepers Inc. Energy Keepers CEO Brian Lipscomb told the group that tribal management of the hydroelectric dam at the foot of Flathead Lake remains committed to keeping the water good for recreation. But boating and beach play are only a few of the responsibilities water managers juggle in a system that extends from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean. For example, Hungry Horse Dam upstream on the Flathead River has federal requirements to provide water to help Columbia River salmon migrate upstream through Oregon and Washington. Water released from its reservoir must pass through Flathead Lake and on to the west it cant be borrowed or banked above Selis Ksanka Ql'ispe Dam. The tribes also manage the dam to produce hydroelectric power for sale on the regional utility grid, to provide jobs on the Flathead Indian Reservation and to manage the ecological resources along the Flathead River as it runs south from the lake. Lipscomb added that his staff has also performed some major upgrades to the dams generators and monitoring systems in the past several months without affecting the lakes refilling schedule. What no one can control is how much snow and rain will come every year. Last years drought conditions caused problems up and down the Columbia River drainage, as Hungry Horse Dam had to release twice as much summer water as usual to support lower river flows. This year, a highly unusual snowpack sent three massive pulses of meltwater down from the upper Flathead river branches into the lake, raising it two feet higher than normal by Memorial Day. Without some careful adjusting of flows, that spring runoff might have surged through the lake and then left it under-filled when the meltwater abruptly stopped in June. Schile said he wanted to work with Montanas congressional delegation on changing the rules for how water can be released from Hungry Horse. Allowing Flathead Lake to bank some of the upper reservoirs water could allow the lake to stay at full pool into the spring and fall extending the recreation season. An extra 15 feet of water from Hungry Horse would fill Flathead Lake, but at this point, we dont have that option, Schile said. Well work with Congress about that. But I think the tribes did an excellent job. BILLINGS - Just this week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the Missoula County Attorney's Office was in full compliance with an agreement seeking to improve the way prosecutors handle sexual assault cases. But at least four women in Billings Thursday highlighted how little education there is in Montana communities regarding domestic violence, rape and stalking. The women, and others, spoke during the Billings Crime Victims Forum, the fourth forum organized by the Montana Attorney Generals office since April. Attorney General Tim Fox, along with local law enforcement leaders and the Yellowstone County Attorney, came to the Billings Public Library to hear the experiences of victims. Those who spoke, however, considered themselves not victims, but survivors. Jennifer Dodson was raped at a bar in Missoula by a friend 13 years ago. She was taken to a hospital for a sexual assault exam. The machines meant to capture the internal damage done to her during the brutal assault werent working, so very little evidence was gathered. Dodson never got justice. Missoula Police Detectives declined to prosecute after finding out Dodson had drank that night. Dodson told a more recent story of a young girl she knew from Laurel who was sexually assaulted by her boyfriend. The girl kept her panties as proof, Dodson said. The Laurel police didnt take the girls underwear and no charges were ever filed. The extreme violence of domestic abuse and sexual assault, mostly against women, are crimes that are not well understood by both juries and the justice system, Fox said. Wendy Rogers spoke after Dodson. Rogers is waiting for her day in court after reporting her husband had raped her throughout their marriage in addition to psychologically abusing her. Rogers' ex-husband shares custody of their daughter. Sometimes her daughter will repeat threats Rogers' ex-husband has made. 'Mommy is evil and Daddy is going to bury her, Rogers said, quoting her 4-year-old. Rogers said prosecutors told her it is too hard to prove mental abuse and too hard to prove partner family member rape. The use of prosecutorial discretion was cited by several victims as why they never had their day in court. Fox's office declined to prosecute Columbus Police Sgt. Paul Caraway in 2015. Caraway was accused of exposing himself to a police dispatcher in a government building. In a letter to the Columbus Police chief, Assistant Attorney General Brant Light said he believed it was possible the "alleged act of sexual assault did in fact take place, but he did not believe he could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, citing questions about the womans character. During the investigation, it was revealed Caraway had also allegedly groped another law enforcement employee in the past, and two other civilian women had also filed complaints. Fox said to The Gazette he was unfamiliar with the case and declined to comment. Fox acknowledged the justice system can do more for victims of sexual assault. Foxs office has taken steps to further the prosecution of sexual assault cases. He created a task force to examine untested rape kits collected across Montana and Indian Country. He advocated the changes made to Montana statutes acknowledging women sex workers can be more victim than criminal. In the next legislative session Fox said he wants to work on changing the definitions of consent and incapacitation to better reflect what is actually happening in our communities. Fox also shared a personal story at the forum. He said a member of his family brought her friend to the hospital for a rape exam. Because of that, the girl was ostracized by her friends and blamed for getting the perpetrator into trouble. She had to leave the place where she was living because of how she was tormented by her peers, Fox said. Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said after the forum that the difficult nature of sexual assault, domestic abuse and stalking cases comes down to educating juries. Twito said his office pushed for legislation to make strangulation an aggravated assault, but it didn't change the way juries view a domestic violence case when it comes before them. We need to educate them on the realities of these crimes, Twito said. There is no expert witness who is going to say that was the person who put their hand around that persons throat. Stalking cases are even more difficult. Yellowstone County pushed for the stalking statute in the early 90s. However, fewer than 10 stalking cases were prosecuted in Yellowstone County in the past 10 years. When stalking victims continue to have contact with the person they fear, it makes juries doubt the victims stories, Twito said. Juries dont take into account that victims often continue to communicate with stalkers or abusive spouses because they know if they dont, things could get worse. Weve got to change the preconceived ideas, Twito said. Its one thing for a prosecutor to understand these crimes, another to convince a jury. All who spoke during the forum were able to meet with one of the members of the justice system in the room. One man who had spoken to a Division of Criminal Investigation agent in the past said the agent had looked into a complaint that the mans brother had sexually abused him as a child. No charges were filed. The man no longer seeks his brothers arrest, he just worries for his brothers children, he said. DCI Bureau Chief John Strandell spoke with the man after the forum. Fox spoke with Rogers, who said she had called his office three times seeking help with her case. The two sat together long after most others had left the room. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy When John and Anita Andre moved into their home on Judd Creek Hollow, they were certain that they had moved to the most beautiful place in the Bitterroot Valley. Their home was surrounded by 30 acres of Ponderosa pine forest that was home to elk, deer, turkeys and a variety of other wild things. When they built their home in 2002, it was with the expectation that this was an investment that would see them into their retirement years. One Sunday afternoon changed all of that. Anita Andre will never forget the fear she felt as the Roaring Lion fire rushed toward her house. My husband and I had been camping, she said Wednesday as she walked toward the charred remains of her garage. We followed a sheriffs car up the road and raced into our home to grab what we could. By the time they came back outside, the fire was literally racing down the mountain straight at them. It was like a blowtorch, Andre remembered. It sounded like a lions roar. I froze and my husband started yelling: Jump in the car. Jump in the car. Lets get out of here. Andre said shes been through many harrowing experiences in her life. She and her husband were outfitters in Saskatchewan and they have had numerous close calls, but nothing compared to this. The two of us had nightmares all week long after it was over, she said. Only seven of the 18 homes on Judd Creek Hollow were left standing following the fire. Andre believes their home survived because of the patch of green grass that her husband had carefully cultivated, and the thinning they had done to their forested lands. I think the thinning had a huge impact, she said. Most of the homes that survived also had some grass around them. The Andres lost their garage to a fire that burned so hot that a fireproof safe completely disappeared. The once honey-colored cedar siding on the outside of their home is now several shades darker due to the smoke. The smell of smoke is so strong inside that Andre believes it will Thanksgiving or maybe Christmas before they can move home. And thats not their only worry. On their forested lands, trees with burned-out roots are toppling in the wind. We have trees that are just falling down, Andre said. Weve been told that if the trees still have 25 percent of their crown, theres a possibility that they will live. We figure that weve lost 608. Right now, were just trying to regroup, she said. This was our investment for what was going to happen next in our lives. Weve lost some of the value of our property. We are hoping to get as much salvaged as quickly as possible. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Hamilton Unit Forest Thayer Jacques is helping landowners assess their losses on their forested lands. Im only at my second place so far, but from what Ive seen, its mainly salvage, Jacques said. Im seeing a little green on trees that might be enough to survive. Some people are better off than others, but so far there is definitely more salvage than survival. This was a pretty hot fire in here. It was devastating. Landowners who have been affected by the fire wont have a lot of time to decide which trees stay and which ones will have to be removed if they hope to preserve any the value that remains in the timber. Pine tends to rot faster, Jacques said. They need to get it before next summer. Once the wind starts to blow, there are going some trees that break off. In terms of preserving those values, landowner will want to get that salvage work done quickly. If landowners are able to get the burned trees harvested soon, Jacques said most should at least be able to break even on the costs of having them removed. Local logger Shawn Stoker has been helping landowners along Judd Creek Hollow thin their properties since 2005. Part of me is suffering a big loss, too, Stoker said. Ive been over every square inch in this area over and over doing pruning and cleanup. Ive made all kinds of relationships along the way. In the places where landowners allowed him to create a 10-foot spacing between the crown of the trees, Stoker said there were quite a few trees that survived the firestorm. On places where people wanted me to leave it a little tighter for views and sound, it was just annihilation, he said. A lot of these people were very private. They enjoyed the closeness of their trees. For years, Ive struggled to get people to let me lose a few more close to their homes. A fire here is not an if. Its when and how bad. After the fire went through, Stoker found places where brush piles he had built a few days before survived because the fire had dropped from the trees' crown to the ground and was creeping along the forest floor. But those private lands closer to the national forest boundary where there had been no thinning were devastated. They didnt have a chance, he said. The wind was coming right out of the canyon. It was the perfect storm for that area that I had hoped wouldnt come this soon. Stoker has already heard from 22 landowners interested in cleanup. Its important to let people get settled before we jump back in there, he said. I know how it feels to suffer loss. People need a chance to grieve and a chance to get stabilized. The Andres were initially told their home was one that hadnt survived the fire. On the day that officials allowed homeowners access to their properties, they drove past the smoldering ruins of their neighbors homes to the entrance of their lane. There was so much smoke, Andre said. We couldnt see our home as we drove down the lane. As we pulled into the driveway, it was like someone pushed the smoke off to either side and we saw it was still there. After quickly gathering some family heirlooms, the family drove away. On our way out, we saw this 4-by-5 whitetail buck standing where a house used to be, she said. We saw that it had come back. It made us feel like we could do the same. God gave us this chance to come back and do this. She looked out across the charred remains of her garage to the blackened forest that goes as far as the eye can see and slowly shook her head. Well see, she said. Well see. Copyright 2022 HT Digital Streams Ltd All Right Reserved A 26-year-old man suffering from drug addiction received a three-year suspended sentence to the Montana Department of Corrections in Butte district court Thursday. Judge Kurt Krueger cautioned Michael Wade Richotte of Butte to take the opportunity for treatment seriously. If I see you again, youre going to prison, he said. In a plea agreement with Butte-Silver Bow County prosecutors, Richotte pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal possession of methamphetamine. A suspended sentence was recommended along with chemical dependency treatment at a facility in Yakima, Washington. Both prosecution and defense waived a presentence investigation, which Krueger questioned until a state probation and parole officer said it was possible to transfer Richottes probation to Washington, where his father and family members reside. Defense attorney Mathew Johnson said drugs were a major issue for his client. He presented seven letters of support for Richotte. What this relies on is my client wanting to change. With family support, I believe this could be a successful story, Johnson said. Krueger queried the defendant about his history. A former iron worker, he said that he was sentenced for felony attempted burglary in Lewis and Clark County. After flunking boot camp, he served eight months at the Montana State Prison. In July 2015, Richotte was found with marijuana and a container of white crystals that tested for meth during a search of a Butte residence by police and a probation officer, according to an affidavit. A black case with assorted drug paraphernalia was also found. Richottes father cried as Krueger issued his sentence. A credit of 99 days served in the county jail was granted. Prosecutor Kelli Fivey dismissed misdemeanor charges of criminal possession of pot and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. DEER LODGE The Montana Academy of Living History will be offering free classes Thursday, Aug. 25, at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site on the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. The following classes are scheduled throughout the day: 10 a.m. to noon Herding with Dogs (Sharon Edsel). Watch herding dogs work livestock and learn some tricks of the trade. Noon to 1:30 p.m. History of Montana Brands (Zoe Ann Stoltz, Montana Historical Society). Learn the history of Montana brands, the futility in asking which was first, and the treasure trove of information documented by the Montana Livestock Brand Records. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Candle Making and Butter Churning (Jari Thymian and Bethany Szczepanski). Learn the historical art of candle making using both tallow and wax. Discover many fun facts about butter and the many different historical methods of churning it, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Cemetery Walk (Ruth Little and Bob Thomas). Explore the lives of the many colorful characters interred at the Deer Lodge Cemetery, many of whom were associated with what is now Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Live music, hot dogs, and birthday cake. John and Ed Kemmick will perform songs of the legendary Jimmie Rodgers, interspersed with tales of his life and influence. Details: 406-846-2070. Purse auction Oct. 1 at Montana Tech Women of Montana Tech will host Purse Strings, a purse auction and champagne brunch, Saturday, Oct. 1, at Montana Techs HPER Complex. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.; auction begins at 10:15. Tickets are $25 each or $10 for students. Tickets are $30 the day of the event. Proceeds will benefit Safe Space of Butte. For more details or to make your reservation, call 406-496-4720 or email at kdellen@mtech.edu. A jury trial has been set for three people charged in a new flare up over a land easement fight in Small Horse Canyon, south of Dillon. Cheryl Hren, Renee Klakken, and Jeffrey Nelson will go to trial at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, in Dillons justice court. The three pleaded not guilty in June to misdemeanor theft and other charges over a metal gate that was paid for by the Meine family. According to the complaint, Hren, Klakken and Nelsen took a metal gate the Meine family owned in late May. Nelson allegedly shoved the metal gate toward Jerry Meine and made contact with Meine. The complaint also states that Nelsen raised a fist as if to strike Meine. Hren and Klakken were charged with theft and criminal mischief. In addition to those two charges, Nelson was charged with assault. The easement battle began in 2007 when the Meine family broke a lock on a gate the Hrens put up over a road running through the canyon. The Meine family believed they had the right to continue to use the road under contention because they had used it for decades. The Montana Supreme Court settled the issue in February 2015 when it sided with the Meine family. A call to Anaconda attorney Michael Grayson, who represents the three charged, was not returned Friday. The worlds largest corporate power grab, also known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is just waiting for Congress to sign it and say, Yes, take away Congress authority. This deal gives an incredible amount of power to the largest corporations in the world over national governments. Yes, that includes the U.S. government. No individual American has the resources or right to ensure his or her economic and political interests are safeguarded within this vast global corporate structure. The clearly desired result of the TPP is to give more power to those with the most money. Indeed, they were the ones who negotiated it, and now they are spending billions to convince you its a good idea. Montanans are smarter than that. We can see beyond corporate profiteering, because we depend on our own communities for success. We care about the success of our local businesses. The TPP contains endless pages with rules for labor, environment, immigration and every other aspect of global commerce -- and a new international regulatory structure to spread, implement, and enforce these rules under the WTO. This new structure will meet, appoint unelected bureaucrats, adopt rules and change the agreement after adoption. If our Montana delegation wants to really represent Montanans, they will vote against this anti-American power giveaway to global corporations. But why havent Rep. Zinke or Sen. Daines come out against it? They did vote to take Congress ability to amend the deal; how much more are they willing to concede? -- Deborah Hanson, board member, Montana League of Rural Voters, Miles City Dear current and former MDC employees, Thank you for the outstanding service you have provided to Montana Developmental Center clients. Whether you live in Boulder, Basin, Helena, Butte, Whitehall or elsewhere, thank you for being an integral part of our Boulder community. Thank you for your outstanding work in taking such good care of people with disabilities. The Legislatures decision to close MDC has been very difficult for you and your families; you have responded admirably. Despite the uncertainties and the stress this closure has created in your personal lives, you have continued to place the clients first. You have been unjustifiably berated by those who have not walked in your shoes, but you have persevered putting quality service to MDC clients above politics and rhetoric. If we could compensate you for your time, your commitment, your dedication, your caring attitude and for your perseverance, you would all be millionaires. But, unfortunately we cannot. But, we can sincerely say thank you, thank you, and thank you. We are proud that you are members of our Boulder area community. We hope that you will find a way to stay here. Our community is working hard to encourage other employment opportunities in the Boulder area. Please let me know if you have suggestions for how the Boulder Transition Advisory Council (BTAC) can be helpful to you and your family. With gratitude, -- Drew Dawson, chair of the Boulder Transition Advisory Committee; Gary Craft, Boulder mayor; Bob Mullen, chair of the Jefferson County Commissioners; and Sarah Layng, president of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9:00 A.M. with Howard, Kelly, Sorensen, Sauer and Bonebrake present. Chairperson Sorensen presiding. On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the agenda was approved as presented. Ayes: All. A Public Hearing was called to order by Chairperson Sorensen at 9:01 A.M. on proposed revisions to Title III - Property/Land Use and Development, Chapter II - Zoning Ordinance to add commercial wind energy conversion systems as a permitted special use in A-1 Agricultural District, I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial Districts. Planning and Zoning Adminisrator Eric Furnas discussed the proposed ordinance. No one spoke against the proposed ordinance. On a motion by Kelly, second by Bonebrake, the public hearing was closed at 9:03 A.M. Roll call vote: Ayes: All. On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, an ordinance was approved revising the Title III - Property/Land Use and Development, Chapter II - Zoning Ordinance to add commercial wind energy conversion systems as a permitted special use in A-1 Agricultural District, I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial Districts on the first of three readings. Roll call vote: Ayes: All. A Public Hearing was called to order by Chairperson Sorensen at 9:04 A.M. on proposed revisions to Title III - Property/Land Use and Development, Chapter IV - Flood Plain Management Ordinance. Planning and Zoning Adminisrator Eric Furnas discussed the proposed ordinance stating the Department of Natural Resources requested a few small changes clarifying minor projects and adopting the new flood plain maps. No one spoke against the proposed ordinance. On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the public hearing was closed at 9:07 A.M. Roll call vote: Ayes: All. On a motion by Howard, second by Bonebrake, an ordinance was approved revising the Title III - Property/Land Use and Development, Chapter IV - Flood Plain Ordinance on the first of three readings. Roll call vote: Ayes: All. A Public Hearing was called to order by Chairperson Sorensen at 9:08 A.M. on the proposed sale of County-owned property located at 3500 Harmony Court. Sorensen stated this is the former 15-bed facility off Houser Street which the County has not used for at least 10 years. Sorensen stated the facility has been rented by an independent for profit organization, but the County has decided to no longer be in the landlord business and offered the property for sale. Sorensen stated the County entertained offers and had a successful negotiation to sell the property with an adjacent lot for $263,000. No one spoke against the proposed sale. On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the public hearing was closed at 9:10 A.M. Roll call vote: Ayes: All. On a motion by Bonebrake, second by Sauer, the Board approved Resolution #08-08-16-01 Authorizing the Sale of County-Owned Property in the amount of $263,000. Roll call vote: Ayes: All. On a motion by Sauer, second by Bonebrake, the Board approved Ordinance #08-08-16-01 Adopting a Commercial Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance on the third and final reading. Roll call vote: Ayes: All. The Board reviewed a variance denied by the Muscatine County Board of Adjustment on Friday, August 5, 2016. Case #16-08-01 is an application filed by Chad D. Eichelberger, Record Owner. This property is located in Lake Township, South of 205th Street, in the SE of Sec. 28-T77N-R3W, 1878 205th Street, containing approximately 43.34 acres, and is zoned A-1 Agricultural District. This request, if approved, would allow the Zoning Administrator to issue a Variance in order for Mr. Eichelberger to continue his trucking business, Thompson Trucking, at this location. The Board of Adjustment denied the variance because Mr. Eichelberger or his representative was not in attendance to plead their case. Zoning Administrator Eric Furnas stated the applicant must wait six months to reapply after a denied request. The Board reviewed Special Use Permits granted/denied by the Muscatine County Board of Adjustment on Friday, August 5, 2016. Case #16-08-02 is an application filed by Mildred M. Hora, Record Owner. This property is located in Orono Township, West of Blue Heron Avenue, Part of Parcel A, in the NW of Sec. 5-T76N-R4W, containing approximately 2.42 acres, and is zoned A-1 Agricultural District. This request, if approved, would allow the Zoning Administrator to issue a Special Use Permit in order for Jimmy Hora and his family to place a rural residence (modular/manufactured home) on this property. The Board of Adjustment approved this request. Case #16-08-03 is an application filed by Richard T. or Susan K. Jones, Record Owners and Cynthia Johnson, Applicant. This property is located in Pike Township, at the corner of Hwy 22 and Iron City Avenue, in the NE of Sec. 20-T77N-R3W, containing approximately 4.16 acres, and is zoned A-1 Agricultural District. This request, if approved, would allow the Zoning Administrator to issue a Special Use Permit in order for Ms. Johnson to place an RV camper on the property for use as a Seasonal Recreational Cottage. The Board of Adjustment denied this request because the Record Owners, the Applicant or their representative did not attend the meeting. Case #16-08-04 is an application filed by Dennis P. or Susan K. Boorn, Record Owners. This property is located in Moscow Township, in the NE of Sec. 9-T78N-R2W, at the end of E. Hinkeyville Drive, containing approximately 45 acres, and is zoned A-1 Agricultural District. This request, if approved, would allow the Zoning Administrator to issue a Special Use Permit in order to build a year round residence on this property. The Board of Adjustment denied this request because this area is located in a flood plain, borders a private dirt road and is not a good location for a year round dwelling. On a motion by Kelly, second by Bonebrake, a public hearing was set for Monday, August 29, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. on a request from Gary M. or Agnes M. Johnson to rezone approximately 21.90 acres located in Sweetland Township from A-1 Agricultural District to R-1 Residential District. Ayes: All. On a motion by Bonebrake, second by Sauer, the Board approved contracts, bond and certificate of insurance from Manatt's totaling $266,256.94 for L-(M16-2)-73-70, Seal Coat projects on Bayfield Road, Box Car Road, Burlington Road and Funks Hill Road. Ayes: All. On a motion by Howard, second by Bonebrake, the Board approved the following utility permit: Eastern Iowa Light and Power - installing new poles along 230th Street from Blue Heron Avenue to Hwy 70 and then west on 231st Street west of Hwy 70. Ayes: All. On a motion by Kelly, second by Bonebrake, the Board approved the following utility permits: CenturyLink - boring across 231st Street and setting equipment in the right-of-way between Jasper Avenue and High Prairie Road; CenturyLink - placing fiber optic cable and equipment in the right-of-way of Wiggens Road between Stewart Road and Ogilvie Avenue; CenturyLink - placing fiber optic cable in the right-of-way of Seven Springs Road from 215th Street to 231st Street; CenturyLink - placing fiber optic cable and equipment in the right-of-way of Sweetland Road between New Era Road and 180th Street; CenturyLink - placing fiber optic cable and equipment in the right-of-way of 150th Street; CenturyLink - boring across New Era Road; CenturyLink - placing fiber optic cable and equipment in the right-of-way of Sweetland Road between 180th Street and 170th Street; CenturyLink - placing fiber optic cable and equipment in the right-of-way of Burlington Road between Melon Avenue and 285th Street; and CenturyLink - placing fiber optic cable in the right-of-way of 150th Street from Pleasant Prairie Road to Vine Avenue. Ayes: All. County Engineer Keith White updated the Board on secondary road projects. On a motion by Sauer, second by Kelly, the Board approved the Muscatine County Treasurer's Semi-Annual Report for the period of January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016 for publication. Ayes: All. On a motion by Howard, second by Sauer, the Board approved a renewal application for a Class C Beer and Sunday Sales Permit for Casey's Marketing Co. dba Casey's General Store #2472, 1334 Hwy 22, Nichols, Iowa. Ayes: All. On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, minutes of the August 1, 2016 regular meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All. Correspondence: Howard reported a contact requesting the closure of Funks Hill Road. Howard reported contacts expressing concern that taxes are too high. Howard reported contacts regarding potential historic properties. Committee Reports: Kelly attended a Muscatine Health Association meeting August 3rd. Kelly, Sorensen and Sauer attended a Farm Bureau Elected Officials Dinner August 4th. County Engineer Keith White stated he has had discussions with Louisa Generating Station regarding their request for a permit to construct an entrance and haul road on Ogilvie Road just north of the County Line and railroad to enable them to complete multiple projects. White stated they have had good discussions and he is confident they have come to a fair resolution that protects the County's road. On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Chairperson was authorized to sign an engineering and consulting services agreement for the Community Services Parking Lot Project with Lutz Engineering and Consulting PLC in an amount not to exceed $14,500.00. Ayes: All. The Board reviewed the health/dental fund balance as of June 30, 2016. The meeting was adjourned at 9:48 A.M. ATTEST: Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson Board of Supervisors MUSCATINE, Iowa A presentation at the Muscatine City Council meeting Thursday night included a request for direction regarding the Mississippi Drive Corridor Project. Engineers from Bolton & Menk, the company currently working to design the corridor, were seeking direction from the council on the Carver Corner and Second and Mulberry Streets intersections. Joe Spradling, a project engineer with Bolton & Menk, and Muscatine City Planner Andrew Fangman said a three-leg roundabout was the option they would recommend. The engineers will come back to the council in two weeks to provide more information to the council regarding the studies previously done and information from past public meetings. I want to hear more, Councilman Santos Saucedo said. In previous public meetings, a three-leg roundabout has not been discussed. The option has been added to protect a building that could possibly be added to the national historic registry in the future. At the public input meeting June 21, Spradling asked residents if they would appreciate a roundabout at Carver Corner if it was feasible, and 81 percent of attendees said yes. Saucedo said he was concerned about making a decision because the public had not yet seen the three-leg roundabout, which would include what Spradling described as a frontage road. It would meet Mississippi Drive and drivers would need to turn right, as a median would separate them from the side of the road leading into downtown Muscatine. Harbaugh said the design was changed from a four-leg to three-leg roundabout to save a building that may be eligible for the National Historic Registry. In the last public meeting, engineers also discussed the possibility for back-in angle parking. A testing area for the back-in parking is available on Linn Street off of Mississippi Drive. It was new to the city and we wanted to have a place for the community to test it out, Harbaugh said. He added the test area would probably be more of a challenge then parking on Mississippi Drive as Linn Street is a steep slope. Its a good test for you to go out there, hear your constituents, and try it out for yourself, he said. The council also approved the final reading of an amendment changing the mayor's ability to nominate citizens for seats on boards and commissions to the city council. Councilman Tom Spread first made the request back in April for the city attorney to research changing the appointment authority for boards and commissions to the city council and the ability to appoint and remove the fire and police chiefs to the city administrator, subject to the approval of the city council. The mayor position previously held those appointment and removal powers, subject to the approval of the council. Mayor Diana Broderson said she plans to veto the amendment. In other business: The Morgan family donated 3.912 acres of land adjoining Kent-Stein Park along Roby Avenue to the city. Council approved a resolution accepting a Warranty Deed for property donation from the Morgan family. Council members Mike Rehwaldt and Santos Saucedo thanked the family for their donation during the meeting. A public hearing was held regarding the proposed approval of vacating utility easements at 3500 Diana Queen Drive. The owner plans to combine lots, and construct an elder group home. No public comment during the public hearing, and a resolution approving vacating the utility easements was approved with all ayes. Mayor Broderson read a proclamation declaring Sept 16, 2016, as Live United Day, in honor of United Way of Muscatine, which she said has been impacting lives in Muscatine for 62 years. A request from Public Works to purchase a vehicle and equipment package for Building and Grounds from Krieger Ford was approved. The low bid, $33,249, was lower than the $38,000 budgeted for the purchase. A public hearing has been set on the proposed vacating of utility easements for 3420 Clermont Drive. The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1. WASHINGTON The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers against telephone scammers targeting students and parents during the back-to-school season and demanding payments for non-existent taxes, such as the Federal Student Tax. People should be on the lookout for IRS impersonators calling students and demanding that they wire money immediately to pay a fake federal student tax. If the person does not comply, the scammer becomes aggressive and threatens to report the student to the police to be arrested. As schools around the nation prepare to re-open, it is important for taxpayers to be particularly aware of this scheme going after students and parents. Although variations of the IRS impersonation scam continue year-round, they tend to peak when scammers find prime opportunities to strike, said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. As students and parents enter the new school year, they should remain alert to bogus calls, including those demanding fake tax payments from students. The IRS encourages college and school communities to share this information so that students, parents and their families are aware of these scams. Scammers are constantly identifying new tactics to carry out their crimes in new and unsuspecting ways. This year, the IRS has seen scammers use a variety of schemes to fool taxpayers into paying money or giving up personal information. Some of these include: Altering the caller ID on incoming phone calls in a spoofing attempt to make it seem like the IRS, the local police or another agency is calling Imitating software providers to trick tax professionals--IR-2016-103 Demanding fake tax payments using iTunes gift cards--IR-2016-99 Soliciting W-2 information from payroll and human resources professionals--IR-2016-34 Verifying tax return information over the phone--IR-2016-40 Pretending to be from the tax preparation industry--IR-2016-28 If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here are some of the telltale signs to help protect yourself. The IRS Will Never: Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes. Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying. Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. If you get a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, heres what you should do: Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately. Search the web for telephone numbers scammers leave in your voicemail asking you to call back. Some of the phone numbers may be published online and linked to criminal activity. Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page or call 800-366-4484. Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the FTC Complaint Assistant on FTC.gov. Please add IRS Telephone Scam in the notes. If you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. MUSCATINE, Iowa Muscatine Mayor Diana Broderson will be partnering with Goodwill's Helms Career Center to hold a summer job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 26, at the Muscatine Center for Social Action (MCSA). Broderson said she was working on a project to bring a job fair to Muscatine this summer and discovered that Goodwill was also working on one. "So we teamed up," she said. Various local businesses will be on site at MCSA as well as Helms Career Center members to assist people with interview skills and job applications. "This is something that can create a conduit to match up people that are looking for work with people looking for workers," Broderson said. Searching for a job, Broderson said, can be a daunting task. "This way people can ask questions, learn about organization, and save time," she said. While working at the Muscatine Community YMCA as the family program services director, Broderson said she has talked to many families who are looking for work or for better jobs. "The elevated number of free and reduced lunches tells us that there are people that are working but not making ends meet," she said. Her hope is that the job fair will both help people find jobs and help those with jobs find better ones. URBANA, Ill. - With harvest around the corner, manure application follows, so its a good time to remember manure safety, says Rich Gates, professor and Extension specialist at the University of Illinois. Any liquid/slurry stores, when agitated, will release toxic hydrogen sulfide and methane gasses that can be lethal. This week, during agitation of a large manure storage tank in Wisconsin, a young farmer was killed from manure gas, along with 16 cows. Although this tragedy was truly an aberration, according to reports, says Gates, it is important to remember the key safety rules when agitating and emptying manure stores. These rules include taking steps to promote a ventilation, removing workers and if possible animals, from buildings or nearby downwind structures, and starting the agitation slowly and watching for any harmful effects. Never enter an enclosed manure store without appropriate precautions, and be mindful that you can be overcome with a single breath if concentrations are high. Gates notes that two fact sheets, Safe Manure Removal Policies and Manure Storage Entering Procedures are available free online from the National Pork Board and U of I Extensions ag safety website. He adds, Dont forget the importance of ensuring that new or inexperienced workers are also trained in safety. Hydrogen sulfide and methane gasses from liquid/slurry stores can be lethal. Remember key safety rules before agitating and emptying manure stores Make sure new or inexperienced workers are trained in safety A free online webinar entitled Manure Safety and Transport is being hosted by the Livestock and Poultry Environmental (LPE) Learning Center, 1:30 p.m. Friday. To access the webinar, go to www.extension.org/58813 to download the speaker notes and connect to the virtual meeting. LPE has instructions for first time webinar participants at www.extension.org/8924. Attendance is free, and the sessions are recorded and can be viewed later. MUSCATINE, Iowa Muscatine Search and Rescue pulled a boater away from Lock and Dam 16 on Thursday. Patrick Arluck Oclock 35, of Asbury, and his sailboat were drifting toward the lock and dam when an employee noticed the boat. The employee stated the boater was not responding to yelling. Around 5:20 p.m. Thursday, the employee called for aid and Muscatine Search and Rescue escorted the boat to the proper locks. The Muscatine and Rock Island County Sheriff's Offices was also on scene. Oclock was on his way to Missouri. MUSCATINE, Iowa The Muscatine Community School District has had to make some changes this year after the Board of Education voted unanimously to close Washington Elementary in March due to budget constraints and declining enrollment. Through allocation of staff, classroom expansion, and splitting districts as evenly as possible, Superintendent Jerry Riibe says the district is prepared for the school year to begin. In February and March, the district looked at current boundary lines and tried to re-draw them so the students would be at Jefferson, Franklin and McKinley elementary schools with just over two-thirds placed at McKinley and Jefferson. Franklin Elementary Jason Wester, principal of Franklin Elementary School, said the changes made to accommodate an influx of students from Washington Elementary as well as from Wilton, Tipton and other areas within the district have been largely structural. School district facilities turned one classroom at Franklin into two classrooms by creating a wall and removed a wall between another two classrooms to create a larger room. Wester said Jeff Miller, director of facilities for the district, and Riibe have worked hard to make sure the teachers and students continue to have the space they need to stay focused on learning and not worry about whether or not rooms are overcrowded. The district has been great about that, he said. Jeff Miller and Dr. Riibe have made it a priority to provide the internal structural supports to make sure that students have everything they need to be successful. The wooden playground that used to sit at Franklin Elementary was removed for safety reasons, but the school will not be without a playground for the upcoming year. Equipment from the Washington playground has been moved to Franklin with new anchors and supports to ensure safety. Wester said that Riibe and Miller did some research and discovered that even one year without a playground is difficult for a school This is kind of a community hub down here. There are families that are here from the time school gets out until it gets dark, Wester said. Playground equipment from Washington was completed at Franklin Tuesday and Wester said it is already in use. They took down the construction fence around 1:15 p.m., and by 1:30 p.m. there were kids on the playground. When I left for the day there were about eight different kids and families playing on it, he said. Wester added that other equipment from Washington has been moved to the buildings that will now serve Washington students. So theres not a lot of waste, he said. Everythings being repurposed or re-tasked. After the school board voted to close Washington Elementary, Riibe promised everything would be done to ensure that students needs were going to be met. And that we focus as a district on whats best for kids, Wester said. Which might not be whats convenient for adults. Franklin will take in around 40 new students which will bring the school up to around 320 from the 279 students that attended the school last year. We wanted to be as accommodating as possible within the boundary constraints to allow families to be close to their home school, Wester said. McKinley Elementary Many of the students will be attending McKinley Elementary this year. McKinleys Principal Joelle McConnaha said the staff has worked together to make the transition as smooth as possible. Weve been adjusting great, she said. McKinley will expect around 423 students, up almost 100 from the 330 who attended the school last year. The school has also shifted the preschool class that was once housed in the building to Grant Elementary School. We all met together, looked at a google map, and drew boundaries. We looked at who was closer to where, but we were also looking at numbers, McConnaha said. McConnaha said not all families will attend school based on the boundaries and some parents always transfer their students. Students from Washington Elementary, however, were the first priority. Dr. Riibe has worked hard to ensure that, she said. While the teachers lounge was moved to a different room, McConnaha said the changes have not been too major. Shuffling students and teachers into different rooms was the biggest change made inside the school. Parents, however, may also see a change when they pick their students up from school. Due to the rise in the number of students, McConnaha said for traffic safety and safety for the students, third through fifth grade students will exit the school on Americana and Devitt Streets, with kindergarten through second grade students exiting on Kindler Avenue where all students exited the building in the past. Grant Elementary Jaime Caffery, principal at Grant Elementary, said taking over the preschool program that was previously located at McKinley gave the school an important opportunity. It gave us an opportunity to look at the preschool program overall, she said. The school will welcome about 34 new students. After taking out a wall to provide more classroom space, the students and staff are looking forward to the new preschool classes. It has been a wonderful thing, Caffery said. I know the teachers are excited to be housed under the same roof. It will make it easier for planning, collaboration and supporting one another. And our older kiddos take pride in their leadership so theyre looking forward to having new kids. Were thrilled to have our programs near capacity and to get the kiddos in to learn early on and be more social, Caffery said. Moving forward Superintendent Riibe said the school district is ready for the school year to begin, in part because of the various principals working together. They knew why we were doing what we were doing, and we tried to keep information out there for teachers. Weve had a lot of changes as we try to adjust to reduced revenues and try to keep up the same level of service, he said. Riibe said the sale of Garfield Elementary, closure of Washington Elementary, and movement of East Campus to Muscatine Community College will allow the district to serve its students well. It takes a lot off of our financial plate so we can take care of our other buildings. I try and project down the road about 10 years and I think we have the facilities we need and can take care of them, he said. From adding class sections at McKinley to transferring playground equipment to Franklin, Riibe said district staff has worked well together to ensure a smooth transition. Looking back, Im impressed with how flexible and innovative our Principals have been in solving problems. Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life! Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi [] Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes [] Advertise Here Be seen advertise here. Contact us. WASHINGTON Donald Trump's newest campaign ad begins with a warning: "In Hillary Clinton's America, the system stays rigged against Americans." The commercial, which aired Friday as part of his $5 million swing state ad buy, harkens back to a claim Trump has been hammering for weeks that the general election is rigged against him. The questionable claim looks to mobilize Republicans, with the all-important start of early voting in some states just weeks away. The presidential nominee has voiced strong support for North Carolina's stringent voter ID law struck down as discriminatory, but to be appealed saying without it, voters will cast ballots "15 times" for Democrat Hillary Clinton. He also launched a new effort on his website last week seeking volunteers to root out fraud at the polls. Some things to know about voting fraud: What are voter ID laws? That ID law Trump referred to had involved a broader package of restrictions among them, reducing early in-person voting, which is popular among blacks in particular. At the same time, it exempted tough photo ID requirements for early mail-in voters, who were more likely to be white and Republican. In all, 17 states were set to have restrictions for the first time in a presidential election, pending final appeals, such as voter ID or cuts to voter registration or early in-person voting. Among them: the battlegrounds of North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Wisconsin and Georgia. Florida and Iowa had restrictions in place since 2012. The potential impact is significant: Barack Obama's strength among early voters in 2012 helped him capture Florida and Iowa despite losing the election-day vote in those states, according to voting data compiled by The Associated Press. He narrowly lost North Carolina by 92,000 votes; in 2008, Obama had won all three states plus Colorado, thanks to early voters. Is voting fraud a problem? Not the type that Trump is referring to. While fraud can occur, the number of cases is very small and the type that voter IDs are designed to prevent voter impersonation at the ballot box is virtually non-existent. News21, a reporting project affiliated with Arizona State University, in 2012 found 2,068 cases of election fraud nationwide since 2000. Of those, just 10 involved voter impersonation or one out of every 15 million prospective voters. More common was absentee mail-in ballot fraud, with 491 cases. None affected the outcome of an election. Lorraine Minnite, a political science professor at Rutgers University-Camden, says voter impersonation fraud is rare because it's difficult to do on a large-enough scale to tip an election. "It's so irrational to even try just for one or two more votes," said Minnite, author of "The Myth of Voter Fraud." In court cases that temporarily invalidated some of the ID laws, including North Carolina, Wisconsin and North Dakota, election officials could barely cite a case in which a person was charged with in-person voting fraud. But Trump continued his warnings, calling last week for "election observers" on his official website to "stop Crooked Hillary from rigging this election." Volunteers who sign up are directed to a donation page. A new Pew Research Center report released Friday found that 38 percent of registered voters who support Trump are very confident their vote will be accurately counted. This view stands in contrast to the 2004 and 2008 elections, when substantial majorities of voters who backed Republicans George W. Bush and John McCain expressed confidence in the count of their votes. The survey found that 67 percent of Clinton supporters have a high degree of confidence that their vote will be counted accurately. What can we expect with early voting? North Carolina is the first to kick off early voting on Sept. 9, when its residents may request and submit mail-in absentee ballots through election day for any reason. It will be followed by Georgia, Wisconsin, Virginia and Iowa. A total of 37 states also offer in-person early voting, typically in mid to late October. Over the years, mail-in early voters usually have been older, better educated and more likely white, while in-person early voters were often young people and black Americans, according to University of Florida professor Michael McDonald, an expert in election statistics. As a result, early voting will likely be concentrated heavily among registered Republicans initially before turning in the Democrats' favor in late October to early November. Those initial numbers will offer clues as to the depth of Trump's support among his biggest partisans, who vote right away, McDonald said. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, a potential wild card is its voter ID law. An appeals court recently invalidated restrictions that cut in person early voting from 17 to 10 days, but the governor has vowed to appeal, creating uncertainty about the extent of early voting this fall. Voter mobilization is a key part of Clinton's strategy to winning North Carolina, as it was for Obama. Will rulings invalidating voter ID increase the democratic vote? Not necessarily. More likely, it will prevent a net loss of would-be Democratic voters the black Americans, young people and the poor, whom recent rulings said would be less able to vote if newly passed state voter ID laws remained. Based on rulings as they stand now, voters in North Carolina and North Dakota are ultimately unlikely to face new ID requirements, while those in Wisconsin and Texas will in some form. A number of factors can influence voter turnout, beyond ID laws, such as voter excitement for a candidate, as was seen in 2008 and 2012, when voters rushed to the polls to help elect the first-ever black president, said Richard Hasen, a law professor at the University of California at Irvine. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Spacewalking astronauts installed a new front door for visitors at the International Space Station on Friday, the crucial first step in welcoming commercial crew capsules as soon as next year. The two Americans, Jeffrey Williams and Kate Rubins, a Vintage High School graduate, hooked up the docking port their major objective in just a few hours. They were about to tackle some extra chores, but a problem cropped up with the right earpiece in Williams helmet and he had trouble hearing. Mission Control decided to play it safe and bring them inside about a half hour early. The spacewalk concluded at the six-hour mark. Were done for the day, Mission Control advised the crew. Williams assured flight controllers that his helmet was dry. The last NASA spacewalk in January was cut short because of a small water leak in one helmet. A much bigger leak, from the suits cooling system, almost led to a spacewalkers drowning in 2013. The stations new gateway arrived last month, packed in the trunk of a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule. Americans havent rocketed into orbit from their home turf since NASAs last shuttle flight in 2011. SpaceX and Boeing expect to resume human launches from Cape Canaveral in another year or two. But their crew capsules cant dock without this new-style parking spot, which replaces the now obsolete shuttle setup and is meant to be internationally compatible. Fridays success paved the way for these future spaceships. Thanks for your help in getting the front door on the space station, Mission Control radioed. SpaceX is shooting for a test flight of its souped-up Dragon with two astronauts as early as a year from now. Boeing is aiming for a two-person shakedown of its Starliner capsule in early 2018. Until then, Russia will keep providing all the rides at a hefty price for U.S. taxpayers. NASA started using private U.S. companies to carry out cargo shipments a few years back. Commercial crew launches will be an even bigger advance. This commercial handoff is freeing up NASA to focus on true outer-space exploration; the space agency is working to get astronauts to Mars in the 2030s. This is actually NASAs second new docking ring. The first was destroyed in a SpaceX launch accident last summer. NASA ultimately wants two of these 3 1/2-foot-by-5-foot-on-the-inside parking places at the lab. Another one cobbled together from spare parts should fly up in about a year. Flight controllers in Houston set the spacewalking stage earlier in the week, using a robot arm to move the docking port to within a few feet of its intended lock-down position the very spot where Atlantis undocked on July 19, 2011, to close out the shuttle era. An hour into Fridays spacewalk, the mechanical arm let go, and Williams and Rubins took over, connecting a slew of hooks and cables. The last of the 12 hooks were driven into place, firmly securing the port, as the 250-mile-high complex soared over the Indian Ocean. The space station is currently home to two Americans, one Japanese and three Russians. Up there for five months, Williams and two of the Russians will return to Earth in a couple weeks. Williams will conduct one more spacewalk with Rubins on Sept. 1 to retract a radiator. A newcomer to spacewalking, Rubins is only the 11th American woman to conduct a spacewalk and the 12th in the world. The first professional virus-hunter in space, she has been experimenting with a DNA decoder also delivered last month. SpaceXs crew Dragon ship will fly on the companys own Falcon rocket from a former shuttle launch pad at Kennedy Space Center and, at missions end, splash down off the Florida coast. Boeings Starliner, meanwhile, will launch aboard the United Launch Alliances trusty Atlas V rocket and parachute down somewhere in the American Southwest, possibly New Mexico. These test flights intended to go all the way to the space station and dock will last about two weeks. NASA will provide most if not all of the initial test pilots. One of four NASA astronauts training for these test flights, Robert Behnken noted last week that the space agency has come a long way since 2011, when he kept being asked, Hey, now that theyve retired the shuttle, is there still a NASA? A man was wounded and taken to the hospital after a drive-by shooting Thursday night, Napa Police reported. The 21-year-old victim was standing near the entrance to a mobile-home park in the 1300 block of Pueblo Avenue, according to Sgt. Amy Hunter. A dark-colored sedan heading west from Jefferson Street slowed as it approached the man before a male occupant fired a gun from a passenger-side window, Hunter reported. Witnesses heard at least four and possibly five shots before the car was last seen continuing west on Pueblo, she said. The victim, whose name was not immediately available, was driven in a private car to Queen of the Valley Medical Center and was treated for a single gunshot wound, Hunter said. The injury was not considered life-threatening. Investigators were still analyzing the crime scene and interviewing witnesses as of 2:45 a.m. Friday, Hunter reported. The vehicle was not familiar to the victim, and there was no indication he was involved in any illegal activity at the time of the shooting, according to Hunter. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact Napa Police Detective Dominic DeGuilio at 707-257-9509. Those using cellphones also can send anonymous tips to police by texting the word 707NPD and the tip information to the number 847411 (TIP411). Napa County and California have delivered the knockout blow to the European grapevine moth after a seven-year battle. The state Department of Food and Agriculture and United States Department of Agriculture on Thursday declared the vineyard-maiming pest eradicated. The quarantine covering the Napa Valley and other areas of the county is lifted. Its a tremendous accomplishment, Napa County Agricultural Commissioner Greg Clark said. Echoing him, California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross said in a press release its no easy feat to eradicate an invasive species. No moth has been found in California since June 25, 2014. The native of southern Italy was first detected in the United States in Napa County in 2009 and later in Fresno, Mendocino, Merced, Nevada, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, Solano and Sonoma counties. The moth larvae feed on the insides of grapes, hollowing them out and leaving excrement. Thats a nightmare image for world-famous Napa County wine country. That first Napa Valley find took place in Oakville in the heart of the valley. Video shows swarms of the tan-brown-and-black, quarter-inch-long moths in an 11-acre block of chardonnay. By all appearances, a person casually swatting the air would hit several. Steve Moulds of Moulds Family Vineyard who didnt have the moth at his Oak Knoll area property said Thursday that the pest was particularly noxious for the future of viticulture. Eradication initially looked like a hopeless dream. By 2010, the infestation reached a point that 100,000 moths were detected in Napa County in traps. But Napa Valley Grapegrowers CEO Jennifer Putnam said then-Agricultural Commissioner David Whitmer wanted to do more than simply try to live with the moth. We were very aggressive about protocol and were appropriately focused on eradication rather than management, Putnam said Thursday. As it turned out, the moth could be wiped out given time, effort, cooperation and such tools as insecticides and mating-disrupting synthetic pheromones. Clark said the Napa wine industry spent $49 million on the grapevine moth fight. The government spent $9.8 million in Napa, much of it federal money. A quarantine imposed in Napa County sought to stop the spread of the moth. Grape growers could still transport grapes, but had to take such steps as under-filling or tarping bins. It was a nominal additional expense and certainly some extra steps were involved, Moulds said. But certainly all of that is now well worth it in retrospect. One mystery remainshow the European grapevine moth came to Napa County and California in the first place. Clark pointed out the difficulties in figuring this out. Although the Oakville discovery site was the so-called ground zero, the moth might have been at other locations undetected before 2009, he said. The official end of the European grapevine moth threat had Clark smiling on Thursday. But he viewed the victory as part of an ongoing war. That hasnt changed the reality that this industry and other agricultural industries face persistent pest pressures from invasive species, Clark said. He had an example in his office. He pulled out a yellow sticky trap paper about 10 inches by 10 inches from Kern County plastered with dozens of dead glassy winged sharpshooters. The glassy winged sharpshooter spreads vine-killing Pierces disease. The Napa County website says a sharpshooters infestation would be difficult to eradicate, vine losses would be huge and jobs would be lost in the vineyard, winery and tourism industries. Moulds said the European grapevine moth eradication is a hard-fought victory that grape growers dont take for granted. Our job as well as our mission is eternal vigilance, Moulds said. The downtown Napa building that housed a funeral home for nearly a century will again become a place of rest but only for the night rather than for eternity. Where Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel once operated at 623 Coombs St., a 10-room bed-and-breakfast inn will host vacationers in what had been the funeral parlor. The boutique lodging, which won city Planning Commission support on Thursday, extends the decidedly this-worldly second life for the old mortuary, which began with Treadway & Wiggers departure last year and continued with a design studios opening at the former chapel space in late June. After developing construction plans over the next three to six weeks, the owners expect to take nine months to overhaul the funeral parlor for inn guests before opening in the summer of 2017, said Dion Rags Heffran, agent for Hefco Development. His daughter, Maurissa Heffran of Burlingame, purchased the property in 2015 for $3.5 million, months after Treadway & Wigger moved its parlor to south Napa. Guest rooms for the bed-and-breakfast will occupy the main building, and a small two-bedroom house next door at 1224 Fifth St. will become the inn managers quarters. Inn guests will share a 24-vehicle parking lot to the north with Tapestry Studios, Life by Design, which shares the Treadway & Wigger building. Commissioners praised the Heffrans for putting a historic downtown building to use and keeping its exterior largely intact, although details remain to be settled including what the owners must do should they sell the companion house in the future. Planners set a condition that if the home is sold off, destroyed by fire or otherwise left unusable, the inn must convert at least one guest room to accommodate its manager, who must live on the premises. Because the guest rooms will range from 244 to 345 square feet smaller even than many one-person efficiencies planners pondered allotting a B&B manager with two rooms if the house is no longer available, but eventually decided to let city staff decide the exact area. Im not comfortable with dictating how big a managers unit would be, said Gordon Huether, fearing such a move might make the B&B unprofitable. Asking them to whack off 20 percent of their units thats a big number for them. Also still unknown is the future of the white pedestal sign that has marked the mortuary since a major renovation in the early 1950s. City code now outlaws such unattached signs outside downtown buildings, but planning staff said they would see whether Maurissa Heffran might save the display as a part of the sites historic character. I thought that it was historical and that I had to keep it and I actually like the design, she said, though she also offered to move its panel onto the building if required to. Also Thursday, the commission freed the buildings existing tenant, Tapestry Studios, to begin retail sales to walk-in customers. The home architecture and design firm has operated a showroom for jewelry, sculpture, photography and lighting since moving its studio to Coombs Street from its previous home near the Napa Wal-Mart. Tapestry Studios was set to begin drop-in sales on Friday, owner Kelly Marquet-Bodio said after the meeting. Tapestry Studios and the future bed-and-breakfast occupy the site where, in 1916, the Wisconsin native D.C. Treadway moved an undertaking parlor he had opened 14 years earlier. In 1927, Napa native Henry Wigger joined the firm, then oversaw a 1951 expansion of the Coombs Street funeral home, which is on the citys historic buildings registry. In January 2015, Ted Wigger and other owners sold the business to the Vallejo funeral home businessman Buck Kamphausen, who moved it south to the Napa Valley Memorial Park on Highway 221. In response to recent reader letters about plastic-bag use at the Napa Farmers Market, the markets board of directors would like everyone to know that the market is in full compliance with city of Napa ordinances. That said, we share the writers concerns about environmental impact. For the past 1 1/2 years, we have sold reusable produce bags at the markets information booth at a price just above our cost. We are now going to take the additional step of displaying these bags at all of our farm stalls, and we hope consumers will opt to purchase and use them. VALLEJO -- Vallejo police are looking for two persons of interest in a fatal vehicle collision with a pedestrian last week. Matthew David Bennett, 47, of Richmond was killed around 11:10 p.m. Aug. 11 when he was struck by a 2002 Nissan Maxima in the 400 block of Sonoma Boulevard. Bennett was crossing Sonoma Boulevard south of Cherry Street outside a marked crosswalk when he was hit by the southbound Nissan. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police found the car abandoned more than a dozen blocks away on Aug. 12 and arrested the registered owner, a Richmond man who they believe was directly involved in the incident, Vallejo police Lt. Michael Nichelini said. The man has since been released. Police are searching for two other men they believe have information about the fatal collision. Police identified them as Taylor Warren Alexander Gallon, 21, and Dominic Terrell Smith, 25. Anyone with information about the men is asked to call Vallejo police Officer Jim Melville at (707) 648-4014. Two New York men were arrested Wednesday night after 108 pounds of marijuana was allegedly found in their rental car during a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 101, a Sonoma County sheriff's sergeant said. A sheriff's deputy saw a black Toyota Avalon traveling too closely to a vehicle in front of it on southbound Highway 101 in downtown Santa Rosa around 9 p.m., Sgt. Spencer Crum said. When the deputy stopped the car and contacted the driver, Stephen Molinero, 27, of Staten Island, New York, he smelled the odor of marijuana in the car, Crum said. Molinero and his passenger, Almir Ramic, 29, of Staten Island, New York, denied any knowledge of marijuana in the car, Crum said. The deputy's drug-sniffing canine Jags alerted to several duffle bags of processed marijuana that were double-wrapped, shrink sealed and disguised with air freshener, Crum said. The value of the marijuana in New York is about $5,000 a pound, and Molinero was carrying $2,000 in cash, Crum said. Both men were arrested and booked in the Sonoma County Jail for possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana for sale and conspiracy, but they were released on a $30,000 bail bond, Crum said. A total of 81,494 people were deprived of their positions as a result of the coup attempt in Turkey, Prime Minister Binali Yldrm told reporters. The PM informed that, at present, a total of 76,500 state employees have been isolated from their work plus 4,800 officials and about 3,000 military servicemen have been dismissed in Turkey. Ankara believes that Turkish Islamic theologian and preacher Fethullah Gulen, who resides in the US since 1999 and his Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO), are behind this coup attempt, and they have a large number of supporters in Turkey. In this connection, the Turkish authorities are conducting mass cleanings at various levels in the country. A group of military servicemen attempted a coup in Turkey, from late night on July 15 to early morning on July 16, but it failed. The main confrontations took place in capital city Ankara and in Istanbul. A total of 246 people died as a result of the clashes. Newspaper: Azerbaijan not inclined to sign anything with Armenia in Russias Sochi Armenia ruling party convening closed convention Italian prime minister demands that she be addressed as prime minister in masculine form Pentagon to send Ukraine new aid package worth $275 million Europe will ban sale of one type of car European Commission head announces new aid and investments for Serbia Biden calls Putin's rhetoric on nuclear weapons 'dangerous' Lukashenko on Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict: What are you fighting for in these mountains, where not even goats walk? Swedish authorities offer to create united northern army Lukashenko: Conflict issue between Armenia and Azerbaijan must be resolved now - with Ilham Aliyev Lukashenko about situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border: Where are we racing horses, where are we rushing to? Pashinyan: Armenia-Diaspora relations undergo profound substantive changes Lukashenko to Pashinyan: Sit down with Aliyev and make a decision, if you don't make it today, it will be worse Bulgarian interim government urges to speed up transition to euro zone President of Karabakh: It is necessary to unite all national potential and efforts 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 Yerevan. Nurse Goharik Khachatryan, who is charged with selling a newborn, was released on bail, her attorney, Hermine Mikayelyan, told Armenian News-NEWS.am. The nurse was released on a 1 million-dram (approx. $2,100) bail. In April, a resident of the Armavir Province of Armenia had sold her newborn to a resident of the Ararat Province, for $3,000. It was found out, however, that the Ararat resident had paid an additional $2,000 to the intermediary, Goharik Khachatryan. In June, Doctor Karine Antonyan and Nurse Goharik Khachatryan were detained, charges were brought against them, and they were arrested. Dr. Antonyan, however, was released sometime hereafter. In addition, charges were brought against Alla Karapetyan, on suspicion of selling the child, and Kristine K., on suspicion of buying the infant. A signature bond on not leaving Armenia was enforced as a precautionary measure against them. YEREVAN. The Criminal Court of Appeal on Friday denied the motion by the attorney of Pavlik Manukyana member of the Sasna Tsrer armed group which took over a police patrol regiment building, but later surrendered in Armenias capital city of Yerevan in Julythat arrest, which was enforced as a precautionary measure against his client, be commuted. Manukyans legal defender, Harutyun Baghdasaryan, told the aforementioned to Armenian News- NEWS.am. Several criminal charges are brought against Pavlik Manukyan. To note, he and his son had sustained gunshot wounds to their legs during the exchange of fire at the said police regiment. Manukyan on Friday will undergo a surgery at the Prison Hospital. YEREVAN. After the military coup attempt, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans coup attempt has begun in Turkey. Giro Manoyan, Head of the Political Affairs Bureau and the Armenian Cause Office of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party, noted the aforementioned at a press conference on Friday. With Erdogans order, 60 thousand people have already been detained, about 20 thousand are arrested, [and] there is no room anymore in [Turkish] prisons, said Manoyan. In addition, the Turkish authorities have started confiscating the properties of businessmen. As per the ARF official, the present-day situation in Turkey will not bring about any improvement in regional matters. Ruling Republican Party of Armenia MP Shirak Torosyan, for his part, stated that the Turkish authorities are attempting to restore their weight in the region. Turkish political scientists say if the coup attempt had succeeded, there would have been negative consequences on the entire region, including on Armenia, noted Torosyan. The destabilized situation of Turkey would have adversely affected Armenia as well. At any rate, Turkey is a challenge. And naturally, these realities are very closely examined in Armenia. Thousands of military servicemen attempted a coup in Turkey, from late night on July 15 to early morning on July 16, but it failed. The main confrontations took place in capital city Ankara and in Istanbul. A total of 246 people died as a result of the clashes. Ankara accuses Turkish Islamic theologian and preacher Fethullah Gulenwho resides in the US since 1999, and his Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO)of orchestrating the failed putsch. Court hearing of the case into the murder of Avetisyan family of Gyumri, Armenia, continued Friday, at the 102nd Russian Military Base in the city. The attorney of defendant Valery Permyakov, a serviceman of the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri, did not contest the charge of murder of the aforesaid family, which has been brought against his client. Permaykov is charged with murder of the seven members of the Avetisyan family, robbery, and attempt to illegal border crossing. The attorney recalled that the defendant had pleaded guilty to murder, and had not contested the respective acts attributed to him. To note, however, Valery Permyakov has not testified during the whole trial process. The attorney motioned that the court end the criminal prosecution, acquit his client on the charge of attempt to illegal border crossing, and set proportionate indictments with respect to the other charges. The prosecution, however, did not agree with the assessments of the attorney. Valery Permyakov turned down his right for a final statement. Six members of the Avetisyan familyincluding a two-year-old girlwere shot dead, and a six-month-old babySeryozha Avetisyanwas wounded in their house in Gyumri on January 12, 2015; but the baby boy died in hospital one week later. Valery Permyakov, a serviceman of the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri, is charged with these murders. Armenia and Russia instituted criminal cases on charges of murder and military desertion, respectively. On August 12, the Russian court sentenced Permyakov to ten years in prison. And on October 16, Armenia formally brought criminal charges against the Russian soldier. Valery Permyakov has pleaded guilty to all chargesbrutal murder, robbery, and attempt to cross the Armenian state borderthat are brought against him. YERVAN. - Armenian serviceman Hovhannes Poghosyan who sustained serious injuries by the adversary in Karabakhs Talish village in May, has already started walking on his own, his mother, Mrs Gayane, told Armenian News NEWS.am. He can already walk but the doctors do not yet recommend to allow him walking alone, since he may feel unwell and lose balance. Hovik is also gradually starting to speak,Mrs Gayane said. The 21-year-old serviceman has been discharged from Cross Rehabilitation Center of the Red Cross, but in the upcoming days he will start the second course of his treatment. Hovhannes Poghosyan was seriously wounded on May 13, in one of the military bases of a Ministry of Defense unit located in the northern direction. YEREVAN. Armenias accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is in no way justified. Armen Martirosyan, deputy chairman of the opposition Heritage Party Executive Board, stated the abovementioned at a press conference on Friday. In his words, Armenia needs fundamental changes aimed at restitution of its sovereignty. Armenia has transferred all powers to Russia; this situation must change, stressed the opposition member. CSTO is not the guarantor of Armenias security; our country needs to diversify its security. Martirosyan noted that the struggle of the people of Armenia must become more active. Regime change is a prerequisite for changes, he added. A new constitution is needed, since the current falsified one does not meet the peoples demand. Office of the Personal Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Chairperson-in-Office (OSCE CiO) conducted a regular monitoring at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. The monitoring was held on Wednesday, in the Tavush Province of Armenia. From the Armenian side, the monitoring was conducted by Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal Representative to the OSCE CiO; and his field assistant Jiri Aberle (Czech Republic) as well as Peter Svedberg (Sweden), staff member of the aforementioned office. The border monitoring was held according to schedule, and no ceasefire violations were recorded. At the talk that was held in the Tavush Provincial Hall prior to the monitoring, the OSCE officials were briefed on the current situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, and the statistics of ceasefire violations by Azerbaijani armed forces. The interlocutors also reflected on the need for gathering harvest safely in the border communities of Armenia. In addition, the consequences of and conclusions from the hostilities, which Azerbaijan had unleashed in April, were discussed and analyzed. The OSCE officials noted that the data provided by the Armenian side will be included in their final reports. YEREVAN. Iran can use Armenia as a bridge to enter the markets of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member countries, said Iranian Ambassador Seyed Kazzem Sajjadi. The diplomat stated this during Fridays meeting, at the Iranian embassy in capital city Yerevan, between representatives of the Armenian and Iranian travel agencies. The Ambassador also noted that Iran, as a neighbor, can provide great opportunities to Armenia. Political relations of Armenia and Iran are at an excellent level, but the level of economic relations is unacceptable and insufficient, said Sajjadi. After the lifting of entry visas, we will witness a large tourist flow between the two countries; this will also contribute to attracting investors, which will lead to the development of [bilateral] economic relations. Ambassador Sajjadi added that exchanging of students between Armenia and Iran will promote the development of cultural relations. Armenian businessman Arman Mayilyan, who was detained in Spain on suspicion of money laundering, has been released, the post on the businessmans Facebook page reads. Dear compatriots, Diaspora Armenians and friends, who are aware of the recent events taking place in my life, I want to tell you that I am free now. Fortunately, everything is fine with me and the incident, which I absolutely had nothing to do with, will be the last one in my life. I want to express my gratitude to those people in Armenia and the whole world, who supported me during those days and believed in the unalterable character I have created for many years. Remaining faithful to my roots, I have always felt great responsibility in upholding the honor of Armenians, this being a guideline during my entire life. And as a conclusion Id like to add that justice can get ill, but it doesnt die, Mayilyan wrote. Arman Mayilyan is from Ashtarak town of Armenia. Haykakan Zahmanak newspaper earlier wrote that the businessman has close ties with the high-ranking governmental officials. According to the media outlets, he has especially close ties with the family of Armenian PM Hovik Abrahamyan. Armenian PM Hovik Abrahamyan on Friday attended the kick-off ceremony of the Amulsar Hold Mine construction in Vayots Dzor province. The Amulsar project is one of the largest investment programs in Armenia, whose capital construction (2016-2018) costs will make up $370 mln USD. During a more active period, the program will employ 1300 people, whereas during the 10 years of industry, Lydian Armenia, subsidiary of the British Lydian International company, will provide 700 workplaces. Amulsar is the first mining program in Armenia, which has carried out Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in line with the standards of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Welcoming those present, PM Abrahamyan noted that the Armenian Government constantly pays attention to the need of developing the industrial area, as well as preservation and efficient use of natural resources. We attach great attention to the implementation of such a large foreign investment project, which will contribute to the development of mining industry and economic growth. From the very first day we have fully supported the Amulsar project and we are sure that it will be successfully implemented and the mine construction will be completed during the upcoming two years. We have passed a long path, facing objective and subjective difficulties, but the important thing is that the project construction has been launched, for which I am happy as a head of the Government, Abrahamyan said. He also welcomed the participation of authoritative international financial institutions IFC and EBRD in the project, expressing conviction that the Amulsar project will open up new opportunities for the Armenian economy, while the new workplaces will contribute to solving the socio-economic issues of the citizens. Abrahamyan also underscored the importance of implementing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in line with the leading international standards and mine exploitation by modern technologies. For his part, Chief Executive Officer of Lydian International, Howard Stevenson, congratulated on the launch of the new and most important phase of the Amulsar project and thanked the Armenian Government for the trust and continuous support. The event was also attended by government members, foreign ambassadors accredited in Armenia, representatives of international institutions and other dignitaries. Thereafter, Abrahamyan also visited the border Khndzorut community, where he met with the local residents, listened to their problems and responded to a number of issues. The PM stressed that the border communities are in the centre of the Governments attention and the state will continue implementing programs aimed at the development of infrastructures and opening of new workplaces. Today on August 19 Gevorg Vardanyan, who was killed in four-day April war, would have become 20 years old. A commemorative plaque attached to the wall and a water fountain set near his father's house on the occasion of his birthday filled the atmosphere with warm memories about him. Gevork Vardanyan grew up far from his homeland. He returned from Russia at his will to serve in the Armenian army. Gevorks father remembers that he had a bad feeling, when he was seeing him off to the army. He asked Gevork not to go, but could not withstand his persistence. Its just two years. You will not even notice how quickly they will pass, " recalls , Gagik Vardanyan his sons parting words . Gagik had a concern that Gevork might not adapt to the new environment, since he did not know Armenian well. Gevorg was stronger than his parents had thought about him. He asked his comrades in arms to write the military oath for him in Russian letters. Thats how he learned to read and write in Armenian in a short time. Gevorks parents did not know much about their sons service. Gevork mostly was telling about his newly discovered new homeland and his new friends. "He spoke so fondly about our homeland, that I was surprised. He did not live in Armenia, but he knew a lot about his country and was very patriotic, "said his father. Gevorks relatives received the latest news about Gevork from himself. One day before he was killed, he had called his relatives and assured that they keep the border well and everything was fine. He asked them not to worry about him. "He only told to my sister's son , that Meruzh and Vladimir were killed, and that they will move ahead defeating everyone," said his father. He managed to call his closest relatives in 5 minutes, as if he wanted to say goodbye. George was killed on April 4. FLAGLER COUNTY, Florida A Florida man is in jail after he allegedly threatened to feed an 8-year-old boy to alligators in a nearby pond. According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal , 28-year-old Dereck Dunn took the boy to a pond behind their home and threatened to feed the boy to the alligators. Dunn then allegedly punched the boy in the face, beat his buttocks with a belt, and pushed the boys face into a carpet. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Flagler County Jail records show that the 56 man lives in Palm Coast, Florida and weighs 300 lbs. Dunn remains in custody on child abuse charges. His bond was set at $7,500. Alligators are opportunistic predators with an indiscriminate appetite that includes fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, humans, and even fruit. Scientists have discovered that lice populations in at least 42 states have mutated to develop a resistance to over-the-counter treatments still widely recommended by doctors and schools. Researchers found that 137 out of the 138 lice populations tested in 48 states had high levels of gene mutations, which have been linked to resistance to pyrethroids. Pyrethroids are a family of insecticides used widely indoors and outdoors to control mosquitoes and other insects. It includes permethrin, the active ingredient in some of the most common lice treatments sold at drug stores. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A separate study published last year found that only 25 states had mutant super lice. This latest study indicates that the mutant gene is spreading across the United States. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, infestation with head lice is most common among pre-schoolchildren attending child care, elementary schoolchildren, and the household members of infested children. Although reliable data on how many people in the United States get head lice each year are not available, the CDC estimates 6 million to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States among children 3 to 11 years of age. Areas in the above map marked with red dots indicate a 100% presence of the mutant super lice gene. Head lice move by crawling; they cannot hop or fly. Head lice are spread by direct contact with the hair of an infested person. Anyone who comes in head-to-head contact with someone who already has head lice is at greatest risk. Spread by contact with clothing (such as hats, scarves, coats) or other personal items (such as combs, brushes, or towels) used by an infested person is uncommon. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice. In February, an outbreak of super lice was discovered infesting Brevard County Public School children in Titusville, Florida. Photo credit: Head louse. Credit: Flickr / Gilles SM BENGALURU: A man of very few words, Tim Cook, CEO, Apple talked about a number of things in his recent interview to Washington Post. Steve Jobs, mistakes of his life, or enormous India opportunity', all important topics were discussed. The Economic Times brings you 8 key takeaways from Apple CEOs interview. Lonesome Work It may be the most-sought after job to be the Apple CEO, but it is also a lonesome job. "It's sort of a lonely job. The adage that it's lonely the CEOs job is lonely is accurate in a lot of ways." But, 'am not looking for any sympathy," said Cook. Steve Jobs and his Irreplaceability In 2004, Jobs announced that he was suffering from pancreatic cancer. Cook is believed to have offered a part of his liver to the dying Apple CEO. When asked about his Steve Jobs, Cook replied, "To me, Steve's not replaceable." Worst day ever Cook feels that for him the day Jobs died was the worst day of his life. "[The day he died] was sort of the worst day ever." He said that when he took over as CEO, he believed that Jobs will soon bounce back. "When I first took the job as CEO, I actually thought that Steve would be here for a long time. Because he was going to be chairman, work a bit less after he came back up the health curve. So I went into it with one thought and then weeks later six weeks later, whatever..." commented Cook. The Go-To Guy! Cook said that it depends on the issue that who he turns to for advice. He further told that he turned to former president Bill Clinton and Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein for help on how to face US Congress during the year 2013 probe of Apple's practices. On issues related to returning shareholder's cash, he said, "I called up Warren Buffett. I thought he's the natural person, and so I try to go through that process on everyone." Mistake of his life Cook admitted that Apple Maps was a big mistake. Another mistake which he admitted to was hiring the wrong person to head the company's retail division. "I hired the wrong person for retail [former Dixons CEO John Browett] initially. That was clearly a screw-up," said Cook. Enormous Indian Opportunity Tim Cook's interview had a mention about India and the enormous opportunity that the country presents. "One of the big things that has held India back is the cellular infrastructure. They have two major carriers putting in a lot of investment to bring 4G. You can imagine if you didn't have 4G today. You can't enjoy video on a 3G. Periodically you can, but not consistently. This is a game changer," added Cook. Sshhhhh..No sharing confidential projects! Apple under Tim Cook is said to be more systematic, more transparent, more team-oriented, more humble, which makes it more open about the products it is working on, or thats what the world thinks. But Cook denies it! "We try to be as secretive as we've always been on products, although it's increasingly difficult to do that," commented Cook. Artificial Intelligence: The future Stressing on the immense possibilities that Artificial Intelligence presents, Cook told about doing a lot of things around artificial intelligence. "Look at the core technologies that make up the smartphone today and look at the ones that will be dominant in smartphones of the future like AI. The technology will make this product even more essential to you," concluded Cook. Read Also: Japan Develops Real Time System To Predict Crowds NASA To Launch First Asteroid Sample Return Mission Next Month Discussion to focus on Australian murder case by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A high-profile case of an Australian woman wrongly convicted of the death of her daughter will be discussed at the SIU School of Law next week. John Bryson, a former Australian solicitor and barrister who wrote the internationally acclaimed, Evil Angels, published as A Cry in the Dark in the United States, will provide insights during a discussion from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23, in Southern Illinois University Carbondales Hiram H. Lesar Law Building Courtroom. The event is open to the public. Lunch will be provided with an RSVP, which is available at http://whoozin.com/SIULawBryson. Media Advisory Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the discussion. John Bryson will be available for interviews. To arrange an interview, contact Alicia Ruiz, the law schools director of communication and outreach, at 618/453-8700. Brysons book chronicles the trials of Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, whose nine-week old daughter, Azaria, was taken by a dingo from the family campsite in August 1980. An initial inquest determined the child died by a wild dog or dingo attack, but a second inquest led to charges against Chamberlain-Creighton and her then husband, Michael. In October 1982, Chamberlain-Creighton was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison while Michael Chamberlain was convicted of being an accessory after the fact and received an 18-month suspended sentence. Brysons book, and the discovery of the childs jacket during an unrelated search for a fallen climber, helped secure Chamberlain-Creightons release in 1986. It was another 26 years before a coroner declared that Azaria died as a result of being taken by a dingo. Brysons book, published in 1985, was released as a 1988 film, A Cry in the Dark, starring Meryl Streep and Sam Neill. There will also be a discussion of the influence of the media in reporting on criminal investigations. The media can improperly influence and unjustly influence outcomes, Lucian E. Dervan, law school associate professor, said. Erica Nichols Cook, an adjunct professor and supervisor of the law schools Innocence Project Externship, will discuss how the media can contribute to both convictions and exonerations, the medias influence into investigations in the United States, and the Innocence Project. Dervan hopes the audience will gain a greater appreciation of the dangers of pre-judging cases and take a more critical look at the medias role in the criminal justice system. I hope the audience looks at this tragedy and realizes that criminal cases are not always as they appear, he said. The Lindy Chamberlain case is one in which an innocent woman was convicted of a crime not based on evidence, but, instead, based on rumors and speculation that proved to be false. State Grid Corp of China expressed "deep regret" on Friday after Australia formally blocked the A$10 billion ($7.6 bln) sale of Ausgrid to Chinese bidders on security grounds.State Grid said it had followed regulations set by Australia in its bid and met all the bidding requirements.Australia's Treasurer Scott Morrison, who must approve major foreign investments, formally blocked the sale earlier on Friday to preferred bidders State Grid Corp of China STGRD.UL and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings.The state of New South Wales will now re-start the tender process for the grid's majority stake. REUTERS SDR BD1735 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-894533.Xml India will raise the issue of climate change at the upcoming G-20 Summit in China where it will remind developed nations about their commitment to mobilise $100 billion for developing countries, a top government official said here on Friday. "There will be emphasis on appealing to the countries to carry forward the commitment to the issue of climate change and climate change finance," Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told IANS. "There was a $100 billion commitment which has been made by developed countries -- that 100 billion is nowhere near sight. We would like to again stress the importance of developed nations making available that $100 billion," Das said while speaking to IANS on the sidelines of Indo-China Financial Dialogue. Six years ago, developed countries had committed $100 billion to developing nations for cutting their greenhouse-gas emissions. The developed bloc has to provide the sum by 2020. "And this $100 billion should be new and additional source of financing. It should not be the reclassification of existing flow of finance," he added. Das said that India will also push for structural reforms at the two-day summit, beginning from September 4 at Hangzhou in China. "Our emphasis is to appeal to the world community to continue with the policy of structural reform. That's the only way you can survive and sustain the economic growth," Das said. "In India, as you know, our track record in the last two years is very strong. We have done huge amount of liberalisation in FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) policy. With regard to FDI, we are the most open economy in the world today," he added. Das hoped the summit would be inclusive as it was being held in Asia. "The main focus will be achieving sustainable economic goals and inclusive and innovative growth," he said. "It is interesting because when the summit is held in Asian country the issue of inclusiveness comes in that is because inclusiveness is a priority of all the Asian nations. You won't see inclusiveness when the summit is held in Europe because the theme or agenda is decided by the chair of G-20." "When the summit was held in Cairns in Australia in 2014, it only talked of economic development, etc. When it came to Asia in Antalya the inclusiveness came. In China, too, inclusiveness comes in," Das said. Talking at the Dialogue, Das underlined how India and China can help the world economy to recover. (Gaurav Sharma is the Beijing-based correspondent of IANS. He can be contacted at sharmagaurav71@gmail.com or gaurav.s@ians.in) --IANS gsh/ksk/sac ( 440 Words) 2016-08-19-12:58:01 (IANS) Automobiles major Bajaj Auto Ltd. has launched a search for the 1971 India-Pakistan war heroes who served on the iconic erstwhile aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, an official said here on Friday. The 'Mission Vikrant 1971' of Bajaj Auto's 'V' motorcycles will search and honour the 1,300 crew that served on India's first aircraft carrier during the historic war which resulted in the birth of Bangladesh. The digital initiative will identify and share details of these war heroes and preserve their stories for posterity, said Bajaj Auto Ltd. Vice-President for Marketing, Sumeet Narang. Though a dedicated micro-site it has invited entries from families, friends and well-wishers of the 1971 war veterans and naval bravehearts who served on INS Vikrant. "The intent will be to find out more about their enduring journey on INS Vikrant four-and-half decades ago, which will be showcased to the Indian public," Narang said. The initiative was inspired by the Republic Day launch of its bike, Bajaj V which has been made with metal from the historic ship which was de-commissioned and finally scrapped in 2014. "Ever since we unveiled the Bajaj V, we have been inundated with calls asking us about the INS Vikrant. We made a celebrated documentary, 'Sons of Vikrant' which captured stories and experience of senior naval personnel who served on the ship," Narang added. Billed as the biggest ever nationwide search for the 1971 war veterans who served on INS Vikrant, the company will use digital and social media to urge every Indian to help in the quest. Launched on August 15, the initiative has already reached around four million Indians and plans to reach 15 million in the next 40 days. The Bajaj V, made from the invincible metal of INS Vikrant, has proved to be a huge success with over 100,000 pieces sold in just 120 days after launch on January 26 this year. --IANS qn/ahm/rn ( 328 Words) 2016-08-19-22:54:01 (IANS) Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has been granted a UK visa, ending his week-long ordeal after the British government denied him the travel document for a concert in September. A much relieved Khan Sahib, as he is affectionately known, said: "Yes, the visa for my UK concert has been granted to me, finally. I am grateful to Mr Keith Vaz (British MP) and Shrimati Sushma Sawaraj (External Affairs Minister) for their initiative." Amjad Ali Khan says he was summoned to the visa office of the UK High Commission here on Friday afternoon. "I was called to be at the visa office for the third time. Ive now been granted a visa for the UK from August 19 to September 19. Though I had asked for a visa till November I am just relieved the ordeal is over. I am so glad to have got my passport back. Now I can again travel the world with my sarod. My concert at the Royal Festival Hall South Bank on September 18 is now on. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will leave here on Saturday for a tenure of residency at the Indiana University Bloomington. During the tenure, he will take a break to perform in France and the UK. --IANS jha/rn/dg ( 226 Words) 2016-08-19-19:18:02 (IANS) Tension prevailed at Pillayarkuppam village near here as fishermen from Narambai entered their village and attacked a group of persons late last night. Six persons sustained injuries, houses were torched and motorcycles damaged in the attack which is said to be a sequel to previous enemity. According to police, Naramabi youths passing through Pillayarkuppam on motorcycles had an accident in the village resulting in an altercation between the youths and Pillayarkuppam villagers.They then dispersed on public intervention and the Pillayarkuppam, Narambai village panchayats held a discussion on the issue and resolved it yesterday. However, Narambai fishermen late last night entered Pillyarkuppam with lethal weapons and attacked a group of persons injuring six. The houses of four were set on fire and two motorcycles were destroyed . The gang escaped from the scene on arrival of the Kirumambakkam police.The injured were admitted to the government general hospital here. Police pickets have been posted in the village since it remains tense. Kirumambakkam police registered a case.UNI PAB CS 1046 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-893815.Xml Celebrating the freedom of our nation, the co-founders of Bharat Maa Shaheed Samman Trust, Mr. Sanjay Dalmia and Ms. Jai Madan recently hosted a felicitation ceremony for the freedom fighters in Kanpur. This noble initiative was conducted at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology and was aimed at recognizing the struggle and sacrifice of the heroes of our nation in securing our freedom and celebrated the spirit of patriotism. The event was a success with youth participating in various activities lined up to promote the spirit of patriotism. Speaking about this initiative, Mr. Sanjay Dalmia said, "We celebrated our 70th Independence Day yesterday and today we are honoring the brave hearts who won us our freedom. After New Delhi and Dehradun, this is the 3rd celebration we have organized to recognize the struggle and sacrifice of our heroes for the freedom movement, which is an inspiration for all of us, specially our youth. So we hosted this event to encourage the younger generation towards nation-building and instill the feeling of patriotism among everyone." The event began with lighting of the lamp with the dignitaries present, followed by the felicitation ceremony for the freedom fighters in the presence of their family and the attendees. The heroes felicitated at the event included Shri R. S. Srivastava, Shri Rajaram, Shri Govind Prasad alias Subhash Diwedi, Shri R. S. Singh, Shri D. K. Singh, Shri Harbansh Singh, Smt Manvati Arya, Shri Raghurag Arora, Shri Govardhan Lal Kannojiya and Shri Bhagwati Singh Visharad. The freedom fighters and their families shared the story of their life and their struggles which proved to be an inspiration and encouragement for the younger generation towards nation building. (ANI) Thousands of farmers and farm labourers affiliated to the left parties were taken into custody when they attempted to resort to rail and road roko agitations at different places in six Delta districts today demanding the Karnataka government to release the due share of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as per the final award of the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal. The farmers, backed by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Tamil Maanila Congress and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi held rail roko and road roko agitations at Tiruchirapalli, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts, while the traders' federations expressed their solidarity with the agitating farmers by closing shops and business establishments in the Delta region. At Thanjavur, about 300 farmers led by V.Durai Manickam, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association affiliated to the CPI were arrested, when they blocked the vehicular traffic near the old bus stand. The agitators burnt the effigy of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Former CPI MLA G.Palanichamy and hundreds of farmers were arrested at Thiruthuraipoondi in Nagapattinam district for resorting to road roko stir. The protesters took out a mock funeral procession and burnt the effigy of Mr Siddaramaiah at several places. More than 300 farmers, CPI, CPM, DMK and VCK men were arrested, when they broke the police cordon and attempted to stage rail roko agitation at Tiruchirapalli railway junction. Hundreds of farmers, led by K.Balakrishnan, State President of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association were arrested for staging road roko agitation at Tiruvarur. Talking to newsmen, he said the Cauvery delta farmers have lost kuruvai paddy crop in the last five seasons and now even a single samba crop cannot be raised due to paucity of water in Mettur dam. He urged the Centre to pressurize Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu. The farmers were demanding among other things including to constitute Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee for implementing the final verdict of the tribunal. The rail and road roko agitations were going on in 500 places in the Delta region. Farmers affiliated to Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam and All India Vivasaya Thozhilalar Sangam were participating in the agitation. UNI GSM CS 1324 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-894037.Xml During Zero Hour, former DMK Minister K N Nehru and other DMKMLAs, who did not attract suspension as they were not present in the house on Wednesday, along with the DMK allies Congress and IUML,made a fervent plea to the Speaker to reconsider his decision. However, Mr Dhanapal categorically stated that there was no question of rescinding his ruling, suspending the DMK members fora week. "I was very patient that day and had to finally take action," he said on his decision to suspend the MLAs. Following the Speaker's reply, the DMK members along with theCongress and IUML MLAs staged a walk out from the State Assembly.UNI GV cs 1449 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-894193.Xml Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today said that the reported intrusion by Chinese Army into Indian side in Arunachal Pradesh was not intentional and may have happened as there were no clear demarcated border lines in line of actual control in Indo-China border, in some areas in frontier state. Addressing mediapersons here, the Union Minister said there were two cases of intrusion by the Chinese Army in Arunachal, one in Kibitho in Anjaw and another reported in Thangsey area in Tawang district where the Chinese soldiers were reportedly intruded in Indian Territory by crossing actual LAC. "After receiving the reported intrusion, our ITBP personnel reached the areas and inspected and submitted the report to the Union Home Ministry, mentioned it was not an intrusion but it was a case of transpiration, he said, adding that there were no draft demarcations of the territory so they crossed as perceived territory", Mr Rijijiu said after inaugurating the Advance Landing Ground (ALG), Pasighat, executed by Indian Air Force. " The sudden appearance of Chinese soldiers that took place in Kibitho and Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh very recently was not an intrusion but it was a transpiration, he said. At least 250 soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly spent three hours in Yangste in Arunachal Pradesh's East Kameng district in mid of July this year. The Indian Army confirmed the intrusion, calling it a "temporary transgression" by the patrolling party of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA). UNI PB ABI JW 1423 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0364-894110.Xml Railway Public Relations Officer M K Gopinath told UNI that senior technician P Krishnan (58), who sustained grievous injuries succumbed in Kozhikode Medical College (KMC). Helper T K Vineesh of Quailandi, who sustained injuries after he fell off the ladder, was admitted to KMC, he said. Since the power supply was cut off both in up and down lines, the train movements were infringed in the section from 1030 hrs, he said. Movement of vehicular traffic at the level crossing gate at West Hill was also affected on this account. The Mangluru-Chennai Egmore Express, Mangluru-Navarcoil Ernad Express, Mangluru-Kozhikode passenger were detained at different places. While the up line was temporarily restored for train traffic at 12.25 hours, the down line was possible only at 1310 hours, he added. UNI PCH CS 1615 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0300-894324.Xml A Special Court trying CBI cases today convicted an sentenced a BSNL official and his wife to two years and one year Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) respectively in connection with the disproportionate assets case. The Principal Special Judge for CBI Cases Kanthakumar also convicted a Chartered Accountant to undergo two years RI. The court also imposed a total fine of Rs 36,000 on K.Raju, Sub Divisional Enginneer (Legal), Dy.General Manager(South East), BSNL, Anna Salai, Chennai and his wife R.Valarmathi, besidesimposing fine of Rs.85,000 on chartered accountant Ashok Kumar Jain. The Anti-Corruption Branch of CBI registered a case against Raju and his wife for acquiring movable and immovable properties to the tune of Rs.58,86,971 during the period from October one, 1991 to SePtmber 2, 2004, which were disproportionate to their known sources of income. After completion of investigation, the chargesheet was filed by CBI against them and against Ashok Kumar Jain, who arranged fake sale jewellery receipts to Valarmathi as if she runs a firm M/s R.V.Enterprises to show some income from her alleged business.UNI GV CS 1717 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-894497.Xml The Delhi High Court on Friday asked Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to "gracefully" vacate the government accommodation allotted to Omar in 1999 in the Lutyens Zone in New Delhi. Payal, however, urged the high court to pass an order in the case, following which Justice Indermeet Kaur said a detailed order will be issued about the time within which she and her children will have to vacate the bungalow No.7 on the Akbar Road here. The bungalow was allotted to Omar Abdullah, the Nationalist Conference leader, in 1999 when he was elected to parliament from Jammu and Kashmir and became a minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government at the Centre. The court was hearing Payal's plea for directions that she along with her sons be either allowed to stay at 7, Akbar Road, or be allotted another suitable government accommodation where the family's 94 security personnel can effectively protect them. On August 16, a Delhi court ordered Payal to vacate the bungalow after dismissing her plea to quash the June 30 eviction notice issued by the Estate Officer of the Jammu and Kashmir government for vacating the residence. In her plea, Payal contended that the eviction notice was not sent by the Ministry of Urban Development, which had originally allotted the accommodation to her husband. She told the court that the notice issued by the Estate Officer was illegal as it was issued under a Jammu and Kashmir law not applicable in Delhi. Payal said she and her children continued to live in the Akbar Road residence when Omar was neither the Chief Minister nor a Union minister from 2002 to 2008. Omar continued as a Union minister till December 23, 2002, when he resigned. Later, he became the state Chief Minister in January 2009 and remained so till December 2014, when his party was voted out of power in the assembly elections. --IANS akk/tsb/vt ( 338 Words) 2016-08-19-18:32:01 (IANS) Kushwaha, who is Minister of State for Human Resource Development in the central government, has suspended Arun Kumar, who represents Jahanabad constituency in Bihar in the Lok Sabha, for six years. Also stands suspended from the party for six years is Lalan Paswan, who represents Chenari constituency in the Bihar assembly. Earlier, Kushwaha had sacked Arun Kumar from the post of president of RLSP unit in Bihar and sacked five senior party functionaries close to him. On the other hand, a group of Arun Kumar's supporters claimed they had sacked Kushwaha. They said Arun Kumar was elected the new party chief on Wednesday. Both Kushwaha and Arun Kumar are adamant they would not reconsider their stand against each other. Some people close to Arun Kumar also say that he might join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The RLSP is an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with three members in the Lok Sabha. Kushwaha belongs to the agrarian Koeri community -- an Other Backward Class (OBC) with 7 to 9 per cent of Bihar's 10.5 crore population. Arun Kumar belongs to powerful landed community of Bhumihars who account for 3 to 4 per cent of the state's population. --IANS ik/kb/vt ( 242 Words) 2016-08-19-18:44:01 (IANS) Mr Nidhi is expected to extend Nepalese President Bidyadevi Bhandari's invitation to Mr Mukherjee to visit her country, and to finalise the date and agenda of the upcoming trip of Mr Prachanda to India. Mr Prachanda is expected to visit India before he leaves for New York to attend the 71st UN General Assembly in late September, Nepalese media quoted Mr Nidhi as saying at the Kathmandu airport before leaving for India yesterday. He would also lay the ground for Ms Bhandari's visit to India, which was abruptly called off in May this year in the midst of political turmoil in Nepal. Mr Nidhi, who is also the Home Minister of his country, is also slated to meet some political leaders. It is understood that several unresolved issues in the new Constitution of Nepal would be discussed in his talks with Indian leaders.UNI NAZ SW RP1830 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-894578.Xml President Pranab Mukherjee today paid floral tributes to former President Shanker Dayal Sharma on occasion of his birth anniversary. The President, family members of Dr Sharma, officers and staff of the Rashtrapati Bhavan paid floral tributes in front of his portrait at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.UNI AR SW SB 1855 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-894711.Xml The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded contract for development of two laning of the Tonk-Sawaimadhopur section in Rajasthan to M/s H G Infra Pvt Ltd. The 62-km-long Tonk-Sawaimadhopur section would be executed on EPC mode at a cost of Rs 400 crore, an official statement said here today. The section, which is scheduled to be completed in two years, will have bypasses at four locations of a length of 12 km, 15 minor bridges, three vehicular underpasses and adequate safety features. This road connects two important National Highways -- NH-12 and NH-116. The project starts from Tonk City on NH-116 at km 1.300 and ends at km 69.750 of NH-116 at Sawaimadhopur. Since Sawaimadhopur is the gateway to the Ranthambhor National Park, development of the section would reduce the travel time to this world famous park, and promote tourism in the region.UNI RBE SW SB 1829 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-894616.Xml Rajasthan Police has arrested a suspected Pakistani spy from Jaisalmer and recovered micro SD cards containing classified information related to defence institutions. A senior police official said, besides micro SD cards, police have recovered two mobile phones and Pakistani and Indian currency from him. He said, Nandlal, a resident of Kheepar in Sangad district of Pakistan, was arrested from a hotel in Jaisalmer yesterday. Police said Nandlal came to India via Munabao on August 5 on a valid visa but he violated visa conditions by visiting Jaisalmer while his visa was for Jodhpur. Nandlal, who was produced in court today and brought to Jaipur for further interrogation by security agencies, has been arrested under section 3 and 3 (9) of Official Secret Act 1923. Police said, initial investigations suggest that Nandlal was in constant touch with smugglers and anti-social elements residing in the border areas of Rajasthan.Nandlal, police said, smuggled various things through his contacts and collected classified information related to defence and provided them to Pakistan's spy agency ISI.Intelligence agencies are trying to find out who he was working with in Rajasthan. State home minister Gulab Chand Kataria alleged that the arrested accused was an ISI agent.UNI XC SHK RP1900 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0430-894801.Xml During the meeting, Mr Nidhi, who is also the Home Minister of his country, conveyed to Mr Singh that India was a very important neighbouring country for Nepal and the two countries should further enhance their cooperation. Mr Singh assured of full Indian assistance to Nepal. The two leaders also agreed to make a joint visit to Indo-Nepal border area. Mr Nidhi later visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) office here . His visit to NDMA acquires significance as Nepal is on its way to reconstruct itself after the massive earthquake that shook the country last year. RK Jain, Member, NDMA, made a presentation, highlighting India's experience in managing floods, avalanches, earthquakes and landslides, with special emphasis on post-disaster reconstruction efforts after earthquakes. Ranjit Rae, Ambassador of India to Nepal, underlined the importance of institutional mechanisms for Disaster Management set up in India. The possibility of replicating a similar institutional set-up in Nepal was also discussed. Mr Nidhi arrived in New Delhi yesterday evening as the special envoy of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He is in India on a four-day visit. UNI NAZ RJ 2100 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-895060.Xml Stating that there was immense suffering in Balochistan, former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai today welcomed Prime Minister Naredndra Modi's act in flagging the issue of human rights violation in the province in his Independence Day address. Mr Karzai also said India had a tradition of peaceful existence and he did not think that it intended to go to proxy wars in the region. "The region should not go to proxy war," he said. "Pakistani authorities have spoken freely on Afghan and Indian affairs, but it is first time that the Prime Minister of India has spoken about Balochistan,'' he said in an interaction with journalists organised by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. The former Afghanistan President urged Pakistan to recognise the gravity of the situation in Balochistan. "There is an immense suffering in Balochistan, among the Pashtoons,'' he said. Mr Karzai underlined that Afghanistan had a huge stake in Balochistan, ''because its from there that extremism arrives in Afghanistan.'' Replying to a question, Mr Karzai urged India not to hesitate in enhancing capabilities of Afghan defence forces. He said his country expected India to be bold in supplying defence needs of Afghanistan. He said Afghanistan knew about the Indian refusal to provide weapons originated because of Pakistan's concern. For a peace loving country like India that was the right approach, but Afghanistan had very urgent needs, he said. Responding to another question, Mr Karzai said there was no Afghan or Taliban connection to ISIS, as it was a totally foreign phenomena. India should be watchful as ISI was part of a larger plan, he cautioned.UNI NAZ SW SB 1947 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-894888.Xml Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti today launched several projects worth Rs 560 crore under the Namami Gange programme at Ganga Barrage in Kanpur. Besides the Minister, several dignitaries including Kanpur MP Dr Murli Manohar Joshi was also present. The projects include Rs 63 crore interception and diversion plan of Sisamau drain, Rs 397 crore networking schemes and river front development scheme at Bithoor worth Rs 100 crore, a Ministry statement said. As many as 14 ghats and five crematoria would be constructed at Bithoor. Ms Bharti said her Ministry would develop market for treated water-based on hybrid annuity mode through PPP model. She said her Ministry was in the process of signing MoUs for this with various ministries. "We will follow the due process for Ganga conservation. No decision will be taken in haste so that public money is not wasted," the Minister added. Dr Joshi said each one of them was equally responsible for the present state of river Ganga and "we need to change our attitude towards this holy river". He suggested a light and sound programme should be prepared depicting the history of Ganga to encourage people's participation in Namami Gange programme. On July 7, around 231 projects under Namami Gange programme were launched at various places in the states of Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Delhi and Haryana. In Kanpur, construction of 11 ghats and two crematoria were launched. Noted dancer Aarushi and her team performed a dance drama based on river Ganga on the occasion. UNI RBE SW 1946 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-894811.Xml A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and University of Latvia for establishment of an academic chair in Ayurveda here today. The MoU was signed by Director General, CCRAS, K S Dhiman, and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Director of the Centre of Complementary Medicine, University of Latvia Dr Valdis Pirags in presence of Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Ajit M Sharan, a statement said. The pact would provide a structured framework for taking forward academic and research activities in Ayurveda through deputation of an Ayurveda professor to the University of Latvia.UNI RBE SW 1937 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-894840.Xml Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi, who is also the special envoy of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' today discussed the forthcoming high level visit between the two countries, including of his Prime Minister to India next month, in his meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Mr Nidhi also called on President Pranab Mukherjee and extended the invitation of Nepal's President Bidyadevi Bhandari to him to visit her country. The Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Home Min ister of his country, had a meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and later visited NDMA. According to sources, the External Affairs Minister told Mr Nidhi that that India was already ready to work closely with Prime Minister Prachanda's government and to welcome him in India soon on a bilateral visit. She said India attached the highest priority to its relations with Nepal, and offered full assistance and cooperation for Nepal's economic development, the sources said. The Special Envoy Nidhi recalled his long association with India in general and Ms Swaraj in particular. He shared the vision and priorities of the new Government. He said the Prachanda Government was working to implement of the Constitution to promote political stability, and take the peace process forward by addressing all issues through a process of consensus building between all major political parties. Besides it was also focusing on post-earthquake reconstruction efforts and economic development. ''Special Envoy Nidhi appreciated India's good will and support to the peace process and economic development in Nepal, and emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral partnership in all areas, including development co-operation,''he sources said. Mr Nidhi was expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides some political leaders during his four-day visit. Mr Prachanda is expected to visit India before he leaves for New York to attend the 71st UN General Assembly in late September, Nepalese media quoted Mr Nidhi as saying at the Kathmandu airport before leaving for India yesterday.UNI NAZ RJ 2222 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-895168.Xml Turkey today confirmed its support to India for NSG membership during talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her visiting Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. The two sides covered the whole gamut of bilateral relations. The two Ministers also discussed the regional situation and multilateral issues. This is the Turkish Foreign Minister's first official visit to India. He was here on a transit halt last year, when he met Ms Swaraj. ''India's application for the membership of NSG also featured in the discussions. Turkey confirmed support for this as it had earlier for India's membership of MTCR,'' sources said after the meeting. There were discussions also on the terrorist attacks in Turkey and the internal developments in the counrty, including the recent coup attempt. In this context, the Turkish side briefed about the role of Fethullah Gulen-led organisation (FETO) in the attempted coup. On the bilateral front, discussions took place on plan for exchange of visits, and convening the next session of Joint Economic Commission (JEC). The JEC has been a very useful bilateral mechanism to discuss ways for increasing the bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The annual bilateral trade was US$ 6.3 billion last year. Other areas of bilateral interests discussed were cooperation in the fields of culture, education, energy and tourism. There is an existing Cultural Exchange Programme. Discussions are currently on for concluding an Educational Exchange Programme. The tourism sector offers immense untapped potential. Mr Cavusoglu is scheduled to visit Hyderabad tomorrow to officially open the Turkish Consulate building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Turkey last year to attend the G-20 Summit. Ms Swaraj herself paid a visit to the country same year.UNI NAZ RJ 2224 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-895211.Xml Bihar government today sanctioned a sum of Rs 391.60 crore for the Chief Minister Rural Drinking Water Scheme.State Principal Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat department) Brajesh Mehrotra told newspersons here that a decision to that effect was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.He said that a sum of Rs. 391.60 crore had been sanctioned forimplementation of various schemes under the scheme. He said that thesum would be spent for providing safe and pure drinking water torural masses of the state.He said that with an objective to bring transparency in the processfor appointment to posts of district consumer forum members, the statecabinet also gave its nod for making changes in Bihar ConsumerProtection (Rules) 1987. He said that a three member committee to beheaded by district and sessions judges concerned would be constitutedfor appointment to posts of district consumer forum members. DistrictMagistrates concerned and chairpersons of forums would be othermembers of these committees.Mr Mehrotra said that amendments had been made in the related law forthe purpose of bringing transparency in appointment to posts ofdistrict consumer forum members in backdrop of Patna High Court`sorder,UNI DH CJ RJ 2249 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-895229.Xml The Russian government's shock move to delay the sale of a stake in the Bashneft oil firm reflects Kremlin unease before the elections and gives Vladimir Putin's energy Tsar more time to raise money for a bid by state company Rosneft.The sale, which the government hoped would net it around half of Bashneft's 10 billion dollar market value, was part of a privatisation drive meant to raise cash to plug budget holes amid low oil prices and Western sanctions imposed over Ukraine.With Russia's reserve fund forecast to run dry next year, the proceeds, though a fraction of the annual budget deficit expected in 2016, were eagerly awaited. But on Tuesday evening, the Russian government abruptly said the auction was, for now, off. It did not explain why.Three Industry and government sources told Reuters yesterday that as the battle for Bashneft between Rosneft, which is run by energy Tsar Igor Sechin, and private companies heated up the Kremlin decided to delay the sale to avoid clashes among Russia's elite before parliamentary elections next month."One reason for the move was to avoid various influential groups being at each other's throat ahead of the election," said one source at a company that was planning to bid for Bashneft."The sale was already creating too much noise, so the delay will allow everyone to take a break," said another source close to the sale process.A Kremlin spokesman and a government spokeswoman declined to comment on the reasons why the sale was postponed or whether it was linked in any way to the upcoming elections. Spokesmen for Bashneft and Rosneft declined to comment on the reason for the delay.Despite an economic crisis that has cut people's incomes and eroded living standards, the main pro-Kremlin United Russia party is expected to comfortably win the September 18 elections, which are seen as a dry run for Putin's presidential re-election campaign in 2018.But its margin of victory is expected to be slimmer than recent years with some polls showing apathy levels are high.There have been other signs of Kremlin nervousness; it carried out a reshuffle of regional leaders in July in areas where dissatisfaction with living standards was above average and Putin last week replaced his long-time ally Sergei Ivanov as Kremlin chief of staff.Avoiding clan infighting over Bashneft is important for the Kremlin because it risks destabilising a political system in which Putin has traditionally mediated between competing groups to maintain stability.At a time when Putin and his allies are focused on appealing to an electorate worn down by economic problems, the Bashneft saga could also turning into an unnecessary distraction that threatened to dominate headlines and undermine the idea that the ruling elite is united.Bashneft also has most of its assets in the Urals republic of Bashkortostan, Russia's most populous, and its officials, including the region's head Rustam Khamitov, have said the sale of the key asset was creating concern among the population.PUTIN'S SILENCEVTB, the state bank that was running the sale of the government's 50.1 per cent state stake in Bashneft, sent invitations to over 10 companies to participate in what would have been Russia's first big oil privatisation in a decade.Lukoil, Russia's largest private oil firm run by billionaire Kremlin-loyalist Vagit Alekperov, had long been seen as the favourite bidder until arch-rival Sechin said Rosneft also wanted to participate in the auction.Tensions swiftly surfaced with several Russian government officials including Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich saying they opposed Sechin's plans to expand further.One state-controlled company, Rosneft, buying another, Bashneft, could hardly be called a proper privatisation, they said.Sechin hit back, saying his company's participation would boost competition and the price of Bashneft as well as the value of Rosneft ahead of a government auction to sell a minority stake of 19.5 percent in Rosneft."The delay of the sale is clearly a victory for Sechin," said another source with a company which was planning to bid for Bashneft.Six industry sources said that the sale had created confusion and infighting between businessmen and state officials because Putin has kept silent on whether he would allow Rosneft to bid.As a result, dozens of letters were written to the government and by the government on the subject with most ministers refusing to take a final decision."There were times when it (Putin's silence) looked like a test for Sechin and there were times when it looked like a test for everyone else," said the same source who interpreted the result as a victory for Sechin.SMALL CASH FLOWOver the past 15 years, Sechin has led ex-KGB spy Putin's drive to renationalise the oil industry after the chaotic privatisation of the 1990s, building Rosneft into the world's top oil producer by output among listed firms.Sechin, 55, served under Putin when the latter was deputy mayor of St Petersburg in the 1990s and has progressed steadily with his boss, serving as Kremlin deputy chief of staff and deputy prime minister for oil.Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russia's fallen oligarch, has repeatedly accused Sechin of orchestrating a campaign against him which led to the demise of YUKOS, Russia's largest private oil firm, on tax evasion charges.Khodorkovsky spent 10 years in jail, an experience he has described as the Kremlin's revenge for his political ambitions. Putin and Sechin have repeatedly denied that charges against the oligarch were politically motivated.Rosneft ended up owning the bulk of YUKOS and later amassed other large oil assets, including TNK-BP, in 2013. It now controls over a third of Russian output, the world's largest.But as oil prices collapsed, Rosneft's own value fell to under $50 billion, the sum it paid to acquire TNK-BP. That irked Putin, according to industry sources, though the Kremlin boss never publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Sechin.For the Bashneft sale stake, Putin stipulated that buyers were not allowed to borrow money from state banks. Rosneft said it could raise money from foreign banks and its own cash flows.However, Rosneft this week, declared free cash flow of just 1.3 billion dollar in the second quarter, down from $1.5 billion a quarter earlier, with net debt broadly steady at 23.4 billion dollar.The delay gives Rosneft - which at the moment cannot raised money from Western banks due to sanctions - more time to accumulate funds.REUTERS SDR PR1137 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-892406.Xml Two Palestinian men sought for possession of weapons and other offences were killed in a gun battle with Palestinian police in an arrest raid in the town of Nablus in which two officers also died, officials said today.Palestinian security forces have arrested over 100 suspects in the past two months in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a heightened effort to crack down on crime, Adnan al Damiri, a Palestinian security spokesman said.The operation in Nablus, by forces of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, began yesterday and several other suspects are still being sought, Damiri said.Although Israel has overall security control, Abbas's PA has partial control in some areas in the West Bank, territory the Palestinians want for a future state along with the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.REUTERS SDR RAI1806 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-894589.Xml Turkish authorities detained dozens of bank inspectors and academics today and the government vowed to cut off financing to companies suspected of having ties to last month's failed coup.Turkey has detained some 40,000 people in its investigation into the July 15 attempted putsch, which it says was orchestrated by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. He denies the charges.Around 20,000 people have been formally arrested. The investigation has led to a sweeping purges of the military, civil service, police and judiciary, with around 80,000 people removed from public duty. While purges of the civil service continue, the private sector is now being targeted.The extent of the purges has unnerved Turkey's Western allies, who fear President Tayyip Erdogan may be using investigations to stifle dissent.Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said the government was in talks with banks to cut off funding to firms linked to Gulen."The cutting off of terror financing... is critical," he told broadcaster TRT Haber. "We are talking about a few hundred companies, this is not enough to impact the economy seriously."Police today detained 29 inspectors from the BDDK banking watchdog, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.The banking investigators were detained on suspicion of making "irregular" investigations into the account of a government-related foundation and those of business people, including targets close to Erdogan, Anadolu said.A spokesman for the BDDK, which regulates Turkey's banking sector, was not immediately available for comment.Authorities yesterday ordered the detention of nearly 200 people, including leading businessmen, and seized their assets in an operation targeting a Gulen-linked business association.INTERFAITH DIALOGUEErdogan has vowed to choke off businesses with ties to Gulen, describing his schools, firms and charities as "nests of terrorism". Authorities say 4,262 such companies and institutions have been shut.Also yesterday, a court in the central Turkish city of Kayseri appointed state administrators to take over the businesses of the energy-to-furniture Boydak group, which has 14,000 employees, Anadolu said. The group's top executives have already been formally arrested.Erdogan has long accused Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, of running a "parallel network" inside government institutions and the military. Gulen has denied that charge and condemned the coup attempt.Gulen's organisation, which advocates philanthropy, interfaith dialogue and science-based education, has followers across Turkish society. It helped Erdogan in the first years after his Islamist-rooted AK Party was elected in 2002.But the two men later fell out after police and prosecutors seen as sympathetic to the cleric opened a corruption investigation into Erdogan's inner circle in 2013.Authorities also detained dozens of academics and issued a total 145 arrest warrants for university staff in operations focused on Istanbul University and Konya in central Turkey, Anadolu said.At Istanbul University, 44 academics were detained and their rooms and homes were being searched, it said. Another 18 of their colleagues were set to be detained.Prosecutors in Konya issued arrest warrants for 83 academics, of which 29 have so far been detained in an operation stretching across 17 provinces, the agency said. Among those facing arrest was the former rector of Konya's Selcuk University, who Anadolu said was currently on the run. REUTERS SDR VN1900 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-894810.Xml The grand ambitions scrawled on a wall near the Libyan city of Sirte's Mediterranean sea front look fanciful now: "Islamic State's naval port, the departure point for Rome, with God's permission."Beaten back by local forces over three months and by US air strikes since August 1, Islamic State is on the verge of losing the city where it exerted absolute control since last year, its most important base outside Syria and Iraq.But while defeat in Sirte will be a critical blow, it will not be the end of Libya's jihadist threat. Some militants were able to flee Sirte before it was encircled and are likely to try to reactivate elsewhere in Libya, officials and fighters say.Militants may link up with existing cells and armed factions already operating in other regions, as the divisions that fuelled extremism in Libya persist and even risk worsening as a result of the Sirte campaign.Officials give few details on fighters detained or killed in the battle for Sirte, saying they find it hard to trace militants who use different identities and that resources to track and intercept fugitives are scarce.But according to Mohamed Gnaidy, a military intelligence official in Misrata, a western Libyan city, about a dozen militant commanders and hundreds of more junior fighters may have slipped away."Important leaders escaped from Sirte," he said. "We think there are some in the desert and that they will try to regroup and continue with the same ideology."That does not mean Islamic State will resurface openly in another Libyan town, Gnaidy and other officials said. But the group could stage revenge attacks or wage an insurgency, operating sleeper cells in urban areas and forging new alliances in the vast open spaces of the south."One of the few things we know for sure is that Islamic State cannot continue acting like a state actor as it has in the past," said Marco Arnaboldi, a researcher of political Islam specialising on Libya.Sirte, the home town of toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi and the last big city to fall in the 2011 uprising that overthrew him, sits in the centre of Libya's coast, midway between areas controlled since 2014 by rival governments in the east and west.Islamic State seized control of Sirte a year and a half ago as warring factions battled each other across the country.Much of the group's Libyan force, which according to most estimates prior to the battle in Sirte numbered between 2,000 and 5,000, was based in the port city. At one stage Western officials even suggested Sirte could become a fallback option for the militants under pressure in Syria and Iraq.But Libya's Islamic State branch, already ousted from its initial base in the eastern city of Derna, has found it hard to win support, raise revenue, and retain territory.In January, Sirte-based militants pushed eastwards from the 250 km coastal strip under its control, attacking but not holding major oil terminals. In May, they surged on settlements and checkpoints to the west, provoking a counter attack from Misrata to start the campaign for Sirte.CITY BATTLEFIELDSirte is now a battlefield, its otherwise deserted central neighbourhoods the scene of sporadic sniper exchanges, artillery fire, and house-to-house fighting.On days of heavy clashes, dozens on both sides have been reported killed. No accurate numbers exist for Islamic State deaths, but casualties among the Misrata-led brigades testify to the enemy's force, with more than 350 killed and 1,500 wounded.That toll prompted a request for US air strikes, giving fresh impetus to an advance slowed by car bombs, highly trained snipers, and a wide range of improvised explosive devices.Libyan officials now fear such deadly tactics could be used elsewhere, including in the capital Tripoli and other cities in western Libya where Islamic State previously carried out attacks."Now they are trapped and it's easy to defeat them, but after they're defeated they'll definitely take revenge," said Fathi Bashagha, a security official who coordinates between Misrata-based forces and the UN-backed government in Tripoli.In the far west, Islamic State could attempt to rebuild around Sabratha, an area used as a training and support hub by Tunisian militants before dozens were killed in a US air strike in February and in later clashes with local forces.According to a UN report published last month, some fighters crossed back to Tunisia following the strike; others found refuge in Sabratha itself or at the foot of the Nafusa mountains to the south. Islamic State "still operates in the region stretching between Tripoli and the Tunisian border, especially in rural areas," the report said.Within Libya, officials say fugitive fighters from Sirte probably fled south, potentially reinforcing links between Islamic State and militant groups present in the Sahel, including Nigeria's Boko Haram, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Al Mourabitoun and Ansar Eddine.Hassan Kara, a field commander in Sirte, said senior Islamic State commanders had "fled the battlefield very early on", and that residents in Libya's southwest had reported militants fleeing through the desert towards Niger.Arnaboldi, the researcher, said he thought reports of escapes from Sirte may be exaggerated. Fighters who managed to leave told him this was only possible for a short period at the start of the battle.Last month's UN report said Islamic State efforts to infiltrate smuggling networks in Libya's southwest had largely failed. But in the southeast the group "struck a deal with Arab armed groups around Al Kufra to protect its convoys", establishing a "small operational presence" in the area.HAFTAR QUESTIONIn the northeast, the spillover from Sirte could fuel a conflict between forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, a powerful commander who rejects the government in Tripoli, and loose alliances of fighters that include Islamists loyal to Islamic State and al Qaeda-linked Ansar al Sharia.Some militants from eastern Libya may have returned to their home region from Sirte. The Misrata brigades that approached Sirte from the west did not manage to seal off routes out of the city to the east until June."We heard Daesh (Islamic State) were escaping from this side so we moved to close it off," said Ahmed Grayma, a field commander from a Misrata group called Brigade 166 now located on the eastern front.Haftar's forces have been battling Islamists in the eastern cities of Benghazi and Derna. Though Haftar loyalists have secured large areas in Benghazi, air strikes, bombings and clashes continue in some neighbourhoods.Milad Zway, a spokesman for Haftar's special forces, told Reuters Islamic State had sleeper cells across the east, including in Ajdabiya, close to oil terminals, and Bayda, where the eastern government is located.Zway said Islamic State and other anti-Haftar militants were "two sides of the same coin". Haftar's opponents say he exaggerates the role of Islamic State among his foes, and many are former anti-Gaddafi rebels with no ties to the militants.The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which nominally commands the Misrata-led brigades, will get a boost from victory in Sirte, but its bid to create unified security forces and end the conflict has faltered.While the political divides endure, Libya's factions "could make further use of violent extremist networks in the ongoing political struggle", the UN report said.REUTERS AKC AS1850 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-894771.Xml After Turkey requested India to take action against oganisations and educational institutions in India which are affiliated to Fethullah Gulen, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday briefed External Affairs Minister Sushma on the role of the Muslim cleric's organisation in last month's coup attempt in his country. There were discussions on the terrorist attacks in Turkey and the internal developments in Turkey, including the recent coup attempt, sources here said following a meeting between the two ministers. In this context, the Turkish side briefed about the role of Fethullah Gulen-led organisation FETO in the attempted coup, they said. At least 40,030 persons have been detained and 20,355 others arrested in the aftermath of the coup attempt on July 15, in which 237 lives were lost. Turkey has accused US-based Gulen of organising the failed coup. The External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday that Turkey's request has been passed on to relevant Indian authorities to investigate the matter. In Friday's meeting, the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as important global and regional issues of mutual interest was discussed, it is learnt On the multilateral front, there were discussions on the need for reform in UN Security Council, the sources said. Indias application for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) also featured in the discussions, they said, adding that Turkey confirmed support for this as it had earlier for Indias membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The two ministers exchanged views on regional developments, particularly in West Asia, where the security situation has become alarming from the perspective of both the countries. On the economic front, priority was given on convening the next session of Joint Economic Commission (JEC), which has been a very useful bilateral mechanism to discuss ways for increasing the bilateral trade and economic cooperation .The annual bilateral trade was $6.3 billion last year. Other areas of bilateral interests were cooperation in areas like culture, education, energy, and tourism. With a cultural exchange programme in place, discussions are currently on for concluding an educational exchange programme between the two sides. During the course of Cavusoglu 's visit, the External Affairs Ministry and the Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry finalised a road map for cooperation between the two countries in a wide variety of fields in the coming years. According to the sources, the road map proposes regular exchanges between the two countries at the political and official level to discuss bilateral matters as well as important global and regional issues of mutual concern. Cooperation for building closer economic ties through joint committee meetings, joint working groups, closer cooperation between business and industry associations and participation in trade fair and road shows is envisaged. Cavusoglu also called on Vice President Hamid Ansari here on Friday. This is the first official visit to India of Cavusoglu who was in India on a transit halt last year when he met Sushma Swaraj. Cavusoglu will also visit Hyderabad on Saturday where he will officially open the Turkish consulate building. --IANS ab/dg ( 518 Words) 2016-08-19-20:12:01 (IANS) File photo taken on May 24, 2016 shows a music fountain in West Lake 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) LONDON, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- As leaders of the world's major economies prepare to head to China for next month's crucial G20 summit, some leading British economists said leaders' talks at the forum will be more important than ever in addressing pressing global issues. Dr. Paola Subacchi, director of the International Economics Department at Chatham House, the London-based Royal Institute of International Affairs, spoke to Xinhua in an exclusive interview about the critical part the summit in Hangzhou will play. WIDE MENU Subacchi, an expert on the functioning and governance of international financial and monetary systems, said the summit gathering will cover a wide menu of issues ahead of a final communique being issued in what will be a wrap-up of discussions that started at the end of last year as part of the G20 process. The communique will express commitments looking at issues such as green finance and energy sustainability as well as the economy and security, the expert said. "Importantly, the G20 in China in September will see the leaders of the world's leading economies getting together. They will have the opportunity to speak around the table, talking for two days on pressing issues. It is an important forum to discuss the items that have been on the G20 agenda," she said. World leaders are also expected to talk about Brexit and the impact of the decision by Britain to leave the EU, the U.S. presidential election, according to Subacchi. "There will also be many geo-political tensions to discuss, such as immigration and migration, the refugee crisis and the tensions in Europe. There is going to be a very wide menu," she noted. "What I think will be interesting to see is whether there will be a more decisive steer on the need to embrace active fiscal policies and whether seeds will be established in the approach to economic policy-making," said the scholar. NEW CHARTER FOR GLOBALIZATION In a recent commentary, Alan Wheatley, associate fellow in International Economics at Chatham House, said the G20 should pursue a new charter for globalization. "Too many people are rebelling against the free flow of goods, capital and people because they have not benefited from them. The G20 can stop the rot at its summit in Hangzhou by pledging vigorous efforts to share the fruits of globalization more equitable," he said. On trade, Wheatley warned that public opinion in many countries has turned against free trade. "The G20 must prevent the sour mood from spawning outright protectionism. Governments should pledge not to erect trade barriers, beyond accepted remedies, or discriminate against foreign direct investment," he commented. NO SUBSTITUTE FOR G20 Prof. Gary Cook, who heads the Department of Economics at the University of Liverpool, agreed that leaders being able to talk freely away from the microphones is an important element of the G20 in China. "The G20 does have a useful role to play, particularly its case for economic co-operation and in maintaining confidence. "With Brexit there is still a lot of uncertainty and nervousness. The summit will give a strategic view of how that is viewed." "There is no substitute for world leaders to meet face-to-face as they will in China. The economic situation has wobbled and there is fragility in the financial situation in some parts of the world," he said. The economist expressed the hope to see the G20 promoting the idea that "free trade is in everybody's interest." "Maintaining global peace and helping to foster a sensible deal on Brexit arrangements are important. The UK is important globally in the economic situation, and it is in everybody's interest to reach a satisfactory conclusion on the future relationship," he explained. "The important legacies of the China summit should be firstly economic security and secondly political security. We are in what are perceived as difficult times, and what is needed at the G20 are frank discussions," said the professor. BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- China has taken center stage at the on-going Argentina's largest expos: Presentes-Exhibition of Decoration, Lighting, Furniture, Gifts and Household Items. The 2016 spring edition of the show, which takes place twice a year, features the latest trends in furniture, decorative items, lighting, kitchenware, linens, gifts and Christmas decor. Presentes, which opened Wednesday and runs through Saturday at La Rural, the largest exposition venue in Buenos Aires, serves to exclusively showcase the leading wholesalers in the market for home goods. China has "the participants with the largest scope, those who take up the most square meters, those with the most experience," Gustavo Koroyan, director of the show's executive committee, told Xinhua. Argentinian importers generally travel to China twice a year to find out about the latest products and innovations in home goods, said Koroyan. "The relationship is very direct, because many companies supply themselves with products from China," he said. Argentina's home segment relies on China "not just for gift and bazaar items," said Koroyan, adding the pavilion displaying furniture, lighting and decorations includes "imported goods, generally from China." Argentina's trade with China "is very good, it benefits growth and the finances of companies. Today both importers and national manufacturers rely on imports," he said. "Trade with China is very fluid ... and allows each company to develop through the years," said Koroyan. "This sector depends on China's economy when it prepares products, innovations and trends." Presentes, now in its 15th year, holds its fall show in March and its spring show in August. This edition was sponsored in part by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). This edition features more than 400 participating manufacturers or importers at the city's 30,000-square-meter exposition center. Argentina and China established diplomatic ties in 1972, and have since entered into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. A leading producer and exporter of agricultural products, Argentina is looking to boost its value-added exports of high-tech goods to China, in a bid to diversify its economy. China, in turn, has helped Buenos Aires strengthen strategic industries, such as railroads, hydraulic engineering and nuclear energy, while Argentina's advanced technology in the area of agriculture has helped China improve its food security. LA PAZ, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bolivia, Crispin Moreira, said Thursday that the country would not suffer a severe lack of food during the current severe drought. At a coffee festival in La Paz, Moreira spoke about how the government had stockpiled reserves in recent years and applied public policies to guarantee food security. "Bolivia is not at risk (of a lack of supply) as it has various instruments through public companies, public policies which guarantee the supply of foodstuffs, and a regulation of prices," said Moreira. The FAO representative also highlighted the country's early warning system, which gives farmers and food producers between two and four days of warning prior to severe weather conditions, such as flooding, rain or snow. He said this has allowed families and communities to better protect their crops against the effects of climate change. Additionally, Veronica Ramos, the Minister of Productive Development, said that expected deficits in wheat and maize due to the drought would be counter-balanced by help of the state-owned Emapa, which assists with food production in times of need. Ramos explained that, since 2008, Bolivia has been boosting its strategic reserves of wheat and maize to avoid food shortages during drought. According to government data, the drought has already affected 206,000 hectares of crops and around 132,000 families in 131 municipalities. WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The White House announced Thursday that U.S. President Barack Obama is to travel to China and Laos in early September, during which he will attend the G20 summit and conduct his first visit to Laos. Obama's September 2-9 trip will "highlight the President's ongoing commitment to the G-20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation as well as the U.S. Rebalance to Asia and the Pacific," the White House said in a statement. In China, Obama will participate in his final G-20 summit, "where he will emphasize the need to continue building on the progress made since 2009 in advancing strong, sustainable, and balanced global economic growth," the statement said. "He will underscore the importance of G-20 cooperation in promoting a level playing field and broad-based economic opportunity," it said. Obama "will also conduct in-depth meetings with President Xi Jinping of China in Hangzhou, where the two leaders will discuss a wide-range of global, regional, and bilateral issues," it added. While in Laos, Obama will participate in the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit, the statement said. "Additionally, he will have bilateral meetings with President Bounnhang Vorachith and other key officials to advance U.S.-Lao cooperation on economic, development, and people-to-people ties, among other areas," it said. Obama also will participate in the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative Summit, where he will hold a town hall meeting. During the ASEAN Summit, Obama will discuss ways to strengthen the U.S. economic cooperation with the countries of Southeast Asia, which collectively represent America's fourth largest trading partner, and further enhance the collaboration on regional and global challenges. "This visit also will support the President's efforts to expand opportunities for American businesses and workers to sell their products in some of the world's fastest-growing markets. Central to this effort is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the high-standards trade agreement that will unlock key markets to American exports and cement America's economic leadership in the Asia-Pacific," the statement added. This will be Obama's 11th trip to Asia since taking office in 2009. MEXICO CITY, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's attorney general will lead the investigation into the kidnapping of the son of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, which took place on Aug. 15 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. In a statement on Thursday, the attorney general said its specialized office for investigations into organized crime (SEIDO) would take over from the attorney general of Jalisco to track the whereabouts of Alfredo Guzman Salazer, son of the Sinaloa cartel leader, and five others. The six men were taken away by seven men, armed with rifles, in the early morning of Aug. 15 from the "La Leche" restaurant. The Jalisco attorney general ruled that this mass kidnapping was linked to a growing turf war between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation cartel, both operating in and around Puerto Vallarta. "On Thursday, the state attorney general will turn over to... SEIDO all items linked to the investigation, including evidence, secured vehicles, cellphones and other objects," read the statement. Guzman Salazar, known as "Alfredillo", is one of the four sons that "El Chapo" had with his first wife, whom he married in 1977. Charges were filed against Guzman Salazar at a federal court in Chicago in 2009 for being a logistical coordinator of drug shipments by the Sinaloa cartel to the U.S.. People protest against poverty at Perk Plaza after a protest through the streets on the first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (AFP/Patrick T. Fallon) WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Confidence in either U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump or his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton being a good president continues to remain low, as was the case earlier this year, a Pew Research Center poll said on Thursday. Just 27 percent of registered voters think Trump would make a good or great president, while 55 percent say the bellicose New York billionaire developer would be either poor or terrible president. Opinions about Clinton are not as negative, but still only 31 percent registered voters say Clinton would be a good or great president. As many as 45 percent voters say Clinton would be a poor or terrible president. Also, the poll found that large shares of voters worry that there is distinct possibility that if elected, either nominee would make a serious mistake that would damage the country, with 55 percent registered voters saying that Trump has a "big chance" and 44 percent saying the same about Clinton. Meanwhile, supporters of Trump and Clinton diverge on how their life has become and where the country is heading for. According to the national poll, Trump supporters overwhelmingly believe that life in the country is worse that it was half a century ago "for people like them," with 81 percent holding such opinion, compared with only 11 percent saying life has gone better. The majority of Clinton's supporters take the opposite view, with 59 percent of them saying that life for people like them "has gone better" over the past five decades. About one in five Clinton's supporters think life has gotten worse and another 18 percent see little change. As to the future generation's prospects, most Trump backers are pessimistic, with 68 percent saying that life for their children will be worse than today. Clinton's supporters hold mixed expectations, with 38 percent being optimistic, compared with 30 percent who say life for the next generation will be worse. CANBERRA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East must prepare for a mass exodus of militants if the Iraqi city of Mosul is liberated, Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne said on Friday. Speaking about the difficulty of containing an unpredictable enemy, Payne said liberating the makeshift IS capital of Mosul in northern Iraq could occur as early as this year, though dealing with the fallout of success must be in the plans of military planners. "We know that there will be a reasonable number of foreign fighters who are said to be part of the (IS) numbers in Mosul," Payne told Fairfax Media on Friday. "We and many of our partners in the coalition are very conscious of that and what happens to them. They may be victims of the operation. They may try to escape the operation. They may survive the operation and try and go elsewhere." She said there was a real dangers associated with liberating the city, as IS militants and leader could scatter to their countries of origin, or to other, nearby cities and set up resistance elsewhere. "Obviously there is absolutely no desire in any part of the international coalition for those foreign fighters to be able to return to their countries of origin," Payne said. "Do they move elsewhere in the region? Do they end up hypothetically heading towards Syria?" Payne said a number of high-profile IS operatives were "trying to sell property (in Mosul) and get out", as coalition fighters look likely to capture the city in the coming months. She said she came across this information after a recent meeting with U.S. Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi and Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi in Iraq. Mosul is currently under IS control, but is under fire from local Kurdish militants as well as Iraqi national forces. Payne said coalition forces must increase its attention of restabilizing the areas around Mosul if it is captured, and added that Aussie forces would help advise Iraqi special forces if any attack on the city goes ahead. AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- "I am a recognizable one among my peers, without a doubt, meanwhile I am not a typical children's literature writer," Cao Wenxuan, who is set to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Award here on Saturday evening, portrayed himself in a way one can find hard to argue. Cao has been in the spotlight since April when he was announced the winner for the 2016 top award of children's literature at Bologna Children's book fair in Italy. It was the first time that a Chinese writer was voted the winner by the panel of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). "I start to feel somehow a little excitement, not only for myself, but for the recognition of Chinese literature as a whole," the 62-year-old literature professor in Peking University, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. Cao sees himself as a writer, not for children in particular, but for upholding literary and aesthetical texture."While writing, I don't have a target reader in mind, perhaps in the sub consciousness there might be one. When writing begins, the target actually fades away." Truthfully, some of his works, including the latest Dragonfly Eyes, have been awarded by mainstream literature journals in China and reviewed and commented by critics not specialized in children's literature. "When it is published by a literature journal, it is for readers of adulthood; when it is done by a children's magazine, it is for the children as well," he explained. "When children read my stories, they would not say this is not for me to read." In his opinion, literature can be categorized, but irrelevant to readership. However, Cao always chose a child's perspective to observe the world, which may be the reason most of his works were defined as children's literature. He insisted that the perspective of a child is a choice without struggle that satisfied his pursuit of aesthetics. He is stubborn on a dialogue with children as an adult in his works, revealing a true world or real human condition to his readers regardless of age, refusing to sugarcoat the pains and miseries in life, but never giving up on reflecting on the precious qualities of humanity. He would not agree with the"kneeling down" perspective in his writing, echoing his long standing belief that reading on tiptoe brings upmost pleasure. His works raised some controversial comments by critics as some pointed out his deep rooted romantics in his works failed to exemplify a real world. Others say his ruthless reveal of vulnerabilities of life failed to reflect on a happy childhood. Cao clarified that romantics is the basic color of his works though he would not to hide what life and humanity really are to his readers, of whom two thirds are children. He attributed his award to his peers and his country as he deems himself as one of a few Chinese writers who shared the same view that aesthetics is the gene of literature and source of its charm. He repeatedly stated that he has been writing stories that can only occur in China, a country that has undergone drastic changes for the last century offering inspirations in abundance to a writer. "What a big fool you would make yourself of, if you turn away from this treasury,"he asserted, adding he was fortunate to be a writer with Chinese background. "I think I simply offered a human story the IBBY panel never read before, and they decided to give me this award." KIEV, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said on Thursday it has recorded a presence of heavy weapons, which is banned under a current ceasefire deal, near the frontline in the eastern regions. "The SMM observed numerous weapons missing from storage sites and the presence of weapons in violation of withdrawal lines, quite often in or near residential areas," the SMM said in a report. In particular, last week, the OSCE monitors observed the presence of multiple rocket launchers on both sides of the contact line, the document said. The report came amid an escalation of hostilities between government troops and independence-seeking insurgents in the restive area that started in May 2016 as the sides failed to find common ground on local elections in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine. Over the past day, three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six others were wounded in the fighting, according to government military spokesman Olexandr Motuzyanyk. The insurgents have not commented on their casualties in the past 24 hours. More than 9,500 people were killed and 22,000 were injured since the conflict in eastern Ukraine started in April 2014. The government and the rebel forces were meant to withdraw all their heavy weaponry from the combat area and place it into OSCE-monitored storage sites under the peace agreement reached in the Belarusian capital Minsk in February 2015. Meng Jianzhu (L), member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus, Aug. 18, 2016. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi) MINSK, Aug. 19 (Xinhua)-- Visiting senior Chinese official Meng Jianzhu said here Thursday that China-Belarus relations have seen rapid development in recent years and the Chinese side is fully confident of the prospects of the bilateral ties. Meng, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. With the full support of President Xi Jinping and President Lukashenko, the political mutual trust between China and Belarus continues to increase and their economic and trade cooperation has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits for both peoples, said Meng. For his part, Lukashenko said relations with China remain a foreign policy priority for Belarus. He added that his country is ready to build the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park as part of the "Belt and Road" cooperation, and strive to lift bilateral ties to a higher level, said Lukashenko. Later in the day, Meng, who also acted as Chinese chairman of the two countries' Intergovernmental Committee of Cooperation, presided over the second meeting of the committee jointly with Nikolay Snopko, Belarusian chairman of the committee and also deputy director of the presidential office. The two sides vowed to further resolve outstanding issues and boost mutual-beneficial cooperation within the committee. Meng also met with Belarusian top security officials in Minsk. JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria on Wednesday to bid farewell to 37 South African students who have received scholarships to study in China as part of educational exchange programs between the two countries. The students are scheduled to leave at the end of August to pursue studies in agricultural science, economics and medicine among other courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. "This opportunity is a great privilege, because it is the best time to study in China now," said Tian Xuejun, Chinese ambassador to South Africa. Speaking of a new life experience in China, Tian reminded the students to keep in mind the three Fs -- future, fun, and friendship. More talent is needed to help the cooperation between China and Africa grow deeper and wider, and create greater opportunities, he said. "I hope that all of you will make the best of this opportunity and succeed in your academic pursuit. If you work hard, you may make a difference in the greatest episode of China-Africa relations," Tian added. Mduduzi Manana, South African deputy minister of Higher Education and Training, encouraged students to help each other and solve challenges they may encounter in China. "I hope for your contribution to our economy with what you learn in China," he added. Sending students abroad would help cover skill shortages in South Africa such as engineers, doctors, economists and maths and science teachers. Skill shortages are identified as one of the obstacles to the country's development. CARACAS, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The governments of Venezuela and Colombia agreed on Thursday to let their citizens cross the border with tires and auto parts for personal use. According to a deal reached by President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia last week, the agreement is part of the gradual process of re-opening the shared border of the two countries, which had been closed for almost a year. While the initial agreement stated only personal items, such as foodstuffs, clothing and medicine, could be brought across the border, the governor of the Venezuelan state of Tachira, Jose Vielma Mora, asked the Colombian side to allow tires and auto parts to be added to the list. The Colombian Foreign Ministry issued a statement Thursday that this request had been accepted and that, starting at once, Venezuelans could take home up to four tires each or a single auto part needed for their own vehicle. "Each person with these items must comply with the established migration rules, such as possessing a migration card, a form of ID and the receipt for the purchases," the statement read. The border was re-opened to foot traffic on Aug. 13, after a long closure ordered by Venezuelan President Maduro, following alleged attacks on Venezuelan soldiers by paramilitary groups acting from inside Colombia. On Friday, the ministers of health, commerce and transport from both countries will meet in Caracas for a joint summit. ABOARD XI'AN DESTROYER, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese Navy fleets began a confrontation drill in the Sea of Japan Thursday, according to a military source Friday. One fleet included the missile destroyer Xi'an, missile frigate Hengshui and supply ship Gaoyouhu. ALl of the three have just wrapped the Rim of the Pacific 2016 (RIMPAC 2016) multinational naval exercise, the Navy source said. The rival fleet consisted of several warships from the Navy's Donghai Fleet. Foreign aircraft attempted surveillance during the drill and were met with the proper response from the Chinese warships, the source said. The drill, arranged according to the Navy's annual training plan and a common practice seen across the world, is in line with the international law and practice, the source noted. MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia's use of an Iranian airbase to strike terrorist targets in Syria will strengthen the role of the two countries in the Middle East amid U.S. policy mistakes in the region. Beginning on Tuesday, Russian bombers took off from the Hamadan base in western Iran for three consecutive days to strike terrorist targets in Syria. First, for Russia, which has launched intensive air strikes in Syria since last September, using an Iranian airbase in addition to its domestic airfields and the Syrian Hmeimim airbase helps cut the costs of the military operations in Syria. "The Iranian option allows lowering costs by saving kerosene and avoiding the need to refuel long-range bombers in the air," Azhdar Kurtov, chief editor of the National Strategy Issues journal and a member at the Russian Institute for Strategic studies, told Xinhua Thursday. Second, it implies deeper ties between Moscow and Tehran. When a state allows using, even temporarily, its territory to armed forces of another state, Kurtov said, it demonstrates a greater confidence between them. The deal will also deepen Iran's involvement in the region, as it gives it an impetus to play a more active part in the settlement of the Syria crisis, in addition to the lifting of sanctions. However, Kurtov said it is still too early to speculate about the contribution of this Moscow-Tehran cooperation model of air strikes to the political solution in war-torn Syria, as the efficiency of air strikes from Iran has yet to be assessed. Meanwhile, he agreed that if they inflicted more damage to terrorists and forced them to retreat, then a solution to the Syria crisis could be found faster. Furthermore, there is a "political component" behind the unprecedented move, which Kurtov believed is a demonstration to Washington that the United States is not the only power that could carry out military operations by using airbases in Middle East countries. So far, the United States has been not happy following Russia's use of the Iranian airbase, but it has not yet taken any concrete action. U.S. State Department spokesperson Mark Toner on Wednesday said that such a move is "not helpful" to the situation in the war-torn country, and Washington is assessing whether Russia's move violated UN Security Council resolution 2231, which prohibits the supply, sale and transfer of combat aircraft to Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denied the accusations, saying that Russian warplanes were used with Iran's consent within the framework of an "anti-terrorist operation on the territory of Syria at the request of the legitimate Syrian government." "As the United States is directly responsible for conflicts in the Middle East, civil wars and the emergence of the Islamic State and other terrorist groups, it has to take into account the fact that Iran and Russia are involved in active military operations aimed at rectifying the mistakes of U.S. policy," said Kurtov. WELLINGTON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese visitors led the growth in visitors to New Zealand in the year to the end of July, the government statistics agency said Friday. Total visitor arrivals hit a record 3.34 million in the July year, up by 11 percent from the July 2015 year, according to Statistics New Zealand. The biggest rise came from China, with Chinese visitors up by 87,900 to 403,200. Australia followed with a rise of 81,900 to 1.37 million, and the United States was in third pace, with a rise of 26,800 to 262,000. The same three countries drove a July record in the number of visitor arrivals last month. Arrivals were up 14 percent year on year to 237,900 in July. "More holidaymakers from Australia, China and the United States boosted the holiday arrival numbers this month," population statistics manager Jo-Anne Skinner said in a statement. "This is the first time that holiday visitor arrivals from Australia have exceeded 50,000 in a July month." WELLINGTON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's tourism industry is having a boom time with overseas visitors spending a record 10.3 billion NZ dollars (7.47 billion U.S. dollars) in the year ending June, according to a government report out Friday. The international visitor spend was up 18 percent from the previous June year, said the report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). "The latest data shows significant growth in visitor spend from tourists from our key Asian markets with spend from South Korea up 92 percent to 293 million NZ dollars (212.63 million U.S. dollars), Japan up 57 percent to 287 million NZ dollars (208.27 million U.S. dollars) and China up 33 percent to 1.8 billion NZ dollars (1.3 billion U.S. dollars)," said MBIE manager of sector trends Peter Ellis. Over the last quarter, the average price of return airfares in New Zealand dollars had decreased in all of New Zealand's biggest tourism markets -- Australia, China, the U.S., the UK, Germany, Canada, Japan and South Korea -- which could be encouraging more visitors to make the trip, Ellis said in a statement. The results suggest that while international visitor spend was continuing to grow, the growth rate had fallen from its peak of 38 percent in the year ended September 2015. The government's Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) agency said the figures showed great progress in increasing the value of international visitors. TNZ chief executive Kevin Bowler said the spending figures were good news for the tourism industry, coming on the same day as statistics show total holiday arrivals were up 21 percent year on year for the month of July and up 17 percent for the year ending July. "The big increase in holiday arrivals in our key markets of Australia, China and the United States is exceptional," Bowler said in a statement. "China continues to deliver strong growth, with holiday arrivals up 31.5 percent, supported by similar strong performances across our other Asian markets, including Indonesia, up 14 percent, Japan up 20.9 percent and India up 23.8 percent," he said. LA PAZ, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia has great potential to be a key energy exporter for South America, officials said Thursday. Bolivia can be "a key player" in energy generation and integration of energy sectors in the region as interconnections between Bolivia and its neighboring countries Brazil and Argentina are positive, said Emilio Uquillas, local representative of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF). Uquillas made the remarks at a press conference held in the city of Santa Cruz, some 850 km east of the capital La Paz. CAF, a Latin American development bank designed to promote regional sustainable development by financing public or private projects, has done several studies on Bolivia's energy potential, according to Uquillas. The bank is set to undertake further studies to determine Bolivia's hydroelectric potential, he said, adding that current data shows the country has exploited only between 5 percent and 10 percent of its total potential. At the press conference, Bolivian Hydrocarbons and Energy Minister Luis Sanchez said his country aims to export electricity from thermoelectric or hydroelectric plants by 2025. "Our goal is to export, by 2025, 1,500 megawatts (MW) generated by thermoelectric power and some 6,500 MW to 7,000 MW from hydropower," said Sanchez. According to Sanchez, Bolivia will generate most of its energy from renewable sources by then. WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Justice Department announced on Thursday it was planning to phase out the use of privately-operated prisons for federal inmates amid the dropping federal inmate population and rising concerns about safety and security problems within them. The U.S. federal prison population increased by almost 800 percent between 1980 and 2013, and in an effort to manage the rising prison population, U.S. authorities began contracting with private prisons to confine some federal inmates a decade ago. In a memo to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons on Thursday, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates said the bureau should either decline to renew that contract or substantially reduce its scope. By May 2017, the total private prison population will be reduced to less than 14,200 inmates, wrote Yates, down from about 30,000 in 2013. The move was justified by the declining federal prison population, now at fewer than 195,000 from almost 220,000 in 2013, according to Yates. Currently, about 1.5 million prisoners are housed across the United States in state and federal facilities, and only federal prisoners will be affected by the policy shift. In addition, private prisons used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which house about 34,000 immigrants awaiting deportation, are not covered by the policy shift. ' The policy change followed a recent audit report by the Justice Department's inspector general, in which concerns were raised on safety and security problems in privately operated prisons. According to the report, private prisons were more problematic than federal prisons and were on average less safe. In the memo to Bureau of Prisons, Yates also cited relatively poor performance of privately operated prisons as reasons to ultimately end the use of these prisons. "They simply do not provide the same level of correctional services, programs, and resources; they do not save substantially on cost; and as noted in a recent report by the Department's Office of Inspector General, they do not maintain the same level of safety and security," wrote Yates. BUJUMBURA, Burundi, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian Parliament Thursday rejected the UN Security Council resolution on deploying 228 police agents to oversee Burundi' s security situation. Burundian lawmakers rejected the UN Security Council resolution in two separate statements signed by National Assembly (lower chamber) Speaker Pascal Nyabenda and Senate (upper chamber) President Reverien Ndikuriyo. "The decision to deploy 228 UN police agents did not take into account the viewpoint of the Burundian government. As representatives of the citizens, we join the government of Burundi to reject any provision of Resolution 2303," said Nyabenda in the statement. The east African country' s Senate also "categorically" rejected the resolution. "The decision was taken without consulting the government and did not either take into consideration the country's political and security situation that has returned to normalcy," said Ndikuriyo in another statement. On Aug. 3, the Burundian government also issued a statement whereby it rejected the resolution of the UN Security Council. According to Burundian Government Spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba, the decision has "terrible consequences" for other countries because it was taken without the consent of Burundi. Nzobonariba indicated that Burundi had earlier made its proposal through diplomatic channels, but the proposal was not taken into account by France, the country that initiated the resolution. On July 29, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2303 authorizing the deployment of up to 228 police forces to Burundi for an initial period of a year. Among the 15 Council members, 11 voted in favor while China, Angola, Egypt and Venezuela abstained. However, the Burundian government said it would only accept no more than 50 UN police forces. Burundi plunged into bloody chaos from April 2015 when the east African country' s President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to vie for the presidency for a third five-year-term. More than 500 people in Burundi have been killed and some 270,000 people fled to neighboring countries, mostly Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the outbreak of the crisis. BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A former lawmaker was sentenced to five years in prison by a local court in Beijing Friday after he was found guilty of negligently causing a serious incident for having excavated a basement that caved in and caused the road and surrounding buildings to collapse. In a ruling handed out by Xicheng District People's Court in Beijing in a first-instant trial, the court said Li Baojun, a former lawmaker from east China's Jiangsu Province, was liable for the incident. The court heard that in 2014, Li hired an unlicensed contractor to dig an 18-meter-deep basement in his courtyard in Xicheng District without getting prior permission. When the structure supporting his basement collapsed on Jan. 24, 2015, the road and houses nearby were damaged, causing direct economic losses of more than 5.83 million yuan (about 900,000 U.S. dollars), according to prosecutors. The case also highlighted the practice of illegal construction across the national capital city. Li was arrested on Feb. 10, 2015. Also convicted in Friday's court trial were Lu Zufu, director of the construction company, who was sentenced to three and half years in prison, and another defendant Li Hailun, who was given a sentence of three-year suspended imprisonment. Neither held residential construction permits. The President of International Congress of the Transplantation Society (TTS) Philip O'Connell delivers a speech during the 26th International Congress of the Transplantation Society in Hong Kong, Aug. 18, 2016. (Xinhua/Wang Shen) HONG KONG, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- In the first half of 2016, China has completed 1,795 cases of organ donation, up 45 percent compared to the same period of last year, a Chinese official said here on Thursday. "At present, China's annual average number of organ donation ranks first in Asia and third around the world," Wang Haibo, head of China Organ Transplant Response System (COTRS), told the 26th International Congress of the Transplantation Society (TTS) in Hong Kong. There were 2,766 donation cases in China last year, Wang said, which exceeded the total number of 2013 and 2014. First held in China, the TTS congress is the largest and most authoritative academic conference in organ transplantation, which gathered experts from all over the world to discuss the progress that China has made and other academic topics in organ transplantation. Professionals from China and abroad noted that China's regulations, systems and standards of organ transplantation have been brought in correspondence with the guiding principles of World Health Organization (WHO) and other internationally recognized standards. Li Bin, head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, said China has created the "Chinese Mode" of organ donation when she delivered a speech through her representative. "The Chinese government's attitudes toward organ transplantation is consistent and clear," Li said, adding that China is aimed at developing organ transplantation in a legal and legitimate way in all the aspects such as organization, techniques, implementation, transportation and supervision. The Chinese government started the work of organ donation after citizens' decease in 2010 and banned the harvesting of organs from executed prisoners in 2015, which made voluntary donation the only legal source of organs. TTS President Philip O'Connell said, TTS is pleased to see the progress that China has made in the cessation of use of organs from executed prisoners after decade of reform, and they will continue to support the Chinses people who need organ transplantation. Jose Nunez, a WHO officer in charge of global organ transplantation, said after visiting China several times that he is impressed with the changes done so far, the progress and the determination, not only from professionals but also from health authorities to build the transplantation reform. He said there were more than 2,700 voluntary donations and 10,500 patients transplanted during 2015, and an estimated increase of 40 to 50 percent this year, which is a clear demonstration of a fair system. "A transplantation reform on the basis of voluntary community-based deceased organ donation is the only legitimate source for deceased organ transplantation, aligned with the WHO guiding principles, consistent with the Declaration of Istanbul," he said, adding that measures have been taken to ensure transparency, fairness and traceability of the whole process. Li said representing a creative exploration of ways to develop organ transplantation, the "Chinese mode" may serve as an aspiration for the rest of the world, especially the countries that face similar challenges as China to solve the shortage of human organs for transplant. KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's MyHSR and Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Friday that they will be calling for a joint tender on Monday to appoint a Joint Development Partner (JDP) to assist in the planned Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project. According to a press release from MyHSR and LTA, which are representative organizations from the two countries, the partner is expected to "provide project management support, technical advice and procurement advice relating to the high speed railway systems and operations." "It will also develop the technical and safety standards to be adopted for the project," it added. As the first tender since the Malaysian and Singaporean governments signed a memorandum of understanding last month, it will also see the JDP assist the joint project team with the preparation of documents for the forthcoming tenders, it said. According to the press release, the tender is open to firms who have advised on large public private partnership infrastructure projects including HSR projects of similar size and complexity. Firms with experience in providing project management, technical, commercial or legal advisory services relating to HSR or rail projects with more than 200 km of track are also eligible, it said. The 350 km HSR is expected to handle trains commuting between the two capital cities with a speed of more than 300 kilometers per hour. It is expected to run into service in 2026. MANILA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Top leaders of a Philippine leftist rebel group were released Friday from detention so that they can participate in the resumption of the peace talks next week in Oslo, Norway. Edre Olalia, peace panel legal consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), said the couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon finally walked free. "They will join 14 others so far released in peace talks in Oslo and for consultations with NDF Negotiating Panel," he said in his post on Facebook. The Tiamzons were released from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center before noon after posting bail. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, who will lead the government delegation in the formal peace talks in Oslo starting August 22, has said that the participation of the Tiamzons in the peace talks "ensures an inclusive outcome, hopefully to end conflict and bring about comprehensive and sustainable peace throughout the land." The Tiamzon couple were arrested in central province of Cebu in March 2014 for murder, multiple murder, and frustrated murder charges. Benito is the chairman of the CPP, while his wife Wilma is the secretary-general. The CPP-NPA-NDF is waging Asia's longest running insurgency since the 1960s. The formal peace talks between the government and the leftist rebel group bogged down in 2011 during the Aquino administration. SYDNEY, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A French tourist who was reportedly driving on the wrong side of the road, leading to the death of a Miss World Australia finalist, has been charged, local media reported on Friday. The 24-year-old French woman who was driving the car with a companion has been charged for killing model Elyse Miller-Kennedy in a crash that occurred in Cairns, Queensland on August 3. Following the smash, the 17-year-old suffered critical injuries and died in the hospital a week later while the driver suffered serious leg and arm injuries. The woman's 20-year-old companion came out with only minor injuries. The Australian pageant community were in shock following Kennedy's sudden demise and have described her as a "mature, happy and full of life" person. "She was a beautiful, amazing girl both inside and out and she could have done anything she wanted to," current Miss World Australia Madeline Cowe said. The driver will face the charges at Cairns Magistrates Court on August 20. A Tupolev Tu-22M3 Backfire long-range bomber hits ISIS targets in Syria's Aleppo, Deir Ez Zor and Idlib governorates. Best possible quality. (Sputnik Photo) MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia's use of an Iranian airbase to strike terrorist targets in Syria will strengthen the role of the two countries in the Middle East amid U.S. policy mistakes in the region. Beginning on Tuesday, Russian bombers took off from the Hamadan base in western Iran for three consecutive days to strike terrorist targets in Syria. First, for Russia, which has launched intensive air strikes in Syria since last September, using an Iranian airbase in addition to its domestic airfields and the Syrian Hmeimim airbase helps cut the costs of the military operations in Syria. "The Iranian option allows lowering costs by saving kerosene and avoiding the need to refuel long-range bombers in the air," Azhdar Kurtov, chief editor of the National Strategy Issues journal and a member at the Russian Institute for Strategic studies, told Xinhua Thursday. Second, it implies deeper ties between Moscow and Tehran. When a state allows using, even temporarily, its territory to armed forces of another state, Kurtov said, it demonstrates a greater confidence between them. The deal will also deepen Iran's involvement in the region, as it gives it an impetus to play a more active part in the settlement of the Syria crisis, in addition to the lifting of sanctions. However, Kurtov said it is still too early to speculate about the contribution of this Moscow-Tehran cooperation model of air strikes to the political solution in war-torn Syria, as the efficiency of air strikes from Iran has yet to be assessed. Meanwhile, he agreed that if they inflicted more damage to terrorists and forced them to retreat, then a solution to the Syria crisis could be found faster. Furthermore, there is a "political component" behind the unprecedented move, which Kurtov believed is a demonstration to Washington that the United States is not the only power that could carry out military operations by using airbases in Middle East countries. So far, the United States has been not happy following Russia's use of the Iranian airbase, but it has not yet taken any concrete action. U.S. State Department spokesperson Mark Toner on Wednesday said that such a move is "not helpful" to the situation in the war-torn country, and Washington is assessing whether Russia's move violated UN Security Council resolution 2231, which prohibits the supply, sale and transfer of combat aircraft to Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denied the accusations, saying that Russian warplanes were used with Iran's consent within the framework of an "anti-terrorist operation on the territory of Syria at the request of the legitimate Syrian government." SYDNEY, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists have backed a controversial plan to cull more than 5,000 brumbies found roaming around on Snowy Mountains, Sydney as the animals were found to have been destroying the delicate Alpine environment in the area. A group of 41 scientists from 16 universities in Australia wrote to New South Wales Premier Mike Baird, expressing their support for the killing of 90 percent of the brumby population in Kosciuszko National Park. The controversial plan which has yet to be materialized, is set to bring the current count of brumbies down to 600 from 6,000 over the next 20 years, local media reported on Friday. Professor Don Driscoll, from Deakin University, one of the signatories of the letter, said academics behind the letter represented the greatest pool of knowledge about Alpine ecosystems in the country. "Horses are stock animals recently introduced and are not characteristic of this area, but threaten ecosystem processes, ecosystems and species that are characteristic," Driscoll said in a statement. He said the brumbies in Kosciuszko have degraded 48 percent of the national park and the current management strategy was not working. Driscoll said the brumbies population has also increased from 4,200 in 2009 to 6,000 despite 450 horses being removed each year. However, Driscoll said scientists did not agree with all aspects of the plan, arguing that the 20-year time frame was too long and inhumane and preferred a faster process. The controversial plan proposed earlier this month has drawn the ire of some locals, brumby lovers, and animal activists, with almost 250 people protesting against the plan in Sydney alone. Those protesting argued that the iconic brumbies have been in the park for 150 years and shooting them was out of the question. VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Russian far eastern city of Vladivostok is set to host the 20th Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Summer University on Friday. Under the theme "Gateways of Asia and Europe: Connectivity by Land, Sea & Air," 48 participants from 45 countries will travel together for two weeks across China, Mongolia and the Russian Federation. The aim of the Asia-Europe team of young professionals and students is to explore the role of transportation and trade in connecting Asia and Europe in the past, present and future. "We know that ASEF is very actively engaged in the field of socio-culture, the economy and finance. These issues are also very close to Vladivostok," said Elena Novitskaya, Chairman of Vladivostok's Duma, or parliament. Founded in February 1997, ASEF has been organizing bi-regional exchange projects including the ASEF Summer University in order to promote greater understanding between Asia and Europe. Russia is hosting the event for the first time. Palestinian children watch the solar car made by Palestinian students Jamal Mikaty and Khaled Bardawil in Gaza City, on Aug. 16, 2016. Two Palestinian mechanical engineering students from Gaza have shown their passion for green energy through manufacturing the first prototype solar car. Kept in an empty room at the ground floor of one of the students' home in Gaza city, the two-door vehicle is covered by solar panels that can convert sunrays into energy to an electric motor which pushes the vehicle to move. (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar) by Hamada al-Hattab GAZA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinian mechanical engineering students from Gaza have shown their passion for green energy through manufacturing the first prototype solar car. Kept in an empty room at the ground floor of one of the students' home in Gaza city, the two-door vehicle is covered by solar panels that can convert sunrays into energy to an electric motor which pushes the vehicle to move. The students said it took them one year to design the three-wheel vehicle, adding the costs were roughly 1,500 U.S. dollars which they paid from their own pockets. Jamal Mikaty, one of students, said they wanted to achieve two goals through this project. "The first is to make a scientific leap to prove that we can achieve just like the other countries," he said, adding that the second is to bring the knowledge they gained into reality and serve the community. The young man said they are very pleased that they have managed to realize their dreams through this model. Although the solar car can only reach the speed of 30 kilometers per hour, the two students said this is the first step toward a real high tech solar car that will be manufactured soon. "I believe that their project will be very successful in Gaza if we find a sponsor because this will help Gaza residents escape the skyrocketing prices of fuel that is imported from Israel," said Mikaty. Gaza is rich for solar energy and it is almost the only natural source available in the region with more than 300 sunny days in the year, yet 1.9 million Gaza people have no choice but to rely on expensive Israeli-imported fuel to run their vehicles and factories. According to the Oslo Peace Accords between Israel and the Palestinians, Israel has control over the fuel supply to the Palestinians, while the Palestinian government must not sell its fuel for less than 15 percent of Israel's market price. "If this project is implemented; we will reduce our dependency on Israeli energy," Miktay added as he prepared the vehicle for a short ride in his upscale neighborhood. As the car moved slowly, Mikaty waved to his neighbors who lined to watch his small metal car. The students were encouraged by al-Azhar University of Gaza which is considered a main supporter of innovation in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Mazen Abu Amer, professor at al-Azhar University's engineering faculty, told Xinhua that the idea to create a solar car is brand new in Gaza, adding that the university will support the project to the end. "We hope that this project will be commercialized and can benefit the Gaza Strip in the near future," he said. A girl is pictured in front of a damaged building in Gorlovka, eastern Ukraine, on July 10, 2016. (Xinhua/Alexander Ermochenko) KIEV, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Thursday he stands ready to impose martial law in the country if the crisis in the eastern regions and near the separation line with Crimea deepens. "We don't rule out the possibility of introducing martial law and declaring mobilization if the situation in the east and in Crimea escalates," Poroshenko told reporters during his visit to Ukraine's western Lviv region. Noting that government forces have experienced a "record number" of attacks on their positions in eastern Ukraine last night, Poroshenko said there is a risk that the conflict in the restive region may escalate further. At the same time, Poroshenko stressed that Ukrainian troops are fully prepared to repel a possible offensive. "Our armed forces are ready to resist the enemy in the east of Ukraine, where the rival is occupying Donbas, and along the administrative border with Crimea," Poroshenko said. Last week, Poroshenko has ordered the country's defense and law enforcement agencies to put their units near Crimea and in eastern Ukraine on high alert, as Moscow accused Kiev of plotting terror attacks in Crimea and vowed to take additional measures. Ukraine dismissed the claim, terming the allegations as Moscow's attempt to justify its alleged re-deployment of troops and actions in the region. Crimea, which was previously part of Ukraine, was incorporated into Russia in 2014 following a referendum, which was recognized by Moscow but rejected by Kiev and Western powers. COPENHAGEN, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Danish parliament has given green light to two Danish ships to carry remaining chemical weapons out of Libya, local media reported Friday. The Danish government said on Monday that it will offer a container vessel, a support ship and 200 staff to an international operation to remove chemical weapons arsenal out of Libya. KUNMING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Drug enforcement officers in southwest China's Yunnan Province have stopped and captured two drug traffickers, local police sources said Friday. One of the suspects was about to be inspected when he rushed through the barrier of a patrol station in Pu'er City, Yunnan Province. Drug enforcement officers apprehended him and found 14.4 kilograms of methamphetamine in a plastic woven bag the man was carrying The suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, implicated another man, from Myanmar, in the case. He said he had given the Myanmar man 50,000 yuan (about 7,500 U.S. dollars) to transport the drugs to Kunming, the provincial capital. In a separate case, a woman was stopped in Kunming Wednesday morning after around three kilograms of meth was found hidden in mooncakes. The woman suspect, 16 and pregnant, claimed that she was a foreign national. Police alleged that she had intended to bring the drugs from Lincang City to Kunming for high returns. Yunnan shares the border with Myanmar, the Laos and Vietnam. The investigations continue. HOHHOT, China, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A three-day aerobatic flight Naadam kicked off Friday in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China, with breathtaking aerobatic flying performances, a grand airplane display and various activities for audiences to experience. The special Naadam, held in the Donghe airport of Baotou, is the first Aviclub flight event in Inner Mongolia. Five top-ranking foreign aerobatic teams brought a thrilling airshow with 10 different types of aerobatic planes such as JUKA, WASP, VIKING and CATWALK. With pilots' skillful control, the planes performed aerial maneuvers like rotation, plunge, barrel roles and Immelmann turns, wowing more than 15,000 spectators. Dressed as Catwomen, two female wing walkers from Sweden caught the audience's eyes when they not only stood but also walked and crawled on the wings of an airplane flying at a low altitude. Unable to hear or talk to each other, the wing walkers could only coordinate their movements through body language. The first Chinese Aviclub aerobatic team also debuted in the event with two types of homegrown aerobatic planes. Other activities were also held in the flight Naadam, such as an airplane static display, drone tryout and Aviclub music festival. BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese universities will have the autonomy in transferring the intellectual property from scientific research and shall keep all the earnings, a government document said. According to a circular released by the Ministries of education, and science and technology on Friday, no less than half of the net earnings from transfers shall be rewarded to researchers. Major contributing researchers and faculty members should take no less than 50 percent of the total rewards, said the circular. China has created a series of policies to encourage scientists to translate their research into commercial products. The State Council in March issued a regulation that provides detailed measures for academics and inventors on how to commercially exploit their work, as the country pushes for innovation-driven development. Authorities are also encouraging research institutions and technical personnel to transfer or licensing their achievements or to invest with them as trade-ins. Performance in translating scientific outcomes to products will be considered in the overall evaluation of research and higher learning institutions, according to the policies. MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian Armed Forces have carried out an exercise involving the transfer of troops and equipment to the Crimean peninsula from the mainland, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday. It said in a statement that the exercise involved vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, including the large landing ship Tsezar Kunikov, diesel-electric submarine Stary Oskol, several minesweeping ships and missile cruisers, as well as railway trains and river vessels. The troops participating in the drill also rehearsed destructing groups of saboteurs and repelling a submarine attack. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected the units participating in the drills in the port of Novorossiisk. The exercise was part of a larger logistic troops drill, which kicked off on Tuesday in southern Russia, with 2,500 troops and around 350 vehicles involved, the ministry said. Crimea, was incorporated into Russia in 2014 following a referendum, which was recognized by Moscow but rejected by Ukraine. The Russian Federal Security Service said last week that it had prevented a series of terrorist attacks in Crimea and accused Ukraine of masterminding them. Kiev denied the accusation, but both countries enhanced military readiness at the border. WELLINGTON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's education sector saw revenues from services delivered abroad rise from 104 million NZ dollars (75.46 million U.S. dollars) in 2012 to 171 million NZ dollars (124.08 million U.S. dollars) last year, according to a government report out Friday. The report from the Education New Zealand agency also showed the added value, or broader contribution to the economy of education services delivered overseas was 242 million NZ dollars (175.59 million U.S. dollars). It showed the top markets were Australia, China, the United States and Britain. The survey of education-related businesses did not include the economic value of international students studying in New Zealand. Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce said international education was New Zealand's fifth largest export industry, with onshore education delivery estimated to be worth 3.1 billion NZ dollars (2.25 billion U.S. dollars) annually in the year ending March. The report attributed the increase in value to 20 percent revenue growth, and to the inclusion of a wider sample of firms and activities compared with the 2012 survey. The government aimed to increase the value of international education to 5 billion NZ dollars (3.63 billion U.S. dollars) by 2025 and, as part of that, to increase education services exports to 500 million NZ dollars (363 million U.S. dollars), Joyce said in a statement. "There is a huge growth opportunity offshore for New Zealand education providers," Joyce said. DAKAR, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The signing of interim Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU) by some member states could undermine the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional economic market, an official said Thursday. "These interim economic agreements will undermine all efforts so far made to consolidate the regional market," ECOWAS Commission President Marcel Alain de Souza said during the opening of an ECOWAS finance ministers' council forum in Dakar. The ECOWAS chief revealed that Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire had been authorized by their respective parliaments to ratify the interim EPAs with EU. According to de Souza, the different ECOWAS sessions that were held since 2009 reiterated the need for cohesion of the African region with regards to the agreements. "To date, 13 member states out of 15 ECOWAS members have signed the regional EPA. Nigeria and Gambia have not yet signed it," de Souza said, urging member states who have not signed the regional EPA to sign it by January 2017. SYDNEY, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A blockade around ExxonMobil's key Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) conditioning plant in Papua New Guinea has been lifted following an agreement between aggrieved landowners and the central government. Landowners in Papua New Guinea's (PNG's) Hela Province had restricted access to the key asset partially supplying the 19-billion-U.S. dollar PNG LNG project, demanding government authorities to pay over 2 billion Kina (631,000 U.S. dollars) owed royalties currently held in trust. Local PNG media reported on Friday the aggrieved landowners and the central government signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the clan vetting process completed and incorporated land groups established within 30 days. Royalties will then be transferred to the respective rights holders. "We appreciate the efforts of the government and landowners to help bring this matter to a peaceful resolution," an ExxonMobil spokeswoman told Xinhua in a statement on Friday. It was reported that protestors had managed to take control of the gas conditioning plant and limit some supply to the PNG LNG export terminal; however, Xinhua was unable to independently verify the claims. ExxonMobil said they were able to meet contractual obligations during the blockade. Though the agreement has been signed, landowners are still sceptical as to whether the deal which includes millions of dollars worth of provincial development commitments will actually be honoured. "If the government doesn't really fulfil their responsibilities according to what they have signed as a memorandum of understanding; if the government doesn't continue to fulfil it might cause a blockade again," Isaac Pulupe told broadcaster Radio New Zealand on Friday. The spokeswoman for ExxonMobil told Xinhua that "we remain committed to doing all we can to assist the (PNG) Department of Petroleum and Energy in its efforts to ensure landowners receive royalty and equity dividends as soon as practicable." KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Aug. 19 (Xinhua)-- Afghan security forces have killed 20 Taliban militants in Khan Abad district of Kunduz province with Kunduz city as its capital 250 km norht of Kabul over the past two days and efforts are underway to reopen the road linking Kunduz to the neighboring Takhar province, provincial police spokesman Hijratullah Akbari said Friday. "Since yesterday the government forces have killed 20 Taliban rebels and injured 10 others in Khan Abad district," Akbari told Xinhua. Taliban militants in surprise offensive in Khan Abad on Wednesday blocked the essential road linking Kunduz to the neighboring Takhar province. Akbari also noted that operations are underway to reopen the road. Taliban militants who have intensified activities over the past couple of months and are presently fighting the government forces in several provinces including Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan provinces haven't commented. BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A top Chinese official on Friday called for accelerating capacity reduction work in the steel and coal industries as progress remains slow in some regions. Lian Weiliang, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, did not mention which regions were lagging at Friday's press conference. However, in an earlier internal meeting, he identified Inner Mongolia, Fujian, Guangxi, Ningxia and Xinjiang as having disappointing results. Lian described 2016 as the key period for advancing the country's capacity reduction target, which is to cut steel and coal capacity by about 10 percent in the next few years. By the end of July, China had only achieved 38 percent of its goal for coal-production cuts and 47 percent of its steel reduction target for the year. In a demonstration of government resolve on the issue, the State Council has decided to carry out a nationwide inspection of local efforts starting next week, according to Lian. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of steel and coal. The two industries have long been plagued by overcapacity and have become a major drag on China's growth in recent years. As part of efforts to slim down the two sectors, China's Ministry of Finance announced in May 100 billion yuan (15.1 billion U.S. dollars) in aid for steel and coal companies to resettle laid-off workers. So far, some 30.7 billion yuan had been allocated, Lian said. An anti-aircraft missile regiment based in Crimea has received a new S-400 Triumf air defense missile system earlier August. (Xinhua File Photo) MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian Armed Forces have carried out an exercise involving the transfer of troops and equipment to the Crimean peninsula from the mainland, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday. It said in a statement that the exercise involved vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, including the large landing ship Tsezar Kunikov, diesel-electric submarine Stary Oskol, several minesweeping ships and missile cruisers, as well as railway trains and river vessels. The troops participating in the drill also rehearsed destructing groups of saboteurs and repelling a submarine attack. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected the units participating in the drills in the port of Novorossiisk. The exercise was part of a larger logistic troops drill, which kicked off on Tuesday in southern Russia, with 2,500 troops and around 350 vehicles involved, the ministry said. Crimea, was incorporated into Russia in 2014 following a referendum, which was recognized by Moscow but rejected by Ukraine. The Russian Federal Security Service said last week that it had prevented a series of terrorist attacks in Crimea and accused Ukraine of masterminding them. COPENHAGEN, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Danish parliament on Friday approved a decision to send two ships as part of an international operation to move its remaining chemical weapons out of Libya. All Danish political parties voted in favor of the contribution that consists of a civilian transport ship, a warship and more than 200 staff. "We will undertake a leading role in an important operation to remove the remains from Libya's chemical stockpile, which otherwise risk falling into the wrong hands," Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen said in a statement. Denmark said it had been asked by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United States to contribute to the operation. The mission is expected to cost Denmark about 12 million Danish kroner (1.8 million U.S. dollars). Danish Defense Minister Peter Christensen said the safety of the more than 200 staff is not at risk, though there is fear that the weapons risk ending up in the hands of extremists like the Islamic State. "We believe that the threat level is low in relation to the actual task to sail in, get the containers on board and sail out again," Christensen said. In July, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to ask the international community to assist Libya in destroying its chemical weapons. The 15-nation council has authorized member states to acquire, control, transport, transfer and destroy chemical weapons to eliminate Libya's stockpile "in the soonest and safest manner." The resolution came after the OPCW made its decision to help Libya develop a modified plan on chemical weapons destruction. BERLIN, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The German economy would continue to grow in the coming months despite a slowdown in the second quarter and risks due to Brexit, said the German Finance Ministry on Friday. "The good state of the German economy speaks for a continuation of the economic upturn in the coming months, though external risks have increased with the Brexit referendum," said the ministry in its monthly report. Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.4 percent in the second quarter of 2016, following a growth of 0.7 percent in the first quarter. The Finance Ministry said Germany's labour market was still in good shape. Tax revenues also increased in the past months. "The underlying pace of revenue growth remains positive and is in line with the overall economic development," it said. In the first seven months of 2016, German federal tax revenues increased by 3.6 percent year on year. File photo taken on May 24, 2016 shows a music fountain in West Lake in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is the host city for the 2016 G20 summit on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5.(Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi) BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Group of 20 summit will be held in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on Sept. 4-5. Under the backdrop of a sluggish world economy and fatigued global trade, observers have voiced high expectations on the big changes the summit could deliver. Yi Xiaozhun, deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization, said during an exclusive interview with Xinhua that if G20 leaders can hold active and constructive discussions on the topic of "trade and investment" and adopt the G20 global trade growth strategy, world trade should increase over time. According to Yi, eight years after the world financial crisis, the global economy and trade haven't shown clear signs of a revival, yet the maneuvering room for countries to further implement fiscal and monetary policies is decreasing. However, in the areas of trade and investment, space still exist for cooperation and development. As the host country of this G20 summit, China has put trade and investment on an equal standing with finance and banking, he noted. China has said it will push for the adoption of a global trade growth strategy and lay out guiding principles for global investment policies to facilitate cross-border investment. The strategy, once adopted, will largely boost global trade and investment, Yi said. For example, G20 members have promised to reach an agreement on trade facilitation by the end of this year. The agreement will increase global trade volume by one trillion U.S. dollars each year, and create 21 million new job opportunities worldwide, including 8 million in developing countries. G20 leaders will also push for a discussion of E-Commerce and the development of trade in services, the latter of which makes up nearly a quarter of global trade volume, Yi said. Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), institutions that provide financing for national development, are encouraged to join hands in solving financing problems of small and middle-sized enterprises in developing countries, he said. All measures will help cut trade costs and provide more trade opportunities in developing countries, Yi said. Yang Yanyi, head of Chinese Mission to the European Union, told Xinhua that the summit's theme of "Toward an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy" is focused on the need to reverse a still anemic global economy. With stagnation in global trade markets, turmoil and uncertainty in global financial markets, and the European Union and the eurozone stuck in a slow-growth trap, the summit will provide a new driving force for the strong and sustainable development of the global economy, Yang said. Cooperation between China and Europe within the framework of the G20 Summit will set an example for other countries, and will help restore confidence in the global economy, she said. Andrea Goldstein, managing director of Bologna-based think-tank Nomisma, expects G20 leaders to be more courageous on global trade, whose growth rate, he said, "is currently lower than global gross domestic product (GDP) growth." Addressing protectionism is a priority at the summit. Protectionism appears to be on the rise as well as pressue to close borders to trade, Goldstein said. He also urged strong initiatives in investment. Jack Ma, founder of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba and chairman of the Business 20 (B20) SME development taskforce, has proposed along with other world business moguls to establish an electronic world trade platform (eWTP) during or after the summit, an e-platform driven by private-sector enterprises and run by business rules, to facilitate global trade. The eWTP would become an open platform for private enterprises and coordination among international organizations, governments and social groups which focus on the development of SMEs and trade. Once established, the eWTP would help SMEs, even individuals, participate in the global economy through the Internet, Ma said. Chinese search giant Baidu (Xinhuanet file photo) BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese search giant Baidu is suing internet juggernauts Tencent and Sohu for reputation infringement. The operators of Baidu Waimai, a takeout service under Baidu, have filed lawsuits against Tencent and Sohu for posting articles infringing on the reputation of its takeout service, according to a Friday statement by the Beijing Haidian District People's Court, which has accepted the cases. Baidu Waimai complained that some public accounts on Tencent's messaging service WeChat posted stories about employees of Baidu-owned restaurants using toilet water to wash food. Stories on Sohu's platform also claimed that Baidu Waimai's restaurants used expired food. The company said the stories are completely untrue and have badly hurt Baidu Waimai's reputation and credit. It demanded Tencent and Sohu shut down the public accounts and provide information about the account operators. It also filed a lawsuit against an e-commerce company that posted an untrue story about Baidu Waimai on WeChat, demanding the closing of its WeChat account, a public apology and compensation of 500,000 yuan (75,000 U.S. dollars). NAIROBI, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- United States Secretary of State John Kerry is due in Kenya on Monday to discuss regional security issues, an official statement said on Friday. A statement from the U.S. embassy in Nairobi said Kerry, who will be accompanied by Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will discuss counter-terrorism cooperation as well as next year's general elections in Kenya. According to the statement, Kerry will also meet with Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Amina Mohamed and other regional foreign ministers to discuss the ongoing challenges in the region, including South Sudan. During his vist to Nigeria next Tuesday, Kerry will hold talks with Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari on issues bordering on economy, the fight against corruption, Boko Haram, and human rights, said a statement by the Information Office of the U.S. embassy in Abuja. Kerry will also hold meetings with governors of Nigeria's northern region, religious leaders and a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society, said the statement. BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Li Hulian, 44, from a fishing village in Ganzhou City, east China's Jiangxi Province, was among the country's impoverished population with disabilities. Eight years ago, Li was diagnosed with a mental illness. The ensuing medical expenses, in addition to the tuition fees he must pay for his children's education, made his family's life even more difficult. His situation improved a lot last year, when his household was included in the local government's poverty relief program. Li's two children now study at a vocational school and each receives an annual education grant of 2,000 yuan (about 302 U.S. dollars). Meanwhile, his wife secured a new, higher-paying job after completing a free skill course offered by the government. Li is now entitled to free medication from this year. Still more help is coming to people like him. China now has 85 million disabled people, with more than 70 percent living in the countryside. As many disabled are unable to work, they struggle to make ends meet -- making them a key target in the country's poverty relief work. On Wednesday, the central government released a plan vowing greater support for the disabled, outlining how their lives will be improved over the next five years. In addition to offering public services and products, the document contains more favorable policies that will help the disabled, especially those in rural areas. A disability welfare system will be established and measures will be rolled out to help the disabled secure employment or establish their own businesses. Legal protection and supervision of the employment, education, social benefits and other aspects of disabled people's lives will also be developed, according to the plan. "The plan, once again, shows China's determination to ensure equal rights and interests for all its citizens," said Liu Huawen, executive director of the institute of human rights studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. FIGURES SPEAK Shaking off poverty is the most crucial step in protecting human rights,said Liu. From 2012 to 2015, 4.96 million impoverished people with disabilities in rural areas were lifted out of poverty and 3.17 million poor disabled residents in rural areas received training, according to a government report reviewing human rights during this period, published in June. By 2015, the state had established a living benefits system for financially-challenged disabled population and nursing care allowances for the severely disabled. Besides, the central government allocated a total of 3.74 billion yuan in rehabilitation and poverty-relief loans to support 743,000 impoverished disabled people. MUCH TO BE DESIRED Song Zhongqiao, who is in Wuhan in the central province of Hubei, was left paralyzed in his right leg after suffering from polio. With the help of the local government and a federation for the disabled, Song has learned to be a hairdresser and now owns four hairdressing salons, employing 22 staff, including 14 with disabilities. "The disabled should also be entitled to feeling self-worth through work, just like the able bodied," said Song. According to an official survey in 2015, among over 15 million working age population with disabilities in both rural and urban areas, over 40 percent are employed, almost the same level as developed countries. Unluckily for Tan Jinsong, a visually-impaired law undergraduate from a university in Hunan, finding work was not so easy. Tan was turned down by a public institution in Hunan's Yueyang City due to his disability, despite ranking first in both the written and oral tests. At present, Tan, supported by the local disabled persons federation, is trying to appeal the decision. People like Tan may not need to struggle if the new plan is implemented successfully. According to the plan, Party and government agencies at all levels, public institutions as well as state-owned enterprises should take a leading role in employing the disabled. The plan also urged considering a publicity system that displays the fulfillment of quotas in employing the disabled of various employers. Sheng Mingke, professor with Xiangtan University in Hunan, suggested that equal rights will be better protected if governments can have special posts saved for them. BRATISLAVA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The unemployment rate in Slovakia stood at 9.44 percent in July, Labor, Social Affairs and the Family Minister Jan Richter announced Friday. The figure represents a decrease of 0.01 percentage points (p.p.) month-on-month and a drop of 2.02 p.p. year-on-year, the minister told a press conference. Unemployment declined in five regions, with the most significant fall recorded in Banska Bystrica region in Central Slovakia. Among all 79 districts in Slovakia the unemployment rate went down in 41 and rose in 38. Richter noted that the unemployment rate in Slovakia stands below the 11-percent threshold. "The figures are comparable with those recorded in 2008," said Richter, referring to pre-crisis times. According to the labor minister, in terms of unemployment, Slovakia stands also below the eurozone average. "We've manage to overtake countries such as France and Lithuania," stressed Richter, adding that his ambition is to continue decreasing long-term unemployment. GENEVA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- UNICEF on Friday warned that ongoing fighting in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo has meant that some two million people are without access to safe drinking water. "Access to safe water in Aleppo has continued to deteriorate over the past two weeks," UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac told the media. "The situation is particularly worsening for civilians living in eastern parts of the city where taps have gone dry and families have no safe water through the public network," he added. According to UNICEF estimates, some 100,000 children trapped in eastern parts of the war-torn city are facing outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Heavy clashes between factions loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebel groups seeking to oust him have meant that technicians are unable to repair the severely damaged electricity and water systems upon which the population relies on to provide running water. "We urge parties to the conflict to immediately allow safe and protected access for technicians to conduct urgent repairs to the electricity and water networks so that water is restored across the city," Bouleriac said. "No child in Syria is safe while the conflict drags on. Let me remind you that more than 3.5 million Syrian children under the age of five know nothing but displacement, violence, and uncertainty," he added. ANKARA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group on Friday claimed responsibility for a suicide car bomb attack targeting a police station in the eastern Turkish city of Elazig on Thursday, according to a statement on a PKK website. At least three police officers were killed and 217 wounded, 85 of them police officers in the attack. The Elazig bombing followed another blast late Wednesday, also blamed on the PKK, in Turkey's eastern province of Van, which injured at least 73 people, including 20 police. Since July 2015, over 500 members of Turkish security forces and thousands of PKK members have been killed in confrontations inside Turkey and in northern Iraq, and more than 40,000 people have lost their lives in clashes with the PKK since 1984, when the group first started anti-government attacks. Turkish PM Binali Yildirim has pledged a fierce response to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Turkey. by Christine Lagat NAIROBI, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese-funded Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project will speed up economic transformation in Kenya and the larger eastern African region through increased cross-border trade, investments and easy mobility of skilled personnel, experts told Xinhua in recent interviews. China's Exim Bank has provided 90 percent of financing to support implementation of the 472 kilometer high-speed railway that will link the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi. Kenyan experts hailed the SGR project built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) a critical milestone. Professor Macharia Munene, a Nairobi-based diplomacy scholar, opined that the railway will promote regional integration and economic progress in an unprecedented way. "The SGR unites various people in more ways than transport for goods and services," Munene remarked, adding that the railway dovetails with Kenya's ambition to become a regional transport and manufacturing hub. Munene noted that SGR will boost prosperity in Kenya and the eastern African region through vibrant maritime and land-based trade in goods and services. "The SGR project has two components; maritime and land-based transport. The maritime links Mombasa to the Middle East and Europe while the land links Mombasa to the interior of Africa. Its purpose is to open up huge areas to create wealth for the people," said Munene. "The modern railway will reduce operational costs for businesses in Kenya and the region. It will also transform lifestyles," he added. Kenyan officials, policymakers and industry executives believe that the SGR project will revolutionize transport as well as promote trade and movement of people in the region. President Uhuru Kenyatta said at an infrastructure summit held in Nairobi last week that Kenya and its east African neighbors expect the SGR to shower huge economic and social benefits upon completion in June 2017. The SGR project will boost Kenya's GDP by 1.5 percent besides positioning the country as an unrivalled hub for investments and trade. So far, an estimated 30,000 Kenyans have been employed by CRBC to work at various sections of the railway. Kenyan youth have also benefited from training in railway technology sponsored by CRBC. According to Bethwel Kinuthia, an economist at the University of Nairobi, the SGR project will unleash mutual benefits to China and African allies once it is completed. "An efficient and cheaper transport system will become a reality to ordinary citizens once the SGR project is completed. Both small and large businesses will definitely reap benefits," Kinuthia said. Gerishon Ikiara, a diplomacy scholar at the University of Nairobi, said the mega infrastructure project will link Kenya to major trading blocs and boost its competitiveness. "There are high expectations that the opening of SGR will mark the beginning of more competitive Kenyan and regional economies. Our manufactured products will have a competitive edge in the world market," Ikiara said. MOMBASA, Kenya, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Some six stray lions killed a 10-year-old girl in Kenya's coastal town of Kilifi on Thursday night, sparking tension in the area, wildlife authorities said on Friday. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said the lions snatched the girl from her house and brutally mauled her, killing her instantly. The lions then carried the body to the forest. KWS Coast Conservative assistant director Adan Alio said they have dispatched officers to trap the stray lions believed to have escaped from Tsavo National Park or Boni Forest, or chase them away from the area. "The search mission began early in the morning and took over five hours for the body to be found. Efforts to rescue her were futile," Alio said. The lions have also killed several livestock when they invaded the villages in the last one week. Residents are living in fear of being attacked by lions and hyenas that have invaded the area following a prolonged drought. According to KWS, such incidents may be common since people have increasingly continued to encroach on the wildlife routes. Early this year, there have been at least four confirmed cases of lions coming into contact with people in Nairobi and the surrounding areas. ISLAMABAD, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended losses during the second straight bearish session on Friday as investors continued booking profits at the historic levels, which almost erased the gains made in the record-smashing eight-day rally earlier in the week. The Pakistan Stock Exchange's benchmark KSE 100-Index plunged by 0.68 percent or 272.11 points to 39,499.09 points on Friday, compared with 39,771.20 points reported on Thursday. During the week that ended on Aug. 19, the main index shed 408.55 points despite three of the five trading sessions facing bullish trends. The KSE All-Share Index slid by 0.36 percent or 94.89 points to 26,493.06 points. The KSE 30-Index slumped by 0.8 percent or 181.87 points to 22,566.23 points. The KMI 30-Index plummeted by 1.05 percent or 734.98 points to 69,056.95 points, whereas the Islamic All-Share Index deflated by 0.56 percent or 103.97 points to 18,540.85 points. During Friday's trading session, the main index moved in a remote range of 375.70 points as it touched an intraday high of 39,840.83 points as against an intraday low of 39,465.13 points. The top Pakistani bourse remained under the influence of rumors regarding the abolition of duty from the imported cement which hurt the cement sector scrips. Moreover, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and Engro Corporation (ENGRO) joined the bearish bandwagon to contribute together 108 points to the overall decline of the key index. Amid bearish trade, local oil sector companies came to the rescue in the wake of rising international oil price. Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) surged by 0.4 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. Market volumes decreased by 8.54 percent or 20.416 million shares to 218.638 million shares on Friday when compared with 239.054 million shares traded on Thursday. During the week under review, the country's premier bourse recorded total volumes of 1.153 billion shares at average daily turnovers of 230.691 million shares. Market capitalization trimmed down by 0.36 percent or 28.906 billion rupees (283.397 million U.S. dollars) to 7.934 trillion rupees (77.793 billion dollars) whereas trade value reduced by 15.37 percent or 2.117 billion rupees (20.756 million dollars) to 11.658 billion rupees (114.301 million dollars). Among 375 active scrips on Friday, prices of 223 issues depleted, 127 advanced, whereas values of 25 other companies remained unchanged ahead of the weekend. Karachi Electric Limited, TRG Pakistan Limited, and Pak Elektron Limited were the top traded companies with turnovers of 53.246 million shares, 14.463 million shares, and 11.644 million shares, respectively. Philip Morris Pakistan was the top price accumulator with an increase of 67.8 rupees (66.47 cents) to 1,426.8 rupees (13.98 dollars) while on the flip side, Murree Brewery led the major price shedders with a decline of 29.15 rupees (28.57 cents) to 821.4 rupees (8.05 dollars). BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Friday voiced its concerns over the Australian government's latest rejection of an investment application from two Chinese companies. On Friday, the Australian Department of the Treasury made a final ruling to block the sale of electricity distributor Ausgrid to China's State Grid and the Hong Kong-listed Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings. Ausgrid is a state-owned company whose shareholder is currently the New South Wales government. The two Chinese companies had offered to buy 50.4 percent of Ausgrid under a 99-year lease. The actions by Chinese companies were normal business activities in line with market principles, MOC spokesman Sun Jiwen said, adding that they had followed international bidding procedures and cooperated in Australia's security inspection. China respects the Australian safety inspection for foreign investment based on its laws, but blocking the sale in the last stage of the public bidding process revealed uncertainty in the Australian investment environment, Sun said. The rejection will "severely hurt the willingness of Chinese companies to invest in Australia and exert negative influence on Sino-Australian economic and trade relations," Sun said. He added that China hopes Australia will use caution when adopting security inspection practices in order to create a fair, equitable and transparent environment for foreign investors. It was not the first rejection by the Australian government of Chinese investment. Earlier this year, Australia blocked the sale of a cattle company to a Chinese consortium, citing Australia's national interests. DAMASCUS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Syrian warplanes on Friday struck areas under control of Kurdish militants in the country's northeastern city of Hasakah for the second straight day, a monitor group said. The Syrian airstrikes targeted positions of Kurdish militant groups in the northern and northwestern part of the city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The UK-based watchdog group said the airstrikes were coupled with clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish militants. It added that at least 25 people, including 10 children, were killed during the two-day escalation in Hasakah. Meanwhile, the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV said the Syrian warplanes struck Kurdish positions in the al-Nashwa district in Hasakah for the second day. It denied reports that the Kurds have advanced against government-controlled parts of the same district. Citing a military source, the report said the Kurdish militants attacked all Syrian military positions in Hasakah on Thursday, following the first airstrikes by the Syrian warplanes. On Thursday, reports said the Syrian airstrikes were the first to hit Kurdish positions in Hasakah since the beginning of the crisis. The strikes apparently came in response to the perceived Kurdish aspiration to carve out their own state in northern Syria. Previous tension occurred between the Syrian forces and the Kurds, but both parties contained the situation to avoid further confrontations. The Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) issued a statement Thursday, confirming the airstrikes and promising retaliation against the government forces. The YPG said the Syrian warplanes "violently" shelled areas in the province of Hasakah on Thursday, as well as positions of the Kurdish security forces, known as Assayish, in that area, causing a state of "panic" among the people there. It said the airstrikes were coupled by shelling from heavy artillery and mortar shells, leaving tens of civilians either dead or wounded. The shelling and airstrikes also pushed some people to flee the city, the statement of the YPG added. It admitted that previous confrontations and shelling between the Assayish and the Syrian forces had taken place in the past, but the Syrian air force didn't carry as many airstrikes as it did on Thursday. The YPG claimed that the Syrian airstrikes came to undermine the "sweeping victories" scored by the YPG and its militia called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the Islamic State (IS) group. It continued to charge that the Syrian regime "sees the defeat of the IS as a defeat for itself because they (regime forces) are still counting on the IS to achieve what is left of their dirty scheme." "This step by the regime is like committing suicide," the statement added. "We will not stand silent about this brutal and flagrant attacks that target our people, who we will stand firmly to protect. Whoever has his hands smeared with our people's blood will be held accountable by all available means," the statement concluded. The statement is the latest escalation of the Kurdish militant group, which has controlled much of al-Hasakah province over the past five years. The SDF, has also achieved several victories against the IS with the help of the U.S.-led airstrikes in the northern province of Aleppo, the latest of which was driving the terror group out of its last major stronghold in the town of Manbej near Turkey. The YPG and other Kurdish militant groups have been assuming positions in Hasakah since 2012. At the time, reports emerged about a tacit agreement between the Kurds and the Syrian government. Even though many Kurdish figures denied it, but it's widely believed that the Kurds are planning to carve out a piece in northern Syria with heavy Kurdish weight as their autonomous state. A injured Syrian boy cries as he awaits treatment at the makeshift clinic following a reported air stike on the rebel-held town of Douma, east of the capital Damascus, on August 18, 2016. (AFP/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Syrian warplanes on Friday struck areas under control of Kurdish militants in the country's northeastern city of Hasakah for the second straight day, a monitor group said. The Syrian airstrikes targeted positions of Kurdish militant groups in the northern and northwestern part of the city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The UK-based watchdog group said the airstrikes were coupled with clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish militants. It added that at least 25 people, including 10 children, were killed during the two-day escalation in Hasakah. Meanwhile, the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV said the Syrian warplanes struck Kurdish positions in the al-Nashwa district in Hasakah for the second day. It denied reports that the Kurds have advanced against government-controlled parts of the same district. Citing a military source, the report said the Kurdish militants attacked all Syrian military positions in Hasakah on Thursday, following the first airstrikes by the Syrian warplanes. On Thursday, reports said the Syrian airstrikes were the first to hit Kurdish positions in Hasakah since the beginning of the crisis. The strikes apparently came in response to the perceived Kurdish aspiration to carve out their own state in northern Syria. Previous tension occurred between the Syrian forces and the Kurds, but both parties contained the situation to avoid further confrontations. The Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) issued a statement Thursday, confirming the airstrikes and promising retaliation against the government forces. The YPG said the Syrian warplanes "violently" shelled areas in the province of Hasakah on Thursday, as well as positions of the Kurdish security forces, known as Assayish, in that area, causing a state of "panic" among the people there. It said the airstrikes were coupled by shelling from heavy artillery and mortar shells, leaving tens of civilians either dead or wounded. The shelling and airstrikes also pushed some people to flee the city, the statement of the YPG added. It admitted that previous confrontations and shelling between the Assayish and the Syrian forces had taken place in the past, but the Syrian air force didn't carry as many airstrikes as it did on Thursday. The YPG claimed that the Syrian airstrikes came to undermine the "sweeping victories" scored by the YPG and its militia called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the Islamic State (IS) group. It continued to charge that the Syrian regime "sees the defeat of the IS as a defeat for itself because they (regime forces) are still counting on the IS to achieve what is left of their dirty scheme." "This step by the regime is like committing suicide," the statement added. "We will not stand silent about this brutal and flagrant attacks that target our people, who we will stand firmly to protect. Whoever has his hands smeared with our people's blood will be held accountable by all available means," the statement concluded. The statement is the latest escalation of the Kurdish militant group, which has controlled much of al-Hasakah province over the past five years. The SDF, has also achieved several victories against the IS with the help of the U.S.-led airstrikes in the northern province of Aleppo, the latest of which was driving the terror group out of its last major stronghold in the town of Manbej near Turkey. The YPG and other Kurdish militant groups have been assuming positions in Hasakah since 2012. At the time, reports emerged about a tacit agreement between the Kurds and the Syrian government. Even though many Kurdish figures denied it, but it's widely believed that the Kurds are planning to carve out a piece in northern Syria with heavy Kurdish weight as their autonomous state. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday pledged to promote the China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and bring more tangible benefits to the people of both countries. Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who began a five-day official visit to China on Wednesday. Xi welcomed Suu Kyi's visit and praised her efforts to advance the China-Myanmar friendship, saying that China stands ready to work with Myanmar to ensure the two peoples will always be good neighbors, friends, brothers and partners. He pointed out that China will support Myanmar's choice of development path and its efforts to safeguard national stability, promote economic growth, and maintain social harmony. In order to develop bilateral ties, the Chinese president called on the two sides to strengthen political guidance. "China stands ready to maintain high-level contact and people-to-people exchanges with Myanmar as well as enhance communication and mutual trust," Xi said. The two countries should also integrate their development strategies, he said, adding that China appreciates Myanmar's support for the Belt and Road Initiative. China is willing to promote connectivity projects with Myanmar and boost bilateral cooperation in major areas such as energy and finance, he said, highlighting the importance of smooth operation of ongoing large-scale projects. Xi called for more attention to cooperation in the areas of agriculture, water conservation, education, and healthcare. "China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting Myanmar's peace process, and make joint efforts with Myanmar to safeguard peace and stability along the border between the two nations," he said. Echoing Xi's remarks, Suu Kyi said Myanmar values the deep "pauk phaw" ("fraternal" in the Myanmar language) friendship between the two countries, and thanked China for its support for Myanmar's economic and social development. Myanmar is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges, strengthen the friendship between the two peoples, and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, she said. She pledged that Myanmar will work with China to safeguard stability along the border, and will not allow anything that could affect amicable ties with its neighbors. The National League for Democracy of Myanmar and the Communist Party of China, the ruling parties of Myanmar and China, represent the people's interests, she said, calling for more contact between the two parties. Related: China, Myanmar agree to solve suspended dam issue BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- China and Myanmar agreed on Thursday to enhance cooperation between energy departments to find a proper solution to the suspended Myitsone Dam project. The agreement came during talks between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who started a five-day official visit to China on Wednesday. Full Story Aung San Suu Kyi welcome to play greater role in boosting China-Myanmar relations BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's first State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who starts an official visit to China on Wednesday, is welcome to play a greater role in boosting her country's strategic partnership with China. WARSAW, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- After days of digging for the so-called "Nazi gold train" in southwestern Poland, explorers have found nothing valuable, yet they are determined to continue despite doubts from experts. The Nazi gold train story stems from a widespread legend that three trains laden with gold and other treasures were buried by Nazi German troops in Lower Silesia, which is Polish territory now called Walbrzych, in January 1945. Piotr Koper and Andreas Richter, who have launched the excavation, have worked in Walbrzych with a team of engineers, geologists, chemists, archaeologists and a specialist in military demolitions for a few days. Koper, a Polish owner of a construction company, and Richter, a German geologist, claimed they had found the location of the train after conducting a study in December 2015, which triggered the search. With local authorities' approval, they located three sites and moved in heavy machines to dig in the area, according to a recent report by the New York Times. Polish journalist Tomasz Borysiuk reporting at the site tweeted Friday morning, "In the third excavation explorers of #goldtrain completed work. In a big hole with a depth of 10 meters no train ..." So far, the results have been disappointing not only for the diggers, but also for local residents in the area who hope to gain fame and fortune from the excavation. Yet the explorers haven't said they were giving up. In a video posted by the Daily Mail Online, Piotr Zuchowski, Poland's National Heritage and Conservation officer, confirmed the existence of the underground Nazi gold train. Zuchowski said the secret location was revealed by a man on his deathbed who had participated in the burial of the train. However, in a separate study in late 2015, scientists of the AGH University of Science and Technology said the tunnel may exist, but they have found no evidence of a so-called "Nazi gold train" in it. RAMALLAH, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) accuse Israel of obstructing the progress of local elections scheduled on Oct. 8. The commission said in an emailed statement that it is concerned of the recent Israeli practices that hinder the progress of elections and condemned the arrest of the representative of the Islamic Hamas movement to the Commission, Hussein Abu Kwaik. "The CEC condemns the Israeli forces' arrest of the representative of Hamas movement to the CEC, Mr. Husseim Abu Kwaik, and considers it a blatant interference in the progress of elections and a violation of freedoms and democratic practices," said the statement. It also stressed the importance of providing freedom for the conduct of the upcoming local elections in a "democratic atmosphere that grants equal opportunities to all political parties, lists and candidates." The last time Hamas participated in local bodies elections in Gaza Strip and West Bank was in 2004 and 2005. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) held local elections in October 2012, but Hamas did not participate, saying the internal division should be ended before holding elections. A Libyan boy plays at a tank parked in Benghazi's Revolution square on May 15, 2011. (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar) JUBA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 650 South Sudanese children have been recruited into armed groups since January, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Friday. UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth called for an immediate end to recruitment and the unconditional release of all children by armed forces. Forsyth, who spoke after a trip to Bentiu and Juba this week, said the dream the world shares for the children of this young country has become a nightmare. "At this precarious stage in South Sudan's short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent," he said in a statement released in Juba, expressing fears that renewed conflict that could put tens of thousands of children at ever greater risk. The South Sudan situation has worsened since renewed clashes between rival forces -- the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing former First Vice-President Riek Machar -- erupted in and around the capital, Juba, on July 7. According to UNICEF, about 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups and forces since the crisis in South Sudan first began in December 2013. The UN agency said children continue to be recruited and used by armed groups and forces despite widespread political commitment to end the practice. "Children continue to endure horrific ordeals. Recent reports point to widespread sexual violence against girls and women," Forsyth said. In 2015, UNICEF oversaw the release of 1,775 former child soldiers in what was one of the largest demobilizations of children ever. Yet the progress is now under threat by renewed fighting in South Sudan. Forsyth also highlighted increased violences in the world's youngest country, noting that gender-based violence, already pervasive, had greatly intensified during the current crisis. The UN agency noted that unconditional access for all humanitarian interventions in Juba and all other parts of the country is urgently needed so as to provide support, protection, and assistance to children and women. "Without a fully operational humanitarian sector, the consequences for children and their families will be catastrophic," Forsyth added. Photo taken on Aug. 3, 2016 shows the Silk Road International Convention Center in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province. Two main venues of the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, Dunhuang Silk Road International Convention Center and Dunhuang Grand Theater, have been almost completed. The expo will be held in Dunhuang on Sept. 20. (Xinhua/Chen Bin) COPENHAGEN, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Denmark Liu Biwei said here on Friday that the Belt and Road initiative has created opportunities for the whole world at a time of a sluggish global economy. It is China's key initiative to boost its all-around opening up against a new backdrop, but at the same time it also brings important opportunities for the overall revitalization of the European continent as well as the whole world, Liu said at the 8th Europe Forum of the Federation of Chinese Professional Association in Europe (FCPAE). "The initiative is China's idea, but the opportunities it has created belong to the world," the Chinese ambassador said at the forum, which was held in the town of Hillerod, some 30 km north of the Danish capital of Copenhagen. According to Deng Zhiguang, chairman of FCPAE, the purpose of this year's forum is to explore new opportunities for Chinese-Europe cooperation under the Belt and Road framework and to attract investment. The forum will also create a networking and knowledge exchanging platform for Danish and European company representatives and Chinese professionals working in Europe. Liu said the forum is an excellent platform to discuss how to enhance mutually-beneficial and win-win cooperation between China and Europe by seizing a new opportunity brought by the initiative. He thus called on all Chinese professionals and experts in Europe to continue to work together and share wisdom so as to bring China and European countries ever closer. "Under the new circumstances, it is of great significance that we jointly build the belt and road, enhance China-Europe cooperation and achieve a win-win outcome," the ambassador said. Established in 2001 in Frankfurt, Germany, FCPAE is an independent and non-profit association of 52 Chinese professional associations in more than a dozen European countries with more than 20,000 members. Related: Interview: Belt & Road Initiative to foster China-Serbia win-win cooperation: Serbian expert BELGRADE, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China-proposed Belt and Road initiative offers new perspective for the growth of the friendly ties between China and Serbia towards achieving win-win results in various fields, Zivadin Jovanovic, a Serbian expert on international relations, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Full story Interview: Belt and Road Initiative important for dynamic cooperation between Lithuania,China: Lithuanian ambassador VILNIUS, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian Ambassador to China told Xinhua on Friday that the Belt and Road Initiative is very important for the dynamic cooperation between Lithuania and China. Full story China making headway on Belt and Road Initiative MANILA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) issued Friday night a unilateral declaration of a seven-day ceasefire to "celebrate and bolster" the resumption of formal peace talks with the Philippine government. The ceasefire will take effect starting 12:01 a.m. of Aug. 21 and will last until 11:59 p.m. of Aug. 27 local time, the Information Bureau of the CPP said in a statement. The formal talks between the negotiating panels of the leftist National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Philippine government are scheduled for Aug. 22-26 in Oslo, Norway. The ceasefire declaration is encouraged by the Philippine government's facilitation of the release of nearly all NDFP consultants who are set to participate in peace negotiations in the course of the next several months, said the CPP and New People's Army (NPA), armed wing of the CPP-NDF. Earlier Friday, the Philippine government released NDFP consultants Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria Tiamzon, who were leading members of the CPP and key consultants of the NDFP when they were arrested in March 2014. This aerial photo taken on May 12, 2016 shows the wetland of West Lake in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province.(Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi) LONDON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- As leaders of the world's major economies prepare to head to China for next month's crucial G20 summit, some leading British economists said leaders' talks at the forum will be more important than ever in addressing pressing global issues. Dr. Paola Subacchi, director of the International Economics Department at Chatham House, the London-based Royal Institute of International Affairs, spoke to Xinhua in an exclusive interview about the critical part the summit in Hangzhou will play. WIDE MENU Subacchi, an expert on the functioning and governance of international financial and monetary systems, said the summit gathering will cover a wide menu of issues ahead of a final communique being issued in what will be a wrap-up of discussions that started at the end of last year as part of the G20 process. The communique will express commitments looking at issues such as green finance and energy sustainability as well as the economy and security, the expert said. "Importantly, the G20 in China in September will see the leaders of the world's leading economies getting together. They will have the opportunity to speak around the table, talking for two days on pressing issues. It is an important forum to discuss the items that have been on the G20 agenda," she said. World leaders are also expected to talk about Brexit and the impact of the decision by Britain to leave the EU, the U.S. presidential election, according to Subacchi. "There will also be many geo-political tensions to discuss, such as immigration and migration, the refugee crisis and the tensions in Europe. There is going to be a very wide menu," she noted. "What I think will be interesting to see is whether there will be a more decisive steer on the need to embrace active fiscal policies and whether seeds will be established in the approach to economic policy-making," said the scholar. NEW CHARTER FOR GLOBALIZATION In a recent commentary, Alan Wheatley, associate fellow in International Economics at Chatham House, said the G20 should pursue a new charter for globalization. "Too many people are rebelling against the free flow of goods, capital and people because they have not benefited from them. The G20 can stop the rot at its summit in Hangzhou by pledging vigorous efforts to share the fruits of globalization more equitable," he said. On trade, Wheatley warned that public opinion in many countries has turned against free trade. "The G20 must prevent the sour mood from spawning outright protectionism. Governments should pledge not to erect trade barriers, beyond accepted remedies, or discriminate against foreign direct investment," he commented. NO SUBSTITUTE FOR G20 Prof. Gary Cook, who heads the Department of Economics at the University of Liverpool, agreed that leaders being able to talk freely away from the microphones is an important element of the G20 in China. "The G20 does have a useful role to play, particularly its case for economic co-operation and in maintaining confidence. "With Brexit there is still a lot of uncertainty and nervousness. The summit will give a strategic view of how that is viewed." "There is no substitute for world leaders to meet face-to-face as they will in China. The economic situation has wobbled and there is fragility in the financial situation in some parts of the world," he said. The economist expressed the hope to see the G20 promoting the idea that "free trade is in everybody's interest." "Maintaining global peace and helping to foster a sensible deal on Brexit arrangements are important. The UK is important globally in the economic situation, and it is in everybody's interest to reach a satisfactory conclusion on the future relationship," he explained. "The important legacies of the China summit should be firstly economic security and secondly political security. We are in what are perceived as difficult times, and what is needed at the G20 are frank discussions," said the professor. by Denis Elamu JUBA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Despite South Sudan's education being disrupted by ongoing conflict since December 2013, the sector remains critical if stability is to be achieved in the war-torn country, experts have said. Michael Lopuke, the undersecretary of education ministry, says that for quality education to be achieved, the annual education budget must be increased for positive development in the country. According to experts, the national budget of education must be increased from less than 7 percent to more than 15 percent to get the country out of its political and economic troubles. Economist James Alic Garang of the Juba-based Ebony Center for Strategic Studies told Xinhua that increased investment in education will improve the human welfare and democratization process in the war-torn country. "For democracy to be advanced, you need an informed citizenry to fully participate. Education will help the poor compete on merit with the rich and it can be the saviour of this country," Garang said. He lamented that Upper Nile University where he teaches and other schools remained closed due to the political crisis. "Education seems to be those institutions that are weak and not strong and vocal like the military, interior ministries; these are sectors that demand huge budget. What the government says about education is not matched in terms of funding the sector," he noted. Philip Finish, senior lecturer at University of Juba, said that the government should improve funding education to help sensitize South Sudanese whom he said largely take instructions from their traditional elders and tribal chiefs. This, he added, tends to promote violence along tribal lines due to lack of education. "Education helps to inform people on democracy and not basing their choices and decisions on ethnic group," he said. According to the UN children fund (UNICEF), South Sudan has an adult literacy rate of 27 percent out of 12 million, and 70 percent of children aged six to 17 have never set foot in a classroom. The UN agency noted that the completion rate in primary schools is less than 10 percent, one of the lowest in the world. Ayuen Akuot, degree holder from University of Juba, education can help dissuade South Sudanese from engaging in reckless armed conflict involving various militia groups that tend to recruit from the largely uneducated and unemployed population in the countryside. "Most of the youth among armed groups have not attained enough education. They are also unemployed," Ayuen told Xinhua in an interview in the capital Juba on Friday. Abraham Awolich, public policy analyst at the Sudd Institute, said that education will help to mitigate the damage caused by communal violence. He says peace education is one of the key components needed to minimize conflicts on the periphery. "Our education system must change these mindsets through integrating peace education for these young people. They should know they are not warriors but engineers, lawyers," Awolich said. Policemen escort Turkish military officers, who fled to Greece in a military helicopter on Saturday after the failed coup in Turkey, out of a court in Alexandroupolis, Greece, on July 18, 2016. The eight Turkish military officers who landed a Turkish military helicopter in Alexandroupolis in northern Greece on Saturday requested political asylum in Greece. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) by Alexia Vlachou ATHENS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- "We are going to do what is humanly possible and legally feasible to prevent the extradition of the eight innocent Turkish military officers to Turkey," their Greek lawyer Stavroula Tomara told Xinhua after the hearing of the first asylum claim on Friday. Eight Turkish military officers asked for asylum after landing a Turkish military helicopter in Alexandroupolis in northern Greece following the failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15. The first of the eight officers was driven to the Asylum Service early in the morning of Friday, where he testified the reasons why he should be given asylum. According to Tomara, the procedure of the hearings will finish on Aug. 30, since each case will be examined separately on a daily basis. The Greek Justice Ministry said in an announcement on Thursday that it received an official extradition request from Turkey seeking the return of the eight Turkish military personnel. According to the announcement, the Ministry of Justice "proceeds directly with the legality check and the relevant process, and if the conditions exist, it will send the file to the competent Prosecutor's Office." Tomara could not comment on the official extradition request from Turkey since there was nothing handed over to her yet. "We are going to examine the indictment as soon as it will be delivered to us," Tomara highlighted to Xinhua. For Tomara, the safety of the eight Turkish military officers comes first. "They fear for their lives, as well as of those of their families," she told Xinhua in a telephone interview. After the military coup, their families hid in different areas of Turkey after they were driven out of the military houses, the Greek lawyer explained. Tomara told Xinhua that her clients had no involvement in the coup attempt because they were executing orders of their superiors. In addition, she claimed that she will fight for them either they get asylum in Greece, or in any other country, in order to avoid the extradition to Turkey. Professors and undergraduate students of the China University of Geosciences pose for a group photo with professors and students of the University of the Aegean during a field course at the Petrified Forest in Sigri of Lesvos, Greece, Aug. 18, 2016. The School of Earth Sciences of the China University of Geosciences started field education on the Greek island of Lesvos in cooperation with the Department of Geography of the University of the Aegean. (Xinhua/Anthi Pazianou) by Anthi Pazianou MYTILENE, Greece, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The School of Earth Sciences of the China University of Geosciences started field education on the Greek island of Lesvos in collaboration with the Department of Geography of the University of the Aegean. Professors and undergraduate students of the China University of Geosciences started one-week field courses in Lesvos on Tuesday, collaborating with professors and students of the Department of Geography of Aegean University. The main targets of the field courses are the study of the geological history and evolution, volcanic activity, active tectonics and seismicity of the area of the Aegean basin, as well as the protection and rational management of geological monuments and the establishment and functioning of a UNESCO global geopark on Lesvos. Lesvos island is recognized as one of the 120 UNESCO global geoparks program, launched in November 2015. Paying homage to the rich geographical diversity of China, the same program also recognized 33 geoparks in China. Nikolas Zouros, professor of Geography at the university of the Aegean, told Xinhua that collaboration and networking in research and education is one of the key elements to be recognized as a UNESCO global geoparks. Thus, universities and research centers of the two countries find a common ground for activities. Professors and students of the China University of Geosciences started their educational activities on Lesvos island from the protected area of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, which is a world-class natural monument. The petrified forest "gives evidence of the geological evolution and life evolution in the Eastern Mediterranean over the last 25 million years," said Zouros. Zouros, who is also the director of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, introduced them to the geological history and presented the main geological heritage sites of Lesvos island to the Chinese guests. The petrified forest provides an impressive exhibition of the paleontological excavation research findings as well as an overview of the geological evolution of the Aegean Sea. The open-air parks of the forest give the opportunity to study the results of the past climate changes and to admire unique standing fossil trees of more than 50 different species, some over 7 meters high. Chinese students visited the Nissiopi islet petrified forest marine park which also includes petrified trees found along the seashore and on the seabed. The visit also includes studying the flora and fauna of the island, consisting of 62 species of birds, mammals, and invertebrates. They will do field study on the geological history and evolution of Lesvos, the Miocene volcanoes of Lesvos island as well as the active faults and earthquake hazard in the region. "This common education activity will become a starting point for the establishment of Lesvos island as the annual field education basis abroad," Zouros said. MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Missile ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet located in the Mediterranean have fired three Kalibr cruise missiles against terrorist targets in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday. The strikes destroyed a command post and a base of terrorists, as well as a mortar ammunition factory and a large weapons warehouse in the province of Aleppo, it said in a statement. To ensure the safety of civilians, the missiles flew over an uninhabited area, the statement said. The Russian Navy has previously launched Kalibr cruise missiles against targets in Syria from ships located in the Caspian Sea and a submarine deployed in the Mediterranean. WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Two U.S. astronauts on Friday ventured out of the International Space Station to install the first of two crucial docking ports that will enable future arrivals of American commercial crew spacecraft. Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins from the U.S. space agency NASA started their spacewalk at 8:04 a.m. EDT (1204 GMT) and planned to spend some six and a half hours installing the ring-like equipment, known as an international docking adapter (IDA). It's "a significant milestone in NASA's work to return crew launches to U.S. soil," the agency said in a statement. Since NASA retired its space shuttle program in 2011, the only vehicle to ferry humans to the space station is Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. NASA created the commercial crew program in the hope of ending the U.S. reliance on Russia. It has awarded contracts to Boeing and SpaceX to build commercial spaceships, with their first flights slated for 2017. The IDA arrived at the space station July 20 on a SpaceX Dragon cargo resupply spacecraft. It's a ring weighing more than 1,000 pounds (454 kg)that will provide a standardized connection point for Boeing and SpaceX crew spacecraft to automatically dock with the station. Another IDA was expected to be launched in 2018. This is the fourth spacewalk in Williams' career and the first for Rubins. It is the 194th spacewalk for the space station. ANKARA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Six people were injured on Friday in an terror attack in the Turkey's eastern province of Van, local Dogan News Agency reported. An explosion detonated by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants hit the Ozalp district of the eastern province of Van during the passing of a military vehicle. Five soldiers and one civilian, who was driving near the scene, were wounded in the attack. According to the reports, the wounded were transferred to the hospitals in the province , and two soldiers of them were in critical condition. Turkish security forces launched an operation to apprehend the PKK militants responsible for the attack. The PKK was listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey,the U.S. and the EU,who resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015. WINDHOEK, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is ready to support the efforts of African countries and team up with all committed development partners in building drought resilience in all agricultural sectors with special emphasis on vulnerable rural communities. FAO Representative in Namibia, Babagana Ahmadu on behalf of FAO said this at the just concluded African Drought Conference which was held in Namibia from Aug. 15 to 19. "Drought affects one of the very basic needs for the survival of people which is food," he said. "When drought hits, its first and direct impact is on agriculture which supports the livelihoods of more than 60 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa," he added. According to Ahmadu, the impacts of drought on agriculture cascade down to all economic sectors that rely on the outputs of agriculture for their input, such as agro-industry, exports, commerce, transportation, tax return, and national economies at large. "For these reasons, agriculture should be the number one priority sector to be considered for action in any drought management strategy. In fact, a drought management plan that does not fully integrate agriculture is doomed to fail," he said. Ahmadu said that a large number of national and regional projects supported by FAO are geared towards building greater resilience to drought and are focused on drought mitigation, preparedness and response which are the subject of the conference. "FAO's experience shows that sound policies grounded in science and shared knowledge are the first, and the best, line of defence against drought and the basic foundation for drought risk management," he said. "We must boost national capacity to cope before a drought occurs, thereby preventing the decline into disaster," he added. For that reason, one of the new five FAO Strategic Objectives is entirely dedicated to building resilience to drought, Ahmadu said. Currently, FAO is supporting many interventions that seek to strengthen the resilience of people in the dry lands of sub-Saharan Africa and is being done through different interventions. "While droughts will inevitably occur, their impacts need not spell doom for the many millions of farmers, fishers and pastoralists who, in most cases, are heavily affected," he said. KIGALI, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan Police killed three suspected terrorists in a shootout in Rusizi district, western Rwanda, Friday, in an operation targeting youth in radicalization activities. The Friday operation targeting religious extremism follows the shooting of another suspected terrorist in Kigali's suburb of Nyarutarama on Wednesday night who police said was suspected of being part of a large group engaged in acts of radicalism. Police said their preliminary investigation indicate that the victims were in a radicalization campaign aimed at recruiting jihadists. "Radicalization materials, including audio CDs and text books were seized from the house," Police said in a statement. "During the operation to arrest the suspects, they turned violent, issued threats and attempted to flee when three of them were shot," the statement said. The deceased were among a group of six suspects who turned violent after resisting arrest. Three other suspects were arrested with further investigations upon them , it said. Those killed were identified as Eric Mbarushimana, Hassan Nkwaya and Mussa Bugingo, who succumbed to their injuries in hospital. They hailed from Kamonyi and Kicukiro districts. Police said the group of six individuals had spent about two weeks in an isolated house allegedly conducting radicalization activities. Police assured the public that safety and security will continue to prevail and that the situation was back to normal. SKOPJE, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Macedonia and Switzerland on Friday here signed a cooperation memorandum to enhance exchanges in the field of tourism. Under the agreement, signed by Macedonian Minister of Economy Driton Kuchi and the director of the Swiss program Increasing Market Employability (IME) Rozandi Louw, the two countries commit to expanding cooperation in field of tourism for next three years. Switzerland is a country with a highly developed and organized tourism sector, Kuchi said, expressing the belief that such an agreement would give a new impetus to the tourism sector in Macedonia. Based on the memorandum, Macedonia is expected to send its tourism professionals to renowned educational institutions of Switzerland where they will be introduced to Swiss experience and know-how in this field. UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday expressed regret over the postponement of elections in Somalia from August to October because of technical difficulties, but welcomed "the continued political and security progress" in the Horn of Africa nation since 2012. The 15-nation UN body, in a presidential statement adopted here, also underscored "the need to maintain the momentum towards democratic governance, with an inclusive, transparent and credible electoral process in 2016 as a stepping stone to universal suffrage in 2020." Current balloting is a weighted clan-based system, according to Security Council reports, a non-governmental organization (NGO) monitoring the council. "The Security Council notes the consensus decision of the National Leadership Forum (NLF), based on the recommendation of the Somalia's Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT), to extend the timeline for the parliamentary electoral process until Oct. 25 and the timeline for the presidential electoral process until Oct. 30 to allow for the implementation of the technical modalities for an inclusive process," said the statement. Recognizing the NLF's decision to extend current mandates for federal institutions to respect the proposed timeline, the council also noted the delay to the original timeline, and called on "all Somali stakeholders to work constructively to implement the revised calendar without further delay." "The Security Council notes that this electoral process is an historic opportunity to deliver more representative governance to the people of Somalia and to reflect Somalia's diversity," the council said in the statement read out by Ambassador Ramhan Bin Ibrahim of Malaysia, this month's president of the council. Such a statement, a formal declaration of the council's position, does not carry the weight of international law as does a Security Council resolution. HONG KONG, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Prestigious international experts have slammed allegations that 60,000 to 100,000 organ transplants are performed in China each year using organs from so called "prisoners of conscience," dismissing the claim as "ridiculous and adsorb." Such lies spread for political purposes are vulnerable when confronted with statistics, Huang Jiefu, chairman of China's National Organ Donation and Transplantation Committee, said at a press conference following the China Special Symposium of the 26th International Congress of the Transplantation Society on Thursday. China performed a total of 10,057 organ transplants in 2015, accounting for 8.5 percent of the world total. The fact can be easily confirmed by the amount of immunosuppressive agents, a traceable must-have drug for patients after their transplant surgeries, used by China annually, said Huang. Elaborating on the figure, he said China consumed 8 percent of the drugs used worldwide, which matches China's 8.5 percent share in global transplant surgeries, with all human organs coming from citizen donation and live organ donation from relatives of the patients. Some ill-intentioned groups are treating the sacred cause of saving lives as a political game and demonizing China, but statistics never lie, he said. Francis Delmonico, former president of the Transplantation Society and professor of Harvard Medical School at the Massachusetts General Hospital, said the persons behind the rumor should be challenged to present their evidence. Experts at the conference suggested that China ignore the rumors and move forward. China banned the use of organs from executed prisoners in 2015. Michael Millis, professor of Surgery and chief of the Section of Transplantation of the University of Chicago Hospitals, said the truth is being told. "It's being told that the use of executed prisoner organs is no longer tolerated. That is the truth. The truth is we have a voluntary citizen-based organ donation system in China that is working and growing," he said. Jose Nunez, medical officer in charge of global organ transplantation at the World Health Organization, said China is now on board with the international community in the field of organ transplantation. "We are all in the same train because we share the same principles, the same ethical practice... we have to work together in that line," the officer said. The experts also applauded China's accomplishment in organ transplantation reform in recent years. Nunez said he believes that in no more than two to three years, China will be leading the world in the area of human organ transplantation. His words were echoed by Millis, who said China has made great achievements in the past decade in organ transplantation. The growth, especially in the last year, has been tremendous and very gratifying and rewarding, he said. "It (China) has the population and the need to make the strides that we have been unable to do in the rest of the world. So I look forward to continue academic interactions (with China)," said Millis. Statistics show that China now has the most organ donations per year in Asia and the third highest number globally. In addition, it is performing the second highest number of organ transplants in the world after the United States. By the end of June 30, 2016, a total of 7,711 cases of organ donation after the death of citizens were recorded in China, with 21,346 large organs donated. In 2015 lone, 2,766 donation cases were recorded, more than the total number in 2013 and 2014 combined. In the first half of this year, 1,795 cases of donation were completed in China, an increase of 45 percent compared to the same period of last year. PARIS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- France expelled a Tunisian national "given the serious threat he poses to public order," Bernard Cazeneuve, the interior minister, said on Friday. Mohsen M'Hadi was the fourth resident sent home on suspected terrorism links this month, Cazeneuve added in statement without elaborating on the deportation's reasons. He noted that decisions to expel further suspects would be made. The French minister reiterated "the government's full determination to fight against terrorism by all legal means." France remained at high terror risk a month after a man drove a heavy truck into crowds celebrating the Bastille Day in southern city of Nice, killing 84 people. Few days later, two teenagers slaughtered a priest in a church northern France. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for both attacks. CHANGSHA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A court in central China's Hunan Province on Friday sentenced a former official of the province to 12 years in prison for corruption and abuse of power. The Chenzhou City Intermediate People's Court also deprived Ma Yong, former deputy Secretary General of the Hunan provincial committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), of his personal assets of one million yuan (150,000 U.S. dollars) after he was convicted of accepting bribes of up to 3.68 million yuan. According to the court, Ma accepted 100,000 yuan and a 100-g gold bar valued at 33,000 yuan from relatives of defendants in murder cases in 2012 and 2013, when Ma served as the CPC chief of Yiyang City, Hunan. In exchange, Ma asked court personnel to give light sentences to the defendants, the court said. He was also found to have arranged for 5.8 million yuan in land transfer revenue to be returned to property developers, causing great loss to the country, the court said. Ma admitted to the crimes and confessed in court. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday pledged to promote the China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and bring more tangible benefits to the people of both countries. Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who began a five-day official visit to China on Wednesday. Xi welcomed Suu Kyi's visit and praised her efforts to advance the China-Myanmar friendship, saying that China stands ready to work with Myanmar to ensure the two peoples will always be good neighbors, friends, brothers and partners. He pointed out that China will support Myanmar's choice of development path and its efforts to safeguard national stability, promote economic growth, and maintain social harmony. In order to develop bilateral ties, the Chinese president called on the two sides to strengthen political guidance. "China stands ready to maintain high-level contact and people-to-people exchanges with Myanmar as well as enhance communication and mutual trust," Xi said. The two countries should also integrate their development strategies, he said, adding that China appreciates Myanmar's support for the Belt and Road Initiative. China is willing to promote connectivity projects with Myanmar and boost bilateral cooperation in major areas such as energy and finance, he said, highlighting the importance of smooth operation of ongoing large-scale projects. Lei Zhuning, a researcher with the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences,said Myanmar urgently needs electricity for its economic development, and hydropower is a good choice, referring to the Myitsone dam project, which was jointly funded by China and Myanmar, but was suspended by the Myanmar government in 2011. China and Myanmar agreed on Thursday to enhance cooperation between energy departments to find a proper solution to the suspended project. Xi also called for more attention to cooperation and exchanges in the areas of agriculture, water conservation, education, healthcare, culture, media and Buddhism. "China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting Myanmar's peace process, and make joint efforts with Myanmar to safeguard peace and stability along the border between the two nations," he said. At a news briefing earlier on Friday, Suu Kyi told reporters that Myanmar believes that China, as a good neighbor, will do everything possible to promote the country's peace process. Lei said China is promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and is opening further to the outside world. If Myanmar can achieve domestic peace at an early date, it will take a free ride on China's rapid development. Echoing Xi's remarks, Suu Kyi said Myanmar values the deep "pauk phaw" ("fraternal" in the Myanmar language) friendship between the two countries, and thanked China for its support for Myanmar's economic and social development. Myanmar is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges, strengthen the friendship between the two peoples, and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, she said. She pledged that Myanmar will work with China to safeguard stability along the border, and will not allow anything that could affect amicable ties with its neighbors. The National League for Democracy of Myanmar and the Communist Party of China, as the ruling parties of Myanmar and China, respectively, represent the people's interests, she said, calling for more contact between the two parties. China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with Suu Kyi on Friday afternoon. Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the NPC attaches great importance to relations with Myanmar's parliament, and is willing to have closer communication and share its experience, as well as strengthen coordination and cooperation under regional and international parliamentary mechanisms. Suu Kyi voiced willingness to promote parliamentary exchanges and cooperation between the two countries to push forward the bilateral friendship. XINING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A court in northwest China's Qinghai Province on Friday heard a case involving the deaths of four rare snow leopards. Five people stood trial at the Qilian County People's Court, for illegally poaching, killing and selling endangered animals. Gan Guozhen and the four other suspects illegally caught three wild snow leopard cubs in neighboring Gansu Province in July 2014 and were offered 30,000 yuan (4,500 U.S. dollars) as a "feeding fee" for delivering the cubs to a local zoo five months later. In December, during the journey to the zoo the cubs all died of suffocation. An adult snow leopard was poached and died in December 2014, together with two bharals and three snow cocks, which are all protected species. Police caught the suspects when they were brought the animal bodies to Qilian County for sale in January 2015. The court will announce the ruling at a later date. Snow leopards are in the top state-level for protected animals species and are usually found in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Pamir Plateau at altitudes over 3,500 meters. There are less than 5,000 snow leopards worldwide, including about 2,000 in China. Vladimir Putin chaired a working meeting with the permanent members of the Russian Security Council in Crimea on Aug. 19, 2016. (Kremlin Photo) MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscow has no intention of cutting relations with Kiev. "Despite the reluctance of current Kiev authorities to have full diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, we will create opportunities to develop contacts and support them," Putin said at a Russian Security Council briefing in Crimea. Russia has been mulling additional security measures following clashes on the peninsula that killed two Russian servicemen. Russia's Federal Security Service has accused Ukrainian authorities of masterminding an attempt to send a group of saboteurs to Crimea, which it thwarted last week. Kiev denied the accusations. "It appears, our partners in Kiev have decided to aggravate the situation, and it is clear why," Putin said. The Russian leader said the reason behind the incident was Kiev's intention of avoiding implementing the Minsk agreements aimed at reaching a political settlement of the crisis in the country and to divert the attention of the Ukrainian people from social and economic problems. "I hope this will not be the final choice of our partners and common sense will prevail," he added. Earlier in the day, Putin appointed former Education Minister Dmitry Livanov as his special representative for the development of commercial, economic and scientific relations with Ukraine. Russia currently has no ambassador in Kiev after Putin relieved Mikhail Zurabov of his duties in July. KHARTOUM, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Arab forum on the role of media in fighting terrorism concluded its sessions in Khartoum Friday and issued "Khartoum Declaration" which called for necessity of confronting terrorism phenomenon. The declaration recommended the need to disseminate the Islamic values, invest the cultural reserve of the nation, include materials in the curriculum focusing on tolerance, justice, peace as well as criminalization of injustice and renunciation of violence. The declaration directed the Arab media to highlight the tolerance of the Islamic religion and how it upholds the values of virtue and renunciation of terrorism, extremism and violence, urging the member states to work to establish centers for the training of Imams and preachers to correct the religious discourse in a manner that suits the spirit of the time. It further urged the countries to concern with the youths and resolve the issue of unemployment by enhancing the work opportunities, lessening poverty and achieving social justice and equality. In the meantime, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who attended the forum's concluding session, received the recommendations of the forum and vowed to work with his Arab counterparts to implement them. Addressing the session, al-Bashir reiterated Sudan's commitment to work with its Arab and African surroundings to confront the terrorism phenomenon. "Sudan, at the regional and international levels, will never hesitate to contribute with whatever it has to combat the terrorism phenomenon," said al-Bashir. He noted that the Sudanese Armed Forces are fighting inside and outside Sudan to support legitimacy and defeat terrorism. Arab League (AL) Deputy Secretary General Ahmed Bin Hali, for his part, said that the document of Khartoum Declaration would be one of the important references in field of the Arab joint action to combat terrorism, just like the previous decisions bearing the name of Khartoum. The activities of the two-day Arab Media Forum on Terrorism started in Khartoum on Thursday and was jointly organized by Sudan's Information Ministry and the AL. The participants at the forum discussed three working papers on role of the religious discourse in combating terrorism, the national efforts in combating terrorism and the joint Arab strategy in combating extremism and terrorism phenomena. Chinese artists perform in the acrobatic show "Rainbow on the Silk Road" in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Aug. 18, 2016. (Xinhua/Roman Gainanov) BISHKEK, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese artists performed acrobatic show "Rainbow of the Silk Road" in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and received big applauses. The two-day show, performed by the Troupe of Acrobatic Art from Shanxi, China, was held in the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic Hall and the first day of the show draw a full house of spectators on Thursday. Chen Haiyan, deputy head of the group, told Xinhua that the show tells about the history of the Silk Road and various events associated with it, adding that the show was performed earlier in China, and has received numerous awards. A Kyrgyz spectator who only gave her name as Kymbat told Xinhua that she was very impressed by the show and that it was the first time for her to see performance of Chinese artists. "I saw more than expected. Chinese acrobats were well prepared, one by one they appeared on stage in various indescribable colorful costumes. And they performed such tricks, which thrilled the audience. Previously, I had seen such acrobats only on TV, but seeing acrobats alive is much better," she said. Another spectator Nazgul, who came to the show with her children, said she was lucky to attend the exceptionally beautiful and inspiring charity event. "This is a unique show -- the complex and spectacular stunts, beautiful costumes. My children and I watched the performance of actors in a burst of inspiration," she said. The performance of the Chinese circus troupe is dedicated to the Year of History and Culture in Kyrgyzstan in 2016. UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A record 130 million people are dependent on humanitarian assistance to survive, said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, calling on the world to unite to "leave no one behind." "Hidden behind the statistics are individuals, families and communities whose lives have been devastated," said Ban in a message to the World Humanitarian Day which falls on Friday. Ban urged the international community to raise money for the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund to support individuals worldwide that are in need of help. World Humanitarian Day is annually commemorated on Aug. 19, a date that coincides with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing attack against UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. Also on Friday, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at UN headquarters to pay tribute to 22 UN staff members that were killed in the bombing attack and honor those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service. This year under the world day's theme of "one humanity," the United Nations is calling for commitments to support people affected by crisis and ensure that aid workers can safely and more effectively deliver to those in need. NAIROBI, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya said on Friday it has launched the process of ratifying an international maritime deal to help deter illegal fishing. Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett said ratification of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) will help curb an escalation of transnational and organized criminal networks engaged in illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing. "We have set an Inter-Agency committee to spearhead this process since IUU fishing is a serious global problem," Bett said in a statement issued in Nairobi on Friday. Bett said that fish are valuable commodity that is capable of spurring economic development with a view to meeting the country's Vision 2030. IUU fishing is causing economic losses to global economies and is estimated that catches representing some 11-26 million tons of seafood valued at some 10-23.5 billion U.S. dollars are being lost annually. In Kenya, it is estimated that the country is losing 100 million dollars annually besides undermining resource conservation, food security and livelihoods and destabilizing vulnerable coasts. Bett revealed that the move that is expected to enable Kenya join the global initiative in fighting IUU fishing has been principally domesticated in the Fisheries Management and Development Bill, which has passed through the National Parliament. "These regional and international efforts will deny vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using ports and landing their catches to national and international markets," Bett revealed. He said that by implementing the PSMA, the financial gains that flow to illegal actors could be recaptured by the Kenya Government and local fishing communities. "The PSMA provides a unique opportunity to harmonize and strengthen port State controls in Kenya and around the globe," he added. Kenya signed the PSMA in November 2010 expressing its intent of ratifying the agreement, but has not yet ratified the instrument as required. The country has already constructed a Monitoring, Control and Surveillance center in Mombasa and are in the process of installing the Vessel Monitoring System. The country has also established an Inter-agency Committee which is already implementing the regional and national obligations using the Standard Operating Procedures for inspection and boarding. "We are now in the process of purchasing an offshore patrol vessel and a number of compliance inspectors have been trained," Bett added. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday pledged to promote the China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and bring more tangible benefits to the people of both countries. Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who began a five-day official visit to China on Wednesday. Xi welcomed Suu Kyi's visit and praised her efforts to advance the China-Myanmar friendship, saying that China stands ready to work with Myanmar to ensure the two peoples will always be good neighbors, friends, brothers and partners. He pointed out that China will support Myanmar's choice of development path and its efforts to safeguard national stability, promote economic growth, and maintain social harmony. In order to develop bilateral ties, the Chinese president called on the two sides to strengthen political guidance. "China stands ready to maintain high-level contact and people-to-people exchanges with Myanmar as well as enhance communication and mutual trust," Xi said. The two countries should also integrate their development strategies, he said, adding that China appreciates Myanmar's support for the Belt and Road Initiative. China is willing to promote connectivity projects with Myanmar and boost bilateral cooperation in major areas such as energy and finance, he said, highlighting the importance of smooth operation of ongoing large-scale projects. Lei Zhuning, a researcher with the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences,said Myanmar urgently needs electricity for its economic development, and hydropower is a good choice, referring to the Myitsone dam project, which was jointly funded by China and Myanmar, but was suspended by the Myanmar government in 2011. China and Myanmar agreed on Thursday to enhance cooperation between energy departments to find a proper solution to the suspended project. Xi also called for more attention to cooperation and exchanges in the areas of agriculture, water conservation, education, healthcare, culture, media and Buddhism. "China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting Myanmar's peace process, and make joint efforts with Myanmar to safeguard peace and stability along the border between the two nations," he said. At a news briefing earlier on Friday, Suu Kyi told reporters that Myanmar believes that China, as a good neighbor, will do everything possible to promote the country's peace process. Lei said if Myanmar can achieve domestic peace at an early date, it will take a free ride on China's rapid development. Echoing Xi's remarks, Suu Kyi said Myanmar values the deep "pauk phaw" ("fraternal" in the Myanmar language) friendship between the two countries, and thanked China for its support for Myanmar's economic and social development. Myanmar is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges, strengthen the friendship between the two peoples, and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, she said. She pledged that Myanmar will work with China to safeguard stability along the border, and will not allow anything that could affect amicable ties with its neighbors. The National League for Democracy of Myanmar and the Communist Party of China, as the ruling parties of Myanmar and China, respectively, represent the people's interests, she said, calling for more contact between the two parties. Suu Kyi conveyed Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw's message to invite Xi to pay a state visit to the Southeast Asian nation. Xi expressed gratitude for the invitation, according to a joint press release. Suu Kyi also invited Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who held a red-carpet welcoming ceremony for her on Thursday, to visit Myanmar at his earliest convenience, and Li expressed gratitude for the invitation, the press release said. Li and Suu Kyi held talks and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents on Thursday. Both countries reiterated that they will push forward the China-Myanmar ties "from a strategic and long-term perspective," said the joint press release. China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with Suu Kyi on Friday afternoon. Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the NPC attaches great importance to relations with Myanmar's parliament, and is willing to have closer communication and share its experience, as well as strengthen coordination and cooperation under regional and international parliamentary mechanisms. Suu Kyi voiced willingness to promote parliamentary exchanges and cooperation between the two countries to push forward the bilateral friendship. Related: China, Myanmar agree to solve suspended dam issue BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- China and Myanmar agreed on Thursday to enhance cooperation between energy departments to find a proper solution to the suspended Myitsone Dam project. Full story Commentary: Aung San Suu Kyi welcome to play greater role in boosting China-Myanmar relations BEIRUT, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon asked the country's mission to UN to file a complaint to the Security Council about Israel's incursions in the southern towns of Ghajar and Shebaa Farms, the National News Agency (NNA) reported Friday. Bassil sent a letter to the mission in New York about Israel's violations which he said are "violating UN resolution 1701, the people's rights and the Lebanese sovereignty," the NNA said. "Since the Israeli occupation forces persist to violate Lebanon's sovereignty and fail to comply with the international resolutions particularly 1701, we hereby ask you to inform the concerned authorities in the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council, of Israel's offenses in both the occupied Lebanese part of Ghajar and the Shebaa Farms," Bassil added. Israel imposed new rules, regulations and taxes in the occupied parts of the Ghajar town and established new settlements while it began in the occupied Shebaa Farms construction works to open new roads and other infrastructure activities. On Thursday, Hezbollah condemned Israel's practices and called on the Lebanese state to "practice its normal role of defending Lebanon's sovereignty" and to "take the necessary measures in the face of the rejected Israeli moves." Israel fought a devastating 33-day war in 2006 against Hezbollah that ended with the UN Security Council issuing resolution 1701 that called for a cessation of all hostilities. UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 650 children have been recruited into armed groups in South Sudan since the beginning of this year, the UN Children Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday, calling for an immediate end to such a recruiting practice. Fearful that renewed conflict could put tens of thousands of children at ever greater risk, UNICEF called for an immediate end to recruitment and the unconditional release of all children by armed actors. An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups and armed forces since the crisis in South Sudan first began in December 2013. UNICEF said children continue to be recruited and used by armed groups and forces despite widespread political commitment to end the practice. "The dream we all shared for the children of this young country has become a nightmare," said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth, speaking from Nairobi following a trip to Bentiu and Juba in South Sudan. "At this precarious stage in South Sudan' s short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent." In 2015. UNICEF oversaw the release of 1,775 former child soldiers in what was one of the largest demobilizations of children ever. Renewed fighting and recruitment in South Sudan risks undermining much of this progress. UNICEF also highlighted increased grave violations in the world's youngest country, noting that gender-based violence, already pervasive, has greatly intensified during the current crisis. Meanwhile, World Food Programme (WFP) also reported that South Sudan is facing a humanitarian crisis, particularly acute in some northern regions. Close to five million people -- more than a third of the population -- are estimated to be suffering emergency levels of food insecurity. Malnutrition is above emergency levels in seven of ten states, and nearly twice the emergency threshold in two of them. WFP is doing everything possible to provide life-saving food and nutrition support to those most in need. A file photo taken on February 10, 2015 shows young boys, child soldiers sitting on with their rifles at a ceremony of the child soldiers disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration in Pibor oversawn by UNICEF and partners. (AFP/Charles LOMODONG) UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 650 children have been recruited into armed groups in South Sudan since the beginning of this year, the UN Children Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday, calling for an immediate end to such a recruiting practice. Fearful that renewed conflict could put tens of thousands of children at ever greater risk, UNICEF called for an immediate end to recruitment and the unconditional release of all children by armed actors. An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups and armed forces since the crisis in South Sudan first began in December 2013. UNICEF said children continue to be recruited and used by armed groups and forces despite widespread political commitment to end the practice. "The dream we all shared for the children of this young country has become a nightmare," said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth, speaking from Nairobi following a trip to Bentiu and Juba in South Sudan. "At this precarious stage in South Sudan' s short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent." In 2015. UNICEF oversaw the release of 1,775 former child soldiers in what was one of the largest demobilizations of children ever. Renewed fighting and recruitment in South Sudan risks undermining much of this progress. UNICEF also highlighted increased grave violations in the world's youngest country, noting that gender-based violence, already pervasive, has greatly intensified during the current crisis. Meanwhile, World Food Programme (WFP) also reported that South Sudan is facing a humanitarian crisis, particularly acute in some northern regions. Close to five million people -- more than a third of the population -- are estimated to be suffering emergency levels of food insecurity. Malnutrition is above emergency levels in seven of ten states, and nearly twice the emergency threshold in two of them. WFP is doing everything possible to provide life-saving food and nutrition support to those most in need. LIMA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori is looking to ask international courts to cancel the 25-year prison sentence he is currently serving for crimes against humanity, his lawyer William Paco Castillo said Friday. Speaking to the press, Castillo said Fujimori's legal team was preparing to ask the International Court of Justice and Human Rights to rule on Fujimori's condemnation. Paco Castillo admitted that the chance of a presidential pardon by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski had been ruled out after two rejected petitions. Fujimori's daughter, Keiko, who finished second in this year's close presidential race, was also hopeful the courts might free her father, added the lawyer. However, Jose Ugaz, Peru's former anti-corruption prosecutor and now the president of Transparency International, commented this week to the Peruvian press that international courts would not be likely to favor Fujimori. "This is technically impossible. For an international court to rule that due process had been fundamentally violated would require an examination lasting years. Therefore, I do not see this (ruling) being modified," he said. Recently, a court overturned Fujimori's sentence to three years in prison for allegedly paying tabloid newspapers to smear his opponents during his 2000 re-election campaign. However, Fujimori is still completing a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity, namely ordering the murder of 25 people, including one child, in two separate massacres, Barrios Altos in 1991, and La Cantuta in 1992. This file photo taken on December 10, 2014 shows cholera patients being treated at the Cholera Treatment Center in the Carrefour area of Port-au-Prince,Haiti. Victims' advocates hailed as vindication August 18, 2016, the United Nations' acknowledgment it played a role in a devastating cholera epidemic believed to have been imported by UN peacekeepers.The epidemic has killed 10,000 people since it broke out in 2010 in the vicinity of a base housing UN peacekeepers, in a country that previously was considered cholera-free. (AFP/HECTOR RETAMAL) UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has "a moral responsibility to the victims of the cholera epidemic" and for supporting Haiti in overcoming the epidemic and building sound water, sanitation and health systems, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said here Friday. The statement was prompted by a decision handed down Thursday by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York which upheld a lower court's decision the United Nations cannot be sued in U.S. courts. However, the decision could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. A class action suit was brought on behalf of victims of a cholera outbreak in Haiti contending UN peacekeeping forces from Nepal brought the disease to the island nation following a massive earthquake in January 2010, which killed more than 220,000 people and displaced 1.5 million. There had been an outbreak of cholera in Nepal. The secretary-general noted the decision "upheld the immunity of the Organization from legal proceedings ... in accordance with the UN Charter and other international treaties," Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman, said while reading a prepared statement. "The secretary-general deeply regrets the terrible suffering the people of Haiti have endured as a result of the cholera epidemic," the statement said. The secretary-general noted there has been a 90 percent reduction in the number of cholera cases in Haiti since the peak of the outbreak in 2011 because of "sustained efforts by national authorities and the international community," the statement said. But he said repeated appeals to the international community have left the effort "seriously underfunded." "The secretary-general urges member states to demonstrate their solidarity with the people of Haiti by increasing their contributions to eliminate cholera and provide assistance to those affected," the statement said. "The secretary-general is actively working to develop a package that would provide material assistance and support to those Haitians most directly affected by cholera," the statement said. "These efforts must include, as a central focus, the victims of the disease and their families." "The United Nations also intends to intensify its support to reduce, and ultimately end, the transmission of cholera, improve access to care and treatment and address the longer-term issues of water, sanitation and health systems in Haiti," said the statement. A day before the U.S. court's decision in the suit, Haq said, "The UN's been heavily engaged in cholera eradication since the 2010 outbreak, but over the past year, the UN has become convinced that it needs to do much more regarding its own involvement in the initial outbreak and the suffering of those affected by cholera." "A series of options have been under consideration," Haq said Thursday. He called a draft report and its recommendations from a human rights rapporteur recently received "a valuable contribution to the UN as we work towards a significantly new set of UN actions. The new response will be presented publicly within the next two months once it has been fully elaborated, agreed with the Haitian authorities and discussed with member states." Haq said the United Nations had "tried a number of things" to battle cholera in Haiti. "We keep trying to figure out how to go about the right way of resolving this. And that's what we've been doing in these last months, as well," he said. "I think it speaks to the attention that the secretary-general's paid that, one way or another, over the last six years, we have continually reviewed what we've been doing to make sure that we can be doing the right thing, and that's what's going on right now," he said. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins seen in quarantine behind glass during a crew press conference at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, July 6, 2016. Picture taken July 6, 2016. (NASA/Bill Ingalls/Handout via Reuters) WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Two U.S. astronauts on Friday ventured out of the International Space Station and successfully installed the first of two crucial docking ports that will enable future arrivals of American commercial crew spacecraft. Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins from the U.S. space agency NASA concluded their spacewalk at 2:02 p.m. EDT (1802 GMT) after spending nearly six hours installing the ring-like equipment, known as an international docking adapter (IDA). It's "a significant milestone in NASA's work to return crew launches to U.S. soil," the agency said in a statement. Since NASA retired its space shuttle program in 2011, the only vehicle to ferry humans to the space station is Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. NASA created the commercial crew program in the hope of ending the U.S. reliance on Russia. It has awarded contracts to Boeing and SpaceX to build commercial spaceships, with their first flights slated for 2017. The IDA arrived at the space station July 20 on a SpaceX Dragon cargo resupply spacecraft. It's a ring weighing more than 1,000 pounds (454 kg) that will provide a standardized connection point for Boeing and SpaceX crew spacecraft to automatically dock with the station. Another IDA was expected to be launched in 2018. This is the fourth spacewalk in Williams' career and the first for Rubins. It is the 194th spacewalk for the space station. Policemen escort Turkish military officers, who fled to Greece in a military helicopter on Saturday after the failed coup in Turkey, out of a court in Alexandroupolis, Greece, on July 18, 2016. The eight Turkish military officers who landed a Turkish military helicopter in Alexandroupolis in northern Greece on Saturday requested political asylum in Greece. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- "We are going to do what is humanly possible and legally feasible to prevent the extradition of the eight innocent Turkish military officers to Turkey," their Greek lawyer Stavroula Tomara told Xinhua after the hearing of the first asylum claim on Friday. Eight Turkish military officers asked for asylum after landing a Turkish military helicopter in Alexandroupolis in northern Greece following the failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15. The first of the eight officers was driven to the Asylum Service early in the morning of Friday, where he testified the reasons why he should be given asylum. According to Tomara, the procedure of the hearings will finish on Aug. 30, since each case will be examined separately on a daily basis. The Greek Justice Ministry said in an announcement on Thursday that it received an official extradition request from Turkey seeking the return of the eight Turkish military personnel. According to the announcement, the Ministry of Justice "proceeds directly with the legality check and the relevant process, and if the conditions exist, it will send the file to the competent Prosecutor's Office." Tomara could not comment on the official extradition request from Turkey since there was nothing handed over to her yet. "We are going to examine the indictment as soon as it will be delivered to us," Tomara highlighted to Xinhua. For Tomara, the safety of the eight Turkish military officers comes first. "They fear for their lives, as well as of those of their families," she told Xinhua in a telephone interview. After the military coup, their families hid in different areas of Turkey after they were driven out of the military houses, the Greek lawyer explained. Tomara told Xinhua that her clients had no involvement in the coup attempt because they were executing orders of their superiors. In addition, she claimed that she will fight for them either they get asylum in Greece, or in any other country, in order to avoid the extradition to Turkey. Gopee-Scoon meets with fashion community This was raised Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee- Scoon during a meeting on Monday with members of the fashion community including Meiling Esau and Robert Young who shared their thoughts on the development of the local fashion industry. Another key issue discussed as it pertains to labour, is the realignment of fashion educational programmes to meet the requirements of the industry. Designers also alluded to the impact of limited local production capacity on their businesses and their ability to fill large orders. As a result of this challenge they stressed the usefulness of a Fashion Production Cooperative which is specifically designed to meet their production needs. In a statement to the media yesterday, the Ministry said it committed to the exploration and development of such a facility through the Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Company (FashionTT) in partnership with the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). Investigations continuing in St Anns killing At about 4.30 am on August 11, nurse Ersa Edwards observed Mc Donald, of St James, lying on the floor suffering from head injuries. When she raised an alarm, the unconscious man was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital, but died less than two hours later. Police sources told Newsday yesterday that Homicide Region Three detectives are conducting interviews with relevant persons at the St Anns Hospital. A post-mortem done at the Forensic Science Centre in St James determined that Mc Donald was struck on the head with a heavy instrument. Carenage woman stabbed to death The deceased has been identified as Andrea Edwards, 37, and her husband has been identified as Rawle Savory, 42. Newsday understands that at about 2 am on Thursday, Edwards and Savory were at their Moya Trace Carenage home, when, an unknown assailant broke into the couples bedroom and stabbed the couple repeatedly before running out of the house. Newsday understands that up to press time, Savory was still in a critical condition, and officers of the Western Division Task Force have embarked on a manhunt for the alleged assailant. Sophia Edwards, Andreas sister, told reporters yesterday that Andrea was a hard-working and ambitious woman, who would give anything that she had to help her friends and family. She was a very loving and giving and hard-working person, said Sophia She recently got a job on Mucurapo Road (Port of Spain) as a cook, and she worked there from Sunday to Sunday. She had a real sweet hand. She could have cooked anything. Words cannot explain how I feel right now. We always had our ups and downs but we always came back to each other. Sophia said Andrea would always encourage her to do the right thing and to believe in herself. This is such a nightmare! You see things like this on the TV and hear it on the news, and you never wish that it reaches your doorstep, but today my worse fears have been realised. I would just like to find out the cause of this. Edwards death brings the tally of murders to six in 48 hours. On Wednesday, two brothers were killed in Diego Martin, another man was shot dead at his home in Point Fortin. During the course of Wednesday night, other murders were committed in Moruga and Gasparillo. The murder toll for the year now stands at 289. $10,000 ring stolen from the dead The man died at the West Shore Medical Private Hospital, Western Main Road in Port of Spain on Sunday and his body was taken to the funeral home for preparation for his funeral service. The 25-year-old suspect remained in custody yesterday as police officers searched his Petit Valley home hoping to retrieve the stolen wedding band. Newsday understands that on Sunday employees of the funeral home were called to the hospital to retrieve the body of Noel Murray. However on Wednesday when attendants were about to prepare the body for embalming for the funeral scheduled to be held today, a relative who is employed at the funeral home discovered that the wedding band was missing. He alerted management and relatives and a report was made to the Portof- Spain CID. Yesterday officers under the supervision of ASP Ajith Persad and including Inspector Harvey Jawahir, Sgt Wilson, Cpl Anand Bissoon, and others went to Clark and Battoo where they interviewed several persons. The lockers belonging to employees from the mortuary room were searched but the ring was not found. Officers then detained the main suspect who denied that he had stolen the ring. Newsday understands that Murrays relatives have decided to proceed with the funeral but have expressed grave concern over the larceny of the wedding band from a corpse. Newsday understands that it is customary for relatives of persons who die at hospitals and nursing homes to be given all personal effects from the corpse before the body is handed over to any funeral agency. $150,000 missing: Digicel manager arrested Around 5 pm on Wednesday, officers led by Sgt Christopher Dino Fuentes and including Cpl Ashook Mootilal and WPCs Jackson and Dominic went to the Digicel outlet and detained the female manager who has been working there for the past three years. The woman was taken to the Sangre Grande CID where she remained in custody up to late yesterday. Newsday understands Amalgamated security took a bag containing cash with a receipt for $150,000 to deposit in a bank on behalf of the Digicel branch. However, when the money was checked it did not amount to what was stated on the receipt, and the Digicel managing director was contacted. This led to a police report being made to the Sangre Grande CID. Up to late yesterday the suspect was still being quizzed by officers who are expected to approach the Director of Public Prosecutions for directions in the matter. Sentence for cutlass man in Chinese restaurant on Monday The man, of Hindustan, New Grant, pleaded guilty yesterday to three offences which arose out of the same incident- possession of a weapon, using obscene language and resisting arrest. He pleaded guilty before Senior Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan, who presides over the First Court . Police reports are on Tuesday police ,acting on information went to Luck Sing Chinese Restaurant and Bar located along the Naparima / Mayaro Road, Princes Town, near Fairfield Road . The officers- Sgt Ramlogan, Cpls Nanan and Barron and PC Nazrudeen- searched and subsequently arrested the man together with another person. Police found the weapon which was hidden in his pants pocket . While being arrested, the man began to use obscenities. He also resisted being arrested by Cpl Nanan, of the Princes Town CID, but was subdued with the assistance of other police officers . Yesterday the magistrate denied him bail and remanded him into police custody to reappear in court on Monday. Sgt Roger Richardson prosecuted . Abused CEPEP worker takes boss to court So said grandmother Judy Ann George, 55, who is proud of her CEPEP uniform, but not of the kind of treatment she claims is often meted out to workers by some of the bosses. It is the reason why only three months after being hired as a labourer in a gang, she is now heading to court. Smith, of Francis Street, Ste Madeleine, has accused one of her bosses of verbal harassment by the use of abusive and annoying language and intimidation (by talking in Smiths face). On September 5, the two women will have their day in the San Fernando Magistrates Court. An irate Smith told Newsday, I am going to court because no one should be allowed to speak to or treat CEPEP workers the way some of them do and thats why I am standing up even if it means losing my job. I am not afraid. She claims that she was verbally abused when she raised questions about meetings for workers to discuss health and safety matters among other problems workers experience. They take advantage of us and dont want us to speak out. Smith explained that she is a member of one of the CEPEP gangs working in Pleasantville, San Fernando and one of five women who hold up the wide screen while the grass is being cut and later heap it together to be taken away. Baptist preacher calls on youths to put down their guns Bishop Patrick Brown made the plea while officiating at the funeral service of father of seven, Rodney Joseph, who was shot at killed near his Carapichaima home on Saturday night. The service was held at David Guides Funeral Home in Couva. Joseph, a security officer, was shot near a church not too far from his home. Reports are that he was walking along Orange Field Road in Carapichaima, when a white vehicle pulled up alongside him. Three men alighted from the vehicle and began shooting. Friends and relatives cried throughout the service. Brown, whose son was also murdered a few years ago, lamented that with persons being killed nearly everyday, it was uncertain who was next to die. Who is next? This is what we do not know. There are too many killings taking place. What is going on in this country? Brown said that the country needs prayers. We need peace in this land. Everyday you are hearing about a shooting. Let us ask God to take the evil out of the people. We need the Lord to hear our cry so he could protect and guide us, he said. Brown told mourners that they need to learn to live in harmony with each other. Delivering the eulogy, family member Keisha Scarborough said that Joseph was an outstanding father and shared a close relationship with his children. She said that although they would grieve that he is gone, they would also cherish the memories he left them with. We must be happy and remember the happy times and celebrate his life, she said. Another relative in paying tribute said that Joseph put his family first. He was always doing something for his wife and children - cooking, washing and cleaning. He was always there to provide for his family, she said. Josephs wife Neisha Richards wept as she bade farewell to her husband. He was laid to rest at the Point Fortin Public Cemetery. No floodgate for bail in Sando courts None of them were charged with kidnapping, gang violence or gun and ammunition offences, which prompted attorney, Subhas Panday, yesterday to call for an end to spreading hysteria and panic. He instead, urged the Government to put an end to the draconian measure of incarcerating persons charged with gun-related offences. What is necessary to deal with crime is to increase the detection rate so that more persons who commit crimes would be caught and brought before the courts, Panday said. The sunset clause in the Anti- Gang and Bail (Amendment) Act expired on Sunday at midnight and, as a consequence, the mandatory 120 days incarceration without bail for certain offences would no longer apply. Attorney-General Faris Al Rawi had expressed the view that law enforcement authorities were bracing for a flood of applications for bail from accused persons who were still awaiting the expiration of 120 days or had been refused bail in the High Court. But Panday said yesterday that the population was made to believe that the sky would fall. He added that magistrates and judges would now decide, on merit, whether persons charged with all criminal offences, except murder, are entitled to bail. In other words, the original Bail Act 17 of 1994 would apply from now on. Panday said. What frightens Panday, an attorney who has practised at the criminal bar for over 15 years, is the Bail (Amendment) Act No 7 of 2015, which states that any person over the age of 18 found with an illegal gun or accused of using a gun in the commission of a crime, would not able to get bail for up to 120 days from the date of the offence. As it stands now, Panday said, all a police officer has to do to deny such an accused person bail when he or she appears before a magistrate, is to inform the court that the offender had a firearm, or an imitation firearm when he was alleged to have committed the offence. He said, The accused stands before the magistrate and the policeman or woman police officer who laid the charge, do not have to produce a gun in court to substantiate the allegation, nor present the alleged victim with the gun shot injury. Three held for two robberies In the two incidents, the stolen items were recovered. According to reports at about 1.30 pm on Wednesday, Kevin Painter, 25, was at his home on Lashley Street, Tunapuna when he was alerted by a loud noise outside. When he went outside to check, he was accosted by three men, one armed with a gun. The gunman robbed Painter of a gold chain valued $4,500, $500 in cash and a cell phone valued $300. The bandits then attempted to rob Hailey Painter, 28, but he managed to raise an alarm causing the bandits to flee. A report was made and Sgt Ishmael Pitt and officers of the Northern Division Task Force, who were on patrol, responded. Officers detained two of the three suspects, ages 26 and 29 of Enterprise, Chaguanas, the gunman managed to escape but officers recovered the stolen items. The two suspects were expected to be placed on identification parades for similar offences in the Northern Division. In the second incident at about 3.50 pm on Wednesday, Krystal Wilson, 28, of Petit Bourg boarded a taxi along the Eastern Main Road, Mt Lambert. Upon reaching the Mt Lambert traffic lights, an unidentified man attempted to snatch her gold chain. An observer intervened and detained a 17-year-old teenager from Martin Trace, El Soccorro. He was handed over to PC Williams and is expected to be charged with assault with intent to rob. Mom among three killed in south Trinidad The two other victims are electrician Marvin Ravello, 41, of Samuel Cooper Road, Moruga and fisherman David Hinkson, 37, of Sunset Beach, Point Fortin. Ravello was killed in a driveby shooting while Hinkson was shot and killed outside his home, both on Wednesday night. In the latest killing in south, police believe that Titus knew her killer. Reports are that about 6.30 am step-father Horace Charles discovered Tituss body in a pool of blood in the laundry area near the kitchen of the home located at San Fabian Road, Springland, Gasparillo. Her throat was slit and she was semi-nude. The elderly man reported to police that he last saw her alive about three hours earlier cooking in the kitchen while in the company of a man. At the time, he went to retrieve something in the kitchen and retired to bed shortly after. When Charles woke up and made the discovery, the man was nowhere in sight. Titus cellular phone was also missing. A male resident later discovered the blood-stained phone in a bushy area behind the house and handed it over to detectives at the Homicide Bureau (Region Three). Only Charles and Titus lived in the house. As news of the murder spread in the community, residents gathered outside the house. Relatives who also visited the scene were too distraught to speak with reporters. One female relative described Titus as a very loving person. Inspector Gajadhar together with Cpl Rahim, PC Moses, of the Southern Division and Homicide Bureau, visited the scene and combed the area for the killer. An arrest is yet to be made. Ten hours earlier, at about 8.30 pm on Wednesday, Moruga resident Ravello, 41, was standing along the roadside at Contention Street, Indian Walk, Moruga, when a car approached and slowed down. Residents told police that they heard several gunshots ring out followed by the screeching sounds of tyres as the driver speed off. Ravello died at the scene and yesterday his brother in law, Raymond Dyer, said the family was baffled over the killing. As far as I know, he had no beef with anyone. Marvin was a cool and humble fella, Dyer said. His father, Lawrence Ravello, told reporters yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James, that the incident did not make sense to him. These gunmen need to stop, he said. What sense does it make, killing a man for nothing? They didnt rob him, because he was found with all his gold and his money, and he was never involved in anything - he didnt even smoke. This is a total shock for me. Half-an-hour later, detectives of the Homicide Bureau went to Hinksons home at Sunset Beach, Point Fortin. Police reports are that at about 9 pm on Wednesday, someone called out to Hinkson who was inside the house in the company of two female relatives. He walked outside and, on reaching the gates, he was shot multiple times. Only on Wednesday at about 7 am, relatives discovered the body of Selvin Sammy, 47, downstairs the familys home, at Country Trace, Fanny Village, located a short distance away from where Hinkson was killed. Judge rules today on UNC election petitions The UNC in its petitions has asked the High Court to declare September 7, 2015 results in the constituencies of Toco/Sangre Grande, Tunapuna, St Joseph, San Fernando West, and Moruga/Tableland null and void because of what, it says, was an illegal decision by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to grant an additional hour for voting in Trinidad due to bad weather. At the close of submissions on July 12, Dean-Armorer said she had thought long and hard on todays date to give her ruling. The judge began hearing submissions from the UNC, the Peoples National Movement (PNM), whose candidates won the five contested constituencies, and the EBC on June 29. In November last, the appellate court, by a majority ruling, gave the approval for the judge to hear the petitions. A sixth petition, challenging the results in the La Horquetta/Talparo constituency, was thrown out by the appellate court in May. British Queens Counsel Timothy Straker, who led the UNC battery of lawyers, in his opening described the September 7 polls as a shambles and a shockingly ill-conceived consideration to extend the voting time. Straker contended that in any election the rule of law prevailed and the Representation of the Peoples Act and the Constitution set out an enormous sequence of steps to be taken. In defence, the PNMs attorneys urged the judge to reject the petitions, saying the UNC had failed to prove the extension materially affected the outcome of the election. Douglas Mendes SC, who led the team of attorneys for the PNM, said the five candidates would still have won even if all the votes cast during the extension were subtracted. Lawyers for the EBC argued that the commission had no choice but to extend the general election by one hour because of major flooding Garcia: Ministry to address math grades He said there has been a slight decline in the number of Form Five students passing CSE C math from 61 percent last year to 54 percent this year. However, conversely, the pass rate for English language (English A) has improved from 64 percent last year to 72 percent this year, he added. Garcia said 67 percent of all subject entries resulted in a pass mark of grades one to three. Some 58 percent of students obtain a full certificate of five CSE C passes, while within this figure those students whose five subjects included English language and math is 53 percent. He suggested that weakness in some students performance at the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SE A) Exam could have led to deficiencies at the CSE C Exam for English language and math. However, he added that most CSE C subjects have pass rates that made us proud as he pointed to physical education (94 percent pass rate), religious education (86 percent) and home economics (85 percent). Garcia, a former school principal and former TTUTA chairman, said the results suggest that for English language some students have difficulties in reading and in appreciating poetry, while for math some students hav e difficulty understanding concepts. He revealed that of the 23,723 subject entries for students writing Unit One of CAPE in Form Lower Six, some 94 percent passed. He added that a similar pass rate of 94 percent was also achieved by Upper Sixth students writing Unit Two in CAPE, but he revealed that the total number of subject entries was only 10,796. Garcia said Cabinet had decided to award 400 scholarships this year at post-CAPE level, and the ministry is now awaiting the merit list from the CXC. Barack Obama: from Peace Prize to worlds biggest arms dealer in 8 short years On Thursday, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of more military equipment, valued at around $1.15 billion USD, to the oil-rich kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This sounds like a lot of money to most of us, but the most frightening aspect of the sale is that it represents a continuation of an arms-dealing relationship between Washington and the Saudi regime, which has been worth over $50 billion USD in arms sales to date. (Article by Darius Shahtahmasebi) It is not an understatement to say Obamas tears over gun violence are disingenuous considering his administration has enacted a policy of systematically arming the entire world with all manner of warcraft. According to the Department of Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), during his first six years in office, the Obama administration entered into agreements to sell more than $190 billion USD in weaponry worldwide. As the director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy, William D. Hartung, states, this figure is higher than any U.S. administration since World War II. Perhaps that is why the Nobel secretary has voiced serious regrets about awarding the Peace Prize to the president. While there are a number of companies who are making an absolute killing from these sales like Lockheed Martin and Boeing the fact remains that the U.S. government actively facilitates this industry in more ways than one. In 2013, the Obama administration loosened controls over military exports so military equipment could be sent to almost any country in the world with little oversight. U.S. companies began to enjoy fewer checks than they had in the past. For example, thanks to the Obama administration, weapons manufacturers can now send military parts to most regions of the world without a license, which makes it easier for companies to extend their market even to countries that are on the U.N. arms embargo list. This is because,according to Colby Goodman, an arms-control expert with the Open Society Policy Center, once an item is approved for that exemption, there may no longer be any ongoing, country-specific human rights review as had been conducted previously. As Mr. Hartung observed, all of this raises a number of issues when dealing with global security: 36 US alliesfrom Argentina and Bulgaria to Romania and Turkeywill no longer need licenses from the State Department to import weapons and weapons parts from the United States. This will make it far easier for smuggling networks to set up front companies in such countries and get US arms and arms components that they can then pass on to third parties like Iran or China. Already a common practice, it will only increase under the new regulations. The expansion of this industry is already well under way, and the U.S. is at the helm. According to Vice News, as of February of this year, the U.S. had sold weapons to nearly half of the countries in the world. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute found American exports reportedly made up a third of the global trade. A congressional reportfound that for 2014 alone, the U.S. made $36.2 billion in arms sales. The Middle East region, hardly known for its peace and security, accounts for approximately40 percent of U.S. weapons exports. Nearly ten percent of U.S. arms exports between 2011-2015 were sent to Saudi Arabia, and a further 9.1 percent went to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who are primarily responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Yemen. But Obama is not merely turning a blind eye to the atrocities in Yemen his policies are enabling its destruction. The Obama administration is also doling out weapons elsewhere. In May of this year, the White House lifted its arms embargo against Vietnam a country once ravaged by the United States and is set to become a rising recipient of U.S. weaponry. The target of the move is China, as Vietnam has been one of the countries participating in a stand-off with China over tensions in the South China sea. The current U.S. arms industry is worth more than $70 billion a year but no major news outlet is talking about it. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are not talking about it, except as far as to state how much more fantastically militaristic they can make the U.S. government. In spite of politicians and weapons companies enthusiasm for an arms industry that generates over $70 billion per year, the glut of sales has not provided the world with security. As CNN has reported, the State Departments 2017 budget request is likely to include more funding for African armies in places like Mali, Somalia, and Nigeria. The U.S. already has a long history of meddling in these nations and actually helped create the very terror threat they supposedly want to fight there. Where will this end? Providing countries with arms so they can confront a nuclear power like China is not going to provide the world with security. There are many who paint China to be the aggressor in the region, however, even if that is the case, provoking these conflicts and making billions of dollars in the process only benefits a select few none of whom will ever have to feel the pain they inflict on the rest of the world. This isnt a case of companies making a profit because the government has little to no say in regulating what goes on. In any given arms sale, the U.S. government is involved in the entire process. Yet this is the same government that claims to passionately care about gun violence domestically while enabling chaos and destruction around the world. They can hardly be said to be leading by example with their current track record. Read more at: TheAntiMedia.org Submit a correction >> EXCLUSIVE Clinton Sexual Assault Accusers Paula Jones, Kathleen Willey Unite Against NBCs Andrea Mitchell Kathleen Willey and Paula Jones, both of whom have accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault, are standing up for Clinton rape accuser Juanita Broaddrick. (Article by Aaron Klein) Willey and Jones are demanding that NBC News Anchor Andrea Mitchell issue a public apology for baselessly calling Broaddrick discredited during a segment that aired May 19 on the highly-rated Today Show. Following a letter from Broaddricks attorney demanding a retraction, NBC deleted the discredited referenced from the Internet version of Mitchells report. But NBC has not fulfilled Broaddricks request, which she says was communicated in the letter, for an apology from Mitchell on the Today Show, as well as an acknowledgement on the show and on NBCs website that there is no information indicating that Broaddricks story is untrue. In interviews with this reporter, Willey and Jones both had strong words for Mitchell and her claim against Broaddrick. Willey called for Mitchell to resign, while Jones exclaimed, How would she explain not supporting all rape victims, regardless of her politics, to her granddaughters? Willey stated: Andrea absolutely should apologize. Then she should resign. She never was anything but a JV journalist when she was in her prime. What has she contributed lately besides groveling at the altar of Hillary Clinton? She should be ashamed of herself. Jones demanded: Andrea Mitchell should absolutely apologize to Juanita publicly and in the same way that she discredited her. She should be ashamed of herself. How would she explain not supporting all rape victims, regardless of her politics, to her granddaughters? I feel that Juanita also deserves to know why or who changed her opinion. It needs to be explained. Earlier this month, Breitbart News reported that without any public acknowledgement and following the letter on behalf of Broaddrick, NBC edited the Internet edition of Mitchells segment in which the anchor claimed Broaddricks rape accusation had been discredited. Following publicity of its edit, NBC News posted on the webpage that hosts the video the following qualifier: Editors Note: In the original version of this report, we referred to Ms. Broaddricks allegations as discredited. While questions have been raised about her account, upon review, on May 19, we removed that word. Regarding the NBC action, Broaddrick told me earlier this month during a radio interview, NBC has always protected him. And Hillary. She continued: And I dont think it is ever going to change. I dont understand it. I think its wrong. But theres really nothing at this point that I could do about it. Im just glad, Aaron, that they did at least take out discredited from their report and made the caption that they had taken it out. Of course, your article is what forced that. Instead of fulfilling Broaddricks request for a public apology, a staffer from NBC informed Broaddricks attorney and son, Kevin L. Hickey, that the discredited statement had been removed, Broaddrick and Hickey said. It is incredibly disappointing that NBC and Andrea Mitchell will not publicly apologize for this egregious error, especially considering that NBC has retroactively edited the online version of the story and taken out the word discredited, Hickey told Breitbart News. Why not now go the extra step, the morally right step, and publicly acknowledge the mistake and publicly apologize? he said. My moms credibility was just fine for Lisa Myers and NBC when the story was initially aired. Nothing has changed. Yet NBC apparently thinks it is okay to disparage a victim like this and then do nothing to rectify the situation. During the Today Show segment in question, which aired live on May 19, Mitchell wasreporting on an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity in which Donald Trump utilized the word rape while discussing accusations against Bill Clinton regarding women. In the initial segment, which can be seen below, Mitchell stated: Donald Trump using that word unprompted, during an interview last night with Fox News Sean Hannity. Bringing up a discredited and long-denied accusation against former president Bill Clinton, dating back to 1978 when he was Arkansas Attorney General. The scrubbed segment on NBCs website, seen below, has Mitchell omitting the word discredited. She now says: Donald Trump using that word unprompted, during an interview last night with Fox News Sean Hannity. Bringing up (sic) long-denied accusation against former president Bill Clinton, dating back to 1978 when he was Arkansas Attorney General. Neither Mitchell nor the network provided any documentation or evidence to back up the discredited claim. As critics pointed out in response to Mitchells claim, Broaddricks accusation has not been discredited. NBC itself vetted Broaddricks story when she originally broke her silence by speaking to the networks show Dateline in 1999. The network also caught up with Norma Rodgers, Broaddricks friend and employee, who confirmed Broaddricks story of how Norma found Broaddrick in her hotel room in the immediate aftermath of the incident with a badly swollen lip and mouth and that Broaddricks pantyhose had been ripped off. Broaddrick had stated that Clinton bit her on the lip during the alleged rape, which she said transpired in 1978 at her room in a Little Rock hotel. NBCs Lisa Myers, who conducted the 1999 interview with Broaddrick for the network,stated in a 2014 interview that [N]othing has come up since that story was reported that in any way undercuts what Juanita Broaddrick said. Myers has since retired from the network. NBCs Shoddy History with Broaddrick NBC has a history of minimizing Broaddricks rape story. In January, Broaddrick said that NBCs Mitchell told her by phone that the network would not conduct a new interview with Broaddrick because you have nothing new to add since Broaddrick first went public in an NBC interview in 1999. An NBC News spokesperson confirmed to BuzzFeed in January that the network pursued an interview with the rape accuser but decided against running a story after purportedly establishing that there was nothing new. When Juanita Broaddrick went public last week, NBC News sent an associate producer to Arkansas to see if there was anything new in her story. We established there was not, and decided not to pursue it any further, the spokesperson said at the time. NBC seems to be overlooking a series of new revelations from Broaddrick, including: Broaddrick says Bill Clinton repeatedly called her after the alleged rape. Broaddrick says that Hillary Clinton tried to silence her. Broaddrick told me that Clinton raped her not once but twice during the same infamous encounter in 1978. NBC Held Interview Until After Clinton Impeachment Vote After filming the 1999 interview, NBC waited 35 days until finally airing the exclusive. The timeline is critical. The Senate voted to acquit Clinton in the impeachment case on Feb. 12. NBCs interview, conducted January 20, 1999, did not run until Feb. 24, and the network placed it opposite the highly-rated Grammy Awards. Some have questioned NBCs motivation in waiting to air Broaddricks charge of rape. The 35-day interval between tape and air is now one of the legends of the impeachment process. Why didnt the American public get to hear Mrs. Broaddrick before the Senate voted to acquit Mr. Clinton on Feb. 12? wrote Philip Weiss in the Observer in 1999. Speaking in 1999, NBC News vice president Bill Wheatley vehemently denied the network deliberately held the interview until after the Senate vote. He said NBC took the normal period of time for properly vetting stories. There was no pressure from the White House, period. Nor as some were claiming was there any pressure from NBC or G.E. corporate higher-ups to kill the story, said Wheatley. Aaron Klein is Breitbarts Jerusalem bureau chief and senior investigative reporter. He is a New York Times bestselling author and hosts the popular weekend talk radio program, Aaron Klein Investigative Radio. Follow him on Twitter @AaronKleinShow. Follow him on Facebook. Read more at: breitbart.com Submit a correction >> Newest poll from Texas: 3 out of 5 support state secession if Hillary elected For the most part, Texans have been on the #NeverHillary train since its inception. Theres just something about the freedom-loving nature of Texas that completely clashes with Hillarys big government ideology. For years, the Texas Nationalist Movement has been urging for the state to secede from the United States of America. Should Hillary win, polls show that a majority of Texans who are currently supporting Republican nominee Donald Trump will jump on board with that idea. New poll results released by Public Policy Polling show that three out of five Trump-supporting Texas residents (a stunning 60%) would be in favor of secession if Hillary is elected this November. They simply dont feel safe with her in charge of our country and for good reason. Hillary has proven during her time in office that shes a legitimate problem. From completely mishandling the private email server situation to letting American soldiers die in Benghazi to the whole fiasco with the Democratic National Committee, Clinton is the last person you want as the leader of the Free World. Shes truly awful. It says something about Hillary that she is so terrible that entire states will want to leave the country if she is elected. Were not talking about a few dozen extremists here, were talking about hundreds of thousands of people. She is so untrustworthy and incompetent that millions of people across the United States dont want her to be elected. Thats quite a statement. Perhaps the saddest thing about all of this is that, to many, Texas represents everything that we love about America. Tough people, hard work, and individual liberties are a part of the religion down in the Lone Star State. For our nation to fall so far from grace that Texans want to leave for good is deeply upsetting but its also understandable. So where do you stand? Would you support secession if Hillary becomes the President of the United States? Sources: Chron.com TheHill.com Submit a correction >> Pentagon getting very close to functional lasers that can stop inbound ICBMs (NationalSecurity.news) For years the Defense Department has invested billions of dollars to develop laser technology for all kinds of military activities, both offensive and defensive. One of the Pentagons goals in all of that research has been to develop laser weapons powerful enough to knock out inbound intercontinental ballistic missiles. Now, Pentagon officials say, the day is close when that capability becomes a reality. As reported by Defense One, the Pentagon has especially been focused on lasers as a cheaper, more effective way to shoot down long-range missiles fired at the U.S. from North Korea and Iran. And after testing and experimenting with the technology for better than a decade, U.S. military officials say directed energy is approaching the point where it can be deployed on the battlefield. Its not a hope. This is what were doing, Vice Adm. James Syring, director of the Missile Defense Agency, told the defense news site recently. I view this [as] highly important for the future. He and other military officials said similar things at last weeks annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Ala. All argued that lasers could eventually augment existing missile defense interceptors. And the lasers are a popular option for a couple of reasons: They are much cheaper to operate and they can shoot down missiles much earlier than todays interceptors. We have to deal with the fact that our interceptors are more costly, said Katrina McFarland, the Armys acting acquisition executive. The cost dimension of warfare must be switched from our side to the adversary side. Army leaders have expressed concern they would have to employ expensive interceptors against much cheaper rockets and small drones that are packed with explosives. Lasers present a far better solution. The problem we have now is the worldwide demand for missile defense is greater than the capacity, James Johnson, director of the Future Warfare Center of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, told Defense One. In all, Congress has appropriated $119 billion for U.S. missile defense capabilities. That money has funded the development of ground-based interceptors in Alaska and California, THAAD interceptors, and radars, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments said. The Defense Department has requested an additional $34.87 billion for those projects between fiscal years 2017 and 2021, Defense One noted. Spending will likely continue at roughly the current rate for the foreseeable future, the think tank said in a recent report. In addition, the U.S. Navy is getting into laser defenses, having mounted a prototype 30-kilowatt weapon on the USS Ponce. That system is said to be capable of downing small drones and disabling speedboats, while costing less than $1 to fire compared to missiles at millions of dollars apiece. Shooting down a missile, however, would require much more kilowatt power hundreds, say experts. So the technology to generate that kind of power will have to shrink dramatically before a fighter jet or drone could carry a laser powerful enough to down a missile. Thats why were pursuing the technology in terms of trying to mature, not just the technology, but drive the size and weight down and we can start to think operationally about what that means, Syring said. The Pentagons goal is to dramatically reduce the size and weight of existing laser systems, which it has been working on for at least a decade. More: NationalSecurity.news is part of USA Features Media. Submit a correction >> Health Minister Shri J P Nadda inaugurates 3rd World Trauma Congress New Delhi, Fri, 19 Aug 2016 NI Wire National Injury Control Program on the anvil: Shri J P Nadda The Health Ministry will soon come out with a National Injury Control Program to provide trauma healthcare and save lives of the lakhs of persons lost in accidents and to injury. This was announced by Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, here today. The Health Minister was inaugurating the third World Trauma Congress today, in the presence of Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State, Tourism and Culture. Addressing the Congress and highlighting the need for such a national program, Shri Nadda pointed out that road traffic injuries are among the three leading causes of death for people between 5 and 44 years of age. Unless immediate and effective action is taken, road traffic injuries are predicted to become the 5th leading cause of death in the world, resulting in an estimated 24 lakh deaths each year, he stated. He noted that road injuries and deaths cause a colossal economic cost of up to 1.5% of the Gross National Product (GNP) in the low- and middle-income countries. The figure for India is close to 3% GDP. As per the latest statistic, in India 52 persons died every hour in various accidents in 2014, the major causes of accidental deaths in India are Traffic accident, Drowning, Poisoning and Accidental fire. India has the highest Road crash mortality in the world. As per the statistics quoted in the report of the action for road safety, each year nearly 16 lakh people die globally as a result of a road traffic collision more than 3000 deaths each dayand more than half of these people are not travelling in a car. About 2 to 5 crore more people sustain non-fatal injuries from a collision, and these injuries are an important cause of disability worldwide. Ninety percent of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, which claim less than half the world's registered vehicle fleet. The Health Minister pointed out that some of the important reasons of increased mortality in developing countries like India that included: non-availability of trauma systems which include care from the injury site till rehabilitation; pre-hospital care is absent in many states, and in some states very primitive without the state of the art ambulances, trained manpower and proper organization in a definite geographical area; in-hospital trauma care infrastructure presently cannot cater to the needs of multiply injured patients due to lack of trained manpower and resources; Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Legislation is not uniformly adapted; only state of Gujarat has enacted it; lack of authentic data and trauma related research; and non-existent or few rehabilitation facilities. The Health Minister stated that it was a matter of pride that India is hosting the 3rd World Trauma Congress (WTC) this year, the first and second ones being held at Rio de Jenario and Frankfurt. Shri Nadda stated that he believed that coming in the middle of the UN Decade for action on Road Safety (2011-2020), the Congress will provide an opportunity for all to assess the lead taken so far and the road ahead. Shri Nadda also said that to meet the challenge of trauma care and to better meet the needs of trauma patients, we need to advance not only clinical practice and medical technology, but also the organization of our healthcare system and resources. He also urged for more convergence with Ministries such as Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and other related stakeholders. Shri C K Mishra, Secretary (HFW) stated that the 3rd World Congress was a call to action to all stakeholders to end all deaths due to trauma. Not only their effective treatment, but it is important to think about ways and means to rehabilitate the patients so that they continue to add to the productivity of their own communities and the nation as a whole. He noted that as policymakers it is time to think of building capacity of individuals also that that injury and trauma can be prevented through enhanced levels of awareness and better capacity to deal with them. The congress is being organized by the J P N Apex Trauma Centre, AIIMS New Delhi and co-hosted by the Indian Society for Trauma, Acute Care (ISTAC) and the World Coalition for Trauma Care (WCTC) with objectives to exchange ideas, experiences and lessons learned about the role of internationally accepted systems and protocols in the field of trauma care, mass causality incidents, and disasters. Also present at the Congress were Prof. M C Misra, Congress President, WTC 2016, Prof. Raul Coimbra, Founder President and Chief Executive-World Coalition for Trauma Care, Dr Ronald Stewart, Chairperson American College of Surgeon-Committee on Trauma, Dr Etienne Krug, Director, Deptt. for management of NCD, Disability, Violence and injury prevention, WHO Geneva. Source: PIB Promoted their upcoming film 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' in Delhi Bollywood, Fri, 19 Aug 2016 NI Wire Diana Penty, Abhay Deol, Ali Fazal along with director Mudassar Aziz and producers Anand L.Rai and Krishika Lulla promoted their upcoming film 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' in Delhi. Diana Penty who is back to the silver screen after a gap of four years will be seen as a 'Running bride' in the film 'Happy Bhag Jayegi'. Diana who did quite a shy character in her Debut film 'Cocktail' will be portraying a Happy and quirky role in her second film. When asked about the reason for a long hiatus, she said "It wasn't the subconscious decision to stay away from cinema but I was waiting for the right script" "My character in the film is quite different from the real me. I am quite reserved and shy in actual life and my character is a happy go girl who don't care about anything, who lives in the present and enjoy every part of life" she said in a press conference in Delhi. Ali Fazal will be playing a street smart shy guy in the film who falls for 'Happy'. He revealed that Jimmy is the most fun person on sets who always do pranks on everyone and most of the time Ali falls into his prey. Abhay Deol who will be playing a Pakistani character in the film said "It wasn't difficult for me to play this role as I learnt Urdu language when I was 18. Only the vocabulary was the difficult part which Mudassar helped me with." Praising the language Urdu, he added "Urdu is a very poetic language. I was more excited that I will be speaking Urdu in the film" The trailer of the film is making everybody curious about the story of the film as after running away from her wedding, Happy lands in Lahore, Pakistan. Mudassar Aziz called the film a cross border Hindi comedy Krishika Lulla, the producer of the film said "The content says a lot. for me the king in the film is its content. We look for the combination of everything, the content, director and then the actors. If everything goes perfect then we think of producing that film" Directed by Mudassar Aziz and produced by Anand L.Rai and Krishika Lulla, the film will be released on August 19th. Happy Bhag Jayegi Trailer with Subtitle Diana Penty, Abhay Deol, Jimmy Sheirgill View More : 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' It's been quite a year. And I make no predictions about the one to come. I do know that it will -- at least where we are -- start ou... Misrata forces aligned with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) Thursday suffered twin car bombings perpetrated by the Islamic State groups fighters in Sirte. The bombings took place as the Governments operation to clear Muammar Gaddafis hometown from the IS militants draws towards the end. Thursday casualties, 12 in total, according to medical accounts relayed by Reuters were reported at Gharaibat Bridge, west of Sirte. More than 60 other fighters have been injured in the attacks. GNA forces are close to a victory over the IS group as they have taken control of most districts of the 80,000-populated town which is now almost empty. Misrata forces have this week taken from the jihadists Neighbourhood 2 district located in central Sirte. They are moving towards Neighbourhood 1 and 3 where the militants are still resisting. Regular forces Thursday claimed they killed three IS suicide bombers near Neighbourhood 2. The militants were killed before they could detonate their bomb belts. GNA in May launched the anti-IS operation in view of liberating Gaddafis hometown turned into IS main stronghold in North Africa. It has since August 1 received airpower support from the United States, which says the intervention against the terror group is vital for the protection of American interests. The Pentagon says more than 60 airstrikes have been launched against IS since August 1. GNA this week said fall of Sirte is within days. The GNA has started rubber stumping its authority on liberated areas of Sirte, Libya Herald reports. A convoy of six trucks loaded with humanitarian and medical relief reportedly arrived in Sirte on Wednesday from Misrata, Libya Herald further indicates. The Egyptian government has slammed New York-based Blomberg media and London-based The Economist for their critical reports on the Egyptian economy, which, they said, is doing poorly due to President al-Sisis incapacity to drive the country out of the difficult economic situation it has been facing since 2011. Blombergs editorialist on Tuesday put the economic situation blame on President al-Sisi who failed to deliver and wasted money on mega projects with no sure-fire returns. The Editorialist referred to the Canal Suez expansion project and the creation of a new capital worth $45 billion to the east of Cairo. Fortunately, his dream of building a brand-new, $45 billion capital city seems to have been set aside, Bloomberg said. The media group also chided Cairo as it cast doubt on the positive spending of the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan of $12 billion contracted by the Egyptian government. For Blomberg, the grant will be good money thrown after bad. On its part, the London-based The Economist, published earlier this month a series of articles titled The Ruining of Egypt underlining Egypts economic dependence of the Gulf countries and American assistance. The Economist cited the broken promises of the Egyptian president who, the media said, has failed to improve the lives of Egyptians. Both media received swift pushbacks from the Egyptian cabinet. Finance Minister Amr EL-Garhy Thursday rejected the criticisms, as he accused Blomberg of biased reports. For the Egyptian official, Egypt has a vision for the future represented by a clear economic program aimed at achieving inclusive economic growth, and knows very well where the loan should be spent. The minister told reporters that President al-Sisi and his team have their eyes set on financing economic projects aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth. The foreign ministry spokesman, Ahmed Abu Zeid in a response to The Economist, published a blogpost titled The Ruining of the Economist in which he accused the media of biased stance and of covert intentions. The Mauritania state prosecutor Wednesday demanded 20-year prison sentence for members of the Mauritanian anti-slavery association arrested last month for prompting armed protest in a slum of capital Nouakchott. Thirteen people among whom 10 members of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) have been standing trial since August 3. The defendants claimed to have been tortured in secrete detention centres, one of their lawyers, Brahim Ould Ebetty, told the media. The activists team of lawyers rejected the sentence, which they deem too severe. They reportedly walked out of the court in form of protest. Authorities accuse the activists of rebellion and use of violence, armed gathering and belonging to an unregistered organization. Broaden your expertise, enhance patient care, and never worry about another license requirement again with Elite Passport Membership. Available across ten healthcare professions in a variety of options to suit your career goals, Passport Membership propels your career advancement and offers exceptional value to healthcare providers. Paul Manafort. Photo: Drew Angerer/2016 Getty Images In an alternate reality where Donald Trump hadnt just demoted campaign chair Paul Manafort, today might have been the day when he was finally pushed out. Earlier this week, it was reported that Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates, who also works on the Trump campaign, tried to influence the U.S. government on behalf of Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian president of Ukraine. Doing this directly would have required them to register as foreign agents with the Justice Department, but instead they went through a pro-Yanukovych nonprofit, the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine, to hire the Washington lobbying firms Podesta Group Inc. and Mercury LLC. (Yes, that Podesta; the firm was co-founded by John Podesta, the chair of Hillary Clintons presidential campaign.) Manafort and Gates said they did not do work that required them to register with the Justice Department, but on Thursday, the Associated Press said it has obtained emails that show their firm directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation to turn U.S. officials in favor of Yanukovychs government. Per the AP: The lobbying included attempts to gain positive press coverage of Ukrainian officials in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press. Another goal: undercutting American public sympathy for the imprisoned rival of Ukraines then-president. At the time, European and American leaders were pressuring Ukraine to free her. The emails show Gates personally directed two Washington lobbying firms, Mercury LLC and the Podesta Group Inc., between 2012 and 2014 to set up meetings between a top Ukrainian official and senators and congressmen on influential committees involving Ukrainian interests. Gates noted in the emails that the official, Ukraines foreign minister, did not want to use his own embassy in the United States to help coordinate the visits. Manafort was Gatess boss at the firm, DMP International LLC. The emails dont offer details on what role he played in the lobbying effort, but current and former employees of Mercury and the Podesta Group told the AP that he was overseeing the campaign and would discuss it by phone. There is no question that Gates and Manafort should have registered along with the lobbying firms, said Joseph Sandler of Sandler Reiff Lamb Rosenstein & Birkenstock, a Democratic-leaning D.C. law firm that advises Republican and Democratic lobbyists. Failing to do so is a felony that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. And that wasnt the only bad news for Manafort to emerge on Thursday. Politico ran a lengthy report on a Russian Army-trained linguist turned Ukrainian political operative who became Manaforts trusted protege. The New York Times offered more details on millions of dollars in cash payments earmarked for Manafort from Yanukovychs political party. The Washington Post traced Manaforts path from being a washed-up former adviser to three Republican presidents to having a lucrative yet shady career in Eastern European business and politics. And Fusion reported that Manafort may have been behind pro-Russian protests against U.S. troops. Then, in a speech on Thursday night, Trump said hell ask senior officials in his administration not to accept speaking fees from corporations that lobby or from any entity tied to a foreign government for five years after leaving office. But it wasnt all bad news for Manafort. The Huffington Post reported that he tried to stop Trump from tweeting out a picture of a taco bowl on Cinco de Mayo, so at least history will remember him for that. Free at last. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images The chairman and chief strategist of Donald Trumps presidential campaign resigned Friday morning. Paul Manaforts resignation comes amid reports that the longtime GOP operative helped Vladimir Putins favorite political party in Ukraine lobby the American government without declaring that it was doing so. Which is illegal. Manaforts ties to the party of former Ukranian president Viktor Yanukovych and thus to Putin have cast a cloud of suspicion over Trumps idiosyncratic positions toward NATO and the Russian leader. At the Republican National Convention, the only platform fight the Trump campaign weighed in on was tempering language about Americas obligation to assist Ukraine against Russian aggression. Trumps apparent softness on Putin invited so many attacks, the candidate eventually felt compelled to turn the tables and assail Hillary Clinton for being too cozy with the authoritarian president. One might assume, then, that Manaforts departure was inspired by the mounting body of evidence that he subverted American law to aid one of Putins key regional allies. But according to the Washington Posts Robert Costa, Manaforts sin wasnt his illicit lobbying efforts, but, rather, his insistence that Trump try to restrain himself. Costa reports that the resignation was expected to come due to the reshuffling of the campaigns staff earlier in the week, which put Breitbart executive Steve Bannon in charge, as part of a new let Trump be Trump strategy. Like another recently disgraced GOP operative, Manafort will remain an unofficial adviser to the Trump campaign. The new and improved Donald Trump. Photo: Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images Just three days ago, Donald Trump told a CBS affiliate in Wisconsin, I dont want to change I dont want to pivot. I mean, you have to be you. If you start pivoting, youre not being honest with people. Then, at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday night, Trump read from a teleprompter for the third time this week and declared for the first time that he has some regrets. Politico called it one of the most comprehensive, on-message rationales for his candidacy to date, and proclaimed that Trump had finally pivoted, albeit 107 days late. Trump did say he has regret for having caused personal pain, which is surprising coming from a man who has repeatedly insisted that he has no remorse for insulting Senator John McCain, a disabled reporter, the parents of a dead war hero, and many others. But its unclear what he feels bad about. Trump said: As you know, I am not a politician. I have worked in business, creating jobs and rebuilding neighborhoods my entire adult life. Ive never wanted to learn the language of the insiders, and Ive never been politically correct it takes far too much time, and can often make more difficult. Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and believe it or not, I regret it and I do regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues. But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth. I speak the truth for all of you, and for everyone in this country who doesnt have a voice. This was the first speech Trump delivered since his campaign shake-up earlier this week. His new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, said earlier in the day that the shift is about pivoting stylistically, not on substance. Indeed, Trumps speech was more organized, but he hasnt dropped the grand, vague promises that are his trademark. For instance, he still promised that if elected, chaos and violence on our streets and the attacks on law enforcement will end and it will end very quickly but did not elaborate. Trump alluded again to the silent majority making a comeback, but this time, there was a new flourish: These are the forgotten men and women in our society, and they are angry at so much on so many levels. The poverty, the unemployment, the failing schools, the jobs moving to other countries. I am fighting for these forgotten Americans. So again, its not about me. Its never been about me. Its about all the people in this country who dont have a voice. The man who declared I alone can fix it at the Republican National Convention is now echoing another acceptance speech, from 2008, in which Senator Barack Obama declared, What the naysayers dont understand is that this election has never been about me; its about you. Trump also reached out to minority voters, promising to reject the bigotry of Hillary Clinton, which sees communities of color only as votes and not as human beings worthy of a better future. If African-American voters give Donald Trump a chance by giving me their vote, the result for them will be amazing. Look at how badly things are going under decades of Democratic leadership look at the schools, look at the 58 percent of young African-Americans not working. It is time for change. What do you have to lose by trying something new? I will fix it. New Yorks Ed Kilgore wrote earlier this week that it seems Trumps new appeal to African Americans is actually aimed at white voters worried (or angry) about being labeled as racists. But if he is actually trying to turn things around with minority voters, he needs to tell his security guards. As CBS News reports, two people with darker skin were ejected from the rally before Trump began speaking, though they didnt appear to be doing anything disruptive. One was a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf, and the other was Jake Anantha, a fervent Trump supporter. I do think its because Im brown. Theres no denying that, said the 18-year-old, who was wearing several pro-Trump shirts. He said as a lifelong Republican he doesnt think he could vote Democrat, but the incident makes me kind of think about maybe not supporting Trump himself. The dream of a Sanders-Nuts administration lives on. Photo: Konstantin Sergeyev On Friday, the Federal Election Commission delivered a devastating blow to Deez Nuts 2020 presidential hopes. The 15-year-old libertarian-leaning independent pulled out of the 2016 race last August, but Nuts platform of fresher ideas and vulgar puns has fertilized a movement thats outlived his candidacy a recent poll showed Green Party nominee Jill Stein behind Deez Nuts in Texas. Unfortunately, just as Nuts 2020 was starting to gain heat, the FEC issued an epic caucus block. In response to an increase this election cycle in the filing of registration and statement of candidacy forms (FEC Forms 1 and 2) that provide patently false candidate or treasurer names, the commission has authorized staff to send verification letters to filers listing fictional characters, obscene language, sexual references, celebrities (where there is no indication that the named celebrity submitted the filing), animals, or similarly implausible entries as the name or contact information of the candidate or committee. With this decision, the FEC is going after a lot more than Deez Nuts. As Politico notes, the move jeopardizes the futures of other anti-Establishment candidates like Butt Stuff, Master Alexander Soy Sauce and Taters Gordh First, and Americas first feline presidential candidate and potential Nuts running mate Limberbutt McCubbins. Not cool. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps campaign is doubling down on its strategy of casting doubt on the mental and physical health of his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Appearing on MSNBC on Thursday, Trump spokesperson Katrina Pierson claimed that Clinton suffers from dysphasia, a brain dysfunction that affects a persons ability to comprehend and formulate language. Despite a clean bill of health from her doctor and no evidence that anything is actually wrong with her, the Trump camp and the right-wing press have grasped at various straws to build a case that Clinton is hiding serious medical problems from the public now including an effort to cast her preference for reclining on pillows as evidence of infirmity. Since a complete lack of evidence has never proven sufficient to put a Clinton conspiracy theory to rest, the Clinton campaign has pushed back forcibly against these rumors, releasing a statement from her longtime physician Dr. Lisa Bardack reaffirming that Secretary Clinton is in excellent health and fit to serve as President of the United States. Clinton surrogates also took the opportunity to needle Donald Trump about his own health records, with chief strategist Joel Benenson urging Trump to give the public something more than the suspiciously enthusiastic note from gastroenterologist Harold Bornstein last December that said Trump would be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency. Piersons diagnosis of Clinton is the third installment in a series of whoppers she has told on television this month, which started off with her blaming President Obama for the death of U.S. Army Captain Humayun Khan in Iraq in 2004, when Obama was a state senator in Illinois. Last week, she insisted that Obama had started the war in Afghanistan, which in fact began in 2001 under George W. Bush. The first ad of Donald Trumps general-election campaign stays on message for about two seconds. The spot opens with a still image of an exhausted Hillary Clinton, as a voice-over informs us that, in the Democratic nominees America, the system stays rigged against Americans. Before that line is fully spoken, the words system rigged are superimposed over a sign that reads, Vote here. There were so many other ways to illustrate this line ways that would evoke the idea of a corruption without suggesting that voting doesnt matter because our democracy is illegitimate. A close-up of a handshake, for example. Or Clinton laughing with a conspicuously foreign dignitary. Or headlines about the Clinton Foundations various pseudo-scandals. Or the Democratic nominees face floating beside a pile of money and a sheriffs star. Or, okay, that last one might create its own problems. But still: Trump could have implied that the corruption in our system stems from how our leaders choose to conduct themselves once in office. Instead, he suggested that it stems from how we choose our leaders; or, more precisely, how ACORN chooses them for us. This is not an argument for why you should vote for Donald Trump. Its an argument for why it isnt Donald Trumps fault if he loses in November. 40% of Trump voters in TX think ACORN, which doesn't exist, will steal election for Hillary. Only 20% rule it out: https://t.co/ysbEG9TISf PublicPolicyPolling (@ppppolls) August 16, 2016 The ad does ultimately make a case for the former, warning viewers that, if Clinton is elected, Syrian refugees and undocumented immigrants will roam the country trying to kill real Americans. Its not clear whom Trump hopes to convert by calling attention to this fictional crime wave. But it is a coherent message. One that could at least energize law-and-order conservatives in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, where the ad will air. But the spots first (non-Clinton) image sticks out like a sore thumb. Especially since one could plausibly argue that it is actually the most on message part of the ad: In recent weeks, one of Trumps most consistent themes on the stump has been that the election may be rigged. Last week, he told a crowd in Pennsylvania, The only way we can lose, in my opinion, I really mean this, Pennsylvania, is if cheating goes on. Earlier this month, he made a similar suggestion in Ohio. In North Carolina, Trump complained that if the states voter-ID law remains suspended, Clinton voters will go to the polls 15 times each. At this point, Trump stands very little chance of defeating Clinton on November 8. Its possible that the mogul now cares more about shaping how his supporters understand his loss than he does about trying to convert the skeptical voters hed need to win. On Thursday night in Charlotte, Trump said that he regrets saying the wrong thing at various points in his campaign. But he never specified what, precisely, those wrong things were. Evidently, his various attacks against the legitimacy of our political system arent among them. But at least Trump will always tell you the truth and put the American people first again. Most of her interns are female. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images Ivanka Trump is an outspoken advocate for equal pay so much so that shes attempted to make it an issue in her fathers campaign, despite the fact that hes shown relatively little interest in working women. But as with issues such as paid maternity leave and keeping manufacturing jobs in the United States, it would seem Ivanka says one thing while her company does another. Judging by a recent post on her companys website, the Ivanka Trump brand doesnt pay any of the interns quoted, all of whom are women (and most of whom are named Mackenzie). The post is part of the brands intern series, and details how interns can survive a summer without a paycheck. Quincy Bulin, the companys copy intern, writes that this is her third unpaid summer in New York City, and she and the other interns share advice for scraping by, like saving up during the school year, setting a budget, and taking a part-time job. On the whole and speaking as a former unpaid intern its not bad advice. But given Ivankas bold declaration during the Republican National Convention that policies promoting womens equality should not be novelties, they should be the norm, it seems strange that she doesnt ensure her (female) intern staff has a leg up. Update: the Chief Brand Officer at Ivanka Trump send the Cut the following statement: Miami Beach. Photo: Angelo Cavalli / robertharding/Getty Images Mosquitoes in Miami Beach are now transmitting the Zika virus, and federal health officials have issued a travel advisory for pregnant women not to visit a 20-block zone in the heart of the city. Fourteen locally transmitted Zika cases were found late last month in the Miami neighborhood of Wynwood, a small area north of downtown. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised that pregnant women not visit the one-square-mile area because of the risk that a Zika infection could lead to birth defects, and outlined steps that pregnant women who live there should take to reduce their risk of contracting the virus, including avoiding mosquito bites and having only protected sex. Today, Florida health officials confirmed that five Zika cases in Miami Beach were transmitted by local mosquitoes, meaning people hadnt traveled to an area where Zika is spreading or had unprotected sex with someone who had. The CDC immediately issued and expanded the travel advisory, noting that pregnant women should avoid the transmission zone, which the Washington Post says covers about 1.5 square miles between 8th and 28th streets, and between the beach and the intracoastal waterway a stretch that encompasses the densely packed, vibrant South Beach tourist district. There was earlier speculation that federal and state officials were considering a travel advisory for the city of Miami and possibly all of Miami-Dade County. An anonymous health official told the New York Times that a possible expanded travel advisory would not signify that Zika is spreading rapidly, just that theres another area of concern. This news is very annoying for women who are pregnant (or want to be) and have planned vacations to Miami, but much more disruptive for the women and couples who actually live there. The Times talked to a man who runs a bakery in Wynwood and lives in Miami Beach with his wife, who is seven and a half months pregnant; he said: Im still searching for that reasonable reaction to something that is still quite mysterious in its effects. My wife is trying to kind of balance doing everything she can as a responsible mother, while not allowing herself to be crippled in fear all day. *This post has been updated throughout to reflect that Florida has confirmed that five Zika cases in Miami Beach were transmitted locally and that a travel advisory was issued. whether it was for PR or not, it was definitely very generous i like amber heard Reply Thread Link she's amazing. i wish she had gotten more, and i hope her career is okay so she can continue to support herself after all of this. not looking forward to seeing how the depp supporters try and twist this against her. Reply Thread Link ur ICON Reply Parent Thread Link :( time to support ha projects! Reply Thread Link I hope that maybe it's less that she feels obligated to, and more that she just doesn't want his money and be reminded of him when she spends it. Reply Parent Thread Link This is what I was thinking. Reply Parent Thread Link That's awesome of her. I hope she got more money unofficially though. Reply Thread Link she did Reply Parent Thread Link she should have gotten much, much more from him, but i hope that she is able to find peace and heal now that this is settled. Reply Thread Link MTE. it's great that she did this, but awful that she basically had to Reply Parent Thread Link AMAZING Reply Thread Link Only 7million? And she donated it all?! A million would've been enough in my book. Reply Thread Link Even if it's pr (and I don't believe it is), good for her Reply Thread Link Damn girl, you should have gotten more to keep a couple millions to yourself Reply Thread Link mte... I'm sure she did Reply Parent Thread Link Kind of wondering if she gets any alimony. Like even a little. Reply Parent Thread Link Bye bye fuckboy Reply Thread Link Daaaaaaamn. Terrible situation all around but good for her Reply Thread Link Good on her. I hope she can move on and heal after this Reply Thread Link lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Ugh SNSD gives me so many feels since I loved them since debut. I feel bad for Seohyun because she's the only member who gives a shit about performing. You can tell the other girls just don't give a fuck anymore. I just need them to stick with Japanese releases - it's so weird their Korean albums sound so dated but their Jpop stuff is so good. Reply Thread Link Their first Japanese album sent me to heaven. I'm going to listen to it now tbh, I forgot about it. Reply Parent Thread Link Their first Japanese album made me stan them. I feel like they really went downhill with Mr Mr/right after Love&Peace. I'm kinda sad idgaf about them anymore. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link check out their second album then a lot of the tracks just recently grew on me, but the combination of Reflection/Animal/I'm A Diamond/TOP really sets the mood for a good night out. Reply Parent Thread Link I feel like the last time they all really tried was when they first released their first japanese album. That first Japanese tour was pretty amazing and I think it just got progressively worse from there. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link the superior drunk k-bop Reply Thread Link Minzy Reply Parent Thread Link since it's for a cf, I wasn't expecting much from it. they both looked good and bless the hair flips. just waiting for hbic seohyun's solo although I have no idea if it will be pushed back because of tiffany's scandal. Reply Thread Link i'm in love with seohyun, she's such a goddess Reply Thread Link Can SM please let SNSD grow up and look like this, instead of the constant cutesy BS? Reply Thread Link Yea as I was watching it made me realize that this is the closest to a sexy concept for SNSD. Sure, they had concepts that were a little more sexy but not like this. Gave me just starting out Secret and Sistar feels based on the outfits Reply Parent Thread Link they kinda had it for The Boys. Terrible single but the clothes were decent. I hate the cutesy shit to - Red Velvet looked amazing with their Be Natural debut with the suits and now they're forced into these cheerleader outfits. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link These look like the 'So Cool' outfits. Reply Parent Thread Link i wouldnt call it sexy - more like a club/age appropriated concept (they're in their mid 20s) they've had their fair share of non-cute concepts like this over the past decade (RDR, the boys, you think, mr. mr, mr. taxi, bad girl etc.) Reply Parent Thread Link They are so damn gorgeous. The CF reminds of late 2000/early 2010s Kpop and I appreciate that lol Reply Thread Link YASSS QUEENS I'm not sure why Yuri was really needed TBQH but this was incredible and they looked great so o awf. Reply Thread Link I felt so bad for her. Reply Parent Thread Link I feel bad for the group, individually... Reply Parent Thread Link meh she completely messed up and I definitely understand the backlash, especially given the historical importance of that day. Plus her apology did not help. I will say though I'm definitely not here for some of the ott reactions she has been getting. the rape/death threats and comments about her mom are fucking disgusting. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Woulda prefered Sooyoung over Yuri but this cool Reply Thread Link Sooyoung deserves better Reply Parent Thread Link well with her current bob, she'd be no good for a shampoo commercial Reply Parent Thread Link her current hair ages her so much, i saw a photo of her at the airport the other day and she looked like she was in the mid thirties. i guess it's the cut, bc her bob for party/you think looked great Reply Parent Thread Link i cant believe i'm gonna say this but seohyun did that and this shouldve been her solo Reply Thread Link as a yuri & seohyun stan THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE! bless SM for giving us SeoYu!! Reply Thread Link they look gorgeous. prettiest members of snsd currently, imo (they all look good but damn so many of the girls are looking plastic lately) Reply Thread Link Yea I look at old MVs and at least half of the group looks different facially (not as in they've aged lol) Reply Parent Thread Link i can bop to this Reply Thread Link Yassss fuck LochteGate Lochte Up Abroad!!! Reply Thread Link be sure to copyright it sis Reply Parent Thread Link In less than an hour Lochte Up Abroad will be all over P****'s website. Reply Parent Thread Link lmao where is the lie, but tbh I guarantee other people have prob hashtagged it on Twitter. It's perfect but it's not that much of a stretch to come up with Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lmao i love it Reply Parent Thread Link LochteMess Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i lost it at the title Reply Parent Thread Link Looks like they'll evade jeah-l. Reply Parent Thread Link fuck his sister too Reply Parent Thread Expand Link LMAO THIS TITLE this is the most entertaining scandal in a while, ty lochte Edited at 2016-08-19 02:10 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link in a while? really? Swiftmas was like a month ago Reply Parent Thread Link I didn't find swiftmas entertaining Reply Parent Thread Link LAIAAAAA eu amo brasileiros lmao bye gringos you won't be missed Reply Thread Link I wish someone had shown up in Septa Unella cosplay SHAME. Reply Thread Link At my job anytime someone is caught doing anything wrong me and a few other people start chanting shame and ringing pretend bells Reply Parent Thread Link lmao my mom and i do this to each other cause we are dorks. Reply Parent Thread Link it baffles me people still believe TMZ gives their history to protect entitled white males the swimmers admitted to lying about it and there are several witnesses and videos, that's all that is. Reply Parent Thread Link right, only remember how hard they went for johnny depp's disgusting ass Reply Parent Thread Expand Link TMZ is 100% being paid for these stories, they are a mess. There are several witnesses who confirm that the swimmers only gave 20 dollars and 100 reais. even these 2 swimmers confirmed it. it's "sources close to" ryan lochte who came up with this story about the tapes, but they don't need to worry, they will go through forensic analysis interesting though, how ryan couldn't remember shit, now he remembers enough to know that 3 crucial minutes are missing Reply Parent Thread Link I saw $700 a while back, but they've been saying $50 in most of the recent stories. Reply Parent Thread Link these morons Reply Parent Thread Link "there is time missing from the tapes" lmao they cannot be serious with this reasoning Reply Parent Thread Link just a reminder the apple doesnt fall far from the tree EXPOSE RYAN LOCHTE AND HIS TRASH FAMILY Reply Thread Link Oh my god Reply Parent Thread Link What the FUCK. I feel like I heard about this but never actually saw it. Fuck her, fuck their whole family. Reply Parent Thread Link For fuck's sake. I only made it a minute in and had to stop. Reply Parent Thread Link I sincerely hope she gets hit by a semi. Reply Parent Thread Link Christ what the fuck. Reply Parent Thread Link They love to harass asians . Like Chino ! Chino ! Chino ! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Ah ok Reply Parent Thread Link honestly it's so messed up. i was listening to some quinceanera/baile playlist on yt and that song pamela chu came on and the first lyric of that song is "en los barrios bajos de hong kong, una terrible japonesa, su nombre era shili can chu" and i was so taken back that this shit was recorded and put out smh and not even a peep was heard about it. Reply Parent Thread Link really? we have asians in my town and they have being around from a lot of time. Like, lots of generations of a family had/has a lot of business and stuff. But we are also a country that has all types of people with all kinds of heritage so maybe that's why.? Honestly i had never heard about hatred for asians here but i also wont say it doesn't exist because idk if it does. Reply Parent Thread Link i legit got into an argument with a an Ecuadorean about how she calls every asian chino...like girl yyyyy. she said they're not being mean, it's just the truth, "how are we suppose to know they aren't chinese unless they tell us"....she said they do it to everyone but with no mal intent. shhhhh! they don't think they have a problem...i legit got into an argument with a an Ecuadorean about how she calls every asian chino...like girl yyyyy. she said they're not being mean, it's just the truth, "how are we suppose to know they aren't chinese unless they tell us"....she said they do it to everyone but with no mal intent. #notalllatinx Reply Parent Thread Link I forgot about this. SMH. Reply Parent Thread Link I can never get through this video Reply Parent Thread Link oh dear god I wanna fight her Reply Parent Thread Link Good Lord. I couldn't watch it all. She's absolute trash! WTF is wrong with this bitch? And fuck all the gross people in the audience who laughed. Reply Parent Thread Link is that entire family missing half their brains? Reply Parent Thread Link The white privilege that the host shows off when talking about the car accident... Jesus, take the wheel. Reply Parent Thread Link Scum of the earth. Reply Parent Thread Link What the fuck and why are so many people laughing? Fuck her and everyone in this video. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link disgusting piece of shit Reply Parent Thread Link oh my god Reply Parent Thread Link SO many great names for this debaucle. I also liked quite Swim Shady. Reply Thread Link My personal favourite has been LochMess Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lmao yess i love that one Reply Parent Thread Link ooh that's good Reply Parent Thread Link OMG I love this one tooo Reply Parent Thread Link same Reply Parent Thread Link an American tabloid used Watergate today, I thought it was pretty funny Reply Parent Thread Link Swim Shady is brilliant. Reply Parent Thread Link Swim Shady is the best. I also saw 'Lyin' Rochte' on Twitter. Edited at 2016-08-19 09:23 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link love the title <3 lol so is this gonna turn into an episode of Scandal? Reply Thread Link SVU please!! All they have to do is throw a dead hooker in the mix and the episode will be written by itself sadly. Reply Parent Thread Link Well ofc SVU will do it with either the dead hooker or use those sexual harassment (?) allegations from the housekeeping women, but I could see Olivia (well Marcus really) advising the white athlete to cop up to his white privilege and apologize for his stupid fake story and apologize for his behavior. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm honestly so here for a SVU ep. I can already see Olivia going for the Not-Lochte's ass. Reply Parent Thread Link I was thinking yesterday an SVU episode of this would be great lol Reply Parent Thread Link OP, that title is amazing. Reply Thread Link full credit to littlehayzay Reply Parent Thread Link Thanks bb, my proudest moment Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Ryan Lochte e os outros nadadores dos EUA terao que treinar muito para chegar no nivel brasileiro de dar perdido pic.twitter.com/t0MslW3Wml Glauber Macario (@glaubermacario) August 18, 2016 Reply Thread Link LMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOO essa sou eu no proximo semestre Reply Parent Thread Link can someone pretty pls translate for me?? Reply Parent Thread Link a student forged being kidnapped so she didn't have to handle in her final grad thesis lmao Reply Parent Thread Expand Link an undergrad faked a kidnapping to avoid delivering his monograph (not sure monograph is the correct term, but it's an academic work undergrads have to do to graduate in brazil) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link TCC leva a pessoa nesse nivel de desespero kkkkkk Reply Parent Thread Link KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKK esse povo acha que pode zoar com quem inventou a zoeira. SABE DE NADA, INOCENTE!!! Edited at 2016-08-19 02:50 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link hahahahahahaha, to morta! Reply Parent Thread Link GRITO ainda falta um tempo pro meu tcc e ja to assim Reply Parent Thread Link i see the struggle is real and alive in brazil too Reply Parent Thread Link omg Reply Parent Thread Link Ahahaha eu nao culpo o aluno. Reply Parent Thread Link hahahaha to quase chegando nesse nivel de desespero Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao me right now tbh Reply Parent Thread Link Gringalhada e amadora Reply Parent Thread Link malandro e malandro, mane e mane Reply Parent Thread Link Lochte Up Abroad, I love it. Reply Thread Link I was watching Lochte' show, fuck him and his stupidity. The shitting thing is that his lying ass won't be punished since he left the country. Just glad that baby Nathan isn't part of that mess. Reply Thread Link I would've been so sad if Nathan had be involved. Reply Parent Thread Link he's too good for that shit. He's a smart angel who knows better than hanging out with mr dudebro dumbass when he shouldn't be doing things he shouldn't. Reply Parent Thread Link Lochte Up Abroad. A+ Reply Thread Link probably worried about their jobs Reply Parent Thread Link he still might, but he could also just be done with the whole thing. they caused enough problems already Reply Parent Thread Link idk how it is there but pressing charges could be costly and stressful Reply Parent Thread Link Ryan Lochte is the dumbest bell that ever rang. The 32-year-old swimmer is so landlocked in juvenility that he pulled an all-nighter with guys young enough to call him uncle. His story to NBCs Billy what-are-you-wearing Bush had the quality of a kid exaggerating the size of a fish, and notice how he was the hero of every detail. That was always the most dubious, implausible part. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/ryan-lochte-a-champion-swimmer-caught-in-a-riptide-of-self-absorption/2016/08/18/673d9bdc-6540-11e6-96c0-37533479f3f5_story.html Reply Thread Link mte! that's just...*mwah* perfect Reply Parent Thread Link Lochtes done as a public figure, of course. Which is probably the most effective form of justice for someone who apparently so craves attention. Oblivion is what he deserves. DAMN that was a good read, thanks for sharing. Reply Parent Thread Link Lmfao draaaaaaaaag ha Reply Parent Thread Link omg lmao Reply Parent Thread Link SCREAM, this beautiful article Reply Parent Thread Link This sounds like DOB will be the lead? Good for him. Reply Thread Link What is going on with Dylan? I know he was seriously injured in that accident on set, I assume he's recovered. Reply Thread Link Thank you! Reply Parent Thread Link dylan o'brien playing a cia assassin? lol Reply Thread Link He's supposed to be a college-aged assassin (presumably to be more "invisible", I guess?) so I can see it working. He's actually had two movie roles where he handled a gun already and he gives the arm porn when holding them, so that's what's important here. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah I'm just not really seeing Dylan O as a CIA assassin but hey who knows Reply Thread Link american this, american that.. enough already!! Reply Thread Link come on now with this casting. Dylan as a CIA agent? in what alternate universe? Reply Thread Link is that the guy who always has flop movies? Reply Thread Link Yes, lol Reply Parent Thread Link Always? Excuse you! The Grand Seduction was a Canadian Cultural Landmark. Its gonna go into the Royal Maple Archive. Reply Parent Thread Link Not really, he'll always get shit for John Carter and Battleship but he's been in solid projects (I'm ignoring True Detective) since then. Reply Parent Thread Link omg i just remembered true detective. he shows his butt right? i remember people on various social media going noodles over his flat poo cushions! Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, his problem was being cast as lead and he's just not leading man material. He's a solid actor. Reply Parent Thread Link he's dating rachel mcadams right Reply Thread Link They were, not sure when they broke up but she's with some screen writer now. There was a rumor floating around about him and Minka being back together but haven't seen much about that recently. Reply Parent Thread Link I know CIA agents can look mediocre or below average but I feel like in this case they should file a complaint for getting Dylan. The CIA has started proxy wars and killed many fledgling democracies and attempted many assassinations, but they don't deserve this. Reply Thread Link according to the people on imdb, the main character (Mitch Rapp) is supposed to look more like a normal college student than a ~dangerous assassin~. that's why he's good at his job. dob is a suitable casting choice. Reply Thread Link Well I'm excited lol Reply Thread Link Dylan O'Brien will play the lead as CIA assassin Mitch Rapp K Is he like, a baby assassin? Is he like, a baby assassin? Reply Thread Link Mitch Rapp in his early years looks like a regular college student i.e. Dylan. Reply Parent Thread Link ?????????? @ this entire article dylan o'brien and taylor flop as the main guys in a film about CIA assassins? pls Reply Thread Link I loved this book. Dylan O'Brien is NOT Mitch Rapp, oh my god why Reply Thread Link full of shitty people shitty people everywhere Reply Thread Link The older I get, the more I honestly have a hard time trusting most men when they speak. Reply Parent Thread Link Hahahahaaaaaaaa. This gif. Reply Parent Thread Link "Ryan, what is 1+1?" Reply Parent Thread Link this just keeps getting messier and messier Reply Thread Link i think it's pretty clear who...only one of them felt the need to make up an elaborate lie and tell his mom Reply Thread Link Isnt Ryan known to have a girlfriend too? I'm pretty sure it's him idk why they keep trying to hide it Reply Parent Thread Link yeah, it's in the post she went to rio with him and his family too Reply Parent Thread Link Mte Reply Parent Thread Link yeah pretty much. and he's the only one with a gf i think so its obvious that the others lied for him while he left them all in rio. Reply Parent Thread Link http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,21024136,00.html he just said he was single here tho? and said his tinder was "verified" lol he just said he was single here tho? and said his tinder was "verified" lol Reply Parent Thread Link SMH at everything and everyone involved. Reply Thread Link lochte tanned Reply Thread Link Reviewing the situation? He's been exposed with videos and testimonies. This is pretty weak from the sponsors. Reply Thread Link Probs just waiting to see exactly how much the American public cares about all this lol Reply Parent Thread Link That is exactly it. if the American public has his back the sponsors are staying with him. They don't give a fuck about him breaking the law in Brazil. Reply Parent Thread Link I agree. The IOC should just rip all of Rio medals away. This guy should be hold accountable for his crime. Reply Parent Thread Link probably reviewing how/if they can let him out of contracts Reply Parent Thread Link naughty boy and ryan should collab on a song called " #dontcometobrazil Reply Thread Link lmao, this scandal is the gift that keeps on giving, Swiftmas was so boring compared to this, and lmao, pulling a Lochte, I hope that becomes a trend in all latin-american countries, he deserves it. I'm living for this, @thegringos showing your asses in previous posts, how does it feel to be always wrong?? Reply Thread Link MTE exact @ boring compared to swiftmas Reply Parent Thread Link Pulling a lochte tiene que volverse una frase famosa, despues de todo lo que el hijueputa ha tratado de dar a entender. Como si solo en latinoamerica existieran los crimenes que temia por su vida. El criminal aqui era el y todavia tiene valor de hablar. Que idiota. Reply Parent Thread Link sip, se lo merece por pelotudo. Espero que los brasileros se lo hagan sentir, es mas- todos los latinoamericanos tendriamos que hacer trendear la frase en twitter para que no se lo olvide nunca. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Mte at swiftmas being boring. This, however, is the scandal we needed Reply Parent Thread Link This is the weirdest thing I've ever seen happen at an olympics Reply Thread Link Remember in Sydney when they straight up forgot to change the vault height between the men and women's all around competition and those girls were landing on their backs and knees? Then finally after like two near death experiences they were like "lol jk we reset it you can try again if you want!" That was weirder. Reply Parent Thread Link Drag him Brazil!! Reply Thread Link He is so dumb. I refuse to support him even though he is American because he comes from a family of racists with low IQ. He is the quintessential "bro" who lied about and exaggerated his response to the events. Reply Thread Link yes, well at least his sister is edit: sorry, didn't see that someone else posted it beforehand Edited at 2016-08-19 10:44 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link So which ones have girlfriends? Looks like Ryan's girl is sticking by him Reply Thread Link Conger and Bentz said it was Lochte who cooked up the lie, but the police has so far not revealed who the cheater is. my money's on him though I don't expect his gf to be any smarter than himself lol Reply Parent Thread Link who the hell would depend on lochte to come up with a lie. how dumb do you have to be. they're all messy dumbasses. Reply Parent Thread Link Ryan's girl is sticking by him ignorance is a bliss. Reply Parent Thread Link she don't love haself Reply Parent Thread Link she loves herself abt as much as half of ontd Reply Parent Thread Link I'm pretty sure Lochte is the one who cheated on his playboy playmate girlfriend. Also what the fuck sponsors? Ditch his ass rn. Reply Thread Link Thing is what happens in Rio stays in Rio... how would his girlfriend find out unless she was close like she's at the Os to? THE WORLD would have never known about the gas station because it was dealt with on the spot and everyone moved on except the voices in Lochte's head. They could have stumbled back into the village and had oatmeal the next morning. no one cared. So it's Ryan. Ryan how does robbery at gun point cover up or rule out shagging a woman at a club? edit~post above ..again how would his girl know back home? Edited at 2016-08-19 08:57 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link his girlfriend was here at a hotel. maybe she called and he was out late and he made up the lie to explain why? and told her he was fine. and when he woke up his mom already knew it all and all the press. Reply Parent Thread Link his girl was in Rio, staying at a hotel while he was out partying with his mates lol maybe she tried calling him all night and he needed an excuse for why he didn't pick up, or to why he arrived at 7am, who knows the way his mind works LOL Reply Parent Thread Link hahahaha JEAH it makes sense now. I wasn't cheating on you babe. How, I didn't have time I was robbed held at gun point. Jeah, man that's perfect jeah! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Three bomb attacks this week in Turkey have led to 11 fatalities and 300 people getting injured, local media report. The attacks, all in the eastern part of the country, were all targeted against security forces personnel. Two of the attacks occurred at police stations, in Elazig and Van, and one was a roadside bomb attack on a military vehicle in the province of Bitlis. This latest attack was the smallest in scope, but still ended with five soldiers dead and four wounded. The soldiers were returning from a clash between army forces and PKK the Kurdistan Workers Party that Ankara has been fighting for decades. In the clash itself, one village guard was killed and a soldier was wounded. On Thursday, a car bomb blew up the police station in Elazig early in the morning, killing three officers and injuring 2017, of them 145 still in hospital. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told media that there was no question that PKK was behind the attack. The first attack took place on Wednesday in Van and again involved a car bomb set by the police station. This one resulted in three people killed and at least 73 injured. Again, the authorities said that the attack was the doing of the PKK. Clashes between Turkish security forces and the PKK have increased in frequency over the last year, after a ceasefire between Ankara and the Kurdish organization fell through and militant activity resumed. In a bid to curb opportunities for bomb-making, the country earlier this year introduced new, stricter rules for using liquefied gas cylinders a common fixture in many households in that part of the world. In addition to online tracking of consumption and the introduction of QR codes and serial numbers, the authorities also instituted a temporary suspension on fertilizer sales (ammonium nitrate is easy to obtain and make bombs with) and obliged gas cylinder users to return the empty one when they need a full cylinder. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Citing national interest concerns, Australia officially banned on Friday the sale of a majority stake of its largest power distribution grid to foreign investors, drawing a warning to Australia from the Chinese commerce ministry. Chinas government-held State Grid Corp of China was bidding for Ausgrid. Hong Kong-based Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, owned by billionaire Li Ka-Shing, was also in the running, and was equally rejected as a buyer by Australia. Australias ban will have a negative impact on the bilateral trade, and will hurt the willingness of Chinese groups to invest in Australia, the Chinese commerce ministry said. Australia is planning a 99-year lease of 50.4 percent of New South Wales electricity distribution grid Ausgrid worth an estimated US$7.5billion, but national interest has prevailed over foreign investment. A sale under the currently proposed structure would be contrary to the national interest, Treasurer Scott Morrison said in his statement. Morrison, on preliminary view, first informed China and Hong Kong that their bids may be rejected, and that a formal decision would be issued pending a response from China. Australia, which has had a free trade agreement with China in place since December of last year, is now riling up one of its biggest trading partners. Related: Iraq Resumes Oil Exports From Kurdish Fields This is not the first time China has been snubbed by Australia in its attempt to buy into strategic companies. In April this year, Treasurer Morrison blocked the sale of 80 percent in S. Kidman and Co. Limited the worlds biggest cattle farm to a Chinese consortium, again citing concerns that the deal may run contrary to the national interest. The most recent Australian hurdles to Chinese investments add to the Hinkley Point saga in the U.K. Concerns had been mounting that as a UK-French-Chinese joint venture, it would give China the opportunity to influence a significant U.K. energy resource for decades to come, especially under present agreements. The news comes after last weeks news that the Chinese firm involved in the construction of Hinkley, CGN, and its engineering advisor Szuhsiung Ho have been indicted on charges of industrial espionage in the United States. The charges relate to alleged attempts to steal nuclear secrets to aid the Chinese nuclear energy program. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Explore the best Milwaukee has to offer with VISITMilwaukee and OnMilwaukee this summer by "Urban Exploring." We'll be sharing parks to hike, walls to climb, rivers to paddle, trails to bike and so much more. Be a tourist in your own town and experience it with us! Recently, I went on a Milwaukee Food & City Tours in the Third Ward with host Karen and a half dozen other folks. I knew Featherston and I would get along when she said, "Im Italian, and if I dont feed people every 30 minutes, I get nervous." During the tour we walked from Smoke Shack to Hudson Business Lounge Cafe to Cafe Benelux and finally the Milwaukee Public Market. At each locale, we sampled food and drinks including a Bloody Mary at almost every location and in between indulging, Featherston provided historical information and stories about the Third Ward. I found the event really interesting with so much food for the mouth as well as the mind. For example, I learned that the fading painted signs on buildings are called "ghost signs," and they are protected from being removed or painted over by a Third Ward ordinance. After the tour, I contacted the owners of Milwaukee Food & City Tours, Wade and Theresa Nemetz, for more information. OnMilwaukee: How long have you had this business? Theresa Nemetz: We started it in 2009 as a hobby, and it has over time developed into a full-time business and year-round operation. We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary next year with several trips, including culinary vacations to Poland, Germany and Italy! How many different tours do you offer and how often? Do you offer them year round? We have six walking tours, 11 bus tours and three Christmas tours. With the exception of a few of our walking tours, we do offer most tours year-round. We also offer day trips and workshops. What led you to start this business? After taking a food tour in New York City, we came home and created Milwaukee Food & City Tours out of my love of Milwaukee and my husbands love of great food. Prior to starting the company, Wade's background was in the mortgage industry and mine was in non-profit fundraising. Self taught, we have relied on mentors in the travel industry both in Milwaukee and beyond to help guide us to grow our company to where it is today. We enjoy traveling to other cities to experience tours and tour concepts into our company here in Milwaukee. What is special about your tours? Our tours highlight the hidden gems of Milwaukee. For example, on our Craft Breweries & Cocktails tour, we are showcasing small establishments "before they become famous" as I like to say. We are allowing our guests to meet small business owners, learn their passion and tour facilities that do not generally offer tours to the general public. Our tours also are great opportunities for corporate team outings, and bachelor/bachelorette outings. For example, our new Tacos & Tequila tour has quickly become a favorite afternoon outing for groups interested in exploring Milwaukee and having a fun time together. We truly enjoy showcasing Milwaukee and all that it has to offer to both locals and tourists. What do you want the people who go on your tours to get from the experience? Consistently, guests rave about the chance to learn about Milwaukee and see it from an insiders perspective. We love to show off Milwaukee and love to allow others to discover Milwaukee. Many guests, especially the local attendees, remark that they thought that they knew Milwaukee, but were pleasantly surprised to discover new places on their tour with us. Last October, Marquette University opened the new Jesuit Residence on 14th and Wells. Designed by Kubala Washatko Architects, its a handsome enough addition to the seemingly ever-evolving campus on the western reaches of Downtown. But reader Roz Rouse knew Id be more interested in the building the 25 Jesuit priests formerly called home. And, thankfully, Marquettes planning and facilities project manager Kurt Young Binter was willing to indulge my curiosity and swing open the cyclone fence that surrounds the four-story red brick tudor building at 1404 W. Wisconsin Ave. and take me inside. Serving as the Jesuit residence home to as many as 44 priests at one time since 1973, when two campus residences were combined at the former womens dorm, the building was originally built as the Stratford Arms hotel and apartments. Miss Harriet Hathaway was the owner of an earlier Stratford Arms building at 179 12th St., which had a restaurant and, in 1914, at least 60 residents, a fact we gleaned from a Sentinel article from November of that year: "Smallpox in Home of Waitress Causes Prompt Action in West Side Apartment House" Wisconsin Avenue entrance. A hundred people were vaccinated by the health department after four cases of the disease were found in the South Side home of Stratford restaurant waitress Miss Ella Puffer. Puffer apparently was not afflicted but four of her siblings were sent to the Isolation Hospital on 20th and Mitchell. But I digress. In 1916, Hathaway hired Martin Tullgren & Sons to design her a new Stratford Arms on 14th and Grand Avenue, with brick and stone cladding over a concrete and steel frame, built at a cost of $100,000 no small figure in those days. While today many of us remember Tullgren and his son Herbert for their more ornate works like the George Watts building on Jefferson and Mason; their own Terra Company building on 60th and North; the Bertelson Building, 2101-2111 N. Prospect Ave. (home to Allium restaurant, among other businesses); the gorgeous duplex Exton Apartments, 1260 N. Prospect Ave.; or the First Wisconsin Garage on Mason and Water the Tullgrens also did a lot of multi-unit residential and hotel work. Among the ones youll likely have seen are the Shorecrest Hotel on Prospect and the Astor Hotel on Juneau. So, Binter and I probably shouldve been less surprised than we were by the attribution of this relatively anonymous Tudor Revival building to the Tullgrens. After all, red and brown brick were not unfamiliar to these folks we cherish for their terra cotta facades. Look at the old Downer Garage on Webster (Starbucks and Boswell Books), for example. Thats the Tullgrens, too. Anyway, the hotel opened and was, for a time, home to a restaurant and meeting rooms and had a few well-known residents, including Spencer Tracy, visiting Japanese poet Yone Noguchi and Al Capones brother Ralph (no, not kidding). An undated image of the Stratford Hotel (PHOTO: Courtesy of Marquette University) A name familiar to the Marquette community, Anthony Weasler who donated the funds to build the campus auditorium that bears his name had a life-altering experience at the Stratford Arms. While attending the university, he worked as a bus boy in the Stratfords restaurant, and one day he delivered a meal to the room of a hotel resident and inventor who, learning that Weasler was an engineering student, asked for his help doing research for a project. The experience spurred Weasler to earn a second degree. "My life career was changed by that lucky encounter at the Stratford Arms Hotel," he later said in a speech at Marquette. In the 1930s, the Stratford kept up with the times by cooking up what it called "Milwaukees newest and finest cocktail bar," with curvaceous couches, table seating, a bar, and garlands plastered (or painted, its hard to tell from the drawing) on the walls. "Milwaukee has never seen a cocktail bar so unique as this," boasted a 1936 advertisement. "Designed for beauty, comfort and quiet, just the place for a quick stopover for the choicest of liqueurs or wines, or the spot for you to enjoy a leisurely evening in a restful environment." By 1942, in addition to the rooms upstairs, the Stratford was home to the Central Tavern and the Varsity Beauty Shop, though its unclear today where those were located in the building. By the late 50s, the Central was renamed the Stratford Hotel Bar, but not long after in 1962 the hotel and bar were closed and the building was sold to Marquette. One of the suites on the second floor. Because it was basically already a dorm, it was quickly converted to a residence hall for women and named Heraty Hall in honor of 1914 grad Dr. John A. Heraty. Renovations were later made and in 1973 Marquette merged its two Jesuit residences into one at the site. It appears there were two main entrances to the Stratford. The one between the two east wings of the H-shaped building, on 14th Street, appears to be where the lobby desk was located and just beyond it, the restaurant and bar. Theres another entry on Wisconsin Avenue that has ornate stonework, including a couple grotesques, around the entrance, which leads to a wide marble staircase flanked by elegant wood-paneled walls. The marble staircase in the Wisconsin Avenue entry. The basement has a couple entrances off Wisconsin Avenue, too, including one that looks like it couldve been for public use. The other is more clearly a service entrance. Down here theres also a spiral staircase, dating to the Jesuit era, that rises two stories through the library. But if you were in that room, youd have to open a closet door to find the "secret" steps. Upstairs, the second, third and fourth floors have identical floor plans filled with rooms. There are studios, a few larger units and even a few suites. Some apartments facing north have three-window bays. Some of the apartments on the north side of the building have window bays. It appears that some of the rooms have been altered in size and shape over the years, as we found evidence of walls moved, though no proof of when those changes were made. Suffice it to say, based on moldings and other details, it didnt appear that the work was done anytime recently. The corridor on the second floor. During the Jesuit era, each residential floor also had a couple small chapels. The building is slated to be dismantled in July, and a wide variety of salvage work has already taken place with much material already on sale at local Re-Store outlets. That means, though, that some of what was there was gone before I arrived. Evidence that a wall was moved at some point, changing room dimensions. What I did see were those gorgeous marble staircases, which couldnt be salvaged. The marble tended to break apart when workers attempted to remove it. The main staircase to the upper floors has a really nice iron railing and wood banister. Some of the bathrooms and the former restaurant space still have parts of their terrazzo floors with marble accent tiles. The main staircase has a nice iron railing and wood banister. In the rooms, some of the molding and corner guards appeared original, or at least quite old. One of the most poignant, though least old, things I saw (and photographed) was the menu from the buildings "last supper" in October on the wall of the dining room. Evidence of the last supper at the old Jesuit Residence in October 2015. For now, Binter tells me, the land will be cleared and greened as work continues on Marquettes master plan for the campus, which includes razing and replacing McCormick Hall nearby, adding onto Schroeder Hall and altering the student union, which sits adjacent to the Stratford Arms building. It looks like the ultimate goal is for the land at 14th and Wisconsin to become part of the unions orbit. It may be a shame to lose the Stratford but not so much for its architecture, which, frankly, isnt all that breathtaking. More so because its one of the last residential hotels on this stretch of Wisconsin Avenue, which used to have many (RIP Biltmore). Fortunately, it is by no means the last. At least three other Marquette dorms are former hotels (four if you count the old YMCA) and two of those date from roughly the same era: the LaSalle (now Cobeen) and Catholic Knights Hotel (Carpenter Tower). Do you remember White Tower? My grandmother sure does. As the wife of a Wisconsin Electric employee, she would pack up her three children every fall for school physicals at the Public Service Building on 2nd and Michigan. The bus ride from Oak Creek was a real expedition, but if the kids behaved, the day would end with stops at White Tower (600 N. 2nd St.) for a bagful of burgers and Fourth Ward Square for a picnic. Sixty years later, she still describes these annual White Tower visits with a sense of wonder and amazement. And so it was, for the two generations of Milwaukee children who came Downtown to White Tower before the first McDonalds. "As a kid growing up in the Depression, a hamburger and a chocolate malt at White Tower was a rare treat only experienced on special occasions the Fourth of July, Christmas shopping, vacations and always on the bus or streetcar," reflected a Milwaukee Journal editorial in 1975. White Tower wasnt just a Milwaukee restaurant. It was a Milwaukee tradition, woven so deeply into Downtowns densest blocks that it couldnt have survived anywhere else. Borrowing heavily perhaps too heavily from the hot-and-now success of White Castle, John and Thomas Saxe opened their first White Tower location at 1502 W. Wisconsin Ave. on Nov. 17, 1926. The first White Tower, 15th & Wisconsin, open Nov. 17, 1926. Their growing movie palace empire already included the Princess, Alhambra, Wisconsin, Oriental, Garfield, Tower and Uptown Theaters. Within a year, there were six White Tower locations in Milwaukee and one in Racine, with many locations within walking distance of a Saxe Theater. These "lunchrooms" were remembered for their unique architecture: white, impossibly clean, stylized medieval castles. The bright white buildings were intentionally designed to contrast coal-stained Downtown buildings. Restaurants were laid out in polished chrome and white tile. Staffed by "Towerettes" female employees in white nurses outfits the original White Towers were immaculate. White Tower, 600 N. 2nd St., still sporting its original crown. In Milwaukee, cheap meals usually meant tavern food, served in a loud, raucous and crowded space, so the Saxe brothers used white to sell the idea that dining out could be both affordable and clean. The lunchrooms served a simple menu for a blue collar crowd, including 5-cent hamburgers, coffee, ham sandwiches, pie, donuts and soda, all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "They made an inexpensive meal in clean, shiny buildings for working people," comments architectural historian John Margolies. "They did for hamburgers what Henry Ford did for the automobile." Hamburger prices stayed at 5 cents until 1941, and coffee was sold for 5 cents until 1950. For decades, White Tower offered free meals on Christmas Day, "just to make sure that no single man, whether black or white, resident or transient, should go hungry." The 24-hour restaurants never ran out of food except on July 26, 1946, when a gas company strike caused many Downtown restaurants to close. White Tower stayed open, offering milk, pie and coffee until the grill came back on. White Tower Boy, the official mascot. In a time before cars, the Saxe brothers strategically located their Towers at the intersection of train and trolley lines. For example, the most memorable 2nd and Michigan location was mere footsteps away from interurban trains, the streetcar exchange and the Milwaukee Road terminal. Guaranteed to collect foot traffic at busy crossroads, White Towers became the workingmans lunch counter. From the Great Depression until World War II, the shops were almost entirely mens spaces. After World War II, White Tower marketed jobs almost exclusively to women. "Neat? Presentable? Be a White Tower Girl!" beckoned the ads, promising an easy way to boost the family budget. White Tower also promised comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, free uniforms, free meals, fast-track promotions and even paid time off. Many of these benefits were totally unknown for women in the workplace at that time. "No restaurant organization anywhere can top White Tower when it comes to working conditions," promised the ads. The original White Tower designs looked very familiar not only to customers, but to competitor White Castle, which had already opened in 1921 with identical architecture, products and slogans. Flabbergasted by the Saxes success, White Castle took them to court for trademark infringement and won. The U.S. Court of Appeals ordered White Tower to change its lookalike buildings, stay out of White Castles markets and pay $100 royalties for each location theyd opened. To ensure compliance, the Saxes would have to send photos of every White Tower location to their competitor and pay licensing fees exceeding $80,000. While the courts ruled in favor of White Castle, the zeitgeist ruled in favor of White Tower. Art deco and international style were just coming into vogue, and the chains conversion from medieval lunchrooms to streamlined modern coffee shops was perfectly timed. White Tower rapidly expanded to 10 states. Later, they would add turquoise and orange neon signage to the buildings, complementing the pure white with a splash of eye-catching color. Unfortunately, White Tower didnt update its operating model for car-crazy, postwar America. Although the chain experimented with roadside locations in the 1930s, they remained firmly planted on Downtown city streets. When foot traffic disappeared, many locations found themselves landlocked at undesirable addresses. At a time when drive-in restaurants were the rage, most White Towers didnt even offer parking spots. The last Milwaukee location opened at 1136 W. Wells St. in 1949. This would be the highest height of the White Tower empire. With 230 nationwide locations, including 12 in Milwaukee, the chain entered the 1950s ready for limitless growth. The expressway era changed everything. A decade later, half the stores were already gone, and the surviving locations werent faring well. White Towers tiny stores had always existed in those in-between urban spaces that were too small for any other commercial development. This strategy didnt anticipate that those in-between spaces would someday be needed for parking. By the early 1960s, Water Street north of City Hall had become a Skid Row. The White Tower at 163 E. State St. was part of a seedy block of bars, boarding houses and empty storefronts. Once the lunchroom for city officials, White Tower had fallen far out of fashion. The entire 900 N. Water St. block was demolished between 1963 and 1966 and redeveloped as the Performing Arts Center in 1969. After being evicted, the city's oldest White Tower moved down the block to 601 W. Wells St. In September 1962, City Federal Savings targeted White Tower #2 (723 N. 6th St.) which had stood midblock between Wisconsin and Wells since 1927. They didnt just evict the tenant they also sued to prevent White Tower from excavating and moving the restaurant, claiming it would constitute "invasion" of their future parking lot. These restaurant moves were not uncommon; in fact, the first White Tower was relocated from 1502 to 1538 W. Wisconsin Ave., where it remained until the late 1950s. In the end, White Tower won the case and set up shop at the end of the block. The iconic 600 N. 2nd St. location fared the best. Beloved by Downtown workers and visitors alike, the last White Tower was featured in local guidebooks, architectural tours and even tourism advertising. Serving up low-cost meals and a safe space, White Tower was a critical cornerstone for the single room occupancy (SRO) residents living at the nearby Antlers, Plankinton, Randolph and Belmont Hotels. Honoring the companys 50th anniversary, the Milwaukee Landmarks Commission nominated the North 2nd Street location for historic designation in September 1976. Nobody expected 1976 to be White Towers last year of business in Milwaukee. But thats exactly what happened. Following a corporate reorganization, it appears the last three locations either lost their franchises or chose to exit the chain. 601 W. Wells St. became "Pattys Place" for a short time but was demolished for a Firestone Auto Shop in June 1976. The 1136 W. Wells St. location was acquired by the Ham n Egger chain. And 600 N. 2nd St. became the Chuck Wagon Restaurant until 1980. The last White Tower in Milwaukee became the Chuck Wagon in 1978. After 50 years on 2nd and Michigan, the last White Tower in Downtown Milwaukee was demolished for Grand Avenue parking. Despite being architecturally sound, White Tower was another relic of yesterdays Downtown. Like the SRO hotels, it was considered a sign of blight in the "everything must go" mindset of 1980. There were no calls to restore or relocate the historic building, or incorporate it into the new development. Considering the 1979 release of White Towers, a pictorial history celebrating the chains origins in Milwaukee, its remarkable that only a year later nobody fought harder to save the last surviving location. A single White Tower Restaurant still stands today in Toledo, Ohio. White Castle has maintained their historic distance from Milwaukee, with only one Wisconsin location (Pleasant Prairie) and no current plans for more. The White Tower Archive, representing over 50 years worth of company history, was recently donated to Penn State University. But ninety years after the first location opened on 15th and Wisconsin, few Milwaukeeans even know that White Tower ever existed. The latest Fein Brothers will remove its landmark King Drive sign on Tuesday Fein Brothers restaurant supply store, which is moving to a new location near its longtime current home at 2007 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., is removing its vertical and marquee signs and placing them in storage with the hope that they can be displayed in the new store. The opinions expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the opinions of OnMilwaukee.com, its advertisers or editorial staff. As Milwaukee struggles with the issue of how to deal with racial violence, its critical to find answers to two key questions. The first question, of course, is what caused this whole situation. Since the Sherman Park explosion, weve had countless experts talking about all the causes: income inequality, hopelessness, housing discrimination, lack of job opportunities, high incarceration rates, woeful educational opportunities. What all the experts are missing is that all of those things are not root causes. They are symptoms. They are symptoms of a racist country and city. They are symptoms of a historical thread of prejudice by white people against black people. Dr. Amanda Seligman is the chair of the History Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an expert in the history of racism. "Racism is not just one thing," she said in an interview this week after the Sherman Park riots. "Its many things. It repeats itself in different ways in different times. "Nineteenth century racism was rooted in slavery. Then came the Jim Crow laws after the Civil War. I look at the racism in Milwaukee as the period from the 1960s until now. "In every new period, people remembered what they have been through, and they didnt like living in a new socio-economic climate. Each time, they reinvented the practice of racism." If you start 200 years ago and walk through American history, you see the racist belief that black people are inferior to white people manifested in a variety of ways that we dont have to delineate here. On a personal level, there is a complex set of motivations and circumstances that go into the development of racist beliefs. Dr. Clay Routledge of North Dakota State has written extensively about the psychology of racism. He writes that many studies have shown that white people find that racism allows them to reinforce or improve their sense of self-esteem. People like to see their group as a positive one, and by looking down on another group, it becomes easier to do so. He writes that humans are hierarchical animals. To have a hierarchy, there must be status differences between people. Racism helps preserve status differences because it oppresses minority groups. The community affected most by racism in Milwaukee, that's the black community has a variety of responses, including a feeling of degradation and hopelessness, as well as frequent ultra-violent outbursts. The Facebook post here is from Russell Stamper, Sr., the father of an alderman and a former Circuit Court judge in Milwaukee. This next one is from my post Wednesday night after reading a New York Times article about Donald Trump's visit to West Bend. Ending that kind of racism is almost too much of a concept to consider. The complexities are immense and so very discouraging. But Eugene Robinson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Washington Post, had an idea for a measurement at least. "America will stop racism when it stops being racist," he wrote. "Not a minute sooner." The second question facing us is, while the issue of racism is the major part of the formula for peace, the issue of violence is equally important and vexing. Simon Mustaffa, a young black man who lives in the Central City, says "all the kids are carrying" (guns). He says kids as young as 13 are armed on the streets. "It's kill or be killed out there," he says. Take a look at our elementary schools, where black students are suspended at a higher rate than any other school system in any other state. Take a walk through some of these predominantly black schools and watch and listen to what amounts to a kind of mosh pit of behavior. And look at the white world in Wisconsin, where we have moved from open carry to concealed carry to the castle doctrine to the ability to carry just about anywhere to allowing people to carry hidden switchblades. All of this contributes to the culture of violence. A prominent doctor I know calls the belief that violence is an acceptable tool a threat to our civilized society as great as terrorism. "Violence, and the culture of violence, is our ISIS," he said. "Its a belief system. The flourishing of violent behavior as a solution is endemic to America." Certainly, this is a country that was founded out of war and violence. But what we see today is more than fighting for some noble calling. Carrying a gun now is an expression of violent potential for white people and black people. Guns cut both ways. Henry Giroux is a scholar who has written extensively about the American culture of violence. He is one of the founders of critical pedagogy, the philosophy that connects knowledge with power and the ability to take constructive action. He writes: "There is little doubt that the role of the NRA is instrumental in the violence haunting American culture, or that gun control is important, but it is only one factor in the culture of symbolic and institutional violence that has such a powerful grip on the everyday cultural apparatuses and workings of American society. "The issue of violence in America goes far beyond the issue of gun control. When gun control is the focus instead of a broader consideration of violence it can actually serve to deflect the most important questions that need to be raised. The grave reality is that violence saturates almost every aspect of North American culture. Domestically, violence weaves through the cultural and social landscape like a highly charged forest fire burning everything in its path. "The real issue here is the existence of a pedagogy of violence that actually makes the power of deadly violence attractive. There is the fact that as neoliberalism and its culture of cruelty weaves its way through the culture it makes the workplace, schools, and other public spheres sites of rage, anger, humiliation, and misery, creating the foundation for blind rebellion against what might be termed intolerable conditions. "Too many Americans blame themselves for being unemployed, homeless and isolated and end up perceiving their misery as an individual failing and hence are vulnerable to forms of depression and collective rage. We have seen such violence among students reacting to bullying and among postal workers responding to intolerable work conditions. "There is no one cause of violence, but a series of a number of causes that range from the war on drugs and the militarization of police departments to mass incarcerations in prisons to the return from brutal wars of many trained killers suffering with PTSD. All of these factors combine in an explosive mix to create a dangerous culture of violence and cruelty and a willingness of ordinary people to commit unthinkable atrocities." What we have in this country, and in Milwaukee, is a confluence of two crippling moralities: racism and violence. We may not want to admit it, and we may not want to face it. But until we do, until we talk frankly and with brutal honesty, more Sherman Parks are going to happen. Prayer meetings and vigils are fine. After school programs for at-risk children are wonderful. There are lots of things that make us feel like we are doing something. But most of those things dont get to the root of the issues that plague this community. For many whites, that kind of paternalistic "what can I do for you" attitude is a salve for guilt. Milwaukee is crying for leadership, white and black. Milwaukee is crying for honesty. Milwaukee is crying for change. Well see. Taxpayer Association of Oregon, It has made the news that Our Oregon paid a signature gathering company to steer away from gathering signatures for a ballot measure, the No Fake Emergency petition, they opposed (Initiative backers accuse Our Oregon of violating election law, Our Oregon accused of election law violations). This same tactic was used in Colorado this year. According to the Colorado Gazette Editorial Board: Knowing 139 was likely to pass, Big Marijuana sued to keep it off the ballot. The suit stalled efforts to raise money and recruit voluntary signature gatherers. When the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in defense of letting voters decide, Big Marijuanas anti-139 campaign paid Colorados major signature firms to avoid gathering signatures for the pro-139 campaign. They were offering $75,000 to $200,0000, depending on size of each company, to get contracts that say they will not gather signatures for this ballot measure, said attorney and former Colorado House Speaker Frank McNulty, passing along information an anti-139 consultant shared with him. As Big Marijuana paid for anti-petition contracts, the price of collecting signatures rose. Advocates of 139 responded by raising more money. Former lawmaker Patrick Kennedy, son of former Sen. Ted Kennedy, swooped in to help with a last-ditch fundraising effort this week that boosted the 139 war chest to nearly $800,000. Just when the campaign planned to hire an Arizona-based firm to gather signatures, Big Marijuana paid the company off. The narrative of the marijuana industry has been dont meddle with our business, because the voters have spoken and the will of the voters is sacred. This is a democracy. Then we have a genuine democratic effort to improve recreational marijuana regulation, and the industry shuts down democracy with big money and a bag of dirty tricks, said Ben Cort, a member of the board of directors of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. It became clear. No matter how much money we raised, and who we tried to hire, they were going to prevent voters from having any say. It is a sad day when an industrys lawyers can buy away the peoples opportunity to petition for a vote, even after the states highest court defended the process. Big Marijuana stopped 139 by stomping on Colorado voters the people who legalized their industry as if their will should no longer count. Big Marijuana is officially corrupt. 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... California-based Brooks Institute and Massachusetts-based Hallmark Institute of Photography have cancelled classes for the fall and announced plans to close down. The two schools, both private for-profit visual arts colleges, have struggled over the past decade with declining enrollments, financial stress, and management shake-ups. Administrators are also blaming new regulations regarding for-profit schools. [R]ecent changes in economic and regulatory conditions have had a significant, prolonged negative impact on Brooks Institute, said spokesperson Kristen Howard in a prepared statement announcing the closure on the schools website. Our tireless attempts to mitigate this impact through contraction, strategic planning and innovation were sadly unsuccessful. Last year, the Department of Education announced its so-called Gainful Employment regulations that require for-profit schools to inform prospective students about earnings of former students and their levels of debt. The new regulations also set accountability standards that shut off the tap of federal student aid to schools whose graduates have annual loan payments exceeding 8 percent of their gross income. Those regulations are meant to prevent for-profit schools in particular from leaving graduates buried in student loan debt, and sticking taxpayers with the cost of defaults. The regulations followed a 2011 lawsuit by the Department of Justice against Education Corporation, alleging the for-profit education company had fraudulently collected state and federal financial aid. (See The Art Institutes: Legitimate Photo Schools or Accessories to Fraud?) The owners of Brooks have cancelled fall classes, and will close the school completely on October 31, according to the announcement. Brooks Institute, located in Ventura, California, has been under new ownership since June, 2015. It was purchased last year by GPHomestay, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company specializing in services for international students. GPHomestay abruptly terminated the contract of Brooks Institute president Edward Clift last week, according to the Ventura County Reporter. Clift told the newspaper he was puzzled by the decision and said, A turnaround was in progress. Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, will close in October, after the fall graduation ceremony for its last class of 10 students. The plans to close the school were confirmed by Lisa Robinson, who is a photography instructor and the acting campus administrator at the school. Premier Education Group, which owns Hallmark, laid off president Ed Martin and other Hallmark administrators in early July. Premier told staff and faculty at the same time of its plans to close the school. We were not given a reason, Robinson says. She referred further questions to Jessica Mastrogiovanni, VP and general counsel of Premier Education Group. Mastrogiovanni did not immediately respond to PDNs request for comment. Besides facing the tougher student loan rules, Hallmark has struggled financially in recent years. The school has had declining enrollment, and it was defrauded several years ago by former owner George J. Rosa III. He pled guilty to bank fraud and tax evasion in 2014. Rosa had been charged for diverting $2.6 million in school funds for his own personal use, and then covering up the theft by cooking Hallmark Institutes books. He had borrowed money from a Massachusetts bank to fund projects at the school. The bank took possession of Hallmark after Rosa defaulted on the loans. The school was subsequently sold to Premier Education Group, its current owner. Related: Former Hallmark Institute Owner Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Tax Evasion The art Institutes: Legitimate Photo Schools or Accessories to Fraud? This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development. All opinions are 100% mine. New Hampshire is natures playground, where forests are allowed to grow unharmed and waterfalls and waterways are only controlled by the beavers and wildlife. Our family vacation to the White Mountains of New Hampshire this August was more than I hoped for, and everyday outside was an adventure. The natural beauty of the blue mountains and green forests rising high into the landscape inspired us to spend all our time outdoors. Summer vacation in New Hampshire is perfect for family If you love the outdoors, New Hampshire has it all. We did a lot, and there wasnt enough time to do it all. Its a totally different world from my home state of New York. Relaxing with views of mountains and trees that reached high into the sky in every direction, and then returning to a skyline of high rises and cement and industrial smoke where ever you looked into the horizon I love my city so much, but the impact was strong. I already miss New Hampshire. We went on outdoor adventure hikes to learn about wildlife and nature, and found everything from trees scratched by climbing bears, to dams created by beavers, and even purple bear scat (by a bear that likes blueberries), plus learned about medicinal plants and others used by people (plaintains for healing and wintergreen for teas), and some to avoid! We searched for animal tracks, and spied a few animals but werent able to get too close, and the tour guide took us back to her home so our younger son could try archery for the first time. We went horseback riding, with our older son taking his first horse back riding lesson, and then spent time with these beautiful creatures through an educational tour called Barn Buddies to learn about how to take care of horses. Both boys rode horses for the first time, with our older son riding over hilly trails for almost an hour all by himself, second on the path only to the tour guide and leading a group of ten of us like a boss! We saw a black bear on our journey and it didnt phase him one bit. Our littler guy was too young for more than a trainer-led short horse ride, but he was a champ and did a great job too, officially graduating from pony rides. New Hampshire is for nature lovers Much of New Hampshire is protected and allowed to be as it will, so trees and animals can grow and roam free as they were meant to. There is so much to do surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of New Hampshire, such as: Hiking through gorgeous trails in protected woods, mountain biking through mountains and rugged terrain, kayaking on the most beautiful rivers, ATV riding, sunbathing and swimming at lakes and beaches and waterfalls, surfing in beautiful waters, fishing in sparkling rivers, and dining and drinking the food was pretty darned delicious, and our favorite restaurant was called Bailiwicks on Main Street in Littleton (rated one of the top ten Main Streets in the country). And what about those rainy days? There is a lot to do indoors in New Hampshire too, like visit the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, the state capital. The Discovery Center is a fun and interactive science center that kids love, with planetarium shows offered throughout the day. Portsmouth was a few hours from our resort, and there now resides the USS Albacore, a Second World War submarine which is now on land. There is quite a story about how they got the Albacore to where it is now- streets had to be blocked, land had to be flooded, etc. If you want to learn more about submarines and what life is like on one, the Albacore is a good place to visit when you come to New Hampshire, and the seafood in the area is terrific. Story Land and Santas Village are other popular locations, but when the summer days of New Hampshire are so beautiful outside, who really wants to stay indoors unless you have to? Live Free or Die The state motto of New Hampshire says it all, and when every day offers so much adventure, free is the only way to live. Are you ready to Get Inspired and find your next adventure? Then pack up the family and visit Live Free in NH! In 2016, NASA's Cassini mission will begin its final 'Grand Finale' and ESAs superbly sensitive deep-space tracking stations will be called in to help gather crucial radio science data. Credit: European Space Agency An ESA tracking station has acquired signals from the international Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn, across more than 1.4 billion km of space. Following a seven-year journey to Saturn, the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini orbiter delivered Europe's Huygens probe to the surface of Saturn's mysterious moon Titan in January 2005, just a few months after becoming the first spacecraft to enter orbit around the giant gas planet. Since then, Cassini and Huygens have returned a wealth of information on the Saturnian system to the global scientific community, helping us understand the massive planet, its multiple moons and its hauntingly beautiful system of rings. Starting later this year, the mission will begin its final phase (see Cassini's Grand Finale) and ESA's superbly sensitive deep-space tracking stations will be called in to help gather crucial radio science data. The longest call In an initial test on 10 August, ESA's tracking station at New Norcia, Western Australia, hosting a 35 m-diameter, 630-tonne deep-space antenna, received signals transmitted by Cassini through 1.44 billion km of space. "This was the farthest-ever reception for an ESA station, and the radio signals travelling at the speed of light took 80 minutes to cover this vast distance," says Daniel Firre, responsible for supporting Cassini radio science at ESOC, ESA's operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany. "We had to upgrade some software at ESOC, as we discovered that one file used for pointing the antenna did not have enough digits to encode the full distance to Cassini, but the test worked and demonstrated we can catch Cassini's transmissions." Listening across the void Some types of radio science observations use a ground station to detect signals transmitted from a spacecraft that have reflected off a planet or moon's surface, or passed through the various layers of its atmosphere or, in the case of Saturn, its rings. Effects on the signals provide valuable information on the composition, state and structure of whatever they have passed through. Numerous missions, including ESA's Venus Express and Mars Express, have used this technique in the past. All three of ESA's deep-space tracking stations (New Norcia in Australia, Cebreros in Spain and Malargue in Argentina) were specifically designed to enable a radio science capability. The tracking station control room at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) is staffed year-round, 24 hours a day, and provides realtime remote control of all stations in the Agency's worldwide Estrack network. Credit: European Space Agency The Cassini mission has performed radio science observations many times during its time at Saturn. Previously, the mission relied solely on the antennas of NASA's Deep Space Network for these observations. Now, the addition of ESA tracking capability will help provide the continuous radio contact needed during Cassini radio science activities. The data received by ESA will be delivered to NASA for subsequent scientific analysis. Radio science during the Grand Finale Starting in December and running into July 2017, Cassini will conduct a daring series of orbits in which the spacecraft will repeatedly climb high above Saturn's poles, initially passing just outside its narrow F ring, and then later diving between the uppermost atmosphere and the innermost ring. When Cassini plunges past Saturn, an ESA station will listen, recording radio signals that will be relayed to NASA. These data will provide detailed maps of Saturn's gravity, revealing the planet's inner composition and possibly helping solve the mystery of just how fast the interior is rotating. They will also help scientists study the rings. Until December, a half-dozen more test passes using ESA's New Norcia and Malargue stations to receive Cassini signals are planned, after which the two will be used during some two-dozen Grand Finale orbits. Inter-agency cooperation is a key element The support is particularly challenging, as listening passes can last up to 30 hours, during which reception will be handed over multiple times between the two ESA stations and NASA's Canberra deep-space communication complex in Australia; NASA's Madrid complex will also take part. "We need uninterrupted signal reception to optimise the Cassini radio science data, so the ESA and NASA stations really have to work in close coordination for recording and handover," says Manfred Lugert, responsible for ESA's Estrack ground station network. Due to geometry, the two ESA stations located in the southern hemisphere are ideally able to support Cassini radio science. Northern/southern hemispheric coverage was one factor taken into account when ESA built its station in Argentina in 2012. "We are really pleased that we can work closely with our NASA colleagues and contribute to Cassini's incredibly valuable radio science goals," says Manfred, adding: "It's an impressive display of what two agencies working together can achieve." Explore further Image: Infrared Saturn clouds A Deakin University ecologist has led a team of 41 Australian scientists to write to New South Wales Premier Mike Baird to urge his Government to protect the Kosciuszko National Park through humane and effective feral horse control. Ecologist Professor Don Driscoll, from Deakin's Centre for Integrative Ecology, within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, said the scientists from 16 universities in Queensland, NSW, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania had jointly signed a submission supporting the NSW Government's Kosciuszko National Park draft Wild Horse Management Plan. The scientists have also written separately to Mr Baird, expressing their view that feral horse control is essential under Australia's obligations to protect its unique Alpine natural heritage, and for NSW to meet the legal requirement of the Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management. Professor Driscoll said that collectively the signatories to the submission represented the greatest pool of knowledge about alpine ecosystems in Australia. "Most of us have direct research experience in the Australian alps and in practical land management decision-making," he said. "It is this deep knowledge of ecology and management which allows us to draw our conclusions that rapid, humane horse control is essential for Kosciuszko National Park to perform its primary function of biodiversity conservation." "Horses are not compatible with the primary goal of nature conservation in a national park. "NSW is obliged to manage Kosciuszko National Park in a way that protects ecosystem processes, species and ecosystems that are characteristic of the area. "This includes unique alpine wetland ecosystems and species such as the corroboree frog and alpine she-oak skink. "Horses are stock animals recently introduced and are not characteristic of this area, but threaten ecosystem processes, ecosystems and species that are characteristic." Professor Driscoll said the estimated number of feral horses across Australia was approximately half a million, which were now degrading much of the nation's national park ecosystems, including 48 per cent of Kosciuszko National Park. "Impacts have been documented to its streams, wetlands and catchments and we know that feral horses damage waterways, degrade soil, spread weeds and alter vegetation which is expected to have impacts on native fauna," he said. "Current methods of horse control under the 2008 wild horse management plan do not involve culling, with on average just 450 horses removed each year over the last five years, while during the same period horse numbers increased from 4,200 in 2009to 6,000 today. "Further, rehoming and domestication of captured horses under the 2008 Plan is not a solution for humane control as only 18 per cent of 3,183 horses removed since 2002 were rehomed. "The remaining 82 per cent of horses went to abattoirs after a long journey and such prolonged transport was ranked as the worst animal ethics outcome of all the control options considered in the Independent Technical Reference Group report. Professor Driscoll said fertility control was also not a practicable humane option for reducing horse numbers and the scientists supported its omission from the management plan. "On balance, fewer animals are predicted to suffer and die under a program of rapid population reduction than under the current management regime," he said. While Professor Driscoll said the scientists were supporting of the removal plan, the 20-year time-frame to reduce horse numbers to 600 was too long. "Given that horse populations increase at up to 20 per cent every year, rapid reduction in an initial management phase is important," he said. "For example, at the current population size of 6,000, potentially up to an extra 1,200 horses must be managed next year. If the population was reduced to 100, an extra 20 horses would need to be managed in the following year. "Rapidly reducing the population will therefore be more cost effective, result in fewer horses being killed over time, minimise horse suffering and prevent further degradation of Australia's unique alpine ecosystems." Explore further Scientist develops a rapid test for the Hendra virus in horses Credit: ESA/D. O'Donnell On 10 August 2016, ESA's tracking station at New Norcia, Western Australia, hosting a 35 m-diameter, 630-tonne deep-space antenna, received signals transmitted by NASA's Cassini orbiter at Saturn, through 1.44 billion km of space. "This was the farthest-ever reception for an ESA station, and the radio signals travelling at the speed of light took 80 minutes to cover this vast distance," says Daniel Firre, responsible for supporting Cassini radio science at ESOC, ESA's operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany. The signal reception was part of a series of tests to prepare several ESA stations to support Cassini's radio science investigations, planned to begin later in 2016. This image shows New Norcia station as seen in 2014 by Dylan O'Donnell, an amateur photographer based in Byron Bay, Australia (the blob of light apparently hovering above the antenna is a light artefact, 'lens flare'). Visualization of Arctic sea ice extent on Aug. 13, 2016. Credit: NASA Goddard's Scientific Visualization Studio This year's melt season in the Arctic Ocean and surrounding seas started with a bang, with a record low maximum extent in March and relatively rapid ice loss through May. The melt slowed down in June, however, making it highly unlikely that this year's summertime sea ice minimum extent will set a new record. "Even when it's likely that we won't have a record low, the sea ice is not showing any kind of recovery. It's still in a continued decline over the long term," said Walt Meier, a sea ice scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "It's just not going to be as extreme as other years because the weather conditions in the Arctic were not as extreme as in other years." "A decade ago, this year's sea ice extent would have set a new record low and by a fair amount. Now, we're kind of used to these low levels of sea ice it's the new normal." This year's sea ice cover of the Barents and Kara seas north of Russia opened up early, in April, exposing the surface ocean waters to the energy from the sun weeks ahead of schedule. By May 31, the extent of the Arctic sea ice cover was comparable to end-of-June average levels. But the Arctic weather changed in June and slowed the sea ice loss. A persistent area of low atmospheric pressure, accompanied by cloudiness, winds that dispersed ice and lower-than-average temperatures, didn't favor melt. The rate of ice loss picked up again during the first two weeks of August, and is now greater than average for this time of the year. A strong cyclone is moving through the Arctic, similar to one that occurred in early August 2012. Four years ago, the storm caused an accelerated loss of ice during a period when the decline in sea ice is normally slowing because the sun is setting in the Arctic. However, the current storm doesn't appear to be as strong as the 2012 cyclone and ice conditions are less vulnerable than four years ago, Meier said. "This year is a great case study in showing how important the weather conditions are during the summer, especially in June and July, when you have 24 hours of sunlight and the sun is high in the sky in the Arctic," Meier said. "If you get the right atmospheric conditions during those two months, they can really accelerate the ice loss. If you don't, they can slow down any melting momentum you had. So our predictive ability in May of the September minimum is limited, because the sea ice cover is so sensitive to the early-to-mid-summer atmospheric conditions, and you can't foresee summer weather." Arctic sea ice has varied terrain in the summer months, as ridges and melt ponds form and floes break apart. A new NASA satellite called ICESat-2, launching in 2018, will measure the height of sea ice year-round. Credit: NASA/Kate Ramsayer As scientists are keeping an eye on the Arctic sea ice cover, NASA is also preparing for a new method to measure the thickness of sea ice a difficult but key characteristic to track from orbit. "We have a good handle on the sea ice area change," said Thorsten Markus, Goddard's cryosphere lab chief. "We have very limited knowledge how thick it is." Research vessels or submarines can measure ice thickness directly, and some airborne instruments have taken readings that can be used to calculate thickness. But satellites haven't been able to provide a complete look at sea ice thickness in particular during melting conditions, Markus said. The radar instruments that penetrate the snow during winter to measure thickness don't work once you add in the salty water of the melting sea ice, since the salinity interferes with the radar. The Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2, or ICESat-2, will use lasers to try to get more complete answers of sea ice thickness. The satellite, slated to launch by 2018, will use a laser altimeter to measure the heights of Earth's surface. In the Arctic, it will measure the elevation of the ice floes, compared to the water level. However, only about one-tenth of sea ice is above the water surface; the other nine-tenths lie below. To estimate the entire thickness of the ice floe, researchers will need to go beyond the above-water height measurements, and perform calculations to account for factors like the snow on top of the ice and the densities of the frozen layers. Scientists are eager to see the measurements turned into data on sea ice thickness, Markus said. "If we want to estimate mass changes of sea ice, or increased melting, we need the sea ice thickness," he said. "It's critically important to understanding the changes in the Arctic." Explore further NASA science flights target melting Arctic Sea ice California voters oppose an effort to abolish the death penalty and strongly support a competing measure that would streamline procedures in capital cases, according to a new poll released today by the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley. Respondents opposed the abolition measure 55.1 percent to 44.9 percent, while three out of four supported the streamlining proposition, the survey found. Since the two measures on California's Nov. 8 ballot conflict, if both should pass, the measure receiving more votes would take effect. The poll used online English-language questionnaires to survey respondents from June 29 to July 18. All respondents were registered California voters, and the responses were weighted to reflect the statewide distribution of the California population by gender, race/ethnicity, education and age. The sample size for the questions on the two death penalty initiatives was 1,506 respondents for one question and 1,512 for the other. A stark partisan difference emerged on Proposition 62, which would abolish capital punishment and replace it with a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Democrats supported the measure, 55.1 percent to 44.9 percent. Republicans overwhelmingly opposed it, 70.2 percent to 29.8 percent. Independents were also opposed, by 60.6 percent to 39.4 percent. By contrast, there was support across partisan lines for Proposition 66, which would streamline procedures in capital cases to speed up the resolution of those cases. Even among Democrats there was strong support (69.7 percent) for the measure, and support was even higher among independents (81.1 percent) and Republicans (85 percent). A majority (60 percent) of African Americans favored abolishing the death penalty, but among all other ethnic groups, most respondents opposed that proposal. Support for the death penalty was stronger among older people. Interestingly, religious differences were reflected in views about abolishing the death penalty, but mostly that difference was related to whether the respondent was or was not religious, rather than to differences among various religious denominations. Among all religious groups there was majority opposition to eliminating the death penalty; only among the self-identified atheists and agnostics did most voters support abolition of capital punishment. Explore further Californians support stronger climate-change rules More information: Full poll results may be viewed on the IGS website at igs.berkeley.edu. Credit: Gerry Allen A biodiversity survey in the waters of Atauro Island, situated 36 kilometres (22 miles) north of Timor-Leste's capital Dili, conducted by NGO Conservation International (CI) in July has revealed that the island hosts the highest average fish diversity globally. The 10 study sites averaged 253 reef fish species per site, including one site where 315 species the third highest globally were recorded. This reflects a near 20% increase in average species diversity from CI's biodiversity survey in 2012, which yielded an average of nearly 212 species per site. Conservation International Timor-Leste's country director Trudiann Dale explained, "With each study, we discover something new within Timor-Leste's magnificent biodiversity, making it even more critical to protect marine life here. The results prove beyond doubt that the reefs of Atauro Island are extremely diverse and valuable to the people of Timor-Leste." As Atauro Island becomes an increasingly popular tourism destination, known locally for its rich marine life, there has been few formal studies confirming its biodiversity. Conducted as part of CI's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP), the study aims to expand scientific knowledge of the island's marine ecosystems to help inform its protection and value, especially from ecotourism, for local livelihoods. Over the course of a week, through around 120 man-hours underwater, a total of 642 reef fish species were recorded by the RAP team comprised of marine biologist and Vice President for CI's Asia-Pacific Field Division's marine programs Dr. Mark Erdmann, CI Timor-Leste's marine program manager Anselmo Amaral, marine biologist Gerry Allen and coral reef taxonomist Emre Turak. Timor-Leste's average site species count has now surpassed Raja Ampat in the Bird's Head Seascape, Indonesia, which hosts the most marine biodiversity in the world, and is on par with much larger islands such as Chuuk and Pohnpei in Micronesia, and Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. The RAP team also assessed the health of Atauro's surrounding waters and coral reefs, and found that the reefs were healthy overall, with the exception of a few areas. Combating reef damage with regulation CI noted that a number of reefs have been previously damaged by blast fishing, and some had a notable absence of larger reef fish a worrying sign of overfishing. Additionally, only one shark, a key indicator of healthy coral reef ecosystems, was recorded. Promisingly, in May new regulations were put in place to combat this decline by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries a result of two Ministerial Diplomas proposed by CI. The Ministry imposed a minimum catch size of commonly eaten market fish to reduce juvenile fish catches and educate communities on the appearances of juvenile fish. The aim of this is to aid the replenishment of the fish stocks that local communities rely on for their food and livelihoods. This move expands the government's coastal marine management efforts following their implementation of the country's first no-take zones in Nino Konis Santana National Park in 2013. In addition, 19 new species have been added to the country's Marine Protected Species list including sharks, dugongs, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, both oceanic and reef manta rays, spotted eagle rays, nautilus, and giant clams, among others making it illegal for any of these species to be captured, as the Ministry recognizes their importance to marine ecosystems, and high economic value in the marine tourism industry. "We are heartened that the Ministry has always been quick to act by implementing regulations to protect the coral reef ecosystems," said Dale. "CI is committed to supporting the government and working closely with local communities to protect their natural marine assets, which prove to possess high tourism value, for sustainable livelihoods and food security." With its vast biodiversity and ecosystem services, nature in Timor-Leste holds significant potential for food security and economic development through ecotourism. CI continues to work with the government towards a sustainable development pathway, to establish protected area networks and supporting the traditional knowledge of local communities in conserving their natural resources. Explore further Dozens of Philippine fish species in danger: study For Immediate Release Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today it was deeply moved by images of a young boy rescued in Aleppo, and disputed the Russian government's assertion that it was not responsible for strikes against civilians. The following statement is attributable to Donna McKay, executive director of PHR: The pictures of Omran, a young Syrian boy who survived yet another merciless assault against the civilians of Aleppo, moved us deeply. His stunned face reminded us once again of the terrors of a conflict thats claimed half a million lives. It also reminded us that each morning, countless Syrians wake up not knowing whether today they will die a violent, quick death by barrel bomb or a slow, agonizing death by starvation. It's a cruel guessing game that no child, indeed no man or woman, should ever face. Then today, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying its forces weren't responsible for the strike that nearly killed Omran. The statement went on to claim that Russian forces 'do not make strikes against targets inside inhabited areas.' Nothing could be further from the truth. Since launching its military campaign in support of Syrian government forces, Russian aircraft have hit numerous civilian targets, including well over a dozen clearly-identifiable hospitals, killing and injuring scores of people. Whats more, the Russian statement claims damage shown in the video of Omrans rescue could not have been inflicted by an airstrike because windows in nearby buildings werent blown out. Such an analysis is factually incorrect. Its part of an ongoing pattern by the Russian government to deny its role in injuring and killing civilians in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. And in an escalation of warfare, the Russian Air Force is now launching attacks from Iranian bases, able to carry heavier payloads and inflict even more destruction. We at PHR continue to document Russia and Syria's all-out assault on civilians, and in particular their campaign of attacks against medical facilities including maternity wards and pediatric hospitals that are supposed to be safe havens during wartime. We have yet to identify the source of the attack that nearly claimed Omran's life, but we do know that Syrian and Russian forces are responsible for more than 90 percent of the 373 strikes on hospitals and medical facilities PHR has documented since the conflict began. We do know that both countries have dropped incendiary and other indiscriminate weapons on civilian areas. And we do know that these are war crimes. In Omran's face, caked in dust and blood, we saw our own children, our own loved ones. To ignore his humanity and the humanity of millions of other Syrians is not only callous. It's criminal. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here. 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. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, through her E-PAC political action committee, contributed $1,000 each to the campaigns of Jack Martins, the Republican candidate for an open seat in New York's 3rd Congressional District , and Claudia Tenney, the Republican candidate for an open seat in New York's 22nd District, according to a monthly finance report the PAC filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission. E-PAC previously contributed to the campaign of Steve Wells, Tenney's opponent in the Republican primary in June. E-PAC had $4,250 in receipts in July, and spent $6,050. Contributions included $250 from Robert Gray of Alexandria, Va., and $2,000 from Raytheon Co., a defense contractor that also has contributed to Stefanik's re-election campaign. Expenditures included a $400 contribution to New York GOP Chairman's Club and a $350 registration for a Lake George Association event. E-PAC had $12,360 on hand, as of July 31. QUEENSBURY A New York City man who was arrested last December for trying to use a stolen credit card at stores in Queensbury has been sentenced to 1.5 to 3 years in state prison. Jamal L. Brayboy, 38, pleaded guilty in June to attempted criminal possession of a forged instrument, a felony, for a December arrest at the Million Dollar Half-Mile outlet centers. Police said he was part of a group that was trying to use stolen credit cards to buy gift cards at stores, but police were called by a suspicious store employee. When state troopers responded, Brayboy fled on foot from the suspects' car, leading to a short foot chase. He has a prior felony robbery conviction in Westchester County, for which he was on parole at the time of his local arrest. It will likely be next spring before the states highest court decides whether a White Creek man who was convicted of killing three family members should stand trial again. The Court of Appeals will not hear oral arguments in the case of Matthew Slocum until early 2017, with a ruling likely a couple of months or so after the hearing. No specific date has been scheduled, but court spokesman Gary Spencer said the hearing would likely be held in January based on the calendar of cases scheduled ahead of it. Video of Court of Appeals arguments is typically broadcast on the courts website. Written arguments by both the prosecution and defense were filed earlier this year. The Appellate Division of state Supreme Court overturned Slocums convictions for murder, arson and lesser charges in connection with the July 13, 2011 deaths of 44-year-old Lisa J. Harrington, 41-year-old Dan A. Harrington and 24-year-old Josh OBrien in their Turnpike Road, White Creek home. Lisa Harrington was Slocums mother and he had lived in the home with his family. A jury found he shot them to death before setting the home on fire and fleeing to New Hampshire with his then-girlfriend and their young child. The girlfriend later testified against him. The mid-level appeals court ruled that police should not have questioned Slocum because he had invoked his right to counsel. Also, Slocums lawyer Washington County Public Defender Michael Mercure had notified police by letter that he represented Slocum in an unrelated case before he was questioned. The high court will decide whether to let the Appellate Division ruling remain intact, or reverse it and allow the convictions to stand. At issue is whether Slocums reply of yeah, probably to a police question about whether he wanted an attorney should have been treated as him invoking his right to counsel. Police kept questioning him despite the utterance, and he later told police he shotgunned his mother. Mercure, whose office represented Slocum at trial, said both his office and the prosecution had filed their papers in the Court of Appeals as of earlier this summer. But he said he was told a large volume of cases was scheduled for arguments ahead of the Slocum case. At this point, we are using this time to prepare for a second trial, he said. There were some plea deal discussions after the Appellate Division ruling, but no agreement could be reached, Mercure said. Cecilia Walsh, a spokeswoman for the Albany County District Attorneys Office, said her office was waiting for a court date. We filed everything we needed to file, the defense filed everything they needed to file, she said. Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan, who was not in office at the time of the trial, had a conflict of interest because his first assistant district attorney, Christian Morris, worked on the Slocum case for the public defenders office before Jordan was elected. Slocum, 28, has been held in Washington County Jail since shortly after his conviction was overturned. He had been serving an 88-years-to-life sentence in state prison. JACKSON A Washington County sheriffs deputy and local firefighter pulled two people from the Batten Kill on Friday after their canoe overturned and one of them became pinned against a tree, police said. No one was seriously hurt, but a woman was pinned between her canoe and a tree in a swift-moving section of the river near Foster Lane,and was having trouble keeping her head above water, police said. A man who was with her had been unable to free her and was exhausted, Washington County Undersheriff John Winchell said Winchell said Deputy Todd Riche and Shushan firefighter Drew Shaw took to the water to rescue the woman, who was visiting the area from Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She had been tangled in an underwater tree and was unable to free herself because of the swift current, and her friend had been unable to get her out. It was unclear how deep the water was, but Riche took off his equipment belt and took to the water. Deputy Riche went into the water to pull her out, Winchell said. She was checked out at the scene by Cambridge Rescue Squad members after the 11:15 a.m. incident Washington County Sheriff Jeff Murphy said Riche will likely be recommended for a commendation that could include a lifesaver pin for saving a life on duty. He said 10 or so sheriffs officers have been awarded them for acts like using Narcan to save heroin overdose victims to assisting a person who had a vehicle fall on them. Recent rains had brought the rivers level up significantly since last weekend. State forest rangers assisted at the scene. Much of the shoreline and land around the Batten Kill in the area is state land. More details will be posted when they become available. Between 1950 and 2010, the population of Glens Falls went from about 19,600 to 14,700, a drop of about 25 percent. When I walk around my Big Cross neighborhood, I pass an abandoned house or two on just about every block. My own block has two of them right next to each other. Glens Falls is an appealing little city, with a downtown that is starting to bustle. But we need people. We need people to fill up our neighborhoods, keep our homes and lawns spiffy, stock our schools with children. We need more taxpaying property owners, and renters who help property owners pay their taxes, so the rest of us dont bear quite so heavy a burden. My last water and sewer bill made me yearn for the days when people got water from the river in buckets. Trying your best, as our city officials have been doing, and hoping people move in is a slow, uncertain process. But what else can we do? Welcome refugees. I dont mean, just welcome them the way you would anyone else who moves in, but reach out to the state and federal agencies that handle resettlement of international refugees and make it known that Glens Falls wants some of them to come here. The leaders of cities where refugees have already settled report good results. Refugees add their culture to the mix of wherever they live, and goodness knows, we could use a bit more diversity here. Welcoming refugees is the American way. It is not so much an American ideal as it is America itself. Unlike most countries, we are a nation of immigrants and refugees. Mayors in other places, including Syracuse and Allentown, Pennsylvania, have signed public letters that they welcome the settlement of refugee families in their cities. Allentowns mayor, Ed Pawlowski, said the city has a history of welcoming refugees from Liberia, the Sudan, Iraq and Syria and it has always worked out well. Theyve been excellent homeowners, small business owners, an excellent part of the fabric of our city, he said. An Iraqi refugee family moved into an apartment in the building right behind his house, Pawlowski said. Its a great family. He was an interpreter for the U.S., really humble guy, he said. His wife became friends with the mans wife, and taught her conversational English. Now, every Saturday, 12-15 women, most of them Arab Muslim refugees, gather in the mayors house to learn English from his wife. Maybe 20 or so refugee families have moved to Allentown in the past year; perhaps 100 in the past few years, he said. Perhaps a dozen families would be resettled to a small city like Glens Falls, he said. We could take 100 refugee families and still have room to spare. Theyre trying to live out the American Dream like everyone else, Mayor Pawlowski said. You should support it because its the right thing to do. It is the right thing to do. But more selfishly, its the right thing for Glens Falls because were short on people. We need the refugees, and the city should take steps, officially, to get them here. Doing the right thing will be a bonus. I would want to entreat the private sector to partner with government in these institutions, it is true that the State Owned Enterprises will benefit but I think we can be part of changing all these institutions for investment and trade, the Minister emphasized. The Ghana EXIM bank is established to develop international trade between Ghana and other countries by empowering Ghanaian importers and exporters with adequate funds. READ MORE: We can learn from this model [adopted by the COCOBOD] and from Exim bank practices elsewhere; escrow the export earnings for our private sector who are exporters and through the process, bundle all these earnings together and borrow from the international market at competitive rates. The Finance Minister announced plans by government to re-strategize the Exim bank to enable exporters accrue enough funds and borrow from the international market for expansion. This happened at Baale Aiyetoro Street, Ajegunle in Apapa, where a woman preparing soup briefly stepped out to get some salt for her cooking, Daily Sun reports. Before her return, Daniel had reportedly applied insecticide in the soup, with the intention of killing the family over a disagreement with one of its members. Luckily, the woman was able to detect the foul smell in her cooking and quickly alerted the landlady of the house. The latter arranged for the suspect to be taken to the residence of the traditional ruler in the area. ALSO READ: Police detain lawyer over connection with felon He was later handed over to the police in whose custody he confessed to his crime. The suspect seemed apologetic in his confession, stating that the devil pushed him to commit the wicked act. The devil pushed me to do it. I doused the soup with sniper insecticide so as to deal with the family." "The husband insulted me last time because of electricity bill. He called me a poor man; the devil pushed me to do it. I am sorry. The convict was arraigned at the court on Thursday, August 18, 2016, the day he also received the judgment, Daily Post reports. Inspector Sunday Lubolagbe, reportedly relayed the matter to the Apo Police Station on behalf of the Redeemed Church, Lokogoma. ALSO READ: Man arraigned at court for allegedly stealing tithes Buhari, who lives in Ruga village, entered the premises of the church and made away with the item. According to the Daily Post, Babajide Olanipekun, who is the prosecutor on the case, stated that the crime contravenes against sections 348 and 299 of the Penal Code. According to Punch News, the victim, simply identified as Funke, was reportedly on an errand when she fell into the hands of the criminals. She was ambushed by the suspects who wore a military fatigue, and then taken away on a motorcycle to a secluded place in Bariga. After they finished with her, Funke was reportedly dumped by the road side, where she was found by community members who reported the case to the police. SP Dolapo Badmos, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, gave a confirmation of the incident, and also reported that four Automated Teller Machine cards and 17 identity cards were discovered with the criminals. The police recovered items which included military camouflage, two berets, two mobile phones, four ATM cards from different banks, and 17 ID cards bearing different names." After interrogation, it was discovered that the suspects were impersonators." They are also suspected to be hoodlums terrorising the area." READ ALSO: Biomedical laboratory scientists declare strike A statement signed by the President of GABMLS, Ignatius Awinibuno, accused the Health Ministry of disregarding their needs by refusing to show up at a planned meeting which was to address the stalled implementation of the policy. The Minister of Health is not interested in improving and strengthening medical laboratory services for better quality health care in the country, the statement said. We therefore call on all our membership across the country to withdraw their services at the various facilities starting from August 22, 2016 until you are otherwise advised, it added. But the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Tony Goodman said his outfit has no record of having received an invitation from the National Labour Commission as claimed by the Association. Every meeting with the Labour Commission is confirmed in writing by them. It should be noted that once the Labour Commission is seized on an issue it is illegal for a strike to be called by any group of persons, Tony Goodman said in a statement. He, however, indicated that some entrenched positions being taken by parties involved in the policy document are delaying its implementation. Below is the full statement from the Health Ministry: MINISTRY OF HEALTH- PRESS RELEASE MOH CALLS ON GHANA ASSOCIATION OF BIOMEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST TO RESCIND DECISION ---------------------------------------- The Ministry of Health has read with dismay a press statement making the rounds in the media regarding an intended strike action by the Ghana Association of Biomedical Laboratory Scientist. The Ministry for Health has no record of having received an invitation from the National Labour Commission as claimed by the Association. Which has always being the case before we attend on the Commission. Every meeting with the Labour Commission is confirmed in writing by them. It should be noted that once the Labour Commission is seized on an issue it is illegal for a strike to be called by any group of persons. The Ministry of Health will work to address any misunderstanding that exist between the Association and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. On the 20th July 2016, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Association of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists were invited to appear before the National Labour Commission. The purpose of the invitation is for the Hon. Minister to explain why the Ministry of Health has not launched three documents which have been prepared by the Ghana Health Service with the support of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). At the meeting, the Hon. Minister of Health asked for a four week grace period to enable him do some more consultation with the two main parties ie the Ghana Association of Biomedical Laboratory Scientist (GABMLS) and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. This request was in view of the entrenched positions being adopted by the parties. The College is contesting portions of the document making its launch difficult for the Ministry of Health. The Hon. Minister subsequently constituted a three man management Sub-Committee made of(i) The Director, HRHD(ii) The Director, General Administration and(iii) The Director, Legal to hold further consultations with the parties and report back. The Subcommittee after discussions with the two parties found out that the parties have taken entrenched positions and recommended that an independent Committee be formed comprising of (i) A Consultant and representatives from(ii) Health Service Workers Union ( a Laboratory Scientist )(ii) The Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and(iii) The Ministry of HealthSince then, invitations have been sent to the parties to submit nominees to form the Committee. The decision to form an independent Committee was also discussed with the parties which they agreed to. It is therefore strange that the Biomedical Laboratory Scientist have decided at this moment to embark on strike. The Ministry is therefore calling on the Association to rescind its decision and join hands with the Ministry to find a lasting solution to the matter. Thanks you. The Volta River Authority has been advised by SONABEL, the power utility of Burkina Faso, of plans to commence spillage of water from the Bagre Dam, due to the amount of inflow into the catchment area of the dam. The spillage will commence when the water level reaches an elevation of 235m, and is likely to begin this weekend, a statement by the VRA said. READ ALSO: GWCL spills excess water from Weija dam As such, the authority is advising residents of northern Ghana to take precautionary measures to avoid being affected by the impending spillage of water from the Bagre dam. The Bagre Dam was constructed in 1992 over the White Volta River in the village of Bagre. Spillage of the dam has since then become an annual ritual leaving many communities along the river in northern Ghana flooded for weeks. Many lives, farms, and livestock have been lost over the years and very little compensation given to those affected. In 2014, it was reported that about 10 people had died because of the spillage. Heavy rains in northern Ghana will compound the flooding. According to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), intensive public education has begun in over 63 communities in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions of Ghana. They include towns in the Binduri, Talensi, Bawku West and Bawku Municipal districts. According to him, "t is a wrong move by the police because its not the totality of the citizens and residents of Donkorkrom who did whatever took place." The Police administration warned it will not assign police officers to Donkorkrom and Tease in the Eastern Region until a Police station that was destroyed by residents of the area is rebuilt. The attempted robbery led to the death of the driver of the van after a heated exchange of gunfire between the police officer in the van and the suspects. Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Prosper Kwame Agblor said residents must pay for the construction of the offices else police officers will never return to protect the communities READ ALSO: Bullion Van Attack The attempted robbery led to the death of the driver of the van after a heated exchange of gunfire between the police officer in the van and the suspects. Addressing the media on Friday, Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Prosper Kwame Agblor said residents must pay for the construction of the offices else police officers will never return to protect the communities. He said when the incident happened we came out to assure the general public of the efforts we were making to re-arrest the suspects and urged them to remain calm and assist the police in this direction. However, the action that followed the escape of the suspects is unfortunate and reprehensible, to say the least. On Thursday, residents of Donkorkrom and Tease on the instigation of some opinion leaders mobilized and attacked some Police stations vandalizing service vehicles and other vehicles packed within the premises of the said police facilities and setting some rooms of the Donkorkrom Police barracks ablaze. COP Agblor also said some of the residents attacked the Police officers and their families and looted one of the blocks in the barracks, taking personal belongings of the affected personnel and their families away. He, however, assured that the two police officers who were allegedly involved in the bullion van attack will be sanctioned accordingly if found culpable. Fourteen residents of Donkokrom in the Afraim Plains North District of the Eastern Region are currently battling for their lives at the districts Presbyterian Hospital after they had sustained varying degrees of injury when the police reportedly fired live bullets into a mob during a demonstration yesterday. MAYHEM IN AFRAIM PLAINS OBINIM FLOGS CHURCH MEMBERS OIL FLOWS FROM TEN AS PREZ TURNS VALVE The first oil from the Tweneboa Enyere Ntomme project began flowing yesterday when President John Mahama ceremonially turned on the production valve to mark the commencement of first oil production. 1 PHASE OF DRAINAE PROJECT COMPLETED IN ACCRA The first phase of dredge works on some major drains from Alajo to Caprice and Sodom and Gomorrahto Accra has been compelled and would be handed over to the government in September this year. OBINIM UNDER FIRE FOR LASHING 2 CHURCH MEMBERS Public disgust and condemnation have greeted the latest video circulating on social media in which the Founder and General Overseer of the International Gods Way Church is seen whipping a young man and woman with is belt. ESCAPEES GRABBED: 18 injured in raids over escape of two cops in robbery About 500 out of 1500 Muslim pilgrims destined for the Hajj in Mecca are set to depart. The Hajj takes place from the 9th to the 15th of Zul-Hijjah which is the last month of the Hijri calendar. The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and can support their family during their absence. Read more: Muslim prigrims to be flown from Tamale airport The gathering during Hajj is considered the largest annual gathering of people in the world. President John Mahama is expected at the Tamale Airport to see off the about 500 pilgrims. Alhaji Mohammed Amin Lamptey, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the National Hajj Committee said, "This year, Saudi Arabia have developed a new strategy where each pilgrim will get a gadget to identify pilgrims; where they are coming from, the language they speak, and that particular gadget would help to monitor and evaluate pilgrims when they are participating in this years rituals." Speaking on Thursday to commission the vessel for the production of commercial oil from the the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme (TEN) Oil field, president Mahama noted that there has been increased in local participation in Ghana's oil sector since 2007. "Local content in these project continue to increase compared to Jubilee which was a very fast tracked development, We didn't have an eye for local content. "This particular one, it been quite deliberate, quite focused and much of the work on this FPSO was done locally. There are many local faces working both onshore and offshore. Am happy to note that in respect of human resource, we have come a long way," he said. READ MORE The TEN oil field, the nation's second largest oil field, will produce 23, 000 barrels of oil daily till the end of the year. However, Production will gradually increase as more wells are brought on board in the coming weeks to 80,000 barrels per day. The $4.8 billion project is expected to produce oil for at least 25 years, which will mean about 300 million barrels of oil is expected. "I believe that current setbacks in the world (oil) market are temporary and we'll see a recovery soon that will give a fair price to producers," president Mahama said as he opened the valve. "Its been a long journey but a fruitful one." He said the NPP first tried in vain to sabotage Ghanas march towards independence. Read more: Mahama delivers furious attack on NPP "Yaanom are well known, they never change their ways. They first tried in vain to sabotage Ghanas march towards independence. Nkrumahs regime never had its peace of mind. They were against the construction of the Akosombo Dam, Tema Motorway, expanded the rail lines, the companies he built and complained bitterly at that time, Kwame Nkrumah was piling debts for Ghana. Today he is gone and the Akosombo Dam and several other projects are still benefitting the economy," he said. President Mahama addressing artisans at Takoradi Kokompe in the Western region, he noted that "We have given the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to source funding for that project. We are also collaborating with a private investor to establish a ceramic tile factory in Takoradi. The new ceramic factory will produce 40 million square feet of tiles a year and this can meet the demand for floor, wall and bathroom tiles nationwide." President Mahama speaking at the zongo community assured Muslims of the unwavering bondage between them and the NDC. "NDC and the Zongo community have strong ties. And it starts from the days of former President Rawlings government. He realised there was little recognition for the Muslim religious calendar and introduced two holidays to commemorate Idhr Fitr and Idhl Adha." "He [Rawlings] established the Islamic Education Unit to guarantee strict Moslem education. When late President Mills assumed office in 2009, Hajj Pilgrims used to sleep on the tarmac at Kotoka International Airport awaiting their flights. The bad condition there made them susceptible to malaria infection and other communicable diseases that affected them when they arrived for the Hajj. So we quickly improved that by establishing the Hajj Village, Mr Mahama noted. Nkrumah was overthrown in a joint police cum military coup in 1966 but opponents of the NPP have accused the party of being behind it since the party traces it roots to the UP tradition. President Mahama said at a campaign rally in Secondi that the party overthrew Ghana's first president because it is "anti-development." He said: Dr Nkrumah was a man of vision, he always thought about the future of the country. When he built the Akosombo Dam, the UP tradition said it was just a flamboyant project but today the dam is still providing major parts of the country with electricity. The same people who ousted Nkrumah because they said he was embezzling state funds and undertaking unnecessary projects have metamorphosed to become the NPP. In Cape Coast, our founder, Jerry John Rawlings, advised us to beware of them because theyve been in politics for a long time. They only change their names but do not change their character. It is these same people who say development is not edible. They say the roads, hospitals are not edible and that my government is only incurring huge debts and embezzling state funds claiming we have undertaken projects. They also say Ghanaians rather need money in their pockets, they sang this same song during Nkrumahs time; today, they are at it again. READ MORE Mahama's accusation against the NPP over the ousting of Dr Nkrumah is the first from a president on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress seeking re-election. President Mahama on Wednesday came in for criticism from the NPP after he said Akufo-Addo slept during his tour of the Western Region that is why he did not see good roads. His comments follow criticism by the NPP flagbearer that roads in the Western Region are in poor states. At a news conference, the party's Acting General Secretary, John Boadu, said president Mahama's comments against his rival is unpresidential. He noted that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is obsessed with taxing almost every and anything. He said no political party has the private and informal sectors of the economy at heart like the NPP. The flagbearer added that "the NPP are fully aware of the importance to the growth of Ghanas economy of small scale businesses. When given the opportunity, we intend to support small business owners across the country, as we believe this will help create jobs and bring progress and prosperity to Ghanaians." He made this known as part of his campaign tour in the Greater Accra region. He said "there are too many taxes in our country", adding that "it is the reason why businesses are collapsing in our country. We are coming into office to reduce these killer taxes, and scrap the ones we deem unnecessary. This will help bring relief to business owners, who can then, in turn, create jobs for our unemployed youth." The controversial pastor who was angered by the couples amorous activity which has led to a pregnancy took the law into his hands and lashed the young man on his bare back before turning to the girl flogging her mercilessly with a belt in the full glare of his congregation. Throughout the punishment, Obinim was heard questioning the jobless young man why he got the girl pregnant when he has no finances for her upkeep and the upbringing of the unborn child. The girl who was unable to stand the flogging attempts to escape, but she was held by henchmen of the Bishop to enable the bishop mete out more beatings. After subjecting the two to severe flogging for several minutes, Obinim ordered his junior pastors to remove their belts and subject the couple to more flogging. In an interview with Accra-based Kasapa FM, Lawyer Sosu said he wants the controversial pastor to answer questions in court for infringing on their human rights. According him, the controversial bishop has violated the dignity of the children. We want the court to make a declaration that the conduct of Obinim in flogging his church members in the open violates their dignity, again that conduct amounts to a dehumanizing and degrading treatment, and also praying the court that Obinims conduct violates Ghanas obligation under the UN convention on the Civil and Political rights of people. Obinim flogs pregnant girl and her boyfriend in church The central bank injected more than 100 billion naira ($312 mln) into Skye bank last month after sacking its top management for failing to meet minimum capital requirements. It subsequently replaced Skye's top management. Skye's non-performing loans had mounted to 13 percent of total loans at the end of last year, well above the central bank target of less than 5 percent while its capital ratio was 10.4 percent last year, compared with an industry standard of 16 percent, prompting the central bank to step in. "The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to the content of a malicious message urging customers of Skye Bank to withdraw their deposits or transfer them to other banks based on the vile allegation that Skye Bank has been liquidated by the CBN," spokesman Isaac Okorafor said in a statement. After replacing Skye's executives last month, depositors rushed to withdraw their funds. But the regulator has said Skye was able to meet its obligations and that the central bank would provide support until the new management could bring in fresh funds. Skye is the only Nigerian bank to report a loss in 2015. The central bank stepped in after depositors started withdrawing funds and avert wider problems within the banking sector. Africa's top oil producer is struggling with one of the most severe economic crises it has had in decades. In July, central bank director of banking supervision, Tokunbo Martins, said "one or two" other commercial banks had failed liquidity tests but that they were not in the same situation as Skye. The actress has however chosen to donate the money she got to two charities, Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). ALSO READ: Actress to provide proof of domestic violence against Johnny Depp Recall Heard who filed a restraining order against Johnny Depp accusing him of domestic violence, announced her she was donating to charity in a statement to Us Weekly, on Thursday, August 18, 2016. She made good her claims to give away the millions she received from her soon-to-be ex-husband. According to her, "As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves. As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated. This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future." I know these organisations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future, she said, adding, Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most. ALSO READ: Actress accuses Johnny Depp of stalling divorce process 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 manager and co owner of MMMG, has taken to his Instagram page to share an adorable photo of himself and his son with the caption, "Jayden". Recently, Ubi Franklin smitten by his little boy took to Instagram to gush over him. He wrote, "You are my Happiness and you are my Greatest Accomplishment. I hand you Over to God daily, I can't really do Much son, your Generation will shine Brighter than ours, keep getting stronger by the day, no one will take the happiness and the love I feel for you away. Your covered." Recall that rumour had it the wife of Triple MG boss, Ubi Franklin was pregnant late last year and she debuted her cute baby bump at the Headies Awards held in January. Lilian who also had a baby shower earlier this monthrecently took to Instagram to wish Ubi Franklin a happy Father's day with an adorable picture and the caption, "#Happy #Fathers Day my #KING." The celebrity couple, had their introduction in Augusttheir traditional wedding rites at the actress' family home in Magodo, Lagos on October 30, 2015. They also had their court wedding at the Ikoyi registry last year October. Up for grabs? A total of N300,000 in prize money as capital to grow business, as well as a chance to showcase ones accessories at the Dare2Dream Season 3 Grand Finale! The project is targeted at fashion accessories designers aged between 16-25 years, who need financial support to grow their business and would also benefit from having their work displayed on an acclaimed fashion stage. The winner of the #FlexxYourCreativity contest will receive N150,000 to grow their business and will get a chance to accessorize the models at the Dare2Dream Season 3 Grand Finale in September. The second prize winner will get N100,000 and a ticket-for-two to the Grand Finale, while the third place winner will smile home with N50,000 and a ticket-for-two to the Grand Finale. To participate in the FCMB #FlexxYourCreativity contest, simply visit the website http://on.fcmb.com/FlexxYourCreativity-1 to submit a picture of your work as an entry and invite your friends to vote for you! The entries with the highest votes will move to the next stage, so the more votes you get, the higher your chances of winning! Hurry though, as entry submission closes on Tuesday, August 23, 2016. Speaking about the #FlexxYourCreativity contest, Divisional Head of Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu highlighted that the contest is designed to empower young Nigerians to become business owners. According to him "FCMB's Flexx is more than just an account. It is a lifestyle platform that offers Fun, future and Banking. The reality is that more young people need encouragement to develop entrepreneurial skills which will allow them not only be financially independent, but also grow the economy by being employers of labour. We are optimistic that the #FlexxYourCreativity contest will encourage more people who have small businesses and need support to grow them. On his part, the Group Head Corporate Affairs of FCMB Mr. Diran Olojo reiterated the commitment of the bank to helping its customers achieve their dreams. He said, the FlexxYourCreativity contest is strongly in line with our commitment as a bank to empower our customers and help them achieve their aspirations. Without a doubt, the exposure this contest will give these young fashion designers cannot be quantified in monetary terms. We are glad to provide this support which will hopefully go a long way in helping these young Nigerians find their feet in business. FCMBs Flexx proposition is targeted at young people who are actively seeking platforms which allow them to express their uniqueness, while building skills for financial success. A youth-centric banking product, Flexx is designed to meet the overall financial needs of young people within the age range of 18 and 25 years, where and how they want those needs met. This is summarized in the description of Flexx as An app. A card. An account, which gives account holders the freedom to bank on the go using the Flexx Mobile App, as well as access relevant lifestyle and skills-building content. In addition, with their Flexx card, they can conveniently withdraw cash, make payments online and on Point-of-Sale machines and access exclusive discounts and freebies from Flexx partners. This interesting departure from the common market offering gives the account holder full access to flexx (a popular expression which means to show off) and the opportunity to express a lifestyle that will be the envy of their peers who do not have Flexx accounts. The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Awka that it was the first recorded case of Lassa fever handled by the hospital. Igwebe said the doctor was brought in from Asaba, Delta. "Yes, I can confirm to you that a medical doctor who was brought in here from Asaba died from suspected Lassa fever case. "When he was brought as a suspected case, we took the samples to test and it turned out to be positive of Lassa fever. "All stakeholders that attended to him did so under the universal precaution as recommended by WHO when you have such cases," said the CMD. "We are continuing our surveillance and taking necessary precaution, when the body was in the morgue it was kept in a safe place and it was handled in isolation, he said. Udenwa also said he was shocked that he was declared wanted, when he has honoured all his meetings with the anti-graft agency. According to Udenwas media assistant, Peter Kalu, the former Governor was supposed to meet with the EFCC on August, 13, 2016, but the meeting as rescheduled because it was a Saturday. An official statement issued by Udenwa reads: Our attention has been drawn to the report in several media, both electronic and print alleging that Chief Achike Udenwa was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on the grounds that he failed to keep to his bail condition by failing to report to the commission when required to do so. We may not have responded to this but for the numerous enquiries from the media and other members of the public. Also the above reason is very grave and portrays His Excellency as unreliable and may have other sinister motives for not reporting when needed to do so and puts his guarantor in jeopardy. By a letter dated May 13, 2016, His Excellency applied and obtained permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. Consequent upon this, the commission released his International Passport which the Commission has been keeping. The commission scheduled his next visit to be13th August 2016. This date was agreed by both parties, not realising that it was a Saturday, a non-working day by the commission. On return , he contacted the officer in charge and agreed a new date of Thursday 18th August. Surprisingly, on Tuesday 16th August, His Excellency, while in Port Harcourt for the PDP convention, got a call from his guarantor, that he was urgently required to report to EFCC Lagos office by 10am on Wednesday 17th August, the day of the PDP convention and a day before his scheduled reporting day. He obliged. On reporting, he met another officer, whom he was directed to see. She immediately confronted His Excellency with the fact that he has deliberately and consistently refused to honour invitations and could no longer be reached. This was shocking, as all my dealings with the commission should be in the file. This was his fifth visit to the Lagos office and there has been no case of failure to report on appointed date. The officials were said to be on assignment for the United Nations (UN) when their convoy was attacked along Maiduguri - Dikwa road. An unspecified number of civilians and insurgents were killed in the attack, according to Daily Trust. After Our officials have completed two weeks exercises assigned by United Nations to register thousands of Nigeria returnees from neighbouring countries to Gamboru border town, on their way to Maiduguri they came under heavy attack from insurgents, our personnel exchanged gun fire with them, killed some Boko Haram militants and civilians lost their lives, an Immigration source said. I cannot ascertain the number of civilian casualties but there was none on our side except three personnel that suffered gun wounds, the source added. ALSO READ: Soldiers kill 27 Boko Haram members in Cameroon According to Jibrin, Dogara and the other accused legislators smuggled N284 billion into the budget. He made the vow via a statement in which he also called for Dogaras arrest. The statement reads: Many concerned Nigerians have reached me in the past few days, expressing their fear over the fate of the allegations I raised against the very corrupt Speaker Yakubu Dogara, three (3) other Principal Officers and nine (9) other members. I understand the concern of many Nigerians who feel strongly that by now Speaker Dogara and the 12 others should have reconvened the House, resigned and faced arrest in the wake of the grievous allegations leveled against them, which they have responded to none. I wish to reassure Nigerians that I STAND by my allegations and there is no going back. We shall put in our all and expose DOGARA-GATE SCANDAL to the very end and ensure that justice is served on Speaker Dogara and his group of corrupt Principal Officers and members. For the avoidance of doubt, let me restate that I have interacted severally with anti-corruption agencies. It is however heart-warming to know that they are indeed working meticulously on the matter. I have little doubt that they will do justice expeditiously and sooner than letter, we will get to the point where every Nigerian is waiting for -- the arrest of Speaker Dogara and his group of budget criminals and fraudsters parading themselves as "Honourable" members, indeed! Nigerians must remain vigilant because Speaker Dogara is using his office to obstruct and neutralize investigation. He is also using same and the time he has now before the long arms of law catches up with him to hurriedly clean up the mess on his desk, spend the stolen money on all sort of consultants and people he thinks can help him out through subterranean means. On our side, while waiting for the response of our great party, the APC, on my letter, we are reaching out to everyone or group that can support this worthy cause against DOGARA-GATE, the biggest corruption case in the history of our country. We are also reaching out to the Presidential Advisory Committee Against corruption. In fact I spoke extensively on phone today with Prof. Itse Sagay and requested to make presentation to his committee on the allegations, just as we are reaching out to the Diplomatic Community and Civil Society groups so that everyone will understand the gravity of the allegations and the urgent need for decisive action to be taken by the anti-corruption agencies. Let me express my profound appreciation to all my colleagues that visited me, called or sent text messages to show solidarity and express anger on why I did not open up much earlier. I must also thank the social media community and print media who have ensured that the issue remain in the front burner despite several attempts by Speaker Dogara to sweep it out and change the public narrative with personal attack on my person and attempt to drag the Executive, Senate and other government officials into this matter and blackmail them. My fellow Nigerians, be rest assured the DOGARA-GATE scandal will never be settled as a "family" matter or swept under the carpet, we shall remain vigilant until justice is served on these extremely corrupt members. Udo-Udoma disclosed this while receiving the Report of the three-day Pre-Summit Workshop from the Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Summit Group on Thursday in Abuja. He said that the development fund would provide pool of fiscal resources for long term financing of priority projects. He said that the ministry had developed the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) for accelerated infrastructure development in the country for the next 30 year. "The fund seeks to raise the stock of infrastructure from the current level of 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the GDP to at least 70 per cent by 2043. "A total investment outlay of 3.05 trillion dollars will be required for the implementation of NIIMP. "The investment will be geared towards meetings infrastructure requirements of the major sectors of the economy. "The NIIMP captured Energy, Transport, Information Communication Technology, Agriculture, Water, Mining, Housing, Social Infrastructure, Security and Vital Registration sectors," Udo-Udoma said. He pointed out that the implementation of the NIIMP required collaboration of stakeholders - Federal and State Governments and the private sector - to provide required investments. "The NIIMP, apart from being a robust framework for infrastructure development, will also serve as investors' guide, enhance economic growth, and create job opportunities among other benefits," he said. Earlier, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, Chairman, Infrastructure PPP Summit Group, said that the group was formed to address deficit in infrastructure and that government alone could not drive the provision of infrastructure. Mahmoud said that the concept of forming the group was for private sector to pull resources and expertise together to create framework for PPP dialogue and engagement. "We have received a lot of support from government agencies, including the ministry," he said. Also Speaking, Mr Daniel Gori, a member of the team who presented an outcome of the summit, said that infrastructure was key to reclaiming Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa. "We know that infrastructure is critical to this; infrastructure deficit is putting a break on Nigeria potential. For us in Nigeria, while recognising the challenges we are confronted with and the need to surmount them, we are determined to diversify the economy away from excessive reliance on oil and other primary products, Buhari said. Consequently, we are taking measures and implementing policies that would ensure we are self-sufficient, generate massive employment for millions of our youth, and explore our untapped human and natural resources. We shall also embark on export and production diversification steps including investment in infrastructure; promotion of manufacturing through agro-based industries and expansion of Regional Trade, he added. Fashola spoke as guest speaker through Mr Chinedu Ugbo, acting Chairman, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), at the 2016 Annual Conference of the National Association of Energy Correspondents in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is entitled: ``Low oil prince: Impact and the way forward. Fashola said, ``It is not gas alone that will allow us to achieve incremental power. "It is our most reliable source of power, yes, but it is only one solution among many other underutilised solutions. "Mambila Power Station, for example, is likely to be our most defining in the road to incremental power, situated in Taraba State. "It will potentially add 3,000MW to the grid and yet this is a hydro-electric project, not gas. "Our ministry has recently publicised our energy mix and coal forms a large part of our target fuel source. According to him, "I am pleased to say that the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) is working on a suitable tariff for coal-to-power that will form the basis of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). "Although you may not see it, it is at the point of negotiating tariff with power providers that government, through NBET, and NERC, begins to protect the interest of consumers. "Solar and other renewable energies will also play a major role in our roadmap to incremental power. "We have recently signed 14 PPAs for the delivery of 1125 MW of solar power. "Other renewable energy projects such as the 10MW wind plant in Kastina, are also in various stages of completion, the minister said. Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said that oil prices had dropped from 110 dollars per barrel in June 2014 to the current level slightly above 40 dollars per barrel. "This decline has significantly impacted on government revenue earnings as oil sector accounts for approximately 90 per cent of the nations foreign exchange. "The huge drop in revenue earnings poses a grave danger for the adequate funding of the national budget. "A major challenge which, therefore remains, is securing the crude volumes to a level that ensures we deliver the revenue target fully aware of the fact that price is internationally determined. "We are, therefore, working assiduously to resolve the security issues so that we can guarantee volumes, he said. Kerry will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss counter terrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption and human rights issues. In Sokoto, he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism. In Abuja, the Secretary will meet with a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society. He will also meet with northern governors and religious leaders. Kerry will also visit Kenya on Monday, August 22, and will leave Nigeria for Saudi Arabia on August 24. She disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, August 19, at an interactive session with newsmen. Adeosun said that the disbursement will raise funds already released by the government to N400 billion since May. She said that contractors have been paid to return to work, adding that very soon Nigerians will begin to see the impact of the administrations efforts and policies. "So far we have spent N400 billion on capital, that is between May when the budget was signed and now; we are going for another capital allocation meeting where we are going to allocate another N60 billion. "So, we are pumping money into the economy at a very rapid rate, but it would take a little time for the effect to be felt, she said. According to her, states known for agriculture are going back to it and generating revenue from it.She expressed optimism of bumper harvest of crops, and said that storage facilities like silos, are being put in place to avoid loss of any harvest. The minister also said that for Nigeria to survive the present economic situation, corruption has to be fought holistically and that infrastructures have to be built to create employment. "Fighting corruption is fundamental and if we stick with that and all the money stolen or diverted is directed at projects that could grow the economy, we would recover, she said. She said that a tax committee has been inaugurated to overhaul the entire tax system in the country. She, however, explained that the intention to tax luxury items is not a policy because there is no constitutional provision to tax the items. Adeosun assured that the committee will seek ways to ensure that the right laws are put in place in that regard. She said the Joint Tax Board (JTB) is working to harmonise taxes that were overlapping among federal, states and local governments. "It is part of the ease of doing business initiative because these are some of the things that cause businesses to close down. "It puts one off and even in the Federal Government, we are working on various revenues and looking at who is the best agent to collect revenue, the minister said. The Nigerian police has issued a stern warning to the militant group not to go ahead with their threat, adding that it is a treasonable offence. The spokesman of the police force, Donald Awunah, also said security forces will not allow any group to break the laws of the land. Awnah said I believe they (militants) know that it is a treasonable felony to declare a republic. The police and other security agencies will not allow any treasonable action to be perpetrated in any part of the country. They have been warned. The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), has also undefinedto declare the region as a republic on October 1, 2016, as an empty threat. RNDA alleged that it is a plan by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Asari Dokubo and the Governor Nyesom Wike/Ahmed Markarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to cause confusion in the country. Onu said this in a letter he sent to the Ebonyi Governor, David Umahi, explaining why he rejected the car gift sent to him by the state government. According to Daily Post, the minister, in a letter dated August 16, 2016, with reference number - HMST/FMST/036/Vol.IV/595, said I regret to inform Your Excellency that I cannot accept the gift of a Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle as conveyed in the letter under reference. I do so with a deep sense of responsibility and conscious of the important need to build a better Ebonyi State where respect for the rule of law and the peoples will as well as the pursuit of their happiness will remain sacred. Rather curiously, four years later, the same House of Assembly enacted the Ebonyi State Specified Offices Pensions and Related Matters (Amendement) Law 2011 wherein a governor was defined as: a civilian governor of Ebonyi State of Nigeria. It is clear from the foregoing, Your Excellency, that I was the target of this scheme in an apparent design to deny me my due pension entitlements. This is especially so in the circumstance where it is the responsibility of the Ebonyi State Government to do so as a consequence of the sharing of assets and liabilities between Abia and Ebonyi states. You will recall that I had served as the first elected governor of Abia State, in which a part later became a constituent part of Ebonyi State. Adding that Laws are not made to suit personal prejudices. Laws are made to serve the enduring attributes of good conscience, honour and equity. For today, August 19 2016: THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER Nigeria sliding fast into dictatorship, says Fayose Governor Ayo Fayose has lamented the alleged restriction of his movement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday, warning that Nigeria is descending dangerously into a dictatorship. READ MORE Appeal Court reinstates Ikpeazu as Abia governor It was victory for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State yesterday as the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja set aside the judgment that removed him from office. READ MORE 15 feared dead in attempted Ebonyi jailbreak About 15 inmates and one prison officer may have died following an attempted jailbreak at Abakaliki Federal Prison in Ebonyi State. READ MORE THE VANGUARD NEWSPAPER Abia governorship crisis: A-Court returns Ikpeazu, blasts Justice Abang ABUJARespite came the way of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, yesterday, as the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja voided the high court judgment that sacked him from office. READ MORE Abang shouldnt turn himself to a notorious judge Ajulo A legal practitioner, Mr Kayode Ajulo, in his remarks toed the path of the Appeal Court, but also warned that Justice Abang should not turn himself to a notorious judge. Abakaliki jail-break: Prisoners killed, bodies secretly evacuated ABAKALIKISEVERAL inmates of Abakaliki prisons in Ebonyi state were yesterday feared dead and many sustained bullet injuries following a foiled jail break. READ MORE THE NATION NEWSPAPER Southwest APC insists on true federalism The Southwest Zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday called for the restructuring of the country. It said governance should be based on true federalism. Appeal Court reverses Ikpeazus sack The Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday reversed the sack of Abia State Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu by a Federal High Court 52 days ago. READ MORE Fayose fails to stop EFCC probe Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday failed in his bid to stop the anti-graft agencies from probing Ekiti States finances and bank accounts. THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER Enemies jealous of my rising profile Jonathan EX-President Goodluck Jonathan has again denied allegations that he is sponsoring the Niger Delta Avengers. READ MORE Budget padding: 10 principal officers disown Jibrin The Body of Principal Officers of the House of Representatives said on Thursday that the decision to sack its former Chairman, Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, was a collective action. READ MORE AIG orders mental tests on Lagos policemen The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, AIG Abdulmajid Ali, has ordered that mental test be carried out on policemen in the command. - BUSINESSDAY NEWSPAPER Pension reforms boost SME compliance 5-folds in 2 years The new provisions in the Pension Reform Act 2014 and deposit money bank's MSME formalisation drive have boosted the rate of compliance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the contributory pension scheme by 485 percent, BusinessDay Research and Intelligent Unit (BRIU) analysis shows. Aviation fuel price may force airlines to fly from Ghana Experts in the aviation sector say increase in the price of aviation fuel from N105 to N220 per litre in Nigeria may soon cause airlines operating in the country to move to Ghana where aviation fuels is sold for N110 per litre. Nigeria loses $481m in diaspora remittance as pounds crashes 13% This is coming on the heels of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report 2015, which said South Africas economy is $301bn, while Nigerias GDP is $296bn. Udoma also said that the Federal Government will work hard to make sure the country recovers its glory. The minister said this on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at a three day summit with members of the private sector. He said We are determined to turn this economy around and stimulate private sector investments. Losing our position as the biggest economy in Africa should in some way inspire us to work even harder. Sometimes when you are number two, you are actually more motivated to work hard and we should see it as something that should motivate all of us to work harder. Udoma also called on Nigerians to support the government as it works to ensure that Nigerias economy is improved. Also starring Ali Nuhu, Maryam Booth, Ibrahim Daddy, Isa Bello Ja, Rahama Sadau and Hadiza Soja, the film was shot in Kaduna and Lagos, Nigeria. ALSO READ: undefined Hakkunde produced and directed by Oluseyi is the directors first full length film. It was written by Oluseyi, Tomi Adesina and Gift Imafidon. Synopsis Hakkunde is an intriguing story of a young graduate who battles everything including love, family, discrimination, drug abuse, tradition and insecurity. It follows his journey to self-discovery and actualization. The story is characterized by actions and reactions that defines the everyday Nigerian society, with its ups and downs and with a particular focus on the life of a job hunting graduate Akande who found himself in totality while searching for a job, and a better life. ALSO READ: undefined On March 5, 2016, Asurf Oluseyi won the award for Best Short Film at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) for his production titled A Day With Death. ALSO READ: undefined The contestants had the opportunity to wow the judges with lots of brilliant performances. You can see this for yourself in the video below. The search continues in Port-Harcourt for the next vivacious, talented and ambitious actor and screen diva. Are you in Port-Harcourt and still dreaming of starring in a premium Reality TV drama? Well, wake up and head to the Atrium Hall in Port Harcourt today and tomorrow. Lets Go Port-Harcourt!!! Show the world what you've got; show them your never say never attitude. Get ready to be a Superstar!!! Stay connected and keep up with exciting moments of the audition by following Malta Guinness on all social media platforms.. Instagram: @maltaguinnessng Twitter: @MaltaGuinnessNG Remember to use the hashtag #letsgo #life101 when taking part in the conversations. Now is the time! Lace up your boots, your journey to superstardom is about to begin! While some resulted to a pause on production, others were quite minor and had no effect on production. We have put together a list of notable accidents which occurred during the shooting of some of your favourite Nollywood movies, which we bet you probably didn't know happened. ALSO READ: undefined Here we go; 1. Funky Mallam While filming in 2015, the actor was hospitalized for food poisoning. He took to his Instagram page to share a photo of himself on a hospital bed with the caption;"". ALSO READ:undefined 2. Samuel Robinson During filming of the 2016 movie "8 Bars and a Clef," the actor twisted his ankle while performing an intense scene. "I twisted my ankle performing an intense scene and was incapacitated for a few days. It was a very intense project and I literally sweat, bled and cried for this movie," he said to Pulse Nigeria. ALSO READ:undefined 3. Denrele Edun During filming of the movie "Pepper Soup," the former Soundcity VJ fell and got a deep cut above his right eye. All in a bid to make my acting more convincing, I was supposed to drop into a faint in the very first scene of the movie "PEPPER SOUP" but I guess I miscalculated and fell hard on a metallic object on the floor that pierced my face he said after accident. ALSO READ: undefined 4. Sanyeri The actor injured himself while performing a stunt on set of his new movie "Asiwaju." "The character I was playing had to climb the roof of a house because he had some spiritual problems. When the landlord of the house realised that someone was on his roof, he called the police and while avoiding arrest, the character had to jump off the roof of the house," the actor said. "That was how I broke my leg and the doctors said that the cast would be on my leg for a month." ALSO READ:undefined 5. Emma Ehumadu The actor injured himself in 2014 while filming a robbery scene alongside Jim Iyke. The actor crashed his head from a fall. ALSO READ: undefined 6. Uche Jombo The actress suffered an accident while on the set of the 2012 movie, "Ikenna." The actress dislocated a bone while preparing to film a scene. ALSO READ: undefined 7. Femi Adebayo The actor alongside his production crew, were attacked by suspected hoodlums while shooting a movie in Ilorin, Kwara State in 2014. What better way to ease off the stress of the week than watch a good movie. With that in mind, check out our list of movies currently showing in cinemas across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Starring: Zac Efron, Adam Devine, Anna Kendrick Synopsis: Two hard-partying brothers place an online ad to find the perfect dates for their sister's Hawaiian wedding. Hoping for a wild getaway, the boys instead find themselves out-hustled by an uncontrollable duo. Showing: Friday - Thursday: 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm Friday - Thursday: 12:25 PM, 4:40 PM, 6:45 PM, 8:50 PM Friday - Thursday: 12:40PM, 4:25PM Starring: Angelique Kidjo, Jimmy Jean Louis, Wale Ojo, Fatym Layache, Nico Ranagio, Kemi Lala Akindoju, veteran actress Hilda Dokunbo . Synopsis: Set mainly on a beautiful beach resort on the outskirts of Lagos in Nigeria .The CEO is a mystery-thriller surrounding five top executives from across Africa who are dispatched on a 1-week leadership retreat by a multinational telecommunication firm, to determine which one to appoint as the firms new CEO. Things go awry when one by-one the executives are eliminated in sudden death circumstances, and the finger falls on the last two remaining executive as prime suspects. As the threat of a possible death sentence for multiple homicide looms over them. Showing: Friday - Thursday: 11:00AM, 12:50PM, 7:00PM Friday - Thursday: 6:35pm Friday - Thursday: 12:10PM, 2:20PM, 4:30PM, 6:40PM, 8:50PM Starring: OC Ukeje, Adesua Etomi, Ireti Doyle Synopsis: "The Arbitration" tells the story of Gbenga (O.C Ukeje) and his employee Dara (Adesua Etomi) who had an affair. After the affair ended and Dara left the company, she sued Gbenga and accused him of rape. An arbitration panel was constituted to find out the truth. Showing: Friday - Thursday: 2:40 PM, 7:00 PM Friday - Thursday: 4:35pm, 6:25pm, 8:20pm Friday - Sunday: 2:55PM, 9:10PM Monday - Thursday: 2:55PM, 6:35PM, 8:45PM Friday - Thursday: 12:40PM, 2:00PM, 4:50PM 4. Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Alice Braga, Woody Harrelson Synopsis: A Texas Ranger investigates a series of unexplained deaths in a town called Helena. Showing: Friday - Thursday: 6:30pm, 8:35pm Daily:4:40 PM, 9:10 PM Friday - Thursday:10:40AM, 9:05PM Friday - Thursday: 12:40PM, 5:00PM Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton Synopsis: A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children. Showing: Friday - Thursday: 10:40am Friday - Thursday: 11:50AM, 4:00PM, 6:10PM Friday - Thursday: 10:50AM Daily: 11:50 AM, 2:15 PM Starring: Alison Brie, Anna Kendrick, Miles Teller Synopsis: Life after college graduation is not exactly going as planned for Will and Jillian who find themselves lost in a sea of increasingly strange jobs. But with help from their family, friends and coworkers they soon discover that the most important (and hilarious) adventures are the ones that we don't see coming. Showing: Fri-Thur: 2:20pm Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde, Kabir Bedi Synopsis: A period adventure and love story set during the Indus Valley Civilization. Showing: Friday - Sunday: 1:50 PM Friday - Sunday: 6:15PM Friday - Sunday: 1PM Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Robert Cardone, Neil deGrasse Tyson Synopsis: Manny, Diego, and Sid join up with Buck to fend off a meteor strike that would destroy the world. Showing: Fri-Thur: 10:40am Friday - Thursday: 1:05PM Friday - Thursday: 10:45 AM, 12:45 PM Friday - Thursday: 12:40PM, 2:30PM Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Danielle Nicolet Synopsis: After he reunites with an old school pal through Facebook, a mild-mannered accountant is lured into the world of international espionage. Showing: Friday - Thursday: 2:15pm Friday -Thursday: 12:50PM, 3:00PM, 5:10PM, 7:20PM, 9:30PM Starring: Miles Teller, Bradley Cooper, Ana de Armas Synopsis: Based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America's allies in Afghanistan. Showing: Fri-Thur: 1:35pm, 3:45pm, 6:00pm, 8:10pm Friday - Thursday: 10:55AM, 3:20PM, 6:15PM, 9:10PM Sunday: 3:20PM, 6:15PM, 9:10PM Genesis Deluxe Cinemas Friday - Thursday: 2:30 PM, 4:55 PM, 7:20 PM, 9:45 PM Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson Synopsis: The Four Horsemen resurface and are forcibly recruited by a tech genius to pull off their most impossible heist yet. Showing: Fri-Thur: 11:15am Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon Synopsis: 30 years after Ghostbusters took the world by storm, the beloved franchise makes its long-awaited return. Director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today. Showing: Friday - Thursday: 12:50pm, 2:25pm Friday - Thursday: 9:20PM Friday - Thursday: 2:40PM, 7:00PM, 9:10PM Starring:Alexander Skarsgard, Rory J. Saper, Christian Stevens Synopsis: Tarzan, having acclimated to life in London, is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment. Showing: Fri-Thur: 4:25pm Friday - Thursday: 2:50PM, 7:10PM, 9:20PM Daily: 12:20 PM Friday - Thursday: 1:45PM Starring:Alexander Skarsgard, Rory J. Saper, Christian Stevens Synopsis: Tarzan, having acclimated to life in London, is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment. Showing: Fri-Thur: 10:00am Friday - Thursday: 2:55PM Starring:Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry Synopsis: After facing Shredder, who has joined forces with mad scientist Baxter Stockman and henchmen Bebop and Rocksteady to take over the world, the Turtles must confront an even greater nemesis: the notorious Krang. Showing: Fri-Thur: 10:05am, 12:10pm Starring:Margot Robbie, Cara Delevingne, Jared Leto Synopsis: A secret government agency recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency. Showing: Fri - Sun: 11:00 AM, 1:40 PM, 4:40 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:05 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:45 PM Mon - Thu: 11:00 AM, 1:40 PM, 4:40 PM, 5:00 PM, 5:20 PM, 7:05 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:45 PM (--VIP SHOWS--) Fri - Sun:8:00 PM Mon - Thu: 5:20 PM Fri-Thur: 10:45am, 1:10pm, 3:35pm, 6:10pm, 8:40pm Friday: 11:30AM, 2:00PM, 4:30PM, 6:00PM, 7:00PM, 9:25PM Saturday - Thursday: 11:30AM, 2:00PM, 4:30PM, 6:00PM, 7:00PM, 8:30PM, 9:25PM Friday - Thursday: 3:55PM, 6:25PM, 9:00PM Starring:Melissa Joan Hart, Jesse Metcalfe, David A.R. White Synopsis: When a high school teacher is asked a question in class about Jesus, her response lands her in deep trouble. Showing: Fri-Thur: 12:05pm Friday - Thursday: 5:00PM Starring:Yvonne Nelson, Jose Tolbert, Kunle Remmy Synopsis: We all wear a mask; a wise man once said. We all live a lie! And at some point or the other, who they think we are will be different from who we really are. Fact or Fiction? Truth or Dare? Our secrets no matter how long we hide them will eventually stare us in the face . And trust me, it will be on a day like Any Other Monday. Showing: Fri-Thur: 10:00am Starring:Angela Dixon, Nigel Whitmey, Lisa Eichhorn Synopsis: A single mother on vacation, takes the law into her own hands to take back her abducted child. Showing: Friday -Thursday: 8:20PM Friday - Thursday: 5:05PM Starring: Kenneth Okonkwo, Bovi Ugboma, Lilian Esoro, Ebela Okaro, Alex Ekubo, Brycee Bassey, Anthony Monjaro. Synopsis: A young woman's innocent online romance soon turn sour when her boyfriend decides to use the unsuspecting wealthy man as a cash cow. If he was duped of money, that's 419 but when you dupe him of Love, it is 41Love. Showing: Friday - Thursday: 10:45AM, 1:10PM, 7:15PM Sunday: 1:10PM, 7:15PM Fri-Thur: 12:25pm, 4:30pm, 8:40pm Dogara visited the President two weeks ago presumably over the ongoing budget padding crisis rocking the lower chamber. After his first meeting with the President, he had told State House correspondents that budget padding is not a crime, boasting that he has nothing to be afraid of concerning the matter. The president, represented by his political adviser, Senator Femi Ojudu, made the comments on Thursday, August 18, 2016, during the South West Conference of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan, Oyo State. You all may well know, the darkest part of the night is the period before dawn. Nigerias dawn is about to break. We are determined to turn things around, Buhari said. Change is not easy, but we are not relenting until we achieve a better life for all Nigerians. The change we advocate will be irrevocable when we are finally done. We just have to change from our old ways of doing things because things cannot be allowed to continue the way they were. Though, things may appear difficult at the moment, it will not be long before Nigerians start deriving the full benefits of the current policies of government which are designed to reposition the country and improve on the prevailing economic situation. Already, there are signs that things are turning round for the better. In the oil and gas industries for instance, many investors are showing tremendous interest in building petroleum refineries. In no distant time, the issues of fuel scarcity will become a thing of the past, he added. Oyegun further said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no right to criticize President Muhammadu Buharis government. The APC Chairman made the comments via a statement issued by his media office. The statement reads: What is happening now is clear: Just because the farmer has not checkmated the thief, he (thief) has become so emboldened that he is now making a move to even cage the farmer from whom he has been stealing. How else can one characterize the most annoying statement by the PDP that it is on a mission to rescue Nigeria, the tale of a killer presenting himself as a life saver! Are these people jokers? Do they think Nigerians do not realize that the stage for todays tough economic situation was set by the same PDP that is now masquerading as a saviour? Worse still, is this PDPs bold face not a ploy to distract the Administration that is on a rescue mission? Nigeria is currently in ICU (Intensive Care Unit), after it was rescued from PDP. Yet, the same PDP has the audacity to constantly pillory the doctors trying to save the patient. Yes, we knew the situation was bad, but we never imagined that it was this bad. Yes, we knew that the vast majority of our national patrimony had been stolen and converted by PDP and their cronies, but we clearly under-estimated the scope of the stealing. The fact that our country and people survived the PDP and the last administration is perhaps the 8th wonder of the world. But we have long moved beyond bothering about this mindless party to seeking to bring the nation back to its feet. What we cannot fathom is for the same PDP to now be heckling us and pretending to be the new saviour of Nigerians. Engaging in a campaign of calumny by claiming that the countrys economy under President Muhammadu Buhari was deteriorating is so unconscionable on the part of the PDP, which frittered away the huge windfall that the nation earned during the years that oil sold for over $100. Even with the number of PDP operatives and officials who have confessed or admitted their complicity in the looting of the treasury, the party has continued to try to pull the wool over the face of Nigerians. This shameless distraction must stop forthwith, and here is serving notice that henceforth, the PDP will no longer have a field day in trying to twist facts and present the Buhari Administration, which is on an urgent rescue mission, as the villain. We are here to bury PDP today. We were deceived by some political leaders of the PDP all these years. Today, they call them new PDP but I realized that old PDP remains. I later realized that they are like the leopard which doesnt change its skin, leader of the defectors, Promise Igbinevbo said according to PM News. PDP leaders are conservatives. PDP leaders cry for their parochial interest alone to the detriment of their followers. I have wiped off my tears because of the belief that I have in democracy. In democracy, it is said that the minority will have their say while the majority will have their way. Today, the majority are having their way from the PDP to APC. I want to let you know that I, my chairmen here, women leaders and all executives are members of PDP across Egor Local Government Area that we are here to team up with the Comrade Governor and his APC candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. I want to let you know that I dont bow down for people for nothing. I dont bow down to people because of money. I want to let you know that I bow down to people with integrity. We bow before Oshiomhole because of his handwork in Edo State, Igbinevbo added. Speaking to newsmen in Jalingo, Taraba State on Friday, August 19, Obasanjo said he has no doubt that under Buhari, Nigeria will overcome the current challenges confronting it. So far Buhari has not disappointed us. I trust him (Buhari), he will not fail Nigerians. I know he will overcome the challenges the country is currently facing, the ex-president said. Obasanjo also urged Buhari to complete the hydroelectric project on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba Commenting on his alleged reunion with the People's Democratic Party (PDP), the ex-president stressed that he has left party for good. He said: In the part of the country where I come from, there is a saying that you cannot say good night and come back to say good evening in the same place. So for me, it is good night for the Peoples Democratic Party and thats all. He said This shameless distraction must stop forthwith, and here is serving notice that henceforth, the PDP will no longer have a field day in trying to twist facts and present the Buhari Administration, which is on an urgent rescue mission, as the villain. According to Oyegun, it is immoral for a party that destroyed the country for 16 years to try to play the saviour. The APC Chairman also alleged that during the years of PDP rule, over $15b belonging to Nigerians was mismanaged. Oyegun described the claim by the PDP that it is on a mission to rescue the nation, as annoying, adding that the party put Nigeria in the current economic state it is today. He said What is happening now is clear: Just because the farmer has not checkmated the thief, he (thief) has become so emboldened that he is now making a move to even cage the farmer from whom he has been stealing. How else can one characterize the most annoying statement by the PDP that it is on a mission to rescue Nigeria, the tale of a killer presenting himself as a life saver! Are these people jokers? Do they think Nigerians do not realize that the stage for todays tough economic situation was set by the same PDP that is now masquerading as a saviour? Worse still, is this PDPs bold face not a ploy to distract the Administration that is on a rescue mission? Nigeria is currently in ICU (Intensive Care Unit), after it was rescued from PDP. Yet, the same PDP has the audacity to constantly pillory the doctors trying to save the patient. Yes, we knew the situation was bad, but we never imagined that it was this bad. Yes, we knew that the vast majority of our national patrimony had been stolen and converted by PDP and their cronies, but we clearly under-estimated the scope of the stealing. The fact that our country and people survived the PDP and the last administration is perhaps the 8th wonder of the world. Oyegun also added that Engaging in a campaign of calumny by claiming that the countrys economy under President Muhammadu Buhari was deteriorating is so unconscionable on the part of the PDP, which frittered away the huge windfall that the nation earned during the years that oil sold for over $100. Even with the number of PDP operatives and officials who have confessed or admitted their complicity in the looting of the treasury, the party has continued to try to pull the wool over the face of Nigerians. In less than two weeks, three people, from Kwara, have been arrested for alleged possession of a white substance, suspected to be cocaine, PM News reports. The Executive Secretary of Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajia Fatima Abolore-Jimoh, confirmed the arrest in a telephone interview. According to her, the local authorities will certainly be hard on these suspects, because the country has one of the toughest laws on drug trafficking. ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia beheads man for drug trafficking This law, which is a strict version of Islamic sharia law, states that rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all grounds for death by beheading. She also described the arrest of the three unidentified pilgrims, as unfortunate and painful, due to the several appeals from Nigerian leaders to be good ambassadors of their states and country. Abolore-Jimoh revealed that the traffickers, who were arrested by security operatives, were among the first batch of 505 Pilgrims from Kwara state. Olayinka said issues like funding, infrastructure deficit, student-lecturer ratio and limitation of Hostel accommodation were to blame for keeping the institution from going beyond this carrying capacity. While speaking on the topic Challenges of Building a World Class University at the 68th Interdisciplinary Research Discourse of the Postgraduate school under the Deanship of Professor Adeyinka Aderinto, Professor Olayinka noted that Nigerian government must decide if it wants her universities to be globally competitive or not by adequately funding research and fixing infrastructural deficits bedeviling them. This comes after the media company declared bankruptcy last month following a legal campaign against it by billionaire Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel. Thiel had funded a legal campaign against Gawker Media after the publication revealed that he was gay and also released a sextape featuring wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. Gawker Media has been in operation for 14 years and the news of it shutting down comes after Univision successfully made a bid of $135 million for the media company's six other websites. According to a Recode report, Nick Denton, Gawker's founder and CEO, informed current employees of the company's fate, hours before a bankruptcy court in Manhattan, New York was due to decide on Univision's bid for Gawker's other assets. MEST was founded in 2008 and has become an established incubator and training programme that offers full scholarships, mentorship and subsidized office spaces to aspiring African entrepreneurs with the aim of building companies that are globally successful. The session will be moderated by Neku Atawodi, founder of Malaik, an impact-focused approach to equity crowdfunding in Africa and MEST Lagos Incubator's general manager. Speakers that will be at the session include: The event will hold at Cafe Neo in Ikoyi on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 from 6-9PM. Professor Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the NCC, while presenting the tools in Abuja, said the tools would help the police fight crime in the nation's capital. Danbatta, who was represented by Mrs. Maryam Bayi, a director at the NCC, also stated that the tools would speed up the efforts of the police in the pursuit of justice. Commenting after receiving the tools which included laptops and printers, Muhammad Mustafa, commissioner of police at the FCT command, said the tools would help the police convey a message of ICT compliance to the public. Mustafa, who was represented by ACP Usman Belel, an assistant commissioner of police, added that the tools would change the Force's model of operations in Abuja, especially the Criminal Investigation Department. Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, who often attacks policies of the government of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on his radio show, was arrested on Monday on accusations of commiting an outrage against public decency. The specific reason for his arrest was not clear. "He was released yesterday [Thursday] evening," said a security source on Friday who spoke on condition of anonymity. A second security source confirmed his release. Crowds of supporters took to the streets in a series of protests this week. On Wednesday, police fired tear gas to disperse the protests, and one person was killed. Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, the former army chief and a power broker in the former French colony's 1990s civil war, finished third to long-serving President Denis Sassou Nguesso in a March election criticised by opposition parties and foreign powers for irregularities. Sassou Nguesso's government has accused Mokoko of involvement in an alleged coup attempt in 2007. Mokoko's supporters say the president is trying to stifle dissent, a charge the government denies. Mokoko's lawyer, Yvon Eric Ibouoanga, told Reuters the court's decision "lacked a legal basis". Additional charges of incitement of public disorder were also brought against Mokoko on Thursday, apparently in connection with his calls for civil disobedience after the election results were announced. Sassou Nguesso, 72, has ruled the small oil-producing nation for 32 of the last 37 years. He successfully pushed through changes to the constitution last year that allowed him to stand for a third consecutive term, triggering violent protests that killed at least 18 people. Merkel told the RedaktionsNetzwerks Deutschland (RND) that Russia had caused a major crisis by annexing the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in 2014 and with its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. "Europe had to react against this violation of basic principles," Merkel said. She added that she and French President Francois Hollande were working "with all one's strength" to urge Ukraine and Russia to implement the so-called Minsk ceasefire agreement despite all the difficulties. "This is and remains the yardstick for the future of the sanctions," Merkel said. Russia has been under U.S. and EU sanctions over its annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine for two years. With fighting occasionally flaring and both sides blaming each other for failing to implement truce terms, the Minsk peace deal looks moribund. The EU agreed in June to extend energy, financial and defence sanctions on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine until the end of January next year. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and other leading Social Democrats, the junior partner in Merkel's ruling coalition, have struck a more conciliatory tone in the past months, saying the EU should gradually phase out sanctions if there was partial progress in the peace process. But even Steinmeier has said that Russia and Ukraine have hardly made any progress in recent talks to implement the peace plan. "There are no improvements, especially when it comes to security," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Sawsan Chebli said, adding the negotiations had reached deadlock also in other areas such as political reforms and local elections. Iowa's unemployment rate in July inched upward to 4.1 percent, the state said on Friday. The uptick, from 4 percent the month before, was part of a mixed picture for Iowa's labor market, as the state also reported that the number of nonfarm jobs also went up. "Iowa's economy reflected both strength and weakness in July," said Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development. She noted that hiring in health care and professional and business services was strong, contributing to the creation of 3,400 jobs from the month before. "Even as the state's unemployment rate crept up a tenth of a point to 4.1 percent, Iowa businesses still showed enough confidence to expand payrolls this month," Townsend said. Still, the number of people on the unemployment rolls in the state jumped by 2,400 over June and is up 9,000 over the previous July, according to the new state data. The number of people who are employed, meanwhile, dropped by 2,300 from June to July. It is up by just 3,200 from a year ago. In July 2015, the state's unemployment rate was 3.6 percent. While the health care and professional and business sectors gained in July, the manufacturing, trade, transportation and utilities and leisure and hospitality sectors all were down from June. Since last July, the state has dropped 7,100 manufacturing jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities is up slightly from a year ago, although the leisure and hospitality sector has been stronger year over year. The construction sector has performed the strongest since last July, gaining 12,800 since a year ago. Since June, however, it added only 100 jobs. Since last July, the state has picked up 23,700 nonfarm jobs. MUSCATINE, Iowa A Muscatine man has been charged with bringing contraband into the Muscatine County Jail after he was arrested on burglary and theft charges. Derek Powell, 25, has been charged with fourth-degree theft, third-degree burglary, and introduction of contraband into a secured facility, according to court documents. Powell allegedly stole an engine auger from a farm building on Aug. 10 worth $250, according to the criminal complaint. He was arrested on Aug. 16, and a corrections officer allegedly discovered more than 13 pills in the pocket of his shorts. According to court documents, the pills were Clonazepam and Escitalopram. Powell allegedly could not provide proof of a prescription. Emily Wenger of the Muscatine Journal SPRINGFIELD A day after Republicans largely avoided mentioning their partys presidential candidate during Governors Day at the Illinois State Fair, Democrats on Thursday lauded candidate Hillary Clinton and sought to tie Gov. Bruce Rauner and the rest of the Illinois GOP to Donald Trump. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who also chairs the state Democratic Party, vowed during a breakfast meeting of party leaders ahead of Democrat Day at the fair that the party and its labor union allies will continue to stand up to the extreme agenda of Rauner and Trump ahead of Novembers election. Rauner, in particular, leads an effort to reverse a trend in American government that has held steady since the start of Franklin Roosevelts presidency, Madigan said. For 83 years, the American national government and state governments, including Illinois, have always worked to raise wage levels and the standard of living and to protect the vulnerable in our society, he said. Thats been the policy of American governments for 83 years. However, today in Illinois, Gov. Rauner is attempting to advance an extreme agenda that would actually take the state of Illinois in the opposite direction. At the breakfast and an afternoon rally at the fairgrounds, Madigan and fellow Democrats touted their efforts to block Rauners turnaround agenda, which they say would hurt working- and middle-class families. And they blamed the governor for spending most of his first term so far holding the states budget and residents in need of state services hostage in an attempt to force his ideas through the General Assembly. Those ideas include business-friendly changes to workers compensation laws and diminished collective bargaining rights, which he says would make Illinois more attractive to employers and help spur economic growth. Rauner said Wednesday that Republicans will use the unprecedented campaign cash that he and his wealthy allies have brought to the party to launch the biggest ground game (thats) ever been done for legislative races in state history. But Democrats said theyll use their network of union members and ordinary, everyday Illinoisans to counter the millions of dollars Rauner and his allies are pumping into the election. I think Democrats know a little bit about the ground game, Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan said at the breakfast meeting, which dwarfed a similar GOP event held Wednesday morning. Its in this room. You live in Illinois; youve raised your family in Illinois; its your community. You know how to get out and work for your candidates. Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, who is challenging incumbent Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger, urged her fellow Democrats to go to the polls Nov. 8 and to make phone calls and knock on doors to convince others to do the same. I need you to do it not just for me but for every single Democrat on the Democratic ticket this year from the top to the very bottom, she said, specifically mentioning state Reps. Brandon Phelps of Harrisburg and Mike Smiddy of Hillsdale and state Sen. Gary Forby of Benton, all top targets in the GOPs effort to cut into the Democratic supermajorities in the Legislature. Republicans have been airing TV commercials all summer labeling those lawmakers and others as minions of Madigan, whom they blame for the states many fiscal woes. Madigan said hes not surprised by the tactic, which has been tried unsuccessfully many times in the past, although without nearly as much money behind the message. Theyre doing that because they dont want to talk about themselves, he said. They dont want to talk about the record of the Republican Party nationally, the record of the Republican Party here in Illinois, because they know the national Republican Party under Trump and the Illinois Republican Party under Rauner is a Republican Party of extremism. And Illinoisans are prepared to reject extremism. Although Democrats were eager to talk up their 2016 candidates up and down the ballot, they werent so willing to discuss who might step up to challenge Rauner for the governors office in 2018. Several people who have been mentioned as potential candidates, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, waived off questions about possible gubernatorial bids and said theyre focused on their current jobs and helping fellow Democrats win in November. One candidate who received a strong showing of support from her party in the November race was U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, who spoke at the breakfast and is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in one of the most closely watched Senate contests nationwide. DES MOINES A proposed pork plant in Wright County, which originally was planned for Mason City, is getting a second opportunity for $11.5 million in state tax incentives. Despite the opposition of dozens who showed up to a hearing Thursday, Iowas economic development board unanimously approved the tax breaks for North Carolina-based Prestage Farms, which seeks to build a $240 million pork plant in Wright County. It is the same tax relief package the Iowa Economic Development Authority approved in March for Prestage when the company sought to build its pork slaughter and fabrication plant in Mason City. Local government officials nixed that proposal, leading the company to look for another site in Iowa. Prestage settled on Wright County and reapplied for the state tax breaks. An opposition movement that started while the project was being considered for Mason City continued Thursday, as about 70 people filled a conference room for the public hearing, during which eight people spoke in support of the project and 23 spoke against. Most of the concerns centered on opposition to taxpayer assistance for out-of-state companies although Prestage has operated in Iowa since 2003 and can receive the incentives only if it pays state taxes and environmental concerns. Opponents also suggested companies such as Prestage would build or expand in Iowa regardless of tax incentives. Why do we have to bribe somebody to come here, said Tom Willett of Mason City, one of a half-dozen people from Mason City or Clear Lake who traveled to Des Moines to state their opposition to the incentives. Its to their advantage to be here. We dont have to pay them to come here. Board member David Bernstein of Sioux City said the economic development board is not permitted to consider environmental issues, that those rulings are made by local officials and the state Department of Natural Resources. Bernstein said the proposal meets all the economic requirements the board has established for state incentives and the award is similar to others the board has given, including the previous award to Mason City. I see no other way than for us to support this, Bernstein said. Only one board member, Dawn Ainger of Hiawatha, voted against the incentives. The 675,000-square-foot plant will create 922 jobs, roughly a third of which must pay at least $15.54 per hour to qualify for the tax incentives, according to a board report. The $11.5 million state incentive package includes an $8.6 million tax credit and a $2.9 million tax refund. The project also has received a proposed $12.9 million in local assistance, including $8 million tax increment financing rebate from Wright County. As the complex that will be home to the Martin Luther King Interpretive Center and Plaza goes up at 5th and Brady streets in Davenport, Friends of MLK Inc. will host a public meeting Saturday to talk about the construction phase and to get community input on plans and exhibits. The meeting will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at United Neighbors Inc., 808 N. Harrison St., Davenport. This is our first introduction of the Friends of MLK since we became incorporated as a nonprofit, said Ryan Saddler, who is president of the Friends group. We want to give the public a brief update on construction and what we are thinking in terms of programming and displays for the interpretive center, Saddler said. The meeting is a chance for the public to become involved in the project and provide ideas for content in the interpretive center and the plaza, he said. The interpretive center is in the ground floor of Newbury Living, a three-story 24-unit apartment complex. The west one-third of the property is owned by the city and is intended as the site of the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park. The center and plaza are to be used to honor and educate people about the life and works of the civil rights leader. Frank Levy, president and owner of Newbury Living of West Des Moines, has said the apartment building is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Levy is paying for the shell of the interpretive center, including kiosks and cabinets, but the displays for the center still are being developed and will be funded privately. Friends of MLK will have a 30-year lease for the center, which will be about 2,000 square feet. The center will face west, where the plaza/park is intended to be built, and it will have entrances separate from the apartment building. While the interpretive center is moving forward, Saddler said the Friends group also needs to solidify plans for the plaza and begin fundraising for its construction as well as funding the center displays. We cant begin building on the plaza until the building is done, Saddler said, adding that federal Housing and Urban Development funds that were obtained for the building cannot be used for the plaza. We have to have different monies for the plaza. Well be putting forth our fundraising campaign for the plaza, soon, but since we are now a nonprofit, anyone who wants to donate now is welcome to do so. The Rev. Rogers Kirk, pastor of Third Missionary Baptist Church and vice president of the Friends group, has said he envisions the center as a place that would explain King's life and the national civil rights movement as well as African-American history in that particular area of Davenport. It also would be a place for meetings. The hard left can be an unforgiving crowd, not always mindful of the give-and-take required to get things done. Donald Trump's fascist-lite ravings are anathema to them, but with moderate Republicans migrating to Hillary Clinton, some on the left worry that a President Clinton might feel less obliged to push a vigorous liberal program. Or perhaps not. The political media thrives on a boiling pot. Clinton's widening lead in the polls drains some drama from the big story. The political punditry needs to drum up conflict, so why not revisit the alleged schism between Clinton and archliberals? The result is a largely fictional trend resting on a cherry-picked quote or two, but there you have it. If the alliance between Clinton and moderate conservatives means finding common ground with reasonable Republicans, that would be a positive development, would it not? It would be a throwback to the era when the two parties made war but also made legislation. Some of our friends on the right are saying, "Don't get your hopes up too high. This support for Clinton is a one-time deal." Once we bury the candidacy of the appalling Trump, it's back to the races. That's one possibility. Another is that Trump spreads his collapse down the ballot and a party (Republican or a new one) emerges from the rubble creating a right-of-center coalition able to work with the left-of-center one. It's hard to imagine sophisticated liberals doubting Clinton's devotion to the cause after her recent speech on economic policy. Unless it's been forgotten. (Clinton gave it a whole week ago.) So let's refresh memories. Clinton called for raising taxes on the rich and adding new taxes on high-frequency traders and companies moving overseas. She would gradually raise the federal minimum wage from today's paltry $7.25 an hour to $12 an hour. Clinton would also hike spending on roads, airports and other infrastructure -- and on green energy -- by nearly $300 billion, creating some 7 million jobs. She'd make state and community colleges tuition-free for middle-class families. These are core progressive proposals, some inspired or pushed along by Bernie Sanders' campaign. The Democratic Party platform, meanwhile, is being called the most progressive in history. So what would liberals complain about? It can't be that she welcomes the support of officials from the George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan administrations. The "we can't shake hands with the other party" is vulgar tea party militarism. (The Trump team would be doing backflips if prominent Democrats were defecting to its side.) We get it. Some liberals would prefer that the race center more on their good proposals and less on what's so horrifying about Trump. That could explain why Adam Green of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee framed Clinton's desire to do big-tent politics as a "double-edged sword." Green also noted that revulsion toward Trump could bring more progressives into Washington, and that would be a good thing. By the way, "moderate" is not a dirty word," but "mandate" may be becoming one. Some on the right are already saying, in the words of a former Ted Cruz aide, "Clinton is not likely to emerge with a legislative mandate." Let us recall that in the election of 2000, George W. won by 537 votes in Florida while losing the popular vote by a half-million. Nonetheless, he claimed a mandate, pushing through deep tax cuts for the rich, among other radical policies. The mandate is whatever the winner decides it is. And if you want to win the presidency in this highly divided country of ours, two blades are better than one. The following editorial appeared recently in The New York Times: Die-hard opponents of the 2010 health reform law, the Affordable Care Act, have often used its real and imagined problems to argue that it is fatally flawed. Now they are seizing on an announcement by Aetna that it will reduce its participation in the health insurance marketplaces set up by the law. Donald Trump's campaign called Aetna's move "the latest blow to this broken law that is slowly imploding under its regulatory red tape." This is hyperbole. The law has survived many setbacks, and it will overcome Aetna's decision, too. The law set up federal and state-run marketplaces where people who don't have health insurance through their employers or government programs like Medicare can buy coverage. Despite initial problems with HealthCare.gov, the federal program's website, and some state sites, the marketplaces have helped many Americans become insured. About 11 million people have bought policies, and the government provides tax credits to 85 percent of them to make the coverage affordable. But some big national insurers like UnitedHealth, Humana and now Aetna say they are losing too much money on marketplace policies. The reason is that the customers they signed up used more medical services than the insurers had anticipated. On Monday, Aetna said it would reduce the number of counties where it sells such policies to 242, from 778, citing a $200 million pretax loss on those policies in the second quarter. The company had sold marketplace policies to about 911,000 customers as of April. Aetna's decision will cause problems in some places. For example, Pinal County in Arizona might have no insurer selling marketplace policies for 2017 unless another company steps in to replace Aetna. But competition is more robust elsewhere. A Kaiser Family Foundation report published in July said that in 16 states and the District of Columbia, there would be an average of 5.8 insurers selling policies for 2017. That number was down from 6.5 in 2016 but about the same as in 2014. There have been questions about Aetna's motives. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, said the insurer could be pressuring the Justice Department to drop or settle a lawsuit it filed last month to block Aetna's proposed $37 billion acquisition of Humana. She and others have pointed out that as recently as April, Aetna's chairman and chief executive, Mark Bertolini, told analysts that he considered the company's presence in the marketplaces "a good investment." And in May, Aetna said that it might expand into other parts of the country. Aetna says that the lawsuit did not influence its decision to reduce participation. It is clear, however, that Congress should strengthen the marketplaces to ensure sufficient competition. For example, it could encourage more healthy people to buy insurance by extending tax credits to families that now earn too much to qualify. Many of those people find it cheaper to pay the tax penalty for not having insurance than to buy it. If more healthy people participated, more insurers would want to be on the exchanges. Congress and state governments could also consider offering a government insurance plan in rural areas and other places where there is little or no competition, as President Obama and Hillary Clinton have proposed. Any law as complex and comprehensive as the Affordable Care Act is bound to have some hiccups. The only sensible response to those problems is to improve the law. Candidate Bruce Rauner pledged to be a divergence from the corruption and cynical leadership that's plagued Illinois for too long. Last week, Gov. Bruce Rauner proved it was all bogus. He's just more of the same. Rauner really doesn't want up to 2 million new voters in Illinois by January 2018. In fact, the threat of enfranchising swaths of underrepresented minorities and poor was just too much to bear for the first-term Republican. On Friday, Rauner grabbed his veto pen and struck down automatic voter registration, which would have made voters out of anyone receiving a driver's license. Rauner's administration has struggled to explain the last-minute veto. The legislation breezed through both houses of the General Assembly with sweeping bipartisan support. Automatic registration is on the legislative docket in about two dozen statehouses. Four have already approved it. More are expected to soon. But Rauner and Rauner alone, somehow, concluded the bill violated federal voting laws, an assertion unsupported by case law. Proponents rightfully went ballistic. They charged Rauner with single-handedly disfranchising blacks and Latinos, populations now incredibly underrepresented. They said Rauner wanted the effective date rolled back to 2019, after his re-election bid. Rauner has, by and large, avoided the absurd culture wars that consume too many of his fellow Republican governors. He's not calling for unconstitutional crackdowns on abortion clinics. Even on the voting front, he's not championing racially targeted voter ID laws, such as those in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Texas, all recently struck down in federal courts because they violated the Voting Rights Act. So far, Rauner has shown little desire to pick those fights. No, his battle is against bloated budgets, high taxes and powerful unions. He's even rightfully championed redistricting reform, which might help his cause. In general, Rauner stayed above the fray. At least, he did until Friday. Like those voter ID laws, Rauner's intent here is to keep those who might oppose him from the ballot box. Minorities, the thinking goes, tend to be solid Democrats. So, in Republican states, anything that can suppress minority turnout carries political benefits. So much for the 14th Amendment. The assumptions that drive moves like Rauner's veto are highly questionable. In 2008, sociologists Jack Citrin, Eric Schickler and John Sides called the entire theory into question in an op-ed in the Washington Post. Analysis of decades of Senate elections showed that even universal turnout wouldn't have swung most elections. Yes, Democrats do typically see a bump, but the non-voting public tends to be relatively politically aligned with the rest of society. The benefit of universal registration, others have argued, would be that it would force elected officials to pay attention to traditionally ignored populations. Rauner talked a good game in 2014. He toured Illinois, promising to deviate from the waste, corruption and self-interest that's made the state one of the country's most broken. It was always clear that most of his promises were impossible thanks to Democratic legislative control. But, in general, he worked to make gains, while suppressing the shameful instincts that favor self-preservation over representative government. On Friday, he just couldn't quell those compulsions any longer. NATION U.S. sends jets to protect forces The U.S. scrambled fighter aircraft Thursday to protect American special operations forces and allies from Syrian government warplane attacks near the northeastern Syrian city of Hassakeh, the Pentagon said Friday. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said the U.S. has increased combat air patrols in that area and has warned Syria that America will defend coalition troops. He also said he believes this is the first time the U.S. has scrambled aircraft in response to an incident like this involving Syrian government bombings. He said a small number of U.S. commandos were in the area training and advising Syrian Democratic Forces. The strikes, he said, "did not directly impact our forces. They were nearby - close enough that it gives us great pause." Bus collide; 2 die, 17 hurt Two commuter buses slammed into each other in downtown Newark on Friday morning, killing a veteran driver and a passenger and injuring 17 others, including several critically, authorities said. A New Jersey Transit bus just starting its route and carrying no passengers slammed into the side of another NJ Transit bus carrying about 20 passengers at around 6 a.m. at a downtown intersection. Joseph Barthelus, the driver of the bus carrying no passengers, was killed. He had worked for NJ Transit for 27 years, the agency said. A female passenger on the other bus died later Friday, said Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County prosecutor's office. Sailor gets prison for taking nuke sub photos A Navy sailor was sentenced Friday to a year in prison for taking photos of classified areas inside a nuclear attack submarine while it was in port in Connecticut. Kristian Saucier, of Arlington, Vermont, appeared in federal court in Bridgeport, where a judge also ordered him to serve six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring during a three-year period of supervised release after the prison time. He pleaded guilty in May to unauthorized detention of defense information and had faced five to six years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. Saucier admitted to taking six photos of classified areas inside the USS Alexandria in 2009 when it was in Groton and he was a 22-year-old machinist mate on the submarine. The photos showed the nuclear reactor compartment, the auxiliary steam propulsion panel and the maneuvering compartment, prosecutors said. WORLD Greek coast guard rescues migrants Greece's coast guard on Friday rescued dozens of migrants whose boat ran aground on a deserted islet off southwestern Greece, while another boat landed on the Aegean Sea resort island of Mykonos, well west of the normal migrant route. The coast guard said the first vessel appeared to have been carrying migrants trying to clandestinely reach Italy from Greece. It hit rocks on Sapientza, off the southwestern tip of the Peloponnese, and took on water. All 67 people on board the 27-foot wooden craft were picked up safe. Iraqi forces push back IS fighters Iraqi forces pushed Islamic State fighters out of a pocket of territory near the key western city of Ramadi on Friday evening, the military said, following a string of recent victories against the Sunni militant group in the sprawling western Anbar desert. Iraqi forces are now largely moving north, ahead of an eventual push on the country's second-largest city of Mosul, which has been under Islamic State group's control for the past two years. Mosul is also the IS's last remaining urban bastion in Iraq. The development came as a powerful Iraqi Shiite cleric in Baghdad expressed discontent with the country's new ministers appointed this week, after months of political wrangling a reflection of the still simmering political crisis. My observations and sightings in nature. South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Bader wants to get back to work. Bader, the trooper who was badly injured in an attack following a drug-related traffic stop last year, is asking for his belongings to be released from evidence as he prepares to return to work by months end. In a Rapid City courtroom on Thursday, Pennington County States Attorney Mark Vargo told Seventh Circuit Judge Wally Eklund that Bader has asked for the return of his personal items, including his badge holder and a letter from his daughter. The items are being held as evidence in a criminal case almost a year after the Oct. 24, 2015, incident. According to authorities, Bader was assaulted after he stopped a Suburban carrying four people along Interstate 90, in Pennington County, and discovered drugs in the vehicle. Bader, a Hot Springs native, suffered serious injuries, including facial fractures. Three of the vehicles occupants have since pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and being an accessory to a crime. In a deal with prosecutors, they agreed to testify against the other passenger who is accused of beating up Bader. Donald Willingham, 34, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and commission of a felony with a firearm. The Renton, Wash., resident faces maximum penalties of five to 25 years in prison on the various offenses. On Thursday, the court conducted its second hearing on Willinghams request to throw out statements he made to authorities. The defense argues they were obtained in violation of his rights. Lawyers for both sides are scheduled to discuss the issue again in court in October. Willinghams lawyers did not oppose the prosecution's request to release Baders personal belongings. The letter from Baders daughter is a memento the trooper carries around with him, deputy states attorney Joshua Hendrickson told the Journal. Official property of the highway patrol, such as Baders gun and holster, will remain filed as evidence, Hendrickson said. Vargo said at the hearing that the prosecution opposed Willinghams request for a change in trial venue, describing it as premature at this point. Willingham asked the court in July to move his trial out of Pennington County, saying local publicity has prejudiced the county jury pool. The court will take up the matter after it rules on whether to allow the suppression of Willinghams statements to authorities. The Department of Public Safety, which encompasses the South Dakota Highway Patrol, declined to comment on Baders return to work. Bader is stationed in Rapid City and has been with the highway patrol for a decade, according to a previous DPS press release. Willingham is detained at the Pennington County Jail on a $5 million bond, while the other defendants are out on bail. Gov. Dennis Daugaard said the state will not fight the renaming of Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak, and will accept a decision from a federal board that formally changed the name of South Dakota's highest mountain. In an exclusive interview with the Rapid City Journal, the governor said Thursday he will accept the federal renaming decision, even though South Dakota was under no legal pressure to accept the new name. With his declaration, Daugaard removed a final obstacle to full implementation of the controversial name change. I dont want the state to have one name and the feds another, Daugaard said, so we will make the change. His comments end a week of speculation about whether state government will honor the Aug. 11 decision by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to rename the 7,242-foot mountain, which is South Dakota's tallest and is often called the nation's highest point east of the Rockies. The board said it made the change, which went against the recommendation of a South Dakota naming panel, because Harney Peak could be seen as insensitive to Native Americans. Daugaard's statement also could end nearly two years of controversy that split South Dakotans, sometimes along racial lines. William S. Harney, the peaks former namesake, was an Army officer in the 1800s who was known as an Indian fighter. Nicholas Black Elk, the peaks new namesake, was a Lakota Sioux holy man who was confined to reservation life around the turn of the 20th century. Daugaard said he spent part of the past week conferring with members of the state congressional delegation about whether the federal boards decision could be overturned. While that is possible congressional legislation could be sought to strike down the decision Daugaard said neither he nor the states members of Congress are willing to prioritize that task over other work. Daugaard said he will speak with his cabinet secretaries about how to implement the change on signs, maps, websites, tourism literature and any other state-produced references. That work is already under way within the federal government, which manages the peak as part of the Black Elk Wilderness area in the Black Hills National Forest. Last year, the South Dakota Board on Geographic Names recommended no change to the mountains name. The recommendation went unheeded at the federal level, and Daugaard said he remains concerned about the unilateral power wielded by the federal board. U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., was also critical of the federal board and said this week in a Journal interview that he may recommend changes to reduce the boards power. Those changes, if they happen, will be too late to influence the Harney Peak renaming. That was welcome news for Lakota elder Basil Brave Heart, of Pine Ridge, who proposed the name change in a September 2014 letter. Brave Heart considers Harney's name to be offensive because Harney led deadly campaigns against Native Americans, and because the peak named for him is within the Black Hills, an area of spiritual significance to some tribes. Modern Native American animosity toward Harney is focused mostly on the Battle of Ash Hollow in 1855 in present-day Nebraska, where he led troops who attacked and killed an estimated 86 Sioux people, including women and children. The attack was launched in retaliation for the so-called Grattan Fight of the previous year, when Sioux warriors killed 29 soldiers. Black Elk is known worldwide as the subject of the book "Black Elk Speaks," author John Neihardt's 1932 account of stories and spiritual visions related to him by Black Elk. More than 900,000 copies of the book have been sold since its first printing, according to the University of Nebraska Press. Brave Heart was not immediately available Thursday afternoon by phone, but he spoke to the Journal earlier in the week and said he and many other Native Americans hoped Daugaard would honor the federal boards decision. We dont want to be defined by a government that named a sacred Black Hills mountain after someone who committed an atrocity, Brave Heart said. This could really lift some negative energy off our backs. Daugaard did not attach the same degree of significance to the name change. In fact, he said, he thought the matter had concluded with the state boards recommendation. He was not aware it was under consideration by the federal board until a staffer informed him of the federal boards decision on the day it happened, Aug. 11. I have things that I think are more important to the state than what we name a place, he said. When asked if he thinks the name change is symbolically important for Native Americans, Daugaard said, only if theyre knowledgeable about history. The governor sidestepped a question about his personal preference of name for the mountain, but he allowed that "Black Elk Peak" is an acceptable choice. "If the name had to be changed, I like 'Black Elk' just fine," he said. Renee Parker decided to take stock of her life after her sister her younger sister, Denise Lammers of Custer died in December 2015. For Parker, the longtime leader of the regional United Way agency, her sister's passing led to a period of internal reflection. That sad but instructive experience led, in part, to Parker's decision to step down as executive director of United Way of the Black Hills after 23 years at the helm, a choice she revealed quietly earlier this year but which she made public on Thursday. When something touches you that deeply, you really take a look at life and whats really important, Parker said of her sister's death. On your last days here, what do you really want to focus on, and what do you want to remember, she said in an interview Thursday. That reflection really caused me to realize it was time to step away and spend more time with my family and the people I love the most. Parker informed the United Way board of directors earlier this year of her decision to retire effective Dec. 31 this year. After a nationwide search, the board announced this week the selection of Jamie Toennies to replace Parker as executive director. Toennies, a South Dakota School of Mines & Technology graduate, will come to Rapid City on Aug. 31, the day before the annual United Way kickoff campaign. Parker will stay on through the end of the year in an advisory role, she said. United Way board president Pauline Sumption said in a news release that Parkers tenure has seen United Way grow from $839,000 to more than $2.4 million in annual charitable donations, with $30 million in grants being awarded to 67 local non-profit organizations. We are proud of Renees work to make this region and this community stronger, said Sumption, who is the Rapid City finance director. Parker oversaw the construction of a new United Way office building on Sixth Street to replace an aging three-story structure. She also oversaw a 1998 expansion of United Way of Rapid City into a regional umbrella organization for chapters in Sturgis, and the northern and southern Black Hills. Sumption said Parker also provided leadership on the implementation of the annual Day of Caring and the Imagination Library Program, which focuses on early literacy and provides free books to more than 4,000 local children under the age of five every month. Parker said she is most proud of how the Black Hills community has come together to work on many important issues. Ive seen over the last 24 years that barriers have begun to be broken down. More people are joining hands realizing that were only as strong as our weakest link. We are so much stronger when we work together, she said. Speaking further, she said, When there are that many committed passionate people, you cant help but have growth and you cant help but be a better organization all the way around." Parker and her husband Dave plan to spend more time with their four grandchildren, with a fifth grandchild expected in September. She also wants to spend more time with her parents, age 90 and 86. I just want to focus on family. Thats the most important thing to me now, she said. Toennies is a 2001 Mines graduate, and earned her masters degree from the University of Iowa two years later. She has served as the Senior Director of Education Strategies for the United Way Suncoast, in Tampa, Fla., since 2011. Prior to her work with United Way, she served as the Director of Partnership Development for the YMCA in St. Petersburg, Fla. I have such fond memories from my time at Mines and it will be wonderful to be near my husband's family in Rapid City, Toennies said in a news release. I look forward to working with the United Way's many partners to continue creating positive impact for the community, she said in the release. PIERRE | South Dakota should offer more services to help older people live in their homes rather than be forced to move to nursing homes or other care facilities that are more expensive, a national consultant told a committee of legislators Thursday. Allan Bergman also advised the lawmakers that Medicaid could look very different in a year because of changes that U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., supports such as state block grants and spending caps. Bergman said South Dakota doesnt get its fair share from the federal Medicaid program while the state of New York gets more than its share. One of the lawmakers, Rep. Leslie Heinemann, R-Flandreau, said the committee must find more funding for Medicaid providers in South Dakota if there are going to be more home-based services. Heinemann asked where the savings are from a change in federal policy that was supposed to eliminate the need for state governments to provide co-payments for Indian Health Service patients outside of the IHS system. The savings were projected at $67 million annually for South Dakota, according to Heinemann, who is a dentist. But, he said, he hasnt received a continuing care contract that would eliminate the need for a state government co-payment for care of Indian Health Services patients at his clinic, which he said is six blocks down the street from an IHS facility. The committee, whose purpose is to study payment methodologies for Medicaid providers and make recommendations to the full Legislature for action next year, had agreed it wouldnt discuss the topic of Medicaid-eligibility expansion for the working poor. Gov. Dennis Daugaard considered asking the Legislature this year for the eligibility expansion and had pursued the IHS savings as a way to cover state governments additional cost for covering more people. But the plan didnt come together in time for the 2016 legislative session, which was focused on Daugaards priority of a sales-tax increase to pay for higher teacher salaries. He floated the idea of holding a special legislative session on Medicaid expansion but backed away after conservative Republicans won many victories in the June primary elections for legislative seats. Medicaid expansion now appears to be a divisive issue for the 2017 session. Heinemanns comments on Thursday were a preview. Sen. Deb Peters, R-Hartford, said a lot of work has gone into making arrangements with the federal Indian Health Service but, she continued, the federal agency that oversees Medicaid and Medicare wont work with South Dakota until there is Medicaid expansion. Thats where were at, Peters said. House Democratic leader Spencer Hawley of Brookings agreed the Medicaid expansion discussion isnt part of the committees scope of work. Hawley said the Legislature has to decide if it is going to expand coverage. He said the tribal governments wouldnt approve the IHS plan to eliminate the state co-payment without South Dakota proceeding on Medicaid expansion. You are not going to see any changes until we deal with the issue, Hawley said. The legislative committee plans two more meetings in the next two months, according to its chairwoman, Rep. Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton. Hunoff said she agreed with Heinemann that funding must be considered but the committee needs some kind of idea of the cost for expansion of home-based services for older people. Sixty-six years ago today, Nicholas Black Elk journeyed into the spirit world. Born in the middle of prolonged siege and conflict, early on he took his place as a healer among the Oglala Lakota Oyate. It was his lifelong calling. As prophet, medicine man, Catholic catechist, and eventually spiritual and cultural ambassador for Lakota traditions, despite his own harsh experiences as a child from the Little Big Horn to surviving the Wounded Knee Massacre, Black Elk became a bridge builder across the steep chasm between races that persists in sizable pockets today. Persist indeed it does. Witness the immediate outrage among South Dakotas elite political class to the He Sapas highest peak being renamed in Black Elks honor. A fig leaf couldnt cover Governor Daugaards weak and silly charge that few people knew or cared, or that it would be confusing and expensive for South Dakotans. Perhaps nobody on his cocktail circuit knows or cares; as for expenses: how many highway signs have you read ever that pointed the way to Harney Peak? And if there are trail signs that need to be changed hmm I think the National Forest Service will take care of those. Daugaards dumb response, combined with an outbreak of old and hateful slurs directed at Native peoples in various media outlets, underlines a pernicious reality: in various precincts, the old divide still runs thick just beneath the surface. Much healing remains, and Nicholas Black Elk, by virtue of his life, will certainly help to bring it. In his famous vision when he was nine-years-old, the young Ik`che Wicasa saw a vision of eventual unity. And I saw the sacred hoop of my people was one of the many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father. Keep in mind his vision came before Custers last stand or the outrage at Wounded Knee, and still he carried this ark of hope into the present. Black Elk could have become bitter and seethed with resentment and hate. Many did. Rather, he became the bearer of a message of unity and peace. And, remaining a faithful pipe carrier, he surrendered to his savior, Jesus Christ. Wednesday, I traveled with a friend down to Manderson, S.D. to visit Nicholas Black Elks grave. The old Lakota holy man has long mystified and inspired me since I first read Neihardts seminal work, Black Elk Speaks in a religion class at the old Jesuit run Holy Rosary Mission. Besides seeing old friends and family members, the power I find in every visit to the rez is how the past is made immediately present. Black Elks grave site lies amidst a scene of clay buttes, Dakota pines and rolling buffalo grass that he himself must have ridden horseback over in his youth. Standing there in the quiet, observing all that he loved: again for me, Black Elk spoke. WASHINGTON | Let us now praise the most reviled group of people in America: so-called "elites." And how about a round of applause for the hated "mainstream media" as well. If you listen to Donald Trump, or even if you paid attention to Bernie Sanders during the primary season, you might think all the nation's problems can be blamed on two pointy-headed cabals. The "elites" who rigged the system to benefit themselves at the expense of everyone else; and the puppy-dog "mainstream media" or "MSM," also known as the "corporate media," who were complicit. Even as the Trump campaign devolves into raving lunacy and most Sanders supporters line up behind Hillary Clinton, the idea lives on: "Regular" or "everyday" Americans have been failed by out-of-touch elites and the MSM who basically have screwed up the country. Such thinking is no more sound than Trump's conviction that all the nation's ills should be blamed on Mexicans and Muslims. First, the elites: Who are they, anyway? I've always tried to avoid using the term because it is so imprecise as to be virtually meaningless. If it means those with exceptional wealth, power or influence, then surely a billionaire such as Trump and a U.S. senator such as Sanders would qualify as members. If you fly around in a private jet with your name on the side, or sit among just 535 men and women who get to write the nation's laws, you're obviously not what anyone would call ordinary. I suppose their supporters might see them as traitors to their class. Often the word "elites" is used to mean "experts," as in "foreign policy elites have made a tragic mess of the Middle East" or "economic policy elites have given away the store in lopsided free-trade agreements." Let's assume that both these propositions are true. It is a matter of historical fact that the architects of the Iraq War the single biggest U.S. foreign policy blunder in my lifetime and the authors of NAFTA and other free-trade pacts were, indeed, recognized experts in their fields. But what makes anyone think the Middle East would be less bloody, or the Islamic State less of a terrorist threat, if U.S. policy had been run by people who had no expertise who knew nothing about the region's history, religious schisms or ethnic divides? Or that a better Trans-Pacific Partnership pact could be negotiated by someone wholly unfamiliar with the arcane minutiae of international trade agreements? Ignorance is not a virtue. Knowledge is not a vice. Pointy-heads who spend years gaining expertise in a given field may make mistakes, but the remedy is to replace them with pointy-heads who have different views not with know-nothings who would try to navigate treacherous terrain on instinct alone. (See: Trump's policy positions on, well, anything.) As for the much-disparaged media, I get emails every day from people who demand to know why we in the "MSM" or "corporate media" are covering up some scandal. The emails then go on to describe said scandal at great length and in microscopic detail, often quoting stories from The Washington Post, The New York Times, NBC News or other leading media outlets. I often write back that if we're trying to cover up the outrage in question, we're obviously doing a lousy job. One of the glories of this country is that anybody with a website can be a journalist. One of the realities, however, is that only news organizations of a certain size have the resources and, yes, the expertise to unearth some stories. There are exceptions, of course bloggers who come to own a certain niche of subject matter, say, or scribes who know every nook and cranny of a given community. But day in and day out, it's the MSM that delivers the goods. Many who attack the media for being feckless or out of touch really have a different complaint: You should spend more column inches and air time reinforcing my view of the world. Sorry, but that's not what we're here for. When he bought The Washington Post in 1933, Eugene Meyer published a set of seven "principles," which began with this one: "The first mission of a newspaper is to tell the truth as nearly as the truth may be ascertained." There is such a thing as the truth, just as there is such a thing as valuable expertise. Even if it's "elite" and "mainstream" to say so. The eminent Butte novelist David Abrams is a specialist at finding fantastic humor in deadly situations. But even Mr. Abrams could not create a more absurdist setting than the one laid out for us over the past few decades a few miles west of here, courtesy of a shockingly somnolent EPA and a cavalcade of chemical-company owners wriggling with the responsibility for a truly fearsome waste site. Imagine a site littered with radioactive slag and scrap metal. A site where bricks burst into flame. A site where half a million gallons of highly explosive sludge sits waiting for a bureaucrat to do something. For the better part of two decades. That's how long the Environmental Protection Agency has been protecting nothing but the distressing status quo at a site with the horrifying capacity to make Ramsay a very bad memory. As detailed in a story in The Montana Standard, the agency, along with the state Department of Environmental Quality, raided the site in 2000, discovering the frightening residue of the shuttered phosphorus-plant operation, and hauling the then-owner, Rhodia Corp., into federal court, where the company pleaded guilty to two felonies and eventually paid the federal government more than $16 million and another nearly $2 million to the state. Fair enough. Good work. But what has EPA done with that money since then to make the site safe? Very little. The agency is still considering several exceedingly unpleasant options, including capping the sludge but leaving it in place, with all the attendant dangers; removing it for disposal elsewhere; and building a plant to recover and treat the deadly chemical. Butte deserves better. The fact the site, particularly the sludge-fouled tank, has been left basically untouched for so long is scandalous, considering its present threat to the environment and its potential threat to public health. We also must admit that the thought of building a plant to extract and treat the phosphorus, even though it would represent a new industry in the area, gives us pause. The plant would cost at least $25 million for the current site owner, Solvay, to build and it would recover only $2.5 million worth of chemical from the waste on site. That leaves the inescapable conclusion that the company would want to bring at least ten times as much phosphorus to the site for treatment, in order to recoup its investment. That's a lot of a hugely dangerous chemical to bring here. In any event, we deserve a decision and a real cleanup plan, not years of bureaucratic inertia. CHEYENNE, Wyo. | Removing a Wyoming judge from the bench because she won't perform same-sex weddings would violate her constitutional rights, her lawyer told the state's top court Wednesday. But a lawyer for the Wyoming Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics told the state Supreme Court that Judge Ruth Neely clearly violated the state code of judicial conduct by saying she wouldn't preside over weddings for people of the same gender. The Wyoming Supreme Court says it will issue a written opinion. The case has similarities to legal action against a Kentucky clerk of court jailed briefly in 2015 after refusing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. Neely, who's not a lawyer, is a municipal judge in Pinedale and has been suspended from her position as a circuit court magistrate in Sublette County. The ethics commission investigated Neely after she told a reporter in 2014 that she wouldn't preside over same-sex marriages. Her lawyers said no same-sex couples have asked her to perform their marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that same-sex couples nationwide may marry. Lawyer James Campbell of the Alliance Defending Freedom, an Arizona religious advocacy law firm, spoke for Neely at Wednesday's hearing. "This case presents significant First Amendment issues," he told the five judges. Campbell said Neely only had expressed her opinion about the institution of marriage and hadn't done anything to show bias or prejudice. "In 21 years on the bench, Judge Neely has never faced allegations that she's been unfair to anyone," he said. Many prominent judges as well as major world religions share Neely's opposition to same-sex marriage, Campbell said. But commission lawyer Patrick Dixon countered that while Neely has a right to private religious beliefs, the court must remove her from office for violating the code of conduct. He said the code prohibits all state judges from magistrates through supreme court justices from displaying through their words or actions bias against people on the basis of sexual orientation or other factors. Dixon said Neely's case amounted to, "a low point and a black mark in the history of the judiciary in Wyoming." The Kentucky case against clerk Kim Davis, a conservative Christian, sparked a national debate over the religious freedom of civil servants versus the civil rights of same-sex couples. Davis ultimately agreed to alter the licenses to remove her name and title. In Neely's case, the Wyoming Supreme Court rejected attempts from a group of current and former Wyoming lawmakers as well as national religious organizations to file "friend of the court" briefs in support of Neely. Neely and Campbell declined comment after the court hearing. Jason Marsden, executive director of the Denver-based Matthew Shepard Foundation and a former Wyoming resident, said Wednesday that society sets standards of judicial conduct for a reason. "It's meant to assure the public that everyone that sits on the bench is impartial, and handles cases on their merits, and on the facts and not on any other basis," Marsden said. "For (Neely) to make the statement that a big chunk of the public is simply not welcome to exercise their constitutional rights in her courtroom flies in the face of everyone's First Amendment protection that we don't have an official state religion." The foundation is named after the University of Wyoming student who was beaten, tied to a fence and left for dead in 1998. His slaying became a rallying cry in the gay rights movement and a federal hate crimes law now bears his name. Russian antimonopoly agency detects massive price-fixing scheme in drug market MOSCOW, August 19 (RAPSI) The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia has detected a potential cartel operating across a greater part of the countrys territory to prop up the prices at auctions for procurement of pharmaceuticals and other medical products for state and municipal needs, the watchdog says in its statement on Friday. The agency suspects several large Russian companies to be cartel participants. According to FAS, price fixing was detected at more than 700 auctions, whereas some of the defendants have a record of being involved in similar cases. Cartels harm both the state budget and directly citizens. Cahoots existing in such a socially significant sphere as public health result in a growth in prices of drugs and medical services. Detecting and suppressing such cartels is the FAS primary goal, Andrey Tsarikovsky, a FAS Deputy Head, said. According to the antimonopoly watchdog, there were registered no or minimal (0.5% to 2%) decreases in the initial ceiling contract prices of pharmaceuticals and medical products, where these companies participated in procurement. In spite of clear indications of cahoots, no non-compliance reports were submitted by healthcare organizations in relation to these facts. No other sector today is so exposed to such a massive influence of anticompetitive practices, Andrey Tenishev, the head of the FAS Anti-cartel Directorate, stressed. FAS is ready to fine the cartel members in the nearest future. Refusal to open case against Domodedovo owner over 2004 terror attacks appealed MOSCOW, August 19 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul) Refusal to launch a new criminal case against Domodedovo owner Dmitriy Kamenshchik in relation to 2004 terror attacks in the airport has been appealed, lawyer for the victim party Igor Trunov told RAPSI on Friday. Relatives of terror attacks victims demanded to initiate the case against the airports owner because, according to them, suicide attackers boarded the plane due to the fault of Kamenshchik who had not organized normal security system in Domodedovo. Investigators and prosecutors did not find grounds for institution of such criminal case. There were no particular facts and circumstances which could be used as a reason for reopening of investigation, according to them. On August 5, Moscows Basmanny District Court upheld investigators refusal to open the case against Kamenshchik. On August 24, 2004 two organized terror attacks at Domodedovo airport were carried by suicide bombers and resulted in destruction of two airplanes and deaths of 90 people. Three persons have been already convicted in the case. Former police officer Mikhail Artamonov received a 6-year prison term; ticket scalper Armen Arutyunyan and ex-employee of Siberia Airlines Nikolai Korenkov were sentenced to 1.5 years in prison each. Currently, Kamenshchik is a defendant in the 2011 terror attack criminal case. He was charged with the provision of services that do not meet security standards. He pleads not guilty. A suicide bomber detonated a bomb in the Domodedovo Airports international arrivals hall, killing 37 people and injuring 172, on January 24, 2011. Doku Umarov, Russias most wanted terrorist at the time, claimed responsibility for the attack. Altogether, 28 men connected with the terrorist organization called the Caucasus Emirate were linked to the attack, according to the investigators. Seventeen of them were killed in special operations in 2011, and four were detained. In November 2013, a Moscow Region court sentenced three men to life in prison and a fourth man to 10 years for their role in the suicide bombing. Sentence against medic for killing patient with punch appealed again MOSCOW, August 19 (RAPSI) Defense lawyers have filed a cassation appeal against a 9-year sentence given to ex-surgeon of a Belgorod clinic Ilya Zelendinov for punching a patient with a lethal strike, RIA Novosti reported on Friday. According to investigators, the incident happened on December 29, 2015 when a man who later became a victim was put in a clinic. During one of the procedures a man allegedly kicked a nurse which prompted Zelendinov to come to her defense. Expertise showed that victim died from acute heart failure caused by a strike in the neck. No signs of psychological disorders were found during Zelendinovs examination. On March 24, Zelendinov was sentenced to 9 years and 2 months in penal colony for intended infliction of serious bodily injury. The court also prohibited Zelendinov from practicing medicine for three years. Zelendinov and his defense lawyers appealed the sentence insisting on requalification of the article he was tried under to Causing death by accident. The Belgorod Region Court in May upheld the sentence but ruled that Zelendinov had committed the crime having indirect intent to do grievous harm. Bitterroot College is offering a new course designed to meet a growing need in the medical field for technicians qualified to draw blood for testing. The 90-hour Phlebotomy Technician Program has been in the works for about year, said Bitterroot College HealthCARE Transformation Specialist Jenny Moore. We took the HealthCARE Montana team, the Bitterroot College staff and subject-matter experts at Marcus Daly (Troy Hanson, Deb Hanson and Michele Adams) and started to meet a year ago, Moore said. We were discussing the need for more than a two-day certification. Moore found a 90-hour program that covers anatomy and physiology, phlebotomy concepts and prepares the students to take the Nationally Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam. Passing that exam qualifies phlebotomists to work anywhere in the United States. When the HealthCARE Montana team and the Marcus Daly team saw the curriculum and topics the program covers they said, yes, this is what we are looking for, Moore said. On top of that the students are able to take the exam to be a phlebotomy technician. Montana does not have a certification requirement and that was tough for Marcus Daly because they wanted to hire certified phlebotomy techs. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospitals laboratory department head, Michele Adams, said she was excited to have the program offered in Ravalli County. Phlebotomy duties vary by the size of your facility. In many large hospitals a phlebotomist role is primarily the collection of blood using techniques, skills and equipment to provide a safe and effective procedure, Adams said. At Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital phlebotomists duties are almost limitless. They are answering phone calls to assist providers and nurses, greeting and checking in patients upon arrival to laboratory, verifying physician orders, ordering lab tests, send lab results to requesting physician clinics and hospitals, operating electronic health records, collecting venous and capillary blood samples and processing other body fluid specimens as needed for reference testing for in- and out-of-state laboratories.. The technicians also collect blood samples for law enforcement in driving under the influence cases, pre-employment drug screens and for paternity testing. The scope of a phlebotomists duties continues to expand. They have a very patient-sensitive role, Adams said. They need excellent interpersonal communication skills to deal effectively with patients, treat their families with respect, handle special needs and establish effective work relationships with other members of our health care family. It is very difficult to try and teach all these responsibilities in a very busy, noisy environment, where your priorities are shifting continually based on need, she said. We have needed this program to help prepare individuals that are interested. The Bitterroot College teaches the required classes on campus and proctors the national test. Classes start Oct. 3. They will be held on Monday and Tuesday evenings 6-9 p.m. and every other Saturday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We really wanted to gear the program towards individuals who are currently going to school for a health care degree or students working full-time, Moore said. Additionally, we want this to fit around other college courses that we offer. It is not a full semester, but is set up to look like it. You feel like you are part of the college community. Moore said Bitterroot Job Service has been supportive. They have had a say in the program as well and are excited to explore funding opportunities with qualified candidates, she said. They support so many workforce programs at our school like CDL, CNA and the welding tech program. Moore said the cost of the course is nearly $2,000 but there are many funding opportunities because of the colleges rural setting. The Phlebotomy Technician Program has room for up to 20 people. The only requirement is the student must be 18 years of age. High school students meeting the age requirement could apply. The class is very accommodating to the high school schedule if they are 18, Moore said. Moore said the curriculum at Bitterroot College is through Condensed Curriculum International, which works with over 400 university or college institutions nationwide. If this is successful and we get good feedback from Marcus Daly and good feedback from the students we can really start exploring other health care programs that are not available. We wanted phlebotomy tech because we dont want to overlap with Missoula College. We are their partners. We want to make sure we are providing a program that people can use, take here, use their certification and take the next step to their next health care career. It is exciting. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Few architects have meant more to the history of downtown Syracuse than Joseph Silsbee. The Chicago-born Silsbee designed the White Memorial Building, Amos Building and Syracuse Savings Bank, as well as many residences across Upstate New York. Silsbee designed 7 Brattle Road for his daughter Margaret and her husband, Frank Edward Wade. Margaret sold the home in 1936, six years after her husband's death. The home passed through several owners until Colleen and Joseph Finelli Jr. purchased the home in 1992. The house needed work, but the couple, captivated by the beautiful views from every window, decided "it was a house worth saving," Joseph Finelli Jr. said. "We always felt we were stewards of this house," he said. "We feel like the house picked us." Over the next two decades, they rebuilt the six fireplaces, added a new roof and chimney and restored the mansion to its original magnificence. The home was among the six stops on the 2016 Save the Mansion tour, a benefit for the George & Rebecca Barnes Foundation. The "Adirondack Room" in the finished basement, completed in 2010, is a departure from the home's classic feel. But the Finellis made sure to do the job right. They brought in artisans from the Adirondacks to recreate the feel of an Adirondack Great Camp, complete with custom furniture, full kitchen, wet bar and cabinets finished with birch bark. "We wanted to bring some of the Adirondacks home," Joseph Finelli Jr. said. Though not quite the wilderness of the Adirondacks, the 0.70-acre propertyone of the largest lots in Sedgwickbacks up to the unfenced backyards of neighbors on Brattle and Burlingame roads, creating its own little park. "It's a beautiful area," Joseph Finelli Jr. said. The spacious 5,542-square-foot homenot including the third-floor apartment/guest suite that pushes the total living area past 7,000 square feet was home to Sunday family dinners and countless parties and celebrations. Their seven grandchildren would play in the sun room, Colleen Finelli's favorite room in the house. "All the fun stuff happens in the kitchen or sun room," she said. With all the children moved out and Joseph Finelli Jr., an oral surgeon in Camillus, close to retirement, the couple is looking to downsize. They're having a new, smaller house built in Jamesville. THE DETAILS Address: 7 Brattle Road, Syracuse, N.Y., 13203 Price: $699,000 Size: 5,542 square feet Acreage: 0.69 acres Monthly Mortgage: $2,489 (based on this week's national average rate of 3.43 percent, according to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment. Fees and points not included.) Taxes: $11,200 (Based on assessed value of $366,460) Built: 1913 School District: Syracuse Living room: The daughter of the second owners, John and Dorothy Albright, was married by the large bay window in the living room on Christmas Day in 1943. Kitchen: The massive kitchen was once five separate rooms. It now includes two center islands, two sinks, an eight-burner stainless steel commercial range, double wall ovens, granite countertops and a Sub-Zero side-by-side refrigerator with a wood cabinet finish to help it blend in to the custom cabinetry. Dining room: The dining room and one of the second-floor bedrooms have canvas balloon ceilings, supported with piano wire. Sun room: The four-season sun room doubles as a second living room. The three walls of windows let in ample amounts of natural light. A set of glass doors leads to the stone patio. Master suite: The master suite was once four separate rooms--summer bedroom, vestibule, bathroom and the winter bedroom, which was closest to the fireplace. It's the largest of the home's seven bedrooms. Master bathroom: The house has four full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. The master bath, which was once a guest bedroom, has all marble tile and countertops, a marble shower with six shower heads, jetted tub and its own gas fireplace. Study: A door off the sitting area in the master bedroom leads to the office. Like the sun room directly below it, the study has wrap-around windows. Third floor: What was once the home for the maid, chauffeur and other help is now a space for guests, or can be rented as a separate apartment. Other: The house is wired with an intercom system in 10 rooms. The yards have built-in irrigation systems and several rooms in the home, as well as the patio, are wired for sound. A four-car garage is attached to the basement. Agent: Geoffrey Aumiller Realty USA 102 West Seneca Turnpike, Suite 110, Manlius, N.Y., 13104. Phone: (315) 682-9500 Email: gaumiller@realtyusa.com To nominate a listing for House of the Week send an email to home@syracuse.com. Contact Jacob Pucci at jpucci@syracuse.com or (315) 766-6747 and follow him on Twitter @jacobpucci. iStock/Thinkstock(BOSTON) -- A group of good Samaritans recently helped rescue three people trapped underneath a car that had run them over in Boston, according to police. The three victims had been walking on a crosswalk around noon on Thursday "when a silver Mercedes-Benz operated by Shantiqua Steele, 25, of Needham, ran the red light and struck them, partially trapping the victims beneath the vehicle," the Boston Police Department's Office of Media Relations told ABC News Friday in a statement. Steele then exited the car and fled, according to police. Meanwhile, a group of good Samaritans worked together and "lifted the car and dragged the victims to safety," police said. The victims were found "lying in the street being tended to by several witnesses" when officers arrived to the scene, police said. The victims were later transported to nearby hospitals "for treatment of non-life threatening injuries," police added. Witnesses helped police locate Needham inside a nearby building, and she was placed into custody, police said. "During the investigation it was revealed that the suspect did not a have a drivers license," police said. Needham was issued several moving violations and was scheduled to appear in Boston Municipal Court Friday to be arraigned on charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, using a motor vehicle without authority and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury, police added. It was not immediately clear if Neeham had obtained a lawyer, according to Jake Wark, press secretary for the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. Wark told ABC News Friday that in the state of Massachusetts, a plea of not guilty is automatically entered for defendants prior to their arraignment. A spokeswoman for the Boston Municipal Court told ABC News the arraignment scheduled for Friday was still pending and that information about its outcome would be available later. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. A worker pours water for a patient at Haitias first permanent cholera center, run by Gheskio Centers, in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti on February 24, 2016. Photo: AP UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations is saying for the first time that it was involved in the introduction of cholera to Haiti and needs to do much more to end the suffering of those affected, estimated at more than 770,000 people. Researchers say there is ample evidence that cholera was introduced to Haitis biggest river in October 2010 by inadequately treated sewage from a UN peacekeeping base. The United Nations has never accepted responsibility, and has answered lawsuits on behalf of victims in US courts by claiming diplomatic immunity. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haqs statement referring to the UNs own involvement, which was sent to The Associated Press on Thursday, came a step closer to an admission of at least some responsibility and was welcomed by lawyers for the victims. This is a major victory for the thousands of Haitians who have been marching for justice, writing to the UN and bringing the UN to court, said Mario Joseph, a Haitian human rights attorney whose law firm is leading a high-profile claim on behalf of 5,000 cholera victims who blame the UN for introducing the disease. It is high time for the UN to make this right and prove to the world that human rights for all means for Haitians too, he said. Haq said in the statement that the United Nations has been considering a series of options, and a significantly new set of UN actions will be presented publicly within the next two months. He told reporters later that a UN-appointed panel already looked into the UNs involvement and found that a local contractor failed to properly sanitize the waste at the UN base. Weve been trying to see exactly what we can do about our own particular role as this has been going on and how to bring this outbreak to a close, he said. Haq wouldnt say whether reparations were under consideration. His statement on UN involvement was first reported by the New York Times. Five UN human rights experts criticised the United Nations in a letter to top UN officials late last year for its effective denial of the fundamental right of the victims of cholera to justice. At least one lawsuit was dismissed because of the UNs diplomatic immunity claim. But a U.S. federal appeals panel in New York is weighing whether the lawsuit that Haitian lawyer Joseph is involved in can proceed, or if the United Nations is entitled to immunity. Haq reiterated Thursday that the UNs legal position in claiming diplomatic immunity has not changed. According to government figures, cholera has sickened more than 770,000 people, or about 7 percent of Haitis population, and killed more than 9,200. As of March, it was killing an average of 37 people a month. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and only 24 percent of Haitians have access to a toilet. Sewage is rarely treated and safe water remains inaccessible to many. At a dusty crossroads on the outskirts of Haitis capital, local residents gathered Thursday at a trash-clogged stream to wash clothes and bathe. So now they are going to find a way to clean the disease from the country? Its been here for years and it seems like it is here to stay, said laborer Jhony Nordlius as he pushed a wheelbarrow past a fetid canal where children were splashing and collecting garbage. Maxcilus Vale, who ekes out a living shining shoes by the trash-clogged waterway, was more hopeful. Maybe now well get more sanitation and water treatment to help make cholera go away. I hope so because it has harmed many people, said Vale, as he washed his socks in a roadside pool of stagnant water. Researchers said cholera was first detected in the central Artibonite Valley and cited evidence that it was introduced to Haitis biggest river from a UN base where Nepalese troops were deployed as part of a peacekeeping operation which has been in the country since 2004. Cholera is endemic in Nepal. In December 2012, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced a $2.27 billion initiative to help eradicate cholera in Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic, which share the island of Hispaniola, but the ambitious 10-year plan is underfunded. According to a report last November, only $307 million has been received. Haq said the announcement of UN plans for new action to address cholera was made in response to a draft report by the UN special investigator on extreme poverty and human rights. Ahead of its release, likely in late September, he said we wanted to take this opportunity to welcome this vital report. Haq said its findings and recommendations will be a valuable contribution to the UN as we work towards a significantly new set of UN actions. Kathmandu, Nepal: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home affair Bimalendra Nidhi, who is now in India as the special envoy of the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, called on Indias President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday. Nidhi, Who is also the second man in the incumbent Dahal led government and senior leader of the Nepali Congress handed over President Bidya Devi Bhandaris invitation to Indias President Mukherjee during the visit at latters office on Friday evening . During the meeting the duo discussed on ranges of issues related to the bilateral relations. Responding to the letter of the President Bhandari, the Indian Head of the State Mukherjee said that his visit to Nepal would be fixed through diplomatic channel on mutually convenient time. Concerning over the recent political situation of Indian president Mukherjee said that India wanted to see peace, stability and progress in Nepal. 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Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Afia Nathaniel's drama Dukhtar was Pakistan's official entry to the Academy Awards back in 2015. While the film didn't receive the nomination, it was clear that this is a feature that resonated with audiences far beyond Pakistan's traditional film audiences. The film, co-produced by no less than half a dozen companies, is a watershed in the depiction of the Pakistani tribal crisis that affects thousands of residents of the country's remote nothern regions. The tribal areas act very much as minor fiefdoms in which women are frequently traded as political collateral. In Dukhtar, one mother has finally had enough and she makes a decision that will change everything. I reviewed the film as a part of the South Asian International Film Festival in November of 2014 and found myself moved beyond my own expectations: Director Afia Nathaniel has made what is both a harrowing and breathtaking cinematic adventure. Dukhtar is an expose of the appaling tribal practices in the furthest reaches of Pakistan, where the rule of central government holds no sway. Beyond that, it's the story of how easily humanity can be lot, and conversely, how hard it can be to preserve what humanity dwells within the innocent children around us all. Zainab sees terrible, terrible things, she is the victim of threats of physical and sexual violence, yet she bounces back in a way that only children can. While she will likely need the services of a therapist by the time she hits young adulthood, she'll be alive to do it, and that trade off isn't so bad. I'm not a big fan of message movies, and I'm not a huge fan of film that present themselves as essential. However, with Dukhtar, the illumination of these practices is something that any socially conscious person should find appalling. Much like with Titli, Liar's Dice, and any number of other Indian message movies, Dukhtar finds peace and passion in the plight of the downtrodden in this remote part fo the world. To reward that passion with attention and acknowledgement is the least we can do. Highly recommended. Upon a revisit, I am even more taken with the gorgeous cinematography, wonderful sound, and precise staging of the film in addition to the incredibly moving and gripping story. Pakistan isn't typically thought of as one of the great hubs for international film production, and Dukhtar on its own is hardly enough to a reason to change that perception. However, the film stands up very well in spite of what must have been some pretty stiff challenges and reveals the immense potential that exists in the Pakistani filmmaking community, and I find that incredibly exciting The Disc Dukhtar arrives on home video in the US from Kino International as a part of their new brand, Silk Road Pictures. Silk Road Pictures is an imprint dedicated to bringing South Asian cinema to American theaters and home video, an effort that is commendable on its own. With Dukhtar, Silk Road comes out of the gate strong with a beautiful presentation of an exceptionally well shot film. The natural beauty of Pakistan is stunningly captured on this disc in a way that I don't think many (including me) have seen before. The lone extra on this Blu-ray disc is a commentary track from director Afia Nathaniel, who has seen her film travel the world several times over on the festival circuit. Nathaniel is eloquent in discussing her film, and it's a film that really needs some context to fully appreciate. Overall, the first home video release from Silk Road is pretty good. If I had any real criticism, I'd say that I wish there was more context provided through interviews or featurettes, but, let's consider this a baby step in the right direction. Iran s cyberspace security authorities are investigating a string of fires in the country oil and gas facilities. Incidents or cyber sabotage? Once again, something of strange is happening in Iran, the Government of Teheran is investigating a recent string of incidents occurred in critical infrastructure in the country. The Irans Supreme National Cyberspace Council is investigating whether the oil and petrochemical fires were caused by cyber attacks, authorities fears that nation state actors may have launched an attack similar to Stuxnet. The first incident occurred on July 6, in the Bouali petrochemical plant on the Persian Gulf coast, a couple of days after the fire was put out, a liquefied gas pipeline exploded in the Marun Oil and Gas Production Company, unfortunately, a worker died. On July 29 another fire occurred at the Bisotoon petrochemical plant. The incidents were originally blamed on human error but after another explosion of a gas pipeline near Gonaveh the Iranian Petroleum Ministry started an investigation to understand the real cause of the anomalous string of incidents. The Iranian Petroleum Ministry, in charge of all of the affected sites denied the plants were sabotaged and the Iranian oil minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said the fires and explosions were due to technical faults and human error. reported the Time.com However when an explosion in a gas pipeline near Gonaveh, which killed a worker, and another fire in the Imam Khomeini petrochemical plant, occurred within hours of each other on Aug. 6, the ministry refused to comment until after investigations. Mr. Abolhassan Firouzabadi, the secretary of Irans Supreme National Cyberspace Council, confirmed that a team of investigators will work on the case trying to understand if the incidents are linked and if they were caused by a cyber attack. Abolhassan Firouzabadi, secretary of Irans Supreme National Cyberspace Council, says a team of experts will look at the possibility of cyberattacks as being a cause, Press TV reported on Sunday. Special teams will be sent to the afflicted sites to study the possibility of cyber systems having a role in the recent fires, he said. reported the Tehran Times. According to SCMagazine.com, Idan Udi Edry, CEO at Nation-E, speculates that the evidence leads experts into believing that the incidents being caused by a cyberattack. One indicator is that some of these attacks took place within hours of each other some people may chalk this up to coincidence, but the fact that several of these incidences took place within a few weeks gives us reason to believe an attacker learned how to successfully implement a cyberattack on Irans oil and gas facilities, then continued to keep doing so on larger scales, he told SCMagazine.com in an email. This string of incidents raises the debate on the security of critical infrastructure and the dangers of cyber attack. We all have in mind what has happened in 2010, when the systems at the Natanz nuclear facility were hit with the Stuxnet malware. Pierluigi Paganini (Security Affairs Iran, critical infrastructure) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Email Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). Sometimes I go to a coffeeshop in this city and I ask myself, "Does everyone work from home now?" Also, "Is everyone a graphic designer now?" I myself get too distracted to work productively from anywhere besides my kitchen, but some people can't get anything done at home because there are too many surfaces to wipe and talk shows to watch, so I get that. Below we bring you our favorite spots around town for getting work done whilst eating lunch and/or drinking six cups of coffee, and where they mostly don't mind you sitting there for hours. (R.I.P. Cafe Sophie, though.) And sorry if one of these is your secret favorite and it suddenly becomes less of a secret. Jay Barmann Andytown When Andytown co-owner Lauren Crabbe was dreaming of opening a coffee joint, the former journo says she had in mind all the things she wanted in a coffice. That translated to bag hooks and outlet at every one of the narrow tables jutting from the wall of the narrow Outer Sunset shop, and wifi that "reaches outside as well," co-owner Michael McCrory adds, making it possible to work from their sidewalk seating in the blazing westside sun. And, best of all, it pushes workaholics to be less so, with a 5 p.m. closing time that forces you to close your laptop and begin the rest of your life. Eve Batey 3655 Lawton Street at 43rd Avenue Borderlands Cafe My favorite part of Borderlands is that, when you get bored with whatever you're supposed to be doing, you can grab a magazine or a sci-fi novel from their bookstore and disappear into another world altogether. Sure, they don't have much in the way of food, so you might need to dip out around lunch, but the coffee's fine. It's quiet sometimes strangely quiet which is cool for working, if not for having a spirited discussion or phone call. And, be warned, they turn the wi-fi off at 5 p.m., which, let's be real, is a healthy and smart thing to do. Caleb Pershan 870 Valencia Street between 19th and 20th Streets Photo: Michela P./Yelp Cafe Flore The Castro's well loved, 43-year-old indoor-outdoor cafe and bar, Cafe Flore, is currently up for sale and may end up changing in the near future. But, hopefully not, and for now it remains a comfortable place to have afternoon meetings, especially on the outdoor patio, or get some work done the wi-fi, though, is only semi reliable, and there are no outlets, so don't ask. Food-wise you should probably stick to salads and egg dishes, and it's always a bonus to be able to order up a gin and tonic at the bar as soon as the workday is done. Jay Barmann 2298 Market Street at Noe, open weekdays 10 a.m. to midnight, 8 a.m. on weekends Photo via Yelp. Coffee Bar With one of the best cold-brews in the city, and a killer patio to boot, the Mission's Coffee Bar remains a neighborhood favorite and a comfortable place to work. Whether that means hunkering over a laptop all day (decent wifi and outlets abound), or meeting with a client, there's usually available seating both inside and out for your business needs. Unlike some of the other coffeeshops on this list, Coffee Bar also has a great lunch menu meaning you don't even need to interrupt your work to chow down come break time. If you don't want to be disturbed, post up at the counter overlooking the entrance and drop on some headphones you'll fit right in. Jack Morse 1890 Bryant Street (entrance is on Mariposa at Florida) The espresso cup and saucer chandelier at Espressamente Illy. Photo: Andrew D./Yelp Espressamente Illy When you want an above-average espresso or macchiato, along with some dainty tea sandwiches or delicious pastry (for a price) in the Castro, this is where to get it and also get some work done. It's stylish and modern inside with lots of white, and it will make you feel like a fashion executive in Milan as you dash off an email to Miuccia and sip your double shot. The secluded back patio is especially nice if you can get a seat, but one caveat: This is a cafe first and foremost, and their wi-fi is, probably on purpose, very terrible. So if you've got heavy internet work to do and no Xfinity wi-fi account, you may want to head down the street to Weavers or Cafe Flore for a (slightly) better connection. Jay Barmann 2349 Market Street near 17th Photo via Yelp. Haus Coffee When you absolutely need to get that work done, head to Haus. The coffeeshop on 24th Street has plenty of places to sit, both inside and on their back patio, great wi-fi, tons of extension cords guaranteeing you can find an outlet, and, perhaps most importantly, few distractions. Most of the customers are either engrossed in a book of some sort or feverishly typing away. If you're looking to strike up a conversation with an engaging stranger, this isn't the place for you. If your goal is to get down to business, however, Haus has you covered. Jack Morse 3086 24th Street Between Folsom Street and Treat Avenue A photo posted by Java Beach Cafe (@javabeachsf) on Dec 15, 2015 at 5:38pm PST Java Beach Cafe There are two Java Beach locations in SF one by the Zoo, the other at the N turnaround at the end of Judah Street. It's the latter one I'm concentrating on here: While the Zoo one is fine, the Judah one is a community hub, second home, and daily workspace for many west siders, folks who greet each other as they sit down every morning like it actually is an office, albeit one punctuated by cries for staffers for patrons to pick up their orders. With large tables big enough for your laptop, study materials, and a full meal, their floor is dotted with enough power strips and extension cords to ensure every redlined battery has a chance to revive itself. Best of all, during the week they open at 5:30 a.m. and remain open until 11 p.m., so if you can't get everything done in that timeframe, well, that's on you. Eve Batey 1396 La Playa Street At Judah Street Kevin Y. via Flickr Mercury Cafe A great place to linger with the newspaper or on your laptop, tune into Mercury's blazing fast wi-fi and chow down on some Eggs McMercury (biscuits with eggs, cheese, and tomato). There's plenty of seating, a bunch of outlets, and they're very friendly, which matters, because you couldn't overstay your welcome if you tried. Don't try though. If there is some, take in the sun in the parklet out front. Caleb Pershan 201 Octavia Boulevard between Lily and Page Streets Photo: Yelp Nook Tiny little Nob Hill cafe Nook becomes a cozy wine bar at night, and 11 years in they're still going strong at the corner of Hyde and Jackson, with outdoor seating and a view of the cable cars. They keep things simple food-wise with an excellent hummus plate, bagels, salads, and sandwiches, but that really isn't the draw. Free, unsecured wi-fi is available on weekdays only until 6 p.m., so bear that in mind if you're a late riser and plan to work into the evening. On weekends, there's basically no laptops and the crowd gets a lot livelier, with $15 bottomless mimosas and brunch fare. Jay Barmann 1500 Hyde Street at Jackson A busy evening at La Promenade Cafe, from their website. La Promenade Cafe One of the Outer Richmond's best-kept secrets, La Promenade occupies a glorious and vast space on a bustling stretch of Balboa Street. But once you step inside, it's calm, cool, and quiet but for quiet conversation and the click clack of tiny keys. You can stave off the coffee jitters with their highly respectable sandwich roster, or forego caffeine completely with one of their surprisingly solid and affordable smoothies. And if you need a break from work, there's even a little bookstore inside to peruse. Man cannot live on laptop reading alone! Eve Batey 3643 Balboa Street at 38th Avenue Laura D. via Flickr Stanza Stanza is chill, and I go there because they play good music and I kind of low-key have Shazam on the whole time. Go there! There's good coffee, a number of operational power outlets, and decent wi-fi (if theirs doesn't work, use next door's Pork Store Cafe network). Also! Enjoy the front patio, or the back patio area gonna. Sometimes it's a little grungey out there! Whatever! They let you eat food from Katz's Bagels. That's cool. Caleb Pershan 3126 16th Street between Valencia and Guerrero Streets As most of you know, in September of 2010, an explosion rocked San Bruno, killing eight people, injuring 58 more, and destroying 38 homes in the process. On August 9, 2016, a jury found Pacific Gas & Electric guilty of six criminal charges relating to the blast, and ordered the company to pay $3 million in fines. Now, less than two weeks after the verdict was rendered, the Chronicle reports that PG&E wants a judge to throw it all out. Lawyers for the company claim that prosecutors didn't show anyone at PG&E had any evil intent or subjective belief that they were violating a clear legal duty. And although the jury of eight men and four women who rendered six guilty verdicts against the company must have been shown something by the prosecutors, PG&E still thinks the convictions should be tossed. PG&E, need we remind you, is the same company that put safety literally last on its literal list of priorities. And this is the same company that in June was fined $24.3 million for poor pipeline record keeping in cities across California. And it is the same company that issued a statement earlier this month promising its employees are "committed to re-earning the publics trust. While we are very much focused on the future, we will never forget the lessons of the past, the statement reads. PG&E was indeed acquitted on six charges of "knowingly failing to keep accurate records," the Chronicle reports, but was found guilty of five felony charges of "failing to gather information on past pipeline leaks, assess ongoing dangers and give priority to hazardous pipe segments," and on a sixth charge of obstructing a federal investigation into the 2010 blast. That the company is seeking to have its remaining convictions thrown out will appear particularly galling to some, especially considering the fact that potential fines faced by PG&E dropped from $562 million to $6 million the week prior to the verdict being reached. U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson had originally scheduled a sentencing hearing for January 23. He will now first hold an October 11 hearing to considering PG&E's request. "PG&E is a company that was found guilty, as a result of its culture, its behavior and its actions," state Senator Jerry Hill, who represents San Bruno, told the East Bay Times. "They obviously have not learned their lesson." Previously: PG&E Trial Closes With Prosecutor Saying The Utility Had 'Lost Its Way' PG&E Put Safety Literally Last On Its List Of Priorities, Documents Show PG&E Fined Only $3 Million In San Bruno Criminal Case, Convicted On 6 of 12 Charges As part of a nationwide artistic effort to disarm a public figure seen by many as dangerous, anarchist group INDECLINE installed in the Castro's Jane Warner Plaza a life-size, nude effigy of presidential hopeful Donald Trump. The installation, bloated and lifeless with varicose veins, wrinkled lip, and a sneer of cold command, led to a flurry of action in the area. Fingers were pointed, selfies were taken, and one visibly unwell woman attempted to eat the statue, taking a chunk out of its hair. At one point, a man with a phallic snack from a nearby purveyor posed with the Donald, to great effect. Also, Supervisor Scott Wiener, out in the neighborhood campaigning for State Senate, shot some video of the statue. The New York statue, installed in Union Square, has already been removed by city workers. Meanwhile, identical statues remain up, as far as we know, in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Cleveland. And one imagines that DPW workers here in SF will be cool with leaving this thing in place for a little while. (They'd better!!) Caleb Pershan/SFist Caleb Pershan/SFist Caleb Pershan/SFist Caleb Pershan/SFist Caleb Pershan/SFist Caleb Pershan/SFist Mark Farinas/SFist Who would've thought @realDonaldTrump would be so popular in the Castro? pic.twitter.com/Ju6F5tmkfk Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) August 18, 2016 Previously: Naked Donald Trump Statue Appears In SF's Castro District, Multiple Other Cities [Semi-NSFW] The trio suspected of killing a young Millbrae father in late April made appearances in San Mateo County court on Wednesday, and all three entered pleas of not guilty, as KRON 4 reports. Details about the circumstances of the death of 27-year-old Keith Green, who went missing on April 29 and whose body later turned up in Healdsburg on May 11, remain scant, including the cause of death and the evidence prosecutors have assembled against the three accused, but some of those are likely to be made public in a preliminary hearing that is now set for October 6. As we learned in May, 30-year-old Tiffany Li quickly became a prime suspect in the murder because she had been in a romantic relationship with Green, and had two children with him. The pair broke up sometime last year, and according to friends Li immediately took up with Green's good friend, a fellow mixed martial arts fighter, 29-year-old Kaveh Bayat, who also is a suspect in the case. Though none of this has been made official in testimony, Li allegedly has a lot of money and a mansion in nearby Hillsborough, and she had a palimony and custody agreement drawn up last October that Green apparently refused to sign and that gave him a lump sum of $20,000 as well as payments of $4,000 a month and a Range Rover, but possibly limited access to his children. The third suspect, who possibly became involved in this as a murder-for-hire though that is unconfirmed so far, is another MMA fighter with an apparently sketchy past, 40-year-old Olivier Adella, a.k.a. Olivier Bredenstein. When the arrests occurred in late May, Adella was the first to be detained, in Burlingame, and Li and Bayat were taken into custody the next morning. A woman claiming to be Adella's estranged wife later came forward in the press to say that he had threatened to kill her more than once, that he was a con artist, and that he also went by the name Mustafa Traore. All three suspects are being held without bail, and Li's defense attorney Geoff Carr had delayed their arraignment at least four times in the last several months claiming that the prosecution had not turned over enough of their evidence. Carr, a criminal defense attorney based in Redwood City, also defended a Los Altos woman who pleaded insanity in the 2011 murder of her husband, and earlier this year he defended 26-year-old Ryan Riesenberger who had been implicated in the vehicular death of his best friend in a DUI incident on Highway 1 in 2013. Previously: Suspect In Murder Of Millbrae Dad Is A Well Known MMA Fighter Estranged Wife Of MMA Fighter Accused In Millbrae Man's Murder Calls Him 'A Con Artist And A Violent Person' The naked likeness of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump surreptitiously installed yesterday in the Castro has found an unlikely champion: Anti-nudity Supervisor Scott Wiener. Wiener, who is known for his successful 2012 campaign to make public nudity illegal in San Francisco, is in talks with the Department of Public Works to reclaim the statue after it was removed just after dawn Friday by city officials. "It does not belong here and there hasn't been a process of installing this statue," DPW director Mohammed Nuru told ABC 7 before his crew pulled down the illicit erection. There were also concerns, according to the Chronicle, that crowds gathering around the statue for photos Thursday were creating a traffic hazard. But that's not the end of it for Wiener, and he's now advocating to get the veiny simulacrum back in front of the public. "Naked Trump is gone," he tweeted this morning following the statue's removal. "Now let's get him back on display to remind the world that this guy is a shyster and a fraud." Wiener, who is currently in a heated state senate race against fellow supervisor Jane Kim, held a press conference this morning to address the synthetic Donald's fate. His announced goal is to convince city officials to release the artwork to the owner of Lefty O'Doul's who put out his own press release making his desire known to take custody of Nude Donald. The idea is to display the nude likeness inside the Union Square hofbrau so locals and tourists alike can continue taking selfies with it, maybe forever. The statue, installed by anarchist art collective INDECLINE in five cities around the country, is titled "The Emperor Has No Balls" and plays off Donald Trump's documented obsession with his hand size and whatever that correspondingly implies. One person involved with INDECLINE spoke with the Chronicle about the group's process. It was almost similar to planning a bank robbery, said the unidentified spokesperson. I was in New York, and we installed it in Union Square. Then it was just a matter of blending into the crowd and letting all hell break loose. It remains to be seen if Wiener will get his way, but, even if the statue is trashed, he'll always have the photos. Previously: Naked Donald Trump Statue Appears In SF's Castro District, Multiple Other Cities [Semi-NSFW] Photos: Scott Wiener And Other Locals Take (Semi-NSFW) Selfies With The Nude Trump Statue San Francisco public transit riders can be forgiven for giving in to the occasional fantasy. Hopeful, even wistful maps of what local transportation might have been or might yet be are widely made and shared: Take, for example, this map of where the streetcars used to go, or this best-case scenario map for Bay Area transit by 2050. Though we might be inclined view these maps as escapist, city planners say they want to take a cue from them, launching a tool for users to create their own dream subway system for San Francisco. Teaming up with the Planning Department, Muni just unveiled something called The Subway Vision, a kind of interactive transportation vision board, as one aspect a larger transportation blueprint they're referring to as ConnectSF. Last year, the Board of Supervisors passed Scott Wieners Subway Master Plan legislation, directing the city to create a framework for a city-wide subway system. "We need more subways, and we need true regional rail that connects our entire region," Wiener stated in a press release about the new Subway Vision tool. "As the Bay Area grows by two million people in the next 25 years, we cannot afford to have another million cars on our roads, freeways, and bridges. We need more transit, and we need to pursue it aggressively." How does the Subway Vision fit in? The SFMTA blog explains that "The more we learn about the priorities, concerns and challenges of todays San Franciscans, the better we can prepare for our future." These submissions, then will serve as the public comment portion of the Subway Master Plan Legislation. While the tool isn't the easiest to navigate, it's worth a try. I was able to create the below image pretty quickly. But take your time or make as many as you wish: Users have until September 2nd to send in submissions, which will then be analyzed by city transit planners. Just think: If a camel is a horse built by a committee, what kind of amazing transit system can we all come up with together? Related: Supervisor Wiener Really Set On Subway Construction, Introduces 'Master Plan' Legislation A proposed $100 million settlement between Uber and its California and Massachusetts drivers, with $84 million to have been paid out initially and $16 million more to have been distributed if and when Uber went public, was rejected yesterday by a federal judge, further unsettling the question of whether Uber drivers are contractors or employees entitled to benefits conferred by that status. The New York Times reported the decision as a victory for drivers and a blow to Uber, who if forced to reclassify its drivers in California alone might have to pay as much as $209 million according to one estimate. The settlement, arrived at in April, would have paid off drivers to defer the question of their employee status and give up on certain aspects of the issue. Many drivers weren't happy with that or the payout, and became pointedly critical of plaintiffs' attorney, Shannon Liss-Riordan, with the key plaintiff in the case turning on her and removing himself from the case, which bears his name, as the deal was "not in my interest or in the interest of any Uber driver. In Federal District Court for Northern California, Judge Edward Chen agreed, ruling the settlement not fair, adequate, and reasonable, denying it on the grounds that the $100 million represented too small a fraction of the potential verdict. Most of the settlement money, the AP explains, would have gone to settle claims about Uber withholding money from drivers it owed them to pay for overtime, phone usage, and the like. Judge Chen saw the settlement as keeping drivers from pursuing further claims on employment issues or receiving further settlements on them. What would the roughly 385,000 Uber drivers affected by the suit according to CNET have actually received under the terms of the settlement? $10 to $1,950 for California drivers and $12 to $979 for Massachusetts drivers. If the case had gone to trial and drivers had won, however, the haul might have been as much as $854, drivers' attorneys said. Interestingly, though Uber has raised investments at a valuation of $62.5 billion, Chen is skeptical that the company will ever actually IPO, and assumes that the initial $84 million payout would be the end of the ride for drivers. The settlement, mutually agreed by both sides, was fair and reasonable, Uber spokesperson Matt Kallman said in a statement. Were disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options. Liss-Riordan was also unhappy with the decision, she said, but I understand and I have heard [Judge Chen]." She said in a statement that a revised settlement might be reached, but if not, "as I've said before, I will take the case to trial and fight my hardest for the Uber drivers." If that's the case, "it now seems very likely that the scope of this case may be drastically reduced to about 8,000 drivers because of Uber's arbitration clause," she added. Liss-Riordan had previously justified taking the settlement suggesting that the larger question about drivers being employees might be settled with a different case in a different state where a jury might be less inclined to side with Uber, rather than the company's home state of California. Previously: Uber Paying Off Drivers To The Tune Of $100M So They Can Keep Them As Contractors Key Plaintiff Objects To $100M Uber Class Action Settlement As Drivers Criticize Lead Lawyer Now topping 81,000 acres, the massive, four-week-old Soberanes Fire in Big Sur and to the east continues to burn and spread as Cal Fire estimates they have it 60 percent contained. Over half of the burned area now lies in Los Padres National Forest, and as Monterey County Weekly reports, that means the U.S. Forest Service will be taking full command from here on out. And contrary to an earlier estimate that the fire would be contained by the end of this month, authorities are now putting full containment at September 30, a full five weeks from now. Unlike the much smaller but more destructive Clayton Fire in Lake County, the Soberanes Fire has primarily been burning through rugged and uninhabited state and federal parklands, and has destroyed 57 homes compared to the 175 already burned in Lake County. Also, because this is Monterey County we're talking about, firefighters keep stumbling onto illegal marijuana grows and sometimes facing off with armed men trying to keep them hidden, as KSBW reports. Of course this is idiotic, because only the firefighters are bringing any hope of said marijuana grows not being burned up in a puff of smoke, and three weeks ago a group of illegal marijuana growers posing as hikers had to be rescued from the forest after they became surrounded by flames. Firefighters have been trying to maintain fire lines to keep the fire out of populated areas of Big Sur, however the fire has now burned well into the popular Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. And as KSBW notes, the fire is burning through areas that were previously burned by the 2008 Basin Complex Fire, and the 1977 Marble-Cone Fire. Meanwhile, as CBS 5 reports, smoke from the massive fire has finally come north, and is causing haze and an air quality alert around the Bay. The San Francisco Fire Department is cautioning those sensitive to wildfire smoke to remain indoors. Smoke from wildland fires are lingering in the air https://t.co/8WDXXNlq7n San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) August 19, 2016 Please be advised: https://t.co/lGTcoi9FKl San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) August 19, 2016 The fire has spread significantly to the south and east since it began on July 22 with a single, illegal campfire in Garrapata State Park. With federal authorities taking command over the firefight, more federal resources can now be called up, including 350 Army National Guard members that include trained firefighters. According to Monterey County Weekly, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gilbert Roldan, speaking outside of the National Guards operation headquarters at Cal Fire's Salinas base camp, said, "The units work on cutting fire lines and cleanup efforts. Outside of supporting wartime efforts, we have a mission to respond to any type of emergency disaster." The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, buried deep in a valley that is in the path of the fire and that burned in the Basin Complex Fire eight years ago, remains under threat and according to Facebook they have now decided to cancel all of the rest of their guest season. The expect the fire may reach the center by next week. There are currently 2,690 firefighting personnel on site, and 410 structures remain threatened. All previous coverage of the Soberanes Fire on SFist. American Home Health Care is pleased to offer a comprehensive service to all patients throughout western Iowa, eastern Nebraska and southeast South Dakota who require durable medical equipment at home. They are proud to be locally owned and operated. American Home Health Care meets or exceeds all Medicare/Medicaid and insurance industry standards. They are accredited with the Health Care Quality Association in Waterloo, Iowa. American Home Health Care carries most durable medical equipment. If they don't have what you need, they will make every effort to special order the right equipment for you. They provide 24-hour emergency services. Please contact them at their Sioux City location: Local (712) 277-2273 or Toll-Free 1-800-217-2275. They look forward to serving your durable medical needs. Standard items covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances. We bill Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurances for purchase or rental of equipment or repairs. Insurance claim filing is handled at no additional charge. Delivery is available and our store hours are Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 24-hour emergency service. NEW ORLEANS, La. | The Rev. Jay Denne of Sioux City and John Jorgensen of Sergeant Bluff participated as voting members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in a number of key actions during the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly held in New Orleans from Aug. 8-13. During the assembly, the 945 voting members accepted the "Declaration on the Way," a unique ecumenical document that marks a path toward greater unity between Catholics and Lutherans. The document presented 32 "statements of agreement" that state where Lutherans and Catholics do not have church-dividing differences regarding church, ministry and the Eucharist, along with differences that remain. The assembly also approved the ELCA's strategy to accompany migrant minors with protection, advocacy, representation and opportunities (AMMPARO). This strategy was developed based on commitments to uphold and guarantee the basic human rights and safety of migrant children and their families. In December, Lord willing, I will complete my 18th year of writing this column. As many have said before me and many will say after me, time flies. Of course, while I was living out these moments and weeks and years, they seemed to progress at a normal rate. SIOUX CITY | Since she was young girl, Nicola Simms has loved helping people. Growing up in St. Mary, Jamaica, Simms, now 41, thought she might someday cure diabetes and hypertension, chronic medical conditions her maternal grandmother struggled with. She went on to became a registered nurse and worked in her home country for 19 years in the medical/surgical, pediatric and maternity wards at a 63-bed hospital. Ten years ago, Simms, who is also a trained midwife, decided to embark on a new adventure in hopes of advancing her career and bettering her family's economic situation. She applied with a nursing recruitment agency to work in the United States. "I wanted to experience a different culture, and I thought it would be a good experience for my immediate family," said Simms, who is married to an electrical engineer and has a 16-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. Simms was offered a job at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's in the mom-baby unit. She moved to Sioux City on Feb. 17. The bitter cold weather came as a bit of a shock, but Simms said Iowa is growing on her. "Apart from that, I love the calmness of the place. It's not hustle and bustle," she said. "It seems to be a good place to raise your children." St. Luke's currently employs four nurses who hail from Jamaica and the Philippines. Priscilla Stokes, the hospital's vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer, said the retirements of longtime nurses coupled with a swelling number of aging baby boomers led St. Luke's to look overseas to fill a void that is only expected to increase in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists registered nursing as a top occupation for job growth through 2022. By 2020 it projects 1.2 million job openings for nurses due to growth and the need for replacement. "We're looking at different ways to do things that we never would have even been forced to look at before," said Stokes, who is "extremely pleased" with each international nursing hire. "This has actually been a real win for us. We've been trying to improve our ethnicity mix here at St. Luke's over the last five years or so." A long process Florinda Sapico seems to always have a smile on her face. It's one thing Taffy Zoelle, director of women's and children's services for St. Luke's, said she loves about the registered nurse from Manila, Philippines, who started working in the pediatric unit at St. Luke's in March. For Sapico, 44, and may other international nurses, it's a long process to get a nursing job in the United States. "It's my dream to come and experience the life here in the U.S.," she said. "In the Philippines there are a lot of people wanting to come here to the U.S. They take nursing in order to come." Sapico's aunt, who lived in California for a while, sponsored her nursing education. She encouraged Sapico, who was working at a private hospital in Singapore, to seek employment in the United States. In 2006, Sapico filed an application with a nursing recruitment agency. She passed the National Council Licensure Examination, a requirement to work as a nurse in the United States, but she said it took years to get a job because U.S. hospitals weren't hiring. Until 2015, Stokes said St. Luke's hadn't considered recruiting foreign nurses. In fact, she said hiring nurses from abroad isn't very common in the Midwest. Stokes got the idea to recruit nurses internationally from a colleague who came to the United States 30 years ago from the Philippines to work as a nurse. "She's just a stellar nurse. I just started thinking, 'It'd be so great to have somebody like her in our hospital,'" Stokes said. Last fall, Stokes and Zoelle got the ball rolling by contacting nursing recruitment agency OGrady Peyton to determine whether it was feasible to bring international nurses to Sioux City. Currently, the agency only recruits nurses from Jamaica and the Philippines, according to Stokes. The next step was clearing the proposal to hire internationally with the hospital's attorneys and getting permission from St. Luke's leadership and board of directors. Stokes said everyone, including nursing staff, were very supportive. "It was a new idea to them, but no one was against it. Their biggest concern was command of the language," she said. O'Grady Peyton initially gave St. Luke's the resumes of five nurses who had already gone through rigorous background checks, competency screenings and English language testing. Stokes said four of the candidates interviewed via Skype. The hospital hired three of them. They arrived three months after accepting a job offer. "We are getting the people that we want," Stokes said. "They feel that it's a privilege to live in the United States. They're absolutely thrilled to be here." Experiencing a new culture Stokes said the international nurses have adapted to their new lives and workplace rather quickly. When they arrive, international nurses are paired with a nurse mentor who helps them get acclimated to the hospital and the community, and a preceptor who helps them with on-the-job skills and using St. Luke's computer system. Sapico said she was expecting to find city skyscrapers and cramped living spaces when she arrived in town. "When I came here, wow! It's a big land, but all the houses are all first floor, no third floor. The houses are big!" she said. "It's quiet and peaceful and the people are warm." Sapico wasn't accustomed to being greeted with a smile and a friendly, "Hello," by strangers. In the Philippines and Singapore, she said people don't greet each other unless they're friends. "It's something new for me," she said. "You feel good." At work, Stokes said one of the biggest barriers international nurses face is computer charting. Otherwise, she said the learning curve is quite smooth. Neither Simms nor Sapico used computers for charting at hospitals in their home countries. How a hospital operates in Sioux City, Simms said isn't really that different from in Jamaica. "In terms of the care, it's not different. It's just the routine," she said. "In terms of the doctors coming on the ward, we didn't have to put orders in. They wrote the orders and we followed. If we had any concerns we would voice it." Sapico said her work schedule at St. Luke's is a big change for the better. She said she enjoys working three 12-hour shifts. In Singapore, she worked eight-hour shifts that could fall in the morning, afternoon or evening. "You cannot enjoy your life. You'll just keep on working," she said. When Zoelle started working as a nurse, she thought it was "cool" to float to every area of the hospital. If her supervisor asked her to work extra hours, she said she gladly obliged. She said millennials on the other hand, don't find hospital shifts ideal. More of them are opting to work an 8-to-4 shift at a clinic or go back to school to get their master's degree and become nurse practitioners. "The new generation of nurses demand work-life balance. They don't like to work weekends or holidays, so it's very difficult to really keep people in an acute care setting when we're a 24-7 business and keep them satisfied at the bedside," she said. Sapico said life is so much easier and more comfortable in the United States than in the Philippines. Although there is one problem: She doesn't know how to drive yet. She depends on her husband to chauffeur her to work and to one of her favorite places -- the mall. "I'm going to learn (to drive). I love shopping. If my husband comes with me he will just stay in one side and look at me, and I will feel stressed," she said laughing. Simms said she likes living in Sioux City and working at St. Luke's. She thinks her family will stay for a while. "My husband and I like it here. I will say that we'll return (to Jamaica) when we retire," she said. Hundreds of Siouxlanders attended the Health and Leisure Expo held Friday at Stoney Creek Inn and Conference Center. In addition to presenting seminars each half hour, vendors answered questions about a range of activities, lifestyle opportunities and senior care. Organizers say the fifth annual event was among the most successful. CHICAGO -- Like millions of children across the country, last week I went back to school. After 10 years of being away from the classroom, I'm teaching high school students the same age as my own children. Lots of things are the same as when I last taught, and others are quite different -- such as the technology used to teach, plan lessons, give assessments and enter grades. But what is most surprising by far is something I hadn't anticipated: the diversity of the Hispanic students at my school. In 2012, the Pew Research Center's Hispanic Trends Project reported that about a quarter of all pre-K through 12th-grade public school students were Hispanic. But I hadn't seen with my own eyes what that really looks like. I'm teaching in a middle- to upper-middle-class community in a suburb of Chicago that saw an approximate 30 percent increase in its Latino population since the 2000 census. And within the cohort of Hispanic students, most of whom have dark hair, olive skin and parents of Mexican descent, there are large numbers of kids from Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (and black and Asian) families who seem to come in two types: the semi-visible and the hidden. Though the school is about 43 percent Hispanic, my classes include semi-visible Hispanic students. What I mean by this is that they have names such as Kevin Gonzalez, Todd Chavez, Madison Vargas or Kaylee Escobar (these are not real names) and have a wide variety of features -- sometimes even blond hair and blue-eyes like the actress Cameron Diaz -- and speak little, if any, Spanish. The hidden ones have names like Tyler Warner and Jenna Lee who are half-Hispanic. But because they may have features associated with other races and don't have typically Hispanic-sounding names, they go through life with deep cultural ties to the Hispanic community, yet no visible ones. The misperception about what a majority-minority school district looks like was silly of me. Of course, not all of the Latino students are brown-eyed Diegos or Marias -- I should have known that from my own family. Like myself, my two cousins are half-Mexican, half-Ecuadorean. One married a woman from the Philippines and their two boys take after their mom's side of the family. My sons look like my husband's white family and carry clear-as-day Scots-Irish first and last names. My other cousin married an African-American woman, and their daughters are mixtures of both their backgrounds. I imagine all our kids' teachers' eyebrows went up when they looked at our clan's demographic data. I know mine did when I compared my rosters to the kids sitting in my classrooms. For a decade, I've been writing about how America's racial tensions will ease as the children of interracial and interethnic marriages become a larger share of the population. The Pew Research Center says that in 2010, regardless of when they married, the share of intermarriages reached an all-time high of 8.4 percent. In 1980, that share was just 3.2 percent. It's obviously not that simplistic, but it's still neat to see such a transition play out in real life. There will always be social stratifications in high schools, but when groups of young people who have parents from a mixture of ethnic and racial groups gather, they seem to tend toward being able to relate to each other's similarities, not their differences. Throughout the course of the day, kids who look like they might be purely European break out native-level Spanish language skills when immigrant parents walk into the room. When we talk about news items involving racial issues, students will chime in with tidbits about their diverse demographic family constellations that inform discussions that might otherwise veer into taking sides or us-versus-them mentalities. Even the cafeteria tables are pretty well integrated. This is all unscientific observation, but it's still uplifting. Demographic shifts often are characterized sensationally -- news headlines typically shriek about rising minority populations with thinly veiled terror about reverse-supremacy and "The End of White America." But if the rest of the country's shift to majority-minority is as cosmopolitan as it is in just one American suburb, things are looking up. CEDAR RAPIDS Sen. Chuck Grassley isnt optimistic that Cedar Rapids will ever see the $73 million in federal future flood protection money authorized by Congress. Grassley, Iowas senior senator, told the Daybreak Rotary Club Friday that unless the rules are changed the federal part of the citys planned $600 million project may never be appropriated. Congress approved a city-wide plan for future flood protection in Cedar Rapids back in 2014. But while Congress authorized spending up to $73-million dollars in federal money, lawmakers havent found the actual money for the city yet. Current and future city and state dollars will cover about 60 percent of the price tag for the 20-year project. Its the federal share that still is up in the air. What (the city) has got to do is keep working on Congress and if there is any chance of doing it, were going to help them do it, Grassley said. Thats about all I can say at this point. He did add that its not just him, but other members of Congress are going to help wherever we can to see that Cedar Rapids get its appropriation. The hitch seems to be convincing the Army Corps of Engineers the cost of the project justifies the cost, Grassley said. But it hasnt worked, the Iowa Republican said. Over time, it seems to have become more difficult to make the case to funding the Cedar Rapids project. Grassley isnt sure whether thats due to the economy or rising construction costs, but it seems to me the cost-benefit ratio has been more difficult as time has gone on. He doesnt see that changing unless the rules are changed. Part of the problem, as Grassley sees it, is the lack of earmarks, which were congressional provisions to fund specific projects, typically in a congressional members district. It was a political game of influential congressmen and senators being in a position to get money for things that were justified or maybe not justified, Grassley said. So you had the bridge to nowhere in Alaska that people made fun of. So after the 2010 election the people sent a message they were sick and tired of earmarks. The number of earmarks grew from a few hundred 25 years ago to about 13,000 before Congress ended the practice. Later, Grassley made it clear he wasnt arguing for a return to earmarks. If they came back under the old rules where almost anything goes, absolutely not, Grassley said. Its just raw, political power who gets what. SIOUX CITY | A man is being held in the Woodbury County Jail after leading the authorities on a chase early Friday that reached speeds up to 70 mph on residential Sioux City streets. An Iowa State Patrol trooper tried to pull Myron Beauvais over on a seatbelt violation, but he failed to stop, a news release said. Beauvais was stopped after he came to a dead end on West Highland Avenue, but then tired to escape by turning his steering wheel toward the trooper and hitting the gas, according to the news release. The vehicle went over a retaining wall and hit a tree. When Beauvais was removed from the vehicle, he fled on foot. Officers used a Taser and took him into custody. The vehicle he was operating was identified as one that had been stolen in Flandreau, South Dakota, documents state. Beauvais faces charges of eluding, suspended drivers license, reckless driving, falsify public documents, no insurance, no registration, theft in the second and interference with official acts. His bond is set at $12,400. Every business owner or professional wants press coverage. It legitimizes your business in the eye of the public. It creates awareness about you and your services. And of course, it makes you feel proud and accomplished. Press coverage, or simply getting quoted in an article as an expert in your field, is hard to come by. Thats part of why it feels so good and means so much to successfully get press. More importantly, this means you need a strategy for your press efforts from Day 1 inside your business. Heres where I believe most people screw up. They shoot for the stars, thinking the only valuable coverage is in big magazines like Inc and Forbes. They draft congratulatory press releases and pay $900 to have them distributed via PRWeb. They cold email journalists at these big magazines and ask for a favor, with nothing offered in return. Its all backwards, and unlikely to produce results. What does work and what I have learned through trial-and-error over many years, is focusing your press outreach on a local level, and creating relationships in advance of desiring coverage. How to Get Local News Coverage Now, I want to get on all the big websites and bask in the glow of a journalist saying how great I am just as much as anyone else, but you have to start at the beginning. The beginning is local, because local press is mathematically much more likely to take an interest in your story. It doesnt matter if you are in Seattle or Lawrence, Kansas, the local pool is smaller than the national or international pool of Inc and Forbes. So start local. Think publications like local TV stations, your local version of the business journal and local newspapers. In San Diego, its places like the SDBJ and DiscoverSD.com. The other step is creating relationships in advance. Dont make your first email to a journalist at your local business journal be something like Hey! I just launched a new product and you should cover it! No. Instead, you want to follow people, comment on their articles, and engage in conversation well before you launch that new product. Think about being in the shoes of the journalist. They get pitched all the time. They want to write about interesting, relevant business news and people in their area (of focus, or geography). Journalists are also people. They value relationships. They will return a favor if a favor is given. A good friend of mine who is a local attorney and runs Free Legal Aid put it best: For value shown, value is given. Its classic reciprocity. And you have to give first. Heres an example. When I was with a private equity firm here in town, I saw that the local journal syndicated press releases from our firm about acquisitions. It wasnt a story, but it was a mention. I knew that eventually, itd be great for recruiting and awareness if we had some quotes or even a dedicated article about us published. So I sought out the two contributing writers who covered our field, and started commenting on their stories. One article that graded San Diego an F for its investment culture was harsh, in my view, so the journalist and I debated it via email. Then I sent some additional statistics his way to further my point. It was a good debate, and afterward, I mentioned I was with a firm in town and would love to get together for coffee some time to discuss the climate in San Diego. Once our schedules aligned, we met and chatted for 30 minutes at their office. No big deal, but it put a face with a name, and placed me at the front of his rolodex for any stories about private equity in town. It paid off months later when we had a spotlight done on a deal, and we ended up hiring a new CFO who reached out after reading the article. In the same vein, my partner at PolicyZip moved back to Kansas City two years ago and slowly struck up a relationship with some of the business journalists there. Once again, when we announce company news or make a recruiting push, we have an outlet with those journalists. Its not like PR Web where you try to pay money to get attention. Its relationships, and its much better. Stay local, and plan ahead. Youll see your press coverage increase dramatically, and have plenty of clippings to mail home to mom and dad. Republished by permission. Original here. International Relations, Social Movements August 19, 2016 Marcelina Zawisza and Maciej Konieczny We are not the old Left. It is more than clear if you look at our faces, our age, the way we speak and our new way of making politics. In ultra-conservative Poland, something is moving. We meet some of the founders of Razem (Together) a new political party emerging from social movements and strongly inspired by the experience of Podemos in Spain. We discuss their project and the Polish scenario: from the surprising social policies of the current authoritarian government to the liberal opposition defending freedom of information but forgetting about inequalities. And the meaning of launching a new party from the bottom-up today. This interview was first published in the Italian magazine MicroMega and in English at European Alternatives website. Lorenzo Marsili (LM): Why a new party in Poland? Why did you make the shift from social movements to party politics? There was no real left party in Poland. There is the so-called Socialist or post-Communist party, which is just bureaucrats of the late Communist government that became the new establishment after the transition basically neoliberal, socially conservative, not leftist at all, but they took the place of the left in the country and our objective was to re-open that space. Nobody trusts parties anymore here, and this is why we were very sceptical regarding the success of this operation. But if parties are in distress, social movements are not in a better situation: small, fragmented groups, incapable of having a strong impact, chronically divided. LM: And so you thought a solution would be to have all these forces come together to form a single political group? We wrote an open letter to all movements. We received two thousand signatures in a few days, almost all of them and this was the real surprise from people we didnt know and who never took part in organized mobilizations. We really wanted to know who they were! We met them, and to our surprise we learnt they were not interested in traditional left-wing organizations or movements. They reputed those political forms to be old and useless. LM: This is a story weve heard before. When talking with Podemos founders they say that to launch a new political project they had to leave the world of organized movements, who at the beginning were even against them, in order to intercept the energy coming from the 15M and only after that, they could go back and include organized movements. Is it something like that? Exactly. The organized left has been in conflict with us since the beginning. But now many left the traditional movements or organizations and decided to join Razem instead, to come out of their small bubble. We decided to be part of the trail of the new European left, moving from the base. LM: In the last elections there was a coalition of the United Left, post-communists, Greens, left-liberal Why didnt you join it but decided to run by yourself? We have our own agenda and a new way to conceive politics itself together with its organization. The old way of doing politics is dead and is represented by the same names and the same politicians and power groups that, election after election, try to found a new coalition, a new alliance, just to win again their seat in Parliament. We are talking about the political class as a whole. It simply doesnt work anymore and it isnt what we want to do. Moreover, these parties, when elected, passed laws permitting evictions, perfectly fitting in the mainstream there is no alternative narrative. LM: And they eclipsed. The post-communist party was at 40% and now is not even in Parliament. But what makes your model work? What are your flagship methods or policies? Our program is somehow not so radical, we could define it as social democratic. But this, in Poland, is something new. Nobody ever talked about progressive taxation, redistribution And now, when statements concerning workers or poverty are needed by the media, they come to us. The same happens with social issues: we are the ones asking for the decriminalization of abortion, still an illegal practice in Poland. And when the government tried to pass an even more restrictive law, making abortion illegal even in case of rape, we organized a rally in Warsaw, with more than 10 thousand people. The biggest demonstration ever on this matter in Poland. LM: Talking about social policies, the current government led by Kaczynskis party Law and Justice is quite an interesting case. It is for sure an authoritarian, xenophobic, illiberal government, on a collision course with the EU. But it is, nevertheless, passing some measures that could be seen as traditionally leftist: reduction of the retirement age, maternity allowance, social housing. What do you think about it? Is this a new kind of nationalist socialism? We must say we are surprised as well. We thought the social agenda mentioned during the political campaign would be forgotten once elected, as it had happened when the same party had the chance to govern previously. But now they are really doing it! They are way more nationalistic and authoritarian than the first time, but they are also way more social. For the first time we have assisted to a growth, rather than to a reduction in welfare provisions. The new maternity law will drastically reduce child poverty from 28% to 10%, an issue closely linked to large families here in Poland. And for the first time, most of the public spending will go to the poorest: 6-billion szloty to the poorest 10% of the country, only 300-million to the richest 10%. LM: So, for the first time there are redistributive policies. And we will not be the ones criticising them. A social housing program was launched, not giving resources to banks or big building companies, but giving resources for controlled rents. And there is more: the taxation system is undergoing a modification that will make it more progressive, flat tax is being abandoned together with regressive taxes for the richest. But at the same time, the government is extremely authoritarian. A militia with semi-automatic weapons is about to be created, mostly made by components of far-right groups. A bill against terrorism is about to pass, creating a permanent state of emergency. Not to mention the gag that has been put on the press or all attacks to the independence of the Constitutional Court. It is quite frightening. LM: And it is against this authoritarianism that we have seen so many demonstrations in Poland. But you have chosen not to join KOD, the organizing platform. Why is that? Well, the governing party is in fact terrible, but these demonstrations are mostly organized by previous governments elite [Ed.: Civic Platform, the party of todays President of the European Council, Donald Tusk]. They demonstrate for freedom of speech, but then attack the governments social policies, reputing them a way to buy votes. They dont understand that this money is incredibly important for many people. They tell the poor they should go out in the streets, fighting to save our constitutional system and at the same time that by accepting 500 zsloty per month as maternity benefit they are selling themselves. And all this while a majority of the low-middle class only earns 2,000 zsloty [Ed.: about $675 CAD] per month! They are completely out of touch with reality. And this is how in Hungary Viktor Orban obtained an absolute majority in Parliament, by having only one opposition representing only the elite. We want to kick out this government, but to do it we believe that just to gather liberals in big cities is not enough. You have to reach out to those people who now vote for Law and Justice. If no one has the courage to create a social agenda, then the space is open for authoritarian forces. LM: What is the social base of the governing party? They have a cross-cutting base. Many vote for them as they are thought to be against the establishment and the people had enough of the previous government. A government that chose to ignore completely all social issues. Civic Platform talks about those Poles who had to emigrate as lucky people who had the opportunity to have a working experience abroad. They didnt realise how much suffering was brought by family separations nor that 2 million people couldnt find a job in their own country. These oppositions KOD, Civic Platform are part of the post-transition elites that now would love to just go back to the previous business as usual. All without realising inequality levels are way higher in Poland than the European average. LM: You just received considerable public funding because of your result in the last elections. You have three more years until the next one: what now? What will be your next steps? We are trying to open 25 social spaces all around Poland. They wont be just normal party offices, but community places where everyone can come and utilise the space, organize a dance lesson, classes for children, legal assistance and so on. This is something the Socialist Party of Poland used to do before WWII. We do have a strong tradition of political parties as social entities, working with cooperatives, unions, even sport clubs, way more than just an election to election machine. We didnt call ourselves something-left, as nobody here would know what left is anymore. We called ourselves Razem (Together). But our origins are clear, and we want to start anew from there. Daniel Greenfield, a Shillman Journalism Fellow at the Freedom Center, is a New York writer focusing on radical Islam.Nation-building has become a very controversial term. And with good reason. Our conviction that we can reconstruct any society into another America is unrealistic. It ignores our own exceptionalism and overlooks the cultural causes of many conflicts. It assumes that a change of government and open elections can transform a tribal Islamic society into America. They cant and wont.But its also important to recognize that what we have been doing isnt nation-building, but Islam-building.Nation-building in Germany and Japan meant identifying a totalitarian ideology, isolating its proponents from political power and recreating a formerly totalitarian state as an open society. That is the opposite of what we did in Afghanistan and Iraq, never mind Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen and all the rest.We did temporarily pursue de-Baathification in Iraq. But the Baathists were just Saddams cult of personality. Saddam was a problem in Iraq. But he wasnt the problem in Iraq. His rule was a symptom of the real problem which was the divide between Sunnis and Shiites. The real problem was Islam.Because we failed to recognize that, de-Baathification failed. The Baathists just folded themselves into ISIS. The Sunni-Shiite war went on even without Saddam. Today Sunnis and Shiites are still killing each other in Iraq much as they had for a long time. We have boiled this war down to ISIS, but ISIS, like Saddam is just another symptom of the political violence and divisiveness inherent in Islam.Instead of secularizing Iraq, our efforts at democracy only heightened divisions along religious lines. The Lebanon model for Iraq with power sharing arrangements between Sunnis and Shiites was doomed.Iraqs first election was dominated by the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq. If that name rings a bell, it should. It came out of Iran. You know, the original Islamic Revolution. The free election had given a boost to an Islamic terror group whose goal was the creation of an Islamic State in Iraq.The bloodiest days of the Iraq War actually came when two sets of Islamic terror groups fighting to create an Islamic State began killing each other and us. We know one of those groups today as ISIS. The other group is the Iraqi government. And a decade later, theyre still killing each other.Instead of nation-building in Iraq, we practiced Islam-building. Iraqs constitution made Islam the official religion and the fundamental source of legislation. Its first real law was that, No law that contradicts the established provisions of Islam may be established. The new Iraq we had built was an Islamic State.We did no better in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan whose constitution declared much the same thing. Its first parliamentary elections saw victories for the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan and the Islamic Society. As in Iraq and Syria, the distinctions between the bad Islamists and the good Islamists were often fuzzy at best. We had replaced the bad Islamist warlords who raped and murdered their enemies with the good Islamist warlords who raped and murdered their enemies.Our nation-building had created an Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and an Islamic State in Iraq. It was no wonder that the fighting never stopped.Matters grew much worse with the Arab Spring when Obama and Hillarys Islam-building project flipped countries that had been democratic and secular in the loosest sense into the tar pit of political Islam.Coptic Christians were massacred and churches were burned in Egypt. The Christian communities in Iraq and Syria were threatened with annihilation. The Jewish community in Yemen may be close to disappearing entirely. The Yazidis were raped and murdered on a genocidal scale by the Islamic State.But in many cases they were just collateral damage from fighting between Sunni and Shiite Islamists, and among Sunni Islamists battling each other for dominance.The ugliest part of Islam-building was that the resulting conflicts between Islamists and secularists in Egypt and Tunisia highlighted starkly just how wrong our policy was. Instead of backing secular and democratic forces, Obama had thrown in with Islamists. And even after the Muslim Brotherhood was overthrown in Egypt, his administration continued advocating on behalf of its Islamic reign of terror.If we had practiced actual nation-building, then we would have identified Islamic tribalism as the central corrosive force in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Islamic political movements as the totalitarian threat in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. Our efforts would have been directed at isolating them and keeping them out of power while working to democratize and secularize these countries on the old Turkish model. It might not have worked, but at least it would have been nation-building, not Islam-building.Nation-building might very well have failed. America doesnt have infinite resources and the lives of our soldiers are precious. Assuming that we can upend radically different societies is excessively optimistic.But we didnt even try.What we have been doing in this century isnt nation building. Instead weve been empowering our enemies. Weve been sticking our hands into Islamist snake pits and playing, Find the Muslim moderate and refusing to learn any better no matter how many times we get bitten.We have been perfectly happy to help the Islamic terrorists that our soldiers were shooting at last week so long as their leader signed some sort of accord paying lip service to equality yesterday. We didnt just get into bed with the Muslim Brotherhood, but with former affiliates of Al Qaeda and current proxies of Iran. We allied with the Sunni and Shiite Islamist murderers of American soldiers in Iraq.And all we got for it was more violence, chaos and death.Even without Islam, ethnic and tribal divisions would have made nation-building into a difficult challenge. But Islam-building didn't just leave wrecked societies, but terror threats. Tensions between Arabs, Turkmen and Kurds wouldnt have led to massacres in Paris and Nice. Only Islam could do that.Islam takes local conflicts and makes them global. Thats why disputes over the authority of the House of Saud led to the mass murder of thousands of people in New York or why Arab attacks on Israel became a burning international issue. Or why Sunni and Shiite feuds in Iraq and Syria led to a massacre of attendees at a rock concert in Paris.That is also why the combination of Islam and politics in any form is an existential threat to us.Not only should we not be subsidizing it in any way, shape or form, but we should be doing our best to stamp it out. If we must have any form of nation-building, it should be the building of secular nations in which Islam is isolated and detached from any political involvement.We have two options for preventing the spread of Islamic political violence into our countries. The first is a ban on Muslim immigration. The second is a ban on Muslim politics. The former has been dubbed isolationism and the latter nation-building. Neither term is truly accurate, but they capture the essence of the choice.We however have chosen a choice that is far worse than either. We have opened our doors to Muslim migration while opening Muslim countries to further Islamic political involvement. We have Islamized terror states and ourselves. Is it any wonder that we suffer from a severe Islamic terror threat?Open borders for Islamic terror and Islam-building have led to our current state of national insecurity. We have made the world more dangerous by backing Islamic politics and we have made our countries more dangerous by welcoming in Muslim migrants to be indoctrinated into terror by Islamist organizations. The more we build up Islam, the more we destroy ourselves. Wanna get your dick sucked with that cup of coffee? Talk about an up-sell. Yes, we have a reached a point in our great society where one can get a blowjob at a cafe. In a report published by The Independent, a British tabloid, investors are ramping up plans to introduce a Fellatio Cafe this winter. A waitress is going to serve the coffee. Sex workers are only going to touch the clients' genitalia, Bradley Charvet told the Independent in a story published Aug. 3. Charvet, reportedly, is the founder of Fellatio Cafe a Geneva, Switzerland based enterprise. He told the Independent he intends to place the cafe in Londons Paddington neighborhood and there will be no alcohol sold, just coffee. For 50 pounds, a Fellatio Cafe customer can enjoy all the coffee their heart desires. If the fellatio lasts longer than 15 minutes then surcharges will be applied, Charvet said. Decor will be white, black and pink with some baroque-style chairs, Charvet told the newspaper. Presently there are no plans to allow female customers, Charvet said, but that could change based on supply, demand and labor laws. When he looks at a map, Thomas Malan knows the man who murdered 49 people and injured 53 more at Pulse night club in Orlando in June could have just as easily driven to from Fort Pierce to South Florida. The distances are similar. It could have been any one of us, any one of our bars. For all the bars (and restaurants) spared the violence, Malan, as part of One Orlando South Florida, is helping to organize two events to raise money for the victims and survivors of Pulse. Latin Night will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14 and Dine Out Orlando will be on Thursday, Sept. 15. Both events are part of a week honoring the victims of Orlando Sept. 11 to 17. How Latin Night is celebrated will be up to each business owner. The Latin Night theme was chosen because the Pulse attack happened when that club had its own Latin Night. Dine Out will consist of bars and restaurant owners donating a certain percentage (determined by them) of that days tabs. Malan said the inspiration came from Philly4Pulse, which raised over $106,000 for the victims. One Philadelphia bar owner who participated in Philly4Pulse, Jeffrey Sotland, is advising the organizers of the South Florida fundraiser. In a Philadelphia Gay News article, he said the rules governing normal business competition went out the window when the Orlando fundraiser was announced. Related: Trump Campaign Office Opens Across the Street From Pulse Gay Club On any given night, we will compete with each other for every customer who walks into the neighborhood. On this night we will not. This is not just about people in Orlando. This could happen at a nightclub anywhere. I think we all feel a sense of horror. Nobody ever wants this to happen again. Never in the history of the city have all the bar owners come together and unequivocally said, We are in! So far, Rumors Bar & Grill and Courtyard Cafe, both in Wilton Manors, have confirmed participation but Malan expects more to join in over the next few weeks. Wed like to include everyone in the South Florida region, not just the businesses on the Drive. We are inviting every LGBTQ owned business, and really any business to participate. In fact, we would really like to see more straight allies and friends join us for this event to show their support. Funds raised will be given to three organizations OneOrlando, Equality Florida and the One Pulse Fund. A report by NPR, estimated the total healthcare cost of the attack will be about $1 million. A GoFundMe page set up by Equality Florida has raised $7.6 million of its $10 million goal. In addition to participating bars and restaurants, One Orlando South Florida is also looking for a 501(c)(3) community organization to act as fiduciary to account for the money raised. Money is also needed to buy shirts and event passes to sell and raise more money. For more information or to sign-up, visit dineoutfororlando.com or contact Malan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 754-300-9991. The Equality Florida GoFundMe page is gofundme.com/PulseVictimsFund. Spencer Platt/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The United States has settled its years-long legal battle with Matthew Bissonnette, who in 2012 authored No Easy Day under the pen name Mark Owen, detailing his participation in the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden. Bissonnette, a former Navy SEAL, signed a consent decree Friday acknowledging he breached his fiduciary duties by failing to submit his book for a security review by the Pentagon before publishing it and for failing to get the government's permission to publish it. Despite concerns expressed by government officials at the time the book was published, however, the United States did not formally accuse Bissonnette of revealing classified information. As part of the settlement acknowledging his errors, Bissonnette has agreed to pay the United States all past and future proceeds from his book, which as of today total nearly $6.7 million dollars. Hell also be required to pay the governments legal fees of over $1.3 million. "This enforcement action does not discredit Mr. Bissonnette's military service, but reinforces that it is important for our service members and individuals who have been assigned positions of trust and granted access to classified information to comply with the obligations set forth in their non-disclosure agreements to protect classified information after leaving the U.S. military and government in an effort to protect our nation's national security," Nicole Navas, a spokesperson at the U.S. Department of Justice, said in a statement to ABC News. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. A host of women are candidates for numerous judicial vacancies this year, including many, like Phyllis Pritcher, who are very supportive of the LGBT community. A University of Miami graduate, Pritcher moved to Florida from Pennsylvania in 1970. She saw first hand the era of Anita Bryant, but immediately became an advocate of gay rights issues. "It was probably the late and great Radio host Neil Rogers who sensitized me to discrimination, " she told SFGN. "He helped make me realize the importance of speaking out for equal rights. I made it my passion as a criminal defense lawyer." Practicing in Broward for a quarter century, Pritcher has made a name fighting for the underdog, whether it has been for gay men seeking a compassionate female voice to articulate their cause or for pastors seeking to feed the homeless. "The Fort Lauderdale ordinance banning citizens from providing food to the homeless is 'ridiculous,' says Pritcher. We are a society that should be seeking to find ways to support each other's philanthropic endeavors,' from helping veterans to our victims.' She faces off against others in a contested primary August 30. But in a county still lacking judicial gender equality, her voice is worth listening to, and with 25 years of practice in civil and criminal and hundreds of jury trials under her belt, she brings experience to the table. "Experience matters," Pritcher said. "You need temperament and discipline on the bench; a patient judiciousness which evolves from years of training in a courtroom." SAVE, a leading South Florida LGBT organization, is raising eyebrows with its selection of a straight candidate in the race for an open Senate seat in Floridas legislature. Jason Pizzo, a former prosecutor, received the endorsement of SAVEs Action Pac. Pizzo is campaigning to represent district 38 a Miami-Dade County district -- in the Florida Senate. Jason Pizzo is the strongest candidate, said Tony Lima, SAVE Executive Director. He came in with the most comprehensive plan needed to appeal to all the ethnicities in this district. Hes also done very well fundraising and hes committed and proud to serve. In endorsing Pizzo, SAVE passed on two gay candidates former Miami Beach Vice Mayor Michael Gongora and former North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns. We are not in the business of endorsing someone just because they are gay, Lima told SFGN in a telephone call. Burns, citing voting records, said Pizzo has not voted since 2008. In an interview with the Miami Herald, Pizzo explained his gaps in voting had to do with a case he worked while at the state attorneys office which resulted in threats against his family. Pizzo told the Herald he was forced to relocate his family to New Jersey one day before the 2012 general election. It was the most traumatic event of my life, Pizzo told the Herald. Pizzo is married with two children. He is campaigning on his experience fighting bad guys who have exploited the elderly, abused animals and committed violent crimes. He has what it takes to win, Lima said. And hes the most viable candidate. On his Facebook page, Pizzo posted that he was grateful to receive SAVEs backing. I am honored to have the support of this important organization, doing great work defending human rights in our community, Pizzo said. In a crowded field of six Democrats, the district 38 seat, Lima said, must stay in the progressive column. Of the six competing, only sitting representative Daphne Campbell has served before in Tallahassee. Campbell is known as a social conservative and outspoken critic of pro-choice womens health care options. We have to make sure Daphne Campbell does not win, Lima said. Gongora, who serves as a legal advisor for Unity Coalition, a Hispanic LGBT organization, has raised the most money through the Aug. 5 reporting period. Gongora held a $102,012 to $61,191 edge over Campbell with Pizzo raising $41,102. Early voting is underway with the primary election slated for Aug. 30. How media covers Israel, the Middle East and the U.S. Presidential campaign was the topic of discussion at a program sponsored by The Israel Project. Kenneth Bricker, a senior press advisor for The Israel Project, gave brief remarks Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Congregation Etz Chaim in Wilton Manors. Bricker spoke of his childhood raised in a Reform Jewish household and his extensive work abroad for multiple news organizations. The first time I went to Israel it had such an overwhelming effect on me, Bricker said. The Israel Project, Bricker said, is not a reactionary organization that primarily operates under the radar. Founded in 2003, The Israel Project (TIP) is a non-partisan American educational organization dedicated, Bricker said, to informing the media and public conversation about Israel and the Middle East. Around 50 people attended the briefing held in the auditorium on the campus of the Pride Center at Equality Park. Many attendees questioned Bricker about various American and global media entities and their biases. Nowadays the pretext of neutrality and objectivity is over, Bricker said. Aaron Rosenberg, a property manager from Boca Raton, listened attentively to Brickers remarks. I agreed with what he said, Rosenberg said. Im familiar with (TIP) and it is nice to speak eye to eye. Congregation Etz Chaim is a Jewish Synagogue that is welcoming and accepting of people who identify as LGBT. Rabbi Noah Kitty said Brickers visit was well received. We really appreciate Kens conversation on how Israel is present day, Kitty told SFGN after Tuesdays program. It is so impactful to understand the nuances of the background of certain events. Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. NASA FISO Presentation: Design Space for Space Design - Cybernetics, Human-Centered Design. NASA/Royal College of Art Now available is the July 6, 2016 NASA Future In-Space Operations (FISO) telecon material. The speaker was Tibor Balint (Royal College of Art Innovative Design Engineering/JPL) who discussed Design Space for Space Design: Cybernetics, Human-Centered Design, and NASA. Tibor Balint is a researcher at the Royal College of Art, School of Design, finalizing his second PhD in Innovation Design Engineering. He spent 4 years at NASA-HQ as the Senior Technical Advisor; the Program Executive for GCD at STMD; and a Senior Technologist at OCT. At JPL he worked for 8 years as a mission architect and technologist. He earned a PhD in engineering from Warwick University, UK; an MPhil from Exeter University, UK; an MSc from the Technical University of Budapest, Hungary; and an MSS degree from ISU, France. He is a full member of the IAA. Listen to podcast of Design Space for Space Design Cybernetics, Human-Centered Design telecon: Download the MP3 File. Download the presentation (PDF). Honolulus rich coffee and food scene just got a little richer: 9Bar is a new destination for coffee and healthy food options in Honolulus Kakaako district, currently undergoing significant development and revitalization. Equipped with a capable Modbar espresso machine and Compak grinder combo, theyre also rocking gear by Fellow, Joe Tap, and Mahlkonig. The space has been carefully designed to maximize conversation and community; consider this a new must-visit on your list for Honolulus coffee scene. As told to Sprudge by Ryan Plaza, Lead Barista at 9Bar HNL. For those who arent familiar, will you tell us about your company? Were a brand new coffee, breakfast, and bake shop, opened by a group of people passionate about high-quality food service and community building. Self-described foodies and coffee nerds, Stephen and Tracey Seta brought together our team to create a concept cafe focused on specialty coffee paired with the best food and service possible. The Setas are no strangers to coffee, having worked in the industry for several years marketing high-priced, premium coffees with sales geared mainly towards visitors. Yet despite working in an industry they were passionate about, the Setas felt unfulfilled. In Hawaii, we adopt an affinity to the culture here which is very community-centric and flooded with the spirit of aloha, and so it is our priority now to not only offer coffee that visitors would appreciate, but also create products that locals could love and enjoy, as well. The teams vision is dedicated to sharing their love and appreciation for coffee culture and freshly prepared food with the community. 9Bar HNL knows that there is no better complement to a good cup of coffee than a selection of heart-warming food itemsthis is why the Setas and their team are just as passionate about providing fresh, homemade pastries and breakfast to complement their coffee. Food offerings are comprised of rustic-style dishes the Setas grew up enjoying, which is the inspiration behind 9Bars menu. Their recipes are traditional, comfort foods made to highlight seasonal ingredients. Choices will range from homemade pastries like cookies, bundt cakes, and scuffins to creative breakfast bowls filled with hearty vegetables and proteins. With an emphasis on balanced flavors, there will be many sweet and savory options available for everyone to enjoy, but because coffee is the perfect breakfast partner, breakfast options will be offered all day long. Can you tell us a bit about the new space? Our space is opening in a brand new shopping center in the heart of Honolulu, Hawaii. The district is called Kakaako, previously an industrial area that is currently being revitalized with urban shopping, restaurants, and apartments geared toward the local community in Oahu. We wanted to create an open atmosphere for the community to gather and share ideas while enjoying excellent coffee and food. 9Bar will have a modern design with an industrial flair. Long counters and bench seating will be available for guests to sit at while enjoying their coffee and baked goods, and the crisp white walls and geometric light fixtures will offer an ambiance of elegant simplicity. Its one of a kind coffee bar includes low counters to encourage open conversations between patrons and passionate baristas. Whats your approach to coffee? When it comes to coffee our approach is transparency. We want our guests to see everything we do to perfect our craft and share with them some of our knowledge. We strive to spark open conversations between our baristas and guests while cultivating the community atmosphere and our passion for food and drink service. Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up? Were going to be featuring a one of a kind custom built Modbar set up to allow either one or two baristas to work comfortably side by side. With two Compak grinders nestled between the two Modbar stations, weve allowed the guests to see all aspects of our drink creations. Were also using the Joe Tap system for our nitro-infused cold-brew coffee. This ensures consistency while properly infusing the cold brew with the nitrogen. Joe Tap is the first coffee-focused system for cold-brew coffee and we are very excited with the results we are seeing. We will also be doing an assortment of pour-over coffees on different implements and to accomplish this we will be featuring the Stagg Pour-Over Kettle by Fellow, Acaia scales, and a Mahlkonig EK 43. Whats your hopeful target opening date/month? Monday, August 8, 2016. Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that youd like to mention? INK Architects, PacCon Construction, ADI Design Group (interior design): These three firms have helped us with design and construction of our space. Kona Coffee Purveyors (coffee roaster): Theyve helped us extensively with our Modbar layout and designing our espresso blend. Photos courtesy of Nathan Hall. UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) According to UNICEF, around 16,000 children have been recruited into armed groups since the crisis in South Sudan started in 2013. Last year, 1,775 child soldiers were released. "At this precarious stage in South Sudans short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent," UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth said as quoted in the funds Friday release. STOCKHOLM (Sputnik) According to the Ritzau news agency, the parliament gave the green light for two Danish vessels to remove the remaining chemical weapons in Libya. Copenhagen will send 200 servicemen and civil experts to take part in the operation, according to the media outlet. The history of Western colonialism and wars of conquest is replete with its cheerleaders in the form of newspaper columnists, novelists, and writers. During the high water mark of the British Empire, Rudyard Kipling was its unofficial chronicler. His most famous poem is White Man's Burden, which he wrote as a celebration of the takeover of the Philippines by the United States in 1898. "Take up the White Man's burden- Send forth the best ye breed- Go bind your sons to exile To serve your captives' need; To wait in heavy harness, On fluttered folk and wild- Your new-caught, sullen peoples, Half-devil and half-child." In modern times the now departed British writer and journalist Christopher Hitchens was perhaps most prominent when it came to carrying on the tradition of providing literary and journalistic muscle for the projection of Western imperial power. From a withering critic of the West and Western foreign policy in the 70s and 80s, Hitchens underwent a slow but sure metamorphosis throughout the nineties. It reached its apogee after 9/11, when he enthusiastically embraced the wars unleashed by George W Bush. For him, and other members of the liberal literati, US imperialism and militarism was suddenly a force for good and human progress in the world. The Stealth bombers, Abrams tanks, battleships, aircraft carriers and legions of kevlar-helmeted marines which at one time stood for death and destruction in the name of US hegemony, now constituted the vanguard of a neo-enlightenment, spreading civilization and democracy to the dark peoples of the world. Here was Hitchens' advice to the US and British military leaderships, published in the pages of the UK's Daily Mirror newspaper, just before the 2003 invasion of Iraq: "The best case scenario is a rapid attack by precision-guided weapons, striking Saddam's communications in the first hours and preventing his deranged orders from being obeyed. Then a massive landing will bring food, medicine and laptop computers to a surging crowd of thankful and relieved Iraqis and Kurds. This could, in theory, all happen." After the invasion, with the resulting slaughter and carnage at its height, Hitchens had this to say this during a speech he gave at Kenyon College, Ohio in 2004 on the destruction of Fallujah, "The death toll is not nearly high enough too many have escaped." As the Australian journalist and documentary makes John Pilger wrote: "Many journalists now are no more than channelers and echoers of what George Orwell called the 'official truth'. They simply cipher and transmit lies." Dear American People: Your govt is murdering children with your tax dollars. #WakeUp or you are complicit. https://t.co/Jpaq9lhPy8 Susan Jane Thompson (@AuntRube) August 19, 2016 The problem is, of course, that those lies are being told in pursuit of a very dangerous attitude when it comes to Russia and its government. Allied to the increasingly bellicose stance of NATO in Eastern Europe, we are talking the prospect of direct military conflict, the consequences of which you would think would be self-evidently too awful to contemplate. But then this assumes reasoned and rational minds, the kind clearly absent in the case of a large section of the aforementioned Western liberal intelligentsia. During the first half of the year, 421 new cases of tuberculosis were reported in Sweden, with a marked increase in the 15-19 age bracket. According to the Public Health Agency, the increase rests entirely on the increased immigration, as 90 percent of the patients infected with tuberculosis are foreign-born, infectionist and epidemiologist Jerker Jonsson pointed out to Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter earlier this year. The largest increase in tuberculosis among native Swedes occurred in the age bracket 80 and higher. According to physicians, this may be the case of "old" TB becoming active after lying dormant for several decades. Tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs, but can also affect other internal organs. The disease is caused by tuberculosis bacteria which are spread in the air by coughing. Most people who get infected do not become actively sick, but carry latent tuberculosis without evident symptoms. The latent or dormant stadium is not contagious. "However, the latent disease can turn into an active and contagious phase anytime," infectious disease physician Hakan Miorner told Sydsvenskan. Both active and dormant tuberculosis are treated with antibiotics. However, there occur antibiotic-resistant forms of tuberculosis, where standard treatment proves ineffective. According to coast guard spokesman Armando Balilo, the BRP Tubbataha will be used on mission to the West Philippine Sea, one of the contested areas where the Philippines is claiming jurisdiction. Manila has long protested the claims of China to control the South China Sea. Beijings attempts to keep Filipino fishermen away from resource-rich Scarborough Shoal, which contains a deployment of energy-surveying ships at Reed Bank, is another hotspot between the countries. Based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, these features are within the Philippines 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. The Philippines sought international arbitration on the issue in 2013, and the Hague ruled against Beijings "nine-dash line" claim to most of the South China Sea last month. Manila was also able achieve legal affirmation for its fishermen to ply their trade near Scarborough Shoal. MOSCOW (Sputnik) According to the Malaysian official, as cited by The Star newspaper, the MT Zolotoj Most vessel dropped anchor on Thursday 3.5 nautical miles to the southeast of Tanjung Piai cape, a national natural landmark. "During inspection, the crew members failed to produce documents from the Marine Department to show that they were allowed to anchor there. On top of that, the vessel was anchored at a prohibited area limited to the Port of Tanjung Pelepas," Ishak was quoted as saying by the newspaper. Famous for its coastal mangrove and great fish population, Tanjung Piai cape is a Malaysian natural landmark of great environmental importance. In its most recent forecast, the International Monetary Fund lowered this year's global economic growth target to 2.9 percent from 3.1 percent, and this could be the second year in a row with global growth of less than 3 percent, Xinhua reported. Vice-Foreign Minister Li Baodong said it is hoped that the G20, an economic governance forum first convened in 2008 amid a major global financial crisis, will shift from a focus on addressing crisis to "a governance mechanism with long-lasting effect". When asked if China will avoid highlighting the South China Sea issue, Li said the top concern of the summit will be the growth of global trade and investment and that all parties should "stay concentrated and focus on the economy". Although many leaders have proposed bilateral meetings with China on the summit sidelines, the schedule will be packed and Beijing is communicating with relevant parties regarding such meetings, Li added. Jia Jinjing, an expert on macroeconomic studies at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, said the Hangzhou summit could be a turning point during which the G20 mission will shift to long-lasting governance, since more minister-level meetings have been included to expand the G20's role in navigating global growth. "The summit will see China offering solutions in addition to its contributions made to the world economy," Jia added. Xu Hongcai, an economist with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said the G20 members should boost their coordination on monetary policies, as "there is a serious differentiation among the policies of the major economies in the world". Yi Gang, a vice-governor of the People's Bank of China, told the briefing that China has introduced "green finance" as a G20 agenda topic for Hangzhou, a G20 study group for green finance has been established and a report on green financing will be presented at the summit. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, green financing and investment involve "technologies, infrastructure and companies that will be critical in the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and resource-efficient economy". MOSCOW (Sputnik) The Kunduz province has been a hotbed of Taliban activity in Afghanistan. In September 2015, the Taliban seized the 300,000-large provincial capital city of Kunduz after months of fighting between the militants and government forces. "I mentioned this in the past that 70 percent of Kunduz is under the control of militants, but now the percentage has increased after another district fallen to insurgents including most parts of Dasth-e-Archi district. We are concerned about the situation and so are the residents," council deputy head Zargul Alemi said, as quoted by the TOLOnews channel on Friday. In what could be a major headache for India's security agencies, it has been revealed that militant organizations in the country's restive northeastern states have been engaging minors to assist them in planting bombs. Earlier, there were instances of children in Kashmir being involved in such activities backed by militants. This is the first time that such incidences have come to light elsewhere in India. Two detained students told interrogators that they were offered $7.50 each to plant bombs in populated areas. The boys are students of classes IX and X. High-ranking officials of the Assam administration told Sputnik, "This is very disturbing. Engaging school kids in these activities is a first in the state." Nidhi visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) office in Delhi on Friday and discussed Nepals efforts to reconstruct the country after the devastating earthquake last year which shook the Himalayan kingdom. Nidhi's visit is significant as Nepal is on its way to reconstruct itself after the massive earthquake which killed more than 8,000 people and hundreds of thousands of people were left homeless with entire villages flattened across many districts of the country. Senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and NDMA were present on the occasion. The report stressed that the drill was not meant as a signal to any single nation. "This exercise is part of annual training arrangements," according to the report, and "is not aimed at any specific country, region or target, and accords with international law and practice." The second fleet consisted of a number of warships from the Donghai Fleet. According to Xinhua news agency, "foreign aircraft attempted surveillance during the drill and were met with the proper response from the Chinese warships." Earlier this week, Tokyo released footage of Chinese vessels encroaching on contested waters near the Senkakus in the East China Sea. Wing commander Brig. Gen. Douglas Cox said, "This mission demonstrated the US commitment to supporting global security and our ability to launch a credible strategic defense force." Last week, three B-2 Spirit stealth aircraft arrived from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri for a brief deployment to the Pacific as part of bomber operations by the US strategic command. The B-2s are the most advanced bombers in America, with the capability of delivering both nuclear and conventional weapons. An undisclosed number of supersonic B-1 Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota landed at Andersen a few days prior, to replace the older fleet of B-52s deployed from Minot Air Base in North Dakota. The B-1 can carry more than 75,000 pounds of weapons and can travel up to 900 mph. KIEV (Sputnik) In January, the AMC fined Gazprom 85 billion hryvnia ($3 billion) for abusing its dominance in the Ukrainian gas transit market. Gazprom challenged the fine in the Kiev Economic Court. The case was dismissed, prompting the Russian company to lodge an appeal with the Supreme Economic Court. "The Anti-Monopoly Committee's decision on Gazprom's fine is to be completed. If the decision is not carried out by Gazprom voluntarily, there will be a court appeal on the forced recovery of this fine," AMC head Yuriy Terentyev said at a press briefing. BERLIN (Sputnik) He noted that the situation is disappointing and depends on various factors. "The proportion of the GDR and the FRG [Eastern and Western Germany] in the foreign trade of the USSR was 11.5 and 4.3 percent respectively in 1985, but now the share of Germany is 8.8 percent. A turnover of German-Russian trade fell from $74.9 billion in 2013 to $45.8 billion in 2015. During January May 2016, the figure fell short of $15 billion and the forecast for the year amounts to $35-37 billion. Comments, as they say, are unnecessary," Zverev said. Shifts in technology, industrial property market, equipment and amounts of readily available workforce, as well as many other factors, will all likely warp the course of Trumps economic reform. Would Trump provide a kick start to the Rust Belt? Yes. Will the Rust Belt be anything like the thriving Motor City of the 1950s? Not at all the tides of history are not at Trumps command. What is it going to be like then? A looser tax and regulative regime would attract industries that are first and foremost struggling with higher costs of production in other parts of the US due to huddling. Silicon Valley is a prime example, with many tech companies seeking to decentralize their business to other parts of the US. Subsequently, Trumps policies will immediately spur internal movements in capital and industrial production within the US. But what about bringing factories from overseas? At this point, it is impossible to compete with the developing World in terms of labor costs in the open market due to a variety of factors, determining the face of multiple labor markets across the worlds many regions. It is not only overall lower wages, but also such ugly practices as labor camps, child labor, and various other forms of non-market exploitation. Customs tariffs are, therefore, a necessity. Historically, the issue of tariffs is a sensitive and volatile one for the US, in particular, as it once triggered a war between states. Yet, Trump is adamant in his Lincolnesque protectionist fervor. "Every single unit you make that crosses our now very, very strong border, we're going to charge you 35 percent of the cost of that unit," Trump exclaimed before a gathering of Pennsylvanians during one of his rallies last week. Such measures would contribute to an accelerated re-shoring of some of the traditionally American industries. However, Trumps fiscal stimulus would more likely trigger an emergence of new trends in the US manufacturing, which cannot be foreseen at this point. The Rust Belt would indeed benefits economically from the Trumponomics. Yet, in this struggle for American hearts and minds, a struggle between the left-wing blurry post-modern and the heavy-stomping onslaught of the Trumpist neo-modern, either outcome is uncertain, but the consequences of each are self-evident. Yet, beware of what you wish for the technocrat neo-industrialist economy with long workhours at the actual factory might turn out to be a tougher living environment than the social benefits-fueled paradise of lattes, not-so-medical marijuana, and Netflix and chill. In March this year, Indian Oil bid for a joint venture with Myanmar Petroleum Products Enterprise for import, storage, distribution and sale of all petroleum products except liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Apart from fuel retailing, the Indian energy conglomerate has also expressed keen interest in investment in Myanmar's gas reserve Myanmar has large oil and gas reserves, but the exact size of these reserves is still not fully known. Most geologists believe that Myanmar offshore is full of natural gas, and that is precisely the reason Indian oil and gas companies, including ONGC and Reliance, are keen," Narendra Taneja, energy expert, told to Sputnik. Meanwhile, China, Myanmar's biggest trading partner, is also seeking to expand its investment in this sector. It plans to set up an oil refinery costing 3 billon dollars in the Davei special economic zone that is expected to be operational by 2019. The plant will be capable of processing 100,000 barrels of oil per day. So far, Myanmar has been largely dependent on imports for its domestic needs as the country does not have modern refineries. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, a WTO panel said it found Russia's blanket ban on EU pork imports, as well as on separate products from Poland and the Baltic states, to be inconsistent with a number of WTO articles as well as the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement. Russia, which introduced the ban in 2014 amid concerns over the spread of the African swine fever in Europe, said that the decision was politically motivated. "The ruling sends a strong signal to Russia, and all WTO Members, as regards their obligation to respect international standardsFor most of the products dealt with in this case, trade continues to be restricted by a politically motivated ban imposed on EU agri-food products by Russia in August 2014," the European Commission said in a statement. The WTO panel ruling said that the ban was discriminatory and in excess of what is required to reach appropriate levels of protection from swine fever, as well as stating that a ban on certain products from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland is inconsistent with international animal health standards. In theory, the route from China through Mongolia easily intersects with the Irkutsk Trans-Eurasian transport corridor. Mongolia, which is a land locked country, is seeking to open a route for increased business transportation. It has developed the Mongolian Steppe Route which provides not only the development of roads from China to Russia, but in general, development of transport and logistics infrastructure in the country. The plan is to upgrade all of the railway lines and build a high-speed highway with a length of over 1,000 km, which would be crossing over Mongolia from south to north. Russia and China have approved the Mongolian Steppe in 2014. It seems that the idea behind this is similar to the old Great Tea Route which was developed for economic and tourist routes and for integration of a global transport flow. Effects of New Route However, for Buryatia and the southern regions of Siberia a new road is important. It really is a short and easy route. It will facilitate the transportation of goods, speed up their flow and also relieve carriers from unnecessary spending. It is estimated that by 2020 due to the distribution of traffic flows via the new routes, freight traffic will grow by 17-20%. In the future, growth is possible by up to 10% per year, which corresponds to an average annual growth of the volume of foreign trade of Russia and China, General Director of the Russian Agency of Road Transport (Rosavtotrans) Alexey Dvoinih said. The growth of trade turnover between the southern regions of Eastern Siberia and China will benefit both the sides. The demand for Russian raw materials on the part of Chinese businessmen will give impetus to the development of local industries, including the coal industry. At the same time, the emergence in the market of cheapened Chinese consumer goods allows the impact of the crisis on living standards of the population to be neutralized, partner at the Kirikov Group, Daniel Kirikov told Vzglyad.ru. China for its part, will receive new markets and access to cheap raw materials. Mongolia will also ensure economic growth through the development of transport and service infrastructure in the form of gas stations, catering establishments, hotels and so on. He believes that the Netherlands will be able improve relations with Russia after leaving the European Union. "Brussels should not dictate who we can have economic and political relations with. Restoring ties with Russia is a priority direction for the traditionally trade oriented country which is what the Netherlands has always been. For centuries our countries have benefited from bilateral cooperation despite conflicts. And today lifting the anti-Russian sanctions is a mandatory condition for our positive future," Wilders said. "We are united in the fact that we want it to be prescribed legally show your face where it is necessary to live in our society: in the tax agency, in government offices, registry offices, schools and universities, at the civil service and in court," Maiziere told the ZDF broadcaster following a two-day meeting with colleagues from the federal states. In May 2015, the Dutch government approved a ban on burqas in some public places, including education and health care institutions, government buildings and on public transport. A similar ban on face coverings in public places has been in place in France since 2011. KIEV (Sputnik) Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the public announcement of the GKChP, a body comprising a group of coup plotters, being established in the Soviet Union to run the country. In the early hours of August 19, 1991, eight top Soviet officials who disagreed with the policies of USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev and the new draft Union Treaty formed the State Committee for the State of Emergency in the Soviet Union. On August 24, 1991, Ukraine declared its independence. "I think the very independence of Ukraine was historically inevitable. All nations differently walked to freedom, to their rights through the blood, through suffering, sometimes even through terrible torments. But the idea of independence and freedom has always been dominant in Ukraine. That is why it [the independence] would happen sooner or later. But, if there was no coup, I think the independence could had been postponed not for a month, but even for a longer time, because everyone who saw the Emergency Committee understood that the Soviet Union has no power to unite and strengthen the collapsing state," Kravchuk told RIA Novosti. According to him, the events involving the GKChP showed that Ukraine must rely on their own strength to overcome the consequences of the USSR disintegration. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The migrants were then transferred to the mainland for registration, the Kathimerini newspaper reported. The total number of migrants and refugees currently in Greece is estimated at about 58,000. Since early 2015, hundreds of thousands of migrants have been trying to reach EU member states through various routes, most commonly, via Italy, Greece and Balkan states. Commenting on the US Vice Presidents visit to Kosovo in an interview with Sputnik, Zoran Stankovic, editor-in-chief of Radio Gracanica, said that the local Serbs dont believe that Biden really means what he says. The Kosovo Albanians have just as much faith in [Biden] as the local Serbs do, especially in view of the US endorsement of the regions unilateral declaration of independence in 2008, he said. Mentioning Kosovo President Hashim Thacis promise to restart dialogue with Belgrade after the initial round of talks fell through, Stankovic said: People here believe that Albanian politics can change any moment. The thing is that the transcript of Bidens interview has never been published in full and what is going to happen next is anyones guess. In any case, America is the country that is calling all the shots in Pristina. BERLIN (Sputnik) The Russia-France-Germany-Ukraine framework known as the Normandy format is needed to stay in place to settle the conflict in eastern Ukraine, German Foreign Office spokeswoman Sawsan Chebli said Friday. "Despite the difficult situation in which we find ourselves, in spite of setbacks we periodically experience, it is necessary to do everything to stay in the Normandy format for the realization of Minsk [ceasefire agreements]," Chelbi said at a briefing. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said this month he expected the international probe report to be published before the end of the year. "We have informed victims' relatives that we will have a new meeting on September 28 where the results of the criminal investigation will be unveiled," OM spokesman Wim de Bruin told the AFP news service. De Bruin specified the preliminary results would indicate which weapon was used and from where it was fired. "London has recently made a positive step forward in trying to dilute uncertainties clouding its relations with Beijing following a controversial decision to delay a major nuclear power plant co-sponsored with China and France. "Apparently, London's so-called 'national security' concerns over Chinese investment into the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant could well endanger the bright new prospects the two nations' leadership have agreed to foster during Chinese President Xi Jinping' s visit to Britain last October. "The worries over the plant are as groundless as they are unnecessary. The Chinese investor only has one-third of the project's stakes while the French side holds all the rest. Thus it is impossible and commercially suicidal for the Chinese side to manipulate the project at its own will," said Xinhua. National Security EDF Energy in the UK has been planning to build a new nuclear station at Hinkley Point for several years, but the project has been bedeviled by financial uncertainty and technical issues. Despite the British Government agreeing a 'strike price' with EDF Energy in the UK, which guarantees EDF a price of US$141 MWh for generating electricity over 35 years and a debt guarantee, EDF could not go ahead with the project alone. In October 2015, former Prime Minister David Cameron struck a deal allowing China to fund a third of the project, with a promise it would be preferred bidder to build another plant at Bradwell. Critics said allowing China such a foothold in the UK could compromise the UK's national security. The Islamic full face veil "does not belong in our cosmopolitan country," said Thomas de Maiziere at a time when Germany is engulfed in fierce integration debate following the refugee crisis in Europe and Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to allow 800,000 Syrian migrants settle in Germany. "We agree that we reject the burqa, we agree that we want to introduce a legal requirement to show one's face in places where it is necessary for our society's coexistence at the wheel, at public offices, at the registry office, in school and universities, in the civil service, in court," De Maiziere said following a meeting with counterparts from his conservative party. Two key state elections are due to take place in September and it's expected that the right-wing nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is set to make strong gains having garnered increasing levels of support after Merkel's "open doors" policy over refugees that led to a movement of migrants from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The ban on fishing, diving or dropping anchor anywhere within a radius of 1,000 meters from the old wreckage came after Danish Maritime Authority and Defense Ministry received a warning from a team of divers, who found a WW1 submarine with unexploded mines and torpedoes on board. On board the wreck there are 18 fully-intact mines and six torpedoes, Gert Normann Andersen, director of Sea War Museum Jutland and diving company JD-Contractor, which carried out the expedition, told the Danish tabloid newspaper BT. According to him, this is a rare find. The find was identified as the German submarine of UC30 class, which was regarded as a mystery among historians and divers. The submarine disappeared with the whole crew of 23 men in 1917, but was estimated to have sunk in a completely different place. The dangerous find rests eight to ten kilometers west of Esbjerg facing Horns Rev, 17 meters below sea level. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The minister added that the police should have been also better equipped. "We need more police officers and not only those working on the streets, but also sitting at computers and serving in the special forces," de Maiziere said at a press conference with representatives from regional ministerial departments, as quoted by the Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, the leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom, Geert Wilders, said the Netherlands would only be able to improve its relations and restore trade with Russia by leaving the European Union, which would enable the country to opt out of the anti-Russia sanctions imposed by Brussels on the pretext of the conflict in Ukraine. "We strongly support Dutch EU-membership. For a trade-oriented nation like ourselves, even the suggestion to leave the largest single market and largest trading bloc in the history of the world is simply insane and anti-Dutch. We will passionately make this argument to the Dutch people," Tim Versnel said, adding that his party, led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, will never support a referendum on the Netherlands' membership of the European Union. This is a tectonic movement that is bigger than a mere transfer of weapons, even nuclear. There is an extremely dynamic geopolitical context here. The Moscow-Ankara-Tehran axis now in the making would radically change the situation the region, he emphasized. Earlier, the Brussels-based online paper EurActive.com reported citing its own sources, that the United States had started transferring its nuclear munitions in Turkey to the Derveselu air base in Romania. Romania dismissed the report as untrue. Another source told EurActiv.com that relations between Washington and Ankara had deteriorated so much since last months failed coup that the US no longer trusted Turkey to host nuclear weapons. In an interview with RIA Novosti, Georgi Gotev said that he had been advised not to go ahead with the publication he had received from his own sources., Before publishing this material I consulted with geopolitical guru George Friedman (the founder of the US independent research center Stratfor). He advised me not to publish this because no one in the know of the matter would say anything because, otherwise they could wind up in jail for 30 years, Georgi said. According to one source, the transfer of nuclear weapons is a highly challenging process, both technically and politically. Its not easy to move 20+ nukes, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity. Christian Estrosi, the first deputy mayor of Nice, wrote to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls earlier, expressing support for the mayors of other cities who have banned the burkini and calling for a nation-wide ban on the suitwear which he claims is alien to French society. Nice has now joined Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Cannes, Cap d'ail, Eze, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Menton, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, as well as Saint-Laurent-du-Var, which adopted a similar measure earlier in the day. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the month, local media reported that the Jamia Masjid Abu Bakr mosque in the English city of Rotherham had received a bomb threat signed with the number 1488 which neo-Nazi groups are believed to use. "At approximately 8am [07:00 GMT] this morning, Friday 19 August, a 43-year-old man from Plymouth was arrested under the Malicious Communications Act by officers from the North East Counter Terrorism Unit," the police statement reads. According to the statement, police are currently interrogating the suspect. "A decade on from one of the worst environmental disasters of the 21st century, Trafigura and governments alike have abandoned the victims to suffer a toxic legacy. Meanwhile, Trafigura has rebranded itself, claiming it is a transparent, responsible company. "This corporate giant, which posted profits of US$1.1 billion in 2015, must not be allowed to completely wash its hands of this disaster," said Lucy Graham, researcher in Amnesty International's Business and Human Rights Team. 'Deep Regret' In response, Trafigura told Sputnik: "The Probo Koala incident took place 10 years ago. Trafigura's involvement in this incident has been the subject of much comment (not all of it accurate), numerous Court decisions and final settlements. #Trafigura had decided nt 2 dispose of th toxic waste in Netherlands because proper disposal costs more #CotedIvoire pic.twitter.com/EXZDAYZNSL Red Sufi (@AliyMirza) August 19, 2016 "Trafigura has expressed, and reiterates, its deep regret of the impact the incident had, both real and perceived. We have learnt from our experiences. BAKU (Sputnik) Approximately 26,000 people have been arrested since the July 15 attempted overthrow of the Turkish government that led to over 260 deaths. Ankara has requested the United States to extradite Gulen, who denies the accusations of masterminding the plot, to face charges in Turkey. "Literature of the Fethullah Gulen, CDs and documents proving links to the movement were found in one of the suspects flats," the statement read. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, a WTO panel said it found Russia's blanket ban on EU pork imports to be inconsistent with a number of WTO articles as well as the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement (SPS). The panel said that the ban was discriminatory and in excess of what is required to reach appropriate levels of protection, as well as stating that a ban on certain products from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland is inconsistent with international animal health standards. "We are going in our own direction, there is nothing terrible about this, someone always wins and loses. Given the conditions with pressure being applied on Russia, I never doubted that the decision would be [anything but] solely political, the same as with the doping [scandal]," Dankvert told RIA Novosti. The 49-year-old Chinese tailor, Chaolin Zhang, was attacked on August 7 in the street; he fell into a deep coma after many injuries, and five days later doctors declared him brain dead. Since December 27, 2015, until the attack on Chaolin Zhang, there were 105 assaults of this kind on the representatives of the Chinese diaspora, according to the chairman of Chinese Friendship Association in France (Association de l'Amitie Chinoise en France) Hua Qin Cao. Most of the attacks were committed in the Quatre Chemins neighborhood. According to Ling Lenzi, the member of the municipal council of Aubervilliers who raised the alarm back in January, when the first violent attacks took place in the commune, too much time was lost since then. MOSCOW (Sputnik) According to the Evening Standard newspaper, the fire broke out at 15:45 local time [14:45 GMT] in Shepherds Bush. There have been no immediate reports of people trapped or injured, while an adjacent shopping center had been evacuated. "One hundred and twenty firefighters are tackling a high rise blaze at Shepherd's Bush Green The cause of the fire is not known at this stage," a London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said as quoted by the media outlet. An air ambulance is present at the scene, the newspaper added. MADRID (Sputnik) In June, parliamentary elections in Spain resulted in a deadlock, as PP led by Rajoy finished first but failed to gain an absolute majority to form a government on their own. On Thursday, Rajoy and Albert Rivera, the Citizens party leader agreed to sign a deal on a parliamentary alliance. "We signed an anti-corruption deal which includes six points. The deal paves the way for talks on Mariano Rajoy's investiture," Juan Carlos Girauta, lawmaker from the Citizens party, was quoted as saying by 24 Horas broadcaster. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Gianluca Savoini reminded that the leader of Italy's Lega Nord party Matteo Salvini, who last week participated in a pro-police rally, promised that his party, if elected, would submit a proposal to empower the police with authority to detain illegal migrants by placing them in transitional camps before sending them back to the country of their origin. "Once in the government, Lega Nord will give more rights to the police so that they can properly combat the illegal migration in the country. Police officers need authority to deal with illegal migrants not refugees who illegally occupy empty buildings or sleep on the streets." MOSCOW (Sputnik) On Thursday, Austrian Foreign and Integration Minister Sebastian Kurz presented integration proposals on migrants in Austria which include "one euro jobs" for refugees with low qualifications. Under the "one euro jobs" scheme migrants can work from 15 to 30 hours a week for 1 euro per hour. Refugees will receive reduced financial support from the government in case they reject this kind of work. "SPO is waiting for detailed plans from the bureau of Mr. Kurz before discussing the proposed one euro jobs for migrants," Uhl said. The foreign minister also proposed sanctions for refugees who do not attend German language and values courses, a ban on full-body-covering outer garments and a stipulation that new migrants must live in Austria for five years before being eligible to receive the full amount in state support. She added that she and French President Francois Hollande are working "with all ones strength" to force Russia to comply with the Minsk ceasefire agreement. "This is and remains the yardstick for the future of the sanctions." Moscow has, however, repeatedly pointed out that Kiev has been conducting military operations against Donbass independence supporters. "It is clear why it was done," Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, referring to the Ukraines recent attempt to sabotage critical infrastructure on the Crimean peninsula. "They [Kiev] do not want or are unable to implement Minsk agreements for whatever reasons. And they cannot explain to their own people the significant lapses in socio-economic policy." The statement added that a special body created to deal with aid requests from people affected by the attacks had already received 215 such requests. On March 22, two explosions hit Brussels Airport. A third blast hit Maelbeek metro station near the headquarters of the EU institutions. The explosions killed over 30 people and injured more than 300. The Daesh terrorist group, outlawed in many countries including Russia, claimed responsibility for the attacks. MOSCOW (Sputnik) US swimmer Ryan Lochte earlier alleged that he and three other Olympic swimmers, including Feigen, were robbed at gunpoint by people claiming to be police officers. On Thursday, Brazilian Chief of Civil Police Fernando Veloso said that the US Olympic swimmers claims about being robbed in Rio had proven to be false. According to the ABC News, Feigans lawyer Breno Melaragno Costa announced that the athlete would pay the sum to Reaction Institute charity after a four-hour conversation with public prosecutors at a police station on Thursday. On Thursday, Brazilian police said the swimmers were not robbed by law enforcement offers but instead were detained after vandalizing a bathroom at a gas station while drunk. Security camera footage reportedly showed a police officer drawing his weapon after the four US swimmers tried to leave the scene. The manifesto accuses Brazilian General Prosecutor Rodrigo Janot, Judge Sergio Moro and Justice of the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Gilmar Mendes of violating 12 constitutional rights of the former president of Brazil, Lula da Silva. Outrage, kidnapping, abuse of authority, violence and slander these are just some of the crimes committed against the former president by Interim President Michel Temer's government. The document also notes the involvement of the Brazilian press in the process of persecution. It is a method that has been chosen for demonizing Lula in order to prevent his candidacy in the presidential elections in 2018. "This is an attempt of the majority among the press and the opposition to discredit the candidacy of the largest national leader in the history of the Brazilian republic, who was able to win those parties, the Brazilian oligarchy and bourgeoisie. They are trying to create a legal environment to prevent it," Secretary for Policy and International Relations of the Communist Party of Brazil (Partido Comunista do Brasil, PCdoB), Jose Reinaldo Carvalho told Sputnik in an interview. MOSCOW (Sputnik) On August 15, an airstrike partially destroyed the hospital in Hajjah run by the group, killing 14 people. "We very much regret MSFs decision to evacuate staff from 6 clinics in northern Yemen. We greatly value the work MSF does for the people of Yemen under difficult circumstances," the coalition said as quoted by the SPA news agency. The coalition command also insisted that it fully respects international humanitarian law in the conduct of the operation in Yemen. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The extremists coffers have been filled by "everything Daesh stole from the banks of Mosul when it took the city two years ago," as well as from a variety of illicit activities such as racketeering and extortion, common among the groups members, Jean-Frederic Poisson , a member of The Republicans party, told the France Info news outlet. Poisson also said it was unlikely that the group still had financial links to Saudi Arabia or Qatar. "If there are [links], we could not gather any evidence to prove it," the lawmaker said. MOSCOW (Sputnik) On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry welcomed a proposal brought forward by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura for a 48-hour pause in fighting in Aleppo, and expressed readiness to implement next week the first 48-hour humanitarian pause to supply the city with aid as a "pilot project." "MSF welcomes the support of the Russian government to the UN proposal of 48-hours periods of ceasefire in Aleppo. The population in Aleppo badly needs a respite in the combats and bombing that will allow aid into the city, and the evacuation of wounded and sick patients," MSFs Pablo Marco said. Another version says that al-Nusra Front militants were not happy to be part of al-Qaeda and decided to act independently. Now, the group may receive new sources of support and focus its activities on Syria. Moscow-based political scientist Alexander Perendzhiev assumed that the move could mark the creation of a new extremist project aimed at occupying territories for a "global caliphate." "It is not merely 're-branding': the decision to change the name has not only been triggered by the desire to sidestep airstrikes. The renaming of the terrorist al-Nusra Front group may mark the beginning of a new project aimed at conquering territories for a global caliphate together with Daesh or instead of this organization," Perendzhiev told RIA Novosti. At the same time, some analysts say that in fact there is no split in al-Qaeda. They say that the al-Nusra break-up was formal and has no ulterior motive. This is a desperate move in a bid to escape from the Aleppo entrapment via the humanitarian corridor for militants who want to lay down arms. Meanwhile, Russian military expert Igor Korotchenko suggested that with this move the terrorists are trying to escape the final defeat, seeking to withdraw themselves from the list of terrorist organizations. "Terrorism is changing colors, but any attempt to withdraw from the onslaught of terrorist organizations can't be recognized as legitimate," Korotchenko said. "The desire of al-Nusra Front to change its color speaks about the success of the fight against this terrorist organization, which bears heavy losses and is trying to get away from the final defeat," Korochenko was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti. Nevertheless, whatever the reasons the new group remains a terrorist organization just like its predecessor. The failed rebranding attempt shows that the terrorists are losing positions and nearing defeat, the article concluded. Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting against a number of opposition factions and extremist groups. The ceasefire in Syria brokered by Russia and the United States took effect on February 27 to facilitate humanitarian access to all besieged areas in the country, among other purposes. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The US-led coalition against Daesh destroyed the terror groups finance storage center near the Iraqi city of Mosul on Thursday in an airstrike, the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said in a press release. "Near Mosul, three strikes struck an ISIL [Daesh] tactical unit, an ISIL finance storage center and an ISIL finance distribution center, and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions," the release stated on Friday. In addition, the strikes near Mosul destroyed two Daesh vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, two mortar systems, four assembly areas and a tunnel, while denying the terrorists access to terrain, according to the Task Force. Currently, the area controlled by the government forces has a number of enclaves, small areas that are not-controlled by the Syrian Army. The army does not have enough resources and personnel to take control over those areas. In addition, Kurds living in northern Syria are unlikely to be part of a centralized state. "The question is whether Syria will be a federation or confederation in the future. Another option is that the country would be divided into several independent states. Syrian politician Qadri Jamil proposed that Syria was a Unitarian state, with some autonomous regions, like Catalonia in Spain," Isayev pointed out. At the same time, Iranian political analyst Mohammad Marandi underscored that only the Syrian people should decide the future of its country. He warned that the collapse of the country would only contribute to the spread of extremism. Analyst and former Israeli ambassador to Russia Zvi Magen agreed that Syria is unlikely to restore its previous borders after the war. "It is probable that the western part of the country will be an independent entity a state or an enclave. Other regions turn into small states, enclaves and other entities, maybe parts of a federation or a confederation. But they are unlikely to become parts of Iran or Turkey," Magen said. The analysts also noted that the Syrian conflict involved a number of different forces which sometimes have different goals. The strikes destroyed a terrorist command center and a base Dar-Taaza, as well as a major plant producing mortar ammunition and a large arms depot in the Aleppo province, the ministry said. #SYRIA Results of strike with #Kalibr missiles on a plant manufacturing mortar munitions in Syria pic.twitter.com/Pp61YdKOld (@mod_russia) 19 2016 . "Today, at 10:55 a.m., Zelyony Dol and Serpukhov small-sized missile ships of the Black Sea Fleet carried out three launches of sea-based Kalibr cruise missiles on al-Nusra Front targets in Syria from the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea during combat maneuvering." This is one of the priorities for the restoration of the object that it consists of up to 80-85% of the original fragments. In two years, it can be restored using bulldozer, crane and labor. According to the director, the Syrian specialists have the proper documentation with measurement drawings, so an accurate restoration of the temple is possible. Talking about the technique that will be used for such restoration, Lesovoy said that there are special techniques, using a solution of lime and sand with the addition of various plasticizers and concrete mix, hence everything could be done there, on the spot. You can attach the stones to the so-called platforms, the surface of the stone is drilled and into the hole a metal pin is inserted which pushes another stone into the hole. Talking about the other sites, the director said that the Necropolis in Palmyra is almost completely destroyed, as it was blown up. He said that it is necessary to carry out additional research, excavation and analysis of the obstructions. We could not do it, so to assess its condition right now is difficult. The director said that the amphitheater has been completely preserved, since that is where the militants executed civilians. When they were retreating, they did not have time to blow it up; Russian military has since cleared the area of mines. Fighting in these areas began on Tuesday after a mortar attack on some areas of the city, the source said. According to him, the forces of the national militia and the army are fighting shoulder to shoulder against Daesh militants in areas around the central prison and the main power plant. Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting a number of opposition factions and extremist groups. On February 27, a US-Russia brokered ceasefire came into force in Syria. Terrorist groups such as Daesh, as well as al-Nusra Front are not part of the deal. Both groups are banned in Russia and a range of other countries. Among those weapons are, for instance, Soviet-made D-20 and D-30 howitzers as well as BMP-1 infantry combat vehicles and S-60 anti-aircraft guns. They and their analogues are still used by the Chinese military, the expert said. He added that China also could train military specialists in transportation, logistics, communications and military medical aid. According to Kashin, it was very important for Beijing to pick the right time to get involved in the Syrian crisis with military assistance. "It was difficult for China to take the right stance towards Syria, much more difficult than for Russia. Beijing has a broad network of trade ties with Middle Eastern countries, including regional rivals. Saudi Arabia and Iran are equally important for China as trade and energy partners," the expert said. At the same time, Syria has become a place attracting radical Islamists from all over the world. "There are hundreds of militants from Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Syria. They have schools and training camps there. China is interested in destroying the terrorists," the expert said. In addition, if the Syrian war is over and Bashar Assad or some of his supporters stay in power it would be a big victory for developing countries. "The US regime change strategy, including support for rebels and imposing pro-Western regimes, is collapsing. The consequences will be global, from the Middle East to Africa and Eastern Asia. China is concerned by Washingtons policy of 'color revolutions' and wants to undermine it," Kashin said. Currently, the Syrian war is entering the decisive phase, including fierce clashes around Aleppo. The parties involved are intensifying their efforts, and maybe now is the right moment for China to get involved, he concluded. "We immediately contacted the Russians via the MOU channel, established for de-confliction and to ensure the safety of Coalition forces and their counter-ISIL [Daesh] efforts," Rankine-Galloway said. The spokesperson added that the Russian military said its aircraft did not participate in the strikes near Hasakah. "We made clear that Coalition aircraft would defend its troops on the ground if threatened," Rankine-Galloway said on Friday. "The Syrian Regime would be well advised not to interfere with Coalition forces or its partners." The changes Turkey would make to its stance on the issue will determine the relations between Moscow and Ankara, said Hasan Selim Ozertem from the International Strategic Research Organization (USAK). The specialist underscored that at the talks Russia has clear priorities and demands, including closing the Syrian-Turkish borders to militants and arms supplies and control over humanitarian supplies. Earlier, Syrian President Bashar Assad underscored that cooperation with Turkey on Syria would be possible if border control and security are restored. "Why did Turkey come up with such an agreement? I think the reason is the situation in the region. Turkey is seeking ways to break the isolation provoked by its foreign policy. This agreement is very important for Ankara," she said. Moreover, the Turkish government believes that Israel is interested in cooperation with Turkey, especially in energy. At the same time, for a long time the Israeli government insisted it had no need for cooperation with Turkey since it had "alternative options." However, after Ankara sent a clear signal of normalization, Israel accepted the offer, partially because of the need to find new partners in the region. "Ties between Turkey and Israel will be based on mutual benefits, with respect to the interest of each country. And only time will tell how far this cooperation could go. What is also important, it will depend on the situation in Syria because Turkey-Israel normalization is part of the regional security," the analyst pointed out. Another key factor in the process is the Kurdish problem. Turkey is likely to ask Israel for help, including sharing intelligence data. Crowds of people and vehicles are present near virtually every church and mosque. People quickly take out sacks of sugar and rice; somebody got a new blanket with the logo of one of the international organizations. But the help is coming not only from the foreign organizations. Most of the products and basic necessities are delivered by the Syrian Red Crescent and government convoys. Christians and Muslims Get Along There is much talk about interfaith conflict in Syria. Being an Arab country before the war and coming here now, in a matter of hours one can be sure that there is no animosity and talk about it is fabricated and fictional. In the district of Wilyal a car arrived to distribute humanitarian assistance at the local Orthodox community for Muslim families who escaped from the area of 1070 residential quarter in the southwest of Aleppo. We ran out of our houses, taking with us only our documents. The terrorists were firing indiscriminately and throwing mines at our homes. We now live in a Christian area and they help us with food and all other necessities, citizen named Khalid told RIA correspondent. Western Quarters of Aleppo Are Isolated In early August, Syrian Army blocked the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo that were captured by the militants. For evacuation of civilians humanitarian corridors were opened. However, the terrorists refused to surrender and threatened to execute anyone who tried to escape to the west. In the early days, after opening of humanitarian corridors, gunmen opened fire on civilians and shelled them with mortar fire. Then the road was blocked by an embankment and between buildings s large canvases are spread so that the snipers could not keep track of movements on the opposite side. According to some reports, the captured by terrorists western Aleppo is home to more than 300 thousand civilians. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Fighting between forces loyal to the Saudi-backed government of Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Ansar Allah movement's Houthi rebels has intensified over recent days. Airstrikes carried out by the Saudi-led Arab coalition caused the evacuation of MSF staff from six hospitals in the north of the country on Thursday after an airstrike partially destroyed an MSF-supported hospital in the Hajjah governorate killing at least 19 people on Tuesday. #YemenCrisis: In one day MSF-supported hospitals in #Taiz received 59 civilian war wounded casualties, among them 19 women and children MSF International (@MSF) 19 2016 . Yemen has been engulfed in a military conflict between the government and the Houthi opposition movement, who are supported by army units loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, since March 2015. The Arab coalition has been providing government troops with air support since March 2015. The coalition has been accused by the United Nations and humanitarian organizations of indiscriminately bombing civilians and killing hundreds of children. #YemenCrisis: 800% increase of war wounded patients from one day to another in #Taiz MSF supported hospitals as the fighting intensifies. MSF International (@MSF) 19 2016 . Over 3,700 civilians have been killed and over 6,500 have been injured as a result of the conflict, according to the United Nations. Egypt is fighting a jihadist insurgency in northern Sinai since the army, led by President Abdel Fattah Sisi, overthrew then Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. Police and security forces have been the target of deadly attacks by Islamists in the area. On Thursday, two conscripts in their twenties from the Egyptian Armed Forces were killed by snipers in North Sinai. The company has since built four test aircraft, which have completed more than 1,000 flight hours to date, the release explained. Boeing said the first planes from the $2.8 billion contract are scheduled for delivery in 2017. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The LM-100J is the civilian version of Lockheed Martins veteran C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and will be offered to operators as a commercial, multi-purpose air freighter, the release said. "Recent production accomplishments include the completion of the aircraft wings; delivery of the empennage [tail assembly] commencement of cab-top construction; and the arrival of the LM-100Js cargo deck," the release stated on Thursday. The tail assembly is being manufactured by the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures joint venture in India, the release added. "If we talk about the geography of the aircraft use, besides Aleppo, Su-24M2s have actively worked on targets in the provinces of Idlib and Hama, from where the terrorists based in Aleppo get all the necessary supplies," the general said. Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting a number of opposition factions and extremist groups. On February 27, a US-Russia brokered ceasefire came into force in Syria. Terrorist groups such as Daesh, as well as Jabhat Fatah al Sham (also known as Jabhat al-Nusra, or al-Nusra Front) are not part of the deal. Both groups are banned in Russia and a range of other countries. Among other things, the budget, which is set to be 2.3 percent larger than in the fiscal year 2016, will be spent on acquiring the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA next-generation missiles developed jointly with the United States. These missiles are set to be deployed on Japanese warships for protection against North Korean missile threat. The budget proposal also reportedly includes upgrade to the ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptors, also put in place to deter a potential Pyongyang attack. "The second naval group composed of small artillery ships the Volgodonsk and the Makhachkala jointly with the Shmel artillery boats carried out exercises on anti-ship defense of vessels crossing the sea. During the exercises, naval gunners fired at targets simulating a detachment of enemy ships," the statement said. The Volgodonsk and the Makhachkala crews also reportedly performed air defense drills in the Caspian Sea. During these exercises, a simulated enemy's air force was dropping bombs on the vessels while the naval gunners were deterring the attack, destroying the falling air targets. The Indian Air Force's most lethal aircraft, Sukhoi-30MKI, made its first landing at Pasighat in the West Siang district of India's northeastern state Arunachal Pradesh, marking the inauguration of an Advanced Landing Ground (AGL) just 100 kilometers away from the Chinese border. Kiren Rijiju, India's Minister of State for Home Affairs, who belongs to Arunachal Pradesh, officially inaugurated the refurbished airfield. The advance landing ground at Pasighat has remained unused since the Sino-Indian war of 1962.
Group Captain Mohonto Panging (retired) was present on the inaugural ceremony. Panging is from Arunachal Pradesh and belongs to the original lot of Sukhoi pilots who underwent training in Moscow and later went to Russia to bring first batch of 12 Sukhoi fighter jets to India in 1997. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Bulk interception of data is of "vital utility" to UK security and intelligence, other methods fail to provide same results, a security legislation review said Froday. "The bulk interception power has proven itself to be of vital utility across the range of GCHQs operational areas, including counter-terrorism in the UK and abroad, cyber-defence, child sexual exploitation, organised crime and the support of military operations," the report prepared by David Anderson said. The report claims that alternative methods may be useful, "but fall short of matching the results that can be achieved using the bulk interception capability." North Korea has accused Washington of planning a pre-emptive nuclear strike. A North Korean official said: "The enemies are bluffing that they can mount a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the DPRK [North Korea] by letting fly B-1B over the Korean peninsula within two-three hours in contingency. "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." Tensions between the West and Pyongyang have been mounting throughout the year, since North Korea resumed its production of plutonium, and carried out its fourth nuclear test in January. #NorthKorea restarts plutonium production, #SouthKorea announces huge military exercise. Great. Another Asian flashpoint flashing red. Robin Bew (@RobinBew) August 19, 2016 North Korean state media cited the threat of the US increasing its influence in the region as justification. Last month, US Army Secretary Eric Fanning, acknowledged that despite plans to scale down the size of the US army, the US has increased its presence in Asia-Pacific. The number of soldiers and civilian army workers in the region has risen to more than 100,000, from 70,000, four years ago. @ap Why are US troops still in S Korea? JobCentreSUCKS (@DWPscumbags) August 18, 2016 Pyongyang has repeatedly warned it may carry out pre-emptive nuclear strikes against it's southern neighbor, and US bases in the Pacific, if it feels further threatened. This week's war games are being seen as highly provocative by some regional analysts, in such an atmosphere of mutual mistrust. The project is remarkable for the Polish military because the new tank will allow for replacing German-made Leopard-2 tanks, according to the Russian news website Life.ru . Moreover, some in Poland say the PL-01 would be rival to the newest Russian T-14 tank based on the versatile Armata platform. Russian military expert Konstantin Sivkov doubted that Poland would be able to create a breakthrough combat machine. "In order to build a good tank, a serious technical and engineering background is needed. Such countries as the US, Russia, Germany, Britain, France and China can do that. But Poland totally lacks experience in developing tanks. In the past, they modified Britain and Soviet machines. Now, they might take the German Leopard and make something out of it," Sivkov told Sputnik. However, the expert suggested that Poland is unlikely to make a revolution in the tank industry. One of the main problems Poland will face is the absence of a capable gun for the new tank, he pointed out. "Another problem is developing composite armor with active dynamic protection. Poland does not have the technologies to produce this type of armor, unlike Israel, Russia, Germany and Britain. For example, Russia has unique active protection systems like the Drozd and the Arena. Israel has similar systems. And thats all," the expert said. As a result, any assumptions that the PL-01 would be the killer of the Armata are false, Sivkov concluded. The bid won by the Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) six years ago for the sale of Close Quarter Barrel (CQB) for the Indian Army is unlikely to lead to a deal even as less than a month is left before the bid expires. India's Law Ministry is yet to give a final go ahead for the 'single vendor situation' deal. The Law Ministry's opinion was sought by the Defense Ministry as only one firm, the IWI, passed the trials conducted by the Indian Army. Four other global firms including Italy's Beretta had participated in the bid but failed to meet the tough specifications laid down by the Indian Army. This led to a 'single vendor situation' which attracted the attention of competitors who suspected foul play. "I think thats going to give us the ability to look at the way we work up and expand the number of sorties. I think it will change the way we operate around the shipin terms of the number of tankers you have to have up, daytime and nighttime," he said. "I think that will give us a lot of flexibility in the air wing in the way we use those strike fighters." The F-35C relies on a pair of systems called Delta Flight Path and MAGIC CARPET to help coordinate landings. These systems assist the pilot in ensuring that the aircraft captures the carriers arresting gear. While destroying runways is certainly a long-term issue that must be addressed, its not the only problem facing the F-35C. Earlier this week, the US Navy announced that pilots were experiencing visibility issues due to a "green glow" caused by the state-of-the-art helmet. "They are looking for access to the system of Telekom Serbia," Djuric said as quoted by N1TV on Thursday, adding "I have no doubt that there are those who are trying to illegally tap the phones of citizens in this area." Last week, several hundred protestors demonstrated against massive government corruption after the internet portal Insajderi played leaked audio recordings of top officials of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo. Nongovernmental organizations have called on the people of Kosovo to join them in fighting corruption as revealed in the recordings. Modrow met with then-vice president Gennady Yanayev prior to heading to Crimea for a holiday. The official told him that a signing of an agreement of Union Treaty was planned for August 20. The GKChP believed that this would become a breakdown of the Soviet Union, and the coups aim was to stop this. "And thats how it was the draft of the new program was published in the newspaper, and the [information about] preparation of the Union of Independent States [UIS] was known from Pravda [newspaper]. It was an absolute surprise for me when the putsch took place," Modrow said. US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday the payment was held as leverage against Tehran. StateDept confirms report admin paid ransom 2 Iran. Sets dangerous precedent & puts Americans abroad in harm's way https://t.co/GIUSxYqqj7 Kelly Ayotte (@KellyAyotte) August 18, 2016 Earlier this month, President Barack Obama said that the payment was a settlement made between the two nations in a Hague tribunal over an arms deal that failed prior to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Kosovos president also called on Thursday for the fulfillment of an agreement with Serbia on the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO). According to Biden, Kosovo's successful integration would contribute to the general prosperity of the region, but without ZSOs, Kosovo would remain isolated from the European Union and the United States. ZSO is a planned association of predominately ethnic-Serb municipalities in Kosovo, which was expected to be created in 2015 but was indefinitely postponed due to disputes over powers. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, and has since been recognized by over a hundred UN member-states, including the United States. Belgrade considers Kosovo to be part of Serbia. Dozens of countries, including Russia, do not recognize Kosovo's sovereignty. The European Union granted Serbia candidate status for membership in 2012, making accession to the bloc conditional on Belgrade implementing a number of reforms as well as recognizing Kosovo as an independent state. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier, the leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom called for a referendum on EU membership to be held in the Netherlands. "Brussels should not dictate who we can have economic and political relations with. Restoring ties with Russia is a priority direction for the traditionally trade oriented country which is what the Netherlands has always been. For centuries our countries have benefited from bilateral cooperation despite conflicts. And today lifting the anti-Russian sanctions is a mandatory condition for our positive future," Wilders told the Russian Izvestia newspaper. He stressed that the European Union is an "expansionist monster" and that Brussels only considers its own interests in making its decisions. According to Wilders, the Netherlands will be economically stronger if it secures closer trade ties with Russia. MOSCOW (Sputnik) According to the envoy, the conditions for the EU joining are not the most favorable at the moment, but that can quickly change. "Turkish government expects the country to join the EU by 2023. Turkish democracy will be celebrating 100 years that year. European membership would have been a crown jewel for my country," Selim told Die Welt newspaper in an interview. "The United States has lost the so-called War on Terror. Paradoxically, all the weapons that terrorists now have at their disposal were made either in the US or by their partners. This is why the US does not have the right to judge others," he added. Na'imi comments came in response to the cold shower that political and military leaders in the US gave to Moscow and Tehran for the deployment of Russian bombers to the Hamadan airfield in Iran. The warplanes have been relocated to the base in the Islamic Republic as part of Russia's efforts to boost its offensive capabilities in the fight against radical groups in Syria, particularly Aleppo. "The United States is worried that Russia's military cooperation with Iran will put an end to terrorists and the so-called moderate opposition that has received weapons and financial assistance from the US," he said. "I think that Erdogan could become a kind of a 'bridge' as he is trying to improve relations with Russia and preserve ties with the US," deputy director of National Institute for Modern Ideology Development said. "Since Washington does not want to lose Ankara, policymakers in the US could opt for a more constructive approach towards Russia." Both anti-Daesh coalitions could then increasingly coordinate their efforts in Syria. In this case, "they will be able to defeat terrorists faster," he said. Turkey made a U-turn in its foreign policy when Binali Yildirim replaced Ahmet Davutoglu as the country's prime minister. The latter is said to have been the architect of Turkey's previous strategy in Syria that involved supporting radical groups trying to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier, media reports indicated that the next P5+1 and Iran session would take place in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in Vienna. "We are going to held another meeting with joint commission in near future during which US failure to adhere to JCPOA commitments will be discussed as well as other issues," Zarif said as quoted by the Mehr news agency. On July 14, 2015 Iran and the P5+1 group of countries the United States, China, France, Russia and Britain plus Germany signed a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which guaranteed the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. Iran agreed to admit IAEA inspectors to locations the agency seeks to verify the absence of nuclear material and activities in exchange for sanctions relief. MOSCOW (Sputnik) On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry welcomed a proposal brought forward by de Mistura for a 48-hour pause in fighting in Aleppo, and expressed readiness to implement next week the first 48-hour humanitarian pause to supply the city with aid as a "pilot project." "Russia is calling for joint work with the UN and the United States. This proposal by de Mistura is a chance for the western countries to show their readiness to work together, to convince the forces under their control to compromise for aid deliveries and the enduring peace," Ahmad said. "Washington described the deployment as 'unfortunate.' Perhaps because the United States had the right to use the base prior to the Islamic Revolution of 1979," Stuttgarter Zeitung suggested. On August 15, an undisclosed number of the Tupolev Tu-22M3 supersonic long-range strategic bombers and Sukhoi Su-34 strike fighters left the airfield in the Russian town of Mozdok located in the Republic of North OssetiaAlania and landed at the Hamadan airfield in Iran. Russian bombers deployed to Iran have carried out several massive airstrikes against Daesh and al-Nusra Front targets in Syria this week. On Thursday, Tu-22M3s and Su-34 destroyed five large depots with weapons, ammunitions and fuel, six command and control centers and armored military hardware in the Deir ez-Zor province, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported. "A large number of militants" were killed in the operation. MOSCOW (Sputnik) According to the survey results, 62 percent of immigrants who arrived in the United States recently support the idea of Washington cooperating with Moscow to defeat the terrorist group. "Immigrants were also more likely to support Trumps call to work closely with Russia to defeat the Islamic State [Daesh] terror group. Sixty-four percent of all voters said they back collaborating with Russia to fight the group, also known as ISIS. Support was greater among descendants of immigrants, with 73 percent of first generation, 66 percent of second generation and 68 percent of third generation expressing support for the idea," the results of the survey by the Morning Consult research company revealed Thursday. Trump has repeatedly stated that Washington should have good relations with Moscow, in particular to defeat the Islamic terrorism, and Daesh specifically. On Monday, Trump unveiled his national security platform, which contains a point on cooperation with Russia to counter terrorism. BELBEK AIRPORT (Sputnik) Putin accepted the prime ministers proposal to appoint Olga Vasilyeva as the new Minister of Education and Science. Her predecessor Dmitry Livanov was assigned special envoy for trade and economic relations with Ukraine. "The development of trade and economic relations [with Ukraine] should be in the permanent field of our attention," Putin said during a working meeting with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on arrival to Crimea. Noting Livanovs "purely civilian" credentials with extensive public sector experience, Putin noted that his "personal business acumen will help in building and reviving economic relations with our neighboring country, which is important to us." BELBEK AIRPORT (Sevastopol), (Sputnik) Last week, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said that it had eliminated a spy ring organized by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry in Crimea, which was preparing acts of sabotage on "critical and life-supporting elements of the peninsula's infrastructure." "It is clear why it was done, they [Kiev] do not want or are unable to implement Minsk agreements for whatever reasons. And they cannot explain to their own people the significant lapses in socio-economic policy," Putin said at a security council session. MOSCOW (Sputnik) On August 18-20, Cavusoglu is paying the official visit to India. Cavusoglu paid the visit to the Turkish neighboring state before heading off to India to participate in official engagement, the Daily Sabah newspaper said on its Twitter account. During his visit to India, the minister is expected to discuss a number of bilateral issues and to meet his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj later in the day, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. GENEVA (Sputnik) On Thursday, media reports, citing unnamed US officials, suggested that Kerry and Lavrov would meet in Geneva on August 26 to discuss the Syrian settlement. This information was confirmed by neither Moscow nor Washington. "The preparation has begun already. It is currently being planned that the visit will be two days long," the source said, giving an affirmative response when asked whether de Mistura was planning to meet the US and Russian officials. According to the source, de Misturas office has special hopes for the meeting of Kerry and Lavrov. On July, 1, following the Brexit vote, Volodymyr Groysman told German outlets of the Funke media group that he was confident that Ukraine would join the EU within the next ten years. "We are going the European way and that means for us: freedom, human rights and a strong economy," Groysman stated as quoted by Politico.eu. "Still, this is likely wishful thinking on the part of the Ukrainian government," Stratfor stresses commenting on Groysman's remark. The intelligence firm called attention to the fact that the trouble started brewing even before the historic British referendum; the EU's ongoing economic and refugee crises have made Brussels reluctant to accept new bids for membership. "In early June, it [the EU] postponed granting Ukrainian citizens visa-free travel privileges. The EU enlargement commissioner recently said he expected the visa waiver to be granted in October, but the current upheaval in the bloc puts the agreement at risk of further delay," Stratfor underscores. MOSCOW (Sputnik) On Friday, Turkish media reported that Cavusoglu had paid a surprise visit to Iran before his official visit to India, where he discussed the ways to solve the deepening Syrian crisis with Iranian officials. "We have always said that Russia and Iran play an important and constructive role in solving crises in such regional states as Syria and Iraq," Cavusoglu said, as quoted by the Milliyet newspaper. According to the media outlet, the sides also discussed the situation in Iraq and Yemen. The minister said that Turkey was ready to cooperate with Russia and Iran, which support the territorial integrity of Syria as Turkey does. LONDON (Sputnik) On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry welcomed a proposal brought forward by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura for a 48-hour pause in fighting in Aleppo, and expressed readiness to implement next week the first 48-hour humanitarian pause to supply the city with aid as a "pilot project." "The fighting must stop now. Russia indicating its support for a 48 hour cessation of hostilities is a step forward. Lets implement that plan immediately, so we can get essential help, food and medical supplies to the beleaguered people of Aleppo," Johnson said in a statement. The deployment of Russia's strategic bombers and fighter jets at Hamadan in Iran has become yet another lesson the US should learn from Moscow, CIA veteran Paul Pillar stresses, adding that it has nothing to do with the ongoing military campaign or Russia's increasing presence in Syria. The US is stuck in a Cold War mindset, "perceiving the world as divided into allies and adversaries," Pillar, a non-resident senior fellow of the Brookings Institution notes in his recent opinion piece for The National Interest. As a result, Washington "limits efforts at cooperation with the former, and sees the latter as fit only for confrontation, punishment, and isolation," he underscores. The newspaper added that the vote was expected to take place in October. Yemen has been engulfed in a military conflict between the Aden-based government with the Saudi-led coalition backing on one side and Houthi rebels allied with the General Peoples Congress (GPC) and army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh on the other, for over a year. The coalition has been accused by the United Nations and humanitarian organizations of indiscriminately bombing civilians and killing hundreds of children. "Turkish Foreign Minister briefed [Swaraj] about the role of Fethullah Gulen in the Turkish coup and also asked India to keep a close watch on his networks in India. Turkish Foreign Minister also requested India to close his institutions as they impart terror teachings." Ankara has accused Gulen and his followers of playing a key role in the failed coup, a charge Gulen has denied. "Right now, Turkey is in a lot of problems. I think these moves represent the desperate actions due to a lack of alternative options," Gulen told Al Arabiya in an interview, answering the question what was behind the Turkey's policy of rapprochement with Iran and Russia. In November 2015 Turkey downed a Russian Su-24 plane, which was on an anti-terror mission in Syria. Following the incident, relations between Russia and Turkey deteriorated, with Moscow demanding that Ankara apologize for downing the plane and cover any associated material losses to the country and the pilot's family. In June, Russia-Turkey relations began to thaw after the Turkish president apologized in a letter to his Russian counterpart for the incident and offered his condolences to the family of the killed pilot. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) In September, the Canadian prime minister will host the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis in Montreal, the release noted. During the telephone conversation the US vice president pledged support for the Global Fund. The two leaders [Biden and Trudeau] highlighted their commitment to a robust and effective North Atlantic Treaty Organization and pledged to maintain a strong and vibrant relationship between the United States and Canada," the release stated on Friday. Regarding recruitment, Dr. Elhusseini said: Some of the new recruits most probably think that they are smarter than ISIS [Daesh in Arabic], that they can do whatever they want, or they think that things arent that bad, that the media is exaggerating, but after some time when they see the brutalities and crimes committed, they figure out that they should leave. But of course it is too late to leave ISIS when you are there, because these people are monitored. Internal problems such as this could lead to an implosion of ISIS, but due to the dire state of the economies of many Middle Eastern countries, this seems unlikely. What will happen now that Daesh is losing ground? Dr. Elhusseini answer is that Yes, ISIS [Daesh in Arabic] is losing ground, but you cant say that it is losing the war. They have a lot of officers who are ex-military from either the Syrian army or from Saddam Husseins army. They have training, they have skills that will give them the possibility of surviving. Their next step will be to find a new safe haven. As everybody knows, ISIS is now trying to see what chances they have in Libya, but Libya will not be the only refuge for ISIS. Anywhere where government forces are thin on the ground could be considered by them. Strangely enough Daesh does not seem to be attacking or infiltrating into Russia, and this seems to be because of effective Russian government control over sensitive areas. Central Asia is another question. Dr. Elhusseini answers: ISIS [Daesh in Arabic] has been trying to penetrate Central Asia, and trying to penetrate Afghanistan and Pakistan. However Al-Qaida and all of its affiliated groups are still strong in these regions, so ISIS has powerful competition there in terms of recruitment. Will we ever get rid of Daesh unless Russia, the US, and all other parties get together to tackle this hydra of a thousand heads? Dr. Elhusseini answer is that: The only way that ISIS [Daesh in Arabic] is going to be defeated is to analyze and solve the reasons why it exists. In the same way the way to solve the migration crisis is not to build walls but to find out why people want to migrate in the first place." A hacking group calling itself the Shadow Brokers says it has infiltrated the NSA's Equation Group and is now looking to sell off cyber weapons used by the agency, asking for a payment of $1 billion in bitcoin. Who could be behind the hack and what does it mean for the future of the NSA and cyber warfare? Former President Bill Clinton turns 70 today. Becker is joined by Kevin Akin of the Peace & Freedom Party and activist Jane Cutter to discuss Bill's real legacy: war against Yugoslavia, the end of welfare at home, millions of jobs sent overseas, prisons overflowing in record numbers with impoverished young people, and the destruction of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. Joe Biden visited Serbia this week where he was greeted by crowds of protesters. Now activists will erect a monument to the victims of the NATO bombing of Novi Sad. Becker is joined by human rights attorney Christopher Black to talk about the legacy of the U.S. bombing of Yugoslavia and what comes next in the U.S.-Serbia relationship. Todays main stories: International Aid organization Medecins Sans Frontiers has announced that it is withdrawing staff from six hospitals in Northern Yemen stating it is unable to ensure the safety of its team, especially following Monday's bombing of a hospital killing nineteen. We speak to Natalie Roberts from Medecins Sans Frontiers. Today marks the 18th anniversary of the Bill Clinton Administrations attack on the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum, Sudan. The attack had a massive impact on healthcare in Sudan. Matthew Ayton brings listeners a special report, in which he speaks to a variety of commentators, including US author Doug Henwood, an independent journalist in Eritrea Thomas C. Mountain, and James Corum, retired US Army lieutenant colonel and professor of history at Solford University. You can find previous editions of World in Focus here. According to the report, 24 ships sailing under European flags, 43 vessels registered in the EU and 22 ships owned by EU beneficiaries have called at the Crimean ports during the past 24 months. Companies resort to various tricks to circumvent sanctions flying foreign flags on their ships, outsourcing firms and simply switching off the ships positioning system after their arrival at a Russian port, the OCCRP reported. In July 2014 a ship belonging to German company Krey Schiffahrts GmbH cast anchor at the eastern Crimean port city of Kerch. Responding to a request from the OCCRP, the company said it had faced huge problems because of their vessels visit to Crimea. BELBEK AIRPORT (Sputnik) Vasilyeva replaces Dmitry Livanov, whose resignation letter was accepted by Putin and who was appointed special presidential envoy for trade and economic ties with Ukraine. "We will do so, I agree," Putin said at a working meeting with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at Belbek Airport on arrival to Crimea. According to Colonel Alexander Romanyuta, who chairs the Land Forces military-scientific committee, there will be more than 60 scientific and defense industry representatives taking part in the Combat Outfit. Looking to the Future seminar. Among other things, they will be discussing the test results of ceramic elements of a soldiers body armor and of the efficiency of new types of firearms in different combat situations, Romanyuta said. He also mentioned the great deal of professional interest in the ongoing efforts to improve the effectiveness of various types of combat gear on the basis of advanced technology and high-tech materials such as exoskeletons and robotic systems. I see this as a sign of respect for a real man, a patriot who loved his Motherland and honestly fulfilled his duty as a military man and a citizen, said Oleg Peshkovs onetime commander Colonel Yuri Gritsaenko, who will be piloting the newly dedicated Su-34. On Thursday Oleg Peshkovs widow was handed her late husbands award weapon and the Order of Dedication posthumously bestowed upon him by the Syrian government. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the public announcement of the establishment of the GKChP, a body comprising a group of coup plotters, to run the Soviet Union. In the early hours of August 19, 1991, eight top Soviet officials, who disagreed with the policies of USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev and the new draft Union Treaty, formed the State Committee for the State of Emergency in the Soviet Union. The coup attempt, however, failed. According to a new survey conducted by Moscow-based Public Opinion Foundation (FOM), among the 26 percent of Russian respondents who believe the country would have been worse off if the GKChP was able to hold on to power in August 1991, 4 percent believe that the country would have faced a civil war, 4 percent believe that the GKChP members were not suited to lead the country, 2 percent said that the communist leadership and the socialist system would have been preserved, 2 percent said that life would in general have been worse and 1 percent said there would have been no order in the country. Another 1 percent said that there would be no democracy in Russia in such a scenario, and another 11 percent gave a different or no response. Or you can go on wine tours in the south of Russia. This is a new direction in Russian tourism; however, Spanish and French travel companies are already starting to feel the tough competition. Tours of the famous "Abrau-Durso" factory where the eponymous champagne is made are in special demand. You can even bathe in champagne, according to the beauty recipe of the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. At the moment, 150 tourist routes on 274 objects of wine tourism are functioning in Russian Krasnodar region. "During 2015, wine cellars alone were visited by 169,000 people," deputy director of the Center of wine tourism of Krasnodar Region Marina Strukova told Sputnik. "Tourists are led through the underground storages of wine, told about the refinements of the wine bouquet, about the production methods; they learn how to choose wine and champagne correctly, and attend the restaurants at the factories." The principles of wine tourism are very simple, Marina Strukova explained: "You have to try wines in the places of their production to tie firmly in your memory the bouquet and taste of the drink with the history and sights of these areas." "Our region's potential is very high: in addition to vineyards and wine production, there are over thousands of unique objects in Krasnodar region, such as dolmens, waterfalls, archaeological sites and mud volcanoes. In addition to winery excursions, we offer horse riding, boat trips and spa-tours," Marina Strukova said. Such unusual tours are able to convince everyone that Russia is a very dynamic and versatile country. The spacecraft will launch aboard an Atlas V 411 rocket and will reach Bennu in 2018. Once it reaches its destination, Osiris will use its onboard instruments to collect a sample and return to Earth by 2023. "The launch of OSIRIS-Rex is the beginning of a seven-year journey to return pristine samples from asteroid Bennu," principal investigator Dante Lauretta added. "The team has built an amazing spacecraft, and we are all well-equipped to investigate Bennu and return with our scientific treasure." While scientists hope to learn about the asteroids trajectory, studying Bennus composition could also provide insights into how our solar system formed. "We believe Bennu is a time capsule from the very beginnings of our solar system, Lauretta told ABC News. So the sample can potentially hold answers to the most fundamental questions human beings can ask, like 'Where do we come from?'" At any rate, theres no need to panic about doomsday just yet. Bennu has only a 1 in 2,700 chance of hitting Earth between 2175 and 2196. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Two International Space Station crew members installed the first of two international docking adapters (IDAs) designed to handle commercial crew spacecraft arrivals, NASA said in a press release on Friday. SUCCESS! Intl. Docking Adapter officially installed at 10:40am ET. Will welcome future @Commercial_Crew vehicles. https://t.co/t8KQbBZMJV Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) 19 2016 . "Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Kate Rubins will install the first of two international docking adapters (IDAs) that will enable future arrivals of Boeing [Starliner] and SpaceX commercial crew spacecraft," the release stated. The two astronauts spent six hours outside the space station installing the first IDA, the release noted. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Energia has been cooperating with the US-based Space Adventures space tourism company to find potential tourists wishing to fly around the Moon. "We have a preliminary design for upgrading the Soyuz spacecraft, which was conceived with the possibility of organizing a Moon expedition in mind. The upgraded Soyuz will be able to carry out a short flight to the Moon, which will allow it to circle the Earth's satellite. We are considering eight potential candidates which are ready to pay for such an expedition. There is a Japanese family among them, for instanceOnce we have a critical mass of confirmed applications for a trip around the Moon, we will be able to begin large-scale work," Solntsev told the Russian Izvestia newspaper. The Third Academy CASIC is a leading Chinese manufacturer of cruise missiles that operate on land, sea and air. The company has developed a large number of cruise missiles for the Chinese Army. The modular construction involves rocket configuration for specific tasks and goals. We plan to take the approach of plug and play in developing new cruise missiles, which will enable our military leadership to configure cruise missiles according to military conditions and specific requirements, Changqing said. Edwards also said the White House has been in contact with him every day, and Obama also sent the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Louisiana on Tuesday, while on Thursday he sent Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. Additionally, Edwards pointed out that while the US president is always welcome to visit, he would prefer not to have Obama arrive now due to the security conditions required to be guaranteed for a presidential visit. According to a complaint by Daniel Meyer, who also served in the Pentagon inspector general's office, Schmitz, who currently serves as one of five foreign policy advisors for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, boasted about firing Jews and downplayed the Holocaust during his service as inspector general for the US Department of Defense during George W. Bush's Administration. "His summary of his tenure's achievement [is] reported as 'I fired the Jews,'" Meyer wrote in his complaint. "In his final days [as inspector general], he allegedly lectured Mr. Crane on the details of concentration camps and how the ovens were too small to kill six million Jews," the complaint states, referring to former assistant inspector general John Crane, who resigned in 2013 under the threat of being fired after an administrative inquiry regarding Crane's concerns of whistleblower mistreatment. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Earlier on Thursday, DOH announced that two more infected individuals have been registered in Miami-Dade County bringing the total number of cases in the area to 35. "I have directed DBPR to work closely with hotels, attractions and restaurants [in the area] to connect them with resources for Zika prevention," Scott stated on Thursday. "I have also directed DOH to work with DBPR to provide educational materials and offer mosquito spraying at no cost to these businesses." Floridas $67 billion travel industry has a large impact on the states economy, surpassing agriculture and construction, according to the states official web site. In July, the FBI completed its criminal probe of Clintons email use during her tenure as secretary of state. FBI Director James Comey noted that the former secretary of state had been reckless in managing highly sensitive government information, and had shared tens of classified emails through the unprotected server. The agency returned thousands of uncovered emails to the State Department for safe-keeping. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Manafort joined the Trump campaign in May to assist with the Republican party's nominating convention. "This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign," Trump stated. "I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process." MOSCOW (Sputnik) Lochte alleged that he and three other Olympic swimmers were robbed at gunpoint by people claiming to be police officers. On Thursday, Brazilian Chief of Civil Police Fernando Veloso said that the US Olympic swimmers claims about being robbed in Rio had proven to be false. "I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning It is traumatic to be out with your friends in a foreign country with a language barrier and have a stranger point a gun at you and demand money to let you leave," Lochte said in a statement on Twitter, stressing he should have been more responsible. The swimmer said he had accepted responsibility for his role in the incident, adding he had learnt some valuable lessons. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The US Department of Justice (DOJ) decision to phase out federal contracts with private prisons is a positive step to lowering the US rates of mass incarceration, The Sentencing Project director of advocacy Nicole D. Porter told Sputnik on Friday. The Justice Department announcement around phasing out these for-profit prison contracts is certainly welcome, and continues to move this country in the right direction, Porter said. On Thursday, the DOJ announced it would stop renewing contracts with private prisons that have failed to make reductions in the prison population, consistent with recent US federal sentencing guidelines. The measure could reduce the privately-held federal prison population by nearly half of its 2013 peak by 2017. The MQ-9 Reapers main purpose will be to strike enemy targets remotely. The fact sheet points out, "The MQ-9 Reaper is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft that is employed primarily against dynamic execution targets and secondarily as an intelligence collection asset." The Creech Air Force Base in Nevada currently houses the USAFs fleet of Reapers. The fact sheet adds, "Given its significant loiter time, wide-range sensors, multi-mode communications suite, and precision weapons it provides a unique capability to perform strike, coordination, and reconnaissance against high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets." The unmanned vehicle can also be equipped with up to four laser-guided Air-to-Ground Missile (AGM)-114 Hellfire missiles. "Its not just about Trump, however, and aims to preclude any president at any time in the future from such considerations, making the sanctions a permanent aspect of American policy," Ditz said. The bill also places two major lobbying arms at odds with each other. While ongoing tensions with Moscow would undoubtedly be a positive for defense contractors which have seen increased sales to NATO, US oil companies are desperate for the lifting of sanctions in order to complete multi-billion dollar agreements. "ExxonMobils agreed-to $500 billion drilling deal with Rosneft [is] at risk if the sanctions become permanent," Ditz writes. "Even this enormous deal could potentially just be the beginning, as the Russian Arctic contains untold oil wealth, and American oil giants are the best positioned to get it out of the ground." "I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning It is traumatic to be out with your friends in a foreign country with a language barrier and have a stranger point a gun at you and demand money to let you leave," Lochte said in a statement on Twitter, stressing he should have been more responsible," Lochte wrote. Following the initial incident, a judge had issued an order to seize the passports of the swimmers, but Lochte had already returned to the US. Two other swimmers, Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz, were pulled from their flight on Wednesday and interrogated and eventually confessed that the story had been fabricated. The US Olympic Committee has apologized for the actions of the swimmers. "The behavior of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members. We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States. On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, we apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence," USOC said in a statement on Thursday. "Wenxia Manwas sentenced to 50 months in prison for conspiring to export and cause the export of fighter jet engines, an unmanned aerial vehicle commonly known as a drone and related technical data to [China]," the release stated on Friday. During a federal investigation, Man told an undercover US agent that she was connected to a "technology spy" with the Chinese military who was interested in copying stealth technology, the Justice Department explained. NSA-veteran-turned-whistleblower William Binney told Sputnik's Loud & Clear that the Agency "has a tendency not to fix things," as once they report a vulnerability, "this window is closed for them and they can not see through it." Binney says this particular attack was likely an inside job. He states that the NSA network is physically separated from the Internet, so someone inside the NSA, "another Snowden-type person," must have compromised the software and handled it over to the Shadow Brokers. If it is not the case, and the internal network has in fact been breached from the outside, "the implications are much, much greater in terms of compromising information and data than simply [someone] draining their exploitation software." The whistleblower also underscored the clear and present danger that, should the offensive software fall into hands of foreign specialists, it could be reverse-engineered, updated and used for attacks even after the exposed vulnerabilities are patched. Binney believes Iran is already studying Stuxnet, seeking to reverse engineer and upgrade it and use it to its own interests. Now scientists have found the product of a supernova event within the fossilized chains of magnetic crystals of a mineral known as magnetite, created by magnetotactic bacteria. "Magnetofossils" containing iron-60 first appeared between 2.6 million and 2.8 million years ago, scientists say. The supernova debris apparently rained down on Earth for about 800,000 years, with iron-60 levels peaking about 2.2 million years ago, according to researchers. This time period coincides with an extinction event that claimed mollusks such as marine snails and bivalves. A period of global cooling occurred during that period as well. "Finding still-live atoms of iron-60 ejected from the guts of a supernova 2.6 million years ago within magnetofossils is awesome," study co-author Shawn Bishop, an experimental nuclear astrophysicist at the Technical University of Munich in Germany, told Space.com. "We can't say anything about the causative contribution of this supernova to this extinction, butit seems like an astronomical coincidence." Bishop added that future research may unveil more evidence to clarify a link between the two events. It was later revealed that Hogan's suit was brought with the clandestine financial support of PayPal founder Peter Thiel, who was outed as gay in 2007 by Gawker Media site Valleywag. "It's less about revenge and more about specific deterrence," Thiel claimed in an interview with the New York Times, publicly confirming his funding of the case. "I saw Gawker pioneer a unique and incredibly damaging way of getting attention by bullying people even when there was no connection with the public interest." Denton responded by recalling a list of valuable news broken by Gawker over the years, including Hillary Clinton's secret email account, Bill Cosby's history of abusing women and the mayor of Toronto as a crack addict. "The third secretary of the North Korean Embassy in Russia Kim Chor Sen, who disappeared last July, decided to leave for South Korea. He entered the country together with his wife and son and is under the protection of the respective state agencies," the source was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. The case comes amid reports that a North Korean diplomat in the United Kingdom, who escaped the country on August 16, arrived in South Korea on Thursday. STOCKHOLM (Sputnik) Pankin was the only Soviet ambassador to openly oppose the GKChP during the putsch in 1991. "The West if we talk about, say, the United States, Germany and France was not initially interested in the collapse of the Soviet Union and it had a very good reason for this nuclear weapons," Pankin told RIA Novosti. According to Pankin, the West was afraid that the existing nuclear treaties with the Soviet Union would lose their viability as new nuclear powers would emerge following the USSRs collapse. Anders Kompass is a former UN official who after two decades of service resigned from his post exposing the sexual abuse of children by peacekeepers in Central African Republic. "The UN's accountability system is broken. It simply doesn't work," Kompass said in an article for IRIN News. Upon leaving his role with the UN, Kompass felt he had no choice but to leak information of the many ethical breaches he witnessed whilst in his role. He wanted to attempt forcing the UN to act upon ethically compelling issues that he felt had been purposefully ignored or hidden by those internally responsible. As a whistleblower, he used the leverage of public opinion and uncovered the bureaucracy of UN staff entrusting the defense of ethics to the public outside rather than to the managers inside its organization. Lift my hat for Anders Kompass, listen to him yesterday. Whistle blower, calling out UN soldiers raping small boys. Thx for your courage Magnus Sund (@mangesund) August 5, 2016 Reflecting further on his resignation from the UN he added: "I still believe that a universal organization is needed to improve the chances of world peace and progress. But I also believe that without great changes aimed at resurrecting ethical behaviour within the UN, the organization will not be able to successfully address the challenges of today and of tomorrow." The 2016 theme for World Humanitarian Day is "One Humanity": But world leaders are clearly reading from a very different script in which humanity isn't "one" but instead differentiated between sections of the world where it should or shouldn't be applied. "We are committed to building bridges & helping to embrace all of humanity under one umbrella" #OneHumanity #WHD2016 pic.twitter.com/OD3taEVvTB NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) August 19, 2016 Europe facing its biggest refugee crisis has been dominating the headlines and mainstream news Add to this wider humanitarian problems with the regional Zika virus outbreaks this year, primarily affecting the poorest communities first; child soldier nightmares escalating in Sudan and surrounding countries; the lack of free education by women in Zimbabwe, the attack on Yemen-based hospitals by the Saudi-led coalition. The list goes on, and there is certainly no sign of "One Humanity" here. D Gs Camme makes his second consecutive appearance in the Sobey's Gold Cup & Saucer, starting from post five in the 57th edition of the race, which will be held as the fourteenth race on Saturday, August 20 at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park. A six-year-old gelding by Blissful Hall out of the Cams Card Shark mare Cam Me Kindly, D Gs Camme is owned by Quentin Bevan along with partners Hal Bevan, Tom Clark, and Ronnie Matheson, whose son, Jackie Matheson, is also the trainer. Bevan is the co-operator with his father Hal of Bevan Bros. Plumbing & Heating, a business with roots dating back to the 1930s. He considers this his first "real" venture into racehorse ownership. A few years ago, a couple of guys who I know asked me if Id be interested in buying a horse and so we did, Bevan said. It was the same group who owns D Gs Camme. We went and bought a horse but it didnt work out. The horse never ended up racing. He was sick, which is a common issue. But I was out before I was ever in it. Really, Cammes the first racehorse Ive owned, Bevan also said. I wouldnt even count that other one or even talk about the other one because it wasnt a fun experience. We were worried about him all the time and he was just never healthy; its hurting me just talking about it. Ronnie Matheson later gave Bevan a chance to get back in on another horse he had his eye on. A little while later, Ronnie found a horse and he asked if we were interested again, Bevan also said. I was a little shy about it to be perfectly honest. The other horse we didnt have for a long time, but Id take the kids down to the barn to hang out, see the horse and stuff. But we got Camme at the sale and have been going ever since and having a ball racing him. Its a real joy to be involved with this group. Bevans roots in racing stem back to his paternal grandfather, who he never met because of his passing in the 1960s. However, he grew up seeing pictures in his familys garage of his grandfather with racehorses. I still have a couple in my office of my grandfather with these racehorses, Bevan said. I didnt really go around the track a lot growing up, but I would go for Old Home Week and stuff like that. My father would own horses from time to time, moreso in the last 10 years hes always seemed to have one or two racehorses on the go. Bevan said he gives most of the credit for D Gs Cammes success -- which includes track records at Northside Downs, Red Shores Summerside and Truro Raceway, winning the Governors Plate, and earnings of $144,720 -- to the Matheson family. Ronnies got a good eye, Bevan said about picking D Gs Camme out as a yearling. Hes a Blissfull Hall, and theyve had success in Ronnies barn, so thats probably got a lot to do with it. Ronnie and the whole family are just really involved with it. They know what theyre looking for and I was lucky enough that they invited me to be a part of it. The whole family, Ronnie, Jackie, Jodilyn, Bobby Jo, they get the horse ready and they dont overextend him, Bevan also said. They have a great knack for getting horses ready for certain races. As a two- and three-year-old, D Gs Camme raced in Ontario but he did not demonstrate the form he shows when racing in the Maritimes. There are limited opportunities in the region because we have a short season, but if you have a horse that you think can compete on the Ontario circuit then you want to send them up, Bevan said. We havent had a lot of success there; no consistent success compared to what weve had in this region. We dont know what the reason is, but for some reason he really thrives under Mathesons care and with all of us around. Gilles Barrieau is D Gs Cammes regular driver, and the Maritime Magic Man is no stranger to Gold Cup & Saucer success having won this event three times -- more than any other driver in Saturdays field. Weve been so fortunate to have Gilles Barrieau as his driver, Bevan said. Gilles intentions are so pure; he wants whats best for the horse. Its not about thrills and its not about the ownership group. This is all about the horse. Last year, D Gs Camme raced from post seven in the Gold Cup & Saucer, finishing fifth to Take It Back Terry. Hes listed on the morning line at 6-1 (the fifth choice) against trial winners Go Daddy Go and Ys Lotus as well as Ron Burkes starters Foiled Again and favoured Limelight Beach. Its a fast field; its a tough field, Bevan said. These are some serious racehorses. We try not to get ahead of ourselves; well watch the race, see how it unfolds. We dont have any expectations. If he gets an opening or an opportunity, he has the heart of a champion and I think he can go with anybody. Bevan said the strategy of his ownership group is to remain humble and not get ahead of themselves. Its all a thrill, Bevan said, but our group is good at staying grounded and not getting too far ahead of ourselves as far as making plans or thinking this was going to happen or that was going to happen. For instance, two weeks ago we hadnt made a decision on whether wed be in the Gold Cup. The other characteristic Bevan said of his ownership group is the familial connection they have with D Gs Camme. I hate to say this because it sounds corny, but the horse is a part of our family, Bevan said. Theres a huge extension of this horse with our family. Sure, Rons one of the owners, but his son Jackie is the trainer, Jodilyn is the groom, and wed be nowhere without Jodilyn. Toms whole family is involved, his daughter Gracie works with Jodi as a groom as well. Any time hes racing in the region we try to go. Rio and Jace Bevan with D Gs Camme (Photo Supplied) Rio and Jace Bevan with D Gs Camme (Photo Supplied) My kids are young; theyre four, six, and eight, and theyre always asking about the horse, Bevan also said. They dont even call him D Gs Camme. They call him Big D because when we first got him, my oldest boy, who was three or four, couldnt get his mind around pronouncing D Gs Camme, so he started calling him Big D and I started calling him Big D. He has about a million different nicknames now. As a native of Prince Edward Island, Bevan noted he would be thrilled to win this race so ingrained in the culture of Maritime harness racing. It was a surreal experience, Bevan said about the 2015 Gold Cup & Saucer. Then, right after they paraded, the skies opened up and they cancelled the race. Im hoping for better weather this year because we were getting ready to go last year and of course they cancelled. Ive been to many tracks, and Charlottetown and Old Home Week and the Gold Cup & Saucer take a backseat to nobody, Bevan also said. Its a world-class presentation. The horses and trainers that come and support this race deserve a lot of credit. They really feature what harness racing is all about. Its something you just dont get to see. Its a unique experience as far as harness racing goes. At the end of the day, win or lose, Bevan comes back to what its all about. Not money. Not fame. Not bragging rights. Wed love to win the Gold Cup, but wed be fine if he didnt, Bevan also said. Were all about whats best for the horse. We want him to have a good, healthy race like he did last year and come out great. Then well make a plan after that. $60,000 Sobeys Gold Cup & Saucer (Post/Horse/Driver/Odds) 1. Go Daddy Go (Brad Forward - 3-1) 2. Paparazzi Hanover (Travis Cullen - 12-1) 3. Ys Lotus (Louis Philippe Roy - 7-2) 4. Foiled Again (Marc Campbell - 10-1) 5. DGs Camme (Gilles Barrieau - 6-1) 6. Limelight Beach (Anthony MacDonald - 5-2) 7. Alexas Jackpot (Jody Jamieson - 4-1) 8. Shades Of Bay (Corey MacPherson - 8-1) (A Trot Insider Exclusive by Ray Cotolo) Case Closed - Kim Davis Has Won the Fight for Religious Freedom ASHLAND, Ky., Aug. 19, 2016 / Standard Newswire / -- Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has won the fight for religious freedom after a federal judge issued an order dismissing all three 2015 marriage license lawsuits against her yesterday. U.S. Judge David Bunning dismissed in their entirety, Miller v. Davis, Ermold v. Davis and Yates v. Davis, which brings to an end the trial proceedings against her arising from the 2015 Obergefell decision. Despite the ACLU's attempt to continue the case against Kim Davis and assess damages against her, the federal district court dismissed the case, closed the files and ordered all the pending cases to be removed from the docket. Davis, represented by Liberty Counsel, spent six days in jail last year for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in violation of her right to freedom of conscience. Davis would not issue the licenses because they had her name and authority on them. As a result, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed an executive order creating one marriage license form which does not require the county clerk's name and title. The Kentucky General Assembly made Governor Bevin's changes permanent with a bill that passed the State House with a 97-0 vote followed by a 36-0 vote in the State Senate. Bevin said his signature on the unanimous bipartisan legislation brought "statutory finality to the marriage license dilemma." "Kim Davis has won! We celebrate this victory for her and for every American," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "County clerks are now able to perform their public service without being forced to compromise their religious liberty. The case is now closed and the door has been shut on the ACLU's attempt to assess damages against Kim Davis. This victory is not just for Kim Davis. It is a victory for everyone who wants to remain true to their deeply-held religious beliefs regarding marriage while faithfully serving the public," said Staver. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. To me, democracy, of late, has been a disappointment. Or, to be precise, I have been on losing side of the argument all too often in the last couple of years. For example, the Indian electorate in 2014 voted overwhelming to bring in a Hindu Nationalist government: This was due to a combination of voter fatigue with the previous administration, which proved to be inept and corrupt at the same time, but I did not want a Fascist leader, which Mr Modi most certainly is, to be India's Prime Minister. Also, I was on the losing side of Britain's EU referendum, where the British electorate apparently voted for a closed economy and inward-looking society. And, indeed, like everyone else, I am now bracing for Trump victory in US Presidential election; whether or not that eventually happens, I wouldn't, like many US voters who will vote against Trump, feel elated about a Hillary Clinton presidency either, as she is only the lesser of the two hard-to-like candidates. Despite these disappointments - and I did ask myself whether democracy is really worth it at the emotionally charged aftermath of the EU referendum in Britain - I find it difficult to accept the other alternative: A China-style Technocratic system! Dambisa Moyo, among others, argue that Africans should perhaps choose such a political model over the Western Liberal Democratic option, as if autocratic misrule would be a new thing in Africa. But, more ominously, many European states and even India, voted for 'Development' over 'Democracy' in recent elections. As Greece's Yanis Varoufakis would argue, while 'democracy' was a pretencion all along, the global Financial elite is now ready even to stop pretending to be democratic. One could survey the world at this very moment and conclude that democracy may actually be on the back-foot and - Varoufakis may indeed be right. Even the democratically elected leaders like Mr Modi, and contenders such as Mr Trump, though they treat China as the competitor and perhaps the enemy, embrace the Chinese technocratic model. They, and various democratic leaders across the world, treat 'development' as the main goal. In fact, there is a consensus that the legitimacy of democratic governments come from economic prosperity of its people: Historical evidence seems to bear this out, right since the coup in Iran in 1956 which deposed the Middle East's first democratically elected government. It is perhaps this narrative that Varoufakis is questioning, and we should too. Is democracy a means to an end, which is 'development' or even more ephemerally, economic growth? Or, if democracy is such a precious thing, should be an end in itself? Now, while we casually equate development with economic growth, they are two different things. Apart from definitional differences, the most crucial difference between them is that economic growth is blind to quality of economic activities and whether they actually make life better. The pursuit of economic growth seeks to keep the social pecking order exactly the same, even if it is unequal, unjust or plainly corrupt, and in fact, any aspiration to change the social order, however urgently needed (think of India), is actually counter-productive in the pursuit of growth. 'Development', on the other hand, gives at least equal weight to qualitative aspects of economic life, and tries to measure, however imperfectly, whether life is getting better. The pursuit of development, in many cases, makes it necessary to change the social order, and, in the least, a mechanism to hold the elite accountable. And, that, if we come to think of it, is democracy. These rights to vote, of free speech, of holding the administrations accountable and various legal provisions that uphold this, were not given by God or some benevolent ruler, but were fought for and won: We must not forget that democracy, in itself, is development, and a precondition of a fair social order. The leaders selling a technocratic vision equates growth and development, as do the media and academic literature making 'economic growth' the principal object of democracy. This sleight of rhetoric creates a self-destructive model: It makes growth the government's responsibility! While that may have worked in an industrial order, which was, at its core, extractive - it pooled cheap labour into processes to generate a surplus - but not as useful in the participative economic models which are emerging now. People like Mr Trump and Mr Modi are making promises of making lives better by executive action, and yet, in today's economies, driven by innovation and participation, they can not do anything unless the people themselves take the responsibility. And, indeed, this is why many technocratic solutions have failed, and even China, which may have performed a miracle of growth in building an industrial economy, may eventually falter in making the transition to the innovation economy. Democracy - and the evolutions it has had in the last two hundred years - has been the greatest marker of human progress, but we have now taken it for granted. Not only we have forgotten that democracy is development, we have also missed that, in a democracy, nothing is given from above, but everything has to be worked for and earned. The elite may be doing what they have done always and promised salvation- now the earthly kind rather than divine - but being a democratic citizen is about being an adult: We should treat democracy as a privilege, a precious one, which comes with the responsibility of owning our futures and working for it. Wisdom of the Crowd: 55 % of respondents said that the Trust Bak set up by Fairprice will not be profitable as there are already too many d... It's Election season and our editor's mailbox is overflowing. Who do your neighbors support? Read about it here. A bit upstream of the Astoria Bridge, on the Washington side of the Columbia River, I chatted with another Buoy 10 angler on Monday who said hed been fishing eight days and had lost the only fish hed hooked. When I asked John Demase, harbormaster for the Port of Chinook, how the fishing has been, his answer was pretty slow. In five hours of fishing, both above the bridge and below, with herring, spinners, anchovies and anchovy-filled Super Baits, the total for our boat was zero, nada, zilch. The only fish I saw caught were in the boat of Buzz Ramsey, brands manager for Yakima Bait. A lot of anglers are not catching salmon so far this year at Buoy 10. Last week, the catch rate at Buoy 10 was about half that compared to the same period in 2015. Ron Roler, Columbia River policy coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and a Buoy 10 angler, calls it scratch fishing. But the sky isnt falling at Buoy 10, not yet. There was a time when Buoy 10 season didnt even open until Aug. 15. Although its really early in the run, the count at Bonneville Dam is on track to meet the exceptional forecast of 960,000 fall chinook. Lets face it, we got spoiled in 2015. It was gangbusters right off the bat, and so with a big run, thats the expectation, Roler said. This year is kind of normal. With a mega run of 1.3 million fall chinook to the Columbia, the fishing at Buoy 10 in 2015 was epic. It was exceptional upriver, too, at places like Longview, Kalama, and Bachelor Island. And the catch stayed good deep into October. When this years forecast for fall chinook was issued in February, we all just assumed it would be a repeat performance in 2016. It just might be starting later this year. I know Im planning to be down there for eight days starting next week. Most years, salmon fishing at Buoy 10 is not the slam dunk is was in 2015. Yeah, there can be really good days at Buoy 10, but zeroes, too. Ive only been fishing at Buoy 10 for 16 years, so there are plenty of better and more experienced anglers. I can remember one year when I went five days without a fish. Yet there was a good bite going on at the mouth of the Cowlitz River. I asked biologist-angler Jimmy Watts of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife what was going on that year and he told me the fish had found a secret passage to Longview. For those of us who love trolling in the big water of the Columbia River estuary each August, lets hope thats not the case this year. A clean-cut, confident but teary eyed Donovan Allen testified Thursday at Brian Kitts trial, now the third trial held in an effort to convict someone of his mothers murder in 2000. His testimony and later cross examination during Sharon Coxs murder trial seemed to put Allen himself again on trial, as the prosecution and defense each sought to portray Allen in different lights. Cowlitz County prosecutors tried to depict Allen, then 18, as a troubled youth who was nonetheless a loving father, fiance and son. In turn, the defense painted Allen as a dependent son who made his hatred of his mother well known to acquaintances, friends and cellmates. Allen, now 35 and a foreman for an Oregon asphalt company, was released from prison last year after serving 13 years for his mothers murder. He was exonerated after new testing found the DNA of Allens adopted cousin, Brian Kitts, 43, on the rifle used to bludgeon Cox and on the collars of her turtleneck and denim shirt. Kitts, of Kelso, has been charged with aggravated first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, which could carry a life sentence. Witnesses testimony about the relationship between Allen and his mom clashed with Allens own account. Family friend Bobby Fields and Allens former fiancee Bonnie Engebretson (formerly Bonnie Walker) said Allen had a strained relationship with his mom. Fields and Engebretson said Allens mother controlled his finances and that he was dependent on her. When asked about his finances, Allen chuckled and described himself as a kid who was terrible at finances and needed his moms guidance and support. Allen also said his mom was elated that Engebretson was pregnant. Her youngest was getting married, having children, becoming a man, Allen said, overcome with emotion. In an effort to show it was implausible for Allen to be the killer, prosecutors repeatedly compared Allens small stature (5 feet 5 inches tall and about 130 pounds in 2000, according to Allen) to Kitts size (6 feet 4 inches tall, over 220 pounds, according to retired Longview Sgt. Danny Jacobs). Allen took the stand Thursday wearing a too-large button-down shirt with sleeves that hung to the middle of his palm. During Thursdays testimony, the state played the audio taped conversation between Allen and 911 dispatchers after Allen found his mothers body on her living room floor. Longview police officers who were first to respond to the crime scene were also questioned. Wiping away tears as he listened to the 911 tape, Allen recounted for jurors how he found his mom and had hoped to revive her. During cross examination however, defense lawyer Kevin Blondin suggested Allen nearly implicated himself during the 911 call. What did you mean (when you said) This is something I never wanted to d? Blondin asked, quoting a portion of the 911 call where Allens voice trails off. I meant this is something I never wanted to see or deal with, Allen replied. Retired Longview Sgt. Danny Jacobs, who originally interrogated Allen along with retired Detective Jeff Davis, agreed the interrogation was tainted when Davis told Allen the weapon used to kill Cox had been found in the garage of her home. Davis testified that police had agreed to conceal details about the weapon during interviews in hopes Coxs murderer would provide them. Blondin also tried to pick apart Allens claim that hed made a false confession, reminding Allen that he signed a written copy of his confession four times and just a day after making an audio recording of it on March 9, a full month after Coxs murder. Blondin reminded Allen that he signed the confession in a police car in the parking lot of a local restaurant, not in the plain, windowless interview room at the Longview police station. Were any threats or physical acts of violence made to get you to sign those documents? Blondin asked. Thats a loaded question, Allen said. Its a yes or no question, Blondin replied. No threats were made, Allen said, stepping from the stand. At the close of the days testimony, Blondin had several questions for Allen about comments he allegedly made to others about hating his mom and admitting that hed killed her. To all of the questions Allen said he either didnt make the comments or that he couldnt recall whether he did. There were times I said I was pissed at her, yeah, but I never really said I hated her, Allen said. A driver was injured Monday when he reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and crashed his car into a log truck on Highway 30 near milepost 61 in Oregon. According to Oregon State Police logs, Tyler Sherwin, 21, of Clatskanie was driving his Honda Accord east on Highway 30 when he crossed over the center line and into the path of the log truck. The trucks driver, Steven Tadei, 25, of Astoria, tried to avoid the collision. However, the Honda collided with the drivers side rear axle, significantly damaging both vehicles. Sherwin was taken to St. John Medical Center in Longview. Tadei was uninjured. While still in the hospital, Sherwin told Washington State Patrol he had fallen asleep at the wheel. Oregon State Police have released the names of the drivers involved in a fatal crash last week on Highway 30 near St. Helens. Qunnion Avery, 57, of Marietta, Georgia was killed after leading Scappose Police on a high-speed chase. He crashed his 2004 Toyota Highlander into a 2012 Honda Civic. The driver of the Honda, Rhonda Lull, 48, of St. Helens, was taken to a Portland hospital after sustaining serious injuries. Avery, who was not wearing a seat belt, later died from injuries sustained in the crash. New details surrounding Wednesdays officer-involved shooting in Kelso have been slow to emerge. The Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office on Thursday released a photo of the weapon wielded by a man before he was fatally shot by a Kelso police officer. The suspect, a 27-year-old black male described as a transient, attacked a clerk, a customer and the officer with a wooden staff at the Flying K Gas & Grocery in West Kelso, according to authorities. The photo shows a 4-foot long, 1.5-inch-thick staff split in two and weighing several pounds, according to police. The staff was broken during the attack, officials said (see photo on Page A4). According to 911 dispatch records obtained Thursday, the man first appeared at the Flying K at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. He tried to purchase some food. When his card was declined, he took the items and left without paying. A short time later, some items were recovered while others were eaten, according to the dispatch report The record said he was carrying a block of wood, seemed confused and headed toward the Allen Street Bridge. The Cowlitz County Coroners Office said the man had lived in various parts of the state and it would not release the mans name until his family can be reached. A photo circulating on social media sites claimed to show the identity of the man who was killed, but authorities were unwilling to confirm his name or comment on how the photo was obtained. The officer involved in the shooting, John Johnston, remains on paid administrative leave per standard procedure, pending an investigation by the sheriffs office. Johnston suffered a minor head injury in the attack. The shooting occurred at a time when shootings have spurred national debates on law enforcements treatment of black men, which critics say is rooted in racial profiling. Although Black Lives Matter in Vancouver has so far not organized protests, the organization has urged supporters to contact Kelso police and city officials. Shooting black people dead should not be a police officers first step. This is a local incident of a national problem, the organization said on its Facebook page. There was no effort to arrest this man. Killing him with no attempt (to) de-escalate and arrest is unacceptable. An in-store video may be released as early as this afternoon, according to the sheriffs office. Flying K owner Aaron Wilcox said the store may reopen today, but he wants to give his employees enough time to recover emotionally. Some people need a little more time off, he said. Theyre pretty shaken up. We all are as a company. Correction: Cynthia Washington-Mattson is the granddaughter of local civil rights pioneer Victoria Freeman. Thursdays story said she was Freemans daughter. If youre headed to the Wahkiakum County Fair this weekend, which runs through Saturday, you may want to take a few extra precautions. The relatively mild summer the region has been experiencing is about to melt away like an ice cube on hot asphalt. High temperatures ranging from the upper 90s to just over 100 degrees is forecasted for all of Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon. Forecasters expect a high-pressure ridge to settle over the region through early Saturday night, leading the National Weather Service in Portland to issue an excessive heat warning. In anticipation of the coming hot weather, Cowlitz PUD will open its auditorium to those seeking relief from the heat, according to the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management. Stop by at 961 12th Avenue in Longview between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday to cool off. The PUD will be streaming coverage of the Olympics as well. Officials recommended keeping hydrated, especially if out and about, or keeping to where its cool. Those heading for water are reminded to stay safe and swim to their ability, and to never leave pets or kids in a parked vehicle. We are encouraging people to avoid or limit physical activity outdoors, take shelter in air-conditioned buildings and drink plenty of fluids, said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer, in a news release. Elderly people and the very young are especially vulnerable during periods of intense or prolonged heat. The combined high temps and high humidity increases the risk for heat-related illnesses. Plan any strenuous activity for early or late in the day, and take frequent breaks. Signs of heat-related illnesses can vary, but symptoms of heat exhaustion may include muscle cramps, heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale and clammy skin; a fast and weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; and fainting. Symptoms may also include confusion and headaches. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should move to a cooler location; drink water; apply cool, wet towels to their body; and lie down and loosen their clothes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If any vomiting continues, call 911. Finally the mystery of the great stone circle Stenness, located in Orkney, Scotland solved with the newly published journal by the University of Adelaide. The mysterious stand stone of British was a puzzle for every scientists and astronaut, and a recently ended research said that these 5000-years-old British Stand Stones are designed following the circulation track of sun and moon. For the very first time, a new enchanting fact related to astronomy came to the limelight that the 5000 years old British Stone Circles are distinctively designed in line with the activities of the Sun and Moon. A new research held by the researchers of University of Adelaide research has stated that the most primitive standing tombstones of Britain, the great circles, were built in sequence with the movements of the Sun and this announcement has dragged the anonymity of British Stone Circle to an end. The research held by using both 2D and 3D technology and published in the academic journal of Archaeological Science. As per the study, with the thorough employment of pioneering 2D and 3D technology, the quantitative examinations of the outlines of the arrangement of the standing stones constructed and it discovered that the stones were designed 5,000 years ago to follow astronomical movements of the sun and moon. Created in 3000 B.C, this stone circle was an inscrutability for many of us. Researchers found that, about a significant portion of the destinations, the northern skyline was higher and nearer than the southern horizon. This would have made the midyear solstice sun, denoting the longest day of the year, seem to ascend out of a unique top in the North. Speaking to this promising innovation, Gail Higginbottom, project leader of this research said that, this study is the proof about the connection of ancient Britons to the sky and astronomy with the earliest standing stones, and that this practice persistent in the same way for 2,000 years. While digging in Saudi Arabia, researchers have found a middle finger bone. Whats striking about the discovery is that, scientists claim it to be the worlds oldest human bone ever discovered. The bone is nearly 90,000 years old. A team of archaeologist from Oxford University and from Saudi Arabia started their research in 2012; They dig for almost four years before the found the oldest human bone. According to the reports, the bone is the middle part of the middle finger of a human being lived 90,000-years-ago. Archaeologists revealed that the middle finger bone was uncovered during excavations at Tayma, where a large oasis exists with a long history of habitation. However, the oldest bone belonging to a member of the Homo genus, the lineage that ultimately led to modern human beings, is a jaw bone discovered in Ethiopia last March that is believed to be around 2.8 million years old. The discovery was made under the project named Green Arabia. The Green Arabia project has studied sites at ancient lakes in the Nafud desert, said Ali Ghabban, head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. Researchers are also studying historical sites and other environmental condition under the same project in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Green Arabia started back in 2012 and is set to conclude next year. tech2 News Staff Google Duo, the latest app by Google has topped the Google Play Store "Top Free" ranks within 3 days of the launch. Currently, the video-calling app is number one in Google Play Store in the USA region while number six in the Indian region as reported by Android Police. Google Duo now launched in all countries. #1 app in the Play Store, 4.5 star rating! pic.twitter.com/hbN09ku20k Justin Uberti (@juberti) August 18, 2016 The app goes toe-to-toe with other video calling platforms like Skype, Facebook Messenger, Viber, and BBM. It uses your mobile number to sign in and does not require a Google account to log in and use. This was announced at Google IO 2016 along with Google Allo, the standalone chat app from the company. Google Allo will soon join Duo in the play store to make a comprehensive communication solution. An early confidential APK was leaked after Google IO which gave a brief idea about the general interface of the app. The unique selling point of the app is the simplicity of the UI and ease of use. The quality of the video calling as the first release is quite impressive. Duo is still catching on and being installed by users all across the world. The app has crossed 500 thousand downloads after the staged rollout. The app was rolled out in North America on 16 August while India saw the rollout on 17 August 2016. tech2 News Staff Microsoft has launched OneNote import tool for Mac users. This allows Evernote users on Mac platform to make a switch to OneNote and the timing of the move is brilliant. Earlier in March, the company launched a similar tool for its Windows users and since has imported 71 million Evernote pages to OneNote. The company has highlighted the differences starting off from the fact that OneNote is a free service while Evernote has three tiers of plans ranging from basic to premium. The price for Evernote premium was again increased to $69 per year in June this year forcing people to search for alternatives. Currently Evernote Premium is equal to the price of Microsoft Office 365 Personal subscription at $69. One thing to note is that the pricing varies from region to region. Office 365 Personal subscriptions is priced at Rs 3299 while the Evernote Premium subscription stands at Rs 1500 in India. But Office 365 provides the entire Microsoft Office suite to users in addition to OneNote at the same price. It can be used on all platforms across multiple devices (one tablet, one PC or Mac and one phone in addition to web access to online versions) and provides users with 1TB OneDrive cloud storage. The free service by Evernote limits the user to two devices the upload limit capped at 60MB per month. There is no access to customer support, offline notebooks, search, annotation or access any related content. On the other hand, OneNote has no monthly cap for upload per month and you can sync across multiple devices. The strategy used by Microsoft is brilliant which emphasises its services at the same price point while Evernote struggles with internal restructuring and killing off apps as reported by TechCrunch. hidden Sage Group, already hit by an insider data breach this week, then found itself racing to shut down security lapses by more than 20 customers after a U.S. researcher uncovered stores of their corporate data exposed online. The British financial software provider said the incidents were unrelated, but they highlight the range of security risks facing technology suppliers from the relatively rare danger of rogue employees to the harder-to-control lax security practices of customers. Sage said the online data leaks appear to be the result of customers or contractors in more than a dozen countries ignoring warnings against installing Sage business planning software inside their firms without basic firewall protections. On Thursday it said it had spent the past two days contacting vulnerable customers to tell them to shut down connections, after being notified of the breaches by U.S. researcher Chris Vickery, 31. He is known for previously digging up hundreds of millions of leaked voter records online. The databases Vickery stumbled on online were from poorly secured, in-house customer installations of Sage X3 software, which firms of up to 2,000 employees use to run finance, purchasing, inventory, sales and customer service functions. "If you are a large Sage client, make sure that your software installations are behind a firewall or, at the very least, you have some sort of access restrictions in place," Vickery wrote in a blog post. "Most companies do, but I know of at least 20 that did not ... and the possible repercussions for those clients are frightening." The software, which acts as a platform for other Sage products, has around 5,000 customers and accounts for 5 percent of total company turnover. Sage counts 3 million small and medium-sized business customers worldwide. It was the second security-related incident to hit the Newcastle-based company this week after Sage said on Sunday that an internal login was used to gain access to the employee data of around 280 British customers. Sage payroll-processing software is used by more than half of British firms. A source at the company said Sage is working to ascertain whether any data has actually been stolen, while police on Wednesday arrested a 32-year-old Sage employee on suspicion of fraud against the company. Experts say the vast majority of large-scale data breaches are the result of outside hackers using trickery to gain inside access to corporate data, typically for financial gain, a scenario that does not appear to be in play in Sage's case. Vickery is known for exposing a variety of high-profile database breaches including vast numbers of U.S. and Mexican voter records, children's data on sites such as Hello Kitty, and dating records on the site BeautifulPeople.com. He was hired as a security researcher early this year by the creators of MacKeeper, a Macintosh utility and security programme, after he discovered a company database of 13 million users which was exposed to hackers. Reuters hidden Taiwan has asked Uber Technologies to pay a sales tax bill estimated by local media to be up to about $6.4 million, the government said on Friday, as a decision looms on whether the global ride-hailing service may be ordered to leave the island. Taiwan's Investment Commission said earlier this month it may order Uber to exit the market, saying the company misrepresented its business as an internet-based technology platform rather than a transportation service. A decision is due by the end of August. Uber has not previously been liable for sales tax since it set up shop in Taiwan in 2013. But the government is overhauling the tax regime it imposes on global online service providers, and says Uber owes back taxes. "As long as they provide services in Taiwan, they have to pay sales taxes," said Wu Ting-yang, auditor of the National Taxation Bureau of Taipei. Wu declined to disclose how much Uber might be billed for sales tax, but local media reports estimated the tax would be up to T$200 million ($6.4 million). The company rejected the claim it owes sales taxes. "Uber is meeting all of its tax obligations under relevant local laws," the firm said in an emailed response to Reuters' questions. The firm said it had taken part in discussions hosted by the National Taxation Bureau on Thursday "to discuss potential tax reform for cross-border digital services". Reuters hidden A U.S. judge on Thursday rejected an attempt by Uber Technologies Inc to settle a class action lawsuit with drivers who claimed they were employees and entitled to expenses. In a case that has been closely watched in Silicon Valley, where many companies use on-demand workers, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled the settlement was not fair or adequate for Uber drivers. Some drivers had objected to terms of the settlement valued at up to $100 million, which would have affected roughly 385,000 current and former drivers in California and Massachusetts. Uber drivers contended in the lawsuit they should be deemed employees and reimbursed for expenses such as gasoline and vehicle maintenance. Those expenses are now borne by the drivers. The proposed settlement would have kept drivers classified as independent contractors. Several drivers who were part of the class filed objections with the court, particularly because the proposed amount was well below the total potential damages in the case of roughly $850 million. In a statement, Uber said it believed the settlement was fair and reasonable. "We're disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options," the company said. Chen noted that part of the proposed settlement, $16 million, would only have been paid to drivers if Uber's valuation grew by a certain benchmark within a year of any initial public offering. Because Uber could not provide specific information that such an outcome was likely, Chen said he would not consider those dollars as part of the settlement. The remaining $84 million, Chen said, represented a "substantial discount" on the full value of driver claims. Among Chen's primary concerns were claims related to the Private Attorney General Act, which could come with penalties far exceeding the $1 million the settlement allowed. PAGA, passed in California in 2004, states that individuals may pursue civil penalties for labour code violations, and share any payment recovered with the state. Both parties could reach a new agreement that satisfies the judge's concerns, said Shannon Liss-Riordan, the attorney representing the drivers. "But if not, as Ive said before, I will take the case to trial and fight my hardest for the Uber drivers," she said. However, Liss-Riordan said, if there is no settlement agreement, the number of drivers included in the case would drop to about 8,000, because many drivers did not opt out of the arbitration clause in Uber's licensing agreement. Reuters hidden By Sanjay Bhatia The government launched its ambitious Make in India campaign in September 2014 amid much fanfare. The initiative seeks to make it easier to do business in India by setting up infrastructure and improving policies. Make in India undoubtedly provides a promising environment to encourage manufacturing in India. But for a business to be successful, manufacturing is only half the story. If you really want to grow your business, you also need to be prepared to invest in marketing and in selling your product. Traditionally, this is an area where Indian SMEs seem to fall short. Marketing and branding, especially on online platforms, becomes even more crucial as markets become increasingly global. A good website is the first step towards creating an online brand identity. According to a survey released by RedShift Research and GoDaddy, 63 percent of Indias small businesses dont have their own website. In contrast, a survey of small business owners or managers in the US representing firms with less than 10 employees and less than $1 million in annual revenue found that only 46 percent of them dont have their own website, according to Clutch research. If you own a small business that you have big plans for, here are some great steps for you to up your brand quotient online. Choose an established domain name extension for your website Top-Level Domains (TLD) such as .com and .net have been around for over three decades. They have global recognition and consistent records of security, availability and stability. So, these domain name extensions are a great choice for small businesses trying to build a trusted brand. Use social media to complement your website Use social media effectively as part of an integrated marketing plan to help drive traffic to your website. Your website can be the center of your online presence, where your customers can get a chance to understand your business and unique offerings. Speak the language of your audience If you hope to sell globally, ensure your website sounds global too! For example, use contemporary language, relevant keywords and ensure your website speaks to your prospective customers in a voice they understand. Businesses across the globe have leveraged the tremendous power of the Internet, resulting in a truly connected world. With a great website and an effective online marketing strategy, there are limitless opportunities for small businesses to compete successfully with large conglomerates. It surely is a great time to Make in India and market to the world with a .com. The author is President, FICCI CMSME. Some brothers in Britishness of the secretary of state for international trade and former Minister for Werritty at the Department of Wog-Bombing have imprisoned a man for posting on Facebook. It is illegal in the United Arab Emirates for charities to operate while not registered in the country, and the Dubai resident has been indefinitely imprisoned for the heinous crime of raising money for the beneficiaries of the recent Mission Accomplished in Afghanistan. His wife is paying for his food and drinking water, and he is being held at a police station with no segregation from other prisoners and no access to luxuries such as blankets and mattresses, which are routinely bestowed upon offenders in British prisons despite the reforming zeal of Graybeing, Gove and those entrepreneurial people at G4S. A spokesbeing for the Ministry for Wogs, Frogs and Huns said that something or other was being done about the situation, even though the victim holds dual citizenship and was an immigrant before he became an expat. Possibly the Imperial Haystack has threatened to build a few more cable-cars unless the matter is expedited. Dilma to take stand at impeachment trial AFP, Brazil : Brazil's suspended president Dilma Rousseff will take the stand to defend herself at her impeachment trial in the Senate, an aide said Thursday, setting up a dramatic showdown with her accusers. Rousseff, who is accused of fiddling the national budget to make Brazil's tanking economy look better, will be allotted time to testify on August 29, said the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Ricardo Lewandowski, who will preside over the trial. A spokesman for the suspended leftist leader confirmed she would defend herself in person. "She'll be there," he told AFP. Rousseff, Brazil's first woman president, accuses her opponents of trumping up the charges against her to remove her in a "coup." But she looks almost certain to lose the final vote in the Senate, ending 13 years of rule by the leftist Workers' Party. The trial is due to open on Thursday, August 25, four days after the Olympic Games end in Rio de Janeiro. Senate president Renan Calheiros said the vote would likely take place on August 30, the day after Rousseff testifies. The trial will start with procedural matters, followed by witness testimony, according to the schedule set down by Lewandowski and Calheiros. The prosecution plans to call two witnesses and the defense four. They will answer questions from Lewandowski, from senators and from lawyers for both sides. Build nation with ideals of Bangabandhu : CCC Mayor Chittagong Bureau : Chittagong City Mayor and General Secretary of City Awami League AJM Nasir Uddin called upon the patriotic citizens of the country to build Bangladesh with the ideals of Bangabandhu and spirit of the liberation ward. He disclosed it while addressing the discussion meeting held in observance of the 41st martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu and the National Mourning day held at a city community centre as arranged by the city AL, Ward No.24 and its front organizations on Thursday last as chief guest. He said the success of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should be presented before the people sinking all differences among the leaders and the activists. He said all defeated forces of 1971 are now united and we should face them boldly . City mayor urged upon the party leaders and activists to resist the militancy and terrorism with the spirit of Liberation War of 1971. President of North Agrabad Ward AL Md. Zakaria presided over it . Among others, Vice President of the City Awami League Naismuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Alhaj Khorshed Alam Sujon, Presidium Member of Jubo League Syed Mahmudul Hoque were present on the occasion, a party sources said. Huge Jihadi books recovered from CU female halls CU Correspondent : The authority of Chittagong University (CU) in a raid recovered huge quantities of Jihadi books and documents from three female dormitories of the university on Wednesday night. CU administration along with Hathazari police raided different rooms of Preetilota Hall, Shamsunnahar Hall and Khaldea Zia Hall and recovered huge stocks of Jihadi books and documents from those rooms inhabited by the supporters of Chhatri Sangstha, female student wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, university and police sources said. The raid was conducted amid wide spread allegation of the militancy link of CU students and arrest of its student Nurul Islam Marzan in connection with the attack on Holey Artisan restaurant in Dhaka. Marzan was an associate category member of the CU unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, police said. Resident students of the three female dormitories said female students activists of Jamaat used to run provocative activities and stock Jihadi books in seven rooms of the dormitories. Police recovered huge collections of books written by Jamaat founder Sayed Abul Aala Moududi, Jamaat leaders Golam Azam, Motiur Rahman Nizami and Nizami's wife Shamsunnahar Nizami from Shamsunnahar Hall of the university. Indian judgment: How to combat terrorism under the Rule of Law Supreme Court of India has unfolded the Constitution of the Republic in a judgment delivered on July 8, 2016 on the question of human right violations, 'not in the context of the accused but in the context of the victims [dead and alive] as a result of 'fake encounters or extra judicial executions' in the State of Manipur and have examined how to combat terrorism under the rule of law, and have cautioned the armed forces for excessive use of force. Petitioners brought the allegations of 'fake encounters or extra-judicial killings' by 'the Manipur police and the armed forces, including the Army.' The petitioners have cited 1528 cases of extra-judicial killings, and majority of them have been killed in cold blood. Not a single FIR was ever recorded, and 'the cries of anguish of the families of the victims have fallen on deaf ears'. Union of India in their affidavit has given a broad overview of insurgency in the north-east of India. It is stated that a large number of terrorist groups are active in Manipur State with varying demands including outright secession from India. They have safe heaven across the boarders, and have been indulging in the cold blooded murder of dignitaries, securities force personnel and innocent citizens including political leaders, bureaucratic functionaries etc. These groups have resorted to burning copies of the Constitution of India and the National Flags and have, to a certain extent, subverted the local administration and muzzled the voice of the people by violence and threats of violence. The Court has examined in detail and has observed thus: Be that as it may, what is of significance is that this Court has implied that the armed forces of the Union could be deployed in public order situations to aid the civil power and on such deployment, they shall operate in cooperation and conjunction with the civil administration and until normalcy is restored. This view is predicated on and postulates that normalcy would be restored within a reasonable period. What would be the consequence if normalcy is not restored for a prolonged or indeterminate period? In our opinion, it would be indicative of the failure of the civil administration to take effective aid of the armed forces in restoring normalcy or would be indicative of the failure of the armed forces in effectively aiding the civil administration in restoring normalcy or both. Whatever be the case, normalcy not being restored cannot be a fig leaf for prolonged, permanent or indefinite deployment of the armed forces (particularly for public order or law and order purposes) as it would mock at our democratic process and would be a travesty of the jurisdiction conferred by Entry 2A of the Union List for the deployment of the armed forces to normalize a situation particularly of an internal disturbance. The Court has quoted with approval the following passage from Prof. Aharon Barak: The Judge in a Democracy, page 283, Princeton University. The author is former President of the Supreme Court of Israel. While terrorism poses difficult questions for every country, it poses especially challenging questions for democratic countries, because not every effective means is a legal means. I discussed this in one case, in which our Court held that violent interrogation of a suspected terrorist is not lawful, even if doing so may save human life by preventing impending terrorist acts: We are aware that this decision does not make it easier to deal with that reality. This is the fate of democracy, as not all means are acceptable to it, and not all methods employed by its enemies are open to it. Sometimes a democracy must fight with one hand tied behind its back. Nonetheless, it has the upper hand. Preserving the rule of law and recognition of individual liberties constitute an important component of its understanding of security. At the end of the day, they strengthen its spirit and strength and allow it to overcome its difficulties. While giving necessary direction for the right to know to what had happened to the victims, the Court has observed thus: It does not matter whether the victim was a common person or a militant or a terrorist, nor does it matter whether the aggressor was a common person or the State. The law is the same for both and is equally applicable to both. That law is therefore very clear that if an offence is committed even by Army personnel, there is no concept of absolute immunity from trial by the criminal court constituted under the CrPC. To contend that this would have a deleterious and demoralizing impact on the security forces is certainly one way of looking at it, but from the point of view of a citizen, living under the shadow of a gun that can be wielded with impunity, outright acceptance of the proposition advanced is equally unsettling and demoralizing, particularly in a constitutional democracy like ours. The guidelines in the judgment may beckon to other South Asian countries to follow. (The writer is a Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of Bangladesh.) M.I. Farooqui The Adalat has jurisdiction to correct error committed by it High Court Division : (Special Original Jurisdiction) Zinat Ara J AKM Zahirul Hoque J Judgment April 7th, 2016 Jafrul Islam Chowdhury .................. Petitioner vs Secretary Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and others ....Respondents Artha Rin Adalat Ain (VIII of 2003) Section 57 Under Section 57 of the Ain, the Adalat is empowered to pass any order for ends of justice or to prevent the abuse of the process of the Adalat. The Judge of the Adalat for ends of justice to correct the inadvertent mistake committed by it in rejecting the execution case on the ground of being barred by limitation, although it was not barred by limitation, which is evident on the face of the record. The Adalat had jurisdiction to pass such order to correct the error committed by it by miscalculation for the ends of justice. .. .... (15) Shahida Khanom vs Ramizuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan, 43 DLR (AD) 58 and Swire Mellor vs Swire, (1885) ChD 239 ref Md. Liton Ahmed-For the Petitioner Md Abdur Rahman Hawlader-For Respondent No.3. Judgment Zinat Ara J : In this Rule Nisi, the petitioner has challenged the legality of order No.4 dated 16-6-2010 passed by the learned Judge of the Artha Rin Adalat, Cox's Bazar in Artha Rin Jari Case No. 25 of 2009. The petitioner also challenged the legality of the auction notice published in the Daily Apon Kantha on 4 December, 2011 (Annexure-C to the writ petition). 2. Facts necessary for disposal of the Rule Nisi are as follows:- The petitioner Jafrul Islam Chowdhury obtained loan for his business concern on 5-6-1996 of an amount of Taka 1,89,20,000 from Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Teknaf Branch. Cox's Bazar having Head Office at Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka (hereinafter referred to as the Bank). The loan was renewed and enhanced from time to time and lastly the loan stood at Taka 3,40,41,084. The petitioner failed to repay the loan for devastating flood, natural calamities and various causes. So, the Bank, as plaintiff, filed Artha Rin Suit No. 9 of 2007 against M/s A & I Bagda Hatchery Limited, its Managing Director, the petitioner Jafrul Islam Chowdhury and Kawsar Parvin, wife of the petitioner, for recovery of loan amounting to Taka 5,69,59,755 before the Artha Rin Adalat (Joint District Judge, 1st Court), Cox's Bazar (hereinafter stated as the Adalat). The said suit was decreed ex-parte by the learned Judge of the Adalat by order dated 24-3-2009. The decree-holder-Bank, thereafter, filed Artha Rin Jari Case No. 25 of 2009 before the Adalat on 24-3-2009 for execution of the decree. Subsequently, on 20-1-2010, the learned Judge of the Adalat rejected the said execution case summarily on the ground of being barred by limitation. Whereupon, the decree-holder-Bank filed an application for restoration of the execution case to its file and number by setting aside the order dated 20-1-2010 on the ground that the execution case was not barred by limitation. Thereupon, the learned Judge of the Adalat by impugned order No. 4 dated 16-6-2010 allowed the application, set-side the order dated 20-1-2010 and restored the Artha Rin Jari Case to its file and number and issued notices upon the judgment-debtors under Section 30 of the Artha Rin Adalat Ain, 2003 (hereinafter referred to as the Ain). Subsequently, in the execution case, order was passed for auction sale of the mortgaged property of the petitioner in a national daily as well as in a local news paper. At that stage, the judgment debtors appeared before the Adalat on 30-9-2010 by filing Vokalat-nama and prayed for time which was allowed. Eventually, order was passed again for auction sale of the mortgaged property. In the above scenario, the judgment-debtor-petitioner filed this writ petition and obtained the Rule. Subsequently, an order of stay was passed by the Court on 6-3-2012 at the prayer of the petitioner. 3. Respondent No.3 the Bank contested the Rule by filing an affidavit-in-opposition supporting the impugned order as well as the auction notice contending, inter-alia, that the execution case was not barred by limitation and it was filed well within time; that Artha Rin Suit was decreed on 24-3-2009 and the decree was drawn up and signed on 30-3-2009; that in the judgment, the learned Judge allowed 45 days' time to the judgment-debtors for payment of the decretal amount and, as such, the time for filing of execution case will start after the expiry of the said 45 days; that the Bank filed execution case within 180 days after expiry of the said 45 days' time which was allowed to the judgment-debtors for payment of the decretal dues; that the execution case having 'been filed on 3-11-2009, it is well within time (45+ 180=225 days) inasmuch as the execution case was filed within 217 days from the date of decree; that as per provision of Section 48 of the Ain, for calculation of the period of limitation only the working days of the Adalat has to be counted; that in the above scenario, on an application filed by the petitioner under Section 57 of the Ain, the learned Judge of the Adalat legally restored the execution case; that the auction notice was also lawfully published as per order of the learned Judge of the Adalat; that in the above facts and circumstances, the impugned order as well as the auction notice is lawful and the Rule is thus liable to be discharged. 4. Mr Md Uton Ahmed the learned Advocate for the 'petitioner takes us through the writ petition, the connected materials on record and submits that after discharge of the execution case, the learned Judge of the Adalat had no jurisdiction to set-aside the said order and restore the execution case to its file and number. He next submits that in the circumstances, impugned order No. 4 dated 16-6-2010 and the auction notice dated 4-12-2011 are illegal and the Rule is, thus, liable to be made absolute. 5. In reply, Mr Md Abdur Rahman Hawlader, the learned Advocate for respondent No.3, takes us through the affidavit-in-opposition and the connected materials on record and contends that it is evident from the judgment and decree that the decree was signed on (30-3-2000) and in the judgment and decree, 45 days time was allowed to the judgment-debtors for payment of the decretal amount. He next contends that under Section 29 of the Ain, the time for filing of the execution case has to he counted after the expiry of the said period of 45 days in view of the provision of Section 28(1) of the Ain. Accordingly, the execution case had to be filed within 180+45=225 days from 30-3-2009 i.e. within 15-11-2009 and the execution case was filed on 3-11-2009 and, as such, the execution case was never barred by limitation. He next contends that the learned Judge of the Adalat inadvertently rejected the execution case summarily without counting 45 days time, which was allowed to the judgment-debtors to pay the decretal dues, He further contends that in the above scenario, the Bank filed an application under Section 57 of the Ain clearly stating the fact that the execution case was not barred by limitation. Whereupon, the learned Judge of the Adalat, in exercising jurisdiction under Section 57 of the Ain, revived the execution ease by setting aside the previous order legally and the auction notice was also lawfully published in the news papers. Mr Md Abdul Rahman Hawlader finally contends that in the circumstances, the impugned order and the auction notice are legal and the Rule is, thus, liable to be discharged. 6. In support of his contentions, Mr Hawlader has relied on the decision in the case of Keramat Ali Bhuiyan being dead his heirs Shahida Khanom vs Ramizuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan, reported in 43 DLR (AD) 58. 7. We have examined the writ petition, the affidavit-in-opposition and the connected materials on record. 8. From the application for execution of the decree (Annexure-A to the writ petition), it transpires that the execution case was filed on 3-112009. From the judgment (Annexure-l to the affidavit-in-opposition), it transpires that the judgment was delivered on 24-3-2009 allowing 45 days' time to the judgment-debtors to pay the decretal amount in favour of the Bank, failing which, the Bank was at liberty to realize the decretal dues through the Adalat. From the decree (Annexure-2 to the affidavit-in-opposition), it transpires that the decree was drawn up and signed on 30-3-2009. 9. To decide the question on limitation relating to filing or execution case under the Ain, the provisions of sections 28 and 29 of the Ain are relevant. 10. The provisions of sections 28(1) and 29 of the Ain read as under:- O28| Rvwii Rb gvgjv `vwLji mgqmxgv| (1) The Limitation Act, 1908 Ges The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 G ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ???, ?????????, ????????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ?????, ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ???????? ??? (????) ?????? ?????, ???? ?? ?? ????? ????????, ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ..................................... ................................... ??? ??????? ????????? ?????? - ?????, ??? ???????? ??? ????????? ???? ??????? ???? ???????? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ????? ??????, ?????? ??????? ?????????? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??(?) ? ???????? ??????? ???????? ????? (Underlined by us) 11. Therefore, on combined reading of sections 28(1) and 29 of the Ain, it is evident that the period of limitation has to be calculated/counted from the date of expiry for payment of the decretal dues allowed by the Adalat to the judgment debtors. 12. In the instant case, we have already seen that 45 days' time was allowed to the judgment debtors to pay the decretal dues. Therefore, the period of limitation has to be calculated/counted after the said 5 days. In such scenario, the execution case has to be filed within 45+ 180=225 days from the date of the decree, which was drawn up and signed on 30-3-2009 i.e. within 15-11-2009. 13. From the materials on record as discussed, it is found that the execution case was fi led before the Adalat on 3-11-2009. Therefore, the execution case was filed by the Bank within the period of limitation. But the learned Judge of the Adalat without counting 45 days with 180 days erroneously rejected the execution case summarily. The Bank, thereafter, filed an application under Section 57 of the Ain clearly stating that the Bank has filed the execution case within time in view of the provision of sections 28(1) and 29 of the Ain, as 45 days time was given in the judgment and the decree. Whereupon, the learned Judge of the Adalat set-aside the order summarily rejecting the execution case and restored the execution ease to its file and number, though the learned Judge of the Adalat did not properly state the reasons for allowing the application and restoring the execution case. 14. For the reasons discussed hereinbefore, it is evident that due to inadvertent mistake of the learned Judge of the Adalat in calculating/counting the period of limitation, the execution case was summarily rejected on the ground of being barred by limitation, although, in fact, the execution case was not at all barred by limitation. 15. Under Section 57 of the Ain, the Adalat is empowered to pass any order for ends of justice or to prevent the abuse of the process of the Adalat. In the instant case, it transpires that the impugned order, in fact, has been passed by the learned Judge of the Adalat for ends of justice to correct the inadvertent mistake committed by it in rejecting the execution case on the ground of being barred by limitation, although it was not barred by limitation, which is evident on the face of the record. The Adalat had jurisdiction to pass such order to correct the error committed by it by miscalculation for the ends of justice. 16. In the case reported in 43 DLR (AD) 58, similar principle was settled by the Appellate Division. In that case, their lordships of the Appellate Division decided as under:- "The Court had inherent jurisdiction to restore the suit under Section 151 CPC. The Subordinate Judge himself noticed in his order that the learned advocate for the respondent was not informed as to SD in spite of the order of the Court and thus he was not aware about the date of receipt of the case record and the date of hearing of the suit. When an injury is caused to a party due to any mistake or default committed by a court or its officers there are high authorities laying down that in circumstances of this nature, it is not only the right but the duty of the Court to correct its own mistake. In re: Swire Mellor vs Swire, (1885) ChD 239 Down, LJ of the Court of Appeal dealing with a question regarding the power of a Court to correct its own mistake observed as follows 'I think, the true view is, as stated by the Lord Justice Cotton, that every Court has inherent power over its own records so long as these records are within its power and that it can set right any mistake in them. It seems to me that it could be perfectly shocking it the Court cannot rectify the error which is really the error of its own minister. An order as it seems to me even when pass and entered may be amended by the Court to carry out the intention and express the meaning of the Court of the time when the order was made, provided the amendment be made without injustice or on terms which preclude injustice.' Therefore, it will be seen that the question of limitation was, in any view of the matter, immaterial in the present case inasmuch as the Court in restoring the suit merely corrected the mistake of its officers of not informing, the learned advocate of the parties about the receiving back of the record and the next date fixed." (Bold, emphasis supplied) 17. In the instant case, the learned Judge or the Adalat was fully justified in passing, the impugned order to rectify its own order. Moreover, notices were served upon the judgment-debtors and they appeared in the execution case. So, no injustice was done to them. 18. Further, due to failure of the judgment-debtors to pay the decretal dues, the impugned auction notice was lawfully published in the newspaper for auction sale of the judgmentdebtors' properties to realize the decretal dues. 19. In view of the discussions made hereinbefore, we find no merit in the submissions of Mr Md Liton Ahmed and we find merit and force m the submissions of Mr Md Abdur Rahman Hawlader. 20. For the discussions made hereinbefore. vis-a-vis the law, the impugned order and the auction notice are found to be lawful. 21. Accordingly, the Rule is discharged without any order as to costs. 23. The learned Judge of the Adalat is directed to proceed with the Artha Rin Jari Case No. 25 of 2009 in accordance with law. Communicate the judgment to respondents Nos. 2 and 3 at once. Provision of law is a continuous process High Court Division : (Special Original Jurisdiction) Syed Md Dastagir Husain J Md. Salim J Shamsul Alam (Md) ...............Petitioner vs Bangladesh, represented by the Secretary Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and others............. ..............Respondents Judgment May 20th, 2015. Bank Companies Act (XIV of 1991) Sections 27KaKa and 5GaGa Contract Act (IX of 1872) Section 26 The report as has been initiated is very much within the provision of law and inclusion of the name of the petitioner in the CIB Report as per Bank Companies Act is also within the provision of law as it is a continuous process. Being Managing Director, Director he obtained loan from different banks and leasing to companies and already there is a decree against the petitioner and there is execution proceeding, the petitioner has been considered as a defaulter. Thereby as per decree he is established as a defaulting borrower and as well as guarantor. A decree is against him as a defaulter. Therefore he cannot at the moment says that his name should not be included in the CIB Report. In the present case his name may not be included as defaulter borrower as he has got share of 6.66% of share but fact remains already he has been declared as a defaulter by a competent court. ........(9) Shah Md Munir Sharif with AKM Nurul Alam and Mohammad Imran Jahangir, Advocates-For the Petitioner. KS Salahuddin Ahmed, Advocate-For the Respondent No.8. Sikder Mahmudur Razi, Advocate-For the Respondent No.6. Md Mozaharul Islam with Md Moniruzzaman Advocates-For the Respondent No.7. Nahid Mahtab with Rumana Hoque, Advocates-For the Respondent No.3. Farzana Ahmed with Md Mojibur Rahman and Shaila Nasneen Shanta, Advocates-For the Respondent No.9. Judgment Syed Md Dastagir Husain J : Rule was issued calling upon the respondents to show cause as to why the section 4 (L) of evsK Kvuvbx (mskvab) AvBb, 2013 (Act No. XXVII of 2013) published in the Bangladesh Gazette on 22-7-2013 (Annexure-C) should not be declared to be void being ultra vires of the Constitution and as to why Report of the Credit Information Bureau classifying the petitioner as defaulter borrower and as to why debarring the petitioner from enjoying any kind of banking accommodation by applying sub-section 3 of section 27KK of evsK Kvuvbx 1991 should not be declared to have been made without lawful authority and is of no legal effect. 2. The petitioner is the guarantor of MEB Sheet Glass Industries Limited, incorporated on 9-12-1992 under the Companies Act, 1913. He has also subscribed 300 shares which is 6.66% of the total shares. The petitioner executed the personal guarantee against the loan availed by the company. The MEB Sheet Glass Industries Limited applied for credit facilities to the respondent Nos. 6-9. The respondent Nos. 6-9 vide several sanction letter sanctioned the credit facilities and the company enjoyed the facilities. The company MEB Sheet Glass Industries Limited was reported to the Credit Information Bureau of Bangladesh Bank. The Credit Information Bureau of Bangladesh Bank published the credit information report of MEB Sheet Glass Industries Limited in the CIB. Since the petitioner does not held more than 20% share in the company, MEB Sheet Glass Industries Limited, in such view of the matter linking the petitioner for the liability of company is illegal and arbitrary and as such the petitioner being aggrieved by and dissatisfied, the petitioner came before this court under Article 102 of the Constitution and obtained the present Rule. 3. Mr Shah Md Munir Sharif, the learned advocate appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits that the Credit Information Bureau was established under Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972 and Article 45 of the Bangladesh Bank Order authorizes any banking company for collecting information of any borrower or class of borrower. The definition of borrower in terms of Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972 is different from the definition of Ljvcx FY MOnxZv as introduced by the impugned amendment. He submits that whether a guarantor is liable to be included in the report of CIB or not and whether a Bank company can collect Credit Information about guarantor of a loan transaction is to be looked into. On this context he also referred the decision reported in 61 DLR 97 that the larger Bench by making Rule absolute stated that impugned inclusion of name of the petitioner, not being a "defaulter borrower" as per the definition of sections 5 GaGa of the Act, in the CIB report in reference is illegal and arbitrary. (To be continued) Therefore a guarantor is not included in the definition of borrower FY MOnxZv in terms of clause -b of Article 42 of Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972. He further submits that every citizen shall have the right to conduct any lawful trade or business and inclusion of the name of the petitioners in the report of Credit Information Bureau is a prohibition and is not permitted by law and as such liable to be declared to have been made without lawful authority and is of no legal effect. 4. On the other hand Mr Sikder Mahmudur Razi, the learned advocate appearing on behalf of the respondent No. 6 by filing affidavit in opposition submits that section 6(5) of the Artha Rin Adalat Ain, 2003 provides that at the time of filing suit against the principal borrower, the financial institution shall also implead the third party mortgagor or third party guarantor in the said suit. Therefore as per section 126 of the Contract Act and section 2(Kha) & 6(5) of the Artha Rin Adalat Ain it can logically be construed and interpreted that a guarantor/surety who fails to perform the promise or discharge the liability is a person in default and therefore, he can be termed as defaulter borrower. Now a guarantor has been included in section 5 GaGa of the Act, 1991. The petitioner cannot be absolved from the liability as he was guarantor. He also by supplementary affidavit in opposition submits that he petitioner is also a director of Mohammed Elias Brothers (Pvt) Ltd. In short MEB (Pvt) Ltd. That MEB (Pvt) Ltd. hereinafter referred to as the borrower company enjoyed L/C and LTR Limit from the respondent No.6 Bank, that was also rescheduled on 31-3-2011. Since the borrower company failed to adjust its liabilities as per the terms and conditions, therefore the respondent No.6 bank filed Artha Rin Suit being No.60 of 2013 for realization of Taka 39,50,20,001.24 only and obtained decree ex-parte on 22-10-2013. Subsequently on 30-1-2014 the bank also filed Artha Execution Case No.8 of 2014. Therefore he is a defaulter and rightly the name of the petitioner has been included in the CIB Report and, as such, the Rule is to be discharged. 5. Mr KS Salah Uddin Ahmed, the learned advocate appearing on behalf of the Respondent No.8 by filing affidavit in opposition submits that the petitioner is admittedly a Director of MEB Sheet Glass Industries Limited as such inclusion of his name in the list under section 5GaGa and section 27KaKa of the Bank Companies Act, 1991 read with Bangladesh Bank Order 1972 is absolutely as per law and, as such, the instant Writ petition is not maintainable. The petitioner is also a guarantor of the said credit facility and by subsequent amendment guarantor has been included in the definition of defaulter. Therefore inclusion of his name in the CIB Report is in accordance with law. The reported case 61 DLR 97 is not applicable as it is different and distinguishable facts in this particular case. The petitioner is admittedly, a director and a share holder. The petitioner is a habitual loan defaulter and he is not coming in dean and, as such, the instant writ petitioner is not maintainable. In the instant case section 5GaGa and section 27KaKa of the Bank Companies, Act, 1991 is very much applicable, since the petitioner is a defaulter borrower. The respondent financial institution sanctioned a facility amounting to Taka 5 (five crores) in favour of the MEB Sheet Glass Industries Limited and the petitioner was a director of the said company and, as such, he is a defaulter and he also defaulted in the payment. Under such facts and circumstances the inclusion of the name of the petitioner in the CIB Report is very much under law and, as such, the instant writ petition is not maintainable and the Rule is to be discharged. 6. Ms Farzana Ahmed, the learned advocate appearing on behalf of the respondent No.9 by filing affidavit in opposition submits that the writ petitioner is a share holder director and Managing Director of the Company as well as the guarantor of the crectit facility availed by the Company, Therefore, as per section 5GaGa of the Bank Companies Act, 1991 a guarantor is very much included and, as such, his name has been included in the CIB Report is legal, not arbitrary. The borrower company took lease facility on 10th October, 2006 within the purview of section 126 of the Contract Act, 1872 meaning the Writ Petitioner entered into a Contract of Guarantee under section 126 of the Contract Act, 1872. The writ petitioner himself voluntarily by understanding accepted the full responsibility of a guarantor under the Contract Act, 1872. Section 5GaGa of the Bank Companies Act, Artha Rin Adalat Ain, 2003 and the Companies Act, 1994 are very much interrelated in securing loan availed by the Company where he is a share holder director and the Managing Director of the same Company and he is playing active management role in the Company as such played part in defaulting to repay to loan/lease liability of the Company and, as such, he is defaulter and his name rightly been included in the CIB Report. Inclusion of guarantor in the definition of defaulted borrower is not violative under Article 40 of the Constitution. Long 9 years when the company defaulted to repay its loan liability and the name of the writ petitioner was referred to CIB as such the writ petition is not maintainable. 7. Mrs Nahid Mahtab, the learned advocate appearing on behalf of the respondent No.3 submits that since the petitioner defaulted in payment and already a suit has been decreed, the petitioner by suppressing all those materials facts obtained the Rule and, as such, a defaulter can not get any privilege by showing in the instant writ petition that he has got only share of 6.66% and cannot be a defaulter borrower. 8. Mr Mazaharul Islam, the learned advocate appearing on behalf of the Respondent No.7 adopted the arguments made by the learned advocates for the respondents. 9. Heard the learned advocates. It appears that the petitioner is coming forward with an application that his name should not enter into the report of CIB as he is a guarantor who has only 6.66% share in the said company. Moreover guarantor is included by gazette notification only on 22-7-2013 as such he is not included as defaulting borrower. But fact remain being Managing Director, Director he obtained loan from different banks and leasing companies and already there is a decree against the petitioner and there is execution proceeding, the petitioner has been considered as a defaulter. Thereby as per decree he is established as a defaulting borrower and as well as guarantor. A decree is against him as a defaulter. Therefore he cannot at the moment says that his name should not be included in the CIB Report. In the present case his name may not be included as defaulter borrower as he has got share of 6.66% of share but fact remains already he has been declared as a defaulter by a competent court. Therefore the report as has been initiated is very much within the provision of law and inclusion of the name of the petitioner in the CIB Report as per Bangladesh Bank Companies Act is also within the provision of law as it is a continuous process. Under such facts and circumstances we do not find any merit in the instant writ petition. Accordingly the Rule is discharged. Stay granted earlier is vacated. `Trump`s Malignant Narcissism` upsets psychiatrists Abu Hena : In the most consequential U.S. presidential election in decades, the Republican Party nominee Donald Trump is about to face the same fate as Michael Dukakis , the 1988 Democratic Party nominee who had to release his medical records to counter reports that he had undergone psychiatric treatment. Now in the midst of a decisive presidential election due on 8 November, an online manifesto has been signed and posted by 2,200 mental health specialists against 'Trumpism'. The psychiatrists, who have tagged Trump with "an assortment of personality problems, including grandiosity, lack of empathy, and malignant narcissism", feel that 'they're saving the nation from a terrible fate.' William Doherty of the Minnesota University said, "What we have here is a threat to democracy itself." The therapists who signed the manifesto characterize 'Trumpism' as reinventing history, never apologizing, demeaning critics and inciting violence. "One can talk about his public behavior without knowing whether he is fully that way with his children, his wife, his friends ",Dr. Doherty said." We are careful not to make a clinical diagnosis here, to say Donald Trump has narcissistic personality disorder", said Dr. Steven Buser , co-editor of a new book, "A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump", adding ,"We are focused on the image he projects, on TV, in tweets, in quotes." Meanwhile, fifty noted Republican security advisers, many of whom were top aides or cabinet members of George W. Bush, signed a letter declaring that Donald J. Trump " lacks the character, values, and experience" to be the president and, "would put at risk our country's national security and well-being." Donald Trump, the officials warned, "would be the most reckless president in American history." The letter questions Trump's knowledge of and belief in the Constitution, and states that he has little understanding of the nation's vital national interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances and the democratic values. In his first campaign appearance with Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, Vice President Joe Biden warned that Donald Trump, even as a candidate, had elevated the dangers confronting American allies and military personnel overseas. He added that if his son Beau, who died of brain cancer last year, were still serving in Iraq, he would advise him that the danger had increased "a couple clicks" because of Trump's remarks ,which included the suggestion that President Obama was the 'founder' of the Islamic State. "This guy's shame has no limits ",he said, suggesting that he has demonstrated a fondness for brutal leaders and 'he would have loved Stalin'. In an outright blistering attack on Trump, he said, "he is already a security risk and he can't be trusted with nuclear codes. He has no clue what it takes to lead this country." Affronted by the diagnostic analyses of the psychiatrists, security concerns of the Bush advisers and the warning of the U.S. Vice President, Donald Trump in a speech in Ohio on 15 August, defiantly made the incendiary pronouncement: "I will be your single greatest champion." His declaration resembles the decree of Louis XIV, who took sole control of France with the motto, " I am the state," and saw to it that all state decisions were his to make. During four years of his rule,he was, according to the laws of the kingdom, not only the master but the owner of the bodies and property of 19,000,000 French subjects. His harshness, despotism, prodigious pride, passion and megalomania knew no limits. Like Louis, the Republican presidential aspirant may someday ask his people to salute him as "a visible divinity."Trailing behind Clinton by 14 points in some national polls, Trump at last showed his true color. Lashing out at the 'disgusting media' who flashed the news that he had made $39 million when his casino failed, Trump boastfully said, "I made lot of money. That's my job. I am a business person." Referring to the invasion of Iraq ,he asked, "What was the purpose of this ?"Moments later he made his intention clear, "We should have kept the oil in Iraq." He combined old vows to seize Middle Eastern oil fields with the announcement of a series of proposals to change America's battlefield tactics. Asked to comment on Trump's suggestion to keep the Iraq oil, General Clark, former Supreme Commander of NATO remarked, 'that's crazy.' The second biggest job he wants to perform as president is to fight radical Islam , as an ideological warfare in the same manner as the United States fought communism. But unlike the Cold War, Trump promises to fight this war 'viciously', being deliberately cruel and violent, like a wild and dangerous man. If elected he will suspend immigration from "most dangerous and volatile regions of the world," which may include France, Germany and Belgium. He would introduce "extreme vetting" of immigrants that would include requiring them to respond to a questionnaire with an ideological test.Donald Trump appears to be planning for the kind of Islamic terrorism-centric foreign policy that President George W. Bush adopted after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The kind of attacks on the Islamic State, he advocates-along with taking and holding the oil fields, which is a violation of international law-would require a massive presence by American and allied troops in the Gulf region. The war wary Americans may not like to subscribe to the Trump belligerency which means engaging in another full scale war immediately after the U.S. military personnel have returned home from the battle fields of Iraq and Afghanistan completing their mission. Overall, his anti-Muslim rhetoric might demoralize the moderate Muslim voice which America seeks to empower and alienate the Islamic countries, friendly to the United States. [Writer was elected MP in the 7th and the 8th Parliaments] Plot for fresh attacks feared 18 alleged Shibirmen from Islamic Int'l School along with 3 ABT men, 2 lecturers arrested DB Police arrested 18 alleged Chhatra Shibirmen from Islamic International School in city\'s Merul Badda area run by executed Matiur Rahman Nizami\'s wife and also arrested three ABT men from Ctg and two lecturers from Jhenaidah and Savar in separate driv Staff Reporter :Police arrested 23 activists of Jamaat-Shibir from capital Dhaka, Savar, Jhenaidah and three members of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) from Chittagong in separate drives on Friday. In the latest on-going move, the law enforcers arrested them in connection with plotting to commit subversive activities as well as launching terror attacks in the city and elsewhere across the country again, police said. According to an intelligence official, the arrested militants had taken oath to "overthrow Sheikh Hasina's government through armed and explosive struggle." The arrested militants were suspected to have received various trainings, including armed one, said the official.In city, a special squad of police raided the Islamic International School on DIT Road in Merul Badda area yesterday and arrested 23 leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.Executed Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Matur Rahman Nizami's wife runs the Islamic International School. "The names of arrested persons would not be possible to disclose right now. But they were involved in many cases, including unleashing a reign of terror across the country ahead of the 2014 national polls as well as three months mayhem from January to March in 2015," said MA Jalil, Officer in Charge (OC) of Badda Police Station. He added that they were holding a secret meeting at the school and plotting to carryout subversive activities. After the recent targeted killing and terror attacks, it has been emerged that many of the suspected Islamist militants are involved with Chhatra Shibir. "Based on information extracted from the five suspected ATB men arrested earlier this month in Chittagong, these 23 Jamaat-Shibir men were arrested. The Shibir activists were involved in destabilising the country with the help of militant organisations," the police official further said. Besides, detective branch police arrested a teacher of Savar Model College Touhid Hossain from the college premises early Friday on charge of destructive activities. Touhid Hossain is a Jamaat leader. Detective branch police handed him over to Savar Thana police. Later, the police produced Touhid to the court that sent him to jail yesterday.In another drive, a team of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police arrested a lecturer of Jhenaidah Government Nurunnahar Women College on charge of plotting to subversive activities.The arrested teacher has been identified as SM Sadiqur Rahman alias Polash, a lecturer of economics department of the college. He is an active member of Hizb ut-Tahrir. He is son of Mohammad Shahjan Ali and hails from village Andolpota of Jessore district. Shamshul Alam, special police super of CID of Jessore and Kushtia range said as part of drive against the militants, they raided the college premises in the early hours of Friday and arrested Sadiqur. Police also seized jihadi books from his residence. "When he was studying in the Dhaka University in 2012, he got involved himself with the militant activities. And he was arrested from the campus while pasting posters in favour of of Hizb ut-Tahrir," he said. In Chittagong, another special squad of plainclothes police in separate drives arrested three suspected members of ATB from different parts of the port city and Patiya upazila early Friday.The arrestees were identified as Farhad, a former student of Chittagong University, Mohammad Imran, student of Chittagong Polytechnic Institute, and Ahmed Hossain Rony, a student of Shyamoli Polytechnic Institute.Acting on a tip off, a team of DB police launched a drive in Pathantuli area under Double Mooring thana and arrested Farhad while another team arrested Imran from Shikolbaha area of the city, said Nazmul Ahsan, additional deputy commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police.Besides, DB police conducted a drive in Dhalghat area in Patiya upazila and arrested Ahmed Hossain, said the ADC.Police also recovered a laptop and some religious books from their possession.One month and 18 days after the terror attack in city's Gulshan cafe on July 1, the jihadi group boasted that its "soldiers" would continue to launch terror attacks in country.The law enforcers will continue their drives until the last militant and terrorist in the country, engaged in destructive acts, is caught, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal now in London told The New Nation on Friday. 'The joint drive will continue to resist subversive activities of the militants and terrorists so that they cannot reassemble and prepare for doing so again,' he said,The police, RAB and BGB remain alert all the time in every places of the country. If any subversive activity happens in any place of the country, the joint force will conduct drives right away. Tanneries yet to be shifted from Hazaribagh Residents are grasping for pollution M Faruque Hossain :The Hazaribagh tannery owners are neither paying compensation nor removing their factories to Savar despite expiry of deadline, posing environmental threat to the residents of the area. The Supreme Court on July 18 reduced the compensation amount to Tk 10,000 from Tk 50,000 each per day for the 154 tanneries until relocation of the factories to Savar Tannery Estate. The court also ordered the government to donate 50 percent of the fine to National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh. But it is alleged that the tanners are dilly-dallying payment of the compensation amount.As such, petitioner and Advocate Manzil Murshid said that he would file a writ in connection with non-payment of compensation amount by the tanners. The government suspended rawhide supply to Hazaribagh tanneries as the tanners had failed to meet the March 31 deadline upon a request from the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), the implementing agency of the tannery estate project. The Muslim community's second largest religious festival-Eid-ul-Azha-will be observed in the second week of September. Millions of cattle will be slaughtered on the occasion and the rawhides of the sacrificial animals in millions will be brought to the tannery factories at Hazaribagh. They will begin processing their rawhide there and that will again cause serious environmental hazards to the river Buriganga. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on July 31 expressed displeasure at the unnecessary delay in relocating tanneries from the city's Hazaribagh area by their owners although the government provided various facilities at Savar. The Prime Minister talked about her government's initiatives to set up 100 economic zones in the country, stressing the need for keeping in mind the issues of protecting environment and building water bodies and other facilities there. She urged the industry owners to be more sincere and take initiatives in establishing Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), as the government has made establishment of CETP mandatory in all the waste generating industries. Hazaribagh is the most densely populated place in the city with about two lakh people. The residents of Lalbagh, Rayerbazar, Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur, which are adjacent to Hazaribagh, are also in a trouble as there is no CETP (Central Effluent Treatment Plant) at Hazaribagh to treat the tannery waste.According to POBA (Poribesh Bachao Andolan), Hazaribagh discharges 21,600 square metres of liquid waste every day. Human Rights Watch (HRW), a New York-based international rights body, alleges that leather tanneries in Dhaka city have been releasing toxic effluent into a densely populated neighbourhood for decades. It should be stopped.The government took a project from 2003 to 2006 to relocate the tanneries from Hazaribagh to the Savar Tannery Estate. The main view of BSCIC was to provide infrastructure facilities to the tannery entrepreneurs by establishing an environmentally suitable tannery estate for development and modernization of the industry with a view to attracting foreign investment, increasing the production, export, employment and enhancing contribution to GDP. The project is being implemented on 200 acres of land. About 205 plots and 155 industrial units will be set up there. About one lakh people will get employment opportunities there. After implementation of the project, the capital city of Dhaka and the Buriganga River will be free from environmental pollution.While relocating is a matter of urgency for securing 160,000 people's health, who live surrounding the Hazaribagh area, are anxiously waiting when the transfer will be executed.A resident of Hazaribagh on condition of anonymity said, "We are worried at the delay of the relocation. We want quick implementation of relocation." Multi-client survey in Bay uncertain UNB, Dhaka : The launching of multi-client seismic survey in the Bay within the current year has become uncertain as the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs recently sent back the relevant file to the Energy Ministry for further review of its tender process about selecting a firm for the job. The Cabinet committee, a highest decision making body, also formed a high-powered 5-member committee headed by Law Minister Anisul Huq to do the review job, according to official sources. Official sources said the Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee had to take the decision for further review in its meeting on August 3 after facing a stiff opposition from one of its very senior members. According to sources at the Cabinet body meeting, the senior Cabinet Minister was expressing his resentment as to why an UK-based firm was disqualified at the evaluation stage. As a result, the Cabinet body has to consider his request to send back the file for further scrutiny. The idea of multi-client survey is that the selected firm will conduct survey in the country's maritime boundary at its own cost. But after completion of the survey it will share its findings with state-owned Petrobangla. But the company will have a right to sell the findings and seismic data to aspirant international oil companies who want to participate in oil and gas exploration in the Bangladesh territory. The Energy Ministry moved for this process because of its cash shortage. Energy industry now believes that after such a decision by the Cabinet body, the whole process has become very complex and it will be very difficult for the Energy Ministry to complete the process of awarding the contract to its selected firm shortly. "The decision will totally dismantle its plan to appoint an international seismic survey company to start its job within the coming dry season," said an insider of the energy sector. However, Petrobangla chairman Ishtiak Ahmed, who is also a member of the review committee, told UNB that he is still confident to complete the review process very shortly and appoint a bidder for the job within the targeted timeframe. Naked Trump statues pop up in cities across US NBC News, New York :Life-size naked statues of the Republican presidential nominee greeted passers-by in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Cleveland on Thursday. They are the brainchild of an activist collective called INDECLINE, which has spoken out against Trump before.In a statement, the collective said the hope is that Trump "is never installed in the most powerful political and military position in the world." A statue in Manhattan's Union Square quickly drew the attention of people before it was removed by the city's parks department.Groups of people took pictures with the statue and other shouted anti-Trump statements, according to NBC New York. The effigy was removed by park department workers around 1:15 p.m., according to the station.The NYC Parks Department told NBC New York in a cheekily written statement that, "NYC Parks stands firmly against any unpermitted erection in city parks, no matter how small."The statues were created by an artist in Cleveland. They are of a stern-faced Trump with his hands folded over a bulging belly. Some parts of male genitalia are visible while others seemingly are missing."It is through these sculptures that we leave behind the physical and metaphorical embodiment of the ghastly soul of one of America's most infamous and reviled politicians," INDECLINE said in its statement.Trump's campaign declined to comment on the statues. INDECLINE said statues on the West Coast were still in place. In San Francisco, onlookers stopped to take photos with the statue in the gay neighborhood of the Castro District, according to NBC Bay Area.And in Central Los Angeles, the statue was placed trump in the neighborhood of Los Feliz, directly in front of the La Luz Jesus Gallery, showcasing the figure against a backdrop of colorful designs, according to the station. If Russia can save Assad, West can destroy Assad Editorial Desk : The terribly devastated image of a five-year boy Omran Daqneesh who was pulled out with brushes of injuries in body and blood in the forehead from the ravage of a building destroyed in Russian air strike in Aleppo city went viral to global community on Tuesday immediately he was recovered by a rescue team. It raised outcry once again from all over as the terrible death of Aylan Kurd in the Turkish coast had touched the international community in September last year to demand immediate stop of the bloody Syrian war. It entered the 5th year now to be longer than the Second World War when Syrian government forces are now laying siege on Aleppo city forcing several hundred thousands people to die from starvation. The UN Security Council (SC) is trying to break a passage to reach food to the beleaguered rebel held eastern part of the city. SC members spent time in hectic lobbying over the past few days but Russian reservations is so high protecting Bashar al-Assad regime that every effort by US and other countries is failing to create a supply line. Killing of civilians in the besieged Aleppo city by forces of President Bashar al-Assad and aided by Russian airpower and Iranian ground force has meanwhile intensified as they are trying to establish control over the entire city which was under rebel control over the past three years mainly made of hard line al-Nusrah group and US backed Free Syrian Army. The ceasefire; which was agreed in last February was breaking time and again as the Syrian government forces were desperately attempting to retake the city which is the second largest city and its commercial hub. In July, they managed to severe the last rebel supply line coming from Turkey in the north and surrounded Aleppo. However, rebels large-scale counter-attack also made gains as they are holding the east and trying to open a new supply line. Meanwhile the battle for Aleppo continues with the regime forces offensive and rebels' counter-offensive turning the fight as symbolic to be deciding the fate of the entire war As it appears the rebel held eastern zone is facing the worst humanitarian crisis. UN envoy for Syria Stefan de Mistura has made the last minute call yesterday to agree to a 48-hour ceasefire when supply can be reached to the rebel held eastern part. Nobody is sure whether it will work in the prevailing situation, although we hope that it must work. Meanwhile aerial bombardments destroyed the entire city including hospitals killing patients and doctors. It did not even exclude maternity hospitals in the beleaguered city. But Russia seems to be desperate to win victory for Bashar al-Assad who is a Hitler like killer and yet the Russians are collaborating with such enemy of humanity. The siege of Aleppo is no different from the siege of Stalingrad by Hitler's army; which wanted to capture southern part of the then Soviet Union to move to the north. It appears that Russia is now serious to make its dominant presence in the Middle East and trying to use Syria as a springboard to weaken Western presence and especially the domination of the USA in the region. We must say, the US government is no less responsible for the debacle of its Syria policy. The US and other countries seem careless about the brutalities taking place in Syria. The country has been and its people are being humiliated as refugees. Russia has been actively supporting Assad and even using its own fighters to bomb the rebel held areas. The question is if Russia can boldly try to save Assad then why the West cannot fight to end Assad for the cause of humanity and worst violation of human rights. Not only us even some American eminent persons believe that President Obama failed to take action against Assad. We are not sure if it suits Western strategy to make ISIS powerful as terrorists for condemning the Muslims. ISIS people are the worst examples as Muslims. If the West is serious about ending ISIS then they have to fight Assad to finish him. If the West is not ready to fight Assad to end Assad then it is hypocritical to talk of fighting ISIS. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. Looking for the vulture assist with Neolithic burials 2 years ago 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. Pre-purchase property inspection is a relatively new thing in the United Kingdom. Its not something that most people have heard about, but it has become increasingly popular over the last few years with the rise in property prices and increased demand for high quality homes. What are the benefits of pre-purchase building inspection? What can you expect to find out when you pay someone else to inspect your home before you buy it? And what should you look for during an inspection? Many people want to know if theyre buying a house thats been well maintained or if its had any serious problems. If youve found a place on the market that seems attractive, but then discover some issues after moving in, you may not be as excited about buying it as you thought you were. Its important to do your due diligence when looking at properties. A lot goes into making a property appealing to potential buyers, from the landscaping to the flooring to the kitchen appliances. The same applies when inspecting a property there are many things that need checking over to make sure everything is running smoothly. Here are some of the benefits of performing a pre-purchase inspection: You get to see exactly what will happen to your money When you go shopping for a new car, youll probably be shown several different models. You might even be shown one that looks like a great value, but doesnt fit around all of the extra features that you want. When it comes time to actually buy the vehicle, however, you wont have seen how your money will be spent on it once you drive it off the showroom floor. Likewise, when you shop for a new home, you dont really know what youre getting yourself into until you move in. In order to get a feel for whether the home youre considering is what you want, you normally have to spend quite a bit of time inside it. This allows you to learn more about everything that youre going to be spending your hard-earned cash on. A pre-purchase building inspection gives you much the same kind of experience without having to spend thousands of dollars. Since youre paying for the service, you can expect to see exactly what youre paying for, instead of just seeing a vague idea of what you might end up with. You find out about potential major repairs Some buildings are very expensive to maintain, which means that owners often neglect them for the sake of saving money. While youre paying for a building inspection, youre also paying for a professional who knows how to spot signs of trouble and repair work that needs doing. If you notice that a particular area of your new home needs fixing right away, you can call in an expert to take care of it quickly. If you find that theres something wrong with your boiler, you wont have to wait weeks for a plumber to come over and fix it. Instead, youll have access to a solution immediately. You can save hundreds of pounds by finding out about potential problems early on One of the biggest expenses when you first buy a home is the cost of moving in. Many people dont realize this until its too late. Buying a home involves not only paying for the actual house, but also for moving costs, furniture, and other items that have to be moved along with the home. Having a good idea ahead of time of what youre likely to encounter can help you avoid these kinds of costs. If you know youll need to replace the plumbing system, for example, youll be able to put together a budget for the expense and plan accordingly. You can protect your investment by finding out if the homes been well cared for While there are plenty of people who think that houses always look better when theyre newly built, youd be surprised at how well maintained older residences can still look nice. Sometimes, though, those homes need some additional maintenance to keep them looking their best. This could involve repairs that arent so noticeable or small improvements that you wouldnt consider otherwise. Even worse, some houses have fallen into disrepair without anyone noticing. This is why having a professional perform a building inspection prior to purchasing a home is such a big benefit. Not only will it give you insight into the state of the property, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing youre not getting taken advantage of. As long as youre aware of the potential pitfalls, youll have less reason to worry about the state of your new home. You can use information gathered during a building inspection to negotiate a lower price If youre worried about buying a home because you suspect that it may need extensive renovation work, you may already have a rough idea of how much work youll need to do to bring it up to scratch. That knowledge can come in handy if you decide to buy the home. You can use all of the details that you gather during a building inspection to present a realistic picture of what the home is worth to prospective buyers. If a potential buyer thinks that the home is worth more than what you paid for it, you can try negotiating a lower price. You can sell your home faster and for more money If you decide to list your home on the market soon after buying it, youll need to price it accurately in order to attract buyers. But if youve already done a thorough building inspection, youll know exactly what work is needed and what the current market conditions are. In other words, youll be able to make a more accurate estimate of the amount of money youve invested in the home and how much its worth. If you find that youre selling your house for close to its full market value, you can use this information to convince the potential buyer that your home is worth the asking price. Even if youre planning to stay in the home for a while before you decide to sell, the fact that you did a thorough building inspection will give you more confidence when listing it. Prospective buyers will know exactly what theyre paying for. Your home will hold its value longer As mentioned earlier, the value of a home depends heavily upon the condition of the building itself. If your home is in bad shape, potential buyers wont be interested in buying it. On the other hand, if youve performed a thorough building inspection and know what sort of repairs are necessary, you can offer your prospective buyer a compelling reason to invest in your property. When you buy a home, youre essentially agreeing to have it inspected periodically to ensure that it stays in top shape. Not only does this allow you to avoid expensive repairs down the road, but it can also increase the value of your home. You can make smart decisions about property investments Buying real estate isnt as simple as just driving a couple of minutes to pick up a house. There are lots of considerations involved, ranging from location to cost. The same is true when youre investing in property. If you find a house that meets all of your requirements, youll want to make sure that you have a solid understanding of where it stands with regards to the rest of the market. If you havent spent enough time researching the area, you could inadvertently end up with a bad deal. There are lots of resources available online that can help you determine the overall level of competition in your area. They can also help you figure out if there are any properties that meet your requirements that you didnt know about. If you own rental property, you can use the information to identify tenants who might cause damage If you own rental property and youve noticed that certain tenants consistently cause damage, you can use the results of a building inspection to identify them. You can then contact them directly to let them know that youre watching them closely and that you dont appreciate the problem theyre causing. They might start taking better care of their homes, which would be good news for everyone. It could also be the case that youll find out that theyre responsible for previous damages that werent caught during a previous visit. You can make smarter decisions about hiring contractors If youve hired contractors to build or repair your home, you might want to ask them for references. However, unless you perform a thorough building inspection, you might not know exactly what to look for. For instance, maybe you only checked the roof for leaks or the walls for cracks. You might not have looked underneath the foundation for anything that could cause a future issue. By performing a building inspection, you can ensure that you hire reputable contractors who will be trustworthy with your money. You can avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition Of course, the main benefit of structural inspections perth is that it helps you avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition. Before you make the decision to buy a home, you should do whatever you can to find out about the state of the building. You can also ask your realtor about what sorts of inspections are typically recommended. Some agents say that its standard practice to check the heating system, the roof, the electrical wiring, and the floors. Others will tell you that they recommend that you check the entire structure. Either way, if you choose to hire an inspector, youll find out exactly what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost to do so. As a result, it can be concluded that a pre-purchase building inspection is highly important for the buyers because it provides transparency regarding the current conditions of the structure. Additionally, the building owner is made aware of any upgrades or repairs that are required, which could lead to a fair deal throughout the purchasing and selling process. President Joe Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine. The United States generally imports about 100,000 barrels a day from Russia, only about 5% of Russia's crude oil exports, according to Rystad Energy. Last year, roughly 8% of U.S. imports of oil and petroleum products came from Russia. Gas prices have been rising for weeks due to the conflict and in anticipation of potential sanctions on the Russian energy sector. The U.S. national average for a gallon of gasoline soared 45 cents a gallon in the past week and topped $4.06 on Monday, according to auto club AAA. Should the US ban Russian oil imports over Ukraine war? You voted: In the midst of one of the most quirky cities in the world, passed the towering statue of Alexander the Great and the plaster of Paris renaissance style triumphal arch splashed with a rainbow of colours lies political turmoil. In a corner of Europe many know little about a scandal is rife and the public are rising up in peaceful protests every night.we went along to find out more and experience this unique artful show of defiance in the capital of Macedonia. What are the protests about? Where do I begin and where do I end!! I am no expert on the matter so I dont want to do into too much detail and risk offending the lovely Macedonian people. But what I believe from what I saw, have been told and subsequently researched is that there is an huge political scandal in Macedonia at the moment. I mean, we dont hear about these things in the rest of the world because who even knows about little old Macedonia, the country who cant even have a proper name due to the pressure unfairly being put on them from Greece. If any of the things that have happened here were to have happened in the US, UK or somewhere like France, Germany, Italy etc etc. There would be pages and pages in the news, the TV would be all over it and it would cause global outragebut in Macedonia, the people are crying out for the world to see, they are making noise every single night to stand up for what is right and to make a change in their country, with or without global support. So, whats going on then? Well, since the government started what they coined Skopje 2014 back in 2012 there has been unrest surrounding the idea. The people of Macedonia were in large not entirely happy with the style in which the capital city was being rebuilt and also the extortionate cost. Many saw the new work as an embarrassment and a con, making Skopje look fake and cheap and yet costing the country way more than would have been expected. Of course, many people saw these new developments as a way to attract tourists, and on the surface it kind of does. We went to Skopje already knowing about the weird and wacky architecture but at the same time we also saw it almost as a joke too. I could see how this happening in my city would anger me and how the money I saw spent on such frankly ridiculous items such as the farcical Triumphal arch and the enormous Warrior on Horse which for legal reasons they cant name Alexander The Great! So after a while the people began to get suspicious about the true cost of all these statues, buildings, facades and ornaments popping up around the city. The fountain in the main square for example cost around 17million Euros, but one almost identical to it in London cost only 5million Euros. The buildings that look like grand carved marble are nothing more than cheap moulded plaster and the huge bronze statues just painted imitations. So where is this money going? In Macedonia they have a problem with mafia, it is everywhere, infiltrated into the government, banks and institutions at the highest level. To simplify it they are money laundering through these grandiose projects and the money they do actually spend on building these ridiculous constructions comes straight out of the peoples taxes. They are getting royally screwed! To make matters worse at the beginning of the year the prime minister pardoned around 50 officials and the previous Prime Minister on several counts of corruption and wire tapping without trial. This controversial ruling was when the protests started, now every night apart from Sunday the people march! Joining in on the Colourful Revolution : A carnival atmosphere at the peaceful protests As we looked around the city for the location of that nights protests we saw a long time of riot police sealing off an entire street. We did wonder at this point if the peaceful protests were just that or if we might be better off staying out of the whole thing. But always wanting to seek out new experiences and also support social justices we marched on. In fact one of the officers even pointed us in the right direction! As we rounded the corner the sound of whistles, horns and Freedom by George Micheal rose up into the summer evening sky. We knew we were on the right tracks. Just down one of the streets in a residential part of town the entire road was filled with people dancing, singing, waving flags and generally having a great time. If you didnt know any better you would think you had stumbled upon a street carnival, full of hope and joy. But behind all the partying, face paint and music there were a collection of people in balaclava and face masks pacing up and down. Readying themselves for a battle, ready to make a statement and to make a change. What we loved here though was the collection of people, old and young were out in force to try to make their country a better place. After a while of building up we were ready to go, those in the masks got out cans of spray paint and covered a white banner in a multicoloured slogan in Cyrillic. Many of the others began spreading paint across their arms and faced, a rainbow war paint as the battle lines were drawn once again. Off we marched, whistling and cheering along with the music, the likes of Rage Against the Machine, The Beatles, Bob Marley and a collection of local and global punk anthems were used. As we began the carnival atmosphere was in full flow, people dancing in the streets and colour everywhere to be seen. Then we stopped, those in masks piled out of the back of the leading vehicle with paint in hand. This was where the real fun and games began! Now we found ourselves again stood in front of the very line of police we had walked past just a little while before. This time the crowd opened up as a young girl painted Information for pigs in huge Cyrillic letters and an arrow pointing towards the police and the headquarters behind them that they protected. At no point did any law enforcement intervene with these actions, which felt somewhat odd! The march then continued on down the main streets, we passed several other buildings and monuments splashed with a rainbow of paint. Each time we did the chants would get louder and the crowd more and more energetic. Finally we stopped at what would be the main event of the protest. The parliament buildings just across from the now multicoloured Triumphal arch! Yet more slogans were painted onto the tarmac as even more heavily armoured police looked on. You could see where others had been blacked out from previous nights. One of the organisers stood up in the middle of the crowd to give a rousing speechI only wish I could tell you the contents of it but we can use our imagination! Now was time for the real protest to begin, buckets of paint bombs appeared as if from nowhere and huge self made slings entered the crowd. We found ourselves in the centre of the action, stood right next to one of the slings as a paint bomb flew past our heads and splattered against the once clean white renaissance building. We were in the centre of the storm here, people all around where throwing paint bombs, shouting, lighting flares and generally having a good old anarchistic time. It was infectious, we were shouting along with slogans we didnt even understand and even having a go on the sling shots! The atmosphere was electric and as the bright yellow and red flags flew all around us we felt like we were part of social change for the better. As the paint ran dry the crowds dispersed, the police were laughing as they looked at each others now multicoloured uniforms and everyone went home without incident, hopefully leaving Macedonia a better place. Have you ever seen or even gotten involved with a protest whilst travelling: See more from this country See more from our backpacking adventure: The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. Carbondale newcomers Henry Neubig, and his wife, Linda, have both worked extensively with mud. For years, Linda took mud and made clay and sculpted with it. Henry still dries and grinds his, making pigment, and then painting with it. Dont let the mud fool you. This most basic of elements, in Henrys hands, transforms into a medium, which brings the lush atmosphere of Louisianas southern bayous to life in graceful, earthy paintings. His wildlife studies evoke Audubons botanical studies, or paintings seen in Birds of America. He details Old Plantations and records a rural life that moves at slower pace. After a career spanning more than 20 years, with hundreds of gallery shows, several international exhibitions, and what sounds like thousands of painting demonstrations behind them, Henry and Linda left their longtime home in Baton Rouge a year ago to be closer to their son, an assistant professor at SIU; his wife, an Administrator at SIH; and their 4-year-old grandson. They felt he needed to see more of his grandparents, continued Neubig, This was a second marriage for both of us Linda had two kids, and I had two kids, and we had one together, who of course married and had a boy, and he named the boy after me, and he adores me so here we are. Henry said they bought their house primarily for the second garage. Moving here, he said, was no small feat. We had thousands of prints to bring up and build storage for, he said. So, a second garage got an upgraded to a studio, and currently looks like you think a studio would look. A large, center worktable stands covered with paper, brushes, and pigments in plastic bags. Shelving along one wall holds hundreds of prints. Framing supplies stacked to the ceiling lean against another. I started painting with mud, because I wanted to do something different. In 1989, the Department of Agriculture asked my wife and me to participate in a show," he said. "I saw an opening for a change. As we were raising five kids, we would go on camping trips, and I had saved different colored rocks and different types of muds I would find. By 1989, I had four different colors of clay, and I decided to try to make them into a paintable medium. So Henry made several paintings, priced them moderately, and, as he said, They disappeared, so I thought I ought to paint some more. Soil from 33 states dumps into the Mississippi River, and empties though Louisiana, which is on a delta. Over centuries of flooding and wind erosion, deposits of varying colors and consistencies have stratified along the banks. Henry explained that from the east bank, all deposits were created by wind erosion. On the west bank, alluvial soils, which result from flooding, collect. "The muds have different textures and colors. It all depends on what you harvest and from where, Henry said as he pulled out a Ziplock bag from a box This black, for instance, is from down in south Louisiana where they have sugarcane. The carbon from burning the cane is what gives it the color. When you see these pigments in their natural form, they dont seem very impressive. When you take them and add water, their colors become darker and more intense. After much experimentation, Henry decided to use egg yolk as a binder because it is natural. Egg yolk, as it dries, helps keep the pigment a deep, intense color. People send me mud from all over the world, Henry said. I have been publicized in both national and international media, so people have sent me mud from some pretty far-flung places. But, I found out that the mud in Louisiana is as good as that from anywhere else. Dirt is dirt. Henrys success is more a matter of application. He has been painting a long time, so he can produce. He had to. If he wanted to keep painting as a profession, it had to provide for a wife and kids. One way he did this was to open his studio for painting demonstrations. He had brochures made and distributed through the State Department of Tourism to most welcome centers and tourist stops in Louisiana. Bus tours would stop at his studio and watch him work. We had space for 50 people at a time. Henry said. And while I dont keep track of the time when I am working, Linda and I once estimated that it takes about 24 hours of actual work to make one of the more involved paintings. On a typical day, Henry said, I could do a painting in half an hour. It wasnt a museum piece, but it was a painting. Its a very fun way to make a living. Henry is a working artist. And with that comes concern over money. He and his wife had three studios where they taught. He made and still makes his own frames. The brushes he uses are usually what is on sale down at the Hobby Lobby. But its not the brush that makes the painting, Henry chided, his wry humor more so for his Louisiana accent. As far as upcoming shows in the region, Henry said that Linda says no. Then he laughs. We have a show at a Natural Museum a friend runs in Michigan, and a show in September, and thats it, for the moment. My contractor keeps trying to push me back into business but I never liked the legwork, and I want to keep the money I generate, so our website serves as our more broad-based gallery. If a collector is looking to buy one of the larger originals, that is still possible, but by appointment only. Welcome, Henry and Linda. Helia Healthcare will host a Back the Blue event in support of police officers on Sept. 20 at the organizations West Frankfort facility at 2500 E. St. Louis St. The event starts at 11 a.m. Finger foods and refreshments will be available. Local residents will present a gift to police officers who attend. There is so much (negativity) toward the ones that are risking their lives to keep our communities safe, so we would like to show our appreciation to all that serve, organizers Susie Williams and Traci Webster said in a news release. SPRINGFIELD Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an executive order and a pair of bills Friday aimed at providing normalcy for the roughly 16,000 children in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The executive order requires that the department no longer use the terms ward of the state or ward of the department to refer to children in its care. Instead, theyre to be called youth in care. Changing the phrase in state law will require follow-up legislation. Names matter, Rauner said ahead of sign the order and legislation in the governors tent on Futures for Kids Day at the Illinois State Fair. Words matter. Rauner said the issue came to his attention earlier this year during a meeting with members of the departments youth advisory boards. Those who attended told him about the stigma attached to the word ward, he said. It was one of the most emotional but uplifting and inspirational discussions Ive ever had in my life, Rauner said. Mostly, they just wanted to be treated like any other kid, he said. To that end, the governor also signed a bill that will make it easier for kids in foster care to participate in extracurricular activities or even go to sleepovers at their friends houses with permission from their foster parents. Currently, those things require approval from the department. We expect youth in care to grow up to be normal human beings and normal adults, DCFS Director George Sheldon said, and yet we do all these kind of nonnormal things to them. We even use nonnormal words. Kids are kids. The new law will empower foster parents to make age-appropriate decisions for the children in their care, Sheldon said. Jesse Modjeski, 17, of Chicago is a member of the departments youth advisory board in Cook County. He thanked Rauner for taking the actions. Without these laws and without these bills being passed and I start to be seen as an actual youth, nothing starts to change, said Modjeksi, who hopes to attend Northern Illinois University and, eventually, law school. Rauner signed another bill that expands the definition of fictive kin to include foster parents with whom a child has lived for at least a year and has established a significant and family-like relationship. This will allow them to play a more permanent role in the childs life, officials said. The governor also signed a half-dozen other bills dealing with adoption and child welfare. An outreach group for medical cannabis plans to open a clinic in Southern Illinois that will help patients get registered for the states medical marijuana program. Caprice Sweatt, founder and CEO of Medical Cannabis Outreach, said the facility will open in early December most likely in Carbondale although the exact location is still to be determined. Before the opening, the group plans to hold two educational seminars in the area to explain the application process and educate the public on the drugs medical uses. On June 30, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill extending Illinois medical marijuana pilot program by 2 1/2 years. The bill also added post-traumatic stress disorder and terminal illness to the list of qualifying medical conditions, which now total 41. Under the new law, doctors are no longer required to state in recommendations that it is their professional opinion that a patient will receive a therapeutic or palliative benefit from medical marijuana. They simply have to verify that the patient has a state-recognized qualifying condition. But Southern Illinois major health care providers including Southern Illinois Healthcare, Heartland Regional Medical Center and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine have been hesitant to back the program. Major health systems and smaller providers have directed physicians not to certify patients for medical marijuana, citing legal concerns. This is why we are moving into the area, because there are so many patients in dire need and physicians that are associated with the medical groups in that area that are refusing to sign off, Sweatt said. This is a legal medical program, and its really disappointing that so many physicians literally refuse to take a look at it. In addition to obtaining a physicians recommendation, patients must undergo a fingerprint-based background check, obtain proof of residency and pay a $300 application fee. MCO, which travels all over the state to conduct educational seminars, will help patients through each step of the application process and refer them to cannabis-friendly physicians for certification. We advocate for the patient, we hold their hand through the whole process, and we make sure they actually get that card in their hand, Sweatt said. MCO has also partnered with local marijuana dispensaries Thrive Harrisburg and Thrive Anna to help educate patients. I think theres a lot of people who are curious about the program, especially the new changes that went into effect recently. Its about education and awareness, said Thrive co-owner Rosie Naumovski. A longtime supporter of medical cannabis, Sweatt has used marijuana to treat her Crohns disease for the past 25 years. I was on 22 medications a day. I went off all of my medications at the age of 25, and Ive been prescription drug-free since then, she said. Ive just made it my lifes mission, honestly, to inform people of what happened to me, and we encourage people to be truthful about their own story, because people hide whats happened to them, too. The groups first educational seminar will be held at Carbondale Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m. The second seminar will take place at Mount Vernon Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. BENTON Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill into law this week that extends the time period that charges can be brought against individuals accused of financially exploiting older adults or people with disabilities. The law extends the statute of limitations for such crimes from three years to seven years, according to a news release from Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, a co-sponsor of the legislation. The measure was signed into law by Rauner on Monday and is effective immediately. Unfortunately, the financial abuse of seniors and the disabled is on the rise, Forby said in a statement. It can force these vulnerable populations into dire financial situations, robbing them of their savings, their financial security and even their homes. Its important that we continue to make necessary changes to our current safeguards to help prevent this type of abuse from occurring. Reported rates of elder abuse in Southern Illinois are higher than state and national averages. David Mitchell, the adult protective services unit director at Shawnee Alliance, a nonprofit that serves area seniors, recently told the newspaper that the rate of abuse of seniors and people with disabilities in Shawnee alliances 13-county catchment area is about 15 per 1,000 people. The statewide and nationwide rate is about 3.5 per 1,000 people, Mitchell said. While recognizing elder abuse as a serious problem across the country, Mitchell also noted that this area may experience higher rates, in part, because of the awareness that has been created by Shawnee Alliance. The agencys extensive outreach and education efforts on the issue of elder abuse are a positive for the region, he said. Abuse can take many forms, including abuse that is physical, emotional or financial abuse or exploitation. It can rise to the level of a criminal offense, in which case that must be reported to the authorities, though Mitchell noted that often times the abuse is more subtle and involves exploitation by a family member that uses sob stories that may or may not be true, or threats not to visit an older person that is lonely, to convince her to fork over funds, sometimes funds she doesnt have to give. In a June interview, on the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Mitchell said in an interview that by far the most common form of abuse cases reported to Shawnee Alliance involve financial exploitation. The most likely abuser is a family member or other trusted caregiver, he said. Shawnee Alliances protective service unit investigates reports of abuse to adults age 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities, broadly defined, ages 18 to 59. The measure was House Bill 5805. It was co-sponsored by Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, in the House. The vote to change the statute of limitations was unanimous in the House and Senate. This editorial appeared in Wednesday's Washington Post. "Devastating and overwhelming." Those are the conditions in the ancient and once-great metropolis of Aleppo, according to the head of delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross, Marianne Gasser, who was in the Syrian city recently. "We hear that dozens of civilians are being killed every day and scores more injured from shells, mortars and rockets," Gasser said. "The bombing is constant. The violence is threatening hundreds of thousands of people's lives, homes and livelihoods." War crimes appear to be near-constant also. The air forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad and his chief backer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, target apartment buildings, bakeries and - this is their specialty - hospitals and clinics. The United Nations is investigating credible reports that Assad again has used chemical weapons, in this case chlorine gas. Water has been cut off from hundreds of thousands of people. The last surviving physicians in the rebel-held half of Aleppo a few days ago begged President Barack Obama to help. "The world has stood by and remarked how 'complicated' Syria is, while doing little to protect us," they wrote. "The burden of responsibility for the crimes of the Syrian government and its Russian ally must therefore be shared by those, including the United States, who allow them to continue." Why would these brave, forlorn doctors look to Obama for rescue? Perhaps one of them, through the terrible din of war, remembers hearing the president promise to stand by the Syrian people as they were being "subjected to unspeakable violence, simply for demanding their universal rights." Obama made his pledge during an address at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in April 2012. He boasted that he had decreed, in a first for any U.S. president, that preventing mass atrocities "is a core national security interest and a core moral responsibility of the United States of America." That did not mean that the United States would "intervene militarily every time there's an injustice in the world," he cautioned. But when it came to Syria, Obama was clear. "The Syrian people have not given up, which is why we cannot give up," Obama said. "And so with allies and partners, we will keep increasing the pressure, with a diplomatic effort to further isolate Assad and his regime, so that those who stick with Assad know that they are making a losing bet." Alas, that was many atrocities ago. According to the Red Cross, more than 12 million Syrians - half the prewar population - have been forced from their homes, with millions more under siege. Hundreds of thousands have been killed. Well over 1 million have been wounded. Iran and Russia continue to place their bets on the Assad regime. And Obama no longer pledges to stand with the Syrian people, though he remains clear-eyed about what they are facing. "The regime and its allies," Obama observed at a Pentagon news conference this month, are engaged in "vicious attacks on defenseless civilians, medieval sieges against cities like Aleppo, and blocking food from reaching families that are starving." But the administration's response has not changed: a combination of halfhearted support for the rebels, who increasingly gravitate by necessity to more extremist groups; requests to the Russians to behave better; and finger wagging. "It is deplorable," the president said during his visit to the Pentagon. Small comfort to the people of Aleppo. Donald Trump, reading awkwardly from a teleprompter Monday, confirmed he's learned virtually nothing about foreign policy nor does he have anyone around him who has even basic familiarity with jihadism, the Constitution or national security policy. Simultaneously childish and menacing, Trump risks being mocked openly by the media and Hillary Clinton. Aside from a silly immigration proposal ("extreme vetting," he called it), Trump essentially recycled stump speech material. "Anyone who cannot name our enemy, is not fit to lead this country," he proclaimed. "Anyone who cannot condemn the hatred, oppression and violence of Radical Islam lacks the moral clarity to serve as our President." We have no idea to whom he is referring since Clinton has done both. He makes bold announcements, with no explanation of the means to attain them. "We will defeat Radical Islamic Terrorism, just as we have defeated every threat we have faced in every age before." How? Ya got me. His position on Iraq is muddled if not thoroughly incoherent. He falsely insists he opposed the war -- but wishes we had commandeered Iraq's oil. He nevertheless thinks we should not be going after jihadists in Syria or Libya. He prefers meaningless phrases. ("Our current strategy of nation-building and regime change is a proven failure." So he's against going back into Iraq? Seeking regime change in Iran?) He wants -- are you ready? -- an international conference to figure out what to do about the Islamic State. He proposes cutting off Internet access to our foes. (Ummm, how?) Moreover, he seems to think his extreme, unworkable immigration notions are a substitute for reasoned policy. He wants to befriend moderate Muslims, after maintaining we should ban them. He wants now to "0nly admit into this country those who share our values and respect our people." What countries is he talking about? Don't ask. What values is he going to decree must be followed? Don't ask. It does not escape notice that he could be excluded under such a program. ("Those who do not believe in our Constitution, or who support bigotry and hatred, will not be admitted for immigration into the country. Only those who we expect to flourish in our country -- and to embrace a tolerant American society -- should be issued visas.") All of this will be determined through "extreme vetting." Um, wouldn't the terrorists, you know, lie? He doesn't seem to have considered that. The whole concept is preposterous, offensive and irrelevant to the problem of indigenous radicalized Muslims. Former CIA director Michael Hayden was flabbergasted when I asked him about the idea of trying to sort through Muslim immigrants by religious viewpoint. He pointed to a line from a speech he delivered in 2007: "No matter the external threat, our DNA as a nation cannot be altered." He added that "of course" the plan would be entirely unworkable. The comparison to Cold War policy of attempting to exclude communists is inapt. We are talking here about individuals' religious views, not their dedication to overthrowing the government. The vague reference to refusing entry to those "who support bigotry and hatred" raise a host of First Amendment issues. What about devout believers who think homosexuality is a sin? Can the United States impose a religious test for one faith? Moreover, all of this may deeply offend and mystify our Muslim allies and American Muslim communities, both of which are essential to defeating Islamic terrorism. The prospect of American government officials deciding what variety of Islamic belief meets with our "values" is absurd and casts the U.S. government in the role of religious judge and jury, something it is not remotely capable of doing. In response to Trump's ideology test, Hillary Clinton adviser Jake Sullivan issued a written statement: "This so-called 'policy' cannot be taken seriously. How can Trump put this forward with a straight face when he opposes marriage equality and selected as his running mate the man who signed an anti-LGBT law in Indiana? It's a cynical ploy to escape scrutiny of his outrageous proposal to ban an entire religion from our country and no one should fall for it." The campaign also put out a devastating ad: Mostly, however Trump's plan is dumb. Danielle Pletka of the American Enterprise Institute remarked, "So let's get this straight: 'Are you a terrorist? Believe in democracy? Want to kill infidels? Have a beard? Glittering look in your eye?' This is now our immigration policy?" This, mind you, was a prepared speech. Someone actually thought this up, wrote it down and told Trump it was a good idea. At this point, Trump is either trying to humiliate his supporters by advancing patently stupid ideas or has given up trying to think through policies logically. In either case, he is making Clinton's point: He's entirely unfit to be president. "Keep company with God, get in on the best." Psalm 37:4 The Message Translation Ever since Kay and I first discussed future plans for our family in 1996, I'd always been a little partial to the concept of home schooling. Quite possibly for a myriad of reasons -- originating from both positive and negative places. Well, today our 13-year-old daughter (in 13 days) woke up, washed up, dressed for school, had breakfast and signed in, to her first official day as an online student. I have to say, back in 1996, the concept of such an event was not in our discussions. I mean, textbooks yes; learning curriculums, yes; but virtual classrooms and meetings pages with clubs and virtually supported scheduled events -- really? Also, I was pretty convinced my wife would be the homemaker and orchestrate our children's education while I maintained a place in the secular work force. Well, Kay did become a full-time homemaker while I operated a business and held various jobs over our past 19 years of marriage. But home schooling never became a part of our family's narrative. Not until this past summer when we actually listened to Kiera's concerns about where she'd be attending next year, the instructors she'd possibly have again this year -- who she found difficult to learn from, and the overall sense of disquiet she felt among some of her peers who lived within a vastly different worldview than she did. We committed the situation -- in prayer -- to the Lord -- to lead us, as we trusted Him for direction because we hadn't ever revisited the idea of home schooling for almost 20 years. Kiera is an exceptionally energetic, inquisitive, and profoundly sensitive and empathetic child. She has a dark side, too. As a matter of fact, her name, Kiera bara-Lelayah, is translated: "God creates beauty in darkness." It helps that she is also the darkest in complexion than the other three. She is truly a special child on several levels. She has always encompassed the unique ability to have the hardest presence while simultaneously igniting a room with her scintillating smile and deeply enthralling glance -- bringing everything into order and focus. For example, most people get excited about all things new. Not her. Her passion appears to grow the longer and more comfortable she becomes with it. And I'm learning how her perspective is quite contagious. In April 2016, after three years, I resigned from my position within the public school system. I became fully committed to our ministry, Elim Christian Fellowship Church ~ Orangeburg to provide for the support of our family. The impact has been incredible. Then, to learn only within the past two weeks that my presence at home would also propel and invigorate my daughter to participate in home schooling is simply God doing things "far above what I could ever hope, think or imagine; according to the power that is at work within" me. I am in AWE. Yes, we're so excited. The years I missed with her as I traveled back and forth up and down I-295, driving daily 75 miles each way to Trenton, N.J., resulted in far too many lost moments with her as a smaller child. She said to me upon moving to South Carolina that she never really spent time with me. She quickly supported her statement with "You were either at work, at school (seminary), at church, or in your office downstairs studying." She had me spot-on. Guilty as charged. Yes, today we began home schooling our eighth-grade daughter. But just as incredible is how much I've begun to finally learn that the Lord truly cares for more than my dreams, my aspirations or my personal sense of calling. In full transparency, I believe fathers, husbands and men in general have a propensity to think as long as we're providing financially to our children's lives, we've been successful. I have grown to learn that is not the case in the mind of our Heavenly Father. Today, right now, I'm learning how wonderful it is to truly be present and available for the most significant moments in my child's life. So I suspect I'm enrolled in a form of "home schooling" as well. In 1996, Hillary Clinton backed her husband President Bill Clinton when he signed the Defense of Marriage Act. Twenty years later, her position on the traditional family has changed. What else has changed? This article by Dr. Paul Kengor, which first appeared in Crisis Magazine, examines Hillarys shifting positions and addresses the issues that Kengor believes are the most revealing faith-related matters for Clinton as she makes her bid for the White House. When many conservatives first learned back in 2007 that I had the temerity to write a book on the faith of Hillary Clinton, especially after books on the faiths of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, they looked at me with a mix of amazement and annoyance. Why would you do that? My response, however, often surprised them. Yes, I told them that Hillary was, largely, a fairly standard religious-left Protestant, though with a striking stridency on abortion far to the left of most of the religious left. But I always grabbed their attention with two particularly interesting things I stressed in the book: For one, Hillary Clinton supported natural, traditional, biblical marriage, with her faith a primary reason. Second, I noted that Hillary was a solid defender of religious freedom. Those points are especially apt right now, albeit in a negative way. In the time since that book was published, Clinton has completely ditched her defense of marriage, becoming gung ho not only for same-sex marriage but much of the LGBTQ agenda, which has become a major thrust of her presidential campaign. Moreover, her abortion extremism has only gotten worse and thats really saying something. Hillary Clinton has plainly become a pro-choice fanatic. Her support of abortion and conversely vilification of pro-lifers, is way over the top. She has flown off the hinges. In the process, her onetime championing of religious freedom has been devoured by her devotion to the rabid pro-choice cause. In the following essay, Id address these issues, which I believe are the most revealing faith-related matters for Clinton as she makes her bid for the White House. Traditional marriage First, the marriage issue: As a lifelong member of the mainline United Methodist Church, Clinton once fancied herself a traditionalist. I am an old-fashioned Methodist, she told Newsweek back in 1994. That included her traditional position on marriage. She backed her husband signing the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. That position remained consistent, though she received unrelenting pushback from the gay community in New York when she ran for the U.S. Senate seat there. Marriage has historic, religious and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a marriage is as a marriage has always been, between a man and a woman, said Clinton in White Plains, New York, on the 2000 campaign trail. In June 2003, she reaffirmed her position on New Yorks WNYC: You know, marriage has a meaning that I I think should be kept as it historically has been, but I see no reason whatsoever why people in committed relationships cant have, you know, many of the same rights and the same, you know, respect for their unions that they are seeking . I also think that we can realize the same results for many committed couples by urging that states and localities adopt civil union and domestic partnership laws. Her position remained clear, even as she was stating it with rising unease. Still, on the 2008 presidential campaign trail, Clinton, like then-Sen. Barack Obama, defended Christian marriage, advocating civil unions and leaving the legality of marriage to the states. This all dramatically changed on March 18, 2013, when the Human Rights Campaign joined Hillary in posting an exclusive video where she came out for same-sex marriage. LGBT Americans are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones, and they are full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship, Clinton said. That includes gay marriage. Clinton came out about a year after President Obama did in his interview with Robin Roberts at the White House before the 2012 presidential election. Was Mrs. Clinton likewise positioning for a presidential election down the road? Either way, there it was: Hillary Clinton had endorsed gay marriage. For the lifelong old-fashioned Methodist, this was a major change. Pro-choice obsession An even more shocking change has been Clintons jettisoning her advocacy of religious freedom in deference to her pro-choice extremism. That extremism was evident long before she entered elected office. It was evident to a little nun from Calcutta named Mother Teresa, who frequently reached out to the first lady in the 1990s, apparently sensing a major future role for this woman. A dramatic occasion occurred in February 1994, with Mother Teresas unforgettable National Prayer Breakfast speech, where she poignantly condemned abortion. I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, said the nun, because Jesus said, If you receive a little child, you receive me. So every abortion is the denial of receiving Jesus, the neglect of receiving Jesus. When the speech was over, the persistent nun sought out Clinton. She wanted to talk to me, Hillary said later. Mother Teresa was unerringly direct. She disagreed with my views on a womans right to choose and told me so. With love and charity, Mother Teresa never stopped trying to befriend Clinton and working to soften her shell on unborn life. Unfortunately, this was one hardened heart the nun could not change. In the years ahead, that heart darkened, with Clinton always finding excuses to fail to protect unborn children, including her unwillingness to ban partial-birth abortion. Of course its a horrible procedure, she said in October 2000. No one would argue with that. But if your life is at stake, if your health is at stake, if the potential for having any more children is at stake, this must be a womans choice. That mantra, this must be a womans choice, has been her flag. I could give example after example. One case came January 22, 2004, when she delivered the keynote at NARALs annual Roe vs. Wade dinner. She characterized pro-lifers in hysterical imagery, as plotters scheming to overthrow Americas greatest right. This was merely step one, said then-Sen. Clinton, in an insidious conspiracy to remove all rights of privacy: Their first objective is to overturn Roe. To do that, they are willing to throw out all rights of privacy. Many of us say, How can they so casually toss out the right of privacy to get at Roe? Dont they believe in privacy? The answer is no, they do not. This kind of anger at pro-lifers seems ingrained in Clintons DNA. Speaking in May 2015, she slammed Congress for passing a bill to protect babies from late-term abortions, calling it a direct challenge to a womans constitutional right to privacy. Her campaign issued a statement insisting that the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act follows a dangerous trend we are witnessing across the country. What is that dangerous trend? In just the first three months of 2015, more than 300 bills have been introduced in state legislatures on top of the nearly 30 measures introduced in Congress that restrict access to abortion. Throughout the remainder of 2015, Clinton fiercely defended Planned Parenthood amid the Center for Medical Progresss video-sting revealing the organizations medical personnel discussing the harvesting of baby parts. I dont have all the facts but Planned Parenthood has apologized for the insensitivity of the employee who was taped, protested Clinton of the Chianti-sipping woman nonchalantly discussing crushed baby organs while nibbling her Caesars salad. But for more than a century Planned Parenthood has provided essential services for women. Fittingly, to Clinton, the bad guys were the video-makers. I think it is unfortunate that Planned Parenthood had been the object of such a concerted attack for so many years, she complained, and its really an attack against womens rights to choose. Clinton, whose spokeswoman said that the Democratic presidential frontrunner had not actually seen the videos, nevertheless insisted that Planned Parenthood does really good work and that she remains proud to stand with Planned Parenthood. Theres no doubt about the sincerity of that statement. The organization reportedly gives her more money (by far) than any other Democrat. In 2009, Hillary was proudly awarded Planned Parenthoods self-described highest honor, its coveted Sanger Award, named for the master matron of race improvement. And then came this biggie for the 2016 election: Earlier this year, in what was quickly embraced by Hillary Clinton as the highest praise, Planned Parenthood enthusiastically endorsed her as president. Clinton now boasts the first-ever endorsement of a candidate in a presidential primary in the nearly 100-year checkered existence of Planned Parenthood. Cecile Richards, Planned Parenthoods director, captured the imperative of endorsing Clinton: Everything Planned Parenthood has believed in and fought for over the past 100 years is on the ballot. It sure is. Thats why the organization is ready for Hillary. In a statement, a doting Clinton reciprocated, blushing that she is honored by the endorsement. As your president, I will always have your back! Clinton vowed to the nations leading abortion mill. Whether defending the organizations taxpayer funding or literal business of mass production of baby parts, Hillary has their back. Hillary and Cecile Richards are sisters-in-arms. Hillary paid back Richards by recognizing her as an honored, highlighted guest at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. No two women in that convention hall had the respect of the Democratic Party faithful quite like Hillary and Cecile. Religious liberty Again, numerous examples of Clintons pro-choice obsession could be shared here. It is a very long and very ugly history. The connection between this obsession over abortion and her abandonment of religious liberty becomes clear with her reaction to the Supreme Courts Hobby Lobby decision. One of the most-reviled foes on Clintons anti-choice enemys list is Hobby Lobby, an object of ongoing excoriation for her since the Supreme Court ruling last year. Speaking in Aspen, Colorado in June 2014, she said this of the Hobby Lobby decision: I disagree with the reasoning as well as the conclusion. Its the first time that our court has said that a closely held corporation has the rights of a person when it comes to religious freedom, which means the corporations employers can impose their religious beliefs on their employees, and, of course, denying women the right to contraceptives as part of a health care plan is exactly that. An ominous Clinton added: I find it deeply disturbing that we are going in that direction. Yes, there is something deeply disturbing there, but it isnt Hobby Lobby. In truth, the imposing happening there is against Hobby Lobby, where the government is trying to force Hobby Lobbys owners to fund something that violates their religious beliefs. The company is not denying women their right to contraceptives. That right remains fully open. Hobby Lobby simply does not want to be compelled to pay for the stuff. Women can buy it themselves for less than $10 per month at Target, or head to the local Planned Parenthood clinic, where they hand it out like candy. Even then, Clintons statement was even more disturbing. The reality is that Hobby Lobby provides a plan that gives female employees contraceptives. In fact, the plan covered 16 of 20 FDA-approved contraceptives. Hobby Lobby is run by pro-life Protestants who objected not to all contraceptives but only the kind that cause an abortion, i.e., abortifacients. Nonetheless, Mrs. Clinton, who should know this, given her infatuation with these womens issues and being a presidential front-runner (as well as a lawyer), has proceeded with her bad facts and demagoguery of the issue. Its very troubling that a sales clerk at Hobby Lobby who needs contraception, which is pretty expensive, is not going to get that service through her employers health care plan because her employer doesnt think she should be using contraception. Worse, in these same remarks in Aspen, Clinton seemed to link this allegedly misogynistic behavior by Hobby Lobby with the Middle Eastern misogyny she observed as secretary of state: Part of the reason I was so adamant about including women and girls in our foreign policy, not as a luxury but as a central issue, is because theyre often the canaries in the mine. You watch women and girls being deprived of their rights, some of them never have them, some of them lose them. Among those rights is control over their bodies, control over their own health care, control over the size of their families. It is a disturbing trend that you see in a lot of societies that are very unstable, anti-democratic, and frankly prone to extremism. Where women and womens bodies are used as the defining and unifying issue to bring together people men to get them to behave in ways that are disadvantageous to women but which prop up them because of their religion, their sect, their tribe, whatever. In the next sentence, she went right at Hobby Lobby: So to introduce this element into our society its very troubling that a sales clerk at Hobby Lobby who needs contraception, which is pretty expensive, is not going to get that service through her employers health care plan because her employer doesnt think she should be using contraception. Of course, this is outrageous. How can anyone at Clintons level advance such a comparison? The answer is because of her crusade for the widest availability of abortion even when religious freedom is at stake. As for religious freedom, in 2005 Clinton actually co-sponsored (with Rick Santorum, no less) the Workplace Religious Freedom Act. Likewise, her husband was a proponent of religious freedom. Bill Clinton supported the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (passed 97-3 by the Senate) and the 1997 Guidelines on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace. But when religious rights meet abortion rights, Hillary Clinton has little sympathy. To borrow from Nancy Pelosi, that is sacred ground. Indeed, the Supreme Court, in its majority decision in favor of Hobby Lobby (Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties), ruled that the Obama administrations HHS mandate, as applied to closely held corporations, was a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed into law by Bill Clinton, and supported by Hillary. Alas, one eye-opening moment where todays Hillary Clinton brought all of these issues together under one roof were her remarks in April 2015 at the annual Women in the World Summit. There, she argued that far too many women are still denied access to reproductive health care and safe childbirth, and, in a shocking statement, insisted that deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed to give women full access to reproductive health care and safe childbirth. This naturally led to another dig at the likes of Hobby Lobby: There are those who offer themselves as leaders who see nothing wrong with denying women equal pay, who offer themselves as leaders who would de-fund the countrys leading provider of family planning [i.e., Planned Parenthood] and want to let health insurance companies once again charge women just because of our gender. More than that, the new LGBT Hillary proffered: We move forward when gay and transgendered women are embraced as our colleagues and friends, not fired from good jobs because of who they love or who they are. We move forward when women who came to this country in search of a better life can earn a path to citizenship. Now theres the Hillary Clinton of the 21st century, all in one. In sum, once upon a time, Hillary Clinton and her campaign molders tried to frame her as a centrist, as was successfully done in helping her husband win the presidency. Her faith was central to that effort. Not anymore. An old-fashioned Methodist? That Hillary Clinton is long gone, crushed under the wheels of a newfound love for the LGBTQ banner and an unrestrained ardor for abortion that tramples religious freedom. While South Carolinas unemployment rate declined last month, Bamberg and Orangeburg counties rates went up. The two counties had the highest jobless rates in the state in July. Bamberg County's unemployment rate was 10.5 percent in July, up from 9.9 percent in June, according to numbers released Friday by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. The county had the highest unemployment rate among the states 46 counties. Orangeburg Countys unemployment rate rose from 9.2 percent in June to 9.5 percent in July. It had the second-highest unemployment rate. Economic development officials say the increase is due to seasonal layoffs at two large local employers: Allied Air and Husqvarna. The companies slow production during the summer months. Bamberg and Orangeburg counties unemployment rates are down compared to the same time last year. For July 2015, Orangeburg County's jobless rate was 12.3 percent and Bamberg County's rate was 11.8 percent. Calhoun County, the states 17th highest in unemployment, saw its rate remain at 6.4 percent in July. The jobless rate was 7.5 percent in July 2015. South Carolinas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July 2016 dropped to its lowest level since June 2001. The rate decreased to 5.2 percent in July from 5.4 percent in June. We are encouraged to see the unemployment rate fall to levels not achieved in over 15 years," SCDEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton said. "We also are heartened by the job growth weve experienced in the first half of the year as more than 32,000 people found jobs and are now providing for their families. This reflects the confidence businesses have in South Carolinas workforce." Stanton noted about 120,000 remain unemployed around the state. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained the same from June to July at 4.9 percent. As Volvo prepares to make cars in nearby Berkeley County, local students are going to have a great opportunity for success, Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson says. You guys have an exciting future in front of you, but you have to chart a path to success. Employers want people who can add value to a company, who have the skills and can immediately go into the workforce, he said in a speech to Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College students. With Volvo, were going to have an opportunity at first-tier jobs, if we have the ability to deliver the workforce, Robinson said. We have to start with our technical colleges and our four-year colleges and our schools, training students from the sixth grade forward. We have to get kids engaged early and interested in manufacturing. It is an opportunity that will be in front of you whether you take advantage of it or not. Robinson spoke to a standing-room only crowd in Roquemore Auditorium on Tuesday as OCtech welcomed new students during its Fall Assembly. Classes start Monday. Robinson spoke of the growth in advanced manufacturing in South Carolina and how the state is working to meet the workforce needs of existing and future employers. He encouraged students to take the WorkKeys job skills assessment test if they have not already done so. What this test does is prove that we have the ability to deliver the workforce to manufacturers with international companies, Robinson said. If we can show them that we have a good, qualified workforce and available people, then that makes us far more attractive than other communities. We have to prove the workforce is there. Ample career opportunities wont just exist in advanced manufacturing Robinson said there will be opportunities across disciplines in the wake of a mass exodus of baby boomers leaving their jobs in the coming years. That is definitely going to impact your career path moving forward, he said. There is an opportunity in healthcare unlike any other time in the history of our country. If you can get into healthcare now, you will see a strong growth potential because of an aging population. Logistics, transportation, engineering technology, nursing these disciplines are taught extremely well at OCtech, Robinson continued. These certifications can immediately lend themselves to full employment and are right here in front of you. You have to determine what youre good at and how to fine tune those skills in order to add the most value to the industry or company you go to. While learning technical skills for a career is important to become ready for the workforce, employees must also possess soft skills that will help them be successful on the job. OCtech is focusing soft skills beginning this year with the implementation of its Quality Enhancement Plan: Learn It! Live It! Workforce Readiness. The goal of the program is to have students able to effectively communicate verbally and non-verbally in the workplace, use technology to solve problems on the job, and demonstrate punctuality, responsibility and teamwork. When you think about your progression at this institution, think about where you want to end up. You need a long-term plan for where you ultimately want to be, President Dr. Walt Tobin said. More than nine out of 10 people who walk out of this institution walk out with a job. A lot of our students are offered employment before they even walk across the stage. Thats a testament, I think, to the quality of the programs that we offer. Andrea Gilyard said she first started OCtech in 2009, but quit because she had a lot going on in her life at the time. Im back because Im more focused than ever and I want a better life, the medical assisting student said. OCtech is a good college. I have seen a lot of good things about it. I have no doubt in my mind that I will have a good career when I graduate. Anna Markowitz is enrolled in the emergency medical technician certificate program and hopes to one day become a paramedic. I chose OCtech because its local, she said. Its the perfect fit for me. Hundreds of individuals and business professionals got to mingle and network at the Orangeburg Cinema Thursday evening as part of the annual Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. Superman and Batman as well as a lot of other masked and caped crusaders were among the attendees at the event, themed this year as Reveal Your Inner Superhero of Orangeburg County." President Melinda Jackson said her first business expo as chamber leader was "wonderful and busy." "We have had huge excitement," Jackson said. "The superhero theme has been very well received." The expo is touted as an opportunity to expose the community to the products and services available in the area. The event has drawn nearly 700 people in the past few years. About 69 vendors were in attendance. It is the third year the event was open to the public. Previously it had only been open to chamber members. "We have new members here tonight," Jackson said. "This business expo is growing and new businesses are coming in." In addition to showcasing the array of local services and products, the expo also featured seven food court vendors offering complimentary refreshments and beverages. Jackie Moyer, owner of A Gracious Affair on Ellis Avenue, attended the expo for the first time. The store specializes in key lime cupcakes and on Thursday also offered strawberry and lemon parfaits and marinated cheeses. "It is a good way to meet new people," Moyer said, noting she is a new chamber member and was encouraged to join by Jackson. She says she loves doing business in Orangeburg. "I have lived here all my life. I know a lot of people." Andy Cox, The Oaks CEO, said the event is great exposure for the business community and lets the general public know what is available in the area. "It is a good time too," he said. "Local residents can come and see what is in the local area." Orangeburg resident Kendall Hampton said he came to the expo to learn what Orangeburg County has to offer. "It gets the word out about a lot of companies," Hampton said. "There are companies I did not know were here in Orangeburg. They do promote knowledge as far the business opportunities in Orangeburg." For example, he said he was unaware that Sun Printing was in Orangeburg. "They were actually talking to me about a job opportunity," Hamilton said. Mama's Kountry Kookin on John C. Calhoun Drive owners Judi and Charles Hagan said the event is also a first for the restaurant. "It gives us the opportunity to let people taste our food," Charles Hagan said. "We have really really good food. It is home cooking, country style." Charles Hagin said the event also lets them meet new people and get new ideas from customers and other businesses. The restaurant has been in business for 10 years and opened when one door in the couple's life closed. "When the Lord shuts a door, he opens up two windows," Judi said. "We jumped in with both feed and opened a restaurant. We have met the best people and we have the best people working for us." Owner of St. Matthews-based Main Street Cafe and Catering Alnita Pound said the restaurant is open on Sundays and provides customers Southern cooking fare. "We want to let people know we are in St. Matthews," Pound said, noting the restaurant also specializes in catering events. Attendees also had a chance to win raffle prizes from donor businesses such as Woody's Pawn Shop, Zeus Industries and Carolina Propane. Raffle prizes included items such as a grill, a Yeti cooler and Bose headphones. The grand prize for $50 a ticket was for a Jimmy Jones Polaris Slingshot. The drawing will be held March 31, 2017, with all proceeds going toward the chamber's efforts in support of education. "Folks have been overwhelmingly excited about it," Jackson said. Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Josh Ridley said the expo has been a positive event for the Orangeburg area every year. "It allows our members the opportunity to come out and to showcase what they are all about and what they have to offer," Ridley said. "It allows them the opportunity to network and to get to know some of the other small and other larger busiensses in the community." Ridley said the feedback from vendors "has been fantastic." The expo's presenting sponsor was the Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities. Gold sponsors were First Citizens, Zeus Industries, Fatz Cafe and The Regional Medical Center. GrandSouth Bank was the beverage sponsor. It's no secret Donald Trump's supporters wish he would spend more time in his public appearances focused on issues and less on the offhand remarks that have gotten him into trouble recently. Newt Gingrich, the Trump vice presidential finalist who goes in and out of favor at Trump Tower, has long counseled a tighter, more disciplined focus on issues. In an interview a week ago, as the Obama-is-the-founder-of-ISIS controversy spilled into another day, Gingrich seemed to reach a new level of frustration, suggesting Trump and the news media have created a "baloney machine" that distracts the public from important issues. "Trump should spend more time talking about America and less time talking about Trump," Gingrich told me after an appearance on Fox News. "It's not helpful, and it's not helpful to have quips that distract from the main issues," Gingrich said. "If Trump is not talking about the economy, and he's not talking about safety, and he's not talking about reforming Washington, he's losing ground." Indeed, Trump is losing ground. He is running 6.3 points -- a substantial margin -- behind Hillary Clinton in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls. Even more concerning are new polls of states Trump must win if he is to become president. Even as Gingrich spoke, NBC and the Wall Street Journal were releasing surveys showing Trump trailing Hillary Clinton by 5 points in Florida, 9 points in North Carolina, 13 points in Virginia and by 14 points in Colorado. Add those to polls showing Trump in trouble in Ohio and falling behind in Pennsylvania -- two absolutely critical states for Trump -- and the polls are sending Trump a very loud message that what he is doing now is not working. And yet Trump has said several times that he sees no need to change his style to compete in the general election. Gingrich sees an increasingly urgent situation. "The fact is, you only have a limited amount of communications time, and you should be focusing that time on the issues that matter to the American people," he said. "If talking about yourself drowns out everything else you're talking about -- because you know as a conservative the news media is never going to give you a break -- you have to make sure you don't give them a break. And every time he gives them something to talk about that allows them to avoid his issues, they're going to take it." Gingrich pointed to the House Republican report that the U.S. Central Command altered its intelligence to suggest the American campaign against the Islamic State is making more progress than is actually the case. "That ought to be a major national scandal," Gingrich said. "But it gets totally submerged in all of this baloney," Gingrich concluded. "And Trump contributes to the baloney. He and the news media have a sort of baloney machine going between them." Nevertheless, Trump has repeatedly refused to change his approach. He told Fox Business's Maria Bartiromo that, "I think that you know my temperament has gotten me here ... I certainly don't think it's appropriate to start changing all of a sudden when you've been winning." On Thursday, Trump told CNBC, "At the end, it's either going to work, or I'm going to, you know, I'm going to have a very, very nice long vacation." Nepotism is a well-known part of South Carolina state government: Lawmakers routinely appoint their siblings and spouses and friends to university boards and various state commissions, for example. Less well known are the outsized salaries associated with some of those positions. Before considering the salaries of lawmakers friends and relatives, though, take a look at the salaries of those in charge of core state agencies law enforcement and the like. For agencies like the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Department of Public Safety, directors make around $160,000 a year. Both of the states top cops have a long career in law enforcement and run large state agencies that serve essential government functions. Similarly, Brian Sterling, head of the Department of Corrections the agency tasked with confining the states prison population makes $161,137 a year. Now, back to those friends of lawmakers. They tend to hold positions that, although high-level, could fairly be considered non-essential services. Begin at the Retirement System Investment Commission, a haven for former Senate employees. The RSICs current chief investment officer, for example, Michael Hitchcock formerly chief counsel and assistant clerk to the Senate now makes $230,000 a year, not including benefits. The experience that qualified Hitchcock to run the states pension system to quote Hitchcock himself was that he could balance the Senates 46 strong personalities. He went on: Ive built a reputation as a person who can work between sides and help the Senate move past impasses. Less clear was what this had to do with managing a multibillion-dollar investment portfolio. Wayne Bell, former president of the State Retirees Association, was even more direct about the strangeness of hiring a Senate staffer for such a position: Bringing someone in from the outside who was perfectly capable didnt work [] South Carolina politics just eats them alive. Or take former Senate staffer Danny Varat, now the RSICs spokesman. He makes $116,688 a year, not including benefits. Varat is the agencys spokesman. Around the time Varat was hired, his prior boss, former Sen. Greg Ryberg, was hired as the commissions director. Ryberg was hired without a search for more qualified candidates. He made $161,000 a year, not including benefits, while running the RSIC. Now turn your attention to the Medical University of South Carolina, where former legislator Anton Gunn works as the institutions chief diversity officer. Gunn earns $275,000 a year, not including benefits. The former House member is responsible for strategic diversity initiatives. On his personal website, Gunn -- also the founder and president of 937 Strategy Group LLC, based in Washington, D.C. -- lists seven speaking engagements around the country in April alone. Or consider Paul Campbell, chief executive officer of the Charleston County Aviation Authority. In 2013, the previous CEO left the agency because of legislative meddling in the airport affairs. We need to get someone in there who is not susceptible to the politics, said Rep. Jim Merrill, a member of the Charleston delegation that appoints six of the authoritys 11 board members. The delegation responded by appointing a state senator Paul Campbell. Campbell earns $231,831 a year, plus benefits, though that does not include the $29,000-plus he makes as a sitting state senator. Why the hefty salary for heading what would seem to be a mid- or low-level agency? Campbells legislative biography says he is a former business executive in the manufacturing industry but offers no hint of experience in running airports. What makes Campbells hiring at the airport even more striking is that the state constitution prohibits legislators from holding more than one state office. This provision specifically bans lawmakers from holding any office or position of profit or trust. A legislative friend of Campbell knew about this prohibition and requested an opinion from the attorney general. Bizarrely, the A.G.s office concluded that the position which, again, comes with a $231,831 salary is not an office of honor or profit. Maybe its not an office of honor. But the profit part as with other former legislators and legislative staffers working in non-core agencies seems pretty definite. Left to Right: Elsworth John will replace Dexter Rose as Ambassador to Cuba,Cenio Lewis also will retain his position as High Commissioner in the United Kingdom,Lou-Ann Gilchrist will replace La Celia Price as Ambassador to the United States and The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States,Howie Prince will replace Counsel General Selmon Walters,Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir Louis Straker and Fitz Huggins retains his position as Counsel General in Canada. Declaring that changes are good for the nation, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Louis Straker, says the administration of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves has made several diplomatic changes to its overseas offices . Sir Louis said that, while the recommendations must be confirmed by the Public Service Commission and signed off by Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, the changes are necessary and are aligned with the governments policy of not keeping any diplomatic representative indefinitely in any position. "The Cabinet feels, sometimes, we keep people in office for too long, the Foreign Affairs Minister told THE VINCENTIAN, in an exclusive interview on Saturday, ahead of the administrations diplomatic week, which began the next day. "I think we have to make changes, he added. "Sometimes, changes are for the better. Sir Louis disclosed that Howie Prince, the head of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), will replace New York Counsel General Selmon Walters, who has been under fire for what observers alleged is his mismanagement of the New York Consulate General that provides consular services to the largest concentration of Vincentians in the Diaspora. The deputy prime minister said Walters, a former government minister in the Gonsalves administration, will officially demit office by end-August. He described Walters successor as possessing "outstanding managerial skills and experiences, adding that Prince "will be good for the country. Walters departure comes about 2 years after a major scandal erupted at the New York Consulate General involving Walters deputy, Edson Augustus, a former Seventh-day Adventist Church pastor, who was recalled on Feb. 5, 2014, because of what the government said were "activities outside the scope of his employment and inimical to interests of the Consulate General and the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In the wake of the scandal, Opposition Leader, Arnhim Eustace, called on the government to overhaul the New York Consulate General, stating that the negative image of the New York Consulate General must be immediately changed. That "overhaul, Eustace, a former prime minister, said should involve Walters, saying that the alleged "scandal had taken place on his watch. But, even with Augustus long departure, Vincentians, in some quarters in the Big Apple, have reportedly been displeased with Walters performance. Some also said he was "heavy-handed in dealing with Augustus successor, Chateaubelair-born Sehon Marshall. Subsequently, at a town hall meeting at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center, Walters announced, and new Government minister Camillo Gonsalves, a former foreign affairs minister, confirmed, that Marshall was transferred to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Mission to the United Nations. Sir Louis said that Marshall, now a Minister Counsellor, will be among new appointments at the Mission, as the administration seeks to "boost the office ahead of its application for non-Permanent Membership on the United Nations Security Council in 2019. He disclosed that Marsena Ballantyne, the Sandy Bay-born former aide to the Ambassador to the UN, I. Rhonda King, has been promoted to Minister Counsellor, and that another Minister Counsellor will soon be appointed. "We have to beef up our staff [at the Mission], Straker said. "We have to show that were involved in various organizations of the UN. But, even with the shake-ups, the deputy prime minister said King will remain in place. Straker said Prince will serve without a deputy, but will work alongside Bernadette Ambrose-Black, current head of SVG Invest, as the new trade attache. Sir Louis said Ambrose-Blacks primary role will involve generating "business for the country a task Eustace had told THE VINCENTIAN that a New Democratic Party (NDP) administration would pursue if it had assumed office. The deputy prime minister said Chief Education Officer Lou-Ann Gilchrist will replace La Celia Prince as Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS). Prince departed last year to assume a position with the Washington-based OAS. Continued on Page 27. L-R: Shem DaSilva, Nigel DaSilva, Mark Sardine, Christell Allicott and Michael DaSilva plan to kayak from St. Vincent to Bequia in hopes of reducing hunger in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Five men will embark on a journey tomorrow, August 20, all in an effort to address the problem of child hunger. The five Mark Sardine, Michael DaSilva, Shem DaSilva, Nigel DaSilva and Christell Allicott, will journey, by kayak, across the Bequia channel beginning at Breakers in Prospect, and this is being done for a good cause. "That cause is when you send your children to school and they are hungry because they dont get a meal, Sardine explained. So the team is anticipating that business entities throughout the country will be inspired by their deed, and come on board to donate a meal to one of these unfortunate students. "We are asking every business in St Vincent and the Grenadines to choose a school, and on the second Monday of the new school term, go to any institution and donate a meal to those who may need it, Sardine said. The idea is the brainchild of Michael DaSilva; however it was decided that Sardine, being the man with the most kayaking experience, will be a part of the team. "We are doing this for a cause, and it is a good cause it is hoped that from doing this, other people will also be motivated to want to do something, Michael said. According to Sardine, they are not begging: "this must be done. "We feel the pain, you were all children once, and if you were hungry while you were in school, then it ought not to be hard to hand over a $20 to support the cause, he told THE VINCENTIAN. Furthermore, the expedition is being done to honour all the grandparents who are still providing for their grandchildren, some with very little resources, Sardine said. "They are the real heroes of our country. The team is expected to leave mainland St Vincent at 6 tomorrow morning, and according to Sardine, if all is well and the conditions remain favourable, they just may make the approximately nine-mile trek back to the mainland. The kayaks, Stinger, Sparkle and Ganzee will be guided by a tour boat, which is being provided, compliments Richard Minors and Keith Boyea; and the vessels are equipped with all the safety equipment that they require for the sojourn. They anticipate that the journey should be covered in under two and a half hours. It was explained that the tide changes every two hours in open ocean, as opposed to meeting a different tide when traveling along the coastline; therefore members of the team say they feel very confident that they will be able to make the journey in the time sepcified. In fact, Nigel DaSilva, one of the five, said that the team has been getting themselves ready, training and, with the use of technology, have been able to come up with an almost precise map of their expedition, including time. And as far as nerves go, the five say that they remain confident that they will achieve what they set out to accomplish. After all, Sardine has years of kayaking experience, and said that he has journeyed from Villa to Chateubelair and back in just over nine and a half hours. But while this may be the last big venture for Sardine, he said that he is pleased to have the support of some of the youth, and that the public can look forward to bigger things in the future. (DD) The popular Hairoun Beer brand is expected to change their label soon, and consumers of the product will have the opportunity to decide from four different labels, which one is best. Last Tuesday, the St. Vincent Brewery Limited, brewers for the popular Hairoun Beer, hosted a press conference to make the announcement. The current label on a Hairoun Beer has not been changed for over 20 years. Lamont Medica, Trade and Marketing Coordinator, in explaining how the company will go about the changes, said that the consumers are their bosses, so the company felt the need to give them the opportunity to select the new look for the product. How the process works Consumers will be asked to select a voting card at the Hairoun Beer designated area at local supermarkets. They will then vote and drop the ballot into the specially marked Hairoun boxes. Also, persons can vote by Liking their favourite label on instragram at Hairoun Beer SVG and on Facebook at Hairoun Beer. "So we just giving the consumers the opportunity to have a voice, to say exactly which should be the new label for Hairoun Beer, said Medica. The label with the most votes will be selected to replace the current one, and the persons who voted for the winning label will also receive prizes. Customers can also Vote and win prizes at Hairoun Beer special trade events for the label change campaign .The campaign will run for 2 weeks, ending on the 2nd September; but to be eligible to vote, one must be 18 years and over. For further information, contact Kelvin Franklyn, marketing coordinator. (KH) Right: Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace (furthest left) has voiced the New Democratic Partys opinion on the Cybercrime Bill, and it is not a favourable one. Also pictured from left to right are: Terrance Ollivierre, St. Clair Leacock, Daniel Cummings and Nigel Stevenson who all had their say in rejection of the Bill. by Dayle Da Silva The Cybercrime Bill had a successful passage in the House last Friday; however Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, in an official statement Monday, said that the New Democratic Party (NDP) has condemned the action. Eustace read the official statement on Mondays edition of the New Times radio programme, saying that the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) regime had passed the Cybercrime Act, and that in order for the Act to become working law and applied and tested in a court of law, it first had to be published in the Government Gazette and then assented to by the Governor General. But once that process was over, St Vincent and the Grenadines would then be taken several steps backwards. "Back to the dark days of colonialist repression; back to the days of failed authoritarianism in the Caribbean; and back to the voicelessness of slavery, Eustace said. "It is unconceivable that in the second decade in the 21st century, an administration that claims to be progressive; an administration that claims to want to build a modern society; an administration that seeks to protect its citizens, is forcing through, in the face of wide- spread bipartisan and nonpartisan international opposition, a backward, draconian and dangerous law, he continued. The law has been condemned by four reputable international organizations, the leader of the opposition said, each stating that there were sections of the Bill that induced fear, and infringed on the constitutional rights and freedoms. "I would like Vincentians to note carefully and understand that such a thing has never happened before; at no time have we seen this volume of condemnation of a law that government was about to pass. It is an unprecedented intervention by those organizations that truly see freedom and human rights as basic human values given by God and enshrined in our constitution, he said. However, the unprecedented interventions were happening for a reason, he articulated, and that is because the law is attacking the basic freedoms of citizens. And although there were some modifications made to the Bill, Eustace said that they were of no benefit, and that the piece of legislation was still faulty and backward. "What we see from all this, is that this regime has stacked the law against you the population. And with the access it gives to the regime, they are intending to intrude on your lives, he said. "This cybercrime act is unacceptable in any modern democratic society, and we in the New Democratic Party condemn its passage, Eustace concluded. It is already being anticipated that an application for a loan in the amount of US$32.5 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development will be approved when that entitys board meets next month. The funds will be used in the rehabilitation of some of this countrys feeder, village and secondary roads. Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves announced last week Wednesday that a delegation from the OPEC Fund for International Development visited the state, and that he had signed a memorandum on the subject which will go to the board in September. "Which we expect will be approved, he said. Gonsalves added that the sum of US$14.5 million had already been approved by the board for the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development, and that this was money that he had in addition to contributions from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the World Bank and the European Union. According to the prime minister, some of the nations feeder, village and secondary roads were in a bad state due to the design, the heavy traffic and weather; but the money that he has accumulated will not be able to repair the entire network of roads throughout the country. However, a substantial number of roads will be done, he said. Gonsalves also announced that it was first thought that the project would have started later this year, but as a result of the delay from one of the funding sources, the road rehabilitation project is scheduled to begin early 2017. (DD) Ms. Celia Toppin, OAS (left) and Dr. Luz Longsworth, Open Campus, sign the recent Memorandum of Understanding between both organisations. The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the General Secretariat of the Organisation of American States (OAS) through the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday, August 5, 2016 . This is a symbolic gesture demonstrating the parties commitment to the implementation of a project entitled, "Expanding the Socio-Economic Potential of Cultural Heritage in the Caribbean. Phase II: Implementation of Project Components. Both parties, in signing the MOU, recognised that "cultural development is a key element for social and economic development of peoples, and thus "the importance of acknowledging, preserving and promoting the heritage, traditions and ancestral knowledge in order to ensure "better transmission to present and future generations. The new MOU between The UWI Open Campus and OAS will facilitate the development and implementation of two online courses to enhance the curriculum available in the area of heritage education in the Caribbean region. The two courses are Values-based Heritage Site Management and Museum Conservation Skills. Dr. Luz Longsworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Open Campus, in commenting on the MOU stated, "The University of the West Indies Open Campus is pleased to partner with the Organisation of American States through the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development noting that the GS/OAS will make 50 scholarships to qualifying students. The MOU was signed by Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan and Dr. Longsworth. In attendance at the signing were Ms. Celia Toppin, Project Manager (Cultural Heritage), Culture & Tourism Section, Department of Economic Development Executive Secretariat for Integral Development; Dr. Monica Masino, Programme Coordinator, Programme Planning Department, Academic Programming and Delivery Division of the Open Campus; and Mrs. Wendy Nurse-Weekes, Executive Assistant to the Open Campus Principal. Dr. Feng-Chi Lin, a Taiwan entomologist, will be the facilitator of a training workshop on "Natural Predator (Enemy) Application and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), held by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Rural Transformation, and the Taiwan Technical Mission from August 16 to 24. Dr. Lin, in the workshop, will introduce the methods of predators propagation and biological control technology to technical staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and then to SVG farmers later on, with the aim to help the farmers improve fruit and vegetable productions through better pest control measures. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has the tradition of "Green Cultivation which leads to healthier and better-flavored crops. However, because of the pest issue, the yield is never easy to boost. The earth-friendly IPM will be one of the solutions. During the workshop, Dr. Lin will give lectures and hands-on training to technical staff within the Division of Research and Development of the Ministry of Agriculture; teachers of agro-related departments, as well as farmers from co-operatives. She will also carry out field visits to survey the current pest-afflicted in farms so as to advise better solutions based on IPM, especially but not only for sweet peppers and tomatoes. To promote the IPM methods, a seminar on "Introduction on biological pest control theory and techniques on tomatoes and sweet peppers will be open to the public in the Conference Room of Fisheries from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM on August 23. Dr. Lin is specialized in integrated pest management, taxonomy of things, ecology and insect vector, and now serves as Associate Entomologist in the renowned Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute. Over the years, Dr. Lin has been assisting numerous ecological and organic-oriented small scale farmers in Taiwan to improve their productions via IPM. She is invited to share her valuable experience and expertise with SVG farmers. The agricultural cooperation project between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of China (Taiwan) for "Strengthening Farmers Organization and Improving Fruit and Vegetable Production Technology so far conducted three training workshops, namely "Rapid Bioassay for Pesticide Residue in March, "Bio-Fertilizer Production and Implementation in April, and "Non-chemical Plant Disease Control in June. Three more training workshops on soil analysis, soil fertility management and bio-pesticide will be held in September and November. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. By Trend Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on the occasion of the Independence Day of Afghanistan. On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my sincere congratulations to you and all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Independence Day, said President Aliyev in his letter. I am confident that friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan will continue developing and expanding, noted the president. On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health and success in your activities, and the friendly people of Afghanistan peace and prosperity, he added. By Azernews By Rashid Shirinov Successes of neighboring states in regional and local projects caused a wave of indignation in Armenian society. "We are being ignored by everybody"- can be heard each and everywhere in this poor South Caucasus nation. The recent meeting of the Azerbaijani, Russian and Iranian presidents in Baku could not have come at a worse time for Armenia, which is fighting with its political and economic crises. Back in July, when representatives of railways agencies of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran met in Baku, Armenia doubted that the cooperation will continue. But now, after the Baku summit of the presidents, the trilateral cooperation between the countries is quite obvious. And Armenia again remained beyond the beneficial project. The strengthening of relations between the three regional states surely caused resentment in the Armenian society. Armenia seems to be squeezed out from all regional events and projects, Armenian economist and former MP Vardan Bostanjyan said at a press conference. In fact, the current situation in the region is unfavorable for Armenia, the economist confessed. Another Armenian expert, head of the Committee on Foreign Relations at the Armenian National Congress Party Vladimir Karapetyan acknowledged that the country remains outside of big regional projects. In contrast to the projects between Azerbaijan and Iran ,we reached such a progress that Armenia has once again been bypassed, he said in an interview to newspaper Aravot Back in October 2008, when coming to the presidency, Serzh Sargsyan vowed that in the coming years the Iran-Armenia railway would be set up. He also promised that in a very short time Armenians could witness the all-Armenian Bank and Investment Fund that would fund large-scale programs in the country. Our overarching goal will be Armenia experiencing the rise, he said. However, nothing of that was implemented during eight years of his presidency in Armenia. While Armenians were waiting for a miracle, Azerbaijan together with Russia and Iran realized huge projects, concluded agreements, Karapetyan said. He explained the possible reason why neighbors prefer Azerbaijan, and not Armenia: I think that the issue is not that we have not presented a better offer, and that we are not treated as a reliable partner. Explanation of why a more favorable transit proposal has been suggested to our enemy should come from our government. And we will draw appropriate conclusions, especially if these explanations will not come. The continuing aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, its territorial claims to neighboring countries pose serious obstacles to the expansion of regional cooperation. This policy leads to Armenia being locked out of all regional projects. Azerbaijan has repeatedly announced that as long as Armenia does not put an end to its aggressive policy, its participation in any regional project will be impossible. Azerbaijan's internationally recognized Nagorno-Karabakh territory became a conflict zone following Armenia's aggression in the early 1990s. As a result of Armenia's armed invasion, 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory fell under Armenia's occupation and over 1 million people turned into refugees and IDPs. Boeing Co said on Wednesday it will not increase 787 output and could further cut 777 output unless sales of both jets improve, its clearest indication yet that its production of large jetliners may have peaked for now. "If the market's not going to demand it, we're not going to go," chief financial officer Greg Smith said on the sidelines of an investor conference in New York by global investment bank Jefferies, confirming remarks made during the formal program. "It's not the end of the world" if Boeing keeps 787 production at 12 a month instead of lifting it to 14 as planned, Smith said during the event. "We can still be profitable in the program as I see it today at 12." Analysts said Smith's statement confirmed that Boeing will not overproduce widebody planes and, most importantly, does not foresee an accounting charge for the 787 if output stays at 12. Boeing took about $1.7 billion in after-tax charges in its latest result for the 787 and 747 programs to account for excess 787 inventory and slow 747 sales. Smith said the company would decide in the next two months whether to cut 777 output further. If it fails to sell enough 777s to bridge the gap to new 777X production, "then we will make an adjustment accordingly," he said. His comments went beyond what he and Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg told analysts after the company released quarterly results last month. Muilenburg said Boeing would "keep supply and demand in balance" but did not discuss keeping 787 production at 12 a month or cutting 777 further. Low oil prices and a series of boom years have slowed orders for new widebody jetliners, raising concerns that Boeing will notch down cash and profit targets. Smith said on Wednesday that Boeing still has about two years to decide whether to raise 787 output, given lead times for components, and could still generate rising cash flow and profit if production rates "moderate" on the 787 and 777. The list price for the mid-sized 787 is $264.6 million, but airlines typically receive steep discounts. Boeing has won eight net 777 orders this year and 19 net 787 orders. It already plans to reduce 777 production by 15 percent next year as it switches to the 777X. Boeing shares rose 0.6 per cent to close at $132.28 on the New York Stock Exchange. - Reuters Leading industry professionals and experts from around the world will attend the 8th Flexible Packaging conference, later this year, in Dubai, UAE. The event, organised by specialist plastics industry consultancy AMI, will take place on December 6 and 7, at the Shangri-La Hotel. The conference will provide a unique networking opportunity and a highly effective forum to meet and discuss the latest developments, opportunities and challenges in the dynamic flexible packaging industry, said a statement. New for 2016, the conference is being expanded to include Africa alongside the Middle East. Africa is an exciting emerging region for flexible packaging, with infrastructure development, a burgeoning middle-class, and urbanisation propelling demand for a wide range of consumer packaged goods. Investment by local and international packaging groups is also driving the flexible packaging industry forward in Africa, it said. Flexible packaging is a constantly evolving market, and worldwide, the way in which consumers view and interact with packaged products is changing. With a growing focus on convenience, value and sustainability, traditional packs continue to be substituted for innovative and flexible options designed to meet these consumer needs, it added. There is increasing recognition of the role packaging plays in the protection and preservation of goods, together with greater focus on environmental considerations and product life cycle. As such, the packaging value chain has become increasing complex and flexible materials are in the spotlight like never before, said a statement. The diverse programme opens with an overview of the global flexible packaging market by AMI Consulting and presentations from the Obeikan Investment Group and the APO-African Packaging Organisation will give delegates valuable insights into how end user demands are shaping new product development. To further explore this topic, Oktay Aral, packaging director (flexibles, foils and polymers) from pladis innovation office, will give the brand owners perspective on how to understand the packaging needs of the consumer. The programme also examines emerging trends in nanotechnology and printed electronics with speakers from renowned research and educational institutions Polytechnique Montreal and Munich University of Applied Science. Delegates will also learn about novel developments to enhance film properties and performance from companies including Exxonmobil, Borouge, Dow and many more. The latest trends in converting will be discussed by Super Film, Kroenert and Yparex and the conference will close with a session on enhanced manufacturing including papers from Windmoller & Holscher, NDC Technologies & Piovan Group. The Flexible Packaging Middle East & Africa conference is sponsored by Exxonmobil and supported by the Film & Sheet digital publication, it added. TradeArabia News Service Dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa, a leading international exhibitions company, has announced the recruitment of two high-profile senior executives as it looks to drive greater growth in its successful Design and Hospitality divisions. Tony Crinion has been welcomed as portfolio director for Design and Ray Tinston as portfolio director for Hospitality, as the two sectors prepare for a period of new launches and expansion. Crinion will work across Index Dubai and the inaugural edition of Index North Africa and Workspace, while Tinston will take charge of the Hotel Show Dubai, Hotel Show Saudi Arabia, the Leisure Show, and Piscine Middle East. I am delighted that we have been able to bring on board both Tony and Ray and feel that we have secured absolutely the very best candidates to help deliver the exciting and ambitious expansion plans for the Design and Hospitality Divisions, said Andy Stuart, vice president - Design & Hospitality. They are highly experienced event professionals who have significant experience in their respective sectors, which will really compliment the already strong senior team we have in place. The newly recruited senior executives will also lead a series of much-anticipated international launches scheduled to debut in 2017 as dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa presses home its strategy of geo-adapting successful brands to drive expansion into new markets. Their breadth of experience will play a key role in building these new events, as Stuart explained: I have had the pleasure of working with Tony previously at UBM, where he led Interiors UK, Decorex and Sleep events before immersing himself even further into the design industry by becoming MD of one of our exhibitors Parker Farr. Four years on the other side of the fence leaves him uniquely placed to help lead the growth and development of our design portfolio, he added. Ray also benefits from a strong sector related background, having previously worked on Hotelympia, our own Hotel Show and subsequently across a number of hospitality and leisure industry events across the Middle East during his seven years in the region, Stuart concluded. The new recruits are in place now and are already making their presence felt as dmg events - Middle East, Asia & Africa heads into a busy second half of 2016 and gears for an exciting programme of new events in 2017. - TradeArabia News Service Voter turnout rose Tuesday in Natrona County despite falling in the rest of the state, according to numbers released by the county clerks office and the Wyoming Secretary of State. In Natrona County, 14,456 people cast ballots, up around 9 percent from 2014s primary election and the highest total since 2010. County Clerk Renea Vitto attributed higher turnout to the economy and confusion over who was on the ballot. She said many voters thought they were participating in a presidential primary. A lot of people believed they were voting for the president, Vitto said. That was most of the comments I heard: Hey, why wasnt the president on my ballot? Wyoming does not have a presidential primary; the state uses a caucus system. On March 1, Republicans put their support behind U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. The Democrats selected U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on April 8. But those candidates lost their parties nominations. Donald Trump received the GOP nomination on July 19, one week before the Democratic Party selected Hillary Clinton. The general election will take place Nov. 8. A lot of people dont buy the paper, they dont listen to the radio, they dont watch TV, Vitto said. The economic downturn also may have persuaded more people to head to the polls. Our economy is bad enough right now that people thought that voting was important, Vitto said, adding that good weather likely helped. Despite an uptick in ballots cast, only 55 percent of registered voters in the county participated in Tuesdays election. Out of voting-age adults in Natrona County, only 24 percent cast ballots. Statewide, 116,254 voters took part in the election. That number is down from 120,023 in the last primary election two years ago. Although this is the best primary election turnout Wyoming has seen in a presidential election year since 2004, I think we still have a lot of work to do as a state, Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Murray said in a statement Friday. Before ballots were tallied Tuesday, Murray told Wyoming Public Media that 2014 turnout was only 27 percent and thats nothing that Im particularly proud to beep. Vitto said county officials already did a lot to publicize elections and she did not know what more could be done to turn out more residents. People were very well aware of there being an election, Vitto said. This was probably the first election where I didnt have anyone say, Hey, nobody told me there was an election. This was the first election Wyoming allowed centralized polling places where voters from different precincts could all cast ballots. The move coincided with the closure of many neighborhood polls. Natrona County closed 19 polling places, including those at most public schools. Vitto said the main complaints she heard about the closures came from north Casper where residents previously voted at the local Roosevelt High School. This year they had to make a 4-mile trek to the fairgrounds.Vitto said she was looking for a new polling place in the neighborhood but that it would not be available until at least 2018 since state law requires voters to use the same polling place in the general election as they used for the primary. But Vitto expects turnout to be high on Nov. 8 even among residents who live far from central polling places because actual presidential elections draw more interest.They will find a way to the polls, she said. The woman sobbed as she begged for her life. I dont want to die in a car wreck, she told the 911 dispatcher. Hes not going to stop, no matter what. The emergency call, which was played Friday in a Casper courtroom, cut off as a bullet struck the woman in one of her legs. The woman, Michelle Essig, made the call from the passenger seat of an SUV driven by her then-boyfriend, Russell Anderson. Police had attempted to stop Anderson on Nov. 25 in Mills, but he fled south on Interstate 25, sometimes driving on the wrong side of the highway, before finally being stopped when deputies rammed his SUV near Glenrock. After the womans hysterical call played in the courtroom, a judge sentenced Anderson to eight to 10 years in prison for eluding authorities. Anderson, 31, will also serve time for striking Essig, who was pregnant at the time, and for forcing her to be a prostitute. You treated her like property you could use to make money, Natrona County District Judge Catherine Wilking told Anderson before handing down the sentence. Any man, any real man, would have gotten a job. Instead you prostituted a pregnant woman That is abhorrent behavior, and it will not be tolerated in the state of Wyoming. Authorities apprehended Anderson after ramming his car as it traveled the wrong way down Interstate 25. Anderson previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, promoting prostitution and reckless endangerment. Essig, who was 33 at the time, took a bullet to the leg when Wyoming Highway Patrolman Doug Beran shot into the car. Essig underwent surgery at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper for non-life-threatening injuries. The chase began in Mills, but the Highway Patrol took over once the pursuit moved to the southbound lanes of Interstate 25. Troopers tried to use spike strips to stop the vehicle, but Anderson drove around them, the Highway Patrol reported. Near Glenrock, the fleeing car crossed the median and began traveling south on the northbound lanes of Interstate 25. A few miles later, Beran fired several shots at the vehicle while attempting to end the pursuit for the safety of people in the oncoming cars, according to the Highway Patrol. The vehicle continued driving south for another half mile before law enforcement vehicles rammed it. As is standard policy in officer-involved shootings, Beran was placed on administrative leave with pay while the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation looked into the incident. He was later cleared to return to work. Authorities became aware of the assaults and prostitution while interviewing Essig following the pursuit, according to the court documents. Essig said Anderson hit her in the eye and arm two days before the car chase. Officers photographed Essigs bruises, according to the charging document. Essig also told investigators Anderson forced her to prostitute herself at Motel 6 in Casper. Authorities obtained both Essigs and Andersons cellphones, which had messages confirming the forced prostitution, the document states. CHEYENNE After moving out of his district, state Rep. Harlan Edmonds, R-Cheyenne, has resigned, and now a replacement has to be selected. But some, including former Democratic Rep. Lee Filer, say the timing of the resignation has a political twist, since it comes so close to the general election. Edmonds represented House District 12, which is a roughly rectangular district in the southwest corner of Laramie County that generally includes areas south of Interstate 80 and west of U.S. Highway 85. Edmonds, who did not run for re-election, said he and his wife have been moving to a new home and completed the move earlier this month. However, the home is in House District 42, and lawmakers are not allowed to represent a district unless they legally reside there. The place we found was in a different district, he said. Edmonds said he wanted to submit his formal resignation before Tuesdays primary election, so he resigned effective the day before. That resignation triggers the process of finding a replacement. First, state Republican officials must organize a meeting of precinct committeemen and committeewomen in House District 12. Next, the precinct committeemen and committeewomen will select three people from those who apply for the job. Finally, the Laramie County Commission will select one of those three people to fill the vacancy. State Republican Party Chairman Matt Micheli said the party received notice of the resignation Wednesday, and he hopes to announce a meeting date of precinct representatives by early next week. Whoever fills the vacancy will only be in office from the time they are selected until January, Micheli noted. While the candidates to fill the vacancy will have to apply for the position, Edmonds said he hopes Lars Lone gets the job. Lone won the Republican primary for the district Tuesday. I think that would be the only logical thing for the party to do, Edmonds said. It would make more sense to pick someone who has a very high probability of starting a new term next year, rather than zero probability. Edmonds said he wholeheartedly supports Lone and noted that Lone is a co-founder of the Conservative Republicans of Wyoming, or CROW, a strongly conservative group that identifies and supports Wyoming Republicans who follow what the group sets as its principles, the Tribune Eagle previously reported. Lone said Thursday he plans to apply for the vacant seat and said he thinks its logical to apply for the job. For me, it just makes sense, he said. I just won the primary. But if Lone is selected to fill the vacancy, he would be the incumbent going into the general election, which critics say could influence the outcome of the vote. Filer, the Democrat who faces Lone in November, said he thinks Edmonds resignation and preference of Lone to fill the seat is an attempt by very conservative groups like CROW to have candidates favorable to their views in the Legislature. They dont care about the people, Filer said. Theyre just concerned about their agenda. Im hoping voters will see through that, he said. According to Lones pre-primary campaign finance report, Lone only received two $1,450 donations by early August one from Dan Brophy and one from Carleen Brophy. The couple, who live in Jackson, donated money to many far-right candidates throughout Wyoming. Still, Filer said he doesnt think the move will affect the elections outcome. He said hes confident about his campaign and looks forward to running against Lone in the Nov. 8 general election. Police in Laramie say a former policeman has been arrested in connection with the 1985 slaying of a University of Wyoming student. Fredrick J. Lamb of Laramie was arrested Wednesday and jailed on charges of first-degree murder and arson. Laramie police say Lamb, 67, was arrested in connection with the 1985 slaying of 22-year-old Shelli R. Wiley. Lt. Gwen Smith of the Laramie Police Department says unspecified new technology led to Lamb's arrest. Smith says she expects local prosecutors to file court charges Friday. An attempt to reach a county prosecutor Thursday was not successful. Smith says Lamb has worked as an officer with the Laramie Police Department and the Albany County Sheriff's Office but didn't work for either at the time of Wiley's death. CHEYENNE The election results of two close state legislative races changed slightly following a recount process Thursday, but the winners remain the same. Though most races in Tuesdays primary election produced clear winners, the margins were extraordinarily close in the Senate District 6 and House District 41 Republican primaries. In SD 6, just four votes separated winner Anthony Bouchard from runner-up Rep. David Zwonitzer, with Bouchard winning 1,137 votes to Zwonitzers 1,133. A third candidate, Lindi Kirkbride, received 978 votes in the race. And in HD 41, just one vote separated Bill Henderson from rival Patrick Fitzgerald, with a margin of 583 to 582. Since the margin in both races came within 1 percent, each was subject to a mandatory recount under Wyoming law. That recount was conducted Thursday by the Laramie County Clerks Office, while the Goshen County Clerks Office did its own recount Wednesday, since a sliver of SD 6 is in that county. None of the 106 votes cast for the SD 6 race in Goshen County changed following the recount there. In Laramie County, Zwonitzer lost one vote in the SD 6 race, while Henderson gained one in the HD 41 race. As a result, the post-recount tallies now have Bouchard beating Zwonitzer by five votes, while Henderson tops Fitzgerald by two. Those results are due to be certified by canvassing boards in Laramie and Goshen counties at 10 a.m. today. Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee said the entire recount process took about two hours in Laramie County, and all four candidates were invited to observe the process an offer they all accepted. There was real integrity shown in this whole recount process, said Bouchard, who will be effectively running unopposed in the general election for SD 6. And yeah, Im pleased that were still standing at the top of the cycle here, and Im ready to go to the next process of the election. As long as theres no challengers that pop up, then Im looking forward to working for the people. Zwonitzer, who gave up his seat in House District 9 to run for the state Senate, agreed that the county clerks staff ran a very transparent process. And while he was disappointed with the final result, he doesnt intend to give up on politics. As to the future, Im still pretty excited, Zwonitzer said. My term doesnt end until the end of December, and Ive got a lot of things yet to get done. Im still fired up and wanting to do whats best for the folks here in the county, and Im keeping my options open for the future. Both Henderson and Fitzgerald noted how their HD 41 race serves to demonstrate how valuable a single vote can be. One vote truly does matter, and this race is a perfect example of that, said Fitzgerald, who nonetheless felt that voters selected an excellent candidate. Bill Henderson will be a strong advocate for the community. Henderson will go on to face Democrat Amy Simpson in the general election race for the HD 41 seat, which is being vacated by Democrat Ken Esquibel as he runs for the Senate District 4 seat instead. Im very thankful for the support and trust; its humbling to have people vote for you, and I take that very seriously, Henderson said. I sure hope this race encourages people to be aware of the value of their vote and the value of participating in the process. And the good news in our district is that there was a fairly good turnout for the primary, so I hope we can build on that for the general. Turnout for the HD 41 race was more than 70 percent for both Republicans and Democrats, and was among the better turnouts of any local legislative race. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Firefighters reported good progress Thursday in their effort to extinguish a wildfire burning on the western edge of Yellowstone National Park. The fire has burned nearly 200 acres since it started Monday about 4 miles north of West Yellowstone, Montana. About 90 firefighters, aided by air tankers and helicopters, have been working to put it out because of its proximity to West Yellowstone. It is one of five fires burning in the park. All major tourist areas remain open and unaffected. The largest fire has burned 19 square miles. Its also located on the west side of the park but in a remote location where it is being allowed to burn. Two other smaller fires are burning in remote areas of the northern part of the park and are being monitored. Fire officials were expecting cloudier conditions, higher humidity and rain across the park. Cooler temperatures and rain were expected in other parts of Wyoming where firefighters are battling wildland blazes. Officials said those conditions could limit activity on a fire burning outside of Meeteetse, but winds could also cause dead trees to fall, increasing the danger to firefighters. Crews had contained about 70 percent of that blaze. Also in western Wyoming, crews had contained about 50 percent of a fire burning in the Shoshone National Forest. The fire has charred about 3,500 acres. LARAMIE Attrition of faculty numbers is one of the strategies being considered by a committee studying ways to cut the University of Wyomings budget, a committee member said. Reducing faculty is necessary because the university has already identified big reductions in non-faculty staff positions in order to save money, said Bob Sprague, who is an associate professor of management and marketing. For every faculty member who stays, that could cost four staff positions, and, obviously, we cannot do that, and were definitely not going to do this on the backs of staff, Sprague said. Theyve already taken major hits. It will have to entail faculty. But Sprague said the UW Financial Crisis Advisory Committee does not plan on resorting to the elimination of tenured faculty positions, although it is still an option. As of 2015, about 55 percent of full-time instructional faculty are tenured, with another 24 percent on tenure track. Lecturers are the only faculty group on campus who cannot gain tenured status. The Financial Crisis Advisory Committee has been working for about two months after UW President Laurie Nichols declared a financial emergency because of cuts in state funding to the university. The committees goal is to find $15 million in revenue and cuts for the fiscal year 2018 budget. This would be on top of the about $19 million Nichols is eliminating from the fiscal year 2017 budget. Committee chairman Stephen Bieber said a majority of the savings will come from budget cuts rather than new revenue. The exact figures are yet to be determined. Bieber, who is director of the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center, said among the ideas being considered by the committee is consolidating small units with less than 10 employees. The notion there is trying to take smaller units in terms of people and consolidate them in some meaningful fashion it has to be meaningful, you dont want to put groups together because theyre small, Bieber said. But if theres some collection of them that could make sense, you can reduce the administrative cost. Nichols is expected to present a detailed plan for UW budget cuts to the Board of Trustees later this year. Editor: Congratulations to the Wyoming Republican Party for selecting Elizabeth "Liz" Cheney as our candidate for the US House of Representatives. Of course the only thing that was learned from the recent campaign was that Liz was called a "carpet-bagger." Out of nine candidates for the House, the discussion of issues facing Wyoming was negligible. The Cheney campaign ran on the basis of blaming others. We are the Republican party, the party of ingenuity and steadfastness. When did it become an acceptable action to just blame, blame, blame and not offer the substantive solutions? I can't claim to be a multi-generation Wyomingite, a prerequisite apparently for seeking any office. I am only the first generation of my family to live a life these United States. I was raised as a Republican because being a Republican meant something to a Cuban-American fleeing persecution. The Republican Party of Wyoming today is a burnt husk of what it used to be. This is a party of freedom that used to stand for something not be against everything. If you can only bring about the strength to blame, either the administration of Barack Obama or the leading candidate for Congress for having a house in Virginia you don't deserve the mantle of Republicanism. We should never be a party of wining and blaming, but a party of solutions. Wyoming is facing a bust cycle, there needs to be strength of action in finding a solution by the person who represents us.If there is to be a voice for Wyoming in Washington, it needs to be a strong voice that has solutions. We should be ready to excise this stance of blame and rise to the challenges presented by the times. Now that the primary has passed, the mantle of candidate has been given to Mrs. Cheney. As a candidate, there is the requirement of seeking to be our Representative to the Republic. Espee Brakeman Fired For Stowing Bride On An Eastbound Freight Girl Repays Trainmans Kindness by Promising to Become Wife The appeal for reinstatement of Espee Brakeman M. W. Smith, who was fired several days ago for secreting two girl hikers, Joan Duvall and Georgia Carroll, in the ice box of a refrigerator car east of Yuma, was sternly denied yesterday by hard-hearted railroad officials. Smith represented that he wished to marry one of the girls who are now in Tucson. Smith was fired several days ago because he secreted the girls in the ice box of a refrigerator car east of Yuma. The girls after many adventures arrived at Tucson yesterday and it appears that one of them promised to marry Smith in consideration of his gallant attention to them. Smith then went to the Espee officials and asked to be taken back, but this was denied. Railroad officials stated that the whole matter might be investigated more thoroughly. The Story as told in the Yuma Sun is as follows: Misses Joan Duvall and Georgia Carroll, the two girls who were in Yuma Sunday on a hike from Seattle, Washington, to Iowa, were the means of getting an S. P. brakeman in bad and making him lose his job, in the meantime going through an experience themselves which will make interesting reading matter in the story of their trip which they propose to write for a western magazine when they shall have arrived at their destination. M. W. Smith, a brakeman, let his tender mercies reach out to the hikers to the extent of providing them a birth on the soft side of a pile of lumber in a car on an east-bound freight train from Yuma Sunday upon which he was braking. Conductor H. L. Waite ascertained the girls were put not he train by Smith and ordered the brake to put them off. Smith, instead of obeying orders, transferred the wanderers from the lumber car to a refrigerator car. The conductor discovered the deception between Yuma an d Weldon, at which place he put not only the girls but Brakeman Smith off the train. The three caught the next freight train which passed Weldon, and en route were discovered by Conductor T. E. Pryor, who bounced the gang at Mohawk. Here Smith and the girls caught a third train, only to be ditched again at Sentinel. Smith, evidently thinking he had had a still enough run for his money, deserted the girls at this place and went to Tucson to cash in with the company. A woman changes a babys diaper amid a trash-strewn cell floor while being detained by the Border Patrol in Douglas. Some detainees lie on floors while sleeping mats are stacked in nearby empty cells in a Tucson facility, others wrap themselves head to toe in blankets that look like aluminum foil as they are crowded so tightly in a cell there is virtually no space to move around. Those images and a dozen others taken by Border Patrol cameras and made public Thursday morning in a federal court case show what advocates call overcrowded and filthy Tucson Sector detention centers used to house illegal immigrants. The lawsuit was filed June 8, 2015, in U.S. District Court in Tucson on behalf of three detainees, two of whom are seeking asylum, and others who were confined to cells that are kept at such low temperatures they are known as hieleras, or iceboxes. The lawsuit was filed by the Morrison and Foerster law firm, National Immigration Law Center, American Immigration Council, the ACLU Foundation of Arizona, and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. They allege more than 75 former detainees in 2014 and 2015 reported similar conditions in Tucson Sector holding cells, where Border Patrol guidelines say detainees should spend no more than 12 hours. Despite those guidelines, agency records obtained by the plaintiffs showed 80 percent of the 72,198 people detained in the Tucson Sector in the first half of 2013 were in custody for more than 24 hours. One-third were held for more than 48 hours and 11 percent for more than 72 hours. The plaintiffs claim the Border Patrol violates its own policies and the detainees constitutional rights to due process by depriving them of sleep, sanitary conditions, medical screening and care, adequate food and water, and warmth. The agency also deprives detainees of regular contact with the outside world, the lawsuit alleged. The deliberately punitive, harsh conditions and severe restrictions on outside communication also serve to facilitate the coercive practices for which the agency is notorious, the lawsuit stated. The plaintiffs asked the court to issue an injunction barring the Border Patrol from depriving detainees of their constitutional rights. They asked the court to order the agency to provide beds, hygiene products, clean water and food, avoid overcrowding cells, and provide medical care, as well as award the plaintiffs their costs. Experts and photographers were able to visit several detention centers in Arizona after hearing countless accounts of poor conditions, said Nora Preciado of the National Immigration Law Center. Previously, those accounts were dismissed as anecdotal, she said. The newly unsealed evidence allows the public to see for themselves, she said. Photos and court documents filed by the plaintiffs describe the conditions experts said they witnessed during tours of the detention facilities or saw in surveillance video. (Read the court documents online with this story.) Eldon Vail, a retired corrections administrator with 35 years of experience working in adult and juvenile facilities, said the conditions at the detention centers would be unthinkable in any other jurisdiction. The Tucson station was so cramped, some detainees lay down on concrete floors beneath toilet stalls. Others were crammed so tightly, they look like sardines in a can, he wrote. Some toilets didnt flush, while many were leaking and stained with built up grime from overuse and diapers, toilet paper and other trash were strewn around the bathroom area, Vail wrote. During his inspection of the Casa Grande station, there were only three sleeping mats in the entire facility, he wrote. At other stations, detainees slept on the concrete floor while, at the exact same moment in time in the same station, mats go unused in other unoccupied or less occupied cells. The lights in the cells are kept on day and night, and agents interrupt detainees sleep in the middle of the night to conduct cell counts or call individuals in or out of the cells. Video showed 5-gallon water coolers often placed on toilet stalls or the ground with few or no paper cups, despite cups being stored at the stations, Vail wrote. At the Casa Grande station, a 1-gallon water jug was used by a dozen detainees over the course of five days without being cleaned, he wrote. In cells with 15 or more detainees, they must share four or five paper cups or drink directly from the cooler. In terms of food, the stations served microwaveable burritos, crackers and boxes of fruit juice, Vail wrote. The stations also had baby food and formula, but nothing specifically for children or pregnant women. The food is usually served at seven- or eight-hour intervals and detainees reported agents threatening to confiscate the food to keep detainees quiet, Vail wrote. Agents removed detainees outer clothing, leaving some wearing short-sleeve shirts and having to use mylar blankets to keep warm as temperatures in the cells dropped to 58 degrees. A Mexican woman reported asking an agent to turn off the air conditioner, but the agent said, Dont ask or well turn it up, Vail wrote. Children cried from the cold, and one detainee said he understood why dogs sleep in a little ball, to keep warm but couldnt even keep warm doing that. Officials told Vail the showers were used only when a detainee showed evidence of scabies. Out of nearly 17,000 detainees held between June 2015 and September 2015, the plaintiffs review of video surveillance showed only 115 showers. The declaration on behalf of the Border Patrol by Richard Bryce, a 33-year veteran of law enforcement who has inspected more than 120 jails and prisons, painted a drastically different portrait of the detention facilities. After inspecting stations in Douglas, Nogales and Casa Grande in January, Bryce said the detention centers bore no resemblance to the facilities described by the plaintiffs. The facilities were professionally run, adequately maintained and meet their intended purpose of short-term detention during immigration processing, Bryce wrote. Mexican consular officials are regularly available to hear complaints from detainees, the food and water are clean and readily available, and agents act professionally in handling the irregular flows of detainees, Bryce wrote. Following the release of the images, the Border Patrol issued a statement saying its parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is charged with enforcing the nations laws while protecting the civil rights, civil liberties and well-being of every individual with whom we interact. The agency is committed to the safety, security and welfare of those in our custody, especially those who are most vulnerable. CBP works to ensure proper conditions and treatment of detainees in all of our holding facilities and is subject to unannounced inspections by the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General of these facilities. The detention facilities are designed to be short-term in nature to hold individuals until they can be processed and turned over to another agency or repatriated, the agency said. In March, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General announced it would inspect facilities run by CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in response to complaints. SIERRA VISTA Cochise County has confirmed three travel-related cases of the Zika virus. Health officials say the three county residents had recently returned from a trip to Puerto Rico. That's one of 38 countries subject to Zika-related travel health notices issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The three affected travelers experienced mild symptoms of illness and have since recovered. The Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of a mosquito. Cochise Health and Social Services staff routinely monitors mosquito activity from July through October. That involves trapping mosquitoes from points throughout the county and testing for a variety of mosquito-borne viruses. So far this year, mosquito trapping has yielded no positive results for any vector-borne diseases. Earlier this week, Santa Cruz County announced that a woman who traveled outside the United States to a Zika-affected area has tested positive for the virus. The diagnosis was confirmed by a private commercial laboratory and is now pending official confirmation by the Arizona Department of Health Services, said Jeff Terrell, director of Santa Cruz County Health Services, on Thursday. It would be the first Zika case in Santa Cruz County. The woman developed symptoms for the Zika virus and went to her doctor, Terrell said. Once the lab results confirmed she had the virus, it was reported to the county Health Department, he said. The woman was contacted and told to stay indoors and to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes to prevent further spread of the virus, Terrell said. Most people infected with the Zika virus do not become ill. Those who do may have symptoms that include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, more commonly called pinkeye. There are 24 confirmed travel-related Zika virus cases in Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Three of those cases were in Pima County. Santa Cruz County health services officials are working with authorities to keep an eye on mosquito breeding areas and are draining standing water. Breeding areas are also being treated with larvicide, Terrell said. Working on political campaigns has its problems strange hours, bad food, seasonal ups and downs, low pay. When low pay turned into no pay, J.P. Martin decided to make a local campaign pay. Martin filed a small-claims suit in July against Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWalls re-election campaign. He was hired as a campaign manager in November, he said, then let go in February and didnt receive $1,500 he was owed. After he filed suit, LaWall campaign manager David Smutzer cut him a check for the $1,500 and offered an additional $97 for Martins filing fees and interest on the money he was owed. Martin took the $1,500, but he decided not to accept the $97 and has won a hearing in the case for next month. His aim: To win $2,000 more from the campaign and to expose them a bit. The way I was mistreated is going to, I think, shine through in the testimony, he told me. Among other things, he said, in firing him, she didnt follow any of the protocols we established in the contract. Smutzer said the incident was just an oversight that the campaign is happy to clear up. But Martin wants to make a point about mistreatment of employees. This happens all the time, especially in political campaigns, he said. I just want this to be a little bit more exposed. Of course its easier to have an impact now, as LaWall is running a tight primary race against Democratic challenger Joel Feinman. Never Trump, always Babeu Jim Kolbe, the longtime congressman from Tucson, is presenting a puzzling contrast in his recent endorsements. Kolbe was among 10 Republican former members of Congress who signed on to a letter this week that asked the Republican National Committee to stop spending money on Donald Trumps presidential campaign. The letter cited the usual litany of offenses by Trump and said, Those recent outrages have built on his campaign of anger and exclusion, during which he has mocked and offended millions of voters, including the disabled, women, Muslims, immigrants, and minorities. On the other hand, Kolbe has endorsed Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu in his run for the Republican nomination in Congressional District 1, which includes Oro Valley, Marana and nearby areas. Babeu supports Trump and shares his nativist politics, regularly harping on the dangerous others invading the United States. As the Phoenix New Times pointed out, Kolbes approach to immigration is much more moderate, winning him an award from the Mexican government. In 2013, Kolbe testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of comprehensive immigration reform. The New Times story argues that the two are united by being gay Republicans, but you could also look at Kolbes choices as pragmatic: Some consider Trump a lost cause and want to protect Republican congressional seats, while Babeu remains a potentially strong competitor for the CD1 seat. Miller plays turnabout They say turnabout is fair play and thats what Pima County Supervisor Ally Millers employees seem to be engaging in, on the taxpayer dime. Employees of Millers office have in recent weeks apparently videotaped the Stars Murphy Woodhouse and other reporters at the Pima County Supervisors meetings. My colleague told me he knew of two times on Aug. 2, a Miller staffer pointed a camera at Woodhouse and Tucson Sentinel editor Dylan Smith as they talked. Then again on Monday, another Miller staffer appeared to videotape Woodhouse, this time as he spoke with Supervisor Ray Carroll, who is Millers longtime nemesis. Why? Miller has stopped answering my calls, but my conjecture is this: Miller and her friends in the blogosphere are continuing to build a case that the local news media have conspired with county employees and elected officials to attack her. News flash to the Miller crew: Its part of doing business as a journalist that you have frequent conversations with people you cover and your colleagues in the press. Pleasantries, stories, tips are shared. Some rise to the level of news, most dont. ACC Tumult in Tucson This week members of the Arizona Corporation Commission have been in Tucson for hearings on a proposed settlement involving Trico Electric Cooperative. I had a chance to speak with Andy Tobin, the member appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey who is up for election this year. This week, Tobin proposed stripping away some of the commissions duties. I asked whether, considering the controversy over utility politics and the recent resignation of the commissions utilities director, the office is in tumult. I believe things are in absolute turmoil, he said Wednesday before the commissions lead attorney announced her retirement. Its bigger than these utilities cases, in my view. Of course, Tobins proposal to strip away many of the commissions duties adds to the turmoil. While some aspects seem to make sense like putting railroad inspections under the Department of Transportations purview others, like removing the commissions oversight of securities, raise some concern. Among the concerns: removing these powers from the ACC puts more power in the governors office, which is quickly consolidating powers throughout state government. Not that Tobin would do anything for Duceys sake! Grijalvas nod One of those local political mysteries hangs over the Democratic primary in Legislative District 2: Why doesnt Rep. Raul Grijalva support Daniel Hernandez? Some time ago, Grijalva signaled his support for UA law student Aaron Baumann, an unknown in local politics, to represent that district. Later, his support became formal, and the Pima Area Labor Federation followed Grijalvas lead by endorsing Baumann. Why? Hernandez, best known as the intern who helped save Gabrielle Giffords life, told me doesnt know. He suspects, though, that Grijalvas indifference traces back to Hernandezs conflict with fellow Sunnyside School Board member Eva Dong. Hernandez clashed with Dong, a longtime Grijalva ally, over attempts to oust the former Sunnyside superintendent, Manuel Isquierdo. I asked Grijalva, and he didnt say that wasnt the case. But he did say: Its not a personal thing. This is a race. Baumann is a serious candidate. Its also true that Grijalva belong to the Bernie Sanders branch of the Democratic Party. Hernandez hes long stood with her Hillary Clinton. PHOENIX Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday tapped a Tucson-area school superintendent and a Paradise Valley teacher to serve on the state Board of Education. Calvin Baker, who heads the Vail Unified School District on Tucsons southeast side, will fill the slot reserved for the superintendent of a high school district. He replaces Roger Jacks of the Kingman Unified School District who was put on the board in 2012 by Ducey predecessor Jan Brewer. Janice Mak, a STEM teacher in the Paradise Valley Unified School District was named to the position that, by law, has to be filled by a public school teacher. She succeeds Amy Hamilton who had finished two terms on the board. Both appointments are subject to Senate confirmation. The move comes a day after Greg Miller resigned not only as president of the board but entirely from the 11-member panel following more than a year of public disputes with state schools chief Diane Douglas. That creates another vacancy that Ducey will have to fill with someone who is the administrator of a charter school. Dawn Wallace, the governors education adviser, said the two actions are unrelated. But Wallace told Capitol Media Services the new appointees are part of Duceys desire for fresh leadership. And she said there are important new standards being developed in the next six months. You need to have collaboration with the department (of education), you need to have people talking and being thoughtful and getting public comment, Wallace explained. She said when there is tension between the board and the department, none of that work happens. Wallace said Baker was chosen because of the record he created in Vail. His district is an A-rated district, she said. And Wallace said Baker has distinguished himself in creating the Beyond Textbooks program that creates curriculum, lesson plans and standards of what teachers should teach and students should learn. That not only helped raised performance in Vail but has gone online to where it is shared with more than 13,000 teachers in the region and 140,000 students. Wallace said Baker has excellent relationships with the traditional education community and with others outside the system because he runs a bunch of charter schools. She also said Baker is part of a task force seeking to reform the system of funding schools. Mak specializes in teaching science, technology, engineering and math, Wallace said, and was a finalist for teacher of the year. She also chairs a subcommittee working with the Department of Education to create new math standards. Wallace said Maks STEM background was a key reason the governor chose her. This is a nice segue in where we want the board to go, she said. We really want to start to emphasize these programs that are linked to student success but also to economic development, Wallace said. She said the governor knows more children need to have STEM skills because we know those are the jobs that are waiting for them. Douglas, who was informed by the governor of the new appointments, appeared pleased. I look forward to working with both of them as we consider several important policy decisions in the coming months and years, she said in a statement. The agenda for this afternoon's meeting doesn't reveal exactly what action the state's public university oversight board might take. The board will discuss problems at the medical schools in closed session, receive legal advice and might take action. The meeting comes after months of controversy surrounding the university's two colleges of medicine. UA president Ann Weaver Hart earlier this week called for an outside investigation into the use of public funds at the university's Phoenix and Tucson medical schools. That came after Regents President Eileen Klein said she's received information questioning spending and the accuracy of public records at the schools. Voters who want an early ballot mailed to their homes should contact the Pima County Recorders Office by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19. Thats the deadline to get an early ballot sent to your home for the Aug. 30 primary election. Democrats and Republicans who have signed up for the permanent early voting list automatically get the primary ballot mailed to their homes, but independents and party-not-designated voters will have to contact the Recorders Office and ask for a ballot for one of the political parties. Today is also the deadline for any registered voter not already on the permanent early voting list to request a ballot. Independents or party-not-designated voters can vote for either Republican, Democratic or Green Party in the upcoming election. Requesting an early ballot for one of those parties will not change your voter registration. Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez recommends those who want an early ballot call her office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday at 724-4330, although registered voters can also request an early ballot by going to www.recorder.pima.gov Voters have mailed more than 70,000 ballots back to the office for the primary election. Those interested in checking the status of their ballot can look on the recorders website. In-person early voting sites are open Monday through Friday. Check the recorders website for voting locations and hours of operation. Also Friday, the Pima County Elections Department will mail about 137,000 sample primary ballots to voter households that did not request an early ballot. Members of a political party will receive a sample ballot based on their party affiliations. Independents and party-not-designated voters will receive a sample ballot for each political party. Those who did not register by Aug. 1 cannot vote in the primary election, according to a news release from the Elections Department. You can check if you are registered by going to the recorders website. Help India! By Shiva Thorat, TwoCircles.net It would not be an exaggeration to say that manual scavenging remains one of the worst forms of caste atrocities in the country. For the upper castes and the middle class, such a job is an abomination to a point where let alone doing the work, they even cover their faces when people involved in manual scavenging cross their paths. The long rail tracks, the lifeline of Mumbai, are littered with human waste, and cleaning it remains a job that is almost exclusively reserved for the Dalits. Support TwoCircles For Dadarao Patekar, 43, covering his face is not an option. For the past 18 years, he has been a safai karamchari and has done a job many would never imagine doing. For commuters who use the station and often cover their faces due to the stench, it would not involve a lot of imagination to begin understanding the nature of this work. But a conversation with Patekar shows that beyond the job itself, the issues that his fellow workers face highlight how badly they have been treated all this while. Patekar is a contract safai karmachari in the Brihanmumbai Municipal (BMC) and deputy president of Kachara Vahatuk Shramik Sangh (KVSS). Dadarao Patekar Patekar is a sharp personality. He rubbishes the ideas of upward social mobility,and believes that such terms are hypocritical and fail to explain why it is almost always people from a certain community who are forced into this inhuman profession for the lack of a better choice. As he says, the truth is most of the people engaged in this profession are from the Dalit community and no amount of theories and analyses can justify practises that essentially find their origins in casteism. It does not, for example, why Patekars father had to migrate from the drought-prone area of Marathwada, or why he could never complete his education due to caste-based poverty. Patekar says, caste-based profession only can demolished when deprived class will get education. Mahatma Phule fought in his era, still it is the same. We have to fight like Mahatma Phule, to destroy the evil society of caste system. We need to organise and educate ourself. But beyond rhetoric, Patekars bigger concern is the way the contract workers are treated. There are two class of workers in BMC: permanent and temporary (contract-based). Dadarao says, it is like caste system that permanent worker gets respect and temporary worker doesnt get. Caste system makes them more Dalit than the Dalits. In fact, despite the claims that caste becomes a mere footnote in cities like Mumbai, it is impossible to not notice casteism, when one dons the glasses of contract safai karamcharis. From doctors to lawyers, everyone neglects them because they have to clean human excreta. Patekar says the struggle for their rights is a long and tough road. There is lot of ongoing rallies and assertions against this. Every month we organise two or three morchas or produce statements in front of regime to show that we are asserting more than we can, he says. Beyond the glares of the society, Patekar stresses that the fight is equally, if not more, on economic front. Contract workers are not paid allowances by the BMC, and are not even provided with basic equipment like handgloves, raincoat and shoes. Contract workers have to do all the work without any security. Recently, in an incident safai karmachari from Thane got injured and Thane Municipality did not pay any heed. To protest against this incident KVSS protested and organised symbolic mayat yatra (Death ceremony) of Thane Municipal corporation. Patekar in his life has organised more than thousand rallies. Recently, in Kurla juggis, KVSS called a meeting on a privatisation and market of education. Neeta Salve the resident of the Kurla said, I really embraced what Dadarao said because I never had this kind of knowledge of education. I assumed that education is expensive so no need to educate my child. Dadarao make me believe that there are good people who really work for the society and that education remains the strongest way to fight casteism.. Patekar said, Only through education, we can become strong so that the oppressors are scared to oppress Dalits. He also said that, no Brahmins, Maratha and Kshatriyas is safai karmachari but still they demand an end to reservation. Contract workers are in very bad situation. We did not do much in our career but I will work for future. I dont want to see my children do this work, said Patekar. Patekar goes at 8 AM on work and finishes his work by 2 PM everyday, after that he works for KVSS all the time. He wishes an end to caste system so that his coming generation will not have to do inhuman work that effect to the mental health and physical health too. In Mumbai there are 24 wards and every ward has more than1,000 safai karamcharis. To organise them it is important to talk to them personally and mobilise them. He said, BJP, RSS mixe government will run varna system and to ensure that this continues, they deny the allowances that should be paid to Safai karamcharis, he says. This fight is likely to continue and it is unlikely that Patekar will give up. That has never been his nature. Related: TCN Positive page Help India! By Bobby Naqvi The Indian Right has always used Muslims as a stepping stone to power in Delhi and elsewhere since the 1930s. Almost every organisation from RSS, BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal and even Shiv Sena has targeted Muslims, not just because they despise the community. But also because they need a punching bag, a common enemy to unify the mythical Hindu Ummah. And they have succeeded in Gujarat, MP, Rajasthan and Haryana. In Uttar Pradesh, the Right pitted Jats against Muslims and won handsomely. In Haryana too, the Jats rallied behind the BJP. In Gujarat, Modi famously demolished Congress social groupings and managed to unify Patels, Dalits, OBCs and Tribals by constantly hammering a point that the biggest existential threat Gujaratis face is from Muslims. Never mind that most people dont understand how. But it worked. Support TwoCircles So, why Muslims allow themselves to be a punching bag? The answer is complex but not beyond comprehension. The biggest drawback this community faces is its inability to assert itself by deploying democratic means protests, community sammelans, marches etc. For example, in recent months, four Muslims were attacked and killed by Gau Rakshaks and more were assaulted brutally. But Muslims failed to raise their voice. Their leaders, their mullahs couldnt offer more than a few muffled voices. In contrast, just one attack in Una has rallied tens of thousands of Dalits in Gujarat. They have launched a Padyatra which will culminate in Una on August 15th. At each stop, the Dalits are taking oath not to touch dead cows or clean trash, a mini uprising which led to resignation of a CM and forced the Prime Minister to break his silence. Secondly, the community lacks the will to organise itself and hold social gatherings. So, while you have Aggarwal Sammelans, Kshatriya Mahasabhas and Dalit Manchs, the Muslims lack a similar platform. Muslims have none. They do, however, gather for religious functions. That is where the problem lies instead of discussing social and economic issues affecting their community, they gather in Ijtimas to discuss and hear about religion, something they do on a daily basis at home, at mosques and at madrassas. Social issues then take a backseat and all the community gets is an overdose of religion. Politically too, Muslims have always played a second fiddle by rallying around parties which bank on non-Muslim social groupings. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, Muslims have supported the BSP, a party of Dalits. On other occasions, they have voted for SP, a party of Yadavs and other OBCs. Congress, meanwhile, has used and abused them since independence. Having an exclusive Muslim political platform is tricky as it will draw attacks from Right and Centre both. Fourth, the Indian establishment is sensitive to Muslim dissent and mobilisation. That is one reason why governments are reluctant to allow student elections in universities with sizeable Muslim presence. Also, there is a widespread perception in the community that police and administrations response to Muslim protests would be disproportionate. For example, many in the community cited Jat protests in Haryana, saying a Muslim demonstration of similar nature would have been disastrous with a massive loss of lives. Still, I believe, there are ways Muslims can assert their rights through democratic means. Expecting Prime Minister Modi to speak for you is idiotic, given his record and political compulsions. Here are three things Muslims can do: a) Rise, rally, speak up. If you dont, no one will. b) Not sure? Theres one more way. If you cant fight your enemy, join them. Disarm the Right by rallying around the BJP. c) Bullshit? Not good? Then be happy where you are. This was published on Bobby Naqvis Facebook on August 8 Help India! New Delhi : The Delhi High Court on Friday asked Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to gracefully vacate the government accommodation allotted to Omar in 1999 in the Lutyens Zone in New Delhi. Payal, however, urged the high court to pass an order in the case, following which Justice Indermeet Kaur said a detailed order will be issued about the time within which she and her children will have to vacate the bungalow No.7 on the Akbar Road here. Support TwoCircles The bungalow was allotted to Omar Abdullah, the Nationalist Conference leader, in 1999 when he was elected to parliament from Jammu and Kashmir and became a minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayees government at the Centre. The court was hearing Payals plea for directions that she along with her sons be either allowed to stay at 7, Akbar Road, or be allotted another suitable government accommodation where the familys 94 security personnel can effectively protect them. On August 16, a Delhi court ordered Payal to vacate the bungalow after dismissing her plea to quash the June 30 eviction notice issued by the Estate Officer of the Jammu and Kashmir government for vacating the residence. In her plea, Payal contended that the eviction notice was not sent by the Ministry of Urban Development, which had originally allotted the accommodation to her husband. She told the court that the notice issued by the Estate Officer was illegal as it was issued under a Jammu and Kashmir law not applicable in Delhi. Payal said she and her children continued to live in the Akbar Road residence when Omar was neither the Chief Minister nor a Union minister from 2002 to 2008. Omar continued as a Union minister till December 23, 2002, when he resigned. Later, he became the state Chief Minister in January 2009 and remained so till December 2014, when his party was voted out of power in the assembly elections. Help India! Patna : Infighting within Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) got worse on Friday with founder-president Upendra Kushwaha suspending a rebel MP as well as a legislator on charges of anti-party activities. Kushwaha, who is Minister of State for Human Resource Development in the central government, has suspended Arun Kumar, who represents Jahanabad constituency in Bihar in the Lok Sabha, for six years. Support TwoCircles Also stands suspended from the party for six years is Lalan Paswan, who represents Chenari constituency in the Bihar assembly. Earlier, Kushwaha had sacked Arun Kumar from the post of president of RLSP unit in Bihar and sacked five senior party functionaries close to him. On the other hand, a group of Arun Kumars supporters claimed they had sacked Kushwaha. They said Arun Kumar was elected the new party chief on Wednesday. Both Kushwaha and Arun Kumar are adamant they would not reconsider their stand against each other. Some people close to Arun Kumar also say that he might join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The RLSP is an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with three members in the Lok Sabha. Kushwaha belongs to the agrarian Koeri community an Other Backward Class (OBC) with 7 to 9 per cent of Bihars 10.5 crore population. Arun Kumar belongs to powerful landed community of Bhumihars who account for 3 to 4 per cent of the states population. Help India! By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net Srinagar: As the Kashmir unrest continues, it seems the brutalities of the Indian security forces have only worsened with time. After attacking hospitals and doctors, now an ambulance driver ferrying patients was showered with pellets by troopers of CRPF. His fault? Carrying patients. Support TwoCircles Ghulam Mohammad, the ambulance driver was ferrying patients from Kangan of Ganderbal district to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital in Srinagar. As he entered into reached Safakadal in downtown Srinagar, the CRPF troppers, in gross violation of standard operating procedure (SOP) fired pellets at the ambulance leading to grievous injuries in the right hand of the driver. Despite being shot and blood oozing from his body, he managed to drive the patients safely to the hospital with his one hand. After initial treatment in SMHS Hospital he was later referred to Bone and joint hospital Barzulla for specialized treatment. The unwarranted action of troopers have sent jitters across the whole medical community in Kashmir. The Doctors association of Kashmir (DAK) termed it as barbaric murderous attack and called for an emergency meeting of all its executive members on Friday. The future action plan on this criminal assault will be raised as the ground situation is such that shutting down the hospitals presently is not an option keeping the daily rush of injured patients to the hospitals into consideration, said Dr G M Mir, President DAK. DAK has further alleged forces unleashed a reign of terror by halting ambulances on roads and barging in hospitals. Ealier this month, an ambulance driver was beaten up by policemen in Pulwama district on Friday, August 5 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 40 days of the unrest. Meanwhile, the employees of valley s SMHS hospital came out in protest against the security forces as attacks on medical workers continue to surge in Kashmir. According to latest development, the CRPF officer of sub-inspector rank officer, PS Yadav who shot at the ambulance driver has been put under suspension. The departmental action has been initiated, but the enquiry isnt time bound enquiry as the authorities of F78 company to which the officer belonged are not in Srinagar, claimed Kashmir Life quoting PRO CRPF. On Thursday, in response to a PIL seeking a ban on the use of pellet guns in Jammu and Kashmir high court, the CRPF said that it is difficult for its troopers to follow standard operating procedure (SOP) as the situation in Kashmir and the nature of the protests according to them are grave thus claiming legitimacy over use of pellets, arbitrarily. In its affidavit submitted before the court, it said, if pellet guns were withdrawn, they would have no choice in extreme situations but to open fire with rifles, which may cause more fatalities. The affidavit also reveals that the CRPF has fired over 3,000 pellet cartridges, each containing 450 metallic which is 1.3 million, metallic balls in last one month. On a preview of what will come next Wednesday, James Carden who conducts CBS Late late Show gives a ride to the first lady on the patios of the White House. This occurs during a segment of the late show in which James Carden drives a vehicle and then picks up a celebrity for a ride with him on a tour of a world city. While on the car tour, the conductor and the celebrity chat and sing a song, often a very famous song of her/his. Many famous celebraties have taken the ride with James Carden, including Adele, Justin Bieber, Elton John, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jennifer Lopez, among many others. Carpool karaoke at the White House Whats your business here at the White house, an officer demands the conductor. Im oh, I know, Im on a tour, James answers hesitantly. Immediately, Michelle Obama enters the car, saying; HI dear, are you here for the 1:45 tour? Do you want to go for a spin? Following this, the first lady asks; Do you mind if we listen to some Music, I really get to listen to music in the car, she explains. Youll probably dont want to miss what its missing in this YouTube video; the conductor then says; When was the last time you got to do this? Ive been in a car maybe this month ago with my daughter who learned d to drive and the only time.. Its been seven and a half years. After discovering how long it took the first lady to seat in the front seat of the car, the tension lessens and James Carden and the first lady sing along to Beyonce single ladies. Celebrities singing along their own hits have become a phenomenon to watch in this brief segment of the late late show; however, when Michelle Obama announced that she will appear singing to the sound of radio music in the front seat of a passenger car, it was the ultimate confirmation of approval of what has turned into a viral sensation. Viral phenomenon The segment in which Adele took a ride in the carpool karaoke became the most viewed (90 million times) video in the history of the late show. Justin Bieber clip was viewed 70 million times and Iggy Azaleas was viewed 31 million times. There is no doubt that the casual atmosphere experienced in the carpool along with the relaxed complicity of the late late shows host situate celebrities in a favorable kind of mood that provokes positive emotional feelings I those who follow the show. Office of the Arts Receives $12,900 Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council The UNCW Office of the Arts has been awarded a $12,900 grant from the North Carolina Arts Council to support their March 2017 residency of The Nile Project. The Nile Project brings musicians from the eleven Nile countries together to compose and perform new music featuring instruments, languages and styles indigenous to the worlds longest river. UNCW is one of nine arts programs to receive this level of funding statewide. UNCW Presents will host The Nile Project for a concert and four-day residency, in conjunction with four other university presenters, as part of its 25th anniversary season. Because of the network of rivers in our state and our position on the Atlantic coast, we believe the conversations the project can create about water and sustainability are most deserving of state support, said Kristen Brogdon, UNCW Director of the Office of Arts. Artistically, its the kind of work that changes lives. The UNCW residency will open with a concert on March 25, 2017 and follow with workshops, lectures and panel discussions. Planned campus and community events include Nile Stories Workshops at the Cameron Art Museum, UNCWs Upperman African American Culture Center and Centro Hispano; a panel discussion on food sustainability in the Nile and Cape Fear regions; and a kayak trip on the Cape Fear River to discuss river stewardship. --Caroline Cropp #AA #ARTS Washington - Since the late 80's, America has had control of the internet. All internet available for all countries comes from America. However, In Octoberof this year, Obama plans to give over the internet authority to a multi-globalorganization that does not have a constitution. So what does this mean for us as Americans with freedom of speech? This News may be hard for most Americans to swallow. It is simple - freedom of speech over the internet will no longer exist. Since he has taken office, Obama has gone through with executive orders that go over the heads of Congress. Not only is that unconstitutional, but it takes away the say of the people. How many people remember ever having a say before Obama passed some order that the people do notnecessarily agree with? The transfer of the Internet According to Fox News, the order went through two years ago and Republican lawmakers are fighting it tooth and nail. The organization is a non-profitcompany called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). According to the ICANN website, ICANN is a Shared Registration System which means they will hold the data information of all the people registered on the internet. All your information would be stored overseas All the Information you put into a profile on say like Facebook or Twitter, or anywhere for that matter, would be more easilyaccessed by people all over the world. Not only would hackers have easier access, but so would terrorists. This is not a move with American Citizens interests in mind. ICANN is preparing large databases to store all the internets information. Your freedom of speech will be compromised According to Fox News, in an interview with Senator Ted Cruz, Cruz stated, "Obama is trying to give away the keys to the internet to countries that want to suppress the freedom of speech." It seems that if this goes through, they will succeed. In most countries such as Russia and China, they do not have a constitution. This means the citizens of these countriescannot say what their governments tell them not to say. These are the countries that will be running the internet. With this power, they can shut down the internet to certain regions or shut it all down. Obama is doing this in an executive order which means that congress will have no vote on it. If this is done before the next President is in office, how can they just take back control? Former president of hospital in Yunnan stands trial for corruption Updated: 2016-08-19 07:55 By Li Yingqing In Kunming And Zhang Yi In Beijing(China Daily) Wang Tianchao, former head of No 1 People's Hospital in Yunnan province. [File photo] A former president of a prominent hospital in Yunnan province stood trial on Thursday, accused of accepting 116 million yuan ($17.5 million) of bribes in property and $80,000 in cash. Wang Tianchao, 59, former head of No 1 People's Hospital in the province, was also charged with misusing his power in infrastructure construction at the hospital, procurement of medical facilities and job promotions from 2004 to 2014. The case was heard in Pu'er Intermediate People's Court heard. The trial ended on Thursday. A verdict will be announced later. Wang's case caught the public's attention as it involved major healthcare corruption. People from various sectors, including media, local legislators and local political advisers attended the trial. Wang was known as the "double hundred" hospital president because he was said to have accepted bribes in large amounts, including 100 apartments and 100 parking lots. He was placed under investigation in 2014. During the trial, he was charged with 15 counts of corruption, including accepting 100 apartments from a real estate developer in Kunhuayuan residential building in Kunming. A former nurse at the hospital, surnamed Li, said the discovery of Wang's corrupt behavior has ruined the reputation of the hospital. "How to make money for himself is at the top of Wang's mind. How can such a person be qualified to be the head of the hospital?" she said. Healthcare staff, especially doctors, wield great power not only in medical treatment but also in drug prescriptions, and collusion between drug companies and doctors in promoting drug sales remains a problem in China. The National Health and Family Planning Commission launched a crackdown on corruption in the public health sector in February last year and announced that it will look into 41 hospitals in the next three years. In a plan rolled out by the commission, each of these hospitals is required to set up a whistle-blower mailbox for clients to file complaints about the misconduct of medical staff. The commission pledged to spend at least five days to check the performance of each hospital. Liu Yong, director of the commission's division overseeing the country's hospitals, said: "The investigations will cover a wide range of issues, including the pharmaceutical business relating to hospitals, kickbacks in purchasing medicines by hospitals and misconduct in procurement." The medical performance of doctors will be a key area in the inspections, Liu said. China official stresses crackdown on economic crimes Updated: 2016-08-19 10:27 (Xinhua) A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has urged police to keep a firm hand on economic crimes, with a focus on supervision and risk prevention. Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a national meeting for public security organs on Thursday. Meng cited contract fraud, counterfeiting and copyright infringement as frequent economic crimes that police should firmly focus on, in addition to key areas such as corruption and bribery. "With the help of information technology, police departments should better adapt themselves to the big data-era to handle economic crimes," he said. Official figures released by the ministry on Thursday show that Chinese police have solved 815,000 economic crimes since 2011, recovering losses of 300 billion yuan ($45 billion). Such crimes, including bank card fraud, illegal fundraising and pyramid selling, have been found in housing, job market, environmental protection, education, elderly care, as well as food and medical care, according to the ministry. In addition, police have solved over 900 cases involving illegal banks, involving more than 1 trillion yuan, since 2011. Chinese official calls for speeding up capacity cuts Updated: 2016-08-19 19:20 (Xinhua) BEIJING - A top Chinese official on Friday called for accelerating capacity reduction work in the steel and coal industries as progress remains slow in some regions. Lian Weiliang, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, did not mention which regions were lagging at Friday's press conference. However, in an earlier internal meeting, he identified Inner Mongolia, Fujian, Guangxi, Ningxia and Xinjiang as having disappointing results. Lian described 2016 as the key period for advancing the country's capacity reduction target, which is to cut steel and coal capacity by about 10 percent in the next few years. By the end of July, China had only achieved 38 percent of its goal for coal-production cuts and 47 percent of its steel reduction target for the year. In a demonstration of government resolve on the issue, the State Council has decided to carry out a nationwide inspection of local efforts starting next week, according to Lian. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of steel and coal. The two industries have long been plagued by overcapacity and have become a major drag on China's growth in recent years. As part of efforts to slim down the two sectors, China's Ministry of Finance announced in May 100 billion yuan ($15.1 billion) in aid for steel and coal companies to resettle laid-off workers. So far, some 30.7 billion yuan had been allocated, Lian said. China unlocks potential of financial technology Updated: 2016-08-20 02:16 By HAKY MOON For China Daily(China Daily USA) A teller serves a customer at a bank in Shanghai. Efforts to reach a large population that lacks access to financial services are helping to fuel the explosive growth of fintech in China. AFP When it comes to financial technology, or fintech, China is a world leader in every aspect. The country has taken some of the largest chunks of global investment in the sector and is adopting the technology faster than anywhere else. "China is the home of fintech innovation and adoption," says James Lloyd, Asia-Pacific fintech leader with consultancy EY, during Finnovasia 2016, a fintech event held in Hong Kong in late May. "During an event in Shanghai, interestingly, a (chief financial officer) of a Chinese fintech unicorn I met said fintech is basically a Chinese phenomenon," he adds. Unicorns are very successful startup companies valued at more than $1 billion. Fintech unicorns are rare but they are showing up in China. In April, private company Ant Financial Services Group, which owns and operates the country's largest online payment platform by transaction volume, Alipay, raised a record-breaking $4.5 billion in funding. This series B round was led by China's sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corp and State-owned China Construction Bank. Companies use series B funding rounds to attract investors, bypass the development stage and expand their market reach. "If you look at China, it's streets ahead on the fintech side," says Lloyd, when compared to Europe and the US. Banking and financial services are expanding throughout China as service providers strive to reach a large population that is unbanked lacking access to financial services and provide them with savings accounts, insurance and pensions. Such efforts are helping to drive the explosive growth of fintech in the country. In contrast, the adoption of fintech in the West has not been as rapid, even though a reasonable level of product development exists and financial products are generally widely available. "While innovation and fintech is cool' in the US and Europe, it's actually hardcore in China," says Lloyd. "The unmet needs are simply great, by virtue of a banking system that is traditionally focused on corporates, by virtue of the absence of financial services that we, in Hong Kong, might take for granted." Lloyd adds that whether that relates to credit cards, investment products or savings accounts, the absence of these products is really the root of innovation in China. In the first quarter of this year, fintech companies in China attracted $2.4 billion from venture capital firms in nine deals. This accounts for 49 percent of the $4.98 billion in investment in the space recorded globally. Raymond Cheong, a partner with accounting firm KPMG China, notes the growing global and domestic interest in China's fintech ecosystem. "With innovation occurring across a number of sectors, consumers are increasingly looking to avail of technology and liquidity within the China (venture capital) community. This creates a perfect storm in terms of achieving these high levels of fintech investments," Cheong says in a note. The lack of financial infrastructure is the driving force behind fintech innovation. Large tech players focusing on financial services have taken up the majority of the market share. These include Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu, all of which are at the core of China's fintech revolution. These three companies control the largest e-commerce platforms and own major companies in the fintech wave in China. Tencent-backed WeBank, for example, is the country's first purely online bank. Despite the exciting outlook, the growth of China's fintech industry has not been smooth nor is it likely to be. The evolving regulatory environment is seen as a hurdle to some investors. In July 2015, authorities unveiled the Guidance on Promoting the Healthy Development of Internet Finance document after a series of scandals in peer-to-peer lending companies came to light. "The funding and progress in Chinese fintech has been remarkable. It is clear that there is significant future growth potential," says Zennon Kapron, cofounder and director of Shanghai-based China FinTech, a company that works with startups, financial institutions and investors. "The real question is how fast the regulators will let it grow as they seek to balance innovation and progress with potential risk, which is still very unclear." China may be leading the way in fintech innovation, but developed markets in Asia such as Singapore, South Korea and Japan are also promoting fintech, albeit for different reasons. While China has a clear need for financial services, more developed economies rely on fintech for innovation within their financial services industries. Generally, Asian companies' interest in fintech continues to be strong, with more than 30 percent of deals seeing corporate participation. It is primarily driven by banking institutions that have already made investments in the space by acquiring fintech companies, forming partnerships or setting up innovation programs. Singapore is also taking steps to ride the wave of innovation in fintech. Some of its government-backed projects are partnerships between Standard Chartered Bank and DBS using blockchain technology for financial transactions. Blockchain allows parties to carry out direct transactions without using an intermediary. Still, the fintech revolution in China is remarkable in Asia Pacific simply due to its sheer volume, size and the vast potential of the country's unbanked population. Lloyd from EY says: "Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou have about 60 million people. That's already pretty world class in terms of possibilities and potential from a domestic market perspective." These cities have a larger population than Singapore and South Korea combined and are China's rising stars in the fintech firmament. Also speaking at Finnovasia 2016, Jin Pang, chief marketing officer of the Shanghai-based fintech company Dianrong, noted the potential China can unlock because the market is still so immature. "The sort of innovation that is happening in China is much more sophisticated than the developed market and there is no border when it comes to financial innovation," Jin said. Nancy Li talks about her development into a community leader at her office. May Zhou / China Daily A successful businesswoman's life reflects how the worlds of China and the United States have been changing for the better In her capacity as board chairman of the US-China Peoples Friendship Association Houston chapter, Nancy Li has presented awards to some prominent people, from former US President George H. W. Bush to former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Houston airport system director Mario Diaz. She convinced the Association of Holocaust Organizations to hold their annual conference in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, for the first time in 2013. She encouraged the Holocaust Museum Houston to issue its annual courage award to Chinese diplomat Ho Fengshan, who helped many Jewish people escape to China during World War II. Li, a successful business woman and an activist in community affairs, was born in China in the early 1960s during the Three Years of Natural Disasters characterized by widespread famine. "We didn't have a city residency and life was hard. Since I was little, I picked coal crumbs to help the family out," said Li. In the early 1970s, a diplomat was sent to Li's village in Heilongjiang province to be reformed through labor. Li's mother, a high school graduate, was a wise woman. "She sent me to learn English from him in secret. She thought that I should have some good skills to have a better life," recalled Li. When English officially became a subject in schools across China in the late 1970s, Li was way ahead of her classmates. It helped get her into the university and she eventually earned a master's degree and joined the faculty at a university in Dalian, Liaoning province. When Westlake Chemical Corporation, a NYSE-listed company based in Houston, looked to build a chemical plant in China in the early 1990s, Li was hired to oversee the project. At the time it was the largest foreign investment project in Shandong province. The new job opened her eyes. Out of the desire for a better life and plain curiosity, Li came to the US on a student visa in 1995 and earned an MBA from Houston Baptist University. After graduating, Li went to work for a Chinese company. Soon, governmental officials from Shandong, Helongjiang and Liaoning began visiting the US. Li had built good relationships with them through work and kept in touch after coming to the US. They asked her to help them arrange meetings with local people and set up training programs. This gave birth to Li's own business - Easton Resource Development, a company providing educational services to Chinese leaders and professionals in the US and to US professionals in China. "I had dealt with many American universities and learned a lot while setting up various training programs, and gradually I was asked to provide consultation to Chinese universities," said Li. In 2007, Li was invited to deliver a commencement address at the Houston Art Institute by its president. "I was surprised," said Li. "Why me? I am just a regular business woman, not a celebrity in any sense, despite my being the vice-president of the US-China Peoples Friendship Association at that time." Li was told that her life was extraordinary, a good example of how the world was changing, and what she did was meaningful because it served the community and the two nations. "It enabled me to look at what I do from a whole new perspective, and I felt that I could do more to give back to society," said Li. After that speech, Li immediately took action. She provided funds to sponsor eight Chinese history professors to come for a week of training at the Holocaust Museum Houston. "The program focused on how to set up and manage a history museum," she said. "I also wanted the professors to learn from the Jewish people about historical research. They are very diligent and rigorous in studying and preserving their history, and I thought Chinese could certainly learn something from them, especially considering how we had suffered similarly during World War II." The visiting professors in turn gave lectures at the museum on Japanese Unit 731's chemical and biological warfare experiments in China and the Nanjing Massacre. "The audience was quite shocked by the revelations," Li said. "Our side of the story was not that well known in the outside world." Also in 2007, Li helped organize a photo exhibit to promote the China-hosted 2008 Olympic Games. Li managed to secure Shell's gallery in downtown Houston as the venue. The pictures showcased Chinese culture and achievement and the exhibition was a great success. Li began to attend the world conference of the Association of Holocaust Organizations (AHO) in 2008. She became a trustee at AHO and eventually convinced the organization to hold its annual conference in Harbin in 2013. It was the first time the AHO held a conference anywhere in Asia. Museum curators and historians from around the world attended. They also visited Harbin's 731 Unity Harbin Museum and learned much about WWII history in China. "A lot of them were shocked to see that the experiments conducted by the Japanese on Chinese were the same as what the Germans did to Jewish people," said Li. Li joined the American Leadership Forum in 2010 and did an 18-month leadership training course. "This was an experience I am very proud of. It helped me to better understand myself and how to be a better leader," said Li. Many Texas leaders, including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, have done the same training. She was invited to observe the military parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of victory over fascism in Beijing last fall. There she helped form and became vice-chairperson of the International WWII Museum Association. Li recently got involved in raising funds for the Museum of Fine Art Houston's upcoming exhibit Emperors' Treasure, which showcases items from the National Palace Museum in Taipei. So far, more than $85,000 has been raised, including a personal donation from Li herself. Li's contribution got more recognition - she was recently named one of the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston in 2016 by d-mars.com Business Journal. mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com Nigeria warns against illegal migration to Europe Updated: 2016-08-19 10:15 (Xinhua) LAGOS - The Nigerian government on Thursday warned citizens of the country against illegal migration to Europe. Minister of Labor and Employment, Chris Ngige, gave the warning in Abuja, the country's capital city during the Unveiling Ceremony of the National Policy on Labor Migration. The policy was developed with the technical and financial support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). Ngige said there were recent reports published both locally and internationally about Nigerian citizens who lost their lives while attempting to cross into Europe through the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert. He said as a country of origin and destination, Nigeria has derived signification benefits from migrant worker's remittances. And the government had attached much importance to the Labor Migration Policy. He said the risk associated with irregular migration and its impact on the country's human resources and national development necessitated the development of the coherent policy on Labor migration. Earlier, Enira Krdzalic, Chief Mission, IOM, said significant efforts were needed to operationalize the policy plan and turn it into tangible results. Krdzalic said the IOM, within the framework of European Union and IOM Development Fund projects, has supported the Nigerian Government to develop initiatives to effectively manage migration in efficient and coherent manner. British politician calls for ban of Coca Cola's Christmas truck from city for obesity concerns Updated: 2016-08-19 11:35 (Xinhua) Coca-Cola Christmas Truck visits Bull Ring Shopping Center on December 3, 2013 in Birmingham, England. [Photo/VCG] LIVERPOOL, Britain - For thousands of kids, it's the next best thing to watch Santa Claus arriving on his sleigh at Christmas time. The famous magical Coca Cola Christmas truck attracts armies of youngsters as it pulls up in shopping centers across Britain in the days before December 25. One leading politician on Thursday called for the ban of the bright-red highly illuminated Coca Cola truck from his city as part of the battle against obesity. Councillor Richard Kemp, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Liverpool City Council, has called on the city's main shopping mall owners at Liverpool One to ban the truck from the city. Kemp made his call on the day when the national government produced what critics have called a lukewarm and limited "Childhood Obesity Strategy." He said: "In Liverpool, sugar is the new tobacco. At 11 years of age, 30 percent of the children in our city are obese, one in 10 of those are clinically obese." "Almost all of them will become obese adults with a cost to the NHS of 5.1 billion pounds a year (6.72 billion US dollars). This takes no account of the personal misery of the conditions which have to be treated; the shortened lives that many of them will have and the cost to businesses they work for because of sick leave." "The causes are many and the actions needed to deal with them are even more varied. There is one thing on which everyone agrees. Too many children are drinking too many fizzy, sugary drinks. That is why last year in the run-up to Christmas, I was appalled to see a big promotion by Coca-Cola when its red van visited Liverpool as part of its advertising campaign tour around the country." "To my mind this glorifies the sale of something which is often consumed in vast quantities with people having little knowledge of just how dangerous the sugar content can be to the long-term health of them and their children." Moscow-Ankara rapprochement 'a strong signal to the West' Updated: 2016-08-19 15:16 (Sputnik) Radio Sputnik discussed Russian-Turkish relations and the recent meeting between the leaders of the two countries with political expert Aydin Sezer and Turkish politician Nejat Kocer. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to restore economic relations between the two countries. The statement came after the two leaders met in Saint-Petersburg on August 9. Although he believes that the thaw in Moscow-Ankara relations won't significantly affect Turkey's policy toward the US and the EU, he is confident that Ankara will change its strategy in the Syrian crisis. Relations between the two countries worsened drastically after Ankara shot down a Russian jet, which was on anti-terrorism mission in Syria. In June, President Erdogan sent a letter apologizing for the downing of the jet and expressed his condolences to the relatives of a pilot, who was killed by rebels after ejecting from his plane. Prior to his visit to Russia, President Erdogan called President Putin his friend and noted that he wanted to open a new page in relations with Moscow. After the failed coup attempt in Turkey, Vladimir Putin expressed support for the Turkish leader and condemned the unlawful actions of the military. After Tuesday's meeting President Putin promised to lift sanctions against Ankara step by step. Both leaders announced the restart of two major energy projects the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and the construction of Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey. Email scandal reveals institutional corruption in US Updated: 2016-08-19 16:11 By Dong ShaoPeng(People.cn) Democratic US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton acknowledges supporters during a campaign rally, where she received the endorsement of US President Barack Obama (R), in Charlotte, North Carolina, US, July 5, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] The US democracy is always talked about by some American politicians as a model for other countries. However, a recent email scandal over Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton may turn upside down some people's view of its so-called democracy. The emails leaked by WikiLeaks showed Democratic Party leaders had sought to undermine the campaign of Clinton's rival Bernie Sanders, including questioning Sanders' religious belief and organizing news media to defame the Sanders campaign. In the eyes of many people, the US presidential election is exactly what a standard democracy should be: one man, one vote. Two candidates from two different parties join in a race every four years to face the choice of the voters. The winner's party stays in power, but under the supervision of the loser's party. The rotation of the parties and the separation of powers would restrain corruption in the best. However, it's proven that the this is nothing but a mirage. It can't be denied that the US political system, as wished by its designers in the first place, did play a positive role in the history in improving the county's political and economic development. But a sense of superiority was bred among some US political elites after the collapse of the former Soviet Union that the US is entitled to teach a lesson to other countries. And their sense of superiority got increasingly stronger with the use of force. The bloated political arrogance would inevitably lead to political corruption and all the scandals in the US elections are spills naturally out of political corruption. The scandal revealed by the email leaks told us that the Hillary's team spared no effort in helping her grab bigger power and what they did under the table was contrary to what they promised to the people on the table. Some people tried to defend Hillary, saying many accusations were based upon misinterpretations of the leaked emails and even rumors. But the resignation of Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz means any further explanation are futileness. The email scandal broke out in July 22, but the major media outlets in the US chose to downplay the event weeks later. Hillary, Sanders and the DNC also made an uttermost effort to display solidarity for the presidential election. We have to call it an institutional political corruption since the major media outlets and political elites in the US all chose to ignore such acts that seriously undermined rule of law, 'House of Cards' was not even averted within the Democratic Party, not to the mention the so-called fair competition between the Democrats and the Republicans. The US democracy and its presidential election have already descended into formalism. The nature of the email scandal is institutional corruption. The US democracy did stem corruption in general legal terms, but it firmly upholds the control of wealth and power by a few elites. The email scandal tells that it was not democracy shared by the people, but money politics and corruption league that US laws really guard. The author is deputy editor-in-chief of Securities Daily Obama to attend G20 summit Updated: 2016-08-19 23:36 By Wang Linyan and Xinhua in New York(China Daily USA) Leaders of the US and Canada will participate in the G20 to be hosted by China for the first time in early September. US President Barack Obama will travel to China to attend the G20 and Laos from Sept 2-9, the White House announced on Thursday. In China, Obama will participate in his final G20 Leaders' Summit, where he will emphasize the need to continue building on the progress made since 2009 in advancing strong, sustainable and balanced global economic growth. He will underscore the importance of G20 cooperation in promoting a level-playing field and broad-based economic opportunity. Obama will also conduct in-depth meetings with President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou, eastern China's Zhejiang province, where the G20 will be held. The two leaders will discuss a wide-range of global, regional and bilateral issues, according to the White House. This trip will highlight Obama's ongoing commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation as well as the US rebalance to Asia and the Pacific, said the White House. This is the president's 11th trip to Asia since taking office in 2009. Obama will be the first US president to visit Laos, where he will participate in the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday that he will travel to China for an official visit from Aug 30 to Sept 6 at the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang. During the official visit, Trudeau will also participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit on Sept 4 and 5 in Hangzhou. At the Hangzhou Summit, G20 leaders will consider measures to lift global economic growth and investment, create jobs, strengthen the middle class, reinforce the resilience of the global financial system and increase trade and investment. Canada welcomes the agenda brought forward by China as this year's G20 host, which encourages members to work together towards an innovative, interconnected and inclusive world economy. "Canada firmly believes in the work of the G20 and its ability to promote strong, sustainable, and inclusive global growth and prosperity," Trudeau said. "We place great importance on working with our G20 partners to help address some of the world's most pressing challenges, like climate change, migration and sustainable development." This official visit, which includes stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hong Kong, will provide an opportunity for the Prime Minister to connect with Chinese leaders in government, business and the public. "Strengthening our relationship with China is essential to growing our middle class, and creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses," Trudeau said. "On this trip, I will strive for a closer, more balanced relationship between Canada and China." Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on US-China Relations, said in an interview with Xinhua that as the host G20, China has the opportunity to set the tone and agenda for the meeting and help all participants reach important consensus. It is "very much up to China" whether the G20 Summit can produce some really encouraging outcome, said Orlins. "I think China is going to need to lead. I think China in a lot of ways can lead," he said. "I think China being the host of the G20 is very much kind of a statement that China is now one of the most important economies in the world, and it is terrific that it is being able to do it," said Orlins. Orlins said that he believes the world needs to seek new growth engines from innovation and clean industries. "We need to see more innovation that can be shared globally, and we need to see more movement towards industries which emit less carbon. I hope that's what comes out of the G20," he said. "With China as the host, it has the opportunity to set the tone and the agenda." Orlins said the G20 summit could help deepen mutual understanding between China and the US and boost bilateral ties. Xinhua contributed to this story. Downsizing at the 'World's Factory' Updated: 2016-08-19 10:06 By Paul Welitzkin in New York(China Daily USA) The US presidential election has put a renewed focus on the loss of American factory jobs to manufacturers abroad, with both candidates pointing to China as a main villain. But China itself is losing jobs, reports Paul Welitzkin in New York. For Donald Trump, China has been a focus of his criticism since the Republican primaries and now as the party's presidential nominee, saying repeatedly: "They're stealing our jobs; they're beating us in everything; they're winning, we're losing." And Democratic challenger Hilary Clinton has said that the US has to "stand up" to China and make it stop unfair trade practices that hurt American businesses and kill US jobs. Since the 1990s, China has been the symbol of a job-creating juggernaut - the "world's factory". Manufacturers from the US and other Western countries poured into the country to take advantage of low wages and other costs, leaving behind millions of jobless. Now, it's a changing story. China is posting its weakest growth in 25 years. Manufacturing advantages China once enjoyed have dwindled. The push to revamp China's economy, the reform of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) and competition from other low-cost nations have combined to drive up unemployment in parts of the mainland. According to Quanton Data, which tracks global job postings by industry, open manufacturing positions in China have been declining consistently since 2012, down nearly six per cent in that time. Historically low wages have risen as China seeks to grow its middle class, making nearby neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam more attractive labor markets. Other manufacturing costs such as transporting goods to the US have increased to the point where some US manufacturers are finding it advantageous to "reshore" operations back to America. "These are the things that happen when economies reshape themselves," said Thomas Rawksi, a professor of economics at the University of Pittsburgh, who has written extensively on the economy of China. Cheap labor has been a key component of China's economic success in the last 25 years. After the introduction of reforms in the 1980s that opened up China to foreign businesses, manufacturing took off as Chinese workers were plentiful and their But that cost advantage is shrinking. Monthly pay for China's factory workers now averages $424, 29 percent more than just three years ago, the Japan External Trade Organization estimated, according to a recent New York Times article. Factory workers in Vietnam earn less than half the salary of a Chinese worker, while those in Bangladesh get paid less than a quarter as much. US companies were among the first to open up shop in the mainland and employ thousands to make products that used to be manufactured in America. The Economic Policy Institute said the US lost about 3.2 million jobs to China between 2001 and 2013, with three-fourths of those jobs in manufacturing. That off-shoring wave is beginning to change, according to the Reshoring Initiative, a nonprofit trade organization dedicated to revitalizing manufacturing in the US. The organization's 2015 Reshoring Report contains data on US reshoring and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by companies that have returned or added new US production from offshore. The report includes cumulative data from 2007 through 2015, as well as detailed data for 2015. More jobs The combined reshoring and FDI trends in 2015 resulted in the addition of 67,000 jobs in the US, bringing the total number of manufacturing jobs from offshore to more than 249,000 since a manufacturing employment low in February 2010. Harry Moser, president of the Reshoring Initiative, told the New Yorker earlier this year that since 2007 the annual increase in the number of companies' offshoring has dropped from 6 percent to 2.5 percent. Moser said that for the past couple of years, for every new job offered by US companies overseas, an equal number of positions have been reshored. Rising costs have also forced even Chinese-based manufacturers to reassess their operations, according to Rawksi, who regularly visited China throughout 1970s and 1980s. He said some Chinese manufacturers are considering their options to stay competitive. "Some have considered moving plants offshore and to western China. The wages are lower in Vietnam and Bangladesh," he said. Western China is becoming attractive for companies located in coastal areas because it enables manufacturers to address supply-chain concerns. "That is why some opt for western China because they can still get critical components in 24-36 hours," Rawski said. "It's what is holding many firms in place." Structural changes in China's economy are also driving employment shifts in the country, according to Li Wei, a professor of economics at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) in China. There is a downturn in the steel and cement industries in part because the "housing market in China won't grow as rapidly as it has in the past," Wei said. China has also been on a mission to reform many of its SOEs. In July, President Xi Jinping asked for efforts to deepen the reform of State-owned enterprises. He said SOEs are an important force for national development and guarding people's interests, but also called for ways to enhance their vitality, competitiveness and resistance to risk. The government has identified SOE reform as an essential step in the structural transformation of China's economy. Over the last three decades, SOEs have underpinned China's emergence as a global manufacturing powerhouse and also dominate key strategic sectors. However, the traditional single-sided markets are now being disrupted by new technology and private companies, which have underlined the weaknesses of SOEs, such as inefficiency and high operational costs. China's steel and coal-mining sectors are prime candidates for this reform. In February, the Chinese government said it was planning to shed 1.8 million coal and steel jobs to reduce excess capacity. Some 1.3 million jobs will be lost in the coal sector, and 500,000 in the steel industry. It's important to keep the job losses in perspective since China's labor market totals 600-700 million workers according to Rawksi. Helping the unemployed To ease the impact of the cuts, the government has earmarked $15.3 billion over the next two years for unemployment relief, offering training and job placement services. "Labor productivity is decreasing in China's iron and steel enterprises, and State-owned enterprises are facing even lower labor efficiency than private ones as they are bearing more social burdens," Li Xinchuang, secretary general of the China Iron and Steel Association wrote in an email. The northeast region of the country - including Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Jilin provinces which used to be the country's industrial powerhouse - have been suffering amid this transformation. A restructuring plan announced earlier this year that will combine two major steel companies could be a symbol of SOE reform in China. The planned merger of Wuhan Iron and Steel and Baosteel when completed will create the largest steel producer in China with annual output reaching at least 60 million tons a year. Wuhan and Baosteel haven't released details on their combination, including potential job losses. The merger plan was announced as China's steel industry has suffered heavy losses due to overcapacity and sagging global demand. In 2015, more than half of China's steel companies reported losses totaling $9.78 billion, the China Iron and Steel Association estimated. The steel sector was once a profit engine for China's economy as the infrastructure investment boom bolstered demand for commodities such as steel and cement. As the economy has cooled, the production glut has been exacerbated. China now aims for gross domestic product growth of about 6.5 percent a year, down from the double-digit gains of just a few years ago. China will not experience an upsurge in layoffs in the drive to revitalize inefficient and overstaffed State-owned enterprises, Xiao Yaqing, head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, said earlier this year. "Protecting the interests of SOE employees will be a major task in the next step," said Xiao. The reform will mainly be pushed forward through mergers and acquisitions instead of bankruptcies, he added. "The government will need to be aggressive in finding jobs for displaced workers," said CKGSB's Wei. "The government can't guarantee that everyone has a job, but it can guarantee that people won't starve." "The problem is that people who were coal miners and steel workers are not well suited to pick up jobs in the new economy," said Rawksi. Maintaining stability Li said the Chinese government is responding to the challenges of this labor shift. "(The) government has been gradually introducing policies to maintain the stability of the society, to create new employment opportunities and to make sure the laid-off workers can steadily transfer between (being) laid-off and re-employment," he said. Rawski believes the service sector will create many new jobs to replace the ones that are lost. "There will be some structural unemployment where you have people in one sector struggling to find a job while other industries struggle to fill openings with qualified personnel," he said. "China is advocating and encouraging scientific and technology oriented new enterprises to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship. As iron and steel enterprises are now facing the challenges of excess capacity and significantly decreasing profits, they need to create opportunities to transition toward (the) service industry," said Li. Contact the writer at paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com Trump says campaign chairman Manafort resigns Updated: 2016-08-20 00:09 (Agencies) Paul Manafort of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's staff listens during a round table discussion on security at Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York, US, August 17, 2016. Picture taken August 17, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] Paul Manafort resigned as chairman of Donald Trump's US presidential campaign on Friday, Trump said, days after the Republican candidate effectively demoted him in a leadership shakeup aimed at boosting his struggling White House bid. Trump said in a statement he had accepted Manafort's resignation, but did not offer an explanation for the departure. Campaign sources said that Trump had been unhappy with Manafort for a variety of reasons. Manafort had presided over a period in which Trump had fallen behind in opinion poll numbers in the race against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for the Nov. 8 election. On Wednesday, Trump overhauled his campaign team, hiring the head of a conservative news website to bolster his combative image and try to reverse poor opinion poll numbers. That move, his second staff revamp in less than two months, essentially served as a demotion for Manafort, who had been brought in to try to bring a more professional touch but struggled to rein in Trump's freewheeling ways. "This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign," Trump said in a statement on Friday. "I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success," Trump said. In recent days, Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had been searching for someone to join the campaign whom both he and Trump could agree was trustworthy, according to a campaign source. Both, the source said, had grown uncomfortable with Manafort. Manafort had been brought in initially at Kushner's urging, the source said. Trump also was not pleased with ongoing revelations about Manafort's past lobbying for the formerly pro-Russian government in Ukraine, said a source familiar with the situation. Manafort has come under scrutiny in recent days over his alleged ties with pro-Russian political groups in Ukraine. Earlier on Friday, a Ukrainian lawmaker offered more details of what he said were payments made to Manafort by the political party of the Kremlin-backed former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich. Manafort, in a statement earlier this week, has denied any wrongdoing. The allegations were first made in The New York Times on Monday. If you live someplace where the sky was clear last night, you may have seen August's full moon glowing huge and luminous. On the Jewish calendar, that was the full moon of the lunar month of Av. Today is Tu B'Av (the 15th of Av -- Hebrew numbers double as letters, so the number becomes the word Tu.) Just a few days ago we marked Tisha b'Av, the most grief-drenched day on the Jewish calendar, anniversary of the destruction of both Temples, anniversary of so many great shatterings in our people's history. That's the psycho-spiritual low point of the year. Immediately after that, the emotional tenor of our calendar starts looking up as we approach the Days of Awe. Today -- the full moon following Tisha b'Av -- is supposed to be a day of joy. Today is the anniversary of the day when our mythic ancestors, condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years because their lack of trust meant that they couldn't enter the land of promise, discovered that their years of alienation from God were over. There's a beautiful story about digging graves every year on Tisha b'Av and sleeping in them, and each year waking to discover that more of their number had died. This went on until the 40 years of wandering were complete, whereupon they woke and everyone was still alive. By the 15th of the month they realized that that chapter of their journey was over, and in wonderment they clambered out of their graves into renewed life. (See Tu b'Av, the end of being "grounded," and accessing God's love, 2013.) Another tradition sees Tu b'Av as a kind of Jewish Valentine's Day. Talmud teaches that in antiquity this is when the unmarried women would put on white dresses and go dance in the vineyards, and by the end of the night they would have found husbands. I'm struggling with that one this year. The flowering of new romance is hopeful and sweet... and it's hard to face that sweetness as I continue to navigate the aftermath of the disintegration of my own marriage. I'm keenly aware that the hopes implicit in the image of white dresses and new love don't always endure. That on the far side of that story there may be the disentangling of two lives, and with that disentangling may be profound grief. For those who are in that chapter of a life's journey, Tu b'Av may hurt. The challenge is harnessing the emotional uplift of Tu b'Av to help us climb out of our emotional low places even if there is no white dress in the vineyards, no simple happily-ever-after. On this day long ago our ancestors rejoiced that their years of deep alienation from God were over -- and then their story continued, with new challenges to face and new lessons to learn. We always have new challenges to face and new lessons to learn. The work of authentic spiritual life is facing that truth not with dismay but with readiness. Whatever comes, we can find blessings in it, if we take the leap of faith of climbing out of our mourning. We can find blessings in whatever the next chapter of our story may be, even if we are not yet ready to dance. Image source: full moon and heart nebula. Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. The nations rancorous debate over immigration policy has greatly diminished the chances of citizenship for a small group of people who have done a great service to the United States and are as deserving as anyone to make it their new home. They are the Afghan interpreters who, at considerable risk to their lives and families, worked for the American government during the war and who remain in mortal danger. In recent years, a few thousand of these interpreters have enjoyed access under the program for Afghan linguists. That program is by lawmakers with hard-line views on immigration who have questioned its necessity, raised alarm over its costs and threatened to end it. Doing so would be reckless and morally reprehensible. While the future of American immigration policy will continue to be a fraught political issue, the fate of this tiny segment of aspiring Americans should not. As things stand, there are roughly 12,600 applicants with pending petitions and only about 2,500 visas the State Department is authorized to issue. That means that about 10,100 Afghans, who had every reason to believe their service to the United States would be rewarded with a safe haven, may be left behind. The State Department and other government agencies involved in vetting applications administered the program poorly for years after it was established in 2009. Many applicants waited for several years to learn whether their cases were approved. Other applicants were rejected without being told why. Over the past couple of years, responding to an outcry from veterans and members of Congress, officials have begun to process cases more quickly. But the department expects to run out of visas to issue early next year. While the resettlement initiative was long politically uncontroversial, a handful of Republican lawmakers including Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Jeff Sessions of Alabama appeared intent on shutting it down this year. Their opposition coincides with a political season in which some Republicans, most prominently Donald Trump, the partys presidential nominee, have branded Muslim immigrants as inherently dangerous. Gen. John Nicholson, the top American general in Afghanistan, where thousands of United States troops continue to serve, warned earlier this year that scrapping the program while endangered interpreters wait for their cases to be completed could have grave consequences for these individuals and bolster the propaganda of our enemies. Failing to keep our promise to Afghans who risked life and limb in the battlefield would add a shameful chapter to the mixed legacy of Americas longest war. - Read More at the NYT Vietnamese firms have failed to fully exploit the promising Middle Eastern and African markets, despite encouraging export turnovers they have earned from these countries in recent years, a seminar heard in Ha Noi yesterday. Photo thoibaonganhang.vn HA NOI Vietnamese firms have failed to fully exploit the promising Middle Eastern and African markets, despite encouraging export turnovers they have earned from these countries in recent years, a seminar heard in Ha Noi yesterday. Countries in these regions had high import demand for food, agricultural, seafood and consumer products that Vietnamese enterprises were capable of providing, said Ngo Khai Hoan, deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Africa, West and South Asia Markets Department. As well as these reviewed items, the Middle Eastern nations alone had rising demand for construction materials, electronic cables, home decor, milk and milk products as well as office machinery and equipment. Also goods that would be to Viet Nams advantage, Hoan said. In order to foster exports to these lucrative markets, domestic enterprises had to revise their business strategies with focus on improving their distribution channels while developing new ones, said Le Thai Hoa, deputy head of the department. They should be also proactive in participating in trade promotion and fact-finding trips along with trade fairs and exhibitions held in these countries in a move to better study the tastes of consumers there. Vietnamese businesses also needed to improve their understanding about these countries cultures so that they could provide suitable products, Hoa said, calling for closer links between exporters. That could help enhance their competitiveness in overseas markets. Meanwhile, Nguyen Lien Phuong, director of the Viet Nam Institute for Businessmen encouraged the firms to pay attention to supervising the quality of their products and registering their trademarks not only in domestic markets but also international ones. Once local firms drew up long-term strategies which included developing export products and protecting their trademarks beside their close co-operation with relevant authorities, they could effectively tap into the African and Middle Eastern markets. Viet Nam has to date established trade relations with 70 countries in African and Middle Eastern blocs. Two-way trade between Viet Nam and these nations had increased eight times over past 10 years. VNS HA NOI Storm Dinamu swept through the northern port city of Hai Phong to the northern Ninh Binh Province after making landfall in the mainland yesterday, bring in heavy rains to the northern and northern central regions, the National Hydrometeorological Forecast Centre said. The storm, the third of its kind to hit Viet Nam so far this year, was 20.7 degrees north and 106.4 degrees east at 2pm yesterday in the area of Hai Phong city and Thai Binh province, hitting localities with maximum wind speeds of 90km per hour, the centre said. Localities yesterday experienced downpours with rainfall of up to 300mm and 500mm in some areas, while mountainous localities expected flash floods and landslides. Flash floods and landslides are warned for northern mountainous provinces Lai Chau, ien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Lang Son and Quang Ninh while flooding is likely to occur in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh. The storm is forecast to continue causing heavy rains through today in the northern and northern central regions. Total rainfall is predicted to reach 200mm-300mm and 400mm in some areas, according to Tran Quang Tien, Deputy Director of the National Hydro-meteorological Forecast Centre who met with ministries and agencies yesterday. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, who heads the National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention, asked local authorities and rescue forces to be ready with personnel and equipment to carry out rescues. Localities should also relocate all people in high-risks areas to safer places as soon as possible, he said. The Ministry of National Defence mobilised more than 183,000 people, 207 vessels and four helicopters to be ready to join storm prevention and control and rescue tasks. Government leaders yesterday scrutinised preparations for storm Dianmu in some localities. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue toured Quang Ninh province to inspect the Ha Nam sea dyke which is 36.7 km long and crucial to more than 60,000 locals in eight island communes. More than 400 officials and soldiers from special operation forces, the navy, and infantry forces were dispatched to reinforce the dyke as well as direct hundreds of fishing boats on the Rut River to shelters. The province should ask the centrally-run ministries and sectors for about VN200 billion (US$9 million) to build the remaining 12km part of the Ha Nam dyke, he said. The same day, Deputy PM Vu uc am inspected preparations for the storm in the north central province of Thanh Hoa. He asked the locality to keep a close watch on the storm and inform locals of preventive measures being taken, particularly moving people from flash flood and landslide prone areas and enforcing a ban on boats and ships from sailing. Initial damage Ha Noi experienced heavy rains of more than 100mm yesterday due to the storm with many streets flooded, including Ngoc Hoi, Phung Khoang, Giai Phong. Traffic congestion was reported in many areas. The Ha Noi Water Sewage and Drainage Company mobilised 2,000 workers to be on duty in flood-prone areas to control the flooding by using pumps to force the flow of water. Local authorities reported that the storm injured at least three people in the capital, unroofed 11 houses and damaged other properties. About 100 trees fell during the storm. After hitting the northern province of Quang Ninh yesterday, the storm destroyed 11 houses and unroofed six others. It caused landslides in nearly 200m of canals and submerged more than 50ha of rice and other crops while thousands of trees fell down. The local authorities had relocated nearly 2,000 households with more than 4,700 people to safer areas before the storm arrived. The storm also caused landslides at dyke systems in many areas in northern Hai Duong province. In the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, heavy rains and floods from Thursday killed a 48-year-old man in Sop Cop district. The province also reported many areas were blocked to traffic for hours due to landslides. The national carrier Vietnam Airlines yesterday cancelled a series of domestic flights on routes to northern and northern central regions due to the storm. Storm weakens into tropical low pressure The meteorological centre said after hitting the mainland, the storm was expected to keep moving west at a speed of 15km to 20km per hour and then weaken into a tropical low pressure area in the next 12 to 24 hours. By 1am today, Dianmu will abate into a tropical depression at 21.1 degrees north latitude and 104.3 degrees east longitude, in northwestern provinces. Wind speeds of the depression will be about 40-50km per hour. In the following 12-24 hours, the depression will move westwards at 15-20km per hour and ease into a low pressure area when it reaches the north of neighbouring Laos. VNS HA NOI The Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has launched a campaign aimed at promoting tourism. The campaign takes advantage of the popularity amongst Vietnamese of taking selfies. Instead of using their own camera, people can stop by a government placed camera on a podium on Thanh Nien Road, Ha Noi and take a selfie with a backdrop of West Lake. The camera will be placed there until September 4. Organised by the VNAT and VNTRIP Company, the campaign will run through next year at iconic places in localities such as West Lake in Ha Noi, Nguyen Hue Street in HCM City and My Khe beach in a Nang. The project is expected to inspire domestic and foreign tourists, as well as use the strength of the community and social networking to introduce outstanding national destinations, thus increasing the identification of Viet Nams tourism trademark, drawing more domestic and international visitors and boosting the tourism industry. More information can be found at https://www.vntrip.vn/super-selfie or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/superselfie2016. VNS HA NOI More than 200 photos, documents and objects, many of them featuring the period when Vietnamese revolutionary leader Nguyen Ai Quoc, later President Ho Chi Minh, worked in France (1911-41) are on display in downtown Ha Noi. Entitled President Ho Chi Minh and France-Viet Nam Friendship, the exhibition focuses on four topics: the president in the early days, searching for a way to liberate the Vietnamese people from colonialists and fighting for equal relationship between France and Viet Nam; President Ho Chi Minh on his first official visit to France as the leader of the Viet Nam Democratic Republic in 1946; President Ho Chi Minhs efforts to strengthen ties between the two peoples; and developing President Ho Chi Minhs ideology on the relationship [between the two countries] in modern times. Among the objects on display, a camera with which photos of President Ho Chi Minhs funeral were taken and a letter written by President Ho Chi Minh to the leader of the French Womens Union on September 22, 1946, are the most valuable ones. In the above-mentioned letter, President Ho asked the French government to agree to the independence of Viet Nam. During his entire life spent on working for the nations independence, Ho Chi Minh lived, worked and studied in many countries all over the world, Nguyen Thuy uc, acting director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, that is hosting the exhibition, said. France is where he stayed the longest and where he left behind various historical traces. Its our generations duty to develop the relationship and co-operation with the French people that President Ho laid the foundation of, she said. Over time, Viet Nam and France have become special partners. France has become a leading developed nation in Europe and Viet Nam is among the most energetic developing countries in Asia. The exhibition, which aims to celebrate the 70th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minhs first official visit to France (1946) and the 71st anniversary of the August Revolution (1945), will run at the Ho Chi Minh Museum till December this year. The museum is located at 19 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba inh District. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese junior contestants have just won several prizes at the Lansum International Music Festival and the Los Angeles Young Musicians International Competition in the United States. At the annual Lansum International Music Festival, Vietnamese contestants won 22 prizes, including six first prizes won by Tran Minh Chau (in the 12 year-old group), who won three first prizes; Truong Thi Ngan Ha (13), who won two first prizes and Phan Thien Bach Anh (13), who won one first prize. The team won seven second, five third and four encouragement prizes at the same contest. This festival was first organised last year. This year, 100 contestants from the United States, China and Viet Nam participated. At the Young Musicians International Competition, the fifth of its kind, 106 contestants from the United States, China, Canada and Russia, besides Belarus, France and Viet Nam competed in six categories for children between the ages of seven and 18. Phan Thien Bach Anh (13 years old) won a third prize, while Truong Thi Ngan Ha (13) and Tran Minh Chau (12) won two encouragement prizes. Viet Nam had sent contestants to the two contests for the first time. The Vietnamese team had seven contestants between the ages of nine and 18, all students at the Viet Nam Music Academy. VNS Last week, Viet Nam News asked its readers for their thoughts on Ha Nois plan to relax the ban on businesses, especially late-night bars and pubs, allowing them to stay open after midnight. Here are some of their comments: Oscar Montes, American , Ha Noi Im happy with the lifting of the ban and Im happy the "If you dont like, then leave" attitude from many Vietnamese people isnt working anymore. As far as I know, tourist numbers have been modest recently and visitors arent interested in coming back or recommending Viet Nam as a place to visit. I believe that lifting the curfew will accommodate more tourists and expats in Ha Noi. I have lived in Ha Noi for two years and sometimes find it a bit annoying as the options for socialising are limited because of the curfew. Eugene Pidlisnyi, Ukrainian, Ha Noi Lifting the curfew or not doesnt matter to me as I prefer to sleep at night rather than going to parties. Previously, I lived on Nguyen Thiep Street near Hoan Kiem District but then moved to Cau Giay District as I dont want to be disturbed with the noise of parties. The citys nightlife has been around for years. If you want to have a party or to sit at a bar after midnight, its not difficult to find places in Hoan Kiem or Tay Ho District. However, in tourist destinations like Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or Mui Ne, there is a lack of nightlife. Lifting the curfew might cause negative impacts. The solution is to ban or limit alcohol trading after midnight. Overall, I think this decision is good as there is no sense banning such things. I hope that the ban will soon be lifted in Nha Trang, Mui Ne or Phu Quoc. Richard Cassar, British, Ha Noi I believe that the curfew has negative implications. It encourages binge drinking and leads to a large amount of people being on the streets at the same time. This mix can often lead to confrontations. Lifting the curfew is a much more sensible approach to managing a citys nightlife. Jessica Milner, Ha Noi As a foreigner living in Ha Noi and working after 9pm, I am over the moon happy to hear that the curfew will be lifted. It means that I actually have some time to socialise and meet friends - something I have found hard here. Nguyen My Hoa, Vietnamese, Ha Noi Im a resident in the Old Quarters Ma May Street, and the citys decision to lift the curfew will upset those who just want to sleep after a tiring day. My family runs a silver jewelry shop, and we are open until 10pm. We have a busy day, and by closing time, we just want the street to be silent so we can rest. The noise of the restaurants next to my shop, which is also my house, the laughing and chatting of customers, and light always disturb my sleep and my two childrens sleep. I cant imagine how much worse it will be when the ban is officially lifted. Andrew Burden, Canadian, Ha Noi If you asked me when I was 20 if its a good idea for bars to stay open late I would have yelled Hell, yes! Lets go.. Now that I am relatively mature, a teacher, and over 50, I say well maybe, but make sure the police are checking for drunk drivers, the doorman is checking ID for underage customers, and healthy food is being served. If you want to make the capital a party town, please keep the noise down. Its noisy enough with honking horns, construction drilling and government loudspeakers. There is a correlation with late night drinking, vandalism, graffiti and other modern urban annoyances. But hey, what do I know? Im just a grumpy old man. Party on like its 1999 (when I was only 34 years old). VNS SEOUL President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan has suggested the Republic of Korea (RoK) support Viet Nam in infrastructure development and cyber security training. The VFF leader made the proposal while visiting the Speaker of the National Assembly of the RoK Chung Sye-kyun on Thursday. Noting with pleasure the fruitful partnership between Viet Nam and the RoK, Nhan thanked the RoK for considering Viet Nam a leading partner. The VFF President briefed his host on the achievements Viet Nam had recorded over the last 30 years, with growth averaging 6.6 percent and a poverty rate below 5 percent. Viet Nam had become attractive to foreign investors, especially investors from the RoK, he noted. Chung thanked the Vietnamese Party and State for their support to RoK businesses in the country. The RoKs position as Viet Nams top investor in 2015 demonstrated that the Southeast Asian nation satisfied the requirements of RoK investors, he said. The Speaker expressed his belief that the partnership would thrive in the time ahead. He suggested Viet Nam invest more in tourism as many RoK tourists want to visit the country. He also pledged to create the best possible conditions to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese labourers in the host country. During the visit Nhan also met with Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. VNS More and more companies in Viet Nam have shown advancements in the human resources field, and are on their way to be change agents with disruptive HR management strategies and policies, according to Edward Foong, an HR expert in the Southeast Asia region. Photo tinhte.vn HCM CITY More and more companies in Viet Nam have shown advancements in the human resources field, and are on their way to be change agents with disruptive HR management strategies and policies, according to Edward Foong, an HR expert in the Southeast Asia region. Foong, who has been a judge for Viet Nam HR Awards 2014 and 2016, said he has seen great improvements from all participants at the awards competition this year. I was impressed with how fast they have progressed, and several participants showed us how they successfully reached out to prospective candidates, he said. What impresses me are also companies in sensitive and controversial industries. They showed us how they swam against the current to successfully attract talent they wanted Also, the meaningful programmes HR put in place to continue to motivate their current staff impresses me a lot. Singapore may seem to be ahead of Viet Nam, but it is not that many years ahead of Viet Nam as some may think, he said. The gap between the two countries is quickly narrowing. Colin Blackwell, chairman of the HR committee of the Viet Nam Business Forum, which represents views of the foreign business community to assist the Government in developing labour legislation, said For over 20 years, the quality of Vietnamese management, staff and human resources has been steadily coming up to international standards. The Vietnamese are naturally creative and inventive. The attitude is, if there is a challenge there will always be a way around it. There is natural motivation and optimism that is missing in most other countries, he said. On the positive side, this attitude can results in improvements at all levels in a company, but on the negative side it can be used to get around rules and in some cases fraud, he added. Obviously, the trick is to channel creativity as positively as possible. This is the role of HR management, he said. He said good policies and processes will enhance the positive side. The best companies in Viet Nam have multiple sets of systems for organising work, but with very clear performance management to show who is being positively creative. These performance management systems are not so different to what is used internationally. He said it is a matter of clear work structure, good organisational design, aligning company with individual goals, individual target setting, regular performance measurement, training support and very clear linkage to variable rewards. The latter factor seems to work well in Viet Nam, with bonuses for tasks completed. Workplace motivation Blackwell said that it is not enough just to channel creativity. It also needs to be raised, and the solution of how to motivate Vietnamese is culturally based. Vietnamese staff like to be respected, listened to, and have their contributions recognised and to feel they are part of a team. The family is an important part of Vietnamese culture and companies that treat employees as family will get the most loyalty and performance in return. How can Vietnamese companies make their staff feel like part of a family? It may seem like a soft nice-to-have low priority, but it is the secret ingredient to top company performance. The answer is workplace environment. Good working conditions include a mix of staff benefits, activities and facilities to make the workplace enjoyable. The best companies that have exceeded the global standard all have this in common, he said. He said that for many years, the Mercer staff surveys in Viet Nam have quantified this that Vietnamese staff valued an inspiring workplace environment, even more than pay. Workplace environment initiatives need to be combined with other HR elements of clear organisational structures, good policies, fair pay systems, bonuses, personal development plans and quality training. These are the foundation upon which a good workplace environment can be built. For Vietnamese companies that plan to expand their business to region or global, Foong encourages HR professionals and business leaders to continue putting more focus on investment in their people, especially in line with AEC integration. Automation is going to replace some people, but humans are still the most intelligent, he said. VNS Public preschools and primary schools in HCM City are struggling to recruit enough teachers to meet enrolment this year, according to the citys Department of Education and Training. Photo nhandan.com.vn HCM CITY Public preschools and primary schools in HCM City are struggling to recruit enough teachers to meet enrolment this year, according to the citys Department of Education and Training. More than 1.5 million students of all grades have enrolled in 2,100 public schools, an increase of more than 99,000 students compared to last year. To meet the enrolment, the city is trying to recruit about 5,000 teachers for all grades, including more than 1,500 pre-school teachers and 1,400 primary school teachers. At the beginning of the new school year, the city has fulfilled only two-thirds of the recruitment for primary teachers, said Le Hong Son, director of the department. The remaining one-third will be recruited throughout the school year, Son said. The city has experienced a shortage of pre-school teachers and talented education teachers in fine arts, music and physical training at primary schools for many years. He blamed the shortage on the lack of students majoring in these fields at pedagogy universities and colleges in the city. Many preschools and primary schools failed to recruit enough teachers, although the city had allowed schools to recruit teachers with long-term temporary residence registration (KT3) for the last few years. Schools have to accept contract teachers who work for different schools at the same time, Son said. District 10s education and training office plans to recruit 38 pre-school teachers but it has not received any applications. In Thu uc District, only 46 applications have been submitted for pre-school teachers, while there are 94 vacancies. The citys population growth has put pressure on the education and training sector, he said. Many public pre-schools have only two teachers for a class with 55-60 children. The required maximum per classroom is 35 students. Pre-schools also have to employ contract labourers for positions such as cooking staff, medical staff and security guards. With the surge in enrollment, the city needs to build 3,000 new classrooms for the school year. More than 1,500 new classrooms are ready to use at the beginning of the school year. Construction of a total of 22 new schools will begin this year. In the last three years, 1,500 classrooms are built each year but it is not enough, particularly for pre-schools and primary school students. The sector targets three classrooms per 100 school-age people by 2020 but it is difficult to fulfill the target as there is a limited budget for education and training, he said. VNS HA NOI Building a digital economy will be very important for Viet Nam to keep pace with rapid technology developments across the globe, a senior Australian scientist has said. We are not going to create prosperity purely on hard work. It will be smart work, which is connected to digital technology, that increases the effectiveness of the work that we do, Dr Stefan Hajikowicz, senior principal scientist, strategy and foresight of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, said on the sidelines of a workshop on global trends and their implications yesterday in Ha Noi. Digital immersion is a global trend that will change the world, according to him. He noted that Viet Nam was at the beginning of the digital revolution, which unleashes productivity and can change economic and social landscapes. He said it was necessary for the country to build policies and strategies to ensure that its workforce is well connected to technologies and able to take advantage of them. This would help create more jobs for future generations in the context of depleted natural resources and a constantly changing economy, according to Dr Hajikowicz. He also suggested Viet Nam build a start-up culture where people are given a chance to experiment on new business models to attain their own form of success. Individuals should make their own jobs, create their own companies. And digital technology will let them do that, he said. Senior economic advisor Pham Chi Lan pointed out that Viet Nam faces many challenges in order to keep pace with global technology development. Viet Nam is at risk of falling behind, even compared with other countries in the region which have found better solutions than us. For example, Laos and Cambodia have surpassed us in some areas, she said. Global trends of technology development have been raised many times, but the responses, which are reflected in policies, are still insufficient, she said. According to her, policies on this issue have failed to stimulate creativity and encourage workers to make use of and develop technologies. She said the countrys top policymakers still emphasise institution-related issues rather than using technology to boost economic growth. The situation is also attributed to the fact that Vietnamese intellectuals, who play the role of think-tanks for the Government, fail to give strong recommendations in terms of technology development. Their research points out development trends, but not solutions to adapt to them, she said. Nguyen Van Vinh, vice president of Development Strategy Institute, Ministry of Planning and Investment, said Viet Nam was still groping its way in terms of technology development strategy. We do have policies but a lack of concrete mechanisms to turn them into real actions, he said. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has requested the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting to provide the most correct and timely forecasts to help localities and people effectively carry out preventive measures against storm Dianmu. The storm, the third of this year, is due to hit the northern region from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa provinces today. During his visit yesterday, PM Phuc asked the centre to expand international co-operation and collect different forecast resources from other countries like the US, Japan and China to improve the accuracy of its service. All meetings at both central and local levels should be halted from today to focus on dealing with the storm to protect lives and assets, he said, which will require preparations for the evacuation of residents and the shoring up of breached dykes in coastal localities. The Government leader asked ministries, agencies and localities to carry out measures to counter flooding and landslides to protect peoples lives the most important target in disaster prevention and control. They were also requested to avoid complacency and have plans on food, medicine and environmental sanitation when the storm is over. Yesterday, Deputy PM Vuong inh Hue visited the northern port city of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Province, Deputy PM Trinh inh Dung toured northern Nam inh and Thai Binh provinces while Deputy PM Vu uc am worked with Ninh Binh provinces authorities to inspect preparations to cope with storm Dianmu in these localities. The localities were requested to call upon all ships operating at sea to return to the mainland or seek safe shelter. More efforts should be taken to evacuate residents from areas outside sea dykes and prevent weak dyke sections from breaking up. The storm, by 4pm yesterday, was in Chinas Leizhou Peninsula, moving west at 20km per hour and was predicted to gain strength before making landfall in Viet Nam, according to the National Centre of Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. By 5pm, there were more than 2,500 ships from Hai Phong City and 300 ships from Nam inh Province operating at sea. According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, torrential rains began in the entire northern and northern central regions from yesterday afternoon. Stay well-prepared Localities in tropical storm Dianmus path have hurriedly made preparations to minimise damage from the storm. In Quang Ninh Province, chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen uc Long organised an urgent meeting to direct local agencies to take measures to cope with the storm yesterday morning. The first task is ensuring safety for local residents, he said. Long ordered all offshore vessels to be informed about the storms developments so that they could seek safe anchorage and all tourism vessels on Ha Long Bay must cease operations before 1pm today. He directed the head of Co To Island District to take actions to keep islanders and nine tourists stranded there safe. Hoang Ba Nam, Party Secretary of the Peoples Committee of the island district, said it had prohibited vessels from sailing to the island from Wednesday afternoon, and had stored food for local residents and tourists. In Ninh Binh Province, the local administration started to evacuate residents living in areas near Binh Minh II Dyke and people residing in areas with high risks of landslide. The evacuation was set to be finished before 8pm today. The administration had posted more workers on duty to keep dykes and reservoirs safe during the storm. The Committee on Natural Disasters Prevention and Control of northern mountainous ien Bien Province yesterday directed districts to review locations with high risks of flash floods and landslides then quickly evacuating residents. In Nam inh Province, chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Pham inh Nghi requested all local units to prepare for the storm. Authorised agencies would help residents reinforce houses and farms to cope with the storm, he said. In Thai Binh Province, the provincial Peoples Committee decided to open drainages to reduce water levels in rivers before the storm. By 7am yesterday, the province had evacuated 360 residents to safety. PM Phuc directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure safety for hydro-power reservoirs and the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, the National Committee on Search and Rescue were assigned to be ready to support localities in emergencies. Heads of Peoples Committee of localities were told to make plans to allow students off school when the storm made landfall. The forecasting centre put northern mountainous provinces, encompassing Lai Chau, ien Bien, Son La, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai on high alert of flash floods and landslides, while alerting provinces in the northern delta and central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh of floods. VNS A NANG a Nang City Peoples Procuracy will prosecute the former director of a Nang Port Authority of Inland Waterways for irresponsibility that led to the fatal tourist boat sinking on June 4. Le Sau, the former director, will be out on bail for assist investigation. Preliminary investigation showed that as director of the a Nang Port Authority of Inland Waterways, Sau was irresponsible in his management of boats. This led to the boat Thao Van 2 which did not have a licence to carry tourists and was a modified fishing boat with a capacity of 28 people, had been carrying 56 passengers when it capsized. The tourist boat overturned on the Han River at about 8.30pm on June 4, leading to the drowning of two children and a man and panic among several tourists. The passengers had not been properly seated on deck, leading to too many people crowding one side of the boat and causing it to capsize. Two days before the boat sank, the police had found that Thao Van 2 was operating without a licence and had reported to the authority. However, the agency did not suspend the boats operations. Sau was dismissed from his position after the tragedy. Three people - Nguyen Ngoc Quan, a tour guide who sold tickets for the boat tour to customers; Le Cong Chi, the boat captain; and Vo Quoc Hung, the owner of the boat - have been detained. The city authority suspended the operation of all tourist boats on the Han River and halted the issue of licence to tourist boats that have been upgraded from fishing boats. VNS HA NOI Storm Dianmu has made landfall from the northern Hai Phong port city to the northern Ninh Binh province this afternoon, the National Hydrometeorological Forecast Centre said. The storm, the third of its kind to hit the country so far this year, is moving west at 15km to 20km per hour and was located off the provinces extending from Hai Phong to Ninh Binh at 10am on Friday, with a maximum wind speed of 100km per hour, the centre said. The storm caused heavy rains in some localities and rough seas with large waves of up to 6m high. The centre of the storm was located 20.4 degrees north and 105.6 degrees east, hitting the northern localities with wind speeds of 75km per hour. The meteorological centre said after hitting the mainland, the storm was expected to keep moving west at a speed of 15km to 20km per hour and then weaken into a tropical low pressure area in the next 12 to 24 hours. The northern area received heavy rains of up to 200mm to 300mm and 400mm in some areas, while mountainous localities expected flash floods and landslides. The forecast said the typhoon would become a tropical low pressure area after hitting the mainland. Torrential rains began hitting the entire northern and north-central regions. It put the northern mountainous provinces of Lai Chau, ien Bien, Son La and Lao Cai, besides Yen Bai, Ha Giang and Cao Bang, and the mountainous areas of central Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces at risk of floods, flash floods and landslides. Ha Noi experienced heavy rains of about 70mm to 80mm yesterday evening, due to the storm. Some streets such as Pham Van ong, Tran Duy Hung and Nguyen Tuan were submerged up to 0.4m and traffic congestion was reported in many areas. Domestic flights cancelled National carrier Vietnam Airlines said it had cancelled 10 domestic flights as of August 19, as storm Dianmu approaches. The cancellations hit flights between HCM City, the central Nha Trang and a Nang cities and the northern Hai Phong city, and between HCM City and the north-central Thanh Hoa Province. On August 18, the carrier also cancelled two flights between a Nang and Pleiku in the central Gia Lai Province due to bad weather. The airlines said it would operate two extra flights on the a Nang-Pleiku route on August 19 and on the HCM City-Thanh Hoa route on August 20 to help passengers affected by the cancellations. The tropical storm is forecast to affect Noi Bai, Vinh and ien Bien airports on August 19. Pleiku City is also expected to experience unfavourable weather conditions in the next few days. More information relating to the storm will be released during the day. VNS HA NOI Ha Noi will use electronic school records instead of hard copies to manage 1.7 million students in the city from September 5, Peoples Committee Chairman Nguyen uc Chung said. He said the electronic school records would reduce the teachers workload, and create a data centre, which would likely become a supportive tool for enterprises and companies in recruitment. He will guide the writing of a software and a security system to prevent hacking. About 120 people are working to complete it quickly. The department of education and training will inform schools when the software is ready. Chung said the electronic school records would get automatically locked when teachers finish their work on it. It would be unlocked only for revising, after being confirmed by school administrators. The system would automatically save the time of revision and the revised information. o Thi Viet Hien, principal of Khuong inh Secondary School in Ha Nois Thanh Xuan District, said the electronic school records would reduce the work pressure on teachers, but it would be difficult to add grades of students and also would be risky if the system collapsed. The school would then have to print them out, adding to the work of teachers, she said. Currently, there are no regulations on using electronic school records. The education and training ministry has only encouraged schools to use modern technology in school management. VNS Is Chinas venture capital (VC) market about to get a major new player? According to Chinas Economic Observer, insiders say that the government has approved the establishment of a state-owned $30 billion VC fund in Shenzhen. Things are heating up in Thailand. Months after the government announced a plan to launch a $570 million venture fund for developing the start-up ecosystem, True Corporation, one of the countrys biggest mobile operators, has unveiled a massive digital hub project said to be worth over half a billion dollars. Following the Supreme Court order last week lifting the ban on diesel vehicles with engine capacity above 2,000 cc in Delhi, the Union government has opened a bank account where the mandated environment protection charge (EPC) can be deposited. Prachanda is likely to visit India on his first official foreign trip as Nepal's prime minister, in a departure from his earlier practice when he visited Beijing ahead of New Delhi in 2008. The Maoist chief, who was elected by lawmakers to the top post for the second time earlier this month, had rubbed India the wrong way when he chose China as his first destination after taking over as the premier in 2008 and attended the Beijing Olympics that year. Prachanda's predecessor, K P Sharma Oli too visited India as his first official foreign destination. But the run up to his visit was surrounded by intense speculation that the Communist leader might visit China ahead of India. Oli, viewed by many as pro-China, visited India in February, when the agitation by Madhesis - inhabitants of the southern plains who share strong cultural and family bonds with Indians - over Nepal's new Constitution was at its peak. The protesters had blocked trade transit points with India, creating a huge shortage of essential goods and fuel in the landlocked . The usual practice of new prime ministers in is to visit to India, ahead of China. Prachanda's China trip in 2008 was the only departure from that practice. It is learnt that he will visit India ahead of China this time, sources said. The development comes as Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Bimlendra Nidhi begins his two-day visit to India as Prachanda's special envoy. His visit is aimed at preparing ground for Prachanda's forthcoming visit to India, foreign ministry sources said. Nidhi is expected to discuss the possible visit by President Pranab Mukherjee to and the proposed visit by Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari to India, they said. The visit is also aimed at normalising and improving Nepal's relations with India, which was at an all-time low since the promulgation of the Constitution in Nepal last year and over the Madhesi agitation. Prachanda has send a special envoy to China as well. Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara's visit to China comes following anxieties in Beijing over the fate of projects connecting China and Nepal to reduce dependence on India. Unequal Budget funding for the Yes vote wont give Australians equal say If you seek to ensure not all Australians get an equal say in the debate about an enshrined voice, then dont be surprised when millions of them cry foul about the integrity of the result. 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. Julie Hennings Somewhere along Rural Route 1 and X Avenue near Clutier, Julie Dvorak Hennings has always called home. From this geographically small area, Julie has been an influence on many lives. She was a daughter to Albin and Violet Dvorak born on December 5th 1955 at Corn Belt Hospital in Belle Plaine, IA. She attended Dysart-Geneseo School and graduated in 1974. Julie enjoyed horses and horseback riding in her younger years. Julie found the love of her life just down Rural Route 1. The relationship began thanks to a helpful mailman, Eddie Kremenak. He would deliver mail daily from Julies home north about 2 miles to Lonnys home with postage (coins) taped to the envelope. It wasnt long and Lonny and Julie were married. The wedding was on a very cold January 11th in 1975 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Vining. The two worked each day side by side on their farm near Clutier raising five children. They also raised Holstein bottle calves, feeder calves and pigs. In 1994 Lonny and Julie began a new endeavor and purchased a herd of Ayrshire milking cows. Dairying proved to be a passion for Julie and provided cherished times for her, her husband and loved ones. Julie was a mother figure to more than just her 5 children and 12 grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews, college friends, neighbor children and other acquaintances have been captivated by Julies knack for deep conversation over a home cooked meal or some hard work. Her kitchen table and dairy parlor have been a memorable venue for countless momentous occasions for so many loved ones. Julie was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2014. Her faith proved strong as she underwent chemotherapy and radiation with strength and confidence. Through good and bad days, Julie held strong to her faith and was rarely seen without a smile or cheerful message. She worked hard to stay healthy for her family and received immense joy watching grandchildren and their cousins grow and play. Since her diagnosis Julie spent her time doing just what she wanted. She enjoyed her days on the farm with loved ones, attending her grandchildrens activities, and fishing with her mother at her pond. This August she was able to take one last trip to Villard, Minnesota, for the annual Dvorak family vacation. On Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, Julie began her journey to heaven. She was in her home surrounded by her husband, all five children, and other loved ones. Julie has a legacy of loved ones and is survived by her husband Lonny of 41 years and their 5 children and 12 grandchildren, Andrea (Chris) Behrens; Benton, Ellie, Grant. Eric (Shannon) Hennings; Morgan and Mason. Willis (Lacey) Hennings; Owen, Neeley, Nash. Nicole (Andrew) Knaack; Kolt and Emmet. Lindsey (Nathan) Upah; Wyatt and Violet. Julie is also survived by her mother, Violet Dvorak and 4 siblings, Wayne (Carol) Dvorak, Doug (Andrea) Dvorak, Randy Dvorak and Laurie (Craig) Greiner. She reunites in heaven with her father, Albin Dvorak, her beloved aunt Pauline Dvorak and other relatives. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chelsea, with burial in Holy Trinity Cemetery in rural Clutier. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, at Overton Funeral Home, Traer, with a rosary service at 3:45 p.m. Please direct memorials to the family; a donation will be made at a later date to a local youth agriculture fund. Condolences may be left at www.overtonservice.com. WATERLOO Registration is now open for the 10th annual Sullivan Brothers Memorial 5K/10K taking place at 9 a.m. Nov. 5 in downtown Waterloo. The Five Sullivan Brothers of Waterloo were serving together aboard the light cruiser USS Juneau during World War II. The Juneau was engaged with Japanese warships in the battle for Guadalcanal. Ultimately, the Juneau was sunk after being hit with torpedoes fired by a pair of Japanese submarines and all five brothers perished with the ship. The brothers are now a big part of Waterloo and United States history and their supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten. Millions of American men and women have served their country and many have scarified their lives, just as the Sullivan Brothers did. Those who served and returned home also sacrificed much to ensure the freedom of our country and our rights and liberties. The Sullivan Brothers 5K & 10K Races are intended as a continuing memorial for those, like the Sullivan Brothers, who have given their lives in service of our country and a celebration of the veterans who served our country and returned home. The race recognizes veterans who served so courageously in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard and their comrades who lost their lives while serving alongside fellow soldiers. Proceeds from the Sullivan Brothers Memorial 5K/10K Races will benefit the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum. Registration is $20 for the 5K and $25 for the 10K by Sept. 3. Sept. 4-Oct. 12 fees go up to $25 and $30, and after Oct. 13 registration costs are $35 for each race. First- through third-place medals will be awarded in multiple age categories, with trophies going to overall male and female winners. Packet pick-up will take place at the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum the evening before the race and on race day morning. To register, visit www.groutmuseumdistrict.org. WATERLOO -- Closing arguments were scheduled for Friday in the case of a Denver man accused of killing a Waterloo resident last year. Prosecutors said Steve William Fordyce, 38, shot and killed 43-year-old Donald Harrington on Locust Street following a neighborhood dispute. Fordyces attorneys dont dispute he was the shooter, but they said Fordyce -- who had a permit to carry weapons and suffered from a fracture foot -- acted in self defense when the larger Harrington rushed at him. Charged with first-degree murder, Fordyce waived his right to a jury, allowing a judge to hear the case. The defense finished presenting evidence on Wednesday, and trial resumed briefly Thursday as prosecutors asked the judge to disregard as inadmissible testimony from a the defenses firearms expert offered the day before. Judge David Odekirk ruled that he would consider part of the experts testimony but disregard an opinion the expert offered under cross-examination at the shooting was justified. HAMPTON An Osage man was found guilty Friday of molesting a young man from the time he was a teen and plotting to kill him using a method allegedly inspired by the TV show Breaking Bad. Mark Retterath, 52, showed no emotion as he was pronounced guilty of attempted murder, solicitation to commit murder and third-degree sexual abuse. A Franklin County jury returned that verdict after an hour and a half of deliberation. The trial was moved from Mitchell County due to pretrial media coverage and all the participants being from Mitchell County. Retterath will be sentenced Oct. 10. Retterath has a long, twisted history with his victim that began when the accuser was 13, said Assistant Iowa Attorney General Denise Timmins during closing arguments. That twisted path led to Retterath plotting last year to kill the victim, who is now a young adult, after he reported the abuse, according to Timmins. The state claimed Retterath got the idea for his method for killing the accuser when a friend told him about an episode of the TV show Breaking Bad in which a character extracted ricin from castor beans to kill someone. Editors note: This story contains content some readers may find objectionable. HAMPTON Mark Retterath of Osage testified Thursday he never molested the man accusing him of sexual abuse, and he never planned to kill him. Retterath, 52, is on trial for attempted murder, solicitation to commit murder and third-degree sexual abuse. He is accused of buying castor beans to extract a deadly toxin, ricin, to poison his accuser, similar to an episode of the TV series Breaking Bad. He testified he did order castor beans online and printed instructions for extracting the deadly toxin ricin from them. However, he said he never intended to extract the ricin and mix it with drugs to put on the accusers property. Retterath said he wanted to grow castor plants for their ornamental value and to kill varmints on his land. His girlfriend, Deb Rolland, also testified Thursday the castor beans were meant to deter deer and gophers. She also said the accuser never went with Retterath to plant trees on his land until the accuser was 18 years old. The state alleges he was 13 when Retterath first began acting inappropriately with him while they were alone together on the property near Stacyville. Rolland also said Retterath could not have been alone in the house when the accuser came over during high school and as a young adult, even when she was at work. The couples young child and some of Rollands older children from her first marriage would been in the house, she said. Retterath is being tried in Franklin County. His trial was moved from Mitchell County. Rolland, who lives with Retterath, said although he was upset after he was charged with sexual abuse in February 2015 and angry with his accuser, he didnt want him dead. He wanted to clear his name, she said. The accuser testified earlier this week Retterath had a sword tattoo on his penis and had made a drawing of it for law enforcement. Retteraths attorney showed he had another sword tattoo on his arm, and Rolland said pretty much everybody knows about the one on his penis. Retterath loves plants and frequently ordered seeds online, according to Rolland. She said he told her he wanted castor beans because the trees grown from them are beautiful and would be a good deer deterrent. She said he also wanted to put some of the beans down a gopher hole on their property to get rid of the pests. WATERLOO U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, stopped by the Northeast Iowa Food Bank on Tuesday to hear from those on the ground on how best to address poverty. Its not necessarily a federal solution. Its an everybody solution on how we fight poverty and make sure that our families are getting the necessary foods and making sure that they are able to stand up on their own two feet and overcome some of these obstacles, Ernst said. Ernst toured the relatively new facility, but the bulk of her time was spent gathering input from food bank Executive Director Barb Prather and Operation Threshold Executive Director Barb Grant about their operations. It was part of an informal effort among a handful of U.S. senators, led by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., to find the root causes of poverty and how best to address them. Those senators are working to highlight how conservative policies and new ideas can support those in need and identify innovative solutions, said Ernsts spokeswoman Leigh Claffey. Ernst said there isnt a one-size-fits-all approach to fight poverty. She said it was clear Tuesday the local organizations agree. Something that came out of our meeting (Tuesday) is that every community is different, and the solutions for that particular community will come from that particular community, Ernst said. It was a great takeaway, and I actually enjoyed hearing that because Ive been such a proponent of local solutions. Ernst said senators are seeking common threads amid differing demographics that lead to federal and local solutions. Lawmakers also are striving to learn about local issues and opportunities, opportunities that may help other communities, strengthen the economy and create jobs. Ernst asked question after question during her meeting with Prather and Grant. When Prather explained the difficulties in getting food to youths during the summer because theyre not in school, Ernst asked about how agencies overcome such obstacles. Prather said despite difficulties in feeding youngsters, the food bank and other agencies will keep trying. Still, that gap nagged at Ernst. It was interesting to hear about the children who arent eating over the weekend, because thats really tough. OK, now how do we figure out how to get (food) to them? Ernst said. The stories that youll bring out today will help us, I think, as we move forward with some of these efforts. Ernst said she felt inspired by the ideas and solutions the local agencies and their partners have come up with. DES MOINES A stream of grievances from Iowans frustrated with the states divorce and custody laws left one state lawmaker thinking the issues lie beyond policy. Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, and the advocacy group Family United Action Network hosted a meeting Friday at the Capitol. Attendees were encouraged to state their displeasure with and propose changes to Iowas divorce and custody laws. Roughly a dozen Iowans gave testimonials, sharing their dismay with how they were treated. One speaker was the father of a Grimes toddler who died while in his mothers care. Dillon Wyckoff told lawmakers at the family law summit he did everything in my power to save my sons life. It was not me that let Mason down that morning, but rather the very system put in place to protect him from this exact outcome, Wyckoff said. Authorities discovered Wyckoffs 2-year-old son, Mason, dead in his mothers Grimes home on July 22. An autopsy showed both the boy and his mother died from a prescription opiate overdose, and authorities are investigating the deaths as murder-suicide. Wyckoff said he was worried about Ericksons mental health and alerted various authorities, but that they disregarded his pleas to remove the boy from his mothers care. Some of the stories left an impression on Schultz. One of my surprise takeaways was the level of damage being done and anger are more visceral and more base than I expected, Schultz said. I thought we were going to talk a little bit about some policy changes, and theyre actually talking about abusing citizens under the current system we have. Its hard to even get to changing policy when youre hearing such dramatic instances of actual abuse or mishandling. Schultz noted no representatives of state agencies, law enforcement or the courts were present to defend against the allegations Friday. Nicholas Dreeszen, who started Family United Action Network three years ago, said the group advocates changes to state law, including 50/50 shared parenting as a default custody arrangement unless proven it is harmful to the children. Current law authorizes judges to award joint physical care in custody arrangements but does not require it. Legislation that would require joint physical care passed the Republican-controlled Iowa House this year but was not been taken up by the Democrat-controlled Senate. Some of the speakers also called for legislative oversight of the states child protective services program. I think we can all agree (the system) is broken right now, and if we dont try anything new, we know what were going to get, Dreeszen said. Im so glad were talking, but we need action. Travis Grassel of Johnston said the current custody system is too adversarial, and reform would be in the best interest of children of divorce. Grassel is divorced with two sons. Too many children are growing up without both parents, and they need access to both parents, Grassel said. Our system is broken. Youve heard that from a number of people. Please fix it.Schultz said his reaction was system requires more than just legislative repair. I think (oversight) should be happening alongside and parallel with the shared parenting (law change), with policy changes, Schultz said. Im somewhat taken aback by some of the stories that were recited here. DES MOINES Opponents of an underground oil pipeline being built in Iowa asked a judge Friday to halt the project until a dispute is resolved over whether a private company can use government-sanctioned eminent domain powers to condemn and seize privately owned farm land along the proposed route. Bill Hanigan, a Des Moines attorney representing owners of 15 parcels in seven counties, asked District Judge Jeffrey Farrell to issue a temporary stay on Dakota Access controversial Bakken oil pipeline slated to cut diagonally across Iowa until their lawsuit challenging the project can be heard. The lawsuit argues the pipeline developer shouldnt be allowed to force landowners to sell easements by unconstitutionally condemning the land against their will in a way that runs contrary to a 2006 Iowa law. However, Bret Dublinske, a Des Moines lawyer for Dakota Access LLC, a unit of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, argued the landowners claims are without merit and the company should be able to proceed under a state permit and eminent domain authority granted by the Iowa Utilities Board. He also asked the judge to impose a bond of up to $10 million for the landowners to defray losses the company will incur if the Iowa leg is delayed as part of a $3.8 billion, 1,168-mile underground pipeline slated to transport up to 570,000 barrels of crude oil daily from North Dakota's Bakken region to a distribution hub at Patoka, Ill. The project will place 346 miles of pipeline in 18 Iowa counties, crossing the state on a diagonal from northwest to southeast. Hanigan argued during Fridays three-hour hearing that state regulators made a mistake in granting a permit to an out-of-state company that does not qualify as a utility seeking to build a pipeline that does not constitute a public benefit qualifying for state police power of eminent domain to take private property in return for fair-market compensation. We believe that Dakota Access is not too big to be stayed, Hanigan told the judge, in countering company claims it stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars if the project cannot stay on track to be completed by years end and has to make route changes, move around equipment and alter contracts due to legal hurdles. Dublinske countered that Dakota Access meets the standards set out in Iowa law, that the challengers have failed to exhaust their administrative remedies and purposefully delayed bringing legal action to create a false emergency under bogus claims that landowners constitutional rights are being violated. They have shown no good cause to halt a project that Dublinske contended is 50 percent completed and is crucially important to Iowa and Iowans who are totally dependent on oil refined outside of their borders. He also told the judge that the landowners in the pipelines path are making an extraordinary stretch to build a case they face irreplaceable harm if the project proceeds. IUB legal counsel David Lynch told the judge the board was staying neutral in the court proceedings because the matter might come back to state regulators for reconsideration if the challenge in Polk County District Court proves successful. He said the process likely would take at least a couple of weeks if the judge issues a temporary stay so petitioners can further challenge the IUB action. Dublinske said time is of the essence since construction crews likely would be ready to begin clearing, grading and other work in the contested counties. You cant operate a pipeline with 15 holes in it, he told the judge in arguing Dakota Access would face a stand down cost of $1.3 million or move around costs of $535,000 at each of the 15 parcels at issue in the lawsuit. Im going to work on getting a decision out on this as quick as I can, Farrell said at the close of a hearing that attracted more than a dozen pipeline workers wearing orange shirts and a like number of landowners and pipeline opponents. DES MOINES --- A proposed pork plant in Wright County, which originally was proposed to locate in Mason City, is getting a second opportunity for $11.5 million in state tax incentives. Despite the opposition of dozens who showed up to a hearing Thursday, Iowas economic development board unanimously approved the tax breaks for North Carolina-based Prestage Farms, which seeks to build a $240 million pork plant in Wright County. It is the same tax relief package the Iowa Economic Development Authority approved in March for Prestage when the company sought to build its pork slaughter and fabrication plant in Mason City. Local government officials nixed that proposal, leading the company to look for another site in Iowa. Prestage settled on Wright County, and reapplied for the state tax breaks. An opposition movement that started while the project was being considered for Mason City continued Thursday, as roughly 70 people filled a conference room for the public hearing, during which eight people spoke in support of the project and 23 spoke against. Most of the concerns centered on opposition to taxpayer assistance for out-of-state companies --- although Prestage has operated in Iowa since 2003 and can receive the incentives only if it pays state taxes --- and environmental concerns. Opponents also suggested companies like Prestage would build or expand in Iowa regardless of tax incentives. Why do we have to bribe somebody to come here? said Tom Willett, of Mason City, one of a half-dozen people from Mason City or Clear Lake who traveled to Des Moines to state their opposition to the incentives. Its to their advantage to be here. We dont have to pay them to come here. Board member David Bernstein, of Sioux City, said the economic development board is not permitted to consider environmental issues, that those rulings are made by local officials and the state Department of Natural Resources. Bernstein said the proposal meets all the economic requirements the board has established for state incentives, and that the award is similar to others the board has given, including the previous award to Mason City. I see no other way than for us to support this, Bernstein said. Only one board member, Dawn Ainger, of Hiawatha, voted against the incentives. The 675,000-square-foot plant will created 922 jobs, roughly a third of which must pay at least $15.54 per hour to qualify for the tax incentives, according to a board report. The $11.5 million state incentive package includes an $8.6 million tax credit and a $2.9 million tax refund. The project also has received a proposed $12.9 million in local assistance, including $8 million tax increment financing rebate from Wright County. LISBON Representatives of Iowa railroads pressed U.S. Rep. Rod Blum for a permanent extension of a tax credit they said short lines use for maintenance and safety enhancements. Class I railroads the larger lines, spend tens of millions dollars each year on rail line maintenance, Phil Meraz of the Iowa Department of Transportation told Blum during his visit to HiRAILs plant in Lisbon Thursday. We have a variety of sources not available to short line railroads, Jim Kvedaras, government affairs director for Canadian National Railway, said in support of the credit. Short lines use the tax credit for maintaining rail, ties and bridges, said Cory Hoffmann of Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC) explained. Short lines, which are defined by their revenue, not miles of track or tons of freight, connect local shippers, ag suppliers, food processors and manufacturers to main lines. They hook us up in a global economy, said Sean Winkler of the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association. Blum heard similar reports from the Iowa Interstate and Iowa Northern, which operate some of the 3,850 miles of rail line in Iowa. Much of the freight they haul, Onna Houck of Iowa Interstate said, is ethanol. She told Blum that 10 years ago corn and beans accounted for 70 percent of its freight. With growth in the production of ethanol and its by-products, corn and beans amount to 17 percent of Iowa Interstates freight. More specific to HiRAIL, Blum was told more funding is needed to improve safety at the nations 250,000 rail crossings, including about 4,300 in Iowa. The state gets about $1.1 million a year in Section 130 Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act funds for the elimination of hazards at railway-highway crossings on state roads, Meraz said. The state has been putting in between $4 million and $5 million a year into a state program that supports similar improvements on local roads. Still, he said, the DOT has applications for $35 million in assistance. DES MOINES On Thursday U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told participants at a rural pride summit Wednesday he is proud of the amazing cultural transformation that has taken place during his seven-plus years at the helm of the nations ag agency. We are a much more functioning, better department because we represent the entirety of America, Vilsack told about 125 activists within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community who attended a #RuralPrice Summit to advocate for access to services for LGBT people in rural Iowa. According to a 2013 Williams Institute analysis, about 65,835 of Iowas more than 3 million residents identify as being LGBT, according to summit organizers. Vilsack, a former state senator and two-term Iowa governor, said USDA has come a long way in becoming an inclusive department since his 2009 arrival when the agency faced more than 20,000 pending discrimination claims from African-Americans, Hispanics, women and others. Our reputation around the country, we were not particularly proud of in civil rights, he said of his early years at USDA. African-Americans referred to USDA as the last plantation and with some justification. But, Vilsack said, he is proud to say weve turned the page by settling many of the claims and making the agency more inclusive. Its in our best interest as a department to be able to reflect the America that we represent and work for, he said. We are a much more functioning, better department because we represent the entirety of America. The USDA and National Center for Lesbian Rights started a campaign to discuss the unique needs and vulnerabilities of the LGBT rural community and Thursdays Iowa summit was part of that effort.We have this perception that LGBT people leave rural areas, and I think thats not actually true, said Naomi Goldberg, research and policy director for the Movement Advancement Project. Breaking the stereotype that LGBT people dont live outside of cities is really important. There are LGBT people everywhere. According to Goldbergs research, all but three of Iowas 99 counties have LGBT people who are raising children. She noted a sizable percentage of LGBT Iowans in rural areas are living in poverty and face higher rates of economic insecurity and health-care challenges due to a number of factors. Poor Hillary Clinton. Shes trying so fervently to come up with at least one new and inspiring idea to jump-start a moribund economy and help the financially stressed middle class. But the lefts idea cupboard is empty. They have nothing to offer except: tax; spend; spin; hit the button again. So in her speech Thursday on the economy, she proposed last weeks leftover cold porridge. And it doesnt taste any better today than when President Obama first served it up. Clinton touted her proposed jobs program, which she has said she will launch in (her) first 100 days (in office). Sure. But her former boss Barack Obama has had not 100 but close to 3,000 days to come up with a jobs program. Where are the jobs? Where are the pay raises? Where is the growth? Clinton is in the awkward position of having to praise the Obama recovery, which has flatlined paychecks; left 94 million Americans outside the labor force; created the biggest deficits and national debt in world history; and has almost half of Americans thinking we are still in a recession or headed into a new one. More than half of Americans think the American dream is no longer attainable. Yet Clinton, with a straight face, complains that Obama doesnt get the credit he deserves for the condition of the U.S. economy. Of course, these actually are good economic times if you are one of those lucky few who can leverage political connections to give $250,000 speeches to Goldman Sachs. Then everything looks peachy. What is the Clinton agenda exactly? Shes touting bold ideas such as raising the minimum wage, making rich people pay more taxes and $250 billion more government spending on public works projects to featherbed her union pals. Weve had three minimum wage increases this past decade and countless state and municipalities have gone to as high as $10, $12 or even $15 an hour. This isnt new. Obama has raised income taxes, estate taxes, dividend taxes, capital gains taxes, Medicare taxes, drug and vaccine taxes all aimed at the rich. Income inequality has gotten worse under Obama. She also wants free college tuition for the middle class which just means people will pay for college through their taxes, not their tuition payments. That will obviously drive up college costs, just as the student loans have triggered dollar-for-dollar tuition hikes at major universities. (Donald Trump should declare no more federal aid to any college that has more than a $500 million endowment. The universities have become storehouses of wealth, and it is time they use that money to make their schools affordable.) On Obamacare she promises to double-down. Wow. Nearly every single day we get more bad news on Obamacare. Its the Hindenburg of health care. Costs and premiums are rising in many states by double digits. The health care exchanges are going bankrupt. Businesses are restricting hiring and hours worked to get around the law, and insurance companies are dropping out. Just last week, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported premiums are rising by as much as 18 to 23 percent across the country. This was double the expected 8 percent rise. Other than that, the Affordable Care Act has been a glorious success. Clinton wants to raise the tax on pass-through small and medium businesses to 45 percent, as well as raising the capital gains tax. These are direct taxes on American employers and the risk-takers who invest in them. And if people are really successful in business and they dare get rich, the government will snatch almost half of their lifetimes savings in taxes when they die, under Clintons plan. What kind of upside-down economic theory tells you that the way to get more jobs is to place higher taxes on the businesses that create the jobs? I have invented a term for this: economic bimbo-ism. Trump needs to make this point over and over: He wants to tax businesses at 15 percent. She wants to tax them at 47 percent. Then ask the American people: Which plan will bring more jobs to America? The Tax Foundation says that the Clinton tax and economic plan will actually reduce jobs by 300,000 and subtract from our already weakling economic growth rate. In short: Clintons economic policies would have us flirting with recession. When it comes to government, accountability is impossible without transparency. So were pleased to see the Iowa Board of Regents has responded so quickly to a recent letter from three Iowa lawmakers demanding a transparent process in the search for the next president of the University of Northern Iowa. Trust between the board and state university stakeholders was shaken last year when the regents hired Bruce Harreld as the new president at the University of Iowa. Harreld had a business background as a top executive at IBM and Boston Market with little academic leadership experience. Authors of the recent letter to the regents are Democratic Iowa Sens. Jeff Danielson of Cedar Falls, Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington and Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids. Given the problems with that selection process documented by University of Iowa faculty and students, the American Association of University Professors and the news media, we encourage you to use a fair and transparent process in the selection of the next president of the University of Northern Iowa, a process that actually and fully involves the faculty and students in the spirit of shared governance, the letter states. In response, Regents President Pro Tem Katie Mulholland sent a proposed timeline and letter to lawmakers Tuesday, reassuring them the UNI search process would differ from the controversial University of Iowa case. In addition to bringing candidates to campus for meetings with constituent groups, Mulholland said the American Association of University Professors guidelines for university presidential searches provided the backbone for the UNI process. After the regents unanimously selected Harreld, the UI Faculty Senate, UI Student Government and the Graduate and Professional Student Government all issued no-confidence votes in the regents. The American Association of University Professors at Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa also issued statements of support for the UI faculty. Regents cited Harrelds fresh perspective and ability to turn around large organizations under trying circumstances. There may be merit to that. However, if the board wanted to conduct this experiment at a major university, perhaps major university stakeholders should have been more involved. Thats why we agree with Danielson that the regents should state publicly what they want in a candidate. Since they make the final hiring decision, their opinions should be known from the outset. Compounding the issue is the fact former UNI President Bill Ruud left the university under somewhat mysterious conditions after just three years at the helm. He took the top job at a much smaller Marietta College in Ohio. Ruud stated his decision had nothing to do with the fact the board had not updated his three-year contract a detail that fueled speculation he was encouraged to leave. Despite his relatively short tenure at UNI, Ruud seemingly had support among faculty, staff and the public. The UNI presidential search will definitely be closely watched across the entire state. We expect the Iowa State Board of Regents to live up to its promise of a transparent process. WATERLOO Officers recovered a stolen handgun, stolen cell phone and a stolen vehicle following a brief foot chase Wednesday. A Waterloo man told police someone took his 1999 Ford Crown Victoria when he dropped off his daughter at day care on West Fourth Street around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. Officers later located the vehicle in the 1000 block of Mulberry Street and found Mopreme Vychon Todd-Harris, 17, in the front passenger seat. Todd-Harris ran off and was detained later. Police found a Huawei smartphone that belonged to the Crown Victoria owner on Todd-Harris. They also found a Taurus handgun under the seat. The gun was reported stolen in Cedar Rapids earlier, Mohlis said. Todd-Harris, of 252 Baltimore St., was arrested for second- and third- degree theft and for fleeing. Man loses appeal in sex abuse case WATERLOO A Waterloo man has lost his appeal on a sexual abuse charge after arguing that prosecutors failed to prove the victim was alive at the time of the sex act. Waterloo police became interested in Santonyo Pendleton in December 2014 after paramedics were called to his home and found a woman unresponsive. She was later declared dead of an accidental meth and alcohol overdose, and investigators discovered cell phone videos of Pendleton in a sex act with the woman. During trial, prosecutors said the woman and Pendleton had consensual sex, but he then initiated the recorded sex act while she was incapacitated. A jury found him guilty of third-degree sexual abuse. In addition to arguing the trial court should have included lesser offenses in the jury instructions, Pendleton said prosecutors didnt prove the woman was still alive. The Iowa Court of Appeals noted that a medical examiner had testified that the woman was likely in a coma-like state before her death, and the video shows the woman opening and shutting her mouth about 30 seconds before shes fondled. Work release escapee sought WATERLOO Authorities are seeking the publics help in locating a man who walked away from the halfway house where he was serving time for theft and assault. Mikal Dequavious Davis, 22, had been serving part of a 20-year sentence at the Waterloo Work Release Facility for assault causing serious injury, theft and burglary charges, and possession of marijuana. He was released on a furlough and failed to return on Wednesday. Davis is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes. He is 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds with tattoos on his hands, forearms and neck. Waterloo teen faces charges WATERLOO A teen has been arrested on a firearms charge in connection with gunfire outside a Lafayette Street grocery store earlier this month. Waterloo police arrested Gavin James Kime, 17, on Tuesday for felon in possession of a firearm. Kime is charged as an adult. According to police, brothers London and Marquan Briner had just left Corks Grocery at about 8:06 p.m. on Aug. 3 when a people in passing vehicle yelled at them, drove off and then returned. London Briner noticed Kime in the passenger seat with a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol and he pointed toward Briner. London Briner allegedly wrestled the handgun away from Kime, and the car pulled away. As the vehicle left, someone inside, apparently using a second gun, shot at the brothers, and London Briner returned fire with one shot. The Smith and Wesson was turned over to the police by store employees. Kime allegedly sent a Facebook message to Marquan Briner demanded the return of the gun and saying when he catches the person who took it, it will be over, court records state. Kime is prohibited from handling firearms because of a 2015 adjudication for first-degree theft in juvenile court. Fayette County robbery investigated ARLINGTON Authorities are investigating a robbery at an Arlington convenience store on Wednesday night. According to the Fayette County Sheriffs Office, a man walked into Charleys Quick Stop at about shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday. He was wearing a black mask and wielding a knife. The suspect took cash and cigarettes and drove off in a white Cadillac Escalade, heading south on Highway 187. The robber is described as a white male about 5 feet, 9 inches tall. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans and dark shoes. The Sheriffs Office is asking if anyone has information about this incident to contact the Sheriffs Office at (563) 422-6067 Ext 0. 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walked to the big well. I got the door opened and pushed the big green on button (big red button for off.) Then crackle and pop, the sealed main power box was flashing and smoking. The amp meter was buried all the way to max draw and I just as quickly hit the red stop button. All got quiet and I closed the door, after making sure no power was being drawn in anyway and locked the door This should be interesting to see how long it takes for someone from the local government comes to repair the well. We have half a well full, in ours and the top well is almost full. But ours leaks and will be dry in two days. We will get water from the top well until it is dry. I also have 200+ liters in storage in big rain collection barrels. We have water, but if reports of past issues with water are true, it might take awhile to get it fixed I will keep everyone informed as to the process and time it takes to get our well fixed. I would look at what happened, but the box has a seal on it and we are not allowed inside. Or better yet legally inside This could be interesting (It could have been a power surge from the electrical storm a few days ago!) * * * * * * * * * * One of those days; Internet is down this morning and this post will get posted when it is able to be posted * * * * * * * * * * Today we have the Auto Magazine coming. A truck that sells the village food. It comes on Fridays during the summer and I have a post here about the truck. (Here) The truck does good business and the people look forward to its appearance in the village. I go every Friday to help support the truck and Svetochka and I will go today also. We are a long ways from civilization and such a convenience is nice * * * * * * * * * * Internet for a few minutes, so.lets post what I got and worry about all else later. Gotta go talk to Vova about the well situation Have a nice day WtR Canl Bahis siteleri sektoru son derece onu ack ve farkl ozelliklere sahip bir sektordur. Elbette bahis secenekleri arasnda yuksek kazanc getiren alan kuskusuz canl bahistir. Peki, canl bahis nedir? Canl Bahis Nedir? Canl bahis adndan da anlaslacag gibi devam eden musabakaya bahis yapmaktr. Bu bahis musabaka devam ederken de yaplabilir olmasdr. Basta futbol olmak uzere voleybol, tenis, hentbol, basketbol, buz hokeyi ve masa tenisi gibi spor organizasyonlarna canl bahisler yaplabilmektedir. Canl bahis siteleri bu oyunlarn hepsine yuksek oranlara bahis yapmanza imkan tanr. En fazla tercih edilen futbol canl bahisleri diger alanlara gore daha fazla on plandadr. Siteden siteye degisen sartlar ve uygulama esaslar soz konusu olsa da kurallar sabittir. Canl bahisi populer klan ve heyecan katan en onemli ozellikle musabakann basladg ana dek bahis yapabilmedir. Canl bahis icerisinde yer alan secenekler kazanma sansnz da dogrudan arttrmaktadr. Ilk korneri kim kullanr, ilk tac, gol, sar kart, krmz kart gibi futbol musabakas icerisinde olabilecek hemen hemen her seye bahis yaplabilmektedir. Normal bahisegore de son derece yuksek oranda olmas avantajl yonlerini ortaya koymaktadr. Nitekim dogru secenek ksa surede kazancl ckmanza etki edecektir. Strateji ve dogru analizle 90 dakika gibi bir surede anaparanzkatlayabilirsiniz. Tabi bunu basarabilmek icin mutlaka musabakaya dair ayrntlar iyi degerlendirmek gerekir. Soz konusu musabakann detaylarn inceleyip, cezal, sakat oyuncu veya performans dusen takm oyunu gibi detaylar bilmek canl bahiste kazanc belirleyen onemli unsurdur. Guvenilir Canl bahis hem heyecanl zaman gecirmeyi hem de musabakalar takip ederken para kazanmay saglamaktadr. Canl Bahis Nasl Oynanr? Bahislerinizi guvenilir sitelerden gerceklestirdiginiz zaman herhangi bir sekilde para cekme de sorun yasamazsnz. Guvenilir bahis siteleri tespit edip sonrasnda da uyelik islemlerini tamamlamanz gerekmektedir. Belirlenen uyelik sartlarn yerine getirip hesabnza da paray aktardktan sonra bahis islemlerini sorunsuz yapabilirsiniz. Peki, canl bahis nasl oynanr? Oncelikle bahis konusunda mutlaka dogru site arastrmas yapmalsnz. Yapacagnz arastrma neticesinde buldugunuz site uzerinden canl bahisislemlerini gerceklestirebilirsiniz. Bunun icin uye olup, hesaba para atp, canl bahis bolumune girmelisiniz. Sonrasnda dahil olmak istediginiz musabakann saatini ogrenip, gerekli analizleri yapmalsnz. Tahminlerinizi belirledikten sonra karsnza ckacak olan bahis sayfasndan istediginiz hamleyi yapmalsnz. Bahis tutarn belirledikten sonra musabaka baslayacaktr. Canl bahis diger normal bahis esaslarna gore farkllklar icermektedir. Bunlardan en onemlisi musabakann gidisatna gore islem yapabilir olmaktr.Ayrca musabakann 2. Yarsna gore hamle yapp ayr bir bahisin soz konusu olmas da ciddi avantajdr. Dogru hamle ile sizde istediginiz bahisi yapp kazanc elde edebilirsiniz. Nitekim canl olarak yapacagnz bahis icin mac oncesi raporlara gore hareket etmek onemlidir. Cunku takmlarn durumlarn analiz etmek tahmin gucunu arttracaktr. Misal tamnn en iyi oyuncusu sakat ya da kart cezals ise takmn performansnda dusus yasanacaktr. Buna ek olarak takmn deplasman performans ile evinde ki performans ayr olacaktr. Burada da takmn musabakay nerede yaptgna bakmak gerekir. Bu ayrntlar da iyice analiz ettikten sonra bahsinizi yapp kazanmann keyfini yasayabilirsiniz. Canl Bahis Siteleri Son derece yuksek getiriye sahip bahis sektoru uzun zamandr faaliyet gostermektedir. Cok ciddi rakamlarn soz konusu oldugu bu sektor zamanla sanal ortamlara donusmustur. Elbette guvenli ve bir o kadar da avantajl olan bu siteler cok yonlu frsatlar sunmaktadrlar. Canl iddaa siteleri gerek yeni uyelere gerekse de hali hazrdaki uyelerine bolca bonus frsatlar vermektedir. Yatracagnz tutara gore belirlenen bonuslar site icerisinde rahat hareket etmenizi de saglayacaktr. Canl bahis sitelerini kullanmadan once mutlaka guvenli olup olmadgna goz atmalsnz. Zira baz kullanclar guvenli olmayan sitelerden yaptklar islemlerden dolay magdur olmaktadrlar. Nitekim guvenli ve sorunsuz hizmet sunan yurt ds site tercih etmek en dogru secenektir. Sektorde uzun yllar faaliyet gosteren siteleri tercih edebilirsiniz. Bu alanda yer alan yabanc siteler musteri memnuniyetine onem vermektedir. Oncelik site kullanclarn sorunsuz sekilde bahislerini yapabilir olmasn saglamaktr. Bahis sitelerinde amac hem daha fazla kullancya hizmet vermek hem de sektorde emin admlarla ilerlemek onceliklidir. Dogru site tercihi ile sizde canl bahislerinizi sorun yasamadan gerceklestirebilirsiniz. Sizler icin hazrlams oldugumuz canl bahis siteleri listesi su sekildedir; Mobilbahis Tempobet Bets10 Bahigo 1xbahis Betboo Youwin Superbahis Sralams oldugumuz bu siteler sektorde basarl islere imza atms sitelerdedir. Canl bahis konusunda beklentileri karslayacak olan bu siteler sizlere kolaylk sunmaktadrlar. Bol bonuslu secenekle de sizlere farkl bahis yonlerini sunacaklardr. Sistemsel etki icerisinde her zaman etkin sonuc alabilmek icin surekli olarak faaliyet icerisindedirler. Canl Bahis Taktikleri Bahis sektorunun en fazla dikkat edilmesi gereken hususu dogru taktik ve dogru tahmindir. Elbette dogru tahmini yapabilmek icin analizi cok iyi yapmak gerekir. Canl bahis taktikleri arasnda ilk sra analiz gelmektedir. Analiz yapamadgnz zaman basarl tahminlerde bulunmanz pek de mumkun degildir. Cunku bahiste onemli olan konu musabakann analizini cok iyi yaplmas gerektigidir. Canl bahisin ozelliklerini iyi bilmek ve nasl bir hamle yapacagnz bilmek gerekir. Ozellikle riskli maclarda yaplacak degerlendirmeler cok daha onemlidir. Canl bahis yapacaklarn takip edecegi degerler takmlarn durumlar ile alakal olmaldr. Performans uzerine kurulu bahis sisteminde takm degerlendirmesine iyi bakmak gerekir. Iki takmn son 5 macta nasl bir sonuc ortaya koyduguna bakarak hareket etmek onemlidir. Ayrca hangi takm evinde daha iyi performans sergiliyor diye de ayrca bakmak gerekir. Analizlerle alakal puan durumlarna da goz atmak cok onemlidir. Puan degerlendirmesinde oncelikle takmlarn ihtiyaclar ile dogru orantl hareket etmek gerekir. Cunku olusturulan performans takmn da durumunu ortaya koymaktadr. Nitekim istenilen sonucu elde edebilmek icin tum ayrntlar bilmek gerekir. Takm ici duzenden tutunda da takmn son durumuna kadar her ayrnt onemlidir. Iki takmn birbirleri arasnda ki sonuclar da incelemek gerekir. Burada dikkat edilecek detaylarn basnda maclarda kac gol oldugu ve gollerin hangi dakikalarda atldgdr. Cekismeli gecen musabakalarda bazen goller ilk yarda daha fazla olurken baz maclarda da ikinci yarda daha cok gol olmustur. Iki takm arasnda ki maclarda gollerin cogunlugu ilk yarda geliyorsa buna gore bahis yapabilirsiniz. Canl Bahis Siteleri Bonuslar ve Kampanyalar Bahis yapanlar veya yapmay dusununler sitelerin sunmus olduklar frsatlar merak etmektedirler. Cunku siteler daha fazla kullancya erismek icin her donem kampanyalar duzenleyerek kullanc odakl hamleler yapmaktadrlar. Canl bahis bonuslar ve kampanyalar oldukca populer olup, siteler bu konuda adeta birbirleri ile yarsmaktadrlar. Birbirinden farkl ozelliklere sahip olan kampanyalar size frsatlar sunmaktadr. Daha cok kazanma ihtimalinizi arttran bu bonuslar daha cesur olmanza da dogrudan etki edecektir. Nitekim bonuslar sitelerin cekiciligini ve avantajlarn arttrmaktadr. En cok kazandran canl bahis siteleri bedava bonuslar ve kampanyalar icin http://www.milano2018.com/canli-bahis-siteleri-2022/ linkinden yardm alabilirsiniz. Hos geldin bonusu ile baslayan ve sonrasnda para yatrdkca bonus veren cok sayda site bulunmaktadr. Canl bahis bonusu veren siteler yeni uyelere sunduklar frsatlar farkl kampanyalarla mevcut uyelerine de sunmaktadrlar. Hali hazrda siteyi kullananlarn da bonus frsatlarndan yararlanmalar icin donemsel kampanyalar olusturmaktadrlar. Boylece baska sitelere gidisler olmayacag gibi site de daha keyifli zaman gecirmek mumkun klnmaktadr. Bu tur eklentiler yapan sitelerde musteri memnuniyeti daha fazladr. Bahis siteleri ozellik ve uygulama bakmndan farkllklar bunyelerinde bulundurmaktadrlar. Verilen bonuslarn olusturulmas ve kullanclar aktarlmasnda yatrlan para miktarlar belirleyici olmaktadr. 1.000 TL yatran bir kullanc yuzde 20 bonus frsat olan bir kampanyadan 200 TL bonus kazanabilmektedir. Yatracag tutar 10.000 TL oldugunda bu bonustutar 2.000 TL olabilmektedir. Gerceklesen ve uygulanan esaslar tamamen donemsel olarak yaplan kampanyalarla alakaldr. Iyi Canl bahis siteleri bonuslar ve kampanyalar icin sitelerin vermis oldugu oranlar takip edebilirsiniz. Canl Bahis Siteleri Para Yatrma Online Canl bahis yapacaklarn merak ettigi konulardan bir digeri de para yatrma islemleridir. Oldukca onemli olan bu konuda hata yapmamak cok onemlidir. Canl bahis sitelerine para yatrma islemi sanlann aksine son derece basittir. Oldukca basit ve uygulama esas dogru etki olusturan bu yapda sizde islemi rahatca tamamlayabilirsiniz. Para yatrma konusunda su yolu izleyebilirsiniz. Guvendiginiz ve herhangi bir sekilde aklnzda soru isareti kalmayan bahis sitesine uye olmanz gerekmektedir. Uyelik islemini sorunsuz sekilde tamamladktan sonra para yatrma islemine gecebilirsiniz. Kullanacagnz siteye uye olduktan sonra karsnza kullanc ad ve sifresini gireceginiz yer gelecektir. Buraya giris yaptktan sonra site icerisine islemlere devam edebilirsiniz. Sitede yer alan para yatrma sekmesine tklayp sonrasnda karsnza gelen sayfay inceleyebilirsiniz. Para yatrma bolumunde yer alan ksma ne kadar para yatracagnz yazp devam tusuna basmalsnz. Yatrmak istediginiz tutar girip sonrasnda da devam tusuna bastktan sonra karsnza kart bilgilerinizi gireceginiz sayfa gelecektir. Kredi kart kullanarak para gondermek isteyenlerin tercih ettigi bu sayfa tum bilgiler girilip islem onaylanmaldr. Canl bahis sitelerine para yatrma islemini gerceklestirmek icin hesaba havale secenegini de kullanabilirsiniz. Site icerisinde musteri hizmetleri ile iletisime gecerek banka hesap numaralarn ogrenebilirsiniz. Belirtilen IBAN numarasna istediginiz tutar havale edebilirsiniz. Havale ederken acklama ksmna yazlacak bilgilere dikkat etmelisiniz. Kredi kart veya banka havalesi ile gerceklesen para yatrma islemi sonucunda site hesabnzdan bakiyenize bakabilirsiniz. Bakiyenize gore dilediginiz sekilde bahislerinizi gerceklestirebilirsiniz. Canl Bahis Siteleri Para Cekme Canl bahiste dogru hamleler ve dogru tahminler sonucunda kazandgnz bedeli geri almak isteyebilirsiniz. Kazanclarnz istediginiz banka hesabnza cekebilmek icin uymanz gereken kurallar soz konusudur. Oncelikle bahis sitelerinden para cekebilmeniz icin uye olurken dogru bilgi paylasmnda bulunmanz gerektigidir. Cunku canl bahis sitelerinden para cekme islemi icin kullanc hesab ile talep edilen banka hesap bilgilerinin ortusmesi gerekir. Yani uye olurken verilen bilgi ile banka hesab kime ait ise o bilgiler ayn olmaldr. Bu uygulama sitenin hem kullancsn hem de kendisini guvene alma politikasdr. Ayrca frsatclarn onune gecerek yeni bir uye olusumunun da onune gecmek amac gutmektedir. Uye olan kisi farkl para cekilme talebi verilen hesap farkl oldugunda para cekme islemi gerceklesmeyecektir. Bahisleriniz sonucunda kazanc elde edebilir ve bu kazancnz da hakknz olarak almak isteyebilirsiniz. Burada son derece basit uygulama soz konusu olurken siteler aras farkl gorunumler soz konusu olabilir. Fakat yine de tum sitelerde uyenin site icerisinde para cekme bolumune girmesi yeterlidir. Burada cekilecek olan tutarn belirlenmesi ve hesap numarasnn girilmesi ile birlikte islem onay gerekecektir. Para cekme taleplerinde sizden gerekli bilgiler istenmekte ve havale islemi istenilen bilgiler esliginde yurutulmektedir. Dogru bilgi paylasmak sorunsuz para cekebilmeniz en onemli kuraldr. Istenilen bilgiler girildikten sonra site sorumlular gerekli kontrolleri yapp herhangi bir sorun yoksa ksa surede hesabnza gerekli paray aktaracaklardr. Canl Bahis Sitelerinden Para Cekmek Icin Istenen Belgeler Bahis sitelerine uye olduktan sonra baz kullanclar para cekme taleplerinin karslanmadg konusunda sikayetlerde bulunmuslardr. Bu sikayetlersektorde uzun zamandr bulunan guvenilir bahis siteleri de yer almaktadr. Fakat sikayetlerin dayanaklarna bakldgnda ise islerin tamamen farkl oldugu gorulmektedir. Yasanan bu durum kullanclarn hatal bilgi girmesi ve uyelik bilgileri ile banka bilgilerinin uyusmamas ile dogru orantldr. Birde canl bahis para cekmek icin istenen belgeler eksik ya da hatal olarak sunulmus olabilir. Ortaya ckan karsklar neticesinde para cekme talebinde bulunan kisi istedigini alamadg icin sikayetci olmaktadr. Oysa ki istenilen bilgiler dogru ve istenilen evraklar eksiksiz sunulsa para cekme islemi sorunsuz olacak. Sitelerin para cekme konusunda dikkatli hareket etmesi hilelerin ve illegal faaliyetlerin onune gecmek adnadr. Cunku baz kullanclar farkl bilgiler vererek ikinci hesap acabilmektedirler. Bazen de bilincsizce hatal bilgi girilebilmektedir. Hatal islemlerin cozumu konusunda islem yaptgnz sitenin musteri temsilcileri ile gorusebilirsiniz. Talepleriniz dogrultusunda para cekme islemlerinde ki sorunlar giderilecektir. Canl bahis para cekmek icin istenen belgeler listesi su sekildedir; Kullanc bilgileri ile banka bilgilerini karslastrmak icin kimlik fotokopisi Banka hesap bilgileri Ikametgah ve kisiye ait herhangi bir fatura. Kacak Iddaa Turkiyede dogrudan bahis yapmak icin resmi kanallar kullanlabilmektedir. Fakat tercih edilen ve oran olarak cok daha fazla frsatlar sunan kacar iddaasiteleri bulunmaktadr. Bu siteler kanunlara aykr sekilde yaplmakta olup, yasal bir dayanag yoktur. Elbette bu sitelerin kurulus merkezi Turkiye olmayp, ds ulkelerdedir ve faaliyetler belirlenen siteler uzerinden yaplmaktadr. Kacak Iddaa oldukca riskli olup, cok dikkatli olunmas gerekir. Kacak Bahis Kanunlar cercevesinde istediginiz gibi bahis yapamayabilirsiniz. Bahis yapabilmek icin ya kanuni olarak sorun olmayan ulke dsnda ki kumarhanelere gitmeniz veya kacak bahis sitelerinden islem yapabilirsiniz. Zira bu durum tehlikeli olsa da cok sayda site guvenli sekilde bu alanda hizmet vermektedir. Kacak bahiste oldukca fazla secenek bulunurken yuksek oranda kazanc sunuyor olmas da ragbeti arttryor. Illegal Bahis Bahisin bircok alanda yasak oldugu Turkiyede bu alanda cok sayda yabanc merkezli siteler hizmet vermektedir. Illegal bahis sektorunde faaliyet gosteren siteler guvenli hizmet anlays ile kullanclarna frsatlar sunmaktadr. Yurt ds merkezli bu siteler sorunsuz sekilde hizmetlerini surdururken bulunduklar ulkelerde kanunlara uygun sekildedir. Elbette faaliyet noktasnda bulunduklar ulkelerde sorun teskil etmese de Turkiyede faaliyet gostermeleri kanunin yasaklanmstr. Yasads Bahis Gerek olusturulan etkenler gerekse de ortaya konulan riskler yasads bahis de oldukca tehlikelidir. Kanunlarn mudahil olduklar bu alanlar da hem kullanclar hem de populer bahis yaptranlar tum riskleri goze almaktadrlar. Fakat yasaklardan uzak sekilde guvenli hizmet sunan siteler de bulunmaktadr. Takipler neticesinde kapatlan sitelerin muhakkak alternatifleri kurularak yollarna devam etmektedirler. Canl Iddaa Siteleri Nelerdir? Dunya genelinde kabul gormus cok sayda guvenli hizmet veren populer bahis siteleri bulunmaktadr. Elbette bu siteler dunyann bircok ulkesinde faaliyet gosterse de Turkiyede yasaktr. Sektorde yer alan cok sayda legal iddaa siteleri bulunmaktadr. Herhangi bir kanunsuzlugun olmadg bu sitelerden hzl ve guvenli islem yaplabilmektedir. Tabi bu sitelerde uygulanan oranlar yasal olmayan sitelere gore daha dusuktur. Illegal sitelerin tercih edilme sebeplerinin en onemli etkeni de olusturulan oranlardr. Peki, Iddaa siteleri nelerdir? Faaliyetleri ve uygulama esaslar nelerdir? Turkiyede faaliyet gosteren yasal iddaa siteleri listesi su sekildedir; Iddaa Bilyoner Tuttur Birebin Oley Nesine Misli Iddaa 2004 ylnda hizmet vermeye baslayan Iddaa Spor toto tarafndan kurulmus olup, ilk etapta bayilik seklinde calsmaya baslamstr. Elbette zamanla gelisen teknolojiye ayak uydurarak internet uzerinde de populer bahis severlerin hizmetine sunulmustur. Kuruldugu donemde devletin resmi kurumu olarak faaliyet gosterirken gelinen yeni donemde ozellestirilmistir. Bilyoner Turkiyede faaliyetine 2006 ylnda baslayan Bilyoner ilk ozel yasal bahis sitesi olma ozelligine sahiptir. Guvenilir bahis siteleri Turkiyede bunlardr. Ksa surede populer olan site halen faaliyetlerini sorunsuz sekilde surdurmektedir. Tuttur Ksa surede adndan bahsettirmeyi basaran Tuttur 2009 ylnda faaliyetlere baslamstr. Guvenilir bahis siteleri arasnda yerini almstr. Gunumuze dek bircok alanda populer bahis yapanlara frsatlar sunarken avantajlar ile de begeni toplamstr. Birebin Kullanc odakl calsmalar surdurse de 2011 ylnda sektore giren Birebindiger sitelere gore daha az ragbet gormektedir. Bahis oynamak ise bu sitede oldukca kolaydr. Elbette farkl yaklasmlara sahip olmasndan dolay ilerleyen sureclerde adndan sklkla bahsettirecek gibi gorunuyor. Oley 2009 ylnda Dogus yayn gruplarnn istiraki olarak kurulmus olup yasal olarak herhangi bir sorunu olmayan sitelerdendir. Bahis siteleri arasnda hzl cks yapms bir sitedir. Oley yapms oldugu yenilikler ile kullanclarn da dikkatini ksa surede cekmeyi basarmstr. Nesine Birbirini takip eden surecte Nesine de yine 2006 ylnda hizmet vermeye baslamstr. Yasal bahis siteleri arasnda yerini almay basaran firma ksa surede sevilen ve ragbet goren bir site olmustur. Misli 2009 ylnda sektore cok hzl giris yapan Misli cok sayda reklam filmi ile on plana ckmay basarmstr. Internet uzerinden hem yasal hem de sorunsuz hizmet veren bahis sitelerinden bir tanesi olmustur. Canl Bahis Siteleri Kayt ve Uyelik Islemleri Her zaman populerligini koruyan ve surekli gelisim gosteren canl bahis gun gectikce daha da gucleniyor. Bahis oynamak icin ise sitelere uye olunmas gerekir. Yuksek getirisi ve begeni toplayan faaliyetleri ile cok sayda site bu alanda faaliyet gostermektedir. Elbette sorunsuz sekilde uye olmanz ve faaliyetler gostermeniz de oldukca kolaydr. Canl bahis siteleri kayt ve uyelik islemleri dakikalar icerisinde gerceklestirilecek yapya sahiptir. Uye olacagnz siteyi belirledikten sonra siteye girmeniz gerekmektedir. Girdiginiz sitenin ana sayfasnda uye ol ya da kayt ol bolumu bulunacaktr. Siteler arasnda degiskenlik gosteren bu alanda temel unsurlar bulunmaktadr. Elbette farkllklar olsa da temelinde benzer bilgiler uye olmak isteyen kisilerden talep edilmektedir. Uye ol bolumune tkladktan sonra karsnza uyelik bilgi formu ckacaktr. Bu formda sizin kim oldugunuzu ogrenmek ve sitenin guvenligini saglamak adna islemler yaplmaktadr. Uyelik formunda yer alan ad soyad bolumunu eksiksiz ve dogru sekilde doldurmalsnz. Sizden bu formda istenen bilgilerin tamamn girmeniz istenecektir. Istenen bilgiler mutlaka dogru ve eksiksiz sekilde olmaldr. Eksik veya hatal bilgi uyelik islemlerinde sorun teskil edebilir. Yine de yanls bilgi girisine ragmen uyelik islemleri tamamlanabilir. Fakat boyle bir yol izleyenler sonrasnda buyuk skntlarla karslasabilirler. Bu skntlarn basnda da para cekme islemlerinde yasanan sorunlardr. Uyelik islemleri dikkatli ve ozenle doldurulmas gereken yapdadr. Canl bahis siteleri kayt ve uyelik islemleri gerceklestirilirken verilen bilgiler site yonetimi tarafndan muhafaza edilmektedir. Herhangi bir sekilde 3. Sahslarla paylaslmas gibi bir durum soz konusu degildir. Bu faaliyetleri surduren sitelerin guven unsurlar arasnda bu nokta onceliklidir. Bahis sitelerine uye olurken hatal bilgi paylasmnda bulunmak size faydadan cok zarar verecektir. Diyelim ki bilgileri hatal girdiniz ve uyelik onayland. Uyelik tamamlandktan sonra siteye para yatrdnz ve kazanc elde ettiniz. Kazancnz sonrasnda hesabnza almak istediginizde karsnza banka bilgileri bolumu gelecektir. Para cekme talebi gerceklestikten sonra site uyelik bilgileri ile banka hesap bilgileri ortusmez ise paranz alamazsnz. Boyle bir durumla karslasmamak adna bu hususa ayrca dikkat etmelisiniz. CAI MENG/CHINA DAILY More than half of the college students who responded to a nationwide survey said they didn't participate in outdoor activities during the summer vacation. They wake up late, have their meals at irregular intervals and spend a majority of their time surfing the internet, according to the survey. And more than 70 percent of the students said life during the summer vacation was boring and meaningless. The survey results should come as no surprise, because even when regular classes are held many college students don't maintain a healthy daily routine, preferring to stay in dormitories throughout the day and doing nothing except routine college work. The survey should awaken students to the real meaning of vacations. It should also remind college authorities and parents to provide more resources and create more opportunities for students to make vacations meaningful. Many Chinese students lose their motivation after entering college, because Chinese colleges don't offer adequate academy and career planning education. And those students who lack interest or motivation, or are not independent-minded don't know how to manage themselves at college. Up to high school, many Chinese students' education and life are planned and managed by their parents and teachers. Once such students enter college, they are basically on their own and don't know what to do, except perhaps surf the internet. According to a survey, about 20 percent of college students are seriously addicted to the internet, which affects their daily life. Some colleges are aware of this problem and have taken measures to cope with it. For example, they prohibit freshmen from buying notebooks or tablets, switch off dormitory lights at a given time every night or require students to participate in morning exercise. Although such measures are effective to a certain extent, they fail to sufficiently motivate students to take part in constructive activities. The need therefore is to make academic and career planning part of the education syllabus. Some colleges do assign students vacation "homework" that involves social activities. But some students seem to ignore them because they don't make a difference to their final academic scores while others persuade an institution or company to issue a certificate for social work without ever participating in it. In such circumstances, colleges should provide opportunities and suggestions for social activities to help students do take part in social work. They should also require records of the social work done by students instead of certificates to evaluate their performance. And social organizations should take the lead in spreading social education by providing guidance for and offering internship to college students. Besides, the period between passing the college entrance examination and actually attending a college is vital for students. So parents should ensure their children don't waste those precious days doing nothing, for which they have to communicate with them. In China, too much attention is paid to academic performance. School education, social education and family education all focus on exam scores. Students of primary and middle schools are busier during holidays than school days because they have to attend special classes to improve their scores. So when students enter a college and know that they no longer have to pursue high scores, they find nothing meaningful to do, especially during vacations. Even those college students who appear busy during holidays are actually preparing for post-graduate entrance exams or exams to enter overseas universities. Students are welcome to go in for higher studies, but they should also make full use of their vacations to improve their knowledge about the world, sharpen their interactive skills and take part in meaningful activities, and exercise regularly to maintain their physical health. The author is deputy director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute. Aug 18, 2016 | By Benedict Brooklyn-based 3D printer manufacturer gCreate, maker of the gMax series of 3D printers, has relocated its headquarters to premises three times larger than its previous Industry City space. The company had been at Industry City since 2014. Industry City, the gigantic Brooklyn-based innovation space, has played no small part in the history of New York 3D printing over the last few years, but has just lost one its most beloved additive manufacturing residents. No, not MakerBot, although that company has operated at the facility since 2013, downsizing earlier this year in preparation for its gradual transition to Chinese production facilities. The company we had in mind was gCreate, manufacturer of the gMax line of printers, which becomes the latest 3D printer manufacturer to fly the Industry City coop as it relocates to new premises in Bushwick, a tech hub in North Brooklyn. With gCreate on track to break 300% year-on-year revenue from 2015 to 2016, its expansion to a three-times-larger facility in Bushwick makes total sense. The company manufactures, assembles, tests, and ships all of its gMax 3D printers in-house, and the larger space will facilitate increased efficiency, a strategic hiring initiative, and an additional focus on production and R&D. It will also enable the company to expand its selective large-format printing services. The new gCreate headquarters were designed by architect and gCreate co-founder Gordon LaPlante, who endeavored to create a space that was unmistakably Brooklyn while also incorporating the heart and soul of gCreate into the buildings aesthetic. The industrial-style space makes use of wood and metal, and surrounds a custom-designed print farm consisting of more than 58,000 cubic inches of printer volume. Following the departure of MarkerBot and the closure of Solidoodle, gCreate says it is determined to keep the heartbeat of the Brooklyn 3D printing scene beating. "To be able to expand our operations and remain in Brooklyn is a huge win for us, said gCreate co-founder Anna Lee. We are proud to be a NYC-based company that is creating manufacturing jobs locally and also supporting many US suppliers in areas such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Upstate New York. Funded by a 2013 Kickstarter campaign, the large-format gMax 3D Printer remains gCreates flagship product. The FDM 3D printer enables users to print huge objectstables, chairs, even a life-sized Pikachu modelat an affordable price. Technical specs for gMax 1.5+ 3D printer (2016) Dimensions: 28.5W x 24D x 21.5H Print volume (1.5+): 16" x 16" x 12" (3,072 in) Print volume (1.5 XT+): 16" x 16" x 21" (5,376 in) Resolution: 80 microns to 400 microns Standard bed: 1/4" sanded acrylic Optional bed: Heated aluminum or glass bed with custom Buildtak surface Nozzle: 0.5mm J-Head Mk V-BV (by Reifsnyder Precision Works) Connection: USB, SD, internet Electronics: RAMPS v1.4 with Marlin firmware Motors: High Quality NEMA 17 1.68 amp, 1.8 step angle, 1/16 micro stepping Posted in 3D Printer Company Maybe you also like: g wrote at 8/22/2016 3:54:15 PM:Only if people continue to support the terrible rip-off products flooding out of China. Not every company goes that route...Jack wrote at 8/22/2016 12:54:27 AM:gCreate new shop looks real nice. Congrats!!!!Brooklyner wrote at 8/21/2016 8:25:15 PM:Interesting, same building as Voodoo. Bushwick is the new printing haven!eccenture wrote at 8/18/2016 11:47:57 PM:These guys will go the Shillbot way to Shenzen with their tail between their legs in six months' time. Proudly made in the US of A - until the financial realities kick in, that is. Aug 19, 2016 | By Tess British engineering and additive manufacturing company Renishaw has partnered with aerospace giant Airbus on a new 17.7 million project geared towards developing new ways of designing and manufacturing aircraft wings with 3D printing technologies. The project, called Wing Design Methodology Validation or Windy, is hoping to encourage what the companies have called a right first time approach which will aim to reduce development time of aircraft parts. First announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, the partnership and new project are being funded through a joint industry and UK government investment. The latter has been made possible through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI). The project itself is being led by a team from Airbus in Filton, Bristola leader in the design, development, and testing of aircraft wingsand will be undertaken in partnership with Renishaw, who will provide expertise in both the areas of metal 3D printing and precision measurement. Clive Martell, Renishaws head of global additive manufacturing, says of the project: This is a fantastic opportunity to work with Airbus and other project partners to develop processes that will fully test the capabilities of additive manufacturing. If we can highlight the design and production benefits of this technology in one of the most demanding industry sectors, then it paves the way for greater of adoption of AM for serialised production in many other applications. Renishaw's Clive Martell As mentioned, the Windy project will be focused on the development of new and innovative aircraft wing designs in an overall more efficient way. As Tom Williams, Airbus chief operating officer, explains: Aircraft wing design is a hugely complicated process and this project will look at ways we can increase robustness of the design and test process while also reducing the time this takes. Developing state-of-the-art technology will be at the heart of achieving these improvements and this investment is vital for that. Specifically, Windy will investigate the potentials of creating complex components for wing structures with 3D printing, designing more aerodynamic wing models, and the potentials of developing innovative loads control on aircraft to enable more efficiency while flying. One of the projects main goals, as CTO of the ATI Simon Weeks explains, is to help sustain and expand the UKs position as global leader in the manufacturing of advanced aircraft wings. Weeks says, The Windy project is a key element of this aim, securing essential wing design and integration capabilities in the UK and opening the way to innovative 3D printed wing components. These will lead to lighter and more efficient wings, which will be needed for future generations of greener airliners. To put the project into more perspective, within the next 15 to 20 years, a reported 30,000 new aircraft will be required, to both replace existing models and to expand airlines fleets. Current projects and innovations like the Windy project will help in the development of new and innovative features for these future models, and will help to advance the aircraft industry as a whole. In the UK, the aerospace sector supports more than 3,000 companies and directly employs more than 116,000 people. The UK also boasts having Europes leading aerospace industry, which on a global level is second only to the United States. Additionally, the industry has grown by a rate of 5% every year largely due to the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) which promotes the industry through industry and government partnerships. Now, with metal 3D printing experts Renishaw in the mix, new innovations and advancements within the sector are expected. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: David V. Johnson in Dissent: The rhetoric of revolution is in the air. Democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders launched an impressive bid for the Democratic presidential nomination on a call for political revolution and, since conceding the nomination to Hillary Clinton, has redirected his campaign into a permanent organization under the same banner. Donald Trump succeeded in his insurgent campaign for the GOP nomination by tapping populist anger against Washingtons corrupt establishment. In Europe, far-right and -left parties have scored eye-opening wins in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Hungary, and Greece, and threaten to shred the fabric of the European Union and even some of its member states. But all movements for revolutionary change inevitably confront the challenge of navigating (or disrupting) the institutions in which day-to-day politics is housed. Calls to end austerity, reform immigration, overhaul campaign finance, or correct massive inequality ultimately end up in the legislatures, executives, and courts. Radicals may seek to smash such institutions, but if they gain power, they face the Herculean task of building new ones. The problem with revolutionary politics, in short, is that it tends to be naive about political institutions. I can recommend no better corrective than liberal political philosopher Jeremy Waldron, and no better introduction to his thinking than his recently published collection of essays, Political Political Theory. More here. Justin E. H. Smith in his own blog: I am not an Orthodox Christian. (I am not an orthodox anything.) Among my immediate blood ancestors there is Scandinavian Lutheranism, Southern Baptism, and Mormonism (I am not just any Smith, either). I wound up in a private Catholic school, and as a strategy to make me fit in better socially I was caused to be baptized at the age of 13 (the strategy didn't work). My mother re-married into the reform Jewish world, and now on that side of the family bar mitzvahs and Passover are as important as any other dates on the calendar. My father, I take it, is a libre penseur, but often mentions how impressed he was by Thomas Aquinas's version of the cosmological argument (that there must be a first cause). To this not totally atypical history of American mongrelism it should be added that I have spent significant portions of my life in the Orthodox Christian world, and have had many important life experiences within it, involving both love and death. These experiences have at times caused me to respond, at least aesthetically and perhaps even 'spiritually', to Orthodox symbols: to say inwardly, at the sight of a blackened icon, something like, 'I get it'. If I may attempt to distill some sort of essence out of Orthodox Christianity in just a few words, it is the variety of Christianity that still takes love and death seriously, that continues to have its hand in the way these are lived by individual members of the church, and to actively and minutely prescribe the ritual forms through which they are to be lived. The Enlightenment never happened, there is nothing about sola fide, and religion remains deeply entrenched in, some might say confined by, ritual. More here. In a summer that has seen armies of superheroes and antiheroes do battle in whirlwinds of disorienting camera angles and frenzied editing, Ben-Hur's epic sea encounter told from within the confines of a prisoner's floating cell is the most startlingly original and nerve-shattering action sequence of the year. The film's performances are all fine, but let's face it: This was a pretty low bar to begin with. Heston was a presence more than an actor, and Stephen Boyd who played his best friend/nemesis, Messala Severus was a dimple-chinned stiff. Huston and Kebbell breathe easy life into the characters, making this Ben-Hur a human story rather than a Sunday school pageant. As the nomadic sheik who helps Ben-Hur gain his revenge, Morgan Freeman won't win an Oscar (as Hugh Griffith did when he played the role in 1959). Yet Freeman's performance is superior by far, even if you suspect he's been given certain speeches just so we can hear that magisterial voice. If one thing fails this movie, it's the script. Screenwriters Keith R. Clarke and John Ridley move things along moderately well for the first 90 minutes; then, after the climactic chariot race, the scenes rush by like an extended trailer for coming attractions. In trying to tie up every loose end, they weave a Gordian knot that could not be severed even with the super-sharp Roman sword our hero conjures out of thin air after five years of rowing virtually in the nude. The novel Ben-Hur was the best-selling book since the Bible, and the 1959 movie remains tied for most Oscars won by a single film (11). You can argue it's a story that didn't need to be retold 57 years later, but in many ways this version is a better movie. Oddly, that's still not enough to make it a classic. Bill Newcott is a writer, editor and movie critic for AARP Media. Our website uses cookies which are necessary for running the website and for providing the services you request. We would also like to set the following optional cookies on your device. You can change these settings any time later by clicking "Change cookie settings" at the bottom of any page. For more information, please read our Cookie Information. Please select the optional cookies we can set on your device: Mandeville, Louisiana The International Association of HealthCare Professionals is pleased to welcome William R. Romani Jr., MD, Radiologist, to their prestigious organization with his upcoming publication in The Leading Physicians of the World. Dr. Romani currently serves patients at Omega Professional Services in Mandeville, Louisiana and has over 15 years of experience specializing in radiology and abdominal imaging. Dr. Romani was educated at the University of Toledo Medical Center and completed a residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology and remains a professional member of the American College of Radiology, the Radiological Society of North America, the Radiological Society of Louisiana and the Texas Radiological Society. Dr. Romani attributes his success to dedication, family support, and his drive to make a difference. When not assisting patients, he enjoys traveling, biking, and spending time outdoors. View William R. Romani, Jr., MDs Profile Here: https://www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/William-Romani-Jr-Radiologist-Mandeville-Louisiana-70471 Be sure to read Dr. Romanis upcoming publication in The Leading Physicians of the World. About FindaTopDoc FindaTopDoc.com is a hub for all things medicine, featuring detailed descriptions of medical professionals across all areas of expertise, and information on thousands of healthcare topics. Each month, millions of patients use FindaTopDoc to find a doctor nearby and instantly book an appointment online or create a review. Findatopdoc.com features each doctors full professional biography highlighting their achievements, experience, patient reviews and areas of expertise. A leading provider of valuable health information that helps empower patient and doctor alike, FindaTopDoc enables readers to live a happier and healthier life. For more information about FindaTopDoc, visit http://www.findatopdoc.com Media Contact Company Name: International Association of HealthCare Professionals Contact Person: Lauren Email: lauren.findatopdoc@gmail.com Phone: 877-447-8360 Country: United States Website: www.findatopdoc.com SysTools is listed among the fastest growing, most successful software development company in India by The Silicon Review Magazine. The Data Recovery, Risk management and Email Investigation tools from SysTools also gained much appreciation for its outstanding qualities and feature list. Salt Lake City, Utah 19 August, 2016 The Silicon Review magazine on its August 2016 edition reviewed and listed SysTools Software Pvt Ltd as one of the fastest growing & most successful brand for Disaster Recovery and Risk Management Solutions. SysTools is into the domain of data recovery, email migration and cloud computing over past 10 years. Over these years many awards and appreciations reach them for their outstanding offers to resolve IT related troubles with main focus on Disaster Recovery and Digital Forensics arena. The Silicon Review magazine listing is of great value, as they look at the most successful companies within the Indian economy that comes with innovative promises. MailXaminer by SysTools, already is an eye candy for email investigators around the world. With the list of excellent features to simplify email investigation, MailXaminer is now the most wanted tool to any digital forensics investigators toolkit. SysTools was founded in the year 2007 and is spread across the country with two main offices at Pune Maharashtra and New Delhi. They provide online software applications for data recovery, email migration, server management, email investigation, mobile forensics and cloud computing etc. Their clientele includes the global biggies who deals with big data. Thousands of enterprises, lakhs & lakhs of home users are till date marked satisfactory by the solutions developed from SysTools resource hub. Data Recovery & Risk Management Solutions from SysTools Appreciated by Global Media! Anuraag Singh, CEO, Co-Founder Making the Silicon Review list is a great milestone for us. As a startup company way back in 2007, we took an idea that was less explored or kept complicated beyond end user reach THE DATA RECOVERY! Till date we simplified various technology for user easiness. To name few platforms that we cover with end to end software applications are, IBM Lotus Notes, Microsoft Exchange Server, Novell GroupWise, Google Apps, SharePoint, Adobe PDF, SQL, SQLite, Office365, and many more. On selecting an industry that evolve rapidly every single day, we were pretty well aware about the challenges that are awaiting us in the coming years. Achieve business growth and deliver innovative risk management technology seemed to be a herculean task at the beginning, but the striving for and passion of developing simplified disaster recovery solutions to achieve static business growth is something that has been instilled in us naturally. Through years of continued focus and dedication on our premium vision and mission helped us to retain our industry standards over the year, i.e. Simplify Technology! SysTools Review by Silicon Magazine gives us more courage to innovate technology and capture new heights of success in terms of user satisfaction as well as our recognition level. Awards, recognitions and appreciations has become a valued annual tradition for our team and its a great honor as well. No matter how many times we are listed, every new time it gives immense pleasure and satisfaction for us. said, Debasish Pramanik, MD, Co-Founder SysTools. Data Recovery and Email Migration was our primary area of interest. Then, with the increasing demand of applications for further computer platforms and verticals, we realized our scope of business development also. Our market research and analysis team played a crucial role in recognizing the most in-demand IT sections that need our solutions. Once the demand was confirmed, we decided to simplify technology with innovative tools and solutions to cater user request. MailXaminer, Mail Migration Wizard, PDF Management tools, Password Recovery solutions and Microsoft Outlook Recovery like Email Client migration applications are all the result of such market studies about user search and queries. The free edition of our software applications is an easy token to our clients to appreciate the feature list of our products. We are fueled by innovation and motivated by our mission, thus ensuring hi-fi of success for both parties the organization as well as our clients! As per the magazine about SysTools review, The innovative risk management and business complaint data recovery solutions from SysTools have ushered in a new era of smart tools that are cost effective and efficient. Other Awards and Recognitions in Credit of SysTools Recently, www.entrepreneur.com in their Enterprise Tech section reviewed SysTools as one of the promising and happening Indian Company that gives 100% effort to prevent Cyber Scams from causing damage to the economic system.The solutions and service from SysTools in controlling the Digi-Scams globallygot huge appreciation and also the noteworthy product list of SysTools was also reviewed and suggested. SysTools Exchange Recovery tool got the MSExchange.org Silver Award for its unique qualities making Exchange Server migration an easy to execute, successful task for users. Company was awarded with NSIC-CRISIL Rating for High Performance Capability & Huge Financial Strength. CIOReview Magazine recognized SysTools twice as Company of the Year in cyber forensics and data recovery and also felicitated its service by listing its name among the Top 10 disaster recovery company. SysTools reviews & appreciation from users is received for every single product purchase from SysTools. Case studies and client reviews will pour more light on How SysTools help its clients to deal their data management issues effectively. Contribution towards Digital Forensics Training and Service Division SysTools marked its entry to the digital forensics and email investigation domain with the release of its flagship product MailXaminer. After the overwhelming welcome that the email forensics tool received from the forensics community, they further extended its service to the Digital Forensics Training and Consultation also. Now, most of the police, law enforcement agencies inside and outside India are associated with SysTools in their cybercrime tracking activities. Being training partner with CCCI Noida SP Circle, CBI Cyber Cell, Delhi Police Cyber Wing and service partner with various state police departments gives the confidence to build a safe cyber space in India sooner than never before. About Company: Founded in the year 2007, company developed major benchmark products to help user community resolve their Risk Management and Data Recovery troubles effectively. SysTools is the most trusted digital solution providers for result oriented service and solutions online. Company consistently innovate its products in order to keep pace with the ever evolving digital practices. SysTools is proudly overseen by its visionary management team and young, energetic batch of engineers, who aggressively contribute their ideas to simplify technology. Media Contact Company Name: SysTools Inc Contact Person: Anuraag Singh Email: anuraag@systoolsgroup.com Phone: +1 888 900 4529 City: Salt Lake City State: Utah Country: United States Website: http://www.systoolsgroup.com/about-us.html Silver City Minerals Limited (ASX:SCI) is a base and precious metal explorer focused on the Broken Hill District of western New South Wales, Australia. It takes its name from the famous Silver City of Broken Hill, home of one of the world's largest natural accumulations of silver, lead and zinc; the Broken Hill Deposit. SCI was established in May 2008 to explore specifically in the District where it controls Exploration Licences and Mineral Claims through 100% ownership and various Sale and Joint Venture agreements. It has a portfolio of highly prospective ground with drill-ready targets focused on high grade silver, gold and base-metals, and a pipeline of prospects moving toward the drill assessment stage. The Washington Post. Amid lingering scrutiny over a staff shake-up in his faltering campaign, Donald Trump and his team of advisers sought to reclaim their footing Thursday by turning their focus back to Trumps calls to strengthen law enforcement around the country. The Republican presidential nominee stopped at the Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Iredell County, North Carolina, ahead of a campaign rally in Charlotte on Thursday evening, praising police officers and bemoaning increased tensions between law enforcement and their communities. Im on your side a thousand percent. What you do is incredible, the risks you take and the danger, Trump told about 50 police officers. I think its probably come out more in the last six months to a year. . . . Its come out more, the danger of being a policeman, than maybe it ever has. Ive never seen it like it is right now. Trumps Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, also met with law enforcement officers Thursday for a discussion in New York about policing and racial tensions. The group included representatives of major city police forces throughout the country. Its obvious that recent events from Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Milwaukee and across the country underscore how difficult and important the work is ahead of us to repair the bonds of trust and respect between our police officers and our communities, Clinton said. We have to be clear-eyed about the challenges we face. We cant ignore them, and certainly we must not inflame them. The meetings came at a sensitive time in relations between police and the communities they protect, after targeted killings of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. At the same time, several high-profile police shootings of African Americans have again roiled the nation this summer, including this past weekend in Milwaukee. Trump has sought to cast himself as the law and order candidate in the race. During a speech Tuesday in the predominantly white city of West Bend, Wisconsin, about an hour outside Milwaukee, he called for greater investment in police forces and said it would make black communities safer. Although the speech which he read from a teleprompter was well received by many Republicans, it was largely overshadowed by news of his campaign restructuring. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trumps running mate, sounded similar themes Thursday during a campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire. Donald Trump and I know our police are not a source of division in America. They represent everything that is good about this city, this state and this nation, Pence said. And were going to fight to stand with them and to stand with their families from the first day of a Trump administration. In contrast with the GOP ticket, Clinton has sought a balance between expressing support for law enforcement and sympathizing with the concerns of Black Lives Matter activists and others outraged by police conduct. Clinton said Thursday that she believes there is an opportunity to work together to address legitimate questions in order to keep our communities safe, to protect lives and property while also respecting every single American. The Trump campaign hopes his tough talk on law enforcement and his aggressive pro-police rhetoric will appeal to disaffected voters worried about the direction of the country. But weeks of self-inflicted wounds have left him badly damaged, and he now trails Clinton by significant margins in national and battleground-state polls. The campaign hopes the restructuring will help Trump close the gap in the final 12 weeks of the race. Veteran pollster Kellyanne Conway took over as campaign manager this week, and Stephen Bannon, who runs the Breitbart News website, became the campaigns chief executive. Campaign officials have insisted that Paul Manafort, Trumps campaign manager in recent months, has not been demoted, even as others have been layered into the leadership structure. Conway appeared on several morning news shows, saying on CNNs New Day that Trump will begin preparations this weekend for three scheduled debates with Clinton and discussing a pair of new campaign ads being put in rotation this weekend. Trump, meanwhile, remained uncharacteristically muted on social media through much of the day. Were going to make sure Donald Trump is comfortable about being in his own skin, that he doesnt lose that authenticity that you simply cant buy and a pollster cant give you. Voters know if youre comfortable in your own skin, Conway told CNN. He wants to deliver the speech, if he wants to go to a rally, if he wants to connect with the crowd in a way thats very spontaneous, thats wonderful. And thats how he got here. campaign _____ Keywords: campaign, election, hillary clinton, gop, donald trump, republicans, democrats All this place needs is a few chickens and some little kids running around and you could be in Cuba, my lunch companion at the Guava Tree Cafe said. Located on a Nob Hill side street, the casual, unpretentious spot was crowded with late Saturday lunch diners sipping mango smoothies blended with natural molasses and a hint of organic vanilla ($3.75). Guava, passion fruit, and guanabana may also be frothed into tall, dreamy beverages here, refreshment to be imbibed outdoors on the rustic patio. If you prefer, straight tropical juices are also available ($3.25). The fruity smoothies, blended en leche, with milk, were paired with savory Cubano sandwiches ($7.50) on just-baked Cuban bread fashioned into warm, crisp, golden brown panini. The superb ingredients marinated pork, ham melded with Swiss cheese and spiked with pickles and mustard were as fresh as if they had been sliced, assembled and served with pride, from the makers hands to yours, in an island village marketplace. We trek hundreds of miles in search of such food adventures, but thanks to owner Maricarmen Pijem, who brings her Puerto Rican island sensibility to the enterprise, and her husband and co-owner, Colombian Diego Barbosa, we dont need a passport to taste pan-Latin American flavors as good as the best. To continue the journey, try an arepa pabellon ($6.75) a traditional Venezuelan meat pie of shredded roast beef brisket, black beans, sweet plaintains and queso fresco, compiled in a fresh-baked, then toasted cornmeal patty, accompanied with a side of Colombian hogao, a well-spiced tomato reduction. Vegetarian versions are also available. People of mountainous Latin American countries require soup, and Guava Trees version of ajiaco, a gentle chicken, corn and potato-based chowder, served with a side of cream and capers ($4.25), tastes just like the mild, nourishing soup I was served at the start of midday meals during a visit to Quito, Ecuador. Sandwiches of house-roasted turkey with chimichurri sauce ($7.50) are well-worth ordering. As I am a sucker for caramelized onion, I like the Guava pollito, a sandwich of shredded chicken breast, provolone, caramelized onion, roasted mushroom, tomatoes and zippy house garlic sauce on wheat ($7.50). Smaller versions some of these generous sandwiches are available on sweet Cuban bread known as media noche ($6.25). Both the flan and the tres leches cake ($3) are must-have desserts, with cafe con leche, dark espresso with both condensed and steamed milk ($2.75). All espresso drinks are served with a double shot. What distinguishes the Guava Tree Cafe, and no doubt accounts for its popularity, is that you really can taste the sincere, handmade quality of the food. Local, organic (as much as possible), and green, the Guava Tree Cafe is the antidote to a fast-food lunch. Guava Tree Cafe LOCATION: 118 Richmond NE, 505-990-2599 HOURS: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday NO ALCOHOL A federal judge has ruled that no constitutional right to privacy was violated when a New Mexico State Police officer used his personal cellphone to take and text to friends pictures of the body of a Santa Fe-area man who had been shot and killed by police in 2011. In an order issued earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Judith C. Herrera found that the father and brother of Samuel Pauly, 34, who lived in rural Glorieta, had failed to show that the constitutional right asserted a privacy right of close family members to control dissemination of death scene photographs under the Fourteenth Amendment was clearly established at the relevant time. In effect, said Lee Hunt, attorney for the Paulys, the judge ruled that there is no privacy right for a dead person. We probably will appeal, Hunt said. And our intent on appeal would be to try to establish that there is a right to privacy for the images of a loved one and that the right to privacy doesnt die with the person. Last year, Daniel T. Pauly, Samuel Paulys father, and Daniel B. Pauly, his brother, filed a civil rights complaint against Mario Vasquez, the officer who took the pictures, and the state Department of Public Safety. The Paulys later added former and current New Mexico state police chiefs as defendants. But, by the time of Judge Herreras Aug. 10 ruling, the Paulys had dismissed from the case all the defendants except for Vasquez. Samuel Pauly was killed by a State Police officers gunshot in the Glorieta home where he lived with his brother Daniel, after a bizarre road-rage incident set off a series of events that brought officers to the house late at night on Oct. 4, 2011. Two young women driving on Interstate 25 east of Santa Fe had called 911 to report that the driver of a truck who turned out to be Daniel Pauly was driving recklessly and in a harassing manner. The women gave police a license plate number that was used to lead officers to the Pauly brothers house in Glorieta. (Daniel Pauly has maintained that it was the women who were driving dangerously.) Once they arrived, officers started approaching the house on foot with flashlights. Daniel Pauly said the two brothers inside didnt know that those outside were officers, that they didnt hear officers identifying themselves and that the brothers thought the visitors might be people connected to the road-rage incident. Daniel Pauly said he fired two warning shots out the back of the house and yelled, We have guns. The district attorneys office has said that evidence shows that Samuel Pauly also fired a shot. He died from a gunshot by officer Raymond White. An excessive force wrongful death lawsuit over the fatal shooting also is pending. The question of whether that litigation can go to trial and whether the officers involved have immunity from liability for Paulys death was recently appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, as police shootings have exploded into a national issue in the years since Pauly was killed. No judicial consensus In the right-to-privacy suit over the pictures taken by Officer Vasquez, who was called to the scene after the Samuel Pauly shooting, Judge Herrera considered a long list of prior cases in reaching her decision to dismiss the Pauly familys claims. She found that there is not the required robust judicial consensus that there was a constitutional right to privacy in this particular fact situation, at least not at time Samuel Pauly was killed. Herrera concluded that existing precedent did not place the constitutional question beyond debate; and Vasquez is entitled to qualified immunity. Qualified immunity is an established legal protection for government officials and employees, protecting them from liability for civil damages in the performance of their duties as long as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights. Herrera, in her order, discusses a California case where the defendant had sent autopsy photos to the press. A federal appeals court, not the one for the federal 10th Circuit that includes New Mexico, held that there was a constitutional right to privacy under such circumstances, but not until 2012 after the Pauly shooting. Since the Paulys failed to carry their burden to identify case law showing the relevant constitutional right was clearly established on Oct. 4-5, 2011, Vasquez is entitled to qualified immunity, Herrera wrote. An officer is entitled to fair and clear warning of what the Constitution requires, she added, quoting another prior case. The Paulys lawyer quoted Vasquezs own sworn testimony admitting that he understood sending out the pictures could be harmful to the family and cause them pain. But an individuals beliefs arent necessarily relevant or persuasive, Herrra wrote, noting that Vasquez in any case wasnt asked specifically about a constitutional right. The judge said she agreed that Vasquezs conduct was offensive and unprofessional. The pictures Vasquez took of the body ended up being broadcast by an Albuquerque television station, Herreras decision says. Robert Shilling, state police chief at the time, called Vasquezs actions unprofessional and appalling, and Vasquez was the subject of an internal affairs investigation. In October 2012, a Santa Fe County investigative grand jury found that the shooting of Samuel Pauly by police was justified. Wrongful death case In the familys separate wrongful death suit, qualified immunity is also at issue. In February 2014, federal District Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales rejected motions for dismissal by White and two other officers, in the process rejecting qualified immunity claims. He wrote that genuine issues of material fact exist which concern whether the Officers conduct prior to the shooting of Samuel Pauly was reckless and unreasonably created Officer Whites need to shoot Samuel Pauly. A three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 split decision, upheld the decision earlier this year. The majority opinion notes that, while officers say Samuel Pauly fired his gun and a revolver was found with his body, there is no forensic proof that Samuel Pauly fired a shot. The dissenting judge said, Officer White did what any objectively reasonable officer in his position would do respond in kind to the immediate threat of deadly force. A petition for a writ of certiorari, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take on the case, was filed by lawyers for the officers and the state on July 11. The Albuquerque Public Schools Board appealed its own victory in district court earlier this month over the challenge to the joint APS-Central New Mexico Community College bond and APS mill levy election last February in a thus-far unsuccessful attempt to get a final court ruling by Sept. 1. That didnt work. The Supreme Court, without comment, denied the emergency appeal on Tuesday. The next move will be up to challenger Robert Pidcock to state the reasons he believes 2nd Judicial District Chief Judge Nan Nash was mistaken in her Aug. 8 ruling from the bench and Aug. 11 written opinion dismissing his complaint. The Supreme Court could then rule on the record it has, ask for more briefing or set a hearing. Typically, its the losing side that appeals, and Pidcock said after the Aug. 8 hearing he planned an immediate appeal. But APS seized the moment and filed a 150-page brief with the Supreme Court on Monday. APS lawyers recognized the novelty of their action, but said that if the taxes are collected from property owners and then the district loses on appeal, theres no provision for refunds. APS acknowledges that it is unusual for a prevailing party to seek review, says the filing, which seeks a writ from the New Mexico Supreme Court. The circumstances of this case, however, are such that any meaningful review must occur before Sept. 1. That is the date by which the state Department of Finance and Administration must order the mill levy in the property tax schedules for Bernalillo and Sandoval counties, according to the filing. APS lawyers Art Melendres and Zachary McCormick argue that the DFA and the school district are in a legal dilemma should the mill levy ultimately be reversed though they dont think it will be because the Property Tax Code contains no provisions for giving the money back. The district contends that if the revenue isnt collected, it can never recoup the lost property tax, authorized through 2021, even if it wins the legal case, because tax bills go out only once a year. Absent a ruling by Aug. 31 upholding Nash, APS stands to lose over $60 million in property taxes which will never be collected, the school district argues. Pidcock says he hopes to file his appeal under state election law within the next 10 days, raising all of the issues and explaining them to the Supreme Court. Election law challenges are expedited, skipping the intermediate step of review by the Court of Appeals. Pidcock raised several distinct legal issues regarding the bond election, and he says Nash never addressed the matter of whether property tax funds intended for school buildings can be used for a proposed school clinic. He filed a motion for summary judgment after Nashs written opinion was docketed in which he contends that issue remains unresolved. Pidcock also says APS drew certain conclusions about what the DFA can or cannot do in its filing without presenting evidence in support of that claim. Even as Deputy Bernalillo County Clerk Roman Montoya was running for election to the county clerk position earlier this year, he was under investigation for sexual harassment allegations for which he ultimately was disciplined. Montoyas former campaign manager, Alan Packman, who told the Journal in May that he was unaware of allegations or investigations concerning Montoya, reiterated that on Tuesday, adding, All I knew is reporters were asking me about it. Further, Packman said, he did not have any recollection if Montoya had ever broached the topic with him. A letter of counsel released this week by the county after a Journal request confirmed that on May 13 a formal complaint had been filed against Montoya by a female co-worker, alleging violations of the countys anti-harassment policy. A subsequent investigation conducted by First Line Resources of Los Ranchos, under a contract with the county, substantiated some of the claims, according to the report. The countys Decision Making Panel, an internal group that reviewed the investigation report, then recommended that Montoyas supervisor, County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver, issue a letter of counsel, essentially a reprimand, and require Montoya to go though sensitivity and anti-harassment training. Montoya completed the training July 22, county spokeswoman Tia Bland said. He lost the June 7 primary election to Democratic challenger Linda Stover. The letter of counsel, signed by Toulouse Oliver, states that Montoyas actions in this matter were unprofessional and inconsistent with your obligations as a county employee. It also warned that should he be involved in any similar situations in the future that he could expect more severe disciplinary action, including possible dismissal. Neither Montoya nor Toulouse Oliver returned calls from the Journal seeking comment . Clerks Office spokesman Joey Keefe said the office does not comment on personnel matters. According to the investigation report, the woman who filed the complaint was a temporary employee hired through Adecco Staffing, USA to work in the County Clerks Bureau of Elections. It was there, from April 19 to May 17, that she worked with Montoya. Montoya, she said, began making small talk, initially under the guise of making sure she understood the parameters of her job in voter outreach. From there he began asking her out socially, with the understanding that no one can know about this, according to the report. The woman and Montoya met at least once for coffee in a local restaurant, but a majority of their contacts were in person or via text messages. On one day they exchanged 40 text messages, another day 34, and yet another 17 text messages, the investigative report says. They also exchanged photographs via cell phone. At one point the woman, who has three children and was separated from her husband, told Montoya in a text message that she and her husband were trying to work things out and he might move back in with the family. Montoya, who is divorced, texted back, saying, That sucks for me but if thats what you want then Ill back off completely. But the investigation report says that Montoya did not back off and continued contacting the woman, which is what led her to file a complaint. The report said that Montoya expressed intentions in his texts that can reasonably be considered to be sexually or at least, romantically oriented, and that he did not cease in his pursuit even after the woman told him to stop. Copyright 2016 Albuquerque Journal A survey of 3,000 students reveals what University of New Mexico administrators likely already knew: More work is needed to address sexual misconduct issues with 11 percent of women saying they had been forced to have nonconsensual intercourse, oral sex or some other form of unwanted sexual contact in the past year. And about 25 percent of the students surveyed said they had experienced sexual harassment in the past year. A strong majority, roughly 80 percent, believe UNM takes sexual misconduct complaints seriously, and three in four students said UNM does a good job of providing services to those who have experienced sexual assault. Of those who said they had been forced to have sex, three in five didnt report the incident because they did not think it was serious enough to report. The survey focused on students sexual activity and whether those actions were consensual. The survey results were reported at a Board of Regents meeting Thursday. UNM President Bob Frank said in a statement after the meeting that he was pleased students recognize the universitys efforts to address sexual assault. Sexual misconduct wont just go away, and it has a terrible social and emotional cost. Tough as it is, Im glad we are united in our resolve to improve, Frank said. May Sagbakken, director of the New Mexico Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico, said the percentage of students who have been assaulted or harassed should alarm students, parents and the schools administration. While I appreciate that President Frank and the University Administration have taken some steps to address sexual assault on campus, the fact is that they simply havent done enough. Sagbakken said Thursday in a statement. Parents deserve to know their students are safe and students deserve to be able to learn in a climate thats free from sexual violence. The report comes on the heels of a critical U.S. Department of Justice report that found UNM had failed to comply with federal gender anti-discrimination laws. Frank and staff announced this survey earlier this year ahead of the DOJ findings. The university has since made changes to the way it handles sexual misconduct, including streamlining its investigative process and requiring sexual misconduct prevention training for students. The release of the survey results also happens at a time when the university has come under fire for the sexual misconduct investigation of anthropology professor Cristobal Valencia. That investigation found cause to believe Valencia had improperly touched students and appeared to cultivate female students for possible sexual relations. He was suspended, censured and reinstated before again being suspended in connection to new complaints. The survey, taken over six weeks, also found that roughly 27 percent of students said they had been raped in their lifetime. About 90 percent of male undergraduate and graduate students said they felt relatively safe from sexual misconduct at UNM, whereas only 61 percent of female undergraduates and 68 percent of female graduates would say the same. About 31 percent of women said they were sexually harassed within the past year. In contrast, 12 percent of men reported the same. Asked about unwanted sexual experiences, roughly 96 percent of undergraduate women said their perpetrator was a man. In contrast, about 60 percent of men said their perpetrator was a woman. The report also found Hispanic students were at higher risk for sexual assault than their white counterparts. The story was the same for LGBT students compared with heterosexual students. Additionally, students who are members of sororities or fraternities and those who live in university housing were at a higher risk for sexual assault or harassment. In 2015, a similar survey was given to the Association of American Universities, a group that includes Harvard University and the University of Texas at Austin. The survey of roughly 150,000 students at 27 universities found that nearly 12 percent of students suffered nonconsenual sexual contact since they started school. About 63 percent of those responding to that survey said they believed that their complaints would be taken seriously by campus officials. Federal officials and representatives including the head of the nations drug control policy office joined local addiction recovery advocates and members of the public on Thursday to problem solve the opioid addiction epidemic. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., along with Damon Martinez, U.S. attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Wayne Lindstrom, director of Behavioral Health Services Division for the state, launched the forum with presentations calling for community solutions. About 120 community members attended the evening meeting at the University of New Mexicos Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education. They heard from Richard Gallegos, chief of the Espanola Police Department, whose town has one of the highest heroin overdose rates in the nation; Dr. Leslie Hayes, with El Centro Family Health; Joshua Trujillo, a recovery advocate; and Jennifer Weiss-Burke, a parent advocate. Opioids, drugs that include heroin and prescription oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl, are highly effective painkillers, but they also are highly addictive, linked to increased crime and a transition to heroin. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffered from addiction issues related to opioid pain relievers in 2012 and an estimated 467,000 were addicted to heroin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that heroin-related overdoses nearly doubled from 2011 to 2013 but have started to drop. Still, President Barack Obama in October asked the Office of National Drug Control Policy to target opioid addiction. The office began a professional training program for proscribers of opioids, and it began plans to increase access to treatment. But such treatment is lacking in New Mexico. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M, in a phone call on Tuesday said the state desperately needs more physicians who are trained to treat opiod addiction. Lujan has introduced the Opioid and Heroin Abuse Crisis Investment Act of 2016, which calls for $1 billion to fund prevention and treatment. And Michael Botticelli, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, has said free certification classes are being held for medical practitioners in the state to authorize them to use Suboxone-type treatment drugs. Those drugs help block the withdrawal symptoms, which can feel like severe flu and include heart irregularities and seizures, that kick in when a body stops receiving a steady supply of opioid drugs. Suboxone-type drugs ease these symptoms, but medical practitioners have to have special training to prescribe the drugs. If more practitioners get that training in the state, and around the country, Botticelli said, the more addicts can start transitioning to sobriety. He said his office is pushing for federal funding to award to states with grant-ready proposals for such treatment centers and programs. In todays column, I offer some news about some of my favorite people who have appeared in this space before and a bit more about the heroes of Bataan. Read all about it: artist Frederico Vigil, author Rudolfo Anaya, and journalist Frank Hewlett, who covered the news about those battling bastards of Bataan as it was being made. Frederico Vigil Just over a year ago, I wrote about New Mexico muralist Frederico Vigil and the work he had just started in Alburquerque, Spain, painting a monumental mural in our sister citys Salon de Plenos, where the local government meets. Well, he went back to Spain this month so he could attend the dedication of the mural during the citys annual fiestas. He was joined on Aug. 11 for the festivities by Mayor Richard Berry and 22 members of the Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation. We published a photograph of the mayor and Vigil at the dedication in Saturdays paper. The dedication was wonderful!! Vigil emoted in an email he sent me last Friday. When Vigil was working on the 462-square-foot mural, he kept me updated with dozens of photographs taken as it took form, as well as pictures of the ancient city. You could sense his excitement and his gratitude for the welcome he received from the residents of our namesake city. If you want to see Vigils most famous mural, you dont have to go all the way to Spain. A 4,000-square-foot mural in the round he painted can be seen at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. More honors for Anaya Renowned New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya recently received word that a portrait of him painted by El Paso artist Gaspar Enriquez has been selected to become part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. The award-winning author of Bless Me, Ultima and dozens of other books received word in a letter dated July 27 from gallery Director Kim Sajet that says, We are more than pleased with this very fine, meditative portrait, which brings you a major figure of Chicano and Hispanic literature into our collection, while also representing the artwork of Enriquez, a pillar of Chicano art and its tradition of portraiture. Anaya told me he posed for Enriquez this year under a pear tree in the patio of his home in west Albuquerque. The shadow of the tree was hitting my face, and I asked him, Shouldnt I be in the sunlight? But he said, No. I like to work with shadows.' For his part, Enriquez says Anaya was very cordial, considering I moved him all over the place. The portrait, an acrylic on paper using an airbrush, will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery in November in a Recent Acquisitions installation. Enriquez, who has been painting for about 45 years, says, It was an honor to be able to do a portrait of Rudy, as I admire his work and his dedication. Congratulations to both the author and the artist. Update on Bataan A couple of alert readers provided some interesting information to complement my column of July 25 about the effort to persuade Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, which included a number of New Mexico servicemen. Both Margaret Garcia, the daughter of the late Bataan veteran Evans Garcia, and Elena Friot, a Ph.D. candidate in the department of history at the University of New Mexico, pointed out that the song, or poem, about the battling bastards of Bataan that I referred to was written by Frank Hewlett. Hewlett died in 1983, and his New York Times obituary says he was the Manila bureau chief for United Press, the forerunner of United Press International, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. He was the last reporter to leave Corregidor Island in Manila Bay before it fell to the Japanese in 1942, and his reporting of the fall of Bataan and Corregidor won the National Headline Award that year. Didnt mean to slight a fellow newsman. And happy to make amends. Im also sad to report that one of the 19 New Mexico Bataan veterans who were still alive when I wrote the column has died. Ernest Montoya, who spent more than three years in a Japanese labor camp after being captured on Corregidor, died on July 29. The Albuquerque resident was 97. If you want to help these heroes to receive the honor they deserve before they are all gone, contact your members of Congress. And have your friends and relatives in other states contact theirs, too. A bunch of co-signers are required for the bill authorizing the award to pass. UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to editorial page editor Dan Herrera at 823-3810 or dherrera@abqjournal.com. SANTA FE The number of Santa Fe Public Schools students showing proficiency in math has jumped up considerably since last year, although the numbers still dont look good: Less than 17 percent met expectations, according to testing data released by the state Department of Education on Thursday. Santa Fe students dropped off somewhat in English and reading skills. In both categories, Santa Fe remains below the state average. Interim Superintendent Veronica Garcia said she was pleased that Santa Fe students made improvements in several key areas. While there is still work to be done, we congratulate students for their success, she said. PED released statewide results for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, test that students took in March. In Santa Fe, the number of students deemed proficient in math grew to 16.53 percent, up from 13.85 percent in 2015, while the percentage of students proficient in English language arts dropped from 26.78 to 25.74 percent. The PARCC test is used to measure how well students from grades 3-11 meet federal Common Core standards. Overall in New Mexico, English is up 1.3 percentage points and math 2.5 percentage points, with every test posting gains except third-grade English, according to the PED data. Of the 89 school districts in New Mexico, 57 improved in English and 77 in math. But the big picture still shows a state struggling to pull itself out of 49th place in the country on educational attainment. Only 20 percent of students statewide met or exceeded expectations in math, and 28 percent in English. English language learners and students with disabilities fared particularly poorly, with less than 10 percent proficient in either subject. Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera celebrated the gains but stressed that there is still a long way to go. We established the baseline last year, and were on our way with good improvements, she told the Journal. We have never seen this kind of improvement across grade levels in our recent history. We need to keep pushing for where we want to be next. Skandera also praised the high participation rate in the controversial test, which drew protests and walkouts in 2015, the first time it was administered. Ninety-seven percent of New Mexicos students in grades 3-11 217,000 kids took PARCC in 2016, compared with 95 percent in 2015. The percentage of Santa Fe third-graders proficient in reading, 25.9, is above the state average of 24.2 percent, according to a statement from SFPS. But, Garcia said, its troubling that nearly three quarters of third-graders still arent reading at their grade level. She said she wants to improve early childhood literacy programs so that children gain a better understanding of language when theyre in kindergarten. We find that unacceptable, Garcia told the Journal of the third-grade reading scores . Early literacy is key. Were going to come up with a strategic approach to produce strong readers. In math, Garcia said the district is making an effort to enroll more eighth-graders in algebra 1 a gateway to academic success so they can move on to the next class in high school or be stronger if they take the class again as freshmen. Algebra 1 proficiency went up from 5.5 percent to 8.9 percent year to year, the district said. I think we have seen a big improvement in math in this district, but were not where we need to be, Garcia said. PARCC has produced controversy in the past. Several Capital High School students walked out of class in the middle of the day in February 2015 to protest the standardized test and students from many Santa Fe schools, including charter schools, showed up for a protest at the PED building near the Roundhouse. Garcia said the test is important to gauge where the district needs to improve. She said tests are just a part of academic life. I think it is one important measure to help engage student progress, Garcia said. The reality is that tests are part of our lives, whether its getting into college or trying to pass the bar exam. Among districts statewide, Los Alamos again was a standout its proficiency rate was over 50 percent on many tests. Journal reporter Kim Burgess contributed to this story. PRESCOTT, Ariz. Prescott police say one its officers suffered minor injuries after colliding with a 42-year-old woman while driving his police cruiser. The crash happened around 4:40 p.m. on Thursday as the officer was travelling east on Gurley Street approaching Bradshaw Driver in Prescott. The woman was heading west and attempted to turn left when the two cars collided. The officer had cuts and bruises on his arm but was treated on scene. The woman was transferred to a local hospital for evaluation. The cars sustained major damage and the intersection was closed for a small amount of time while the Arizona Department of Public Safety investigated. LAS CRUCES The Ohio fugitive who allegedly killed Hatch police officer Jose Chavez appeared for the first time in court Friday. Dressed in bright red scrubs and confined to a wheelchair, 38-year-old Jesse Hanes was arraigned on federal carjacking and firearms charges in the court of U.S. Magistrate Judge Carman Garza. The state has charged Hanes with first-degree murder, willful and deliberate, in the Aug. 12 killing of Chavez, according to court documents. Federal prosecutors are charging Hanes with being a felon in possession of a firearm; carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury; and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted of the federal charges, Hanes could face more than 45 years in prison. Hanes affirmed during the arraignment that he understood the charges, despite being under the influence of pain medication. Hanes and another Ohio fugitive, 36-year-old James Nelson, allegedly were road-tripping across the country dealing methamphetamine and marijuana when Chavez stopped their 1991 silver Lexus in Hatch. A hitchhiker named Tony Jones also was allegedly in the vehicle, riding in the back seat. Hanes was driving; Nelson rode in the front passenger seat. According to court documents, Hanes fired a handgun at Chavez, shooting him fatally in his upper torso. The men sped away and, according to the state and federal complaints, Nelson and Jones got out of the car at some point. Hanes shot himself in the groin then later allegedly carjacked a red Chevy Cruz at a rest stop near Radium Springs and shot the driver in the leg when he refused to get in the car. Dona Ana County Sheriffs deputies pursued and eventually stopped the Chevy Cruz on a rural stretch of Highway 185 between Hatch and Las Cruces. Authorities found almost 50 grams of large rocks of a white crystal-like substance in the Lexus that tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the states complaint. Also found in the vehicle were more than 30 grams of marijuana in a baggie and plastic vials, and burnt marijuana cigarettes. Nelson was arraigned Thursday on state charges including trafficking with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia in 3rd Judicial District Court. Jones faces drug possession charges. It was like a rock concert for attorneys and judges, with an enthusiastic standing ovation, hoots and hollers and cell phones aloft capturing the stars performance. Obviously our keynote speaker is quite a big deal and we are quite excited to be here, Brent Moore, State Bar of New Mexico president, said with a big grin as the crowd, gathered for the State Bars annual meeting Friday, settled into seats and took up cellphones to record their rock star U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ginsburg, 83, quieted the crowd of nearly 1,000 attorneys and judges at the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino with a wave of her hands. Please, please, please, she said as she took her seat next to Roberta Cooper Ramo, a local attorney with the Modrall Sperling Law Firm and the first female president of the American Bar Association. With her first words, Ginsburg pointed out that Cooper Ramo is also the first person ever to lead both organizations. Ginsburg then opened the hourlong event, sprinkled with lawyer jokes, with a nod to recently deceased Justice Antonin Scalia, noting his distinctive jurisprudence and telling stories of their friendship. She and Cooper Ramo then tackled the history of the movement for womens equality in the country, with Cooper Ramo giving Ginsburg credit for the work she did as an attorney to bring cases to the Supreme Court to expand equal rights to women. I was born at the right time and I had the skills of a lawyer, Ginsburg said. She told stories of inequality, dating back to the founding of the country, that regulated womens decisions and actions. She told the tales of rulings upholding a states right to bar a woman from being a lawyer simply because she was a woman; a ruling that upheld that a woman couldnt be a bartender unless she was related to the owner, though she could be a table-side server; and a ruling against a woman seeking a new trial for killing her husband. She had been convicted by an all-male jury at a time when women couldnt serve. The courts, she said, catch up to society in a reactive way. And through that process, we are still perfecting that union at the heart of the Constitution. The crowd gave Ginsburg another standing ovation following the event, along with a locally woven shawl for her to wear to the Santa Fe Opera, a favorite place of hers to visit. New Mexicos unemployment rate rose from 6.2 to 6.4 percent last month and is still among the highest in the nation, according to figures released Friday by the U.S. Labor Department. The increase follows three months of an unchanged jobless rate of 6.2 percent. In July of 2015, the New Mexicos rate was 6.6 percent. The national unemployment rate remained unchanged from June at 4.9 percent. In July of last year, it was 5.3 percent. New Mexicos 6.4 percent rate is the third-highest in the country. Alaska currently has the highest rate at 6.7 percent, followed by Nevada at 6.5 percent. South Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate in July at 2.8 percent. Seven states including New Mexico saw unemployment rates rise in July, according to the data. Three states had significant decreases, and 40 plus the District of Columbia remained stable. The unemployment rate in 20 states is now significantly below the national rate of 4.9 percent. Data from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions show that the state lost 6,800 jobs between June and July 2016. It added 9,600 jobs over the past year, representing an increase of 1.2 percent. Job gains were once again driven by growth in the service industry, particularly education and health services, which was up 11,700 jobs or 9.1 percent over the year. Leisure and hospitality saw an increase of 2,800 jobs or 2.9 percent. The biggest job losses over the year were in the mining sector, which includes the oil and gas industries. That sector contracted by 6,600 jobs or 26 percent. Employment declined more modestly in the transportation, manufacturing, retail trade and financial activities sectors. In Bernalillo County, the states most populous county, the unemployment rate in July was 6.2 percent. Luna County had the highest jobless rate at 10.9 percent, while Union County had the lowest at 4.5 percent. LAS CRUCES The body of fallen Hatch police officer Jose Chavez will make one final patrol of the village before being transported by motorcade to a public funeral on Sunday. Final patrol A contingency of motorcycles will gather at Hatch Valley High School and escort the hearse through the village and past the village police department at 1:20 p.m. The procession will continue down Franklin Avenue and will join a motorcade of New Mexico, Texas and Arizona law enforcement. The motorcade will then travel via Interstate 25 to Las Cruces, where a public funeral will be held at New Mexico State Universitys Pan American Center at 3 p.m. Motorists are advised that a rolling roadblock will be in effect from about 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The route will continue into Las Cruces and exit on University Avenue, where eastbound and westbound lanes of traffic will be temporarily blocked. The motorcade is expected to turn left on Triviz Drive to Stewart Street, and make a final procession to the Pan American Center via Arrowhead Drive. Garrison flags will be flown over Arrowhead, along with approximately 100 motorcyclists with the Patriot Guard Riders. Honor guards from the Albuquerque Police Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office will fire a ceremonial rolling thunder succession of blank rounds as the hearse passes by. Funeral services Chavez will receive a traditional police memorial, said Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Kelly Jameson, including bagpipes, a 21-gun salute, Taps and a flag-folding ceremony. Chavezs fellow police officers the tiny Hatch department is left with a chief, a lieutenant and five officers will serve as pallbearers, as will a State Police officer who is said to have been a close friend and mentor, Jameson said. Gov. Susana Martinez, Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., Hatch Mayor Andy Nunez and U.S. Attorney in New Mexico Damon Martinez are slated to speak at the funeral. Doors at the Pan Am will open at 1 p.m. Attendees are asked to use the north and south entrances only. Also, a strict no-bag policy will be in effect. This includes backpacks, luggage of any kind, and ladies purses. Medical equipment secured in a bag will be allowed. Attendees may carry in phones. An hour-long memorial is planned. Outside the Pan American Centers north entrance, Chavezs police vehicle will be parked as a silent witness a ceremonial tribute to an officer killed in the line of duty. Mourners may pay their respects with flowers or mementos if they wish. Clever word play or insensitive marketing tool? An Albuquerque restaurant owners Black Olives Matter slogan has drawn attention worldwide for its take-off on the Black Lives Matter organization. Rick Camuglia of Paisanos Italian Restaurant says the slogan, posted on a sign in front of his restaurant recently, struck a nerve and has drawn overwhelming support. He is now selling T-shirts and hats with the slogan, and they are so popular that he says he will have to hire an extra employee to keep up with demand. But Camuglia is also getting sharp criticism from those who say the merchandise is insensitive and makes light of a deeply serious problem: the number of black men who are shot by police officers. If you really think about how those T-shirts will be used its to make fun of something a large percentage of people feel strongly about in the African-American community, said Ken Carson, owner of Nexus Brewery & Restaurant in Albuquerque. I can see how he did it innocently, but after he finds out what the impact is, I think it would be best to withdraw. Carson was referring to the Black Lives Matter organization, which has been holding protests around the country in response to recent police shootings of blacks. Cecilia Webb, who heads the Albuquerque section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., says the Paisano merchandise is particularly insensitive because of the timing, when the police shootings are so fresh in peoples minds. I understand the side that the restaurant is coming from, she said. However, the fact that so many lives are associated with Black Lives Matter people have been hurt or died. Thats what makes Black Olives Matter so insensitive. We dont feel that they should take that on as a play on words, she said. Camuglia says he never meant the slogan to be political or offensive, and he removed it from his sign after about eight hours. When we saw it hurt some feelings, we took it down, Camuglia said. Im not political. I dont want to alienate customers. We thought it was a clever way to sell 15 pounds of fish. But by then the slogan had gone viral, and the phone started ringing. Calls and emails from all over the country came in requesting a jar of black tapenade or marinara sauce or anything else that had a label imprinted with the black olive slogan, Camuglia said. Paisanos, which has been at the same location for 42 years, is not in the business of shipping food, so it turned to merchandise imprinted with the slogan instead, Camuglia said. He says he now has orders for 2,000 T-shirts and 250 hats that have come from all over the country, plus Kuwait, Afghanistan, England and Canada. Its all about business, he says. My father always told me if you want to be successful, give people what they want, and thats what weve done, Camuglia said. Finnie Coleman, a University of New Mexico professor who will be teaching two Black Lives Matter classes this year, says what Camuglia is doing is cashing in on this discord clearly not caring whether he offended anyone or not. I think its unforgiveable to say, on the one hand, you dont mean to be offensive, but then to capitalize on offending someone, Coleman said. Camuglia says he received overwhelming support, with 50 positive comments for every one that is critical. Those responding are backlashing against the people who were offended, he said. This is fascinating. Black Lives Matter has drawn controversy from some who say it is divisive and racist. Camuglia has won praise from some people on social media for creativity and for having a classic American sick sense of humor, which we could all use a little of. However, he also has drawn comments from people who are saying all manner of horrific things about black people in America, said Cathryn McGill, founder/director of the New Mexico Black History Organizing Committee. For example, some people posted comments under a KOAT-TV story on the controversy that include a mockery of Black Lives Matter Black Lives Splatter and another that says Blacks invite the police to shoot them by their actions. A hearing examiners past Sierra Club membership has raised questions in an increasingly contentious rate case involving New Mexico regulators and the states largest utility. In a 2015 filing with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, hearing examiner Carolyn Glick disclosed she and her husband were members of the Sierra Club and led hikes with the environmental advocacy organization in the early 1990s. They are no longer members, PRC spokesman Carlos Padilla said. The hearing examiners membership in the Sierra Club has not led to the hearing examiner having a predisposition toward Sierra Club, Glick wrote in the filing. The hearing examiners membership in the Sierra Club does not and will not cause her to be unable to make a fair and impartial decision. Glick filed the disclosure when she was appointed hearing examiner in Public Service Company of New Mexicos 2015 rate case, which was eventually dismissed on the grounds that PNM had not provided enough information to the commission. The Sierra Club was an intervening party in that case, and is one of 110 member organizations in the New Mexico Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, which was an intervening party in both the 2015 case as well as the current one. Chuck Noble, attorney for the coalition, said the Sierra Club is not involved in the proceedings of the current rate case. Glicks Aug. 4 recommended decision in the current rate case suggested a $41.3 million annual revenue increase, far lower than PNMs $123.5 requested increase. PNM customers would on average see their bills increase by 14.4 percent under the utilitys proposal instead of 6.4 percent under Glicks. Much of the difference between the two rate increases is due to Glicks decision to exclude several of PNMs nuclear power transactions from the rate base calculation. In her recommended decision, Glick said PNM had acted imprudently by not conducting an appropriate cost-benefit analysis before committing to the transactions, while PNM maintains their analysis was sufficient. Carla Sonntag, president of the New Mexico Utility Shareholders Alliance, questioned the impact of Glicks past Sierra Club affiliation at a recent PRC meeting. Glick denied her membership had any impact on her recommended decision. I have a lot of respect for Carolyn Glick, and Im not accusing her of anything, Sonntag told the Journal. But this decision was stunning, and because of that, I wanted to raise questions about her involvement in the Sierra Club. Glick has said it is not appropriate for her to comment in the middle of a rate case. Padilla said in a statement that Glick issued the 2015 disclosure on her own initiative and neither she nor her husband renewed their Sierra Club membership in order to avoid an appearance of bias in the current rate case. PNM could have filed a motion to disqualify hearing examiner Glick when she was appointed as hearing examiner in the pending PNM rate case, but did not, said Padilla. PNM declined to comment. Commissioner Pat Lyons, who accused Glick of being biased against nuclear energy at the PRC meeting, said he felt Glicks past Sierra Club membership was a non-issue. I dont think its affected her decision-making at all, said Lyons. We may have our disagreements, but I dont think Carolyns been anything but professional. The PRC is expected to make their ruling in the case by Aug. 31. The Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) announced on Friday that they've awarded scholarships totaling $250,000 to 97 accounting students attending 18 different colleges and universities in the state. Notably, four top students were awarded the King Foundation scholarships, worth $25,000 each. Since 1991, the TSCPA has awarded approximately $3.5 million to over 3,000 students pursuing an accounting degree and CPA licensure. TSCPA scholarships are primarily funded through the Life Associates Program. Established in 1978, the Life Associates Program recognizes CPAs who make significant contributions to the scholarship fund for Tennessee accounting students. The program has gone on to recognize over 640 CPAs and now provides up to $300,000 in scholarships annually to deserving accounting students in the state. Scholarships are determined on the basis of academic achievement, proven leadership, professor recommendations, and financial need. For more on the TSCPA and the Life Associates Program, head to the Society's site here. The Internal Revenue Services Chief Counsel has released its annual Priority Guidance Plan for 2016 to 2017. The plan describes the tax issues that the IRS plans to address in the coming year in the way of regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, notices, and other administrative guidance. The 20162017 Priority Guidance Plan contains 281 projects. Some of the items on the to-do list include the reporting of gaming winnings, updates on truncated taxpayer identification numbers, updates on regulations regarding sales of seized property, regulations updating the rules applicable to employee stock ownership plans, exceptions to the additional tax on early distributions from retirement plans and IRAs, and guidance on user fees. IRS Chief Counsel William Wilkins recently told a tax conference in New York that the most recent plan was the first in many years to have well under 300 projects as opposed to well over 300 (see IRS Contends with Mounting Legal Challenges). He anticipates the number of guidance projects will remain under 300 in plans for the foreseeable future. Our guidance priorities are always going to be heavily influenced by enactment of new tax legislation, said Wilkins. The 2010 enactments of the Affordable Care Act and FATCA have been the most important drivers of guidance activity during my tenure as Chief Counsel. At this point there are far fewer published guidance projects being driven by these statutes than in prior years. International guidance work in particular has shifted significantly away from FATCA towards other projects grounded in basic income tax rules. Beyond implementing new legislation we expect to focus significant short-term effort on finishing what has already been started in a number of areas. For a look into the crystal ball, click here. (Bloomberg) Restaurateur Rowen Seibel has made the gossip pages for getting socked by Diane von Furstenburgs son and multimillion-dollar court fights hes waging with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Now, the 34-year-old New Yorker is poised to learn the fate of a much more important battle when hes sentenced Friday for using undeclared Swiss bank accounts and a Panamanian shell company to hide more than $1 million from the Internal Revenue Service. Seibel, who owns restaurants in New York, Washington and Las Vegas, pleaded guilty in April and faces as much as 18 months in prison. His attorney says his client should be spared jail time. He represents the trailing end of a wave of prosecutions of Americans accused of hiding money in Switzerlanda sprawling investigation that began in 2007 and has resulted in big fines for Swiss banks and more than 150 cases against alleged tax dodgers and their enablers. Many have ended with financial penalties, and some with prison time. More than 54,000 Americans avoided prosecution through an amnesty program that let them voluntarily disclose their previously secret accounts, ponying up $8 billion in back taxes, penalties and interest. Absolute No-No Seibel tried to join the amnesty program but the IRS turned him down, court records show. He acknowledged one secret account but only after stealthily moving his money to another undeclared account at a different bank. That type of move is an absolute no-no. It is an essential component of the IRSs voluntary disclosure policy that a taxpayer coming forward must be truthful and complete, said Scott Michel, a criminal tax defense attorney at Caplin & Drysdale in Washington. Anyone who doesnt follow that rule will undoubtedly anger the IRS and, depending on the circumstances, perhaps be committing a separate crime. Prosecutors say Seibels Swiss banking began back in 2004. The then-23-year-old, fresh out of New York Universitys business school, flew with his mother to UBS Group AGs offices in Switzerland to open an account, the government says. The account was not in his name, but identified in internal bank records with the phrase CQUE. For an additional fee, Seibel made sure the bank wouldnt mail any account information to him in the U.S., since that could risk exposure to the IRS, say prosecutors. The account was opened with $25,000, and over the next year, his mother arranged for cash and checks totaling about $1 million to be deposited. Over the next several years, prosecutors say, Seibel actively monitored and managed the account. As it happened, the UBS banker who helped the Seibels was Bradley Birkenfeld, who blew the whistle in 2007 on how his employer helped thousands of Americans evade taxes. He later was sentenced to 40 months in prison and earned a $104 million whistle-blower award from the IRS for exposing the banks schemes. Since then, more than 80 banks, including UBS and Credit Suisse Group AG, have agreed to pay about $6 billion to the U.S. in penalties and fines. Prosecutors say Birkenfeld had met with Seibels mother. Birkenfeld said in an interview that he remembered meeting with them and believed he had set up the account. Shell Company In early May 2008, news broke that Birkenfeld had been indicted and was cooperating with U.S. investigators. Three weeks later, prosecutors say, Seibel traveled to Switzerland to shut down his UBS account. But he didnt move his money back into the U.S. and declare it to authorities. Instead, he set up a Panamanian shell company, opened yet another account at a different Swiss bankBanque J. Safraand moved all $1.3 million into the new Safra account, held by the Panamanian entity. This was a shrewd move by Seibel to avoid detection by U.S. authorities, prosecutors wrote in an Aug. 12 court filing. Later that year, Seibel opened his first restaurant, Serendipity 3, in New York City. He opened a second restaurant, with the same name, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2009 and a third in Washington two years after that. He also went into business with Ramsay in a series of restaurants in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Ramsay Partnership Ramsay, the host of Master Chef and Hells Kitchen, has accused Seibel in a lawsuit of inept management. Seibel, in his lawsuit, says Ramsay took his investment to open a different restaurant. It wasnt Seibels first turn in the gossip pages. Back in 2003, he allegedly flirted with the fiancee of Alex von Furstenburg, the son of the legendary fashion designer. Von Furstenburg slammed his car into Seibels. I hurt my knuckle, probably when I hit him in the head, von Furstenburg told police, according to press reports. In 2009, the government introduced its first offshore voluntary disclosure program, allowing U.S. taxpayers to avoid prosecution and pay reduced penalties for declaring their hidden accounts. Otherwise Disappeared Seibels mother didnt qualify, her then-lawyer told her, because IRS agents had already questioned her about Birkenfeld, prosecutors say in a filing. Her attorney, however, suggested that her son could, according to the filing. In October 2009, Seibel applied for amnesty but said he didnt know the status of his UBS account until he askedmore than a year after he transferred the money to the Safra account. He claimed that the deposits had been stolen or otherwise disappeared. Today, Seibel splits time between a 19th-floor apartment on Central Park South in Manhattan and a $3 million home in Las Vegas, according to court filings and public records. Seibels legal team is arguing against prison time and proposing community service, citing the harmful effect that prison would have on his mother, who battled cancer and is now extremely disabled. The account was also opened and funded by his mother, not Seibel, said his attorney Robert Fink, of Kostelanetz & Fink LLP in a court filing. Fink said Seibels mother wasnt able to respond to questions about the matter. Are You Kidding? U.S. prosecutors have been unsuccessful getting prison terms for many Americans who hid the most money in offshore accountseven sums far larger than Seibels. Fink cited H. Ty Warner, the billionaire creator of Beanie Babies, who evaded almost $5.6 million in taxes on an undisclosed account with as much as $107 million. Warners evasion was the largest of more than 100 cases in a crackdown against taxpayers and enablers who used offshore accounts to cheat the IRS. He was sentenced to probation and community service. In contrast, Fink told the Manhattan court, Seibel has fully cooperated. Told of the amount at stake with Seibel, Birkenfeld said in an interview: Are you kidding me? All the people I exposed, and they got to walk away. With assistance from David Voreacos Home Chefs decode success mantras at Home Chef Matters Food Bloggers Association of India (FBAI) in association with Vikhroli Cucina launched Home Chef Matters a platform to encourage the concept of home chefs. Through this event Vikhroli Cucina in partnership with FBAI aims to create an ecosystem for all stakeholders to come together to gain new insights, learn and network with each other. Consumers today are open to experimenting with food more than ever before. They are open to different and unique dining experiences including authentic regional cuisines. As a result the culinary space in India is seeing a rise in pop-up dining culture. Commenting on this event, Sujit Patil, Vice President and Head Corporate Communications at Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies said, Vikhroli Cucina is an annual property by Godrej formed with an aim to create an ecosystem where chefs, bloggers, influencers, food lovers can collaborate to engage, exchange new ideas, gain insights and make new connections with each other. We are extremely happy to be associating with #HomeChefMatters and support the endeavours of FBAI in setting up platforms to encourage the rise of home chefs in India. Sameer Malkani, co-founder Food Bloggers Association of India said, We are privileged to partner with Vikhroli Cucina a platform created by Godrej to encourage the new-age trends and exchange insights. The trend of home cooked meals has become very popular and such a platform is perfect for budding home chefs to explore the unexplored gastronomic paths and grow their business successfully. Corporate food consultant Rushina Ghildiyal said, It was an honour and a privilege to be invited to help curate Home Chef Matters. Commerce from home has always existed but the rise of the home chef or culinary entrepreneur today is something being celebrated by the entire food industry. As the owner of A Perfect Bite Consulting this is a rich resource of knowledge for us and we are proud to offer Home Chefs a platform to spread their wings. This niche taps into generations of food knowledge only available in Indian homes. It only going to grow and get more bullish and I'm looking forward to seeing it happen. Celebrity Chef Ajay Chopra said, It was a day well spent talking and eating some very delish regional food cooked by home chefs. A fantastic line up of industry experts shared great insights as to how an home chef could look at growing herself into an entrepreneur. The event witnessed experts in the food space such as corporate food consultant Rushina Ghildiyal, Indias youngest celebrity chefs and the founder of Goila Butter Chicken Chef Saransh Goila, popular chocolatierVarun Inamdar, an acclaimed culinarian Chef Ajay Chopra, the gourmand and TV host Vicky Ratnani, Energy Chef of India Chef Harpal Sokhi, Food Stylist Chef Michael Swamy, author and television personality Kunal Vijaykar, Owner of the Bohri Kitchen Munaf Kapadia and CEO of Katalyst Reputation Management Nikhila Palat share their experience and insights on: Conceptualising a home chef business, building a successful business plan, presentation skills and building brands through PR & social media. Interactive session by the FSSAI consultant about the rules, regulations, terms and conditions of the home chef business and panel discussion on Opportunities for Home Chef had the audience totally engrossed. In addition, Home Chef Matters also witnessed an interesting Indian Culinary jugalbandi by Gitika Saikia, Sandeep Sreedharan, Ananya Banerjee, Sherry Malhotra, Purabi Naha and the executive chef of Taj Lands whoshowcased their native cuisines. Fun and engaging creative cooking challenge by Chef Vicky Ratnani got wholehearted participation by the home chefs who had to create a dish with 5 ingredients from the mystery box along with California walnuts and Godrej cooking oil. PNB MetLife, one of the leading private life insurers in the country, won two honors at the prestigious Asia Training & Development Excellence Awards 2016 held in Singapore, earlier this month. The company was recognized for its exemplary work in two categories - Best Education Training Campaigns and Programs and Best Sales Development Program. The Asia Training & Development Excellence Awards is organized by the Human Resources Development Management Committee of the World HRD Congress that publicly recognizes achievements in training and development. PNB MetLife won these prestigious accolades for its programs namely Insurance Awareness Program and Foundation For Success. Under the Insurance Awareness Program, the company launched an extensive pan India education drive to educate young college students about managing finances at an early age. Also, the specially crafted sessions were conducted using simple and jargon free language to spread awareness about insurance and financial services effectively. The team conducted sessions across the country to educate more than 6000 students and professors in 120 colleges and institutes. The second recognition demonstrates PNB MetLife as a responsible life insurance player which has successfully delivered Best Sales Development program under its initiative Foundation For Success. Promoting need based selling, the company has blended learning program on Sales Management to address selling and influencing competencies for the sales leaders in Bancassurance Channel through a series of interventions that combines multiple learning techniques. The Asias Training and Development Excellence Awards is the only award that gives public recognition of achievements in training and development to individuals and companies who continue to improve the extent to which training and development meets business needs, establishes direction and contributes to the success of the organisation through improving the performance of employees. Scarecrow has brought on-board four Art Specialists in its Mumbai branch to take forward its vision, quirkiness and design prowess. The new hires include Prasad Jindam (Creative Director), Yatin Vaidya (Associate Creative Director, Art), Prashant Patankar (Creative Supervisor, Art) and Azaan Sayed (Creative Supervisor, Art). Prasad Jindam has joined as Creative Director. He returns to Scarecrows fold after a successful stint to pursue his love for photography. Jindam started his career with Interface Communications in Mumbai and later moved on to McCann, Ogilvy, and DDB Mudra, where he worked on brands like Parachute, Radio Mirchi, Tata Indicom, Barclays Bank, Dove, Ponds, Taj Holidays, Neutrogena, Lipton and Volkswagen. This was followed by a stint at Rediffusion Y&R Mumbai, where he worked on Tata Motors along with SBI Mutual Funds, SugarFree and Nycil. It is a matter of great pride and delight to return to Scarecrow. Even though I have been away from the industry for the last two years, I felt an instant re-connection when I walked back here to meet Manish. The challenges shall be new for us but the soul of this place still remains the same. This is an exciting blend and I look forward to my new stint here, said Jindam. Yatin Vaidya joins as Associate Creative Director, Art. He has worked with Apex, Metal, Minority and finally Rickshaw, where he was an Art Group Head. His portfolio includes brands like Phoenix Marketcity, Platinum Jewellery, Colors Marathi, Mahindra Thar, Blue Foods, UTI Mutual Fund, BCCI, Zoom TV, IBN Live, Safari Luggage and Reliance Metro, to name a few. Vaidya has nine years of experience in visual communication. On joining Scarecrow, Vaidya said, I always wanted to work with Raghu and Manish, and the desire to do something new, exciting and daring brought me to Scarecrow. I believe that brands that step out of their circle of comfort are brands that are poised for growth and glory. Prashant Patankar joins as Creative Supervisor, Art. He has to his credit a portfolio that includes two One Show nominations for Pernord Ricard, a Cannes nomination for Philips Breast Awareness Campaign and several art pieces featured in the Archive. This soft-spoken Art Director started his career with Ogilvy in 2005 and moved on to Rediffusion Y&R in 2007 and back to Ogilvy in 2009, followed by a short stint at Wieden + Kennedy. He has worked on brands like Incredible India, Hindustan Times, Pernord Ricard India, Red FM, Shipra Estate and BMW India as well as Bacardi, GPI, Airtel, The Oberoi Group, Audi India and Nike. I believe that Scarecrow is both, an incredible opportunity and a challenge as well. Its the urge to break free from conventional and creative limitations that leads me this way. And also the good fortune of getting a chance to work with some of the best minds like Manish, Raghu and Joy, said Patankar. Azaan Sayed has joined as Creative Supervisor, Art. A JJ-ite, Sayed joins Scarecrow, backed by a rich design experience. His first break came in 2010, when he was just 18 and got an opportunity to work on product design at Melange. This was followed by stints at Oh2Two Media as a Digital Designer and at FoxyMoron as a Senior Graphic Designer. Over the last seven years, Sayed has worked on highly visible brands like FCUK, LOreal Paris, Sony Playstation, Indian Super League as well as Maybelline New York, Castrol and Quikr. On his new role, Sayed said, And now at the ripe age of 24, I find myself at Scarecrow, a firm I wished to work for ever since I got out of college. I met Manish a month ago, but Ive known him for long. We all know he is a veteran in the new-age advertising gang and has developed some of the top guys in the industry. We have a wonderful team here and the projects look promising. Im delighted to be a part of Scarecrow and look forward to add a great deal to my knowledge base and the agencys portfolio. Tata Housing, one of the fastest growing real estate companies in India, today announced theBook your home and fly to Rio offer on its project Rio-De-Goa, launched in 2015 amidst much celebration. Home buyers who book apartments at Rio-De-Goa before 31st August 2016, can avail return tickets to Rio de Janeiro, the ultimate carnival destination. Bookings are open online now at Rs. 30,000 for 2 and 3 BHK residences starting at Rs. 67 lakh onwards. Mr. Rajeeb Dash, AVP Sales & Marketing, Tata Housing said, As the country pins all hopes on the worlds biggest sporting event in Rio de Janeiro, Tata Housing brings hope to home buyers looking to own their leisure homes in Indias carnival destination Goa along with the excitement of an opportunity to visit the vibrant city of Rio. Spread across 5 acres, Rio-De-Goa is a premium resort themed residential project offering 2BHK and 3BHK homes. It is strategically located, in close proximity to the Goa International Airport at Dabolim and only 4-5 km from Bogmalo and Hollant beaches. This project is equipped with unique life style amenities including a roof top jacuzzi pool and sky cafe, a centrally located active green zone, all of which make it an ultimate destination for leisure homes. DUBLIN, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "The Africa 2016 Wealth Report" report to their offering. This Africa Wealth Report provides a comprehensive review of the wealth sector in Africa, including HNWI trends, luxury trends and wealth management trends in each country. Scope of the report: - African countries ranked by HNWIs and multi-millionaires. - The top performing African countries for HNWIs. - The top African cities for HNWIs and multi-millionaires. - The fastest growing African cities for HNWIs. - African countries ranked by average wealth per person. - The top luxury markets in Africa by revenue. - Spending review of African HNWIs, including: behavioural mapping, collectables, prime real estate, second homes review, clothing, cars, hotels, watches, liquor, private jets and yachts. - Review of African wealth management sector, including major players by AuM in each country. Key highlights: - Mauritians are the wealthiest individuals in Africa with US$21,700 in wealth per person, whilst people in the Zimbabwe are the poorest with US$200 per person. - There are approximately 165,000 HNWIs living in Africa, with combined wealth holdings of US$860 billion. - Approximately US$125 billion of African HNWI wealth is tied up with wealth management companies. - South Africa (mainly Johannesburg) is the hub for African private banking with US$72 billion in AuM. - African HNWIs (outside South Africa) tend to keep their funds in traditional holding centers such as the UK, the Channel Islands and Switzerland. Dubai is another popular destination, especially for North African HNWIs. - It is estimated the African private banking market will grow by 7% per annum over the next 10 years. - The most promising emerging African markets for private banking are Ghana and Kenya. - In Africa, around US$28 billion is tied up in venture capital companies and foundations that are linked to the wealthy. Many HNWIs use these vehicles as a way to transfer money to the next generation. Companies Mentioned - ABSA Wealth (Barclays) - Afrasia Bank - Citadel - Credit Suisse - Credo Group - Investec - Maitland - Momentum Group - Nedbank - Old Mutual Wealth - PSG Konsult - RMB - Sanlam - Standard Bank Pvt Clients - Stenham - Stonehage - UBS For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/22635n/the_africa_2016 Related Topics: Wealth Management Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/africa-wealth-report-2016-south-africa-mainly-johannesburg-is-the-hub-for-african-private-banking-with-us72-billion-in-aum---research-and-markets-300315866.html SOURCE Research and Markets CHICAGO, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On July 16, 80 Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) dealers fired up their grills and hosted individual community fundraising events, collectively raising $160,000 the highest amount to date for the USO of Illinois. Participating dealers gathered last evening during the USO of Illinois' Clark After Dark event to formally present the check. "This is the fourth year that the CATA has partnered with the USO of Illinois on the Barbecue for the Troops effort, and we're thrilled that this program continues to gain momentum," said CATA Chairman John Hennessy. "It doesn't come as a surprise. Dealers are deeply rooted within their communities and this cause truly resonates with everyone. Rallying their communities in support of the USO of Illinois is one way dealers can show gratitude for all that U.S. troops do to keep us safe each and every day." Since the campaign's launch in 2013, Chicagoland's new-car dealers have raised more than $420,000 for the USO of Illinois, quite a feat for an initiative that started as a grassroots program where dealers would agree to set out a grill and a tin can. This past July, Chicagoans who visited their local new-car dealer's Barbecue for the Troops event found everything from patriotic ceremonies including 21 gun salutes and the national anthem sung by American Idol stars to giant inflatables for kids, to classic car shows, all to help draw interest and crowds to raise money for local troops. "This year, as we celebrate 75 years of connecting our service members to family, home and country, the USO of Illinois is very grateful to the CATA for their continued leadership and generous support that enables us to stay connected with more than 330,000 military and military families every year," said USO of Illinois President and CEO Alison Ruble. "Thanks in part to the 100 local new-car dealers that have participated over the last four years, we are able to continue delivering programs and services to our service members that provide care and comfort and truly send an important message that the American people appreciate their service and sacrifices." To help raise additional awareness for the dealership fundraisers, the CATA coordinated a #BBQ4Troops social media contest where one winner would be selected to receive the Ultimate Backyard Barbecue, a catered barbecue meal by Real Urban Barbecue for 50 friends and a special visit from Chicago Blackhawks great Tony Esposito. Rebecca Wilson from Oak Lawn was selected as the winner for her entry, which received 415 Facebook votes. She nominated her fiance, a U.S. Army veteran, who will receive his Ultimate Backyard Barbecue later this summer. The CATA and the USO of Illinois already have big plans for the fifth anniversary of the USO Barbecue for the Troops events, which will be held across Chicagoland on Sat., July 15, 2017. For more information on the CATA, please visit www.cata.info or contact CATA Director of Public Relations and Social Media Jennifer Morand at jmorand@drivechicago.com. For more information on the USO of Illinois, please visit http://usoofillinois.org or contact USO of Illinois Vice President of Development Jessica Dolan at jdolan@usoofillinois.org. About The Chicago Automobile Trade Association Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is the nation's oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization. It is comprised of more than 400 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information, please visit CATA.info. About the USO of Illinois The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. Supporting over 330,000 troops and their families every year, the USO of Illinois is a civilian 501(c)(3) non-profit that is supported solely by the generosity of the American people. For more information about the USO of Illinois, visit: www.usoofillinois.org. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eighty-chicagoland-new-car-dealers-set-new-record-raise-160000-for-the-uso-of-illinois-300315933.html SOURCE Chicago Automobile Trade Association Fitch Ratings has affirmed AES Gener S.A.'s (Gener) ratings as follows: --Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB-'; --International senior unsecured debt at 'BBB-'; --International junior subordinated debt at 'BB'; --National long-term ratings at 'A+(cl)'; --Domestic senior unsecured debt at 'A+(cl)'; --National equity rating at 'Nivel 2(cl)'. The Rating Outlook is Stable. KEY RATING DRIVERS Gener's ratings reflect the company's balanced contractual position and a diverse portfolio of generation assets. The ratings recognize that the company's major plants operate under constructive regulatory environments in Chile and Colombia. Credit risks include possible environmental and/or political issues, which could result in cost overruns or additional modifications on new and/or existing projects. The credit risks also include the less favorable though slightly improving regulatory environment in Argentina related to Termoandes, though this is mitigated given Argentina represented only 3.4% of consolidated EBITDA the first six months of 2016. In addition, the company could face pressure from AES Corp. ('BB-'/Outlook Stable), its controlling shareholder, to increase dividends above those forecast by Fitch. The company has sufficient liquidity to cushion itself through significant capex needs in the short- to medium-term, though its credit metrics are currently at the upper limit for the rating category. Gener's equity rating reflects its shares' solid liquidity and 100% availability on the Santiago Stock Exchange during the August 2016 rolling 12-month period. In this period, the company had an average daily trading volume of USD2.204 million. Gener's free float increased to 33.33% from the 29.3% observed last year. Improved Financial Results: In the first half of 2016 (1H16), AES Gener's EBITDA generation totalled USD345 million, which was 11% higher on a year-over-year (YoY) basis. The company achieved its highest-ever EBITDA generation results over the past five years, supported by higher margins in the Northern Interconnected System (SING) and the Central Interconnected System (SIC) in Chile and to a lesser degree improved results in the Argentine Interconnected System (SADI). Higher margins in the SING were explained as mainly due to new contracts with better terms and exports to Argentina, while improved margins in the SIC relate to higher demand from unregulated customers and increased spot sales. In Chile the company was the market-share leader in terms of generation volumes for 1H16, with a 30% share. In the last 12 months (LTM) ended June 2016, the company generated EBITDA of USD739.5 million, which is 4.5% higher than in 2015 and 11% higher versus 2014. EBITDA margins have expanded from 28.7% in 2014 to 33.7% in the LTM June 2016. Overall, financial results have come in slightly better than Fitch's forecast. Robust Expansion Spending: The company continues on an aggressive expansion phase which brings with it execution risk (e.g. construction delays, accidents, cost-overruns). In addition, the expansion plan has resulted in additional pressure on the company's free cash flow generation and credit metrics. Positively, the company has extensive history of finishing major projects on time and on budget. AES Gener's first phase of expansion took place between 2007-2013 during which time the company successfully expanded its generation capacity by 48% to reach 5,082MW of installed capacity at a total investment cost of USD3 billion. The company is in the midst of what it has termed a second phase of expansion, which involves five major projects under construction that will increase installed capacity by 25%, with the total investment cost for this expansion phase expected to cost USD4 billion. In 2015, Unit 5 of Guacolda (152 MW coal-fired expansion) and the Angamos desalinization plant were completed. Also, during 1H16, Cochrane's Unit 1 (266 MW), the Solar Andes Project (21MW) and Colombian run-of-the-river Tunjita plant (20 MW) began operations. AES Gener's largest projects under construction are Cochrane (532 MW) and Alto Maipo (531 MW run-of-the-river project) under a 60/40 joint venture with partners Mitsubishi Corporation ('A'/Negative Outlook) and Minera Los Pelambres S.A., respectively. Remaining capex associated with these projects is approximately USD1.1 billion, related mainly to the construction of Alto Maipo. Cochrane Unit 2 remains on schedule to become operational in 2016, while Alto Maipo will begin operations in late 2018 or 1H19. Alto Maipo is currently delayed by six monthsl. Fitch's base case assumptions were revised to reflect this delay and determined cost overruns of USD300 million-USD350 million. Non-recourse Debt: Capex investment needs for the Cochrane (USD1.35 billion) and Alto Maipo (USD2.053 billion) projects were mainly financed through non-recourse debt of approximately 60% and 70%, respectively. AES Gener financed its equity contribution share with funds from subordinated notes (USD300 million) issued in 2013 and a subsequent USD150 million capital increase. The company's remaining equity contribution for these projects is approximately USD70 million. Negative Free Cash Flow (FCF): Primarily due to cash outflows to fund the Cochrane and Alto Maipo projects, Fitch forecasts the company to be FCF negative in 2016-2018, becoming positive once Alto Maipo records a full year of operations. Fitch expects Cochrane and Alto Maipo to be significant positive cash flow contributors in 2017 and 2019, respectively. The company's financial strategy revolves around maintaining a balance between continuity of funding and financial flexibility through internally generated cash flows, bank loans, bonds, short-term investments, committed credit lines and uncommitted credit lines. Pressured Credit Metrics: Given AES Gener is in the midst of an aggressive expansion plan, Fitch expects the company's credit metrics to remain pressured in the short- to medium-term. For the LTM ended June 2016, the company's consolidated debt-to-EBITDA and EBITDA coverage metrics were 4.8x and 4.5x, respectively. These ratios are weaker versus leverage levels of 4.1x and 4.3x in 2014 and 2013, though coverage ratios positively improved versus 4.1x in 2014. Excluding the non-recourse debt and EBITDA of the Alto Maipo and Cochrane power plants, AES Gener's debt-to-EBITDA for the LTM June 2016 was 3.18x. Fitch expects the company's consolidated leverage levels to remain slightly above 5.0x in 2016 as the company receives further project finance disbursements - mainly for Alto Maipo, which is on the weak side for the rating category. Leverage levels should slowly decline to the 4x level starting in 2H17 as Cochrane comes on-line and begins generating meaningful cash flow. Fitch has revised its assumptions for Alto Maipo, and we expect this project to become a meaningful cash flow generator in 2019, contributing to consolidated leverage's decline to below 3.5x. High Dividend Payment: AES Gener has a track record of high dividend payments, and Fitch expects the company to continue to pay out 100% of net income going forward. Cash flow could be further pressured during this expansion phase should this dividend policy be increased to a payout rate above 100% of net income. KEY ASSUMPTIONS Fitch's key assumptions within our rating case for AES Gener include: --Cochrane begins positive contributions in 2016; --Alto Maipo begins contributing in 2019, additional cost overruns of USD300 million incurred in 2019; --Angamos Base Case forecast pared back to reflect lower spot prices as 80MW in capacity is sold in spot market until Quebrada Blanca contract comes online in 2018; --Lower expected generation in Colombia in 2016 due to weaker hydrology and higher FX rate, partially mitigated by startup of Tunjita; --Benefit of the resolution 482 in Argentina starting in 2016; --SING/SADI transmission revenues lead to $10 million in incremental EBITDA starting in 2016; --Guacolda dividends suspended during 2016-2017 RATING SENSITIVITIES A change in AES Gener's commercial policy that results in an imbalanced long-term contractual position would be viewed negatively by Fitch. In addition, a material and sustained deterioration of credit metrics reflected in total consolidated debt-to-EBITDA ratios above 4.5x-5x and total non-recourse debt-to-EBITDA ratios above 3.0x-3.5x on a sustained basis could result in a negative rating action. If the company develops additional significant projects previous to the start of Alto Maipo, it will be viewed negatively by Fitch. Additional delays on Alto Maipo beyond Fitch's expectations and/or additional significant cost overruns may also be viewed negatively. Fitch believes that a positive rating action is limited at this time because of the expected capacity expansion over the next few years. LIQUIDITY The company's liquidity is supported by USD468 million of cash on hand against USD128 million of short-term debt. Gener enjoys an extended maturity profile, with over 80% of debt coming due after 2020. The company's liquidity is further buoyed by committed and uncommitted credit lines of approximately USD236 million and undrawn credit lines totalling USD176 million. FULL LIST OF RATING ACTIONS Fitch is affirming the following ratings for AES Gener S.A.: --Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency IDRs at 'BBB-'; --International senior unsecured bond ratings at 'BBB-'; --International junior subordinated bond ratings at 'BB'; --Long-term national scale rating at 'A+(cl)' ; --National senior unsecured bond ratings at 'A+(cl)'; --National equity rating at 'Primera Clase Nivel 2(cl)'. The Rating Outlook is Stable. Date of Relevant Rating Committee: Aug. 18 2016. Additional information is available on www.fitchratings.com. 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 Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/press_releases/content/ridf_frame.cfm?pr_id=1010588 Solicitation Status https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=1010588 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 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/20160819005657/en/ Fitch Ratings Primary Analyst Cinthya Ortega Director +1-312-606-2373 Fitch Ratings, Inc. 70 West Madison St. Chicago, IL 60602 or Secondary Analyst Francisco Mercadal Associate Director +56 2 2499 3340 or Committee Chairperson Dan Kastholm, CFA Managing Director +1-312-368-2070 or Media Relations: Elizabeth Fogerty, +1 212-908-0526 elizabeth.fogerty@fitchratings.com Fire truck begins journey to Nicaragua Loadmasters with the 439th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, load a 1982 Mack 1250 GPM pumper fire truck onto a C-5B Galaxy at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst N.J., Aug. 12, 2016. Master Sgt. Jorge A. Narvaez, a traditional New Jersey Air National Guardsman with the 108th Security Forces Squadron, was instrumental in getting the truck donated to a group of volunteer firefighters in Managua, Nicaragua. The truck donation is done through the Denton Program, which allows U.S. citizens and organizations to use space available on military cargo aircraft to transport humanitarian goods to countries in need. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen) Air Force Reservists from the 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron traveled to Gallup, New Mexico, for the first time to build homes for the Navajo Nation. Twenty-four reservists were able to practice their military profession and perform Innovative Readiness Training there from May 22 to June 5, this year. Operation Footprint is a program that gives Reserve civil engineers the ability to build homes for communities in need worldwide. This is a resource that communities learn to utilize, said Senior Master Sgt. Ralph Peck, 302nd CES operations superintendent. It really is a win-win relationship, added Maj. Bryan Cooper, 302nd CES deputy command and officer in charge during the trip. The selected community benefits from our skills and we get to hone our wartime skills. Operation Footprint brings together different non-profit organizations with the Department of Defense. This partnership is designed to give reservists the opportunity to perform Individual Readiness Training, which is real-world training to prepare for wartime missions, while providing a service to the selected community. The team worked with the Southwest Indian Foundation, a local non-profit organization in Gallup. that primarily serves Navajo, Hopi, Zuni and other Pueblo tribes by targeting the housing shortage. The home construction is only for Navajo families on the reservation, said Mr. Joseph Esparza, SWIF Director Project Office. The Navajo Housing Authority provides the funding for the building materials and we [SWIF] provide the labor, which is where the reservists come in to help. According to the NHA, there is a shortage of 34,000 housing units on the Navajo reservation. The homes are of a modular design and constructed in a warehouse then transported to the home site for assembly. According to Esparza, the reservists complete 85 percent of the home construction in a warehouse. During this trip the Citizen Airmen helped build three homes in the warehouse. The warehouse construction makes things a lot easier because it allows us to keep working in any climate or weather condition, said Cooper. All of our materials and tools are located in one area and makes the work run smoothly. In addition to building homes in the warehouse, 302nd AW reservists also responded to maintenance requests. We brought one completed home from the warehouse to the site, said Cooper. We also helped complete a sound wall for one home, we finished the electrical, plumbing, and sheetrock for another home, and put in kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, doors and windows for another home. It was a complete assembly process, where we got to work on five houses at various stages, from setting a foundation to painting, said Senior Airman Christopher Blackburn, 302nd CES engineer journeyman. It takes approximately 35 days to complete one home in the warehouse from start to finish, which is why it's a team effort explains Peck. This is a continuous project with various CES teams from different squadrons rotating, he said. Cooper said that from the time a family begins the application for a home until the time they move in is about two years. When we got there, the goal was to keep the momentum going from the previous team and turn around as much as possible, said Cooper. The American Housing Survey defines inadequate housing as moderate to severe problems to include deficiencies in plumbing, heating, electricity, hallways, and upkeep. According to the NHA Needs Assessment Study, over half of all families living within Navajo tribal lands have either no indoor or incomplete bathroom facilities and either no or incomplete kitchen facilities. This is a great project for our reservists because it means something, said Cooper. Instead of putting something together for training, and then tearing it down, the work with these homes is making a real impact for families and it is something permanent. According to Esparza, the Air Force Reserve Command and SWIF have been working together since July,1997 to provide homes for the homeless Navajo Indian families by coordinating the construction, transportation, and installation of new homes. Operation Footprint is not about just building any kind of home. It's about doing one home at a time and meeting the needs of the Navajos who wish to live more traditionally. The program represents one footprint or small step to meet the human needs of individuals who want to retain the traditional way of living rather than breaking tradition and moving into apartment complexes. Over the years, the relationship between SWIF and the Air Force Reserve has grown stronger. This year, 302nd CES reservists were invited to participate in the 2nd Annual Veterans celebration with the Roosevelt Elementary School in Gallup. This was my favorite part the trip and maybe even the most rewarding part my Air Force Reserve career, said Senior Airman Sean Boice, 302nd CES engineer journeyman. When we arrived to the event, the children could barely contain their excitement. The Citizen Airmen taught the children a few basic drill movements and how to render courtesies to the U.S. flag. Operation Footprint not only provides a community service and IRT, but this partnership can also change the perception of individual Citizen Airmen. What I like best about being in the Air Force Reserve are the doors it opens, said Blackburn. I get to experience new places, people and have the opportunity to truly make a difference. Meri Nana-Ama Danquah, a native Ghanaian, is author of the groundbreaking memoir, Willow Weep for Me: A Black Womans Journey Through Depression, and editor of three critically anthologies: Becoming American: Personal Essays by First Generation Immigrant Women, Shaking the Tree: New Fiction and Memoir by Black Women, and most recently, The Black Body. She is also a poet, public speaker, and radio commentator. Danquah divides her time between Los Angeles, California and Accra, Ghana. Cash and the Clueless Casanova Recently I got a call from my cousin who is also a recent returnee. Actually, it was more than one call. The first time my phone rang and I saw his name pop up on the screen, I didnt pick up. It wasnt personal. I didnt feel like talking to anyone. Id had one of those days when youre just completely spent. The night was still relatively young, but Id been in my pyjamas since 4:00pm, waiting for an hour that seemed respectable enough for a grown woman to climb into bed and go to sleep. "The View From Here," a column by the author, is featured in the Daily Graphic every Friday. Article may not be republished without written permission from the author. Bangladesh has sought from India, the details about Zakir Naiks operations, even as it said several prominent ulemas wanted action against the Islamic televangelist much before the deadly Gulshan attack last month. Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who is in India on a six-day visit, said his country has cracked down on Naiks Peace TV by banning its broadcast and indicated that it is waiting for Indias action against the controversial preacher. Inu said his country doesnt have any evidence of links between home-grown terrorists in Bangladesh with extremists outfits in India, but at the same time slammed Pakistan for harbouring terrorism. He said Bangladesh has witnessed over 43 attacks on thinkers, bloggers and people from Sufi faith and it has been found that in almost 90 per cent cases, the attackers had links with banned Jamaat-e-Islami which he alleged was a corroborator with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation war. From Bangladeshs side Zakir Naiks case has been settled. We have stopped the broadcast of Peace TV. In last one year, ulemas came up with written complaints against Naik. We are examining it. We think his teachings, in certain cases, are not in compliance with the Quran or Hadith. So, that is creating confusion. In certain cases it is instigating. So, we have taken our position. We have asked the Indian side to take their position and give us necessary information, Inu said. In the backdrop of reports that ISIS was gaining ground in Bangladesh, he asserted that terror networks in his country is home grown. Bangladesh had banned Naiks Peace TV following the terror attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan Thana locality on July 1 in which 29 people were killed. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it was evacuating its staff from six hospitals in northern Yemen after 19 people were killed in an air strike on one of its facilities earlier this week. Mondays attack on Abs hospital in the rebel-held province of Hajja was the fourth and deadliest yet on an MSF facility in war-torn Yemen. The decision to withdraw is never taken lightly, the Paris-based charity said in a statement. But given the intensity of the current offensive and our loss of confidence in the SLCs (Saudi-led coalitions) ability to prevent such fatal attacks, MSF considers the hospitals in Saada and Hajjah governorates unsafe for both patients and staff, it added. The hospitals will continue to be manned by local workers and volunteers, MSF said. The Saudi-led coalition began its bombing campaign in March last year after Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels seized large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. It stepped up air strikes this month after UN-mediated peace talks between the rebels and Yemens internationally backed government were suspended. Mondays bombing of Abs hospital drew international condemnation, prompting the coalition to announce an investigation into the attack. MSF said it had shared the hospitals GPS coordinates with all parties involved in the conflict. Coalition officials repeatedly state that they honour international humanitarian law, yet this attack shows a failure to control the use of force and to avoid attacks on hospitals full of patients, it said. MSF is neither satisfied nor reassured by the SLCs statement that this attack was a mistake. It also accused all sides in Yemens war of indiscriminate attacks on civilians. One MSF worker was among those killed in the Abs hospital attack, while another 24 people were wounded. At the time of the strike, the hospital was full of patients recovering from surgery, in maternity, newborns and children in paediatrics, MSF has said. As Home Minister had a bitter experience going for SAARC meeting in Pakistan now Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is not eager to visit such a place and may skip SAARC meet and it is most uncertain as of now. It is not worth visiting such a place that denigrades our own image in the midst of terrorists leaders and most arrogant bureaucrats. We had a bad experience in the past and better sense prevail this time. Chitra Krishnan (The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.) Taxi service Uber has suspended a driver in Mumbai after complaints that he allegedly molested a foreign woman who hired his cab on Wednesday night. A friend of the alleged victim, in a Facebook post explained the shameful incident. The post read by Viola Wadia read, He spoke to her in a friendly manner when she first got in and asked her where she was from and made small talk. Later, he said that since the roads in Mumbai are horrible she was welcome to come sit in the passenger seat up front with him. Unfortunately we were proved wrong because this Uber driver tried to molest her on their way to Versova. When she refused to move he complained about low visibility through his back screen and told her he was going to pull over to clean it. She was very uncomfortable but allowed him to stop to clean the screen. She was surprised when he came to the back seat under the pretext of cleaning the window from the inside and proceeded to put his hand on her thigh and tried to feel her up, said the friends Facebook post where she talks about the incident. The driver moved off the passenger when she shouted at him and went back to his seat, Wadia alleged, adding her friend managed to jump off and get home safely. On Friday, she mentioned in a comment on her post that Uber suspended the driver permanently and reported him to the Mumbai Drivers Association. Uber also issued a statement stating that the driver has been suspended and all details related to the trip and the driver were shared with the relevant authorities for official investigation. Wadia shared a screenshot of the Uber app along with her post, revealing the name of the driver Shehbaaz. Last year, an Uber cab driver, identified as Shiv Kumar Yadav, was sentenced to life imprisonment till his natural death for raping a woman executive in his taxi in Delhi in. Web Toolbar by Wibiya A beekeeper in Nanaimo, British Columbia recently came face to face with a monster in her beehive. Sarah Wallbank reported that she noticed her bees fly erratically at night while circling the lights before dying. She immediately did an online check which led her too ZomBee Watch and its director, Biology Professor John Hafernik at San Francisco State University. Professor Hafernik is known for being a legend when it comes to Zombie flies and its parasitic attack in honey bees across North America. He said that Wallbanks bees are the first in Canada to be confirmed as infected, although other hives in different parts of Canada are being checked for any infections. Although the infection is concerning and devastating to all bee keepers it is not by any chance a surprise as the Zombie fly is native to North America and has targeted other native wasps and bumblebees. However, of recent it has turned its focus to honey bees introduced by Europeans. Honey bees are a vital pollinator of agricultural crops and it is still not known how the infestation is likely to affect population, so the Professor is appealing to citizen scientists to keep an eye out for any bees acting strangely. By acting strangely, I mean flying around at night when they should be huddled, staying warm in their hives and often getting attracted to light which is sort of our indicator that something unusual is going on in the hives, Professor Hafernik stated. Bees are likely to be infected while foraging and they completely become disoriented as the eggs hatch in their abdomen. Professor Hafernik said that anyone with reports of bees being attracted to light at night should collect the dying insect and save it in a container or baggie. He also asks for one to observe if any larvae emerges from the dead insect, but either way a report should be made to ZomBee Watch. He has appealed to the citizen scientists to help him and other scientists make a real contribution in the field. These are people who can make real scientific contributions and discoveries that have been missed by scientists like me and others over the years, he said. Web Toolbar by Wibiya It appears that Dezrin Carby-Samuels [shown in the photo with this article as last seen by son on 12 June 2015] has been made a prisoner of entities that appear to be clones. Indeed, in the above video, Dr. Karla Turner talks about the alien agenda and the apparent clones that are being used by manipulative aliens to pursue a New World Order. The video below elaborates on the apparent use of cloned by manipulative aliens and human sell-outs to aliens as an apparent social control technique that is responsible for the destructiveness on our planet Earth and the type of human rights abuses experienced by Dezrin Carby-Samuels in Ottawa, Canada. The apparent cloned entities are responsible for this poor elderly woman not been able to talk, walk or write anymore due to the medical examinations that they have been subjugating this woman to for more than 2 years. For more than 12 months, the apparent entities have blocked visitation access by her only son who had sought to get his Mom better, and also blocked access to speech therapists and other social services personnel that would have been able to make Dezrin Carby-Samuels healthy again. The local media has blocked news coverage of the continual apparent alien-direct hostage taking of Dezrin Carby-Samuels under the control of apparent cloned robotic-like entities. Dr. David Salla suggests that such entities have also been embedded in mass-media and other such organization to repress information of alien activities as suggested by the video below. Dr. Salla suggests that such video from science fiction seeks to hide truth in plain sight. You might wonder, what are the characteristics of the apparent clones that are subjugating Dezrin Carby-Samuels that might elsewhere in the planet. In the video below this article, you will see an elaboration of the reported characteristic of cloned entities. Characteristic One A Total Lack of Empathy The apparent cloned entities that subjugate Dezrin Carby-Samuels are intelligent and have been programmed to react in certain obvious situations in a visibly appropriate manner. For example, the cloned entities would know not to laugh at funeral. But, otherwise, these entities as programmed vessels have have absolutely no 'feeling' concerning the plight of others. David Icke described these entities 'eyes' not smiling when they smile. Characteristic Two Fluid Pathological Lying Having no feeling toward others, the cloned entities can preform their apparent function as masters of deception as had been described by the ancient Pagan Gnostics in John Lash's research. However, unlike us humans who can self-evaluate the believability of lies, the clones appear to have the capacity to tell great lies with a complete straight face that often may not appear to make any sense to most humans. But, because the clones are programmed exactly how to look believable in their lies, the clones can be very convincing. Characteristic Three Irrational Fixation A human has the inherent ability to re-adjust objectives and goals based upon an on-going cost and benefit analysis. In contrast, the apparent clones appear to have no such capacity; and seem to be singularly-focused on achieving whatever objective they have been programmed to achieve. The cloned entities that appear to be holding Dezrin Carby-Samuels hostage seems to have such a fixation. Characteristic Four Prone to Psychotic States of Agitation The apparent clones tend to be very self-contained and self-controlled until they are pushed away from their fixation or are challenged and become "angered". During such apparent anger, their eye movements become particularly unnatural-looking in appearance accompanied by possible physical tremors. They also may appear to have difficulty in maintaining their physical form when angered. Thus, the apparent clones can demonstrate either violence or a capacity of violence. One of these apparent clones held a kitchen knife to their son's stomach when he expressed concerns of the abuse and neglect of his Dezrin Carby-Samuels. This is clearly not consistent with humans as beings of empathy, and especially when it comes to threatening supposedly your own son with bodily assault. When a driver flashed their headlights to one of these apparent clones who are responsible for forcibly confining Dezrin, the apparent clone quickly became angry and followed the driver right to his house to accost the driver of this vehicle. Characteristic Five Highly Manipulative / Artificial Congeniality The apparent clones might appear to be convivial and even generous with gifts but not because they like you; but rather, they use such gestures in their programming to seek to manipulate you at some later time, when they might need you to facilitate their mission. The apparent use such techniques by the aliens is to enable the clones to rise up the hierarchy in institutions of power so they can embed themselves in behalf of the manipulate aliens who created them for this purpose. Watch video below for insights on a reported cloning campaign against humans. Is photo history trending? This summer weve been noticing a number of book and exhibitions exploring various aspects of photographys past, so we decided to start a series focusing on the history of the medium. Youll be seeing more of our features throughout August and beyond. Over the past week The Chaldean Chamber and Foundation Martin Manna Tell us about the Chaldean community. Where is the origin of the community and where is the population most prevalent? Chaldeans have a history dating all the way back to ancient Mesopotamia, and are indigenous to Iraq, Syria, and parts of Iran and Turkey. Iraq has the largest population of Chaldeans followed by Syria. Chaldeans are Eastern Rite Catholics who have their own patriarch in Baghdad with the Pope being the highest authority. Chaldeans speak Aramaic, which is the oldest continuous language in the world and the language spoken by Jesus Christ. Most Chaldeans in the Metro Detroit area are from Iraq and their situation has been likened to American Indians; in the wake of the Iraq War, Chaldeans and other religious minorities have been relentlessly persecuted and driven from their lands by Islamic fundamentalists. Outside of the Middle East, Metro Detroit has the largest Chaldean population with 150,000 people. There are also Chaldean communities in California, Phoenix and Nevada, and a large Assyrian community in Chicago. What inspired you to start the Chaldean Chamber and the Chaldean Community Foundation? The Chamber was launched by a 15-member steering committee to help dispel the negative stereotypes that existed about Chaldeans. The Chamber has become major planning organization for our community. Most Chaldeans are business owners; in fact, 61% of households own at least one business. Major business concentrations include hospitality, food and beverage, wireless, restaurants and development. We have also had a large influx of New Americans to this region due to the Iraq War and its consequences, thus the launch of the Chaldean Community Foundation to help these individuals become self-sustaining, productive members of society. Tell us about the Chaldean Community in Macomb County. The fastest-growing segment of our population is in Macomb County. We have sizable populations in Warren, Sterling Heights, Shelby Township and now even more so in Utica. The largest Chaldean Catholic Church, for example, is in Shelby Township and we also have a church in Sterling Heights and in Warren. We recently built the Chaldean Community Foundation facility at 15 Mile and Ryan to help acculturate the New Americans. Since 2007 more than 30,000 Chaldeans have come to Michigan; 15,000 arrived as refugees and the other 15,000 as sponsored. We still have more than 800,000 displaced Christians in Iraq because of the ongoing genocide being perpetuated against Christians in the Middle East. We are a resource not only to Chaldean families, but to all who need assistance. Our Foundation office in Sterling Heights serves more than 20,000 people a year, more than 15% of which are non-Chaldean, with English learning, career services, citizenship services, access to healthcare, and many other services. The center is a true community center open to all. Although it just opened we are already expanding because we need more parking. We have purchased the two adjacent lots and are working on building a long-term special-needs center for Macomb County as well. Where is the best Chaldean food in Macomb? Probably at a Chaldean household but if you can't have dinner with a Chaldean family, I highly recommend Sahara Markets and Bakery, which have locations in Warren and Sterling Heights. That is the best food in Macomb County. Are Chaldean businesses doing well in Macomb? Yes, Chaldeans are blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic. And as the Chaldean population grows, expect to see more Chaldean-owned business like shops, restaurants and markets, and other businesses attracted to serving this dynamic market. With the influx of New Americans you can see a lot of Chaldean owned business opening up in Macomb County. What are the top priorities for new families in Macomb? Many of our newly arrived families fled Iraq with nothing more than the clothes on their back, so have ongoing challenges dealing with general anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Our aim at the center is to help them become more independent from government subsidies and focus on helping them get on the right path as New Americans, mainly with access to new jobs and transportation. The goal is to make them become contributors to the local economy like the tens of thousands of Chaldeans who came to the United States before them. Chaldeans are mainly entrepreneurs and contribute almost $11 billion annually to Michigan's economy. What are your favorite destinations in Macomb? I am becoming more and more familiar with Macomb; I haven't been an Eastsider (although you guys are really cool people). I am really enjoying Lake St. Clair Metropark, CJ Barrymore's and Jimmy John's Field. There is so much that Macomb has to offer and hopefully one day I'll make Macomb my home. Why Advancing Macomb? I love meeting people and our increased presence in Macomb County has been deeply satisfying on both the personal and professional level. I am honored to be associated with such a forward-thinking organization. Tell us about Martin. What is a core value for you? Like all Chaldeans, I put family and faith above all else. August 19, 2016 ERBIL, Iraq Thirteen years after the fall of the Baath Party, Iraq's parliament voted in favor of a law to ban the Baath Party on July 30. The law caused widespread reactions in the Iraqi Arab street. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described the vote in favor of the law as "victory." The law has given the Shiite parliamentary blocs further momentum to vote in favor of other laws against the Baathists. State of Law Coalition parliamentarian Adnan Chahmani said Aug. 6, "The [Shiite] National Alliance is determined to pass the Accountability Law next Tuesday [Aug. 9] to turn the page of the Baath [Party] once and for all at the doctrinal and political levels." He accused the majority of the Sunni Iraqi Forces Alliance's members of supporting "the Baath [Party]." In the Iraqi Kurdish arena, there were no worthwhile reactions, as the Kurdish people had the lion's share of the oppression and genocide at the hands of the Baath authorities. Although some Iraqi segments still deny crimes committed against the Kurds by the Baath regime such as the Anfal campaigns that killed more than 180,000 Kurdish people a law criminalizing this denial has not been passed yet in the Kurdistan Region, similar to the law criminalizing Holocaust denial adopted in Germany and elsewhere. Not only does the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) seem uninterested in the matter of Baath crimes against the Kurdish people, but it is also accused of harboring former Baathists and collaborators in their crimes. Armed Kurdish groups consisting of tens of thousands of fighters, known as the Light Regiments, joined the Baath regime in its numerous crimes against the Kurdish people in the 1970s and 1980s. All Kurdish armed collaborators of the Baath regime were granted amnesty in 1992 under the amnesty law by the Kurdish parties at the time. They were allowed to have access to key administrative and political posts in the country, and were awarded high military ranks. This had caused resentment among human rights activists who viewed the integration and access of defendants to senior posts in the Kurdish administration as a wrong decision, particularly since some of them are still wanted by the Iraqi High Tribunal. Websites close to former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki accused the KRG of harboring a large number of Baathists persecuted in Baghdad and of using this as leverage during negotiations on contentious matters, leading to objections among the Kurds. Sot Kurdistan newspaper said in this regard that Erbil has turned into "a hotbed for the former and new Baathists." Some officials categorically denied the presence of Baathists in the Kurdistan Region. The KRG's Minister of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs Mahmoud Haji Salih told Al-Monitor, "There are no Baathists in the Kurdistan Region, and I know nothing about a law banning the Baath Party in Baghdad." Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Farid Asserd has a similar position. He told Al-Monitor, "There are no Baathists in the Kurdistan Region. The circumstances in Baghdad are different, as remnants of the Baath [regime] are present in the Sunni areas, and there are Shiite Baathists. Thus, the law banning the Baath Party has no effect in the Kurdistan Region." Other officials did not deny the presence of Baathists in the Kurdistan Region, and they justified the lack of interest in the issue with the current circumstances. Adalat Omr, the adviser to the General Authority of Kurdish areas outside the Kurdistan Region, told Al-Monitor, "The political crises and conflict in the Kurdistan Region, the foreign interference and the war on the Islamic State are the reasons behind the lukewarm position toward the presence of Baathists." Yet, the Kurdish street is sharply divided over the presence and integration of Baathists in the Kurdistan Region. A human rights activist who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity said, "Dozens of former advisers to the Light Regiments are present within the rank of the three key Kurdish political parties; some were even candidates in the last elections, while others have retired and are obtaining their pension from taxpayers." Even worse, the writer of songs supporting Saddam Hussein, including the famous song titled "Saddam Zera," retired with the rank of brigadier general on July 29, and he ended up enjoying his retirement and leading a prosperous life in the Kurdistan Region. The activists did not forget the scandal where Tariq Ramadan al-Azzawi, a pilot accused of bombarding the city of Halabja with chemical weapons and who is still wanted by the Iraqi High Tribunal, was smuggled out of or released from his prison cell in Sulaimaniyah on Oct. 28, 2007, under mysterious circumstances. Activist Najih Gulpy, a member of Chak, was reported as saying in an interview with the al-Ittihad al-Islami newspaper that he still has a letter by senior officials in the Kurdistan Region sent to the authorities of Denmark to release Nizar al-Khazraji, the former regime's army chief of staff, when he was arrested on charges of involvement in the Anfal massacres. Contrary to Kurdish officials' point of view, Awara Hussein, a professor of genocide studies at Halabja University, said, "There are officials in the Kurdistan Region who were involved or collaborated with the Baathists in the 1980s genocide campaigns. Had the law to ban the Baath Party been implemented, many of them would be forced out." In this regard, author and journalist Aref Qorbani said, "The authority in the Kurdistan Region is negligent in this regard, and Kurdish parties are protecting some of them due to partisan competition and to gain votes." Writer and civil activist Ali Mahmoud told Al-Monitor, "Former Baathists are being used as a war machine in the internal battles and in the elections. The war over power is more important than the amassed skulls of the victims" for the Kurdish parties. As the Kurdish street is preoccupied with political crises and divisions, officials in the KRG have no interest in giving attention to the law banning the Baath Party and to legally prosecute those who collaborated with it in its major crimes. Editor's note: This article has been updated since its initial publication. August 19, 2016 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip During a meeting of Israels security Cabinet Aug. 5, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman expressed their objection to the plan by Israeli Transport Minister Yisrael Katz to establish a port off the coast of the Gaza Strip. Katz had revealed in January a plan to build a port by creating an artificial island just 4.5 kilometers (roughly 3 miles) off the Gazan coast. The port would have energy facilities and a runway for planes. The island would be linked to Gaza through a bridge with a security checkpoint. He said that international parties which he did not name would be in charge of funding and building the port that would be internationally controlled and monitored, so long as Israel would be in charge of the maritime security as well as inspection at the port. According to the Hebrew-language newspaper Israel Hayom, Netanyahu and Liberman had objected to the plan as there would be no guarantee of [Israels] full control over the goods and the people moving through the port, even if a separate [artificial] island is built [off Gazas coast]. The newspaper pointed out that contrary to Netanyahu and Libermans position, Israeli senior politicians said that the Israeli army and the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) found no security problem that could emanate from establishing this port. Some officials in the foreign and finance ministries believe that this solution [establishing a port in Gaza] would be good on both the political and economic levels. Katz had asked the Cabinet to form a ministerial staff to embark on the project, but his request was denied, the paper reported. Hamas reacted to Israels refusal to build the port. In this context, Ismail Haniyeh, the deputy head of Hamas political bureau, said during the Aug. 5 Friday sermon at the Abdullah bin Omar Mosque in Gaza, Building a port in Gaza and along the Gazan coast is an inherent right of the Palestinian people and is an entitlement [that should have been granted] following the negotiations in Cairo, in virtue of which the war and aggression came to an end, in reference to the 2014 Israeli war on Gaza. The port issue was part of the Egyptian-sponsored truce talks between Palestinian factions and Israel that ended the 2014 war. However, the final agreement that came out on Aug. 26 of that year did not include Israels approval on this item [building a port]. Rather, both parties agreed on resuming said negotiations to discuss this issue a month after the truce, which has yet to happen. Netanyahu and Liberman claimed they opposed the building of this port fearing Hamas would use it for smuggling operations, namely smuggling of arms. In this regard, Hamas official spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Monitor, We find this refusal unacceptable. The occupation [Israel] is making flimsy excuses to tighten the blockade on Gaza. Hamas could never use the port for smuggling; it wants to be open to trade with the world. He explained that Hamas was not the only one demanding the establishment of a port. It is a popular demand, and this is why the Palestinian delegation had put it on the table during the 2014 truce talks. The delegation included representatives from several Palestinian factions, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and was headed by Azzam al-Ahmad, who is a member of Fatahs Central Committee, Qassem said. The port issue was also brought up during the reconciliation talks between Turkey and Israel, which reached [an agreement] on June 27, but no progress on this issue has been made. However, this is not the end. So we hope the international community would put pressure on Israel in order to build a port in Gaza, he concluded. For his part, Walid al-Moudallal, a professor of political science at the Islamic University in Gaza, mocked Israels justifications for refusing to build a port in Gaza. Certainly, Hamas has its ways and means to smuggle weapons into Gaza, but it will never think to use the port for this purpose. This is because the port [covers for] a human need and aims to alleviate the Israeli siege and put an end to the economic dependency on Israel, he told Al-Monitor. Moudallal said that Hamas did not receive the approval of Israel to build this port during the 2014 peace talks between the resistance factions, namely Hamas, and Israel. This is because Egypt, which sponsored said talks, prevented Hamas from making any significant achievements during the war, as [Hamas] is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt considers a terrorist organization. Also, Egypt postponed the talks on Hamas demands, including the building of a seaport and airport in Gaza, to a month after the truce enters into force but Egypt has yet to resume these talks. He added, The Palestinian Authority has also worked secretly to prevent Hamas from convincing Israel to build this port during the [2014] talks, as the PA is fighting any attempt by Hamas to realize political or social achievements [that would improve living conditions]. Political analyst Talal Okal agreed with Moudallal and told Al-Monitor, Even if Israel is pressured by some states to approve establishing a port, a seaport and airport will not be built in Gaza as long as reconciliation is not achieved between Hamas and Fatah, which represents the PA. The PA is undermining [all such] efforts, as it does not want recovery or economic development in Gaza under Hamas rule, Okal told Al-Monitor. In regard to the possibility of Israels refusal to establish a port in Gaza resulting in a new military confrontation between Gaza and Israel, Okal said, It is likely that the situation would implode and a new war would erupt. I expect a new confrontation between Hamas and Israel before the end of this year. Wadih Abu Nassar, a political analyst specializing in Israeli affairs, also believes that establishing a port in Gaza could prevent a new military confrontation. He told Al-Monitor that a number of Israeli officials agree with this and are pushing for building the port in Gaza, including Katz and head of the Labor Party Isaac Herzog. Nassar said, The Israeli parties supporting a port in Gaza believe it will benefit Israel by guaranteeing calm on its southern front. This port would also reduce the chances of ending the internal Palestinian division, since Hamas would not need to reconcile with Fatah if a port is built in Gaza as the port would improve the peoples living conditions, noting that Israel is seeking to prevent reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas as it would strengthen Palestinians in their confrontation against Israel. In light of the urgent need to build a port in Gaza to improve living conditions and of Israels opposition, the situation between Gaza and Israel seems to be heading toward further blockade and violence and farther away from stability and peace. August 18, 2016 Khaled Ashraf Abdel Razeq starts his day by studying and reviewing all his school subjects, and that's how he ends it. He feels compelled to excel like his sister, who ranked first among all students in the northern Sinai on her college entrance exam in the humanities section. However, one day early this year was like no other. He was reviewing his lessons when he heard shooting. He paid little attention, as he was used to it; the northern Sinai has been under a state of emergency because of terrorist attacks since 2014. Suddenly, there was a huge explosion in front of his house. The street filled with smoke. Abdel Razeq, in a state of panic, tried to hide as the house shook. He was terrified for hours after this attack. After the situation calmed and the streets in el-Arish were quiet once again, he conquered his fears and resumed studying. His dream to rank among the top students in the country, to study economics and political science at Suez University, and to become one of its professors made him insist on facing the worst conditions, even conditions of war. Abdel Razeq succeeded in achieving the first step of his dream, ranking first on the literary exam section in the North Sinai governorate. However, he still remembers the explosion echoing in his ears every time he recalls his story of success. Despite how difficult this incident was, it only took four hours of my time before I immediately continued studying, he told Al-Monitor. Not only did he suffer because of the shootings and explosion, he also had to contend with the curfew imposed on the people of North Sinai. I had to walk during the curfew about 2,000 feet away from el-Arish at night, fearing that clashes or accidents might occur on my way back from my [tutor]. The only option I had was to conquer my fear of dangers in total darkness because of the curfew, he said. Shootings, explosions and curfews were the challenges he faced the entire academic year. Then came the exam. In Egypt, students are told, In the exam, you are either honored or humiliated, to show them that a test separates the wheat from the chaff. However, because test papers and their answers were leaked on social media this academic year, students were not honored; they were only humiliated, regardless of how diligent they might have been. The Ministry of Education acknowledged the leaks. At Abdel Razeq's school, there were cases of cheating and some students threatened the exam monitors, who were teachers from other governorates. The Arabic exam was the most difficult among all my exams because of the noise all students made upon the [monitors] leaving the room after many students threatened them. I was trying as much as I could to focus on answering the questions while confronting some students who bothered me, Abdel Razeq told Al-Monitor. Ashraf Abdel Razeq, Khaleds father, describes the day of the Arabic exam as difficult. His son didn't want to continue with the exam because of the cheating he saw. "I tried persuading him to take the exams. I assured him he would fulfill his dream no matter what." And he is on his way to fulfilling that dream. Abdel Razeq is now enrolled in the economics and political science program at Suez University and still plans to become a professor there. Another success story is Nourhan Hany, who ranked No. 1 among North Sinai students in the scientific section of the Thanaweya Amma, the exam given to students before they enter college. She did not mention any fears of a shooting or explosion as she spoke with Al-Monitor. Life was smoother this year compared to the past, despite my mothers worries every time I left home to attend my private lectures, she said. By persevering through all her struggles, she now attends the university in Ismailia. Though Hany felt driven to get the highest marks, she said she never looked at the exam answers that were leaked on social media. She felt it was important to know that her success and distinction came from her own personal effort, rather than cheating, which some of her colleagues did anyway. Fat-heyya Hassan, Hany's mother, told Al-Monitor she insists that the state take care of her daughter and help her overcome any difficulties she might face in her scientific career. She wanted her daughter to distinguish herself regardless of the unstable security situation. Safwat El Kashef, an Arabic teacher at the Martyr Amr Shokry Military Secondary School in el-Arish, told Al-Monitor, Secondary school students face many psychological challenges because of the state of war in the governorate. Students should be given an extra 5% added to the total of their grades since they live in a remote border zone governorate and face many security obstacles," such as curfews and frequent utility outages. "The governorate needs to increase the number of schools and hold regular meetings with students to hear their educational problems. August 19, 2016 BAGHDAD Noura al-Bajari, a member of the Iraqi parliament's Economy and Investment Committee, expressed fear in a press statement Aug. 8 that Iraq will be unable to pay off its debts. She cited dropping prices for the oil upon which the country relies and the costs of the war against the Islamic State, with which the government has fought for control of Iraqi cities since June 2014. In an interview with the local Iraqi Al-Mada Press, Bajari predicted a very bad scenario for the Iraqi economy should debts remain outstanding. Iraq would have to face dire economic conditions akin to the prior-2003 period, when the accumulated debt had reached $125 billion, she said. Bajaris apprehension seems justified, especially since the Iraqi government has resorted to domestic and foreign borrowing to be able to bridge the spending deficit as oil prices started to plummet in the summer of 2014. Of note, Iraq depends almost exclusively on oil revenues to finance state spending, and there are no official statistics available on the current size of the debt. Iraqs Central Bank has been trying to employ a policy of financial transparency by publishing data on spending, debt and the countrys financial status online. However, the website only displays basic information from 2010 that is not sufficient to gauge the actual size of outstanding debt since the fall in oil prices in 2014. Mazhar Mohammad Saleh, a prominent Iraqi economist and the economic adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, acknowledged that there are no official statistics but discussed Iraq's estimated internal and foreign debt in a phone interview with Al-Monitor. Saleh carefully traced the history of Iraqs debt under the previous regime and the successive Iraqi governments following the invasion in April 2003. Iraq is indebted to 51 countries, including 10 creditors outside the Paris Club, he said. Iraq has borrowed around $9 billion from the Paris Club countries, while it owes about $6 billion to creditors outside the club. There is also $2.7 billion owed to international private sector companies with about 5% interest annually, Saleh said. According to Saleh, the former regime saddled Iraq with odious debt of nearly $10 billion that the government is not bound to pay off entirely. Saleh further said that following Iraqs 2003 invasion, the countrys debts were not very significant," explaining, "Foreign debts amounted to $7 billion, while the domestic debt was standing at around $34 billion, including the debts amassed by the former regime. He added, As per the gross domestic product, the debt ranges around 60%, which is a safe percentage. There are also international standards for dealing with debt. Yet that does not suggest Iraq should not be cautious in paying off its safe debts. Saleh also noted, The International Monetary Fund requested the Ministry of Finance hire an international company to oversee Iraqs foreign debts in a bid to set forth a mechanism to repay them. In the same vein, Abdul Rahman al-Mashhadani, an economics professor at Baghdads Al-Mustansiriya University one of the oldest Iraqi universities said that the Iraqi government is partly to blame for not dealing transparently with debt. The absence of official statistics on the size of debt indicates a lack of transparency vis-a-vis the countrys financial situation, as economists and society are kept at bay, he told Al-Monitor. He noted that some indications suggest that Iraq owes $69 billion in foreign debt, stressing, These funds have never been used in investment but in consumption fields, which makes it more difficult for Iraq to settle them. It appears that Mashhadanis reading is sound, as Abadis program provided for the diversification of sources of income. Yet two years later, the government is still closely monitoring the oil price data as it continues to rely on oil proceeds. Mashhadani added, The government lacks a strategy to deal with the debt, which could cause the country to further sink into debt and thus resort to mortgaging oil to pay it off." Iraqs foreign debts have always been a thorny issue that calls for vigilant care, as Saleh stated. The successive governments ought also to stop relying on oil revenues to pay off domestic and foreign debts in order to help Iraq escape its economic quagmire. August 19, 2016 There are rumblings that Israel is threatening a war to end all wars against Hamas, one comparable to World War II. It has been two years since the last Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. As both sides mark the occasion, Israeli politicians have made several official statements and military experts have published press analyses indicating that an upcoming military confrontation with Hamas is not only inevitable, but will completely eliminate Hamas. Hamas, on the other hand, claims the threats are mostly bluster, but says it is ready for whatever comes its way. The clamor began to rise in June. An Israeli military source close to Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman threatened June 15 that the upcoming war will banish Hamas' rule in Gaza and will be the last one against the movement. Israel cannot keep engaging in endless wars of attrition year in, year out. Therefore, the next confrontation will be terminal, whether it happens sooner or later, the source said. Gen. Kobi Barak, the head of the Technological and Logistics Directorate in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), noted June 30 that the upcoming war on the Gaza Strip will be fierce. He compared it to World War II because Israel will be under intense shelling, and the Palestinians will launch anti-tank missiles and infiltrate Israeli settlements on Gazas outskirts. On Aug. 10, Yohay Awfar, a military expert at the Israeli NRG news website, said the calm along Gazas borders indicates Hamas is still practicing deterrence, as it has since the 2014 war. Israel continues to improve its fighting system and it will subdue Hamas one last time, he said. Retired Palestinian Maj. Gen. Wasef Erekat told Al-Monitor, The Israeli command we are up against is declaring a possible violent war on Gaza. The real challenge for Tel Aviv consists of the potential risks of this scenario due to its destructive aspect. Any damage that Israel causes will not only affect Gaza, [because] Palestinians have military capacities that might cause similar damage in Israeli cities, even if relatively less. "Although Israel has lethal powers and bombs that can target Gazas buildings, streets, infrastructure and power stations, I believe that it will just maintain its 'mowing the lawn' policies [a phrase meaning to clean the land of its people] with the Palestinian resistance in Gaza every other year without engaging in a full-on war. Israel's statements against Hamas were not restricted to the media. In recent weeks, the IDF has engaged in field trainings mimicking military scenarios in a possible upcoming war on Gaza. The Israeli navy conducted a maneuver Aug. 13 in the Mediterranean Sea to simulate a naval attack from Gaza or Lebanon on an Israeli ship. Armed Palestinian factions pose an increasing risk to the Israeli fleet on its southern front in Gaza. Israeli naval ships have become a top target for Hamas. Indeed, Ahmad Bahar, the Hamas leader and deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, had announced in early April that the naval force of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas military wing, will change the situation for the Israeli army in the upcoming war. He also praised this force and its readiness to engage in new battles with the Israeli army. Also, an Israeli unit carried out a training exercise Aug. 15 against a hypothetical situation in which a Palestinian cell consisting of 20 armed men from Gaza infiltrates Israeli settlements adjacent to the Gaza Strip through border tunnels between Gaza and Israel. Official Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Al-Monitor, The consecutive Israeli threats against Gaza claiming that the upcoming war will be the last are mere media propaganda and factional biddings between the government and the [parliamentary] opposition in Israel. [Yet,] despite the lack of field indicators heralding a new war on Gaza, the Palestinian people are ready to defend themselves, and they do not care about the threats. At the same time, the resistance is preparing unprecedented surprises, and the [Israeli] army must have learned a lesson or two from the 2014 Gaza war and the great performance of the resistance. Although Hamas says it refuses to be terrorized by the Israeli threats, since early August the field situation in Gaza has reflected a state of security tension contrary to what Abu Zuhri claimed. Israeli airplanes are hovering in Gazas skies intensively, fishermens boats are being shot at daily and the eastern borders of the Gaza Strip are being infiltrated sporadically. Palestinians are ready for a possible setback in the field situation that might lead to war. Iyad el-Bozom, the spokesman for Gazas Interior Ministry, told Al-Monitor, We conducted general maneuvers in the Gaza Strip in April to test the performance of the security and service institutions in Gazas cities and to detect the points of weakness and strength in the internal Palestinian front, in light of the lessons we learned from the Gaza war in 2014. We will be preparing for a general maneuver in the Gaza Strip in the coming weeks for the first time, to test our readiness to fight the Israeli aggression. One cannot talk about the last bloody war that Israel might launch on Hamas to eliminate the movement without exploring the political stances of Hamas' allies in the region, especially Qatar and Turkey. How might their pro-Hamas reactions play a role in deterring Israel, especially in light of the Turkish-Israeli reconciliation that took place in June? Mukhaimer Abu Saada, a political science teacher at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, The regional political setting surrounding Hamas is the worst in the movements history. Its relations with Egypt are tense, while its relations with Iran have not improved. The Arab Gulf mainly Qatar and Saudi Arabia are preoccupied with the situation in Syria and Yemen, and Turkey and Israel have reached a reconciliation." This complicates the situation for Israel, he noted. "Israel might be encouraged to catch Hamas off guard with a violent war, [but] it does not want a new boycott in relations with Turkey," he said. "Therefore, the Israeli stance seems unclear, as Israel is torn between launching a war on Gaza or refraining from doing so. Perhaps Israel and Hamas realize that the upcoming war wont be like those in 2008, 2012 and 2014, as they both learned military and pragmatic lessons. The next war could be bloody and fierce, and both sides might need to think deeply before casting the first stone, especially amid Israels talk about this war being terminal. August 12, 2016 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree July 31 increasing the quota for Christians in local governing councils in the provinces of Ramallah and Bethlehem and in a number of villages around the two provinces. The four-article presidential decree listed nine local councils in the West Bank where the new quota allocated to Christians would exceed the quota assigned to Muslims. Article 1 of the decree specifies that Christians shall have 5-10 seats on the affected local councils, while Muslims will have 2-7 seats. The total number of seats ranges from 9 to 15, according to the province or village. Article 2 asserts that the heads of the nine local councils which have the largest number of Christians in the Palestinian territories must be from the Christian community. The decree stirred controversy among Palestinians, in particular questions about its timing, given that it followed Hamas announcement of its intention to take part in the local council elections. In addition, it appeared to violate electoral law concerning the appointment of the heads of local councils. Article 56(3) of law No. 10 of 2005 specifies that the head of the local council shall be elected by an absolute majority of council members, but the decree authorizes the appointment of council heads. Hamas issued a statement Aug. 2 rejecting Abbas' decree. Yahya Moussa, a Hamas leader and chairman of the Palestinian Legislative Council's Oversight Committee in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Abbas was surprised when Hamas announced its participation in the local council elections and issued this decree that aims to reduce Hamas representation in the local councils, he said. Moussa claimed that the decree is a violation of the Palestinian Basic Law, specifically Article 26(4), which stipulates that Palestinians are entitled to hold public office and positions in accordance with the principle of equal opportunity. The presidential decree is discriminatory and violates the principle of equal opportunity between Muslims and Christians, he said. Moussa added that the decree is also contrary to the principles of democracy, which call for equality and justice, but the decree allocates more seats to a minority compared to the seats allocated to the majority. There are fewer than 50,000 Christians in the Palestinian territories, including 40,000 in the West Bank, compared to more than 2.8 million Muslims in the West Bank. Moussa stressed that Hamas has no problem with the representation of Christians and recalled that in the parliamentary elections in 2006, Hamas' lists included one Christian figure for every five Muslim candidates in Gaza City. Members of Fatah, which Abbas heads, have also raised concerns about the new decree. Amin Maqboul, the secretary-general of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, told Al-Monitor, There are no justifications for Abbas issuance of this decree, especially since a previous similar decree was issued in 2010 which was superseded by the newly issued decree. Maqboul said that judicial authorities are examining the decree, which has been officially published. The 2010 decree had increased the Christian quota as well. Maqboul also pointed out that Fatah includes Christian figures on its electoral lists in regions where there are not enough Christian residents, such as the city of Nablus, for them to run on a separate Christian list. Maqboul, however, rejected Hamas allegations that the decree is contrary to the law and was issued to influence the electoral process. It is expected that Hamas would question any decision Abbas issues regarding the elections, he said. The Hemaya Center for Human Rights based in Gaza city issued a statement Aug. 2 calling on Abbas to respect the law and rescind Article 2 of the new decree because it is unconstitutional. The center stressed the need to protect the right to equality for all citizens, avoid discrimination between the different communities in terms of access to local council positions and retain elections as the method of appointment for heads of local councils, as stipulated by law. Hisham Kahil, executive director of the Palestinian Central Election Commission, told Al-Monitor, Abbas is entitled to issue decrees related to elections before the date set for announcing the candidates and lists. He said his commission charged with executing presidential and government decrees and decisions related to elections is not consulted before decrees are issued. Kahil explained, The minister of local government is to be entrusted with appointing the heads of the nine local councils cited in the newly issued decree. The appointments take place after the announcement of the results of the local elections scheduled for Oct. 8 in all the Palestinian governorates. The persons appointed as head of council in these nine governorates or villages must be from among the Christians who win these elections in their respective governorates. Mustafa Sawaf, a political analyst and former editor-in-chief of the Hamas-run newspaper Palestine, told Al-Monitor, This decree sets the foundation for sectarianism in the Palestinian territories, since for Palestinian society there is no difference between a Muslim and a Christian. Sawaf further stated, This move is political interference in the electoral process and has nothing to do with protecting the Christian community, which has been integrated into Palestinian society for hundreds of years. According to Sawaf, Palestinians across the spectrum want Christians to be represented, stating, This decree is intended to prevent Muslims affiliated with Hamas from heading local councils, in case Hamas wins elections, although the movements lists in the previous elections included Christian candidates. Akram Atallah, political writer and analyst for Al-Ayyam, a Ramallah newspaper, told Al-Monitor that the decree is discriminatory on the basis of religion and noted the absence of religious designations in developed countries' election systems. Atallah added, Third World countries are still plagued by sectarian and religious conflicts. We fear that the rights of Christians would be undermined, and this is why we come up with such decrees. The misery and division prevailing in Palestine make things worse. This decree is useless and is limited to Christians in the West Bank, since it includes more Christians than Gaza and the Palestinian Authority does not control Gaza. In light of the dwindling number of Christians in the Palestinian territories, some Palestinians believe the controversial decree protects the rights of Christians regardless of whether they are included on electoral lists with Muslims. August 19, 2016 The Russian deployment of combat aircraft into Iran to bomb Sunni targets in Syria is the latest step in what Saudi Arabia perceives as a steadily deteriorating regional security environment. The Saudis have little hope that either of the two main US presidential candidates, Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, will turn things around. Riyadh sees the ever closer relations between Iran, Russia, Syria, Hezbollah and Shiite Iraqis as a fundamental shift in the strategic environment in the Middle East. One Saudi commentator with close connections to the royal family labeled the Russian deployment a strategic "shock" that demonstrates how badly the United States underestimated Iranian and Russian aggressive intentions. The Saudis always feared the Iran nuclear deal would end Tehran's pariah status and give it more strategic options. Saudi efforts to buy off Moscow have been a failure. With international sanctions lifted for the most part, Iran is a strategic partner more attractive than the kingdom. The deployment of Russian bombers is the first foreign military presence in Iran since the fall of the Shah. It's a nightmare for the royals. Turkey's rapprochement with Russia adds to Saudi concerns. Ankara has been a strong opponent of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Riyadh's bete noire. For Riyadh, it is more important to get rid of the Assad regime than to combat the Islamic State. The Saudis have been frustrated for years by US President Barack Obama's unwillingness to put more effort into eliminating Assad. Now the Syrian president seems more secure than ever. Saudis from the royals to the general population believe America and the world have betrayed the Sunni majority in Syria, tacitly tolerating genocide by a Shiite-Alawite-Russian axis. Of course Saudi Arabia's top priority lies in Yemen, where its own war is escalating again. The Shiite Houthis keep up the pressure on Saudi border towns, some of which have been forcibly evacuated by the Saudi army. Houthi spokesmen have described the Saudi border regions as occupied territory, suggesting the Shiite-inhabited areas lost in a war in the 1930s still belong to Sanaa. Riyadh blames Iran for arming the Houthis despite the Saudi blockade of Yemen. The Saudis remember that Moscow was the only member of the UN Security Council not to vote in favor of the resolution Riyadh cites as justifying its Operation Decisive Storm last year. The Russians said it was one-sided and unlikely to bring peace. It hasn't. King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and his inner circle are looking beyond Obama now. They know he is a lame duck. But the two contenders for his job are not seen in the palace as the solution to Riyadh's angst. Trump is a scary unknown for the Saudis. His vitriolic anti-Muslim rhetoric and tough talk about countries that preach radical Islam is seen as a threat. They noticed that in his foreign policy speech last week, Saudi Arabia was not included in the list of friends of America (Trump listed Israel, Egypt and Jordan but none of the Gulf states). He did talk about how poor Saudi visa vetting let al-Qaeda extremists into the United States before 9/11. Trump promises to tear up the Iran deal but he seems to be in cahoots with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has no foreign policy experience and his advisers aren't known for their expertise on the Gulf. Trump has also said that the United States should have kept Iraq's oil wealth after the 2003 invasion, a very alarming precedent for the kingdom. Clinton, as secretary of state, is a well-known figure in Riyadh. The Saudis are much more comfortable with her and her advisers, and have a long history with the Clintons. They were extremely disappointed that Bill didn't press Israel harder and tougher in 2000 to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict when they thought he would. Instead, he blamed the Palestinians. Clinton sought to advance political reform in Bahrain during the Arab Spring, which helped prompt the Saudi intervention on the island. She was part of the Obama team that dumped Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. She backed the Iran deal. Riyadh expects a Clinton White House to be a continuation of Obama, whom they soured on years ago. Continuity is not what the Saudis are hoping for in US policy. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir is a veteran America watcher. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef is the most pro-American prince since King Fahd. As defense minister, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought to reassure Washington that he is ready for prime time despite his inexperience. Riyadh has bought over $110 billion in arms from Obama. But there is no confidence in the Saudi leadership about the future of American leadership. Meanwhile, Putin and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are growing closer. Saudi paranoia about Iran is exaggerated but nonetheless a reality unlikely to change. August 18, 2016 The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) is considered to have the most valuable collection of Western modern art outside Europe and North America. Tucked away in the museums 40-year-old treasure vault are such masterpieces as Picassos "Artist and His Model," Francis Bacons "Two Figures Lying on a Bed With Attendants," Andy Warhols "Suicide," Vincent van Goghs "At Eternitys Gate, Jackson Pollocks "Mural on Indian Red Ground" and many, many more treasures. Work is underway to showcase all of the artwork housed at the museum on its website. However, until this process is complete, there will be no permanent displays of the pieces due to what has been described as a lack of space as well as cultural issues. There have also been numerous reports in the Iranian media during the past year about some art being stolen but eventually returned. The idea for the impressive art collection at TMoCA came in 1966 from Farah Pahlavi, the former queen of Iran. The museum itself was designed and built by Kamran Diba a prominent architect and a cousin of Pahlavi and inaugurated in 1977. The galleries were designed in such a way that light enters through windows that are reminiscent of the famed wind-catchers in the ancient city of Yazd. In an interview with Al-Monitor, Bahram Dabiri, an Iranian painter and artist, said, The key factor about the purchased pieces was that not only did they have the signatures of famous and distinguished artists, but they were among those artists most recognized pieces. For instance, there were works by Rene Magritte, Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso and more. The artwork was displayed at TMoCA up until Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution. The pieces were then moved to the museums basement for safekeeping, but a portrait of Farah painted by Andy Warhol as well as a nude by Iranian painter and sculptor Bahman Mohassess were destroyed by the revolutionaries. The museum's director was said to have provided the revolutionary forces with an inventory of all the artwork kept at TMoCA. However, neither this list nor any other inventory of the vault has ever officially been released. Nearly 38 years have passed since the revolution, and during that time, the museum has seen repeated changes in management, governments and the scope of its own activities in line with changing cultural policies. Yet through it all, the collection in the vault has managed to remain intact. Dabiri told Al-Monitor, If untouched, it is a valuable treasure that Irans artistic community has concerns about. In 2015, the head of the Culture Ministry's Visual Arts Department, Majid Mola Norouzi, confirmed rumors of the theft of 27 contemporary pieces from the museum. After their successful return, the stolen art was put on public display at a gallery in Tehran to remove any doubts about its safety. The pieces included works by Mohassess, calligrapher Reza Mafi, painter Farideh Lashai, painter and sculpture Charles Hossein Zenderoudi and illustrator Ardeshir Mohasses, among many others. Speaking to Al-Monitor, Amir Rad, who directs the museums new media center, highlighted TMoCAs high security. He said, The museum vault is like a large box that is very safe. The bureaucracy seen in everyday dealings in Iran is even more intense at the museum. Removing or bringing in any work of art from the museum requires several rounds of communication and numerous permits. I think the vault is an untouched treasury. Rad added that such concerns have always existed concerns that he and other officials at the museum hope will be alleviated once the digital versions of all the artwork are put on virtual display. Rad, who is heading the project, said, The plan is to eventually upload all the pieces onto the website along with up-to-date information. We are also thinking of offering special services to researchers and curators. As of now, 60 art pieces by foreign painters have been uploaded to the website. Some of the work currently deemed unsuitable for display will remain so. These include "Gabrielle With Open Blouse" by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Bacons "Two Figures Lying on a Bed With Attendants" and other paintings by Picasso and other artists that contain nudity. Rad said, Of course, we will put them on the website, but the parts that are not suitable for public showcase will be faded out. After all, the museum is part of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and has to abide by certain policies. I should mention that there are no more than 20 such pieces, and only four or five of them are famous. The TMoCA is finding new life with its impressive collection of art now being put on temporary display. There is also a tentative agreement with the German government to send 60 pieces from Tehran 30 Western and 30 Iranian to Berlin for a three-month show this winter. According to Rad, such exhibitions could be a way for the government-owned museum to generate income earnings that under Iranian law must be directly deposited into the governments treasury. He said in this regard, The museum has a lot of financial problems. Thats why the techniques used for preserving the art are based on the standards of 40 years ago. These standards are good, but because they have not been updated, they lag behind global standards. Our plan is that in return for holding exhibitions such as the one in Berlin, we will receive services that will help improve the quality of our preservation, such as improving the ventilation system at the museum. The treasures held at the TMoCA are said to be valued at around $3 billion, and there is no more space for new artwork. Many art experts in Iran are of the view that 40 years after its establishment, the museum's collection is not just contemporary, but modern a view Rad shares. By establishing different centers at TMoCA and holding exhibitions, we are trying to bring it closer to the contemporary art movement. This means that from now on, contemporary works will be [displayed] using contemporary media [such as digital], he said. Senior citizens ages 65 and older can take advantage of free moving services on Sunday in honor of National Senior Citizens Day. Bellhops hopes to piggyback off last year's success by giving away $25,000 of free moving and lifting labor to seniors in Alabama and across the U.S. In 2015 alone, the company provided more than $20,000 in free labor to residents during the promotion. "We received so much great feedback after Senior Citizens Day last year, it was a no-brainer that we do it again this year," said Bellhops co-founder and president Cameron Doody. To book a job, call 1-888-836-3939 or visit Getbellhops.com and use the coupon code "SeniorDay2016," which provides one complimentary hour of moving and lifting labor from two Bellhops employees. Any job that requires more employees or time will be subject to standard pricing -- $40 per bellhop, per hour. While residents must place their Bellhops orders on National Senior Citizens Day, the company said the jobs can happen at any point in the future. Bellhops, which is based in Tennessee but was founded at Auburn University, specializes in "micro moves," such as apartments, dorms, lofts and other jobs too small for the pros. The company currently serves Birmingham, Auburn and Tuscaloosa. In February 2015, Bellhops announced it would grow its workforce in Huntsville and 12 other U.S. cities. Doody said the firm would hire at least 600 college students in each city to meet demand. David Martin, a spokesperson for Bellhops, said some test markets were more successful than others. The company hopes to reenter Huntsville "when the time is right." "We're still operating in many of these, but we decided at the end of 2015 to temporarily withdraw from the lesser performing locations (emphasis on 'temporarily')," he said. "As a young company applying a completely new approach to this industry, our goal is to determine what variables in our business equation yield positive results and then replicate those steps with an ear toward the unique traits of each market." Alabama State Troopers say they seized a significant amount of drugs during a traffic stop Wednesday. Senior Trooper Chuck Daniel said David Alvin Maness, 25, of Rainbow City, was arrested during a stop on Alabama 204 west of Jacksonville. Inside Maness' car was found 131 grams of synthetic marijuana, 37 Xanax tablets and 34 Klonopin tablets. Maness is being held without bond in the Calhoun County Jail on several charges, including drug trafficking and multiple drug possession charges. Homeless Camp Death.jpg James William Griffin, 58, was a fixture in the downtown area. He was found dead in the homeless camp where he often stayed. Authorities have released the name of a man found fatally shot in a Birmingham homeless camp earlier this week. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office identified the victim as James William Griffin. He was 58. Birmingham police North Precinct officers responded about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a person down in the 600 block of Carraway Boulevard, said Lt. Sean Edwards. When they arrived, they found Griffin lying on the ground in an open field next to a mattress. The victim had been shot in the arm. Griffin was pronounced dead on the scene, which is an open area under the interstate where transients gather and sleep. Edwards said today that no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Lottery bill Members of the state Senate debate amendments to a lottery bill backed by Gov. Robert Bentley on Friday. (Connor Sheets/al.com) The Alabama Senate on Friday passed a lottery bill proposed by Gov. Robert Bentley, capping off the first week of a special session called by the governor. The bill, which was amended substantially before the vote, will now go on to the House of Representatives. Passed by a voting margin of 21-12, the bill sends a proposed constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery before voters for their approval in November. The initial bill would have seen all lottery revenue go to the general fund. But amendments to the bill approved by the Senate on Friday diverted millions of dollars in anticipated revenue to the Education Trust Fund and Medicaid. The bill's passage caps off a contentious period of debate over how best to shore up the state's general fund. The bill was approved one day after the Senate effectively blocked another, more complex lottery bill sponsored by state Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, that also touched on contentious issues like electronic lottery terminals at race tracks. As Bentley's bill was originally written, all lottery revenues would have gone to the state's general fund. But the chamber voted by a margin of 22-7 to approve a last-minute amendment proposed Friday night by Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed, R-Jasper, to designate 10 percent of potential lottery revenues to the Education Trust Fund. Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said he would only vote for the lottery bill if the Senate approved an amendment he proposed that would dedicate $100 million of lottery revenue each year after expenses to Medicaid. The amendment passed by a 25-4 vote, with one abstention. The amendment was one of many proposed by a series of senators Friday. Before Reed's amendment passed, State Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, proposed two amendments to the bill that would have directed 40 and 30 percent, respectively of the lottery revenue to the Education Trust Fund. "A significant portion of the senate district I represent would like to be able to vote on a clean lottery bill, which I think the governor's lottery bill that we've seen is about as clean a lottery bill as we've seen," he said. But he said that he has heard from many constituents that "they want some of the funding from the lottery to go to education," or else they will not vote to support a lottery. Both amendments ultimately were shot down by margins of at least 20 votes, as a number of concerns were raised, including that the general fund is more in need of shoring up than the education fund. Reed proposed two other amendments that were not approved. One would have made it so that counties that do not vote to approve a pro-lottery constitutional amendment would not have to sell lottery tickets. "My intention, as I've stated, is to give more opportunity and control to folks in different communities," Reed said. But Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, argued against the amendment on grounds including the concept that it would cause infighting between counties across the state. "You're talking about putting something in the Constitution that will divide Alabama's 67 counties," Dial said. A former Fultondale police officer is in jail on child porn charges. Allen Wayne Evans, 46, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, jail records show. He is being held on three counts of possession of obscene material of a victim under the age of 17. Evans remained in jail today. Initially he was held without bond, but today bond was set at $150,000. The case against Evans was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, was created in 2000. ALEA officials didn't provide any additional information about the case, but Senior Trooper Gary Daniel confirmed the arrest. Fultondale police Chief D.P. Smith said as of today, Evans is no longer employed by the police department. Evans joined the Fultondale force in 1999, after transferring from the Midfield Police Department where he started his law enforcement career in 1994. The crimes of which he is accused were not work-related. Smith referred all questions to ALEA. "We hold our officers to a higher standard,'' Smith said, "and expect the best from them both on duty and off duty." Ma Rong, wife of actor Wang Baoqiang, entrusted her lawyer to file a lawsuit in a court in Beijing's Chaoyang district on Tuesday, accusing the actor of maligning her reputation by writing on his micro blog that she had an affair with his agent for which he was divorcing her. Ma has demanded that Wang delete the post and apologize to her. The Chaoyang court has formally accepted the lawsuit. But people cannot help but wonder why Wang cannot make a statement saying he was dissolving his marriage with Ma after he found that she was cheating on him? Some lawyers argue that a couple's marital matterslove, affection, arguments, disloyaltyare part of their privacy if they are not known to others and thus should not be made public by anyone, husband and wife included. Adultery, too, is part of a person's private affair and therefore should not be revealed even by the husband or wife, the lawyers say, because it violates the person's privacy rights and could constitute a libel. But others believe a person's privacy is not boundless, and if a person's seemingly private matter constitutes a violation of others' legitimate rights, it can be made public. This debate fails to touch the essence of the problem. There are no explicit stipulations in China's laws on privacy protection, although there are legal clauses on a person's right to reputation and dignity. If one person damages another's reputation, he or she should undertake civil liabilities or bear criminal responsibility. The same applies to cases related to personal dignity. So if disclosing an individual's personal information unknown to others harms his/her reputation, it becomes a typical case of libel or character assassination. In the Wang-Ma case, the actor's disclosure of his wife's extra marital affair does damage her reputation. But Wang's act is essentially aimed at safeguarding his marital rights and thus cannot be construed as a libel, especially because he claims to have sound evidence about Ma's extra marital affair, which is a violation of their marital contract. In legal terms, the protection of a person's right to privacy does not mean the protection of all of his/her private matters. Many countries have enacted specific laws on such kind of protection. If the protection of citizens' right to privacy clashes with national interests, public rights or other citizens' legitimate rights and interests, it can be legally restricted. In other words, no individual can refuse to provide evidence for the protection of national interests by citing his/her right to privacy. The same rule applies to cases that involve the protection of public interests or other citizens' legitimate rights. Ma's affair is a serious violation of her husband Wang's marital rights. And if Wang had not made her disloyalty public, he could have been in a disadvantageous position in a future lawsuit as the defendant. By revealing Ma's extra marital affair, Wang has prevented Ma from possibly confusing public opinion in the future. Prioritizing the protection of individuals' right to privacy even in cases that could damage national interests or other citizens' rights is a sure recipe to fuel moral chaos in society. It is absolutely necessary to protect individuals' right to privacy, but this principle has a preconditionthat such protection does not damage national or public interests or infringes on other citizens' legitimate rights. If a totally unrelated person reveals an individual's extra marital affair, then a lawsuit can be filed against the former for damaging the latter's reputation. But such a lawsuit is uncalled for when one of the spouses comes out with such a disclosure. That no one can benefit from his/her illegal acts should become one of the basic codes of conduct. The author is a professor of law at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law. Al Jazeera asks what the release of Obamas 2013 drone playbook and new executive order mean for those most affected. The release of President Barack Obamas 2013 drone warfare playbook and the July 1 signing of an executive order on minimising civilian casualties has security analysts looking back at previous strikes and wondering what effect the executive order might have on future ones. Obamas 2013 policy guidance, released on July 31, after the American Civil Liberties Union sued for its release, had set near certainty that a terrorist target is present and that non-combatants will not be injured or killed as criteria for a strike. These developments might, although this remains to be seen, reduce scenes such as the one at a May 23 State Department press briefing, when its spokesman Mark Toner seemed short on basic details about the strike that killed Taliban leader Mullah Mansoor: Q: So you dont know where you targeted him? You just guessed? I mean, how could you fire something out of the sky and blow something up and kill people and not know what country its in? Come on. TONER: [laughing] I understand what your question, Brad. All Im saying is what were able I said what were willing to share is that it was in Q: You check these things before you fire, usually, right? TONER: the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. We certainly do. There have been questions about the precision of these strikes a 2015 investigation by The Intercept news site revealed that nearly 90 percent of people killed in US drone attacks in Afghanistan alone were not the intended targets. James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), in July released the DNIs tally of civilian drone deaths. It estimated that since Obama took office in 2008, between 64 and 116 civilians have been killed in Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and other areas where the US is not actively engaged in war, and that there have been 2,372 to 2,581 combatant deaths in the same countries. But anti-drone activists criticise the drone programmes lack of precision, especially in Waziristan, the heavily targeted region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where rights groups estimate that hundreds of civilians have been killed. Clapper offers reasons for the discrepancy between his tally and those of rights groups, suggesting rights groups fall prey to the deliberate spread of misinformation by some actors, including terrorist organisations, in local media reports on which some non-governmental estimates rely. My relatives were killed What difference will the release of the playbook and the signing of the recent executive order which calls for greater safeguards and oversight in drone strikes make to people in countries such as Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia and Afghanistan, where thousands of civilians have been killed over about a decade? The executive order and the playbook dont mean very much to me both talk about targeting and lawfulness, but the bottom line is that my relatives were killed in a strike despite never having done anything wrong, and Ive never been given an explanation as to why, said Faisal bin Ali Jaber, whose nephew and cousin were killed when a US drone struck a wedding in 2012 in Yemens Khashamir village. UpFront:The truth about US drone strikes His is among the families who have been given cash as compensation. But what Jaber wants is an apology. I was disgusted that this was being offered in place of an apology, and justice, said the 58-year-old. Since my relatives were killed, many more innocents have died in US drone strikes. Despite all the talk of targeting and strikes being a last resort, the American government still seems to be making these strikes without having any clear idea of who they are killing, said Jaber. What is needed is an end to the strikes, and acknowledgement of the deaths of innocents they have caused. Shahzad Akbar, the director and founder of the Foundation for Fundamental Rights, says the release of the redacted 2013 document, which provides guidance on the use of direct action against terrorist targets overseas does not mean much to ordinary Pakistanis who have already lost loved ones. [The playbook] doesnt really mean much to people on the ground It is nothing, because its not addressing the wrong that has been done to them that is something that no one has touched, said Akbar, whose foundation represents roughly 300 families who have been affected by drone strikes in Pakistan. Even the executive order, said Akbar, only binds the future president, not President Obama himself theres no accountability of his own actions. When President Obama accidentally kills two Westerners, white people, in drone strikes, they go all out he apologises on TV But hundreds of other non-white, non-Westerners have been killed, and not a single person [in Pakistan] has been apologised to or compensated. What could that person feel? Why would that person be a stakeholder in any society that were trying to build? Because youre not even recognising his existence. Still, Akbar is open-minded about the potential for the executive order to change future US drone strikes. In one way it is good, because he [Obama] himself, being a constitutional lawyer, realised the current situation, in how much latitude it gives to the intelligence agencies, like the CIA, to get into the act of killing outside war zones basically with full impunity therefore hes putting in some checks, but what this executive order lacks is accountability, said Akbar. Fear of reprisal In a place like Somalia, there is seldom a question of accountability at all. There, US drones have been striking al-Shabab territory for years. Civilians caught in the crossfire rarely dare to speak up even domestically, let along ask the US for accountability. The UK-based Bureau for Investigative Journalism reports that since 2007 between three and 10 Somalis have been killed in confirmed drone strikes, with as many as 47 killed in other covert ones. Somali journalist Omar Faruk Osman, who has reported on drone strikes in his country, told Al Jazeera that if the families of civilians killed by drones protest, they will be accused of being al-Shabab sympathisers. They have a fear of reprisal they dont talk to lawyers or even to reporters and nobody talks to them about these reports and executive orders, said Osman. Most live in areas without media they dont even have a community radio station, so these things [the promises of protections, transparency and accountability] dont even exist to them, he said. Shelby Sullivan-Bennis, a lawyer at Reprieve who assists drone victims, told Al Jazeera that the release of Obamas 2013 drone directives stops short of justifying civilian deaths to the families of the victims. Only at the tail end of the Obama administration, after fighting for years in the courts to keep this information secreted away from the American public, do we get to see the rules the government has written describing when and how it decides to assassinate people, said Sullivan-Bennis. The administration cannot laud itself for transparency when such transparency can only be wrestled from it via years of litigation. A White House statement accompanying the July 1 executive order catalogues the best practices the US government currently implements, including acknowledging US government responsibility for civilian casualties and offering condolences, including ex gratia payments, to civilians who are injured, or to the families of civilians who are killed; and, when civilian casualties have occurred, taking steps to minimise the likelihood of future such incidents. The 2013 playbook, meanwhile, says that in its fight against the terrorist threat posed by al-Qaeda and its associate forces, the US will uphold American laws and values. Those values remain unproved to people such as Faisal bin Ali Jaber. I thought that the US stood for justice, truth, transparency, and respect for civilian life, he said. I have been deeply shocked by what Ive experienced at the hands of the US government. Follow D. Parvaz on Twitter @dparvaz Politicians and law enforcement agencies have been slow to support Muslims facing growing threat of violence. Watauga, Texas Vincent Simon recalls feeling shocked when he flipped on the Masjid Al Sahaabah mosques voicemail to hear a death threat from a man promising to behead Muslim worshippers. Simon, a US military veteran who converted to Islam some five years ago, said that the small mosque and its attendees are threatened regularly, receiving three or four intimidating voicemails a week. At a time when rights groups and analysts warn of growing violence against Muslims and of intense Islamophobic rhetoric among mainstream politicians, the threat of beheadings raised serious concerns. This wasnt the normal threat, said Simon, who is on the mosques board and security committee. This is a long, angry message with a definite Im going to cut your heads off kind of thing, he told Al Jazeera. I dont know if its the political atmosphere or just whatever else is going on; but some people think its OK to do whatever they want to do because theres nothing thats going to be done for us. Mujeeb Kazi, another member of the mosques board who moved from Pakistan to the US more than two decades ago, believes the anti-Muslim rhetoric of many politicians, and namely Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump, has given licence to people to threaten or attack Muslims. Even if he doesnt win the presidency, well, I think he has probably already done the damage to the community that was cohesive, tolerant, accepting. That has [been] damaged, Kazi told Al Jazeera. On Monday, Trump announced plans to introduce severe immigration restrictions, including an ideological test for Muslims and tourists. He has previously called for a complete freeze on Muslims entering the country and supported registering American Muslims in a database. Armed to the teeth Masjid Al Sahaabah is located in Watauga, a small city near Fort Worth. The city has a population of nearly 24,000 people and is home to some 300 Muslims from diverse backgrounds. In the threatening voicemail the mosque received, a man delivers an angry tirade laden with racist, homophobic and violent language. Addressing all Muslims in that centre, the caller says: If you think you are going to establish Sharia law [Islamic jurisprudence] in my neighbourhood and this country in Texas you are very wrong. Islam is a violent religion, and we wont stand for it, he continues. And there are me and just like plenty of other veterans here in Watauga that will stand up to your bulls**t. Claiming to be armed to the teeth and backed by fellow military veterans, the caller advocates for another Christian crusade and promises to meet you on any battleground you want. We will cut all of your heads off. Do you understand me? All of you, he says, ending the message. A police spokesperson did not reply to Al Jazeeras repeated requests for a comment. According to local media reports, police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the voicemail. All hells breaking loose The Muslim community is feeling so threatened right now, said Alia Salem, executive director of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) organisation. Salem said that politicians and many law enforcement agencies have been slow to support Muslims at a time when they are facing the growing threat of violence. Everyday hostility towards Muslims is palpable, she said. All hells breaking loose, Salem told Al Jazeera. We are getting a lot of support from good people, which gives us hope. But the people who should be supporting us elected officials and law enforcement are few and far between, lacklustre, lukewarm or nonexistent. Khalid Jabara, a 37-year-old Lebanese-American man, was shot dead on August 12 by a neighbour who reportedly harassed the slain mans family regularly, calling them dirty Arabs, filthy Lebanese and often inaccurately referring to the Orthodox Christian family as Muslims. In a statement, Jabaras family said police failed to act despite years of repeated harassment, including an incident in which the neighbour hit and injured Khalid Jabaras mother, Haifa, with a car. On August 13, a man shot and killed Maulana Akonjee, a 55-year-old imam, and Thara Uddin, his 64-year-old associate, as the two walked along the sidewalk following afternoon prayers in the New York City borough of Queens. In February 2015, three Muslim university students Deah Shaddy Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha were shot and killed by a neighbour in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A report published in May by the Bridge Initiative, a research project at Georgetown University, found that Muslims were between six and nine times more likely to be attacked in 2015 than in the period following the September 11 attacks in 2001. The report documented about 180 incidents of anti-Muslim violence from the time the first presidential candidacy was announced in March 2015 until May this year, including 12 killings and 34 physical assaults. After Trump called for the closure of mosques in December 2015, the number of attacks against Muslims initially tripled with nearly half of those attacks directed against mosques, the report states. That month alone, perpetrators carried out at least 53 attacks against Muslims, their places of worship and their property, according to the report. Fear and hatred John Esposito, director of the Bridge Initiative and professor of international affairs and Islamic studies at Georgetown University, said that it would be a mistake to place a unitary focus on Trump when confronting anti-Muslim violence and rhetoric. Former President Bill Clinton, husband of the Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, drew criticism when he linked Muslims to terrorism and national security threats at the Democratic National Convention last month. If youre a Muslim and you love America and freedom and you hate terror, stay here and help us win and make a future together. We want you, Clinton said in his address to the convention. Pointing to a recent CAIR report, which concluded that several right-wing organisations spent more than $200m promoting fear and hatred of Muslims between 2008 and 2013, Esposito says Islamophobia is pervasive in American media and political discourse. READ MORE: Report Islamophobia is a multimillion-dollar industry The past decade has witnessed pervasive negative media coverage of Muslims as well as an incredible explosion of anti-Islam websites and media figures, Esposito said. But its become much more of a major thing with Trump and recent Republican candidates, he told Al Jazeera. At the Masjid Al Sahaabah mosque in Texas, Simon and Kazi said they have received support from the local police and FBI following the beheading threat, as well as an outpouring of solidarity and support from the local community. Simon hits play on the voicemail machine and a womans voice says: I am so sorry you had to go through this, and I apologise on behalf of Christians. Yet, Kazi said that the threatening voicemails and other incidents have put the local Muslim community on high alert. Some of the children in the community have also started asking questions, such as: So, what is next? Where are we going to move? Are we going to go back? Are we going to move to Canada? Or will we stay here? Kids do worry about those kind of things, Kazi said. We cannot ignore the history that is being created. Follow Patrick Strickland on Twitter: @P_Strickland_ Miracle baby rescuer Khaled Omar Harrah, who was killed in Syria last week, was known for saving children. On August 11, Khaled Omar Harrah, a White Helmet rescuer in Aleppo, was killed in an air strike. He was one of about 3,000 White Helmet volunteers who work across war-torn Syria. Putting their own lives at risk, they rush to scenes of bombardment daily to save others. In 2014, Harrah rescued a 10-day-old baby who had been trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building for 16 hours. His miracle baby rescue filmed by the White Helmets caught international attention and went viral. For World Humanitarian Day, Al Jazeera spoke to Ibrahim al-Hajj, 26, who is the head of media for the White Helmets in Aleppo and who accompanies the volunteers each time they head out. This is his account of his life now and of Harrah, whom he worked alongside, whose well known rescue he filmed, and who he considered a brother. We never know what each day may hold. Yesterday I slept at 11pm. My wife woke me up at 1am saying there was a very strange sound, and lots of shelling. I was surprised to find out that al-Zibdiya, the area I live in, was hit with white phosphorous. We went outside to look at the area, and we found that it was lit despite it being nighttime. There were flames everywhere. So, I headed in the direction of the area that was hit. The warplanes intensify their air raids at night. If we turn on any lights at night, they target us. Thats how our days go. When the air raids begin on civilian and residential areas in Aleppo, we head over there. If there are wounded civilians, we rescue them from under the rubble, and we pull the dead civilians out. If there are children, we wait to take them out. These people are our families. I know, and fear, that the same thing can happen to my wife, my sister, my mother or my son. We know it is likely that the warplanes will roam over and hit the same area again, and that we are putting ourselves in danger. The situation we are in is extremely difficult. Our fate is in the hands of God. But, we say: What if there are people there under the rubble? What if we can save their lives? We feel a sense of guilt if were ever late to the scene of the attack. We try to be the first people there so that we can rescue them. We knew from the moment we joined the civil defence, that our work would be very dangerous. I was a university student completing my second year of a degree in translation at Homs University. I was taken during that year to the army to carry out my military service. While I was in the army, as the events in Syria unfolded, I was compelled to defect because I saw some unpleasant things in the army. The first barrel bombs began raining down on Aleppo in June of 2013. That was when we first established the Syrian civil defence team in Aleppo, and the organisation grew across Syria. Child rescuer I met Khaled when I first began volunteering. He was more than a brother to me. His death impacted all the civil defence teams. Every resident in Aleppo knew Khaled. They knew him for his charisma and for his strength during times of bombardment. He was dubbed the child rescuer because of the number of children he pulled out from the rubble. And most of the ones he was able to pull out would be alive, even after theyd been under huge piles of rubble for very long periods of time. You cannot imagine the extent of destruction when they hit us with barrel bombs or with ballistic missiles and cluster missiles. All that destruction would be on top of a child, and Khaled would come. He would sense it in his heart that there is a child under there, and by the glory of God, he would pull the baby out and it would be alive. I filmed Khaled with a mobile camera pulling the miracle baby out from under the rubble. Khaled heard the cries of the baby. We never imagined that the baby would come out alive. Any wrong movement couldve led to the death of the child. So, Khaled decided to work using his hands. And by listening, Khaled worked for 16 hours, digging with his hands, until he managed to pull the baby out. The baby came out with no injuries despite having been under the rubble of a five-storey building. The kids who he rescued would regularly come and visit him at his home and where he was working. He was very loving with everyone. He would joke with everyone. And somehow, he just vanished. No one expected that he would become a martyr. Khaled is known for his strong figure and personality. He could hold himself up. RELATED READ: A day in the life of Aleppos White Helmets Opportunity to relocate to the US Shortly after rescuing the miracle baby, Khaled went to Washington DC and New York. He had a meeting there. He spoke to Bashar Jaafari, the Syrian envoy to the United Nations, taking with him bits of shrapnel from the barrel bombs. Khaled to said to him: Look at what youre bombing the Syrian people with. His message was very powerful. When he called me from there, he told me: To be honest, I didnt want to come to the US. They offered that I go there permanently and take my wife and kid, but I dont want to. I want to come back to Syria and continue doing my work. He was able to come back to Syria and continue as a volunteer. To be frank, I have never come across anyone like Khaled. If anyone was offered what Khaled was offered, they wouldve left Syria. He had a three-year-old daughter, Israa, who was attached to him in an indescribable way. She would always cling to him and say, May God protect my dad. His death gave me moral strength and more reason to continue doing the work that we do, to stay in Syria. I know, however, that we could be killed at any moment. My wife asks me: Why are you waiting for that moment? I tell her: Where are we going to go? If our fate is death, then we would die wherever we were. Sometimes I think she has a point. This is the sixth year of Syrias war and I think to myself: When will this end? What did these children do to deserve this? There isnt a family in Aleppo without a member who has been wounded or killed. The problem is, we have a thousand Khaleds in every house and every area and a thousand stories like Khaleds. No one thinks of us until we become martyrs. Yesterday, I was doing an interview with one of the wounded volunteers, and he had a huge impact on me. He said to me: When did they remember Khaled? They waited for him to become a martyr so that they can sympathise with him. As told to Zena al-Tahhan. The Gaza Strip has been under siege for a decade, with a strict Israeli-Egyptian blockade controlling the entry and exit of people and goods. Electricity is rationed throughout the territory, as Gaza has access to less than half of its power needs through purchases and local generation, officials say. Residents may receive eight hours or fewer of electricity a day, with blackouts common. Gazas power plant was bombed in 2006 and the electricity network suffered further damage during the 2014 war, straining the system to its limits. The lack of electricity also has consequences for the pumping and treatment of sewage water. In addition to Israeli attacks and restrictions, infighting between Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah have contributed to a lack of progress in solving the territorys power crisis. There are plans to develop a new power plant or even solar fields, but we need international approval and we lack agreements between Fatah and Hamas, said Hazem Ahmed, a representative of Gazas local power company. Gaza City Water may be a highly valued commodity the world over but in al-Shati refugee camp north of Gaza City, it is like gold. Along this small stretch of the Mediterranean coast, all it takes to work that out is turning on a tap: When it is there at all, the water is salty, or sometimes cloudy. Nahed Radwan, who lives with her eight children and extended family in a pastel-painted house by the sea road, said her family normally gets water once a week for two days. The water we have, when its on, its not clean; its undrinkable. It hurts the eyes because of the high salinity, Radwan, 34, told Al Jazeera. READ MORE: Water crisis deepens in the Gaza Strip Only an estimated 3 percent of Gazas water is suitable for drinking. The Palestinian Water Authority and the United Nations have warned that its underground water aquifer upon which the territory is almost entirely reliant, apart from a small amount of water imported from Israel may be completely contaminated by the end of the year. Gazas water contains a large concentration of chloride, while infiltration of untreated sewage has raised the levels of nitrates to two to eight times higher than the World Health Organization recommends. Gaza is also gripped by an electricity crisis that sometimes leaves households with just a few hours of power a day. People are using generators for water, but we cant afford it, Radwan said. Especially my girls they dont like to take showers with salty water, their hair starts to fall out. I cook and do everything with drinking water. The water we have, when it's on, it's not clean; it's undrinkable. It hurts the eyes because of the high salinity. by Nahed Radwan, Gaza resident Many Palestinians in Gaza buy water from small-scale desalination plants, which filter the contaminated aquifer water. Private vendors distribute the water to residents using trucks. But b y the time the water reaches household tanks, it is expensive up to five times the price of water from the municipal network and often not safe to drink. Fewer than half of Gazas desalination facilities are licensed, according to Oxfam. International NGOs working in the water sector in Gaza have found that 68 percent of the water that reaches households from these plants becomes biologically contaminated during storage or transportation, yet 85 percent of Palestinians in Gaza depend on this water for drinking and cooking. EWASH, a coalition of Palestinian and international organisations working in the water and sanitation sector, says that low-income households in Gaza spend at least six times more of their income on water than their counterparts in the United Kingdom. The recent Turkey-Israel deal is expected to provide some relief, allowing Turkey to work on a number of infrastructure projects in Gaza, including a power station and a desalination plant. Ribhi al-Sheikh, deputy head of the Palestinian Water Authority, told Al Jazeera he did not yet have details of the project. At least 70 percent of the materials needed to build and maintain Gazas water and sanitation network including pumps and chemicals for water purification are subject to severe entry restrictions amid Israels siege on Gaza, according to EWASH. The lack of proper infrastructure has contributed to pollution: Every 38 minutes, the coalition found, the equivalent of one Olympic swimming pool of raw or partially treated sewage is discharged into the sea in Gaza. Over-extraction from Gazas aquifer at twice the sustainable rate has led to the infiltration of seawater, contributing to the degradation of water quality. Unregulated wells which Palestinians in Gaza have been digging, both for agricultural and household use have compounded the problem of over-extraction. The scarcity of water [in Gaza] is the problem or the crisis of the time, Najma Fares, a researcher at al-Azhar Universitys Water and Environment Institute, told Al Jazeera. Because of the abuse or extraction of this water, in the next years Gaza will face a big problem that could endanger the lives of Gazans. It will be an environmental catastrophe. Fares, who worked on a pilot project to treat waste water from a factory in central Gaza for immediate reuse in agriculture, said the implementation of such a scheme would need considerable funding. Some funding for this sector has come from international donors, including the European Union, which invested $11m in a new seawater desalination plant in Gaza that was inaugurated in June . Over the next three years, a second phase of the project aims to double its capacity, allowing the plant to serve an estimated 150,000 people in southern Gaza. Critics, however, say such efforts do not go far enough. The problem is not in securing the funds or the grant for implementing these desalination projects. The problem comes afterwards. Who will operate it; who will pay the bill for this? said Mahmoud Shatat, the programme manager for Oxfams Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion programme. How can we afford the electricity and the fuel? Solar energy only covers a small amount of whats needed to run a desalination plant. READ MORE: Gaza electricity crisis People are dying daily Small-scale seawater desalination plants have high operating costs, and are meant to be a mid-term solution. The Palestinian Water Authority said a large-scale plant able to serve all of Gaza should be operational by 2020 but while Gulf countries and France have pledged funding towards its estimated cost of $330m, more is required. Marwan Albardawil, the authoritys head of water and waste water projects, said a variety of options to tackle Gazas water crisis have been studied over the years. Among these, there was importing water from Egypt, Turkey and Israel; delivering water from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip; and seawater desalination. The proper option was desalination, Albardawil told Al Jazeera. A study conducted in 2011 as part of the Gaza Emergency Technical Assistance Programme recommended the transfer of high volumes of water from Israel, in order to give Gaza an equitable share of regional water resources. However, water-sharing arrangements are supposed to be part of the long-awaited final status peace negotiations. Clemens Messerschmid, a geologist who has worked in the Palestinian water sector for 20 years, said the source of Gazas water problem is its large population, which has skyrocketed to more than 1.8 million. A simple solution would be for Gaza to buy water from Israel, which has a surplus in the south, he said. World body stops short of saying it caused the epidemic, but acknowledges role in crisis that has killed nearly 10,000. The United Nations acknowledged on Thursday that it played a role in the 2010 Haiti cholera outbreak that has killed nearly 10,000 Haitians and infected more than 770,000. Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, promised a significant new set of UN actions to respond to the epidemic, following a confidential report sent to the UN chief that was critical of the world bodys actions. A draft of the report, prepared by New York University law professor Philip Alston, who serves as a special rapporteur advising the UN on human rights issues, said the crisis would not have broken out but for the actions of the United Nations, according to the New York Times. This is a major victory for the thousands of Haitians who have been marching for justice, writing to the UN and bringing the UN to court, said Mario Joseph, a Haitian human rights lawyer representing victims of the epidemic. It is high time for the UN to make this right and prove to the world that human rights for all means for Haitians too. Already one of the worlds poorest countries, Haiti was reeling from a devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010, that killed more than 200,000 people when its misery was compounded by the cholera outbreak. The epidemic broke out near a base housing hundreds of Nepali peacekeepers. Over the past year, the UN has become convinced that it needs to do much more regarding its own involvement in the initial outbreak and the suffering of those affected by cholera, the UN spokesman said. Epidemiologists identified the Haitian strain of the illness as one that originated in Nepal where Cholera is endemic. Haiti had previously been cholera-free for more than 100 years. 770,000 infected According to UN figures, more than 770,000 Haitians have since been infected by the disease and nearly 10,000 have died from it since it broke out across the island nation in 2010. Beatrice Lindstrom, a lawyer for the victims families, told Al Jazeera that the UN must follow this announcement with action. There still needs to be a public apology to the victims to the tens of thousands of people who have suffered. There still needs to be compensation for the families and an elimination of cholera, she said. US courts have repeatedly rejected complaints filed by the families of cholera victims in New York, where the UN is headquartered, due to the world bodys immunity. A UN official quoted by the AFP news agency as saying that the UN legal position has not changed. Cholera, which is transmitted through contaminated drinking water and causes acute diarrhoea, is a major challenge in a country with poor sanitary conditions. According to the UN, Some 72 percent of Haitians have no toilets at home and 42 percent still lack access to drinking water. In a report published earlier this month, French epidemiologist Roland Piarroux found that more than 21,000 cases and 200 deaths took place from January to June this year. With a rainy season that will last through November or possibly December, we worry that cholera will be especially deadly this year, easily killing 400 or 500 people, he said. The UN has struggled to raise donor funds to eradicate cholera as part of a 10-year programme. Less than a quarter of the $2.1bn the UN is seeking has been raised so far. Cluster bomb attacks on rebel-held areas of Aleppo have killed nine civilians and sent thousands of others fleeing. The widely proscribed cluster munitions were used in the bombardment of rebel-held areas of Aleppos Masshad, Salaheddine and Sukkary after midday prayers on Friday. Those killed were women and children on a minibus, trying to leave the areas hardest hit by the strikes. At least 20 more people have been wounded in the attacks. Images obtained by Al Jazeera show unexploded cluster bomblets lying around the city as civilians walk nearby. The use of the weapons, which scatter hundreds of bomblets over a vast area, has forced thousands of residents to take the risky journey out of the city through areas of intense fighting between government troops and rebel fighters. Eliot Higgins, a journalist who specialises in the analysis of munitions used in the Syrian conflict, said the bomblet pictured in one image was the ShOAB-05 a Russian-produced munition. The bomblet contains a 70-gramme mixture of TNT and RDX explosives lined with more than 304 steel pellets, according to a blog post by munitions expert N R Jenzen-Jones. DIY defusing efforts Lacking the means to defuse the explosives, rebel fighters in Aleppo are trying to detonate the bomblets from a distance by taking pot shots at the munitions with assault rifles. One child was seen riding a bicycle over an unexploded bomblet, stumbling and injuring himself without the device detonating. British aid worker Tauqir Sharif posted a video of six young children being rushed to hospital with injuries sustained during a cluster bomb attack. So many people are dying that Ive lost count. I have seen so many dead in the past five days that every time I close my eyes I see their faces, Sharif, whose ambulance was damaged in a separate attack, said. Widespread ban The use of cluster bombs is banned by more than 100 countries which cite the weapons inability to distinguish between combatants and civilians, as well as the large amount of unexploded bomblets that are left behind. Human Rights Watch has condemned the Russian and Syrian governments for their use of the weapons and has documented at least 47 cluster bomb attacks in three provinces between May 27 and July 25 this year. Since Russia and Syria have renewed their joint air operations, we have seen a relentless use of cluster munitions, HRWs Ole Solvang said in a report published in July. Neither Syria nor Russia have ratified the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use of the weapon. Intense battles Syrian government forces and their Russian allies have intensified aerial attacks on Aleppo after opposition fighters broke a siege of rebel areas of the city earlier in August. Aleppo was Syrias largest city and commercial centre before the start of the conflict in 2011. Syrian rebels control a swath of territory that includes the citys eastern and southern areas, as well as the surrounding countryside. The Syrian government controls the citys west as well as a northern corridor connecting it to government territories. Syrias war has claimed at least 400,000 lives and forced millions from their homes. Dozens killed, thousands evacuated after second day of Syrian government air raids on Kurdish-controlled areas of city. Syrian government jets have continued to pound Kurdish-controlled parts of the northeastern city of Hasakah for a second day, killing at least 22 residents and forcing thousands to flee. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which reports daily on the war using a network of activists, said on Friday that at least 22 civilians, including nine children, had been killed in the past two days. Thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, were evacuated from the divided city on Friday, said Redur Xelil, a spokesman for the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Whoever can bear arms is fighting the regime and its gangs, Xelil told the Reuters news agency, adding that dozens had been killed in the air raids. Our situation is so far defensive but it will change while the regime escalates in this way, he said. US precaution A US-led coalition sent aircraft to Hasakah city on Thursday to protect American special operation ground forces from attacks by Syrian government jets, a Pentagon official said on Friday. Captain Jeff Davis, the Pentagon spokesman, said the coalition aircraft reached the area around the city as the two Syrian SU-24s were leaving. He said the Syrian planes did not respond to efforts by ground forces to contact them. We will ensure their safety and the Syrian regime would be advised not to do things that would place them at risk, Davis said. READ MORE: Last hospital in Daraya bombed The air raids on Hasakah, which is divided into zones of Kurdish and Syrian government control, marks the most violent confrontation between the Kurdish YPG and Damascus in more than five years of civil war. The YPG and Syrian government have mostly avoided confrontation during the multi-sided war that has turned Syria into a patchwork of areas held by the state and an array of armed factions. While forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, have focused mostly on fighting Sunni Arab rebels, the YPG has prioritised carving out and safeguarding predominantly Kurdish regions of northern Syria. The group has ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey. READ MORE: The YPG Americas new best friend? The YPG controls most of the northeast, though the Syrian government has maintained footholds in the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli at the border with Turkey. The YPG has controlled most of Hasakah city since last year. Rami Abdulrahman, of the SOHR, said the fighting began this week after pro-government militiamen detained a number of Kurdish youths, a step that was followed by advances of Kurdish security forces towards government-held areas. Naser Haj Mansour, a Kurdish official in the YPG-affiliated Syria Democratic Forces alliance, said Kurdish forces had taken some additional positions, including an economics college. The Syrian army said in a statement on Friday that the air raids were the result of Kurdish forces trying to take over the city. The response was appropriate, and any further such attacks would also be met with force, the army said in the statement, according to Reuters. Interior minister says ban on face veils would apply to places where it is necessary for societys coexistence. Germanys interior minister has proposed a partial ban of the burqa, the full-face veil worn by some Muslim women, as a nationwide debate rages over integration. Thomas de Maiziere said on Friday that the face veil does not belong in Germany society, where more than four million Muslims live, calling the proposed ban a preventive measure. The minister said the ban would apply to places where it is necessary for our societys coexistence, including government offices, schools and universities, courtrooms, demonstrations and while driving vehicles. He said the proposed ban was not a security issue but an integration issue. Of course, the issue of the full veil stands for the question which role certain branches of Islam play in Germany, he said. The proposed ban comes as German Chancellor Angela Merkels government attempts to address public fears surrounding last years record influx of nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees, most from predominantly Muslim countries. It also echoes a controversial decision by several French towns in recent weeks to outlaw burkinis, the full-body Islamic swimsuit, at a highly sensitive time for relations with the Muslim community following a series of attacks in France. Hardly any chance at integrating De Maiziere did not say when he would put forward a draft bill to bring the ban into law, acknowledging that the Social Democrats (SPD), junior partners in the ruling coalition, had reservations about the move. But he indicated that banning the face veil under certain circumstances as opposed to the blanket ban favoured by the hard right of Merkels Christian Union bloc would be more likely to win approval in parliament. In an interview with a regional newspaper this week, Merkel underlined her objections to the full-face veil. From my point of view, a woman who is entirely veiled has hardly any chance at integrating, she said. WATCH: Europes refugees an economic opportunity? Heated debate Bilkay Oney, a Turkish-born integration expert from the SPD, said the proposed ban was too blunt an instrument to fight radicalisation. In France they long ago outlawed the burqa but it apparently couldnt stop a single terror attack. However, I dont like the mentality behind a burqa, either it is a piece of clothing that no emancipated woman can accept, she told the newspaper Die Welt. Oney said that rather than regulating what clothing women wear, Germany would be better served by expanding its integration efforts. You have to convince people to no longer want [the veil]. We must ensure that Muslims and migrants emancipate themselves but that will take time. News website Spiegel Online was more forceful in its opposition, saying that German conservatives apparently have so little faith in the attractiveness of values such as individual freedom and equal rights that they think bans are necessary. READ MORE: Far-right AfD says Islam not welcom in Germany De Maizieres position on the veil represents a compromise with conservative parties in advance of two pivotal regional polls next month in which the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party looks set to make strong gains. Just last week he had rejected a call from conservative state interior ministers for a sweeping ban on face veils, saying: We cant ban everything that we reject, and I reject the wearing of the burqa. De Maiziere made the comments on August 11 as he announced tough new anti-terror measures after two attacks in Germany last month claimed by the the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (or ISIL, also known as ISIS). The measures include a controversial proposal to strip ISIL fighters of their German nationality, as well as to speed up deportations of convicted criminal migrants and boost police resources. The right-wing AfD in particular has attempted to link the record influx of migrants and refugees last year to an increased threat of attacks an argument Merkel sharply rejected this week on the campaign trail in her home district. The phenomenon of Islamist terrorism by IS is not something that came to us with the refugees it was already there, she said, referring to the threat posed by homegrown fighters. International activists say the verdict is a devastating blow to the Mauritanian anti-slavery movement. Thirteen anti-slavery activists in Mauritania have been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for their alleged role in a riot in June. A tribunal found the members of the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) guilty on Thursday of counts including attacks against the government, armed assembly and membership of an unrecognised organisation. The defendants said they were not present at the June protests and that the trial was a politically motivated attempt by the government to discredit their organisation. The decision was condemned on Friday by international campaigners as a devastating blow to the Mauritanian anti-slavery movement. Sarah Mathewson, Africa Programme Manager at Anti-Slavery International, said that the activists were clearly being targeted by the government for their work to expose and denounce slavery, still commonplace in the country. IRA Vice President Brahim Ramdane called the verdicts a parody of justice and said the groups lawyers were deciding how to respond. READ MORE: Meet the woman freeing Mauritanias slaves The activists were arrested in late June and early July after a protest against eviction by residents of a slum in the capital Nouakchott, many of whom are themselves former slaves. Several police officers were injured in the demonstration. Mauritania is a focus of activism by the modern anti-slavery movement over a practice believed to affect between 4 and 20 percent of the population. The West African nation has attempted to crack down on slavery and last year passed a law making it a crime against humanity and doubling prison terms for offenders. Campaigners say it will not be enough to stamp out the practice. The Nouakchott slum was home to many so-called Haratin a slave caste under a hereditary system of servitude whose members are forced to work without pay as cattle herders and domestic servants. EHRC says racial inequality is worsening in the United Kingdom for young blacks and people from ethnic minorities. Racial inequality is getting worse in the United Kingdom, with young black people and ethnic minorities suffering institutional racism and unfairness in the fields of education, employment and the criminal justice system, a human rights watchdog has said. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said in its latest report on Thursday that race was the motive in 82 percent of hate crimes recorded in England and Wales, with the two nations witnessing an unprecedented spike since Britain voted to leave the European Union on 23 June. The report, entitled Healing a Divided Britain, found that life chances for young people from ethnic minorities had got worse, becoming the most challenging for generations. The report highlighted a 49 percent increase in long-term unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds from ethnic minority communities since 2011, compared with a fall of 2 percent for young white people. Black people remained much more likely to be victims of crime, including murder, and to be more harshly treated in the criminal justice system. It said that although educational attainment had improved, black college graduates were typically earning 23 percent less than white graduates. If you are black or an ethnic minority in modern Britain, it can often still feel like youre living in a different world, David Isaac, the commissions chairman, told Al Jazeera. If you look across the country, in relation to the way people live their lives, whether its in health, work or being part of the criminal justice system the picture presents blacks, ethnic minorities, gypsies and travellers as second-class citizens. Brexit fallout: Anti-migrant attacks surge in the UK Al Jazeeras Neave Barker, reporting from London, said that the report reaffirmed what many Brits already held to be true about unfairness and racism in the UK. Theres nothing equal about Britain at all, one black Londoner told Al Jazeera. Omar Khan, the director of the Runnymede Trust, an equality-focused think-tank, accused the government of taking a colour blind stance in its submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination earlier this week. While the UN committees review found that Britain has some of the worlds strongest anti-discrimination legislation, it also showed the gap between that legislation and the reality of continuing racial inequality in the UK, Khan said. Brazil allows Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger to fly out of Rio after lying that they were robbed during the Olympics. Brazilian authorities have let two US swimmers leave Rio de Janeiro after they retracted a claim to have been dramatically mugged during the Olympic Games, officials say. Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger were given back their confiscated passports and recently departed Rio, US Olympic Committee chief executive Scott Blackmun said in a statement. The US Olympic chief apologised to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil, saying that the behaviour of the swimmers was not acceptable and that potential consequences would be decided later. READ MORE: Rio police say US Olympic swimmers were not robbed As they left late on Thursday, local crowds jeered at them, calling them liars and fakes. A third swimmer, James Feigen, has also given police a revised statement about the apparently invented mugging story with the hope of securing the release of his passport as soon as possible, Blackmun said. Feigen will pay $11,000 to a Brazilian charity to settle the dispute, ABC reported. The fourth, swimming superstar, Ryan Lochte, was already back in the US when the scandal erupted. A Brazilian judge on Wednesday ordered all four swimmers to stay in Brazil while their story was investigated. Major stir Lochte said last Sunday that the four were victims of a robbery by at least one armed attacker posing as a Rio policeman. The claim caused a major stir at the Olympics and forced Brazilian authorities to apologise for what appeared to be a security lapse. Brazilian police, though, said on Thursday that the athletes were drunk and got into an altercation with security staff after vandalising a petrol station where they stopped in a taxi to use the toilet. Blackmun indicated that the athletes, questioned by police on Thursday, had recanted and confirmed the police version of the incident. Follow our coverage of the Rio 2016 Olympics They stopped at a gas [petrol] station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism, the statement said. An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave. Al Jazeeras Gabriel Elizondo, reporting from Rio, said: Surveillance video of that night shows none of the atheles all of whom admitted to being intoxicated were robbed. It [their claim] made headlines around the world. Now that its been proven false, may Brazilians are puzzled and angry. The punishment for falsely reporting a crime in Brazil is either a six-month sentence or a fine. The cash payment to Iran was used as bargaining chip in release of five US prisoners, according to the State Department. The United States has acknowledged that it waited for Iran to release American prisoners before delivering $400m in cash that it owed the country, but again insisted the payment was not a ransom. With concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release we of course sought to retain maximum leverage until after American citizens were released, US State Department spokesman John Kirby told a news conference. That was our top priority. In January, five American prisoners were released as Washington granted clemency to seven Iranians and withdrew arrest warrants for 14 others. Immediately after that, the US airlifted $400m worth of Swiss francs and euros to Iran. READ MORE: A secret school for Afghans in Iran The payment was made by the US in cash due to international sanctions against Iran. The money was delivered on January 17, just one day after a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers took effect. We were able to conclude multiple strands of diplomacy within a 24-hour period, including implementation of the nuclear deal, the prisoner talks and a settlement of an outstanding Hague tribunal claim, Kirby said. Its already publicly known that we returned to Iran its $400m in that same time period as part of the Hague settlement agreement. In early August, the State Department had said the prisoner release and delivery of money were completely separate, although Kirby acknowledged on Thursday that the two were related. Im saying that the events came together simultaneously it would have been foolish, imprudent, irresponsible for us not to try to maintain maximum leverage, Kirby said. Three of the five prisoners, including Jason Rezaian, the Washington Posts Tehran bureau chief; Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Idaho, and Amir Hekmati, a former US Marine from Flint, Michigan, as well as some family members, were part of a prisoner exchange that followed the lifting of most international sanctions against Iran following a nuclear deal in 2015. One more prisoner, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, chose to remain in Iran, while a fifth, student Matthew Trevithick, was released separately. He lied about the hostages The ordeal has set off a tidal wave of condemnation from opposition Republican party politicans, who have questioned the timing of the two events and said the government paid a ransom for the releases. The $400m, frozen since 1981, plus $1.3bn in interest owed to Iran, was part of a settlement of a long-standing Iranian claim at the Iran-US Claims Tribunal in The Hague. The funds were part of a trust fund Iran used before its 1979 Islamic Revolution to buy US military equipment that was tied up for decades in litigation at the tribunal. The Obama administration has maintained that negotiations over the funds and the prisoners were conducted on separate tracks and were in no way linked. READ MORE: Iran destroys 100,000 depraving satellite dishes Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps campaign was quick to attack. Speaking of lies, we now know from the State Department announcement that President Obama lied about the $400m in cash that was flown to Iran, Trump told a rally in Thursday in North Carolina. He denied it was for the hostages, but it was. He said we dont pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages openly and blatantly. Trumps opponent in the race for the White House, Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, was no longer serving as the nations top diplomat when the accord came into effect. Still, Trumps senior communications adviser Jason Miller said that by helping put together a deal that ultimately sent $400m to Iran that was likely used to fund terrorism, Clinton has proven herself unfit to be president of the United States. Syrian government forces have bombed the last remaining civilian hospital in the besieged Damascus suburb of Daraya, according to activists, who say an incendiary weapon similar to napalm was used. Government forces dropped the bombs on the hospital shortly after midnight on Friday morning, according to activists and the Britain-based Syrian Network for Human Rights. The hospital which was providing a humanitarian service to the civilians in the city is being targeted by internationally banned weapons. Everyone is standing by silently and watching, said one doctor from Daraya in a video purported to have been shot outside the hospital shortly after it was hit. This video, published on the local Daraya councils YouTube page, is said to show the immediate aftermath of the attack on the hospital. Al Jazeera could not independently verify the footage. The hospital was the only medical facility available to 8,000 civilians in the besieged suburb, which was hit with incendiary bombs for three straight days earlier this week, according to the local council. Incendiary weapons start fires and cause horrific burns much like those inflicted by the napalm dropped from US planes during the Vietnam War. Incendiary weapons are not entirely banned. While there is an international agreement forbidding their use in areas with a heavy civilian presence, it has only been signed by 113 countries. Russia has signed up to the agreement, known as Protocol III of the Convention of Conventional Weapons, but Syria has not. Daraya, a rebel-held suburb of the capital, has witnessed some of the heaviest bombings of the war, and has been under siege since 2012. Incendiary uptick Earlier this week, the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Syrian government forces and their Russian allies of repeatedly using incendiary weapons against civilians in rebel-held parts of northern Syria. Incendiary weapons have been used at least 18 times over the past six weeks, including attacks on the opposition-held areas in the cities of Aleppo and Idlib on August 7, 2016, the rights group said in a report published on Tuesday. READ MORE: Russia says supports Aleppo 48-hour truce plan Photographs and videos recorded by the group at the time of the attacks indicated that there were incendiary weapon attacks on opposition-held areas in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces between June 5 and August 10. Countries meeting at the Convention on Conventional Weapons in Geneva on August 29 should condemn the use of air-dropped incendiary weapons and press Syria and Russia to immediately stop using incendiary weapons in civilian areas, HRW said. Shortly after Russian militarily intervened in Syrias civil war on behalf of embattled President Bashar al-Assad last autumn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov wrote a letter to HRW, saying that incendiary weapons were being used in Syria and that their improper use had caused significant humanitarian damage. The letter did not specify which side had used them. Moscow says supports plan for 48-hour truce in battered city but lays out conditions before any agreement can take hold. Russia has said it would support a 48-hour ceasefire in Syrias Aleppo, a move the United Nations envoy said would allow aid to reach besieged areas soon, as long as all sides respected the truce. As viral images of a dazed child pulled from rubble in the heavily bombarded rebel-held east of the city captured the plight of its civilians and drew the attention of the world, Moscow said it was ready to start the first humanitarian pause next week. Western diplomats gave a cautious welcome to the announcement, but stressed that the UN must be in charge of a sustained aid operation. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura has long called for a 48-hour halt in fighting each week to allow aid delivery and medical evacuations from both rebel-held eastern and government-controlled western Aleppo. The Russian defence ministry has laid out several conditions for a weekly 48-hour pause in fighting, said Al Jazeeras Reza Sayah, reporting from the Gaziantep on the Turkish-Syrian border. It says its willing to support the plan as a pilot programme for the city of Aleppo only. That suggests Russia is not ready to back an indefinite weekly pause in violence. It also suggests theres plenty for all sides to negotiate before the plan goes into effect. OPINION: Syrias Civil War Yet another iconic image? De Mistura welcomed the Russian defence ministry announcement and said a UN humanitarian team was now set to mobilise itself to respond to this challenge. Our plan is to collectively work out the operational details, and be ready for delivery as soon as possible, de Misturas office said in a statement. Moscow must ensure the Syrian army, its ally, adheres to the pause, while the United States and regional powers must make sure opposition fighters are on board, he said. Aleppo, Syrias most populous prewar city and once its commercial hub, has become the focus of fighting in the five-year-old war. Some two million people on both sides of the divided city have been without running water for nearly two weeks after infrastructure was damaged by bombing earlier this month. Escalating violence in and around the city, where Russia and Iran are supporting bombing campaigns against the rebels, some of whom are backed by Arab and Western powers, caused the breakdown of peace talk in Geneva overseen by de Mistura. READ MORE: Almost 18,000 died in Syrias prisons, says Amnesty Residents in the rebel-controlled half of the city celebrated earlier this month when rebels broke a month-long government siege that had led to drastic price increases and shortages of food and fuel, trapping some 300,000 people inside the citys battered eastern neighborhoods. The situation on the ground, though, has not immediately improved, residents told Al Jazeera. Sustained fighting in the area, as the government attempts to retake lost ground, has meant that no significant amount of aid has been able to reach the area, according to locals and aid workers. The Syrian opposition has said it wants to see a credible pause in the bloodshed and improved aid access before talks can resume. Trucks with food, water and medicine are ready to move immediately and ambulances to evacuate urgent medical cases are on standby, said Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Chairman of Republican candidates presidential bid is probed by Ukraine over millions allegedly paid for lobbying. Paul Manafort, the chairman of Donald Trumps presidential campaign who has been linked to a pro-Russia lobbying scandal, has resigned. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign, Trump said on Friday. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success, Trump said. Manafort has drawn fire for millions of dollars in undisclosed payments he allegedly received for lobbying efforts on behalf of a pro-Russian Ukrainian political party. READ MORE: The Trump shakeup His resignation comes amid a broader campaign staff shake-up that earlier this week saw Trump bring Stephen Bannon, a conservative media firebrand, onboard as a top campaign executive. Bannons role had left Manaforts position unclear. Trumps statement on Manafort did not mention the broader campaign shake-up or the Ukrainian lobbying controversy. Ukraine accusations Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities said on Friday they were investigating Manafort over allegations related to his work on behalf of a pro-Russian political party. Manafort is among those names on the list of the so-called black ledger of the Party of Regions, the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau said in a statement. The documents allegedly show funds allocated to Manafort totalling more than $12.7m between November 2007 and October 2012. But the agency emphasised that it had not determined whether Manafort had actually received that money. Manaforts work in Ukraine had been known, a New York Times article this month had exposed the extent of his involvement and fuelled questions about the Trump campaigns possible pro-Russian sympathies. Manafort, in a statement earlier this week, has denied any wrongdoing. Coalition wants to hold urgent meetings with medical aid group after one of its air raids hit an MSF hospital. A Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has expressed deep regret over a decision by the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) medical aid group to evacuate its staff from the north of the country. MSF said on Thursday that it was pulling its staff from six hospitals in northern Yemen after a coalition air strike hit a health facility operated by the group, killing 19 people. The coalition to support the legitimacy in Yemen expressed its deep regret over MSF decision to evacuate its staff from six hospitals in northern Yemen, the coalition said in a statement carried by Saudi state news agency SPA, adding that it was seeking an urgent meeting with the aid group. [It] asserts its appreciation for the work the group is undertaking with the Yemeni people in these difficult circumstances, the statement continued. #Yemen We withdraw our teams due to indiscrimate bombings and unreliable reassurances from Saudi led coalition https://t.co/IbCV57t55O MSF International (@MSF) August 18, 2016 The coalition said it was committed to respecting international humanitarian law in all its operations in Yemen and had set up an independent team to investigate incidents in which civilians were killed. MSF is one of handful of international aid groups operating on the ground in Yemen where a 16-month civil war between a Gulf Arab coalition and the Houthis rebels allied with Iran has killed more than 6,500 people and brought one of worlds poorest countries close to famine. Dozens of Saudi-led air strikes and shells launched by the Houthis have hit civilians in Yemen since the Arab coalition began military operations in March 2015 in an attempt to return toppled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power. MSF said many of these attacks had struck health facilities, putting patients and staff in danger and displayed a failure by warring parties to control the use of force. MSF: No other option A coalition air raid on Monday hit a hospital operated by MSF in the northern Hajja province killing 19 people, including one of its staff members, and injuring 24, the group said. On Saturday, an air attack hit what MSF described as a school in neighbouring Saada province, killing 10 children. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack and called for a investigation, which the coalition said it would carry out. READ MORE: Key facts about the war in Yemen MSF said it had met officials from the Saudi-led coalition and shared GPS coordinates of the hospital it operates in with parties involved in the conflict but that bombings had continued. The decision to evacuate the staff from a project is never taken lightly but in the absence of credible assurances that parties will respect the protected status of medical facilities there may be no other option, said the statement. 2005 .. It is surprising how much ink is spilled on theories that banking is about to be wiped out by a tsunami called fintech, resulting in the alleged mass closure of banks and unemployment of financial services professionals. Last time I was in New York, Wall Street was intact and thriving and specialized financial crime lawyers like myself were busier than ever. Those fintech theories surprise me for two reasons. First, the law stands in the way of fintech displacing even one dollar of financial services. A fintech company is not a Brooklyn pizza stand it cannot survive without being connected to the financial system, which requires a banking partner and a banking relationship. In other words, fintech cannot disrupt anything unless the banks and lawyers (as regulators) let them. The second reason is that banks face a bigger threat than fintech. Financial services are indeed about to be disrupted everywhere in the world and transformed by a tsunami. But rather than being caused by fintech, the disruption will be the combination of artificial intelligence and automated banking by machines for better or worse. The promises of AI and robotic banking are impressive. The ability to have core banking functions run entirely by machines that automate functions and learn to self-improve will transform bank back offices and systems. If combined with the ability to interact with customers including learning their typologies and meeting their banking needs the potential is incredibly powerful and lucrative. According to an article in Banking Technology, Sweden's national bank has an app that already handles more than 30,000 customer conversations per month, resolving their issues 78% of the time. AI and robotic banking let banks eliminate bank tellers and customer service employees, and therefore, physical infrastructure. Financial services, as a whole, will save billions annually when AI and robotic banking technologies that are more efficient and less expensive than humans are used to provide services to customers. Most banks will tell you that many of their customers hate going into a bank branch, especially millennials. Robotic banking solves that problem: it lets customers avoid the in-person banking experience and bank online 24/7 with access to problem-solving services wherever they happen to be in the world. For me, AI and robotic banking have a potentially game-changing role in the work I do locating and recovering assets from foreign nationals who have defrauded banks in Asia and fled to other countries. At a unit of Digital Finance Institute, we are working on AI tech to predict where certain foreign nationals are likely to have fled and which global banks, albeit unwittingly, are assisting them move money internationally. Predicting both the activities of foreigners and of the banks they use help enable the recovery of assets more quickly and efficiently. The same AI tech can be used for predicting terrorist financing activities and preventing fraud, thereby providing huge societal benefits. For financial services to realize the promise of AI, however, the technology must be introduced in an inclusive manner that embraces responsible innovation. The biggest peril of AI is that it will cause mass unemployment. In financial services, McKinsey predicted in 2013 that AI and robotic banking are expected to displace 110 million full-time employees by 2025. If national governments do not align now to address this, those 110 million workers will be unemployed and unemployable in the new tech-centric economy. AI has an additional flaw. Just as the person-controlled marketplace has problems with diversity, favoring certain groups of people over others, we run the risk of extending those biases to the programming of AI. The machines that will control parts of our society lack diversity. Their data sets and coding are rarely created by women or with consideration of integrating diversity or inclusiveness a problem that Melinda Gates recently called the "sea of dudes" problem. If we do not require inclusive coding in all AI, we will have a skewed society in the years to come, dictated by machines coded by an elite subset of men. If we're going to create #AI that works for all people, we need a diverse group of people building it. https://t.co/wU3DMob3UW Melinda Gates (@melindagates) June 26, 2016 That brings me to the law. If there is one thing that unites Americans from coast to coast, it is the American constitutional democracy. If AI is to become part of our life, it has to be done with a view to incorporating the law and the constitutional values in all its aspects, including in banking. Although the average American bank client may not know it, banking services are not rendered to customers in a vacuum they are rendered in a constitutionally sound manner that has evolved over time to protect bank customers. AI and robotic banking need the contribution of lawyers and our legal values as its data sets get created. AI and especially robotic banking, surprisingly, create a financial inclusion and unbanked problem that is getting little attention. Many global banks are shutting down hundreds of bank branches due to AI and robotic banking, forcing their customers to bank online. The elderly and visually impaired cannot often bank online because of visual impairment issues or a lack of sophistication with technology. Many poor people do not have computers or the internet or modern smartphones that enable them to download apps to bank online either. New immigrants that manage to bank in person cannot bank with English-only banking apps forced upon them. Many women from repressive societies that immigrate to the U.S. are prohibited by their fathers or husbands from obtaining cellphone services in their own names. When banking goes online or via apps, women in those societies lose financial control and financial dignity. Many other poor people that are paid in cash lose financial services when their bank branches are closed because they have no way to deposit their cash salaries. Technology should be designed to cure financial inclusion, not cause it. As with all new technology that is online, AI and robotic banking being deployed in the economy increases vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, raises difficulties in ascertaining the identity of an attacker, facilitates the introduction of foreign intelligence systems into banking through technology, increases the risks of accidents and increases liability for financial institutions. The reliance on AI and robotic banking for autonomous decision-making by banks may compromise financial infrastructure and poses a national security risk for the U.S. The way to marry the promises and the perils of AI and robotic banking in financial services involves regulators, bar associations, law enforcement, technology giants and the financial services sector coming together to map out a common strategy to create leading AI technology in an inclusive manner that incorporates constitutional values and provides responsible banking services to everyone. Christine Duhaime is a lawyer in Canada with a practice in anti-money-laundering, counterterrorist financing and foreign asset recovery and is the founder of the Digital Finance Institute. The longtime chairman and chief executive of Cathay General Bancorp will relinquish his CEO title this fall and the company's bank president is set to succeed him. Dunson Cheng will retire on Oct. 1 as CEO of the $13.4 billion-asset Los Angeles company and CEO of Cathay Bank. Pin Tai, president of Cathay Bank, will assume both CEO titles at that time. Cheng will remain chairman of the bank and holding company. Cheng has been chairman and CEO of the Chinese-American bank and holding company since 1994. The 71-year-old Cheng, who has a doctorate in physics, has been a director of Cathay Bank since 1982. Tai, 62, joined Cathay Bank in 1999 and has been president since April 2015. He has held a variety of management positions at the bank, including chief lending officer. Tai's promotion was made subject to Cathay's previously approved succession plan, the company said in a Friday news release. Conspiracy theories never end. People love them and have a compulsion to believe falsities, whether for personal or ideological reasons. We are told that Elvis Presley, who is rumored to have died in Memphis on August 16, 1977 is still alive. Some suspect that the photos of Apollo 11 landing on the moon in July 1969 were faked, forged by NASA, and that Neil Armstrong dreamed he had walked on the moon. Even without drinking Scotch whiskey, more than 1,000 people since 1933 have seen "Nessie," the nonexistent Loch Ness Monster. Rational individuals tell us that at least one alien spaceship is stored at Nevada's Area 51. Some admirers continue to believe that Marilyn Monroe was murdered to prevent her from revealing important political secrets. Other theater lovers may believe that "William Shakespeare" did not write the plays of William Shakespeare. So it comes as no surprise that, by implication, if not directly, United Nations organizations and Palestinian authorities inform us or insinuate that a Jewish conspiracy is at work in the Middle East. For two thousand years, that conspiracy, using the Jewish Jesus to help, apparently misled the world to believe that Jews lived and prayed in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the Middle East. UNESCO only recently has divulged that the Jewish Temple Mount in Jerusalem is really Al-Haram Al-Sharif, and the Western Wall Plaza is really Buraq Plaza. More than a century ago, the Russian forgery, Protocols of the Elders of Zion, let us know of the Jewish conspiracy to control the world. Today, only some members of the British Labour Party appear to believe this document in its entirety. However, even today, many others, some even denying that they are anti-Semitic, accept that the conspiracy exists in a more limited sense, confined to the geographical area of the Middle East and to particular groups. For believers in this revised conspiracy, the primary evidence is the behavior of the State of Israel toward the Arab people, the Palestinian people, and the peace-loving and lovable groups Hamas and Hezb'allah. True, rational people may not accept this scenario if they realize that while conspiracy in the Middle East may exist, it comes from a different source, such as various Arab authorities. Some of that real conspiracy was made public. At the moment of creation of the State of Israel, the general secretary of the Arab League, Azzam Pasha, in May 1948, declared that regarding Israel, "this will be a war of extermination, a momentous massacre, which will be spoken of like the Mongolian massacres and the Crusades." Twenty years later, not to be outdone, Arab leaders competed with each other in eagerness to fight the "Jewish conspiracy" in Israel that was to become the Six-Day War. Hafez Assad, then Syrian defense minister, proclaimed on May 20, 1967, "The time has come to enter into a battle of annihilation." His fellow warrior in the challenge to Jewish conspiracy was Egypian president Gamal Abdel Nasser. On May 27, 1967, Nasser asserted, "Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel." The United Nations General Assembly, and most of the U.N. institutions, have not hesitated to make known the existence of the Jewish conspiracy to deprive the Palestinian people of their civil rights and to leave them with no hope on the horizon. They also know that this conspiracy led to the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (Oslo 1), signed by PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in the White House on September 13, 1993. The cunning Israelis had agreed in Oslo 1 to Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip for a five-year period during which all sides would progress to a peace settlement. They deceived the world. They knew this could not happen because of the corruption and incompetence of the PLO chairman, Yasser Arafat, who became president of the Palestinian Authority on July 1, 1994 but was really interested in igniting terrorist activity, as he did in the riots in Jerusalem in September 1996 and the Second Intifada in 2000. Even worse, in what was an even more diabolical Jewish conspiracy, Israel in 1995 withdrew its forces from the main areas of the West Bank, except Hebron, and ended the civil administration and military government it had set up. The cunning Israelis conspired to pretend they occupy the area, but everyone knows that 60% of Palestinians live in Area A under full Palestinian jurisdiction, and most of the others live in an area where the P.A. controls civil affairs. A current conspiracy is that the Fatah faction of the Palestinians is moderate and interested in peace negotiations with Israel. Unfortunately for the conspirators, actual voices proclaim an opposite point of view. One such voice is Sultan Abu Al-Einein, member of the Fatah Central Committee and adviser to Mahmoud Abbas, now in the eleventh year of his four-year term as president of the Palestine Authority. In regard to the possibility of peace negotiations, Einein told us, "Every place you find an Israeli, cut off his head. I am against talks, negotiations, meetings, and normalization in all its forms with the Israeli occupation." To overcome the Jewish conspiracy, Einein approved the murder of four rabbis, calling it a "heroic operation" by a "soldier of Allah," in a synagogue in Jerusalem in November 2014. Equally heroic were two warriors, Kifah Ghneimat and Iyad Fataftah, in their fight in December 2010 against the Jewish conspiracy. They attacked two women pretending to be hiking in an Israeli forest but actually planning the conspiracy. While the two heroes screamed "Allahu akbar," one woman was brutally stabbed to death with a machete and the other was seriously wounded. Ghneimat's mother explained how he had prepared for his noble deed. He was kind and calm; he ate his meat with tahini, grilled meat, chicken, and rice. All informed commentators, especially those of The New York Times, know of the Jewish conspiracy against Hezb'allah. They are troubled by the actions of Jews in spite of the well known terrorist activities of this Lebanese group. They remain surprised that the Israeli "conspiracy" has persuaded a number of nations, including the U.S.; France; and, partially, the European Union, though not Russia or the United Nations, to regard Hezb'allah as a terrorist organization. The Jewish conspiracy has not prevented Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezb'allah, from boasting that his budget, said to be $300 million a year, is entirely funded by Iran and comes directly from Iran, not through Lebanese banks. It includes salaries, expenditures, food and drink, and weapons. President Barack Obama is no doubt aware that as long as Iran has money, Hezb'allah has money. According to Nasrallah, even when sanctions were imposed on Iran, it sent money to Hezb'allah. Hezb'allah fights the "Jewish conspiracy." Even though it is weakened by the losses of at least 1,600 killed and 6,000 wounded of its forces fighting for President Bashar Assad in Syria, nevertheless, it still has more than 100,000 missiles and rockets and has well trained forces to resist the "Jewish conspiracy" coming from Israel. Hezb'allah is continuing to mount active resistance, having its members in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip use Facebook to recruit people and to set up terror cells in the West Bank. For a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian differences, all talk of Jewish conspiracies must end. We may be such stuff as dreams are made on, but as long as these fantasies of conspiracies last, the State of Israel must remain awake, not rounded in sleep. With regard to foreign policy and issues of war and peace, its important to reflect on history to understand how the fighting of wars has changed and what is at stake today for all Americans. Looking back over the last century, World War I and II, had ideological components and but the main events were full-blown military engagements that entailed massive loss of life, property and the destruction of entire cities. What some have referred to as World War III has had more ideological components, and lesser military conflicts -- at least so far. It turns out that although conflicts may have been and appear to continue to be smaller and more regional, modern warfare has also evolved into two-front engagements that have elements of total war -- the front line of specific military conflicts, like in Vietnam, and the second front waged by the enemy within our borders for the basic purpose of delegitimizing war efforts and undermining the will to fight. The Vietnam War experience showed that we could win on the battlefield abroad but lose in public opinion at home. The specific lessons of that conflict were twofold: 1) War requires clear objectives and an expedient path to victory because the media and public have no stomach for protracted conflict; and 2) Warfighting strategy requires a domestic component to counter the enemys sympathizers, supporters and surrogates, who live within our borders and are likely to engage in active measures and propaganda to turn hearts and minds and delegitimize the U.S. war effort. As former Romanian spymaster Lt. General Ion Pacepa -- the highest ranking official ever to defect to America from the Soviet intelligence community -- has said, communists have actually preferred to wage war through deception, disinformation, and propaganda so as to influence public perception through the target countrys media rather than to engage militarily. The general goals -- Pacepa points out -- are to promote self-doubt and weaken the political resolve of the democratic country to fight and achieve its objectives. The Cold War, sometimes equated to the first stage of World War III, was a standoff between the Marxist East Bloc-led Soviet Union and the Western democracies led by the United States. It started almost from the time the Potsdam Declaration brought the Second World War to a close in 1945 to about 1990, when the Berlin Wall came down and the East bloc countries broke free of Soviet domination. The so-called peace dividend that followed proved short-lived, with increasing Islamist terrorist attacks primarily on the U.S. homeland, military facilities and embassies around the world, starting with the first bombing of the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993. As Harvard Universitys Samuel Huntington made clear -- a few years after that World Trade Center bombing -- in his 1997 classic, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of the World Order: The twentieth-century conflict between liberal democracy and Marxism-Leninism is only a fleeting and superficial historical phenomenon compared to the continuing and deeply conflictual relation between Islam and Christianity. The fact is that the collapse of Soviet-style communism removed a common enemy of both the West and Islam, at least for a time, which has left those two remaining sides as apparent threats to each other. U.S. and NATO member interventions in Iraq in 1991 and 2003 were naturally perceived negatively among many in the Middle East and Arab world. Yet there continued to be a modus vivendi between the U.S. and the Western democracies with the political regimes of most of the Sunni Islamic countries. The real threat has been the growing radical Islamist subgroups within countries with Islamic populations -- such as Al Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram, and Hizballah, to name only a few -- many of which have been enlarging their bases of operations, committing horrendous human rights abuse -- including genocide -- and threatening regional stability. This is the War on Terror that was declared by President George W. Bush after 9/11. And while the threat has grown, President Obamas continuation of the war against terrorists has been feckless with insufficient resolve. U.S. policies have been guided by political correctness, while the radical Islamists, aka Jihadis, are on a mission and committed to waging war to defeat and subjugate the Christian, but largely secular Western countries led by the United States and also of course the Jewish state of Israel in particular. The recent upsurge of Islamist terrorist strikes in Europe and the U.S. require a new comprehensive approach to the war on Islamist terror. Some in the U.S. intelligence agencies recognize that Islamists strategy to take down the U.S. and the West is a two-front war that includes terrorist strikes on the one hand and subliminal ideological warfare on the other. Islamists have learned from the Marxist-Leninist playbook that emphasized rear guard actions within the target country. Fifth Column initiatives from overt Islamist front groups and from Islamist sympathizers in privileged positions in the U.S. -- in the universities, the media and government -- have proven very successful and have had a disproportionately large impact on the shaping and conduct of U.S. policy. The Holy Land Foundation terror-funding trial in 2008 should have been a wakeup call to the full scope of the Islamist threat. Through the discovery process associated with that trial, extensive primary source evidence was presented on Islamist front groups operating within the U.S. They were numerous, able to raise significant sums and were ideologically disciplined. One such front group founded by the Muslim Brotherhood, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) had grown from its first chapter in 1964 to about 120 chapters at the time of 9/11/2001. In spite of the 9/11 attack, by 2008 there was a tripling of the number of college and university MSA chapters across North America. Contained within an internal Brotherhood document that was presented into evidence during the Holy Land Foundation terror funding trial, was the disclosure that the Muslim Brotherhood understood its main work in the U.S. as civilization jihad: The Ikhwan [Muslim Brotherhood] must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house by their hands and by the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and Allahs religion is made victorious over all other religions. What is most astonishing about this -- coming as it did in the last year of the Bush Administration -- is that it had such little effect on Americans thinking and U.S. public policy. As it turned out, the ongoing disinformation, ideology, and influence of pro-Islamic individuals and front groups had more sway over changes to U.S. law enforcement, intelligence-gathering, and military training and operations than did any of the primary source documents from Islamists that came out in the Holy Land Foundation trial. While the Bush administration was pursuing the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Muslim Brotherhood was pursuing civilization jihad in the United States. The 9/11 Commission Report published in 2004 contained hundreds of instances of the use of words like Jihad, Muslim, and Sharia. Four years later, by 2008, with input and influence brought to bear from many sympathetic to and associated with Brotherhood affiliate organizations, all those words and terms were entirely eliminated from the FBIs Counterterrorism Lexicon publication, a key document informing other U.S. government agencies involved with intelligence and defense. Consider that in the very next year, when self-described soldier of Allah Nidal Hassan killed 13 in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting spree, the Defense Department recorded the incident as workplace violence not an Islamist terrorist attack. In fact, the DOD bureaucracy had already chosen to purge West Point and the Naval War College training of all vital references to Islamist ideology driving terrorism or conflating terrorism with Islam. In 2011 the FBI extended its Counterterrorism Lexicon agenda and systematically purged its counterterrorism training manuals of some 900 pages that were considered offensive to Muslims. By 2012, the other areas of the Executive Branch, including DHS, DOJ and the State Department had eliminated all instructors and training curriculum that associated Islamic terms, doctrine, law, and Quranic scripture with terrorism. In addition, the NSAs most sweeping digital communication surveillance program, known as PRISM, was revamped to exclude monitoring communication within and from Islamic mosques, rendering them virtual communication safe-houses -- now numbering over 3,000 in the U.S. Fast forward to June 2016. Just days before Omar Mateen committed his terrorist slaughter in the name of ISIS at an Orlando nightclub, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnsons Homeland Security Advisory Council made its Countering Violent Extremism recommendations, specifically instructing DHS personnel to once again avoid using any language that might be disrespectful to Muslims, including (but not limited to) the words jihad, sharia and takfir. Of the 2016 presidential candidates, Donald Trump is the one who has committed to a swift military defeat of ISIS and the Islamic State caliphate. His pledge to conduct ideological warfare against ISIS articulated in his first major foreign policy speech is encouraging and absolutely vital for success in the long run. Its absurd and even suicidal for U.S. intelligence, defense, and the executive branch to continue with a unilateral rejection and blindness to the vocabulary necessary to describe, understand, and counter Islamist terrorist enemies. The evidence that shows just how successful Islamists rear guard influence operations have been in affecting the highest levels of U.S. government is a matter of record. It is time to name the enemy and lift the politically correct prohibition on using the words and terms that explain the ideology and intentions of those who are committed to our destruction and subjugation. The 2016 presidential election is critical. At stake is not just the security of the United States, but also the values of Western civilization that trace back more than 2000 years. What is needed is a leader with an unusual combination of both courage to face the facts and an unwavering patriotic conviction to decisively and effectively defeat the clear and present danger on two fronts -- both overseas and within. Scott Powell is senior fellow at Seattle-based Discovery Institute and managing partner at RemingtonRand LLC. Reach him at scottp@discovery.org An old (and tiresome) debate appears to have been settled by those best positioned to settle it. According to Andrew Gripp, a former political science professor: Since 9/11, one of the defining fault lines in American and Western politics has concerned whether jihadist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS are motivated by their religion or by politics or more specifically, by grievances against Western foreign policy. Some insist that Islamic doctrine is the basis of their violence, while others insist that such groups are not truly Islamic, but are instead using the guise of religion to lash out against Western influence and intervention. After indicating how "jihadist groups' political behavior is consistently traceable to their beliefs about what the Quran, hadith, and respected commentaries say they have a divine injunction to do," Gripp writes: For years, however, making this case has been a challenge. This is in part because al-Qaeda was intentionally speaking to both sides in this debate. As the scholar Raymond Ibrahim demonstrates in The Al Qaeda Reader, the terrorist group would regularly frame its grievances in political terms when broadcasting its message to the West (so as to insinuate that once the West withdrew, peace would come). Yet when speaking to the Muslim world, the group would make highly sophisticated religious arguments, explaining why its actions, however reprehensible on their face, were in fact justified by a close reading of the holy texts. This was indeed the main reason I sought to translate and publish al-Qaeda's internal communiques to fellow Muslims side by side with al-Qaeda's communiques to the West: to show the stark differences in tone and purpose. As I wrote in the book's preface ten years ago: This volume of translations [The Al Qaeda Reader], taken as a whole, proves once and for all that, despite the propaganda of al-Qaeda and its sympathizers, radical Islam's war with the West is not finite and limited to political grievances real or imagined but is existential, transcending time and space and deeply rooted in faith. Now, however, the world need not rely on my translations and can get it straight from the horse's mouth. In a recent article titled "Why We Hate You & Why We Fight You," the Islamic State gives six reasons. Reason number one says it all: We hate you, first and foremost, because you are disbelievers; you reject the oneness of Allah whether you realize it or not by making partners for Him in worship, you blaspheme against Him, claiming that He has a son [Christ], you fabricate lies against His prophets and messengers, and you indulge in all manner of devilish practices. It is for this reason that we were commanded to openly declare our hatred for you and our enmity towards you. "There has already been for you an excellent example in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone'" (Al-Mumtahanah 4 [i.e., Quran 60:4]). Furthermore, just as your disbelief is the primary reason we hate you, your disbelief is the primary reason we fight you, as we have been commanded to fight the disbelievers until they submit to the authority of Islam, either by becoming Muslims, or by paying jizyah for those afforded this option ["People of the Book"] and living in humiliation under the rule of the Muslims [per Quran 9:29]. This is as plain as it gets, not to mention wholly grounded in Islam's traditional worldview. As has been repeatedly pointed out, if Muslims are persecuting their fellow countrymen people who share their nationality, ethnicity, culture, and language on the simple basis that they are Christians, why should there be any surprise, or excuses of "grievances," when Muslims terrorize the "infidels" of the West? Reasons two and three of why ISIS hates and fights the West are essentially the same as reason one: Western secularists and atheists are hated and attacked for disbelieving in and living against Allah. Although reason four cites "crimes against Islam," this is a reference to the "crime" of refusing to submit to Islam's authority and sensibilities, also known as Islam's "How Dare You?!" phenomenon. It is only in reasons five and six that ISIS finally mentions "grievances" against Western foreign policy only to quickly explain (emphasis added): What's important to understand here is that although some might argue that your foreign policies are the extent of what drives our hatred, this particular reason for hating you is secondary, hence the reason we addressed it at the end of the above list. [...] The fact is, even if you were to stop bombing us, imprisoning us, torturing us, vilifying us, and usurping our lands, we would continue to hate you because our primary reason for hating you will not cease to exist until you embrace Islam. Even if you were to pay jizyah and live under the authority of Islam in humiliation, we would continue to hate you. It is this unrelenting hatred that Westerners cannot comprehend a hate that compels Muslim husbands to hate their non-Muslim wives and compels America's great "friends and allies" Saudi Arabia and Qatar to publish government-sanctioned decrees proclaiming their hate for America. And it was always this hate that fueled al-Qaeda's jihad not grievances. All of the Quran verses that call for hate against non-Muslims have been repeatedly cited by al-Qaeda in its Arabic writings to Muslims. (Ayman Zawahiri, al-Qaeda's current leader, wrote a 60-page treatise devoted to delineating how Islam commands Muslims to hate non-Muslims. See "Loyalty and Enmity," The Al Qaeda Reader, p. 63-115.) Osama bin Laden once wrote: As to the relationship between Muslims and infidels, this is summarized by the Most High's Word: "We renounce you. Enmity and hate shall forever reign between us till you believe in Allah alone" [Qur'an 60:4 referenced above in ISIS's recent publication]. So there is an enmity, evidenced by fierce hostility from the heart. And this fierce hostility that is, battle ceases only if the infidel submits to the authority of Islam, or if his blood is forbidden from being shed [i.e., a dhimmi], or if Muslims are at that point in time weak and incapable [in which case, bin Laden later clarifies, they should dissemble (taqiyya) before the infidels by, say, insisting the conflict is about "foreign policy," nothing more]. But if the hate at any time extinguishes from the heart, this is great apostasy! Such, then, is the basis and foundation of the relationship between the infidel and the Muslim. Battle, animosity, and hatred directed from the Muslim to the infidel is the foundation of our religion. (The Al Qaeda Reader, p. 43) Yet, in every communique he issued to the West, bin Laden stressed that al-Qaeda's war was entirely based on Western foreign policies detrimental to Islam; eliminate these, and terrorism would cease. This rhetoric was accepted at face value by many so-called "experts" (such as ex-CIA agent Michael Scheuer, author of Imperial Hubris) and became the default answer to the tired question, "why do they hate us?" As late as 2014, U.S. President Obama invoked the "grievance" meme concerning ISIS. It was one thing for Western leaders to accept and disseminate al-Qaeda's lies concerning "grievances" and another thing for them to continue doing so now, in light of ISIS's recent and open confessions concerning the true nature of the jihad. Any Western leader, analyst, or "expert" who at this late hour continues peddling the "grievance" narrative falls within the ever growing ranks of fools and liars. Raymond Ibrahim, author of The Al Qaeda Reader and Crucified Again, holds fellowships at the David Horowitz Freedom Center and the Middle East Forum. Depending on your perspective, the selection of Kellyanne Conway and Stephen Bannon to take over the leadership of a troubled Trump campaign is either the smartest political move ever or merely rearranging the deck chaise on a campaign ship thats been taking on water. Conway is a seasoned political operative whose Reaganesque leanings are a clear attempt to reach out to a GOP political base Trump will need despite his protestations. And, as she noted in the Washington Post, one does not reach out with name-calling and ad hominem attacks: Conway doesnt like the name-calling. Maybe, she said, its just the mother in me. She also said she wants Trump to avoid criticizing people's looks and mental capacity. Such actions as mocking ones lying and little opponents and their appearance and entertaining the most bizarre of conspiracy theories is what spawned the #nevertrump movement. It was formed by those who thought, yes, Ted Cruz is a natural-born citizen whose father was not involved in the JFK assassination. It was formed by those who didnt believe that Bush 41 lied us into an Iraq war that cost American lives unnecessarily. It was formed by those who didnt believe Bush 43 knew about 9/11 and did nothing/ It was formed by those who thought Carly Fiorinas face would look fine in the Oval office. It was said all the #nevertrump people were doing was giving Democrats ammunition for the general election campaign by daring to cite the public record. Donald Trump was fully capable of doing that himself. As USA Today reported on just one such instance: Hillary Clinton is out with a new TV ad focused on Donald Trumps business record and his use of outsourcing. The ad begins with a clip of Trump being asked by David Letterman where his clothing line was made. I dont know where they were made. They were made someplace, but theyre great, Trump says. He knows where theyre made, text on the screen says. The video then flips back to close-ups of the shirts. And it is announced they were made in Bangladesh. Thats good. We employ people in Bangladesh. They have to work, too, Trump says. He outsourced jobs to 12 countries, the following on-screen text reads. Letterman holds up ties and says they were made in China. Trump shrugs. Some would say Trump said this, along with other things, before he was serious about running for president. Yet before a candidate runs, shouldnt he or she be aware of ones own baggage and be prepared to counter what your opponents inevitably will say? Team Clinton found this gem on its own. It didnt need Team Trump. Fox News anchor Sean Hannity has already begun a full-fledged drum beat of blame against #nevertrump for an increasingly possible Trump defeat: Fox News host Sean Hannity says Republican leaders will be to blame if Donald Trump loses the presidential election. The conservative pundit told listeners of his talk radio show on Wednesday that he was sick and tired of House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and others who condemned Trumps controversial criticism of the parents of a slain Muslim American soldier. 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, Hannity said. 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, nothing -- all these phony votes to repeal and replace Obamacare, show votes so they can go back and keep their power and get reelected, Hannity continued. 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. He added: Im getting a little sick and tired of all of you. I am, honestly, I am tempted to just say I dont support any of you people ever. Sean Hannity, like so many others, continue to shoot the messengers documenting Trumps ineptitude. We are hoping Kellyanne Conway will finally teach Trump how to work and play well with others and that the teleprompter is his friend. We are hoping Hillary Clinton will lose. But we are not the ones snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Donald Trump is. Team Trump will argue that pieces such as this one are contributing to Trumps troubles and would be responsible if he loses. Saying the emperor has no clothes does not make him naked. Donald Trump carries around his own china shop. He is his own self-inflicted wound. If you want me and others to contribute to a Trump victory, stop blaming us already for a Trump defeat. Daniel John Sobieski is a free lance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications. The series of unflattering and damning E-mails released just before the 2016 Democratic National Convention, were hacked from a Democratic National Committee (DNC) server. A few weeks later, a hack of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) was released, containing personal contact information. Both incidents were widely blamed on hacking by Russians, particularly alluding to Russian intelligence. Considering the reasons for such hacking and the proclivities of Democrats, it makes little sense for the Russian government to engage in or sponsor these hacking incidents. So who hacked and why, and why the attempt to blame it on Russians? There are multiple reasons to hack, but they generally fall into two categories. The first is to impede operations, either by hindering the function of information systems or causing loss of trust in their use. The second is to steal information, for which there can be many subsequent uses. In terms of politics and the affairs of nations, blackmail or extortion of the corrupt into committing acts of treason is an ancient ploy. Just as ancient is the use of stolen information to harm the character and effectiveness of a political adversary. The hack of the DCCC falls into the first type: impedance of operations. The disclosed phone numbers and E-mail addresses were the 'secret' methods of contact between Democrats, their surrogates and agents of propaganda. All of the released contact points now receive hundreds of calls and thousands of messages per day from Joe Schmoe. Until new phone numbers, E-mail addresses and Cloud storage can be obtained and disseminated, coordination will be impaired between Democratic campaigns, left-wing advocacy groups, the DCCC and DNC, and their propagandists in the news media. How will CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and others receive updates to the (also hacked) anti-Trump propaganda guide? This was a hack meant to temporarily harm the political efforts of Democrats and their allies. The hack and release of the DNC E-mails falls into the second category: to harm the character of Democrats and reduce their political effectiveness. The E-mails revealed institutional racism, sexism and anti-Semitism within the DNC and shared among many top Democrats. The E-mails resulted in the transfer of DNC Chairman, Rep. Wasserman-Schultz, from the Clinton campaign-DNC to the Clinton campaign proper. Both of these hacks may have been a form of extortion, in which a political adversary (Russia) threatens more harassment or damaging leaks unless elected Democrats yield to their demands. A tale of gallantry, where the vestiges of the "evil empire" see an enemy in the Democratic Party, and, by inference, an ally in Trump. This relies on us forgetting that such high levels of extortion require something that can be highly extorted, plus a strong desire to defend one's character. Democrats must have no desire or character, because this extortion apparently failed to harm them. As in most Democrat-involved scandals, if heads roll, they roll from one body to another. Extortion also requires a reason. To date, the Democrats have been very good to Russia. With Obama's 'wait until November, comrade' moment, lack of action on their Ukrainian acquisition, lack of action in Syria, the Iran nuclear capitulation, Russia's purchase of the Clintons, and others, the Russians should be doing everything they can to keep Democrats in power, which has led some to believe in another possibility. The Democrats could have released these documents themselves. A small amount of damage to make it appear as though a powerful enemy is against them and for Trump. That is a dangerous game. What if wavering supporters reassess their allegiance to the DNC or their disdain for Trump, to realize that it was all based on propaganda and coordinated slander? The people have increasingly tuned out reliable propagandists as dishonest, reducing control over the narrative. What happens when the leaked information picks up steam through alternative media? A minor wound becomes a raging infection; however, if such a wound was received, then spinning the Russian narrative is a plausible means to bandage it. It seems dubious that the Russians had anything to do with leaks about Democrats, and we have well-founded hypotheses for the real perpetrators. An interview with Julian Assange provided hints that Seth Rich was the source of the DNC e-mail leaks: an inside job. Although Wikileaks has refused to verify their source, they have stated that it was not the Russians. The DCCC leaks came from a hacker calling himself Guccifer 2.0, who dedicated and partially credited his hack to Guccifer. Recall that Guccifer, Marcel Lazar, a Romanian, claimed to have hacked the Clinton's private E-mail server. FBI director James Comey claimed that Lazar later admitted it was a lie; however, that was after Guccifer 2.0 hacked the DCCC. Some are uncertain if Guccifer 2.0 is a ruse, but he claims to have left false evidence implicating Russian intelligence. Meanwhile, other anti-Democratic hacks, like ones against George Soros's left-wing groups, were committed by other non-Russian hackers. So why have the Democrats become the targets for multiple hackers and whistleblowers? Guccifer 2.0 tells us: hackers like challenges and notoriety, and have hero complexes. Lazar and others have revealed the methods by which Democrats, and the elite that support them, commit and record their crimes and conspiracies, and the vulnerabilities in those methods. Democrats (and some establishment Republicans) are highly hypocritical and conspire with the elite against the people, which adds a sense of justice to the efforts of hackers. As Guccifer 2.0 puts it, Trump has no skeletons to reveal (he is open and genuine), while the DNC, Clintons and other Democrats have closets bursting at the seams. What hackers have revealed, and will continue to reveal, is a conglomeration of big banks, big businesses, big media and big government, all owned and controlled by the same people. They bend the ears and buy the loyalty of Democrats and establishment Republicans, to rig the system in their favor. For example, after bailing out financial institutions that were "too big to fail", government forced many smaller institutions to liquidate and merge with the big ones, creating ever fewer companies that have become too, too big to fail. The World is primed for yet another economic disaster, in which the elite who created it will once again be insulated from it with blood and sweat seized from the People, by their own government. If Trump is president, the insulation is gone and the elite will suffer the consequences of their short-sightedness and greed. The elite owns the mainstream media and establishment politicians, and so coordinates the anti-Trump propaganda. Even some supposedly right-wing media outlets are owned by the elite. The conspiracy has been exposed. America desperately needs Trump, and the elite will do everything it can to stop him. Independent hackers really have become the underdogs fighting for justice, and the Democrats are the political wing of the villainous syndicate. Little wonder the aristocracy wants us to believe that these heroic hackers are actually Vladimir Putin's cyber-bullies. Yes, these hackers are heroic. The corrupt FBI and Department of (In)Justice that placed Hillary Clinton (and other Democrats) above the law will gleefully throw non-Democratic hackers into jail. Oh, no, wait! This natural disaster is not happening during a President Bush administration and therefore not an incompetence of leadership. While Bush was described as heartless for having Air Force One fly by New Orleans on the way back to Washington, it appears that pictures of Barack Obama wearing Bermuda shorts and a polo shirt and carrying a nine-iron while he yuks it up on the back nine does not rile the press or, seemingly, Barack Obama's constituents. Kanye West famously stated that "George Bush doesn't care about black people." Where's Kanye today? Kanye? Anything? Louisiana has seen devastating flooding, with at least 13 people killed and tens of thousands of people (including black people) displaced. The West has seen ravaging wildfires burn thousands of acres, take a handful of lives, and force 82,000 people from their homes under mandatory evacuations. Milwaukee is aflame with racial hatred, following the shooting of a black criminal with a stolen gun by a black officer. The media, ho-hum. We need to take this fight to the left and to the media (but I repeat myself). Donald Trump gave a great speech earlier in the week. He exposed the heartlessness of the Democratic Party and correlated the black plight with the generational control that Democrats have had in most of America's inner cities. Milwaukee, Ferguson, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Flint, Detroit, Chicago, etc., etc., etc. all Democrat-run. Donald Trump could score big-time if he flew down to Louisiana, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work. Handing out water, manning a food line, using any and all personal resources at his disposal to help "the people" of Louisiana. Donald could host a fundraising event, with 100% of money collected being immediately dispersed to those in need. He could use some of the money to hire veterans to assist with the relief efforts. He could reach out to Franklin Graham and other faith leaders already down there and help to maximize their activities. He could reach out to the governor and the mayors of the affected cities and offer his resources to help grease the wheels of local government. Trump could call George Bush and elicit his help in serving the people of Louisiana. What an image that would be. And if Trump wants to lock up the general election and expose the duplicity of the left, he can have Chris Christie come down and give him a bear-hug as he exits his helicopter. We've all heard the story about the goose and the golden eggs. In the end, they killed the goose, and there were no more eggs, or so the story goes. Let's see what is happening in California: American Apparel is in the process of shedding its Los Angeles facilities -- possibly in preparation for a move, the sources said. One said the company could shift manufacturing out of California before its downtown Los Angeles lease runs out, possibly next year or in 2018. Earlier this year, a Hawthorne facility that dyed fabrics was closed. A Los Angeles factory that handles knits will be closed in October, according to a letter sent to employees. The company will be implementing a reduction in force, the letter said, and plans on terminating the employment of those employees at that location on October 11, 2016. Another in South Gate, which is still operating, has shut down its denim operations. The company has also sold equipment used to make sweaters, shoes and hosiery, the sources said. The operations will apparently move to Tennessee, North Carolina, or South Carolina, or places where the minimum wage is $7.25. As any employer will tell you, this will mean savings once Californias minimum wage climbs to $15 an hour in 2020. Of course, it's more than savings. It's also about jobs, as the workers will soon learn after they get their official notices that the company is moving. In the end, it's about reality, not a politically determined minimum wage. It's also about getting employees to understand that politicians who talk about arbitrarily increasing the minimum wage are trying to win elections rather than protect jobs. On a related note, California is #48 in the Cato Institute Freedom Index. The states that these companies are planning to move to are doing much better. I wonder why so many businesses are leaving California. P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. The Obama administration has finally admitted what everyone in the world has known since it was revealed that a $400-million cash payment was made to Iran on the same day that five Americans being held hostage were released. The money was a ransom payment to get our people back. It fell to the State Department to deliver the humiliating news to the American people, the White House being too cowardly to admit the truth itself. Spokesman John Kirby substituted the word "leverage" for ransom, but after he described the transaction, it was clear that he was giving the dictionary definition of a quid pro quo for the hostages. Kirby tied himself in knots trying to put lipstick on the pig: "Payment of the $400 million was not done until the prisoners were released," Kirby said, according to an unofficial transcript. While he refused to provide a "tick-tock" of the release of the money and the prisoners, "they came together near simultaneously," Kirby said. "We retained maximum leverage until the Americans were released." The admission came after the Wall St. Journal reported that the four Americans were released through a carefully orchestrated deal that included removing sanctions from Iran Air the day before the release of U.S. Pastor Saeed Abedini , Washington PostTehran Bureau Chief Jason Rezaian , former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and a businessman Nosratollah Khosrawi-Roodsari. All four are Iranian-born, dual U.S.-Iranian citizens who were visiting or working in Iran when they were detained. The shipment, on pallets loaded with Euros, Swiss Franks and other currency, was loaded onto an Iranian cargo plane in Geneva, Switzerland, but not allowed to depart for Iran until a Swiss Air Force craft with the Americans on board was allowed to depart from Tehran, the Journal reported. President Obama denied on Aug. 4 that the payment was tied to the detainees release, saying the money was the first installment of the lifting of sanctions called for by the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. It was money the United States owed Iran from a failed arms deal that predated the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran that brought the current government into power, the White House said. We do not pay ransom for hostages, Obama said at the time. Finally, Fox News's James Rosen was able to corner Kirby and posed a question that he couldn't dodge. In basic English you are saying you wouldnt give [Iran] the 400 million in cash until the prisoners were released, correct? asked a reporter at Thursdays State Department briefing. Thats correct, Kirby responded. Republicans on the Hill had a field day, and the coming hearings should be entertaining, given that the administration will no doubt find other creative words to describe the money transfer as anything but "ransom." Thomas Lifson adds: This is low and slow and right over the plate for Donald Trump. Does HIllary support this ransom? Would she commit to never repeat the Obama move to pay Iran for returning hostages? The website Gawker, which spent the last 14 years lowering the bar for sleaze and rumor-mongering online, will close next week if a bankruptcy judge approves the sale of media mogul Nick Denton's nine websites to Univision. The sale became necessary after a $140-million judgment against the publication and Denton for posting a sex tape of WWE legend Hulk Hogan. The Hill: Reports emerged late Tuesday that Univision has agreed to buy Gawker Media for $135 million, pending approval by a bankruptcy judge. Denton, who is also Gawkers founder and managing editor, reportedly plans on leaving the company if its sale to Univision goes through. Denton filed for bankruptcy earlier this month after a prolonged legal battle against former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, whose case was funded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel. Gawker Media also filed for bankruptcy protection in June before putting itself up for sale to pay Hogan $140 million in damages. Hogan, whose legal name is Terry Bollea, sued Denton and Gawker four years ago after they published a portion of a private sex tape featuring him. Thiel, a major conservative donor, revealed in May that he was bankrolling Hogans fight against Gawker Media. Thiel pointed to a post on a Gawker Media blog discussing his sexuality in 2007 as his motivation for funding Hogan's lawsuit. I saw Gawker pioneer a unique and incredibly damaging way of getting attention by bullying people even when there was no connection to the public interest, Thiel told The New York Times. There was no blow low enough that Denton and his band of half-crazed bloggers couldn't deliver. Sample headline: "Lady Gaga's Vagina Almost Fooled Us Into Forgetting About Her Penis." Denton's crudity and bad taste were reflected in Gawker's nauseating style, reminiscent of a cheap porn magazine. No, I didn't like Gawker, and its demise is to be celebrated. The internet will be a little cleaner when they're gone. Much has been made of Donald Trump's belief in wild conspiracy theories. But compared to Green Party vice presidential candidate Ajamu Baraka, Trump is the soul of reason. Baraka ran a human rights organization before accepting the nomination for Green Party veep. And aside from the fact that he thinks the Paris terror attack last year, and other Islamic terror attacks, are "false flag" operations and that he has cozied up to Holocaust deniers and 9/11 truthers, he would make a perfect vice president. Daily Beast: Earlier this year, the former executive director of the U.S. Human Rights Network had his work featured in a book edited by accused Holocaust denier (the Holocaust controversy was a legitimate topic of historical debate) and self-described 9/11 truther Kevin Barrett. The book, Another French False Flag? Bloody Tracks from Paris to San Bernardino,featured the likes of Jewishness-loathing Gilad Atzmon and Ken OKeefe, who once made a YouTube video explaining how Hitler was right. Baraka, though, says that he was not aware of Barretts views prior to having his work appear in the book. When Kevin Barrett, someone who has interviewed me in the past, contacted me to ask if he could include my piece in a compilation on the Paris Attacks, I didnt see any problem with it, Baraka said in a statement to Gawker in which he stridently disavowed Holocaust denial. I didnt inquire as to the other authors and dont know much about some of them or their positions on various issues. I stand by everything I wrote in that article and would be happy to discuss the details. Neither he nor the tickets spokesman responded to requests for further comment from The Daily Beast. The essay in question was first published on CounterPunch, a site that once ran a 12,000-word investigation on Israels role in the 9/11 attacks and bills itself as the Fearless Voice of the American Left. In the essay, Baraka makes an argument that the November terror attacks in Paris were an example of The White Lives Matter Movement played out on an international stage. In fact some stateslike the United Statesproudly claim their exceptionality, meaning impunity from international norms, as a self-evident natural right, Baraka writes. And in that sense, while the victims of the violence in Paris may have been innocent, France was not. French crimes against Arabs, Muslims and Africans are ever-present in the historical memory and discourse of many members of those populations living in France. Those memories, the systemic discrimination experienced by many Muslims and the collaboration of French authorities with the U.S. and others that gave aid and logistical support to extremist elements in Syria and turned their backs while their citizens traveled to Syria to topple President Assad, became the toxic mix that resulted in the blowback on November 13. The double standard with Trump is striking. Many in the media have dismissed Trump's beliefs by saying he has disqualified himself from the presidency. Baraka has disqualified himself from civilized society, much less the V.P. spot. Why haven't this man's nauseating, toxic views been reported? Every time the press mentions Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate for president, it should be bringing this man's views to the fore. And what does it say about Stein's judgment that she would pick someone so obviously unqualified in knowledge and temperament? Baraka makes Trump look like a genius. Reason enough to dismiss him from the ticket. On June 8, 2016, the Washington Post, via Adam Goldman and Missy Ryan, reported the following: The Obama administration believes that at least 12 detainees released from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have launched attacks against U.S. or allied forces in Afghanistan, killing about a half-dozen Americans, according to current and former U.S. officials. In March, a senior Pentagon official made a startling admission to lawmakers when he acknowledged that former Guantanamo inmates were responsible for the deaths of Americans overseas. The official, Paul Lewis, who oversees Guantanamo issues at the Defense Department, provided no details, and the Obama administration has since declined to elaborate publicly on his statement because the intelligence behind it is classified. Obama had no problem with Hillary using a private email server for classified documents, which even the FBI's Director Comey admitted was subject to hacking by foreign governments, but evidently telling us the truth about the number of detainees who went back to the life of jihad and terrorism is now classified. Given these facts, why would Obama release 15 more Gitmo terrorist-detainees during the week of August 15, 2016? If even one of these 15 returns to his life of jihad, that is one too many. On March 24, 2016, Susan Crabtree of the Washington Examiner reported that Obama claims that less than 5% of Gitmo releases since January 2009 have "re-engaged" in terrorism. The Obama administration has sometimes tried to justify its release program by saying George Bush released over 500 detainees and about 118 re-engaged in terrorism. According to Human Rights Fact Sheet, dated August 2016, Obama released 177 of the 242 detainees held at Gitmo on January 2009. Five percent of 177 is 9, yet the Pentagon official Lewis said that at least 12 detainees are responsible for killing 6 Americans. Instead of viewing the Bush release program as evidence that it is a failure and that no detainees should be released, Obama seems to believe that if Bush made a mistake, then it is okay for him to make the same mistake. It is undisputed that some of the terrorists, or detainees (the politically correct term), have in the words of Obama "re-engaged" in their lives of terrorism. It is further undisputed that these re-engaged terrorists have killed Americans, and most likely have killed Muslims who oppose them. From a national security standpoint, to protect Americans, there is no logical reason to release these terrorists who endanger American lives. This indifference to American lives and national security is part of the Obama-Hillary pattern. They ignored the requests for additional security at Benghazi; they did nothing to help the Americans at Benghazi during the attack, but instead lied that it was caused by a film; they downplayed the threat of ISIS by referring to it as the J.V. team; they referred to terrorist attacks as workplace violence; they said terrorism is not an existential threat and, worse, that we can "absorb" the attacks; and they refused to call it radical Muslim terrorism. They did not enforce the border, allowing sanctuary cities, which resulted in illegal aliens killing Americans such as Kate Steinle. And Hillary, with Obama's knowledge, used a private email server that has most likely been hacked by foreign governments. During the 1988 campaign, Lee Atwater used the Dukakis furlough of Willie Horton to great advantage to help Bush win. Al Gore first used the Horton furlough during the primaries against Dukakis. While not exactly the same, Trump should use against Hillary the release of Gitmo terrorists who have killed Americans. Hillary will not repudiate the Obama policy, and it should be used in ads and in the debates. In southwestern Namibia lies a vast area thats been off-limits to visitors for more than a century. It stretches along the Namibian coast for a distance of 320 km starting from the South African border at Oranjemund to around 72 km north of Luderitz. This region is known as Sperrgebiet, which is German for "Prohibited Area". Sperrgebiet was created by the German Empire in the beginning of the 20th century during the German occupation of South-West Africa to allow the Deutsche Diamantengesellschaft, or German Diamond Company, unrestricted access to the vast diamond deposits in the area. After the Germans lost control of the territory to South Africa during World War 1, mining rights were taken over by DeBeers, who had control of the area until the 1990s, when the Namibian government purchased a fifty percent stake. A warning sign at Sperrgebiet. Photo credit: jbdodane/Flickr In 2008, Sperrgebiet was converted into a national park covering some 26,000 square kilometers of the Namib desert. It is still largely undeveloped and much of it continues to remain inaccessible to visitors. Only a small section of this wild landscape containing a couple of abandoned mining towns can be visited by tour groups, provided they have special permits from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), and are accompanied by a nationally certified tour guide. Neither De Beers nor MET want tourists backpacking and driving their 4X4s all over the region, for now, partly because Sperrgebiet is a pristine, ecologically fragile desert, and partly because there is still a lot of diamond in the area. The Sperrgebiet is one of the world's richest diamond beds. The gems were brought to the earth surface by volcanoes that erupted nearly 3 billion years ago. As the volcanoes eroded, the diamonds were broken down and washed hundreds of miles down the Vaal and Orange Rivers, and spread up the coast by powerful tides. De Beers is still picking diamonds from the coast and from the sea more than a million carat every year. At the moment, security is tight and anybody caught with an illegally removed stone faces up to 15 years in prison. On the way out, visitors and workers are meticulously searched by guards and scanned by X-Ray machines. To prevent anyone from slipping diamonds into gas tanks or truck frames, no piece of equipment that enters the mine ever leaves. Every digging machine and truck used since the 1920s sit inside Sperrgebiet rusting. Map of Namibia showing the location of Sperrgebiet National Park. Although the entire area is forbidden, in reality only about 5% of the Sperrgebiet is actually mined, while the rest acts as a kind of buffer territory and remain largely untouched. Exclusion of humans have helped preserve the natural biodiversity of the region which is now a hot-spot for exotic flora and fauna. The Sperrgebiet has more biodiversity than anywhere else in Namibia, supporting animals such as the gemsbok, springbok, and brown hyena, and bird species such as the African oystercatcher, the black-headed canary, and the dune lark. Some 600,000 Cape fur seals live here, representing 50 percent of the world's seal population. The most fascinating locations inside the Sperrgebiet are its abandoned mining towns such as Pomona, Bogenfels, Kolmanskop, Elizabeth Bay, Hottentots Bay and Baker's Bay. Among these Kolmanskop (previously featured) is most popular because of its picturesque setting and sand devoured houses which provides countless opportunities for photographers. Another popular spot is the deserted village Pomona, which also lays claim to having the highest average wind speeds in Southern Africa. Then, there is 'Fairytale Valley', a place where diamonds were said to be so common that one could pick them by shovels. The national park is expected to become more accessible as De Beers relinquish control of the region to the Namibian Ministry for Environment and Tourism once a management plan for the park has been completed. Photo credit: jbdodane/Flickr Photo credit: Damien du Toit/Flickr Photo credit: CX15/Flickr Photo credit: jbdodane/Flickr Photo credit: Joachim Huber/Flickr Photo credit: Christiaan Triebert/Flickr Photo credit: jbdodane/Flickr Photo credit: Marko Samastur/Flickr Photo credit: VoY_TeC/Flickr Sources: Wikipedia / www.namibian.org / Peace Parks Foundation / NY Times Scattered across the vast Limestone Massif, in the northwest of Syria, between the Orontes and Afrin Rivers to the west and the Aleppo/Hama highway to the east, are more than 700 abandoned settlements of Roman and Byzantium era dating back to the 5th and 8th centuries. These so called Dead Cities a name given by some early European explorers exist in a remarkable state of preservation. Largely intact are buildings and houses, hundreds of pagan temples, churches and Christian sanctuaries, funerary monuments, bathhouses, and more. These villages or towns were once major agricultural producers of wheat, olives, olive oil, grapes and wine. Then the climate changed. Drought and increased temperature caused the land to become unproductive. At the same time, conquest by the Arabs changed trade routes and these villages lost the majority of the business. Eventually, the villages were abandoned and the settlers headed for other cities that were flourishing under the Arabs. Photo credit: Shane Horan/Flickr One of the largest and most impressive of the dead cities is Al-Bara. It is spread over 6 square kilometer and located 90 km southwest of Aleppo. Al-Bara was unaffected by the Muslim conquest in the 7th century, but fell to Crusaders in the 11th century who held the town until it was conquered by the Mamluks in the 12th century. An earthquake in 1157 left the town uninhabitable. The ruins of Al-Bara include two large pyramidal-roofed, a number of churches, a two-story monastery, a Crusader-era fort Qalaat Abu Safian, as well as a wine press building and an olive press. Close to Al-Bara is another dead city, Serjilla, famous for its beautiful remains of Roman baths, which shows how prosperous the region had been. In another abandoned city, Kharab Shams, is a wonderful basilica, one of the oldest best-preserved Christian structures in the Levant, dating to the fourth century. Yet another well-preserved church from the second half of the fifth century is located in the village of Mushabbak. The villages are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The relict cultural landscape of the villages also constitutes an important illustration of the transition from the ancient pagan world of the Roman Empire to Byzantine Christianity. Vestiges illustrating hydraulic techniques, protective walls and Roman agricultural plot plans furthermore offer testimony to the inhabitants' mastery of agricultural production, says the description on UNESCOs website. Photo credit: John Brew/Flickr Photo credit: Callme_SOO/Flickr Photo credit: Pietro Ferreira/Flickr Photo credit: Toto/Flickr Photo credit: Chris Hutchins/Flickr Photo credit: Jim Gordon/Wikimedia Source: Wikipedia / NPR / archnet.org Google today announced that it is to open a new startup office in San Francisco with over 14,000 square feet available. The new office is at 301 Howard Street and is expected to open in mid-September. It should provide Google with the space to train, educate and collaborate with local and international developers and startups. This office will host the third class Google Launchpad Accelerator program, which was launched at the end of last year. Google established the Launchpad Accelerator scheme to support entrepreneur developers from emerging (smartphone) countries including India, Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico, which Google believes could be the three next billion dollar markets. Successful applicants enjoy a two week, all expenses paid, induction course at Google Mountain View before heading home to work on their new startup businesses. From this point, participants have access to Googles considerable resource including software engineers and mentors. At the end of the course, Google brings the applicants back to Mountain View to meet the next batch of Launchpad Accelerator startups and to encourage a networking process. In the detail, Google writes that the new office will hold Codelabs, Design Sprints and Tech Talks as well as Google Developer Group community meets. Google is setting up the new office because it has seen a large rise in the number of new developers starting their own businesses. Google considers the application development market to be both very important for its operating systems (both Android and Chrome OS) but also highly changeable. By providing input during the startup phase of a development business, Google is able to provide technical training and backup and ensure a large and healthy third party application market. Googles blog makes it clear that the new San Francisco office gives the company more space for the Launchpad Accelerator project and to bridge a gap between Silicon Valley and emerging (smartphone) markets. There are almost 50 Launchpad Accelerator alumni throughout India, Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico, tackling what the company calls critical local problems. At the end of the blog, Google writes that they cant wait to get started. Its exciting to see Google supporting and building on a project that was started only nine months ago. The new office will provide a meeting point for developers all over the world: if the Launchpad Accelerator continues to grow, its possible that Google will open other offices around the world. The Street View mode in Google Maps as well as the standalone Street View app are great platforms for you to virtually visit places that you would like to visit but dont have the time for. However, despite its advantages, Street View has yet to be perfected into a completely user-friendly platform and needs quite a few fixes and performance improvements, so it will be able to offer the experience of a seamless and high quality video view of the routes that you want to take. To Googles credit, it must be said that the company did introduce a number of new features this year like adding thousands of new tourist places such as national parks in Street View, introducing the Swipe-To-Move feature and letting you view historic places from across the world. However, the latest update to Street View which was announced a couple of days ago can be termed as the most significant update to the platform so far. With the new update, Google has introduced more animation frames, thus letting you view streets transitions in a smooth motion, rather than viewing them like a slide show of multiple pictures of a road pieced together. If you want to view the scene around a particular spot in 360 degrees, the new update lets images load in low resolution, which gets rid of stuttering effects and also offers a smoother animation. The new render also builds a 360-degree model of all locations to give you precise images rather than curved edges of buildings or incorrect angles of objects which the old render offered. While these are major improvements that will change the way people look at Street View, the most promising change is the way the update has customized Street View for mobile phone users. Thanks to WebGL, Street View will display places and objects in better frame rate and rendering, thus offering images as close to reality as possible. Street View now supports pinch-to-zoom and double-tap-to-go features which are already available in the Google Maps app in Android and iOS devices. Apart from improvements in rendering and introduction of more animation frames, the new update has also introduced motion tracking on mobile devices which will let you look around the streets and parks by moving your phone towards the direction where you want to head. You will also be able to view cleaner street names and labels as well as the next camera location which will be highlighted by a small X symbol on your device screen. Hot on the heels of the Honor 8 launching here in the US, theres been a lot of talk about whether the device will see Android 7.0 Nougat or anything past that. Seeing as most smartphones coming out of China typically dont get any updates, or very few, after they are announced. Thats something that many companies have needed to work on, especially if they want to make it in the western markets like the US. Honor did note that the Honor 8 would be seeing Android 7.0 Nougat, but didnt give us an ETA on when. Additionally, they did say that security updates would be coming to the Honor 8. Now, Honors product manager, Taylor Wimberly, has gone onto his Google+ page to explain how updates are going to work with the Honor 8 and other Honor smartphones. From this year we are making a commitment to provide customers with access to new features (at least once every three months during the first 12 months) for up to 24 months following the product launch. He goes on to note that these include new features, as well as security and software updates. After the 24 months are up, they will continue to push out updates to fix security threats, to keep their users safe. Now where Wimberly states that the Honor 8 and other Honor devices will see updates at least once every three months through the first year, that seems like after that, the OTAs will begin to slow down a bit. Which is expected, but at least the device will still be supported, which is always a good thing. Honor has had a pretty incredible year here in the US, after having an incredible couple of years since launching in 2014. The company had sold 20 million smartphones in 2014, 40 million in 2015 and it looks like they will definitely surpass that in 2016. With both the Honor 5X and Honor 8 poised to do very well here in the United States. Honor is technically part of Huawei, but they are two distinct companies and brands now. So when Honor says theyve sold 20 million smartphones, that does not include what Huawei has sold. The Honor 8, which is their latest smartphone, launched this week and is available right now on Amazon for just $399 for the 32GB and $449 for the 64GB model. Smartwatches have been around for quite some time now, and despite that, theyre still not exactly mainstream products. Regular people react funny when they see a smartwatch in the wild, and it seems like only tech enthusiasts are willing to splash out cash for a smartwatch. That might not be the general rule, but its more or less whats happening. In any case, tons of companies have released smartwatches in the last couple of years, and we can expect to see quite a few new watches released before the end of this year. Samsung will introduce the Gear S3 during IFA, Motorola is also expected to release the Moto 360 (3rd-gen) soon, and same can be said for the Huawei Watch (2nd-gen). Xiaomis competitor, Meizu, had released a smartwatch yesterday, the Meizu Mix. Truth be said, that watch is still not available for purchase as its being crowdfunded and what not, but it will be available next month it seems. In any case, the Meizu Mix is an interesting take on a smartwatch, it doesnt sport a display up front, and it looks like a regular watch, despite the fact it has a ton of smartwatch functions. Now, Xiaomi is also expected to introduce a smartwatch in the coming weeks, the companys execs have been teasing its arrival for a while, and weve seen quite a few reports lately claiming that the watch will arrive soon. That might happen sooner than we thought, though, if a new report is to be believed, Xiaomis smartwatch might launch by the end of this month, and Xiaomi is hosting an event on August 25th. This date might seem familiar considering the Redmi 4 and Redmi Note 4 are expected to arrive then, and it seems like Meizus new wearable might join them. This information comes from the Chinese Mobile Phone League Secretary General, who shared the info on Weibo (Chinese social network). He also added that this smartwatch might not be as cheap as we think, now, this doesnt mean that it will be extremely expensive or anything like that, but were used to seeing affordable products from Xiaomi, so this is perhaps just a warning that it wont be that cheap. In any case, well have to wait and see what happens on August 25th considering its hard to expect that Xiaomi will host two press events by the end of this month. When it comes to Android Auto, there are more and more after-market head units available each and every month, that users can pick up and install into their current vehicle and experience Android Auto. Pioneer and JVC Kenwood were the first to come out with head units that support Android Auto, now weve seen the likes of JBL and now Sony, come out with their own. Sony announced their own head unit today, which is the XAV-AX100, and itll be priced at $499 when it goes on sale in late November across North America. Whats the most interesting part about this head unit, is the pricing. Typically, Sonys products are quite a bit more expensive than competitors. But with this head unit, Sony has actually made their offering the second cheapest offering available, behind the JBL Legend CP-100, which was announced at CES 2016 for $399. Sonys XAV-AX100 is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so whether you have an iPhone or an Android device running Android 5.0 or later, youll be able to take advantage of what the XAV-AX100 has to offer. With the Sony XAV-AX100, the company is touting the optimal sound that the head unit can deliver. It features 55-watt Dynamic Reality Amp 2, as well as EXTRA BASS that will overcome engine noise and reproduce clear sound at any volume level with deep and punchy bass. Sony also notes that the Dynamic Stage Organizer works with the XAV-AX100 features to overcome the inherent acoustic disadvantage that speakers mounted in the front of the car offer. Typically these speakers will sound muddy and unclear, but the DSO adjusts the signal to make them much more clear. Providing the driver and passengers with a high quality sound experience. Advertisement Sonys offering here makes it the second cheapest head unit to pick up for your car that is compatible with Android Auto. With the JBL Legend CP-100 coming in at $399 and the Sony XAV-AX100 coming in at $499. While those from Pioneer and JVC Kenwood are all closer to a grand each. Update: An earlier version of this post noted that Sony was unveiling an Android Auto 2 head unit. That was incorrect. The 2 was denoting a footnote in the press release. This post has been updated to reflect that. Additionally, Sony wanted to note that Android Auto is compatible with Android phones running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later. Android Auto may not be available on all devices and is not available in all countries or regions. Android, Android Auto, Google Play and other marks are trademarks of Google Inc. Chromebooks are becoming increasingly popular in education, and with sales picking up around the world, a recent report suggested that the overall market for such devices is expected to reach a whopping 17 million units by 2023. Although Chromebooks will still have a long way to go before they can catch up with the shipment numbers of Windows-powered computers, the devices have already created quite a niche for themselves in the education sector over the past few years. While companies like Samsung and Acer were pretty quick to jump on the Chromebook bandwagon several years ago with products like the Series 5 and the AC700, respectively, many other manufacturers have since started to launch computers powered by Googles web-based operating system. Taiwans ASUS is one of the global tech companies that releases PCs powered both by Microsofts Windows and Googles Chrome, and its brand new Chromebook C301SA is the latest addition to its growing Chromebook lineup. The device has now been listed officially on the companys global website, giving us a detailed look at its features and hardware specs. It was put up for pre-order on sites like B&H Photo Video last month with an ETA of mid-September. The range starts from $299 and includes the first-ever Chromebook from a mainstream vendor with 64GB of built-in eMMC storage. While 64GB may not be much for standard Windows laptops (many of which come with up to 1TB of storage), it is still significantly more than the 16GB or 32GB inbuilt storage that can be found on most Chromebooks in the market today. Not to mention that these are SSD drives, offering faster performance. As for other hardware specs, the device will ship with three different processor options, from Celeron N3060 and N3160 chips on the base versions to a Pentium N3710 on the premium model(s). Display options will range from a standard 1366 x 768 panel to a 1080p screen, but both will be 13.3-inches in size. The rest of the tech specs will be identical, including support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0. The devices will also come with 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 HDMI port and 1 multi-format card-reader each. The Chromebook will weigh just 1.35 KGs including the battery, and ASUS is promising 15 hours of screen-on time. As mentioned already, the Asus C301 Chromebook line starts at $299 for the base version, but the company is yet to give out pricing details regarding all the models. While US Cellular might not be a name that many associate with the top tier of mobile networks across the United States, they certainly dont need anyone to feel sorry for them. A smaller carrier that offers more regional networks across the US, US Cellular might be in fifth place, but theyre clearly no small fry, as Samsung has just signed a new deal with the Chicago-based carrier. The new deal will see Samsung stores-within-stores being opened across the country in US Cellular stores. With some 5 Million subscribers across the 23 States that they operate, US Cellular isnt the national carrier that say, T-Mobile or Verizon is, but this new deal will no doubt give Samsungs brand presence a sizeable boost. This week, US Cellular announced plans to dedicated some store space in their retail outlets to Samsung, and Samsung only. This would include prominent Samsung branding as well as demo stations where users can spend time with the latest Galaxy devices, as well as a wide range of first-party accessories from Samsung. By the end of October, 57 US Cellular stores will have a smaller Samsung store inside of them. The first of these will be in Madison, Wisconsin with 100-square feet being turned over to Samsung, promoting their new devices. After this, 56 more stores will be joining the Madison branch, and by the end of the year, Samsung will have a larger-than-ever presence in US Cellular stores across the country. The timing of such a deal will be lucrative for Samsung, as the Galaxy Note 7 has literally just gone on sale today, and with the upcoming Gear S3 launching soon, these retail areas will help users get to know samsungs products in a way they havent done before. For US Cellular however, it could help their network flex its muscles in the 23 States it operates. Showing that youre a network that carries the latest devices is important and while they run the risk of creating a Samsung network in terms of the devices they sell to customers, US Cellular probably wont mind too much, especially if it gives them some sort of upper-hand against bigger rivals AT&T and Verizon in their backyard. The Valley, Anguilla The Department of Disaster Management held an earthquake table top exercise on Thursday 18th August 2016 at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in order to test plans relating to response and relief in an earthquake scenario. The principal focus of the exercise was the arrangements needed to provide disaster relief to the public of Anguilla in the event of a catastrophic earthquake which damaged several critical government and private agencies as well as significantly affected the road network. The NEOC was activated for the exercise and all participants were engaged in the simulation in order to encourage familiarisation with the impacts of a significant earthquake event and their corresponding roles. The RFA Wave Knight which is currently visiting Anguilla was invited to the exercise and officers played the role of observers for the simulation. Chief Officer Alderson of the RFA Wave Knight gave a presentation on the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities of the vessel which can provide rapid short term assistance in the event of a disaster event in critical areas such as potable water generation and distribution, temporary shelter and emergency communications. Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Director of Disaster Management who facilitated the exercise stated, This exercise represents the latest effort of the Department to continue fostering inter-agency cooperation in response to disaster events which may affect Anguilla. A major earthquake can have devastating impacts to Anguilla and its infrastructure and we have to put steps in place now, before the event, to competently deal with this threat to lives and property. There were some agencies that were not represented in the NEOC and it is important that NEOC staff attend these simulations going forward in order to ensure that maximum benefit is derived from these exercises as well as ensure that they are adequately prepared to respond when necessary. -END- Sitting offshore Anguilla, The British RFA Wave Knight. According to Naval-Technology.com, The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service is the specialist front-line support force for the Royal Navy which replenishes warships at sea with fuel, stores, weapons equipment and munitions. The fast fleet tankers are able to operate in support of amphibious forces, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare operations and protection of vital sea areas and shipping. It has served in Hurricane Relief in the region as well as law enforcement on the seas. A helicopter from the vessel was this week seen over the island eyeing for Cannabis plants among other possible purposes. It was also reported over the BVI recently, in that instance reportedly assisting in other search efforts. Jew stabbed: media turns Islamic terror into a mental health issue In Strasbourg an Hassidic Jews has been stabbed. News is that the attacker has mental health issues, much like the knifer in Russell Square, London, did. Does failing mental health lead to stabbing people in the street? Of course not. But the media reports suggest it does. Dangerous stuff: The Express: Rabbi knifed by man shouting Allahu Akbar in French religious attack A JEWISH rabbi has been stabbed by an attacker shouting Allahu Akbar in the city of Strasbourg, sparking fears France has fallen victim to another Islamist-inspired terror attack. Not to be confused with a Hindu rabbi. The attacker, who is understood to have been arrested, shouted the Islamic phrase meaning God is great during the attack, according to reports in French media. The 62-year-old victim, who is described as belonging to the orthodox Hasidic sect, was injured in the attack in the Jewish Quarter, 500 metres from the Great Synagogue of Strasbourg. Was the attacker an Islamic Islamist? Named locally as Chalom Levy, he took refuge in a nearby bar before being taken to hospital. The Telegraph: Jewish man in Strasbourg injured by knife attacker who shouted Allahu Akhbar Jewish man wearing a skullcap was stabbed on the street in the eastern French city of Strasbourg by an attacker who reportedly cried Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest) as he carried out his assault. A skullcap. Hes a Hassidic Jews. He was wearing more than a yamukah to identity his ethnicity. The 62-year-old named Chalom Levy, regarded as a local hero by his community after pulling a woman out of a blazing car some years ago, had just stepped out of his home in the Jewish district to do some shopping for the Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest on Saturday. The Indy: He has been taken to hospital to be treated for a stab wound to his abdomen, which missed any vital organs. After visiting his friend, Mr Samama said: Hes in shock, when I spoke to him he was crying. He told me he thinks its a miracle, he told me I think God saved me today. A man with a knife ran up to him and shouted Allahu Akbar and then stabbed him in the stomach, a local rabbi and friend of the victim, Mendel Samama, told the Telegraph. He tried to stab him again he clearly wanted to kill him but Chalom somehow managed to get away, he said. And then the inevitable excuse: The suspect, said to be mentally ill, is believed to be known to police in relation to another attack on a Jewish victim in 2010. Mental illness forces you to stab Jews in the street? The Daily Mail: A rabbi has been stabbed in Strasbourg, allegedly by a Muslim.The attacker, who has been arrested, shouted Allahu Akbar God is great as he stabbed The attacker is believed to have a history of mental health issues. A source to the investigation told French station BFMTV that terrorism has been ruled out, however they are unsure of the mans motive. Officers have ruled out a terror motive for the attack and believe the suspect has suffered serious mental health issues. When did poor mental health become an excuse for attempted murder? Anorak Posted: 19th, August 2016 | In: Reviews Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink (ANSA) - Rimini, August 19 - Italy must show solidarity for migrants but make sure they respect the law, President Sergio Mattarella said at the annual meeting of the influential Catholic lay organisation Communion and Liberation Friday. "We must not allow ourselves to be defeated by fear," Mattarella said. The Italian president added that "we will defeat terrorism with our civilisation". He said the "utmost severity must be shown" for people traffickers. Italy must also patch up social wounds to show more solidarity, he said. "Our country is marked by age-old fissures," he said. "To these have been added new divisions, produced by the natural change in conditions, not always managed in a balanced way, and those provoked by the long economic crisis of the past years. "We must work hard to patch up the wounds and make Italy more robust, more supportive, more competitive, and more important for European construction. "Saying that a country that was "not united becomes weaker," Mattarella also observed that "selfishness does not generate a civic renewal". He warned against a growing tendency to close oneself away on the Internet, only "connecting with those who think the same way, in restricted and closed circuits". ROME - The controversial decision by some French towns to ban the full-length Islamic swimming attire known as a burkini has gained the support of some Italian right-wing politicians, while Florence's imam posted a photo online of Roman Catholic nuns wearing their habits on an Italian beach. Italy doesn't have a burkini ban, which Interior Minister Angelino Alfano on Thursday called a "practical matter" because wearing a burkini doesn't violate any laws. Alessandro Pagano, an MP with the small splinter New Centre Right (NCD) party, on Friday tweeted: "Germany says no to the burqa, France bans the burkini. Renzi instead sells off our identity. Let's say no to the Islamisation of Italy". Forza Italia MP Daniela Santanche wrote in a statement: "In Germany they go from words to facts: an agreement between regional interior ministers to put a ban on the burqa and other Islamic veils in some sectors of public life. What do Renzi and Alfano do? Nothing. Welcome to Italy, province of Islam". "Incredible how some politicians defend the burkini as "freedom of choice". So would we also tolerate polygamy as free choice? #craziness," tweeted Forza Italia MP Laura Ravetto. Meanwhile, Izzedin Elzir, the president of the Union of Islamic Communities and imam of Florence, posted on his Facebook page a photo of nuns in full habits on the beach, without any caption. "The burkini is the demonstration of a 'disculture' in the West, where they think that Muslims don't follow fashion," Elzir said. "I'm sorry that some city administrators and politicians in France, instead of responding to the political and economic needs of their citizens, are concerned about how Muslim women dress". BEIRUT - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has decided to evacuate its personnel from hospitals it supports in northern Yemen, following a series of airstrikes conducted by the Saudi-led coalition (SLC) which it said have hit four of its structures in less than a year. The hospitals it is leaving are in Saada and Hajjah provinces, both controlled by Shia Houthi rebels allied with Iran. MSF said the August 15 airstrike on Abs Hospital killed 19 people and left 24 injured. "Over the last 8 months, MSF has met with high ranking SLC officials on two occasions in Riyadh to secure humanitarian and medical assistance for Yemenis, as well as to seek assurances that attacks on hospitals would end," MSF said. "Aerial bombings have however continued, despite the fact that MSF has systematically shared the GPS coordinates of hospitals in which we work with the parties involved in the conflict". Regarding the August 15 attack, MSF said it "is neither satisfied nor reassured by the Saudi-led coalition's statement that this attack was a mistake". Moscow says ceasefire violated seven times in last 24 hours After Russia agreed to UN-proposed ceasefire in Syria (ANSAmed) - MOSCOW, AUGUST 19 - A ceasefire in Syria has been breached seven times over the past 24 hours, said Russia's defence minister, after having agreed to a UN-proposed 48-hour ceasefire on Thursday. Russia said the Jaysh al-Islam group shot mortars on six civilian areas in the province of Damascus and the Ahrar al-Sham group "attacked units of the Syrian armed forces near Abu Ali Mountain in the province of Latakia". UN Special Envoy to Syria Steffan de Mistura announced on Thursday that the UN would suspend its humanitarian task force activities due to continued fighting preventing delivery of aid to civilians and requested a ceasefire of at least 48 hours, particularly in Aleppo. Russia agreed to stop fighting for 48 hours each week in Aleppo to allow humanitarian aid to reach the beseiged city. (ANSAmed). Tunisian terror suspect deported from Turin 45 now expelled this year (ANSAmed) - MILAN, AUGUST 19 - Carabinieri on Friday deported from Turin a Tunisian terror suspect, Bilel Chiahoui. Investigators said the man had "shown ideological support for jihadist extremism and the Islamic State and was linked to two Tunisian foreign fighters who died in the Iraqi-Syrian theatre of war". Italy has now detained 45 terror suspects this year. It has stepped up security in the wake of terror attacks in France, Belgium and other countries. (ANSAmed). Two Syrian children among five bodies found in Mediterranean Died after their boat overturned (ANSAmed) - ROME, AUGUST 19 - Two Syrian children - a baby eight months old and a child five years old - were among five migrants whose bodies were recovered on Thursday in the Mediterranean after the small wooden boat they were traveling in overturned about 22 miles off the Libyan coast, said the Italian Red Cross on Friday. According to accounts from the 21 survivors, traveling aboard the boat was a group of eight Syrian families totaling 27 people, six of whom were lost at sea after the boat overturned. The bodies of two women, a man, and the baby were found by the crew of the Phoenix, a rescue ship of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) and Italian Red Cross, which was headed for another rescue at the time. The body of the five-year-old was found later by a fishing boat and was brought to MOAS-Red Cross staff. A search for the sixth body went on for most of Thursday but was unsuccessful. The 21 survivors and the five bodies were transferred to the MOAS ship Responder, which is headed for Trapani where it is expected to arrive at 10 a.m. Saturday morning with 304 people aboard. The Phoenix is expected to arrive in Catania at 11 a.m. on Saturday with 234 people aboard.(ANSAmed). MOSCOW - Russia has denied responsibility for the August 17 airstrike on the al-Qaterji district of Aleppo, in Syria, which has gained worldwide attention after an online video of a 5-year-old boy being rescued from the rubble went viral. "We have repeatedly stressed that Russian military aircraft engaged in operations in Syria never attack targets in areas inhabited by civilians," said Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Gen. Igor Konashenkov. "This especially concerns the al-Qaterji district of Aleppo mentioned in the Western mass media," he said, adding that it is "directly adjacent to the two recently opened Russian humanitarian operation corridors for the safe exit of local residents". Syrian opposition activists said the airstrike killed eight people, including five children. The airstrike's aftermath was shown in a video that went viral online, in which a 5-year-old named Omran is shown being pulled from the rubble by rescue workers, covered in dust and blood, then placed in a chair in an ambulance where he appears without crying in an apparent state of shock. Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk. Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen. If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned. I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country. It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously. Vote View Results In recent years, African-Americans have taken to the streets across US cities following the fatal shootings or other brutality against black people by police officers. Marches organized by the Black Lives Matter movement were quite noticeable during the recent 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 25-28. It may be hard for people to understand the reaction or overreaction of African-Americans if they haven't studied the history of slavery and racial discrimination in the United States. Likewise, it is impossible to correctly interpret the action, reaction and overreaction of Chinese if people haven't studied that part of its history it calls the "century of humiliation". Although the situation today is entirely different from the 17th and early 18th century or even the 1960s, it cannot mask the fact that African-Americans still face discrimination, as evidenced by the low income and poor education in their communities and the much higher incarceration rate than the nation's average. To many African-Americans, the struggle for equality and against racial discrimination is far from over. That explains why they tend to overreact if certain words and deeds remind them of the bitter history of slavery. The National Museum of African American History and Culture, set to open on Sept 24 in the National Mall in Washington, will help people better understand that mentality. For many Chinese, the "century of humiliation" started with the First Opium War (1840-1842) and lasted until 1949 when the People's Republic of China was founded. After defeating China in the First Opium War, the British forced the Treaty of Nanking on China. Under the treaty, China ceded the island of Hong Kong to Britain and opened treaty ports. A subsequent treaty granted British extraterritoriality, meaning British were immune from the punishment of Chinese laws. Such unequal treaties were later imposed on China by other Western powers. The Second Opium War (1856-1860) allowed the British to force more opium trade on China and opened more treaty ports. The looting and burning in 1860 of the Old Summer Palace, known to Chinese as Yuanming Yuan, by British and French troops left indelible marks on the Chinese collective memory. Likewise, the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). China, which was defeated, was forced to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki in which China ceded Taiwan and part of the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan. China was also forced to pay a huge war indemnity that was several times Japan's GDP at the time. While China was among the victors of World War I, the German concessions on Shandong peninsula were transferred to Japan as a result of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, instead of returning to China. This Monday, Aug 15, marked the 71st anniversary of the Japanese surrender in WWII. The Japanese invasion of China caused the deaths and injuries of some 35 million Chinese, including the 300,000 unarmed Chinese soldiers and civilians in the Nanjing Massacre. That was why when Chairman Mao Zedong declared in 1949 that the Chinese people have stood up it resonated so strongly with Chinese who remembered the bullying by Western powers. Unlike the US, whose history in the last 150 years has been seizing land and expanding territory, for China, it has been a bitter memory of that "century of humiliation". That explains why Chinese took to the streets to protest against the US following the EP-3 spy plane collision in 2001 and the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999, and that is also why Chinese took to the streets when the Japanese government in 2012 nationalized the Diaoyu Islands, territory belongs to China. The author is deputy editor of China Daily USA. chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com The incident happened shortly after take-off earlier today and it diverted over the Marmara Sea shortly before returning to land at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Images from eye-witnesses on social media showed flames from the left engine as it was on final approach. The passengers disembarked as normal and the pilots followed all Qatar Airways safety procedures. An Airbus A330 was operating the flight with 298 passengers and 14 crew on board. The investigation is underway, a Qatar Airways spokesperson said. Eye Witness image of the engine fire / Flight Safety Foundation YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. The Islamic State has asserted responsibility for an attack on Russian traffic police that occurred near Moscow, Washington Post reported. According to reports in the Russian media, the attack occurred Wednesday after two men were stopped at a traffic police station on Schyolkovskoye highway to the northeast of Moscow. Tass news agency reports that the two then attacked officers with guns and axes. Both the attackers were shot, Tass reports. One died instantly, while the other later succumbed to his injuries. Two officers involved in the incident were injured, one seriously. Police were investigating various motives for the attack, including a personal disagreement or an attempt to steal weapons. However, the Amaq news agency, which is linked to the Islamic State, released a statement Thursday claiming that the two men were "fighters from the Islamic State." The report cited a "source" as having provided the information. Amaq often serves as a channel for the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, to claim responsibility for attacks it directed or inspired. The Wednesday incident appears to have been the first attack claimed in Russia by the Islamic State, though local affiliates have asserted responsibility for some attacks in Dagestan, a Russian republic in the North Caucasus region. Amaq also released a video that it said was recorded by the attackers. The video shows two young men speaking in broken, heavily accented Russian and pledging allegiance to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The two men say they are carrying out an operation in retaliation for the killings of their "brothers" in Syria and Iraq. Russian authorities have not named the attackers, but an unnamed sourcetold the Interfax news agency that the two men were natives of Chechnya, a mostly Muslim Russian republic that was the site of two brutal wars in the years after the Soviet Union collapsed. The two men had left Chechnya on Monday, the source told Interfax, telling relatives that they were looking for work. They were not previously known to authorities. Russia is a major military backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country's civil war, and it has often attacked the Islamic State and other rebel groups there with airstrikes. At the start of August, Reuters reported that the Islamic State had released a video calling on its supporters in Russia to carry out attacks. "Listen Putin, we will come to Russia and will kill you at your homes," a masked man said in the video, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. The $1 million award for the first Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity will fund projects in Rwanda, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Brazil. The proceeds will support initiatives that are combating child poverty, advancing aid and rehabilitation for child refugees and orphans. As Aurora Prize Laureate, Marguerite Barankitse founder of Maison Shalom and the REMA Hospital in Burundi received a $100,000 grant, and was offered the chance at even greater impact by being asked to nominate humanitarian organizations which would receive the Prizes $1 million award. Ms. Barankitse chose her longtime partners: Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse; Fondation Jean-Francois Peterbroeck; and Fondation Bridderlech Deelen. Today, those three organizations announced the projects they have chosen as recipients of the funds. The beauty of the Aurora Prize is the unique ability to share this wonderful gift with causes so close to my heart, said Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse. Through the Aurora Prize we can show children around the world the power of love and kindness over hate and violence. The Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse will use the award to support their project providing for 200 Eritrean refugees arriving in Ethiopia from Egypt. The project protects young people from trafficking and incarceration, provides vocational training and is building a training center that can accommodate at least 200 refugees per year. The Aurora Prize will support the Fondation Jean-Francois Peterbroeck to empower girls and young women whove been affected by abuse, abandonment, displacement or other hardship through programs aimed at reintegration, education and economic community rehabilitation. The Fondation Bridderlech Deelen plans to use the funds to offer educational opportunities to young people living in one of the poorest areas of Rio de Janeiro. This will include a citizen education program for 100 children and 67 parents to give them the skills to protect themselves against the lure of drug traffickers and trafficking. In conjunction with a Catholic Diocese in Rwanda, they will also dedicate funds to improve and upgrade school infrastructure, including renovating and rebuilding classrooms, latrines and rainwater pipes. The three organizations will also continue to support the remarkable work of Barankitses organization, Maison Shalom, which provides social and economic assistance to Burundian refugees in Rwanda by extending funds for education and vocational training and restores dignity to orphans, street children, formerly incarcerated children or children of poverty-stricken parents. Since its creation in 1993 when Barankitse took charge of 25 orphans, Maison Shalom has aided over 30,000 orphans and children in need. Were gratified to see the inaugural Aurora Prize drive real and substantial change to help those who need it most in communities all around the world, said Ruben Vardanyan, co-founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. As part of the Aurora Initiative, the Aurora Prize is meant to reach across the globe to back exceptional efforts such as Marguerite Barankitse's. Marguerite and the organizations she has selected will use the Prize to continue the cycle of giving and thus ignite positive change for generations to come. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Chief of Police Major-General Vardan Eghiazaryan received on August 18 the delegation led by OSCE Head of Yerevan Office Ambassador Argo Avakov. The Press and Public Relations Department of the Police told ARMENPRESS the meeting focused on the implementation process of the joint projects between the OSCE Office and the Police of Armenia of 2016, the documented positive results, and new proposals were presented directed at expanding further cooperation. Deputy Chief Eghiazaryan also briefed the July events of Yerevan. Ambassador Argo Avakov noted that he followed the events around the police station and praised the professionalism of the Armenian Police, underscoring that in general the actions of the police were conducted within the law. The Ambassador also extended condolences to the families of the killed police officers. Highlighting the high level interaction, Argo Avakov expressed confidence that the OSCE Yerevan Office will continue assisting the police, and the cooperation will strengthen even more and will develop. Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting. GYUMRI, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. Public defender Eduard Aghajanyan, attorney of Valery Permyakov delivered the defense statement on August 19 during the trial. The attorney did not object two of the prosecutors charges (murder of two or more persons under especially violent circumstances, accompanied by extortion, banditry, and criminal assault with the use of firearms), noting that his defendant hasnt denied committing the crime, however the attorney delivered a pretty long speech regarding the prosecutors charge on attempted illegal crossing of the border. The attorney presented several evidences, which suggest the criminal case hasnt proved this action. The attorney noted as mediating circumstance Permyakovs young age, not having prior charges, as well as the fact that even though he has no mental illness, Permyakov is an infantile person. On January 12, 2015, Russian soldier Valery Permyakov murdered 7 members of the Avetisyan family in Gyumri. The youngest victim was a 6 months old baby. Permyakov was apprehended while trying to cross the Armenian-Turkish border. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. Russias President Vladimir Putin supported the suggestion from Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to appoint former Minister of Education and Sciences Dmitry Livanov the presidents envoy on trade and economic relations with Ukraine, reports TASS. "Good, this is what we shall do," Putin said in response to the suggestion from the Prime minister during a working meeting at the Belbek airport on Friday. The Russian President agreed with the Prime Minister to appoint Olga Vasilyeva a new minister of education and sciences. Prior to the appointment she worked as deputy head of the Presidential administrations department of public projects. While speaking about Livanov, the Prime Minister said "his experience, of course, will be very valuable, as he has done a lot new and useful in the system of the education (and sciences) ministry." Putin agreed with Medvedev, saying "of course, his experience should be used also in other spheres and sectors." YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. The Court of Appeal has examined the motions of changing the decision of arrest of several gunmen who seized the Police station in Yerevan on July 17, reports Armenpress. The Court rejected the two motions proposed by the public defender on releasing Smbat Barseghyan on bail and canceling the decision of arrest. In an interview with journalists, Barseghyans attorney Ruzanna Sirekanyan said Barseghyan didnt want to attend the session and she doesnt know the reason. She also said she is going to appeal the Courts decision. The appeal proceedings on changing Artur Sargsyans preventive measure, who brought food to the gunmen, has been postponed. His lawyer Tigran Yegoryan said technical issues are the reason for it. Artur Sargsyan didnt attend the session. The session on Sargsyans case will be held on August 23. The Court has also rejected the motion of changing gunman Tatul Tamrazyans arrest. His attorney Monika Margaryan said the body conducting the proceedings finds that Tatul Tamrazyan will impede the investigation. The Court of Appeal rejected the motion of changing gunman Pavel Manukyans arrest. His lawyer Harutyun Baghdasaryan said he has not received a text for explanation yet, but he supposes that the explanation is the same which is being done in all such cases, such as he can avoid, hide and do another act. The Court also examined the appeal of cancelling gunman Hovhannes Vardanyans arrest. His attorney Anush Mkhitaryan said the Appeals decision on H. Vardanyans case will be published in the upcoming Monday. YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. The Russian Black Sea Fleets small missile ships Zelyony Dol and Serpukhov made three launches of Kalibr cruise missiles on August 19 morning against the objectives of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group in Syria, Russias Defense Ministry said, reports TASS. "The strikes destroyed the terrorists command post and base in the area of the community of Dar-Taaza, and also a factory for the production of mortar munition and a large arms depot in the province of Aleppo. According to objective control data, the planned targets were destroyed by the strikes," the Russian Defense Ministry said. "The missiles fly-over corridor was planned over the deserted terrain to ensure security for civilians," the Russian Defense Ministry said. The museum, by way of explanation, says: Once the exhibition installation was complete, and the text was seen in context, it became clear that it did not reflect the voice of the museum, nor did it reflect the experience of the work. The ROM also pointed out that the original quote was provided as part of the exhibition text, which had been featured in several other museums before arriving here. In John Tiffanys absorbing production of The Glass Menagerie (seen in New York in 2013, now playing at the Edinburgh International Festival), isolation is a defining note. The Wingfield familys St Louis apartment is lapped by inky water, so that the rooms appear like islands. Theyre marooned. The Wingfields are feely so much feely but rarely touchy. Cherry Jones mother cajoles and commands; Kate OFlynns sister halts and hides away. Neither gets huggy with Michael Espers Tom, their respective son and brother. Tom, also the plays narrator, shares a firstname with Tennessee Williams, and is usually read as an autobiographical extension of the playwright. If the writer is gay, what of the character? Only when Seth Numrichs buoyant gentleman caller arrives, unaware that he has been set up as a suitor for sister, does the production belatedly allow physical contact. He and Tom slap each othr on the back, rest hands on each others shoulders. Its a dudes horseplay, but each touch registers the homoerotic desire that the play overtly avoids. Its a subtle note in the production, but a vital one. All the characters but Tom are placed in a romantic frame, discussing relationships past, present and potential. But what of Tom? Desire ripples through his speeches on the hot music spilling out of the dancehall, on the restless call of the sea to which he eventually succumbs. And its there, surely, in Williams own biography, a catalogue of brave relationships and brazen hook-ups. Without strain, Tiffanys production restores Williams homosexuality to his breakthrough hit, makes sense of a loquacious character who doesnt quite explain himself. Twenty years ago, queering the canon was all the rage. In Shakespeare, the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus in Troilus and Cressida would seem unabashedly erotic, while the characters of Antonio (in Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice) would be shown in complicated thrall to fickle younger men. Filmed by Derek Jarman, staged by Gerard Murphy, Edward II challenged Dr Faustus to be considered Marlowes most pertinent tragedy. Queer subtexts were unearthed beneath the heterosexual mechanism of The Importance of Being Earnest, and the relationship between Leo and Otto in Cowards Design for Living seemed erotically charged. Theatre has always been a queer medium. Even early modern moralists recognised the perverse potential in the assuming of roles, playing at gender, releasing a desirous frisson into an audience. Yet the canons plots remain apparently heteronormative: rewarding with marriage, punishing with death and disgrace. Finding alternative pathways through these plays was a political project from the late 1980s onwards. It asserted that gays were always there, reclaimed some of Eng Lits most revered writers for a new canon. Were here, were queer, and were not stepping out of the spotlight. Supernatural perversity Post reforms to marriage and military in the west, is there a concerted political project now? The new queering of classics seems more concerned with reframing the texts to point up something that was always there. The lost-in-the-woods, supernatural perversity of A Midsummers Nights Dream is pure wild and whirling so it always seems peculiar that its perversity clings to straight couplings. Making lovelorn Helena into gay Helenus, as director Emma Rice does at Shakespeares Globe, unlocks the plays unpredictable tangles of emotion. It seems like the year of Terence Rattigan, but this gay writer mostly wrote straight (in an anguished sort of a way). You might argue that only a semi-outsiders eye could delineate so sharply the chasms of marriage and misplaced affection. But Paul Millers delightful revival of his early farce, French Without Tears, is piqued by men being largely bewildered by women, and clinging together for homosocial warmth. Just as Tiffany does with Tennessee Williams, these productions present (male, still) homosexuality as the new normal: more remarkable in its absence than presence. An implicitly gay Tom Wingfield doesnt shake up the play, or shove it into a new shape: he just helps us recognise it. I sometimes miss, Ill admit, the old anger and defiance, but maybe gay normcore is welcome? Follow David on Twitter: @mrdavidjays California to Pass the 'Medical Pedophiles Protection Act' to Criminalize Journalists Documenting Medical Abuse of Children, Seniors & Patients The Medical Pedophiles Protection Act criminalizes journalism, free speech and the exposing of medical predators who target children Note to medical pedophiles: Move to California ASAP! Government can secretly record YOU, but you can't secretly record CRIMES against children As yet more proof that you're living in a totalitarian police state regime run by mentally insane criminals named Jerry Brown and Nancy Pelosi, California is about to pass a law that would explicitly criminalize undercover investigative videos of all "health care providers."This means any journalist who recordswould be thrown in jail, right alongside the parents who are now being criminalized by the vaccine mandate SB 277.(Oh yeah, SB 277 was just the beginning of Gov. Brown's totalitarian violation of fundamental human rights.)"The bill would criminalize publishing undercover video footage of 'health care providers' and subject third parties, including journalists, to penalties for reporting and distributing the illegally recorded footage," reports AllGov.com "Under AB 1671, a journalist receiving and posting footage from an anonymous source could be punished by the state as well as be opened up to potential civil lawsuits. Whistleblowers would not be exempt from the proposal either, regardless of how they obtained the illegal footage."can now count on the corrupt state government of California to protect their "privacy" from investigative journalists who film them to expose their abusive assaults.Abortion chop shop organ harvesting factories -- also known as "Planned Parenthood" -- would also be safe from the scrutiny that comes from the investigative journalism that recently caught their principals on tape, admitting to harvesting intact human heads (and other body parts) from partially born, living, breathing babies who are then killed on sight so that their valuable organs can be collected and sold off for "medical science."Yes, California is about to become North Korea, and assembly bill AB-1671 codifies it into law. Click here to read the proposal law yourself, so that you can better understand how a police state silences freedom of the press and crushes journalistic liberty in order towho are routinely abused or murdered by rogue health care providers.Even more shockingly, the proposed California law describesinvolving health care abuses.The law actually states:"A person aids and abets the commission of an offense when he or she, with knowledge of the unlawful purpose of the perpetrator and with the intent or purpose of committing, facilitating, or encouraging the commission of the offense, by act or advice, aids, promotes, encourages, or instigates the commission of the offense..."The law further states that criminal prosecutions apply to anyone who "intentionally discloses or distributes, in any manner, in any forum, including, but not limited to, Internet Web sites and social media, or for any purpose, the contents of a confidential communication with a health care provider that is obtained by that person..."In other words, if someone films a lunatic doctor -- such as Dr. Richard Pan, as an example -- medically assaulting an innocent child, any person they "leak" the video to will be arrested and thrown in prison if they post the video online.I call it thebecause it would give abusive doctors, surgeons, dentists and nursing home staffers carte blanche protection against being exposed by real journalism.The criminal government of California hates real journalism, you see. The free press must be criminalized, just as it has recently been criminalized in China, where all independent blogs and news websites have now been shut down by decree.In China, North Korea, Venezuela and now California,, and those who defy the official narratives of the criminal politicians must be intimidated, terrorized and imprisoned.In places like China and North Korea, coincidentally, this also involvesto be sold off to black market buyers. California is different.There, the organ harvesting takes place at Planned Parenthood and is called "scientific research."Not only would this proposed law AB-1671 make it illegal for journalists to record and distribute videos exposing medical doctors sexually assaulting young children; it also encourages medical pedophiles from across America to move to California and set up practices there, where they can, knowing that anyone who catches them on film sexually assaulting a child will be thrown in prison themselves.How's that for justice?It's the newof modern medicine, and it's all made possible by Gov. Jerry Brown, the same despicable Governor who alreadywith SB 277.Now he wants doctors with pricks and dicks to be able to violate children with impunity, all while throwing the journalists in jail for trying to protect those children from systematic medical child abuse.Perhaps the Governor should change his name to Ben Dover and add his name to state highways signs: "Welcome to California! BEN DOVER."What a wonderful new liberal society Gov. Brown and his radical leftist minions have created for Californians.The truth is criminalized. The science is fabricated. Parental rights are obliterated. And journalists are terrorized into silence.As Jon Rappoport explains on his site If you feel youve just entered the Twilight Zone, gone down the rabbit hole, you have.How about this? Some enterprising citizen-reporter in California secretly records a conversation with a doctor, in which the doctor admits that he vaccinates all children-patients, but would never vaccinate his own kids.The video link is sent to a journalist in Los Angeles, who then posts it on his website. Suddenly, that LA journalist is hauled into court and the video is taken down.What about this? Somebody makes a secret recording of a conversation between a well-known oncologist and his colleague about the massive dangers of chemotherapy including remarks about several of the doctors cancer patients who actually died from chemo.A freelance reporter, who obtains the video, posts it on his site. The video is taken down, the reporter is arrested, prosecuted and sued.And couldnt a California-based pharmaceutical company claim status as a health provider?Supposed an employee secretly recorded a conversation between two executives, during which they admitted the company buried studies of a new drug because too many volunteers died during testing.The employee sends the recording to a reporter at the LA Times. The reporter shows it to his editor. Is that in itself a crime?Yes.Just so you know the real score in this totalitarian era of criminal government, remember that theand record your keystrokes, web searches, phone calls, emails and even covert videos of you in your own home.All these secret recordings, mostly obtained without warrants of any kind, can be legally used to incriminate you for engaging in "illegal activity" such as consuming CBD oil , for example, which the DEA still considers to be a Schedule I Controlled Substance Yet when a citizen such as yourself conducts an undercover investigation into the crimes, abuses and violations of health care providers, suddenly you're the criminal yet again.YOU get arrested, charged and thrown in prison while the real criminals who are sexually abusing children and anesthetized surgical patients get away scot-free.See how it works? Government protects the medical criminals, pedophiles and abusers precisely because those kind of people represent the very foundation of the corrupt medical system in the first place.Welcome to the real California, where the Medical Pedophiles Protection Act is about to be signed into law, thereby "protecting" the numerous crimes of health care violators who routinely harvest organs from innocent children (who are first murdered, of course).This is the new "progressive society" the liberals promised you... are you enjoying it yet? Do you realize that socialism and communism always eventually leads to genocide and mass murder?(If not, read some history to learn what happens when societies devolve into totalitarian government regimes...)Vote for Hillary and you'll get even more of this. Keep electing democrats to office and you'll sooner or later find yourself living (or dying) in North Korea. Oh yeah, and it's all to "protect you" because the government knows best.So hand over your children, your parental rights, your human rights and your dignity.Father J. Brown wants to protect pedophiles, rapists and abusers who practice "health care" in the state of California, and there's absolutely nothing you can do to stop them unless you're willing to go to prison.No wonder every sane person is now leaving California for good. The economic collapse of the state, by the way, will inevitably follow the collapse of human rights and free speech rights that we're currently witnessing.California is lost. It's now on a collision course with extreme left-wing despotism and police state tyranny. by Nina Achmatova Ilmi Umerov, vice chairman of the Mejlis, accused of separatism for his statements against the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula to Russia. Daughter denounces the conditions in which her father is hospitalized in Simferopol: forbidden visits and medicines. The man suffers from diabetes and Parkinson's. Moscow (AsiaNews) - While the Crimea - annexed by Moscow in 2014- is once again a front of tension between Ukraine and Russia, the Black Sea peninsula Muslim minority Tatar community is under growing pressure from the Kremlin. Ilmi Umerov, deputy chairman of the Mejlis - a representative body of the Crimean Tatars, banned by the local Prosecutor's Office on charges of "extremist activity" - was taken to the clinic in Simferopol, August 11, for a "psychiatric evaluation" after being accused of separatism in May. The activist, 59, had openly sided against the annexation of the Crimea by Russia, which culminated in a referendum two years ago that was never recognized by the international community. The authorities had allowed Umerov to stay home during the investigation, until the judges ruled he be hospitalized for 28 days for an evaluation. Umerov's daughter Ayshe, has taken to Facebook to denounce the conditions in which the father is hospitalized, in hospital number 9 in the capital of Crimea. "My father is not allowed to receive visitors, to our knowledge he is alone on a ward, and we can not get anything to him" said the woman. "The most disgusting thing she continues - is the situation regarding his medication: they will not allow him to have them. Everything is kept in the infirmary, as they say that only doctors can decide which medicines he can take". Umerov has Parkinson's disease and grade III diabetes, so he must follow medication carefully. "We are concerned about his health," writes Ayshe, recalling that recently her father risked a heart attack. The Russian NGOs for the defense of the human rights organization Memorial has called the Umerov case "illegal and politically motivated". This month Russia accused Ukraine of having tried twice, on August 7 and 8 , to send "saboteurs" to the Crimea: the alleged attackers were repelled, at the cost of the lives of two Russian security services agents (FSB). Kiev has denied the accusations and in turn accuses Moscow of provocations. Shortly after the deputy head of the Crimean government, Ruslan Baalbek, warned that Ukraine is organizing new acts of sabotage to destabilize the situation; he added that the Tatar community is being exploited to this end, presenting it as a counter-movement to the unification with Russia. According to Baalbek, however, this minority is "fully integrated" in Russian society. From the outset the Tatars have been strongly opposed to the Crimea's independence from Kiev and annexation to the Russian Federation. Forcibly deported under Stalin, this community which only returned to the peninsula in the 1990's, has been coming under increasing pressure of local authorities in the past two years. His center organized prayers and healings. Last February the manager was arrested , but the pastor had fled Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "The pastor Martin Sebastian's death is shrouded in mystery", Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) confides to AsiaNews. The pastor was found dead on August 17. The rumors say that he was very sick with diabetes, but the authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of his death. Pastor Martin was responsible for the Ashirwad Prayer Centre in Bhuigaon (Vasai, Maharashtra) where they held meetings and prayers of intercession and healing. Last February, the center was sued for violation of the law on black magic. Police opened an investigation against the center following the complaint by the anti-superstition Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti organization (MANS). The police arrested the manager of the prayer center, but the pastor fled. Sebastian Martin, nicknamed "Baba healer (Father healer)" by the media, was very famous for some videos circulated in social media where he cured some patients. Sajan K. George, speaking to AsiaNews, did not describe the pastor's death as "persecution", but says that it "is shrouded in suspicion. The center did not practice any black magic, but was only engaged in prayer and healing, and people went to the center of their own free will". The government fears live streaming and wants full control over providers. However, the huge number of users and the huge amount of content make the task hard to accomplish. Beijing (AsiaNews) In the latest move by the authorities to clamp down on what it sees as "inappropriate" content online, the Cyberspace Administration of China wants (CAC) announced that it wants to monitor live streaming content full-time. From the technical point of view it is not clear how this can be done since something live cannot by definition be control, unless it is recorded and is no longer live. Live streaming is particularly popular among Chinese youth. There are an estimated 80 platforms in use around the country, with some gaining notoriety for hosting live broadcasts of stunts that have gone viral. One of the biggest of these platforms, Bilili, claims to have 50 million users. The People's Daily reported that the CAC asked sites to "strengthen security evaluation of new products like live broadcast". This should include 24-hour monitoring of online content. The systematic online censorship is a priority for the central government. Through user identification and continuous monitoring of the most popular sites, Beijing hopes to tame the internet and prevent undesirable news and analyses. However, the huge number of users makes the goal very complicated and expensive. In order to boost online control, the General Office of the Central Leading Group on Cyberspace Affairs (CLGCA) and the Communist Youth League earlier this year announced plans to recruit nationwide 10.5 million Youth Volunteers for Internet Civilization, wrote Willy Wo-Lap Lam, a major China expert. As part of this effort, Each major university was assigned quotas of several thousand such volunteers whose job is to ensure that politically incorrect and Westernized materials are banished from the Internet and the social media. Doctors Without Borders recalls staff of six facilities, situated in the territories controlled by the Houthi rebels. MSF: difficult decision, but it has "lost confidence" in the ability of the Arab coalition to avoid civilian casualties. Since the beginning of the Saudis raids, four structures of the NGO have been hit. Sana'a (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The International NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have announced the evacuation of six so far active structures in northern Yemen; the decision is the result of the August 15 attack on a hospital in Abs, Hajjah province, in a portion of the territory under the control of the Houthi rebels. In the air raid launched by the Saudi led Arab coalition 19 people died, 24 others were injured. That of the past few days is the fourth - and deadliest - attack on an MSF facility in Yemen since the war began. Hence the decision of the NGO leaders to recall staff from areas most at risk. In a statement the MSF leaders point out that the decision to withdraw "is never taken lightly." However, "given the intensity of the offensive in place and our loss of confidence in the ability of the SLC [acronym for the Arab coalition led by Riyadh] to avoid the recurrence of similar incidents, MSF considers its hospitals unsafe in the governorates of Saada and Hajjah. The fears are related both to "staff security" and the "health of patients." The six hospitals, concludes the statement of the international NGO, will continue to operate under the guidance of local medical staff and volunteers. Since January 2015, Yemen has been the scene of a bloody civil war pitting the countrys Sunni leadership, backed by Saudi Arabia, against Shia Houthi rebels, close to Iran. In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against the rebels in an attempt to free the capital For Saudi Arabia, the Houthis, who are allied to forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, are militarily supported by Iran, a charge the latter angrily rejects. Groups linked to al Qaeda and jihadist militias linked to the Islamic State group are active in the country, which adds to the spiral of violence and terror. Since the beginning of the month the Saudi led coalition - often "accused errors" in the military operations, which eventually also involve civilians - have stepped up air raids on rebel-held areas, following the suspension [failure] of peace talks. The bombings of recent days have attracted the condemnation of the international community; in response, the Saudis have announced the opening of an investigation. In the hours after the attack, MSF announced that the hospital coordinates - which housed patients in recovery after surgery, pregnant women and children in pediatrics - had long been known and shared with all parties involved in the conflict. The Obama administration and the opposition are at odds over payment to Tehran. For the State Department, the payment was leverage to ensure prisoners released, not ransom. The money was part of a military contract with the shah before the Islamic Revolution. Republicans and the US right attack the White House. Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) The US State Department has said that a US$ 400 million payment to Iran was used as "leverage" in the release of five US prisoners. Spokesman John Kirby explained that the payment was negotiated separately from the release, but that it was withheld until the Americans had left Iran. He insisted that this was not ransom. Five Americans held in Iran were released in mid-January in exchange for seven detained Iranians. According to the Wall Street Journal, the US airlifted US$ 400m (in euros and Swiss francs) worth of cash to Iran on the same day. The timing of both events has caused an outcry from Republicans, who accused the Obama administration of funding the historic enemy. Presidential candidate Donald Trump did not spare his criticism against to the current occupant of the White House, saying that the president had lied about the hostages and the ransom payment, and against his rival Hillary Clinton who was secretary of state in Obama's first term. The intricate story of prisoners exchange dates back to mid-January, when a final agreement was being worked out on the Iranian nuclear issue to partially lift international sanctions against Tehran. On 16 January, Iran and the major powers (US, Russia, China, France, UK and Germany) accepted the Vienna Agreement of 14 July 2015. On the same day Washington and Tehran announced an "unusual" prisoners exchange. The Islamic Republic released four Americans and an Iranian-American, including Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, whilst the United States showed clemency and released seven Iranians held in US prisons. The next day, 17 January, US President Barack Obama administration announced that it had agreed to pay Iran US$ 1.7 billion to settle a case related to the sale of military equipment to the shah of Iran prior to the Iranian revolution and the breaking of diplomatic relations the following year. The claim, following a decision by The Hague Tribunal, included a two-part payment: the return of US$ 400 million of Iranian money and roughly .3 billion interest. Following the controversy generated by the Wall Street Journal article, the Obama administration admitted that it paid the US$ 400 million on 17 January, although the president made clear that it was not "ransom." However, the manner in which the money was delivered raised eyebrows. As US State Department spokesman John Kirby said, the government used it as "leverage" to ensure the release of US prisoners held in Iran. In fact, the plane carrying the money left from Geneva (Switzerland) only after the Americans left Iranian soil. Mr Kirby added the US had "concerns" that Iran may recant on its pledge to return the prisoners, which is why it waited to release the payment. "It would have been foolish, imprudent and irresponsible for us not to try and maintain maximum leverage," he said. For the presidents opponents, this is the very definition of ransom payment. One Third Of Employers Admit Rejecting Interview Candidate After Looking At Facebook Trending News: Think Your Facebook Can't Cost You A Job? Think Again Why Is This Important? Because those hilarious drunk pics on Facebook might cost you your dream job. Long Story Short A poll from a job postings website in the United Kingdom has revealed that a third of employers have rejected job applicants after checking their social media profiles. Long Story Its fair to say that very few of us would want to be judged by our Facebook profiles. However closely you keep an eye on what goes on your profile, there will always be the odd picture that depicts one of your less glorious hours or a comment made as a joke that taken out of context might not sound so great. So, it may come as something of a jolt to learn that a significant number of potential employers routinely check out job applicants Facebook profiles and reject them on the basis of what they see. A survey from UK-based jobs site Monster.co.uk found that a third of employers were willing to admit to having rejected a job applicant because of something they found on a social media profile. And more than 50% of HR professionals quizzed said that they would scan Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and would factor in what they found when making decision on hiring. Candidates should think about what they use each channel for - whether personal or professional - to build a profile for themselves. Many focus on the potential negatives of social media when it comes to job applications. While its important to manage your profile and think about privacy settings, social media can also be a really powerful tool to build a personal brand and make a candidate really attractive to an employer, said Andy Sumner from Monster. The study shows that spending hours crafting the best possible resume and cover letter may all be in vain if a simple Google search of your name brings up a treasure trove of social media dirt on you. Scary as the thought of potential employers looking at your social media profiles is, maybe its time job seekers turn it to their advantage and fill their profiles with propaganda - pictures of them working hard at a desk, likes: being productive, etc. And the next time someone tags you in a picture after a big night out, probably best to run it past a recruitment agency. Own The Conversation Ask The Big Question Should employers check social media profiles for job applicants? Disrupt Your Feed Id be more suspicious of employing someone who doesnt have one embarrassing pic on Facebook. Drop This Fact Another study from Monster found that job seekers have an average of just 6 minutes and 25 seconds during their first meeting to impress an interviewer. Last month the backroom operations of the Federal Circuit Court were brought under control of the Federal Court and according to a report published by The Australian today, there is talk of a full Federal Court-Family Court merger. Chief justice Diana Bryant may be the courts last chief justice when she steps down in October next year, according to one theory that the government might abolish the family court completely. Various merger suggestions over the years have been met with criticism by the legal profession, but speaking at a conference last month, Bryant said bringing the courts together may be worth another look. Murmurs of a merger follow the apparent success of merged backroom functions. Its early days, but now you have two courts (the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court) exercising pretty much concurrent jurisdiction with separate budgets competing for resources, Bryant told The Australian. I wonder whether in the long term thats sustainable. If other people are wondering the same thing, then obviously a model where you have one superior court instead of two might be an attractive model. Having now set up two courts (the Family Court in 1976 and the FCC in 2000), which are competing for resources, with the same cohort of litigants, it may well be problematic. She did say that she doesnt believe the Family Circuit Court should take over all the trial work from the Family Court, saying that some trial work should be done by a superior, specialist trial court. That doesnt stop that work being a division of the Federal Court, she said, spruiking the England and Wales system, where family law cases are heard by a specialist Family Division of the High Court of Justice. The second quarter of 2016 saw the value of deals in the global power and utilities sector increase 105 per cent compared to the same period of 2015 while the volume of deals was up 33 per cent.A report by EY shows that there were 128 deals with total value of U$43.5 billion in April, May and June with a strong focus on renewables and regulated assets.Asia Pacific deals totalled U$9.4 billion, driven by thermal generation and renewables deals especially in China, India and Southeast Asia. The reform of Chinas energy market is boosting cross-border M&A in the sector.The trend toward investment in disruptive technologies is also gathering pace. Both utilities and non-traditional investors are shifting their focus to areas like distributed energy and battery storage. And, as consumer demand increases, more M&A will follow, commented Matt Rennie, EYs global power & utilities transactions leader.The Americas made up well over half of the deal value ($24.7 billion) with Europe contributing $8.2 billion.DLA Piper has ended its 3-year-old alliance with Indonesias Ivan Almaida Baely & Firmansyah. The news follows the international firms break with alliance firms in South Africa and Venezuela.International law firms are not permitted to open offices or operate in the country currently but DLA Piper will still work with clients operating there through its relationships with a number of local law firms. Its understood that Ivan Almaida Baely & Firmansyah will be one of those firms despite the end of a formal alliance.Lawyers in the UK could face heavy penalties if the tax authoritys latest proposal goes ahead.HM Revenue & Customs has begun a consultation on plans to penalise those who design, market or facilitate tax avoidance schemes which are defeated when challenged by tax officials.It could mean that tax lawyers would be hit with hefty fines for advising clients on schemes which are later defeated. Proposals for those penalties range from the entirety of the fees paid to advisers up to a fine equal to the amount of tax that was avoided.There will be various tests to determine whether advisers went further then explaining tax legislation. An example is also given whereby a designer of a tax avoidance scheme consults a law firm on company law: The law firm will not become a promoter as long as it provides no tax advice (other than benign advice) in the course of carrying out its responsibilities, the HMRC document states. A lawyer who figured in a courthouse scuffle earlier this year is suing Californias Orange County for USD30m.In the suit filed Monday, defence lawyer James Crawford claims that investigator Dillon Alley punched him repeatedly, breaking a bone in his face and leaving him with cuts and bruises, according to The Orange County Register.A report by the same publication earlier this year includes photos of a bruised and bloodied Crawford after the incident happened on the 9th of March in a courthouse hallway.The incident happened as Crawford was fresh off beating prosecutors in a case over misuse of jailhouse informants.The countys Sheriffs Department as well as state prosecutors conducted an investigation into to fight, but could not decide who was at fault because both side had witnesses supporting their stories.In his lawsuit, Crawford said he and Alley were arguing about access to a witness in a criminal case when things got physical.After Alley called him a sleaze, Crawford shot back with an expletive. Alley then reportedly slammed Crawfords face into a wooden bench and repeatedly punched him in the face.The Orange County Register noted that tensions between local prosecutors and defence attorneys have flared in the past two years as attorneys have been getting more decisions from judges in favour of their cases. Hey Everyone, My partner and I are hoping to get me on my partner's 457 Visa. We're having doubts it's going to go over as smoothly as we thought though because our situation is a little different than most. We have now been living together for 8 months but we have also only been dating for 6 months. We had been hoping to apply for the visa as soon as the 6 months hit but now we're thinking that won't be enough. We met because I moved into his share house, and for the first 2 months were only friends. We started going out and at the same time we had started living together ( in the same room) still in our share house. We have all the evidence stating that we have been going out for the 6 months such as camping trips, internet bills, movies, letters addressed to us at the house, joint bank accounts, pictures, statement from friends and more. We obviously want to be 100% honest with our application but I'm worried an immigration officer will read our living situation and the rest of the evidence won't matter. Also, there is quite a big age difference between the two of us so I'm not sure if this will go against us as well. I rang immigration hoping they could shine some light on the situation but all I got from them was that we had to meet the 6 months and we had to have the evidence to prove it. I asked if our situation would jeopardize the application all together and she said she wouldn't be able to tell me. It would only be up to the immigration officer reviewing our file. Hoping someone out there will have some advice! Thanks in advance! This is where aftermarket developers step in, with tuners being more than glad to grab a slice of the rear-engine pie. And the Rennsport Neunelfer we want to show you today has serious chances of being the best-sounding 991 GT3 RS we've brought you so far.As the uploaded of the Youtube video explains, the supercar has been gifted with a straight exhaust that comes from Innotech Performance Exhaust. The Silver GT3 RS PDK comes from Europe, with the beast having been caught on camera during a track day - the event was held on the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands.Truth be told, the Zuffenhausen machine needed such a mod to stand out during the circuit adventure. Sure, we're talking about an overly special car, but this wasn't even the only GT3 RS PDK attending the event. And when we're dealing with the kind of track day that also includes hypercars such as the Porsche 918 Spyder, it's not difficult to understand why this GT3 RS needed all the help it could get in its quest for glory.Since we mentioned the Porsche 911's soundtrack, we'll remind you this might just as well be labeled as the topic of the day. To be more precise, we've brought you two other samples of flat-six awesomeness earlier today and we're talking about upcoming models.We kicked off the Neunelfer aural hostilities with the 2018 911 GT2 , while the 2017 991.2 GT3 followed with its naturally aspirated voice. Returning to the clip below, the three minutes of the video will keep you on your toes. Photo by Mike Antich. The 2016 Global Fleet Conference was held at The Hotel in Brussels, Belgium June 6-8. The two-day event presented material designed for attendees to implement into their fleets. Over 300 people attended the conference, which was in its fourth year. The event has sold out every year. The agenda was organized around six themes: the Economy; Taxation and Regulation; Climate Change; Technology; Global Fleet Management Outlook; and Global Fleet, Regional Focus. At the conference, fleet experts gave presentations that were specific to the themes. This included an overview on the economic outlook on global fleet management; viewing the Paris climate change agreement as a means of integrating alternative powertrains into fleets; and preparing for the introduction of autonomous vehicles by 2020. Over 25 speakers presented at the conference. This included Joao Andrade, managing director of Localiza Fleet Solutions; Norman, Din VP of strategic sales for Wheels Inc; and Martin Jahn, managing director for Volkswagen Group Fleet International. Networking opportunities were also a prominent feature at the conference. The event was produced by Nexus Communication, publisher of Fleet Europe, and Bobit Business Media, publisher of Automotive Fleet. The conference returns to the Marriott Miami Biscayne Bay in Miami, Fla., (site of the 2015 conference) on June 6-8 2017. To learn more, please visit www.globalfleet.com. Two single-pilot aircraft accidents in Europe this week ended up with crash landings in treetops, leaving one pilot injured and the other in a tree all night waiting to be rescued. A 59-year-old ultralight pilot crashed Monday evening while over woods near Degenfeld in southern Germany, The Associated Press reported. Rescue crews found the pilot and the wreckage shortly after the crash, but could not get him down before dark for fear of toppling him and his ultralight, both stuck nearly 100 feet off the ground. The man had to spend about 12 hours overnight in his precarious spot until crews could safely rescue him Tuesday, the AP reported. Also Monday in northern England, a 67-year-old pilot of a single-seat aircraft crashed into treetops near the Manchester/Barton airport, known as Barton Aerodrome, the U.K.s Sky News reported. Firefighters were able to respond immediately and extract the pilot from the wreckage, which could be seen in blurry news photos lodged amid thick branches and foliage. The pilot suffered a broken leg and head injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Hes lucky he landed in the trees, it could have been a very different story had it been a residential area,a firefighter told Sky News. How many of us are interested in fun flying? We occasionally use our airplanes for transportation, but for the most part, dont we fly for fun? Have you attended a grass-roots fly-in and done some fun flying? If not, you should. Heres why. Get any group of pilots together and the topic invariably turns to the high cost of flying. Unless you have money to burn, its hard to justify the cost of using an airplane for fun flying. Many of us had high hopes that the FAA light sport regulations would reduce the cost of flying. It hasnt happened. The cost of a basic LSA is still $100,000-plus. We all know the reasons and I wont belabor the point. There are alternatives for fun flying and its the lighter side of aviation. I was unaware of light aviation until 2004 when I had to land the airplane I shared with other pilots in a saltwater marsh due to engine failure at 400 feet. The insurance company totaled the airplane and it went to the scrap yard. Until that point, I flew the standard Cessnas, Pipers and a 1980 Mooney M20J with two other pilots. The Mooney was a nice airplane and efficient transport but I wouldnt say it was fun or inexpensive to fly. In fact, I had to work to stay current and it although we strived to keep costs low, it wasnt cheap. A few years later a friend took me flying in his Vans RV-6. Its a nice airplane and it is fun to fly. At his airport, I noticed an advertisement for a Quicksilver GT-500. My friend invited me to come back the next day as the owner of the GT-500 and a bunch of other pilots were getting together for their weekend flying. His airport is a very nice grass strip in rural southern Indiana. We went flying in the GT-500 and I was hooked. The GT-500 is not very light as it has a gross weight of 1100 pounds but this got me started toward lighter airplanes and fun flying. The GT-500 is a nice airplane. The engine is in the rear, Im sitting out front of the wing tandem style so the visibility excellent and I can fly it with the doors on or off. To me, this is so much better than sitting inside of a metal airplane. Im not going anywhere, I want to enjoy the view and this is why I fly and why its fun. I have since learned to fly a single-place Quicksilver MX. In an MX, you sit below the wing, in the wind, no fuselage and with the engine behind. It is a blast to fly. If youre a pilot, you like to fly for fun and have never flown a Quicksilver MX, you have to put this on your bucket list. Its hard to describe the free feeling of being one with the air and low and slow just above the fields. You get a sense of everything. Its just so cool! Flying doesnt have to be all serious. When many of us learned to fly, we were taught to nail the airspeeds, follow the rules, dont do this, dont do that and so on. Flying is not fun. Its serious business. Then the fun evaporates and we lose interest and motivation. Im not advocating reckless flying, of course, but why cant an airplane be a toy and used for fun? The man that I purchased the airplane from introduced me to Mark Smith, the founder of Tri State Kite sales. Ill leave Marks history to another time, but suffice it to say that Mark was one of the founders of the ultralight movement. He taught hundreds, if not thousands of people how to fly. Mark has since passed away, but he left a legacy of the Posey Patch airfield, some excellent modifications to Quicksilver airplanes and a group of pilots dedicated to keeping inexpensive, grass-roots flying alive. Inexpensive fun flying and small grass airfields go together. Posey Patch, in southern Indiana, is one such grass strip that keeps grass-roots flying and light aviation alive. The people who fly at Posey Patch fly for fun. They enjoy flying just for the sake of flying. Here is a video made by the local television station. Mark started a tradition of having a fly-in the early summer (June) and fall (September). Pilots get together, fly, teach and help each other with their airplanes. What brings us together is the fun of flying. At meal time, someone starts the grill (usually Terry), cooks some hamburgers and hot dogs and we all chip in for expenses. The fly-in is hosted by Tri-State Kite Sales. By my estimation, there are just three rules at this fly-in: (1) Be considerate and courteous. (2) Fly safe. (3) Pay for what you use. You can fly when you want and come and go as you please. In the evening, just about everyone is up flying. After attending AirVenture this year, I was struck by the contrast to the Posey Patch fly-in. AirVenture is big and corporate with all kinds of rules. Yes, the rules are important for the safety of everyone but it sure is nice to know that the Posey Patch fly-in and grass roots flying still exist. An appeals court in Yerevan has granted bail to another opposition member who was charged in connection with a recent rally in the Armenian capital. David Sanasarian was arrested on July 29 along with two other leading members of his parliamentary Heritage party and another opposition activist on charges of organizing mass disturbances during public protests on that day and was remanded to pretrial detention earlier this month. The court on Friday ordered Sanasarian, who serves as a member of Yerevans Municipal Assembly with an opposition faction, to pay 1.5 million drams (about $3,150) to be freed pending trial. Earlier this week, Heritages deputy chairman Armen Martirosian, who is also being prosecuted on the same charge, was freed on bail paying 1 million drams (about $2,100). Next week, the appeals court is expected to consider requests for the change of pretrial detention rulings from Heritages Hovsep Khurshudian and former presidential candidate, Rise Up, Armenia movement activist Andrias Ghukasian, both of whom are also accused of organizing mass disturbances. The four oppositionists face between four and 10 years in prison under the charge that they categorically deny. They claim they are victims of political persecution. The latest court ruling to release Sanasarian on bail comes two days after the Heritage party announced it was pulling out of local elections because of the criminal prosecution of its leading members on fabricated charges. It added that it will not take part in the elections scheduled to be held in September-October. An arrested member of an armed group that seized and held a police station in Yerevan for two weeks in a deadly standoff with security forces last month has filed his nomination to run for mayor in his home village in elections scheduled for next month. Arayik Khandoyan, a prominent veteran of the 1992-1994 Armenian-Azerbaijani war in Nagorno-Karabakh also known to the public as Lone Wolf, was wounded, among other gunmen, in an apparent shootout with police during the siege, but refused to be hospitalized until the surrender of the Sasna Tsrer (Daredevils of Sassoun) group to the National Security Service on July 31. Three police officers were killed and several others were wounded during the dramatic events that unfolded against the backdrop of pro-gunmen protests near the standoff venue attended by hundreds of activists and ordinary citizens. Sasna Tsrer, a group loyal to a fringe opposition movement, Founding Parliament, presented political demands to Armenias leadership, including the release of their imprisoned leader Zhirayr Sefilian and other oppositionists it viewed as political prisoners. The group also sought the resignation of President Serzh Sarkisian and reconsideration of a purportedly conciliatory position of the current administration in negotiations on the settlement of a protracted Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The gunmen held several police officers and ambulance workers hostage for days before letting them go. Khandoyan, who claimed they treated the people they held inside the police compound with respect and did not consider them hostages, is currently charged with hostage-taking and illegal arms possession. The 45-year-old war veteran turned activist seeks nomination as a candidate for mayor in the village of Tsaghkahovit in Armenias western Aragatsotn province, where his extended family lives today. He reportedly had his authorized representative submit a set of necessary papers to the Central Election Commission (CEC) by 6 pm Friday, which was the deadline for would-be candidates in the elections scheduled for September 18. Earlier, Khandoyan claimed that the prison administration and the Special Investigation Service had obstructed his nomination by not providing relevant documents needed for a proxys authorization. Still before Khandoyans papers arrived at the CEC, the parliamentary opposition Prosperous Armenia Party said its nominee for the elections in Tsaghkahovit would withdraw should Khandoyan present a mayoral bid. The incumbent mayor of the village, Gegham Khachatrian, who will seek reelection next month, is a member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. Armenias law allows people facing criminal charges, including those in pretrial detention, to participate in elections as candidates as long as they are not convicted. Opposition member Nikol Pashinian exercised this right when he unsuccessfully contested a parliamentary by-election in 2010 while being in pretrial detention. 19 August 2016 15:35 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Successes of neighboring states in regional and local projects caused a wave of indignation in Armenian society. "We are being ignored by everybody"- can be heard each and everywhere in this poor South Caucasus nation. The recent meeting of the Azerbaijani, Russian and Iranian presidents in Baku could not have come at a worse time for Armenia, which is fighting with its political and economic crises. Back in July, when representatives of railways agencies of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran met in Baku, Armenia doubted that the cooperation will continue. But now, after the Baku summit of the presidents, the trilateral cooperation between the countries is quite obvious. And Armenia again remained beyond the beneficial project. The strengthening of relations between the three regional states surely caused resentment in the Armenian society. Armenia seems to be squeezed out from all regional events and projects, Armenian economist and former MP Vardan Bostanjyan said at a press conference. In fact, the current situation in the region is unfavorable for Armenia, the economist confessed. Another Armenian expert, head of the Committee on Foreign Relations at the Armenian National Congress Party Vladimir Karapetyan acknowledged that the country remains outside of big regional projects. In contrast to the projects between Azerbaijan and Iran ,we reached such a progress that Armenia has once again been bypassed, he said in an interview to newspaper Aravot Back in October 2008, when coming to the presidency, Serzh Sargsyan vowed that in the coming years the Iran-Armenia railway would be set up. He also promised that in a very short time Armenians could witness the all-Armenian Bank and Investment Fund that would fund large-scale programs in the country. Our overarching goal will be Armenia experiencing the rise, he said. However, nothing of that was implemented during eight years of his presidency in Armenia. While Armenians were waiting for a miracle, Azerbaijan together with Russia and Iran realized huge projects, concluded agreements, Karapetyan said. He explained the possible reason why neighbors prefer Azerbaijan, and not Armenia: I think that the issue is not that we have not presented a better offer, and that we are not treated as a reliable partner. Explanation of why a more favorable transit proposal has been suggested to our enemy should come from our government. And we will draw appropriate conclusions, especially if these explanations will not come. The continuing aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, its territorial claims to neighboring countries pose serious obstacles to the expansion of regional cooperation. This policy leads to Armenia being locked out of all regional projects. Azerbaijan has repeatedly announced that as long as Armenia does not put an end to its aggressive policy, its participation in any regional project will be impossible. Azerbaijan's internationally recognized Nagorno-Karabakh territory became a conflict zone following Armenia's aggression in the early 1990s. As a result of Armenia's armed invasion, 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory fell under Armenia's occupation and over 1 million people turned into refugees and IDPs. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 10:37 (UTC+04:00) Armenias armed forces have 17 times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported on August 19. The Armenian army was using large-caliber machine guns. The Armenian armed forces stationed in the Paravakar village of Armenias Ijevan district opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions located on nameless heights of the Gazakh district. Positions of the Azerbaijani army also underwent fire from the Armenian positions located near the Chilaburt village of the Terter district, Ashagi Seyidahmadli and Horadiz villages of the Fizuli district. Azerbaijani positions also took fire from the positions located on nameless heights of the Goranboy, Khojavand 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 13:58 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Money problems have plagued whole Armenia, a poor South Caucasus country with the public debt of over $5 billion. While the state officials buy expensive business class air tickets worth several hundred dollars, ordinary people suffer from unemployment and those, who work, fight for getting salaries. In order to somehow improve the crisis situation, Prime Minister of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan recently instructed to reduce by 30 percent the funds allocated from the state budget for business trips in 2016. The state bodies of Armenia will now be able to spend 141.5 million drams ($297,700) for business trips till the end of 2016. This limit has been approved at the session of the Armenian government on August 18. However, local media reports that the officials still waste funds of the budget buying business class air tickets and reserving high-class hotels for their trips. On the other side of Armenian realities people live at the edge of poverty. Another proof of that is the recent rally held by former employees of Nairit plant near the building of the Armenian government on August 18. They demanded a meeting with Hovik Abrahamyan to discuss the issue of restarting the plant and providing payment of extra salary accumulated due to the delay of their wages, Armenian media reported. If the plant restarts, we will have a stable income, which will let us take care of our families. We have worked for 34 years, but today we live in poverty, said the factory worker, Norik Kagramanyan. Employees of Nairit plant claimed that the administration of the plant made them sign an agreement stating that workers refuse the extra money accumulated as a result of wage arrears. But now they gathered together to demand justice and get their wages. As for President Serzh Sargsyan, he tries as much as possible to stay beyond his country and its problems, most of which were caused right by his wrong policy. During the dramatic seizure of the police station in Yerevan, Armenia was virtually without its president. When the situation subsided, Sargsyan emerged, held a couple of meetings and immediately left for Moscow. Following that, he suddenly set off over the ocean to Brazil, for an imaginary working trip. Currently, the Armenian president is on vacation, part of which he will spend abroad, Sargsyan's press service stated. All these actions caused discontents in Armenian society. Armenians claim that Sargsyan is trying to delay the return to the country due to the fear of uncomfortable questions and need of giving clarification to the situation in the country. Apparently, he tries to shift the responsibility to other members of the authorities, who, by the way, cannot find any further excuse for Armenian population on the foolish actions of their government. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 12:25 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijans National Confederation of Entrepreneurs Organizations and Georgia Employers Association will organize the Georgia-Azerbaijan Business Forum on September 29-30 in Tbilisi. The business forum will be attended by representatives of various Georgian companies operating in the same areas as the Azerbaijani companies. Azerbaijan and Georgia are successfully cooperating in the political, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural spheres. The two countries are connected by several important regional projects, including the Baku-Supsa, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipelines, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas line and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. Azerbaijan is also one of the most significant trading partners of Georgia. The country exports to Georgia oil and petroleum products, natural gas, plastic wares, waste foodstuff, furniture and building constructions, while Georgian exports to Azerbaijan include cement, locomotives and other railway vehicles, mineral and chemical fertilizers, mineral waters, strong drinks, glass and glass wares, and pharmaceuticals. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia amounted to $234.9 million in January-July 2016, some $220.56 million of which accounted for export of Azerbaijani products to Georgia, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 14:32 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova Financial sector situation and development of the banking sector in Azerbaijan have been negatively affected by different unfavorable processes such as worsening of macroeconomic indicators in 2015-2016, devaluation of the national currency etc. Moreover, a certain number of banks have been closed due to liquidity problems. Experts believe that to improve the situation, it is reasonable to create a separate institution that will be able to buy bad assets of the banks operating in the country. President of the Azerbaijan Banks Association Zakir Nuriyev, commenting on the issue, said that such agency may help decrease the volume of bad assets in the countys banking sector and optimize management of these assets. The agency may function either as a Bad Bank (a bank set up to buy the bad loans of a bank with nonperforming assets) or any other form. Aqrarcredit state-owned non-banking credit organization (NBCO) possesses a good experience in the sphere of managing bad loans as the company was engaged in the management of toxic assets of different banks and a similar occasion related with the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA). In this regards, the excising experience may be further developed with the introduction of a new format. The measure may be realized within the framework of the program on financial rehabilitation, Nuriyev said. Aqrarcredit, the largest NBCO in the country was engaged in the management of bad assets of Agro-Investment Bank, Industrial-Investment Bank and Savings Bank, which were liquidated in late 1990s and early 2000s. BUS bank was further established through merging three major state banks, which was subsequently privatized and renamed to Kapital Bank. In July 2015, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the measures for rehabilitation related to the preparations for privatizing the state-owned shares of the International Bank of Azerbaijan JSC. IBA's distressed assets had been removed from its balance sheet and transferred to Agrocredit in 2015 to recover financial position of the bank. Bonds worth 3 billion manats ($1.8 billion) were issued under state guarantee to provide the bank with liquid funds. Nevertheless, the government of the country doesnt see the necessity to transform Agrocredit into the bad asset management agency. Earlier, Finance Minister Samir Sharifiv said that the NBCO tackles the issue only in case of relevant instructions of the head of state. Therefore, should an institution engaged in the management of bad assets appear in Azerbaijan, it will not be established on the basis of Aqrarcredit. Highlighting the issue of whether such institution may be established under the Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Fund (ADIF), Funds head Azad Javadov said that ADIF has a special department, which deals with bad assets of the banks, where the Fund performs a role of a liquidator. Insurance funds perform the role of liquidators in many countries and a similar practice is used in Azerbaijan. When ADIF receives funds of closed banks, it gets bad assets along with non-distressed assets, he said. The Fund lately performed a role of a liquidator in eight banks, including Texnilabank, Bank of Azerbaijan, Dekabank, Parabank, Kredobank, Zaminbank, Atrabank, and Caucasus Development Bank, licenses of which were withdrawn in 2016. Director on Financial organizations at Fitch international Rating agency, Dmitry Vasilyev also agreed that the establishment of Bad bank is reasonable. Banks are not able to provide for sufficient volume capital to recover from losses which in turn triggered by depreciation of assets. They need a support of shareholders or a state, he told Trend. The expert said that one of the solutions in this situation is purchase of bad loans by Bad Bank. Nevertheless, he mentioned that another solution is the implementation of the process of recapitalization, which stands for the increase of authorized capital. Bad Bank is a mechanism of support, which may be rendered by means of pouring of capital into the system. The volume of bad loans as of July 2016 stood at 8.35 percent (1.5 billion manats ($ 0.92 billion)), according to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA). Currently, 33 banks possess licenses for the implementation of banking activity in the country. CBA abolished licenses of EuroBank and Azerbaijan Credit Bank in 2015. Licenses of six banks including AtraBank, Caucasus Development Bank, Bank Technique, Ganja Bank, Bank of Azerbaijan and United Credit Bank were cancelled in early 2016. Recently, the licenses of DekaBank, KredoBank, Parabank and Zaminbank, Atrabank, and Caucasus Development bank have been revoked due to their failure to meet necessary requirements specified in the relevant legislation. The official exchange rate of the US dollar and euro to Azerbaijani manat was set at 1.6204 manats and 1.8370 manats, respectively, on August 19. --- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 18:18 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli The sixth meeting of the Azerbaijan-China Intergovernmental Commission on trade and economic cooperation took place in Baku on August 19, putting forward specific proposals for boosting economic cooperation between the two countries. Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister and Co-chair of the Commission, Abid Sharifov, addressing the event, reminded that Azerbaijan and China have a long-term ties based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. He mentioned an important role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who made a visit to China in 1994, in strengthening of Azerbaijani-Chinese relations. The official emphasized that the state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to China in December 2015 and the visit of Senior Vice Premier of the State Council Zhang Gaoli to Baku this June gave a new impetus to this relationship. Sharifov further informed about the country's economic performance, saying that some $20 billion was invested in Azerbaijani economy in 2015, half of which are foreign investments. Noting that Azerbaijan is an attractive country for foreign investors, he also spoke about the reforms carried out in Azerbaijan in the customs and tax systems. The deputy prime minister recalled the tasks set at the 5th meeting of the Azerbaijani-Chinese commission for trade and economic cooperation, among which he outlined the development of cooperation in transport, telecommunications, high technology, agriculture, and humanitarian sphere. Speaking about Chinese companies operating in Azerbaijan, Sharifov emphasized activities of HUAWEI, Chinese multinational networking and telecommunications equipment and services company, stressing that it works efficiently with Azerbaijani companies. Particular attention he paid to the cooperation in transport and logistics fields, recalling that construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, linking Asia and Europe near the completion. Commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will open a corridor to link the railways of China and Europe over a short path. This will increase the efficiency of transport and freight volume, he said SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev, for his part, reminded that the company has been cooperating with the China National Petroleum Corporation for 15 years, and purchased equipment used in the petrochemical sector, worth over $500 million. Deputy Economy Minister Niyazi Safarov, in turn, said that Azerbaijan and China have a solid legal base, mentioning that the two sides signed so far more than 66 documents, 22 of which regulate trade and economic relations. The deputy minister said that the trade turnover between the countries amounted to more than $560 million in 2015, and for the six months of this year it made up more than $270 million. Some 77 enterprises with Chinese capital operate in Azerbaijan. Safarov further invited Chinese companies to enhance cooperation, especially in the field of industry. He recalled that currently, Chinese companies are involved in 12 projects, where the volume of the Chinese investment is more than $640 million. The Chinese delegation, which alongside government representatives included representatives of 20 Chinese companies, was headed by Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming. China and Azerbaijan are good friends and partners," said Keming, addressing the meeting. Bilateral trade and economic relations are developing dynamically. Speaking about the huge potential for the development of economic cooperation, the Chinese vice minister said that China considers Azerbaijan as an important partner in the realization of the Silk Road Project. China attaches great importance to the development of railway and is ready to develop it, he said. The commission discussed the issues of implementation of the tasks set at the 5th meeting of the Azerbaijani-Chinese Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation Commission and discussed the prospects of expanding relations. Following the meeting a protocol was signed. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 11:34 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Russia seems to obtain the necessary aircraft-manufacturing cluster in the South Caucasus given that the country is ready to deploy a plant for assembling aircrafts in Baku, believes military expert Alexei Sinitsin. Taking into account that Moscow is ready to place a plant for assembling aircrafts in Baku, then, accordingly, Russia gets the necessary aircraft manufacturing cluster in the South Caucasus. It will be placed at the Northern Borders of the so-called Greater Middle East, which is especially important in light of the events in Syria, and for implementation of agreements on Russian-Iranian transport corridor North-South, the expert told Ria Novosti. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin earlier announced that a plant of aircraft assembly and centre of modernization of helicopter equipment will be established in the Azerbaijani capital. It will make it possible for Azerbaijan to join the narrow circle of countries which have aircraft-building industries, he said. He further added that a deal on opening of the service center of Helicopters of Russia in Azerbaijan will be signed in late September in Baku at the international exhibition of arms and military equipment ADEX-2016. Sinitsin believes that the recent Baku summit of the presidents of Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan outlined some joint projects between the countries in the energy sector, particularly offshore oil and gas production. However, the creation of offshore oil infrastructure is impossible without a powerful helicopter fleet, which will need constant maintenance. This should be the objective of the service center of Helicopters of Russia on the basis of the enterprise Silk Way Helicopter Services that will carry out the maintenance of civil helicopters Mi-8/17, said Sinitsyn. Sinitsyn is sure that the opportunity of expansion of the centre for maintenance and overhaul of military helicopters is attractive for Azerbaijan. He further emphasized that the military-technical cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan is developing dynamically and has reached a very high level. The opening of Russian helicopter service centre in Baku will allow Azerbaijan to operate its aircraft with a high guarantee of reliability and to make significant savings in its military budget, according to the expert. The opening of a new high-tech enterprises means appearance of new jobs in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijani economy, he added. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 10:21 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on the occasion of the Independence Day of Afghanistan. On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my sincere congratulations to you and all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Independence Day, said President Aliyev in his letter. I am confident that friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan will continue developing and expanding, noted the president. On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health and success in your activities, and the friendly people of Afghanistan peace and prosperity, he added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 11:26 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Baku will host Azerbaijan-Korea Cooperation Forum on Public Administration on Friday. Azerbaijans Prime Minister Artur Rasizade received South Korean Interior Minister Hong Yun-sik ahead of the event. Rasizade praised bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Korea, and highlighted the expanding ties in various fields of economy. The premier said reciprocal visits of officials created a fruitful opportunity for further developing bonds between the two countries. Rasizade highlighted socio-economic environment of Azerbaijan. Minister Hong Yun-sik, in turn, stressed the importance of the forum on Azerbaijani-Korean cooperation to be held in Baku. The minister also said a Memorandum to be signed between the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan and Korean Interior Ministry would contribute to further development of cooperation. The parties also exchanged views on Azerbaijani-Korean cooperation. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 15:48 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli An Azerbaijan-Korea Cooperation Forum on Public Administration, held in Baku on August 19, saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the provision of public services and e-government. The memo aims to promote cooperation in the sphere of mobile services and provision of public services between ASAN and the Interior Ministry of Korea. Chairman of the State Agency for Services to Citizens and Social Innovations (ASAN) Inam Karimov, addressing the event, said that this forum is to deepen relations and identify new areas of cooperation between the two countries. Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with Korea. The MoU will further deepen our relationship and provide the legal framework for our cooperation, he noted. Karimov also spoke about ASAN Service, an innovative Azerbaijani model of public service deliver, saying that during the four-year activity, ASAN Service has been used by over 11 million citizens in Baku and regions of the country. He added that the level of user satisfaction with the activity of ASAN Service is 98 percent. South Korean Interior Minister Hong Yun-sik, in turn, expressed hope for further deepening of cooperation and exchange of experience between the two countries. Korean Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kim Chang-gyu, for his part, pointed to the importance of expanding cooperation. Among the former Soviet Union countries, Azerbaijan has created the most advanced e-government, he noted. The diplomat further said that he will do everything possible for the further development of relations between the two countries. Earlier on August 18, Prime Minister Artur Rasizade received South Korean Interior Minister Hong Yun-sik. Rasizade praised bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Korea, and highlighted the expanding ties in various fields of economy. Minister Hong Yun-sik, in turn, stressed the importance of the forum on Azerbaijani-Korean cooperation to be held in Baku. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 16:18 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova World oil prices demonstrated a positive dynamics, as the price of Brent crude oil rose above $51 a barrel hitting an eight-week high amid the hopes that producers could agree on measures to support crude prices. Brent crude oil October futures were trading at $51.17 per barrel, recording an increase of 0.6 percent ($0.28) on August 19, CNBC reported. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude September futures stood at $48.69 per barrel, facing an increase of 1 percent ($0.47). The daily basket price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $46. 50 a barrel on August 18, recording an increase of $1.26 compared to the previous index of 45.34 fixed on August 17. Attention of the market is mainly focused on the forthcoming informal meeting of OPEC members in Algeria, which is scheduled for September 26-28. Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih previously spoke about possible participation of the country in the coordinated actions of OPEC and main exporters to stabilize the market. Experts say that the participation of Iran in the freeze is a very important point for the conclusion of a joint deal. Analysts also say that Libya and Nigeria, where export is restricted due to on-going armed conflicts , may also call for delay of freeze. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal, citing the representative of Irans oil ministry, reported that the country is planning to reach its pre-sanctions level of oil extraction of 4 4.2 million barrels per day by the time of the forthcoming OPEC meeting. Moreover, he also said that the country has not yet taken a decision on whether to join the meeting or decline it. Positive dynamics in the market were also triggered by data on energy stockpiles in the USA. American Petroleum Institute (API) recently reported that the oil reserves in the country have decreased by 1 million barrels in the last week. The U.S. Department of Energy has declared that commercial oil stocks in the U.S. (excluding strategic reserves) for the week, that ended on 12 August, unexpectedly fell by 2.5 million barrels (0.5 percent) to 521.1 million barrels. The oil reserves at the countrys largest terminal Cushing fell by 0.8 million barrels to 64.5 million barrels. Gasoline stocks in the U.S. also dropped by 2.7 million barrels (1.2 percent) to 232.7 million barrels. Analysts had expected the index to fall to 1,638 million barrels. Global oil production continued to grow in July and totaled 95.12 million barrels per day, which is 0.24 million barrels higher that the index of June, according to OPEC estimates. Moreover, oil production in OPEC countries increased by 46,400 barrels per day up to 33.11 million barrels a day in July. Global demand growth is expected to decline from 1.4 million barrels per day in 2016 to 1.2 million billion barrels in 2017, according to IEA. The forecast for 2017 was cut by 0.1 million barrels per day from last month's report, while the 2016 outlook is unchanged from the last months report of IEA. --- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 10:32 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Iran has received all of its petrodollars from the post-sanctions sales and no oil money of the country has been blocked in foreign banks since the nuclear deal, the countrys Deputy Oil Minister Ali Kardor said. Currently, Europe is paying the oil money in full and if the sale is conducted through international brokers, we receive the oil money as advance payment before delivering the cargo, he stated, Mehr news agency reported August 17. Kardor also pointed to Irans oil deals with India, saying India, too, has paid Iran in full since the sanctions were lifted. He noted, however, that India has not yet changed the currency in which it pays Iran and still goes on settling oil debts to Iran with rupees. Iran has not given any advantages to buyers, because if it does, the market will be quickly informed and prices will be affected, he stated. He also criticized Saudi Arabia for trying to own Irans oil markets. Our rival, Saudi Arabia, identifies our markets and then quickly starts talks with new oil buyers and tries to gain that market by offering special discounts, Kardor said. That is why we cannot yet reveal the names of our oil customers, especially the European ones. This is an inimical competition and Saudi Arabias stances are a threat to us. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 12:12 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara and Moscow discuss all matters openly and without bias, "including those on which there are differences." The minister pointed out that the main priority in their bilateral relations was to achieve a higher level of cooperation, Sputnik reported. The Syrian crisis can be resolved only by sincere cooperation at the international level. It is impossible to achieve a permanent solution to the problem without participation of Russia, said Cavusoglu. The foreign minister stressed the importance of working together to achieve a political solution to the crisis and ceasefire. Unfortunately, the situation in Syria is getting worse. These problems cannot be solved in the short term through fighting alone. They cannot be solved single-handedly, either. That is why, we have to work together for a political solution and a cease-fire," Cavusoglu added. The minister went on to say that for Turkey, Russia is a friend in the region, and Russia would not be able to find a more loyal friend than Turkey. During Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans recent visit to St. Petersburg, Turkey and Russia agreed to establish a joint committee on Syria; members of the Turkish committee travelled to Russia later. The committee consists of military and intelligence officers and diplomats from both Russia and Turkey. Moscow and Ankara support different sides in the Syria conflict, with Turkey deeply opposed to Bashar al-Assads regime, of which Russia is a major backer. As for possible military-technical cooperation with Russia, Cavusoglu said Turkey wanted to develop and strengthen its own defense industry, and would be open to considering such cooperation if Russia is interested. "It seems to us that NATO members behave in an evasive fashion in issues such as exchange of technology and joint investments. Turkey intends to develop its own defense industry and strengthen its defense system. In this sense, if Russia were to treat this with interest, we are ready to consider the possibility of cooperation in this sector," Cavusoglu said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Bon Hotel Ethiopia set to open in 2017 as demand for conference facilities soars Africas hospitality company Bon Hotels is tapping into the growing demand for hotel and conference facilities in Ethiopia with new hotel set to be launched in the first quarter of 2017. The hotel located about 10 minutes from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and the city center will be offering facilities for corporate, leisure, and conference traveler. The hotel is in the first phase of development, with further expansion opportunities already in the pipeline. The hotel will have 48 rooms, facilities, and meeting rooms and will offer contemporary, all-day dining prepared by an international kitchen brigade. Guy Stehlik, CEO of BON Hotels, says that with the Ethiopian Government having identified the hospitality sector as a key driver of the economy, its close ties with Ethiopian Airlines, serving 92 international destinations and 53 African destinations with over 200 flights per day, and a world-class convention centre, it made strategic sense to expand the groups existing footprint and have hotels in this area. We have witnessed enormous growth in the leisure market here too, which makes our move into East Africa all the more appealing, he said. Yes Hospitality, East Africa Limited, who oversee operations for BON Hotels in East Africa, have been a key driver of the project. They will oversee all East African acquisitions for BON Hotels and facilitate upgrades, refurbishments, operations, procurement and technical requirements for each property, with BON Hotels overseeing sales and marketing. Yes Hospitality have a very experienced team who are well respected in the industry with several awards under their belt - they are best positioned to bring the BON brand to market and along with the developers, who are forward-thinking and passionate, we can think of no-one better to entrust our brand to, added Stehlik Ethiopia is ranked as being in the top ten largest markets for international hotel chains and provides an excellent platform for BON Hotels to make their presence felt. There is a tremendous focus on developing the MICE sector, and the hotel will more than cater to this market and the business traveller, in particular. Stehlik adds, With domestic travel in Ethiopia expected to increase by 6.2 per cent by 2024, BON Hotel Addis Ababa will certainly contribute to this growth, and assist in providing employment for a tourism sector which already accounts for over one million direct jobs. BON Hotels, with five properties in Nigeria and a further nine under negotiation, together with others in Uganda, is one of the fastest-growing hotel groups in Africa and looks forward to continued growth in East Africa and throughout the continent. www.bonhotels.com 19 August 2016 12:35 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Russias strategic energy project Turkish Stream could soon be revived amid the improving ties between Ankara and Moscow. Turkey and Russia have started negotiations to resume the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, said Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak in his interview with TRT Haber news channel. The minister believes the relations between Ankara and Moscow will return to their previous, pre-crisis level. Albayrak said the normalization of bilateral relations will benefit both countries. The Turkish Stream pipeline is intended to deliver gas from the Russian Black Sea coast to Turkey and on to Greece. The project was to replace the abandoned South Stream pipeline through Bulgaria. The project was suspended in late 2015 due to the dispute between Moscow and Ankara after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane in Syria. During a meeting on August 9, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to resume the implementation of the Turkish Stream project. Initially, Russias Gazprom wanted to deliver 63 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Later the capacity was cut to 32 billion cubic meters. Turkey would take about 14 billion cubic meters, with the rest going to Europe. he pipeline intends to strengthen Turkeys position as an important regional hub. The countrys main gas consumers are located in northwest Turkey and the project would improve the reliability of supplies to that region --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 14:08 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Turkeys Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus described Ankaras Syria policy as a source of many sufferings for Turkey today. No country, us included, has been able to produce a valid policy for a solution in Syria. I have been talking about this for years. I wish a valid perspective for peace could have been developed before. God willing, a solution will be found soon that the people of Syria could accept, not by imposition from outside. There is currently such a process going on, and at this point relations with Russia are important, Hurriyet reported citing Kurtulmus. The deputy premiers remarks become the boldest self-criticism of Turkeys Syria policy so far by the highest ranking person in Ankara. Kurtulmus went on to say that the government of Turkey, unlike Iran and Russia, consider Bashar-al-Assad and his policy as the main culprit for the Syria chaos. Previously, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the Syrian crisis can be resolved only by sincere cooperation at the international level, stressing on the role of Russia to achieve a permanent solution to the problem. During Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans visit to St. Petersburg on August 9, Turkey and Russia agreed to establish a joint committee on Syria; members of the Turkish committee travelled to Russia later. The committee consists of military and intelligence officers and diplomats from both Russia and Turkey. Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has so far claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people. Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The "Islamic State" (aka IS, ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh) and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups are the most active ones in Syria. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 13:00 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is going to visit Iran on August 24, sources have revealed. Sources in the Turkish government have said that Erdogan will visit Iran to follow up on a series of cooperation among Ankara, Tehran and Moscow over the ongoing Syrian crisis, Tasnim news agency reported Aug. 19. The sources said that cooperation among the three countries will see a huge boost over the coming months. They also said Ankara stresses the territorial integrity of Syria and prevention of the formation of smaller regional governments, the report added. The sources also stressed Ankaras preparedness to engage in joint operations with Russia to fight the Islamic State (IS, aka ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) terrorist group. Turkey has grown more welcoming of Russias and Irans position on the Syrian crisis in the past few months. The country took sides with the US and Saudi Arabia in rearing opposition groups in Syria, but now voices a position that is more like that of Tehran and Moscow. Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Ankara a week ago. There, the Syrian issue constituted the hottest topic of discussion. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 16:33 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova The European Commission has refused to name possible terms of accession of Turkey to the European Union, RIA Novosti reported on August 19. The Turkish authorities wished to become an EU member by 2023, as stated previously, the permanent representative of Turkey to the EU Selim Inel. Currently the conditions for joining the EU is not the most favorable, but that could change quickly, he added. We cant speculate on any possible timing of the entry of Turkey in the EU, Representative of the EC Natasha Berto told reporters. Berto quoted the words of Chairman of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, who believes that Turkey is not currently ready and able to join the EU. Earlier, Chancellor of Austria Christian Kern announced his intention to initiate the suspension of negotiations on Turkeys accession to the EU on September 16. He said that Turkey neither now nor in the upcoming decades can be a candidate for EU membership, adding that at the current stage the negotiations on Turkeys accession to the European Union is not more than a diplomatic fiction. Previously, a representative of the European Commission said that timing of the abolition of visas for Turkish citizens and further negotiation on the accession to the EU depend on the performance of the Turkish side regarding the remaining conditions of visa liberalization plan and subsequent decisions of the European Parliament and the Council in this regard. In turn, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned the EU that Turkey will have to withdraw from the implementation of the migrants return program unless the visa facilitation occurs. The Heads of State and the EU Member States' governments agreed with Turkey upon a joint plan to combat the migration crisis in mid-March. The program is focusing on the return of illegal immigrants arriving from Greece to the territory of Turkey and accepting legal Syrian refugees in Turkey by the EU according to the principle of "one for one". Turkey has long waited for its EU membership, while each application to accede to the European Union was frustrating for the government. Turkey, holding a status of an associate member at the Economic Community -- the predecessor of the EU since 1963 -- made an official application for entry on April 14, 1987. The membership bid has become a major controversy of the ongoing enlargement of the European Union. The upcoming summit of the 27 EU member states (excluding the UK) is scheduled to take place in Slovakia on September 16. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 August 2016 17:40 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova The Kazakh Ministry for Investment and Development plans to sign a deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of maritime merchant shipping in the Caspian Sea in 2016, RIA Novosti reported referring to the official website of Prime Minister Karim Massimov. The report reads that domestic procedures on the harmonization of the draft agreement with Iran are completed and it is planned to transfer the contract to the Iranian side. The agreement will form a single legal framework for the development of maritime transport between the ports of Kazakhstan and Iran. The volume of turnover between Kazakhstan and Iran on the sea routes is about two million tons says the Ministry. Kazakhstan has similar cooperation agreements in the field of merchant shipping with littoral states - Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Russia. The Caspian Sea, the largest inland body of water in the world, is significant for geographical position. The countries surrounding it, the resources within the sea and its strategic location in the middle of the Eurasian continent are the main factors that give the sea its true geopolitical importance. The Caspian Sea plays an important role in the transport corridors, along with being an important part of the international and regional projects. However, determining the legal status of the Caspian Sea has become one of the problematic issues among the five littoral states - Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan since demise of the Soviet Union. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. Early voting for Tuesday's runoff continues through 6 pm today at the Tulsa County Election Board headquarters and at the Hardesty Regional Library and will be available again on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. State Senate District 25 candidate Lisa Kramer has declined to participate in a head-to-head debate with conservative Joe Newhouse on KFAQ's Pat Campbell show in advance of the Tuesday, August 23, 2016, Republican runoff election. From KFAQ's website: Lisa Kramer is running for Oklahoma Senate and is facing a runoff Tuesday August 23rd with the Jim Bridenstine endorsed Joe Newhouse in District 25. Kramer was offered a chance to come on The Pat Campbell Show and participate in an on-air debate with Newhouse, but refused saying her schedule was "booked solid." We have invited Mr. Newhouse to come into the studio anyway and tell District voters why they should choose him on Tuesday, and he has agreed to do so. Campbell has hosted numerous debates over more than eight years as host of KFAQ's morning drive and has a reputation for even-handedness and giving each candidate a fair chance to convey his or her platform to the listening audience. Newhouse posted the following comment in response to Kramer's decision: I believe that Government Transparency begins with candidates being candid and forthright about their positions. This includes maintaining websites that contain plans & positions and not just platitudes. It also means making yourself available to the public, not just hiding behind mailers. I was disappointed to receive an accusational mailer from my opponent, who refused participation in the KFAQ debate despite advanced invitation. I realize that campaigns can be stressful, but overreaction and name-calling only serve to turn people off from the political process and destroy unity. As an officer & a gentleman, I am proud of the clean campaign that I have run, which includes not publishing embarrassing episodes from the other debate. As my opponent offers little content on her website (e.g. how she actually intends to pay for things), I am left only with her public statements and survey results with which to draw my distinctions. The two SD25 candidates debated at the Tulsa Republican Club meeting last month. You can watch the debate online. The "embarrassing episodes" may refer to Kramer's inability to name any positive achievements of the legislature in response to a debate question; Newhouse mentioned a criminal justice reform bill and eliminating End of Instruction tests among a few other items; Kramer concurred with Newhouse but had nothing to add on her own. Here is the podcast of the SD 25 KFAQ debate that Joe Newhouse attended and Lisa Kramer declined to attend. According to official election records, Kramer was a registered Democrat until changing her registration to Republican less than three years ago, on September 5th, 2013. Given the recent dominance of the GOP in Oklahoma politics, there would be an incentive to switch parties to have more of an influence over the ultimate result of the election, or even to have a chance at winning election to office in heavily Republican districts like SD 25. On the Oklahomans for Life survey, Kramer answered "no" and Newhouse answered "yes" to the question, "Upon reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, will you vote for a law that would protect the lives of unborn children and prohibit abortion except to prevent the death of the mother?" (Kramer and Newhouse both said they would support a law that includes exceptions for legally-reported rape and incest.) Kramer signed the petition to put the Boren sales tax increase on the November ballot and has defended that decision publicly, although she says she will vote against the tax. Newhouse opposes the tax and opposed putting the tax on the ballot. Kramer has been enthusiastically endorsed by left-wing bloggers and organizations that support the proposed state sales tax increase for schools and oppose measures that expand parental choice in education. Kramer has received funding from PACs affiliated with the Tulsa Regional Chamber and Oklahoma State Chamber and left-wing public-employee labor unions like the Oklahoma Educational Association and Oklahoma Public Employees Association. (Click the link if you need a refresher on why a Chamber endorsement should scare off conservative voters.) A shadowy group called Oklahomans for a Prosperous Future has spent $15,838.40 on direct mail in support of Kramer, paying that money to Majority Designs Invoicing. Oddly, a mailer received by SD 25 voters yesterday says it was paid for by "Oklahomans for a Responsible Government" -- a group that doesn't show up in the Oklahoma Ethics Commission database for the current or previous campaign cycles. Is this a typo on the part of the direct mail firm, or a deliberate attempt at confusing voters with a name that sounds like that of a now-defunct conservative watchdog group? A group called Oklahomans for Responsible Government (without the indefinite article) was active from 2008-2010, leading the opposition to the ill-conceived, teachers-union-backed SQ 744, which would have constitutionally tied Oklahoma's spending on education to that of other states. The disclosure report for Oklahomans for a Prosperous Future, Inc., was filed by Clayton Woodrum, 321 S. Boston Ave, Ste 200, Tulsa OK 74103. The organization's IRS Form 990 for 2014 (the only one available on Guidestar.org) misspells its own name ("Oklahoman's for a Prosperous Future, Inc.") and states its mission as "TO PROMOTE SOCIAL WELFARE CONCERNING PUBLIC POLICY RELATED TO HEALTH, EDUCATION, FISCAL AND BUDGET ISSUES." It received $470,000 in contributions and grants in 2014. In that year it spent $361,085 to "ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC POLICY", another $43,824 on "VOTER REGISTRATION EXPENSES," and $43,693 on "SUPPORT OR OPPOSE CANDIDATES' CAMPAIGN." Devin L. Hughes is listed as President, Karl Semtner as Secretary, and Clayton Woodrum as Treasurer. In 2014, OPF spent $250,000 with Hulsen Media Services LLC on TV ads. Hughes is co-author of the anti-gun-rights blog ArmedWithReason. Semtner contributed to the 2012 and 2014 campaigns of Democrat District 92 State Rep. Richard Morrissette, Woodrum contributed to Heather Nash, Democrat candidate for SD 11. The group's TV ad attacking tax incentives for horizontal drilling drew the ire of State Sen. Cliff Branan, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, who said the group was "incorporated by an individual who has given tens of thousands of dollars to the campaigns of Barack Obama." It seems fair to say that the activities of Oklahomans for a Prosperous Future and its identified supporters points in a strongly leftward direction, which makes its intervention on behalf of Lisa Kramer in a Republican primary revealing, particularly if Kramer chooses not to denounce their involvement on her behalf. A second person has arrested in a double shooting that happened earlier this week in St. Petersburg. Police have arrested 26-year-old Michael Murray in the shooting at 9th Avenue N and 37th Street that left Mark Pointer, 25, dead and another person injured. Murray has been charged with first degree murder and attempted felony murder. According to police, Murray and Neville Chambers, 21, who was arrested Wednesday, planned to rob the victims when they met in a nearby parking lot for a drug deal. During the drug deal, Murray shot both victims, authorities said. Tampa police are investigating an overnight fatal shooting at a Tampa apartment complex. Shooting happened at the Oakhurst Square apartment complex Man found dead from a gunshot wound Victim's name has not been released According to authorities, officers responded to the 1100 block of West Nassau Street near downtown just before 3 a.m. and found a man dead of a gunshot wound. The shooting happened in a ground floor unit at the Oakhurst Square apartment complex. Officials have not released the name of the victim. Multiple friends and family members of the victim gathered outside the apartment during the early morning. Homicide detectives interviewed people at the scene but no suspect information has been released. Also, police have not said if the shooting was a targeted attack. A Port Arthur man killed by police in June following a suspected armed robbery at a Walgreens was shot four times in his back, according to an autopsy report obtained by The Enterprise. John Michael Brisco, 52, was shot three times in the right upper back and once in the left lower back, according to the forensic pathologist's report, which provides new details on an investigation officials have mostly declined to discuss. The sequence of the shots is not disclosed, and it's unknown how Brisco's body was positioned in relation to the officer's. Police responded to a robbery call June 9 at the Walgreens on Texas 365 and Ninth Avenue when they saw Brisco running from the store, Port Arthur Police Deputy Chief Raymond Clark previously said. One officer gave chase, and Brisco "displayed (a) weapon and shots were fired," Clark said. Media reports from the time suggested Brisco fired a handgun inside the store before police arrived. No other injuries were reported. More for you Brother of man shot, killed by Port Arthur cops speaks out The officer, whose name has not been released, was a 25-year-old white man, according to a record the Port Arthur Police Department filed with the Texas Attorney General's office. Brisco, a black man, was measured at 6 foot, 2 inches and 148 pounds, the autopsy report says. Two of the bullets struck Brisco within 1.5 inches of his back's midline. The other two shots hit him 3.7 inches and 6.5 inches right of center, according to the report. All four bullets traveled back to front, left to right and upward, according to the report. The bullet farthest to the right grazed Brisco's right upper back and upper arm. There is no evidence that any of the shots were fired at close range, the report says. The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office has completed its investigation into the shooting and will present the case to a grand jury within the next few weeks, normal procedure for officer-involved shootings, officials said. DA investigator Marcelo Molfino said he didn't want to comment on the case, including the autopsy report, before the grand jury determines whether criminal charges are warranted. EBesson@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/EricBesson_News BScott@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/BrandonKScott Beaumont ISD is showing signs of financial recovery this week after one firm raised the district's bond rating and another said its outlook was improved, indications of improved performance, management and stability. Moody's Investors Service upgraded BISD to an A3 rating, which "reflects the district's improved financial operations and reserves as well as stabilized management environment after years of turmoil," according to the report. The rating is on the lower end of the third-highest possible rating and means that BISD's obligations "are subject to low credit risk," according to Moody's. A3 is one tier higher than the district's previous Baa1 designation, which the firm lowered it to in April 2014 and confirmed in May 2015. The highest possible rating is AAA; Beaumont's rating was last at the second-highest level, AA, in February 2014. It was downgraded then because of "severe governance problems," which included a "lack of internal controls, a divided board, as well as allegations of fraud and multiple pending investigations," the firm said. Meanwhile, S&P Global Ratings affirmed its previous rating of the district, BBB&, which is the firm's fourth-highest rating but upgraded its assessment of the district's prospects. "They've assigned a positive outlook on the rating, they recognize that things are moving forward and are very positive," said Lewis Wilks, the district's financial adviser. In September 2015, S&P had downgraded the district to BBB& from A-, the third highest rating, based on "the district's further weakened financial position, coupled with uncertainties surrounding the district's audited financial statements." Both ratings "mean that the overall financial stability of the district has improved," BISD Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Hernandez said. She noted that the district has been able to meet its financial commitments on bonds and to vendors and employees despite its previous lower ratings. She said it was "hard not to be excited about the Moody's upgrade" this week. According to the Moody's assessment, the district could be further upgraded because "the positive outlook reflects the anticipation that district's operations and financial performance will continue to stabilize and improve over the near-term future." The district's credit challenges include economic dependence on the petrochemical industry, declining student enrollment and an "above average tax burden," according to the report. BISD has reported decreased enrollment from 2011 to 2015, but the district expects that to stabilize this year. S&P's report cited similar constraints on the district, but both indicated that sustained progress could lead to future upgrades. Upcoming changes in the district's leadership could also impact future financial ratings, as the Moody's report cited the transition to an elected board as a factor that will be incorporated in future reviews. The Texas Education Agency hasn't announced yet when that transition will take place, though a trustee election is scheduled for May 2017. The current Board of Managers announced in July that they will resign by the end of May, and TEA officials said a new appointed board will replace them but haven't said when that will happen. The ratings improvements are good news for the district, which continues to recover from several financially turbulent years. Issues from those have dogged the district, most recently when BISD failed the 2015-16 state financial rating because it was based on a 2014 audit that reflected the district's previous financial situation. According to Moody's, the board of managers and administration "have provided stability," and improved auditor's opinions are anticipated for the next fiscal year, which could improve both its bond ratings and state financial ratings. LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/LizTeitz This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Four years ago, an Iranian immigrant who owned an auto shop befriended a homeless man, Raymond Jackson, and gave him odd jobs around the Southeast Houston parts store. On Friday, 62-year-old Jackson was arrested in connection with Thursday's slaying of the good samaritan shop owner, Enayatolah Khorsand, 58. "He's caught on camera decapitating and beating this man to his death," Houston Police Department homicide investigator Alex Vinogradov said. "It was brutal." So far, investigators have not determined a motive in the case. There was no forced entry at the shop. On Friday afternoon, shaken friends were grieving and trying to understand how Khorsand could be killed in such a brutal fashion. Ian Aria, 15, said his friend Khorsand fed Jackson and "gave him something to do. He took care of him, so I don't know why he (Jackson) would do something like this." Khorsand, was found decapitated Thursday evening inside his auto parts store in a commercial area. Jackson was arrested Friday in the 3000 block of Groton, which is about ten minutes away from the auto shop. He now faces a murder charge. Aria was very close with the shop owner. His mom, Connie Castillo, remembers how Khorsand brought flowers to the hospital when Aria was born exactly 15 years ago this past Thursday. On Friday, she sobbed openly in front of the small auto shop as cars whizzed by on Mykawa Road, remembering her friend. She said Khorsand did not talk about Jackson, but she never heard of any problems between the two men. She remembered her friend as a problem-solver. "If there was an issue or a problem, he was always the mediator," Castillo said. Castillo met Khorsand through her husband, saying her spouse bonded with him because of their shared Iranian background. The two families spent birthdays and holidays together. Aria remembers going to parks with Khorsand and barbecuing, describing him as a generous person. He was also close to the shop owner's 18-year-old son. Castillo said Khorsand ran the auto shop by himself and had been involved in the auto business since they first met more than 15 years ago. "'We enjoy our life' was his motto," Castillo said. Police said that Thursday night a man flagged down a passing Houston police patrol car to report the discovery of what he said was a decapitated body inside the auto parts shop. The man, who has not been identified, said the body was that of his friend, the owner of the business, said Sgt. James Rhodes, of the Houston Police Department. When officers went inside the store, they saw the dead man. Police said the man who alerted them was a friend of the victim and often visited him at the shop. The man told HPD the victim was well-liked and not involved in anything suspicious, officers said. A surveillance camera recorded images of the possible assailant during the incident. Police later identified Jackson as the suspect in the case. No other information was released about what else the surveillance video recorded. So far, investigators have not determined a motive in the slaying. There was no forced entry at the shop. On Friday afternoon, the auto shop remained closed with no lights on inside and several abandoned cars left outside. Standing on the side of the small auto shop and underneath a sign that states "We buy junk and repair all cars," Aria tried to console his mother as she sobbed in his arms and mourned Khorsand."He was always there for me," Castillo said. "He was my best friend." Mike Glenn and Dale Lezon contributed to this report. Archaeologists have uncovered the six-inch tip of a Mexican sword in the area of the Alamos main gate, providing what may be the first military artifact from the famous 1836 battle unearthed during an investigative dig in Alamo Plaza. The discovery in the city-owned plaza was made Friday, and confirmed this week through Sam Nesmith, a military artifacts expert, officials told reporters this morning. Archaeological teams had been digging in the area of the mission-fortresss south wall complex, studying formations of stones that comprise a suspected architectural feature, possibly part of the foundation of wall near the compounds primary point of access. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Authorities recommended that American Olympic swimmers Ryan Lochte and Jimmy Feigen be indicted on charges of false reporting of a crime, ABC News reports. An earlier report from ABC, which has since been corrected, said that the men had already been indicted but police only recommended charges and prosecutors have not approved them. Feigen, a former University of Texas and Churchill High School standout, is still in Rio. Lochte returned to the United States before a judge ordered the swimmers' passports seized. Judge Marcello Rubioli, head of the special court handling the swimmers' case, told the New York Times the offense is not a serious one. RELATED: Internet explodes as Lochte, Feigen robbery tale probed "The truth is that this crime in Brazil is not that serious," he said. "It results in very little punishment. If they are found guilty, they would just have to make a payment to an NGO that does humanitarian work. It's not a serious crime. It's not a crime that is going to send them to prison. It's not a crime that's going to prevent them from returning home." The other two swimmers involved, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, gave testimony to Brazilian authorities Thursday. RELATED: Feigen doubles down on robbery story It is unclear if Feigen, who doubled down on the robbery story in an earlier interview with mySA.com, has spoken to police yet. "We were robbed at gunpoint," he said, denying media reports of a fabricated event. "It sounds like people assume we're guilty." Surveillance footage from the gas station shows security confronting the swimmers after they emerge from the bathroom. At least one of the four men reportedly vandalized the bathroom and paid for the damages before leaving. Police have noted there is no evidence of violence against the athletes. nmoyle@express-news.net Twitter: @NRmoyle After conducting testing at 13 CMS data enters, HHS' Office of Inspector General found the centers have tools and techniques that place the centers at risk for cyberattacks, according to Health Data Management. Here are six things to know: 1. OIG found cyber criminals did not breach the vulnerabilities at that time. 2. However, OIG did report the vulnerabilities could have allowed unauthorized access to sensitive, identifiable information. 3. The report also states, "exploitation could have compromised the confidentiality, integrity and availability of CMS' data and systems." 4. The investigation found CMS' vulnerabilities were due to improper configurations and not upgrading their systems, despite CMS previously reporting updates were underway. 5. OIG advises CMS to update its security controls, but the OIG has not yet given detailed recommendations in its report. 6. CMS supported OIG's findings in its written response to the report. CMS stated it addressed many of these issues and is currently working to solve the other issues. More articles on coding & billing: Group insurance director: A solution to rising cost of group insurance: 4 thoughts With payers bowing out of ACA exchanges, the Obama administration makes moves on a new advertising campaign Lawyer: Does digital health need reimbursement?: 5 thoughts Medical residents face several challenges in the working environment today, and those challenges change as they go further into residency, according to the Medscape Resident Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2016. Here are five things to know: 1. The top five challenges for the residents in years one to four are: Work-life balance: 33 percent Dealing with the time pressures and demands on time: 23 percent Fear of failure or making serious mistake: 15 percent Developing clinical skills required for specialty: 14 percent Dealing with the stress: 8 percent 2. By years five to eight, the concerns shift slightly: Work-life balance: 40 percent Dealing with time pressures/demands on time: 20 percent Developing clinical skills required for specialty: 12 percent Fear of failure or making serious mistake: 11 percent Dealing with the stress: 8 percent 3. There were very few residents who reported challenges with their relationship to attending physicians or dealing with patient deaths or terminally ill patients. 4. Bullying can sometimes become a problem in residency programs; however, 41 percent of the respondents said they are rarely bullied and 36 percent said they are never bullied. Only 4 percent said they were often bullied and 20 percent reported occasional bullying. 5. Most of the residents report some depression, but only 10 percent said they are depressed always or most of the time; 53 percent said they are rarely or never depressed and 33 percent report depression sometimes. Texas Free Market Surgery launched a free market healthcare platform in Central Texas. Here are six things to know: 1. The platform is designed to offer transparent pricing for patients who undergo outpatient surgery. The proprietary system bundles together preoperative and postoperative elements of surgery along with surgeon, anesthesiology and rehabilitation costs. 2. There are now 200 outpatient surgeries on the Texas Free Market Surgery website so patients can evaluate the cost of procedures before scheduling surgery. The platform has an extensive surgeon selection process to vet and hire board-certified surgeons. The procedures are performed at an AAAHC-certified ASC in Westlake, Texas. 3. Sean Kelley and Patrick Kelley, MD, developed Texas Free Market Surgery with the hope of transforming the healthcare system with a comprehensive model and direct payment. 4. The platform eliminates the administrative burden and costs associated with processing claims and billing third-party payers. As a result, the price is 30 percent to 60 percent less expensive than comparable services in payer networks. 5. Keith Smith, MD, of the Surgery Center of Oklahoma known for his own efforts with transparent pricing encouraged the Kelley brothers in creating this model. 6. Specialties at the surgery center include otolaryngology, general surgery, orthopedics, extremities and reconstructive plastic surgery. A newspaper's investigative team has accused Meadowlands Hospital and Medical Center in Secaucus, N.J., of using false advertising in its birth tourism program to solicit pregnant Russian women to give birth at the hospital, reports Star-Ledger. The MHMC birth-tourism program, AmeriMama, promotes tour packages online that offer to coordinate medical services for Russian women to give birth at the hospital, enabling their children to qualify for dual citizenship. Birth tourism has become increasingly popular among middle and upper-class citizens in countries that face environmental, economic or political instabilities. While the program is not illegal, investigators from NJ Spotlight have accused MHMC of falsely promoting its neonatal division as one of the best in the U.S. a claim Spotlight called an arrogant manipulation of the truth. MHMC scored below national quality benchmarks for neonatal services in 2016, according to Leapfrog. This year, Leapfrog recommended hospitals' rates for episiotomy, C-section and early elective delivery services fall below 5 percent, 24 percent and 5 percent, respectively. MHMC had episiotomy rates of 30.9 percent, C-section rates of 41.3 percent and early elective delivery rates of 61.4 percent. Leapfrog recommends hospitals only perform the aforementioned procedures when absolutely medically necessary, as they increase the chance for health complications. NJ Spotlight's investigation has prompted Senate health committee chairman Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) and the New Jersey Hospital Association to look at hospital advertising protocols, according to the article. Texas General Hospital in Grand Prairie may be struggling to attract patients for elective services after a report named it the most costly hospital in the state, reports Dallas Observer. Last year, researchers from Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore and Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., used Medicare data from 2012 to rank the 50 hospitals in the country that charge commercial insurers the greatest markups above Medicare rates. Texas General came in at No. 11, making it the hospital with the greatest mark-up price in the state, according to the report. The report found U.S. hospitals on average charged 3.4 times the Medicare-allowable cost in 2012. The top 50 hospitals named in Johns Hopkins' report charged an average of more than 10 times the allowable cost. Hasan Hashmi, MD, with Texas General told Dallas Observer that despite the hospital's high rates, private insurers are responsible for most of the hospital's income. "Most of our money still comes from the sporadic payments of commercial insurances," said Dr. Hashmi, though the hospital is considered out-of-network by most Texas health plans, according to the article. The high insurance rates are passed onto patients that receive out-of-network treatment at the hospital, a practice commonly known as balance billing. Patients confronted with high charge rates typically choose to receive care at an in-network facility, where they share costs with their insurer. Yet Dr. Hashmi told Dallas Observer for-profit Texas General does not employ aggressive collection tactics to fulfill patient accounts. Instead, he said Texas General's rates have gotten so high because the hospital does not take steps to collect payment from patients. More articles on revenue cycle management issues: Merit Health Biloxi (Miss.) named Robert Calhoun CEO, according to a Sun Herald report. Here are four things to know: 1. For the last three years, Mr. Calhoun CEO of Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Ronceverte, W. Va., a part of Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems. 2. He has 14 years of experience in hospital administration and has served in leadership positions at other CHS-affiliated hospitals in Missouri and Kentucky. 3. He earned a Master's degree in health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. 4. He succeeds Monte Bostwick, who resigned in July to take up a post at a Texas-based health system. Nurses at five Allina Health hospitals voted Thursday to call for a new strike in a disagreement with the Minneapolis-based health system over health benefits, staffing and workplace safety, according to a Star Tribune report. The Minnesota Nurses Association, the union representing roughly 4,800 Allina nurses, declined to provide specific voting results to the Star Tribune, but did indicate the required two-thirds majority was reached against Allina's most recent contract offer to proceed with strike planning. Nurses at three voting locations said while they will need to look for other employment and save money to counter the loss of pay from Allina during a strike, they believe calling the strike was necessary to defend their benefits and pressure Allina after an initial seven-day strike in June didn't result in a deal, according to the report. A key sticking point in negotiations has been the cost and design of the nurses' union-backed health insurance. Allina wanted to eliminate the nurses' four union-backed health plans, which include high premiums but low or no deductibles, and move the nurses to its corporate plans, according to the report. The union wanted to protect those nurse-only plans. Allina has estimated that eliminating the nurses' four union-backed health plans would save the health system $10 million per year. Penny Wheeler, MD, CEO of Allina, told the Star Tribune Wednesday that Allina compromised and offered to discontinue only two of the union plans, though nurses would have to take on most of the cost increases. "We know that our nurses would be heartbroken to leave the side of their patients," she told the publication. "And for what reason? It's hard to believe they would strike over this when actually they have another choice." Union officials said they will plan for a strike, but expect that federal mediators or Allina might pursue another round of talks before a strike takes place, according to the report. Leaders of the Minnesota Nurses Association would still have to issue a required 10-day notice before a strike could occur. The strike would affect five Minnesota facilities Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis, Unity Hospital in Fridley, United Hospital in St. Paul, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis. And it could be costly. Allina said it incurred $20.4 million of expenses related to the strike in June. More articles on human capital and risk: Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital nurses to strike Queen of the Valley nurses win first union contract In California, nursing graduates remain in licensing limbo The following is a roundup of recent events pertaining to hospital-union relationships, including strikes, legal battles, rallies and new contract agreements. All events were reported since Aug. 1. 1. Allina Health nurses authorize second strike Nurses at five Allina Health hospitals voted Thursday to call for a new strike in a disagreement with the Minneapolis-based health system over health benefits, staffing and workplace safety, according to a Star Tribune report. The second strike comes after an initial seven-day strike in June didn't result in a deal. 2. Bonner General Health nurses vote to authorize strike Nurses at Bonner General Health in Sandpoint, Idaho, will strike if they feel a fair contract cannot be achieved through negotiations with the hospital, according to a Bonner County Daily Bee report. The nurses recently approved a strike vote, which does not initiate a strike, but does give the nurses authority to call a strike later in the bargaining process. 3. Community leaders lobby for nurses with letter to Steward hospital president A delegation of community leaders from Greater Haverhill visited the hospital, part of Boston-based Steward Health Care, to hand-deliver a letter to hospital President Joseph Roach to "express concerns for the nurses who provide dedicated care at our hospital," and to appeal for fair treatment of the nurses in protracted negotiations for a new union contract. The hospital said it will review the letter and looks forward to continuing negotiations with nurses at that time. 4. Shore Medical Center nurses OK contract agreement: 3 things to know Nurses at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, N.J., ratified a new four-year contract that addresses wages and benefits. The Shore Nurses Union and the New York State Nurses Association said the agreement provides for wage increases, but did not provide further details on what the increases were. The agreement also provides for the retention of retirement benefits. 5. California RNs reach tentative agreement with HCA-affiliated hospitals Registered nurses at Good Samaritan Hospital and Regional Medical Center, both in San Jose, Calif., have reached a tentative agreement with hospital administrators on a new contract, the California Nurses Association said. The agreement covers 1,641 RNs in bargaining units at the hospitals, which are part of Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America. 6. Nurses at 3 NY hospitals plan strike Nurses at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown and St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica voted to authorize a strike Sept. 1, according to the New York State Nurses Association. The union, which represents the workers, said a 10-day notice has been officially delivered to management at all three hospitals calling for a one-day walkout at St. Elizabeth Medical Center and SMC as well as a two-day walkout at NLH. The nurses have been working without contracts. Nurses have raised concerns about inadequate staffing of RNs in numerous departments. 7. New contract for RNs at Southern California Hospital at Culver City Registered nurses at Southern California Hospital at Culver City (Calif.) have ratified a new contract agreement with management, California Nurses Association said. Among other things, the contract includes establishing an Infectious Disease Taskforce, according to the union, which represents 300 nurses at SCHCC. The union said this task force will allow nurses to meet with management "to better address policies and equipment necessary to control the spread of communicable diseases in the hospital." The contract also features pay increases ranging from 10 percent to 19.5 percent over the next 30 months and improved on-call rates. 8. Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital nurses to strike Registered nurses at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif., are scheduled to strike for one day beginning at 6 a.m. on Aug. 24, the California Nurses Association said. The nurses said they are striking due to concerns over staffing and working conditions, among other issues. 9. Queen of the Valley nurses win first union contract The union representing nurses at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, Calif., reached a tentative agreement with the hospital for the nurses' first-ever contract, according to a Vallejo Times-Herald report. The California Nurses Association and hospital reached the three-year tentative agreement Aug. 8. It includes safe staffing provisions, such as staffing according to severity of patients' condition, as well as establishment of a professional practice committee of elected bedside nurses to track staffing, according to the report. 10. Dignity Health workers protest contract proposals Healthcare workers protested Aug. 10 outside Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Calif., over contract proposals from the hospital and its owner, San Francisco-based Dignity Health, according to a Santa Maria Times report. The protesters are represented by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West. 11. NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital workers protest over wages Workers at Bronxville, N.Y.-based NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital held a candlelight vigil, lobbying for better wages, according to a Bronxville Daily Voice report. The workers, represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, protested across the street from the hospital. 12. Mayo food service workers plan picket over outsourcing decision A union representing workers at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic will picket later this month over the system's decision to switch food service vendors, according to a KIMT report.The Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota told the TV station food service workers and supporters will picket over the outsourcing decision Aug. 24 in front of Saint Marys hospital campus in Rochester. 13. Heritage Valley Beaver nurses to strike again Nurses at Heritage Valley Beaver (Pa.) have nixed management's latest contract offer and will strike beginning Aug. 23, according to an Associated Press report published by CBS Pittsburgh. The Service Employees International Union Healthcare Pennsylvania, which represents the nurses, is against the hospital's plans to raise healthcare costs for the workers. The hospital said the health coverage was fair and that nurses who use the health system's facilities are fully covered, according to the report. 14. 100 Dignity Health hospital workers picket in California Hospital workers at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, Calif., picketed over contract issues, according to a Ventura County Star report. More than 100 St. John's workers, represented by Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, participated in the picket. The picket was prompted by negotiations being held across San Francisco-based Dignity Health system, according to the report. 15. Steward Health Care, workers reach new contract Boston-based Steward Health Care System has signed a contract with the union representing about 5,000 of its hospital workers, The Boston Globe reports. The contract, which runs from Nov. 1, 2016 to Oct. 31, 2019, maintains health benefits and offers non-clinical staff and hospital technicians a 5.5 percent raise over three years. From Rockledge, Fla.-based Health First settling an antitrust case on the second day of trial to a married couple from New Jersey sentenced to prison for forging physician signatures on diagnostic tests, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines. 1. Sisters of Charity sues Palmetto Health over $50M orthopedic practice Cleveland-based Sisters of Charity Health System, the former owner of Providence Hospital in Columbia, S.C., sued Palmetto Health, alleging the system is responsible for the demise of Providence's $50 million orthopedic practice. 2. Class-action suit against ex-operator of shuttered NC hospital moves forward A federal judge granted class-action status to a lawsuit filed by three former employees of now-shuttered Yadkin Valley Community Hospital against the hospital's former operator. 3. Pa. physicians, health facilities settle $690k fraud claim Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Pain Management, three physicians and a number of affiliated clinics have agreed to pay approximately $690,000 to the federal government to resolve allegations they improperly billed government agencies. 4. Court rules J&J's patent for autoimmune drug invalid: 6 things to know Johnson & Johnson took a major blow in its ongoing legal battle with rival drug giant Pfizer over a patent for its best-selling autoimmune drug Remicade. A federal judge ruled that a key patent for the drug is invalid, allowing cheaper biosimilar versions to enter the market. 5. Florida urologist settles fraud allegations A Fort Myers, Fla.-based physician agreed to pay $250,000 to resolve allegations he violated the False Claims Act by submitting medically unnecessary tests to government payers. 6. Man charged with murder in fatal double shooting at Fla. hospital A man accused of fatally shooting a patient and employee at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla., was formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder. 7. NJ couple sentenced to prison for forging physician signatures on 10k diagnostic tests A married couple from Rockaway, N.J., was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for forging physicians signatures and receiving more than $4.8 million from Medicare and private insurers for diagnostic tests and reports that were never interpreted by a licensed physician. 8. Kentucky AG accuses Johnson & Johnson of deceptive marketing of vaginal implants Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear filed a civil lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and its medical device unit, Ethicon, alleging deceptive marketing of surgical mesh medical devices for women. 9. Health First settles antitrust suit on second day of trial Rockledge, Fla.-based Health First reached a settlement with Melbourne, Fla.-based Omni Healthcare and a group of physicians, resolving a nearly three-year-old antitrust suit accusing Health First of maintaining a monopoly in southern Brevard County through its ownership of hospitals, physician practices and health insurance plans. 10. Teen accused of posing as physician may use insanity defense A judge delayed the trial of Malachi Love-Robinson, the 19-year-old accused of posing as a physician. 11. Judge prevents Ohio from cutting Planned Parenthood funding An Ohio judge rejected a state law that would cut federal taxpayer funding from 28 Planned Parenthood clinics More articles on health law: 31 recently unsealed false claims cases: 5 takeaways 21 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements Ex-hospital CFO claims he was fired for blowing the whistle on chairman of the board A former employee at Fort Benton, Mo.-based Missouri River Medical Center has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the hospital claiming she was fired in retaliation for reporting a violation of policy by upper level management at the facility, according to the Independent Record. In her lawsuit, Shannon Walden, former infection control coordinator at MRMC, claims she learned residents and staff at MRMC had scabies in March 2015. She said she recommended the center treat infected patients according to guidelines published by the CDC. Ms. Walden alleges MRMC ignored her recommendations and the outbreak grew to affect eight to 10 residents and staff. After numerous complaints from the community, officials from the Montana Department of Health and Human Services visited the facility in May 2015. Ms. Walden claims she told investigators the director of nursing was more concerned with cost-saving measures and was not following proper guidelines to treat infected patients. A report by the department of health said of six residents sampled, all six showed symptoms of scabies. The report also said patients were not properly isolated and cared for after being diagnosed with scabies. It notes that the hospital did not keep detailed medical records of how patients were treated after being diagnosed. After a continued lack of response by the center, Ms. Walden contacted OSHA in June and July 2015. On Aug. 24, 2015, Ms. Walden sent an email saying MRMC's director of nursing had lied about the number of scabies cases at the center during a call with Great Falls, Benefis Health System and physicians, according to the report. Ms. Walden was fired Sept. 1 and asked to leave the center immediately. According to court documents, the center must provide employees with two weeks' notice prior to termination. Ms. Walden claims she still has not received written justification explaining her termination. Documents released by MRMC said Ms. Walden was fired because of a "required reduction in workforce and budgetary shortfalls." Christ Hospital's new Joint and Spine Center in Cincinnati could serve as a film location for a movie in which Colin Farrell plays a surgeon, the Cincinnati Business Courier reports. That's according to informed sources, who told the publication the hospital has been planning to accommodate filming. Christ Hospital spokeswoman Kendall Herold told the publication she couldn't comment "on any potential film." She also wouldn't address whether filming would cause a disruption to the hospital or whether the hospital would take extra security precautions to keep fans away. However, Ms. Herold told the Cincinnati Business Courier, "providing for the safety and well-being of our patients is the No. 1 priority for the organization." The movie, "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," stars Mr. Farrell and Nicole Kidman. Christ Hospital's Joint and Spine Center, which opened a year ago, was the focal point of a $280 million expansion, according to the report. Uganda taxman installs electronic machines on business premises to tame tax evasion In a bid to tame tax evasion the Uganda taxman is introducing a raft of new and radical measures to businesses including installing machines at premises of businesses in order to track sales. It started some months ago when the Uganda Revenue Authority started a campaign to encourage the public to demand for receipts whenever they purchase goods and services. Few days ago, the taxman took the campaigns a notch higher with a pilot project that could see it install some machines at the premises of businesses in order to track the sales. This is the biggest step so far in the tax bodys attempt to embed itself in private businesses as it seeks to shore up all the tax revenue it can get. If pulled off, the machines could go a long way in curbing tax evasion and increase the tax to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ration a key indicator of how self-reliant an economy is. In our pilot, we want to begin with people who are involved in general trade: supermarkets and retailers. And then follow up with people dealing in hardware and also extend to the service industry, Henry Saka, the commissioner for domestic taxes said. So, this is something you should see coming in the next few months. This is one of the areas through which we have learnt from our neighbours. Called the Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFD), will provide URA with more insight into what a business or trader is involved in. With this system, the revenue authority will no longer have to do auditing of books of accounts, according to Saka. Under the new system of machines, URA will be able to track a receipt that was handed to a customer after a purchase, making it hard for any attempt at forgery. Saka explained that some companies, especially those that deal in general goods, were avoiding generating receipts and so their actual turnover was not reflecting in their tax returns. In the last financial year 2015/16 URA posted a more than $148 million shortfall in revenue collection. The tax body is still figuring out ways of roping the informal sector into the tax net. According to figures from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the informal sector is estimated to contribute more than 50 per cent of GDP and employing more than 80 per cent of the labour force. However, as URA prepares to roll out the machines, a number of issues remain. It is not clear whether the machines will work without power. In case there is no power, as is usually the case in most parts of the country, how will receipts be issued? Can the machines stamp out the collusion that usually goes on between the buyers and sellers, which is the biggest factor behind tax evasion? At the moment, URA is considering whether there should be a cost-sharing model between government and the private businesses in the procurement of these machines. URA Commissioner General Doris Akol said since 1991 when URA established, the risk of compliance, such as the under declaration of sales, remains a great challenge till today. She said through close monitoring of transactions, tax collections will be boosted. www.ura.go.ug Here are 17 key notes on orthopedic and spine device companies over the past week. Medtronic completed its second tranche investment in Mazor Robotics. SeaSpine signed a definitive agreement to acquire NLT Spine, an Israel-based medical device company creating minimally invasive spine surgery products. Zimmer Biomet is acquiring CD Diagnostics, a company developing immunoassays and biomarker testing. The Advanced Medical Technology Association, along with large device company Johnson & Johnson, are asking the FDA to further explain the regulatory approach of additive manufacturing, which includes 3D printing. Stryker's director, Ronda Stryker, sold about 12,000 company shares with a market value of $1.378 million. The FDA cleared Spinal Elements' interspinous process device. Spinal Simplicity introduced a new generation of the Minuteman G3 fusion device with FDA-cleared coating of hydroxyapatite. A Reportstack report found both Zimmer Biomet and DePuy Synthes are two major companies in the European large joint orthopedic devices market. RTI Surgical's CEO Brian Hutchison plans to retire. Titan Spine extended its distribution agreement with MBA, an international medical device marketing-and-distribution organization, to offer the Endoskeleton titanium implants in Italy. InVivo Therapeutics added Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine as a clinical site for its INSPIRE study. Orthogrid Systems offers the HipGrid Drone technology, which assist practices performing outpatient procedures. NovaBone Products received the Brazilian ANVISA Good Manufacturing Practices medical device certificate. Paul Favorito, MD, of Mercy Health, Cincinnati, has published a paper in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery about the use of DePuy Synthes' stepped socket in shoulder replacement surgery. The Orthopaedic Implant Company launched its Antegrade/Retrograde Intramedullary Femur Nail System, which treats femoral midshaft and distal fractures. The Orange County Technology Alliance named Vertos Medical a finalist in its Medical Technology category for the company's mild procedure. Rotation Medical, a device company focused on developing technology to treat rotator cuff disease, secured $12 million in Series B extension financing. Two health systems in South Carolina are clashing after Sisters of Charity, the former owners of Providence Hospital, are seeking $50 million in damages from the Palmetto Health hospital system for allegedly illegally "stealing" the Moore Orthopedic Clinic, The State reports. Here's what you need to know. 1. The lawsuit alleges that Palmetto Health has "monopoly power," in the Columbia area, and that conspiring to take the orthopedic surgery business from Providence would effectively "weaken" Providence's ability to compete with Palmetto. 2. In addition to the $50 million Sisters of Charity is seeking, it would also like reimbursement for punitive and other damages that could be in the hundreds of millions if Palmetto loses the suit. Additionally, the two hospital giants have money, prestige and reputation on the line. 3. Evidence in the case includes previously secret emails and text messages from former Providence doctors and top officials who allegedly conspired with Palmetto Health "to wrest" the Moore Clinic doctors away as Providence Hospital was sold. 4. Providence Hospital was able to compete with Palmetto through its Moore Clinic, which it had invested $30 million into in 2010. In 2011, Moore Clinic surgeons convinced Providence to abandon obstetrics and convert the wing into an orthopedic surgery wing. By 2014, orthopedics was Providence Hospitals' most profitable line of business, and was critical to Providence's long term sustainability. 5. Providence was discussing entering into a partnership with several hospitals in 2013, Palmetto was included. The suit alleges with the insider information about how profitable the orthopedics division was, Palmetto "decided to attempt secretly to acquire Providence's orthopedic surgery business." 6. In April 2013, Moore Clinic physicians and staff notified Providence that they were quitting to join Palmetto Health. That decision damaged the value of Providence Hospital through a last minute negotiation with LifePoint, whom it sold to. 7. Michael Kapp, chairman of the board of the Sisters of Charity Providence Hospital Legacy Group said any money recovered will go to the Sisters of Charity Foundation. The Palmetto Group was not reached for comment before publication. More news related to practice management: 5 key notes on provider-sponsored health plans as the next frontier EHRs fail to keep pace with booming healthcare analytics growth: 5 takeaways on EHRs' shortcomings Creating a solid end-to-end service Caremerge's CEO on value-based care Mascott construction director Alwyn Campbell and MAC chief executive Anne McReynolds as the company completed its building work on the theatre in 2013 Up to 30 jobs have been lost after construction firm Mascott went into administration. Administrators were appointed this month to Mascott Construction Ltd in Belfast, which worked on high-profile contracts including the MAC Theatre. Staff were let go after the company was found to be unfit to keep trading. In recent years the firm had been carrying out an increasing number of contracts in Great Britain, and in 2016 won an award for the fit-out of a call centre for Firstsource in Cardiff. It also carried out work on a new stand at Cliftonville's Solitude stadium. A spokeswoman for business advisors EY said its restructuring specialists Andrew Dolliver and Luke Charleton had been appointed administrators. However, as a construction firm carrying out major contracts, it is believed to have provided work to large numbers of other sub-contractors. But since the administrators were appointed on August 10, Gareth Loye, the chief executive of M&M Contractors, has established a new company, Mascott Construction (Europe) Ltd, suggesting that the business's name or assets could be revived under new ownership. Mascott is the second major Northern Ireland construction firm to go under in recent months, after T&A Kernoghan went into administration in April with the loss of around 50 jobs. Mascott Construction was set up in 1998. In its accounts for 2014, the company made a loss of 283,000, despite pre-tax profits of 9.4m - down from 13m. It was also one of four building firms that protested after then Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland claimed in 2013 that they had been overpaid by 18m for Northern Ireland Housing Executive work. A former contractor for Mascott said: "That turned out not be true, but the idea of owing such a large sum of money hit them enormously." In 2012, the firm registered a mortgage taken out with Swiss insurer Technical and General Guarantee Company. John Armstrong, the managing director of industry body the Construction Employers Federation, said the construction sector in Northern Ireland continued to experience difficulties. He added that it was becoming harder than ever before for companies to make money from public sector work. "The reality is that construction companies in Northern Ireland who work for the public sector are finding margins severely tight, to the extent that it's almost not worth them working in Northern Ireland," he explained. Gavin McGuire, Northern Ireland director of the Federation of Master Builders said that many Northern Ireland firms had been able to rely on work in Great Britain. But he added that he feared the pipeline of work had slowed down in recent months and that the vote to leave the EU could have a further detrimental effect. Last month, a construction bulletin from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency indicated that output from builders in Northern Ireland in the first quarter of the year was up 3.4% on the last quarter of 2015, and up 2.3% on the first quarter of 2015. The expansion in the province was mainly due to 12.9% growth in repair and maintenance. Britain's biggest care homes group Four Seasons is expected to post another set of disappointing figures next week as the firm risks falling into the hands of its creditors. The debt-laden group, owned by City financier Guy Hands's private equity vehicle Terra Firma, admitted in April that it does not have enough money to meet its long-term needs, adding that it is exploring its options. It is understood that a number of hedge funds have stepped up efforts over the past month to buy into the firm's 525 million debt pile in anticipation of a debt for equity swap - where borrowings are waived in exchange for control of a company. One source told the Press Association: "The results next week are unlikely to show any improvement in its performance, and US hedge funds in particular are circling in increasing numbers with a view to getting a piece of the action. "If there's not a foreign buyer that steps in, which seems unlikely, it will go to the wolves by October or November." The company's lenders include US investment giants HCP and H/2 Capital Partners. Other options thought to be under consideration include refinancing the debt or a straight sale. Four Seasons, which will report results for the second quarter on Tuesday, houses 20,000 elderly residents across 450 homes. It has been stung by a cut in local authority fees, rising costs and the introduction of the national living wage, in April reporting a 39% fall in annual earnings. The firm faces interest payments of more than 50 million a year on its debt, with credit ratings agency Moody's branding the group's financial structure "unsustainable". Mr Hands is best known for his 2007 takeover of EMI, the record label that signed The Beatles. The deal ended in disaster when he was forced to hand the business over to lender Citigroup four years later. The surplus in July of 1bn was worse than the 1.6bn City of London analysts had expected and leaves the 2016-17 deficit on course for an 11bn plus overshoot of the Office for Budget Responsibility's March target The public finances were weaker than expected in the wake of the Brexit vote, official figures showed on Friday. July has traditionally been a month of surplus for the public finances as it is one of the four months when companies pay a share of their annual corporation tax dues over to HMRC. City of London analysts had expected a surplus of 1.6bn. But the outturn was a surplus of just 1bn according to the Office for National Statistics. The surplus was also 200m lower than the same in the same month last year. The figures imply the Government is set to breach the 55.5bn deficit target for 2016-17 outlined by the Office for Budget Responsibility at the time of the March Budget. Economists expect the shock Brexit referendum result on 23 June to slow the economy markedly, which will result in tax revenues falling well short and leaving the Governments deficit reduction plans adrift. "Julys UK public finances figures gave us the first indication of how the vote to leave the EU will slow progress in reducing the deficit over the coming years" said Paul Hollingsworth of Capital Economics. Samuel Tombs of Pantheon said that if the weaker trend of the first four months of this fiscal year were to continue the Government would overshoot the full year target by around 11.2bn. Read more Read More Corporation tax receipts in the month were 7.5bn, up a decent 8.4 per cent on the same month last year and helped by the first payment of the Government's bank corporation tax surcharge. But taxes on production, including VAT were 0.8 per cent lower. "The public finances...corroborate downbeat activity surveys which suggest the economy is struggling" said Tombs. The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has already said he will "reset" fiscal policy in the forthcomiing Autumn Statement, with anticipation that he could announce a form of fiscal stimulus to prop up growth and help avert a recession. "Some form of fiscal stimulus to support the economy in the face of Brexit-related worries seems almost certain" said Martin Beck of the EY ITEM Club. "And with the Exchequer enjoying record-low borrowing costs, there is unlikely to be a more opportune time to turn on the fiscal taps. In response to today's figures the chief secretary to the Treasury David Gauke said: "As we keep working to cut the deficit, we are well-placed to handle any challenges and seize the opportunities as our economy adjusts. We are determined to build on our economic strengths to ensure Britain is a country that works for everyone. Borrowing for the fiscal year to date is now 23.7bn. This is 11.3 per cent (3bn) lower than the same point in 2015-16 but well undershooting the 26 per cent reduction forecast by the OBR in March for the full fiscal year. Independent Saudi Arabia suggests it may be increasing its August crude output to a new all-time high as it could give it more leverage to influence the September informal talks on a possible production freeze, Reuters reported, citing industry sources. Saudi Arabia Opec's biggest producer pumped a record 10.67 million barrels per day in July, up by some 120,000 bpd compared to June. The Saudis are usually ramping up production in the summer with the higher demand for crude, but what was unusual was that production hit a record high, above last summer's peak. After holding output steady in the first half, the Saudis started pumping more from June onwards, and further increases in production would mean attempting to out-produce the world's top oil producer, Russia, which is not an Opec member. Higher output would also give the Saudis a few more bargaining chips at the September meeting, according to Reuters' sources. The Saudis are "quietly telling the market" that production may increase in August to 10.8 million-10.9 million bpd, a non-Opec source told Reuters. It seems that Saudi Arabia is mastering the art of tipping the oil prices with a carefully uttered word, and just last week, its oil minister Khalid al-Falih proved that by saying that the Saudis would "take any action to help the market rebalance". Oil jumped, and investors hurried to cover large bets against the oil prices. Saudi Arabia will surely be the primary negotiator of any production freeze talks in September. It killed the Doha talks in April, the previous such attempt to reach an agreement, after it insisted that any deal must include Iran, which of course, Iran never agreed to, just having been relieved of several years of oil sanctions. The September informal meeting between Opec and non-Opec partners is largely expected not to reach a production cap deal either. Reports of increased Saudi output come as former OPEC chief, Chakib Khelil, told Bloomberg that the heavyweight Opec members Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq, as well as non-OPEC Russia, may be willing to agree on a production freeze because they have already grabbed all market shares up for grabs. Following a downbeat early trade on Wednesday, oil prices began climbing shortly after the Energy Information Administration (EIA) published its weekly inventory report, which showed that crude oil inventories last week fell by 2.5 million barrels in the week to August 12, standing at 521.1 million barrels. Source The Scottish Government plans to cut and then scrap Air Passenger Duty once it is devolved Scotland should cut and then scrap air passenger tax or risk remaining out of step with the rest of the EU, according to a think-tank. Reform Scotland said just four other EU countries have a similar tax. The think-tank has published a briefing paper reinforcing the Scottish Government's pledge to cut and then scrap Air Passenger Duty (APD) once it is devolved. Labour claims it is the "wrong move at the wrong time", while the Scottish Greens see it as a "bizarre priority". Reform Scotland said Scottish residents would save on air fares if the tax was dropped, and endorsed a previous study carried out on behalf of Edinburgh Airport which said revenue lost from halving and scrapping APD could be at least matched by increases from sources such as job growth, productivity growth and tourism expenditure. The think-tank's chairman, Alan McFarlane, said: "Reform Scotland believes that the Scottish Government should proceed with its plans to cut the tax. Countries across Europe, including Ireland, Belgium, Holland and Denmark, have scrapped their air passenger tax in recent years. By retaining ours, we are out of step with the rest of the EU. "This is not an ideological issue. It is an obvious and simple economic case. The economic benefits of cutting or scrapping the tax will outweigh the cost of doing so, which will benefit everyone. "We encourage all political parties at Holyrood to support the cut in APD, in the best interests of our economy and our people. If they fail to do so it will be up to them to justify why they oppose a measure which a wide range of voices argue will help promote economic growth." He said the plans are backed by parts of the business community and tourism sector. But Scottish Labour transport spokesman Neil Bibby said: "Across Scotland, our schools, NHS and police force are facing hundreds of millions of pounds of cuts - it shouldn't be the SNP Government's priority to make a business class flight cheaper. "Cutting APD won't make Scotland fairer or greener. It would be the wrong move at the wrong time. When the SNP Government consulted on this, they were embarrassed to find that most responses agreed with Labour. "With record passenger numbers at Scottish airports it would be the wrong move to offer a huge tax break to airlines who simply don't need it, and kick off a race to the bottom with other parts of the UK. The SNP need to scrap their plans to cut Air Passenger Duty." Scottish Greens climate change spokesman Mark Ruskell said: "It's a bizarre priority given the state of public finances for the Scottish Government to want to subsidise the airline industry so frequent flyers can leave Scotland more cheaply. "The costs to the public purse and the environment are too great for an economic benefit which may be marginal at best and at worst could undermine domestic tourism and rail." Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said: "Cutting APD will be a strong demonstration of Scotland's international ambitions and be better value for travellers. "It will send a powerful signal to the global airline market that Scotland is most definitely open for business, and crucially will lead to the creation of new direct routes." A Scottish Government spokesman said: "O ur plan to initially cut APD and then abolish it when public finances permit is a fundamental component to improving Scotland's international connectivity. "UK APD has been the most expensive tax of its kind in Europe and continues to act as a barrier to Scotland's ability to secure new direct international services and maintain existing ones. "Devolution of APD to the Scottish Parliament will provide the opportunity to put in place new arrangements which better support the Scottish Government's objective to help generate new direct routes - benefiting passengers, businesses and the wider economy." Black Mirror season 3 begins in October on Netflix and ahead of the release Charlie Brooker has shared some teaser images online. The show is an anthology series that taps into an unease with the modern world, with each stand-alone episode a sharp, suspenseful tale exploring themes of contemporary techno-paranoia. Without questioning it, technology has transformed all aspects of our lives; in every home; on every desk; in every palm - a plasma screen; a monitor; a smartphone a Black Mirror reflecting our 21st Century existence back at us. The stills are taken from the opening two episodes which are both set to premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Expand Close Black Mirror season 3: San Junipero - Pictured: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mackenzie Davis / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Black Mirror season 3: San Junipero - Pictured: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mackenzie Davis The series is created and written by Brooker. The third season, comprises six episodes: San Junipero features Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis in an episode directed by Owen Harris Shut Up and Dance features Jerome Flynn and Alex Lawther. Directed by James Watkins Nosedive features Bryce Dallas Howard, Alice Eve and James Norton. Directed by Joe Wright Men Against Fire stars Michael Kelly, Malachi Kirby and Madeline Brewer. Directed by Jakob Verbruggen Hated in the Nation features Kelly MacDonald. Directed by James Hawes Playtest stars Wyatt Russell and Hannah John-Kamen. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg In 1871 New Mexico, bullet-riddled Bill Hammond (Noah Emmerich) staggers back home to his humble and isolated smallholding. His no-nonsense wife Jane (Natalie Portman) tends to his wounds and learns that her husband has crossed a sadistic outlaw called John Bishop (Ewan McGregor), who is en route to the ranch with his men. Time is of the essence so Jane leaves their daughter Kate (Maisie McMaster) with a neighbour before seeking out drunkard gunslinger Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton) to beg him for help to fend off Bishop's posse. Jane Got A Gun was plagued with problems during production - original director Lynne Ramsay departed and was replaced by Gavin O'Connor. A haphazard script credited to three writers including actor Edgerton, which is festooned with flashbacks that dissipate dramatic tension, provides a flimsy foundation for the characters' trials and tribulations. Rose-tinted glimpses at Jane and Dan's romance require an exceedingly sweet tooth. Portman is a sympathetic heroine, and Edgerton and a largely wordless Emmerich are solid rivals for her pistol-whipped heart. Three stars You Me At Six will play Belfast in October. You Me At Six have announced a headline show at Belfast's The Limelight in October. The band, who are set to release a new studio album, will play The Limelight on Sunday October 9. The album, their fifth, was recorded in Nashville at Black Bird Studios with Grammy award winning producer Jacquire King (Kings Of Leon, James Bay) and mixed by Andrew Scheps (Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chilli Peppers). It is set for release early next year. You Me At Six have sold over 600,000 albums globally. The band have had three top five albums including a UK Number 1 on their last release: Cavalier Youth. They have also scored thirteen consecutive A-list singles on Radio 1. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday August 24 at 9am from www.limelightbelfast.com, www.ticketmaster.ie Katys Bar & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. An MLA has voiced concern after an official probe into alleged failings by a Northern Ireland dentist was dropped. Ulster Unionist health spokeperson Jo-Anne Dobson hit out after health minister Michelle O'Neill said patients of Robert McMitchell can take their own action to "seek redress for potential negligence". Mr McMitchell, who owns dental surgeries across Northern Ireland, was under investigation by the General Dental Council (GDC) after several complaints about his work. However, a scheduled "fitness to practise" hearing was cancelled when the GDC accepted a request by Mr McMitchell to be removed from its register. It came eight years after the GDC allowed Mr McMitchell to continue working as a dentist, even after it found he had allowed an untrained receptionist to x-ray patients. Ms Dobson wrote to Ms O'Neill last month after it emerged Mr McMitchell had relinquished his licence to practice. In response, the Sinn Fein minister said her chief dental officer, Simon Reid, has contacted senior GDC officials to query the voluntary removal of Mr McMitchell and the process in general. She continued: "Simon is still exploring with relevant colleagues here whether there are any local options to consider these matters. "However, as one of the ultimate sanctions to local processes is referral to the GDC itself, it would appear that such local processes would not be of use in this particular case." She said Mr Reid was due to meet with the chief executive of the GDC and she expects to be kept updated. She added that patients "would not be precluded from taking their own action to seek redress for potential negligence". Ms Dobson said the minister and her officials should now step forward in the interests of patient safety. "It is particularly disappointing that the minister seems to suggest that the individual patients involved in the issues raised should somehow take their own action to seek redress for potential negligence," she said. Lawyers are challenging Brexit, writing to Theresa May on behalf of politicians and human rights activists Lawyers in Northern Ireland have begun a legal challenge to Brexit. Papers were lodged with the High Court in Belfast on Friday seeking leave to apply for a judicial review. Former justice minister David Ford is among a cross-community group of politicians and human-rights activists whose lawyers had written to Prime Minister Theresa May and other Cabinet members. They urged her to consider the country's peace process and other unique requirements before triggering the mechanism to leave the European Union (EU). The legal representatives said: "The various assurances sought by our clients have not been forthcoming and, indeed, the response heightened their concerns about the approach the Government was likely to take. "In light of this, papers were lodged in the High Court in Belfast on Friday 19 August 2016 seeking leave to apply for judicial review." The law firm Jones Cassidy Brett Solicitors said it received an inadequate response from the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis and Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire. Those supporting the action include: Green Party leader Steven Agnew; Social Democratic and Labour Party leader Colum Eastwood; senior Sinn Fein Stormont Assembly member John O'Dowd; former head of the Progressive Unionist Party Dawn Purvis; ex-Equality Commission member and disability rights activist Monica Wilson OBE and the Committee on the Administration of Justice human-rights group. They want to ensure the Brexit process complies with the rule of law, takes account of parliamentary sovereignty, protects progress made towards a more peaceful society and accords adequate weight to the democratic will of those in Northern Ireland who voted in the European referendum and in the 1998 poll on the Good Friday Agreement. Their lawyers have said parliamentary legislation should authorise the triggering of the Article 50 leave clause and that law should require the consent of the Northern Ireland Assembly. High street chain Argos has been accused of glorifying terrorism by helping to distribute loyalist paramilitary T-shirts High street chain Argos has been accused of glorifying terrorism by helping to distribute loyalist paramilitary T-shirts. Argos was the agreed collection point for eBay orders of T-shirts emblazoned with UDA/UFF and UVF slogans, although the retailer said it has "no control" over the sale of the items. The T-shirts were immediately removed from eBay's marketplace yesterday after concerns were raised by the Belfast Telegraph. eBay said it does not allow the sale "of items promoting or commemorating hatred and violence". A spokesman for Argos said: "eBay is the seller and therefore we have no control over the sale of this item." He said Argos immediately passed the issue over to eBay who promptly removed the products from the site. The spokesman said Argos "have no intention to cause offence or glorify terrorism". One of the offending T-shirts featured a red clenched fist surrounded by barbed wire, along with the slogan: "Simply the best, UFF/UDA POW, their only crime loyalty." Similar shirts were often worn by former loyalist terror boss Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair and his supporters. In 2000 Adair, 50 supporters and his Alsatian dog sported identical Ulster Freedom Fighters T-shirts bearing the slogan "Simply the Best" at a terrorist show of strength, at which shots were fired to demonstrate "support for the Orangemen at Drumcree". Another T-shirt from the same eBay seller was emblazoned with "Ulster Volunteer Force, UVF, For God and Ulster, Long Kesh Battalion." Expand Expand Previous Next Close The paramilitary tops distributed by Argos The paramilitary tops distributed by Argos / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The paramilitary tops distributed by Argos Until yesterday afternoon the clothing was being sold on eBay for 14.99 and, once purchased, could be collected at Argos stores throughout Northern Ireland. Revelations of Argos' role in the distribution of the paramilitary T-shirts left victims of UDA/UFF violence "hurt and outraged", a victims' group said. Innocent Victims United (IVU) accused Argos of being complicit in the glorification of terrorism. The UDA/UFF was responsible for more than 400 deaths. One of the UFF's worst acts of violence was on Halloween in 1993 when gunmen walked into the Rising Sun bar in Greysteel and shouted "Trick or treat?" before opening fire, killing six men and two women. Other high-profile attacks include the Milltown massacre in March 1988, the Sean Graham bookmakers' shooting in 1992 and the Castlerock killings. The UVF was responsible for more than 500 deaths. During the Troubles its deadliest attack was the 1971 McGurk's Bar bombing, which killed 15 civilians. The group also carried out attacks in the Republic. The biggest of these was the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which killed 34. Kenny Donaldson of Innocent Victims United said: "We oppose terrorism glorification and terrorism idolatry in all its forms and we view this action by Argos as being complicit with this. "Within our membership are innocent victims of UFF/UDA terrorism and having spoken to a number about this matter they are rightly hurt and outraged by what is happening. We call on Argos to think beyond the pound signs - cease to act as a collection point with immediate effect". Mr Donaldson said that "terrorism idolatry is a disease within our society which runs across many aspects of our political, cultural and civic lives". He said: "Statutory agencies, through their refusal to face up to the problem, are equally complicit, whether that's a refusal to remove illegal terror memorials, illegal terrorist flags, the naming of children's play parks and other amenities after convicted terrorists, the public funding of organisations who promote terrorism glorification and terrorism idolatry - the list goes on. Once again we have a situation where victims are everyone's last concern. They should be everyone's first concern." The Belfast Telegraph raised concerns with Argos over its role in the distribution of these T-shirts. The chain immediately contacted eBay who removed the T-shirts from its marketplace. An eBay spokesman said: "eBay does not allow the sale of items promoting or commemorating hatred and violence. Items may not be permitted if they contravene this. "eBay has over 800 million items for sale and in addition to our own efforts, reports from our community help to keep eBay free of listings of concern, which can be reported directly from the site. We conduct regular reviews of the eBay site to find offensive materials and remove them as soon as they are identified. "Anyone found to be knowingly selling items of this kind will be investigated and face action including account restrictions or suspension." Supermarket Asda has reported its worst quarterly figures on record Struggling supermarket Asda has laid bare the challenge awaiting new boss Sean Clarke after reporting its worst quarterly performance on record. But a spokesman for the supermarket said there were no plans to close stores. And he described Northern Ireland as "one of our strongest markets". The supermarket has 17 stores in the province. The chain - owned by US giant Walmart - posted a 7.5% fall in like-for-like sales in the second quarter. The results represent the eighth consecutive quarter of sliding sales and a worsening of the 5.7% drop seen in the previous period. Mr Clarke, who took up the reins on July 11 after he was parachuted in to replace previous boss Andy Clarke, is attempting to turn Asda around amid a brutal price war in the supermarket sector. Mr Clarke said he is "getting under the skin of the business", adding: "Although Asda is in midst of a very challenging period, there is no doubt in my mind that the culture that has always been at the heart of our success is still there. "We've also started one of the biggest journeys of reinvention in our history to further build on our strong offer and I feel positive about the future." The plan to revive Asda involves reduced prices through a previously announced 1.5bn investment, job cuts and improved ranges. Walmart boss Doug McMillon said he was addressing Asda's decline in sales with "urgency". "In the UK the competitive environment and food deflation continued to challenge the market, significantly impacting traffic and comp(arable) sales,"he said. "Our strategy to turn things around is focused on improving the retail basics. We are simplifying and strengthening our offering through improved availability and assortment discipline, reducing costs and driving sales through strategic price investments." Mr Clarke, who has also held top roles with Walmart in Japan and Canada, will find himself up against a resurgent Tesco and Morrisons, which are both undergoing their own turnarounds. German discount duo Aldi and Lidl are also continuing to gain market share at the expense of the so-called big four - Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's. Walmart's chief financial officer Brett Biggs said: "In the UK, fierce competition and food deflation continue to challenge the market, significantly impacting traffic and comp sales trends. "Our strategy remains focused on improving retail basics - simplifying and strengthening the offer through improved availability and assortment discipline, reducing costs and driving sales through strategic investments." A 64-year-old man has been remanded in custody after a Belfast Crown Court jury found him guilty of sexually and physically abusing three children A 64-year-old man has been remanded in custody after a Belfast Crown Court jury found him guilty of sexually and physically abusing three children. William Robb, from London Road in east Belfast, will be sentenced next month over 60 offences committed more than three decades ago. As the jury delivered unanimous guilty verdicts, the two women sexually abused by Robb wept in the public gallery. One of them said later: After 30 years, I have finally got justice. As well as sexually abusing two girls one of whom was repeatedly raped he also physically assaulted a schoolboy on several occasions. Robb had a previous conviction, which the court heard was for assault with intent to rape. Judge Gordon Kerr QC remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing at Antrim Crown Court in September. The deaths of 14 civil rights demonstrators in Londonderry after paratroopers opened fire in 1972 is being reinvestigated by police Prosecutors are to consider the case against former soldiers after detectives finished interviewing them about the Bloody Sunday atrocity. The deaths of 14 civil rights demonstrators in Londonderry after paratroopers opened fire in 1972 are being reinvestigated by police after a public inquiry found the victims innocent. Relatives of those killed want to see offenders prosecuted, a spokesman for the families said. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison said: "Police have concluded interviews with former military personnel and are in the process of compiling a report for the PPS (Public Prosecution Service). "The families have been informed of this and we will continue to keep them updated in relation to developments." Thirteen people were killed by members of the Parachute Regiment on the day of the incident in Derry's Bogside. Another victim died in hospital four months later. Northern Ireland police launched a murder investigation in 2012. It was initiated after a Government-commissioned inquiry, undertaken by Lord Saville, found none of the victims was posing a threat to soldiers when they were shot. Following the publication of the Saville report in 2010, then prime minister David Cameron apologised for the Army's actions, branding them "unjustified and unjustifiable". A petition calling for soldiers involved in Bloody Sunday to be granted immunity from prosecution has gained tens of thousands of supporters. Three leading judges at London's High Court blocked the arrest and transfer to Northern Ireland of former paratroopers who faced questioning over whether they committed criminal offences. The judges said there was no reason why the seven ex-soldiers could not be interviewed in England and Wales, where they live. Stormont Assembly member and civil rights campaigner Eamon McCann said effectively all the families supported prosecutions and welcomed the conclusion of the police interviews. "This is another staging post that we have reached. It is positive news in that sense and a lot of people thought we would never reach this stage." The father of a loyalist paramilitary murder victim has been granted funding to mount a High Court challenge to the UK leaving the European Union. Victims' campaigner Raymond McCord was assessed as eligible for legal aid required to seek a judicial review of the British Government's move towards Brexit. His lawyer stressed such funding for senior and junior counsel is only authorised in cases of merit, complexity and public importance. Mr McCord's challenge, the first of its kind to be launched in Northern Ireland, is set to come before the court early next month. It is understood that a cross-community group of MLAs may also be preparing to issue similar proceedings. Mr McCord claims it would be unlawful to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty without Parliament voting on the move. His legal team also contend it will undermine the UK's domestic and international treaty obligations under the Good Friday Agreement, and inflict damage on the Northern Ireland peace process. The campaigner, whose son Raymond McCord Jr was murdered by the UVF in north Belfast in 1997, is taking the case amid concerns that European peace money which goes towards victims of the Troubles may be discontinued. His case centres on the Government's response to the June 23 referendum result. His lawyers claim they were not given assurances that Article 50, the mechanism under which the UK begins the formal process of quitting the EU, will not be invoked without first securing a Parliamentary mandate. Any attempt to use Royal Prerogative powers instead cannot be justified, they contend. Mr McCord's solicitor, Ciaran O'Hare of McIvor Farrell, confirmed funding for the challenge was granted this week by the Civil Legal Services Appeal Panel. It means a formal application for leave to seek judicial review can now be mounted once the new High Court term begins in September. Mr O'Hare added: "Mr McCord wishes to extend his thanks to the panel for recognising the strong merit of his challenge." Hank being reunited with his owners Joanne Meadows and Leonard Collins last week Leonard Collins and Joanne Meadows celebrating the return of Hank earlier this month Save Hank owners have revealed they are not a couple as they outlined how they plan to spend the money raised in the campaign to get their dog back from death row. Hank the dog's seizure from his east Belfast home by Belfast City Council dog wardens on suspicion of being a pit bull-breed type sparked a global campaign. The case reopened the debate on Northern Ireland's breed-specific legislation, which has been condemned as "flawed and archaic". As Hank's story made headlines around the world, he gained celebrity support in the form of X Factor host Dermot O'Leary, boxer Carl Frampton and celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell. An assessment concluded that although Hank was "a pit bull terrier-type" breed, the pet could be placed on the council's exemption register, thus saving it from death. As part of his release conditions, Hank is kept on a lead and muzzled in public. His owners Joanne Meadows and Leonard Collins have remained in the spotlight following his return and have a huge social media presence as thousands of people liked their Save Hank Facebook page. As part of the campaign they raised almost 19,000 to help pay for legal costs. Now that the dog has been freed there had been great interest as to where the funds would go. Leonard posting on his Facebook page first revealed that while they would be "forever indebted" to the media for getting Hank back - he felt he and Joanne had been misrepresented as still being a couple. 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 Twitter Email 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) Leonard posted: "We separated last year and remained friends. Hank was both of ours and neither of use wanted to deprive the other of spending time with him. "I kept from mentioning this on the #savehank page as I didn't want to invite that sort of scrutiny into our private lives. "We have both moved on and are seeing other people, so please don't be surprised if you see pics of this online." They have also revealed a breakdown of what they are planning to spend the funds on when they are released by the page. They have decided to give the money to individuals fighting to get their dogs returned, rather than a charity. They said the money would be spent as follows: 2701 would be spent on solicitors fees and they expect that this could increase. An unknown amount will be spend on vets bills and training for Hank. They expect this to cost over 1000. A donation of between 2000 and 3000 to a campaign to save Coco. A donation of around 3000 for a campaign to save Zane. A donation of around 3000 for the campaign to save Blitz. Leonard said: "The general consensus from the community is to give these funds to individuals fighting to get their dogs returned rather than a charity. "These donations will be as soon as we have access to the funds and the actual amount will depend on what their needs are at that time. We are committed to making sure these families hit their targets. "More donations, to other families fighting BSL will follow shortly." He added: "In case I haven't made it clear enough - we still have no access to Hank's funds and all excess monies are being donated." A rally organised by Hank's owners against Northern Ireland's controversial dog laws has been postponed until further notice due to the large numbers expected. A 17-year-old boy's finger was cut off over a 700 drug debt, the High Court heard today. A 17-year-old boy's finger was cut off over a 700 drug debt, the High Court heard today. The youth was subjected to the partial amputation during an attack in east Belfast earlier this month, a judge was told. Details emerged as he mounted a bid to be released again on bail. The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, faces charges of threats to kill, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon in public. The alleged offences are connected to an incident in July at a Co Down children's home where he was staying. Prosecutors said he was subsequently admitted to bail, but then attacked by unidentified men on August 8. The court heard he was pinned down and had a little finger severed at the knuckle. "Police believe this was to do with his drug debt," prosecution counsel Kate McKay said. The youth was returned to custody last week due to his behaviour at the home. Opposing his application to be released again, Mrs McKay claimed his safety could be at risk because he can exit the accommodation. "He's potentially still in debt to undesirables for the sum of about 700," she said. "Police say the only way he's going to be able to pay off that debt is to engage in criminal activity." A member of staff at the home gave evidence backing concerns for the teenager's safety. She voiced fears that he may be attacked again, stressing efforts were being made to find secure accommodation. Defence counsel acknowledged the "nasty" injury inflicted on his client. He argued, however, that a child may be wrongly kept in custody without the authorities exhausting all possible alternative living arrangements. During exchanges Mr Justice Deeny asked: "You would let him out to let some of these drug dealers cut off another finger?" He also put it to the defence: "If it was your child you would remove it from danger. How is that to be done here?" Adjourning the application, the judge confirmed he was giving the Trust involved a chance to find the boy a bed in another secure home. He added: "His welfare obviously dictates that he stays where he is, rather than out on the streets." Martin Connolly made the call on the Facebook page of a brother of Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. The post has since been deleted Fury has erupted after a Sinn Fein member who sits on a Policing and Community Safety Partnership called for the return of the IRA. Martin Connolly made the call on the Facebook page of a brother of Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. The post has since been deleted. Mr Connolly, who is also a co-ordinator for the Community Restorative Justice Ireland scheme in Londonderry, posted his comment after Sinn Fein election posters appeared on a bonfire in the Bogside. Writing on the Facebook page of Willie McGuinness, he said: "The photographs of republican leadership on this bonfire is a bloody disgrace and all those so-called locals who were so verbal ... backing this attack on our community need to take a good look at the destruction of our community tomorrow, nothing to do with yous, just blame it on the community workers and Sinn Fein. "When our communities needed protection from the state years ago, they asked for it. My opinion, bring back the IRA." Mr Connolly last night declined to comment to the Belfast Telegraph on his controversial remarks. "I won't be saying anything at the minute," he said. Sinn Fein was shocked and angered when its election material appeared on a bonfire attended by around 2,000 people on the Lecky Road on Monday night. Posters of Martin McGuinness, Gerry Adams, Martina Anderson, and Raymond McCartney were burned along with Union flags and Orange Order emblems. Mr Connolly is a prominent Sinn Fein member in Derry. He sits as an independent on the Derry City and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), which is funded by the Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Policing Board. PCSPs are tasked with reducing crime and enhancing community safety. They also monitor the performance of the PSNI in their local area. Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy said that Mr Connolly must be immediately removed as a PCSP member. "Martin Connolly still adopts traditional Sinn Fein attitudes to problem-solving, attitudes that we are often told are long gone," Mr Kennedy said. "He quite disgracefully and deplorably advocated the return of the IRA. Presumably, he wants the IRA to enforce some sort of punishment and discipline in republican areas. The Sinn Fein leadership must distance themselves from his comments. They must suspend or expel him." The UUP MLA said that Mr Connolly's views were "totally incompatible" with PCSP membership. DUP MP Gregory Campbell said Mr Connolly must make a "full and unequivocal apology" and withdraw his controversial remarks. "Calling for the return of the IRA is utterly incompatible with PCSP membership. For anyone who sits on the PCSP to call for the return to the streets of a terrorist organisation is shocking," he said. Mr Campbell said that Sinn Fein was "clearly frustrated" and concerned that it was losing control on the ground in working-class nationalist areas. He called on the party to review Mr Connolly's membership in light of his remarks and for the PCSP to also review his position. TUV leader Jim Allister said: "It is totally inappropriate for someone who sits on the PCSP to be holding and voicing such opinions. Martin Connolly's views also expose the lie that the IRA no longer exists. "We are told this time and time again. But he is openly saying that the IRA is available to bring back and is available to play a role on the streets of Northern Ireland." Mr Connolly is a co-ordinator with the Outer North Community Restorative Justice scheme. He has also been involved in various projects working with young people in Derry. Silk Road: If convicted in the US Gary Davis from Co Wicklow could receive a life sentence Gary Davis, the Wicklow man who is alleged to have been an administrator of the Silk Road website that dealt with illegal drugs and hacking software is to appeal the High Court's order that he be extradited to the United States. Mr Davis, 27, of Johnstown Court in Kilpedder is wanted by US authorities on charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Mr Davis, who has Asperger's Syndrome and depression, had opposed the request. Among his points of objection, he said that if extradited he will be detained in an inhuman and degrading manner. If convicted in the US Mr Davis could receive a life sentence. Lawyers for the Attorney General said that Mr Davis should be surrendered to the US. Earlier this month Mr Justice Paul McDermott ruled that Mr Davis be surrendered to the US. The judge rejected all grounds of Mr Davis's opposition to the request including that his Constitutional rights and rights under the European Convention on Human Rights would be breached. Following the decision Mr Davis was remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison. The matter returned before the court today when Ms Justice Caroline Costello was informed that Mr Davis has lodged an appeal against Mr Justice McDermott's order with the Court of Appeal. Mr Davis, represented in court by Niamh Foley Bl, made an application to the to Court to release him on bail pending the outcome of his appeal. The state said it was consenting to bail, on conditions including that he sign on daily with the Gardai and that an independent surety of 15,000, 10,000 of which must be cash, be lodged in court. Further terms of his bail include that he reside at Johnstown Court in Kilpedder, be of good behaviour and undertake not to seek travel documents that would allow him leave the jurisdiction. The court heard Mr Davis had been on bail while the High Court was dealing with the extradition request and had fully complied with all the terms of his bail. Ms Justice Costello, who approved Mr Davis's father John Davis as the independent surety, granted Mr Davis bail. Mr Davis was not in court, but he is expected to be released from custody sometime on Friday. The Silk Road, which was shut down by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2013, was an underground website that hosted a "sprawling black market bazaar" on the internet. Mr Davis is accused of acting as a site administrator on the Silk Road website using the name 'Libertas'. It was launched in 2011. It was created and run by American Ross William Ulbricht under the pseudonym 'Dread Pirate Roberts' (DPR). Ulbricht had been charged and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. The site offered anonymity to its users, where trades were conducted in the online currency bitcoins. The US authorities claim between June 2013 and October 2013 Mr Davis was a site administrator of the Silk Road website and had an "explicit knowledge of the items for sale on the website". The drugs available on the site included heroin, LSD, cocaine and amphetamines. It was claimed that as part of his role, Mr Davis dealt with queries from the site users, and had re-organised into different categories certain items that could be purchased on the website. Irish Independent The Mexican government's transparency watchdog had said there was no evidence to indicate human rights violations Twenty-two people were arbitrarily executed by federal police on a ranch in Mexico last year, according to the National Human Rights Commission. The commission's president Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez said the investigation revealed a range of human rights abuses on the part of government forces in the western state of Michoacan. The government said the dead were drug cartel suspects hiding on a ranch in Tanhuato, near the border with Jalisco state. One police officer was killed in the confrontation on May 22 2015. The lopsided death toll of 42 to one led to suspicions of extra-judicial killings. The government refused to release the post-mortem reports for the victims. The government's transparency watchdog earlier said there was no evidence to indicate human rights violations. AP Trevor O'Neill, who was shot dead in Spain in a case of mistaken identity The family of innocent murder victim Trevor ONeill last night arrived home from Spain on the same flight as the intended target of the hit. His partner Susan and their three children were on FR9998 which arrived at Dublin Airport from Palma, just before midnight. Jonathan Hutch was also on the flight. Mr ONeill (41) was a victim of mistaken identity and gardai believe Hutch (37) was the intended target of the slaying. Mr Hutch, a nephew of Gerry The Monk Hutch, who has been warned about threats on his life had been staying in the same apartment complex in Majorca where Mr ONeill and his family were staying for their holiday. He was talking to the group as they walked to a restaurant when the gunmen struck, killing the wrong man. Passengers from the flight disembarked at Terminal 1s arrivals last night. However, the family was escorted out a private exit and did not come through the public arrivals hall. Mr Hutch was also taken out a separate exit. Gardai kept a discreet presence at the airport. Beforehand officers had set up a checkpoint and were stopping motorists as they drove into the airport. Gardai are investigating reports the suspected gunman lay in wait for days before the botched gun attack which resulted in the fathers death on Wednesday night. Liaising with their Spanish counterparts, gardai are probing whether the gunman hid in the Balearic island or mainland Spain for a number of days, intent on murdering Jonathan Hutch the older brother of feud murder victim Gareth Hutch. Threats It is believed the killer flew from the UK where he has been hiding after threats were made against him in Dublin and made his way to Majorca with the latest feud hit in mind. Both Mr ONeill and Hutch were in a group of people who were walking in the resort of Costa de la Calma when the cowardly gun attack happened. The men, who were not known to each other, are understood to have only met on holiday as their children played together in the pool area of the apartments they were staying in. A gunman, who was with two other men, pumped five shots into innocent Mr ONeill around 9pm on Wednesday as he walked close to Hutch. Gardai said Mr ONeill had no involvement in crime. His devastated family were due to arrive back in Dublin Airport late last night. Mr ONeills partner Suzanne, speaking to RTE News from the airport in Majorca, described the events as horrific. We went out the front of the hotel and Trevor was walking in front with the chap we met on holidays. I was walking behind pushing the buggy. I saw a man walking up wearing a hoodie. I thought it was strange because it was roasting. I saw him pull out a gun. She said armed police then took them to a safe house in Palma where they spent the night. She said they had no food or water and had to sleep on chairs. She said she did not know Mr ONeill was dead until her family called her from Ireland yesterday. The couple had been together for 20 years. She said she was distraught at the news, and that their three children aged five, seven and 12 are petrified. Sources said that investigators are now trying to establish the exact whereabouts of the ruthless 36-year-old hitman, who was based in Finglas before fleeing the capital last month. He has previously been arrested and questioned about the feud murder of Eddie Hutch Snr in February, and gardai have also been investigating if the violent hood was involved in the murder of Noel Kingsize Duggan (55), a former business partner of Gerry The Monk Hutch who was shot dead outside his home in Ratoath, Co Meath, on March 23. Whats not in any doubt is that Jonathan Hutch has been one of the major targets for the Kinahan cartel. The hitman who travelled to Spain has been involved in a number of murders for the cartel, a source said. Despite being a major target for the cartel, Jonathan Hutch is not considered a serious criminal and is not known for involvement in organised crime. One of his most serious brushes with the law occurred almost two decades ago when he was jailed for four years for dangerous driving offences in the Phoenix Park and North Circular Road. However, sources say he has rarely been on the garda radar for serious offences. Murdered None of this matters to the Kinahan cartel, who it is believed have decided that he should be murdered simply because he is a nephew of crime boss Gerry The Monk Hutch. Since the deadly feud between the cartel and some of his associates kicked-off, Jonathan Hutch has been warned by gardai on a number of occasions about an active threat against his life. In May, he was brought to a confirmation in the south inner city by armed gardai after they received information that he could be targeted. Days earlier, he carried the coffin of his younger brother Gareth (35), who was shot dead on the orders of the cartel at the Avondale House Flats in North Cumberland Street on May 24. Source: Irish Independent The United Nations has suspended its humanitarian task force in Syria amid frustration over intensified fighting in the countrys civil war. The decision was announced on Thursday as a haunting photo of a young boy rescued from beneath rubble of his home after a devastating air strike in Aleppo provoked outrage around the world. Staffan de Mistura, the UNs special envoy for Syria, stopped a meeting on humanitarian access after just eight minutes, saying it made no sense to plan aid deliveries when they would not be let into the besieged areas. Speaking in Geneva, he said convoys had not been able to reach surrounded towns and cities throughout the month of August. The image of the stunned and weary looking child, sitting in an orange chair inside an ambulance covered in dust and blood, was being shared around the world as an illustration of the horrors ravaging Aleppo. A doctor in Aleppo identified the boy as five-year-old Omran Daqneesh, who was brought to the hospital known as M10 overnight following the strike on the rebel-held Qaterji district. He suffered head wounds, but no brain injuries, and was later discharged. At least eight victims, including five children, were reportedly killed in the bombing. Omran was rescued with his three siblings, aged one, six and 11, along with his mother and father from the rubble of their destroyed block of flats. Doctors in Aleppo use code names for hospitals, which they say have been systematically targeted by government air strikes, leaving patients too frightened to seek treatment. Russia has proposed daily three-hour ceasefires in Aleppo, although no significant pause in air strikes is evident, and fighting continues on the ground. Isis has claimed its first terror attack on Russian soil after two supporters attempted to murder police officers near Moscow. Both of the men were killed during the assault at a traffic post on a motorway in Balashika on Wednesday, when they were armed with a gun and two axes. Russia's Investigative Committee said one of the men was shot dead while attacking the post and the other was killed when he put up armed resistance. Two police officers were injured in the attack, one seriously, but were expected to survive. Isis propaganda agency released a video of the attackers late on Thursday night showing them pledging allegiance to leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Naming them as Uthman Mardalov and Salim Israilov, the terrorist group hailed them as soldiers of the Islamic State. The one-and-a-half minute video showed the men, wearing hoodies and speaking in a mixture of Russian and Arabic, announcing their support for Isis and saying they had taken the path of jihadi on the command of the emir. They ended the footage by threatening more attacks on Russia and shouting Allahu Akbar (God is great). Russian security services announced the arrest of several suspected Isis supporters in Balashikha in July, where they had been distributing propaganda and attempting to recruit militants. It was unclear whether Mardalov and Israilov were arrested or linked to the suspects. They were reported to be of Chechen descent. Separatists and Islamist groups from Chechnya, in the North Caucasus region, have been fighting wars and an insurgency against Russia for decades. The conflict has sparked several terror attacks in Russia and hundreds of Chechen militants are believed to have joined Isis ranks. One of the groups most senior commanders and propagandists was Abu Omar al-Shishani known as Omar the Chechen who was reportedly killed by an American air strike earlier this year. There have been repeated calls by Isis leaders to attack Russia and other countries launching air strikes against its fighters in Iraq and Syria. The propaganda messages are believed to be the motive for a string of lone wolf attacks in Europe, including a suicide bombing and axe attack in Germany and the killing of 84 people by a lorry driver in Nice, France. In a video released last week, a masked Isis fighter threatened Vladimir Putin and claimed militants would come to Russia and kill you in your homes. The so-called Islamic State previously targeted Russia last year by downing a passenger plane flying from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg. All 224 people on board Metrojet Flight 9268 died - including 219 Russian passengers and crew after a bomb was detonated in the hold as it flew over the Sinai Peninsula. It came just a month after Russia started its campaign of air strikes supporting President Bashar al-Assad against Isis and rebel groups in Syria. Independent 'We need to phase out CO2 emissions and we need to change our pattern of using fossil fuels if we want to save the Earth,' says a Dutch Labour Party member Europe appears poised to continue its move towards cutting fossil fuel use as the Netherlands joins a host of nations looking to pass innovative green energy laws. The Dutch government has set a date for parliament to host a roundtable discussion that could see the sale of petrol- and diesel-fuelled cars banned by 2025. If the measures proposed by the Labour Party in March are finally passed, it would join Norway and Denmark in making a concerted move to develop its electric car industry. It comes after Germany saw all of its power supplied by renewable energies such as solar and wind power on one day in May as the economic powerhouse continues to phase out nuclear energy and fossil fuels. And outside Europe, both India and China have demanded that citizens use their cars on alternate days only to reduce the exhaust fume production which is causing serious health problems for the populations of both nations. The consensus-oriented parties of the Netherlands are set to consider a total ban on petrol and diesel cars in a debate on 13 October. Richard Smokers, principle adviser in sustainable transport at the Dutch renewable technology company TNO, said the Dutch government was committed to meeting the Paris climate change agreement to reduce greenhouse emissions to 80 per cent less than the 1990 level. The plan requires the majority of passenger cars to be run on CO2-free energy by 2050. "Dutch cities still have some problems to meet existing EU air quality standards and have formulated ambitions to improve air quality beyond these standards," he told The Independent, adding that the government had at the same time been reluctant to implement strict policies on the environment. "The current government embraces long term targets and strives at meeting EU requirements, but is hesistant about proposing 'strong' policy measures. "Instead it prefers to facilitate and stimulate initiatives from stakeholders in society." Read more Read More If the law to ban the sale of new fossil-fuel cars by 2025 passes, a significant move will have been made towards phasing out all petrol and diesel cars by 2035, added Dr Smokers. His words come after Jan Vos, a member of the country's Labour Party, hailed the success of the proposed ban in passing through the Netherland's lower parliament. "We need to phase out CO2 emissions and we need to change our pattern of using fossil fuels if we want to save the Earth," he told media site Yale Climate Connections. He added that electric cars needed to be affordable. "Transportation with your own car shouldn't be something that only rich people can afford." But a spokesperson for the Netherland's Department for Climate, Air and Energy said the law was not guaranteed to pass after discussions are resumed in October. "The proposal is being considered, but there is still opposition to it," they told The Independent. According to Quartz, sales of electric cars have surged in the Netherlands with an all-time high last December. Meanwhile, the country has one of the lowest levels of CO2 emissions from new cars in the European Union. Elsewhere in Europe, Norway has hit its target of selling 50,000 electric cars three years ahead of its own target, in part owing to strong financial incentives to purchase the more environmentally friendly model. Electric vehicles have been exempted from VAT and purchase tax, which would otherwise add 50 per cent to the cost of the vehicle, under new Norwegian laws. Denmark, meanwhile, produced so much electricity from wind power in July last year that it was able to sell its excess to Germany, Norway and Sweden. In India, Delhi was dubbed the equivalent of "living in a gas chamber" by its chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Similar criticism has been levelled at major Chinese cities, with Beijing set to double the number of air monitoring stations to assess the city's air quality. Meanwhile in the UK, Theresa May has closed the Department for Energy and Climate Change and merged it into a new Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. One point of concern for the Netherlands will be ensuring the current design of electric cars can be adequately scaled-up for densely populated urban environments, warned Dr Smokers. "I think that living labs and other large scale experiments in the coming two decades will be needed to find out how we can tackle this challenge," he said. Independent It's a fundamental legal principle that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty. It is not always a fact, however, and legal principles don't always accord with common knowledge, or common sense. Still, they have to be adhered to. For example, when Michael Stone attacked the Stormont building with a pistol in his hand, which television cameras witnessed being wrested from his hand by security guards, the principle seemed a bit frail. We had all seen that he wasn't innocent. Still, after he was charged, the media's responsibility was to make no independent judgment of their own and to give the courts full jurisdiction over the matter. Similarly, when Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale murdered Lee Rigby in Woolwich and gave an impromptu Press conference to smartphones on the street, with blood-drenched hands, and everyone knew what they had done, the law still accorded them a defence and the right to be presumed innocent until a trial had fully explored the question. Incidentally, I am more impressed by Michael Stone's defence than by the credibility of his assault on parliament to murder Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. He said his actions formed a work of art, what once might have been called a "happening". And he did, indeed, have a far greater chance of making a show of himself than reaching the debating chamber. One of the key objectives of the courts in insisting on the principle of innocence before conviction is to preserve the primacy of their judgment. There is no sense in asking a judge to make a determination on the guilt, or innocence, of a defendant if the right to make that judgment is freely farmed out, too, to every newspaper, commentator and pub wag. And after the judgment is made, it is for the media to treat the finding as a fact: so-and-so really did kill so-and-so. And another reason for that principle and the primacy of the courts in making judgments is the need to preserve the separation of powers. We have decided that, in a democratic society, it cannot be the job of the police, or the Army, to determine who is innocent and who is guilty. Relax that one and you'll have martial law. A policeman will be able to make the final ruling on guilt and sentence. We agree that that is how things are done in dictatorships and totalitarian states and not here. And, no doubt, there are some in the Army who would trust themselves to carry out that role fairly and efficiently. General Tuzo, the GOC in 1972, asked for the power to use bazookas in west Belfast and trusted himself to get a good result with them and make Northern Ireland a better, safer place. Thankfully for us all, it wasn't his call to make. So, what are we to make of members of the security services telling the Belfast Telegraph's Deborah McAleese last week that judges are too liberally giving bail to "terror suspects". The source said that people were getting bail in circumstances in which courts in the rest of the UK would not grant it. "Where people facing such charges are released - even with conditions - there is a risk they will get involved in some level of activity. It does create pressures for the security services, whose work on other investigations doesn't just stop." What this source wants is for suspects to be kept inside, before conviction, so that MI5 can be spared the legwork of following them around to make sure they are behaving themselves. A better argument might have been made for more resources. But MI5 doesn't treat you as innocent until proven guilty. It has the reports from informants, the recordings and the other data that establish sufficiently clearly for their purposes who the members of dissident groups are, who is on the army council of the Provisional IRA and the other IRAs, what is really going on within north Belfast loyalism and, fairly likely, who is carrying out the paramilitary shootings. In their understanding, they "know" these things. And they have been known to share their insights with journalists and academics down the years. So we have known them, too. A GOC once listed for me and a few other journalists over lunch the names of the seven men on the IRA army council. But what security people know is what is called intelligence and what the courts want is evidence. For the decades of the Troubles we had policing and security which was more concerned with intelligence than evidence, which sought to manage the paramilitaries by infiltrating them and ... Well, the "and ..." is the hard part to define. Sometimes, it involved redirecting their energies, that is, collusion. Sometimes, it involved disrupting them. No one has told the story yet of what they were really up to most of the time. But it is not surprising that an MI5 operative with intelligence on the behaviour of paramilitaries is frustrated by the decisions of a judge who is acting only on the basis of evidence. What he, or she, cannot be allowed to do is to apply moral pressure on the courts to change the balance more in favour of intelligence. That would amount to allowing the spooks to whisper into the ears of judges. And, yet, we have, as so often, to defer to that higher authority in these matters - the dogs in the street. People believe that the guilty are going free. They do not trust the rulings of the courts. They hear on the morning news that someone has been arrested in connection with the latest outrage and in the evening they hear that he has been released. They watch high-profile cases end in acquittals and they wish that there had been a conviction and that the defendant had gone down. And all of this may reflect the proper conduct of the law and the due separation of powers and the recognition of the human rights of all, but ask the dogs in the street if paramilitaries are going free and they will howl with one accord that they are. And the statements made by security sources to the Belfast Telegraph last week in the series of articles about MI5 may, worryingly, suggest that our intelligence agencies would just love to extend themselves beyond their brief, yet they echo with what the dogs and most others regard as simple common sense. The challenge is to preserve democratic standards, human rights and the real justice and on top of that to catch bad people and put them away. And too many of us think today that that job is not being done as well as it needs to be. An Indian paramilitary trooper stands guard in a bunker in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, where 64 civilians and two security personnel have been killed in clashes since a separatist leader was gunned down six weeks ago, Aug. 19, 2016. Hundreds of right-wing activists affiliated with Indias ruling party rallied outside Amnesty Internationals (AI) office in Bengaluru on Friday, threatening nationwide protests unless organizers of an event that allegedly featured anti-national slogans were arrested soon. The protesters belonging to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also demanded a ban on the human rights advocacy group. AI faces sedition charges for allegedly raising anti-India slogans during an event that took place in Bengaluru on Aug. 13 to discuss alleged atrocities committed by Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. The police must investigate the anti-India sloganeering by all fair means. We have submitted all the evidence, including video recordings of the event. It is undisputable evidence, ABVPs Prem Bora, who led Fridays protest, told BenarNews. The ABVP is the student wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The police should arrest Amnesty International officials who organized the event. The role of the United Theological College, where the event was held, should also be probed, Bora said. If those responsible for organizing the event are not arrested by tomorrow, we will launch protests across the country, he added. Had to register the case: Police Police said they had registered a case on grounds of sedition against the NGO on the basis of a complaint filed by ABVP activists, but ruled out the possibility of any immediate arrests. We had to register the case. If we had not, there would be another ruckus over denial of rights to those wishing to lodge a complaint. We have received the video footage of the event and taken cognizance. But the material submitted as evidence has to be verified first, N.S. Megharikh, Bengalurus commissioner of police, told BenarNews. We are still looking for something substantial in the evidence. Amnesty officials have conducted several programs in the past. So fixing the organizers responsibility for the sloganeering on the basis of the evidence available to us is not forthcoming, Megharikh said. AI said the Aug. 13 event was held to allow discussions with families from Indian-administered Kashmir, where more than 70,000 people have lost their lives since a separatist insurgency erupted in the region in the late 1980s. In the latest round of violence in the Himalayan region, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan, 64 civilians and two security personnel have been killed in continuing clashes between pro-freedom protesters and Indian security forces since a separatist leader was gunned down on July 8. Baseless and without substance: Amnesty In an email response to BenarNews, AI India Executive Director Aakar Patel denied charges that the event featured anti-national songs, slogans and speeches. These allegations are baseless and without substance, and will be proved so after the ongoing investigation. We take responsibility for providing a platform to families from Jammu and Kashmir to narrate their personal stories of loss and journey for justice. Our campaign was aimed at seeking truth and justice for these families, and for victims and survivors of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Patel said. The sedition law was used by the British to curb free expression during Indias independence struggle. Indian courts have ruled that expression can be restricted on grounds of public order only when it involves incitement to imminent violence or disorder. Successive governments in India have deployed it against journalists, activists and human rights defenders, Patel said. We have responded to the baseless allegations made by ABVP. We have shared all our video footage of the event with the police, and will continue to cooperate with the investigation. This case will not affect our work. We are and will continue to be committed to working on and highlighting human rights abuses in India and around the world, he added. Prime Minister Narendras Modis government has been facing criticism for suppressing civil liberties since it came to power after a landslide victory in May 2014. It has since cancelled the registration of nearly 10,000 NGOs, including environmentalist group Greenpeace India, for failing to declare overseas funds received in donations. Greenpeace India Executive Director Ravi Chellam, who was at the Aug. 13 event organized by AI, told BenarNews that the sharp debate only enabled many in the audience get a better sense of the nature of loss and pain of the families who have lost their loved ones, which otherwise is often difficult to imagine. It was just a platform for sharing. As Kashmir is an integral part of India, Kashmiris should be welcome to express themselves anywhere in the country. The Maldivian couple was still struggling with the shock of their 22-year-old son being locked up in a Turkish prison after Muslim radicals almost recruited him. On July 12, we woke up and found him gone, his passport missing. Two days later, we got news that he was arrested in Turkey while attempting to travel to Syria to join a radical outfit, the mans father told a BenarNews reporter who was visiting the couples home in a congested by-lane of Male, the capital of the Maldives, late last month. As a family, we are shattered, he said, but relieved at the same time. At least we wont have to live with the shame of knowing our son is killing innocent people in the name of Islam. The father, who wished not to be identified, said he was well aware that his son might be looking at a life behind bars if he were sent back to the Maldives. Its government recently announced jail terms of up to 20 years for those attempting to go abroad to fight for Islamic militant groups. He will get what he deserves. I only hope he gets a chance to repent, the man said of his boy, whose identity he also shielded. His son is one of more than 200 Maldivians who have left the Muslim-majority Indian Ocean archipelago better known for its pristine beaches and high-end tourist resorts to fight in the Middle East alongside militant outfits including the Islamic State (IS) and al-Nusra Front, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, according to the countrys main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Soufan Group, a U.S.-based security and intelligence firm that tracks terrorist threats worldwide. The number of Maldivians fighting for these radical groups abroad is relatively high given the countrys small population of 345,000, according to a 2013 census. The Maldives has the worlds second highest per capita of people fighting for IS, behind Tunisia, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), an American think-tank. One out of every 500 Maldivians has joined the Mid-East extremist outfit, according to research by the NBER. At least 20 Maldivians have died in battle in the Middle East, said the Twitter page of Bilad Al Sham Media group, which appears to be run by Maldivian militants in Syria. BenarNews could not independently verify this figure. And even though the government of President Abdulla Yameen puts the figure at no more than 50, there is cause for concern, said a former top police official in Male. Even going by the number the government is stating, it is a worrisome trend considering the small population of the Maldives, he told BenarNews. Mohamed Irfan (alias Abu Yushaw Maldif) is shown before he died fighting for the al-Nusra Front in Syria, Sept. 20, 2015. [ Bilad Al Sham Media] Opposition exaggerating figure: government The government said the opposition was exaggerating the number to bring disrepute to the Maldives, whose population is largely Sunni Muslim. No bona fide security analyst has said or confirmed the figure which has been repeated by those with close associations to former President Nasheed; who themselves fail to attribute this number to any credible source, much less ones that can be independently corroborated or verified, Ibrahim Hussain Shihab, Yameens international spokesman, told BenarNews. He was referring to Mohamed Nasheed, the countrys democratically elected leader. Until Nasheed was elected in 2008, the Maldives had endured decades of autocratic rule. But he resigned in February 2012, saying a coup had forced him out. Nasheed now lives in exile in Britain, where he has received refugee status. Shihab, however, added that the present government was taking the threat posed by terrorism seriously, but he declined to say how many Maldivian youths had been stopped from leaving the country to join extremist outfits in the Middle East, or if the country had a de-radicalization strategy in place. In February, President Yameen established the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) specifically to investigate cases of radicalization in the Maldives. In June, the president followed that up by submitting a policy paper on Terrorism and Violent Extremism to parliament for added recommendations with the aim of strengthening national security and contributing to the global fight against terror, Shihab said. Government in denial But security analysts described NCTC as a sham. It [the NCTC] is a facade to pacify critics, Azra Naseem, a Maldivian counter-terrorism expert at Irelands Dublin City University, told BenarNews. It is based in the Maldives National Defense Force making counter-terrorism a military issue rather than a policing issue. And as far as the public has been allowed to know, there are only two members of staff on it. She said the governments main policy was one of denial and obfuscation, making it almost impossible for researchers and journalists to get accurate figures because the government is working actively to cover things up. The government is afraid that if it becomes known that an increasing number of Maldivians are leaving to join the conflicts in Syria and Iraq as foreign fighters, it would harm the countrys exclusive tourism industry. Rich Western Europeans, toward whom most of the Maldives tourism industry is geared, would not want to book expensive holidays in a country known for production of jihad, Naseem said. If the tourism industry is damaged, the miniscule percentage of rich Maldivians who control it would suffer and many of them bankroll the Maldives government. So the current regime downplays the number of Maldivian jihadists, pretends it is a problem that does not exist, and labels anyone who speaks about it a traitor, she added. A tourist resort is pictured in the distance from Villingili island, the Maldives, July 24, 2016. [Rohit Wadhwaney/BenarNews] Taboo topic On the streets of Male, an island of close to 6 square km (2.3 square miles) that is crammed with 130,000 residents, no one wants to speak of the growing threat of radicalization, not openly at least. Naseem, one of the few Maldivians who agreed to comment on the subject on the record, explained why. I would not be surprised if the new Anti-Defamation Act is brought to bear on those who speak of this problem, she said, referring to the recently passed Anti-Defamation and Freedom of Expression Act. It criminalizes defamation and includes provisions to impose fines of up to U.S. $130,000 on anyone caught spreading false information. This government really wants to depict the problem of radicalization as a fictitious one concocted by the opposition to harm the country and by jealous Western countries who do not want the Maldives to prosper because it is a Muslim country, she said. We are very vulnerable Yet on Thursday, the Maldivian government for the first time publicly conceded its vulnerability to radicalization as it asked India for help in sharing intelligence in light of an increasing threat from IS and reports of radicalization among youths. The chief of the NCTC will be visiting New Delhi on Aug. 29 to discuss specific requirements to tackle the terror threat, Maldivian Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim told the Press Trust of India. Because of our small size, we are very vulnerable and we have sought Indias help in strengthening our mechanisms to tackle threats of terrorism, Asim said. The request came barely two months after Indias Intelligence Bureau sent a classified report to agencies indicating that the growing IS influence in the Maldives could prove to be a threat to the Indian sub-continent, whose southwestern coast lies about 320 km (200 miles) away. The IS has been successfully using the internet and social media in influencing youths in the island nation and is determined to expand its network further, the report said, while putting the figure of the outfits sympathizers in the Maldives at about 500. New threat from online recruitment Acknowledging that the number of potential terror recruits in the Maldives was well beyond the figure the government had been stating, the former senior police official from Male said the problem of radicalization in the archipelago was an old one. Radicalization of Maldivian youth came to the fore back in 2004, when several Muslim groups came to the Maldives in the garb of helping people affected by the tsunami and began preaching radical Islam, the former cop said on condition of anonymity. And now, with almost every one of the near 350,000 Maldivians connected to the internet, radicalization of our youth is easier than ever, he said. Counter-terrorism expert Naseem agreed. There are several websites dedicated to publishing jihadi literature. A lot of books published by leaders of IS and al-Nusra are translated into Dhivehi and made available to Maldivians to download and study. Despite the governments claim that they are clamping down on this, this material is very easily accessible, she said. ein Google-Unternehmen Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. 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Sofern relevant, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auerdem, um Inhalte und Werbung altersgerecht zu gestalten. Wir verwenden Cookies und Daten, umWenn Sie Alle akzeptieren auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auch, umWahlen Sie Weitere Optionen aus, um sich zusatzliche Informationen anzusehen, einschlielich Details zum Verwalten Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellungen. Sie konnen auch jederzeit g.co/privacytools besuchen. First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain. Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that. And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details. If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices No. 840, Aug. 18, 2016 Endangered Species Act Success Story: Channel Island Foxes More proof of the lifesaving power of the Endangered Species Act: Last week the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed three subspecies of island fox, each living on a different island off California's coast, from the endangered species list. (A fourth subspecies, on Santa Catalina Island -- which hosts a permanent human population -- is still protected but has been "downlisted," showing that this fox, too, is rebounding.) "Because these unique, adorable foxes evolved separately on the islands for 16,000 years, they're some of the only carnivores endemic to California," said Jeff Miller with the Center for Biological Diversity. "They were on the brink of extinction just 12 years ago, when they were protected under the Act. Now, thanks to successful reintroduction and recovery efforts, fox numbers are way up and threats have been reduced." California's cat-sized island foxes -- hurt by the introduction of invasive species and pesticide use, as well as disease -- were federally protected in 2004 after a petition and lawsuit by the Center and allies. Get more from National Public Radio. Win for Marine Mammals as New U.S. Rules Ban Harmful Seafood Imports Excellent news for dolphins and whales worldwide: Following a 2014 lawsuit by the Center and allies, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued rules last week banning U.S. import of seafood from countries whose fisheries kill more whales and dolphins than U.S. standards allow. Since 1972 U.S. law has prohibited seafood from entering the country unless it meets those standards, but for the past 40 years, the federal government has largely ignored that ban -- until now. Each year around 650,000 marine mammals are caught and killed in fishing gear. Now foreign fishermen must meet the same marine-mammal protection standards applied to U.S. fishermen, or they're banned from the lucrative U.S. market. Americans consume 5 billion pounds of seafood per year, about 90 percent of which is imported; about half is wild caught. "The new regulations will force other countries to meet U.S. conservation standards, saving thousands more whales and dolphins from dying on hooks and in fishing nets," said Sarah Uhlemann, our international program director. Read more in the Cape Cod Times. Is the Government Spying on Climate Protesters? The Center has just filed nine Freedom of Information Act requests seeking the release of public records relating to surveillance of peaceful protests of federal fossil fuel auctions. Records obtained by the Intercept in July revealed that federal and local police agents went undercover at a May 20 public protest of a Bureau of Land Management fossil fuel auction in Lakewood, Colo. Our legal filing expands that inquiry to all federal fossil fuel auctions conducted by the BLM and Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management since August 2015, including 14 fossil fuel auctions that faced public "Keep It in the Ground" protests. "There's a large and growing movement of peaceful protesters calling on their government to make a moral choice to save our climate and end new fossil fuel leasing on public lands," said the Center's Taylor McKinnon. "The public has a right to know whether the government has launched a surveillance program targeting climate activists who are courageously speaking up for what's right." Read more in Facing South. Suit Filed to Save Montana Grizzlies From Hunting In advance of the expected removal of federal protection from Yellowstone's famed grizzly bears as soon as November, the state of Montana has fast-tracked grizzly hunting rules to open the door to trophy hunting of the bears. So the Center and allies filed suit Friday challenging that illegal move. The long-term harm caused by trophy hunting is well established in scientific literature. By targeting the biggest and strongest males, trophy hunting reduces a species' genetic viability and has cascading impacts on the social dynamics of apex predators, including increasing infanticide. And a recent study demonstrated that when states allow recreational trophy hunting of carnivores, it increases the rate of poaching by making killing more socially acceptable among humans. "Recent polling shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose trophy hunting," said Andrea Santarsiere, a Center attorney. "By purposefully limiting public participation on the trophy-hunting issue, Montana is trying to drown out these voices. Montana's constitution and its laws require more." Read more in the Great Falls Tribune. Two Washington Wolves Gunned Down From Helicopter Washington state wasted no time carrying out the wolf kill order we just reported on -- in fact, the very day we announced the order in this newsletter, last Thursday, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife revealed that aerial gunners had shot and killed two members of the Profanity Peak pack in northeast Washington. One of the dead wolves was the pack's breeding female. The kill order was issued under new lethal-removal protocols agreed to by the state's Wolf Advisory Group after the agency concluded that wolves from the pack had killed cattle. But although the protocol specifies that lethal removal is best done incrementally, Washington already has sharpshooters on the ground trying to kill yet more wolves. "Washington state has made things worse, not better," said the Center's Amaroq Weiss. "Not only is it a tragedy to have these two beautiful wolves wiped out, but there's very strong science showing that killing a breeding animal can cause a wolf pack to split up or dissolve, and it can even spur additional livestock conflicts." Read more in the Los Angeles Times. 350,000 Signatures Demand Stop to Oil Wastewater Irrigation in California California activists gathered outside the state's capitol last week with a wheelbarrow full of 350,000 signatures calling on Gov. Jerry Brown and the California Water Resources Control Board to stop the practice of using oilfield wastewater to irrigate crops. Oil wastewater, sold by Chevron and California Resources Corporation, is already being used to irrigate more than 90,000 acres in California -- and that acreage is set to expand. But there's never been a comprehensive study on the dangers posed by this practice to consumers or agricultural workers. Some chemicals used in oil operations are linked to cancer, kidney failure, reproductive issues and liver damage -- and state officials themselves have detected cancer-causing benzene in oil wastewater. "Oil-drilling wastewater does not belong on California's crops," said Center scientist John Fleming. An impressive 15,000 of the signatures delivered to the capitol were from Center supporters -- thank you for being part of this effort to make California crops safer. Read more in our press release. Center Welcomes New Membership Director We're pleased to announce we've just hired a new membership director, Gretchen Mais. Gretchen connects with our 1-million-plus conservation-minded supporters and more than 48,000 members, including our steadfast Leadership Circle and Sustainer members. She leads our Membership team in welcoming new donors, disseminating up-to-the-minute information on the Center's work, and further expanding our rapidly growing base so we can mobilize financial and activist support for our hard-hitting campaigns. After eight years working in Washington, D.C., in a similar role, Gretchen is thrilled to be with the Center. "I'm proud to work for an organization that delivers on the promises it makes to its members every single day." Your support is the lifeblood of the Center, whether you're joining us at rallies and other events or generously helping provide the funds necessary to power our whip-smart attorneys, scientists and organizers. When you join the Center as a member, you effectively implement a dizzying number of actions that give voice and shelter to the wild. Gretchen looks forward to hearing from you -- please feel free to reach out to her anytime. Biodiversity Briefing: Bird Recovery Under the Endangered Species Act The Center's latest quarterly "Biodiversity Briefing" phone call, led by Executive Director Kieran Suckling, focused on our recent report A Wild Success: A Systematic Review of Bird Recovery Under the Endangered Species Act. In this one-of-a-kind study, we looked at the population growth or decline of all 120 bird species on the endangered species list to see whether or not the Act has helped their recovery -- partly to better understand what works in bird conservation, and partly to combat claims by opponents of the Act that the law isn't effective. As Kieran put it: "What we found is that the Act is working very well. It's making birds great again." Learn more about A Wild Success and listen to a recording of the briefing. Our personal phone briefings, including Q&A sessions, are open to all members of the Center's Leadership Circle and Owls Club. For information on how to join and be invited to participate in the calls, email our Donor Relations Assistant Kelly Cruz or call her at (866) 357-3349 x309. Wild & Weird: Greenland Shark Was Earth's Oldest Vertebrate -- Watch Video According to research published in the journal Science earlier this month, a female Greenland shark was about 400 years old before she died. Her species now holds the record for longest-living vertebrates. Made using a novel radiocarbon-dating technique, the estimate thoroughly trounces the previous known vertebrate old-age record: a bowhead whale believed to be 211 years old. Unfortunately, radiocarbon dating isn't exact. This shark could've been born anywhere between 1501 and 1744. But even at the "young" end -- 272 years old -- she'd still be the oldest vertebrate ever recorded. Scientists believe the most accurate estimate rests in the middle (hence the age of 400 years). In any case, we can only imagine the centuries of ocean life to which this magnificent fish bore witness. Watch this footage of the ancient shark and read more at BBC News. Kieran Suckling @KieranSuckling Executive Director View this message in your browser and share it on social media. Photo credits: Channel Island foxes by Chuck Graham, USFWS; helicopter courtesy Pixabay; "Keep It in the Ground" rally courtesy Center for Biological Diversity; wolves by John Pitcher; grizzly bear by Neal Herbert, NPS; dolphins by Rosa Lynn A/Flickr; oil derrick by David Meyer/Flickr; brown bear (c) Robin Silver, Center for Biological Diversity; Gretchen Mais staff photo; Hawaiian stilt courtesy USFWS; Greenland shark courtesy NOAA. Donate now to support the Center's work. Remove me from this mailing list. The Center for Biological Diversity sends out newsletters and action alerts through SalsaLabs.com. Click here if you'd like to check your profile and preferences. Center for Biological Diversity P.O. Box 710 Tucson, AZ 85702-0710 With struggling farmers, livestock losses, low yields and high food prices it's clear that the drought has left its mark on the industry. It has impacted the everyday lives of farmers, farming operations, and agribusinesses. As one of the key economic sectors, the drought has also had a massive impact on imports and exports. We spoke to Adam Orlin, head of Investec Import Solutions, to find out more about the impact of the drought on the import and export of agriculture commodities and the economy as a whole. Adam Orlin How has the drought impacted on agriculture and food commodities imports and exports? Adam Orlin: The drought we are currently experiencing has had a significant effect on food commodities, farming and the agricultural sector in South Africa. Many expect that while the short-term impact has already been felt, unfortunately, we are still likely to see the impact for many years to come and, in many cases, we havent even seen the implications of the severe water shortage as of yet. From an agriculture perspective, the maize harvest has also been significantly lower, which means the country hasnt been able to meet the demands of its citizens, which has resulted in the need to import an estimated 5 tons of maize, from May this year, and this import rate is expected all the way through to mid-2017, which of course impacts consumer pricing directly. We know that the South African farming output has been negatively affected which impacts our GDP. As a result, we have seen an increase in imports, not only from a commodity perspective but also from the broader industry, which in itself is widening the trade deficit. So while South Africa has a large agricultural export market, exports in this sector have also declined due to underperforming crops and a deficit of output. How has this affected the economy as a whole? Orlin: The drought has had a negative impact on the countrys economy with many viewing its impact as so severe that it almost tipped us into a recession, especially as the Rand continued to weaken and food prices were pushed up. Coupled with the increasing number of unemployed citizens, the impact has been severe not only directly, but indirectly as well. How has maize and other produce shortages affected trade between SADC countries, in particular, especially countries which previously imported food from South Africa? Orlin: Southern African countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Zambia and Mozambique usually rely on agricultural imports from South Africa in fact, up to 40% of their food is grown in this country. Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, have now declared national emergencies in response to drought conditions and will require more imports than usual. As such, the reduced agricultural exports have seen the Governments revenue decline more than the norm, and the import of foodstuff, from overseas, has increased exponentially and will likely increase South Africas trade deficit at a time when other commodity prices are low. Do you think this will have a lasting impact on trade relations or will any impacts last only as long as the shortages do? Orlin: The economy is resilient and while certainly new trade options have been explored and will likely open up, the short-term impacts will only last as long as the shortages do. Just look at the import sector as a whole. Many organisations rely on averages to forecast costs without fully appreciating how forex gains, or losses that remain unallocated for. Freight costs relative to the value of the import can impact on the true cost of the goods. With operational costs and tariff hikes increasing, not to mention the uncertainty around the Rand value, businesses cannot afford to get their calculations wrong. Essentially its about managing the transactional risk. Its difficult to determine what the impact will be but one thing is certain getting the value chain right will be critical. Various strategies will be deployed by different businesses with some having a rigid and consistent policy while others are looking to manage their risk on a more ad hoc basis in conjunction with the market at a point in time. Ultimately, importers need to do what is right for their business based on the current market conditions and the only way to do that is to ensure that they have greater visibility to make the right decision. How have import costs been affected and how can local organisations and farming operations manage these costs as an extra expense in a now already cash-strapped industry? Orlin: With such business uncertainty and the rate hikes, many businesses are likely to look at alternative methods to keep their business operational and stable, with very little disruptions to their bottom line. As a result, due to the rise in operational costs, some businesses will look at importing parts of, if not all, of their operations as it may prove to be more cost effective than manufacturing them locally. Moreover, such business increases also make South African goods less competitive for the export market. The good news, however, is that as the Rand has gained some ground, while the export market has increased once again, so too has imports. How can businesses navigate the complexities of importing and make sense of the costs to ensure that they still have access to cash for their daily operations? Orlin: Finding the right partner becomes a critical step in the value chain. The import process is not an easy one to undertake. From not having sight of products throughout the supply chain to being concerned about landed costs, import tariffs, and the impact it all can have on cash flow, businesses often feel intimidated. Yet, this does not have to be the case. Using a single provider that can be the one point of contact in the import process can mean the difference between maintaining effective business growth or stagnating due to these external factors. In addition, a high-value import specialist will be able to finance the cost of goods as well as the forwarding and clearing costs. For small business limited by cash flow, this is a life-saver. Having that one point of contact to oversee the entire process means decision-makers can stay focused on meeting their core deliverables. Is guaranteed pricing structures a reality for this sector at the moment? Orlin: Its difficult to say as the industry is volatile and of course is affected by micro and macroeconomic factors. From our side, should we look at importing for a client, guaranteed pricing can only occur when an FEC (forward exchange contract) is put in place. South African wine exports are projected to grow 13% in the next decade according to the latest Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy baseline report which provides a snapshot of the country's wine industry and the broader agricultural sector. The bureaus annual report produced by researchers from the universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch as well as the Western Cape Department of Agriculture says wine exports reached 313 million litres last year up from 122 million litres in 2000. The Western Cape produces more than 50% of South Africas agricultural exports with the EU being the wine industrys biggest export destination, accounting for almost 75% of annual offshore sales volumes worth R5-billion. South Africas nearly 100 000ha of vineyards mostly in the Western Cape generate about 3% of the worlds wine production. Western Cape Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde said yesterday that exports to key markets in the rest of Africa the US and China were growing. South African wine sales to China rose almost 30% last year statistics from the SA Wine Industry Information and Systems show. As part of our Project Khulisa [the provinces economic growth strategy],we have set ourselves the goal of boosting wine exports to strategic markets and the latest trends are excellent indicators Winde said. According to a report by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy the South African wine industry incorporates 100 000ha and comprises 3 300 producers. It supports employment for close to 300 000 residents directly and indirectly. Winde said the South African wine industry had formulated the Wine Industry Strategic Exercise which set clear goals for the sector. This included boosting jobs to 375 000 by 2025 and growing the value of wine tourism from R6-billion to R15-billion. Transforming the wine industry was a vital part of the strategic exercise Winde said. The importance of negotiating smart trade agreements was also highlighted in the baseline report. It found removing tariffs in crucial markets would be a key contributor to increased wine exports. Earlier this year South Africa and other countries in the region concluded a trade pact with the European Union. The Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU will allow South Africa to export 110 million litres of wine to Europe up from the current annual duty-free quota of 48 million litres. Founded in Australia by Bradley Michael, Ribs & Burgers will launch in South Africa in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria in September 2016. Popular in Australia, as a boutique casual dining restaurant, the first local restaurant will be the 20th of the group. In a country where red meat dominates most menus, Ribs & Burgers crafts a niche by offering something special and varied to the consumer who expects more from a restaurant than mere hunger control. The concept, developed to have an identity that evoked the history of the classic butcher, will be spearheaded locally by Savva and Natasha Sideris. Over the years, the chain has proven its passion does not end in the kitchen, through its support of local farmers, sponsoring of community groups and helping feed those less fortunate. For me, restaurants are a fascinating laboratory for life they test us to the limit, says Michael, who is an ex-South African who moved to Australia and started the brand. He is now bringing it back home. Its hard work to remain consistent in the pursuit of providing product and service excellence and hospitality to our guests. We have always been a people organisation that works for people. My vision and my goal from the very start was to become the preferred choice in the hospitality industry and to keep growing and developing our people. With these goals in mind, coupled with the everlasting quest to never slow down, the brand began expanding and today has 16 locations across Australia. In 2015, it expanded internationally and is now in the US and will also be opening in the UK and Dubai soon. Shifting consumer priorities are forcing restaurants to adapt in a variety of ways - some are rising to the occasion, while others are falling flat. South African consumers are now finally looking at the ingredient list and asking lots of questions about whats in the food theyre eating. They also want a whole experience. They want to enjoy their meal in an area they feel they can connect with the brand. The trend is leaving a big impact on the food industry as a whole and opened the perfect space for Ribs & Burgers to occupy as a casual dining destination, that caters to both male and female customers, with a healthy slant to it as well, adds Savva. The ribs are marinated and slow cooked for eight hours then basted with a propriety family recipe. All meals are cooked with quality ingredients, including locally sourced grass fed beef and hormone free chicken with a selection of healthy salads and sides. Theatre of food The interior is driven by an open style kitchen, emphasising the theatre of food preparation and the deliverance of gourmet food to its customer. This theatre is amplified by exposing the operations and allowing the customer to connect with the brand. The crafted detailing of the interior, eclectic elements sourced globally and new creative ideas are fused together with substantial brand messaging, engaging the customer to indulge in a new casual dining experience. The design includes custom wooden boards, classic typography, a fresh contemporary combination of tiles and marble, with light and airy colouring inspired by the brand, which creates a fresh spin on the traditional darkly lit meat restaurants we have grown accustomed to. Ribs & Burgers will fill the gap in the market for those who dont wish to sit in a formal steakhouse setting, but still want a stylish environment that appeals to both sexes. With a variety of healthy options as well as good classic burgers to keep people coming back, diners can be assured of delicious food and exceptional value for money without compromising on quality. Truworths' leap into the UK retail sector propelled its full-year earnings into double-digit growth, but the market was unimpressed, sending its share price plummeting 8.2%. For the 52 weeks to June 26, Truworths reported a 12.5% rise in group diluted headline earnings per share, to R6.659, compared with a year earlier. The apparel retailer said it had benefited from the December 2015 acquisition of UK fashion footwear chain Office Retail Group. Stanlib retail analyst Theresa Heath said the results had disappointed. "Truworths delivered growth below expectations of just under 20%. Gross margins were also quite a bit below expectations. South African trading trends slowed in the second half of the year, suggesting underlying customer weakness. There was little detail on Office," Heath said. Truworths said group retail sales rose 46% to R17bn, with Office contributing sales of R3.8bn, while operating profit increased 21% to R4.2bn. The operating margin declined to 24.9%, from 30.5% due to higher trading costs, the company said. CEO Michael Mark said the South African and British operations had achieved financial and operating targets, but that prospects in the latter market remained uncertain. Truworths entered the UK when that economy had been predicted to grow 2% in 2016. However, since the decision by British voters to leave the EU, economists have forecast that the UK will probably fall into recession. In June, Nomura forecast 1.9% UK growth. In August, it revised its prediction to a contraction of 1.3%. Citigroup, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch have also all drastically lowered their predictions. "The integration of Office is progressing well and we are aligning the business with Truworthss retail philosophies, practices and systems. Our initial focus has been on optimising stock management in the merchandising division," Mark said. On the domestic front, Mark said the group had grappled with a deteriorating credit market and declining consumer confidence. The credit affordability assessment regulations introduced by the National Credit Regulator in September 2015 had a significant effect on the groups credit sales. The debtors book, however, grew 11.6% to R5.8bn in the period under review. "The onerous administrative burden for customers to produce proof of income has resulted in the new account acceptance rate falling, with a loss of approximately R250m in credit sales during the period," Mark said. Truworths said it was in the process of implementing various strategies to attempt to mitigate the effect of these regulations. While the market had been waiting for a possible announcement concerning a successor to Mark, the only change to the board of directors was the appointment of Douglas Norman Dare as an executive director with effect from August 19. Truworths said Marks contract had been extended to August 2018. The companys share price, which had been rising steadily since the release of its trading statement in July, took a downward turn. IG analyst Shaun Murison said the share price had been in overbought territory in the run-up to the results. By the close on the JSE on Thursday, the market had sent the stock tumbling 8.2% to R84, valuing the company at about R39.9bn. Truworths declared a scrip dividend, with a cash alternative of R1.82 per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to R4.52 per share. The Ikon Property Group recently brokered a transaction for the sale of Rondebosch Village Shopping Centre, which was acquired by a private property fund for R20.2m. Rondebosch Village Shopping Centre The centre, which includes about 50 parking bays, is situated on Klipfontein Road, a main arterial route in Cape Towns southern suburbs. Set on an erf of 4,116m2, Rondebosch Village Shopping Centre comprises a gross lettable area of 1,040m2. In the Cape Peninsula there is a limited supply of land for retail development, resulting in less chance of cannibalisation from new developments and resulting in a strong long-term retail investment. Further to this, strong trading growth is compounded by the so-called semigration effect currently being experienced in the Western Cape, with an influx of people relocating here from other regions, says Elton Holland, director of Ikon Property Group. GENEVA - Nestle, the world's largest food company, on Thursday reported a 9.1 percent fall in profits through the first six months of 2016, but said its sluggish performance should be reversed in a strong second half. The firm posted 4.1 billion Swiss francs($4.3 billion, 3.9 billion euros) in profits through the first half of the year, a step backwards compared to $4.5 billion Swiss francs of profits it raked in through the same period in 2015. The Switzerland-based company's performance fell below the prediction of analysts polled by the AWP agency, who forecast profits at 4.6 billion Swiss francs. Outgoing CEO Paul Bulcke linked the less-than-stellar figures to pricing, which he said was at "historically low levels." That should recover in the months ahead, allowing the company to meet its full year targets, Bulcke said. His tenure as chief executive is set to end on December 31, but he is expected to be a candidate to become the company's next chairman. His replacement, Ulf Mark Schneider, will join Nestle next month for a transitional period, taking the reins at the start of 2017. Schneider, the former top executive at Germany-based healthcare company Fresnius, has been tasked with leading the company's pivot towards health and nutrition. The company that for decades has been most closely associated with coffee and chocolate bars has made clear to investors that it sees enormous growth potential in health and nutrition and intends to lead the market. Nestle was trading slightly up Thursday (0.96 percent) at 79.10 Swiss francs per share, while Switzerland's main SMI index was up 0.34 percent. Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has reiterated that South Africa is pursuing a diversified energy mix that includes both independent power producers and the nuclear build. In a statement on Wednesday, 17 August, the minister said the diversified energy mix is in support of governments programme of economic growth and development. Again we must emphasise that there is no nuclear deal. We remain firmly committed to an above board, fair and transparent procurement process with due regard to the scale, pace and price of the programme, said the minister. In the State of the Nation Address (SONA) earlier in the year, President Jacob Zuma said South Africa plans to introduce 9,600MW of nuclear energy in the next decade, in addition to running Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant in the Western Cape. On Wednesday, the minister said the department functions within the policy framework of government, and the programmes implemented by the Department of Energy (DoE) seek to respond to these. All programmes and interventions by the DoE are premised on approved government decisions as outlined in Energy Policy and the Cabinet-approved Integrated Resource Plan. These include work on all energy sources such as renewable energy, coal, gas and nuclear, she said. Ministers and officials within departments do not operate or work outside the framework of agreed government policy. We further wish to reiterate that we implement programmes in compliance with the relevant guidelines and legislation, as demonstrated by our highly successfully Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. There will shortly be announcements on the expedited round for Renewable Energy projects as well as Requests For Proposals (RFP) for the coal and gas IPP projects. The RFP, in terms of the decision of Cabinet on 9 December 2015, for the Nuclear New Build Programme will also be released in compliance with the approved Cabinet directive. The Ministry of Energy will not be distracted from its mandate and responsibilities to ensure and maintain security of energy supply. Unlike the previous Kyoto Protocol, the entire Paris Agreement (which is yet to enter into force) was shaped to allow the US to legally join through a presidential-executive agreement. The lack of binding targets for emissions cuts or financing means that the agreement just needs President Barack Obamas approval, rather than a majority vote in the US Senate. It was a politically expedient move that I predicted in a paper earlier last year. Clearly the world has learned, for better or for worse, from the experience of the Kyoto Protocol, which the US never ratified due to the politically divided Senate. But watering down the treaty to allow US participation is a risky strategy. Rather than relying on strong rules or ambition, the Paris Agreement depends on legitimacy through universal participation. With enough countries on board there is hope that it could change investment and policy patterns across the world. That legitimacy hinges on US participation, and Obama will not determine the continued involvement of the US. The November election will decide what role the US plays in the agreement. The Trump card I suggested in a recent paper that a presidency under a Republican candidate such as Donald Trump could be fatal to the Paris Agreement. The damage could be done on two counts: the US withdrawing from the agreement and/or rescinding its domestic actions and targets. Trump has already been vocal about his intention to cancel or renegotiate the agreement. However, some have claimed that having the agreement enter into force before November would bind Trump to the agreement for at least three years (due to one clause in the agreement). Entry into force essentially means the agreement becomes operational and has legal force under international law. This would require 55 countries accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions (so far 22 countries representing 1% of global emissions have signed). However, there are three problems with this simple analysis. First, it is unlikely that the Paris Agreement will enter into force before the inauguration of the next US president. While US ratification of Paris only requires the approval of Obama, for other countries the process is much more strenuous and time-consuming. Having 55 countries and at least three of the biggest emitters in the world ratify the agreement in the next six months is a high expectation. The Kyoto Protocol took eight years to go from agreement to entry into force. Second, Trump could simply drop out of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the overarching treaty under which Paris was created. This would take only a year and would lead to automatic withdrawal from Paris. Dropping out of the entire climate negotiations would generally seem like an extreme move. However, for a loose cannon like Trump it may be just another day in the White House. Third, Trump would not need to withdraw officially to throw the agreement into chaos. Refusing to send a US delegation to the negotiations, or simply reneging on the USs national climate target would do just as much, if not more, damage than withdrawing. And lets be clear, a Trump presidency would mean the US would miss its domestic climate targets. Analysis by Climate Action Tracker suggests that the US would need additional measures to meet its pledge of reducing emissions by 26-28% on 2005 levels by 2025. This is still the case even if the Obama administrations Clean Power Plan is carried out. Trump will be further weakening, rather than strengthening, climate action. The Republican platform on energy can be roughly summarised as drill baby, drill. It promises to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, maximise use of domestic fossil fuel reserves as part of an all of the above energy policy and rein in the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Is there anything the Paris Agreement could do to stop a renegade US under Trump? Unfortunately not. The agreement lacks any measures to deal with countries outside the agreement and has only a non-adversarial and non-punitive compliance mechanism. Paris has far fewer teeth than the Kyoto Protocol. A rogue US missing its targets with no consequences could be a fatal blow to the legitimacy of Paris it would showcase to the world just how weak the agreement truly is. Clintons climate Its clear that Trump would be an unmitigated disaster for the Paris Agreement, but what would Clinton mean for the climate? The impact of a presidency under Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is more difficult to predict. In the short term it is likely to be business-as-usual for the climate talks. Clinton is a supporter of the Paris agreement, having declared in her keynote speech to the Democratic National Convention: Im proud that we shaped a global climate agreement now we have to hold every country accountable to their commitments, including ourselves. Under Clinton, the US would remain a party to the agreement or legally adopt it if Obama had not yet done so. The bigger question is whether Clinton will drive action to ensure the US increases its targets. The current Democratic platform gives hope that she will. The platform calls for a second world war-style mobilisation to address climate change. It explicitly calls for a price on carbon and aims for 50% of US electricity generation to be from clean energy sources within a decade. However, Clinton is by no means bound by the party platform, which has been moulded to appeal to supporters of the more pro-climate Bernie Sanders within the party. Clintons climate credentials have been called into question, particularly with her controversial support of fracking. It is also uncertain how much Clinton could do without congressional support. Arguably, Obama is already pushing the limits of presidential powers. Indeed, the Clean Power Plan is being contested in the Supreme Court. A Clinton administration will likely do little to hinder climate action, but it also looks unlikely to take the drastic action needed to put the world on track to limiting global warming to 1.5 or 2. Ultimately, the reason for Pariss success may prove to be its undoing. Relying on the goodwill of a single president is a short-sighted gamble. Come November, the world may once again have a heavy price to pay for investing so much hope in US leadership. A group of botanical volunteers has uncovered three plant species, previously unrecorded on the Vergelegen Estate, within an area of extremely rare vegetation. Gladiolus trichonemifolius (Vulnerable) Two of these Red Data (threatened) species are classified as vulnerable - Moraea versicolor (a pink flower with a yellow centre, commonly known as the midday clockflower) and Gladiolus trichonemifolius (common name geelpypie, cream-yellow with a darker yellow centre). Geissorhiza setacea is classified as endangered. It is a small plant with white petals; most Geissorhizas are referred to as satin flowers. This follows the earlier find of two other plant species, previously unrecorded on the farm. They are the vulnerable Pauridia alba (white petals, yellow centre, commonly known as the Cape white star or vleiblommetjie), and the endangered purple-blue-petalled Babiana villosula (hairy bobbejaantjie). Some of these vulnerable plants, such as the Pauridia abla, were estimated to number well over 100 in the area under investigation. This profusion is in sharp contrast to the usual small, severely fragmented sub-populations resulting from urban development, agricultural expansion, invasive alien plant infestations and over-zealous mowing in public parks. Lourensford alluvium fynbos Babiana villosula (Endangered) The plants recorded at Vergelegen were discovered in a critically endangered vegetation type known as Lourensford alluvium fynbos (LAF). The farm boasts about 15 hectares of LAF on the farm and this is considered the most conservation-worthy section of this vegetation type in the world. LAF originally extended over 6000 hectares in the Somerset West area but only 9% remains, said Jacques van Rensburg, environmental project manager at Vergelegen. Some 3% of the original area is currently protected in the Helderberg and Harmony Flats nature reserves, with the remainder in the Lourens River area. Some 21 known Red Data species occur within this LAF vegetation type. And in the Hottentots Holland area, there are almost 300 threatened plant species. CREW Geissorhiza setacea (Endangered) Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) members, who discovered the five plants, comprise a network of keen amateur volunteers, linked with local conservation agencies. They visit various locations searching for plants on the Red Data List. The CREW programme is run by the South African National Biodiversity Institute in partnership with the Botanical Society of South Africa. Volunteers fill in lengthy forms with information such as plant GPS coordinates, area geology and age of the veld, recording threats or disturbances. Their findings are posted on sites such as iSpot (a free online community helping to identify plants and other wildlife). Van Rensburg said CREW teams have visited the estate since 2011, as increasing numbers of rare and endangered plant species are emerging. This is the result of an ambitious programme, initiated in 2004, to clear alien vegetation from 2200 of a total 3000 hectares of non-arable land. It is believed to be the largest private conservation undertaking in South Africa. Centre of Learning Excellence Moraea versicolor (Vulnerable) As 2000 hectares have already been cleared, the natural vegetation is flourishing, and a wide variety of plants is being discovered. Van Rensburg says there are at least 500 plant species in total on the farm. By 2014, 16 species on the Red Data List had been found, and the latest discovery brings the total to 21. Vergelegen MD Don Tooth said Anglo American acquired the farm in 1987 and is conserving it for future generations of South Africans to enjoy. A Centre of Learning Excellence on the estate has become a prime destination for field research by local and international scientists. Six Western Cape tertiary institutions, plus overseas universities such as Bristol and Marburg, are involved. The LAF fynbos has already been the subject of a thesis, while other researchers have investigated subjects as diverse as Argentinian ants, Nguni cattle, frogs, bontebok and water quality. Current research varies from examining the relationship between soil properties and woody plant invasion, to the characterisation of wetlands. A recent paper on dragonfly diversity, by Stellenbosch University researchers based at the Department of Soil Science and the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, was published in the renowned international journal Biodiversity and Conservation. Pauridia alba (Vulnerable) The research findings are shared with scientists, farmers and other stakeholders. Focusing on the acquisition of assets that have large public-sector tenancies has been the traditional approach to BEE property investment. According to Lyndon Kan and Andrew Glencross, the duo who head up Divergent, the property arm of Bravura, an independent investment banking and advisory firm, while this was a viable approach a decade ago, when there was an abundance of good stock, in todays market this strategy has become stale. A much more exciting opportunity, they say, lies in investigating the potential for sale and lease-back agreements which can bolster companies balance sheets, and simultaneously, reap BEE rewards. The notion of leveraging sale and lease-back agreements to improve a BEE rating is innovative, yet simple, explains Kan. One of the ways to improve a companys BEE scorecard is to increase BEE procurement spend. And one of the main expenses for a company is rental. It would, therefore, make sense for a company to explore the notion of selling their property to a BEE-compliant company, and then to rent back the property through a long-term lease agreement. This would improve the companys procurement profile. Large corporations with lazy assets Kan says that, anecdotally, thinking about sale and leasebacks in the context of BEE is only now beginning to gain traction in the market. Talking to clients and peers, we see that this has not necessarily been top-of-mind, but upon consideration, becomes a compelling prospect. The commercial point of view is that these assets are non-core. Companies that could particularly benefit from this approach are large corporations that have lazy assets on their books, says Kan. These entities dont need to raise capital, as they are not concerned with a financial transaction. But from a corporate social responsibility perspective, and in terms of JSE requirements, it is important to increase BEE points as much as possible. If they were to sell these lazy assets to a level one BEE concern, they would improve their procurement profile. Another type of company that could successfully use this strategy are those multinationals with very little, or no, BEE profile, yet as providers of necessary equipment or services to public companies, would critically need to increase the BEE rating of their South African operation. Conditions not always favourable Glencross highlights a further BEE consideration for sales and leasebacks. Conditions might not always be favourable. He relates an example where a strongly BEE compliant company mandated a property broker to sell their portfolio. What wasnt fully considered was that by selling the portfolio, the companys procurement spend would be allocated to entities with non-BEE status, ultimately weakening its own BEE status. So it works both ways, says Glencross. The bottom line is that there is benefit in considering the implications of any sale and leaseback agreement from a number of angles, in the context of BEE. Kan cautions, however, that while there is a great competitive advantage in having, for example, a level one BEE partner, the focus should always be on quality assets: The winning formula is a good quality asset that happens to be owned by a black-owned and controlled firm. Interestingly, we are seeing that BEE funds are, in fact, moving in this direction. It is not often that a room full of lawyers being briefed on accountability and corruption in their profession respond with broad smiles and rousing applause. But that was the case yesterday, 18 August 2016, when Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng spoke to about 250 legal practitioners at the 17th SADC Lawyers' Association conference in Cape Town. Mogoeng was his straightforward and unapologetic self as he reminded SADC lawyers of their roles in rooting out corruption in governments and the private sector - essential if the region were to survive and attract more investment. "We need to stamp out corruption and anything that brings the profession into disrepute," he said. Lawyers, he said, had the ability to root out corruption. However, some of them allow themselves "to become part of the corrupt system". Responding to Mogoeng's appeal to lawyers to call for an effective SADC tribunal, Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Irene Petras said the issue had been occupying the attention of SADC lawyers for some time and acknowledged that more needed to be done. "It's disappointing that the SADC tribunal is not functioning at the moment and that its human rights mandate has been reduced," said Petras. Source: The Times via I-Net Bridge WASHINGTON: US motorcycle giant Harley-Davidson on Thursday entered a $15 million settlement with US authorities who accused the company of making and selling illegal devices that increased air pollution from its bikes. The company, the iconic American manufacturer of large and loud motorcycles, agreed to buy back and cease selling so-called "super tuners," which improved performance but increased hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions. The company has produced and sold about 340,000 of the devices, which are prohibited under the US Clean Air Act, the Justice Department said. The announcement comes as the German automaker Volkswagen faces continuing legal woes after admitting that it had installed emissions cheating devices on 11 million diesel-powered automobiles worldwide. Last year, the company sold about 265,000 motorcycles worldwide and 168,000 in the US. Manufacturers warned Assistant Attorney General John Cruden, head of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division, said in a statement that other manufacturers should consider themselves warned. "Anyone else who manufactures, sells or installs these types of illegal products should take heed of Harley-Davidson's corrective actions and immediately stop violating the law," Cruden said. The settlement involves both the Justice Department and the US Environmental Protection Agency. In a statement, Harley said it had not admitted liability and took issue with the government's legal positions. "This settlement is not an admission of liability but instead represents a good faith compromise with the EPA on areas of law we interpret differently, particularly EPA's assertion that it is illegal for anyone to modify a certified vehicle even if it will be used solely for off-road/closed-course competition," Ed Moreland, head of government affairs, said in the statement. Under its terms, Harley will pay a $12 million civil penalty and devote another $3 million to a project to replace conventional woodstoves with cleaner-burning stoves in local communities, according to the statement. Source: AFP Two young South African students were announced as winners of the Nestle Art Project - an art competition that is part of Nestle South Africa's centenary commemoration. The company is currently celebrating 100 years of its existence and contribution to the South African economy. Media and Creative Choice Award winners - L-R: Raphael Tungwarara (Design School SA) and Caitlin Schroder-Beneke (Pretoria High School for Girls). Tertiary and high school students were briefed to consider South Africas social, cultural, historical and environmental contexts as well as Nestles contribution to the local economy when creating their work. Entries were sourced from art students in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and North West provinces. In the tertiary student category, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) duo Natalie Gendron (20) and Kyron Green (21) ranked highly with judges with their Ricoffyinspired artwork. Pretoria High School for Girls' 16-year-old Caitlin Schroder Benekes explicitly African woman artwork using, in part, Nestle Maggi 2-Minute Noodles as a medium, was by far the most popular, winning the Media and Creative Choice Award in the high school category. The Media and Creative Choice Award winners are selected by an extraordinary panel of judges, the first comprising arts and culture journalists and the second of creative industry players. Raphael Tungwarara (25) from Design Schools SA took home the tertiary Media and Creative Choice Award. Recipients of the Nestle Art Project award will receive a R50,000 and R25,000 cash prize. The winners represent the best of art students and Nestle is thrilled to be part of their journey. The quality of work presented is proof of the incredible talent, ideas and skill we have in our country. The arts remain a useful platform for young people to express themselves and carve out a living that starts to contribute to the growth of our economy, said Nestle Corporate Affairs Director, Ravi Pillay. Pillay also announced a small scale pilot community outreach project, which will see young students from Morris Isaacson High School in Soweto participating in the Nestle Arts Master Class. Youth and student travel company, STA Travel has teamed up with Contiki to bring Europe to South Africa in virtual reality (VR) with Contiki VR headsets. Whatever it is about Europe that tickles your fancy, all you'll have to do to get a taste of it is head into an STA store, pop on a VR headset, and kick back and enjoy the view. When you're done, you'll be in the ideal setting to book that trip to Europe. Contiki VR Anna Smith, marketing manager for STA Travel South Africa, is looking forward to bringing Europe to South Africans in the form of Virtual Reality content with Contiki. This is something really exciting for us. Contiki is the first travel company to use Virtual Reality to sell travel in South Africa, and it has proven to be incredibly successful. What better way to spread the travel love than having STA travellers experiencing it for themselves? Kelly Jackson, general manager for Contiki in SA, notes that the VR element helps the brand bring travel to life and allows the brand further opportunities to speak to millennials in an interesting way. The headsets help us tell our story and to paint the picture of a destination, the two most important tools to create the desire to travel, and ultimately sell travel to 18-35 year olds. For Contiki, the use of virtual reality has been in the pipeline for some time. In 2014, we identified the technology as a new, exciting and completely immersive way to show product offering at trade shows. Thats where the idea started. And as with any innovative idea, it evolved into something bigger which now serves potential clients and travellers. All the content in the videos has been created by the global Contiki team, and is authentic, awesome and engaging in the way it allows travellers to experience the destinations they can visit before booking an adventure. Travellers who head into STA Travel stores on the following dates will be able to step beyond the pages of a brochure and get a true taste of the travel experience: Stellenbosch - 22 August; Tygervalley - 23 August; Kloof Street - 24 August; Rondebosch - 25 August; St. Georges Mall - 26 August; Westville on 29 and 30 August; Rosebank - 31 August; Eastgate - 1 September; Morningside - 2 September; Mall of the South - 7 September; 27 Boxes - 8 September; Hatfield - 12 September; Menlyn - 13 September. Day and night, 240 CCTV cameras strategically placed on Cape Town's major freeways feed real-time information on traffic conditions to SANRAL's Traffic Management System. According to Randall Cable, engineering manager for operations at SANRAL, the video feeds from these cameras are sent to a central control room at the Traffic Management Centre in Goodwood. Transport Management Centre Control Room, Goodwood Speaking at a FleetWatch Brake & Tyre Watch event in Cape Town, he said: The centre is operated jointly by SANRAL, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government, as part of the Freeway Management System (FMS) that became operational in 2010. The operations centre incorporates both transport- and safety-related functions. Since its inception, the Traffic Management System has helped coordinated response teams get to the scenes of more than 12,300 crashes on Cape Towns major freeways. Real-time information about Cape Town freeway traffic conditions are available at i-TRAFFIC and on Twitter @CapeTownFreeway (for more detailed info). This service can save road users time and frustration by providing data on congestion, crashes and other traffic incidents as they happen, so they can plan their routes better and avoid problem areas, Cable said. The site is updated by FMS operators and, in many cases, photos are included in the tweet to illustrate the impact and location of the incident. Update: Roadworks N1 outbound at Jip De Jager, right lane closed, expect delays. https://t.co/SF7ryShtAl pic.twitter.com/sIUTDSOdhv Cape Town FMS (@CapeTownFreeway) August 19, 2016 Arming road users with accurate traffic information Through the dedicated FMS website, road users can literally scan the traffic flow on their planned freeway route, Cable said. Road users have ready access to real-time speed maps and visuals from more than 240 CCTV cameras along the citys busiest freeways. Imagine being able to sit in your office in the CBD and see real-time images, speeds and travel times on your route home. People can plan better and make more productive use of their time when they are more informed. This service is all about arming road users with accurate traffic information, he said. The FMS covers the N1, from the CBD to the Huguenot Toll Plaza; the N2 from the CBD to the top of Sir Lowrys Pass; the R300 between the N1 and the N2; the M5 between the N1 and N2 and the N7 between the N1 and the Potsdam Interchange. In all, approximately 155km of the busiest freeways in Cape Town are under 24/7 surveillance. Cable said traffic services and FMS operators work closely together to ensure the best service to road users. The ability to coordinate a multi-agency response to a major incident, from a single location that has a real-time video feed, has already saved Cape Town motorists hundreds of hours of frustration in congestion and delays. SANRAL, in partnership with the provincial government of the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town, have funded the implementation of the CT FMS. Apart from the numerous CCTV cameras, SANRAL runs 53 electronic boards, or Variable Message Signs (VMS) along Cape Town freeways, which are also used to convey updated information to motorists. Joburg is in for another comedy extravaganza with the Annual Johannesburg International Comedy Festival returning to the inner city precincts of Braamfontein and Newtown on 4-6 November 2016. The biggest independent international comedy festival in Africa will bring together over 50 local, continental and international comedians, performing in 13 shows across six venues in a three day spectacle. Once again, very different shows will feature a diverse spectrum of comedians providing a unique multi-sensory comedy experience of an international standard across the festival. Local favourites will perform alongside some of the most talented comedians on the continent, as well as across the globe right here in the City of Gold! says festival founder and director, Takunda Bimha, which is the manner we chose to celebrate local and continental talent on equal footing and weighting with international talent. We hope to continue in this vein and become Africas proud representative on the international comedy circuit." The vision is to create a comedy festival in the truest sense, adds Bimha, by creating a platform that will contribute to the continued growth and development of standup comedy, both locally and on the continent, whilst enhancing the appreciation for standup comedy as an art form. All the shows at the second Annual Johannesburg International Comedy Festival will be hosted by local comedians. And, the vibrant inner city district will create an atmosphere that allows people to explore and enjoy their city beyond the comedy. The list of shows as well as their hosts reads as follows: Stand Up Africa The funniest comedians from across the length and breadth of the African continent. Six comedians from six different countries celebrating the very best standup comedy found in Africa today. Hosted by Tumi Morake. League of Nations Speaking the universal language of laughter! This show knows no borders or boundaries! Featuring six international comedians in one rocking set, a truly unique UN comedy experience! Hosted by Joey Rasdien. Fire In The Hole Warning: Many holy cows were injured in the making of this show! There is fire in the hole and no prisoners will be taken! No holds barred! Not for the faint hearted, this show will leave you feeling like the altar boy that got into the communion wine! No under 21s! Hosted by John Vlismas. Vernac Attack All the jokes in this show are told in their mother tongue. Featuring some of the best comedians performing vernac comedy in South Africa today. Hosted by Tips Shampoonaiza. Live From Constitutional Hill Celebrating trailblazing female talent both locally and internationally in one of the most iconic venues in the city! We celebrate our freedom by bringing an art form that pays tribute to our emancipation on the very grounds of the old Womens jail. Hosted by Celeste Ntuli. Downtown Comedy Jam This show features six of the foremost urban comedy acts performing in South Africa today. You aint got street cred if you miss this one night only, stellar lineup tearing up the inner city! Hosted by Donovan Goliath. Comedy For Change This lineup of socially conscious comedians shed light on issues affecting our world today. This is comedy with a message in its debut showing at the festival this year. Hosted by Conrad Koch and Chester Missing. Late Night Show The last show of every night features an array of comedians from all the other shows and they perform with a live jazz band on stage. Hosted by Tats Nkonzo. The second year of the festival promises to be exhilarating feast of comedy and if the tagline for this years campaign which is #DeclareTheFunny is anything to go by, its one not to be missed. Tickets for the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival can be purchased at www.ticketpros.co.za with a variety of ticketing options. For more information and updates, log on to www.jicf.co.za, like www.facebook.com/JICF.SA/, follow @JICF and #JICF on twitter and Instagram. The annual FNB JoburgArt Fair will return to Johannesburg's Sandton Convention Centre from 9 - 11 September 2016. Nolan Oswald Dennis - image by Anthea Pokroy This year, the fair will feature 80 exhibitions within 6 categories including contemporary and modern art, special projects, gallery solo projects, limited editions and art platforms. The selected galleries and organisations hail from 17 countries across Africa, Europe and the United States. Faye Mfikwe, FNB Chief Marketing Officer says The FNB Joburg Art Fair continues to play a significant role in discovering the value that artists bring to society and has earned a reputation as the ideal place for those interested in African contemporary art. As a proudly South African bank with roots that extend into several other countries on the African continent and further afield, First National Bank (FNB) endeavours to sustain the support of art through this prestigious annual event. This FNB JoburgArtFair heralds the new executive directorship of Mandla Sibeko: Under my directorship I wish to see the FNB JoburgArtFair continue to lead not only South African audiences but the worlds appreciation of cutting edge African art. East Africa focus Fair Curator, Lucy MacGarry chose to focus this year on East Africa as a dynamic hub of art making on the continent. The Special Projects programme will manifest as an invitational section that spotlights the artistic landscape of East Africa. This will feature a selection of leading artists and art spaces from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda to Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. As the highlight of this programme, 2016 Featured Artist, Wangechi Mutu (Kenya / USA) will be exhibiting a film and sculptural installation presented by Keyes Art Mile. The Kenyan born artist comes to the fair as the highlight of this years curatorial focus on contemporary and modern art practices from East Africa and its diaspora. Mutu spent the last two decades living and working in New York. Being based in America has helped her to build what is today a global art practice. Wangechi continues to work in New York whilst establishing a studio in Nairobi. The move positions her among a growing list of renowned artists injecting a new vibrant energy into the East African art scene. Further solo presentations by Aida Muluneh (Ethiopia), Jim Chuchu (Kenya), The Nest Collective (Kenya) will feature alongside site-specific works by Serge Alain Nitegeka (Burundi) and Sanaa Gateja (Uganda). FNB JoburgArtFair Curator, Lucy MacGarry explains that, East Africa is a vast geographical area with varied and often disparate social and creative perspectives and sensibilities. This years curatorial intervention will give audiences a first step towards engaging in artistic developments and narratives arising from the region. Presenting both emerging and world-acclaimed artists, galleries and non-profit organisations our intention is to provide a catalyst for on-going research, transnational dialogue and future projects of significance. FNB Art Prize The FNB JoburgArtFair hosts an annual series of non-profit projects and events to create a holistic view of creative practice in Africa. These include, the highly coveted FNB Art Prize that awards an artist a cash prize and the opportunity to create a new project for the Fair; a programme of talks lectures, discussions and interviews, and the FNB Private Wealth and FNB Private Clients Lounge that features the work of a featured designer from the continent. Over the years, the FNB Art Prize has not only celebrated the work of shining South African artists, but has also been awarded to ground breaking artists from around the African continent. This has allowed both the Fair and the FNB Art Prize to enhance a creative dialogue within the growing contemporary African art markets. This year the coveted art prize goes to Nolan Oswald Dennis. As a winner of the FNB Art Prize, Dennis joins a prestigious list of winners since the launch of the FNB Art Prize in 2011. The prestigious FNB Art Prize has since become one of the coveted visual art prizes on the African continent. The winning artist receives a cash prize as well as an opportunity to showcase their work in a dedicated space at the FNB JoburgArtFair. All galleries participating in the FNB JoburgArtFair are given the opportunity to nominate one of their artists for consideration by our jury. This year, the jury consisted of Zimbabwean curator and director of the Zimbabwean National Gallery in Harare, Raphael Chikukwa, FNB JoburgArtFair curator, Lucy MacGarry and Angolan architect and curator, Paula Nascimento. A groundbreaking addition and highlight of the 2016 FNB JoburgArtFair is the first ever series of TEDxJohannesburgSalon Talks themed on the contemporary visual arts of Africa. The programme, presented by Ogogiii magazine the bi-quarterly magazine known for cutting edge perspectives on African design, culture, business and global affairs will include a full day of talks presented by dynamic artists, curators and thinkers at the Theatre on the Square at Nelson Mandela Square. Event Info Sandton Convention Centre, Exhibition Hall 1 161 Maude Street, Sandton Dates: 9 11 September 2015. Opening times: Friday, 11 September: 12pm 8pm Saturday, 12 September: 10am 6pm Sunday, 13 September: 10am 5pm For more information, please visit: www.joburgartfair.co.za Traditionally held on the Friday before the main Loerie Awards weekend, this year the DStv Seminar of Creativity forms a bridge between that, the judging and the PRISA conference that kicked off LoeriesCreative Week Durban 2016. Here's why you should pay attention to it. Ask anyone for their favourite part of LoeriesCreative Week Durban and theyre likely to list the DStv Seminar of Creativity. Its a day of top-notch speakers from across the globe, and if you dont focus on what theyre saying youll miss out as things zip along speedily to the next big name. Im not alone in this. Roanna Williams, creative director at Joe Public; as well as Tseliso Rangaka, executive creative director of Ogilvy & Mather Cape Town; Camilla Clerke, creative director at Hellocomputer; and Brian Carter, executive creative director at Liquorice, all listed the seminar as an annual highlight and inspiration when I polled them recently. Williams went so far as to state that she is: Looking forward to the female seminar speakers this year sharing their challenges, insights and personal experiences on how they made it to the top in the industry. Mallowah and Cremona One of those inspiring female speakers is Debra Mallowah, currently vice president of personal care for Unilever Africa. Based in Kenya, her seminar talk will focus on the fact that advertising continues to perpetuate gender-based stereotypes, which in turn lead to prejudice, and prejudice leads to discrimination. She explains that they hold people back, damage society and damage brands. Thats why she urges marketers to be aware of the unhelpful stereotypes that advertising may propagate and the fact that progressive portrayals are proven to be better for society, and better for brands. Little wonder that shes looking forward to the inspiration that comes from the amazing connection of peoples hearts and the magic of brands at Loeries Creative Week Durban 2016. Mallowah explains: Were living in an era of rapid innovation and creativity. For businesses to survive, they must keep pace. As the biggest gathering of creative minds comprising marketers and advertising talent in Africa, the week offers an inspired view point and offers ideas that trigger competitive advantage. Creative business dilemmas unpacked Some of those ideas will come from another of this years highly anticipated DStv Seminar of Creativity speakers: Marco Cremona, Google Creative Lab lead in Russia. He in turn is looking forward to learning about African communication and networking with brilliant local talent. Cremonas presentation will delve into three dilemmas that affect him as much as every other person in the communication business today. These are the dilemma of deciding whether its better to pursue a career in technology or in advertising; identifying the differences between companies with tall and flat chains of command in terms of creative output; and when communicating globally, whether its better to have one consistent voice or to go hyperlocal. He hopes this will provoke the audience and make them re-evaluate their career paths as well as their attitude towards local communication. With a 25-year run in the advertising business and wins at Cannes, Clio, D&AD, LIA, NY Festival, Epica, Eurobest, and Art Directors Club of Italy under his belt, were sure the presentation will have its desired outcome. You can also look forward to talks from Facebooks vice president of global business marketing, Sarah Personette, as well as all the 2016 Loeries Jury Presidents Ive had creative conversations with in the run up to #Loeries2016: Jimmy Smith, Laura Jordan-Bambach, Susan Credle and Bridget Jung. Heres to concentrating on the value creativity adds. Ready, set, get to the Durban International Convention Centre! Click here for my overview of last years DStv Seminar of Creativity highlights. This year's DStv Seminar of Creativity started off with an inspirational bang, delivered in the form of Sarah Personette, VP global business marketing at Facebook. Recently being inducted into the American Advertising Federation's Hall of Achievement and named one of Advertising Age magazine's 'top 40 under 40' marketing stars in 2014, her opinion and advice carries weight. Sarah Personette, VP global business marketing, Facebook. Source: Gallo Images. Imagine the audiences excitement then, when she stated that the African community is set up to lead the industry. And the reason for that is the rapid scale of mobile adoption. Personette explained that it took 38 years for radio to hit 50 million users in the world, television took 14 years to hit that number, it took digital four years, and its taken mobile only two years. We have just been through the most seismic shift in history; a shift that is grounded in accessibility, connectivity and driven by mobile. Mobile first Africa is a mobile-first continent. Personette claims that there are over 80 million people in sub-Saharan Africa on Facebook. 90% of people that access Facebook in the African market do so via mobile, and interestingly, three quarters of those accessing Facebook in South Africa will only ever do so through mobile. One doesnt have to look far for an example of how mobile is causing industry disruption. "Connectivity inspires creativity and its transforming Africa," she says. Mobile connectivity on the continent is becoming smarter, faster and its economic impact is increasing. Smarter: There will be 500 million smartphone connections in Africa by 2020. Faster: 1 billion mobile broadband connections in sub-Saharan Africa, which represents 60% of the connection base. Economic impact: $100 billion is the economic impact that mobile will have in Africa. $6 million is the number of jobs that will be influenced as a result of mobile disruption and connectivity. Millennial-rich Aside from being mobile first, Africa will continue to be rich with a highly sought-after consumer demographic. The global population is getting older, but not so in Africa. In fact, there are over 200 million millennials on the continent and over the next 30 years its expected to grow at twice the rate of the rest of the world. And based on Personettes experience dealing with clients, brands harbour a strong desire to connect with millennials in order to grow their business. Mobile edge Mobile matters more in Africa, and its the things that matter here that actually matter when designing and creating for this platform. She says that the above belief of hers gives African marketers the edge for three reasons, important when designing and creating for a mobile platform. Personalisation: South Africa alone has 11 official languages, and marketers have been brought up in an industry where connecting with people in their language has mattered. This isnt a challenge that many marketers face in the rest of the world. Take that talent and use it to export creativity to the rest of the world. Customisation: There are elements of hacking together global usage here that are fuelling inspiration around the world. Examples are message-to-buy and cultivating new ways to think about missed calls. Empathy: Bandwidth constraints are evident across the continent. Marketers here have thought about how to design and connect with people suffering these constraints. Personette believes that Africa is set up to succeed more than any other market in the world, that the continents greatest export will be creativity, and this will be based on a mobile and connected world. If you started today not believing in the mobile evolution, it is time to start. Its time to realise that we need to think, create and design differently, because this is where people are. This is where we have the opportunity to connect in the most real and powerful way. Marco Cremona, Google Creative Lab lead Moscow, Russia, took to the stage at the DStv Creative Seminar during Loeries Creative Week to share how the advertising industry differs to the tech industry, challenged the audience's career choice and concluded with a deeply moving campaign. Advertising versus the tech industry Cremona explained the differences he has found between his 25 years of advertising experience to that of working with Google, which he deemed an engineers company, not an advertising agency. I thought I knew everything about mobile, but then I realised that in advertising, we are very good at becoming experts in any field within 24 hours but we do that very superficially. Whereas Google goes much deeper into their work. Gallo Images Cremona also spoke highly of Google's flat structure, a strategy known as management on the edge of chaos, that challenged the hierarchical structure he had experienced in advertising. He explained that pyramids in companies can lend to people refusing to do work based on it not being part of their contract, whereas Googles approach increased productivity. Another thing I like about the flat structure approach is that because of the consensus that needs to be reached in order to approve an idea, you really need to be passionate and motivated about your idea in order to see it through. Cremano then shared Googles creative mantras with the audience, which also differed greatly from his experience of advertising: The product is the idea Users above all Demos and documentaries, not ads. To this point, Cremano mentioned, This destroyed me, because one of the most beautiful things in my ad years was using fantasy to create worlds that didnt exist. Make people smile, cry or think The challenges of mobile The first challenge regarding mobile that Cremona highlighted was that peoples attention span has decreased since the year 2000 from 12 seconds to eight seconds. Cremona offered the following solution: You need to find a way to communicate to people relevantly in the micro moments (those three seconds they take to go online on their phone). According to Cremona, ad blocking poses the second challenge to mobile advertisers. What ad blocking says to me is that people are not happy with the kind of advertising that is on mobile today. The average click-through rate of display ads is 0.06%. It means that most probably, the 0.06% of people that ended up watching the ads could not find the X button to close them, because it was too small. One further challenge was around what platform one should use in ones campaign. Every day is not only a creative struggle, its a media struggle. You have to know what channels are relevant to people and know how to use these in a relevant way, explains Cremona. Make brands relevant Cremona made the point that in order to engage an audience in a relevant way, brands need to adapt international brands to gain local insights. Cremona likened speaking a global language in places where you should actually speak local to trying to pick up sushi with billiard sticks. Its very difficult and not always successful, he says. He provided the example of an international campaign showing Sesame Street's Cookie Monster, well-known to American audiences. The campaign reached fourteen countries, but Cremona felt it couldve been improved. As much as the campaign was amusing, had they used a character that was recognised by the local market, such as Cheburashka who is an equivalent in Russia, they wouldve been more relevant, says Cremona. Cremona ended the seminar with a captivating campaign that raised awareness around disabled parking bays in Russia by displaying a hologram before non-disabled drivers requesting that they respect drivers with disabilities and find another parking bay. Work really has to have an effect on peoples lives, such as the work created for Dislife.ru which turned a flat sign into a real person. View the campaign below: Twitter announced on Thursday that it had cut off 235,000 accounts during the past six months in a heightened crackdown on use of the global messaging service to promote violent extremist causes. SAN FRANCISCO - The suspensions raised to 360,000 the total number of accounts sidelined since the middle of 2015 and was helping "drive meaningful results" in curbing the activity, according to the San Francisco-based company. Twitter has been striving to balance protecting free speech at the one-to-many messaging service with not providing a stage for extremist groups to spread violent messages and enlist people to their causes. In February, Twitter said that it had neutralized 125,000 accounts for violating rules against violent threats and promotion of terrorism. "Since that announcement, the world has witnessed a further wave of deadly, abhorrent terror attacks across the globe," Twitter said in a blog post. "We strongly condemn these acts and remain committed to eliminating the promotion of violence or terrorism on our platform." Daily suspensions of accounts are up more than 80 percent since last year, and spike in the immediate aftermath of terror attacks, according to Twitter. Twitter said that it is getting quicker at identifying extremist content and shutting down accounts involved, resulting in dramatic decreases in the number of followers attracted while posts are active. Moves have been made to make it tougher for people behind suspended accounts to immediately return to Twitter, and teams reviewing reports of suspected terror content have been expanded. Like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube rely heavily on users to point out posts that violate standards or policies. Tech titans have been increasingly dabbling with enlisting software to battle extremist propaganda. "There is no one 'magic algorithm' for identifying terrorist content on the Internet," Twitter said in the post. "But, we continue to utilize other forms of technology, like proprietary spam-fighting tools, to supplement reports from our users and help identify repeat account abuse." During the past six months, automated tools have helped Twitter identify more than a third of the accounts suspended for promoting terrorism, according to the company. Twitter said that it collaborates with other online social platforms in the fight against terror content. Since dreadful attacks in Paris and the city of San Bernardino in California, pressure has been growing for online social networks to thwart extremist groups from taking advantage of their platforms. A US judge last week tossed out a lawsuit accusing Twitter of abetting terrorism by allowing Islamic State (IS) group propaganda to be broadcast using the messaging platform. District Court Judge William Orrick granted a motion by Twitter to dismiss the case, reasoning that providing a platform for speech is within the law and that the company did not create the content. The Communications Decency Act (CDA) protects online platforms from being held responsible for what users post. The suit was filed in San Francisco federal court by the families of two government contractors killed late last year while working at a police training center run by the United States in Amman, according to court documents. A Jordanian police captain studying at the center fatally shot the two men, and IS later claimed the captain was a "lone wolf" working for the group's cause, the judge recounted in his ruling. "As horrific as these deaths were, under the CDA Twitter cannot be treated as a publisher or speaker of ISIS's hateful rhetoric and is not liable under the facts alleged," Orrick said in the decision, using another name for IS. The suit accused Twitter of providing "material support" by letting accounts spread the message of the extremist group. The judge left open the option of refiling an amended version of the suit. Source: AFP Goodbye, Gawker. Meanwhile in Malawi, a "heartless burglar" was will spend the next seven years in remand. A rainy summer up north means more mosquitoes in Manitoba. A Channel NewsAsia-Institute of Policy Studies survey found that racism is still an issue in Singapore. The leader of Nepal's newly formed government will meet with the Indian Prime Minister to discuss economic aid for the struggling Himalayan nation. Here's an update from Aleppo. A young man residing in the Vale of South Glamorgan was busted for selling cannabis, but avoided jail. Jigging for squid was recently banned at Nantucket's town pier. In other fishing news, a Burquena caught a seven pound Large Mouth Bass at Elephant Butte Lake by trolling a Bomber. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones. Mon State Hluttaw Deputy Speaker Dr. Aung Naing Oo and State Hluttaw representative Daw Khin Myo Myint were also present at the event. We have gathered information. Plus, they [MCL] also have exceptions. However, the main thing is to avoid violating the law. They will succeed if they work within the laws boundary, explained Dr. Aung Naing Oo, deputy speaker of Mon State Hluttaw, to the crowd at the event. Dr. Aung Naing Oo went on to say that he would carry out the matter in accordance with the law, explain to the locals the limitations of the current law, and discuss at the Hluttaw reports made by the locals. About 3,780 locals from seven villages near the MCL site provided their signatures and sent letters to the President, the Mon State Chief Minister and the State Hluttaw, on April 25, urging them to stop the MCL project. MCL propose to use coal power in order to run its cement factory. It seems like the union government allows the use of coal powered electricity in our area. However, in our letter to the government, we state our evidence at length. We hold this praying event to fulfill our wishes and to change peoples minds, Nai Mit, from Kadonzi Village. Nai Mit added that after the MCL announced in February that it would develop a coal power plant, it did not meet with the locals. The locals were never informed how the MCL would retain the emission ash of the coal power plant. The MCL, with a USD 400 million investment, plans to produce 5,000 tons of cement per day, and in March, a ceremony testing the factorys cement packaging machine was held at the site, with the presence of Mon States former Chief Minister U Ohn Myint. In order to run its factory, MCL will need 49 megawatts of electricity. Of the 49 megawatts, 40 megawatts are from the coal fired plant as well as bio waste with the remaining 9 megawatts coming from a waste heat generator (WHG), according to the MCLs statement. More than 1.6 million people in Myanmar have been displaced over the past 18 months, since last years military coup, according to the Institute for... The letter coincided with Suu Kyi leaving to undertake a five-day trip to China, where she is scheduled to discuss Burmas peace process, as well as the controversial hydropower projects that Beijing is looking to finance. On August 12, the Burmese government, which is led by Suu Kyis National League for Democracy, announced that the hydropower projects on the Salween River will be continued as the country is in need of energy. Sai Khur Hseng, a representative from the Shan Sapawa Environmental Organization and spokesperson for Wednesdays joint-statement, said that he is worried about the construction of the dams. If the dams are built, more government troop reinforcements will be brought in to secure those areas, he said. [The sites for these hydropower dams are in areas controlled by ethnic armed groups.] Therefore, the dams will cause increased fighting. Now is not the right time for this type of construction, Sai Khur Hseng continued. The country is currently about to embark on a programme of political dialogue [between the government, military, and ethnic groups]. Therefore the dam projects must be stopped. According to a statement on August 8 from the State Counselors Office, the peace talks dubbed the 21st Century Panglong Conference are scheduled to begin in Naypyidaw on August 31. The conference will see some 700 representatives from the military, government, parliament, political parties, and ethnic groups sitting for discussions on the nature of future peace talks. [Giving the] green light to the Salween dams is highly worrying, the statement said. The 3,000-kilometre Salween River, officially known in Burmese as the Thanlwin, is listed as the 25th longest waterway in the world, beginning in the Tibetan plateau, passing through southern China, Burma and the Thai border, before draining in the Andaman Sea. Unlike the Irrawaddy River, which supports bustling cargo and industry sectors in central Burma, the Salween mostly runs through isolated mountainous and forested areas. It is said to be one of the most diverse eco-regions in the world, and supports up to 140 species of fish, 7,000 species of plants, and between 10 and 15 species of turtle. The blueprints for a hydropower project on the Salween include a series of dams in Shan State: the 7,100 megawatt Mong Ton Dam; the 1,400 MW Kunlong Dam; the 1,200 MW Nong Pha Dam; and the 200 MW Manntaung Dam. The project would also include plans for a 4,000 MW Ywathit Dam in Karenni State, and the 1,360 MW Hat Gyi Dam in Karen State. Investors in the projects include the China Three Gorges Corporation, a Chinese state-owned firm which operates the worlds largest dam on the Yangtze River. The other foreign firms involved in the Salween project are: Sinohydro; China Southern Grid; and a subsidiary of the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. Local partners are the Burmese Ministry of Electric Power and the International Group of Entrepreneurs (IGE), a firm controlled by the offspring of the late Aung Thaung, the long-time industry minister under Snr-Gen Than Shwes military regime. According to the related contracts, when the projects are completed, 90 percent of the electricity generated is to be exported to China and Thailand. Environmentalist Sai Khur Hseng added that the planned dam projects are in active earthquake areas. Yesterday, there was an earthquake on the Nam Ting river [near the site of Kun Long Dam], he said. If this dam is built, the people who live along the river in Tanyan Township will be heavily impacted. According to the August 17 statement by the Shan NGOs: The Salween River is a vital artery for millions of ethnic people in eastern Burma, Thailand and China, who will be irreparably impacted by blockage of its mighty flow. There has been consistent opposition to the Salween dams by communities in Shan, Karenni, Karen and Mon states, as well as other parts of Burma and neighbouring countries. On August 10, Shan Herald reported that residents of Nong Pha had staged a protest demanding the halt of the dam construction on the Nong Pha River. Nang Kham Mai, an environmental activist who signed yesterdays statement, said that she has urged the government to consider the consequences of the project on the local people and the country. There are so many impacts, she explained. People who live alongside the river will lose their homes and livelihoods, and historical properties will also be damaged. In the interests of ethnic reconciliation and environmental sustainability, we therefore strongly urge you [State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi] to immediately cancel the Salween dams. Only federal policies granting equal rights to the ethnic peoples will end the civil war in Burma, a goal which our neighbouring countries will also wholeheartedly support, reads the statement. The 26 groups singing yesterdays statement were: Action for Shan State Rivers; Shan State Farmers Network; Shan Farmers Network; Shan Sapawa Environmental Organization; Shan Human Rights Foundation; Shan Womens Action Network; Shan Students Union-Thailand; Shan Youth Power; Shan Youth Organization (Taunggyi); Shan Youth Network Group; Kaw Dai; Workers Solidarity Association; Zao Khur Tai; Nong Zarng Customary Land Committee; Toom Toan Tai; Shan Relief and Development Committee; Community Action for Development Education (Shan State); Mong Pan Youth Committee; Kong Jor Refugee Camp Committee; Wan Paing Fah IDPs Camp Committee; Laikha Youth Association; Capacity Building for Youth (Laikha); Shan State Womens Organisation; Shan State Youth Network Committee; Tai Literature and Culture Association (Karli); and the Tai Youth Organization (Karli). By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) The farmers are all from Yepu village in the Kunlong tract of Taunggyi Township. They were brought to trial on July 25 and charged with criminal trespassing under Article 447 of Burmas Penal Code. According to Myo Aung, a Yepu villager who claims his land was confiscated, more than 4,000 acres of farmland was confiscated from the local farmers by the Burmese military in 2004. Our farmlands were seized by the militarys eastern command in 2004 in order to grow jatropha, he said. In 2010, they allowed us to cultivate the land again, but we had to pay them 10,000 kyat per acre. Myo Aung added that in 2015, the villagers were ordered to stop growing on the land because it belonged to the military. They ordered us to stop cultivation, but then they rented the land to another company, said Maw Maw Oo, a local woman who is among those being charged with criminal trespassing. Some parts of the land were also sold. We are the rightful landowners, but we cannot grow anything on our land, she exclaimed. And now we are being sued because we dared to grow crops on our own property. She added: Almost everyone in the village is being sued. In May 2015, a Yepu villager named Myint Aung burnt himself to death in frustration at the land grab. Yepu residents said that they have endured great difficulties due to the loss of land, and they have collectively called for the Shan State chief minister to intervene in the case. During the decades of rule by Burmas military junta, arbitrary land confiscation was a common complaint across the country. By the 2000s, much of the seized land had been rented out to agri-business firms, and a massive government campaign was initiated to encourage investment in the harvesting of jatropha oil. Ultimately, the scheme failed: investors lost great sums of money, while farmers lost land and livelihoods. By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) Kenyas high commissioner to Botswana Jean Kimani is confident that next weeks TICAD VI summit in Nairobi, Kenya, will be a win-win deal not only for Botswana and Kenya, but also for Africa and Japan. Kimani told our Online team during a meet and greet meeting at the high commissions office in Gaborone, that it was all systems go for the high-stakes conference that brings all of Africa with Japans Government, the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme and African Union Commission.We expect business delegations attending the summit to strike deals during the summit, this is a win-win for Africa and Japan, she said. Japans private sector will display its world-class and superior technology for Africas investors and businesses to feast its eyes, explore and hopefully adopt. Over 150 Japanese companies have confirmed their participation in the summit, which is coming to Africa for the first time since inception at the end of the cold war in 1993. Kenya is very proud to be hosting this summit for the first-time ever in Africa, she said, adding its an opportunity for the east African industrial giant to showcase her tourism and hospitality to the world and open up other sectors for collaboration with the rest of Africa and Japan. During his recent visit to Botswana, Kenyas president Uhuru Kenyatta impressed upon the Botswana-Kenya Business Forum that he addressed, the imperative of enhancing intra-Africa trade. Kimani also believes the TICAD VI summit provides Africa a golden opportunity to strengthen trade relations among each other under the aegis of the African Unions development blueprint, Agenda 2063. Her Excellency Kimani has already met and discussed the summit and its potential benefits for Botswana with BITC, Business Botswana, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kenya and Botswana are exploring deeper trade cooperation in the areas of mining; tourism; agriculture and agribusiness; air services as well as ICT. Kenya, says Kimani, is considering selling its tea, coffee and flowers to Botswana as well as working jointly to promote tourism between the two nations. ULA's Delta IV rocket, carrying out the AFSPC-6 mission for the US Air Force, lifts off from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Photo: United Launch Alliance. FLORIDA (BNS): United Launch Alliance (ULA) has launched a Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) configuration rocket on Friday, carrying out the AFSPC-6 (Air Force Space Command 6) mission for the US Air Force, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. AFSPC-6 will deliver two Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites to near-geosynchronous orbit. The twin GSSAP spacecraft, built by Orbital ATK, will support US Strategic Command space enhanced awareness operations, as a dedicated Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensor, GSSAP satellites will support Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC SPACE) tasking to collect space situational awareness data allowing for more accurate tracking and characterization of man-made orbiting objects, as reported by ULA. Data from GSSAP will uniquely contribute to timely and accurate orbital predictions, enhancing our knowledge of the geosynchronous orbit environment, and further enabling space flight safety to include satellite collision avoidance. GSSAP satellites will communicate information through the world wide Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) ground stations, then to Schriever Air Force Base, CO where 50th Space Wing satellite operators of the 1st Space Operations Squadron (1 SOPS) will oversee day-to-day operations. AFSPC-6 marks ULA's 110th mission since the company was founded in 2006 and the seventh ULA launch of 2016. Two GSSAP satellites were previously launched aboard a ULA Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) rocket from CCAFS on July 28, 2014. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/08/2016 (2262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A man who was the author of his own bad day has been sentenced to time served and put on probation. Travis David Manuliak attacked his former girlfriend, stole a van, then returned to his exs home to kick in her door and convince her to drop the charges. Mr. Manuliak, you made a lot of bad decisions in one day, Judge John Combs told the offender on Thursday in Brandon provincial court. Crown attorney Deidre Badcock said that in the early morning of May 2, Manuliak got in a fight with his ex- girlfriend by pushing her into a wall, pinning her to a bed, twisting her wrists and gabbing her neck. He smashed her phone when she tried to call police. Manuliak left his exs home, then stole a van that was parked outside a Seventh Street home using keys that had mistakenly been left on the porch. He then drove it to Home Hardware where staff called police as theyd seen Manuliak drive up and could smell alcohol on his breath. When the van was later found, Manuliaks photo ID was near it, and video from Home Hardware confirmed his identity. Meanwhile after the assault and car theft, and prior to his arrest Manuliak had returned to his exs residence. He broke down the door, told his former partner to drop the charges against him and then drove her to the courthouse so she could do just that. He was arrested that same day and released on bail after nine days. However, he breached the order on July 12 by drinking and being out past his curfew He remained in custody until he entered guilty pleas on Thursday to assault, car theft, mischief and the breaches. Receiving credit for 86 days for remand custody, he was sentenced to time served and one year of probation. ihitchen@brandonsun.com Twitter: @IanHitchen Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/08/2016 (2262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. For Ryan Smith, a vintage Volkswagen bus brings about fond memories hes brought back to a trip to British Columbia in the early 90s when he was picked up by modern-day hippies. You see one on the highway and it kinda takes you back a few generations ago a nostalgic piece of Americana, he said. Smith has become a VW enthusiast and has restored his own 1974 bus and also bought his wife, Nadine, a 1964 Beetle last year. Smith will be joined by an estimated 75 other Volkswagen enthusiasts this weekend, as the third annual Dubs at the Lake returns to Killarney Beach. Participants will be coming from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Minnesota and North Dakota. The weekend kicks off this evening with a barbecue and cruise, followed by the Show n Shine on Saturday at 10 a.m. Well have everything from a 1949 Beetle right up to a new modified GTI Jetta, Smith said. The car show will raise funds for the Killarney Parent Advisory Councils new playground project. The event will also raise funds for the Shamrock Drive-In, which was destroyed in a storm earlier this summer. The Shamrock hosted a movie night the last few years for Dubs at the Lake, so the participants wanted to do what they could to help out. This year were going to end up out at the drive-in for another show and shine, and thats going to be open to all cars, makes and models, Smith said. The VW procession will cruise through the town and park at the Shamrock at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. It was the process of restoring his 1974 van that sparked the idea for Dubs at the Lake. Throughout the process during the winter season of 2013-14, Smith was in touch with other Volkswagen experts online and through different clubs. I thought it would be nice to meet some of these people that had been helping me out, he said. The first one drew 50 people or so, and I figured this is awesome, were meeting as a group of like-minded individuals. Everybodys got a love and a passion for all things Volkswagen. jaustin@brandonsun.com Twitter: @jillianaustin Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/08/2016 (2262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Over the past several decades there has been an avalanche of apologies from national governments for wrongdoing: The internment of Japanese in both Canada and the United States, apartheid in South Africa, Second World War Japanese war crimes, Australian Aboriginal stolen generations, the potato famine in Northern Ireland. Politicians have stood with great ceremony to say they were sorry, to seek forgiveness and in some cases to provide compensation for historical wrongdoing. Earlier this month, it was announced that the Trudeau government is considering a national apology for people who were imprisoned, fired from their jobs or persecuted because of their sexual orientation. The government is reportedly working with Egale a national LGBTTQ* human rights organization on the details and the scope of the apology which is expected to come as early as this autumn. This week, over a three-day period, the Liberal government apologized for the relocation of the Sayisi Dene First Nation people 60 years ago. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett delivered the long-overdue apology Tuesday first in Tadoule Lake and then in Churchill, where 250 Sayisi Dene were forced to relocate in 1956 under horrific conditions. On Wednesday, Ms. Bennett apologized again at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Along with the apology, the federal government has announced a $33.6-million compensation fund to be invested as a trust and 13,000 acres of land in Little Duck Lake. This comes nearly a decade after the formal apology in 2008 by then-prime minister Stephen Harper to residential school survivors: To the approximately 80,000 living former students, and all family members and communities, the Government of Canada now recognizes that it was wrong to forcibly remove children from their homes and we apologize for having done this. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report, which Prime Minister Trudeau accepted, saying: It is my deepest hope that this report and its findings will help heal some of the pain caused by the Indian residential school system and begin to restore the trust lost so long ago. We do have a national government that can apologize and for that it shouldnt be sorry. Formal apologies can go a long way in restoring trust in government institutions. But they need to be more than just performance, they need to go beyond economic redress to a firm commitment that the behaviour will not continue. Ask people in South Africa about the apology and reconciliation attempts made following years of apartheid. Nearly three decades after the national apology in 1997 and the establishment of that countrys Truth and Reconciliation Commission, critics point out that little has been done to change the conditions of black South Africans, who still are still under-employed and more likely than white South Africans to live in poverty. In Canada, the same can be said of indigenous people who still live in third-world conditions on reserves, who struggle with poor education and health care. Apologies from the federal government over treatment of First Nations people in this country have done next to nothing to change this fact. Young aboriginal adults like Tina Fontaine, found in the Red River two years ago, her murder still unsolved. Or Colten Boushie, who entered a farmers yard north of Biggar, Sask., seeking help for a flat tire and was shot and killed. The racist comments on social media following the 22-year-olds death prompted Premier Brad Wall and the National Farmers Union to issue statements condemning the hate-filled postings. Apologies are only as good as the government actions that must come along with them. And for those families and for those still coping with the aftermath of colonization, simply saying sorry wont cut it for long. Winnipeg Free Press and The Brandon Sun Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/08/2016 (2262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. I have a few friends who drink vodka. And most of those who do are understandably very picky about which vodka they choose. Whether its for martinis, vodka/soda, or just plain straight in which case Id advise that it be well chilled people are as passionate about their vodka as I am about my wine. Recently, I was invited to sample two vodkas that were similar in price, promoted by the same agency, but very, very different. Now honestly, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I first attempted to seriously compare these two brands. Vodka is vodka, I thought to myself. How different can they be? Very, it turns out. Now Ive had and written about the fabulous Crystal Head Vodka by Dan Aykroyd and company, and it truly is marvellous. But because of it, I thought anything that was lesser in price (the Crystal Head is $49.99 for a 750 ml ultra-cool bottle) would be not necessarily lesser in quality, but wouldnt have as many qualities that would distinguish them from each other. But thats simply not the case. In fact, I was astonished when I compared the two brands, which are only 74 cents apart in price. They couldnt have been more disparate. And that likely has something to do with the fact theyre made from completely different base ingredients. But it was the flavour and, even more pronounced, their variation in intensity that had me shaking my head in disbelief. Both are from Poland, but that, and the price, is where the similarity ends. Wyborowa, which a couple of friends drink religiously, sells for $25.99 a bottle. This beverage is made from rye, which also surprised me, and is double-distilled. Flavour-wise, its reasonably neutral except for the slightest hint of anise aroma. Naturally, if one is drinking it straight (and thats the only way, really, to determine the differences between them once mix of any kind gets in there, the subtleties are, if not lost, then certainly very much muted), the alcohol content the standard 40 per cent in both cases has a bit of a burn to it anyway. But the Wyborowa has an extra-spicy, white-hot finish at the end, which makes it a very interesting spirit to sip. And its nifty if its chilled, because the heated turn it takes at the end is more than noticeable, but its calmed in reasonable time by the fridge temperature. The contradiction is fascinating! The Luksusowa, on the other hand, (and this one is $25.25 a bottle) is made from potatoes, and its impressively smooth and slides down ones gullet easily perhaps a bit too easily! a very pleasant vodka if what youre after is something delicate. So as it is with all things, personal preference is key. Well, that and what you plan to do with it. Are you sipping it plain, or mixing it with something? Do you want a kick to your palate, or do you want the alcohol to slip down relatively unnoticed? If you want a kick and are mixing it with something big, say Clamato juice and spice for a Caesar, then its likely you want the vodka to stand up to those intense ingredients and be noticed. So the Wybo would likely be your best bet for that, and for a martini with olives. But if you want something soothing, just to take the edge off, and are simply combining it with soda or enjoying it in a martini with a twist, then the Luksusowa is probably a better choice. Again, personal preference, and mood and circumstance will determine the ideal vodka for you. But both the Wyborowa and the Luksusowa are decent vodkas, expecially for the price. And perhaps the best solution is to have a bottle of each on hand! Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/08/2016 (2262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. WINNIPEG The extended controversy over the proposed Energy East pipeline reveals fatal flaws in how we collectively decide on the benefits and costs of resource megaprojects. With the collapse of oil prices, Canadians can see how natural resources support our standard of living. Recent estimates from Statistics Canada suggest this sector underpins 20 per cent of the countrys GDP and 1.8 million jobs, most of which link to export markets. With the increasing activity of politicians, with advocacy groups inside and outside Canada, and with aboriginal interests now having won recognition by the Supreme Court, the stakes have become too high to trust conventional politics to determine the fate of megaprojects such as Energy East. Most importantly, who speaks for the vast majority of us who watch from the sidelines? Canada desperately needs an independent process to search for the social licence to develop these projects. Historically, social licence referred to the permission received by mining companies in developing nations to engage in resource extraction and major infrastructure activities. Now, the definition of social licence has morphed into the idea all stakeholders must reach a consensus on the advisability of any resource development. Little wonder, then, stasis has become the norm. The federal government has taken steps to improve management of resource development. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA 2012) created an expedited project review process to ensure timely assessment of any large projects adherence to federal environmental regulations. Canada created the Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) to support this review process. However, with the growing number of parties seeking a voice in the consultation and its federal focus, it is hard to see how the MPMO can expedite or even bring to closure the approvals needed for large-scale projects such as Energy East or Ring of Fire, the massive mineral resource plan for northern Ontario. There are two core challenges in developing social licence for a resource project. First, who should be involved that is, who has standing in that process? Second, how can one expedite the review of natural resource projects while managing environmental risk? The resource developer (specifically, the shareholders in the company) as well as federal and provincial governments will always be at the table. The courts have also determined aboriginal communities must be included as government when projects encroach on their lands. Deciding who else should have standing now becomes more challenging. Residents who stand to gain or lose directly from the development must be involved. In the Northern Gateway decision process, the Kitimat town council held a referendum of residents, who rejected the siting of the pipeline port facilities within the municipal limits. Since any accident resulting from the project has the potential to affect lives and livelihoods directly, those living close to such developments need to be included in the social licence process. But should any group have a veto? Could a process of financial compensation mitigate the perceived risks to residents? A social licence process could address these questions. Canadian citizens and taxpayers must also have standing. We share in the benefits of resource development, and taxpayers will also likely pick up some of the costs in the event of a major environmental accident. Increasingly, the environmental lobby wades into the debate on specific projects, typically stressing the risks associated with development. Simultaneously, think tanks weigh in on the economic costs and benefits. The result is a din of diverse opinions that create confusion and disengagement. Governments must do three things to restore the integrity of resource development review: First, we need a universally respected intuitional structure to support these deliberations. With the hiatus in energy development, governments have an opportunity to develop structure now, balancing speed with the comprehensiveness of review. This structure must reach the stature of other key institutions such as the Supreme Court and Statistics Canada, and it must be clean of political fingerprints. Second, in addition to economics, membership in the group of vested stakeholders rests on legal/constitutional principles, the degree of exposure to proximate risk, and the capacity to halt projects legally and/or politically. Governments must define a framework for identifying the vested stakeholders and work through the inevitable court and political challenges as it develops that group. Finally, the government must invest in good public science and support the knowledge translation to ensure all Canadians receive an independent and current understanding of the benefits and costs arising from any natural resource project. We have a long way to go to restore trust in public science and overcome the damage of the past decade. These are daunting tasks. Decisions emerging from any resource development review must have the gravitas to command the respect of all Canadians. Without a new process for reaching social licence on resource development, we will continue to endure the lowest-common-denominator outcome. Gregory Mason is an associate professor of economics at the University of Manitoba and a senior consultant at PRA Inc. His column was also recently published by the Winnipeg Free Press. His views are his own. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) A $100m (76m) settlement between ride-sharing app Uber and some of its drivers has been rejected by a US judge. The deal, agreed by Uber, would have seen the money shared among about 380,000 drivers and stave off a class action lawsuit. The action is linked to claims that Uber has been treating drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, with the lawsuit contending that they should be compensated for expenses such as petrol. The 100 million US dollar settlement would have kept the status quo, where drivers are classified as independent contractors. But district judge Edward Chen declared the deal unfair, a decision that complicates Uber's efforts to remove the legal threat of having its drivers classified as employees. The distinction would give Uber's drivers more rights and benefits, in turn forcing the company to change its business in ways that would cause its expenses to soar. Uber expressed its disappointment with the ruling, adding that it will consider its options. The alternatives include taking the case to trial, awaiting rulings in two appeals that would bolster Uber's cause or negotiating a revised settlement with the drivers. In the UK, Uber is also embroiled in court action, having launched a legal challenge against new Transport for London regulations that require thousands of its drivers to pass an English language test. Lawyers in the North have begun a legal challenge to Brexit. Papers were lodged with the High Court in Belfast on Friday seeking leave to apply for a judicial review. Former justice minister David Ford is among a cross-community group of politicians and human-rights activists whose lawyers had written to British Prime Minister Theresa May and other Cabinet members. They urged her to consider the country's peace process and other unique requirements before triggering the mechanism to leave the European Union (EU). The legal representatives said: "The various assurances sought by our clients have not been forthcoming and, indeed, the response heightened their concerns about the approach the Government was likely to take. "In light of this, papers were lodged in the High Court in Belfast on Friday 19 August 2016 seeking leave to apply for judicial review." The law firm Jones Cassidy Brett Solicitors said it received an inadequate response from the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis and Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire. Those supporting the action include: Green Party leader Steven Agnew; Social Democratic and Labour Party leader Colum Eastwood; senior Sinn Fein Stormont Assembly member John O'Dowd; former head of the Progressive Unionist Party Dawn Purvis; ex-Equality Commission member and disability rights activist Monica Wilson OBE and the Committee on the Administration of Justice human-rights group. They want to ensure the Brexit process complies with the rule of law, takes account of parliamentary sovereignty, protects progress made towards a more peaceful society and accords adequate weight to the democratic will of those in Northern Ireland who voted in the European referendum and in the 1998 poll on the Good Friday Agreement. Their lawyers have said parliamentary legislation should authorise the triggering of the Article 50 leave clause and that law should require the consent of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Update 6.45pm: The Board of the Olympic Council of Ireland has released the following statement: "The Board of the Olympic Council of Ireland regrets that recent events in Brazil have overshadowed the many great performances of Team Ireland at the Rio Olympic Games. With 11 top 10 finishes at this stage this has been one of the most successful performances at an Olympic Games by an Irish team." "The Board is taking the recent events in Rio very seriously and wishes to state the following: A top priority of the Board is supporting the current Irish athletes and teams in Brazil. The Board has no further comment on the charges against Mr Hickey who is receiving his own legal advice and is entitled to natural justice and due process. Independent legal advisors Arthur Cox have been appointed to advise the board of the OCI. As referenced in a statement earlier the Board will co-operate fully with a State inquiry and it will now appoint an external independent firm to carry out a review. "The Board has not had an opportunity to meet in person to discuss events in Rio due to the ongoing Games, however, it will meet this weekend and a further statement will be issued in due course." Update: 5.25pm: The Minister for Sport, Shane Ross, has announced a judge-led inquiry into the ticket touting allegations at the Rio Olympics. The Minister met the Attorney General Maire Whelan this afternoon to decide on the type of inquiry to conduct. Minister Ross has released a statement saying: "We have agreed to establish a non-statutory inquiry to be carried out by a retired judge. We believe that a judge-led non-statutory inquiry is the most appropriate mechanism to establish the facts. "We intend to appoint the judge next week and that the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry will be finalised shortly thereafter." Update 4.05pm: The Minister for Sport, Shane Ross, has met with the Attorney General to decide what form an inquiry into the Olympic ticket debacle may take. A spokesman for the Department of Transport said the meeting was fruitful, and a framework is being finalised. An announcement is expected shortly on what form the inquiry may take. Options include a full Commission of Investigation, and a judge- or barrister-led inquiry . Update 2.45pm: Pat Hickey has been transferred this morning to Bangu Prison in Rio, the same prison as Kevin Mallon. Update 1pm: The Olympic Council of Ireland have released a statement saying that they will stop their own internal inquiry into the ticket touting allegations in order to commission an independent inquiry. They also said that they will fully co-operate with the Government inquiry into the allegations. Their statement said: "The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) confirms that it will cooperate fully with any State inquiry into its handling of ticketing arrangements for the Rio Olympics. "The OCI will now also commission its own independent inquiry into the ticketing arrangements for Rio 2016. The previously announced internal inquiry by the OCI has been discontinued." Meanwhile, the Olympic Council of Ireland says it's still trying to confirm reports that its President Pat Hickey has been denied bail in Brazil. Mr Hickey was questioned by police in Rio after his release from hospital yesterday. The Sports Minister Shane Ross is also meeting with the Attorney General shortly to discuss what options there are for the type of inquiry that can take place. Update 9.50am: PRO10, the sports management company, the Irish Authorised ticket reseller for Rio 2016 has also released a statement, welcoming an independent inquiry into the ticket touting allegations. In the statement PRO10 said they will comply fully with the proposed Commission of Investigation and they welcome Minister Ross's efforts to uncover the facts of this matter as soon as possible. "We have nothing to hide and are therefore anxious that the full facts are established and made public as soon as possible so that our good name can be exonerated." Update 8.30am: THG Sports, the company that employs Irish man Kevin Mallon, who was arrested in Rio de Janerio, has called for an inquiry into the alleged ticket touting scandal in Rio. In a statement released to the media, THG Sports said they would welcome such an inquiry, which they say will prove that they have operated lawfully at all times. "THG would like to see that an independent inquiry, under the chair of a respected Irish legal figure, be actioned expeditiously." Earlier: It has been reported that Pat Hickey has been refused bail from Jail in Rio de Janerio where he faces allegations of illegal resale of tickets for the Olympics. However, The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) has said it is still trying to confirm reports that its President, Pat Hickey, has been denied bail in Brazil. OCI President Pat Hickey is facing three specific charges - they include ticket touting, the formation of a cartel and ambush or illicit marketing. The head of the Olympic Council of Ireland was been discharged from hospital last night (Irish time) and taken to a police station as part of an investigation into the illegal sale of tickets for the Rio Games. Patrick Hickey was detained at a hotel in the Barra da Tijuca area of the city and was later taken to hospital with chest pain before he underwent cardiac tests. The 71-year-old, who stood down from his role following his arrest, was monitored at nearby Samaritano Hospital until around 4pm local time on Thursday. The OCI said: "The Olympic Council of Ireland can confirm that Pat Hickey has been discharged from hospital and has been accompanied to a police station to complete a deposition." Mr Hickey has been formally accused under Brazilian law of ticket touting, running a cartel and illicit marketing. This is a stage in the legal process that is not equivalent to being charged in British law but is a preliminary step in that direction. He has denied any wrongdoing. After his arrest Mr Hickey, from Dublin, stepped aside from his positions as the International Olympic Committee member in Ireland, president of the European Olympic Committees and vice president of the Association of National Olympic Committees. An IOC spokesman said at the time: "The International Olympic Committee has been informed by the Olympic Council of Ireland that allegations have been made against its president Mr Patrick Hickey in relation to facilitating the selling of tickets above face value. "The IOC respectfully takes note of the decision by Mr Hickey to step aside as president of the OCI and all other Olympic functions (IOC member in Ireland, EOC president, ANOC vice president) until this matter is fully resolved. Until then, the presumption of innocence prevails." A Dublin TD is demanding that Kinahan and Hutch crime bosses have their assets seized. It follows the gangland murder of Dubliner Trevor O'Neill, in a case of mistaken identity on the Spanish holiday island of Majorca. His death comes almost a year after the killing of Gary Hutch in Spain - sparking a deadly feud between the Kinahan and Hutch families in Dublin. Mr O'Neill, shot dead this week, was a Dublin City Council employee - and has been described as a hard-working, dedicated family man. Sinn Fein's Aengus O'Snodaigh (pictured) said the Criminal Assets Bureau could have prevented his death: "These gangs and some of their associates in my community are flaunting their wares, the best cars, houses and quite a number of foreign holidays. "It is only when their assets are targeted that the community rejects them, that gang activity will be at an end." Russia has announced it is willing to extend a ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Authorities had enforced a three hour truce to allow aid into the besieged area - that will now be extended to 48 hours following a plea from the United Nations. LONDON: OPEC is likely to maintain its view world oil demand will rise for another decade, longer than many other... SAN FRANCISCO: US tech titans looking to the future are seeing growth take a beating in the face of foreign... Speaker Vicki Dunne has referred Liberal Leader Jeremy Hanson's handling of an election flyer to standards commissioner Ken Crispin for investigation. Mrs Dunne made the referral after a complaint from Labor's Joy Burch, who said the flyer had included a photo and quotes from former emergency department clinical director Michael Hall without his consent. Jeremy Hanson: Standards Commissioner Ken Crispin to investigate whether he breached the parlimentary code of conduct in distributing an election flyer Credit:Kirsten Lawson Ms Burch said believes the flyer might breach the code of conduct for Assembly members, which requires them to "recognise the unique position of impartiality" of public servants. The use of Dr Hall's images "strongly implies that he supports the Liberal Party's policy in relation to the hospital", she said. "I am concerned that Mr Hanson's actions have grievously impinged on Dr Hall's rights, as a private citizen and public sector employee, to dignity and privacy." Former Canberra Hospital doctor Michael Hall whose comments and image have been used on a Liberal election flyer. Credit:Jamila Toderas The flyer quotes Dr Hall as saying in a Canberra Times article last year, "We need to start from scratch and build an emergency department from the ground up. There are still compromises being made." And it quotes him telling the ABC in 2014, "The hospital is seriously under stress." The Liberals says the flyer was endorsed by campaign director Daniel Clode, not by Mr Hanson, and has nothing to do with the code of conduct, which applies only to parliamentary business. But Ms Burch says it was distributed by Mr Hanson, and she pushed Mrs Dunne last week to refer the matter to Dr Crispin, a retired judge. Mrs Dunne is understood to have now done so. Mrs Dunne has confirmed the referral but made no comment. Nor would Mr Hanson or Ms Burch comment. It is Dr Crispin's third investigation since he was appointed as an independent standards commissioner in 2014. The first was into Ms Burch's handling of the Menslink affair early last year and the second into Chief Minister Andrew Barr's endorsement of private company Dexar. Both were cleared of breaches of the code of conduct. The operators of Mamak Malaysian restaurant in Haymarket have been fined almost $300,000 for paying workers as little as $11 an hour. Federal Circuit Court Judge Justin Smith found the Goulburn Street restaurant had deliberately ignored its workplace obligations "to maximise profit". The operators of Mamak have been fined almost $300,000 for under-paying staff. Credit:Jennifer Soo The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against the popular inner Sydney restaurant which relied on informal market research to set wages. An Ombudsman investigation found six employees, including five visa holders from non-English speaking backgrounds, were collectively underpaid more than $87,000. They were paid as little as $11 an hour between February 2012 and April 2015. John Williams was the first head of photography at Sydney College of the Arts and discovered his passion through a photographic catalogue called the Family of Man given to him by his wife in 1958. The Museum of Modern Art exhibition, with its documentary photography vision of universal humanity, toured Australia in 1959 at the height of the Cold War and its forceful images influenced a generation of young photographers. John Frank Williams, the son of Francis Edward Williams and Anne (Anita) Williams, nee McDonnell was born in Sydney in 1933. His father, a World War I veteran emigrated from Liverpool, England, in 1925. Anita McDonnell was an accomplished violinist, required to relinquish her career when she married. John Williams spent 12 years at Sydney College of the Arts after becoming its first head of photography and film. Credit:Debra Philips Williams grew up in Maroubra matriculating from Sydney Technical High School in 1950. He studied mechanical engineering at Sydney Technical College working as a draughtsman the practical direction taken by a typical post-war suburban boy for whom university in those days was out of reach. He didn't love his work and was more interested in reading history and learning German, . He encountered politics in Labor Party suburban branches. In this milieu he met mentor figures such as Guido Baracchi, with whom he could argue about European history and politics, entering a world beyond the confines of Menzies-era suburbia. It's not every day you meet the Prime Minister of Australia. Melbourne man Peter, who regularly begs for change on Collins Street, was completely unaware he'd had a brush with Malcolm Turnbull on Wednesday. That was until he woke up the next day. "I saw you in the paper! You're famous!" came the comments from people who know the man with the beanie who sits outside luxury Italian fashion store Bulgari. Peter (who did not want to give his surname) then realised the identity of the fine-suited individual who had stopped briefly to place $5 in his cup. It was none other than the leader of the country. Battle of Long Tan commander Harry Smith has sympathised with Vietnamese sensitivity over the 50th anniversary service, saying Australians would be "up in arms" if Japan wanted to commemorate the bombing of Darwin. Mr Smith, who was among hundreds of veterans who missed out visiting the battle site on Thursday after a last-minute clampdown by Hanoi, said he was frustrated and disappointed but it was more important to him to spend time with Vietnamese veterans. Speaking to Fairfax Media by phone from Tommy's Bar in Vung Tau, Mr Smith, 83, backed the government's account that it was blind-sided by the 11th-hour decision by the Vietnamese government. But he contradicted the government's suggestions that it had expected a smaller crowd than the estimated 3000 veterans and other visitors who turned up, saying minutes from a stakeholders' meeting six weeks ago cited the Department of Veterans' Affairs as planning to send staff to control a crowd of 3000. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says there are "worthy arguments" in favour of softening the Racial Discrimination Act but the issue is not a current "priority" for his government. The question of whether to scrap or amend section 18c of the act which prohibits speech that offends, insults, humiliates or intimidates on the basis of race has been a distraction for the government since the election. Crossbench senators and government backbenchers who believe the act restricts free speech have been agitating for change and plan to take up the issue when Parliament resumes later this month. Former prime minister Tony Abbott last week said his government should have pursued less ambitious changes to the Act by simply removing the terms "offend' and "insult" while leaving more serious protections against hate speech in place. Mr Abbott dropped his bid to change the act in 2014 on the grounds it was a distraction in the fight against terrorism. Actor Amber Heard says she is donating her entire $US7 million ($9 million) divorce settlement from actor Johnny Depp to a pair of charities. Heard wrote in a statement released on Thursday that the money would be split between the American Civil Liberties Union and the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Heard said the money to the ACLU was being given to help its efforts to combat violence against women. Heard and Depp settled their contentious divorce on Tuesday, one day before the actors were scheduled to begin a restraining order hearing that would have centred on Heard's allegations that Depp repeatedly abused her during their marriage. Amy Schumer landed between US$8 million (AU$10.4 million) and US$10 million for her new collection of essays, The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo, released on Tuesday. Any pricey book deal comes with high expectations - and the comedian-turned-actress revealed all, from her dysfunctional childhood to some deeply personal, traumatic experiences. On the lighter side, she also answered some questions that you may have wondered (or read about) as she has rocketed from an unknown stand-up comic to movie star in only a few short years. Here are just a few: Amy Schumer was paid more than $10.4 million for her new book, The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo - so what does she reveal in its pages? Credit:AP Is she anything like the "sex comic" persona she portrays onstage? Not at all. "I'm so sorry to disappoint anyone who thinks I walk around at all times with a margarita in one hand and a dildo in the other," Schumer writes at the beginning of the book. "Maybe the misunderstanding comes from the fact that onstage, I group together all my wildest, worst sexual memories - which is a grand total of about five experiences over the course of thirty-five years." The release of the Nauru Files last week, detailing some 2,000 incidents of human rights abuses against asylum seekers, has stepped up pressure on the government over its offshore processing facilities, amplifying the calls to shut them down. While the reaction of immigration minister Peter Dutton was sadly predictable he called the files "hype" Labor Senator Sam Dastyari summed up what many of us were feeling when he called them "horrific" and "just disgusting," before asking: "Who are we as a nation?" The Nauruan government, which rarely allows Australian journalists to visit the island, described the program as an "embarrassment to journalism". Credit:Angela Wylie A good question, and one Dastyari would probably have been better to leave rhetorical, since his own answer "We, as a nation, as a society, are not a people who turn around and turn a blind eye to human rights violations and abuses," is simply not borne out by historical fact. The Guardian's Nauru Files, coming as they do on the heels of the Four Corners investigation into abuse of Indigenous teenagers in juvenile detention centres, should be a cause for soul searching, for asking ourselves why this keeps happening on our watch, in a country that prides itself a human-rights supporting democracy. An international consortium of cardiologists is calling for regular screening of all people aged over 65 for irregular heart rhythms, which are linked to one in three strokes in Australia. A chaotic heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, can be effectively treated with oral anticoagulants such as Warfarin, but many patients are unaware that they have the condition or fail to take the appropriate medicine. The iECG: an iPhone app developed by the University of Sydney provides a cheap and accurate method of detecting heart rhythm problems. Left untreated, the seemingly benign condition can lead to an ischaemic stroke that is usually more catastrophic and frequently fatal than strokes from other causes. Heart Research Institute cardiologist Ben Freedman argued in The Lancet on Friday for the routine testing of people aged over 65, ahead of a consensus statement that will be nutted out by 100 global heart experts at the ESC Congress in Rome next week. It is marketed as being "smarter than human doctors" and the "world's most accurate health diagnosis service". It is a medical app on your smartphone that invites you to put in a list of symptoms to find the most likely explanation. According to the company that created Ada, the app includes 10,000 symptoms and diseases and was developed by 100 doctors, making it more knowledgeable than any human brain. Doctors are worried about diagnosis apps. Credit:Benjamin Torode But for all its promises, leading Australian GPs are urging consumers to be wary of it and other apps that make similar claims. Both the Australian Medical Association and Royal Australian College of GPs said they were concerned about the accuracy of the Ada system, and its potential to either falsely reassure people about their health or alarm them unnecessarily. Despite a booming market for health apps, including ones that aim to diagnose, research suggests they may not be as reliable as they appear. Queensland councils are still not required to tell the state government they have been hit by large-scale scams, despite an Auditor-General's recommendation in 2015 this take place, with fraudsters siphoning more than $8 million in five years. That worrying fact was revealed at a media conference on Friday by Queensland's Local Government Minister Jackie Trad after being asked about two major council frauds unfolding. Queensland's Auditor-General in 2015 recommended the Department of Local Government change its regulations so councils have to notify the state government if they were hit by large-scale fraud. However this 2015 recommendation had not been adopted, Ms Trad said on Friday. Nobel Peace Prize nominee and former Islamic State prisoner Nadia Murad will address the University of Queensland next week on behalf of the Yazidi people. The 21-year-old's family was massacred and she was abducted and sexually enslaved in August 2014 before escaping three months later. A displaced Iraqi man from the Yazidi community carries his daughter as they cross the Iraqi-Syrian border, in northern Iraq, in August 2014. Credit:AHMAD AL-RUBAYE Ms Murad addressed the United Nations Security Council last December to talk about about her plight and IS's attempt to destroy women and girls. The Yazidis are an ethno-religious group with an estimated population of 600,000, mainly living around the district of Sinjar in Iraq. Police are investigating an attack that left a Queensland prisoner with serious head injuries. The 27-year-old is in a Brisbane hospital after he was found injured at the Maryborough Correctional Centre. Police are investigating after a prisoner was injured at Maryborough. Credit:File/iStock He's receiving specialist care for very serious head wounds and the police service's Corrective Services Investigation Unit is probing the incident. AAP A speeding car crossed onto the wrong side of the road before hitting a tree on Friday night, after the driver allegedly tried to evade police on the Gold Coast. About 8.45pm police saw a car travelling at speed heading south on Tallebudgera Connection Road. Police stopped pursuing a car at Tallebudgera on Friday night after it continued to travel at excessive speed. Police said the officers did not pursue the car but did activate lights and sirens, before pulling over when the car drove away at excessive speed. Further along Tallebudgera Connection Road, the car allegedly crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided with another car travelling north, before eventually leaving the road and hitting a tree. Premier Daniel Andrews' chief of staff has stood down after more than three years in the job to spend more time with his family. It was announced on Friday afternoon to staff that John McLindon was moving on. Ticket to ride? Premier Daniel Andrews checks out the journey to Waurn Ponds. Credit:Justin McManus He will remain in the role for the next month to help Lissie Ratcliff, a current deputy chief of staff, transition to the top job. Mr McLindon has worked in politics for 10 years and took over as Mr Andrews' chief of staff while in opposition, helping guide Labor to office in 2014. A Victorian school named on a porn-sharing website has been accused of "slut-shaming", after it hauled girls into an assembly and asked them to stop wearing short skirts. Kambrya College, whose extraordinary transformation was documented in the ABC TV series Revolution School, demanded that female students wear skirts that finished below their knees to "protect their integrity". Female students at Kambrya College were allegedly asked to stop wearing short skirts a day after the school was named on a global porn-sharing website. Credit:Gabriele Charotte They were also asked on Thursday to stop wearing make-up and sending "sexy selfies". It came a day after the Berwick state school was named on a website run by a global porn ring that posted graphic photos of Australian schoolgirls. The Australian Federal Police said on Friday that authorities had shut the website down. Fears are growing for a man from north-east Victoria who suffers from dementia and has been missing for four days. Mounted police and the dog squad joined local police and State Emergency Service members to search a stretch of the Melba Highway at Yea, 110 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, on Friday afternoon. Matyas Babos, 79, has not been seen since Monday August 15. Credit:Victoria Police Matyas Babos, 79, went missing from his home on Francis Street sometime between 10am and 4pm on Monday, August 15 and he has not been seen since. Police are concerned for his welfare because he has a number of health issues including dementia. Bangkok: The mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombing and al-Qaeda's chief operative in South-east Asia has made a plea for freedom, saying he "hopes to remarry and have children to raise". Indonesian-born Encep Nurjaman better known as Hambali emerged from 13 years' detention by the CIA and US military to declare at a military hearing he has "no ill will towards the US". The maximum security prison Camp Delta at Guantanamo Naval Base, where Hambali has been held. Credit:AP "He states that he wants nothing more than to move on with his life and be peaceful," Hambali's US military representative told the Guantanamo Bay review board hearing. Hambali, 52, who also known as Riduan Isamuddin, made the plea as US President Barack Obama accelerates a promise to empty the US military prison on Cuban soil. Byron Bay woman Sara Connor and British man David Taylor have been detained in connection with the alleged murder of a Balinese police officer on Kuta Beach. The two were brought to Denpasar police station on Friday afternoon accompanied by staff from the Australian consulate in Bali. They were handcuffed when they were taken from the car and into the police office. Police had previously said they wished to question Ms Connor and another man, Tomas Schon, in relation to the deaths. However it has emerged the police had the wrong name. Mr Schon told Fairfax Media he was in Europe and "had never been to Bali in his life". Usain Bolt savours his 100-metre golden moment in Rio, unaware of the panic he inadvertently triggered at New York's Kennedy Airport. Credit:Paul Gilham Interviews with officials familiar with security at the airport show a patchwork of agencies with various roles. Day-to-day policing falls to the Port Authority Police Department, a force of some 1800 officers assigned to airports, bridges, tunnels, ports and several other transportation facilities. However, that department does not take responsibility for policing the entire airport: The flow of traffic dropping off and picking up passengers at the terminals essentially the front line of security is the responsibility of the airlines, which employ private security guards for the job. The New York Police Department responds to calls to assist the Port Authority police at Kennedy, and is not the first-responder agency. Fearful passengers crouching at Kennedy Airport after the false alarm. Credit:AP There is also a National Guard presence there, along with TSA officers and agents with the US Customs and Border Protection. But the Port Authority officers assigned to the airport a number that is upward of 400, a former police officer who was assigned there said can seem few and far between. On a typical shift, there are only one or two officers on patrol in a terminal, a huge, cavernous area, he said. He spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the size of the police presence candidly. Kenneth Maxwell, a former FBI agent who later worked as a top security official at JetBlue Airways, said the Port Authority police contingent at Kennedy Airport generally performed well, particularly the elite squad held in reserve for emergencies. "They try their best," Maxwell said, "but I think they're constrained a little bit by the number of people they have." Investigators are still trying to learn what started the panic. In recent days, they have been contacting some of the original 911 callers, said two officials with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees New York City's airports. They requested anonymity because the investigation was continuing. One theory that has gained traction in news reports is that passengers watching the Olympics and celebrating the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt's latest gold-medal victory may have made enough noise to convince someone that the terminal was under attack. While the police have not confirmed that, a later review of video footage suggests that the disruption began near the Juan Valdez Cafe in Terminal 8. The first 911 call came in at 9.33 pm. The caller, a woman in Terminal 8, said shots had been fired, one of the officials said. A minute later, another woman called with a similar report. Other calls soon followed, almost 100 in all. By 9.57, the panic seemed to have spread: A call came in regarding an emergency in Terminal 1, the official said. The terminals, although near each other on an airport map, are separated by the Van Wyck Expressway. They do share something in common: American Airlines. Terminal 8 is largely dedicated to American, but that night there "may have been a connecting American Airlines flight in Terminal 1", one of the Port Authority officials said. The official suggested that travellers on that flight, upon seeing social media accounts of shots fired in the vicinity of American Airlines passengers, may have concluded that the emergency was occurring in Terminal 1, rather than in Terminal 8. Jay Carson, a screenwriter and former spokesman for Hillary Clinton, was in Terminal 1 with his wife that night. An alarm had sounded, as if a secure door had opened, but there was no warning for what would happen next, he said. "You hear screams first, then you see a stampede of people, running, diving in corners," Carson said. "Running as if running for their lives. My first reaction was not to get up and run away, until I saw two TSA agents dressed in blue amidst the crowd." He said he heard one agent shout about a bomb, and the other about a person shot and an active gunman. Another passenger, Brandon Webb, 42, an author and former Navy SEAL, said he was waiting at baggage claim when he heard a uniformed officer shout: "Run for your lives! There's an active shooter!" Webb said amid the confusion "Complete hysteria, people getting trampled" he fell back on his military training, trying to calm people even as he and others were swept outside onto the tarmac. He eventually led people to a barbed-wire fence near a taxi line, throwing his jacket over the razor wire and climbing over. He said a man approached and said, "I thought you were a terrorist." Webb said: "I've been to Iraq and Afghanistan, and I've never been in this situation where you're in a massive crowd and there's nothing you can do." Neither Webb nor Carson said he saw what the police later described as the successful aspects of the law enforcement response. On Sunday night, Bobby Egbert, the spokesman for the union representing Port Authority police officers, called that agency's response "textbook". "They immediately entered the terminal and relayed actionable information that there was no confirmation of a shooter, or victims or physical evidence of such," Egbert said. "No matter what you did, you are my son": Abdul Basir, left, with his son Said Muhammad, a former Taliban fighter. Credit:New York Times For much of his life, Abdul Basir has been a commander in the northern militia of Abdul Rashid Dostum, a former warlord who now serves as Afghanistan's vice-president while continuing to draw accusations of human rights abuses. Abdul Basir crossed paths with the man who would turn his son against him during the 1990s, while the Taliban were in power. That man, Mawlawi Said Hafiz, was a Taliban military commander in Faryab province, and Abdul Basir was a militia commander fighting him on behalf of Dostum. Abdul Rashid Dostum near Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan in November 2001, when he and his men were fighting alongside US-led coalition forces. Credit:AP After the 2001 US invasion, Abdul Basir gained the upper hand, but he forgave Mawlawi Hafiz on the condition that he give up his links to the Taliban. Abdul Basir said he made Mawlawi Hafiz the imam of a village mosque, having the congregants pay him a tithe of wheat for his salary. Abdul Basir himself tried to take up a civilian life, though he maintained his cache of weapons and ammunition. A US Army soldier oversees training for members of the 215th Corps of the Afghan National Army at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in March. Credit:New York Times Mawlawi Hafiz was keeping his powder dry, too. He secretly maintained his links to the Taliban and rose to become a senior judge for the insurgents' shadow government in Faryab. After the Taliban grew stronger in the province in recent years, Mawlawi Hafiz was in a position to exact revenge. First, he recruited Abdul Basir's teenage son. Muhammad stole thousands of his father's bullets, more than 40 magazines and a Kalashnikov rifle, and joined the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani with staff and bodyguards at Dawood National Military Hospital in Kabul in June. Credit:New York Times "The mullahs told us: 'Your father is an infidel - he is supported by the Americans. You should come join our jihad,'" Muhammad recalled. "I had decided to kill him." More than three years ago, Muhammad arrived at home with two pistols, set to gun down his father. But other villagers had tipped off Abdul Basir, who overpowered him. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani embraces Abdul Jalil, who was injured during fighting, at Dawood National Military Hospital in Kabul. Credit:New York Times "I wanted to kill him right there, but my relatives said: 'Let him be. He is your son'," Abdul Basir recalled. "I let him live, and convinced him not to return to the Taliban but join the army." Muhammad enlisted and joined an army unit sent to the eastern province of Paktia. But his loyalties had remained with the Taliban. Every month, he said, he would send his salary of about $US202 to the Taliban, depositing it into an insurgent account. An Afghan boy plays with a toy gun at Kart-e-Sakhi cemetery in Kabul. Credit:New York Times Back home, Abdul Basir said, he found out about the arrangement and warned Muhammad's superiors to be on watch in case the young man tried to surrender a post to the insurgents. But then Mawlawi Hafiz's Taliban came directly for Abdul Basir. He was arrested, and only narrowly avoided execution. He and his second wife and children fled their home, in the Qaisar district of Faryab. "We paid money for his release, and all of us left the area," said Abdul Basir's brother Said Abdul Rahim. "But Taliban continued to burn our five houses and cut down our trees. Then Basir decided to fight them." When Muhammad returned from his army base in the east last year, he went straight to Mawlawi Hafiz in Faryab and rejoined the Taliban there. As Muhammad was making his way back to Faryab, Abdul Basir learned of his son's plans and set up ambushes. Muhammad managed to avoid the traps, but Abdul Basir had made it his mission to kill his son. "It is up to God, but I think his blood is legitimate for me," Abdul Basir told The New York Times in May, after an unsuccessful raid to kill his son. In the middle of the night, Abdul Basir's men had surrounded their ancestral home village of Zyaratgah, which remained under Taliban control. "My mother came and said someone had shot the dog," Muhammad said about that night. "I picked up the weapon and fired a couple times, but realised they had me surrounded." Muhammad flung himself out a window and ran into the orchards. Abdul Basir shot some rounds, chased him in vain and then left when other Taliban arrived to drive off the attack. The women of the family were caught on opposite sides - especially Muhammad's mother, Abdul Basir's first wife. She remains in Taliban territory, and could not be reached by telephone this week for comment. Rahim, Abdul Basir's brother, suggested that she was potentially a factor in Muhammad's joining the Taliban. "Basir's wife has complained that he married another woman and did not take care of her," Rahim said. "So she convinced her son to join the Taliban." Abdul Basir insists that his first wife is not angry with him. "Such things happen," he said. "But I love that wife of mine - she has put up with a lot." Muhammad said: "My mother was on both sides. Sometimes she was on my side, sometimes on my father's side." Abdul Basir could not say what finally changed his mind about his son since trying to ambush him in May. In the months since, he began reaching out to try to persuade Muhammad to return. The men's reunion was secured by shuttle diplomacy, with relatives going back and forth between the two. They sought to convince Muhammad that he was, in effect, burning his own property - seeking to destroy the orchards and home he stood to inherit. Muhammad said he had slowly realised that the Taliban were not the holy warriors they had portrayed themselves to be. Top commanders were getting payments, and nothing was trickling down to fighters like him. "I told Muhammad, 'Your father is a serious enemy of the Taliban. If the father is an enemy, the son cannot be a friend'," said Said Qayum, one of Abdul Basir's cousins who served as a go-between. For now, Muhammad is fighting on his father's side. Still, some in the family and their home district remain sceptical that someone who was once so determined to kill his own father, and who barely survived his father's gunfire, could put it all behind him. What if he is an infiltrator? Abdul Basir said he had no doubts. "I believe him now - he was ignorant. My friends there told him that your father has killed 300 to 400 Taliban, they will kill you eventually. They will not leave you alive," Abdul Basir said. "I told him, 'I want to get you married'." When asked about that plan, Muhammad - who years ago had explicitly chosen the Taliban rather than bow to his family's pressure to marry - had only a hesitant answer: "It's not clear now - I can't say if I will marry." Will the Spain's politicians dare to steal Christmas? That's the question Spaniards are asking after caretaker prime minister Mariano Rajoy agreed to face a confidence vote in parliament at the end of this month. The result of that ballot will hinge on whether Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez Castejon sticks to his pledge to oppose Mr Rajoy. If he does, Spain's electoral calendar means the country's third election in a year would probably fall on December 25. Spain's acting prime minister, Mariano Rajoy. Credit:Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP "Let's see if @sanchezcastejon has the guts to send 36 million Spaniards out to repeat elections on Christmas Day," Xavier Garcia Albiol, leader of Mr Rajoy's People's Party in Catalonia, said in a tweet on Thursday after the confidence vote was called. Mr Rajoy is trying to win a mandate from lawmakers after sealing a pact with the liberals of Ciudadanos to support his bid to end eight months of political deadlock. He's still short of votes though, and needs at least some Socialist lawmakers to abstain if he's going to finally claim a second term after inconclusive elections in December and June. New York: The State Department conceded for the first time on Thursday that it delayed making a $400 million payment to Iran for several hours in January "to retain maximum leverage" and ensure that three American prisoners were released the same day. For months the Obama administration had maintained that the payment was part of a settlement over an old dispute and did not amount to a "ransom" for the release of the Americans. Instead, administration officials said, it was the first instalment of the $1.7 billion that the US intends to pay Iran to reimburse it for military equipment it bought before the Iranian revolution that the Americans never delivered. But at a briefing, on Thursday, State Department spokesman John Kirby said the US "took advantage of the leverage" it felt it had that weekend in mid-January to obtain the release of the hostages and "to make sure they got out safely and efficiently". Republicans opposed to the nuclear deal President Barack Obama reached with Iran have described the payment as ransom and a further sign of his administration's feckless dealings with Tehran. The air cargo markets deceleration this year had a greater impact on third-quarter cargo revenues at American Airlines than its primary rivals, Delta and United Airlines. But the best revenue quarter in company history and a $483 million profit painted a positive financial picture that could be replicated in the final quarter thanks to resilient [] Charlotte, North Carolina: An 18-year-old college student who was ejected from Thursday's Donald Trump rally says he went from avid backer to disillusioned opponent after Trump's security accused him of being a known protester. Jake Anantha, who registered as a Republican and cast his first primary vote for Trump, was wearing a Trump shirt when police removed him from the Charlotte Convention Center before the rally began. He and his father, Ramesh Anantha, say they believe he was profiled because of his dark skin. Supporters bow their heads in prayer before Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers a campaign speech in Charlotte, North Carolina. Credit:AP "It's unbelievably ironic," said Ramesh Anantha, whose parents emigrated from India. He says his son, as a young person of colour appearing at a rally where the Republican presidential nominee touted his support for people of colour, "should have been looked at as a perfect Trump supporter. He should have been somebody they're putting up on stage." Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Never miss a big story in South Bristol again with our daily email The Bristol Post can reveal why hundreds of travellers have arrived in the city. Caravans have been pitching up across Bristol and more are thought to be on their way as the community pays its respects to a "traveller queen". Described as the Princess Diana of the travelling world, Violet Crumlish is currently receiving treatment in a Bristol hospital for terminal bowel cancer. And scores of travellers from across the UK have made the trip to say goodbye to the mum-of-11, with more thought to be arriving. The proud community is keeping with tradition and flocking to the city to give the prominent and highly respected 59-year-old a royal send off. Speaking exclusively to the Bristol Post, one of Mrs Crumlish's sons, Alex, said: "She is a queen and a princess, she is like Lady Diana to the travellers. She is good to the poor and to the sick; she is highly respected. "She is like a mother to so many in the travelling community which is why there are thousands coming to see her. "She is a lovely woman through and through and we are very proud that so many people are coming to see her. "We will take her back to Northern Ireland for her funeral." Mrs Crumlish's presence helps to explain the reason for the large number of traveller camps which have sprung up in recent weeks. Groups have been pitching on The Downs, Lockleaze, Horfield, Clifton, Bedminster and the proposed Bristol Rovers stadium site in Stoke Gifford. Although the travelling community has an honourable reason to be in the city, many residents are unhappy at their sight and state of their encampments. One Clifton homeowner claims she saw a traveller child defecating in a bush and several others have complained about fly tipping and excess mess. Bristol City Council evicted a group in Lockleaze last month after several tonnes of rubbish built up on popular publically owned park-land. While the council has the power to evict travellers who pitch on public land, it is down to the land owner to start legal proceedings against groups who camp on private land. Avon and Somerset police are also powerless to move travellers unless "aggravating factors" are reported such as disorder, antisocial behaviour or crime. Latest News Lendi Group settles $33.6 billion in FY22 Ambitious target of a deal a day for brokers APRA announces new appointments The prudential regulator has a new chair, deputy chair, and members More than one in five house sales across Australias combined capital cities sold for at least $1 million over the 12 months to June 2016, new data has shown.Research from CoreLogic has revealed that the number of home sales for properties with a price tag of at least $1 million has boomed over recent years, with 20.9% of houses sold in the capital cities over the year to June selling for $1 million or more. Almost one in 10 units (8.9%) sold for a price tag of at least $1 million.Over the past 10 years, the proportion of house sales of at least $1 million has increased almost 4.5 times, with figures from CoreLogic revealing that just 4.7% of houses sold in the year to June 2006 went for at least $1 million.When compared to twenty years ago, in the year to June 1996, the proportion of houses sold for at least $1 million has increased 42 times. Just 0.5% of homes in the year to June 1996 sold for a minimum of $1 million.In the unit market, the proportion of $1 million sales has increased 3.5 times from 2006 and 30 times from 1996.Sydney, unsurprisingly, recorded the highest proportion of house sales over $1 million, with more than two in five (43.4%) of houses sold in the year to June 2016 selling for $1 million or more. Just under one in five Sydney apartments (16.6%) sold for at least $1 million.Melbourne was next, with 21.8% of houses and 6.7% of apartments selling for at least $1 million over the past year.Hobart recorded the lowest proportion of seven figure sales, with 1.7% of houses selling for at least $1 million and 0.6% of units selling for at least $1 million over the past year.CoreLogic research analyst Cameron Kusher said he expects this trend to continue.Demand for premium housing and within the most expensive areas of the country remains buoyant which suggests that over the coming year the proportion of sales at a price point of at least $1 million will continue to rise, Kusher said. Latest News Lendi Group settles $33.6 billion in FY22 Ambitious target of a deal a day for brokers APRA announces new appointments The prudential regulator has a new chair, deputy chair, and members A West Australian-based property developer has had to surrender her passport as the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) continues their investigation into a property investment scheme in the Pilbara.Perths Federal Court has made interim orders against Desiree Veronica Macpherson that require her to surrender all passports held by her, any visa entitling her to enter, visit or reside in any country other than Australia and any airline ticket(s) for travel outside Australia until further notice.Macpherson is a director and direct/indirect shareholder of companies Macro Realty Developments Pty Ltd, Macro Realty Pty Ltd, Macro All State Investments and Securities Ltd, Macro All State Investments and Securities Ltd, Pilbara Property Developments Pty Ltd, which form the Macro Group.The Federal Court also made interim asset preservation orders against Macpherson and the Macro Group, as well as restraining her and the Macro Group from providing financial services advice, dealing in financial products, promoting financial products and otherwise carrying on a financial services business.The orders were made as a result of an application by ASIC in July in order to protect the interests of shareholders, investors and creditors as it continues its investigation into the Macro Groups operations, in particular investments in a land development in the Pilbara region of WA known as The Newman Estate.Prior orders of the Court in this matter were subject to a non-publication order.In May this year, ASIC obtained permanent injunctions against a number of companies, many of which are associated with notorious spruiker Jamie McIntyre, from marketing and promoting The Newman Estate.In that ruling, His Honour Justice Beach declared that the marketing and promotion of The Newman Estate was misleading and deceptive, and that investors had been procured into breaching director's duties.Justice Beath also found that financial product advice had been provided to investors by entities who were not licensed to do so. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams A Clinton Hill man lost his home and his vehicle in one hit on Thursday when he crashed his 1998 Pathfinder Sport into several cars and the entire camper collapsed onto the street. The driver a spacey Swiss man sporting a tie-dyed T-shirt with a picture of a cat on it was turning left from Vanderbilt Avenue to the Bedford-Stuyvesant-bound side of Park Avenue at around 1 pm when he hit a 2015 Infiniti and a 2016 Hyundai, causing the back of his ramshackle mobile home to cave in, witnesses told ace photographer Paul Martinka, who captured the aftermath. The man said he lives in the van under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and was still hoping to save the mobile homes roof, Martinka said. The gent he did not have a license or identification, and the van did not have any plates. The Police Department says officers slapped him with three summonses, but couldnt say what they were for. The crumpled camper blocked traffic on that block of Park Avenues lanes for at least three hours while authorities and drivers waited for tow trucks to cart away it and one of the damaged cars, which was also in pretty gnarly shape, Martinka said. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said Peru has made progress on ensuring only legally harvested timber is exported, but theres still room for enhancing protections. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said Peru has made progress on ensuring only legally harvested timber is exported, but theres still room for enhancing protections. USTR based its observations on the recent review of the Peruvian governments verification report regarding a 2015 timber shipment from the South American country to the United States. This first-ever verification was conducted pursuant to a February 2016 request made by the U.S. Timber Committee under the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA). U.S. Trade Representative Michael Forman said he has urged Perus new government to engage quickly with the United States on a focused set of actions to combat illegal logging, including maximizing the use of new technologies to address the challenges including, for example, full and immediate deployment of the electronic timber tracking system we have been working together to develop. So far, Perus Organismo de Supervision de los Recursos Forestales y de Fauna Silvestre (OSINFOR) has performed more than 4,000 inspections of 1.7 million hectares from 2009 to June 2016, resulting in numerous actions to improve forest management, an amendment of Perus criminal code in 2008 to include substantial penalties for illegal logging and wildlife trafficking, adoption in 2010 of laws and other measures to comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the enactment of a new Forestry and Wildlife Law in 2011, and the implementation of regulations in 2015 that improve forest sector governance. The United States has supported Perus efforts to improve its forest sector oversight by providing nearly $90 million in technical assistance and capacity building since the PTPA entered into force, including development of an electronic timber tracking system that will allow Peruvian authorities to trace every log from stump to port in order to better detect and address illegal logging, USTR said. Phillies complete comeback with 10th inning HR to win Game 1 of World Series Philadelphias catcher hit a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the 10th after his team had rallied out of an early 5-0 deficit. Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front row taxi ridesymbolic of the shows content as a fun ride that takes audiences from point A to point B. Gabina VOAs main goal is Enlightening young people, introducing them to cutting-edge technological innovations, exposing them to new processes and ideas so they can be productive, informed and self-governing citizens. Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. Cytecare, a soon-to-launch cancer speciality hospital in Bengaluru, is looking to use big data and analytics to improve detection and cure of cancer in patients while also ensuring that the treatment it offers is affordable. The hospital, which is scheduled to open its doors to patients in November this year, is located in North Bengaluru with easy access to the city's airport. Cytecare has raised Rs 165 crore from global high net worth individuals, which it has used to construct its first centre, with plans for expanding in more cities already in place. Ltd has decided to demerge its diagnostics business, including the business of its majority owned subsidiary SRL Ltd into its another listed entity, Fortis Hospitals Ltd. Following the demerger, the business of SRL will be merged with the Chennai-based Fortis Malar as part of the composite scheme. With the demerger, all the diagnostics business of the Group would come under the entity, which is currently the Fortis Malar Hospitals while the latter's hospital business will be sold to by way of slump sale for a cash consideration of Rs 43 crore. Fortis has two listed entities, and Fortis Malar, and the idea is to bring all the hospital businesses under Fortis Healthcare while all the diagnostics business will be brought in under the second listed entity, subject to statutory and regulatory approvals. The name of Fortis Malar will subsequently be changed to SRL Ltd and the company is proposed to be listed on the National Stock exchange in addition to its current listing on the BSE. With the composite scheme coming into effect, Fortis Malar would issue and allot 0.98 fully paid up equity shares of Rs 10 each for every 1 equity share of Rs 10 each held by them in Fortis Healthcare. The equity shareholders of SRL, except for Fortis Malar who will acquire shares of SRL following the demerger, will be issued and allotted 10.8 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Fortis Malar for every one equity share of Rs 10 each held by them in SRL, as a consideration towards the merger of SRL into Fortis Malar. Appointed date of slump sale, demerger and merger under the composite scheme is opening of business on January 1, 2017, subject to regulatory and statutory approvals. "We believe this will unlock immense value for all the shareholders," said Malvinder Singh, executive chairman, Fortis Healthcare. As a result of the new synergistic groupings, both the hospitals and diagnostic businesses will benefit from greater clarity, a stronger focus and an independent growth trajectory," he added in an announcement. While both the businesses continue to perform equally well, in the longer term, both need distinctive strategies of their own and the demerger will help to unlock the value potential, said Bhavdeep Singh, CEO, Fortis Healthcare Ltd. At present, both Fortis Healthcare and Fortis Malar manage hospitals along with providing diagnostics business, while another majority owned subsidiary SRL is engaged in diagnostics business. The hospitals and the diagnostics business have different operating models and each has strong growth opportunity given the trend. The proposed restructuring would offer greater focus equally on the both the businesses and would simplify the organisational structure helping investors to better understand and evaluate both businesses independently, said the company. Promoters of Fortis Healthcare own a fully diluted stake of 63.1 per cent in the company with the rest of the shares held by public shareholders. Fortis Healthcare owns 56.4 per cent stake in SRL. Fortis Healthcare owns 62.4 per cent shares in Fortis Malar, a multi-speciality facility acquired by Fortis in September 2007. Post transaction, the promoters will own 40.6 per cent equity shares in Fortis Malar, which will be renamed as SRL, the listed entity Fortis Healthcare will hold 1.3 per cent and the public will hold 20.8 per cent. The public shareholders in both SRL and Malar, including the private equity investors and other financial instituions, will hold the rest of 37.3 per cent, according to a company announcement. At present the Group has 45 healthcare facilities with around 10,000 potential beds across various countries, including projects under development, and around 329 diagnostics facilities offering close to 3,800 tests and 7,300 collection points across the country, and cumulatively performs more than 33 million tests annually, said company officials. JM Financial is advisor to Fortis Healthcare on the transaction, while Yes Securities (India) Lts is advisor to Fortis Malar on regulatory and related requirements. PWC were the advisors on the structuring of the transaction and Price Waterhouse & Co LLP did the valuation. After two successive quarters of fall in the smartphone growth, the market saw revival by registering 27.5 million units of smartphones shipments in CY Q2 2016. Smartphone shipment posted a healthy 17.1% growth over previous quarter and a marginal 3.7% growth over Q2 2015, said the International Data Corporations (IDC) Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. With the festive season approaching, the shipments are expected to hit the channel during end of Q3 2016. And hence, IDC expects shipments of both smartphone and feature phone to sequentially grow in Q3 2016. Both global and Indian vendor's shipments declined year-on-year, while China based vendor's shipments grew at healthy 75% in CY Q2 2016. "China based vendors' shipments grew 28% over previous quarter of which Lenovo group, Vivo, Xiaomi, OPPO and Gionee were key contributors driving the growth. Until now, Lenovo was the only China based vendor to ship over a million units in a quarter, while this quarter saw additional three vendors joining the million shipments bandwagon. Xiaomi's Redmi Note 3 was not only the top selling model in online channel but also a star product for the vendor contributing majority of Xiaomi's total shipments in Q2 2016," said Karthik J, Senior Market Analyst, Client Devices, IDC India. The sub $150 segment has been a strong foothold for Indian vendors, which is now facing increased pressure from both global and China based vendors, said the report. "Aggressive entry of Reliance Jio with shipments of over a half a million 4G devices has captured significant share in sub $50 segment at the expense of other Indian vendor's share" said Jaipal Singh, Market Analyst, Client Devices, IDC India. "The premium segment (US$300+) saw vendor share movement rather than expansion as China based vendors made a significant expansion in this segment capturing around one-third of this segment in Q2 2016 from just 9% a year ago. OPPO's F1 Plus shipments grew further helping the vendor to gain reasonable share in a global vendor dominated segment" adds Singh. Apple's iPhone SE failed to make any significant impact in the premium segment while its previous generation iPhone 5S continued to contribute majority volume. Online share of smartphones dipped to 28% in CY Q2 2016 from 35% in the previous quarter. "Healthy growth in the offline channel, online focused vendors expanding their footprint into retail channel followed by stringent norms to restrain excessive discounting on online platform are some of the reasons that could be attributed for online share decline this quarter", said Karthik. However, with festive season approaching, online share is likely to bounce back with array of new launches and offers. Among vendor market share, Samsung continued to lead the Indian smartphone market with 25.1% share, registering 10.9% sequential growth over previous quarter and 15% growth from the same period last year. With updated versions of J2, J5 and J7 released in Q2 2016, J-series devices continue to drive Samsung's shipments. Micromax retained second position with 19.9% growth over the previous quarter. Slew of new launches backed by the new marketing initiatives helped Micromax gain the market share post two consecutive declines in Q2 2016. Vendor has re-gained share in $150-$200 segment with launch of Canvas 6 series and Yu Yunicorn. Lenovo Group (including Motorola) with 10.3% growth over the last quarter, vendor regained the third position in Indian Smartphone market. Moto G4 plus and Vibe K5 Plus were the key drivers for the growth accounting more than one-third of its total shipments. Lenovo Group has extended its presence in the retail contributing to approximately one-third of its shipments. Intex slipped to fourth position in Q2 2016 as its shipments dropped 9.8% sequentially and 30.1% over last year. While Intex is undergoing internal management changes, vendor is facing stiff competition from other Indian vendors in entry-level and Chinese vendors at mid-level. However, In Q2 2016, Intex's cloud series helped Intex to gain a significant share in the online segment. Reliance Jio maintained its position as the fifth largest smartphone vendor with 12.3% sequential growth in Q2 2016. LYF devices have entered sub US$50 segment and bundling introductory offers with Jio services helped it gain strong traction in retail stores. Feature Phone Market Highlights During the quarter the feature phone segment too saw growth. "The rate of migration from feature to smartphone has slowed down and feature phones continue to account for more than half of the total Indian mobile phone market. About 33.7 million units of feature phones were shipped in Q2 2016 with 2.6% growth over last year. Cautious spending behaviour of consumers clubbed with feature phone's continued relevance to the target customer's usage needs, vendors re-calibrating the channel to increase their share and relatively better margins with feature phones are some of the factors which are driving the volumes for feature phones," said Navkendar Singh, Senior Research Manager, Mobile Devices Research, IDC India and South Asia. Other key market dynamics which rendered the feature phone growth in Q2 2016 Entry level smartphone ecosystem has mostly upgraded to higher specifications making lower memory and low-end processor technology obsolete in the market. Also, with consumer's expectations, adding such device (e.g.: 256MB+512MB) to portfolio is no longer a feasible option for vendors, said the report. Difference between an entry-level feature phone and smartphone is approximately Rs 1,000 ($15). Vendors are finding difficulty to match the prices of feature phone and hence re-opening the market clocking good volumes of feature phones to capture entry-level/ first-time buyers. Decreasing footprints of large CDMA service providers was a key reason as many users have boarded a new GSM feature phone as their primary device of communication. The Angriest is a blog by award-winning Australian playwright and science fiction critic Grant Watson. Current regular features on this blog include episode-by-episode rewatches of Star Trek, a weekly comic book review column called The Pull List, and occassional reviews of Akira Kurosawa's films in chronological order. In 2016 Grant was awarded Best Fan Writer at the Australian Science Fiction Achievement "Ditmar" Awards. You might also like to check out FictionMachine , which is where Grant puts all of his full-length film criticism. In a relief to India's energy major Adani, an Australian court on Friday dismissed a Queensland Indigenous group's application challenging the mining leases granted to its controversial 21 billion dollar Carmichael coal mine project, one of the world's largest. The application was filed by the Members of Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) community who argued that a determination made in April 2015 by National Native Title Tribunal, relating to the proposal of granting of two mining leases, was not correct. Queensland Federal Court dismissed the challenge. Senior traditional owner for W&J Adrian Burragubba had said that misled the tribunal about the economic benefits the mine would create and as a consequence the tribunal made the wrong decision. He had filed the application for judicial review against Queensland Government, and National Native Title Tribunal. Announcing the judgement, Justice John Reeves concluded that none of Burragubba's grounds of review had merit. Reeves said the tribunal did not fail to observe the rules of natural justice or constructively fail to exercise its jurisdiction. Burragubba said he would continue to fight the mine. "While I respect the judgement of Justice Reeves, we will seek advice from our legal team on an appeal," Burragubba said. "It is clear, however, that my submissions to the court and our concern to protect our life, culture and traditions and the social, cultural and economic structures of our group were dismissed and overridden. "We continue to be restricted in the full expression of our laws and customs, in service to the machinery of mining development and the destruction of our country and culture." Welcoming the decision, said it would continue to work with the Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners to help ensure the benefits of the mine, rail and port project were realised. The Company statement said, "Over five years, Adani has worked closely with traditional owners spanning its mine, rail and port projects in Queensland. "Over that time, Burragubba has continuously objected to any and every process relating to the mine at Carmichael, even in the face of the majority of his traditional owner group supporting the project," it said. "Pending the resolution of outstanding legal challenges to activist-led state and federal approvals, Adani stands ready to deliver on its plans to build a long term future with Queensland, while delivering the jobs, training and economic benefits both to regional Queensland and traditional owner communities" the statement said. 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. N K Minda-headed UNO Minda Group is consolidating all its under an umbrella company to achieve greater operational flexibility and economies of scale. Thus, will have a total of 17 under its fold, 12 of which are already under it. Consolidating the remaining five will be complete by March 2018, said a senior executive of UNO Minda. S K Jain, chief financial officer of UNO Minda, said: "We would be requiring Rs 50-60 crore to complete this plan. We engaged KPMG for this restructuring who worked on it for 1-1.5 years." has raised stake in Minda TG Rubber to 51 percent and in MJ Castings, it has increased its stake to 98 per cent from 50 per cent. While in Kosei Minda Aluminum Company it raised stake to 30 per cent from naught. "There could one or two cases where we will take the buy-out route, we are seeing how we can do this by cash or preference issue", added Jain. The group aims to attain a turnover of Rs 10,000 crore by 2020. Minda Industries, a listed entity, recorded a turnover of Rs 2,500 crore in the last financial year, whereas the Group recorded a consolidated revenue of Rs 5,500 crore. The group has planned a capital expenditure of Rs 70-80 crore for the current financial year which would be spent on existing facilities. Minda Group have bagged new orders from Maruti Suzuki and Honda Cars India. In March, Minda Industries had announced an acquisition of the global lighting business of Spain based Rinder Group that manufactures automotive lamps head lamp, tail lamps and small lamps. The enterprise value for the total deal is about Euro 20 million (Rs 152 crore). The acquisition includes 100 per cent equity holding in Rinder India and Light Systems and Technical Center, Spain along with 50 per cent equity holding in Rinder Riducu, Colombia. The deal will be financed through internal accruals and the debts. "We have an internal cash accrual of Rs 200 crore which go up by 25 per cent this year. The capex (capital expenditure) will be funded by these accruals", added Jain. What has surprised the market on State Bank of Indias merger announcement was the timing more than the ratio. Analysts expected an announcement in FY17, but fast-tracking the entire process has been a pleasant surprise for the market. Kalanithi Maran-owned Sun Television Network (Sun TV) said that it is confident on receiving approvals from the Centre for its FM radio business, in which company invested around Rs 620.20 crore. Earlier, the Ministry of Broadcasting of the Government of India has refused to accept its applications and the issue was a matter of dispute in various courts. The Group have earlier submitted applications to migrate their existing FM Radio licenses including six expired on March 31, 2015 and others expiring on various dates in 2016-17, from Phase II to the Phase III licensing regime along with applications for participating in the e-auction process for new FM Radio frequencies in the Phase III licensing regime. Tata Sons has sought two weeks' extension to respond to London's Commercial Court's ex-parte order allowing NTT Docomo to attach Tata's foreign assets to enforce a $1.17-billion arbitration award in favour of the Japanese company. NTT Docomo has not opposed Tata Sons' move to seek extension for responding to the court's order, said a person familiar with the development. Tata Steel has dropped plans to set up a ferrochrome complex at Gopalpur in Odisha but will build a plant with a capacity of 55,000 tonnes at the same place. Ltd's chief executive said the diversified Indian miner received "constructive feedback" from minority shareholders in Cairn India Ltd to a sweetened buyout offer, and was hopeful it can clinch the long-delayed deal. "We have reached out to all shareholders and we have held constructive discussions across the board ... We look forward to the vote in the coming weeks," said Chief Executive Tom Albanese, speaking in an interview with Reuters on Friday. Last month, revised the terms of an offer aimed at buying out the minority stake in Cairn India that it does not already own, after an initial offer stalled and a deal remained in limbo for months. Albanese, the former head of global miner Rio Tinto PLC, also said the company has not received any inquiry from Indian markets regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), with regard to movement in the stock prices of the two leading up to the announcement of the revised bid. On Thursday, Indian newspaper Mint reported that SEBI was investigating unusual movement in shares of Cairn and Vedanta ahead of the announcement of the sweetened offer. Albanese said the company has "clear and robust" policies against insider trading and that it would cooperate fully if it did receive a request for information from the regulator. Any such probe would not delay the timeline of the Cairn deal, he added. The shareholders of Vedanta and Cairn will be voting on the revised offer on Sept. 8 and Sept. 12 respectively. Vedanta plans to close the transaction by end of March 2017. Analysts note the acquisition would give Vedanta direct access to Cairn's $3.5 billion cash pile, and some have expressed concern that Vedanta may use this toward paring its own $11 billion debt rather than investing in growth projects. Albanese said the board of directors of the combined entity would decide on how to use the cash, and that Vedanta does not have any debt maturing until mid-2018. Cairn will be accelerating investment in its onshore basin project in west India next fiscal year onwards, said Cairn's Chief Finance Officer Sudhir Mathur in the same interview. "We are re-engineering our plans of investment with an IRR (internal rate of return) of 18 percent in a $50-per-barrel world," he said, adding that plans will be announced in the next six to nine months. Anil Agarwal-led today said that Cairn Indias oil and gas assets are expected to ramp up production only after 2018 and till then both investors and the company see value coming only from the zinc business. This, after the merger happens between the two . Ltd, part of the Anil Agarwal-promoted Resources, will roll over part of its $1.4-billion (Rs 9,576 crore) short-term debt while refinancing another $0.5 billion (Rs 3,420 crore) of term loan in 2016-17. It is also likely to extend some loans maturing in 2018. The two-day meeting of the Women's Parliamentarian Forum will begin here on Saturday in which 42 delegates from member countries will participate. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will inaugurate the meeting which will have different plenary sessions. "Preparations for the meeting have been made," Prithvi Raj, secretary of the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha said on Friday. A total of 42 delegates are scheduled to attend the meeting which will have 5 women parliamentarians from Brazil, 3 from Russia, 28 from India, 2 from China and 4 from South Africa. is the grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Mahajan's inaugural session will be followed by plenary session on the theme of 'Perspectives on implementation of SDGs' at the Rajasthan Vidhan sabha. First session on the theme of 'Achieving SDGs- Role of Women Parliamentarians in involving Citizens' will also be held on Friday. Theme of the second session, to be held on the second day on August 21, will be 'Containing Climate Change - Imperatives of Global Cooperation'. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will deliver the valedictory address and the Lok Sabha Speaker will give the concluding address on the second day. The delegates will also visit Albert Hall and Amber Palace on Monday before their departure on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today said that the Chinese army had transgressed the border of Arunachal Pradesh on two occasions last month, but these could not be described as incursion. "We cannot term it as incursion, but transgression, as the Chinese army just crossed the perceived area along the Line of Actual Control," he told reporters here after inaugurating the Pasighat Advance Landing Ground (ALG) in the northeastern state. Rijiju said one incident was reported from Kibithu area in remote Anjaw district on July 22 and another at Thangsa in Tawang district during the month. He said when the matter was reported from Kibithu by ITBP, the Centre verified it and found that it was only an act of transgression. The ALG will allow fighter aircraft like Su 30 MKI to land and take off in a major fillip to India's military capabilities along its border with . On government's efforts to match China's infrastructure development across the border, Rijiju said that the Centre had already started strengthening the infrastructure and the ALG at Pasighat was a major step in this direction. "We are not challenging or competing with any other country by strengthening our border infrastructure. We will have to build robust infrastructure to strengthen our defence and whatever we have done is because India is an emerging power with capability. "So IAF should have operational bases in all the bordering states," he said, noting that the Centre attaches priority to development of border infrastructure. Asked about the proposed ALG at Tawang, the minister said an area had been identified between Tawang and Lumla at an altitude of 11,000 feet and at that height, such a rugged terrain was very challenging. "We will have to see whether the site is feasible or otherwise we will have to look for an alternative place," he said. To a question about some leaders of insurgent outfits from the northeast taking shelter in Myanmar, Rijiju said that India has requested Myanmar to take action against the insurgent groups taking shelter in that country. "There are reports of some leaders of insurgent outfits from the northeast taking shelter in Myanmar and we are in constant talks with the government of that country requesting it to take action against them," the minister said. The government is exploring monetising land to raise Rs 2 lakh crore to fund infrastructure projects. A committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) DK Jain has been set up to prepare a plan for the sale of land in possession of various departments and suggest steps to mortgage land. Union Commerce Minister celebrated Raksha Bandhan by tying rakhis to Army jawans at Tawang bordering China. Expressing her gratefulness to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "unique initiative" to honour jawans deployed at the borders, she told the gathering at Lumla, "Interest of Arunachal is the priority of the Centre and we are fully committed for development of the state." She assured her full cooperation in all matters related to the development of the border district, an official communique said. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who was also present on the occasion, spoke about plans chalked out by the Centre to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Freedom movement. He said the main objective of such a programme was to infuse patriotism especially within the younger generation and showcase plurality and diversity. On steps being taken for development of Tawang district, Rijiju said the BRO road inspection from Dirang to Tawang which is to be conducted during September along with DG (BRO) would also include Zemithang, the release added. Lashing out at Pakistan, BJP MP has said if the neighbouring country dares to fight with India, its existence would be in danger and that Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would soon be a part of India. The BJP lawmaker from Gorakhpur, who was here to attend a function in Rasra area, said on Thursday night that India should take a stand on the issue of Balochistan. On senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh's comments referring to Kashmir as "India-occupied Kashmir", Yogi said Singh's reaction reflected the values of his party. Holding the Congress responsible for Kashmir problem, he said if Sardar Patel would have got the responsibility in place of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the issue would have not arisen. He said time has come for freedom of PoK and it would be part of India soon. On Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's appeal to Pakistan Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, to send troops to Kashmir to "obey" the pending order of M A Jinnah, Yogi said the neighbouring country has suffered four crushing defeats. Addressing a rally held under the banner of 'Defence Council of Pakistan' in Karachi on Sunday, Saeed had claimed, "Kashmiris had announced before the partition that they wanted to remain with Pakistan. But after the partition, India forcibly sent Army to Jammu and Kashmir. "On this, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah ordered his commander-in-chief to respond by sending troops but he refused (to obey his orders). Now, I ask Gen Raheel Sharif to send troops in Jammu and Kashmir as Quaid-e-Azam's order is pending," Saeed had said. Dairy farmers in Punjab are gearing up for mass protests against the cow vigilantes, as they are allegedly being harassed in the name of cow protection. Industry chambers met Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia and pointed out certain loopholes in the draft model goods and services (GST) law and the constitution amendment Bill on the new indirect taxation regime such as ambiguity over exclusion of electricity from GST. China and India on Friday held their eighth high-level here to strengthen trade and economic cooperation, with the two fast-developing nations underlining the need of building more solidarity to adopt more responsible macro economic policies. Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, accompanied by a delegation of officials from the Reserve Bank of India and Finance Ministry, took part in the annual dialogue along with the Chinese delegation led by Vice-Minister for Finance Shi Yaobin. "India is working hard to unify the domestic market, improve infrastructure, speed up manufacturing sector development, encourage more foreign direct investment (FDI)," Shi said in his opening remarks at the meeting. "We are happy to hear that, in early August, India's GST (Goods and Services Tax) reform has achieved historical breakthrough. In such kind of background we need to learn more from each other to coordinate micro economic policies, face more challenges and create more drivers for our development," he said. The dialogue mechanism is aimed at exchanging ideas and status reports on the macro economic situation in both the countries. During the dialogue, officials of both the countries brief each other about their economic and fiscal policies and discuss issues of structural reforms and bilateral investment flows and economic cooperation. This year's dialogue is being held ahead of the G20 summit to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou next month followed by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Goa in October, which would focus mainly on the global economic slowdown and initiatives to spur growth. In his address, Das said,"Bilateral relations between India and China have witnessed all round progress in recent years." "This is a significant development and demonstrates the priority being attached by the two countries to our bilateral economic relations," he said. "The annual dialogue is an important forum that enables us to revisit the entire range of bilateral relations and strengthen various areas of economic cooperation," he added. He said that the Indian side will highlight steps for further cooperation between the two countries with regard to trade, investment flows and participation of both Indian and Chinese companies in each other's economic development besides structural reforms and cooperation between the countries in multilateral forums like G20 and BRICS. Das said that institutions like the G20 and BRICS have come to play a greater role in evolving global and regional consensus on important key issue affecting global economy. "I see a very good opportunity for coordinated action between India and China. From the Indian side, we will also be highlighting the possibilities of further cooperation with regard to trade and investment flows," he said. He also said that India is happy to note that China, which holds the presidency of the G20, has given greater focus on inclusiveness in the G20 summit agenda. "It is very important to point out that the idea of inclusiveness has been retained and has been given greater focus in G20 agenda under Chinese presidency," he said. In a "very rightly and timely manner, the Chinese Presidency is also giving importance to new industrial revolution and innovation as main drivers of economic growth in the current century," he said. The world is at a critical stage and innovation and the new industrial revolution will be the key drivers to give extra momentum for the growth of the world economy. "May I reiterate, we in India attach high priority to the bilateral relations with China. We are confident to strengthen modalities of cooperation in major facets of economic and bilateral relationship," he said. Shi said that emerging market economies like India and China face greater pressure today. "In Global community, we keep hearing bad mouthing of emerging economies here and there," he said. "So, as two important emerging economies, China and India need to build more solidarity, air common voice, urge developed countries to adopt more responsible macro economic policies and lay foundation and enabling environment for global economic recovery," he said. He also said that both the counties should adopt more pragmatic and open approach to explore more areas of bilateral, fiscal and financial cooperation. "Our combined population is over 40 per cent of global population. In 2015, the total GDP of the two countries adds up to 18.5 per cent of the global GDP. We are enjoying great market and development potential. However, by the end of 2015, our bilateral trade reached only $71.62 billion and China's investment in India is about $4.07 billion," Shi said, adding, "India's investment in China is only $650 million. This data could hardly match good relations and potential and state of economies." Shi said that China is working hard to scale up infrastructure investment though its Silk Road intuitive, which is called One Belt and One Road (OBOR). The Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar economic corridor, which is part of OBOR, will provide great opportunity for China and India's economies to take off, he said. "With unprecedented economic opportunities, relevant departments should seize the opportunity to deliver common consensus of two countries by adopting bold and innovate approach to overcome the fiscal, financial as well as investment impediments to achieve higher, better economic trade and investment collaboration," he said. The Union finance minister Arun Jaitley will review the performance of public sector banks on September 16 for the quarter ended June. Meanwhile, Jaitley will be in Mumbai, financial capital of the country, on September 1, to address the annual general meeting of Indian Banks' Association. A public sector bank executive said the finance ministry had communicated a short agenda for a stock-taking session at New Delhi, covering business and net profit for the June quarter. This would be followed by discussions with bank chief executives on work done on financial inclusion. Loans to the agricultural sector on the back of good monsoon, and education and Mudra loans would figure in discussions, the executive said. Mudra is Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency. With large amounts to be set aside as provisions for bad loans, listed public sector banks as a group posted a net loss in the June quarter, the third such in their loss-making run. The net combined loss for the 25 listed public sector banks was Rs 1,193 crore in the June quarter, as against a net profit of Rs 9,449 crore in the same period of 2015. Loan growth has been lukewarm for many quarters, affecting interest income; and a surge in slippages is causing huge provisions and reversal of interest income. The only saving grace in the June quarter was healthy growth in non-interest income (39 per cent over a year), mainly revenues from treasury operations that benefited from rising bond prices. Other income rose from Rs 16,572 crore in April-June 2015 to Rs 23,039 crore in April-June 2016. Sequentially, public sector banks trimmed their combined net loss, from Rs 23,493 crore in the March quarter, the final one of 2015-16. They had a combined net loss of Rs 10,794 crore in the December quarter. The provisions (mostly for non-performing assets) and contingencies almost doubled to Rs 35,969 crore in the June quarter, from Rs 18,784 crore a year ago. Sequentially, provisions came down from Rs 71,344 crore in January-March 2016. The Odisha government is planning for a Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) cell to improve direct benefit transfer to the beneficiaries in the state."The government wants to encourage direct transfer of benefits to all beneficiaries under various government sponsored schemes. This has not been possible due to poor bank branch network in interior areas. Poor Aadhaar seeding of bank accounts is also a worrying factor. I am happy to note that the state government is going to set up a Cell to improve direct benefit transfer" , said Pradip Amat, state finance minister at the 144th SLBC (State Level Bankers' Committee) meeting on Friday.The Aadhaar enrolment in the state, so far, is 91 per cent of the eligible people, but the Aadhaar seeding has been done only for 35 per cent of the bank account holders.Banks might conduct Aadhaar seeding in camp mode in coordination with concerned government departments, Amat added.About 9.7 million new bank accounts have been opened in the state under the Jan Dhan Yojana. Around 25 per cent of these accounts are zero balance accounts."Also, 25 per cent of these new account holders are yet to receive their pass books. We should strive to make the existing bank accounts fully operational so that people are not denied basic banking facilities," he added.The banks are urged to achieve the 100 per cent loan target under agriculture and allied sector. Banks in the state had achieved only 85 per cent of their crop loan target for the year 2015-16. "Unless we start achieving our quarterly targets from the beginning of the year, we cannot achieve the Annual targets. Therefore, I request the state heads of all banks to closely monitor their target achievement under Priority Sector loans," Amat urged. The governments move to restrict discounts on e-commerce marketplaces has resulted in the share of smartphones sold online in India drop seven percentage points to 28 per cent in the quarter ended June 2016. Offline retailers gained with this shift, as customers found little difference in smartphone prices to buy from neighbouring mobile stores. will develop its next- generation cruise missiles based on a modular design, allowing them to be tailor-made for specific combat situations with high level of artificial intelligence (AI), a senior missile designer said. "We plan to adopt a 'plug and play' approach in the development of new cruise missiles, which will enable our military commanders to tailor-make missiles in accordance with combat conditions and their specific requirements," Wang Changqing, director of the General Design Department of the Third Academy of the Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, said. "Moreover, our future cruise missiles will have a very high level of AI and automation," Wang was quoted as saying by the state-run Daily. "They will allow commanders to control them in a real-time manner, or to use a fire-and-forget mode, or even to add more tasks to in-flight missiles," he said. The future combat will require weapons to be cost- efficient and flexible. Therefore, the modular design will be a good solution, he said. China last year for the first time displayed itsDongfeng -21D missile, the anti-ship ballistic missile described as the "carrier killer" which caused concern among US defence officials as it could blow up aircraft carriers from a distance of about 1500 km to 1700 kms. Dongfeng-21D along with long and short range missiles were displayed at the country's biggest military parade last year held to mark 70th anniversary of victory against Japan in WW-II. Wang Ya'nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said a modular missile will be capable of changing its destructive capacity, flight mode and range, and so is suitable for striking targets on the ground or at sea. (Reopens FGN 17) Modular design is not new to the world's missile developers. The European missile developer and manufacturer MBDA displayed its CVW102 Flexis modular missile concept at last year's Paris Air Show. The system will allow missiles to be configured, according to mission requirements, the China Daily report said. Missiles will be selected and assembled with different warheads, engines and guidance devices based on target information, a report on advanced missiles published by the Beijing Hiwing Scientific and Technological Information Institute, which researches aerodynamic missiles and unmanned systems said. The Clinton Foundation has announced that it will stop accepting foreign donations if Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wins the November general election, according to a media report. Former US president Bill Clinton reportedly told his staffers in New York that the foundation will only accept contributions from US citizens and independent charities if Hillary win the elections, ABC News reported yesterday. Hillary Clinton is the Democratic presidential nominee. She along with her daughter Chelsea are the two other Directors of Clinton Foundation, which is involved in massive charity work globally. According to ABC News, the final meeting of Clinton Global Initiative which is the global wing of the foundation would be held in the Big Apple in September regardless of the outcome of the November elections. Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman Reince Priebus, who along with other GOP leaders has been critical of the foreign donations received by the Clinton Foundation, said that this is too late. "This effort to shield Hillary Clinton and the Clinton Foundation after more than a year of controversy is too little, too late," Priebus said. "After all, if everything was above board while Hillary Clinton ran the State Department as the Clintons have said, then why change a thing? But now that they have admitted there is a problem, the Clinton Foundation should immediately cease accepting foreign donations and return every penny ever taken from other countries, several of which have atrocious human rights records and ties to terrorism," he said. "The fact that the Clinton Foundation and its entities continue to accept foreign donations while Hillary Clinton runs for the White House is a massive, ongoing conflict of interest that gets bigger by the day. This is unprecedented and unacceptable. When that 3 am phone call comes, Americans deserve to have a president on the line who is not compromised by foreign donations," Priebus said. The $400 million that the US had paid to Iran to settle an outstanding financial dispute was used as a "leverage" for release of American prisoners, the State Department has said even as top Republican party (GOP) leadership and its presidential nominee Donald Trump's campaign claimed it was nothing but a "ransom payment". The top GOP leadership and the Trump Campaign was quick to make political capital out of it by claiming that this was nothing but ransom payment, which has finally been acknowledged by the Obama Administration. "The payment of the $400 million was not done until after the prisoners were released. I'm not disputing that," State Department Spokesman John Kirby said yesterday when asked about a Wall Street Journal report on this. "We deliberately leveraged that moment to finalise these outstanding issues nearly simultaneously. It's already publicly known that we returned to Iran its $400 million in that same time period as part of The Hague settlement agreement," he said. "With concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release given unnecessary delays regarding persons in Iran who could not be located as well as, to be quite honest, mutual mistrust between Iran and the United States, we, of course, sought to retain maximum leverage until after American citizens were released. That was our top priority," Kirby said. However, the top GOP leadership and the Trump campaign was quick in criticising the Obama Administration alleging that the US paid ransom for release of its prisoners. "We now know from the State Department announcement that President Obama lied about the $400 million dollars in cash that was flown to Iran. He denied it was for the hostages, but it was," Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee said at an election rally in North Carolina. "He said we don't pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages openly and blatantly just like he lied about Obamacare. Now the Administration has put every American travelling overseas, including our military personnel, at greater risk of being kidnapped. Hillary Clinton owns President Obama's Iran policy, one more reason she can never be allowed to be President," Trump said. In a separate statement, Senator John McCain said the State Department's acknowledgement that the Obama Administration's $400 million cash payment to Iran in January was contingent upon the release of American prisoners in Iran confirms what was already obvious: that the Obama Administration paid ransom to the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism and has been trying to deny it ever since. "The Obama Administration manufactured and manipulated a narrative to sell the reckless Iran deal to the American people. It thanked Iran for its conduct in illegally detaining 10 American sailors in a flagrant violation of law," McCain said. "And for the last two weeks, the administration has made a mockery of the United States' long-held policy against paying ransoms and put Americans in danger in the process. Only time will tell to what new embarrassing lows the Obama Administration will stoop to curry favour with our enemies in Iran," he said. "Today, the State Department admitted what we've long suspected, that the President and his administration have been misleading us since January about whether he ransomed the freedom of the Americans unjustly imprisoned in Iran. The president owes the American people a full accounting of his actions and the dangerous precedent he has set," Speaker of the US House of Representatives Paul Ryan claimed. Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in an interview to Fox News said that it was ransom. "We now know it was ransom. And on top of that it put more American lives at risk. And we've emboldened Iran. We've encouraged them, frankly, to take more hostages and put more American lives at risk of being taken hostage," he said. "Today's admission by the State Department that they paid a $400 million ransom to release American hostages from Iran further cements Hillary Clinton's role in crafting disastrous policies that have led to a more dangerous world," said Jason Miller, senior communications adviser to the Trump Campaign. "Already under fire for lying to the American people about her illegal email server, Clinton is continuing to align herself with an Administration that has continually lied to Americans as well. By helping put together a deal that ultimately sent $400 million to Iran that was likely used to fund terrorism, Clinton has proven herself unfit to be president of the United States," Miller said. said its flagship website will shut down next week, after a court order to pay $140 million to retired wrestling star Hulk Hogan over a sex tape drove the company to file for bankruptcy. The announcement came just two days after Spanish-language broadcast television network Univision made a winning bid of $135 million for Gawker's other assets. founder Nick Denton broke the news to staff members on the same day that a bankruptcy court judge in Manhattan was to decide whether to sign-off on Univision's offer, according to a post at .Com. In March, a US jury ordered that wrestling star Hogan be allowed to collect $140 million in total compensation after Gawker published a videotape of him having sex with a friend's wife. Gawker filed for bankruptcy in June in an attempt to sidestep a shutdown from the judgement. Denton earlier this month filed for personal bankruptcy protection in a bid to stop his assets from being seized because of the judgement. The case drew heightened attention when tech billionaire Peter Thiel acknowledged that he had helped fund the litigation and against Gawker, a company Thiel has feuded with for years since it "outed" him as gay. "For my part, I am proud to have contributed financial support to his case," Thiel, who bankrolled the Hogan lawsuit, said in an op-ed piece in The New York Times Monday. Denton has slammed what he called a "personal vendetta" and said in a memo to staff that it was "disturbing to live in a world in which a billionaire can bully journalists because he didn't like the coverage." While Gawker has come under fire for its no-holds-barred approach to celebrity coverage, the case raised questions about whether powerful interests can use their resources to silence media for unfavourable coverage. German-born Thiel was a founder of the online payments firm PayPal, and served as its chief executive before it was sold to eBay. He was also an early investor in Facebook and has been active in venture investing in Silicon Valley. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere came out on Friday in favour of a partial burqa ban amid a fierce national debate on integration. "We agree that we reject the burqa, we agree that we want to introduce a legal requirement to show one's face in places where it is necessary for our society's coexistence, at the wheel, at public offices, at the registry office, in schools and universities, in the civil service, in court," he said after a meeting with regional counterparts from his conservative party. De Maiziere told public television that the full face veil "does not belong in our cosmopolitan country". "We want to show our faces to each other and that is why we agree that we reject this, the question is how we put this into law," he said. De Maiziere indicated that outlawing the burqa only under certain circumstances, as opposed the blanket ban favoured by the hard right of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Union bloc would be "likely to win approval" in parliament. Merkel's right-left "grand coalition" holds an overwhelming majority in the Bundestag lower house. De Maiziere's position represents a compromise with hardliners ahead of two key state elections next month in which the right-wing populist Alternative for (AfD) party looks set to make strong gains. Just last week he had rejected a call from conservative state interior ministers for a burqa ban, saying: "We can't ban everything that we reject, and I reject the wearing of the burqa". He made the comments on August 11 as he unveiled tough new anti-terror measures after two attacks in last month claimed by the Islamic State group. The measures included a controversial proposal to strip jihadist fighters of their German nationality. The security package also calls for deportations of convicted criminal migrants to be sped up and police resources to be boosted. The AfD in particular has attempted to link the record influx of migrants and refugees, many from the Middle East, to last year with an increased threat of terrorism, an argument Merkel sharply rejected this week on the campaign trail in her home district. Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera's 83-year-old father has been jailed for one year and a day for organising a money-laundering scheme that illegally funnelled around $260,000 to his son's congressional campaigns in violation of the US federal law. Babulal Bera, a retired chemical engineer who emigrated to the US from India, was handed down the prison term on Thursday by US District Judge Troy L Nunley. California Congressman Ami, 51, the only Indian-American lawmaker in the US Congress, was not in the courtroom when the sentence was pronounced. "This is more than just a naive person who doesn't know how elections work. The defendant's efforts were calculated," Nunley said during the sentencing hearing in Sacramento, California. Earlier in May, Babulal had pleaded guilty to the charges of funnelling around $260,000 in illegal contributions to his son's campaign through straw donors. Ami, who has denied that he knew about it, is seeking his third term from a tightly contested seat in California. He won the first two elections after recounting of votes. Pollsters predict a similar closely contested election this year too with his opponent Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones seeking to make this a political issue in the seventh Congressional District of California. "This is one of the most difficult moments my family has ever experienced. My dad is 83-year-old and my mom is 82, and Janine and I are worried about both of my parents. "Of course I'm absolutely devastated and heartbroken for how today's decision will impact our entire family. But my father has accepted what he did was wrong, he has taken responsibility and I love him more than words can express," Ami said in a statement after the court's order. Prior to hearing, acting US Attorney Phillip A Talbert said neither Ami nor his campaign know about Babulal's activities. "Congressman Bera and his campaign staff have been fully cooperative in this investigation. To date, there is no indication from what we have learned in the investigation that either the congressman or his campaign staff knew of, or participated in, the reimbursements of contributions," Talbert said. According to federal prosecutors, during the 2010 and 2012 election cycle, Babulal facilitated 130 improper campaign contributions totalling over $260,000 and involving approximately 90 contributors living in multiple states. "Mr Babulal Bera knew the law when it came to campaign contributions, but he tried to beat the system using straw donors," said Monica Miller, special agent in charge of the FBI Sacramento field office. "The District Court gave thorough and thoughtful consideration to the arguments of both parties in imposing sentence. That sentence, which is significant given this defendant's age, sends a clear message that campaign finance crimes are serious offences that will result in real consequences," Talberthe added. Republican presidential candidate has said he regretted causing pain to people by not choosing the "right words" sometimes and uttering "wrong things" even as his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton termed the statement as a mere "well-written phrase". "Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues," Trump said at an election rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also said that he is not a politician. "I have worked in business, creating jobs and rebuilding neighbourhoods my entire adult life. I've never wanted to learn the language of the insiders, and I've never been politically correct it takes far too much time, and can often make more difficult," he said. "But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth. I speak the truth for all of you, and for everyone in this country who doesn't have a voice. I speak the truth on behalf of the factory worker who lost his or her job," Trump asserted. Trump said his only interest is the American people. "So while sometimes I can be too honest, Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite: she never tells the truth. One lie after another, and getting worse each passing day," he said. In a late night statement, the Clinton Campaign said he has much for which he should apologise. " literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. We learnt tonight that his speech writer and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologise," said Christina Reynolds from the Clinton Campaign. "But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets and changes his tune altogether," Reynolds said. Trump, for his part, let loose a fusillade against Clinton. "The American people are still waiting for Hillary Clinton to apologise for all of the many lies she's told to them, and the many times she's betrayed them. Tell me, has Hillary Clinton ever apologised for lying about her illegal email server and deleting 33,000 emails?" Trump asked. "Has Hillary Clinton apologised for turning the State Department into a pay-for-play operation where favours are sold to the highest bidder? Has she apologised for lying to the families who lost loved ones at Benghazi? Has she apologised for putting Iran on the path to nuclear weapons?" he asked. Trump alleged that Clinton's mistakes destroy innocent lives, sacrifice national security, and betray the working families of this country. "Please remember this. I will never put personal profit before national security. I will never leave our border open to appease donors and special interests. I will never support a trade deal that kills American jobs. I will never put the special interests before the national interest. I will never put a donor before a voter, or a lobbyist before a citizen," he said, adding, "Instead, I will be a champion for the people." "The establishment media doesn't cover what really matters in this country, or what's really going on in people's lives. They will take words of mine out of context and spend a week obsessing over every single syllable, and then pretend to discover some hidden meaning in what I said," he alleged. At the recent premiere in London of the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, insisted that she is really, truly, done with writing about Harry Potter. A group of 72 American lawmakers have asked US President Barack Obama to publicly support the right of the to return to Tibet and call for an immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners languishing in China. "We write to ask that you redouble efforts in support of the Tibetan people during your remaining months in office. We believe it is critically important to move beyond words to actions," the lawmakers said in a letter to Obama. "The Tibetan people view the US as their friend. It is time to honour that friendship with new, creative strategies to encourage meaningful dialogue, protect Tibetan rights, and preserve their unique cultural, religious and linguistic identity," the three-page letter, dated August 17, said. The letter, organised by Congressman Jim McGovern, urged Obama to invite the to every event, on every occasion, where his knowledge and decades of reflections would be helpful for addressing the world's problems. The letter, released yesterday, call for the US government to facilitate the involvement of the or his representatives in the global debate on climate change and its potential consequences given Tibet's fragile environment, rapid warming and critically important reserves of freshwater. Urging the US government to publicly support the right of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, the letter asks Obama to publicly and regularly call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners held by the People's Republic of China whose cases have been documented by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. It seeks establishment of a US consular office in Lhasa, Tibet to help the US observe and address the obstacles to freedom of movement that affect both Tibetans within China, and US citizens, including Tibetan-Americans, who seek to travel to Tibetan areas of China. The letter also seeks enforcement of norms of reciprocity to ensure that senior Chinese officials responsible for restricting the access of US officials, journalists, Tibetan- Americans and other citizens to Tibetan areas of China are themselves restricted in their travel when they are in the US. Prominent among those who signed the letter are Congressman Eliot Engel, Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee Nita Lowey among others. The United States has expressed shock at a photo circulating worldwide on social media that shows a dazed Syrian boy covered in blood and dust, calling him "the real face" of the country's war. "That little boy has never had a day in his life where there hasn't been war, death, destruction, poverty in his own country," State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters during his daily press briefing yesterday. Departing from his usual diplomatic talking points, Kirby asked the reporters how many among them had seen photos of the child. The shocked boy, a four-year-old named Omran, is pictured sitting in an ambulance covered in blood and dust after an air strike Wednesday in the rebel-held district of Qaterji in the southeast of Aleppo, which has been devastated by the five-year war. "You don't have to be a dad, but I am. You can't but help look at that and see that that's the real face of what's going on in Syria," Kirby said. Since the image's release, the photo has reverberated around the globe, much like that of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi, whose body washed ashore on a Turkish beach last year. Kirby, whose boss John Kerry has for months attempted to forge a pathway with Russia to end the war, said Thursday that "we all have to pull together to try to reach a better outcome." Kerry "continues to urge Russia to work with him on a set of proposals that we agreed to in Moscow and teams are still trying to work out, try to get the cessation of hostilities to be more enforceable across the wide expanse of in an enduring way," Kirby said. In July, Washington and Moscow reached an agreement to cooperate more closely in an attempt to salvage a failing truce and focus on battling the Islamic State jihadists. The American roadmap to end the war includes a national ceasefire, opening up of humanitarian aid, and the resumption of political negotiations between the Syrian regime and opposition in Geneva. Under a cessation of hostilities, Kirby said, people would hopefully be spared "any more images like the one of that young boy today in Aleppo. Russian President on Friday arrived in annexed Crimea, Russian news agencies reported, days after he accused Kiev of attempting an armed incursion into the peninsula. Putin is to chair a meeting of his powerful security council in Crimea and visit a youth forum on his fifth visit to the strategic Black Sea peninsula since annexing it from Ukraine in March 2014. The visit comes after Putin last week lashed out at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea and Ukraine, accusing it of "practising terror" and sending a group of saboteurs into Crimea ahead of the elections. Two Russian officers were killed in the incident, in which Ukraine denied any involvement. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshnko on Thursday said he considered the likelihood of an escalation "high" and could not rule out a "full-scale Russian invasion along all fronts." Kiev said on Thursday, heavy rebel shelling killed three soldiers in its east, where the government has been battling pro-Russian separatists since 2014. Western leaders expressed alarm at the possibility of any escalation. The share price of Gitanjali Gems, jewellery manufacturer and exporter, hit a 52-week high last week, with its plan to capture the global recovery in diamond jewellery demand and other luxury items. Its share price hit the lowest in many years at Rs 29.95 on March 1, before recovering to hit the highest in one year at Rs 51.50 on August 11. The stock closed unchanged at Rs 44.2 on Thursday. Investors have lost 93 per cent in this scrip since its peak of Rs 650 on April 23, 2013. Apart from diverting its focus from gold ornaments to diamond jewellery, Gitanjali introduced low-carat gold content in stone studded products. It now plans to raise Rs 110 crore by issue of convertible warrants to the promoter and promoter group or others through preferential allotment, subject to shareholder approval. The capital infusion is for its proposed expansion plan in both domestic and global . "The company is going in for diamond jewellery retailing all over the world and also for more profitable items. It plans to add 50 more stores in the United States, to expand its presence by 50 per cent in the world's largest diamond jewellery consuming market. We are putting up distribution centres in China and the Middle East to increase our base there," said Mehul Choksi, managing director. America is about 40 per cent of the world market for luxury items. Apart from there, Gitanjali plans to increase its shop-in-shop model by 3,000 outlets all over the world to increase penetration. In the proposed investment, the promoter (Choksi) plans to infuse Rs 40 crore; private investors would bring the rest. Indian gauges of mid- and small-cap shares extended gains to records and the benchmark index traded near a one-year high as a merger plan spurred a rally in banks. The BSE Midcap index gained 0.52 per cent and Smallcap index added 0.45 per cent on Friday even as the benchmark Sensex ended at 28,077, down 46.44 points, or 0.17 per cent. State Bank of India (SBI) rose the most on the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex after the lender approved a merger plan with three of its units and Bharatiya Mahila Bank amid a government push to strengthen the nation's fragmented banking industry. Tata Steel, ... The initial public offer (IPO) of (formerly Ratnakar Bank) opens today. The price band of the IPO, the first by a private lender in nearly a decade, has been fixed at Rs 224 225 per share. Also Read: hardsells IPO with overseas roadshow The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has liberalised hedging limits for genuine players in the commodity derivatives market. Subject to available liquidity, the policy will now permit higher limits, to corporate participants, too. An ASSOCHAM delegation, including Anita Rastogi Partner-Indirect Tax, PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited, Shiva Nagesh AVP, DLF Ltd, Mr. T G Ramakrishnan Consultant, Indirect Taxation, Hindustan Unilever Ltd and Sujit Ghosh Partner and National Head, Advaita Legal had a meeting with Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Revenue Secretary, Ministry of Finance for consideration under the draft GST legislation in New Delhi today. Fundamental issues concerning Constitutional Amendment Bill on the draft GST legislation were raised during the meeting. They included the following: a) Goods and Services both defined under the Constitution and CAB respectively. Is it therefore possible/ appropriate to carve out a separate definition of these terms in the operative legislation in derogation of the Constitution. Example - software. b) Fate of GST on sale and consumption of electricity. While Entry 53 of List II of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India has not been deleted by the CAB, there is no restrictive covenant under the CAB seeking to exclude levy of GST on electricity unlike in the case of alcohol, petroleum products. Contrary to this, the Central Government's view before Rajya Sabha Select Committee on GST indicates that inclusion of electricity is not envisaged in GST. Non-inclusion of electricity will lead to significant economic distortions. c) Petroleum Industry will operate under hybrid tax regime and inability to claim GST credit due to temporary non-inclusion of five petro products could shore up costs. Similar would be the fate of alcohol industry. Consequently, some thinking around zero rating or concessional taxation under existing law on the inputs for these industries is warranted. d) GST Council to provide 'mechanism' to resolve disputes. The word mechanism connotes procedures. If there is an infraction between two constitutional bodies, whether jurisdictional issues in such situation presently covered under Article 131 will be subservient to mechanism adopted by the GST Council. e) Entry 92A and 92B of List I of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution is retained, i.e. taxes on inter-state trade retained under the Constitution of India. Moreover, the Central Sales Tax, 1956 has not been repealed. Thus, it appears that the Centre continues to have the power to levy CST on inter-State sales. Is it an oversight? Same issue arises with regard to Article 366(29A). The delegation also sought information and explanation of the definition and operative Issues related to the bill. They included: a) The charging section (Section 7 of CGST law and Section 4 of IGST law) is deficient in as much as there is no reference to levy being on 'value'. b) 'Location of supplier of goods' and 'location of recipient of goods' not defined. c) 'Location of supplier of service' and 'location of recipient of service' needs to be relooked at in the context of practical difficulties in attributing locations directly concerned with provision/ receipt of services. d) Intra-state and inter-State not defined in the CGST draft law. e) No provisions dealing with supplies to SEZ. Consequential amendments needed in the SEZ Act. On adjudication of disputes, the following issues were discussed: a) No limitation period for issuance of show cause notice. b) Composition of AAR and the unnecessary second appeal needs to be relooked at. The delegation also raised issues related to the real estate sector, which included the following: a) Input Tax Credit is not available for inputs/ input services utilised in the construction of immovable property. Tax paid on inputs/ input services would become a cost for the builders, etc. b) The Draft Legislation does not provide for the abatement of the value of land for levy of GST. c) Need clarity on the taxability of the development rights under the Draft GST Legislation. Issues under valuation were also discussed and included: a) The Draft GST Legislation provides that transaction value would include all taxes other than CGST, SGST and IGST. This would lead to tax on tax scenario. To avoid tax cascading, transaction value should be valued net of any taxes. b) Currently 'transaction value' includes subsidies. Therefore, subsides/refunds/incentives provided under State Industrial Polices, Area based incentives as well as FTP may be included in the transaction value. c) 'Stock transfer' - It is suggested that for the purpose of valuation of stock transfer, the method should be simple and consistent with accounting method of the Company. It would create considerable compliance difficulties if a company has to maintain extensive records to defend or substantiate the valuation used for paying tax on stock transfers. d) Clear Valuation mechanism should be provided for taxation of FOC supplies. The other issues raised included: a) Definition of input service distributor enables distribution of credit of only input services by the ISD. The definition of ISD should be amended to enable the ISD to distribute credit of inputs as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Party has said that the murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashok Jaiswal is a blot on Indian democracy and asked the Bihar government to take appropriate action against the perpetrators of the crime. "Death itself is condemnable, be it a person from BJP or any other party. Killing in politics is a blot Indian democracy and no matter where it happens it is wrong. I think the Bihar government, taking cognizance of the matter, should penalise the responsible person behind this incident," Congress leader Meem Afzal told ANI. Jaiswal was reportedly shot dead by unknown assailants in the Danapur area. An upset state BJP unit had called for total shutdown in the area in response. Jaiswal is the second BJP leader from Bihar to have been murdered. In February this year, Bihar BJP vice president Visheshwar Ojha was killed in Arrah in Bhojpur district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With stringent internet censorship, China now has tightened control over online news websites after authorities ordered editors-in-chief to take full responsibility for any wrongdoings in content and implementing round the clock monitoring on their respective sites. Beijing's state media Xinhua has reported that the powerful Cyberspace Administration of China has listed several new demands on mainland websites regarding management responsibility during a meeting of over 60 representatives from central and regional news portals, major commercial websites and professional associations, as well as experts and scholars. According to the new demand, editors-in-chief of the portals will be held responsible for the direction of content, creation, production and the dissemination of news. For that matter, all websites must now ensure that there are staff check developments round the clock. The move comes within a month after Wang Yongzhi, editor-in-chief of the online news department of Tencent, the Shenzhen-based internet giant was sacked after one of its reports mistakenly ran a headline saying that Chinese President Xi Jinping had given "an important speech in a furious manner", rather than "delivered an important speech". The error was noticed during the Communist Party's 95th anniversary on July 1 and regarded as a typo rather than a deliberate act by someone. Following the meeting, the Participants who oversee Tencent Wexin, Sina Weibo, Baidu.com, Sohu.com and the website of People's Daily have pledged to stick to relevant laws and regulations. On June 29, Xu Lin, considered a close ally of Xi, was named the new director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, replacing the founding director Lu Wei. Xu had previously worked with Xi as a standing committee member of Shanghai's party. Reports suggest that the reshuffle came after a spate of errors about politically sensitive topics made their way online. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After a man was killed for allegedly transporting cows, the Congress Party on Friday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direction to the states to prepare a dossier on cow protectors as "jumla" (empty promise). Praveen Poojray, 29, was killed by "rightwing" cow vigilantes in Udupi district of Karnataka on Thursday. Congress leader Meem Afzal said one should asses the gravity of the situation when a person was killed after the Prime Minister's condemnation. "The issue is very serious. If this is happening after the Prime Minister's statement, it clearly indicates that the dossier, which was supposed to be made, is false; that was just a 'jumla'. Till now, none of the states has prepared the dossier and neither the central government is asking for it," he said. Poojray and another man Akshay Devadiga received fatal injuries after more than 18 people surrounded their vehicle carrying cattle and attacked them with "sharp-edged" weapons. While Poojray succumbed to his injuries, Devadia is being treated at a hospital. Eighteen people have so far been arrested in this connection. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi had strongly condemned "pseudo cow protectors", saying most of them were "anti-social elements". The Prime Minister asked the state governments to prepare a dossier on cow proctors, while stressing that "80 percent of them would be found involved in illegal activities". The Centre had asked the states and union territories not to tolerate any attacks on individuals in the name of cow vigilantism. The Union Home Ministry has also asked the states to ensure that any person, who takes the law into his hands, is dealt with promptly and strictly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Welcoming the 'fatwa' issued against Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed by Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat in Bareilly declaring him anti-Islamic and a man of terrorist ideology, the Congress Party on Friday said it is a good message that is going down from the Muslims to the country at large. Congress leader Tom Vadakkan told ANI that this kind of terrorist needs to be eliminated from the hierarchy of the Muslim leadership. "I think it is a deserving case and for the first time a fatwa has been issued. the message came from the minority Muslim section of the society that this kind of violent terrorist who is sitting in Pakistan and creating havoc in India is not acceptable. And that's a good message that is going down from the Muslims to the country at large," he said. The fatwa issued by Mohammed Saleem Barelvi, an Islamic seminary in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, has asked every Muslim not to follow Saeed and his ideologies. The 'fatwa' was issued by Manzar-e-Islam Saudagaran, an institution associated with Dargah Ala Hazrat, in a reply to a question asked by Mohammad Moinuddin of Jaipur. Barelvi, in his letter, had written that Saeed influences the people in killing and terrorist activities and questioned whether such a person has the right to call himself a Muslim. He asked whether such a person can be considered a Muslim and whether it is right to follow his preaching. In his 'fatwa', Mufti Saleem said that having any type of connection with persons working against the dignity of Allah and the Prophet was illegal and 'haraam', an act that is forbidden by Allah. It stated that any person who regards Saeed as Muslim is a coward. It said that considering him as Muslim and listening to his words was also illegal and prohibited. As per the fatwa, Saeed was a man with terrorist ideology, who with his acts has brought infamy to Islam and Muslims across the world. Therefore, it was compulsory for every Muslim not to follow him and keep away from his ideology. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the plea challenging the government notification to kill boars, nilgais and monkeys in Uttarakhand, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh respectively. The government had submitted before the High Court that these three species had begun to cause a lot of problems for human population and, therefore, their killing was ordered for a limited period. Last month, the Supreme Court had refused to put a stay on the killing of particular animals. The Supreme Court recorded Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar's statement that the killings are done outside the forest area where the animals come out to disturb human life. The Animal Welfare Board, which comes under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, supported the petitioners. The Animal Welfare Board and the petitioners argued that the permission to kill animals can be given only after a proper study, adding the respective governments have not done any study and are killing animals only on the basis of farmers complaints. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court will on Friday hear a plea of Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah to retain the official residence or get an alternate government accommodation on security grounds. On Tuesday, Payal failed to get any relief from a Delhi court which directed her to vacate the bungalow in Lutyen's Zone where she has been living since 1999. On the last date of hearing on August 12, the high court had extended till August 16 the interim protection from eviction granted on July 12. However, on August 16 when the matter came before Justice Indermeet Kaur, Payal's counsel sought an adjournment and it was renotifed for hearing on August 19. She had also approached the trial court seeking stay of the June 30 eviction order issued by the estate officer of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, contending that the order was passed without allowing her to lead evidence and without granting her any personal hearing. While Payal enjoys a 'Z' category security cover, each of her sons has 'Z' plus security, comprising of a total 94 personnel. She has claimed that so many personnel, their weapons and other security arrangements cannot be accommodated at her private flat in the city. With regard to the Centre and the state's claim that the 7, Akbar Road bungalow was meant for the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, she has told the high court that it was allotted to her husband from 1999 onwards and was never cancelled, even when he was not an MP or an MLA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a fresh First Information Report (FIR) against embattled business tycoon Vijay Mallya with regard to Rs. 6,027 crore loan case. Assets worth Rs. 6,000 crore owned by Mallya are being identified, which will be later on seized to recover the loan. On the basis of the newly registered FIR, the ED will register a new case and probe the matter. A special court had earlier declared Mallya an absconder and issued a non-bailable warrant against him. The ED has also probed a case against Mallya file by the IDBI bank. Last week, the CBI too had registered a new case against the liquor baron on a complaint filed the State Bank of India (SBI) under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Mallya flew to London on March 2 just days before a consortium of lenders knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court to recover the debt. The one-time owner of Kingfisher Airlines owes 17 banks, including the SBI, over Rs. 9,000 crores with interest. Mallya is under investigation by various agencies, including the ED and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), which probes white collar crimes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Strongly condemning "kidnapping" of Kashmiri journalist Tanveer Ahmed the Pakistani armed forces from Kotli, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), exiled United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) chairman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri on Friday demanded his immediate release. The UKPNP chairman asked the Pakistani authorities, "While he (Ahmed) is detained, ensure that he is protected from torture and other ill-treatment." According to an application submitted by Ahmed wife's at a local police station, the Kashmiri journalist was "kidnapped" by the Pakistani armed forces on August 15 from Dohsa Morr in Abbaspur sub-division of Poonch district, PoK, said a statement issued by UKPNP here, adding: "nobody knows his whereabouts." The UKPNP chairman alleged, "Kashmiri journalists, including those working for unification and freedom of Kashmir, were being harassed, kidnapped, abducted, tortured and in some cases killed by the Pakistani armed forces." He called upon the international human rights organisation and the international union of journalists to help secure Ahmed's life and to put pressure on the Pakistani security agencies to stop harassing, abducting and killing Kashmiri nationalists and journalists. "If organisations working for freedom of press, freedom of expression and freedom of media still keep silent on such criminal acts of Pakistan, journalism in Kashmir will vanish and the voice the people of the occupied-Kashmir cannot reach to the community," he added. The UKPNP chairman urged "reporter without borders", International Association of Journalists, International Union of Journalists, Union of Journalists, and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) to "call emergency" to put pressure on Pakistan to stop harassing and intimidating journalists in occupied Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha Government has sounded a high alert in Mayurbhanj and Balsore districts of the state as water level of Subarnarekha river has been rising at an alarming rate. Deputy relief commissioner Prabhat Mohapatra told the media that Jharkhand has released about three lakh cusec of water into Subarnarekha river. He said the release of excess water from Galudih barrage in Jharkhand is likely to create flood in the Subarnarekha basin area, especially in Rasagobindpur block of Mayurbhanj district and Jaleswar, Basta, Baliapal and Bhogarai areas in Balasore district. He said the collectors of both the districts have been asked to meet the situation in case of emergencies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Board of Directors of Fortis Healthcare today approved a proposal to demerge its diagnostics business, including that housed in its majority owned subsidiary SRL Limited ("SRL") into another majority owned subsidiary, Fortis Malar Hospitals Limited ("Fortis Malar") pursuant to a composite scheme of arrangement and amalgamation. The demerger shall be followed by SRL being merged with Fortis Malar as an integral part of the same composite scheme. Fortis Malar operates a hospital facility in Chennai and is listed on the BSE Limited (the "BSE"). The composite scheme will also provide for the sale of its hospital by Fortis Malar to Fortis Healthcare by way of a slump sale for a lump sum cash consideration, and the same shall precede the merger. The name of Fortis Malar will subsequently be changed to SRL Limited and this company is proposed to be listed on the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (the "NSE"), in addition to its current listing on the BSE. Appointed date for the slump sale, demerger and merger under the composite scheme is opening of on January 1, 2017. Commenting on the scheme, Malvinder Singh, Executive Chairman, Fortis Healthcare said. "We believe this will unlock immense value for all the shareholders. As a result of the new synergistic groupings, both the hospitals and diagnostic businesses will benefit from greater clarity, a stronger focus and an independent growth trajectory. Equally, this will enable the accelerated pursuit of their respective goals while empowering them to reach their fullest potential." Bhavdeep Singh, CEO, Fortis Healthcare Ltd, said, "Our hospitals and diagnostics businesses continue to perform equally well. However, in the longer term, they have a growth path of their own requiring distinctive strategies. The new arrangement resulting from the demerger will harness these unique capabilities and strengths, unlocking value by combining the flexibility with a focus on rapidly scaling up operations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday hit out at Union Minister Mahesh Sharma after one of his security personnel was caught thrashing the guards of a housing society in Ghaziabad and said that the Culture Minister should tender an apology if he has cultural values. CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat said Sharma's security officer dared to commit such an offence because he knew that he had the support of a Union Minister. "If any cultural values are left in our Cultural Minister then he will surely tender an apology. Because his arrogant guard must be thinking that he has the support of a minister and that's why he had the audacity to commit such a mistake," said Karat. Sharma's security officer was on Friday caught on camera thrashing the housing society guards in Ghaziabad. However, Sharma later said that he has suspended him and asked the police to inquire into the incident. The visuals show the guard was initially talking to someone sitting inside the car before being attacked by the security officer. The officer could be seen slapping and thrashing the guard while yelling at him. Another guard standing next to the man tried to save him from being beaten, but he too was slapped. As per reports, the offender also threatened the other guards. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'Happy Bhaag Jaaygi,' after getting a good hype and nice promotions in Pakistan, will not be released there today. While the film has not yet been slapped with an official ban, the ball is longer in the court of provincial censor boards, reports the Express Tribune. The Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) of Pakistan could not reach a unanimous decision over the fate of the film due to technical differences between the board members. To sort it out, as per the regular proceedings of the board, a full-board was called to review the film. "The full board had approved the film for public viewing with a 8-1 ratio in favour of the film," said Pakistan Censor Board chairman Mobashir Hasan. "Under the Motion Pictures Ordinance of 1979 and Censorship of Film Rules act of 1980, the ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage has the right review the board's decision," he explained. The movie, starring Abhay Deol, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal and Jimmy Shergill, also marks Pakistani actor Momal Sheikh's Bollywood debut. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistani spy was today arrested in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, and he has confessed that he played an instrumental role in smuggling around 35 kg of RDX into India. The spy named Nandal Maharaj was nabbed based on intelligence inputs from the RAW. A cellular phone has also been also recovered from him. According to reports, this is for the first time that Pakistan has sent a 'Hindu' spy on visa and passport. Maharaj had been staying in Jaisalmer since the last six months. He operated a textile showroom in Pakistan and has sound financial background. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "I heard a loud 'boom' and felt as if I was dead," recounted Jet airways crew member Nidhi Chaphekar, a survivor of the March 22 Brussels airport twin blasts that claimed lives of more than 30 people. Recollecting the incident, Chaphekar told ANI on Friday, "When I reached at level two and went a little further, my colleague Amit and I heard a loud 'Boom', and it seemed as if somebody had busted a big cracker. There was smoke in the air and it seemed as if things were flying from beneath like feathers. But, actually, they were clothes of people, which we realised later." "As per first-aid training," said Chaphekar, "we have been taught that if you see someone in pain, you should be the first one to provide help." Chaphekar further said, "When I asked him (Amit) lets go, he said 'no as this is something unusual and different because people by then had started shouting loudly and we could hear children screaming." "As we stopped; in those 40-45 seconds, we heard another loud sound and I said 'Bhaag' (run). When I turned left and took some steps forward, I felt as if there was some fireball, which I never want to recall; and which we call explosion. It threw me away; I don't remember where I had fallen, maybe somewhere in the end. "I fainted and the thing that was going on in my subconscious mind was my kids - they will get to know; they will get the news; I need to call them. I was in dilemma, but said 'wake up Nidhi'" Chaphekar said she was unable to breath and could only hear an echo "tonnnnnnnn". "I found that my hands were working.People were lying next to me, and were unable to moving. I called them but there was no response." "I was asking for help from the God, said Chaphekar, "I closed my eyes and asked God to send somebody for help and when I saw nobody is coming, I thought I have to get out of this place, and tried to drag myself, but I never lost my courage." Giving details about injuries, she said, "In my left foot, a metal plate and a mirror piece had pierced due to which I was unable to walk. The only priority was to stop the blood loss." "We are taught in our first-aid class to stop the flow of blood first, because if there is more loss of blood, the body will go in shock. So, I asked a lady to help me lie down and then kept my legs on that bench at a height so that the blood flows towards my heart," she said. "There was a policeman, Alen, who kept me engaging in a conversation by asking questions about my work and family so that I do not sleep, because if someone sleeps in such a condition then everything slows down. I was feeling so cold that I was shivering, as my stretcher was lying on the floor and the temperature was 3-4 degrees and there was strong wind as well," she said. "People were calling out loud for their families. I cried when I was unable to move myself and was thinking about my kids that what they would do when they would get to know. And this, the only question I was asking again and again was hospital and doctor," she recollected. "As soon as I reached hospital. I asked doctors whether my face was burnt and they said yes. I was shattered, and asked myself that I didn't want to live. I thought now on I won't be able to work and how my kids and society would accept me? Doctors consoled me 'don't worry'. They asked about the contact number of my family. I gave them my husband's number. I had no clue if somebody would come from Jet Airways, but only thing I knew that I work with Jet and there was my brother Shabeer, who would definitely come to see. I don't remember what happened after that," she concluded. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu on Friday reiterated that certain preaching's of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik were not connected with either the Quran and the Hadees and maintained that the recent terror attacks in his country were carried out by home grown terrorists. Stating that India has promised to provide more information on Naik to the Government of Bangladesh, Inu told ANI in an interview that "So many of our religious Ulemas and Alems have objected to the teachings and preaching's of Zakir Naik. Bangladesh's position is very clear, we have stopped broadcasting of Peace TV." "We have asked the Indian authorities about Indian national Zakir Naik to give us more information. They said they will give it," he added. Amid reports that Naik's preaching inspired the five militants to open fire on people inside the Holey Artisan Bakery in the upscale Gulshan area of Dhaka on July 1, killing 29 people, the Maharashtra Government had asked the Mumbai Police to probe Naik's past speeches and see if any of them could have inspired the youth to join terrorist organisations. The Mumbai Police also conducted a joint inquiry with other probe agencies into the functioning of Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) to scrutinise the finances it has received from various parts of the . The Home Ministry also initiated an inquiry against an NGO run by Naik for alleged violation of the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act. In all, nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi American and two Bangladeshis were killed in Dhaka. Terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility behind the attack which was clearly rejected by Bangadeshi authorities, citing it was from the home grown terrorist organisation. On the progress of the investigation to the attack, he said, "The status of the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks is that we have unearthed and found what organisation they belong and what we have found is that belong to domestic organisation of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh(JMB) and there is no connection with whatsoever with any foreign terrorist network." He added the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks were totally planned and executed by home grown terrorist networks. The Sholakia attack came days after when three suspected assailants attacked the Eidgah where thousands had gathered to offer Eid prayers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu will hold wide-ranging talks on a range of bilateral and regional issues which may include deliberations on situation in West Asia and ways to counter threat of terrorism. Cavusoglu arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a three day visit. This is his first official visit to India. The entire gamuts of bilateral relations as well as multilateral and regional issues are likely to be discussed during the talks. The visiting dignitary is also scheduled to call on Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari. Cavusoglu will visit Hyderabad on Saturday to officially open the Turkish Consulate building. India and Turkey enjoy deep-rooted ties and bilateral relations have been sustained and strengthened through regular high-level exchanges. Bilateral trade touched 6.3 billion dollars last year. Earlier this month, Turkey had asked India to act against the institutions affiliated to the network of Fethullah Gulen, blamed for last month's failed coup to topple President Tayyip Erdogan, and the issue may figure in the discussions between the two foreign ministers. "The entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as multilateral and regional issues are likely to be discussed during the talks," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. "We hope the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister will further strengthen our bilateral ties," he added. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to take strong action against those linked to Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who he had blamed for the July 15 coup attempt. Tens of thousands of troops, civil servants, judges and officials have already been detained or dismissed in a massive crackdown following the failed coup. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) While the Foreign Secretary of India S. Jaishankar has expressed his interest on visiting Pakistan for having talks on terrorism, Press Club of India (PCB) President Rahul Jalali asserted that if terror becomes the agenda, the talks between India and Pakistan can take place. "The Foreign Secretary definitely mentions that when if he goes to Pakistan, and there was a big IF? The talks would only be focused on terror there is no question of talking Kashmir and that was ruled out. So, obviously if the terror becomes the agenda, probably the meeting between the two foreign secretaries would take place," Jalali told ANI. Referring to the rising death toll in the Valley, he said the centre needs to take hard measure to control the situation in Kashmir. In a response to Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry's offer for having talks on Kashmir, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said discussions should focus only on terrorism the Kashmir Valley. He has also expressed his willing to go to Islamabad and discuss if they agrees to have discussion only on terrorist activities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting his views on the Foreign Secretaries level talks between India and Pakistan, Defence Expert Brigadier (Retd.) P K Sehgal on Friday said the talks between the two countries should strictly focus on terrorism and on the actions that Pakistan is taking against it. "The talks has be focused and concentrated on what Pakistan is doing about terrorism and I would also like to know what they are doing about Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi and the terror restoring camps that they have in their country. what are they doing on that, as we would not want any terror to take place from Pakistan territory," Sehgal told ANI. Sehgal said that it would also be essential to know that what Pakistan has done so far in the matter of 2008 Mumbai Taj and Pathankot attack. Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Wednesday conveyed his willingness to visit Islamabad for holding talks on terrorism rather than on Kashmir. On August 15, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry called in Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale and handed over a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart, inviting him to visit Pakistan for talks on Jammu and Kashmir, which he termed "the main bone of contention between India and Pakistan". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Referring to the Udupi murder case, where a man was allegedly killed for carrying cows in his van, Karnataka's Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra said some cow vigilantes are targeting a section of society in the name of cow, adding that serious note has been taken in this regard. "In two three districts, the cow vigilantes are targeting a section of people in the name of cow, that is happening and we have taken serious note of it also," Jayachandra told ANI. "The case has already been registered. Let us see whether those people were transporting cows for ulterior purpose or for any other thing.that has to be looked into," he added. Eighteen people were arrested on Wednesday by the Udupi district police for allegedly killing a BJP worker, who was transporting three calves. The victim identified as Praveen Poojary was transporting the calves along with his friend Akshay Devadiga. While Poojary died after the attack, Devadiga is presently being treated at a hospital. Earlier this month, the Centre had asked the states and union territories not to tolerate any attacks on individuals in the name of cow vigilantism. The Home Ministry has also asked the states to ensure that any person, who takes the law into his hands, is dealt with promptly and given strict punishment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The unique culture and cuisine of Punjab can easily attract people. The same was recently witnessed at a Week-Long festival titled 'Bharat Parv' held in New Delhi to celebrate the country's Unity in Diversity on its 70th Independence Day. The unique programme, organized by the Ministry of Tourism, was flagged-off by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and presided over by union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, M. Venkaiah Naidu. "We have to constantly project ourselves for the future generation so that they understand and follow the same." Said M. VENKIAH NAIDU, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation From embroidery to handicrafts to food, items on display at the Punjabi stalls are receiving good public response. People's curiosity about the unique tradition of Punjab can be easily seen. "We have two plants in Punjab. We have juices under tag of Pun juices. We have brought variety of juices and will take out various other juices as well. We provide best food quality products to public at reasonable rates. Earlier we displayed our products at Pragati Maidan and we are getting good response." said Manmohan Singh, An exhibitor said, "People are getting to know about the tradition of Punjab. People love the embroidery, handicraft and other work of Hoshiarpur. People are crazy about Punjab and people are so excited about Punjab that they come to our stalls and ask for the details of products displayed." said J.B Singh,Trader from Punjab A total of 17 theme state stalls were put up at the event where each state showcased its achievements and local products. The 7-day long Bharat Parv, organised for the first time, have added colour to country's Independence Day celebrations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With a case of sedition being slapped against Amnesty International for raising pro-Kashmir freedom slogans at an event, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday said if the former has violated any Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), then it needs to be brought into the light. "Amnesty India needs to adhere to certain parameters of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). If the FCRA has been violated, this is the prerogative of the Home Ministry to bring it to the notice of public at large and if it has worked in accordance to law, it has absolutely nothing to worry about," said BJP leader Shaina NC. Under-fire over charges of sedition, the Amnesty International India on Thursday denied reports of shutting down their office and asserted that the charge of sedition against them was completely wrong, adding that they would continue to work for justice. Speaking to ANI here, executive director of Amnesty India International Aakar Patel said that the charge of sedition against them in the FIR by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) is totally wrong, adding that the information in the complaint has factual errors. "We believe that the charge of sedition was applied in the FIR is totally wrong. There are many views including from people in civil society, in the government who believe that what we are saying is right. It was unfortunate for us that an issue that is serious and on which we had spent so many years, was then submerged by one aspect of this, which is the slogan shouting," Patel said. Stating that as a Constitutional democracy, it was incumbent upon them to deliver justice to the citizens, Patel added that since the issue has been brought to the fore, he hopes that the focus not comes to the 'justice' part of the issue. The police on Monday filed cases, including one of sedition, against the organisers of a programme that sought to project the human suffering of the Kashmir conflict. The police on Saturday charged Amnesty International India under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which defines sedition as brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government of India. Unnamed representatives of the non-government organisation were also booked under Sections 142,143, 147, 149 (unlawful assembly and rioting) and Section 153 A (promoting enmity between groups). Reacting to the FIR filed by ABVP, Amnesty International India in a statement said the allegations mentioned in the complaint are without substance, adding it is an attempt to prevent the families of victims of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir from having their stories heard. Earlier, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan's NGO Common Cause moved the Supreme Court challenging the "misuse and misapplication" of sedition laws in the country. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Bhushan says that the sedition law is rampantly abused to instil fear, causing persecution of students, journalists, intellectuals engaging in social activism. The PIL also says that sedition laws are used as a tool to scuttle dissent and actions which do not involve violence or tendency to create public disorder do not constitute the offence of sedition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The U.S Air Force Chief of Staff General David L. Goldfein has announced that Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers have completed airstrikes against targets in Afghanistan for the first time in 10 years. "We got the B-52 back in the fight in Afghanistan and Iraq," Tolo News quoted him, as saying in an official release on Tuesday. General Goldfein's remarks suggest that the Air Force's B-52H detachment at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar has flown nearly 270 sorties since April. It has dropped over 1,300 bombs in more than 325 strikes, in Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria. "We have the B-52 contributing to a significant ground effort and employing weapons in close proximity of friendly troops who are under attack [and] who are preparing the battlefield in new ways," he added. Though the aging bomber flew two sorties in Afghanistan recently, dropping 27 bombs in two counter-terrorism strikes, the Air Force did not specify when B-52H operations resumed in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On private placement basis Indiabulls Housing Finance announced that the Company proposes to issue upto 7,000 Secured Non-Convertible Redeemable Debentures with a face value of Rs. 10 lakh each aggregating to upto Rs.700 crore (Plus Greenshoe Option, if any), on Private Placement basis, pursuant to special resolution passed by the shareholders of the Company at the 10th Annual General Meeting held on 07 September 2015, on the terms and conditions as mentioned below: 1. Issue Size: Rs. 700 crore (Plus Greenshoe Option, if any) 2. Mode of Issue: Private Placement 3. Issue Opening Date: 23 August 2016 4. Issue Closing Date: 23 August 2016 5. Deemed Date of Allotment: 23 August 2016 6. Listing: National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and BSE 7. Tenor: 5 Years 8. Coupon: In the range of 8.55% to 8.80% p.a. (Payable Annually and at Maturity) 9. Secured / Unsecured: Secured 10. Rating of the Instrument: "CARE AAA" by CARE Ratings and "BWR AAA" by Brickwork Rating Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A divergent trend was witnessed among the two key benchmark indices, with the barometer index, S&P BSE Sensex, trading with small losses and the Nifty 50 index trading with minuscule gains. At 10:15 IST, the Sensex, was down 11.88 points or 0.04% at 28,111.56. The Nifty was up 2.20 points or 0.03% at 8,675.45. The Sensex rose 88.86 points, or 0.32% at the day's high of 28,212.30 at the onset of trading session. The index fell 30.39 points, or 0.11% at the day's low of 28,093.05 in early trade. The Nifty rose 23.35 points, or 0.27% at the day's high of 8,696.60 at the onset of trading session, its highest level since 9 August 2016. The index fell 9.90 points, or 0.11% at the day's low of 8,663.35 in early trade. The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was strong. On BSE, 1,229 shares rose and 711 shares fell. A total of 116 shares were unchanged. The BSE Mid-Cap index was currently up 0.45%. The BSE Small-Cap index was currently up 0.46%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. In overseas stock markets, gains in crude oil price failed to boost Asian stocks, with most markets trading in red. US stocks eked out gains yesterday, 18 August 2016, following upbeat earnings and forecast from Wal-Mart and as higher oil lifted energy shares. Crude oil prices rose overnight on weekly data showing decline in US stockpiles. There is also speculation that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries may cap production to support oil prices. Shares of oil exploration and production companies gained along with gains in crude oil prices. Cairn India (up 1.68%), ONGC (up 0.33%) and Oil India (up 0.03%) edged higher. Higher crude oil prices will result in higher realization from crude sales for oil exploration firms. Index heavyweight Reliance Industries (RIL) was down 0.45% to Rs 1,012. The stock hit a high of Rs 1,018 and a low of Rs 1,007.25 so far during the day. Shares of public sector oil marketing companies slipped on rise in global crude oil prices. Indian Oil Corporation (down 0.34%), HPCL (up 0.5%) and BPCL (up 0.19%) edged lower. Higher crude oil prices could increase under-recoveries of PSU OMCs on domestic sale of LPG and kerosene at controlled prices. The government has already freed pricing of petrol and diesel. In the global commodities markets, Brent for October settlement was currently down 3 cents at $50.86 a barrel. The contract had risen $1.04 a barrel or 2.09% to settle at $50.89 a barrel during the previous trading session. Most metal shares edged higher. National Aluminium Company (up 1.68%), Hindalco Industries (up 1.65%), Vedanta (up 1.01%), NMDC (up 0.98%), Steel Authority of India (up 0.62%), Jindal Steel & Power (up 0.29%), JSW Steel (up 0.23%) and Hindustan Copper (up 0.08%), edged higher. Tata Steel (down 0.06%), Bhushan Steel (down 1.07%) and Hindustan Zinc (down 1.14%), edged lower. Meanwhile, copper price edged lower in the global commodities markets. High Grade Copper for September 2016 delivery was currently down 0.14% at $2.1645 per pound on the COMEX. UltraTech Cement rose 0.41% after the company announced a proposal to issue secured redeemable non-convertible debentures amounting Rs 500 crore on private placement basis. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016. The non-convertible debentures (NCDs) have tenure of 10 years and carry coupon of 7.53% per annum. The deemed date of allotment of NCDs is 22 August 2016 and the maturity date is 21 August 2026. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key benchmark indices languished in negative zone in mid-morning trade. At 11:15 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 30.10 points or 0.11% at 28,093.34. The Nifty 50 index was currently down 3 points or 0.03% at 8,670.25. The Sensex fell 31.38 points, or 0.11% at the day's low of 28,092.06 in mid-morning trade. The index rose 88.86 points, or 0.32% at the day's high of 28,212.30 at the onset of trading session. The Nifty fell 9.90 points, or 0.11% at the day's low of 8,663.35 in early trade. The index rose 23.35 points, or 0.27% at the day's high of 8,696.60 at the onset of trading session, its highest level since 9 August 2016. In overseas stock markets, gains in crude oil price failed to boost Asian stocks, with most markets trading in red. US stocks eked out gains yesterday, 18 August 2016, following upbeat earnings and forecast from Wal-Mart and as higher oil lifted energy shares. Crude oil prices rose overnight on weekly data showing decline in US stockpiles. There is also speculation that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries may cap production to support oil prices. The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was strong. On BSE, 1,360 shares rose and 871 shares fell. A total of 162 shares were unchanged. The BSE Mid-Cap index was currently up 0.45%. The BSE Small-Cap index was currently up 0.46%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. Most FMCG shares edged higher. Godrej Consumer Products (up 1.96%), Tata Global Beverages (up 1.19%), Britannia Industries (up 0.86%), Marico (up 0.80%), Bajaj Corp (up 0.41%), Nestle India (up 0.41%), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care (up 0.16%), Jyothy Laboratories (up 0.04%) and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (up 0.03%), edged higher. Dabur India (down 0.17%), Hindustan Unilever (down 0.17%) and Colgate Palmolive (India) (down 0.53%) edged lower. Cement shares were in demand. Ambuja Cements (up 1.65%) and ACC (up 0.72%), edged higher. UltraTech Cement rose 1.72% after the company announced a proposal to issue secured redeemable non-convertible debentures amounting Rs 500 crore on private placement basis. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016. The non-convertible debentures (NCDs) have tenure of 10 years and carry coupon of 7.53% per annum. The deemed date of allotment of NCDs is 22 August 2016 and the maturity date is 21 August 2026. Grasim Industries rose 0.56%. Grasim has exposure to cement sector through its holding in UltraTech Cement. IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was down 1.06%. The company after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016, announced that it was extending its contract with US airline JetBlue and will expand its innovation centre in Pune to support the airline's digital initiatives. Shipping Corporation of India tumbled 5.93% after net profit dropped 72.6% to Rs 55.91 crore on 23.2% decline in net sales to Rs 825.29 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016. Transport Corporation of India lost 1.34% after net profit declined 26% to Rs 15.11 crore on 8.3% growth in net sales to Rs 427.42 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 62 km long Tonk - Sawaimadhopur section would be executed on EPC mode and completed in 2 years from the date of commencement of the project. The project will have bypasses at 4 locations of a length of 12 km, 15 minor bridges, 3 Vehicular Underpasses and adequate safety features. This road connects two important National Highways i.e. NH-12 and NH-116. The project starts from Tonk City on NH-1116 at km 1.300 and ends at km 69.750 of NH-116 at Sawaimadhopur. It traverses two important districts of Rajasthan, i.e. Tonk and Sawaimadhopur, an important town with its own history with marvellous architectural monuments, ponds and lakes. Sawaimadhopur is the gateway to the Ranthambhor National Park. Development of the section would reduce the travel time to this world-renowned National Park, the famous tiger reserve and promote tourism in the region. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Held on 19 August 2016 Commercial Syn Bags announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 19 August 2016 approved the following - Approval for availing credit facilities up to Rs 52.15 crore from Bank of India, Main Branch, Indore. Approval for expansion of Company's SEZ Unit situated at Indore Special Economic Zone Plot No. 15 to 18, Phase 1, Sector III, Pithampur by setting up of complete manufacturing facilities. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State Bank of India (SBI) and its associate banks will be in focus after SBI after trading hours yesterday, 18 August 2016, announced the merger of 5 associate banks viz. State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Travancore (SBT), State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Patiala with itself. SBI also announced the merger of unlisted Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMBL) with itself. As per the swap ratio for the merger, 28 equity shares of SBI will be issued for every 10 shares held in SBBJ. For both SBM and SBT, the swap ratio for merger is 22 shares of SBI for every 10 shares held in SBM and SBT. SBI had announced in May 2016 that it was considering the merger of 5 associate banks and BMBL with itself. Wipro said that the company has made minority strategic investment to acquire a minority stake of less than 20% in Intsights Cyber Intelligence for $1.5 million. Intsights offers threat intelligence driven security platform. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016. Indiabulls Housing Finance announced before market hours today, 19 August 2016 that the company proposes to issue upto 7,000 secured non-convertible redeemable debentures with a face value of Rs 10 lakh each aggregating to upto Rs 700 crore plus greenshoe option, if any, on private placement basis, pursuant to special resolution passed by the shareholders of the company at the 10th Annual General Meeting held on 7 September 2015. The issue will open and close on the same day on 23rd August 2016 NCDs have tenor of 5 years and carry a coupon in the range of 8.55% to 8.80% per annum payable annually and on maturity. PC Jeweller announced after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016 that the company is opening its new showroom on Sunday, 21 August 2016, at Najafgarh (Delhi). After this the company will have total 65 showrooms located across 52 cities in India. UltraTech Cement announced after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016 a proposal to issue secured redeemable non-convertible debentures amounting Rs 500 crore on private placement basis. NCDs have tenure of 10 years and carry coupon of 7.53% per annum. . Shipping Corporation of India's net profit dropped 72.56% to Rs 55.91 crore on 21.66% decline in total income to Rs 875.94 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016. NHPC announced after market hours yesterday, 18 August 2016, the commencement of commercial operation of a 40 megawatts unit of Teesta Low Dam H.E. Project, Stage IV (TLDP-IV) in West Bengal. The entire power generated from TLDP-IV has been allocated to West Bengal state and the same shall be supplied through West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company (WBSEDCL), NHPC said. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vedanta and Cairn India rose 4.17% and 4.55% respectively at 15:00 IST on BSE after reports suggested that Vedanta's CEO is hopeful that the company can clinch Cairn India's merger deal with Vedanta. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 65.73 points or 0.23% at 28,057.71. Vedanta (up 4.17% to Rs 179.90) and Cairn India (up 4.55% to Rs 211.50) gained. Vedanta's Chief Executive Officer, Tom Albanese was reportedly quoted by media as saying that the company received a constructive feedback from minority shareholders in Cairn India to a sweetened buyout offer. He reportedly added that the company is hopeful it can clinch the long-delayed merger deal of Cairn India with Vedanta. He said that the company reached out to all the shareholders and held constructive discussions across the board. The company looks forward to the vote in the coming weeks, he reportedly added. The Jurisdictional High Courts have convened the shareholder meetings for Vedanta and Cairn India on 8 September 2016 and 12 September 2016 respectively for shareholders' approval for the merger. Vedanta, Cairn India and the parent company, Vedanta Resources plc had announced revised and final terms to the recommended merger between Vedanta and Cairn India on 22 July 2016. The boards of Vedanta and Cairn India had approved revised and final terms for the transaction, taking into account prevailing market conditions and having regard to underlying commercial factors. Pursuant to the revised and final terms, each Cairn India minority shareholder would receive for each equity share held in Cairn one equity share in Vedanta and four redeemable preference shares with a face value of Rs 10 in Vedanta with a coupon of 7.5% and tenure of 18 months from issuance and implied premium of 20% to one month volume weighted average price (VWAP) of Cairn India share price. As per the original terms of the deal announced in June 2015, Cairn India shareholders were to get one equity share of Vedanta for each share held in the company and one 7.5% redeemable preference shares (RPS) of Vedanta of the face value of Rs 10 each with tenure of 18 months for each share held in Cairn India. The recent commodity price environment has further strengthened the strategic rationale for the merger, the two Vedanta group companies had said in a joint statement at that time. The merger between Vedanta and Cairn India was first announced on 14 June 2015. Vedanta's consolidated net profit fell 27% to Rs 615.02 crore on 15.2% decline in net sales to Rs 14364.01 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. Cairn India's consolidated net profit slipped 28.3% to Rs 359.55 crore on 28.2% fall in net sales to Rs 1885.11 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vishakhapatnam Port is poised for major expansion, with the Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurating several projects during his visit to the port yesterday. The Minister inaugurated a Container Freight Station of 1 lakh TEU capacity developed by M/s. VCTPL at a cost of Rs.104 crores for which an extent of Ac 34 acres is allotted by the Port. He also inaugurated the commissioning of 6.25MW out of 10MW solar power plant. The power generated from this plant is meeting the captive consumption of the port and the excess power is proposed to be sold by third party agreements. In addition to this the Minister inaugurated a Liquid cargo berth - EQ-10 developed by M/s. AVR Infra, on Private Sector Participation at a cost of Rs.55.38 crores with a capacity of 1.84 million tonnes per annum and a Multi cargo berth - WQ-6 developed by M/s. ABG Infra Logistics on Private Sector Participation at a cost of Rs.114.5 crores with a capacity of 2.08 million tonnes per annum Shri Gadkari also laid the foundation stone for the project Reconstruction of old EQ-2,3,4&5 berths into two new berths of 530 meters quay in the inner harbor taken up with port's internal resources at a cost of Rs.182 crores and capacity of 6 million tonnes. He also reviewed the progress of two berths WQ-7&8under construction taken up by port with internal resources at a cost of Rs. 243 crores and capacity of 6.39 million tonnes. The union Minister reviewed the performance of the port and the progress of developmental projects. He also reviewed the dredging projects executed by the port at a cost of Rs.400 crores which were taken up to enhance the draft of inner harbor to 14.5mts to enable Panamax vessels berthing and outer harbor to 18.1 draft to enable berthing of Super Cape vessels berthing. Later, the Hon'ble Minister held discussions with the stakeholders of the port. He suggested to the Govt., of Andhra Pradesh to install sewage treatment plant for treating the city sewage before letting into the port limits to avoid water pollution. The Hon'ble Minister informed that the pollution levels have been considerably reduced consequent to various mechanization projects. The particulate matter (PM10) in the air is brought down from the level of 300 microgram in 2011 to less than 100 microgram in 2016. Hon'ble Minister also directed the Port to engage a good consultant to do a comprehensive study and suggest measures to reduce the pollution level further. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Automobiles major Bajaj Auto Ltd. has launched a search for the 1971 India-Pakistan war heroes who served on the iconic erstwhile aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, an official said here on Friday. The 'Mission Vikrant 1971' of Bajaj Auto's 'V' motorcycles will search and honour the 1,300 crew that served on India's first aircraft carrier during the historic war which resulted in the birth of Bangladesh. The digital initiative will identify and share details of these war heroes and preserve their stories for posterity, said Bajaj Auto Ltd. Vice-President for Marketing, Sumeet Narang. Though a dedicated micro-site it has invited entries from families, friends and well-wishers of the 1971 war veterans and naval bravehearts who served on INS Vikrant. "The intent will be to find out more about their enduring journey on INS Vikrant four-and-half decades ago, which will be showcased to the Indian public," Narang said. The initiative was inspired by the Republic Day launch of its bike, Bajaj V which has been made with metal from the historic ship which was de-commissioned and finally scrapped in 2014. "Ever since we unveiled the Bajaj V, we have been inundated with calls asking us about the INS Vikrant. We made a celebrated documentary, 'Sons of Vikrant' which captured stories and experience of senior naval personnel who served on the ship," Narang added. Billed as the biggest ever nationwide search for the 1971 war veterans who served on INS Vikrant, the company will use digital and social media to urge every Indian to help in the quest. Launched on August 15, the initiative has already reached around four million Indians and plans to reach 15 million in the next 40 days. The Bajaj V, made from the invincible metal of INS Vikrant, has proved to be a huge success with over 100,000 pieces sold in just 120 days after launch on January 26 this year. --IANS qn/ahm/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP on Friday hit back at the Congress for its criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that BJP leaders suffered more after Independence "than what the Congress did under the British", saying he did not intend to undermine the opposition party's role in the freedom movement. "The opposition party's objection to the Prime Minister's comments is baseless. He did not intend to undermine the Congress role in the freedom movement but only talked about the BJP's struggle since the time of Jan Sangh," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said at a press conference at party headquarters here. "It's a fact that the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and BJP leaders had to face torture in Kerala, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country in the past and the Sangh was also banned many times," he added. Prasad said he wanted to know from the Congress if it was not a fact that Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee scarified his life after Independence and another party ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyay was killed. "We accept that the Jan Sangh was not born before Independence. All the workers of the BJP or the earlier Jana Sangh have suffered enormously, be it Kerala, West Bengal or Kashmir. Isn't it a fact?" Prasad said. Modi said on Thursday that the Bharatiya Janata Party as a political party faced more adversities in independent India compared with any other political party, and the world knows the party only through what others have said about it. He said it was on the directions of Mahatma Gandhi that Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar were inducted into independent India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet. "They were all completely nationalists. The Congress needs to explain why Sardar (Vallabhbhai) Patel was given the Bharat Ratna after 41 years of his death and that too when Chandrashekhar was the Prime Minister. Even Maulana (Abul Kalam) Azad got the Bharat Ratna in 1992. In fact, they were punished because they had opposed the policies of Nehru," he said. Taking a dig at the Congress, the BJP leader wondered if the "present day family-centric Congress" represents even an iota of the grand old party of freedom movement. "A party which still nurtures the nostalgic days of ruling the country for 50 years plus is not able to reconcile to their very weakened political strength. I allow them that indulgence. No problem. They should not make historical mistakes and they should not make mala fide comments," Prasad said. The Congress on Friday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark, saying Modi has trivialised the freedom struggle. The Congress also attacked the RSS, saying it "was a non-participant" in India's freedom struggle and had on critical occasions supported the British government as a "collaborator". "It does not behove the Prime Minister to lower the dignity of his office by making a statement which is factually incorrect and insult to the freedom fighters, and thousands of others who made manifold sacrifices during India's national struggle," said senior Congress leader Anand Sharma. --IANS bns/tsb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There should be a CBI investigation into the reported disappearance of gold worth crores from the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here, former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said on Friday. The veteran CPI-M leader said in a statement issued here that when he brought up the shady deals going on in the temple long ago, he was attacked on grounds that had little to do with reason or facts. Achuthanandan said he felt vindicated as a Supreme Court-ordered audit carried out by former Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Vinod Rai stated that "gold worth Rs 186 crore has been stolen." "The only way to find out the truth about the stolen gold is a CBI probe," added Achuthanandan. The affairs of the temple were looked fter by the erstwhile Travancore royal family until 2014 when a Supreme Court bench entrusted the administration of the temple to a five-member panel. The court's order was based on a report submitted by amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium that things were not fine under the administration of the erstwhile Travancore royal family. The court was originally moved in 2011 by former Indian POlice Service officer-turned lawyer T.P. Sundara Rajan who asked for an inventory of the temple's treasures to be prepared. The court decided to take stock of the previous stock of gold and other valuable treasures worth more than Rs one lakh crore and also asked former CAG Vinod Rai to conduct an audit of the accounts of the temple for the past 25 years. Rai's report is believed to run into 1,800 pages. It recommended a committee to be formed to probe the discrepancies that he flagged. Since 2011, the temple and its surrounding area are under a heavy security cover and visitor arrivals have multiplied also. The royal family has expressed its displeasure over Rai's report, saying he never spoke with them in his enquiries. --IANS sg/kb/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Chris Pratt loves braiding his wife Anna Faris's hair. The 37-year-old shared that his mother-in-law showed him how to do a French braid when his wife Farris' hair started getting damaged from the styles he was using, reports femalefirst.co.uk. "My sister taught me how to braid when we were younger. Then, I would braid Anna's hair at night. It was a nice little ritual. But her hair started breaking off at the top of the braid because she was sleeping on it," InStyle magazine quoted Pratt as saying. "So Anna's mom thought a French braid might distribute the pressure. She taught me when we were in Hawaii shooting 'Jurassic World'," he added. Pratt also praised Faris, 39, who is mother of his son Jack, as effortlessly stylish but admitted he is less interested in fashion than she is. "She's effortlessly stylish. But when we met, I think she appreciated that I was a guy who wore, like, cargo shorts and a T-shirt from Cabela's. That was my staple wardrobe for a really long time. Now I'm a little more aware of my choices. I don't just passively have stylists put whatever they want on me. I pay attention," he said. --IANS ks/nv/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur on Friday said that clearing the huge backlog of cases across the country was a national challenge for the judiciary, and pointed out that such backlog attracts criticism for the entire judicial system. "Eighty per cent of the backlog is mostly in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The burden of the backlog is much here and it brings the entire judicial system to criticism," he said. Chief Justice Thakur, who belongs to this hill state, had come to lay the foundation stone of the National Law University near this state capital. Patting the high courts of Himachal Pradesh and Kerala for less pendency of cases, the Chief Justice said the reason was the less number of judicial vacancies in these two states compared with other high courts in the country. He said against a sanctioned strength of 13 judges in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, only two posts were vacant and this helped in the speedy delivery of justice. "But in high courts where the vacancies are more, it has become a national challenge for the judiciary to clear the backlog at the earliest," the Chief Justice of India added. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh expressed concern over the pendency of cases as, he pointed out, it deprived the litigants of speedy justice. He urged the Chief Justice of India to take up the issue of providing financial assistance of Rs 100 crore to the state for the completion of the National Law University. The university requires more than Rs 150 crore. Virbhadra Singh said that despite expansion of judicial set-up in the hill state, the pendency of cases has increased and added that it was the duty of the high court to clear the backlog immediately. High Court Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir said judicial education was essential for enhancing the quality and improving the standards of justice. He said judicial academies were responsible for planning and providing initial and continuous training of judges and court officers to enhance the quality of justice they dispensed. --IANS vg/tsb/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Friday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark that BJP leaders suffered more after Independence "than what Congress did under the British", saying that he has trivialised the freedom struggle. The Congress also attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that it "was a non-participant" in India's freedom struggle and had on critical occasions also supported the British government as a "collaborator". "It does not behove the Prime Minister to lower the dignity of his Office by making a statement which is factually incorrect and insult to the freedom fighters, and thousands of others who made manifold sacrifices during India's national struggle," said senior Congress spokesperson and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma. "He has made a shocking comparison, trivialising the freedom struggle, insulting our National heroes for which he must not only withdraw that shameful statement but apologise," he added. He said the BJP and RSS were non-participants in India's freedom struggle and on critical occasions supported the British Government and therefore, the word 'collaborator', is the correct word for them. "They are the ideological descendants of those non-participants and those who opposed Mahatma Gandhi," said Sharma. --IANS sid/rn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Croatian teenager Borna Coric brushed aside world No.5 Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-3 in the third round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati here. Playing his second match since participating in the Rio Olympics, where he won gold in doubles and came in fourth in singles, the 30-year-old Nadal was out of sorts against his 49th-ranked opponent on Thursday, Efe news reported. Coric fell behind 1-0 but then raced through the rest of the first set against a rival who made an uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors and lost his serve three straight times. The Croatian player then got two more service breaks to grab a 4-0 lead at the start of the second set thanks to continued erratic play by Nadal, who received treatment from the trainer for problems with his left wrist. The third-seeded Nadal managed to trim Coric's lead to 4-2 with a service break and play more evenly over the remainder of the contest, but the Croatian was still able to seal the victory in an hour and 12 minutes and book his first-ever quarterfinal berth at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. Coric won his first-ever meeting with Nadal at a 2014 hard-court event in Basel, Switzerland, but the Spaniard defeated the teenager in the first round of last year's US Open. The Croatian teen is the youngest player to reach an ATP Masters 1,000 quarterfinal since Serbia's Novak Djokovic, the current world No. 1, made the final eight at an indoor event in Madrid in 2006. --IANS gau/ask/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Friday asked Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to "gracefully" vacate the government accommodation allotted to Omar in 1999 in the Lutyens Zone in New Delhi. Payal, however, urged the high court to pass an order in the case, following which Justice Indermeet Kaur said a detailed order will be issued about the time within which she and her children will have to vacate the bungalow No.7 on the Akbar Road here. The bungalow was allotted to Omar Abdullah, the Nationalist Conference leader, in 1999 when he was elected to parliament from Jammu and Kashmir and became a minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government at the Centre. The court was hearing Payal's plea for directions that she along with her sons be either allowed to stay at 7, Akbar Road, or be allotted another suitable government accommodation where the family's 94 security personnel can effectively protect them. On August 16, a Delhi court ordered Payal to vacate the bungalow after dismissing her plea to quash the June 30 eviction notice issued by the Estate Officer of the Jammu and Kashmir government for vacating the residence. In her plea, Payal contended that the eviction notice was not sent by the Ministry of Urban Development, which had originally allotted the accommodation to her husband. She told the court that the notice issued by the Estate Officer was illegal as it was issued under a Jammu and Kashmir law not applicable in Delhi. Payal said she and her children continued to live in the Akbar Road residence when Omar was neither the Chief Minister nor a Union minister from 2002 to 2008. Omar continued as a Union minister till December 23, 2002, when he resigned. Later, he became the state Chief Minister in January 2009 and remained so till December 2014, when his party was voted out of power in the assembly elections. --IANS akk/tsb/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has decided to evacuate its staff from six hospitals in Yemen after the latest Saudi-led air attack on its health facility, the group said. The MSF is evacuating its obstetricians, pediatricians, surgeons and emergency room specialists from six Saada and Hajjah hospitals in northern Yemen, the international medical aid group tweeted on Thursday. "MSF is neither satisfied nor reassured by the Saudi-led coalition's (SLC's) statement that this attack was a mistake," Xinhua news agency quoted MSF as saying, referring to Monday's aerial bombing of Abs hospital in Hajjah governorate that killed at least 20 patients, including an MSF staff member. Since the SLC intervened in Yemen conflict in March 2015, allied air strikes and fighting on the ground have killed over 6,400 persons, mostly civilians. The attack on Monday was the fourth against MSF-run hospitals in northern Yemen. Ninety-five air strikes were conducted in the last 24 hours throughout Yemen's northern cities, including the capital Sanaa, causing substantial residential and public property damage, said the Houthi-controlled official Saba news agency. The SLC supports the exiled government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi against dominant Shia Houthi rebels, who are backed by forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The coalition escalated its bombing campaign since United Nations-sponsored peace talks between Yemeni rival parties in Kuwait collapsed more than a week ago. --IANS sm/ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) France's Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler on Friday said French companies are looking to enhance their presence in West Bengal. On his maiden visit to the state, the envoy held discussions with state Finance Minister Amit Mitra. He is to meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as well as business captains from the state. "We had very fruitful talks with the Finance Minister and Bengal surely is a part of the French investment scheme in India. "Bengal is developing very very quickly and the energy that I felt coming here, I am sure, the French companies will also feel. The presence of these companies is going to increase from what we have now," Ziegler told mediapersons. While as many as 394 major French conglomerates are doing business across India, their presence in West Bengal was just four percent. Present in sectors like IT and services, Ziegler said the French companies are looking to invest in information and technology, services and food processing among others. "This part of India is developing very fast, its dynamic. We have to bring more French companies here," said Ziegler, adding that the Banerjee government's annual global business summit can play a role in attracting French investment. --IANS and/rn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) IMG Reliance, which is a joint venture between Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and IMG Worldwide (IMG), has collaborated with the Minstry of Textiles to empower handloom weavers community in India. The event management company signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with the Ministry of Textiles' Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms in the presence of Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani here. The MoU was signed on the National Handloom Day, which was on August 7. As partner in holistic development and creation of sustainable fashion eco-system, IMG-Reliance will work on bridging the gap between fashion designers and weavers community by assigning reputed fashion designers to work with the Weavers' Service Centres at Nagpur, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. "Through the programme, we aim to also drive awareness about the importance of the handloom industry and apart from the skill development initiatives," Jaspreet Chandok, Vice President (Fashion) IMG Reliance, said in a statement. He said, "Each season at Lakme Fashion Week, we dedicate an entire day to Indian textiles and sustainable fashion and we will continue to endeavour to bringing these wonderful handloom stories to the national consciousness in the coming seasons as well." --IANS ks/nv/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US federal judge sentenced Babulal Bob Bera, the 83-year-old father of the only Indian American Congressman, Amerish Ami Bera, on Thursday to a year and a day in prison for fraudulently funding his son's election campaigns. Babulal Bera had earlier admitted before federal Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento, California, that he had illegally contributed $268,726 to the election campaigns in 2009 and 2011 through fraud. Before he was sentenced, Babulal Bera asked the court to consider an option for him to stay with his 82-year-old wife, CBS Sacramento reported. "I know I cannot survive without her and she will not survive without me," he told the judge. "The defendant's efforts were calculated. This is more than just a naive person who doesn't know how elections work," Nunley said as he imposed the sentence on Babulal Bera, a retired chemical engineer, The Los Angeles Times reported. The judge set aside the recommendation of a probation officer not to give Babulal Bera a prison sentence because of his age and health but only fine him $30,200, The Sacramento Bee reported. Probation officials suggest punishments after studying the background of the convicted persons and their circumstances. Federal prosecutors demanded some prison time for him citing "the serious nature of the crime". The judge also fined him $100,000 and ordered three years of restrictions after his release. Usually the actual time served is reduced for good behaviour in prison and the Sacramento Bee said he "will likely serve 10 months". The maximum amount anyone could contribute to a candidate was $2,400 in 2009 and $2,500 in 2011. To overcome these limits on his personal contributions to his son's election campaign, Babulal Bera had 90 people send in the $268,726 in small contributions in their own names and then reimbursed them for the amounts they gave. Federal prosecutors have not identified those who participated in the scheme or prosecuted anyone. Babulal Bera's admission of guilt or guilty plea - avoided a lengthy trial while his son faces a tough battle to retain his seat in the House of Representatives. He will start his prison sentence ten days after the November 8 elections. The prosecutors has cleared Ami Bera of involvement in is father's funding fraud. He had earlier said that he would have stopped his father from carrying out the scheme had he heard about it. "My father's accepted what he did was wrong, he's taken responsibility, and I love him more than words can express," Ami Bera said after his father's sentencing according to CBS Sacramento. "I'm absolutely devastated and heartbroken for how today's decision will impact our entire family." Democrat Ami Bera, a 51-year-old doctor who converted to the Universalist Unitarian Church, was re-elected in 2014 with a slender margin of just 1,455 votes from a constituency that covers parts of California's state capital, Sacramento. In this year's selection he faces a tough battle against the influential local Republican Sheriff Scott Jones, who is turning the Babulal Bera's conviction into an election issue, the Sacramento Bee reported. "Jones, who has repeatedly suggested his rival knew about the illegal fundraising from the beginning and let his father take the fall, this week proposed a set of campaign finance changes to 'root corruption out of politics and expose conflicts,'" the daily said. --IANS al/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Damascus, Aug 19 (IANS/AKI) The Islamic State militants publicly beheaded two alleged thieves in eastern Syria and crucified their headless corpses, a rights watchdog reported on Friday. The two men were executed in front of a crowd of dozens of people in the city of al-Mayadin in Deir-Ezzor province and were then "crucified" with their heads placed at their feet, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. A sign hung beside the men accused them of "theft and swindling Muslims in the name of the Islamic State", the monitoring group said. IS ordered the money the men allegedly stole to be returned to its owners, stated the monitor, which relies for its information on a network of activists and doctors inside Syria. --IANS/AKI ahm/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rome, Aug 19 (IANS/AKI) Italy should show solidarity with migrants landing on its shores and help improve conditions in their homelands, the country's President Sergio Mattarella said on Friday. "No one can wish for an ever-greater influx of migrants but there is a danger this will happen if we think we can simply bar them," Mattarella said. "Rapidly and with serious intent, we need to create job opportunities and well-being in those countries where people have nothing," he said. "The reason for this is that the welfare of migrants wholly coincides with our own," Mattarella said, adding that people traffickers must be treated with "utmost severity". --IANS ahm/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Call it negligence or incompetence, surgeons at a hospital in Kerala allegedly left a surgical instrument within the bowels of a woman patient and stitched the incision. The error was noticed when the operation theatre staff started counting their instruments after the 45-year-old woman's hysterectomy (removal of uterus) procedure and found a surgical clip missing. The patient was admitted to the Nedumangad taluk hospital for hysterectomy procedure which was carried out on Thursday morning. The technicians in the operation theatre sensed trouble when they noticed that a clip from the instruments tray was missing. They rushed the woman to the X-ray laboratory and found that the missing piece had remained within her stomach. According to her relatives, they got restive and began to enquire when the woman was inexplicably kept inside the operation theatre for a long time even when the surgery had got over. The delay in wheeling her out worried them. The woman was then taken to the Medical College Hospital in the state capital where the "foreign object" was removed from within her. "The surgery went off well and the foreign object was removed and the patient is recovering," a statement from the hospital in Thiruvananthapuram said. State Health Minister K.K. Shailaja said she has asked for a probe into the incident and has promised action. --IANS sg/bim/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an effort to support the local fashion industry, Low-cost airline AirAsia flew homegrown designer Priyanka Ella Lorena Lama, also known as P.E.L.L.A., to represent India at the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready To Wear 2016 (KLFW RTW 2016). The 25-year-old designer showcased her collection at the runway of the ongoing KLFW RTW 2016 to a full-house crowd, bringing her avant-garde inspired tailoring and design to an international scale, read a statement. Besides P.E.L.L.A., AirAsia also flew in other international designers from the airline group's extensive route network including from China (Angel Chen), Australia (Betty Tran) and South Korea (D.Gnak), opening up opportunities for these designers to reach out to a wider audience. --IANS dc/nv/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Mahima Chaudhry, who is all geared up for her forthcoming bilingual film "Dark Chocolate", says that her character in the movie is inspired by Indrani Mukerjea. In August, Mumbai police had arrested Indrani, her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and her former driver Shyamwar Rai for the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora. Mahima says that the film is based on this real story. "'Dark Chocolate' is based on the Sheena Bora murder and I play Sheena's mother," said Mahima at the film's trailer launch. "This is my first Bengali film and a very exciting moment for me" she added. The actress also says that she didn't get time to prepare for the role. "When I was offered this role, I thought this is very different. I wanted two-three months for preparation but my director insisted that we kick off shooting in two-three days. As the case was just unfolding and my director wanted to finish the film, we completed the movie within a month," she said. Director Agnidev Chatterjee said that the case was quite intriguing. "I thought that a mother could never kill her daughter. There must be something more to the whole case. I have known most of people involved in the case. Suddenly something like this has happened. So, I am saying something about the case through my film," he explained. The film has been produced by Pradip Churiwal and also features Riya Sen, Mumtaz Sorcar and Rajesh Sharma. --IANS iv/nv/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistani national, believed to be a spy, has been arrested in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan following intelligence inputs, police said on Friday. Police sources said maps and some other documents have been seized from Nandu Maharaj, who was also accused of bringing a sizeable quantity of RDX into India. Officials of the intelligence agencies, however, refused to officially confirm any detail. "We arrested Nandu on Thursday after we got inputs from intelligence agencies. He is from Pakistan and was in Jaisalmer for the last about 12-13 days," a police official told IANS on phone. He said he is presently being interrogated in Jaisalmer, which is about 600 km from here. "We will bring him to Jaipur by late Friday evening for further interrogation," an official of the Rajasthan Police intelligence wing said. Nandu is said to have entered India aboard the Thar Express train, which runs between Karachi, in Sindh province of Pakistan, and Jodhpur, in Rajasthan state of India. Nandu holds a valid Pakistani passport and visa for India, the official said. --IANS as/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least two people who were involved in an attack on Bharatiya Janata Party leader Brijpal Teotia on August 11, were arrested by the police here on Friday. Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police K.S. Emmanuel said the two -- identified as Abhisekh, 22, and Gaurav, 20 -- admitted to their crime. Emmanuel said Abhishek had studied for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course from IMS Ghaziabad while Gaurav was a matriculate. Abhishek, along with another accused Pahalwan, carried a bag containing an AK-47 and four pistols, which he dumped in his three-wheeler after the attack, and escaped. The other accused who were in another vehicle with Gaurav, were being tracked, the official said. The Uttar Pradesh Police had on Wednesday announced it had solved the case following the arrest of four shooters involved in the shooting. Police said the four shooters were hired by two cousins from Teotia's native village to avenge a family member's killing 17 years ago. Inspector General of Police Meerut Zone Sujeet Pandey told the media here that main conspirators Manish and Manoj, both cousins, hailed from Teotia's native village Mahrauli under Kavi Nagar Police Station of Ghaziabad. Both had hatched the conspiracy to avenge the murder of Manish's father Suresh Diwan, a Delhi Police Constable killed in 1999 in Shakarpur in Delhi. --IANS ssp/py/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least two people, involved in the August 11 attack on Bharatiya Janata Party leader Brijpal Teotia here, were arrested by the police here on Friday. With these arrests, the total number of those nabbed in the case has climbed to six, an official said. Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police K.S. Emmanuel said the two -- identified as Abhisekh, 22, and Gaurav, 20 -- had admitted to their crime. A total of 12 persons were involved in the attack on the BJP leader. Emmanuel said Abhishek had studied for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course from IMS Ghaziabad while Gaurav was a matriculate. Abhishek, along with another accused Pahalwan, carried a bag containing an AK-47 and four pistols, which he dumped in his three-wheeler after the attack, and escaped. Four others -- identified as Rahul Tyagi, 26, Ram Kumar, 25, Nishant Singh, 25, and Jitendra, 40 -- were arrested on Wednesday. The police have recovered a total of six pistols, one Samsung mobile phone, a motorcycle and two helmets from the possession of those arrested. As many as 20 teams were formed to arrest the criminals. The teams comprised officers from Special Task Force groups of Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut. Some teams were also working to track the criminals in other states. The other accused who were in another vehicle with Gaurav, were being tracked, the official said. Inspector General of Police Meerut Zone Sujeet Pandey told the media here that main conspirators Manish and Manoj, both cousins, hailed from Teotia's native village Mahrauli under Kavi Nagar Police Station of Ghaziabad. Both had hatched the conspiracy to avenge the murder of Manish's father Suresh Diwan, a Delhi Police Constable killed in 1999 in Shakarpur in Delhi. --IANS ssp/py/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday arrived in Crimea for a briefing with members of the Russian Security Council, media reported on Friday. Putin is also scheduled to visit the Tavrida international youth forum, Sputnik news agency reported. The schedule of Putin's visit to Crimea, his fifth in the past two years, also involves meetings with local officials. Crimea was incorporated into Russia in 2014 following a referendum in the peninsula, which was recognised by Moscow but rejected by Ukraine. --IANS sm/ahm/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korea warned on Friday that South Korea will pay dearly for its largest live-fire artillery drill on Thursday near the border, the media reported. The Kim Jong-un regime described the drill, which brought together 300 artillery pieces from 49 battalions, as the largest shelling provocation in history, EFE news quoted a statement as saying. "It is the first time that they mobilised a lot of artillery units in all sectors of the front, not some corps or units in an area to stage such shelling drill," and "will have to pay dearly for their reckless military provocations", it said. North Korea accused its neighbour of aggravating the situation on the Korean peninsula and leading it into its worst phase in history, ahead of Seoul and Washington's joint Ulchi Freedom Guardian military drill. Pyongyang and Seoul remain technically at war since the Korean War (1950-53) ended with an armistice that was never replaced with a definitive peace treaty. --IANS py/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After Turkey requested India to take action against oganisations and educational institutions in India which are affiliated to Fethullah Gulen, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday briefed External Affairs Minister Sushma on the role of the Muslim cleric's organisation in last month's coup attempt in his country. "There were discussions on the terrorist attacks in Turkey and the internal developments in Turkey, including the recent coup attempt," sources here said following a meeting between the two ministers. "In this context, the Turkish side briefed about the role of Fethullah Gulen-led organisation FETO in the attempted coup," they said. At least 40,030 persons have been detained and 20,355 others arrested in the aftermath of the coup attempt on July 15, in which 237 lives were lost. Turkey has accused US-based Gulen of organising the failed coup. The External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday that Turkey's request has been passed on to relevant Indian authorities to investigate the matter. In Friday's meeting, the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as important global and regional issues of mutual interest was discussed, it is learnt "On the multilateral front, there were discussions on the need for reform in UN Security Council," the sources said. "India's application for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) also featured in the discussions," they said, adding that Turkey confirmed support for this as it had earlier for India's membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The two ministers exchanged views on regional developments, particularly in West Asia, where the security situation has become alarming from the perspective of both the countries. On the economic front, priority was given on convening the next session of Joint Economic Commission (JEC), which has been a very useful bilateral mechanism to discuss ways for increasing the bilateral trade and economic cooperation .The annual bilateral trade was $6.3 billion last year. Other areas of bilateral interests were cooperation in areas like culture, education, energy, and tourism. With a cultural exchange programme in place, discussions are currently on for concluding an educational exchange programme between the two sides. During the course of Cavusoglu 's visit, the External Affairs Ministry and the Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry finalised a road map for cooperation between the two countries in a wide variety of fields in the coming years. According to the sources, the road map proposes regular exchanges between the two countries at the political and official level to discuss bilateral matters as well as important global and regional issues of mutual concern. Cooperation for building closer economic ties through joint committee meetings, joint working groups, closer cooperation between business and industry associations and participation in trade fair and road shows is envisaged. Cavusoglu also called on Vice President Hamid Ansari here on Friday. This is the first official visit to India of Cavusoglu who was in India on a transit halt last year when he met Sushma Swaraj. Cavusoglu will also visit Hyderabad on Saturday where he will officially open the Turkish consulate building. --IANS ab/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Olympic Committee (USOC) has publicly acknowledged that four of its swimmers made a false police report and created a story of being held at gunpoint and later apologised to the organisation of the Olympic Games and Brazil for the swimmers' behaviour. "The behaviour of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members," Efe news quoted the USOC as saying in a statement on Thursday. Working in collaboration with the US Consulate in Rio, the USOC helped coordinating James Feigen and Ryan Lochte's cooperation with local authorities. The other swimmers involved in the case, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, were allowed to return to the US after being stopped earlier from boarding their plane and leaving Brazil by police. No charges were pressed against them. "As we understand it, the four athletes (Bentz, Conger, Feigen and Lochte) left the France House early in the morning of August 14 in a taxi headed to the Olympic Village. They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism," admitted the USOC, acknowledging the Brazilian authorities story. "An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave," added the statement. The four American swimmers allegedly made a false police report of being held at gunpoint on Sunday morning when returning to the Olympic Village. Brazilian Police opened an investigation after swimmers said they left the party and were robbed shortly after. However, the security footage shows the swimmers arrived at the Olympic Village shortly before 7 a.m. (local time), which left an unexplained time gap. Another video obtained from the gas station's security cameras and several testimonies clarified what really happened. According to the Brazilian media, at least one of the athletes has admitted that the assault was invented and has ratified the investigation of the Brazilian police. --IANS gau/ask/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gurgaon police on Friday detained a woman for allegedly killing a 38-year-old life insurance accountant here, while her co-accused is on the run. The accused has been identified as Priya, 20. She works with a Delhi based NGO. Police said that deceased, Neeraj Pandey was an accountant with a government run life insurance company in Gurgaon. Priya had called Police Control Room late on Thursday claiming to have tackled a man who had attempted to rape her. "Pandey was found dead in an apartment in U block of DLF phase 3 area. The body had injury marks with some sharp object," a senior police officer told IANS. Nitin Pandey, Neeraj's, brother has said in his complaint that Neeraj was murdered by NGO operator Arun Sarkar and Priya. "We have registered a case under section 302 (murder) and other relevant sections of Indian Penal Code at DLF phase 2 police station," the officer said. "We are questioning Priya while the other accused Sarkar has been absconding," he added. "The victim and accused knew each other. We are investigating further details, including the alleged rape angle," he added. --IANS pradeep/in/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Europe's dazzling dividends could tempt investors into dangerous waters. Companies are paying out more than normal relative to share prices. While this is usually a signal to buy stocks, the bonanza may not be sustainable. In a u-turn within a month, government today cancelled the one year extension of IPS officer Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Inspector General in the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Surprisingly, there is a mention in the fresh order that "competent authority" in the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) had "not approved" the extension order of Singh, a 1987 batch IPS officer from Madhya Pradesh. Singh, who also doubled up as the Chief Spokesman of the NIA, an organisation that came into existence after the 26/11 Mumbai terror strike, was given extension by the ACC on June 22 for a period of one year. However, today's order issued by the Department of Personnel said "it is conveyed that the competent authority in the Appointments Committee of Cabinet has not approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for extension of central deputation" for Singh. It has also asked the Home Ministry to relieve Singh from the post immediately. The June 22 order had said the ACC has approved the proposal of the Home Ministry for extension of Singh for a period for one year beyond July 5, 2016, in relaxation of IPS tenure policy. During his tenure, Singh had emerged as the face of NIA and he handled various sensitive cases including the Burdhwan blasts, Pathankot terror strike, growth of ISIS modules in the country and Udhampur terror attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 10 central trade unions have decided to go ahead with their call for a 1-day pan-India strike on September 2, with no positive response from the government on their 12-point charter of demand. "The 10 central trade unions have decided to go on strike on September 2, 2016, in a meeting of the coordination committee held yesterday," All India Trade Union Congress Secretary D L Sachdev said. "The mandatory 2-week notice in the case of essential services like transport and power has already been served by the local units of our unions earlier this week. We are expecting over 10 crore people to participate in the strike." However, RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh is not part of this joint declaration as the next meeting with ministerial panel on labour issues headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on August 22 is awaited. The exclusive meeting between Jaitley-led ministerial panel and BMS representatives to discuss its demand remained "inconclusive" earlier this week on August 16. The other trade unions were not called for the meeting. It was the first meeting of the ministerial panel with a central trade union over the 12-point charter of demands in almost a year. It had met trade unions on August 26-27, 2015. "We have decided to go on strike on September 2, 2016. We have been called for another round of meeting with the group of ministers. If something positive happens, then we will see (decide otherwise)," BMS General Secretary Virjesh Upadhyay told PTI. Last year, BMS had opted out of strike on September 2, 2015, in view of the government's positive assurances on the basic demands. The joint declaration by the 10 central trade unions issued after yesterday's meeting stated, "It is unfortunate that during the past one year, the group of ministers appointed for discussion with CTUOs (unions) on 12-point charter has not convened a single meeting, but has been only talking to BMS which has not joined the strike call." It added: "The CTOUs condemn the move of the central government to divide the workers in the face of ongoing strike campaign and create confusion through making misleading statements... (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 100 migrants were rescued after their boats ran aground today off the coast of Greece, police said, while two Syrian girls, one of them a baby, drowned off the Libyan coast. One group of 67 migrants, including 13 children, was found stranded in their wooden boat off the western Greek port of Methoni on the Peloponnese peninsula, facing southern Italy. The migrants, whose nationalities have not been revealed, appear to have been trying to leave Greece for Italy, according to initial reports. They were taken to Methoni to be processed and identified, according to harbour police, who revised their earlier figure of around 50 migrants rescued. In another incident, a sailboat was stranded off the Aegean island of Mykonos, which is popular with tourists and is near Turkey. All 36 migrants on board, including seven children, were rescued by the local authorities. After a major lull since the European Union (EU) signed a controversial deal with Turkey to stem the migrant influx in March, there has been a slight uptick in arrivals in Greece in recent days. Between Thursday and Friday morning, 261 new arrivals were registered on the Aegean islands -- mainly Lesbos -- an increase on recent days, according to the SOMP agency which is coordinating Greece's response to the migrant crisis. The number of new arrivals, at an average of 100 a day, is however considerably lower than the peak of several thousand daily last summer. Under the deal, Turkey agreed to take back Syrians who make it to Greece, in return for being allowed to send one from its massive refugee camps to the EU in a more orderly redistribution programme. Lat week there were between 13 and 147 new arrivals every day. Both Greece and the EU fear that the migrant floodgates could re-open as Turkey focuses on a purge of officials following the failed coup of July 15 which has led to a souring of relations between Ankara and Brussels. Some 10,000 migrants remain encamped on the Aegean islands -- which have a capacity to host just 7,450 migrants -- with most claiming asylum to either avoid or postpone their forcible return to Turkey under the deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All the police personnel of Town police station in Gopalganj have been suspended in connection with the suspected hooch tragedy which has claimed the lives of 16 people. "The 15 policemen, including the Officer In-charge of Town police station under which the tragedy took place in Khajurbanni locality, were suspended yesterday on charge of dereliction of duty," Superintendent of Police Raviranjan Kumar told PTI. The tragedy was the first major incident after Bihar was declared a total dry state in April this year. Santosh Kumar has been made the new OC of the police station, the SP who ordered suspension of the errant policemen, said. Meanwhile, with the death of one more victim at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) yesterday, the toll has climbed to 16, District Magistrate Rahul Kumar said. Four others are still admitted in PMCH, Principal of PMCH S N Sinha said today. Asked about media reports suggesting that all the four have lost their vision in the tragedy, Sinha said eye surgeons have been directed to examine their eyes. The DM said that viscera and blood samples of the deceased were handed over to a Muzaffarpur Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team last evening. With post-mortem report remaining inconclusive, all eyes are now set on the FSL report to unravel whether the Gopalganj tragedy was linked to consumption of spurious liquor or not. One more person has been arrested in connection with Gopalganj incident taking the total number of those arrested to seven, the DM said. The SP said that seven more accused are at large and hectic search was on for them. Principal Secretary of Excise and Prohibition K K Pathak is visiting Gopalganj today in connection with the incident. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has expressed grave concern over the Gopalganj tragedy has said that culprits would be dealt under the stringent new liquor law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign tourist arrivals registered a growth of 17.1 per cent in July with 7.36 lakh visitors coming as compared to 6.28 lakh in the corresponding month last year, the government said today. The footfall last month led to foreign exchange earnings to the tune of Rs 14,319 crore, an increase of 19.5 per cent as compared to Rs 11,982 crore in July last year, a release by the Union Tourism Ministry said. Among the top 15 source countries, Bangladesh accounted for the highest share of tourist arrivals last month at 17.30 per cent, followed by the US (16.51 per cent), the UK (11.67 per cent), Malaysia (3.49 per cent), France (3.12 per cent), Sri Lanka (2.94 per cent) and Canada (2.66 per cent). China's share was 2.32 per cent, while that of Germany was 2.31 per cent, Japan 2.20 per cent, Australia 2.20 per cent, Nepal 2.04 per cent, Oman 2.04 per cent, the UAE 1.99 per cent and Pakistan 1.66 per cent. From January to July, foreign tourist arrivals were 49.22 lakh, a growth of 10 per cent over 44.73 lakh arrivals during the corresponding period last year. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism grew 15 per cent at Rs 87,384 crore during January-July compared to Rs 76,017 crore in the same period last year. The Delhi airport welcomed the highest share of foreign tourists in July at 26.22 per cent, followed by Mumbai airport (17.04 per cent), Chennai Airport (10.11 per cent), Haridaspur Land check post (9.82 per cent), Bengaluru airport (7.31 per cent), Cochin airport (5.14 per cent), Hyderabad airport (5.04 per cent) and Kolkata airport (4.20 per cent). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A total of 22 dispensaries under the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) will be upgraded to hospitals in Tamil Nadu, Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said today. "Of the 216 dispensaries in the state, a total of 64 had own buildings and 22 of them will be upgraded into 10-bedded hospitals," he told reporters here. The ministry had already allotted Rs 200 crore for the upgradation and he would hold discussions with the state government soon in Chennai to complete the formalities, Dattatreya said. "Similarly, there is also a proposal to upgrade seven hospitals to 30-bedded hospitals," said Dattatreya. "These hospitals are in Ranipet, Ambur, Tambaram, Kovilpatti, Rajapalayam, Dindigul and Virudhanagar and the estimates will be worked out soon," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A three-year-old boy in the UK has died after he was bitten by a dog, becoming the second person to be killed this week in the country in a similar incident. Police said the incident happened at a property in Halstead, Essex yesterday evening. An air ambulance was called to the scene and the boy was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Essex Police said a 29-year-old woman had been arrested for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control. The dog has been seized by police and placed in kennels. Neighbour Phyllis Younger heard the boy's screams. "I heard this screaming," she said. "I did not really associate it with anything terrible - it was like children having a bit of fun. But then I thought it might not be quite right. "Then it was quiet. I looked out of the window and saw a police car and paramedics and neighbours looking along the road," the BBC quoted her as saying. She said the family involved had not lived in the street for very long and "kept themselves to themselves". Shirley Diver, mayor of Halstead, said the incident was heartbreaking. She said: "It's dreadful news, it really is. I've had dogs all my life and I don't think you can ever trust a dog 100 per cent with any child. "It's so sad. I feel so sadly for the family who are involved. Words can't express how it affects anybody. The whole town is in shock." Braintree MP James Cleverly was briefed about the incident by police. He said: "I have got children of my own, and this is both shocking and heartbreaking. For any parent, this is the most terrible . "This will be an absolute body blow to everybody in the town." On Monday, a 52-year-old man died in Sheepridge area in Huddersfield town after being attacked by a large dog, days after the pet was returned to its owner after it was previously seized by police over fears it was dangerous. Following the incident, A 29-year-old man, who is the owner of the dog has been arrested and was later released on police bail pending further enquiries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 5,000 complaints were filed against various banks in Bihar and Jharkhand during 2015-16, a 12.27 per cent rise over last year's 4,456 complaints. Out of these 5,003 complaints, 3,441 were received from Bihar and 1,284 from Jharkhand and 278 from other areas, Smita Chandramani Kumar, Banking Ombudsman of Bihar and Jharkhand, told reporters. "Others areas" mean the complainant is not from Bihar or Jharkhand but the bank concerned is located in either of two states. The maximum number of complaints were received against SBI and its associates (2,247), while 2,023 complaints were made against other nationalised banks (2023), 337 against private banks (337) and the rest against other banks. At a press meet on the occasion of the release of Banking Ombudsman's 'Annual Report 2015-16', Kumar said complaints relating to pension issues and ATM, debit or credit cards constituted a major portion of the total number of the complaints. During 2015-16, the Banking Ombudsman Office, Patna handled 5,128 complaints, which included 125 pending complaints. Out of these 5128 complaints, 5,035 were disposed of, while 93 complaints remained pending as on June 30, 2016. Kumar said her office has been creating awareness about the Banking Ombudsman among the public especially in rural and and semi-urban areas so that they can approach it for redressal of their grievances relating to deficiency in banking services. Seven such awareness programmes were organised at various places of Bihar and Jharkhand. A customer with grievance can write letters or e-mails to the Ombudsman or file complaint online, she said. However, Kumar said, a customer must approach the Ombudsman only after he/she did not receive any reply from the bank concerned within 30 days of making application. There are 27 grounds on which an aggrieved customer can file complaints to the Ombudsman. The grounds include non-payment or non-realization of draft, cheque, non-payment or inadequate payment of interest etc. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five persons have been arrested for alleged involvement in car theft cases in the national capital by Delhi police which claimed to have recovered 20 luxury cars stolen by the accused. Police claimed following the arrests of the accused, over 30 cases of motor-vehicle theft have been solved. The accused have been identified as Sanjay Singh, Mobin Ahmed, Salim, Mannan and Kasim. "The members of the gang would procure documents of luxury cars that had been involved in accidents from Sotiganj Car Scrap market. Then, they would buy the same car from the insurance company at cheap rates. "After getting the details of the vehicle, the gang members would steal a similar model and modify the engine and chassis number as per the documents of the vehicle they bought from the insurance company. The 'modified' vehicle would then be sold to buyers at market rates, said DCP (South) Ishwar Singh today," a police official said. According to police, Mannan was a history sheeter and was arrested by the Crime Branch in 2008 in connection with a robbery in Dhaula Kuan and was released a year back. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Transport minister today said nearly 800 "black spots" (accident zones) identified on national highways across the country, will be soon fixed to bring down road mishaps. Inaugurating the two-day national workshop on Road Safety, he said the Government had identified 786 black spots on national highways and it will be set right at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore. Gadkari said at least 1.5 lakh deaths occur per year due to road accidents in the country and this can be reduced by 50% in near future in co-operation with all state transport ministers. Expressing concern on increasing road accidents in the country, he said 70-80% of mishaps occur due to road engineering defects. He said the best of technology would be utilised to employ best engineering systems for road construction. Also, the government will take all measures for transparent and corrupt-free system for issuance of driving licenses and certification as well as registration of vehicles, the minister assured. As part of skill development, an institute for training of drivers, and research centres will also be established in each state. Trauma care centres besides ambulance with necessary staff will be introduced at various points on national highways, Gadkari said. Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said education, engineering, enforcement are very essential to control road accidents. He said it was important to educate children and drivers to follow traffic rules. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu too said his government will implement best practices followed by other states to control road accidents. He attributed the reasons for increasing road accidents to over-speeding, overload of vehicles and drunken driving. The Chief Minister underlined the need for checking drunken driving at all check-posts on national and state highways. Transport ministers from 18 states and transport officials from Central and state governments besides World Bank officials and foreign delegates are attending the conference. The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reserve 5 seats in Parliament for residents of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the lines of 24 seats reserved for them in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Mahasabha president Chandra Prakash Kaushik also demanded a high-level probe into the allegations levelled by Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh against Union minister and former army chief V K Singh and action against the guilty. "The manner in which 24 seats have been reserved in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for residents of PoK, five seats should be reserved for them in Indian Parliament also which will help strengthen India's claim over PoK and provide representation to the residents in Indian Parliament," he said in his letter to Modi. Kaushik and other Mahasabha leaders also demanded that India should raise the issue of return of PoK to India at the United Nations, besides the issue of atrocities and human rights violations in Balochistan. The right-wing outfit said that any talks with Pakistan should be on its shunning terror and forcing it to stop its support to terrorists and infiltration into the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after the Orissa High Court refused to grant relief to an absconding servitor of Jagannath Temple in Puri, other fugitive servitors who had also sought anticipatory bail, withdrew their pleas. The HC on Thursday had rejected the anticipatory bail plea of absconding servitor Bhimsen Palankdhari. Ipsita Pratihary and Bhagirathi Khuntia along with Palankdhari, who were booked by Puri Police for assaulting some journalists, threatening the district collector and misbehaving with a woman police officer during the Niladri Bije ritual of the deities last month, had sought anticipatory bail from the HC. The police had registered three cases in this connection and had booked 16 people. While 12 of the accused have been arrested, Palankdhari, Pratihary, Khuntia and key accused Damodar Mahasuar have gone underground. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police today resorted to 'mild' lathicharge to disperse ABVP activists staging a protest in front of the Amnesty International India office here demanding arrest of those who allegedly raised anti-India slogans at an Amnesty event. Several ABVP activists were injured, with a girl student fainting in the commotion before she was rushed to a hospital, police said, adding they detained many activists during the crackdown on the protest. Additional Commissioner of Police Bengaluru East P Harishekaran said police had to disperse protesters as they tried to burn an effigy in a residential area. "With two bottles of petrol they tried to burnan effigy in front of Amnesty International here. We had in prior warned them against any effigy burning as it is aresidential area and from the security point of view," he said. The protesters alleged that the police under the DCP's leadership behaved in an "inhuman" way and more than 10 ABVP activists were injured in the lathicharge. Calling their protest "peaceful", ABVP National General Secretary Vinay Bidre said, "We demanded that police vacate Amnesty staff who were recording our protest from their office. We told police we won't cause any harm to them. We did not try to barge into their premises and tried to burn Amnesty's effigy, but police unnecessarily used force on us." He accused the Congress-led Karnataka government and police of protecting those involved in anti-national sloganeering. Stating that ABVP would continue its protest, Bidre claimed, "We will intensify our protest across the state aftertoday's atrocity, we will show this government student power." As a precautionary step, police have asked Amnesty International India to keep its office in Bengaluru closed until the ABVP protest subsides, following which the organisation had asked its employees to work from other locations. Amnesty International had on Saturday organised the event as part of a campaign to seek justice for "victims of human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir, which took an ugly turn with heated exchanges and alleged raising ofpro-Kashmir 'Independence' and anti-Army slogans. ABVP activists had submitted a CD containing video recording of the event after filing a complaint with police, who have registered an FIR against Amnesty International. IPC sections 142 (Being member of an unlawfulassembly), 143 (whoever is a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) have been invoked against the organisation. (REOPEN MDS3) Describing the lathi-charge on ABVP activists as "outrageous", state BJP President B S Yeddyurappa charged the government with using police as a tool to suppress "nationalist and patriotic voices". He demanded the immediate arrest of Amnesty International authorities as well as those who shouted the anti-national slogans, failing which, he said BJP would resort to state-wide agitation. He has also demanded the immediate release of all arrested ABVP workers. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel today called for a 'jan-andolan' against Gujarat government's Land Acquisition Act terming it "anti-farmer" and "pro-industry". Patel said it was necessary to defeat the ruling BJP in the next year's Assembly polls "in the larger interest of the people". "The Land Acquisition Act prepared by this BJP government in Gujarat is totally anti-farmer, as it was made to serve the interests of industrialists. I appeal to start a mass-agitation against this Act to safeguard the interests of farmers here. Congress will not sit quietly on this. We will fight against this anti-farmer Act," said Patel. Gujarat's Land Acquisition Bill, 2016 which dilutes the Centre's stringent Land Acquisition Act 2013, received presidential assent on August 8, after which, it became an Act and was implemented from August 15. "As the Assembly polls are nearing, people will be lured with gimmicks and tricks (by BJP). For the interest of Gujarat and it's people, it is necessary to defeat them" said Patel, who was here to witness the unveiling of Rajiv Gandhi's statue at state Congress headquarter. During his visit, Patel slammed the Narendra Modi-led government on several issues. "They first abolished the Planning Commission and set up Niti Ayog. Now, even after two-and-a-half years, no one knows what Niti Ayog will do," he added. Patel claimed that it was (former Prime Minister) Rajiv Gandhi who passed the Prevention of Atrocities Act to protect Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He also credited the former Prime Minister for "introducing several pro-people policies". "It was Rajiv Gandhi who introduced technology mission, 'Saksharta' mission, vaccination drive, drinking water facility for all, 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, right to vote at the age of 18," he said. "During foreign visits, he (Rajiv Gandhi) used to talk only about the interests of our nation. On the contrary, our PM indulges in building his own image abroad. No Congress leader has ever criticised India during foreign tours" he claimed. Patel was accompanied by Gujarat Congress in-charge Gurudas Kamat, state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki, national spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil, AICC general secretary Madhusudan Mistry and Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Allahabad High Court today adjourned its hearing till September 30 on a petition challenging the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. Appearing on behalf of Modi, Additional Solicitor General of India Satya Pal Jain submitted that the allegations levelled by the petitioner Ajay Rai "lacked critical and material facts" and hence the election petition deserved to be "dismissed in limine". Jain contended that Rai, a Congress MLA who had contested from Varanasi in the Lok Sabha polls, had failed to prove "that there was anything in Modi's election which violated provisions of the Representation of People Act or the Constitution" and hence his petition was "not maintainable". Citing a number of landmark judgements on election law, Jain claimed that a number of allegations levelled against Modi "relate to the period before he had filed his nomination papers from Varanasi and were, therefore, of no relevance". However, it was requested by one of Rai's advocates Jitendra Kumar that the lead counsel Umesh Narain Sharma was "unwell and out of station for medical treatment" and hence time be granted so that the petitioner's side could reply to the arguments placed forward by the respondent. The court, therefore, fixed September 30 as the next date of hearing in the matter. Rai had filed the election petition in June, 2014, shortly after results for the general elections were declared wherein the BJP gained a majority, putting up its best-ever performance. Modi won from Varanasi by defeating Arvind Kejriwal of Aam Aadmi Party by 3.7 lakh votes, the biggest margin so far for the eastern Uttar Pradesh seat. Rai finished a distant third and ended up forfeiting his deposit. Modi went on to retain Varanasi, giving up Vadodara in his home state of Gujarat where he had achieved an even bigger victory - by a margin of 5.7 lakh votes. Interestingly, Rai had began his political career in the 1990s as a BJP MLA from Kolasla constituency in Varanasi district. He broke away in 2009 when the party refused to give him a ticket for the Lok Sabha polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was today granted visa by the UK, a week after his application for the same was rejected apparently due to incomplete information. "My UK work visa has finally been granted. I would like to thank everyone for their absolute love extended to me last week over this was humbling to read all the messages of support truly means a lot," he posted on Facebook. "A special thank you to Keith Vaz for taking such a keen personal interest in the matter. I look forward to performing in London on the 18th of September at the Royal Festival Hall, Ministry of External Affairs, India, Sushma Swaraj, Indian High Commision in UK," the 70-year-old artist added. The UK Home Office had earlier said visas were declined due to incomplete information. Responding to Khan's message, the longest serving Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz, today expressed his delight after the Labour MP and chair of the influential House of Commons Home Affairs Committee had expressed his shock and written to the UK Home Office after Khan had been initially denied a visa earlier this month. His intervention helped process the musician's application for a short-term visa to take part in an 'In Conversation' as well as performance at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, on the banks of the river Thames in London, scheduled for September 18. "I am delighted that Amjad Ali Khan's visa has now been granted. Britain adores the music of Amjad Ali Khan and I am so pleased we will be able to hear it after all," Vaz said in a statement in London. "I want to thank the staff at the British High Commission in New Delhi for dealing with this issue promptly once the technical problem had been identified," he added. The 59-year-old Goan-origin politician also called for a review of the UK's immigration rules vis-a-vis Indians following the controversy. "We need a long hard look at the immigration rules so that they are seen to encourage Indian people to visit and work in the UK. This is especially so after Brexit. The UK must always be seen to be open to the rest of the world," he said. A spokesperson for the British High Commission in New Delhi had earlier said: "We don't comment on the detail of individual cases, but can confirm we will offer to speak to Mr Khan about how he should apply for the correct type of visa to do what he wishes to do in the UK." "Listen as legendary sarod player UstadAmjadAliKhan reflects on his 50-year career. His wife SubhalakshmiKhanjoins him for this candid conversation," reads the programme for the Southbank Centre's 'Classical Season 2016-17' as part of the annual Darbar Festival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From the beaches of Croatia to the valleys of Kashmir, a new exhibition here promises to take viewers on an extraordinary visual journey of not just various landscapes from across the world but also into the creative recesses of the minds of artists who have painted them. Over 70 paintings by 18 Indian artists have been put together for the exhibition titled, "Lands Within" at the Egg Art Studio here that will showcase both "real" and "imagined" journeys undertaken by the artists and challenge the audience to decipher the narratives as they "weave the inspiration of travel into their own visual stories." Curator Amrita Varma has broadly divided the show into two halves: landscapes (real) and mindscapes(imagined). "There is this beautiful world that already exists around us but we haven't explored it enough in its true sense. This exhibition is exploring that world - the land and its people - and also its impressions - how that spirit is reflected," she says. Mumbai-based artist Kishore Pratim Biswas paints steam engines halted at junctions with workers surrounding the vehicle. Through his works, he attempts to reflect on an "Indian way of life." "These landscapes are telling not just about the surroundings we live in but also discovering the beauty of it in a relaxed sense. These are things that even a layman would love to see and will be able to associate with," says Varma. According to her, the exhibition blends the classic with the contemporary. While 'landscape' as a genre is among the basic forms of art, it is also timeless. And it is this timelessness captured in contemporary brush strokes that the show seeks to explore. "Landscape is something that has always been a classic genre but the reason for me to do this is because it hadn't been explored so much in the Indian professional art scene. "It is the engagement of the artist and his co-creation with the subject at heart that makes these artworks contemporary. It is classic but it is also exploring contemporary life and scenes around it," she says. It is the 'mindscapes' segment of the exhibition that vindicates the contemporary context used for the landscapes. "For anyone to take landscapes seriously in contemporary context, they have to to be able to see how an artist creates impressions of the same world. One has to be taken a further away to see how the mind is perceiving things," says Amrita. Here, she talks about city-based abstract artist Saurabh Narang who is largely influenced by architecture. His works reek of science with geometrical lines and curves and yet reflect the surroundings in a way that "you cannot really place it in a real landscape. But, in a sense you can delve deeper into his mind." The joy of landscapes perhaps lie in the sheer simplicity of their beauty, that it appeals as much to an art connoiseur as to a layman. "A landscape series is the best way to get people involved into art in a more intimate manner," says Amrita. Shiffali Wadhwan's paintings are a represenation of her memories from her trip to Croatia. The reproductions are so intense that they are capable of transporting the viewer to the moment when she saw a group of people enjoying a brunch on the beach-front. Other artists who will be exhibited include Anuradha Sarin Khurana (Delhi), Ashish Kushwaha (Madhya Pradesh), Bijay Biswal (Nagpur), Bipasha Sen Gupta (Delhi), Fanil Pandya (Baroda), Kunal Batra (Delhi), Pradeep Kumar Verma (Chandigarh), Sandeep Mani (Delhi), Sarika Dandona (Delhi), Shampa Sircar Das (Delhi), Rabani Bhagat (Delhi), Sanjay (Lucknow), Tapasya Gupta (Delhi), Umika Mediratta (Delhi) and Masood Hussain (Kashmir). The show which begins today at the Egg Art Studio here is scheduled to continue till September 15. Australia's Malcolm Turnbull today said he was "very disappointed" that hundreds of Vietnam war veterans were unable to attend 50th anniversary commemorations at a key battle site after plans were changed at the last minute. More than 1,000 Vietnam war veterans and their families had travelled from Australia to the Southeast Asian nation to attend a ceremony yesterday, only for the Vietnamese government to cancel the event the day before. Prime Minister Turnbull, who spent an hour speaking to his Vietnamese counterpart on the issue, said the initial ban was later reversed but in the end only 700 veterans had been allowed access to the site yesterday. "We're very disappointed that not all of the Australian veterans and their families were able to go to the Long Tan complex," he told Fairfax Radio. "What happened was that about 700 Australian and New Zealand veterans did attend the Long Tan area... (to) reverently commemorate that battle." Long Tan was the most costly single battle fought by Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War. Turnbull said Australia understood that the conflict was "a very sensitive issue in Vietnam". "We respect the right of the Vietnamese government to determine what ceremonies and observances are held in their country, but to change the rules literally the day before was very unreasonable," he said. A force of just 108 Australian soldiers held off an assault by around 2,000 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese fighters at Long Tan on August 18, 1966. Eighteen Australians died in action and 24 were wounded while at least 250 Vietnamese fighters perished. Australia has said the 50th anniversary plans had been under way with Vietnam for 18 months and Veterans Affairs Minister Dan Tehan described the abrupt cancellation of events as "a kick in the guts". Australia's Foreign Ministry said that Vietnamese authorities would allow further access to the Long Tan Cross site today with strict conditions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Officials in Azerbaijan today said they had arrested four men over suspected ties to US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of masterminding last month's attempted coup. The four are accused of an "abuse of power" while working for a mobile phone company for having passed on private information about subscribers and their call history, Azeri prosecutors said. During a search of the home of one of the accused, investigators discovered "religious literature, disks, brochures containing speeches by Fethullah Gulen and other documents," they said in a statement. A close ally of Ankara, Baku earlier this week opened a criminal investigation into supporters of Gulen, who is accused by Turkey of ordering the July 15 coup in a bid to remove President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power. Gulen has consistently denied any involvement in the failed putsch. Azerbaijan last month shut down a private television channel over plans to broadcast an interview with Gulen, "in order to avoid provocations aimed at damaging the strategic partnership between Turkey and Azerbaijan". Gulen's Hizmet movement has affiliated schools around the world, including in ex-Soviet Kazakhstan, normally funded by wealthy Turkish businessmen. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan today said UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the loss of lives in the Kashmir unrest and offered his good offices to facilitate dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue. The Secretary-General made the remarks in response to a letter by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who had apprised him about the "grave situation in Kashmir where large-scale violations of human rights were being committed by Indian security forces", the Foreign Office (FO) said. Ban called for avoidance of violence and once again offered his "good offices to facilitate dialogue for a negotiated settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute", the FO said. "The UN SG has, inter alia, deplored the loss of life and hoped that all efforts will be made to avoid further violence," it said. Ban added the UN was convinced it is only through dialogue that the outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, including on Kashmir, can be addressed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh has sought from India details about Zakir Naik's operations even as it said several prominent ulemas wanted action against the Islamic televangelist much before deadly the Gulshan attack last month. Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who is here on a six-day visit, said his country has cracked down on Naik's Peace TV by banning its broadcast and indicated that it is waiting for India's action against the controversial preacher. Inu said his country doesn't have any evidence of links between home grown terrorists in Bangladesh with extremists outfits in India but at the same time slammed Pakistan for "harbouring terrorism". He said Bangladesh has witnessed over 43 attacks on thinkers, bloggers and people from Sufi faith and it has been found that in almost 90 per cent cases, the attackers had links with banned Jamaat-e-Islami which he alleged was a "corroborator" with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation war. "From Bangladesh's side Zakir Naik's case has been settled. We have stopped the broadcast of Peace TV. In last one year, ulemas came up with written complaints against Naik. We are examining it. We think his teachings, in certain cases are not in compliance with the Quran or Hadith. So, that is creating confusion. "In certain cases it is instigating. So, we have taken our position. We have asked the Indian side to take their position and give us necessary information," Inu told reporters. In the backdrop of reports that ISIS was gaining ground in Bangladesh, he asserted that terror networks in his country is home grown. Bangladesh had banned Naik's Peace TV following the terror attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan Thana locality on July 1 in which 29 people were killed. About his meeting with Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Inu said both sides have agreed to broadcast their respective national TV channels in each other's country. The Minister said terrorism is Bangladesh is very different from terror networks in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East as his country has a "secular" approach, but insisted that the evil has its legacy in the 1971 liberation war. "There is no so-called radicalisation in my country. So, terrorism has a top-down approach in our country. It is not like Pakistan. In my country, a few people are involved in terrorist activities. "Having said that terrorism in Bangladesh has a legacy and that legacy is the 1971 liberation war. Here Jamaat-e-Islami, a party using Islam, was a corroborator with Pakistani aggressive force," he said adding terrorism in Bangladeshi has its roots in Jamat-i-Islami and Pakistan's ISI. (REOPENS DEL 22) Inu said the major focus of his meetings here was to combat terrorism and contain radicalism through proper dissemination of information. "For that we have agreed to cooperate in all the fields of information and mass media. That is the crux," he said. The minister said Bangladesh is still examining whether the Gulshan Thana attackers had any links with ISIS, al Qaeda or any terrorist organisation. "There is a fashion to use the names of ISIS and Taliban," he said, adding till now, government has not come across any links between Gulshan attackers and terror outfits like ISIS and al Qaeda. Inu said Bangladeshi government has been "very successful" in dismantling the armed network of Jamaat-e-Islami, its Chhatra Shibir (students wing), and various covert organisations. "It will be totally difficult to say that there will be no attacks. Even the western world cannot say that. But we think, in Bangladesh, terrorism is like a bubble," he said, adding "We think Pakistani is harbouring terrorism. Pakistani needs to explain her position on it." Inu said terrorism in Bangladesh has a legacy with pro- Pakistani Jamaat-e-Islami which take a position against the culture of the country, religions of other people. "This is a particular phenomenon which is not in the Middle East, Pakistani or Afghanistan. So, these terrorists are ruthless. They don't belong to Bangladesh," he added. Noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan today alleged large-scale corruption in functioning of dental regulator DCI and demanded that it be handed over to Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha committee overseeing work of MCI. In a press conference, Bhushan accused top brass of Dental Council of India of seeking bribes in giving permission for setting up of new colleges and expansion of existing ones, besides involvement in "gross" financial irregularities. He alleged that several of members of DCI, including President Dibyendu Mazumder were holding their posts "illegally". The DCI, however, rubbished all allegations, saying it was following all laid down procedures and rules. "Dr Mazumder is a regular professor working full-time in government of West Bengal Health Services. He misused first term of his presidentship to get his membership from one university in Jharkhand without following rules and regulations of the Dentists Act. "Besides, DCI has only issued a congratulatory letter and till date his membership has not been duly notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare," Bhushan alleged. The allegations, made by him, range from financial irregularity to creation of bogus colleges and faculty, improper conduct of elections and harassment of those people who were raising voices against corruption. Bhushan also claimed that seats were being increased without commensurate improvement in infrastructure, and a few persons have also been caught by the CBI taking bribe. DCI member Dr Shaji K Joseph, who was present along side Bhushan also alleged that DCI's secretary was "illegally appointed". Bhushan demanded that a committee of inquiry be appointed and action should be taken in this regard, adding CBI cases in this connection should also be expedited. And, the DCI should be superseded and handed over to the Lodha panel. Mazumder, reacting to the allegation said, "His appointment was legal. And, it need not be notified as only members falling in certain categories (3A and 3F) need notification, as made in the Delhi High Court verdict in a case in 1995. My appointment does not belong to that category, so the allegation is baseless." "The allegations of corruption and financial irregularities also do not have any base," he said. The Supreme Court, early this year had appointed a three- member Oversight Committee headed by ex-CJI R M Lodha to oversee functioning of the Medical Council of India, which regulates medical practice in the country, for at least a year. DCI monitors over 300 dental colleges across the country, and most of these colleges also offer post-graduation courses, besides bachelor programmes. (REOPENS DES 30) Bhushan, in the press conference, also said that like the MCI, similar reforms are needed in DCI. "The situation of DCI is similar to the MCI and hence similar reforms are needed. The whole electoral system is wrong that needs to be corrected. We are saying that should be done under an independent body like the Election Commission. Lot of irregularity happening during inspections too, and it should be videographed," he said. The noted lawyer said, a letter would soon be sent to Justice Lodha seeking these reforms. Bhushan alleged 1,187 Master in Dental Surgery seats in 2012-2013 (more than 200 per cent of previous academic) were alloted. And, the biometric attendance system had been scrapped by Mazumdar so as to escape irregularity being found. "One can understand expansion in a college, but doubling of seats, point to something fishy," he said. The DCI president, however, rejected the charge and said, "biometric system is functional." Bhushan said, people who are raising voices against corruption in the system DCI are being "victimised", just like Sanjiv Chaturvedi was harassed, as has become evident after the CAT's ruling yesterday. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has quashed orders passed by Health Minister J P Nadda and AIIMS President and its Director, indicting him for alleged indiscipline and lack of work ethics during his tenure as Deputy Secretary in the Institute. The Dental Council of India - a statutory body - was constituted on April 12, 1949 under an Act of Parliament. It is financed mainly by grants from the central Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Department of Health). Union minister Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), an NDA constituent, is heading for a split with the party today suspending an MP and an MLA for alleged anti-party activities. Based on the recommendations of party's disciplinary committee chief and MP Ram Kumar Sharma, the National Council has decided to suspend Lok Sabha member Arun Kumar and MLA Lallan Paswan for indulging in anti-party activities, said a statement by RLSP's Principal General Secretary Shivraj Singh. RLSP which had contested the 2014 general election with BJP as an ally has three Lok Sabha MPs in Bihar. They are Upendra Kushwaha (Karakat), Arun Kumar (Jehanabad) and Ram Kumar Sharma (Sitamarhi). It has two MLAs in 243-member Bihar Assembly -- Lallan Paswan (Chenari) and Sudhansu Sekhar (Harlakhi). The statement said former national general secretary Binod Kushwaha has also been suspended, besides the two. A rival faction headed by Arun Kumar had on August 17 held a meeting at Patna which was attended by Lallan Paswan and others and removed Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development (HRD) Upendra Kushwaha and appointed Kumar as new party chief in his place. Infighting intensified in the RLSP whose majority leaders had moved away from JD(U) before Lok Sabha poll in 2014 to form a new party and join hands with BJP. Now the dissenting faction is accusing Kushwaha of having links with people allegedly involved in hawala trade. Reacting to his suspension, Jehanabad MP Arun Kumar told PTI today that the suspension was "illegal" and holds no relevance as the party's national council had on August 17 removed Upendra Kushwaha as chief of the party. MLA Lallan Paswan also trashed the suspension saying it was "undemocratic" and the group led by Kushwaha did not have the right to take action against them. Both Kumar and Paswan said they would soon approach the Election Commission to recognise them as real RLSP. They said they would stay in NDA. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is our leader. We fought election in his name so we would continue to work under his leadership in the NDA," Kumar said. While Paswan has dissented, the second MLA Sudhansu Sekhar said he would remain with Kushwaha. Sekhar was elected from Harlakhi seat after a by-poll following the death of his father Basant Kushwaha who died a day before the new legislators were to take oath in November last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BRICS countries can cooperate mutually for the development of smart cities and other infrastructure and the nations can learn from each other, Rajasthan Chief Minister said on Friday. In a keynote address at BRICS Smart Cities Conference here, Raje said that innovative urban environmental management practices made in Saint Petersburg in Russia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil, Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Shanghai and Beijing in China could be implemented in India keeping in view the conditions here. "Member countries of BRICS can learn many things from each other. The collaborations within BRICS shall strengthen ties and improve our appreciation of each other's cultures and peoples," she said. The Chief Minister said that exchange of experiences and the sharing of solutions among urban development managers and scholars shall surely help in making our cities better, safer and more resilient. "Growth of population in urban settlements is posing many challenges. It has placed additional loads on the infrastructure in every city. Our thinking is that cities of tomorrow require technology-driven inputs to make life of our citizens easier and safer," she said at the conference ahead of the BRICS Women's Parliamentarian Forum meeting to be held on Saturday. The Chief Minister said smart cities are of little use without smart citizens. "To make our citizens smart and skilled, our government has taken skill development as a top most priority. We have engaged with numerous partners in skilling up our youth in a wide range of trades. ITIs have been taken up by industrial houses to impart skills and all our industry partners are collaborators in creating job and imparting world class training to our youth," she said. Raje informed with support from the government of India, Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota and Udaipur are being developed as smart cities. A Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) official and his wife were among three persons today convicted and sentenced to varying terms by a CBI court in a disproportionate assets case against them. CBI Principal Special Judge Kantha Kumar convicted and sentenced BSNL Sub Divisional Engineer (Legal), K Raju to two years rigorous imprisonment (RI) while his wife R Valarmathi was sentenced to one year RI for acquiring properties worth Rs 58.86 lakh between October 1991 and September 2004 disproportionate to their known sources of income, an official release said. Chartered Accountant Ashok Kumar Jain was sentenced to two years jail term in the case for arranging fake sale jewellery receipts to the couple, it said. The couple were asked to pay a fine of Rs 36,000 while a fine of Rs 85,000 was imposed on Jain. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With Tamil Nadu government deciding to move the Supreme Courtto get its share of Cauvery water, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaih today said his government is also ready for thelegal battle. "Tamil Nadu is accusing us for not releasing its share of water. It has said it will approach the Supreme Court. Our government is also ready for the legal battle," he told reporters here. Stating that he had written to the Prime Minister informing him about the deficit rainfall in the Cauvery catchment area, he said when it had rained the state had released water, but now the situation was such that there will be difficulty to release water even under the distress formula. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa yesterday told the state Assembly that the government would soon file apetition in the Supreme Court to get its share of Cauvery water from Karnataka. Stating that Tamil Nadu should understand the reality, Siddaramaiah questioned, "What should we do when there is no water?" He said Hemavathi, Harangi, Kabini, Krishnarajasagar reservoirs should have had a total of 114 TMC ft water by now, but there was just 52 TMC ft. In that 40 TMC ft should be set aside for drinking water. "Still we are releasing some amount of water to Tamil Nadu. The issue can be solved if it rains in the days to come," he added. Ruling out the possibility of talks on the issue with Tamil Nadu, Siddaramaiah said "if they go to court, we will also go." On the Mahadayi issue with Goa, the Chief Minister said the government has decided to approach Supreme Court against the tribunal's interim order rejecting its claim of water from the inter-state Mahadayi river for a drinking water project. Violence had erupted in the city on September 12 with dozens of buses and lorries with Tamil Nadu number plates beingset on fire as mobs vented their fury over reports of some incidents of attack on Kannadigas and their properties there. It had flared up soon after the apex court gave its amended order, directing Karnataka to release 12000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu till September 20. Both opposition parties BJP and JD(S) have said that government should not agree to release water to Tamil Nadu. State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa has urged thestate government not to release water to Tamil Nadu "no matter what the consequences are". "The state government must say it is well-nigh impossible due to existing circumstances and stick to this stance in the interest of the people in general and farmers in particular," he said. CBI has taken over investigation in the Bulandshahr gangrape and dacoity case in which a woman and her minor daughter were assaulted by a gang in July. The incident had taken place when six members of a Noida-based family were travelling to Shahjahanpur in western UP. At the highway passing through Bulandshahr, their car was stopped by criminals who dragged the 13-year-old girl and her mother out and raped them in a field nearby. The Allahabad High Court had ordered CBI to take over investigation in the case. CBI Spokesperson Devpreet Singh said the agency has registered a case under IPC sections related to dacoity, gangrape, kidnapping among others besides provisions of POCSO Act. "CBI took over the investigation of case No.838 of 2016 registered at Police Station Kotwali Dehat, District Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) on the allegations of abduction, dacoity and rape of a lady and her daughter by five-six assailants in fields situated in village Dostpur, district Bulandshahr in the intervening night of 29/30 July 2016," the spokesperson said. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) today signed an MoU with University of Latvia for establishment of an academic chair for ayurveda research in the European nation. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by CCRAS Director General Vaidya K S Dhiman and Valdis from University of Latvia in the presence of AYUSH Secretary Ajit M Sharan and Stella Ankrava, first secretary, Lativa Embassy. "A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and University of Latvia on establishment of an academic chair in Ayurveda was signed today," the AYUSH Ministry said in a statement. The MoU will provide a structured framework for taking forward academic and research activities in Ayurveda through deputation of an Ayurveda Professor to the University of Latvia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chinese government is holding chief editors of websites personally liable for content, months after several portals posted material that was seen as embarrassing to President Xi Jinping. State media reported yesterday that the new rules placed responsibility squarely on head editors, saying sites must monitor their content 24 hours a day to ensure "correct orientation, factual accuracy and appropriate sourcing." The new rules were discussed at a meeting in Beijing this week convened by the government's Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and involving 60 media executives and industry scholars, according to the official Xinhua Agency. The rules reflect the Xi administration's efforts to ratchet up control over Chinese media and cyberspace, which has touched both traditional state propaganda outlets and private sector media companies. Although efforts by Chinese internet censors to purge sensational rumors, unwanted political content and pornography are nothing new, a series of high-profile gaffes in recent months have intensified scrutiny of news portals, which are seen by the majority of the 700 million Chinese internet users. Tencent, one of China's most popular websites, fired its top editor after a July headline mistakenly said Xi delivered a "furious" instead of "important" speech commemorating a Communist Party anniversary. The two words are similar in the Chinese spelling system. In March, an online portal called Wujie published inadvertently apparently a letter calling for Xi's resignation and warning of dangers to his personal safety. The post garnered widespread attention among Chinese political observers and led to the detention of several writers and editors. The Chinese leader made a high-profile tour of state media outlets in February to demand closer adherence to the Communist Party line, while the CAC, the country's internet censor, investigated the editorial operations of eight web companies several months later. Chinese web companies are permitted only to republish content produced by closely regulated traditional media outlets under longstanding, though loosely enforced, media laws. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high-ranking Chinese Army General has committed suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping pills, the third military official to kill himself this month. Major General Chen Jie, 54, who had organised Hong Kong's handover ceremony in 1997, killed himself by taking an overdose of sleeping pills, Hong-Kong based South China Morning Post reported today. He was the political commissar of a major army group under the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Southern Theatre Command. His funeral will be held in Shenzhen on Saturday. "Chen was a rising star. He was to receive a promotion on August 6, just a day before his death. He took a large number of sleeping pills on August 5 in the dormitory of a subordinate regiment in Shenzhen. It was a pity," the Post quoted sources as saying. Chen was the third senior PLA officer to have ended his life within a week since the beginning of the month, it said. The first in the trio of suicides was a publicity director of a political office of the Southern Theatre Command based in Nanjing. Then Senior Captain Li Fuwen, director of the navy's logistics enterprises management centre, leaped to his death from a building in the navy's complex in Beijing on Friday last week, it said. The suicides followed investigations launched by the military's corruption investigator against General Tian Xiusi - the former political chief of the air force and a member of the ruling Communist Party's elite Central Committee. Military watchers said the series of suicides suggested President Xi Jinping's campaign against graft within the PLA had entered a second round, the Post report said. Around 40 PLA officials including two former leading generals - Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong who headed the PLA during the previous President Hu Jintao regime were indicted in corruption probes in the anti-graft campaign launched byXi who succeeded Hu in 2013. While Xu died of cancer, Guo was recently sentenced to life after pleading guilty to various allegations including taking hefty bribes for promotion of officers. However, there was no conclusive evidence showing that Chen's suicide was related to the corruption crackdown, the Post report said. Chen joined the army at age 15 and went on to play a key role in Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China in 1997. He was one of the very few Chinese military personnel sent to the city weeks beforehand to help arrange the transition. "These suicides were the effect of recent intensive probes into senior officials like Tian. Many senior officials were found to have close links with property developers amid the recent crackdown of the army's paid-for services," Liang Guoliang, a Hong Kong-based military analyst told the Post. In March, the Central Military Commission announced the PLA and the armed police must end their so-called paid-for services within three years. Barracks and warehouses would no longer be rented out. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Justice of India Justice T S Thakur today stressed the need to fill the vacant post of judges to clear the pendency of cases and said that in case the vacancies are not filled, it becomes a challenge to clear the backlog of cases. "It becomes a National challenge for the Judiciary to clear backlog at the earliest in the High Courts where the vacancies of judges are more and required to be filled," he said while addressinga gathering after laying the foundation of National Law university and inaugurating the Hostel block of HP Judicial Legal academy at Ghandal, 15 km from here. Referring to the vacancies of Judges in High Courts, the Chief Justice said that "It is an inexorable process as the studies show that instance of cases was directly related to literacy and prosperity." "People now are quite literate and conscious of their rights and seek shelter of the courts even for their petty grievances," he remarked. Though the pendency in the Himachal Pradesh High Court has reduced by 50 per cent, which is commendable performance, Thakur said that he did not hear about any such reduction in other High courts. He said that 80 per cent of backlog was mainly in eight states including UP, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and observed that the burden of backlog of cases brings the entire judicial system at halt. Praising the Himachal and Kerala High Courts for clearance of backlog, Thakur said that the reason for this was that the number of vacancies in these High Courts was quite less. Quoting example of Himachal High Court, he said that against sanctioned strength of 13 judges, 11 judges are in place and only two vacancies existed. He said that as per the information given to him ,there were disposal of 33,240 pending cases in HP High Court and as many as 2,51,325 cases in sub-ordinate courts. Calling for optimum utilisation of the Judicial Academy, the Chief Justice of India said that it should not remain idle even for a day and besides imparting training to Judicial staff it should also train other stake holders exercising quasi-judicial functions, law students and the public. He said that there was a growing feeling that after investing so much in judicial academies, will it be fully utilised to serve the purpose round the year and to address this concern, the state academies need to maintain liaison with National Judicial academy to chalk out the curriculum of the courses throughout the year with purpose of training so that the stateacademies did notremain un-utilised or idle. "I will urge the Chief Justices of State and the judges that not even for a day, the academy remains un-utilised or its motive is defeated," he said and asked to prepare special training modules for the purpose. Thakur also assured the Chief Minister that he will take up the matter with the Prime Minister and if need be with the finance Minister for additional funding to the State government for completion of National Law University. "Though judiciary does not intervene in such matters, but for me Himachal is the second home as my better half belong to Himachal," he said in a lighter vein. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh expressed concern over the pendency of cases and said that this deprives people of speedy justice and stressed that a law should be enacted to adopt the dynamics of the ever evolving society. The Chief Minister said that despite hugeexpansion inJudicial set upin the State, the pendency of cases had increased and added that it was the duty of High Court to clear the pendency. He urged the CJI to take up the matter regarding additional funds for National Law University with the Union government. Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh, Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir said that judicial education was essential for enhancing the quality and improving the standards of justice, adding that independence of judiciary depends upon public confidence and also on that how well the judges are doing their jobs. He said judicial academies were responsible for planning and providing initial and continuous training to judges and court officers to enhance the quality of dispensation of Justice. Mir said that the academy had launched help desk on its website where the judicial officers can view the reading material, videos of previous lectures and can ask questions from the academy. The academy was also preparing Himachal Series named ILR which was sent to the judicial officers by e-mail to apprise them about the latest law laid down by the High Court, he added. Shiv Sena leader and minister of state Arjun Khotkar, who is facing allegations of corruption levelled by AAP, today said he has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to conduct an inquiry into the charges against him. Khotkar has submitted a letter to Fadnavis asking for detailed probe into the matter. The Minister of State for Textile, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, who met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray this morning, later said he has decided to file a defamation case against the AAP leader for "maligning" his image. Addressing a press conference here two days back, AAP national spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon had alleged a Rs 525-crore scam in Jalna Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) under the chairmanship of Khotkar. She accused Khotkar of "looting" the APMC and treating it like his fiefdom. Menon had claimed that Khotkar had siphoned off Rs 500 crore by selling 1500 shops owned by the APMC to merchants. She demanded that a probe be conducted by a retired judge of high court. Late last evening, Khotkar met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and submitted a letter stating that a probe be conducted against him. "I am representing Jalna assembly constituency since 1990. I had been elected (to the Assembly) four times and this is the fifth term," Khotkar said in his letter. "I have been heading the Jalna APMC since 2008. My image along with other directors of the APMC has been maligned as Aam Aadmi Party leader Preeti Menon made baseless allegations against me," Khotkar added. "I urge you to conduct a detailed probe against me,", Khotkar further stated. During his meeting with Thackeray, Khotkar apprised his party about the allegations and the "facts" of the case. After his meeting, Khotkar told reporters that he has decided to file a defamation case against Menon. Meanwhile, Menon said, "We have no faith in the chief Minister. Ministers, who were charged of a scam and an inquiry demanded against them have been given a clean chit by the CM." "In the Khotkar case as well, same decision will be taken and therefore, we demand a probe by a retired judge of high court," she said and added that she would meet the CM and submit documents and the proofs against Khotkar. When asked about Khotkar's decision to file defamation suit against her, she said that she was ready to face any action against her, if she was proven wrong. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi Police constable was shot dead by miscreants while he was chasing them after they had snatched a bag from a woman in Shahabad area tonight. "Anand was chasing three unidentified miscreants who had snatched the bag from a woman in Sector 5 industrial area around 9.30 PM, when he was shot at," said DCP (Outer) Vikramjeet Singh. The constable, who was posted at sector five police chowki in Bawana, spotted the snatchers near Samosa Chowk in the area and chased them following which they fired at him, police said. Anand sustained bullet injury on the chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead, they said. The incident occurred hours after Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar, during a crime review meeting, instructed senior officials to curb street crimes in the national capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Contractual employees of power distribution companies BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna today agreed to defer their proposed indefinite strike for the time being after Delhi High Court asked the two discoms to "hear them out". Observing that "everything will come to a standstill if electricity was disrupted" in the national capital, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked the contractual employees to defer their strike, slated from August 22, till the government decides whether to impose ESMA or not. The court said that August 20 and 21 were holidays and a decision by the Lieutenant Governor on whether to impose Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) would take time. The judge said that deferring of the strike would also give the court some time to adjudicate the discoms' plea seeking directions to the government to invoke ESMA. The court further said, "Can you put the entire public to risk? Hospitals, airport, schools will not get power. Everything will come to a standstill." "You can go on strike a week or ten days later. What is so sacrosanct about August 22," it asked. The lawyer for the contractual employees then told the court the strike would be deferred if the discoms called them for negotiations, to which BSES Rajdhani and Yamuna agreed. The court fixed August 22 for holding meetings between the senior officials of the discoms and the representatives of the contractual employees' union and listed the matter for further hearing on September 14. The judge, however, made it clear that "the union shall be bound by their statement not to go on strike till next date of hearing" on September 14. During the hearing, the lawyer for the contractual employees told the court that they were only involved in billing and collections and had nothing to do with power supply. She also said that ESMA would not apply to them as they were contractual employees. She alleged that the strike was called as they were not given any holidays or even minimum wages and also against the "hire and fire" policy of the discoms. Delhi government, meanwhile, said the representation of the discoms to invoke ESMA has moved from Department of Power to the Home Department and from there to Commissioner of Police for assessment of the law and order situation. The government also said it would recommend invoking of ESMA, but it has to receive the approval of the LG. The response of the government came after the court on August 17 had asked what decision has been taken on the discoms' representation for invoking ESMA. The query came on the pleas of the two discoms, which had contended that apart from providing electricity to the people of Delhi, they were also responsible for power supply to hospitals, for street lighting, traffic signals and the airport. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today took a jibe at the opposition parties on the issue of Dalit atrocities in Una, saying they were trying to keep the issue alive "to defame Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP". "The opposition parties are interested in keeping the issue alive to defame Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP. Though the (Una) incident was unfortunate, the political parties are fanning it to stop BJP from coming to power in Uttar Pradesh," Rupani said at a event here. "Figures of cases of atrocities on dalits across the country prove that Gujarat is one of the state where crimes against them are low," he claimed. Rupani rubbished Congress' allegation of '300 percent increase in the cases against Dalits in Gujarat' as "false". "When we compare crime against Dalits during past Congress rule in Gujarat and during the BJP rule, the cases have decreased in BJP regime," he said. Rupani claimed that the state government had taken "prompt action" in the incident as all the main culprits were arrested the next day. Seven members of Dalit community from Mota Samadhiyala village of Una tehsil of Gir Somnath district were brutally assaulted by some self-styled cow vigilantes for skinning a cow on July 11. The incident sparked wide-spread protests after videos of the beating went public. Several political leaders like Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BSP supremo Mayawati had visited the families of the victims. Around 36 persons have been arrested in connection with the case so far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi High Court today asked the government to decide on the issue of surcharges levied on transactions done through debit and credit cards across the country. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra passed the direction on a plea which claimed that such charges were "unlawful" and "discriminatory" and credit or debit card transactions should be incentivised. "We direct respondents (Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of India) to decide the issue raised in the writ petition in a reasonable amount of time. They will also consider the present writ petition as a representation and pass an order," the court said. While disposing of the plea, it further said the decision should be communicated to petitioner, advocate Amit Sahni. The lawyer had moved the court seeking direction to frame guidelines in order to prevent "unlawful" and "discriminatory" surcharges being levied on debit and credit card transactions. Maintaining that India was one of the most cash-intensive economies in the world, he said there was an urgent need to incentivise credit or debit card transactions and dis- incentivise cash transactions. Sahni, in his PIL, said the "unlawful, unequal and arbitrary treatment is visible on the payment of petrol charges through credit and debit cards". The petitioner had also said the ministry and RBI were "responsible for making rules/guidelines and for monitoring banks across the country". He also claimed that the surcharge was not only illegal, but was discriminatory too as it also promoted circulation of black money as surcharges were not imposed on cash payments. "The petitioner has noticed that illegal, unequal and arbitrary treatment is seen across the country on transactions being done through credit and debit cards by levying surcharge at the rate of 2.5 per cent or more, while such surcharge is not levied when the payment of such transaction is done by making cash payment in that regard...," the plea had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Police today came under severe attack from AAP, Congress and BJP for making public the name of a rape survivor while Delhi Commission for Women sought stringent action against the erring officials. In a press release issued yesterday, the northeast district police had mentioned the name and other details of the 12-year-old victim while sharing information about the case including her abduction and repeated sexual assault over a period of 10 years. The girl was reunited with her family recently. Reacting strongly, AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai called it an example of "utter insensitivity" of Delhi Police and referred to an FIR against Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal for allegedly mentioning the name of a rape victim. "This is utterly insensitive and unprofessional of Delhi Police. It is a cognisable offence and if they were so prompt in registering a case against Swati Maliwal, what action will they take against the erring officials. Their merely issuing an apology on WhatsApp is not acceptable," he said. Taking suo motu cognisance, the Delhi Police, last month, had filed an FIR against Maliwal for allegedly mentioning the name of a 14-year-old Dalit girl, who died after being raped repeatedly. Maliwal had denied making the girl's name public. Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken also slammed the Delhi Police for revealing identity of the victim and demanded a probe into it and strict action against the guilty. "It is condemnable. It is legally and morally wrong to reveal the name of the rape victim. There must be a probe into the matter and action should be taken against the guilty," he said. Delhi BJP's media in-charge Praveen Shanker Kapoor said the Delhi police commissioner should order a probe into the matter. "The matter should be examined under the purview of the law and if the officers have made mistake, the Delhi police commissioner must act against them." AK Singla, DCP(Northeast), after realising the "mistake", had issued a clarification yesterday in a WhatsApp group. When asked about the matter, Singla today said, "We hadn't revealed the new name of the girl. It was her childhood name but then we clarified and asked people not to carry the name. "Her name had earlier appeared in the media and certain media houses had mentioned her name. We had mentioned her old name at one place in the press release. We haven't disclosed her current name." The DCW chief called the police revealing the victim's name "shocking". "I never revealed the name of the victim and yet an FIR was registered against me and now why is Delhi Police shying from taking action against its own personnel who has actually revealed the name of the victim. (REOPENS DES 46) "The old/childhood name of kidnapped girl is mentioned at one place in press release issued by North East district on August 18 as part of story to link with the kidnapping. "The detailsof the girl/family was covered extensively in media earlier, when the girl had surfaced, after 10 years," said Delhi Police PRO Rajan Bhagat. Whatsappmessage was sent to all media persons that the old namemay also be avoided infurther reporting, he said. "The current identity with which the girl is staying has not been mentioned any where. "In fact, Delhi Police took great pains to catch the culprits who were involvedin the crime over last 10 years after the incident came to notice," he added. Domestic air passenger traffic jumped by nearly 26 per cent in July, registering double-digit growth for the 24th consecutive month with lower fares attracting more fliers. No-frills carrier IndiGo saw its market share climb to 39.8 per cent -- the highest for any local airline -- last month. It had a market share of 37.9 per cent in June. Latest data from aviation regulator DGCA showed that local airlines flew 85.08 lakh passengers in July compared to 67.62 lakh fliers recorded in the year-ago period. This is the 24th straight month that domestic air traffic has registered high double-digit growth, which also comes against the backdrop of many airlines offering lower fares as they compete to attract more passengers. "Indian aviation continues to soar. July passenger growth reaches a record breaking 25 per cent," Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said in a tweet. In terms of market share in July, IndiGo is followed by Jet Airways (16.3 per cent), Air India (14.8 per cent), SpiceJet (11.7 per cent), GoAir (8.4 per cent), Vistara (2.6 per cent) and AirAsia (2.2 per cent). When it comes to load factor -- a measure of seat occupancy in flights -- low-cost carrier SpiceJet emerged on top with 92 per cent in July. The same stood at 93 per cent in June. During July, IndiGo's load factor stood at 83.6 per cent, higher than 77.9 per cent seen in the previous month. Among other airlines, GoAir registered a load factor of 90.3 per cent, followed by Air Asia with 85.7 per cent while that of Jet Airways and Vistara were 83.8 per cent and 75.2 per cent, respectively. National carrier Air India registered a lower load factor of 80.3 per cent in July compared to 82 per cent in June. Scheduled domestic airlines shelled out compensation to the tune of Rs 35.56 lakh for denied boarding to passengers last month. For cancellations, the carriers gave a total compensation of Rs 23.22 lakh while the overall amount for flight delays, a total amount of Rs 61.33 lakh was given "towards compensation and facilities". According to DGCA, 1,111 passengers were affected by denied boarding, 4,796 people by cancellations and delays impacted 65,953 passengers. Last month, as many as 948 passenger-related complaints were received by the scheduled domestic airlines with maximum number coming against Air Pegasus -- which saw disruptions in its operations amid financial woes. As much as 34.2 per cent complaints were related to flight problems, followed by customer service (27.4 per cent) and baggage (17.5 per cent). The percentage of seats sold in the highest fare bucket in September was 2.8 per cent for Jet Airways, while the airline's revenue from selling tickets in that category stood at 10.9 per cent, as per DGCA data. On Tuesday, global airlines grouping International Air Transport Association projected that India would add 322 million new fliers taking the total number of air passengers to 442 million by 2035. Besides, IATA has forecast that India would emerge as the third largest aviation market, displacing the UK, by 2026. Amid a raging debate on judicial appointments, the government today said it is drawing its power to supplement the present document to guide designating judges to the higher judiciary from a Supreme Court judgement which had stressed on bringing transparency and accountability in the process. Referring to the revised draft of the memorandum of procedure (MoP), highly-placed sources in the Law Ministry today said the document is based on the "judicial directions" given by a Supreme Court bench. As the Executive and the Judiciary seek to iron out differences on key clauses of the MoP, the sources pointed the December, 2015 apex court order on ways to improve the collegium system had said the system of appointing judges should be transparent, with accountability and should have a wider zone of consideration of candidates to be appointed to the bench. Detailing the stand of the government, the sources said the Centre wants that names of candidates should come from all Supreme Court and high court judges. They explained that all judges of a particular high court should be at liberty to suggest names to the high court collegium, which will eventually take a call on whom to recommend for appointment. Same should apply for the Supreme Court. The Madhya Pradesh High Court is following the same principle, they said. The government had on August 3, sent a revised draft of the MoP to the collegium, reiterating certain clauses on which the judiciary had objections. The sources said the chief ministers, as also advocates general, should also be allowed to suggest candidates to the high court collegium of their respective states. The Attorney General, the sources said, should be allowed to suggest names of candidates for the Supreme Court. While agreeing to the demand of the SC collegium that seniority-cum-merit and not merit-cum-seniority should be the criteria for selection, the government has said that geographic reasons -- for example, too many judges from a particular high court, inclusion of SCs, STs and women, outstanding performance of a judge and poor performance of a Chief Justice could used as grounds to overlook seniority. The reasons can be recorded in writing. While leaving it to the judiciary to fix an age at which a person can become a judge, the government has made it clear that the age once fixed should not be flexible. This, the sources said, will check favouritism. Despite the Chief Justice of India rejecting the clause on having evaluation and appraisal committees that the Supreme Court and high court level, the government has once again pressed for it. The committees can have either retired or serving judges, which the Chief Justice of a high court or the CJI in case of the apex court can decide. The committee at the Supreme Court will screen the candidates before the names are sent to the SC collegium for a final call, it will also go through the records of the committees of the high courts as part of the 'double filtration' process to ensure that meritorious names are not left out. The issue of disposal of complaints have been left to the in house mechanism of the judiciary to tackle, they said. Against the back drop of outburst by CJI T S Thakur on delayed appointment of judges, the sources said between August, 2014, when the National Judicial Appointments Commission law came into being and December, 2015 when the SC order on ways to improve collegium system was delivered, the government had no say in stalling judicial appointments. In January, then Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda had written to the CJI, saying till the new MoP is finalised, appointments can place based on the prevailing MoP. They said between January and now, 52 judges have been appointed to the high courts, four to the Supreme Court and 110 additional judges in high courts have been made permanent judges. Nine high court chief justices have been confirmed and 28 transfers affected. A total of 250 proposals are in the pipeline, they said. A special court has said there is sufficient evidence to proceed further against a top executive of the heritage hotel Oberoi Maidens, in a graft case involving an IRS officer and officials of a Delhi civic body for allegedly clearing unauthorised construction. The court, however, is yet to take cognizance of the offences made out and has directed the CBI to approach the concerned authorities for sanction to prosecute the public servants accused in the case. The CBI, which had earlier filed a closure report in the case, had again filed a supplementary closure report but the court said the contents of the final reports and the material placed, clearly showed the involvement of all the accused. CBI had in October 2013, lodged a case under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against some officials of North Delhi Municipal Corporation and Executive Vice President of Hotel Oberoi Maidens, Raja Raman Shankar. The public servants named in the FIR were IRS officer and Deputy Commissioner of the corporation Hamendra Kumar, then superintendent engineer of Civil Lines Zone Rajesh Wadhwa, then executive engineer A K Singh, then Assistant Engineer Suraj Prakash, Junior Engineer Pushan Vishwas, then mate of the Zone Satish Kumar and then Assistant Engineer of Rohini Zone M K Gupta. While perusing the closure report, the judge said, "The contents of the final reports and the material placed before this court clearly show the involvement of all the accused persons in issuance of the above said letter (issued by corporation to hotel's executive vice president) dated May 2, 2013, which was issued for the sole purpose of extending benefit to the hotel authorities in restoring the demolished structure of their ground floor portion under the garb of carrying out some repairs." "The transcripts of the recorded conversations also show the existence of a criminal conspiracy between the accused public servants and other accused Raja Raman Shankar (hotel official) for issuance of the said letter against the payment of some bribe amount," Special CBI Judge M K Nagpal said. The court said the contents of the final reports and other material placed before it were "sufficient" to take cognizance and proceed further in the matter against all accused for the offence of criminal conspiracy read with criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australia will block the sale of its largest electricity network to foreigners, the government said today, as two Chinese bids for the grid were rejected over national security concerns. Canberra has become increasingly concerned about the purchase of Australian infrastructure and land by foreigners, and recently banned a sale by the country's biggest private landowner to a Chinese-led consortium. Treasurer Scott Morrison last week said in a preliminary decision that bids by China's State Grid Corp and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings for a 99-year lease on 50.4 per cent of Ausgrid -- the electricity grid of its most populous state of New South Wales -- were "contrary to the national interest". Morrison confirmed the decision on Friday, saying he had "made an order under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act prohibiting the proposed acquisition by foreign investors" of Ausgrid under the current proposed lease structure. "The acquisition by foreign investors under the current proposed structure... Of the lease of 50.4 percent of Ausgrid... Would be contrary to the national interest," Morrison said in a statement. The lease of Ausgrid was estimated to raise more than Aus$10 billion (USD 7.6 billion) for the New South Wales government to help fund new infrastructure investments in the state, which is home to the nation's biggest city Sydney. Both Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings and State Grid Corp already have investments in numerous Australian state energy infrastructure. Morrison's announcement last week was slammed by Chinese state media, with the official Xinhua agency calling the latest decision "absurd and almost comical". The decision came just months after the government introduced tougher rules for the sale of major Australian state-owned infrastructure to private foreign investors after concerns about a 99-year lease for the Port of Darwin to China's Landbridge Group. Canberra also recently knocked back the sale of the country's biggest private landowner, cattle firm S. Kidman and Co., to a Chinese-led consortium, citing national interest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The country's foreign exchange (forex) reserves surged by $73.2 million to touch a life-time high of $365.82 billion in the week to August 12, helped by increase in foreign currency assets, the Reserve Bank said on Friday. In the previous week, the reserves had increased by $253.6 million to touch $365.75 billion. Foreign currency assets (FCAs), a major component of the overall reserves, increased by $81.6 million to $340.36 billion. FCAs, expressed in dollar terms, include the effect of appreciation/depreciation of non-US currencies such as euro, pound and yen held in the reserves. The country's special drawing rights with International Monetary Fund declined by $3.2 million to $1.49 billion, while the reserve position was down by $5.2 million to $2.39 billion, RBI said. on Friday said its board has approved demerger of its diagnostics business into another group firm Fortis Malar Hospitals, a move aimed at ensuring independent growth of hospital as well as diagnostics business verticals. Company's board approved a proposal to demerge its diagnostics business, including that housed in its subsidiary SRL Ltd into another majority-owned subsidiary, Fortis Malar Hospitals pursuant to a composite scheme of arrangement and amalgamation, said in a regulatory filing. As part of the process, Fortis Malar will sell its hospital business to by way of a slump sale for a lump sum cash consideration of Rs 43 crore. "Upon the composite scheme becoming effective, and subject to receipt of requisite regulatory and statutory approvals, the diagnostics business of Fortis Healthcare, including that housed in SRL would be vested in Fortis Malar," it said. The name of Fortis Malar will subsequently be changed to SRL, the company which is proposed to be listed on the National Stock Exchange in addition to its current listing on the BSE, it added. Fortis Malar operates a hospital in Chennai. "We believe this will unlock immense value for all the shareholders. As a result of the new synergistic groupings, both the hospital and diagnostic businesses will benefit from greater clarity, a stronger focus and an independent growth trajectory," Fortis Healthcare Executive Chairman Malvinder Singh said. Equally, this will enable the accelerated pursuit of their respective business goals while empowering them to reach their fullest potential, he added. Upon the effectiveness of the composite scheme, Fortis Malar would issue and allot to the equity shareholders of Fortis Healthcare, as on record date, 0.98 fully paid up equity shares of Rs 10 each for every 1 equity share of Rs 10 each held by them in Fortis Healthcare. The equity shareholders of SRL will be issued and allotted 10.8 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Fortis Malar for every 1 equity share of Rs 10 each held by them in SRL as on record date. Appointed date for the slump sale, demerger and merger under the composite scheme is January 1, 2017. "Our hospitals and diagnostics businesses continue to perform equally well. However, in the longer term, they have a growth path of their own requiring distinctive strategies," Fortis Healthcare CEO Bhavdeep Singh said. The new arrangement resulting from the demerger will harness these unique capabilities and strengths, unlocking value by combining the flexibility with a focus on rapidly scaling up operations, he added. Fortis Healthcare shares on Friday ended at Rs 187.80 apiece on the BSE, down 3.27% from previous close. Palestinian police searching for weapons clashed with gunmen in the West Bank city of Nablus today, leaving four people dead, Palestinian officials said. The firefight erupted last evening after officers entered Nablus's Old City, a densely populated warren of alleyways that was one of the flashpoints of the second Palestinian uprising between 2000 and 2005. The shooting was still continuing on Friday morning, security forces spokesman Adnan al-Damiri said. Nablus governor Akram Rajub said that two police had been killed in the operation as well as two gunmen, both of whom he said were on a police wanted list. Under the 1993 Oslo accords with Israel, Palestinian police are only authorised to operate in 18 percent of the occupied West Bank, encompassing most of the major Palestinian towns, including Nablus. The northern West Bank has seen a number of Palestinian police raids in recent months. The area has witnessed factional infighting within the ruling Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman and her three minor children were killed while her husband and their another child sustained injuries after a tree fell on them due to heavy rains in Chhattisgarh's Sarguja district, police said today. "The incident took place near Jatgaon village on Lundra- Dhaurpur road when the victims were heading to Jori-Birma village on a motorcycle to celebrate Raksha Bandhan last evening," Sarguja Additional Superintendent of Police Ramkrishna Sahu said. The deceased were identified as Sunita Gond (30), Ishwar (12), Neha (3) and Khushi (1), he said. Her husband Nilesh Gond(40) and daughter Chhoti (1), who were injured in the mishap, were admitted to a local hospital of Ambikapur district headquarters, the ASP said. The victims were natives of Batgari village in Lundra region, located around 350 kms away from the state capital of Raipur. The family was travelling on a motorcycle to the village of Sunita's parents to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. When they reached near Jatgaon under Lundra police station, a big tree got uprooted due to heavy rainfall and strong winds and fell on the family, leaving four of them dead on spot, the ASP said. After getting information, a police team immediately reached the spot and rushed the victims to Lundra government hospital where Sunita and her three children were declared brought dead, he said. A case has been registered in this connection, the ASP said, adding that a probe was underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bullish on India's growth, major French companies will be investing about euro 8 billion in the country in next few years. "Leading French companies will invest some 8 billion euros in Indian market over the few years," French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler said on the sidelines of a CII event here today. French majors had already invested euro 20 billion in the country accounting for the third largest FDI inflow from the European country. In his presentation, the ambassador emphasised that France did not look at India as just a market but as a partner and so it participates strongly in 'Make in India' along with innovation. "There is 25 research and development centers by French companies in India," Ziegler said. West Bengal has, however, failed to attract French investment in a big way so far and accounts for just four per cent of total French FDI in India, he said and hoped that more companies from his country will find interest in the state. Many French companies are likely to participate in the Biswa Bangla summit early next year, he informed. Ziegler said though the discussion was fruitful no policy-related matters were discussed. Replying to a question on safety, Ziegler said security matter is a global concern but France has taken all measures to protect its people. Ziegler, who is here on his 3-day visit till August 20 also met state Finance Minister Amit Mitra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hurriyat Conference leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained today after they tried to visit Aripanthan village in Budgam district where four persons were killed in CRPF firing on Tuesday. Geelani was arrested soon after he came out of his Hyderpora residence here to offer Friday prayers in Aripanthan, a spokesman of the hardline Hurriyat Conference said. Mirwaiz, who was carrying a placard which read "stop state terrorism", was also taken into preventive custody when he tried to lead a march to Aripanthan from his Nigeen residence in the outskirts of the city, moderate Hurriyat Conference said in a statement. The separatist camp, which has been spearheading the ongoing agitation in the Valley, had called for a march to Aripanthan area of Budgam for protesting against the killing of four persons in CRPF firing on August 16. Meanwhile, the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake here witnessed a protest demonstration shortly after Friday prayers. Soon after the prayers ended at the shrine, people who had gathered there, shouted slogans to protest the killings in the ongoing unrest and in support of "freedom", officials said. They said the demonstration later ended peacefully. While the Friday prayers were held at the shrine, no prayers could be offered at Jamia Masjid, the grand old mosque in downtown Srinagar where Mirwaiz usually delivers the sermons ahead of the prayers, for the sixth consecutive Friday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A nine-year-old girl in China's Anhui province was shot dead by three hunters who mistakenly believed her to be a rabbit, police said. The incident took place when three suspects, surnamed Zhang, Wu and Luo, all residents of Lu'an, went hunting in a pick-up truck with a high-pressure air gun and saw the girl, surnamed Wu, playing on farmland. "Zhang shot the girl in the head with the gun from the pick-up truck. The men then found the 'prey' was a girl and fled. The girl's parents later took her to a hospital, but she died of serious injuries," state-run Daily quoted police as saying. The three suspects surrendered in to police on August 15 and confessed that they mistakenly shot the girl, thinking she was a rabbit. The suspects were detained and the case is under further investigation. Governor-designate of Punjab V P Singh Badnore today called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him about his upcoming assignment. Badnore, who will also be the administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh, discussed about various aspects of his new role, official sources said. 68-year-old Badnore, who hails from Rajasthan, was appointed as the Governor of Punjab on Wednesday. He was also given responsibility of administrator of Chandigarh yesterday after NDA ally Akali Dal and Opposition parties in poll-bound Punjab protested Centre's move to appoint retired IAS officer K J Alphons as administrator of the UT. Had the central government appointed a separate administrator for Chandigarh, it would have reversed the 32- year-old system of Punjab governor being the Chandigarh administrator. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid buyer complaints of realtors not delivering housing projects on time, senior government functionaries today asked developers to live up to their promises, and ensure consumers do not suffer endless delays in possession. "There is a huge responsibility on all of you to be equally responsible to ensure that consumers don't suffer. Consumers have suffered at the hands of many real estate companies across India. They promised houses, and not delivered in time," NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant said addressing a NAREDCO conference. Asking the industry to work with "self discipline", he said that credibility of the sector will go if consumers suffer at the hands of developers. "I hope that you will discuss that because if the consumers suffer, the credibility of industry goes and nobody will trust the industry in future. That is why, it is important that we live up to our words... We ensure that there is greater level of professionalism," he added. Echoing the sentiments, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said given that India's aspirations and expectations are changing, not sticking to delivery timelines will lead to "complications". "Therefore the most important point I would like to highlight for your consideration is to reclaim the credibility quotient of the segment," Prasad said. He lauded the role of developers who had done "very well" in meeting the expectation of the consumers, but said that a handful of black sheep bring a bad name to the sector. "There needs to be an honest introspection," he pointed out. The comments come at a time when real estate projects are facing construction delays, and dreams of homebuyers to get possession of their new flats has turned into an endless nightmare. Earlier this week, real estate firm Unitech was directed by the Supreme Court to deposit Rs 15 crore principal amount by September-end to pay back investors who had bought flats in its Gurgaon project, but did not got possession on time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The AAP government today said that it will place the GST Bill for ratification before the Delhi Assembly during its four-day session beginning August 22 if it receives official communication about the Bill from the Centre. Apart from Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Kejriwal government will also table two Bills during the Session which include a proposal of doing away with the luxury tax on hotel room renting up to Rs 1500 and the other one is related to Ambedkar University. The AAP government has already made it clear that it is in favour of GST, which would subsume a number of indirect central and state levies. Although the AAP dispensation and the BJP-led Central government have been at loggerheads on several issues, the former said that it will ratify the GST Bill in the Assembly during the upcoming session as it will increase the state government's share in taxes. The GST bill, seen as single biggest tax reform in a long time, needs to be ratified by at least 15 state legislatures before the President can notify the GST council which will decide the new tax rate and other issues. The AAP government is also all set to introduce a Bill in the Delhi Assembly to do away with luxury tax on hotels having rent up to Rs 1,500 after Lt Governor Najeeb Jung gave his approval to the proposal. As per the Delhi Tax on Luxuries Act (1996), any person who stays in a hotel room whose tariff is Rs 750 per day or above, has to pay luxury tax. In March, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had announced that the government would reduce the threshold limit of luxury tax on a hotel room from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500 per day while presenting the 2016-17 budget. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi High Court today directed Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to "gracefully" vacate the government accommodation she has been residing in with her two sons. Payal, who has been residing at 7, Akbar Road bungalow since 1999, however, refused to move out and urged the court to pass an order. The court then said a detailed order will be passed with regard to the time within which she and her children will have to vacate the bungalow. "Will you gracefully evict or I should pass an order?" Justice Indermeet Kaur asked Payal's counsel, who categorically stated that the court should pass the order. The judge also orally observed that every person who retires from the office has to move out. The judge also noted that Delhi Police will provide security to Payal and her children, who are 'Z' and 'Z plus' security protectees, during their stay in the capital. On August 16, a trial court too, had asked Payal to move out of the house in Lutyen's zone here. The high court was hearing Payal's plea seeking that she and her children be not evicted from 7, Akbar Road (type VIII) bungalow here or an alternative accommodation be provided in view of their security status and threat to their lives. The Centre, however, opposed her contention to retain the accommodation on the ground of security threat and said it is for Delhi Police to ensure her safety for her stay here. The Centre, through its counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, appearing for Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), submitted that there is no substantial reduction in the security given to Payal since she started living in the present bungalow. "Delhi Police will take care of the security personnel who will be deployed at the residence where she will move," the MHA counsel said. The Centre told the court that government accommodation, on security grounds, is given only to SPG protectees. It said that a "general threat to them is perceived from Kashmiri militants for being the family member of Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, and in Delhi their threat quotient is assessed to be not as high as in Kashmir". The Centre also said there is "no input with it indicating any specific or imminent threat to Payal Abdullah". The high court had on July 12 given protection to them against eviction. The Jammu and Kashmir government opposed Payal's stay in the bungalow, saying it was faced with an extremely piquant situation as it does not have an appropriate accommodation to house the Chief Minister in Delhi befitting her position and security imperatives. Meanwhile, Payal has filed an application seeking perjury proceedings against a Central government official for filing a false affidavit before the court that she and her children are not central government protectees. In their plea, Payal and her children have claimed that the Centre, through a letter dated September 9, 2015, allotted the bungalow to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as the Chief Minister's residence with retrospective effect from August 11, 2009, without following the due process of law which was thus illegal. They contended that the website of the Department of Hospitality and Protocol of Government of Jammu and Kashmir shows that the residence of Chief Minister of the state was 5, Prithviraj Road. Their petition filed through advocate Amit Khemka, claimed that they moved high court as Omar Abdullah in his response to the estate officer's show cause notice had said he was no longer in occupation of the premises and, hence the authority was free to take over the premises. The petitioners, including the couple's two children, have sought parity with Priyanka Gandhi, Subramanian Swamy and several others who have been granted government accommodation on security grounds. The petitioners have contended that the eviction order was passed without allowing them to lead evidence and without granting any personal hearing to them. As per the eviction order, the petitioners were given 15 days to vacate the premises. Payal, in her plea, said she has a flat in the city, but it would be "totally insufficient for making elaborate security arrangements for their protection" as there were other flats in the same building. Delhi High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking quashing of government notifications declaring nilgais and wild pigs as vermin, leading to their culling in various states. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal refused to entertain the plea after the counsel for Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated that the decision to cull the animals was a temporary measure. Central government standing counsel Shiva Lakshmi said that states have reported harm to life and property including large scale destruction of agriculture due to over-population of wild pigs outside forest areas. So the Centre, in one of its recent notification, declared wild pig as vermin. "The notifications in response to requests of respective state governments are based on ineffectiveness of available options. Even though state governments requested for declaration of these animals as vermins for three to five years, the notifications have been issued for one year only in order to understand the impact covering all seasons. "Furthermore, the notifications are valid for the said limited period," the Centre said. On this, the court observed that since the notification was limited to some states and was only for a year, no order was required in the writ petition and dismissed the plea. The court order came on the plea by one Salek Chand Jain, seeking a direction to the Centre to provide devices developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute to farmers to keep away vermins including nilgais and wild boars instead of killing them. The plea had said that according to Constitution, states should endeavour to protect and improve environment to safeguard forest and wildlife and alleged that the National Board for Wildlife has failed to discharge its duties. It had alleged that following a 2015 notification of the Centre declaring Nilgai and wild boars as vermin in Bihar for a year, nearly 500 nilgai were killed in last six months by hunters "unscientifically". The first notification issued by the Ministry dated December 1, 2015, declared nilgai and wild boar as vermin in some districts of Bihar for one year. The second notification, dated February 3 this year, declared wild boar as vermin in some districts of Uttarakhand for one year, while the third notification issued on May 24 declared rhesus macaque (monkey) as vermin in certain districts of Himachal Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court today expressed its displeasure over a letter by Tamil Nadu Home Secretary in connection with allocation of funds and judicial staff, saying it appeared the official was sitting in appeal over validity of the Supreme Court orders on implementation of the Justice Shetty Commission's recommendations. The First Bench comprising Chief Justice S K Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan made the observations during the hearing of a PIL by TN Judicial Ministerial Officers Association praying for a direction to the state government to pay compensatory allowance to the staff attending Lok Adalats on holidays. "It appears that (Home Secretary) Apurva Varma was sitting in appeal over the validity of the Supreme Court judgements relating to implementation of the recommendations of Justice Shetty Commission," the bench said, referring to the letter. The commission headed by the retired Supreme Court judge Justice K Jagannatha Shetty, had made recommendations on the the service conditions, including the pay structure, of subordinate court employees. Referring to the proposals that were sent to the government, the Home Secretary in his August 9 last letter addressed to the court Registrar-General, had said these involved an expenditure of Rs 30.18 crore for sanction of 1,344 additional posts and that it was not in line with the recommendations of Justice Shetty Commission in the strict sense. He had requested judiciary to reconsider the proposals and send revised ones. The bench found fault with the wording in the letter. Additional Advocate General Mani Shankar conceded that the letter was not worded properly and necessary affidavit will be filed in this behalf. The bench said it would have taken a more serious view in the matter. "But the AAG assures us that these matters will be sorted out by the next date," it said, posting the petition to October 21. When the PIL came up for hearing in January last, the bench had pulled up withthe government on the issue of sanction of the required staff for the judiciary. It had then noted that even the proposal for increasing the strength of judges in the high court from 48 to 60, submitted in 2007, was sanctioned only in 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A hijab-clad Muslim woman, who was evicted from a rally in January, has been booted out of his campaign event again after handing out pens inscribed with the word 'salam' which means 'peace'. Rose Hamid said a member of the Republican Presidential candidate's security staff removed her from the event in Charlotte, North Carolina, even before the rally began on the pretext that she was causing a "disturbance". "I just wanted to let people know that Muslims who don't support Trump can get along with people who do support Trump," Hamid told WBTV News. At the event, Hamid was handing out pens, decorated with a single red rose and the word "salam" which in Arabic means "peace" and is used as a greeting. "I thought it was sweet. I loved the little saying on it," a Trump supporter was quoted as saying. Hamid said she was inside the rally having positive conversations with Trump fans. "Those are the reactions I was getting. It was such a good experiment," Hamid said. This was the second time Hamid was kicked out of a rally after she was evicted from the business tycoon's event for a silent protest in January. However on Thursday, she said it was her pens that sent her packing at the hands of a Trump staffer. "He claimed that I had been at several other disturbances, which is a lie. So that tells me they have a prejudice against Muslims," she said. She also expressed concerns over what life may be like for her under a Trump presidency. "The fact that he wouldn't allow me to be there says this is what America is going to be like if he's president," she said. The Republican presidential candidate had previously provoked global outrage by calling for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US and forcing them to carry special ID cards. Trump has since backed down on the proposal and appeared to deliver an apology to people offended by a string of controversies at his rally on Thursday night. Having made her Bollywood debut with heavy-duty period film, "Mohenjo Daro" actress Pooja Hegde feels a light-hearted love story as the next project would be an ideal choice for her. "Ideally, I would want to do a fun romantic movie. Though I don't mind another period film because I always go for the story and my role more than the genre, I do feel working on something light and easy would be better right now. I want to do a film where I can walk in jeans on the sets!" the actress told PTI. The 25-year-old actress says as a viewer she has enjoyed watching films like "Dil Chahta Hai" and "Band Baaaja Baaraat" and would want to do movies with contemporary setting. "I loved watching 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani', 'Band Baaja Baaraat' and 'Dil Chahta Hai'. These are the kind of movies I want to do. I like romantic dramas, love stories are my favourite genre. I have watched 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' more than 100 times! And now, I like all Imtiaz Ali films. I would love to do something like that." Despite the poor critical response to the Hrithik Roshan-starrer, Pooja is happy that people liked her look and performance in the movie. "I have read a lot of reviews on social media and yes, there has been mixed response to the film. But I am happy that people have liked me. They have praised my look and said they want to see more of me. I think that is a very good thing." The actress feels it is hard to establish oneself in the industry as an outsider but she is keen to sign her next project soon. "I was contractually bound to not sign anything till 'Mohenjo Daro' release. I feel lucky that many people have called me after the film, showing interest in signing me. I hope to make some interesting announcements very soon. "I know it is not easy for outsiders in Bollywood but I am mentally prepared for the struggle. I feel if you have talent and belief in yourself, things work out in the end." Hegde was full of praise for her co-star, Hrithik, saying the actor helped her immensely during the shooting of film, set during the Indus Valley Civilisation. "When you first look at Hrithik, all you see is how good looking he is. He for sure appears as a Greek God... But once you start working with him, the good looks become secondary and his genuineness shines through. "He has been very gracious and kind towards me even during the promotions, though he didn't need to be. That shows his nature and character. After working together for more than two years, we have now become good friends. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Underlining that cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the field of Information and Broadcasting will help "combat" terrorism and "misgivings", New Delhi and Dhaka have agreed to broadcast their respective national TV channels in each other's country. Bangladesh has also asked India the list of nearly 8000 soldiers who laid their lives during the Liberation War so that they could be honoured for their contribution. The two sides have also agreed to cooperate on film making, preparing documentaries on the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the father of Bangladesh. Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who met his Indian counterpart Venkaiah Naidu, also raised the issue of broadcasting Bangladeshi channels in India and mooted a proposal whether India consider lowering the fees for SAARC nations. "With joint production of documentaries on history, culture, we can counter rumours, false propaganda. Terrorists thrive on false propaganda. "To diffuse the poverty bomb, we need to diffuse the communal bomb. We need proper dissemination of information in all these sectors," he said today, adding that it requires a "collective" and "multi-dimensional" approach. The two countries have also decided to have MoU under which information could be shared under which a Joint Working Group of Officers will be formed immediately. He also mooted a proposal before Naidu to have slots on religion in Doordarshan as Doordarshan have no slots to discuss religion and history. "What I discussed with the I&B Minister (Naidu) is that can we dedicate a particular time in Doordarshan, Akashwani, for history, regional cooperation, culture and religion, particularly to combat terrorism. The two sides will have also agreed to cooperate on film- making and training professionals from mass media like journalists and even civil servants. "India has also sought cooperation in archival section as the first Devdas produced in South Asia is with Bangladesh," Inu said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Turkey today discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in key areas of security, days after Turkish government had requested closure of all institutions connected with Fethullah Gulen, blamed for last month's failed coup to topple President Tayyip Erdogan. During their wide-ranging talks, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is here on his first official visit, reviewed entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on important global and regional issues of mutual interest. "There were discussions also on the terrorist attacks in Turkey and the internal developments in Turkey, including the recent coup attempt. In this context, the Turkish side briefed about the role of Fethullah Gulen-led organisation (FETO) in the attempted coup," an official source said. Earlier this month, Turkey had asked India to act against the institutions affiliated to the network of Fethullah Gulen, to which India had said that it was "looking into" the request. On the multilateral front, there were discussions on the need for reform in UN Security Council, sources said, adding India's application for the membership of NSG also featured during the meeting. "Turkey confirmed support for this as it had earlier for India's membership of MTCR," the source added. The two countries also finalised a "roadmap" for cooperation between the two countries in a wide variety of fields including regular exchanges between the two countries at the political and official level to discuss bilateral matters as well as important global and regional issues of mutual concern. On the economic front, priority was given on convening the next session of Joint Economic Commission (JEC), which has been a very useful bilateral mechanism to discuss ways for increasing the bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The annual bilateral trade last year was USD 6.3 billion. Cooperation for building closer economic ties through Joint Committee Meetings, Joint Working Groups, closer cooperation between business and industry associations and participation in trade fair and road shows is envisaged, sources said. Other areas of bilateral interests were cooperation in the fields of culture, education, energy, tourism etc. The two ministers exchanged views on the regional developments, particularly in West Asia, where the security situation has become alarming from the perspective of both the countries, sources added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two analysts in South Africa have claimed that as Indians were benefitted under apartheid they should not be included in government's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) schemes. Both analysts were commenting on findings that the Indian population had seen the fastest growth in per capita income in recent years, as shown in a report by Standard Bank this week. Economist Professor Bonke Dumisa had claimed that Indian South Africans were prosperous due to "being less oppressed during apartheid", while another economist, Dawie Roodt, was reported as saying that "there were no grounds for Indians to remain beneficiaries of black economic empowerment policies". Both of them were commenting on a research report commissioned by Standard Bank, but the bank's economists Goolam Ballim and Siphamandla Mkhwanazi, said their comments were "misrepresentations by third parties" of its report that was meant to assess how incomes of South Africans have changed in the recent past using mostly publicly available information. Standard Bank, however, distanced itself from claims by the two analysts. "At no point does the report refer or analyse income pre-1994 (apartheid-era), and as such no comparisons were made between apartheid and post-apartheid income distribution," the bank representatives said in a statement. The bank officials listed in detail the practical discriminatory practices imposed on the Indian community from the time that Mahatma Gandhi led resistance to them at the turn of the last century during his tenure here. The statement that Indians "benefited" from apartheid is (therefore) in defiance of history and conscience. Indeed, it is defiance of the very principles of exclusion that Mahatma Gandhi railed against following his arrival in the country in 1893. "Gandhi, like all Indians at the time, was forced to carry a pass, and in 1896 was witness to legislation in which Indian voting rights in what was then Natal were restricted,". Standard Bank said its study had proven that the Indian community has benefited from freedom since 1994, when Nelson Mandela led the first democratically-elected government; and not from apartheid. "This is a source of inspiration, rather than a moment for regress and discrimination," the bank added. Indian South Africans have long been considered to have been disenfranchised under apartheid alongside Blacks and Coloureds by the South African government, which officially defines 'Black' as including all these communities as well as Chinese-origin South African citizens. The call by the economists to exclude Indians from BEE schemes was dismissed by many leading Indian-origin South Africans. Veteran political activists Swaminathan Gounden and Kay Moonsamy conceded that Indians might have been lesser impacted than Africans by apartheid practices, but not enough to justify their exclusion from BEE projects. Businessman Mickey Chetty, who is also the president of the multi-national International Movement for Tamil Culture, strongly rejected the economists' views. "It is disgusting to think that we as Indians were given handouts. We worked hard for what we have and got where we are today because of consistent efforts to better our lives and those of our children, despite the apartheid-era restrictions," Chetty said. Neeshan Balton of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, which aims at promoting non-racialism, said that while the Standard Bank report highlighted the increasing levels of inequality and poverty in South Africa, the interpretation to exclude Indians for empowerment was "ill considered". Irked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks over adversities faced by BJP, Friday hit back, accusing the ruling party's erstwhile avatar the Jan Sangh and RSS of being "collaborators" of the British during the freedom struggle. Targeting the Prime Minister for "trivialising" the freedom struggle, the party said that Modi should not only take back his "shameful" statement that BJP had faced more adversities in independent India as compared to what did during the British rule, but should also apologise. "They were collaborators of the British," the party's senior spokesman Anand Sharma said, making a scathing attack on Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the Sangh Parivar and Veer Savarkar. He claimed that Mookerjee wrote to the then Bengal Governor on how to combat the Quit India movement. "It does not behove the Prime Minister to lower the dignity of his office by making a statement which is factually incorrect and an insult to the freedom fighters, to Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and thousands of others who made manifold sacrifices during India's struggle," he said. Seeking to puncture the Prime Minister's statement, he said that BJP has been in power at the Centre or has been part of the governments there or an outside supporter for 13 long years and that was the time that Nehru spent in jail during the British rule, Sharma said. "The British Home Department file from 1942 has all the circulars from RSS. The Bombay Home Secretary said the Sangh has scrupulously kept within the law and refrained from taking any part in the disturbances of 1942," he said. He said that RSS decided to not take part in the Quit India Movement and it decreed that no member of the Sangh should participate. This was there in a letter written by Mookerjee to the British Governor of Bengal, Sharma said. Noting that BJP and the Prime Minister have tried to appropriate Sardar Patel, he said that Patel's views on RSS can be gauged through a official communique from the Government of India, which banned RSS and Hindu Mahasabha. "Post India's independence, Modi ji needs to be reminded that his colleagues and his party are direct beneficiaries of India's freedom, India's Constitution, India's democracy which allowed and empowered him, his colleagues, his party...", Sharma said. Japan will request a record defence budget next year amid growing worries over North Korea and tensions with China, reports said today. The defence ministry has decided to seek 5.168 trillion yen (USD 51.5 billion) in spending for the fiscal year starting April 2017, up 2.3 per cent from this year's initial budget, Jiji Press reported, citing unnamed government sources. If approved by parliament, the budget package would mark the fifth straight increase and a new record, it said. Top business daily Nikkei and other media also carried similar reports, which a defence ministry spokesman said he could not confirm. The budget plan includes strengthening Japan's ballistic missile defence system, following missile launches by North Korea this year, the reports said. It also includes plans for a new land-to-sea missile as part of moves to beef up the defence of Japan's remote southern islands, the reports said. Those include populated ones as well as the uninhabited Senkaku chain, claimed by China which calls it Diaoyu. The top selling Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported earlier this week that Japan plans to develop a new land-to-sea missile with a range of 300 kilometres (190 miles), far enough to reach the vicinity of the disputed islands. Friday's reports come two days after Japan lodged a fresh diplomatic protest against China, accusing it of again sending coast guard ships into waters surrounding the disputed, but Tokyo-controlled, islands in the East China Sea. The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over the islets and ships of the two countries regularly play cat and mouse in the waters. China is also involved in maritime disputes in the South China Sea and it reacted angrily last month to a UN-backed tribunal ruling that its claims over most of the vital trade artery were invalid. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jharkhand Urban Development minister C P Singh today said the way the state was touching the heights of progress it will be the most prosperous state in the next ten years, an official release said here. Addressing a programme - Fortune India Patrika - organised in New Delhi, Singh said Jharkhand was progressing rapidly on the path of development. Due to political stability, he said Jharkhand could utilise its natural resources appropriately for all round development and in the coming decade the state would become developed. The nature has given bounty of things and the only thing was their appropriate utilisation for development, he said while inviting industrialists to invest in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will leave for Goa tomorrow, on his third visit in last four months, to bolster Aaam Admi Party's prospect in the western India state going to polls next year. The AAP sources said Kejriwal is expected to return to the national capital on Monday. "The thrust will be on interacting with the people of the state during his visit," said a party leader. The AAP has been trying hard to make inroads into the BJP-ruled state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State John Kerry called up Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah in a bid to douse the simmering tension between the two Afghan leaders and save the Unity government formed as a result of his intervention and mediation two years ago. "The Secretary spoke with both President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah just this morning about the importance of continuing to move forward with the political and economic reforms that they're trying to enact and that all those reforms," State Department spokesman John Kirby said. "We understand that they are hard to come by, will be key to try to get to that kind of future in Afghanistan," Kirby told reporters amidst reports of sharp differences between Ghani and Abdullah. Last week, Abdullah lashed out at Ghani saying that the latter was unfit for the office he holds. Ghani and Abdullah came to power two years ago after a deal for a Unity government was hammered by Kerry following a disputed election in 2014. Kerry made several trips to Afghanistan but spent quite amount of his time and energy in negotiating the agreement between Ghani and Abdullah, in the absence of which many fear the country would have collapsed into chaos. The differences between Abdullah and Ghani coming out in open might have an adverse impact on Afghanistan. The State Department says it wants the government to continue to complete its full term of five years. However, a State Department official conceded they were not fully confident given the sharp exchange of words between the two camps of the Afghan government. In a speech last Thursday, Abdullah said Ghani was unfit to govern the country because he has failed to work collaboratively and implement pledges of introducing electoral reforms. "You don't have time to see your chief executive one-on-one for even an hour or two over a period of three months," Abdullah said. "Unfortunately, statements made by his excellency Abdullah Abdullah yesterday were in contradiction to the spirit and morale of the governance," said a spokesman of Ghani a day after. Kerry's phone call to Ghani and Abdullah is seen in this context. The State Department did not say if the calls were made separately or he talked to them in a conference call. Talking about the USD 13 billion deal in which Russia's state-controlled oil giant Rosneft and its partners acquired India's second biggest private oil firm Essar Oil, Toner said it is not in violation of any US-EU (European Union) sanctions against Russia. "I don't think we see any violation of any US or EU sanctions stemming from this deal," he said while responding to questions about the deal. "We've seen the reports in general about this oil deal. I'd refer you to the governments of India and Russia," Toner said. Describing Kolkata as the safest city in the world, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today showered praises on the city's police force for doing the best in the country. "Kolkata is the safest city in the world. Kolkata Police is doing a great job. In India, it (Kolkata Police) is doing the best job," Banerjee said at a cultural programme organised by the Kolkata Police at Netaji Indoor stadium here this evening. She said compared to the city's huge population Kolkata Police personnel were less in number and people should come forward to help it to curb crime. "Police cannot do everything single handedly. They need the co-operation of the citizens also," Banerjee said. With cyber crime going up, Banerjee said students too should come forward to draw attention of the police towards any such activities. Banerjee in the evening inaugurated Kolkata Police Law Institute, which will commence a special three-year LLB course from the 2016-17 academic session. Located on Diamond Harbour Road, this institute which has been granted affiliation by Calcutta University will offer the LLB course approved for serving officers of Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A foreign airline has been directed by the national consumer forum to compensate a passenger for cancelling a flight and not informing them, holding the carrier responsible for deficient service. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that there was deficiency in service towards the passengers and directed the Kuwait Airways Corporation to refund the ticket amount of Rs 59,516 and pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 to a couple from Rajasthan. "It was their duty to contact the complainants and try to resolve their grievances, rather than expecting complainants shall approach them from time to time for getting the said refund. This kind of attitude on the part of petitioner itself constitutes deficiency in service towards the complainants," the bench presided by B C Gupta said. According to the complaint, Ajay Gupta had booked two tickets to travel on April 18, 2010 from Frankfurt to New Delhi, by the airline and the flight was cancelled without giving any intimation to them. Gupta and his wife had to stay in Germany for three days and took a flight back to Delhi three days later by Gulf Air after paying Rs 59,516, it said. Kuwait Airlines contended that the flight was cancelled due to a volcanic eruption and gave them return tickets for April 24. A district forum had rejected their contention and directed Kuwait Airways to pay the ticket amount Rs 59,516 and Rs 50,000 as compensation towards mental agony. The airline had then approached the NCDRC with a revision petition after the state commission dismissed its appeal. The apex commission, while dismissing the revision plea, noted that the airport became functional on April 21 and this fact was mentioned in the written statement filed by the airlines. "However, the Airlines did not make any alternative arrangement for travel of the complainant and his wife from Frankfurt to Delhi till April 24, because of which they had to purchase tickets from another airlines, for which they spent additional amount of Rs 59,516," the Commission observed. The volcanic eruptions had occured near Eyjafjallajokull area in Iceland with its ash clouds covering large areas of northern Europe. About 20 countries in Europe had closed their airspace to commercial air traffic for about a week, affecting millions of travellers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The last rites of army jawans Ajijul Mollah and Joy Dip Ghosh, who were killed in Kashmir earlier this week, were conducted today with full military honours. The last rites of Mullah was conducted in his native place at Baduria in North 24 Parganas district of Bengal. He had been killed in Rajouri. The last rites of Joy Jit Ghosh was conducted at Hingolganj aslo in the district. He along with another soldier and a policeman were killed when militants attacked their convoy at Khojabagh in Baramulla district in the early hours of Wednesday. Brigadier H S Sandhu and local MP Idris Ali were among those who were present along with district officials. They also visited the bereaved families. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amity University fact finding committee has given clean chit to the authorities and some faculty members in the death of a law student whose family has accused them of abetting his suicide. In its interim report submitted today, the panel observed that the college and faculty were following the rules and regulations of the Guru Gobind Singh IP University. It will submit the final detailed report once investigations are over. Meanwhile, the accused professors whose suspension was being demanded by student's union and family members of the law student, have submitted their resignations. Amity spokesperson Savita Mehta today said, "The seven-member committee which was to submit report today has sought some more time...And in view of the sentiments of students the two professors have submitted their resignation." Sushant Rohilla (20), a fourth year student of BA-LLB course in Amity Law School, had last week allegedly committed suicide at his residence in south Delhi's Sarojini Nagar area. Demanding a probe into the incident, his family members and friends, had staged a protest outside the college here on Tuesday, and alleged foul play by the authorities. The student, son of a joint secretary-level official in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, was barred from appearing in the sixth semester exams in May due to "shortage of attendance". According to his family, Sushant and 19 other students, who were not permitted to take the exams, were promised that they will be allowed to take the exams and promoted to the next semester. In the interim report, the committee said since the director and senior faculty have been asked to go on leave, it could not meet them due to paucity of time, Mehta said. The committee found that the college authority had been liberal by extending all possible support to enable him appear the exam. Rohilla's attendance was only 29 per cent, it said. Even by giving additional attendance for activities like moot court competitions, the level of attendance was as low as 43 per cent. His case could not be considered consequent to BCI and GGS IP University Regulations, it said. The college had informed his parents many a times through e-mails. The student and his father were intimated by ALSD on July 11 about detainment due to attendance shortage and about the opportunity for readmission in fourth semester, the committee said. It said the faculty was following rules laid down by GGS IPU and Bar Council in regards to attendance and also did its best to give extra attendance for extra-curricular activities. The college also fulfilled its duties in continuously informing the student and the father about the shortage of attendance and its consequences leading to detainment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former "Dallas" star Linda Gray is returning to TV after signing up to join the cast of long-running UK series "Hollyoaks". The 75-year-old actress, who played Sue Ellen Ewing in both incarnations of the US soap, will play the mother of Lysette Anthony's character Marnie Nightingale in the Channel 4 programme, reported Contactmusic. "I'm thrilled to be going from one iconic series to another," said Gray, promising her character, Tabby, would "whip up a storm just like Sue Ellen did". Gray appeared in the first episode of "Dallas" in 1978 and went on to appear in more than 300 episodes. She reprised the character when the show was briefly revived in 2012. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Miami Beach now has cases of Zika infection that appear to have been locally transmitted, US media has reported, suggesting that the mosquito-borne virus is spreading in Florida. The Miami Herald reported yesterday a new zone of Zika transmission has been identified in the resort city, citing unnamed local health sources. The New York Times also reported "a cluster" of Zika cases most likely transmitted by local mosquitoes in Miami Beach, citing an unnamed health official. The report described "a handful of cases" in which Zika likely spread among people in close proximity to each other. It added that an official announcement could come later yesterday or today. Last month, Florida announced its first cases of local Zika transmission in Miami, in a one-square mile section of the arts neighborhood of Wynwood, north of downtown. Florida now has 35 cases of local Zika transmission. A total of 25 of those cases have been traced to Wynwood. Contacted by AFP, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health declined to comment on the Miami Beach reports. She said investigations are ongoing in "areas in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties where local transmissions of Zika may have occurred." However, the state health department "still believes active transmissions are still only occurring in the area that is less than one square mile in Miami-Dade County." Florida is so far the only state in the mainland United States where local spread of Zika has been reported. Florida Governor Rick Scott released a statement yesterday afternoon that called on state business and health associations to work with the tourism industry on Zika prevention and education. He also called on the state department of health to offer hotels, restaurants and attractions in Miami-Dade County mosquito spraying at no cost. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bhagwan Sahay, additional chief secretary, Maharashtra agriculture department, was today divested of his charge following the allegation that he refused to allow a junior official to go home even when the latter's son, suffering from depression, had threatened to end his life. The son eventually committed suicide before his father could reach home. The charge with Sahay was today handed to the additional chief secretary, finance, D K Jain, sources said. The employee unions have been demanding registration of FIR against Sahay. Class four agriculture department employees association has also threatened a sit-in at the office of the commissioner of agriculture, Pune, from September 7. An official from the General Administration Department said Sahay had been asked to give explanation. "For now he has been divested of his charge," the official added. According to Rajesh Ghadge, joint secretary, agriculture department, on the afternoon of August 12 he got a call from his 23 years old son who was suffering from depression. The son asked him to return to their house in Navi Mumbai at the soonest, failing which he said he would end his life. Ghadge requested Sahay to let him go home early, but Sahay allegedly refused. A distraught Ghadge again pleaded with him as he got another call from his son, but in vain. The son committed suicide before Ghadge could reach home. Agriculture Minister Pandurang Phundkar had yesterday said he had ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident. President of class four employees association of agriculture department, Bhausaheb Pathan, demanded that the probe be completed in time and Sahay be transfered immediately. Senior Shiv Sena leader and MLC Neelam Gorhe expressed concern that such an incident had happened in Mantralaya, the Government headquarters, and called for a humane response by the administration in such circumstances. She also demanded in-depth inquiry into "high-handed" behaviour of senior officials. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra today exhorted Chinese companies to invest in sectors, including infrastructure, to help accelerate economic growth of the state and the country as well. "On behalf of Maharashtra Government, I invite Chinese companies to invest and intensify co-operation. They should look at Maharashtra state as a destination which will increase our bi-lateral trade between India-China as recommended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Maharashtra Industry Minister Subhash Desai said. The Minister further said that the Indian manufacturers should follow the Chinese methods of manufacturing products and services of international qualities at an affordable price. Such expertise will not only lift the quality of the Indian products and services but will also give them an edge in to international market, he told reporters after inaugurating 'China Guangxi Products Exhibition (India) 2016' here. China's knowledge in areas like water and waste management, alongwith its experienced urban planners and administrators will provide a necessary push to the growth of Maharashtra and India, he added. Ma Jixian, Deputy Director General of Commerce of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, said so far Guangxi has set up seven ventures in India. We see great trade opportunities between India and China. Desai urged Chinese trades and industry to popularise 'Make in India' tag into China, just like the popular 'Made in China' tag in India. India needs USD 1 trillion investment in infrastructure and China's expertise and investment in this sector will be continuously sought after, he added. The Department of Commerce of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China is hosting three-day 2016 CGPE exhibition. It has been supported by the China Embassy and Consulate Offices in India, Mumbai Chinese Enterprise Association (MCEA), Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC) and India-China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCCI). This is the first time for the Government of Guangxi is independently hosting the exhibition to showcase its products and services. Around 58 Guangxi enterprises will exhibit in this event, with 65 booths and 2,700 square meters of (the exhibition) area. The exhibitors' business cover the field of light industrial products, arts and crafts, foodstuffs and native produce, medicine and health care, machinery and electronics, metals, minerals and chemicals, textile and clothes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Militants today attacked a BSF camp in Karnah area of Kupwara district, injuring three security personnel and triggering a gunfight, police said. The camp, in Nachin village, targeted by the militants houses an ammunition depot, a police official said. He said three BSF personnel were injured in the initial exchange of fire and were being airlifted to Army's base hospital in Srinagar for treatment. As the gunfight was on, reinforcements were rushed to neutralise the militants, the official. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To celebrate Mother Teresa's canonisation ceremony in Vatican on September 4, sisters of Missionaries of Charity, which was founded by her will celebrate the occasion with the poor for whom the nun worked all her life. "We will express our gratitude to God at a special mass. We will rejoice with the poor people with special food and drinks ... We want to continue with our dedication," Sister Lysa, Assistant Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity (MoC), told reporters here. She said it will be an unforgettable day for the sisters of the organisation which they will celebrate with the poorest of the poor. A group of around 40-50 nuns from different parts of the country will be present at the ceremony led by Missionaries of Charity Superior General Sister Mary Prema, she said. Archbishop Thomas D'Souza said altogether 45 bishops from all over India will be travelling to the Vatican. To mark the occasion a series of events will be held in the city where the Mother lived and worked. The events include a film festival, installation of her statue, a walk by faithfuls from Loreto Convent to Mother House, art exhibition, cultural programs and special masses. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India today made a case for modifying the methodology for calculating the Global Innovation Index (GII) so that it reflects the conditions existing in developing nations. The issue, among others, was discussed during a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Director General Francis Gurry here. "It was discussed that the methodology of calculating GII also needs to be studied and changed, as appropriate. The parameters should be reflective of the needs and conditions existing in developing nations," the ministry said in a statement. According to the GII 2016 report, India's rank improved to 66 from 81 last year, a jump of 15 places. 'GII 2016: Winning with Global Innovation' was the result of a collaboration between Cornell University, INSEAD and the WIPO as co-publishers, and their knowledge partners. Sitharaman also told Gurry that WIPO should have an external office in India, which will be in the best interest of both the organisation and the global IP regime. India has already submitted a formal proposal in this regard, and is ready to offer free-of-cost premises for opening the office. To spur an innovative ecosystem across the country, it was proposed that states be ranked on a similar basis. India has requested WIPO to undertake this study, the statement said, adding that WIPO DG has agreed to examine this request. WIPO and the Indian Patent Office are co-operating in training of various IP examiners and other stakeholders, it added. To this end, an international training course is being organised in RGNIIPM jointly with WIPO Academy in September. India has also requested WIPO to consider opening a regional training academy in Nagpur. Both parties also agreed to organise a conference in May, 2017. The Commerce Minister also announced setting up of a taskforce on innovation, which would suggest new ideas on best way forward in inculcating an innovative temperament in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Within hours, towering, fast- moving flames had ravaged pine forests near the California ski town of Wrightwood but only half of its more than 4,500 residents had heeded mandatory evacuation orders. Officials say it was another example of a disturbing trend in the state as infernos speed through drought-starved vegetation during what could be California's most hazardous fire season on record. Instead of heading for safety, many homeowners are staying put and dialling 911 for help, US Forest Service spokesman John Miller said "We have seen that throughout the state this year," said Miller, who is assigned to San Bernardino National Forest. Crews, however, aren't always able to reach those who stay behind. Some say wildfires have now become a part of living in the wildlands. Kim Boyle, who has experienced a half-dozen wildfires during her decade in Wrightwood, said she would evacuate if she saw a fire actually burning in town. "But it'd have to be closer for me, and I think that's true for a lot of folks around here because they've been through this so many times," she said. The fire 60 miles east of Los Angeles cast an ominous gray-and-orange haze over the picturesque town at an elevation of 6,000 feet that's known for its 1930s cabins. The blaze began Tuesday in the Cajon Pass region in hot, gusty conditions and swallowed an undetermined number of homes as it scorched nearly 50 square miles in mountain and desert areas. Air tankers bombarded rugged slopes with fire retardant yesterday and a squadron of helicopters dropped load after load of water. On the ground, firefighters and bulldozers worked to protect Wrightwood and other areas high in the San Gabriel Mountains. More than 34,000 homes and some 82,000 residents were under evacuation orders at one point. No fire-related deaths have been reported so far in that blaze, but bodies have been found during other fires that prompted mandatory evacuations. In June, authorities found the burned remains of a man and woman who were caretakers of property in an area where an evacuation order had been issued near Potrero, about 45 miles east of San Diego. It was a moment of elation for Mumbai-based graphic designer Karen Vaswani when she got to know that a logo designed by her has been chosen by Vatican as the official emblem for the canonisation of Mother Teresa next month. Vaswani's design depicts the classic pose of Mother Teresa looking affectionately at a child whom she holds in her arms. Mother Teresa, the Albanian nun who spent most of her life in Kolkota helping the poor and downtrodden, will be declared a Saint by Pope Francis in Vatican on September 4. "I was elated and thrilled to hear that my design has been chosen as the official logo by Vatican for the canonisation of Mother Teresa," the 44-year-old designer said. Vaswani said she was approached in April by archdiocese of Kolkata to design a logo for the canonisation celebrations. As her work was very much liked by Fr Brian Kolodiejchuk, the postulator in Rome, it was chosen as the logo for canonisation of Mother Teresa internationally. "While designing the logo, I focused to keep it very simple because I was aware that it will be used across media, including print and digital, and social network around the world," said Vaswani. "My creative work was liked by the chief of the Missionaries of Charity (in Kolkata) and in Rome. It was approved for its international use," she said. Vaswani, who is active in philanthropic work, said the Victory Chorus Line, choir of Our Lady of Victories Church in Mahim, will perform at the NCPA Theatre here on the occasion of the Mother's canonisation. The date of canonisation of the Mother, founder of Missionaries of Charity and a Nobel laureate, was announced by Vatican in March, after a meeting of the "Ordinary Public Consistory", comprising the Pope, Cardinals and promoters of sainthood causes that concluded the sainthood process. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a counter-attack after Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of insulting freedom fighters, BJP today said the Congress of today does not represent the Congress of freedom movement, claiming that Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel would have never thought it would become a "family concern". Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also took a dig at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi after he tweeted a Sanskrit shloka to target Modi, saying he will have to first find out who tweeted on Gandhi's behalf and also his knowledge of history before he responds to comments. Citing participation of RSS founder K B Hedgewar in the struggle against the British rule, he also highlighted the "role" of RSS and BJP in liberation struggle for Goa and Hyderabad besides in movement against the Emergency to underscore the "sacrifices" made by them. After senior Congress leader Anand Sharma quoted Sardar Patel to target RSS, Prasad accused the party of quoting him "selectively" and insulting him "institutionally" as he noted that Patel was given Bharat Ratna in 1991 by the then Chandra Shekhar government, almost four decades after he died. "Does the Congress party of today represent even one per cent of the essence of the Congress party of the freedom movement? Nehru and Patel would have never thought that it would become a family concern," he told a press conference. Prasad insisted that Modi in his speech at a BJP even did not undermine the role of the Congress in the freedom movement and recalled that he had praised Nehru in his August 15 speech. RSS was banned twice and Jana Sangh, the forerunner of BJP, in Emergency, he said, adding that no reason was found to ban RSS leading to repeal of the ban. Earlier, BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said, "British used to repress Indians. Congress has been repressing rivals. It imposed the Emergency and threw all rivals behind bars. Repressing rivals has been part of its policy," He also referred to the death of Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in a Jammu jail during his protests against the stand of Congress on Kashmir issue. "We are giving due respect to all freedom fighters. Lakhs of people made sacrifices. India's struggle for freedom started in 1857. The past governments glorified a few people. Bhagat Singh was mentioned as a terrorist and Chandrashekhar Azad's sacrifice was hardly acknowledged. We are making amends and glorifying everybody," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepal today conveyed to India the steps being taken by Prime Minister Prachanda to promote political stability by resolving all contentious issues, besides initiatives to speed up post-earthquake reconstruction. Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Special Envoy Bimalendra Nidhi, in a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, apprised her about the priorities of the new government and appreciated India's goodwill and support to the peace process in the Himalayan nation. Swaraj noted that India attaches the "highest priority" to its relations with Nepal, and offered full assistance and cooperation for Nepal's economic development. Official sources said, in his meeting with Swaraj, Nidhi shared the vision and priorities of the new government, noting that implementation of the Constitution to promote political stability was a focus area. "Discussions were very warm and cordial in accordance with the unique ties that India shares with Nepal," a source said. The Madheshi issue figured in the meeting and the Nepalese envoy is understood to have conveyed to Swaraj that efforts are on to fulfil the demands of the community. He told Swaraj that priority of the new government was to take the Constitution and peace process forward by addressing all issues through a process of consensus building between all major political parties, and focusing on post-earthquake reconstruction efforts. Nidhi appreciated India's assistance for Nepal's economic development and emphasised the need to strengthen bilateral partnership in all areas, including development co-operation. "Swaraj appreciated the initiative of Prime Minister Prachanda to send Nidhi as his Special Envoy to India. She said that India stands ready to work closely with Prachanda's government and to welcome him in India soon on a bilateral visit," the source said. There was also a discussion on possible high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in the coming months, including the invitation to President Pranab Mukherjee to visit Nepal as well as a visit by Prachanda to India. Earlier, Nidhi met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and also called on President Pranab Mukherjee. In his meeting with Mukherjee, Nidhi reiterated the invitation to him extended by his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari to visit Nepal at his "earliest convenience". "Dates for these visits will be worked out through diplomatic channels," said the source. The visit of special envoy Nidhi is the first high-level visit from Nepal to India after the formation of the new government in Nepal under Prachanda. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Green Tribunal today rapped Delhi government over alleged non-utilisation of Rs 11.25 crores given to it by Railways way back in 2003-2004 for rehabilitation of slum clusters along rail tracks here by allotting flats to the inhabitants and remove encroachments. "What did you (Delhi govt) do in all these years? After 2003 you did nothing. You received the money from everybody and kept it with you for a good number of years," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said. The observation came after Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) sought to put the onus on the transport behemoth, telling the bench that Railways had given Rs 11.25 crore to it for relocation of jhuggis in 2003- 2004 and, as per the 2015 Delhi Slum and JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation policy, it was the land owning agency (railways) that was responsible for rehabilitation of slums. But Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand and advocate Om Prakash, appearing for Railways, said that rehabilitation was a state subject and money has been lying with DUSIB but they have not utilised it till date. After receipt of money, 257 jhuggi jhopri (JJ) dwellers were rehabilitated by the Slum and JJ Department by spending Rs 52 lakh, DUSIB said, adding at that time, the Slum Relocation Policy provided for allotment of 18 sq metres plots to the eligible jhuggi dwellers. "However, near about 7,750 plots of slum and JJ Department were given to DDA on loan basis for relocation of JJ cluster at Yamuna Pushta. These plots were supposed to come back to the slum & JJ Department. However, DDA has not returned the same. "In the meanwhile, a new Master Plan was introduced in 2007. The Master Plan envisaged allotment of flats instead of plots to relocated JJ dwellers. The DUSIB Act came into force in the year 2010," it said. DUSIB further said that at present, it had a number of flats constructed at Baprola and the department was prepared to start the relocation process of jhuggi basti at Azadpur and Lawrence Road, which have 389 jhuggis. "Flats at Baprola, near Delhi-Haryana border, have been constructed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The cost of each flat is Rs 22,03,000. The Government of India has contributed an amount of Rs 82,00,000 for each flat under JNNURM. "Thus the net cost of each flat is Rs 21,20,400. In terms of the scheme, the contribution of the JJ dweller for a flat has to be Rs 1,12,000 and the land owning agency which in this case is Railways has to pay Rs 20,08,400 per flat," DUSIB said. It said it was willing to pay interest at the rate of 7 per cent per annum which comes to over Rs 9.51 crore. Thus the total amount is about Rs 20.25 crore against which 101 flats can be allotted at present. "The basti at Azadpur and Lawrence Road is comprising 389 jhuggis. Assuming that 389 flats are to be allotted, the total cost thereof would be Rs 85,69,67,00 of which the share of Railways would be Rs 78,12,67,600. After adjusting the amount of Rs 20,25,15,807 already in the hand of DUSIB, a further amount of Rs 57,87,51,793 is to be paid by the Railways. "For the removal of the JJ Basti in totality, it is necessary that the balance amount is also deposited by the Railways with DUSIB within a period of two months. However, DUSIB undertakes to commence the task of determination of eligibility and resettlement the moment in principle approval to the above is conveyed by the Railways," it said. Under attack from the tribunal for failure to keep the tracks clean, the Railways have sought to shift the blame on Delhi government for not relocating slum clusters from its land by allotting them flats, despite directions of the green panel. Alleging non-cooperation by the Delhi government and DUSIB, the PSU behemoth had said the "only permanent" solution for maintaining sustained cleanliness on tracks is their rehabilitation. As many as nine Maoist sympathisers including two women, todaysurrenderedin Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Kondagaon district citing intensified anti-naxal operations in the state, police said. The naxal supporters turned themselves at Kondagaon district headquarters before Kondgaon Superintendent of Police Santosh Singh. Those who surrendered were identified as Sanajay Yadav (35), Bharat (40), Fooldhar (28), Sanjay Halami (28), Lachhuram Yadav (23), Gagra Netam (55), Sukhdev (29) and two women- Kunti (22) and Shanti Bai (28), Singh told PTI. "These Maoist supporters were active in the bordering areas of Kondagaon and Kanker districts," the SP said. They were assigned with tasks like dropping Maoist pamphlets and posters, collecting information and inputs, damaging roads, he said. In their statement, they said frequent patrolling and the increasing presence of security forces in the Maoist stronghold compelled them to quit the path of violence. Moreover, they were also impressed with the provisions ofsurrenderand rehabilitation policy of the state government besides police awareness campaign was among the other reasons which prompted them to join the mainstream, the SP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha today took recourse to his talent in theatre to attack his own party and leaders using a political satire. The play at the S K Memorial Hall in Sinha's constituency Patna Saheb unfolded in the presence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad. However, there were no BJP leaders in attendance. The Bollywood actor turned BJP MP and his team hosted the play "Pati, Patni aur Mein" (Husband, wife and me). Directed by Ramesh Talwar and written by Manohar Katdare, the play featured Rakesh Bedi, Dimple Danda and Sanjay Goradia, besides Sinha. The nearly two-hour long play is a satire on contemporary politics and politicians including many from BJP itself. Playing the lead role as presenter, Sinha laced his dialogue with one-liners that triggered peals of laughter from the audience. Sinha, popularly known as "Bihari Babu", the second consecutive term Lok Sabha member from Patna Saheb, has been at odds with BJP since Bihar poll at the fag end of last year after party leaders ignored him in the elections. A close associate of veteran BJP leader L K Advani, Sinha has taken several potshots at his own party through display of bonhomie with "friend" Nitish Kumar and RJD president Lalu Prasad leaving his party leaders embarrassed. Recently a biography of Sinha was released by Nitish Kumar in presence of Lalu Prasad. None of the Bihar BJP leaders were present in the book release function. The play was hosted by Bihar Art, Culture and Youth Department with Bihar Sangeet Natak Academy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Kalraj Mishra today said he did not know about any 'unwritten' rule in the BJP which bars those who are above 75 from holding a ministerial post. Even the party chief Amit Shah may not be aware of such a rule, he said. Mishra, who was here to chair the western region conclave of MSMEs, also downplayed possibility of his stepping down. "I have no idea. I don't know about any such rule. Why don't you ask party president as he is also in the town. But I am sure he too might be unaware that such rule exists," Mishra told reporters, when asked about his views on the recent resignation of Anandiben Patel as the Gujarat Chief Minister, ostensibly on account of her age. Asked what he thought of the age cap and whether he would follow in the footsteps of Anandiben Patel, the 75-year-old BJP veteran refused to give an answer. "You should ask this to Shah. I don't want to say anything. If I have to give my personal opinion then I will tell it to the party leadership," Mishra said. Patel, who resigned as Gujarat CM on August 1, had cited the party's unwritten convention of age cap of 75 years, reportedly laid down by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Najma Heptulla, another senior leader who is now 76, resigned as the Union Minority Affairs Minister last month, and was appointed as Manipur Governor recently. It is being speculated that Mishra, a prominent Brahmin leader from Uttar Pradesh, has been allowed to continue in the cabinet in view of next year's elections in that state. (Reopens BES 34) Speaking to media after the conclave, Mishra said the states had been requested to adopt a public procurement policy similar to that of the Centre which gives purchase preference to the Micro and Small Enterprises. The conclave was attended by representatives of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. To facilitate the MSMEs in acquiring skilled manpower and other technical help, Mishra announced that Gujarat will get one more Tool Room, in addition to the one already running Tool Room in Ahmedabad. The upcoming Tool Room would be in Rajkot, he said. Mishra, accompanied by Union Minister of State for MSMEs Haribhai Chaudhary, also announced opening of Finance Facilitation Centres in Ahmedabad and Mumbai by September 30. "Small entrepreneurs have to run after the banks to get finance....To overcome this issue, we are opening such centres across India, so that entrepreneurs get finance without any trouble," said Mishra. US President Barack Obama will visit flood-hit Louisiana next week, the White House said today, after he came under fire for not suspending his summer vacation to survey the damage in the southern state. The announcement of Obama's visit to Baton Rouge on August 23 came after a visit to the state earlier today by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate Mike Pence. The floods have left at least 13 people dead and affected about 40,000 homes. "The president is mindful of the impact that his travel has on first responders and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts," the White House said, noting the visit was coordinated with local officials. "He is also eager to get a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods... And tell the people of Louisiana that the American people will be with them as they rebuild their community and come back stronger than ever." Today, Obama spoke to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson -- who visited Louisiana yesterday -- from his vacation home in Martha's Vineyard to get an update on the situation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties from Jammu and Kashmir led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will call on President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow to apprise him of the situation in the Valley, which continues to remain under curfew since July 8. Omar, who held an all Opposition parties meeting earlier this week, will apprise the President about the continued difficulties being faced by the people because of continued curfew in the valley. He will be accompanied by Congress leaders led by state PCC chief G A Mir, CPM leader Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, Independent MLA Hakeem Yasin and others. The delegation will demand a probe by a retired Supreme Court judge into allegations of excessive use of force by security personnel besides urging the Centre for holding a dialogue with all stakeholders. Omar and other Opposition parties were worried about youths getting killed and injured in security forces' firing, alleging the state and the central governments "mishandled" the situation. "The first step is to admit and recognise the anger and then take steps to address it. So far that has not happened," Omar had said after the all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 12. The all-party meeting happened because Parliament was in session and it was the Opposition's initiative that brought the issue twice for discussion, he had said. During the Opposition party meeting on August 17, a set of five recommendations were given which included that initiation of a meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders, judicial probe, immediate halt of unnecessary harrasment of people in areas which are peaceful and immediate ban on use of pellet guns. The meeting had also appealed to the people of the state and all stakeholders to continue safeguarding and upholding legacy of Jammu and Kashmir which has always been a beacon of communal harmony and religious tolerance at all costs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ignoring India's offer to hold talks on cross-border terrorism, Pakistan today invited Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss Kashmir dispute "as per the UN Security Council Resolutions". Upping the ante, it called for an immediate end to "human rights violations in Kashmir" and sought permission for Pakistani doctors and paramedics to travel to the state. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said its Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry had given a reply to Jaishankar's proposal for talks on cross-border terror. The reply was handed over to Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambwale by Chaudhry in Islamabad. The spokesperson said the letter invites the Indian Foreign Secretary to visit "Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, with a view to finding a fair and just solution, as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations" of the people of the state. Pakistan has also called for "putting an immediate end to the human rights violations against the innocent people" of Jammu and Kashmir and for providing medical facilities to the injured, "including the permission for doctors and paramedics to travel." Earlier, Pakistan had on Monday invited India for talks on Kashmir, saying it is the "international obligation" of both the countries to resolve the issue. However, India on Wednesday rejected Pakistan's proposal to hold Foreign Secretary-level talks on Kashmir and insisted that discussions should be held on "aspects related to cross- border terrorism which are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir." Jaishankar, while expressing willingness to travel to Islamabad to discuss cross-border terorism, had maintained that Pakistan has no locus standi in addressing any aspect of the situation in J&K, which is an internal matter of India, except to put an end to cross-border terrorism and infiltration. Yesterday, India set certain conditions for talks, asserting that discussions should focus on cessation of terrorist activities in J&K and ending incitement to violence and terror in the Valley. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said yesterday that Jaishankar had conveyed to his Pakistani counterpart that he accepts his invitation to visit Islamabad but made it clear the discussions should focus first on the pressing aspects of the J&K situation flagged by him. "In a letter dated August 16, Foreign Secretary has first of all underlined that Pakistan's self-serving allegations made in their communication are rejected in their entirety by the Government of India. Pakistan has no locus standi in respect of J&K, which is an integral part of our nation," said Swarup. Deliberations should also focus on denying safe haven, shelters and support to terrorists in Pakistan who have escaped Indian law, Jaishankar said in his letter. "The ball is in Pakistan's court now. They had made an offer, We have responded to the offer. It is up to them to carry it forward," said Swarup. The response also conveyed that detaining and prosecuting internationally recognised Pakistani terrorist leaders who have been publicly active in exhorting and supporting such violence in that state should be part of the talks besides closing down terrorist training camps, Swarup added. The Foreign Secretary said he looked forward to discussing with his Pakistani counterpart the "earliest possible vacation of Pakistan's illegal occupation of the Indian state of J&K". In his letter, the Foreign Secretary also underlined the importance of bringing to justice all those guilty in Pakistan for the attacks in Mumbai and at Pathankot airbase. "He said that his visit should provide the opportunity to receive a briefing from Pakistan's Foreign Secretary on progress in this regard," said Swarup. A Pakistani national has been arrested near the Indo-Pak border in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on charges of being an ISI spy, with police claiming to have recovered classified information from him. The man, identified as 26-year-old Nand Lal Meghwal, is a resident of Sangad district in Pakistan and had come to India earlier this month on visa. "Following a tip off, a team of intelligence personnel caught him from a hotel in Jaisalmer. He had classified information stored in micro SD cards besides photographs of defence installations and vehicles," U R Sahoo, ADG Intelligence, said. Meghwal, who was arrested last night, was being taken to Jaipur for joint interrogation by intelligence agencies. "Primary investigation reveals that the accused remained in constant touch from Pakistan with anti-social elements and smugglers living in border areas of Rajasthan and also smuggled them various articles," Sahoo said. "In lieu of smuggling items on cheap rates, he used to collect information about defence and intelligence agencies and their activities and would pass it on to his handlers of ISI," the ADG said. The accused used WhastApp, Facebook and Skype for communicating with his sources in the border areas, he added. Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria said the accused has come to India on visa several times. Additional SP CID (Intelligence) Rajiv Dutta said the accused had visa for Jodhpur only but he came to visit Jaislamer in violation of the visa norms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister has said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, which passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is his government's "top priority" and called for "concerted efforts" to ensure timely completion of the $46 billion project. "The prime minister, during a detailed briefing on the CPEC, stressed that the projects in the programme are the top priority of the government and accordingly, concerted efforts should be made to ensure timely progress," a statement issued by Pakistan government said late last night. The Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform was directed to ensure completion of the first batch of projects in energy and infrastructure sectors by 2017-18, it added. Sharif noted "significant progress" was being made on the western route of the CPEC and said the project will ensure equitable benefits to people in various areas of Pakistan. China is investing over $46 billion in the CPEC, which comprises several projects of energy and infrastructure, in Balochistan. The project aims to link Pakistani city Gwadar to China's Xinjiang region via a vast network of highways and railways, allowing China access to the Arabian Sea. India has raised objections to the project as it passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). On Thursday, the Cabinet was informed that considerable part of portfolio under CPEC has been "energised." Sharif expressed his firm support for Thar Coal project, and stated had its potential exploited 50 years ago, Pakistan would now have been an energy exporter, according to the statement. Progress made on the Gwadar port project and allied infrastructure facilities was also reviewed in the meeting. Sharif directed concerned departments for making progress on initiation of work on Gwadar Airport and Eastbay Expressway at the earliest. He said work on the technical and vocational training institutes of Gwadar should be done on a fast-track basis, making them operational as soon as possible. Pakistan is investigating another Mumbai attack suspect, who has recently been arrested, for allegedly providing financial assistance to the LeT men to carry out the deadly assault in 2008. "The FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) has arrested Sufyan Zafar recently and is interrogating him for his role in providing financial assistance to the accused of the Mumbai attack - who are lodged in the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi," FIA special prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar told PTI today. He said Zafar was absconding after being declared proclaimed offender in the Mumbai case. A resident of Gujrawala district of Punjab, some 80km from Lahore, Zafar is among 21 other absconding suspects wanted in this high-profile case. "Zafar will be indicted in the Mumbai case after completion of the investigation," the FIA official said. A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has charged seven Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) activists - its operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum - with abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attack. The case has been underway in the country for more than six years. Lakhvi, the mastermind of the Mumbai attack, is living at an undisclosed location after getting released from jail on bail over a year ago. The other six suspects are in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The trial proceedings have come to a halt as India is yet to send 24 witnesses to Pakistan for recording of their statements in the trial court. Pakistan says the trial cannot be concluded unless India sends its nationals for recording their statements in the case. As many as 166 people were killed and over 250 injured in the attack carried out by 10 LeT men. Nine assailants were killed while the lone survivor, Ajmal Kasab, was captured and later executed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pentagon has moved to tamp down talk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying extra troops along the border were associated with a regular military exercise. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday said he could not rule out a "full-scale" Russian invasion. His warning came amid increasing violence in the pro-Moscow separatist east and accusations that Russia is increasing its forces, replenishing munitions and building up military hardware in the region. Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis yesterday said the United States was concerned by the increasingly strident rhetoric from both Ukraine and Russia. "We are concerned about Russia's continued occupation of Crimea, and we are concerned about the heightened level of violence in eastern Ukraine," he said. "What we don't see (is) this unicorn a lot of people are chasing, this idea that there's some massive short-term build up or movement about to happen." Russia holds military exercises in the region each year, with the next one due next month. "I think we are seeing movements associated with the upcoming exercise, we are not seeing this massive buildup of forces that has been suggested," Davis said, noting that the United States continues to monitor the situation closely. Kiev and its Western allies accuse Moscow of trying to escalate a 28-month conflict in Ukraine's rust belt that has claimed more than 9,500 lives and began just weeks after Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in March 2014. Poroshenko attended a summit of NATO leaders in Warsaw last month in which the alliance agreed to bolster its eastern flank in order to calm fears of Russia in both Ukraine and among other east European states. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A PIL was today filed in the Bombay High Court seeking criminal action against NCP leader Madhukar Pichad for allegedly instigating party workers to assault members of 'Yaswant Sena' who had recently protested against his remarks against Dhangar (shepherd) community. Yashwant Sena is a social organisation which claims to fight for economic, social, and political rights of Dhangar community. The public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist Hemant Patil, is slated to come up for hearing next week, high court sources said. The petitioner submitted that he had taken out a morcha on August 1 in Mumbai demanding reservation for members of Dhangar community. However, Pichad reacted to the morcha, saying "if the government allows reservation for Dhangar community, then Adivasi community would turn naxalites or terrorists," the petition said, noting that such utterances were anti-national, unconstitutional and amounted to criminal offence under IPC. In order to protest against Pichad's remarks, members of Yashwant Sena had barged into the NCP office in Mumbai on August 12. However, members of NCP and Sena clashed and in the melee some of the Yashwant Sena members were assaulted, the PIL alleged. The PIL prayed for a direction to the state government and the Mumbai Police Chief to initiate criminal action against Pichad and party workers for assaulting people who were agitating against the ex-minister's alleged remarks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Piramal Group's real estate firm Piramal Realty has awarded Rs 700-crore contract to L&T Group for construction of its housing project in Mumbai. The Mumbai-based realty firm is developing a project in Byculla - Piramal Aranya - with the total investment pegged at Rs 4,450 crore, including land, and project development and execution costs, the company said in a statement today. "Piramal Realty has awarded engineering and construction company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Construction with the contract for the core and shell civil work for Piramal Aranya. Covering nearly four million sq ft of construction area, the contract is worth over Rs 700 crores," the statement said. Following the successful launch in March 2016, the company is unveiling new inventory of the 3BHK elite harbour facing suites. Bookings for this inventory will commence from August 20, 2016. "We launched Piramal Aranya in March earlier this year in an endeavor to build world-class luxurious residential high rises in the city. It is our most significant residential development and we are making every effort to ensure that it is one of the finest buildings in the world," said Anand Piramal, Executive Director, Piramal Group. In 2015, Goldman Sachs and Warburg Pincus, two international equity partners, invested about USD 434 million in the company at the entity-level, making it one of the largest foreign investment in real estate. Piramal Group is one of India's leading conglomerates with interests in pharmaceuticals, financial services, information management, glass packaging and real estate. It is founded by Ajay Piramal and has a market value in excess of USD 6.5 billion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The cyber crime cell of Kolkata Police today registered a case against unknown persons for morphing photographs of an actress of Bengali soaps. Some unknown people posted "morphed" nude photographs of popular television actress Madhumita Chakraborty on a web page having link to neighbouring Bangladesh, police said. A case was registered this afternoon after Chakraborty met senior officers at the Kolkata Police headquarters today. "We have already started our investigation into the matter. Going by the first look, the photographs seemed to be morphed.... Two different photographs have been superimposed. We are looking for the Internet Protocol address from where the morphed photographs were uploaded," a senior officer of Kolkata Police said. At least 100 such "morphed" photographs were uploaded on the website, the actress alleged in her complaint. (Reopens CES 3) Speaking to reporters later, the actress said, "I have no idea why this has been done against me. I do not have enmity with anybody." According to Chakraborty, she had initially ignored the matter even after noticing the photographs for the last one and half months. But when on a Bangladeshi web portal it was insinuated that "she is involved in flesh trade and was arrested in Goa recently", the actress said she decided to lodge a complaint. Cult party song "Macarena" is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The catchy track first appeared on 1993 album A mi me gusta by Spanish duo Los del Rio, but became a mainstream hit when producers the Bayside Boys remixed it with English lyrics. It topped charts around the world, including the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for 14 weeks. Antonio Romeo Monge and Rafael Ruiz of Los del Rio, who have been performing together since 1962, are still overwhelmed with the support "Macarena" receives after it became the go-to jam for weddings, sporting events, bar mitzvah and even a Democratic convention, reported Billboard magazine. "We have no words to thank everyone. We're just two guys from a small town, doing things very humbly because we come from very humble families, we lost our parents very young, we've worked so hard, and to see ourselves here?" "That girl 'Macarena' really was something," added Rafael. The story was inspired by a Venezuelan girl Antonio spotted at a private party. Singing a little tune to himself, about the girl he called Madalena, Antonio later changed the name to 'Macarena' in honour of his daughter, and the hit was born. The song has sold over four million units in the US. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Union (EU) has been accused of an anti-British bias after the 28-nation economic bloc turned down an application for "Birmingham Balti" cuisine being offered protected name status. Balticuisine is another form of curry dishes originating in the Indian sub-continent andmodified to suit Britain tastes and makes areference to the flat-bottomed metal dishes food is cooked and served in. It is also a nod to the origin of the Pakistani immigrants to the northern England city of Birmingham from the region of Baltistan. It was tipped to be offered Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) status by the EUfollowing a six-year campaign by curry-lovers, alongside France's Champagne and Italian Parma Ham. But the European Commission recently threw out the application, with some campaigners claiming it reflected a Brexit related bias. "This is just the sort of attitude that drives people down the Brexit path. The decision smacks of the EU's obsession with mindless conformity and I also sense an anti-British bias," Birmingham Balti Association spokesperson Andy Munro told 'Birmingham Mail'. A protected name status is designed to benefit big producers of well-known protected names as well as small industries and brands who might have a traditional way of making a product known by the region's name. The application approved by the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)was made in October 2013. In its judgement, the European Commission said: "Some different varieties of balti are allowed; those varieties are not definitively identified. The colour of the dish changes (either lighter brown or more reddish) depending on which ingredients are added". The additional ingredients and spices may but not have to be added. It is therefore not possible to determine what the final recipe to be followed is. The judgement was made in May this year, nearly a month before Britain voted to leave the European Union on June 23. As it becomes public now, it will be used as an example of anti-British bias by those who had campaigned in favour of leaving the union. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa-based Powerland Agro Tractor Vehicles Private Limited will officially roll out a first-of-its-kind farm tractor in October this year, a company official has said. The company, currently operating from its temporary plant at Verna Industrial Estate, yesterday officially launched the tractor, which is a modern version of the traditional farm tractor with four-wheel drive, 800cc v-twin liquid cooled engine, and features like disc brakes. "From October onwards, our production target is 50 units per month. We have already started negotiation for appointment of dealers in Maharashtra while we will retain Goa market. Our target is 1,000 units in 2017 in Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka," company founder Narayan P Naik told reporters. He said the company has already invested Rs two crore in research and development and prototyping of this product which he claimed is an "entirely new idea for India". "We are in the process of setting up production facility at Kudal in Maharashtra at an investment of Rs 20 crore," he said. Naik, who has 35 years of experience in plastic industry, ventured into this new avenue to provide solution for the farmers, who are turning their back to the traditional occupation. "In the recent years, scarcity of labour and animals has become a problem for the farm sector. To overcome this difficulty, in 2014, I along with my sons Jeet and Tej set on a journey to develop a small tractor," he said. The company, which is currently banking on spares from China for the product, expects the vehicle to be cent per cent indigenous in next three years. "The vehicle is costing around Rs 3.75 lakh, otherwise this kind of vehicle costs around Rs 7 lakh onwards. We have already taken approval for Bharat stage III for the engine. This engine we have developed to meet the emission norms," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan today distributed around 3,000 free LPG stoves under the free cooking gas scheme titled the "Ujjwala Yojana' here today and expressed hope that the Centre would be able to cover the entire megapolis in over two years. Launching the scheme with distributing free cooking gas connection with a stove, lighter and a cylinder trolley, costing a little over Rs 6,000 per connection, he said though the city has only 18 lakh households, there are 22 lakh LPG connections and 6 lakh PNG connections, indicating that many many households still have multiple connections. Out of the total cost, 50 per cent will be directly subsidised by the government and the rest of the cost will be borne by the oil marketing companies by way of interest free loans to consumers. Under the first phase, close to 5,000 BPL households in north Mumbai will be covered before mid-September, Pradhan said, adding the remaining households will be covered over the next two-three years. The minister, however, parried a direct answer when asked whether the ministry is planning to get the multiple connections cancelled saying his public call to surrender such connections would not fall on deaf ears. When sought his views on the CAG observation that the government has blown up the subsidy savings by way direct cash benefit scheme, Pradhan said his ministry stands by its numbers but did not offer any explanation. He said the Opposition Congress is interested only in the subsidy numbers while the report also spoke about the national loot that was happening under its watch. He again did not elaborate. Pradhan claimed that since the voluntary surrender of LPG subsidies, his ministry could cancel as many as 3.5 crore fake connections leading to a saving of Rs 21,000 crore. It can be recalled that on August 12, the national auditor CAG had picked holes in government claims saying savings from LPG subsidies paid directly to consumers was only about 15 per cent or Rs 1,764 crore, of what government has been claiming and that bulk of the savings was due to sharp fall in global crude prices. "The actual subsidy payout during the period from April 2015 to December 2015 was Rs 12,084.24 crore as against Rs 35,400.46 crore during April 2014 to December 2014," the CAG said, adding of the Rs 23,316.12 crore savings in subsidy. CAG said Rs 21,552.8 crore was on account of fall in crude oil price. At the same time, "the effect on the same (subsidy reduction) due to reduced off-take of cylinders by consumers worked out to Rs 1,763.93 crore. Thus it is evident that the lower subsidy rates in 2015-16 is, by far, the most significant factor resulted in subsidy savings," CAG said. The oil ministry has claimed the savings from the elimination of fake/duplicate/ghost cooking gas LPG connection as a result of implementation of DBT in 2014-15 was Rs 14,818.4 crore. This, after considering an average subsidy of Rs 369.72 per cylinder for 3.34 crore blocked consumers. The CAG said the ministry had in February 2016 estimated potential savings in LPG subsidy for 2015-16 at Rs 9,211 crore while the oil marketing companies put it at Rs 5,107.48 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on May 1 soft-launched the Ujjwala scheme in Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, under which the government plans to give free cooking gas connections to all the 5 crore BPL families over the next three years which will involve Rs 8,000 crore outgo from the Central government kitty, a part of which is being partly funded from the savings of 'GiveItUp' initiative. In the current year, 1.5 crore BPL families, identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census of 2011, will be covered. The country has 25 crore households, out of which only 18 crore have LPG connections. Pradhan claimed that while the first LPG connections were distributed in then Bombay way back in 1955, till 2014, there were only 14 crore connections while his ministry in the past two years alone gave 4 crore connections. Quoting the WHO data, he said as many as 5 lakh women die in the country due to non-communicable diseases, primarily caused by smoke emanating from their kitchens which use either kerosene stoves or cow dung cakes or firewood as cooking fuel, which is as good as smoke form 400 cigarettes. Two days after DMK members were suspended en masse from the Assembly, Leader of the Opposition and party treasurer M K Stalin today moved the Madras High Court, seeking quashing of the Speaker's decision. He assailed the action as abuse of power and wanted Rule 121 of the Assembly to be struck down as unconstitutional. Stalin sought an interim direction permitting DMK members to participate in the House proceedings by staying the August 17 Assembly resolution based on which they were suspended under Rule 121 by the Speaker P Dhanapal. In his PIL, Stalin submitted that a direction be issued declaring the House resolution as illegal, arbitrary and said Rule 121 of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules be struck down as unconstitutional. Assailing the action of the Speaker as 'abuse of power', he said it was open to judicial scrutiny. Dhanapal had yesterday refused to revoke the en masse suspension of 80 DMK members for a week for allegedly creating a ruckus in the House. The suspended members had staged a protest outside the House and their colleagues inside had twice staged a walkout over the issue. They continued the protest today also. Stalin said Rule 121 is "ex-facie unconstitutional," as it provides for grave punishment of suspension without providing an opportunity to an MLA of being heard. Submitting that the rule was not "saved by the doctrine of necessity", he said, "The suspension is not merely for a sitting ...(This) privilege was not even available to the British House of Commons." Hence, the same was beyond the scope of Article 194 of the Constitution, he contended. He said the power of suspension was exercised with "gross disregard" for constitutional and legislative conventions to practically disable the entire opposition from participating in House proceedings. "The impugned actions constitute a naked affront to the principles of democracy which is part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India," he submitted. Alleging that the dtate government adopted tactics to stifle the voice of opposition in the Assembly, Stalin said it undermined democracy. He claimed that the "event appears to be an elaborate charade, pre-conceivedand designed to deprive members of DMK to engage in proceedings in the forthcoming week". The DMK leader said that during the period, the House agenda includes passing of vital bills and budget proposals. Senior advocates Mohan Parasaran and N R Elango mentioned the matter before the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan seeking an urgent hearing. The court, however, said the matter would be heard in regular course and directed them to file their petition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Nepal Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi will soon visit the Indo-Nepal border areas, which had seen agitation by Madhesis over Nepal's new Constitution. This was agreed at a meeting attended by Singh and Nidhi, who is here on a four-day visit as Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda's special envoy, official sources said today. Nidhi also assured Singh to take adequate steps to ensure security at Tribhuwan Airport in Kathmandu, from where terrorists boarded an Indian Airlines aircraft and hijacked it to Kandahar in 1999. The Nepal Deputy Prime Minister conveyed that India is a very important neighbour for his country and development in Nepal cannot be achieved without the support of India. Nidhi has conveyed to Singh that his visit is primarily to "clear all misunderstandings" that cropped in the recent past between the two countries, sources said. The Nepal government has taken various concrete measures including evolving consensus on constitutional amendments and certain measures where government or Cabinet can take up in setting up of a Judicial Commission for giving suitable compensation to the affected people. Both the Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, who is also the Home Minister of that country, agreed to make a joint visit to Indo-Nepal border area and to interact with people living in the area, sources said. The Nepal blockade, which began on September 23, 2015, led to an economic and humanitarian crisis and had severely affected Nepal and its economy. The agitation by Madhesis, inhabitants of the southern plains who share strong cultural and family bonds with Indians, over Nepal's new Constitution, was at its peak at that time. The protesters had blocked trade transit points with India, creating a huge shortage of essential goods and fuel in the landlocked Himalayan nation. Singh said that political stability in Nepal is in the interest of both the countries and he appreciated the present regime for taking all concerned groups along in resolving issues in the context of constitution amendments. The Nepal Deputy Prime Minister assured to expedite the progress of construction of Police Academy at Punauti and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on Nepal side. Issues of land acquisition and forest clearance, if any, will be resolved to accelerate the progress, he said. Nidhi also visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) office where he was briefed about the disaster management strategies. Nepal is on its way to reconstruct itself after the massive earthquake that shook the country last year. During his visit to the NDMA, the importance of institutional mechanisms for Disaster Management set up in India was highlighted. Both sides discussed cooperation in the field of Disaster Management and Singh assured the visiting dignitary of sharing India's expertise with Nepal in the field of Disaster Management. Nidhi arrived here yesterday as the special envoy of the Nepal Prime Minister on a four-day visit. Bollywood filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who has joined hands with actor Ranveer Singh for an ad-film, heaped praise on the "Bajirao Mastani" star saying he is a good script writer. "He is a good script writer. The basic idea for this advertisement came from him," Rohit told reporters here at the launch of the ad film. The "Dilwale" director and the 31-year-old actor have teamed up for the advertisement of noodle brand, Ching's noodles. Titled "Ranveer Ching Returns", it also features "Baahuabali" actress Tamannaah Bhatia. Ranveer earlier did a music video for the brand titled "My Name Is Ranveer Ching", which became a hit for its quirkiness and the song. The new ad-film has action-packed scenes with the "Ram Leela" actor fighting the villains as the world is running out of food. According to Rohit, shooting an advertisement is both easy and difficult. "It's easy to do an ad because of the concept and the difficult part is to convert that concept." Asked if he would like to direct a film, Ranveer said, "I will leave that (directing a film) to the blockbuster directors. If I think of directing a film it will be critically panned." On working with Rohit on a full-fledged movie, the actor said, "I had great time working with Rohit. Hopefully in the near future. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's focus at the summit in China next month will be on global structural reforms to generate jobs, spur inclusive growth and discuss issues relating to the $100 billion climate financing committed by developed nations, the economic affairs secretary said on Friday. Shaktikanta Das also said the BRICS summit in Goa in October will discuss a proposal to set up a rating agency for the five-member bloc on the lines of US-based rating agencies. Das, who is here to attend the 8th India-China Financial and Economic Dialogue, said the main thrust of India at the summit to be held in eastern China's Hangzhou city on September 4-5 will be the implementation of structural reforms by the member-countries to spur job growth. The other important aspect will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral meetings with various world leaders on the sidelines of the summit, Das told PTI. The details of his visit are being worked out, he said. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the US and the European Union constitute the G20. "From our point view, we would like to convey to the world the need structural reforms which is one of issues being highlighted by Chinese Presidency will have to continue," Das said. Many countries are undertaking structural reforms and India's emphasis is to appeal to the world community to continue with reforms "because that is only way you can revive global growth," he said. India has undertaken a number of structural reforms, he said. "In India our track record is very strong. We have done huge amount of liberalisation in FDI policy. With regard to the FDI we are the most open economy in the world," he said. While the Parliament has adopted the GST, the bankruptcy law was also enacted, he said. The Aadhaar Bill also mandate the financial backing for disbursements of subsidies and other government assistance directly to people. It plugs a lot of leakage, he said. Added to that is ease of doing business, process simplifications, auction of natural resources, he said. "Next thing we would like to highlight is the aspect of inclusive growth. Every growth has to be inclusive to result in job creation. Because growth without job creation has its own pitfalls," he said, adding only the G20 summits held in Asia highlight that aspect and it does not figure when the summits are held in western countries. Hitting back at Congress, BJP today said while the British believed in repressing Indians it believed in repressing rivals as it justified Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that the saffron party suffered more in independent India than Congress in the colonial rule. The party also rejected Congress' charge that Modi's comments were an insult to freedom fighters and asserted that it eulogised freedom fighters of all hues while the Opposition party glorified only a section of them due to political reasons. "British used to repress Indians. Congress has been repressing rivals. It imposed the Emergency and threw all rivals behind bars. Repressing rivals has been part of its policy," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said. He also referred to the death of Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in a Jammu jail during his protests against the stand of Congress on Kashmir issue. "We are giving due respect to all freedom fighters. Lakhs of people made sacrifices. India's struggle for freedom started in 1857. The past governments glorified a few people. Bhagat Singh was mentioned as a terrorist and Chandrashekhar Azad's sacrifice was hardly acknowledged. We are making amends and glorifying everybody," he said. Sharma asked Congress to shed its negative mindset, claiming that this was the reason behind its dwindling presence in the country. Attacking the party for its stand on Modi's reference to Balochistan, he said it was high time that the Opposition party spoke in one voice. "Experts have praised Modi's stand. It is high time everybody should speak in one voice on an issue of national unity and integrity," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Islamic forum today expressed grave concern over the "rise" of communal and fascist forces in India and attempts by "opportunist elements" to rupture the social fabric of the country. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind termed the voices of condemnation against these forces and "rising communalism" as "below par", which it said was dangerous for the country's development and prosperity. The organisation today announced a nationwide campaign, commencing on August 21, to convey the message of peace and humanity. "It is a matter of grave concern that some extremist ideologies propounded by communal and fascist forces are quickly gaining ground in society. Some opportunist elements are trying hard to disrupt our age old social fabric for their own petty political, financial and cultural gains. "Several low volume, high intensity incidents of communal violence have been planned and triggered in the recent months. The level of opposition and condemnation expected against this rising communalism was sadly below par which only emboldened the hatemongers," Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri, President of the organisation, told reporters. The campaign is aimed at narrowing the widening social rift and to create an environment of mutual trust and cooperation, he said. "Communal polarisation is very dangerous for a country like India and is a serious impediment in the path to development and prosperity, besides drawing international rebuke and a serious dent to the image of a developed and democratic India", he stated. "Irrespective of political or ideological inclination, we need to unite together to work against communalism on a broad social level. "This campaign emphasis on people to people contact that would open the channels of inter-community communication, pave the way for removing of misconceptions and misunderstanding about each other and bring them on a common platform," Maulana said. The 15-day campaign will felicitate those who have contributed towards communal harmony in India. Public speeches and rallies would be organised in all major cities and towns, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Friday dedicated to the nation the Pasighat advanced landing ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh which will allow fighter aircraft like Su 30 MKI to land and take off, in a major fillip to India's military capabilities along its border with China. Terming it a red letter day in the history of the state, Rijiju said with the formal inauguration of the ALG that is capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters after Tezpur and Chabua, development process has started in the state which was lagging behind even after 70 years of independence. Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command, who was present on the occasion said, "The ALG would enhance air support capability for the Army, paramilitary forces and the civil administration and would facilitate air connectivity for the people of Arunachal Pradesh with the rest of the country." Pasighat ALG is a strategic asset and would be one of the operating bases under the Eastern Air Command capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters, Easterm Air Command spokesperson said. Activation of this ALG would not only improve the response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of the air operations in the eastern frontier. The Union Minister of State for Home said, "The Northeast region abundant with rich natural resources is lagging behind in terms of development due to various reasons and the NDA government at the Centre is committed for its development on par with other parts of the country." "The Northeast, a jewel in the country's crown was known to the rest of the country only after the 1962 Chinese aggression," he said. Rijiju added that the commitment of the Centre was proved after Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed all the ministers to personally visit the region along with departmental officers to oversee the requirements. (Reopens CAL 2) Rijiju said the PM has asked all the nine women ministers at the Centre to visit border areas of the country and tie rakhis to the Army jawans guarding the border to instill confidence among them. Stating that there would be no dearth of development fund for the state, the Union minister asked the state government to judiciously utilise all the Central funds without compromising on the quality of work and time line. "There should be a close coordination between the Centre and the state government to remove the 'under-developed' tag of Arunachal," Rijiju said. A flypast by three Sukhoi-30 MKI Air Dominance Fighters, which took off from Chabua airbase in Tinsukia district of Assam, was the major attraction of the function. Out of the three Sukhois, one piloted by Group Captain Satbir Singh and co-piloted by Mustaq Ahmed, landed at the ALG for the first time bringing cheers among the people of the centurion town in East Siang district. The ALG at Pasighat was earlier partly paved and partly grassy, and smaller in size. To bolster the operational capability in the eastern part of the state, IAF took over the ALG in February 2010 and started the aviation infrastructure development. The ALG was earlier utilised for air maintenance sorties and casualty evacuation by the IAF. Taking a dig at its ally BJP for appointing only saffron leaders as Governors recently, the Shiv Sena today said it should also consider talented and committed people from its allies for the gubernatorial post. "As far as the issue of appointments of Governors is concerned, the situation in the BJP regime is no different from the Congress rule. Manipur and Punjab will soon go to polls, thus, the new appointees will have a chance of fulfilling their political duties," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana.' It said that it was a well known fact that the Raj Bhavan became a "political den" in times of crisis, The state is then run as per the Governor's desires and he would obey only his political masters, he said. "Looking at the list of Governors in the country today, it can be ascertained that all those who are at the fag end of their political careers are appointed for the gubernatorial post. The truth is that a ruling party can settle around 40 people by giving them a bungalow, car and other amenities entitled for the post of Governor and Lieutenant Governor," it quipped. The Sena said after the BJP came to power, all Governors appointed by the Centre were from the ruling party and none from its allies. "If political persons are to be appointed for the gubernatorial post, allies like the TDP, Akali Dal, Shiv Sena also have former MPs, former MLAs and former ministers who are ready to take up the responsibility. There should not be any problem in appointing some people from ally parties," it said. "There are many experienced and responsible people in alliance parties as well. But it does not seem that the government which is run by '280' (member) party (the BJP), will listen to its allies," the editorial added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre has taken "serious steps" against insurgency in the northeast and the situation in Assam is "better" than before, Union minister said on Friday. "Militant activity is under control in Assam and now the situation in the state is better than before," the minister of state for home told reporters after inauguration the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. Rijiju said, "I had talked with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and he had asked for extra paramilitary forces for the state. It had been decided to send the forces as soon as possible, but it has got delayed due to the volatile situation in Kashmir." Referring to the August 5 gunning down of 14 people by NDFB (Songbijit) in Assam's Kokrajhar district, the worst since the 2014 attack by the group when over 76 people were killed, he said operations against the outfit are still on and the army is participating in the ops under Tezpur-based 4 Corps Tezpur and Nagaland-based 3 Corps. The NDFB (S) attack in Kokrajhar was a "very shocking incident" after the 2014 carnage, he said, adding the Centre had recently spoken to the government of Bhutan and the Prime Minister of Myanmar about militants from here hiding in the two neighbouring countries. On the anti-talk ULFA (I), he said it is now desperate and is trying to show its strength but the Centre has taken a tough stance against it. The Service Tax Department may go for another round of bidding for luxury jet of embattled businessman Vijay Mallya as the highest bid received during the auction here was a measly Rs 27 crore against the reserve price of Rs 152 crore. "The department may go for fresh round of bidding for the jet through its official auctioneer MSTC after rejecting this offer," a department official told PTI here today. Yesterday, the highest bid amount (of Rs 27 crore) was offered by a domestic firm SGI Commex. The only other bidder which participated in the auction was a UAE-based aviation support firm Alna Aero Distributional Finance Holdings, which last time had made an offer of Rs 1.09 crore for the jet. The previous auction, which was conducted by the department on June 30, had proved to be a damp squib as the UAE-based lone bidder had made a paltry offer of less than a percent of the reserve price. The plane was attached by the Service Tax Department in December 2013, claiming tax dues of over Rs 800 crore from Mallya's now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. "We are still not happy at the highest bid amount (Rs 27 crore) offered by SGI Commex. Hence, we may reject the offer and go for fresh round of auction for the jet in our bid to recover the dues. However, a final call will be taken by the department within a couple of days from now," the official said. Earlier, the joint pricing committee, which comprises five members, including one additional commissioner of the department and officials from the Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence, met to discuss if the reserve price could be lowered. However, the committee felt that the reserve price at Rs 152 crore was good enough, keeping in view the value of the goods involved in the jet, the official added. Also, the lenders' attempt to sell the Kingfisher House in the city for Rs 150 crore and the Kingfisher brands for Rs 367 crore earlier this year had failed as no bidders turned up. The beleaguered tycoon owes over Rs 9,000 crore, which includes unpaid loans and accrued interest, to 17 banks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today recommended for the promotion of Rio Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik's father Subir Malik, who works as a conductor in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), besides felicitating the grappler and her parents. In a communication to Transport Minister Satyendar Jain, Sisodia said, "One of our colleagues (Sakshi's father Sukhbir Malik), while working as a conductor, created such an atmosphere for her daughter so that she could raise the honour of the nation... "I propose that apart from felicitating Sakshi Malik, the government should felicitate her family, especially her father. I recommend for the promotion of Sukhbir Malik for his contribution," he said. The Deputy Chief Minister will visit the wrestler's family at Rohtak in Haryana tomorrow. On Wednesday, the 23-year-old wrestler ended the country's wait for a medal at the Rio Olympic Games as she bagged the bronze medal in the 58 kg category, pulling off a dramatic 8-5 victory in the play-off bout. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday took to Twitter to congratulate Sakshi, and hailed her for making the "whole nation proud". Sisodia also congratulated her father and mother over phone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Manager of a construction site was injured as an ex-driver of a former NCP MLA today allegedly opened fire on him in suburban Kurla here, police said. The incident took place at around 4 PM near Pragati society near Kurla junction. One Mangesh Waghmare (38), who was the driver of former NCP Milind Kamble opened fire on the site manager Anil Bhise (49), a senior official attached with the Nehrunagar police station said. The accused and the victim are residents of the same locality and prima facie personal rivalry between the duo could be the reason behind the firing, the officer said. Bhise was rushed to the nearby Rajawadi hospital. After administering first-aid, he was shifted to the civic-run Sion hospital and his condition is stated to be normal, the official said. Waghmare has been detained and his weapon has been recovered, police said, adding investigations are underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon launch the UWIN (Unorganised Workers Identification Number) smart card for the benefit of those working in the unorganised sector, Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said today. "Of the total workforce in India, 93 per cent, nearly 40 crore, is in the unorganised sector and the UWIN card will benefit the workers in various fields such as construction," he told reporters here. "All the four social security schemes of the Centre -- Jan Dhan, Jan Suraksha, Jeevan Bima and Atal Pension Yojanas -- will be covered under this card," he said, adding it would be "portable as a worker can avail EPF and SI benefit even if he migrates to another city". In order to ensure transparency and accountability in the payment of Provident Fund and pension, the ministry had come out with Universal Account Number for the workers, which was linked to Adhar and bank account, and they would get message about the payments. On the process of amending labour law, the Minister, who was on a transit visit here, said it was an ongoing process and he had already held 12 tripartite meetings in this regard. When asked about opposition from major trade unions and political parties, Dattatreya said that a consensus will be arrived, since the new labour law was "totally pro-poor" and would benefit the workers. "The labour ministers of BRICS Countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- will meet in Agra on September 27 and 28, during which issues like UWIN and other labour-related issues will be discussed," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has asked the authorities to put in place a proper system for requisition of vehicles in the state. It has come to the notice of the Chief Minister that tourist or other vehicles going for a pre-scheduled trip are suddenly requisitioned from the road for the CM's security or protocol duty causing inconvenience to people, officials said. Taking note that hawkers or street vendors are some times evicted during the Chief Minister's movement, Sonowal directed district administrations, police and transport officials to put in place a system for requisition of vehicles and road clearance which is more appropriate and least inconvenient to common people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A student leader was stabbed to death by his rival here, police said today. Daaulal (24) was allegedly attacked by Ravi Kant and his friends at Dammani chowk last night, police said. He was rushed to the PBM government hospital where he succumbed to injuries. Daaula was a contender for the post of students' union president at a local college and Kant was his arch rival, police said. A case of murder has been registered against Kant who is absconding. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scores of residents of the northeastern Syrian city of Hassakeh took advantage today of a lull in fighting between Kurdish forces and Syrian government troops to flee to safer areas nearby, after fighting intensified the previous day with government warplanes bombing Kurdish-controlled positions in the city for the first time, activists and others said. Also today, the Russian military said two of its ships launched cruise missiles at militant targets in Syria from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The development came after Russia this week began using Iranian territory to launch airstrikes in Syria, with Moscow's bombers flying out of the Islamic Republic for three straight days to hit targets in the war-ravaged country. The missiles add an extra dimension to the aerial campaign Russia has conducted since September in support of President Bashar Assad's military. Russia's Defense Ministry said that the Serpukhov and the Zeleny Dol corvettes launched three long-range Kalibr cruise missiles today at the al-Qaida-linked militant group of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front. The ministry said that the missiles destroyed a command facility and a militant camp near Daret Azzeh along with a mine-making facility and a weapons facility in the province of Aleppo. Russian warships have in the past launched cruise missiles at targets in Syria from both the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean, a show of the navy's long-range precision strike capability. Cruise missiles launched from Russian navy ships in the Caspian in October and November struck targets in Syria while in December, a Russian submarine also launched cruise missiles at Syrian militants. In Hassakeh, after dozens of townspeople fled, clashes broke out anew later today, a Kurdish official said. An activist group said Syrian government warplanes launched more air raids on areas controlled by Kurdish fighters today. Kurdish official did not immediately respond for questions about the air raids. The fighting between the Kurdish troops and government forces could potentially open a new front in the Syrian civil war, now in its sixth year. The area around Hassakeh had witnessed battles between the two sides in the past but this week's violence has been among the worst since Kurdish fighters took control of wide, predominantly Kurdish areas in northern Syria in 2012. The main Kurdish force in Syria known as the People's Protection Units, or YPG, has been the main US- backed force in Syria and the most effective force in fighting the Islamic State group. Last week, the Syria Democratic Forces, a coalition led by the YPG, captured the former IS stronghold of Manbij in northern Syria under the cover airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alleging tainted investigation by police into the June 24 murder of a woman IT employee at a railway station here, the mother of Ramkumar, prime accused in case, moved the Madras High Court today seeking transfer of the probe to an independent agency, preferably CBI. Petitioner Pushpam claimed that her son was innocent and that police to guard the real accused, had foisted a case and arrested him. She also alleged that the special police team that went to Karnataka in connection with the probe, had seized the sim card and laptop of 24-year-old Infosys techie S Swathi, which showed she may have been murdered due to a love affair. Swathi had sold some secrets of her employer company as also that of the army, the petitioner alleged, without elaborating and sought transfer of the case to an independent agency, preferably CBI. Swathi was murdered on the platform of Nungambakkam suburban railway stationonJune 24last. Ramkumar was arrested from his residence in Meenakshipuram in Tirunelveli district onJuly 1 on the charge of murdering her. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said those allegedly misusing Islam as a shield for their ill designs of terrorism are "biggest" enemies of religion and stressed that it should be the commitment of ones believing in humanity to destruct such "evil" forces. "...Those misusing Islam as a shield for their ill designs of terrorism are biggest enemies of both Islam and humanity," Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Naqvi said while addressing a training camp of Haj pilgrims here. "The entire world has been coming together against these enemies who are active with different names. Destruction of such evil forces should be the commitment of humanity," he said. Naqvi said the Ministry has been sending its senior officials to Saudi Arabia to take stock of arrangements and safety of about 1.36 lakh Indians who have been proceeding for Haj pilgrimage this year. Noting Haj pilgrimage is a "cherished desire" of every Muslim, Naqvi asked pilgrims to pray for unity, peace, prosperity and harmony in the country, besides praying for their respective families. About 4,500 devotees will proceed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Haj pilgrimage from Mumbai this year August 27 onwards. For Haj 2016, about 1,00,020 Haj pilgrims have been facilitated from 21 points across India through Haj Committee. Apart from this, 36,000 Haj pilgrims have been proceeding through the private tour operators. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Those misusing Islam as a shield for terrorism are the biggest enemies of the religion as well as humanity, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said today. "The entire world is coming together against these enemies of humanity who are active with different names. Destruction of such evil forces should be the commitment of humanity," he said. The minister was addressing a training camp organised for Haj pilgrims in south Mumbai. The Minority Affairs Ministry has been sending senior officials to Saudi Arabia to take stock of the arrangements, facilities and safety of about 1.36 lakh Indians proceeding for Haj pilgrimage this year, he said. "Haj pilgrimage is a cherished desire of every Muslim in his lifetime. During the pilgrimage, besides prayers for them and their families' prosperity, Haj pilgrims should also pray for unity, peace, prosperity and harmony in our country and the entire world," the BJP leader said. Information regarding several aspects of the pilgrimage was provided in the camp organised by Sahyog Cultural Society. Naqvi congratulated the Society for the initiative. About 4,500 Haj pilgrims will proceed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Haj pilgrimage from Mumbai this year from August 27. For Haj 2016, the travel of 1,00,020 pilgrims has been facilitated from 21 points across India through the Haj Committee. Besides, 36,000 pilgrims would be travelling through private tour operators. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons have been arrested for cheating and transferring over Rs 20,000 from a bank account into their own, police said today. Ankush Skarma lodged a complaint at Vijaypur police station as an amount of Rs 21800 was deducted from his account, following his withdrawal of Rs 800 from his bank account on August 8. "Police started investigation and three accused identified as Dharminder Kumar, Dharminder Singh and Narender Kumar were arrested and after sustained interrogation they confessed their crime," a police officer said. He said that an amount of Rs 17,000 was also recovered from their possession. The accused had forged the signature of the victim to withdraw the money and it was found that they were involved in other similar cases. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three suspected jihadist recruiters were shot dead by police today in southwest Rwanda while resisting arrest, a police statement said. Police said that during a targeted police operation in the Bugarama sector of Rusizi district to arrest the suspects "they turned violent, issued threats and attempted to flee". Three other suspects were arrested, one of whom was wounded. "Initial findings indicate that they were in a radicalisation campaign aimed at recruiting jihadists," the statement said. "Radicalisation materials including audio CDs and text books were seized from the house." Yesterday police said a "suspected terrorist" had been shot dead in Kigali during a three-hour shoot-out with officers. A short police statement said the armed man had been holed up in a house in a residential area in the capital. It gave no details on what group he allegedly belonged to. In January police shot dead a Muslim suspected of recruiting young people to join the Islamic State group in Syria when he reportedly tried to escape after being detained. Police said at the time that "terrorist networks" were being set up in Rwanda and made a number of arrests. Of those held, 23 are awaiting trial following a series of detention hearings, all of them held behind closed doors. Rwanda's Muslim community is tiny, representing two percent of the population, with Catholics accounting for 43.7 percent and Protestants for 37.7 percent. The country has never seen a jihadist attack but has been targeted in the past by grenade attacks, the latest in 2013. Those attacks were blamed by the authorities on rebels based in neighbouring Congo. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : The Tamil Nadu government has collected over Rs 100 crore revenue from 208 e-Seva centres in the state. "There are 208 e-Seva centres operating under Chennai Corporation limits and the total transactions made by them are 2.45 lakh, generating a revenue of Rs 102.11 crore. The fund collected has been handed over to the Corporation," an official release said. Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable Television Corporation operates 486 e-Seva centres across the state. E-Seva centres enable public avail a host of services like payment of property tax, water tax, industrial taxes, besides services relating to social welfare and revenue department, among others, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Minister P Balakrishna Reddy today said the state government was making all-out efforts to resume the banned bull taming sport of 'jallikattu'. "Jallikattu, a traditional sport which reflects bravery, is an integral part of social, cultural and religious sentiments of Tamils. The Tamil Nadu government is making all- out efforts to resume it," Reddy told the state Assembly. He said the issue of jallikattu's conduct "has been under judicial scrutiny since 2006". The minister said the government, in a bid to resume the sport banned by the Supreme Court in May 2014, also knocked on the Centre's door. In 2015, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice to denotify bulls from the list of performing animals, he said. Accordingly, the Environment and Forest Ministry had issued a notification on January 7, 2016 to conduct the sport but the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on January 12, he said. The minister recalled that Jayalalithaa had immediately urged Modi to promulgate an ordinance to enable conduct of jallikattu. In March, the state government filed a common counter affidavit in the apex court for the conduct of the sport, Reddy said, adding Jayalalithaa took up the matter with Modi again in June. He said the next hearing in the case is scheduled on August 30. Reddy said the governor, in his address to the Assembly in June, had also mentioned that steps would be taken to "lift the ban" against holding the sport. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paul Manafort, the beleaguered chairman of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, resigned today after a staff shake-up this week that marginalised him in the team amid growing speculation about his links with Ukrainian . "This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process," Trump said. "Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success," the 70-year-old business tycoon said. Manafort's role was reduced after Trump elevated two aides to senior positions on Tuesday, appointing Breitbart News chief Steve Bannon as campaign CEO and Kellyanne Conway as campaign manager. Manafort, who had once lobbied for pro-ISI and anti-India groups, had been recently attracting negative publicity for his alleged lobbying activities in Ukraine. Manafort had joined the campaign after Trump's historic wins in the Republican primaries. He successfully led the campaign in the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where Trump was formally nominated as the party's presidential nominee. Trump's popularity rating had been falling down after the convention. Manafort told Trump he was becoming a distraction and he wanted to end that, a Trump source was quoted as saying by CNN. The resignation comes as the campaign seeks to correct course after weeks of damaging controversies and self- inflicted wounds, effectively evaporating Trump's steady footing against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the polls and his post-convention bump. Trump is now trailing Clinton in every major poll. The most damaging for Trump was his attack on a Gold Star family -- who lost their son, Army Captain Humayun Khan, while he served in Iraq -- for speaking out against him at the Democratic National Convention. He later refused to apologise or express regret. Manafort's personal business dealings have also come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, amid damaging questions over his ties to foreign governments and indications that he might have received $12 million in undisclosed cash payments, according to the Washington Post. The alleged payments, which Manafort denied, were noted in a ledger kept by former Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovych's political party. Since then, more evidence has surfaced that raised concerns about his ties to the Kremlin. One GOP strategist was quoted as saying that Manafort was undone by the combination of revelations about his work in behalf of pro-Russian forces in Ukraine and the elevation of Conway and Bannon. Controversial Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he regretted causing personal pain to people sometimes by not choosing the "right words" and uttering the "wrong thing" even as his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton termed his remark a mere "well-written phrase". "Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues," Trump said at an election rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also said that he is not a politician. "I have worked in business, creating jobs and rebuilding neighbourhoods my entire adult life. I've never wanted to learn the language of the insiders, and I've never been politically correct - it takes far too much time, and can often make more difficult," the 70-year-old tycoon said. "But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth. I speak the truth for all of you, and for everyone in this country who doesn't have a voice. I speak the truth on behalf of the factory worker who lost his or her job," Trump asserted. Trump said his only interest is the American people. "So while sometimes I can be too honest, Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite: she never tells the truth. One lie after another, and getting worse each passing day," he said. In a late-night statement, the Clinton Campaign said Trump has much for which he should apologise. "Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. We learned tonight that his speech writer and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologise," said Christina Reynolds from the Clinton Campaign. "But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets-and changes his tune altogether," Reynolds said. "The American people are still waiting for Hillary Clinton to apologise for all of the many lies she's told to them, and the many times she's betrayed them. Tell me, has Hillary Clinton ever apologised for lying about her illegal email server and deleting 33,000 emails?" he asked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 84 university academics suspected of links with US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, blamed by authorities for last month's failed coup, media reported today. Police launched an operation in 17 provinces including Konya in central Anatolia, a conservative bastion of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the private Dogan agency reported. Twenty-nine academics have been detained so far, it added. A large majority of the suspects were from Selcuk University in Konya, including the university's former rector, Professor Hakki Gokbel. To the alarm of its Western partners, Turkey has pressed ahead with a vast crackdown on alleged coup plotters in the wake of July 15 military action seeking to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said this week that more than 40,000 state employees had been detained in the purge, with 20,335 remanded in custody. More than 5,000 civil servants have been dismissed and almost 80,000 others suspended, he added. Gulen, a former Erdogan ally, has a powerful network of influence in institutions such as the judiciary and police as well as the media and has long been accused of running a "parallel state" in Turkey. The reclusive cleric, who has lived in self-exile in the United States since 1999, vehemently denies he was behind the coup attempt. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A billboard advertisement at Istanbul's international airport accused Sweden of having "the highest rape rate worldwide, state media reported today just days after Stockholm accused Ankara of legalising sex with children. Printed in English and Turkish and displayed at the departures section of Ataturk airport, the huge banner ad reads: "Travel Warning! Did you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide?" Anadolu agency reported alongside a picture of the ad. Alongside it was an enlarged copy of the front page of Gunes, a pro-government newspaper, with a headline saying: "Sweden, a country of rape." Anadolu said billboard advertisements at the airport were operated by a private company. The advert was largely seen as a tit-for-tat move after Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom caused a storm after writing a tweet which said the "Turkish decision to allow sex with children under 15 must be reversed", following a controversial ruling by the Turkish constitutional court. Her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu blasted her remark as "unacceptable", saying Wallstrom should have acted "responsibly". Turkey's constitutional court in July annulled a criminal code provision punishing as "sexual abuse" all sexual acts involving children under the age of 15, responding to a petition brought by a lower court. The top court has given parliament a six-month period to draw up new rules based on its ruling. The lower court that brought the petition was worried there was no distinction between cases of sexual acts involving a young teenager or a toddler. The legal age of consent in Turkey remains 18 and was not affected by the ruling. But it sparked outrage among activists worried it would open the way for unpunished child sexual abuse. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Twins not only have a bestie from birth, they may also live longer than singletons, according to a new study which suggests a significant health benefit for close social connections. The study, which is the first to look at what being a twin means for life expectancy, shows that twins have lower mortality rates for both sexes throughout their lifetimes. "We find that at nearly every age, identical twins survive at higher proportions than fraternal twins, and fraternal twins are a little higher than the general population," said David Sharrow, a postdoctoral researcher at University of Washington (UW). The data comes from the Danish Twin Registry, one of the oldest repositories of information about twins. Researchers looked at 2,932 pairs of same-sex twins who survived past the age of 10, were born in Denmark between 1870 and 1900, and all had a complete lifespan. They then compared their ages at death with data for the overall Danish population. For men, they found that the peak benefit of having a twin came in the subjects' mid-40s. That difference is about 6 percentage points, meaning that if out of 100 boys in the general population, 84 were still alive at age 45, then for twins that number was 90. For women, the peak mortality advantage came in their early 60s, and the difference was about 10 percentage points. The researchers said their results reflect the benefits of social support, similar to the marriage protection effect. "Our results lend support to a big body of literature that shows that social relationships are beneficial to health outcomes," Sharrow said. "There is benefit to having someone who is socially close to you who is looking out for you. They may provide material or emotional support that lead to better longevity outcomes," Sharrow said. Sharrow and James Anderson, a UW research professor were looking to tune a mortality model using the data from twins. But when they ran the numbers they stumbled upon an unexpected discovery. Their model separates acute causes of death, such as accidents or behaviour-related causes, from natural causes in old age. Female twins only had lower mortality for the earlier, acute causes. Male twins got a bigger overall longevity boost than women because they had lower mortality rates both for acute causes during their early years and from so-called natural causes past the age of 65, researchers said. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A gang that operated a fake call centre to cheat people through insurance policy frauds has been busted with arrest of two accused who duped Rs 41 lakh from an ex registrar of Jammu University, police said today. The accused Satish Kumar (24)and Suraj Singh (23) were involved in running the fake call center at Bopura Border in Ghaziabad which was involved in insurance policy related fraud all over India. The duo were arrested from main market Harola in Noida, said Ravindra Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch). The gang members including the accused, former employees of a call center, used to make calls to potential targets, mostly retired government officials, and lure them with huge bonus promise on their insurance policies, said the officer. After establishing contact with the targets they would make them deposit sums in bank accounts provided by them. They used to introduced themselves as officials of insurance agencies like 'National Saving Fund Department' and 'Integrated Grievance Management System' and later on as officers of RBI or Income Tax department to pressurise victims to deposit the money demanded by them, said the officer. The former registrar of Jammu University, Yogendra Gupta, was cheated by the duo into depositing around Rs 41 lakh into various bank accounts over a period of two years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Nations says it needs to do "much more" to address its own involvement in the introduction of cholera to Haiti and the suffering of those affected, estimated at more than 770,000 people. Researchers say there is ample evidence that cholera was introduced to Haiti's biggest river in October 2010 by inadequately treated sewage from a UN peacekeeping base. The United Nations has never accepted responsibility, and has answered lawsuits on behalf of victims in US courts by claiming diplomatic immunity. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq's statement referring to the UN's "own involvement," which was sent to The Associated Press yesterday, came a step closer to an admission of at least some responsibility and was welcomed by lawyers for the victims. "This is a major victory for the thousands of Haitians who have been marching for justice, writing to the UN and bringing the UN to court," said Mario Joseph, a Haitian human rights attorney whose law firm is leading a high-profile claim on behalf of 5,000 cholera victims who blame the UN for introducing the disease. "It is high time for the UN to make this right and prove to the world that "human rights for all" means for Haitians too," he said. Haq said in the statement that the United Nations has been considering a series of options, and "a significantly new set of UN actions" will be presented publicly within the next two months. Five UN human rights experts criticized the United Nations in a letter to top UN officials late last year for its "effective denial of the fundamental right of the victims of cholera to justice." At least one lawsuit was dismissed because of the UN's diplomatic immunity claim. But a US federal appeals panel in New York is weighing whether the lawsuit that Haitian lawyer Joseph is involved in can proceed, or if the United Nations is entitled to immunity. Haq reiterated yesterday that the UN's legal position in claiming diplomatic immunity "has not changed." According to government figures, cholera has sickened more than 770,000 people, or about 7 per cent of Haiti's population, and killed more than 9,200. As of March, it was killing an average of 37 people a month. Researchers said cholera was first detected in the central Artibonite Valley and cited evidence that it was introduced to Haiti's biggest river from a UN base where Nepalese troops were deployed as part of a peacekeeping operation which has been in the country since 2004. Cholera is endemic in Nepal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jawaharlal Nehru University which has been the centre of protests since the beginning of this year saw a new agitation today, this time over its iconic Ganga Dhaba whose owner has been served an eviction notice by the administration. Ganga Dhaba, which opens at 4 PM and feeds hungry students till 3 in the morning at nominal prices, is one of the favourite hotspots of the campus besides being a perfect place for campus debates. The owner of the eatery was served an eviction notice last week and was asked to vacate the place till today morning. However, the students gathered at the dhaba protesting against the alleged attack by the administration of the culture of the campus. "The new JNU administration has been proving itself as an agent, who is appointed to destroy the JNU in every manner. It has left no single instance to take the opportunity to implement all its diktats to shrink the campus democracy. It has been using the February 9 incident as a pretext to justify all its decisions," JNUSU General Secretary Rama Naga said. "Now, it has decided to shutdown the Ganga Dhaba for ever. The administration has sent a 'final letter' to the owner of the Ganga Dhaba by saying that it will shut down the eatery," he added. JNU Vice Chancellor said the administration does not intend to "close down" the dhaba but all commercial spaces operating on the campus have to adhere to rules and the dhaba owner Bharat Tomar doesn't have a license to function there. "Ganga Dhaba is not being closed by JNU administration. It is considered as JNU heritage. Since the present occupant is illegally occupying the premises, he has been asked to vacate the place so that tendering procedure may be initiated at the earliest to run the eatery," a senior varsity official said. "Tomar is free to apply for the tender and seek a new contract," he added. The JNU authorities have stiffened the rules on campus after the sedition row in February where few students were booked under the charge for organising an event during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain today paid a private visit to Ailawng, the village of Mizo warrior Khuangchera, and laid wreath on his plaque, student leaders said. Gohain was accompanied by leaders of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students Association, Mizo Students Union (MSU) and the BJP Mizoram unit. The union minister had yesterday cancelled his programme to felicitate the 19th century Mizo warrior as an Indian freedom fighter after meeting student leaders who were opposed to the move. A joint press statement issued by Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students Federation and Mizo Students Union (MSU) had said the leaders of student bodies deliberated the issue with Gohain at the Lengpui airport and the minister agreed to cancel his programme. Gohain was quoted as saying that he understood the sentiments of the Mizo people and did not want to hurt them. Instead he decided to go to the village on a private visit. The MZP and the MSU with Aizawl City College Students Unions had staged a demonstration yesterday and thousands of students had blocked the two roads leading to Ailawng village against Gohain's proposed programme. They had dispersed after learning that the programme stood cancelled. The students opposed the Centre's intention to felicitate Khuangchera as an Indian freedom fighter, saying the Mizos at that time were not a part of India and did not even know about the existence of India or British India. Khuangchera and his friend Ngurbawnga were killed in 1890 when they tried to expel British invaders from Lushai country to save the Mizo people from the British colonial army, they said. "We had appealed to the Indian government to respect our history and not try to change the Mizo history," the student leaders had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A four-day exhibition of captivating photographs of fascinating landscape of mountains, forests and rivers in Kerala is being held here to promote the state's tourism in the Middle East. Titled "ItsTheWayYouSeeIt", the exhibition showcases photographs that capture the uniqueness of Kerala's 209-km- long Bharatapuzha (River Nila). The event, hosted by The Blue Yonder- an enterprise working in the field of travel industry, began on August 17 at the Cartoon Art Gallery here. It showcases captivating pictures by travel photographer Ajay Menon, which takes viewers through a fascinating landscape of mountains, forests, rivers and the mesmerising monsoon - all defined by the River Nila. An integral part of the cultural and the social fabric of Kerala, River Nila is the second-longest in the state. The exhibition also appeals to the people from the Middle East to visit Kerala thereby boosting the state's tourism. "We already have three campaigns that are being activated, which will not only appeal to Indians living in the Gulf but also for Arabs and western expatriates who find Kerala as a fascinating getaway," Gopinath Parayil, the organisation's founder, said. "16 travellers from different parts of India, USA and France travelled through three districts of Palakkad, Thrissur and Malappuram documenting the rich cultural heritage, legends, folklore, rituals and practices. A selection of these photographs is being exhibited in Dubai for the first time," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Silicon Valley-based artificial intelligence solution provider Noodle.Aitoday said it has launched its Indian subsidiary Noodle Analytics. Noodle's India headquarters on the outer ring roadhere was inaugurated by IT czar Nandan Nilekani today. Provider of enterprise artificial intelligencesolutions Noodle.Ai is funded by TCP, a leading private equityfirm. "One of the primaryreasons for setting up operations in Bengaluru is access to talent," Noodle.Ai CEO Stephen Pratt told reporters here. He also said that over the next three to five years, artificial intelligence technologies fuelled by big data wouldbe the most significant competitive differentiator in business. Asked about head count target for India, Noodle.Ai CFO Anil Kumar said by the end of the year their strength should be 50 and in another three to four years, it may be 300 to 350 people. Company officials said 70 per cent of their talentwould hold Ph.D. And post-graduate qualifications in different disciplines such as data science, mathematics, software engineering, electronic engineering, and data visualisation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Retired Army Gen John W Vessey, who rose through the ranks in a 46-year military career to become chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and help oversee President Ronald Reagan's military buildup, has died. He was 94. Vessey enlisted as a private in the Minnesota National Guard in 1939, fought in World War II and Vietnam, and was the nation's top military officer when he retired to his home state of Minnesota in 1985. He died last evening, his daughter, Sarah Vessey, told The Associated Press. He was surrounded by family and died of natural causes, she said. After being named chairman of the joint chiefs in 1982, Vessey helped oversee the military expansion that Reagan championed when he took office just over a year earlier. "It was probably the greatest peacetime modernisation of the American military establishment that ever took place," Vessey recalled in a 2004 interview. "We improved every facet of the armed forces, from the recruiting and retention, the selection of individuals, to the way they lived, but most importantly to the way they fought." Vessey said the Soviet Union had been making a "big push" to solidify its position in Europe, deploying SS20 intermediate-range nuclear missiles and strengthening its ground forces in East Germany, "dabbling" in West European elections at a time when NATO was shaky, and stepping up its espionage. By the time Vessey retired in 1985, he said, NATO was strong once again, the United States had deployed Pershing II and cruise missiles in response to the Soviet SS20s, and negotiations with the Soviets to eliminate each side's intermediate-range missiles were just about complete. "He was smart and combined good common sense with good military judgment, and he knew how to get things done," Lawrence Korb, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Washington think tank, said in a 2006 interview. Korb worked with Vessey while serving as an assistant secretary of defense from 1981 to 1985. "He was a person of integrity." Even in retirement, Vessey heard from presidents and the Pentagon looking for help. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US judge has rejected a $100 million deal cut by to settle class-action litigation challenging the treatment of drivers as contractors instead of employees. US District Court Judge Edward Chen yesterday denied a motion to approve the settlement on grounds that, overall, it is "not fair, adequate, and reasonable." in April announced an agreement to settle class-action litigation from drivers in two US states. San Francisco-based agreed to pay up to $100 million to settle the suits from drivers in California and Massachusetts. The deal enabled the global ridesharing giant to keep using independent contractors. "The settlement, mutually agreed by both sides, was fair and reasonable," Uber said in an email response to an AFP inquiry. "We're disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options." The lawsuits challenged a pillar of the business model of the pioneer of the so-called gig economy relying on workers with no set schedule and only a loose affiliation with the ridesharing giant. A draft of the proposed settlement indicated that Uber would pay money into a compensation fund for drivers, who would continue to be considered independent contractors. Uber could risk taking a big financial hit if it goes to trial and jurors side with drivers side against a global on-demand car ride company valued at billions of dollars. A major legal ruling against Uber in the case could threaten the "sharing economy" business model that lets enlist a broad labour force while not having to provide employee benefits. Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick praised the settlement after it was announced, saying it recognised that drivers should remain independent contractors. The deal only applied to drivers in two states and is not binding elsewhere, but could set an important precedent for Uber. Under the deal, Uber would have paid a guaranteed amount of $84 million to the plaintiffs, with an additional $16 million if the startup went public and its valuation increased beyond a certain level. Uber had also agreed to provide drivers with more information about their individual rating and to create and fund a driver's association in both states. The US acknowledged that it waited for Iran to release American prisoners before delivering USD 400 million in cash that it owed the country, but again insisted the payment was not ransom. Republicans including Donald Trump pounced yesterday's admission as proof that President Barack Obama's government had misled the American people. "With concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release... We of course sought to retain maximum leverage until after American citizens were released," State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters. "That was our top priority," he said. In January, five American prisoners were released as Washington granted clemency to seven Iranians and withdrew arrest warrants for 14 others. Immediately thereafter, the United States helped airlift USD 400 million worth of Swiss francs and euros to Iran. The US government insists that money was meant to settle an old debt stemming from a military purchase by Iran. The money was delivered on January 17, just one day after a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers took effect. "We were able to conclude multiple strands of diplomacy within a 24 hour period, including implementation of the nuclear deal, the prisoner talks and a settlement of an outstanding Hague tribunal claim," Kirby said, referring to the money claimed by Iran. "It's already publicly known that we returned to Iran its USD 400 million in that same time period as part of the Hague settlement agreement," he said. In early August, the State Department had said the prisoner release and delivery of money were completely separate, although Kirby acknowledged Thursday that the two were in fact related. "I'm saying that the events came together simultaneously... It would have been foolish, imprudent, irresponsible for us not to try to maintain maximum leverage," Kirby said. The ordeal has set off a tidal wave of condemnation from Republicans, who have questioned the timing of the two events and said the government paid ransom for the prisoner release. Republican presidential Trump was quick to attack. "Speaking of lies, we now know from the State Department announcement that President Obama lied about the $400 million dollars in cash that was flown to Iran," he told a rally in Thursday in North Carolina. "He denied it was for the hostages, but it was. He said we don't pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages - openly and blatantly," Trump said. Trump's opponent in the race for the White House, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, was no longer serving as the nation's top diplomat when the accord came into effect. Still, Trump senior communications advisor Jason Miller said that "by helping put together a deal that ultimately sent $400M to Iran that was likely used to fund terrorism, Clinton has proven herself unfit to be president of the United States." House speaker Paul Ryan said Obama had set a dangerous precedent. "Today the State Department admitted what we've long suspected -- that the president and his administration have been misleading us since January about whether he ransomed the freedom of the Americans unjust imprisoned in Iran," America's top elected Republican said. "The president owes the American people a full accounting of his actions and the dangerous precedent he has set," Ryan added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In show of exemplary courage, a 26-year-old North East woman fought a man who tried to molest her and got him arrested in south Delhi's Khirki Extension area, police said today. The woman was going to her house from market when she was allegedly attacked by a youth later identified as Ritesh at an isolated place of Khirki Extension area on the intervening night of August 13-14, said a senior police officer. She fought tooth and nail with the accused and raised an alarm which attracted some passersby. The woman also caught hold back the accused who was later nabbed by the cops of a PCR van that reached on the spot, he said. On the complaint of the woman a case under Section 354 A (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) was registered at Malviya Nagar police station and the accused was arrested. The accused Ritesh was a student and lived at Kalkaji area. The woman met the Joint Commissioner of Police and nodal officer for the North-East people in Delhi, Rajan Hibu who hailed her "exceptional courage". He also termed the woman as a "role model" for other girls adding that an appreciation letter and a reward of Rs 5,000 will be presented to her in a ceremony. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia's import ban on pork products from the European Union is not legitimate, a World Trade Organisation panel said today, in a key victory for the bloc. The WTO ruling concerns a ban imposed by Russia in early 2014, which Moscow said were necessary to protect its consumers following a small flare up of African Swine Fever in some EU states. Experts at the Geneva-based WTO said it did not meet the requirements needed to justify such a sweeping ban. "The ruling sends a strong signal to Russia, and all WTO members, as regards their obligation to respect international standards," the EU said in a statement. "Today's ruling confirms that the measures taken by Russia against the EU have little to do with any real sanitary or health risks," it added. Russia widened its ban against EU products later in 2014, a move many saw as retaliation against EU sanctions imposed on Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine. The EU statement said Friday's WTO ruling pertained to the bans imposed "in early 2014", not the latter bans purportedly linked to Ukraine. If Moscow does not appeal the ruling within 60 days, it will automatically come into force, in what could be a boon for EU pork producers. In 2013, EU pork exports to Russia were estimated at 1.4 billion euros (USD 1.6 billion dollars). Since joining the WTO in 2012, Russia has imposed bans on dairy products, chocolates, wine and meat from countries including Lithuania, Poland, Moldova and Ukraine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China today vowed to play "a constructive role" in promoting Myanmar's peace process after the country's iconic leader Aung San Suu Kyi held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and sought Beijing's support for negotiations with armed groups. During his meeting with Suu Kyi, Xi pledged that China will "continue to play a constructive role" in promoting Myanmar's peace process and work with Naypyidaw to safeguard peace and stability in their border areas. For her part, the 71-year-old de facto leader of Myanmar, who was under house arrest for over one and half decade under the Beijing- backed military regime, told Xi that, "We do believe that as a good neighbour China will do everything possible to promote our peace process." "China, as a neighbour which shares a very important border along which there are many ethnic armed groups, is important in its goodwill," she was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua agency. China is attaching a lot of importance to Suu Kyi's visit and has given her a protocol of a Prime Minister even though she is a State Councillor and Foreign Minister as a result of Constitutional constraints back home. Her visit comes ahead of Myanmar's hosting of a long- planned conference with armed ethnic groups later this month. "If you ask me what my most important aim is for my country, that is to achieve peace and unity among the different peoples of our union. Without peace, there can be no sustained development," she said. China-Myanmar share long volatile borders and Beijing had deployed military at the border last year after five people were killed and several others wounded in firing by a Myanmarese jet while reportedly pursuing Kokoang rebels. While seeking China's help, Suu Kyi, during her talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang yesterday, hinted at addressing China's concerns over the Myitsone dam project in Myanmar which was stalled since 2011 due to agitation by local people. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters after the talks that Myanmar's new government has decided to set up an investigation committee to find a solution that is in both countries' interests regarding the Myitsone Dam issue. Opponents of the dam say the reservoir created by the Myitsone dam would create massive flooding on the Irrawaddy River, endangering ecologically sensitive areas and displacing thousands of people. There was also criticism over China taking 90 per cent of the dam's power, while nearly 70 per cent of Myanmar has no access to electricity, according to a World Bank report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Promit Mukherjee MUMBAI (Reuters) - Vedanta Ltd's chief executive said the diversified Indian miner received "constructive feedback" from minority shareholders in Cairn India Ltd to a sweetened buyout offer, and was hopeful it can clinch the long-delayed deal. "We have reached out to all shareholders and we have held constructive discussions across the board ... We look forward to the vote in the coming weeks," said Vedanta Chief Executive Tom Albanese, speaking in an interview with on Friday. Last month, Vedanta revised the terms of an offer aimed at buying out the minority stake in Cairn India that it does not already own, after an initial offer stalled and a deal remained in limbo for months. Albanese, the former head of global miner Rio Tinto PLC, also said the company has not received any inquiry from Indian markets regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), with regard to movement in the stock prices of the two companies leading up to the announcement of the revised bid. On Thursday, Indian newspaper Mint reported that SEBI was investigating unusual movement in shares of Cairn and Vedanta ahead of the announcement of the sweetened offer. Albanese said the company has "clear and robust" policies against insider trading and that it would cooperate fully if it did receive a request for information from the regulator. Any such probe would not delay the timeline of the Cairn deal, he added. The shareholders of Vedanta and Cairn will be voting on the revised offer on Sept. 8 and Sept. 12 respectively. Vedanta plans to close the transaction by end of March 2017. Analysts note the acquisition would give Vedanta direct access to Cairn's $3.5 billion cash pile, and some have expressed concern that Vedanta may use this toward paring its own $11 billion debt rather than investing in growth projects. Albanese said the board of directors of the combined entity would decide on how to use the cash, and that Vedanta does not have any debt maturing until mid-2018. Cairn will be accelerating investment in its onshore basin project in west India next fiscal year onwards, said Cairn's Chief Finance Officer Sudhir Mathur in the same interview. "We are re-engineering our plans of investment with an IRR (internal rate of return) of 18 percent in a $50-per-barrel world," he said, adding that plans will be announced in the next six to nine months. (Reporting by Promit Mukherjee; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell and Christopher Cushing) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About three months ago, when long-time employees at the vast, regal residence of Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao informed him about the existence of a tunnel inside, he ordered that it be opened. Members of the Public Works Department (PWD) were in for a surprise as they set out to demolish a temporary wall in Raj Bhavan that presumably covered the entrance to the bunker on the Eastern side. Rather than the underground tunnel, there was an entire barrack with long passages and rooms of varying sizes. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated shuttler P V Sindhu for reaching the final of women's singles event at the ongoing Rio Olympics. "Proud of you #PVSindhu. Well done. All the best for finals #Rio2016," Banerjee tweeted. Sindhu beat Nozomi Okuhara 21-19, 21-10 in the semi-final and assured herself and the country of a silver medal. In the spring of 1851, during the gold rush, a California state militia called the Mariposa Battalion was combing the Sierra Nevada mountain range, searching for Native American warriors who were fighting the colonisers from the east. On March 27, they came upon a valley along which flowed the Merced River. Lafayette Bunnell, an officer with the battalion, stood there transfixed at the array of magnificent, vertical rock faces, carved by glaciers 20,000 years ago, and vertical waterfalls a thousand feet high. Bunnell was instrumental in naming the valley Yosemite, after the local tribe that his battalion would soon drive out of the area. Proceeding south, the troopers came upon what was later named the Mariposa Grove, enormous sequoia trees that were the largest and oldest living things on the planet. Both the valley and the trees today form part of Yosemite National Park, over 3,000 square kilometres of protected area that attracts almost four million visitors every year. Amongst them this year was the Shukla family, when my wife, Sonia, and I, along with our 28-year-old son, Aaryaman, and 8-year-old daughter, Meera, embarked on a driving-cum-camping trip to the great American national parks. Over 25 days and 10,000 kilometres we would learn that one gets a sense of the vastness, magnificence and friendliness of that country and its people while covering it step by step. The concept of national parks is a uniquely American idea. It was based on the egalitarian principle that, unlike in 19th century Europe, where the grandest and most magnificent sceneries, monuments and palaces were reserved for those who could afford them, Americas grandest and most spectacular places should be reserved for the common people. In 1864, with Americas attention rivetted on the Civil War, John Conness, senator from California, introduced a Bill in the Senate that involved the grant of a certain premises in Sierra Nevada a matter involving no financial appropriation from the government, only the setting aside of a large tract of natural scenery for the future enjoyment of everyone. The Senate passed Conness Bill. On June 30, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, effectively giving birth to the idea. Yosemite was not the first the honour would go to Yellowstone. In 2013, two young graphic design students from Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune, decided to celebrate their graduation by exploring the landscape of Ladakh. During the trip, they were enamoured by the beautiful metal cups in which the local people served traditional butter tea. State-run telecom firm BSNL on Thursday signed a strategic business pact with Microsoft India for offering complete suite of telecom and IT solutions for enterprise businesses. "BSNL today signed a strategic business MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Microsoft India offering complete suite of Telecom and IT Solutions for Enterprise Business," BSNL said in a statement. BSNL has large share in landline network, including leased line connectivity to various enterprises. The agreement has been signed under a request for proposal floated by BSNL to cater end-to-end needs of enterprise customers involving many allied services in the field of IT, software as a service, cloud infrastructure, audio-video solutions etc. "Microsoft (India) Pvt Limited showed interest in this RFP and submitted its proposal. After scrutinisation, proposal was found to be suitable and an offer was sent to Microsoft to enter into the MoU," the statement said. The agreement was signed and exchanged by BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava and Microsoft India Chairman Bhaskar Pramanik. "This strategic alliance would be non-exclusive and is aimed to leverage the domain expertise and strategic position in the Industry to garner more business either as a front runner or as a support associate to provide connectivity and telecom solutions as per the need and demand of the end customer," the statement said. BSNL said that the initiative to have strategic MoU is without any commercial or legal commitments at this juncture and actual relevant business agreements on case to case basis would be done by the respective business verticals of BSNL by entering into bilateral or multilateral specific business agreements after following the necessary guidelines. Telecom operator Vodafone on Thursday launched unlimited mobile phone calling plan on 3G and 4G post-paid customers at starting price of Rs 1,699 per month. "The postpaid customer's usage behaviour has evolved significantly with higher usage of roaming and data. With the new Vodafone RED, we are offering our postpaid customers an all-in-one plan that addresses their roaming, data, and voice needs comprehensively," Vodafone India Director-Commercial Sandeep Kataria said in a statement. ALSO READ: Vodafone offers free 10-min time for dropped calls Under the Rs 1,699 plan, Vodafone customers will get free incoming calls while roaming, unlimited voice calling and 6 GB of 3G or 4G data. Britain's top share index edged lower on Friday and was set for its biggest weekly drop since June as a strong rally to 14-month highs stalled. Britain's FTSE 100 was down 0.2% at 6852.64 by 0828 GMT, taking its total fall for the week to 0.9% , its biggest weekly decline since mid-June, before Britain voted to leave the European Union. After initially being hit by the result of the June 23 referendum, Britain's FTSE rallied around 20% from its lows to a high of 6,955.34 hit on Monday -- its highest level since June 2015. It has been buoyed by its high number of internationally focused firms that earn revenues in dollars and benefit from weakness in the pound. However, this week has seen a series of weaker earnings reports, and some of the top gaining sectors, such as the mining sector, have edged down. "Equities are on the back foot into the end of what has been a week of reversal from post-Brexit highs... The FTSE 100 is testing recent lows of 6850, with potential for a breakdown to extend the sell-off from Monday's 14-month highs," said Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets. One stock with disappointing results earlier this week was insurer Admiral. It dropped from record highs on Wednesday after it said the vote for Brexit had hit its solvency ratio, and fell again on Friday. It was down 1.3% after Bernstein cut the stock to "market-perform" from "outperform". It said the stock was too expensively valued even though the broker said that the underlying results had been encouraging. "We think Admiral presented a good set of results. In our view strong reserves and growth outweigh a capital buffer behind expectations. We downgrade Admiral... as we think the stock is close to peak "pricing cycle" valuation," analysts at Bernstein said in a note. "Long- to medium-term there will be better opportunities to invest in this strong and well-managed company." Among risers, easyJet rose 3.3% after a media report fuelled takeover speculation among traders. The budget airline had seen its entire daily average volume traded within 2 hours of the open. Among mid-caps, bookmaker William Hill was a top riser, up 3% after 888 and Rank Group ended their pursuit of the firm. While William Hill initially fell on Thursday when the proposal was withdrawn, it had strongly rebuffed the merger interest. It responded after the market close by saying that its profit would come in at the top end of its forecast range. Liberum raised its target price on the stock, but said that the forecast hike might not be able to satisfy investors who were hoping for synergies from a merger. "Yesterday's statement from WMH that it now expects EBIT at the top end of previous guidance of 260-280 million pounds is probably only a stop-gap," analysts at Liberum said in a note. " As it stands, we don't believe William Hill shareholders are likely to accept inertia after an accident-prone 2016 for the once online leader." (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Youth Bring Solidarity and Hope Back to Flooded Skopje Published on August 18, 2016 Story by Mladi Info en fr it es de pl It is hard in one day to combine your work-related tasks and to go to help those who are most in need, but I am giving my best Written by: Ana Alibegova Proofread: Diego Heatherman Edited by: Ivana Petriskova The young Ognen Janeski wishes the day had more than 24 hours. It is hard in one day to combine your work-related tasks and to go to help those who are most in need, but I am giving my best, he explains, obviously tired from the long day. He is coughing from the cold but is full with optimism and hope while making plans for the delivery of donations in the upcoming days. The young TV personality already has an intensive lifestyle between his many projects as well as preparations of his TV programmes. Yet these days, his focus is on the families who have suffered the most from the storm early this month. Ever since the Macedonian capital of Skopje was hit by floods which took the lives of more than 20 victims and heavily damaged the houses at the capitals outskirts, the young Ognen starts and ends his days by praising and practicing solidarity. Every day he goes to one of the donation centers, where people bring food, clothes and hygiene products for the residents of the affected villages. Then, he puts the packages in his car and delivers them to the families that most need them. All the while his self-phone never stops ringing the coordination of spontaneous actions of goodwill is not an easy task at all. Ognen is only one of the many young people who decided to take things in their own hands and to help their fellow citizens in the struggle against the disastrous consequences of the storm. After the freak floods and the failure of the responsible authorities to immediately provide disaster relief and sanitation, such help is urgently needed. Photo credits: Ognen Janeski We deliver the donations from house to house. We are looking for the residents of the most affected areas who wrote us on Facebook that they need particular help. We keep in touch and coordinate the process with those people who had their mobile phones on, since most of the villages were left without electricity and the citizens remained unreachable. When you arrive in those villages, you become speechless: there are places where literally nobody has ever stepped with any kind of mechanization to conduct the process of cleaning. This is the most pressing need, even though every one of us is trying to help clean the houses, taking out the damaged furniture. Yet it is difficult without any proper machinery. First you should remove the mud and the water. Only then can the people truly help, explains Ognen, noting that almost 20,000 people, or 5,000 families, have been affected by the floods. Photo credits: Daniel Josifovski In rubber boots with shovels in hand or with a trunk full of donations Antoaneta Ivanova was also among the first to support the initiative Humanitarian Help for the Flooded Families in Skopje, which now numbers 15,000 members in its Facebook group. It is via this group that volunteers organize themselves and coordinate the process of donation collection and delivery. The president of Mladiinfo International, Ivanova is happy to see that many youngsters are ready to go to the scene, equipped with rubber boots and shovels, or to use their cars, bikes and motorbikes to bring the donations to the families in need: We have been working in the flooded areas for 10 days already. We help where it is needed and where we receive instructions to do so by the self-initiative group. Some youth formed the group on the first day after the floods and have been key in coordinating the support efforts. Every day some of us sort the donations that we pick from several points around the city. Some of us help with the delivery and others in the cleaning of houses and backyards. I honestly did not expect that the young people would be so ready to help and show such sympathy to their fellow citizens, but what I see in the field makes me very happy, points out Ivanova. Photo credits: Antoaneta Ivanova Still, Facebook and other social media networks are not only being used to coordinate the relief activities but also to spread the word about fundraising campaigns. The idea is to also target youngsters abroad and to inspire them to show their solidarity with the communities in Macedonia. The Red Cross, but also some well-known initiatives of young leaders have stood behind such campaigns. One of them is the Global Shapers Skopje Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, consisting of young leaders with exceptional potential, achievement and drive to make a contribution to their communities. Ivan Jovanov, Outgoing Curator of Global Shapers, says the idea behind their crowdfunding campaign is to send a message that each of us can help in our own way and show solidarity: I have no doubts that the recent critical events showed that young people can be a driving force. What we are seeing today is that youth are all over the affected areas volunteering with their spirit and enthusiasm through various organizations. Moreover, the call for help through social media was imminent and I think that young people had a big say in it. We, as groups of Global Shapers, felt the responsibility to help our community, something that we ought to do as active citizens. Picture credits: Ognen Janeski Youth education for crisis management Although there have been some rumors and criticism that the delivery of some of the institutional donations has been conducted in a biased manner and certain citizens have been favored over others, the self-initiative of the citizens, with many youth at the forefront, is generally seen very positively. Older citizens have watched this civic response with delight and enthusiasm. Many of them have vivid memories of the international solidarity that was displayed after the disastrous earthquake in 1963 that destroyed much of Skopje and see this spirit of solidarity alive again in todays youth response. Those that are still in good physical condition have also decided to grab shovels and help their children and grandchildren in the cleaning. In many ways it is reminiscent of the times of Yugoslavia when it was again the young people that were building roads and infrastructure during various working actions. Yet in those days civic response to crises and natural disasters was part of the curriculum in schools, preparing youth to act in such situations. Today, young people lack the skills and knowledge needed to react in critical situations. Photo credits: Ivan Antonovski In my opinion, we should definitely think about conducting workshops and trainings on crisis management for young people. In this way, our society can act in a more organized and better coordinated way, explains Ivanova from Mladiinfo. The layers of mud, the huge hills of damaged furniture and garbage from the households as well as the unbearable smell continue to remind us of the night of freak floods, in which there were and more than 800 lightning strikes in only two hours. The young people in the field, the generation from which we expect the most, is equipped with shovels and rubber boots or bags with donations and are evidence that solidarity is not only still alive, but it is stronger than ever. The post Youth Bring Solidarity and Hope Back to Flooded Skopje appeared first on Mladiinfo. Story by Mladi Info Youth Has Voice Too? Published on August 13, 2016 Story by Mladi Info en de it fr es pl The young people of Europe as we know it have been raised in a war-less world and accustomed to a mostly open borders circulation within the continent. Difficult, boring, opaque, unimportant the descriptors of EU affairs world are not flattering. In the light of the widely talked about rise of the far right, increasing nationalism, hostility towards immigrants and the individual closing down of borders, the public opinion on the European project has seemed to lose popularity over the course of the past years. With youth sharply disconnected from the original ideas that supported in the very beginning the creation of a European project, the current political classes tap into frustrations gathered over the past last decades. The young people of Europe as we know it have been raised in a war-less world and accustomed to a mostly open borders circulation within the continent. With the visa travel requirements long gone for most countries and the fluidized travel from country to country, youngsters are understandably not aware of the conditions preceding the reality they know. Talking about the beginnings of the European Union and young people, journalist Maria Laura Franciosi says in an interview: At the time, young people were following this. The idea of all these countries that were fighting each other before were now coming together to create something united. The youth was pro Europe. We didnt think of the practical things. The idea that you could get together and have exchanges with citizens from other nations gave us enthusiasm. And indeed one of the reasons EU fails to communicate with youngsters nowadays is the lack of interest and failure to see its importance. For example, according to news reports, young people in the age groups 18-24 and 25-34 have scored the lowest voter turnout at the British EU referendum. Communication is playing a crucial role in developing and maintaining structural relationships between the countries of the EU, as well as the member states and the legislative and regulatory bodies in Brussels. In order to create a European youth community, young people across member states need to receive the adequate information and to have at their disposal engagement instruments to reach out to the EU bodies that represent them. Some of the measures taken to reach out to the youth of Europe have been both from part of the Institutions themselves through special programs and events (see for example the Parliaments European Youth Event (EYE), the Commissions policy work within DG EAC and more to the point their event EU Youth Conference, which facilitates relationships between national youth councils and EU presidencies, or the Council of Europes youth policy initiatives). In this context, some of the most prominent NGOs dedicated to fostering better communication between youth and EU level organizations have proved to be great platforms and initiators of better, more strategic communication programs that are of interest for the young people of Europe. Amongst them, the Structured Dialogue wants to go to the core of the problem by connecting young people and their organizations with the EU decision makers in an iterative, long-term process project. Similarly, the European Youth Parliament and the Schwarzkopf Foundation lead an educational project named Understanding Europe, which aims, as its names says, to offer young pupils the adequate knowledge on European issues through crash courses, study materials, seminars and trainings. Equally, one of most popular organizations that deals with European issues and is addressed specifically at young people is The Young European Federalists or JEF. Counting approximately 30.000 members across 30 countries, JEF advocates democratic European values and aims to build bridges between European decision-making actors and their citizens, a gap which is seen as having increased and Eurocrats having been criticized for losing touch with national realities. Seeing that communication is regarded as one of the main issues to be tackled by the European Union towards its citizens, one interesting initiative is JEFs involvement in the project LADDER (standing for Local Authorities as Drivers for Development Education and Raising awareness), and specifically the initiative of citizen journalism. This initiative has selected to of LADDERs 50 citizen journalists and supports them with their work in training, publishing, promoting and networking and the network works throughout the 3-year project until the end of 2017. To be able to take part of JEFs activities and get involved more closely to European matters, JEF Europe is active in 33 nations. The young people of Europe are key in the prosperous cooperation between countries on the European continent and the pillars of resolving one of its most sensitive moments in EUs history. With youth disconnected from a Treaty signed long before their birth, common goals and envisioned futures stretch nowadays past simply economic purposes. The EU, which has been called by Tindemans the most generous political idea of the 20th century has to work to solve the most serious threats to democracy and well-being of its citizens. These issues, amongst which unprecedented climate changes, migration or alternative energy supply cannot have a national resolution, but imply supranational cooperation. Simplification comes from a solid understanding of the issues discussed about. The much loved technical speech and acronyms widely used in the EU bubble tend to disconnect EU decision makers from real life problems and people and are generally unattractive to young masses. In trying to overcome these issues, the many resources and initiatives out there need to reach and trigger interest for the upcoming generations of European citizens. Author: Larisa Rusu The post Youth Has Voice Too? appeared first on Mladiinfo. Story by Mladi Info Caller-Times file photo The Women's Shelter of South Texas will host the GO Purple! Safe Families Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Del Mar College East. SHARE By Esther Hackleman, Esther.M.Hackleman@caller.com The Women's Shelter of South Texas will host the GO Purple! Safe Families Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Del Mar College East. The shelter's third safety resource fair will offer information for programs and healthy families in addition to kids activities, live music and food trucks. The festival will kick off the lineup of women's shelter events in October, which is domestic violence awareness month. "For our South Texas region to go purple would be to have a community free of domestic violence deaths," said Stacey Barrera, the shelter's domestic violence prevention community educator. "We are inviting the community to take the Go Purple challenge by being aware of the red flag of unhealthy relationships and having courageous conversations with close relationships about what those look like to encourage less violence." Twitter: @Caller_Esther By Natalia Contreras of the Caller-Times There's the limited edition vinyl records, the makeup line, the wax figure, and soon her very own star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and it doesn't stop there. On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Selena Quintanilla Perez as one five women to be inducted to the Texas Women's Walk of Fame. "I am honored to welcome these five extraordinary women into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame," Abbott stated in a news release. "Whether in public service, the arts, business or education, these leaders have inspired generations of Texans to reach new heights, achieve new goals and elevate the Lone Star State." The Tejano superstar was inducted along with pilot and businesswoman Emma Carter Browning; entrepreneur Susie Hitchcock-Hall; Giner Kerrick, division chief of the Flight Operations Directorate Integration Division at NASA and Renu Khator, chancellor of the University of Houston system and president of the University of Houston. The induction ceremony for the 2016 Texas Women's Hall of Fame honorees will be Oct. 21 at Texas Woman's University in Denton. Gov. Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott will be in attendance to honor the five new inductees and celebrate their contributions to the State of Texas, the release states. The nomination was made by Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez in April. "Her story transcends cultural differences and continues to inspire people around the world," Martinez stated in a nomination form. "She is also forever remembered for her charismatic personality that brought joy to so many around the world." In April, the Tejano superstar received recognition as the Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year from the Billboard Latin Music Awards. On Aug. 30, Madame Tussauds Hollywood in Los Angeles will unveil a wax figure of the immortalized Latina icon. In June, Quintanilla Perez joined the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2017. Corpus Christi fans also will have a sneak peek at the highly anticipated M.A.C. line at an event on Sept. 30 at the American Bank Center, a day before the makeup is released in stores. Twitter: @CallerNatalia SHARE By Beatriz Alvarado of the Caller-Times The new East Cliff Elementary School was ceremoniously welcomed to the Gregory-Portland ISD family Thursday with a ribbon-cutting. The school's rebuild was part of the 2012 bond program and its doors will open for the first day of school Monday. The new campus has a partitioned cafeteria, a gym that opens into an assembly area, separate parking lots for staff and visitors, a circular drive-thru for student drop-offs and pickups and a separate stopping point for school buses, a district news release states. The $15.9 million campus has a new security system and 90 percent of its lighting is energy-efficient LED lighting. At 80,392 square feet, the school is twice the size of the old building, which the G-PISD board approved in anticipation for economic growth in the district. "It was a result of careful planning before the 2012 election, and we have seen over time that our board absolutely made the right decision," Superintendent Paul Clore states in the release. "Our reality today, with the economic changes taking place all around us, will continue to directly affect our schools and the number of students we serve for the next several years and beyond." Clore said the school district is making similar plans when considering the long-term needs of other facilities and construction of the next elementary school, soon to be built on Moore Avenue. Twitter: @CallerBetty Port of Corpus Christi commissioner W. Wes Hoskins gives an update on economic activity during his address at the State of the Port Luncheon on Thursday at the Portland Community Center. Hoskins, president of First Community Bank, represents San Patricio County on the port commission. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES SHARE GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES A large crowd of guests applaud during the opening the State of the Port Luncheon on Thursday at the Portland Community Center. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Portland Mayor David Krebs recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the State of the Port Luncheon on Thursday at the Portland Community Center. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Port of Corpus Christi commissioner W. Wes Hoskins delivers a broad update on economic activity during the State of the Port Luncheon on Thursday at the Portland Community Center. By Natalia Contreras of the Caller-Times In the late 1920s Corpus Christi's port emerged to get locally grown cotton to other markets. Nearly a century later, the Port of Corpus Christi has become a hub for oil refineries, the fifth largest moving port in the nation and the first U.S. port in 40 years to export crude oil. During the State of the Port Luncheon at the Portland Community Center, Port commissioner W. Wes Hoskins spoke to a crowd of about 300 people Thursday about the port's ongoing growth and positive economic impact in the past year. "The Port of Corpus Christi had a record year in 2015 with more than 100 million tons of cargo moving through the port," Hoskins said. More than 3,600 vessels have sailed through the port in the first seven months of 2016. After the recent completion of the $5.4 billion Panama Canal expansion in late June, Hoskins said expect larger ships to sail through. One important planned project is the deepening and widening of the ship channel to 52 ft. deep and 530 ft. wide, he said. "This comes after the Panama Canal expansion, these bigger ships are going to require a wider channel," Hoskins said. "Safety is also important. We need to be ready for these larger vessels and potentially new markets." With the larger vessels coming in, he said annual economic benefits of the deeper and wider channel are projected to reach $100 million. Hoskins' address at the luncheon, which was hosted by the Portland Chamber of Commerce, offered a broad prospective of the port's past and future. The port is now in the midst of a significant building boom, he said. The port is nearing the end of a $28 million expansion of its railroad system. It's also building a string of new oil and dry bulk docks. "We'll have full capacity trains coming through," Hoskins said. The project to replace the Harbor Bridge, which was kicked off earlier this month, is crucial to the port. Gov. Greg Abbott was in Corpus Christi Aug. 8 to help break ground on the Harbor Bridge replacement project. When the five-year, $930 million construction project is completed, the new cable stayed bridge will have a minimum vertical clearance of 205 feet. The current bridge has a clearance of 138 feet. The bridge project is an example of the relationships of the partnerships the port has fostered in the Coastal Bend, Hoskins said. "The state of the port is good. Our financial is excellent and we are planning for the future," he said. "The leadership is what makes this possible. We have a good group of people." Portland Mayor David Krebs said the city is seeing the effects of the port's growth. "The port is a tremendous partner of San Patricio County and the surrounding areas," Krebs said. "We are almost up to a 3 percent growth. And it's quite evident when you drive through. We are in the center of this growth." San Patricio County Economic Development Corporation executive director Foster Edwards said because of the port's growth, builders in other parts of the Texas are paying attention to what's happening in San Patricio County. "There's more housing, there's more retail, there are more jobs, it goes on and on," Edwards said. "The deepening and the widening of the port will benefit San Patricio County, the Coastal Bend and the whole state. Other cities are dependent on things that come through our port." Reporter Chris Ramirez contributed to this report. Twitter: @CallerNatalia GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Cellphones will be allowed in courtrooms after a judges' vote Wednesday. The phones must be turned off when inside courtrooms. SHARE By Krista M. Torralva of the Caller-Times An attorney for a Corpus Christi pageant director being sued by six contestants says the contest was fair and the plaintiffs are nothing more than "sore losers." The contestants' lawsuit seeks $100,000 from Kayla Alvarez and accuses her of allowing pageant winner Caitlin Cifuentes to compete in the Miss Corpus Christi Latina contest. Cifuentes should have been disqualified because she was on probation at the time, the lawsuit states. Earlier this summer, the national pageant organization revoked Cifuentes' title. This month Cifuentes was jailed after prosecutors filed a motion arguing she violated her probation in a felony case related to a 2013 wreck. Cifuentes is not being sued. "Kayla Alvarez willfully and knowingly violated countless terms of the contractual agreement by allowing Caitlin Cifuentes to participate in and ultimately win the pageant, " according to the lawsuit. Valeria Barrera, the runner-up and one of the six suing, will go on in the competition. The national organization sent her a sash and officials will provide her with a crown. The lawsuit also urges that Alvarez be ordered to give proceeds from the pageant to the Women's Shelter of South Texas. The charity was supposed to be given the proceeds but Alvarez, a first-time pageant director, previously told the Caller-Times several contestants didn't turn in their ticket money. Alvarez's attorney, Mark Garcia, released a statement calling the lawsuit "frivolous." "The plaintiffs signed contracts stating they waived their right to sue the pageant and its director. For the chance to be queen they promised not to sue Miss Alvarez," Garcia said. "In their lawsuit they claim to be concerned that the women's shelter hasn't received monies Miss Alvarez promised, but the truth is many of those plaintiffs haven't turned in the money they made from the sale of tickets to the event the main source of income for the pageant." Garcia called the lawsuit "basically a case of sore losers and bad sportsmanship." "The only parties in breach of contract are the plaintiffs. The only persons taking money away from the shelter are the plaintiffs," Garcia said. "Miss Alvarez did a lot to put on a fair and quality pageant for these young women, and in fact paid a lot of money out of her own pockets to do so." Twitter: @CallerKMT GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Keri Bethard paints red on the side of an H-E-B trailer to cross out the word "cancer" as other cancer survivors join her Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, at H-E-B in Corpus Christi. Cities across Texas joined in the effort to transform H-E-B trailers into symbols of hope and a collective commitment to end cancer and raise funds to support MD Anderson Cancer Center's research, prevention and education programs. SHARE GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Cancer survivors paint red on the side of an H-E-B trailer to cross out the word "cancer" on Friday at the H-E-B on Saratoga Boulevard. Cities across Texas joined in the effort to transform H-E-B trailers into symbols of hope and a collective commitment to end cancer and raise funds to support MD Anderson Cancer Center's research, prevention and education programs. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Laura Nelson writes a note on a poster that has the word "cancer" crossed out Friday at the H-E-B on Saratoga Boulevard. Cities across Texas joined in the effort to transform H-E-B trailers into symbols of hope and a collective commitment to end cancer and raise funds to support MD Anderson Cancer Center's research, prevention and education programs. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Laura Nelson and her son Samuel Nelson paint red on the side of an H-E-B trailer to cross out the word "cancer" on Friday at the H-E-B on Saratoga Boulevard. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Cancer survivor John Rodriguez (left) and his wife Josie Rodriguez clap as they prepare to paint red on the side of an H-E-B trailer to cross out the word "cancer" on Friday at H-E-B on Saratoga Boulevard. By Esther Hackleman, Esther.M.Hackleman@caller.com The sight of six letters C-a-n-c-e-r stopped Keri Bethard in her tracks as she pedaled her bicycle to the grocery store. She stared up at the words scrawled alongside an H-E-B semitrailer on Saratoga Boulevard. Bethard, a two-time survivor of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, wants hope instead of fear associated with a diagnosis. "It was very, very devastating for me (the first time)," Bethard said. "I was in tears because I thought I had beat it the first time, and it came back." But cancer didn't have the last word. Not in 2007 or in 2009 when it returned. "Now, I'm cancer free. It feels awesome. I talked to my doctors, and they said the change of cancer coming back is zero," Bethard said. "It's a great feeling knowing I don't have to fight it anymore." Bethard was one of about 20 residents, community leaders to paint a thick red line through the word "cancer" on the semitrailer. It's one of five H-E-B trucks painted across the state to promote awareness and kick off the store's partnership initiative with MD Anderson Cancer Center to raise funds for cancer research. Customers can donate $1, $3 and $5 with each purchase at H-E-B checkout registers from now through Sept. 13. "These trucks will be delivering groceries but also providing the message that we are here to end cancer and strike through this disease," said Regina Garcia, H-E-B's public affairs senior manager. "We never know when that news is going to come and impact one of our families, but we want the community to know that they can make a difference during their daily routine by shopping." Garcia said the partnership is important for the Texas-based grocery store chain because about 6 percent of its employees and staff have been diagnosed with cancer from 2004-2006, and that percentage jumped to 10 percent from 2014-16, translating to about 8,000 cases. John Rodriguez was one of those cases. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, but he was not alone. "The store at Leopard and Pilot, that's my home store and my family also," Rodriguez said as his wife, Josie, nodded. "It's incredible the support that they offer. From the store level to the Gulf Coast level, it's making a difference," Josie Rodriguez said. "The end of cancer is coming." Twitter: @Caller_Esther CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Volunteers at Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi South presented a $99,198 check to hospital officials. SHARE By Fares Sabawi of the Caller-Times Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi South volunteers spent all years gathering funds for the hospital. On Thursday, they presented hospital officials with a $99,198 check. The check was presented to Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi South President Mark Casanova and Vice President of Philanthropy Karen Bonner. Ninety-five volunteers spent a total of 20,249.5 hours last year and teenage volunteers donated 1,198.5 hours. The money will be used to fund more than 30 pieces of equipment for the hospital, according to a news release. The equipment includes beds, blood gas analyzers and phototherapy equipment. Twitter: @Caller_Fares SHARE By Marty Schladen, El Paso Times AUSTIN Lawmakers were skeptical Thursday about changing requirements that local governments post notices of meetings, elections, annexations and other such matters in the newspaper. A select committee consisting of Texas senators and representatives met in the Capitol to hear testimony on a perennial issue whether cash-strapped city councils, school boards, commissioner courts and other local entities should have to pay the local newspaper to get the word out about their business. Some of those asking for changes said that newspaper circulation is declining and most people have access to the internet. So why not allow local governments to notify the public via the medium they think is best suited and most cost effective? "Fewer people are getting their notice about any issue from a print newspaper," said Bennett Sandlin of the Texas Municipal League, which represents cities. Such notices are costing the largest Texas cities millions of dollars a year and Sandlin said the Legislature should consider requiring them to be placed instead on city websites, a state website or a newspaper website where advertising rates are cheaper. State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, mocked the idea that the public visits city websites in the numbers that they read newspapers or visit newspaper websites. "I don't know many people who say, 'You know what? I haven't checked out the city's website in a while,' " he said. "I think I'll go and see what they're doing." He said the point of advertising in the newspaper is to ensure that as many citizens as possible know about government business. While more than 70 percent of Texans have access to high-speed internet, the 30 percent who don't make up a group that shouldn't be shut out of the process, said state Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso. He said rates of connection to the internet are much lower among blacks, Hispanics, the poor and those who live in rural areas. "Lack of access in a rural area is a huge problem," he said, noting that's particularly true in far West Texas counties he represents, such as Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis and Presidio. Lack of access to online-only public notices would deepen as more people disconnect their homes from the internet and rely solely on mobile data via their smartphones, said Robert Moore, editor of the El Paso Times. "The move to mobile presents digital-equity issues," he said. "Lower income and rural residents are more likely to run into data-cap issues on mobile devices, particularly when they don't have home broadband access that would allow them to create a Wi-Fi network." Taken together, the reach of newspapers and their websites is far greater than any government website, making them the best single repository for government notices, said Laura Prather, an Austin attorney who works on open-records issues. Perhaps some public notices don't need to be advertised in the newspaper, said Phillip Ellison of the Texas Association of School Business Officers. He said school districts spend most of their public-notice money advertising construction work. Yet when he surveyed contractors, he found that very few look for possible jobs in the newspaper, he said. By surveying only contractors, Ellison missed the point, said state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock. "The point of this information being available is for citizens to keep an eye on the process," he said. Even with current laws requiring public notice in general-circulation newspapers, local governments try to weasel their way around them and slip business to preferred contractors, Prather said, detailing several such instances. Prather was speaking on behalf of Mike Weaver of Weaver and Jacobs Constructors Inc., a large construction firm in Cuero. She said the firm relies heavily on newspaper advertisements to find government-contracting business. Gary Hendrix, a retired engineer who lives in Dripping Springs, described how a company tried to slip plans to build a concrete plant on the city's edge past residents. The company posted notice two days before Christmas and it posted it in the San Marcos paper even though Dripping Springs has a paper of its own. Hendrix said people in his community turn to their paper for important information. "Notice of a concrete plant coming into your backyard is a huge golden nugget of information," he said. Robert Rose of Bryan read a notice in the Bryan College Station Eagle saying that a local plastics company wanted to amend its permit so that it could emit more toxins into the air. As he did more research, he saw that the project would aggravate his and others' respiratory problems and led a successful fight to stop the changes. "I would not have known about this permit modification had I not read it in the local newspaper," he said. But many cash-strapped governments see the notice requirement as another costly requirement from the state. Becky St. John, a trustee for the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, said local school boards should have the latitude to decide what the best way to post public notices is even if that's just on the district's website. The state requirement for them to advertise in the newspaper was causing them a lot of expense that the state is not helping them pay, she said. "It's an unfunded mandate and we need more funds to do this," said St. John, who was speaking on behalf of the Texas Association of School Boards. State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, said nobody's stopping school boards from posting notices on their own websites. "More is better," he said. "Not or is better." And state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, pointed out the self-serving way local governments sometimes provide information when left to their own devices. The webpage introducing the budget for St. John's district brags about how the school board doesn't propose to raise the tax rate, but is silent about how much revenue that would bring in, Hancock said. "Sometimes you can pick and choose the information," he said. Moore said that when considered in the context of governments' overall budgets, expenditures on public notices are tiny. "I looked at the city of El Paso's budget as an example," he said. "The city spends $218,000 on public notices from its general fund, out of a total budget of $375 million. That means the city is spending .0006 percent of its general fund on public notices that inform the citizenry about its actions. That is a small but impactful investment." Rodriguez said the expenditure also is small compared with what it buys taxpayers using their own money. "It's not a big price to pay to ensure transparency, accountability and freedom," he said. Legislative staffers said it's unclear whether committee chairs state Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, and state Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, will call another hearing. Given that none of the lawmakers voiced support for loosening notice requirements, that may be unlikely. | BY Ricki Green | WPP AUNZ has today announced its financial results for the half year ended 30 June 2016. Key features of the six month period include: Merger with Australia and New Zealand businesses of WPP plc approved by shareholders on 4 April 2016. Change of name and branding to WPP AUNZ Limited reflecting the closer alignment with WPP plc. Merger integration in the initial stages. Very positive beginning with strong engagement and collaboration from local business units and support from WPP global operations. The Groups Headline Results are presented on a like-for-like basis, as if all businesses were owned from 1 January and exclude one-off and significant items incurred during the period. Headline Net Sales of $407.3 million, flat on prior period (2015: $407.5 million). Headline profit before interest and tax of $47.2 million, flat on the prior period (2015: $47.4 million). Headline PBIT was delivered at a margin of 11.6%, in line with the prior period. Strong operating cash flow and exceeding EBITDA cash conversion target. Entered into new core debt facilities of $520 million. Materially enhanced terms reflecting scale and reduced leverage. Next debt maturity will not arise until mid-2019. Interim dividend of 2.1 cents per share, fully franked (2015: 2.1 cents per share. Summary of the result Says Michael Connaghan, chief executive officer, WPP AUNZ: WPP AUNZs results for the half year ended 30 June 2016 delivered net sales of $407.3 million, flat on the prior period (2015: $407.5 million) and headline profit before interest and tax of $47.2 million, in line with the prior period ($47.4 million). The results were delivered at a margin of 11.6%. The 2016 half year results are the first results presented under the name WPP AUNZ Limited, having completed the merger with the Australian and New Zealand businesses of WPP plc in April 2016. While we are still very much in the initial stages of the merger integration, it has been a very positive beginning. There has been strong engagement and collaboration from local business units and support from WPP global operations. The substantial benefits of the merger are tangible providing the Group with access to new tools, technologies and client relationships. The merger provides exciting pathways for our talented people and generates market leading services for our clients. 2016 will be a year of integration and establishing a platform for 2017 and beyond. During the early stages of integration the key objective has been to drive oversight and collaboration across the group. Along with Rose Herceg and Rob Currie, we have invested in senior executive positions with the appointment of: John Steedman chairman media services; Kieran Moore CEO public relations and public affairs; and Ben Dixon CEO data investment management. The new management structure provides the oversight required to ensure our business units get the most out of being part of the largest marketing services group globally and at the same time ensure local autonomy remains intact. The structure brings together specialist expertise and allows for informed and agile decision-making. We have previously outlined to the market that we expect to achieve at least $15 million of annual cost synergies as a result of the merger over a period of three years. Post transaction completion, we have made investment to validate, challenge and refine the cost synergy assumptions. The simple conclusion was an enhanced confidence in reaching and exceeding projected synergy targets. While it will be challenging, they are real and achievable. While confidence and conviction is strong, the synergies will take time to impact on the results. There will be limited synergy benefits in 2016. It is a year to invest in people, systems and structures that will establish a platform for sustainable synergy realization. 2016 Full Year Outlook The outlook is presented on a like-for-like basis, looking at the performance of all business units in the Group as if they were owned for the entire period. The outlook excludes the impact of one off gains and costs resulting from the merger with WPP plc and other non-cash costs such as amortisation of intangible assets. On a like for like basis, WPP AUNZ expects to deliver headline profit before interest and tax of between $140 million and $147 million (2015: $137.0 million). Says Connaghan: This represents mid-to-high single digit organic growth. We are cautious in our outlook for the Group given a flat media market, restrained client spend and a subdued macro-economic environment in key markets. The Group will achieve this organic growth through winning market share and driving cost efficiencies. Cash, Gross Debt & Facilities During the half year, in connection with the merger, the group entered into new debt facilities of $520 million to refinance both the existing debt facilities of the Group and certain intercompany indebtedness owed to WPP plc. The debt facilities are on materially better terms than the prior debt facilities reflecting the size of the merged group and the reduction in leverage. The Groups next debt maturity will not arise until the first half of 2019. As at 30 June 2016, the Companys net cash balance was $71.5 million (31 December 2015: $26.9 million). The Companys gross debt, finance lease liabilities and earnout liabilities totaled $389.7 million (31 December 2015: $246.9 million). The Companys net debt position increased to $318.2 million at 30 June 2016 (31 December 2015: $220.0 million) driven primarily by increased debt required as part of the financing of the merger. Operating Cash Flows Says Lukas Aviani, chief financial officer, WPP AUNZ: The Groups cash flows were positively impacted by the timing of media payments at 30 June 2016. The operating cash flow for the 2016 half year was strong and exceeds the Groups cash conversion target of between 85% and 100% of EBITDA. Dividend The Directors of WPP AUNZ declared a fully franked interim dividend of 2.1 cents per share (2014: 2.1 cents per share). This Groups target is a full year dividend payout ratio of between 60% and 70% of underlying profit. The interim dividend will have a record date of 6 September 2016 and will be paid on 20 September 2016. A dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) will not operate in respect of the interim dividend. Results Presentation The Liberals introduced similar legislation in 2012 to increase penalties for assaults on police officers. It was knocked back by Labor and the Greens, but Mr Hanson said he would reintroduce it and extend it to other workers to "send a very clear message to the community that our nurses, our firies, our ambos and our police are at the frontline of care and protection to our community and anyone that assaults them or any other crime perpetrated on them will face increased penalties". "It means if you're buying into a residential layer of a building, it might be the top eight floors for example, then you know that your unit title will be relevant to residential use whereas on the ground floor you might have more commercial activities with higher costs and those costs will be borne by those unit holders," he said. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper. Advancing the National Interest, published on the eve of the invasion of Iraq, gazed into the crystal ball and identified some of the geo-strategic challenges Australia would face (and was certainly more value than the Asia-focused 1997 white paper, which was published on the eve of the Asian Financial Crisis and rapidly dated). [Your Business Name] Contact Info Phone: Fax: Email: Web: CAPITOLHILLCUBANS.COM Business Overview Geographic Area Line of Business Brands We Carry Products and Services Discounts Offered Additional Information Business Hours Timezone We Accept Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Being one of the most sought-after destinations for higher education overseas, the UK seems to be losing it shine among Indian students. So, what is happening in the UK? Why is it losing its popularity? The main reason for the decline in the popularity of UK as the study abroad destination is the strict and stringent visa rules. The changes in the visa rules for the non-European Union students actually restricts international students from staying in the UK after their studies. Most of the international students usually take huge loans to fund their studies in the UK. Experts suggest that, the government needs to take strategic steps to reassure these students and give them a reasonable window to work or intern alongside getting a degree. Most common options to fund your higher education abroad If the government changes the visa rules and allows students to seek work, it will indeed be a great boost for international students aspiring to study in the UK, as for most studying abroad is more than just earning a degree. According to the data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, UK in 2004-05 there were about 10,000 first year students in the UK which grew to cross 20,000 students between 2008 and 2011. Whence the implementation of strict visa rules, the number of students flying overseas to the UK has drastically dropped from 2011. The number was just 10,125 in 2014-15. UK May Introduce New Visa Only For Indian Students A well known trend with studying abroad is that, India sends the second largest contingent to the UK for higher education, China being the first with around 18,320. However, there is a dramatic dip in the numbers from the previous year and the year before. In fact, international students in the UK definitely make a positive contribution to the universities populations and revenues, however, loosening the visa rules is still distant. The cap on the visa rules will affect the revenues negatively due to the reduction of influx of high-fee paying international students. What drives Indian students for an overseas educational experience is the financially high returns along with high potential for finding job opportunities. This being the major reason for Indian students enrolling master's programme in engineering or business. [You might want to read: How does studying abroad make you smarter?] UK Studies No Longer Attractive Due to Increased Cost With the UK policy becoming stricter in terms of study and work, Indian students will certainly look for alternative destinations. Steps taken by the British universities to retain its popularity and sustain Indian students: Many universities in the UK are trying to lure more international students by offering attractive and high-quality programmes. Though scholarships and visa policies are outside the control of the universities. Some universities are trying to reach out students through social media and alumni. Britain: English tests likely to go tougher for foreign students The present scenario in the UK both the economic and political climate is about limiting migration from any pathway. Such conditions are not favourable for any changes in the visa policies in at least the next two years. The visa rules will not be providing any support or leniency for more work and immigration opportunities for Indian students. The infamous BAC Mono will be showcasing its available levels of personalization while on display during the 2016 Pebble Beach weekend. For 2016, the Mono comes with an all-new four-cylinder 305 HP 2.5-liter Mountune engine, helping it reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.8 seconds. The fact that it weighs just 580 kg (1,278 lbs) helps too, obviously. The Mono also made an appearance at last years Pebble Beach Concours dElegance, followed by its participation during this years Gumball 3000 Rally. Most recently, it became the first car to use lightweight panels made out of Graphene. It is wonderful to be returning to the stunning and prestigious surroundings of Pebble Beach. The weekend is always a glorious collection of the greatest cars in the world from all eras, and we are proud to be representing BAC and British manufacturing in California, said Mark Rayner, BAC chief operating officer. Another reason for the Monos presence in the US was to play a prominent role at the recent V Foundation Wine Celebration, as an official sponsor. The UK automaker even helped raise $5.2 million for charity last Saturday at the exclusive Nickel and Nickel vineyard. PHOTO GALLERY Bugatti has brought out a beautiful example of their Chiron at the Quail event in California. Finished in a deep blue which lets the carbon weaves visible over a red interior, this Bugatti Chiron is one of the most impressive weve come across yet. Powered by a quad-turbo 8.0-litre W16 engine that makes 1,479hp (1,500PS) and 1180lb ft (1600Nm) of torque, the Bugattis new rocketship can accelerate from zero to 62mph (0-100km/h) in less than 2.5 seconds and all the way up to an electronically limited top speed of 261mph (420km/h). Bugatti says that so far more than 200 customers have placed their orders, with around 30 per cent of them coming from the United States. With that said, the new Chiron looks like its going to be a big hit for the historic company. Earlier this month, it became known that a Saudi prince became the owner of the original Bugatti Chiron show car from Geneva Motor Show and of the Vision Gran Turismo concept car that was revealed last year. PHOTO GALLERY One of the most famous Ferrari Dayonas out there, this 365 GTB/4 Shooting Brake is in search of a new home again. Assembled in 1972 and delivered new to Chinetti-Garthwaite Motors, a Philadelphia-area Ferrari dealer, it was transformed by the dealership owner, after Bob Gittleman, an architect and builder, visited Chinetti Motors and asked for something a bit different. Mr. Gittleman was a Ferrari fan with a soft spot for shooting brakes, so Chinette designed a new roofline, extended from the B-pillars, a large non-opening rear window, cargo area accessible through twin upward-opening glass panels, a tweaked front fascia and revised grille. After the sketches were completed, Robert Jankels Panther Westwinds, located in Surrey, England, was selected for the build. It was pretty straightforward. We got some rough sketches and had to interpret them and basically design the car. He (Chinetti) didnt specify how it should be finished, but it has a very exotic interior, Jankel said, referring to the repositioned instruments and numerous wood trim. After being completed, it nabbed the attention of Ferrari Club of Americas Prancing Horse magazine and it remained in Gittlemans possession for several years, until it changed hands three times in the 1980s. In 1999, the Daytona Shooting Brake was exported to Belgium, where it was displayed at the Concours dElegance at Paleis Het Loo in the Netherlands the year after, and it was also showcased at the 2001 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Its current owner acquired it in late 2013 and commissioned a total refurbishment, including a repaint and mechanical restoration, and it was displayed last year at the 2015 Salon Prive Concours dElegance. It currently has less than 4,500 miles (7,242 km) on its odometer and will search for a new owner at this weekends Gooding&Co Monterey sale, where it could change hands for an estimated $750,000-$1,000,000. PHOTO GALLERY Volkswagens emission cheating scandal had a big impact on the motoring industry, and new reports suggest that the German car maker may have had an accomplice. According to Reuters/Bloomberg, U.S. lawyers claimed that Europes biggest supplier of auto components, Robert Bosch GmbH, had a big part in Volkswagens plan, developing the emission-rigging defeat devices in the late 1990s. In a federal court filing in San Francisco, the lawyers invoked that the ingeniously designed defeat devices used Boschs technology. The gizmos were crafted to hide as much as 40 times more pollution than allowed by the law when a car was subjected to a lab or smog test Bosch played a crucial role in the fraudulent enterprise and profited handsomely from it, the court papers say. However, Bosch has yet to be charged with any wrongdoing, but German prosecutors are currently investigating whether the company was involved in VWs emissions rigging scandal. Although the court papers say that Bosch worked hand-in-glove together with VW to develop the defeat devices, the parts supplier reportedly warned the German car maker, in 2007, that it would be illegal to use engine management software. According to Bild am Sonntag, Bosch offered the software to Volkswagen exclusively for test purposes, but the technology was used on road cars instead. PHOTO GALLERY Photo: RCMP Deanna Wertz There is still no sign of three women who have gone missing in the North Okanagan this year. Caitlyn Brandy Potts, 27, has not been heard from since Feb. 22 and Ashley Simpson, 31, was last heard from on April 27. Then on July 22, Deanna Mildred Wertz, 46, was reported missing from the Enderby area. RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said police are still actively investigating all three disappearances and the major crimes unit was called in earlier this year to look into the Potts and Simpson cases. But they are not yet treating Wertz's disappearance as suspicious. RCMP investigators believe that on the morning of July 19, Wertz went for a walk somewhere in the wooded area near her residence on Yankee Flats Road and has not been seen since. Deanna is an avid hiker and was known to enjoy lengthy hikes, said Moskaluk. RCMP investigators are also reaching out to seasonal residents of the Enderby area who may have information about Deanna. We would like to hear from any of the areas seasonal residents who may have been in Enderby back in July, but have since returned to their permanent homes elsewhere, be it in British Columbia or Alberta, said Moskaluk. Since Wertz was reported missing, extensive investigative efforts have been carried out by Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, including a search that began immediately after she disappeared. Moskaluk said in the days and weeks since her disappearance, an eight-square-kilometre area was searched over the course of seven days. The terrain covered included dense bush and steep elevations, which was extensively searched. Many areas were searched again by ground search and rescue teams, RCMP police service dogs and RCMP aircraft resources. We are asking that anyone who may have seen Wertz on the morning of July 19th to contact police. Due to Wertz being an experienced hiker, investigators are specifically appealing to anyone who may have been travelling the off-road locations near the Yankee Flats Road area on the morning of July 19, said Moskaluk. Hiking landmarks of particular interest in this area include: Spa Creek Spa Lake Williams Road Lionel Road Watson Road This investigation remains active, as the RCMP continue to follow up on tasks that they believe will assist in determining Deanna Wertz's movements prior to going missing. At this time RCMP investigators do not suspect foul play is involved in Deanna Wertz's disappearance, added Moskaluk. Photo: Bear Aware Society/File photo Fruit and garbage are bringing bears into the town of Revelstoke, leading to a number of frightening encounters with the large mammals and a number of bear kills, including one in the downtown this week. Since Aug. 1, there have been 40 reports of bears in Revelstoke. Typically, spring and fall are the high volume seasons for bear calls, but it seems earlier than last year, said Dan Bartol, a conservation officer based in Golden. The problem started escalating Aug. 1. With the increased volume of calls, Bartol started working out how to reduce the hazard and mapping out hot spots. The attractants are fruit and garbage and the extent of the problem is very discouraging. Bartol has had to put down eight garbage-habituated bears in Revelstoke this week, including one very public shooting. Another bear was destroyed because it was suffering from a serious injury. On Tuesday afternoon, the conservation officer was called to the downtown where a bear was feeding on a pile of buckets full of food by a dumpster in an alley near a local restaurant, said Bartol, describing it as a buffet. The animal ate and wandered around parked cars before eating some more. When he went back into the alley, Bartol and the officers decided it was a safe shooting zone. The animal was hit, moved out into the street, fell and was shot again in full public view. Bartol is clearly distraught over the encounter. To destroy a huge animal like that is one of the saddest things for a conservation officer. To do it downtown in front people is one of the most stressful things an officer is going to do in their life. Another bear was put down this week after residents left garbage on a deck. The residents tried to clean it up and had to escape inside when the animal charged them, Bartol said. The number one attractant is garbage, said Maggie Spizzirri, community coordinator for Revelstoke's Bear Aware Society. Last year 65 per cent of bear culls were due to garbage. Next to that would be fruit trees. Spizzirri urged residents to prune their fruit trees and pick up windfalls as well as keep their garbage inside a locked garage or the basement. If it smells, it is probably the meat so put it in the freezer until garbage day. Spizzirri said Revelstoke should have its own conservation officer to attend to bear sightings. I think that would solve a lot of the problems, she said. There would be faster response times, but once a bear gets garbage habituated, there is only one option. Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet Rob Moyor, managing partner of Strategic Development Group West Kelowna is getting a good deal. That from Rob Moyor, managing partner of the company hired to build a new civic centre, during an election-style rally hosted by the 'Yes to the Civic Centre Committee," Thursday afternoon. The rally was held on the proposed site of the civic centre on Elliott Road. Moyor, with Strategic Development Group, said the city is building at the right time. "They are building at a time when we were able to negotiate, what we hoped, were lower prices," said Moyor "The price they negotiated was a very good price on a per square foot basis. The risk is on us to make sure that happens." Moyor said the city is also getting value for a piece of land it owns on the site. That piece of land, he said, will become part of an extension of Gosset Road. "It's going to become a piece of land that is an orphan, so half of that parcel will be road. The remaining piece is not that big to be able to put anything on it. "By combining their pieces with ours, they are getting good value for what they have already invested in." Thursday's event, attended by about 50 'yes' supporters, is the beginning of a campaign which includes a large social-media profile, election buttons and road signs and a campaign office. West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater and IH spokesman Bryan Redford also spoke. In talking about the benefits of a new city hall as part of the civic centre, Findlater admitted the city may be over-building for current needs, but added the top floor will be rented out, allowing the city to realize revenue to help pay off the building. He said the new RCMP building also has extra space, which he said is paying about 55 per cent of the city's mortgage on the facility. Redford said Interior Health, which would move into a separate building as part of the complex, said the health authority has simply outgrown its current facility on Carrington Road. He said that facility was built for a smaller community, and West Kelowna is growing rapidly and needs something bigger. "We see 23,000 clients a year," said Redford. "We are facing constraints daily. We need to grow." The new facility would be 34 per cent larger, said Redford. "We could design the space to meet our needs." This is the first of many events planned by the 'Yes to the Civic Centre Committee," between now and referendum day. Committee co-chair Gord Milsom said they are just asking for three things from the public. Vote, vote yes, and get the facts. He said it is their committee's goal to lay out the facts for residents. As for Findlater, he just hopes the campaign running up to the referendum is clean. "I don't go for name calling one bit. We are one community and we have to come together as one community," said Findlater. "Lets not create deep cleavages, but let's have a healthy debate in our community." The community will vote Sept. 17 on whether to endorse the city's request to borrow up to $7.7 million for the project. Photo: The Canadian Press Mounties in Comox Valley have searched and excavated a rural property after receiving a tip from the public about a 23-year-old missing person's case. Fourteen-year-old Lindsey Nicholls was last seen walking down the street to meet friends at a B.C. Day Celebration in Comox on Aug. 2, 1993. RCMP say next month would be her 38th birthday and her family has never given up hope that one day they would have answers about her disappearance. RCMP say 20 forensically trained police officers spent two days this week searching a rural property with an excavator in response to a tip. Mounties say the search has been completed but the results cannot be shared as the investigation is ongoing. Cpl. Tammy Douglas says someone may know something, even if they believe it is minor, and anyone with information is asked to come forward. Photo: Contributed A popular B.C. craft brewery has been slapped with a food recall. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued the recall on Granville Island Brewing brand Gose with Nectarine beer. The product has been recalled due to undeclared milk, according to a news release sent out Thursday by the agency. The beer in question is distributed throughout B.C., Alberta and Manitoba. The recall affects the 650ml size of Gose beer. The affected production dates are July 12, 13, 18 and 26. Granville Island Brewing is Canada's first microbrewery, established in 1984. Photo: Carmen Weld WorkSafeBC and the BC Coroners Service are investigating after the owner of a log hauling company was killed on the job in Prince George. According to the BC Forest Safety Council, on Aug. 9, 2016 a man was jump starting a tractor around his shop when it moved inadvertently, pinning him under the rear wheels. Our condolences go out to the family and co-workers of the deceased, wrote the BCFSC in a press release. This is the third fatal incident within the last 10 months that has involved equipment or vehicles rolling over workers. A worker in Fraser Lake and another in Ladysmith were killed while doing maintenance underneath a log truck and a heavy-duty truck respectively. While the specific details of this new incident are unknown, the BCFSC encourages all those in the industry to to review safety materials. The BCFSC writes: Doing work around the shop or office will have risks that are often overlooked. Stop, assess the risks and come up with a plan to do the work safely, even when doing routine tasks in these locations. Locking out all machinery including wheeled equipment is very important when performing maintenance. Follow the lock out procedures on the BC Forest Safety Councils website if your company does not have any for particular pieces of equipment. Upset conditions create high risk situations that lead to many incidents. An upset condition is anything that is out of the ordinary for you or your operation; including sickness, stress, equipment breakdowns or unusual weather conditions. For more information, click here. Photo: Contributed Experts say they're not sure British Columbia's overdue climate change plan will go far enough in increasing carbon taxes and tightening environmental policies to reach the province's long-term goals to reduce emissions. B.C.'s Liberal government is scheduled to announce its Climate Leadership Plan on Friday, but Green party Leader Andrew Weaver said a decision to scrap cap-and-trade in 2014 and focus on developing the liquefied natural gas industry makes him doubtful the plan will be effective in curbing the province's rising emissions. "It's incompatible to be a climate leader and an LNG leader," said Weaver, who represents Oak Bay-Gordon Head in the legislature. A group of experts, First Nations, and business leaders were part of the government's Climate Leadership Team that put forward 32 recommendations to the province last fall, including raising the $30-per-tonne carbon tax by $10 annually. The government said it would have a climate plan announced by the spring of 2016 but delayed it until now. The carbon tax has been in place since 2008 but includes some industry exemptions. Weaver said he doesn't expect the government to increase or expand the tax at the risk of deterring the LNG industry. The Environment Ministry didn't comment Thursday on the release of its plan. The government has defended its record in the past, saying it has been recognized as a world leader in the fight against climate change since 2008, when B.C. became the first province to implement a carbon tax. The hefty carbon tax is the best tool in fighting climate change and to date, it has not had a negative effect on the province's economy, said Merran Smith, director of Clean Energy Canada. Smith, who was also a member of the climate team, said the government's inaction to address climate change in recent years means the province will not meet its 2020 target to reduce emissions by 33 per cent below 2007 levels. The federal government, along with other provinces, have set new goals following the Paris Agreement in December to reduce emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. B.C.'s next target remains set at 2050 too far in the future to be an incentive to act now, Smith said. "B.C. has had good climate policy in the past but we are falling behind and we have to take new steps if we want to stay on the forefront," she said. Among the team's recommendations were new targets for 2030 and policies that would impose industry-specific targets. The team said in its report that the recommendations needed to be adopted as a full package not cherry-picked to be effective. While policy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions is important in addressing long-term concerns of extreme weather, droughts and forest fires, it also creates new opportunities to develop clean technology and energy, said Josha MacNab, B.C. regional director of the Pembina Institute. "(Policies) needs to transition B.C. to a low-carbon economy, so that B.C.'s economy can be competitive and strong in an increasingly decarbonizing world," she said. Photo: The Canadian Press The aunt of a Syrian toddler whose image lying lifeless on a beach shocked the world says a new photograph of a bloody boy pulled from a collapsed building in Aleppo is heartbreaking, but she fears these kinds of images thwart peace efforts by adding fuel to the fire of a years-long conflict. Tima Kurdi of Coquitlam said Wednesday's image of a stunned and weary-looking child, coated in dust and blood and perched on an orange seat in the back of an ambulance, is being used in the West to garner further support for the rebels battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Selective reporting will prolong the bloodshed and displacement, and instead of supporting either side world leaders need to focus on organizing peace talks that prioritize ending the conflict as soon as possible, she said. "This image is the wrong message. The message should be: in the West we should talk to end the war in Syria," Kurdi said in an interview Thursday. "You can't continue like this. You're going to see more refugees. You're going to see more bloodshed," she added. "It's been six years. Enough is enough." Nearly a year ago, the body of Kurdi's nephew Alan Kurdi was photographed face down on a Turkish beach after the boat he and his family had hired to bring them to Europe after fleeing Syria capsized on the Mediterranean Ocean. The only member of the family to survive was the father, who lost his wife and both of his sons in the capsizing. Kurdi said she believes the image of her two-year-old nephew is different than the photograph of the boy in Aleppo, who was identified by a local doctor as five-year-old Omran Daqneesh. "He was the wake-up call to the four or five years of silence," Kurdi said about Alan's death raising the profile of the war in Syria, her voice breaking. "He was the message to wake up the people around the world. And he did, for a few months. And then everybody went back to business." Kurdi said she doesn't support one side or the other in the Syrian conflict, but she's frustrated by what she calls the Western media's one-sided coverage of the war. The slanted reporting downplays the impact on civilians of American attacks and bolsters the Syrian rebels at the expense of peace, she said "In the West we are supporting regime change. It's a ridiculous policy," said Kurdi. "We did support regime change in Iraq. Look what happened." Photo: The Canadian Press An east Vancouver neighbourhood has gotten increasingly colourful lately, but the people behind dozens of new murals in the area say the art is about more than beautifying empty walls. More than 40 artists are painting about 35 permanent works on buildings near Main Street for the inaugural Vancouver Mural Festival. There are massive pieces on century-old apartment buildings, whimsical doodle-like images on the front of a paint store and an intricate image of geometric wolves on the back of a coffee shop. "We're trying to get art out of galleries, and the bars and the studios, and into public space," says David Vertesi, the festival's executive director. There's an abundance of artistic talent in the city, he says, and many people simply don't know about it. Part of his goal is to transform how art is seen, both figuratively and literally, and get residents talking about it. Those conversations are important for what happens in the future, says Drew Young, a Vancouver artist who helped curate the festival. Despite the high number of creative people in town, events and spaces to showcase work are disappearing, he says. "Venues are slowly shutting down, opportunities are becoming few and far between, and we're sitting on a hotbed. The time is now to really show what's going on in the city, or else there's really not going to be an art scene in the city." Young says the festival's organizers looked for a diverse range of artists, including people from different ethnic backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations. Everyone has a story, he explains, and they wanted a lot of different stories to be told. "This (festival) shows it's a so-fun city, not a no-fun city," says Vertesi, who's also a musician and plays bass in the band Hey Ocean! Murals created for the festival's first year have yet to dry, but organizers are already looking forward to what future iterations may bring. They see it becoming an annual event, and want to expand to different neighbourhoods, as well as work with other artists and organizations. Young says he hopes the festival makes people view Vancouver as an art destination. Photo: Google Street View Via Rail has joined discussions with the British Columbia government, First Nations and social service agencies to offer rock-bottom fares to "vulnerable" people who can't afford to travel along the so-called Highway of Tears. The railway is collaborating with mayors and multiple groups to determine the criteria for $5 fares along a northern B.C. corridor where 18 girls and women have been murdered or have disappeared since the 1970s. In June, following a decade of pleas from women's groups and First Nations, B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced that bus service would begin in the area by the end of the year. Chief Joseph Bevan of the Kitselas First Nation near Terrace said he's part of an advisory group concerned about the safety of people along the 750-kilometre route and that it came together for regular meetings last November after months of discussions. He said it's common for people to take a risk and hitchhike in the notorious area because they're too poor to take the train or a Greyhound bus. "It's non-aboriginals as well. It's everyone who is on social assistance, people with disabilities, who are having trouble moving around. It makes them vulnerable when they're jumping into a vehicle with somebody else." Bevan said that at a meeting in March, a Via Rail official made the proposal to offer a $5 fare along the highway that stretches between Prince Rupert and Prince George. Michael Woelcke, the railway's general manager for remote services, said in minutes of the meeting held in Prince George on March 30 that the company would offer the low fare "regardless of origin or destination along the route." He said Via Rail provides train service three times a week between Prince Rupert and Prince George, and it's open to suggestions on determining eligibility for the $5 fare that would be available to "at risk" and "vulnerable" people including youth and "elders." "We need to identify who would qualify for this program, as we cannot provide everyone with these reduced fares," he said in the minutes. Woelcke said a minimum $75 one-way fare would be reduced by a third for aboriginal passengers. Woelcke was not available for comment, and the company said an official would provide details if and when an arrangement is worked out with the province. Via Rail said in an emailed statement that a discounted fare for "vulnerable" people is one of the options being studied and that discussions with the Transportation Ministry and the advisory group are ongoing. The ministry said interconnectivity of services along Highway 16 has been part of discussions and that Via Rail was included to determine what role it could play to increase transportation options. As for the promised new bus service between Prince George and Prince Rupert, the ministry said the first of more than 20 public information sessions hosted by BC Transit will start Saturday. BC Transit said Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, which is part of the advisory group, has provided $1 million in funding for features including enhanced bus stop shelters and CCTV cameras to ensure passengers' safety along the corridor. Photo: CTV Vancouver The Terminator could have been pulled into real-life action in Cloverdale this week, had he actually been in town. Arnold Schwarzeneggers new action-comedy was in production Thursday, filming an explosion-filled sequence when a robber tried to pull off a bank heist. In the middle of the shoot, RCMP officers on the movie set were sent to a robbery in progress at a Coast Capital Savings branch just steps away. Paul Orazietti of the Cloverdale Business Improvement Association told CTV Vancouver that the incident happened quickly. Suddenly you have nine to 12 officers in five or six different vehicles all just swarm, he said to CTV News. They stopped the filming (for safety concerns) because of the explosions. Unbeknownst to the bank robber, a movie with the action superstar was filming down the block, complete with on-set police security. Mounties quickly arrested a suspect, thwarting the robbery. Everybody was watching, Orazietti said. It was pretty exciting to see something real happen. According to CTV, Arnie had left the province but filming is expected to continue on location in Cloverdale until Saturday. The movie is about a group of eccentric assassins who decide to kill Schwarzeneggers character, Gunther, whos described as the worlds greatest hit-man. With files from CTV Vancouver Photo: BC Wildfire Service The Cinnabar Creek wildfire burned off Westside Road this week. Tinder dry woods, record heat and gusty winds are going to be a molotov cocktail of a mix. The province is warning of a volatile weekend ahead for wildfire risk. While the BC Wildfire Service gets ready to attack at the first sign of trouble, the province is warning you to be cautious when heading into the backcountry. "Given the weather forecast this weekend, the wildfire threat in B.C. will almost certainly increase, says Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson. So far, nearly half of the 873 fires since April 1 have been caused by people. I'd like to remind all British Columbians to be extra vigilant and follow the rules while enjoying the outdoors this weekend, says Thomson. Much of B.C. is at high wildfire risk, with scattered pockets of extreme risk peppered all over. Campfires have been banned in the Central Okanagan Regional District. Breaking fire rules can land you in big trouble, including hefty fines, paying for firefighting costs, and even jail time. Photo: Contributed A week after high E. coli levels shut closed Nelsons city beach, its safe to go back in the water. City officials announced Thursday their latest testing showed E. coli levels at Lakeside Park are within normal levels. Last week sampling at the beach revealed levels of the bacteria were four times higher than acceptable, prompting the city to issue a warning that it was unsafe to enter the water. Officials said at the time they suspected feces from the parks resident geese were to blame. Some strains of E. coli can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and more serious medical issues. The natural flow of the river seems to have solved the problem. There was a scare earlier this week when a water sample suggested E coli levels had spiked to 20 times the safe limit for swimming. Officials now think it was a sampling error that caused the high readings. The beach at Lakeside Park is expected to be busy this weekend as temperatures in the interior city hovered around 30 degrees for the seventh day in a row. Photo: Google Street View Vancouver's supervised injection site is expanding its hours to deal with the crisis of overdose deaths. Vancouver Coastal Health, which operates Insite, says a pilot project begins next Wednesday and will continue for up to six months. Insite will operate around the clock on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the weeks that social assistance cheques are issued. The facility is normally closed daily between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. Dr. Ron Joe, with the health authority's substance use services unit, says it's hoped the additional hours will prevent overdoses. North America's first sanctioned supervised injection site opened in 2003 and health authority statistics show it has recorded more than three-million injections and nearly 5,000 overdose interventions, but not a single overdose death. "We're seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people overdosing at Insite as well as overdose visits to emergency departments during welfare cheque week," says Joe. Between January and May 2016, Vancouver Coastal Health reported an 80 per cent increase in emergency department visits for opioid related overdoses during welfare cheque distribution week, compared with the previous week. "We don't want people overdosing in an alley or at home when Insite is closed between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. If people are going to use illicit substances, it is better that they do so in a supervised environment," Joe adds. Photo: CTV Some of the food fare being sold at the PNE fair. Ever wonder what it would be like to play life-size Angry Birds? Thats one of the main attractions at the 106th year of The Fair at the PNE. It opens Saturday at 11 a.m. and will include Angry Birds, a craft beer festival and the Superdogs show. Admission for adults is $17 at the gate and $13 online, and for seniors, its $13 at the gate and $6.50 online. Kids 13 and under are free. On opening weekend, the PNE is paying tribute to current or retired Canadian ambulance workers, firefighters, military personnel, police, RCMP, coast guard, and search and rescue, who get free admission for themselves and one guest. Emefiele emerges AACB President as confab ends in Abuja Incoming President, Godwin Emefiele (left), a outgoing President, Lucas A. Nchama (right). Abuja The 39th Ordinary meeting of the Assembly of Governors of the Association of African Central Bank Governors (AACB) has ended in Abuja, with the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele elected as the President of the ACCB for the 2016 2017 year. Elected, alongside Mr. Emefiele, to run the affairs of the Bureau for the period are the Governor of the Bank of Ghana as chairman of the West African sub-region; Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania, Chairman of the North African sub-region; and the Governor of the Bank of Central African States, Chairman of the Central African Sub-region. Also elected were the Governor, Banque de la Republique du Burundi as Chairman of the East African Sub-region and Governor of the Central Bank of the Kingdom of Swaziland as Chairman of the Southern African Sub-region. Reading the communique at the end of the meeting of Governors, the new AACB President, Mr. Emefiele disclosed that the nomination for the Vice Chairman of the AACB, which is zoned to the South African Sub-region, would be made known in due course. The Assembly of Governors also chose: Prospects for monetary integration in Africa: Lessons learned from the experience of monetary and financial integration of Europe, as theme for the 2017 symposium. According to the communique, the meeting noted that the unwinding of unconventional monetary policy measures, adopted during the financial crisis by the United States Federal Reserve and central banks of developed countries, could have a negative impact on African countries due to the interconnectedness of economies. However, the congress noted that the unwinding of unconventional monetary policy could be an opportunity for African countries to develop appropriate measures to strengthen their resilience in the face of exogenous shocks. The Assembly of Governors therefore stressed the necessity for African countries to diversify their economies and improve exports, while limiting imports. The Assembly also emphasised the urgent need for coordination between monetary and fiscal policy across all African countries. The Governors equally examined the implementation status of the African Monetary Cooperation Programme (AMCP) and pointed out the inability of African States to sustainably meet some of the criteria for macroeconomic convergence due to the negative impact of certain variables within the international environment. They therefore urged African countries to strengthen efforts at implementing structural reforms in order to diversify their respective economies, improve the business environment and promote intra-regional trade as a way of strengthening their resilience amidst external shocks. In reviewing the implementation of the work programme of the Community of African Banking Supervisors (CABS), which it noted had helped to set up an intranet platform for exchange of information among African banks, the AACB disclosed plans to unveil a project for collecting information on the activities of cross-border banks. This, the AACB noted, would allow the identification of risks associated with the activities. The 39th Ordinary meeting of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) was attended by 27 member Central Banks and the African Union Commission (AUC). Updated Recommendations for the Initial Laboratory Testing and Evaluation of Infants with Possible Congenital Zika Virus Infection Infant diagnostic testing. Laboratory testing for congenital Zika virus infection is recommended for infants born to mothers with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection, and for infants with findings suggestive of congenital Zika syndrome and a maternal epidemiologic link suggesting possible transmission, regardless of maternal testing results (Figure). Laboratory evidence of maternal Zika virus infection includes Zika virus RNA detected in any maternal clinical specimen by rRT-PCR and positive Zika virus IgM with confirmatory neutralizing antibody titer for Zika virus or flavivirus, not otherwise specified. Zika virus rRT-PCR testing should be performed on both infant serum and urine, and Zika virus IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) should concurrently be performed on infant serum. If cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is obtained for other studies, rRT-PCR testing for Zika virus RNA and Zika virus IgM should be performed on CSF. Laboratory testing should be performed on infant specimens; cord blood is not recommended because it can yield false positive results through contamination with maternal blood and might also yield false negative results (21). Infant laboratory testing for Zika virus should be performed within the first 2 days after birth; if testing is performed later, distinguishing between congenital, perinatal, and postnatal infection will be difficult. If the timing of infection cannot be determined, infants should be managed as if they have congenital Zika virus infection. A Zika rRT-PCR positive result in an infant sample confirms the diagnosis of congenital Zika virus infection (Table 1). Zika virus IgM detected in an infant, without detectable Zika virus RNA, should be interpreted as probable congenital Zika virus infection. The plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) measures virus-specific neutralizing antibodies and is used to confirm the specificity of the IgM antibodies against Zika virus and rule out a false positive IgM result (20). If the infants initial sample is IgM-positive, but PRNT was not performed on the mothers sample, PRNT should be performed on the infants initial sample. However, PRNT cannot distinguish between maternal and infant antibodies. Because of this, it might be necessary to wait until the child is at least age 18 months, when maternal antibodies are expected to wane, to confirm congenital infection. PRNT should be performed on a sample collected from a child aged 18 months whose initial sample was IgM positive if Zika-specific neutralizing antibodies were detected by PRNT on either the infants or mothers sample. If the infants initial sample is negative by both IgM ELISA and rRT-PCR but clinical concerns remain (e.g., microcephaly with negative evaluation for other known causes), PRNT at age 18 months can be considered. If PRNT results at 18 months are negative, the child is considered to not have congenital Zika virus infection. If PRNT results are positive, congenital Zika infection is presumed, but postnatal infection cannot be excluded, especially for children living in an area with active Zika virus transmission. In many cases, infant laboratory testing results will not be available before hospital discharge. In these cases, infants should be presumed to have congenital Zika virus infection until test results are available. For the purposes of this guidance, infants with confirmed or probable Zika virus infection should be managed in the same manner. Detection of Zika virus RNA in the placenta can confirm the presence of maternal infection, but cannot distinguish between maternal and congenital infection. For circumstances in which maternal testing was not previously performed, performed more than 12 weeks after exposure (22), or was not definitive (e.g., flavivirus not otherwise specified) (20), a positive placental rRT-PCR result can confirm maternal Zika virus infection. Based on unpublished CDC data, placentas from mothers with Zika virus infection during pregnancy can have detectable Zika virus RNA at the time of delivery, regardless of the timing of maternal infection. Clinical implications for an infant with Zika virus RNA detected in the placenta, in the absence of laboratory evidence of Zika virus in the infant, are unknown. Limited data are currently available regarding perinatal Zika virus transmission (23). Guidelines for evaluation and management of infants and children with postnatally acquired Zika virus disease (1) will be updated as more information is available. Clinical evaluation of infants. Infants born to mothers with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection should receive a comprehensive physical examination, including precise measurement of head (occipitofrontal) circumference,* length and weight, assessment of gestational age, and examination for neurologic abnormalities and dysmorphic features (Table 2). A postnatal head ultrasound should be performed on all infants born to mothers with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection before discharge from the hospital, including those infants with normal prenatal ultrasound findings, because some abnormal findings associated with congenital Zika syndrome might not be readily apparent on prenatal ultrasounds. All infants should receive a hearing screen per universal screening recommendations before hospital discharge. Infants with laboratory evidence of congenital Zika virus infection should be referred for a comprehensive ophthalmologic exam and evaluation of hearing by ABR testing before 1 month of age. Other evaluations should be performed as clinically indicated. Infants with negative IgM and negative rRT-PCR testing born to a mother with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection should receive routine care, including monitoring of head circumference at every well child visit and age-appropriate developmental screening (24). Health care providers should report information on pregnant women in the United States and the U.S. territories with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection and their infants (regardless of infant test results) to state, tribal, local, or territorial health departments for inclusion in the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/registry.html), or the Puerto Rico Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System (ZAPSS) (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/public-health-partners/zapss.html). For all infants with abnormal findings consistent with congenital Zika syndrome, an extensive evaluation is recommended (Box 2). Transfer to a facility with access to pediatric subspecialty care might facilitate this evaluation. However, the decision should not be based solely on the presence of maternal Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Health care providers should consider both the immediate needs of the infant and the potential negative impact of possible separation from his or her family. The recommended evaluation includes a complete blood count and metabolic panel, including liver function tests, a comprehensive examination by an ophthalmologist, ABR testing, and consideration of advanced neuroimaging in consultation with a neurologist. In addition, infants should be evaluated for other causes of microcephaly or intracranial calcifications, including genetic conditions and other congenital infections. Infants born to mothers with risk factors for maternal Zika virus infection (travel to or residence in an area of Zika virus transmission or sex with a partner who traveled to or resided in such an area) and for whom maternal testing was not performed before delivery, should have a comprehensive physical examination, including standardized measurement of head circumference. Maternal diagnostic testing should be performed (20,22), and testing of the placenta for Zika virus PCR should be considered (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/test-specimens-at-time-of-birth.html); infant testing should be performed if maternal testing is consistent with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection. If an infant appears clinically well, further evaluation, including head ultrasound, ophthalmologic assessment, and infant laboratory Zika virus testing, can be deferred until maternal test results are available. However, if there is concern about infant follow-up, head ultrasound, ophthalmologic assessment and infant Zika virus testing should be performed before hospital discharge. CDC recommends standard precautions in all health care settings to protect both health care personnel and patients from infection with blood-borne pathogens, including Zika virus (25). Although Zika virus has been detected in breast milk (26), no cases of Zika virus infection associated with breastfeeding have been reported, and current evidence suggests that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the theoretical risks of Zika virus transmission. All women with Zika virus infection during pregnancy should be encouraged and supported to breastfeed their infants, regardless of infant Zika virus testing results. Bangladesh: FLSmidth supplies worlds largest VRM ICR Newsroom By 19 August 2016 FLSmidth has signed a contract with Bangladesh company, Shah Cement Industries Ltd, for the supply of an FLSmidth OKTM 62-6 vertical mill to its Mukhtarpur plant, Munshiganj, Bangladesh. Scope of supply will include the main equipment, process and layout engineering, civil engineering and site advisory. Product companies will also participate in the deal, with FLSmidth MAAG Gear installing a MAAG MAX Drive at the plant and FLSmidth Automation contributing to the full systems scope of supply. The OKTM 62-6 mill comes with weigh feeders supplied by FLSmidth Pfister and process bag filters, process fans and auxiliary equipment from FLSmidth Airtech. With a capacity of up to 640tph and 3800 Blaine, the OKTM 62-6 will be the largest cement VRM in the world to be installed at a cement plant, in terms of mechanical dimensions and operating capacity. Shah Cements Director of Operations, Hafiz Sikander, spoke on the companys choice of the OKTM 62-6, which boasts an 8.1m diameter grinding table and six grinding rollers, all with a greater than 2.6m diameter. Mr Sikander said, "We have selected FLSmidth's OKTM 62-6 mill for its exceptional efficiency and reduced power consumption. It is going to be the largest single unit grinding mill in the industry." Published under China: Taiwan Cement expects 2H16 pick up in demand 19 August 2016 Cement sales in China will pick up in the second half of the year, on the back of a recovering demand from infrastructure projects and residential building in the country, according to Taiwan Cement Corp. We saw strong infrastructure spending in China supported cement demand in the first half, which is expected to continue growing for the rest of the year, Taiwan Cement Senior Vice President, Edward Huang, told an investors conference in Taipei. In the first half of this year, the companys total sales volume from plants in Taiwan and China came to 28.6Mt. Sales volume for the whole of this year is expected to reach between 55Mt and 60Mt, compared with last years 56.3Mt, Mr Huang said. As land purchases in China picked up after 16 months of decline in March, demand for residential property is improving and expected to be the catalyst for sales in the second half, Mr Huang said. Despite an unstable economic environment, we have seen some indications of positive trends, Chairman Leslie Koo told investors. Taiwan Cement is predicting sales growth in the 4Q16, as it is usually a high season for the companys clients in southern China, which in turn would trigger increased demand for the companys products. In the first six months of the year Taiwan Cements net profit dropped 27.6 percent to TWD2.23bn (US$0.7bn) from a year earlier due to foreign exchange losses of TWD520m in the second quarter. Gross margin rose from 14.6 per cent to 16.34 per cent in the second quarter on improving cement business in China and higher profitability of Hoping Power Co and Taiwan Prosperity Chemical Corp. Published under Peru's cement sales fall 3.7% in July ICR Newsroom By 19 August 2016 Peru's cement market contracted 3.7 per cent YoY in July as 772,000t were sold, according to the latest data by Asocem, the Peruvian cement association. However, production increased 2.4 per cent YoY to 837,000t a signed that the market has started to pick up, according to Asocem. There were no clinker imports, but around 44,000t of cement imports supplemented domestic production. In terms of exports, no clinker shipments were reported in July, but around 39,000t of cement was delivered to export destinations. Published under This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions The Array of Things project will use these camera lenses and sensors to collect data. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Chicago's Array of Things sensor network has approved a privacy policy that leaves one big question open: how the city would deal with law-enforcement requests for data gathered by the program. The first wave of up to 50 nodes containing low-resolution cameras and microphones as well as other sensors will start going up around the city by late summer, said Brenna Berman , commissioner of the Department of Innovation and Technology and the city's chief innovation officer. The city initially targeted late July. Advertisement "We're excited now to move forward with installation," Berman said. The nodes will collect data on the environment as well as pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The project is a collaboration between the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Advertisement In late June, Berman's office released a draft of the privacy and governance policies for the sensor network, which will deploy 500 nodes across the city by the end of 2018. The city held two public forums and solicited feedback online from residents before releasing a final policy this week. It received 80 questions from groups and individuals, according to an engagement report by the Smart Chicago Collaborative. Berman said the questions were nearly evenly split between asking about the project itself and about the privacy policy. Most data processed by Array of Things nodes will be released publicly on the city's Open Data portal, but some community members questioned how project managers would handle law-enforcement requests, including in cases where subpoenas or warrants were issued. In written responses, project managers said that the University of Chicago is "responsible for stewardship of all of the data" and that its legal counsel would handle such situations. Berman said she expected the chance of such requests to be low. She said details about how such an incident would be handled were not included in the governance or privacy policies because "a policy is designed to set a general framework around operations. We can't actually answer what action would be taken under any possible circumstance in the future." Lee Tien, a senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco-based nonprofit focused on digital rights, said he advised the Array of Things team in the early stages of drafting those policies. The final draft, he said, includes some language too vague to understand, and it sidesteps other issues altogether. "The handling of law enforcement, it seems pretty clear it's not in there at all and it should be," Tien said. "So that's definitely a failure." One notable change in the privacy policy since the draft stage was new language explaining that most images would be destroyed on-site immediately after processing. Advertisement A small portion of images less than 1 percent will be saved securely at Argonne to use to train computers to detect elements in future images, the Array of Things team wrote on its website in response to community questions. Berman said the final draft also makes more clear how members of the project oversight committee will be chosen. It also states that all formal communications between the governing bodies will be made public. Timothy Yim, an attorney and the director of data and privacy at the San Francisco-based Startup Policy Lab, said the issue of law-enforcement requests should be included in the privacy policy. "It absolutely needs to be within the policy," Yim said. "The policy is what the program will be held to." aelahi@tribpub.com Twitter @aminamania A Target spokeswoman said Thursday that its plan to ensure each of its stores has at least one private restroom was announced months ago after some complaints about its policy to allow transgender people to use the restroom that corresponds with the gender with which they identify. (Alan Diaz / AP) Target needs people thinking of back-to-school supplies, stocking up on groceries, maybe buying some new clothes. Instead we're talking about the restrooms again. Unless this compels millions of Americans to put air fresheners at the top of their wish lists for Santa, that can't be good for the chain's brand. Advertisement This is like a piece of toilet paper stuck on a shoe, a reminder of where it's been and a sign it hasn't yet gotten away cleanly. But Target taking a stand for civil rights in general and transgender people specifically has made simply doing business, washing its hands and moving on in the face of all that's been thrown at it, anything but easy. Advertisement Things started swirling back to the surface this week with the revelation the retail giant earmarked $20 million to ensure each of its nearly 1,800 stores has at least one private restroom, so no one has to go somewhere one isn't comfortable. It doesn't help that the headlines and imagery they evoked, combined with just-announced quarterly sales results that, mirroring those of many others in the retail sector, frankly stunk. The bathroom build-out, a Target spokeswoman said Thursday, was announced months ago in response to those who objected to its policy of allowing people to use the restroom facility corresponding with the gender with which they identify. Normally companies don't feel compelled to spell out such matters, but Target CEO Brian Cornell reasserted the chain's policy of inclusion when North Carolina moved to restrict transgender people's access to public restrooms. Those offended by Target organized protests and talked boycott. The stuff started flying. "Some of our guests clearly are uncomfortable with our policy, and some are really supportive," Cathy Smith, Target's chief financial officer, told reporters Wednesday. Though the company suffered a 7.2 percent decline in sales and a 9.7 percent drop in earnings in the second quarter compared with a year earlier, much of that can be attributed to factors such as lousy consumer electronics sales, a need to improve its grocery business and a slowing of growth in online revenue. As for the bathroom controversy, Smith said it was "difficult to tease out one thing that's driving results" but said it appeared the bathroom issue had not had a material effect. Advertisement Perhaps. But save for occasional click-baity rankings of the coolest/weirdest/most lavish public facilities, it's rarely a good sign if a restroom is in the news. Ask Ryan Lochte and friends. Unless your stuff doesn't stink, it's just not something or someplace on which most people wish to dwell. Most of us don't ask much of a public facility, save that it be in working order, clean, properly stocked, well-ventilated and, well, available. About 1,500 Target stores already had separate restrooms before the move to outfit the whole chain began, the company said. Most of the rest will have them by the end of this year. The remaining 20 or so after that should be equipped in early 2017. By then perhaps it will be possible to think of the red bull's-eye logo without also thinking of a white commode everyone can take a deep breath and it will be business as usual. philrosenthal@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @phil_rosenthal Evanston Hospital, part of NorthShore University HealthSystems, is seen April 5, 2016, in Evanston. Advocate Health Care and NorthShore University HealthSystem are seeking to merge but the Federal Trade Commission is challenging their plan. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune) The battle between the federal government and two area hospital systems will spill back into court Friday, in a case that could alter the Chicago health care landscape in more ways than one. The case, over a potential merger between Advocate Health Care and NorthShore University HealthSystem, could lead to changes in the cost and quality of health care in the Chicago area. Whether those changes would be good or bad depends on which side is doing the talking. Advertisement The case also has the potential to spur more deals or to chill the trend toward consolidation in health care in Chicago and the nation, some say. "If the merger is allowed to go through, I think you'll see increased activity in the Chicago market," said Roger Strode, a Chicago partner at law firm Foley & Lardner who focuses on health care mergers and acquisitions. Advertisement The hearing in federal appeals court Friday will be the second go-round for the health systems and the Federal Trade Commission, which is challenging the merger. A lower court judge ruled in favor of the health systems in June, refusing to grant the FTC a preliminary injunction to temporarily halt the deal. The hearing Friday is part of the FTC's case appealing that decision. A decision in the appeal could come this fall. The case comes amid waves of health consolidations across the country, as health care organizations try to meet the goals of the Affordable Care Act, which include improving quality and lowering costs. The FTC, however, has said the federal health care law is not in conflict with antitrust law. Downers Grove-based Advocate and Evanston-based NorthShore say their merger would lead to improvements and lower costs for patients. They also say they would offer an insurance product 10 percent less expensive than the lowest-priced comparable product available, saving consumers at least $210 million a year. But the Federal Trade Commission says the deal would stifle competition, leading to an 8 percent, or $45 million, price increase at the hospitals. Spokeswomen for NorthShore and Advocate declined to comment on the impending hearing or the case this week. Advocate has 11 hospitals and a two-campus children's hospital, including hospitals in Cook and Lake counties. NorthShore has four hospitals in Cook and Lake counties. The two sides likely will spend much of the hearing Friday arguing about whether the FTC correctly defined the systems' geographic market. The issue is at the heart of the case. The hospital systems have argued that the FTC too narrowly defined their market, leaving out competitors such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center. The FTC, meanwhile, has said if the systems merge, they'll have enough leverage to impose price increases on insurers without insurers being able to walk away, proving the FTC correctly defined the market in the first place. Advertisement In June, U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso said he sided with the hospital systems because the FTC didn't correctly define geographic market. But just because the systems won in June, doesn't necessarily mean they'll prevail this time. This time around, both sides will go into the hearing with support from different groups. The American Hospital Association, for example, filed a brief this month supporting the hospital systems. In that brief, the association argues that the lower court was right to take the changing nature of health care markets into account when making its decision. On the other side of the case, 11 states filed a brief in July supporting the FTC. They argued that the lower court's decision "creates ill-informed law that would impede the ability of law enforcers to ensure consumers receive the benefit of vigorous competition in health care markets around the country." Tim Greaney, a former assistant chief in charge of health care antitrust enforcement at the U.S. Department of Justice, said it's a valid concern. If the hospital systems win the case, it could curb challenges to mergers around the country, he said. Advertisement "It's a big deal on that score," said Greaney, now co-director of the Center for Health Law Studies at Saint Louis University School of Law. Strode said health care mergers likely will continue in Chicago and elsewhere even if the FTC scores a victory. "They may be more careful," Strode said of hospitals looking to merge. "They may be more selective about their partners, but I do think you're going to see more." lschencker@chicagotribune.com Twitter @lschencker Federal appeals court judges bombarded attorneys with questions Friday morning about a proposed merger between two Chicago-area health systems in a widely watched case that could shake up health care in the Chicago area. The Federal Trade Commission has challenged a proposed merger of Downers Grove-based Advocate Health Care and Evanston-based NorthShore University HealthSystem, one the systems say will benefit consumers with higher quality health care and lower costs. Advertisement Judge David Hamilton of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asked an attorney for the health systems to address the "elephant in the room" that Evanston Northwestern Healthcare's acquisition of Highland Park Hospital in 2000 led to significant price increases. Evanston Northwestern later became NorthShore. Hamilton questioned whether "a lot of the complexity that's been added here is an attempt to distract us." Advertisement The attorney responded that the 2000 acquisition happened a long time ago when the industry was different. Chief Judge Diane Wood said she was concerned that the lower court judge, in siding with the health systems, didn't understand the test the FTC used to determine the systems' geographic market. Wood called that test "well-vetted." In June, U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso ruled against the FTC, refusing to grant it a preliminary injunction to temporarily stop the merger. In his opinion, Alonso wrote that he sided with the systems because the FTC didn't correctly define the geographic market. The systems' geographic market is at the heart of the case. Advocate and NorthShore argue the FTC too narrowly defined their geographic market, leaving out competitors such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center. The FTC, meanwhile, says if the systems combine, they'll have enough leverage to impose price increases on insurers without insurers being able to say no, proving the FTC correctly defined the market. The three-judge panel, however, didn't only aim the skepticism at Advocate and NorthShore. The judges also asked some pointed questions of the FTC, which wants the appellate court to overturn Alonso's ruling. Hamilton wondered, for example, why the FTC excluded Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston from the systems' geographic market. An attorney for the FTC responded that Saint Francis doesn't compete significantly with Advocate. But Hamilton said Saint Francis' exclusion made the market, as defined by the FTC, look "gerrymandered." Advertisement Wood also questioned the FTC on how long supposed price increases resulting from the merger would stick. The FTC has alleged that the deal will lead to an 8 percent, or $45 million a year, price increase at the hospitals. The systems, however, argue a marriage between them would improve care and mean lower prices. They've said if they're allowed to merge, they'll offer an insurance product priced 10 percent lower than the lowest-priced comparable product available, saving consumers at least $210 million a year. Advocate has 11 hospitals and a two-campus children's hospital, including hospitals in Lake and Cook counties. NorthShore has four hospitals in Lake and Cook counties. A decision in the case is expected in the fall. Many have speculated that if the health systems win their case, it might prompt more health care mergers in Chicago and nationwide. lschencker@chicagotribune.com Twitter @lschencker Customer Keon Parsons looks over merchandise at Wicker Park's Carhartt store in this 2011 file photo. A new store is opening soon in Gurnee. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) Work and outerwear brand Carhartt is opening a store in Gurnee this fall. The 3,900-square-foot store at 7055 W. Grand Ave., west of the Gurnee Mills mall, will be Carhartt's 30th location, the Dearborn, Mich.-based company said in a news release Thursday. The store will sell apparel, footwear and accessories for men, women and kids. Advertisement "With Gurnee being the beltway to the Lake County region of Northern Illinois and Wisconsin and its hardworking farming and rail industry histories, it quickly became an ideal location for Carhartt to target for a company store location," Jamie Millar, vice president of retail at Carhartt, said in the news release. Carhartt has two locations in Chicago, according to its website. Advertisement lzumbach@chicagotribune.com Twitter @laurenzumbach Albert Karoll, owner of Richard Bennett Custom Tailors, talks about the decision to branch out into custom apparel for women. (Chicago Tribune) If you're a Chicago man in search of a custom-made suit whether a made-to-measure version only slightly more expensive than off-the-rack ordered in minutes online, or a handcrafted garment every inch designed for you you've got choices. Ladies, you're going to have to look a little harder. Advertisement Boston-based affordable custom menswear company Blank Label opened a store in the Loop earlier this summer. Canadian menswear maker Surmesur the name is based on the French term for "made to measure" is coming to 200 N. LaSalle St. later this month. Chicago's Trunk Club began selling women's ready-to-wear clothing last year, but its 3-year-old custom division is still just for men. And that's before you get to the online made-to-measure options or traditional brick-and-mortar tailors, where menswear also has a majority. "(Women's custom apparel) is one of the biggest requests I get. I would say I get that question once or twice a week," said Drew Green, CEO of Vancouver-based Indochino, one of the earliest online made-to-measure companies that has since opened a handful of retail stores in Canada and on the East and West coasts. Advertisement So why so few options for women? Many custom clothiers don't see profitability yet. They chalk it up to different preferences in styles, shopping habits and bodies that are more complicated to fit. There's greater variety in women's body shapes than men's, said Cathy Marsom, women's sales manager at Richard Bennett Custom Tailors & Shirtmakers, a longtime maker of bespoke clothing in the Loop. More curves mean more measurements, more places a garment might need to be adjusted and more time getting the fit just right. It makes the whole process more expensive. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 6 Albert Karoll, owner of Richard Bennett Custom Tailors & Shirtmakers, speaks Aug. 16, 2016, at his business in Chicago's Loop. Richars Bennett has long been known for custom menswear, and now is making custom apparel for women too. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) Add to that the fact that women wear more types of garments than men, in a wider selection of fabrics, and expect styles to update more frequently. "It's easily 20 times as complicated," said Joseph Harris, general manager of Trunk Club's custom business. "We change men's fabrics twice a year. Zara changes twice a month," he said. Online made-to-measure company Modern Tailor, which makes shirts, suits, jackets and pants for men, limits women's apparel to dress shirts. Fewer options would make it easier to keep prices low enough to appeal to typical customers, Harris said, but he doesn't think Trunk Club's female clientele would want to shop without more choices. Unlike companies trying to offer mass customization, Richard Bennett, where a fully bespoke handmade suit would easily cost upwards of $2,000, isn't worried about scale, said owner Albert Karoll. A suit for a first-time customer, made in-house start to finish, could require 20 hours of work, he said. But margins on women's apparel are slightly smaller than those on menswear because of the extra fitting time and complications, he said. Niki Possemato, 35, of the South Loop, said she'd be interested in custom if she knew where to go to find it. Advertisement "My boyfriend has done Trunk Club, and every time he gets a box, it's perfect," she said. "I'm kind of jealous." But some retail experts weren't convinced women who like the idea of custom clothes would actually buy. My boyfriend has done Trunk Club, and every time he gets a box, it's perfect. I'm kind of jealous. Niki Possemato, South Loop resident "I think women want more variety and spontaneity than custom allows," said WSL Strategic Retail President Candace Corlett. Affordable made-to-measure custom clothiers often pitch their services to men as a way to get higher-quality clothing without the hassle of going to a store. But for a lot of women, shopping is enjoyable, not something to be avoided, Corlett said. "I feel like everything I need is already here, and adjustments are pretty easy," said Allie Mallon, 24, shopping on Michigan Avenue on Wednesday. When men choose clothing brands, fit is often a deciding factor, but women are more likely to prioritize style and tailor if necessary, said Al Sambar, a retail consultant with Kurt Salmon. Advertisement "All customers like personalization. But for women, that might mean personal styling services, not necessarily a garment created for your body," he said. Others say demand is out there. While some shoppers just want a one-of-a-kind item or a way to avoid the hassle of a trip to the mall, custom can be particularly compelling for people who struggle to find off-the-rack styles and sizes that fit. "The apparel market is larger than the numbers suggest because a lot of women aren't spending because they aren't getting what they want," said B.G. Krishnan, CEO of New York-based eShakti, one of the only online customizers that exclusively makes women's clothing. EShakti will make any item to a customer's measurements or in standard sizes up to 36. After choosing an item, women upload their measurements and preferred collar, sleeve and length. Workers at eShakti use digital tools, including 3-D modeling, to create a pattern that's used to make the garment, Krishnan said. Customer feedback goes into a database that helps fine-tune the pattern-making technology, he said. Karoll said both men and women often first turn to custom when they have trouble finding off-the-rack clothes that fit. He decided to invest in the women's side of his business about five years ago, hiring an all-female team to work with women clients on custom and bespoke garments in addition to the made-to-measure pieces he'd been selling. Karoll said he felt women were less self-conscious with female tailors, who also had a better grasp of women's fashion. Advertisement "It's the difference between having to squeeze into something and having something that truly fits them," Karoll said. "We've had women cry. We don't see that with the guys." In the last three years, he said, women's apparel has gone from 5 percent of his business to 15 percent and is on track to double this year, Karoll said. Albert Karoll, owner of Richard Bennett Custom Tailors & Shirtmakers in Chicago's Loop, works in the store Aug. 16, 2016. Karoll said womens apparel has gone from 5 percent of his business to 15 percent and is on track to double this year. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) The challenge for companies targeting a more mainstream market will be making women's custom clothing that delivers on the promise of better fit, is fashionable and remains affordable. Green, of Indochino, and Trunk Club's Harris both said they want to nail the men's custom business before venturing into women's apparel. "But with the popularity of custom, I think we'd be crazy not to try it," Harris said. lzumbach@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @laurenzumbach New York shoe boutique Leffot is setting up shop at the Monadnock Building, 53 W. Jackson Blvd. . (Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune) New York shoe shop Leffot is headed to the Loop's Monadnock Building. Owner Steven Taffel started the men's footwear shop in 2008 to sell rare high-quality brands he liked but are rarely found in stores. The shop stocks Alden, Edward Green, Borsalino and Saint Crispin's, among others. Advertisement "Some of the shoemakers we work with are new, some have been around for over 100 years," said Taffel. "Most are European with a couple of American brands, but all reflect quality and classic style and value." Leffot also has a growing customization business, where customers can choose the leather or certain style details in certain brands, Taffel said. Advertisement The Chicago store will be Leffot's second location and is expected to open by October. Leffot is moving into a space previously occupied by hatmaker Optimo, which moved into a larger space in the same historic building at 51 W. Jackson Blvd. about two weeks ago. The hatmaker had outgrown its retail shop and manufacturing facility in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood, said General Manager Tiffani Bell. The new store will have space to keep more hats in stock, a club room for loyal clients, and drop-off hat servicing, Bell said. Optimo is also in the process of moving into a larger factory in a former firehouse about a mile away from its old site. After holding a trunk show with Leffot, Optimo recommended the shoe company consider moving into the Monadnock space the hatmaker planned to leave, Taffel said. "We would love for it to be a destination for menswear or great, quality products," Bell said. lzumbach@chicagotribune.com Twitter @laurenzumbach Pedestrians walk by the Urban Partnership Bank on 55 E. Jackson Blvd. in a 2015 file photo. Federal regulators are forcing the bank to raise capital and cut its spending. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) Urban Partnership Bank, which rose in 2010 from the ashes of failed South Side lender ShoreBank, is already on the hot seat with financial regulators. The Chicago-based bank, which has been backed by some of the biggest names on Wall Street, has entered into an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation that calls for it to cut its discretionary spending and raise capital, among other things. Advertisement The consent order was signed Aug. 5 and recently posted to the state's website. On Aug. 11, money-losing Urban Partnership announced plans to raise an unspecified amount of capital. Spokeswoman Monica Carney later said the bank would try to raise about $15 million. Advertisement The lender was formed in August 2010 to acquire about $1.3 billion in assets of the failed ShoreBank, which was known for lending in poor South and West side neighborhoods. Urban Partnership was capitalized with nearly $140 million from Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Chicago-based Northern Trust, Citigroup and others. It has shrunk in size to about $600 million in assets, which consist mostly of loans. "Resolving the acquired ShoreBank portfolio has been more expensive and time-consuming than expected due to its condition and complexity, which has impacted our capital position," Carney said. "Urban Partnership Bank has proactively addressed many of the items in the order, including initiating our capital raise to augment the bank's equity base and restore our capital to the levels expected by the regulators when the bank was formed." Carney said the bank remains "confident" in its ability to raise the capital it needs to continue lending in low- and moderate-income inner city minority neighborhoods in Chicago and Detroit. The FDIC estimated at the end of last year that the failure of predecessor ShoreBank will cost its insurance fund $511.6 million. Successor lender Urban Partnership has lost about $10.5 million through the first half of 2016. That has wiped out more than a fifth of its year-end capital. It has lost money every year since its inception. Advertisement Urban Partnership is among a shrinking number of banks that continue to lose money. In the first quarter, 8.4 percent of Illinois banks were unprofitable, compared with 9.3 percent in March 2015 and 11.3 percent in March 2014. A relatively high percentage of Urban Partnership's loans are seriously delinquent. More than 9 percent of its loans were seriously overdue in the first quarter. At the typical Illinois bank, that number is around 1 percent. Urban Partnership's workforce also has shrunk, to 152 at the end of the first quarter from 170 at year-end. It has trimmed the number of its Chicago branches to seven. Advertisement byerak@chicagotribune.com Twitter @beckyyerak Bryan Noonan (left), founder of the Frankfort-based non-profit group, Support the Blue Now, offers a decal supporting police to Orland Park Police Chief Timothy McCarthy. (Alysse Sturrsma / Daily Southtown) When Orland Park hosted its annual National Night Out event earlier this month, a non-profit group specifically advocating for police also had a booth. The Frankfort-based "Support The Blue Now" group made its first appearance at the Aug. 2 event to gather support for police because "of the growing disrespect officers are receiving across the country," said Bryan Nooner, who started the group last year. Advertisement Nooner, of Mokena, acknowledged that law enforcement, like other professions, is not immune from a "small fraction of individuals" who do bad things. Throughout the country, some officers have been shown on video shooting unarmed men. Advertisement But "do not judge an entire group or profession by the wrongful actions of a few individuals," is his group's mantra, Noorner said. The group also states in its flier that it is "not against any person or group but is rather for our officers." When activists attract news coverage on protests about bad police, "it really takes up a lot of band width," Nooner said. Orland Park Police Chief Timothy McCarthy said he supports Nooner's efforts. But he said he believes reports of people disrespecting officers are "isolated incidents." "I read those stories and I think they're isolated incidents, but I think they do get a lot of attention when they happen, just like the incidents when people get shot and killed by police are isolated incidents that get a lot of attention," McCarthy said. Dissatisfaction with police is not new, McCarthy said. In fact, Orland Park police make their "share of mistakes, too," he said. "It's how you handle the mistake when you make it," that matters, McCarthy said. The police chief said he believes the bigger issue is "trust in the police how we get that, how we keep that." Advertisement Events like the National Night Out are an important part of bringing the police and community together, he said. Orland Park invited Support the Blue Now to be among the organizations that had booths passing out information at the event. Support The Blue Now gives away decals at events but sell them online. The decals feature blue ribbons with "support the blue" and a "protect and serve" star shield. Noorner said he hopes that the decals will help create a positive dialogue about police. He wants to use proceeds from selling the decals to eventually fund a national publicity campaign about supporting police. "I see it as we are a part of a solution to a growing problem," he said. "This is certainly part of a solution, part of the healing. But is it the overall way to solve the problem? No." Advertisement Even though the Support The Blue organization was formed in the Southland communities, Nooner said he wants to convince groups to support it so it will grow nationally. The group is selling each decal for $7.95. "We think (Nooner's) organization is very supportive of the police at a time when we can use some support," McCarthy said. Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. The downstairs bar at Maple & Ash has a new name and a new menu but the popular double cheeseburger remains. Here's your guide to what just opened, what's coming soon and what's no longer: Eight Bar and Patio is the new name for the formerly no-name "downstairs" bar at Maple & Ash, and the space is getting more than just a new name. You'll find a new menu (don't worry the double cheeseburger isn't going anywhere) and a new cocktail list in the bar. Advertisement "For me, the most important thing is that it is a neighborhood spot," said chef Danny Grant, who described Eight Bar as a more casual place than Maple & Ash upstairs. The new menu item getting a lot of attention, said Grant, is the $18 hot dog, a bacon-wrapped Vienna Beef dog topped with foie gras, black truffle and a housemade cognac mustard sauce. As for the cocktails, each is linked to one of the responses in a classic Magic 8 Ball; if you can't decide, shake the bar's ball and it will choose your drink for you. Belinda Chang, Maple & Ash's partner and director of wine and service, has also drawn up a friendly wine list for the space. Advertisement Eight Bar and Patio, 8 W. Maple St., 312-944-8888, www.eightbarchicago.com Other openings: Updates to Knife, the new restaurant from the team behind Fork in Lincoln Square: the steak and seafood spot from David Byers and chef Tim Cottini is slated to open in mid-September. Expect beef that's been dry-aged in house. When open, the North Center steakhouse will serve dinner Tuesday through Sunday, according to a press release. 4343 N. Lincoln Ave. Big Shoulders Coffee Co. is sticking a toe into the River North cup of Joe scene with a second location inside Troquet River North, the neighborhood French bar. Look for an opening around the first week of September, according to LM Restaurant Group, the folks behind Troquet. There will be drip coffee, espresso drinks and more; seating will be available inside Troquet and on an outdoor patio. 111 W. Huron St. To paraphrase that famous quote about the 1960s, if you can remember the disco era you weren't there. So the new River North nightclub called DISCO might prove revelatory both for club kids and their grandparents. The club, billed as offering "ultra chic seventies glamour," is described as the first new venture of Bonhomme Hospitality Group and the founders of Celeste, the cocktail bar and restaurant. Beverages at DISCO include craft cocktails, "elevated" bottle service and a selection of 25 Champagnes, according to a news release. Among the drinks are a "Porn Star Martini," made with vodka, passion fruit, vanilla, citrus and "bubbles" served frozen in a mini disco ball; a "Banana-Groni" made with a banana-infused gin; and a "Cuba Libre Old-Fashioned" made with an aged rum blend, Mexican Coke reduction and lime essence. 111 W. Hubbard St. In case you missed it: Stephanie Izard's Duck Duck Goat opens Duck Duck Ta'Go, a carryout window selling Chinese street food. Advertisement Revival Food Hall, the massive food court featuring to-go stands from Aloha Poke, Furious Spoon, The Fat Shallot and more, is finally open in the Loop. Take our video tour of the space. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > Get there early if you want breakfast from Wicker Park's new food truck, opened by Alinea alums. Chef John Shields talks about new West Loop hot spot The Loyalist. Publican Anker, the new bar offshoot of The Publican coming soon to Wicker Park, names a chef. There's a new fast-casual pizza place coming to Avondale. Julia Momose of GreenRiver has been named one of the best mixologists in America. Advertisement Take a look inside Steadfast, one of the prettiest openings the Loop has seen in years. wdaley@chicagotribune.com Twitter @billdaley Common, speaks during a discussion at "Keeping the Peace: Music, Art & the End of Violence" talk, as part of Chicago Ideas Week on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, in Chicago. (Kristen Norman / Chicago Tribune) Chance the Rapper is scheduled to host the first Magnificent Coloring Day festival at U.S. Cellular Field on Sept. 24, the same day his younger brother is slated to headline Common's Aahh Fest in Union Park. Taylor Bennett, Tink and youth talent are scheduled to appear at a community day for Aahh Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 24. Common and "very special guests," The Internet, Jeremih and Sir the Baptist are slated to headline the festival Sept. 25 with Chicago comedian Deon Cole serving as host. Advertisement Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 Common performs at AAHH! Fest in Union Park. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune) Organizers announced that Aahh Fest would return this year after a one-year hiatus before Chance the Rapper revealed the lineup for his Magnificent Coloring Day festival, which features John Legend, Alicia Keys, Skrillex and other artists. Tickets for Aahh Fest start at $70 for the Sept. 25 performance slate, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., and $13 for the community day. More acts are slated to be announced at a later date. Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP) Jane Goodall after a press conference to kick off 'Chimpanzees in Context', featuring nearly 300 primatologists from around the world participating in discussions aimed at improving chimpanzee welfare. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) The first time the world's leading chimpanzee researchers gathered to share their work and trade ideas, in Chicago in 1986, it changed Jane Goodall's life. Speaking to reporters at the beginning of the 2016 edition of "Understanding Chimpanzees" at Lincoln Park Zoo, the famous primatologist said the things she learned in Chicago, including about the trade in chimpanzees for their meat and the treatment of some chimps in laboratories, made her realize she needed to shift her focus from close-up study of chimps in the wild to a bigger-picture, more holistic approach to the conservation of humans' closest living relative. Advertisement "My life ever since that conference in 1986 has been a maximum of three weeks in any one place," said Goodall, 82, who is attending the conference as the head of the Jane Goodall Institute, which works worldwide on behalf of chimpanzees and their environments. RELATED: MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Advertisement The symposium happens once a decade, hosted the first two times by the Chicago Academy of Sciences, in 2007 and this year by the Lincoln Park, and it quickly sold out its roughly 275 spots. Beginning with a Thursday night talk by Goodall, the conference subtitled "Chimpanzees in Context" will see several dozen researchers on Friday and Saturday present their findings on topics ranging from chimpanzee welfare in captivity to, in a nod to the conference's new willingness to bring in other species, a study comparing chimps and dolphins. "These symposiums happen every 10 years," said Steve Ross, director of the zoo's Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes. "It's a huge honor and responsibility to host. This is the one opportunity we have to get everybody together to talk about these things." There has been some good news recently for chimpanzees. Goodall said she was pleased with the National Institutes of Health announcement last week that its last chimps should be retired to sanctuaries within a decade, following a 2013 announcement that it would end research on chimpanzees. But the situation in most other respects is dire, she said, as human population growth puts increasing pressure on chimp habitats. She said she hopes people leave the conference with "a sense of urgency" about protecting and studying chimps in their native habitats, "before it's too late." sajohnson@chicagotribune.com @StevenKJohnson RELATED STORIES: Lincoln Park Zoo sets return date for penguins Advertisement Lincoln Park Zoo shows off new polar bear home on hard-hat tour Lincoln Park Zoo's Lion House to get makeover, shed tigers Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) The Hollywood Reporter has released its annual ranking of the top U.S. film schools, with only one Chicago institution on the list. Coming in at No. 15 is Columbia College Chicago, which the Hollywood Reporter describes as "the largest film school in the U.S., offering about 200 specialized courses." Advertisement "Barbershop" producer George Tillman Jr. is listed as one of the school's notable alumni; Tillman's producing partner Bob Teitel is also a Columbia alum and his latest film, "Southside With You" (about Michelle and Barack Obama's first date) opens Aug. 26. Notably missing from this year's ranking are Northwestern University (No. 23 last year), DePaul University (No. 17 in 2014) and Tribeca Flashpoint College. Advertisement The top spot on this year's list goes to USC, with the American Film Institute and New York University coming in second and third. nmetz@chicagotribune.com Twitter @NinaMetzNews Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) "Bloodshot," a genuinely enveloping thriller of the retro, noir school, begins with a man contemplating suicide. Which London bridge, he wonders, should be the scene of his demise? But the central character in Douglas Post's strikingly gripping yarn demurs. He's from 1957 and he likes to talk. He'd rather tell us his story. Advertisement This Derek Eveleigh fellow knows he likes his booze: "First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you." He was a longtime London cop. Now he's a photographer. A creepy, self-loathing photographer. Advertisement Near the start of the show, a thick, mysterious envelope drops through his letterbox, as often happens in 1950s thrillers. (Alas for the future of the genre; the ping of a text just not does carry the same weight). Inside is an assignment to photograph a beautiful woman from the Bahamas who hangs out in a London park. All day, it seems. Drunk Derek is finding a semblance of self inside this new identity as artist-voyeur in black-and-white. Is he an artist or a predator? Either way, he accepts. RELATED: MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Of course he does. There is cash in the envelope. Before long, we're hearing about the woman's murder. The rest you're better experiencing yourself. Although the American scribe Post has long-standing ties to Chicago, "Bloodshot" actually is an import from Britain, where it first was produced by the Nuffield Theatre Company. Now part of the Greenhouse Theater Center's "Solo Celebration," it's performed by a very experienced and quite famous (across the pond) British stage actor named Simon Slater. Slater is also a musician and a composer, but his central persona here is a sweaty, red-faced protagonist, mercurial enough to appall yet vulnerable enough to appeal. Part of the fun of good one-person shows is watching the actor play a slew of different characters, and Slater does not disappoint, essaying the roles of a magician (complete with tricks), saxophonist (with instrument) and Irish comedian (with bad jokes). It is quite the bravura turn, but unlike a lot of thrillers these days, it is never overplayed nor showy. This is not "The 39 Steps," thank god. It's all Billy Wilder-dark, and both Post and the director, Patrick Sandford, inject vials of melancholy into the proceedings. The excellent Slater, who has the journeyman actor's fusion of sadness and resilience, certainly feels like the ideal bloodshot guy and, in its more ambitious moments, this very solid script suggests that Britain itself was bloodshot in 1957, hung over from World War II. If bands had once played optimistic tunes to buoy Londoners to victory, and British Olympic athletes now are punching beyond their weight in Rio, at this moment London was mired in lethargy and sleaze. The new energy of Carnaby Street and the boys of Liverpool were yet years away. A voyeur in a raincoat with a camera reflects a good deal more than himself. Advertisement If you go to "Bloodshot," though, you'll likely spend most of your time trying to figure out who did what to whom, or possibly to themselves, and why. I guessed a couple of the secrets but still was surprised by plenty. Too much rubbing of my restless eyes throughout, perchance. Chris Jones is a Tribune critic. cjones5@chicagotribune.com Twitter @ChrisJonesTrib "Bloodshot" - 3 stars When: Through Sept. 10 Advertisement Where: Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Running time: 2 hours Tickets: $34-$48 at 773-404-7336 or greenhousetheater.org RELATED STORIES: For Olympic athletes, a new, 2016 kind of celebrity What's it like to be black in Chicago? Telling insights in 'Set Free' Advertisement Meet David Turrentine, ultimate understudy Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) Watching "Inside Amy Schumer" has often elicited a storm of different reactions: laughter, recognition, shock, occasionally frustration. So it's not surprising that this week has been a rollercoaster for those who've followed Schumer's meteoric rise. Advertisement Shock, horror and sadness are only a few of the emotions that swirled online as Kurt Metzger, a longtime writer for the Comedy Central show that launched Schumer to prominence, spent days making offensive and incendiary comments about a situation involving allegations of rape within the comedy community. Via Twitter and Facebook, Metzger mansplained how women should process and report their assaults. His behavior was a textbook demonstration of male privilege and a series of examples of clueless and cruel victim-blaming. And yet as much of this occurred, Schumer remained silent. Advertisement When she finally commented on Wednesday, via Twitter, she conveyed disappointment about Metzger's actions, but she didn't use the kind of bold, cut-through-the-b.s. language that is familiar from her stand-up material and her show. She distanced herself from Metzger, but in ways that felt equivocal and halting. There was some doubt about where things stood late Wednesday night: Was Metzger fired or not? Was the show canceled or not? She finally cleared things up Thursday morning: The show is not canceled, but it's taking a long break, and Metzger no longer works for "Inside Amy Schumer," but then again, nobody does, because it's not gearing up until next year, after her tour. As the situation played out, observers -- many of them, like Schumer, self-declared feminists -- tried to understand how she could have employed a man with such toxic tendencies for so long. Because this isn't the first time Metzger made a series of poor decisions; back in 2013, a similar controversy swirled when feminist writers Lindy West and Sady Doyle accused him of harassing them online. There are few things more tiresome than a comedy bro being offensive to women in the name of speaking uncomfortable truths or whatever his excuse is, but that seems to be Metzger's thing. Sigh. Perhaps the lowest point of the more recent Metzger affair was when women who asked Schumer to speak up found they'd been blocked by her on Twitter. It's hard to describe the letdown of seeing someone who's positioned herself as a champion of women literally wall off the words of those airing their concerns in a civil fashion. Maybe we should have seen all this coming. After all, Schumer has said things before that crossed lines, only to retreat into the usual excuses about how she didn't mean to offend anyone. Last year, she faced criticism over what one writer called her "blind spot about race," and while she apologized for an offensive joke about Mexican men, she also said that those who called her humor "lazy" are "wrong." This is a pretty familiar pattern: The more famous a comedian gets, the more scrutiny he or she is subjected to, and while everyone understand that writers and artists must grow and evolve -- and possibly make mistakes along the way -- defensiveness and self-righteousness seem to be the instinctive responses of many in the comedy world when challenged in reasonable ways. But this time felt different. The Schumer-Metzger mess is a huge, exhausting reminder that even when a woman is the boss, she can make other women feel like she doesn't have their backs. If you're a woman over the age of 14 or so, the depressing deflation of being let down by a woman you had admired isn't a new feeling. But to be so disappointed by someone whose whole public persona is based on bold talk, refreshing honesty and confrontations with sexism in all its slippery forms is a huge bummer. Advertisement As the controversy gained steam, I kept thinking of a sketch that aired in the second-season premiere of "Inside Amy Schumer." A focus group made up of men talked in graphic and insulting terms about whether they would sleep with Schumer, who stood behind a one-way mirror, listening to them list her faults. Like a number of her sketches throughout the years (particularly the lauded "12 Angry Men Inside Amy Schumer"), it brilliantly captured the ways in which women can't avoid being subjected to unfair and crass judgments. It was yet another comedic distillation of the idea that double standards and unfair limitations too often determine the shape and scope of our lives. At the end of the sketch, Amy asks the focus-group leader a question: "A couple of them said they would bang me?" He nods, and she turns to the camera and smiles. The joke is that, even though the men shredded her, some part of her wanted their approval. It's funny because it's true; I've been there. A lot of us have been there. So much of Schumer's work is based on the idea that, even as women reject the punishments and judgments they know are unfair, they still have to operate inside biased systems, and they can still find themselves responding to the alleged "rewards" offered to women who conform. "A Chick Who Can Hang" is another skit that explored how women have to conduct themselves in order to be accepted by men, and how tiring that can be. Because she depicted that kind of everyday sexism and those kinds of brain-melting compromises with such subversive glee and amusing focus, I let the lesser sketches go. I didn't write about being troubled by some of the gender and race content of some of her jokes (and that's my bad). I made allowances, because Amy Schumer, the woman who aired effective comedy sketches eviscerating rape culture, got it, right? Especially as a woman who revealed in her new book that she was sexually assaulted, she got it. Didn't she? It's a confusing situation that partly reflects the binds that so many women are put in on a daily basis. But that explanation is not a justification, and I am clear about one thing: Schumer did not come up with a statement that made it clear that she picks women over Metzger. She tried not to make a choice, but evasion can speak volumes. The banning of Aaron Glaser from UCB for alleged rape is just one of many rape, harassment and assault controversies that have roiled various comedy communities in the last year or two. Those painful confrontations with the toxic elements of comedy culture have, for the most part, happened after the 2013 debut of Schumer's show -- after she came up through that world. Maybe her embrace of feminist concepts in her work helped change the culture she sprang from, and much of her work clearly reflected personal experiences. But maybe her success has made her more prone to compromise, not less. Without her offering a more complete explanation of these events, it's difficult to say (and her recent interview with Charlie Rose on this topic didn't help). Advertisement Speaking of her memoir, it was hard not to feel a few shreds of sympathy for Schumer in the last few days. This week marked the arrival of her book, "The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo," but a thoughtless and selfish man made everything about him and pulled the focus away from her moment. What woman hasn't been there -- having to deal with a male colleague whose poorly timed and immature hissy fit threatened to undo her hard work? Could he have picked a worse week to have his manbaby meltdown? But this isn't just about that, and attempts to turn the conversation into a discussion of what Schumer has suffered aren't working, not for me anyway. As writer and comedian Nikki Black wrote in a compelling essay, the past few days have really been about how women in comedy don't "deserve to be treated like our experiences are unreliable." Metzger's actions are typical of the kind of gatekeeper behavior women face, especially as they ascend the ladder. Sometimes when gatekeepers get testy and possessive, you just have to break the gate, and Schumer had that power. But this week has laid bare the kinds of disappointing compromises even powerful women sometimes make in order to succeed in male-dominated professions. When she needed to make it clear to her fans that she valued her feminist beliefs over the actions of a rogue employee, Schumer didn't step up to the plate. Maybe she will in season five of "Inside Amy Schumer." If it ever comes to pass. RELATED STORIES: Amy Schumer says show isn't cancelled after hinting at its end Advertisement Amy Schumer describes how she met her Chicago beau in her new book Amy Schumer has her own 'Back' in new book Watch Amy Schumer assume Chicago suburban accent on 'Tonight Show' Amy Schumer will stop in Naperville on book tour Amy Schumer talks relationship with Chicago beau in Vogue cover story Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) CORBIN, Ky. So many stories have been told about Colonel Sanders and his Kentucky Fried Chicken, its impossible to know where the truth ends and the fiction begins. This is one of those stories. A mix of memory, mystery and a pinch of "what if?" It involves one of the best-kept culinary secrets of all time, and the man who's arguably the original celebrity chef. Advertisement These days, the late Colonel has been resurrected on TV commercials as a caricature played by the likes of George Hamilton and Jim Gaffigan. But, as many of us remember, the real Colonel was a bespectacled, white-haired guy named Harland David Sanders who spawned a fast-food empire. For decades, "The Colonel" was synonymous with snow-colored suits, black string ties and "finger lickin' good" chicken coated in a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. Attempts to unearth the Colonels Original Recipe, or replicate it, have been made too many times to count. For KFC Corp., keeping the elusive mix of 11 herbs and spices under wraps has been paramount not to mention a great marketing tool. In 2008, the Louisville, Ky.-based company used a Brinks armored truck and briefcase marked Top Secret when it made a big show of beefing up security at the vault containing the Colonels handwritten recipe. Other protective measures include using two different suppliers to prepare the 11 herbs and spices so that no single entity can crack the code. Advertisement Feeding into the mystique, the recently revamped KFC website, www.colonelsanders.com, features a Colonel Sanders character saying he's finally ready to tell the world what's in the recipe. Just as he's about to spill the beans, the sound malfunctions and an "out of order" sign pops up on the screen. The recipe is, without question, a secret as juicy as well-fried fowl and has been for the better part of a century. So, imagine my surprise when a list of 11 herbs and spices was plucked from a Sanders family scrapbook and placed into my hands. Crazy, right? Let me explain Our story begins with my trip to the small town of Corbin, Ky., where the Colonel first served his chicken more than 75 years ago to hungry motorists at the service station he ran. I'm here to visit the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum, a shrine of sorts to the fried chicken magnate. His namesake restaurant has been restored to its mid-20th-century appearance but with a modern-day KFC store as an appendage. My assignment: research the restaurant, museum and fried chicken in Corbin for a "Fork in the Road" feature in the Chicago Tribune's Travel section. With the help of the local tourism office, I arrange to meet a man named Joe Ledington. The 67-year-old retired teacher has spent his entire life in Appalachia. He still lives in the house in which he grew up, just north of the city limits of Corbin, a town of about 7,300. He agrees to meet me to share a few yarns about the Colonel. You see, the guy he called "H.D." and "Old Man Sanders" was his uncle. Ledington says he used to do chores in the modest cafe as a young boy, making a quarter a day to sweep and clean up. I enter the dark-paneled restaurant lit by naked fluorescent tubes and find Ledington leafing through a photo album. His wife, Jill, sits quietly at the next table, munching chicken from a familiar red-and-white box. Ledington and I shake hands, and I tell him about the assignment that brought me to this part of southeast Kentucky. Before I can even open my notebook, he draws my attention to the photo album overstuffed with pictures, newspaper clippings and various family documents. Advertisement "This was Aunt Claudia's album," he says, referring to his father's sister, Claudia Ledington, who became Harland Sanders' second wife when they wed in the late '40s. Claudia worked as a waitress in the cafe and was instrumental in launching what would become a multibillion-dollar fast-food chain boasting nearly 20,000 KFC restaurants in more than 125 countries. The album, with its nondescript cover and clear cellophane sheets, looks like the kind I used to buy for a buck at Walgreens. Ledington turns the pages, occasionally stopping to point out certain pictures, like the one of him posing with his famous uncle and others taken at the opening of a KFC in some faraway land. Sanders was always sporting one of his iconic white suits. Ledington says he had a closet full of them. Ledington continues to leaf through the family scrapbook, pausing here and there to share a memory or an anecdote about his uncle. At the back of the album is an official-looking document, its pages stapled together: the last will and testament of his Aunt Claudia, he tells me. She died on New Year's Eve 1996 at age 94. "I can show you what every family member got," he says, poring over the papers. "This was my dad, Robert Ledington. He was the first one. He got $209,888." But what I'm really interested in is the handwritten note on the back of the document. At the top of the page, in blue ink, it reads, "11 Spices Mix With 2 Cups White Fl." That's followed by an enumerated list of herbs and spices. Eleven herbs and spices. And the measurements for each. The handwritten list of 11 herbs and spices, jotted down on the back of a document Joe Ledington described as the will for Claudia Sanders, the Colonel's second wife. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune) Could this be what I think it is? The 11 herbs and spices? Advertisement Ledington tells me, yep, this is it. "That is the original 11 herbs and spices that were supposed to be so secretive," he says with conviction. (In a subsequent phone interview with a Tribune editor, Ledington dialed back his certainty and expressed reluctance about sharing a recipe that if it's legit ranks among corporate America's most closely guarded secrets. "It could be; I don't know for sure," he said about the handwritten list of ingredients, adding that this was the first time he'd shown it to a reporter. "I've only had that album for four years, since my sister passed away.") During our chat, he quickly points out that the writing isn't his uncle's. He's not sure who jotted down the list of 11 ingredients. But he says he's sure it's authentic because, as a boy, he helped blend those herbs and spices on the flat concrete roof of his uncle's garage. "I mixed them over the top of the garage for years," he recalls, noting that the job came with the fringe benefit of getting to use the swimming pool at Sanders' motel-restaurant complex a nice perk during the hot summer months. "The big thing we did was mix it with flour and bag it up and sell it to restaurants," Ledington says. "Actually, my job was cutting up chickens and bagging up chicken mix. That's what I did as a 10-, 11-, 12-year-old kid." Advertisement The main ingredients for the coating, according to this recipe, are paprika (4 tablespoons), white pepper (3 tablespoons) and garlic salt (2 tablespoons). But Ledington says one ingredient is the real star. "The main ingredient is white pepper," he says. "I call that the secret ingredient. Nobody (in the 1950s) knew what white pepper was. Nobody knew how to use it." Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Joe Ledington of Corbin, Ky., displays a 1980s photo of him with his uncle, Colonel Harland Sanders, who perfected his world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken in his Corbin cafe. The photo is part of a family album. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune) Later, back in Chicago, the Tribune put the recipe to the test in its on-site kitchen and compared it with a bucket of KFC Original Recipe chicken. (Bottom line: It was finger lickin' good. See the accompanying story for specifics.) The Colonel's nephew isn't the first person to claim he may hold the secret to KFC's success. On the internet, cooks have posted copycat recipes they say replicate the original. Only a few of those contain the white pepper Ledington claims is key. Probably the most famous previous find occurred more than 15 years ago, when a couple in Shelbyville, Ky., said they stumbled upon what could be the secret recipe in the basement of the home they bought from Harland and Claudia Sanders in the '70s. Tommy and Cherry Settle reportedly found the recipe written on a piece of paper tucked inside a 1964 datebook. Advertisement KFC's parent company responded by suing the Settles. The case was dropped after corporate officials concluded the recipe wasn't even close to the original. I showed Ledington's list of 11 herbs and spices to KFC's parent corporation, Yum! Brands, located on Colonel Sanders Lane in Louisville. I asked if it is indeed the Colonel's Original Recipe. A KFC spokesperson responded via email: "In the 1940's, Colonel Sanders developed the original recipe chicken to be sold at his gas station diner. At the time, the recipe was written above the door so anyone could have read it. But today, we go to great lengths to protect such a sacred blend of herbs and spices. In fact, the recipe ranks among America's most valuable trade secrets." I tried again, adding that a "yes," "no" or "no comment" would be helpful. The response: Advertisement "Lots of people through the years have claimed to discover or figure out the secret recipe, but no one's ever been right." What's not a secret is the pressure-cooking technique used by Sanders and now KFC to make the fried chicken. In the early '50s, the Colonel an honorary title bestowed by the governor of Kentucky began selling to other restaurants the two keys to his tasty birds: custom pressure cookers and the enigmatic mix. "The original KFC chicken, I think, was better, because it had more breading to it," Ledington says. "It was individually hand-breaded and dropped in those pressure cookers. You cooked it until it started turning brown. And then you put the lid on the pressure cooker and brought it to 12 pounds of pressure for 10 minutes. And then you started letting the pressure off, and when you uncapped it and the pressure was off, it was perfect: golden brown and fall-off-the-bone." As I sit across from this unassuming fellow with a Southern drawl, I'm a bit in shock at the prospect of being privy to what might be the secret recipe, perfected by the Colonel in this very spot. I take a few pictures of Ledington and his photo album. There's a little more small talk, by which time his wife is done with her lunch. We all shake hands and say goodbye. Advertisement I watch Ledington gather his scrapbook. He walks out of the restaurant, whose floors he said he swept as a kid, carrying with him what could be a secret so valuable it belongs on the other side of Kentucky. In Fort Knox. Jay Jones is a freelance writer. RELATED STORIES: Putting the KFC recipe of 11 herbs and spices to the test KFC answers questions about 'secret recipe' Advertisement KFCs hometown of Corbin has plenty to crow about Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger has said of Democratic opponent Susana Mendoza: Maybe shes not so good at math! At the Illinois State Fair this week, Chicago Inc. decided to give both candidates a pop quiz. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) SPRINGFIELD Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger likes to suggest her Democratic challenger, Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, can't do math. But when it comes to middle school multiplication, it's Republican Munger who might need some practice. Advertisement Chicago Inc. quizzed both candidates for the comptroller's office, charged with paying the state's bills, on their multiplication tables at the State Fair this week after Munger gave two stump speeches in which she got laughs by suggesting that as a former state representative, Mendoza shares blame for the state's terrible financial situation. "What's her deal?" Munger asked of her rival for the role of the state's chief fiscal officer. "Maybe she's not so good at math!" The final scores in our off-the-cuff oral exam, though, told a different story: Munger, 33 percent; Mendoza, 100 percent. Advertisement Munger's impromptu exam, given to her on camera moments after she stepped off stage at Gov. Bruce Rauner's rally Wednesday, started confidently, with her boasting "my math is good I have a master's in business" and pointing to her experience managing an $800 million company. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Then the math started, and things started going wrong. Asked what eight times seven was, Munger shot back "Eight sevens is 72," before correcting herself, "no, 56." Things got worse when the comptroller was asked what nine threes are: "53," she answered. "No. Nine threes? Why are you doing this to me?" After it was explained to her that she had challenged her opponent's math skills and that a test of her own was only fair, she eventually corrected herself. "Nine threes are 27" she said, before recovering to correctly answer the final question: What is eight times four? Mendoza, quizzed a day later and moments before her speech, also boasted that "I'm good at math" but backed up her bold talk by acing the test without a moment's hesitation. Munger complained that she had been caught unaware by the test and that "it's hot and I've been up a long time today!" Kim Janssen A story on Page 1 Thursday about a $1 billion bond issue facilitated by the Illinois Finance Authority on behalf of Presence Health incorrectly stated that Illinois taxpayers might be obligated to help pay the debt if Presence defaulted on its payments. In fact, only the health system could be held liable in the case of default. In Wednesday's Business section, a story about an upcoming ruling on the right of graduate students to unionize inaccurately described an agreement between administration and students at Cornell University. The agreement paves the way for a union vote. Advertisement A story on Wednesday about Aetna's decision to stop selling individual health insurance policies on the state's Obamacare exchange misspelled Stephani Becker's first name. The Tribune regrets the errors. Rapper Lil Durk vowed Tuesday this would be his last visit to Cook County criminal court after pleading guilty to gun possession charges in exchange for probation. "The key word is I'll be staying out of trouble," Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, told a Tribune reporter after the hearing. "You can put a capital 'N' for never." Advertisement Banks, 21, faced up to five years in prison after Chicago police saw him toss a loaded Glock handgun into a car parked in the Englewood neighborhood last year. He was on parole at the time for another gun charge. Prosecutors had recommended Banks receive at least a year in prison or a term of intensive probation, but Judge Joseph Kazmierski Jr. sentenced him to 18 months of probation and the 43 days Banks had already spent in jail. Advertisement The judge urged Banks to be "part of the cure," saying the rapper could continue to use his celebrity for anti-violence causes. Kazmierski also ordered Banks to do 50 hours of community service at CureViolence at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Banks' attorney, Sam Adam Jr., later said his client had already volunteered more than 150 hours there. According to prosecutors, Chicago police responded to a call of a person with a gun about 3 a.m. June 5, 2013, in the 7200 block of South Green Street. Officers arrived and saw Banks toss a handgun through the open window of a parked Hyundai Sonata and walk away quickly, authorities said. The gun a blue steel Glock 9 mm with 14 live rounds was found in the back seat. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > A records search showed that the gun was reported stolen April 10, 2013, according to a police report. At the time of his arrest, Banks was weeks away from finishing parole on a conviction for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. In that case, he was caught in the 6400 block of South Eggleston Avenue on Oct. 9, 2011, with a gun that had its serial numbers defaced, records show. Banks, who gave an autograph to a fan at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, said he was glad to have the case behind him. Signed with Def Jam records, he said he'll rap about his experience with the criminal justice system on an album titled "Remember My Name" that he plans to release later this year. "I'm going talk about everything that's gone on, everything that's happened this past year the violence, the deaths, the court," he said. Advertisement sschmadeke@tribune.com Twitter @SteveSchmadeke Adel Daoud is charged in a plot to bomb a bar in Chicago's Loop. (U.S. Marshals Service) A man accused of attempting to detonate a car bomb in the Loop should be ruled mentally unfit for trial because he believes the government is plotting to behead him in jail, the judge is a member of a secret society of the illuminati and most United States leaders are really reptiles in disguise, his defense team argued during an all-day competency hearing Thursday in federal court. "I seriously think they're going to wake me up at like 2 or 3 in the morning, they're going to wake me up and take me downstairs and behead me," Adel Daoud told his sister during a recorded phone call from federal jail played during the hearing. Advertisement Daoud's defense team argued those beliefs show he is delusional and should not go to trial on charges that he plotted to explode a bomb outside a downtown Chicago bar in 2012. Since his arrest, the Hillside man also has been indicted on charges of soliciting the murder of the undercover FBI agent in the terrorism case and attacking a fellow inmate at the Metropolitan Correction Center in May 2015. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman will rule on the merits of the arguments. If the judge deems Daoud fit for trial, it would begin in February. Advertisement "If I don't get some kind of miracle and go home, they're going to kill me," Daoud told his sister during the call. "Don't say that, that's scary," she responded. "No, they're going to kill me," he said. The defense's mental health expert, psychiatrist Stephen Xenakis, testified that Daoud's beliefs, which he expressed in a series of meetings with him, in letters to the court and a will he prepared, are "not merely peculiar. They are delusional and paranoid. "I believe that Mr. Daoud's beliefs about the illuminati and the reptilian overlords and the Free Masons, they are his framework for expressing the conspiracy against Muslims and how he is being victimized," Xenakis said. But evaluations by government doctors concluded otherwise. Forensic psychologist Richart DeMier, who examined Daoud at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo., during the spring, said those beliefs are unusual and idiosyncratic but not necessary delusional. DeMier testified Daoud has devout, or extremist, Muslim beliefs and is a conspiracy theorist, but he also understands the case against him. DeMier also said Daoud may be manipulating his sister during the phone calls, playing up the prospect of death. Daoud, who cheerfully waved to his relatives and the judge upon entering the courtroom, was attentive and took notes throughout the hearing. Advertisement After the phone calls were played, Prosecutor Bolling Haxall asked DeMier if the phone calls changed his opinion of a diagnosis. DeMier said it did not. DeMier testified that Daoud can think rationally and did not appear to experience hallucinations. There is a difference, he said, between extremist fundamental beliefs and mental illness, he testified. Daoud's lawyer, Thomas Anthony Durkin, said his client had spoken about visions of a "sacred chair" through the window of the correctional center, but DeMier said that did not come up during his extensive evaluation sessions. DeMier also testified that Daoud spoke of how an offer of a plea deal with the government was unacceptable and how the man seemed to have a keen awareness of the intricacies of the federal justice system. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > What Daoud really wanted, he said, was to be freed and released to Syria to fight with the Free Syrian Army. In the phone calls with his sister and one with Durkin, Daoud says he is being held "hostage" by the U.S. government. He also said he wrote some letters to the court as a protest against his detention. Advertisement Daoud also appeared to make a reference to writing a letter to Donald Trump, asking Durkin during a July 30 phone call whether the Republican presidential nominee had responded to him. "Do you think Donald Trump is going to accept my endorsement?" he asked Durkin. Daoud, who greeted Durkin with a fist bump over the defense table as the hearing resumed after lunch, wants to testify, against Durkin's advice. The hearing is expected to conclude Friday. poconnell@chicagotribune.com Twitter @pmocwriter Smiling, laughing and occasionally thrusting his arms aloft, a man accused of trying to set off a bomb in the Loop in an alleged terrorist plot told a federal judge on Friday that he believes the government is going to behead him because he is Muslim, but he insisted he was not crazy or unfit to stand trial. Adel Daoud, testifying against the advice of his lawyer at a hearing to decide his mental competency, also reiterated his contention that the judge and lawyers in the case are members of a secret society conspiring against him. Advertisement "Are you the defendant in this hearing?" asked Daoud's lawyer, Thomas Anthony Durkin. "I am the hostage, yes," Daoud said on the second day of the hearing in the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. Advertisement U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman said she will rule next Thursday after considering the lawyers' arguments, case law and evidence, including the defendant's extensive writings and recorded phone calls. Daoud, who is now 22, was a suburban Hillside teen when he was indicted in 2012 on charges he plotted to detonate a bomb outside a downtown Chicago bar. He has since been charged with allegedly soliciting the murder of the undercover agent in the terrorism case and attacking a jail inmate in 2015. At Friday's hearing, Daoud said that he often holds conversations with himself "because I don't need a second person," but he denied hearing voices or seeing illusions. "If I'm crazy now, and I feel this is the best state I've been in, I had to be crazy forever," he said. Durkin argued that Daoud suffers from delusional disorder, a condition that has worsened in recent months, especially after one of his cellmates at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago committed suicide in January. In testimony Friday, a defense expert said he worried Daoud himself may be suicidal, but Daoud downplayed the impact of the cellmate's suicide, telling the judge that he reacted in the way anyone would after a loved one died. Prosecutors argued that Daoud understands the charges against him, can assist in his own defense and that mental competency exams have determined that while he may hold extraordinary beliefs, he is not delusional or paranoid. During about half an hour on the witness stand, Daoud said the government set him up because he wanted to travel to Saudi Arabia to become a Muslim scholar. He also testified he wrote a letter to President Barack Obama asking that he be released to fight in Syria after he rejected a plea offer from prosecutors. "I guess if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself, so that's when I thought about writing Obama," he said. Advertisement Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Durkin said that Daoud's mental condition makes it nearly impossible to craft a valid defense. On the first day of the hearing, a government psychologist and a psychiatrist called by the defense offered differing opinions about Daoud's mental state, an issue that essentially came down to their assessment of whether or not he is delusional or merely extremist and idiosyncratic. The judge must determine whether Daoud's mental state meets the legal standard for being able to face trial. Coleman, from the bench, asked whether the presence of a delusional disorder necessarily negates competency to stand trial. While the defense expert reiterated his belief that Daoud "cannot assist in his defense" and expressed concern for his well being, he conceded that it was possible to be both delusional and legally competent. "You can, in fact, have both," psychiatrist Stephen Xenakis answered. "... It's not an either-or." poconnell@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @pmocwriter Chicago Public Schools officials Thursday pitched the district's planned tax hikes as a relative bargain to property owners who are facing higher bills to shore up beleaguered city pension funds. The district plans to levy an additional $342 million in property taxes in its 2017 budget cycle, which CPS says is an increase of roughly 14 percent from 2016. There are three components to what taxpayers will see for CPS on bills mailed next summer. As it has done for more than two decades, CPS will boost its regular property tax levy to the maximum amount allowed by law. The district will also collect again on a capital improvement tax enacted last year to pay for school infrastructure projects. But the biggest jump will come from a new tax expected to generate $250 million in revenue to help cover the district's massive pension obligations. State lawmakers in June cleared the way for the Chicago Board of Education to levy that tax. CPS officials say the district's total tax increases would cost the owner of a $250,000 home an additional $245 this year. "That equates to less than a dollar a day," board President Frank Clark said Thursday at a public hearing on the district's property taxes at CPS' Loop headquarters. He then asked for a more precise calculation. "Well, 67 cents," replied board member Mark Furlong, the retired president and chief executive of BMO Harris bank. "Thank you very much, Mark. Always good to have a smart banker," Clark said, before rounding up Furlong's calculated daily tab to 68 cents. "The fact that it's 68 cents a day, which in and of itself makes it sound as if it were not significant, the fact is $245 does impact the lives of some people," Clark said. "I know that, but I wanted to give some of the perspective around it." Of course, Chicago property owners are also getting hit by a significant tax hike to pay the city's police and fire pension funds. Taxpayers also are paying higher emergency service fees on landline and cellphone bills to cover city laborers pensions and face a proposal for new water and sewer service taxes to boost contributions to the city municipal workers pension fund. The city in recent years also has doubled water and sewer fees and enacted a fee for garbage pickup. CPS' property taxes levies are in general allowed to grow in line with the Consumer Price Index. CPS took in roughly $45 million from the capital improvement tax in 2016, and expects to levy an additional $2.9 million on it in 2017. According to CPS budget projections, revenue generated by the school infrastructure tax will jump by roughly $140 million in the early 2030s. Schools officials plan to use the tax income to borrow up to $945 million. School board members are expected to vote Wednesday on the district's operating and capital budgets. jjperez@tribpub.com Twitter @PerezJr Mario Lozano knew something was not quite right. A 28-year veteran of the Cook County sheriff's office, Deputy Lozano had stepped out of Judge Valarie Turner's lower-level courtroom at the Markham Courthouse for a moment to answer a question from a member of the public. When he stepped back in, a sheriff's official said, a lawyer named Rhonda Crawford was wearing a judge's robe and presiding over traffic cases, though she is not a judge. Advertisement Turner "was still in the courtroom standing behind attorney Crawford," said Cara Smith, a chief policy officer for the sheriff. In all, Crawford handled two or three traffic cases from the south suburban village of Dolton in the 20 minutes she was on the bench Aug. 11. Lozano took note of the moment and documented it in an internal memo, which was obtained by the Tribune. Smith, who said she was speaking on Lozano's behalf, provided a fuller account of what he observed. Advertisement The sheriff's office did not report what happened to Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans, who now faces an embarrassing scandal because of the incident and the fact that one of two key figures Crawford is a law clerk/staff attorney in his office. The sheriff's office, Smith said, did not report the incident because it did not know if Turner and Crawford were participating in a training program or some other approved activity. A clerk from the office of Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown was in the courtroom too. But a spokeswoman for Brown, Jalyne Strong-Shaw, would not say Thursday if the unidentified clerk reported the incident to a supervisor, or if the office reported it to the chief judge. Dennis Gianopolus, the village prosecutor for Dolton, said one of his associates, Luciano Panici Jr., was in Turner's courtroom that day handling traffic cases. But Gianopolus, who maintains a private practice as well as representing municipalities, declined further comment. Panici, the son of a veteran Cook County judge and a 2009 law school graduate, could not be reached for comment on Thursday. Fallout from the scandal has been swift. Evans met Wednesday with an executive committee of the county's 17 presiding judges and announced that he was temporarily removing Turner from the bench and suspending Crawford without pay from her nearly $57,000-a-year post. Turner now is handling administrative tasks such as conducting weddings and reviewing requests for fee waivers in civil cases. Pat Milhizer, a spokesman for Evans, would not say how the office learned of the alleged misconduct in Markham, however. Turner, a graduate of Northwestern University and the University of Chicago Law School, is a former federal prosecutor who also worked as an associate at the Kirkland & Ellis law firm. First elected to the bench in 2002, she hears municipal cases in Markham. She makes close to $190,000 a year. Advertisement Crawford, records show, has worked for Evans' office since 2011. In March, she handily defeated two opponents in the Democratic primary for the 1st Judicial Subcircuit, which includes parts of the South Side and some of the south suburbs. It is not clear if allegedly pretending to be a judge in Turner's courtroom will imperil Crawford's bid to become a judge. She is unopposed in the November general election. Turner and Crawford could not be reached for comment. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Experts in legal and judicial ethics were aghast at the alleged incident and said it likely violates several rules for lawyers and judges and might even have been illegal for Crawford to pretend to be a judge. A spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney's office said the incident was "deeply concerning" and that the office was reviewing the matter. The Judicial Inquiry Board, which oversees judges in the state, and the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which licenses and disciplines lawyers, likely will investigate the incident as well. Evans, who has been chief judge for 15 years, may face repercussions as well. He faces two challengers in his bid for retention in an internal election next month; already, one of them, former Chicago alderman Tom Allen, called on Evans to explain the incident in greater detail, saying it represents one more example of Evans' failure as the leader of the county's courts one of the largest court systems in the country. Allen, in a letter to fellow judges, also demanded that Evans say whether he has referred the incident to the state's legal disciplinary agencies or to law enforcement. Milhizer, Evans' spokesman, would not say directly that Evans had referred the matter to disciplinary officials. But in written answers to questions from the Tribune, he said the chief judge had carried out all of his responsibilities in accordance with Illinois Supreme Court rules, which require a judge to "take or initiate appropriate disciplinary measures." smmills@chicagotribune.com Advertisement tlighty@chicagotribune.com Twitter @smmills1960 Twitter @tlighty Police are searching for a 15-year-old girl who was last seen a week ago in the city's Little Village neighborhood. Detaijaih Neeley was last seen Aug. 11 in the 2700 block of South Central Park Avenue, wearing a white T-shirt, blue jogging pants and Adidas shoes, police said. The teen, who goes by Taijaih, could be carrying a black purse. Advertisement She is known to hang around the area of Western Avenue and Jackson Boulevard in the city's Near West Side neighborhood, police said. She is described as a black girl with medium complexion, black hair and brown eyes. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighs about 200 pounds, police said. Advertisement Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call Chicago police at (312) 747-8380. A Cook County judge cleared Chicago rapper Lil Durk on Friday of violating probation with his arrest on a gun charge, leading prosecutors to drop those charges. Lil Durk, who likely would have been taken into custody if Judge Timothy Joyce had found he violated probation, was ecstatic about the ruling, hugging his attorney and supporters. Advertisement "I was kind of nervous, but I ain't ever nervous about the truth because I know God is on my side and I got a good lawyer," Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, said at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. Prosecutors had to prove only that Lil Durk was more likely than not guilty of possessing guns, a lower legal standard than the guilty beyond a reasonable doubt that they would have had to prove at trial. That led prosecutors to quickly drop the 12 felony counts of felon in a possession of a handgun. Advertisement Joyce ruled that prosecutors proved Lil Durk knew the guns were in an Orland Park townhome he was renting but failed to prove he had "possession and control" of the weapons. Lil Durk was on probation for an earlier gun case when police looking to arrest a man on first-degree murder charges came to the townhome in November 2014. Police found two .45-caliber handguns on the counter in the kitchen as Lil Durk walked down to the first floor from a room upstairs. During Friday's hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Holly Kremin argued that Lil Durk had violated his probation by knowing that both the owner of the guns and the weapons themselves were in the home. Furthermore, she argued that Lil Durk admitted to police that the guns were his. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > But Banks' attorney, Sam Adam Jr., said the officer never noted in a police report any such admission by Lil Durk. In 2014, Banks pleaded guilty to a gun possession charge after Chicago police saw him toss a loaded Glock handgun into a car parked in the Englewood neighborhood a year earlier. He was on parole at the time for yet another gun conviction. At the time, prosecutors had recommended that Banks receive at least a year in prison or a term of intensive probation, but Judge Joseph Kazmierski Jr. sentenced him to 18 months of probation and the 43 days Banks had already spent in jail. "The key word is I'll be staying out of trouble," Banks told the Tribune in 2014 after being sentenced. "You can put a capital 'N' for never." Advertisement Banks' manager, Uchenna Agina, who went by "Chino," was shot and killed in 2015 outside a restaurant in the Avalon Park community when a gunman approached and opened fire, according to police. sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com Twitter @SteveSchmadeke House Speaker Michael Madigan speaks during Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair in 2015. It's Democrat Day once again Aug. 18, 2016. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Topspin Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan is predicting that Auditor General Frank Mautino will be "vindicated" following calls for Mautino's removal due to a federal probe. Advertisement Republicans are pushing to oust Mautino, who in May acknowledged he was under investigation for campaign spending during his time as a lawmaker. The spending includes more than $200,000 on gas and repair expenses and payments to a local bank. The State Board of Elections also has asked Mautino to account for the spending. Mautino, a longtime House member who served on Madigan's leadership team, was appointed to a 10-year term as the state's financial watchdog last year with overwhelming support from Democrats and Republicans. Advertisement "I am aware that there (are) two ongoing investigations of Mr. Mautino, and my expectation is that at the end of the investigations he will be fully vindicated," Madigan said Thursday following remarks at the annual Democratic county chairmen's breakfast. (Monique Garcia) What's on tap *Mayor Rahm Emanuel has no public schedule. *Gov. Bruce Rauner will visit a high school in Mt. Vernon in the morning and sign bills related to the Department of Children and Family Services in the afternoon. *It's a Friday in the summer: beware the late-afternoon news dump. What we're writing *Madigan, Democrats try to tie Rauner to Trump. *CPS lays out cost of property tax hikes. *City Treasurer Summers' name floated as potential 2018 Rauner challenger. *Emanuel's top cop seeks to fire seven officers for lying about Laquan McDonald shooting. Johnson also shakes up command staff amid violence. Advertisement *Cop's lawyer asks prosecutors to identify which shots killed McDonald. *Two cops in Paul O'Neal shooting had never fired gun at citizen before, records show. What we're reading (Summer Friday edition) *We want to go to here (for lunch). *Travel alert: Cluster of Zika cases in Miami Beach. *Once-rocking heavy metal band now look like suburban dads, prep new album. From the notebook Advertisement *Will White take another tumble after all?: Longtime Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White created some head scratching about his future during Democrat Day at the State Fair. During a morning breakfast with Democratic county chairmen, White told reporters he had no intention of seeking another term in 2018. He won the first of a record five terms in 1998 and remains one of the state's most popular officeholders, aided in part by performances of his youthful team of tumblers. But later at the state fairgrounds, the 82-year-old secretary of state was noncommittal to reporters about making another run and said he had "no plans" either way. It wasn't a topic he addressed during a speech to Democratic loyalists encamped under a large tent for the party's annual luncheon at the director's lawn. But Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, a Democratic candidate for comptroller, led the crowd with chants of "Four more years" directed at White. In previous years when he wasn't on the ballot, White had talked about plans to retire, only to subsequently seek re-election. At stake? Pent-up Democratic ambition from those who expected that this was indeed his final term. (Monique Garcia) *Kirk steps in it again on presidential choice: Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says he's back to backing retired former Army Gen. David Petraeus as his write-in candidate for president because he's "the guy who won the battle against ISIS." But Kirk, seeking re-election against two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, was actually against the troop surge led by Petraeus and ordered by then-President George W. Bush. In 2007, Kirk voted in favor of a resolution that would express support for U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq while disapproving of Bush's decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to that country. Kirk's rationale, according to a Tribune story at the time: "When the proposal for that operation came in, the senior commanders didn't like it, and I sided with them against the president." (Rick Pearson) *Duckworth or Trump?: The Kirk campaign is going after Duckworth with a new online quiz asking which politician did or said something, the Democratic Senate candidate or controversial Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump the guy Kirk is fiercely trying to avoid any linkage with. Advertisement Among the quiz questions is, "Who actually fired Rod Blagojevich?" The answer is Trump, who fired the now-imprisoned former governor on the reality show "Celebrity Apprentice." The Kirk campaign has worked to link Duckworth to Blagojevich. Blagojevich hired her as state veterans' affairs director after Duckworth lost a 2006 bid for Congress. Quiz-takers must submit an email address and a ZIP code to the Kirk campaign to find out the results. So it's a two-fer: Kirk's team gets to add to its campaign database as it's trying to deflect a key Duckworth attack line back at her. (Rick Pearson) *Schneider dabbles with wine and cheese crowd?: Democratic ex-Rep. Brad Schneider is spending the weekend in California for what spokesman Steven Kirsch called a "policy conference." On hand, according to Kirsch: "other Democratic candidates and supporters from across the country." Is Schneider headed to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's annual Napa Valley Issues Conference, which draws lawmakers, candidates and party loyalists and runs Friday through Sunday? Kirsch wouldn't say and turned aside a question about whether Schneider was planning to hit up Pelosi's donors. Schneider is trying to stage a comeback by defeating incumbent Republican Rep. Bob Dold in Illinois' 10th Congressional District. Schneider slammed Dold for his Thursday fundraiser with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., saying Dold who has disavowed Trump can't claim independence from the GOP if pro-Trump Republicans are raising cash for him. (Katherine Skiba) Advertisement *Rookie mistake for Munger: Politicians tend to get booed at sporting events or concerts, and the savvier ones try to avoid being put in that position. So it should come as little surprise that rookie Republican Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger got booed at the state fair Wednesday night during a Kiss concert. The boos came as she recognized the Hall of Fame rock band for its contributions to military veterans. Doubling the pain, Munger mentioned that she was there on behalf of Gov. Rauner. Illinois Public Radio statehouse bureau chief Amanda Vinicky shot some video, which you can watch here. Afterward, it got patriotic, as Kiss led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and played the "Star-Spangled Banner." *The Sunday Spin: On this week's show, Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests are Democratic state Rep. Robert Martwick of Chicago; Marc Poulos, executive director of the Indiana-Illinois-Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting and a leader of the drive for a constitutional lockbox on transportation spending; and state Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno of Lemont. The "Sunday Spin" airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WGN AM-720. Beyond Chicago *Clinton meets with law enforcement as Trump casts self as "law and order" candidate. *Clinton Foundation to stop taking foreign donations if she's elected president. Advertisement *U.S. to phase out use of private prisons. *American swimmer causes international incident at Rio Olympics. Pallbearers leave the Church of God in Christ in Chicago with the casket of Emmett Till in September 1955. (Chicago Tribune file photo) WASHINGTON Among the most difficult decisions that Lonnie Bunch III had to make as he searched the world for objects to tell the story of African Americans was whether to include a casket that once held the mangled body of a murdered black boy. "I remember struggling with, 'Should we collect that?' " said Bunch, the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Advertisement Even after he accepted Emmett Till's casket, which Till's family gave to the museum long after his remains had been exhumed and reinterred, Bunch grappled with the idea of including it in an exhibit. "Was that too ghoulish?" he wondered. As leaders of the new museum, Bunch and his curators must strike a delicate balance. Advertisement Lonnie Bunch III, founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (Michael R. Barnes ) Every year, millions of tourists come to Washington to seek inspiration in marble monuments to the nation's heroes and leaders, in temples of democracy and civic power. Now, for the first time, Americans will have a museum on the Mall celebrating black pioneers and highlighting the success stories of African Americans. Excitement surrounding the historic institution propelled its boosters through 11 years of collecting artifacts and fundraising to the tune of $315 million. It will open Sept. 24 with a dedication attended by President Barack Obama and with an invitation-only Kennedy Center gala. But for such a museum to claim scholarly integrity, uplift is not enough. In the years preceding next month's celebration, Bunch has had to consider how much of the dark corners of American history to expose. He and the museum's curators say they are ready to tell what African American historian John Hope Franklin called the "unvarnished truth" of the nation's racial past. The question is: Are visitors ready to hear it? As painful as it may be, Bunch said, it's essential that his institution delve into stories such as that of Till, the Chicago teenager who was murdered for whistling at a white woman during a visit to Mississippi an event that galvanized the civil rights movement. "You couldn't tell the story of the African American experience without wrestling with difficult issues, without creating those moments where people have to ponder the pain of slavery, segregation or racial violence," Bunch said. But he said he also knew "that this was not a museum of crime or guilt or holocaust." A view of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture, which is wrapping up construction in advance of its late September opening. (Carolina A. Miranda / Los Angeles Times) And so the museum's airy upper floors the Culture and Community galleries will feature the uneven-bar grips used by gymnast Gabby Douglas in the 2012 Olympics and a terry-cloth robe worn by Muhammad Ali. Visitors will be able to gawk at Chuck Berry's red Cadillac and wax nostalgic through an exhibit on the birth of hip-hop. Advertisement Feel free to go straight up there if you want it's fun. But the museum has been designed to nudge you to descend first into its lower levels. Take one of the elevators down. Move through a dark and low-slung concourse. You will find the remains of the Sao Jose, a Portuguese slave ship that sank off the coast of South Africa; a narrow South Carolina slave cabin; and a set of shackles so diminutive they could only have been used on a child. The effect is haunting. It's meant to be. "It's a lot to take in," said historian Noelle Trent, who helped train the museum's docents. "It is very emotional to have so much history interpreted in a confined space." A slave cabin from Poolesville, Md., is on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on July 18, 2016, in Washington, D.C., as seen during a media preview tour. The museum's grand opening will be on Sept. 24. (Paul Holston / AP) Visitors can't escape witnessing racial violence Surveys conducted by the Smithsonian Institution in the run-up to the new museum's creation found that the public is conflicted over learning more about slavery. It ranked as both the top subject that visitors want to know more about and the one they're least interested in exploring. Bunch and his team see themselves as providing deeper knowledge to those already familiar with the story of slavery and helping others see that understanding black history is central to understanding American history. "Slavery is this horribly painful moment, but it is also a moment when people were strong and lived a life that many of us would emulate if we could in terms of trying to keep family together despite everything," Bunch said. Presenting this complexity is part of his attempt to push the public to embrace ambiguity. "We're not giving them simple answers to complex questions," he said. Advertisement The museum addresses Americans' apprehension about discussing these issues in part by linking the story of slavery to the push for freedom. Displayed alongside the shackles and instruments of torture are Harriet Tubman's shawl, Nat Turner's Bible and freedom papers carried by a former slave. Bunch determined early on that visitors would not be able to skip through the history galleries without encountering stories of racial violence. They will see images of lynching and of a slave being whipped. The most brutal lynching photos are placed so that museum-goers can avoid looking at them head-on, but they cannot totally escape them. According to historical data collected by the Tuskegee Institute, 4,730 people were lynched in the United States between 1882 and 1951: 3,437 black and 1,293 white. The museum makes it clear that such violence was not a rarity. "You don't want people to think that was so exotic and so unusual," Bunch said. "When we talk about the extremes in America vis-a-vis race, we always discuss it as if only the craziest of people are doing that, but ... there were times when people's silence encouraged racial violence. I wanted people to realize that this was part of how America was made. Not to say that was the key, but part of the job [of this museum] is to unpack what it means to be an American." Connie Beninghove, assistant registrar, inspects Iron ballast bars recovered from a shipwrecked slave ship and destined for the African American musuem as they arrive at a Smithsonian facility on July, 13, 2016 in Hyattsville, Md. (Bill O'Leary / Washington Post) Brutality of slavery Officials planning the new museum consulted with the leaders of both the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington and the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York two institutions devoted to uniquely horrific moments in history. Advertisement The African American museum will share those museums' philosophy regarding the best way to convey the pain of difficult historical episodes through compelling artifacts. When Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau and Majdanek concentration camps, they found very few surviving prisoners. But they found hundreds of thousands of pairs of shoes. A huge mound of 4,000 shoes in the U.S. Holocaust Museum's permanent exhibition is often cited as its most searing display, said Edward "Ted" Phillips, the museum's director of exhibitions and resources. "We don't have to have graphic images of emaciated bodies to represent the mass slaughter of humans," Phillips said. "Gruesome is just not necessary." Similarly, the 9/11 museum debated how to share the story of the men and women who jumped or fell from the twin towers as they crumbled. The museum's governing board, which includes victims' relatives, was committed to including an exhibit on the subject; it is located in an alcove, centered on startling digital stills instead of explicit moving images. "Obviously the story of race in America is much longer than 9/11 as an event," said Joe Daniels, president of the 9/11 Memorial Museum. "But for the people that still feel rightly the pain of what existed, having a museum that takes responsibility for helping people process that is important." That is Bunch's goal. He said it's essential that his museum draw in Americans from all racial backgrounds and help them see slavery and other aspects of black history as part of our collective story. Advertisement There are, of course, villains in that story, and the new museum will address the brutality of slavery and those who profited economically and politically from racial segregation. But its focus is on how African Americans survived those challenges, not on the people who perpetrated them. The museum wants to be a place where descendants of Southern slave owners can engage with black history alongside the descendants of African American sharecroppers. This is an issue that a museum such as the Holocaust Museum doesn't have to deal with, because in that case, as Bunch pointed out, "the bad guys aren't American." Part of the mission of the new museum, he said, "is to give people not just what they want but what they need. People need to understand who we are as Americans, and you can't understand that if you don't understand slavery and segregation." At the same time, he recognizes that reaching this understanding can be profoundly upsetting. At the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., established at the site of the Lorraine Motel, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, visitors confront difficult racial history similar to what they will find in Washington's new museum. There is an exhibit on slavery and one, of course, on King's death. "I have seen different people react in different ways," said Trent, the historian, who is also director of interpretation, collections and education at the Memphis museum. "You see someone and they get to Dr. King's room and walk away" unmoved, without engaging with the subject matter. On the other hand, she said, "you see some people in the slavery exhibit, and they start to tear up, and by the time they get to Dr. King's room they are in hysterics. You just don't know how people are going to react." So Bunch's team is training more than 300 volunteers to roam the museum, taking note of visitors' body language and tone of voice, to look for those who might be in distress. Nurses will also be on call to help. Advertisement Emmett Louis Till, 14, with his mother, Mamie Bradley, at home in Chicago. (Tribune file photo) 'One of our most sacred objects' The tour through history at the Smithsonian's new museum moves from the exploration of slavery and freedom to exhibits on segregation and the period beyond 1968. Visitors walk up a ramp to enter the space containing these. Bunch decided that he would display Till's casket in a room in the "Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom" exhibition. The room is partitioned by a wall. The anteroom tells Till's story in the words and voice of his mother, Mamie Till Mobley, who forced the funeral home that buried Emmett to hold an open-casket service. On the other side of the wall is the casket, placed on a pedestal. Painted on the wall behind it is a mural of the choir that sang at Till's home-going service. It's "one of our most sacred objects," the museum's deputy director, Kinshasha Holman Conwill, said of the casket. "What this museum is going to do is make sure that America remembers that, at one point and unfortunately, some of that still goes on we killed our children," she said. Advertisement Bunch thought about Mamie Till Mobley, whom he met before her death in 2003, as the exhibit was being designed. "She talked to me about how one of the most courageous things she did was to keep the casket open," he said. "She said to me, 'Emmett was martyred on the cross of racial injustice,' and she wanted the world to see what they did to her son." He agreed. The world should see. Family members of Sylville Smith gather on Aug. 14, 2016, on the site where he was shot and killed by Milwaukee police. (Jeffrey Phelps / Associated Press ) A black man whose death at the hands of police spurred two nights of violence in Milwaukee was shot once in the chest and once in the arm, the Milwaukee County medical examiner said Friday. Sylville K. Smith, 23, died Saturday after what police said was a brief foot chase when he fled a traffic stop. A few hours after Smith's death, a protest on the city's largely black north side erupted into violence. Police say body-camera video from the officer who shot Smith shows he was holding a handgun and had turned toward the officer, who is also black. Mayor Tom Barrett said just hours after the shooting that Smith had been hit twice, in the chest and arm. Aside from confirming that account, a brief release from the medical examiner said little. It said an autopsy report and investigative reports would not be released since Smith's death is under investigation by the state. Advertisement This undated file photo provided by the Milwaukee County Sheriff shows Sylville K. Smith, who was killed in Milwaukee on Aug. 13, 2016, in a police shooting that sparked two nights of violence. (AP) The unrest in Milwaukee largely subsided Monday, leaving several businesses burned and assorted other damage that federal officials said could amount to several million dollars. The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting, as required by state law for any fatal shootings involving police. The agency has declined to release the body-camera video or any other details while its investigation continues. State investigators on Thursday set up a tip line to gather information from the public. Associated Press A 12-year-old Payton Leutner is loaded into an ambulance after being found in a wooded area near Rivera Drive and Big Bend Road in Waukesha, Wis., in May 2014. (Abe Van Dyke) WAUKESHA, Wis. One of two girls accused of trying to kill a 12-year-old classmate to please horror character Slender Man two years ago is pleading not guilty by reason of mental defect or disease. Morgan Geyser, 14, entered her plea Friday in Waukesha County. Judge Michael Bohren ordered doctors to examine her. Advertisement The other girl in the case pleaded not guilty last year. Both girls have been charged with attempted homicide as adults. The Associated Press had not named either of them before Friday because their attorneys sought to move them back to juvenile court. A state appeals court in July ruled they should remain in adult court. Advertisement Geyser's attorney, Tony Cotton, said Friday he dropped efforts to move the case to juvenile court. The other girl's attorney didn't return a message. Associated Press Debby Miller was also on the Fine Arts Commission and museum board in Hoffman Estates. (Family photo) Debby Miller was on the board of the Schaumburg Township District Library for 42 years during which time she helped oversee the construction of three library buildings and encouraged public art. "She had a profound commitment to public libraries and intellectual freedom," said Stephanie Sarnoff, executive director of the Schaumburg Township District Library. "She was responsible for creating a community library that was head and shoulders above all others. Excellence was the goal." Advertisement Miller, 78, died July 23 at her Hoffman Estates home after suffering a fall, said her daughter, Tracy. A longtime Hoffman Estates resident, Miller had battled heart disease, her daughter said. Born Deborah Kabb in Chicago, Miller grew up in the Albany Park neighborhood and graduated from Roosevelt High School, her daughter said. On Dec. 26, 1957, she married Robert Miller. He died in 2013. Advertisement Miller received an associate's degree in 1971 from Mayfair College in Chicago, which is now known as Truman College. She received a degree in education from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1975. Soon after Miller and her husband moved to Hoffman Estates in 1971, she became a library board member. An interest in free speech and education spurred her interest in the library system. "My mother thought people should always be learning things, learning from the start of your life to the end of your life," her daughter said. "And our library at the time was definitely in need of help. She thought she could be the person to help." During her time on the board, the library system added three buildings. She also was involved in purchasing public art for the libraries, including sculptures, Sarnoff said. Miller also took a keen interest in the children's departments. Miller also was involved with the American Library Association. It was through the association that she met Sarnoff, who at that time was managing a public library in Scarsdale, N.Y. The Schaumburg Township library board hired Sarnoff in 2009. "She was unfailing in her wisdom when it came to citizens and the responsibility of citizens to become as informed as they possibly could," Sarnoff said. Miller left the board for one two-year stint during her tenure. An opponent successfully knocked her candidacy off the ballot in 2005 for listing the wrong year in the economic interest statement she had filed, and a subsequent write-in effort fell short. However, Miller returned to the board two years later, serving until she chose not to seek re-election in 2015. Miller initially had hoped to become a teacher but was stymied by a lack of teaching jobs after graduation. Instead, she spent many years as a contract lobbyist, including working on behalf of the Illinois Library Association. She retired in the 1990s, her daughter said. Advertisement Miller also was on Hoffman Estates' Fine Arts Commission and served two terms on the Illinois State Board of Education, from 1989 until 1997. In addition, she was a member of the North Suburban Library Board of Directors from 1974 to 1980 and joined the Hoffman Estates Museum's board in 2003. In her later years, Miller was active in helping form the Institute for Continued Learning at Roosevelt University, where she coordinated various study groups for individuals 55 and older. She also traveled widely visiting six of seven continents, her daughter said and continued to take an interest in politics. Just last month, Miller was grand marshal of the Hoffman Estates Fourth of July parade, her daughter said. Miller also is survived by a son, Andrew; and a brother, Harold Kabb. Services were held. Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter. A Tunisian woman wearing a "burkini", a full-body swimsuit designed for Muslim women, walks in the water with a child on August 16, 2016 at Ghar El Melh beach near Bizerte, north-east of the capital Tunis. (Fethi Belaid, AFP/Getty Images) A beach in France is likely to feature some sights that would shock many Americans, such as bare-breasted women and paunchy middle-aged men in tiny Speedos. Lately it may also feature a sight that would shock many French people: females who cover up. These beachgoers wear a swimsuit called a burkini, favored by some Muslims because it conceals everything but the hands, feet and face. But though Muslims in France are expected to tolerate lavish displays of flesh by others, many non-Muslims feel no reciprocal obligation to let the demure practice modesty. Advertisement Some French municipalities have banned these suits from public beaches, claiming to uphold hygiene, secularism and even "public morals." Some French think the burkini signifies sexist oppression. The mayor of Cannes labeled it a "symbol of Islamic extremism." "France does not lock away a woman's body," exclaimed right-wing leader Marine Le Pen. "This is the soul of France that is in question." That's right: A Frenchwoman wearing nothing but a thong is really baring her soul. Advertisement Prime Minister Manuel Valls claims the burkini symbolizes Islam's "enslavement of women." Cabinet member Laurence Rossignol says Islam's function is to "hide women's bodies in order to better control them." Their argument goes as follows: France must dictate what Muslim women wear to teach them that no one may dictate what they wear. In the name of promoting the freedom of Muslim women, government should deprive them of the right to make their own apparel choices. It's the logical extension of France's law against full-face coverings, particularly the kind worn by some Muslim women. Supporters of that law, enacted in 2010, said it was needed to keep criminals from concealing their identity. That excuse doesn't work for the burkini, which confirms it was just that: an excuse. There is nothing inherently oppressive about this swimwear. Presumably some women don it only because men insist. But there are doubtless other French women who buy skimpy suits in submission to male coercion and social pressures. Other women are capable of deciding they prefer more coverage. A maker of modest swimwear called Sea Secret was founded by two Orthodox Jewish women who report that they sell not only to Jews and Muslims but even Christians. When snorkeling, my highly independent wife has found she needs a long-sleeved top and long shorts to keep her fair skin from being torched by the tropical sun. British celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, whose voluptuous upper torso is hardly a state secret, has worn a burkini at the beach to preserve her pale complexion. These women can think for themselves. Why assume Muslims can't? French-Tunisian historian Leyla Dakhli told The Associated Press there are as many reasons behind such decisions "as there are women in the world." Reading women's minds through their attire is an unreliable science. If some Muslim men employ violence or threats to control their wives and daughters, the target of government policy should be detecting and ending that sort of abuse. Forbidding burkinis is like trying to combat rape by telling women they can't have sex. Advertisement A ban on modest clothing will not emancipate tyrannized females but add to their oppression. A woman whose husband allows her to swim only in a burkini probably won't respond to a ban by letting her venture forth in a two-piece. He will probably respond by not letting her swim at all. Instead of freeing the affected Muslim women, a ban will trap them in their homes. Marwan Muhammad, executive director of the Center Against Islamophobia in France, told The New York Times that burkinis are a marker of liberation, not repression. "In conservative Muslim countries," The Times paraphrased, "women would never go to a beach with men, much less go swimming, since even in the burkini, the wet cloth sticks to a woman's body, outlining her curves." Muhammad said that "Muslim women who didn't used to enjoy that day at the beach or at the pool are now taking part, they are socializing." Yes maybe even with people who wear more revealing garments, interaction that could be educational for everyone involved. The key to a free society is the principle of "live and let live" accepting your neighbor's right to live by beliefs you may not share, as long as your neighbor extends you the same latitude. Any mayor or other leader who finds the burkini objectionable has a perfectly good option: Don't wear one. Steve Chapman, a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/chapman. Download "Recalculating: Steve Chapman on a New Century" in the free Printers Row app, available at www.printersrowapp.com. Advertisement schapman@chicagotribune.com Follow Steve Chapman on Twitter @SteveChapman13 and Facebook. Of all the political pundit-grown gobbledygook flying around this election year, wishful musings about an upcoming Donald Trump "pivot" were perhaps the most persistent. Ah, the mythical pivot you know, that magical moment, always just around the corner, where Trump stops being The Donald and transforms into Jack Kemp, Mr. Miyagi from "Karate Kid" or maybe even Fred Astaire, complete with tuxedo and tap-dancing skills. Well, rest easy, America. "Mr. Trump," as he likes to be called, has officially put the pivot to bed. "I am who I am," he recently told a Wisconsin television station. "It's me. I don't want to change. Everyone talks about, 'Oh, well, you're going to pivot, you're going to.' I don't want to pivot. I mean, you have to be you. If you start pivoting, you're not being honest with people." Advertisement Here I would like to congratulate and thank Trump, because he is 100 percent correct. Why would he pretend to be somebody he's not? As a movement, Trumpism runs on Trump, not arguments over marginal tax rates. A Donald Trump chained to a restrictive teleprompter script is an unhappy Donald Trump. It's a fabricated Trump. He's right: It's dishonest. It's not real. Despite this obvious truth, an astounding number of GOP operatives have spent the last few months begging Trump to be someone else or, even better, to just pretend to be someone else for a little while, so that he can successfully trick America into giving him control of the most powerful military on Earth. This seems like a questionable and dangerous strategy, given that a Potemkin candidate, once given power, will naturally turn back into whatever the Republican leaders were trying to hide from the country beforehand but hey, details, details. Advertisement Luckily for us, Trump is having none of it. This week, the Republican presidential nominee backed his "anti-pivot" words with action, announcing a major campaign shake-up just a few weeks before the arrival of No One Will Judge You for Hiding Under the Covers or Drinking Whiskey Straight From the Bottle Day. Pardon me, I mean Election Day. Paul Manafort, Trump's chief adviser, a no-nonsense type occasionally haunted by his questionable past dealings in Ukraine, was subtly pushed to the side. Stephen Bannon, the head honcho at Breitbart News, saddled up as the campaign's chief executive. Kellyanne Conway, a Republican pollster, joined as the team's new campaign manager. Both Bannon and Conway were hired amid a slew of disastrous poll numbers. A recent Monmouth University survey showed Hillary Clinton up by 9 points in Florida; a Washington Post poll gave her a 14-point lead over Trump in Virginia. A new Quinnipiac poll has Clinton with leads in Colorado and Iowa. Those are all, by the way, key swing states Republicans need to prevent the Clintons from moving back into the White House. Nationally, Clinton leads Trump by 6 points in the RealClearPolitics polling average. These numbers come after weeks of "Trump being Trump," as former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski liked to call it. But Trump's new hires, at least at first glance, appear to recommend doubling down. They like the campaign style of the "real" Trump unlike, reportedly, Manafort, who headed a repeatedly failing and quixotic mission to tone the candidate down. "Trump's stunning decision," The Washington Post reported, "effectively ended the months-long push by then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort to moderate Trump's presentation and pitch for the general election. And it sent a signal, perhaps more clearly than ever, that the real-estate magnate intends to finish this race on his own terms, with friends who share his instincts at his side." "Breitbart is the only place that is more Trumpian than Trump," as Stephen Hayes noted at the conservative Weekly Standard. Indeed, thanks to its enthusiastic Trump coverage this election season sample headline: "How Donald Trump Made it Cool to be Gay Again" the site has earned the nickname of "Trumpbart." In other words, brace yourselves, campaign watchers. Some commentators responded to the Trump shake-up with amusement; others with despair. On Sunday, before the news broke, The Wall Street Journal issued a warning for Trump's greatest champions, including Chris Christie, Rudy Giuliani and various talk radio hosts: "Those who sold Mr. Trump to GOP voters as the man who could defeat Hillary Clinton now face a moment of truth." This is true. Republican-leaning voters must also face the truth. There should be no more squirming, or excuses, or delusions. Despite various hopes from certain corners, Trump will not stick to a script prepared for him by Newt Gingrich or Reince Priebus. Heck, Trump might not even try to pretend that he cares about the GOP. At the prospect of losing, in fact, he seems rather sanguine. "At the end," he recently told CNBC, "it's either going to work or I'm going to, you know, I'm going to have a very, very nice, long vacation." Trump will be Trump, and voters should be thankful for this: Finally, perhaps the usual suspects in the Republican Party will stop attempting to sell us an imaginary proto-Trump. Voters, meanwhile, can pay attention, do their research, and then take or leave the real version. Unlike the various machinations of the pro-Trump forces inside the GOP, it's the honest thing to do. Advertisement RealClearPolitics Heather Wilhelm is a writer based in Austin, Texas. Omran Daqneesh, 5, survived an airstrike Aug. 17, 2016, in Aleppo, Syria, and sat in an ambulance as others were rescued from the rubble of his apartment building. (Mahmoud Rslan, AFP/Getty Images) More than broken buildings and twisted rebar, more than images of Su-34 bombers and pickup trucks toting soldiers armed with AK-47s, the face of Omran Daqneesh, 5, tells the story of Aleppo. In a photo taken after an airstrike hit his apartment building Wednesday, the dust-covered boy sits in an ambulance, staring blankly. The left side of his face is caked in blood. His left eye is nearly shut, his right eye appears encircled by a large bruise. His moppy hair is tousled in dust, blood stains the neckline and sleeves of his shirt. He isn't crying, he shows no signs of being in pain. We don't know what he's thinking, but he appears numbed, patient even. Advertisement Omran was pulled from the rubble of his family's apartment building. His siblings and parents were also rescued from the building. An hour after Omran and his family were saved, the building collapsed. On Saturday, Omran's older brother died. The same shellshocked visage can be seen in civilians every day in Aleppo, Syria's largest city, ravaged by five years of civil war the span of this boy's life. Images like Omran's face remind us that the mission in Syria isn't just about Islamic State and Assad, Iran and Russia. It is about civilians trapped by a war that, in places like Aleppo, have turned everyday life into moment-to-moment survival. Advertisement Aleppo has long been ground zero in the war between Syrian President Bashar Assad and opposition rebels. Now it's at the center of an all-out offensive by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Assad to drive rebels out. Syrian and Russian fighter jets have been pounding rebel-held districts, indifferent to civilians there. Human rights groups say there's growing evidence that Syrian and Russian pilots are using incendiary bombs similar to napalm against rebel strongholds. In April 2012, President Barack Obama promised Syrians that he would stand by them as they were "subjected to unspeakable violence, simply for demanding their universal rights." That promise rings hollow. Obama has largely sidestepped the plight of Aleppo and of civilians across Syria. A halfhearted, long-delayed effort to train and equip Syrian rebels collapsed. Cease-fires have come and gone. U.S.-brokered diplomacy has spun its wheels. More recently, Secretary of State John Kerry has been trying to cajole Putin into reining in Assad's indiscriminate bombing, in exchange for joint U.S.-Russian operations against certain opposition rebels that both sides see as terrorists. The soft-sell approach to Putin has yielded and will yield nothing. The Kremlin has a singular goal in Syria: Keep Assad in power a goal shared by Iran. Obama's goal looks to be: Appear engaged without doing much of anything. Putin won't be deterred unless the U.S. wields leverage against him. Raising the prospect of military action against Assad, as a group of State Department officials suggested earlier this year, could provide that leverage. Those officials sent a cable to Obama, urging stronger military action against Syrian government forces. They suggested that could include cruise missiles and "targeted airstrikes." That's what we mean by leverage, of a sort Putin would comprehend. It could entice moderate Syrian Sunnis, who oppose Assad, to side with the West in the fight against Islamic State. Obama seems content to leave an ever-worsening Syria slaughter to his successor. Obama also will leave Syrian civilians trapped in a conflict the president should have taken seriously around the time Omran was born. Nelly Bridgeman is seen picking flowers in 1982. The Rev. Nicholas Chervyatiuk is accused in civil court of improperly taking about $500,000 from the accounts of the 93-year-old parishioner Bridgeman, who has dementia. (Family photo) Standing before the religious icons that line his Ukrainian Orthodox church in Humboldt Park, the Rev. Nicholas Chervyatiuk has ministered to followers who arrived in Chicago as refugees after surviving Nazi Germany's prison camps. Now the Cook County public guardian is accusing the priest of improperly taking more than $500,000 from the savings of one of those displaced persons, a 93-year-old former church secretary diagnosed with dementia. Advertisement Chervyatiuk has not been charged with a crime, and he denied any wrongdoing during a sworn probate court examination and in a Tribune interview. He says Nelly Bridgeman wanted him to have her money, which he saw as payment for the care he provided as her health and mental faculties failed. Advertisement "It's for my work," Chervyatiuk testified during the court examination. "It was for 14 years and I think it was time for me to get paid. ... Nelly wanted it that way." He told the Tribune he estimated those services were worth "about $25,000 per year." Chervyatiuk, 55, allegedly used Bridgeman's money to support two restaurants he ran with a convicted drug dealer, his Brash & Sassy Inc. hair salon and his portfolio of Chicago-area rental properties, according to probate court papers and separate land, business and court records. Nelly Bridgeman is seen in an undated photo provided by the Cook County public guardian. (Family photo) He has held power of attorney over Bridgeman's affairs since March 2015, when she was diagnosed with dementia and moved into a nursing home, records show. Public guardian Robert Harris said: "It's another example of how elderly people get ripped off by the most trusted people." The priest's private attorney, Dmytro Kurywczak, said Chervyatiuk "is working with the Office of the Public Guardian to come up with some kind of a resolution that will be in the best interests of Nelly Bridgeman." Chervyatiuk's Holy Patronage Church, at 900 N. Washtenaw Ave., is part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, one of three major Orthodox groups in that country. A North American church leader, the Rev. Victor Poliarny, told the Tribune it was "not acceptable" for a priest to take a parishioner's funds in a private transaction. Church authorities are seeking "official documents substantiating the accusation," Poliarny said. "Once we secure the official documents regarding this matter, the higher authority of the Kyiv Patriarchate will ensure proper punitive measures for the alleged behavior." Advertisement A native of Ukraine, Bridgeman had been a German World War II prisoner, and Chervyatiuk in his court examination acknowledged signing his name to her reparation checks from the German government. In the court examination, Chervyatiuk said: "It belonged to me, everything. She knew that and she told it to everyone." Suspecting fraud, a bank official in December contacted the public guardian's office. In March, Associate Cook County Judge Shauna Boliker authorized the office to gather financial records and determine how much of Bridgeman's money Chervyatiuk spent on her care and how much he allegedly converted for his own use. The agency, which now is Bridgeman's legal guardian, says it will seek court permission to recover any funds wrongly converted by Chervyatiuk. As the probate case proceeds, Boliker has ordered financial institutions to freeze $170,000 of the priest's personal and business bank accounts. At the public guardian's request, a doctor this year examined Bridgeman and determined she "was totally incapable of making financial and personal decisions." After coming to America in 1950, Bridgeman married a U.S. service member and would serve for more than two decades as secretary of Chervyatiuk's church, court records show. Her husband died in 2004 at 79. The couple had no children. Advertisement "In church I was her priest and at home I was her beloved son," Chervyatiuk testified during the June 24 probate court examination. Chervyatiuk was born in Germany and raised in Ukraine, he said. Holy Patronage Church, 900 N. Washtenaw Ave. in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood, is part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, one of three major Orthodox groups in that country. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) During the past five years, Bridgeman had been unable to cook, wash or shop for herself, Chervyatiuk said. "She kept a lot of stuff in the house. So you couldn't really walk in the house. You had to find a path," he said. In March 2015, Bridgeman fell and injured a hip, records show. At the hospital she was diagnosed with dementia. Chervyatiuk then placed her in a Chicago nursing home, records show. A day later, Chervyatiuk met with Bridgeman and lawyer Julian Kulas at the nursing facility and Kulas drafted papers that gave Chervyatiuk power of attorney for Bridgeman, according to the public guardian. "That power of attorney made him responsible to use her money for her good and in her best interest, and not for himself," Harris said. Kulas' son, Paul Kulas, is acting as his father's attorney in the case and said there was no improper conduct on Kulas' part. Kulas is "cooperating fully" with the public guardian and the court, his son said. Advertisement In the next 12 months, Chervyatiuk cashed in two CDs worth $170,000 and transferred other funds to accounts he alone controlled, probate court records filed by the public guardian allege. Chervyatiuk used his legal status to control Bridgeman's accounts, worth at least $540,000 and perhaps as much as $625,000, according to the public guardian. During that period, Chervyatiuk put at least $22,000 of Bridgeman's funds into two restaurants he ran with Alban Tase, 41. He also directly gave Tase two checks from Bridgeman's account totaling $6,500, probate court records show. Tase pleaded guilty in 2010 to federal drug conspiracy charges after an undercover operative met with him in a Chicago nightclub and steakhouse to trade shipments of stolen cigarettes for Ecstasy pills. He was among more than a dozen defendants convicted as part of a global Balkan crime operation that laundered money and trafficked in heroin, guns and contraband consumer goods, federal court records show. Authorities tracked the crime ring's deals from New Jersey to Canada, then the Netherlands, Albania and regions of Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo. Tase completed three years of supervised release in May following a federal prison term that is not specified in public records. Attempts to reach him for comment were not successful. Advertisement In Chervyatiuk's June 24 examination, he said Tase was his business partner in two Chicago-area pancake house restaurants, both since closed. Chervyatiuk said he did not know Tase was a convicted felon. "I just know one thing. He stole money from me too, and I don't know where he is," Chervyatiuk testified. Chervyatiuk later told the Tribune that Tase was involved with only one of the pancake houses. Nelly Bridgeman poses for a portrait with her husband, Russell, who died in 2004 at age 79. (Family photo) Chervyatiuk also wired thousands of dollars to a Western Union office in Ukraine, authorizing local contacts to pick up the money, records show. "We were helping the church," Chervyatiuk said, adding that the funds were for an iconostasis one of the panels of icons and religious paintings that adorn Eastern Orthodox churches. Asked in the court examination if the money wasn't instead spent on the Ukrainian-Russian military conflict, Chervyatiuk said: "I don't really want to talk about it now." Advertisement In the case of one $26,000 Bridgeman check, Chervyatiuk testified: "I don't recall what I did with that, possibly for my own things." One of Bridgeman's home health care aides allegedly told the public guardian that Bridgeman sometimes seemed confused and treated Chervyatiuk like her deceased husband. The aide said she saw Chervyatiuk pretend to be Bridgeman's husband and kiss her on the lips, according to court papers filed by the public guardian. Chervyatiuk also took title to land Bridgeman had owned in Texas, saying in his court examination that Bridgeman gave him the property. "One day she did a surprise to me. She took me to a restaurant and gave me those papers," he said. Bridgeman was not the only parishioner who gave Chervyatiuk large personal gifts, records show. Another church follower, Maria Lewczenko, died in December at 93 and made him executor of her estate with $20,000 in accounts and $100,000 in real estate. Chervyatiuk declined to discuss that matter with the Tribune, saying only: "I had many women who I tried to help." Advertisement dyjackson@chicagotribune.com Twitter @poolcar4 By Dezan Shira & Associates Editor: Xiao Anna Wang The long-awaited Comprehensive Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) between Hong Kong and Russia entered into force on July 29, 2016. The agreement will take effect on April 1, 2017 in Hong Kong and January 1, 2017 in Russia. Signed at the beginning of 2016, the CDTA aims to provide greater certainty on taxing rights between Hong Kong and Russia, incentivizes foreign investment with reduced income tax and withholding tax rates, and helps investors to better assess their potential tax liabilities on business transactions. Before the CDTA came into effect, companies operating in Hong Kong but listed in Russia were subject to income tax in both jurisdictions. In some cases, the taxation of repatriated profits of a Hong Kong company based in Russia would be determined by the tax bureau individually, depending on the source of the income. For either case, tax credits will now be employed to relieve double taxation under the provisions of the treaty. The residence jurisdiction, either Hong Kong or Russia, is required to grant a tax credit for tax payable accrued in its counterpart. According to Article 2, Paragraph 3, the following tax categories are qualified for double tax avoidance: (1) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: profits tax; salaries tax; property tax; whether or not charged under personal assessment; (2) in Russia: the tax on profits of organizations; the tax on income of individuals. Under the agreement, the dividend withholding in Russia for qualified Hong Kong companies is now taxed at a lower five percent or ten percent than non-treaty companies, according to the shareholding of the dividend beneficiary. The agreement also provides a zero percent Russian withholding tax on interest and a cap of three percent in Russian withholding tax on royalties. Together, these provisions account for a cutback of 17 percent from the non-treaty tax rate. A detailed comparison of Russias withholding tax rates on Hong Kong residents before and after the agreement is shown below: Meanwhile, the treaty specifies that profits arising from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic will be taxed only within the jurisdiction where the operating companies are registered. In keeping with other CDTAs, the two parties have agreed to the mutual exchange of information for increasing tax transparency and combatting tax evasion. RELATED: Business Advisory Services from Dezan Shira & Associates Pivot towards Asia The signing of the CDTA with Hong Kong follows an eastward shift in Russias economic focus in recent years. Following the economic consequences of the sanctions placed on Russia from the EU and U.S. which targeted not only individuals and companies in Russias military sector, but later prohibited exports of goods of dual use Moscow has been pushing to consolidate its political and energy sector ties with Asia. Its focus is especially primed towards China, which is the second largest importer for Russian raw materials and energy. One of the most prominent examples of the strengthened relationship between Russia and China is the historic 30-year gas deal between the two parties. The deal not only secured a long-term economic relationship grounded in Chinese dependency on Russian oil, but also encouraged economic development in Chinas Far East. Last year, China started the construction of the proposed pipeline route that will deliver 38 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to Japan, northeastern China, South Korea and North Korea. In turn, Russia has intensified cooperation with China on various infrastructure projects along the China-led One Belt One Road Initiative, such as the ongoing construction of the Trans-Eurasian railway project. The Hong Kong China Russia Benefits Even though Beijing has eased regulations for businesses in recent years, Hong Kong still acts as a critical link between Russian and Mainland markets for both inbound and outbound investment. Governed by the One Country, Two Systems framework, Hong Kong enjoys a close political and economic connection with the Mainland while benefiting from well-developed legal and financial systems that favor foreign investment. Based on the current tax regime between Hong Kong and Beijing, companies operating in the Special Administrative Region benefit from various tax deductions laid out in the Mainland and Hong Kong CDTA. Meanwhile, the Mainland has streamlined the process for Hong Kong companies wishing to register in Mainland and provided investment incentives, such as zero tariffs for goods originating from Hong Kong. The newly enforced agreement between Russia and Hong Kong can further the existing tax benefits that encourage foreign companies to establish in Hong Kong as a stepping stone to tap the Mainland market. In terms of international trade, Hong Kong has long been the re-export platform for both Russia and Mainland China. The bulk of Hong Kongs trade with Russia is comprised of exports in goods originating from the Mainland. In 2015, 95 percent of total exports from Hong Kong were made in Mainland China, according to Hong Kongs trade bureau. Primarily, these include telecommunications equipment, jewelry, clothing, toys and automatic data processing machines. On the other hand, Russia is one of the largest suppliers of natural resources to Hong Kong, exporting mainly jewelry, pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, compounds of precious metals, coal, silver and platinum. RELATED: Russia-Hong Kong DTA Will Go Into Effect on January 2017 The agreement is also seen as a means for Hong Kong to extend its presence in Eurasia. Hong Kong has been actively promoting itself as the Super Connector along the One Belt One Road Initiative, determined to expand its current international tax treaty network with jurisdictions along the modern Silk Road. According to its Chief Executive, Hong Kong aims to seize the opportunities brought by the Initiative by negotiating with countries along the Belt and Road on investment protection agreements, CDTAs, and agreements on double taxation relief arrangements for shipping income. Mainland China and Russia have recently enforced their own CDTA effective in the coming year, which competes with the CDTA between HK and Russia. For example, withholding tax on interest has been fully eliminated in the source jurisdiction under the provisions of the China-Russia CDTA, mirroring the Hong Kong Russia agreement. However, there are many non-tax factors to be considered when deciding where to launch a businesses in Asia, including human resources and the accessibility of business intelligence. To better understand the business environment in Asia and compare the potential risks and opportunities between different regions, investors are advised to contact our in-house specialists at Dezan Shira & Associates. About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email china@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. Tax, Accounting, and Audit in China 2016 This edition of Tax, Accounting, and Audit in China, updated for 2016, offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes that foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in China, as well as other tax-relevant obligations. This concise, detailed, yet pragmatic guide is ideal for CFOs, compliance officers and heads of accounting who must navigate the complex tax and accounting landscape in China in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their China-based operations. Annual Audit and Compliance in China 2016 In this issue of China Briefing, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the various annual compliance procedures that foreign invested enterprises in China will have to follow, including wholly-foreign owned enterprises, joint ventures, foreign-invested commercial enterprises, and representative offices. We include a step-by-step guide to these procedures, list out the annual compliance timeline, detail the latest changes to Chinas standards, and finally explain why Chinas audit should be started as early as possible. Importing and Exporting in China: a Guide for Trading Companies In this issue of China Briefing, we discuss the latest import and export trends in China, and analyze the ways in which a foreign company in China can properly prepare for the import/export process. With import taxes and duties adding a significant cost burden, we explain how this system works in China, and highlight some of the tax incentives that the Chinese government has put in place to help stimulate trade. Being the forerunner of China's economic reform, Shanghai has always taken the lead in trying out various experimental projects to test their viability. The good thing is that the city still manages to enjoy a steady growth with smooth acceleration of various trial programs. The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, since its inauguration in 2013, has contributed to many laudable practices such as the negative list and the registration-based supervision of China's reform, which copies them to other areas for economic transformation. The city has also strived to become a global innovation center in science and technology ?among the first in the country to call on mass innovation. "Innovation is one of the keys to Shanghai's economic development,"said Shi Liangping, director of the Institute of Economics of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. "The city must take its own approach to foster it." Shi said. Shanghai may unlikely be the first choice for grassroots innovators due to high operating costs. But when such firms grow big enough, Shanghai is the top choice because it has a great business environment. "Shanghai is the largest hub in China for multinational companies to establish research and development centers, which gives a boost to the city's innovation capability," Shi said. With 0.06 percent of China's land, 1.8 percent of its population and 1.7 percent of its investment, Shanghai produces more than 4 percent of the nation's overall economic output, the statistics bureau figures revealed. Shanghai recorded a "better-than-expected" 6.7 percent economic growth year-on-year in the first half this year, driven by the fast developing services sector, data presented by the Shanghai Statistics Bureau showed. The pace was on par with national growth during the same period and Shanghai's expansion in the first quarter. The economic indicators showed that the city's growth was better than expected with structural improvement, said Chief Economist Tang Huihao of the statistics bureau. The added value in the city's services sector rose 11.6 percent to 917.57 billion yuan (US$137 billion), accounting for 70.8 percent of the city's gross domestic product in the first six months. Its growth also offset a 15.3 percent decline of added value in the agricultural sector and a 3.3 percent fall in manufacturing. Despite an output drop in the first half, Shanghai is determined to keep the manufacturing sector steady. In the local 13th Five-Year Plan, Shanghai envisions that its manufacturing industries should contribute no less than 25 percent of the city's economic output. In 2015, the manufacturing sector made up 31 percent of Shanghai's total gross domestic product. Production in strategic new industries, such as new energy and the biological sector, rose 0.7 percent to 385.38 billion yuan in the first six moths, while retail sales rose 7.7 percent to 4.86 trillion yuan, faster than the 5.9 percent growth in the first half of last year. Online sales totaled 60 billion yuan, up 17.8 percent from a year ago. "From the data, we see faster growth in the services sector, advanced manufacturing sector and the Internet sector, revealing improved economic structure in Shanghai," Tang said. "The ongoing reforms in the free trade zone, Shanghai's commitment to technological innovation, and supply-side reforms will trigger greater economic momentum in the city." Shanghai has been prioritizing boosting innovation this year, while trying to keep unemployment below 4.5 percent. It plans to invest 3 percent of its GDP in green projects. Shanghai also aims to "further improve its business environment" and attract another 45 multinational companies to locate their regional headquarters in the city this year. By the end of last year, Shanghai was home to 535 regional headquarters of multinational companies, with 41 of them being the Asia-Pacific headquarters. About 230 multinational companies located their regional headquarters in Shanghai in the past five years, or an average of 45 per year. These companies accounted for only 1 percent of the city's total foreign-invested firms, but they contributed 9 percent of foreign-invested firms' revenues and 15 percent of their profits. Shanghai is also home to 396 research and development centers, or 25 percent of the country's total. Over 120 were set up by Fortune Global 500 companies, or one third of the country's total. Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong has said that he was "very confident" about the city's economic growth and the social development prospects over the next five years. "I am optimistic because Shanghai has sound economic fundamentals and great potential thanks to its reform efforts," Yang said. "Although growth has slowed in recent years, the city has made significant progress in upgrading its industries, raising fiscal income and creating jobs," he said. Shanghai was one of the first cities in China to enter the "new normal" growth stage, which is defined by slower expansion, but greater quality and efficiency, Yang said. It was also the pioneer in reforms and opening up, which are key to achieving its goal to become a global center of economy, finance, trade and shipping. "Openness is the biggest advantage Shanghai has," Yang said. "We will continue to be open, especially with our various trials in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone." The city government has set a growth target of between 6.5 and 7 percent for this year, and not less than 6.5 percent a year through 2020, Yang said. People should expect more "milestone projects" as the city becomes an innovation center for science and technology, he said. The headquarters of Chinese search giant Baidu [file photo] Chinese search giant Baidu is suing internet juggernauts Tencent and Sohu for reputation infringement. The operators of Baidu Waimai, a takeout service under Baidu, have filed lawsuits against Tencent and Sohu for posting articles infringing on the reputation of its takeout service, according to a Friday statement by the Beijing Haidian District People's Court, which has accepted the cases. Baidu Waimai complained that some public accounts on Tencent's messaging service WeChat posted stories about employees of Baidu-owned restaurants using toilet water to wash food. Stories on Sohu's platform also claimed that Baidu Waimai's restaurants used expired food. The company said the stories are completely untrue and have badly hurt Baidu Waimai's reputation and credit. It demanded Tencent and Sohu shut down the public accounts and provide information about the account operators. It also filed a lawsuit against an e-commerce company that posted an untrue story about Baidu Waimai on WeChat, demanding the closing of its WeChat account, a public apology and compensation of 500,000 yuan (75,000 U.S. dollars). You are here: Home President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese leaders watched an opening gala of the Fifth Minorities Art Festival Thursday evening in Beijing. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan and other senior leaders joined over 3,000 spectators to watch the gala held at the Great Hall of the People. The performances, including songs and dances, showcased distinctive cultures of different ethnic groups, under the theme of pursuing solidarity and development, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Before the gala, the leaders met with representatives of the performers. The Fifth Minorities Art Festival is sponsored by the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, and the Beijing municipal government. From Tuesday to Sept. 14, more than 7,000 ethnic minority artists will perform a total of 43 shows in Beijing. Typhoon Dianmu landed in south China's Guangdong Province on Thursday afternoon, bringing torrential rain to much of the region. This year's eighth typhoon landed in Dongli Township in the city of Leizhou at 3:40 p.m. on Thursday and is expected to bring heavy rainfall, which local authorities say could cause landslides in the region. The typhoon is moving westward at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. It is expected to sweep across the Leizhou Peninsula to the waters of the northern Beibu Gulf, according to the provincial weather service. Heavy rainfall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday caused precipitation to rise more than 200 mm in parts of Guangdong, with a monitoring station in the city of Zhanjiang reporting nearly 300 mm. Provincial authorities have dispatched teams to step up flood prevention efforts in rain-battered locations. In Zhanjiang, boats were ordered back to harbor by 2 p.m. Thursday. Local maritime authorities have also put 11 tugboats and salvage boats and one helicopter on standby for emergencies. More rain and gales are expected through Friday, when the typhoon is set to make landfall again in north Vietnam. In the island province of Hainan, more than 40,000 people had been evacuated as of 6 a.m. Thursday, according to the provincial headquarters for droughts, floods and typhoons. Trains to and from the island as well as high-speed trains that loop around the island have all halted service. Shipping services across the Qiongzhou Strait have been suspended, and some flights have also been canceled. In Hainan's capital, Haikou, local meteorological authorities issued a red alert at 8 a.m. on Thursday. Strong rain has caused urban flooding and most public transportation has been suspended. In Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the regional meteorological authorities have issued a blue alert for the typhoon and a blue warning for downpours. Many cities and counties in Guangxi are already experiencing downpours, and more are forecast to hit the south of the region. China has a four-tier color-coded warning system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue. In the first half of 2016, China has completed 1,795 cases of organ donation, up 45 percent compared to the same period of last year, a Chinese official said on Thursday. "At present, China's annual average number of organ donation ranks first in Asia and third around the world," Wang Haibo, head of China Organ Transplant Response System (COTRS), told the 26th International Congress of the Transplantation Society (TTS) in Hong Kong. There were 2,766 donation cases in China last year, Wang said, which exceeded the total number of 2013 and 2014. First held in China, the TTS congress is the largest and most authoritative academic conference in organ transplantation, which gathered experts from all over the world to discuss the progress that China has made and other academic topics in organ transplantation. Professionals from China and abroad noted that China's regulations, systems and standards of organ transplantation have been brought in correspondence with the guiding principles of World Health Organization (WHO) and other internationally recognized standards. Li Bin, head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, said China has created the "Chinese Mode" of organ donation when she delivered a speech through her representative. "The Chinese government's attitudes toward organ transplantation is consistent and clear," Li said, adding that China is aimed at developing organ transplantation in a legal and legitimate way in all the aspects such as organization, techniques, implementation, transportation and supervision. The Chinese government started the work of organ donation after citizens' decease in 2010 and banned the harvesting of organs from executed prisoners in 2015, which made voluntary donation the only legal source of organs. TTS President Philip O'Connell said, TTS is pleased to see the progress that China has made in the cessation of use of organs from executed prisoners after decade of reform, and they will continue to support the Chinses people who need organ transplantation. Jose Nunez, a WHO officer in charge of global organ transplantation, said after visiting China several times that he is impressed with the changes done so far, the progress and the determination, not only from professionals but also from health authorities to build the transplantation reform. He said there were more than 2,700 voluntary donations and 10,500 patients transplanted during 2015, and an estimated increase of 40 to 50 percent this year, which is a clear demonstration of a fair system. "A transplantation reform on the basis of voluntary community-based deceased organ donation is the only legitimate source for deceased organ transplantation, aligned with the WHO guiding principles, consistent with the Declaration of Istanbul," he said, adding that measures have been taken to ensure transparency, fairness and traceability of the whole process. Li said representing a creative exploration of ways to develop organ transplantation, the "Chinese mode" may serve as an aspiration for the rest of the world, especially the countries that face similar challenges as China to solve the shortage of human organs for transplant. A high school girl became an Internet sensation with her drawings of white chubby faces with green sprigs on their heads: they became the emojis of choice for much of the nation and have been sent more than 15 billion times. Liu Jingjing, who is now a college art student, never dreamed that her emoji sketches would become so popular and that she would be offered a contract as a cartoonist and be given her own support team. In fact, her Budding Pop emojis broke multiple records and were downloaded more than 30 million times within the first month of being sold on the emoji store on WeChat, the instant-messaging app. China does not lack imaginative cartoonists, but needs good models to bring their work closer to peoples hearts and lives, said Wang Biao, founder of Block 12 Culture Communication, the company where Liu now works. Emojis can be funny, weird or interesting, but the most popular ones are people-oriented and convey a message, which is important to shy people. In China, these emojis are hugely popular on social media platforms such as Weibo and WeChat. Wang and his young startup team have a dream. We want to produce touching and heart-wrenching emojis in China. We are exploring ways to add more value and vitality to Chinas original cartoon works. Three years ago, Wang became fascinated by the original Budding Pop images on Weibo. Cartoonist Liu Jingjing was still in her second year of high school, but was quickly gaining fans of her cute images. People are keen on the Budding Pop with the sprig on its head. It is not only a lovely emoji, but gives us warm memories of companionship, said Wang. Meanwhile, it is in keeping with the core secret of Internet images: they must be simple, symbolic, and dynamic, but with varied expressions and gestures. Chinese people are known for being shy and indirect. All too often, Chinese find it difficult or even impossible to say things like, I miss you, I love you, or even just thanks. It is here where emojis are useful; they allow nominally shy Chinese people to better express their feelings and, even better, to do so in a cute way. Wang sensed an opportunity and decided to employ Liu, setting up a team to support the schoolgirl in improving her design and promoting her emojis across China. In August 2015, the first series of the Budding Pop emojis were put on the WeChat emoji store. The cute image with a sprig on its head sparked a surge of downloads. Its so stunning for the young cartoonist and the team. And it enlightens us, as people cherish a lot of these innocent and lovely emojis, said Xu Ying, COO of Block 12 Culture Communication. For this startup, the guiding principle is about exploring the core value of emojis and putting them within reach of average people. So far, they have about 20 cartoonists, most of them born in the Internet era, so they have a sense of intimacy with the Internet. Similar to Budding Pop, we are passionate about life and have bigger dreams in the Internet era, Wang explained. Our emojis are a people-oriented bridge between hearts. A 9-year-old girl in Lu'an, Anhui province, was shot dead when three men who were hunting mistakenly believed the girl to be a rabbit, police said on Wednesday. According to Lu'an police, the case occurred at about 6 pm on Aug 14 when the three suspects, surnamed Zhang, Wu and Luo, all residents of Lu'an, went hunting in a pick-up truck with a high-pressure air gun and saw the girl, surnamed Wu, playing on farmland. "Zhang shot the girl in the head with the gun from the pick-up truck. The men then found the 'prey' was a girl and fled. The girl's parents later took the girl to hospital, but she died of serious injuries that evening," police sources said. The three suspects turned themselves in to police on Aug 15 and confessed that they mistakenly shot the girl, thinking she was a rabbit. The suspects were detained and the case is under further investigation. Wang Zhousong, 71, looks dapper in trendy clothes. [Photo/Weibo.com] A 71-year-old man has become an internet celebrity, or Wanghong, after photos of him wearing trendy clothes were posted online. Wang Zhousong, who raises geese in two farms in Luoyang, Central China's Henan province, called the celebrity status "unexpected". After serving in the army for 14 years, Wang retired from the People's Procuratorate of Luoyang in 2007. He then travelled across the big cities in the country, and decided to raise geese four years ago. He said early this month, some young men found him and wanted to take photos of him. These images were posted online and became popular among internet users who were attracted by his cool expression and attitude. Some users said that Wang has a relaxed attitude toward life, something other senior people should also strive for. An internet user Azhe said there is no age limit for people to live a fashionable life. "If you have a young heart, it is not late to do anything." Another internet user Qinaidekui said Wang's life will set an example for other retired people. Many people take care of their grandchildren when they retire instead of pursuing life's pleasures. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. You are here: Home Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday pledged that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting Myanmar's peace process and work with the country to safeguard peace and stability in their border areas. Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who started a five-day official visit to China on Wednesday. Flash Airstrikes in Syria have killed 70 rebels over the past 24 hours in a contested region south of the northern province of Aleppo, state news agency SANA reported Thursday. As many as 74 airstrikes were conducted over the past 24 hours against military bases the rebels have recently captured south of Aleppo, said SANA, adding that several rebel weaponry and vehicles have also been destroyed during the airstrikes. The escalated air raids come as part of the Syrian military counter offensive against a series of military bases controlled by rebels in the southern rim of Aleppo. A military source told Xinhua that the army was advancing toward the military colleges area south of Aleppo, in a bid to drive the Jaish al-Fateh, or the Army of Conquest, out of that strategic region. Earlier this month, Jaish al-Fateh, a coalition of several radical religious rebel groups, unleashed a wide-scale offensive against several adjacent military bases in southern Aleppo, trying to break a government siege on rebel-held areas east of Aleppo. The group said it had succeeded in capturing the military colleges, break the siege and open a route through the al-Ramouseh area near the military bases. The government said the rebels' attempt failed as the route is exposed to the fire of the Syrian army. Meanwhile, the United Nations special envoy on Syria, Staffan de Mistura, urged on Thursday for a 48-hour truce in Aleppo to facilitate humanitarian missions into the city, as all humanitarian efforts have failed during August. The envoy said the 48-hour pause will be the topic of a meeting that will take place late Thursday between countries working to achieve a cessation of hostilities. Aleppo, Syria's largest province and once a thriving economic metropolis, has witnessed heavy battles lately as both warring parties have stepped up their game in the hope of grabbing more gains in that key province. You are here: Home Flash Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that Turkey will defend its interests in northern Syria despite of internal problems, NTV reported. "We are aware of everything that will make a fait accomplishment, which will endanger our perpetuity in Syria and Iraq, despite the internal affairs," Erdogan said while addressing representatives of Islamic civic organizations. The president referred to advance of Syrian Kurds that seized control of the Syrian town of Manbij from the Islamic State (IS) last week with other U.S.-backed forces. Turkey views the Kurdish militias in Syria as a hostile force, an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and rejects de facto autonomy of the group in northern Syria. Erdogan also criticized western countries and institutions of not showing solidarity with Turkey after the July 15 coup attempt. World leaders gathered in Paris after attacks in France, but failed to visit Turkey following the coup, the Turkish president stated. Other than a few exceptions, Muslim states also failed to give support to Ankara, he added. Erdogan also slammed western countries over attacks of the IS, which is not a representative of Islamic world. "Nobody can associate terror with Islam which is a religion," the president stated. "Islamic world has become bazaar of arms dealers." Not fear but hostility towards Islam has emerged in the Western world, he added. The failed coup attempt killed at least 290 people, including more than 100 "coup plotters." The Turkish government claimed the failed coup was organized by followers of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric. Flash Kenyan authorities on Thursday announced elaborate security measures in the tourism resorts in the coastal city as high season kicked off in August. According to tourism stakeholders, bookings for hotels at the Coast are increasing with the onset of the August season, giving hope to the recovery of the tourism sector. Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa told journalists in Mombasa that the police have increased patrols at key installations that might be targeted by Al-Shabaab group. Marwa said more security officers will be deployed during the Mombasa international show, cultural festivals, and among others activities lined up in Mombasa this month. "We have mapped areas likely to prone to attacks and attached more officers. Our intelligence team has increased information gathering to deal with Al-Shabaab threats," Marwa said. His remarks came the East African bloc, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), warned that Al-Shabaab group is plotting major attacks in East Africa. IGAD said that the militant group has grown and expanded its aspirations, operations and aims, and is preparing to wage a long war in East Africa. In a report published early this week, IGAD labeled the military group as now a "transnational" organization projecting threats of extremist violence far beyond Somalia. "Even if Al-Shabaab were to be defeated tomorrow, I think it has inspired a generation of jihadists from across the region, from different countries, who are likely to continue," said Matt Bryden, a director and senior analyst for the Sahan Foundation, which conducted IGAD's regional study on Al-Shabaab. Bryden warned that if the threat from the insurgent group is to be countered, regional countries have to attack the group's bases inside Somalia, where plots are orchestrated. "Seizing their bases disrupts their administration and sources of revenue. They will be busy as fugitives, hiding, and cannot execute all the plots inside and outside the country," he said. Kenya's tourism has suffered a decline the number of tourists arriving since September 2011 when the Al-Shabaab carried out the kidnappings of tourists in the Lamu archipelago. The East African nation's coastal towns are the backbone of the country's thriving tourism industry, which has been hit by the fear of terror attacks and the kidnapping of foreigners. Speaking on Thursday, the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), said hotel occupancy in the region is expected to go up to 60 percent from the 10 percent that most hotels recorded between May and June. "International and domestic tourists have made reservations for holiday packages, we expect more domestic tourism this season because of the calm witnessed due to improved security," KAHC CEO Sam Ikwaye said. Ikwaye said hoteliers are also counting on the revised travel advisories by key markets of the Britain, the U.S. and France, which are expected to boost international arrivals into the country. Flash At least 10 Libyan government soldiers were killed and 21 others injured on Thursday when IS militants in Sirte launched two suicide attacks, according to a military spokesman. Mohamed Al-Gasri, spokesman of the government force fighting against IS in Sirte, said the attacks took place in a position of the government fighters at the outskirts of the city. The death toll is expected to increase as some of the wounded fighters are in critical conditions. The UN-backed unity government in May has formed a military force, mostly from armed militias from Misrata, to fight against the increased dominance of IS in the city of Sirte, some 450 km east of the capital Tripoli. The fighting in Sirte has so far killed nearly 350 government fighters and injured more than a thousand others. The government force said they are now controlling most of Sirte, with IS dominating only 10 percent of the city. Flash The White House announced Thursday that U.S. President Barack Obama is to travel to China and Laos in early September, during which he will attend the G20 summit and conduct his first visit to Laos. Obama's September 2-9 trip will "highlight the President's ongoing commitment to the G-20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation as well as the U.S. Rebalance to Asia and the Pacific," the White House said in a statement. In China, Obama will participate in his final G-20 summit, "where he will emphasize the need to continue building on the progress made since 2009 in advancing strong, sustainable, and balanced global economic growth," the statement said. "He will underscore the importance of G-20 cooperation in promoting a level playing field and broad-based economic opportunity," it said. Obama "will also conduct in-depth meetings with President Xi Jinping of China in Hangzhou, where the two leaders will discuss a wide-range of global, regional, and bilateral issues," it added. While in Laos, Obama will participate in the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit, the statement said. "Additionally, he will have bilateral meetings with President Bounnhang Vorachith and other key officials to advance U.S.-Lao cooperation on economic, development, and people-to-people ties, among other areas," it said. Obama also will participate in the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative Summit, where he will hold a town hall meeting. During the ASEAN Summit, Obama will discuss ways to strengthen the U.S. economic cooperation with the countries of Southeast Asia, which collectively represent America's fourth largest trading partner, and further enhance the collaboration on regional and global challenges. "This visit also will support the President's efforts to expand opportunities for American businesses and workers to sell their products in some of the world's fastest-growing markets. Central to this effort is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the high-standards trade agreement that will unlock key markets to American exports and cement America's economic leadership in the Asia-Pacific," the statement added. This will be Obama's 11th trip to Asia since taking office in 2009. Flash At least 12 displaced people were killed and 36 others wounded on Thursday in a mortar barrage by the Islamic State (IS) militants on a displacement camp in Iraq's northern central province of Salahudin, a provincial security source told Xinhua. The incident occurred in the morning when IS militants fired many mortar rounds on a displacement camp at an abandoned cement factory in north of the town of Baiji, some 200 km north of Baghdad, the source said on condition of anonymity. The camp was established to receive hundreds of displaced families who left their homes in the besieged town of Shirqat, some 280 km north of Baghdad, which has been under the IS control since June 2014, the source said. Many of the killed and wounded were women and children, the source added. Families in Shirqat and other militant-seized cities and towns were prevented from leaving their homes by IS militants who used them as human shields during armed military attacks. However, the siege upon Shirqat imposed by security forces has forced most extremist militants to flee the town towards the IS major stronghold in Mosul, 400 km north of Baghdad. The escape of IS militants weakened their grip on the town, enabling civilians to leave their homes, following long-term repeated power blackouts, acute food shortages, scarce drinking water and medicine. Meanwhile, a recent report by Iraq's Ministry of Migration and the Displaced said that up to 13,691 families fled Shirqat and surrounding villages in the past few weeks. The mass migration comes as security forces attempt to free the towns of Shirqat, Qayyara and Hawijah during their major offensive targeting liberating Mosul, the capital of Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, from the extremist militants. Iraq has witnessed increased violence since the IS took over parts of its northern and western regions in June 2014. Flash Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend a foreign ministers' meeting of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Japan, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday. The exact date of the annual trilateral meeting is still being negotiated by the three sides, said Lu, adding that Wang's attendance will not involve a bilateral visit. China's policy toward Sino-Japanese relations is consistent and clear, Lu said when answering a question about whether Wang will exchange views with the Japanese side on improving bilateral ties. China urges Japan to properly handle major sensitive issues and make efforts to improve bilateral relations in accordance with the four political documents and the four-point principled agreement between the two countries, Lu stressed. The foreign ministers' meeting, established in 2007, is part of a mechanism for the three East Asian countries to discuss issues including cooperation, leaders' meeting preparation and major regional and global issues. Japan is this year's coordinator of the mechanism. Flash The China-funded Mombasa-Nairobi railway in Kenya has won acclaims from African diplomats, who hailed it as an embodiment of thriving China-Africa ties. Diplomats from 13 African countries in Kenya visit Nairobi South Railway Station of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, Nairobi, Kenya, on Aug. 16, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] Thirteen African countries' diplomats in Kenya, including ambassadors or high commissioners of Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ghana, Algeria, Senegal, Mozambique and Rwanda, visited the railway's construction sites on Tuesday. They were accompanied by Kenyan officials and the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Liu Xianfa, while visiting construction sites of the Athi River bridge and the Nairobi terminal. During the visit, the Rwandan High Commissioner to Kenya, James Kimonyo, said he was impressed by the high levels of involvement of Kenyan engineers and technicians in the project. The China-funded standard gauge railway (SGR) will run from the port of Mombasa to the capital Nairobi, replacing a track built a century ago during the British colonial rule. The project is being carried out by the China Road and Bridge Corporation. In the second phase, the railway will reach Kenya's western border with Uganda, and the rail is expected to eventually extend to other East African countries. At a meeting after the tour, the Zimbabwean ambassador and the dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Kenya, Kelebert Nkomani, said the SGR dovetailed with Africa's blueprint on socio-economic transformation, saying it would unleash huge benefits in Kenya and across the Eastern African region upon completion. "The SGR is an extremely vital project that addresses transportation of goods from the port to the interior. It will greatly improve efficiency in trade," Nkomani said. Nkomani said the Mombasa-Nairobi railway presented other African countries with sound insight on how to modernize their transport systems. "The SGR project is a case study in adherence to high degrees of professionalism and inclusiveness. Local people have benefited from the project," said Nkomani. Construction of the railway has created more than 40,000 jobs for locals, with some 20,000 local employees having received skills training. Nkomani said sourcing of local materials, job creation and transfer of expertise in the work on the railway had benefited Kenya's economic development, and were worth emulating by other African countries. "We have so much to learn from the SGR project. It has offered vital lessons like inclusiveness in terms of sourcing alongside adherence to environmental standards," Nkomani said. Ambassador Liu told the diplomats the SGR would promote economic prosperity and social development, adding the design of the rail ensured free movement of wildlife animals. He described the SGR as a model of win-win cooperation between China and Africa. The 472km Mombasa-Nairobi railway is expected to be put into use at the end of 2017. You are here: Home Flash Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has praised the close relationship between Caracas and Beijing, after the 5th Technical Secretariat of the Mixed Venezuela-China High Level Committee (CMAN). Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro meets with a Chinese enterprises delegation, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Aug. 6, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua] "It is a multi-dimensional relationship, which is spiritual, cultural and deep," said Maduro Tuesday during an address to a group of Chinese academics in the Venezuelan capital. Maduro also exalted the achievements made through bilateral cooperation, including joint exploration in the Orinoco Mining Arc and the Orinoco Oil Belt. He added that joint contracts for new mining projects in Venezuela are planned for a value of 20 billion U.S. dollars. Furthermore, Maduro said that 60 percent of the wealth generated from projects in the Orinoco Mining Arc would be destined to social investment plans, such as housing, healthcare, education, tourism, culture and recreation. On Tuesday, authorities from Beijing and Caracas concluded their two-day discussions on new avenues of cooperation. One important deal will see 5,000 Chinese vans and 1,900 heavy refrigerated trucks added to the Venezuelan distribution fleet. These units will go to strengthen the Great Sovereign Supply Mission, a joint state-military program aiming to eradicate the scarcity of food and medicine in the country. The Secretariat also set up a period of five months of work, prior to the 15th meeting of the Mixed Venezuela-China High-Level Committee, set to take place in late 2016. This period will see in-depth discussion about real cooperation on joint financing and cooperation on oil and gas, mining, and electricity. Flash As a way of strengthening exchange and cooperation between media organizations in China and Africa, the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation was recently held in Beijing, China. The event attracted a total of 300 delegates from both Africa and China, including 45 government ministers from African countries. In an address at the opening session, Cai Fuchao, the Minister of State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, said that China will adhere to the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith, working together and sharing insights with their African friends to carry on a tradition of equal consultation and joint efforts. He said media cooperation between China and Africa is a key component to the existing partnership between the two sides. Wang Chao, China's vice-Foreign Minister, said that the forum is very strategic, as this year marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Africa cooperation. He disclosed that China will continue to implement Chinese-African cooperation on media training programs and that they hope to train 1,000 African journalists each year, adding that presently 28 journalists from 27 Africa countries are participating in media exchange programs. The Duty Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Erastus Mwencha said that the media forum provided a platform to explore opportunities for future development and to contribute to promoting world peace and stable development for China and Africa. Mwencha said that Africa is a major contributor to China's economy, supplying over one-third of China's energy demands. "Indeed we need to strengthen our dialogue, consolidating Africa and China's traditional friendship and collaboration while enhancing the mechanism of practical cooperation between China and Africa," he said. Moderating one of the sessions during the program, the Sierra Leone Minister of Information, Mohamed Bangura, expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for their timely support in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus disease that ravaged his country's economy and destroyed many innocent lives. Speaking on behalf of African Journalists at the China Africa Press Center (CAPC), Ikenna Emewu of Nigerian newspaper Sun appreciated the Chinese government and people for their cordiality towards Africa and sponsorship of exchanges between the two sides. The gesture allows more Africans to come to China and learn about Asian culture, thus giving them opportunities to learn the lessons behind China's rapid growth and development, Emewu said. By Edith Mutethya, China Daily | Aug. 19, 2016 China Southern Airlines forecasts more expansion in Africa after good results from its code share agreement with Kenya Airways. China Southern Airlines is expressing confidence about expanding to additional African cities as it marks one year since it launched direct flights between Nairobi and Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong province. The success the company has had with the Nairobi route over the past year has buoyed its expansion strategy in the continent, according to Wu Weijun, general manager of the airline's operation in Kenya. Passenger numbers have grown by 70 percent while frequency has increased to three weekly flights since July. "The increased presence of Chinese enterprises in Kenya has contributed immensely to our passenger numbers," Wu says. China continues to be Africa's largest trading partner, and annual trade is currently valued in excess of US$220 billion. Wu says the airline is planning to launch another direct flight from either Cairo, Egypt or Lagos, Nigeria to Guangzhou, depending on the volume of passengers and cargo. The airline launched its first direct air route to Africa in 2014, between Shenzhen in Guangdong and Mauritius and it is using Nairobi as its hub in a effort to expand its network to Africa, through partnership with Kenya Airways. The two airlines signed a code share agreement in August last year. A code-share agreement is a deal between two or more airlines to list certain flights in a reservation system under each other's names. "By partnering with Kenya Airways, China Southern's international route network extends from Nairobi to other major cities in the African continent, such as Lusaka, Entebbe and Dar es Salaam," Wu says. Thomas Omondi, the director of strategy and performance at Kenya Airways, says he sees value and complementarity in the partnership between the two airlines. "When China Southern Airlines launched a direct flight to Guangzhou last year, critics said the initiative was a business threat to Kenya Airways as it would lose passenger referrals. On the contrary, we are both working on expanding our flight networks by complementing each other," Omondi says. He notes that Kenya Airways has a wide presence in Africa, hence it doesn't perceive China Southern as a threat. "We understand the African market better than China Southern Airlines who, on the other hand, understands the Asian market better. So we will learn from each other as we look to expanding our flight networks," he adds. There are also additional benefits. Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa says: "The launch of direct flights to Guangzhou has opened an avenue for Africans and Chinese to understand each other. It will also see improved trade and cultural ties." Irungu Nyakera, principal secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of Transport, says China Southern Airlines' entry into the market has helped in building Nairobi as a business hub, with increased visitors from China. He says the government is in the process of improving Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's capacity to ensure it accommodates more players. "Over the past three years, we have seen the airport capacity increase from 2.5 million passengers per annum to 7.5 million. We thank China Southern Airlines for helping us build the capacity," Nyakera says. Wu says China Southern is committed to offering exciting travel experiences in efforts to grow its passenger numbers and revenues. Juliet Kimani, who has traveled with China Southern several times, says its fares are cheaper than many other airlines. "In my line of work, traveling is inevitable, so comfort and safety are important decision points for me. I also have to keep an eye on my business expenses. That is why I find myself settling for this airline often," she says. Despite the growth prospects, Wu says security threats in Kenya from al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida affiliate based in Somalia, and disease outbreaks like yellow fever and Ebola in the continent are the main challenges. The other challenge is a lack of awareness on the part of many Chinese about the many tourist sites and amazing scenery in Kenya. These go far beyond what is best known, the wildebeest migration. "There is a need for awareness on where to visit and when, to ensure Chinese tourists visit Kenya throughout the year," Wu says. Xinhua | Aug. 19, 2016 A new flight between Harbin, capital of the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, and Taichung City, Taiwan, was launched on Wednesday. Taiwan's Far Eastern Air Transport (FAT) operates the new route, with one direct round-trip a week. FAT operates several routes linking the island with mainland cities including Chengdu, Wuhan and Qingdao. The MD-83 aircraft will depart every Thursday at 7:00 a.m. from Taichung City and arrive at Harbin at 10:40 a.m. The return flight leaves Harbin at 11:40 a.m. and arrives at Taichung City at 3:30 p.m. the same day. This will be the second direct air route from Harbin to Taiwan following one launched in 2004. China Aviation Daily | Aug. 19, 2016 Japan Airlines (JAL) decided to tie up with Doraemon as its campaign character in the People's Republic of China (PRC) from August 2016. Doraemon is the cat-like robot in the famous Japanese manga series, which is tremendously popular among all age groups in China. JAL would like customers in China to feel connected to the airline and Japan through its Doraemon-painted aircraft, events, a gift campaign, and such, and boost demand on routes between Japan and China. The airline will also challenge itself to assist in further increasing Chinese visitors to Japan through various measures ahead of high demand periods such as Chinese National Day and Chinese New Year. Jet with Doraemon Livery to Operate Between Tokyo (Narita)-Shanghai (Pudong) Route A special livery aircraft will operate between Narita and Shanghai (Pudong) from Thursday, September 22, 2016. It will be the first Doraemon JET to operate on international routes. The Doraemon character painted on the aircraft has been designed specifically for JAL. Drinks will be served onboard in special Doraemon paper cups and original post cards will also be available. Overview of Doraemon JET Period of operation: September 22, 2016 (Thursday)-End of March 2017 Applicable route: Tokyo (Narita)-Shanghai (Pudong) Aircraft Type: Boeing 767-300 Configuration Number: JA610J JAL Doraemon JET Inauguration Campaign To celebrate the launch of JAL Doraemon JET, JAL plans to conduct a gift campaign for residents in China during the campaign period. Customers who make at least one round-trip between China and Japan using eligible fares will receive gifts such as round-trip tickets to Japan through a lottery. Details will be provided on the "JAL Doraemon 2016 Special Website" opening August 22. Event to Celebrate the Launch of JAL Doraemon JET and Experience JAL JAL will hold an event in Shanghai from late-September to enjoy a hands-on experience of its new economy class seat "JAL Sky Wider" offered on the Tokyo (Haneda)-Shanghai (Pudong) route and service by Chinese cabin attendants. A model plane of the Doraemon JET will be displayed and original JAL Doraemon novelties will be distributed to visitors. A similar event will be held in Beijing in October. More information will be provided on the JAL Doraemon 2016 Special Website as soon as details are finalized. Zhang Yongmin, manager of the executive department of Afai Southern Shipyard (Panyu Guangzhou) Ltd, is proud and excited these days. This is not only because of the plenteous gold medals Chinese athletes have won during the ongoing 2016 Rio Olympics, but also because of the three passenger ferries that are operating in Rio's Guanabara Bay, transporting audiences and tourists among the competition arenas. "The ferries produced by our company have been well-received by Brazilian authorities, the Olympics committee and passengers, indicating that the quality of our ferries has been accepted by the world market," Zhang told China Daily. The company signed a contract valued at $110 million in 2013 to produce for Brazil seven catamaran passenger ferries - beating 22 shipyards from around the world in public bidding. In addition to the three ferries that have been delivered to Brazil, production of another one has now basically been completed and is expected to be delivered to Brazil in a month, while the remaining three will be completed and delivered to the South American country in a year, Zhang said. Each ferry, with a displacement of 665.6 tons, has a capacity of 2,000 passengers. The ferry is 78.4 meters long and 14.4 meters wide, and weighs 413 tons. "The contract from Brazil is a big deal for the shipyard and will help the company expand in the world market," Zhang said. Zhang's company has also won contracts from Singapore, South Korea and the Netherlands, after signing the contract with Brazil. Zhang attributed his company's expansion in the world market to the high quality and good design of its products. Xie Xintian contributed to this story. The release of Huawei's new phone, Honor 8, in Shanghai on July 11, 2016. [Photo/VCG] The latest handset released by Huawei Technologies Co Ltd in the United States highlights the Chinese tech group's determination to attract US consumers, who it must win over to reach its goal of becoming the world's biggest smartphone seller, analysts said on Thursday. The Shenzhen-based company released the new phone, Honor 8, in San Francisco this week and aimed to use the mid-end handset to take on Apple Inc in the latter's home turf where consumers are picky about consumer electronic products. Honor 8 will target young consumers, said George Zhao, head of Huawei's Honor operations. Huawei is the world's third-largest smartphone manufacturerbehind Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Appleand its products are available in more than 170 countries and regions. By the end of June, Huawei had clinched a 9.4 percent global smartphone market share, according to online research statistics portal Statista. But Huawei has less than 1 percent of the US smartphone market and is dwarfed by major players, including its Chinese peer ZTE Corp, according to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. "We focus on the international market," said Zhao, "but for us the US market is the most important one." However, Huawei lags behind US competitors in terms of cellphone bundle sales with carriers. Currently, it has not signed any contracts with major carriers in the US market. Honor 8 comes with two 12-megapixel cameras that can capture two photos simultaneously in color and monochrome and then process the two together. The system is able to capture three-times more light than a single lens camera. Xiang Ligang, telecom expert and CEO of the industry website cctime.com, said: "Honor 8 mirrors Huawei's cutting-edge technology. It is quite rare for the company to hold such a big ceremony in the US to launch its products. This is a major push," Xiang said. Honor 8, priced from $399.99 in the US, is more expensive than the same models sold in China, which starts from $346. James Yan, research director at Counterpoint Technology Market Research, said, national security concern has prevented Huawei, which is also the world's leading telecom equipment maker, from expanding its US presence. "It will be a long-term hurdle and Huawei needs to work harder to address it," Yan added. Two China National Petroleum Corp employees collect crude oil transported from Russia at the valve chamber in Daqing, Heilongjiang province.GUO JUNFENG/FOR CHINA DAILY Huge capacity of link to enhance energy security, cut costs A new China-Russia oil pipeline will help guarantee China's oil consumption and, cut its transportation costs, said Gao Jian, an oil analyst at commodities consultancy Sublime China Information Co Ltd. Compared with other countries, Russia has oil of quite good quality, and its location near China makes it competitive in exporting oil to China, Gao said, adding that Russia will certainly become China's largest exporter of oil in the near future. The European economic situation made Russia shift its oil export destinations to the Asia-Pacific region, while China, as one of the world's largest oil consumers, has the need to import oil from neighboring countries, according to Gao. Construction of the second China-Russia crude oil pipeline started recently in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, a move that expands the capability for oil transportation from Russia to China. The pipeline, traversing the China-Russia border, is 940 km in length and 813 mm in diameter, with a capacity to transport 15 million tons of crude oil annually, according to China National Petroleum Corporation. The Chinese section of the pipeline starts from the border city of Mohe in Heilongjiang, runs southward through the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and ends at Daqing in Heilongjiang. The pipeline is expected to be put into operation at the beginning of 2018. It will run parallel to an existing pipelinethe first China-Russia crude oil pipeline that was put into use in 2011, which can also transport 15 million tons of oil each year. According to the CNPC Economics & Technology Research Institute, China imported 328 million tons of oil last year. In 2015, Russia exported 41.04 million tons of crude oil to China, making China the country's largest oil importer, Russian media reported. That means more than 12.5 percent of crude oil China imported last year was from Russia. China and Russia signed a cooperation agreement on expanding bilateral trade in crude oil in 2013. Following the agreement, CNPC signed a trade contract with Rosneft, Russia's largest oil producer, to expand the supply of oil for China. Building a new pipeline is the main action under the contract. Working teams have been established to coordinate and implement potential action plans Action, inclusiveness and foresight are all stressed by China's current leadership in domestic governance, and those qualities are poised to influence next month's G20 summit in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, making it a milestone event for global growth, development and reform. China hopes to transform the G20 meeting from a case-by-case, solution-seeking summit into an institutional long-term mechanism for ongoing debate. On Monday, the Foreign Ministry for the first time revealed the detailed agenda for the upcoming summit, and also President Xi Jinping's busy schedule during the two-day event, when he will preside over more than 10 major activities. It will be the first time China has hosted the event, and Xi's to-do list is indicative of its significance. Since 2013, Xi has attended three G20 meetings - in the Russian city of St Petersburg, Brisbane in Australia and Antalya, Turkey - but the Hangzhou meeting will undoubtedly be the most important for him. Under the theme "Building an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy", the Hangzhou summit will focus on critical issues in global growth and developmental reform. Innovation, the new industrial revolution and the digital economy will appear on the agenda for the first time. More important, following a proposal by China, a number of special working teams have been established on these specific topics to supervise and coordinate the implementation of possible action plans and proposals. Since the G20 first met in Washington in 2008, leaders attending the summits have passed many proposals and adopted a number of action plans. Still, problems remain for the global economy. It takes time for some remedies, such as the reform of global governance, to take effect, but some previous prescriptions, although temporarily effective in boosting growth, have proved to be of little use in maintaining sustainable development. For example, leaders of a number of developed economies have constantly pledged to strengthen coordination in formulating and implementing macroeconomic and financial policies, and have also resisted growing calls for protectionism in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. However, sometimes the pledges have resulted in little concrete action. The globalization of the world economy means decisive growth factors are more concentrated in the developed economies, and development appears more exclusive than inclusive; about 12.5 percent of the global population still lives in poverty. To address these problems, China last month hosted the first G20 trade ministers' conference in Shanghai, and established a foundation for institutional platforms for meetings of trade ministers. China pushed the G20 to make global investment a guiding principle this year, which will evolve into the first multilateral investment regulation framework. Those efforts should facilitate global investment and trade. These endeavors, and others, will help to turn the G20 into a long-term mechanism for the solution of global issues. The G20 is by no means just a club of 20 world powers strutting their resolutions, but the premier global forum for action and solutions. A logo of Greenland Group is pictured during a real estate fair in Shanghai, October 3, 2014. [Photo/IC] LOS ANGELES - Chinese leading real estate company Greenland announced on Thursday that it plans to invest more than $1 billion in a joint venture to build a large-scale biotech industrial park in South San Francisco. Greenland USA, the subsidiary company of Greenland Group, acquired the Oyster Point landing project together with its equity partner Ping'an Trust, and minority equity partners Agile Group and Poly Sino Capital Limited. The project, located in South San Francisco, the world's premier biotechnology innovation hub, which has attracted more than 240 biotechnology companies, covers a waterfront area of 42 acres (about 170,000 square meters). "The US continues to play a critical role in our overseas expansion and we look forward to what will be a landmark property," said Zhang Yuliang, Chairman of Greenland Group. Greenland USA is the majority shareholder in the joint venture, and Hu Gang, the CEO of Greenland USA was named as Chairman of the venture, Oyster Point Development. "Greenland USA is committed to the long-term health of the properties and communities we develop and we saw early on, with the support of the City of South San Francisco, that there was tremendous potential for growth in Oyster Point," said Song Taotao, the Executive Vice President of Greenland USA was named as new company's CEO. Song said the project will cement South San Francisco's role as the world's leading biotech hub by creating a best-in-class campus that will stimulate and sustain its economic and social fabric. The project will be completed in several phases, with Phase I compromising approximately 500,000 square feet (about 46,500 square meters) in the southern part of the property, according to Greenland USA. Construction is expected to begin by mid-2018, following necessary infrastructure improvements by the City of South San Francisco, including streets, utilities and grading. Mark Addiego, Mayor of South San Francisco, said "The development of Oyster Point presents tremendous opportunity for the South San Francisco community and Greenland USA has approached it with the vision, expertise and energy needed to bring it to fruition." The Oyster Point project is the Chinese developer's third big investment project in the US, following Greenland USA's over $1 billion investment in Los Angeles' Metropolis and over 6 billion dollars investment in New York's Pacific Park Brooklyn. WASHINGTON - Exports of goods and services to China continue to play an essential role in the US economy and job growth, according to a report released Thursday by the US-China Business Council (USCBC). US goods exports to China totaled $113 billion last year, down from the previous two years, but China remained the third-largest export market for American goods, USCBC said in an annual report on US state exports to China. The report noted that the rapid growth in US services exports to China is an important new development of bilateral economic relationship. In 2014, the most recent complete year of available data, US service exports to China reached 42 billion dollars, making China the United States' fourth-largest services export market. Despite of a slowdown in China's economy and trade growth, "US exports of goods and services to China have grown faster than exports to any other major US trading partner over the past decade", the report said. US goods exports to China increased 115 percent from 2006 to 2015, while US services exports to China increased more than 300 percent from 2006 to 2014, according to the USCBC. "Most states have seen significant increases in exports of goods and services to China since 2006," the report said, adding that thirty-one states experienced at least triple-digit goods export growth to China in the past decade and every US state had triple-digit services export growth to China over the same period. The report also noted that exports of goods and services to China helped support a wide range of industries including transportation equipment, agriculture, computers and electronics, chemicals, travel and education, business and professional services, and financial services in the United States. While China is a significant market for American exports, the US has a small share of China's overall market. US goods accounted for only 6.5 percent of China's total imports last year, the report said, urging the United States to push forward negotiations with China on a high-standard bilateral investment treaty, which would facilitate and expand US exports to China. The two countries have held 26 rounds of investment treaty talks since negotiations started in 2008. China and US officials have signaled a willingness to finalize a deal before US President Barack Obama leaves the White House in January 2017. By Edgar Snow About the book: The first Western account, by an American journalist, of the Chinese Communists. The author spent months in 1936 traveling with the Red Army and provides an account of the Long March and biographical accounts of the leaders with photographs. About the author: Edgar Snow was a native of Missouri who went to the Far East when he was twenty-two. Before writing Red Star Over China he made his home in China for seven years, studied the country and the language, and lectured at Yenching University. In Asia he worked for the Chicago Tribute, the New York Sun, the New York Herald Tribune and the London Daily Herald. In the post-war era he became the Saturday Evening Post's widely quoted specialist on China, India and the U.S.S.R. What the author said about the Long March: "Adventure, exploration, discovery, human, courage and cowardice, ecstasy and triumph, suffering, sacrifice, and loyalty, and then through it all, like a flame, an undimmed ardour and undying hope and amazing revolutionary optimism of those thousands of youths who would not admit defeat by man or nature or God or death - all this and more seemed embodied in the history of an odyssey unequalled in modern times." "It was impossible to deny recognition of the Long March as one of the great exploits of military history. In Asia only the Mongols had surpassed it, and in the past three centuries there had been no similar armed migration of a nation with exception, perhaps, of the amazing Flight of the Torgut, of which Sven Hedin told in his Jehol, City of Emperors. Hannibal's march over the Alps looked like a holiday excursion beside it. A more interesting comparison was Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, when the Grand Army was utterly broken and demoralized." The Long March 1935: The Epic of Chinese Communism's Survival By Dick Wilson About the book: In October 1934, more than 100,000 Chinese Communists set out on the Long March - a years long, 10,000 km journey across China. They were pursued by feudal warlords and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist forces day and night. This is an account of that time, of the historical background and of the consequences for China. About the author: Born in 1928, Dick Wilson is a British author, editor, compiler and collector who has 70 published works in 397 publications and in nine languages. Wilson's most notable works on China include Zhou Enlai: a biography; When tigers fights: the story of the Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945; and Anatomy of China : an introduction to one quarter of mankind. What the author said about the Long March: "The Long March remains an unparalleled human story of sheer dogged grit and determination. "The pure bravado of the collective and individual feats of this great army in 1934-5 must claim respect and admiration from every generation and from every quarter of the globe. The Great Road: The Life and Times of Chu Teh By Agnes Smedley About the book: Chu Teh, one of the legendary figures of the Chinese Revolution, was born in 1886. He was commander in chief of the People's Revolutionary Army, and this is the story of the first sixty years of his life. As a supreme commanding general, he was probably unique; surely there has never been another commander in chief who, during his years of service, spun, wove, set type, grew and cooked his own food, wrote poetry and lectured not only to his troops on military strategy and tactics but to women's classes on how to preserve vegetables. Evans Carlson wrote that "Chu Teh has the kindness of a Robert E. Lee, the tenacity of a Grant, and the humility of a Lincoln." More than a biography, this work by a great American female journalist, who took the account from Chu Teh himself, is a social and historical document of the highest value. About the author: Agnes Smedley was an American journalist and writer, well known for her semi-autobiographical novel Daughter of Earth as well as for her sympathetic chronicling of the Communist forces in the Chinese Civil War. During World War I, she worked in the United States for the independence of India from the United Kingdom, receiving financial support from the government of Germany. Subsequently, she went to China. During the 1930s, Agnes Smedley was a foreign correspondent in China's battlefields. Traveling with the 8th Route and New Fourth Armies, she documented the Communist Revolution for the "Frankfurter Zeitung" and later the "Manchester Guardian." Smedley wrote six books, including a novel, reportage and a biography of the Chinese general Chu Teh (or Zhu De), reported for newspapers such as New York Call, Frankfurter Zeitung and Manchester Guardian, and wrote for periodicals such as the Modern Review, New Masses, Asia, New Republic and Nation. What the author said about the Long March: "Neither facts nor figures, nor the names of a hundred rivers and mountains, can ever explain the historical significance of the Long March of the Red Army. Nor can they describe the tenacity and determination nor the suffering of the hundred thousand men who took part in it." HONG KONG - In the first half of 2016, China has completed 1,795 cases of organ donation, up 45 percent compared to the same period of last year, a Chinese official said here on Thursday. "At present, China's annual average number of organ donation ranks first in Asia and third around the world," Wang Haibo, head of China Organ Transplant Response System (COTRS), told the 26th International Congress of the Transplantation Society (TTS) in Hong Kong. There were 2,766 donation cases in China last year, Wang said, which exceeded the total number of 2013 and 2014. First held in China, the TTS congress is the largest and most authoritative academic conference in organ transplantation, which gathered experts from all over the world to discuss the progress that China has made and other academic topics in organ transplantation. Professionals from China and abroad noted that China's regulations, systems and standards of organ transplantation have been brought in correspondence with the guiding principles of World Health Organization (WHO) and other internationally recognized standards. Li Bin, head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, said China has created the "Chinese Mode" of organ donation when she delivered a speech through her representative. "The Chinese government's attitudes toward organ transplantation is consistent and clear," Li said, adding that China is aimed at developing organ transplantation in a legal and legitimate way in all the aspects such as organization, techniques, implementation, transportation and supervision. The Chinese government started the work of organ donation after citizens' decease in 2010 and banned the harvesting of organs from executed prisoners in 2015, which made voluntary donation the only legal source of organs. TTS President Philip O'Connell said, TTS is pleased to see the progress that China has made in the cessation of use of organs from executed prisoners after decade of reform, and they will continue to support the Chinses people who need organ transplantation. Jose Nunez, a WHO officer in charge of global organ transplantation, said after visiting China several times that he is impressed with the changes done so far, the progress and the determination, not only from professionals but also from health authorities to build the transplantation reform. He said there were more than 2,700 voluntary donations and 10,500 patients transplanted during 2015, and an estimated increase of 40 to 50 percent this year, which is a clear demonstration of a fair system. "A transplantation reform on the basis of voluntary community-based deceased organ donation is the only legitimate source for deceased organ transplantation, aligned with the WHO guiding principles, consistent with the Declaration of Istanbul," he said, adding that measures have been taken to ensure transparency, fairness and traceability of the whole process. Li said representing a creative exploration of ways to develop organ transplantation, the "Chinese mode" may serve as an aspiration for the rest of the world, especially the countries that face similar challenges as China to solve the shortage of human organs for transplant. China's next-generation cruise missiles will be developed based on a modular design, allowing them to be tailor-made for specific combat situations, and will have a high level of artificial intelligence, according to a senior missile designer. Wang Changqing, director of the General Design Department of the Third Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, told China Daily in an exclusive interview on Thursday that future com-bat will require weapons to be cost-efficient and flexible. Therefore, the modular design will be a good solution, he said. Wang's department has developed a large family of cruise missiles for the Chinese military. "We plan to adopt a 'plug and play' approach in the development of new cruise missiles, which will enable our military commanders to tailor-make missiles in accordance with combat conditions and their specific requirements, he said on the sidelines of the 2016 Hiwing Forum in Beijing. The forum focused on artificial intelligence and unmanned equipment. "Moreover, our future cruise missiles will have a very high level of artificial intelligence and automation," he said. "They will allow commanders to control them in a real-time manner, or to use a fire-and-forget mode, or even to add more tasks to in-flight missiles." Chinese engineers have researched the use of artificial intelligence in missiles for many years, and they are leading the world in this field, he said. Modular design is not new to the world's missile developers. The European missile developer and manufacturer MBDA displayed its CVW102 Flexis modular missile concept at last year's Paris Air Show. The system will allow missiles to be configured, according to mission requirements. The CVW102 Flexis is designed for an aircraft carrier strike group. Missiles will be selected and assembled with different warheads, engines and guidance devices based on target information, according to a report on advanced missiles published by the Beijing Hiwing Scientific and Technological Information Institute, which researches aerodynamic missiles and unmanned systems. A senior researcher at the institute who requested anonymity said a modular missile system is flexible and multifunctional. This will help manufacturers reduce development and storage costs and will enable a military user, such as an aircraft carrier, to prolong the operational range and duration of a mission. "It is a promising approach in terms of the design of next-generation missiles, but we should also consider its technological complexity and production costs," he said. Wang Ya'nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said a modular missile will be capable of changing its destructive capacity, flight mode and range, and so is suitable for striking targets on the ground or at sea. "However, engineers will have to make sure such a missile can be assembled within a very short period of time. Otherwise, the best time to engage the target will be missed," he said. Fang Yuan contributed to this story. China's anti-rejection drug volume debunks claims, expert says It cannot be true that between 60,000 and 100,000 organ transplants are per-formed on the Chinese main-land yearly using organs taken from executed prisoners, prominent transplantation experts said on Thursday. Speaking at news conference after a symposium of the 26th International Congress of The Transplantation Society, held in Hong Kong, experts Jose Ramon Nunez Pena, medical officer of the World Health Organization, and Michael Millis, vice-chairman for global surgery and director at the University of Chicago's School of Medicine Transplant Center, dismissed the allegations - which were raised by Western critics of China as early as 2006-as implausible. Pena, a transplant surgeon who has visited China often, said the claimed number is equal to the transplant activity of the entire world and is practically impossible. Pena said that the WHO firmly and without reservation supports China's new ethics-based, transparent organ donor program, which must be free of corruption and financial incentives. Transparency is the best guard against rumors, he said, acknowledging that China has taken many measures to ensure the fairness and traceability of the whole organ donation and distribution process. "It is time to close the door to rumors and open the door to the facts," Pena said. "China now has joined the transplantation train along with the international community. We are all in the same train because we share the same principles and ethical practices." Rumors about "organ harvesting" were said to be false in 2006, after an investigation conducted by the United States Consulate General in Liaoning province. The source of the rumor was Falun Gong, an outlawed group on the Chinese mainland, which alleged that the organs of more than 6,000 practitioners had been illegally extracted at Sujiatun Thrombosis Hospital in Liaoning, it said. Yet some people with political influence have made the opposite claim. Former Canadian lawmaker David Kilgour and lawyer David Matas wrote a report in 2006 claiming that China had retrieved organs from criminals. University of Chicago's Millis said years of silence on the subject has allowed lies to be peddled. Harvesting organs from criminals does not hap-pen in China, he said. Former transplantation society president Francis Delmonico said on Thursday that the authors of the critical report should be questioned about how they acquired their data. Huang Jiefu, director of China Organ Donation and Trans-plantation Commission, described the allegations as "nonsense" and "ridiculous". He said that transplantation surgeries performed in China annually accounted for 8.5 percent of the total number of transplantation surgeries worldwide. Consumption of anti-rejection medications - which transplant patients must take for life after surgery to prevent their immune systems from attacking the organs - account for 8 percent of global consumption. "The two numbers match, which is evidence that the speculation is groundless," Huang said. "Some organizations are just demonizing China in order to fulfill their political purposes." The Human Organ Trans-plantation Regulation, a standardized legal framework for organ transplantation, has been in effect in China since 2007. China banned the use of organs extracted from executed prisoners on Jan 1, 2015. During the symposium, Huang, the commission director, said, "China has and will have zero tolerance for any violation of the country's regulations in organ donation and transplantation". He added that even though China's organ donation and transplantation program is in its infancy, the country will not tolerate behavior such as retrieving organs from executed people. Pena praised China's system as it managed to bring more than 2,700 voluntary donations, which means more than 10,500 patients received transplants in 2015.And there was a rapid increase of donation cases in the first half of this year. He said it is a clear demonstration that the system is fair. A pilot route to simplify international freight transportation across China, Mongolia and Russia hit the road in Tianjin on Thursday, aiming to boost economic cooperation and trade between the countries. "The pilot trip is an effective trial to carry out the nations' top strategic plans in the transportation field, and also a move to deepen economic cooperation in the economic corridor through China, Mongolia and Russia," said Liu Xiaoming, vice-minister of transportation, adding that the pilot trip will coordinate freight transportation policies and standards in the economic corridor, aiming to simplify freight transport procedures along the route. In July, China joined the TIR Convention, an international system allowing transportation of authorized goods through member states with-out being subject to customs inspections. It takes effect on Jan 5. Russia and Mongolia are already TIR member countries. The estimated seven-day trip covering 2,152 kilometers will stop at 11 cities, including China's border city Erenhot, Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar and Russia's Ulan-Ude. A total of nine trucks are participating in the trip - three each from China, Mongolia and Russia. "It will be a milestone in our trilateral transportation," Liu said. The route links China's One Belt, One Road initiative with Mongolia's Prairie Road program and Russia's transcontinental rail plan. "The new route will open the Mongolian and Russian markets for us. For example, when the route opens, high value-added products such as electronic products and tropical fruits can be transported by road from South China, and even Southeast Asian countries, to Mongolia and Russia," said Guo Xin, general manager of Nanjing Xinjinhang Logistic Co, which is participating in the pilot. "Air cargo is very expensive. Now electronic products from Samsung and Huawei are usually sent to Mongolia and Russia by plane. If the road corridor opens, it would be a more cost-effective alternative," Guo said, adding that the cost of road transportation is about one-tenth of air transportation. "One truck carrying about 20 metric tons of freight from South China's Guangxi GuangxiZhuang autonomous region to Russia costs about $4,000. But air cargo is calculated by the kilo," Guo said. China signed road freight agreements with Mongolia in 1991 and Russia in 1992. Last year, 3.7 million passengers and 24.6 trillion kilo-grams of freight were transported between China and the two countries. In 2014, President Xi Jinping proposed a China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor. Details were dis-cussed by the presidents of China, Mongolia and Russia, aiming at strengthening regional ties and boosting trade. Third-generation design abandons silicon, mimics photosynthesis for high performance A third-generation solar cell that produces zero pollution in manufacture, requires less light intensity and works with lower angles of sunlight, was handed off from its Chinese creator on Thursday to a commercial manufacturer in Shenzhen. The transfer indicates that the cells are approaching the point of practical application in intelligent buildings, transportation and the so-called internet of things. Shenzhen Precision Light & Automatic Equipment Co purchased the technology for the dye-sensitized solar cells - whose performance is said to surpass competitors worldwide - for 100 million yuan ($15 million) from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In developing the cells over a 10-year period, researchers amassed more than 50 patents, all of which transfer to the Shenzhen company. The institute's existing production line is also included in the deal. The cell, which differs from those of the previous two generations in light acquisition and principle of power-generation, will serve in a wide variety of applications in modern cities - for example, in household electrical appliances, wearable devices, traffic lights and outdoor big screens - said Liu Yan, the institute's Party chief. "The first two generations of solar cells require strong and direct sunlight, but the third generation is able to work even indoors or on cloudy days or when the sunshine slants through. So it can be applied to more situations, such as an outdoor display screen that's shaded by trees," Liu said. Shen Hujiang, a leading researcher of the project, added: "It can also be used for portable chargers, which will work despite environmental constraints. Portable chargers made with solar cells of the first or second generation can fail to work for tourists in jungles. But with the latest technology, a charger will continue to work." Crystalline silicon is the main ingredient in the first two generations of solar cells. Its semiconductor properties have been used to produce and transport electrical signals, Shen said. In the third generation, however, researchers simulated the process of photosynthesis. Light received by the cells is converted into electrons and stored in a special material, and when the electrons gather and reach a certain amount, they will produce voltage and electrical current. "The chemical materials used during manufacture are widely used in food products and cosmetics, so they are safe and environmentally friendly," Shen said. The cells were used in display screens at bus stops in Shanghai's Pudong New Area as part of a pilot project. "Shanghai is building its intelligent public transportation system, one element of which is screens to show when the next bus will arrive," Liu said. "All the buses have been equipped with GPS. Screens with solar cells will be more energy-conserving and sustainable," Liu said. Chu Junhao, a specialist in solar energy at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said he believes the cells will help people use energy more efficiently and achieve a rich and colorful life while building smart cities. A consumer searches dairy products in a supermarket in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, in June. [Photo by Zhen Huai/For China Daily] Many Chinese consumers remain skeptical about domestic dairy products, despite a reassuring report from an industry association stating that the quality of domestic milk products has improved substantially. The Dairy Association of China report, published on Tuesday, said 99.5 percent of dairy products checked last year were up to standard, and no illegal additives, such as melamine, had been detected in fresh milk for the past seven years. The report compiled the results of inspections on 151,000 batches of dairy products carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture since 2009. China has taken several measures in recent years to regain public trust-including tightening supervision, shutting down unqualified dairy operations and increasing policy support following a high-profile scandal in 2008, when infant formula produced by Sanlu Group, then a leading dairy company in Hebei province, was found to contain the chemical melamine, which killed six babies and left thousands seriously ill. Following the incident, more contaminated milk products were discovered nationwide, prompting worried Chinese consumers to turn to overseas milk products, especially for infants. Despite official figures showing an improvement in domestically produced dairy products, feelings among Chinese consumers remain mixed. "My daughter drinks breast milk and I have stored some milk powder from Japan for her. No one dares to risk their babies' lives to test the safety of Chinese milk products," said Yang Yang, a new mother in Beijing. While some remain skeptical, others say they have faith in domestic milk products. Wang Jian, whose daughter is three years old, said she has always been a firm supporter of Chinese infant formula. Wang said her daughter had tried many products, and the infant liked a domestic brand based in Shanghai. "I have also compared ingredients of both foreign and domestic infant formulas, and I believe the Chinese formula is the most suitable for Chinese babies," Wang said. Wang Xianzhi, a food industry analyst at Liaowang Institution, said a dairy quality report will be released regularly by the Dairy Association of China and will serve as an important way for consumers to know more about the industry. Wang said that although the quality of Chinese dairy products has improved dramatically since 2008, issues remain, adding that the biggest challenge lies not just in addressing quality, but in consumer confidence. Wang Tianchao, former head of No 1 People's Hospital in Yunnan province. [File photo] A former president of a prominent hospital in Yunnan province stood trial on Thursday, accused of accepting 116 million yuan ($17.5 million) of bribes in property and $80,000 in cash. Wang Tianchao, 59, former head of No 1 People's Hospital in the province, was also charged with misusing his power in infrastructure construction at the hospital, procurement of medical facilities and job promotions from 2004 to 2014. The case was heard in Pu'er Intermediate People's Court heard. The trial ended on Thursday. A verdict will be announced later. Wang's case caught the public's attention as it involved major healthcare corruption. People from various sectors, including media, local legislators and local political advisers attended the trial. Wang was known as the "double hundred" hospital president because he was said to have accepted bribes in large amounts, including 100 apartments and 100 parking lots. He was placed under investigation in 2014. During the trial, he was charged with 15 counts of corruption, including accepting 100 apartments from a real estate developer in Kunhuayuan residential building in Kunming. A former nurse at the hospital, surnamed Li, said the discovery of Wang's corrupt behavior has ruined the reputation of the hospital. "How to make money for himself is at the top of Wang's mind. How can such a person be qualified to be the head of the hospital?" she said. Healthcare staff, especially doctors, wield great power not only in medical treatment but also in drug prescriptions, and collusion between drug companies and doctors in promoting drug sales remains a problem in China. The National Health and Family Planning Commission launched a crackdown on corruption in the public health sector in February last year and announced that it will look into 41 hospitals in the next three years. In a plan rolled out by the commission, each of these hospitals is required to set up a whistle-blower mailbox for clients to file complaints about the misconduct of medical staff. The commission pledged to spend at least five days to check the performance of each hospital. Liu Yong, director of the commission's division overseeing the country's hospitals, said: "The investigations will cover a wide range of issues, including the pharmaceutical business relating to hospitals, kickbacks in purchasing medicines by hospitals and misconduct in procurement." The medical performance of doctors will be a key area in the inspections, Liu said. Residents navigate a flooded street in Lingao, Hainan province, after typhoon Dianmu made landfall. [Photo by Fei Yunluo/For China Daily] Typhoon Dianmu, the eighth typhoon this year, made landfall in Leizhou, Guangdong province, around 3:40 pm on Thursday, battering southern coastal regions with gales and torrential rains. The typhoon will move west into Beibu Gulf on Thursday night, and grow stronger to affect Guangdong, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Yunnan province, the National Meteorological Center said. It is forecast to make a second landfall that will batter Vietnam on Friday. Hainan province has been hit by downpours since Monday, due to the influence of the approaching tropical storm, and stronger downpours since Wednesday, the Central Meteorological Observatory said on Friday. For example, Lingao, a county in the northwest part of the island, saw more rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday than Beijing receives in a year. Xu Huanwu, a bus driver in Hainan's capital, Haikou, frowned at the lingering downpours, saying he had to detour to avoid flooded streets, prolonging the one-hour route to three hours on Thursday morning. "For the safety of our passengers, we had to make detours and lower the frequency of our buses," he said, adding that a bus with 40 passengers was trapped by rising waters in the morning. Jiang Jurong, a Haikou resident, also complained about the downpours. "I spent over two hours driving to the office, but failed. to get there." Trains, flights and ferries in Hainan were also canceled or delayed on Thursday. Over 40,000 residents in western regions have been evacuated, the provincial government said. Guangdong, which was affected by a strong typhoon on Aug 2, and issued its first red alert, was engulfed by gales and downpours again on Thursday. Southern inland regions along the Yangtze River, such as Chongqing, and Hubei, Jiangxi and Anhui provinces, have seen a heat wave persist for over 10 days. It's the first time since 1951 that Wuhan and Nanchang have seen daily highs above 35 C for 10 days in a row, the center said. Tian Yuan, 29, a resident of Wuhan resident, was sick for two days due to heatstroke. "One of my friends in Haikou was also trapped at home due to the typhoon. We feel sorry for each other," Tian said. The heat is forecast to continue for a number of days in the southern regions, the center said, warning people to prepare better to avoid heatstroke and diseases. BEIJING - A high school girl became an internet sensation with her drawings of white chubby faces with green sprigs on their heads: they became the emojis of choice for much of the nation and have been sent more than 15 billion times. Liu Jingjing, now an art student in college, did not imagine that her emoji sketches would become so popular and that she would sign a contract as a cartoonist and now have her own team for support. In fact, her "Budding Pop" emoji series broke multiple records and were downloaded more than 30 million times within the first month of being sold on the emoji store of WeChat, the instant-messaging app. "China lacks no imaginative cartoonists, but needs good models to make their work closer to people's hearts and lives," said Wang Biao, founder of Block 12 Culture Communication, the company where Liu now works. Emojis can be funny, weird or interesting, but the most loved ones are "people oriented" and prove a useful way of communicating, especially for shy and indirect Chinese people. In China, these emojis are hugely popular on social media platforms, such as the Weibo, a Twitter-like platform, and Wechat. Wang and his young start-up team have a dream. "We want to seek touching and heart-wrenching emojis created in China. We are exploring ways to add more value and vitality to China's original cartoon works." Three years ago, Wang became fascinated by the original Budding Pop images on Weibo. Cartoonist Liu Jingjing was still in her second year of high school, but was quickly gaining fans of her cute images. "People are keen on the Budding Pop with the sprig on its head. It is not only a lovely emoji, but gives us warm memories companionship," said Wang. Meanwhile, it accords with the "core secret" of internet images: they must be simple, symbolic, and dynamic, but with varied expressions and gestures. Chinese people are known for being shy and indirect. Think of the lyrics, "I love you more than I can say." All too often, Chinese find it difficult or even powerless to say things like, "I miss you," "I love you," or even just "thanks." It is here where emojis are useful; they allow nominally shy Chinese people to better express their feelings and, even better, to do so in a cute way. Wang sensed an opportunity and decided to employ Liu, setting up a team to support the schoolgirl in improving her design and promoting her emojis across China. In August 2015, the first series of the Budding Pop emojis were put on the WeChat emoji store. The cute image with a sprig on its head sparked a surge of downloads. "It's so stunning for the young cartoonist and the team. And it enlightens us, as people cherish a lot of these innocent and lovely emojis," said Xu Ying, COO of Block 12 Culture Communication. "The company and the business model are effective. We make efforts to promote the emojis through a variety of the internet applications and physical commodities with a brand," she added. For Xu, Budding Pop and other emojis gained fame due to their simple ways of expressing feelings of happiness, anger, sadness and pleasure. "Regardless of age and gender, every person has a secret corner deep down in their heart, and the emoji is the 'daily spokesperson' for all of us," Xu said. For this start-up, the guiding principle is about exploring the core value of emojis and putting them within touch of average people. To date, they have about 20 cartoonists, most of them born in the internet era, so they have a sense of intimacy with the internet. "Similar to 'Budding Pop,' we are passionate about life and have bigger dreams in the internet era. Our emojis are a people-oriented bridge between hearts," Wang said. A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has urged police to keep a firm hand on economic crimes, with a focus on supervision and risk prevention. Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a national meeting for public security organs on Thursday. Meng cited contract fraud, counterfeiting and copyright infringement as frequent economic crimes that police should firmly focus on, in addition to key areas such as corruption and bribery. "With the help of information technology, police departments should better adapt themselves to the big data-era to handle economic crimes," he said. Official figures released by the ministry on Thursday show that Chinese police have solved 815,000 economic crimes since 2011, recovering losses of 300 billion yuan ($45 billion). Such crimes, including bank card fraud, illegal fundraising and pyramid selling, have been found in housing, job market, environmental protection, education, elderly care, as well as food and medical care, according to the ministry. In addition, police have solved over 900 cases involving illegal banks, involving more than 1 trillion yuan, since 2011. A screenshot from the Sina Weibo account of Zhang Ming, general manager of a travel agency in Shandong Province. A company has fined more than 200 employees 50 yuan ($6.5) each for failing to comment on the general manager's Twitter-like Sina Weibo posts, Beijing Youth Daily reported. At the travel service company in Jinan City, capital of East China's Shandong Province, employees were required to take turns reading aloud via a loudspeaker online updates made by their general manager Zhang Ming every morning, and also leave comments. Zhang's Weibo posts were mostly motivational quotations or information on company activities. Each post is currently followed by hundreds of comments, most of which are just an emoji meaning "like." Zhang declined to answer the newspaper's interview request, but updated his Weibo account with a new thread, saying the company's success has been built upon "a shared mind and strong execution abilities". Zhao Ruxin, manager of the marketing department at the company, said the purpose was to improve morale, especially among young people who "needed mentoring." But several staff members told the newspaper they thought the practice unreasonable and breaches labor laws, though nobody dared to stand up. One employee was already fined 150 yuan in a month, sources told the paper. Han Xiao, a lawyer in Beijing, said Chinese law forbids companies from levying a fine against workers, who can lodge complaints with the labor inspection department. ABOARD XI'AN DESTROYER -- Two Chinese Navy fleets began a confrontation drill in the Sea of Japan Thursday, according to a military source Friday. One fleet included the missile destroyer Xi'an, missile frigate Hengshui and supply ship Gaoyouhu. ALl of the three have just wrapped the Rim of the Pacific 2016 (RIMPAC 2016) multinational naval exercise, the Navy source said. The rival fleet consisted of several warships from the Navy's Donghai Fleet. Foreign aircraft attempted surveillance during the drill and were met with the proper response from the Chinese warships, the source said. The drill, arranged according to the Navy's annual training plan and a common practice seen across the world, is in line with the international law and practice, the source noted. A health official in Longhui county, Hunan province, turned himself in to police on Wednesday over the illegal selling of birth certificates on the black market, police said on Thursday. The police announcement said that Liu Xin, 41, an official at Longhui county health bureau, was detained on Thursday for further investigation as he is suspected of altering or trading State organ documents. According to a report on Wednesday by Hunan TV Station, a man named Xiong Mingzhong, a resident of Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, sold birth certificates on the black market for 50,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan ($7,290 to $14,580). The report said that using such birth certificates children of unknown origin or trafficked children could be registered to a household, avoiding the police's anti-child-trafficking drive. Xiong told TV reporters that his clients come from seven provinces and regions and that the certificates "are real, because they come from a health official at Longhui county health bureau". Longhui county police and health bureau opened an investigation into the case after the TV report on Wednesday and found Liu to be the official who provided official birth certificates to Xiong. Liu turned himself in to police later that day. Further investigations into the case are ongoing and Xiong is wanted by police. Item from Aug 19, 1990, in China Daily: City dwellers are no longer buying material and making their own clothes, but are sporting fashionable ready-made garments. The rate of wearing ready-made clothes is considered to be an important factor in judging the standard of social, economic and cultural development of a nation. By early 1980s, that rate in developed countries had already reached 90 percent. In China it is about 20 percent. Over the past few decades, China's exports of textiles and clothes have witnessed exponential growth. The country is now meeting more than one-third of the global demand for clothes, thanks to labor and production cost advantages. Meanwhile, tailored clothes are making a come-back, with more Chinese spending their rising incomes on customizing their outfits. Domestic fashion is also getting a shot in the arm from the first lady, who is encouraging more Chinese to try local designs. From the moment President Xi Jinping's special airplane touched down in Moscow in March 2013, it was clear that his wife, Peng Liyuan, was making a fashion statement. Marking a sharp contrast with the growing appetite for foreign brands, Peng chose Chinese designs. Although officials strived to play down the global interest in her fashion tastes, the Chinese design and tailoring industry received a big boost. An experience pavilion using latest internet technologies was launched in Lhasa on Thursday to boost Tibet's tourism and culture industry. Named Microscene, the pavilion aims to provide visitors with a new insight into Tibetan culture using advanced technology. The establishment of the pavilion was welcomed and supported by the Tibet Federation of Industry and Commerce and the Tibet tourism development commission. "With the aid of internet as a platform, the pavilion will have a positive effect on the promotion of Tibet's culture, tourism and other industries," said Liao Yidong, vice-chairman of the Tibet Federation of Industry and Commerce. Seven screens on a circular wall with celestial background display information on Tibetan culture in various forms. There is also a virtual reality site in the pavilion, where visitors can take an immersive tour of Tibet's sacred lakes. "Thanks to the new technology, one can view Tibet's Yardrok Yutso Lake from the same angle as God, or enjoy the scenery in all directions on one's cell phone," said Chen Xinxin, a technical director at Microscene. Ning Yongqiang, chief executive officer at Microscene, said the platform they have created will help boost Tibet's tourism and culture industry through internet, television and mobile services. "Our 3D technology can help to protect cultural relics in Tibet," Ning said. "Our technology will be showcased at the Third China Tibet International Tourism and Culture Expo next month and we will provide different services, such as introductions or guides, to more than 1,000 guests at the event." URUMQI -- The Horgos International Border Cooperation Center on the China-Kazakhstan border, in Northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region, officially opened its customs office on Thursday. The office has been in preparation since 2007. The customs office, which is under the administration of Urumqi Customs, mainly provides services for the Chinese side of a cross-border free trade zone. After opening, the customs office hopes to offer strong support for the center, for it to become a key engine in China's westward trade, said Zhao Ge, director of Urumqi Customs. In September 2004, China and Kazakhstan signed an agreement to create the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center, a free trade zone. The center opened in 2012. Customs procedures have now been streamlined at the center, which covers 3.43 square km on the Chinese side and 1.85 square km on the Kazakh side. The center has seen rising flow of people and goods. As of July, it has recorded 9.46 million visitors and a trade volume of 878 million U.S. dollars since opening. KUNMING -- Drug enforcement officers in Southwest China's Yunnan province have stopped and captured two drug traffickers, local police sources said Friday. One of the suspects was about to be inspected when he rushed through the barrier of a patrol station in Pu'er city, Yunnan province. Drug enforcement officers apprehended him and found 14.4 kilograms of methamphetamine in a plastic woven bag the man was carrying The suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, implicated another man, from Myanmar, in the case. He said he had given the Myanmar man 50,000 yuan (about $7,500) to transport the drugs to Kunming, the provincial capital. In a separate case, a woman was stopped in Kunming Wednesday morning after around three kilograms of meth was found hidden in mooncakes. The woman suspect, 16 and pregnant, claimed that she was a foreign national. Police alleged that she had intended to bring the drugs from Lincang city to Kunming for high returns. Yunnan shares the border with Myanmar, the Laos and Vietnam. The investigations continue. [2016-09-09 09:33] If you are in a coffee growing area you are likely to see a photo of coffee beans splashed on a billboard. Same is true if you are in a banana producing region. Just about every country or town finds a way to promote its best product. [2016-08-30 17:09] No one may have led a more legendary life than him: born in the year when the First World War broke out and still living today more than a century later; more interestingly he was among the one quarter of the total Red Army soldiers who survived the torturous Long March (1934 - 1936) and then became a Chinese trailblazer in neurosurgery with a doctorate degree from the Soviet Union. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The premier of Western Australia state, a member of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal Party, has offered to accept refugees from Australian-funded detention centers amid growing concern about conditions for the 1,350 people held in the camps. Under Australian law, anyone intercepted trying to reach the country by boat is sent for processing to asylum seeker camps on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru or to Manus Island off Papua New Guinea. They are never eligible to be resettled in Australia. Australia and Papua New Guinea said on Wednesday that they would close the Manus Island facility, but gave no timeline, and did not say where the people held there would be sent. Premier Li says Beijing willing to link strategies with its neighbor and advance major projects China and Myanmar vowed on Thursday to further enhance political trust with mutual respect, to advance major investment projects and to realize peaceful settlement of hostilities in northern Myanmar. Premier Li Keqiang hosted a ceremony on Thursday to welcome Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's No 2 leader, who started a five-day official visit to China on Wednesday. Working teams have been established to coordinate and implement potential action plans Action, inclusiveness and foresight are all stressed by China's current leadership in domestic governance, and those qualities are poised to influence next month's G20 summit in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, making it a milestone event for global growth, development and reform. China hopes to transform the G20 meeting from a case-by-case, solution-seeking summit into an institutional long-term mechanism for ongoing debate. On Monday, the Foreign Ministry for the first time revealed the detailed agenda for the upcoming summit, and also President Xi Jinping's busy schedule during the two-day event, when he will preside over more than 10 major activities. It will be the first time China has hosted the event, and Xi's to-do list is indicative of its significance. Since 2013, Xi has attended three G20 meetings - in the Russian city of St Petersburg, Brisbane in Australia and Antalya, Turkey - but the Hangzhou meeting will undoubtedly be the most important for him. Under the theme "Building an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy", the Hangzhou summit will focus on critical issues in global growth and developmental reform. Innovation, the new industrial revolution and the digital economy will appear on the agenda for the first time. More important, following a proposal by China, a number of special working teams have been established on these specific topics to supervise and coordinate the implementation of possible action plans and proposals. Since the G20 first met in Washington in 2008, leaders attending the summits have passed many proposals and adopted a number of action plans. Still, problems remain for the global economy. It takes time for some remedies, such as the reform of global governance, to take effect, but some previous prescriptions, although temporarily effective in boosting growth, have proved to be of little use in maintaining sustainable development. For example, leaders of a number of developed economies have constantly pledged to strengthen coordination in formulating and implementing macroeconomic and financial policies, and have also resisted growing calls for protectionism in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. However, sometimes the pledges have resulted in little concrete action. The globalization of the world economy means decisive growth factors are more concentrated in the developed economies, and development appears more exclusive than inclusive; about 12.5 percent of the global population still lives in poverty. To address these problems, China last month hosted the first G20 trade ministers' conference in Shanghai, and established a foundation for institutional platforms for meetings of trade ministers. China pushed the G20 to make global investment a guiding principle this year, which will evolve into the first multilateral investment regulation framework. Those efforts should facilitate global investment and trade. These endeavors, and others, will help to turn the G20 into a long-term mechanism for the solution of global issues. The G20 is by no means just a club of 20 world powers strutting their resolutions, but the premier global forum for action and solutions. liyang@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily 08/19/2016 page12) When China hosts the G20 Summit next month the event will provide an ideal opportunity for the United Kingdom's new Prime Minister, Theresa May, to meet senior officials after a change of direction on a key project, and get the "golden era" back on track. In effect, the moves have already started. Newly appointed UK Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Alok Sharma, recently made his first visit to China and handed a letter for President Xi Jinping from Prime Minister May to China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In the letter, May said the UK supports China's successful hosting of the summit and expects to enhance bilateral cooperation on trade, the economy and global issues. The UK's political landscape has altered radically since October, when President Xi rode through central London in a state carriage on his way to Buckingham Palace as a guest of Queen Elizabeth II. Instability and uncertainty flourished as Britons voted in favor of leaving the European Union, causing the abrupt resignation of then-Prime Minister David Cameron, whose administration had pursued a policy of a stronger, closer relationship with Beijing, becoming a founder member of the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and strongly supporting China's position that it should automatically gain market economy status in December. None of that has changed, but the shine has been taken off with the arrival of May as prime minister, and by a complete change of government personnel, although it is still a Conservative government. Abruptly this summer, Greg Clarke, newly appointed as secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, announced a review of a controversial 18 billion pound ($23 billion) project to build a French-designed nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point in southwest England. China is investing one-third of the total cost, with the understanding the UK's next nuclear project will be Chinese-designed and built. The review announcement came barely 48 hours before French, Chinese and UK officials were due to hold a signing ceremony at the site. The whys and wherefores of the Hinkley Point project are well-known, including warnings of consequences if the deal doesn't go ahead. What is vital now is that UK ministers and government officials take the opportunity of the G20 summit to explain to their Chinese counterparts exactly how the debacle was allowed to happen. The UK says May's new administration needs time to study what is a highly controversial plan, and that anyway it was only following the original timetable set out by the French. It's true that in the modern world in which we live, much of what goes on in public is the result of countless hours of negotiation by officials in back rooms. That doesn't seem to have happened in this case, as the Hinkley Point review decision was as much of a surprise to many government officials as it was to China. It has created a pointless crisis at a time when the UK doesn't need another crisis, dealing as it is with the unknowns of "Brexit" and upheavals in the domestic political system. What the G20 offers is a golden opportunity to get the golden era back on track. That's what should be happening in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. The healing process has already started with Sharma's visit. Chris Peterson is Managing Director for China Daily in Europe. Contact the writer at chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com (China Daily 08/19/2016 page12) Wing Ho, the president of Chinese Viola Society, gives a master class in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province. XU FAN/CHINA DAILY Wing Ho didn't seem to mind the sound of rain outside Jinlin Guanyuan International Hotel as he taught the viola to an eight-year-old girl. "Try to keep it simple," the celebrated Chinese musician told his student at a recent master class in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province. The lesson was part of the Poly Wedo Music & Culture Summer Campus 2016 that was held by the Beijing-based Poly Culture Group over Aug 7-15. Ho, the president of Chinese Viola Society, and 22 other established musicians, including violinist Sheng Zhongguo, cellist Yu Mingqing and pianist Tian Jiaxin, took the classes that were attended by more than 100 children and teenagers. And, Ho says it was a good opportunity to discover young talents. It is important that children build a strong foundation while learning music, which is why the right teachers are needed. "It becomes difficult to correct basic flaws later," Ho tells China Daily. Other musicians agree. "Most masters prefer to teach youngsters from the very beginning," says Ho, a viola professor at China's top music college, the Central Conservatory of Music. A Yale University graduate, he lived in the United States for years since the 1980s. Ho has received a number of awards at home and abroad, and has worked as the principal violist for orchestras based in the US, Britain and Japan. On invitation from Wang Cizhao, then the president of the central conservatory, he returned to the country in 1999 and began to promote research and viola performance in China. "Many of my friends said that they couldn't understand my decision to return as life in the US was more comfortable back then. But I knew my roots were here in China," the musician says. Ho has organized a series of national viola competitions to select talented players and has published some 100 textbooks. Many Chinese earlier thought that "violists were those who couldn't play the violin well", says Ho. Even Ho himself began his early performances as a violinist in a teen orchestra in Beijing. He switched to the viola in 1985 on realizing his passion for the low-profile string instrument. "Now we are training newcomers to play the viola from the beginning," says Ho, known for initiating reform in viola education in China. He founded an office to research viola performances at the central conservatory in 2000, the first of its kind in the country. He has also led Chinese viola players to perform in many countries, such as South Korea, Spain, Britain, Italy, France, Canada and the US. The events helped improve the image of Chinese viola players and gave them the chance to perform solo in recent years. "In the past three or four years, almost all world-class viola competitions have invited Chinese players to judging panels," says Ho, who is also the art director of Poly Chamber Orchestra. Moving with the times, Ho also edits books that use digital technology to provide a better understanding of the viola. The musician has also developed "small-sized" violas for children aged between the ages of 4 and 12. "We've measured the length from the neck to hand, and produced eight kinds of violas," he says. When the master class in Suzhou was over, dozens of students flocked to Ho and asked to take photos with him. His longtime wish of seeing China bloom with violists isn't far away. Contact the writer at @chinadaily.com.cn Designer and artist Zhou Niuniu fuses his art with architecture, food and fashion, and attempts to break boundaries by launching perfumes, home ware, cosmetics and accessories. [Photo provided to China Daily] These days, art is not just something to look at, but to live with. Zhou Niuniu, a designer and artist, has been mixing his art with architecture, food, and now it is fashion. One of the first local Chinese designers to work with 10 Corso Como, the Milan multi-brand fashion boutique, Zhou will launch a perfume under his Mr Hua & Mrs Hua brand at 10 Corso Como in Beijing SKP on Friday. This signals Zhou's first formal foray into the fashion world. A few months ago, Zhou took part in an exhibition that paid tribute to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa in Shangha's Xintiandi area with nine other artists and designers. Zhou created 15 pieces based on the painting. He re-created the Mona Lisa in modern situations, where she is portrayed grooming herself, enjoying food and making funny faces. "Italian Wine Restaurant" Fiume in Beijing is dedicated to creating good matches of wine and food. [Photo provided to China Daily] Beijing is hardly famous for its wine bars, which are few and often seem to be quickly renamed "New Store Coming Soon". The fact that some medium to high-end restaurants in the expat warren of Sanlitun still don't offer wine by the glass is a barometer of how far China's capital is from embracing a wine lifestyle. Enter Fiume, an "Italian Wine Restaurant", dedicated to creating good matches of wine and food. Selecting correct wines is essential to having a complete Western dining experience, says Italian owner Omar Maseroli, a native of Parma. Alcohol is often viewed in the context of social drinking and celebrations, but pairing wines with food is an essential part of the culinary art. Good wines, he says, should enhance the taste of a meal, release the pressure and tension of work, and make people really enjoy time with their friends and family. So each month, Fiume will suggest new selections of wines that customers can pair with the current menu. Every month, Fiume will also invite professional wine masters to host tasting events to continuously enhance the experience of wine lovers. Alison Kennedy is mainly involved in rehabilitation and training of orphans or disabled children at the nonprofit Chuntian Service Center in Hunan province. She says her greatest joy now is to see the chil-dren being taken good care of. [Photo provided to China Daily] Even after British rehabilitation therapist Alison Kennedy's six-month-long voluntary work for a charity in Central China's Hunan province, had ended in 2004, her mind remained occupied with her "unfinished" chapter. Two years later, she returned to China from her home country to resume the social work and has lived here since. The 43-year-old works for the Chuntian Service Center, a nonprofit that is located in Hengyang, and it was jointly established in 2005 by the city's civil affairs bureau and the charity International China Concern. The Hunan nonprofit mainly provides nurseries, medical services, rehabilitation, education and occupational training to orphans or disabled children. "It's a flexible but challenging job. Once you get involved emotionally, it's not easy to just step away or end it," explains Kennedy about her decision to stay the course. Kennedy, always in plain clothes and sporting a bright smile, greets visitors in fluent Mandarin. Mainly involved in rehabilitation and training of such children, Kennedy says her greatest joy now is to see the children at the center being taken good care of. She had worked at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, England, after graduating from university. In 2004, she volunteered as a rehabilitation therapist for a charity in Hunan's provincial capital Changsha, after a friend who had returned from a similar job in the province told her that therapists like her were needed there. On Wednesday, Rongxin Group purchased a piece of land for realty development in Jing'an district, Shanghai municipality, for 11 billion yuan ($1.66 billion), making it the most expensive land yet. According to their development plan, the price of the apartments to be constructed on the land will be sold for at least 140,000 yuan per square meter. The sale comes almost immediately after the annual realty development forum, held in Bo'ao in South China's Hainan province, at which one expert after another predicted that the realty market was cooling down. As realty prices nationwide continued rising but at a slower pace, the realty market did seem to be cooling down. Yet the sale in Shanghai shows how hot the market remains. And it should be noted that this land sale in Shanghai is only one of a recent series of high-price land sales. In the first half of the year, 219 pieces of land have been sold for more than 1 billion yuan each. If the realty market continues going mad, that might create bubbles, which will be dangerous for the economy. The authorities need to intervene and stop the prices of land from getting out of control. THE TEMPERATURE has almost reached its summer peak, yet in the railway station at Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan province, the air conditioners in the waiting hall are not in use and people have to pay if they want to enter a cooled room. Beijing News comments: Weather data show that the outdoor temperature in Changsha was as high as 36 C over the past few days, almost intolerably hot. The waiting hall of the railway station is crowded and the temperatures inside are even higher than outside without the air conditioners on. Railway stations in China run on public funds, or taxpayers' money, and they are supposed to serve the public. The station should therefore offer air-conditioning as a basic public service to passengers. The fact is they have installed air conditioners in the waiting rooms, but not switched them on, which is a failure of service. The railway station officials have offered the excuse that the electricity voltage at the station is too unstable. Could they find any weaker excuse? Inside the large waiting hall is a small waiting room where the air conditioners are in use but which people have to pay to enter. Is the electricity in Changsha railway station smart enough to be selectively unstable? Do they mean the voltage becomes stable when people pay? Further evidence that they are lying is that even the electric fans in the waiting hall are turned off. Electric fans do not need a stable voltage, yet they too are not in use. All these arouse the suspicion that they want to compel people to pay to enter the room by turning off the air conditioners and the fans. A suspicion that is reinforced by media reports saying that Changsha railway station has outsourced the small paid waiting room to a commercial company. Records show that passengers have been complaining since June 1, but the railway station has not taken any action. It was not until Chen Min, a senior local official, criticized the station officials that they responded by claiming the situation is "improving". No one knows whether it is improving or not. We only know that those that turned off the air-conditioning for the profit of the company should be punished. The China National Tourism Administration released a report on Thursday showing that more than 2.64 million people escaped poverty by developing tourism-related incomes in 2015. It has become a significant channel for reducing poverty.[Photo by Wang Jiankang/Asianewsphoto] Zhou Shulin, a resident of Xinhua village in Chongqing, once migrated to cities to make a living. It was a common practice among his peers: It was hard to make a living through farming. "As migrant workers, my wife and I could earn 50,000 to 60,000 yuan ($7,500 to $9,000) every year. After living expenses, we only had 20,000 to 30,000 yuan," said Zhou. Working outside one's hometown can bring problems: unattended elderly parents and left-behind children without proper parenting, for example. When Zhou was advised to stay at home and earn a living from tourists, he was more than happy to try it. Now, Zhou's family earns as much as 80,000 yuan per month. "Five years ago, local residents were eager to leave. Now they are eager to come back," said Chuan Wenming, director of a tourism cooperative in Chongqing. "The tourism industry is developing very fast and is inducing migrant workers to start their own businesses at home. Now, they can be a hotel manager, waitress, cook or even a dance performer." The China National Tourism Administration released a report on Thursday showing that more than 2.64 million people escaped poverty by developing tourism-related incomes in 2015. It has become a significant channel for reducing poverty. The administration said it would attempt to lift 4 million people out of poverty by 2018 through the tourism industry, and another 3.47 million by 2020. About 15 percent of Chinese mainland farmers are expected to benefit from village tourism by 2020. Li Jinzao, director of the administration, said tourism can help develop the economy and protect the ecosystem at the same time. "The key issue is to find the poverty-stricken villages that have tourism potential. We can't copy the model in all poverty areas," Li said. "Different regions have their own characteristics. For example, Tibet and Xinjiang could design unique travel experiences around herdsmen." Wang Zehua in Zhangjiakou contributed to this story. Leaders of the US and Canada will participate in the G20 to be hosted by China for the first time in early September. US President Barack Obama will travel to China to attend the G20 and Laos from Sept 2-9, the White House announced on Thursday. In China, Obama will participate in his final G20 Leaders' Summit, where he will emphasize the need to continue building on the progress made since 2009 in advancing strong, sustainable and balanced global economic growth. He will underscore the importance of G20 cooperation in promoting a level-playing field and broad-based economic opportunity. Obama will also conduct in-depth meetings with President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou, eastern China's Zhejiang province, where the G20 will be held. The two leaders will discuss a wide-range of global, regional and bilateral issues, according to the White House. This trip will highlight Obama's ongoing commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation as well as the US rebalance to Asia and the Pacific, said the White House. This is the President's 11th trip to Asia since taking office in 2009. Obama will be the first US president to visit Laos, where he will participate in the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday that he will travel to China for an official visit from Aug 30 to Sept 6 at the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang. During the official visit, Trudeau will also participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit on Sept 4 and 5 in Hangzhou. At the Hangzhou Summit, G20 leaders will consider measures to lift global economic growth and investment, create jobs, strengthen the middle class, reinforce the resilience of the global financial system and increase trade and investment. Canada welcomes the agenda brought forward by China as this year's G20 host, which encourages members to work together towards an innovative, interconnected and inclusive world economy. "Canada firmly believes in the work of the G20 and its ability to promote strong, sustainable, and inclusive global growth and prosperity. We place great importance on working with our G20 partners to help address some of the world's most pressing challenges, like climate change, migration and sustainable development," Trudeau said. This official visit, which includes stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hong Kong, will provide an opportunity for the Canadian prime minister to connect with Chinese leaders in government, business and the public. "Strengthening our relationship with China is essential to growing our middle class, and creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses," Trudeau said. "On this trip, I will strive for a closer, more balanced relationship between Canada and China." Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on US-China Relations, said in an interview with Xinhua that as the host G20, China has the opportunity to set the tone and agenda for the meeting and help all participants reach important consensus. It is "very much up to China" whether the G20 Summit can produce some really encouraging outcome, said Orlins. "I think China is going to need to lead. I think China in a lot of ways can lead," he said. "I think China being the host of the G20 is very much kind of a statement that China is now one of the most important economies in the world, and it is terrific that it is being able to do it," said Orlins. Orlins said that he believes the world needs to seek new growth engines from innovation and clean industries, and that China as a global leader in both fields should steer the Hangzhou summit to achieve some breakthroughs. "We need to see more innovation that can be shared globally, and we need to see more movement towards industries which emit less carbon. I hope that's what comes out of the G20," he said. "With China as the host, it has the opportunity to set the tone and the agenda." Orlins also expressed confidence that the G20 Summit could help deepen mutual understanding between China and the US and boost bilateral ties. "Every time that an American president visits China, it is a benefit to US-China relations. Every time that a Chinese president and an American president meet, it is a benefit to US-China relations," said Orlins. Radio Sputnik discussed Russian-Turkish relations and the recent meeting between the leaders of the two countries with political expert Aydin Sezer and Turkish politician Nejat Kocer. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to restore economic relations between the two countries. The statement came after the two leaders met in Saint-Petersburg on August 9. Although he believes that the thaw in Moscow-Ankara relations won't significantly affect Turkey's policy toward the US and the EU, he is confident that Ankara will change its strategy in the Syrian crisis. Relations between the two countries worsened drastically after Ankara shot down a Russian jet, which was on anti-terrorism mission in Syria. In June, President Erdogan sent a letter apologizing for the downing of the jet and expressed his condolences to the relatives of a pilot, who was killed by rebels after ejecting from his plane. Prior to his visit to Russia, President Erdogan called President Putin his friend and noted that he wanted to open a new page in relations with Moscow. After the failed coup attempt in Turkey, Vladimir Putin expressed support for the Turkish leader and condemned the unlawful actions of the military. After Tuesday's meeting President Putin promised to lift sanctions against Ankara step by step. Both leaders announced the restart of two major energy projects the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and the construction of Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey. In the Presidential Regiment, which celebrated its 80th anniversary this year, officers and soldiers are called the "face of the country and the army," since they are on duty at the Kremlin walls and ensure the safety of Russian state leaders. Learn what it takes to be an elite soldier and guard of honor. The best of the best The Presidential Regiment Service Command of the Moscow Kremlin FSO includes three battalions, a cavalry honor guard and an operational reserve battalion. However, the most famous is considered to be the first guard of honor. Soldiers who serve in it stand on guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many would like to be part of it, but only less than half of the candidates get the desired place. "Are you sure you want to serve in the Presidential regiment?" is the first question commander Major Artem Kunakin poses to the soldier recruits. Service in it is quite difficult, so the requirements are very stringent: a soldier's height must be no less than 175 centimeters, he must be inexcellent health and have impeccable physical training. Piercing, tattoos and facial scars are strictly forbidden. Soldiers that do not get into the first guard of honor are placed in other units of the regiment. In most cases they end up protecting the Kremlin's territory. The regiment welcomes dynasties. Many soldiers come here after their fathers and granddads have served. One day in the regiment Soldiers' barracks are situated in the historic Arsenal building. Separate divisions are scattered throughout the territory of the Moscow region. Their daily routine in similar to all of the other soldiers. They rise at 6 am, after which they form up and go for their morning work-out. At 6 pm soldiers have free time, during which they read books or attend a buffet. The day ends with a formal promenade, walking in ranks, after which soldiers go to sleep at 10 pm. Soldiers' ordinary life is not limited to combat training and studying. Saturdays and Sundays are weekends, and soldiers can ask for a leave warrant. The presidential regiment was the first, where mobile phones were allowed. Soldiers are allowed to smoke only in special designed places, but alcohol is forbidden. They worship their uniforms Not long ago a new dress uniform was designed for the soldiers, the hussar lightweight. It is intended for foot and cavalry guards, as well as for protocol and public events. An astrakhan collar and cap are added to the winter uniform. During strong frosts soldiers may stand in heated booths. The Spasskaya Tower Now the Presidential regiment prepares for the military-musical festival "The Spasskaya Tower." This performance is attended by many who come to see the soldiers perform complex acrobatic tricks with weapons or while riding a horse. The Presidential regiment is the most elite in our country; they are representatives of the Russian army. The best of the best are here," added Lance Sergeant Daniel Kalinin. The Presidential regiment's performance can be viewed at the festival "The Spasskaya Tower", starting on August 27. The two will likely strive to reach consensus despite disagreement on key issues, experts say US President Barack Obama will hold "in-depth meetings" with President Xi Jinping next month during his 11th and probably final trip as president to Asia, the core region of his administration's foreign policy, the White House said. Experts said that disagreements will remain between China and the United States on key issues, such as the South China Sea and the planned deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system in the Republic of Korea, but the two leaders will likely strive to reach a consensus. During the eight-day trip, starting on Sept 2, Obama will attend his final G20 summit in Hangzhou, the White House said in a statement on Thursday. After the summit, he will visit Laos the first visit to the country by a US president where he will attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit before winding up his Asian trip. This trip will highlight Obama's ongoing commitment to the G20 as the main forum for international economic cooperation as well as the "US rebalance to Asia and the Pacific" strategy, the White House said. Tao Wenzhao, a researcher in Sino-US relations at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the talks between Xi and Obama will be "of great importance" to bilateral relations. However, the relationship will continue to experience "ups and downs" with unresolved disputes on issues including the South China Sea and THAAD, he said. "It will be the 'new normal' (a term usually used to describe China's ongoing economic structural adjustment) of the Sino-US relationship, with fluctuations from time to time," he said, adding that such ups and downs are likely to continue during the next US administration. Obama's presidential term will end in January. Zuo Xiying, a researcher of US foreign policy at Renmin University of China, said the possibility could not be ruled out that Obama might "point fingers at China" on the South China Sea issue during multilateral meetings in Laos. "China will definitely not accept accusations by the US," he said. Obama's visit to Laos will send a signal to Southeast Asian countries that the US will maintain its presence in the region, he added. Stephen Orlins, president of the New York-based National Committee on US-China Relations, said in an interview with Xinhua that as the G20 host, China has an opportunity to set the tone and agenda for the meeting and help participants reach consensus. Orlins also expressed confidence that the G20 summit could help deepen mutual understanding between China and the US and boost bilateral ties. "Every time that an American president visits China, it is a benefit to US-China relations. Every time that a Chinese president and an American president meet, it is a benefit to US-China relations," Orlins was quoted as saying. Obama previously visited China in 2009 and 2014. Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn (Photo : Getty Images. ) Myanmar's Ang San Suu Kyis is on her first official visit to China. Advertisement Myanmar's de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's first official visit to China has been dominated by talks over a controversial dam project in Northern Myanmar that has been stalled for over five years. The work over $3.6 billion Myitsone dam project, funded completely by Beijing, was suspended by Myanmar's former President Thein Sein. The project drew widespread criticism and protest due to its adverse impact on the environment. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The decision angered China, which would have benefitted from around 90 percent of the power generated by the hydroelectric dam. Suu Kyi, who at that time was under house arrest, had completely backed the decision to suspend the project. However, reports now suggest that Myanmar leader is under pressure from China to restart the controversial project as early as possible. "Aung San Suu Kyi said that the Myanmar Government has already set up an investigation committee to look for an appropriate resolution to the Myitsone dam issue," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters after an hour-long meeting between Suu Kyi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Zhenmin added that Suu Kyi assured the Chinese leader that she is willing to look for a resolution that serves the interest of both parties. Myanmar has been traditionally dependent on China's financial aid to sustaining its economy. A factor that is again denoted during Suu Kyi's ongoing visit, with Beijing promising to build a strategic bridge in the border region and two state-of-the-art hospitals in Myanmar. The agreement fo these projects is due to be signed in the coming days. Advertisement TagsSuu Kyi, china, China and Myanmar, Suu Kyi China, Aung San Suu Kyi (Photo : Getty Images) US President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping are slated to conduct meetings that will cover a wide range of issues during the upcoming 11th G20 summit Advertisement US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold "in-depth" meetings during the upcoming G20 summit in the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province next month, Xinhua reported on Thursday. The White House confirmed on Wednesday that the two leaders would discuss a gamut of issues that will cover global, bilateral, and regional concerns during the summit from September 4-5. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The upcoming summit will be the eleventh G20 meeting and will be themed: "Promoting an innovative, dynamic, concerted and inclusive world economy." Global issues China will be hosting this year's G20 meeting, consisting of the world's 20 major economies, as they come together for the 11th time to discuss relevant economic and global issues. Li Baoding, China's vice foreign minister, said President Xi will attend a series of meetings and will deliver several speeches during the two-day global forum. Li said President Xi would be addressing the different events during the summit; this includes over 11 events as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. Media Li said the president will then meet the media after the summit to report the results of the meetings and the relevant information that needs to be disseminated to the public. The 2016 Hangzhou summit will be the first ever G20 summit to be hosted in China and the second international summit after President Xi became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China. Meanwhile, the local government of Hangzhou said it would "spare no effort" to guarantee the absolute safety of the G20 participants during the summit. Strict security measures Zhao Yide, communist party chief of Hangzhou, said the police and local authorities have taken strict security measures to ensure the safety of the visiting leaders and the residents during the event. Shanghai's two airports and all its railway stations have reportedly established anti-terror security checks a month before the global forum. Local authorities said the Pudong and Hongqiao airports have started implementing strict security checks at their entrances and exits. Anti-terror security checks will also be implemented in major traffic hubs with residents being encouraged to report suspicious people to the police. The leaders of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union are expected to attend the 11th G20 forum. Advertisement Tags11th G20 summit, Hangzhou, President Barack Obama, President Xi Jinping, United States, china (Photo : Getty Images.) Ikea Group is set start running an e-commerce platform on trial basis in Shanghai later this month. Advertisement Sweden-based furniture retailer Ikea Group is set to make a foray into e-commerce business in China by the end of August, China Daily reported. This is the first time that Ikea would be selling its products online in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the business would be initially run as a pilot project, and products will be sold only in Shanghai. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Ikea plans to extend its e-commerce business to other parts of China if the trial project is successful. Ikea runs an e-commerce service in northern Europe and the United Kingdom. Market experts say that the e-commerce model would help the Swedish furniture retailer to cater to the rising demands from third- and fourth-tier cities. The e-commerce business would also help in addressing the oversaturation problem in Ikea stores in first and second tier cities. Meanwhile, Ikea is continuing with its strategy to increase its retail presence across China. This year, the company has opened three new stores in Chengdu, Suzhou, and Foshan. The furniture retailer giant says that it plans to keep adding three stores to its chain in the Chinese market every year. In 2016, the company raked in sales revenue of 11.7 billion yuan ($1.76 billion) in China, a jump of 19.4 percent on a yearly basis. Nearly 83 million customers have paid a visit to Ikea stores this year, a 20 percent rise from a year earlier. Ikea's official website has received 67 million visits this year, a jump of 25 percent on a year-on-year basis. Advertisement TagsShanghai, IKEA, IKEA China, china (Photo : Getty Images ) China's Navy has carried out combat drills in the Sea of Japan. Advertisement Chinese Navy has conducted combat drills in the Sea of Japan. The Chinese military exercise, which began on Thursday, was staged in the international waters near the Sea of Japan, Chinese state media reported. Warships from the Chinese Navy's Donghai Fleet participated in the drills. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "One fleet included the missile destroyer Xi'an, missile frigate Hengshui and supply ship Gaoyouhu. Al of the three have just wrapped the Rim of the Pacific 2016 (RIMPAC 2016) multinational naval exercise," a naval source told Xinhua. "Foreign aircraft attempted surveillance during the drill and were met with the proper response from the Chinese warships." The Chinese Navy also made it clear that the drills were part of "routine" naval exercises and conducted in accordance with international law. The People Liberation Army (PLA)'s drills in the Sea of Japan come at a time when tensions between China and Japan have been heightened over the East China Sea dispute. China recently released a video showing Chinese vessels'intruding into its territorial waters surrounding the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Japan, China, and Taiwan have competing claims of ownership of the Senkaku Islands. The uninhabited islands are currently under the control of Japan. Tokyo is reportedly working on a plan to deploy a land to sea missile to the disputed islands in the wake of the growing Chinese aggression in the disputed waters. China, Japan, and Korea are planning to hold a high-level diplomatic dialogue in the wake of heightened tensions in the region. "At present, the three parties are in consultations about the exact date of the meeting," the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday. Advertisement Tagschina, Japan, Sea of Japan, China Navy, Combat Drills, East China Sea (Photo : Getty Images ) Japan on Thursday handed over a new patrol ship to Philippines. Advertisement Japan has handed over a new patrol ship to the Philippines to boost Manila's maritime defense capabilities amid its territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. The new patrol vessel - Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) BRP Tubbataha - is the first of 10 ships that Japan would provide for the Philippine Coast Guard. Tokyo will deliver remaining nine patrol vessels to Manila by 2018. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Manila is getting the 10 vessels along with a $158 million funding provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). "Nine more MRRVs will be built by the Japan Marine United Corporation Yokohama Shipyard for the Coast Guard and will also be named after the primary lighthouses in the country to denote the important role of the lighthouse as an aid to navigation to mariners," the coast guard said in a press release. Philippine Coast Guard is planning to deploy the 44-meter multipurpose vessel to the West Philippine Sea. It will be used in search and rescue and maritime defense operations. "The cooperation aims to build the capacity of the Philippines in boosting Maritime safety for socio-economic development. As an archipelago, the Philippines will benefit greatly from the Japanese ship," the Japanese government said. China and Philippines have been engaged in a bitter dispute over the ownership of islands in the South China Sea. The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration last month rejected China's claims over the disputed region saying that the country has no legal authority to claim the contested territory. Manila has repeatedly asked Beijing to abide by the ruling international tribunal. Advertisement TagsJapan, china, Philippines, South China Sea, Patrol Ships (Photo : Getty Images) The Cyberspace Administration of China's (CAC) new rules requires live streaming websites to monitor the content being posted on their platforms at every time. Advertisement China's top internet regulator wants firm control over live streaming in the country as it grows in popularity among young people in China, BBC reported. The move by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is seen as the government's latest effort to clamp down on what it describes "inappropriate online content." Live streaming has caught up with Chinese youth over the past few years, with as many as 80 platforms that support live streaming feeds. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Some of these sites have gained notoriety for broadcasting dangerous stunts with the aim of going viral online. Bilili, one of the well-known platforms, claims to have 50 million users. The other popular names in the live streaming business are YY, Inke, and Douyu. According to People's Daily, the CAC's new rules would put the onus on website administrators to monitor the content on their platforms (including content being streamed) on a 24-hour basis. This year, the CAC has been busy pulling the plug on objectionable contents on the web. In April, China's Ministry of Culture launched an investigation into several live-streaming websites for allegedly hosting pornographic and violent contents. In the following month, the China's Ministry of Culture banned people from eating bananas in erotic ways on live streaming platforms. The ministry claimed that the ban would help in curbing pornography in China. China's strict internet regulation and censorship have always evoked debate across the world. Advertisement Tagschina, Cyberspace Administration of China, Internet Censorship in China, Chinese Internet Control HEARTBREAKING: Wounded Syrian child lights up social media 19 August, 2016 by Reuters , | ALEPPO, Syria (Reuters) - Video of a small boy, bloodied and covered in dust, who was rescued after an apparent air strike in the Syrian city of Aleppo, sparked outrage and concern on social media on Thursday. Sitting alone in an ambulance, the boy - identified by doctors as 5-year-old Omran Daqneesh - looked dazed and shocked, staring silently as he tried to wipe the blood off his head, seemingly unaware of his injuries. Twitter user Charlene Deveraturda ?@malasadasbooks posted an image of the boy and wrote: "Poor baby. Near my grandson's age. I cannot imagine. The image does not leave my mind. #syrianboy #Syria #peace" The hashtag #Syrianboy was one of the top trending topics in the United States and Britain. More than 10 tweets posted every minute on Twitter with the hashtag, according to social media analytics company Zoomph. Many linked images of the child with a picture of Aylan Kurdi, a Syrian boy whose body was found on a beach in Turkey last year. The video of Omran and other children being pulled from the rubble caused widespread upset and condemnation over the harrowing reality of Syria's five-year-old civil war. Twitter user Malcolmite (?@Malcolmite) wrote: "It's not important if it goes viral, what's important is what is going to be done about it? #syrianboy" Sara Assaf ?(@SaraAssaf) tweeted: "So if this terrorized little boy turns into a terrorist one day ... Who is to blame? #SyrianBoy #Aleppo #Injustice" Aleppo, split into rebel- and government-controlled areas, has become the focus of the fighting in Syria. Rebel-held areas suffer heavy air strikes daily as pro-government forces try to retake territory lost to rebels two weeks ago in the southwest of Aleppo. The video, shot on Wednesday in the rebel-held al-Qaterji neighbourhood, shows an aid worker carrying the little boy out of a building and seating him inside the ambulance, before rushing back to the scene of the bombing. The boy sits alone, stunned, before two more children are brought into the vehicle. A man with blood on his face then joins them. Aleppo-based freelance photographer Mohammed Raslan Abu Sheikh, who was at the scene, said civilian rescuers and aid workers were elated as Omran was pulled from the rubble alive with the rest of his family of six. "He was in a state of shock, not even crying, he made us cry while he himself was silent, just watching us," Abu Sheikh told Reuters. Last year, international sympathy for victims of Syria's war was heightened by a photo of a drowned 3-year-old refugee from Syria, Aylan Kurdi, who washed up on a Turkish tourist beach. The image of Aylan, who died when a smugglers' boat taking his family and other refugees to a nearby Greek island capsized, swept across social media and was retweeted thousands of times. *Reporting by Reuters Television and Beirut newsroom; Additional reporting by Angela Moon in New York; Writing by James Dalgleish; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Howard Goller 'Incredible need' in Louisiana met by incredible faith-based response Editorial Staff | 19 August, 2016 by Joni B. Hannigan BATON ROGUE, La. (Christian Examiner) With what is being called Louisiana's "worst natural disaster" since Hurricane Katrina with floodwaters that hit the state last week and have now impacted tens of thousands and wiped away 40,000 homes a week later a massive effort is now underway to provide food and temporary shelter to those in need. Despite what many have considered a lack of attention on the national scale, Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), told residents in a news briefing in Baton Rogue earlier this week the government is well aware of what has taken place. So far, however, news that has percolated through social media and on local news broadcasts has shown families devastated by floodwaters, homes destroyed, dramatic rescues and clean up and disaster relief aided by faith-based and other non-profit organizations. The Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, which facilitates operations for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministries of Baptist State Conventions, associations and churches, reported it is deploying four kitchens to serve with the American Red Cross in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Lafayette and Walker. And that is after dozens of reports of individuals, local associations and state conventions which have already joined efforts to help. The kitchens will be staffed by SBDR volunteers from Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, according to Baptist Press. First Baptist Church in Livingston, Louisiana will host an Incident Command Center and the Louisiana Baptist Convention state SBDR director Gibbie McMillan is directing the state's response. Donations for this work may be made directly to Louisiana Southern Baptist Disaster Relief or to donations.namb.net/dr-donations. For phone donations, call 1-866-407-NAMB (6262) or mail checks to NAMB, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543. Designate checks for "Disaster Relief." Samaritan's Purse is also mobilizing staff and equipment to provide emergency aid to the area. Todd Taylor, assistant manager for U.S. Disaster Relief, said: "The need is incredible, and we know with each home we go to, we are being given an opportunity to share Christ with these people who are hurting so badly." Please continue to read below video In one of the most local and tangible ways of providing relief, Operation BBQ Relief, founded in May, 2011 as a response to the Joplin, Missouri tornadoes, and this volunteer group has provided over 700,000 meals in 19 states. Currently deployed in Hammond, Louisiana, they are servicing shelters in Livingston and Baton Rogue. Find out more here. Family Research Council is also helping to provide relief to those affected by the floodwaters, in coordination with Samaritan's Purse. Tony Perkins, FRC president, lives in Louisiana and serves as interim pastor of Greenwell Springs Baptist Church which is providing hands on help in what is one of the hardest hit communities. Volunteers may sign up to travel to the area, pray or provide resources. Louisiana Army National Guardsman after rescuing toddler: 'The water was everywhere, but in my arms she knew she was safe' 19 August, 2016 by Philip Timothy/Louisiana Message , | FRENCH SETTLEMENT, La. (The Message) The crew of the UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter was assigned search and rescue duties Aug. 15, flying along the Amite River when a small group of people flagged them down. The chopper, part of F Co 2-135th AVN, an Army National Guard aviation support unit based in Pineville, hovered as team members tried to assess the needs of those stranded on the ground. NOT A TYPICAL MONDAY "We could see a walker sitting in the small boat and an elderly lady sitting in the boat," said Staff Sergeant Chad McCann, a member of Union Baptist Church, Deville. "We realized we couldn't do a hoist rescue so the pilots [Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jesse Curtis and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Walt Clement] inched the chopper down to a small sand island between two houses. As the medic, Staff Sergeant Scott Hamilton, went over to assess the needs, McCann borrowed a small boat and followed after him. What they found was much more than they anticipated. "Not only was there an elderly woman, but she had just recently had brain surgery," McCann said. "There also was a young mother (the woman's daughter) and two small children. We quickly got the grandmother secured in the helicopter and I went back to help the lady with her children." McCann, an imposing figure at 6-foot-4, 285 pounds and the father of two, was a little surprised he got the smaller of the two children to come so easily to him. "I did not know if she would come to me," McCann said. "But I clapped my hands and she came right to me. "She may have been 18 months old" he said. "As I was carrying her to the helicopter she wrapped her arms around my neck and patted me on the back of my helmet. It was as if she was telling me everything is going to be all right." It was a moment that made McCann take a moment and pause. "My adrenalin was pumping. I was getting these jolts of adrenalin," he said, "and I had to tell myself to stay calm. She was so small and, yet, she really helped to calm me. It was as if she knew she was safe. There was water everywhere but in my arms she knew she was safe." A LONG WEEKEND McCann and his fellow crew members had been going strong from morning to night through the weekend before, with Aug. 14 presenting the biggest challenges. "Sunday was by far the worst day," said McCann. "We CW2 Ricky Caldwell and CW2 Jesse Futrell, Hamilton and McCann rescued 42 19 by hoist that day in some of the worst of conditions imagined. Most of our hoists were in a driving rain ... a monsoon. But this is what we have trained for as a unit." McCann added that even being combat-trained the scenes they came upon were emotionally impacting. "The devastation we are seeing is just unbelievable," said McCann. "There is water to the roofs of homes as far as you can see. And the Amite River is still rising and methodically washing away foundations, structures, and trees." McCann who made 80 lifts after Hurricane Katrina, served a tour in Afghanistan and as recently as March, rescued six people in Winnfield was stunned by the amount of flooding he has seen. "This doesn't even compare to Katrina. It is way worse ... more widespread," he said. "Those people in New Orleans live in a bowl but these people live in areas that have never flooded ... not in a 1,000 years. They had no way of knowing this was going to happen when they went to bed Friday night. "When they awoke at 3 a.m. Saturday morning, they had three feet of water in their homes," said McCann. "And it hasn't stopped. But these people are amazing. Everyone has a boat and they immediately put them to use. It is neighbor helping neighbor." His unit is flying over some of the hardest hit areas Baker, Zachary, Denham Springs, Amite, French Settlement, and up and down the Amite River and he said it takes a toll on the crew spiritually, emotionally and physically from seeing so many people enduring this kind of hardship. He asks people to pray for him and his unit's safety, but especially for the people devastated by the flood. "Pray for all these people down here," he said. "They have lost everything. They have lost their homes, their possessions, and their livelihood. But they haven't lost hope. We are meeting some amazing people every day. So, please pray for God to strengthen these people. "And, if possible, please send food, water and clothes this way," McCann said. "The need is great." This article published in The (Louisiana Baptist) Message and used with permission. SURPRISE: Funeral home wins after firing transgender employee; judge disputes EEOC finding of 'transgender' as a protected class 19 August, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , | DETROIT (Christian Examiner) A federal judge on Thursday ruled that a Michigan funeral home owner was within his rights to fire an employee who refused to comply with the company's dress code after announcing he would "transition" from male to female. In dismissing the case, U.S. District Judge Sean Cox also noted that the owner of the funeral home could consider his religious beliefs in terminating an employee because the Christian character of the service means it "operates as a ministry." The case began in 2014 when the U.S. government's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued RG & GR Harris Funeral Homes, Inc., for dismissing "Aimee" Stephens a male who had taken on a female persona and announced plans to live as a transgender. According to the EEOC, that action violated Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, which under the Barack Obama administration has been altered to include protections for transgenders. The funeral home said Stephens would be a man dressing as a woman in very personal, sensitive scenarios with families who had lost loved ones and were being serviced by the Christian funeral home. That situation could cause additional stress on the families, owner Thomas Rost alleged in response to the suit. Cox agreed and wrote in his opinion that the funeral home operated by Rost is "a ministry to serve grieving families while they endure some of the most difficult times in their lives." The judge based his ruling on his understanding that transgenders were not a protected class under Title VII, and added that the government had failed also to meet two key tests in its claims: 1) the idea of "compelling interest" and 2) seeking the least burdensome means for imposing a law that contradicts someone's religious beliefs. In other words, Cox said the government had no interest in deciding the employee dress of a private company, especially when the dress code is partly based on what the owner believes are religiously defined values that men should dress like men and women like women, and that to reject one's gender is an affront to God. "Rost sincerely believes that it would be violating God's commands if he were to permit an employee who was born a biological male to dress in a traditionally female skirt-suit at the funeral home because doing so would support the idea that sex is a changeable social construct rather than an immutable God-given gift," Cox said. "The Supreme Court has directed that it is not this Court's role to decide whether those 'religious beliefs are mistaken or insubstantial....' Instead, this Court's 'narrow function' is to determine if this is 'an honest conviction' and, as in Hobby Lobby, there is no dispute that it is." Cox was referencing the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, where the company's religious convictions were noted as the reason it refused to pay for government-mandated birth control pills (abortifacients) in its employee health plan. Rost was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom. ADF legal counsel Doug Wardlow, who argued the case for Rost, said the federal government had attempted to "strong-arm private business owners into violating their religious beliefs, and the court has affirmed that here." "The government must respect the freedom of those who are seeking to serve the grieving and vulnerable. They shouldn't be forced into violating their deepest convictions," Wardlow said in a statement. The EEOC had little to say after the ruling only that the government was "disappointed" and "reviewing next steps." That means the government will likely appeal the decision. Jillian Weiss, executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, said in a statement that the court got the ruling wrong. The decision, Weiss said, is a "major setback for transgender rights and sends chilling message about the implications of the Hobby Lobby case, which exempts closely-held companies from particular laws if they have a religious objection. "In ruling that an employer can force its employee to wear 'gender neutral' clothing because of the employer's' religious beliefs, the federal court has ignored both Supreme Court and appeals court rulings that correctly understand gender discrimination to be an illegal form of sex discrimination," Weiss said. Congress, however, never authorized the addition of "transgender" as a protected class in federal law. The interpretation that Title VII includes transgenders was made by the EEOC in 2012. A pregnancy center has filed a federal lawsuit against the City Council of Raleigh, North Carolina for refusing to allow them to operate their facility near an abortion clinic. LifeNews.com reports that last year, A Hand of Hope pregnancy center purchased land next to A Preferred Womans Health Center, which is an abortion clinic. A Hand of Hope requested that Raleighs City Council allow them to rezone the land they purchased from residential to commercial so that they could operate the pregnancy center. However, the City Council rejected their request, and argued that the land was for residential use only. A Hand of Hope believes that there are political motives behind the decision, and has therefore filed a federal lawsuit. The City Council is not above the law and tried to hide their political power play. Thankfully, the federal law was put in place to prevent politicians from masking their political preferences behind broad discretionary regulations, said attorney Noel Sterett of Mauck & Baker in Chicago, which is representing Hand of Hope. I hope we can all agree that our freedoms, property rights, and a womans right to be fully informed should not be subject to the political whims and discretion of a few city council members. A Hand of Hopes Executive Director Tonya Baker Nelson also stated that From all our research, it looked like our request fit right into the UDO (Raleighs development guidelines) and we were following all the rules laid out for us, step-by-step. The abortion clinic alleges that the pregnancy center would harass women who are seeking abortions if they were to operate near each other. A Hand of Hope has refuted this claim, however: We dont need to protest to attract ourselves to the community, Nelson stated. We will be located right beside the abortion clinic, much like McDonalds is across the street from Burger King, she added. It makes good business sense to go exactly where the people are that were trying to reach. A Hand of Hope operates two other pregnancy centers in North Carolina. The centers offer free and confidential pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD testing, counseling, and other services. Publication date: August 19, 2016 Four thousands Vietnamese Christians were beaten by police when they attempted to protest the governments contamination of the sea which is vital to the livelihood of many. The Christian Post reports that Formosa Plastic Group allegedly dumped large amounts of waste into the sea, contaminating 70 tons of fish. "Fishing is a vital and important source of income and food for Vietnam and would have a major impact on the economy if the situation continues without proper counter measures. As a result protests have continued and local authorities, in an attempt to quell the situation, have resorted to violence," reports International Christian Concern (ICC). Police reportedly blocked the protesters from marching on municipal officers in Ky Anh town. They also resorted to violence, injuring many people with blows from truncheons. Many Vietnamese families do not know how they will survive now that the sea has been polluted. Christian persecution in Vietnam is only increasing. Open Doors USA ranked the country twentieth on their World Watch List of worst countries for Christian persecution. Christians in Vietnam are not only targeted by the government, but also by those who are opposed to their faith. Back in July, three Christian homes were stoned by an angry mob due to their occupants' faith. Publication date: August 19, 2016 Weve talked before on BreakPoint about the fertility crisis facing China, Japan, and much of Europeall of which face what has been called a demographic winter. Until recently, the United States has been an exception to this distressing trend, but this seems no longer the case. To understand why, heres a primer. Demographers use two numbers to measure fertility rates: the average number of children a woman gives birth to during her lifetimethats called the total fertility rateand the number of births per 1,000 women, often referred to as the birth rate. If the total fertility rate drops below 2.1 children per woman, a country's population will shrink unless there are compensating levels of immigration. And thats whats been happening in the U.S. since at least 2008. Our total fertility rate has dropped below replacement levels, but has been masked by high levels of immigration in two distinct, but related, ways. First, immigrants replaced children that native-born Americans werent having. Second, immigrant women had higher than replacement-level fertility rates, which, as Jonathan Last of the Weekly Standard pointed out in his book, What to Expect When No One is Expecting, made our total fertility rate significantly higher than it would have otherwise been. The boost from immigration, however, appears to have ended. According to the CIAs World Factbook, our total fertility rate mirrors Swedens, Norways, and the United Kingdoms, and is even lower than Frances. And a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control suggests it may drop more. According to the report, the U.S. birth rate has dropped to an all-time low of 59.6 births per 1,000 women. So whats the big deal? Well, only economic catastrophe. Writing at The Week, Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry calls the record low birth rate a national emergency. And yet people are responding with a shrug. Heres a case in point: the Washington Posts treatment of the story. To the Post, the story was about policy. Young women are postponing childbirth, and thus, having fewer children, because Building a family, regardless of age, is expensive. But the Post, like Gobry, acknowledges that its not at all clear that governmental support programs would make much difference. Places like Denmark couldnt be more generous to would-be parents and yet Denmark has resorted to advertisements urging people to do it for Denmark. As Last pointed out, once fertility rates drop below a certain level, as they have in places like Japan, a kind of demographic snowball effect makes raising them almost impossible. Now dont get me wrong: We should welcome any policy that helps people who want more children afford them. But no government policy can make people want to have children. Thats a function of worldview. Which brings me to what Christians should think about this. As my colleague Warren Cole Smith points out, the solution is obvious: Start making babies again. Its easy. Its fun. Its good for America. And it brings great joy! But you might be surprised at how resistant many Christians are, including young people, to this counsel. Twice this summer, Ive made students cry just by suggesting that marriage and babies are biblically a package deal. Though Christians disagree about the morality of artificial birth control, we should agree that the contraceptive mindset, which treats children as optional only if we want them, runs contrary to Gods intention for marriage. The demographic winter is coming. In fact, the first snows have already fallen. Will we make what is already disaster even worse? BreakPoint is a Christian worldview ministry that seeks to build and resource a movement of Christians committed to living and defending Christian worldview in all areas of life. Begun by Chuck Colson in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on todays news and trends via radio, interactive media, and print. Today BreakPoint commentaries, co-hosted by Eric Metaxas and John Stonestreet, air daily on more than 1,200 outlets with an estimated weekly listening audience of eight million people. Feel free to contact us at BreakPoint.org where you can read and search answers to common questions. John Stonestreet, the host of The Point, a daily national radio program, provides thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview. Publication date: August 19, 2016 When the global Anglican Communion censured the Episcopal Church in the United States for redefining marriage eight months ago, it warned that similar actions would be applied to other provinces "when any unilateral decisions on matters of doctrine and polity are taken that threaten our unity." Next month, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) may toe up against that line. The ACSAwhich includes South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Angolawont allow clergy to marry same-sex couples like the Episcopal Church did, but it announced this week that when its provincial synod meets next month, the province will consider blessing same-sex civil unions and allowing clergy in legal same-sex civil unions. The motion proposes that any bishop of the church who wishes to do so may make provision for her or his clergy to provide pastoral care to those who identify as LGBTI, stated Thabo Makgoba, archbishop of Cape Town and ... 1 COGIC Charities Gives $50,000 to Louisiana Flood Victims Contact: Robert Coleman, Jr., 901-235-2160 MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 19, 2016 / COGIC Charities has committed $50,000 to help COGIC churches in the Southern Louisiana area hit by the recent flooding. The funds will be distributed through local jurisdictions to assist churches with their immediate needs. Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. says, "The Church of God in Christ is committed to assisting our churches in the Southern Louisiana area that have been affected by the recent flooding. Our goal is to help as many of our churches with whatever they may need to help get their congregations back on their feet." Currently, the Church of God in Christ has over 200 churches in the state of Louisiana and approximately five of them were damaged by or completely destroyed by floodwaters. These COGIC Charities funds will help local churches remove water, repair structures, provide food, water, clothing and any other assistance that may be needed. Working in conjunction with COGIC Charities, the International Missions Department has dispatched a team of workers to the Baton Rouge, LA area to assist churches there with cleanup, water removal and any additional needs affected congregations may require. COGIC Charities, the benevolent arm of the Church of God in Christ, provides assistance to areas devastated by natural disasters. Since it's founding in 2002, COGIC Charities has provided humanitarian relief to victims of hurricanes Sandy and Katrina, along with disasters in Flint, MI, Haiti, the Philippines, Nepal, Japan and Africa. COGIC Charities has contributed to various relief agencies, including The Salvation Army, the Horn of Africa Relief and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The Church of God in Christ is one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations in the world and the 4th largest Protestant group in the United States, with churches in over 82 countries worldwide and a membership of nearly 6.5 million adherents. Share Tweet Contact: Robert Coleman, Jr., 901-235-2160MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 19, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Church of God in Christ (COGIC) churches devastated by the recent flooding in Louisiana will receive assistance from COGIC Charities.COGIC Charities has committed $50,000 to help COGIC churches in the Southern Louisiana area hit by the recent flooding. The funds will be distributed through local jurisdictions to assist churches with their immediate needs.Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. says, "The Church of God in Christ is committed to assisting our churches in the Southern Louisiana area that have been affected by the recent flooding. Our goal is to help as many of our churches with whatever they may need to help get their congregations back on their feet."Currently, the Church of God in Christ has over 200 churches in the state of Louisiana and approximately five of them were damaged by or completely destroyed by floodwaters. These COGIC Charities funds will help local churches remove water, repair structures, provide food, water, clothing and any other assistance that may be needed.Working in conjunction with COGIC Charities, the International Missions Department has dispatched a team of workers to the Baton Rouge, LA area to assist churches there with cleanup, water removal and any additional needs affected congregations may require.COGIC Charities, the benevolent arm of the Church of God in Christ, provides assistance to areas devastated by natural disasters. Since it's founding in 2002, COGIC Charities has provided humanitarian relief to victims of hurricanes Sandy and Katrina, along with disasters in Flint, MI, Haiti, the Philippines, Nepal, Japan and Africa. COGIC Charities has contributed to various relief agencies, including The Salvation Army, the Horn of Africa Relief and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.The Church of God in Christ is one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations in the world and the 4th largest Protestant group in the United States, with churches in over 82 countries worldwide and a membership of nearly 6.5 million adherents. Case Closed - Kim Davis Has Won the Fight for Religious Freedom ASHLAND, Ky., Aug. 19, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has won the fight for religious freedom after a federal judge issued an order dismissing all three 2015 marriage license lawsuits against her yesterday. U.S. Judge David Bunning dismissed in their entirety, Miller v. Davis, Ermold v. Davis and Yates v. Davis, which brings to an end the trial proceedings against her arising from the 2015 Obergefell decision. Despite the ACLU's attempt to continue the case against Kim Davis and assess damages against her, the federal district court dismissed the case, closed the files and ordered all the pending cases to be removed from the docket. Davis, represented by Liberty Counsel, spent six days in jail last year for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in violation of her right to freedom of conscience. Davis would not issue the licenses because they had her name and authority on them. As a result, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed an executive order creating one marriage license form which does not require the county clerk's name and title. The Kentucky General Assembly made Governor Bevin's changes permanent with a bill that passed the State House with a 97-0 vote followed by a 36-0 vote in the State Senate. Bevin said his signature on the unanimous bipartisan legislation brought "statutory finality to the marriage license dilemma." "Kim Davis has won! We celebrate this victory for her and for every American," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "County clerks are now able to perform their public service without being forced to compromise their religious liberty. The case is now closed and the door has been shut on the ACLU's attempt to assess damages against Kim Davis. This victory is not just for Kim Davis. It is a victory for everyone who wants to remain true to their deeply-held religious beliefs regarding marriage while faithfully serving the public," said Staver. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. home Faith African Anglican churches urged not to follow Western liberals in acceptance of gay marriage, stick to Bible teachings A senior leader of the African Anglican community urged members to denounce their Western counterpart's acceptance of gay marriages and to stick to what the Bible teaches. Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the secretary general of the Anglican Communion, addressed the members of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) during their meeting in Rwanda to the uphold their conservative values based on the teachings of the Bible and to reject the forward steps by the Anglican churches in the West. Idowu-Fearon condemned the Western churches for openly accepting gay marriages. "We will never allow our churches to be taken over by views and programmes which suggest that the Bible is wrong," said Idowu-Fearon, according to the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS). "We will not crumble or bow the knee to a godless secular culture that despises the Bible and what it teaches," he vowed. He also criticized these Western churches for claiming to be progressives for taking a position which the Nigerian primate viewed as in direct contrast to the Bible. Idowu-Fearon pointed out instead that the African churches should be considered as the progressive ones because they refuse to be swayed by the liberal values of the West. The Anglican secretary-general also urged the African leaders not to allow themselves or their churches to be defined by "the pride of those who see us as lagging behind them" in almost all aspects, including theology. Idowu-Fearon rallied the African churches to focus their attentions instead to the real problems in society that are poverty, lack of drinking water, HIV/AIDS, development of future leaders and threats of militant Islam. At least 32 delegates also expressed a lack of confidence over the Church of England's synod on gay marriage held last month. "Whatever their stated purposes, the outcome has not led to a greater confidence that the Church will be guided by the authoritative voice of the Scriptures, and its decisive shaping of traditional Anglican teaching, in any forthcoming discussions," read the statement released on Anglican Mainstream. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby reportedly aimed for compromise on the homosexuality issue in order to avoid splinter among its Anglican churches. home US Benham Brothers warn parents of 'radical sexual revolution' in schools that endanger their kids Conservative Christians David and Jason Benham spoke of the dangers that kids and the American society face as radicals launch a new sexual revolution starting in schools. The prominent Christian speakers and identical twins took to Facebook Tuesday to double down on their opposition to a perceived sexual revolution launched in American schools. "From the hippie sexual revolution of the 60's to the gender unicorn todayaour school rooms are the fertile soil for godless government agendas," wrote the Benham brothers. Their post also featured a statement made by former President Abraham Lincoln that seemed to resonate on the current issues of the school system. "The philosophy of the classroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next," they quoted Lincoln as saying. The brothers also spoke last week at the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system's board meeting, where they urged parents "not to let our kids become pawns in the hands of radical, sexual revolutionaries who don't care about them, you, me or anyone but themselves." The Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board just introduced "The Gender Unicorn," something which the brothers described as resembling Barney but with a horn, in its adoption of President Barack Obama's transgender bathroom policy. The government threatens to withhold state funds from schools that refuse to allow their students to use bathrooms based on their gender identification rather than their biological sex. The Benham brothers said the scripture from Romans 1:22-23 seemed to describe the state of descent they find the American society in. It reads, "Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals ..." Speaking as a father of five and an employer of several parents around the Charlotte Metro area, David denounced the school's new guidelines that stripped away the parents' rights from getting involved in their kid's gender identification as well as allowing students to choose which gender to participate with during overnight school activities, among others. He said that the sexual revolution in the CMS policies started when the radicals pushed for acceptance and then asking for appreciation and then demanding for celebration and now forcing participation. home World Christians in Nigeria rebuild lives in communities shattered by Boko Haram persecution Nigerian Christians resumed their disruptive lives in communities that were almost completely destroyed by the Islamic insurgent group Boko Haram. Under the alias, Isaac, a church worker in the predominantly Christian state of Adamawa told World Watch Monitor that Boko Haram uprooted approximately two million people whom the Nigerian government now encouraged to return to their communities "because it's unable to provide for so many." Isaac said that many Christians also willingly obliged because they found that staying at the Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps placed them under pressure to convert to Islam just to receive food and that staying outside the camps forced them to rely on the goodwill of other people. He said Boko Haram still attacked from time to time yet these people preferred to return home. "The first thing I noticed after arriving was the great emotional strain on the returnees," said the church worker. He noted that many returned as widows and orphans. "To have fled violence and returned to ghost-towns was hard on them," he added. Isaac described how Boko Haram intentionally destroyed the communities to make living in the area difficult. The extremists destroyed the community's source of water homes, schools, health centers, and churches. "One pastor told me there wasn't a single Bible left a all were burned. 'This is one of the most painful things for us to deal with,' he said," recounted Isaac. Yet the church worker reported that the local Christians still continued their church activities by rebuilding their church houses or by simply sitting on the ground and gathering under the trees. "Local Christians don't expect much help from the government," noted Isaac "because, in some cases, aid is given to Muslims as a priority." While the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged the Christians to be ready to defend themselves and blasted Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari for his seeming unwillingness to protect the non-Muslims from the sectarian attacks, the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) accused Buhari of running an Islamist government and even abetting the attacks against Christians. The Christian militant group Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders (NDRC) also vowed to do the same to Muslims and their mosques should Boko Haram carry on its threats to kill Christians and burn down their churches. home Faith Donald Trump's joke of 'getting to Heaven' shows 'works-based Christianity,' says scholar Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recently joked that doing good as the next U.S. president might be his ticket to Heaven, but an evangelical scholar has responded by saying that Trump's words portray an incorrect view of Christianity. Dr. J.T. Bridges, Southern Evangelical Seminary's academic dean and assistant professor of philosophy, pointed out that the GOP party's chief bet for the White House exemplified a "works-based Christianity" on his idea of getting to Heaven. The 70-year-old real estate mogul addressed an audience of more than 700 evangelical pastors on Aug. 11 during an American Renewal Project event at the Orlando Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, where he joked about how the Oval Office could send him to Heaven. "So go out and spread the word and once I get in, I will do my thing that I do very well," said Trump. "And I figure it's probably maybe the only way I'm going to get to heaven. So I better do a good job." Trump made his audience laugh, but the academic philosopher shared a different idea of getting to Heaven. Bridges quoted the verses Romans 3:21-22 as well as Romans 4:4-5 for the answers. Romans 3:21-22 states, "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known. ... This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Bridges said that Trump's notion then could be "based in a wrong view of identity." "There is a mantra common in churches, motivated by genuine piety though false, that in Christ Jesus I am 'just a sinner saved by grace,'" Bridges told The Christian Post. He explained that those who continue to hold such thinking continue to reject the idea that Jesus Christ already saved them from their sins and so they should no longer consider themselves as "a sinner" or "unsaved." Rather, these people cling to the idea of a "wrathful judge," whom they work hard to appease. The Federalist's Rebecca Cusey also dissected Trumps Christian theology in an op-ed on Aug. 10 where she lifted a passage from the billionaire businessman's 2005 book "Think Like a Billionaire" that showed he perceived "Christianity as a ledger sheet." While Cusey contended that Trump's ledger sheet concept might be an attractive ideology, she maintained this as incorrect, a misunderstanding and a common heresy. home World French Cardinal urges Christians and Muslims to 'work together' after Normandy church attacks French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran stressed that peaceful relations between Christians and Muslims could defeat the threats of radical terrorism that caused the life of an 85-year-old French Catholic priest, among others. The president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue responded to the extremists' brutal murder of Fr. Jacques Hamel at a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray on July 26 by urging Christians to embrace Muslims. Cardinal Tauran pointed out that the extremists' goal for Fr. Hamel's murder, hailed afterwards by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) terrorist group, was to prove "that peaceful coexistence among Muslims and Christians is impossible." Therefore, he urged Christians and Muslims that "can a rather, we must a work together and promote religious instruction." "But we have demonstrated and we believe that we must join forces in the name of God to work together for harmony and unity in a spirit of sincerity and mutual trust," wrote the French cardinal on Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano on Aug. 12, as reported by the Catholic Herald. Fr. Pierre Belhache, who handles relations with the Muslim community in Normandy, shared the cardinal's views when he asserted that the two religious communities "won't let anyone divide us. It is so rich to have these differences but still be together." The French Muslim and Christian community showed solidarity right after the attack when they gathered together in a mosque in Normandy as well as during a Sunday mass in Rouen. "We are all Catholics of France," BBC quoted Anouar Kbibech, head of the French Muslim Council (CFCM), as saying. The Muslim leaders in the region refused to participate in the burial rites for one of the church attackers. French imam Abdelatif Hmitou also renounced the church attackers as not belonging to the same civilization and humanity as everyone else. Leading figures of the Islamic faith from across the globe also individually condemned the attacks of ISIS and the Normandy church attack. Dominique Lebrun, the archbishop of Rouen, accepted the sincerity of the Muslims' gesture of fraternity. "That it's not Islam which killed Jacques Hamel," the archbishop told BFMTV. home World Pope Francis expressed solidarity with victims of Madeira wildfires in Portugal Pope Francis sent his condolences and sympathies to the victims of the raging wildfires in Portugal that killed at least four and evacuated thousands. Bishop AntAnio JosA Cavaco Carrilho of Funchal, Portugal read out Tuesday during a mass service the pontiff's letter that extended "solidarity and spiritual closeness" with the wildfire victims and shared his prayer for "courage and consolation in Christian hope." "We cannot but remember those who have died and express our deepest solidarity to all who have experienced angst and suffering, in particular those who have lost their homes and belongings," read Bishop Carrilho, according to Catholic Herald. The wildfires that "appalled" the pope started Aug. 9 as a series of fires lit up by arsonists, some of whom the police claimed to have arrested already. "This abnormal situation surpasses the normal response capacity of our forces," said Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, as reported by Reuters. The strong winds and high temperature further fanned the fires in the island of Madeira and spread to the region of Funchal. Authorities reportedly sent out at least 2,000 firefighters to combat the hundreds of devouring wildfires. The European Union community pitched in to help quell the wildfires that seemed out of control. Lisbon sent more than a hundred emergency service workers, Spain and Morocco sent two planes, Italy sent an aircraft, and East Timor donated a2M. The U.K. also sent a bulk of specialist equipment while the Russian Helicopters sent helicopters, which Ka-32A11BC multirole helicopters prided for its "ability to extinguish fires quickly and effectively in the most difficult situations." "The Ka-32A11BC multirole helicopters, produced by the Russian Helicopters holding, have taken part in extinguishing major fires on Portugal's Madeira Island," the Russian Helicopters company said in a statement, according to Sputnik. According to the Associated Press, the EU's Forest Fire Information System reported that the recent wildfires in Portugal already made up nearly 116,000 hectares (286,600 acres) or almost half of more than 217,000 hectares (536,200 acres) of charred forest land in the 28-nation EU bloc. home Sports Triple Jump gold medal winner, Christian Taylor, gives glory to God after Rio 2016 Olympics win Olympic gold medalist Christian Taylor made giving glory to God the reason for what he does and said that's what also keeps him grounded and motivated. The 26-year-old American Christian jumped 17.86m for the men's triple jump event on Tuesday, which landed him the gold medal for the second consecutive time, making him the world's first triple jumper in 40 years to repeat his win as well as the first American athlete to win back-to-back golds for the event since 1904. Taylor previously talked about his Christian faith as the reason and purpose behind what he's doing. "This is what I do it for," Taylor told Passion for Sports. "This is what keeps me grounded, this is what motivates me. This is what I do it for, at the end of the day," he added. He also credited his grandmother for persistently reminding him to "Give God the glory," which he believes keeps him grounded. "As a human, you get excited and say 'Yeah, look what I did!' And my grandma always finds a way to put in that little message, like 'No, don't forget'," shared the athlete. Taylor also relied on his faith when he underwent an extra tough training that required him to re-learn what he's good at and start from scratch again when he switched from jumping off from his left foot, which secured him the gold medal in London 2012 Olympics, to the other. He said the necessity came about when his knee joints threatened to blow out his knee and also his dreams of ever competing again. "My faith keeps me to who I am, because a lot of times there are a lot of distractions, a lot of pressures that come with the lifestyle," Taylor told CNN. The Christian athlete, who claims to read his daily devotions, failed to smash Britain's Jonathan Edwards world record of 18.29m (60 feet) in 1995. "He'll get it one day," tweeted Edwards himself after the competition. "Great champion and a real gentleman." home Entertainment Jesus actor in 'Ben-Hur' film, Rodrigo Santoro, blessed by Pope Francis Pope Francis has blessed Rodrigo Santoro, the Brazilian actor cast for the role of Jesus Christ in new movie re-make "Ben-Hur." Santoro, known for his role in "Love Actually," received the rare privilege when he and co-star Nazanin Boniadi attended a weekly Papal Audience on April 15 during a film break in Italy. Boniadi captured the moment and shared the photo on Instagram. Hollywood's Christian couple Roma Downey and Mark Burnett took it as a blessing for their rendition of the biblical epic, slated for nationwide release in the U.S. on Friday and in the U.K. on Sept. 7. "Pope Francis personally blessed Rodrigo Santoro. That was an extraordinary moment for him, and for us," Downey, the film's executive producer, told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview. She also praised Santoro's portrayal of Jesus in the film as compared to Claude Heater, the actor who played Christ in the movie's 1959 version. "He brings a gentle strength but also a beautiful timelessness to the role," said Downey. "Jesus was more of an imperial presence, he wasn't interpreted as a person you could see or feel his presence." The couple said that they loved the script written by the renowned screenwriter John Ridley, known for the Oscar-winning "12 Years a Slave," for shifting the movie's theme from vengeance to forgiveness and reconciliation. "That's something John Ridley addressed in his script. Not only he [Jesus] the son of God, but the son of man," said Downey. They also shared that the movie received tremendous support from "across denominations from all churches across the country," including that of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop Gomez in Los Angeles and Cardinal Sean O'Malley. The couple also asserted the importance of their Christian faith and that their adaptation of "Ben-Hur" carried a message relevant to the present times. Burnett, one of the producers of the film, revealed that he starts his daily routine with "small prayers" followed by a couple of hours of physical exercise and then a "solid half an hour ... to do nothing but praying." Jack Huston of "Boardwalk Empire" plays the title role of Judah Ben-Hur. Morgan Freeman, Toby Kebbell, Ayelet Zurer and Sofia Black D'Elia also star in the film. home Entertainment 'Ben-Hur' 2016 movie releases: A new take on Jesus' story The new "Ben-Hur" film is out, and looks to take the original classic a step further and effect a deeper involvement of Jesus Christ in its main characters' stories. The film devotes more time to the life of Christ compared to previous Ben-Hur films, and that is something that will delight Christians flocking to theaters across the globe to see the movie. "Ben-Hur," a joint endeavor of MGM and Paramount, is directed by Timur Bekmambetov ("Wanted"), and produced by Mark Burnett ("Survivor") and Roma Downey ("Touched by an Angel"). In an interview with CBN News, Downey said, "I think that one of the most interesting things about Ben-Hur is that you have this fictional story, set at this time in Jerusalem and it gives a real historical and political context to the world in which Jesus was born, a very complicated time." The film is about the life of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a first century Jewish prince who was betrayed by his brother Messala (Toby Kebbell). Messala sent Ben-Hur to toil in slavery and the latter returned to avenge his family's death. "(It was) a time of great civil unrest, and in injustice and heartache and hurt for an enormous amount of people and we are following the journey of these two brothers, Judah and Messala and we literally just kind of bump into Jesus in the market place," Downey added. Nazanin Boniadi, who plays Esther in the movie, told CBN News that the film is relevant to the present day where there is so much hate and negativity. She quoted Martin Luther King and said, "Darkness doesn't drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate doesn't drive out hate. Only love can do that. This film is about love conquering hate." "Ben-Hur" is based on one of the world's best-selling novels, "Ben-Hur: A Tale of Christ" by Lew Wallace. The book has captured readers since its publication in 1880 and has been translated into over 40 languages, according to CBN. It is no wonder that the current remake is already the third of its kind. The most popular of which is the 1959 version which starred the late Charlton Heston and made movie history with 11 Academy Awards. In an article on Word on Fire, Bishop Robert Barron, founder of Word On Fire Catholic Ministries said, "To tell a tale of Christ is to tell a tale of grace. This, I believe, is what Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, who have emerged as two of the more effective evangelists in the world today, wanted us to see in this updated Ben-Hur." "Ben-Hur" hits theaters on Aug. 19. home Faith Transgender identification among children has 'no scientific basis,' pediatricians claims The American College of Pediatricians said that science does not substantially support claims among children who identify as transgender. The coalition of conservative pediatricians released its report early this month that categorized gender dysphoria (GD) in children merely as a psychological condition and that although many men may identify as transgender women, "this belief has no scientific basis." According to ACP's findings, 80 to 95 percent of children with GD eventually grow into their adolescence with the acceptance of their biological sex. "The treatment of GD in childhood with hormones effectively amounts to mass experimentation on, and sterilization of, youth who are cognitively incapable of providing informed consent," wrote ACP. The group denounces the unethical intervention of the administration under President Barack Obama that easily allowed for sex reassignment surgery and other procedures to be performed on minors. ACP maintains minors do not yet possess the capability to make such major life-changing decisions. This became the plight of Dr. Kathleen Levinstein, an academic mother who found herself helpless from preventing her 19-year-old autistic daughter from undergoing major body altercations. Levinstein accused her daughter's gender therapist of easily approving the surgeries after only two meetings. ACP decried sex change among children as another form of child abuse. "Conditioning children into believing that a lifetime of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex is normal and healthful is child abuse," the group said. The health professionals, who argued that "no one is born with a gender" but only biological sex, also published a statement in March where they pointed out at least eight reasons to explain why gender ideology harms children. "A person's belief that he or she is something they are not is, at best, a sign of confused thinking," they said. Christian conservative speakers and identical twins David and Jason Benham spoke last week at the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system's board meeting to urge parents "not to let our kids become pawns in the hands of radical, sexual revolutionaries who don't care about them, you, me or anyone but themselves." The Benham brothers accused the radical left of launching the sexual revolution and vehemently opposed "The Gender Unicorn" character introduced by the CMS board. Bible Museum in U.S. capital gets Liberty Bell replica as its first display If you are planning to visit the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. next year, here's some exciting news: The museum is starting to get filled and recently got its first display. A replica of the Liberty Bellan icon of American independence used to summon lawmakers and citizens for public meetings during the early daysis the first display to arrive at the Bible Museum in the U.S. capital. Museum of the Bible President Cary Summers explained that the replica, called "The Spirit of Liberty Bell," is a fitting first display for the museum, since it symbolises the significance of the Holy Scriptures to the U.S. as a nation. "The Liberty Bell exemplifies how the Bible is interwoven into American history from the nation's earliest years," Summers said, as quoted by Charisma News. He also pointed out that this important piece of American history has a Bible verse engraved on it: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," taken from the Book of Leviticus in the Old Testament. "By quoting Leviticus, we literally see the Bible's influence forged into one of America's most enduring symbols of the founding ideals of freedom, equality and independence," Summers said. What's more exciting is the fact that unlike the original Liberty Bell, guests of the Bible Museum will be able to ring "The Spirit of Liberty Bell" when the place opens late next year. The bell stands six feet tall, weighs 3,200 pounds, and peals in E-flat, the same key as the original. The original replica of the Liberty Bell was given to the Bible Museum by Dr. Peter Lillback, founder of the Providence Forum and received by the museum's curator of Americana, Norm Conrad. It was manufactured at Whitechapel Foundry in London where the original Liberty Bell was produced, and started traveling to Washington D.C. last June. Bishop blesses classic cars: 'we're men of faith AND cars!' A Californian Catholic Bishop has taken the unusual step of blessing cars at a rally. He and his fellow clergy were taking part in a new tradition in the courtyard of the Carmel Mission church in Monterey. More than 50 classic cars were on display at the 'Carmel Mission Classic' which is part of the wider Monterey Car Week. The Most Rev Richard Garcia attended the event and took part in a service at the church. "We call on God to bless all these cars and the people who bring them here," Garcia said. "He has blessed us to create great and beautiful work." Tickets to the blessing cost $50 each and the proceeds go to local charities. Carmel Mission is already a famous landmark in the area, being the burial place of Father Junipero Serra, who was canonised last year despite some protest to the Pope. But now it's becoming known for a different reason. This is the fourth year the car rally has taken place at the church. Rico Tesio, who works at Carmel Mission, said: "We are men of faith. But we are also men of cars". Cars on display included a 1915 Ford Roadster pickup truck, a 1934 Packard, a 1959 Porsche Carrera, a 1968 Pontiac GTO and a 2005 Ford GT. More than a thousand people attended as the Bishop prayed a blessing on everyone attending, before they tucked into food and wine. Additional reporting by Reuters. Clinton gets an 'A' grade, Trump an 'F' when assessed by US atheist group Hillary Clinton has been awarded top marks by the atheist lobby group Secular Coalition for America (SCA) in a voting guide for non-believers which gave Donald Trump the lowest score. The SCA highlighted eight issues "important to secularist voters". Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, received an 'A' grade, while Trump, the Republican candidate, received an 'F'. Questions used to assess the candidates include: "Do you support a mutual separation between religion and government?", "Would you have any hesitation in appointing a well-qualified non-theist candidate to a leadership position in your administration?", "Would your religious beliefs influence public health care policy as it relates to access for reproductive health care?", and "Do you support comprehensive, evidence-based, and medically accurate sex education curricula in public schools?" The SCA is a non-profit advocacy organisation based in Washington DC and made up of a coalition of 18 groups that represent "atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheistic Americans." The organisation, which assessed the candidates itself, is dedicated to "amplifying the diverse and growing voice of the non-theistic community in the United States." Its Secular Values Voter campaign is intended to "educate political candidates about the significant and rapidly growing secular constituency, the issues they care about, and the values for which they stand". The SCA assessed the candidates using their public statements or previous actions. Clinton's favourable score will not come as a surprise to Catholics and conservative evangelicals who have criticised the Democrat for her position on exemptions for religious institutions on equality legislation and softening the party's position on abortion. Christopher White, the director of Catholic Voices USA, condemned both candidates in this "bizarre" election. He told Christian Today: "Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton present serious challenges for Catholics in this election. Neither candidate has a strong record on protecting and promoting religious liberty and both are poster children for the throwaway culture that Pope Francis has routinely denounced. "Catholics should seize this bizarre election cycle as an opportunity to promote cultural renewal and rebuild from the ground up." Councillors blame national leaders over child refugee crisis Officials in local and central government continued to squabble over responsibility for child refugees after councillors said lone children in Calais have suffered from a failure in national leadership. Following a visit to the 'Jungle' refugee camp, councillors said it had fallen to local authorities to "step up" after a lack of leadership from party leaders. Former Prime Minister David Cameron agreed to accept unaccompanied child refugees who have family ties in the UK after an amendment by Labour peer Lord Dubs piled pressure on the government. But it is thought more than 100 unaccompanied children remain in the Calais 'Jungle' camp despite being eligible for UK asylum. Stephen Cowan, Labour leader of Hammersmith and Fulham council, blamed the government and his own party leader Jeremy Corbyn for not taking charge. "Yvette Cooper (chair of Labour's refugee taskforce) is doing an amazing job," he said. "Lord Dubs is a friend of mine who has shown leadership, but it's not coming from the front bench on the mainstream parties." But the government said local authorities needed to agree to care for lone child refugees and added funding had been provided. Responsibility falls on local councils to care for unaccompanied children by providing schooling, foster care, university fees and housing. They receive funding from central government for this and a Home Office spokeswoman said local authorities such as Hammersmith and Fulham "must be willing to offer support to all unaccompanied children in need regardless of how they arrive in the UK." Councillors said there were issues identifying eligible children in the Calais camp and promised to help French authorities with this process. Representatives from the Local Government Assosiation (LGA) met with French counterparts during their visit to Calais and offered support to help register and process unaccompanied children. David Simmonds from the LGA said: "It feels like goodwill has been missing from this process for a while... I imagine France, and the mayor in particular, are a bit fed-up being criticised by people in other countries and what local government is good at is finding practical solutions, so that's what we're going to do." Egypt: Coptic Church slams church building law after string of attacks on Christians Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church has attacked "complexities and obstacles" in amendments to the long-awaited church building draft law which Christians hope will boost their ability to build new churches. After meeting with state officials this week, the Coptic Orthodox Church said in a statement that it was "surprised to find unacceptable amendments". Without identifying the nature of the amendments, the Church described them as "impractical" and said they had been drafted "with no consideration for the citizenship or patriotism of Egyptian Copts". Egyptian Christians have long faced problems when trying to build new churches because of extensive state regulations. Egypt currently grants common law rights to mosques but not to churches. There have been hopes that a new eight-article bill would reduce the regulation involved by setting a four month limit to process requests to build or renovate churches. The government-drafted law is reportedly also likely to designate any building where Christian services are held as a "licensed church". Egypt has seen a number of Muslim mob attacks on Christians in recent months amid rumours that secret churches are being set up. Talks between the Church and the government will continue next week. The stand-off comes after a group of Egyptian Christians took part in a rare protest in downtown Cairo last Saturday, saying that they are being treated as second class citizens in the Muslim-majority country and calling on the government to defend their rights. Despite a draconian ban on protests in Egypt, some three dozen protesters held signs demanding rights in disputes between Muslims and Christians. The talks over church building law and the protest this month followed a string of attacks against Christians, especially in the Minya region, home to a relatively high proportion of Coptic Christians. Last month, police arrested 15 people after an arson attack on homes belonging to Coptic Christians in an Upper Egyptian village. Days before that, the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of Minya, Anba Makarios, called on police to enforce the law protecting citizens from sectarian violence, saying that attacks are taking place at an average of one every 10 days. On July 5, an Orthodox Christian nun from Mar Girgis Monastery in Old Cairo was killed after reportedly being hit by a stray bullet on the Cairo-Alexandria Highway. June saw the assault on homes of Christian families in the village of Karm el Loofy, the burning of a kindergarten run by Christians in Minya, and the murder on June 30 of Rafael Moussa, a Coptic Orthodox priest of the church of St George. In May, also in Minya, a 70-year-old Christian woman said to be the mother of a man who was allegedly romantically involved with a Muslim woman was stripped naked by a mob of 300 Muslims and paraded through the streets of her village. Tensions between Christians and Muslims have intensified in the country since the Arab Spring of 2011. The worst single incident came in February 2015, with the beheadings by Islamic State of 21 Egyptian Christian migrant workers. Egypt has an estimated population of nine million Christians. Mostly Orthodox Copts, they account for about 10 per cent of Egypt's population, which is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim. Fresh crisis for German Catholic Church as ordinations sink to new low An unprecedentedly low number of Catholic priests in Germany are being ordained, new figures show, as a crisis appears to be engulfing the Church in that country. Only 58 men joined the clergy in 2015, according to the figures released by the German Episcopal Conference this week. The number of ordinations has dropped by half in the past decade: In 2005, a total of 122 diocesan priests were ordained, and five decades ago, in 1965, the number was 500. Today, there are 14,000 Catholic priests active in Germany, down from almost 20,000 in 1990. Meanwhile, only 96 new seminarians trainee priests were registered in 2015, the lowest number ever. At the same time, 309 priests died, and 19 left the priesthood. The new figures for priests being ordained are the latest element of what appears to be a crisis in the German Catholic Church. In July, it emerged that almost 200,000 Catholics left the Church in Germany last year, according to figures which show an ongoing, steady decline in church attendance. There are 23.7 million Catholics in Germany, comprising 29 per cent of the population of 80 million, making Catholicism the largest religious group. But figures released last month by the German Bishops' Conference show that in 2015, a total of 181,925 people left the Church, while 2,685 people became Catholic, and 6,474 reverted to Catholicism. When compared to the official statistics of 20 years ago, average church attendance was down from 18.6 per cent in 1995 to 10.4 per cent in 2015, while the number of baptisms has declined by more than a third, from almost 260,000 in 1995 to just over 167,000 in 2015. The decline in marriages was even steeper, with 86,456 couples marrying in church 21 years ago, and almost half that number 44,298 couples tying the knot in church last year. Despite the figures, the head of the conference, Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, last month described the Church as a continuing "strong force, whose message is heard and accepted". Cardinal Marx added: "We need a 'sophisticated pastoral practice' that does justice to the diverse lifeworlds of people and convincingly passes on the hope of the Faith. The conclusion of last year's synod of bishops and the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis are important signposts... Pope Francis gives us courage... when he tells us that the way of the future Church is the way of a 'synodal church'. That means: All faithful are called upon, laypeople and priests! Together we will continue to give convincingly witness to our Faith and the Gospel". Critics of the Church in Germany point to the Kirchensteuer, or church tax system, which raises very large sums for the Church. In 2013 for example, the Catholic Church in Germany received almost 5.5 billion (4.6 billion) via the tax. The tax is believed to put Catholics off practising their faith, and only around a third of German Catholics actually pay the levy, which originates from the 19th Century and is paid as a supplement to income tax. The wealthy nature of the German Church was illustrated by Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, the notorious "Bishop of Bling" removed for his lavish spending by Pope Francis in 2014. Recent figures also show that among the current clergy, more than half 54 per cent go to confession only "once a year or less." From armed robbery to ministry: The amazing story of the vicar travelling the length of the UK for his church A disabled vicar who is planning to travel from John O'Groats to Land's End in his wheelchair next month has described how he found God in prison and lifted himself out of a life of serious crime to become a church minister. The Vicar of St John's, Bransholme in Hull, Matthew Martinson, says he has "no idea" where he will sleep during his journey, for which he hopes to raise 25,000 towards his church, adding: "I'll ask God to help me". Speaking to Christian Today ahead of his trip, Martinson told of his progress from abusive background and life of homelessness, drugs and a prison sentence for armed robbery, to sailing through the selection process to become a vicar. "I grew up in a very abusive background with my father," he says. "I joined the army to try to escape but there were lots of problems there as well, and eventually I was discharged after repeatedly going AWOL." Martinson, from Hornsea near Hull, was in a destructive relationship at the time and he and his then-girlfriend called in a vicar to help. "From the moment he walked in I knew there was something different and I wanted it God's presence and I sensed that God was telling me that he loved me. And I thought how can you love me with all that I've done, all the hurt? But I got a message back that he did love me." But despite this glimpse of a life that was to come, within weeks Martinson was back on the streets, around York and Leeds, his relationship ended and he turned to crime. "And unfortunately that's when I committed the armed robbery," he said. He was arrested weeks later. "The police put me in a police cell and as soon as they'd locked me in that door that presence came back. God conveyed to me right, you need to make a choice it's either me or the lifestyle that you'd been choosing and I gave God a chance and as soon as I did I felt God's love come and touch me." Martinson was sentenced to 11 years and although he only served four, life in prison was a struggle despite his budding faith. He ended up in Wolds prison near Everthorpe in East Riding, and credits an "amazing" chaplain there, Dave Carswell, with "helping me to understand what it meant to be a Christian, how I needed to live, the grounding". The former criminal says it was "really, really hard to practice faith in prison people want to try you and test you, but I saw God at work on many occasions." Then, a couple of days before he was released, he sent himself a card to where he was going to stay with one of the chaplaincy saying: 'Don't forget about Jesus as He hasn't forgotten about you.' "I needed to hear that because of all the temptations, leaving prison was so hard." Martinson nearly went back to drugs "I had a couple of wobbly experiences" but his faith saw him through, and he gravitated to a church in Bridlington, Christ Church. There, he met his wife, Haley "our eyes met over a crowded pew," he says and the couple felt that God was calling Martinson to Bible College. Despite having no qualifications and barely being able to read or write, Martinson ended up at the Assembies of God Bible College in Doncaster. "It was amazing," he says. "I had three years of really good Bible teaching. It was really hard. Haley helped me with the reading and writing, and they wouldn't let me quit. Eventually I came out with a degree in theology which was pretty amazing." The couple then set up a charity called Beyond Bars, distributing Christian material to current prisoners along with prostitutes, alcoholics and drug offenders, and helping people to get into rehab. Then, Martinson says, "God really started to speak to us again about me going forward to ordination which I thought was impossible. I went back to Christ Church in Bridlington. The procedure normally takes ages but the vicar, Jonathan Cooper, really believed in me and put me through to selection process and I became a minister." Martinson did his C of E training at St. John's College, Nottingham, before completing another course in Beverley and eventually settling as a vicar in Hull. Martinson has not walked since he woke up one morning six years ago with no feeling in his legs, after undergoing operations for trapped nerves, prolapsed discs and other spinal and pelvic problems. This was when Martinson was still training to be a vicar but he refused to let it get in the way of his calling. Now, he is preparing to travel the length of the country, with no-one but God for company. An electric trike attached to the wheelchair will help during climbs, but the battery will only manage a maximum of 20 miles. "My wife, Haley, and our son, Seth, think I am mad, but they both understand why I want to do it, and totally and utterly support me, as does my bishop, Alison White," Martinson told the Church Times. Martinson's progress will be logged on his website, www.end-to-end.co.uk where he can be sponsored and on Facebook. Asked where he will stay during his journey, Martinson, who is hoping to find people to put him up, laughs. "No idea is the short answer to that!" German interior minister backs ban on burqas The burqa "does not belong" in Germany, the country's interior minister said on Friday as a fierce debate raged over face covering and integration. Thomas de Maiziere, from the Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) bloc, backed a partial ban on the full veil in a controversial move ahead of key state elections next month. "We agree that we reject the burqa, we agree that we want to introduce a legal requirement to show one's face in places where it is necessary for our society's coexistence at the wheel, at public offices, at the registry office, in schools and universities, in the civil service, in court," he told national television. The partial ban represents a compromise as the veil would only be banned under certain circumstances, as opposed to the total ban in place in France and favoured by Germany's right-wing politicians. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party are set to make strong gains in the upcoming elections and de Maiziere's softer stance hopes to appease voters unease about security following two recent terror attacks in Germany claimed by ISIS. De Maiziere said the burqa "does not belong in our cosmopolitan country", insisting the ban was about social integration and not security. Merkel is keen not to surrender to the AfD's claim that the influx of more than one million migrants and refugees has threatened Germany's security. He echoed Merkel's views who said on Thursday: "In my view, a fully covered woman has little chance of integrating in Germany". De Maiziere added: "We want to show our faces to each other and that is why we agree that we reject this the question is how we put this into law." Merkel's grand right-left coalition holds an overwhelming majority in Bundestag lower house and de Maiziere said he is "likely to win approval". Only last week he rejected a ban saying: "We can't ban everything that we reject, and I reject the wearing of the burqa." The change was pushed by two CDU ministers from the regions who have elections next month rural Meckenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin where pressure from the AfD is intense. The compromise is unlikely to become law before next year's parliamentary elections but it may become an election issue as the AfD's rise to prominence continues. Holy Spirit touches pastor's wayward son, saving him from a life of sin; now he preaches to save other people's lives Although he was the son of a pastor and spent "endless hours" in church, D.R. Harrison had "zero interest" in God and was a "bitter and angry" young man when he left home at the age of 21. Harrison tells God Reports that at that time all he wanted was to "chase after money and fame." He says for 12 yearsfrom age 21 to 33he never entered the doors of a church. "All I cared about was how much money I could make," he admits. During this time, he became an alcoholic and "did a lot of things I never dreamed I would do." But God did not give up on him. On May 19, 2016, something happened to Harrison that radically changed his life. On that day, he received a call from evangelist C.T. Townsend who wanted him to edit some revival videos. At that time he owned a video production company in Burlington, North Carolina. Townsend said he wanted the video editing finished by 5 p.m. that same day. Initially, Harrison objected, saying, "We schedule our projects months in advance and there's no way we can do it." But Townsend was insistent. "D.R., God told me you were supposed to edit this video," he told him. Harrison was still hesitant but accepted the video editing job albeit reluctantly. He never edits videos himself, but that day, he edited it. The video shows what a lost man would experience when he died and had to stand before God during Judgment Day. He says he heard that story "10 million times." Yet, when he started editing the video, "for the first time in 12 years, the Holy Spirit started dealing with my heart." God then spoke to Harrison's heart, telling him, "Son, I love you and I want to use you in ways you could never imagine. If you turn me away tonight, I will never speak to you again." Harrison was stunned. He tried to get the idea out of his mind. But when he woke up the next day, God continued to hound him. The point came when he couldn't take it anymore. On his smart phone, Harrison began to watch a live stream of the Burlington revival service led by Townsend. It was then that the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit swept him. He fell on his knees and cried out to God: "I can't save myself... I'm just a poor, lost, hell-bound preacher's kid, but God, if you'll save me, I'll give you my life." When he stood up after a few moments of introspection, he says he felt like a new man. "Everything I had been taught in my youth made sense for the first time," Harrison says. The next day he called the evangelist and also his dad. All were jubilant, shouting for joy and praising God over the phone. Harrison then began preaching revivals. He is now visiting various churches across America and sharing his testimony, and everywhere he shared his testimony, people got saved. "Eleven weeks ago I was sitting on a barstool drinking. God has done all this in 11 weeks," he says. "It would take the rest of eternity to tell people what God has done in my life in the last 11 weeks. It's a modern day miracle and I thank God for what he's won," Harrison says. Massive nationwide protests prompt Colombian president to cancel 'transgender education' plan There will be no indoctrination of schoolchildren on the new gender ideology in Colombia, which is being pushed by the United Nations. The Colombian people made sure of that as they held massive protests throughout the country last week, prompting President Juan Manuel Santos to cancel all plans to impose "transgender education" on the nation's schools, LifeSite News reports. The nationwide protests were spurred by a booklet, purportedly issued by the Ministry of Education, on teaching students to accept transsexualism and homosexuality. The booklet also teaches that there is no fundamental difference between male and female. The booklet and other teaching manuals were produced in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF. The Catholic bishops' conference and Colombia's attorney general both condemned the booklet, leading to the protests that drew tens of thousands of outraged parents to the streets of several major cities, demanding an end to the program and the removal of Education Minister Gina Parody. Speaking to the nation, Santos said the booklet, titled "Non-Hegemonic Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities in Schools," "will not be authorised" for use by the Ministry of Education. Despite the president's assurance, Colombia's attorney general, Alejandro Ordonez, told reporters that "we parents will be vigilant" regarding what he sees as an attempt by the government to "indoctrinate" children with the new gender ideology. "It's been demonstrated that this booklet exists. It's been demonstrated that there was an inter-administrative agreement. It's been demonstrated that they've been giving workshops to school principals for this purpose," he said. "An education policy can't be used to threaten and seek to take away the rights of parents to decide the education of their children," he added, warning that "the government must correct this because we parents are not going to permit them to continue developing education policy in this direction." Meanwhile, the nation's Catholic bishops welcomed their government's decision not to promote or implement gender ideology in schools following last week's mass protests, the Catholic Herald reports. The bishops thanked the president for agreeing to talk with them, saying that they "received with satisfaction the announcement of the National Government and the Department of Education that they will not promote or implement gender ideology in the country." Mauritania: Anti-slavery activists sentenced to up to 15 years in prison More than a dozen anti-slavery activists in Mauritania have been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison despite calls from human rights activists to release them and reports that they have been tortured. The criminal court in the capital city Nouakchott passed sentences of between 3 and 15 years, according to local reports. The 13 activists from the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IfRA) had been charged with rebellion, violence, and 'membership of an unrecognised organisation' due to some local riots earlier in the year, though Amnesty International said they had not been present at the disturbance. Amnesty had previously called on the West African country's authorities to release the activists. Lawyers for the activists had boycotted the proceedings due to reports that the detainees have endured torture. Mauritania has one of the highest levels of slavery in the world, according to the World Slavery Index, with around 1 per cent of its population enslaved. The IfRA claims that the government is trying to discredit its movement by linking it to the riots, according to the news agency Reuters. "From the first hours of the riots, and even without knowing their cause or the details, an order was given to government media to start a campaign to link the IRA with the violence," said IfRA spokesperson Issa Ould Aliyine at a news conference. The riots had started after police moved squatters and former slaves from an area where they had been living illegally for decades. Though slavery was officially abolished in Mauritania in 1981, and is against the law, anti-slavery organisations continue to document cases in the country, Amnesty said, though the government frequently opposes their activity. Prayer and religion banned in Chinese hospitals Hospitals in an eastern province of China have banned all kinds of religious activity, including receiving pastors, praying for the sick and preaching, in the latest crackdown on Christianity. According to Asia News, an official Roman Catholic press agency, public hospitals have been told that "all forms of religious activity are banned". The Wenzhou Central Hospital was told to post the notice its walls, and nurses and other medical staff were told to inform patients and visitors. Wenzhou, in Zhejiang province, has been dubbed the 'Jerusalem of China' because it has had so much missionary activity in the past, and now has around a million Christians living in the city. "The religious activities in the hospital have never been encouraged," an unnamed employee at the hospital told the news agency. "But some prayed silently, which is understandable: on the other hand we are all here to support patients. But others made noise, reading the Bible or reciting prayers aloud. And that's not good". Two years ago, authorities in the Zhejiang region started to remove crosses from buildings, and when two pastors protested they were sentenced to 12 and 14 years of imprisonment. Many human rights lawyers who have worked on behalf of these churches have been arrested. Bob Fu at US based Christian group China Aid told Radio Free Asia that the crackdown in Zhejiang is spreading to neighbouring provinces, including Anhui and Inner Mongolia. "The Chinese government is taking its persecution of religious believers to another level," Fu told RFA. "They are doing it in the name of the rule of law, but actually it's very clear that there is an element of wanting all religion to be Chinese in character. The international community should be aware that are stepping up the pressure on religious practice, so that there is gradually less and less freedom." International Christian Concern, a US-based persecution charity, said: "After the demolition of crosses and churches in the province of Zhejiang, the Chinese government has decided to target hospitals. The majority of the hospitals in the region have basically been operated in some capacity by religious organizations. The Communist Party of China has determined Zhejiang to be the front lines of their battle to eliminate Christianity from its shores." China Aid has recently highlighted a central Chinese province that stopped Christians from receiving welfare because they were attending church. A new report from the US State Department criticised China for its persecution of believers despite the constitutional right of freedom of religion. "Over this past year, there continued to be reports that the government physically abused, detained, arrested, tortured, sentenced to prison, or harassed adherents of both registered and unregistered religious groups for activities related to their religious beliefs and practices," the report said. South Sudan accused of recruiting child soldiers as civil war looms The recruitment of child soldiers in South Sudan has spiked in the last week as the government prepares for a renewed civil war, an internal United Nations document said according to the Associated Press. A whole village of boys was pressed into joining the army by a senior politician acting on President Salva Kiir's instructions, the document suggests. Although it is not clear how many were involved, some were as young as 12 years old. Fierce fighting broke out in the capital Juba last month, killing hundreds of people, and raising fears of more violence in the world's youngest country. The United Nations' children's agency UNICEF said more than 16,000 children have been recruited into armed groups since December 2013 when the civil war first erupted. "The dream we all shared for the children of this young country has become a nightmare," said UNICEF's deputy executive director Justin Forsyth. Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang denied that children were forced into joining, adding that he was not aware of any recent recruits. The tensions exist between President Sava Kiir and his former vice president Riek Machar. The ethnically charged war has forced more than one in five of South Sudan's 11 million people to flee their homes and around half of the country's children do not attend school. Despite a peace deal in August 2015, renewed fighting has raised fears of another civil war. Machar, who resumed his role as vice president under the 2015 peace deal, withdrew from Juba with his soldiers last month and left South Sudan on Wednesday to escape government forces, his party said. UNICEF has said an additional 650 children have joined military forces since the beginning of 2016 in preparation for further violence. Last month's fighting in Juba bought "horrific ordeals" as government soldiers executed civilians and gang-raped women and girls, said UNICEF. The South Sudan government denied the allegations. "The systematic use of rape, sexual exploitation and abduction as a weapon of war in South Sudan must cease, together with the impunity for all perpetrators," Forsyth said. Southern Baptists report massive revivals in Brazil; one pastor uses mannequin to draw people to Christ Even as the Rio Olympics is set to close on Monday, August 22, a new wave of widespread revival has just begun in Brazil. Southern Baptists returning to the United States from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, are sharing testimonies of widespread revivals in churches, communities, prisons and schools, following their eight-day crusades, medical ministries and other outreach efforts in the South American country, the Baptist Press reports. Wayne Jenkins, director of evangelism and church growth for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, said more than 3,200 Brazilians chose to be saved in Christ following the events conducted from July 10 to 17. "God did exceedingly above all that we could think or ask," Jenkins said. He said their mission resulted in the construction of three church buildings in five business days. They also succeeded in reaching people even in "difficult areas," resulting in their acceptance of Christ. "Moreover, the Gospel was received by every age group and social class," he added. Jenkins coordinated the mission trip to Brazil with the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He was joined by 60 Louisiana Baptists representing 10 congregations, and another 37 Southern Baptists from Utah, Texas, North Carolina, Florida and California. Mission team members shared a number of amazing anecdotes on people embracing Christ after introducing them to the Gospel. Pastor Carlos Meza of Calvary Spanish Mission Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, recalled one of the highlights of the mission when he used a store mannequin in a town near Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to catch the attention of a passer-by to share the Gospel with him. This resulted in the young man giving his heart to Jesus, he said. "I started 'witnessing' to the mannequin using an evangelism tract" to attract the attention of passersby, Meza said. "A young man stopped and said, 'Mister that mannequin can't talk or read,' and I asked him if he could," Meza said. "When he said, 'Of course I can,' I handed him the tract, he read it and after a brief explanation of the Gospel he said, 'I believe every word the tract says' and he surrendered his life to Christ!" "Yes, God can use a mannequin to lead someone to His kingdom. To God be the Glory!" Meza exclaimed. Strasbourg: Jewish man stabbed in knife attack A Jewish man was stabbed today in Strasbourg, France, but police are ruling out terrorism as a motive, according to local media. The attacker was heard shouting "Allahu Akbar", according to the French newspaper Le JDD but police have not confirmed this. They said the man has a long history of mental illness and the incident was "not terror related". The man who has not been identified, was arrested after the incident and is now in custody, Le Figaro reports. The 55-year-old victim dressed in traditional Jewish clothing from the Hasidic secta was moderately wounded in the attack outside a restaurant in the north-eastern French city. The attack comes after Catholic priest Father Jacques Hamel, 84, was murdered by Islamic extremists while celebrating a mass near Rouen, northern France. France has been under a state of emergency since attacks claimed by Islamic State in Paris last November killed 130 people. A series of further attacks has meant the country remains on high alert. Ten Commandments monument in Maryland to stay after complainant drops lawsuit Can a regular monument just listing down the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses in the Old Testament really be offensive? A man from Maryland claimed it can be. He recently changed his mind though. The Ten Commandments monument outside a courthouse in the state of Maryland in the United States will not have to be demolished, after the man who questioned the structure, Jeffrey Davis, dropped the lawsuit. Initially, Davis said he was offended by the monument, which was donated by the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1957 and currently stands on the courthouse grounds in Allegany County, near a monument to George Washington. He did not provide an explanation as to why he chose to abandon his complaint. Brett Harvey, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom and one of the lawyers which defended the Ten Commandments monument, was expectedly pleased by the outcome of the lawsuit. "Mr. Davis was right to end his quest to uproot this monument, which is virtually identical to a monument in Texas that the U.S. Supreme Court already upheld," Harvey said, as quoted by The Catholic News Agency. "Because the county's monument would survive constitutional scrutiny, we are pleased that it will be able to stay." The lawyer also still maintained that the structure does not violate the Establishment Clause, which prohibits Congress for making any law "respecting an establishment of religion." Before Davis abandoned his complaint, Harvey already filed a motion to dismiss it. "The emotional response of an offended passerby doesn't automatically amount to a violation of the Establishment Clause," Harvey said. This is not the first time that a Ten Commandments monument faced a legal challenge in the U.S. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that a similar structure on the grounds of the Texas Capitol, also donated by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, need not be taken down since it does not run counter to the Establishment Clause. Transforming prayer: Six important ways to pray for your friends and family I used to say grace before every meal. I stopped, though, when I realised it was more a habit response than a heart response: I figured I needed to recapture the sense of grace in my grace. I used to pray with my children every single night. But I stopped when they began to resent the intrusion into the private empire that was their bedroom: I figured they were old enough to pray for themselves now. I used to pray a blessing before every car journey. It fizzled out when the Sat Nav arrived and it took my allotted prayer minutes to find the postcode and the signal: I figured God knew I wanted to get from A to B safely anyway. And so it is that my children hardly see me pray any more. Having been inspired by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians to find ways and times to bring prayer back into my family life, what is it that I should be praying for? If ever there was a man who could argue he was too busy to pray, it was Paul. He lived at high velocity defending the gospel, planting churches, and writing theology all while constantly on the run from people who were trying to kill him. But Paul didn't simply pray he urges, instructs and models to the rest of us how we should pray, too. In prison in Ephesus Paul prays big, bold prayers not for his own liberation and release from prison, but for his friends. Paul pens a typical prayer of his for the Ephesian church, a congregation he planted at great personal risk such that he had to escape from the city after a post-sermon riot broke out. Paul's prayer taught me six lessons about how to pray for my friends and family: 1. Ask the Father to give us humility God is not our servant and prayer is not our Amazon wish list. When we pray, we are not commanding God. When Paul prays he does two things to underline this. Firstly he kneels, a physical sign of submission to a superior power. Secondly, just as Jesus instructed us, he addresses God as Father. In the ancient world the father was the head of the family and by calling God the Father "from whom every family derives its name", Paul is emphasising the ultimacy of God's authority and the importance of God's honour. If we are able to physically kneel we should do so when we pray to our Heavenly Father, beginning our prayer by asking for the humility to pray with God's purposes and desires as our first priority. 2. Ask the Spirit to give us strength Paul has not been able to visit Ephesus since the riot that his preaching kicked off. For his friends in the city, Paul asks for the Spirit's power to give them strength not in numbers, nor in physical resources, but in their inner person. Paul prays that this strengthening of the Spirit would give them inner transformation a changed character, a new resilience, and a fresh dose of conviction regarding all things that he goes on to explain in the rest of the letter. Perhaps our prayers for friends and family too often focus on healed bodies and changed circumstances. Paul teaches us to pray for the Spirit's power to be unleashed in the conversion of character and courage of conviction. 3. Ask Jesus to give us maturity It might seem odd to pray for Christians that "Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith", but I can think of two good reasons why we should. Firstly, I can see no harm in praying for someone to know Christ as the resident ruler in their life, whether or not they're already a Christian. Secondly, Christ's residency can take place in phases. Yes we can be converted in an instant, but the implications of our conversion is an ongoing process we grow in depth and maturity in our Christian faith throughout our lives. Jesus' residency in our lives works at a pace that is not domineering or dominating, allowing us to grow continually more connected to him. Let us pray for our friends and family that Christ would live in their hearts, like air lives in their lungs. Let's pray that they would know in increasing measure the privilege of Jesus' presence. 4. Ask for their minds to be blown A mathematician asks her daughter to try and imagine the concept of infinity by thinking of the biggest number she possibly can. "How about ten billion billion billion?" answers the little girl. Her mother replies "what about ten billion billion billion and one?" "I was so close, just one out" says the little girl. Trying to imagine the infinite is mind-bending to all of us, not just young children. In fact Paul says that we are going to need supernatural empowerment and the help of a whole church to be able "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge." I love a good paradox. Paul says for us to try and grasp the dimensions of Christ's love is going to take a miracle but no matter how much we know of it there is going to be more of it that we don't know. The infinite God, loves infinitely. Paul prays that his friends know something of the scale of God's love as this is absolutely vital for their spiritual development. If we are going to resist the temptations of this world, face suffering and persecution, and obey God's commands till our dying day there is no substitute for glimpsing, even incompletely, the proportions of God's love for us. As we pray for our friends and families, let's pray that their minds never grow tired of grappling with the riches of God's inexhaustible love and that their hearts never grow weary of knowing this love that surpasses all knowledge. 5. Ask for their dreams to be bigger I sometimes get frustrated that my teenagers would rather spend time sleeping in late than exploring the world, or that they choose to be on social media rather than out with their mates on adventures. I want to open their eyes so they realise there is so much in our world to discover and experience. Paul prays for his friends in Ephesus: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory". Paul wants to shatter the boxes that his friends have placed God into; the limits they have put on what is possible with God in the equation. Paul wants his friends to know that God knows no limits, that even our wildest dreams pale in comparison with what God is capable of. William Carey, the pioneering missionary to India, once said: "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." As we pray for our friends and family let's ask that God blows their minds open to His great power, that we all might seek to do great things for God's glory. 6. Ask for their lives to be impactful My daughter thinks I want her to be an astronaut. It may have something to do with a T-shirt I once bought her, or the fact that I ask her every couple of days if she has applied to NASA yet. I am not trying to live out my own dreams through my children, or overload her with unrealistic expectations, or send her as far away as possible to the outer reaches of the galaxy. I want her to know that her career choices do not have to be restricted by her gender. I want to smash sexist glass ceilings and for her to know that even the sky is not the limit when it comes to her dreams and aspirations. I also want her to do what God has called her to do. As Paul prays for the Ephesian church he ends with an inspirational long-term high-flying request for them to receive "glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen". Paul wants to shatter glass ceilings, too, as he reminds his friends in Ephesus of the scale of what God is doing. The kingdom of God is not going to collapse or fail it is the assured future of the universe. And we can be part of that as we are called to be faithful in our generation in order that other generations will be blessed forever into eternity. We can pray for our friends and family that in their career choices, their family planning, their life strategies and their future goals, God's enduring kingdom will be central in their decision making. Praying all these things for my friends and family makes me realise something else. I need these things in my life, too: humble submission to God the Father, empowerment within by the Holy Spirit, the residency of Jesus in my heart, and a bigger, truer and bolder vision of how to love and serve God with my mind, dreams and life. Why not take some time now to pray through Ephesians 3:14-21 for your friends and family and for yourself? Rev Dr Krish Kandiah a contributing editor to Christian Today, the founding director of Home for Good and an author and speaker. Follow him on Twitter @krishk. For more in his series on Ephesians, click here and here. Wales: Church leaders condemn 'demonisation' of refugees Church leaders in Wales have condemned the "demonisation" of refugees by the media and "political establishment", calling on a change of tone in reporting to chime with the generous response they have witnessed in the community. In a letter to media editors in the country, all seven bishops of the Church in Wales and other church leaders say that there has been "an unprecedented polarisation of attitudes on immigration and refugees" in the past few months, "culminating in a dramatic and repugnant rise in race hate crime" since Britain's referendum vote to leave the European Union. "These stories have dominated our media, and stalled political action to host refugees and to ensure their rights," the letter says, according to the Anglican Communion News Service. "But as church leaders in Wales, these stories of hate do not chime with the generous response we see in our communities, nor do we accept the demonisation of refugees by certain elements of the media and political establishment." The church leaders pay tribute to the "rich history" of supporting displaced people in Wales, and refer back to the First World War, when "Welsh communities opened their arms to host Belgian refugees fleeing the devastation" while also highlighting refugees today who come from places including Eritrea, Yemen, Somalia and Iraq and "who have enriched our communities and made us a place of cultural diversity." The letter, which was sent in support of Christian Aid's Change the Story campaign to change the way refugees are portrayed, goes on: "Today, communities all over Wales are responding positively to the current refugee crisis by collecting clothes for those in need close to our shores in Calais, by giving generously to emergency appeals to reach those in need in Iraq, Lebanon, the Western Balkans and Greece, and by preparing a local welcome for Syrian refugees arriving here. These stories of hope and kindness must be heard." The letter was signed by all seven Anglican Church in Wales bishops: Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan, Llandaff; John Davies, Swansea and Brecon; Gregory Cameron, St Asaph; Wyn Evans, St Davids; Andrew John, Bangor; Richard Pain, Monmouth; and the assistant bishop of Llandaff, David Wilbourne. It was also signed by the moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, Prof John Gwynfor Jones; the general secretary of the Union of Welsh Independents, the Revd Dr Geraint Tudur; the general secretary of the Baptist Union of Wales, the Revd Judith Morris; the chair of the Wales Synod of the Methodist Church, the Revd Dr Stephen Wigley, and the moderator of the United Reformed Church National Synod of Wales, the Revd Simon Walkling. When church lets you down: so now what? A few weeks ago, Christian Today published an anonymous story, written by a friend of mine, called 'When church lets you down'. It was the heartbreaking account of how he and his family joined a new church thinking they had found a place of healing and belonging, and in fact received abuse, rejection and loneliness. It was, as the author put it, a successful church with a culture where "those who cannot keep up are left behind". It was precisely as his family faced their greatest moments of struggle and difficulty that the church failed them. Generally when I share articles on my own social media accounts, they're largely ignored (it's a link-saturated culture, I don't blame anyone). This one wasn't. It was shared over and over again. People posted comments of solidarity and sadness, and perhaps most worryingly, of identification; they'd seen or experienced very similar things. The emerging picture was clear: this wasn't just a one-off story... this happens a lot, perhaps all over the world. It seems to me that as we strive to stimulate growth in a time of church decline, it's easy to define success in terms of how attractive our church is on the surface, and how good a job that does of drawing people in. Engaging preaching (the sort that even gets downloaded afterwards), great worship music, and even cool branding have become elevated as signs that we're doing it right. 'Visionary' leadership, ad-agency style mission statements and innovative staff job titles demonstrate some sort of exciting forward momentum. But is that what church is really about? What my friend needed from his church wasn't a pastor on the verge of a book deal or a youth ministry with an expensive lighting rig. What he needed was a place of love, support and friendship, where he could ask searching questions and find people willing to wrestle through them too. He needed a place where in their season of brokenness, his family would be prioritised by the pastoral staff and volunteers. Instead they were identified as a problem; a blockage on the route to growth and success. It's sickening when you stop to think about it. Their story is terribly sad, but it doesn't need to be told in vain. Perhaps my friend's brave words can act as a catalyst for a bit of self-reflection and even change in all of us. I think there are a few things we can learn from his family's story as we try to create churches which truly reflect God's heart for our communities. Success doesn't always equal growth The last few years have seen a whole new industry of books and conferences spring up around church leadership. Fuelled by the growth of American megachurches, which naturally inspire ambitious pastors worldwide to wonder if the same could happen in their parish, there's now an endless array of experts lining up to tell us how to become more successful. The big implication in this is that numerical growth, and a corresponding growth in the leaders' influence, is the clearest indicator of that success and indeed the clearest goal. Yet there are other kinds of profound success: totally broken lives transformed through years of prayer and support; small churches in hard-to-reach-areas that have seen non-Christian families slowly devote their lives to Jesus. So what? We need to avoid lazily conflating these two concepts. Of course we should want our churches to succeed; of course we pray that they'll grow. But one does not equal the other. The hard job for leaders is to slay the idol of growth which causes others to point and comment at how well you're doing. This didn't seem to be a factor for Jesus at all; why should it be for us? Growth doesn't always equal success Not only does growth become confused with success, sometimes it actively masks fundamental flaws in our churches. A church can grow for all sorts of reasons, and not all of them are good. If you put on an incredible show for your visitors, of course they'll turn up in number, and they'll probably even tell their friends too. But if at your heart you're not truly a community that cares deeply for people; if you're just preaching a message that's friendly to what Paul calls "itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3), then you possibly haven't even built a church just a Christian stage show. And when people join your congregation thinking they've joined a pastoral community that could actually support them, they end up getting badly hurt. So what? Again, we shouldn't idolise growth, or the leaders who preside over large churches. Of course it's great to learn from them as from anyone but we need to be wise in trying to understand the reasons behind their growth, and what the reality of their church family looks like. There are some churches that do a good job of providing both a great service 'experience' and deep community behind it... but there are also some that do not. We need to really 'see' the people in our churches My friend and CEO Chris Curtis brilliantly opened up Jesus' encounter with the 'sinful' woman in Luke 7 at this Summer's Soul Survivor youth festival, and particularly the moment where he asks Simon the Pharisee: "do you see this woman?" (v44). Jesus knows that he can physically spot her of course, but that's not what he's asking. Instead he's pushing Simon to look beyond his judgments about her, and the flaws that she literally wears around her neck in a perfume bottle. To Simon she was the least worthy, least important person in the room; to Jesus she was the exact opposite. I don't know about you, but I'd rather have Jesus' perspective than Simon's, and that means truly seeking to 'see' even the most broken and difficult people in our churches as God does. Not just as suffering people with a painful past, but as new members of the family with a hope for the future. So what? Our churches should be a place where the most damaged and even the most difficult people shouldn't only be welcomed, but prioritised. There's a huge cost to that in terms of pastoral time and energy (and as pastor once candidly confided to me, "the trouble with these people is that they don't bring in any money"). But I wonder if a different measure of success in church is how welcoming we are to the most broken people in our society? This can't just become an opportunity to bash 'The Church' The darker side of the online discussion which followed my friend's article was the gleeful opportunity taken by many people to bash 'the church' as a result. Yet the national and international church is an extraordinarily diverse body, and any attempts to characterise it inevitably creates a straw man. The church, as many have put it, is God's 'Plan A' for the world, and we can't just write it off and search around vainly for Plan B (there isn't one). Instead, it should be a provocation for self-reflection; an opportunity to ask how could my church do better in situations like this, and what can I do practically to be part of the solution. So what? Talk is cheap, especially the critical variety. Of course we should shine a light on terrible abuses of power like this, but we can't just stop there. The best way to change the church is from within; so if we feel riled up by stories like my friend's, the best response is to roll our sleeves up and start to be that change ourselves. Martin Saunders is a Contributing Editor for Christian Today and the Deputy CEO of Youthscape. Follow him on Twitter @martinsaunders. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Wedge Group has completed a $10 million upgrade at 1415 Louisiana, the latest downtown office tower to get a makeover as landlords try to lure tenants in a competitive market. Renovations at the 43-story tower include a new building entry and canopy, a contemporary style lobby with Italian stone, and new flooring and wall finishes at the tunnel level. Lobby highlights include a custom glass wall by architectural glass artist Paul Housberg and a light display of interlocking circles suspended from the ceiling. "We feel the renovation is positively impacting tenant retention and providing motivation for new tenants to lease space," Bradley Trimble, of property manager Hines, said in an announcement. Hines oversaw renovations. Architect Ken Harry designed the improvements and Harvey Builders handled construction. The 520,000-square-foot building has been owned by Wedge Group, a private equity investment firm, since 1994. It also serves as Wedge Group's headquarters and was named Wedge International Tower until last year. Constructed in 1983, the building stood out on Houston's skyline because of the green lights that used to outline its exterior. Almost one-third of the building, about 170,000 square feet, is available for lease. Colvill Office Properties' Chip Colvill, Connor Saxe and Vince Strake are handling building leasing. It connects by tunnel with a 12-story parking garage and has an on-site deli, conference facility and dining at The 43rd Restaurant. Downtown's top office buildings are 13.7 percent vacant, including sublease space, compared with an 18.7 percent vacancy rate for the overall Houston area, according to JLL. Downtown contains almost one-quarter of the 11.7 million square feet of sublease office space in the Houston area. Hines' new 609 Main building, which is half leased, will add just over 1 million square feet to the downtown office market when it opens next year. Several companies, including United Airlines and three law firms, will leave behind space at other downtown offices when they move to 609 Main. Hilcorp relocated from nearby Total Plaza to its new 500,000-square-foot building at 1111 Travis. Ken Harry and Hines also teamed up recently on the renovation of 1001 McKinney for Cameron Management. The 24-story building, built in 1947 to house City National Bank, got a new art deco inspired awning at the main entrance, conference facilities and lobby updates. Hines also redeveloped 811 Louisiana, formerly known as Two Shell Plaza. The improvements gave the 26-story building a modern look with new dark granite on the first three floors. Earlier this year, Houston-based Midway and Lionstone Investments announced plans to renovate the historic Gulf Oil Building at 712 Main St. and adjacent 708 Main as an office and retail complex to be known as The Jones on Main. Brookfield Property Partners is investing $48.5 million in a renovation of Allen Center, a 1970s-era office complex at Smith and Dallas streets. Plans call for creating a nearly 1-acre lawn between One and Two Allen Center for use by tenants and the public. W.P. Carey is rebranding 500 Jefferson and 601 Jefferson as Jefferson Towers at Cullen Center. Stream Realty Partners and DRA Advisors are renovating 600 Jefferson, which houses some of United Airlines operations. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate One Hermann Place, a new luxury midrise apartment, is slated to open in September on 2.5 acres in the Museum District. Tema Development's seven-story building at 1699 Hermann Drive is an example of the Class A buildings that began construction during high times in Houston's economy, when deep-pocketed renters seeking luxury housing were moving to the city by the thousands. The building will offer one to two months free rent for new tenants, but developers hope its proximity to the park will help make the project successful. Other developers in Houston have seized upon the idea of green space as an amenity. Houston-based Midway is developing a project in Upper Kirby in conjunction with improvements to a small neighborhood park. Other examples of park-oriented developments include Discovery Green and Market Square Park downtown; Market Street in The Woodlands; and Midway's City Centre on the west side of Houston. Tema Development says it also hopes to entice renters to its new building by integrating the complex with the green space at nearby Hermann Park. The complex will include a resort-style pool, courtyard, dog park and fitness center overlooking the park. The median rent will be $1,500 per month. The developers used brick and stone matching that of nearby Rice University buildings, removed power lines to improve park views and installed the same street lamps used along Hermann Park roads. "One of the key issues is the location next to the park," said Haytham Haidar, director of development at Tema Development. "We took a great deal of our queues from Hermann Park. ... From a design aspect we took a great deal of thought and examination. The park was our stepping stone and inspiration." Nadim Zabaneh, vice president at Tema Development, touted the building's location near the Texas Medical Center and Rice University. A shuttle will give residents easy access to the Medical Center. "Our location will make us a success," Zabaneh said. "We do realize that it is a more challenging market." The rental market -- particularly at the high end -- has weakened, and economists have warned of a glut of new construction. The ongoing slump in crude-oil prices paired with plummeting job prospects comes at a time when more than 29,000 units are under construction. Many of the 20,000 or so units set to open this year were built to carry rents much higher than the city traditionally has seen, raising concerns that the demand may lag. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Good news: You scored a date for this weekend. Bad news: You have no idea where to go. Fret not, lovelorn reader. We compiled a list of great places to go on a first date in Houston. Whether you're looking for something cozy and intimate or adventurous and sporty, the Bayou City has plenty of ways to up your dating game away from the dinner-and-a-movie standard. Take a look at the gallery above to check out our top picks for first date spots around town. While we're at it, we thought we'd be a good wingman and give you some tips for a good first date. According to eHarmony, women need to relax, dress smart, show respect (arrive on time, be polite to the waitstaff), ignore their phone, let the man pay if he wants to pay, and be decisive if given options for what to do next. SEE ALSO: 25 things to know when dating a Houston woman The dating website also says to be present in the moment, address the elephant in the room (such as if something awkward happens), establish boundaries, and don't drink too much. For men, eHarmony offers similar tips: plan the date, pay for it, be confident, dress well, be on time, be attentive, give appropriate compliments (say she's beautiful instead of hot), be chivalrous and open the door for her, say goodnight (don't let the evening fizzle), and lastly, follow up the next day. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MONDAY Mitchel P. Roth:Author will discuss and sign "Convict Cowboys," 7 p.m., Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet; 713-523-0701 or brazosbookstore.com. TUESDAY Erik Storey: Author will discuss and sign "Nothing Short of Dying," 6:30 p.m., Murder By The Book, 2342 Bissonnet; 713-524-8597, or toll free 888-424-2842 or murderbooks.com. Jayme Lynn Blaschke: Author will discuss and sign "Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch," 7 p.m., Brazos Bookstore. Mark Jodon: Poet will read and sign "Day of the Speckled Trout," 7 p.m., Kaboom Books, 3116 Houston Ave.; 713-869-7600 or kaboombooks.com. WEDNESDAY Andrew Gross: Author will discuss and sign "The One Man," 6:30 p.m., Murder By The Book. Jesse Donaldson: Author will discuss and sign "The More They Disappear," 7 p.m., Brazos Bookstore. Words and Art: Writers read the poetry and prose they've written in response to Michael De Feo's "Crosstown Traffic" art installation, 7-9 p.m., Rice Gallery, Sewall Hall at Rice University, 6100 Main; ricegallery.org. FRIDAY Elsa Hart and Julia Keller: Hart will discuss and sign "Jade Dragon Mountain," and Keller will discuss and sign "Sorrow Road," 6:30 p.m., Murder By The Book. SATURDAY Liv Hadden: Author will sign "In the Mind of Revenge," 2-4 p.m., Katy Budget Books, 2450 Fry, Houston; 281-578-7770 or katybooks.com. Maria Elena Sandovici: Author will sign "Lost Path to Solitude," 3-5 p.m., Galveston Bookshop, 317 23rd St., Galveston; 409-750-8200 or galvestonbookshop.com. Monte Akers, Roger Friedman and Nathan Akers: Authors will discuss and sign "Tower Sniper: The Terror of America's First Active Shooter on Campus," 3-5 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 16535 U.S. 59 S., Sugar Land; 281-313-8323. Texas Poets event: A dozen Texas poets will sign the 2017 Texas Poetry calendar and read from their work featured on the calendar, 4 p.m., Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial; 281-497-8675 or bluewillowbookshop.com. Paul Luikart:Author will discuss and sign "Animal Heart," 7 p.m., Brazos Bookstore. Alyson Ward This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BEIJING -- Their great American adventure was off to a rough start. In June, Chen Aiwu, 64, and her husband, Wang Dongsheng, 66, landed in Los Angeles. It was nearly midnight. They could barely communicate. And they were faced with a classic holiday conundrum: a rental car up-sell. No, they did not want more insurance. No, they did not need a bigger car. "I just kept saying 'No,' " Chen remembered, "the only English word I know." More than four hours later, with help from a Chinese speaker who popped by, the pensioners set off on a 19-day, 4,850-mile drive. The journey took them from coastal California to Las Vegas, Yosemite, Yellowstone and back, testing their patience and teaching them about a people and place that once felt infinitely distant. They were frustrated by U.S. infrastructure, intrigued by American families, and touched, again and again, by the kindness of people they met. Upon their return - to their surprise - they were greeted as heroes, profiled in state media and lauded online. "Couple prove age no barrier to globe-trotting," a China Daily headline said. "What a great couple!" wrote a user on Weibo, the Chinese social media site. "I wish I could be like them when I'm old!" In China, where rising incomes are fueling an extraordinary travel boom, tales of Chinese tourists behaving badly overseas are a fixture. There was the teen who scrawled his name on a 3,500-year-old Egyptian relic, the passenger who threw hot water on a flight attendant, and countless airport and in-flight brawls. The vast majority of China's more than 100 million outbound tourists are not like this. There are over-privileged plutocrats, sure. But there are many more weary office workers and well-meaning first-timers taking a chance on something new. Having survived the tumult of the Cultural Revolution, raised a family, struggled and saved, Chen and Wang set out, on their own, to discover America. To the delight of many, they did. --- Before she landed, Chen was not sure what to think about the United States. The parks looked nice in pictures. But did everyone have a gun? Chen comes from a different world. Born in 1952, she came of age with the People's Republic, leaving school after the seventh grade and toiling in the countryside as one of Mao Zedong's "sent-down youth." She spent two years pulling a night-soil cart before being assigned to drive a factory bus. Later, she drove a U.S.-made vehicle and tried to imagine what a nation "on wheels" was like. "Back then I said to myself, 'One day I'm going to travel to your country,' " she said. Chen and Wang raised two children and saved as much as possible. In 2012, they bought their first car, and the next year, despite serious health problems, took a not-so-rookie road-trip across mountainous Tibet. The United States would be tougher. For Chen and Wang, like many Chinese tourists, traveling abroad requires logistical prowess. Rental contracts and street signs are only the beginning. (English speakers: Imagine filling out a customs form written entirely in Chinese.) Chen and Wang started planning months in advance, scouring travel blogs for tips and booking their flights, rental car, SIM cards and navigation system online. Wang, who cannot drive, was put in charge of directions. With the help of an online dictionary, he translated the names of all the places they hoped to visit -- "Page, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bay" - and wrote the English and Chinese words side-by-side on a sheet of paper. (It's Horseshoe Bend, but they got there anyway.) "How much?" he wrote below. "Where is the bathroom?" They wanted to keep their costs down and were worried about unfamiliar food, so they decided to pack their own rice cooker - and a hearty side of pickled vegetables - to be safe. With water from supermarkets and regular fast food stops, they got by. "In China, I never go to McDonald's, because it's foreign food, but once I was actually abroad, of course I wanted to try," Chen said. (Plus, you can charge your phone there.) Eating went OK, most of the time, but finding hotels proved tough - so tough that they started sleeping in the car. The morning they arrived in Las Vegas, it took them five hours to find the motel they had booked online. Later, driving from Vegas to Flagstaff, they found themselves at a dead end deep in the mountains as night settled in and their navigation system faltered. They were saved, in the end, by two 60-something Americans in a Chevy. Chen pointed to the GPS, closed her eyes, and gestured to show that the navigation system was blind. The Americans tried offering directions in English but quickly saw that the couple could not follow and led the way by car. "They took us to the gate of the hotel, but then they just waved and left. We didn't even have a chance to say 'Thank you,' " she said. "Our only regret on the journey was not having the opportunity to say 'Thank you' and take a photo with those who helped us. We were afraid we might offend them by asking to take a picture together." --- As surprising as helpful strangers was the fact that Americans did not treat the couple as strangers at all. "If we spot a foreigner in China, people surround them and look. But people treated us normally," Chen said. "One morning, I went to a supermarket, a stranger smiled and said 'Good morning' to me. Only later did I learn what it means." Other oddities, per Chen: child care. In China, grandparents spend a lot of time caring for grandchildren. In the United States, Chen observed, it was parents chasing children around. And the children are quite independent, she observed. One day at McDonald's, she saw a toddler spill his juice and proceed, unprompted and unassisted, to clean it up. "No adult told him to do that. He just did it himself." Chen was wowed by U.S. rule-following - "They stop for pedestrians!" - but unimpressed by lackluster in-car navigation and the lack of fast, reliable cellphone service. In Yellowstone Park, she struggled to post pictures to WeChat, the Chinese messaging service. "The U.S. is such a superpower, how can they not have good networks?" she asked. It struck her that what Chinese and U.S. tourists shared was an appreciation for what wildness remains. At Monument Valley, Utah, they joined U.S. tourists snapping pictures of the Colorado Plateau's landmark buttes. Wang took so many photographs that his fingers hurt. "It was a fairy tale," Chen said. On the coast, they watched squirrels beg for food and giggled at portly sea lions. "They were making sounds like 'goo, goo, goo.' Some were playing with sand. I saw their chubby bodies worming about on the beach," she said. Standing at the edge of the Pacific, looking toward home, Chen was glad she had made the trip. "I didn't know where the U.S. was before. I thought it is a far away place," she was thinking. "Now that I'm here, I feel we are actually very close." Chip Somodevilla/Staff U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, and Dr. Ronald DePinho, president of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, took a victory lap this week to praise recent House passage of a bill that would exempt some health care facilities, including cancer centers, from lower Medicare reimbursement payments. The Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act sailed through the House with bipartisan support this summer and is pending before the Senate. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Click through the slideshow above to learn quirky facts about Houston's suburbs you can share at the next neighborhood barbecue bash Houston's suburbs all have interesting stories. In the past we've told you about the development of Pearland, Deer Park, La Porte and The Woodlands. This week the Houston Chronicles Chron 115 flashback series looked at how the Imperial Sugar company gave birth to the Houston suburb of Sugar Land. RELATED: Check out historic photos of Deer Park, the birthplace of Texas The story of how settler Nathaniel Williams came to the area just southwest of Houston proper in 1843 and built a raw sugar plant is a common one across the country, where an industrious American creates a whole community around a factory. By 1907, Williams plant was purchased by the Kempner and Eldridge families out of Galveston, christening it the Imperial Sugar Company. From there it would grow by leaps and bounds. RELATED: The best Houston suburbs to raise a family in At one point the plant was producing nearly 2.5 million pounds of sugar per day. The town of Sugar Land officially incorporated in 1959, and 1,000 out of its 3,000 residents worked for Imperial Sugar and its subsidiaries. Eventually cane cultivation ceased and raw sugar was instead brought in. In 2005 the company had emerged from bankruptcy after a century of ups and downs only to sell off its Sugar Land campus to developers. These days, Sugar Land is known for having the world's most ridiculous statue of two women taking a selfie outside the town's city hall. It's already made it into the town's Wikipedia page. We're not sure if that's a good thing or not. The 2013 change in Pasadena's City Council makeup, from eight single-member districts to six district positions and two citywide posts, lies at the heart of a lawsuit alleging that city officials violated the federal Voting Rights act by diluting Latino voting influence. As I noted in a previous column, Mayor Johnny Isbell acted quickly to initiate the change after the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated a provision of the law calling for federal preclearance of election changes in states, including Texas, that had a history of discrimination. But it turns out that Isbell believes he could have received approval of the new system even if advance federal approval had still been necessary. The Supreme Court ruling, in a case styled Shelby County, Ala., vs. Holder, came on June 25, 2013. The following month, Isbell called for the appointment of a committee to study a city bond election; he soon asked the panel also to consider changes to the city charter, including a new council system with one or more at-large districts. These actions are detailed in memos filed as exhibits in the lawsuit. Ultimately, Isbell opted not to call for a bond election but to move forward with the charter changes, which voters narrowly approved in November 2013. In May of this year, Isbell gave a deposition in the lawsuit challenging the new system. Nina Perales, an attorney with the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund representing the plaintiffs, asked him about the events leading up to the charter election. Here's an excerpt. ("Section 5" refers to the preclearance provision of the Voting Rights Act). Perales: But then your Section 5 obligation goes away completely after the Shelby decision, right? Isbell: It did. Perales: And so did that play a role in your decision -- Isbell: Very small. Very minimal, if at all. Because there at the last -- I believe that we probably could have got our at-large seats approved through the Justice Department with Section 5. Perales: So would you say that the Shelby County decision had nothing to do with your decision to propose a mixed system? Isbell: I won't say "no . . ." but it certainly wasn't a big factor at all because I believe they probably could have got it through with the Section 5 being in there. The basis for Isbell's opinion is not included in the portion of the deposition filed in the court case. The plaintiffs omitted many pages of the transcript, filing only those they considered relevant to their legal arguments. However, the Justice Department had previously rejected a proposal for at-large council seats in Pasadena. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Richard Carranza, a bilingual, career educator who leads the San Francisco school system, on Thursday evening became superintendent of the Houston Independent School District after a unanimous vote by trustees. Carranza and the board agreed to a three-year contract that pays him an annual base salary of $345,000, the district said in a statement. There's no performance bonus the first year of the deal. The written contract, which was not immediately available to the Houston Chronicle, also includes an agreement that Carranza and the board will come up with a performance incentive for the 2017-18 school year. After signing his contract, Carranza shook hands and hugged the nine school board members as high school mariachi musicians played in the background. In his first message to the community, Carranza said: "First and foremost, what you see is what you get. I'm a teacher." He pledged to be visible in the community and to continue a tradition of innovation in the "world-class city" of Houston. He also addressed the crowd in Spanish. Overall, the new superintendent is being paid much less than his predecessor Terry Grier. Grier received an annual base salary of $300,000, but his total compensation topped $500,000 annually with performance bonuses and other perks. Also, Carranza's base salary is lower than the $375,000 paid to the new Katy ISD superintendent, Lance Hindt, hired in July to lead the 70,000-student suburban district. In San Francisco, Carranza was making $310,000 a year, plus had $25,000 deposited into a savings account after his first year. The contribution was set to increase to $45,000 in his third year. His hiring comes just days before students return to class Monday, starting a new era in a district dogged by academic and financial challenges. "I am confident you are going to make an extreme mark here," HISD board member Greg Meyers said after the vote. "We have a lot of work to do." The Houston job will be Carranza's second stint as a superintendent, moving from a 55,000-student district to the nation's seventh largest, with 215,000 students. Carranza, 49, is in Houston Thursday to be introduced to the public for the first time following the HISD board's action. The board unanimously named him the sole finalist for the superintendent's job in late July but had to wait 21 days to making the hiring official under state law. Carranza, a native of Arizona and the grandson of Mexican immigrants, is the Houston district's second Hispanic superintendent, reflecting the majority of the student population here. Like many of Houston's students, Carranza did not learn English until elementary school. Carranza will be charged with improving the district's low-performing schools 40 landed on the state's unacceptable list released this week. He also will have to shepherd the district through tight financial times. HISD must forfeit about $160 million in local property taxes under the state's school-funding system because it is considered too property wealthy. In addition, Carranza will inherit the district's $1.9 billion construction program, approved by voters in 2012 but far from finished. Carranza has a reputation as a charismatic leader who in San Francisco worked to increase the number of bilingual graduates, to decrease suspensions, and to form partnerships to expand social services for needy students. A noted mariachi musician, he also strongly supports arts education. HISD has been without a permanent superintendent since Terry Grier retired at the end of February after a controversial six-and-half years on the job. His tenure here was about double that of the average superintendent of an urban district. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Two brothers accused of selling Kush and other illegal drugs out of three Houston smoke shops asked a judge Friday to reduce their bail. Minh Dang, 42, and Tuan Dang, 46, have been in jail on $400,000 bail since their arrest last week on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity. Minh Dang, known as "Mike," and Tuan, known as "Josh," were arraigned Friday by state District Judge Jan Krocker. A hearing was then set on their request for lower bail; attorneys for the two men are expected to call family members and a bondsman to testify about how much the brothers can afford to post. The bail, requested by a prosecutor and set by a judge, has been treated like other white-collar crimes are traditionally handled in Harris County, with the amount tied to how much they are accused of accruing through ill-gotten gains. By comparison, first-degree violent felonies including a murder charge, generally have bail set between $30,000 and $50,000. Both men were arrested with four store clerks last week after a massive investigation that included GPS trackers on the brothers' vehicles and investigators digging through the brothers' trash. The clerks were arrested on minor charges, with the brothers' alleged criminal enterprise as the focus. Prosecutors believe the brothers amassed hundreds of thousand of dollars in cash and gold bars by selling synthetic drugs, including synthetic cannabinoids and increasing amounts of synthetic Viagra, at their smoke shops. Last month, a Chronicle investigation found growing use of the synthetic drug - and at least five deaths - in the Houston area. The drugs, sometimes incorrectly known as synthetic marijuana, are a mixture of leaves covered with chemicals. brian.rogers@chron.com twitter.com/brianjrogers A man told police he found the body of his friend Thursday night inside the victim's auto-parts business in southeast Houston. The man flagged down a passing Houston police patrol car about 8 p.m. to report the discovery of what he said was a decapitated body inside Mykawa Auto Parts Inc. along Mykawa near Airport Boulevard, Houston police said. The man, who has not been identified, said the body was that of his friend, the owner of the business, said Sgt. James Rhodes, of the Houston Police Department. Detectives said the body is near the front door but they have not yet confirmed if the victim had been decapitated. "The investigation is still in its early stages," Rhodes said. "We're still waiting for the evidence collection team to work their way inside." Police said the man who flagged down the passing HPD patrol car was a friend of the victim and often visited him at the shop. There were no signs of forced entry into the business. Police could not immediately tell if there were any signs of a struggle. The man who found the body told HPD the victim was well-liked and not involved in anything suspicious, officers said. The motive for the crime remains under investigation. Police have not identified any possible suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact HPD homicide detectives at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. When driving around Houston, it often feels as if a giant Monopoly board was dropped on the floor and someone hastily placed the hotels and houses together on random properties. This is the blessing and curse of Houston's lack of zoning laws. Often, businesses and houses coexist on the same street. Other times, disruptive buildings or even facilities like concrete plants can be built right next to homes or parks. League City Police Department A 6-year-old child has died, and the mother's boyfriend is behind bars, League City police say. The youngster suffered serious brain trauma and significant internal injuries that suggest child abuse, according to the League City Police Department. The Dallas zoo's "small," 225-pound baby elephant was filmed playing with a ball for the first time this week. The 3-month-old named Ajabu rolls the ball around with his feet and trunk while kicking up sand. What else do elephants do for fun? Baby and adult elephants typically enjoy taking mud baths. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust website explains that "aside from looking incredibly fun, mud baths serve a critical purpose for elephants. Under the harsh African sun, the heat and UV radiation can be deadly. Romping around in mud not only cools them down, but provides a protective layer to shield their body from the sun's rays." A woman died Friday morning in a major wreck on the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway in South Padre Island that forced officials to close the bridge in both directions for several hours. A woman, who has not yet been identified by officials, was traveling toward the island on the 2-mile bridge in a grey Mercedes-Benz Friday around 8:30 a.m. when she was rear-ended by a linen service truck, according to KRGV's Daisy Martinez, who posted two photos of the mangled vehicles. A 41-year-old man was charged Thursday in South Texas for allegedly killing his common-law wife, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. William Paul Fletcher is accused of killing 45-year-old Maria Gallegos and is being charged with first-degree murder, according to online jail records. AUSTIN State prison officials, warning that a $214 million cut in their proposed budget could force the layoffs of up to 1,200 guards and reduce key services, confirmed Thursday that they may consider closing additional prisons. The move came as the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's governing board approved the shutdown of the 450-bed South Texas Intermediate Sanction Facility, a lockup for parole violators across from Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston, as a way to help make up for a 4-percent budget reduction mandated by state leaders. Bryan Collier, executive director of the corrections system, said that if legislative leaders cannot be convinced to exempt his agency from the mandate, then layoffs of guards remain a possibility, along with reductions in convict health care, meals, as well as prison and parole operations. The agency currently has just over 2,000 vacancies among its 25,000-plus correctional officer positions. The budget request notes that the agency intends to review whether the projected shortfall "can be reduced by additional unit closures." "Yes, we will be reviewing a number of areas to maintain essential services, and that's among them," Collier said, without discussing specifics. Operating the largest state prison system in the nation, Texas currently has 109 prisons and jails that house approximately 147,000 convicts, with a budget of more than $3 billion a year. In the past five years, Texas' convict population has dropped by about 9,000 prisoners as sentencing reforms and ramped-up treatment programs have cut recidivism and helped keep crime rates low. Because of that declining population, Texas has thousands of empty beds in its prisons. Agency spokesman Jason Clark said the state's prisons currently are operating about 2 percent below capacity, with another 2,500 beds mothballed because of a chronic shortage of guards. Three years ago, the agency closed its first prison in more than a century the Central Unit in Sugar Land and since has closed two others. While Collier and other officials said it is too early to know whether additional closures could be coming, veteran Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman John Whitmire said several prisons near Houston should be on the list for review. "Yes, there are discussions going on about closing more units. I've been in on them," he said Thursday. "The state has a number of old, inefficient and remote units that we should consider merging or closing to spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently." On Whitmire's list: Relocate the faith-based transition program at the aged Vance Unit in Richmond to another unit and sell the valuable site for housing development that surrounds it. He also would like to see the state combine or close three Jester Unit prisons near the Vance Unit and move those inmates to five other nearby state prisons. Whitmire said he plans to push for additional closures as an alternative to cutting guards' and compromising health care and operations, if the mandated 4-percent cut cannot be rescinded. "But even if it is, the state still needs to go through every unit we have, look at the cost effectiveness and whether we can properly staff it, and make some hard decisions about whether we still need this many prisons," he said. "We could close some and mothball them, to use if the population goes back up or in an emergency. Others, especially some of those in the Houston area, sit on some of the most expensive land in the state that could be sold for development." Facing a drop in state revenues from sagging oil prices that signals a tight state budget for the next two years, Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders ordered all agencies to cut expenses by 4 percent in proposing their new budgets. Exceptions were made for border security, mental health and Texas' troubled foster care system. Texas' budget revenue projections have been trimmed by $3 billion, and sales tax revenues are down over last year. While many agencies hope they can argue successfully for fewer cuts, lawmakers already have warned that the competition for funding promises to become fierce once the Legislature reconvenes in January. Legislative leaders have said they want to see what agencies propose in their budget plans before making decisions about exempting additional agencies. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 By Mike Ward with Matthew Adams -- Conroe man freed 17 years after capital murder conviction, by the Houston Chronicle's Andrew Kragie and Mike Ward "We're talking about an ME (medical examiner) who was a little bit quick off the draw to call this for the prosecution," said Brian Wice, Robbins' defense attorney. "I feel the same emotion as everyone else in that courtroom," Ligon said. "I did the right thing legally. You've got to pursue where the evidence goes, because that's what duty is owed to justice." Robbins' case had been on appeal for years, drawing attention to the role of new "junk science" laws allowing for new trials when scientific advances undermine evidence that led to convictions. -- TDCJ to consider layoffs, prison closures to offset budget cuts, by the Chron's Mike Ward Because of that declining population, Texas has thousands of empty beds in its prisons. Agency spokesman Jason Clark said the state's prisons currently are operating about 2 percent below capacity, with another 2,500 beds mothballed because of a chronic shortage of guards. "Yes, there are discussions going on about closing more units. I've been in on them," he said Thursday. "The state has a number of old, inefficient and remote units that we should consider merging or closing to spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently." -- Texas Take: The Podcast -- More Trump and Clinton, Ted Cruz and Rick Perry, by the Quorum Report's Scott Braddock and the Chron's Mike Ward "Aside from new polls in the Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton race, questions about who could perhaps beat Ted Cruz and a Rick Perry "shame on you" to a Gold Star father top the week in Texas politics, plus Syrian refugees and a battle over local control." -- Three more insurers could be leaving exchange in Texas, by the Chron's Jenny Deam "The rapid unraveling of health insurance options for Texans continued Thursday as three more insurers said they are leaving or considering leaving the Affordable Care Act's federal exchange in the state next year." -- Texas Leaders Mum on Trump's Plan to Enlist Election Observers, by The Texas Tribune's Jim Malewitz "In 2012, Greg Abbott caused a stir when he issued this warning to international election observers: Don't set foot inside Texas polling places. But four years and one presidential cycle later, Texas officials are so far silent about a possible fleet of partisan election observers Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is urging to the polls." -- Feds Ending Five Private Prison Contracts in Texas, by the Trib's Johnathan Silver "Private prisons served an important role during a difficult period, but time has shown that they compare poorly to our own bureau facilities," U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates stated. "They simply do not provide the same level of correctional services, programs, and resources; they do not save substantially on costs; and as noted in a recent report by the Department's Office of Inspector General, they do not maintain the same level of safety and security." -- It's not too late! Trump-Perry 2016, by the Austin American-Statesman Jonathan Tilove "He does look good," says Anita. "I hope Mr. Trump realizes what he's got in Ricky. Oh Ricky." And this is why Trump should have chosen Perry as his running mate and not that stiff Pence, who won the nomination with his mealy-mouthed endorsement of Cruz in the Indiana primary in which he praised Trump so much it did Cruz more harm than good. As campaigners, as politicians, there is simply no comparison between the junior varsity Pence and the Gold Medal Olympian Perry. Pence is a wan Man from Glad. Perry is the ebullient Man from I'm-Thrilled-to- be-Here." -- Interactive Extra: Explore Zika virus cases in Texas and the U.S., by the Chron's Rachael Gleason "Of the 99 confirmed cases in Texas, three were pregnant women, two infant infected before birth and one was a person who had sexual contact with a traveler, according to the state health department. One infant has died in Harris County from the virus, the first in the U.S." SPEED READ Growing Zika Threat Prompts New Calls for Medicaid Expansion in Texas, Texas Tribune Poor and Uninsured in Texas, The New Yorker Does Harris County discriminate against poor defendants?, Houston Chronicle Overdose drug more available in Texas as need increases in Tarrant County, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Texas "bathroom bill" could deal devastating blow to San Antonio economy, local leaders warn, San Antonio Business Journal Complaints, police call lead to voter fraud investigation, Corpus Christi Caller Times Grass-roots office for Clinton campaign opening in Lubbock, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Vetting process begins for hundreds vying for jobs at the Dallas Police Department, Dallas Morning News State fees create relentless cycle of poverty, legal case says, Austin American-Statesman Professor makes third run at SBOE conservative stalwart, San Antonio Express-News New HISD chief to receive $345,000 in base salary, Houston Chronicle CAPITOL DAYBOOK No meetings schedule RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE Donald Trump's crucial pillar of support, white men, shows seakness, by The New York Times' Jeremy W. Peters Surveys of voters nationwide and in battleground states conducted over the last two weeks showed that Mr. Trump was even with or below where Mitt Romney, the Republican Party nominee four years ago, was with white men when he won that demographic by an overwhelming 27 percentage points. "If you set out to design a strategy to produce the lowest popular vote possible in the new American electorate of 2016, you would be hard-pressed to do a better job than Donald Trump has," said Whit Ayres, a pollster who has advised Republican presidential and Senate candidates for more than 25 years. "This is an electoral disaster waiting to happen." Time running out on Trump in North Carolina, by Politico's Katie Glueck Interviews with more than a dozen North Carolina operatives and lawmakers reveal that Trump has failed to consolidate the Republican base in North Carolina. Worse, according to these sources, he is particularly driving away female and independent voters who are crucial in Republican-leaning suburbs, such as Apex, outside of Raleigh. "If we had had a traditional Republican candidate who was strong on improving the economy, on national defense issues, they would have had a much easier chance carrying North Carolina," Art Pope said. "In North Carolina, there's going to be a lot of people voting for the lesser of two evils. I don't know who loses that contest." Trump regrets saying 'the wrong thing,' by CNN's Jeremy Diamond and David Mark "Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that. And believe it or not, I regret it. And I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues," Trump told supporters here. He added: "But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth." Gingrich predicts Trump 'going to win' after speech, Politico Clinton Foundation says it will limit donations if Clinton is elected, CNN New poll analysis finds a wasted summer for Donald Trump and a boost for Hillary Clinton, Los Angeles Times Clinton, Trump agree to square off at a 'commander-in-chief forum' next month, The Washington Post How One Family's Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trump's Campaign, The New York Times The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p. Achizitie de Servicii Tehnice de creare a plantatiilor forestiere de protectie din cadrul primariei Andrusul de Jos si a primariei Vadul lui Isac, r. Cahul At least 40,000 homes were damaged and 10 people killed in the historic Louisiana floods, the governor said Tuesday, giving a stark assessment of the widespread disaster. Gov. John Bel Edwards spoke at a news conference alongside FEMA administrator Craig Fugate, saying well over 20,000 people have been rescued since the flooding began Friday. His office later increased that figure to more than 30,000. Beginning last Friday, a torrent of about 2 feet of rain inundated the southern part of the state over a 48-hour period, and days later many homes and businesses were still underwater. While some areas were entering recovery mode, the governor warned new places downstream could see flooding and that officials are still in search and rescue mode. I dont know we have a good handle on the number of people who are missing, the governor said. Some residents returned to their flood-damaged homes and businesses for the first time Tuesday and found a soggy mess. David Key used a small boat to get to his house in Prairieville and said it had taken on 5 inches of muddy nasty bayou water. There were fish and thousands of spiders. And mold has started to set in. Im not going to lie, I cried uncontrollably, he said. But you have to push forward and make it through. Like everybody says, you still have your family. The extent of damage was coming into clearer view. About 40,000 people had signed up for FEMA assistance and eight more parishes were added to the federal disaster declaration, bringing the total number to 12. In Livingston Parish, one of the hardest-hit areas with about 138,000 people, an official estimated that 75 percent of the homes were a total loss. But Lori Steele, spokeswoman for the Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office, was upbeat, saying the rescues taking place now are less of a life-saving nature and more to help people who were running low on supplies in flooded areas. As the main roads drain, emergency crews were going to be able get hot meals, water and medical supplies to the 25 shelters in the parish. Were tired but todays a good day, she said. Rivers and creeks were still dangerously bloated in areas south of Baton Rouge as people filled sandbags there to protect their houses, bracing for the worst as the water worked its way south. In Ascension Parish, officials said some small towns have already been inundated. The governor said more than 8,000 people were in shelters, but the number was constantly fluctuating as people arrive and leave. The slow-moving, low-pressure system crawled into Texas, but the National Weather Service warned the danger of new flooding remained high due to the sheer volume of water flowing toward the Gulf of Mexico. The latest deaths were attributed to three accidental drownings. No other details were immediately released about how the men died. One town, Zachary, received more than 2 feet of rain in a 48-hour period that ended Saturday morning. Another, Livingston, got nearly 22 inches over the same stretch. Rivers in the region reached historic highs occasionally shattering old records dating to 1983 floods. The 4 feet of water that wrecked James DuPonts used car dealership in Baton Rouge has finally receded, allowing him to take stock of the devastation Tuesday. His cars were all coated with a thin layer of dirt. The wooden floor boards in his office are scattered like matchsticks, exposing the wet cement underneath. All of his paperwork is a water-logged mess. Floodwaters reached the Open sign on his rented office, and the 24-year-old fears his business, Louisiana Direct Buy, is now closed for good. He had a dozen or so vehicles on the property, including his personal car, and they all appear to be total losses. I dont have flood insurance so everything is gone, he said. Ill try to salvage what I can. I dont know if Im going to be able to open back up or not. (Santana reported from New Orleans. Kevin McGill and Bill Fuller in New Orleans contributed to this report.) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Oklahoma Geological Survey is studying the relationship between seismic activity and wastewater injection wells with a survey in the Arbuckle formation. Sensors will be placed into several injection wells in the Arbuckle group to take various measurements. The Enid News & Eagle reports that each sensor will gather information for at least six months. SandRidge Energy Inc. agreed to remove several injection wells from operation, allowing four of them to be used in the study. Other companies are also participating in the study. The number of magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquakes has skyrocketed in Oklahoma, from a few dozen in 2012 to more than 900 last year. Scientists have linked the increase to the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production and state regulators have asked producers to reduce wastewater disposal volumes. OGS hydrogeologist Kyle Murray said its important to understand what going on at the disposal sites. Its a puzzle and this is another important piece. Without this kind of data, we dont know whats happening 9,000 feet down. This is the closest we get to validating what makes geomechanical sense, Murray said. Oklahoma Corporation Commission spokesman Matt Skinner said the group is excited about the study, and useful data could be used to better tailor responses to seismic activity. According to Skinner, the commission is concerned about activity in Perry, Luther and Fairview. The operators of 27 oil and natural gas wastewater disposal wells in northwest Oklahoma were ordered to reduce injection well volumes earlier this year after a swarm of moderate earthquakes. The commission said at the time that the total reduction in volume would be about 2.4 million gallons a drop of about 18 percent. The disposal wells are operated by eight different companies. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A recent analysis by researchers at the Texas Department of Insurance shows that the Texas pharmacy closed formulary is lowering costs and reducing the use of opioids. Other states are interested in the success were having in Texas, said Workers Compensation Commissioner Ryan Brannan. Were hopeful the closed formulary will continue to be a meaningful tool to reduce costs and decrease the use of drugs that may affect an employees ability to return to work. Texas closed formulary requires prior approval before a doctor can prescribe certain drugs, also known as N drugs. These include 25 brands of opioid pain relievers, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and cannabinoids. An extensive analysis of pharmacy data before and after the closed formulary went into effect found that: Total drug costs fell 15 percent. Costs for drugs that are not recommended, so called N drugs, fell by 80 percent. Prescriptions for opioids on the N-drug list dropped 81 percent, and the use of other opioids fell by 8 percent. The results were a welcome change in the pharmacy trends noted before the move to the closed formulary in September 2011. A 2007 study by TDIs Research and Evaluation Group found that about $130 million dollars was being spent annually on prescriptions, half of which was for opioids and certain anti-inflammatories. Drug costs consumed a substantial portion of workers compensation medical costs, with growing evidence that these prescriptions might not be the best choice to help employees recovering from injury or illness. Source: Texas Department of Insurance Texas lawyer Mikal Watts and six other people each had plenty of opportunity to know they had a fake client list and were pursuing bogus claims after 2010s Gulf of Mexico oil spill, prosecutors told Mississippi jurors Wednesday in closing arguments. Watts himself and lawyers for the six others though said the government had failed to prove criminal intent to defraud, blaming fellow defendants or saying the government was misconstruing innocent actions. U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. handed the case to jurors Wednesday, telling them to decide 66 felony counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, identity theft and aggravated identity theft. Its one of the biggest fraud cases to result from the 2010 BP PLC oil spill, featuring a list of more than 40,000 clients that included dead people and a dog whose name was apparently lifted from a phone book. Prosecutors said most of those clients never agreed to be represented by Watts, and that at some point following the spill, all the defendants in the case knew the law firms documents were riddled with errors, but kept pursuing claims anyway because of a potential multi-million dollar payoff. They had no contact with their clients. They had no information on their clients, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Rushing said. Their names were used without their permission, many from the phone book. He noted that at various points defendants hired a private investigator to track down Social Security numbers, or filled in questionable incomes and occupations. Rushing pointed out claim letters sent to BP for clients that Watts and others had already been told were dead. He noted the firm asked BP for money even on behalf of two clients who had signed statements prepared by Watts firm saying they werent oil spill victims, in an effort to squelch a Louisiana attorney misconduct investigation. I would submit to you that Mr. Watts probably didnt know at the very beginning that there was a problem, Rushing said. But once he became aware of the problem he did nothing to fix it. He knew he didnt have any clients back in 2010. Rushing and fellow prosecutor Gregory Kennedy told jurors that the fraud featured two interlocking conspiracies, one involving Watts, his brother David Watts and law firm employee Wynter Lee. Then, on the Mississippi coast, they said another conspiracy involved people trying to gather client information, including Eloy Guerra, Greg Warren, Kristy Le and Abby Nguyen. Prosecutors alleged Guerra was the link between the two. The Watts brothers and Lee, though, said they themselves were victims of fraud by the Mississippi group and lost $3 million on the BP litigation. The first words I told you was I got ripped off, Mikal Watts, representing himself, told jurors. He said other actions that federal prosecutors alleged were criminal were just routine lawyering, such as sending out multiple letters to clients the firm was struggling to contact, and submitting claims to BP even after contact attempts failed. Watts said those claims were submitted to meet a legal deadline, but said phantom clients would never get paid. The proof had to be submitted before people were going to be compensated and I knew that, Watts said. Lawyers for Guerra, Warren, Le and Nguyen also claimed innocence, saying prosecutors hadnt proved criminal intent on their part, with some blaming each other. The United States government has brought this massive machine against us, and they have failed to make their case, said Ramiro Orozco, Nguyens lawyer. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Hamilton Broadway Tickets Have Dropped in Price Following Lin Manuel-Mirandas Departure The cast of 'Hamilton' performs onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions) While Hamilton tickets certainly aren't cheap by any means, the exciting news for Broadway superfans is that tickets are the cheapest they've been all year by a long shot, and prices are continuing to drop quickly. Following the departure of show creator and star, Lin Manuel-Miranda, tickets to see Hamilton have dropped significantly, with prices on the resale market clocking in at an average of just $1,372. Although the number seems daunting, it reflects a 44.8 percent decrease since June, when tickets were averaging a whopping $2,488. For most shows scheduled in the next few months, the cheapest ticket available for each performance ranges from $300-$500. By comparison, the cheapest tickets for shows earlier in 2016 typically started at $900 or more, according to ticket aggregator TiqIQ. Ticket prices for Hamilton hit new heights in June and July when Miranda announced that he, along with cast-mates Daveed Diggs, Phillipa Soo and the Tony winner, Leslie Odom Jr., would be leaving the production. Miranda's final performance with the cast averaged over $4,000, with the cheapest ticket priced at an insanely expensive $2,000. Since its debut in August 2015, Broadway's hit sensation Hamilton has redefined the way fans buy tickets on The Great White Way. The production is sold out until May 2017 and has effortlessly become the most expensive show the resale market has ever seen. Most recently, Miranda has joined forces with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) to spearhead a national effort to outlaw "ticket bots." These bots are computer programs that buy up the best seats to events within moments of their going on sale, allowing them to be resold for significantly higher prices. New York State criminalized use of the programs two months ago. The hugely pricey tickets to Hamilton have no doubt limited those able to see the production, something the show has been criticised for in the past. 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TagsHamilton, broadway, LIn-Manuel Miranda, daveed Diggs, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr Akron robbery duo arrested Shaquille Anderson, 22 (right) and Cameron McPhatter, 25, were arrested Wednesday night in connection with several recent Akron robberies. (Akron Police) AKRON, Ohio - Akron police arrested two men Wednesday night suspected in at least five robberies in the city, police said. Shaquille Anderson, 22, and Cameron McPhatter, 25, both of Akron are charged with aggravated robbery in Akron Municipal Court. They remain in Summit County Jail. Anderson was arrested by Akron police after leading the officers on a brief car chase, police said. Officers tried to stop Anderson about 10 p.m. near the intersection of South Arlington Street and Concord Avenue. Anderson was driving a white 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, which had been identified as a getaway car in a handful of robberies, police said. The man refused to stop and sped away before he crashed into a utility pole. He tried to run away but was caught soon after. Police were able to identify a second suspect in the robberies, McPhatter, after Anderson's arrest. McPhatter was arrested without incident at his house, police said. The duo is suspected in five Akron robberies and one Barberton robbery, police said. Further charges will likely be brought against the pair. If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. Ed Yager, left and Eric Synenber.jpg Polaris Career Center electronics and alternative energy instructor Ed Yager, left, receives the Ohio Strong Award from State Treasurer's rep. Eric Synenberg (Polaris Career Center/Special to Cleveland.com) The Berea Heritage Architectural Review Board's recent approval of a plan to raze two Front Street structures, paving the way for construction of new student housing and retail in the city's town center, could provide just the shot in the arm the city has been waiting for. The proposal by Front Street Group LLC to replace buildings housing U.S. Bank, Papa John's Pizza and China House at 102 to 118 Front Street, would permit construction of a multi-story structure housing Baldwin Wallace University Students on the upper floors and retail storefronts at street level. It is possible that BW's bookstore, housed on the lower level of the BW Student Union, 120 East Grand Street, could be relocated to the new Front Street retail space. As proposed, the student housing and retail project, to be built on the approximately two-acre site, would include 81 studio-type apartments for downtown student housing. The residential units and new ground-floor retail would inject more life into the city's town center and replace some of the retail space lost to the wrecking ball in a 1969 urban renewal project. The project is awaiting City Council approval and some residents may protest the removal of the classic '50s-style U.S. Bank building. But the stimulus provided by more than 100 new downtown residents, along with new retail space in Berea's town center, should far outweigh that loss. Instructor receives state award: Congratulations to Polaris Career Center High School Electronics and Alternative Energy Instructor Ed Yager who recently received the Ohio State Treasurer's "Ohio Strong" award. The award honors Ohio citizens whose efforts raise public awareness of manufacturing and the skilled trades and encourage more people to pursue careers in manufacturing. Yager received the award honoring him for his 15 years as a Polaris instructor and advocate for manufacturing. Throughout his career, Yager has prepared hundreds of high school students for new careers in engineering and manufacturing. Prior to joining Polaris, Yager worked as a management trainee at Republic Steel Corp. and earned a professional engineering license. While at Republic, he held various positions from Junior Project Engineer to Electrical and Automation Project Leader. He holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the State University of New York and a Master Degree in Education from Kent State University. Arthritis is the topic: Join a Cleveland Clinic representative at 1 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Cuyahoga County Library's Middleburg Heights branch, 15600 East Bagley Road and learn how remedies for relieving pain from arthritis differ for each person. Common ways to prevent arthritis and keep joints healthy will also be discussed. Register for this session at the library in person, or call 440-234-3600, or register online at cuyahogalibrary.org. 'Friends' to meet: The Friends of the Middleburg Heights Library meet at 7 p.m. in the meeting room of the library, 15600 East Bagley Road, the first Wednesday, every other month. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 7. All are welcome to attend. Gather for 'Magic': Come play the popular card game, Magic: The Gathering from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 27 in the Story Room at the Cuyahoga County Library's Brook Park branch, 6155 Engle Road. Adults and teens (grades 6-12) play in a variety of styles and formats, including a one-on-one duel, two-headed giant free-for-all, from Commander to cube drafting, Planechase and Wizard's Tower, or team up against the Zombie Horde! This is a casual gathering for all ages and skill levels (game may not be suitable for children under 10 years). Beginners are welcome. Register in person at the library, by phone, 216-267-5250, or online at cuyahogalibrary.org. Getting some answers: Got questions about advanced directives, estate planning, Medicaid or VA benefits? Attorney Rachel Kabb will provide answers along with reassurance regarding your Life Care planning needs. Join Kabb at 11 a.m. Aug. 25 at North Park Senior Living, 14801 Holland Road. Please RSVP by calling 216-267-0555. Please email information on items you'd like to see included in this column to richatsun@gmail.com. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Attempted burglary (forced entry), damage to property, Ginger Wren Road: A resident reported their burglar alarm went off about 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 9, and a check at that time found nothing amiss. But around 8 a.m., while on the way out of the house, the resident found a kitchen window ajar and the screen damaged. Motor vehicle crash, I-271: A Cleveland Heights woman, 27, was taken to Hillcrest Hospital for non-incapacitating injuries suffered in a morning rush-hour crash in the northbound local lanes of I-271 on Aug. 12. As she was attempting to pass a 2016 Dodge Durango, she did not see a pick-up truck already occupied the other lane and when she swerved back, struck the Durango, whose driver, a Maple Heights man, 30, was not injured, although both cars had to be towed. She was cited for assured clear distance after the impact sent her 2004 Pontiac Grand Am back across two lanes of traffic. Auto towed, damage to private property; I-271: A Cincinnati woman, 63, and her passenger, 13, were not injured when they were driving in the northbound express lanes of I-271 around 4 p.m. on Aug. 3 and their hood and windshield was struck by an unknown object. It was unknown where exactly the incident took place and whether the object fell from one of the overpasses, or came from another vehicle or the roadway. Suspicion, damage to private property; Creekside Drive: A resident reported at mid-afternoon on Aug. 11 that he heard someone in his house and found damage to a screen door, which he believed may have been caused by one of his daughter's friends. Motor vehicle crash, hit-skip; Route 91 and Shaker Boulevard: A Pepper Pike man, 45, was cited for assured clear distance on the afternoon of Aug. 12 after he rear-ended a southbound 2011 BMW stopped at a red light, then left the scene. The Twinsburg man, 42, driving the BMW then followed the suspect's Mini Cooper to Lander Road, where police were called. The Mini was owned by another Pepper Pike man who was not in the car. Psychiatric situation, assist rescue squad; Chagrin Boulevard: Police and a rescue squad were dispatched to the New Directions drug treatment facility on the evening of Aug. 10 on a report of a client who threatened to harm himself. Animal bites, industrial accident; Gates Mills Boulevard: Police assisted a rescue squad on the morning of Aug. 8 when a worker was bitten by a resident's dog. No condition report was available for the Cleveland man, 30. Improper/fictitious license plates, autos towed, warrant served; Bolingbrook Road and Shaker Boulevard: As police investigated a possibly disabled vehicle around noon on Aug. 8, they found the temporary tag was fake and expired. The driver, a Cleveland boy, 17, was released to his guardian, but a female relative, 25, from Snellville, Ga., was detained on an outstanding warrant. Disturbance, unwanted guest; Trillium Trail: Police were called to a home late on Aug. 4 involving a male on the scene that the resident wanted removed. General assistance, found property; South Woodland Road: A resident turned over several weapons to police for safekeeping on Aug. 3, including two BB guns, two revolvers and a Remington .22 caliber rifle. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron man accused of driving a gunman and a woman to Cuyahoga Valley National Park before she was shot in the head was arrested Thursday night, the FBI said. Raymond Moore III, 26, is being held on charges of aiding and abetting during an attempted murder and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. He is accused of being an accomplice in the shooting of Ayauna Bush, 18, whom federal prosecutors say was shot three times in the head July 3 by Dezay Ely. Hikers found Bush that morning, lying in the fetal position in a field along the Valley Bridle Trail, a horse trail that runs north-south through the park. Moore made his initial appearance Friday afternoon in front of a federal magistrate judge in Akron. He and Ely will be back in federal court Wednesday for preliminary and detention hearings. Jim Campbell, Moore's attorney, did not immediately return a phone call. Ely, 27, was arrested last week while driving with his wife in Akron. The affidavit for Moore's arrest says that Bush told investigators that she and Ely were driven to the park -- roughly 20 miles from where she was staying -- by a man named "Ray." She said she wasn't sure whether "Ray" was able to see the shooting, but that after she was shot, "they drove off very fast like he already knew what was going to happen." Through searching social media, FBI agent Christopher Fassler identified Moore as the driver, the affidavit says. He drove the same car that witnesses said they saw driving out of the national park the day of the shooting. Phone records also showed that Bush had contacted Moore by phone on several occasions. When Ely was arrested, he was using his wife's cellphone and agents found at text that showed that Moore had texted her on July 25, asking if Ely was with him, the affidavit says. Such charges are usually brought in state court, but were brought in federal court because the shooting happened in a national park. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Friday's crime and courts comment section. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- U.S. Attorney Carole Rendon said Friday that she was proud of the work that Cleveland police did during last month's Republican National Convention. But Rendon raised the stakes to say that she wants to see that kind of policing happen every day, and hopes it will through the litigation she helped bring against the city of Cleveland. She laid that out as one of her priorities as she officially takes the reins of the federal prosecutor's office she has worked at for seven years. "The cooperation that we saw during the RNC between the police department and the community, well, that's just a preview of what we hope and expect will be every day in the city of Cleveland, thanks to the legacy of our consent decree," Rendon said. Rendon, 53, was privately sworn in July 15 but held her public ceremony at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who nominated Rendon for the position along with fellow Sen. Rob Portman, administered the oath of office. Her husband and three children sat in the front row of the audience, while elected officials, judges, attorneys and law enforcement sat behind them. Rendon has worked at the U.S. Attorney's Office since 2009, when U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach hired her to be his first assistant. She spent 6 1/2 years in the position and took over for Dettelbach, who left in February to work at the BakerHostetler law firm. The U.S. Senate confirmed Rendon's nomination last month, an anomaly in a political atmosphere that saw few nominees by President Barack Obama being approved. Rendon was the lead prosecutor in pursuing a settlement with the city of Cleveland to fix problems within the police department. It's likely that the settlement, known as a consent decree, will dominate hers and Dettelbach's legacies. She also prosecuted North Canton direct-marketing multimillionaire Ben Suarez in a campaign-finance case. A jury found him guilty of witness tampering but not of breaking any campaign-finance laws. Dettelbach, who presided over the ceremony, said Rendon ran the office well as first assistant, which helped him sleep better "knowing that it would all be taken care of." "She's not about herself. She's about the team," he added. "She's not about the headlines. She's about justice." Chief U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. said in his remarks that he believes Rendon is more interested in fairness than in just locking people away. He said she understands "that we cannot as a society just warehouse people, that we have to continually work to improve our system of justice." David Sierleja, a longtime federal prosecutor who now serves as Rendon's first assistant, said Rendon is able to "monitor the office while not being in any way a micromanager" -- a playful jab at Dettelbach, who was known for taking a keen interest in all facets of the office. Rendon, like she has said in the past, told the crowd that domestic terrorism, the heroin crisis and cybersecurity are all priorities for her office. Rendon has previous experience as a federal prosecutor and as a civil and criminal defense attorney. She received her law degree from Northwestern University in 1987. Lorainindictments.jpg Delante Lunn, Russell Davis, Cecil Shelton, Jesus Cruz and Leon Hale, all of Lorain County, have been indicted on federal charges after selling drugs that caused overdoes, authorities say. (U.S. Attorneys) ELYRIA, Ohio -- Two more Lorain County men have been indicted on federal charges after selling drugs that caused fatal overdoses, authorities say. Delante Lunn, 36, of Elyria, is charged with distributing heroin and fentanyl and Russell Davis, 47, of Lorain, is charged with distributing fentanyl and cocaine. Lunn sold a fatal mixture Feb. 18 in Elyria and Davis sold a fatal dose March 7 in Lorain, according to the indictments. They join 22-year-old Cecil Shelton, of Lorain on a list of five Lorain County men indicted on federal charges in separate cases involving fentanyl and heroin-related overdoses this week. Shelton is charged with distributing heroin. He is accused of selling a fatal dose on March 18 in Elyria. Jesus D. Cruz, 35, and Leon Hale, 35, both of Elyria, are also accused of selling drugs that resulted in overdoses in March and February, respectively. The victims in both those cases were revived. Cruz is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Cruz, who has a prior heroin-trafficking conviction, was in possession of a .357 revolver, the indictment says. U.S. Attorney Carole Rendon said federal charges carry a stiffer penalty with a mandatory minimum 20-year prison sentence compared to state charges, if they are convicted. "We need to send a message that we will find you, we will arrest you and you will be put in jail," Rendon said Thursday. Lorain County officials are aggressively targeting dealers who sell heroin and fentanyl as the number of overdoses and deaths skyrockets in the county. There were 65 heroin and fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Lorain during all of last year. There have been 68 deaths so far this year, Rendon said. Elyria's numbers have nearly doubled from past years with 96 overdoses and 23 deaths this year, Elyria police Chief Duane Whitely said. "Selling drugs that result in someone's death needs to be pursued as a murder," Whitely said. "It is no different than killing someone with a gun." If you wish to discuss or comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section. Like Chanda Neely on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter: China has a massive garbage problem. Now one former central banker is hoping to find a treasure where others see trash. The world's second-largest economy currently produces around 250 million tonnes of waste every year. The World Bank projects that this figure will double by 2025 as population surges in metropolitan areas and cities that are disproportionately responsible in generating waste. Yet for Chen Xiaoping, the CEO of China Everbright International , one of the largest in China's waste management industry, the country's problem with trash means that its market potential is tremendous. Chen previously held positions at the People's Bank of China and Everbright Bank before moving to Hong Kong to revamp the operations of a subsidiary of the China Everbright Group listed there. "I studied finance and used to deal with currencies. Now I'm in environmental protection and have to deal with garbage," Chen tells CNBC's Managing Asia, "[But] since I've entered the business, I've fallen in love with it." When Chen first joined the company, operations at Everbright International had been unsustainable. Chen had considered new opportunities for the company in the real estate, mining or infrastructure sectors but decided against them because of the huge capital outlay. Eventually, Everbright International ventured into waste management because it required relatively less capital. "We actually entered the environmental protection industry largely by chance," Chen says. The gamble appears to have paid off and Everbright International's global footprint has since grown significantly. The company acquired the Polish waste management firm Novago for 123 million euros ($139 million) in June this year. Meanwhile, the company's water business was listed in Singapore in 2014 and it intends to spin-off its green technology business for a Hong Kong listing in the future. Hillary Clinton told the FBI that former Secretary of State Colin Powell had advised her to use a personal email account, the New York Times reported on Thursday. The incident, which was included in the notes the FBI handed over to Congress on Tuesday, occurred in the early months of Clinton's tenure at the State Department, when the two met at a small dinner party hosted by another former secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, the report said. Additionally, a 2009 email exchange that emerged during FBI questioning showed that Clinton had asked Powell about his email practices during his time at the State Department, the report said. Powell's use of a personal email account was included in his memoir, "It Worked for Me," the report noted. You can read the full New York Times report here. One non-profit organization has aimed the sharing economy's methods at two main concerns of Europe's refugee crisis: Where to house the refugees and how to assimilate them into the host country's culture. Since its start in 2014 in Germany, Refugees Welcome, which has since expanded to nine other countries, has matched 811 asylum-seekers with hosts with rooms and helping them adapt to the new country. But with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) data showing more than a million migrants pouring into Europe last year alone, the demand for rooms obviously outweighed supply. "We have over 10,000 [refugee] applications in Germany, and of course a lot less offers for rooms," said Mareike Geiling, co-founder of Refugees Welcome, in a CNBC interview. It's not just a lack of rooms that slows the non-profit's progress: Matches can't be made willy-nilly. Geiling said hosts and refugees must be screened, with the process including questions about background, origin country, age and spoken languages. Most crucially, she added, the refugees and hosts must meet in person to cement the fit. And if the usual problems that come with cohabiting arise, Refugees Welcome recommended on its website that "the same rules apply as with any other flatmate - you try and find a solution," adding "if needed, with our assistance." Affordable healthcare isn't a myth. In fact, healthcare systems in other countries can be equally as goodif not betterthan that in the U.S.and charge far less for their services. As more and more U.S. retirees learn that better and faster healthcare is available abroad at a fraction of the cost they're accustomed to paying at home, a growing number of them are opting to take advantage of what's called "medical tourism." It's not uncommon for these medical tourists to save tens of thousands of dollarsor even moreon medical treatments without sacrificing quality. A new report from International Living highlights five of the top countries medical tourists are seeking out for high-quality, affordable medical care. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at Briar Woods High School August 2, 2016, in Ashburn, Virginia. Despite a last-minute re-shuffle of his campaign, an academic at the London School of Economics believes the race is almost run for Republican nominee Donald Trump. In an attempt to arrest sliding support, Trump this week named Steve Bannon, a former investment banker, to the post of chief executive and promoted pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager But Brian Klaas, a Fellow in Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics, told CNBC Friday that Trump may not have enough time to sway voters. "Early voting starts in the United States in a couple of weeks. So, about a third of all voters will cast their ballots before the day of the election. "And with race crystallizing at it is now, I think Trump's running out of time to fix a sinking ship," he told CNBC . He said that Trump is losing his core white male support, crucial to his success. "That is where Mitt Romney absolutely trounced Obama in 2012 and the gap is closing. He is winning fewer of those voters than Romney won. And that's a huge problem for Trump," he said. Sales in the Americas, the cosmetics maker's biggest market, rose 1.4 percent to $1.1 billion on a reported basis, its slowest growth in four quarters. The New York City-based firm also said its expects fiscal 2017 adjusted profit to be between $3.38-$3.44 per share, missing analysts' estimates of $3.53. Shares of the company were more than 3 percent lower, closing below $92 a share on Friday, still holding gains of about 10 percent over the last 12 months. Cosmetics maker Estee Lauder reported a smaller-than-expected rise in quarterly sales, hurt by a slowdown in sales in the Americas as fewer customers visited department stores and tourist spending declined. Lower retail traffic mainly affected the company's "heritage" brands Estee Lauder and Clinique, and a few M.A.C freestanding stores. Demand for its skin care products continued to weaken, as the company cited overall global slowdown in the category. Sales from its namesake brand and Clinique were also hurt by lower sales in some Asia-Pacific countries, mainly Hong Kong. "Social and political issues, currency volatility and economic challenges are affecting consumer behavior in certain countries, such as Hong Kong, France and some emerging markets," the company said. Rival L'Oreal earlier reported second-quarter sales growth marginally below forecast as the company said Western Europe was being held back due to a "very difficult market in France." Net income attributable to the company fell to $93.5 million, or 25 cents per share, in the quarter, from $153 million, or 40 cents per share, a year earlier. Net income was hurt by restructuring and other charges. Excluding items, the company earned 43 cents per share. Net sales rose to $2.65 billion from $2.52 billion. Analysts on average had expected a profit of 40 cents per share and revenue of $2.66 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. The company also said it expects to incur restructuring charges of about $80 million-$100 million in fiscal 2017, related to its Leading Beauty Forward strategy. As part of its Leading Beauty Forward strategy, the company had earlier approved restructuring initiatives to exit businesses in certain markets and channels of distribution while also reducing its workforce globally. Six young Germans show off their just-purchased Kanye West clothing at a pop-up shop in Berlin. BERLIN Twenty-somethings dressed entirely in black sprinted down a sleepy street Friday afternoon to get a shot at a must-see American import: the Kanye West pop-up store. But the hordes of Beatlemania-like runners were likely out of luck: A hundreds-long line was already snaking out from the 032c Workshop art gallery and down to the end of the block, and some had already begun turning away in frustration. Berlin's event is one of 21 global "Pablo" pop-up locations launched by West globally on Friday to celebrate his "The Life of Pablo" album. Three opened in Europe, 13 are in the U.S., Australia is hosting two and Singapore, Canada and South Africa are offering one each. The pop-ups have proven lucrative for West in the past. He has said the New York event earlier this year generated $2 million in sales of items including thrift-store jackets customized by West for $400. Tweet 1 The German iteration slated for Friday and Saturday at the Brutalist church-turned-gallery had the looks of another potential success as young Germans paraded their new hoodies up and down the block, offering words of encouragement to those still in line. "I feel close to Kanye: I like his creativity," said Chris, a 24-year-old Berlin native who joked his profession is to "live the good life." "But it's also the hype kind of thing ... but it's also the looks [of the clothing]," he added, explaining why he'd just spent about 1,000 euros, or about $1,100, on the merchandise. Chris's haul was on the pricier side of his group of friends all of whom had waited in line since 1 a.m. for the chance to purchase the clothing. Landing the 76th place in line granted the group a 13-hour wait, they said. Gian-Luca, a 17-year-old Berliner, was beaming despite the long wait. "It was an awesome night: You talk with the people, and it was very nice, but also exhausting," said the teenager, who spent 165 euros at the store. "At some point you just want to break up and go home, but then you think about why you're here." Gian-Luca's rationale for persevering would likely have pleased the famously confident West: "He's, in my point of view, a genius." The Associated press contributed to this report. "The investment follows a 17-year relationship between AIMS and Littlejohn in which AIMS has been an investor in all of Littlejohn's committed capital private equity funds," a statement issued by Littlejohn this week said. The bank is buying a stake of less than 10 percent in private equity firm Littlejohn & Co., through its Alternative Investments and Manager Selection group's Petershill fund. The AIMS group manages more than $150 billion, including investments in hedge funds, private equity and other strategies. Goldman Sachs is diving back into a business most of Wall Street has eschewed in the wake of the global financial crisis. Traders work at the Goldman Sachs Group booth on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. That would put Goldman in Littlejohn funds dating back to around 1999, when it raised its Littlejohn Fund II, according to Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund data. That fund saw an internal rate of return, or return on its investments, of 12 percent, the data state (not bad for a private equity fund, in other words). Littlejohn's next fund went far better a 2005 fund netted a rate of return of more than 25 percent outstanding by private equity industry standards. The 2010 Littlejohn Fund IV netted a rate of return of more than 11 percent. By 2014, when Littlejohn raised Fund V, it took in $2 billion from its investors. Goldman did not comment and neither side disclosed the sale price. But, its Littlejohn deal is far from its only recent foray back into private equity. Last month, the bank was reportedly preparing to raise another private equity fund of its own, for the first time since the global financial crisis. The new fund, which will raise between $5 billion and $8 billion, is named West Street Capital Partners (for the address of the bank's new headquarters). In the case of its latest private equity fund, as well as investing in outside funds like Littlejohn, post-crisis regulations now require that about 97 percent of the funding is drawn from clients not the bank's balance sheet. That regulation forced many Wall Street banks to spin out their in-house private equity firms, forcing them to raise all their investment capital from outside sources of funding (and leaving some of them unable to match prior fundraising totals). The passive stake Goldman's AIMS picked up in Littlejohn also reflects a vote of confidence for the middle market investor. Correction: Goldman has not been making other private equity investments in 2016 and it has not invested via the AIMS Platform in Neuberger Berman's Dyal Capital Partners and GP Interests, which both put money in other private equity firms. An earlier version misstated these facts. Don't feel too bad for Philippe Dauman. If CEO Dauman exits Viacom , it would cap a lucrative decade-long tenure at the company, data shows. A deal, expected to be announced soon, would reportedly award Dauman a hefty parting sum of $72 million, a source told Reuters. It comes after Dauman has consistently been among the highest paid CEOs in recent years, according to Equilar, which specializes in executive compensation data. Dauman has made a total $409.67 million in reported compensation which includes the grant date fair value of any stock or options awards since he was named CEO in September 2006. His realized pay during that time which is the amount earned in cash in the given year, plus the value of shares vested in that year, and gains from exercised options totals $491.66 million, Equilar said. Carlos Varas, a Miami-Dade County mosquito control inspector, uses a Golden Eagle blower to spray pesticide to kill mosquitos in the Wynwood neighborhood as the county fights to control the Zika virus outbreak on August 2, 2016 in Miami, Florida. Florida health officials have found evidence of likely local Zika transmission in Miami Beach, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, opening a new front in the fight against the mosquito-borne virus, media reports said on Thursday. A cluster of Zika cases have been identified and health officials are deciding whether to warn pregnant women against travel to the area, the New York Times reported, citing an unnamed health official. The virus, which has spread rapidly through the Americas since it was first detected in Brazil last year, can cause the rare birth defect microcephaly, marked by abnormally small heads and developmental problems. Florida's Department of Health would not confirm reports that Zika had spread to Miami Beach after being confirmed in the city's Wynwood neighborhood, the first site of local transmission in the continental United States. "The department still believes active transmissions are still only occurring in the area that is less than one square mile in Miami-Dade County," said Mara Gambineri, a spokeswoman for the department, referring to Wynwood. "If investigations reveal additional areas of likely active transmission, the department will announce a defined area of concern." The department on Thursday said there are 35 cases of likely local transmission in the state. The tally includes two new cases that were identified outside of Wynwood. Officials are expected to identify a specific geographic area for ongoing Zika transmission within Miami Beach, the Miami Herald reported, citing unnamed sources. City officials in Miami Beach were not available. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention referred calls to state health officials. The prospect of the virus spreading to the tourism-dependent Miami Beach area is likely to alarm tourism officials. Last year, some 15.5 million people spent at least one night in Greater Miami and the beaches, generating nearly $24.4 billion in direct expenditures, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. More than 48 percent of all visitors stayed in Miami Beach. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said it would not be surprising to see new clusters of Zika cases pop up in different areas or counties of Florida. Local mosquito populations could pick up the virus from a person returning from another area where Zika is active. He said it is important to alert people as soon as possible if local transmission is occurring so that pregnant women can protect themselves and get tested for the virus. "You want to make sure that there's reasonable evidence that local transmission is actually occurring," Adalja said. "You don't want to jump to conclusions right away and cause people to panic or stigmatize an area that doesn't have local transmission." Earlier this month Florida began aerial spraying of insecticides to kill mosquitoes in the Wynwood neighborhood. The CDC also issued an unprecedented warning to pregnant women and their partners to avoid the area. Miami Beach public works officials and code compliance officers spread out on Thursday to inspect neighborhoods for mosquito breeding sites, the Miami Herald reported. The Zika virus has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of microcephaly in Brazil, raising alarm among public health officials globally about its spread. The virus can also be spread through sex, making it unique among mosquito-borne diseases. President Barack Obama in February requested $1.9 billion to fight Zika but Congressional efforts to approve part of the funding deadlocked before lawmakers adjourned for the summer. Republicans are worried that Donald Trump's presidential candidacy may hurt down-ballot races and cost the GOP its Senate majority, Democrat Bill Richardson told CNBC on Friday. "There's serious concern among Republicans, and I have a lot of Republican friends, ... about losing the Senate," Richardson said in a "Squawk Box" interview. "The House is probably going to be OK [for the GOP], lose some seats. But the Senate is in play." Richardson, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 and supports Hillary Clinton, was energy secretary during Bill Clinton's presidency. Richardson was also governor of New Mexico and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Recent polls nationally and in battleground states have been favoring Clinton. "I've been in elections," said Richardson. "Polls do matter." But Betsy McCaughey, former Republican lieutenant governor of New York, dismissed the polls, telling CNBC in the same interview it's a long way to the November election. "Eighty days, three presidential debates to go. In politics that is an eternity," said McCaughey, who's a columnist for the New York Post. "Voters really have a choice: class warfare or growth." McCaughey said Trump's economic plan, including a reduction of corporate taxes, would promote growth. "You can't clobber corporations with the highest tax rates in the world, and then say you want to boost manufacturing," McCaughey said, referring to Clinton's "Make it in America" push and claims companies pay too little in taxes. Richardson defended Clinton: "I think the 1 percent and the corporations, they deserve their fair share of taxing." Meanwhile, the Trump campaign on Friday released its first television general election television ad, saying the system under Clinton "stays rigged" against Americans. At the same time, Trump struck a softer tone on the campaign trail, saying at a North Carolina rally he regrets comments that "may have caused personal pain." It was the GOP nominee's first speech since a shake-up in his campaign staff this week. While calling the so-called New Trump "terrific" and praising new campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, McCaughey said: "This is not about personality." "This election will turn on the economy," she added. Richardson said he was not surprised that Trump toned down his act. "Obviously he has to change his tone because he's had a disastrous month since the convention." McCaughey countered by saying: "What happens in August stays in August." Things are going to get worse for oil markets before they get better, Again Capital's John Kilfduff said Friday. Crude prices have recouped much of their losses over the past six sessions after tumbling to about $40 a barrel from the 2016 peaks above $50 in June. The rally has been driven by speculation that OPEC members and Russia could take measures to prop up prices after a number of energy officials said they would discuss intervening in the market during a conference in Algeria next month. On Friday, the oil rally paused, with slipping from a recent high above $51 a barrel and U.S. crude trading at about $48. Hopes for price intervention can send crude futures higher still, Kilduff said, but he warned oil prices will ultimately collapse again because top-exporter Saudi Arabia is not serious about taking action. "We're probably going to touch 50 bucks. I think we're going to ring the bell before we can head back down," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box." "I think we're going to go back down to at least $40 and possibly the mid $30s," he said. Kilduff said Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih's comment last week that the kingdom will discuss coordinating action with other producers was "perfectly well-timed" to a moment when bets against rising oil prices were at record highs. Some analysts are wondering if it's Groundhog Day in the oil market. Prices have rallied nearly 20 percent since early August on talks of an OPEC move to support prices, mirroring gains earlier in the year when the cartel had raised the prospect of curbing supply. That rally sputtered and some market experts say it's unclear if a similar fate can be avoided. After all, the 14-member group haven't agreed on very much since the summer of 2014 when the oil market started crashing. Prices have fallen as much as 70 percent since then. "Prices are only marginally above where they were when the group met in Doha in April and couldn't agree to a deal," said Daniel Hynes, commodity strategist at ANZ, in a report on Thursday. "It's clear OPEC saw the weakness in oil prices in July as unwarranted and this forced its hand. However, instead of having to cut output, verbally intervening has achieved the same impact," he added. Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential candidate, filed a sparse financial disclosure, suggesting a relatively modest income and lifestyle. That offered a sharp contrast with his running mate, Donald Trump, who has controversially refused to release his tax forms. According to Pence's filing with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday, his family's income from the beginning of 2015 through August 16 was $173,000, all from his salary as governor of Indiana. His wife's craft and painting business, which was closed around the time that Pence was tapped as the vice presidential candidate, was listed as having income of none or less than $1,000. Pence's other assets and income form included a bank account worth no more than $15,000 and two education savings plans, known as 529 plans after the portion of the tax code, each worth no more than $15,000, according to the filing. The family, which includes three children, had seven student loans, which could range in value from $10,000 to $50,000 each. That contrasts sharply with Trump, who in a financial filing earlier this year claimed a net worth of more than $10 billion, which was fully capitalized as "in excess of TEN BILLION DOLLARS," by his press office. Trump himself has said it can vacillate day to day based on his "feelings." Many analysts, including biographers, dispute that figure. Recently, Forbes pegged his net worth at around $4.5 billion, while Bloomberg estimated it at $2.9 billion. "In the beginning, Dillians morning routine consisted of getting to his office at 7 a.m., reading the news, throwing up in a trash can next to his desk and writing for hours. He threw up every single day for three months straight." Dillian worked (showed up) for the entire week during Lehman's bankruptcy. And just as he was saying goodbye to trading; Barclays picked up Lehman's U.S. business for just $250 million. He suddenly had a job again if he wanted. "In addition to wanting to be a writer, I just couldn't do that job anymore," he said. "So I quit." He sat down at his Lehman Brother's computer for the last time and fired off a final note to his clients: "I'm starting a newsletter Who wants to sign up?" And over 900 people responded "yes" to his inquiry. It was a great start. "I'm doing the math in my head, $600 a year times 900 clients. I can make that work. I was ready to start the Daily Dirtnap." (A dirtnap is Old School Wall Street slang used mostly on the West Coast. As Dillian explains on the site, it means "a disorderly collapse in price accompanied by a disappearance of liquidity, where selling accelerates and bids vanish due to fear of the presence of news." So, for example, Lehman Brothers "took a dirtnap.") Just like an investment banker who merges two synergistic companies, Dillian did it with his passions: the markets and writing. He found two things he liked and seemed to be very good at and created a whole new career for himself. He was finally able to leave the corporate culture behind. The office he rented literally had no windows. It was just a desk which cost him $1,500 a month. "It was like a solitary confinement chamber," he said. That sounded like a financially smart way to start a business. There was just one problem: This was still mid-financial collapse. "Remember the 900 people? Well, everyone disappeared," Dillian said. In the beginning, Dillian's morning routine consisted of getting to his office at 7 a.m., reading the news, throwing up in a trash can next to his desk and writing for hours. He threw up every single day for three months straight. "I'd left a considerable amount of money on the table with a retention bonus offered by Barclays," he said. "I'd lost at least half of my net worth in the freefalling markets and no one was signing up for my newsletter." But he kept on writing. He wrote about out-of-the-box ideas, trends in the market and contrarian thinking pieces. "I'm not always right," he said. "But I always try to give you something to think about or a different way of thinking." He focused on a type of research that wasn't in the current market place and created a buzz. People were talking. And then word of mouth started to gain momentum. Potential clients were requesting his pieces. Dillian's hard work over the years has paid off. The Daily Dirtnap now has thousands of paid subscribers at $600 a pop (which, by Wall Street standards, is actually pretty cheap). He's making a comparable living to his Wall Street trading days. His name and ideas have become part of a trading desk's conversation. If he's making a big call traders want to know about it. And, he still gets to trade but just out of his personal account not for a full-time job. The biggest draw for him to leave Corporate America was quality of life and he's achieved it. "I make my own hours," he said. "I travel. It's great." He's his own boss, there's no ceiling to his own success and he can directly enjoy the benefits of his hard work. It's had a huge impact on his overall happiness and well-being. "I wasn't like, I hate this place, Lehman sucks," he said. "I just wanted to do my own thing." Donald Trump on Friday put out his first national TV advertisement for the election, attacking Hillary Clinton on multiple fronts. "In Hillary Clinton's America, the system stays rigged against Americans. Syrian refugees flood in. Illegal immigrants convicted of committing crimes get to stay, collecting Social Security benefits, skipping the line. Our border open, it's more of the same, but worse," the advertisement begins. The footage shows police officers escorting a handcuffed man through a desert scene, as well as people sitting in a line on the ground near uniformed police. Many faces in the video are blurred or obscured, leaving only their dark hair and skin as identifying markers. The comparison between Clinton and Trump changes tone midway through the ad, when a military helicopter blazes through the sky, followed by a series of scenes showing the Border Patrol on the move, an armed soldier in silhouette and a military ship on the water. Two smiling families are shown, too, including an African-American family gazing at the American flag. The ad ends with a voiceover from the Republican presidential hopeful himself and a thumbs-up portrait of him in one of his signature red "Make America Great Again" caps. The ongoing war of words between Beijing and the U.K. over an apparent reluctance to develop a new nuclear plant in the west of England has escalated, with a piece in Chinese state-backed news outlet Xinhua accusing the U.K. of "China-phobia". The surprise announcement last month that the U.K. was delaying a decision on a planned nuclear power plant at Hinkley, in which China is one of the major investors, has thrown what had looked like a new golden era of relations between the two countries into apparent disarray. "London's misgivings over Chinese involvement in its key infrastructure is yet another stroke of China-phobia," the Xinhua editorial, by writer Zhu Junqing, argued. The social media company will team up with Unity Technologies to build a PC gaming platform. Unity, a leading game development platform that helped power Pokemon Go, will build a new functionality that streamlines the process of publishing games to Facebook's 650 million gamers. It will bring more developers to an ecosystem that paid out over $2.5 billion to web-game developers alone in 2015, Unity said. And that could be key for companies like Zynga or Glu Mobile who are looking to be more social, said Mike Olson, managing director and senior research analyst at Piper Jaffray. "What that does is kind of cause all these game developers around the world to salivate and say, 'Hey this is a great opportunity for us to make new games that can immediately be published to the Facebook platform,'" Olson said. By building a rival for popular gaming hub Steam, Facebook isn't competing with mega-franchises fromActivision Blizzard or EA , who make games like "Call of Duty" and "Madden," Olson said. Instead, it gives a new audience to the makers of "Words with Friends" and the "Kim Kardashian: Hollywood" game. "The old view of gaming of sitting in your basement playing alone is over," Olson said. "Now it's about multiplayer games on console or desktop, or even on mobile with games like 'Candy Crush.' So I think this new platform for desktop gaming is part of that strategy." Disclosure: Piper Jaffray makes a market in shares of ATVI, TTWO, GME and/or EA. Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi is working on a more "sophisticated" virtual reality (VR) headset, its head of international told CNBC on Friday, just days after announcing its first foray into the space. Earlier this month, Xiaomi unveiled the Mi VR Play headset, a device it said was an "entry level" product without unveiling the price. But Hugo Barra, Xiaomi's vice president of international, revealed to CNBC that the world's second-most valuable private tech company is working on a more advanced VR device, and said China would outpace any other market for VR adoption. "We are going to introduce much more sophisticated VR products in the Chinese market," Barra told CNBC Friday. "But I think it's easy to say one thing, the Chinese market is at around 400 million to 500 million smartphones sold every year. Every single one of these phones, in theory, is VR capable, so our thinking is VR could actually become mass market in China, faster than any other market in the world." The Mi VR Play will support a wide range of 4.7- to 5.7-inch smartphones that will be secured in the headset by a two-way zipper. It is wrapped in a lightweight lycra. Xiaomi said it received 1 million registrations in just eight hours since issuing a call for beta testers on August 1. Users on the beta testing program will be able to get the Mi VR Play for 1 yuan ($0.15). The company didn't say when the headset would be publically available. I could either do JSON front end (with Ajax call with JSON data) -- webservice (convert JSON in .NET Object or Object) and call -- SQL Stored Proc with SQLCommend and Parameters I am looking for a better way to do it since this design is almost 8 years old, toady we have latest and better techs which I may not be well aware of son kindly suggest. cheers varun sharma COULD ANYBODY HELP IN MAKING A WEBSITE TO SELL CARS? I NEED A WEBSITE THAT CAN SEARCH AND LIST OUT DIFFERENT CARS WHICH THE USER WANTS AND DISPLAY IT?? REALLY URGENT.. COULD ANYBODY GIVE AN IDEA HOW TO DO IT OR GIVE ME THE FINAL RESULT SOMEHOW?? THANKS U If you've taken on a project, but don't know where to start - ie: you've lied to your client - then you'll need to go to a site like freelancer.com and pay someone to do the job for you. "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer Hi, In my project I am using mvc ajax form. we included js file. In that js file somebody written $.validator.unobtrusive.parse. The form id passing in parse is becoming undefined. because of this it's raising issue. how to resolve this issue $.validator.unobtrusive.parse("#form"); this #form is becoming undefined at run time. any one help me to resolve this issue Hi, I'm trying to write code with prepared stmt but only code is displayed. Anyone? PHP connect_error) { echo ' Cannot Connect to mySQL: ' , $con->connect_error(); } else { if (isset($_POST[ ' url' ])) { $stmt = $con->prepare( ' SELECT url, username, password, purpose, emailused, date-time, count, saved FROM emailtbl WHERE url = ? ' ); $stmt->bindValue(1, $_POST[ ' url' ]); $stmt->execute(); if ($row = $stmt->fetch()) { echo ' ' ; do { echo ' ' ; foreach ($row as $value) echo ' ' ; echo ' ' ; } while ($row = $stmt->fetch()); echo '
Email Activity for ' , htmlspecialchars($_POST[ ' url' ]), '
url Username Password Purpose E-Mail Used date-time count Saved
' , $value, '
' ; } else echo '
No Results Found
' ; } else echo '
No valid "url" for Query
' ; } $stmt = $con->prepare( ' UPDATE emailtbl SET date-time=DATE(); count=count + 1' WHERE url = ? ' ); $stmt->bindParam(s, $_POST[' url ' ]); $stmt->execute(); echo $stmt->error ? ' < div class =" error" > url update query error: ' . $stmt->error . ' < /div > ' : ( $stmt->affected_rows > 0 ? ' < div class =" success" > Success! Updated ' . $stmt->affected_rows . ' records. < /div > ' : ' < div class =" error" > FAILED! No records updated. < div > '); ?> There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't. Hi, I'm trying for awhile to code up a MYSQLi dropdown from a database, select a field(url, formatted as "http://www.thisurl.com) and arrive at that destination. I've tried several forums re. compatability (connection/query/output etc..Problem is I blow up at the first query (see screen shot). It's like my PHP isn't working. If someone will advise of the PHP issue maybe I can work out the app code. Any volunteers? Thanks! --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 HTML < !DOCTYPE html > < html > . < title > email visit info < /title > < head > < /head > < BODY > create and display dropdown from database, url selected provides needed username and password. clicking on selected takes the user(me) to that url < br > < center > < form id =" testform" name =" testform" action =" " method =" post" accept-charset =" UTF-8" > " ; echo date( ' m/d/y' ); echo " " ; $con=mysqli_connect( " localhost" , " root" , " cookie" , " homedb" ); if(mysqli_errno($con)) {echo " Can't Connect to mySQL:" .mysqli_connect_error();} else {echo "
" ;} $id = ' ' ; $url= ' ' ; $username = ' ' ; $password = ' ' ; $purpose = ' ' ; $emailused = ' ' ; $date-time = ' ' ; $count = ' ' ; $saved = ' ' ; echo " ' ; ?> < input type =" submit" name =" submit" value =" Submit" / > < /form > { $url = $_POST['url']; // ----------------------- display the table ------------------------ echo ' < tr > '.' < td > '.' < table border =" 1" > '.' < tr > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'url'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'username'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'password'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'purpose'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'emailused'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #FFD47F" > '.'date-time'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #FFD47F" > '.'count'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'saved'.' < /td > '.' < /tr > '; // while($data = mysqli_fetch_row($fetch)) while($data=mysqli_fetch_row($result)) { echo (" < tr > < td > $data[0] < /td > < td > $data[1] < /td > < td > $data[2] < /td > < td > $data[3] < /td > < td > $data[4] < /td > < td > $data[5] < /td > < td > $data[6] < /td > < td > $data[7] < /td > < /tr > "); } echo ' < /table > '.' < /td > '.' < /tr > '.' < /table > '; mysqli_query($con,"UPDATE emailtbl SET date-time = 'DATE()'; count = 'count + 1'; WHERE url=$url"); ?> < /center > < /body > < /html > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 " ; echo date( ' m/d/y' ); echo " " ; $con=mysqli_connect( " localhost" , " root" , " cookie" , " homedb" ); if(mysqli_errno($con)) {echo " Can't Connect to mySQL:" .mysqli_connect_error();} else {echo "
" ;} $id = ' ' ; $url= ' ' ; $username = ' ' ; $password = ' ' ; $purpose = ' ' ; $emailused = ' ' ; $date-time = ' ' ; $count = ' ' ; $saved = ' ' ; echo " ' ; ?> < input type =" submit" name =" submit" value =" Submit" / > < /form > { // ----------------------- display the table ------------------------ echo ' < tr > '.' < td > '.' < table border =" 1" > '.' < tr > '.' // ======================anchor attempt========================= // echo " < a href =' ".$row[' url ' ]. " ' > ".$row['url']." < /a > "; // ========================================================== < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'username'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'password'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'purpose'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'emailused'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #FFD47F" > '.'date-time'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #FFD47F" > '.'count'.' < /td > '.' < td bgcolor =" #ccffff" > '.'saved'.' < /td > '.' < /tr > '; // while($data = mysqli_fetch_row($fetch)) while($data=mysqli_fetch_row($result)) { echo (" < tr > < td > $data[0] < /td > < td > $data[1] < /td > < td > $data[2] < /td > < td > $data[3] < /td > < td > $data[4] < /td > < td > $data[5] < /td > < td > $data[6] < /td > < td > $data[7] < /td > < /tr > "); } echo ' < /table > '.' < /td > '.' < /tr > '.' < /table > '; mysqli_query($con,"UPDATE emailtbl SET date-time = 'DATE()'; count = 'count + 1'; WHERE url=$url"); ?> < /center > < /body > < /html > ----------------------------------------------- 3 < !DOCTYPE html > < html > < head > < title > test 3 < /title > < /head > < body > < center > < form id =" testform" name =" testform" action =" " method =" post" accept-charset =" UTF-8" > < table border = 1 cellpadding = 2 cellspacing = 2 bgcolor =" #D4FFAA" > < tr > < th > url < /th > < th > username < /th > < th > password < /th > < th > purpose < /th > < th > emailused < /th > < th > date-time < /th > < th > count < /th > < th > saved < /th > < /tr > " ; echo " " ; echo ' ' ; echo " " ; echo " " ; echo $res[ ' username' ]> ' ; echo ""; echo ""; echo $res[' password ' ]; echo ""; echo ""; echo $res[' purpose ' ]; echo ""; echo ""; echo $res[' emailused ' ]; echo ""; echo ""; echo $res[' date-time ' ]; echo ""; echo ""; echo $res[' count ' ]; echo ""; echo ""; echo $res[' saved ' ]; echo ""; echo ""; } ?> -------------------------------------------------------- modified 19-Aug-16 9:24am. "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer In a vb.net 2010 web form application, I want to create an error message when the user clicks on a checkbox or a process button. This error message will occur when there is a duplicate record when the same school year appears for the same student. The problem of the student having more than 1 record for the same school year is nothing I can change since my school is using vendor software. I just basically want to tell the user to fix the problem using the vendor software and then they rerun my supporting web form application. My goal is to keep the user on the current web form page they are on and allow them to do whatever processing they need to do for another student. Thus my question is what is the best way to display the error message? Would I use a javascript alert, a regular alert, place the error message within the web page, and/or something you would recommend? Would you tell me: 1. Why you recommend a particular method? 2. Would you show me the code on how to accomplish this goal and/or point me to the url that will show how to generate this code? dcof wrote: Would I use a javascript alert, a regular alert Those are the same thing. The easiest way is to use alert("Some Message Here"); However, you can easily do nicer looking dialog boxes using jQuery and jQueryUI. Dialog | jQuery UI[^] With jQuery UI, you add a div to your page that will display the message, write the necessary jQuery to wireup your dialog and then call it. Very simple and looks way better than alert();. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't. I downloaded this app[^]. It runs fine on my PC. I then followed this[^] to host it in IIS on my server. My server is Server 2012. I get This page cant be displayed Make sure the web address http: Look for the page with your search engine. Refresh the page in a few minutes. I can ping the server, and I can connect remotely to my SQL Server instance on my server, I just cannot reach this app in IIS on my server. I'm guessing it's not hosted correctly. I'm not sure how to fix this. My experience in Web stuff is limited. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks [UPDATE] I got it working. I had not opened a port on the router. Don't I feel silly. If it's not broken, fix it until it is modified 15-Aug-16 22:36pm. What qualities do people look at web developers when they hire them to build a Web site. How to be become an expert web devloper???? Web designers make web sites. There is a fairly fundamental difference: developers make the web work and designers make it pretty. If you're interested in site design, I would suggest looking more deeply into graphic design and specific tools, like DreamWeaver (is that still a thing?), Wix, and WordPress. If you're interested in development, be prepared to become a subject matter expert on networking, security, web-stack architecture, database technologies, JavaScript, PHP/C#/Java, abstraction, and "The IT Crowd". "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." - Benjamin Disraeli Nathan Minier wrote: Web developers make web applications. Web designers make web sites. There is a fairly fundamental difference: developers make the web work and designers make it pretty. This is well put, but perhaps not the whole story. 1. For a web site to work well, you would also need someone writing great content, have an understanding of information architecture, web usability, and more. I sometimes teach the Web Editor program at our university, which links text, image handling, usability/accessibility, structuring the site, and also some coding. 2. Even if you are more into the backend of a web site/web application, the level of expertise you would need varies. For example, ASP.NET WebForms is much easier (if you're not good at OO practices) and more similar to a traditional HTML web site than ASP.NET MVC. To develop web sites, I usually say you need five skills: 1. HTML 2. CSS 3. Database logic (traditionally SQL Server or MySQL) 4. Server code (ASP.NET, PHP) 5. Javascript Of these five, Javascript could perhaps be omitted, depending on the website's needs, but you can't live without the other four. If you keep things simple you will find that web development is much easier than most other programming. It's also more rewarding, as you get results very quickly, and people from all over the world can watch your work. Thus, if you're new or relatively new to programming, then web development is a great way to expand on your knowledge. Good luck! Petter That said, I think there are some points of contention in the block that you wrote about developers (I do live in that world, so have a whole hell of a lot to say ). petter2012 wrote: For example, ASP.NET WebForms is much easier (if you're not good at OO practices) and more similar to a traditional HTML web site than ASP.NET MVC. I'm sorry, but IMO this is terrible advice. WebForms obfuscate the dual nature of web applications and lead to confusion, not clarity. It was a bad stop-gap to try and make WinForm developers comfortable using a RAD tool for the web. At this juncture, I think advising learning it is an exceedingly bad idea, and I don't just say that because I'm getting tired of modernizing applications that were written using it. New devs (in the MS stack) should put in the time to learn MVC.NET; it will serve them far better and will improve the state of software overall. I would also contend that MVC.NET is quite a bit closer to the DHTML pages that I worked on with PHP and CGI gateways in the last 20 years than WebForms. WebForms are much closer to that Adobe Cold Fusion garbage that is like some sort of torture from the very pits of hell. petter2012 wrote: Of these five, Javascript could perhaps be omitted, depending on the website's needs, but you can't live without the other four. I'm afraid that I need to argue this point as well. The fact is that Java(ECMA)Script is the language of the web; modern stacks can even use it for the server-side. Realistically, it's the only item that you mentioned that is a programming element that absolutely needs to be learned for a modern web application. HTML and CSS are important, but those are ostensibly templates and configurations. SQL queries are nice and all, but a decent ORM can stand in. Even server logic can (depending on the application) potentially be ignored as DBMS have begun exposing http data endpoints to support the asychronous nature of the current web application (not to mention those goofy mobile apps). petter2012 wrote: If you keep things simple you will find that web development is much easier than most other programming. I would argue that this is true for amateurs using a WYSIWYG toolset to make a web page for their bowling league, not aspiring professional developers. It also serves the aforementioned designers well as a proof-of-concept for their designs. I think that learning code is very much a value-for-dollar item, with the dollar in this case being the time and effort spent on it. Yes, a CRUD application using total bolierplate can be created and running within minutes if you have even nominal skill, but that's no different from a native application. Developing a robust and useful web application requires at least as much complexity, planning, and headache as a native app; effectively the user's browser is the UI thread. I guess ultimately what I'm saying is that I don't want to see the people who are just starting out being soft-balled on this. If they want to be a graphic designer then hey, go the designer route. This isn't for everyone, a point on which I think we're all in agreement. But if a fresh face is not intimidated by the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to be a real developer, then they should do it and do it right. "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." - Benjamin Disraeli Nathan Minier wrote: if a fresh face is not intimidated by the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to be a real developer, then they should do it and do it right. Hi, No need to apologise: please note that I never advised the OP to use WebForms - it's a matter of how far down the programming path one wants to go. By the way, ASP.NET WebForms was created to differentiate between presentation (HTML) and logic (ASP.NET) as opposed to blurring them together (like in ASP and PHP), which it still does well. Quite many member portals (for example) have been written using WebForms, at a time when PHP was a competitor. I agree that WebForms is less adequate for a Web 2.0 scenario, but it's much easier to learn than MVC.NET for example, so once again, I think we are in agreement. Skipping out on SQL? No, I dont think so... So sure, if one wants to dig deep into coding, then he or she should by all means explore ASP.NET MVC, some advanced PHP, and many several newer and perhaps more exciting languages. It all depends on what one tries to achieve, and where in the path from design to code one wants to place oneself. As you said, the route you are suggesting "isn't for everyone", and Scott Gunthrie himself said some time ago that WebForms and MVC.NET are for different people but both have their merits (or something along those lines). I for one live happily with both approaches. modified 31-Aug-16 19:55pm. petter2012 wrote: Skipping out on SQL? No, I dont think so... Well, one can dream. "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." - Benjamin Disraeli for example you can write "hello world" 10 times or you can use a loop that are the traits which a good developer should possess. Now to become a web developer you should know. 1-HTML 2-CSS 3-one client side language 4-one Server side language I am storing html string formatted in database. Now I want that string to be shown formatted but it's putting string as it is with tags. This is in C#. Good answer is appriciated If, on the other hand, that text is opened in a web browser (IE, FireFox, Chrome, etc.) then it will interpret the text (that is what browsers do) and display it with the context that you want. The browser does have to consider the text is coming from a website and isn't just a simple file that happens to have HTML in it by accident. It, too, will then just show the text. As a hint, the text will have to be part of a web page that the browser can open or opened within a webpage that's already on the browser. Ravings en masse^ "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 var htmlString = HttpUtility.HtmlEncode(user.Company); It's a method called HtmlEncode in the HtmlUtility class which takes a string parameter and encodes it into a Html-safe string. modified 5-Jan-17 10:54am. Boggss depiction of a young Harriet Tubman on a $100 note preceded the decision to put the famed abolitionist on the $20 bill by two decades. A Boggs 1996 $5 note from an edition of 1,000 and his other editioned notes from the mid-1990s are great starting points for collectors, with examples generally selling for $100 to $150 each. Five hundred of these interpretations of $1 Federal Reserve notes with the seals reversed could be obtained at the show with a donation to FUN or by renewing a subscription to Bank Note Reporter. These regularly sell for less than $100. Working both within and outside of the confines of the law, American artist James Stephen George Boggs better known as J.S.G. Boggs is an enigma. His signature pieces are hand-drawn replicas of current money called Boggs bills that he uses to purchase goods and services. His work combines visual art and performance art, with his bills and the documentation of the transaction serving as a core element of his artistic practice. Boggs was born in Woodbury, N.J., in 1955 and rose to fame with his one-man exhibition titled smart money (HARD CURRENCY) that traveled the country. He isnt represented by traditional galleries and his work generally has to be acquired through a transaction with the artist. This exclusivity adds to his mystique. Connect with Coin World: He works to question the value of paper money, but in creating these close replicas he has challenged counterfeiting laws in the United States and Great Britain. In a key case that was decided by the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia, a judge wrote, Art is supposed to imitate life, but when the subject matter is money, if it imitates life too closely it becomes counterfeiting. At the core of the U.S. legal conflict was Project Pittsburgh, where Boggs planned to spend $1 million in his bills in the Pittsburgh area and would ask recipients to pass the bill five times before taking it out of circulation. In November 1992 the Secret Service and U.S. Attorneys Office decided that the plan could not continue and the Secret Service would soon seize more than 1,300 items from Boggss home and studio. He requested that his property be returned and a multi-year legal battle followed. Boggs challenged the confiscation in court, contending that his bills were protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and he challenged the standard used in determining that his bills were counterfeit. The Appeals Court noted that Boggs does not intend to defraud those who are engaging in a transaction with him using Boggs bills, and saw value in the artists exploration of the value of money and the social and political institutions that underlie a system of exchange. However, the Appeals Court agreed with a lower courts finding that the Boggs bills were contraband, defined as objects inherently unlawful to possess, and that they were not entitled to First Amendment protections. A footnote in the dissent summarized the issue elegantly: Labeling a counterfeit bill art will not save it from the Secret Services incinerator, but at some point, an artworks loose resemblance to currency will not strip it of First Amendment protection. A collectors encounter Pennsylvania collector Wayne Homren wrote in the May 1994 issue of The Numismatist about his encounter with Boggs as he planned for the artists attendance at the October 1993 Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists convention. Homren wrote that while he had seen Boggss photograph, he did not know what to expect nor now Boggs would mix with coin collectors. At the show, Boggs recounted the story of how he happened upon his unique art, doodling in a restaurant on a napkin the image of a dollar bill. The waitress wanted to buy it, and Boggs offered to pay his 90-cent restaurant bill with his napkin. The waitress completed the transaction when she gave him 10 cents back in change. Homren noted, Boggs was not only an interesting artist, he was a comfortable and entertaining speaker as well. Boggs gave PAN one of his Project Pittsburgh bills depicting a modified Series 1886 $5 silver certificate, where the usual silver dollars depicted on the note have been replaced with five blank round voids. That piece would sell for $350 at the show, and to complete the bill, Boggs pulled out his ink pad and rolled winning bidder Morty Kadushins thumbprint on the note. When asked if the price the note sold for at the auction met the artists expectations, Homren recalled Boggs saying, When it comes right down to it, all transactions are merely an agreement between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Third-party opinions arent worth a damn. Later Homren would have the opportunity to purchase a $5 fantasy note that takes traditional elements of U.S. currency design and incorporates more personal elements, including a portrait of a man named Monet A. Electronica. The design cleverly weaves in Moneta, goddess of money, Impressionist Claude Monet and Benjamin Franklin and incorporates Boggs interest in the future of electronic money. Boggs personalized it by creating a serial number incorporating Homrens initials. The completed transaction left Homren with questions: Did he offer too much (or too little), why did he buy this particular work of art and how hard is it for an artist to sell his work? As the collector concluded, these questions dont have clear answers, and he wrote, It wont be just a piece of paper on my wall. It will be a reminder of a pleasant encounter and a trigger for more thoughts and questions on the nature of art, money, history and people. Harriet Tubman and Boggs Though most of Boggss publicity and notoriety came in the 1990s, his work continues to be relevant today and a project from the mid-1990s has come to fruition 20 years later. An article in the December/January 1995 magazine Worth by Timothy J. Sultan titled Change for a Hundred discusses Boggs alongside the governments redesign of money in the 1990s to incorporate new anti-counterfeiting technologies. The magazine asked a group of artists to design a note using similar requirements to the Treasury Departments. As the article concluded, Along the way, we learned that strict constraints dont limit a good artist, and that money can be beautiful, provocative, even moving. Thats only fitting. Banknotes arent just valuable pieces of paper. Theyre national works of art. Boggss $100 Federal Reserve note depicted Harriet Tubman as a young child. Tubman escaped slavery to become a leading abolitionist and a conductor of the Underground Railroad who was personally responsible for freeing hundreds of slaves. During the Civil War, she served as a nurse, a cook, and a scout who gathered intelligence for the Union cause. He related the image to her intervention in a slave beating as a young girl, and Boggs commented, Heroes are always depicted as mature, stately persons. Can a young black girl, or any child, identify with that? Boggs further suggested different bills for use overseas, where the majority of fake U.S. notes circulate. On April 20, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced that future $5, $10 and $20 notes would feature women in their designs and that the new face on the $20 bill would be Harriet Tubman. The designs of the new Tubman bills are expected to be revealed in 2020 to coincide with the centennial of the Constitutions 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Collecting Boggs Much of Boggss work remains with its original owners and few original Boggs pieces are traded at auction. Among collectors, his notes have traded in excess of $25,000, with perhaps the most valuable being the Tubman notes. As Homren explains, Its the most important one in the series because of the Worth magazine article, which he won an award for (but didnt want, because it was a commercial art award, not a fine art award). With the Treasury choosing Tubman for the new FRN, this could become his signature work. Homren added, Boggs got no mention when the Treasury announced the new Tubman design. Boggs was there 20 years ago, and deserves some credit. In a Nov. 30, 2015, auction by Numismatic Auctions LLC in Okemos, Mich., a 1991 piece titled October Rent ($500) sold for $16,100, exceeding the estimate of $7,500 to $15,000. The framed piece included various components of a rent transaction: a $500 Boggs bill with a portrait of William McKinley, named Willie on the note and consistent with the artists practice of changing certain details or wording. Also included is the change from the rent payment a genuine contemporary $50 Federal Reserve note along with the original receipt signed by the landlord who accepted the bill as Boggs lived in a space called the Brew House in 1991, a brass numeral 5 of the type found on an apartment door, the store package for the numeral, a bottle cap, Lipton tea wrapper, a real estate business card, and a portion of the October calendar for that year. In the catalog, auctioneer Steven Davis wrote, This is a wonderful and early Complete Transaction performed by the artist, adding, Complete Boggs transactions are difficult to come by, let alone one featuring a $500 Boggs bill. Serving as an entry point for collectors are the editioned notes that Boggs created in conjunction with the Florida United Numismatist and American Numismatic Association conventions in the mid-1990s. At the 2015 FUN show, Heritage offered as a single lot a uniface $5 note from 1996 printed in FUNs signature orange color, numbered 69 of 1,000, and a $20 black uniface note from 1998 for $258.50. The $5 note has the U.S. Supreme Court on the back instead of the Lincoln memorial. In typical Boggs fashion, the total face value of the 1996 production was $5,000: 200 went to FUN to pay for the artists bourse space, 500 went to pay for ad space in Bank Note Reporter (who used the pieces as subscription premiums) and the remaining 300 were sold by Boggs to collectors individually. Answers Africa is one of a kind platform created for Africans both locally and in the diaspora and those seeking for more in-depth information about Africa. We have always focused on creating the highest quality informational contents right from the beginning. We share the most relevant information on the latest and trending news, events, people, and places in Africa. We produce contents across various categories including Politics, People, Love and Romance, Nature, Entertainment, Technology and pretty much everything else that Africans may find relevant. 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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 The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form Boone County high school football district scores and roundup Heres who survived and advanced, and who finished for the season, on Friday. SHARE Danny Floyd was killed in a car accident involving a Bartlett police car Oct. 12, 2014. August 18, 2016 - A decorative rooster greets customers at Shelby Forest General Store. Danny Floyd, who was a regular at the store, donated the "conversation piece" as a memorial to "JJ the Rooster," a mascot of sorts at the store and to the regulars who frequented the Shelby Forest landmark. Owner Doug Ammons continues to share the "JJ" story along with other fond memories of his friend and customer. Floyd died in a crash October 12, 2014. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal) August 18, 2016 - Doug Ammons, owner of Shelby Forest General Store, shares fond memories and humorous stories about his friend and customer, Danny Floyd. Ammons explains how Floyd sliced a Hackberry tree in half to make room for a fence. Floyd was a regular at the store where he contributed a number of "conversation pieces" for display. "He was full of life and would give you the shirt off his back," Ammons added. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal) Related Coverage Bartlett officer guilty of reckless driving in fatal crash By Katie Fretland of The Commercial Appeal Danny Floyd is remembered for having the heart of a servant. When a storm would hit, the 63-year-old tree cutter from Shelby Forest would clear trees from roads with a chainsaw so school buses could get through. But he didn't want praise for doing so, said a friend, Doug Ammons. "He had a very large heart," said Ammons, co-owner of the Shelby Forest General Store that Floyd often visited. "Danny's heart was bigger than Shelby Forest. He was a very loving and giving person. He was a hard worker, and he was tough. He was cowboy tough. Underneath, he had a big heart. He was a teddy bear. He did more favors for me than I could ever begin to list." Floyd, and 49-year-old Michelle Sloyan, were killed Oct. 12, 2014, in a crash involving a Bartlett police cruiser. The trial of the officer, Lucas Hines, on charges of vehicular homicide began this week. Jurors on Friday found Hines guilty of two counts of reckless driving, but not more serious charges including vehicular homicide. Floyd and Sloyan were friends who had a weekly time set aside to go to a movie together and eat. Sloyan grew up in Memphis, attending St. Michael grade school and graduating from Memphis Catholic High in 1985. According to her obituary, Sloyan, a Kroger cashier who died just days before her 50th birthday, was remembered "for her quiet and sweet presence and caring heart." She was "just a very caring, sweet person," said her cousin, Eddie Amato. Sloyan and Floyd enjoyed taking road trips, having coffee and being around animals, said Floyd's son-in-law, Shawn Senkbeil. Floyd had goats, cows, horses, rabbits and chickens. Sloyan had a little dog, who was a rescue, Lola, Senkbeil said. Floyd, a single parent, "always wore a smile and was the type of friend you'd want to have," said his daughter, Danelle Senkbeil. "He was a friend to everyone and a daddy to those without one. He is who introduced me to my husband, Shawn. When Shawn and my daddy met, Shawn's dad had just passed away, so my daddy became Shawn's daddy too and they were inseparable." Floyd would take in and nurse abandoned animals. He was a "true animal lover to his core and he passed that on to me," Senkbeil said. "You always take care of God's creations. You don't litter, you be kind to animals, and you never work on Sunday." Floyd is missed, Ammons said. "I pray for his soul everyday. He touched this community and left a mark and impact on this community that people didn't even know." SHARE Andre Stewart By Kayleigh Skinner of The Commercial Appeal A Bartlett man was arrested Friday in connection with the robbery of a Wells Fargo bank earlier this month, according to the Memphis Police Department. Andre Stewart, 27, was charged with aggravated robbery and sent to jail on a $250,000 bond. According to an affidavit, Stewart entered the Wells Fargo Bank at 1365 North Germantown Parkway around 1:50 p.m. on Aug. 12 and approached two bank tellers with a note demanding money. The suspect had a handgun and threatened one of the tellers, cursing at her and saying "...I will kill you, give me the money and don't give me no dye pack!," the affidavit said. Police did not specify how much money was taken. Stewart fled on foot but the incident was captured on camera, police said. Stewart was developed as a person of interest and one of the tellers later identified him in a photo lineup, the affidavit said. Stewart is due in court Monday. Mary Mancini is administered the oath of office after her election as chairwoman of the Tennessee Democratic Party in Nashville on Jan. 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) By Ryan Poe of The Commercial Appeal The Shelby County Democratic Party was forcibly disbanded Friday, less than three months before the Nov. 8 elections, punctuating years of bitter in-fighting that have recently revolved around former chairman Bryan Carson. Tennessee Democratic Party chairwoman Mary Mancini said she notified SCDP chairman Michael Pope in a letter Friday that she had chosen to "de-certify" the state's largest county party, effectively disbanding it. "Shelby County is very valuable to the Democratic party because there are some good and active Democrats in this county," she said. "The decision was made because the Shelby County Democratic Party was not supporting, engaging and encouraging all those good and active Democrats." In the letter, she said the TNDP would work with local Democrats to "determine their own needs, evaluate the effectiveness of past bylaws and leadership, elect officers and executive committee members, and enact reforms that bring in new people and build a strong grassroots organization." Corey Strong, a state party executive committee member representing Memphis, said a party whose main purpose was to organize support around electing Democratic candidates had been rendered ineffective by internal issues, as displayed in past elections. Most recently, county party members have quarrelled about how to handle allegations that former chairman Carson embezzled more than $25,000 in his tenure. At the direction of Mancini, SCDP chairman Pope approved a $6,000 settlement with Carson, even though the county executive committee had already approved a resolution to file charges against Carson, leading to shouting matches at recent committee meetings. Strong said the party was being disbanded because it wasn't "living up to its purpose." "This is not about an individual," he said. "This is about a systemic inability to meet the party's own charter and the minimum requirements of the state party." He said state executive committee members from Memphis were the ones who pushed Mancini to decertify the party because they didn't want the party to "flounder on the local level." Carson and his mother, Gale Jones Carson, are both members of the state executive committee. Strong said the party would be reorganized, possibly as early as November, under the supervision of local elected Democrats. The party's money would be moved into a trust until the party is reconstituted. A meeting with party stakeholders is scheduled in two weeks, Mancini said. Shelby County is losing its Democratic party as operatives on both sides of the aisle begin gearing up for the general election this fall, but Strong doubted voters or candidates would be able to tell a difference. "We don't think it will have a significant impact because the county wasn't doing anything anyway," he said. Del Gill, a thorn in Mancini's side, was a driving force behind several recent resolutions targeting Carson, including a resolution declaring Carson a non-bona fide Democrat. Gill also unsuccessfully tried on Aug. 11 to pass a resolution to censure SCDP chairman Pope for signing the settlement agreement with Carson. Pope declined to comment. Carson also declined to comment for this story, but previously said receipts were missing because of poor bookkeeping, not because he'd embezzled any money. The Tennessee GOP swiftly condemned the decision to disband the county party Friday, and renewed past calls for an investigation into the accusations against Carson. "With allegations flying that $25,000 from donors has gone missing, the TNDP's answer is to simply sweep the issue under the rug. That's inexcusable," executive director Brent Leatherwood said in the statement. Mancini said the Carson matter was already resolved, in all transparency, in the recent settlement. Gill, who was elected Aug. 11 as second vice chair of the party, the party's No. 3 position, said Mancini's de-certification letter was another example of her overstepping her bounds as TNDP chair. In her letter, Mancini referenced the party's bylaws, but Gill said he disagreed with her interpretation, and hinted that legal action could be on the horizon. He said she couldn't disband the SCDP without a vote by the state party executive committee. "Nowhere in the bylaws does it talk about being de-certified," he said. Gill said he would continue to be involved in the party, whether old or new. "I'm still a Democrat," he added. Strong said the Democratic leaders and stakeholders would look at the reasons behind the party's dysfunction and could take steps, including changing the bylaws, to streamline the party's operations. The Shelby County Young Democrats are now Memphis' only county-wide, chartered Democratic group. Tracy Family photo No air-conditioning, but no mind. These young leaders of the Nascent Catholic Youth Organization in Memphis are facing the challenge to get young folks together for fun and spiritual growth on Aug. 20, 1939. On this summer's day at Jefferson Davis Park on the Mississippi are (from left) Margaret Kehne, Marie Pera, Armantine Arzaque, Charlie Tracy and Bill Fisher. The woman standing behind Tracy is unidentified. SHARE Aug. 19 25 years ago: 1991 KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine White House officials scrambled Sunday night for information about the apparent ouster of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. They were clearly caught by surprise. "We are aware of the press reports concerning President Gorbachev. We have no details at this time," said a statement released by White House Deputy Press Secretary Roman Popadiuk. 50 years ago: 1966 The Beatles fly into the Bible Belt from Boston today for two 45-minute appearances in two-hour concerts at 4 and 8:30 p.m. at the Mid-South Coliseum. The five-member rock and roll group from Liverpool will dine on roast beef during the break between shows while four supporting musical acts must be content with Swiss cheese, ham and beef sandwiches. Although the Beatles have drawn the ire of many persons across the country, including the City Commission, for John Lennon's remark that they are more popular than Jesus Christ, promoters and police expect no trouble among the 21,000 fans expected. Less than 6,000 tickets remain to be sold for the two shows. 75 years ago: 1941 Numerous charges by field auditors of "irregularities" in construction of the Government's mammoth shell loading plant at Milan, Tenn., brought high Army officials to investigate. They agreed with the auditors but departed and no further action was ever taken. 100 years ago: 1916 WASHINGTON President Wilson's plan for settlement of the threatened nationwide railroad strike was accepted today by the representatives of the employees and taken under consideration by the officials of the roads with many indications that they would reject it tomorrow. 125 years ago: 1891 If this were not a country of law and order and toleration, the American anarchists who are representing the United States in the socialist congress at Brussels would be tarred and feathered on their return. One of them yesterday described this country as a "hell." SHARE By Ben Shapiro On Wednesday, Donald Trump's campaign announced Breitbart News chairman Stephen Bannon as its new CEO, shocking no one in the conservative world. Conservatives joked openly for months about "Trumpbart" and the transformation of Breitbart.com into, essentially, Bannon.com, but it was still something of a surprise that Trump would so publicly embrace Bannon, a man who helped transform a mainstream conservative website into a cesspool of the alt-right. It also comes as a surprise, or at least it should, that the Republican National Committee appears ready to go right along with the Bannon-Breitbart-Trump takeover over the party, even as the Trump campaign's latest move means RNC Chairman Reince Priebus now sits, effectively, side by side with alt-right Trump fans. The takeover, now a virtual fait accompli, represents the dangerous seizure of the conservative movement by the alt-right. Constitutional conservatives can't stand the alt-right. Conservatives real conservatives believe that only a philosophy of limited government, God-given rights and personal responsibility can save the country. And that creed is not bound to race or ethnicity. Broad swaths of the alt-right, by contrast, believe in a creed-free, race-based nationalism, insisting, among other things, that birth on American soil confers superiority. The alt-right sees limited-government constitutionalism as passe; it holds that only nationalist populism on the basis of shared tribal identity can save the country. It's a movement shot through with racism and anti-Semitism. Trump himself has flirted with the alt-right for months, from taking his sweet time distancing himself from former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, to failing to condemn alt-right anti-Semitic attacks on journalists. The alt-right association came into focus after I left the site in early March I worked there as an editor for four years with the elevation of alt-right cult hero Milo Yiannopoulos to a position of prominence. I'd heard, of course, that the some of Breitbart's comment sections had been occupied over previous months by a motley collection of white supremacists and anti-Semites (I generally never check the comments). I'd certainly felt their online wrath, accused by alt-righters of being an anti-Trump "cuck" accusations that came with memes of gas chambers and "shekelmeister" cartoons that could have come directly from Der Sturmer. Such material flowed into my inbox and Twitter feed. That flow escalated dramatically after I declared that I would not support Trump, and it escalated again after I left Breitbart over its attempts to smear its own reporter, Michelle Fields, to shield then-Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski against charges that he'd yanked her by the arm at a campaign event. But it wasn't until March 29 that Breitbart's full embrace of the alt-right became clear. That's the day the site featured Yiannopoulos' lengthy piece glorifying the alt-right. Yiannopoulos had already given interviews in which he stated that "Jews run the banks" and "Jews run the media," dismissing anti-Semitic memes as merely "mischievous, dissident, trolly." He wrote, along with co-author Allum Bokhari, this insane sentence: "There are many things that separate the alternative right from old-school racist skinheads (to whom they are often idiotically compared), but one thing stands out above all else: intelligence." And this is the cast of characters, and their enablers, to whom Trump has turned. Bannon is known, among other things, for his Sarah Palin documentary, "The Undefeated," and his relationship with conservative patrons Rebekah and Robert Mercer. But he's also the guy who ushered along the twisted turn at Breitbart. If Republicans aren't careful, he'll inflict similar damage on their party now that he's the top man running their standard-bearer's campaign. If they don't know it yet, the alt-right surely does. As one of its own, Richard Spencer, explained: "Breitbart has elective affinities with the alt-right, and the alt-right has clearly influenced Breitbart. In this way, Breitbart has acted as a 'gateway' to alt-right ideas and writers." There's now a path for this same kind of thinking to infiltrate the GOP. None of this was Andrew Breitbart's vision. He despised what he declared the dishonest, unspoken cooperation between the Democratic Party and major media outlets. In his memoir, "Righteous Indignation," he wrote: "The left wins because it controls the narrative. The narrative is controlled by the media. The left is the media. Narrative is everything. I call it the Democrat-Media Complex and I am at war to gain back control of the American narrative." Andrew knew Trump wasn't a conservative, and he despised racism; he routinely bragged about helping to integrate his fraternity at Tulane University, and was personally heartbroken over the accusations of racism directed at him after the Shirley Sherrod story. But Breitbart News has become everything Andrew hated: a party organ; a pathetic cog in the Trump-Media Complex and a gathering place for white nationalists. What does this mean for Trump's campaign? It means that like Breitbart, Trump will continue to tacitly embrace the alt-right, hoping, presumably, that adherents of its worldview will propel his campaign in the same way it has boosted Breitbart's traffic by millions of monthly page views. Trump lives in a Breitbart fantasy world, and he's now invited Bannon to personally decorate that world for him. The GOP establishment, too weak and cowardly to oust Trump earlier, risks displacing the true, constitutional conservatives for whom the party has been a natural political home, and now it looks prepared to ride the Trump train, next to alt-righters, all the way into the electoral ravine. Ben Shapiro is editor-in-chief of the Daily Wire and author of several books, including "Bullies: How the Left's Culture of Fear and Intimidation Silences Americans." He wrote this for the Washington Post. SHARE By Charles Krauthammer WASHINGTON This week Russian bombers flew out of Iranian air bases to attack rebel positions in Syria. The State Department pretended not to be surprised. It should be. It should be alarmed. Iran's intensely nationalistic revolutionary regime had never permitted foreign forces to operate from its soil. Until now. The reordering of the Middle East is proceeding apace. Where for 40 years the U.S.-Egypt alliance anchored the region, a Russia-Iran condominium is now dictating events. That's what you get after eight years of U.S. retrenchment and withdrawal. That's what results from the nuclear deal with Iran, the evacuation of Iraq and utter U.S. immobility on Syria. Consider: IRAN The nuclear deal was supposed to begin a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran. Instead, it has solidified a strategic-military alliance between Moscow and Tehran. With the lifting of sanctions and the normalizing of Iran's international relations, Russia rushed in with major deals, including the shipment of S-300 ground-to-air missiles. Russian use of Iranian bases now marks a new level of cooperation and joint power projection. IRAQ These bombing runs cross Iraqi airspace. Before President Obama's withdrawal from Iraq, that could not have happened. The resulting vacuum has not only created a corridor for Russian bombing, it has gradually allowed a hard-won post-Saddam Iraq to slip into Iran's orbit. According to a Baghdad-based U.S. military spokesman, there are 100,000 Shiite militia fighters operating inside Iraq, 80 percent of them Iranian-backed. SYRIA When Russia dramatically intervened last year, establishing air bases and launching a savage bombing campaign, Obama did nothing. Indeed, he smugly predicted that Vladimir Putin had entered a quagmire. Some quagmire. Bashar Assad's regime is not only saved. It encircled Aleppo and has seized the upper hand in the civil war. Meanwhile, our hapless secretary of state is running around trying to sue for peace, offering to share intelligence and legitimize Russian intervention if only Putin will promise to conquer gently. Consider what Putin has achieved. Dealt a very weak hand a rump Russian state, shorn of empire and saddled with a backward economy and a rusting military he has restored Russia to great power status. In Europe, Putin has unilaterally redrawn the map. His annexation of Crimea will not be reversed. The Europeans are eager to throw off the few sanctions they grudgingly imposed on Russia. And the rape of eastern Ukraine continues. Ten thousand have already died and now Putin is threatening even more open warfare. Under the absurd pretext of Ukrainian terrorism in Crimea, Putin has threatened retaliation, massed troops in eight locations on the Ukrainian border, ordered Black Sea naval exercises, and moved advanced anti-aircraft batteries into Crimea, giving Moscow control over much of Ukrainian airspace. And why shouldn't he? He's pushing on an open door. Obama still refuses to send Ukraine even defensive weapons. The administration's response to these provocations? Urging "both sides" to exercise restraint. Yes, both sides. And in a gratuitous flaunting of its newly expanded reach, Russia will be conducting joint naval exercises with China in the South China Sea, in obvious support of Beijing's territorial claims and illegal military bases. Yet the president shows little concern. He is too smart not to understand geopolitics; he simply doesn't care. In part because his priorities are domestic. In part because he thinks we lack clean hands and thus the moral standing to continue to play international arbiter. And in part because he's convinced that in the long run it doesn't matter. Fluctuations in great power relations are inherently ephemeral. For a man who sees a moral arc in the universe bending inexorably toward justice, calculations of raw realpolitik are 20th-century thinking primitive, obsolete, the obsession of small minds. The major revisionist powers China, Russia and Iran know what they want: power, territory, tribute. And they're going after it. Barack Obama takes Ecclesiastes' view that these are vanities, nothing but vanities. In heaven, no doubt. On Earth, however Aleppo to Donetsk, Estonia to the Spratly Islands it matters greatly. Contact Charles Krauthammer at letters@charleskrauthammer.com. SHARE By David Ignatius WASHINGTON The fight against the Islamic State may get the headlines, but it's the military threats from Russia and China that most worry top Pentagon officials and are driving a new arms race to deter these great-power rivals. This question of how to deal with Russian and Chinese military advances has gotten almost no attention in the 2016 presidential campaign, but it deserves a careful look. The programs begun in the waning days of the Obama administration could potentially change the face of warfare, in America's favor, but they would require political support and new spending by the next president. A drive to build exotic conventional weapons may sound crazy in a world that already has too much military conflict. But advocates argue that strengthening U.S. conventional forces might be the only way to avoid escalation to nuclear weapons if war with Moscow or Beijing began. Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work argued for the new deterrence strategy in a presentation this month to the bipartisan Aspen Strategy Group, amplifying comments he made to me in an interview in February. The approach, awkwardly named the "third offset strategy," would leverage America's technological superiority by creating new weapons that could complicate attack planning by an adversary. The premise is that as Russia and China modernize their militaries, America must exploit its lead in high-tech warfare. In the world envisioned by Pentagon planners, the U.S. could field an array of drones in the sky, unmanned submarines beneath the seas and advanced systems on the ground that could overwhelm an adversary's battle-management networks. Like the two previous "offsets," battlefield nuclear weapons in the 1950s and precise conventional weapons in the 1970s, this one would seek to restore lost U.S. military dominance. The concerns prompting the new strategy were previewed by Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at his Senate confirmation hearing in July 2015: "If you want to talk about a nation that could pose an existential threat to the United States, I would have to point to Russia. And if you look at their behavior, it's nothing short of alarming." China worries some Pentagon officials even more than Russia. A recent study by the Rand Corp., titled "War with China: Thinking Through the Unthinkable," warned: "Improvements in Chinese military capabilities mean that a war would not necessarily go the way U.S. war planners plan it. Whereas a clear U.S. victory once seemed probable, it is increasingly likely that a conflict could involve inconclusive fighting with steep losses on both sides." Top Pentagon officials say that because of Russian and Chinese advances, the U.S. military's "overmatch" has diminished. Planners can no longer guarantee a president that the U.S. could prevail in the early days of a conventional conflict; they fear that the U.S. might lose "escalation dominance" meaning, basically, the ability to call the shots in a future confrontation. Deputy Secretary Work urged European allies in a speech in Brussels in April: "It's time for another doctrinal and conceptual reawakening." He argued that to cope with "an incredibly lethal modern battlefield," the U.S. must maintain "a healthy margin of technological superiority, because an erosion ... might ultimately undermine our conventional deterrence, contribute to crisis instability, and greatly raise the potential cost of any future U.S. military operation." A glimpse of what could lie ahead, if the next president continues the projects begun by the Obama Pentagon, came in a provocative 2014 study, "Toward a New Offset Strategy," by Robert Martinage of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. Martinage recommended a dizzying new arsenal that would include a new fleet of unmanned subs, a new array of undersea sensors, "seabed payload pods" that could hide drones underwater until they were needed in a conflict, electromagnetic rail guns and directed-energy weapons, high-energy lasers that could blind enemy sensors, and a range of other new technologies. "These initiatives would contribute to an effective offset strategy by affordably restoring U.S. power projection capability and capacity, bolstering conventional deterrence ... and imposing costs upon prospective adversaries," Martinage wrote. Pentagon officials say they decided over the past year to reveal some formerly top-secret weapons programs because the disclosure would complicate Russian and Chinese military planning. But they say they have concealed other programs to preserve warfighting effectiveness in any future conflict. U.S. officials contend that this push to offset Russian and Chinese gains will have a stabilizing effect in great-power relations, rather than a destabilizing one. But in an unsettled world, this issue deserves broader debate during the presidential campaign. David Ignatius' email address is davidignatius@washpost.com. Day 3, Greece Art Trek: Santorini SOLD 12" x 9" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty! E-mail - Niki Gulley Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings. Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Paris and Provence, France so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, and following in the footsteps of Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne, please join us for this amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks. On the third day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the potted succulent set against the vivid blue water and white stucco balcony. With several clouds in the sky, everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadows, intense colors and a cool breeze, making it such a pleasant day to paint. Fast Forward A group of Conn alumni professionals passed along critical insight about life after college to students participating in Fast Forward, the Colleges new career prep program. Participants gained critical insight about life after college during Fast Forward, a weeklong career preparation workshop that took place on campus this month. Whether making your resume stand out to secure a job interview or turning an interview into a job offer, telling your personal story is one key to success, Liana M. Douillet Guzman 05, vice president of marketing and communications at Blockchain in New York City, told Connecticut College students taking part in a week-long career preparation program on campus last week. Successfully articulating your personal narrative means focusing on what you want people to know about you, and practicing it sufficiently so that you can share it in a succinct and compelling way in any number of scenarios. Guzman passed along this strategy during , a new initiative sponsored by the Colleges Academic Resource Center in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Engagement. The program, which took place Aug. 7-12, was offered at no charge to current students and recent alumni. "Fast Forward is an exciting step toward expanding the offerings of our nationally recognized career program," said Noel Garrett, dean for academic support, and director, Academic Resource Center. Garrett said that as part of the four-year career program offered by the Colleges Office of Career and Professional Development, Fast Forward builds on a commitment to prepare students for 21st-century careers. "Tapping into our alumni network to deliver real-world advice and skills was extremely motivating for participants. It will definitely give them an edge in the job search process," Garrett said. Fast Forward kicked off with a dinner and keynote address by Trustee Annie Scott 84, director of information technology at Middlesex Community College, and concluded with mock interviews, individualized feedback and discussions about mentorship. Students learned directly from professionals through presentations and open engagement during a series of workshops and seminars run almost exclusively by alumni representing a range of disciplines, from Greg Fleischmann 90, a global marketing director for Baker & McKenzie in Chicago, to Margit Johnson '15, a health care recruiting associate at Gerson Lehrman Group. As part of the program, students chose a career trackentrepreneurship, law, nonprofit or healthfor specialized enrichment opportunities. Other topics discussed included public speaking, financial literacy and paying for graduate school. Morgan Cowie-Haskell 16, who took part in the nonprofit track, found value in the workshops, which she described as open dialogues between students and alumni professionals. Cowie-Haskell plans to apply what she learned at Fast Forward to her recently accepted job with the nonprofit YW Boston. "I learned about marketing, development and grant writing from the participating alumni and presenters. Fast Forward made me even more excited to start working in the nonprofit sector," she said. Aleksandr Chandra 16 followed the entrepreneurship track, and said he gained a foundation for the potential of businesses to impact social justice. Chandra, who earned degrees in psychology and English, is exploring how storytelling can raise awareness and improve communities. "Fast Forward has been an amazing experience," he said. "Coming back to Conn to participate in this program has enhanced my professional outlook through interactions with alumni and students. The program has been instrumental in helping me hone my professional profile." The College plans to hold future Fast Forward programs during Winter Break 2016 and next summer. For more details contact the Colleges Office of Career and Professional Development. Four years to your career. Learn more August 19, 2016 I was going to title this ToryDiary In defence of Philip Davies, before I realised that not only is a defence unnecessary, but that the MP for Shipley would be unlikely to appreciate being defended by anyone. After all, this is the man whose response to a critical article in todays Times (published in full by that paper, to their credit) shows he is more than capable of defending himself: I am very happy to leave the matter in the hands of the [parliamentary standards] commissioner. This is an old accusation which had no merit the last time The Times printed the very same story and still has no merit. I have every confidence the commissioner will conclude that this vexatious complaint, from a second-rate journalist peddling an agenda for his friends at the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, has no merit at all. I guess that The Times must be short of stories in the summer recess and so has decided to rehash a discredited old story to fill up some space. It does indeed seem like thin gruel to suggest that Davies, a former bookie and constant opponent of regulation on business, had to be induced somehow in order to oppose regulation on bookies still, as he says, the commissioner will no doubt have her say soon enough. Let us instead take the opportunity to praise rather than defend the tribune of Shipleys people. Hes outspoken, hes stubborn, hes a dedicated user of the House of Commons rules in all their vicious glory. He has never seen a left-wing sensitivity that didnt look perfectly primed for treading on, to the outrage of his critics and the satisfaction of many of his voters. He doesnt court the approval of the lobby, and he doesnt back down from his opinions even when they make his colleagues cringe knowing that to falsely apologise for something he really believes would be to defeat the point of his existence. In short, Parliament would be the poorer without him. Back in 2006, at the Conservative Party conference in Bournemouth, I had the task of introducing him at The Freedom Associations first Better Off Out conference rally. I suggested he was the man to take up the mantle of Eric Forth, the Bromley MP who had died a few months earlier. For the Daily Telegraph, which was running a Mods and Rockers theme to contrast between Camerons modernisers and their opponents, this was the ultimate rocker accolade. I didnt say it lightly Forth was a Commons institution, a self-described parliamentary yob, a politically incorrect champion of the filibuster and Davies mentor. The man from Shipley has more than lived up to that title over the last decade (to my relief it would have been awkward if hed renounced his views in return for a post as Junior Under-Commissioner for Drain Maintenance). His talking out of Private Members Bills drives many MPs, on all sides, round the bend, but he is a stalwart bearer of the torch which Forth passed on: lots of these [Bills] have all got a worthy sentiment behind them but you cant pass legislation on the whim of a worthy sentiment because it affects peoples lives and livelihoodsIt is a very unsatisfactory way to pass legislation. His firm application of that principle hasnt always made him popular with the media, various groups of voters and other MPs. To name but two examples, sinking attempts to further regulate landlords, and trying to prevent the aid spending target being embedded in the statute book, drew bitter criticism. But anyone who thought such incoming fire would make Davies run, rather than dig himself in deeper, has completely misunderstood his views and his character. If anything, its likely to encourage him the saying when the flak increases, you know youre over the target could have been invented as his personal motto. The question of whether to value his existence cannot be answered by simply judging whether you agree with him or not. I share most of his views on the EU, but disagree with him strongly on same sex marriage and government snooping powers. Some readers will agree with his recent claim that men get a raw deal in the justice system, while others will see it as unjustified meninist moaning. Even he hates the practice of some of his own principles loathing tobacco smoke while opposing nanny state clampdowns on smokers, for example. Judging his merit on whether his position is identical to yours is to miss the point. His value is two-fold. First, his presence on the green benches ensures that there is someone in Parliament willing to stand up for a range of views which, if it were left to the leaderships of each party, would be unheard and unrepresented in Westminster. MPs have become more independent-minded in recent years, but it takes a rare bloodymindedness to put ones head down and charge through consensus and taboo every time you come across it like Forth before him, Davies performs that public service on principle, regardless of the risk or cost to his own interests. Second, Parliament needs champions not just those who write or lecture on the importance of an activist, rebellious Commons, or who mull the constitutional arguments about scrutiny of the Executive, but those who actually deliver one in practice. Governments of all stripes will take the chance to abolish powers and rules they dislike, and such functions require someone using them regularly to keep them polished and functional. His presence makes it far harder to erode the Commons. He would hate the comparison, but in that respect he is like a parliamentary Swampy, camping out high in the boughs of the Westminster tree to defy the ministerial bulldozers. So yes, he may make almost everyone wince at one point or another but when he said he opposed political correctness, at least he really meant it. Yes, he may drive his colleagues batty with irritation by sinking their carefully crafted Private Members Bills or wasting their time with hours-long speeches purely to carry a debate over a deadline but if he wasnt willing to take the criticism for ensuring the powers of individual MPs are exercised and preserved, who would? And yes, he doesnt care if his views offend the orthodoxies of polite London society but plenty of voters would do so, too, given the chance, and they deserve a voice as much as anyone else. A House of Commons without Davies, or someone like him, would no doubt run more smoothly. MPs and ministers blood pressure would be lower. A variety of special interest campaigns would be much happier. But since when was it the purpose of Parliament to allow for the smooth running of politics, or to deliver a quiet life for politicians, or to fulfil the every wish of any lobbyist who might come along? As Forth always used to argue, easy, unquestioning consensus is a reliable breeding ground for bad laws and worse government. For reliably opposing consensus, and making as much noise and mess as is necessary to do so, we should thank Philip Davies and the voters of Shipley who keep sending him to Westminster. Ericsson will transfer its 2G and 3G development units in Linkoping and Gothenburg, Sweden to Combitech, a technology consulting firm. About 300 employees will be transferred. Financial terms were not disclosed. Ericsson said it remains committed to its 2G and 3G portfolio but will consolidate development of these technologies to fewer sites, in line with its R&D strategy.Hans Torin, President and CEO, Combitech, says: This agreement will strengthen our long-term strategy within digitalization, Cyber Security and Internet of Things. The new competence we will bring onboard from Ericsson will strengthen our capabilities in communication technologies and bring new market opportunities.The agreement is expected to be effective October, 2016, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Approximately 300 employees will transfer from Ericsson to Combitech.http://www.ericsson.com SUBSCRIBE Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates straight in your inbox. U.S. Rep. John Katko is reiterating his opposition to a payment made by the United States that has since been linked to the release of five prisoners held by Iran. This week, the State Department said the $400 million returned to Iran in January was tied to the release of the prisoners. Critics, including Katko, previously called the cash delivery a "ransom," but President Barack Obama's administration denied that accusation. Katko, R-Camillus, said on Friday that there's no doubt now that the money was ransom for the prisoners. "The administration's decision to pay a ransom for the release of four Americans is made even worse by its refusal to play it straight with the American people and admit that it did so," Katko said in a statement. "Instead, the State Department is engaging in semantics that insult the intelligence of the public." The Wall Street Journal reported in early August that the $400 million was placed on a cargo plane and delivered to Iran. The money was separated into various currencies, including euros, and was sent to Iran after the four American prisoners were released in January. Shortly after the Wall Street Journal's report was published, Katko said he was concerned with the details of the cash transfer. "I am especially bothered by the efforts made to conceal this transaction including the delivery on wooden pallets by unmarked plane, and the deliberate change in currency to avoid sanctions," he said at the time. The White House has insisted that the payment wasn't a ransom. The funds belonged to the Iranians the former shah of Iran intended to use the money to purchase military equipment. After the shah was overthrown, the account was frozen. Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said earlier this month that the U.S. didn't and wouldn't "pay ransom to secure the release of U.S. citizens." But at a State Department briefing Thursday, spokesman John Kirby acknowledged that the $400 million sent to Iran and the release of the American prisoners "came together near simultaneously." "That's a ransom, plain and simple, and it sets a very dangerous precedent," Katko said Friday. Aug. 19, 1936 Patrolmen Joseph Myers and William Flynn had an unusual assignment this morning when detailed to the vicinity of Baker Avenue, after someone reported to headquarters that a herd of cows was wandering through the yards. The officers qualified as herdsmen and soon had the situation well in hand. The cows had broken the fence at the Hemingway farm and started out to see the world. The policemen rounded up the "critters" and escorted them home. Aug. 19, 1961 With Dudley Walsh firing one-hit balls and and striking out 14, Swifty's Restaurant advanced to the quarter finals of the New York State Softball tournament by blanking Kem's of Schenectady, 1-0 in an eight inning game last night at Trinkaus Manor Field near Utica. The two teams battled for seven scoreless innings until Swifty's tallied the winning run in the eighth. Tony Martino singled, moved to second on Bernie Wallace's sacrifice and scored on a pair of passed balls. Aug. 19, 2006 Area VH1 fans might see a familiar face when they tune in to the music channel's Top 20 Countdown this morning. Host Matt Pinfield will announce Auburn native Kelly Shanahan as the winner of the show's Fact or Fiction Mobile Trivia Game, which airs from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays. Shanahan text messaged enough correct responses to win a Dell laptop computer and an MP3 player. Aug. 19, 2011 Strathairn is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck, George Clooneys 2005 drama about the CBS news anchor. The role earned Strathairn best actor nominations at the Academy Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Golden Globes. The Cayuga County Health Department is encouraging the community to know the signs of blue-green algae after another bloom was reported on Owasco Lake. According to Eileen O'Connor, the county's director of environmental health, the health department received a report Friday of a suspected blue-green algae bloom located south of Burtis Point on the east side of the lake. Friday's report comes after around 40 people complained of an itchy rash after swimming on the northern end of the lake last weekend. O'Connor said the health department collected water samples and sent them to the state Department of Health for testing, even though there were no visible signs of blue-green algae at the time. The health department urges people to avoid surface water that is discolored with a filmy appearance or floating scum. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that could pose serious health risks to people and animals, including skin irritation, vomiting and diarrhea. People can report harmful algae blooms to HABsinfo@dec.ny.gov or harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov. If the bloom is on Owasco Lake, call the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program at (315) 427-5188 or (315) 237-2066. For more information, visit cayugacounty.us/health. Crowdfunding: can it help your food & beverage business grow? Brought to you by Matt Nichol, Account Manager at Matthews Australasia Home-delivered cocktails in a box, gourmet salt, watches and books; these are just a few of the things brought into reality by crowdfunding. Not just a quirky way to raise money any more, crowdfunding is now a mainstream fundraising model for businesses globally. Including Australia. So wheres its place in the food & beverage industry? Can anyone crowdfund for their business? Heres some food for thought as to whether crowdfunding is right for you. However, before we look at crowdfunding platforms, how they work, what makes for successful crowdfunding, its application to food & drink, and whats in it for the crowdfunders, what is crowdfunding? Basically, crowdfunding is when many people each contribute (usually small amounts of) money to a start-up business or project. So lots of small contributions from many people the crowd of investors adds up to a large amount of money. This then either gives the business the capital to get off the ground, or the entrepreneur enough funds to get their new idea up. In its early forms, crowdfunding was a funding model for arts, music and performance projects. However, now, beyond those formative arts-orientated projects, crowdfuding is now used by those in fields as diverse as technology, food-and-drink production and beyond. So what is a crowdfunding platform? Crowdfunding platforms give you an ability to reach a wide audience with a new idea despite the fact you may not have a lot of money. Not only do these platforms help you overcome this hurdle and put you in front of people who want to fund your idea or project, theyll probably also provide you with lots of future customers for your product (i.e., theyre usually the same people). There are quite a few crowdfunding platforms naturally online. Through these you can introduce your idea, and, if you market it cleverly, youll attract enough interest from enough people. Quite simply, if people believe in your idea and think its a viable proposition, theyll back it. So how do crowdfunding platforms work? Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Pozible and Indiegogo charge a percentage of the funding raised as a service fee. For example, Pozible charges a 5% fee on total funds raised up to $100,000 and 3% on total funds raised of $500,000 or more. There are typically two funding models: All or nothing: You define in advance how much money you need to make your project viable; if you dont raise the specified amount, it doesnt go ahead. You define in advance how much money you need to make your project viable; if you dont raise the specified amount, it doesnt go ahead. Flexible-funding model: You can keep any amount that investors put up, which you can use to supplement other funding sources. Kickstarter is probably the most well-known crowdfunding platform. It began in 2009 with a focus on arts and design, but now accepts a wide range of product submissions including in its food-and-drinks category. So why do people put up the money? Before I answer this, its pertinent to look at the three different general categories of crowdfunding: donations equity debt So what the investor gets in return, depends on the crowdfunding approach youve used. Donation based is probably what most people understand as crowdfunding. But while people give you money, its in exchange for something, such as a gift card or discount voucher to spend with your business. A lot of businesses offer discounts for the product itself. Equity-based crowdfunding is where people invest and you give them for equity, while debt-based crowdfunding is where you ask people for money in exchange for a financial return at a future date. The United Stakes, United Kingdom and New Zealand have all been quick to embrace these forms of crowdfunding. There are lots of options: just think about crowdfunding a movie, where you could give people the opportunity to place their products in your movie, for instance. Crowdfunding ideas come in all shapes and sizes. So what about crowdfunding for food & beverage? Kickstarter claims to have attracted more than 11 million investors who have funded more than 105,000 individual projects across a broad spectrum worldwide. Pretty impressive. And that includes food & beverage (indeed two of the examples I gave at the top are food or drink). The luxury gourmet salt collection comes from UK company Salt Of The Earth. The collection brings together salts from around the globe including Persian Blue from Iran, Oak Smoked from Italy, Murray River from Australia and the company proposes to market them in a beautiful luxury wallet. Swig + Swallow has launched Cocktails for a Crowd, which is a box of craft cocktail mixers, delivered direct to peoples homes. The co-founder entrepreneurs have drawn on their years of experience in bartending and cocktail mixology to create the innovative idea. In mid June, the project was successfully funded, with 112 backers pledging US$10,348. (The original goal was US$5k, but with the campaigns success they later stretched it to US$15k; and because the initial target was well and truly hit, this is marked as a success.) An then to another great successful example: the book Chapter One by Thankyou co-founder Daniel Flynn. Flynn has penned a raw and real personal account of the Thankyou story with a difference. When people buy the book, not only can they determine the price they pay, but all proceeds go towards two new projects: $600,000 for Thankyou Baby, a new baby-care range to fund maternal and infant health programs in Tanzania and Nepal, and $600,000 to fund the companys first launch overseas into New Zealand. Thanks to the readers, or investors, the $1.2 million target was raised after just 28 days. (Some of you may remember Flynn presenting at the LIVE forums in Sydney; heres the latest from earlier this month.) And what makes for successful crowdfunding? Finally, what makes crowdfunding a success? Like anything, theres a myriad factors that can lead to a successful result. Many put their accomplishment down to being able to engage with the crowd and draw people into their vision. Five top tips for successful crowdfunding are: Choose the right platform Get the pitch and story right Focus on what is in it for the investors Have a marketing plan to maximise reach Analyse the available data Smart watch maker Pebble seems to have this down pat. The company has had two of the most-funded campaigns in crowdfundings history. Indeed, according to gizmag.com, campaigns for Pebble and Pebble Time smart watches broke crowdfunding records. And earlier this year, the tech maker hit Kickstarter again to launch upgrades of its raging successes. But crowdfunding is not for everyone. An independent US-university-conducted analysis on one platform found that 9% of projects failed to deliver rewards, stating: Project backers should expect a failure rate of around 1-in-10 projects, and to receive a refund 13% of the time. And as Kickstarter spokesman Justin Kazmark told Mashable.com, backing a project is not buying a product its investing in a product. Just because a campaign hits its financial goal doesnt mean the project will be successful. In April this year, those words were spectacularly the case with Kickstarters former hit Coolest, a souped-up cooler which went from Cinderella story to up in flames. Sometimes campaigns can seem to fail then because of the social media, the project actually comes to life in the end. For instance, in December last year Jervoise Organic Station launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to rescue its business by opening a new abattoir. Unfortunately, North Queenslands largest certified organic cattle property did not raise the $250,000 they needed by the campaigns target date. So it was considered a failure. However, by February this year, Jervoise had secured all of the funds to build its new abattoir on-farm, from plans to construction and full operation, saying the monies were raised thanks to the efforts of the crowdfunding and awareness that the campaign created. So a good-news story after all! (There may be something in the Jervoise story that resonates with the SPC experience.) Managing a crowdfunding campaign can be an intense activity. Get it wrong and you may have wasted lots of time and effort that could have been invested in other business activities. But get it right and the rewards can have a direct impact on the success of your idea or product. Matthews has a whole resource library of chocked with whitepapers, articles from our thought leaders, presentations, infographics, our YouTube channel and so on. All material from our resource library is free to download. Matt Nichol is a Key Account Manager at Matthews Australasia. A laser marking expert with in-depth knowledge of product ID technologies, Matt is a regular at international trade shows, such as Pack Expo, and is constantly looking at emerging trends and technologies. BROOKLYN, N.Y.A plea hearing for the former CEO of Rentboy could take place as early as Aug. 29. According to Reuters, attorneys representing 51-year-old Jeffrey Hurant filed a letter in federal court requesting a hearing next week as they finish details of the agreement. The letter reportedly did not state which Hurant would plead to. Hurant and Easy Rent Systems Inc. dab Rentboy.com were each indicted on three counts of promotion of prostitution and money laundering and initially pleaded not guilty. Hurant ran the site for more than 20 years. Rentboy.com is a site that connected male escorts and masseurs with male clients looking for companionship. In August 2015, Hurant and six employees were arrested following a raid of the companys offices by federal authorities. Charges were dropped earlier this year against the employees. If convicted on all of the original charges, Hurant could face up to 20 years in prison. The Northern Arizona Playwriting Showcase, which calls for previously unproduced 10-minute play scripts both locally and across the country for a juried lineup of shows, announced its winners this week for the 2016 contest. With around 70 plays received from Rhode Island to California and even a submission from New Zealand, three local judges with writing and theatre experience poured over the stories and selected seven winners. One of the seven is from Flagstaff. They all will take the stage at Theatrikos on Sept. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. The winners are: Seeing is Believing by Dan Borengasser (Arkansas), Her Worst Enemy by David Carkeet (Vermont), A Team Building Exercise by Tom Marcinko (Arizona), Bootstraps by Paul McCormick (California), Paper Planes by Michael Pisaturo (Rhode Island), Cooleys Reel by Madeline Puccioni (California) and Adulation by Rosemary Zibart (New Mexico). For locals looking for fun and low-commitment acting experience, the Northern Arizona Playwriting Showcase, also known by its shorthand NAPS, will host auditions for roles on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Theatrikos. The plays are on book, which means the lines dont have to be memorized. Our mission is to encourage new plays by novice and seasoned playwrights, to provide acting and directing opportunities for new and experienced dramatists, and to celebrate new work at the Doris Harper White Community Theater in Flagstaff, said Linda Sutera, one of the NAPS board members. It has been a magical 10-year collaboration between the NAU Creative Writing Program and Theatrikos Theatre Company. She added, It is something that local playwrights as well as playwrights throughout the country, local actors and directors look forward to every year. The audiences for this showcase have continued to grow every year. Just cruisin' around in one of those suckers has to be the cushiest job in the world: You get yourself a sweet Subaru hatchback, blast some Survivor, and take to the open road. It sounds amazing, and that's why Google buries their job openings like a coked-out squirrel. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Adam told us: "I was out of work and decided that driving was a skill I had and could capitalize on. I applied to a few places before I found an ad for a 'City Block driver' on Craigslist put out by a hiring agency. I didn't even know it was for Google until the interview process (or, rather, the contract agency). It should be obvious from the position, but it didn't really hit until they started asking about me being comfortable automatically taking photos down roads." iStock/BartekSzewczyk "So what do you think about Bing?" "What's Bing?" "Welcome aboard." Continue Reading Below Advertisement "Google Maps puts out openings on Craigslist, Adecco, and other non-giant sites under a somewhat generic job title. ... Other big job sites didn't get these openings, because it might lead to too many candidates, and they didn't label it as 'Google Maps Street View driver wanted' because everyone would have applied. got the 'right' types of people this way -- a little older, not as desperate, and those willing to dig a little more for a job. It's not impossible to find, but you have to search a little harder than 'Google Driver' on Monster." Sussex News Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The Northern Arizona Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will host the annual National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon Nov. 9 in Sedona. The chapter invites any individual or organization within northern Arizona to submit nominations in the following award categories: Outstanding Fundraising Professional, Rising Star, Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Outstanding Business/Corporation, Outstanding Nonprofit Organization, Outstanding Philanthropist and Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 26. For more information and the nomination packet, go to http://afpnaz.afpnet.org and click on Philanthropy Day. Internet of things News CompuCom Doubles Down On Internet of Things By Scooping Up Extensys' IoT Division Lindsey O'Donnell Share this CompuCom is doubling down on the lucrative Internet of Things market, announcing on Friday it will acquire the IoT division of managed IT service provider Extensys. Will Winn, senior vice president of IoT solution sales at CompuCom, said the acquisition would equip CompuCom with Extensys breadth and expertise at the field maintenance and monitoring level. The most immediate goal [for CompuCom] is to be able to provide business solutions to its existing customer base and align transformational IoT solutions to those entities, said Winn. Thats the beauty of IoT for customers, between reducing costs to gaining visibilities into different systems through analytics. [Related: Sign Of The Times: SoftwareONE Acquires CompuCom's Software Licensing Business] As part of the acquisition, CompuCom which ranked No. 23 on the 2014 CRN Solution Provider 500 will continue to build out its Internet of Things business with Extensys core team and deep expertise in IoT, said Winn. Extensys, based in Oldsmar, Fla., approaches the Internet of Things market by delivering unified communications with life safety and emergency notification services. The company has expanded its IoT solution portfolio to include energy management, HVAC and sensor management, as well as building management solutions, automation services, and sensor management with analytics. CompuCom will gain a key player through the acquisition for its Internet of Things team; Extensys former CEO, Roland Feijoo, will become executive vice president of the IoT Solutions Group at CompuCom, and will be chairman of Extensys. Were looking forward to expanding our capabilities with existing Extensys clients, serving new ones and delivering in new regions, and CompuComs U.S.-Canadian footprint and field force set it apart from any other company, Feijoo said in a statement. Extensys also specializes in key verticals for the Internet of Things, such as government, education and health care which Winn said would broaden CompuComs own expertise in finance and retail. CompuCom, based in Plano, Texas, did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction, but said the acquisition is expected to be completed in 45 days. In addition to Feijoo and Winn, CompuCom's Internet of Things team will be led by Matt Good, director of service delivery, and Brian Hamm, director of R&D. There is so much hype around IoT, but few companies are actually delivering" on their promises, CompuCom CEO Don Doctor said in a statement. Extensys has a very strong track record of successful implementations, and CompuCom brings a significant engine to capitalize on opportunities in IoT, along with the ability to deliver a full range of life-cycle services in markets in which CompuCom currently serves clients, as well as new ones. A man wanted on an attempted murder charge in Page turned himself in to Flagstaff police this week more than two years after a warrant was issued for his arrest. According to the report from Flagstaff Police Department, John Leo Meyers, 38, entered the police station located at 911 E. Sawmill Road in Flagstaff this Wednesday telling the front desk staff he had a warrant and wanted to turn himself in. He told the FPD officer who responded that he did not know what the warrant was for but he thought it was for not paying a fine in Page. Meyers told the FPD officer he had been in California taking care of his mother, who had cancer, but had returned to Arizona to take care of the warrant so he could have a fresh start. When the officer asked Meyers what he might have been in trouble for, he said he got into a fight with his roommate. He did not elaborate on the details of the fight. FPD officers learned Meyers really had two warrants for his arrest. One issued by Page Municipal Court July 16, 2014 was for failure to pay fines. The other warrant was issued one week earlier by Page Justice Court for attempted second-degree murder. They contacted us and let us know about the (arrest), said Lt. Larry Jones with Page Police Department. According to information from Page Police Department, Meyers was wanted for more than two years in connection with a stabbing case that occurred the night of June 20, 2014 on Cascade Street in the Lake Powell Mobile Home Village in Page. The victim was a 33-year-old man, also from Page. The victim told police he had entered his home after jogging and was attacked by his roommate, according to Page police officials. He ran to a neighbors residence to report the assault, and the neighbors called the police. The victim received six stab wounds to his head, back and chest. He was transported to the Page Hospital emergency room, where he was treated and admitted into the hospital in good condition. Meyers, meanwhile, was nowhere to be found. An all-points bulletin was issued on him and a 1988 maroon and black Suzuki Samurai vehicle. We didnt arrest him at the time of the incident, Jones said. He had left the scene and we did not locate him so we submitted all the paperwork to the County Attorneys Office and they issued an arrest warrant for him. That was Page's second stabbing in less than a month. James Jorgensen, who was then 24, was arrested for fatally stabbing his cousin, 28-year-old Jeremiah Welch, outside a relatives Page home on May 21, 2014. A Coconino County Superior Court judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison after a jury convicted him of second-degree murder in December 2015. FPD booked Meyers into the Coconino County Detention Facility on his warrants for attempted second-degree homicide and failure to comply with a city court order to pay fines in a separate case. The attempted homicide case will likely be heard in Coconino County Superior Court. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. A Croydon member of a Tamil gang given a life sentence for his part in the fatal stabbing of a man during a violent feud will get out of jail sooner after having his murder sentence cut by judges. Kirush Nanthakumar, now 26, was one of a group of Jaffna Boys who travelled to Tooting to attack members of Tooting Tamil in 2007. He was one of four men who chased three other men into a Chicken Cottage in Upper Tooting Road, where Prabaskaran Kannan, 28, was stabbed to death. He suffered 31 knife wounds in the attack and was found dead in a pool of his own blood in an alley behind the shop. Hostilities between the two groups erupted in 2006 when a Tooting Tamil member was jailed for smashing a car windscreen belonging to the Jaffna Boys. On the night of Mr Kannan's murder (June 15, 2007) members of the two gangs had exchanged insults and been involved in a series of street clashes. Nanthakumar, formerly of Purley Way in Waddon, admitted he was there at the time but denied murdering Mr Kannan. Nanthakumar was convicted of murder under joint enterprise after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2008, when he was 18, and given a life sentence with a minimum of 14 years. Judge Martin Stephens QC described Mr Kannan's murder as "an attack of exceptional ferocity" and said "severe punishment" was required. Today, judges at the Court of Appeal ruled that his minimum term should be reduced by a year, meaning that, taking into account the 385 days he spent on remand awaiting trial, he can apply for release as early as the summer of 2020. During the trial, the prosecution could not prove which member stabbed Mr Nanthakumar, but said the men embarked on a "joint adventure" to attack him. Joint enterprise law allows multiple people to be charged with the same offence, such as murder, even if it cannot be proved who landed the fatal blow, as long as the prosecution can prove they had common purpose. However, last year top judges ruled the way the law was being interpreted was incorrect, leading to many legal challenges against joint enterprise convictions. Nathakumar's co-defendants Aziz Miah, of Sumner Road, West Croydon; Asif Kumbay, of Grasmere Road in Purley; and Vabeesan Shivarajah, of no fixed address, also had their convictions referred to the Criminal Cases Review Board after the joint enterprise ruling. The status of their appeals are not yet clear. All three are serving life terms with a minimum of 17 years for their role in the murder. Today, after an application to the High Court, Nanthakumar saw his earliest release date brought forward by a year. Despite describing the killing as "dreadful", Mr Justice Langstaff said Nanthakumar was a changed man and deserved a year off his minimum jail term. He was described as a "model prisoner", taking educational courses and working with other inmates serving open-ended sentences to help them come to terms with their situation. Although he continued to deny murder, he was said to have always expressed remorse for what happened and his involvement. He now accepted he had fallen in with the "wrong crowd" and felt less liable to act on the spur-of-the-moment, the judge said. "It appears to me that he has outgrown the youth of near 18, who was too easily led by older acquaintances," he continued. "I have concluded that it would be appropriate to recommend a reduction in the minimum term to be served before he may be considered by the Parole Board for release." Nanthakumar will only be released in summer 2020 if the Parole Board is convinced he is not a danger to the public. Three new speakers have been added for the 20th Anniversary Australian Cruise Association (i.e. Cruise Down Under) conference to be held in Sydney from September 7-9, 2016. New speakers include Edie Rodrigues, CEO of Crystal Cruises and Bruce Anderson from Starcrest Consulting, along with Michael McCarthy, Chair of Cruise Europe and Commercial Manager for the Port of Cork Company, Ireland. Association CEO, Jill Abel will open the Conference with a look back at the highlights of the organisation to celebrate the theme "20 years - Our People, Our Passion, Our Success." Abel will then be joined at the podium by industry heavyweights Sandra Chipchase, CEO, Destination NSW and Grant Gilfillan, CEO Ports Authority NSW, joint sponsors of the Conference. When you hear the phrase "getting ahead of shadow IT," it typically comes from a CIO who is implementing new technologies so that employs wont take it upon themselves to purchase tools. But you don't expect such proactive practices from an enterprise's information security team, which a CIO often enlists to place a moat around corporate assets. Mike Bartholomy, Western Union's senior manager for information security Mike Bartholomy takes a different tack at Western Union. The financial services firm's senior manager for information security says that companies that try to block everything may see it backfire. "What we've seen happen in other organizations is that when you take something away that is a great enablement tool that may be moderately risky, you run the risk of pushing users towards something that is very risky," Bartholomy says. Shadow IT continues to plague companies. Over the next several years IT spending will increasingly occur outside the allotted IT budget, often exceeding 30 percent of total IT spending, according to Gartner analyst Matt Cain. The analyst says that rather than blocking shadow IT, IT should develop a system that outlines when it is appropriate for employees to use their own technology solutions and when IT should take the lead. The idea is to create a digital workplace that aligns corporate workflow more closely to employees experiences with consumer computing. Why an infosec team implements cloud Western Union has developed its own system to protect and serve its workforce. The Western Union information security enablement (WISE) program is designed to give its 10,000 employees the technologies it needs to get their jobs done while ensuring that corporate data is secure. Under the purview of CIO David Thompson, Bartholomy and the rest of the information security team enjoy the unusual privilege of evaluating and implementing cloud solutions. Not too many information security organizations have integrated a social intranet and collaboration tool enterprise-wide, Bartholomy says. Those tools include Okta single sign-on software and enterprise social offerings from Jive Software. But its latest project, a corporate-wide roll-out of Box as the companys new enterprise content management system, may be his most ambitious to date. New solutions tend to come with a steep learning curve, but Box isnt your enterprise software of yore. Most employees, particularly millennials who grew up consuming web apps, find it intuitive and easy to use from their desktops and mobile devices. To be safe, Bartholomy worked with Box to create videos tutorials and virtual training sessions to help acclimate employees to the technology. Employees in human resources, legal, compliance, IT and other departments are increasingly using the cloud software to share and synchronize files across desktops and mobile devices. Bartholomy sees the implementation of Box, as well as tools such as Okta and Jive as necessary. Some 60 percent of Western Union employees are millennials who fit the mold of individuals who will find the tools they need to perform their work most efficiently. By providing access to Box, Bartholomy says he is helping IT avoid the risk. "If you don't have an enterprise solution in a space, and you try to block everything, people will find a way," to consume the technologies they need, Bartholomy says. "Security is taking a seat at the table and trying to drive innovation through these projects." Box competes in a broad market with Microsoft, Dropbox, Google and dozens of other vendors. Bartholomy says Box adherence to PCI, the payment card protocol, was a big selling point in the deal. Also crucial was Box automated retention capabilities, a big improvement over the companys traditional approach of manually classifying records as those that can be shared externally versus kept in-house. Another reason: Box APIs integrate well with Okta, Jive and other cloud tools. Now Bartholomy is trying to phase out the large pockets of existing file-synch technologies, including LAN-sharing and SharePoint sites. He says Western Union has a multi-year roadmap with which to migrate data to Box from those legacy tools. Ultimately, he expects Box to become the companys de facto enterprise content management system. Tracking unsanctioned cloud apps Despite Western Union's proactive approach to enable end-user computing, shadow IT remains a concern for the company. Although it does not plan to block all unsanctioned software, it knows exactly what is being used at all times with the help of Skyhigh Networks, a cloud security platform companies license to track what SaaS tools employees are consuming as well as how much data they are generating. Bartholomy won't name how many cloud apps employees are using but noted the number is high. Its eye opening but also very valuable, he says. Bartholomy says the end-user technology unit also works with the broader IT unit on corporate technology strategy, including implementing other cloud solutions, such as Workday. While the company consumes a lot of cloud software for a financial services firm, it doesnt adopt cloud casually. Like any other vendor Western Union works with, SaaS providers go through a risk assessment process to ensure that they meet the companys rigorous security standards. "Because we are in a financial services organization, compliance is a big part of what we do so making sure that those vendors are doing all of the right things to make sure that we feel good about using them, Bartholomy says. This story, "Why a security team embraces shadow IT" was originally published by CIO . Working quietly, Elise Wilson squeezed the handle of the hose, sending a stream of soapy water gushing into the prairie dog hole beside her. Across from her, Emily Renn knelt down, face inches from the dirt and hands hovering just inside the holes opening. Slowly, a mass of bubbles began to rise up like white fluffy lava out of the hole. Both of the women watched closely, hoping that a prairie dog would come scampering out with the suds. Over the past two weeks, the women have been on a mission to rescue the small burrowing rodents that live on Wilsons property in Timberline, just west of U.S. Highway 89. While the property is vacant now, Wilson and her husband Rob soon plan to build a 10,000 square-foot indoor shooting range on the land. But first they had to address the prairie dog holes that dot the property. GPS mapping found that there are 250 holes, which Renn estimated could mean up to 125 prairie dogs live in burrows beneath the surface. Wilson, an animal lover to her core, couldnt bear the thought of killing the little animals to pave over and build on the property, so she started searching for alternatives. After some Googling, she found Renns organization, Habitat Harmony, which specializes in translocating prairie dogs from areas slated for development to more appropriate natural habitat. Since Wilson made contact with the Flagstaff nonprofit, the prairie dog translocation project has grown to include participation and support from Coconino County, Arizona Game and Fish and Petrified Forest National Park, where the prairie dogs will be relocated. Its a major process that takes hours of work and several thousand dollars, but its the best shot at saving the animals. Prairie dogs take a trip After nearly two weeks, Renn and Wilson, with help from volunteers and Game and Fish employees, have captured and translocated 26 prairie dogs. They started off trying to capture the animals by spraying soapy water into their burrows, hoping to drive them to the surface. Its a humane strategy because the animals can still breathe through the bubbles and the burrows dry out relatively quickly, Renn said. They also live-trapped the animals by tempting them out of their burrows and into small cages with sweetened grain. After theyre captured, the prairie dogs will be taken to Petrified Forest National Park, which has about 90,000 acres of intact grasslands within its boundaries one of the largest swaths of protected grasslands in the Southwest, said Andy Bridges, park biologist. Prairie dogs are native to the park and to northern Arizona, but since the 1990s populations have been declining, likely due to sylvatic plague, Bridges said. Theyre a crucial part of the regions grassland landscapes, though. The rodents' burrows provide habitat for other animals like snakes and burrowing owls, they help recycle nutrients as they dig up dirt and munch up foliage and their burrows help water penetrate into the soil. In a place like Wilsons property, though, where the prairie dogs have been squeezed into a smaller and smaller area by roads and development, they are no longer providing that benefit, said Hannah Griscom, urban wildlife planner with the Arizona Game & Fish Department. Settling in When the prairie dogs arrive at Petrified Forest, they are transferred to abandoned burrows that park staff have cleaned up a bit, Bridges said. The hope is to eventually establish enough prairie dog colonies that the park could reintroduce endangered black-footed ferrets there as well. That would take about 3,000 acres of colonies compared to the parks current 275 acres of occupied burrows. The ferrets prey on prairie dogs, helping to keep the population in check, he said. Were trying to maintain these lands in a state that's functioning naturally, but development and changes in climate are hard to keep up with if we have missing species, Bridges said. If construction does start on a prairie dog colony, the animals wont tend to run out of their burrows and escape to a different location, Griscom said. Instead their tendency is to burrow deeper, which means theyll be buried when the bulldozers start to do their work. Renn estimated that the translocation project will cost about $7,000 in total and will continue through at least Monday. Wilson has raised nearly $1,000 of that through a Go Fund Me account for the project and the participating agencies have chipped in some money as well. Somehow people have come to think its OK to plow over prairie dog habitat for development even though theyre just as important to keep around as any other species, Renn said. Think of other animals, Renn said. Birds would never be destroyed the way a prairie dog colony would be by developers. CultNews101.com: news, links, resources. Cults101.org: resources about cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations and related topics. CultMediation.com: offers resources designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and respond to the complexity of a loved ones cult involvement. Intervention101.com: to help families and friends understand and effectively respond to the complexity of a loved one's cult involvement. CultRecovery101.com: assists group members and their families make the sometimes difficult transition from coercion to renewed individual choice. PHOENIX -- Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday tapped a Tucson school superintendent and a Paradise Valley teacher to serve on the state Board of Education. Calvin Baker, who heads the Vail Unified School District, will fill the slot reserved for the superintendent of a high school district. He replaces Roger Jacks of the Kingman Unified School District who was put on the board in 2012 by Ducey predecessor Jan Brewer. Janice Mak, a STEM teacher in the Paradise Valley Unified School District was named to the position that, by law, has to be filled by a public school teacher. She succeeds Amy Hamilton who had finished two terms on the board. Both appointments are subject to Senate confirmation. The move comes just a day after Greg Miller resigned not only as president of the board but entirely from the 11-member panel following more than a year of public disputes with state schools chief Diane Douglas. That creates another vacancy which Ducey will have to fill with someone who is the administrator of a charter school. Dawn Wallace, the governor's education adviser, said the two actions are unrelated. But Wallace told Capitol Media Services that the new appointees are part of Ducey's desire for "fresh leadership.'' And she said there are important new standards being developed in the next six months. "You need to have collaboration with the department (of education), you need to have people talking and being thoughtful and getting public comment,'' Wallace explained. She said when there is tension between the board and the department, "none of that work happens.'' Wallace said Baker was chosen because of the record he created in Vail. "His district is an A-rated district,'' she said. And Wallace said Baker has distinguished himself in creating the "Beyond Textbooks'' program which creates curriculum, lesson plans and standards of what teachers should teach and students should learn. That not only help raised performance in Vail but has now gone online to where it is shared with more than 13,000 teachers throughout the region and 140,000 students. Wallace said he has excellent relationships not just with the traditional education community but also with others outside the system because "he runs a bunch of charter schools.'' She also noted that Baker is part of a task force seeking to reform the system of funding schools. Mak specializes in teaching science, technology, engineering and math, Wallace said, and was a finalist for "teacher of the year.'' She also chairs a subcommittee working with the Department of Education to create new math standards. Wallace said Mak's STEM background was a key reason the governor chose her. "This is a nice segue in where we want the board to go,'' she said. "We really want to start to emphasize these programs that are linked to student success but also to economic development,'' Wallace said. She said the governor knows more children need to have STEM skills "because we know those are the jobs that are waiting for them.'' Douglas, who was informed by the governor of the new appointments, appeared pleased. "I look forward to working with both of them as we consider several important policy decisions in the coming months and years,'' she said in a prepared statement. Check it out: Fun things to do this weekend in Lake County PHOENIX -- A judge has thrown out a bid to keep voters from deciding whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. In a ruling Friday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Jo Lynn Gentry said when state lawmakers altered the election code last year they eliminated -- perhaps inadvertently -- the ability of individual citizens to sue to keep initiative measures off the ballot. And she said lawmakers failed to restore that right anywhere else. "Thus, whether wittingly or not, the legislatures eliminated a means by which initiative petitions can be challenged,'' Gentry wrote. The judge also rejected a legal end-run attempted by Brett Johnson, the attorney for foes of legalization, who told Gentry she should use the court's more general powers over actions of public officials to keep Secretary of State Michele Reagan from putting the measure to voters. "Where the legislature has specifically acted to divest the court of jurisdiction, it would be imprudent to ignore the standing issue,'' Gentry wrote. Friday's ruling is not the last word. "Despite today's ruling we still believe this initiative perpetrates a fraud on the electorate,'' said Seth Leibsohn who chairs Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, the group that is trying to keep the measure from getting to voters. "We will be seeking an appeal on the ruling.'' Gentry, however, is prepared if the Arizona Supreme Court overturns her conclusion that the challengers have no legal right to sue: She also ruled that even if had legal standing to contest the validity of the measure, they never provided the legally required proof that the initiative is too legally flawed to present to voters. In a prepared statement, initiative chairman J.P. Holyoak said the ruling shows "this was a frivolous and politically motivated lawsuit.'' He also noted that plaintiffs in the case include two prosecutors: Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk and Bill Montgomery from Maricopa County. Holyoak said they they don't like the measure "they should take their arguments to the voters, not to our overburdened court system.'' A 2010 voter initiative allows those with certain medical conditions, a doctor's recommendation and state-issued ID card to obtain up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana every two weeks from one of approximately 90 state-authorized dispensaries. This measure, sponsored by many of the same interests, would permit any adult to have up to one ounce of the drug or six plants without fear of prosecution under state law. It also sets up a new state agency to regulate sales, imposes new taxes and enacts various provisions that have ripple effects through state law. Johnson argued those ripple effects are not disclosed to voters in the 100-word summary required by state law. For example, he noted, it would prohibit a judge handling a child custody fight from considering whether one parent uses marijuana. There also are new restrictions on the ability of employers to fire workers simply for using the drug off premises. And while the law prohibits driving while impaired by marijuana, it sets no legal presumptive standard of how much psychoactive substance someone would have to have in his or her blood to be found guilty. Gentry said even if the challengers had standing to sue, that argument would fail. She said that, pretty much by definition, a summary is just that. More to the point, the judge noted that Arizona law limits a summary to 100 words. Yet Gentry noted that it took her 106 words just to list all the things challengers say need to be added to what already was a 96-word description. Yet she said Johnson never told her what was in the original summary that could come out to keep the summary at the legally limited 100 words. "Plaintiffs' position is in essence that the summary should have more fully described what the initiative would do but do not explain how they could do it better,'' Gentry wrote. And there's something else. The petitions with the summary specifically tell would-be signers that it is "only a description'' of the measure and that the full proposal, if they want to read it, is attached. "The initiative texts speaks for itself,'' Gentry wrote. And she said even challengers told her during last week's hearing they have "confidence in the ability of the voters to read and discern the merits of the initiative.'' But Gentry's ruling suggests there could be legal problems for proponents even if the measure goes on the ballot and is approved. One of the claims by challengers is that the measure does not comply with a constitutional provision which requires all initiatives that have a cost to identify a new revenue source to pay for it. The plan for this measure is to take start-up cash from an existing fund at the Department of Health Services to administer the medical marijuana law. But Gentry said there is nothing in Arizona law that allows that issue to be raised before a measure goes on the ballot. She said challengers have to wait until it is approved to make that argument. A semi truck rollover caused delays on Interstate 40 near Twin Arrows Wednesday evening. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, troopers received a call about a semi truck rollover at milepost 220 on westbound I-40 at approximately 6:40 p.m. The vehicle was traveling westbound when it rolled off the right side of the road for an unknown reason. DPS, Summit Fire and Medical Department, Guardian Medical Transport and first responders from the Navajo Nation all went to the scene. The driver of the semi truck was either ejected or self-extricated from the wreckage. Highway Patrol troopers closed the interstate to bring in a helicopter to transport the driver to Flagstaff Medical Center. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time. The vehicle, which was hauling fruit, sustained heavy damage. A tow company is scheduled to remove the wreckage by the end of the day Thursday. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Donald Trump on Monday gave a foreign policy speech in which he promised to curtail immigration from terrorism-breeding countries and to subject potential immigrants to extreme vetting, including an ideological test aimed at weeding out un-American attitudes. In addition to screening out all members or sympathizers of terrorist groups, we must also screen out any who have hostile attitudes toward our country or its principles -- or who believe that Sharia law should supplant American law, the GOP presidential nominee said. What to make of Trumps proposal? Will it make America safer, or will it simply ban individuals with unpopular views? Joel Mathis and Ben Boychuk, the RedBlueAmerica columnists, debate the issue. JOEL MATHIS Religious liberty for me but not for thee. Thats the essence of Trumps proposed ideological test for immigrants arriving in the United States. Everybody yes, even us spineless liberal Democrats wants to filter out terrorists and their sympathizers. Theres so little debate on that point that you can easily argue the Obama administration is already subjecting many immigrants to the kind of extreme vetting Trump says would be a hallmark of his tenure. After that, though, it gets tricky: Were going to exclude Muslims who believe their religious beliefs sometimes outweigh American law? Heres the problem with that: American Christians already routinely make the claim that their religious beliefs trump the requirements of federal law. And they call these exemptions religious liberty. The hypocrisy is abundant. A few years back, Muslim taxi drivers in Minnesota citing their religious faith refused to carry passengers who were carrying alcohol or accompanied by dogs. Conservatives raised the alarm that creeping Sharia would deny non-Muslim Americans their right to use taxis unimpeded. Those same conservatives, however, regularly defend Catholic pharmacists who seek exemptions from dispensing birth control pills and big corporations whose leaders say their religious beliefs prevent them from providing the full range of health insurance otherwise required by law. For American conservatives, Christians are allowed to claim fealty to a higher power than U.S. law and Muslims arent. Trumps ideological test would enshrine this double-standard in American law. One group that recognizes the problem: Mormons. Their own history as exemptions from the rule of religious liberty in America makes them sensitive to such issues so much that Trump stands a very good chance of losing Utah, an otherwise rock-solid Republican state, in the November election. His new ideological test, its clear, is nothing more than old-fashioned religious discrimination. BEN BOYCHUK Who said anything about a religious test? Yes, yes -- liberals are suspicious that Trumps talk of an ideological screen for immigrants is really nothing more than fig leaf for his original idea he blurted months ago to ban Muslims from entering the United States altogether. Some critics, including more than a few Republicans, said a religious test for newcomers would be un-American, to say nothing of unconstitutional. On that last point, they are dangerously mistaken. True, the Constitution forbids religious tests for holding public office; but the immigration and naturalization statutes allow the president to consider religion among other factors when carrying out the law. The question here really has little to do with religious liberty. Instead, the issue revolves around a basic principle of sovereignty: We get to say who enters. We get to say who stays. If you take the American founding principles seriously and, lets face it, most peoples understanding of those principles is in pretty sorry shape nowadays then an ideological test for newcomers isnt a repugnant idea at all. The first generation of U.S. leaders spilled plenty of ink trying to figure out what an immigration policy should look like. They worried that foreigners who did not share a disposition toward liberty and equality under the law could overwhelm the country. Cultural assimilation was essential. George Washington made the point beautifully in his 1790 letter to the Hebrew congregation at Newport, R.I., home to one of the first thriving Jewish communities in the new republic. Washington wanted to assure the Jews that they were as free and equal as any other citizens would be, even though they were a minority. For happily, Washington wrote, the Government of the United States gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. Notice the caveat: As long as you behave like good citizens and support the country, you are welcome to live as you please. Its a small condition one that should go without saying but a condition nevertheless. Trumps idea of extreme vetting may or may not work in the long run. But it shouldnt be dismissed out of hand. Scott Craddock, 57, is somewhat less ready to acknowledge any shortcomings in his son David's academic abilities During my brief and inglorious career as a prep-school master, some 40 years ago, it was one of my duties to teach French to the ten-year-old scion of one of the great ducal houses of England. Ill never forget the evening when the boys mother rolled up at the school a fantastically posh boarding establishment in Berkshire and I was summoned to an audience with her in the headmasters drawing room. How long, the duchess wanted to know, had I been teaching her beloved son French? Almost a year, I said. Then can you explain why, she asked, after all these months under your tuition, he still thinks the French for Yes is Qui, with a Q, and the French for No is No? How could I break it to her? I blushed, stared at my shoes and muttered something about her son being a perfectly delightful boy, in all sorts of ways, but he seemed to have less aptitude for the subject than his classmates or for other academic disciplines, come to that. She narrowed her eyes and asked: You mean hes thick? I gulped. Well, I wouldnt put it exactly like that . . . But instead of the rebuke I was expecting from the mother hen, clucking defensively over her precious chick, the duchess burst out laughing and heartily conceded that her sons failings in matters academic were almost certainly not my fault. She had just wanted her suspicions of his thickness confirmed. Scott Craddock, 57, is somewhat less ready to acknowledge any shortcomings in his sons academic abilities and rather more inclined to blame 17-year-old Davids former teachers. Sacrifice He is the retired haulier who is suing Abbotsholme School in Staffordshire, demanding a refund of 125,000 in fees after his lad emerged from five years there with only one GCSE at A-C, the only grades that count. Of the eight exams David sat, he had been predicted to get five decent grades, says his father. Yet he finished up with a single C (in science) and a heap of useless Es. With the duchesss boy in mind, I must say that my first sympathies lay entirely with the school. After all, some pupils are just extremely hard to teach as my own maths teachers would attest, if my innumeracy hadnt driven them long ago to early graves. Yes, I know its a cruel exaggeration to say that in order to score respectably in a modern, dumbed-down GCSE, candidates dont have to do much more than write their names at the top of the page and declare that theyre deeply worried about racism and global warming. But lets face it (how can I put this kindly?), young Davids single C-grade strongly suggests that his talents may lie in other directions than the narrowly academic. The more I thought about it, however, the more I came to see this from Mr Craddocks point of view. He is suing Abbotsholme School in Staffordshire (pictured), demanding a refund of 125,000 in fees after his lad emerged from five years there with only one GCSE at A-C Here is a man who was so determined to give his son the best start in life that that he upped sticks and took a job in the Middle East, just so he could earn enough to pay Abbotsholmes 25,000-a-year fees. In his circumstances, wouldnt you be cheesed off if your boy had come out after five years with exam results that would embarrass a deprived inner-city comprehensive especially if you had been led to believe by the school, as Mr Craddock claims he was, that your young pride and joy would do pretty well? I know I would. As it was, the only sacrifice I had to make to put our older two boys through an independent secondary school was topping up my mortgage, over and over again. (I hasten to say I have no complaints against Dulwich College, from which both boys emerged laden with As and A*s. Mind you, the other two did just as well one at a grammar school, the other at the local comp and their education didnt cost me a penny.) Indeed, my belief that Mr Craddock might possibly have a case grew stronger when I looked at the GCSE exam results of Davids fellow candidates at Abbotsholme last year. Frankly, they didnt excel themselves, either. Only 60 per cent gained five grades between A* and C, which was significantly below the national average of 69 per cent. Meanwhile, just 8.2 per cent were awarded an A* or an A just over a third of the national average of 21.2 per cent. These are highly privileged teenagers, remember, whose parents could afford the crippling fees. With the odd unteachable exception, like my own ducal pupil, wouldnt you expect them on the whole to do rather better than the average? Perhaps, then, the quality of the teaching at Abbotsholme was indeed to blame for young Davids poor performance. And if so, why shouldnt his father claim a refund through the courts? After all, people are forever suing hospitals when doctors fall short of professional standards (my dear brother makes a living from them, as a barrister specialising in medical negligence). So why not schools, when teachers let their pupils down? Such were my thoughts, anyway, before I took a closer look at Abbotsholme, its prospectus and its most recent report by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. One thing that becomes immediately clear is that if youre looking for an academic hothouse, and think schools should be sausage factories for exam results, this is not the place for you. Nor, if I can put this delicately, is it the ideal institution for a budding Einstein. Indeed, in 2011 no fewer than 134 of its 317 pupils were identified as having specific learning difficulties and/or disabilities, while standardised tests showed that the average ability in the sixth form was below the national average. In words tweeted by Jeremy Clarkson: If your A-level results are disappointing, dont worry. I got a C and two Us, and Im currently on a superyacht in the Med' But what is also clear though Mr Craddock seems reluctant to acknowledge it is that pupils get an awful lot more for their parents 25,000-a-year than mere preparation for exams. For a start, they have the run of 140 acres beside the River Dove, access to a working farm and an equestrian centre in the grounds. And how many other secondaries, I wonder, can boast the immortal line on their websites: Many pupils choose to keep their own horse at school. Failure As for Abbotsholmes ethos, the inspectors were positively enraptured in their 2011 report. Pupils embrace wholeheartedly the schools aspirations of courage, honesty, humility, integrity and respect, they wrote. They manage themselves well, facing each day with enthusiasm, optimism and hope. They learn how to look after themselves and one another. Significantly, the inspectorate adds: They are not disconcerted by failure. Thats clearly more than can be said for Davids dad, who declares: The only thing he came away with is that his best friend is the son of a Russian oligarch. Otherwise he might as well have gone to the local comprehensive. But if the young man himself has picked up any of the virtues the school seeks to instil with an oligarchs friendship thrown in I reckon that 125,000 was probably money well spent. Oh, and you dont get stabling for horses at the average comp. Yes, A* grades are good to have, and I offer my warmest congratulations to those who learned yesterday that they achieved them in this years A-levels. Indeed, I note that they include at least a handful from Abbotsholme, whose overall results have improved since last year (though the school is less than specific about exactly how many achieved top grades). As for others like David who did not do so well, all I can say is that theres much more to life than exam certificates, just as theres much more to some schools than their position in the league tables. It's a step religiously used by all manicurists- but it's actually causing your mani to not last as long as it should. According to Revlons global nail artist Chelsea King, one simple thing can make your manicure last 47 per cent longer. That one thing? Make sure your manicurist doesn't soak your digits in water. Hot tip: Revlon's global nail artist Chelsea King reveals the one step your manicurist does makes your polish not last as long No no: Ms King says that you SHOULDN'T soak your nails in water before you paint them Ms King (who has done manicures for many celebrities including Chloe Grace Moretz, Ashley Tisdale and Olivia Wilde) told Byrdie it's a mistake almost everyone makes. 'When you soak your hands during a manicure, your nails expand ever-so-slightly,' she explained. 'When they dry they return to their normal shape flexing the polish and making it more likely to chip.' Secret: When you soak your digits in water, it causes your nails to expand The worst: When they dry and go back to their normal size, it causes your polish to flex and be more likely to chip The nail expert also warned that if you were doing your nails yourself, to wait an hour after having a shower before painting. She says instead of needing to soak, apply a cuticle oil to your nails to keep them moisturised and free from dry, dead skin. This is important as well, as dry nails that don't have proper moisture will also increase your chances of chipping your mani. Wait till they dry: You should also wait an hour after having a shower before painting your own nails Another easier way to do this? Drink water. It's good for your health and your nails. 'If your body is dehydrated your nails will get dry and brittle,' Ms King said. Vicky was just 17 and browsing a YouTube-style amateur pornography site one evening when she saw something horrifying: a video of herself. It had been filmed around 12 months earlier, when she was 16, with her ex-boyfriend. They had broken up, but it was amicable. Now she had inadvertently discovered that he had uploaded the video and some pictures of her online for anyone to see. 'Luckily it didn't show my face or any identifying features, but I know what my body looks like,' the now 24-year-old from regional Victoria told Daily Mail Australia. Like many of the young girls who this week discovered that naked photos they took have been shared online in a group that is being investigated by the AFP, Vicky was in shock. Appalling: Vicky (above) was 17 when she found out that her ex-boyfriend had uploaded a video they had made to an amateur porn site SCHOOLS TARGETED BY PORNOGRAPHY RING On Wednesday it was revealed that girls from more than 70 Australian schools had been targeted by a 'pornography ring' that was swapping sexual images of the young women without their consent. It was reported that young men had uploaded thousands of images to the site, as well as posting identifying information about the victims like their name, school, address, age and phone number. Men on the site also offered to trade images with each other and requested naked photos of specific girls or schools. 'Who has nudes of this b***h? I hear she throws it around!' one comment read. Police have encouraged any victims to contact them. Advertisement When they had split, she had asked her ex-boyfriend to delete the photos and video. He told her he would, but evidently had not. 'I emailed the site that I found it on and let them know it was put up without my consent,' she said. 'They said they take these things very seriously and it was removed within a couple of hours.' Despite this, Vicky doesn't know if the video has been uploaded somewhere else or how many people saw it. 'I was just flabbergasted, it was just something I didnt expect to see. My trust had been broken and he had lied to me,' she explained. 'There was no maliciousness when we broke up so he did it for seemingly no reason at all.' 'Its made me more wary of how much I open myself up to people and how far I can trust them. Despite what people say, its the prospect they might stab you in the back.' Jessica was only 13 when something similar happened to her, and she discovered that naked photos she had taken were being shared amongst her friends and peers in Perth. She had been persuaded by a boy she was seeing to take the photos and send them to him. Soon after, she discovered that the pictures were being sent around to boys and girls from neighbouring schools. Now 23, Jessica remembers it vividly, as well as the shame and depression that came after the incident as she was bullied for being a 's**t'. 'I got teased for it and s**t shamed because of it,' she told Daily Mail. 'It did impact me, it made me really insecure about everything. 'Its made me more wary of how much I open myself up to people': Vicky, now 24, has said that it's made her less trusting of people and has impacted her greatly 'I was getting bullied and getting s**t shamed for sending those photos even though they were the ones who were sharing it and he broke my trust.' The photos then came to the attention of Jessica's school, as they were being sent from student's email addresses. 'I got called into the teachers office, my parents got called in. I had to sit there while they saw the pictures and everything like that.' And despite the fact that Jessica had been the victim of a crime, her school were not supportive and instead suggested she take time off so it could 'blow over'. '[The school] were quite victim-blaming. It was very hush hush, because our school was quite prestigious they really didnt want it getting out I think,' she explained. 'It was being sent around on their email servers so I think they were also a bit worried about themselves.' 'The school had some religious aspects so they really victim blamed me and made me feel bad for what I had done, even though I wasnt the one sending the photos around.' 'I had depression': Jessica had a boy persuade her to take naked photos of herself when she was only 13. They then got send around to her friends at peers at local schools (stock image) The incident had a huge impact on Jessica, who battled with self esteem and mental health problems following the photos being shared. 'Throughout high school I had really bad self esteem. I had depression and anxiety as well,' she said. 'For ages I didnt have any confidence and I didnt love my body.' 'I self-harmed because of it, because I was getting teased about my so called saggy t**s. So it did impact on my mental health a lot. It was only maybe two years ago that I felt I really did love my skin.' Neither Jessica or Vicky went to the police to press charges. Jessica said that even though she was only 13, and the photos would have been considered child pornography, 'No one ever gave me that option. I never even realised that was an option until I got older.' 'The school never gave me that option, I think my parents didnt realise either. So the only solution was to just wait for it to blow over.' Vicky, who lived in a small town, said that it caused tension between her family and her ex-boyfriend's family, but that she didn't have the proof to go to the police. Despite both these incidents happening almost a decade ago, the situation seems to have only gotten worse in the subsequent years. For Jessica, it's extremely disappointing and upsetting that not only are the crimes still being committed, but that other girls are getting victim blamed like she did. 'Its quite a misogynistic view, how can you blame this girl for taking the photo when its the other person breaking that girl's trust?' she asked. 'Theyre putting the blame on the girl when the girl either doesnt know what theyre doing or are being persuaded into it.' She's known for her classically elegant sense of style. And Natalie Portman looked every inch the Parisienne as her new Dior campaign advert was revealed. The 35-year-old star posed in a sultry little black dress in the advert for the French beauty giant's Absolutely Blooming fragrance. Scroll down for video Actress Natalie Portman looks every inch the Parisienne as she's unveiled as the new face of Miss Dior's campaign The actress, famed for her turns in Thor and Black Swan, looks effortlessly beautiful with undone hair and sultry make-up in the shoot. Posing in a Paris apartment, Natalie proves her worth as a top model as she lends her good looks to the campaign. Speaking about their recruit, a spokesman for the brand said: 'Natalie is fiery and playful, confidently seductive. 'She is the absolutely irresistible heroine of a new fragrance with a sassy charm.' The actress, famed for her turns in Thor and Black Swan, looks effortlessly beautiful with undone hair and sultry make-up in the shoot The Hollywood star has been a brand ambassador for the French designer label since 2010, and has appeared in several campaigns since then. Speaking about her love of the country she now calls home, Natalie recently explained that she actually felt more at ease and confident since deciding to set up home in Europe. She explained to French magazine Gala: 'I confess, I feel more sexy. It's so amazing to me that I feel [like] another person. Natalie stunned at the New York premiere of her movie A Tale of Love and Darkness on Monday 'In Paris, everything seems easier. We can afford not to do much in beauty and still have the beautiful air. 'The French are more natural than Americans, that's obvious... I spend my time observing to try to imitate them.' Natalie was spotted out and about in New York on Tuesday afternoon. The 35-year-old actress managed to look chic in an oversize blouse which drowned her figure as she stepped out of a hotel in Soho. She teamed the white garment with some summery polka-dot sandals and some stylish sunglasses. Natalie carried a quilted black handbag under her arm as she headed out for another day of press appointments. The mother-of-one is currently promoting her new movie A Tale Of Love & Darkness. In an interview with Good Morning America last week she explained that after she first read the book, deciding to direct the adaptation was 'so immediate!' The actress described 'seeing the film in front of my eyes' when she first read Amos Oz' memoir of his upbringing in the nascent State of Israel. Though she'd read the book's English version at that time, it was originally written in Hebrew, which the Jerusalem native retained for her movie. 'My father's side,' she said, 'is from Israel, and so I had heard so many stories about my grandparents as refugees from Europe in the '30s, late '30s, coming to Israel, which was then British Mandated Palestine. 'And it's just that shock of what it is when you're an immigrant going to a place that is not anything like you expected to be.' Writing the script, she said, 'was actually really empowering. Because I kept thinking, "Oh, I'll find someone - a professional writer to write this." And I kept meeting with people, and they kept saying, "You know how to do this. You're explaining what you want."' A Tale Of Love & Darkness is set for release in the US this Friday. Appearing on E! show Botched By Nature, he shocked doctors who When Brandon noticed there was fluid developing around the implant he drained it himself with A man who was born with a sunken chest said he was 'worried for my life' after he regularly drained his infected implant himself with a syringe that he bought online. Brandon, whose surname is unknown, had pectus excavatum - a deformed rib cage that makes the chest sink in or cave - but it went undiagnosed until he was 19. He had an implant fitted but 16 years on, the father from Iowa admitted to doctors on Wednesday's episode of E! show Botched By Nature that fluid had started developing around the implant. Scroll down for video Help: Brandon, whose surname is unknown, appeared on Botched By Nature with his pectus excavatum, a sunken chest, pictured left before treatment and right afterwards Scared: Brandon, from Iowa, pictured, was born with the condition but feared for his life after an implant he had fitted when he was 19 started developing fluid around it DIY: Rather than seeking medical attention, Brandon, pictured left before treatment and right after, treated himself using syringes he bought online to drain the fluid Complications: Brandon, pictured in the operating theater, went undiagnosed for years but when he was 19 he had an implant fitted that after 15 years started causing problems For the last year he had been ordering syringes online to drain it himself without medical supervision. He said the problem was so frightening that he admitted: 'I'm worried for my life.' Doctors Paul Nassif and Terry Dubrow were shocked by Brandon's DIY treatment and when they went to drain the implant they found there was an infection which they claimed was 'a major disaster waiting to happen.' They brought in pectus excavatum expert Dr Barry Losasso and planned to do his operation in two parts - first removing the implant and then waiting to get the all-clear before performing the Nuss procedure, using metal bars to help lift the chest. 'I've brought in Dr. Losasso because I want him to see exactly what the deformity is like,' Dr. Dubrow said. Astounded: Brandon, pictured left before treatment and right after, shocked doctors on Botched By Nature when he told them what he had been doing in attempt to treat himself Double surgery: The father, pictured left as a child and right recently, was operated on in two stages Results: Doctors, pictured examining Brandon, successfully removed the implant and lifted his chest 'This is very important information he will need in order to give Brandon a good outcome.' Dr Dubrow successfully removed the implant and the capsule surrounding it before sending his chest fluid to pathology for analysis. After they were given the go-ahead a few months later, Dr Dubrow successfully performed the second stage of the operation to lift Brandon's chest. Dr Losasso told Brandon: 'Now we're going to put your chest wall in its proper relationship with your heart, to get the best result we want to lift the deepest part of the deformity up off the heart.' Two months later, he proudly showed the results to his wife, baby daughter and friends who are impressed with the outcome. Threat: Doctors said Brandon's issue was 'a major disaster waiting to happen' Exposed: Brandon, pictured showing off his new chest, was delighted with the results Impressed: His wife, pictured smiling with their baby daughter, was amazed by the end result Brandon's chest appeared normal with no sign of caving or swelling. He said the condition has plagued him since he was eight years old when he first noticed it and that he was relieved that he had not had complications with his heart and lungs. 'It was really important to me to have this corrected now so that I don't have to worry about later on being around for my daughter,' he said. Vowing never to treat himself again, Brandon said: 'Now that I've had the implant removed and my chest wall pushed out I feel like I can finally be the active dad that I want to be. Starting university is a nervous time for everyone - and it can be useful to know you'll have a few friends there before you start. But for one keen fresher, a Facebook post intended to introduce himself backfired spectacularly after a fellow fresher shared it on Twitter. Roisin Irvine, 18, from Glasgow, tweeted a photo of Ali Smith's Facebook post and it quickly went viral, racking up over 38,000 likes, more than 15,000 retweets - and widespread derision - in 24 hours. Ali (right) intended to introduce himself on Facebook but his message backfired spectacularly after a fellow fresher tweeted it - he has since insisted it was a 'wind up' The post saw Ali introducing himself to fellow Glasgow University freshers on a Facebook group. In the emoji-ridden missive, he wrote: 'Thanks Tom buddy for the approval, I'll take it from here. 'Greetings my "Glasgow gladiators" as they call us in the Wild West where I'm from! (Jokes!) 'Well I just want you's to get to know me a bit - as you can tell I'm a bit of a joker, you don't want to be sitting next to me in the lecture room I'll tell you that one for free. 'All joking aside (oh the irony) I like to knuckle down and study hard! I love studying! I'm studying civ eng (civil engineering for those who don't have slang terms like me) and look forward to building bridges (pun intended) with my Engineering buddies. 'I hate uni already': Roisin tweeted a photo of Ali Smith's Facebook post and it quickly went viral, racking up over 38,000 likes and more than 15,000 retweets in 24 hours Ali wrote: 'Well I just want you's to get to know me a bit - as you can tell I'm a bit of a joker, you don't want to be sitting next to me in the lecture room I'll tell you that one for free' 'Apart from my engineering eelse I also like to mingle with everyone! Especially girls.' After Roisin tweeted the excruciating message, people were quick to lay into Ali on Twitter, with rhys the great commenting: 'Making myself angry thinking about people from my first year, and my god, the NUS.' Rob Spence wrote: 'I bet he only wears comedy socks,' while Beth added: '"civ eng" is making me gage more than woowoo.' The12th man moaned 'whatttt is he doing with those emojis FS,' with another Twitter user writing: 'How could you possibly hate uni when you're clearly in company of such a "joker."' Josefina simply put 'yikes' while Asim commented: 'Cancel his acceptance. FFS.' James VHS Gent dubbed him the 'Archbishop of Banterury'. Many others expressed their disdain for Ali and warned Roisin about attending the same university as him. @Daniel_john08 tweeted: 'Literally cancel application and go to a different uni hahaha'. When she saw the response her tweet has recieved, Roisin wrote: 'patching uni now I'm famous' (a Scottish slang term meaning to give up or not do something). Some, however, were impressed with Ali's confidence. @HobbieStuart wrote: 'Can't lie I think he's a bit of a legend hahah'. The plot thickened when another Twitteruser, @erinbill_, posted an aledged response to Ali's original post. From someone called Caitlin Fotheringham, it read: '[laughing crying face emoji] You sound mental! I love it [tongue out eyes shut emoji] Not studying civil myself, buuuut I'll see you around as a fellow engineer [worshipping hands emoji]. 'Electrical's where it's at [lightening bolt emoji]. None of this bridge design nonsence [winking face emoji] you're reading this on an electronic device aren't you? '[Winking tongue out face emoji] I kid, I kid, obvs all the engineering disciplines are amazing [sassy woman emoji].' The original post and replies seem to have been deleted from the Facebook group. Ali himself spoke out on both Twitter and Facebook saying that the post was a joke - although some didn't believe him. On Twitter he wrote: 'Clearly a wind up [thumbs up emoji]' and on Facebook he posted: 'Clearly a joke, I'm not even going to uni [thumbs up emoji].' It isn't known why Ali had access to the Glasgow University freshers group if he isn't attending the university in the autumn. The possibility that the post may have been a joke hasn't bothered Twitter users, however, who have been amusing themselves joking about Ali's writing and personaility. When it comes to technology more often than not the older generation have a reputation for being a little behind the times. However, one Irish mother has proven that is not always the case after sending an extremely sassy reply to her son in their first WhatsApp exchange. Rita McGinn, from Tallaght, South-West Dublin, received her first smartphone as a birthday present from her husband. Dave McGinn's tweet went viral after he shared his mother Rita's first ever message to their family WhatsApp group with his followers In an effort to get his mother started on her new phone her son Dave McGinn added her to their family group on the message sharing app WhatsApp. Once she has joined the group Dave sent the group a message saying: 'Welcome to the family, mam'. It wasn't long before Rita replied with her witty response. She said: 'I started the family'. Dave's (pictured) mother was given her first smartphone and in a bid to get her started he added her to the family WhatsApp group but had not expected such a sassy response Dave wasted no time sharing his mother's response on Twitter accompanying the screen shot with a short tweet. He wrote: 'My dad bought my mam a smartphone for her birthday, and she has just been added to the family WhatsApp group'. Since sharing her message the tweet has received over 12,000 retweets and 6000 likes with people applauding Rita's reply. The tweet has now received over 12,000 retweets and 6,000 likes with many Twitter users applauding her technology skills Surreyspinster said Rita was a natural with technology: 'My mam has had 7 credit on her phone since 2013. Your mam is way ahead of the curve'. Several other Twitter users agreed that Rita ought to branch out to other social platforms. Mary G McG tweeted to ask: 'she's taking to it like a duck to water. Has she tried Twitter yet?' Other Twitter users pointed out that Rita's response had been an accurate point Tracy agreed adding: 'could you give her control of your Twitter account please? Thanks'. Many others pointed out that her response was entirely accurate. Lea wrote: 'now I can't stop laughing. Mamma reminding them who laid the foundation'. Deidre McNelis joined the conversation adding: 'your mammy rocks! And right she is lol'. Chef Jacob Kenedy, founder of celebrated London restaurants Bocca di Lupo and Vico, serves up his authentic Italian dishes You cant beat a carbonara but most people make it incorrectly, with the addition of cream, or Parmesan in place of Pecorino, or not enough pepper You cant beat a carbonara but most people make it incorrectly, with the addition of cream, or Parmesan in place of Pecorino, or not enough pepper. This ones wrong too it has asparagus in it but its a delicious alternative! Look out for guanciale, a strongly flavoured cured pork made from pigs cheek, which is similar to pancetta. As with most pasta dishes, everything comes together at the last minute, so be prepared. Serves 4 as a starter, 2 as a main 250g (9oz) spaghetti, fresh or dried 125g (4oz) guanciale (from Italian delis) or pancetta, cut into 1cm (in) lardons 1tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 bunch asparagus, stalks removed, spears cut into 5-10mm (-in) diagonal slices 3 large eggs 125g (4oz) Pecorino Romano cheese, grated 1 rounded dessert spoon of freshly ground black pepper Put the pasta on to cook in a large pan of well-salted boiling water (or follow the packet instructions). Set a large heatproof bowl atop the pasta pot to warm. Fry the guanciale or pancetta in the oil in a wide pan over a high heat until it has blistered and browned on the outside I like it to be soft on the inside. Take this pan off the heat, but keep it warm. A woman has released harrowing photos of her crushed skull after she was kicked in the head by horse. Cassy Fitch, 23, was left with brain swelling, a broken nose and a crushed sinus bone after the stallion was spooked by a jogger lost control. The accountant, from Phoenix, was thrown backwards after Andretti, who she adopted three days earlier, booted her between the eyes. She spent more than a week in intensive care and needed major surgery to have metal plates inserted into her skull. Despite having made a full recovery, she occasionally suffers from memory problems and gets painful headaches. Cassy Fitch, 23, from Phoenix, was left with a crushed skull, brain swelling, a broken nose and a crushed sinus bone after the stallion was spooked by a jogger lost control Miss Fitch said: 'I don't blame Andretti for what happened to me, but it was very traumatic. 'I felt like I had been hit by a train, I'd never felt a pain like it in my life and I will never forget it. 'All of a sudden, he bolted and pulled me. I didn't want him to run after the jogger or for me to lose sight of him, so I held on to him. 'Somehow I then ended up behind him and as he ran he kicked me in the head, sending me flying. 'There was blood everywhere and I was in excruciating pain. Somehow I managed to crawl to the edge and someone called 911.' The incident occurred on July 16, 2014. With blood pouring from her forehead, she was taken to the emergency department of Paradise Valley Hospital in Phoenix. Seeing the full extent of her injuries, doctors transported her to intensive care at Phoenix Baptist Hospital. There they told her she had minor brain swelling, a fractured skull, a broken nose and a crushed sinus bone. She also had an inch-deep wound in her forehead, which was stitched up straight away. She spent more than a week in intensive care and needed major surgery to have metal plates inserted into her skull She also had an inch-deep wound in her forehead, which was stitched up straight away. Despite having made a full recovery, she occasionally suffers from memory problems and gets painful headaches Then, 10 days later, she had an eight-hour operation, where surgeons put plates into her skull and adjusted her nose. Despite the impact of the kick, Miss Fitch, only blacked-out for an hour and was in intensive care for eight days. Yet while most people would be fearful about riding a horse again, she got back in the saddle after just 12 weeks. Now, she says she wants to help train horses to help people who suffer with mental and physical health problems. She said: 'I was determined to start riding as soon as I could. But despite the ordeal, Miss Fitch got back into the saddle after just 12 weeks. She said: 'I was determined to start riding as soon as I could' 'Lots of people were really angry at Andretti and wanted me to have him put down or ride another horse. 'But I don't think that. What happened to me was a freak accident, it wasn't his fault. He's a really lovely horse and I love him as much as I did before the accident. 'What happened to me reminded me how special horses are. Riding horses is in my blood and I won't stop, despite what happened to me.' First taking horse riding up at just three years old, she has even competed internationally. Zika has spread to Miami Beach, officials confirm as they announce five new cases of local infection. The news will come as a blow to Florida's public health workers who have been racing to contain the virus. The mosquito-borne infection arrived in the US last month, but has so far been restricted to a few blocks in Wynwood, a neighborhood of Miami-Dade County. But now, despite millions of dollars from the CDC for mosquito repellent and bug traps, the virus has made it to the nearby tourist hotspot of Miami Beach. Zika has spread from Wynwood, Miami, to Miami Beach. The news will come as a blow to health officials who have been racing to contain the virus (pictured in Miami Beach today) 'Today, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed a second location in Miami-Dade County where it is believed active Zika transmission is occurring,' Scott said on Friday. 'This location is a very small area that is less than 1.5 square miles in Miami Beach. 'While we are adding a second location, [the Department of Health] is also able to continue reducing the zone in Wynwood.' An area is deemed an outbreak zone if it has more than two confirmed cases of infection that are not related to travel or sex. Nine areas - eight in Miami Dade and one in Palm Beach - are being investigated as possible outbreak zones. Florida now has 35 cases of local Zika transmission. A total of 25 of those cases have been traced to Wynwood. While Wynwood is a gentrified arts neighborhood that has attracted residents in the last few years, Miami Beach is far more valuable an area to Florida's coffers. It is a tourist hub that attracts millions of visitors a year. But this news could make the area an off-limit zone for the foreseeable future. 'We are making every resource available to ensure Miami, and our entire state, remains safe for every family and visitor,' Scott said on Friday. This is the new outbreak zone in the neighborhood of Miami Beach, Gov Scott said Miami Beach is far more valuable an area to Florida's coffers than the artsy neighborhood of Wynwood. It is a tourist hub that attracts millions of visitors a year Florida is so far the only state in the mainland United States where local spread of Zika has been reported. But US health officials are pouring money into research to understand the virus for fear that it may spread faster than they could anticipate. Very little is known about how the virus infects people, how long it survives in the body, and whether it is aggravated by other environmental factors. This week, new research found Zika could 'wreak havoc' in the brains of adults, causing long-term damage that may mirror the effects of Alzheimer's disease. The mosquito-borne infection has already been linked to microcephaly - a serious birth defect in which babies are born with small heads and brain damage. Until now, the virus was thought to have a minimal effect on adults other than pregnant women. Most people infected show no obvious symptoms while others may experience flu-like effects, such as fever, headache and joint pain. But the new findings indicate the long term impact of the Zika infection in adults could be far more serious and sinister. Marie Stopes last night suspended half of its abortion services at clinics after safety fears were raised by watchdogs. The Care Quality Commission warned of immediate concerns during an unannounced inspection of the charitys London HQ. Officials raised fears about vulnerable women not being properly safeguarded, problems with training and competence and the use of anaesthesia and sedation. Marie Stopes: Britains biggest abortion provider, which sees 70,000 women a year, suspended all terminations that would involve general anaesthetic or sedation They also had issues concerning consent although there were no details over specific worries. Britains biggest abortion provider, which sees 70,000 women a year, suspended all terminations that would involve general anaesthetic or sedation. That rules out virtually all procedures performed after ten weeks of pregnancy. Before this, women can take a combination of pills to trigger a termination. After ten weeks, most abortions are carried out using procedures which involve either an anaesthetic or sedation. On average, 49 per cent of terminations fall into this category. Marie Stopes, which runs 60 private and NHS abortion clinics throughout the UK, also called off all abortions for under-18s and other vulnerable women. All operations at its centre in Norwich are also suspended. Concerns: Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS Englands national medical director, said it will be 'an anxious time for those women affected' Inspectors became worried during routine inspections of the charitys clinics, and then made snap visits to its headquarters last month and its call centre in London last week. A CQC spokesman said: While these restrictions respond to the most serious concerns CQC has raised, CQC will continue to monitor the situation very closely and will not hesitate to take regulatory action, if necessary. PIONEER OF BIRTH CONTROL Offering services including contraception, screening and abortion to more than 100million people, Marie Stopes International is now one of the worlds largest family-planning bodies. It started in 1921 when Marie Stopes, a birth control pioneer, opened the countrys first family planning clinic in Whitfield Street, London. She set up services when her first marriage was annulled after five years on the grounds of non-consummation, which sparked an interest in female sexuality. Rather than training in medicine, she was in fact an expert on fossils and coal. The charitys current guise was founded 40 years ago by Dr Tim Black, and it now operates in 37 countries, with a turnover of 250million and 10,000 employees. Advertisement Around 250 women a week will be referred to alternative services. The watchdog added: CQC requires these restrictions to remain in place until Marie Stopes International has assured the regulator that it has appropriate systems in place to care for all of its patients safely. The organisation has also been banned from opening any new clinics until the concerns have been dealt with. Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS Englands national medical director, said: This will be an anxious time for those women affected and we are taking immediate action to ensure everybody involved has access to the appropriate confidential advice and services. The CQC said it would not provide further detail until the publication of a full report later this year. Simon Cooke, chief executive of Marie Stopes International, said it had voluntarily agreed to suspended some services. He added: This is to allow Marie Stopes UK to resolve areas of concern in its training and governance procedures. Alongside this, our immediate priority is to make sure that women booked into one of our affected services are rebooked swiftly into alternative local services. Mukherjee has already turned down the plea of a record 37 convicts in four years after assuming office By the time Pranab Mukherjees term ends on July 25 next year, he would easily be the President who has rejected the largest number of mercy petitions filed by death row convicts and sent them to the gallows. Thirty-seven so far Mukherjee has already turned down the plea of a record 37 convicts in four years after assuming office, which included high profile cases like that of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack convict Ajmal Kasab (hanged on November 21, 2012) Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru (hanged on February 10, 2013) and 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon (July 30, 2015). All of these cases had triggered debates on abolition of capital punishment across the country. The latest rejection informed by the website of the Presidents Secretariat on Thursday was that of Vikram Singh Walia and Jasvir Singh residents of Hoshiarpur who have been awarded capital punishment by the trial court and high court for the brutal murder of a 16-year-old school boy. The Supreme Court had confirmed their punishment in May 2012. Their plea was rejected on August 7. The number of rejections assumes significance as a total of 7,012 people have been handed over the death penalty since Independence though executions have been rare considering only 58 people have actually been sent to the gallows. Mukherjee has commuted death penalty to life imprisonment only in two cases. This way, the tenure of Mukherjees predecessors are a study in contrast because Pratibha Patil was known to sit on mercy pleas and had she had to face a lot of criticism for it. She commuted death sentence of as many as 35 convicts to life just before demitting office. Late A P J Kalam, as the President, was handed with nine mercy petitions from his predecessor and 16 others were added during his term. He disposed only two. K R Narayanan received 10 petitions and disposed only one during his tenure. Under Article 72 of the Constitution, the President can grant pardon, and suspend, remit or commute a sentence of death. However, the President does not exercise this power on his own he has to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers. In a major boost to India's military capabilities along the China border, IAFs frontline fighter jets Sukhoi-3-MKIs landed at the newly paved advanced landing ground at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday morning. Just 100 km from the Chinese border, Pasighat ALG will be a strategic asset that will not only improve the IAFs response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of air operations in the eastern frontier, eventually opening of frontier state for tourism Sukhoi-3-MKI fighters flying over the upgraded Advanced Landing Ground at Pasighat The Bihar governments spirited attempt to impose prohibition in the state by imposing fines on entire villages has been termed unconstitutional by some legal experts who pointed out that the Bill has not been signed into law by the governor. The assembly this year passed legislation to ban the sale of all forms of alcohol in a move seen as fulfillment of an election promise made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. However, the Bihar Prohibition & Excise Bill 2016 is still awaiting assent from the governor before it becomes an Act. The Bihar governments spirited attempt to impose prohibition in the state by imposing fines on entire villages has been termed unconstitutional by some legal experts Article 200 of the Constitution says that until the governor signs the Bill and until a gazette notification is issued in this regard, the Bill does not take form of an Act or law, said Dinu Kumar, a senior advocate of the Patna High Court. No action can be taken as per the Bill unless it becomes law. Whatever collective fines or FIRs have been registered against villages in the past 15 days are illegal and unconstitutional. The assembly this year passed legislation to ban the sale of all forms of alcohol in a move seen as fulfillment of an election promise made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar The ban, considered an attempt to control violence against women, is likely to affect nearly 100 million people in the countrys third-most populous state that is looking to follow in the footsteps of Gujarat, Nagaland and Mizoram. The JD(U)-led government brought in a new Bill in the monsoon session after it found several lacunae in the previous version that was passed in March, following which complete prohibition was imposed in the state. Several key provisions of collective fine on villages or localities and seizure of property were incorporated in the new legislation. In the past fortnight, seven villages in Bhagalpur, Patna, Sheikhpura and Nalanda have been penalised. In fact, the local administration in Nalanda pasted a notice for a fine of Rs 5,000 on each house in a village. The state government also seized four hotels in the district for repeatedly breaking the rule. I am not aware whether the law pertaining to impose collective fine on villages is effective or not at the moment, said JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar. Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to be the nations first choice for the top job, the latest Mood Of The Nation survey by India Today shows. Overcoming the headwinds, Modi has not only remained on course but is cruising comfortably in the middle of his term. The Prime Ministers popularity, which had taken a dip in the previous survey, has soared back impressively, recovering lost ground. Half of the respondents in the latest poll carried out this month said Modi is best suited to be the next prime minister of India. Six months ago, only 40 per cent preferred him. In fact, his popularity dipped to 37 per cent in August 2015 and 36 per cent in April the same year, a fall from 57 per cent in August 2014. Modis nearest rival Rahul Gandhi continues to occupy the second spot, but his rating dropped to 13 from 22 per cent. Sonia Gandhi is third with a rating of six per cent followed by Arvind Kejriwal who was preferred by only 4 per cent of the respondents. The Prime Minister not only scored on his personal popularity but got a big thumbs up from the people on his governments performance. If the Lok Sabha elections were held today, the NDA is expected to win 304 seats, says the survey. The ruling alliance is looking to consolidate its hold, arresting the declining trend in the last six months. With 304 seats, the NDA is way ahead of its rival UPA, which is expected to win 145, three less than its tally in the 2014 elections. Within the NDA, the BJP is likely to get 259 seats against the 282 it had won two years ago. In the latest Mood Of The Nation survey by India Today, the PM not only scored on his personal popularity but got a big thumbs up from the people The latest seat forecast shows that the Congress will win 54, only marginally improving its lowest score of 44 in 2014. Despite losing some seats, the NDA is projected to improve its vote share by one per cent in the latest survey. It is expected to win 40 per cent of votes against 39 per cent in the 2014 elections. Modi is the most popular among the current choices, but he is still not rated as the best prime minister ever. When asked to make that pick, 23 per cent respondents said Indira Gandhi. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was second with 18 per cent votes closely followed by Modi at 17. In what could be an indicator of the future trend, popularity ratings of Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpyee were on the decline from the previous survey but in the case of Modi it is on the rise. He was voted by 14 per cent people as the best PM ever in 2014. Most of the respondents (23 per cent) picked Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi to be the best alternative to Prime Minister Modi. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is third with 13 per cent, followed by his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal at 12 per cent while Congress President Sonia Gandhi was preferred by nine per cent of the respondents. In terms of his overall performance, 44 per cent termed it good and 35 per cent said average. Only seven per cent termed it poor. The satisfaction level with the government is also strong. An overwhelming 46 per cent said they are satisfied with the government and 32 per cent said its performance was average. On the Prime Ministers style of functioning, 24 per cent felt that he is all talk, no action, up from 20 per cent in the last survey. In terms of being pro-poor, 17 per cent acknowledged that, down from 21 per cent. Only 9 per cent said he was sectarian and anti-minority. Eight in ten properties sold by estate agents last month went for less than the original asking price, the highest level for two years according to latest data from an industry body. The eight per cent rise within one month could be a symptom of jitters in the housing market following the Brexit vote, the National Association of Estate Agents says. The fall marks a 50 per cent drop in the number of homes selling for at least the asking price compared to January. Price struggle? According to the NAEA, only two in 10 homes sold for asking price last month Furthermore, the demand from buyers was at its lowest level since November 2013 and a third lower than July last year. The number of house hunters registered per estate agency branch dropped to an average of 298, from 330 in June. In July 2015, this was at 462 per branch. At the same time, the supply of houses available to buyers increased marginally, from 37 properties per branch in June, to 38 in July. Just a third of estate agents reported no changes in the housing market since Brexit and claimed that everything is 'business as usual'. The same number also stated that interest from foreign investors has remained the same. The average estate agency sold eight homes in July, no change from the month before. Mark Hayward, managing director of NAEA, said: 'We expected to see uncertainty in the immediate period following Brexit and during the summer months the market always quietens down. 'We are optimistic that the housing market will spring back into full swing in the coming months.' The data also showed the number of sales made to first-time buyers decreased in July, from 30 per cent of the total to 25 per cent. Big dip: Optimism over house prices dipped in the aftermath of Brexit - but have surged ahead again the last month A separate survey of households by Knight Frank today showed that more people believe their property increased in value in the last month than fell. Respondents in six of the 11 regions covered by the index believe prices increased over the course of the month. Households in the East of England perceived the biggest price growth in August, followed by those in the South West and South East. The poll also showed confidence that values will continue to rise in the next 12 months albeit at a slower pace than before the EU Referendum. Brexit bounce: Data from Haart suggests areas which voted to leave the EU have seen little impact on the housing market, compared to those who wanted to remain Elsewhere, data from estate agency Haart suggests that the housing market has prospered in areas of the country that voted to leave Europe, but slumped in those that hoped to remain. It claims the 'psychology of Brexit' has driven big regional differences in the buying and selling of homes since the referendum. It said there has been a 50 per cent surge in abandoned sales in branches in towns and cities that voted to stay in the EU, but a two per cent drop in branches in Leave areas. The number of abandoned sales has doubled in Southville, Bristol, for example, which voted 62 per cent to Remain. In Barnsley, Yorkshire, which voted 68 per cent for Leave, there was a 39 per cent drop in abandoned sales. Branches in areas that voted to leave the EU have also seen a surge in buyer registrations. Wisbech in the district of Fenland, Cambridgeshire, voted 71 per cent for Leave. The number of applicants signing up to branches there in the weeks since the vote is up by 9.6 per cent. In nearby Great Shelford, which recorded a 60 per cent Remain vote, there was a 42 per cent drop in the number of registrations. Separate data from Rightmove earlier in the week revealed the average asking price for a home fell 3,602 in the last month. However, while the property website said the Brexit vote had knocked sentiment, it added that the month-on-month decline in asking prices was in line with the traditional summer lull. Howard Archer, economist at IHS Global Insight, said: 'We believe housing market activity is likely to be limited over the coming months and prices will weaken as heightened uncertainty following the UK's vote to leave the EU weighs down markedly on economic activity and consumer confidence. 'We suspect that house prices could fall back by around three per cent over the second half of 2016 and there could well be a further five per cent drop in 2017.' Meanwhile the latest house price index from Nationwide Building Society the first since the EU referendum decision in June showed that properties values continue to rise. A quarter of Britons travelling overseas have no qualms about using free public wi-fi abroad for online banking, according to a survey for This is Money. In a bid to dodge roaming costs, many connect to public wi-fi, which can be unsecured and a hotbed for crooks looking to raid personal details. Two thirds are likely to use public wi-fi abroad, according to the poll from anti-virus software firm AVG Technologies and this rises to nine in 10 under 24s. Banking risk: A quarter are willing to bank on their device while connected to a public wi-fi spot This is despite 81 per cent thinking hacking is a risk and a similar number believing ID theft is also a possibility. Tony Anscombe, security expert at AVG, said: 'The majority of us are guilty of hunting down public wi-fi abroad on holiday to save on potentially hefty data charges. 'Cyber criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in targeting vulnerable consumers sourcing personal information through unsecure public wi-fi, hacking into mobile devices and even stealing identities. 'The majority of Britons will use free public wi-fi on holiday and a worrying amount choosing to use it to make financial transactions potentially putting their financial data at risk. As well as a quarter willing to log-on to internet banking using public wi-fi, 16 per cent are happy to use it for online shopping, the survey of 1,000 people showed. The survey also placed having solid wi-fi connection ahead of good restaurants and meeting new people in order of importance while on holiday. Fraudsters can easily hack public wi-fi connection. There are thousands of videos online showing how to do it - one YouTube video has millions of hits on the topic. Using simple kit, scammers can capture details and even hijack devices to mine information. In turn, this can be used for ID theft or access bank accounts to swipe money. As previously reported by This is Money, banks are becoming more strict when it comes to refunding money lost to fraudsters. It varies on a bank-by-bank and case-by-case basis. If they found a customer to be negligent, which could include using a public wi-fi spot to bank online, the chances are it will have grounds to not compensate. Experiment: Earlier in the year, Avast set up a test which saw people log-in to fake wi-fi hotspots it had set up Earlier in the year, an experiment set up by another anti-virus firm Avast saw it create a fake wi-fi spot at Barcelona Airport during the Mobile World Congress internet conference. It wanted to see how many people would connect to phony hotspots it created, under official looking names 'Starbucks', 'Airport_Free_Wifi_AENA' and 'MWC Free Wifi'. Illustrating how many are willing to blindly connect, 2,000 did so. The firm says it would have been able to see identities of 63.5 per cent of them if it tried. It is relatively easy for hackers to set up these official looking hotspots to steal data. If device users don't need to enter a password, it's easier for anyone to view information sent and received by devices that connect up this means cyber criminals can set up a 'honeytrap' to harvest information. Last year, 594million people around the world were believed to be victims of cyber crime, according to Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report. It says that 'free public wi-fi is a hacker's playground for stealing personal information.' HOW TO STAY SAFE USING FREE WI-FI When preparing for holiday, or using public wi-fi here in the UK, people should take some simple steps to protect themselves according to AVG: - Be careful to connect to the correct network, if the hotel of coffee shop has public wi-fi make sure you are connecting to the right network rather than one that just looks free check with staff. - Secure your mobile devices and laptops with strong passwords and if you have not already set up anti-theft software on your smartphone, then download it and register. - Ensure your online accounts for example banks aren't using the same e-mail and password combination that you use on social media. If so, change them and where possible, use two-step authentication. - If you are going to use public wi-fi, consider installing a personal Virtual Private Network product on the devices that you are going to connect to it. A VPN encrypts the connection in case any snoopers are watching the data being transmitted on a public network so they won't be able to see what you are doing. Tools to snoop on wi-fi are readily available and easy to use making this a real threat. - When purchasing online always make sure you're using a secure payment method at the checkout. This will ensure that the information being sent in the transaction is encrypted and can't be intercepted. You can confirm that an online store's checkout is encrypted by making sure there is a little lock icon visible in the address bar, followed by 'https' and not 'http'. - Watch out for phishing e-mails. These often look legitimate and from businesses you would normally use - it could be a bank, online store or government agency. When on holiday you might get e-mails from organisations that you don't normally deal with. The fake e-mail might provide plausible reasons for you to click a link to visit a website and update your details. Don't reply to the e-mail or click any links, instead go directly to the organisation's website in your browser and log-in into your account to verify everything is in order. Also, remember to avoid opening any file attachments from unsolicited or unknown senders. If you do, you could be at risk of accidentally installing malware or trojans. Officials recalled or quarantined all helmets at a cost of $19 million Inmates used dangerous, improvised tools and were poorly supervised But 126,052 of them failed ballistics tests and had substandard materials Defective combat helmets made by federal inmates in Texas put soldiers' lives at risk. The poorly-manufactured helmets were produced for the US military using prison labor and later failed ballistics tests, the Justice Department's Inspector General said Wednesday in a report. Nearly 150,000 of the helmets were manufactured between 2006 and 2009, when the White House ordered 'surges' in combat troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan. Poorly supervised inmates also used dangerous, improvised tools such as makeshift hatchets, which could easily have become weapons. Defective combat helmets (file picture) made by federal inmates in Texas put soldiers' lives at risk, a report by the Justice Department's Inspector General revealed Wednesday The Inspector General's report focuses on two types of helmets: advanced combat helmets (ACH) and lightweight Marine Corps helmets (LMCH). Both of them are classified as critical safety items, meaning they require a higher level of scrutiny. 'Nonconforming helmets would likely cause serious injury or death to the wearer,' the Inspector General's report states. But an investigation into the helmets manufactured by federal inmates showed their shells had been apart to add Kevlar dust to the war sections. Poorly supervised inmates also used dangerous, improvised tools such as makeshift hatchets (pictured), which could easily have become weapons Inmates tasked with making the helmets also used this 'screw tool' to strip Kevlar, the Inspector General said in its report Investigators also found that the shells were later repressed 'to remove blisters and bubbles in violation of contract specifications'. 'The investigations found that the ACH and LMCH had numerous defects, including serious ballistic failures, blisters and improper mounting-hole placement and dimensions, as well as helmets being repressed,' the report reads. 'Helmets were manufactured with degraded or unauthorized ballistic materials, used expired paint (on LMCH) and unauthorized manufacturing methods.' Workers also switched or doctored serial numbers, the report states. Investigators did not find any evidence that soldiers or marines had died as a result of defects in the helmets. But military officials recalled or quarantined all the helmets, costing the government $19 million. The helmets were made with substandard materials and did not meet ballistics standards, as shown in this picture taken after a test ArmorSource, an Ohio defense contractor tasked with making the bulk of the helmets, agreed with the Justice Department in March to pay $3 million for producing the defective equipment under the False Claims Act. Paul Garcia, chief contracting officer at ArmorSource, told AFP that his company had no comment. ArmorSource continues to supply equipment to the Defense Department. ArmorSource subcontracted much of the helmet manufacture to Unicor, a wholly-owned government corporation operated within the US Bureau of Prisons to employ federal inmates. According to the report, Unicor directed inmates to falsify manufacturing records to indicate helmets had passed inspection. In at least one instance, a Defense Department inspector certified entire lots of helmets over a fax machine, according to the report. An unannounced visit by inspectors in 2010 at a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas found inmate employees using dangerous improvised tools, 'degrading prison security,' the report said. Footwear maker Crocs and a Waikiki resort are being sued after a 2-year-old boy's foot got caught in an escalator while his family visited Hawaii for an oral surgeon convention. The boy's parents, Flora Kim and David Kang, say the Crocs shoes were 'negligently and improperly designed.' They also blame the Hilton Hawaiian Village with negligence in maintaining the escalator's safety. Texas dentists Flora Kim and David Kang are suing Crocs and a Waikiki resort after their toddler son's foot was caught in an hotel escalator The Texas couple says the Crocs shoes were 'negligently and improperly designed' The parents say the escalator tore off an extensive section of skin from the toddler's left foot, requiring emergency surgery, court records show. Kim and Kang, of Dallas, were attending the annual meeting of the American Association of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons in September 2014 with their son. They were leaving the convention's opening ceremony in a resort ballroom when the boy's foot became entangled and sucked into a space between a step and the sidewall of the escalator, the lawsuit says. 'Eventually a bystander was able to activate an emergency stop button, but not until (the boy) had traveled almost the entire distance between floors while his foot was painfully trapped in the moving escalator,' said the lawsuit, initially filed in Hawaii state court in June but transferred to federal court this week. The boy's foot was trapped for nearly an hour before a rescue team arrived with proper equipment, court records show. He spent two days at a Honolulu hospital after emergency surgery and received additional medical care in Texas. The boy had two more surgeries one to repair skin on his injured foot and one due to complications from the skin graft site. The boy was holding his mother's hand while they rode the escalator, the family's Dallas lawyers said. The escalator severed tendons and muscles and broke bones. The couple also blames the Hilton Hawaiian Village (pictured) with negligence in maintaining the escalator's safety 'In essence, his foot was completely crushed and destroyed,' one of their lawyers, Leslie Chaggaris, said. There's concern there's permanent damage to his foot and growth plate, she said, adding that the child had night terrors for many months afterward. Crocs spokesman Patrick Rich said Thursday she company does not comment on pending litigation. Hilton representatives didn't immediately return messages Thursday. Crocs knew as early as 2008 that children suffered severe injuries when the shoes got trapped in small spaces on escalators, the lawsuit said. According to reports appearing across the United States and as far away as Singapore and Japan, entrapments occur because of two of the biggest selling points of shoes like Crocs: their flexibility and grip. Some report the shoes get caught in the 'teeth' at the bottom or top of the escalator, or in the crack between the steps and the side of the escalator. The reports of serious injuries have all involved young children. lion pulling the woman who saved it in close for a hug Advertisement There's often nothing worse than seeing a vulnerable animal in need of help... But nothing more rewarding than seeing that same creature then being rescued by a selfless human . MailOnline has compiled 10 of the most dramatic rescue operations from around the globe to illustrate the lengths some special people will go to to protect our friends in the animal kingdom. From a trapped koala in Australia, an emaciated horse in Mississippi and an elephant saved from spiked chains in India, these clips will melt your heart. Enjoy our heartwarming compilation and scroll down for the story of each rescue... Bambi on ice A father and son tied rope to the legs of these deer and rescued them from the frozen lake The first clip captures the moment a father and son encounter two helpless deer trapped on the frozen Albert Lea Lake in Minnesota. The animals are incapable of getting to their feet to flee the ice and appear terrified by the presence of the two humans. After briefly checking up on the deer, the two men come up with the idea of attaching rope to their legs. They then tow the creatures to the side of the frozen lake, where they untie them, and let them return to the wild. How did you get in there? The koala was later spotted sitting in a tree eating leaves after it was saved from the fence A family from Australia were shocked when they came across a koala trapped in a small hole in their fence in our second rescue video. Reacting quickly, they used power tools to cut the creature free before checking it over for injuries and releasing it back into the wild. The same animal was spotted by the family later that same day, sitting in a nearby tree eating leaves. As an added measure, the kind family boarded up the hole in the fence to ensure no other koalas would become trapped in the future. Restoring a stallion Seven-year-old stallion Leroy collapsed from starvation while eating his first meal in ages The third clip features the selfless work of a group of animal lovers who dedicate their lives to rescuing abused horses in the Mississippi area. One particularly upsetting case saw seven-year-old stallion Leroy collapsing from starvation while eating his first meal in a long time. After a month of TLC administered by the kind and patient animal lovers, the horse managed to get back on his feet. And after two more months he was able to stand - even run around outside - without the assistance of any of the carers. A diamond in the rough Miley was found sat on the top of a pile of rubbish in Los Angeles before she was rescued Members of the Hope For Paws animal rescue charity came across a dog suffering from mange, bacterial infections and malnutrition in our fourth video. They found the animal, named Miley, sat on top of a pile of rubbish in Los Angeles and after gaining her trust took her to the vets. Heartwarming footage shows the dog being cared for and enjoying a much needed wash before having some time to heal. Staff later introduced Miley to another rescued animal and were delighted by just how sociable and loving she was. Escape to the wild The orangutan recovered at a conservation centre and will learn how to survive in the wild The fifth clip features a well-meaning farmer who took home a baby orangutan after hearing it crying in the forest of Lower Labai, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. He kept the animal as a pet for two years, but fed it all the wrong things and tied a rope around its neck - which led to the baby suffering cuts. Eventually the man acknowledged he was doing more harm than good and the animal was given to the Provincial Natural Resources Conservation Centre. The orangutan was able to recover from its injuries and learn how to survive in the wild - where it is due to return in three years. 'Who would chain two innocent turtles together?' The two men were shocked when they discovered the shells of the turtles had been drilled Two men rescued a pair of turtles who were the victims of some horrific abuse after they were chained together in our sixth video. The creatures were spotted struggling in the Miami River in Florida, prompting one of the men to pull them from the water. In the clip, the man tells his friend that he can see blood on the back of one of them and explains a hole has been drilled into its shell. Fortunately the rescuer is able to free the creatures from the chain and return them to the river separated. The elephant that cried Upon being rescued from 50 years of suffering, the desperate elephant cried tears of joy The next clip features the truly dramatic rescue of an elephant named Raju who had been held in chains for half a century. The animal bled from spiked shackles and lived on hand-outs from tourists, prompting London-based charity Wildlife SOS to travel to India to save him. Upon being rescued from a staggering 50 years of suffering, the desperate elephant cried tears of joy. Raju was later transferred 350 miles on the back of an open-top lorry to the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura for treatment. Rescued from a concrete grave The desperate cat was filmed crying in pain while trapped at the bottom of a metal pipe Life was all but over for a cat which was buried alive in boiling hot concrete and left for dead in Kanab, Utah in our eighth video. But one selfless man refused to give up on the animal and filmed himself rescuing it from a sickening fate. Footage shows the cat crying in pain while trapped at the bottom of a metal pipe - it appears its calls for help must have attracted the attention of the man. After going to get his tools, the man then painstakingly chips away at the concrete to free the creature before handing it over to an animal sanctuary. The dog who wouldn't be beaten The former owner of Tuffy poured boiling hot water on him and threw him from a balcony Our penultimate clip features a puppy which had boiling hot water poured on his head before he was then thrown from a fourth floor balcony. The dog, named Tuffy, was just six weeks old at the time and was being punished for chewing his owner's phone. An Animals Asia vet, who treated the dog, claimed she had never seen a dog in so much pain before and was enable to stop herself from crying. Fortunately after receiving the love and care he needed following his horrific ordeal, the dog made a full recovery and now lives a happy and fulfilled life. The king of all hugs A lion pulls its rescuer in for a cuddle as a show of appreciation for everything she has done Animals are unable to show their appreciation in the same way as humans. But this delighted lion, who was rescued by the woman featured in our last video, did its very best by throwing its huge paws around her. After pulling her in for a hug, the large predator squeezes her tightly through the bars of its enclosure. A third of employers have rejected job applicants after checking their social media profiles, a survey has found. More than half of HR professionals said the way candidates present themselves on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn affects whether they are hired. And a third said they had refused to give an applicant an interview because of their posts on social media. More than half of HR professionals said the way candidates present themselves on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn affects whether they are hired But jobseekers seem to be becoming aware of this, with half saying they were conscious of how their online profiles may come across to a potential boss. The impact of the internet works both ways as 28 per cent of jobseekers also said that what they read about a firm online influenced them, the survey of 4,000 men and women found. Andy Sumner, of jobs website Monster.co.uk, which carried out the poll, said: 'More and more employees and employers are looking for a good cultural fit, so often a Google search will tell a recruiter more than a CV can. 'Candidates should think about what they use each channel for - whether personal or professional - to build a profile for themselves. A third said they had refused to give an applicant an interview because of their posts on social media (file image) 'The same applies to employers. The external employer brand of a business is really significant when attracting talent - so recruiters should think of the image they are projecting as an organisation. 'Many focus on the potential negatives of social media when it comes to job applications. Thousands of new mothers with post-natal depression are being left without support because of a woeful lack of care. NHS figures show 43 per cent of health boards provide no specialised maternal mental health service. And in those areas that do have a service, only a third meet the recommended standards. NHS figures show 43 per cent of health boards provide no specialised maternity service, and in those areas that do have a service, only a third meet the recommended standards An estimated 140,000 women giving birth each year are thought to suffer depression, anxiety or other mental health problems during pregnancy or in the months after birth. Thousands never get the support they need, and suicide is a leading cause of death in expectant and new mothers. After years of insufficient funding, NHS England has finally agreed to act, pledging 365million over the next five years. Officials today launch a 5million development fund for health boards to tackle the problem, which they hope will treat 30,000 new or expectant mothers a year. Experts have long warned that post-natal depression had gone ignored. Yet the cost of treating the problem is minimal, adding an estimated 83 to the 2,800 average cost of maternity care. Left untreated, however, the cost rises to an average of 10,000 per woman. Vicki Nash, of mental health charity Mind, welcomed the new funding, but added: Too many simply dont get the right support in these vital months. This can lead to catastrophic consequences. It is vitally important now that NHS England and clinical commissioning groups take this opportunity to work together and ensure that this money gets to the frontline fast. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Alain Gregoire, chairman of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, said: In many parts of the country there are no services at all, not even someone who can give some advice. It doesnt cost a great deal, which makes it even more scandalous that they havent done anything before. I WAS CONVINCED I MIGHT HARM MY THREE-MONTH-OLD Natalie Ellis, 32, first noticed something was wrong when her son Finn was born. I started to feel down when I was breastfeeding, and thought it was a bit strange, but I didnt think much of it, the mother from Sheffield said. But when Finn was three months old, she saw a news story about sexual abuse involving a baby. Natalie Ellis, 32, first noticed something was wrong when her son Finn was born She said: I started to think about it happening to Finn. Over the next few months I became obsessed with it, and then I turned against myself. I became convinced that I might hurt my baby. Obviously I had no intention of doing anything to him but I became convinced I might. Miss Ellis became suicidal, convincing herself that Finn would be safer if she were dead. But then she read online that obsessing about harming a baby was a symptom of post-natal depression - and could often include thoughts about sexual abuse. She had counselling and therapy, and was given medication. The problem is that people just dont talk about it, she said. If I had known that it was an illness, it would never have got that bad - I thought it was just me. We need much more awareness of the symptoms. Miss Ellis is now training to be a radiographer and is engaged to partner Matt Williams, 36. Their son is now six years old and at primary school. Advertisement The Government is seeming to wake up to this at last, but we need to see whether the NHS at a local level actually delivers change. The human cost is huge. It has an impact on the women themselves, and on the whole family. The suffering is immense and can go on and on if it is not treated properly. NHS figures show that 91 of Englands 211 clinical commissioning groups 43 per cent have no specialist community perinatal mental health team. Only 30 groups 14 per cent of the total meet the standards set by the Royal College of Psychiatry. Dr Giles Berrisford, the NHSs associate national clinical director for perinatal mental health, said: We absolutely need to ensure that all women have the access to high quality perinatal mental health care and are committed to addressing current issues and variation. I am delighted that we can use this fund to build capacity in the community. Personal grooming salons are opening at a rate of 12 a week as more men grow bushy hipster beards and women copy the latest styles from reality TV (file photo) The increasing popularity of beards, e-cigarettes and expensive tea has fuelled a high street boom and boosted the economy, a study shows. Personal grooming salons are opening at a rate of 12 a week as more men grow bushy hipster beards and women copy the latest styles from reality TV. Some 626 barbers and beauty salons opened around the country last year, up 10 per cent on 2014, according to Royal Mails address management unit, which monitors changes on Britains high streets. There was an even bigger increase, 54 per cent, in the number of independent tobacconists, with 334 opening last year. This was as a result of a rise in vaping smoking e-cigarettes. The popularity of exotic teas and cold brew coffee saw a jump in independent tea and coffee shops, with 337 opening last year. Scroll down for video Fashion experts attribute the rise in personal grooming salons to the popularity of beards and eyebrow shaping. Trevor Studd, of the British Barbers Association, said: There has definitely been a growing migration of men going back to barber shops from unisex salons. Steve Rooney, of Royal Mail, said: The analysis reveals a trend Im sure shoppers will recognise: independent retail is booming. This is great news for communities, as both businesses and consumers benefit. Can upsetting Left-wing rabble-rouser Owen Jones be a sackable offence? For I hear that Sky News presenter Mark Longhurst has left the channel just two months after ubiquitous Guardian columnist and political activist Jones stormed off a newspaper review he was hosting. We are all devastated, a senior Sky figure tells me. Mark is a very experienced, distinguished journalist and had been given a cast-iron assurance he was staying. He has a wife and children and this will hit him hard. Its dreadful. Longhurst had upset Jones with comments he made about the massacre of 50 men in a gay nightclub in Florida. Scroll down for video Sky News presenter Mark Longhurst has left the channel just two months after ubiquitous Guardian columnist and political activist Jones stormed off a newspaper review he was hosting Longhurst had upset Jones with comments he made about the massacre of 50 men in a gay nightclub in Florida As they discussed the papers front pages, Jones, who is gay, described the shooting as a homophobic terrorist attack. Longhurst questioned that definition and asked Jones and his fellow guest, broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer, if they should delineate between Islamist terror and homophobia. The presenter suggested it was an attack on the freedoms of people trying to enjoy themselves. Hartley-Brewer added that the attacker would probably be as horrified by me as a gobby woman. Jones, who used to work for hard-Left Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, claimed Longhurst didnt understand because he wasnt gay. Im sorry, I just find this the most astonishing thing Ive ever been involved in on television, the 32-year-old author of Chavs and The Establishment declared, before ripping off his microphone and walking off the set. Longhurst later felt the need to apologise, saying: As the presenter responsible for chairing the conversation, I regret that the segment ended as it did. I absolutely accept the atrocity in Florida was, of course, an attack on LGBT people, but I was also trying to reflect what was on the newspapers front pages. It was never my intention to offend Owen Jones, and I very much look forward to working with him again in future. As they discussed the papers front pages, Jones, who is gay, described the shooting as a homophobic terrorist attack Jones, the son of a trades union shop steward, said his decision to walk out was an instinctive reaction to an unpleasant situation. He dismissed Longhursts subsequent comments as the definition of a non-apology. When it emerged a much-loved Lake District peak could be sold to a Russian oligarch, fans of Englands most dramatic landscape queued up to pledge money to save it for the nation. Determined to prevent 2,848ft Blencathra falling into foreign hands, some chipped in with 10 while others sent as much as 1,000, creating a fighting fund of 250,000 for the newly formed Friends of Blencathra charity. So when the planned sale was cancelled after the peaks owner, the Earl of Lonsdale, succeeded in paying a 9million inheritance tax bill, many expected the money would be refunded. Off the market: The popular Blencathra peak in the Lake District is pictured But that hasnt happened, and now donors have set up a group demanding that the charity, which is sitting on a veritable mountain of cash, gives it back to them. Mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington, who is honorary president of the campaign, said he was extremely concerned by developments. The campaign was launched in 2014 after the eighth earl, Hugh Lowther, put the peak on the market for 1.75 million, saying he was hoping some daft Russian would buy it to show off. After nationwide outrage, the charity was set up to save the distinctively shaped peak, also known as Saddleback, and described by guidebook author Alfred Wainwright as one of the grandest objects in the Lake District. Martin Knowles has now set up a Friends of Blencathra Please Say No action group to highlight the terrible way the charity is behaving. Many donors, of which there are thousands, have contacted me stating that they wish their donations to be refunded, but have been refused, said Mr Knowles, from Oxford. Mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington (pictured holding the Olympic Torch in 2012), who is honorary president of the campaign, said he was extremely concerned by developments Today I received a call from a little old lady who has donated 1,000 and is distraught that she will never see her money again. I never made a donation but I am trying to get justice for those who did. In a recent statement posted to Facebook, Friends of Blencathra chairman Dave Wheeler said the charity will continue to pursue the acquisition of Saddleback. Mr Wheeler said there was no possibility of the money being spent on anything other than buying Blencathra and insisted that while it was no longer being actively marketed, it remained available to buy. British diplomats should be barred from helping Peter Mandelson pursue his business interests in Zimbabwe British diplomats should be barred from helping Peter Mandelson pursue his business interests in Zimbabwe and other corrupt states, a senior MP said last night. Former minister Kate Hoey said she was appalled by revelations the British Embassy had helped arrange talks between the former Business Secretary and Zimbabwes controversial finance minister Patrick Chinamasa earlier this year. Miss Hoey, chairman of Parliaments all-party group on Zimbabwe, urged Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to end all assistance for former ministers pursuing their own ends, particularly in countries with poor human rights records. Official support for Lord Mandelsons visit risked giving succour to Robert Mugabes pariah regime, she said. Our missions must not act as a speed-dating bureau for any passing VIP, whether from politics, or business or any other field. 'Our overseas diplomats need to be particularly wary of requests for help from visiting politicians, current or former, since it has become so easy for them to pick up lucrative jobs with outside interests, including foreign companies and even foreign governments. They need to ask: Why are you really here? Who is paying you? Whom are you reporting back to? They need answers they can trust. If they cannot be certain that the visitor is not representing some private interest, they should tell him to fend for himself. Lord Mandelson, chairman of the international arm of the bank Lazard, held secret talks with Mr Chinamasa in Zimbabwe in February at a meeting arranged by British ambassador Catriona Laing, who was also present. Lazard has since been engaged in intensive talks with Mr Chinamasa about the terms of a potential 800 million loan to bail out the countrys crippled economy. The row comes despite previous promises from the Foreign Office that it would end assistance to former ministers unless they were pursuing Government business' A spokesman for Lord Mandelson denied his trip was linked to the bailout talks, but Miss Hoey said she found this hard to believe. She added: I also find it hard to believe Peter Mandelson gave no report of his encounter with Mr Chinamasa to his employers at Lazard. I wonder also why the Foreign Office thought there was any value to Britain in Peter Mandelsons mission. He has no previous relationship with Zimbabwe that I can discover. The row comes despite previous promises from the Foreign Office that it would end assistance to former ministers unless they were pursuing Government business. In January, the department said it would no longer provide accommodation for visiting dignitaries, following controversy over the costs run up by Tony Blair. A spokesman for Lord Mandelson said last night: Lord Mandelson visited South Africa and Zimbabwe in February. He is not playing nor has he played any role in advising the Zimbabwean government either through Lazard or any other interest. Lord Mandelsons visit was discussed beforehand with Foreign Office officials who encouraged and supported the visit. Revelations about Lord Mandelsons dealings in Zimbabwe have fuelled concerns about his secretive business activities around the world. Families who have remained loyal to their energy firm for 15 years have paid about 3,000 more on their bills than those who switch supplier, a study says. As many as one in ten households have been sitting on the expensive standard variable rate tariff of their energy firm for a decade, researchers found. These tariffs lead to higher bills than fixed-rate deals, which means these families have been paying hundreds of pounds a year more than they need to. As many as one in ten households have been sitting on the expensive standard variable rate tariff of their energy firm for a decade, researchers found (file image) The figures come from the price comparison website Energy Helpline, which calculates the current difference at an average of 300 per year. It claims that the price penalty for those who have been with their gas and electricity firm for at least 15 years is likely to be more than 3,000. It said some 7 per cent of households have not switched for between ten and 15 years, typically costing them between 2,000 and 3,000. Another 15 per cent have not moved supplier for between five and ten years, costing between 1,000 and 2,000 each. The figures suggest suppliers are receiving an overpayment of 5.4billion every year, the website said, and warned that providers had no incentive to offer cheaper deals if households continued to remain loyal. In June, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said there would be an Ofgem-controlled database of consumers who had not switched recently to allow them to be contacted by other suppliers offering better deals. In its final report after a two-year investigation into the energy sector, the CMA warned that 70 per cent of people were on the more expensive default standard variable tariff, costing consumers 1.4billion more than a competitive market. The figures suggest suppliers are receiving an overpayment of 5.4billion every year and warned that providers had no incentive to offer cheaper deals (file image) When the study asked households why they had not switched supplier, Energy Helpline found 53 per cent cited quality of service as their main reason and 41 per cent said they benefited from their suppliers reward scheme. Consistency and familiarity ranked third and fourth as reasons for not switching. The websites co-founder Mark Todd said: The media talks a lot about broken trust between energy suppliers and customers, but in reality there appears to be too much trust. Many customers are staying loyal even while they are getting fleeced overpaying by around 300 a year and, for the most loyal, 3,000 a decade. If households continue to stay loyal, providers have no incentive to offer cheaper deals. The price of loyalty is truly vast. As energy companies are allowed to charge whatever they like in the UK, its important for customers to monitor their bills and not be scared to switch. The conclusions were based on a survey of more than 2,000 people. Children are being put at risk because ministers are still not doing enough to protect all whistleblowers if they raise concerns, a damning MPs report has found. It said Rotherham Councils failure to listen to those who spoke out about the child abuse scandal there had contributed to the organised abuse many suffered. Failure to take whistleblowers seriously also played a part in the electoral fraud and corruption seen in Tower Hamlets, east London, the report by the Commons local government committee said. A damning report said Rotherham Councils failure to listen to those who spoke out about the child abuse scandal had contributed to the organised abuse many suffered. File image But the committee warned that the situation could even get worse in future, because technicalities of whistleblowing legislation meant many people in those two areas may not be protected. The law states that council staff should receive assurances that they will not be victimised if they raise concerns with their MP, employer or an external auditor. But both Rotherham and Tower Hamlets were taken over by government commissioners last year, after inquiries found the town halls were not running services properly. MPs on the committee said they were concerned that whistleblowing laws would not apply to those who addressed their concerns to these commissioners. They said they urgently called on the Government to take necessary legislative action to ensure whistleblowers who approach commissioners have legal protection. The report said: We take the view that potential whistleblowers should be encouraged to come forward, and be able to feel confident that, when they do so, the concerns they raise will be properly investigated, and that they will be properly treated and protected. The Daily Mail has highlighted the plight of whistleblowers, especially in the NHS, where careers have been ruined for the sake of speaking out. We take the view that potential whistleblowers should be encouraged to come forward Commission of MPs' report Many of the failings they exposed came to light only because they spoke to the media. Lord Justice Leveson, in his controversial report into media ethics, called for an end to police whistleblowers speaking to the Press saying that all that was needed was a public disclosure hotline. The MPs report said lessons must be learned from the imposition of commissioners in Tower Hamlets and Rotherham to ensure that children are protected and that whistleblowers are taken seriously. The objective should be to build public confidence and trust in the two authorities so that whistleblowers feel comfortable and able to raise their concerns directly with the councils themselves, the report said. Professor Alexis Jays 2014 report into abuse in Rotherham over a 16-year period said taxi drivers have had a prominent role in child sexual exploitation However, when an authority has failed to such an extent as to require the imposition of commissioners, there may be both a greater need for whistleblowers to be encouraged to come forward, and a lower level of confidence about the response they will receive. MPs also highlighted a damaging and significant legal loophole, which allows taxis licensed by other local authorities to operate within Rotherham, even if the drivers have had their application for a Rotherham licence rejected. In Rotherham, this means drivers are operating without meeting the councils recently imposed requirement for taxis to be fitted with CCTV. A federal judge has rejected a legal settlement that would have divided up to $100 million among about 380,000 Uber drivers to resolve claims the ride-hailing service has been exploiting them by treating them as independent contractors instead of employees. US District Judge Edward Chen declared the deal unfair in a decision issued late Thursday, complicating Uber's efforts to remove the legal threat of having its drivers classified as employees. That distinction would give Uber's drivers more rights and benefits. That would in turn force the San Francisco company to change its business in ways that would cause its expenses to soar and potentially undercut its plans to eventually sell its stock in an initial public offering. Uber driver Karim Amrani sits in a car at the San Francisco International Airport parking area in July Uber expressed its disappointment with Chen's ruling in a statement that said the company will consider its options. The alternatives include taking the case to trial, awaiting rulings in two appeals that would bolster Uber's cause, or negotiating a revised settlement with the drivers in an attempt to appease Chen. In another case earlier this year, Uber rival Lyft initially had a similar settlement with its drivers rejected by a different judge. Lyft raised its initial offer from $12.5 million to $27 million, good enough to win preliminary approval from U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in June. US District Court Judge Edward Chen said that the $100 settlement and its provisions were not 'fair, adequate or reasonable' and would pay drivers less than five percent of what they could win at a trial Shannon Liss-Riordan, the lead attorney representing the Uber drivers, said she thinks a revised settlement is possible in this lawsuit, too. If not, she is prepared to take the case to trial, she told The Associated Press in an email. In that event, the case could be whittled to about 8,000 drivers because of binding arbitration clauses that Uber holds. 'I am disappointed the judge did not approve the settlement, but I understand and I have heard him,' Liss-Riordan wrote. The agreement would have required Uber to pay at least $84 million to drivers in California and Massachusetts who had been picking up riders who requested them through the company's service dating back to August 2009. Uber would have paid another $16 million to the drivers if the company's market value increased by 1.5 times within the first year of its IPO. If everyone covered in the lawsuit had filed for payments, the California drivers would have received an average of $10 to $1,950 apiece and the Massachusetts drivers would have received an average of $12 to $979. Uber is currently a privately held company backed by venture capitalists and other investors who have valued the business at more than $60 billion, though some analysts question the reliability of that figure. Uber drivers protest the company's recent fare cuts and go on strike in front of the car service's New York offices on February 1, 2016 in New York City Chen also is skeptical of Uber's prospects in an IPO, saying in his decision that he based his conclusions that the company would only end up paying the drivers a minimum of $84 million. Most of the money would be designated to settle claims that Uber had been cheating them by refusing to reimburse them for mileage and phone usage while also refusing to pay them for overtime and prohibiting passengers from tipping them. Had the case gone to trial and the drivers prevailed on them, they might have won estimated $854 million, based on estimates from the drivers' attorneys. Given the risks facing the drivers had they not won those specific claims in a trial, Chen concluded the $84 million would have been a 'fair and adequate' amount. But Chen was troubled that the settlement also would have prevented the drivers from pursuing claims on a variety of other employment issues that could have generated another $1 billion in a trial verdict favoring their arguments. The murder of Sadie Hartley will go down as one of the most horrifying episodes in the dark annals of British crime history. Almost every aspect of this saga is extraordinary, from the sheer scale of butchery inflicted on the victim to the disturbed personalities of the perpetrators Sarah Williams and her accomplice Katrina Walsh, a gruesome pair who could have come straight from a horror film. Ruthless manipulator: Sarah Williams (pictured) murder of Sadie Hartley will go down as one of the most horrifying episodes in the dark annals of British crime history Indeed, in her incipient violence beneath a veneer of seductive glamour, Williams is all too reminiscent of the spurned mistress played by Glenn Close in the Eighties Hollywood hit movie Fatal Attraction. So chilling was Closes performance that the phrase bunny boiler arising from the scene in which she killed the rabbit belonging to the family of her ex-lover has now entered popular culture. But that was Hollywood. In reality, women behaving as violently as this, or cases where one woman is killed by another, are extremely uncommon. That is partly why the killing has so shocked the nation. Men are responsible for 90 per cent of the murders in this country. On the few occasions women do kill, the target is usually a man, often a current or former partner. Aboce, Sadie Hartley (left) with Ian Johnston (centre) and Sarah Williams (right) And, even on the few occasions that women descend to homicide, the target is usually a man, often a current or former partner, as in the notorious case of Jane Andrews, the Duchess of Yorks former aide, who 16 years ago killed her boyfriend Tom Cressman after he refused to marry her. But for a woman to kill a female love rival is rare. One of the very few modern instances occurred in South-West London in September 2002 when Rena Salmon, the estranged wife of a wealthy businessman, marched into the beauty salon owned by her husbands pregnant lover, Lorna Stewart, and shot her dead. Mrs Salmon had twice previously tried to commit suicide and had threatened to poison her children after learning of her husbands affair. (She had also repeatedly confronted Ms Stewart, on one occasion shouting: I am going to get you, you bitch and, another time, scratching whore on the side of her car.) Sarah's impulse for orchestrated drama was also shown in her excitement over devising the sick plot to kill Sadie (above) Further back in history, there was the grotesque case of Mary Pearcey who, in 1890, brutally murdered not only the wife of her lover Frank Hogg but also the Hoggs young daughter. The frenzied killings, during which Pearcey almost decapitated Mrs Hogg as well as crushing her skull, were carried out in Pearceys North London home, from where she wheeled the two corpses in a childs pram after dark to open ground. When the police found bloodstains on the walls of her house, she said she had a problem with mice and was trying to kill them. But, relevantly to Sarah Williamss case, while murder by women might be infrequent, the incidence of female stalking is comparatively high. According to authoritative studies, around 30 per cent of all stalking crimes are perpetrated by women, with vengeful, possessive jealousy against an ex-lover the main cause. Sarah Williams perfectly fits the classic model of the female stalker, even though she carried her rage to an extreme conclusion. Determined to exert control, filled with anger that she had been rejected, she carried out a long-term campaign of harassment and surveillance against Ian Johnston, her former lover who had decided to maintain his long-term relationship with Sadie Hartley. Her stalking included the placement of tracking device on Johnstons car, sending flirtatious texts to try to win him back, and the delivery of a vindictive, deceitful letter to Sadie designed to destroy the relationship. Tellingly, it was not the first time she had indulged in such extreme conduct. With one of her previous lovers, married martial arts instructor Somapat Sitiwatjana, she had reacted to the end of their affair by slashing his tyres and scheming to block his exhaust pipe. She even visited Sitiwatjanas wife, falsely telling her that she was pregnant and even showing her a fake scan of her baby. This harassment only ended when Sitiwatjana called the police. True to her manipulative character, Williams revelled in her self-made image as a she-devil and a little bit of a psycho. The use of such language might imply that she suffered from mental illness. Williams stalked Ian Johnston, her former lover who had decided to maintain his long-term relationship with Sadie Hartley (pictured together) But no such defence was offered and thus her crime cannot be explained away so easily. Williams does, however, exhibit classic signs of what psychologists term histrionic personality. Every one of her traits matches the textbook example of this type. She is utterly narcissistic, self-absorbed and addicted to attention-seeking. Her whole life is governed by the relentless need to create drama around herself, as reflected in her taste for affairs with older, married men, which invariably became a source of conflict. Enormously possessive herself, she never showed any commitment. For example, she had an erratic relationship with married businessman David Hardwick, who was 40 years older and showered her with gifts and cash. Yet at the same time she had a string of other lovers, including Johnston. It is telling that Williamss (right) only serious female friend appears to have been the eccentric Katrina Walsh, 20 years her senior (left) Her impulse for orchestrated drama was also shown in her excitement over devising the sick plot to kill Sadie. She revelled in poring over the details with her accomplice Walsh for 18 months and seemed thrilled at the lethal excitement of every step, like taking the ferry to buy the 500,000-volt stun gun in Germany or rehearsing the murder. The same attachment to the dramatic could be seen in her ridiculous idea to perpetrate a drive-by shooting on a motorbike draped with the flag of the Islamist group ISIS (to dupe police that it was a terrorist act). Her histrionic personality also shows through in her extreme delusions, such as her belief that she and Walsh were plotting the perfect murder when, in fact, they were engaged in an desperately amateurish operation that left a mountain of evidence behind for the police, including blood on Williamss own glasses. Williams was 17 when she embarked on an affair with David Hardwick, a 57-year-old wealthy businessman (pictured together) Johnston on a skiing holiday with his daughter. Williams later convinced Walsh to help her eliminate Miss Hartley with the aim of winning Mr Johnston's heart Many of her acquaintances over the years have understandably referred to her as a total fantasist, a description based on incidents such as when she claimed, aged just 13, that she was kidnapped by a sexual assailant who bundled her off her bicycle and put her in the boot of his car. Despite a nationwide manhunt, no suspect was ever found. She was seeing a married guy. She concocted the abduction hoax to explain her disappearance over the weekend with him, said one local. But these fantasies do not imply that Williams had a tenuous grip on reality. On the contrary, she knew exactly what she was doing. She indulged in such behaviour because it suited her agenda of manipulation. As the classic histrionic personality type, she saw her life entirely through the prism of her relationships. She defined her self-worth, not on her intellectual inner life or her achievements at work or the strength of her friendships, but through her ability to make her chosen men want her. Many of her acquaintances over the years have referred to her as a total fantasist That is why she finely honed her gifts of seduction, delighting in her ability to make her targets putty in her hands. So even when Ian Johnston thought he had escaped her grasp, he was still drawn back into her web by the allure of her explicit texts. But this fixation with sexual relationships also left her unable to handle rejection. She always had to be the one in charge. She could not bear it if her desires were thwarted or her will challenged. Then the vicious rage descended. These facets of her personality reveal deep issues with attachment and rejection. It is telling that Williamss only serious female friend appears to have been the eccentric Katrina Walsh, 20 years her senior and a sufferer from alopecia. This was not a healthy, balanced union. Again, there was a whiff of nasty manipulation about it, like the mistress and the acolyte, with Walsh sliding into abject worship of a younger, more attractive woman. So desperate was Walshs admiration that she was even willing to become involved in murder to please her heroine. All sorts of explanations could be offered for how this pairs personalities were forged. Was there something in their backgrounds Williamss parents break-up, Walshs hair loss? But millions suffer far worse without sliding into murder. A record 424,000 students were accepted on degree courses yesterday as boys began to catch up with girls in the university gender divide. The number of students going to universities and colleges is up 3 per cent on last year, and is the highest ever recorded, the admissions service Ucas said. It follows the removal of the cap on student numbers by the Government, letting universities take as many as they wish. Students celebrate their A-level results at King Edward VI High School for Girls in Birmingham. But boys are closing the achievement gap with girls After lagging behind for two decades, most of the extra sixth formers heading for university were boys. This means the gender gap between students receiving places has narrowed for the first time in three years. Of the total, more than 201,000 were British 18-year-olds an increase of 2 per cent on last year. Of these, there were 2.5 per cent more boys and 1.6 per cent more girls. The 114,330 British girls have a lead of 27,400 over the 86,900 boys but that gap is 1 per cent smaller than the previous year. In 2015, the gap was 16 per cent bigger year-on-year and in 2014 it was 5 per cent bigger. The remaining 223,000 students from the total of 424,000 were from other age groups and nations. TWINS' IDENTICAL SUCCESS...BUT AT SEPARATE SCHOOLS Identical twins Sophie and Poppy Oldroyd amassed ten A*s between them in the same subjects but at separate schools. The 18-year-olds from Great Bardfield, Essex, achieved the top grades in maths, further maths, physics, chemistry and biology. Poppy also gained an A* in her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Sophie went to Chelmsford County High School for Girls and is now off to St Edmund Hall, Oxford, to read engineering. Poppy, who went to King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford, will study biomedical engineering at Imperial College London. Twins Poppy (left), and Sophie Oldroyd (right) both got five A* grades but went to different schools Advertisement Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said of the improved figures for boys: I hope it is the start of a long-term trend but it is far too early to say. The news follows a push by the Government and universities to recruit more working-class white boys the group least likely to go to university. The figures show that 18-year-olds from the least advantaged backgrounds were 7 per cent more likely to be placed than in 2015. However, the most advantaged young people are still 2.5 times more likely to be accepted to higher education than the poorest. Alan Smithers, professor of education at the University of Buckingham, said: About three-fifths of university places went to boys 40 years ago. A* FOR TEENAGER WHO TOOK TIME OUT TO BATTLE CANCER Phoebe Pickering gained an A* in English literature A-level despite needing time off for cancer treatment. The 18-year-old Brighton College pupil was diagnosed with sarcoma around her kidneys in the lower sixth and had to take the upper sixth off but continued with her coursework while receiving chemotherapy in the US. Phoebe was awarded the grade based on her AS marks and her coursework. She is now in remission and will return to school next month to complete the rest of her A-levels next summer. Phoebe said: There were a few times when the chemotherapy really affected me. But now I am feeling so much better. My parents are really happy. Phoebe Pickering gained an A* in English literature A-level despite needing time off for cancer treatment Advertisement Girls have gradually overhauled them and now take three-fifths of places themselves due their superior A-level performance and the increasing expectation they would go to university rather than settle for a mundane job and await marriage. A student reacts to results at Manchester High School For Girls yesterday The increase in places has meant that entry is less competitive, and boys with lower A-level grades can now aspire to university places with a realistic hope of getting in. Universities have also become more amenable to admitting on BTEC and other vocational qualifications, which boys are more likely to take. Overall, across students from all countries and all age groups, 242,140 females won places in comparison to 181,740 males. This represents a gap of 60,400 a 4 per cent rise on the previous year and a record gap for this group. However, Ucas said that since the this figure includes mature students, international students and those from the EU, it is more meaningful to examine 18-year-olds in the UK. The gender gap in sixth-formers achieving A* grades also narrowed for the first time in five years. Boys continued to gain more A*s, with 8.5 per cent achieving the top grade down from 8.7 per cent last year. A DIMBLEBY WHO DOESN'T WANT TO WORK AT THE BBC Fred Dimbleby is not sure about continuing the family tradition of broadcast journalism but will follow his father, BBC Question Time host David, to Oxford after gaining three A*s. The 18-year-old Brighton College pupil gained top grades in history, politics and religious studies and will read history at Keble College. He hopes to do a law conversion course and head to America to work in advocacy but does not rule out a future at the BBC, where his uncle Jonathan hosts Radio 4s Any Questions? and his late grandfather, Richard, was a war correspondent, host of Panorama and the voice of state occasions. Fred Dimbleby will follow his father, BBC Question Time host David, to Oxford after gaining three A*s Advertisement For girls, 7.7 per cent got an A* compared with 7.8 per cent in 2015, meaning the gap between the two sexes has narrowed to 0.8 percentage points from 0.9. Overall, the proportion of A* grades fell to 8.1 per cent from 8.2 per cent. The gap between girls and boys gaining A and A* grades has narrowed to its smallest for at least ten years. The number of girls with the grades was 0.3 percentage points more than the number of boys. In 2006 the gap was 2.6 percentage points. Jeremy Clarkson told students not to worry if they received poor A-level grades yesterday saying he was living the high life despite having flunked his own exams. The 56-year-old former Top Gear presenter tweeted: I got a C and two Us, and Im currently on a superyacht in the Med. Students from EU rush to beat Brexit deadline Students from the EU have rushed to snap up places at British universities in record numbers before access to lower fees and loans is threatened by Brexit. The total has increased to 26,800 the most ever recorded and a rise of 11 per cent on the previous year. EU students pay the same 9,000 annual tuition fees as British ones, and are entitled to the same taxpayer-backed loans. But there is no way to enforce repayments when they return home and thousands have simply disappeared in the last few years, effectively gaining a free UK degree. Students from the EU have rushed to snap up places at British universities in record numbers before access to lower fees and loans is threatened by Brexit. Stock image Following Brexit, the rules are likely to change so they no longer have access to the loans and will be liable for full international rates which can be up to 30,000 a year. Experts said yesterday the prospect of a pro-Brexit vote in this years referendum may have prompted large numbers to grab their last chance at a cheap British degree. Any changes to EU student finance and fees will be negotiated as part of the Brexit process, and could take years to finalise. Alan Smithers, professor of education at the University of Buckingham, said: It has proved difficult to recover their loans for tuition costs. EU students thinking of coming to Britain would have been prompted to apply due to the uncertainties of the referendum. Universities are paid upfront and are more than ready to accept them. This years rise follows a similar pre-Brexit surge in 2015, when 24,210 gained places an 11 per cent rise on 2014. Increases for the previous two years were smaller. Under EU law, European students have been entitled to the same taxpayer-backed tuition fee loans as UK students since 2006. Anyone staying in the UK to work has student loan repayments debited from their payslip through the tax system. However, there is no way to force graduates to pay back the money if they go abroad, and students from the EU owe 1.3billion with 8,600, or 11 per cent, in arrears after graduation. A further 9,900 or 13 per cent have not provided any details about their employment status. The Government wants to start exchanging tax data with other EU countries and send debt collectors to recover funds from offenders. The Metropolitan Police could struggle to mobilise during a terror attack because so many officers live outside of London with some as far afield as Cornwall and even the South of France, a report warns. Scotland Yard has become a force of commuter cops, with less than half of its officers actually living in the capital, according to the Policy Exchange think-tank. Its study cited figures showing that as of September last year, only 8,896 or 49 per cent of the forces 18,179 borough officers lived in the capital. Many travel in from the Home Counties, with Hertfordshire seen as a bit of a police conclave, while some were living very far from Londonincluding the South of France Many travel in from the Home Counties, with Hertfordshire seen as a bit of a police conclave, while some were living very far from London. In one interview for the report it was suggested that some officers live in the South of France because ... they work 14 days in a row and then they go home for the remaining two weeks of the month. And one experienced officer told researchers she worked compressed hours from her London flat and spent the rest of the time in Cornwall having moved there 11 years ago. The report warned that this trend could have major implications in the event of a major incident such as a terror attack. Having a police force that lives outside London affects the ability of the Met to mobilise sufficient numbers of officers to deal with terrorist incidents or civil disturbances, said its author Glyn Gaskarth. 'The report added that even when they are off-duty, police officers stabilise communities and deter criminals, saying: Londoners would benefit from having more police officers as neighbours. The commuting cops trend was also said to be against the interests of police, given the anti-social hours and the unpredictability of their work. Officers spoke of having to sleep on the floor after they missed their last trains, according to the research by Policy Exchanges Capital City Foundation unit. Most officers said they would like to live in London if they could afford it, and the think-tank has outlined proposals it said would mean thousands more personnel could live in the capital Most officers said they would like to live in London if they could afford it, and the think-tank has outlined proposals it said would mean thousands more personnel could live in the capital. These included the force converting underused police properties into discounted housing, and providing low-interest loans and top-ups for officers savings. Last night the Mets Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey said: We have tried and tested plans to allow us to respond at pace and effectively to a range of critical incidents and do not believe that these are in any way jeopardised by the places officers currently live. FULL TEXT OF DONALD TRUMP'S 'APOLOGY' SPEECH: Thank you. Its great to be here in Charlotte. I just met with our many amazing employees right up the road at our property. Id like to take a moment to talk about the heartbreak and devastation in Louisiana, a state that is very special to me. We are one nation. When one state hurts, we all hurt and we must all work together to lift each other up. Working, building, restoring together. Our prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, and we send them our deepest condolences. Though words cannot express the sadness one feels at times like this, I hope everyone in Louisiana knows that our country is praying for them and standing with them to help them in these difficult hours. We are one country, one people, and we will have together one great future. Tonight, Id like to talk about the New American Future we are going to create together. Last week, I laid out my plan to bring jobs back to our country. On Monday, I laid out my plan to defeat Radical Islamic Terrorism. On Tuesday, in Wisconsin, I talked about how we are going to restore law and order to this country. Let me take this opportunity to extend our thanks and our gratitude to the police and law enforcement officers in this country who have sacrificed so greatly in these difficult times. The chaos and violence on our streets, and the assaults on law enforcement, are an attack against all peaceful citizens. If I am elected President, this chaos and violence will end and it will end very quickly. Every single citizen in our land has a right to live in safety. To be one united nation, we must protect all of our people. But we must also provide opportunities for all of our people. We cannot make America Great Again if we leave any community behind. Nearly Four in ten African-American children are living in poverty.I will not rest until children of every color in this country are fully included in the American Dream. Jobs, safety, opportunity. Fair and equal representation. This is what I promise to African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and all Americans. But to achieve this New American Future we must break from the failures of the past. As you know, I am not a politician. I have worked in business, creating jobs and rebuilding neighborhoods my entire adult life. Ive never wanted to learn the language of the insiders, and Ive never been politically correct it takes far too much time, and can often make more difficult. Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues. But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth. I speak the truth for all of you, and for everyone in this country who doesnt have a voice. I speak the truth on behalf of the factory worker who lost his or her job. I speak the truth on behalf of the Veteran who has been denied the medical care they need and so many are not making it. They are dying. I speak the truth on behalf of the family living near the border that deserves to be safe in their own country but is instead living with no security at all. Our campaign is about representing the great majority of Americans Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Conservatives and Liberals who read the newspaper, or turn on the TV, and dont hear anyone speaking for them. All they hear are insiders fighting for insiders. These are the forgotten men and women in our society, and they are angry at so much on so many levels. The poverty, the unemployment, the failing schools, the jobs moving to other countries. I am fighting for these forgotten Americans. Fourteen months ago, I declared my campaign for the Presidency on the promise to give our government back to the people. Every day since then, Ive worked to repay the loyalty and the faith that you have put in me. Every day I think about how much is at stake for this country. This isnt just the fight of my life, its the fight of our lives together to save our country. I refuse to let another generation of American children be excluded from the American Dream. Our whole country loses when young people of limitless potential are denied the opportunity to contribute their talents because we failed to provide them the opportunities they deserved. Let our children be dreamers too. Our whole country loses every time a kid doesnt graduate from high school, or fails to enter the workforce or, worse still, is lost to the dreadful world of drugs and crime. When I look at the failing schools, the terrible trade deals, and the infrastructure crumbling in our inner cities, I know all of this can be fixed - and it can be fixed very quickly. In the world I come from, if something is broken, you fix it. If something isnt working, you replace it. If a product doesnt deliver, you make a change. I have no patience for injustice, no tolerance for government incompetence, no sympathy for leaders who fail their citizens. Thats why I am running: to end the decades of bitter failure and to offer the American people a new future of honesty, justice and opportunity. A future where America, and its people, always and I mean always come first. Arent you tired of a system that gets rich at your expense? Arent you tired of the same old lies and the same old broken promises? And Hillary Clinton has proven to be one of the greatest liars of all time. Arent you tired of arrogant leaders who look down on you, instead of serving and protecting you? That is all about to change and its about to change soon. We are going to put the American people first again. Ive travelled all across this country laying out my bold and modern agenda for change. In this journey, I will never lie to you. I will never tell you something I do not believe. I will never put anyones interests ahead of yours. And, I will never, ever stop fighting for you. I have no special interest. I am spending millions of dollars on my own campaign nobody else is. My only interest is the American people. So while sometimes I can be too honest, Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite: she never tells the truth. One lie after another, and getting worse each passing day. The American people are still waiting for Hillary Clinton to apologize for all of the many lies shes told to them, and the many times shes betrayed them. Tell me, has Hillary Clinton ever apologized for lying about her illegal email server and deleting 33,000 emails? Has Hillary Clinton apologized for turning the State Department into a pay-for-play operation where favors are sold to the highest bidder? Has she apologized for lying to the families who lost loved ones at Benghazi? Has she apologized for putting Iran on the path to nuclear weapons? Has she apologized for Iraq? For Libya? For Syria? Has she apologized for unleashing ISIS across the world? Has Hillary Clinton apologized for the decisions she made that have led to so much death, destruction and terrorism? Speaking of lies, we now know from the State Department announcement that President Obama lied about the $400 million dollars in cash that was flown to Iran. He denied it was for the hostages, but it was. He said we dont pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages openly and blatantly just like he lied about Obamacare. Now the Administration has put every American travelling overseas, including our military personnel, at greater risk of being kidnapped. Hillary Clinton owns President Obamas Iran policy, one more reason she can never be allowed to be President. Lets talk about the economy. Here, in this beautiful state, so many people have suffered because of NAFTA. Bill Clinton signed the deal, and Hillary Clinton supported it. North Carolina has lost nearly half of its manufacturing jobs since NAFTA went into effect. Bill Clinton also put China into the World Trade Organization another Hillary Clinton-backed deal. Your city of Charlotte has lost 1 in 4 manufacturing jobs since China joined the WTO, and many of these jobs were lost while Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State our chief diplomat with China. She was a disaster, totally unfit for the job. Hillary Clinton owes the State of North Carolina a very big apology, and I think youll get that apology around the same time youll get to see her 33,000 deleted emails. Another major issue in this campaign has been the border. Our open border has allowed drugs and crime and gangs to pour into our communities. So much needless suffering, so much preventable death. Ive spent time with the families of wonderful Americans whose loved ones were killed by the open borders and Sanctuary Cities that Hillary Clinton supports. Ive embraced the crying parents whove lost their children to violence spilling across our border. Parents like Laura Wilkerson and Michelle Root and Sabine Durden and Jamiel Shaw whose children were killed by illegal immigrants. My opponent supports Sanctuary Cities. But where was the Sanctuary for Kate Steinle? Where was the Sanctuary for the children of Laura, Michelle, Sabine and Jamiel? Where was the Sanctuary for every other parent who has suffered so horribly? These moms and dads dont get a lot of consideration from our politicians. They certainly dont get apologies. Theyll never even get the time of day from Hillary Clinton. But they will always come first to me. Listen closely: we will deliver justice for all of these American Families. We will create a system of immigration that makes us all proud. Hillary Clintons mistakes destroy innocent lives, sacrifice national security, and betray the working families of this country. Please remember this: I will never put personal profit before national security. I will never leave our border open to appease donors and special interests. I will never support a trade deal that kills American jobs. I will never put the special interests before the national interest. I will never put a donor before a voter, or a lobbyist before a citizen. Instead, I will be a champion for the people. The establishment media doesnt cover what really matters in this country, or whats really going on in peoples lives. They will take words of mine out of context and spend a week obsessing over every single syllable, and then pretend to discover some hidden meaning in what I said. Just imagine for a second if the media spent this energy holding the politicians accountable who got innocent Americans like Kate Steinle killed she was gunned down by an illegal immigrant who had been deported five times. Just imagine if the media spent this much time investigating the poverty and joblessness in our inner cities. Just think about how much different things would be if the media in this country sent their cameras to our border, or to our closing factories, or to our failing schools. Or if the media focused on what dark secrets must be hidden in the 33,000 emails Hillary Clinton deleted. Instead, every story is told from the perspective of the insiders. Its the narrative of the people who rigged the system, never the voice of the people its been rigged against. So many people suffering in silence. No cameras, no coverage, no outrage from a media class that seems to get outraged over just about everything else. So again, its not about me. Its never been about me. Its about all the people in this country who dont have a voice. I am running to be their voice. I am running to be the voice for every forgotten part of this country that has been waiting and hoping for a better future. I am glad that I make the powerful a little uncomfortable now and again including some powerful people in my own party. Because it means I am fighting for real change. Theres a reason the hedge fund managers, the financial lobbyists, the Wall Street investors, are throwing their money at Hillary Clinton. Because they know she will make sure the system stays rigged in their favor. Its the powerful protecting the powerful. The insiders fighting for the insiders. I am fighting for you. Here is the change I propose. On terrorism, we are going to end the era of nation-building and instead focus on destroying ISIS and Radical Islamic terrorism. We will use military, cyber and financial warfare and work with any partner in the world, and the Middle East, that shares our goal of defeating terrorism. I have a message for the terrorists trying to kill our citizens: we will find you, we will destroy you, and we will win. On immigration, we will temporarily suspend immigration from any place where adequate screening cannot be performed. All applicants for immigration will be vetted for ties to radical ideology, and we will screen out anyone who doesnt share our values and love our people. Anyone who believes Sharia law supplants American law will not be given an immigrant visa. If you want to join our society, then you must embrace our society, our values and our tolerant way of life. Those who believe in oppressing women, gays, Hispanics, African-Americans and people of different faiths are not welcome to join our country. We will promote our America values, our American way of life, and our American system of government which are all the best in the world. My opponent on the other hand wants a 550% increase in Syrian refugees. Her plan would bring in roughly 620,000 refugees from all refugee-sending nations in her first term, on top of all other immigration. Hillary Clinton is running to be Americas Angela Merkel, and weve seen how much crime and how many problems thats caused the German people. We have enough problems already, we dont need another one. On crime, we are going to add more police, more investigators, and appoint the best judges and prosecutors in the world. We will pursue strong enforcement of federal laws. The gangs and cartels and criminal syndicates terrorizing our people will be stripped apart one by one. Their day is over. On trade, we are going to renegotiate NAFTA, withdraw from the TPP, stand up to China on our terrible trade agreement, and protect every last American job. Hillary Clinton has supported all of the major trade deals that have stripped this country of its jobs and its wealth. On taxes, we are going to massively cut tax rates for workers and small businesses creating millions of new good paying jobs. We are going to get rid of regulations that send jobs overseas and we are going to make it easier for young Americans to get the credit they need to start a small business and pursue their dreams. On education, we are going to give students choice, and allow charter schools to thrive. We are going to end tenure policies that reward bad teachers and hurt good ones. My opponent wants to deny students choice and opportunity, all to get a little bit more money from the education bureaucracy. She doesnt care how many young dreams are dashed in the process. We are going to work closely with African-American parents and students in the inner cities and what a big difference that will make. This means a lot to me, and it is going to be a top priority in a Trump Administration. On healthcare, we are going to repeal and replace Obamacare. Countless Americans have been forced into part-time jobs, premiums are about to jump by double-digits yet again, and just this week Aetna announced it is pulling out of the exchanges in North Carolina. We are going to replace this disaster with reforms that give you choice and freedom and control in healthcare at a much lower cost. On political corruption, we are going to restore honor to our government. In my Administration, I am going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information. No one will be above the law. I am going to forbid senior officials from trading favors for cash by preventing them from collecting lavish speaking fees through their spouses when they serve. I am going to ask my senior officials to sign an agreement not to accept speaking fees from corporations with a registered lobbyist for five years after leaving office, or from any entity tied to a foreign government. Finally, we are going to bring this country together. We are going to do it by emphasizing what we all have in common as Americans. We are going to reject the bigotry of Hillary Clinton, which sees communities of color only as votes and not as human beings worthy of a better future. If African-American voters give Donald Trump a chance by giving me their vote, the result for them will be amazing. Look at how badly things are going under decades of Democratic leadership look at the schools, look at the 58% of young African-Americans not working. It is time for change. What do you have to lose by trying something new? I will fix it. This means so much to me, and I will work as hard as I can to bring new opportunity to places in our country which have not known opportunity in a very long time. Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party have taken African-American votes totally for granted. Because the votes have been automatically there, there has been no reason for Democrats to produce. It is time to break with the failures of the past, and to fight for every last American child in this country to have the better future they deserve. In my Administration, every American will be treated equally, protected equally, and honored equally. We will reject bigotry and hatred and oppression in all of its forms, and seek a new future built on our common culture and values as one American people. This is the change I am promising all of you: an honest government, a fair economy, and a just society for each and every American. But we can never fix our problems by relying on the same politicians who created these problems in the first place. 72% of voters say our country is on the wrong track. I am the change candidate, Hillary Clinton is the failed status quo. It is time to vote for a New American Future. Together, We Will Make America Strong Again. We Will Make American Proud Again. We Will Make America Safe Again. Friends and fellow citizens: Come November, We Will Make America Great Again. as on-demand workers, and should be recognized as employees A U.S. judge on Thursday rejected an attempt by Uber Technologies Inc to settle a class action lawsuit with drivers who claimed they were employees and entitled to expenses. In a case that has been closely watched in Silicon Valley, where many companies use on-demand workers, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled the settlement was not fair or adequate for Uber drivers. Some drivers had objected to terms of the settlement valued at up to $100 million, which would have affected roughly 385,000 current and former drivers in California and Massachusetts. A judge rejected Uber Technology Inc's move to settle a lawsuit filed by drivers, who are asking to be identified as employees so that they may have expenses by the company. Currently Uber drivers are considered on demand workers. Above, an Uber driver's vehicle Uber drivers contended in the lawsuit they should be deemed employees and reimbursed for expenses such as gasoline and vehicle maintenance. Those expenses are now borne by the drivers. The proposed settlement would have kept drivers classified as independent contractors. Several drivers who were part of the class filed objections with the court, particularly because the proposed amount was well below the total potential damages in the case of roughly $850 million. In a statement, Uber said it believed the settlement was fair and reasonable. 'We're disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options,' the company said. Chen noted that part of the proposed settlement, $16 million, would only have been paid to drivers if Uber's valuation grew by a certain benchmark within a year of any initial public offering. Because Uber could not provide specific information that such an outcome was likely, Chen said he would not consider those dollars as part of the settlement. The remaining $84 million, Chen said, represented a 'substantial discount' on the full value of driver claims. Among Chen's primary concerns were claims related to the Private Attorney General Act, which could come with penalties far exceeding the $1 million the settlement allowed. PAGA, passed in California in 2004, states that individuals may pursue civil penalties for labor code violations, and share any payment recovered with the state. Both parties could reach a new agreement that satisfies the judge's concerns, said Shannon Liss-Riordan, the attorney representing the drivers. 'But if not, as I've said before, I will take the case to trial and fight my hardest for the Uber drivers,' she said. However, Liss-Riordan said, if there is no settlement agreement, the number of drivers included in the case would drop to about 8,000, because many drivers did not opt out of the arbitration clause in Uber's licensing agreement. A California woman has been charged with cyber-stalking Kris Jenner, hacking her iCloud and social media accounts and threatening to release a supposed sex tape. Christina Elizabeth Bankston, 36, of Newark, was arrested at her home on Thursday morning. Bankston, a nurse's assistant, was indicted by a grand jury in Los Angeles. She is accused of bombarding the Kardashian family matriarch with explicit messages and emails using the name 'Troy.' Scroll down for video A California woman has been charged with cyber-stalking Kris Jenner (pictured), hacking her iCloud and social media accounts and threatening to release a supposed sex tape According to the federal indictment, Bankston asked to meet Jenner in person because she claimed to have had a sex tape of her, which she had sent to a news website. She allegedly sent a series of explicit messages, which included the phrases 'can I eat you out' and 'you can't block me forever love.' Bankston was charged on 15 counts related to hacking one of Jenner's online accounts, impersonating her former spouse, Caitlyn Jenner, and sending her illicit and threatening text messages, federal prosecutors said. Each count of cyber-stalking and hacking carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Bankston was charged on 15 counts related to hacking one of Jenner's online accounts, impersonating her former spouse Caitlyn Jenner (pictured with Kris, above) She is charged with hacking Jenner's iCloud account and then resetting the password, which she then used to impersonate her to friends and family members. Prosecutors say she harassed Jenner and her family between March and September 2014. They also allege she impersonated Kris Jenner to authorities to get them to respond to a false emergency at her home. She allegedly claimed that one of Jenner's family members was committing suicide. Bankston is due to make an initial court appearance on Friday. Convicted murderer Simon Gittany who was sentenced to at least 18 years prison for throwing his fiancee off a 15th floor balcony in Sydney has lost his appeal. He was jailed in November 2013 after being found guilty of murdering 30-year-old Lisa Harnum in July 2011. The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal dismissed the 42-year-old's conviction challenge on Friday. Convicted murderer Simon Gittany who was sentenced to at least 18 years prison for throwing his fiancee off a 15th floor balcony in Sydney has lost his appeal He was jailed in November 2013 after being found guilty of murdering 30-year-old Lisa Harnum in July 2011 The appeal had centred on the reliability of a witness who said he saw a bare-chested man standing on a balcony 'unload' what he initially thought was a piece of luggage or a black duffel bag. Gittany's lawyer submitted the memory of witness Joshua Rathmell, who saw Ms Harnum's body fall from the balcony, was unreliable. His recollection could have been influenced by what he learned about the incident after witnessing it, the lawyer said. 'I saw a man with no shirt carrying what at the time as I have described to be black luggage or duffle bag or a black object and that was the action that my eyes were immediately drawn to when I registered the screaming,' Mr Rathmell told the court during Gittany's trial. CCTV footage showing Gittany holding a hand over Ms Harnum's mouth moments before he pushed her off the balcony The trial heard Gittany had monitored Ms Harnum (pictured) via CCTV cameras he had installed in their apartment and used a computer program to read her texts and emails He later said the object he saw falling from the balcony was Ms Harnum's body. Justice Lucy McCallum, who heard the trial without a jury, found the jealous and possessive Gittany flew into an uncontrollable rage and threw Ms Harnum from their apartment balcony after finding out she planned to leave him. The trial heard Gittany had monitored Ms Harnum via CCTV cameras he had installed in their apartment and used a computer program to read her texts and emails. All three judges rejected Gittany's murder conviction appeal and agreed Justice McCallum had 'spent much time identifying and considering the various factors which might have rendered Mr Rathmells evidence unreliable'. 'The proposition that the trial judge was diverted by counsels rhetoric from a proper evaluation as to whether she had a reasonable doubt as to the reliability of Mr Rathmells evidence, a proposition at least implicit in some of the submissions on appeal, was not tenable,' the appeal ruling said. An anti-vaxxer doctor has slammed the medical watchdog as 'the Taliban' for encouraging immunisation as he is probed over claims he tried to help patients get out of compulsory shots. Dr John Piesse is under investigation by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Herald Sun reported. Dr Piesse this week criticised the medical industry's stance on immunisation, saying there is 'no scientific proof of safety' in vaccines. An anti-vaxxer doctor has slammed the medical watchdog as 'the Taliban' for encouraging immunisation as he is probed over claims he tried to help patients get out of compulsory shots But the Mitcham GP says he is unaware of the investigation after the Department of Health lodged a complaint. The Department of Health lodged a complaint to the AHPRA after Dr Piesse allegedly exempted his patients from receiving compulsory vaccinations as they would be damaging to their health. 'It was to be expected. Anyone who doesn't think the way AHPRA does is likely to get attacked,' Dr Piesse told Herald Sun. 'There is so much emotion and so much hate towards anyone who doesn't hold on to the true religious line of the profession. But the AHPRA and Health Minister Jill Hennessy have slammed Dr Piesse for spreading 'lies' and 'mistruths' which put the public, particularly children, at risk. The fresh investigation comes after Dr Piesse administered injections that were not approved and was forced to take a training course in 'Critical Thinking and Research'. Dr John Piesse is under investigation by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency A mother says racism is the culprit when a fireman refused to give her ice to stop her young son's nosebleed. 'It was a black-white thing,' Stacey Claiborne, a nurse, said of the fireman at a station in Petersburg, Virginia, when she says he wouldn't give her some ice she could use to help her son. Claiborne told WRIC that she was driving through Petersburg, Virginia on Friday with her two sons when her 11-year-old son's nose began bleeding. Scroll down for video Stacey Claiborne of Petersburg, Virginia says her 11-year-old son (left) needed ice for a nose bleed so she went to the local fire station But she says that a fireman there refused to give her ice and then began grilling her about 'what was really happening' She gave her 15-year-old son a glove from her nursing bag and told him to go to the nearby fire station and ask for some ice. But her son came back with the news that a fireman had denied the ice saying it was 'for personal use only.' Surprised, Claiborne decided to try herself, so she went to the station and a fireman told her he would be glad to get her some ice. But she says within minutes, another fireman, the same one who had denied the ice to her son, came out and told her she couldn't have any. Claiborne, a nurse, wrote to City Hall, which forwarded the letter to the fire chief, who says he is investigating The Petersburg Virginia Fire Department (above) is under fire after an incident in which a mom says a fireman wouldn't give her son some ice for his nose bleed She says the second fireman said to the first 'I said, dont give her no ice. Go out to the car and find out whats really going on.' She said he then began grilling her, asking her questions about her son's age and name. She said she told him that 'wasn't relevant' at the time and she just needed ice. The mom said she waited for about seven minutes, but finally realizing she was not going to get any help, she left. 'I felt like it was a racial thing,' she said, adding that the first fireman looked 'intimidated' by the second and told her privately he was going to give her some ice before he was stopped. Claiborne sent a letter to City Hall and it was forwarded to the fire chief. Australia has the most expensive internet in the world because big players Telstra and Optus are so powerful they can charge huge rates, an internet security company claims. In its analysis of worldwide bandwidth pricing, CloudFlare said costs across Australia and New Zealand were 17 times more than its benchmark of Europe. According to the companys figures, this made the region pricier than Africa and on par with South America for the worlds worst. Internet security company CloudFlare (CEO Matthew Prince pictured) said costs across Australia and New Zealand were 17 times more than its benchmark of Europe Chief executive Matthew Prince said this was largely down to the two companies, which he named among the worlds six most expensive internet service providers. Telstra and Optus, which controlled about 60 per cent of the Australian internet market between them, were joined by HiNet, Korea Telecom, Telecom Argentina, and Telefonica. It said they accounted for half its bandwidth costs despite being only six per cent of its traffic. Bandwidth is a measure of how much data can be transported across the internet in a given time, and users must pay a fee set by the ISP for using its network to do so. CloudFlare provides security and reverse proxy services to protect, speed up, and improve availability for four million websites and mobile applications which it said gave it an insight into global pricing standards. The company said Australia's pricey internet was largely down to Telstra (CEO Andrew Penn pictured) and Optus, which he named among the worlds six most expensive ISPs Mr Prince noted prices in Australia had improved in the past two years since the U.S-based companys last analysis in 2014, when they were 20 times more expensive than Europe. INTERNET PLANS COMPARED AT 20Mbps Company $AU per month Telstra $115 (not unlimited downloads) Optus $80 BT (UK) $22 Sky (UK) $17 Comcast (US) $52 Time Warner (US) $59 In that report, he blasted the countrys pricing regime as out of whack, and claimed the company paid as much in Australia as Europe, despite having 33 times fewer people. If Australians wonder why Internet and many other services are more expensive in their country than anywhere else in the world they need only look to Telstra, he said. What's interesting is that Telstra maintains their high pricing even if only delivering traffic inside the country. Given that Australia is one large land mass with relatively concentrated population centres, it's difficult to justify the pricing based on anything other than Telstra's market power. In regions like North America where there is increasing consolidation of networks, Australia's experience with Telstra provides a cautionary tale. Telstra at the time disputed the companys assessment of its pricing, telling ZDNet [the] figures are factually incorrect and are far in excess of Telstra's actual charges they are overstating our charges by a factor of ten. Telstra and Optus (CEO Allen Lew pictured) control about 60 per cent of the Australian internet market between them Companies like CloudFlare, as well as other ISPs, often reduce their costs by allowing each others data to move through their networks for free under the assumption it will all even out a process known as peering. Mr Prince said Telstra, Optus and the other four providers refused to do this, which he claimed forced up costs both for his company and ordinary consumers, as well as the ISPs themselves. Ironically, this actually increases the cost to several of these providers because they now need to backhaul traffic to another CloudFlare data centre and pay more in the process, he said on Thursday. Their behaviour is irrational in any competitive market and so it is not a surprise that each of these providers is a relative monopolist in their home market. Her sister Sophie was a freelancer but she hasn't received any shifts after the incident Amy was then investigated for misconduct before she was sacked Two sisters that worked at Channel Seven have been forced out just weeks after one of them filed a sexual harassment complaint against a male colleague. Amy and Sophie Taeuber, both aged 27 and two of three triplets, had been working for Channel Seven in Adelaide for four years. The Guardian reported that a senior male colleague made comments of a sexual nature about Amy on her birthday back in March. Ms Taeuber was sacked this year just weeks after filing a sexual harassment complaint The source told The Guardian that while Amy wasn't present at the time, the male had made the comments in front of several staff including her sister Sophie who was a freelancer working on Today Tonight at the time. Amy lodged a formal complaint but weeks later human resources cleared the senior male employee of any wrong doing and instead focused their investigations on Amy and her sister Sophie. The company found Amy had blogged on her other sister's reality TV website about My Kitchen Rules, which brought the company into disrepute. The channel also accessed Amy's work e-mail, finding records of 'online misconduct'. Amy and Sophie both worked at Channel Seven in Adelaide but lost their jobs this year Allegedly Amy was given the option to resign and sign a confidentiality agreement but she refused, denying any wrong doing. A few days later Amy was sacked and her sister Sophie never got another shift at the program either. Ms Taeuber tweeted this quote a few weeks ago off her account A former Seven employee told The Guardian: 'The feeling amongst staff is Amy has been victimised for making a complaint.' A few weeks ago, Ms Taeuber tweeted a quote that read: 'Do what is right, not what is easy.' A conciliation hearing is set for August 30. Robert and Trish Duggan have acquired the town of Holy City in California for $6million A Silicon Valley pharmaceutical billionaire and his artist wife, who are top donors to the Church of Scientology, have purchased a California ghost town for $6million. The rustic 142-acre site of Holy City sat on the market for a decade before Robert and Trish Duggan purchased it for nearly half the initial $11-million asking price. Now, neighbors are wondering just what the Scientology members are planning to do with their newly acquired mountain woodlands sitting off Highway 17, according to The Mercury News. Some neighbors speculate a big development might be on the books while others suggest they might put up residential properties. 'My big fear is that they'll build houses or condos that obstruct my view or interfere with the wildlife that comes through,' neighbor Mateo Uriarte told the newspaper. 'It's a little piece of heaven up here, and the reason we moved here is because we don't want the hustle and bustle. 'We just hope they don't bring the hustle and bustle to us.' The rustic town of Holy City (pictured) sat on the market for a decade before the couple purchased the site for nearly half the initial $11-million asking price The Duggans are the new owners of the mountain woodlands sitting off Highway 17, home of Holy City which was founded in 1918 by William E Riker (pictured) So far, the Duggans remain quiet about their future plans for the ghost town located in the mountains situated above Santa Cruz. The couple have eight children and a net value of more than $3.2 billion. In 2013, Robert Duggan was described as the Church of Scientology's 'largest financial supporter' by Mark Rathbun, former inspector general of Scientology. 'Duggan is the undisputed champion of donations to Scientology Inc,' Rathbun said in an e-mail to Bloomberg at the time. 'He is in a category of his own, having donated more than $20 million. Nobody else even comes close to having donated that much.' He also sits at the top of a list of donors in a 2009 Scientology pamphlet on the church's New Flag Land Base in Florida, according to The Mercury News. Robert Duggan earned $3.5 billion when he sold his biotech firm Pharmacyclics, last May for $21 billion, according to Forbes. The Duggans (Robert left, and Trish) have remained quiet about their future plans for the ghost town located in the mountains situated above Santa Cruz. The couple are reportedly top donors to the Church of Scientology The 72-year-old served as CEO of Pharmacyclics, which developed a revolutionary cancer drug that led to its purchase by pharma giant AbbVie. He invested in the company in 2004 before taking over as CEO, and was reportedly passionate about the biotech industry after losing a son to brain cancer. Prior to his big payday with Pharmacyclics, Duggan had previously invested in tech companies, a robotic surgery company and a bakery chain. Meanwhile, his artist wife developed a passion for sand casting with glass, according to her website. Some neighbors speculate she wants to set up a glass art studio on the site where longtime resident Tom Stanton ran an art glass shop for nearly four decades before he died last year. 'She learned some trade from him,' Richard Matusich, a real estate agent who listed the property told The Mercury News. 'Then he passed, and she might open up another glass studio.' Riker (pictured) who founded Holy City is described as a Nazi sympathizer who advocated for many things including white supremacy and communal living After gathering a small colony of mostly elderly followers who shared his views, Riker ended up building his own town thanks to his generous followers' meager savings Wooden structures soon started springing up (pictured above) as he and his followers built the town which included housing, a barbershop and a soda stand Holy City was founded in 1918 by William E 'Father' Riker, a Nazi sympathizer who advocated for many things including white supremacy and communal living, according to the Ghost Towns of the Santa Cruz Mountains. After gathering a small colony of mostly elderly followers who shared his views, wooden structures started springing up. Riker, who incorporated the land, ended up building his own town thanks to his generous followers' meager savings. 'I hate to use the word cult, but it was definitely a religious society,' neighbor Darren Eastman told KPIX. 'Father Riker was a reverend who was less than stellar and quite a bigot in many respects,' Eastman added. The wooden structures were adorned with garish roadside signs that attracted passing tourists to buy things such as food, gasoline and souvenirs. Holy City was once home to a small zoo, a peep show an observatory and had a soda stand and barbershop, according to The Mercury News. The wooden structures were also adorned with garish roadside signs (pictured above) Trish Duggan developed a passion for sand casting with glass, according to her website. Some neighbors speculate she wants to set up a glass art studio on the site where longtime resident Tom Stanton ran an art glass shop for nearly four decades before he died last year Holy City was once home to even a small zoo, a peep show and an observatory The town self-proclaimed as the 'headquarters for the world's most perfect government' even acquired a weekly newspaper and a radio station and had stores and housing. But when Highway 17 by-passed the town, diverting traffic, it caused Holy City to rapidly decline. Riker, who ran for governor several times, reportedly stayed in his home in Holy City through the 1960s. He surpisingly joined the Catholic Church at the age of 93, three years before he died in 1969. Now with its new owners, it remains a mystery of what will become of Holy City, which largely sits on steeps hillsides. The land is zoned for sparse residential use but any other use such as a retreat, place of worship or camp could be allowed only with a use permit, Santa Clara County planner Carolyn Walsh told The Mercury News. The Duggans have acquird Holy City, located in Santa Clara County, which is 142 acres of woodland hills and grassy clearings located off the Old Santa Cruz highway Walsh noted a site requirement includes that is that it be a very low-intensity type of use. So far no church has ever been built at Holy City, according to The Mercury News. However unofficial services are held at a majestic redwood stand where a shrine of figurines and photographs stand. Neighbors described the area as a town where everyone looks for each other without getting nosy and where a 'live and let live' philosophy is prevalent. While one neighbor said the Duggans do not owe anyone an explanation about their plans, others said they would like to be clued in on what is next for Holy City. A French woman has been charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Miss World Australia finalist Elyse Miller-Kennedy with police alleging the car the tourist was driving was on the wrong side of the road. The Year 12 student and aspiring model died of massive head and chest injuries suffered in the crash at Dimbulah in North Queensland on August 3. The 24-year-old French tourist was charged by police as she recovered in Cairns Hospital from serious leg and arm injuries which have required multiple surgeries. Her male passenger aged 20, who is also a French visitor, had only minor injuries. Elyse Miller-Kennedy (pictured) died after a horror smash with French tourists in far North Queensland The 17-year-old had only gained her driver's licence five weeks before the fatal crash According to the police report, 'the two vehicle crash occurred on the Mareeba Dimbulah Road, Dimbulah at about 7pm on August 3 and resulted in the death of a 17-year-old Dimbulah woman who succumbed to her injuries in hospital on August 12'. 'Police allege the 24-year-old woman was driving on the incorrect side of the road at the time of the crash.' It's alleged the French woman was driving on the wrong side of the road about 115 kilometres south-west of Cairns earlier this month when her car and one being driven by the 17-year-old collided. Elyse, a Miss World Australia finalist, was critically injured in the smash and died in hospital a week later. Her death sent the close-knit community of Dimbulah into mourning. The French tourist is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on August 22. A French woman, 24, has been charged by police over a horror crash which killed Miss World Australia finalist Elyse Miller-Kennedy earlier this month The teenager had gained her licence just five weeks before the crash. Her car flipped in the collision and she was pinned upside down for two hours before she was rescued and rushed to Townsville Hospital. Ms Miller-Kennedy would be remembered for her 'inner beauty' and 'generous sweet soul', family friend Katrina Porter said. 'We would like everyone to remember Elyse's inner beauty, the warmth she showed to all, her humbleness during her journey throughout her larger than life experiences and of course the generous sweet soul and friend she was to so many.' The Year 12 student was described as a shining light in the heart of far North Queensland The 17-year-old was involved in a collision near Dimbulah, north of Cairns, and was flown to hospital with severe head injuries but died later Ms Miller-Kennedy represented Queensland in the Miss World Australia finals held in Melbourne in July. A tribute posted by the Miss World Australia organisation on Facebook said her 'potential was limitless'. 'Elyse will always be remembered for her beautiful soul, charismatic charm and kind heart. Elyse's inner beauty truly exemplified her outer,' it stated. 'Elyse's potential was limitless - we had faith Elyse would take the title of Miss World in future years. 'She encompassed the essence and ability required to become the international supermodel she aspired to be and most importantly her passion and drive to graduate with Honours in Law and help those in need was a tribute to her intelligence and humanitarian heart.' A French woman aged 24 has been charged over the death of Elyse Miller-Kennedy Senior constable Lee Chamberlain said Ms Miller-Kennedy was on the right side of the road when she was hit in the head-on smash, the Herald-Sun reported. He said: 'Elyse was driving back from the Mareeba direction and was on the correct side of the road. 'Our inquiries show that the two vehicles came together on the Dimbulah-bound lane, so she was where she should have been at the time.' A Michigan mother who allegedly drop-kicked her son's 'ruined' birthday cake at a Kroger grocery store in June is now facing charges for reportedly hitting a woman over ice cream last year. Tricia Ann Kortes, 46, was arraigned on assault and battery charges in court on Thursday stemming from an incident that happened at Ray's Ice Cream in Royal Oaks on July 9, 2015. Surveillance video taken inside the shop allegedly shows Kortes reaching over the counter and striking Linda Wallner, the manager at the ice cream shop, in the head. Wallner told WJBK that Kortes was angry because the shop didn't have her favorite flavor, Mackinac Island Fudge. Scroll down for video Ice scream: Tricia Ann Kortes (above left in March 2015 and right on Thursday) was arraigned on assault and battery charges stemming from an incident that happened at Ray's Ice Cream in 2015 Surveillance video taken inside the shop in July 2015 allegedly shows Kortes reaching over the counter and striking Linda Wallner, the manager at the ice cream shop, in the head (above) Wallner (above) said that Kortes was angry because the shop didn't have her favorite flavor, Mackinac Island Fudge. She says Kortes left the shop immediately after and she didn't know her name Video Courtesy WJBK 'I was in fear for a whole year that she'd come back,' Wallner said. 'Who knows if she'd come back with a knife or a gun next time. I have no idea.' 'After the assault, the customer quickly fled the business before she could be identified,' Royal Oak police said in a statement Thursday. Employees at the shop never knew her name, but recently recognized Wallner from media reports of her being charged in June 2016 with disorderly conduct. That charge stems from her allegedly drop-kicking a birthday cake at a Bloomfield Township Kroger grocery store. Employees said that Kortes became upset with how the 'Superman v Batman' cake for her son's birthday turned out and blamed them for 'ruining' the cake. She reportedly forced her way behind the bakery counter in an attempt to fix it herself, police said. A witness told officers the woman threw the cake on the ground before stepping on it several times and then shouted, 'They f****** ruined my seven-year-old's birthday cake'. Cake crumbs and frosting were left scattered everywhere in the bakery section following the woman's fit, police said. Employees at the shop recently recognized Wallner from media reports of her being charged in June 2016 with disorderly conduct for allegedly drop-kicking her son's birthday cake at a Kroger grocery store The upset mother quickly left the store but not before kicking over a 'wet floor' sign on her way out, according to police. Authorities said the woman later told officers she was upset with the 'poor quality of the decoration' of the cake and that it was not as she expected. The mother denied accusations that she drop-kicked the cake, claiming it accidentally fell out of her hand. Kroger said it does not have video surveillance footage of the incident. Police were called to the scene at Kroger who cited Kortes for disorderly conduct. According to Michigan Live, Kortes was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery by the Oakland County Prosecutor's officer stemming from the ice cream incident last year. Grocery store employees claim Kortes was upset with how the 'Superman v Batman' cake turned out and damaged it while yelling. Police cited her for disorderly conduct, but she was not arrested She turned herself in to police on Thursday, and was booked, arraigned and released on a $1,000, 10 per cent cash bond, officials said. Kortes is due back in court on September 12. If convicted of the misdemeanor offense related to the ice cream incident, Kortes faces a penalty of 93 days in jail and up to a $500 fine. These two incidents are not the first time she has run into problems with the law. In March 2015, Kortes was charged with assault and battery in Troy, Michigan, after police were called to a workplace and were told by several witnesses that she shoved a fellow worker and hit her with a cellphone following a verbal argument, the Livingston Daily reported. Authorities found a broken set of eyeglasses, and found that the victim's left eye was swollen. On Thursday, Kortes (above) turned herself in to police and was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery over the 2015 ice cream incident. She was released on bond The city attorney's office in Troy at first declined to issue an arrest warrant for Kortes due to conflicting accounts of what happened. However, another employee came forward eventually and said he witnessed Kortes initiate contact with the other woman. An arrest warrant for Kortes was issued in January 2016 for assault and battery, but the charge was later reduced to disorderly. Kortes was ordered by a judge to pay a $500 fine and had to complete an education intervention program. Back in 2003, while living in King County, Washington, she was convicted of fourth-degree assault under the name of Tricia Schull. She was sentenced to 12 months in jail and 136 community service hours, according to court records. The United Nations cannot be sued in a US court over claims it was to blame for a outbreak of cholera which has killed thousands in Haiti, a federal appeals court has ruled. The appeals panel upheld the UN's immunity from a damage claim filed on behalf of 5,000 victims. The ruling came shortly after the UN said for the first time it was involved in the introduction of cholera to Haiti. A girl receives treatment for cholera symptoms in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in October 2011 The decision issued by the US 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York affirmed a lower court's January 2015 dismissal of a lawsuit brought in the worst outbreak of the deadly disease in recent history. 'We have considered all of plaintiffs' arguments on appeal and find them to be without merit,' the U.S. appellate judges said. It is estimated that more than 800,000 people have been sickened and 11,000 have died during the epidemic. It was a significant statement because the UN has for years kept silent about allegations its peacekeepers introduced cholera to Haiti. It has answered lawsuits on behalf of victims filed in US courts by claiming immunity under a 1946 convention. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement that the UN needs to do 'much more' to end the suffering of those affected and pledged that 'a significantly new set of U.N. actions' will be presented publicly within the next two months. Dr. Vanessa Rouzier examines a child suffering cholera symptoms, as his mother watches, inside Haiti's first permanent cholera center, run by Gheskio Centers, last February Haq reiterated that the UN's legal position in claiming immunity hasn't changed. Brian Concannon, executive director of the Boston-based Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, said advocates for Haitian cholera victims will be watching the UN's actions closely. They have 90 days to decide whether to file an appeal to the US Supreme Court. 'We will decide how to proceed based on whether the U.N.'s actions fulfill the cholera victims' rights to an effective remedy,' Concannon said in a statement. The UN has promised billions in funding to eradicate cholera from Haiti and neighboring Dominican Republic. Cholera showed up some 10 months after a devastating earthquake in the south of Haiti, deepening the country's misery at a time when it was ill-equipped to cope with another crisis. The waterborne disease is now considered 'endemic' in Haiti, meaning it's an illness that occurs regularly. Researchers say there is ample scientific evidence the disease was introduced to Haiti's biggest river by inadequately treated sewage from a base of UN peacekeepers from Nepal, one of the units that have rotated in and out of a multinational force in Haiti since 2004. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and only 24 percent of Haitians have access to a toilet. Sewage is rarely treated and safe water remains inaccessible to many. People can contract the bacterial infection if they consume contaminated food or water, and it is most problematic in regions with poor sanitation. Symptoms including watery diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps usually surface within a few days of infection. Without treatment, a person can quickly become dehydrated and go into shock, and severe cases can result in death. Mass outbreaks of cholera often occur after natural disasters or during war due to overcrowding in poor living conditions and a lack of access to clean water, said health experts. A 16-year-old Massachusetts boy has been arrested after allegedly stabbing his mother and younger brother while vacationing in the Florida Keys. Police say Gust Ramgren, of Framingham, has confessed to the Wednesday night stabbing in Siesta Key, CBS Boston reported. Cops found Ramgren standing outside his family's vacation home, after a neighbor called cops saying the boy was asking for help for his family, WWSB reported. Police in Florida says Gust Ramgren, 16, (left) has confessed to stabbing and trying to kill his mother, Melissa, (right) and 14-year-old brother Ramgren, a junior at Newton South High School, cooperated with authorities and provided a full confession, according to the station. Inside, they found Ramgren's mother Melissa, 50, and 14-year-old brother bleeding from multiple stab wounds. The younger boy told cops he thought he was going to die and asked why Ramgreng would do this to him, WWSB reported. Melissa Ramgren, a second-grade teacher at Newton Public Schools, was listed in serious but stable condition, the Boston Globe reported. She was rushed to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Ramgren is charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder The 14-year-old boy was taken by helicopter to All Children's Hospital. He remains in critical but stable condition, according to the Globe. This is the scary moment a bus passenger in Oregon is almost struck by a bullet while riding a bus. Surveillance footage released Thursday shows a seated teenage girl get ready to leave the bus about 10:25pm. As she pulls the stop, a bullet crashes through the window and menacingly zooms past mere inches in front of her face. Scroll down for video Surveillance footage shows a Portland girl pulling the stop sign as her stop nears A split-second later, a bullet crashes through the window and zooms past mere inches in front of her face The terrified girl ducks after the shooting. Police later determined the bullet came from two blocks away Had the Portland teenager fully gotten up which she was a split-second from doing she may have been shot. 'If that girl had not ducked when she did then I would have been a witness to a murder right now and that's terrifying,' Stephanie MacDonald told KPTV. The terrified girl gets to the floor of the bus for safety. The incident happened in April at Northeast 15h Avenue and Dekum Street, in Portland. Portland police continue to investigate but are yet to identify suspects in the frightening incident Cops with the city's Gang Enforcement Team later found evidence that the bullet was fired from two blocks away, on Northeast 17h Avenue, The Oregonian reported. The video was obtained by KPTV and released Thursday. Tony Abbott was hospitalised on Friday morning after he was sliced open by the fin of his surfboard. The former prime minister was surfing weak 1-2 feet surf on the Northern Beaches when he was injured. 'A big thank you to the ED staff at Manly Hospital for patching me up this morning after a minor fin chop,' the Liberal Party member said on Twitter. Scroll down for video Tony Abbott was hospitalised on Friday morning after he was cut by his surfboard (stock photo) The Sydney Morning Herald reported Mr Abbott required 'a couple of stitches' at Manly Hospital to have the gash treated. He was reportedly back at his Warringah electorate office before midday. This isn't the first time Mr Abbott has hit headlines for his antics in the surf. In March, he was caught on camera dropping in on 17-year-old surfer Ivy Thomas at Tea Tree Bay in Noosa, Queensland. Mr Abbott took to Twitter after the mishap to thank Manly Hospital staff for patching him up Ms Thomas was in the middle of riding a wave when she looked up and noticed the 58-year-old former prime minister coasting along in front of her. When asked about the incident, Mr Abbott blamed his poor eyesight and lavished praise on the 'extremely attractive and very talented' Ms Thomas. Surfer Ivy Thomas, 17, was in the middle of catching a wave at Tea Tree Bay, Queensland, in March when she noticed former Prime Minister Tony Abbott had dropped in on her (pictured) Retired Army Gen. John W. Vessey, who fought in World War II and Vietnam before becoming the nation's top military officer, has died at 94. His daughter, Sarah, said he was surrounded by family when he died of natural causes Thursday night. Once called 'the ultimate never-say-die soldier,' Vessey rose through the ranks over a 46-year military career, eventually serving as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and helping oversee President Ronald Reagan's military buildup. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Vessey in his Pentagon office (undated photo) Sen. Edward Kennedy (left), a member of the Senate Armed Services committee, talks with Gen. John W. Vessey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Washington in February 1983 Vessey's military career began when he enlisted as a private in the Minnesota National Guard in 1939. He fought in World War II and later in Vietnam, and was named chairman of the joint chiefs in 1982 - a role that he held until he retired to his home state of Minnesota in 1985. But his dedication to his country didn't end in retirement, as presidents and the Pentagon looked to him for help. Reagan sent Vessey back to Vietnam in 1987 to search for Americans missing in action and bring back any still alive. His other tasks included reuniting separated families and getting former South Vietnamese leaders out of prison camps, Amerasian children out of Vietnam and the Vietnamese out of Cambodia. 'In typical Ronald Reagan optimistic fashion, he said, 'Well, it ought to take you about three months,'' Vessey recalled with a laugh in a 2004 interview. 'Six years later I told Bill Clinton that I had checked off all of those things and would like to be relieved.' In this February 1985 file photo, Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger (right) speaks with Gen. John W. Vessey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington His work in Vietnam was important to the families of soldiers who died in battle or were missing. The issue had become a 'rallying cry' for people who thought the US had pulled out of Vietnam too soon or that the Pentagon was involved in a cover-up, said Lawrence Korb, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Washington think tank, in a 2006 interview. 'He was smart and combined good common sense with good military judgment, and he knew how to get things done. He was a person of integrity,' said Korb, who worked with Vessey while serving as an assistant secretary of defense from 1981 to 1985. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush awarded Vessey the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, paying tribute to his efforts to account for the missing in action. Bush called him, 'the ultimate never-say-die soldier, the last four-star combat veteran of World War II to retire.' As chairman of the joint chiefs and principal military advisor to the president, Vessey helped oversee the military expansion that Reagan championed when he took office in 1981. 'It was probably the greatest peacetime modernization of the American military establishment that ever took place,' Vessey said in 2004. 'We improved every facet of the armed forces, from the recruiting and retention, the selection of individuals, to the way they lived, but most importantly to the way they fought.' Vessey said the Soviet Union had been making a 'big push' to solidify its position in Europe, deploying SS20 intermediate-range nuclear missiles and strengthening its ground forces in East Germany, 'dabbling' in West European elections at a time when NATO was shaky, and stepping up its espionage. By the time Vessey retired in 1985, he said, NATO was strong once again, the United States had deployed Pershing II and cruise missiles in response to the Soviet SS20s, and negotiations with the Soviets to eliminate each side's intermediate-range missiles were just about complete. In retirement, Vessey also chaired the advisory board of the Center for Preventive Action, an arm of the Council on Foreign Relations that seeks to prevent conflicts before they erupt; consulted for the Defense Science Board, Army Science Board and the Sandia National Laboratory; and led a campaign to build up the endowment funds of colleges affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. While Vessey generally wielded his influence in military and foreign policy circles away from the public spotlight after he retired, he made news in 2006 when he spoke out against a push to weaken protections under the Geneva Conventions against torture of prisoners, particularly as they applied to suspected terrorists. He wrote Sen. John McCain expressing concern that doing so 'would undermine the moral basis' that had traditionally guided U.S. conduct in war, and that 'could give opponents a legal argument for the mistreatment of Americans being held prisoner in time of war.' Another retired chairman of the joint chiefs, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, called Vessey's comments 'powerful and eloquent' in his own letter to McCain. Those letters became ammunition in the congressional debate over the use of coercive interrogation techniques in the war on terror. 'He never strayed from his morals or values or faith, and he was an extraordinary patriot,' Sarah Vessey said of her father. Vessey was born in Minneapolis in 1922. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard at age 17, when the threat of Nazi Germany was looming over Europe. He was called to active duty and fought in Northern Africa and Italy, where he received a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant at the battle of Anzio in 1944. He married his wife, Avis, right after he shipped home. He made the Army his career, serving mostly in field artillery units stateside and abroad. His postings included several in West Germany. During the Vietnam War, Vessey was a lieutenant colonel in the battle of Suoi Tre, where U.S. forces held off a fierce attack from a much larger North Vietnamese and Viet Cong force in 1967. Vessey was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second-highest medal, and his unit received a Presidential Unit Citation. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1971. He earned his fourth star in 1976 and was put in charge of U.S. and U.N. forces in South Korea. Vessey showed his character after his opposition to President Jimmy Carter's proposal to withdraw from Korea cost him a promotion to Army chief of staff, Korb said. Instead, Vessey became vice chief of staff of the Army in 1979 under the younger Gen. Edward C. Meyer. 'You never heard him complain or not defer to the real chief,' Korb said. Vessey was building a lake home back in Minnesota when Reagan asked him to defer retirement and named him the 10th chairman of the joint chiefs. The general was never a self-promoter and never lobbied for the job, Korb said. Congress didn't strengthen the chairman's role until 1986, Korb said, so while Vessey was nominally in charge, he had to lead by consensus. He 'had the perfect temperament' for that, Korb said. Vessey and the joint chiefs advised against the 1982 deployment of Marines to Lebanon, which ended after 241 Marines were killed in a suicide attack on their barracks in Beirut in 1983. However, he directed the swift and successful 1983 U.S. intervention in Grenada. 'Jack Vessey always remembered the soldiers in the ranks; he understood those soldiers are the background of any army,' Reagan said at a ceremony when Vessey finally did retire in 1985. 'He noticed them, spoke to them, looked out for them. Jack Vessey never forgot what it was like to be an enlisted man, to be just a GI.' Vessey then settled on Little Whitefish Lake near Garrison, Minnesota, keeping a promise to his wife that they'd return before the snow fell. 'He and my mom were so happy to be back,' Sarah Vessey said Thursday. The girl was described in court as 'worldly' met Abad outside his work Abad pleaded not guilty and explained he was unaware she was 14 He was convicted but escaped jail on a two-year good behaviour bond Former security guard is found guilty of having sex with a 14-year-old girl A former security guard who had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl has escaped jail as a judge explained he is 'not made of steel'. The Victorian Judge suggested Franco Abad, 32, would have found it difficult to deny the young girl who appeared 'worldly' after she entered his bed. Abad admitted to the relationship in court but claimed the girl always advised him she was 17-years-old after he met her outside the Children's Court in Melbourne where he worked in 2015, reported The Age. Franco Abad, 32, a former security guard who had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl has escaped jail as a judge explained he is 'not made of steel' Abad pleaded not guilty but was later convicted of one count of sexual penetration of a child under 16 years which occurred in August - after police warned him the girl was 14 and not 17. County Court Judge Christopher Ryan allowed Abad to walk away with a two-year good behaviour bond because he believed the 32-year-old had learnt his lesson. After Abad found out his teenage girlfriend was under-age last year, he went home to confront her but the teen continued to insist she was 17. She claimed her mother had lied to police to get her into trouble. County Court Judge Christopher Ryan allowed Abad to walk away with a two-year good behaviour bond because he believed the 32-year-old had learnt his lesson Judge Ryan said Abad then went to bed but the 14-year-old joined him and had sex with her. 'Then he goes to bed and is joined by a young woman. Well, he's not made of steel,' judge Ryan said. 'There's nothing unnatural about having sex. 'The human aspect of it is readily understandable if I can put it that way,' he said. Hes skilled in the arts of tug-of-war and dancing, but now Adelaide Zoo orangutan Kluet can boast another talent. The 21-year-old ape has released a jazz single to mark World Orangutan Day on Friday, recorded on his keepers mobile phone. His song Give Me A Klue is being sold on the Zoos SA website where music fans can pay what they like to help support its three Sumatran orangutans. Keeper Pij Olijnyk said the number was created using the Garage Band app with Kluet playing both the piano and drums with his finger. 'It came about through some casual interactions between me and Kluet out the back, he said. 'I was showing him some photos on my phone and he was really interested in the flicking back and forth motion. Kluet the orangutan has released a jazz single to mark World Orangutan Day on Friday, recorded on his keepers mobile phone at Adelaide Zoo Mr Olijnyk said he got the idea to open the mobile app and see what the beloved animal could create. 'Once I showed him he loved it and started riffing away, he said. Orangutans are incredibly intelligent, so we are always looking for new ways to interact with them and make their day, interesting, challenging and fun. 'Kluet is very playful, very cheeky, very sweet fella. He's a big softie really and music is a big part of his life.' He said the song was reminiscent of classic jazz tracks the Pink Panther and The Way You Look Tonight. The song was created using the Garage Band app with Kluet playing both the piano and drums with his finger (pictured) Mr Olijnyk hoped the song would raise awareness of the plight of orangutans in the wild, where there were only about 7,000 left. This critically endangered species could become extinct within the next ten years as the population continues to decline by as many as 1,000 a year, he said. Kluet was born on July 18, 1995, at Jersey Zoo in Britain, arriving at Adelaide Zoo in May 2007. He is the perfect gentlemen and tends to be on the shy side in comparison to his outgoing house-mate Karta, who definitely wears the pants in the relationship, the zoo said. A cafe that gave thirty customers salmonella after serving contaminated Eggs Benedict has been ordered by a judge to pay more than $100,000 in penalties. Grocer and Grind cafe, on the Gold Coast, and its owner Taletha March pleaded guilty to two charges of selling unsafe food in the Southport Magistrates Court after causing a mass salmonella outbreak in March last year. Forty-four people were affected, thirty tested positive for salmonella and twenty-two were hospitalised with serious symptoms including vomiting, stomach pains, fever, chills and diarrhoea, the Courier Mail reported. Grocer and Grind cafe pleaded guilty to two charges of selling unsafe food in the Southport Magistrates Court after causing a mass salmonella outbreak The Gold Coast Hospital reportedly had to open a special wing specifically to treat Grocer and Grind's patients following the outbreak. The cafe was issued an official warning relating to poor hygiene after it was found they had been using using a tea towel to drain moisture from the eggs used to make hollandaise sauce for the popular breakfast dish - which cost just over $20. The court ordered Grocer and Grind improve its food handling practices, fined the cafe $70,000, demanded Ms March $7,000 and said she would have to foot the $27,000 bill for a salmonella report. Ms March's lawyer said she had spent a further $30,000 to ensure the cafe met health standards, according to the Courier Mail. The cafe was issued an official warning relating to poor hygiene after it was found they had been using a tea towel to drain moisture from the eggs used to make hollandaise sauce for the popular breakfast dish The Gold Coast Hospital reportedly had to open a special wing specifically to treat Grocer and Grind's patients following the outbreak The court heard business at the cafe had suffered since news of the outbreak which resulted in a $135,000 drop in profits from last financial year. At the next light he pulls up to the cop again and asks 'Wanna race?' This is the moment a Florida deputy had the tables turned on him when a driver claimed he was speeding - and got the officer to pull over on the side of the road. The video shows a Polk County Sheriff's deputy on a road where the speed limit is 90 miles per hour, but the driver behind the camera claims he was going 90. 'Were going to stop at this red light and were going to talk to this cop,' the driver says in the video. This is the moment a driver noticed a Polk County Sheriff's deputy in Florida allegedly speeding, and decided he was going to pull the cop over The driver motioned for the officer to pull over and then approached the patrol car while his passenger filmed the encounter The video, which has since gone viral on LiveLeak, shows the car following the deputy as they approach a light. The man then honks at the patrol car and signals at the officer to pull over. 'Im going to tell him that he is speeding,' the man says. 'He needs to slow it down.' The man then gets out of his vehicle, the camera still trained on the patrol car as the man has a discussion with the cop. After a brief chat, the deputy pulls back onto the road and the man returns to his vehicle. Pulled that mother****r over didnt I! says the man, clearly excited about the turn of the events. The man then pulls back up to the patrol vehicle at the next red light, and he jokingly asks sheriff: You wanna race? The cop says, No and they laugh before driving off. The video has since gone viral and been viewed more than 66,000 times The man then pulls back up to the patrol vehicle at the next red light, and he jokingly asks sheriff: You wanna race? to which the cop says 'No' before they laugh and drive off Motherf****r shitted himself the man happily says before the camera turns off. Polk County Sheriff's Office is still trying to determine who shot the video, when it was filmed, and whether the deputy broke any laws, according to WTSP. The deputy who was allegedly speeding has been identified, but authorities said they will not discuss the video until they retrieve all the facts regarding the incident. A teenage girl has helped to shut down an international pornography ring website featuring images of underage girls, after photos of her when she was 15 years old were discovered on the site. Tiahna Prosser, an 18-year-old model and bodybuilder from Brisbane, was one of more than 70 schoolgirls whose images were posted on the site without their knowledge, reported Perth Now. More than 2,000 non-consensual sexual images of schoolgirls and other women were 'traded' by Australian members since the group started in December 2015. Tiahna Prosser (pictured), an 18-year-old model and bodybuilder from Brisbane helped to shut down an international pornography ring website featuring images of underage girls Men using the website had nominated high schools or regions were they were looking for graphic photos, along with the full name of the girl they were 'hunting'. Once the girl's name had appeared on a list, other users of the site could post information about the intended victims, including headshots, their school, home address and phone numbers. The website's members could then post comments to each other like 'Go get her boys'. Any 'wins' (a term referring to nude photos) of the targeted girl were then uploaded or offered in exchange for a trade. Some targets were so sought after that 'bounties' were offered for any user who can post a 'win'. In one case, Perth Now reported a user offered to trade up to 300 nude images of other victims in exchange for a single pornographic photo of one girl he was tracking. The site encouraged men to share explicit images of the girls and post their contact details, including their names and where they lived so they could be 'hunted down'. Ms Prosser (pictured) found photos of her self on the site from when she was 15-years old. More than 70 schoolgirls whose images were posted on the site without their knowledge The site encouraged men to share explicit images of the girls and post their contact details, including their names and where they lived so they could be 'hunted down' Both the registrar and database holders are based outside of Australia, with the database holder thought to be in the US. The Australian Federal Police told Daily Mail Australia in a statement that they welcomed the recent removal of the website. 'Wherever material such as this is identified, the AFP will continue to work closely with its domestic and international partners to determine appropriate courses of action.' The Australian Federal Police, state police and the Office of the Childrens eSafety Commissioner are investigating the website. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Prosser for a comment. A former Jetstar air hostess is suing the airline after she injured her back while helping a passenger with oversized baggage. Brisbane woman Lysanda Hooper was assisting a passenger to lift her hand luggage into the display size-guide at Townsville airport on August 16, 2013, when she was injured, the Courier Mail reported. 'The passenger lost her grip as they lifted the luggage. One side of the luggage dropped, jolting (Hoopers) upper body and causing injury to her lower back,' lawyer Maileen Hawthorne told Brisbane District Court last Friday. Former Jetstar air hostess is suing the airline after she strained her back while helping a passenger with oversized baggage Ms Hooper was unable to work after the injury and had to have surgery She required surgery to remove her L5/S1 disc, the paper reported. Ms Hooper was unable to work after the injury and eventually ended up on the dole. The Brisbane District Court granted her leave to sue on August 12. Ms Hooper started working for Jetstar in 2011 and became a flight attendant with the airline the following year, according to her Linkedin page. Court files show Ms Hooper made a work cover claim in 1998. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Hooper and her lawyer for comment. A 44-year-old man has serious burn injuries after lighting a cigarette while covered in petrol. The man, from Adelaide, was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after receiving burns to his face, neck and arms at his Elizabeth North home on Friday morning. A Metropolitan Fire Service spokeswoman said the man had accidentally set himself alight but it wasn't clear how he came to be covered in petrol. A 44-year-old Adelaide man has serious burns to his face, neck and arms after lighting a cigarette while covered in petrol at his home on Friday (pictured) Advertisement Donald Trump showed off his softer side Friday as he consoled Louisiana homeowners hit by devastating flooding. The Republican candidate and his running mate unloaded toys and supplies off a truck, met with first responders who conducted rescues in the flooding - even as their own homes were damaged - and spoke with volunteers at a church that was helping nearby residents with cleanup. Trump, who flew to Baton Rouge on his personally-owned 757, helped unload bright boxes of Play-doh from a truck. It's the kind of toy that suffering Baton Rouge families, some of whom lost nearly all of their possessions, could use to at least ease the suffering for their tots. Trump and company also visited water-ravaged neighborhoods, where debris piled up in front lawns and on curbs as people continued to muck out their homes. Their tour of the damage included a stop at the home of Jimmy and Olive Morgan in Denham Springs, Louisiana. The couple was still sweeping out floodwaters from their home when Trump and his entourage approached. A ruined couch, chair and bedroom furniture were heaped on their lawn. Jimmy Morgan told Trump he spent his 79th birthday on the roof of his house. Asked by Trump about whether he'll rebuild, Jimmy Morgan replied: 'I just don't know what we'll do.' Trump hugged the man and later told him: 'You're going to rebuild. It's going to be so beautiful.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Donald Trump showed off his softer side Friday as he consoled Louisiana homeowners hit by devastating flooding. He's seen here unloading supplies for victims off a truck Trump's campaign hopes the trip, which saw him volunteer and speak with flood victims, will help him look more presidential Trump and his running mate Mike Pence are seen here soeaking with flood victims outside Greenwell Springs Baptist Church in Greenwell Springs this morning Their tour of the damage included a stop at the home of Jimmy and Olive Morgan in Denham Springs, Louisiana. The couple was still sweeping out floodwaters from their home when Trump and his entourage approached The Republican candidate and his running mate met with first responders who conducted rescues in the flooding - even as their own homes were damaged - and spoke with volunteers at a church that was helping nearby residents with cleanup Trump received a warm reception as he toured a heavily-damaged portion of East Baton Rouge The motorcade of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump passes piles of rubbish on the side of the road in East Baton Rouge Trump and his running mate Mike Pence arrived in Friday morning in Louisiana, where at least 13 people were killed and thousands more were displaced. The Republican's campaign manager declared this morning in a television appearance that Trump was trying to act more 'presidential' and the visit was a part of that effort. It was also part of a new soft sell that could be part of a hoped-for image makeover. Trump at a rally in Charlotte Thursday spoke emotionally about how the U.S. is 'one nation' that suffers when any state suffers. He and Pence traveled from Baton Rouge to Greenwell Springs for a meeting this morning at the baptist church with local volunteers. Area residents cheered Trump's visit, lining up along streets to get a glimpse and thanking him for shining a national spotlight on the destruction. Trump received a warm reception during the more than three hours he spent in the heavily-damaged portion of Louisiana. Trump, third from right, and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, second from right, meet with emergency responders at a mobile command center during a tour of the flood damaged area Trump and his running mate arrived in Louisiana on Friday to survey the flood damage that killed at least 13 people and displaced thousands more His plane is seen pulling up at the tarmac in Baton Rouge this morning at 10:16 am Eastern. As he was arriving his campaign sent out a statement that Paul Manafort had resigned Trump's running mate Mike Pence is pictured boarding Trump's plane just before the presidential candidate stepped of The Republicans were greeted by a crowd of supporters after visiting a local Baptist church where volunteers have gathered. 'Thank you for coming, Mr. Trump,' one woman screamed. 'We knew you would be here for us!' another shouted. Trump kindly greeted the crowd, shaking hands and signing hats. But he turned down a plate of the south Louisiana specialty, jambalaya, offered to him. As he spoke to his fans, Trump told an ABC News reporter who asked about the purpose of his visit, 'We want to help out.' The reporter, ABC's Tom Llamas, asked if Obama should also be in Louisiana and Trump said, 'He should, Tom. He really should Tom.' After Trump and Pence also unloaded the truck of toys during one of their stops in The Pelican State, Trump said, 'Ive had a great history with Louisiana. They need a lot of help.' Donald Trump signs a hat outside Greenwell Springs Baptist Church where he and Pence met with local volunteers Donald Trump speaks with flood victims outside Greenwell Springs Baptist Church during a visit to Louisiana Friday Area residents cheered Trump's visit, lining up along streets to get a glimpse and thanking him for shining a national spotlight on the destruction Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves before before boarding his plane to leave Baton Rouge Whats happened here is incredible. Nobody understands how bad it is. Its really incredible. So, Im just here to help.' Trump's discipline briefly lapsed as he bashed President Barack Obama for continuing with his family holiday instead of dashing off to Louisiana like he did this morning to survey flood damage and meet with victims. 'The president says he doesnt want to come, he is trying to get out of a golf game,' Trump charged during a stop at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, according to ABC News. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said of the president, 'I heard he wants to stay under par while we are under water.' To which Trump replied, 'He will never be under par.' Obama hit the links Thursday with comedian and Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David. He had not left his vacation house on Friday as of midday. Pence arrived ahead of the Republican presidential nominee, who was seen chatting on the tarmac with Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Attorney General Jeff Landry. The officials are the highest-ranking Republicans in the state. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, did not meet with Trump during the visit. Obama is not coming to Louisiana, the White House said, and will finish out his vacation on the Massachusetts island of Martha's vineyard. He is scheduled to leave Sunday. The White House says he's been in contact with Edwards and has received briefings on the flood, which has Louisiana in a state of emergency. A torrent of about 2 feet of rain has inundated the southern part of the state, devastating areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina over a decade ago and ruining homes. James Cannon prepares to throw out a mattress from his daughter's room after his home in St Amant, Louisiana, flooded An old photograph damaged by the flood waters is seen lying on a pile of belongings at a home in St Amant, Louisiana Mike Wroten (left) and Matt Wroten (right) carrya wet couch out of Mike's house following the floods A sign placed by St Amant resident Doug Ford welcomes Donald Trump to the area on Friday The Louisiana National Guard has been operating in the state since last Friday and has 3,650 Guardsmen conducting search and rescue missions, it says. The trip is a departure for the GOP candidate from his regular campaign schedule, which has consisted largely of mass rallies and television phone-ins. It comes a day after he made a rare expression of remorse for making comments that 'may have caused personal pain.' As Trump was landing, his campaign sent out a statement announcing the departure of Paul Manafort, the Republican strategist who had been running the show since Trump clinched the GOP nomination. Manafort is under investigation by Ukrainian officials for allegedly accepting $12.7 million in cash payments from an ousted political party he once advised in the country. The hired-hand says he did not break the law, and inspectors have no proof that he took the cash. The high-profile affair had, however, become a distraction for a presidential campaign constantly beset by controversy. Trump has dramatically revamped his campaign this week following a staff overhaul, trading his freewheeling rally speeches for teleprompter remarks and polished ads. Bonnie Ulmer (left) and Gene Ulme walk to their home in St Amant, Louisiana to survey the damage caused by flood waters Gene Ulmer looks at two vehicles in his garage that were sitting in about 4ft of flood water Susan Gross helps empty the contents of her mother's home in St Amant, Louisiana following the devastating floods Susan Gross dries out precious photographs on the kitchen table in her mother's house after it was flooded Starting last week Louisiana was overwhelmed with flood water causing at least 13 deaths and thousands of homes damaged by the flood waters The Louisiana National Guard has been operating in the state since last Friday and has 3,650 Guardsmen conducting search and rescue missions His new campaign manager Kellyanne Conway suggested Friday that the Louisiana visit was part of a larger effort to pivot to a more presidential phase. 'It's also presidential today to have him and Governor Pence going to Louisiana in a decidedly nonpolitical event,' she told ABC's Good Morning America Friday,' adding that they would be 'going to help people on the ground who are in need.' In a highly uncharacteristic move at a rally in North Carolina on Thursday night, Trump said for the first time that he regrets some of the caustic comments he's made in 'the heat of debate.' People line up to get into a campaign rally in Dimondale, Michigan, which will be attended by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump A woman wears Donald Trump socks to show her support for Donald Trump while waiting in line to hear him speak at a campaign rally in Dimondale, Michigan People line up to get into a campaign rally in Dimondale, Michigan where Donald Trump will speak following his visit to Louisiana 'Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that,' the GOP nominee, reading from prepared text, said at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, Thursday night. He added, 'And believe it or not, I regret it and I do regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain.' Trump didn't specify what comments he was referring to, but he added that, 'Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues.' It was a rare admission for a man who has said that he prefers 'not to regret anything' and it underscored the dire situation Trump finds himself in. With just 80 days left until the election, Trump is trailing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in preference polls of most key battleground states. At the same time, party leaders have conceded they may divert resources away from the presidential contest in favor of vulnerable Senate and House candidates if things don't improve. US President Barack Obama is pictured playing golf on Martha's Vineyard on August 7 Donald Trump bashed President Barack Obama today for continuing with his family holiday. Pictured: Obama plays golf on Martha's Vineyard on August 7 The remarks came a day after Trump announced that he was overhauling his campaign operation, bringing in a new chief executive and appointing Conway to be his campaign manager. Trump's decision to tap Stephen Bannon, a combative conservative media executive, as his new campaign chief suggested to some that he might continue the divisive rhetoric that has angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the general election electorate. Instead, a new Trump emerged on Thursday: a less combative, more inclusive candidate who said he was running to be the 'voice for every forgotten part of this country that has been waiting and hoping for a better future' and for those who 'don't hear anyone speaking for them.' And the changes appear to be more than cosmetic. Trump and Pence speak with community leaders inside a Baptist church in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana this morning The trip is a departure for the GOP candidate from his regular campaign schedule, which has consisted largely of mass rallies and television phone-ins Earlier Thursday, Trump moved to invest nearly $5 million in battleground state advertising to address daunting challenges in the states that will make or break his White House ambitions. While his rival Hillary Clinton has spent more than $75 million on advertising in 10 states since locking up her party's nomination, Trump's new investment marks his first of the general election season. Trump's first general election TV ad contrasts his strict approach to immigration with what he calls Clinton's plan to do 'more of the same, only worse.' 'In Hillary Clinton's America, the system stays rigged against Americans,' it begins. Trump also made a last-minute scheduling change, scrapping a planned event in New York on Friday in order to travel to Baton Rouge. Trump, followed by his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, shakes hands with Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry as he is greeted by Louisiana officials upon his arrival at the Baton Rouge airport Pence embraces Landry in a hug upon meeting him at the tarmac in Baton Rouge Pence arrived first, and met up with Trump on the tarmac. Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Attorney General Jeff Landry, pictured, are the highest ranking Republicans in the state. Both were at the airport today to greet Trump and Pence He ditched his traveling press pool, which had remained behind in Charlotte, and flew directly to Louisiana from New York. Reporters on the campaign's press plane were left to fly ahead to another event in Michigan, despite pleas from media brass for a redirect to Baton Rouge. The Trump trip came after the White House said President Barack Obama was unlikely to break from a New England vacation to survey the damage and meet with first responders and victims. In an editorial published Wednesday, The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge called on Obama to visit 'the most anguished state in the union.' The newspaper noted that Obama interrupted his two-week vacation on Martha's Vineyard earlier this week to attend a fundraiser for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on the Massachusetts island. Trump was swarmed by fans today in Louisiana who asked him for photographs and autographs. 'Donald Trumps the way to wake us up,' one Trump voter, Jeff Nolan, told ABC. 'Hes waking America up. Hes got to get busy. Americas got to get behind him. Without America getting behind Donald Trump, were going to lose. And were going to lose bigger than this flood ever did.' Gulfport, Missississippi firefighters load water and cleaning supplies donated by Bayou View Elementary School families in Gulfport for flood victims in Louisiana Trump's decision to visit, however, was met with harsh words from Louisiana's governor, Edwards. 'We welcome him to LA, but not for a photo-op,' said his spokesman Richard Carbo in a statement. 'Instead we hope he'll consider volunteering or making a sizable donation to the LA Flood Relief Fund to help the victims of this storm. ' Two billboards that encouraged men in Florida to wear condoms to prevent the spread of Zika virus have been removed out of fears they could scare tourists, a health organization claims. The identical billboards - erected by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Broward County, which has taken measures to prevent local Zika transmissions - showed a giant condom with the words 'Prevents Zika transmission' inside it. A spokesman for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation said the signage company pulled the ad from two interstates after pressure from Fort Lauderdale's mayor's office and tourism board. Scroll down for video The billboards displayed on interstates in Broward County showed a giant condom 'They felt, I guess, that they could impact tourism,' AHF spokesman Michael Kahane told WSVN 7 News. 'I find it completely disgusting.' He said it's a public health issue and people need to have as much information as possible about it. The Greater Ford Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau told WSVN 7 News its advisory board complained to the signage company that the billboard was inaccurate. The advisory board member pointed out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said condoms can only reduce the risk of Zika transmission - not prevent it. Advice listed on the CDC's website uses the word 'reduce' instead of 'prevent'. A microbiologist sorts mosquitoes collected in a trap while investigating Zika virus The tourism bureau said it doesn't have the power to bring down a billboard, and it was the signage company's decision to remove them. The mayor's office said it had no role in bringing down the billboards. With local Zika cases on the rise in southern Florida, the CDC and a number of countries have issued travel warnings for the state. Pregnant women have been told not to travel to areas where people have become infected after being bitten by local mosquitoes, and all other travelers have been told to take precautions. 'Given the continual outbreak of new Zika infections across Miami-Dade and Broward County, some of which have been linked to sexual transmission, our community is clearly dealing with a major public health issue,' Kahane added in a statement. 'It is outrageous that the mayors office or the convention and visitors bureau would remove these billboards, which had a public health message that was relevant to both our community and those visiting the area.' He said the removal of the billboards is counter-productive as city and state officials try to prevent transmissions. 'Our officials have acted inappropriately and are jeopardizing the publics health because of their actions,' he said. Three billboards went up earlier this month in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, directing people to the website Useacondom.com. The two that were removed were located in Fort Lauderdale and near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The third billboard, in Florida City, has not been removed. Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus and it can result in devastating birth defects. Court battle: John O'Neill, 45, of York, who was cleared of rape at Teesside Crown Court last year also said women needed to be scared for him to 'climax' A father-of-two who has to inform the police 24 hours before he has sex with a new partner has lost his legal battle to have the restriction lifted. John O'Neill, of York, told medics he likes to bite, burn and cut women into unconsciousness, a court heard today. The 45-year-old, who was cleared of rape at Teesside Crown Court last year, also said women needed to be 'scared' for him to 'climax' and he had been violent to everyone he slept with, a judge was told. He even 'stopped asking girlfriends if they consented to sex with him' and told a GP in 2014 'he may have raped someone', it was said. When a doctor queried his sexual desires he told her: 'You've never read Fifty Shades of Grey then?' Mr O'Neill, an IT consultant currently living rough in a wood, appeared at York Magistrates' Court today for a hearing to decide whether an interim Sexual Risk Order (SRO) should be made permanent or should end. Police fear he is a danger to the public and demand he must inform them 24 hours before he has sex with a new partner or face jail and a fine despite never being convicted of a sex crime. Mr O'Neill, who used to attend a Fifty Shades of Grey-style fetish club, strongly opposes it and represented himself in court today. Mr O'Neill has said the ban has stopped him working, restricted his right to benefits and his family, including his two children, don't speak to him. He lost his case after North Yorkshire Police argued he posed a risk to the public and should be subject to a Sexual Risk Order. A statement from the North Yorkshire Police read: 'The judge has made it very clear that he believes Mr O' Neill poses a risk of sexual harm, and that it is right to have an order against him in place. 'It is of paramount importance for North Yorkshire Police to protect the public from the risk of sexual harm. We will work with the courts to agree suitable prohibitions that will protect the public from the risk Mr O'Neill poses.' District Judge Adrian Lower said the terms of the order will be amended at a future hearing, however. Scroll down for video Destitute: John O'Neill, 45, of York, was tried for rape and cleared after a retrial at Teesside Crown Court in November but says a sex ban order has wrecked his life and left him homeless Shocking: The father-of-two cooks on a fire and sleeps in a tent unable to get a job or claim benefits He said the condition that Mr O'Neill gives the police 24 hours' notice before he starts sexual contact with a new partner was 'frankly unpoliceable'. After what Mr O'Neill said was a 'thoroughly humiliating day', he admitted he lost the case and after representing himself said 'clearly I didn't know what I was doing'. Asked if the judge's comments gave him hope of starting a relationship, he said: 'My main concern is I'm homeless, I cannot work, I cannot claim benefits, I need to get back into society somehow.' Mr O'Neill was cleared of rape following a retrial at Teesside Crown Court last year. Despite this, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC said after the jury was dismissed: 'Please could you inform the authorities that although this man has been acquitted, it is my judgment that he is a very dangerous individual.' Oliver Thorne, representing North Yorkshire Police, referred to a consultation Mr O'Neill had with a community psychiatric nurse, Kevin Holmes, to whom he had been referred by his GP. The nurse recorded notes from the meeting saying Mr O'Neill had feelings of rage, anger and violence. 'He has been sexually violent to past girlfriends and he was not sure if they consented,' Mr Thorne, referring to the notes, said. In 2010 he noticed a change in himself, Mr Holmes's notes stated, adding 'he stopped asking girlfriends if they consented to sex with him'. The nurse noted he was 'preoccupied with killing himself and others' and he found the idea 'soothing'. He wanted to find a way of killing himself but wanted it to not look like suicide, Mr Holmes wrote, adding: 'He thought it would be safer for everyone if he was dead.' The nurse also recorded Mr O'Neill saying: 'I need them to be scared or I don't respond' and 'I find it difficult to climax'. In April 2014, Mr O'Neill saw his GP and discussed 'biting, choking, cutting and burning', the court heard. Dr Miriam Hodgson said the consultation started about a heart test and ended with him complaining about a cold, but in between he mentioned 'homicidal and suicidal thoughts'. Dr Hodgson recorded that his 'sex life has become violent, has been seeking out increasingly extreme sexual experiences, biting, choking, cutting, burning'. She also wrote: 'Thinks he may have raped someone, it went further than she expected.' Mr O'Neill also told her he thought about killing the partner 'a lot' and 'has choked her unconscious several times,' the court heard. The GP also recorded that her patient had tried to kill himself by starving himself, dehydration, crossing the road without looking or getting into a fight with gangs of men. She wrote: 'Patient thinks he is dangerous and needs to be stopped.' Battle: A judge will today decide today whether to end the interim order or make it permanent, which Mr O'Neill, pictured left this morning, and right in March 2015, strongly opposes Dr Hodgson noted he should be referred on as an urgent case. Mr Holmes also recorded him as saying he saw a TV drama when he was a teenager which featured a prostitute being murdered and he was excited. Mr O'Neill says the order breaches his human rights and became upset this afternoon when he explained how he and a previous partner used sado-masochism to overcome a loss of libido. He said they had both suffered the trauma of losing a baby in previous relationships, and said the GP and psychiatric nurse were wrong to believe he is dangerous. He said he met his partner at a university fetish club after breaking up with his fiancee, who returned to Japan in 2010. 'We had used that (S&M) as a calming and soothing outlet because of our condition,' he told the court. 'It was a loss of libido and both of us had completely lost the ability to climax.' Mr O'Neill said he was discussing this with his GP in relation to his mental state, and that she misunderstood what he was telling her. He claimed the GP was distressed during the consultation, saying: 'Her hands were shaking when she was typing.' When she returned after leaving the room momentarily, she continued the consultation with the door open, he said. 'She was clearly scared.' Mr O'Neill said the assessment with the psychiatric nurse which followed was 'very odd'. 'He had a look of disgust on his face right from the beginning,' he said. Judge Lower asked Mr O'Neill if he had been 'attention seeking' in making the statements of his sexual past to the medical professionals, which were in fact made up. Mr O'Neill said: 'That's completely and utterly untrue.' The judge made it clear that the police application was not based on any evidence from the rape complainant, and it stemmed only from what he told the nurse and his GP. Mr O'Neill said the nurse made an assessment of him after their consultation and pointed out he was deemed 'no risk'. Speaking in his woodland camp outside York, where he cooks on a fire and sleeps in a tent, he said that he is now destitute. Mr O'Neill, 45, earlier told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme he was focussed on his hearing today but was demoralised to be homeless. He said he was homeless four years ago and had 'thought all of that was behind me'. 'There's enough to live, enough to survive. Obviously the circumstances are far less than ideal', he said. 'I was homeless before for four years. I thought all this was behind me. To have to go back to it, it has been a bit of a shock. But to be honest I'm entirely focused on the hearing and I'm not thinking about much else.' Maintaining a sense of humour about his troubles, he added: 'The bills are very reasonable'. Cry for help: The ex-IT worker said he was homeless four years ago and had 'thought all of that was behind me' He has previously said he had no prospect of forming a relationship under the terms of the sex ban order. The woman who accused him of rape said she was bitten and scratched, but Mr O'Neill denied the bite and said the scratch came during a massage after consensual sex. He said he has no criminal record, 'not even a parking ticket'. At the previous hearing, he said there was 'no prospect' of a relationship at the moment because of the rules he has been forced to live by. He gave the example of chatting to a woman and saying: 'There's a nice French restaurant I'd like to take you to, but first the police are just going to come around for a little chat.' A council in London has been criticised for appearing to encourage women to sleep around without warning them about sexually transmitted diseases. Kingston Council, in south west London, launched a sexual health campaign targeted at women and posters have appeared on the borough's streets reading 'You spent the night in Clapham but you left your pill in Kingston, it might be time to consider the coil'. Kingston Council's campaign has been criticised, with objectors claiming the slogan 'spent the night in Clapham but left your pill in Kingston' encourages woman to sleep around without thinking about STIs The bright pink posters are part of the 'get it, forget it' campaign, which designed to promote the contraceptive coil a copper device inserted into the womb that works by stopping the sperm and egg from surviving. But the coil does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Objectors say the posters promote promiscuity, do not warn of the dangers of catching an STI and have a 'confused message'. Kingston councillor Mary Clark, told the Surrey Comet: 'I am very broad-minded but I just find this campaign disgusting. 'The posters have no place in the middle of New Malden High Street. The message is completely confused. 'What 'pill' are they referring too? The contraceptive pill? The morning after pill? The campaign is offensive. 'I saw two girls, they must have been 11 or 12, looking at the poster. 'It is saying to them, 'be as promiscuous as you like, as long as you've got a coil in'.' STIs among people aged 15 to 24 in London rose by five per cent last year. Lambeth, the borough in which Clapham sits, has one of the highest rates of chlamydia in the capital with 2,920 people under 25 in 100,000 people under 25 carrying the infection, according to Public Health England. Lambeth, the borough in which Clapham sits, has one of the highest rates of chlamydia in the capital with 2,920 people under 25 in 100,000 people under 25 carrying the infection, according to Public Health England. Pictured: Clapham Common Northside Coombe Boys School pupil James Giles, 16, said: 'It is not appropriate. 'If it was outside the university or a sexual heath clinic then I would understand.' Councillor Clark and James both claim they were told the New Malden posters would be removed after their complaints. A Kingston council spokesman denied this and said they would be staying. He said: 'Kingston has made excellent progress in reducing teenage pregnancy rates and has the second lowest abortion rate in London. 'More than 700 coils [have been] fitted in Kingston GP practices in the last 12 months. 'Kingston Council's coil campaign is designed to build on this success with a thought-provoking message. 'This is a responsible public health campaign.' Sue Knight, lead nurse at Brook, the UK's only national sexual health charity for young people, said: 'Complaints about the campaign promoting sleeping around feel unhelpful. 'We would always encourage people to take responsibility for their sexual health but strongly believe that they should be free to enjoy sex and their sex lives. 'We believe all young people should be provided with accurate information about the various methods of contraception available in order to make an informed decision. British drivers in Calais are calling for increased security measures to protect them against migrant attacks which they warn may result in fatalities. With more than 9,000 migrants gathered at the French camp and tensions rising, truckers and holidaymakers have seen their UK-registered vehicles ambushed by migrants attempting to gain entry into Britain. Following a spate of petrol bomb and chainsaw attacks in recent weeks, the UKIP defence spokesman, Mike Hookem has urged the French military to step in and resolve the situation. This still from a shocking dashcam video shows a number of migrants harassing drivers and swarming around vehicles As thousands of Britons travel through the French port over the summer, a number of tourists have reported attacks by migrants from the camp brandishing chainsaws and throwing Molotov cocktails at police and passing motorists. In a shocking dashcam video released by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) migrants are captured violently harassing drivers and swarming around vehicles. Richard Burnett, chief executive of RHA told the Daily Express: 'We cannot let the death of a UK-bound driver as a result of a migrant attack become the catalyst for increased security. He told MailOnline: 'UK-bound HGV drivers and motorists must be protected from ever increasing migrant attacks. The current security staff cant cope, neither can the police. Only the French military have the number of personnel needed to bring the situation under control. Urging a fast resolution, UKIP defence spokesman Mike Hookem told the newspaper: 'The French government clearly need to bring in the military to help resolve this situation.' Earlier this week, MailOnline reported that a British motorist has warned tourists to avoid Calais after migrants wielding chainsaws smashed up his Mercedes and hurled petrol bombs in the road. Truckers and holidaymakers have seen their UK-registered vehicles ambushed by migrants attempting to gain entry into Britain (file image) Swarms of migrants ran onto the road brandishing chainsaws and throwing Molotov cocktails at the police and passing traffic in scenes that 'resembled a war zone' Rhys Williams, 53, was approaching the French port in the early hours when migrants from the sprawling jungle camp smashed his windows, causing up to 3,000 of damage. They ran onto the road brandishing chainsaws and throwing Molotov cocktails at the police and passing traffic in scenes that he said 'resembled a war zone'. The attack is the latest in a string of incidents where migrants have attacked cars in a bid to block roads so they can access lorries bound for the UK. Mr Williams, an operations manager for the Road Haulage Association, was left covered in glass after his front and back door windows were shattered. Rhys Williams, 53, was approaching the French port in the early hours when his Mercedes' windows were shattered by inhabitants of the sprawling jungle camp Mr Williams said: 'I was on the pitch black approach road to the port at about 1am in the morning when there was an almighty bang to the side of my car. 'Two or three migrants had thrown a massive boulder that smashed my windows and damaged the rear door, driver's door and the pillar in-between. 'Two police vans were trying to contain 50 to 60 migrants that had come onto the carriageway with chainsaws and Molotov cocktails, throwing them at the trucks, the traffic and the police. 'They were chopping down trees and setting fire to them to block the road, there was no way the police could cope. 'In the middle of all this was a small family car, the occupants were clearly distressed. This is the dramatic moment a man had his thumb ripped off by a 6-foot alligator as a demonstration at a tourist attraction took a turn for the worse. Two animal handlers were explaining to a tourist how to hold the massive reptile at Pike National Forest in Colorado in the United States. 'This one's a little feisty,' the female handler explained. The dramatic moment a man had his thumb ripped off by a 6-foot alligator at Pike National Forest in Colorado in the United States has been caught on camera As the tourist sat on the body of the alligator, the agitated animal rolled the thrill seeker off its back and attacked. The male animal handler's thumb became wedged between the gator's jaw and was ripped clean off. His agonising screams can be heard in the video. The tourist was instructed to sit on the body of the alligator and place his hands over its head The agitated animal rolled the thrill seeker off its back and attacked He was rushed to hospital where doctors managed to reattached the severed digit, according to reports. The shocking footage has taken the internet by storm with one user giving the video the 'thumbs up'. Others claimed the man 'got what he deserved' and hoped that everyone 'learns a lesson and leave these wild animals alone.' The male animal handler's thumb became wedged between the gator's jaw and was ripped clean off The man was rushed to hospital where doctors managed to reattached the severed digit Jeremy Corbyn has been branded 'reckless and useless' after refusing to commit the key Nato principle of collective defence. The Labour leader, a supporter of unilateral disarmament, instead insisted he wanted to talk Russia out of invading countries such as Ukraine. The extraordinary comments came during a leadership hustings alongside rival Owen Smith in Birmingham last night. Jeremy Corbyn repeatedly refused to say he would honour Nato's collective defence rule Nato's article five enshrines the principle of 'collective defence' where an attack against one member is considered an attack against all. Clement Attlee's Labour government was responsible for helping create the alliance after the Second World War - and it played a crucial role in preventing the Cold War escalating. But Mr Corbyn would not give a concrete assurance that he would act to do so if he was in Downing Street. Asked how he would react as PM to a violation by Vladimir Putin of the sovereignty of another Nato state. He said: 'You would obviously try to avoid that happening in the first place, you would build up a good dialogue with Russia to ask them and support them in respecting borders.' The Labour leader repeatedly stressed the importance of improving diplomacy with Russia but would not firmly commit to upholding article five. When pushed on whether he would sign off on the UK going to the aid of a Nato ally, he said: 'That's in the Nato treaty. I would hope that we could strengthen our relationship and activity within the OSCE, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which includes Russia and every other state. 'We cannot allow a military build-up which is going to lead to some calamitous, incredibly dangerous situation.' Labour MPs reacted angrily to Mr Corbyn's comments during the husting last night Mr Corbyn said he would want to avoid the UK entering into military action as he again stressed the importance of building diplomatic relationships. Pushed once more, he said: 'I don't wish to go to war. What I want to do is achieve a world where we don't need to go to war, where there is no need for it. That can be done.' Wrexham MP Ian Lucas said: 'Jeremy Corbyn's rose tinted view of Putin is a fundamental breach of the principles which guided Attlee and Bevin.' Fellow backbencher Tom Blenkinsop tweeted: 'Corbyn's latest U-turn on a U-turn regarding Nato just shows why he's calamitous to getting a @UKLabour govt elected. Reckless and useless. Admiral Lord West, a former First Sea Lord, said Mr Corbyn was not fit to be Prime Minister. 'I think it's quite an extraordinary comment and shows a complete lack of understanding of what Nato is, just as he doesn't understand the concept of having a nuclear deterrent,' he told PoliticsHome. 'We belong to an alliance, but he stood up and told our allies 'I'm not necessarily sure that we'll come to help you'. I find it quite extraordinary that he's saying that. 'Nato is the most important alliance, along with our alliance with America, for the security of this nation, and I think Mr Corbyn finds both of these things difficult.' Mr Corbyn previously provoked fury among Labour moderates by saying there were no circumstances under which he would deploy nuclear weapons - despite the deterrent doctrine relying on enemies believing the threat is real. The CND activist effectively rebelled against his own party policy in a Commons vote on renewing Trident last month, after failing to convince colleagues to adopt his stance. Mr Corbyn was facing off against leadership challenger Owen Smith in Birmingham Leadership challenger Owen Smith was unequivocal in his response to the same question. He said: 'We would have to come to the aid of a fellow member of Nato. That's the nature of the Nato accord. That would be the job of Britain in the event of a fellow Nato member being invaded, obviously. 'But it would be calamitous and we must never see that happen.' George Osborne has surfaced in Vietnam - channeling Rambo by firing a machine gun in the jungle. The former Chancellor has taken his family on holiday after being brutally sacked by new Prime Minister Theresa May. And he appeared keen to take out some aggression, being spotted testing out heavy weaponry on a range. George Osborne was pictured arriving at the range with his family before having a go with the machine gun He is reported to have bought ammunition at 1 per bullet before pulling the trigger on an M60 gun used by US troops during Vietnams bloody war. A video posted online by The Daily Mirror shows the MP for Tatton with his children as he tries his hand with the gun. The footage has prompted some to liken the former chancellor to Sylvester Stallone's Rambo character. One observer told the newspaper the weapon was 'one of those really, really big machine guns - the Rambo-style one'. Labour MP Jamie Reed branded Mr Osborne the 'most risible politician in Britain', and suggested the scenes were worthy of comedy character Alan Partridge. The famous film starring Stallone features a traumatised Vietnam veteran who gets into a bloody stand-off with the authorities in the US. In one of the movie's most famous quotes, his former commanding officer appeals for Rambo to end the violence, saying: 'You did everything to make this private war happen. You've done enough damage. This mission is over.' One observer described the weapon wielded by Mr Osborne as 'Rambo-style' The former chancellor is said to have visited the former stronghold of the Viet Cong close to Ho Chi Minh City. A holidaymaker told the Mirror: It [the gun] is one of those really, really big machine guns the Rambo-style one. Another added: He really let rip. We were all having a bit of a laugh about it that he was aiming at a picture of Boris Johnson or Theresa May! The former chancellor posted on Twitter making light of the episode But Labour's Jamie Reed branded it a moment worthy of comedy character Alan Partridge Mr Osborne's allies had hoped that he could be moved to one of the other great offices of state by Mrs May, despite infuriating many MPs with dire warnings about the consequences of Brexit during the EU referendum campaign. But the new premier called him in an summarily sacked him, having jettisoned his key fiscal targets. He was forced to leave 11 Downing Street - his home since 2010 - by the back door and was not even given the dignity of publishing an exchange of letters. Mr Osborne's choice of getaway is in marked contrast to Mrs May's. The Prime Minister is spending two weeks walking in the Swiss Alps with her husband Philip. ISIS terrorists fled a northern Syrian stronghold using a civilian convoy as human shields in an effort to prevent coalition airstrikes from destroying their forces. The jihadis were filmed running away from Manbij by a drone launched by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The Kurdish-led group recaptured the strategically important town less than 20 miles from the Turkish border and close to an important bridge across the River Euphrates. Hundreds of ISIS terrorists used a civilian convoy to flee Manbij in northern Syria to avoid being wiped out by US fighter jets which were stationed less than 150 miles away Syrian Democratic Forces sent up a drone and identified the civilians and warned US commanders against launching a devastating air strike to wipe out the terrorist column The ISIS terrorists fled north out of Manbij towards the Turkish border which is 18 miles away ISIS lost control of the strategically important town of Manbij which linked up their strongholds of Raqqa to the east and Aleppo to the west following a two According to images posted by the SDF, black-clad ISIS fighters can be seen surrounding the civilian convoy as it makes its way out of the besieged city. The ISIS terrorists are believed to be travelling on motorbikes and in cars along with the civilians. The nature of the column prevented US aircraft - who could have wiped out the retreating terrorists in minutes - from attacking because of the risk faced by civilians. The SDF, backed by US airstrikes, waged a two-month long campaign against ISIS in Manbij, forcing the terror group to flee. Since their removal, the SDF have found several locations around the city which ISIS had used as a makeshift prison and others which were used as a temporary bomb factory. However, despite being supported by the US military, the SDF and their Kurdish YPG militia are at risk of attack by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad or Vladimir Putin. The US military had aircraft on standby to wipe out the fleeing ISIS fighters but called off the strike mission due to the risk of civilian casualties. US Air Force jets from Inci It is understood that many of the terrorists went north towards Turkey, which is only 20 miles away. SDF forces in Manbij discovered a number of make-shift ISIS bomb factories in the city An ISIS prison was discovered as US-backed troops cleared the former Jihadi stronghold ISIS terrorists fled north towards Turkey after they were routed by the SDF in Manbij Colonel Chris Garver, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS, said commanders of the Syrian Democratic Forces made the decision to allow the convoy to pass. Garver said it was highly likely that there were human shields in each of the terrorist vehicles. He said: 'They kept throwing civilians to basically walk into the line of fire, trying to get them shot to use that potentially as propaganda, we think.' Manbij is a key victory for the SDF and the coalition, because it lies on a major supply route between the Turkish border and the city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the ISIS caliphate. A supercar fanatic flew 500 miles just to glimpse the extravagant cars clogging up London's most desirable postcodes. James O'Malley jetted from County Mayo, Ireland, to spend three weeks car spotting in the capital. He roamed the streets for seven hours a day and snapped more than 100 vehicles. Petrolhead: James O'Malley jetted from County Mayo, Ireland, to spend three weeks car spotting in the capital Fanatic: He roamed the streets for seven hours a day and snapped more than 100 vehicles including this Lamborghini LP750-4 Dream car: James spotted this Aventador svs on the streets of London where he walked up to 16 miles a day The 18-year-old, who's hoping to start university in September, has always loved cars - but admits he's more into the aesthetics than the mechanics. And he wasn't disappointed, seeing everything from a Bugatti Veyron to his dream car, the blue Lamborghini Aventador SV roadster, worth over 350,000. James said: 'I saw over 100 cars, it was mental how many there were. 'Every time you walked down the road you'd see one, or you'd hear the rumble of the engine.' It didn't take the student long to get the hang of it on his first supercar spotting trip. He got lucky on his first day, chasing a white Lamborghini in Knightsbridge down the road after hearing the roar of the engine. The 18-year-old, who's hoping to start university in September, has always loved cars - but admits he's more into the aesthetics than the mechanics. Pictured: A McLaren P1 He got lucky on his first day, chasing a white Lamborghini in Knightsbridge down the road after hearing the roar of the engine. Pictured: A BMW I8 James said: 'I knew which areas to go to as I've been following a vlogger who does it a lot. 'As soon as I got to the right areas, like Knightsbridge and Mayfair, the cars were just there. 'I spent about seven hours every other day looking for them and taking pictures. James said: 'It was a white Lamborghini which I just caught the back of. I then chased it and was able to catch up with it.' Pictured: A Ferrari 458 and a Mercades SLS 'One day I worked out I walked 16 miles. On my first day it was really hot and I wasn't quite sure what to do. 'I got the Tube to Knightsbridge and then I just heard this rumble. 'It was a white Lamborghini which I just caught the back of. I then chased it and it kept getting stuck in traffic, so I was able to catch up with it. 'I was so mesmerised by the car. The guy driving it was only young, in his early 20s, and he told me his family owned a luxury car business in the Midlands.' James spent seven hours a day in Knightsbridge and Mayfair taking pictures of the supercars James passed his driving test second time round last year, but still doesn't have a car of his own. He said: 'I'd love to have my own supercar by the time I'm 27, but I think that's a bit unrealistic. 'Still, it's good to set the bar high. I'd love a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, it's one of my favourites, but for my first car I'll be happy with anything. 'I've always been into cars, but it's more about the aesthetic and not the mechanical side.' Supercars worth upwards of 200,000 tend to flood London's streets this time of year as their foreign owners ship them over for the summer. Pictured: A Porche 911 GT3 RS The fanatic saw a Bugatti Veyron (pictured) and his dream car the blue Lamborghini Aventador SV roadster, worth over 350,000 Supercars worth upwards of 200,000 tend to flood London's streets this time of year as their foreign owners ship them over for the summer. But despite their eye-watering price tag, James thinks they're worth it. He said: 'If it puts a smile on your face, then why not? 'If you're buying one for materialistic reasons then it's not right, but if it genuinely makes you happy then I think it's worth it. 'Most people can't get their head around it though as they can cost the same as a house. James said: 'If you're buying one for materialistic reasons then it's not right, but if it genuinely makes you happy then I think it's worth it.' Pictured: Lamborghini huracans The petrolhead took a pictured of this gold Ferrari 45 as he walked up to 16 miles a day on the hunt for supercars 'But I just think, you can live in a car and drive it, but you can't live in a house and drive it. 'I wouldn't buy a supercar instead of a house though, that would probably be stupid.' James enjoyed his trip so much he even made a video - hoping to become as successful as his hero Paul Wallace, creator of Supercars of London. A couple who were fined 240 for taking their two sons to Spain during term-time challenged the decision and won - claiming the trip offered 'educational value'. Hannah Manchester and Neil Hynes were punished after they travelled to Spain with their children because they could not afford a holiday during peak season. The couple, from Manchester, believed it would be acceptable to Manley Park Primary School bosses to take Isaak, 10, and Liam, six, out of school for the 'broader educational value'. Miss Manchester, 38, told teachers about the family holiday hoping they would take their 'outstanding' attendance record into account. The family, from Manchester, travelled around Spain iand visited Madrid, Granada and the Murcia area. The family were photographed standing next to the Champions League trophy inside Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium The couple took their two sons Isaak (left) and Liam (middle) to Spain during term-time She added Isaak and Liam were taken out of school a few days before the end of term as it was an affordable time to book a holiday. Miss Manchester said: 'We don't take the boys out of school for just any old reason. 'But we're very confident that the outstanding attendance of both our boys, and the broader educational value of our planned trip meant it was acceptable on this occasion. 'Neil and I agreed that the kids would learn important lessons and gain valuable experiences from this trip which we felt would compensate for a very short absence from school. 'The trip delivered all of that including a visit to a capital city, important landmarks, art galleries and museums not to mention of course exposure to Spanish as a language which Isaak studies at school.' The family travelled around Spain visiting Madrid, Granada and the Murcia area. But when they returned home they found a response from the school saying the holiday could not be authorised. More than a month later they received a fine from the Local Education Authority, Manchester council, and decided to challenge it. Within four days the fine was withdrawn and replaced with a warning. Miss Manchester, a psychiatric nurse, is now encouraging other parents to stand up against 'unfair' fines. She added: 'I am not saying that parents should be encouraged to book holidays in term time; rather I am trying to advocate that schools take a common sense approach and consider the record and performance of the children in question before issuing fines and reporting parents to the LEA. The couple, from Manchester, took their two children out of Manley Park Primary School (pictured) during term-time 'We should always do our best to go away during school breaks, and make sure a holiday doesn't negatively impact on our children's performance. 'But I also believe that education is many things and should be considered in the context of real life, one where we want our children to grow into balanced individuals who understand and appreciate the world around them.' Solicitor Julie Robertson, of Simpson Millar in Manchester, represented Hannah and Neil and said they were 'absolutely right' to challenge the fine. She added: 'The system of issuing fines for parents whose children fail to attend school regularly is not there to punish those who make carefully considered decisions about what is best for their children. 'Families that feel unfairly singled out in this manner should either write a letter to their local education authority or seek legal advice about how they can challenge a fine for unauthorised absence.' A British teacher was raped in her flat in Dubai in the early hours of New Year's Day after returning home from a party the worse the wear for drink. This week a 30-year-old Nigerian salesman was jailed for 10 years by a court in the United Arab Emirates. Under local laws he was not identified. The National said the 32-year-old woman arrived back at her apartment near the Silicon Oasis at 3am and saw the man standing near the lift of the building. Crime in Dubai (pictured) is generally low with few rapes and murders. There are around 250,000 British expats living there The woman told the police he asked her which floor she lived on: 'At first I thought he was a tenant. I was surprised and questioned his reasons. He said he followed me to make sure I was fine, I told him to stop and leave.' She said he followed her to her flat, pushed her inside, ripped off her clothes and raped her on her bed. The woman, who is believed to have since left Dubai, said: 'I resisted him hard but failed to stop him. He and I were pulling the bathroom door but then he stopped and when I checked, I found that he was gone.' The woman contacted the police and the suspect was soon identified. A policeman told the court: 'He told us that he was visiting one of his friends in the same building but didn't find him and that as he was leaving the building, he met the woman near the lift and she was drunk.' The man admitted having sex with the teacher but claimed it was consensual. The woman returned home tipsy to her flat near the Silicon Oasis (pictured) from a New Year's Eve party. Alcohol is only on sale in hotels and restaurants in Dubai But he was convicted at Dubai Criminal Court and will be deported back to Nigeria after serving his prison term. There are around 250,000 British expats in Dubai, mainly working in teaching, tourism, finance and the oil industry. Crime is generally very low. He was having dinner with two women before being stabbed in head A British businessman see having dinner with two women who later went to his bedroom in an African capital city was found stripped naked and stabbed to death in the bathroom. Belfast-born farming expert Adrian Buchanan-Brownes legs were tied together and he was lying in a pool of blood when a cleaner found him in his apartment at the Paloma Hotel in Accra, the capital of Ghana. An agricultural consultant, father-of-two Mr Buchanan-Browne, 59, of Wye, near Canterbury, Kent, was in Africa on business for the Market Development Programme. Adrian Buchanan-Browne, 59, of Wye near Kent, was found in a hotel room in the capital of Ghana naked, with his legs tied and stabbed in the head Now Kent coroner Patricia Harding has decided that he was unlawfully killed after hearing that the results of a post mortem by Dr David Rouse after the body was flown back to the UK. The pathologist said Mr Buchanan-Browne died from multiple stab wounds to his head and neck from a small-bladed weapon, such as a penknife. His ankle was also broken and may have been stamped on. There were reports at the time that his laptop was open and his briefcase had been damaged. He had booked into the hotel on September 27, 2014, and was seen having dinner with two women. CCTV later showed the women approaching his hotel bedroom on September 28, just minutes before he also went to his room. Local media in Ghana claimed this was CCTV from the hotel showing Mr Buchanan-Browne (left) and the two women he had dinner with and police are looking for (right) The women emerged about 40 minutes later and left the hotel by a rear entrance. A medical card was found in the room belonging to Diana Manu-Kesia, a woman believed to be Mr Buchanan-Browne's girlfriend, he knew from an earlier visit to Sierra Leone and whom he had contacted to say he would be visiting Ghana. The Ghanaian police were confident she was one of the women who entered his apartment, but she has since returned to Sierra Leone. The Head of the Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Ghana, Deputy Superintendant of Police Mr William Sedoame, told the Daily Graphic that investigations had revealed that the two women were the last to visit Mr Browne on the day of the incident. The agricultural consultant who regularly visited the area was seen on CCTV having dinner with two women who later went to his hotel room (pictured) and left 40 minutes later He said in October 2014, a postmortem examination was conducted on the body of the deceased at the 37 Military Hospital and the cause of death pointed to haemorrhagic shock and multiple knife wounds. Interpol has issued an international warrant for her arrest in relation to the death. The other woman has not been identified. The coroner heard evidence from Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gossett of Kent Police, who relayed the findings of the Ghanaian police. A medical card was found in the room of the hotel (pictured) belonging to Diana Manu-Kesia, from Sierra Leone, and now an international police hunt is on for her and the other unidentified woman as Kent coroner Patricia Harding believes Mr Buchanan-Browne was unlawfully killed Mr Buchanan-Browns wife Binta Ishaku and daughter Amanda attended the inquest in Maidstone, but refused to comment. His Linked In account said he had worked in Africa for 34 years and had substantial experience in temperate/tropical agriculture and rural development. A blind RAF veteran was left disgusted after being turned away from a guest house because of his guide dog. Bob Beck, 77, and his wife Meryl, were enjoying a short break on the south coast when they were told his golden labrador Fitz would have to sleep in their car. The couple, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, had booked to stay at The Haven Guest House in Gosport, Hampshire, where rooms cost up to 70 per night. But Mr Beck, who went blind nine months ago after suffering from glaucoma for 30 years, was stunned after staff said his specially-trained dog couldn't stay there. Bob and Meryl Beck (pictured with his guide dog, Fitz) were refused entry to The Haven Guest House in Gosport, Hampshire The veteran said: 'We couldn't believe it - we were utterly shocked. 'We were recommended the hotel by another guest house we usually stay in. 'When we arrived at The Haven, a woman told us we couldn't stay with the dog. 'A man then came to the door and told us the dog could sleep in the car. 'I showed him my card that says I'm allowed to bring Fitz wherever I go, and told him he was going against the law, but he was having none of it. 'I've never experienced anything like this. We've eaten in posh restaurants and they've never had a problem.' Mrs Beck said: 'It's not like Fitz isn't clean. He is spotless as we wash him every morning.' The couple ended up spending their holiday in another guest house nearby. The couple, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, had booked to stay at The Haven Guest House in Gosport, Hampshire (pictured) GUIDE DOGS AND THE LAW Guide dog and assistance dog owners have important rights under the Equality Act 2010 (EA). The EA provides for people with disabilities to have the same right to services supplied by shops, banks, hotels, libraries, pubs, taxis and restaurants as everyone else. Under Part 12 of the EA it is also illegal for assistance dog owners to be refused access to a taxi or mincab with their assistance dog. Medical exemptions are available if drivers have a certificate from their GPs. Advertisement Katie Smith, an engagement officer for Guide Dogs Hampshire, said: 'Under the Equality Act 2010, everyone has the right to the same service. 'Providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for people who are blind or partially sighted.' Colin Bodenham, owner of The Haven Guest House, has now apologised to Mr Beck, saying he and his wife Sue were unaware it was the law to accept blind people with guide dogs and they have now changed their policy. He said: 'Mr Beck caught us on the hop and the card he showed us did not state he had a guide dog. 'We don't allow dogs due to health and safety for other guests. But after this happened, I spoke to the Blind Association and we've found out the law. 'We made a mistake and have apologised to Mr Beck, and we will make the necessary changes to ensure this does not happen again.' A Muslim woman handing out 'peace' pens and a half Indian Donald Trump supporter have been kicked out of the presidential candidate's rally in Charlotte. Rose Hamid, carrying a bag that read 'Salam I Come in Peace', was escorted out of a convention center after giving flower-topped pens, which carried the same message of peace, to the Republican candidate's supporters Thursday night. Hamid is pictured being removed from the rally alongside 18-year-old Trump supporter Jake Anantha, who believes he was racially profiled because he is half Indian. Scroll down for video Rose Hamid pictured with 18-year-old Jake Anantha being escorted out of the Trump rally Rose Hamid handed out flower-topped pens reading 'Salam I Come in Peace' A Muslim woman and a half Indian Donald Trump supporter were kicked out of the presidential candidate's rally in Charlotte (pictured) Hamid has been a visible opponent to Trump and his proposal to ban foreign Muslims from entering the country. She told the Charlotte Observer she was at Thursday's event to 'put a positive image on Islam and Muslims' and tell Trump's supporters it is a peaceful religion. But she was escorted out of the building by police before Trump addressed his supporters. 'He said I'm a nuisance and that I've caused problems in the past, which isn't true,' Hamid said of a member of the event's security detail. 'I haven't done anything wrong.' In January, Hamid, 56, was removed from a Trump campaign event in Rock Hill, South Carolina, after standing in silent protest in the crowd behind him. The business mogul and reality TV star was speaking about Syrian refugees being banned from entering the US and suggested that many had ties to ISIS when Hamid got out of her seat. Trump supporters booed and one man even shouted 'You have a bomb', and she was escorted out of the event by police. Afterwards, she said she staged the protest to show people that Muslims 'are not scary'. Hamid said she was called a 'nuisance' when she was removed from THE convention center She said she was at Thursday's event to 'put a positive image on Islam and Muslims' Trump said he regrets some of the comments he has made during his campaign She also traveled to Cleveland in July to protest Trump during the Republican National Convention. Anantha, a registered Republican from Charlotte, said he was approached by security and was told he resembled a man who had disrupted Trump events in the past. 'I told him I've never been to another rally in my life,' he told CNN. 'I'm a huge Trump supporter. I would never protest against Trump.' Anantha even said he was wearing not one, but two pro-Trump shirts at the time he was evicted from the rally. 'I do think it's because I'm brown,' he added. He claimed that although he expressed views in line with those of Trump, he was now reconsidering his support for the candidate. At Thursday's rally, Trump made a rare admission and said he regrets some of the inflammatory comments he has made during his bid to take over the White House. 'Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing,' Trump said. 'I have done that. 'And believe it or not, I regret it - and I do regret it - particularly where it may have caused personal pain.' Trump didn't explain what comments he was referring to. He has made a number of controversial remarks during his campaign. Trump supporters bow their heads in prayer before his campaign speech in Charlotte Trump supporter Kristen Peterson (in the red hat) shouts 'Show us the emails' - a dig at Hillary Clinton - as she walks among Trump opponents chanting 'Show us your taxes' They include comments about Mexicans - claiming those who are entering the US are bringing drugs and crime, and calling them 'rapists' - and Muslims, saying 'there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population.' He has been involved in a war of words with the parents of a Muslim American soldier who died in Iraq, criticized the appearance of Republican Sen. Ted Cruz's wife and mocked a New York Times reporter who has a disability. It's fair to say this cat is not the biggest fan of US presidential candidate Donald Trump. Hilarious footage shows Roxie bolt out of the room as soon as Trump appear on the TV screen. Distracted from playing with a toy, the six-year-old feline appeared to be mesmerised by the Republican presidential candidate on the screen. Roxie the cat appears transfixed as Donald Trump delivers a speech, shown on TV But then in a flash the cat makes a bolt for it, obviously less than impressed at what she is seeing on the screen Following five seconds of staring at the set, Roxie turned on her tail and sprinted out of the room in Plumas Lake, California, while owner Andrew Dodson burst out laughing. Andrew said: 'The first thing I thought was 'man, even cats don't like Trump'. 'Roxie has never paid attention to the TV before so I was fascinated. 'She just couldn't take her eyes off the screen. 'It wasn't any particular word that spooked her, I think it was just a combination of his voice and face.' The instant impact Trump's speech had on Roxie left her owners in fits of laughter Andrew and his family took in Roxie when she was a stray and she has had three kittens since. Despite the family being highly amused by her actions, it did come as a shock to Andrew's wife Carolyn. Andrew added: 'We are a house divided. 'Carolyn is a Republican and I typically side with Democrats. 'She said she was disappointed because she's voting for Trump. Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 84 university academics suspected of links with US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen. Gulen was blamed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for last month's failed coup and thousands of his alleged supporters have been purged from the army, police, judiciary and academia. Police launched an operation in 17 provinces today, including Konya in central Anatolia, a conservative bastion of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Thousands of people have been purged since the failed coup, including these fugitive commandos pictured being taken into custody earlier this month Twenty-nine academics have been detained, said the Dogan news agency. A large majority of the suspects were from Selcuk University in Konya, including the university's former rector, Professor Hakki Gokbel. Turkey has pressed ahead with a vast crackdown on alleged coup plotters in the wake of July 15 military action seeking to oust President Erdogan from power. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said this week more than 40,000 state employees had been detained in the purge, with 20,335 remanded in custody. Fethullah Gulen, who has lived in voluntary exile in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania since the late 1990s, who says the failed military coup looked like a 'Hollywood movie' More than 5,000 civil servants have been dismissed and almost 80,000 others suspended, he added. Gulen, a former Erdogan ally, has a powerful network of influence in institutions such as the judiciary and police as well as the media and has long been accused of running a 'parallel state' in Turkey. The reclusive cleric, who has lived in self-exile in the United States since 1999, has vehemently denied he was behind the coup attempt. Earlier this month Gulen described the uprising as 'like a Hollywood movie'. Fethullah Gulen, who has lived in voluntary exile in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania since the late 1990s, was initially an ally of Erdogan but the pair fell out over a massive corruption scandal in 2013 that cost the country $100billion. After a military coup last month, Erdogan believes his former ally - now sworn enemy - was the mastermind behind the failed bid to topple his government and has called on President Obama to arrest and extradite him. But Gulen has strenuously denied the allegations, even suggesting that Erdogan himself could have staged the coup in an attempt to crackdown on critics. Supporters of President Erdogan wave flags to show solidarity for the Turkish leader following the failed coup He said: 'Some people staged a scenario, then someone who is seemingly a fan, has led some people into this. 'It looks more like a Hollywood movie than a military coup. It seems something like a staged scenario. It is understood from what is seen they they prepared the ground to realise what they have already planned.' Supporters known as the loosely organized group Hizmet, meaning 'service', started 1,000 schools in more than 100 countries, including about 150 taxpayer-funded charter schools throughout the US. Senior German politicians are considering a partial ban on the burka to counter growing calls for a clampdown on mass immigration by the far right. Interior minister Thomas de Maiziere admitted he is in favour of a partial ban as the country debates immigration and integration ahead of vital local elections. The right-wing populist Alternative for Germany party is set to make gains by running on a strongly anti-immigrant platform. German interior minister Thomas de Maiziere, pictured, said he is in favour of a partial burka ban which would prevent women from covering up when out in public and driving cars Under his plan, women would not be allowed to wear garments such as this while driving a car, using public transport or dealing with officials, attending school, university or court Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, is under increasing pressure to deal with the immigration issue following recent terror attacks and a rise in anti-Muslim feeling across Germany German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere came out Friday in favour of a partial burqa ban amid a fierce national debate on integration. Speaking with regional political leaders, de Maiziere outlined his position. He said: 'We agree that we reject the burqa, we agree that we want to introduce a legal requirement to show one's face in places where it is necessary for our society's coexistence - at the wheel, at public offices, at the registry office, in schools and universities, in the civil service, in court.' He continued: '[The full face veil] does not belong in our cosmopolitan country. 'We want to show our faces to each other and that is why we agree that we reject this - the question is how we put this into law.' Some German politicians want a complete ban, although de Maiziere has warned this could face constitutional problems. Instead, he said women should show their face when driving, or dealing with officials or members of the public. Under his plan, full face veils would be outlawed in schools, courts, and civil buildings. He indicated that such a measure would be 'likely to win approval' in parliament. Chancellor Merkel said women wearing the burka find it far more difficult to integrate The German moves come as areas across France have banned the so-called burkini, pictured Chancellor Angela Merkel leads a 'grand coalition' featuring parties on the left and right of German politics. Just last week he de Maiziere rejected a call from conservative state interior ministers for a burqa ban. He said: 'We can't ban everything that we reject, and I reject the wearing of the burqa.' The interior minister has announced stiff new anti-terror laws including a controversial proposal to strip jihadist fighters of their German nationality. The security package also calls for deportations of convicted criminal migrants to be sped up and police resources to be boosted. The AfD in particular has attempted to link the record influx of migrants and refugees, many from the Middle East, to Germany last year with an increased threat of terrorism - an argument Merkel sharply rejected this week on the campaign trail in her home district. Merkel said full body veils used by some Muslim woman are an obstacle to integration. She added: 'From my point of view, a fully veiled woman in Germany has barely any chance of integrating.' Meanwhile, in Cannes, ten Muslim women wearing burkinis have been 'controlled' by French police after a temporary ban on the garment was introduced. An Australian woman who was arrested with her British boyfriend in Bali over the murder of a police officer says she was too drunk to remember the incident. Sara Connor, from Byron Bay on the NSW north coast, and British man David Taylor were taken into custody in Denpasar on Friday, Kuta police said. The body of Wayan Sudarsa was found on Wednesday lying on a beach in Kuta by local hotel security staff. His face was covered in sand, he had wounds to his head and leg, and his shirt was unbuttoned and bloodied. Scroll down for video Sara Connor (pictured), from Byron Bay on the NSW north coast, and British man David Taylor were taken into custody in Denpasar on Friday over the bashing murder of a Bali policeman Ms Conner and British man David Taylor (pictured) have been arrested in Bali Briton David Taylor is escorted by Indonesian in Denpasar with a black mask covering his face Sara Connor is escorted by Indonesia police officials at a station in Denpasar on Indonesia's resort island of Bali A post mortem revealed he suffered 17 open wounds to the head and that he was repeatedly hit with an object, believed to be a glass bottle, according to The Daily Telegraph. The smashed remains of a beer bottle was found near Mr Sudarsa's head. Ms Connor's black leather purse, her driver's license and a credit card were found at the crime scene. 'Now, they're being interrogated. I did the interrogation myself,' Bali Provincial Police Chief Sugeng Prayitno told reporters. Ms Conner told police she was too drunk to remember the incident, while Mr Taylor refused to answer questions and was waiting for his lawyer, Mr Prayitno said. 'According to female suspect, she admitted that she was drunk at the time. She couldn't remember all the events that night. 'We haven't interrogated her further because her memory is still unclear.' The hotel room Ms Conner (pictured) was staying in allegedly had bloodstained walls and floors It is believed Mr Taylor, pictured, had been living with Ms Conner in Byron Bay Insp Sudarsa had wounds to his forehead and leg, while his shirt was unbuttoned and bloodied (pictured) Indonesian police have detained David Taylor, pictured, over the brutal murder of a policeman on a popular Bali beach He said Ms Connor had told police she was on Kuta beach with Mr Taylor where the two were intimate. During that time, she said she lost her purse and wounded her arm and leg. No further details were given on how these injuries occurred. Police searched what is believed to be Ms Conner and Mr Taylor's room at Kubu Kauh Beach Inn on Thursday - the day after the pair checked out - and claim to have found blood on the bed, doors, walls and floor. A towel was also found in the hotel with a blood stain on it, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The victim's brother Putu Yudi Krisna said the victim had been a policeman for 35 years. 'He's a kind person, loving his family and living modestly. He had two children and so far, he had no enemies whatsoever. We're very shocked,' he said. Security guards discovered the body of Insp Sudarsa (pictured), 53, who police believe was hit in the head with beer bottles This picture shows a police cordon at the site where a policeman was killed Tourists walk past the site where an officer was murdered on Wednesday This picture shows an entry gate cordoned by police line at the site where the policeman was killed A security guard at the Pullman Hotel told police he heard screaming at about 1.15am on the Wednesday and went down to the beach. There he allegedly saw five people, including a woman on the beach with the policeman. Thinking the group was 'just fooling around', he went back to the hotel. The body was discovered about an hour later. Investigators are scouring through CCTV footage taken by Pullman Hotel cameras. Posters picturing the pair had been plastered at police stations and hotels in the area. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was 'aware of media reports of a tourist or tourists possibly being implicated in the death of a Balinese policeman in Indonesia.' Police searched what is believed to be their hotel room (pictured) on Thursday after the couple checked out Officers claim to have found blood on the bed, doors, walls and floor (pictured) Insp Sudarsa's motorcycle was parked in the Pullman Hotel car park and his walkie talkie and hat were found 20 metres away A security officer at the Pullman Hotel told police he heard screaming at about 1.15am on the Wednesday and went down to the beach (pictured) 'We stand ready to provide consular assistance, in accordance with the Consular Services Charter,' it said in a statement. Authorities initially told reporters they were looking for Ms Connor along with a man called Thomas Schon. But late on Friday it appeared they had given out the wrong name as they were looking for a man called Mr Taylor. Mr Schon told Fairfax Media he was in Europe and 'had never been to Bali in his life'. Mr Taylor is believed to have entered Bali on July 29 while Ms Connor came on August 16. A security guard allegedly saw five people, including a woman on the beach with the policeman David Taylor, pictured, has been taken into custody over the murder of police officer Wayan Sudarsa Ms Connor's black leather purse, her driver's license and a credit card were found at the crime scene (pictured) Father-of-four Avni Metra, 53, came to the country in 1998, after brutally murdering two brothers A notorious Albanian double killer exposed by the Daily Mail is set to be extradited back to his native country after living here freely for almost two decades. A judge ruled yesterday that bogus Kosovan refugee Avni Metra, 53, who fled to Britain in 1998 a year after the brutal murder of two brothers should be booted out of the UK. She said the fugitive's life in Britain had been 'based on a lie' and rejected his claim that extradition would breach his human rights. Metra, who gouged out the eyes and sliced off the ears of one of his victims, was detained by Scotland Yard in June following a tip-off from the Mail. Our international investigation tracked him down to his Home Counties bolthole. As he was confronted about his real identity, his right hand was poised menacingly next to two knives. Detectives had no idea where Metra was and made little attempt to find him even though he was on an Interpol 'most wanted' list and had been arrested in London for wife-beating. After going on the run from Albania in the late 1990s, Metra was sentenced to 25 years in prison in his absence. Following his belated arrest, he fought to stay in the UK, arguing through his state-funded lawyer that he would not get a fair trial. He told an earlier extradition hearing: 'There is no justice in Albania. There is only corruption.' The labourer, who claimed he had fled his native country because his life was in danger after a friend was killed, also argued that he had a right to a private and personal life in the UK. But district judge Margot Coleman ruled at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday that he could be extradited, saying: 'It's right that you have lived here for some time and that you have a wife and children. While living on benefits in Britain Metra also earned thousands of pounds through the black economy and being linked to prostitution rackets 'But your living here, your life in this country, is based on a lie. 'When you entered this country you did not say you were Avni Metra from Albania. You gave a false name, saying you were seeking asylum from Kosovo. 'It was on that basis you were given leave to remain in this country and subsequently granted a British passport.' Metra, who was impassive with his arms folded as he was told of the judge's decision, was detained on June 8 as he drove through Watford. At the time of his arrest he was living in a dingy bedsit in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Rejecting Metra's challenge on the basis that he had a right to a family life in the UK, Judge Coleman said: 'As far as your family are concerned, you were convicted of assaulting her (his wife) and subjected to a restraining order.' The court also heard that Metra is barred from seeing his children without permission. Metra, who was living in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, was finally arrested by Scotland Yard detectives on June 8 as he drove through Watford, after a tip-off from the Daily Mail The case will be sent to Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who will make the formal decision on whether Metra should be extradited. Sources said Miss Rudd's decision would be a 'formality' and Metra, who insists he had nothing to do with the murders, will be extradited in a matter of weeks. Metra was one of three UK-based Albanian murderers exposed by the Mail in a series of articles over the past three months which caused huge embarrassment at the Home Office. In July, a judge ruled that a one-legged Albanian double killer whose shocking story was revealed in May should be extradited to face justice in his home country. Saliman Barci, 41, 'deliberately misled' UK immigration authorities with a false alias and passport after gunning down two men in northern Albania in 1997. The drug dealer, who posed as a Kosovan asylum seeker to gain British citizenship while on the run from police, had been living on benefits in the UK for 14 years when he was exposed. The court also heard that Metra is barred from seeing his children without permission. Pictured (left) is his home in Borehamwood The married father of three used human rights laws in a vain bid to avoid extradition to serve a 25-year sentence for two horrific murders. But his year-long, taxpayer-funded quest to stay in the UK was rejected, paving the way for his removal from the UK. In June, the Mail revealed how an Albanian killer who was extradited from Britain to his homeland to face a 15-year jail term had come back to live in the UK after serving just four years behind bars. Flight Lieutenant Harry Enever was a key part in the plan to escape from Stalag Luft III camp but did not make it out as German guards discovered the tunnels The remarkable story of a British Prisoner of War who helped inspire the Steve McQueen film The Great Escape has emerged after a treasure trove of his belongings was uncovered. Flight Lieutenant Harry Enever played a key role in the plot to dig three tunnels out of the infamous Stalag Luft III camp and was next in line to go after 76 comrades had crawled to freedom. But at that moment the epic escape attempt was rumbled by German guards and all but three of the PoWs were later caught. It proved to be a great escape for Flt Lt Enever, as 50 of the escapees were executed under orders by Adolf Hitler. The airman had been a bomb aimer in the RAF for two years when the Halifax bomber he was in was shot down in spring 1943. He was subsequently sent to the notorious prison camp in Sagan, Poland. Flt Lt Enever, from Christchurch, Dorset, had been a 'stooge' in the Great Escape and kept tabs on German guards while others worked on digging three tunnels named Tom, Dick and Harry. After the heroic break out Flt Lt Enever remained a prisoner until the end of the war, during which time he wrote a series of letters to his fiancee Joyce, who he went on to be married to for 65 years before his death aged 89 in 2011. Flt Lt Enever may have had a lucky escape by being caught, as 50 of those who escaped before him were executed on orders from Adolf Hitler. Pictured: a photo of Flt Lt Enever and the letters he wrote home Items belonging to Flt Lt Enever's widow are to be sold at auction next month, with several pieces thought to be worth more than 300 These, along with his Irvin Caterpillar Club badge, which was awarded to those who successfully used a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft, have now been found at Mrs Enever's retirement flat ahead of her move to a new home. The archive also consists of his gunner's logbook and the spoon and fork he used at the camp, which are emblazoned with Swastikas. Additionally, his typed account of the Great Escape is included, with the tongue-in-cheek title 'My First German Holiday'. Two of the items for sale at the auction in September include Flt Lt Enever's Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying log book, left, and his bomb aiming device, right This account begins with Flt Lt Enever stating his belief that he had landed in Holland and not Germany when his Halifax was shot down. He writes: 'I collected up my parachute to hide in the hedge and turned to see figures approaching. 'The first spoke in a foreign language and when asked whether he was Dutch, he replied 'Ja Deutsche'. 'As this was obviously a friendly Dutchman I dutifully followed him and his companions the few yards to the farmhouse. 'It was in the farmhouse a few minutes later that the fatal mistake was discovered, the photographs on the wall pictured soldiers in 1914/18 helmets with spikes. By then it was too late, the police and soldiers arrived to escort me to the Town Hall.' In a letter back to his fiancee Joyce, above, Flt Lt Enever talks about having nine lectures a week and plenty of homework, meaning he struggles to reach the books she has sent him Flt Lt Enever writes about day-to-day life at the camp, his delight at seeing old friends he thought had long-since perished and the audacious plans to escape. The letter continues: 'Everyone was tense and apprehensive awaiting the opening of the tunnel which was delayed for - to us - unknown reasons. 'When the tunellers broke surface it was found to be much further from the tree cover than planned and forced a much slower rate of escape, in addition one Kriege (a name given to prisoners of war) had been stuck in the tunnel and it took some time for him to be dislodged. 'Eventually my number was called and I went to the tunnel entrance - to be sent back immediately when a rifle shot was heard. 'Pandemonium followed as would-be escapees returned from the tunnel and Germans entered the hut pointing their rifles and issuing the orders to 'raus raus' (out out).' Flt Lt Enever became a member of the caterpillar club for surviving being shot down. Above, the caterpillar badge, which will be part of the lot at auction. These can fetch thousands of pounds to the right recipent During his years at the camp Flt Lt Enever took a series of courses by correspondence in accountancy and economics, relaying his progress to Joyce and often making light of his plight and casual enquiries about life back home. In one letter to Joyce sent just one week before the escape attempt, Flt Lt Enever tells her: 'Glad to hear that you managed to find enough liquid support to celebrate Xmas, I hope you didn't make too big a dent in the supplies. 'I have little trouble filling in time now as I have nine lectures a week and plenty of homework.' George Kidner Auctioneers, of Lymington, Hants, is selling the archive. The plan to dig the tunnels and escape the camp inspired the 1963 Steve McQueen film, The Great Escape, above Mr Kidner said: 'A large number of letters written by Enever from the prison camp survive, especially those to his fiancee Joyce to whom he was subsequently married for 65 years. 'His widow has now moved into a new home and the badge and ephemera were discovered when the flat was being cleared. 'They give a fascinating insight into the mind of a very brave man who longed for the war to end. They show his stoicism and humour in the face of adversity. 'Irvin Caterpillar Club badges exist in quite large numbers, some 34,000 were issued by the end of the Second World War, but each one has an individual story. The impressive lot, to be sold by George Kidner Auctioneers, includes the Flight Lieutenant's birth certificate, showing his residence of Nottingham in 1921 'One or two appear on the auction market each year. On their own, they realise around 300 but, depending on the recipient and his story, they can sell for several thousand pounds. 'Our estimate on Harry Enever's badge, together with his gunner's logbook and other background material, is 400 to 600, but we would not be surprised if this is exceeded.' A woman who appeared on video being dragged by a deputy through a South Florida courthouse hallway has filed a lawsuit in federal court. Dasyl Rios, who is mentally ill, was dragged in the third-floor hallway in February 2015. She is accusing the Broward County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Scott Israel and detention Deputy Christopher Johnson of violating her civil rights last year as she sobbed and pleaded with the deputy to stop dragging her down a Broward County courthouse hallway, the Sun-Sentinel reported. Scroll down for video Dasyl Rios, who appeared on video being dragged by a deputy through a South Florida courthouse hallway, has filed a lawsuit in federal court Dasyl Rios, who is mentally ill, was dragged in the third-floor hallway in February 2015 Rios, then 28, had just been declared mentally incompetent during a trespassing and criminal mischief case. Rios said she wanted to speak to her mother, was led out of court by Johnson, and started sobbing on a bench, the newspaper reported. She did not comply when Johnson told her to stand up, the report said. A report written by Johnson said: 'Fearing she would cause a commotion in the public area, I then physically grabbed inmate Rios by her leg restraints and pulled her back to the D10-door.' In the video, Rios was dragged and wailed: 'Stop! You're hurting me. You're f****** hurting me.' Rios, then 28, had just been declared mentally incompetent during a trespassing and criminal mischief case Rios' attorney, David Frankel, says his client is now in a mental health rehabilitation program. Rios is pictured left and right She yelled: 'All I wanted to do was sob for a few minutes, cry. That's all wanted to do was cry for a few minutes, because my life is in your hands.' The Sheriff's Office didn't prosecute deputy Johnson, who was given a written reprimand. He remains on the job. Rios' attorney, David Frankel, says his client is now in a mental health rehabilitation program. Frankel alleges in the suit, according to the Sun-Sentinel, 'Failing to make any attempt to de-escalate a situation that did not present uncertainty or any rapidly evolving circumstances, Johnson took hold of the leg chains shackling Rios' legs and began to drag her away ... intentionally and/or negligently placing her on display for the members of the public in the area.' A 73-year-old grandfather was allegedly punched in the head repeatedly by an electricity salesman after he denied his sales pitch. Bob Ikin answered the door of his south-east Melbourne home around 6.30pm on Wednesday and was approached by a door-to-door salesman asking him to change power providers, according to Channel Seven. But when Mr Ikin rejected the man's proposal, he allegedly became aggressive and hit Mr Ikin, knocking him to the ground. Scroll down for video Bob Ikin (pictured), a 73-year-old grandfather, was allegedly punched in the head repeatedly by a door-to-door electricity salesman on Wednesday night at his Melbourne home after he denied his sales pitch 'I said but I'm not interested in changing thank you very much, go away,' Mr Ikin said. 'He said 'do you want to make something of it?'' Mr Ikin said after getting to his feet after he was punched in the face, the salesman allegedly punched him again, causing him to fall and hit the back of his head. He hit his head again after a third punch sent him flying, Mr Ikin said. Mr Ikin has a black eye, bruises to the back of his head and cuts (pictured) The grandfather has a large black eye, bruises on the back of his head and cuts. Mr Ikin's wife told Seven News that she would like to 'return the favour' to the salesman who has not been identified. The man is described as between 25 and 35 years old, caucasian and about 185cm tall. He was wearing dark clothing and carrying a laptop bag over his shoulder. Police are asking for anyone with information to call police. Russia has launched long-range cruise missiles at Syrian militants from the Mediterranean Sea, according to footage released by the country's Ministry of Defence. Russian warships have in the past launched cruise missiles at targets in Syria from both the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean, a show of the navy's long-range precision strike capability. The country's Defense Ministry said that the Serpukhov and the Zeleny Dol corvettes launched three long-range Kalibr cruise missiles at the al-Qaeda-linked militant group of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front. Scroll down for video In this frame grab provided by Russian Defense Ministry press service, long-range Kalibr cruise missiles are launched by a Russian Navy ship in the eastern Mediterranean Russian warships have in the past launched cruise missiles at targets in Syria from both the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean, a show of the navy's long-range precision strike capability The ministry said that the missiles destroyed a command facility and a militant camp near Daret Azzeh along with a mine-making facility and a weapons facility in the province of Aleppo. The missiles accompany the aerial campaign Russia has conducted since September in support of President Bashar Assad's military. The missiles accompany the aerial campaign Russia has conducted since September in support of President Bashar Assad's military. Russia this week began using Iranian territory to launch airstrikes in Syria Russia this week began using Iranian territory to launch airstrikes in Syria, with Moscow's bombers flying out of the Islamic Republic for three straight days to hit targets in the war-ravaged country. Officials denied today that Russia had launched a bombing raid on Aleppo which destroyed the home of five-year-old Omran Daqneesh whose photo went viral after he was pulled alive from the rubble. Russia has been accused of bombing civilian areas in opposition held Aleppo, and targeting hospitals, bakeries, market places and rebel groups not aligned to ISIS or Al Qaeda. Cruise missiles launched from Russian navy ships in the Caspian in October and November struck targets in Syria Cruise missiles launched from Russian navy ships in the Caspian in October and November struck targets in Syria while in December, a Russian submarine also launched cruise missiles at Syrian militants. Nasser Haj Mansour of the predominantly Kurdish Syria Democratic Forces said Syrian government warplanes and helicopters launched more attacks on areas controlled by Kurdish fighters on Friday. Later in the evening, the Syrian army said the main Kurdish militia had surrounded Hassakeh and bombarded it with artillery and tanks, killing a number of soldiers and civilians and forcing troops to retaliate. 'The army command is determined to repel all these attacks,' said an army statement, carried by the state news agency SANA. Belgian doctors have reported a surge in overseas visitors, particularly from France, seeking an assisted suicide on arrival in the country. Medical professionals claim that euthanasia tourists have been flooding through hospital A&Es demanding a lethal injection which they can receive for free with a European Unions health insurance card. Last year, a staggering 2,023 patients were medically killed in the country, doubling the number five years ago. Death tourists have been flocking to Belgium as treatment is free through the EHIC card The trend has been highlighted by Olivier Vermylen an emergency doctor at a Brussels hospital who The Times reports told Belgian newspaper Sudpresse: Its a phenomenon that did not exist five or six years ago. Nowadays I get phone calls about French people who arrive in the emergency room announcing that they want euthanasia. He also revealed to the newspaper that French patients made up seven out of 15 cases of assisted suicide in his hospital. Death tourists have been flocking to Belgium as treatment is free through the EHIC card but the trend is attracting concern among medical academics. Olivier Vermylen, a doctor at a Brussels hospital, told Belgian paper Sudpresse: Its a phenomenon that did not exist five or six years ago. 'Nowadays I get phone calls about French people who arrive in the emergency room announcing they want euthanasia. He also said French patients made up seven out of 15 cases of assisted suicide in his hospital. Euthanasia is illegal in France. In 2003 Belgium became the second country to legalise it, after Holland a year earlier. Professor Raphael Cohen-Almagor from the University of Hull who has been studying end of life concerns for the past 25 years, a vocal proponent of physician-assisted suicide, said he finds this phenomenon most disturbing. He told MailOnline: Liberal governments need to address the growing concern about the so-called death-tourism. 'Close at home, we witness many Britons who wish to decide the time of their death leave their country, their home (which is their castle) and travel to Switzerland where they are helped to die. Nearly 300 Britons have travelled to Zurich to die with the help of the Swiss suicide group Dignitas. Last year, a staggering 2,023 patients were medically killed in the country 'The British authorities should understand that this death-tourism is the result of insufficient legal instruments to enable sick people, at the end of their lives, to seek help at home, permitting them to die peacefully in the company of their family and friends in a warm and loving environment.' He added: 'There is an increasing realisation that the time has come for change. It is time to consider legislating physician-assisted suicide in Britain and in other parts of the liberal world.' In 2003 Belgium was the second country in the world to legalise euthanasia after Holland liberalised the law a year earlier, becoming the first country since Nazi Germany to permit the practice. Over the past decade the numbers of Belgians dying by euthanasia has crept up incrementally. In June, MailOnline reported on Belgian doctors killing a perfectly healthy 24-year-old woman by euthanasia because she was suffering from 'suicidal thoughts'. Advertisement A bus driver is dead and more than a dozen injured after a horrific crash between two commuter buses in Newark, New Jersey Friday morning. Witnesses at the scene said the driver of the 5612 bus ran a red light and crashed into the 5784 bus, which was crossing Raymound Boulevard. The driver of the 5612 bus was pronounced dead at the scene while at least 19 people on board the 5784 bus were injured. There were no passengers on the 5612 bus at the time of the crash. Scroll down for video A bus driver is dead and at least 19 injured after one of the bus drivers reportedly ran a red light Friday morning, crashing into the other. Witnesses say it was the driver of the 5612 bus (right) that ran the red light At least 19 others were injured in the 6am T-bone collision. The identity of the driver of the 5612 bus, who died at the scene, has not been released Seven people were reportedly in critical condition while the rest have non-life-threatening injuries. Nine of those injured have been described as 'walking wounded' Other witnesses said that the 5612 bus may have been speeding. 'I was standing at the bus stop down here when the 13 [bus] pulled down. The light changed and the other bus T-boned the 13, knocking it into the air,' a man who witnessed the crash told CBS New York. He added: 'Me and a couple of other guys start trying to pull people out of the bus, break the windows and pull pieces of the chairs and stuff out of the bus to get to the people.' Several were seen being taken from the scene on stretchers, while others sat in shock on the median. Some witnesses said that the driver who ran the red light was also speeding, but officials are not confirming the cause of the collision yet 'I was standing at the bus stop down here when the 13 [bus] pulled down. The light changed and the other bus T-boned the 13, knocking it into the air,' a man who witnessed the crash told CBS New York Several were seen being taken from the scene on stretchers, while others sat in shock on the median Both buses were commuter buses. According to NJ Transit, bus number 5612 (right) was heading from New York City to Orange and bus number 5784 (left) was driving from North Arlington to Newark Penn Station Seven people were reportedly in critical condition while the rest have non-life-threatening injuries. Nine of those injured have been described as 'walking wounded'. The crash happened around 6am, causing major traffic delays in the city. Both buses were commuter buses. According to NJ Transit, bus number 5612 was heading from New York City to Orange and bus number 5784 was driving from North Arlington to Newark Penn Station. The streets surrounding the crash are currently closed as authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash. Newark Police say the Essex County Prosecutors Office will be leading the investigation and NJ Transit spokesman said this morning that they are still gathering evidence on the matter. The streets surrounding the crash are currently closed and NJ Transit has warned of delays this morning Newark Police say the Essex County Prosecutors Office will be leading the investigation A Connecticut judge who heard a bitter child custody battle involving a Russian oligarch and his ex-wife has blasted the pair for putting their hatred for each other ahead of their kids. The court battle between businessman Shalva Chigirinsky, who made his fortune in oil and real estate and once had a net worth of more than 2 billion, and his former wife, Tatiana Panchenkova, ended with an unusual settlement condition Thursday. Stamford Superior Court Judge Thomas Colin ordered the pair to come to future court appearances with photos of their children. Shalva Chigirinsky (left) and Tatiana Panchenkova (right) have had many clashes in court When they return for family court hearings, Chigirinsky and Panchenkova must prominently display two family photos in the courtroom, the New York Post reported. 'The parents are unfortunately occupied by their dislike and distaste of each other,' Colin said in court. On the first day of the two-day hearing he said the divorced couple's children - eight-year-old twins and two girls, aged nine and 15 - are 'somewhere on their mind but not at the top of that list.' Court heard details of the parents' nasty custody battle, which stretched on for four years before a joint-custody settlement was reached this week. Colin said the children are in 'a scary place' due to their parents' 'distrust, hatred, anger and a lust for revenge'. Chigirinsky is allowed to see his kids on alternating weekends and Wednesdays (file photo) The settlement allows 67-year-old Chigirinsky, who was not included on Forbes' 2016 list of billionaires, to see his children on alternating weekends and Wednesdays after school. He must replace his Russian nanny with one who speaks English and have nanny cams installed in his Greenwich, Connecticut, home, the New York Post reported. He must also undergo 'reunification therapy' with his nine-year-old daughter. Chigirinsky had a net worth of $2.3 billion in 2008, making him the 524th richest person in the world at that time, Forbes reported. His divorce from Panchenkova made headlines around the world after she made explosive allegations of physical and emotional abuse. Chigirinsky and Panchenkova lived together in this mansion in Greenwich, Connecticut Chigirinsky and Panchenkova married in December 2003 and has a permanent home in Moscow until they moved to the US in late 2008 or early 2009, not long before they obtained a divorce decree in Russia. They owned homes in England and France, and initially settled in an apartment in Manhattan before moving to a mansion in Greenwich. In court documents, Chigirinsky accused Panchenkova, who remarried in 2011, of selling off expensive items from a collection of art, antiques and rare collectibles. A man has been arrested for allegedly beating an eight-year-old boy and threatening to him feed to an alligator. Dereck Dunn, 28, was charged with child abuse on Thursday over the incident that took place in his Palm Coast, Florida, home on Tuesday. The eight-year-old boy told police Dunn took him to a pond behind their home and threatened to feed him to one of the alligators in the water. They then returned inside the house, where Dunn allegedly pushed the boy's face into the carpet and held him until he couldn't breathe, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. Dereck Dunn, 28, has been arrested for allegedly beating an eight-year-old boy and threatening to him feed to an alligator Dunn, 28, was charged with child abuse on Thursday over the incident that took place in his Kings Colony Court (pictured) home in Palm Coast, Florida, on Tuesday The 28-year-old also allegedly hit the boy several times with a belt. Deputies investigating the allegations noted the boy had scars on his eye socket, arms, legs and buttocks. In his defense, Dunn told police he was also joking when he threatened to feed the boy to an alligator, and denied hitting him. He was released after posting a $7,500 bond on Thursday. The relationship between Dunn and the boy wasn't explained. The eight-year-old boy told police Dunn (pictured) took him to a pond behind their home and threatened to feed him to one of the alligators in the water, before beating him with a belt ISIS has claimed its first terror attack on Russian soil after jihadis armed with a gun and axes attempted to storm a traffic police checkpoint outside Moscow. Two police officers were wounded during the assault late on Wednesday on the motorway in Balashika. Russian officials confirmed two terrorists were killed during the attempted attack. Uthman Mardalov and Salim Israilov, pictured, said more terrorists would attack Russia The pair swore their loyalty to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during a short video The ISIS news agency Amaq released a short video featuring the two terrorists they named as Uthman Mardalov and Salim Israilov. The pair declared allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during the one-and-a-half minute clip. The pair were wearing hoodies and spoke both Russian and Arabic. During the video, the pair claimed they wanted to take revenge for Russia killing Muslims in the Middle East. Russia has been bombing militants in Syria since September last year, part of a military campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad. ISIS called on its members to carry out jihad or holy war in Russia in a YouTube video last month, after which the Kremlin said such threats would not affect its fight against international terrorism. 'We have taken the path of jihad on the orders of our Amir Abu Bakr al-Baghdad 'We have called this operation "revenge operation". Revenge for you bombing our brothers, because you kill our brothers every day in Syria and Iraq. ... This will be the start of everything that will come to you.' The attack was launched in Balashikha, just east of Moscow on Wednesday by two men ISIS news agency Amaq claimed responsibility for Wednesday's attack outside Moscow ISIS has claimed its first terror attack on Russian soil following an operation outside Moscow Russian investigators said on Wednesday that two terrorists armed with a firearm and two axes had attacked a traffic police post outside Moscow. One of them was shot dead while attacking the post, while the other was killed when he tried to put up armed resistance, the Investigative Committee said in a statement. Two police officers were wounded in the attack, one seriously. Meanwhile, Russian security forces arrested a suspected ISIS terrorist after raiding his home in Samara, 500 miles east of Moscow. Police recovered a Kalashnikov assault rifle, ammunition and five blocks of TNT weighing a total of 1.8kg. https://youtu.be/MBmmQaIpryw Instructions for making improvised explosive devices as well as ISIS material were recovered from the house. According to TASS: 'A suspected organiser of a terrorist act was detained in the Leninsky District of Samara on August 18. 'He is a Russian citizen from one of our Central Asian republics, born in 1982, enforcement sources told TASS news agency Friday. The new guide was released by Victoria's La Trobe University has come under fire for listing sex activities A list detailing 20 ways of 'engaging in sexual pleasure' is included in a new sex education guide being promoted to students. The explicit sexual terms which have never before been detailed in a sex education curriculum for Australian high school students are explained in a new film created by La Trobe University's Australian Research Centre in Sex, health and Society, according to The Australian. The film not only discusses sexual pleasure but sexually transmitted diseases and HIV and was in part funded by a $15,200 grant from a prominent Melbourne charity. A list detailing 20 ways of 'engaging in sexual pleasure' is included in a new sex education guide created by Victoria's La Trobe University and being promoted to high school students (stock image) The explicit sexual terms are explained in a new film created by the university's (pictured) Australian Research Centre in Sex, health and Society The students are asked to participate in a specific activity during the film that asks them to rate each of the sexual acts by how comfortable they would feel performing them. The new curriculum has been deemed inappropriate by some, specifically Australian Catholic University's senior researcher Kevin Donnelly. 'Most parents and teachers would feel they've really gone overboard with this,' Dr Donnelly told the Australian. 'The reality is the pressure is on young people to be sexually explicit and adventurous already but that doesn't mean we have to endorse that by what we teach.' The film not only discusses sexual pleasure but sexually transmitted diseases and HIV and was in part funded by a $15,200 grant from a prominent Melbourne charity (stock image) La Trobe University's Pamela Blackman, who used to work for the Department of Education and training, wrote the new curriculum and said she understands why it may be confronting but that 'it's important to recognise that sexual activity is pleasurable as well as normal.' 'Sexual activity, for those ready to engage in it, should be a good experience, not an experience full of fear and guilt,' she said. A University of South Australia report published earlier this year said students are eager to learn about intimacy and love, as well as how to have sex not just biological aspects like reproduction and birth control. A selfless neighbor who tried to save a Florida couple as they were stabbed to death says he found them alive but had to flee after he was knifed in the back. Jeff Fisher, from Jupiter, Florida, was stabbed multiple times while trying in vain to save the lives of John Stevens III, 59, and Michelle Mischon, 53, as they were allegedly attacked by 19-year-old Austin Harrouff. Fisher has been released from hospital. The news comes as Stevens' son John Stevens IV says he wants prosecutors to seek the death penalty for his father's killer. Scroll down for video Cops say Jeff Fisher, the hero neighbor who tried in vain to save the lives of John Stevens and Michelle Mischon (together left and right), found them alive but fled after being stabbed Fisher was stabbed in the back, neck and head as he tried to save the couple, who were dead by the time police arrived Martin County Sheriff's Lt. Michael Dougherty has told the TC Palm that Fisher rushed into action after hearing Mischon's screams from across the street. Fisher told deputies that Mishcon and Stevens were still alive when he got there on Monday night, before being forced to flee after he was stabbed. Mike Conner, Fisher's brother-in-law, thanked people for sending their support and thanked the first responders who came to Fisher's aid that evening. While his brother-in-law is out of the hospital, Conner said he still 'has a long healing process to go through.' In a distressing 911 call placed after Fisher arrived back at his house, he explains that an attack is taking place and that a woman appears to be unconscious. Confused and breathing heavily, Fisher tells deputies that a young man is attacking the woman, adding that he appears to have a knife. Officers are still trying to work out what led up to Stevens and Mischon's murders as Harrouff has not yet regained consciousness and so cannot be questioned Fisher then tells deputies that he is 'bleeding profusely' from an apparent stab wound in his back, though he says he is unsure of the extent of the injury. In the background his wife can be heard telling deputies that he has been stabbed in the back, neck and head. By the time deputies arrived at the property, both Mischon and Stevens were dead. Officers said they found Harrouff on top of Stevens trying to bite his face off, and said they recovered what appears to be human flesh from between his teeth. Detectives say it took a Taser, dogs, and several officers in order to subdue Harrouff. Sheriff's officials say he's still in the hospital where he's conscious but heavily sedated. He hasn't been charged in the attack and a statement has not been taken from him. As a result cops are still unable to explain a motive behind the apparently random attack, though some have suggested that drug flakka, similar to bath salts, could explain the sudden outburst of violence. Star athlete: Harrouff wrestled and played football at Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach, Florida Fitness fanatic: The 19-year-old (pictured far right) is a rising sophomore at FSU studying exercise science He tested negative for street drugs. It takes longer to test for less common hallucinogenic drugs such as flakka or bath salts. However, John Stevens IV told the SunSentinel he doesn't need to know exactly what led the student to allegedly kill his father and step-mother outside their house north of Jupiter on Monday night. He wants prosecutors to seek the death penalty against the attacker. The younger Stevens says knowing the attacker's mindset is not 'super important' to him. He just wants him to 'pay for what he did'. Harrouff 's mother, Mina Harrouff, contacted the authorities on the night of the slayings saying her son had been acting strangely for days and claiming he had superpowers. Harrouff walked four miles north towards his father's house, but inexplicably turned onto the 19000 block of Southeast Kokomo Lane where the Stevenses were sitting in their garage The mother said her son abruptly left the Duffy's restaurant they were having dinner at after having an argument with his father. During the call, Mina said her son, a Florida State student and fraternity member, was last seen wearing white shorts, a blue polo and a red 'Make America Great Again' hat. The hat's statement has been popularized by Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, as he has used the slogan on merchandise for his campaign. Harrouff is believed to have walked four miles away towards his father's house, but inexplicably turned left onto Southeast Kokomo Lane. The victims were sitting in the garage of their stucco home on Kokomo Lane with the door open, when the attack occurred at around 9.15pm. Russian defence chiefs have denied launching a bombing raid on Aleppo which destroyed the home of a five-year-old boy who was pulled alive from the rubble. Little Omran Daqneesh luckily survived the attack on the rebel-held part of Aleppo on Wednesday. The strike on the Qaterji neighbourhood was blamed on Russian jets, however, Moscow has denied any responsibility for the attack. Scroll down for video Russia has denied launching an airstrike on Omran Daqneesh's home in Aleppo this week This neighbourhood in Aleppo was devastated in an air strike earlier this week Russia denied launching the attack and instead blamed the explosion on local rebels The Russian defence ministry said it never targets populated areas and instead accused anti-Assad rebels of detonating a large explosive device to 'derail humanitarian efforts'. The image of little Omran being dragged to safety and sitting on an orange chair caked in dust and blood has become a symbol of the war. Russian officials claimed footage of the boy's rescue showed windows in a neighbouring house intact, which suggests the house was hit by a rebel mine rather than an airstrike. According to Russian news agency TASS, defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said: 'We have repeatedly stressed that the aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic never work on the targets in the populated localities. 'This concerns Aleppos Qaterji mentioned by the Western mass media that is adjacent to two corridors for the safe passage of local citizens that were recently opened as part of Russias humanitarian operation.' Aleppo-based freelance photographer Mohammed Raslan Abu Sheikh, who was at the scene, said civilian rescuers and aid workers were elated as Omran was pulled from the rubble alive with the rest of his family of six. Concerns have been raised that backpackers and university students are squatting in homes reserved for domestic violence victims. The Salvation Army set aside 17 homes on Bendigo St, in Melbourne's Collingwood, to house women and children fleeing abusive families. However before the houses were handed over squatters are believed to have moved into three of them, reports Herald Sun. The Salvation Army set aside 17 homes on Bendigo St to house women and children fleeing abusive families Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle said there were people assigned to the houses before the squatters, including backpackers and university students, swooped on the properties. 'We've got people on our waiting list ready to go into those houses,' Mr Nottle said. 'Finding safe accommodation is hard enough. If those stories are true (about backpackers squatting), that is really disappointing.' The Victorian Government is believed to be paying water and utility bills at some of the properties. The Department of Health said this was a safety precaution because of the danger of fires if the power was turned off. Homeless Persons Union of Victoria member Joel Bynon said overseas travellers sometimes squatted in the homes in an act of rebellion against high rental prices. However before the houses were handed over squatters are believed to have moved into three of them Advertisement Eerie and empty, the true history of this unsuspecting air base could easily be missed by a passer-by. But RAF Upper Heyford, in Oxford, was once a bustling base key to the operations of the Cold War and home to American forces in Britain. An abandoned and decaying air base, it has been graced more recently with the presence of A-listers like Brad Pitt than the military. The abandoned air base, just five miles north west of Bicester, in Oxford, has been captured by photographer and urban explorer Jason Kirkham The base, five miles west of Bicester in Oxford, was first used by the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 but was not brought into use for flying until 1918. During the 1950s, the base hosted huge B-52 bombers and a detachment of top secret U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, deployed to covertly check out latest Soviet weapons. The first American troops arrived in July 1950, the 7509th Air Base Squadron, made up of one officer and 26 airmen. By 1971, it was the largest fighter base anywhere in Europe and it remains one of the oldest bases in the world. The base is just over a century old, and was first used properly in 1916, the year after it was built. It is one of the oldest military air bases in the world The site is now abandoned and much of it is in decline. These pictures show the control tower, right, and a rusting office When the Americans arrived, the built a town around the base, and Upper Heyford was unique among bases in the UK, being open the military and non-military alike. These dramatic images, taken by urban explorer and photographer Jason Kirkham, show one of Britain's oldest air bases in its slow decline. Movie lovers may recognise it from Brad Pitt's zombie apocalypse blockbuster World War Z or Roger Moore's Octopussy. Barbed wire and high fences add to the haunting feel that this abandoned military base now has, without regular visits for two decades Mr Kirkham's images show the base in a state of disrepair. He said he took them to make a point about what could be saved in the building One soldier is said to have committed suicide while on guard at the base and the site is rumoured to be haunted. The eerie pictures show a rusting generator, ammunition boxes and heavy metal sheet buildings still in place. Another shows what looks like military files strewn across the floor of an office. The site was officially closed in December 1993 so has not been maintained formally in more than two decades. There is still an impressive collection of Second World War memorabilia and artefacts left at the base, which was the centre of US airpower in Europe In 2011 and 2012, parts of the zombie blockbuster World War Z were filmed in the abandoned base. Starring Brad Pitt, the film follows a retired UN investigator as he tries to escape the outbreak in Philadelphia. The location was also good enough for the Bond producers, who took Roger Moore there in the 1980s to film Octopussy. Released in 1983, it was the 13th Bond film in the collection and Moore's sixth outing as the British spy hero. The base was officially closed in 1993, so the site has not been maintained for at least two decades. It has been popular with film crews though On the right, a former office appears to have military documents strewn across the floor, while the left image shows the infrastructure of the building that Mr Kirkham believes could be saved The photographer, Mr Kirkham, 44, said: 'It was really exciting. In my eyes, I am trying to do a kind of public service, showing people what is out there and what is worth saving. 'I want to highlight things that could be in peril and I'm trying to let people know who could let the right people know.' Mr Kirkham said his exploration of the site, near to the village of Upper Heyford, was an 'education' and he did it to highlight what is out there Mr Kirkham said part of the site could be transformed into a military museum, making use of what is already left behind. The photographer, from Staffordshire, said: 'I walked into one part of the building and it was just thick with cobwebs. 'I knew I was probably one of the few people to have been in there. All the fixtures and original features were there. 'I was thinking, it was such a shame.' The site was mainly used as a training facility, after the Second World War, through the 1950s and on. It was closed in 1993. The haunting images show a snapshot of military history in Britain. Mr Kirkham said it was a 'shame' that the site was no longer in continual use Mr Kirkham, who has been an urban explorer and photographer for more than 20 years, said: 'When I do things like this it is to highlight what is out there. 'Walking around that place was an education. 'I have been to some places that were spooky and interesting but this was definitely an education.' Donald Trump's new campaign manager says Donald Trump carefully reviewed his own striking apology to those who have felt 'personal pain' from his own stinging remarks. 'He was talking about anyone who feels offended by anything he said,' campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told ABC's Good Morning America Friday. 'He took extra time yesterday going over that speech with a pen so that was a decision he made. Those are his words,' she added. But Conway pointedly asked those who have been the victims of Trump's sharp tongue to show some consideration. 'I hope that everybody who has criticized him at some point, for being insensitive or for mocking someone, at least shows some recognition and some forgiveness,' Conway said. 'Those are his words,' new Donald Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said Friday in reference to Trump's apology Conway, who is being described as a pivot to new kinder, gentler Trump, said she hopes gets credit for making a 'pivot.' 'I hope they heard him and I hope America heard him,' Conway said, 'because of all the people who have been saying, 'Let's get Trump to pivot, let's get him to be more presidential.' That is presidential.' A contrite-sounding Donald Trump kicked off a rally in North Carolina with expressions of regret and a blunt admission that 'sometimes you don't choose the right words.' The blunt-speaking mogul even admitted having caused 'personal pain' a turnaround for a someone who has said he rarely apologizes because he's rarely wrong. 'Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing,' Trump told a crowd of several hundred who applauded and chuckled at the unexpected contrition. Scroll down for video Contrition from the candidate: Donald Trump made an almost unprecedented admission during a campaign speech in Charlotte, North Carolina - by accepting that some of his remarks may have caused 'personal pain' 'I have done that, and believe it or not, I regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain,' Trump said. 'Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues.' 'But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth,' Trump told the crowd. His self-reflection led to chants of 'Trump! Trump! Trump!' It was a stunning break from character for Trump, who isn't typically keen on apologizing and who refused to apologized to the gold star parents of a slain Army captain. 'I fully think apologizing's a great thing but you have to be wrong,' Trump told NBC 'Tonight Show' host Jimmy Fallon this year. The mogul, famous for telling failed contestants 'you're fired!' on his show 'The Apprentice, didn't say who he might have caused 'personal pain' to, nor did Conway specify. 'He was talking about anyone who feels offended by anything he said,' said Conway in an appearance on ABC Friday SO SORRY? Trump said he regrets having caused 'personal pain,' but didn't say who he was referring to. He got in a prolonged spat with gold star parents Khizr Khan and his wife Ghazala, who spoke at the Democratic convention and whose son Capt. Humayan Khan died in Iraq YA THINK? 'Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing,' He took heat following the GOP convention for his clashes with the gold star parents of slain Army Capt. Khizr Khan. The clash coincided with a drop in the polls. Fellow Republicans also blasted Trump for his attacks on 'Mexican' Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who is overseeing litigation against Trump University, and who Trump accused of bias. Hillary Clinton's campaign issued a statement on Trump's 'Teleprompter Regret.' 'Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people,' said spokeswoman Christina Reynolds. 'He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize. But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regretsand changes his tune altogether,' she added. After flashing vulnerability, Trump went hard after Hillary Clinton for failing to apologize. 'Tell me, has Hillary Clinton ever apologized for lying about her illegal email server and deleting 33,000 emails?' Trump asked. 'Has Hillary Clinton apologized for turning the State Department into a pay-for-play operation where favors are sold to the highest bidder? Has she apologized for lying to the families who lost loved ones at Benghazi? Has she apologized for putting Iran on the path to nuclear weapons? Has she apologized for Iraq? For Libya? For Syria? Has she apologized for unleashing ISIS across the world?' Rare vulnerability: Earlier in the day Trump spoke retired and active law enforcement personnel at a Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Statesville, North Carolina Clinton has said she made a mistake by setting up a private email system, and has said her vote for the Iraq war in 2003 was a mistake. There were other shows of softness for Trump, who this week brought on two new officials to help run his campaign in what was interpreted as a signal the brass knuckles 'let Trump be Trump' mantra would prevail. Visit: N.C. Sheriff Darren Campbell, (right), introduces Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, accompanied by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as Trump arrives to speak to retired and active law enforcement personnel He spoke emotionally about the devastation caused by flooding in Louisiana, after media outlets noted that President Obama has yet to offer an official statement while on vacation. Trump and running mate Mike Pence are headed to Baton Rouge to tour the flood damage Friday. 'We are one nation. When one state hurts, we all hurt and we must all work together to lift each other up. Working, building, restoring together,' Trump said. 'Our prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, and we send them our deepest condolences,' he continued, reading from a teleprompter and using language typical of official statements about tragedies. 'Though words cannot express the sadness one feels at times like this, I hope everyone in Louisiana knows that our country is praying for them and standing with them to help them in these difficult hours. We are one country, one people, and we will have together one great future.' Trump spoke frequently of reaching out to African Americans and Hispanics, two groups with whom he is performing terribly in pre-election polling, in numbers that have him trailing Hillary Clinton overall. Focus of his attack: Despite admitting he might not be right all the time, Trump pulled no punched for Hillary Clinton - calling her a liar who has not apologized for her private email server fiasco and her vote in 2003 for the Iraq war Trump once again spoke about improving conditions for African-Americans in inner cities, but spoke to a mostly white crowd 'Every single citizen in our land has a right to live in safety,' Trump said. 'To be one united nation, we must protect all of our people. But we must also provide opportunities for all of our people.' 'We cannot make America Great Again if we leave any community behind,' he said. 'Nearly Four in ten African-American children are living in poverty. I will not rest until children of every color in this country are fully included in the American Dream.' 'Jobs, safety, opportunity. Fair and equal representation. This is what I promise to African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and all Americans.' A day earlier, Hillary Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, slapped Trump for not acknowledging mistakes when questioned about Hillary Clinton's emails. 'Here's what I've heard her say. I've heard her say, 'I've made a mistake and I've learned something from it and I wouldn't do it again and I apologized,'' Kaine told NBC's 'Today' Show. 'When has Donald Trump, during the course this campaign or of his life, said 'I made a mistake and I'm better and I'm gonna learn from it and grow from it?'' Kaine continued. Trump's rare admission of contrition drew applause as well as chuckles among the crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina Thurdsay He directed other remarks at residents of crumbling inner cities. 'It is time for a change. What do you have to lose by trying something new? I will fix it,' he said. 'It is so sad. The inner cities are so bad. You have nothing to lose. They have been playing with you for 60,70 years. You have nothing to lose. I will do a great job,' he pledged. As occurred Wednesday in Wisconsin, Trump appealed for black votes while speaking before a largely white crowd. 'Hillary Clinton and the Democratic party have taken African American votes totally for granted,' Trump said. He interspersed his pleas to lift up communities with attacks on his rival. He spoke of 'one lie or another, and getting worse with each passing day' which prompted cheers from the crowd of of 'lock her up.' Five former employees of the burger chain founded by celebrity brothers Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg are suing the company over what they call 'rampant' violations of labor laws. The ex-employees who filed the class-action suit in New York federal court Thursday previously worked at a Wahlburgers location in Coney Island, Brooklyn. They claim Wahlburgers failed to pay them the proper minimum wage and regularly kept tips designated for servers. The lawsuit claims employees at one time didn't receive a $3,000 tip left for them following a March 2016 private party for the cast of Blue Bloods, the CBS series starring Donnie Wahlberg. Scroll down for video Donnie Wahlberg, from left, Paul Wahlberg and Mark Wahlberg attend the Wahlburgers Coney Island preview party in June 2015. Five former employees at the Coney Island location filed a federal class action lawsuit against Wahlburgers and the owners of the franchise, alleging 'rampant' violations of labor laws The lawsuit claims employees at one time didn't receive a $3,000 tip left for them following a March 2016 private party for the cast of Blue Bloods, the CBS series starring Donnie Wahlberg The lawsuit says: 'Wahlburgers in Coney Island maintained a pattern and practice of regularly shaving compensable time from the weekly hours of all its non-exempt employees, including servers, bartenders, bussers and kitchen staff, and paying them significantly fewer hours than they actually worked.' The document alleges: 'Beginning in June 2016, Wahlburgers regularly paid several tipped employees a flat weekly salary of $300.00, for all hours worked, including hours over forty.' Wahlburgers is also accused of having 'imposed an unlawful tip pool upon the tipped employees that required them to pay a share of their gratuities to non-tipped kitchen employees'. The Wahlbergs aren't named as defendants in the lawsuit. They and their mother Alma McPeck (pictured together) appear on Wahlburgers, which is also the name of an A&E reality show about the restaurant chain Wahlburgers said Friday that it's working with the franchise 'to better understand the circumstances'. Pictured is the Coney Island location The lawsuit claims that after an August 2016 party, one of the plaintiffs 'reported to Donnie Wahlberg that there was a lot going on at the restaurant that he needed to know about. 'Donnie Wahlburg [sic] replied 'I know.'' The suit names Wahlburgers and the owners of its Brooklyn franchise. The Wahlbergs aren't named as defendants. The Wahlberg brothers appear on Wahlburgers, which is also the name of an A&E reality show about the restaurant chain. Wahlburgers said in a statement to The Wrap: 'Wahlburgers is all about family, and treating people fairly and with respect is at the heart of our brand. A Russian tycoon who bought former Rangers owner Craig Whyte's Highland castle has been charged with carrying out a multi-million pound fraud to fund his lavish lifestyle. Sergey Fedotov, 39, who purchased Castle Grant in Moray for 1million, was arrested in Moscow and is being held in custody accused of a massive embezzlement. He has denied claims that he used stolen money to buy the 16th century A-listed pile in 2014 after it was repossessed from Whyte when he failed to keep up with mortgage payments. Sergey Fedotov, who purchased Castle Grant in Moray for 1million, was arrested in Moscow and is being held in custody accused of a massive embezzlement Businessman Fedotov is the head of the Russian Authors' Society (RAO), which collects royalty payments on behalf of writers. He has been accused of carrying out a 6 million fraud by embezzling royalty payments to buy and sell a number of commercial properties. Prosecutors have alleged that Fedotov profited from the scam by selling the properties to fake firms and claim he misled members of the RAO board. Fedotov was arrested in Moscow at the end of June and during a hearing at the Tagansky Court in the city this week a judge ordered that he should be held in custody for another month while further investigations are carried out into the case. During the hearing, Fedotov insisted that Castle Grant was bought lawfully and said the purchase was modest as the castle was only worth the price of a small apartment in Moscow. East Lodge (pictured) was constructed in the grounds of Castle Grant in Morayshire, in the Scottish Highlands, in 1863 by the Earl of Seafield Fedotov has insisted that Castle Grant (interior pictured) was bought lawfully and said the purchase was modest as the castle was only worth the price of a small apartment in Moscow He said: 'That castle in Scotland I have, I acknowledge. But this property is irrelevant. 'At the time of purchase it cost 50 million rubles. The cost corresponds to the cost of a two-bedroom apartment in the centre of Moscow.' Russian police started investigating Fedotov last year after concerns were raised about where he got the funds to buy the castle and other properties in the south of England. He has been denied bail over fears he might flee to the UK despite his legal team's claims that he suffers from hypertension and diabetes. His office and Moscow home were searched by police before he was brought in for questioning. Last summer Fedotov allowed the castle's grounds (pictured) to be used for a massive banquet and concert to mark the 250th anniversary celebrations of the town of Grantown The RAO is a non-governmental organization created in 1993 for collective management of author's rights and has more than 25,000 members. A spokesman for the body denied any wrongdoing on the part of Fedotov. He said: 'RAO's General Director Sergei Fedotov and the organisation's other employees are fully cooperating with the investigation, helping it to find out the truth. We are sure that a qualified investigation will lead to establishing no wrongdoing in Sergei Fedotov's action.' Fedotov bought Castle Grant, on the outskirts of Grantown-on-Spey, in September, 2014, after it was repossessed by the Bank of Scotland. He told estate agents that he had grand refurbishment plans for the property after it fell into disrepair during Whyte's ownership. Last summer he allowed the castle's grounds to be used for a massive banquet and concert to mark the 250th anniversary celebrations of the town of Grantown. Former Glasgow Rangers FC boss Craig Whyte (pictured in December 2014) bought the castle for 720,000 in 2006 but fell into arrears with the 7,000-a-month mortgage Whyte bought it for 720,000 in 2006 but fell into arrears with the 7,000-a-month mortgage. The Bank of Scotland took legal action to recover it after his Ibrox reign ended. The brother of Pennsylvania twins who have been missing for at least 10 years has been charged with lying to police by pretending to be one of them. Datwon Fowler, 18, remained jailed Friday on accusations he sent Penn Hills police a phony Facebook message on behalf of his brother, Ivon, and then a text message on Thursday, claiming to be him. The text said he and his sister were safe and sound in Atlanta. Datwon Fowler (pictured), the brother of Pennsylvania twins who have been missing for at least 10 years, has been charged with lying to police by pretending to be one of them According to a criminal complaint, Fowler told investigators he sent the message so police would stop bothering him and his mother about the twins' whereabouts. Ivon and Inisha, believed to be about 17 now, are two of Patricia Fowler's six children. The 47-year-old Penn Hills woman was charged last week with giving police false and conflicting information about the twins and their well-being, at one time even claiming she sold them years ago for $2,000 each to a woman she barely knew. She has since recanted that story, police said. Police Chief Howard Burton said on Friday that the arrest of Datwon Fowler further clouds an already confusing investigation that has police wondering whether the twins are even alive. However, the only thing Patricia and Datwon Fowler have consistently told police is that the twins are OK, Burton said. 'You know, we don't know at this point in time' if the twins are safe, Burton said. 'You and I would both look at it at this time and say, 'If you know where the kids are, tell us.' But they're doing all these things to mislead us. 'It would be truthful and common sense to say, 'I don't know where they are,'' if that were really the case, Burton said. Patricia Fowler (pictured) was charged last week with giving police false and conflicting information about the twins and their well-being, at one time even claiming she sold them Police and child services have not been able to locate Ivon and Inisha Fowler for more than ten years Instead, Patricia Fowler has, at various times, told police the twins were living with friends or relatives in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Police have checked with the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children and found no trace of the twins, and a search of other databases in various states produce no evidence they've even ever attended school. Burton said one Georgia city where Patricia Fowler told police the children lived didn't even exist. Police Chief Howard Burton said on Friday that the arrest of Datwon Fowler further clouds an already confusing investigation that has police wondering whether the twins are even alive And police officers in another state Burton couldn't remember which one, there have been so many checked out another address Fowler provided and found it was a vacant storefront. Patricia Fowler is free on bond and faces a preliminary hearing Monday on charges of endangering the welfare of children, obstructing a child welfare investigation and concealing the whereabouts of the children. She didn't return calls earlier to her home phone, which has since been disconnected, and she doesn't have an attorney listed in court records. Neither does Datwon Fowler, who is charged with making false reports to police, obstructing a child welfare investigation, criminal use of a cellphone and conspiracy. His preliminary hearing is Aug. 29. Police filed the charges against Patricia Fowler because they went to her home June 20 at the request of the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families to take all her children. They removed four children only to have the agency call back July 6 and tell police there should have been six children there. Capetillo often spoke of her love for her baby and fiance on social media Doctors managed to save their son Christopher, who was born premature But Capetillo died early Wednesday after being hurt in highway car crash Had recently moved in with her fiance and the father of her first child Dulce Capetillo, of San Jose, California, was due to give birth in October An 18-year-old mother-to-be died in a car crash early on Wednesday, hours before doctors managed to save her unborn child. Dulce Capetillo, of San Jose, California, was looking forward to welcome a son, her first child, in October. She and her fiance, Pedro Cortes, had recently moved in together. Both worked at Taco Bell and had begun planning their future. But Capetillo was hurt in a car crash in the early hours of Wednesday and her injuries later proved fatal. Scroll down for video Dulce Capetillo (pictured), 18, of San Jose, California, was looking forward to welcome a son, her first child, in October. She died after getting injured in a car crash early on Wednesday Capetillo and her fiance, Pedro Cortes (pictured together), has recently moved in together. Both worked at Taco Bell and had begun planning their future Capetillo had posted a loving photo of herself and Cortes exchanging a loving kiss on Instagram just two weeks ago. In the caption, she mentioned that the name of their future child would be Christopher and announced she had just reached her 30th week of pregnancy. Video courtesy: KRON The 18-year-old had attended Independence High School in San Jose and was now working long hours at Taco Bell, one of her friends told the Mercury News. The couple had already had a baby shower and were preparing for the arrival of their son. Just two weeks ago, Capetillo had posted a loving photo of herself and Cortes exchanging a loving kiss on Instagram (pictured). In the caption, she mentioned being 30 weeks pregnant The couple had already had a baby shower and were preparing for the arrival of their son (pictured in an MRI). Capetillo had recently revealed they were going to call him Christopher But Capetillo was injured in a car crash on Highway 101 on Wednesday (pictured). Her older brother picked her up after a shift at Taco Bell Capetillo's older brother, 20-year-old Carlos Capetillo-Hernandez, picked her up after a shift after midnight on Wednesday, the Mercury News. Their 1998 Honda Civic swerved suddenly and hit a BMW parked nearby, ABC 7 wrote. It is unclear what caused Capetillo-Hernandez to change direction on highway 101. 'We don't know if he lost control or was distracted for some reason,' California Highway Patrol Officer Ross Lee told the Mercury News. 'Drugs and alcohol don't appear to be a factor on his behalf.' The driver of the BMW, 22-year-old Hung Tran, was later arrested on suspicion of DUI, officials told KPIX 5. Capetillo suffered traumatic injuries to the torso and had surgery. But she died around 5:30 am, not long before doctors delivered her baby. Newborn Christopher remained in critical condition as of Thursday morning. Doctors will have to monitor the development of his brain as he was born early. Meanwhile Cortes could barely utter a word on Wednesday, the Mercury News reported. He was seen rushing to the hospital's neonatal unit. 'Thank God my baby is happy,' he told ABC 7. Capetillo's aunt has created a Go Fund Me page to cover funeral costs and to pay for Christopher's care. Their 1998 Honda Civic swerved suddenly and hit a BMW parked nearby (pictured is a scene of the crash). Capetillo had surgery at the hospital but died of traumatic injuries to the torso glided further away from the current search area Australian experts hunting for the missing Malaysian airliner MH370 will need more funding if they are to continue the search. Officials are attempting to define a new search area by studying where in the Indian Ocean the first piece of wreckage recovered from the lost Boeing 777 - a wing flap - most likely drifted from after the disaster that claimed 239 lives. The next phase of the deep-sea sonar search is being planned in case the current two-year search of 120,000 square kilometers turns up nothing. But a new search would require a new funding commitment. Malaysia, Australia and China agreed in July that the $160 million search will be suspended once the current stretch of ocean southwest of Australia is exhausted. Divers have been searching over 120,000 square kilometres of the southern Indian Ocean off Western Australia, but the search is expected to end without more funding French gendarmes and police stand near a large piece of plane debris which was found on the beach in Saint-Andre, on the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion in July last year 'If it is not in the area which we defined, it's going to be somewhere else in the near vicinity,' Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Greg Hood said. Further analysis of the wing fragment known as a flaperon found on Reunion Island off the African coast in July last year will hopefully help narrow a possible next search area outside the current boundary. WASHED UP DEBRIS: THE SEARCH FOR MISSING MH370 The first piece of debris believed to have come from MH370 was discovered last July on a beach on Reuinion island in the Indian Ocean. Experts believed that the debris was one of the plane's flaperon and that other debris that washed up on the shore was suitcase items from China and Indonesia. Later that year in December a grey piece of debris was found in southern Mozambique thought to belong to the aircraft. Two months later an object with the words 'no step' then washed up off the coast of the African country. Then in March this year, an engine part was found in South Africa while in Apirl the segment of a flap track fairing and part of a horizontal stabiliser were found off Mozambique. Officials say it was almost certainly from MH370. Meanwhile on Monday, investigators in Australia on said they were examining a wing flap found last month on an East African island The 'large piece of aircraft debris' arrived at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau headquarters in the capital, Canberra, for examination. Advertisement Replicas of the flaperon will be sent to Australia's oceanography department in Tasmania where scientists will determine whether it is the wind or the currents that affect how they drift. This will enable more accurate drift modeling than is currently available. If more money becomes available the Australian bureau plans to fit the flaperons with satellite beacons and set them adrift at different points in the southern Indian Ocean and track their movements. Meanwhile, barnacles found on the flaperon and an adjacent wing flap that washed up on Tanzania in June are being analyzed for clues to the latitudes they might have come from. The flap is in the Australian bureau's headquarters in Canberra where it has been scoured for clues by accident investigators. Peter Foley, the bureau's director of Flight 370 search operations since the outset, said the enhanced drift modeling would hopefully narrow the next search area to a band of 5 degrees of latitude, or 550 kilometers. 'Even the best drift analysis is not going to narrow it down to X-marks-the-spot,' Foley said. Some critics argue that the international working group that defined the current search area made a crucial mistake by concluding that the most likely scenario was that no one was at the controls when the plane hit the ocean after flying more than five hours. Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Greg Hood in is Canberra office Police officers inspect metallic debris found on a beach in Saint-Denis on the French Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean in August last year The airliner veered far off course during a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing. What happened to the plane has become one of the biggest mysteries in aviation, with a wide range of theories, including that a hijacker could have killed everyone on board early in the flight by depressurising the plane. The current search area was defined by analysis of a final satellite signal from the plane that indicated it had run out of fuel. Scientists have determined how far the plane could have travelled from a height of up to 12,200 meters after both engines lost power. But critics who favor the theory that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah hijacked the plane argue that he could have glided the plane beyond the current search area. Some say he could have made a controlled ditch at sea in order to minimize debris and make the plane vanish as completely as possible. Officials say Zaharie flew a similar route on his home flight simulator only weeks before the disaster. Foley said his bureau's analysts were working on the flap to ascertain whether or not it was deployed when the plane hit the water. They will test their hypothesis with the Boeing accident investigation team to validate their findings. Scientists have determined how far the plane could have travelled from a height of up to 12,200 meters after both engines lost power French police officers carry a piece of debris, the first trace of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, in Saint-Andre, Reunion Island Less than 10,000 square kilometers of seabed, which is outside the original 60,000-square-kilometer high-priority search zone, remain to be searched. More than 20 sonar contacts require closer examination by a sonar-equipped underwater drone. These are between 2,700 kilometers and 1,900 kilometers from the Australian port of Fremantle where the search ships are based. 'We are still hopeful and optimistic,' said Hood. Foley said finding the plane was the only chance of the solving the mystery of what happened aboard Flight 370. 'We will never know what happened to that aircraft until we find it,' Foley said. Photo taken on Jul.29, 2015, shows a piece of debris on Reunion Island Crews have not given up hope of finding the plane in the current search area (stock image) Recent analysis of the final satellite signals also suggest the plane was descending at a rate of between 3,700 meters and 6,100 meters a minute before it crashed. A rate of 600 meters a minute would be typical of a controlled descent. 'The rate of descent combined with the position of the flap if it's found that it is not deployed will almost certainly rule out either a controlled ditch or glide,' Foley said. 'If it's not in a deployed state, it validates, if you like, where we've been looking,' he said. A bride-to-be who died last week will be wearing the dress she was meant to get married in when she is buried this weekend - on the same day that was meant to be her wedding. Stacey Evette Bond, from Bluffton, South Carolina, died when she suffered what her husband suspects was a heart attack while returning home from Georgia on August 12. Bond, a mother-of-four, was set to marry Guy Weaver, from Augusta, Georgia, on August 20 in front of more than 300 friends and family. Stacey Evette Bond, from Bluffton, South Carolina, who died suddenly last week, will be buried on Saturday wearing the dress she was going to get married in - on the same day Instead, they will gather Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church in South Carolina to say goodbye to the 41-year-old. Weaver said Bond will be buried in her mermaid-style wedding dress and that he will wear the white tuxedo he planned to marry her in because it is exactly what she would have wanted. 'She has worked so hard the past year for this wedding. You just don't know,' the heartbroken fiance told The Island Packet of Hilton Head. 'Stacey wanted this so much.' Bond will be wearing her mermaid-style wedding dress (seen in a video recorded by her mother) at her funeral on Saturday in South Carolina Bond and Guy Weaver (pictured) were to be married in front of 300 friends this weekend, instead now he has to say goodbye to his fiancee Weaver said after learning the news of Bond's death, he immediately thought of how he was going to take care of her four children. 'I've got to talk to God... I've got to be strong when I get there for these four kids,' he said. Bond's mother, Elizabeth Lovell, also said the ceremony will be a wedding ceremony because that's what he daughter wanted. The funeral will be themed as if it was Bond and Weaver's wedding, because that is what the mother-of-four (pictured) would have wanted, her fiance and family said Bond's funeral will take place at the Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church in South Carolina (pictured) on Saturday afternoon 'I've got to get through it. She is my daughter. I've got to do it,' the grieving mother told the newspaper. She added: 'I'm burying my daughter in her wedding dress, OK? 'But this is not sadness. God makes no mistakes. He brought Stacey here to do a job. She did her job. She was who she was. Her four kids are going to be A-OK.' She added that she does not want anyone at the funeral to be wearing black, and will decorate the yard where a wake will be held to look exactly like her daughter's dream wedding would have. The theme was going to be 'peaches and cream'. Weaver, who grew up in nearby Hephzibah, was the Georgia peach, and Stacey was the cream. Hampton County Coroner Ernie Washington Sr. said he will determine a cause of death after getting toxicology test results. WASHINGTON For the first time since declaring his presidential run, Republican Donald Trump offered an extended apology to those who may have been hurt by his caustic comments, saying that he regrets some of what he's said "in the heat of debate." "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that," the GOP nominee reading from prepared text, said at a rally in Charlotte, N.C. "And believe it or not, I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain." He added: "Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues." As the crowd cheered, Trump pledged to "always tell you the truth." The remarks came as Trump makes significant changes to a campaign that has struggled since the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions from self-created distractions. Earlier Thursday, Trump moved to invest nearly $5 million in battleground state advertising to address daunting challenges in the states that will make or break his White House ambitions. He also shook up his campaign in recent days, tapping a combative conservative media executive, Stephen Bannon, to serve as CEO of the campaign. The New York businessman's campaign reserved television ad space over the coming 10 days in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to Kantar Media's political ad tracker. While Democrat Hillary Clinton has spent more than $75 million on advertising in 10 states since locking up her party's nomination, Trump's new investment marks his first of the general election season. Election Day is 81 days away, with early voting in the first states set to begin in five weeks. The step into swing-state advertising, which came after Trump's second staffing shake-up in as many months, did little to alleviate the concerns of Republican officials frustrated with Trump's refusal to adopt the tools of modern-day political campaigns. "We may have reached the point of no return for Donald Trump," said Republican strategist Alex Conant, a senior aide to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's presidential campaign. In addition to Bannon, Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway filled the campaign manager position left vacant since Trump fired his former campaign chief almost two months ago. But Trump struck a new, inclusive tone on Thursday, as he worked to improve his dismal pole numbers among non-white voters. "I will not rest until children of every color in this country are fully included in the American Dream," he said. Conway insisted Thursday that the new team would help re-focus the nominee, without sacrificing the authenticity that fueled his successful primary campaign. "We're going to sharpen the message," Conway told CNN. "We're going to make sure Donald Trump is comfortable about being in his own skin that he doesn't lose that authenticity that you simply can't buy and a pollster can't give you. Voters know if you're comfortable in your own skin." Rarely do presidential campaigns wait to advertise, or undergo such leadership tumult, at such a late stage of the general election. Yet Trump has struggled badly in recent weeks to offer voters a consistent message, overshadowing formal policy speeches with a steady stream of self-created controversies, including a public feud with an American Muslim family whose son was killed while serving in the U.S. military in Iraq. He now trails Clinton in preference polls of most key battleground states. And his party leaders, even at the Republican National Committee, have already conceded they may divert resources away from the presidential contest in favor of vulnerable Senate and House candidates if things don't improve. Trump's advertising plans highlight his shrinking path to the presidency. Although Trump claims his popularity with white, working-class voters could translate to victories in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine or Connecticut, there's little evidence to back that up. His first major ad buys shows him focused on more conventional battlegrounds. Trump is spending at least $1.4 million in Florida, $1 million in Pennsylvania, about $831,000 in North Carolina and $746,000 in Ohio, according to Kantar Media. His biggest single-market investment comes in the Philadelphia area. "That is the most direct route to 270," said Chris Young, RNC field director. "Those states are critical on that pathway." Trump has struggled so far with women, minorities and young voters. "His performance with those voters is so dismal that it puts other states potentially in play in an offensive way for Democrats," said Jeremy Bird, who ran field operations for President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign and is now advising Clinton's operation. A businessman fell 100ft to his death after being accused of assaulting a police officer - only for the charges to be dropped days after his death, an inquest heard. Nathan Lowe, 45, intentionally killed himself when he jumped from the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton near Tower Bridge, in central London, the coroner ruled. The father-of-two, who lived with his partner in Bricket Wood, Hertfordhsire, was a successful mortgage advisor before he opened a branch of Shakeaway - a trendy new milkshake bar. His mother, Jenny Lowe, told City of London Coroner's Court how Mr Lowe, who suffered bi-polar disorder, was living in fear of the legal action when he died on May 12 last year. Nathan Lowe, 45, (left) died when he fell from a section of roof at the DoubleTree by Hilton in the City of London (right) The inquest heard that Mr Lowe had allegedly hit a policeman after he suffered a psychotic episode when he was feeling 'up and down'. His mother said the court case was dropped and added that a letter - which was sent to inform her son about the decision - arrived after he died. Mrs Lowe told the hearing: 'I think he just really had enough of being up and down, up and down because of this incident where he had a psychotic episode and hit a policeman. 'There was supposed to be a court case and he was very worried about that. 'A letter came for him on about May 20. It was addressed to him saying the court case was cancelled. That was after he died. 'If he had known that, I think it would've helped him greatly. That was always on his mind that court case. 'Whether it was right for him to have a court case, I don't know. That was a big factor and I think he couldn't keep on with it any more.' Mrs Lowe, who was supported by her husband Tony Lowe, told the inquest that she believed the courts didn't know he had died because the letter was addressed to her son. Mr Lowe had one drink at the rooftop bar before he made his way to the building edge, 12 stories up, along a passage not covered by CCTV. A concerned onlooker from a nearby office block called emergency services but by the time they arrived he had plummeted to the ground and was dead. A post-mortem revealed he died of multiple injuries, including a skull fracture. The coroner, Dr Roy Palmer, ruled alcohol did not play a role in his death as it was present in his blood in a very low concentration. The only drug present in Mr Lowe's system was the prescribed dose of the medication used to treat his condition. Dr Palmer said: 'Mr Lowe was detained under section 21 of the Mental Health Act on September 21, 2015, following the arrest by police in Daventry following an alleged assault on a night porter.' Mr Lowe had opened the Shakeaway outlet in 2009, after he was inspired by his children's love of another branch in Brighton It is not know whether this was related to the alleged assault on a police officer. It was while he was treated at the Albany Lodge psychiatric unit in St Albans he was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which caused him periods of severe depression and even delusions and hallucinations. Abiodun Akande was assigned as his psychiatric nurse and visited him on October 6, 2015, before he was discharged three days later. Mrs Lowe said: 'I think he was sent home too quickly. He should have been looked after longer and spoken to about the diagnoses. 'To be under guard and then be sent home - it's just ridiculous.' Mr Akande made repeated efforts to make contact with Mr Lowe, including home visits and leaving letters to contact him in the months before his death. But the last time he was able to see him was was on March 10 - two months before Mr Lowe died. Mrs Lowe said: 'If he had been in hospital and got more help and told more about it, I don't know... He just slipped through the net.' Mr Akande told the inquest he raised his concerns to Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and he was told to increase his attempts to contact Mr Lowe. Dr Palmer said he would write a prevention of future deaths letter to the trust in order to see if it could rethink its procedure in such circumstances. He concluded: 'There's clear evidence he acted alone and I think from all the background circumstances and his illness he did deliberately leave the roof. I think there's only one person involved. 'I am obliged to return the conclusion that he killed himself but I am so sorry it happened.' City of London Police were called at around 4.50pm on May 12 after he fell from the 12th floor SkyLounge. Mr Lowe, who set up the Shakeaway branch in Windsor in 2009, is survived by his daughter Josie and Alex Barnes, who were aged 20 and 16 when he died. When proposing, it's probably best to keep the speech short and meaningful. However, this man in Deyang, China, decided to give his girlfriend a long speech, which included a promise to put her name on the deed of their house, according Huanqiu, an affiliate of People's Daily Online. While she initially appears to be accepting the proposal, the woman quickly becomes offended by the promise and throws back the flowers before walking away. Happy: The man gets down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend who looks shocked A romantic gesture for his girlfriend: He then gives her flowers and unravels a banner for her The footage which was filmed by an onlooker, catches the moment the man gets down on one knee. He speaks through a megaphone while holding a bunch of flowers. The man then hands the girlfriend the bunch of flowers and is given a ring and a red document by a helper. He tells his girlfriend: 'If you marry me I will immediately put your name on the deed.' The girlfriend instantly looks shocked. Angry: The woman was so shocked at the man's suggestion that she handed back the flowers She then replies: 'It's not like I can't afford it myself. I'm not going to marry you just for this house!' The woman then throws the flowers back at him and storms off into the distance. The man can then be seen running after her as the crowd of onlookers. The video posted on QQ.com on August 11, has received some 22.8million views. On Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, many people applauded the woman's reaction. One person wrote: 'This is disgusting. Marry you and you'll put my name on your house? Do you think marriage is a business transaction?' Another commented: 'These kinds of things are best discussed in private. Doing it in public will make it seem like she's a gold digger.' A woman believed she was going to die after being attacked by a wombat while walking her dogs. Kerry Evans had stumbled across what she though was a large boulder while walking her two English springer spaniels in the Canberra suburb Banks on Monday evening. Suddenly the 'boulder' charged at her dog Murphy, who attempted to run away, knocking Mrs Evans down in the process. As she lay there, the wombat turned his attention to her, she told the Canberra Times. Kerry Evans believed she was going to die after being attacked by a wombat while walking her dogs. Kerry Evans thought she had stumbled across a large boulder rather than a wombat while walking her two English springer spaniels in the Canberra suburb Banks on Monday evening (stock) 'I was laying screaming for help, I couldn't get away from it, every time I managed to get up it attacked me and bit me and knocked me to the ground,' she said. 'I really thought I was going to lay there and die that night because I just couldn't see how I was going to get away from it, it just wasn't stopping its attack.' Help came in the form of a nearby neighbour and a driver, who screamed at Mrs Evans to let go of the dog's leashes. However, Mrs Evans was scared that the still frightened dogs would bolt into the darkness, so instead her two saviours grabbed the dogs and quickly backed away from the vicious wombat. Mrs Evans was able to get to her feet and the wombat ran off, leaving her with more than 20 bites and lacerations across her body. Mrs Evans was left with more than 20 bites and lacerations across her body and had to be placed on an IV drop to stave off infection At Canberra Hospital, Mrs Evans received stitches for three of the bites and was placed on an IV to stave off infection At Canberra Hospital, Mrs Evans received stitches for three of the bites and was placed on an IV drip to stave off infection. 'When I was in hospital I had to have quite a few bags of IV because they don't know enough about the risk of infection from wombats, they even had to go and make sure I didn't have rabies. I know that sounds silly in Australia but the doctor actually had to go and check on that,' she said. An ACT Parks and Conservation spokesman told the Canberra Times it was the first wombat attack they were aware of in Canberra. An ACT Parks and Conservation spokesman said it was the first wombat attack they were aware of in Canberra (stock) Wombats are known to be vicious, often attacking other wombats. A ranger told Mrs Evans that often once they start attacking, they just keep going and don't stop. Mrs Evans wasn't sure why the creature attacked her, as she didn't approach him and neither did her dogs. Theories as to why it attacked include that it was sick with mange, had been injured, it was a female with a joey in its pouch or whether it was simply an aggressive wombat. A Pennsylvania woman who left her boyfriend's four-year-old daughter locked in a hot car for more than six hours last month was charged in the child's death. Brittany Borgess, 28, was charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter and related offenses in the death of Samaria Motyka. The outside temperatures on that day reached 97 degrees and likely would have exceeded 120 degrees inside of the car during the time it was parked, the Sun Gazette reported. Brittany Borgess (pictured), 28, was charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter and related offenses in the hot car death of Samaria Motyka. She's pictured being escorted out of her arraignment on Thursday The South Williamsport woman couldn't hold back her tears as she was escorted out of her arraignment at a magistrate's office in Williamsport on Thursday, according to WNEP. Authorities say Borgess' boyfriend, William Motyka, was the girl's father and they had lived together for about three years. Detectives say she dropped her seven-year-old daughter off at school and her two-year-old son at day care, but was running late for work and drove there instead of taking Samaria to day care on July 22. After work, Borgess discovered the unresponsive girl. An autopsy performed on the child showed that she likely died as a result of prolonged exposure to excessive heat while inside the vehicle, according to the arrest affidavit. Court records say Samaria's body temperature was 110 degrees. An arrest affidavit states that Borgess indicated that she had 'forgotten the kids in the past' and at one point she showed up for work with all three in the car. In addition to involuntary manslaughter, Borgess faces endangering the welfare of a child, recklessly endangering another person and leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, according to the Gazette. The outside temperatures on that day reached 97 degrees and likely would have exceeded 120 degrees inside of the car during the time it was parked. Court records show that Samaria Motyka's (pictured) body temperature was 110 degrees Court records don't list an attorney for Borgess. Borgess remains in jail at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $95,000 bail. In July, around the time Samaria died, three other young children died in separate hot-car incidents in Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Florida, within four days officials said. An unconscious two-year-old boy was discovered by his father inside a locked car in Missouri on July 23, a day after Samaria died, and another two-year-old boy in Dallas died in a hot car on July 24. A three-year-old in Florida died on July 25 after suffering from complications of excessive heat. The captain of a speedboat that collided with tourist vessel off the coast of the Greece, killing four people including a five-year-old girl, has appeared in court. Tharsivoulos Lykourezos, 77, was carrying more than 20 people from the popular tourist island of Aegina, near Athens, to the small islet of Moni when the two boats collided. Theodosis Katifes, 55, and his five-year-old daughter Sevasti were killed in Tuesday's horror smash, as were two other adults. Scroll down for video Greek speedboat captain Tharsivoulos Lykourezos (left) appeared in court today. His boat collided with a tourist boat, killing four including Theodosis Katifes and his five-year-old daughter Sevasti (together, right) A relative of those killed in the horror smash broke down as their funerals took place today Theodosis Katifes, 55, and his five-year-old daughter Sevasti were killed. Their funerals (pictured) took place today Lykourezos has been charged with causing death in the crash and manslaughter. He has until Friday to prepare his defence. Sixteen people were injured in the smash, five seriously, including a foreigner whose leg was partially severed. Family and friends of those killed and hurt in the crash jeered at Lykourezos as he arrived at a court in Piraeus, Athens, this morning. Security officers had to hold back some furious relatives who tried to rush forward as he entered the courthouse today. Relatives held up pictures of those who died as they hurled abuse at the speedboat's captain. Funerals were also held for Sevasti and her father today, with scores of loved ones attending the ceremony. Four were killed and sixteen people were injured in the smash, five seriously, including a foreigner whose leg was partially severed Family and friends of those killed and hurt in the crash jeered at Lykourezos as he arrived at a court in Piraeus, Athens, this morning Relatives held up pictures of those who died as they hurled abuse at the speedboat's captain Three pallbearers brought Sevasti's tiny, white casket to a church this morning, with her father's black coffin carried just a few paces behind. Several family and friends struggled to contain their grief as the father and daughter were laid to rest following a church service. Lykourezos was arrested shortly after the crash, which happened at around 1pm on Tuesday. Pictures from Protothema.gr showed wreckage of the tourist boat being removed from the sea. Coastguards rescued 21 survivors from the water. The pleasure boat was carrying visitors to Moni, an uninhabited small island. Three pallbearers brought Sevasti's tiny, white casket to a church this morning, with her father's black coffin carried just a few paces behind Several family and friends struggled to contain their grief as the father and daughter were laid to rest following a church service One witness told Greece's Mega broadcaster: 'We saw over eight or nine people in the sea... some were swimming, others were unconscious, dead. Another told Skai radio that the motorboat had sliced the pleasure boat in two. He said: 'I saw a little girl ... being given CPR but she was not responding.' The weather in the area was reported as good. Aegina's proximity to the Greek capital makes it a popular destination for Greeks and foreign tourists, with many holiday homes on the island. A Pakistani man has stabbed 17 women, killing one, in a misogynistic spree because he wanted 'revenge' for a cruel stepmother, police in the city of Rawalpindi said today. Mohammad Ali, 22, has been targeting women at random in the street since late January, police investigator Malik Zulfiqar Hussain told AFP. Mr Hussain said: 'He told police "I hate women, I was taking revenge". The 22-year-old had been targeting women at random in the streets of Rawalpindi (pictured) 'He has confessed to injuring 17 women. One of them was a hospital nurse, who died this week.' Ali told officers his mother had died when he was young and his father married again, but his stepmother had mistreated him. He has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Ali did not target women of any particular age but would lie in wait and attack them with a knife whenever the opportunity arose. All the attacks took place in the streets of Rawalpindi, close to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. Women in deeply conservative Pakistan have fought for their rights for years, in a patriarchal society where so-called 'honour' killings and attacks on women remain commonplace. A billboard advertisement at Istanbul's international airport accused Sweden of having 'the highest rape rate worldwide, state media reported Friday just days after Stockholm accused Ankara of legalising sex with children. Printed in English and Turkish and displayed at the departures section of Ataturk airport, the huge banner ad reads: 'Travel Warning! Did you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide?' Alongside it was an enlarged copy of the front page of Gunes, a pro-government newspaper, with a headline saying: 'Sweden, a country of rape.' An advert claiming Sweden has the world's highest rape figures was erected in Istanbul Anadolu said billboard advertisements at the airport were operated by a private company. The advert was largely seen as a tit-for-tat move after Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom caused a storm after writing a tweet which said the 'Turkish decision to allow sex with children under 15 must be reversed', following a controversial ruling by the Turkish constitutional court. Her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu blasted her remark as 'unacceptable', saying Wallstrom should have acted 'responsibly'. Turkey's constitutional court in July annulled a criminal code provision punishing as 'sexual abuse' all sexual acts involving children under the age of 15, responding to a petition brought by a lower court. The ad appears at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul which was a focal point of last month's coup The top court has given parliament a six-month period to draw up new rules based on its ruling. The lower court that brought the petition was worried there was no distinction between cases of sexual acts involving a young teenager or a toddler. In a bid to crackdown on inappropriate online behaviour Chinas Ministry of Culture has launched strict new guidelines on live streaming which could see users blacklisted if they violate them. The government is set to randomly check popular platforms for performers who live stream violent, pornographic or torture content and if they are caught they can expect to be banned nationwide. However, internet regulator, Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is urging for even tighter controls and has called for rigorous, 24-hour monitoring of platforms. Scroll down for video Chinas Ministry of Culture has launched strict new guidelines on live streaming which could see users blacklisted if they violate them. Pictured hostess Han Yiying Ms Han is paid up to $2.7million to play video games in scanty clothing Han Yiying Ms Ha duties include chatting with gamers online and hosting live events In the government guidelines issued in July the onus is on internet platforms to police their live streaming content, reports The Peoples Daily. The website said that more than 20 companies had signed 'self-disciplinary' agreements. Under the new rules performers must register their real names and they can expect their content to be saved for at least 15 days and reviewed, according to news site guancha.cn However, according to the BBC, the CAC statement has asked for bullet-screens where users comment in pop-ups to also be monitored. There are around 80 live stream platforms in China. In May, MailOnline reported that the Chinese government has banned 'seductive' consumption of bananas during webcam live-streams, in an attempt to clamp down on 'inappropriate and erotic' content online. Webcam streams, or live video blogs, is growing in popularity in China with users filming themselves doing everything from talking and singing to eating in front of a live online audience. China bans erotic bananas: Live-video websites are told not to allow 'suggestive' fruit-eating - and hosts cannot wear stockings and suspenders However also growing in popularity are streams showing young girls performing seductive acts on camera, carried out using seemingly innocent objects in order to get past government censors. As a result, the government passed new regulations governing live-streaming websites, banning 'erotic' banana consumption and wearing stockings and suspenders while streaming, New Express Daily reported at the time. Theresa May has insisted 'bulk' spying powers are vital after a review found they had foiled a series of terror plots on British soil. Terrorism laws watchdog David Anderson QC found mass data collection deployed by MI5, MI6 and GCHQ has a 'clear operational purpose'. He pointed to a 'sheer vivid range' of examples when they have averted disaster, including by identifying Isis extremists in the UK and rescuing hostages in Afghanistan. Bulk spying techniques are said to have foiled a series of plots on British soil Mr Anderson also backed new powers to hack into phones and computers amid concerns about the development of tougher encryption systems. The findings are a boost to the Government after a raft of proposed new spying laws sparked privacy concerns. Mr Anderson's report said bulk powers 'play an important part in identifying, understanding and averting threats in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and further afield'. The techniques are used across the range of agency activity, from cyber-defence, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism to child sexual abuse and organised crime, the review found. Mr Anderson described the pace of technological change as 'breathtaking'. The inquiry recommended that a panel of independent academics and industry experts are appointed to advise on the impact of changing technology, and how the intelligence agencies could reduce the 'privacy footprint' of their activities. Bulk powers - covering a range of techniques used to gather large volumes of information - are among the most controversial tactics covered by the landmark Investigatory Powers Bill, which is going through Parliament. The review looked at four bulk powers which can only be used by the three intelligence agencies. Bulk Interception is used to intercept the communications of individuals outside the UK. The review said this power was of 'vital utility' and had played an important part in preventing bomb attacks, rescuing hostages and thwarting numerous cyber-attacks. Theresa May said the review demonstrated how vital the bulk data powers are to protect Britain from terrorism Bulk data techniques were used to identify extremists in the wake of attacks in Paris Bulk Acquisition is deployed to access communications data - the who, when and where of an email or text message but not the content - in bulk. Only disclosed publicly in November last year, for MI5 it has 'contributed significantly' to the disruption of terrorist operations, Mr Anderson's 197-page report said. Bulk personal datasets are personal information relating to a number of people, the majority of whom are unlikely to be of intelligence interest. The report said: 'We were shown their utility in identifying ... potential terrorists, including individuals who posed a threat to the London Olympics and to the UK in the wake of recent attacks in France and Belgium.' WHEN BULK DATA HAS HELPED KEEP THE UK SAFE In 2014 20,000 leaked Isil registration papers were cross-checked with bulk data to identify extremists in the UK. 'It was only when this information was combined with information obtained from BPDs that MI6 was able positively to identify a number of individuals on the list who posed a threat to national security,' Mr Anderson said. Another example was a kidnapping in Afghanistan. 'Bulk interception of communications data led to hostages being located within 72 hours of their abduction,' the report said. 'Bulk interception of content revealed an immediate threat to the life of the hostages, and to an urgent (and successful) military rescue mission.' The report also found bulk data had been used to identify foreign spies. 'In 2013, BPDs were used to identify employees of an intelligence service potentially hostile to the UK,' Mr Anderson wrote. 'The Review team was given information which demonstrated that these identifications could not have made without the use of BPDs. The information was shared with intelligence partners. ' Earlier this year MI6, MI5 and GCHQ deployed the techniques to 'to identify individuals who posed a threat to the UK in the wake of the Paris and Brussels attacks'. 'The review team was given information which demonstrated that there was no viable alternative method by which these individuals could have been identified,' he said. MI6 also used bulk data to 'identify the travel to the UK of individuals of intelligence interest'. 'During the course of this year, six of these individuals have been identified as potential agents and been the subject of MI6 operational activity,' the review said. The techniques were also said to have been a major benefit in Northern Ireland. In relation to one dissident plot information combined with other sources, led to an individual being arrested and charged on terrorist offences. Advertisement Bulk equipment interference includes hacking into suspects' smartphones and computers, which is seen as an increasingly important tool given the rise of encryption. The report said the power has never been used, but a 'thematic' capability has been used to identify dangerous extremists in Syria. Mr Anderson's review found a 'proven operational case' for the first three powers. On bulk equipment interference it said there is a 'distinct, if not yet proven' operational case in relation to counter-terrorism and cyber defence. Where alternatives to bulk powers exist, they are often less effective, more dangerous, more intrusive or slower, the report added. Among the examples highlighted were the leak of 20,000 Isil registration papers in 2014, which were cross-checked with bulk data to identify extremists in the UK. 'It was only when this information was combined with information obtained from BPDs that MI6 was able positively to identify a number of individuals on the list who posed a threat to national security,' Mr Anderson said. The review also found bulk data had been used to identify foreign spies. 'In 2013, BPDs were used to identify employees of an intelligence service potentially hostile to the UK,' Mr Anderson wrote. 'The Review team was given information which demonstrated that these identifications could not have made without the use of BPDs. The information was shared with intelligence partners. ' Earlier this year MI6, MI5 and GCHQ deployed the techniques to 'to identify individuals who posed a threat to the UK in the wake of the Paris and Brussels attacks'. 'The review team was given information which demonstrated that there was no viable alternative method by which these individuals could have been identified,' he said. MI6 also used bulk data to 'identify the travel to the UK of individuals of intelligence interest'. 'During the course of this year, six of these individuals have been identified as potential agents and been the subject of MI6 operational activity,' the review said. Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham called on Prime Minister Theresa May and Home Secretary Amber Rudd to accept the report it 'in its entirety', while Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said the Government must table amendments to give effect to the recommendation for a new technical advisory panel. Campaign group Liberty hit out at the review. Policy director Bella Sankey said: 'Liberty called for an impartial, independent and expert inquiry into these intrusive powers - yet sadly this rushed review failed on all three counts.' Terror laws watchdog David Anderson QC No 10 said the Government is giving 'careful consideration' to the report. Mrs May said it demonstrates how bulk powers in the new Bill are 'of crucial importance to our security and intelligence agencies'. She said: 'These powers often provide the only means by which our agencies are able to protect the British public from the most serious threats that we face. 'It is vital that we retain them, while ensuring their use is subject to robust safeguards and world-leading oversight which are enshrined in the IP Bill.' Mr Anderson said: 'The sheer vivid range of the case studies ranging from the identification of dangerous terrorists to the protection of children from sexual abuse, the defence of companies from cyber-attack and hostage rescues in Afghanistan demonstrates the remarkable variety of (security agency) activity. A mother whose daughter's head was split open inside a Hungry Jack's is demanding the chain bolster the safety of their restaurants. Nanette Bingham said her two-year-old daughter was left 'traumatised' after plunging from the second floor of the Morayfield outlet in Queensland, suffering a deep cut on her head. The mother started an online petition calling for the fast food giant to they replace all corrugated metal surfaces in their restaurant play areas. Nanette Bingham said her two-year-old daughter was left 'traumatised' efter injuring herself inside a Hungry Jack's 'Who puts a metal corrugated platform on children's playground equipment?' Ms Bingham wrote. 'We believe that had this playground platform surface been made of a soft fall surface our daughter would have walked away with a bruise to her head,' she said. The family spent five hours in the emergency department at Caboolture Hospital, sharing the hospital with 'intoxicated, swearing, verbally aggressive' patients. The mother said her daughter didn't receive relief for over an hour after her injury. 'We hold Hungry Jacks Morayfield responsible for having corrugated metal on a children's playground platform instead of a soft fall surface,' the mother wrote. The petition has been met with support from other parents who agreed the chain must address the safety of their outlets. Peggie was convicted last week of raping a 21-year-old woman in 2015 only relented when the woman threatened to punch him A woman has detailed the moment a convicted rapist allegedly handcuffed her to him and tried to grope her while showing her drawers filled with sex toys. The unidentified Brisbane woman, who is in her 20s, told The Courier Mail she accepted an invitation to have a glass of wine with Mitchell Cameron Peggie, 26, in 2014 because he seemed like a 'nice charming person.' But things quickly took a turn when the woman said Peggie dragged her into his bedroom while trying to touch her breasts and didn't relent until she threatened to punch him. A Brisbane woman has detailed the moment convicted rapist Mitchell Cameron Peggie (pictured), 26, allegedly handcuffed himself to her before groping her breasts and showing her sex toys She said Peggie called her a 'kinky kind of girl' after handcuffing his arm to hers. 'I said 'no I'm not'. I was saying to him, 'what the hell are you doing?' I made no reference to sex or anything to him whatsoever. I couldn't do anything, I froze. 'He started trying to stick his hand down my pants. I said you need to uncuff me or I'm going to punch you in the face. Peggie (pictured) was convicted of raping another 21-year-old woman at the Brisbane District Court last week and was sentenced to seven years in jail The unidentified woman, who is in her 20s, said she accepted an invitation to have a glass of wine with Peggie because he seemed like a 'nice charming person (stock image) 'He said 'Oh I know you are just a bit of a tease. You are one of those girls, you are being a tease, I'll see you later'.' The woman said Peggie apologized a few days later, telling her that he gets excited about women. But Peggie's advances continued and the woman claims he tried to look up her dress at her knickers and placed a horse whip through her home window. Peggie was convicted of raping another 21-year-old woman at the Brisbane District Court last week and was sentenced to seven years in jail. Peggie took the woman for a drink in 2015 before assaulting her in a churchyard. Lying Ryan Lochte cosies up to two Brazilian teenagers just hours before concocting his bogus robbery story to hide a wild night of women and partying. The disgraced athlete is pictured with glamorous Brazilian friends Mariana Belisario and Laura Gazzinelli - both of then 18 - at the Club France event where he drank into the early hours of Sunday. Gazzinelli says she took the photo at 4:15am but told Brazilian media she last saw the group - which also included James Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger - at around 5am. That was an hour before they left the nightspot in Rio's Lagoa district. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO 'Celebrating the medals': How Laura Gazzinelli (right) captioned the Instagram picture of her and her friend Mariana Belisario taken inside Club France Venue: Lochte and the other three partied here until after 5am on Sunday morning where they met two girls. Police did not name them but they have now been identified Inside the club: This was the scene in the club hours after Lochte partied there. During the day it is much more sedate After partying with two mystery women at the club, according to police, the men left Club France at 5.47am Partying: Laura Gazzinelli in another picture on her social media account, which shows she had traveled extensively. She is currently a student at the private Pontifical Catholic University in Belo Horizonte It was about an hour later that they clashed with staff at a gas station close to the Olympic Village before deciding to tell the world were robbed to hide a drunken vandalism spree. Lochte finally issued a half-hearted and partial apology for his actions over the weekend on Friday morning, saying he was sorry about not being 'careful and candid' about his story - but not apologizing for lying, urinating in public and vandalizing a gas station. Gazzinelli captioned the image 'celebrating the medals' and immediately friends started bombarding with her questions about the night out. She replied to say that Lochte had invited her to the VIP section - to which another girl replies 'Jealous!!' The two girls are students who were visiting from the city of Belo Horizonte. They told the newspaper they saw the Team USA stars dancing, drinking and enjoying themselves in a 'camarote' which means cabin or private VIP area. Gazzinelli said she was 'shocked' to hear that the four had behaved so disgracefully later that night because their behavior was not 'abnormal'. She said: 'We were in the athletes' VIP area there were a few people asking to take a pictures with him. He took pictures with everyone but he didn't talk to them, only smiled. On tour: Lochte and his friends were pictured arriving at Club France in the early hours of Sunday morning Club night: This was the flyer for the night. The girls were invited to the athletes' vip area and posed for pictures with Lochte Inside the club: Lochte and Jimmy Feigen both appeared in a snapchat message Lochte sent from his night out Girlfriend: Lochte has been dating Playmate Kayla Rae Reid. Her agent was asked if they were still dating. She replied: 'Leave me out.' 'After that we watched enjoying and dancing and we asked him if we would mind taking a photo with us. 'We congratulated him for the Olympic performance and he smiled and kept dancing. He was very kind and polite.' Gazzinelli's father, Marcio Rabelo, is an associate professor at the Fundacao Dom Cabral university in Brazil's Minas Gerais state. He said his daughter was old enough to attend nightclubs and had his permission to be at Club France. 'I don't have any opinion on Ryan Lochte I just know he is a famous athlete,' he told DailyMail.com. 'My daughter took a photo with him because he is a celebrity. When she took the photo nothing had happened, it was before the incident. 'She is 18 years old and I knew she was going to the nightclub.' While Lochte was out partying his playboy model girlfriend Kayle Rae Reid was believed to be having a meal at a restaurant. She then headed back to her hotel which is close to the Athletes' Village. Daily Mail Online asked her agent today if the couple were still together in light of his antics. 'Leave me out,' she replied via text. Gazzinelli appears to have lived in England and attended Worthing College in West Sussex. It appears that the two friends attended Catholic high school - Colegio Santa Doroteia - in Belo Horizonte together. In Rio: Laura Gazzinelli had posted pictures of her trip to the Olympic City including one apparently taken on Copacabana beach On tour: Gazzinelli has posted pictures from around the world on social media and is now studying at the Pontifical Catholic University in Belo Horizonte, her home city The four swimmers - Lochte, Jimmy Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger - had gone to Club France in the early hours of Sunday morning. The four had consumed so much vodka and champagne on the night of their gas station fracas they couldn't remember how much they had drunk, what time it was, or how they got into the taxi that took them to the now infamous incident, police documents reveal. Sworn statements made on Thursday by swimmers Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger to Brazilian investigators, and seen by DailyMail.com, shine more light on the group's alcohol-fueled antics which led up to the gas station fracas in the early hours of Sunday morning. But despite their blurry recollections, admitting they were under the effect of copious amounts of alcohol, the athletes pointed the finger firmly at 12-time gold medalist Lochte as the author of the confusion which has led to them returning home from Brazil in disgrace. Bentz, 20, and Conger, 21, told how despite themselves keeping quiet about the gas station incident in the hope it would go away, they watched with incredulity as publicity-hungry Lochte brazenly lied in media interviews about how the group had been dramatically held up in an armed robbery. Gunnar told how the group were VIPs at the party at the Club France hospitality house in the Lagoa district of Rio, and that they stayed in a private box during the night drinking vodka and champagne. He claimed it was 'traumatic' to have a gun pointed at him but offered no apology for public urination or destroying the gas station's bathroom The group left the party to return to the athletes' village as the sun was rising, but couldn't remember who called the taxi, what the taxi driver looked like, or even who he was sitting next to on the back seat, except that he was 'sure Ryan was on the back seat'. Lochte said in an Instagram statement that he was sorry for 'not being more careful and candid' in his account of what happened at a gas station at 6am on Sunday morning. He claimed it was 'traumatic' be out late with your friends in a foreign country' and to 'have a stranger point a gun at you' but offered no apology for public urination or destroying the gas station's bathroom. 'I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that I am sorry to my teammates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors and the hosts of this great event,' he said in the statement. His apology did not, however, directly address the heavy drinking the four had been indulging in at Club France. Instead he thanked his USA Swimming teammates, the USOC, the IOC, RIO Host Committe and 'the people of Brazil who welcomed us so Rio and worked so hard to make sure that these Olympic Games provided a lifetime of great new memories'. He said that he accepted 'full responsibility' for his actions on Sunday and that he 'learned some valuable lessons'. He also did little to address the huge gap in age and experience between him and the youngest of the four: Bentz is 20 and Conger is 21. A doctor who ripped her husband's scrotum with her finger nails after a night of downing shots of tequila has been cleared of wounding. Vianey Manzanillo De La Cruz, 32, admitted ripping banker Alexandre Daband's testicles during a row at his flat in Bermondsey, south London in April last year. She was acquitted at the Old Bailey after a jury believed her account that she was protecting herself from the drunken violence of her husband. Vianey Manzanillo De La Cruz, 32, (left) grabbed hold of Alexandre Deband's (right) testicles during a drunken row but was cleared of wounding with intent at the Old Bailey Manzanillo, originally from the Dominican Republic, wept in court as she described how the banker repeatedly hit her after vomiting from a tequila binge. She said the Frenchman was dragging her by the hair when she reached up behind to defend herself. Jurors took less than an hour to clear her of charges of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding at the Old Bailey. She collapsed in tears and the Recorder of London, Nicholas Hilliard, had to warn supporters in the public gallery to be silent when they began to applaud. Earlier on in the trial the court heard how the couple, who are now estranged, went out on the night of April 4, and drunk tequila shots before heading to a nightclub in the West End. They were told that it was too late to use their VIP tickets and Mr Daband, who had drunk more than his wife, was sick outside the venue. He was sick again on the way home and vomited again once they returned home, jurors heard. Prosecutor George Heimler said that Manzanillo suggested her husband should have a shower and started spraying him with very cold water once he went in. Mr Daband, who is originally from France, said he pushed his wife away and went to bed but was woken a short time later. He told the court that his wife removed the duvet before climbing on top of him. The banker admitted striking Manzanillo on the face to get her off. The prosecutor said: 'She then left the room and comes back with a large umbrella and starts hitting him. She did brandish a knife at one stage.' Mr Daband admitted he grabbed his wife's hair, claiming he was trying to throw her out of the flat. Jurors took less than an hour to clear Manzanillo of charges of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding at the Old Bailey He told the jury: 'This time she grabbed me by the testicles with one hand. She grabbed with some force and because of that I have been injured.' Mr Daband said his wife had 1cm-long fingernails thought to have caused the injury. He phoned an ambulance when he realised he was bleeding. He said he received stitches, stayed in hospital overnight, and when released had to change bandages on his wound for around a month. Manzanillo was arrested in the early hours of Sunday 5 April last year after she phoned police and was later interviewed. The prosecutor said: 'Essentially, her account was that her husband was extremely drunk. He had been drinking tequila. 'He asked her to leave the property, then he attacked her. He was dragging her around and during the course of that, in order to protect herself, she scratched his scrotum. She insisted she was not drunk at the time and acted in self defence.' He explained to the jury that the issue was not if Manzanillo had injured her husband, but whether she had done so unlawfully. A school named on a vile porn-sharing website has been accused of 'slut-shaming' after it banned female students from sending 'sexy selfies' and wearing short skirts or make-up. Kambrya College, south-east of Melbourne, made the demands during a school assembly on Thursday to 'protect the integrity' of its female pupils, who from Monday must not wear skirts above knee height. It came after the college was one of the 70 Australian schools named on a sharing website which encouraged young boys and men to upload pictures of nude girls. Catherine Manning, a parent of a girl at Kambrya College, took to Facebook to vent her anger, and said the school was 'fighting sexism with sexism'. Kambrya College was named on a vile porn-sharing website and responded by banning students from sending 'sexy selfies' and wearing short skirts and make-up (stock image) Catherine Manning (pictured) a parent of a girl at Kambrya College, took to Facebook to vent her anger, and said the school was 'fighting sexism with sexism' Kambrya College (pictured) made the demands during a school assembly on Thursday to 'protect the integrity' of its female pupils 'The problem is not with the girls and the length of their skirts, nor whether or not they choose to share photos with their boyfriends or anyone else,' Ms Manning wrote in the post, which has since gone viral. 'It's with the boys themselves; their sense of entitlement and sexist attitudes towards women and girls, their lack of respect, and the trust they CHOOSE to break.' Kambrya College assistant principal Jo Wastle confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald that the school held an assembly and spoke to students about 'dress codes, sexting, social media and respect'. 'We chose to separate boys and girls and different years to create smaller groups and encourage open dialogue,' she said. Ms Manning wrote a Facebook post in response to the restrictions at her daughter's school. The post has since gone viral 'As far as we know none of our students were affected, but they had heard about it and we wanted to set their minds at rest.' Authorities shut down the website in question after it was found many of the girls were underage. Users site often posted non-nude images and requested that other users upload 'wins', meaning explicit photos, of the same person. Some threads on the site asked for nudes of specific girls and women, while others asked for naked pictures of people from particular areas or schools. Queensland model and bodybuilder Tiahna Prosser, 18, was a victim of the website. Some threads on the site asked for nudes of specific girls and women, while others asked for naked pictures of students at specific schools (pictured) Queensland model and bodybuilder Tiahna Prosser (pictured), 18, was a victim of the website Ms Prosser said it felt like she 'had been sold' when she discovered she was on the website 'It was like I had been sold, it's just horrible especially when they want it of you specifically - that's when it's really disturbing,' Ms Prosser told News Corp. 'Half these people on the site I didn't even know they existed and they are asking for (naked) pictures of me to look at. 'It's so violating to know what they are thinking and doing. It's not something I want to think about on a daily basis.' Jenni Russell, 21, was another victim and was influential in having the site shut down. Jenni Russell (pictured), 21, was another victim and was influential in having the site shut down Ms Russell had her non-nude photo put on the website while a user asked: 'She's from Adelaide, any wins', meaning does anyone have naked photos of her She told 7News she was horrified when she discovered there was a thread dedicated to finding nude pictures of her. 'It's horrible, absolutely horrible and these girls don't even know about it,' she said. 'I'm lucky this girl messaged me and told me about it.' Ms Russell was thrilled to discover the site was being investigated by authorities. 'Now, thanks to mine and others voices, thousands of underage nude photos will be safe and these vile pigs will hopefully be charged with distributing child pornography,' she posted on Facebook. Dramatic body camera footage has emerged of the moment a Georgia police officer managed to pull a man from a fiery car crash. The incident occurred in the city of Athens around 3 am on Tuesday. Senior Police Officer Dan Whitney recorded what happened on his bodycam after being called to the car fire, and was told the driver had been killed in the wreck. However when he arrived, Whitney realized a passenger was still alive and trapped in the burning SUV. Fiery crash: The body cam footage shows the moment the cop arrives at the scene and discovers the SUV engulfed in flames Senior Police Officer Dan Whitney recorded what happened on his bodycam after being called to the car fire, and was told the driver had been killed in the wreck Close call: The footage shows the passenger struggling to breath as the car burns Whitney immediately retrieved his fire extinguisher from his own vehicle in an attempt to put out the flames. As seen in the footage, the man is in the backseat, however the doors of the car were jammed shut in the crash. Whitney then smashes a window and attempts to pull the man out. Just as the two are moving away from the crash, an explosion sets off that is so strong it knocks the camera off Whitney's chest. Safe: The man is pulled to safety just moments before the car exploded in flames The driver of the vehicle tragically burned to death in the fire. He is not seen in the footage. Officials believe that, without Whitney's efforts, the passenger also would have died. Other officers on scene described the heat from the fire as unbearable from 50 feet away, according to LiveLeak. Montana wildlife officials closed a 183-mile stretch of the Yellowstone River on Friday to fishing, rafting and other activities to prevent the spread of a parasite that is believed to have killed tens of thousands of fish. A fishing guide who runs a business along the river said the move could be catastrophic to the area's sizable outdoor industry, which depends heavily on the business its gets during the busy summer season. It is hoped the closure will halt the spread of the parasite that has been causing proliferative kidney disease particularly in the whitefish and trout species. Two fly fishermen and an oarsman test their angling skills as they float down the Yellowstone River near Pine Creek in Montana Visitors cool off in the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park - the closure will extend from the northern boundary to the city of Laurel 'This kill is unprecedented in magnitude. We haven't seen something like this in Montana,' Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokeswoman Andrea Jones said. The closure extends from Yellowstone National Park's northern boundary to the city of Laurel, along with tributaries in those areas. Over the past week, wildlife officials have documented more than 2,000 dead mountain whitefish and believe the total number killed is in the tens of thousands. Reports are emerging that the die-off is beginning to affect some rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout - species crucial to the area's fishing industry. A dead whitefish floats belly up near the Mayors Landing Fishing Access in the Yellowstone River in Livingston, Montana on Sunday, likely a victim of proliferative kidney disease The Yellowstone River runs through Paradise Valley, Montana with the Absaroka Mountains in the background Fishing, wading, floating, boating and all other activities are not allowed on the river until further notice. Numerous fly fishing outfitters and rafting companies operate in the closed stretch of river. Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Jeff Hagener acknowledged that the move would have a significant effect on those who use the Yellowstone. He said the agency had to balance that against the risk to the fishery, given that recreational activities disturb fish and exacerbate the effects of the disease. Fishing guide Dan Gigone with the Sweetwater Fly Shop in Livingston said one of his guides reported seeing hundreds of dead trout Thursday. He called the closure catastrophic but said he would not fight the move. 'We have trips on the books through September,' Gigone said. 'It's definitely a big part of the Livingston and area economy. But we need to protect the resources as best we can for future years.' Governor Steve Bullock said a threat to Montana's fish populations is a threat to the state's outdoor economy and the jobs it sustains. The wildlife agency will monitor the river and lift the closure when stream conditions such as flow and temperature improve and fish mortality ceases. It has set up two decontamination stations near the affected area to try to reduce the chance of equipment spreading the parasite to other rivers. The agency is asking the public to properly clean all equipment prior to moving between bodies of water. The closure comes just days ahead of a planned celebration at Yellowstone National Park to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell is slated to speak next Thursday as part of the event. The Cincinnati woman was charged with one count each of theft, failure to comply with police and driving under suspension Lisa Carr (pictured), 43, was arrested after stealing an ambulance because she missed the last bus home A discharged patient was arrested for stealing an ambulance because she missed the last bus home. Lisa Carr took the vacant University of Cincinnati ambulance Thursday night and drove it 9.6 miles to her home in Springfield Township. Springfield Township Police Chief Rob Browder told WLWT that Carr 'just wanted to go home'. The 43-year-old woman had been discharged from the Deaconess Hospital and told police she missed the last bus home. Carr said she saw the ambulance running and hopped in, police said. Police found the ambulance late Thursday night near the intersection of Meredith Drive and Daly Road, officials told the station. They said they were able to track the ambulance down through GPS. An ambulance driver flagged down Cincinnati police and reported his vehicle stolen outside Deaconess Hospital. The driver told authorities he had just dropped a patient off and went inside, according to FOX 19. Carr, who was driving below the speed limit, was arrested after a short police pursuit. She was charged with one count each of theft, failure to comply with police and driving under suspension, early Friday, the station reported. Carr was scheduled for a court appearance Friday morning, but authorities said it has been delayed. Nice has become the latest French seaside resort to ban the burkini, the body-concealing Islamic swimsuit that has sparked heated debate in secular France, according to city officials. Using language similar to bans imposed in a string of other towns on the French Riviera, the city barred apparel that 'overtly manifests adherence to a religion at a time when France and places of worship are the target of terrorist attacks'. The ban in Nice referred specifically to last month's Bastille Day truck attack in the city that claimed 85 lives as well as the murder 12 days later of a Catholic priest near the northern city of Rouen. Scroll down for video Nice has become the latest French seaside resort to ban the burkini, the body-concealing Islamic swimsuit Fifteen towns in the southeast, as well as others elsewhere in France, have already banned the burkini including nearby film festival host city Cannes, where three women were each fined under the ban at the weekend. Nice's deputy mayor Christian Estrosi, from the centre-right Republicans party, wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Manuel Valls that 'hiding the face or wearing a full-body costume to go to the beach is not in keeping with our ideal of social relations'. Valls came under fire after saying that the burkini was 'not compatible with the values of France and the Republic'. The Socialist premier cited the tensions in France after the jihadist attacks to justify his support for the mayors who barred a garment that he said was 'founded on the subjugation of women'. France's Human Rights League accused Valls of 'participating in the stigmatisation of a category of French people who have become suspect by virtue of their faith'. Burkinis are a rare sight on French beaches, where a small minority of Muslim women can be seen bathing in ordinary clothes and wearing headscarves. Islamic dress has long been a subject of debate in France, which was the first European country to ban the Islamic face veil in public in 2010, six years after outlawing the headscarf and other conspicuous religious symbols in state schools. Ten women including young mothers and grandmothers have become the first to be criminalised for wearing burkinis on a French beach. Pictured is a model wearing a burkini At the weekend, ten women including young mothers and grandmothers became the first to be criminalised for wearing burkinis on a French beach. All were reprimanded by police officers in the Riviera resort of Cannes, and forced to leave the sand. Four were fined the equivalent of 32, while all received 'warnings' that will now technically form part of their criminal records. Muslim groups reacted with horror to the development, which followed the Mayor of Cannes imposing a so-called 'burkini ban' at the end of last week. David Lisnard claimed the all-over swimsuits threatened to provoke people because of the number of terrorist attacks being carried out by Islamic State But opponents said there was no link whatsoever between the garments - which do not cover the face - and political violence. Muslim groups reacted with horror to the development, which followed the Mayor of Cannes imposing a so-called 'burkini ban'. A model wearing a burkini Instead they said Mr Lisnard, a member of the right wing Republican Party, was stirring up Islamophobia. A local council source in Cannes said the ten women were 'dealt with' under the new regulations over the past four days. Aged from 29 to 57, all were accompanied by children, and some had been wearing the garments while swimming in the sea. ' They are young mothers or grandmothers, and they do not believe they are criminals,' said the source. 'All were very upset at the way they were treated.' The new official ruling reads that 'access to beaches and for swimming is banned to anyone who does not have bathing apparel that respects good customs and secularism.' It has already been replicated in two other seaside resorts in France, and Nice becomes the latest to follow suit. The ban of the garments on the French island of Corsica came after a violent clash between North Africans and locals which saw a man harpooned for taking a picture of women wearing the garments. Cannes was the first resort in France to ban the garments from their beach, pictured, and several other towns have also followed with their own bans But the Collective against Islamophobia in France (CCIF) has filed a complaint about the bans with the Council of State, Paris's highest administrative court. CCIF spokesman Marwan Muhammad said: 'This summer we are witnessing a hysterical political Islamophobia that pits citizens against one another.' Nice was devastated when a jihadist drove a truck through crowds watching fireworks on the promenade on July 14 in an attack claimed by the Islamic State terror group. About a third of the victims were from Nices large Muslim community. Yesterday the French government said a man injured in the attack had died, bringing the death toll to 87. Thirty of his victims were Muslims, and the first to die was a grandmother of seven who regularly wore a veil. Meanwhile security officials from German Chancellor Angela Merkels conservative administration have proposed a ban on wearing the burka and other face-covering veils in schools, courts and while driving. Interior minister Thomas de Maiziere said full-face coverings worn by some Muslim women are not part of our open society. But he acknowledged constitutional problems with an outright ban on the burka and said the proposal seeks only to prohibit face coverings where showing the face has a function. Mr de Maiziere pointed out that Germany already bans wearing any kind of face covering at demonstrations, such as masks meant to hide protesters identities. Calls for a ban on burkas and other full-face veils have emerged from parts of Mrs Merkels administration over the past two weeks amid discussions on how to step up security following several attacks last month, two of them claimed by Islamic State. Egley now lives in Colorado and will be extradited to Utah to face trial He had been arrested in 1970 but court found evidence was lacking But Thomas Egley, 76, recently confessed to the killing, authorities said No one has been tried or convicted so far in connection to her death A 76-year-old man has been arrested after admitting to raping and murdering a woman more than 40 years ago because she denied him sex, authorities say. Loretta Jones, then a 23-year-old mother, died inside her home in Price, Utah, in July 1970. Authorities found her lying face down between the couch and a coffee table, naked from the waist down, court documents state. She had multiple stab wounds and had been sexually assaulted. Investigators reopened the case in 2009 to her daughter's request. Thomas Egley, 76, gave a confession on Tuesday, telling authorities he 'slit Loretta's throat' because she refused to have sex with him, making him feel 'like s**t'. Thomas Egley (left), 76, told authorities on Tuesday he had raped and murdered 23-year-old Loretta Jones (right) in 1970 because she wouldn't have sex with him, court documents state No one has been tried or convicted in Jones' death to this day. Her daughter, Heidi, was four years old when she found her mother lying dead in the living room and alerted a neighbor. Authorities found Jones' shorts and underwear next to her body. The underwear seemed to have been cut with a knife or another sharp object, court documents state. It was Heidi who asked authorities to reopen the case in 2009, according to charging documents published by KUTV. Egley (pictured right being escorted by Price City Chief of Police Art Poloni) was arrested in 1970 in connection to the case, but a court found the evidence against him lacking Jones (pictured) was found by her four-year-old daughter lying face down in the living room of their home in Price, Utah. She had stab wounds and was naked from the waist down It was Heidi, Jones' then four-year-old daughter (pictured with Jones as a baby), who found her mother's body and alerted a neighbor Heidi was in the adjoining room while her mother was being murdered, the affidavit reads. Sue Ann Horvath, their neighbor, called the police when the little girl came to her and said she thought 'her mommy [was] dead'. Authorities found two stab wounds on Jones' chest, 14 stab wounds on her back and one wound on her throat. Investigators received an anonymous phone tip at the time, leading them to Egley. He admitted to being in Price on the night of the murder but denied visiting Jones and could not get anyone to confirm his alibi, court documents state. Egley was arrested once in 1970 in connection to the case. He gave authorities the hat and clothes he claimed to have worn at the time of the murder. An archive photo published by the Sun Advocate shows a younger Egley being escorted by Price City Chief of Police Art Poloni. The owner of a bar said Egley had come to her establishment twice on the night of Jones' death and that he seemed 'very nervous', the affidavit reads. She told investigators she had noticed red spots on his shirt. A court determined the evidence against Egley was insufficient. He walked free at the time and moved to Colorado the following year. Jones' daughter was in the next room when her mother died. Pictured, Carbon County sheriff Albert Passic (left) and Poloni examine blood on the floor of the crime scene in 1970 Heidi (pictured as an adult next to her mother's grave) asked authorities to reopen the case in 2009, leading to Egley's confession and arrest Egley previously admitted to being in Price on the night of the murder but denied visiting Jones (pictured) and could not get anyone to confirm his alibi, court documents state But Egley came back under the radar when investigators reopened the case in 2009. They interviewed his ex-wife, Marsha Hidalgo, who said Egley had come home later than usual on the night of Jones' murder. Egley took a bath in his clothes and took them to the Laundromat the next day, later returning with fewer clothes then when he left, Hidalgo told authorities. Later on, Egley told Hidalgo he had given the police different clothes than the ones he was wearing on the night of Jones' death, she said according to court documents. Another witness, Egley's former boss, said she had seen Egley burning items next to the Laundromat in July 1970. She asked him what he was doing and he told her he was 'burning clothes from the night before' and that he 'gave police a different set of clothes', the affidavit states. When authorities exhumed Jones' body this spring, Egley asked his neighbor Lisa Carter how long DNA evidence and semen could last, court documents state. He decided to 'come clean' to investigators after talking more with her, according to the affidavit. Jones (pictured during her high school graduation) had two stab wounds on her chest, 14 stab wounds on her back and one wound on her throat when authorities found her Carter arranged for Egley to meet with Carbon County investigators at his home. Egley told authorities earlier this month that he had 'slit Loretta's throat', the documents read. He gave a further confession on Tuesday, according to the charging documents. 'I was there for sex... I was turned down for sex... [It made me feel] like shit... she went to the kitchen or something after that... and when she came back I stabbed her... in the living room. She fell... in front of the couch,' Egley said according to investigators. He told authorities Jones was still alive when he 'had sex' with her, the court documents state. Egley then cut her throat and left, according to the account of his confession. The widow of Chilean dictator General Pinochet is reportedly under investigation for allegedly swindling millions of dollars by selling off community centres to bankroll her husband's living expenses while he was in the UK. Lucia Hiriart, 93, is accused of siphoning off the funds from organisation CEMA Chile to pay for her husband's living expenses while he was under house arrest in the UK in 1998. During her 43 years as head of the organisation, dozens of government properties, which were donated to the foundation were sold off. Lucia Hiriart, now 93, is accused of siphoning off the funds from organisation CEMA Chile to pay for her husband General Pinochet's living expenses while he was under house arrest in the UK in 1998. Now Chilean officials believe the profits from these sales either disappeared or were transferred abroad. Among the transactions under investigation include the transfer of $100,000 to Hiriat in London while General Pinochet was under house arrest there. The country's minister for public property Victor Osorio told the Guardian that prosecutors are preparing to file formal charges over the allegations. He said: 'If you look at their work, the CEMA Chile foundation operates like a real estate company. Hiriart took over CEMA Chilefollowing the bloody 1973 military coup, acting as the group's president and then president-for-life until she resigned the position last week 'We are still tallying the total of properties but we calculate the first group of 118 properties to have a value of US$123m and that's just a percentage of the overall total.' The CEMA Chile foundation was founded in 1954 as a vehicle for charitable works by the country's first ladies. Hiriart took over following the bloody 1973 military coup that put her husband in power, acting as the group's president and then president-for-life until she resigned the position last week. The organisation was originally conceived as a community centre for farm workers, but Hiriart changed the focus to 'women's centers' with a focus on quilting and cake-baking classes. CEMA Chile still has dozens of centers across the country that are run by volunteers, but according to investigators the group has largely become a vehicle to buy, sell and rent properties. Officials from CEMA Chile have so far refused to comment. General Augusto Pinochet ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990 after gaining power during a military coup that saw President Salvador Allende thrown from office. During his rule he ordered many purges which saw 3,000 supporters of the Allene regime killed with thousands more tortured and forced into exile. General Augusto Pinochet ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990 after gaining power during a military coup that saw President Salvador Allende thrown from office In 1990 he reluctantly stepped down as president and in 1998 he travelled to the UK for medical treatment. However, he was arrested under an international arrest warrant and placed under house arrest. A legal battle ensued and in 2000 it was ruled he should not be extradited to Chile and was allowed a free return to the country. After, he rarely made public appearances but in 2006, he was indicted for kidnappings and torture. 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." At least 100 people have been injured and 15 people hospitalised after a men armed with sticks and knives brawled over the plot of a TV soap opera. The fight started when two men watching the Indian fantasy television serial 'Kiranmala' about a warrior princess who saves mankind from evil disagreed over a storyline. Villagers in Dhol, eastern Bangladesh joined in and vandalised the restaurant where they were watching the show before spilling out into the street attacking each other with sticks and knives. At least 100 people have been injured and 15 people hospitalised after a men armed with sticks and knives brawled over the plot of a TV soap opera 'Kiranmala' 'Two men got involved into an argument over the story of the episode, which later turned into a group skirmish,' local police chief Yasinul Haque told AFP. 'During the fight, the angry mob vandalised the restaurant and continued the fight on Thursday morning,' he said. At least 100 people were injured during the brawl in the village 176 kilometres (109 miles) north-east of Dhaka, Haque said, with 15 requiring hospital treatment. The fight started when two men watching the Indian fantasy television serial about a warrior princess who saves mankind from evil disagreed over a storyline Several Bangladeshis blasted the government on social media for allowing the broadcast of Indian television channels which they claim 'spread degenerate culture' in the Muslim-majority nation. 'It is very sad we are fighting over mere acting. Channels should be filtered,' Facebook user Aminur Rahman wrote. A teenager is trying to sue a private school over claims it failed to protect her from an alleged rapist. Police were called to 33,000-a-year Repton School in Derbyshire after the 16-year-old said she was attacked. A 17-year-old pupil was arrested on suspicion of carrying out the sex assault in a park close to the prestigious school, where Roald Dahl and Jeremy Clarkson were former pupils. Prestigious school: Police were called to 33,000-a-year Repton School (pictured) in Derbyshire after the 16-year-old said she was attacked, and a 17-year-old pupil was arrested But his alleged victim now wants to sue the school for negligence and is expected to claim it failed to supervise or discipline its pupil, it can be revealed today. It is believed to be the first case of its kind in Britain, although there have been cases of rape victims suing schools for negligence in the US. Details emerged in legal documents lodged at the High Court in London on behalf of the alleged victim, now 18. She told police she was raped in October 2014 and the 17-year-old was arrested and interviewed in November that year. The police investigation ended after a decision that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute and no further action was taken. The girl has now applied to the High Court to force Derbyshire police to hand over details of its investigation in the hope it will help her lawyer to prepare a case against the school. She has been given a transcript of her own account to police but needs a court order to get access to transcripts from other interviews, including those of her alleged attacker. If any staff or other pupils at Repton were interviewed as witnesses, the accounts could prove useful in a potential negligence claim. Roald Dahl (left) and Jeremy Clarkson (right) were former pupils at the prestigious school Derbyshire Police has refused to release those documents to her without a court order, as the force says they are covered by data protection laws. The girls claim form, seen by the Daily Mail, states: The claimant currently intends to make a claim against the school of negligence in relation to the supervision and/or disciplining of [the alleged attacker] and has therefore sought copies of the records. It adds: The claimants mother has been given an indication by an officer in the Derbyshire police force that the records of interviews and other matters to do with the investigation... are likely to be of considerable assistance in relation to a potential claim of negligence against the school. Her application has been assigned to a Queens Bench Division judge to consider. It does not include any legal claim against the school. A spokesman for Derbyshire police said the force had already handed over as much information as was allowed under the Data Protection Act. The force is not expected to oppose the High Court application. Repton declined to comment. Built in the grounds of a 12th century Augustinian Priory, the school dates back to 1559 and its sporting alumni includes the 1924 Olympic 100m runner Harold Abrahams, whose story was told in the film Chariots of Fire, and Wimbledon finalist Henry Bunny Austin. Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson was a boarder in the 1970s but claimed he was expelled before he could take his A-Levels for drinking, smoking and making a general nuisance of himself. He also claimed he was bullied and beaten by older pupils. Author Roald Dahl, who attended Repton in the 1930s, described ritual cruelty and beatings in his book Boy. Repton is now co-educational and has some 650 day and boarding pupils aged between 13 and 18. In 2011, staff wrote to some parents after a 14-year-old girl allegedly drank so much vodka she had to have her stomach pumped. Despite the charge, Triplett retains custody of the boy, insisting that she is a good mother While expressing remorse, Triplett says that she left her son in the car because her babysitter canceled and the boy's father failed to show up Toddler was found by a local security guard who noticed him crying and alone in the vehicle for 15 minutes Destyni Triplett, 19, was charged with reckless conduct by police in Sandy Springs A 19-year-old Georgia woman left her 18-month-old son alone in a running car whose doors were unlocked while she was inside a local nursing school taking an exam. The boy was found on Thursday crying as he was strapped into a car seat with the engine running and the air conditioning turned on. Police in the North Fulton County town of Sandy Springs charged the mother, Destyni Triplett, with reckless conduct. A security guard working at the nursery school where Triplett was taking her exam noticed the crying boy in a nearby parking lot. 'It was very dangerous for the child,' Sandy Springs police Sgt. Forrest Bohannon told WSB-TV. 'Anything could have happened. It was a dangerous situation for the child to be left alone at a year and a half in the vehicle.' Triplett expressed remorse for the incident, though she said that the boy's father was supposed to be in the car watching their son. The young mother said that just before she was due to take a test at the nursing school, her babysitter canceled on her. She then expected the boy's father to show up, but he failed to do, she told the television station. Luckily, the boy was in the car for 15 minutes before he was noticed by the security guard. Police say the air conditioning prevented the car's interior from quickly heating up. 'The child was fine when they got there,' Bohannon said. 'The car had been running with the air conditioning on, so it hadn't gotten that hot yet.' Triplett still maintains custody of the boy. Despite the arrest, she says she's a good mother. Triplett was inside a nursing school taking an exam after leaving her son alone in the vehicle A security guard noticed the boy crying as the car in which he was strapped was still running. Triplett says the boy's father was supposed to show up to look after him 'Looking back, I would have definitely taken him in [with me to the nursing school], but I wasn't thinking and I made a terrible mistake,' she said. This year alone, there have been 23 child deaths blamed on hot cars, according to Dr. Jan Null of San Jose State University. A Pennsylvania woman who left her boyfriend's four-year-old daughter locked in a hot car for more than six hours last month was charged Thursday in the child's death. Brittany Borgess, 28, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and related offenses in the death of Samaria Motyka. The outside temperatures on that day reached 97 degrees and likely would have exceeded 120 degrees inside of the car during the time it was parked, the Sun Gazette reported. Earlier this month, in the same state of Georgia, two twin girls died after their father left them in a roasting hot car in 90-degree temperatures outside their home. The 16-month-old girls, Ariel and Alaynah North, died after they were found unresponsive while strapped in their car seats in the back of an SUV, CBS46 reported. Coworkers of a man who took three pistols to work and killed 14 people in less than 15 minutes are still reliving the nightmarish attack. Postal worker Patrick Sherill, 44, opened fire at a post office in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he worked, on August 20, 1986. The rampage lasted for about 15 minutes and ended with Sherill's suicide. Saturday will mark the 30th anniversary of the killings. But three decades have not been enough to erase the memory of that day from the survivors' minds. Scroll down for video Fourteen people died and six were injured during a mass shooting in Edmond, Oklahoma, on August 20, 1986. Pictured, police and medical personnel remove bodies from the building Postal worker Patrick Sherill (pictured left and right) had been reprimanded and threatened with dismissal the previous day. He killed himself at the end of the rampage Saturday will mark the 30th anniversary of the killings. Pictured in an archive photo, a postal worker who survived the shooting is comforted by his wife and daughter They have spent the last 30 years trying to carry on with their lives, dealing with their trauma at a time when knowledge of the human mind was more limited than today and coping strategies lesser known. 'I still have nightmares. And I guess I always will,' 84-year-old Gene Bray old the New York Daily News. Bray, who now lives in Lawton, was in the office when Sherrill stormed the building not long after 7 am. He took a bullet to the side and passed out. To this day, Bray believes this caused Sherrill to think Bray was dead - and that may have saved his life. Mike Bigler is one of six people who survived the rampage with injuries. He is pictured holding a photo showing the wounds he received to his back after getting shot Gene Bray, 84 (pictured with his wife Lois, 80) took a bullet to the side of his body during the shooting and passed out. He still has nightmares of the rampage The Edmond massacre ushered a string of similar shootings at post offices in the early 1990s. Pictured, a woman is escorted out of the building where the shooting happened The phrase 'going postal, used to describe someone who goes violent, remains a reference to the 1986 killings and those that followed. Pictured, three women walk from the scene 'It scared me so badly. I really thought I was going to die,' Bray told ABC 7. 'There was no doubt in my mind at that time.' Sherrill had received a reprimand for his poor performance at work the previous day and had been threatened with dismissal, the New York Times reported at the time. He kept shooting for about 15 minutes, taking the life of 14 people and injuring six more, including Bray. Sherill, who had earned the nickname 'Crazy Pat' in the neighborhood according to a previous report by Time Magazine, didn't appear to have many close friends and sometimes chased children in a fit of rage. The Edmond massacre ushered a string of similar shootings at post offices in the early 1990s. The phrase 'going postal, used to describe someone who goes violent, especially due to stress, remains as a reference to the 1986 killings and those that followed. Survivors of the massacre had to recover from their trauma at a time when knowledge of the human mind was more limited than today. Pictured, two women embrace after the massacre Sherrill shot himself in the head at the end of the massacre. Pictured at the center in grey, his sister Jo Ann Bushnell attends a funeral ceremony for him four days after the rampage Sherrill ended the rampage by shooting a bullet in his own head, taking his own life. When the shooting was over, Bray came to and felt pain. He managed to get out of the building and catch the attention of a policeman. An ambulance took him to the hospital, where his wife Lois rushed to see him. The bullet narrowly missed Bray's spinal cord and Bray survived after emergency surgery. But Bray's recovery had only just begun. His body had been saved, but his mind needed to heal, too. 'A lot of us felt we were going crazy and talked to each other and you were too afraid to tell anybody what's happening to your mind,' another survivor, Tracy Sanchez, told the Daily News. Bray had a couple of sessions with a counselor after the massacre, but did most of his recovering at home with Lois, who is now 80, and their four children, the Daily News wrote. Thirty years on, he still relives the rampage on some nights. 'He's had many a nightmare, wakes up at night and I'll hear him and of course I have to reach over and tell him: "It's ok, it's ok,"' Lois told ABC 7. 'And he'll say: "He's going to get me. He's going to get me." It takes a lot to calm him down sometimes.' Maria Pridmore, 36, pocketed benefits in the name of her baby son Kia who died in 2009 A scrounger mother who claimed thousands of pounds in benefits for her dead baby as well as stealing from pensioners and her own family has been jailed. Maria Pridmore, 36, pocketed child benefits in the name of her newborn son Kia who died when he was just two weeks old in December 2009. She also targeted a vulnerable 84-year-old dementia sufferer, clocking up a 6,000 bill on her credit cards and even using one of them to pay for a taxi journey to court where she was answering theft charges against the pensioner. Pridmore, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, was described as a 'complete and utter Walter Mitty character' as she was sentenced to three years in prison. Lincoln Crown Court heard how Pridmore suffered 14 miscarriages, a stillbirth and the loss of Kia, over a 13-year period before finally having a healthy daughter in 2012. The former nurse swindled 16,931 worth of handouts over a three-year period after failing to inform the authorities of a change in her circumstances. In total she illegally netted over 55,000 from the fraud as well as using vulnerable victims' bank details and stealing from her own family. In court it emerged police have information that Pridmore - whose own solicitor said, 'she couldn't lie straight in bed' - is still receiving tax credits to this day. At an earlier hearing she admitted seven charges of benefit fraud between January 2001 and March 2013. She also pleaded guilty to seven charges of fraud and two of theft between March 2013 and May 2015. Wearing a short-sleeved black top with a 'Little Miss Jolly' tattoo showing on her upper left arm, Pridmore sobbed into a tissue as she was jailed. Pridmore, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, was described as a 'complete and utter Walter Mitty character' as she was sentenced to three years in prison Sentencing, Judge Simon Hirst said: 'Maria Pridmore over the last six years you have behaved in an utterly dishonest fashion. 'The overall loss through your dishonesty is I am told some 56,000 - in my judgement that loss does not in any way come close to representing the totality of your offending. 'Throughout that period you have systematically targeted and abused people who showed you kindness, particularly if those people were vulnerable. 'For the vast majority of your life you had a good upbringing with many advantages that an enormous number of people in this city and area would love to have had. 'On August 10 2010 you made false representation that you had two children.. Both children were deceased. 'In February 2011 you made false representation that you had two dependent children when you did not. 'In March 2013 you made false representation that you were a lone parent with three dependent children. In fact two had died and one was not in your care. 'In May 2015 you met Angela Bird, a 78-year-old woman with vascular dementia. Pridmore had swindled close to 17,000 from taxpayer over three years 'She befriended you and you repaid that kindness by stealing her credit card and taking 550. 'Davina Croker was an 84-year-old extremely vulnerable woman who had been admitted to hospital with dementia. 'You knew she was vulnerable because you saw her trying to hand her washing out in the oven. You befriended her and asked for 50 from her. 'You withdrew money from her credit cards totaling just short of 6,000. 'In an extreme example of you callous behaviour you used her bank card to book a 60 taxi to Lincoln Crown Court while on bail for your other offences against Miss Croker. 'Between Febraury 17 and March 13 2016 you entered five stores and told people you needed money to visit your children or your mother who were in hospital.' Pridmore was told she would serve half of her sentence when she would then be released on licence. Prosecutor Sarah Munro told the court the DWP were investigating claims Pridmore was still illegally claiming benefits. She added: 'She has admitted seven charges of benefit fraud against the Department of Work and Pensions. 'The police have information that she is still claiming tax credits to this day, despite the convictions. 'The police have informed the Department of Work and Pensions and they are investigating. 'In January 2013 she was invited to babysit by Katherine Saunders in her home in Boston. 'Pridmore must have gained access to the credit card then and activated it.. In total she spent 17,890. 'Her neighbour reported two offences of fraud and one of theft after Miss Pridmore went through items of her mail. 'She obtained her bank details and it affected her neighbour's credit rating. 'In October 2015 Pridmore visited Davina Croker, an 84-year-old lady who had been admitted to hospital. Cheat Pridmore was seen sobbing into a tissue as she was jailed at Lincoln Crown Court 'She took money from her. She used her card at cash points and was arrested and eventually admitted to theft, but claimed she had given it back. 'On April 23 this year she contacted a taxi from this court and paid using Miss Croker's card. She paid 60 for a return fair. 'This was while she was on bail for the original offence against Miss Croker. She transferred 1,200 from the card into her friend's account. 'This is particularly nasty given what she knew about Miss Croker, and how she could not manage her own financial affairs.' David Eager, defending, said: 'It would amaze anyone following this case if Maria Pridmore could even lie straight in bed. 'She is a complete and utter Walter Mitty character, but she was not always thus. She was once a nurse, she was a decent person who did a decent job. 'In December 2009 she suffered her first miscarriage and then she suffered a stroke and all of these offences happened after that. Cradled in his father's arms and being rushed to hospital after an airstrike in Aleppo, another young victim of the Syrian war has emerged. Just 24 hours ago, the image of a separate five-year-old Syrian boy staring blankly with blood and dust covering his face after an airstrike in Aleppo shocked the world. But despite global condemnation of the conflict, a day later a separate neighbourhood in the city was also rocked by cruise missiles. Scroll down for video A street food seller is seen rushing into the street carrying an injured toddler and trying to get them medical attention after an airsrike in Aleppo Panicked families run out into the street after cruise missiles hit the Syrian city earlier today The strikes sent Syrian families rushing out into the street of Aleppo, which were covered in smoke, as buildings crumbled around them Today Russian warships in the Mediterranean Sea fired at targets near the city in a further sign of Moscow's military effort in Syria. Russian air power had helped Syrian President Bashar al-Assad make steady advances against rebels seeking to oust him since Moscow's intervention a year ago, but a recent insurgent advance in Aleppo has checked that momentum. The strikes sent Syrian families rushing out into the street of Aleppo, which were covered in smoke, as buildings crumbled around them. And a father was also seen running into the street carrying his injured toddler and trying to get them medical attention. The plight of civilians in Aleppo has been aggravated in besieged areas by dire shortages of basic goods, leading the World Food Programme to warn of a 'nightmarish' situation. The airstrikes come a day after the image of five-year-old Omran Daqneesh, who was injured in Syria, shocked the world Omran sat dazed and confused when he was loaded into an ambulance after being pulled from the rubble of his home in Aleppo which was decimated in an air strike The upsurge in fighting and airstrikes in and around the city, split between government-held west and rebel-held eastern sectors, has prompted growing international concern, galvanised by pictures on Thursday of a dazed, bloodied child. Omran Daqneesh sat dazed and confused when he was loaded into an ambulance after being pulled from the rubble of his home in Aleppo which was decimated in an air strike. A nurse who treated the brave boy said Omran did not shed a single a tear until he laid eyes on his mother and father who joined him at the hospital a short time after his arrival Doctors feared the boy may have suffered internal injuries when he was pinned under the the remains of building, which collapsed an hour after he was rescued. The first moments of the bombing of Russian warplanes on civilians in the northern countryside of Syria The upsurge in fighting and airstrikes in and around the city, split between government-held west and rebel-held eastern sectors, has prompted growing international concern, But Omran's wounds were superficial and nurses were able to wrap up his head, bandage his eye and discharge him. The five-year-old lives with his mother, father and three siblings - who all miraculously survived the harrowing strike. And since the haunting image of Omran emerged yesterday, it has prompted an international outcry. The footage of the shell-shocked five- year-old was dubbed by Washington 'the real face' of Syria's five-year war. An Atlanta man accused of killing two teens behind a grocery store spied on them 'for some time' before shooting the man dead, forcing the girl to strip, sexually assaulting her and then killing her too, police say. Jeffery Hazelwood, 20, is charged with murdering 17-year-olds Natalie Henderson and Carter Davis in the early hours of August 1. At a preliminary hearing Friday two charges of sexual assault were added as detectives revealed disturbing new details about the case, but said they have been unable to find a link between the killer and his victims. Family members of the victims wept in court as the new information was read out, while the lead detective also fought back tears on the stand. Jeffrey Hazelwood, 20, appeared in court today charged with the murders of 17-year-olds Natalie Henderson and Carter Davis, with disturbing new details revealed in the case Relatives of Henderson and Davis wept as detectives told how Hazelwood spied on the pair 'for some time' before threatening them with a gun and forcing Henderson to strip Detective Jennifer Bennett also fought tears as she told how Hazelwood forced Henderson to bend over before spanking her and then shooting her in the head Police say that Henderson and Davis's bodies were found laid out in one of these parking spaces behind a Publix store. Hazelwood had spied on them from the roof Detective Jennifer Bennett told a judge how Hazelwood's car was spotted alone outside a Publix store in Atlanta at around 3am on the morning of August 1, though she did not say why he was there. Some time later cars belonging to Henderson and Davis pulled into the parking lot and went behind the store before stopping there, Fox 5 Atlanta reports. Henderson and Davis then climbed into the backseat of her car, while Hazelwood, who was on the roof of the store, watched them from above. Bennett said Hazelwood spied on the couple 'for some time' before approaching her vehicle with a gun he had stolen from his grandfather's truck. Hazelwood said he became scared of Davis, and so shot him in the head, police said according to WTOC. Cops say he then forced Henderson, who was partially clothed, to climb out of the car and remove the rest of her clothing. He then forced the teen to bend over the bonnet of the car and spanked her, Bennett said, before shooting her once in the head. Police say Hazelwood did not know either Henderson (left) or Davis (right) directly, and have been unable to ascertain a motive for the killings Hazelwood also claimed to have digitally penetrated Henderson before she died, though an autopsy report revealed no trauma to her genital area Hazelwood also claimed to have digitally penetrated the teen, though an autopsy report showed no signs of genital trauma. Cops say Hazelwood took jumper cables from Davis's vehicle and stole Henderson's debit card, before making his way to a nearby gas station. Officers say they used social media to track the alleged killer, before honing in on the gas station when Hazelwood tried to use Henderson's card. Hazelwood initially said he drove the killer to the scene but did not carry out the murders, before later saying he had been forced to do it by someone else When they arrived, officers said they found Hazelwood pacing around shirtless, wearing a V for Vendetta mask similar to those worn by anti-capitalist protesters, and acting erratically. Inside his vehicle they found a 9mm pistol along with a can of gas. After being arrested Hazelwood initially claimed he had been present during the killings and seen the bodies fall to the ground, but did not know who carried out the murders, police say. He later changed his story, saying he had driven the killer to the scene, before admitting he was responsible for the deaths, according to investigators. However, he also told detectives that somebody else made him kill the pair. During questioning police say Hazelwood continued acting unusually, switching to a British accent to answer difficult questions. Bennett added that Hazelwood's grandparents, who he was living with at the time of the murders, were afraid of him and had ordered him to move out of their house by August. They had previously reported Hazelwood to police for taking knives and guns from their safe and 'threatening to hurt people', records show, though he has no criminal history having never been convicted of a crime. Officers say that Hazelwood's grandparents, who he was living with at the time of the killings, were afraid of him and had ordered him to leave by August Hazelwood also wrote extensively, officers say, and had discussed becoming an assassin in journals found at his girlfriend's house Detectives added that Hazelwood also wrote extensively, and kept a lot of ledgers at his girlfriend's house, writing in one that he wanted to be an assassin. Police said Hazelwood did not know either Carter or Henderson directly, but knew one of Davis's friends. Judge Karen Smith Woodson ruled there was enough evidence to send the case to trial, adding sexual assault to the long list of charges Hazelwood faces. Hazelwood, who is being held in custody without bond, was reported to be shaking and rocking back and forth during the hearing. During his first court appearance Hazelwood had been shaking uncontrollably, visibly twitching his head, and appeared to pet an invisible dog while wearing a wedding band, despite the fact he's not married. Friday's court appearance came the day after autopsy reports for Henderson and Davis were released by Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. The reports contain more police testimony, saying that Henderson and Davis's bodies had been posed after death. Henderson was in a 'sexually suggestive pose' with her legs spread wide, detectives said, while Davis was shirtless and had his arms stretched out in the shape of a cross. When he was arrested Hazelwood was found shirtless, pacing around in a gas station parking lot and wearing a Guy Fakwes mask from film V for Vendetta (file image) Both victims had been shot once in the head, the report says, and while no shell casings were recovered from the scene, examiners concluded the weapon to be a revolver. Henderson had blood and hair smeared on the inside of her thigh, while both victims had blood on their feet. Davis had a burn injury on his left big toe, while Henderson had one on her right big toe, though it is not clear if these were caused on the night they died. Henderson also had a laceration on her nose, bruising to her lips and eyes, and had a feather placed in her hair, according to detectives. Sexual assault kits were prepared for both victims, though the outcome of these tests is not known. Thousands have now completed the #22pushupchallenge online They raised money for A video showing police officers completing the #22PushUpChallenge has been watched by almost 5million people. The Chichester officers took part in the exercise to raise money for the military veterans' charity Combat Stress. The Chichester officers took part in the exercise to raise money for the military veterans' charity Combat Stress Thousands of people have pledged their support by completing 22 push ups and posting videos on social media. The number of push-ups was chosen because twenty-two veterans die by suicide each day from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For more information go to www.facebook.com/CombatStress The fiancee of a New Jersey State Trooper who was hit and killed by a driver on duty has given birth to their second son. Sean Cullen, 31, was responding to a car fire on March 8 when another driver struck him, and he later died of a head injury. At the time of his death, Cullen's fiancee Aryn McCormick was pregnant with their second child, a boy named Conor Eamonn who was born on August 3. Aryn McCormick gave birth to her second son with her late fiancee Sean Cullen on August 3. She named the little boy Conor Eamonn. The mother is pictured above with her 15-month-old Seamus and the newborn baby At the time of his death, Cullen's fiancee Aryn McCormick was pregnant with Conor Eamonn who is pictured sleeping in a barrel next to a bear with a New Jersey state police insignia Sean Cullen, 31, was responding to a car fire on March 8 when another driver struck him, and he later died of a head injury In honor of the late state trooper, local photographer Stephanie Anton-Velos of BH Photography offered to photograph the baby boy and his 15-month-old brother Seamus for free for a year. The first images of little Conor were released this week, including one that shows the boy sleeping in a barrel next to a New Jersey State Police teddy bear. In some other good news for the family, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a new law into effect this week that will entitle both of Cullen's sons to 70 per cent of his last salary until they are age 18 or, if they are enroll in college, 25. This change to the law was made especially for the two boys, who would have been only eligible to 35 per cent of his last salary previously. Adorable two-week-old Conor Eamonn is pictured resting his eyes while lying inside a basket Conor's 15-month-old brother is pictured holding him as they pose together in a sweet snap In honor of the late state trooper, local photographer Stephanie Anton-Velos of BH Photography offered to photograph the baby boy Since McCormick was not married to Cullen at the time of his death, she is unfortunately not entitled to any of his salary. Had she been, she would have been received 70 per cent of his last salary for the rest of her life. Cullen, 31, who had been with the state troopers for two years, passed away in the early hours of March 8 from head injuries he sustained after being struck by a car along I-295. Cullen, from Cinnaminson, New Jersey, had been responding to a vehicle fire around 8pm on Monday when he was hit by a 22-year-old woman who was passing the scene close to exit 23. Joining the New Jersey State Troopers was a lifelong dream for Cullen (pictured above) Above, a view of the car fire Cullen was responding to back in March when he was killed According to ABC 6 News, the woman managed to hit both Cullen and the car on fire which was stopped up against the central crash barrier An air ambulance landed in the middle of the freeway in order to take Cullen to Cooper University Hospital for treatment, with state trooper vehicles pictured following closely behind. According to ABC 6 News, the woman managed to hit both Cullen and the car on fire which was stopped up against the central crash barrier. The force of the impact was sufficient to cause the burning vehicle to spin around in the road. Emma Raymond, 16, who was taken out of a revision lesson for her GCSEs and arrested after being accused of being the 'ringleader of a hate campaign' Emma Raymond was wearing her school uniform when she was hauled out of class, arrested, marched across the school grounds to a waiting police car and taken to the cells. And why wouldnt she be? She is, after all, only 16. A child, points out her mother Victoria, bitterly. At 9am on that day in January a day that has left her afraid to be in the house on her own, and her parents white with fury she was in a GCSE revision class, swotting for imminent exams. She never got her revision done. She didnt get her packed lunch that day either, because it was taken from her and the contents meticulously documented on the police arrest sheet. What crime could warrant the arrest of a teenager while in class, and the holding of her in the cells for five hours? Murder? Terrorism? No. Emma had been accused of being the ringleader of a gang who were bullying another girl, targeting her online, threatening to get her and even hacking into her familys webcam. Emma opens her eyes wide. I mean, hacking a webcam. How do you do that? Is it even possible? I certainly couldnt. I failed my IT course. I have to get my little sister to help me with basic computer stuff. And all this had supposedly happened on the night before I was arrested. Hello! I was at home, watching Spider-Man with my family. If theyd asked, I could have told them that. What followed was the sort of Kafkaesque nightmare no parent could envisage when they wave their child off on the school bus on an otherwise unremarkable Wednesday morning. Even if the allegations had been true, argues Emmas father, Carl, This would have been too heavy-handed an approach by the police. But Emmas case is shocking because even the police now admit she had no case to answer. The accusations against her were entirely false. Today her parents claim Nottinghamshire Police should have known this. Astonishingly, the same girl who made the accusations had done so around 18 months previously. And, staggeringly, it was the same police force that had investigated the earlier claims and dismissed them. The whole thing is a joke, says Carl. It would actually be laughable if it wasnt so serious. To say the experience was traumatic for Emma is an understatement. Never having been arrested before (the worst that had happened to her was getting detention for wearing the wrong shoes, says Victoria), Emma was shocked by the brutality of the process. Emma with her parents Carl and Victoria. Emmas case is shocking because even the police now admit she had no case to answer. The accusations against her were entirely false At the police station they went through my schoolbag and noted every single thing down, every pencil, every sheet of paper. Theyd already taken my phone Id asked if I could phone my mum and they said no then they took my packed lunch. They went through my make-up bag, listing it all. They took my blazer, my shoes. They did a search and checked in my socks. And of course they took my school tie, I suppose in case I tried to hang myself with it. Do you know the best bit? It was a clip-on tie. I wouldnt have had much success there. I didnt cry until they locked me in the cell, says Emma. I was so confused before that, and so convinced thered just been a mistake. I just wanted my mum and dad but they kept saying no. The occupants of the other cells seemed more familiar with the process. They were all men, all shouting and swearing and kicking the doors. I was terrified. The officers who put her in that cell cannot have been in any doubt about her age and immaturity, though. They handed me a magazine to read. It was a magazine for little girls, full of articles about One Direction. Meanwhile, events outside the cell were every bit as alarming. When Carl and Victoria were informed by a police welfare officer that their daughter was being held, they rushed to the station to try to see her, but were refused. At the same time, police travelled to their family home with a search warrant. Caught in an unfolding nightmare, the couple rushed back home and stood, powerless, as their daughters bedroom was searched. The police seized her laptop and two iPods one of which didnt even connect to the internet and was only used to play music. At 4.45pm, Emma was finally released, after being interviewed. Victoria shudders. When she came out of that cell she fell into my arms and was sobbing her heart out. I dont think they have any idea what theyve done to her. Emma appearing on the Victoria Derbyshire show earlier this year. Emma insists she had not seen the girl, or had any contact either on the phone or online, since the first bullying allegations 18 months previously Afterwards, while we were waiting to see if she would be charged, she asked me, Mum, am I going to going to jail?. This was the point where she should only have been thinking about her GCSEs. The timing could not have been worse. Emma nods. I knew I hadnt done anything, but if you can get arrested for doing nothing, then surely you can go to jail for doing nothing. At the family home in leafy Mapperley, Nottingham, Emmas parents explain why they are speaking out about their daughters three-month ordeal. Normally a private family, Carl, 49, is a firefighter, while Victoria, 39, is a teaching assistant. Part of them wants to put the events of earlier this year behind them, and they are clearly mortified at being involved with the police at all. People think No smoke without fire, dont they? says Carl. But were a normal, law-abiding family and yet out of the blue we found ourselves in this nightmare. Carl was shocked by what his daughter endured. They treated her like a criminal from the off. And there was no basic humanity in how they dealt with her. At one point we begged them to let her have her GCSE coursework off that laptop. We offered to give them a memory stick so they could do it themselves. They said no. There was no budging. They have put her whole future at risk. They owe my daughter an apology. Quite how this could have happened isnt clear, but the family claim the girl who made the accusations had made similar ones previously against Emma. Shed moved to our school in the summer of 2014, says Emma. I was nice to her. I befriended her. I felt sorry for her. She seemed nice enough. Weeks later, however, the family were horrified when officers from Nottinghamshire Police arrived at their door, with accusations of online bullying. We were stunned, shocked beyond words, says Victoria. This was not the daughter we knew. But all too aware that teenage girls arent always the sweet souls that their parents think they know, the pair confronted Emma. Emma was adamant she didnt know what on earth this girl was talking about. She offered to give the police her laptop. She said, I have nothing to hide, take it. They refused. Emma insists that, at that time, there had been no bullying, indeed there had been hardly any contact outside school. I didnt even Facebook her. I honestly had no idea where this had come from. I was really upset because Id been so nice to her. Why was she doing this? The family asked the school to arrange a meeting with both sets of parents, to discuss what on earth was going on, says Victoria. They refused. And from the day she made the complaint, the girl stopped coming to school. Shes at another school now. She has been bullied there, too, it seems. Nottinghamshire Police admit their actions were distressing to the family, and have pointed out they would not normally enter school premises to make an arrest. Pictured is the force's headquarters They thought the matter finished. Then on a Wednesday morning in January this year, not long after shed dropped her daughter to the bus stop, Victoria was shocked to receive a phone call from the school saying the police were there and wanted to speak to Emma. She made no connection to the previous bullying complaint. Had she done something? I said to them I didnt want the police speaking to Emma without me there. They said that the police would contact me. Distraught, Victoria got in the car to drive to the school, but pulled over halfway there to ring again. They told me the police had gone. I assumed Emma was in class. I went home. I had no idea that they had actually taken her in a police car, and Im furious that I didnt know that. She is a vulnerable teenager and was in a police car with two male police officers, not even a female one. It makes me go cold thinking about it. As a parent, I should have known where she was. Meanwhile, from the back of the police car, Emma was making attempts to call her mum. I got my phone out in the back of the car. They said: You cant use that. I said, But surely Im allowed a phone call? I only want to tell my mum where I am. They said no. I went to switch the phone off and one of them said to the other They were right about her. She does have an attitude. Emma wasnt taken to her local police station but a bigger one at Mansfield, half an hour away. She describes the moment the accusations were put to her. They said they thought I was involved in harassment and improper use of computers, she says. The minute they started talking about bullying, the penny dropped. I knew it was this girl. What I didnt know was why. Emma insists she had not seen the girl, or had any contact either on the phone or online, since the first bullying allegations 18 months previously. Yet according to police, a more recent campaign of bullying had been ongoing. They said this girl had had messages put in her bag. Shed been sent stuff threats online. There was apparently this guy, Dave, whod been employed to do the nasty work by me, Emma says. Ive never even heard of someone called Dave. Carl was allowed to be in the room when Emma was finally interviewed by the police at around 3pm on the day of the arrest. At this point I was shaking, I was sweating, he says. I was in a worse state than Emma, if Im honest. I thought: They must have some serious evidence here if they have gone to these lengths. What was unveiled, however, was a joke. They pulled out a piece of A4 paper, a printout from a few Facebook messages allegedly sent by Emma. This girl wasnt mentioned. One message, supposedly from Emma to a friend, said We will get her. Emma interjects. You could see immediately it had just been Photoshopped or something. It wasnt a real message. I never sent it. According to Emma it was sent to a Facebook account she had never used before. Surely these things are easy enough to verify? Carl says he challenged the officers. I remember saying, Is this it? Who is this Dave? Have you spoken to him? They admitted they hadnt. They went shuffling their papers, looking embarrassed. They said they had lots more. But obviously they didnt. Yet they put us through that, for three months. The family were initially critical of the school, too, for their complicity, but now appear to feel that the school were also victims. The headmaster was told not to discuss it with us, so in a way their hands were tied, says Victoria. But I still feel they had a duty of care to my daughter. They accuse both the school and police of hysteria over the idea of being seen to be on top of bullying. As far as I can see, this has happened because theyve been criticised in the past for not taking bullying seriously, says Carl. The problem is that they charged in and went after my daughter without doing any basic policing first. They took the word of one person against the other without looking at the facts. Whats contemptible, he says, was that Emma was assumed guilty. Police had alleged that Emma had sent threatening Facebook messages even though she claimed they looked photoshopped (file picture) I was there. I saw how they spoke to her, how they spoke to us, and they assumed guilt. Thats not right. It is not the way this country works, and I say this as someone who has friends and family in the police, who has always supported them. Id never have had them down as the bad guys, but this has changed everything. I do not trust them now. The family have made a formal complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Although Nottinghamshire Police admit their actions were distressing to the family, and have pointed out they would not normally enter school premises to make an arrest, they say: As a result of new information and an escalation of the potential risk, a decision was made to make the arrest at the earliest possible opportunity. The subsequent investigation has shown this information to be false and no further action was taken. This is little comfort for Emma, who is still waiting to see if the stress affected her GCSEs shell get her results later this month and is still reeling from the ordeal. I dont like to be on my own in the house. Every time the doorbell goes I worry its the police and that they are going to take me away again. As she is photographed for our article, Emma experiences a sudden flashback to the bewildering moment she had her mug shots and DNA taken by police. A worrying thought suddenly assails her. Mum, will this mean I have trouble travelling to America. Will my mug shot come up at immigration? Perhaps the most troubling aspect is the family still do not know why Emma was targeted by this girl. No action has been taken against the other child, as far as the family are aware. If you've ever wondered how much an intern at Facebook makes on average per month, look no further, as the social media giant pays its interns well over what the average American makes per month. Facebook earned first place on last year's internship ranking from job site Glassdoor. And it's no wonder the company's program earned that bragging right as interns flock to its Menlo Park headquarters every summer. Glassdoor lists salaries for interns between $6,400 and $7,500 a month, which is significantly higher than what the average American makes at roughly $3,800, according to Business Insider. Facebook interns (pictured) make between $6,400 and $7,500 a month, which is significantly higher than what the average American makes at roughly $3,800 per month A recent survey cited by Bloomberg, showed wages for interns at $8,000. That equates to $96,000 annually. The Social Security Administration found that the national average wage index was $46,481.52 by the end of 2014. In just three months over the summer, Facebook interns could make around $22,500; whereas, it would take an ordinary worker six months to hit $22,800. Not only does the company pay its interns big bucks, Facebook also gives them lots of perks such as rent-free apartments and all-expense-paid trips. The interns also get free food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Facebook's campus, theater performances, Alcatraz tours and scavenger hunts, according to Business Insider. Pinterest and Facebook were the companies with the highest paid interns, according to a survey released in April. Pictured is Facebook intern Janelle McGregory Not only does the company pay its interns big bucks, Facebook also gives them lots of perks such as rent-free apartments, all-expense-paid trips and not to mention cool Facebook gear (pictured) Janelle McGregory, an English and literature major at Spelman College in Atlanta, told the Insider that she applied on a whim to Facebook's FB University for Business program in 2015 after a recruiter visited her school. She said: 'We're not just here to do grunt work,' she says. '[Facebook] allows us to really head our own projects, they really listen to what we have to say. They take our opinions seriously.' TOP 10 SILICON VALLEY MONTHLY INTERN SALARY ESTIMATES 1. Pinterest: $9,000 2. Facebook: $8,000 3. VMware: $7,500 4. LinkedIn: $7,500 5. Yelp: $7,200-$7,400 6. Twitch: $7,200 7. Uber: $7,200 8. Microsoft: $7,200 9. Google: $6,100 - $6,700 10. Twitter: $6,000 - $7,000 Source: Rodney Folz Advertisement A report that came out in April regarding internship pay showed that the median internship offer for an engineering-focused summer intern is about $6,800 a month. Rodney Folz, a UC Berkeley student compiled a list of the top paid internships in Silicon Valley. Pinterest and Facebook were the companies with the highest paid interns, according to the survey. Pinterest reportedly pays their interns $9,000 a month for a summer of work, in addition to $1,000 for relocation and another $3,000 stipend for housing. Hyla Wallis, who runs the intern program, told the Insider that interns are assigned to every team and there's no project off limits. Interns, like regular employees, are also given the same access to internal resources and information. Wallis says that Facebook always hopes to make as many full-time offers as possible after an intern cycle. Facebook also uses its intern program as a way to train managers and every intern is assigned a full-time employee who works with them throughout their projects. 'We're really investing in the future of management,' Wallis told the Insider. Police in Brooklyn saved a German shepherd named Chase this week and got the dog out of the water. The NYPD Special Ops Twitter account wrote on Friday: 'This morning #Harbor #SCUBA pulled this dog from the waters of Gravesend Bay. If you recognize him, call @NYPD62Pct.' Authorities tweeted a shot of Chase in the water, not far from two divers, as well as pictures of the saved canine on land. Police in Brooklyn saved a German shepherd named Chase this week The NYPD Special Ops Twitter account wrote on Friday: 'This morning #Harbor #SCUBA pulled this dog from the waters of Gravesend Bay' Later, NYPD Special Ops tweeted that the pooch is back with his family. 'Chase" has been reunited w/ the Vazquez family thanks to a little help from social media #HappyEnding #RuffMorning,' the account said. NYPD Special Ops tweeted an image showing a post from the Lost and Found Pets in Brooklyn, New York Facebook group, which had asked for help in finding Chase. The post said that Chase vanished Thursday morning and was last spotted at Cropsey Avenue and Neptune Avenue. A Facebook post in a group called Lost and Found Pets in Brooklyn, New York asked for help in finding Chase Chase is seen safe and back on land in this image tweeted by NYPD Special Ops NYPD Special Ops tweeted on Friday that the pooch is back with his family Police spokesman Officer Brian Magoolaghan told the New York Daily News: 'This wasn't a happy dog out there for a swim. He was having some level of discomfort.' Owner Francisco Vasquez's brother collected the dog, the newspaper reported. Vasquez told the Daily News: 'I'm so happy. I was out looking for him for six or seven hours yesterday.' He recalled: 'The last time we took him on vacation the same thing happened. 'We were in a cabin in Pennsylvania and he jumped from the deck and went into the lake. 'We couldnt find him. We were yelling out for him like crazy and there he was coming out of the lake. 'He wants to get a swim in every once in a while. I just hope it doesnt become a habit.' A North Carolina university became embroiled in controversy on Friday after a student group posted a 'privilege board' on campus which calls on white, male, able-bodied, Christian, or cisgender people to 'check their privilege.' Students at Appalachian State University notice the board when they enter Plemmons Student Union, a major campus hub that has allowed the incendiary board to remain in place since last semester. The board's existence, which was first reported last year by the web site Campus Reform, has conservatives outraged over what they perceive as the singling out of one religious group as well as the imposition of a political point of view on unsuspecting students. The board first surfaced last year in a residence hall, but now it has been placed in a more prominent location with greater exposure to students. The original campaign, the brainchild of three University of San Francisco professors who handed out fliers such as this one, drew interest from campuses around the country '[The board] is picking at the fact that privilege is so silly,' said Reggie Gravely, the App State police science major who posted the board. Gravely was interviewed by The Appalachian. While many sympathize with the message the board is trying to convey, the style and its presentation has ruffled feathers. 'Talking about a controversial topic [like privilege] should be voluntary, it shouldn't be brought to your front door,' dorm resident Matthew Desantis told The Appalachian. 'Of course certain groups of people have privilege, but the presentation is what bothers me.' 'The content of the board is not inclusive, which is what an RA should be,' said another dorm resident. 'I have a hard time believing that I should learn at [3 a.m.] on my way to the bathroom. I agree with what [Gravely] is getting across, but not how he's doing it.' Ja'Nina Walker, a USF psychology professor and one of the intiators of the campaign, said the goal is to get students to 'recognize the structural inequalities' around them 'A residential hall is the last place to push an agenda,' Laurel Littler, a junior at the university, told Campus Reform last year. 'When I come home, I want to feel accepted, not outcasted for something I can't help. I can't help that I'm Caucasian.' 'Will they be happy if I change the color of my skin so I don't have my 'white privilege' anymore?' 'I want to be comfortable in my own skin. You can't preach equality if you aren't willing to let a people group feel accepted as they are.' Littler told Fox News last year that she was 'cyber-bullied' because of her decision to protest, and the abuse she was receiving online was 'deserved' because of her status as a 'privileged Caucasian.' The App State controversy is a continuation of a campaign that first originated at the University of San Francisco, where professors disseminated fliers that urged the public to 'look at all the privileges I haven't checked.' 'If you can expect time off from work to celebrate your religious holidays, you have Christian Privilege,' reads one of the fliers. The professors defined privilege as 'unearned access to social power based on membership in a dominant social group.' Ja'Nina Walker, a USF psychology professor and one of the intiators of the campaign, told the San Francisco Foghorn that the goal is to get students to 'recognize the structural inequalities around them.' 'We just hope that people use this as an opportunity to think critically about the world around them and challenge themselves to really consider the implications of structural inequalities and how they, as an individual, can help mitigate the negative effects of social inequalities,' said Walker. This past Spring, over 1,500 students from across the country descended on Philadelphia to attend the so-called 'White Privilege Conference,' which was designed to provide support for those who might be 'burned out from working to dismantle racism and white supremacy' The professors, who have sought to disseminate the message through fliers and shirts, were surprised when their nascent campaign went viral and they began receiving requests to use the material on other campuses. 'In order to effectively advocate for others, one needs to have an awareness of self and the biases and positions within the society in which we live,' said assistant professor Sonja Poole. 'Privilege is a touchy subject and it is often unrecognized by those who have the most. It is important to identify and confront issues that affect marginalized people so that we can reduce social and economic injustice and increase societal well-being.' Organization in colleges and universities, traditionally a hotbed of social activism, have sought to provide training, workshops, and seminars centered on the controversial topic of 'privilege.' This past Spring, students from across the country descended on Philadelphia to attend the so-called 'White Privilege Conference.' More than 1,500 people attended the gathering, which was held in Philadelphia and cost $400 a piece. There were 20 workshops covering sex, race, and gender - including one session that deals with those who might be 'exhausted, burned out from working to dismantle racism and white supremacy.' Some titles of the seminars had the spelling of woman changed to 'womyn' - so 'man' is taken out of the word. According to Campus Reform, Miami University (MU) of Ohio covered more than half the cost and charged students a flat fee of only $60, potentially $240 less than the total expense of the conference. One workshop was called 'Self-Care and Healing as Change Agents.' The description of the session reads: 'Feeling exhausted, burned out from working to dismantle racism and white supremacy, and other forms of oppression in organizations, groups, and individuals? 'Still deeply committed to creating greater equity, inclusion and social justice in society and in organizations, yet finding yourself, at times, too weary or overwhelmed to make meaningful change? Sir Steve Redgrave will be dropped by the BBC after he walked off set in anger during a live broadcast from the Olympic rowing lake, it has been claimed. The five-time Olympic champion rower was said to be furious when he found out through his earpiece that the BBC would be showing only part of Helen Glover and Heather Stanning's women's pair semi-final. Sir Steve, 54, thought it should have been shown in full and went missing for the rest of the afternoon, leaving presenter John Inverdale to complete the two-hour show without him. Sir Steve Redgrave was said to be furious when he found out that the BBC would be showing only part of Helen Glover and Heather Stanning's women's pair final It was initially thought Sir Steve had stormed off following a row with Inverdale the pair are said to have a strained relationship. But it was in fact Sir Steve's belief that the race on Friday of last week, in which the British women won gold, should have been given greater prominence that prompted the walkout the day before, the Daily Telegraph reported. The BBC denied any falling out but would not comment on whether Sir Steve would be used again after these Olympics. A spokesman said: 'There is absolutely no issue between the BBC and Sir Steve Redgrave and Steve will be part of our team for our concluding Olympics review programme on Sunday. We would never discuss future contracts of any of our talent.' Sir Steve, 54, thought the women's pair final should have been shown in full and went missing for the rest of the afternoon Sir Steve is employed by the BBC to provide expert analysis during rowing events. He also knows many current British rowers and has a good rapport with them, hugging them and getting emotional when they win. The rowing at Rio has finished but Sir Steve is also sometimes used to comment on other events, such is the high regard in which he is held as a sportsman. But he is unlikely to be used again by the BBC, it was reported. Instead, the corporation may draw on a new generation of Olympic rowing medallists to replace him as an expert. Some BBC staff are said to be resentful of celebrity presenters being given special treatment and not having to meet the same professional standards as full-time employees. The BBC dismissed any rift with Inverdale after Sir Steve walked off. The five-time Olympic champion rower left presenter John Inverdale to complete the two-hour show without him A BBC spokesman said after the incident: 'Whilst Steve was unable to stay with us throughout Thursday's daytime programme he was back on air the same evening. He returned on Friday alongside John Inverdale and any suggestion that there is an issue between Steve and John is simply untrue.' Rumours of problems between the two men surfaced after viewers thought Inverdale had angered Sir Steve by comparing him to the James Bond villain, Oddjob. Sir Steve then seemed to take revenge by shaking a wet umbrella over Inverdale's head. Sir Steve is one of Britain's most recognisable sportsmen. He won gold at five successive Olympics, was named as one of 100 British heroes in a BBC poll and is popular with viewers, so any decision to drop him would be controversial. A British man has been hooded and hauled away in Bali after he was arrested alongside his Australian girlfriend for the murder of a police officer on the beach. David Taylor and Sara Connor from Byron Bay were taken into custody in Denpasar on Friday, Kuta police said, where both could face the death penalty if found guilty. The body of policeman Wayan Sudarsa was found on Wednesday lying on a beach in Kuta by local hotel security staff - reportedly bashed to death with a beer bottle. His face was covered in sand, he had wounds to his head and leg, and his shirt was unbuttoned and bloodied. Scroll down for video Briton David Taylor is escorted by Indonesian in Denpasar with a black mask covering his face Sara Connor (pictured), from Byron Bay on the NSW north coast, and British man David Taylor were taken into custody in Denpasar on Friday over the bashing murder of a Bali policeman Ms Conner and British man David Taylor (pictured) have been arrested in Bali Sara Connor is escorted by Indonesia police officials at a station in Denpasar on Indonesia's resort island of Bali A post mortem revealed he suffered 17 open wounds to the head and that he was repeatedly hit with an object, believed to be a glass bottle, according to The Daily Telegraph. The smashed remains of a beer bottle was found near Mr Sudarsa's head. Ms Connor's black leather purse, her driver's license and a credit card were found at the crime scene. 'Now, they're being interrogated. I did the interrogation myself,' Bali Provincial Police Chief Sugeng Prayitno told reporters. Ms Conner told police she was too drunk to remember the incident, while Mr Taylor refused to answer questions and was waiting for his lawyer, Mr Prayitno said. 'According to female suspect, she admitted that she was drunk at the time. She couldn't remember all the events that night. 'We haven't interrogated her further because her memory is still unclear.' The hotel room Ms Conner (pictured) was staying in allegedly had bloodstained walls and floors It is believed Mr Taylor, pictured, had been living with Ms Conner in Byron Bay Insp Sudarsa had wounds to his forehead and leg, while his shirt was unbuttoned and bloodied (pictured) Indonesian police have detained David Taylor, pictured, over the brutal murder of a policeman on a popular Bali beach He said Ms Connor had told police she was on Kuta beach with Mr Taylor where the two were intimate. During that time, she said she lost her purse and wounded her arm and leg. No further details were given on how these injuries occurred. Police searched what is believed to be Ms Conner and Mr Taylor's room at Kubu Kauh Beach Inn on Thursday - the day after the pair checked out - and claim to have found blood on the bed, doors, walls and floor. A towel was also found in the hotel with a blood stain on it, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The victim's brother Putu Yudi Krisna said the victim had been a policeman for 35 years. 'He's a kind person, loving his family and living modestly. He had two children and so far, he had no enemies whatsoever. We're very shocked,' he said. Security guards discovered the body of Insp Sudarsa (pictured), 53, who police believe was hit in the head with beer bottles This picture shows a police cordon at the site where a policeman was killed Tourists walk past the site where an officer was murdered on Wednesday This picture shows an entry gate cordoned by police line at the site where the policeman was killed A security guard at the Pullman Hotel told police he heard screaming at about 1.15am on the Wednesday and went down to the beach. There he allegedly saw five people, including a woman on the beach with the policeman. Thinking the group was 'just fooling around', he went back to the hotel. The body was discovered about an hour later. Investigators are scouring through CCTV footage taken by Pullman Hotel cameras. Posters picturing the pair had been plastered at police stations and hotels in the area. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was 'aware of media reports of a tourist or tourists possibly being implicated in the death of a Balinese policeman in Indonesia.' Police searched what is believed to be their hotel room (pictured) on Thursday after the couple checked out Officers claim to have found blood on the bed, doors, walls and floor (pictured) Insp Sudarsa's motorcycle was parked in the Pullman Hotel car park and his walkie talkie and hat were found 20 metres away A security officer at the Pullman Hotel told police he heard screaming at about 1.15am on the Wednesday and went down to the beach (pictured) 'We stand ready to provide consular assistance, in accordance with the Consular Services Charter,' it said in a statement. Authorities initially told reporters they were looking for Ms Connor along with a man called Thomas Schon. But late on Friday it appeared they had given out the wrong name as they were looking for a man called Mr Taylor. Mr Schon told Fairfax Media he was in Europe and 'had never been to Bali in his life'. Mr Taylor is believed to have entered Bali on July 29 while Ms Connor came on August 16. A security guard allegedly saw five people, including a woman on the beach with the policeman David Taylor, pictured, has been taken into custody over the murder of police officer Wayan Sudarsa Ms Connor's black leather purse, her driver's license and a credit card were found at the crime scene (pictured) A 16-year-old girl accused of repeatedly hitting a classmate who died after a high school bathroom fight will not be tried as an adult, a judge announced Friday. Judge Robert Coonin rejected the prosecutors' request to try Trinity Carr as an adult after she was charged with criminally negligent homicide and conspiracy in the death of Amy Joyner-Francis. Joyner-Francis, a sophomore at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington, Delaware, was assaulted by Carr in a 'premeditated attack' planned by Carr and two other girls, according to the Department of Justice. An autopsy concluded Joyner-Francis she died from a 'cardiac incident' stemming from a pre-existing heart condition. Scroll down for video Trinity Carr (pictured), 16, will not be tried as an adult for criminally negligent homicide Video footage of the fight showed Carr (left) allegedly beating Amy Joyner-Francis (right) Joyner-Francis (left and right), 16, died after a high school bathroom fight at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington, Delaware Judge Robert B. Coonin wrote that the 'senseless loss of a young girl's life cannot be undone nor will the pain inflicted upon her family ever be extinguished.' But he supported his decision on Friday, writing: 'The Court must conclude that Trinity Carr is amenable to the rehabilitative process available to the Family Court.' If Carr is found guilty of criminal negligent homicide, she may face community supervision and treatment until she is 19 - compared to eight years in prison if she were convicted in the Superior Court as an adult, Delaware Online reported. Carr was the only girl to strike Joyner-Francis, though all three girls planned the confrontation, according to the state Department of Justice. The other two girls, Zion Snow and Chakeira Wright, have been charged with criminal conspiracy, which carries up to one year in prison. They will be tried as juveniles later this month. The fight broke out around 8.15am on April 21 before classes at the vocational school. An autopsy concluded that Joyner-Francis died from a 'cardiac incident' that stemmed from a pre-existing heart condition, rather than injuries sustained in the beating. But the state Department of Justice said: 'The cardiac incident would not have occurred if she had not been assaulted.' In cell phone footage taken by one of the girls, Carr can be seen punching Joyner-Francis in the head at least 24 times, Delaware Online reported. Carr can be seen walking out of the restroom, leaving Joyner-Francis on the bathroom floor where she went into cardiac arrest, according to court documents cited by FOX. Paramedics (pictured) wheeled the student out of the school. Medics performed CPR on the victim before a helicopter arrived to transport her to a hospital Amy was flown to A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead Joyner-Francis was flown to A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital in critical condition, where she was later pronounced dead. Joyner Francis suffered cuts and bruises and had her fingernails ripped out, according to a police detective's testimony as prosecutors made a case to have Carr tried as an adult. But the judge rejected the testimony, writing the autopsy found Joyner-Francis had 'long artificial nails', two of which were broken when she tried to fight back, leaving the underlying nail beds partially exposed. Speaking a day after her shocking death, the victim's father Sonny Francis told FOX29: 'I thought schools were a safe place.' He added: 'I think this is a dream and I'm trying to wake up. All I know is my daughter is gone. She was the love of my life and it hurts.' Mayor Dennis William was emotional as he announced Joyner-Francis' death. He said: 'My heart bleeds for the family' Sherry Dorsey Walker, a Wilmington city councilwoman, said that the family is asking for spiritual healing in the community and no retaliation. She says they're also 'asking people to just be calm and pray for them'. The councilwoman described the victim as 'a wonderful human being', adding that 'her loss is a big void, not just in the family'. Her friends and neighbors knew her as the quiet teen who would focus on her homework. Nik Stryminski told the News-Journal that Amy had kept him safe and out of a fight earlier this school year. When he and another student were getting ready to fight she stepped in, backed him into a corner and calmed him down. He said: 'She didn't believe in fighting, and the craziest thing is she died in a fight.' Stryminski believes Joyner-Francis went into the bathroom not to fight but to 'talk things out'. A student cried in front of Howard High School of Technology after a city official announced a student had died Superintendent Victoria Gehrt said that despite what happened, Howard High School of Technology 'is a safe school for our students' Troy Johnson, a sophomore at Howard, said Amy was a good influence to her peers with her calm personality. 'If I were to have kids I'd want them to hang around someone like her,' he told the News Journal. Make no mistake, this is fighting talk, a call to arms. We feel weve stepped back more than 100 years into the Suffragette era, says Hazel Kingswood. We wont bow to the petty diktats of faceless men in suits sitting in their boardrooms in head office. Mrs Kingswood, 67, is an unlikely warmonger. For the past three-and-a-half decades since the Falklands War, in fact she has devoted her life to volunteering for the Royal British Legion (RBL) in a genteel, grass-roots English way. A retired care worker, school governor, litter-picker and stalwart of the Legion in Norfolk (as were her parents), Hazels working life is about quizzes, dances, fetes, cake-making, tea-brewing and book stalls. Poppy Appeal: The Royal British Legion is facing meltdown as 10,000 of its 32,000 female members are claimed to be resigning en masse, in protest at cost-cutting plans Ask her about her greatest fundraising achievement and she will tell you of spearheading a drive to collect 2p pieces which, when laid end-to-end raised 1,700. All this she does quietly. Hazel isnt the sort to make a racket about anything, unless tin-rattling for the Poppy Appeal. Until now. For Hazel is only too happy to be vocal about why she is abandoning the organisation she has served since 1982. She doesnt use the word mutiny, but she doesnt quibble with it either. Her branch of the RBL Womens Section, Aylsham, is one of 17 in Norfolk that has closed in an unprecedented bust-up at the heart of one of the countrys most-loved institutions. The Royal British Legion the charity which effectively runs Remembrance Day in this country, and has the Queen as its patron is facing meltdown as 10,000 of its 32,000 female members are claimed to be resigning en masse, in protest at cost-cutting plans to integrate the womens section with the main membership, which itself already includes thousands of women. Many women members, who have worked selflessly and tirelessly for years, are incensed because their views about the planned re-organisation being described as a streamlining measure have been disregarded. The merger plans, they say, have been carried out in an underhand way; female volunteers have been treated with contempt, they claim. Not only that, but the Womens Section has always raised some money for its own welfare schemes many of which target women and children and they now fear integration plans will rob them of this autonomy. We have spent the past week talking to the women who are handing their collection tins back, and again and again the same phrases are being used. There is much talk of arrogance, of bullying and a dictatorial regime that treats women (or these women anyway) with disdain. Pearl Collins, secretary of the thriving Hornchurch branch in Essex, says her members voted unanimously to leave. We feel weve been taken for a ride, she said. Over the years we have raised a huge amount of money far more than the men yet now it seems they will be taking all the glory. Hazel Kingswood sums up the criticism. Theyve forgotten the ethos of the Legion is comradeship and care. It seems to be all about big business and corporate sponsorship now. The Royal British Legion is the charity which effectively runs Remembrance Day in the UK That these women who have toiled with little fanfare for decades are now speaking out clearly rankles within the RBL. On Wednesday, the ladies we had spoken to were contacted by head office and barred from talking to the media an extraordinary move, given the womens main grievance of not having their opinions heard. And these women are not employees, after all. Indeed, they pay (a membership fee) to be able to rattle those tins. The debate about whether the women should have their own autonomous section will doubtless rage on. There are those, of both sexes, who believe that integration makes more sense in a modern age. Dame Vera Lynn, ever the peacemaker, put her head above the parapet to say there should be one organisation. But the deeply unpleasant nature of this spat does pose questions about the forces at play in the RBL. For a charity whose raison detre is to care, it is attracting a concerning number of allegations that it doesnt. Worryingly, we have spoken to ex-RBL members across the country of both sexes who believe that incessant efforts to restructure the organisation are ruining the charity and everything it stands for. Im afraid this is historically typical of the way head office run things, says retired Army major Craig Treeby, 71, a former field officer for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. There is an argument for merging, but what has happened here is that probably there has been no consultation, no discussion with the grass-roots membership. Head office have dealt with people in a very heavy-handed way. Thats a terribly damning thing to say about an organisation that is supposed to be about caring for people. These days they steamroller through whatever changes they want, regardless. He stepped down from the RBL six years ago, just before a major restructuring that would have wiped out my job anyway and is part of an old guard that feels it has been discarded needlessly. I wanted to stay but I reached the merry old age of 65 and they said, It is our policy that you go. The Royal British Legion has the Queen as its patron. She is pictured at a previous Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall He immediately got a job as chief executive for another Forces charity, one that, he says, appreciated my experience. He is critical of the restructuring efforts he says have changed the charity he loved beyond all recognition. I continued to work in the sector for another six years, but when I met people and told them I was ex-RBL they would say Oh, I bet you are glad to be out of there, and yes, frankly, I was. In my day decisions were made at local level and the field officers were ex-Services. But even before I went, there was a move to take away the local power and centralise everything. All the field officers were ex-military but none of the directors were. Its an odd thing to say but I often got the feeling they didnt actually like the Services officer class, because we questioned too much. They didnt actually like the military. I find that odd. He feels that the ethos of the RBL has changed, too. The increasing centralisation of power has led to more layers of bureaucracy and a shift from the traditional grass-roots support. My impression was that they didnt care for the individual. Their focus was on the bigger picture. They announced they were giving 5 million for research into injuries to blast victims but they didnt want to know about someone returning from Afghanistan who needed help that day. I remember trying to refer one particular amputee soldier and being told, He is a corporal on full pay why does he need our help? They had lost empathy. Its a devastating analysis, but Mr Treebys isnt a lone voice. We have spoken to several ex-officials who are appalled at what one called the RBLs wholesale corporatisation. Retired RAF Group Captain Nigel Pearson, 70, resigned as president of the RBLs Shropshire branch in 2012. He describes the treatment of the women as an absolute betrayal; both of members past and present, and of the organisations aims. Its supposed to be a caring charity, but to be honest, it doesnt care. If youre a trustee of a charity, youre duty bound to do what is best for it, and doubtless the trustees would argue they are. But they have failed to consider the members and over-ruled what they agreed at conference, which is dictatorial and arrogant. Nigel Pearson resigned from the RBL because a once-loved charity was showing complete lack of respect for its membership. Its trustees did not accept that the rank-and-file had a role to play. Of the current furore, he says: This is further evidence that the RBL has lost the plot. Its an extension of its policy of ignoring the membership and deciding what its going to do without thought for the volunteers. He shares the view that managers at the top of the RBL are on a course that has made conflict with their own members inevitable. Theyve forgotten the ethos of the Legion is comradeship and care. It seems to be all about big business and corporate sponsorship now Hazel Kingswood, Royal British Legion volunteer The rot set in in 2012 when the ex-military staff in offices throughout the country were replaced by professional welfare people and a crusade began to update the organisation. The trustees would argue they were getting rid of the baggage. That was a smokescreen for effectively making everyone in the organisation a paid employee. Things have got worse and worse every year since. This latest decision to integrate the womens sections is not sensible. Theyve kept it secret, which is shady. Its not the way to conduct business in the 21st century. If you want to change an organisation, you consult its members. And thats what they havent done. And it is not just former officials like Mr Pearson who are concerned. Retired Brigadier John Russell, 83, chairs the Alderney branch, in the Channel Islands, and is stinging in his criticism of head office and its diktats and corporate junkets. And they are junkets, he says. Each year they bring members from all over the world but where do they hold these events? Is it London, easy for everyone to get to? No, it is in places like the Isle of Man. (The RBL says members voted for this location for their annual conference.) Modernising, streamlining they use all these words, but none of the changes are bringing in new members, yet they are driving people away. He details constant tussles with head office, and talks of ongoing warfare with the suits. His branch still controls its finances, and makes its own decisions about where to spend money raised. Now I have had letters saying they want to take control of that. Some other branch officers say they put letters from head office in the bin, he says. He even questions how much the Legion is achieving. Lets face it, if the Legion had been doing its job, we wouldnt have needed Help For Heroes, would we? The sense of disillusionment is palpable. Several branches have already gone it alone because of disagreements with head office. If things keep going like this, we might have to consider doing the same, says Mr Russell. These days it is run by suited bureaucrats, none of whom have had military service, who tell us and I have had this direct from them that military people do not understand the intricacies. What a load of cobblers. The organisation, which employs more than 1,300 staff, has 119,000 volunteers and last year had an income of over 161 million, was set up in 1921 with the aim of helping ex-servicemen and women. Although the demand for donations for poppies is the public face of the charity, its work is much more wide-ranging. It runs care homes, lobbies the Government, delivers welfare and organises many of the UKs annual acts of remembrance. In 2012, when the charity spent 9 million on the biggest restructuring in its history, the then director general, Chris Simpkins, (who has since left) defended the scrapping of the old grant system, in which decisions were made at local level. We must do evidence-based practice, he said. Its no longer this seems like a good idea, lets throw money at it. But one of his critics told us: Everything now is about box ticking, and if there is an organisation that should not be run like that, it is the Royal British Legion. But they spent God knows how much on a spanking new head office, awash with people. He questioned how much the public knows about where their Poppy Day money goes. The RBL trumpets the fact that last year the appeal raised a magnificent 48,662,000 thanks in no small part to those doughty women tin-rattlers. But buried deeper in its annual report among columns of figures is the less emphasised revelation that its wage bill was a hefty 37,811,000. Moreover its chief executive, on a salary of between 150,000 and 160,000, earned marginally more than the PM. Questions have been asked before about the day-to-day running of the charity. The Mail understands that last year a documentary about the RBL was made by ITV but, curiously, did not make it to air. It was explosive, one of the participants told us. But we were told that the Legion complained. It never ran. The charity has a lot of influence. A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said yesterday: The Womens Section members have been engaged from the beginning of conversations in 2015 on the subject of integration, and remain a core part of the team discussing the integration plan. It will make more efficient use of the public funds donated to the charity for the good of our beneficiaries. As set out in proposals earlier this year it remains vitally important to integrate the Royal British Legion Womens Section into the main body of the organisation to comply with charity regulation and governance arrangements. They also pointed out that several women hold senior posts in the RBL. As we have seen, not everyone is convinced. Any major charity will have its critics, internal and external, but there is something rather shocking about the RBL coming under fire like this, and from its own, too. Testimony accusing Tory MPs and senior party aides of sexually harassing young activists was ignored by the Tatler Tory inquiry, it was claimed yesterday. Drunk and lecherous Conservative politicians and party officials preyed on teenagers during events and even organised orgies, it was alleged. The inquiry was also told that a Tory mafia used the dark arts to try to seize control of the party. Elliot Johnson with Mark Clarke and Marina Muttick. The Tatler Tory affair erupted after the suicide of activist MrJohnson, 21, who claimed he was bullied by senior election aide Mark Clarke The Mail has spoken to those who gave evidence and seen testimony submitted to law firm Clifford Chance, tasked with investigating the scandal. The affair erupted after the suicide of activist Elliott Johnson, 21, who claimed he was bullied by senior election aide Mark Clarke. An official summary of the Clifford Chance report, published this week, exonerated the partys top brass, including ex-chairman Andrew Feldman. But several of those who gave evidence say testimonies they gave about the culture of bullying in the party were left out of the published report, including: A Conservative tradition for activists to hold orgies was allegedly revived, and it was claimed photos from the events were kept to use against people later; One MP allegedly gave special favours to a researcher on the proviso that they slept together; A young foreign activist working as an intern at a think-tank feared she was raped after she woke up in bed with an MP; It was claimed senior politicians inappropriately touched and fondled teenage activists and gave the impression they could make or break their career. Mr Johnsons father Ray last night said the report was a betrayal of the young activists who had raised concerns. They took a risk to themselves many who complained about bullying in the past to CCHQ found their complaints being quickly leaked out, putting them in danger, he said. But it is clear many of the very serious issues these activists raised with the investigation have just been ignored. This whole extremely expensive report appears to be an attempt to exonerate those at the top of the party and to carry on as before. Claims: American intern Hayley Hester, who worked with Mr Clarke and said he requested young female interns whom he tried to sleep with Clifford Chance said Tory co-chairman Grant Shapps gave Mr Clarke a key election role even though he had been warned of his record of aggressive and bullying conduct. Despite this, the report concluded that neither Mr Shapps nor fellow co-chairman Lord Feldman knew the extent of the bullying behaviour. It said neither were aware of allegations of bullying or harassment of young activists by Mr Clarke before last August when Mr Johnson first complained to party high command about him. Mr Johnson was found dead a month later. In a suicide note, he said he had been bullied by Mr Clarke, known as the Tatler Tory. Mr Clarke has always denied the claims made against him. Evidence to the inquiry said at an event at Angels strip club in Soho, owner Peter Stringfellow spoke to the young activists, after which Mr Clarke said bring on the girls, and a stream of strippers came in. An activist alleged that an employee of an unnamed MP said they had to have sex with the politician or face the sack. As a reward for sexual favours, the politician granted preferential access to events and took the activist to Margaret Thatchers funeral, it was claimed. The activist told the lawyers senior politicians and MPs involved were abusing their positions and pursuing young activists. This culture was brought into Road Trip 2015, the election campaign led by Mr Clarke, he said. Mr Clarke revelled in the fact RoadTrip was partly about his sexual conquests [and] in the fact activists could get laid on RoadTrip, he alleged. He believes RoadTrip was pitched in this way, and that some MPs also saw it in this light. The activist told investigators about orgies he understood had taken place, referred to as Oscar parties. He said he was invited to one when they were run by a senior figure involved in research for the party during a party conference in 2008 or 2009, but declined. The interview notes said the activist believed a senior aide had tried to bring them back and organised one more recently. He said the photos from such parties are often kept in order to be used against people. The inquiry also heard that Haley Hester, a young American intern working with Mr Clarke when he stood for parliament in 2010, had made allegations that he requested young female interns whom he tried to sleep with. It heard claims that one female intern felt she had been raped, as she woke up in bed with an MP after an event and did not know how she had got there. Ben Harris-Quinney, of the Bow Group think-tank, was among those interviewed in June and July for the inquiry. He described concern about a Westminster social event he attended around 2012. KEY PLAYERS IN THE SCANDAL THAT HAS ROCKED THE PARTY MARK CLARKE Called the Tatler Tory after being tipped as a future minister by the magazine. The married father of two, 39, stood unsuccessfully in 2010 and failed to make the Tory candidate list at next election. Employed by Mr Shapps to run the Road Trip election campaign, which bussed young supporters to marginal seats. ELLIOTT JOHNSON The 21-year-old was political editor for Thatcherite campaign group Conservative Way Forward. He was found dead at Sandy railway station, Bedfordshire, in September 2015 after leaving a suicide note complaining of bullying and naming Mr Clarke. GRANT SHAPPS Tory co-chairman, nicknamed Duracell Bunny, who once used the pseudonym Michael Green while running a business sideline. He took on Mr Clarke despite being warned of bullying and intimidation claims. After the successful election campaign he was demoted to aid minister. He was forced to resign in November. ANDREW FELDMAN Co-chairman of the party with Mr Shapps, then sole chairman before being removed from the role by Theresa May. He was a Tory fundraiser and an old friend of David Cameron, having met him at Oxford University. Advertisement The note on his interviews said: Mr Harris-Quinney personally witnessed politicians getting drunk with, inappropriately touching and fondling young activists. The activists were often aged 18 or 19 and the senior politicians were often 30 years older Mr Harris-Quinney felt their conduct was lecherous and inappropriate due to the vulnerability and youth of those involved The behaviour grew more inappropriate as the night wore on. Mr Harris-Quinney alleged he was falsely branded a homophobe because he publicly spoke out against the idea of Road Trip when it was first launched. In his evidence, he alleged Mr Clarke was one those who threatened to destroy people by corralling others to attack them through articles, social media and so on it was a kind of mafia. Another former activist alleged that Mr Clarke performed the dark arts for a Tory mafia. It was his belief that there is a group within the party trying to gain control of mechanisms which select future candidates of the party and ultimately the party leader, the activists witness note says. Mr Clarke denies all the allegations against him. A Tory spokesman said: Clifford Chance conducted a comprehensive and independent review of all the evidence that witnesses gave to them. The summary as published this week is a fair and accurate representation of its findings. Phil Shiner who faces allegations that he accepted illegal payments for cases brought against British soldiers, said to relate to referral fees when acting for Iraqi civilians Whenever Jeremy Edgar leaves his home in South Wales he takes a quick look under his car to check that no one has tampered with the vehicle. Then, when hes driving, his eyes flick from mirror to mirror, ensuring no one is following. On top of that, he is always careful to alter his routine even changing the supermarket he shops in week to week. Mr Edgar, 39, learned to take care when serving with the Army in Northern Ireland during the Nineties, a time when off-duty soldiers were targeted by the IRA. But he never believed that two decades on, and eight years after he left the Forces, he would again have to watch his back. No wonder the stress has virtually destroyed the former sergeants life. With no job and his marriage on the rocks, last year he twice attempted suicide. Today he relies on a cocktail of prescription medication to calm his nerves. That this proud British soldier has been reduced to such a state is a national scandal. And he is not the only one. Because having risked his life for Queen and country in Iraq, he and hundreds of other servicemen returned home only to fall victim to a cabal of Left-leaning lawyers who specialise in suing the Armed Forces. Undeterred by a lack of evidence, they set out to prove soldiers such as Mr Edgar were guilty of heinous crimes from torture to murder even though many of their cases had been investigated and dismissed. Citing human rights legislation, these lawyers sought out hundreds of compensation-seeking victims, then pressured the Government to set up multiple inquiries into their claims. The cost of these inquiries has run into tens of millions of pounds. Inevitably, it has been left to the taxpayer to pick up that bill and the millions more paid in legal aid to the same law firms bringing the cases. For years, the Mail has highlighted the injustice of this shameful gravy train. But it was only this week that the ambulance-chasing firm at the centre of the scandal, Public Interest Lawyers (PIL), got its comeuppance. It emerged that by the end of the month PIL will shut its offices for good, after officials announced they would end its access to legal aid payments. It will also have to deal with an investigation by the National Crime Agency. It is understood that PIL and Phil Shiner, its boss, face allegations that he accepted illegal payments for cases brought against British soldiers, said to relate to referral fees when acting for Iraqi civilians. Traumatised: Richard Catterall with daughters Demi, left and her younger sister. Today he is a shell of his former self agoraphobic and reliant on medication to cope with anxiety and depression Mr Shiner, who denies the claims, has also separately been referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and could be struck off. And while his supporters are already, predictably, complaining that he is the victim of an Establishment stitch-up, they would do well to consider the real victims in all this the falsely accused servicemen whose lives have been destroyed by the actions of PIL and others like them. It has had a huge impact on me, said Mr Edgar of his five-year ordeal. It was all I could focus on, all I could think about why was this happening, why was I being maligned in this way? I am not a violent person. I was a good soldier who did what I was told to do and did it well. But Ive ended up being publicly accused of being a criminal, someone who tortures and abuses innocent people. Not only was my personal safety put at risk, but my health, too. To fully understand the betrayal Mr Edgar and others in his position feel we must go back to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. At its height, 45,000 British service personnel were deployed there, and 179 would lose their lives. In early 2004, Mr Edgar was in the midst of fierce fighting around the city of Al Amarah in southern Iraq. Having joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as an 18-year-old in 1995, he was attached to the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and had travelled to a British base called Abu Naji in an advance party. His role was as a storeman, looking after machinery, vehicles and weaponry. Within three hours of arriving there we were mortared and some of the guys we were taking over from were hit with shrapnel, he says. But in 2008, PIL and Leigh Day, another firm of solicitors, produced five detainees who claimed they had evidence to support the claims of murder and torture. Pictured are troops in Iraq The mortaring became almost constant you could hear the puff of the mortar being fired, the whistle of it in the air, and then youd wait for it to hit. The boys were going out and getting injured on a regular basis. The tension culminated in a three-hour firefight on May 14 that became known as The Battle of Danny Boy, after a checkpoint of that name. After fighting died down, the bodies of 20 Iraqis were taken back to Abu Naji. Senior officers wanted to see if a known insurgent involved in the killing of six Royal Military Policemen the previous year was among them. Nine live detainees were also brought from the battlefield. Mr Edgar was one of the soldiers told to look after them, a duty he says was done according to the rule book. Everything we were taught and trained we adhered to, he says. They came and were there all night and then the next day they were escorted off it was a case of job done. But, as it transpired, it was the start of a ten-year nightmare. Because when the bodies of the Iraqi fighters were returned to relatives the following day, false rumours circulated that many had been alive at the time of capture and had subsequently been brutalised and killed by their British captors. The claims were probed by the Royal Military Police in a ten-month investigation and found to be baseless. But in 2008, PIL and Leigh Day, another firm of solicitors, produced five detainees who claimed they had evidence to support the claims of murder and torture. They said that while they were being tortured they heard fellow detainees being strangled or shot at close range. Last September, Mr Catterall, who was medically discharged from the Army in 2014, faced more questioning. Too ill to leave his home, he was interviewed three times via video link by the inquiry. When the report was published this year, he was once again found to have done no wrong Mr Shiner insisted his clients, who wanted compensation, could substantiate every single word, and demanded a public inquiry. The following year, the Government bowed to their demands and the Al-Sweady inquiry was launched, named after one of those claimed to have been killed in custody. And so in late 2009 Mr Edgar would open the door of his home in South Wales to discover a military policeman waiting to interview him. Only the previous year, Mr Edgar had left the Army in an attempt to build a new life for himself. Married with two children, he had suffered from depression and been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a consequence of his experiences during the liberation of Kosovo in 1999 and in Iraq. Now all those bad memories were set to be raked over again. We sat down and he explained allegations had been made about torture, about murder, about mutilation, says Mr Edgar. It was a shock to be told you had been implicated in the mutilation of dead bodies, the torture of live people it was like a punch in the face. I was incredulous. Told to get legal advice, he was then invited to give a statement travelling to meet solicitors in Cardiff and then returning time and again to answer further questions. By then Mr Edgar had a new job with an engineering firm. I had to take time off work to go and give these statements, he says. I had to make up excuses. I couldnt tell my employer I was being accused of mistreating prisoners you dont want to be tarred with that brush. He also started to fear for his safety. His name was out there, a soldier accused of torturing Muslim men. He felt at risk and started changing his routine and checking his car for explosive devices. It started to become a monkey on my back, he says. In 2013 I quit my job. The inquiry was all I could think about. I was just going through the motions at work and had started to mess things up. At the time I felt I was useless to everyone, that I couldnt contribute, couldnt hold down a job. I was taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety tablets. Public Interest Lawyers tried to sue the Ministry of Defence over the death of a 13-year-old boy killed in an explosion near Basra in 2003 (file photo of British troops) In early 2014, Mr Edgar was invited to give evidence in person in London, which he found deeply unsettling. You dont get a chance to speak really, he recalled. I was asked questions, but couldnt elaborate. I felt I was being treated almost like a criminal. It was hugely stressful. That stress would continue until the end of the year when the inquiry, which had cost a staggering 31 million, delivered its excoriating verdict. It concluded all the torture and murder claims were wholly without foundation and entirely the product of deliberate lies, reckless speculation and ingrained hostility from Iraqi witnesses. Sir Thayne Forbes, the inquiry chair, found that the men allegedly mistreated were not innocent farmers, as they claimed, but in all probability enemy fighters with the Mahdi Army shia militia, who were taking part in an uprising at the time. Their approach to giving evidence, he said, had been wholly without regard for the truth. While he did criticise the way the detainees had been treated at times, he said it had not been deliberate. For Mr Edgar it was too late. By then his life was spiralling out of control. At the start of 2015 he twice attempted suicide, split up from his wife and ended up living in accommodation for the homeless. I wouldnt say it was wholly to do with Al-Sweady, but the impact it had on me, when I thought I could move on with my life, to have that then dumped on me, to have no control over it . . . it was terrible. While things have improved he has remarried and recently had a third child he says he still cannot fully put Iraq behind him. This is because there are two further ongoing inquiries into allegations of abuse: the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) and Iraq Fatality Investigations (IFI). PIL handed at least 1,150 cases alleging criminality by British troops to IHAT with hundreds of soldiers investigated as a result. Some failed IHAT cases were then passed to IFI, an inquest-style inquiry. The impact on those caught up in this conveyor belt of investigations is hard to underestimate. Just ask 46-year-old Richard Catterall. The decorated former soldier did five tours of Northern Ireland, two tours to Iraq and multiple tours to Afghanistan. But today he is a shell of his former self agoraphobic and reliant on medication to cope with anxiety and depression. Like Mr Edgar, he has been diagnosed with PTSD and has attempted to take his own life many times. And like Mr Edgar, any attempts to put the past behind him have been jeopardised by his continual hounding by PIL. During a gruelling six-month tour of Iraq in 2003, he shot dead Iraqi Muhammad Salim while acting on information that 15 armed men were holed up in a property in Basra. As he and other troops arrived there they heard five rounds of gunfire and were confronted by two armed men. Former sergeant Mr Catterall shot one of them, fearing he was about to open fire. The Iraqi died from his injuries the next day. It later emerged that the information given to the Army had been wrong and Mr Salim was a civilian carrying an AK-47 for his own safety. A military investigation at the time and a separate eight-month investigation carried out by IHAT which included statements from Mr Salims widow and others obtained by PIL cleared him of any wrongdoing. But the case was then passed to the IFI in response to yet more PIL claims on behalf of the family, now seeking compensation. British troops in Iraq. There are two further ongoing inquiries into allegations of abuse: the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) and Iraq Fatality Investigations (IFI) Last September, Mr Catterall, who was medically discharged from the Army in 2014, faced more questioning. Too ill to leave his home, he was interviewed three times via video link by the inquiry. When the report was published this year, he was once again found to have done no wrong. Sir George Newman, inspector of the IFI, concluded that any reasonable trained soldier would have believed his life to be in danger in the circumstances. It also emerged a document relied on in the case had been doctored by a third party to make it look as if the British military was to blame. In a scathing attack on PIL, Sir George said that if the document had come to light sooner and Mr Salims family had been given balanced and measured legal advice, the case may never have been pursued. After the case Mr Catterall told the Mail: I understand I had to be brought to account for my actions, but to be brought to account so many times on so many different occasions was a massive kick in the teeth. And not just for him for his whole family. Too unwell to comment on the latest developments himself, his daughter Demi, 22, who has helped care for him since his marriage collapsed last year, described the experience as horrendous. It has torn the whole family apart. When I was growing up Dad was my rock, my whole life, a man who had the respect of everyone in the Army. Now he is a man who has taken more overdoses than I can count. His PTSD got a lot worse when the case was going on and he deteriorated massively. It was emotional torture for my dad. He would phone me five or six times a day and say Why are they doing this to me Demi? I have done this so many times already, why do I have to do it again? She still recalls the fear she and her sister felt that their father could go to prison for murdering someone. While he is in a better frame of mind now, Demi says that by speaking out she hopes that those bringing the cases will appreciate the impact of their actions. She insisted prison is 'too good' for him and he should 'burn alive' him of raping her during 14 year marriage Linda Lami, 38, insisted prison is 'too good' for her murderous ex-husband Avni Metra's ex-wife has accused him of repeatedly raping during their 14 year marriage. Linda Lami, 38, insisted prison is 'too good' for the eye-gouging monster and that he should 'burn alive' for his appalling murders. In a highly-charged interview with the Daily Mail, Miss Lami the mother of his children bravely waived her legal right to anonymity to claim that Metra subjected her to shocking sexual violence during their entire relationship. And she hit out at the Crown Prosecution Service for ruling a few weeks ago that, following a protracted Scotland Yard inquiry, he should not face any charges over her sex allegations. Albanian Miss Lami said: 'By dropping the charges, they are almost saying 'you are lying'. 'That is how I feel. I might be wrong, but that is how I feel. 'It's as if the CPS and the police don't believe what I am telling them.' Miss Lami, who now has a new partner, a steady job and lives in the London suburbs, said she made the rape allegation against Metra two years ago well before his real identity as a fugitive double murderer was exposed by the Mail. 'I explained to the police what had happened,' she said. 'It had happened more than twice but there were two incidents I could not really forget.' Breaking down in tears, she revealed what happened: 'I was asleep in bed and the next minute he was on top of me. 'I had not consented. It was 3am in the middle of the night.' Avni Metra, 53, fled to Britain in 1998 a year after the brutal murder of two brothers Metra denied the rape allegations after being detained for questioning. Attacking the Scotland Yard investigation, Miss Lami went on: 'The police say they are serious about investigating rape cases but what about cases like mine? 'I don't think they have investigated my case properly. I offered to do anything tests, anything, to prove what had happened. I gave the details of witnesses and other evidence to support my story. 'The police said he denied it. Of course he denied it. He denies everything. 'I have lost trust in the police. That kills me the most. I ask myself 'why did I report it? They don't believe me.' In a letter to Miss Lami on June 28, a senior CPS lawyer who assessed her rape allegations said the fact that she did not report them in 2010 when Metra was prosecuted for wife beating and the lack of corroborating evidence undermined the case. At the time of the 2010 case, Metra was posing as a bogus Kosovan refugee called Avdul Mekra. Miss Lami bravely waived her legal right to anonymity to claim that Metra subjected her to shocking sexual violence during their entire relationship But embarrassingly, Scotland Yard detectives did not realise he was a notorious fugitive called Avni Metra who was on an Interpol 'Most Wanted' list for double murder in his native Albania. Miss Lami, who 'under duress' came to the UK as a bogus Kosovan refugee several months after Metra fled to London from Albania in 1998, said she was too scared to reveal his true identity to police then. 'I was terrified about what would happen to me and my children. He had said he would kill me if I exposed his true identity,' she said. Miss Lami said scores of Albanian women who live in the UK are 'suffering in silence' from domestic violence. She urged them to go, as a group, to the authorities to report their ordeals. Metra, who was living in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, was finally arrested after a tip-off from the Daily Mail 'It is not just me, although my case is different because he (Metra) killed people too. But I would say virtually every (Albanian) woman living here is suffering badly from violence if married to an Albanian man. But they are scared of coming forward. 'I have seen ladies with bruises. 'I used to blame my son for my bite marks and bruises inflicted by my husband. I'd say 'he (my son) had done this and that to me', when it was my husband who did it. I didn't want to expose my husband because I was so scared. 'But I don't care about him now, I only care about my kids. I hope he (Metra) burns alive for what he has done. 'I know what he is capable of. He held a knife to my throat twice. I saw the Daily Mail video of when you confronted him, and if you watch closely his hand moves towards the two knives by his door when you challenge him. You can see the movement of his hand. 'Those knives were not there for cooking, they were there for protection in case someone walked into his flat.' She said that since the Mail exposed her ex-husband in June she has 'not been able to sleep properly thinking about what his murder victims' families had been through'. She also revealed that she has been receiving late night silent phone calls from a 'heavy breathing' person. 'I assume it is his family or a friend,' she said. 'Who else would ring at 2am? You can hear the breathing down the phone. 'I don't regret what I have done, confirming his true identity not in a million years. 'I wish I could have come forward earlier but I was worried about the safety of my kids. And I still am. Miss Lami hit out at the Crown Prosecution Service for ruling that, following a protracted Scotland Yard inquiry, Metra should not face any charges over her sex allegations 'The war, the blood feud, starts now. What is his family going to do to my kids out of revenge?' Miss Lami predicted he will wait, perhaps up to 20 years, before trying to exact revenge. 'He'll make me pay. He'll hunt me for the rest of my life. My life has changed. It can never be the same.' She also fears for her extended family in Albania because he has friends and contacts in the underworld who will go after them. A dog is recovering after a dramatic rescue from a crunched car that was slammed into by a speeding train. Fireman Tony Escobedo arrived with other firefighters from Fresno Station 11 and began desperately working to get the driver out. The large tan dog was riding with his owner in Fresno, California, on Thursday when somehow his car collided with an oncoming train, destroying the car. Fireman Tony Escobedo peered into a totaled car that had been smashed by a train and saw these desperate confused eyes staring back at him The firefighters worked desperately to extract the driver from the collapsed car - and then they saw Little Zeus and worked to free him too The driver was eventually pried out of the crumpled metal. But then Escobedo said 'and then I heard a whimper.' According to his account on Facebook, the fireman looked and saw a frightened face peering up at him from the floor under the dashboard, where the car caved in around him. It was a lucky dog whom he would later find out was named Little Zeus. Little Zeus was rushed to the hospital and appears to have a broken leg but he is 'doing great' says Escobedo Escobedo said the rescuers used the jaws of life to pry the metal away from the trapped pooch and take him out. The pup was rushed to the vet and Escobedo posted pictures of him lying with a large yellow cast on his arm and an IV drip. Big-hearted fireman Tony Escobedo said he heard a 'whimper' and was shocked to see a trapped pooch under the dash ABC7 reported that the dog's owner didn't even know his dog was alive since he was unconscious during the rescue, but when he woke up in the hospital he was told his dog was okay. 'He is doing great today!' Escobedo said of the pooch. The car plunged forward into the water on August 14 in Zhongshan City instead of the brake A teenage learner driver and two others were killed after she accidentally stepped on the car's accelerator pedal and plunged the vehicle into the river. She was driving her father's car with her dad, sister and another friend when she crashed into the river in Zhongshan City, south China's Guangdong province on August 14, reports the People's Daily Online. The car dropped more than 10 feet before it landed upside down in the water, submerging the passengers. Scroll down for video Shocking: A couple of villagers smashed the windows to try and free those trapped inside Horrifying: Three people were killed in the incident and one remains in intensive care Horrifying incident: The driver, father and family friend were pronounced dead at the scene According to reports, the 19-year-old surnamed Wu was driving on a learner's licence and needed to be accompanied by a qualified driver. She stepped on the accelerator peddle thinking it was the brake, forcing the car forwards and into the river. The driver, her father, 51, and her sister's school friend, 17, were all killed in the accident. Team effort: Villagers pulled on ropes to try and reposition the car after it fell into the water Tragic: Police arrived at the scene however for three of the passengers, it was too late Her younger sister, 16, is currently in a coma in intensive care. Local residents rushed over to try and free the family and police were called to the scene. Villagers used ropes to flip the vehicle onto its side and then smashed two windows to free the family. They had been in the water for half an hour. After unsuccessful attempts to revive them, the driver, father and the school friend were pronounced dead at the scene. Police say they are continuing to investigate the incident. Awful: The car fell some 10 feet into the river with the passengers completely submerged A short footage has emerged of the devastating moment a young girl fell out of a car and was then run over by the same vehicle. The horrific incident occurred in Yinchuan city, north China, on August 14, reports the People's Daily Online. The girl, who was aged just four, was rushed to hospital but later died from her injuries. Horrifying: Police are investigating how the door of the vehicle managed to open while the car was in motion Shocking: In the footage, the girl can be seen falling from the car onto the road in China In the footage the black car can be seen turning at a crossroads. As it turns, the rear left door opens and a child can be seen falling out. The car continues moving forwards and runs over the girl in the process. Just seconds later, the car comes to a halt as do the other vehicles around it. Accident: After the girl falls out, the car does not stop in time and its rear wheels ran over her The girl's family members were see rushing out from the car and cradling her. The toddler, who has not been identified, was rushed to hospital but later died from her injuries. According to reports, the girl was travelling from another city with relatives when the incident occurred. Local police have launched an investigation into how the door managed to open. They have also reminded people about installing child safety seats and locks in vehicles. Children's bedrooms seem to be either one thing or another magical wonderlands where no expense is spared or an unruly mess on which you're tempted to close the door. All the fun of the fair: A circus themed design from Dulux will perk up a child's bedroom Our boys' rooms fall into the latter category. Poor old Will, six, and Charlie, three, are in our old spare bedroom, which for the first few years of Will's life had plum coloured walls. Tasteful, but not suitable. Now, it's baby blue but I can't think why. It reminds me of the colour in our local public swimming pool. Worse still, the walls have a kind of mottled effect because I didn't go over them properly with a roller. Confession: I am not a patient decorator. If there were a competition for the most unimaginative and messily decorated room in Britain, we'd be undisputed champions. This is a shame because children's bedrooms should be full of imagination and fun, a place where they can feel at home playing Lego or reading books. But how on earth do you find something that's going to suit the tastes of little ones whose whims change almost daily? It seems like only yesterday that Will was watching Postman Pat. Now he's into Harry Potter and Spiderman. Comfy and cosy: Children's bedrooms should be places they can enjoy reading and playing I suppose that's how we ended up with plain blue on the walls it was the safe option. Dulux has new thinking on this parental dilemma: get the little ones involved from the start. When the idea was mooted I thought it sounded like a potential disaster and a surefire way to end up with pink and blue on the walls again. The paint giant's research showed that around three-quarters of parents never involve their children in the decoration of their rooms, but a survey among children found that 92 per cent would spend more time in them if they did. It seems I am not alone in my impatience to get the children's rooms decorated. Dulux found that the reason most parents never bothered to consult their children was because they didn't have the time and simply picked something to their own tastes. Camp bed: Bring the great outdoors indoors with this tent style bed from Cuckooland When asked what they'd like to see in their bedrooms, the youngsters came up with a surprisingly imaginative set of answers from Narnia-style wardrobes, a stage and a glass ceiling to the slightly more inevitable space rocket, pirate ship and treehouse. Dr Sam Wass, a developmental psychologist, says: 'Children typically create little things, but the bedroom is the first real, permanent thing that they can influence. 'Involving a child helps them to establish their own inner space. And for parents, having a chance to work together with their children can help to establish a stable relationship.' But let's be frank. You don't want the little angels to have free rein to pick what they want, but it would be nice to get them involved. With this in mind, Dulux has developed ten themes to give some inspiration to befuddled (and sceptical) parents like me. It has designed a short online challenge for children to answer, to help guide parents in the right direction. Cartoon capers: The dramatic Dulux Superhero design favoured by Will Coney But even more importantly, at the end of it are six suggestions of what sort of rooms might suit. These include sport, superhero, space, storybook, jungle and circus. They all looked a little bit fancy when I first saw them, but with each one Dulux tells you exactly which paint to buy (a tin of Striking Cyan, one of Rich Black, one White Cotton and one Banana Split), a handy shopping list of which brushes and tools you'll need, and then even step-by-step instructions. And that turns the whole thing into an entertaining art project, rather than an inconvenient rush job. (If you still can't manage it yourself, any professional decorator should be able to manage it). Dreamy look: Create a peaceful haven for your children with this look from Dulux Will was adamant the moment he flicked through room ideas: superhero. It's like a silhouetted New York skyline with the Batman light shining in the sky though in place of the bat sign, there's a superhero 'W'. For Charlie, the decision is more complex. Less boisterous, he prefers the quiet and loves his books. So for him it had to be storybook, with its peaceful clouds in the sky. If you want to add furniture, Ikea has created a series of room sets from polka dots to cosy camps to give you ideas. The boys' rooms have proved a soaring success. What's more, they want to spend time in their bedroom and, as every parent knows, that is good news. Every second, 6,000 tweets are posted on Twitter. While most tweets are inoffensive, some contain threats, or appear to be automated or spam. To combat this issue, Twitter is making a 'quality filter' available to users to hide these inappropriate tweets. While most tweets are inoffensive, some contain threats, or appear to be automated or spam. To combat this issue, Twitter is making a 'quality filter' available to users to hide these inappropriate tweets HOW TO TURN ON THE FILTER 1. Tap 'Notifications' in the navigation bar 2. Tap the Settings icon in the top left corner 3. Use the 'Quality filter' to control which tweets you see 4. Control whose notifications you see by turning on 'Only people you follow' Advertisement The feature was previously only available to users with 'verified' accounts, which are typically celebrities, public figures or journalists, and who can be identified by a blue tick next to the username. In a blog posted on their website, Twitter said: 'When turned on, the filter can improve the quality of Tweets you see by using a variety of signals, such as account origin and behaviour. 'Turning it on filters lower-quality content, like duplicate Tweets or content that appears to be automated, from your notifications and other parts of your Twitter experience.' Two simple settings to give you better control over your Twitter experience. https://t.co/pEJuMUhCYs pic.twitter.com/jmFd0rDoV6 Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) August 18, 2016 This might help people, for example, who don't want to see a barrage of abusive tweets directed at them. However, it won't actually delete the tweets themselves. The filter can be turned on and off in the Settings section on Twitter. Twitter has also revealed it has shut down over 235,000 accounts in just six months for 'violating our policies related to promotion of terrorism'. The filter might help people, for example, who don't want to see a barrage of abusive tweets directed at them (stock image) Earlier this year the firm said it was using spam-fighting technology to seek out and automatically flag accounts that might be promoting terrorist activity. Now, it has revealed a dramatic rise in the number of accounts banned. The new filter will be rolled out worldwide in the next few days. Threat of AI taking over humankind could be one step closer to reality, as China is building a range of killer cruise missiles. The missiles, dubbed 'death drones, will be equipped with artificial intelligence to guide them in flight and potentially even choose new targets. The country is leading the world in the development of AI weapons, a senior designer said today. Scroll down for video China is building a range of killer cruise missiles which will be equipped with AI. Pictured is a missile is launched from a guided-missile destroyer during a live ammunition drill in the East China Sea CHINA'S STRENGTH President Xi Jinping is overseeing an ambitious military modernisation programme, including developing stealth fighters and building aircraft carriers. This has rattled China's neighbours, several of whom are engaged in territorial disputes with it. The US is also wary of China's growing assertiveness. China says it has no hostile intent and that it needs a modern military to protect its legitimate security needs as the world's second-largest economy. The country has attached particular importance to missile development, including testing anti-missile missiles and anti-satellite missiles. Advertisement 'We plan to adopt a "plug and play" approach in the development of new cruise missiles, which will enable our military commanders to tailor-make missiles in accordance with combat conditions,' Wang Changqing director of the General Design Department of the China Aerospace and Industry Corp told the state-run China Daily newspaper. 'Moreover, our future cruise missiles will have a very high level of artificial intelligence and automation,' Wang added. 'They will allow commanders to control them in real-time manner, or to use a fire-and-forget mode, or even to add more tasks to in-flight missiles.' China is already a leader in the field of using artificial intelligence in missiles, Wang added. President Xi Jinping is overseeing an ambitious military modernisation programme, including developing stealth fighters and building aircraft carriers. Earlier this month China's navy fired dozens of missiles and torpedoes during exercises in the East China Sea (shown). The exercises came amid heightened tensions in the region, underscoring Beijing's determination to back up its sovereignty claims with force if needed CHINA HOLDS LIVE-FIRE NAVY MISSILE DRILLS Earlier this month China's navy fired dozens of missiles and torpedoes during exercises in the East China Sea. The exercises came amid heightened maritime tensions in the region, underscoring Beijing's determination to back up its sovereignty claims with force if needed. The live-fire drills that began on 2 August followed China's strident rejection of an international arbitration panel's ruling last month that invalidated Beijing's claims to a vast swath of the South China Sea. Advertisement This has rattled China's neighbours, several of whom are engaged in territorial disputes with it. The US is also wary of China's growing assertiveness. China says it has no hostile intent and that it needs a modern military to protect its legitimate security needs as the world's second-largest economy. The country has attached particular importance to missile development, including testing anti-missile missiles and anti-satellite missiles. Earlier this month China's navy fired dozens of missiles and torpedoes during exercises in the East China Sea. The exercises came amid heightened maritime tensions in the region, underscoring Beijing's determination to back up its sovereignty claims with force if needed. The live-fire drills (pictured) that began on 2 August followed China's strident rejection of an international arbitration panel's ruling last month that invalidated Beijing's claims to a vast swath of the South China Sea The live-fire drills that began on 2 August followed China's strident rejection of an international arbitration panel's ruling last month that invalidated Beijing's claims to a vast swath of the South China Sea. For nearly 500 years its contents have been frustratingly obscured by a layer of plaster, concealing details about a lost civilisation that lived in Mexico before the Spanish arrived. But a new imaging technique has for the first time allowed historians to peer through the material on top to reveal a series of pictograms on the deer hide beneath. It has provided them with a tantilising glimpse at the history and culture of an early Mexican civilisation known as the Mixtec. The Codex Selden is made from deer hide covered in plaster (pictured top), but scientists have suspected a much older text is hidden beneath the coating. Using a new imaging technique they have revealed seven pages of pictograms beneath the plaster (bottom) The research examined a manuscript known as the Codex Selden, which dates from around 1560 and is one of less than 20 Mexican codices to have survived since the pre-Columbian period. WHO WERE THE MIXTEC The Mixtec were one of the major civilisations of Mesoamercian peoples in Mexico before the Spanish arrived to colonise the region. Their name comes from the Nahuatl word Mixtecah, meaning Cloud People. Their society was comprised of a number of city states that competed with each other and other nearby kingdoms. There is only one Mixtec king who ever united them into a single state in around the 11th Century. They were reknowned goldsmiths, but also produced beautiful carvings out of wood and stone. They were eventually subdued by the Spanish and their allies, but descendants of the Mixtec continue to live through out Mexico and the US. They are one of the most numerous indigenous groups in the US, with up to 150,000 Mixteco people living in California alone. Advertisement Experts, however, have long suspected the codex was formed from a much older document that had been covered up to provide a new surface for writing on. The 16 feet long (5m) document is composed of deer hide that has been covered with gesso a white plaster made from gypsum and chalk before being folded into a 20 page manuscript. In the 1950s some of the plaster was scraped away to reveal a vague image on the deer hide beneath but no further work has been able to reveal what lies beneath for fear of damaging it. But researchers at Leiden University, in the Netherlands, working with historians at the Bodleian Libraries at Oxford University where the Codex Selden is housed, have discovered a way to see through the plaster. Their findings are published in the Journal of Archaeological Sciences. They used a technique known as hyperspectral imaging to reveal the outlines of vivid pictograms that were on the original document. Ludo Snijders, an archaeologist at Leiden University who led the work, told MailOnline: 'We are now for the first time able to reveal, at least in part, the images of the palimpsest without damaging the object. 'What's interesting is that the text we've found doesn't match that of other early Mixtec manuscripts. 'The genealogy we see appears to be unique, which means it may prove invaluable for the interpretation of archaeological remains from southern Mexico.' The Codex Seldon is around 16 feet long (5m) and composed of deer hide that has been covered with gesso a white plaster made from gypsum and chalk. This has been folded into a 20 page manuscript, but it appears it was made using a much older document WHAT THE HIDDEN CODEX MAY REVEAL ABOUT THE MIXTEC Researchers have already begun attempting to decode the pictograms hidden beneath the plaster on pages 10 and 11 of the Codex Selden. A total of 27 individuals can be seen on page 11 alone. Some of these people are identified by their calendar names, reflecting the day in the Mesoamerican character that they were born. Calendar names are created by combining one of 20 possible day signs with a number between one and 13, depicted as a series of dots. Individuals are also sometimes identified by their personal names, which are often incorporated into the dress of the depicted figure or drawn next to them. In the top left corner, two figures have red umbilical cords attached o their behinds, inducating they may be siblings. They are thought to be the children of a pair of characters that are depicted on the top right of the previous page. A prominent individual appears repeatedly on lines 2, 3 and 5. He is represented by a large glyph consisting of a twisted cord and a flint knife. Female characters are usually shown sitting on their knees and can be seen on th eleft hand page on the right-hand side of line two and the centre of line three. The researchers scanned seven pages of the codex (10 and 11 pictured). Hidden beneath the plaster they found pictograms of figures and individuals. Two figures in the top left corner are probably siblings as they have red umbilical cords attached to their behinds Advertisement The researchers analysed seven pages of the codex. Some of the pages feature more than 20 characters sitting or standing, but all looking in the same direction. Similar scenes have been found on other Mixtec manuscripts, which usually represent a King and his council. Analysis of the characters hidden under the Codex Selden revealed, however, that they show a mixture of both male and female characters. It has left scientists puzzled about what the text is depicting. Other images included people walking with sticks and spears, women with red hair or headdresses and glyphs depicted a river that appear to be place names. The Selden Codex (pictured) is one of less than 20 Mexican codices to have survived since the pre-Columbian period. The new technique has revealed it contains far more secrets than previously believed The imaging also revealed a prominent individual who appears repeatedly on the document and is represented by a large glyph consisting of a twisted cord and a flint knife. HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING Hyperspectral imaging scanner shines white light at an object and for each pixel, it captures all the light reflected back. It looks at 900 different wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum. Different pigments or paints have different 'spectral signatures' or 'fingerprints' which allows them to be identified by the scanner. Through high level computer processing, images hidden to the human eye can be reconstructed. Advertisement The name seems to resemble a character found in other Mexican codices, such as the Codex Bodley and the Codex Zouche-Nuttall, which is kept by the British Museum. It is thought the character is an important ancestor of two lineages connected to the archaeological sites of Zaachila and Teozacualco in Mexico. However, further analysis is needed to confirm that it is the same individual. David Howell, head of heritage science at the Bodleian Libraries, who was also involved in the research, said: 'Hyperspectral imaging has shown great promise in helping us to begin to reconstruct the story of the hidden codex and ultimately to recover new information about Mixtec history and archaeology. 'This is very much a new technique, and we've learned valuable lessons about how to use hyperspectral imaging in the future both for this very fragile manuscript and for countless others like it.' America's return to manned spaceflight moved a step closer today as US astronauts installed a new 'parking space' on the International Space Station. The two Americans, Jeffrey Williams and Kate Rubins, hooked up the docking port in just a few hours. SpaceX delivered this new gateway last month, packed in the trunk of a Dragon cargo capsule. NASA describes the gear as 'a metaphorical gateway to a future' that will allow a new generation of US spacecraft - the first since the space shuttle program ended in 2011 - to carry astronauts to the space station. Scroll down for live video US astronaut Kate Rubins works on the docking port of the International Space Station.The adaptors will work with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon, two spaceships under construction that are planned to ferry astronauts to the space station. AMERICA'S SPACE FLIGHTS Americans haven't rocketed into orbit from their home turf since NASA's last shuttle flight in 2011. SpaceX is shooting for a test flight of its souped-up Dragon with two astronauts as early as a year from now. Boeing is aiming for a two-person shakedown of its Starliner capsule in early 2018. Advertisement It is a crucial first step in welcoming commercial crew capsules as soon as next year. Americans haven't rocketed into orbit from their home turf since NASA's last shuttle flight in 2011. SpaceX and Boeing expect to resume human launches from Cape Canaveral in another year or two. But their crew capsules can't dock without this new-style parking spot, which replaces the now obsolete shuttle setup and is meant to be internationally compatible. Friday's success paved the way for these future spaceships. 'We have a new port of call for the new U.S. commercial crew vehicles,' announced Mission Control commentator Rob Navias. SpaceX is shooting for a test flight of its souped-up Dragon with two astronauts as early as a year from now. Boeing is aiming for a two-person shakedown of its Starliner capsule in early 2018. Until then, Russia will keep providing all the rides - at a hefty price for U.S. taxpayers. The docking adaptor will be the first of two such additions to the space station. The second is expected to be installed in 2018. ISS operations integration manager Kenneth Todd called Friday's installation a 'very significant milestone on the path to establishing commercial crew capability.' HOW TO INSTALL AN ORBITING PARKING SPACE The docking adapter arrived to the space station July 20 on a SpaceX Dragon cargo resupply spacecraft. On Wednesday, ground controllers used the Canadarm2 robotic arm, and its attached 'Dextre' Special Dexterous Manipulator, to extract the IDA from the trunk of Dragon and position it just 2 feet away from Pressurized Mating Adapter-2 located on the forward end of the Harmony module. Once the IDA is moved to a surface to surface contact with the PMA, Williams and Rubins will begin work to hook up tethers in advance of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi sending commands to close the hooks between the two docking ports. Once the hooks are closed, Williams and Rubins will press ahead to mate power and data connectors for future use of the IDA. The adaptors will work with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon, two spaceships under construction that are planned to ferry astronauts to the space station. The docking adapter arrived to the space station July 20 on a SpaceX Dragon cargo resupply spacecraft. Advertisement Built by Boeing, the circular adaptor measures around 42 inches (one meter) tall and about 63 inches wide. The adaptors will work with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon, two spaceships under construction that are planned to ferry astronauts to the space station. The docking adaptor is more sophisticated than past equipment because it will allow automatic parking instead of the current grapple and berthing process, which is managed by astronauts. US astronaut Kate Rubins works on the docking port -- the first of two such additions to the International Space Station Lizabeth Menzies (NASA TV/AFP) US astronauts Kate Rubins (bottom) and Jeff Williams (top) make repairs to the International Space Station on August 19, 2016 Lizabeth Menzies (NASA TV/AFP) It also has fittings that will enable the space station to share power and data with the spacecraft. Williams is making his fourth career spacewalk. He has accumulated 19 hours of spacewalk time in his life. The spacewalk is Rubins's first. But the work will be hardly brand new for her. The spacewalk began at 8:04 (1204 GMT) when Americans Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins switched their spacesuits to internal battery power. She has already practiced the necessary maneuvers, including mating the cables, in NASA's neutral buoyancy laboratory in Houston. She is the 12th woman to walk in space. A series of spacewalks last year have helped prepare the groundwork for the adaptor's arrival. Late Wednesday, the space station's robotic arm pulled the docking adaptor from the trunk of the SpaceX Dragon cargo ship, placing it next to the station's Harmony module for installation. Boeing is aiming for a two-person shakedown of its Starliner capsule in early 2018. SpaceX is shooting for a test flight of its souped-up Dragon with two astronauts as early as a year from now. The last US spacewalk was on January 15, when a problem with American Tim Kopra's spacesuit allowed a small amount of water to build up inside his helmet by the end of the outing. It was the latest in a series of spacesuit issues, but was not as severe as an emergency in 2013 when Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano's helmet flooded, forcing him to end his spacewalk early, Todd said. NASA commentator Rob Navias said the US space agency has done a thorough review of the spacesuits being worn by Rubins and Williams, and they are in 'excellent shape' for Friday's spacewalk. The spacewalk is Rubins's first. She has already practiced the necessary maneuvers, including mating the cables, in NASA's neutral buoyancy laboratory in Houston. She is the 12th woman to walk in space. NASA is planning another spacewalk on September 1 to retract one of the thermal radiators outside the space station. Astronauts unsuccessfully tried to push it back into position last year, Todd said. Advertisement The remains of a 4,500-year-old 'noblewoman' clutching a young child in a grave discovered in Siberia is providing tantalising new clues about an ancient culture that had close links to Native Americans. Russian scientists have revealed they discovered an incense burner decorated with elaborate solar symbols and stone slaps covered in carvings in the burial mount in the Khakassia region. The woman and child are thought to have belonged to the Okunev people - who DNA and cranial studies have suggested are the long-ago ancestors of hunter-gatherers that traveled from southern Siberia to North America some 12,600 years ago. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a 'noblewoman' clutching the skeleton of a child in a grave (pictured) in the Khakassia region of Siberia. The grave was filled with goods including an exquisite carvings and an incense burner A stone slab found alongside the body includes an image of a bull with a long rectangular body, almost unique in Siberia, but familiar further south. THE OKUNEV PEOPLE The Okunev culture were a Bronze Age group of people that appeared in the first half of the second millennium BC in the Minusinsk Hollow of southern Siberia. They are named after the Okunev settlement discovered in southern Khakassia in 1928. These people used copper and bronze to create blades, axes and spear heads along with other tools and ornaments. They are thought to have been nomadic herders and buried their dead in mounds known as kurgans. Experts also believe they created lavishly decorated jug-like vessels and carved the images of beasts on stone slabs. Advertisement This picture has not been released as yet but scientists suggest it may mean the mysterious Okunevs - known for their artistic richness and diversity - originally migrated from modern-day Kazakhstan. The head of the expedition Dr Andrey Polyakov said the grave of the 'noblewoman' dated back to the Early Bronze Age, between the 2500BC and 1800BC. 'For such an ancient epoch, this woman has a lot of items in her grave,' he said. 'We have not encountered anything like this in other burials from this time, and it leads us to suggest that the items in her grave had some ritual meaning. 'We hope to get even more rare and spectacular finds next year, when will continue to study this unique mound and open the central burial plot.' Archaeologists believe the woman 'enjoyed a special status during her lifetime', as indicated by around 100 decorations made from the teeth of different animals, items carved from bone and horn, two jars, cases with bone needles inside, a bronze knife, and more than 1,500 beads that embellished her funeral costume. Her incense burner is decorated with solar images which match previously discovered ancient rock art in Siberia. Until now, the artists behind the rock art were unknown, but the find in an Okunev burial plot suggests this culture was responsible for the drawings. 'The clay incense burner bearing three sun-shaped facial images, recovered from the grave, is the most important find of all,' said Dr Polyakov. The remains of an incense burner found in the grave (pictured left) shows drawings of the sun and match rock art found in the region. It has helped solved the mystery of who was responsible for the rock carvings Animal teeth that appear to have been part of a necklace or ornament were also found in the grave (pictured) Several fragments of the incense burner were found in the grave and it was covered in solar carvings (pictured) The noblewoman's grave was found in the Khakassia region of Siberia in Russia (shown on map) 'Its importance is hard to overestimate. 'Now, thanks to our current research, we can definitely say that these rock arts were made by the representatives of the Okunev culture.' Archaeologists have been excavating the burial mound since 2008 and have made 560 finds in total (some pictured above). They claim the grave of the nobelwoman is the most important one they have found so far Many of the graves have stone slabs over the top that have been carved with images known as Okunev faces (pictured) The Okunev Steles, anthropomorphous stone columns that stand several meters tall, are amoung the most widely knonw monuments attributed to the Okunev. The graves are revealing new details about this ancient culture After precise dating and restoration, the incense burner from the Itkol II burial site will be exhibited at the world famous Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, he said. The Siberian Times reported 'more scientific evidence' was needed on whether the finds indicate Native Americans originated in Kazakhstan rather than Siberia. The Okunev culture often used the images of animals in their carvings (pictured left) but some also showed 'masks' (right) The Okunev culture left large numbers of 'masks' and engravings on rocks (pictured left and right) around Siberia. Their distinctive style has become one of the most easily identified marks of the Okunev culture Dr Polyakov said: 'Okunev archaeological culture is a unique phenomenon of the Early Bronze Age of Southern Siberia. 'We have a huge quantity of artistic heritage in the form of numerous images - 'masks', carved or engraved on the rocks. More than 30 major technology companies are joining the U.S. government to crack down on automated, prerecorded telephone calls that regulators have labeled a 'scourge.' AT&T Inc, Google parent Alphabet Inc, Apple Inc, Verizon Communications Inc and Comcast Corp are among the members of the 'Robocall Strike Force,' which will work with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. The group was holding its first meeting with the FCC on Friday. More than 30 major technology companies are joining the U.S. government to crack down on automated, prerecorded telephone calls. THE ROBOCALL SCOURGE Hundreds of thousands of people are thought to have suffered from the calls, particularly from personal protection insurance and accident claims companies. Advertisement The strike force will report to the commission by Oct. 19 on 'concrete plans to accelerate the development and adoption of new tools and solutions,' said AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson, who is chairing the group. The group hopes to put in place Caller ID verification standards that would help block calls from spoofed phone numbers and to consider a 'Do Not Originate' list that would block spoofers from impersonating specific phone numbers from governments, banks or others. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in July urged major companies to take new action to block robocalls, which often come from telemarketers or scam artists. 'This scourge must stop,' Wheeler said on Friday, calling robocalls the No. 1 complaint from consumers. Wheeler has said robocalls continue 'due in large part to industry inaction.' 'The bad guys are beating the good guys with technology,' Wheeler said. Stephenson emphasized 'the breadth and complexity' of the robocall problem. 'This is going to require more than individual company initiatives and one-off blocking apps,' Stephenson said. 'Robocallers are a formidable adversary, notoriously hard to stop.' The FCC does not require phone providers to offer robocall blocking and filtering but has strongly encouraged providers to offer those services at no charge to consumers. The strike force brings together carriers, device makers, operating system developers, network designers and the government. 'We have to come out of this with a comprehensive play book for all of us to go execute,' Stephenson said. 'We have calls that are perfectly legal, but unwanted, like telemarketers and public opinion surveyors. At the other end of the spectrum, we have millions of calls that are blatantly illegal.' Stephenson said technical experts representing the companies have had 'preliminary conversations about short- and longer-term initiatives.' We will continually and robustly exercise the freedom to investigate and examine new ideas, to review our prejudices and settled beliefs critically and regularly, and to confront, in good faith, lines of thought with which we are unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. Four classically liberal professors and an economist named Adam Smith walk into a room. No, this isn't the beginning of a bad joke; it was the first event of the Classical Liberals in the Carolinas conference held last week at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte.The annual conference, now in its third year, was conceived by Adam C. Smith, an assistant professor of economics and director of the Center for Free Market Studies at Johnson and Wales. It offers opportunities for libertarian and right-of-center scholars to discuss important regional issues while building a stronger state-based network.This year, Smith assembled a group of professors to address a hot button topic: free speech on campus. How did we arrive at this era of trigger warnings, microaggressions, and ideological conformity on campus? And what can professors and university officials do to establish respect for open expression and the marketplace of ideas?The panel, sponsored by the Institute for Humane Studies, was led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Donald Downs, who was joined by C. Bradley Thompson of Clemson University, Zagros Madjd-Sadjadi of Winston-Salem State University, and James Otteson of Wake Forest University.Thompson, a political science professor and the executive director of the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism, said that indoctrination is a major reason why there seems to be so much hostility to principles of free speech on campus.Particularly troublesome, he said, is the reemergence of 1960s-style "struggle sessions" in which people are made to publicly confess their "sins." Thompson cited a recent case from North Carolina's Guilford College in which students demanded that each week, one white professor be required to publicly denounce his or her "white privilege."Madjd-Sadjadi, professor of economics and master of healthcare administration program coordinator at Winston-Salem State, said that lack of viewpoint diversity also has contributed to the current anti-free speech climate:The moderator, Donald Downs, added that there has been a major shift in the source of censorship on campus. Prior to the 1990s, he said, censorship typically came from campus authorities in a top-down manner. But today, the majority of illiberal behavior on campus comes from students themselves.All of the panelists had plenty of advice for fellow faculty on how to approach the issues of indoctrination, censorship, lack of viewpoint diversity, and student-led illiberalism.For example, Otteson read from a personal blog post in which he imagined what would be page one of an enlightened college's handbook. The opening page would include the following pledge:Otteson, an active advocate for free speech at Wake Forest, has called for the private university to adopt the Chicago Principles , which mirror the language of the above pledge. So far, he's seen at least some success; the university's provost is considering creating a faculty task force on free speech and the president addressed the issue in a letter to alumni , saying,Thompson has a different strategy to promote free speech on campus, which he refers to as the "Clemson Approach." In the fall 2015 semester, a student petition called for professors to publicly endorse a list of demands , including one that sought to criminally prosecute "defamatory" speech (which actually meant any speech that offends "progressive" sensibilities). After gaining 110 faculty signatures, the student group took out a full-page ad in the student newspaper, planning to publish the list and its signatories. Thompson decided to write a response co-signed with two other faculty members.Titled "An Open Letter to Clemson Students," the response was published on the adjacent page of the very same issue.the letter said.According to Thompson, a debate on the merits of free speech played out on the pages of the student newspaper for the next two months. In the end, Thompson said, the pro-speech students "obliterated the other guys."But Downs doubts whether faculty-led charges against censorship will have much staying power.he said.In terms of building such "infrastructure," Winston-Salem State University appears to be making ground. Thanks to the efforts of Madjd-Sadjadi, the school became both the first university in the South and the first historically black college to adopt the Chicago Principles. Inside the classroom, Madjd-Sadjadi says critical thinking is vital, and that professors can and should explain freedom of inquiry to their students and encourage them to question every assumption made in the classroom.Madjd-Sadjadi also urged faculty to get involved in campus committees, specifically ones which will likely consider speech policies. He explained that the committees that often pass problematic speech policies only have one or two faculty representatives, but that the administration treats them as representative of the entire faculty. A policy supported by the single faculty member becomes a policy supported by the faculty itself.he said.Thompson closed the panel session with a challenge to faculty members:While the efforts of a single professor or even small group of professors may not be enough to rekindle freedom of speech and freedom of thought on every campus, they're certainly a welcome counter to higher education's current status quo. If last week's conference was any indication, the battle to win over hearts and minds in this crucial area is well underway. Speculating about what aliens look like has kept children, film producers and scientists amused for decades. If they exist, will extra terrestrials turn out to look similar to us, or might they take a form beyond our wildest imaginings? The answer to this question really depends on how we think evolution works at the deepest level. Scroll down for videos If they exist, will extra terrestrials turn out to look similar to us, or might they take a form beyond our wildest imaginings? The answer to this question really depends on how we think evolution works at the deepest level WHAT WILL ALIENS LOOK LIKE? Matthew Willis, a researcher from the University of Bath, looks to Earth's life forms to explain how aliens could look when we meet. Willis pulls from Simon Conway Morris work, evolutionary biologists, who says the answer lies in the phenomenon of evolutionary convergence: the process by which distantly related animals come to closely resemble each other. For evolution to occur there needs to be some mechanism for storing and replicating information with moderate fidelity, such as DNA, RNA or some analogue. Although the first cells appeared on Earth quite early, multicellular animals took nearly 3 billion more years to evolve. So it may well be that life on other planets could get stuck at the single-celled stage. Although insects are the most species rich group on Earth, it would be too difficult for aliens to look like these creatures, as it entails periodic shedding and regrowth Researchers explain that these alien lifeforms may have specific body parts such as legs, teeth and arms to carry out specific tasks to survive. Learning what human features were accidental during evolution may shed light on how alien life forms could differ. Advertisement Hollywood has given us its fair share of humanoid aliens over the years. Initially this was through necessity, as special effects required someone to clamber into a rubber suit. Ironically, now that CGI makes anything possible, aliens sometimes look even more human in order to help the cinema goer make an emotional connection with them such as in James Cameron's Avatar. At present, the only life forms we can study are here on Earth. These had a single origin around 3.5 billion years ago, but this common ancestor gave rise to perhaps 20m living species of animals alone. These have bodies organised according to about 30 different body plans in major groups called phyla. But when animals first diversified some 542m or more years ago in the Cambrian 'explosion', there may have been an even greater diversity of fundamental body plans. Consider the five-eyed and trunked Opabina in the image above, or the stalked and almost flower-like Dinomischus alongside our own distant relative, the chordate Pikaia. In a famous thought experiment, biologist Stephen Jay Gould asked what might happen if we were to rewind the 'tape of life' and rerun it. Gould argued for the importance of chance in evolution: change one small thing early on, and the consequences magnify through time. In the version of history we know, Pikaia (imaged below) or something very like it survived and ultimately gave rise to fishes, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and ultimately ourselves. But what if it had perished? Might some other group have given rise to intelligent beings, and might you now be reading this with five eyes rather than the customary two? Ironically, now that CGI makes anything possible, aliens sometimes look even more human in order to help the cinema goer make an emotional connection with them such as in James Cameron's Avatar (pictured). However, the only life forms we can study are here on Earth If our own origins on Earth really turned on such fine hinges, why should aliens evolving on different planets even remotely resemble us? The answer, according to evolutionary biologist Simon Conway Morris, lies in the phenomenon of evolutionary convergence: the process by which distantly related animals come to closely resemble each other. For example, the similar streamlined shape of dolphins, tuna fish and the extinct ichthyosaurs all evolved independently in response to the same selective pressures for moving efficiently through water at speed. But what aspects of alien biology might we expect? When animals first diversified some 542m or more years ago in the Cambrian 'explosion', there may have been an even greater diversity of fundamental body plans. Consider the five-eyed and trunked Opabina (pictured) or the stalked and almost flower-like Dinomischus alongside our own distant relative, the chordate Pikaia RESEARCHERS CLAIM THEY ARE CONFIDENT OF FINDING COMPLEX, ANIMAL-LIKE CREATUIRES LIVING ON ALIEN WORLDS Researchers from Washington State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology describe how the evolution of life on Earth could predict what we find on other planets. In the study, researchers examined the key innovations that drove the development of life on Earth. This includes the transition from single cell life to multicellular life, the rise of photosynthesis, the evolution of macroscopic beings, and the rise of intelligent life. The team determined that these innovations were invented several times, originating independently at different points of history. They say this suggests that once life originates, it will likely follow a natural evolutionary path toward complexity, given enough time and the proper environment. If life has arisen on an alien world and a sufficient energy flux exists, the researchers say animal-like life could develop. Advertisement Carbon-based biochemistry is likely given that carbon forms stable backbone chains, and makes stable but readily breakable bonds with other elements. Other elements, notably silicon and sulphur, make less stable bonds at Earth-like temperatures. Water or some other solvent also seems necessary. For evolution to occur there needs to be some mechanism for storing and replicating information with moderate fidelity, such as DNA, RNA or some analogue. If our own origins on Earth really turned on such fine hinges, why should aliens evolving on different planets even remotely resemble us? The answer, according to evolutionary biologist Simon Conway Morris, lies in the phenomenon of evolutionary convergence: the process by which distantly related animals come to closely resemble each other NASA BOSS BELIEVES IN ALIENS The Administrator of Nasa, Charles Frank Bolden Jr, has said he believes there is life outside of Earth. Answering questions on First News Hotseat show on Sky News, he was asked if he believed in aliens. He said: 'I do believe that we will someday find other forms of life or a form of life, if not in our solar system then in some of the other solar systems - the billions of solar systems in the universe. 'Today we know that there are literally thousands, if not millions of other planets, many of which may be very similar to our own earth. 'So some of us, many of us believe that we're going to findevidence that there is life elsewhere in the universe.' Advertisement Although the first cells appeared on Earth quite early, multicellular animals took nearly 3 billion more years to evolve. So it may well be that life on other planets could get stuck at the single-celled stage. On an Earth-like planet it is also likely that radiation from the alien sun or suns would be used in biochemical pathways as a source of energy. For moderately large multicellular primary producers, harnessing light efficiently probably necessitates a light gathering system of leaves and branches. Similar shapes and habits have evolved convergently on Earth, so we might expect 'plants' with broadly familiar forms on Earth-like planets. With few exceptions, animals either eat the primary producers or each other, and there are only so many ways of doing this. Pursuing food often necessitates moving with the mouth first, so the animal has a head and tail end. Teeth and probably jaws evolve to hold and tackle food items. Moving against a hard surface requires specialised structures (such as cilia, a muscular foot or legs) at the interface, so that there is a back and front side. Although the first cells appeared on Earth quite early, multicellular animals took nearly 3 billion more years to evolve. So it may well be that life on other planets could get stuck at the single-celled stage. Pictured is a Pikaia, one of the creatures that diversified some 542m years ago in the Cambrain explosion Typically, this also imparts bilateral (left/right) symmetry: indeed, most animals belong to a 'super-group' called the Bilateria. But what about the large brained and intelligent creatures that might be capable of crossing interstellar distances? Insects are by far the most species rich group on Earth: why shouldn't aliens look more like them? Unfortunately, having your skeleton on the outside makes growth difficult, and entails periodic shedding and regrowth. KEPLER NARROS DOWN 20 PLANETS THAT COULD HOLD LIFE Nasa's Kepler telescope has been busy in the hunt for alien life, finding over 4,000 new planets outside our solar system over the past three years. Now a team of astronomers has narrowed down this list to those with the most potential to have liquid water, or even life. THE TOP 20 EARTH-LIKE PLANETS KOI Name K00571.05 (Kepler-186 f) K00701.04 (Kepler-62 f) K01298.02 (Kepler-283 c) K01422.04 (Kepler-296 f) K02418.01 K02626.01 K03010.01 K03138.01 K03497.01 K04036.01 K04356.01 K04742.01 (Kepler-442 b) K06343.01 K06425.01 K06676.01 K07223.01 K07235.01 K07470.01 K07554.01 K07591.01 They pinpointed 20 out of the 4,000 that are most likely to be like our own, and are starting to look more closely at these candidates. A group led by San Francisco State University physicists searched through the list Kepler had returned to find those most likely to support life like our own. They found 216 Kepler planets are located within the 'habitable zone' - an area around a star in which an orbiting planet's surface could hold liquid water. Of those, they list 20 that are the best candidates to be habitable rocky planets like Earth. These include Kepler-186 f, Kepler-62 f, Kepler-283 c and Kepler-296 f. The research also confirms the distribution of Kepler planets within the habitable zone is the same as the distribution of those outside of it. This means the universe is teeming with planets and moons where life could potentially exist. The researchers further sorted them by planet size: smaller, rocky planets versus larger gas giants. The 20 planets in the most restrictive category, rocky surface and a conservative habitable zone, are the most likely to be similar to Earth. Advertisement On Earth-like planets, all but relatively small terrestrial animals with external skeletons would collapse under their own weight during moulting, and some critical size may be necessary for suitably complex brains. Relatively large brains, some degree of tool use and problem-solving abilities appear to be correlated on Earth, and have evolved multiple times: in apes, whales, dolphins, dogs, parrots, crows and octopuses. However, the apes have developed tool use to a vastly greater degree. This is at least partly the result of walking on two legs, which frees up the front limbs, and because of the dexterity of our fingers (which may also be a key to the origins of written language). Ultimately, the jury is out on the extent to which intelligent aliens if they exist would resemble us. It may or may not be significant that humans have just two eyes and ears (just enough for stereo vision and hearing), and just two legs (reduced from the initially more stable four). Insects are by far the most species rich group on Earth: why shouldn't aliens look more like them? Unfortunately, having your skeleton on the outside makes growth difficult, and entails periodic shedding and regrowth KEPLAR NARROWS DOWN THE TOP 20 DISTANT WORLDS THAT COULD HOLD LIFE Nasa's Kepler telescope has been busy in the hunt for alien life, finding over 4,000 new planets outside our solar system over the past three years. Now a team of astronomers has narrowed down this list to those with the most potential to have liquid water, or even life. They pinpointed 20 out of the 4,000 that are most likely to be like our own, and are starting to look more closely at these candidates. A group led by San Francisco State University physicists searched through the list Kepler had returned to find those most likely to support life like our own. They found 216 Kepler planets are located within the 'habitable zone' - an area around a star in which an orbiting planet's surface could hold liquid water. Of those, they list 20 that are the best candidates to be habitable rocky planets like Earth. These include Kepler-186 f, Kepler-62 f, Kepler-283 c and Kepler-296 f. The research also confirms the distribution of Kepler planets within the habitable zone is the same as the distribution of those outside of it. This means the universe is teeming with planets and moons where life could potentially exist. The researchers further sorted them by planet size: smaller, rocky planets versus larger gas giants. The 20 planets in the most restrictive category, rocky surface and a conservative habitable zone, are the most likely to be similar to Earth. Advertisement Many other organs also come in pairs as a consequence of our evolutionarily deep-seated and perhaps inevitable bilateral symmetry. Still other elements of our body plan are probably nothing more than chance. The fact that we have hands and feet with five digits is a consequence of the fixation on five in our early tetrapod ancestors close relatives experimented with seven or eight. Indeed, most species have been subject to an accidental 'locking down' during development making body plans become stereotyped and inflexible with evolutionary time. Untangling the functional from the accidental is one of the big outstanding challenges in evolutionary biology and may help us better understand how alien lifeforms could differ from us. The main way we now search for intelligent life in space is by listening for radio or gamma transmissions. These efforts are increasingly being concentrated on star systems with Earth-like planets, as these are believed to be the most likely to harbour life. After all, it is easier to search for 'life as we know it' than life as we don't. Earlier this year, experts predicted that dark matter may be made of black holes formed during the first second of our universe's existence. Known as primordial black holes, they could be hitting out own planet every 1,000 years, the professor behind the theory has now revealed. The Nasa study claimed this interpretation aligns with our knowledge of cosmic infrared and X-ray background glows and may explain the unexpectedly high masses of merging black holes. Scroll down for videos Nasa suggests that this new interpretation aligns with our knowledge of cosmic infrared and X-ray background glows and may explain the unexpectedly high masses of merging black holes. This image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows an infrared view of a sky area in the constellation Ursa Major WHAT LED TO THIS DISCOVERY? A study looked at how the cosmic X-ray background (CXB) detected by Nasa's Chandra X-ray Observatory compared to the cosmic infrared background (CIB) in the same area of the sky as observed in a previous study. An irregular glow of low-energy X-rays in the CXB matched the patchiness of the CIB and the only other object that is known to sufficiently laminate across this wide an energy range is a black hole. The team concluded that primordial black holes must have been abundant among the earliest stars, making up at least one out of every five of the sources contributing to the CIB. Advertisement 'Asteroid-mass black holes, if they were all of the dark matter, might pass through the Earth once a millennium or so, but would be very, very hard to detect,' Alexander Kashlinsky, an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, told Business Insider. 'We certainly would notice if one passed near the Earth, since it would affect the orbits of all of our satellites,' he wrote in an email. 'I imagine that it would mess up GPS for example.' However, he claims mini-black holes of this size would pass between Earth and the sun once every 100 million years or so. 'We would, on average, have to wait much longer than the age of the Universe for one to pass through the Earth. 'Though such an event is absurdly unlikely ... It would cause some havoc,' he wrote. However, he said it could point to a bigger problem. 'It's possible there is no interaction of dark matter [with normal matter] except through gravity,' Brandt said. 'If that's the case, we're in trouble. We've never come to that point where we know something is out there but is completely invisible to our experiments.' The team's research predicts all galaxies, including our own, are embedded within a vast sphere of black holes each about 30 times the sun's mass. In 2005, Kashlinsky led a team of astronomers using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope to explore the background glow of infrared light in one part of the sky. The researchers reported excessive patchiness in the glow and concluded it was likely caused by the aggregate light of the first sources to illuminate the universe more than 13 billion years ago. Follow-up studies confirmed that this cosmic infrared background (CIB) showed similar unexpected structure in other parts of the sky. After masking out all known stars, galaxies and artifacts and enhancing what's left, an irregular background glow appears. This is the cosmic infrared background (CIB); lighter colors indicate brighter areas. The CIB glow is more irregular than can be explained by distant unresolved galaxies About eight years later, another study looked at how the cosmic X-ray background (CXB) detected by Nasa's Chandra X-ray Observatory compared to the CIB in the same area of the sky. The team found that the first stars emitted mainly optical and ultraviolet light, which today is stretched into the infrared by the expansion of space, so they should not contribute significantly to the CXB. However, the irregular glow of low-energy X-rays in the CXB matched the patchiness of the CIB and the only other object that is known to sufficiently laminate across this wide an energy range is a black hole. The team concluded that primordial black holes must have been abundant among the earliest stars, making up at least one out of every five of the sources contributing to the CIB. Nasa is currently investigating this issue as part of its Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope missions. 'These studies are providing increasingly sensitive results, slowly shrinking the box of parameters where dark matter particles can hide,' Kashlinsky said. 'The failure to find them has led to renewed interest in studying how well primordial black holes -- black holes formed in the universe's first fraction of a second -- could work as dark matter.' WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF DARK MATTER WAS MADE OF THE BLACK HOLES FOUND BY LIGO? The black holes distort the distribution of mass in the early universe, adding a small fluctuation that has consequences hundreds of millions of years later, when the first stars begin to form. For much of the universe's first 500 million years, normal matter remained too hot to coalesce into the first stars. Dark matter was unaffected by the high temperature because, it primarily interacts through gravity. Aggregating by mutual attraction, dark matter first collapsed into clumps called minihaloes, which provided a gravitational seed enabling normal matter to accumulate. Hot gas collapsed toward the minihaloes, resulting in pockets of gas dense enough to further collapse on their own into the first stars. Kashlinsky shows that if black holes play the part of dark matter, this process occurs more rapidly and easily produces the lumpiness of the CIB detected in Spitzer data even if only a small fraction of minihaloes manage to produce stars. As cosmic gas fell into the minihaloes, their constituent black holes would naturally capture some of it too. Matter falling toward a black hole heats up and ultimately produces X-rays. Together, infrared light from the first stars and X-rays from gas falling into dark matter black holes can account for the observed agreement between the patchiness of the CIB and the CXB. Occasionally, some primordial black holes will pass close enough to be gravitationally captured into binary systems. The black holes in each of these binaries will, over eons, emit gravitational radiation, lose orbital energy and spiral inward, ultimately merging into a larger black hole like the event LIGO observed. Advertisement Physicists have outlined several ways in which the hot, rapidly expanding universe could produce primordial black holes in the first thousandths of a second after the Big Bang. The older the universe is when these mechanisms take hold, the larger the black holes can be. And because the window for creating them lasts only a tiny fraction of the first second, scientists expect primordial black holes would exhibit a narrow range of masses. On September 14 gravitational waves produced by a pair of merging black holes 1.3 billion light-years away were captured by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) facilities in Hanford, Washington, and Livingston, Louisiana. New study suggest that information and everything else isn't vaporized, it slowly leaks out during the later stages of the black hole's evaporation. Researchers combined Hawking radiation with mathematical tools and high-performance computers to create a simulation showing when information enters and leaves a black hole WHAT ARE GRAVITATIONAL WAVES Scientists view the the universe as being made up of a 'fabric of space-time'. This corresponds to Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, published in 1916. Objects in the universe bend this fabric, and more massive objects bend it more. Gravitational waves are considered ripples in this fabric. They can be produced, for instance, when black holes orbit each other or by the merging of galaxies. Gravitational waves are also thought to have been produced during the Big Bang. If found, they would not only confirm the Big Bang theory but also offer insights into fundamental physics. For instance, they could shed light on the idea that, at one point, most or all of the forces of nature were combined into a single force. In March 2014, a team operating the Bicep2 telescope, based near the South Pole, believed they had found gravitational waves, but their results were proven to be inaccurate. Advertisement This event marked the first-ever detection of gravitational waves as well as the first direct detection of black holes. The signal provided LIGO scientists with information about the masses of the individual black holes, which were 29 and 36 times the sun's mass, plus or minus about four solar masses. These values were both unexpectedly large and surprisingly similar, explained the researchers. 'Depending on the mechanism at work, primordial black holes could have properties very similar to what LIGO detected,' Kashlinsky explained. 'If we assume this is the case, that LIGO caught a merger of black holes formed in the early universe, we can look at the consequences this has on our understanding of how the cosmos ultimately evolved.' In the most recent paper, published May 24, 2016, Kashlinsky analyses what might have happened if dark matter consisted of a population of black holes similar to those detected by LIGO. The black holes distort the distribution of mass in the early universe, adding a small fluctuation that has consequences hundreds of millions of years later, when the first stars begin to form. For much of the universe's first 500 million years, normal matter remained too hot to coalesce into the first stars. Dark matter was unaffected by the high temperature because, it primarily interacts through gravity. Aggregating by mutual attraction, dark matter first collapsed into clumps called minihaloes, which provided a gravitational seed enabling normal matter to accumulate. Hot gas collapsed toward the minihaloes, resulting in pockets of gas dense enough to further collapse on their own into the first stars. Kashlinsky shows that if black holes play the part of dark matter, this process occurs more rapidly and easily produces the lumpiness of the CIB detected in Spitzer data even if only a small fraction of minihaloes manage to produce stars. As cosmic gas fell into the minihaloes, their constituent black holes would naturally capture some of it too. Matter falling toward a black hole heats up and ultimately produces X-rays. Together, infrared light from the first stars and X-rays from gas falling into dark matter black holes can account for the observed agreement between the patchiness of the CIB and the CXB. Occasionally, some primordial black holes will pass close enough to be gravitationally captured into binary systems. The black holes in each of these binaries will, over eons, emit gravitational radiation, lose orbital energy and spiral inward, ultimately merging into a larger black hole like the event LIGO observed. At first glance, they are a stunning image of the beauty of nature. However, scientists warn that in fact the meltwater ponds spotted in Antarctica may have a chilling message. Researchers say nearly 8,000 dazzling blue lakes appeared on the Langhovde Glacier in East Antarctica between 2000 and 2013 - and they could be a sign the glacier is doomed. Satellite image shows a group of lakes atop Langhovde Glacier, East Antarctica. SUPRAGLACIAL LAKES Supraglacial lakes (SGLs) are ponds of water that develop in topographic undulations on glaciers and ice sheets during the ablation season. They have been extensively studied in Greenland and, to a lesser extent, the Antarctic Peninsula, where they are thought to influence ice motion and ice shelf stability Advertisement They claim the results show the largest ice mass on Earth is now showing a surprising feature similar to Greenland, which is melting at a far faster rate. Known as supraglacial lakes, the meltwater ponds form as warm air heats the surface of an ice sheet - and are a common sight on Greenland. However, the new study used satellite images to analyse the coastal Langhovde Glacier in East Antarcticas Dronning Maud Land. It found the lakes appear to have then been draining down into the glacier, weakening it and making it more likely to fracture and break apart. The study was led by Emily Langley of Durham, and Stewart Jamieson and Chris Stokes from Durham with Amber Leeson of Lancaster University, and was recently published online by Geophysical Research Letters. Drainage of some of Langhovde's supraglacial lakes over a 12 day period between the 14th (left) and 26th (right) of January 2005. Images are compiled from ASTER data provided by the Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC) managed by the NASA Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) project. 'The parallels between these mechanisms, and those observed on Greenland/the Antarctic Peninsula, suggest that lakes may similarly affect rates and patterns of ice melt, ice flow and ice shelf disintegration in East Antarctica,' they wrote. Four examples of meltwater ponds in greenland The study in Geophysical Research Letters drew on satellite and meteorological data to construct one of the first multi-year records of lake evolution at East Antarctica. Recently scientists have calculated exactly how much of the continent is not buried away. It turns out a tiny amount, only 0.18 per cent, is exposed rock, a new study has revealed. But this might not last long as the effects of global warming kick in. For the first time, scientists have calculated exactly how much of the continent is not buried away. It turns out a tiny amount, only 0.18 per cent, is exposed rock, a new study has revealed. It shows less than previously thought THE EXTENSIVE ANTARCTIC SNOW The way snow, clouds, and rock look alike in satellite images has caused problems for mapping teams for a while. This is especially a problem in Antarctica, where the entire continent is made of nothing else, and extensive cloud cover and widespread shaded regions lead to errors. But now in the journal Cryosphere, scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have been able to produce accurate quantification of how much of the continent is not buried under snow. It turns out a tiny amount, only 0.18 per cent, is exposed rock, a new study has revealed. Advertisement The way snow, clouds, and rock look alike in satellite images has caused problems for mapping teams for a while. This is especially a problem in Antarctica, where the entire continent is made of nothing else, and extensive cloud cover and widespread shaded regions lead to errors. But now in the journal Cryosphere, scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have been able to produce accurate quantification of how much of the continent is not buried under snow 'Maps of exposed rock in Antarctica are a key base dataset for research on the continent for a range of researchers and subject areas, including glaciology, geology and geomorphology, and the existing digital map has been downloaded over 2500 times in the last three years,' said the paper's lead author, Alex Burton-Johnson of British Antarctic Survey. 'However, this dataset was manually derived and is largely inaccurate, with poor location accuracy and frequent incorrect classification of shaded snow as rock. 'Automated methods have produced accurate maps from satellite images at lower latitudes, but extensive unavoidable shade and clouds in Antarctica render the methods by which they were derived unsuitable towards the Poles.' The researchers used the latest Nasa and USGS satellite data, including Nasa's Landsat 8, to produce an automated map of rock outcrop across the entire Antarctic continent. Everyone knows it is a cold, desolate place, but just how much of the Antarctic is not covered in snow has only been estimated as 'less than one per cent' until now. Pictured is a nunatak on the Churchill Peninsula, Antarctica The way snow, clouds, and rock look alike in satellite images has caused problems for mapping teams for a while. Illustration of the misclassification of cloud cover as rock pixels shown left. Example of the overestimation caused by clouds shown right THE OZONE LAYER IS HEALING The hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic has finally begun to heal after persisting for years. A new study has recorded an ozone increase in the icy region, suggesting the agreement signed nearly three decades ago to limit the use of substances responsible for ozone depletion, is having a positive effect. As well as creating an identifying ozone increase, its slowing the rate of ozone depletion in the stratosphere - Earth's second major atmospheric layer. Advertisement As the accuracy and sensitivity of remote-sensing satellites improve, there is an increasing demand from the scientific community for more accurate and updated base datasets to improve geological surveying and monitoring. But differentiating rock outcrop from snow and ice is a particular problem in Antarctica. Now that the automation is in place, new images from improved satellite cameras can be fed straight into it. Over time, means a much more accurate map of the continent can be produced. The team also made their script publicly available. This means teams all over the world will be able to help build an accurate picture of Antarctic ice changes, as the impact of climate change takes its toll on the continent. The Antarctic is one part of the world you might have thought would be affected by global warming. But for the last two decades, the Antarctic peninsula the tip of the continent nearest to South America - has not got any warmer, scientists found in separate research, published last month The Windows 10 Anniversary Update, the largest update to the PC software since it launched last year, was hailed as the fir major update. However, many users have discovered their webcams no longer work after the update. As part of a security crackdown, Microsoft limited the type of encoding webcams can use - and it is causing many to crash. Scroll down for video As part of a security crackdown, Microsoft limited the type of encoding webcams can use for video streams - and it is causing many to crash. 'If your webcam has stopped functioning since the release of the Anniversary update, you are not alone but the good news is a fix is coming, hopefully in September,' said Brad Sams of Thurrot, which first noticed the issue. Windows no longer allows USB webcams to use MJPEG or H264 encoded streams and is only allowing YUY2 encoding. If a webcam does try to use these systems, it will simply freeze. 'If you use Skype and your webcam freezes after about a minute, this is the reason,' said Sams. Unhappy users have flocked online to complain. 'We have a working product running for years and millions of unhappy users that are unable to use it at all after this update' said one. More than 350 million devices have been upgraded to Windows 10 since the software was released last year. Now the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, the largest update to the PC software since it launched last year, will start to become available to consumers today 'We have millions of users and we are in situation now where we have to tell them not to update the Windows anymore or switch to Mac OS,' said another. Microsoft said: 'Windows 10 continues to have the highest customer satisfaction of any version of Windows. 'We have seen a small number of reports of unexpected behaviors following the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. 'Engineering and customer support are investigating these on a case by case basis and offering trouble-shooting tips as necessary. ' The global update sees Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana become more central, being used as part of any search, while a new feature called Windows Ink enables users to annotate on their screens more freely, and across different apps, with a stylus. The Anniversary Update comes just days after Microsoft ended a free upgrade program for users eligible to update to Windows 10, which was released in July last year. WHAT DOES THE UPDATE INCLUDE? The new update sees Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana become more central, being used as part of any search. A new feature called Windows Ink enables users to annotate on their screens more freely, and across different apps, with a stylus. The Microsoft Edge web browser, introduced in Windows 10 to replace Internet Explorer, is also being tweaked so it becomes more power efficient. Advanced security features include facial recognition technology, Windows Hello, being made available to log in to websites and apps. New gaming experiences including features for Xbox One and the Xbox app. New tools for the classroom. For schools with dedicated IT support, the updated Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer tool enables them to set up shared devices, in bulk, in a matter of minutes. Advertisement Anyone who has already upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade will get the new features free. More than 350 million devices upgraded for free to Windows 10 since the software was released last year. But users wanting to move to the software from either Windows 7 or 8 must pay for Windows 10, with prices starting at 99.99 ($132.11) in the UK. The update sees Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana become more central, being used as part of any search, the company explained in a blog post. A new feature called Windows Ink enables users to annotate on their screens more freely, and across different apps, with a stylus. The Microsoft Edge web browser, introduced in Windows 10 to replace Internet Explorer, is also being tweaked so it becomes more power efficient. New gaming experiences were also introduced, including features for Xbox One and the Xbox app. For schools with dedicated IT support, the updated Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer tool enables them to set up shared devices, in bulk, in a matter of minutes. Cortana is now available above your lock screen so you can do things like ask questions, play music from your PC or set a reminder without unlocking your device To help protect businesses from accidental data leaks the biggest source of lost data the Anniversary Update delivers Windows Information Protection, formerly referred to as enterprise data protection WHAT CORTANA DOES NOW Cortana is now available above your lock screen so you can do things like ask questions, play music from your PC or set a reminder without unlocking your device. Cortana can save and recall key information, like your frequent flier number or where you parked at the airport. You can also add photos to make your reminders visual, like a photo of a bottle of wine you enjoyed at a restaurant. Cortana can give you notifications across all the devices you have with Cortana like sharing directions across devices or from text or messaging services on your phone. Advertisement 'We are committed to delivering continuous innovation to you: including features that bring Windows Ink and Cortana to the mainstream; a faster, more accessible and more power-efficient Microsoft Edge browser; advanced security features for consumers and enterprises; new gaming experiences and new tools for the modern classroom,' the technology firm said. 'Everyone running Windows 10 will get these new features for free.' The advanced security features include facial recognition technology, Windows Hello, being made available to log in to websites and apps. To help protect businesses from accidental data leaks, the biggest source of lost data, the update delivers Windows Information Protection, formerly referred to as enterprise data protection. The company has been pushing hard to encourage users to upgrade to the new operating system. New tools for the classroom. For schools with dedicated IT support, the updated Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer tool enables them to set up shared devices, in bulk, in a matter of minutes Microsoft has also introduced a smart assistant, similar to Siri, called Cortana. To use Cortana, users simply type a question into a search box on the taskbar, or can even verbally ask a question into the computer's microphone BATTERY LIFE OF BROWSERS Recent tests performed by Microsoft streamed the same video on four unplugged, identical laptops, each on a different browser. Google Chrome: Four hours and 19 minutes Mozilla Firefox: Five hours and nine minutes Opera: Six hours and 18 minutes Microsoft Edge: Seven hours and 22 minutes Advertisement But Microsoft has found itself embroiled in controversy over the upgrade. Some users reported the new operating system which comes in at around 6GB downloading automatically in the background without their permission. It has also faced criticism after it emerged Windows 10 contained a keylogger that tracked what users type. It also tracks their activity online and collects data about their computing habits. Despite including a series of controls to disable some of the tracking elements, many of the core data collection features cannot be turned off. This, together with the threat of progammmes that worked on earlier versions of Windows not working with the new software, has left many unwilling to upgrade until the operating system was updated. But Microsoft's free download period for Windows 10 ended on July 29. The free upgrade was available to people whose tablets and PCs are running on Windows 7 or newer. It now costs 99.99, or $119, for the Home version and 189.99, or $200, for the Pro version. Windows 10 has a range of new features, designed to be as user-friendly as possible. In 1565, a vicious storm sank three Spanish ships bound for Havana, Cuba, banishing their stolen treasures to the bottom of the sea. Centuries later, marine archaeologists have stumbled across the shipwreck remains off the coast of Cape Canaveral, nestled among debris from failed space launches. Cannons, anchors and symbols of the fleur-de-lis and a French coat of arms are among the Spanish booty found in the depths that originally belonged to early French settlers. Marine archaeologists have stumbled across the shipwreck remains off the coast of Cape Canaveral. Cannons, anchors and symbols of the fleur-de-lis and a French coat of arms are among the Spanish booty found in the depths that was once owned by early French settlers WHAT DID THE DIVERS FIND? Global Marine Exploration (GME) stumbled across the shipwreck remains off the coast of Cape Canaveral. This discovery includes 22 cannons, a marble monument, anchors, a stone grinding wheel and scattered ballast and ammunition. Three bronze ornate cannons were among the 22, two of which measure 10 feet long and one 7 feet and the monument. The monument appears to be hand carved marble and could have possibly been connected to the first French attempts at new world colonization, the Protestant Huguenots and the founding of Spanish Florida at St. Augustine. It is shaped like the coat of arms on top of a pillar and is about 3 feet high and 2 feet wide, 'exactly the way it is described in the original records,' Robert Prichett, GME CEO, told LiveScience. Advertisement Global Marine Exploration (GME) discovery includes 22 cannons, a marble monument, anchors, a stone grinding wheel and scattered ballast and ammunition. However, the team reveals that the artifacts were uncovered in May, but due to security reasons, they did not share the findings to the public . What GME is most excited about are three bronze ornate cannons, two of which measure 10 feet long and one 7 feet and the monument. The monument appears to be hand carved marble and could have possibly been connected to the first French attempts at new world colonization, the Protestant Huguenots and the founding of Spanish Florida at St. Augustine. It is shaped like the coat of arms on top of a pillar and is about 3 feet high and 2 feet wide, 'exactly the way it is described in the original records,' Robert Prichett, GME CEO, told Tom Metcalfe with LiveScience. This structure is adorned with with fleur-de-lis symbols, which is a symbol used in heraldry by French royalty, and also engraved in the marble is the crown of the king of France. All of these artifacts made the 1562 journey to the New World with the French navigator and colonialist Jean Ribault, who was sent to assist a colony in Florida. Global Marine Exploration (GME) discovery includes 22 cannons, a marble monument, anchors, a stone grinding wheel and scattered ballast and ammunition. What GME is most excited about are three bronze ornate cannons (pictured), two of which measure 10 feet long and one 7 feet and the monument Global Marine Exploration (GME) discovered the three sunken Spanish ships off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida. The seabed is known as an underwater graveyard for failed rocket launchers, as as it sits near the US Air Force base at Cape Canaveral and Nasa's Kennedy Space Center It was first believed these items were from Ribault's two 'lost ships' that were destroyed in 1565 by a storm, Prichett told LiveScience. However, after reviewing records, Prichett and his team discovered that the bronze cannons and marble monument were not aboard Ribault's ships, but were station at an early French Huguenot colony in Fort Caroline, which is now Jacksonville, Florida. After digging even further, the team learned the four items were stolen during a Spanish raid in 1565. Pritchett believes the pieces were headed to Havana, Cuba when the three Spanish ships were met by a storm out at sea that sank the vessels. The shipwreck scatter field of debris measures about 4 miles long and a half of a mile wide. And there are also remains of other ships that disappeared under the murky water in the 1800s. In addition to the bronze cannons and monument, the divers found 19 iron cannons, 12 anchors, a stone grinding wheel and scattered ballast and ammunition from the Spanish ships, explained Pritchett. It was first believed these items were from Ribault's two 'lost ships' that were destroyed in 1565 by a storm, Prichett told LiveScience. However, records show that the bronze cannons (pictured) and marble monument were installed at an early French Huguenot colon on the St. Johns River deemed, Fort Caroline GME had obtain permits from the state of Florida to investigate seven areas off the coast of Cap Canaveral, called an underwater rocket grave, which led them to these 'priceless treasures'. The seabed is known as an underwater graveyard for failed rocket launchers, as as it sits near the US Air Force base at Cape Canaveral and Nasa's Kennedy Space Center. IS THIS HOW THE SPANISH STOLE THE PIECES FROM THE FRENCH? The ship of Jean Ribault is wrecked on the coast of Florida Jean Ribaut, born 1520 and died 1565, was a French naval officer, explorer and colonizer. As a protestant, Ribaut fled France to England, where he was imprisoned for refusing to help colonize the New World. After being released from prison, Admiral Coligny gave him seven ships in 1565 to assist the newly founded Huguenot settlement of Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River. However, the Spanish government had its own claims on Florida and ordered the French colony to be destroyed. Leading the attack was Pedro Menendez de Aviles, who captured the colony and Ribaut when a storm scattered Ribauts fleet and drove his flagship ashore. Menendez, who earlier had massacred the French prisoners at Fort Caroline, ordered Ribaut and his surviving crew members executed as Protestant heretics. This story may be how the Spanish obtained the pieces from the French settlers. Advertisement The monument (pictured) appears to be hand carved marble and could have possibly been connected to the first French attempts at new world colonization The marble is decorated with fleur-de-lis symbols, which is a stylized flower used in heraldry by French royalty, and the crown of the king of France The team found hundreds of US Air Force rockets on the seafloor, and shirmp boats, airplane engines and airplanes as well. The shipwrecks sit in the shallow area of the sea, as Pritchett said it is only about 15 to 25 feet deep and the sand is constantly shifting. 'So the cannons could be covered by 3 feet of sand, or they could be covered by 8 feet of sand it's different every time the wind blows,' he said. The cannons and monument are still on the seabed, until Florida officials approve GME's permits to pull the to the surface. It was last seen on British shores 200 years ago - but the great auk could soon return. An international team of scientists has met to discuss reintroducing the flightless marine birds onto the Farne islands off the north-east coast of England. Until the species' final extinction in the middle of the 19th century, great auks ranged across the Atlantic from Northern Europe to Iceland, Canada and the eastern United States. The ambitious plan would see the seabird have its DNA sqeuenced and edited into the cells of its nearest living relative, the razorbill. HOW IT COULD COME BACK Scientists could extract great auk DNA from fossils or preserved organs. From this, they hope to be able to sequence the animal's entire genetic code, or genome. This could then be edited into the cells of its nearest living relative, the razorbill. Fertilised embryos would then be implanted into a bird big enough to lay a great auk egg, such as a goose. Advertisement The size of a medium penguin, it lived in the open ocean except for when it waddled ashore for breeding on just a few islands. Prior to the 16th century, the species was so abundant that colonies consisting of hundreds of thousands packed the shores during the month-long breeding season. However, its flightlessness made it vulnerable to human hunting and exploitation for its down that reached industrial scale. Attempts to regulate the hunting as early as the 16th Century were fruitless. The last birds, on an island off Iceland, were gone by 1844. However, American research institute, Revive & Restore, now lists the birds as one of several it believes could be brought back. Last year, a meeting to discuss the plan was well attended. 'The meeting concluded with a sense that the project can and should be pursued, said Stewart Brand of Revive & Restore. There are a number of Great Auk museum specimens to work with71 skins, 24 skeletons, 75 eggs, and even some preserved internal organs and ancient fossil remains. It is part of a larger 'de-extinction' project, the most famous of which is a plan top bring back the Woolly Mammoth. Matt Ridley, a science writer who chaired a recent meeting where the plans were discussed, told the Telegraph: 'Effectively the great auk is the only European breading bird to go extinct in the last 500 years. 'It's one of the very few flightless birds of the northern hemisphere and it obviously played a very important part in the ecosystem of the North Atlantic. 'It would be rather wonderful to feel that we could bring it back.' THE GREAT AUK: THE 'PENGUIN OF THE NORTH' The great auk was 75 to 85 centimetres (30 to 33 in) tall and weighed around 5 kilograms (11 lb) The size of a medium penguin, it lived in the open ocean except for when it waddled ashore for breeding on just a few islands. Prior to the 16th century, the species was so abundant that colonies consisting of hundreds of thousands packed the shores during the month-long breeding season. However, its flightlessness made it vulnerable to human hunting and exploitation for its down that reached industrial scale. Attempts to regulate the hunting as early as the 16th Century were fruitless. According to the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, it was on the islet of Stac an Armin, St Kilda, Scotland, in July 1844, that the last Great Auk seen in the British Isles was caught and killed. Three men from St Kilda caught a single 'garefowl', noticing its little wings and the large white spot on its head. They tied it up and kept it alive for three days, until a large storm arose. Believing that the auk was a witch and the cause of the storm, they then killed it by beating it with a stick. Prior to the 16th century, the species was so abundant that colonies consisting of hundreds of thousands packed the shores during the month-long breeding season. It is the only British bird made extinct in historic times. The last birds, on an island off Iceland, were gone by 1844. During summer, the great auk's plumage showed a white patch over each eye. During winter, the auk lost these patches, instead developing a white band stretching between the eyes. The wings were only 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long, rendering the bird flightless. Instead, the auk was a powerful swimmer, a trait that it used in hunting. Its favourite prey were fish, including Atlantic menhaden and capelin, and crustaceans. Although agile in the water, it was clumsy on land. Great auk pairs mated for life. They nested in extremely dense and social colonies, laying one egg on bare rock. Both parents incubated the egg for about six weeks before the young hatched. The young auk left the nest site after two or three weeks although the parents continued to care for it. Advertisement The Farnes, one of the very few island groups of the east coast of Britain, have been selected because are attractive to island-nesting seabirds. Ridley says that the islands would be the perfect place for the birds. 'The Farnes are one of the very few island groups on the east coast of Britain, so they are very attractive to island-nesting seabirds,' he said. 'There is archeological evidence that great auks lived here in the distant past, but they would have been quickly exterminated by people on islands so close to the shore, being so easy to catch.' Scientists could extract great auk DNA from fossils or preserved organs. From this, they hope to be able to sequence the animal's entire genetic code, or genome. This could then be edited into the cells of its nearest living relative, the razorbill. The important genes those particularly characteristic of the great auk would be edited into the cells of its nearest living relative, the razorbill. The nearest relative of the Great Auk is the Razorbill (Alca torda, above). At the meeting, Tom Gilbert, an ancient-DNA expert at the Centre for Geogenetics, University of Copenhagen, reported on his preliminary sequencing of the Great Auk and Razorbill genomes, confirming that they are genetically close. The scientists want to extract great auk DNA from fossils or preserved organs and then use digital data to sequence the animal's entire genetic code, or genome. She is known for taking a healthy interest in herself. But Tamara Ecclestone took that to a whole new level when she stepped out in Los Angeles on Thursday morning. The brunette beauty, 32, was spotted posing for a selfie with daughter Sophia - on a mobile phone that was covered in a snap of herself. Scroll down for video She's a case! Tamara Ecclestone was spotted posing for a selfie with daughter Sophia on Thursday - on a mobile phone that was covered in a snap of herself Out and about in Beverly Hills, the mother-of-one was clearly proud of her personalised accessory. The image seemed to show the daughter of F1's Bernice Ecclestone in a summer dress while waling hand-in-hand with her little girl. Showing it off as she paraded up and down alongside husband Jay, she clearly saw it as just another part of her extended family album. She's not shy! Out and about in Beverly Hills, the mother-of-one was clearly proud of her personalised accessory Cute: The image seemed to show the daughter of F1's Bernice Ecclestone in a summer dress while waling hand-in-hand with her little girl Naturally, Tamara was dressed to impress for the outing, which saw her wear a sexy black dress - despite the high LA temperatures. She matched the look with jewelled flip-flops and a pair of designer sunglasses, which shielded her eyes from the sun's glare. With her hair perfectly styled, it's clear wasn't completely off-duty. Art attack: Two days earlier Tamara shared an image the trio from a professional photo shoot at LA art installation, The Rain Room Two days earlier Tamara shared an image the trio from a professional photo shoot at LA art installation, The Rain Room. Showing Tamara and her loved ones silhouetted by a back-light, it garnered plenty of positive responses by her followers, getting more than 2,000 'likes'. She then followed it up with a second shot, which showed her outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Strike a pose: She then followed it up with a second shot, which showed her outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Tamara, Jay and Sophia, who live in London, arrived in California earlier this month for one of their regular visits to sister Petra, who is also mum to twin sons Andrew and James, one. It's also been a typically jet-set summer for Tamara, who only days before had been taking in the sights of Croatia after soaking up the sun in Mykonos. She may have left The Bachelor Australia mansion, but Keira Maguire had one more bombshell to drop on Friday morning. Appearing on KIIS 106.5 FM's Kyle and Jackie O show, the 29-year-old account manager revealed she hasn't had sex since March, and that there were times during her stay in the mansion where she felt she needed 'some sort of action'. The outspoken blonde also admitted fellow contestant Sasha Zhuralyova would be her pick, if she were to pursue any intimate relations with one of the bachelorettes. Scroll down for video Close connection: The Bachelor Australia's Keira Maguire (L) admits she would 'hook up' with fellow contestant Sasha Zhuralyova (R) if she had to choose one of the bachelorettes Shock jock Kyle Sandilands didn't hold back when asking Keira the question: ' Did you want to hook up with any of the chicks in the house?'. And it looks like Keira was very sure of her intentions, as she responded without much hesitation. 'Look there was a moment where I was like "Okay, I need some sort of action going on",' she laughed. 'She's so hot': 'Out of the girls, Sasha... I love her!' Keira revealed her chosen lady Cosy: The pair were very close in the mansion - pictured with contestant Rachael (L) Romantic: Sasha made a name for herself on the show after she was seen eating roses during the first cocktail party 'Out of the girls, Sasha... I love her!' Keira revealed her chosen lady, and the gushing didn't stop there. 'She's sot hot. I love her!' she reiterated. Meanwhile radio presenter Jackie O was slightly surprised by Keira's choice, admitting she had forgotten who Sasha was. 'Sasha's the rose-eating one,' Keira clarified, which instantly jogged Jackie's memory back on track. Bored in the mansion? 'Look there was a moment where I was like "Okay, I need some sort of action going on",' she laughed In regards to any intimate behaviour with any males out of the Bachelor mansion, Kyle enquired: ' Have you had any penis since you got out of the show?'. 'You know what, I haven't,' she giggled. 'I haven't had any action since March. Just because I don't know,' she continued, before adding, 'I can't believe I told you that'. Maintaining her strong stance of being honest, she also confessed: I feel like I've forgot what it's like'. Sassy personality: Keira was quickly labelled the 'villain' of the series due to her jealousy, frequent clashes with other contestants and arrogant manner It looks like Sasha also holds a great level of respect for Keira, telling Nova 100's Chrissie, Sam & Browny earlier this month: 'I absolutely love the chick'. The 31-year-old continued: 'Shes crazy, shes outgoing, shes very loud but at the same times shes a great chick, I absolutely love her.' Keira was sent home during Wednesday night's episode, after Richie Strahan realised he couldn't see a future with the blonde beauty following their yoga-themed single date. A vicious rumour which spread like wildfire about a crew member sleeping with a contestant from The Bachelor has been labelled a lie by former contestant Keira Maguire. The blonde was brazenly booted off the show by Richie Strahan on Thursdays episode after a disastrous yoga date. The 29-year-old appeared on Sydney breakfast show KIIS 1065 on Friday morning, where she dispelled rumours circulating about the show. Scroll down for video Denial: Keira Maguire attempted to dispel rumours circulating about a contestant sleeping with a crew member on The Bachelor when she appeared on Kyle and Jackie O's radio show on Friday A lot of the girls Ive heard think some of the camera men are pretty hot, began Kyle. Its like a meat market walking around, he added. Wasnt there a rumour going around that one of them slept with a camera man? asked Jackie O. Without hesitation Keira revealed: Yeah, but thats totally not true, not that I know of anyway. Meanwhile, when asked about her rejection by sought-after bachelor Richie, Keira said: I didnt really get to know him that well but I definitely feel like I would have eaten him alive. 'I would have eaten him alive': Keira also admitted during the interview she didn't get to know Richie very well but their personalities were too different for them to work out Earlier this month, OK! magazine claimed that a free-spirited contestant had been involved with a member of the crew but Richie refused to reveal her identity. A family member connected to the crew told the magazine that: 'It's not hard to guess who it is!' If the sensational allegation turns out to be true, then it won't be the first time that a cast member has allegedly hooked up with the crew. Fan favourite: Kiera was portrayed as The Bachelor's series 'villain' because of her cruel remarks and heated arguments with rival contestants No remorse: The blonde was brazenly booted off the show by Richie Strahan on Thursdays episode after a disastrous yoga date Breaking the rules: While Richie has his pick of 22 women, the contestants aren't allowed to date anybody else but The Bachelor star for the duration of filming Cheating on Richie? According to OK! magazine, a contestant from The Bachelor has slept with a member of the crew In 2010, on the fourteenth season of The Bachelor U.S., blonde bombshell Rozlyn Papa was accused of hooking up with a crew member during filming. The alleged shock affair was revealed on an episode of the show, which saw host Chris Harrison confront the glamorous mother-of-one before throwing her off the show. 'We feel that you need to leave tonight,' Chris told a visibly shaken Rozlyn, before adding: 'Go pack your stuff, and then there's a van waiting for you.' 'We feel that you need to leave tonight:' American Bachelor babe Rozlyn Papa was kicked off the show in 2010 after being accused of having an affair with a crew member 'Go pack your stuff, and then there's a van waiting for you:' Host Chris Harrison didn't hold back when booting off the bachelorette The beauty later denied the accusation, and even accused U.S. network ABC of concocting the drama in a ploy for ratings. However, ABC stood by their claim that Rozlyn had been unfaithful and broken the rules, saying: 'The Bachelor is about finding love ... for the Bachelor.' Even more outrageous is an alleged affair that took place on The Bachelor U.S. spin-off, Bachelor in Paradise. According to reports contestant Michelle Kujawa was caught with one of the show's audio guys in her room. The crew member in question then reportedly tried to jump off Michelle's 25-foot balcony when a producer barged into their room -- which ended with him breaking both legs. She slammed the remaining contestants after getting booted off The Bachelor on Thursday. And Keira Maguire continued her candid comments while speaking to the Rove and Sam show on Friday and specifically called out bachelorettes Rachael Gouvignon and Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris. 'I found it hard to live with [Rachael and Kiki], they weren't very nice to me,' she said. Scroll down for video Candid: Keira Maguire slammed bachelorettes Rachael Gouvignon and Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris on the Rove and Sam show on Friday, following her elimination On Wednesday, brewing tension between Keira and Kiki surfaced during a cocktail party. 'Go away, peasant. Don't come near me!' Keira spat during a heated exchange. The following night, viewers watched Richie Strahan eliminate the outspoken blonde and she did not refrain from slamming the other ladies. Honest: Keira, 29, said, 'I found it hard to live with [Rachael and Kiki], they weren't very nice to me' Rude: Her claims came just days after viewers watched her call Kiki a 'peasant' during a heated exchange 'I do not give a f*** about those b******. I'm so glad to get out of there. They're all nasty. Like, ugh, pieces of work. 'Like, I can't even deal. I hope Richie gets to know these girls properly before he makes his decision. If I was a guy, I wouldn't date half of those girls. 'I'm not concerned if I'm going to find love. It's not an issue that I have at all moving forward in my life.' Mean girl: The 29-year-old account manager from Sydney became widely known as the show's ruthless villain, due to her frequent clashes with other contestants The 29-year-old account manager from Sydney became widely known as the show's ruthless villain, due to her frequent clashes with other contestants. Coincidentally, after Keira's elimination, viewers of the hit Channel Ten reality dating series quickly dubbed Rachael the new villain after watching her mean girl antics throughout the episode. Despite her unfavourable reputation as the show's trouble maker, Keria said recently that she has no regrets about her behaviour. Memorable: She made her debut on the hit Channel Ten dating series this year as one of 22 contestants vying for the heart as Richie Strahan 'There have 100 percent been cringe-worthy moments for me. I am just me, there is no way I could be anything but me,' she told The Daily Telegraph. Since appearing on the show, Keira has been widely dubbed a Lara Bingle look-a-like, due to her striking resemblance to the blonde model. She made her debut on the hit Channel Ten dating series this year as one of 22 contestants vying for the heart as Richie Strahan. No regrets: 'There have 100 per cent been cringeworthy moments for me. I am just me, there is no way I could be anything but me,' she said From the very first episode, viewers have witnessed Keira openly criticize and clash with fellow contestants however she insists she is a 'good person.' I dont regret anything I do or say. One thing I promised myself when I went into the show was that I was going to be honest. I know Im a good person, she previously told TV Week. She's transformed herself into a variety of characters over her long and varied career. But Keira Knightley has revealed that preparing to take on the roles had an adverse effect as her locks began to fall out. Speaking to InStyle magazine she explained: 'I have dyed my hair virtually every colour imaginable, for different films. Scroll down for video Hair today, gone tomorrow: She's dyed her hair for a number of roles, but Keira Knightley has revealed that in doing so her luscious locks began to fall out 'It got so bad that my hair literally began to fall out of my head. 'So for the past five years Ive used wigs, which is the greatest thing thats ever happened to my hair.' However, the star explained that becoming a mother had helped revive her limp locks. Keira - who welcomed a daughter named Edie in 2015 with husband James Righton - revealed that since the birth her hair has been far thicker and curlier, even resulting in some accidental dreadlocks. Hair-raising: Keira (pictured in 2015 L and 2004 R) revealed she had to wear wigs for her roles after ruining her lovely locks by bleaching them with hair dye Style chameleon: Even when Keira kept her locks blonde between 2005 (L) and 2006 she still changed the tone of the colour and chopped off her her tresses Luckily for Keira, her latest role in movie Collateral Beauty doesn't seem like it will require a wig. The starlet was seen filming alongside the star-studded cast earlier this year but rocked her natural hair colour. The American comedy-drama tells the story of an advertising executive, played by Will Smith, who falls into a deep depression following a personal tragedy. Happy hormones: Keira - who welcomed a daughter named Edie in 2015 with husband James Righton - revealed that since the birth her hair has been far thicker and curlier Her next role will reportedly see the Oscar-nominated actress star as the Sugar Plum Fairy in a new Disney live-action version of The Nutcracker. Variety reports that the British beauty has signed up for the film alongside Morgan Freeman and American ballerina Misty Copeland. The live-action film - based on E.T.A. Hoffmanns 1816 story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King - is titled The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. She was sent packing after the disastrous one-on-one date she had been waiting for during Thursday night's episode of The Bachelor. And outspoken Keira Maguire spoke to the KIIS 106.5 FM Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday and explained she is now looking for a man who can hold a conversation, unlike Bachelor Richie Strahan. Kyle asked the 29-year-old what she's looking for in a man and she said: 'I just like someone who is really confident, ambitious and can have an ACTUAL conversation.' Connection: Keira Maguire spoke to the KIIS 106.5 FM Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday and said she is looking for a man who can hold a conversation, unlike Bachelor Richie Strahan Clearly hinting that something wasn't right with her one-on-one time with the star of the show she didn't enjoy their chats. The Lara Bingle lookalike explained to the hosts conversations weren't always free-flowing and said: 'Sometimes they were and they were also really forced.' Kyle was quick to pipe in and said to Keira 'you didn't like him did you' before adding that Richie was a bit of a 'wet tissue'. Not right: The 29-year-old said, 'I just like someone who is really confident, ambitious and can have an ACTUAL conversation' taking a dig at Richie Not what it looks like: The Lara Bingle lookalike explained to the hosts conversations weren't always free-flowing and said: 'Sometimes they were and they were also really forced' The sassy contestant replied: 'I didn't get to know him really well. I definitely think I would've eaten him alive. It just wasn't a good situation.' Jackie was interested to know how she went with being on a date surrounded by production crew and Keira explained she 'didn't really notice the cameras' and was comfortable from the start. Keira was quickly labelled as the 'villain' of the series and upset several girls on The Bachelor with her outspoken opinions and arrogant manner. Not the right match: The sassy contestant told Kyle and Jackie 'O': 'I didn't get to know him really well. I definitely think I would've eaten him alive. It just wasn't a good situation' Date fail: On Thursday night she finally scored the one-on-one date with Richie she had been pushing for throughout the competition On Thursday night she finally scored the one-on-one date with Richie she had been pushing for throughout the competition. The pair went on a yoga date and the handsome ropes access technician could not wait to get rid of her after being frustrated when she took over the outdoor yoga session. When the duo sat down to have a quiet chat, he told Keira he could not see a future with her and sent her home before the rose ceremony. Made In Chelsea fans criticised Louise Thompson for flaunting her new romance with Ryan William Libbey on social media earlier this week. And Louise's ex-boyfriend Alik Alfus has now broken his silence about her moving on so quickly with her personal trainer, confessing it was a 'big shock' and has made him see her in a whole new light. The American star - who dated Louise for two years - has been left heartbroken and believes she may have cheated on him with Ryan. Scroll down for video Speaking out: Louise Thompson's ex-boyfriend Alik Alfus has broken his silence about the Made In Chelsea beauty moving on so quickly with her personal trainer Ryan Libbey In an interview with The Sun's Bizarre TV column, Alik revealed he was completely blind-sided by Louise dumping him in May since the pair had only just been on holiday with his family and she had promised to quit MIC to be with him in New York. Louise and Ryan were first pictured together during a workout session in April, but only confirmed their romance last month. Despite taking the break-up hard, Alik has bounced back, describing himself as a 'stronger' person than Louise and declaring that she has a 'lot of issues' and isn't 'real enough'. He told The Sun: 'Louise never told me she had a f***ing boyfriend. Moving on: Louise and Ryan were first pictured together during a workout session in April, but only confirmed their romance last month, with the petite brunette now flaunting their relationship on social media Harsh: Alik described himself as a 'stronger' person than Louise, declaring that she has a 'lot of issues' and isn't 'real enough' 'She was quite possibly with the new guy while she was with me. I was thousands of miles away. 'A lot of her true colours have revealed themselves in the last few months.' Alik blasted the pint-sized brunette after she called him up to invite him to the South of France, only to find out that she had a new man upon his arrival. Overlap? The American star said of his long-distance girlfriend, 'She was quite possibly with the new guy while she was with me. I was thousands of miles away' In scenes set to be aired on spin-off show Made in Chelsea: South of France, the happy-go-lucky star will make a return appearance to confront his ex. Alik's comments come after Louise posted yet another loved-up snap on Tuesday, showing the couple gazing into each other's eyes at Savoy Place on the Thames riverside. Captioned 'little 'n' large, the picture shows the diminutive 26-year-old sporting a chic black and white striped dress with chunky white shoes alongside her more statuesque suited boyfriend. New love: Louise introduced Ryan on Monday night's Made In Chelsea instalment but fans were unimpressed However, viewers of the reality show were less than impressed at the latest episode which showed Louise introducing her beau to the gang on holiday in the South of France. 'Louise got over Alik quickly didn't she?' one fan tweeted, referring to her split with leather designer Alik Alfus back in May after a two year relationship. 'OMG, last week Louise was seeing Woody the Cowboy and this week she's seeing action man I can't keep up,' tweeted another. Meeting the gang: Ryan faced scrutiny by fans of the reality show via social media Unimpressed: Made In Chelsea fans wasted no time in voicing their opinions on Louise's new relationship Louise recently revealed she was dating personal trainer Ryan but faced claims by reality co-star Stephanie Pratt that she had begun seeing him months before separating from Alik. Last month, Stephanie retweeted a report asking if she was to blame for Alik and Louise's split, adding: 'Uh no she was s***ging her trainer since March...' In MIC episodes screened last month, Louise left Alik heartbroken when she ended their two-year long-distance romance. Cute couple: Lousie has been busy posting loved up snaps of herself and Ryan Eye candy: The pair have been documenting their time together on Instagram, with Louise sharing one snap of the musclebound hunk as she quipped: 'Woof [tongue emoji] the view' The pair originally met in spring 2014 when they filmed the spin-off series in New York City, with Alik following Louise to London. However, he had to return to the US last autumn due to his family business, which put a strain on their relationship. Despite Alik flying to London in a last-ditch attempt to win Louise back, she said it was too late. Long-distance lovers: Louise and leather designer Alik split in May after two years together 946: The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips (Shakespeare's Globe and touring) Verdict: Wartime weepy Rating: There is a folksy feyness not uncharming down at Shakespeares Globe under new artistic director Emma Rice. She seems little gripped by Shakespeare, though. The theatres latest show is a Michael Morpurgo story about events in Devon just before D-Day. Labouring under the title of 946: The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips, this family show is largely a flashback to 1944 when U.S. GIs arrived in the village of Slapton to rehearse the Normandy landings. The theatres latest show is a Michael Morpurgo story about events in Devon just before D-Day In a little-known disaster, 946 Allied troops drowned. Woven with this sad subject is the character of Lily, 12, a local girl who goes looking for her lost cat, Tips, and meets a couple of kindly, black GIs. Katy Owens Lily, on the cusp of discovering boys and prone to shy, twisted limbs, sets the elfin tone. This is a lovely performance by (the adult) Miss Owen. There is some comic cross-dressing notably by talented Ewan Wardrop and plenty of drifty, modern jazz from an amplified band. Does it matter that some of the singing is off-key? Not much. Lilys GI friends, Adolphus and Harry (Ncuti Gatwa and Nandi Bhebhe), help her look for Tips. Above them on the Globes two stage pillars are fixed a couple of aircraft propellors. Tips is played by one of several puppets used. Shades of Mr Morpurgos War Horse, you might think, but this show is quirkier, more boho-summery. At one of the last previews this week the opening pace was slow and a death scene so low-key, I wondered if someone had forgotten their lines. Maybe that is just the laidback manner of Kneehigh, the company performing this show. Cue a twang of banjo, a song played on recorders, another using bottle-blowing, and chirrups to accompany a puppeted bird: you soon float into a mushy benevolence but that is sorely tested by some politically correct anachronisms. Wearisome references to Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King are followed by a joke about someone wanting to kill Nigel Farage. German military are referred to repeatedly as the Nazis and World War II is at one point described as a white mans war. Er, what about Japan? Yet it works. Tears are elicited at the finale. Mr Morpurgo is good at weepies and co-adaptor Miss Rice knows how to stage something flowery and fresh. You just need to overlook the preachy bits. Allegro (Southwark Playhouse) Verdict: Second chance for forgotten flop Rating: A few days late, I caught up with Allegro, a rarely-performed musical by Rodgers & Hammerstein (the duo behind such classics as Oklahoma! and The Sound Of Music). It went phutt on Broadway in 1947 and you can see why. It is a stinging attack on rich, urban hypochrondriacs the sort of bien pensants who infest Manhattan. Though I approached the fringey Southwark Playhouse warily, I ended up loving the show. The story tells of young country doctor Joseph Taylor Jnr (Gary Tushaw) who is persuaded by his pushy wife (Emily Bull) to become a quack to the rich in Chicago. He is soon bored by the metropolitans piffling ailments and yearns to be back with properly needy patients. Theres nothing real about this whole damn place, he says, raging against the big city types and their rat race. Young Dr Taylor would be more endearing were he not such a goodie-goodie. But the Southwark production makes the most of it with ace choreography, a great band, full-hearted singing and a pared-back staging. Ben-Hur had the wheels fall off its chariot as critics widely panned the latest incarnation of the Christian tale starring Jack Huston in the title role. Critics blasted the remake on Friday, as it failed to live up to the critically acclaimed 1959 version starring Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur. 'The 1959 Ben-Hur was directed, by William Wyler, with a kind of fake classicism, and that was part of its cardboard studio-system majesty. It didnt need to be subtle; it worked as mythological machismo,' Variety wrote in its review. Biblical tale: Jack Huston is shown as Judah Ben-Hur in a still from Ben-Hur opening on Friday 'But the new Ben-Hur tries to humanize everything, starting with Hustons overly moist Judah, and the result is that this story seems a lot less human than it did 57 years ago. Its become a chariot of mire,' the review concluded. Huston, 33, took over a role made famous by Heston in the 1959 film version that won a record 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director for William Wyler and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Heston. The new Ben Hur film by director Timur Bekmambetov, 55, is the latest retelling of the 1880 Lew Wallace novel Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ. The best-selling novel - in addition to the 1959 classic - was adapted into a successful touring play that debuted on Broadway in 1899, a 1907 silent film short, a 1925 silent film, a 2003 animated film and a 2009 stage adaptation that premiered at the O2 Arena in London. Critically acclaimed: Charlton Heston is shown in a still from the 1959 film that won a record 11 Academy Awards The story's iconic chariot race left plenty to be desired, according to a review by EW. 'The chariot race is sloppily framed, choppily edited, and droopily choreographed, with special effects that look like they needed another few passes through the CGI machine,' the review stated. 'The 1959 sequence is one of most famous in the history of movies because, for all the chaos and carnage, audiences could easily follow the action, thanks to clean, generous wide shots. Bekmambetovs insistence on close-ups might have been a budgetary matter, but the result is a muddled, inconsequential messand another symbol of the modern conservatism and lack of tentpole imagination,' it added. Famous race: Huston is shown in a chariot race still from the 2016 version Classic scene: Heston is shown in the chariot race scene from the 1959 classic New telling: Morgan Freeman portrays Sheik Ilderim in the new version and is shown with Huston in a still The Hollywood Reporter also took issue with the chariot racing. 'Whats the point of making a cut-rate version of Ben-Hur? Of creating a chariot race so heavily digitized and over-edited that its the worst scene in the picture? Of casting lightweights in the leading roles? Of laying a wailing modern pop song over the end credits?,' the critique read. The review added: 'Misguided, diminished and dismally done in every way, this late-summer afterthought will richly earn the distinction of becoming the first Ben-Hur in any form to flop.' She's starred in a string of popular soaps and Hollywood blockbusters. But Australian actress Isabel Lucas has revealed on the Kyle and Jackie 'O' show that she doesn't own a TV. 'I don't have a TV so I don't watch a lot of shows even though I know there is a lot of great television being made,' the 31-year-old told the stunned presenters during a telephone interview on Friday morning. Scroll down for video Confessions: Isabel Lucas revealed on the Kyle and Jackie 'O' show on Friday that she doesn't own a TV She added that she didn't have as much time as she planned to sit down and watch television shows due to her busy acting schedule. However, the former Home And Away star did try to make time to watch the newest movies. 'I definitely go to the cinema more,' she told breakfast radio show hosts. Starring role: Isabel made her claim to fame playing the character of Tasha Andrews in long-running Australian soap Home And Away from 2003 to 2006 Isabel made her claim to fame playing the character of Tasha Andrews in long-running Australian soap Home And Away from 2003 to 2006, and won a Silver Logie Award for New Popular Talent. Since relocating to Los Angeles, she's starred in a number of big budget movies including Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Red Dawn, which co-starred her ex-boyfriend Chris Hemsworth. She has also been shooting the new TV series, Emerald City, and was announced as ambassador for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. Former flames: Isabel starred on the Australian soap with her ex-boyfriend Chris Hemsworth Successful move: She's starred in a number of big budget movies including Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen since relocating to LA Speaking of her ambassador role, she told the KIIS FM radio personalities: 'It's awesome I love Melbourne. 'I was born there. It's such a creative hub and I love spring fashion week.' Months earlier, the bubbly brunette called for legislation in Australia to be changed to ban dolphin captivity. Appealing to her 47,400 Instagram followers, the soap star asked them to help support a campaign by Australia For Dolphins to stop the imprisonment of the wild creatures in zoos and aquariums. Making an appeal: The former Home And Away actress is campaigning to introduce legislation to stop the captivity of dolphins in Australia 'As some of you may know, I care deeply about dolphins,' the Australian actress wrote alongside a picture of herself looking out into an open field. 'In 2007 I went to Taiji, Japan, to witness the cruel dolphins hunts and slaughters there, but the thing is, dolphins are also being treated cruelly back home. 'They are being bred in tiny, chlorinated tanks and made to perform. They never get to know the ocean, many suffer anxiety and mostly they die young. 'That is why I'm behind @australiafordolphins efforts to introduce a law to end dolphin captivity.' The Daybreakers star said she was also lobbying to establish a world-first sea pen in Australia 'so that captive dolphins can live out the rest of their lives in peace.' Supporters: In 2007, actress Hayden Panettiere (left) and Isabel (right) joined activists from Australia and the U.S. and paddled out on surfboards to try to prevent a pod of dolphins being slaughtered in Japan Wanted: The famous pair were wanted by Japanese police after they were issued with an arrest warrant In 2007, Isabel joined activist group Surfers for Cetaceans to protest against the annual dolphin hunt in the Japanese town of Taiji. She along with Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere and activists from Australia and the U.S. paddled out on surfboards in an attempt to prevent a pod of dolphins being driven into a cove and slaughtered. After her daring protest, the Melbourne native became a wanted woman after Japanese police issued an arrest warrant. She's known for being unrelenting with her brash honesty. But, in case there's anything we may have missed, Katie Price has revealed she'll tour the UK in a new, tell-all live show. The 38 year-old has joined forces with Hilton Hotels to regionally promote her new autobiography, Reborn, when it's released next month. Scroll down for video On the road: Katie Price has revealed she'll tour the UK in a new, tell-all live show Talking about her new venture during a Facebook live chat, she revealed: 'Im on stage and we do a dinner and that before. 'I cant wait to have dinner with you all.' The Loose Women hostess will travel to a number of key locations, including Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Sheffield and Glasgow. Out and about: The 38 year-old has joined forces with Hilton Hotels to regionally promote her new autobiography, Reborn, when it's released, next month The star has teased that the next edition of her life story contains shocking details about past relationships with 'household names', as well as lifting the lid on her rollercoaster marriage to third husband Kieran Hayler. Katie briefly split from the 28-year-old after it came to light that he had cheated on her with her former friends Jane Poutney and Chrissy Thomas last year. The couple - who initially tied the knot at the start of 2013 - were soon back together though and renewed their vows earlier this year after making amends Past loves: The star has already written about her former husband Peter Andre in her past books, with her fourth autobiography You Only Live Once dedicated to Andre More revelations: Katie's previous five autobiographies have also included Katie talking openly about her brief marriage to second husband Alex Reid Katie has defended her choice to take back Kieran following his infidelity, promising that 'all we be explained' in her book. Speaking to Now magazine about it, earlier this year, she said: 'I think people are always shocked by what has happened to me. Oh my God, I think I better leave the country when the book comes out.' 'There are lots of things in this one I left out in the last one. There are a couple of guys in there who have upset me so I think it's about time I tell the truth about them,' Katie added. Swallows And Amazons (PG) Rating: Ah, summer nostalgia! Revel in steam trains and sails and sheep, and remember, or wish you remembered, farm holidays and childhood freedom. Four siblings explore a Lake District island, suffer setbacks and discomforts and exhilarations as they find friends, rivals, and their own strengths. Philippa Lowthorpes take on Swallows And Amazons is a glorious piece of work: lovely to look at and thrilling to follow. Ah, summer nostalgia! Revel in steam trains and sails and sheep, and remember, or wish you remembered, farm holidays and childhood freedom, writes LIBBY PURVES Its Arthur Ransomes beloved classic with a twist, and I was a touch grumpy on hearing that Andrea Gibbs script renamed the older girl Tatty because of smutty modern sensibilities which fear the word Titty; and, more seriously, that she makes the man on the mysterious houseboat (the childrens Captain Flint, played by Rafe Spall) not a writer but a government agent pursued by Russian spies. But Ransome himself did work for MI6, and actually Gibb has made a cracking yarn of it, adding a grittier sense of jeopardy for modern children raised on James Bond films. Andrew Scott gives it his best Moriarty-sneer as chief Russian Lazlov, theres an early pursuit sequence on top of a speeding train, and a fantastic, dramatic denouement which will, if you ever wondered, make it clear who would win if there was a fight between a seaplane and kids in wooden dinghies. Ramping-up the drama could have spoiled the beauty of the original, which depends on a fantasy world of pirates and exploration which the Walker children create for themselves, and share with the tomboy Amazons. But the balance is perfect: never do we lose that sense of make-believe and play, centred on the dreamy chronicler Tatty (a beautiful performance by Teddie-Rose Malleson-Allen) and in the wide eyes and babyish braveness of Bobby McCullochs Roger, who is allowed to show genuine fear as well as excitement. Ramping-up the drama could have spoiled the beauty of the original, which depends on a fantasy world of pirates and exploration which the Walker children create for themselves, and share with the tomboy Amazons It also makes clear the tension and resolutions between the two eldest: the pompous Captain John (Dane Hughes) and the exasperatedly competent Susan (Orla Hill). The spy story involves a ferocious kidnap and two real guns being pointed, which is not very Arthur Ransome: but frankly, for modern children the improbability of the 007 stuff probably pales beside the startling freedom that these Twenties brats were allowed: it must seem like another planet. The Walkers sail unsupervised and lifejacketless on deep open water, to camp overnight with makeshift tents and a breezy permission from their RN Dad: Better drowned than duffers. Mother (Kelly Macdonald) does look suitably worried at times, but agrees with Mrs Jackson the farmers wife that If life were always early-to-bed wed never learn owt. So the children have a serious knife, make fire by blowing on flaming tinder held in their palms, gut fish with spectacularly bloody incompetence, lose all their food overboard, and ask sinister old men in dense woods for advice. The Walkers sail unsupervised and lifejacketless on deep open water, to camp overnight with makeshift tents and a breezy permission from their RN Dad: Better drowned than duffers' They break even the few rules Mother gives them (no night sailing, no matches for under-tens). When Rafe Spall as the fleeing spy jumps into their train carriage and grabs the baby to his face as camouflage while mother lounges in the corridor having a fag, it is not seen as particularly untoward. Later, they run through a carnival procession with people dressed up in Chinese hats, which anxious modern children will recognise as dreadful cultural appropriation. So it is all shocking, and absolutely splendid. The music turns your heart to mush and the performances are flawless, including a cameo from Harry Enfield as the farmer. Im going again. With ginger-beer and humbugs. Blinky Bill (U) Rating: While Dad is a benignly remote figure in Swallows And Amazons, summer holiday films often hammer home instructions on being a more pro-active father (think Poppins, Mrs Doubtfire). Blinky Bill is on the same game: its an animation about a young Koala, taken from an Australian childrens classic. The vain explorer father is lost, so Bill runs away to rescue him and bring him home, assisted by a homesick zoo koala, a lumbering eccentric wombat voiced by Barry Humphries, and Beryl and Cheryl the emus (big hearts, tiny brains) fellow Australian Toni Collette does both, squawking brilliantly to herself as they gallop across the desert. Blinky Bill is on the same game: its an animation about a young Koala, taken from an Australian childrens classic A tyrannical lizard mayor; Rufus Sewell voicing a feral cat; and some truly horrifying crocodiles are duly overcome, though Mum has to join the chase. The landscapes are beautiful to look at: mountains, jungle, desert, extraordinary rock towers. The language is pleasingly salty-Aussie shut yer leafhole! and the wisdom basic: stick by your mates, even Dads mess up sometimes, and always fart downwind. Nine Lives (PG) Rating: Nine Lives does a favour to us Kevin Spacey fans: who would not approve of having him trapped in the body of a cuddly cat? He plays Tom Brand, a selfish tycoon who neglects his family for a skyscraper project. An accident puts him in a coma, mentally trapped inside the cat he bought his daughter from a magical pet-shop man (ideal casting for always-eerie Christopher Walken). An accident puts him in a coma, mentally trapped inside the cat he bought his daughter from a magical pet-shop man (ideal casting for always-eerie Christopher Walken, pictured) Mr Fuzzypants, as inhabited by Spacey, makes a great cat: resourceful and determined, foiling a boardroom plot against his son by wrecking a shredder, defending his daughter from a bitch friend, and peeing in his ghastly ex-wifes It bag. It takes six real stunt cats to play Mr Fuzzypants, plus a bit of CGI: a faultlessly dry Spacey voiceover makes up for the oddness of the cats just miaowing. Emily Blunt made her first red carpet appearance since welcoming her second child on June 20 with husband John Krasinski at the Manhattan premiere of his film The Hollars on Thursday. Posing at the Cinepolis Chelsea, the 33-year-old Golden Globe winner looked sensational in a white cut-out pencil dress and stilettos selected by her stylist Jessica Paster. Blunt - sporting a fuss-free updo - let her natural beauty shine through and rocked minimal jewelry for their special date night. Scroll down for video Fit figure! Emily Blunt made her first red carpet appearance since welcoming her second child on June 20 with husband John Krasinski at the Manhattan premiere of his film The Hollars on Thursday Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Emmy nominee - who directed The Hollars -looked dapper in his black suit and necktie. The British beauty and her Massachusetts man - who've both lost Spike's Lip Sync Battle - celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on July 10. Earlier that day, Krasinski revealed that their daughters - Hazel, 2, and Violet, 2 months - are especially excited for their famous mother to star in Disney's 2018 sequel Mary Poppins Returns. 'Can't wait for that to happen. It's going to be pretty crazy to see my wife in that role,' John gushed during his first-ever Twitter Q&A. Gorgeous: Posing at the Cinepolis Chelsea, the 33-year-old Golden Globe winner looked sensational in a white cut-out pencil dress and stilettos selected by her stylist Jessica Paster Supporting her man: Blunt - sporting a fuss-free updo - let her natural beauty shine through and rocked minimal jewelry for their special date night Pulling her in close: Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Emmy nominee - who directed The Hollars - looked dapper in his black suit and necktie Still going strong! The British beauty and her Massachusetts man - who've both lost Spike's Lip Sync Battle - celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on July 10 'But more importantly, I know I'm now forever never going to be as cool to my kids because my two daughters' mom is going to be Mary Poppins. How do I beat that? I can't. I give up.' The Dry Powder thespian also revealed how his eldest Hazel helped shape his performance as expectant father and graphic novelist John Hollar. 'My daughter was four and a half months old when I started shooting but, when I signed on to it, it was before that,' Krasinski explained to his 1.1M Twitter followers. 'Can't wait for that to happen!' Earlier that day, Krasinski revealed that their daughters - Hazel, 2, and Violet, 2 months - are especially excited for their famous mother to star in Disney's 2018 sequel Mary Poppins Returns John gushed during his first-ever Twitter Q&A: 'I know I'm now forever never going to be as cool to my kids because my two daughters' mom is going to be Mary Poppins. How do I beat that? I can't. I give up' 'My daughter was four and a half months old when I started shooting': The Dry Powder thespian - who directed The Hollars - also revealed how his eldest Hazel helped shape his performance as expectant father and graphic novelist John Hollar Krasinski explained to his 1.1M Twitter followers: 'Having a baby completely changed me, all the cliches are true. And being an expectant father in this movie took on a whole new meaning for me because I'd actually just experienced what it meant to be a dad for the first time' 'Had I made this movie five months earlier, it would've been a totally different movie because having a baby completely changed me, all the cliches are true. 'And being an expectant father in this movie took on a whole new meaning for me because I'd actually just experienced what it meant to be a dad for the first time.' John's family dramedy - hitting US theaters August 26 - also stars Anna Kendrick, Richard Jenkins, Mary Kay Place, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Margo Martindale, and Josh Groban. Hitting US theaters August 26! John's family dramedy also stars Anna Kendrick, Richard Jenkins, Mary Kay Place, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Margo Martindale, and Josh Groban 'Summer readng': And in April, the 6ft3in Brown University grad was cast in the title role of 2017 Amazon spy series Jack Ryan based on Tom Clancy's popular CIA hero And in April, the 6ft3in Brown University grad was cast in the title role of 2017 Amazon spy series Jack Ryan based on Tom Clancy's popular CIA hero. Meanwhile, Emily will next play drunken divorcee Rachel Watson in the big-screen adaptation of Paula Hawkins' 2015 novel The Girl on the Train. The mystery thriller - hitting UK/US theaters October 7 - also features Justin Theroux, Allison Janney, Lisa Kudrow, Laura Prepon, and Rebecca Ferguson. Sad sack: Meanwhile, Emily will next play drunken divorcee Rachel Watson in the big-screen adaptation of Paula Hawkins' 2015 novel The Girl on the Train She may have not have been born when this band first split up, but she was not about to let that or anything else stand in the way of a good time. Sofia Richie is not shying away from the public eye even though she has had a rough few days facing lots of online hatred from new beau Justin Bieber's fans and not to mention some shade from his ex Selena Gomez. The 17-year-old left her troubles behind for a night of good old fashion rock n' roll heading to the Guns N' Roses concert at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday night. Rock it out: Sofia Richie headed to the Guns N' Roses concert Thursday night at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles While she left new boyfriend Justin at home, the star brought a few friends along to join her for the opening night of the LA leg of the Gunners' tour. Lionel Richie's daughter showed off her passion for fashion in a rather expensive understated look. Instead of wearing the obligatory Appetite For Destruction tee, the teen donned an oversized black T-shirt featuring a giant image of rapper Snoop Dogg. The T-shirt may look like an old bit on tour merchandise but it is in fact from the cool and rich kids only street label Vetements and retails at $920. Designer duds: Instead of wearing the obligatory Appetite For Destruction tee, the teen donned an oversized black T-shirt featuring a giant image of rapper Snoop Dogg Not Forever 21: The T-shirt may look like an old bit on tour merchandise but it is in fact from the cool and rich kids only street label Vetements and retails at $920 Low key: Despite the tee's price tag the rest of her look was understated with the model donning cut-off shirts with white Nike Air Force 1 sneakers She wore the high priced tee with cut-off denim shorts and a pair of white Nike Air Force 1 sneakers. The 17-year-old further accessorized her look with a red leather and fur trimmed bag and lots of Cartier Love bracelets. Sofia was spotted out earlier in the day at Fred Segal in West Hollywood. The model with some family and friends in tow, stopped by the store before grabbing a bite to eat at the cafe connected to it, Mauro's Restaurant. Crew: While she left new boyfriend Justin at home, the star brought a few friends along to join her for the opening night of the LA leg of the Gunners' tour Busy day: Sofia was spotted out earlier in the day at Fred Segal in West Hollywood Sofia was seemingly inspired by the decade she was born swearing a grungy yet sporty Nineties look. The star stepped out in an oversized vintage Fila shirt which was so big on her it was more of a dress and added tiny denim cut-offs. She accessorized the look with a leather choker with a big metal ring in the centre as well as some reflective shades and adding just a hint of futuristic styling, a pair of Adidas NMD City Sock sneakers. Comfort food: The model with some family and friends in tow, stopped by the store before grabbing a bite to eat at the cafe connected to it, Mauro's Restaurant Sporty look: The star stepped out in an oversized vintage Fila shirt which was so big on her it was more of a dress and added tiny denim cut-offs Sofia slicked back her hair making the contrast between her dark roots and blonde tips more noticeable. The 17-year-old has just returned from Japan where she spent a few loved-up days with new beau Justin. With Justin clearly rather smitten with his new lady, he shared a number of Instagram shots of himself and Sofia. New romance: The 17-year-old has just returned from Japan where she spent a few loved-up days with new beau Justin (pictured in Tokyo) The pictures drew the wrath of Justin's fans, leading to the star threatening to quit Instagram if they were not nicer. He made good on this promise on Monday. His threat prompted ex Selena Gomez to weigh in: 'If you can't handle the hate then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol. 'It should be special between you two only. Don't be mad at your fans. They love you (sic).' Not happy: With Justin clearly rather smitten with his new lady, he shared a number of Instagram shots of himself and Sofia - and his fans got very upset Snap back: When the star threatened to quit Instagram it prompted ex Selena Gomez to weigh in Justin soon shot back: 'It's funny to see people that used me for attention and still try to point the finger this way. Sad. All love. 'I'm not one for anyone receiving hate. Hope u all can be kind to my friends and each other. And yes I love my beliebers (sic).' Selena then went on to accuse Justin of cheating and Justin also suggested his ex had been unfaithful with One Direction star Zayn Malik - a source close to Justin has since claimed that the Zayn comment was done by a troll and not him. Press Release: Contact: Kirk Bell Kirk Bell kbell@donaldtrump.com RALEIGH, NC The campaign of Presidential candidate Donald Trump announced a significant staff increase in the important battleground state of North Carolina. As the team continues to expand, integration with RNC operatives, already on the ground since 2013, will create a focused network of veteran senior and field staff.said new State Director Jason Simmons. He added,Jason Simmons, previously a member of Governor Pat McCrory's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, recently assumed his duties as state director. Jason, a veteran of the US Army Reserves, received a master's degree in international studies from the University of South Carolina. He first moved to North Carolina in 2012 as a staff member of the Romney Campaign. He and his family resided in Morrisville.Serving as Deputy State Director, Taylor Playforth, a graduate of UNC-Wilmington, joined the North Carolina team in November of 2015. Prior to joining the Trump team, he worked as an operative on the 2014 RNC Victory Campaign for Senator Thom Tillis and the run-off election of Senator Bill Cassidy. Among other positions, Taylor was the Regional Field Director for RNC Deployment. He is a resident of Raleigh.Robert Bowes recently joined Team Trump as North Carolina Political Director. Previously, he served on the Trump Strike Teams during the primaries in NH, SC, TX, OH, WI, MD, WV, and NJ. He served as Vice President of JPMorgan Chase Financial Institutions Corporate Finance Division in New York from 1985 to 1992 and was CEO of Fund Commission Services, Inc. in New York from 1992 until 1995, when he became Treasurer of Buchanan for President, Inc. in McLean, VA. In 1996 Mr. Bowes became CFO of Hovde Capital, a leading merger firm for community banks and financial equities investment management based in Washington, DC. Mr. Bowes rejoined Pat Buchanan in 1999 and 2000 as Treasurer and National Finance Director while also leading the Reform Party takeover.Kirk Bell joins the North Carolina Team as Director of Communications. He is a native of Southern Pines, North Carolina and a graduate of the University of Alabama. Prior to joining Team Trump North Carolina, Kirk was Director of Regional Satellite and Radio Media for the Republican National Convention last July in Cleveland. Previously, he was Chief of Staff for US Congressman Pete Sessions and served on the legislative staff of the late North Carolina Congressman, Howard Coble. Kirk was also director of communications and press secretary for the New York gubernatorial campaign of Carl Paladino, worked in two previous presidential campaigns, and for various members of the US House of Representatives.Bethany Hudson, the newly hired Director of Coalitions, was born in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She attended the UNC-Wilmington where she was heavily involved in College Republicans, both at the university level, and through the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans. She worked for Americans for Prosperity as a Regional Field Coordinator in the Wilmington area during the 2012 election cycle. In early 2013, Bethany took a job as a legislative assistant for Representative Bob Steinburg in the North Carolina House. In 2014 she was elected and served as the president of the Wake County Republican Women's Club. Simultaneously, she served as a vice president of the North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans.Along with the above staff members, the North Carolina team has acquired new field operatives and will shortly announce the opening of campaign offices across North Carolina. She's set to undergo radiation therapy to treat breast cancer in the coming weeks. But Roxy Jacenko put on a brave face as she stepped out to run errands in Sydney on Thursday. The 36-year-old PR maven looked carefree as she smiled for the cameras, clutching her phone and wallet in her hand. Scroll down for video In a good mood! Roxy Jacenko was in high spirits as she stepped out in Sydney on Thursday The mother-of-two flaunted her trim pins in a pair of black tights and wore a black Nike jacket on top. Her pink and white sneakers matched her white smile, and she accessorised with her signature Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses. Roxy's blonde tresses were worn in glamourous loose waves, which were blown back by the wind to expose her huge diamond earrings. Happy: The mother-of-two looked happy and carefree after having just returned home from a holiday with her children Pixie and Hunter The entrepreneur's outing comes just days after her holiday with her children, five-year-old Pixie and two-year-old Hunter. The trio stayed at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong and documented their trip with fun snaps posted on Instagram. Roxy is set to undergo radiation therapy in Sydney following her shock breast cancer diagnosis in July. Casual: The 36-year-old donned activewear for the outing and wore her blonde locks in loose waves Short break: Roxy headed to Hong Kong with Pixie and Hunter (pictured) last week Earlier this month, she underwent surgery to remove the cancerous tumour from her breast - with the process being filmed for this Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes. The Sydney-sider flew to Hong Kong just days before the show's promo aired on TV. In the preview, Roxy was seen snapping at Channel Nine reporter Allison Langdon for suggesting 'normal' people might question the timing of her cancer diagnosis. Fun times! The trio stayed at Hong Kong's five star Four Seasons Hotel and documented their trip by sharing cute Instagram snaps 'Well they're not normal Alison, change your friends,' Roxy said. 'You've got too much time on your hands if you say that. I don't really give a f*** what they think on my timing. 'They can say that, the reality is, it's not something that I ever thought I would face.' Defiant: Roxy hit back at 60 Minutes presenter Allison Langdon after the journalist suggested there was 'cynicism' over her breast cancer diagnosis No hard feelings: Despite the heated exchange, Roxy appeared friendly with Allison (left) and even posted a photo of them together on social media afterwards Despite the tense interview, there appeared to be no hard feelings between Roxy and Allison. The PR queen even shared a happy snap with the reporter days later. Roxy has had a tumultuous year, coming to terms with her health battle just weeks after her husband Oliver Curtis was sentenced to jail. The stockbroker was found guilty of insider trading in June and is serving out his year-long sentence at Parklea Correctional Centre. She is on her way to becoming one of Australia's hottest screen exports paving her way to stardom with roots in popular television series Home and Away. But Samara Weaving, 24, took a much needed break from her busy acting schedule to flaunt her envy-inducing bikini body in a picture posted to Instagram on Thursday. The blonde-bombshell posed in a red and white Riviera bikini by Australian swimsuit brand Seafolly in front of crashing waves at a beach. Scroll down for video Bikini babe: Samara Weaving, 24, flaunts her beautiful beach body and shapely derriere in a red and white striped Riviera bikini by Australian swimsuit brand Seafolly The budding starlet flaunts her shapely derriere and trim figure in the cheeky picture while opting for a makeup-free look perfect for a sunny day at the beach. She chose to wear her sandy blonde hair out in loose waves allowing it to playfully sit over her shoulder and shade her face from the warm sun rays. Instagram followers were surprised to see a dramatic change in the actress's hair colour who posed in a red bikini late last month with strawberry-blonde hair while poking out her tongue. One user said: 'I thought @samweaving was brunette now. Either way my first thought was "holy shit she's hot".' 'Turtle Tuesday': The blonde beauty also posed in a picture while snorkelling with a turtle 'I thought she was a brunette now': Instagram followers were surprised to see a dramatic change in the actress's hair colour who posed in a red bikini late last month with strawberry-blonde hair She joked in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald earlier this month that she has had to 'befriend people with swimming pools' to withstand the hot Los Angeles summer. Samara's beauty isn't the only thing capturing the hearts of fans who are amazed by adventurous pictures posted across Instagram. Sky diving, snorkeling with turtles and posing covered in blood for a makeup test from the show Ash vs Evil Dead are some of the highlights of the flawless actresses social media posts. Free falling: Samara's beauty isn't the only thing capturing the hearts of fans who are amazed by adventurous pictures posted across Instagram In June the photo of the actress covered in blood unwittingly became a bizarre internet scam for Donald Trump supporters. The behind-the-scenes shot from the set of the upcoming horror series was used to slam violent anti-Trump campaigners. Fellow Ash vs Evil Dead actor and producer Bruce Campbell was quick to point out the false claim. Scandal! In June a photo of the actress covered in blood - which was a make up test for the show Ash vs Evil Dead - unwittingly became a bizarre internet scam for Donald Trump supporters He reposted Conservative Nation's tweet and added: 'Check your facts, folks. This is an actress named Samara Weaving from #AshVsEvilDead. This is a make-up test. Sad.' Meanwhile, Samara is gearing up to star in action flick Mayhem alongside Walking Dead actor Steven Yeun, which will be a major move for the Adelaide-born actress. Since breaking out on Ash vs Evil Dead Samara has made appearances in movies including Bad Girl, Before Dawn and Monster Trucks. She first found fame on long-running Channel Seven soap Home And Away playing the character of Indigo Walker from 2009 to 2013. They've been in the radio business for over a decade, and are currently topping the FM breakfast ratings in Sydney. But if you look back at Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson's old promotional shots from the early 2000s, it would be safe to say the presenters wouldn't necessarily be luring listeners based on the snaps alone. Back in the day the radio duo, along with a string of other on-air personalities including Osher Gunsberg, Dave Hughes and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, posed for campaign spreads which would now potentially make them cringe with embarrassment. Scroll down for video Blast from the past: This promotional shot of Australian radio presenters Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson was taken back in 2001 during their 2Day FM days Glamorous: Nowadays the KIIS FM breakfast duo grace many billboards across Sydney, dressed to the nines for the ultimately enticing shot In 2001, Kyle and Jackie appeared in a promotional shot during their days hosting the Hot 30 Countdown on the Today Network. Jackie, who would have presumably been 26 years of age in the photo, wore a strapless white blouse teamed with a pair of blue-tinted sunglasses. Her statement shades complemented Kyle's green-blue T-shirt, teamed with a pair of darker blue trousers. Sleek and sexy: The KIIS FM breakfast duo look very sharp and different to their retro shot Hair-raising scenario: Osher Gunsberg sported long hair in his B105 FM promo shot during his Andrew G days (L) but now has shorter hair in current frames for the same station (R) Back in the game: The Bachelor Australia host helps out Stav Davidson and Abby Coleman with the Brisbane radio station's breakfast program Kyle, who would have been 30 years of age in the image, sported brown locks slicked back as he held onto blonde beauty Jackie's waist. Nowadays the KIIS FM breakfast duo grace many billboards across Sydney, dressed to the nines for the ultimately enticing shot. In the promotional shots, mother-of-one Jackie, now 41, stuns in a plunging black Carla Zampatti jumpsuit, which certainly leaves little to the imagination thanks to the very low neckline. Then and now: Kate Langbroek and Dave Hughes pictured with Nova 100 FM co-host Dave O'Neill in 2001 (L) and the now KIIS FM drive time hosts pictured together (R) Double trouble: Hamish Blake and Andy Lee pictured in 2006 Driving the girls crazy! Hamish, who is now a father, and his co-host Andy pictured in their current campaign for their Austereo drive-time radio show Meanwhile 45-year-old Kyle dons a crisp white shirt and black blazer, with his shorter silver hair matching his beard. Another radio personality who has made quite the transformation over the years is Osher Gunsberg, 42. When he was just 20 years of age, the then rising star called Andrew G at the time, hosted the midnight-to-dawn shifts for Brisbane radio station B105 FM. Retro: Former Nova 96.9 FM radio hosts Tim Ross and Merrick Watts pictured during their Triple J days in the late 1990s Nova team: Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald pictured with former Nova 91.9 FM co-hosts Jules Schiller, Lisa Fernandez and Tony Moclair in the mid 2000s Trio: Former Nova drive-time hosts Monty Dimond, Ryan Shelton and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli In a black and white promotional shot, he was seen flashing his wide grin while sporting a long dark mane. And it's safe to say, he looks unrecognisable in comparison to his much more sophisticated appearance nowadays as he helps host the same radio station's breakfast program alongside Stav Davidson and Abby Coleman. She reportedly earned the nickname 'Bath Vader' from former Channel Seven colleague Samantha Armytage. And Chris Bath is returning to the same network as her rival a year after calling it quits. In an upcoming episode of Sunday Night, the 49-year-old will deliver a special report about one of the victims of the Bastille Day terror attack in France. Scroll down for video Comeback: Chris Bath is making her return to Channel Seven's Sunday Night program a year after calling it quits Chris' close friend Adelaide Stratton found herself on the brink of death in the horrific event, and was saved by the kindness of a stranger. The report will see Chris work with Adelaide's family to bring the young Australian home. Chris left her role as host of the news and current affairs program last year and was replaced by Melissa Doyle. The Sydney-born journalist was also presenting Seven's weekend nightly news, and before that she was one of the network's leading news anchors. Special appearance: The journalist's return will see her deliver a special report on one of the Bastille Day terror attack victims At the time of her departure, Chris made headlines with her reported feud with Samantha. The Sunrise host allegedly dubbed her Channel Seven colleague 'Bath Vader' as she believed she was given better on-screen styling by the wardrobe department. In ex-Sunrise executive producer Adam Boland's tell-all book Brekky Central, he revealed: 'Chris then arrived at work one day with a light sabre.' Friends: The segment will feature Chris' close friend Adelaide Stratton, who found herself on the brink of death in the horrific event Feud: Chris made headlines last year with her reported feud with Samantha Armytage, who dubbed the former Channel Seven news anchor 'Bath Vader' In one of her exit interviews last year, Chris took a swipe at the blonde presenter and thanked her for the Star Wars-themed moniker. 'May the force be with Sam. And I say it with a smile on my face,' Chris told The Daily Telegraph. 'The nickname has been the gift that keeps on giving. I have so much Star Wars memorabilia now and I've always been a fan.' 'The gift that keeps on giving': Chris took a swipe at her rival Samantha and thanked her for the Star Wars-themed moniker following her exit The pair's said feud is believed to date all the way back to their time together in the newsroom. According to The Daily Telegraph, their relationship took a sour turn when Chris caught Samantha talking about her behind her back. Samantha, 39, was also rumoured to call Chris the 'Wicked Witch Of The West', playing on her western Sydney upbringing. New host: The 48-year-old handed her role as host of Sunday Night over to former Sunrise co-host Melissa Doyle last year Since leaving her post at Seven, Chris has taken up gigs on rival network Ten as radio. She joined The Project as co-host alongside Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar for their summer programs earlier this year. The multi-talented star also filled in for ABC 702 radio drive host Richard Glover for three weeks in April. 'I have had an ongoing conversation with 702 since I left Seven and the opportunity came up to fill in for Richard and I first though, wow, and then I thought, huge shoes to fill,' Chris told The Sydney Morning Herald. Lisa Rinna was the lady in black on Thursday while heading to a beauty salon in Beverly Hills, California. The 53-year-old actress skipped a bra and kept it sporty in a black scoop neck tank-top and black leggings. The former Days Of Our Lives star added a pop of colour with purple trainers. Television star: Lisa Rinna kept it simple in all-black on Thursday while heading to a beauty salon in Beverly Hills, California The mother of two accessorised with black sunglasses and a bracelet while shopping in the upscale neighbourhood. Lisa recently shared her pride in eldest child Delilah, 18, who landed a contract earlier this month with Elite Model Management. The Melrose Place star re-posted a photo of Delilah from the modelling agency's Instagram page and wrote 'SoProud'. Lisa added on social media that Delilah was debuting in Teen Vogue and signing with Elite NYC. Soap star: The former Days Of Our Lives star looked sporty in leggings and trainers Lean machine: The actress showed her lean frame in the all-black ensemble Delilah credited her mother's role in The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills with helping her gain the modelling contract. 'I feel as though some of the experiences I've had wouldn't have been possible without the shows exposure,' Delilah told Teen Vogue. 'I was able to have a long meeting with an amazing fashion magazine. This was probably one of the coolest moments I've had on the show, because I got to meet so many iconic and smart people,' she added. Mother of two: The actress has two teenage daughters with husband Harry Hamlin Reality limbo: Lisa has not been confirmed as returning to The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills for its upcoming seventh season Lisa and husband Harry Hamlin, 64, also have 15-year-old daughter Amelia together. Harry and Lisa recent returned from a family summer getaway at their lake retreat in Canada where they spent time with Cindy Crawford and David Foster. Lisa has been a main cast member of RHOBH for the past two seasons but has not been confirmed as returning for the upcoming seventh season. She is certainly the epitome of 'eye candy.' Actress Victoria Justice made a bold statement on Thursday in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania as she graced the fifth US store opening of clothing chain Primark. The brunette stunner turned heads in a short, fitted dress and black fishnet stockings. Scroll down for video Netted and naughty! Victoria Justice wowed in a flattering dress and fishnet stockings at the Primark store opening on Thursday in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania This is the second time the 23-year-old Eye Candy actress is supporting the opening of the Irish-clothing retail store, as she attended the store launch in Connecticut in June. Wearing a black-and-white, layered tight dress, Victoria flaunted her toned legs in revealing fishnet tights, which she paired with peep-toe, black heels. The Victorious star wore her pin straight, light brown hair down and parted in the middle while going for a smokey eye and cinnamon-colored lip. Fashion all around: The Eye Candy star opted for a white-and-black striped short dress, revealing her slim figure and peep-toe black heels Perfection: The actress-singer straightened her silky, light brown hair and went for a smokey eye, make-up look Supportive: This is the second opening the 23-year-old star has attended on behalf of Primark as she recently went to the Connecticut store launch in June The company - founded in Dublin in 1969 - rapidly spread to the UK and multiple countries in Europe including France, Austria, Germany and Belgium, eventually finding its way to the U.S. Currently, the brand's stores are located in New Jersey, Boston, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The Florida native is also set to star in the upcoming FOX remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show opposite Laverne Cox. Not an inch to pinch: The actress attended the Mack-a-pool-ooza event at Fontainebleau Miami Beach last weekend wearing a white crocheted triangle halter top and a denim skirt The Eye Candy actress stopped by the Mack-a-pool-ooza event in Miami Beach last weekend where she spoke about her experience working with the Orange Is The New Black star. 'She just gives everything 150 per cent,' Victoria said. The Kenny Ortega-directed project, which also stars Tim Curry, will premiere in October of this year. She lashed out at former love rival Zara Holland on social media earlier in the day, saying the disgraced beauty queen should accept the fact that her TV romp was a mistake. But Olivia Buckland seemed to have moved on from the drama as she attended the launch of Prodigal Fox's new collaboration with Love Island's Katie Salmon and Jessica Hayes at London's DSTRKT nightclub on Thursday. The reality star, 23, put on a busty display for her girls' night out, showcasing her ample assets in a plunging nude caped playsuit. Scroll down for video Drama: Olivia Buckland attended the launch of Prodigal Fox's new collaboration at London's DSTRKT nightclub on Thursday after lashing out at Zara Holland on social media Breaking the 'legs or chest rule', the Essex girl - who is in a relationship with Love Island co-star Alex Bowen - paraded her toned and tanned pins in the skimpy one-piece as she joined her co-stars for their big night. Olivia added height to her frame with a pair of black towering tie-up sandals and accessorised with a dramatic, gothic-inspired choker. The Love Island starlet wore her blonde locks in tousled waves and accentuated her features with dramatic make-up. Earlier in the day, Zara - who slept with Olivia's now-boyfriend Alex on TV during her stint on the ITVBe show, causing her to be stripped of her Miss Great Britain title - made a controversial appearance on Loose Women. Taking the plunge: The reality star, 23, put on a busty display for her girls' night out, showcasing her ample assets in a plunging nude caped playsuit Dare to bare: Breaking the 'legs or chest rule', the Essex girl paraded her toned and tanned pins in the skimpy one-piece as she joined her co-stars for their big night Girls' night: Olivia added height to her frame with a pair of towering tie-up sandals as she partied with Love Island's Jessica Hayes and Helen Briggs During the show, Zara clashed with the new Miss Great Britain, Deone Robertson, for taking over her title after she was dethroned. Shortly afterwards, Alex took to social media to vent his frustrations at Zara constantly painting herself the victim in the situation, as well as viewers pointing the finger at him for escaping the blame. The reality star shared a note on his Twitter account in which he defended having sex on TV and told everyone to 'move on'. Speaking out: Olivia's boyfirend Alex Bowen took to social media to vent his frustrations at Zara for constantly painting herself the victim earlier in the day He posted: 'For the people which are coming at me because of the Zara situation which is old news now but whatever... 'Zara had a title as she made clear on many occasions, I didn't hence why I did what I wanted.. 'People say nobody blames the lad, well I wasn't Mr England if I was, and then she got stripped of her title and I didn't then yes you have argument but that's not the case. 'I don't regret anything I have done because you learn and move on... Apologies she lost her title but it's not my fault at all. Refusing to take the blame: Alex criticised former beauty queen Zara for her reaction to being stripped of her title following their TV romp Defending himself: The reality star shared a note on his Twitter account in which he defended having sex on TV and told everyone to 'move on' 'It's happened, it's done, accept it; but don't blame it on being drunk because that was not the case. MOVE ON. (sic)' Alex also tweeted, 'Don't make excuses and don't have regrets live with it yeah', alongside a snoring emoji. Olivia - who became inseparable with him shortly after his romp with Zara - also weighed in on the situation, saying Zara should move on and own up to her mistakes with dignity. She shared, 'I never have any regrets , best way to live', adding, 'Think before you act'. Show of support: Olivia - who became inseparable with him shortly after his romp with Zara - also weighed in on the situation Voicing her opinion: Olivia posted a stream of tweets aimed at Zara Backing up her boy: The blonde also retweeted Alex's note alongside this message When she was challenged by some of her followers, she said, 'Ain't throwing shade, just my opinion on how to hold yourself as a person, live up to your mistakes don't hide behind them. We all make em.' Retweeting Alex's note, she concluded: 'Well said. We all make mistakes, don't regret them or pass blame. Live learn and move on.' The social media storm comes after Zara was reportedly removed from the Loose Women studios following an explosive showdown on the programme. According to The Sun, the blonde was escorted off the premises after her interview, after she got into a vicious war of words with the boss of the famous beauty pageant. Hostile: Zara was reportedly 'removed' from the Loose Women studios on Thursday following a row - during the show she slammed new Miss Deone Robertson, 28, for taking over her Miss Great Britain role A source told the paper: 'Deone [Robertson, who has been crowned the new Miss Great Britain after Zara was stripped of her title] approached Zara [after the show] to say she hoped there were no hard feelings, and that she wished her all the best. 'Zara replied that she had no issues with her, but the way it was all handled, and that the Miss Great Britain organisation should have let her know. 'She then became extremely aggressive, and had to be held back by her management before being escorted out of the room.' However, a spokesperson for ITV's Loose Women told MailOnline: 'Zara was not removed or asked to leave the Loose Women studios today. She left of her own accord following her appearance on the show and with her Mum.' 'She didn't win the competition and she doesn't deserve it,' Zara said of her rival during an explosive showdown which was televised A show insider also later told MailOnline: 'Zara wasn't "physically removed", she left with her management following the altercation.' MailOnline has contacted Zara for further comment. During the show, Holland revealed why she was upset that Deone now has her title. 'She didn't win the competition and she doesn't deserve it,' she said of her rival. Adding: 'I stand up for women and if it was me, I wouldn't have taken it.' Deone replied: 'If I didn't take it, someone else would have and this is my dream too. 'You gave it up. You made the choice. Zara worked really hard to win and she did lots of charity work. But if you can't fulfil your role, it does say in the rules that it goes to the runner-up.' The new girl: She didn't look too happy when Deone arrived on set wearing the tiara and Miss Great Britain sash Earlier in the show, furious Zara said she had the backing of the Miss Great Britain organisers to appear on Love Island. But Sherie Hewson said: 'But I'm sure they didn't expect you to do what you did.' Zara snapped back: 'Neither did I. But there was alcohol and it was in the moment. I made a mistake. I am living with the consequences right now.' Tears: Zara was devastated when she learned that she had been dethroned after having sex with fellow contestant Alex Bowen on the show A little too public? The couple made love in the hideaway and Zara claimed she 'forgot about the cameras' But Sherie said: 'You are supposed to be a role model. It's not an excuse.' 'I'm not saying it's an excuse,' Zara continued. 'But you forget about the cameras. There are no cameraman and we were in the hideaway, which felt private.' June Sarpong said: 'You did sign the terms and conditions though. You can't bring the organisation into disrepute. It has a heritage and is prestigious. Deone told Zara: 'You gave it up. You made the choice. If you can't fulfil your role, it does say in the rules that it goes to the runner-up' Is that for me? Katie said she had her eye on Deone's tiara herself as she's a huge fan of a bit of bling 'If you do behave like that, you have to expect the consequences.' But Zara wasn't taking her comments lying down and hit back, saying she disagreed. 'No, this is a modern day beauty pageant...' she barked. 'There's nothing modern about having sex on TV,' June hit back. 'I don't agree with having sex on TV.' Zara also said: 'I am the hardest working Miss Great Britain they have ever had and there will ever be' 'I was the last to know': Zara explained she was upset at how things had been handled Standing her ground, Zara said she is the best person for the job. 'I am the hardest working Miss Great Britain they have ever had and there will ever be,' she said in front of Deone. 'I've still got my crown at home. It's beautiful and wonderful and I won it, so I won't give it back, even though they have asked me.' June said: 'They had the right to take it off you. Those are the rules. Any brand you would be representing would feel the same. Having sex on TV is not OK.' Zara added: 'I was the last to find out I had lost the title. I don't like how it was handled. What was the rush? Andrea concluded: 'I admire your feisty personality but it was only you that did this. You should care just as much about your decency' Pleasant: Despite the frosty conversation, Zara did thank the panel for inviting her on the show to give her side of the story 'They should have waited until I finished the show. I worked so hard.' Andrea McLean said: 'Why did you risk it then?' 'Why didn't you wait to go on the show next year when you no longer had the title?' Andrea concluded: 'I admire your feisty personality but it was only you that did this. You should care just as much about your decency.' No worries here: Zara looked like she didn't have a care in the world when she was pictured after the interview Calm and collected: She smiled broadly as she walked down the street, clearly not too upset by the situation That's nice: She had time to sign a piece of paper for a friendly fan It's all going on: Zara reportedly had to be 'removed' from the green room after a blazing row erupted backstage It's the most anticipated cooking TV show of the year. And one of the biggest reasons to tune in to Zumbo's Just Desserts is his stunning on-screen assistant, Gigi Falanga. The Brazilian-born pastry chef's talent in the kitchen is only matched by her beauty - which she proudly shows off on Instagram. Scroll down for video Delicious! Gigi Falanga is set to heat up the kitchen in her role as Adriano Zumbo's assistant on Channel Seven's new cooking TV show Zumbo's Just Desserts Besides her cooking credentials, Gigi is also a former model with the enviable physique of somebody who's never touched a dessert in their life. The stunner moved to Australia from Brazil in 2004, which is when she developed her love of the culinary arts. Gigi's no stranger to rubbing shoulders with superstar chefs, having previously performed on the same competition stage as the 'punk pastry chef' Anna Polyviou. Stunner: The Brazilian-born pastry chef's talent in the kitchen is only matched by her beauty Wet and wild: The Brazilian bombshell is a former model who moved to Australia in 2004 Beach babe: When she isn't in the kitchen, the brunette beauty likes to hang out in her bikini with her gorgeous girlfriends On Zumbo's Just Desserts, she'll assist the host and put the 12 contestants through their paces as they compete for a $100,000 prize. According to TV Tonight, Gigi will bring some spice - and serious drama - to the series. The website described the brunette as 'irritable on the kitchen floor' and someone who does not suffer fools gladly. She's a pastry chef? Despite being a trained pastry chef, Gigi has the ripped, muscular physique of someone that doesn't eat desserts or sweet treats Adding some more star power to the Channel Seven competition is the equally as talented and beautiful Rachel Khoo. The English celebrity chef, 35, will serve as a judge when the program debuts next week. The new series will face tough competition from reality TV rivals, including Network Ten's The Bachelor and Channel Nine's The Block. His most famous character Vincent Chase never struggled to attract the ladies. And it seems Adrian Grenier is adept on the love front himself after he was spotted smooching and holding hands with a mystery redhead in Los Angeles on Thursday. It seems the lithe lovely could be the latest member of the 40-year-old hunk's Entourage, as they truly seemed in bliss as they enjoyed a lunch date in the trendy Los Feliz area. Joining his Entourage: Adrian Grenier shared a cosy lunch date with a mystery redhead in Lso Angeles on Thursday Laid back Adrian had not dressed to impress, going for a casual look of white T-shirt, shorts and flip flops. The same could not be said for his other half however, as she showcased her knockout body in a cropped, low-cut T-shirt and skimpy denim hotpants. She certainly seemed in high spirits, and was laughing and joking throughout her meal with the Hollywood stud. Perhaps it should be no surprise his latest lady was walking with a spring in her step, for former Bachelor star Courtney Robertson heaped praise on the actor's impressive manhood in her book I Didn't Come Here To Make Friends. Dressed to impress: She was wearing a saucy combo of cropped T-shirt and hotpants Ladies first: He allowed his ladyfriend to lead him to a table of her choosing Smoochy coo: The cheeky girl then leaned over to give the handsome actor a kiss Andy Cohen brought the subject up on Watch What Happens Live last week, saying: 'She said you had the biggest d**k shes ever seen,' before asking the actor 'what were your thoughts?' Beaming Adrian was overjoyed at her remarks, telling the host: 'I was just glad she got the size right! And shes seen a couple of them, huh?' The physically blessed actor did confess he is fearful when anything is said about him in the media. Rearly impressive: It is easy to see why Adrian is so keen on the leggy lovely Bored: At one point the duo seemed to run out of things to say to each other Modern dating: Perhaps the duo were communicating via the medium of text He explained: 'Youre always on the edge of seat waiting for something bad to be revealed about you.' But he underlined his happiness at the latest revelation, adding: 'And then every once and a while its not so bad.' Courtney, 33, won season 16 of The Bachelor which premiered in 2012 and became engaged to Ben Flajnik in the finale. But their dalliance did not last, and in her book In her book I Didn't Come Here To Make Friends: Confessions of a Reality Show Villain, reveals she was also hit on by notorious Hollywood Lotharios Gerard Butler and David Spade. What a gentleman: At one point he leaned over to help her with her headphones 'That's a-salt': No doubt the witty star was keeping her amused with his one-liners Big attraction: Andy Cohen recently revealed former Bachelor star Courtney Robertson said he had the 'biggest d*** shes ever seen' She was slammed by her ex-boyfriend for moving on from their two-year relationship within a mere matter of weeks. But Made In Chelsea's Louise Thompson remained defiant as she posted a PDA-packed Instagram snap on Friday morning, just hours after her former flame publicly criticised her in a newspaper interview. Puckering up to her personal trainer beau Ryan William Libbey in the sweet photograph, the reality star, 26, didn't seem all bothered by her ex's accusations. Scroll down for video Pucker up: MIC's Louise Thompson remained defiant as she posted a snap on Friday, just hours after her ex slammed her for moving on so quickly with her personal trainer Looking chic in a grey and white striped bardot top, the Geography graduate appeared happier than ever as her hunky new man cradled her in his beefy arms. Alongside the summer snap, Louise simply wrote: 'park life'. Later in the day, the Made In Chelsea beauty stripped off and posed in a sheer lilac bra for another snap. She wrote: 'Nothing but good angles and good underwear.' Louise's ex-boyfriend Alik Alfus broke his silence about her moving on so quickly with her personal trainer, confessing it was a 'big shock' and has made him see her in a whole new light. The American leather designer - who dated the petite brunette for two years after meeting when she was filming the Made In Chelsea New York spin-off in 2014 - has been left heartbroken and believes she may have cheated on him with Ryan. Raising the bra: Later on Friday, the reality star, 26, stripped off and posed in a sheer lilac bra for another snap Speaking out: The reality star's Alik Alfus (pictured in April 2014) broke his silence about the Made In Chelsea beauty moving on so quickly with her personal trainer Ryan William Libbey In an interview with The Sun's Bizarre TV column, Alik revealed he was completely blind-sided by Louise dumping him in May since the pair had only just been on holiday with his family and she had promised to quit MIC to be with him. Louise and Ryan were first pictured together during a workout session in April, but only confirmed their romance last month. Despite taking the break-up hard, Alik has bounced back, describing himself as a 'stronger' person than Louise and declaring that she has a 'lot of issues' and isn't 'real enough'. He told The Sun: 'Louise never told me she had a f***ing boyfriend. Moving on: Louise and Ryan were first pictured together during a workout session in April, but only confirmed their romance last month Harsh: Louise and Alik (pictured in Malibu, California, in July 2015) dated for two years after meeting while the petite brunette was filming the Made In Chelsea New York spin-off 'She was quite possibly with the new guy while she was with me. I was thousands of miles away. 'A lot of her true colours have revealed themselves in the last few months.' Alik blasted the pint-sized brunette after she called him up to invite him to the South of France, only to find out that she had a new man upon his arrival. Overlap? The American star said of his long-distance girlfriend, 'She was quite possibly with the new guy while she was with me. I was thousands of miles away' In scenes set to be aired on spin-off show Made in Chelsea: South of France, the happy-go-lucky star will make a return appearance to confront his ex. Alik's comments come after Louise posted yet another loved-up snap on Tuesday, showing the couple gazing into each other's eyes at Savoy Place on the Thames riverside. Captioned 'little 'n' large, the picture shows the diminutive 26-year-old sporting a chic black and white striped dress with chunky white shoes alongside her more statuesque suited boyfriend. New love: Louise introduced Ryan on Monday night's Made In Chelsea instalment but fans were unimpressed Viewers of the E4 reality show were less than impressed at the latest episode which showed Louise introducing her beau to the gang on holiday in the South of France. 'Louise got over Alik quickly didn't she?' one fan tweeted, referring to her split with leather designer Alik Alfus back in May after a two year relationship. 'OMG, last week Louise was seeing Woody the Cowboy and this week she's seeing action man I can't keep up,' tweeted another. Meeting the gang: Ryan faced scrutiny by fans of the reality show via social media Unimpressed: Made In Chelsea fans wasted no time in voicing their opinions on Louise's new relationship Louise recently revealed she was dating personal trainer Ryan but faced claims by reality co-star Stephanie Pratt that she had begun seeing him months before separating from Alik. Last month, Stephanie retweeted a report asking if she was to blame for Alik and Louise's split, adding: 'Uh no she was s***ging her trainer since March...' In MIC episodes screened last month, Louise left Alik heartbroken when she ended their two-year long-distance romance. Cute couple: Lousie has been busy posting loved up snaps of herself and Ryan Eye candy: The pair have been documenting their time together on Instagram, with Louise sharing one snap of the musclebound hunk as she quipped: 'Woof [tongue emoji] the view' The pair originally met in spring 2014 when they filmed the spin-off series in New York City, with Alik following Louise to London. However, he had to return to the US last autumn due to his family business, which put a strain on their relationship. Despite Alik flying to London in a last-ditch attempt to win Louise back, she said it was too late. Long-distance lovers: Louise and leather designer Alik split in May after two years together Kendall Jenner has reportedly hired extra security guards to patrol her new Hollywood home. The 20-year-old has stepped up her security according to TMZ, after a man was arrested outside her new house on Sunday night and charged with trespassing and stalking. Kendall has drafted in extra guards to patrol the grounds and sit outside her house. Not taking any chances: Kendall Jenner has reportedly hired extra security guards to patrol her new Hollywood home The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star already had a state of the art security system and bodyguards but was keen to step up her protection, with her mother Kris Jenner worried for her safety. It was revealed on Thursday that a man arrested outside the star's new West Hollywood home on Sunday night pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor trespassing and stalking charges. But this isn't the first time the 20-year-old supermodel has been tracked down and approached by Shavaughn McKenzie, according to TMZ. The reality star filed a restraining order against the man who has been chasing her for a 'long time' and on numerous occasions. New home: The 20-year-old has stepped up her security after a man was arrested outside her new $6.5 million Hollywood Hills house on Sunday night The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star has reportedly had several run-ins with the 25-year-old man. Before Kendall moved into her $6.5 million Hollywood Hills mansion in June, he had showed up at her Los Angeles condo several times before. During one incident, the man even ran into traffic while chasing after her vehicle as she drove away from her previous home. On Sunday, the beauty had just pulled into her new abode and saw him waiting by her gate in the driveway. Terrified: Kendall filed a restraining order against an alleged stalker who has been chasing her for a 'long time,' according to TMZ As she pulled through her private gate, the man followed behind and began banging on her car windows, the site stated. According to the police report, he was yelling, 'Can I talk to you?' She became terrified and started screaming as she immediately called 911. McKenzie allegedly tried convincing Kendall as he shouted, 'Hey look, I don't have a gun,' while throwing his hands in the air to reassure the panicked model. Alarming: The 20-year-old supermodel was ferociously approached by Shavaughn McKenzie outside her new West Hollywood home on Sunday night City Attorney's spokesman Frank Mateljan said Shavaughn McKenzie entered the not guilty plea Tuesday, and he faces up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted of either charge. Mateljan says McKenzie's bail was set at $120,000. He remains in custody and jail records do not show whether he has an attorney. Records show McKenzie pleaded no contest to a pair of trespassing cases in May. He is due back in court on August 30. She is known for her ethereal beauty and gazelle-like legs. And transgender model Andreja Pejic, 24, put her famous physique on display when she emerged in sunny New York wearing a particularly revealing pair of denim shorts. The Australian beauty strutted down the boulevard, showcasing her endless legs beneath a pair of ripped high-waisted cut-offs. Scroll down for video Leggy lady! Transgender model Andreja Pejic, 24, put her famous physique on display when she emerged in sunny New York wearing a particularly revealing pair of denim shorts She completed her look with a frilly off-the-shoulder in white and a pair of casual white Converse sneakers. Sweeping her hair into a chic bun at the top of her head, Andreja accessorised her ensemble with a pair of trendy round-framed sunglasses, a single ring worn on her right hand and a large tote bag. Decidedly absent from her ring finger was the diamond sparkler she flaunted just a few days ago. Daring ensemble: The Australian beauty strutted down the boulevard, showcasing her endless legs beneath her high-waisted cut-offs, which which featured two large holes where pockets should have been Everything's all white! She completed her look with a frilly off-the-shoulder in white and a pair of casual white Converse sneakers Casual: Sweeping her hair into a chic bun at the top of her head, Andreja accessorised her ensemble with a pair of trendy round-framed sunglasses, a single ring worn on her right hand and a large tote bag Where's that bling? Decidedly absent from her ring finger was the diamond sparkler she flaunted just a few days ago At one stage she was seen carrying a trio of paper bags emblazoned with the logo of grocery store Trader Joe's. It appeared to be a day of shopping for Andreja, who was also seen holding a large plastic bag filled with toilet paper rolls. Andreja has enjoyed a successful career in fashion - appearing in shows for Marc Jacobs, Michalsky and Rosa Clara, among others. Stocking up? At one stage she was seen carrying a trio of paper bags emblazoned with the logo of grocery store Trader Joe's Heavy load! It appeared to be a day of shopping for Andreja, who was also seen holding a large plastic bag filled with toilet paper rolls Famous face: Andreja has enjoyed a successful career in fashion - appearing in shows for Marc Jacobs, Michalsky and Rosa Clara, among others The sultry supermodel was ranked number 98 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World in 2011, three years before she underwent sex reassignment surgery, and she has not looked back since. Her career has seen her break down gender barriers, and in May last year she became the first transgender model to be profiled by Vogue. In an interview with ES Magazine, the Australian model spoke candidly about her transition and why she will never be ashamed of her past again. New beginnings: The sultry supermodel was ranked number 98 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World in 2011, three years before she underwent sex reassignment surgery Pioneer: Her career has seen her break down gender barriers, and in May last year she became the first transgender model to be profiled by Vogue Tell-all: In an interview with ES Magazine, the Australian model spoke candidly about her transition and why she will never be ashamed of her past again Childhood: 'When I was little, the idea of waking up as a girl was like a fairytale,' she said 'When I was little, the idea of waking up as a girl was like a fairytale,' she said. 'I had this idea that I'd meet a witch who would transform me. From the moment I found out that it was actually possible, I went to bed each night feeling that when it happens, it will be the best day of my life. And it was!' Andreja explained that when she emerged from surgery, she 'felt complete'. New start: 'I had this idea that I'd meet a witch who would transform me. From the moment I found out that it was actually possible, I went to bed each night feeling that when it happens, it will be the best day of my life. And it was!' Becoming herself: Andreja said that when she woke up from surgery, she 'felt complete' Busy: 'I'd planned on a p**** shower, but actually the time afterwards wasn't easy as I had to work out what to do with my career,' she said Growing up: As a child, Andreja fled war-torn Bosnia with her family to Serbia where they settled in a refugee camp near Belgrade, the country's capital 'I'd planned on a p**** shower, but actually the time afterwards wasn't easy as I had to work out what to do with my career,' she said. As a child, Andreja fled war-torn Bosnia with her family to Serbia where they settled in a refugee camp near Belgrade, the country's capital. When she was eight years old, she immigrated to Melbourne with her mother as a political refugee. She certainly knows how to hold her own when it comes to pulling stunning looks out of the bag. And Joanna Krupa displayed her style credentials to perfection as she headed out for an evening at The Nice Guy in West Hollywood on Thursday. The reality star, 37, looked summer fresh in a mint green off-the-shoulder dress as she partied the night away at the celebrity hotspot for her friend Diana Madison's birthday bash. Scroll down for video Looking mint: Joanna Krupa displayed her style credentials to perfection as she headed out for an evening at The Nice Guy in West Hollywood on Thursday Looking bronzed and relaxed as she arrived at the famous eatery in her vibrant dress, Joanna made the most of showing off her toned and tanned legs. The model injected a futuristic touch to her ensemble with metallic silver court shoes and a gold clutch. Strolling inside the venue, the former Dancing With The Stars contestant looked trim in the billowing dress which concealed her petite frame. Keeping her accessories simple, Joanna wore a few simple bracelets, drawing attention to her huge diamond engagement and wedding ring. Dressed to impress: The reality star, 37, looked summer fresh in a mint green off-the-shoulder dress as she partied the night away at her friend Diana Madison's birthday bash The Real Housewives Of Miami star showed off her natural beauty and kept her make-up light with a hint of nude lipgloss and lashings of mascara. Completing up her look, the Top Model presenter wore her hair in a loose off-centre side parting. Last month, the star posed nude for issue 11 of Steve Shaw's treats! magazine. The Polish beauty looked stunning in her black-and-white portfolio where she wore only a few pieces of clothing here and there. Chic: Looking bronzed and relaxed as she arrived at the famous eatery in her vibrant dress, Joanna made the most of showing off her toned and tanned legs As for why the reality star wanted to take so much off, she said: 'I decided to do treats! because the magazine is pure art. 'We were all born naked and as long as its shot in an artistic way, I dont see anything wrong with it.' In an accompanying interview, the Poland's Next Top Model host talked about her life as a model. 'Ten years ago it was a lot harder to book big jobs; now with social media it seems there are new models making it every day,' she said. Natural beauty: The Real Housewives Of Miami star showed off her natural beauty and kept her make-up light with a hint of nude lipgloss and lashings of mascara 'If someone has a big social media following, automatically they become an overnight sensation.' She added some of her favorite models have been those from another era. 'I loved the supermodels of the 90s: Stephanie Seymour, Cindy Crawford, etc. Back then those were the true supermodels,' she said. Joanna tied the knot with nightclub owner and businessman Romain Zago in June 2013 in Aviara, Carlsbad, California. Halloween came early this year for Australian model Natalie Roser, who took to Instagram with a particularly racy selfie this week. The 25-year-old bikini model gave her Instagram followers a treat on Friday by sharing a photo of herself dolled up in Minnie Mouse-themed lingerie, complete with the Disney character's trademark ears and hair bow. Beaming into the camera as she struck a confident pose, Natalie wrote in the caption: 'How's your Friday?' Scroll down for video 'How's your Friday?' Natalie Roser gave her Instagram followers a treat on Friday by sharing a photo of herself dolled up in Minnie Mouse-themed lingerie The former Miss Universe contestant also made sure to add the hashtags: 'Minnie Mouse', 'Halloween', and 'Dress Up'. On Thursday, Natalie shared another sultry Instagram snap, posing in a skimpy string bikini and Daisy Duke shorts. 'Counting down the days until I'm back in the states! #LA, I'm coming for a visit soon!' she wrote in the caption. Social media sensation: Natalie shared another sultry Instagram snap on Thursday, posing in a skimpy string bikini and Daisy Duke shorts 'Getting healthy has changed my career': Natalie previously told The Daily Telegraph that she used to be stick thin before she began increasing her food intake and working out in the gym It comes after Natalie revealed to The Daily Telegraph that he used to be stick thin before she began increasing her food intake and working out in the gym. 'Getting toned and getting healthy has completely changed my career,' she said. 'I'm modelling pretty much every day, which never happened before I started training and healthy eating and taking care of myself.' Famous face: Natalie has been modelling since the age of 13 and once worked as a body double for Jennifer Hawkins in a Mount Franklin commercial Natalie has been modelling since the age of 13 and once worked as a body double for Jennifer Hawkins in a Mount Franklin commercial. At age 13, she entered the Girlfriend Magazine model search, placing as a finalist in New South Wales. She is engaged to Sydney-based personal trainer to the stars Dan Adair. Natural beauty: At age 13, she also entered the Girlfriend Magazine model search, placing as a finalist in New South Wales She gained fame after she became the love of Chris Brown's life- before she dumped him last year after he fathered a child with her gal pal. But Karrueche Tran showed she is a star in her own right, when she stepped out during a night on the town in West Hollywood with her BFF. The 28-year-old stunner headed to The Abbey- a lively gay bar in LA, looking sizzling hot. Scroll down for video Turning heads: Karrueche Tran showed she is a star in her own right, when she stepped out during a night on the town in West Hollywood with her BFF Putting on a leggy display in a suede khaki mini-skirt with popper buttons, the raven-haired natural beauty showed off her toned pins. And matching the skirt with an olive green crop top, she showed off her tiny washboard waist. Leaving her long dark hair in its trademark blow-dried style, the American model- who is of Vietnamese and Jamaican origin, showed off her stunning bone structure with minimal make-up. Girls' night out: The 28-year-old stunner headed to The Abbey- a lively gay bar in LA, looking sizzling hot Adding a touch of lipgloss and highlighter, she turned heads as she arrived at the venue. Karrueche, who currently co-stars as Vivian Johnson in web series The Bay The Series, split from Chris Brown last year. Prior to their relationship, the starlet was already working in the industry, both as a personal and stylist's assistant. In a recent interview with Kode magazine, the actress discussed those who believe her current celebrity status derived from Chris. 'I have nothing to say to anyone who has anything negative to say,' she responded. Hot stuff! Putting on a leggy display in a suede khaki mini-skirt with popper buttons, the raven-haired natural beauty showed off her toned pins Slender: Matching the skirt with an olive green crop top, she showed off her tiny washboard waist The Kaepop cosmetics owner, who has over five million followers on Instagram, has long been the victim of vicious trolls on social media. The star, who has visited Nigerian orphanages for charity, also described her 'love/hate relationship' with sites such as Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. 'I have a love/ hate relationship with social media,' she said. 'I love it because it's built a platform for many people and many businesses. It's a new day and age in society,' she began, before describing its downfalls. 'There is a dark side which is negative and hateful. I think it's awesome to have social media as a platform to progress and build. Of course using it in the most positive and genuine way,' she concluded. She and her Geordie Shore co-stars are famed for their wild, party lifestyles. And Charlotte Crosby most definitely kept her reputation in tact on Thursday, not holding back as she judged a raucous Porn Idol competition at London's G-A-Y nightclub. The reality star, 26, took to the stage of the Soho haunt to critique several naked members of the crowd - grinding, twerking and of course, knocking back a few drinks as she did so. Scroll down for video In her element! Charlotte Crosby, 26, maintained her party-girl reputation on Thursday as she showcased her wild side while judging a Porn Idol competition at London's G-A-Y The Sunderland-born star was enlisted as a celebrity judge for the competition, which sees a selection of men and women performing raunchy strip routines for a 100 prize. And party girl Charlotte looked like she was having the time of her life at the event, joining one of the contestants onstage for his routine. She was seen grinding up against the pole onstage as her naked male counterpart twerked beside her, singing into the microphone to the crowd's delight. Dressed in a super-short red striped playsuit, Charlotte flashed her golden tan and pins for all to see as she shook her derriere for the audience. Twerkin it: Dressed in a super-short red striped playsuit, the Geordie Shore star flashed her golden tan and pins for all to see as she shook her derriere for the audience Steady now: The reality star looked a little taken aback as one contestant playfully grabbed her from behind on the stage Woman for the job: Charlotte was enlisted as a celebrity judge for the competition, which sees a selection of men and women performing raunchy strip routines for a 100 prize The stripping contestant even grabbed hold of the dancing reality star at one point, playfully holding her steady. After her energetic performance, Charlotte settled down so she could concentrate on the task at hand. She cheekily inspected the contestants' features, sitting down onstage to align herself with their assets to allow for more accurate judging. Continually giggling and teasing with the crowds, she constructively advised contestants on their various features. Not a fan: At one point she hilariously grimaced up at one contestant, before advising another that he should tidy up his area Party-girl Charlotte seemed to be a hit with the clubbers and contestants too, as she perched onstage to enjoy a game of rock, paper, scissors with a completely bare Italian blonde, amidst the madness. Once she had offered her expertise, the star finished her appearance with an outrageously raucous finale. First twerking to Nicki Minaj's Anaconda to the delight of the adoring attendees, she proceeded to fling herself off the stage into the welcoming arms of the crowd. Narrowly avoiding flashing an eyeful as she crowd-surfed in her tiny playsuit, throwing her flopping limbs in the air and laughing as her fans carried her around the venue. Big finish: First twerking to Nicki Minaj's Anaconda to the delight of the adoring attendees, she proceeded to fling herself off the stage into the welcoming arms of the crowd Whoops! Charlotte narrowly avoided flashing an eyeful to the crowd as she tried to control her flopping limbs However the evening of activity evidently caught up with Charlotte, who looked a little worse for wear as she headed home. The blonde was seen being held up by a male pal as she left the establishment at 3:45am, with a hydrating bottle of water in hand. Charlotte was escorted to her car and taken back to her London hotel for a much-needed rest. Her hilarious antics at London's G-A-Y showcase Charlotte in her party-girl element, which shot her into the spotlight on MTV's Geordie Shore back in 2011. All good things must come to an end... The evening of activity evidently caught up with Charlotte, looking a little worse for wear as she headed home at 3:45am Although she quit the reality show earlier this year, Charlotte has been embarking on other TV projects since, including new E4 show Celebs Go Dating. The new series, set for an autumn debut, sees celebrities going on dates with 'normal' members of the public on camera. The show seems to be going well for Charlotte however, with her filming an enjoyable a date with a handsome stranger in Newcastle earlier this week. The good-looking pair seemed to hit it off, as they chatted animatedly over a romantic chicken dinner before heading for further drinks afterwards. Surefire signs: The blonde was seen being held up by a male pal as she left the establishment with a hydrating bottle of water in hand The northern lass may be hoping to bag a new beau on the show, after her turbulent relationship with Geordie Shore co-star Gary 'Gaz' Beadle came to an abrupt end in June. The pair separated after enduring a rocky five years together and a traumatic ectopic pregnancy in March. However it seems Gaz, like Charlotte, is attempting to move on too, currently appearing in the new series of MTV's Ex On The Beach. Not appearing to hold back, the Geordie lothario was seen on the show enjoying a saucy dalliance with fellow contestant Jemma Lucy on the first night. She's been enjoying a picture-perfect holiday in Bali this month, posting several racy photos to Instagram. And on Friday, Lana Jeavons-Fellows showed off her flawless bikini body in yet another sunny social media snap. The Bachelor star flaunted her slim waist and pert derriere in high cut swimwear, while posing in a luxury swimming pool. Scroll down for video She's flawless! Former Bachelor star Lana Jeavons-Fellows has been enjoying a holiday in Bali this month, posting several bikini-clad photos to Instagram The 28-year-old wore a black and white triangle bikini with skimpy bottoms by Australian brand Baku Swimwear. The reality TV star smiled for the camera as she displayed her petite frame at the Padma Resort Ubud. The make-up free beauty also shielded her eyes from the sun with a stylish wide-brimmed hat. Cheeky! The 28-year-old previously displayed her perfect curves in a zebra-print swimsuit The previous day, Lana shared another idyllic Instagram snap, while relaxing at the infinity pool at the same resort. The Sydney socialite offered a glimpse of her pert buttocks in a stylish zebra print swimsuit as she cast a sultry gaze at the camera. 'Afternoons at the infinity pool,' she wrote in the caption. A scent so sweet! The Sydney socialite has kept her Instagram fans updated on her Bali trip Days before, she posed nude in a bath of rose petals. Such a beautiful spa experience,' she wrote, adding: A girl could get used to all these rose petal baths. Another photo saw Lana strip down to a skimpy black bikini while reclining on a sun lounger. Sizzling: Another photo saw Lana strip down to a black bikini while reclining on a sun lounger Accompanying Lana on the trip is her boyfriend Jake Meah, 35, who she has been dating for the past eight months. According to news.com.au, the pair have already talked about marriage and children. 'There are lots of things we want to do together, but [we] both want to have children one day. 'I sent him a picture of someone's wedding photo, but ours would be much less conventional. I'm not a big-white puffy-dress girl.' Bali bliss: Also accompanying Lana on the trip is boyfriend Jake Meah, 35, who she's been dating for the past eight months She is something of a gym bunny, regularly posting snaps and videos of herself doing various workouts via Instagram. And Gemma Atkinson was showing off the results on Thursday, looking radiant in figure-hugging leggings. The Emmerdale star looked gym ready as she headed home from Key 103 studios in Manchester after presenting the Breakfast show with Mike Toolan. Scroll down for video Workout girl! Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson, 31, looked happy and relaxed as she showed off her ripped legs in skintight leggings in Manchester on Thursday She dressed her curves in a tight fitting navy blue rugby style shirt as she headed back to her car after the show. The stunning blonde wore her hair pulled back into a high ponytail as she strolled along the Manchester cobbles. And any strain she might be feeling from her recent split with rugby star Olly Foster didn't show, with the 31-year-old smiling broadly. Soap hottie: The Emmerdale actress, who plays Carly in the ITV soap, previously said that those who are threatened by her appearance are just jealous Casual: The stunning blonde wore her hair pulled back into a high ponytail as she strutted her stuff on the Manchester cobbles on Thursday Meanwhile, Gemma, who describes herself as a 'health and fitness fanatic', has recently called out body shamers who accused her of looking 'masculine'. Speaking on This Morning earlier this month, the Emmerdale actress revealed that she had been told - predominantly by men - that she should have 'curves not muscles' in order to be a real woman. The sculpted 5ft 9in star, who weighs 11 stone, transformed into a fitness fanatic after emerging as a glamour model and Hollyoaks pin-up in the Noughties and now says she has the confidence to 'ignore' her critics. She said: 'People say to me "Real women have curves." Well I don't I am straight up and down. It's mostly men actually, they say women shouldn't have muscles. Cool chic: Gemma braved the rain to step out without a coat 'But that's like me saying to a man that unless they look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, they're not a man, which isn't right. I just ignore all the trolls.' The exercise fan regularly shares fitness tips and inspirational images of her honed physique on her Instagram page. The Emmerdale actress, who plays Carly in the ITV soap, previously said that those who are threatened by her appearance are just jealous. She broke up with The Bachelor 'love rat' Blake Garvey back in April. But four months on, Louise Pillidge seemed to be enjoying the single life as she posted a pre-night out Instagram selfie on Friday. The 28-year-old lifestyle blogger looked ready to hit the town in skinny black jeans and a high-neck black singlet. Scroll down for video Confident: Four months after her split from Blake Garvey, The Bachelor's Louise Pillidge seemed to be enjoying the single life as she posted a pre-night out Instagram selfie on Friday Louise showed off her slim waist in a thin black and gold belt while taking a selfie in her bathroom mirror. She proudly displayed her light brown hair as she smiled for the camera ahead of her busy night out. Many of her Instagram fans posted comments praising the reality TV star's sultry new look. A better life: Since her break-up with Blake earlier this year, Louise has changed her hair from blonde to brunette and moved to the Gold Coast Happiness: She is spending more time with her family and has just started a new job as a property marketer at a boutique real estate company Since her break-up with Blake earlier this year, Louise has changed her hair from blonde to brunette and moved to the Gold Coast. She is spending more time with her family and has just started a new job as a property marketer at a boutique real estate company. Meanwhile, ex-boyfriend Blake Garvey - who caused controversy when he dumped series winner Sam Frost for Louise - has dropped off the map. The Perth auctioneer has completely shut down his social media accounts and has not given interviews since the split. 'Australia's most hated man': Blake began dating Louise (C) after dumping series winner Sam Frost (R) weeks after they got engaged in the TV finale. Pictured on The Bachelor in 2014 She recently posed entirely naked for GQ Italia. And Irina Shayk was clearly still in the mood for showing a bit of skin, posting a racy snap on Instagram on Friday. Showing off her toned and tanned midriff, the 30-year-old Russian model posed provocatively for the mirror selfie. Hot stuff! Irina Shayk was clearly still in the mood for showing a bit of skin, posting a racy snap on Instagram on Friday Wearing a low-cut black crop top, Irina stretched out on her back, giving fans a bird's eye view of her long taut tummy. And wearing her denim hot pants slightly open, the girlfriend of Bradley Cooper was sure to set pulses racing. Showing off her model looks, the brunette beauty appeared to go make-up free, flaunting her striking green eyes and trademark bee-stung lips. Irina recently stripped down to pose completely naked for a new photoshoot for GQ Italia which debuted just a few days after it was revealed she went blonde to cover Vogue Russia. Fun in the sun: Irina recently stripped down to pose completely naked for a new photoshoot for GQ Italia The model, who covers the magazine's September issue, flaunted her assets in a black and white spread that was shot by Mario Sorrenti. Inside the magazine the brunette beauty posed in various stages of undress, with her chest and back partially exposed. In one image, Irina went completely naked and sprawled across a couch, leaving her derriere exposed as she lay on her stomach. To coincide with the shoot, Irina was interviewed by Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci, and she had nothing but nice things to say about speaking with him and being photographed by Mario. 'It's such a honor to be on the September Vogue cover of my home country' the supermodel said in a statement 'Mario makes women look so confident, sexy and beautiful. It was such a fun day, and being interviewed by Ricky was so much fun as we are like family,' she said. 'It's such a honor to be on the September Vogue cover of my home country,' the supermodel said in a statement. 'I shot with Mert and Marcus in LA, so it was truly a dream team and once-in-a-lifetime experience. This year alone, Irina has covered Vogue Turkey, Vogue Japan, and Vogue Germany, and in the past has taken the front of the brand's Mexico, Spain, and Brazil publications. Carroll's Kitchen in downtown Raleigh will work with other groups to provide job experience, housing, and other life skills Raleigh will add yet another hip cafe to its booming downtown this September on the corner of Martin and Wilmington streets. But unlike most foodie hot-spots in the middle of the capital's downtown, this is one that - no matter how popular it becomes - never will turn a profit.And that's exactly the point, say founders Jim Freeze and Vicky Ismail, two philanthropic entrepreneurs who aim to help homeless, struggling women get back on their feet through work and professional training.Carroll's Kitchen, a grab-and-go deli that will offer artisan soups, sandwiches, breads, and pastries to busy downtowners, is a nonprofit providing jobs and housing to single women who are living in shelters, recovering after spending time in prison, or looking for a way up from similar hardships, Ismail said.Ismail, a long-time restaurateur and the current owner of Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina, said the idea sprouted two years ago when she read a magazine article about King's Kitchen , a Charlotte nonprofit with a comparable business model.Ismail said.Ismail said her experiences volunteering at Vintage Church and working with Raleigh's homeless population helped her realize the existence of a gap in services for single women in need of professional training. When she pitched the idea of a nonprofit startup to Jim Freeze, Vintage Church's former full-time building manager and coordinator of ministries with the Raleigh Rescue Mission, he was thrilled.Freeze said.The two teamed up to launch their nonprofit, founding it in a building named after the now-deceased Raleigh businessman and philanthropist Ernest Carroll. When it became clear that CK's would need a full-time, executive director to get business off the ground, Freeze quit his job to take on the new role. That was one year ago.Today, as Freeze, Ismail and a handful of other team members work to finish painting and refurbishing their new rental space on 19 East Martin Street, they're now more convinced than ever that this restaurant has the potential to offer better solutions to serve Raleigh's homeless, Freeze said.Community support has been overwhelming, with local restaurants holding fundraisers, and other professionals offering their time and services to help get the restaurant off the ground, Freeze continued.Freeze said.CK's will cater specifically to single women who are looking for a way out of homeless shelters, Freeze added, citing that group as one of the fastest growing and most underserved in Raleigh.In addition to guaranteeing employment, the nonprofit will provide housing for its employees in partnership with Families Together, a charitable housing organization also based in Raleigh, Freeze said.Other nonprofits that will assist CK with staffing and training needs include Step-Up Ministries, the Wake County Salvation Army, and the Raleigh Rescue Mission.This combination of employment and shelter is what makes CK a unique and necessary experiment, said Sandy Stewart, director of women's ministries at the Raleigh Rescue Mission. Stewart, who so far has helped to place one woman in employment with CK, said she hopes the restaurant's model of charitable entrepreneurship will continue to catch on across the city.Stewart said.Much of that encouragement will come from Nina Sigarto and Liz Reedy, CK's general manager and chef, respectively, who will help the restaurant's employees to become skilled, independent workers.Reedy, who loves bringing joy to others through her cooking, says that her goal is to craft delicious, locally sourced foods that keep customers coming back - while also helping employees gain chops in the kitchen.Reedy said.The goal is not just to provide jobs, but to help these ladies move on with their lives and find new purpose, Sigarto added.Sigarto said.CK's commitment to empower women over the long term could inspire a taste for more projects with similar goals, Stewart said.she concluded. Click here to help CK by donating to its Kickstarter campaign. They've relocated to Los Angeles for the summer. And Victoria Beckham certainly dressed for the heat as she enjoyed a family dinner with her husband David and son Brooklyn, 17, on Wednesday. The former Spice Girl sizzled in a lace-trimmed satin top for the Santa Monica meal, showing plenty of skin. Sizzling: Victoria Beckham certainly dressed for the heat as she enjoyed a family dinner with her husband David and son Brooklyn, 17, on Wednesday in Santa Monica Victoria, David and Brooklyn headed to Giorgio Baldi Italian restaurant in Santa Monica. The famous family left through the restaurant's back exit, but Victoria, 42, was hard to miss in her racy choice of outfit. The mother of four risked a wardrobe malfunction under her top, tapping into the underwear as outerwear trend with the low-cut number. Just the three of us: Victoria, David and Brooklyn headed to Giorgio Baldi Italian restaurant in Santa Monica Underwear as outerwear: The former Spice Girl sizzled in a lace-trimmed satin top for the Santa Monica meal, showing plenty of skin She finished her ensemble off with a smart pair of black trousers and a chic bag, while she clutched her jacket for the short stroll to the car. David meanwhile opted for a light blue shirt as he followed Victoria out, while the couple's eldest son Brooklyn kept things simple in a white t-shirt. There was no sign of 13-year-old son Romeo, 11-year-old son Cruz or five-year-old daughter Harper at the dinner, but the whole family has decamped to LA for their annual summer break. Speedy exit: The famous family left through the restaurant's back exit, but Victoria, 42, was hard to miss in her racy choice of outfit Casual: Brooklyn opted for a white t-shirt and jeans with his pink underwear on show The trip means Brooklyn has more chance to see his US actress girlfriend Chloe Moretz, while Victoria has been making the most of the sunshine, sharing snaps on her Instagram. The Beckhams spend most of the holidays in Los Angeles - where they previously lived for five years while David was playing for LA Galaxy - but live in London during term-time, where the children are enrolled at school. The move also means the couple have also plenty of time to relax with their best friends Gordon Ramsay and wife Tana, with whom they are frequently spotted out-and-about in sunny L.A. This is the life: There was no sign of 13-year-old son Romeo, 11-year-old son Cruz or five-year-old daughter Harper at the dinner, but the whole family has decamped to LA for their annual summer break Last week, he declared the winner of The Bachelor 'has to be' Nikki Gogan. And Sasha Mielczarek has now claimed TV producers are 'doing a terrible job' at hiding the final outcome of the dating show. In an blog for RendezView, he wrote that Richie Strahan's decision to kiss Nikki at the cocktail party on Thursday effectively confirmed the result. Scroll down for video Spoiler? Sasha Mielczarek (L) revealed in a blog post that The Bachelor producers are doing a 'terrible job' hiding the identity of the show's winner, who he believes is Nikki Gogan (R) The 31-year-old described Richie 'swooping in like a magpie' so he could share a private moment with Nikki. 'Richie and Nikki have a chat and he gives her a kiss - just reconfirming my prediction that Nikki takes this out,' he added. 'Theyre once again doing a terrible job to disguise the true victor.' Expert knowledge: Sasha, who won the heart of Sam Frost (L)on The Bachelorette last year, has been giving his 'insider' perspective on The Bachelor in a weekly blog for RendezView Sealed with a kiss? After Richie Strahan kissed Nikki during the cocktail party on Thursday's episode, Sasha claimed TV producers had 'reconfirmed his prediction' she wins the show On Thursday's episode, Richie told Nikki, 28, he 'can see a future' with her before they shared a passionate kiss. Sasha, the winner of The Bachelorette last year, even placed a hilarious bet on his prediction. 'I'll eat my own head if Nicki (sic) doesn't take this out,' he wrote on Twitter. 'I'll eat my own head': The 31-year-old has spoken about Nikki's possible victory on Twitter The look of love? Nikki Gogan is a bookie's favourite to win the TV dating show In last week's blog, Sasha claimed Nikki's success in the parenting challenge and subsequent kiss with Richie meant she was the likely winner. 'Its Nikki. Has to be. Congratulations, Nikki!' he wrote. The Bachelor airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on Network Ten It attracted nine million viewers last year, with star Aidan Turner's shirtless scenes winning him legions of female fans. And the hunky actor was getting back under the skin of Captain Ross Poldark on Thursday, as the cast attended a read-through for the third series of the BBC period drama. But there was one key aspect of Poldark's look which was missing, as Aidan turned up to the rehearsal sporting a trendy man-bun in place of his long flowing locks. Casual 'do: Aidan Turner sported a trendy man bun in place of Polark's flowing, curly locks as he headed to his first rehearsal for the new series of Poldark on Thursday Although the 33-year-old actor wasn't in his trademark period dress, he was still living up to his heart throb status in a tight grey T-shirt and black jeans. Aidan was joined by co-stars Eleanor Tomlinson and Heida Reed, with Eleanor looking stunning in a crimson sleeveless dress and nude heels, her red hair worn loose around her shoulders. Heida, who plays Ross's ex-fiancee Elizabeth, looked more casual in a pair of black dungarees, black T-shirt and glasses. Stars of the show: Eleanor Tomlinson sported a stunning crimson dress while co-star Heida Reed looked more casual in a pair of black dungarees over a black T-shirt Strike a pose: Heida, Aidan and Eleanor were all clearly excited to get back to the show Heart breaker: Aidan still managed to look good as he chatted on the phone after rehearsals, with his locks tied up and sporting a casual t-shirt and black jeans The trio posed together outside the studios in a snapshot which Heida retweeted alongside the caption: 'S3 read-through! Smiles all round as we delve into Debbie's wonderful scripts!' Although the stars are already preparing the show's third season, viewers have yet to see what's in store for the second series which begins next month. The successful series, directed by Edward Bazalgette and Will McGregor, follows soldier Ross Poldark, who returns home from the American War of Independence to find his father dead and estate ruined. What's worse, his former lover Elizabeth assumed he was dead and ended up marrying his cousin Francis. TV star: Eleanor has won fans as former servant girl Demelza on the show Soaking up the sun: Heidi perched on a wall enjoying a break from the read through On the phone: The actor looked a little different from his heart-throb alter ego in modern-day dress Snap happy: The stars posed on the steps to mark the occasion Romantic leads: Aidan and Eleanor were busy getting back into their popular roles He then sets out to regain his village and control of the mines lost during his time in battle, with the help of his servant Demelza (Eleanor) who he ends up marrying. But his character has faced a struggle between his love for his wife and his lust for ex-fiance Elizabeth. A recent trailer released for the show, hints at more drama between the trio, but fans will have to wait until September 4th to find out what exactly happens. Assembly: The cast happily mingled and chatted outside the rehearsal rooms He's the Hollywood icon and Academy Award winner often seen on the red carpet. So was a surprise to see Sir Anthony Hopkins posing for photos with staff at the Rydges Hotel, in the small coastal town of Port Macquarie, NSW, on Tuesday. The 78-year-old Welsh actor was enjoying an overnight stay while filming scenes for Thor: Ragnarok alongside Cate Blanchett and Chris Hemsworth. Scroll down for video Fancy seeing you here! Hollywood legend Sir Anthony Hopkins, 78, was seen posing for photos with staff at the Rydges hotel in Port Macquarie on Tuesday In the images, Anthony dressed casually in a pair of dark trousers, a light blue polo shirt and a grey blazer. The Academy Award-winner was happy to oblige when staff at the hotel requested to take a photo with him. The Port Macquarie News reported Anthony travelled to Australia with his wife Stella Arroyave and dined at the hotel's restaurant, Zebu. Overnight stay: The Welsh born actor cut a relaxed figure in a pair of dark trousers, a light blue polo shirt and a grey blazer Travel companion: The Port Macquarie News reported Anthony travelled to Australia with his wife Stella Arroyave and dined at the hotel's restaurant, Zebu Kate Wood-Foye, Rydges area director of sales and marketing, told the publication Anthony was the perfect guest. 'He was a true gentleman and lots of fun, stopping to have photos with so many of our team and lucky guests.' Anthony will be reprising the role of Odin in Thor 3: Ragnarok. Blockbuster: Anthony will be reprising the role of Odin in Thor 3: Ragnarok. Pictured with actor Chris Hemsworth (L) in 2013's Thor: The Dark World Highly anticipated: The film is slated for release in November 2017 and is believed to draw some of its inspiration from the Planet Hulk comic book story line The film is slated for release in November 2017 and is believed to draw some of its inspiration from the Planet Hulk comic book story line. Heading the cast of the Marvel sequel is Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Cate Blanchett will play new villain Hela and Jeff Goldblum stars as Grandmaster, while Tessa Thompson is to play Valkyrie. Tom Hiddleston will also reprise his role as Thor's evil adopted brother, Loki. They are usually seen in period costume. So fans of BBC1's Poldark could be forgiven for failing to recognise Eleanor Tomlinson and Heida Reed in London on Friday. The two women, who play Demelza Poldark and Elizabeth Chenoweth in the hit show, were thoroughly modern as they rehearsed scenes for the forthcoming third series. Scroll down for video Who's that girl? Fans of BBC1's Poldark could be forgiven for failing to recognise Eleanor Tomlinson and Heida Reed in London on Friday A million miles away from their on-screen selves, the two stars certainly cut glamorous figures. Eleanor was particularly fashionable in a retro dress in deep burgundy, which was sleeveless and featured a billowing skirt. Wearing her hair down in a sleek side-parting, she capped the look with a pair of nude shoes and accessorised with a matching bag. Soaking up the sun: Heida perched on a wall enjoying a break from the read through TV star: Eleanor has won fans as former servant girl Demelza on the show Off-duty: A million miles away from their on-screen selves, the two stars certainly cut glamorous figures Adding a pair of frosted designer sunglasses to the mix, she oozed old-school glamour as she arrived at the BBC studios. Meanwhile, Heida also looked cool in a black jumpsuit which was clearly designed to combine comfort with style. Scraping her hair back into a messy bun, she added a pair of well-worn trainers to the mix. Snap happy: The stars posed on the steps to mark the occasion Looking good: Eleanor was particularly fashionable in a retro dress in deep burgundy, which was sleeveless and featured a billowing skirt Naturally, they were also joined by Aiden Turner. The trio posed together outside the studios in a snapshot which Heida retweeted alongside the caption: 'S3 read-through! Smiles all round as we delve into Debbie's wonderful scripts!' Although the stars are already preparing the show's third season, viewers have yet to see what's in store for the second series which begins next month. The successful series, directed by Edward Bazalgette and Will McGregor, follows soldier Ross Poldark, who returns home from the American War of Independence to find his father dead and estate ruined. What's worse, his former lover Elizabeth assumed he was dead and ended up marrying his cousin Francis. Strike a pose: Heida, Aidan and Eleanor were all clearly excited to get back to the show Stars of the show: Eleanor sported a stunning crimson dress while Heida looked more casual in a pair of black dungarees over a black T-shirt Getting close: The three stars cosied up for a sweet snap outside the BBC studios She's rarely seen without her beloved Pomeranian dog Polly in tow. And Kelly Osbourne, 31, held her pet pooch securely by her side as she stepped out of her Tribeca apartment in New York on Friday. The edgy TV personality wore her quirky purple-tinted tresses tied atop her head to reveal her shaven sides. Scroll down for video Edgy: Kelly Osbourne, 31, held her pet pooch Polly securely by her side as she stepped out of her Tribeca apartment in New York on Friday Appearing in a typically smiley mood, Kelly waved at the cameras as she sauntered across the sidewalk. Kelly's colourful ensemble was representative of her personality. She wore knee-length skirt adorned with images of tools and a pair of sapphire stilettos. Well-behaved as ever, Polly looked immaculate and glanced towards the cameras while being carried. Quirky: The TV personality wore her quirky purple-tinted tresses tied atop her head to reveal her shaven sides In fine form: Appearing in a typically smiley mood, Kelly waved at the cameras as she sauntered across the sidewalk She honed her skills as a talent show judge on Australia's Got Talent earlier this year, and Kelly is now one of three judges on the second season of Project Runway: Junior. The daughter of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne is co-judging alongside Cosmopolitan editor Aya Kanai and fashion designer Christian Siriano. Twelve budding teen designers aged between 13 and 17 will compete in the show which will air on Lifetime sometime in the fall. Hard at work: She honed her skills as a talent show judge on Australia's Got Talent earlier this year, and Kelly is now one of three judges on the second season of Project Runway: Junior Eye-catching: Kelly wore knee-length skirt adorned with images of tools and a pair of sapphire stilettos Last year's winner won a full scholarship to the prestigious Institute of Design and Merchandising as well as a home sewing and crafting studio, a feature in Seventeen Magazine and $25,000 cash prize to help launch their line. Kelly recently opened up about her relationship with her dad following allegations he cheated on wife Sharon with hair stylist Michelle Pugh. 'I will never not be good with my dad,' she told The Insider. 'That does not mean that I think what he did wasn't f***ing stupid, but that's between him and I. 'I'm a daddy's girl. I love my dad.' Taylor Lautner morphed into a werewolf in The Twilight Saga so he should be used to change by now. The 24-year-old Scream Queens newcomer showed his ghoulish side as he shot a scene with 20-year-old Abigail Breslin on the set of the Fox series in Pasadena, California on Thursday. Wearing a heap of prosthetics to give his face a 'monstrous' appearance, Taylor caused a few 'screams' when he moved in to give Abigail a passionate kiss. Scroll down for video Caught in a clinch: That was Taylor Lautner under heaps of prosthetics filming a romantic scene with Abigail Breslin on the set of Scream Queens in Pasadena, CA on Thursday Kiss: Abigail's character didn't seem to mind the metamorphosis as she shared a passionate smooch with Taylor who is a newcomer to the Fox series Standing a few steps away was Emma Roberts, 25, wearing a look of dismay or perhaps revulsion. Cameras captured Emma and her co-star Billie Lourd, 24, standing aghast with heels pinned to their spots in what was obviously shock and amazement. Taylor and Abigail were just as shocked to be caught in the romantic clinch when they supposed they were alone. Whoa: Emma Roberts and Billie Lourd seemed shocked by the romantic display as the cameras rolled Dismayed? The actress practiced her look of revulsion while looking pretty in a pink top and black skirt It's a date: Taylor and Abigail held hands and appeared to be on a date for this scene Abigail's character Libby Putney, aka Chanel #5, doesn't seem to have a problem with Taylor's strange metamorphosis. She was dressed to the nines in a white fuzzy jacket and fit-and-flare checkerboard skirt that showed off her shapely legs. Abigail's fancy costume was completed by a flashy pair of platform heels that probably added five inches to her 5 ft 1 in frame. Beauty and the beast: The child star-turned-Scream Queens staple kicked up her heel as the kiss carried on Sparks: There was an explosion of confetti that startled the twosome It's a 'scream': Abigail appeared to let out a wail while Taylor, unrecognizable beneath his pustule-packed facade, seemed a little shaky too Hold me: Abigail clutched Taylor as they were supposedly 'found out' Got some explaining to do: Emma and Billie appeared to stand ready for the explanation from the discovered pair Despite his pustule-packed complexion, Taylor was dressed like any average guy - with no fashion sense - on a date. Taylor was clad in baggy grey trousers and a college prep jacket, brown shirt and black trainers. Emma was pretty and prim in a pink top and slim-fitting black skirt with colourfully hued slip on heels. Conspiracy: Emma and Billie seemed to revel in their discovery while Abigail looked worried Svelte star: The niece of Julia Roberts showed off her slim figure and a wide smile while enjoying a pause in filming Getting along famously: Taylor exchanged a few pleasantries with Emma between scenes Jealous? Abigail practiced a wild-eyed look while Taylor joked with the girls Her co-star Billie, who plays Sadie Swenson, aka Chanel #3, was looking svelte in a greyish-blue knit top and skirt set with matching socks and silver heels. Of course, Emma's character, Chanel Oberlin, has seen a lot for one so young. The first season of Scream Queens was set on the university campus with a serial killer on the loose and terrorizing a sorority. Modelesque: Billie showed off her lithe figure in a clingy knit top and matching skirt And now, the second season of Scream Queens takes place years later in a hospital. The present scene had it all - romance, comedy and spine-tingling thrills. Scream Queens season two, which also stars Lea Michele, Jamie Lee Curtis and newcomer John Stamos, premieres on Fox on September 20. Kiefer Sutherland has a prodigious ledger of drinking stories, including the now iconic 2006 video of his inebriated leap into a Christmas tree. Yet it may still come as a surprise to fans of his new musical career that his latest single, Can't Stay Away, was not the ode to a woman it initially seemed. In an interview People published Friday, the 49-year-old admitted: 'It was about a bar up the street, walking in the wrong direction when I should be walking home'. Not Enough Whiskey: On Friday, Kiefer Sutherland told People magazine that his new single Can't Stay Away was not an ode to a woman but to 'a bar up the street' The Emmy winner gave a nod to the confusion. 'People have asked, "Oh, what girl is that about"? It was never about a girl'. In fairness, he's had quite the eventful romantic history as well, what with two divorces and a broken engagement with Julia Roberts, who left him for his friend Jason Patric three days before the wedding was meant to happen. Moreover, the single's music video, which was released last month, features neither a love interest nor a bar. Grainy and black-and-white, it consists solely of the 24 star singing with his band in a warehouse. Without naming the bar in question, the scion of Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas said: 'There was a period, for better or worse, I spent a lot of time there around 2002 or 2003'. All She Wrote: The song is the second single from the 49-year-old's debut album, which he released in June He would, then, have been frequenting the watering hole early in the run of 24. During each of the years he named, he was nominated for an Emmy for his leading performance as Jack Bauer. He won a Golden Globe for it in 2002. Two years ago, Giles Matthey, his co-star on the programme's limited reboot 24: Live Another Day, shared a bit about the father of one's taste in tipples. 'I have never seen him drink one beer,' the 28-year-old told TMZ, before corroborating rumours of his fellow actor's largesse: the A Few Good Men Actor is known to splash out for the entire bar. 'He's a very, very good guy like that'. After Not Enough Whiskey, Can't Stay Away is the Paddington-born actor's second single from his debut album Down In A Hole, which he released in June. Truth In Your Eyes: The Emmy-winner revealed he was initially against cutting an album because 'I hear about an actor wanting to do music and my eyes roll back too' 'I had no intention of making an album'. he told People. 'I hear about an actor wanting to do music and my eyes roll back too. I'm completely aware of the stigma and that's why I never did it'. He'd previewed the album on tour in April and May, bypassing 'major markets' like New York and Los Angeles in favour of 'places where most people don't stop by', such as Birmingham, Alabama and Wilmington, Delaware. 'The nicest moments I've had have been after you play a show', he said. 'You get back on the bus, go to bed, wake up the next morning and you're in a new town. 'Everybody else is off the bus because they don't sleep as well as you did on the bus. You hop off and step outside with a cup of tea and a cigarette. "Okay, here we are today". It makes you feel like a kid'. She's been busy filming her latest TV project in Wales since returning from her honeymoon. And newlywed Eva Longoria was back on the set of Decline And Fall in Cardiff on Wednesday, joking around on a statue in between takes for the BBC drama as she shot scenes alongside comedian Jack Whitehall. The 42-year-old actress was seen giggling she climbed onto a horse's back, clad in a fluffy dressing gown and a pink headscarf. Scroll down for video Hard at work: Eva Longoria was back on the set of Decline And Fall in Cardiff on Wednesday, joking around on a statue in between takes for the BBC drama The Desperate Housewives favourite posed up a storm in her off-duty ensemble, complete with UGG boots. Out of Hollywood and thrust into Great Britain, Eva was a long way from seductress Gabrielle Solis in character for the comedy TV-miniseries as Margot Beste-Chetwynde. Meanwhile, Jack was seen looking rather dapper in a three piece suit and bowler hat as he filmed scenes in the capital. Leading man: Jack was seen looking rather dapper in a three piece suit and bowler hat as he filmed scenes in the capital Getting into the swing of things: The 42-year-old actress was seen giggling she climbed onto a horse's back, clad in a fluffy dressing gown and a pink headscarf Not so Desperate Housewives: Out of Hollywood and thrust into Great Britain, Eva was a long way from seductress Gabrielle Solis Comfort over style: The Desperate Housewives favourite posed up a storm in her off-duty ensemble, complete with UGG boots In the big budget production of Evelyn Waughs classic novel Decline And Fall, comedian Jack Whitehall will play hapless Paul Pennyfeather, who gets expelled from Oxford and is forced to take a job at an obscure public school in Wales. During his stint there, he is seduced by Margot, played by Longoria, who is the mother of one of his pupils. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jack said: I am extremely pleased to be a part of this amazing adaptation. Role departure: Comedian Jack Whitehall will play hapless Paul Pennyfeather, who gets expelled from Oxford and is forced to take a job at an obscure public school in Wales Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jack said: I am extremely pleased to be a part of this amazing adaptation' Hats' off! Last minute adjustments were made to costumes before cameras started rolling Under the radar: BBC2 chiefs have not yet announced the full cast of the drama which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Waughs death 'Ive been a fan of this book since I read it as a teenager and I just hope I can do it justice. BBC2 chiefs have not yet announced the full cast of the drama which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Waughs death but Eva and Jack will be joined by David Suchet, who plays headmaster Dr Fagan, and The Night Managers Douglas Hodge, as fellow teacher Grimes. Eva has been making the most of her stay in Wales, touring Castle Cardiff during her time off. All-star casyt: Eva and Jack will be joined by David Suchet, who plays headmaster Dr Fagan, and The Night Managers Douglas Hodge, as fellow teacher Grimes Seeing the sights: Eva has been making the most of her stay in Wales, touring Castle Cardiff during her time off Embracing the culture: Her visit has also seen the star trying her hand at speaking Welsh Arm-in-arm: Two actors were seen heading into the building, clad in smart beige costumes The Texan said: 'So we've just been told that sometimes a guy from the castle comes back as a ghost and sits in this dining room,' she says during a Snapchat video filmed during her visit. 'I'm freaking out that the place is haunted and that he (the castle's previous owner) comes back for dinner every night.' Eva's probably referring to the second Marquess of Bute, who began the restoration of Cardiff Castle prior to his death in 1848 and who is said to appear walking through the fireplace in the library. Her visit has also seen the star trying her hand at speaking Welsh. New role: Eva plays Margot Beste-Chetwynde in the TV miniseries Classic cars: Cardiff city centre was shut down for filming, with vintage vehicles spotted on location It has been labelled the most explicit series of Celebrity Big Brother to date. And things showed no signs of changing on Friday night's episode of the Channel 5 series - as Renee Graziano, Katie Waissel and Aubrey O'Day discussed oral sex in front of a flustered Ricky Norwood. The trio's crude conversation began after Renee alluded to the sex act being good for tightening up a woman's jawline. Scroll down for video Lip service: Renee Graziano made Ricky blush when she discussed oral sex on Friday's CBB While Mob Wives star Renee initially didn't intend to mention the act, Aubrey was quick to name the elephant in the room. Instantly making Ricky blush with her lack of finesse, Aubrey said: 'You mean blow jobs? If that's the case I'll be giving several every day. Seriously, they should tell women that tighter jawlines are a benefit. Men will get much more. 'I used to give my man so many blow jobs. I was so in love with it, but he recently said that I don't give as many in the early days of our relationship.' Embarrassed: The trio's crude conversation began after Renee alluded to the sex act being good for tightening up a woman's jawline Going red-faced, Ricky couldn't help but laugh as the dialogue continued. Especially when X Factor reject Katie Waissel chimed-in: 'Maybe that's why I've got such a strong jawline'. She added: 'You need to put that sh*t on the calendar for a daily chore. Put it on the schedule Tuesday, Friday and always on a Sunday.' Not shy: Instantly making Ricky blush with her lack of finesse, Aubrey said: 'Seriously, they should tell women that tighter jawlines are a benefit. Men will get much more' Too much for him! Going red-faced, Ricky couldn't help but laugh as the dialogue continued Not that Ricky is unaccustomed to public discussions of sex. He was infamously suspended from EastEnders in 2014 after a video was leaked of the star smoking marijuana and performing a sex act on Skype. BBC bosses decided to suspend Ricky from filming for two months when the incriminating pictures of him first came to light, while the London-born actor apologised for his actions. Ricky had starred in online spin-off show E20 before finding fame on the long-running soap. X Factor reject Katie Waissel chimed-in: 'Maybe that's why I've got such a strong jawline' Finding it funny: Renee couldn't keep her composure as the conversation developed US sought 'leverage' with $400 mn payment to Iran The United States acknowledged that it waited for Iran to release American prisoners before delivering $400 million in cash that it owed the country, but again insisted the payment was not ransom. Republicans including Donald Trump pounced on Thursday's admission as proof that President Barack Obama's government had misled the American people. "With concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release... we of course sought to retain maximum leverage until after American citizens were released," State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters. A US plane waits on the tarmac of Geneva's airport for the arrival of four prisoners freed by Iran in January 2016 Richard Juilliart (AFP/File) "That was our top priority," he said. In January, five American prisoners were released as Washington granted clemency to seven Iranians and withdrew arrest warrants for 14 others. Immediately thereafter, the United States helped airlift $400 million worth of Swiss francs and euros to Iran. The US government insists that money was meant to settle an old debt stemming from a military purchase by Iran. The money was delivered on January 17, just one day after a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers took effect. "We were able to conclude multiple strands of diplomacy within a 24 hour period, including implementation of the nuclear deal, the prisoner talks and a settlement of an outstanding Hague tribunal claim," Kirby said, referring to the money claimed by Iran. "It's already publicly known that we returned to Iran its $400 million in that same time period as part of the Hague settlement agreement," he said. In early August, the State Department had said the prisoner release and delivery of money were completely separate, although Kirby acknowledged Thursday that the two were in fact related. "I'm saying that the events came together simultaneously... it would have been foolish, imprudent, irresponsible for us not to try to maintain maximum leverage," Kirby said. The ordeal has set off a tidal wave of condemnation from Republicans, who have questioned the timing of the two events and said the government paid ransom for the prisoner release. Republican presidential Trump was quick to attack. "Speaking of lies, we now know from the State Department announcement that President Obama lied about the $400 million dollars in cash that was flown to Iran," he told a rally in Thursday in North Carolina. "He denied it was for the hostages, but it was. He said we don't pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages openly and blatantly," Trump said. Trump's opponent in the race for the White House, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, was no longer serving as the nation's top diplomat when the accord came into effect. Still, Trump senior communications advisor Jason Miller said that "by helping put together a deal that ultimately sent $400M to Iran that was likely used to fund terrorism, Clinton has proven herself unfit to be president of the United States." House speaker Paul Ryan said Obama had set a dangerous precedent. "Today the State Department admitted what we've long suspected -- that the president and his administration have been misleading us since January about whether he ransomed the freedom of the Americans unjust imprisoned in Iran," America's top elected Republican said. UN says no evidence of Morocco incursion in disputed W. Sahara The United Nations on Thursday said it had found no sign of any suspicious military activity by Morocco in the disputed Western Sahara, after a separatist group complained about a Moroccan security operation in the region's far south. The Polisario Front campaigning for the independence of the Western Sahara had protested to the UN about the operation earlier this week, claiming it had involved large numbers of military units and had taken them beyond the sand wall that marks Morocco's normal area of control. Responding to the complaint, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the UN mission in the territory, MINURSO, had investigated the allegations and had "not observed military presence or equipment in the buffer strip". Members of the Sahrawi People's Liberation Army sit waiting outside a building during the Polisario Front's extraordinary congress on July 8, 2016 Farouk Batiche (AFP/File) "The mission observed what were assessed as civilian vehicles moving across the berm but was not able to determine additional information" he told reporters in New York. "MINURSO continues its liaison with both parties in order to ascertain the facts with regards to the alleged incident." Morocco said its operation in the Gargarate area north of Mauritania's second city Nouadhibou, which began on Sunday, was aimed at stopping cross-border smuggling, particularly of second-hand and stolen vehicles. A 1991 ceasefire brokered by the United Nations that ended 16 years of conflict between Morocco and the Polisario left Morocco in control of all of the territory's main towns and the Polisario confined to a narrow strip of the desert interior. The far south was left as a no-man's land with neither side having a permanent presence. Rabat maintains that the Western Sahara is an integral part of Morocco, despite UN resolutions calling for a referendum on self-determination. Kerry to travel to Africa, the Gulf on counterterrorism tour US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel next week to Kenya, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on a three-nation tour focused on counterterrorism, the State Department said. The top US diplomat arrives in Nairobi on Monday for talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on "regional security issues and counterterrorism cooperation, as well as bilateral issues," State Department spokesman John Kirby said. He is also scheduled to speak with several of his East African counterparts on the conflicts in South Sudan and Somalia, notably the fight against the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shabaab militants. US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to start a three-nation tour in Nairobi with talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on regional security and counterterrorism Eitan Abramovich (AFP/File) On Tuesday, Kerry arrives in Nigeria where he will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss "counterterrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption, and human rights issues." Washington is a key ally of Abuja in the fight against Boko Haram rebels, but has regularly challenged the country and its armed forces on their civilian rights record during crackdowns against the Islamist militants. Kerry will also travel to Sokoto in northern Nigeria to deliver a speech on "the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism." On Wednesday Kerry heads to Saudi Arabia, where he will visit Jeddah to meet with his counterparts from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council as well as British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson and UN special envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. Trump says he regrets offending people with how he speaks Donald Trump made a rare act of contrition, saying he regretted offending people with his harsh way of speaking. The Republican nominee made the gesture at his first rally since ordering a shakeup in his campaign to save his struggling White House bid. "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing," Trump told a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's multiple self-inflicted wounds of late have left him trailing in virtually every battleground state Gregg Newton (AFP) "I have done that. And believe it or not, I regret it," he said, drawing laughs and applause from the crowd. "I do regret it. Particularly, where it may have caused personal pain." He added: "Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues, but one thing, I can promise you this, I will always tell you the truth." The New York billionaire's multiple self-inflicted wounds of late have left him trailing in virtually every battleground state. One of the biggest missteps was clashing repeatedly with the parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq. Critics accused him last week of inciting violence against his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton in a remark about the right to bear arms, and media reports have swirled about a campaign in crisis and a candidate apparently incapable of reeling in crass remarks. Clinton leads Trump 47 percent to 41.2 percent, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average, following weeks of errors that have alienated establishment Republicans and seen his own supporters tear their hair out. - Campaign staff shakeup - On Wednesday, Trump appointed right-wing news executive Stephen Bannon as campaign CEO and promoted pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager. The change was seen as a demotion for campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who has been pushing Trump, among other changes, to use a teleprompter when he gives speeches as a way to stay on message -- and not ad-lib himself into saying something offensive or wrong. Bannon's Breitbart News website is virulently anti-Clinton and his appointment was seen as Trump's way of thumbing his nose at Republican leaders who have been urging him to tone down the shoot-from-the-hip style of speech he used effectively in the primaries. On Thursday, Trump did speak with a teleprompter and veered from the invisible screens only to hammer away at a given point he wanted to make. On substantive issues, he reached out to US minorities, in particular blacks. "Nearly four in ten African-American children are living in poverty. I will not rest until children of every color in this country are fully included in the American Dream," Trump said. "If African-American voters give Donald Trump a chance by giving me their vote, the result for them will be amazing," he said. And he began his speech with a message to the people of Louisiana, a state that has been hit with historic flooding in recent days. "We are one country, one people, and we will have together one great future," Trump told the crowd. He still stressed his standard campaign pillars of building a wall along the border with Mexico, keeping out undocumented foreigners and opposing international trade accords. And he also depicted himself as an agent of change compared to Clinton, whom he dismissed as an old-fashioned Washington insider, while promising to strengthen US ethics rules to fight influence peddling. Following the speech, Democrats scoffed at the idea of a more tolerant and consensus-oriented Trump. "That apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets -- and changes his tune altogether," said Christina Reynolds, a Clinton campaign spokeswoman. But the "new" Trump -- disciplined and serious -- was already gaining traction with fans. "I loved the tone," said Annette Fitch, 55, a customer service representative who was at the speech. But another supporter, 71-year old high school principal Hans Peter Plotseneder, said he regretted the candidate had lost "a little bit of personal touch." "I hope he doesn't get too PC," he said. Rose Hamid (L) gives out flower pens at a Donald Trump rally in Charlotte, North Carolina to engage Trump supporters about her Islamic faith Ivan Couronne (AFP) Inside the camp of LA's Black Lives Matter protesters A young man slumbers in the open air at the foot of some mattresses piled up near a modest collection of books and a table laden with salad and fruit. For more than a month, Black Lives Matter has maintained a makeshift encampment in front of Los Angeles City Hall to demand the resignation of police chief Charlie Beck. "It's a black-led space. When white people, come they are not to take the reins, but to be there in support," says Christina Griffin, 28, a spokeswoman for the movement's LA branch. Christina Griffin, a Black Lives Matter activist and organizer, looks at a chalk drawing of Ezell Ford outside City Hall in Los Angeles, a mentally ill African-American killed by Los Angeles police two years ago Robyn Beck (AFP) The protesters are trying to run the camp along the lines of the world in which they'd like to live, Griffin explains, with "less police, more resources." In August 2015, Redel Jones, a 30-year-old black woman, was shot dead after she allegedly moved towards LAPD officers while holding a knife. Then in July, the Los Angeles Police Commission found that the officer who opened fire had not violated deadly force rules. The decision was at odds with a statement from a witness quoted by the Los Angeles Times, who said police opened fire as the woman was running away. Black Lives Matter members, outraged by the decision, marched to city hall, where they have maintained their vigil ever since. Last week, emotions ran high as they commemorated the two-year anniversary of the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Ezell Ford, who was gunned down after two LAPD officers stopped him as he walked alone and unarmed in South LA. Community members cast doubts over the police account that Ford had attacked one of the officers, countering that he was mentally ill and had been complying before he was shot. - Nationwide protests - Ford's death came only days after Michael Brown was killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, the most high-profile in a spate of cases that have made headlines and set off nationwide protests. According to an internal LAPD report, officers shot 38 people last year, 21 of whom died. Eight of those involved in the incidents were black, yet African Americans represent less than 10 percent of the city's population. Hispanics, who represent just under half of "Angelenos," made up 58 percent of the cases. Scrutiny has also fallen on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which killed an African-American man while hunting a carjacker in July and subsequently admitted the unarmed victim had nothing to do with the case. Critics of the nationwide BLM movement say it ignores black-on-black killings -- by far the most common type in the African American community -- and blames police even when the slain suspect looks to have been at fault. They say the high proportion of black deaths at the hands of police can in part be explained by their disproportionate involvement in violent crime. While blacks account for around 13 percent of the US population, black offenders committed 52 percent of homicides recorded between 1980 and 2008, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics. More recent but less comprehensive statistics by the FBI tell the same story. - 'Threatened by police' - Undeterred and angry, the LA branch of Black Lives Matter is in its third protest in two years. Morning and evening, a few dozen mainstays gather at the encampment to talk about their goals and air their grievances. Many go to work or take courses during the day and return to sleep at the camp at night, using toilets in public buildings and relying on the kindness of the public for food. "The only times I've felt threatened so far is by the police. One day they gathered in a line with their weapons," says assistant nurse Brittany Craig, 24. "They try to make our life difficult, asking us to move from there to there." An LAPD spokesman told AFP the police had asked the group to leave a basement leading to an underground area of a shopping mall but otherwise had allowed them to go about their business. According to a count by LA radio station KPCC, the LAPD shot 375 people between 2010 and 2014 and in that time no officer has been prosecuted. "The LAPD kills more of its residents than any other police in the country," says Melina Abdullah, one of the leaders of LA's BLM movement. The activist, a professor at California State University, said more city money should be spent on education and housing, rather than on a high police budget. Black Lives Matter sent a 9,000-signature petition almost two weeks ago to LA mayor Eric Garcetti demanding the police chief's head. While media attention has focused on violent protests in New York, Ferguson and Milwaukee, campaigners say the hurt is just as deeply felt in LA, even if the demonstrations are largely peaceful. "We chose not to burn the house," says one 68-year-old protester who only gave his first name, Akili. But he added that "grief and outrage" had led the city's black community to the "enough-is-enough point." "America Is Only Great When You're A Cis Hetero White Male" is written on the sidewalk at an encampment of activists associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, outside City Hall in Los Angeles Robyn Beck (AFP) A sign reading "Honk 4 Black Lives" is seen at an encampment of activists associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, outside City Hall in Los Angeles Robyn Beck (AFP) Two US swimmers leave Brazil after admitting to inventing mugging US Olympic authorities have apologized to Brazil after two US swimmers were allowed to go home having retracted a fabricated story about being mugged in Rio. A third American swimmer who is still in Brazil can leave the country after he paid a donation to an "institution" of nearly $11,000, US broadcaster NBC reported his lawyer as saying early Friday. Four US swimmers, including six gold medal hero Ryan Lochte, have been at the centre of a media storm since claiming they were held up at gunpoint after leaving a party in the early hours of Sunday. American swimmers Gunnar Bentz (L) and Jack Conger leave the police station at Rio de Janeiro International Airport after being detained on August 17, 2016 Tasso Marcelo (AFP/File) "We apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence," US Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said in a statement. Blackmun spoke after Brazilian police let Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger leave the country. "Their passports have been released and they recently departed Rio," he said. A third swimmer, James Feigen, gave police a "revised statement," Blackmun said. He agreed to a deal in which he would make a hefty donation to an unspecified group in exchange for permission to leave, NBC said. "After a long deliberation, this agreement was reached... he will donate 35,000 real ($10,800) to an institute, and with that the case is resolved," the broadcaster cited Feigen's lawyer Breno Melaragno as saying. "After this donation is done, his passport will be given back to him, and he will be free to return home." Lochte was already back in the United States when the scandal erupted. Lochte said on Sunday that the four had been victims of a robbery by at least one armed assailant posing as a Rio policeman. The claim forced Brazil's Olympics organizers into an apology for the supposed security lapse. Amid growing doubts, however, a Brazilian judge issued an order Wednesday that all four swimmers be kept in Brazil while the story was probed. Brazilian police said Thursday the athletes were drunk and got into an altercation with security staff after vandalizing a gas station bathroom during a night on the town. Blackmun indicated that the athletes, questioned by police Thursday, had confirmed the police version. "They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism," the US statement said. "An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave." - Lies and videotape - Rio de Janeiro's police chief Fernando Veloso called on the athletes to apologize. He said CCTV footage at the gas station showed a security official pulling his weapon to restrain a drunk and angry Lochte and his teammates because they tried to leave after damaging the bathroom. "There was no robbery of the kind reported by the athletes," Veloso told a press conference. "The images do not show any kind of violence against them." He said police believed the swimmers handed over the equivalent of about $50 in cash to pay for the damage before leaving. Veloso said it was still not decided what charges, if any, would be brought against the swimmers. "In theory, they could end up facing charges of falsely reporting a crime and damage to property," he said. Neither offense is punishable by prison. "It would be noble and dignified of them to apologize. The only thing they told the truth about is that they were drunk." Rio 2016 Olympics chief spokesman Mario Andrada, who had apologized to the athletes after the supposed robbery, was in forgiving mood Thursday. "Let's give these kids a break," Andrada told a news conference. "These kids were trying to have fun... They made a mistake, it is part of life." - International scandal - Lochte, one of the most visible US faces at the Olympics, said an assailant put a gun to his forehead after the swimmers' taxi was pulled over. "The guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, 'Get down,'" Lochte recounted. "He took our money, he took my wallet -- he left my cell phone, he left my credentials." His report caused the Olympic authorities huge embarrassment and overshadowed sporting action in the second week of South America's first Olympics. It followed numerous confirmed incidents of theft from Olympic athletes and media covering the Games. Brazil has deployed 85,000 police and soldiers to secure the Olympics. The Lochte affair coincided with the arrest in Rio of International Olympic Committee member Patrick Hickey on allegations of taking part in a black market ticket ring. Hickey fell ill during his arrest Wednesday. He left hospital on Thursday in a black car following a police car. He was expected to face interrogation. US swimmers James Feigen (top L), Ryan Lochte (top R) Gunnar Bentz (bottom L) and Jack Conger have retracted a claim to have been victims of a dramatic mugging during the Olympic Games in Rio Four US swimmers, including six Olympic gold medal hero Ryan Lochte (pictured), have been at the centre of a media storm since claiming they were held up at gunpoint after leaving a party in Rio in the early hours of Sunday Martin Bureau (AFP/File) Sick throng Indian capital's new, high-tech clinics For asthma sufferer Mohan Lal, regular visits to the Indian capital's hospitals were a nightmare of waiting in endless queues in sweltering corridors that swarm with mosquitoes. But a spotless and air-conditioned clinic boasting innovative diagnostic technology and sharply-dressed doctors has just opened in Lal's neighbourhood, bringing healthcare into the 21st century. For Lal, who needs regular treatment for his asthma, the sparkling free clinic and 100 others developed by the New Delhi government in mostly low-income neighbourhoods are a revelation. Doctor Shoebul Haque (L) checks a patient as others wait at a Mohalla clinic (neighbourhood clinic) in New Delhi Money Sharma (AFP) Like most of the city's millions of poor, he was used to the traditional state-run hospitals, often stretched to breaking point, where patients face long delays for even minor treatment and are forced to share beds. "The hospital is far from my house, I had to walk quite a bit and then I had to wait in long queues for hours in smelly, sweaty hallways," he said, grimacing at the memory. The Delhi government allocated an initial $790 million in this year's budget for the clinics, after promising at the 2015 elections to improve healthcare and ease the burden on its ageing hospitals. The crowning glory of Lal's neighbourhood clinic is a newly invented device that conducts 50 common medical tests from a single blood sample, including sugar levels and cholesterol. In a city where diabetes, dengue, hepatitis, typhoid and other illnesses are common, the small, rectangular device provides swift diagnosis -- thereby allowing for early treatment. Results of most of the tests are known within two minutes and are uploaded onto an IT cloud for access by patients and their doctors on their smart phones and the clinic's tablets. "II (information technology) does make a pretty significant difference," said Indian biomedical engineer Kanav Kahol, who developed the device that he hopes will soon be installed in all of the other new clinics. It was originally aimed at easing India's overburdened public health system, whose basic medical services are provided free of charge. But Kahol said other countries have also expressed interest in the machine, which costs about $1,000 to buy. "We were very surprised by the fact that what we had developed for India, people all over the world were actually looking for," the 37-year-old said of the device called the swasthya (health) slate. "Even in places like England and the US, we've seen a demand for technology like this." - 'Can't afford treatment' - At the clinic in western Delhi, a doctor admonishes Lal after examining his test results, which have been uploaded to his digital medical records kept at the centre. "Your blood report is not good. You must cut down on smoking and drinking," the doctor said, as the 62-year-old grinned sheepishly. Lal then goes for his regular treatment -- inhaling steam through a nebuliser to decongest his lungs -- before moving to the clinic's pharmacy to collect free asthma medication. India spent just 1.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare in 2014, according to the World Bank, lower than neighbouring war-torn Afghanistan on 2.9 percent. As a result, Indians avoid the state-run system if they can, with many flocking to private clinics and hospitals. But a consultation with a private GP can cost 1,000 rupees ($15), a huge sum for millions living on less than $2 a day. More than 60 percent of the population's out of pocket expenses goes on medicines and healthcare, the government estimates. "I have four daughters and one or the other always keeps falling sick. I simply can't afford private treatment," said Kamta Devi, who does laundry for a living, as she waited her turn at another of the clinics in south Delhi. "Here I don't even need to spend any money on commuting as it is so near my house," said the 50-year-old, who lives in a nearby slum. Although doctors working at the clinics say they are making a difference, they also concede to a range of teething problems, including dealing with Delhi's patchy infrastructure. "Sometimes the internet is slow or there is no electricity. Some patients insist on handwritten prescriptions as they are not used to computers and tablets," said doctor Alka Choudhary. "Also at the moment the clinics are not digitally linked with the big hospitals so the medical records of a patient cannot be retrieved if he is admitted there in a case of emergency. "It's still early days. It is not a perfect system but at least we have made a positive start." India spent just 1.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare in 2014, according to the World Bank, lower than neighbouring war-torn Afghanistan on 2.9 percent Chandan Khanna (AFP) Doctor Shoebul Haque enters patient's details into a tablet provided by the government at Mohalla clinic (neighbourhood clinic) in New Delhi Money Sharma (AFP) Popular Mali radio presenter released: reports A popular radio presenter in Mali who was arrested earlier this week was released Thursday, local media reported, a day after violent clashes between his supporters and police left one dead. Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, a government minister's son also known as "Rasbath", whose polemical presence on local radio has raised the ire of the authorities was arrested on allegations of "offending public decency" on August 15. "Rasbath has been released. Thanks to all for your wishes," artist and friend Yeli Mady Konate said on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday evening. Local websites also reported the presenter's release. People demonstrate in front of Bamako's court in support of radio presenter Mohamed Youssouf Bathily Habibou Kouyate (AFP) In Wednesday protests over his arrest, security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators who had gathered outside court to show their support for Rasbath, who had been due to appear in connection with the police investigation into whether he broke public morality rules. One person was killed in the skirmishes and 11 others injured and because of the unrest, the court hearing was postponed. Rasbath has accused President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of being unable to manage the Malian army and has attacked the prime minister and several senior military figures on his show "Carte sur table" (Card on the table). Political tensions over the army are high following a massacre on July 19 of 17 soldiers at a military camp in Nampala, central Mali, which also left dozens wounded. Rasbath had criticised top brass for what he said was poor leadership, making direct reference to the Nampala incident. Hong Kong 'rabbit cafe' hops onto high street The newest addition to Hong Kong's cafe scene is taking a soft approach to business -- with 12 resident rabbits for customers to pet. The "Rabbitland" bunnies munch on grass while visitors coo over them between sips of tea and bites of toasted sandwich. Tucked away on the third floor of a high-rise in the busy commercial district of Causeway Bay, the cafe says it gives people who have no room to keep a pet in space-starved Hong Kong the chance to bond with the fluffy animals. Tucked away in the busy commercial district of Causeway Bay, the cafe says it gives people who have no room to keep a pet in space-starved Hong Kong the chance to bond with fluffy animals Anthony Wallace (AFP) Most of the rabbits have been abandoned by previous owners. Hong Kong already has a number of "cat cafes", but this is the first one for rabbits, inspired by a similar shop in Japan. "I like how soft they are and like their fur and how gentle they are when you feed them," says Natalie Chan, 11, whose mother had brought her to find out more about keeping rabbits as she wants one as a pet. There are a list of rules about how to behave around the animals, including not picking them up or pulling their ears. Co-founder Teddy Chui, 29, says anyone who does not obey the rules is asked to leave. The "Rabbitland" bunnies are not for sale, but Chui says a visit helps children understand what looking after one would involve. "A lot of parents bring their kids here if they want to buy a rabbit, so they know it's not all about playing with them -- it's a lot of work and responsibility," says Chui. -- This story accompanies a photo essay by Anthony Wallace. Video by Justine Gerardy -- Streets with no names: navigating the maze of African cities Maps, road signs, sat navs, Google maps -- it all makes travelling so easy. But how do you get around in a city with few street names, where buildings have no numbers? "Cross 'Death Junction' then after about 500 metres on the left, you'll see a curtain seller. Go up the path until you see a black building -- that's where I live," says Judith Koumis, giving directions to her home in Yaounde, the Cameroon capital. "It's easy," she says, forgetting, like everyone else, that "Death Junction" has an official name -- Friendship Junction. A painter applies numbers to houses in Yaounde, Cameroon, where getting around a city with few street names and no numbers a firm grasp of local landmarks Reinnier Kaze (AFP) In this west African country, like many other places on the continent, getting around town can be something of a puzzle without a firm grasp of the local landmarks and how they're known by residents. "Death Junction" in Yaounde, "Crossroads of my misspent life" for a red-light area in the economic hub Douala... such are the often capricious names given to various intersections in Cameroon, even where official names might exist. It's the same story in neighbouring Gabon where the taxis in the capital Libreville operate along similar lines, using local landmarks to find their way around. Giving a cabbie an address is likely to draw a blank look as their navigation system involve directions more like "behind the prison" or near the "Hassan Hejeij building", named after a well-known Lebanese businessman who lived there. Finding a business, a doctor or a pharmacy in a hurry is a challenge. Even locating a restaurant, an embassy or a private home requires patience in cities experiencing rampant growth and where informal housing is rife. - Lost, late, confused - These days, life is a touch less complicated now that most people have mobile phones. "It's easy to get here, but if you need anything, just call," Koumis insists. All of which is fine -- as long as you don't run out of battery. And it's not much easier when dealing with officialdom. "To give the bank my address, I made them a sketch with arrows and the position of the nearby petrol station," says Gautier, a French national in his 30s who is working in Lambarene in central Gabon. As a result, going around in circles, getting lost and arriving late happens a lot. In recent weeks, the mayor of Yaounde has begun a project to inject some order across the city, whose population, officials say, is close to two million people. The goal is to name every street and number every plot of land, and produce an urban plan "in order to improve location information, to help the emergency services get around... help visiting foreigners get around," says project head Arnauld Phillipe Ndzana. - Local resistance - Under the project, close to 100,000 doors will be given numbers and 5,100 streets named. Currently only 140 streets in Yaounde have names, he said. Not everyone likes the idea. Others worry as the municipality has, over the years, destroyed homes and businesses built on public land or in unplanned areas. "Investigators in the field sometimes encounter hostility from people who think their house will be knocked down or they will have to pay more tax," says Ndzana. "We have been attacked three times. One resident even came out with a knife and ordered us to go away," said Blandine Ngo Kam, head of a team working in Briqueterie, a restive Muslim neighbourhood of the city. An initial project to assign addresses in the town was carried out in 1994 but no one, including government offices, saw the use so never used them, Ndzana said. Last September, Libreville launched a similar project in the presence of several mayors of big francophone cities, including Paris' Anne Hidalgo. There again, not everyone was pleased. "It is our cultural identity that is going to suffer," some residents said. - 'Easily find an address' Private initiatives have also tried to untangle out Africa's urban labyrinths. In Doula, in Cameroon's south, young telecoms engineer Samuel Bamal in February launched a mobile geolocation app called ShoOwer . "It's a tool which helps you get your bearings and easily find an address either with or without an Internet connection," says Bama, a 28-year-old resident of the city. With the rapid growth of our cities, "we are trying to resolve the problem of addresses in Africa." Currently, some 15,000 locations are listed in the application's database covering "six or seven towns", and the app already has "5,000 users, of whom 1,200 actively use it" everyday, he says. The application is free to download on Google Play, but the user must cover the cost of the SMS messages if he cannot do his research online. In short, it might give you what you need to reach Judith's house on time. The mayor of Yaounde has begun a project to name every street and number every plot of land in a city where getting around requires a firm grasp of local landmarks Reinnier Kaze (AFP) 13 anti-slavery activists sentenced in Mauritania Thirteen anti-slavery activists in Mauritania were sentenced to between three and 15 years in prison, despite criticism of the case against them by international rights groups. A court in the capital Nouakchott found the 13 -- members of a group fighting hereditary slavery in the west African country -- guilty of "use of violence", but Amnesty International has said they were falsely accused because of their advocacy work. The thirteen all claim they were tortured in prison in the run-up to the court case and lawyers for the group denounced Thursday's verdict as "a travesty of justice". Anti-slavery militants demonstrate in Dakar against the imprisonement of fellow activists in Mauritania Seyllou (AFP/File) They were arrested between June 30 and July 9 after a protest by a Nouakchott slum community that was being forcibly relocated as the city prepared for an Arab League summit on July 25. Hollywood poster blunder sparks backlash in Hong Kong A poster for upcoming Hollywood movie "Arrival" mistakenly featuring a Shanghai landmark on Hong Kong's skyline was taken down from the film's official Facebook page Friday after sparking outrage and ridicule. Hong Kong is deeply divided over mainland China's governance of the city, with many angered by what they see as Beijing's tightening grip, and the error sparked a torrent of comments on social media under the hashtags #HongKongisnotChina and #HongKongindependence. Others called for a boycott of the film, due for release in November. A poster for the film upcoming Hollywood movie "Arrival" shows a giant vertical spaceship over Hong Kong harbour with the Oriental Pearl Tower, perhaps Shanghai's best known landmark, in the foreground Tengku Bahar (AFP) The poster showed a giant vertical spaceship over the semi-autonomous city's harbour with the Oriental Pearl Tower, perhaps Shanghai's best known landmark, prominently featured in the foreground. "Please remove this ugly tower from Victoria Harbour," Facebook user Chin Chiu-man commented, while another angry user said: "Why don't you put a pyramid in New York". The poster was still displayed on the official Facebook page on Thursday evening but was replaced by a message on Friday blaming a contractor for the gaffe. "An error in one in a series of posters for 'Arrival' was made by a third party vendor," the message read. "We are disappointed to have not caught the error," it added. Hong Kong was returned to China by former colonial ruler Britain in 1997 under the agreement that its freedoms would be guaranteed for 50 years. But there are growing concerns Beijing is no longer adhering to the deal and critics accuse it of interference in a wide range of areas, from politics to the media and education. So-called localist groups are pushing for more autonomy for Hong Kong, characterising it as culturally separate from the mainland. A fledgling independence movement is calling for a break from the mainland after mass pro-democracy rallies in 2014 calling for fully free leadership elections ended without concessions from Beijing. The idea of independence is dismissed as illegal by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities, and was a taboo subject until recent months. "Arrival" stars actors Amy Adams, Forest Whitaker and Jeremy Renner and is directed by Canada's Denis Villeneuve. It opens in the United States and other major markets in November. Philippines to UN: Duterte not committing crime The Philippine government on Friday criticised as "baseless and reckless" a UN statement that President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs amounted to a crime under international law. Duterte's chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo told AFP the administration was not behind the extra-judicial killings targeting alleged criminal suspects, challenging UN human rights experts to visit the Philippines and investigate. Two UN rights experts said Thursday that Duterte's directives calling on law enforcers and the public to kill suspected drug traffickers "amount to incitement to violence and killing, a crime under international law". A police officer ropes off the area around the body of an alleged drug dealer shot dead in Manila in July 2016 Noel Celis (AFP/File) "When you are in New York or somewhere else, 10,000 kilometres or miles away from the Philippines and then you make such judgments, that's recklessness," Panelo said. "Those statements are misplaced and baseless, and they better come over and see for themselves the real situation." Duterte, 71, won May elections in a landslide on a promise to kill tens of thousands of suspected criminals to prevent the Philippines from becoming a narco-state. He has offered security officials bounties for the bodies of drug dealers. When he took office on June 30, Duterte told a crowd in Manila: "If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful." However, Panelo said the UN should not take such statements seriously. "He is just asking the public to cooperate with the campaign." Duterte's spokesmen have said his statements are just hyperbole but police have reported killing more than 600 people since he took office. The nation's largest broadcaster ABS-CBN has put the death toll at over 1,100, which includes reported vigilante killings where bodies turn up on streets with card board signs branding them as drug pushers. Panelo insisted police only killed suspects in self-defence while other deaths were the work of drug syndicates who feared their members would surrender and cooperate with authorities. "How can you stop the killing of members of the syndicates? You cannot be guarding them all the time," Panelo said in response to the UN experts' call. International and local rights groups, some lawmakers and church leaders in the mainly Catholic nation have condemned the killings. The Philippine Senate set to launch an investigation next week into possible rights violations in police operations. Still, Duterte's police chief Ronald Dela Rosa said Friday law enforcers would not be deterred and the campaign was just starting. "It's a low (point) when we are being investigated but we go on... we never back down." Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte speaks to officers at the National Police headquarters in Manila Noel Celis (AFP) Europe-based N. Korea slush-fund operator flees: reports A European-based North Korean official involved in managing a foreign currency slush fund for the country's leadership has fled his post with a sizeable sum of money, South Korean media reports said Friday. The reports follow the defection to South Korea this week of the North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain -- one of the highest ranking diplomats to flee the isolated state. Both the Yonhap news agency and the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper cited unidentified informed sources as saying the official was in "protective custody" in an unidentified European country. South Korean media has claimed North Korean agents are hunting the rogue money man It was not immediately clear if he had defected or was seeking a country to take him in. The Unification Ministry in Seoul declined to comment. The two reports carried contradictory details, with Yonhap saying the official had initially "disappeared" late last year with several million dollars, while the Dong-A Ilbo suggested he had fled his post in June with as much as $400 million. Both said he was a senior official in Office 39 -- a secretive organisation within North Korea's ruling Workers' Party that maintains a hard currency slush fund for the top leadership. US intelligence says Office 39 oversees a network of illegal money-making operations, including drugs smuggling and counterfeit currency. Both media reports said the man had been living in Europe for two decades, but gave no specific details on the official post, or posts, he had occupied during that time. Yonhap said he had initially sought asylum in the United States, but was turned down, while the Dong-A Ilbo said his disappearance had triggered an extensive manhunt by North Korean agents. Ahmad Al-Faqi al-Mahdi, Islamic enforcer of Timbuktu Ahmad Al-Faqi Al-Mahdi, whose war crime trial in The Hague opens on Monday, is a quiet Koranic scholar turned ruthless enforcer for jihadists when they occupied the fabled Malian city of Timbuktu. Born around 40 years ago in Agoune, 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Timbuktu, the curly-haired former teacher was steeped in Islamic learning from a young age. He fast became a fervent proponent of the strictest interpretations of Islamic law, which had little popular support in Mali, but his chance came when jihadists descended on Timbuktu in April 2012. Ahmad Al-Faqi Al-Mahdi was transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2015 Robin Van Lonkhuijsen (AFP/File) Mahdi was soon recruited by the Islamist group Ansar Dine as "the most competent and prominent person in Timbuktu when it came to being knowledgeable in religious matters", in the words of International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors. Among a group of outsiders, Mahdi stood out for his local knowledge while also being a fluent Arabic speaker, and his scholarly background lent a veneer of credence to the Islamists' call to destroy several UNESCO-listed sites they considered idolatrous. Mahdi has made clear "his wish to plead guilty" to orchestrating the destruction of nine mausoleums and a section of the revered Sidi Yahia mosque, which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. - Phenomenal memory - The war crime charge he faces relates to their destruction. His former teachers recall a quiet, even introverted boy who impressed with the much-prized feat of memorising the entire Koran, Islam's holy book. "Among the 82 students in the madrassa (Islamic school), Ahmad had the most phenomenal memory, by a long way," said El Hadj Mohamed Coulibaly, his teacher in the 1980s. "He had the whole Koran in his head. We couldn't catch him out," Coulibaly said. A brilliant pupil, he spent time in Libya and Saudi Arabia, then went on to a Koranic college and worked as an Islamic teacher elsewhere in Mali before returning to the Timbuktu area shortly before jihadists entered the city. Waves of unrest had led to a military coup in March that year and an all-out rebellion in the country's north, led by Tuareg groups who were soon sidelined by Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists, including the Ansar Dine group. When the jihadists swaggered into town, Mahdi was working at an association for Muslim youths, providing them with religious advice, and was well known for his rigid principles and advocacy of sharia law. He already had connections in the jihadist world, rubbing shoulders with the man who would become spokesman for Ansar Dine in Timbuktu, Sanda Ould Bouamama, and through his marriage to the niece of Houka Houka Ag Alfousseyni, an Islamic judge. Life in Timbuktu altered quickly to fit the vision Mahdi had always wanted for his nation: adulterers were stoned, thieves had their arms amputated, and smokers and drinkers were whipped. In a city known also for its long musical tradition, singing and concerts were banned. Mahdi became the head of the "Hisbah", or morality police, which upheld the jihadists' narrow interpretation of the Koran's teachings. As the head of this brigade, "he used the carrot and the stick", said a senior religious figure in Timbuktu, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, personally whipping women he judged "impure", but holding sympathetic meetings with smokers reconsidering their habit. - Shocked humanity's consciousness - Mahdi was "a bit town sheriff" in his style, also presenting himself as the boss of all the city's imams, a local official told AFP. By late June in 2012, Mahdi had grown frustrated by the townspeople's unwillingness to desist from their long-held practice of worshipping Timbuktu's shrines of Muslim saints. Using pickaxes, chisels and pick-up trucks, his men destroyed 14 shrines and a section of the mosque, wiping out centuries of tradition that attracted pilgrims from across Africa and the Middle East. "The prophet (Mohamed) said break apart these mausoleums because all people are equal and so in a cemetery no tomb must rise higher than another," he told an AFP journalist, shortly before the destruction began. Mahdi's role was to "justify all decisions made in the name of sharia, the name of the Koran," he added. But Ansar Dine's actions, led by Mahdi, shocked "humanity's collective consciousness", said prosecutor Fatou Bensouda at the Hague in March, leading to an unusual type of war crime charge. His ICC trial is a collection of firsts: the first to be brought by the world's only permanent war crimes court over the extremist violence in Mali, the first jihadist to face justice before the court, and the first time an ICC defendant has said he will plead guilty. His lawyer Jean-Louis Gilissen defended him as "an intelligent, reasonable and educated man" who had sought to do good in response to a "divine message". But though the tombs have been rebuilt, the city once known as the "Pearl of the Desert" has yet to regain its shine, riven with insecurity and violence under the watch of Islamist and criminal gangs. Timbuktu was founded between the 11th and 12th centuries by Tuareg tribes and declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1988 Sebastien Rieussec (AFP/File) Islamists destroyed 14 ancient shrines across Timbuktu in 2012, wiping out centuries of tradition that had attracted pilgrims from across Africa and the Middle East Soldiers of the Malian Armed Forces patrol next to the Djingareyber Mosque on June 6, 2015 in Timbuktu, during the joint operation "La Madine 3" part of the French Army's "Operation Barkhane", an anti-terrorist operation in the Sahel Philippe Desmazes (AFP/File) France seizes 2,000 dead seahorses en route to Vietnam French customs officials said Friday they had intercepted some 2,000 dead seahorses, prized in Asia for use in traditional medicine and as aphrodisiacs. The "dead and dehydrated" seahorses -- a protected species -- were found on July 28 and August 8 hidden in airmail packages sent from the west African country of Guinea destined for Vietnam, it said. Paris customs official Olivier Gourdon told AFP that seahorses, protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), are confiscated "pretty often". Dehydrated seahorses are often trafficked for use in traditional medicine and as aphrodisiacs, as well as to sell to tourists as souvenirs He said they are generally trafficked from African countries to Vietnam as well as China and Japan. In addition to their use in traditional medicine and as aphrodisiacs, seahorses are sold to tourists as souvenirs, Gourdon said. Russia denies its strikes hit Syrian boy in photo Russia on Friday denied that one of its air raids hit a dazed and bloodied Syrian boy whose heart-wrenching photograph has drawn worldwide attention. The defence ministry issued an official denial that it carried out a strike on eastern Aleppo on Wednesday evening when the images of four-year-old Omran were taken. "The Russian planes operating in Syria never work on targets that are inside settled areas," ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement. Images of Omran, a four-year-old Syrian boy rescued from the rubble following an air strike in Aleppo, have gone viral on social media Mahmoud Rslan (AFP) The photographer who shot the video for Aleppo Media Centre, a network of activists, told AFP he took the images after an air strike on Wednesday night hit the Qaterji neighbourhood in eastern Aleppo. Konashenkov said Qaterji was particularly out of bounds for Russian strikes because it adjoins two of the humanitarian corridors Moscow has opened for residents to flee. He branded Western media reports on Omran as a "cynical exploitation" of the tragic situation in eastern Aleppo and "cliched anti-Russian propaganda". He suggested the attack could have been carried out by rebels in Aleppo using homemade rockets to target roads close to the humanitarian corridors to undermine Russia's efforts. He also suggested however that the area where Omran was may not have been bombed at all, citing footage of unbroken windows. "If a strike really did take place," he said, it was not an aerial strike but either a gas cylinder "used in large quantities there by terrorists" or a mortar shell. MH17 criminal probe out next month, say Dutch prosecutors Initial results from a criminal probe into the downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over war-torn Ukraine two years ago will be revealed next month, Dutch prosecutors said Friday. The results are expected to shed light on the exact type of missile used to shoot down the jetliner on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board, and exactly where it was fired from. "We have informed victims' relatives that we will have a new meeting on September 28 where the results of the criminal investigation will be unveiled," said Wim de Bruin, spokesman for the Dutch public prosecutor's office. The wrecked cockpit of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was reconstructed at the Gilze Rijen airbase in the Netherlands Emmanuel Dunand (AFP/File) The information specifically relates to "which weapon was used and from where it was fired," said De Bruin, whose office is leading an international team of investigators. Next month's meeting, to be held in Nieuwegein outside Utrecht in central Netherlands, will be open to relatives only in the morning, followed by a press conference in the afternoon, De Bruin said. Relatives last month marked the two-year anniversary of the incident when the Boeing 777 was shot down during a routine flight between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur. The majority of those on board were Dutch citizens. An international inquiry concluded last October that the plane was downed by a Russian-made BUK missile fired from a zone held by pro-Russian separatists, but stopped short of saying who was responsible. Separatist authorities deny responsibility for the disaster, saying Ukrainian forces were responsible for the attack. Briton, Australian held over Bali policeman's murder Indonesian police Friday detained an Australian woman and a British man over the brutal murder of a policeman on a popular Bali beach. Traffic police officer Wayan Sudarsa was found dead in his uniform early Wednesday on Kuta beach, in the south of the resort island, with wounds to his head and neck. "A smashed beer bottle and smashed-up surfboard were found near him, we suspect those were used in the attack," Bali police chief Sugeng Priyanto told AFP. Briton David Taylor (centre, black mask) is escorted by Indonesian officials at a police station in Denpasar on the resort island of Bali on August 19, 2016 Sonny Tumbelaka (AFP) Authorities launched a hunt for Australian woman Sara Connor and British man David Taylor over the murder, after Connor's ATM card and driver's licence were found at the crime scene. The pair, whom police believe are a couple, headed to the Australian consulate where they were arrested on Friday afternoon and then taken to a police station in the Balinese capital Denpasar, said Priyanto. "We are investigating whether they are the perpetrators or not," he said. He said he had questioned Connor himself and she had said that she was drunk on the night of the murder and did not remember exactly what happened, but admitted to having had an argument with a policeman. Taylor refused to say anything as he was waiting for his lawyer, the police chief added. Witnesses said they saw a man with dreadlocks -- like Taylor -- arguing with a police officer, according to Priyanto. A man and woman matching their description were later spotted asking a motorcycle taxi to take them to a hotel but the driver refused as the man was covered in blood. Police are yet to name either a suspect, a formal step in the Indonesian legal system which means detectives have enough evidence to consider filing charges. A spokesman for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the department was "providing consular assistance to an Australian woman in Bali". A spokesman for the British embassy in Jakarta said: "We can confirm the arrest of a British national in Bali." Bali, a pocket of Hinduism in Muslim-majority Indonesia, is a popular tourist destination known for its tropical climate and palm-fringed beaches. Brazilian chef wins 'World Sushi Cup' in Tokyo A Brazilian chef won the World Sushi Cup Friday, bursting into tears of joy after his knife skills and artful preparation of salmon roe, tuna and shrimp delicacies wowed Japanese judges. With the country's UNESCO-recognised cuisine enjoying an explosion of global popularity, the competition -- sponsored by Japan's agricultural ministry -- aims to improve sushi standards overseas. Dressed in white coats and hats, 27 chefs from countries ranging from France, Brazil and the US to Pakistan, nervously prepared fish and made traditional "Edo" style sushi, in tightly timed rounds. One of the 27 competing chefs at the the World Sushi Cup in Tokyo, on August 18, 2016 Toru Yamanaka (AFP) Their techniques were closely watched and evaluated by a panel of Japanese sushi masters, with 20 chefs making it through to the finals on day two, where they had to show off their own original styles of sushi. "I had fun," said cup winner Celso Hideji Amano, 38, a Brazilian of Japanese ancestry who shone in the traditional sushi making round, before busting into tears. "It's not an easy competition," Usman Khan, a 32-year-old Pakistani chef working at a branch of the prestigious Nobu restaurant chain in Cape Town, told AFP. "You're under a lot of pressure," he said on Thursday, the first day of the competition. The annual contest was first held in 2013 and Khan, who has competed twice and made it through to the finals this year, said it was a good challenge. "What better way to test your limits by competing against other chefs in the same profession in Japan," he said. - Soaring popularity - Khan first encountered sushi after he moved to South Africa from Kuwait 13 years ago. "I couldn't believe people could eat raw fish," he said. "I was disgusted initially but I got intrigued." As of July 2015, there were 89,000 Japanese restaurants outside Japan, up from 55,000 two years before, according to the ministry. But many establishments outside the country serve sushi without proper knowledge and skills, competition organisers said. "Quite a lot of people are learning from the internet and books," said World Sushi Cup chairman Masayoshi Kazato, who has worked as a sushi chef for more than four decades. "Improvement of the level of cooking and hygiene through this competition -- that's what we're aiming for," he said. One of the contestants, French chef Eric Ticana Sik, 31, said his goal in participating was simply to learn more. "We are one of the countries that eat the most sushi in the world, but there is really a lack of training," he said. "Only Japanese can teach us the basics." Sik, whose signature sushi brings together elements of Japan and France by combining salmon and brie cheese, said he wanted to meet other chefs from around the world to "discuss and share" views. The origin of sushi dates back to the Heian Period (794-1185), when salted "funa" fish were fermented together with rice, according to the ministry. The current style was developed in the Edo Period (1603-1867) when the public began using vinegar mixed with rice. Brazilian chef Hideji Celso Amano competes at the World Sushi Cup in Tokyo, on August 19, 2016 Kazuhiro Nogi (AFP) Omran, one child among millions traumatised by Syria war Haggard and covered in blood, little Omran's blank stare has grabbed headlines around the world. But across war-torn Syria, thousands of children like him are traumatised by daily life under siege and the threat of bombs. The footage of the shell-shocked four-year-old was dubbed by Washington "the real face" of Syria's five-year war. "Omran's case isn't rare -- we treat dozens of cases like him every day, with wounds that are typically worse," Dr Abu al-Baraa, a paediatrician in a rebel-held eastern neighbourhood of Aleppo, told AFP. Images of four-year-old Omran sitting quietly in an ambulance in Aleppo, his bare, dust-covered feet barely reaching the edge of the chair, have made headlines around the world Mahmoud Rslan (AFP) The footage from activists at the Aleppo Media Centre shows Omran sitting quietly in an ambulance, his bare, dust-covered feet barely reaching the edge of the orange chair. He touches his forehead with a tiny hand and seems surprised to see blood on his fingers -- then wipes it off on the orange chair with the timidity of a child who feels he has done something wrong. "There are thousands of stories of wounded children whose limbs have been blown off, with wounds to the stomach and head," said Dr Abu al-Baraa. A bombing raid on the rebel-held district of Salhin in Aleppo killed seven people on Thursday and wounded many more, he added. "One child was wounded in the chest and head. We tried to stop the bleeding and give him a transfusion, but he was in critical condition and he died." "He was almost six years old. These are the cases we see every day." - 'Empty words' - Despite the international outcry, Dr Abu al-Baraa said nothing would change. "The world can see videos of children every day on YouTube, the children dying in the raids, stuck under the rubble. But the world isn't focusing on this. These are just empty words." Omran's haunting photo has sparked a series of caricatures and edited images. In one, Omran sits unassumingly between US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, deep in discussion. In another, the toddler occupies the seat held by Syria at the Arab League, as if to criticise international inaction on the crisis. And Sudanese artist Khaled Albaih drew Omran near Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old whose tiny body washed up on a Turkish beach in September after a desperate attempt by his family to reach Europe by boat. "Choices for Syrian children," reads the bold text over the picture. Omran's blank stare is captioned with "if you stay," and Aylan's crumpled body with "if you leave". Online supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, meanwhile, shared photographs of children wounded in rebel fire on government-held parts of Aleppo city. Once Syria's economic hub, Aleppo has been divided by government control in the west and opposition fighters in the east since 2012. Regime warplanes, backed by Russia's air force since September 2015, bombard the eastern districts while rebel groups fire rockets into the west. - 'State of shock' - Of the estimated 250,000 people still living in the eastern parts of the city, 100,000 are children, said Juliette Touma from the UN children agency (UNICEF). Omran's photograph "is a reminder of how horrific the war in Syria is and how brutal the impact on children is," she told AFP. "This photo should shake the conscience of the world." More than 290,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict broke out, including nearly 15,000 children. At least 2.8 million Syrian children -- some in their home country, others living as refugees in neighbouring countries -- are without school. Across Syria at least six million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, Touma said, adding that children make up half of the 600,000 people living under siege in the country. "There are millions of kids who are in a state of shock as a result of violence because of the horrors they witness," she added. According to UNICEF, a third of Syrian children have only known war, born after the conflict erupted in March 2011 and forced to grow "up too fast and way ahead of their time". On Friday, 13 sick children were among 18 people evacuated from the besieged town of Madaya. The cases included children with meningitis and malnutrition, two babies with blood poisoning and a pregnant woman whose baby died in her womb. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent confirmed in a tweet that it was evacuating "36 humanitarian cases" from Madaya and two government-held towns, Kafraya and Fuaa, in northwestern Idlib province. Under a UN-brokered agreement, aid deliveries to and evacuations from the towns always occur simultaneously. Omran is one of thousands of children wounded in conflict-wracked Syria. Here, a civil defence volunteer carries an injured boy following a reported air strike in Aleppo Thaer Mohammed (AFP/File) Omran is seen quietly touching his wounded head before wiping the blood on his chair as he sits in an ambulance A Syrian man mourns the death of a child following reported air strikes in a rebel-controlled neighbourhood of Aleppo in July 2016 Thaer Mohammed (AFP/File) Timbuktu attacks in focus as jihadist's ICC trial nears An unprecedented case opens Monday at the International Criminal Court when an alleged Malian jihadist is set to plead guilty to the war crime of destroying the UNESCO world heritage site of Timbuktu. Some 55 sites around the world, including the Bamiyan valley where the Taliban blew up ancient giant Buddhas in 2001 and Palmyra in Syria vandalised by the Islamic State group in the past two years, remain on UNESCO's endangered list. And experts hope the trial and sentencing of Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi for the 2012 attacks on Timbuktu will send a message that such cultural destruction will not go unpunished. Ahmad Al-Faqi Al-Mahdi is expected to become the first person to face a single war crime charge of destroying cultural heritage when his trial opens in The Hague on Monday Robin Van Lonkhuijsen (AFP/File) Plucked from the edges of the Sahara to a courtroom on the sand dunes of The Hague, all eyes will be on al-Mahdi, until now unknown to the outside world. He stands accused of the war crime of "intentionally directing attacks" against nine of Timbuktu's famous mausoleums as well as the Sidi Yahia mosque between 30 June and 11 July 2012. Al-Mahdi is expected to become the first person to confess his guilt at the tribunal as well as the first to face a single war crime charge of destroying cultural heritage. "The destruction of cultural heritage has become a tactic of war to disseminate fear and hatred in modern conflicts," UNESCO director general Irina Bokovo wrote recently in the online magazine International Criminal Justice Today. Such attacks seek "to tear at the fabric of society, to deny human rights and to quash the rule of law," she said, adding it was "critical" they should "not go unpunished." - 'Not just stones' - Al-Mahdi is also the first alleged jihadist to stand trial, and the first person to be charged with crimes arising out of the Mali conflict. ICC prosecutors allege that al-Mahdi, born in 1975, was a member of Ansar Dine, a mainly Tuareg movement that in 2012 took control of Timbuktu some 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) northeast of Bamako, along with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). As the head of the "Hisbah" or the "Manners Brigade" he ordered the attacks on the shrines, ICC prosecutors say. The site has now been reconstructed and a French-led operation has mostly chased the jihadists from the area, although extremist groups still pose a threat. ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda insists that "what is at stake here is not just walls and stones". Founded between the 5th and the 12th centuries by Tuareg tribes, Timbuktu has been dubbed "the city of 333 saints" for the number of Muslim sages buried there. Revered as a centre of Islamic learning during its golden age in the 15th and 16th centuries, the site was condemned as idolatrous by the jihadists. The attacks were "a callous assault on the dignity and identity of entire populations, and their religious and historical roots," Bensouda said, and "the magnitude of the loss... was felt by the whole of humanity". Al-Mahdi, handed over to the ICC by Niger in late 2015, intends to plead guilty, as he is "a Muslim who believes in justice," defence lawyer Mohamed Aouini told a June hearing. "He wants to be truthful to himself and he wants to admit the acts that he has committed," Aouini said, adding that al-Mahdi also sought "pardon" for his acts. - Erasing the past - Observers, while welcoming the focus on cultural destruction, remain troubled that no other charges, such as for sexual violence committed during the conflict, have been brought. "On the one hand we are really excited to see this being put up front as something that's not really been prosecuted before in such seriousness," said Mariana Pena, a legal expert with the Open Society Justice Initiative. "On the other hand we are a bit disappointed that other crimes are not being put up for prosecution," she told AFP. The case has moved swiftly through the usually ponderous ICC process, and sentencing will likely come soon after the trial, set for five days. But further prosecutions for such attacks won't prove easy, experts warn, and more vandalism could follow as jihadists witness the "success" of their strategy, thanks in part to the internet. Archaeology scholar Christopher Jones, who has catalogued dozens of attacks by IS (also known as ISIS) in Iraq and Syria since 2014 on his blog "Gates of Nineveh" says it's not just about wiping out a culture. "By destroying a Shiite mosque, you're also erasing an alternate system of belief which stands in opposition to the very things ISIS stands for," he told AFP. It attempts to "disconnect people from the things that tie them" to their homes, so they have "no past, nothing to go back to". Malian soldiers patrol next to the Djingareyber Mosque in Timbuktu on June 6, 2015 during the joint operation "La Madine 3", part of the French Army's "Operation Barkhane", an anti-terrorist operation in the Sahel Philippe Desmazes (AFP/File) Islamists destroyed 14 ancient shrines across Timbuktu in 2012, wiping out centuries of tradition that had attracted pilgrims from across Africa and the Middle East 13 ill children evacuated from Syria's besieged Madaya: doctors Thirteen sick children were among 18 people evacuated by aid workers from the besieged Syrian town of Madaya on Friday, a doctor that was treating them told AFP. The cases included children with meningitis and malnutrition and two babies with blood poisoning. Another evacuee was a pregnant woman whose baby died inside her womb. A UNICEF employee measures the arm of a malnourished child in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya, as they assess the health situation of residents in January 2016 The Syrian Arab Red Crescent confirmed in a tweet that it was evacuating "36 humanitarian cases" from Madaya and two government-held towns, Kafraya and Fuaa, in northwestern Idlib province. Under an agreement brokered by the United Nations, aid deliveries to the towns always occur simultaneously, and a similar stipulation applies for those being evacuated. The evacuees from Madaya are "headed towards Damascus where the patients will receive treatment," said doctor Mohammad Darwish, adding that the operation was completed "in coordination with the United Nations." "This is a good step but we hope in the future there are no complications with evacuations," Darwish said. An estimated 40,000 residents have been affected by food and medicine shortages inside Madaya since the regime encircled it two years ago and besieged it fully last summer. This week, activists in the town shared a video of Yaman Ezzedin, a 10-year-old with meningitis, as part of a plea for help for Madaya's suffering children. The young boy is so consumed by the pain, "he no longer recognises us," his father said. Last week, UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura said the United Nations was ready to help evacuate at least 16 urgent cases from Madaya and another two from Fuaa and Kafraya. Syrian baby, 5-year-old dead in migrant boat capsize Two Syrian girls, one of them an eight-month-old baby, are among up to six people who died when a boat carrying would-be migrants to Europe capsized off Libya Thursday, rescuers said. Five bodies were recovered and one passenger was missing, presumed drowned, following the capsize on Thursday. Some of the 21 survivors told aid workers there had been 27 people from eight Syrian families on the boat. The Phoenix, a rescue boat run by the Malta-based NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) and the Italian Red Cross (CRI), recovered the corpses of two women, one man and the baby while the five-year-old's body was picked up by a fishing boat, the organisations said. Syrian migrants on a beach in the Yesil liman district of Canakkale, northwestern Turkey, in January Ozan Kose (AFP) Details of the tragedy emerged as the world's attention has been re-focused on the crisis in Syria by this week's poignant pictures of the bloodied, dust-covered face of four-year-old Omran following the bombing of his home in the war-torn city of Aleppo. MOAS co-founder Regina Catrambone said the latest deaths were a tragic reminder that hundreds of migrant children continue to perish at sea a year after toddler Aylan Kurdi's body was washed ashore on a Turkish beach last year. - 'Very sad and frustrating' - "It is very sad and frustrating to witness the tragic loss of life at sea, especially that of such a young child," she said. "It is time for the international community to come to terms with this reality and to implement safe and legal solutions for the most vulnerable among us to avail themselves of the rights and protections they are entitled to." Children represent a growing proportion of the migrants trying to reach Europe by sea from Turkey and North Africa -- 27 percent of all arrivals in the first six months of this year were minors, according to the UN refugee agency. Italy's coastguard said the five deaths occurred on a day when they supervised the rescue of 534 people in 11 different operations off Libya. Nearly 100,000 migrants have landed at Italian ports this year, roughly in line with the level of arrivals in the same period in 2015. Numbers arriving in Greece have dropped sharply since an EU-Turkey deal in March that is aimed at stemming the flow. More than 3,000 people have died trying to reach Greece or Italy since the start of the year, a 50 percent rise on last year. It is relatively rare for Syrians to try to reach Italy via Libya. Over 90 percent of the migrants arriving on Italian shores this year have come from sub-Saharan Africa. Indonesia in haze warning as fires flare Indonesia warned Friday that haze from forest fires was floating over a key waterway towards its neighbours, and that the number of blazes was rising. The fires and resulting smog are an annual dry season problem in the archipelago, when blazes are started illegally to quickly and cheaply clear land, typically to make way for palm oil and pulpwood plantations. But last year's haze outbreak was among the worst in memory, shrouding Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Thailand in acrid smoke. The crisis forced school closures and caused thousands to fall sick across the region. Forest fires in Ogan Ilir, Indonesia's South Sumatra province Abdul Qadir (AFP) While this year's fires have yet to reach the levels of 2015, the number has been rising in recent weeks as Indonesia heads towards its peak dry season in September. Disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho warned that smoke had Thursday started floating across the Malacca Strait, which runs between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. "Smoke from forest and land fires in Riau (province) has started to enter the Malacca Strait," he tweeted. "Let's prevent and put out the fires." Riau, on western Sumatra island, is a major centre of the palm oil and pulpwood industry, and many fires occur there every year. He also said the number of "hotspots" detected by satellites -- areas of intense heat that are either already on fire or vulnerable to going up in flames -- had increased in West Kalimantan province, on Indonesia's part of Borneo island. A total of 158 hotspots were detected in the province on Friday, up from 106 a day earlier. The governor of the province, a centre of the palm oil industry, had asked the disaster agency to provide helicopters for water-bombing and "cloud-seeding", or chemically inducing rain, said Nugroho. Indonesia has faced intense criticism from its neighbours and the international community over its failure to halt the annual smog outbreaks. Jakarta has promised tougher action. It has announced a plan to stop granting new land for palm oil plantations, and established an agency to restore millions of hectares of carbon-rich peatlands susceptible to fires. An Mi-17 helicopter from Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency conducting water-bombing operations to put out forest fires in Ogan Ilir Abdul Qodir (AFP) Magic moment in Rio as 'proud' Lee finally beats Lin Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei said he was "very proud" to have avenged two heartbreaking Olympic badminton final defeats to Lin Dan with a last-four victory against his nemesis at Rio Friday. The badminton world number one lost the first game 21-15 but took the second 21-11 before sensationally keeping his gold medal dreams alive with a 22-20 victory in the third. Lee, who has never won a world or Olympic title, sunk to his knees as he finally beat his old foe before the pair removed their shirts and embraced on the court. Lee Chong Wei celebrates after beating Lin Dan in Rio de Janeiro on August 19, 2016 Emmanuel Dunand (AFP) "This is the first time I've beaten Lin Dan in a big competition. Today Lin Dan and I played a great game and I'm very proud to beat him," a relieved Lee told reporters. The arch-rivals were locked at 16-16 in the final game before Lee took a 20-17 lead to have three match points to win it, only for Lin to dramatically haul it back to 20-all. Lee, who lost the last two Olympic finals to his arch-rival Lin, said it had been a more nervy end to the match than he would have liked after letting those match points slip by. "In 2012 I had a lead and I lost," explained Lee. "In my mind I was just thinking don't lose," the Malaysian added. At Beijing in 2008 Lin humiliated Lee 21-12, 21-8 in the gold medal showdown to become Olympic champion for the first time. Four years later in London it was far closer as the Chinese shuttler edged it 21-15, 10-21, 21-19 to become a double Olympic champion and forcing Lee to collect silver for a second time. Friday's last-four clash was almost certain to be the last time the arch-rivals meet at an Olympics with both Lee, 33 and Lin, 32, expected to have retired by the time Tokyo 2020 rolls around. Chinese superstar Lin said the match had been of the "best quality". "I feel this was a magic moment for the Olympic Games," he told reporters, adding however that he regretted that his Olympic rivalry with Lee had ended with a defeat. Lee said he would feel the pressure of having that elusive gold medal within touching range but would just try to go out and enjoy Saturday's final against China's Chen Long. The fact that Malaysia has never won an Olympic gold in any sport will add to the weight of expectation. "Yeah, there's more pressure on my side now as I've never been Olympic champion. Just one more step now. I will try my very best in the final tomorrow," said Lee. The Malaysian will do battle with world number two Chen, who Lee recently usurped at the top of the rankings, after the Chinese breezed past Denmark's Viktor Axelsen 21-14, 21-15. Lee Chong Wei shows off after beating Lin Dan in Rio on August 19, 2016 Goh Chai Hin (AFP) Donald Trump released his first television ad of the general election on Friday, and it features cops, border agents and military helicopters, as well as the promise he'll 'make America safe again.' In it, he portrays his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton as synonymous with disorder and illegal immigration. The commercial is being aired in the battleground states of Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania. 'In Hillary Clinton's America, the system stays rigged against Americans,' claims the $4.8 million ad. 'Syrian refugees flood in. Illegal immigrants convicted of committing crimes get to stay, collecting social security benefits, skipping the line. Our border open. Donald Trump released his first television ad of the general election on Friday, and it features cops, border agents and military helicopters In it, he portrays his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton as synonymous with disorder and illegal immigration. The ad says Trump will 'make America safe again' 'In Hillary Clinton's America, the system stays rigged against Americans,' claims the $4.8 million ad. 'Syrian refugees flood in. Illegal immigrants convicted of committing crimes get to stay, collecting social security benefits, skipping the line. Our border open' In contrast, 'Donald Trump's America is secure,' it says, the music upbeat and uplifting this time Clinton's campaign called the ad 'misleading' on Friday afternoon and contended that Trump had made the country 'less safe already' with his words and deeds 'It's more of the same, but worse,' the narrator adds, to the tune of somber music playing in the background. In contrast, 'Donald Trump's America is secure,' it says, the music upbeat and uplifting this time. 'Terrorists and dangerous criminals: kept out. The border: secure. Our families: safe.' Clinton's campaign called the ad 'misleading' on Friday afternoon and contended that Trump had made the country 'less safe already' with his words and deeds. Deputy Communications Director Christina Reynolds said, 'From his divisive rhetoric to his erratic efforts to alienate our allies to his dangerous plans, Donald Trump has made our country less safe already. 'He is temperamentally unfit and unqualified to be commander in chief. No misleading ad can change the fact that Hillary Clinton is the only candidate with the experience and judgment to lead the country and keep our families safe.' Clinton has already spent $61 million on television ads, according to NBC. In August alone she spent $13.6 million on commercials that aired during the Olympics. She has commercials on the air in the four states Trump is targeting plus Iowa, New Hampshire, Nebraska and Nevada. She paused spending in Colorado and Virginia this month as her campaign grew more comfortable with its leads in the battleground states. Two recent weekly ad buys have come in at $8.4 million and $7.7 million. Trump's $4.8 million is being spread across 10 days. Clinton has already spent $61 million on television ads. In August alone she spent $13.6 million on commercials that aired during the Olympics. She's pictured above on Thursday at a national security meeting Trump, who is trailing Clinton in the polls, chose to focus on national security for his ad, which concludes with 'Change that makes America safe again,' a twist on his campaign slogan 'Make America safe again.' 'The new ad provides a stark comparison between Hillary Clintons reality in which Americans are victims of the rigged system in Washington that compromises our borders, jeopardizes our jobs, and flouts our laws, and Mr. Trumps vision for our country in which we secure our borders and put American jobs and safety first,' a statement that accompanied the ad read. Late Thursday, on the eve of the ad's release, Trump barely touched on immigration and national security during a speech in which he expressed regrets for having offended people with his brash manner. It marked a rare act of contrition. The bombastic real estate magnate is seeking to power up his campaign. On Wednesday, he overhauled his campaign management team for the second time in as many months, seeking to save his struggling White House bid. Trump seeks reboot for flagging White House bid Donald Trump sought to reboot his flagging presidential bid, dismissing his tainted campaign chairman and seeking to broaden his shrinking support base by appealing to black voters and visiting flood-ravaged Louisiana. The resignation of the seasoned Republican strategist Paul Manafort -- under fire for his pro-Kremlin ties and role in a Ukrainian corruption scandal -- represents the Republican nominee's latest effort to get back on track after weeks of crisis. "This morning, Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign," Trump said in a statement, thanking him for "his great work" and proclaiming him a "true professional." The resignation of the seasoned Republican strategist Paul Manafort, represents Donald Trump's latest effort to get back on track after weeks of crisis Chip Somodevilla (Getty/AFP/File) Earlier in the week Trump appointed Steve Bannon, a right-wing news executive, as CEO and promoted pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager, in what has signaled a marked new tone following colossal missteps. Trump shocked many on Thursday by expressing "regret" for past mistakes, and began airing his first television ads on Friday in a desperate attempt to chip into Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's yawning lead in the polls. The New York billionaire followed up by touring a flood-ravaged region of Louisiana, where officials say more than 86,000 people so far have registered for federal aid and 13 people have died. Clinton took to Facebook to explain her own absence by saying that while her "heart breaks" for Louisiana, "right now the relief effort can't afford any distractions." Local Democratic officials had opposed Trump's visit, saying it was wrong to divert valuable manpower. But others in the state have complained that President Barack Obama, currently on holiday in the exclusive New England resort of Martha's Vineyard, has not visited. He is due to arrive next week. - 'What do you have to lose?' - Trump flew into Michigan later on Friday to address a rally, explaining his appearance in an open-necked shirt and trucker hat by saying he had come straight from "a tour of the suffering and devastation in Louisiana." "The spirit of the people is incredible, the devastation likewise," he said. "Honestly, Obama ought to get off the golf course and get down there," he added to cheers from the crowd. He then launched into a sustained pitch for African-American voters, who have overwhelmingly flocked to Clinton. "Look how much African-American communities have suffered under Democratic control," he said. "To those I say the following: what do you have to lose by trying something new like Trump?" Citing disproportionate levels of poverty, unemployment and failing schools, Trump claimed that "no group in America" has been more harmed than blacks by the former secretary of state's policies. He told the overwhelmingly white crowd that he was asking for the vote of "every single African-American citizen" in the country. The Clinton campaign shot back that Trump's comments had only shown he is "out of touch with the African-American community." Marlon Marshall, Clinton's director of state campaigns and political engagement, said African-Americans had everything to lose from Trump "who questions the citizenship of the first African-American president, courts white supremacists, and has been sued for housing discrimination against communities of color." Whether the Trump campaign can get its wheels permanently back on track still remains unclear. His more than year-long, highly controversial campaign has attracted white supremacists, alienated immigrants and done little to win over minorities. African-Americans vote overwhelmingly for Democrats. In 2012, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney won only six percent of the black vote. Clinton now leads 47.2 percent to Trump's 41.2 percent among Americans, according to an average of national polls from Real Clear Politics, and is ahead in virtually every swing state. - Ukrainian distraction - Manafort had sought to turn the brash-talking 70-year-old candidate, who has never previously held elected office, into a figure more palatable to the general electorate while building up a traditional campaign structure. But Trump "was not a candidate that could be corralled," former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele said on MSNBC television. Trump appeared to sideline Manafort on Wednesday by appointing Bannon, a Breitbart News executive, and Conway. Manafort's ties to the pro-Kremlin former president of Ukraine, whom he advised for years, had become a serious distraction to the campaign. The head of Ukraine's newly formed National Anti-Corruption Bureau, Artem Sytnyk, confirmed this week that more than $12 million had been unofficially earmarked for Manafort from 2007 to 2012, although it remains unclear whether he received any payment. Manafort denied any wrongdoing, saying he had "never received a single 'off-the books cash payment,'" or worked for the governments of Ukraine or Russia. But the Clinton campaign pounced on his resignation in an attempt to fan accusations of nefarious pro-Kremlin influence on Trump, who has spoken admiringly of Russian President Vladimir Putin and even sensationally suggested that Moscow should hack Clinton's emails. "You can get rid of Manafort," campaign manager Robby Mook said, "but that doesn't end the odd bromance Trump has with Putin." Ukrainian lawmaker Serhiy Leshchenko (pictured) alleged that Paul Manafort also worked with Washington lobbying group Podesta Sergei Supinsky (AFP) Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally August 19, 2016 in Dimondale, Michigan Bill Pugliano (Getty/AFP) Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton greets supporters at a voter registration rally, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Dominick Reuter (AFP) Indian policemen suspended over deadly moonshine Indian authorities have suspended 15 police officers for negligence after 16 people died from drinking suspected toxic liquor in a state which recently introduced prohibition, an official said Friday. The entire staff of a local police station in the eastern state of Bihar were suspended for "dereliction of duty" amid an inquiry to establish their role in the deaths thought to have been caused by drinking moonshine. Three more people who were taken ill after drinking the brew on Tuesday died on Thursday, taking the overall death toll to 16. Four others are still in a critical condition. District police chief Raviranjan Kumar told AFP the policemen had failed to stop bootlegging despite a ban on sale and consumption of alcohol in India's Bihar state Diptendu Dutta (AFP/File) "All the officers were suspended and we are investigating their role," Raviranjan Kumar, Gopalgunj district police chief told AFP. Kumar said the policemen had failed to stop bootlegging despite a ban on sale and consumption of alcohol in the state. Seven alleged bootleggers have been arrested while an equal number are sought by police, he said. Postmortem reports have failed to establish liquor poisoning but investigators say they have enough evidence to proceed against the suspended police. One of India's poorest states, Bihar brought in prohibition in April after its chief minister, Nitish Kumar, was elected on a pledge to crack down on widespread alcohol abuse. Bihar is one of a string of Indian states where alcohol is banned, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat. Hundreds of poor people who cannot afford branded liquor die every year in India from drinking cheap and toxic hooch. Last month, 33 people died in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state after drinking toxic brew. Bootleggers often add methanol -- a highly toxic form of alcohol sometimes used as an anti-freeze or fuel -- to their home-brew liquor to increase the alcoholic content. In an unprecedented move, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is closing 183 miles of the Yellowstone River from Gardiner to Laurel to all water-based recreation fishing, wading, floating, tubing, boating. No similar closure based on a disease outbreak has ever occurred in Montana, even when whirling disease was causing fish die-offs across the state in the 1990s. "This significant action on the part of the department is in response to the ongoing and unprecedented fish kill on the Yellowstone," FWP said in an email. "This action is necessary to protect the fishery and the economy it sustains. The closure will also help limit the spread of the parasite to adjacent rivers through boats, tubes, waders and other human contact and minimize further mortality in all fish species." The parasite is not a threat to humans or animals that consume the dead fish. The closure also affects all tributaries from Yellowstone National Parks northern boundary at Gardiner to the Highway 212 bridge in Laurel. Rafting and fly-fishing businesses were scrambling to respond to the closure. Angling trips start as early as 7 a.m., so boats were being pulled off the river. "It's huge," said John Bailey of Dan Bailey Fly Shop in Livingston, noting that the closure isn't limited to the Yellowstone River. "The spring creeks and Boulder are closed. The Stillwater is closed. So you're talking about a major deal here. It affects a lot of people." "The real question is when we will open," he added. "I don't think we'll open in September." FWP information officer Andrea Jones said, "There is no timeline on something like this. We have to wait for the environmental conditions to improve and for the fish kills to stop." Stillwater Anglers owner Chris Fleck, of Columbus, said he has conflicting feelings about the closure. On one hand it will hurt his business as he scrambles to find alternative options for clients, but he hopes in the long term it will be good for the fishery. "I sure don't want to see a long-term problem," Fleck said. "I've got to believe they have the best science and advice." News of the closure spread quickly across the nation. Pat Damico, a Pennsylvania dentist, has plans to fish Slough Creek in Yellowstone National Park with 14 other people next week and was worried that the closure might spread there. So far that hasn't happened. "Crews are actively assessing the Yellowstone River and its tributaries inside the parks northern boundary and have not discovered any dead fish," according to a park press release. The park is asking anglers to disinfect their gear before traveling to the park and while within Yellowstone. As Damico sought more information, though, he said he was getting conflicting reports from agency officials. "We're sort of sitting on pins and needles because this is the big deal of the year," he said. By Friday, roughly 4,000 dead fish had been counted, but the total number is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, including fish that sank to the bottom, officials said. Based on those figures, FWP estimates the total impact to mountain whitefish in the Yellowstone to be in the tens of thousands. FWP has also received reports of the kill beginning to affect some rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. A survey of the river between Grey Owl and Loch Levin fishing access sites in the Paradise Valley on Friday turned up 1,895 dead whitefish, one rainbow trout and 13 dead longnose suckers. Fishing guide Dan Gigone with the Sweetwater Fly Shop in Livingston said one of his guides reported seeing hundreds of dead trout Thursday. He called the closure catastrophic but said he would not fight the move. "We have trips on the books through September," Gigone said. "It's definitely a big part of the Livingston and area economy. But we need to protect the resources as best we can for future years." Test results from samples sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Health Center in Bozeman show the catalyst for the fish kill to be Proliferative Kidney Disease one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout. The disease, caused by a microscopic parasite, is known to occur in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. It has been documented previously in only two isolated locations in Montana over the past 20 years. Recent outbreaks have occurred in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In trout, research has shown the disease to have the potential to cause 20 to 100 percent mortality. The parasite does not pose a risk to humans. A similar outbreak of the parasite in Idaho in 2012 was mainly limited to whitefish. "We did not institute any closures," said Dan Garren, Idaho Department of Fish and Game regional fisheries manager. "We never did document it in trout." Every year since that first documented outbreak, Garren said dead whitefish have been found in the heat of the summer and the disease has been confirmed in the dead fish that were analyzed. "So it's out there," he said. "It's one of those pathogens that are in the system, and it's probably not going anywhere. "Frankly, we don't know if it's native or not." The effect of the disease on Yellowstones fish populations is exacerbated by other stressors like near record low flows, consistent high temperatures and the disturbance caused by recreational activities. FWP Director Jeff Hagener said the decision to close the river was made by the Fish and Wildlife Commission in consultation with the director and governor after weighing "the totality of the circumstances and risk to the fishery. We recognize that this decision will have a significant impact on many people. However, we must act to protect this public resource for present and future generations, Hagener said in a press release. Fishing and floating outfitters have been supportive of the closure so far, Jones said. But how long that support would last in the face of a lengthy closure is still to be seen. "A threat to the health of Montana's fish populations is a threat to Montana's entire outdoor economy and the tens of thousands of jobs it sustains," said Gov. Steve Bullock, noting that Montana's outdoor recreation economy is responsible for more than 64,000 Montana jobs and nearly $6 billion in yearly economic activity. "We must be guided by science. Our state cannot afford this infectious disease to spread to other streams and rivers, and it's my responsibility to do everything we can to stop this threat in its tracks and protect Montana jobs and livelihoods." Bailey said there were few customers in his downtown Livingston store on Friday, and the upcoming Labor Day weekend is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year. "It's very unprecedented," he said. "I'm not against this, but we don't know when it will end." Bailey noted that stream flows won't increase until next spring. In addition to the closure on the Yellowstone, FWP is asking for the publics assistance in preventing the spread of the parasite by properly cleaning boats, waders and trailers before moving between bodies of water. FWP has set up two Aquatic Invasive Species decontamination stations along Interstate 90 near the affected area in an effort to help reduce the chance of this parasite moving to other rivers. Those who violate the river closures will at first be educated. Persistent violations would lead to a citation being issued. British-Australian man held in Dubai over charity support A British-Australian man has been detained in Dubai for highlighting the work of an Afghan refugee charity on social media, a campaign group and his brother said on Friday. Scott Richards, 41, was arrested on July 28 and has been held at Al Murraqabat police station ever since, without being charged and without access to a lawyer, according to UK-based support group Detained in Dubai. The father-of-two is accused of breaching a new law on promoting foreign charities, according to the support group's founder, Radha Stirling, who is also a long-time friend of Richards. British-Australian citizen Scott Richards, pictured in Dubai where he is accused of breaching a new law on promoting foreign charities Radha Stirling (Detained in Dubai/AFP) "The police have said that they're investigating him for breaching the charity law by sharing information about a charity registered outside the United Arab Emirates on Facebook," she told AFP. Brett Richards said his brother had also mentioned the name of the US-registered "Keep Qambar Warm" charity, which supports the Charahi Qambar refugee camp near Kabul, in an interview with local media. "He pointed to their website on his social media and talked about it in the press, about the conditions in the camp. That was his crime, apparently," Brett Richards told AFP. He added: "It came as a shock to everybody. I'm sure he didn't think what he was doing was illegal. Not for a second. "It wasn't an act of defiance. He was just trying to help people." Stirling said the detention of Richards was "a breach of international human rights standards". "He's been denied bail on three occasions. We're waiting for them to drop the case or at least go to court so we can defend it," she told AFP. - Desperation - She said Richards was "not doing well". "He's concerned that he'll be at the police station for the next year. The fear of that is difficult to live with. "And the conditions are horrible. He's becoming more desperate as time goes on." There was a brief court hearing on Thursday, when a judge approved his continuing detention, Stirling said. Richards has applied to be transferred to a normal prison. Richards grew up in Adelaide in Australia and then lived in London, before moving to Dubai about eight years ago, she said. He is married with two boys aged 14 and three. He came across the charity during a visit to Afghanistan, where he has worked as an economic development policy advisor for the government, according to his brother. 'New port of call' installed at space station With more private spaceship traffic expected at the International Space Station in the coming years, two spacewalking US astronauts installed a special parking spot for them on Friday. Americans Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins floated outside the orbiting laboratory for a spacewalk lasting five hours and 58 minutes to attach the first of two international docking adaptors. The astronauts spent more than two hours tying down the adaptor, after which robotic machinery at the space station completed the hard mate, making the attachment permanent. US astronaut Kate Rubins works on the docking port of the International Space Station on August 19, 2016 Lizabeth Menzies (NASA TV/AFP) "With that, we have a new port of call," NASA commentator Rob Navias said as the space station flew over Singapore at 10:40 am (1440 GMT). During the rest of the spacewalk, astronauts connected power and data cables for the adaptor. The fittings will enable the space station to share power and data with visiting spaceships. The spacewalk was the fourth for Williams, a veteran astronaut who on Wednesday will surpass US astronaut Scott Kelly's record for the most cumulative days in space for an American. Kelly has 520 days in space over his career. Williams will have 534 days in space by the time he wraps up his stint at the ISS and returns to Earth in early September. The spacewalk was Rubins's first. She is the 12th woman to walk in space. - 'Gateway to future' - NASA describes the docking adaptor as a "metaphorical gateway to a future" that will allow a new generation of US spacecraft -- the first since the space shuttle program ended in 2011 -- to carry astronauts to the space station. The second docking adaptor is expected to be launched in late 2017, Navias said. ISS operations integration manager Kenneth Todd called Friday's installation a "very significant milestone on the path to establishing commercial crew capability." Built by Boeing, the circular adaptor measures around 42 inches (one meter) tall and about 63 inches wide. The adaptors will work with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon, two spaceships under construction that are planned to ferry astronauts to the space station. The docking adaptor is more sophisticated than past equipment because it will allow automatic parking instead of the current grapple and berthing process, which is managed by astronauts. - Spacewalk Sept 1 - During the last US spacewalk on January 15, a problem with American Tim Kopra's spacesuit allowed a small amount of water to build up inside his helmet by the end of the outing. It was the latest in a series of spacesuit issues, but not as severe as an emergency in 2013 when Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano's helmet flooded, forcing him to end his spacewalk early. Williams experienced a problem with an earpiece in his suit near the end of Friday's outing, briefly interfering with his ability to hear mission control, but NASA said the issue was not serious. The US space agency is planning another spacewalk on September 1 to retract one of the thermal radiators outside the space station. Astronauts unsuccessfully tried to push it back into position last year. US astronaut Kate Rubins works on the docking port -- the first of two such additions to the International Space Station Lizabeth Menzies (NASA TV/AFP) Top Philippine rebels freed ahead of Norway peace talks The Philippines released top communist leaders from jail Friday as part of a drive to end one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies, with peace talks due to resume in Norway next week. Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma raised clenched fists, hugged friends and supporters and said they had high hopes of lasting peace after they posted bail and walked out of police cells in Manila. Security officials claim the couple, who were arrested more than two years ago, ran the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army, whose 47-year campaign against the state has claimed some 30,000 lives. Communist rebel leader Benito Tiamzon (front L) his wife, Wilma (C, in blue) along with other rebel leaders raise clinched fists during a press conference in Manila on August 19, 2016, hours after they were freed from detention in Manila Ted Aljibe (AFP) "Our release is a goodwill measure that will create an atmosphere conducive for peace talks," Tiamzon said. He thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for allowing 17 rebels to be provisionally freed this week. They aim to fly to Oslo for the August 22-26 negotiations and advise the rebels' political organisation, the National Democratic Front. Norway has acted as an intermediary in the talks. Peace talks stalled in 2013 under Duterte's predecessor Benigno Aquino after he rejected the communists' demand to free all imprisoned guerrillas. The 65-year-old rebel chief said that Duterte's landslide election victory in May had brought about the rebels' best chance for a political settlement. The rebel army is believed to have fewer than 4,000 gunmen left, down from a peak of 26,000 in the 1980s, when a bloodless "People Power" revolt ended the 20-year dictatorship of the late president Ferdinand Marcos. Many top communist party cadres are in their 60s or 70s, some living in exile in Europe. - Confidence in Duterte - But the movement retains support among the poor in rural areas, and its forces regularly kill police or troops while extorting money from local businesses. "We're confident the peace talks would move forward because we believe this is the first president who really desires meaningful reforms and has enough determination to see them through," Tiamzon said. Duterte has enjoyed relatively good ties with guerrillas operating around Davao, the southern city which he led as mayor for more than 20 years. A self-described socialist, the 71-year-old has since appointed two left-leaning personalities to his cabinet and even initially vowed to form a coalition government with the rebels should the peace talks succeed. Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire last month, telling soldiers and police to stop operations against leftist guerrillas. But he withdrew the ceasefire just five days later when a rebel ambush killed a government militia member and wounded four others. Communist rebel leader Benito Tiamzon (R) poses for a 'selfie' with a supporter, after a press conference in Manila, on August 19, 2016, after being freed from detention Ted Aljibe (AFP) More children forced to fight in S.Sudan, says UNICEF The UN children's agency, UNICEF, warned Friday of a "spike" in the recruitment of child soldiers to fight in South Sudan's civil war. "All the different groups are recruiting," said Justin Forsyth, deputy executive director of UNICEF. "There is a mobilisation going on in some of those remote areas to get people into these armed groups because people fear the violence will escalate and they're taking advantage of that to recruit these very young people." Young boys, children soldiers sit on February 10, 2015 prepare to lay down their arms at a ceremony of the child soldiers disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration in Pibor oversawn by UNICEF and partners Charles Lomodong (AFP/File) An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups -- including the national army -- since civil war began in December 2013. Last year UNICEF helped free 1,775 former child soldiers from various armed groups, but Forsyth warned that recent fighting which engulfed the capital Juba last month and has thrown a shaky peace deal into doubt would lead to fresh recruitment. "At this precarious state in South Sudan's short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent," he said. An estimated 650 children have been recruited so far this year. "The dream we all shared for the children of this young country has become a nightmare," Forsyth said, adding that children had been among the many victims of "rape, sexual exploitation and abduction as a weapon of war". The war in South Sudan has been characterised by atrocities committed by both those loyal to President Salva Kiir and those fighting for his former deputy Riek Machar. Tens of thousands have been killed and around 2.5 million forced from their homes. A peace agreement signed in August 2015 has so far failed to stop the fighting in the world's newest nation, independent only since 2011. In the most recent fighting last month Machar's forces were pushed from the capital to which they had returned under the peace agreement. Machar fled South Sudan for neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and has been replaced in the so-called unity government by a former friend and ally, Taban Deng Gai. 10 years on, I. Coast toxic waste clean-up 'not complete' Ten years after an international oil-trader dumped 500 tonnes of toxic waste in Ivory Coast, killing 17 people and harming 100,000, the stench remains, though the compensation is unpaid. A decade on, Ivorians "still complain of the smell from the waste when it rains heavily, as well as headaches, skin problems and respiratory issues", a panel of United Nations experts said in a statement. "Many victims have not received an adequate remedy for the harms ... and report they have not been able to afford medical treatment," they added. Members of an Ivory Coast's association of victims of toxic waste protest on August 19, 2016, in Abidjan Issouf Sanogo (AFP) On Friday's anniversary of the Probo Koala cargo ship scandal, victims and the UN experts urged the trader, the Ivorian government and the international community to ramp up efforts to settle the longterm health and environmental effects. "We demand the total and absolute decontamination of the water table polluted by toxic mud," said Claude Gohourou, who heads a group of victims of the August 19, 2006 incident. That day the Probo Koala dumped a dozen containers worth of caustic soda and petroleum residue owned by Anglo-Dutch commodity trader Trafigura in some 18 locations around Abidjan. Other dumpsites remain unknown to this day and the UN experts warned that it remained unclear whether the waste had entered the water supply or food chain. The waste originally was to have been dumped in the Netherlands, but the costs of disposal there were deemed too high so the cargo a month later discharged it in west Africa instead. In a lengthy legal battle slowed by a period of civil conflict in Ivory Coast, Trafigura agreed to inform and decontaminate, but Gohourou said the multinational trader had failed to stick to the deal. And the head of another victims' group, Denis Yao Pipira, deplored Friday that the commodity trader had never been forced into court to face charges. - 'Abandoned, vulnerable' - Trafigura, which denies any link between the waste and the deaths, in 2007 agreed a settlement with the Ivorian government for 152 million euros ($172 million based on today's exchange rate). Only some 60 percent of registered victims are estimated to have received compensation, however. A second out-of-court settlement was agreed in 2009 for 33 million euros involving 30,000 people to be paid in Britain. But funds for 6,000 of them were misappropriated before payout. In London this year, the thousands due the payouts won an English High Court claim against their lawyers, London-based legal firm Leigh Day. They were found negligent for using an Ivorian bank account to park the lump sum, leaving it open to embezzlement. Leigh Day "should have known before they sent the money that Ivory Coast was quite unstable, it was divided between two warring factions... and by their own admission, they saw signs of rampant corruption," the claimants' lawyer Kalilou Fadiga told AFP. Meanwhile, thousands of claimants this year also launched a class action suit in the Netherlands against Trafigura. Warning that many victims had been left "feeling abandoned and vulnerable", the UN experts expressed concern they could be exploited by the many associations being set up in Abidjan. "The government must ... ensure that people do not become victims twice over -- of both the dumping and unscrupulous actors." Chinese man with 10 rhino horns arrested in South Africa A Chinese man with 10 rhino horns and scores of carved ornaments worth over $100,000 was arrested in South Africa as he tried to board a flight to Hong Kong, police said on Friday. The 48-year-old man was detained on Thursday at Johannesburg's O.R Tambo international airport and will appear in court on Monday on charges of trafficking in rhino horns. "The suspect claimed to have acquired the rhino horns from Maputo, Mozambique," police said in a statement. A de-horned rhino slowly wakes up after his horn was trimmed at John Hume's Rhino Ranch in Klerksdorp, in the North Western Province of South Africa, on February 3, 2016 Mujahid Safodien (AFP/File) South Africa is battling a rhino poaching crisis, with nearly 1,200 animals killed for their horns last year. Most of the animals are poached from the Kruger National Park, which shares parts of its borders with Mozambique. South African authorities often say poachers who usually use high-calibre weapons to shoot the animals and saw off the horns, come across the border from Mozambique. Rhino horn is composed mainly of keratin, the same component as in human nails, but the substance is believed in some Asian countries, to have medicinal properties that could cure cancer - as well as being an aphrodisiac -- in Vietnam and China. Although scientifically proven to be false, the belief has fuelled a lucrative illegal trade in rhino horn in Asia. Trump backers blame media, pollsters for campaign hiccups Problems? What problems? Donald Trump's supporters shrug off reports about the Republican nominee's sinking campaign, saying the media, pollsters and the establishment are working overtime against the political maverick. To them, the issues are just the latest example of "all against one." Doug Berry sells Donald Trump fans outside a campaign rally at the Charlotte, North Carolina convention center on August 18, 2016 Ivan Couronne (AFP/File) Trump hasn't led any poll since late July, according to the Real Clear Politics site that tracks political polling. Democrat Hillary Clinton has an average lead of six points -- a huge margin with less than three months to go until the election. But those numbers don't concern his fans. "I really don't believe it, because everyone I have ever spoken to says they're voting for Trump," said Peggy Overman, 58, who spoke with AFP at a conference center in Charlotte, North Carolina where Trump on Thursday made his first public appearance since shaking up his campaign team. The restaurant owner said many voters hesitate to tell pollsters they support Trump because "you might get fun of, you might get called uneducated, racist." A dozen Trump supporters told AFP they expected their silent counterparts to turn out at the polls on November 8 and carry the real estate developer into the White House. Although polls correctly placed Trump at the head of a pack of Republican candidates during the primary season, his supporters now believe those surveys are being manipulated to boost Clinton's chances. "The only thing I can come up with is they have to be not telling the truth on that," said Cheryl Hughes, a 55-year-old self-employed news junkie. Look at the size of the crowds, she said, to illustrate her point. "You go to Hillary Clinton's rallies and there are like 60 people, and then you come here and there are thousands of people -- it just doesn't make sense." - Media bias - The Republican establishment and party leaders who were reluctant to support Trump are also at fault, said Michael Scholz, 36, a supply chain sales manager. But it's the mainstream media that garner the most contempt from Trump's fans. They concede that Trump commits slip-ups, but feel the media artificially inflate the incidents into controversies. News reports are "just taking clips, chopping it up" to keep only the most controversial elements, Hughes said. She gets her news from Fox News but also conservative websites and Facebook pages where Clinton's name is usually preceded by "lying" or "crooked." "Even though sometimes he's not politically correct, he's got the right ideas," said 62-year-old Dan Wallace, who arrived at 11:30am for a 7:30pm rally. As for Trump's policies, "This is new to him. But he's intelligent enough to know who he needs to have in certain positions," the retired Fedex courier said. Many admire the 70-year-old billionaire for his political incorrectness, but some said they'd like to see him tone down his shoot-from-the-hip comments. "I just wish he would just sometimes stay away from all the gibberish on the side and really go after his policies, his policies are actually very good," said Mark Gonzales, 40, who owns a landscaping company. "I think he gets a little sidetracked" with attacking Clinton, he added. The idea of an unfair fight against the system was at the heart of Trump's message to the faithful on Thursday night. "The establishment media... will take words of mine out of context and spend a week obsessing over every single syllable, and then pretend to discover some hidden meaning in what I said," Trump said. "Every story is told from the perspective of the insiders," he added. "It's the narrative of the people who rigged the system, never the voice of the people it's been rigged against." Gonzales got his wish Thursday night, with Trump reading his speech from a teleprompter and sticking to the script, even saying he regretted making hurtful comments in the past. It showed a more disciplined approach but time will tell whether it has any effect on the polls. Rose Hamid (L), a 56 year old flight attendant, gives out flower pens at a Donald Trump rally in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 18, 2016 to engage Trump supporters about her faith, Islam Ivan Couronne (AFP/File) Israeli police rearrest freed Palestinian 'terrorist' Jerusalem police said on Friday they have rearrested a Palestinian man days after he completed a 14-year prison sentence for a plot to poison diners at an Israeli restaurant. A police statement said the man was detained on Thursday in the Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Jabal Mukaber, where he lives. "Police units arrest terrorist from Jabal Mukaber who served 14 years in prison for terrorism," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld posted on his official Twitter account. Israeli security forces stand guard as Palestinian residents of the east Jerusalem Palestinian neighbourhood of Jabal Mukaber demonstrate against the remaining checkpoints that were installed the previous month on November 12, 2015 Ahmad Gharabli (AFP/File) "He was arrested again for supporting terrorism." Rosenfeld did not identify the man, but Israeli media named him as Sufian Abdu, an accomplice in a 2002 plan by Palestinian cook Othman Qihanya to kill customers at west Jerusalem landmark Cafe Rimon, on behalf of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Jerusalem Post said Abdu had left prison only three days before his rearrest. Police said he was suspected of "supporting and identifying with a terror organisation", without elaborating. Israeli public radio said he was picked up again because of "the waving of Hamas flags and the voicing of calls to violence and incitement against Israel" at a party to welcome him home from prison. Azerbaijan holds 4 over links to Turkey 'nemesis' Gulen Officials in Azerbaijan on Friday said they had arrested four men over suspected ties to US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of masterminding last month's attempted coup. The four are accused of an "abuse of power" while working for a mobile phone company for having passed on private information about subscribers and their call history, Azeri prosecutors said. During a search of the home of one of the accused, investigators discovered "religious literature, disks, brochures containing speeches by Fethullah Gulen and other documents," they said in a statement. A Pro-Erdogan supporter walks on a poster picturing US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen during a rally at Taksim square in Istanbul following the military failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016 Ozan Kose (AFP/File) A close ally of Ankara, Baku earlier this week opened a criminal investigation into supporters of Gulen, who is accused by Turkey of ordering the July 15 coup in a bid to remove President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power. Gulen has consistently denied any involvement in the failed putsch. Azerbaijan last month shut down a private television channel over plans to broadcast an interview with Gulen, "in order to avoid provocations aimed at damaging the strategic partnership between Turkey and Azerbaijan". DR Congo vows to free prominent political prisoners The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday vowed to release two dozen "political prisoners and prisoners of conscience", including two prominent detainees who were arrested last year during a workshop on good governance in Africa. Fred Bauma, 26, is a member of the LUCHA or Struggle for Change pro-democracy movement, which is based in Goma, in the restive North Kivu province in the east of DR Congo. Yves Makwambala, 33, who is from Kinshasa, works with the Filimbi civil society group that organised the good governance workshop. Fred Bauma form the Conglese Lucha movement speaks during a press conference in Kinshasa on March 15, 2015 Federico Scoppa (AFP/File) They were arrested on March 15, 2015. Theirs were among 24 names of "people who should be freed or released on bail", according to a list signed by DR Congo's Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba. Accused of "inciting revolt" against President Joseph Kabila, Bauma and Makwambala were jailed in Kinshasa amid a crackdown on dissent, though their trial has now been stalled for several weeks. On a visit to Goma this week, Kabila met LUCHA activists who demanded that the government ease its restrictions on political activity. Kabila said he would have an answer within 48 hours. The president visited Goma just after several dozen people were hacked to death in the town of Beni, also in North Kivu province, last weekend. Deadly protests erupted in Beni, the site of the massacre, with angry residents accusing the government of failing to secure the area. - 'Ease tensions' - Justice Minister Thambwe on Friday told reporters in Kinshasa the detainees' release was a condition set by the opposition to "ease political tensions" in the country ahead of an "inclusive national dialogue". Thambwe added that the aim of the slated talks was to pave the way for elections, with Kabila's term expiring in December. Human rights activist Christopher Ngoy, held since January 2015, should also be released. The list of those set for release was given to the government on August 4 by the European Union's delegation in DR Congo, Thambwe said. All but two of the people on the original list would be freed, he said. Those who would be kept behind bars are accused of rape and fraud. The minister also mentioned former minister Eugene Diomi Ndogala, arrested in 2014, and Jean-Claude Muyambo, who leads a small opposition movement and who was detained during a protest in January 2015. Political tensions have soared in DR Congo as President Joseph Kabila nears the end of his term after 15 years in power. Over 17,000 firefighters battle monster fires in US More than 17,000 firefighters struggled Friday to contain dozens of large fires that have burned huge swaths of land and destroyed hundreds of buildings across 10 US states, with parched California especially hard hit. On Thursday alone, 31 fires burned nearly 400,000 acres (162,000 hectares) in the affected areas, including seven blazes in California and six in Idaho, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). In California, the Bluecut Fire in the mountains of the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles has swallowed up 37,000 acres in three days and is just 26 percent contained. Firefighters battle the Blue Cut wildfire near Cajon Pass, north of San Bernardino, California on August 16, 2016 Ringo Chiu (AFP/File) More than 82,500 people are under evacuation warnings, and 34,500 homes are affected in the evacuation zone. "There is imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures in the Cajon Pass, Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Oak Hills and surrounding areas," the NIFC's InciWeb said. "Please follow the evacuation instructions, as this is a very quickly growing wildfire." Authorities say 96 homes have burnt, along with 213 additional buildings. No victims have yet been reported, but search dogs are being deployed to search for possible bodies in burned-out buildings. Three people have been arrested for trying to loot evacuated homes, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Further north in California, massive blazes were burning through forests near Santa Barbara (Rey Fire), San Luis Obispo (Chimney Fire) and the tourist hub of Big Sur, where the Soberanes Fire has charred 81,400 acres. Nearly 1,000 homes have been destroyed and seven people have died since the start of the year due to fires in America's most populous state. Despite a growing number of large fires in recent weeks, this year's fire season is still the least destructive in recent years. Britain's Muhammad, Cisse, into taekwondo final British number one Lutalo Muhammad steamrollered into the taekwondo men's under 80kg final on Friday where he was joined by Ivory Coast's Cheick Sallah Cisse. Muhammad ended American veteran Steven Lopez's dream of becoming the oldest ever taekwondo Olympic champion in the quarter-finals. Then the fifth seed saw off Milad Beigi Harchgani of Azerbaijan in the semi-finals. Great Britain's Lutalo Muhammad celebrates after winning against US Steven Lopez in their men's taekwondo quarter-final bout in the -80kg category as part of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, on August 19, 2016 Ed Jones (AFP) His bright progress at the Carioca Arena ensured he betters his bronze medal finish at London 2012 where he was controversially selected for the British team over the then number one Aaron Cook. Cisse booked his spot in the gold medal fight-off with a crowd-rousing 7-6 defeat of Tunisian Oussama Oueslati. He celebrated with a lap of honour, the Ivory Coast tricolor draped around the third seed's shoulders. His joy was in stark contrast to Cook's earlier utter dejection. Cook, now representing Moldova after falling out with the British taekwondo powers that be, was left distraught after crashing out in the opening round. For Cook, Rio has proved a traumatic return to the Olympic arena. The second seed was fighting in the Olympics for the first time since Beijing after being controversially overlooked by British selectors for London 2012. After a costly appeal - funded in part by his parents - failed to get him reinstated in the team Cook took dramatic action, switching nationalities to fight under the Moldovan flag. The move was funded by Moldovan billionaire taekwondo federation president Igor Iuzefovici. But his long circuitous route back to the Olympics after an eight-year absence came to nothing, his ambitions for gold left in tatters on the mat at Rio's Carioca Arena by Taiwan's Liu Wei-Ting. With a significant height advantage the 15th seed managed to avoid Cook's trademark spinning headkicks to beat him 14-2. The 25-year-old Dorchester born Cook was on the verge of tears as he tried to come to terms with his Olympic dream transformed into a nightmare in the space of a few minutes. "I'm absolutely devastated - all that hard work and sacrifice by myself and my parents, I just feel I've let everyone down," he shrugged, staring blankly into the distance. "It didn't go right on the biggest stage and it's heartbreaking." Lopez had begun his fifth Games encouragingly. Shrugging off his 37-years he defeated Russian fourth seed Albert Gaun to avoid the fate that befell him four years ago. In London 2012 he crashed out in his first fight, only disclosing later that his preparations had been hampered by a broken foot. Despite competing at his fifth Games - he picked up bronze in Beijing to add to his 2000 and 2004 titles - the Nicaragua-born star admitted to suffering pre-fight butterflies in his stomach. "I'm here to enjoy it but nonetheless those nerves are still there just like they were when I was a little kid." Unfortunately for his legion of fans he met his match in Muhammad, 12 years his junior. The tall, imposing and charismatic Muhammmad had declared after his first round win that he was in Rio for only one purpose. "I came here for gold so it's gold or bust for me," said the 25-year-old from the London borough of Walthamstow. Now only Cisse stands between him and the precious metal he seeks. The women's under 67kg final is between France's Haby Niare and Korean Oh Hy-eri. Rare Tyrannosaurus rex skull arrives at Seattle museum SEATTLE (AP) Paleontologists with Seattle's Burke Museum have unearthed the bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex that lived more than 66 million years ago, including a rare nearly complete 4-foot long skull. The remarkable discovery includes the dinosaur's vertebrae, ribs, hips and lower jaw bones, and represents about 20 percent of the meat-eating predator. Several dozen scientists, volunteers, students and others worked over the summer to excavate the bones in the Hell Creek Formation in Montana, a site well known for fossil finds. FILE - In this April 15, 2014 file photo, a cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex discovered in Montana greets visitors as they enter the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington. Paleontologists with Seattle's Burke Museum have unearthed the bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex that lived more than 66 million years ago, including a rare nearly complete 4-foot long skull, which was unloaded at the Burke Museum Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. The skull excavated in Montana in 2016 is not the same as the one pictured. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) The team later encased the massive skull in a protective plaster cast, lifted the 2,500-pound load onto a flatbed truck with the help of local Montana ranchers and drove it to Seattle. The skull was unloaded at the Burke Museum Thursday. The plaster-covered skull will be on display to the public for several weeks starting Saturday. Over the next year, paleontologists will painstakingly work on removing the rock around the skull. Scientists estimate the dinosaur is 85 percent the size of the largest T. rex discovered and, based on the size of its skull, lived about 15 years. They believe this T. rex roamed the earth in the late Cretaceous period. There are only 14 other nearly complete T. rex skulls that have been found, the museum said. "We think the Tufts-Love Rex is going to be an iconic specimen for the Burke Museum and the state of Washington and will be a must-see for dinosaur researchers as well," Gregory Wilson, a University of Washington biology professor and adjunct curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Burke Museum, said in a statement. He led the expedition team. The T. rex is named after two museum paleontology volunteers, Jason Love and Luke Tufts, who were combing for fossils when they came across large fossilized vertebrae sticking out of a rocky hillside last summer. The two were with a team collecting fossils as part of the Hell Creek Project, currently led by Wilson and started by Jack Horner, who discovered the world's first dinosaur embryos, and Nathan Myhrvold, former Microsoft chief technology officer who is a Burke Museum research associate. The team knew the fossils belonged to a meat-eating dinosaur because of the large size and appearance of the bones, but they weren't sure whether it was a T. rex. They didn't have the chance to excavate further until this summer when they returned to the site. Over the course of a month, Burke paleontologists and others used tools such as jackhammers, axes and shovels to dig up the bones. They first removed about 20 tons of rock and then dug further to uncover pelvic bones and other parts. More digging led to the most amazing find: the right side of the T. rex skull, including snout and teeth. Scientists think the other half of the skull is there as well. They plan to return to the site next year to search for that and other dinosaur parts. Horner, a Burke Museum research associate who built a vast collection of dinosaur specimens while at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, said in the statement that the discovery was "one of the most significant specimens yet found." Encased in plaster, the 4-foot-long, 2,500-pound remains of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, is moved by fork lift to a wheeled cart behind the loading dock of the Burke Museum on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 in Seattle. Paleontologists with Seattle's Burke Museum have unearthed the bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex that lived more than 66 million years ago, including a rare nearly complete 4-foot long skull. The remarkable discovery includes the carnivorous dinosaur's vertebrae, ribs, hips and lower jaw bones, and represents about 20 percent of the animal. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times via AP) Encased in plaster, the 4-foot-long, 2,500-pound remains of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, is moved by fork lift to a wheeled cart behind the loading dock of the Burke Museum on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 in Seattle. Paleontologists with Seattle's Burke Museum have unearthed the bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex that lived more than 66 million years ago, including a rare nearly complete 4-foot long skull. The remarkable discovery includes the carnivorous dinosaur's vertebrae, ribs, hips and lower jaw bones, and represents about 20 percent of the animal. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times via AP) Encased in plaster, the 4-foot-long, 2,500-pound remains of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, is moved by fork lift to the loading dock of the Burke Museum on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 in Seattle. Paleontologists with Seattle's Burke Museum have unearthed the bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex that lived more than 66 million years ago, including a rare nearly complete 4-foot long skull. The remarkable discovery includes the carnivorous dinosaur's vertebrae, ribs, hips and lower jaw bones, and represents about 20 percent of the animal. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times via AP) Encased in plaster, the 4-foot-long, 2,500-pound remains of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, is carefully positioned on a wheeled cart to then be moved by fork lift to the loading dock of the Burke Museum on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 in Seattle. Paleontologists with Seattle's Burke Museum have unearthed the bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex that lived more than 66 million years ago, including a rare nearly complete 4-foot long skull. The remarkable discovery includes the carnivorous dinosaur's vertebrae, ribs, hips and lower jaw bones, and represents about 20 percent of the animal. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times via AP) Trump advisers waged covert influence campaign WASHINGTON (AP) A firm run by Donald Trump's campaign chairman directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the country's pro-Russian government, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. The lobbying included attempts to gain positive press coverage of Ukrainian officials in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press. Another goal: undercutting American public sympathy for the imprisoned rival of Ukraine's then-president. At the time, European and American leaders were pressuring Ukraine to free her. Gates personally directed the work of two prominent Washington lobbying firms in the matter, the emails show. He worked for Manafort's political consulting firm at the time. FILE - In this July 17, 2016 file photo, Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort talks to reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland as Rick Gates listens at back left. Emails obtained by The Associated Press shed new light on the activities of a firm run by Donald Trumps campaign chairman. They show it directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraines ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the countrys pro-Russian government. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Manafort and Gates' activities carry outsized importance, since they have steered Trump's campaign since April. The pair also played a formative role building out Trump's campaign operation after pushing out an early rival. Trump shook up his campaign's organization again this week, but Manafort and Gates retain their titles and much of their influence. The new disclosures about their work come as Trump faces criticism for his friendly overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Thursday night that, if elected, he will ask senior officials in his administration not to accept speaking fees, for five years after leaving office, from corporations that lobby "or from any entity tied to a foreign government." He said it was among his efforts to "restore honor to government." Manafort and Gates have previously said they were not doing work that required them to register as foreign agents. Neither commented when reached by the AP on Thursday. The emails show Gates personally directed two Washington lobbying firms, Mercury LLC and the Podesta Group Inc., between 2012 and 2014 to set up meetings between a top Ukrainian official and senators and congressmen on influential committees involving Ukrainian interests. Gates noted in the emails that the official, Ukraine's foreign minister, did not want to use his own embassy in the United States to help coordinate the visits. Gates also directed the firms to gather information in the U.S. on a rival lobbying operation, including a review of its public lobbying disclosures, to determine who was behind that effort, the emails show. And Gates directed efforts to undercut sympathy for Yulia Tymoshenko, an imprisoned rival of then-President Viktor Yanukovych. The Ukrainian leader eventually fled the country in February 2014 during a popular revolt prompted in part by his government's crackdown on protesters and close ties to Russia. The emails do not describe details about the role of Manafort, who was Gates' boss at the firm, DMP International LLC. Current and former employees at Mercury and the Podesta Group, some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they are subject to non-disclosure agreements, told the AP that Manafort oversaw the lobbying efforts and spoke by phone about them. Gates was directing actions and seeking information during the project using an email address at DMP International, which he still uses. Manafort did not return phone and email messages Thursday from the AP to discuss the project. After the AP reported earlier this week that Manafort helped the Ukrainian political party secretly route at least $2.2 million to the two Washington lobbying firms, Manafort told Yahoo News that the AP's account was wrong. "I was not involved in any payment plans," Manafort said. Gates said Thursday he was busy with Trump campaign focus groups and promised to review the AP's questions in writing, then did not respond. Manafort also said in a statement earlier this week that he never performed work for the governments of Ukraine or Russia. Gates previously told the AP, "At no time did our firm or members provide any direct lobbying support." Under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, people who lobby on behalf of foreign political leaders or political parties must provide detailed reports about their actions to the Justice Department. A violation is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The emails illustrate how Gates worked with Mercury and the Podesta Group on behalf of Ukrainian political leaders. None of the firms, nor Manafort or Gates, disclosed their work to the Justice Department counterespionage division responsible for tracking the lobbying of foreign governments. "There is no question that Gates and Manafort should have registered along with the lobbying firms," said Joseph Sandler of Sandler Reiff Lamb Rosenstein & Birkenstock, a Democratic-leaning Washington law firm that advises Republican and Democratic lobbyists. Manafort and Gates have said that they did not disclose their activities to the Justice Department because they did not oversee lobbying efforts and merely introduced the Washington firms to a Brussels-based nonprofit, the European Center for a Modern Ukraine, which they said ran the project. The center paid Mercury and the Podesta Group a combined $2.2 million over roughly two years. The emails appear to contradict the assertion that the nonprofit's lobbying campaign operated independently from Manafort's firm. In papers filed in the U.S. Senate, Mercury and the Podesta Group listed the European nonprofit as an independent, nonpolitical client. The firms said the center stated in writing that it was not aligned with any foreign political entity. The 1938 U.S. foreign agents law is intended to track efforts of foreign government's unofficial operatives in the United States. Political consultants are generally leery of registering under it, because their reputations can suffer once they are on record as accepting money to advocate the interests of foreign governments especially if those interests conflict with America's. Moreover, registering under the law would have required Gates, Manafort or the lobbying firms to disclose the specifics of their lobbying work and their efforts to sway public opinion through media outreach. Ina Kirsch, who runs the European nonprofit, has said the group's work was independent and its goal was to bring Ukraine into the fold of Europe. The center has declined for years to reveal specific sources of its funding. Gates confirmed to the AP previously that he was working for Ukraine's ruling party, the Party of Regions, at the time. The chairman of the Podesta Group, Tony Podesta the brother of Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta said his firm believed Gates was working for the nonprofit. Podesta said he was unaware of the firm's work for the Ukraine's Party of Regions, led by Yanukovych. On Thursday, his firm said it had nothing new to add. Mercury's founder, Vin Weber, an influential Republican and former congressman, told the AP that his firm was aware of Manafort's and Gates' affiliation with Ukraine's political party and said Gates never participated in Mercury's lobbying work. Weber did not respond to questions after the AP said it had obtained emails contradicting this. ___ Associated Press writers Maria Danilova, Desmond Butler, Bradley Klapper and researcher Monika Mathur contributed to this report. A portion of the lobbying report filed by Mercury LLC to Congress for the first quarter of 2014 is photographed in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, that shows $70,000 payments for the quarter for lobbying on behalf of European Center for a Modern Ukraine. A firm run by Donald Trump's campaign chairman directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the country's pro-Russian government, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work to the Justice Department as foreign agents as required under federal law. Instead, lobbying firms in the campaign filed less-comprehensive reports with the U.S. Senate obscuring the role of Manaforts firm. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick) Prosecutors say NY man drowned mother in backyard pool CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) A suburban New York man drowned his mother in the family's backyard pool after she argued with him because he wasn't taking his medication, prosecutors said. Denis Cullen was arraigned Thursday in Suffolk County on a charge of second-degree murder. Newsday reports (http://nwsdy.li/2bF2m5U ) that the 23-year-old Cullen pleaded not guilty to killing his 63-year-old mother, Elizabeth Cullen. Bail was set at $5 million cash or $8 million bond. Assistant District Attorney Robert Biancavilla said Cullen confessed to drowning his mother in the family's swimming pool on Long Island on Wednesday. "This is a son who killed his mother, and the way he killed her, the way he describes, how it was done, is chilling," Biancavilla said. Biancavilla said the two had argued over Cullen not taking his medication. The prosecutor said the argument escalated to the point where she poked him and Cullen put his mother in a headlock, walked her to the deep end of the pool and held her until she stopped struggling. "He said she struggled violently and he was surprised a woman of her stature could struggle as much as she did," Biancavilla said. After the arraignment, defense attorney Steve Fondulis described his client's demeanor as "calm." "I have to determine if he had a psychiatric background. I have to determine if he's under a doctor's care," Fondulis told Newsday. Elizabeth Cullen was the daughter of Maj. Gen. George William Casey, who was killed in a 1970 helicopter crash in Vietnam. Her brother, George William Casey Jr., is a retired general who last served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. ___ Tom Holland visits children's hospital in Spider-Man costume LOS ANGELES (AP) Tom Holland swung into a children's hospital in his Spidey suit. The actor posted a photo of himself Thursday on Instagram smiling in costume at the Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta, where "Spider-Man: Homecoming" is currently in production. He debuted as the latest rendition of the web-slinger earlier this year in "Captain America: Civil War." Holland said in the post that meeting the children at the hospital was "such a wonderful experience, and you're all such little inspirations." FILE - In this April 26, 2016 file photo, actor Tom Holland poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Captain America Civil War" in London. Holland swung into a children's hospital in his Spidey suit. The actor posted a photo of himself smiling in costume on Instagram at the Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta, where "Spider-Man: Homecoming" is currently in production. Holland posted Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, that meeting the children at the hospital was "such a wonderful experience, and you're all such little inspirations." (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File) "Spider-Man: Homecoming" is scheduled to debut July 7, 2017. The film also stars Michael Keaton, Marisa Tomei and Zendaya. EPA watchdog says government fails to study ethanol's impact WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration has failed to study as legally required the impact of requiring ethanol in gasoline and ensuring that new regulations intended to address one problem do not actually make other problems worse, the Environmental Protection Agency inspector general said Thursday. The conclusion in the new audit confirmed findings of an Associated Press investigation in November 2013. The AP said the administration never conducted studies to determine whether air and water quality benefits from adding corn-based ethanol to gasoline. Such reports to Congress were required every three years under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The AP investigation described the ethanol era as far more damaging to the environment than the government predicted. As farmers rushed to find new places to plant corn, they wiped out millions of acres of conservation land, polluted water supplies and destroyed habitat. FILE - In this July 20, 2013, file photo, an ethanol plant stands next to a cornfield near Nevada, Iowa. The Obama administration has failed to study as legally required the impact of requiring ethanol in gasoline and ensuring that new regulations intended to address one problem do not actually make other problems worse, the Environmental Protection Agency inspector general said Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. The conclusion in the new audit confirmed findings of an Associated Press investigation in November 2013. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) The EPA agreed with the inspector general's findings that it had failed to produce studies as legally required. It said it will produce the first report on the impacts of biofuels by December 2017, and investigate whether ethanol requirements made other environmental problems worse by September 2024. That will be 17 years after Congress passed a law requiring oil companies to blend billions of gallons of ethanol into their gasoline. President George W. Bush signed the law, but it fell to President Barack Obama to implement it. The EPA said the 2024 study will require investigations about air quality, emissions and how renewable fuels have and might be produced, distributed and used, which it said will be time-consuming and resource-intensive. The EPA told the inspector general that it produced one congressional report about the effects of ethanol on the environmental and conservation in December 2011, at a cost of $1.7 million, then ran out of money for future reports. It also said it never received input from Congress on its first report and asserted that three years was too short a period for any significant scientific advances that would have mattered. Tap water bacteria found in New Zealand woman who died WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Tests in New Zealand confirmed an elderly woman who died last week was suffering from the type of bacteria that tainted local tap water and sickened thousands of people in a small North Island town, officials said Friday. Coroner Peter Ryan announced he had opened an investigation into the death of the 89-year-old woman in Havelock North. He said an autopsy revealed she had other health problems and it will take further testing to determine if the tainted water was a cause in her death. An estimated 4,000 people in the town of 13,000 have contracted gastric illnesses since last week's outbreak of campylobacter bacteria. Seventeen people are being treated in a hospital, including two who are in critical condition. Adding to the problems, one tanker of water that was trucked in to provide fresh water for residents was later found to contain E. coli bacteria, forcing embarrassed officials to ask residents to dump that water as well. The town has now treated both its tap water and the tanker water with chlorine. It is also requesting that residents boil tap water. Health officials say that new cases of the illness have begun to taper off. Such outbreaks from tap water are rare in New Zealand, which markets its clean, green image to tourists. Havelock North is located in a picturesque region known for its vineyards. Officials remain baffled as to how the water supply became contaminated. Campylobacter bacteria are typically spread from animal feces. The government has launched a wide-ranging inquiry into the problem. "We've got to make sure that this never happens again," Health Minister Jonathan Coleman told reporters. He said a government agency would provide emergency payments to people whose income had been affected by the outbreak, and it was considering further financial help. "We've got to make sure that people can be absolutely confident that the water that comes out of the tap in New Zealand is clean, and clearly something's happened here," Coleman said. Just this week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the Missoula County Attorney's Office was in full compliance with an agreement seeking to improve the way prosecutors handle sexual assault cases. But at least four women in Billings Thursday highlighted how little education there is in Montana communities regarding domestic violence, rape and stalking. The women, and others, spoke during the Billings Crime Victims Forum, the fourth forum organized by the Montana Attorney Generals office since April. Attorney General Tim Fox, along with local law enforcement leaders and the Yellowstone County Attorney, came to the Billings Public Library to hear the experiences of victims. Those who spoke, however, considered themselves not victims, but survivors. Jennifer Dodson was raped at a bar in Missoula by a friend 13 years ago. She was taken to a hospital for a sexual assault exam. The machines meant to capture the internal damage done to her during the brutal assault werent working, so very little evidence was gathered. Dodson never got justice. Missoula Police Detectives declined to prosecute after finding out Dodson had been drinking that night. Dodson told a more recent story of a young girl she knew from Laurel who was sexually assaulted by her boyfriend. The girl kept her panties as proof, Dodson said. The Laurel police didnt take the girls underwear and no charges were ever filed. The extreme violence of domestic abuse and sexual assault, mostly against women, are crimes that are not well understood by both juries and the justice system, Fox said. Wendy Rogers spoke after Dodson. Rogers is waiting for her day in court after reporting her husband had raped her throughout their marriage in addition to psychologically abusing her. Rogers' ex-husband shares custody of their daughter. Sometimes her daughter will repeat threats Rogers' ex-husband has made. 'Mommy is evil and Daddy is going to bury her, Rogers said, quoting her 4-year-old. Rogers said prosecutors told her it is too hard to prove mental abuse and too hard to prove partner family member rape. The use of prosecutorial discretion was cited by several victims as why they never had their day in court. Fox's office declined to prosecute Columbus Police Sgt. Paul Caraway in 2015. Caraway was accused of exposing himself to a police dispatcher in a government building. In a letter to the Columbus Police chief, Assistant Attorney General Brant Light said he believed it was possible the "alleged act of sexual assault did in fact take place, but he did not believe he could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, citing questions about the womans character. During the investigation, it was revealed Caraway had also allegedly groped another law enforcement employee in the past, and one other civilian woman had also filed a complaint. Fox said to The Gazette he was unfamiliar with the case and declined to comment. Fox acknowledged the justice system can do more for victims of sexual assault. Foxs office has taken steps to further the prosecution of sexual assault cases. He created a task force to examine untested rape kits collected across Montana and Indian Country. He advocated the changes made to Montana statutes acknowledging women sex workers can be more victim than criminal. In the next legislative session Fox said he wants to work on changing the definitions of consent and incapacitation to better reflect what is actually happening in our communities. Fox also shared a personal story at the forum. He said a member of his family brought her friend to the hospital for a rape exam. Because of that, the girl was ostracized by her friends and blamed for getting the perpetrator into trouble. She had to leave the place where she was living because of how she was tormented by her peers, Fox said. Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said after the forum that the difficult nature of sexual assault, domestic abuse and stalking cases comes down to educating juries. Twito said his office pushed for legislation to make strangulation an aggravated assault, but it didn't change the way juries view a domestic violence case when it comes before them. We need to educate them on the realities of these crimes, Twito said. There is no expert witness who is going to say that was the person who put their hand around that persons throat. Stalking cases are even more difficult. Yellowstone County pushed for the stalking statute in the early 90s. However, fewer than 10 stalking cases were prosecuted in Yellowstone County in the past 10 years. When stalking victims continue to have contact with the person they fear, it makes juries doubt the victims stories, Twito said. Juries dont take into account that victims often continue to communicate with stalkers or abusive spouses because they know if they dont, things could get worse. Weve got to change the preconceived ideas, Twito said. Its one thing for a prosecutor to understand these crimes, another to convince a jury. All who spoke during the forum were able to meet with one of the members of the justice system in the room. One man who had spoken to a Division of Criminal Investigation agent in the past said the agent had looked into a complaint that the mans brother had sexually abused him as a child. No charges were filed. The man no longer seeks his brothers arrest, he just worries for his brothers children, he said. DCI Bureau Chief John Strandell spoke with the man after the forum. Fox spoke with Rogers, who said she had called his office three times seeking help with her case. The two sat together long after most others had left the room. Cubans, tourists bemoan trashing of island's beaches HAVANA (AP) Hayde Lanza, her sister-in-law and their children left home in their swimsuits after breakfast, loaded with food, juice and bottled water. A 40-minute bus ride later they were staring at a turquoise sea riffled by a gentle Caribbean breeze and a powdery white beach littered with food wrappers and aluminum cans. "There are cardboard boxes and broken bottles," Lanza said. "In the water there's cracker packages, plastic, everything. There's no respect for the people who show up after you. Even right next to the trash cans there's piles of trash on the ground." Litter is a problem virtually everywhere in the world. But the trashing of Cuba's world-class beaches by beachgoers themselves has become so extreme that tourists are complaining and Cubans bemoan it as a symptom of something amiss in a nation that's long cherished cleanliness, order and mutual respect. An empty beer can lies on the beach near Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Litter is a problem virtually everywhere in the world. But the trashing of Cubas world-class beaches by beachgoers themselves has become so extreme that tourists are complaining and Cubans bemoan it as a symptom of something amiss in a nation thats long cherished cleanliness, order and mutual respect. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) "No one has a sense of ownership, not of the environment, or of the beach or anything. People think, 'This isn't mine so it doesn't matter if it's dirty,'" said Yanelis Silva, who was selling snacks, drinks and fried chicken at a beachfront stand on the eastern outskirts of Havana. "It was really disappointing to get to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and find mountains of trash," one tourist wrote on TripAdvisor about her time in Varadero, one of Cuba's best-known resorts. Particularly extreme during summer vacations, the beach trash problem fuels a widely shared Cuban belief that national values disintegrated during the post-Soviet economic collapse known here as the Special Period. For many Cubans who remember the Cold War decades of subsidized plenty, the economic deprivation that began in the 1990s caused permanent damage to standards of personal behavior in one of the world's last communist-run societies. "There's no justification, but at one point the situation in our country was so hard that people stopped worrying about public resources because they had to take of their personal needs," Silva said. Government advertising campaigns, billboards in the dunes, new trash cans on the beaches and tractor-driving public cleanup crews have failed to ease the problem. At the height of the summer beach season, it's common to see beachgoers spend a day eating, drinking and playing in the water, then leave all their trash in a mound on the sand. "It's like your house is your sanctuary and anywhere outside it, you don't care what's happening," said Angela Corvea, an environmental activist and marine biologist. Cuba played host to 3.5 million tourists last year and expects 3.8 million in 2016, part of a boom set off by the declaration of detente with the United States in December 2014. Numbers are expected to surge even higher when commercial flights to and from the United States start again this month after a 54-year hiatus. "This is bad for business. When they see the beach trashed they'll go somewhere else," said Armando Rodriguez, a souvenir vendor with a stand on a beach outside Havana. "We arrive and clean up our area and by midday it's full of cans." Many Cubans remember a time when they could be fined for littering, but enforcement has virtually disappeared in recent years. Cuban environmentalists say public awareness campaigns needs to be accompanied by officials again imposing the legally required fines of $9 to $90 for leaving garbage in public areas a heavy burden in a country where take-home pay averages about $25 a month. "We have to be aware that if we hope for economic development through tourism, we have to take care of the beaches," said Osmel Francis, a musician and environmentalist. "I lot of people these days don't even want to swim because there's so much trash." ___ Associated Press writer Michael Weissenstein contributed to this report. ___ Andrea Rodriguez on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ARrodriguezAP People sit on a beach amid empty beer cans and garbage near Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Litter is a problem virtually everywhere in the world. But the trashing of Cubas world-class beaches by beachgoers themselves has become so extreme that tourists are complaining and Cubans bemoan it as a symptom of something amiss in a nation thats long cherished cleanliness, order and mutual respect. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) An empty beer can lies on the beach near Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. At the height of the summer beach season, its common to see beachgoers spend a day eating, drinking and playing in the water, then leave all their trash in a giant mound on the sand. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) Experts use drift modeling to define new MH370 search zone CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Experts hunting for the missing Malaysian airliner are attempting to define a new search area by studying where in the Indian Ocean the first piece of wreckage recovered from the lost Boeing 777 a wing flap most likely drifted from after the disaster that claimed 239 lives, the new leader of the search said. Officials are planning the next phase of the deep-sea sonar search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in case the current two-year search of 120,000 square kilometers (46,000 square miles) turns up nothing, said Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Greg Hood, who took over leadership of the bureau last month. However, a new search would require a new funding commitment, with Malaysia, Australia and China agreeing in July that the $160 million search will be suspended once the current stretch of ocean southwest of Australia is exhausted unless new evidence emerges that would pinpoint a specific location of the aircraft. FILE - In this July 29, 2015, file photo, French police officers carry a piece of debris from a plane known as a "flaperon" on the shore of Saint-Andre, Reunion Island. An Australian official says experts hunting for the missing Malaysian airliner are attempting to define a new search area by studying where in the Indian Ocean the first piece of wreckage recovered from the lost Boeing 777 _ a wing flap _ most likely drifted from after the disaster that claimed 239 lives. (AP Photo/Lucas Marie, File) "If it is not in the area which we defined, it's going to be somewhere else in the near vicinity," Hood said in an interview this week. Further analysis of the wing fragment known as a flaperon found on Reunion Island off the African coast in July last year 16 months after the plane went missing will hopefully help narrow a possible next search area outside the current boundary. Six replicas of the flaperon will be sent to Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization's oceanography department in the island state of Tasmania where scientists will determine whether it is the wind or the currents that affect how they drift, Hood said. This will enable more accurate drift modeling than is currently available. If more money becomes available, the Australian bureau, which is conducting the search on Malaysia's behalf, plans to fit the flaperons with satellite beacons and set them adrift at different points in the southern Indian Ocean around March 8 next year the third anniversary of the disaster and track their movements. Meanwhile, barnacles found on the flaperon and an adjacent wing flap that washed up on Tanzania in June are being analyzed for clues to the latitudes they might have come from. The flap is in the Australian bureau's headquarters in Canberra where it has been scoured for clues by accident investigators. Peter Foley, the bureau's director of Flight 370 search operations since the outset, said the enhanced drift modeling would hopefully narrow the next search area to a band of 5 degrees of latitude, or 550 kilometers (340 miles). "Even the best drift analysis is not going to narrow it down to X-marks-the-spot," Foley said. Some critics argue that the international working group that defined the current search area which includes experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch, the plane's manufacturer Boeing, Australia's Defense Science and Technology Group, satellite firm Inmarsat and electronics company Thales made a crucial mistake by concluding that the most likely scenario was that no one was at the controls when the plane hit the ocean after flying more than five hours. The airliner veered far off course during a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing. What happened to the plane has become one of the biggest mysteries in aviation, with a wide range of theories, including that a hijacker could have killed everyone on board early in the flight by depressurizing the plane. The current search area was defined by analysis of a final satellite signal from the plane that indicated it had run out of fuel. Scientists have determined how far the plane could have travelled from a height of up to 12,200 meters (40,000 feet) after both engines lost power. But critics who favor the theory that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah hijacked the plane argue that he could have glided the plane beyond the current search area. Some say he could have made a controlled ditch at sea in order to minimize debris and make the plane vanish as completely as possible. Officials say Zaharie flew a similar route on his home flight simulator only weeks before the disaster. Foley said his bureau's analysts were working on the flap to ascertain whether or not it was deployed when the plane hit the water. They will test their hypothesis with the Boeing accident investigation team to validate their findings. Recent analysis of the final satellite signals also suggest the plane was descending at a rate of between 3,700 meters (12,000 feet) and 6,100 meters (20,000 feet) a minute before it crashed. A rate of 600 meters (2,000 feet) a minute would be typical of a controlled descent. "The rate of descent combined with the position of the flap if it's found that it is not deployed will almost certainly rule out either a controlled ditch or glide," Foley said. "If it's not in a deployed state, it validates, if you like, where we've been looking," he said. Crews have not given up hope of finding the plane in the current search area, which because of bad weather and 20-meter (65-foot) swells could take them until December to finish scanning. Less than 10,000 square kilometers (4,000 square miles) of seabed, which is outside the original 60,000-square-kilometer (23,000-square-mile) high-priority search zone, remain to be searched. More than 20 sonar contacts require closer examination by a sonar-equipped underwater drone. These are between 2,700 kilometers (1,700 miles) and 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) from the Australian port of Fremantle where the search ships are based. "We are still hopeful and optimistic," said Hood. Foley said finding the plane was the only chance of the solving the mystery of what happened aboard Flight 370. "We will never know what happened to that aircraft until we find it," Foley said. Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Greg Hood in his office on Thursday, Aug.18, 2016, in Canberra, Australia. He says experts hunting for the missing Malaysian airliner are attempting to define a new search area by studying where in the Indian Ocean the first piece of wreckage recovered from the lost Boeing 777 a wing flap most likely drifted from after the disaster that claimed 239 lives. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk) Peter Foley, Australian Transport Safety Bureau director of Flight 370 search operations, stands beside a stack of replica wing flaps on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, at the bureau's headquarters in Canberra, Australia. An Australian official says experts hunting for the missing Malaysian airliner are attempting to define a new search area by studying where in the Indian Ocean the first piece of wreckage recovered from the lost Boeing 777 _ a wing flap _ most likely drifted from after the disaster that claimed 239 lives. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk) Mexico's federal police executed 22 people during a confrontation with suspected drug cartel members last year and then rearranged the scene by moving bodies and planting guns to make it look like a shootout, it has been alleged. Only one police officer died during the incident at a ranch in the state of Michoacan on May 22 last year, which made investigators suspicious. The National Human Rights Commission said yesterday there were 22 unjustified slayings, two cases of torture and four more deaths caused by excessive force by federal police. President of the National Human Rights Commission Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez shows journalists images to illustrate his claims about the federal police raid in Tanhuato It said it could not establish satisfactorily the circumstances of 15 others who were shot to death. One victim died of burns the commission believes came after he was shot but still alive. Thirteen of the 22 people the commission said were executed had been shot in the back, it said. Mexican police stand guard near the entrance of Rancho del Sol, where the alleged shootout took place Eighteen of the victims were found barefoot and one just in his underpants, leading the commission to conclude most were asleep when police arrived. The Commission's President Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez said: 'The investigation confirmed facts that show grave human rights violations attributable to public servants of the federal police.' But Mexico's national security commissioner, Renato Sales, quickly disputed the commission's findings. Police tape seals off the ranch where the bodies were found. Mexico's national security commissioner, Renato Sales insisted the violence used by the police was 'necessary and proportional' The official version said the dead were suspected members of the Jalisco New Generation cartel who were hiding out on the ranch in Tanhuato and accused them of starting the confrontation by firing at police first. The Jalisco New Generation is the same cartel which allegedly kidnapped the son of Mexico's most famous gangster, Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, in Puerto Vallarta earlier this week, touching off a possible gang war. Mr Sales said federal police ordered the suspects to drop their weapons and surrender but were answered with gunfire. 'The use of weapons was necessary and proportional against the real and imminent and unlawful aggression. That is to say, in our minds they acted in legitimate defence,' he said. Federal police leaving the ranch near Tanhuato in May last year. The federal police are less corrupted than the state police but have been accused in the past of carrying out extra-judicial killings The rights commission questioned the government's explanation of what led to the clash in the first place. Federal police had said they were fired upon by gunmen in a pick-up truck, who were traced to the ranch. The commission's report said the government did not produce evidence supporting that account and it said witness statements suggested 41 federal police had sneaked onto the ranch as early as 6 am. Officers started their assault at least an hour earlier than they maintained in reporting on the incident, the commission said. National Human Rights Commission President Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez (pictured, left) said Mexico's federal police arbitrarily executed 22 people at the ranch. Bulletholes can be seen in the walls of the building (right) 'They should have been arrested, not murdered ...even if some of them were members of the cartel, that is no excuse.' said Margarito Romero, father of one of the men who died. According to the commission's report, after the federal police officer was shot, police called for backup. Fifty-four more federal police officers arrived along with a helicopter. The helicopter fired some 4,000 rounds at the ranch house and a nearby warehouse, which caught fire. They should have been arrested, not murdered ...even if some of them were members of the cartel, that is no excuse Margarito Romero The helicopter was also hit by gunfire, the report said. In total, five people were killed by the helicopter, the commission found. One victim was hit by a bullet that entered around his left pectoral muscle and exited his groin, but there were no bloodstains on the jeans he was found wearing, the commission said. Two witnesses interviewed by the commission said federal police officers told one heavily tattooed man to run outside the ranch house and then the witnesses heard gunshots. By the time investigators from the state Attorney General's Office arrived at the scene, 'the Federal Police had approximately four hours to manipulate the scene,' the report said. The commission's investigation said 40 civilians were killed by bullets, one died in the fire and one was run over. Police officers at a checkpoint this week searching for seven gunmen who entered a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta and kidnapped the son of Mexican drug lord 'El Chapo' Guzman. The abduction was the work of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, the same gang whose members were allegedly executed in May 2015 The government had initially refused to release autopsy reports on those killed. The commission criticised the autopsies performed by the Michoacan Attorney General's Office as being sloppy and incomplete and said the morgue turned over the wrong body to a family. The commission said two survivors of the bloodshed in Tanhuato had been forced to watch three executions and were then tortured. Police threatened their lives and the lives of their families, it said. The case is reminiscent of a 2014 incident in which the commission found soldiers executed at least a dozen suspected criminals after they surrendered in a warehouse in Tlatlaya, west of Mexico City. Rated 'S' for slaughter? New film questions Canada seal hunt BOSTON (AP) It's not an easy movie to watch: Hunters clubbing seals to death and bloodying the otherwise pristine ice of the Canadian Arctic. But for the Cape Cod-based International Fund for Animal Welfare, "Huntwatch" a new documentary about the fight to end commercial seal hunts is a story that needs to be told. The film , which premieres next month on Discovery, very nearly was doomed to oblivion. It includes grainy footage that had languished for nearly five decades in the basement of the group's global headquarters in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts. In this March 2003 photo released by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a whitecoat baby harp seal rests in the snow in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. "Huntwatch," a documentary by the organization about the fight to end commercial seal hunts, premieres in September 2016 on Discovery. The producers say it includes grainy but powerful archive footage that had languished in the basement of the groups headquarters on Cape Cod for nearly five decades. (Stewart Cook/IFAW via AP) "We really just want people to watch the film, look at all sides of the issue, and decide if this hunt still should be happening," said IFAW spokeswoman Kerry Branon, a co-producer on the film. Indigenous people still harvest seals for food in Canada, but the bloody slaughters chronicled in "Huntwatch" involve white hunters looking to cash in on the pelts of young harp seals and provide for their families. Despite long-standing bans on the trade in fur and other seal products strictly enforced by the U.S., the European Union and much of the rest of the world, Canada still subsidizes an annual hunt. Animal rights groups are still pressuring the Canadian government to phase out the practice, which was the Cape Cod organization's founding campaign. Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans won't budge, spokesman Frank Stanek told The Associated Press. "The government of Canada believes in the sustainable use of a renewable resource such as the harp seal," Stanek said, calling the harvest "an important economic and cultural activity." He said officials are "committed to maintaining existing markets for Canadian seal products and supporting the development of potential new markets." IFAW's Richard Moos, who co-produced the film with Branon, said the seal slaughter ought to have ceased for good many decades ago for the same reason that ended whaling at the turn of the 19th century: There's no longer a viable market for it. But old traditions die hard. "It's like trying to get Americans to stop eating apple pie. It's so wrapped up in their identity of being sealers," Moos said. "Huntwatch" is directed by renowned animal rights activist Brant Backlund and narrated by "Deadpool" actor Ryan Reynolds, a Canadian. It was screened earlier this year at film festivals in New York; Boulder, Colorado; Newport Beach, California; and Middlebury, Vermont. Discovery and Lionsgate plan to distribute it internationally, starting with a limited theatrical run in New York City and Los Angeles and its premier on Discovery at 10 p.m. EDT on Sept. 22. "From the get-go, I wanted to make sure the film didn't feel like a one sided propaganda piece," Backlund said in a statement. "The Canadian seal hunt is a very complicated issue with no easy answer." Another challenge: Toning down the gore. "Some of the footage in our archive is incredibly disturbing, so we had to find a way to make the film watchable," he said. "We worked very hard at finding lighter moments and human drama, trying to focus in on the characters to tell the story of their experiences around the seal hunt." "Huntwatch" was culled from more than 3,000 film reels, tapes and photographs in various formats dating to 1969 that documented the Canadian hunts. Branon and Moos found much of it in the cellar around 2009 as they were consolidating their archives on Cape Cod. "We want to start a conversation," Moos said. "Things are changing. People are waking up." ___ Online: https://vimeo.com/136239742 ___ Rob Gillies contributed from Toronto. Follow Bill Kole on Twitter at https://twitter.com/billkole. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/william-j-kole. In this March 9, 2010 photo released by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a seal hunter aims at harp seals in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. "Huntwatch," a documentary by the organization about the fight to end commercial seal hunts, premieres in September 2016 on Discovery. The producers say it includes grainy but powerful archive footage that had languished in the basement of the groups headquarters on Cape Cod for nearly five decades. (Stewart Cook/IFAW via AP) Mental scars showing on youngest victims of Louisiana floods DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (AP) Michelle Parrott's children hear thunder when there is no storm. When rain does fall, they ask their mother if the floodwaters are rising again. In flood-ravaged pockets of south Louisiana, mental scars are already showing on the youngest victims of a disaster that prompted more than 30,000 rescues and left an estimated 40,000 homes damaged. Children who endured harrowing rescues are returning home to a jarring landscape that even their parents can scarcely grasp: Homes filled with ruined possessions need to be quickly gutted. Damaged schools and daycare centers are closed indefinitely. Parents juggling jobs and cleanup work must also line up caretakers for their kids. Amanda Burge looks at flood damage with two of her three children Aiden, right, and Hudson, left, at her home in Denham Springs, La., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. "Everything is gone. School is gone. Home is gone. Church is gone," said Burge, president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Denham Springs Elementary School. (AP Photo/Michael Kunzelman) Parrott, her husband and her six children, ages 6 to 17, have slept in cars, a shelter and a hotel room in the week since they had to be rescued by boat. The flooding wrecked their home in Livingston Parish, where one official has estimated that three-quarters of the residences are a total loss after more than 2 feet of rain fell in three days. "The emotional toll on the kids has been heavy. They're all in a bit of shock and stress and having meltdowns and tantrums," Parrot said. "Trying to get back into their routine is going to be difficult when we don't know what the future holds for us." Routines are particularly important for her 17-year-old son, Blake, who is autistic and attends special needs classes at one of the many Denham Springs schools damaged in the floods. "He feels unsafe constantly. He's had a lot of breakdowns," she said. "We've had trouble getting his medications in. The therapist flooded, so he's lacking the emotional support he needs from professionals." Parrott homeschools her other five children, but she watched more than $10,000 in school materials float away. "I have to start over," she said. Thirteen deaths have been attributed to the storm and its flooding, and nearly 4,000 people remain in shelters. But signs of recovery emerged Friday. Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that FEMA will start paying for hotel rooms for storm victims staying in cars, hotels, shelters or their workplaces. A disaster food stamp program will begin Monday. And the state intends to start consolidating shelters this weekend as more of the displaced return home or find other places to stay. The floods hit just as the school year was starting in many districts, reminiscent of how Hurricane Katrina abruptly ended a New Orleans school year that had barely begun in 2005. With the city under water for weeks and much of its population scattered for months or even years, the first public school didn't open in New Orleans until three months after the storm as officials tried to revamp a system that was widely considered to be failing long before Katrina. For most parents in the flood zone this week, patience is their only option. Some school districts, including in East Baton Rouge Parish, are making plans to reopen their doors next week. But in Livingston Parish, it could take several weeks for some schools to open up. All told, Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White says 22 of the state's public schools were so heavily damaged by flooding that they can't be opened by next week. Denham Springs High School was in session for six days before the flooding. Andrew Hunter, the school's band director, said he and his students won't wait for the school to reopen to resume practicing. Hunter said they plan to meet Thursday in a field next to the school for their first rehearsal since the storms. "I have seen a lot of firm jaws, ready to get back to work," Hunter said. "We control how we respond to adversity." Amanda Burge, 35, said one of her friends from Denham Springs plans to temporarily enroll her daughter at a school in Covington while they stay there with a relative. Burge said she can't move her three sons to another district because her husband's job is rooted here, but they haven't had time to weigh their options. On Thursday, the couple was racing to clean out their flooded home before mold sets in. "Everything is gone. School is gone. Home is gone. Church is gone," said Burge, president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Denham Springs Elementary School. Her 11-year-old son, Logan, smiled at the prospect of a "second summer." "At the same time, I'm starting to miss my teachers and my friends," he said. "I'm wondering if they're all OK from the storm." Even in crisis mode, Burge made sure Logan didn't miss his rehearsal for a play at a drama program for kids on Louisiana State University's campus. "This is the only normal thing that he gets to do," she said. Bonnie Nastasi, a professor at Tulane University in New Orleans specializing in school psychology, said addressing the disruption of children's lives is as important as helping them with the initial trauma they experienced during the flooding. Many had to be rescued in the darkness of night, plucked from their homes and packed together in crowded shelters. "Re-establishing the routine of school is going to be important for children. If they can resume normal routines, that helps them to feel more safe and more secure," Nastasi said. Amanda Burge looks at flood damaged items with two of her three children Aiden, left, and Hudson, center, in Denham Springs, La., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. "Everything is gone. School is gone. Home is gone. Church is gone," said Burge, president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Denham Springs Elementary School. (AP Photo/Michael Kunzelman) Residents gather house debris for the trash near Highway 16 in Denham Springs, La., as people begin the recovery process from the severe weather flooding in Livingston Parish, east of Baton Rouge, La., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. (Bill Feig/The Advocate via AP) A growing pile of debris sits outside the flood-ravaged home of Carolyn and James Smith in Denham Springs, La. on Wednesday, Aug 17, 2016. Smith says she and four other adults will live for the time being in the travel trailer that one of her sons towed to the driveway after weekend flooding inundated the area. (AP Photo/Kevin McGill) Members of the Louisiana Army National Guard help place sandbags to protect the city hall in Lake Arthur, La., Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP) Lake Arthur residents receive help from the Army National Guard to build sandbag wall to keep flood waters from Lake Arthur, La., Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP) Dylan Heinan, among other volunteers, piles sandbags in an effort to stop flood waters from rising in Lake Arthur, La., Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP) In spite of email controversy, Clinton holds edge over Trump NEW YORK (AP) Hillary Clinton can't seem to escape her use of a private email server as she runs for president. But faced with the choice of Donald Trump, voters seem willing to tolerate the questions it raises about Clinton's honesty because of their distaste for the Republican nominee. This week, it was the FBI's delivery to Congress of notes from its investigation into Clinton's email habits that put one of the most uncomfortable parts of her State Department tenure back in the headlines. It's an issue unlikely to go away: At hearings planned for next month, Republicans in Congress say they'll ask FBI officials whether those notes indicate she may have lied to lawmakers in response to questions about her handling of classified material. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, joined by New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton, left, and others, meets with law enforcement leaders at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Yet for all the attention the emails get, recent preference polls show Clinton with a solid and steady lead over Trump in a series of competitive battleground states. Voters also give her higher marks on her readiness for the White House and handling of foreign policy. Those same polls show that much of the public doesn't like Clinton and find her untrustworthy, and she has acknowledged as much. But it's worse for Trump, and compared with the billionaire, the perceptions of dishonesty the public has of Clinton appears to be an attribute many Americans are willing to live with. "All of this calculation over the emails will probably be drowned out by the determination that he's not fit to be president," said Matt Bennett, once an aide to former Vice President Al Gore and a senior vice president at the centrist think tank Third Way. Should Clinton win the election, questions about her honesty are likely to trail her into the White House and could complicate her ability to push through a policy agenda. It's a political challenge that mirrors the one her husband, former President Bill Clinton, faced nearly a quarter century ago. As a candidate, Bill Clinton was dogged in 1992 by questions about his honesty, but voters ultimately viewed him as a better caretaker of the economy, which had stumbled during President George H.W. Bush's administration. "It will be a challenge," said Mickey Kantor, a longtime Clinton supporter who chaired his 1992 campaign. "He overcame it and was re-elected. She can overcome it. Not easily, but she can overcome it." The tone Hillary Clinton sets during a transition and inauguration will likely be key to potentially improving her image, said Chris Lehane, who worked in opposition research in her husband's administration. "You'll have a moment there where potentially people will be interested in getting what you rarely get in life, a second look," he said. According to polls conducted by Gallup, her favorability ratings have fallen from a high of around 65 percent during her tenure as secretary of state to just over 40 percent after the Democratic convention, a historic low for a presidential candidate, surpassed only by Trump. "She will have a significant challenge in persuading the voters of the country that she is indeed honest and trustworthy," said Republican pollster Whit Ayres, who worked for GOP primary candidate Marco Rubio's presidential bid. "A great many people will vote for her because they can't stand voting for Donald Trump. But she'll still have work to do." Old Clinton hands see echoes of their strategy in Hillary Clinton's approach. In early 1992, voters knew Bill Clinton as an Ivy League graduate who avoided serving in Vietnam and had been accused of extramarital affairs, said Paul Begala, a key strategist for the then candidate who now works for the main Democratic super PAC supporting Hillary Clinton's White House bid. Their goal was to expand public perceptions of Bill Clinton to encompass other, more positive facts, such as his poor upbringing, difficult family life, college scholarships and decision to return to Arkansas as a public servant rather than accept a high-paid corporate job. In 2016, Clinton's campaign, says Begala, has similarly tried to fill out her public image. It has run ads highlighting her mother's abusive childhood and Clinton's early commitment to helping women and children as a legal advocate, while much of the Democratic convention was devoted to Clinton's personal biography. "Sure, she has had Secret Service protection since she became first lady in 1993 she needs it. But she was not born in the White House," Begala said. Clinton and her campaign attribute much of her low approval ratings to a belief that voters like Clinton more when she's working than campaigning, a view that they say is intertwined with the scandals of her husband's administration, years of relentless GOP attacks and how Americans view female candidates. But in recent weeks, they've preferred to focus on the failings of their opponent. "He's been unraveling for weeks, since the convention," Joel Benenson, Clinton's chief strategy said Thursday in an interview with MSNBC. "He's a failed candidate and failing campaign." But even Clinton admits that fixing her trust problem will take time. "I've made mistakes. I don't know anyone who hasn't. So I understand people have some questions," Clinton told black voters at a June luncheon in Chicago. "You can't just talk someone into trusting you. You've got to earn it." ___ Follow Ken Thomas and Lisa Lerer on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/kthomasdc and http://twitter.com/llerer Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton talks with media as she meets with law enforcement leaders at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Taking heat, US officials defend $400M cash payment to Iran WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration on Friday defended its decision to make a $400 million cash delivery to Iran contingent on the release of American prisoners, saying the payment wasn't ransom because the Islamic Republic would have soon recouped the money one way or another. In a conference call with reporters, senior administration officials said it made no sense not to use the money as leverage to ensure that four U.S. citizens were freed, especially as Washington was uncertain until the very moment their plane left that Iran would live up to its word. The administration's defense came after the State Department outlined for the first time that the Jan. 17 repayment of money from a 1970s Iranian account to buy U.S. military equipment was connected to a U.S.-Iranian prisoner exchange on the same day. Previously, President Barack Obama and other officials had denied any such linkage. FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2015 file-pool photo, Secretary of State John Kerry, speaks to senior adviser John Kirby before a news conference in Vienna. The State Department says a $400 million cash payment to Iran was contingent on the release of American prisoners. Spokesman Kirby says negotiations over the U.S. returning Iranian money from a decades-old account was conducted separately from the prisoner talks. But he says the U.S. withheld delivery of the cash as leverage until the U.S. citizens had left Iran. (Carlo Allegri/Pool Photo via AP, File) The acknowledgement kicked off a torrent of Republican criticism, who declared it evidence of a quid pro quo that undermined America's longstanding opposition to ransom payments. "He denied it was for the hostages, but it was," Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said in a speech Thursday night in Charlotte, North Carolina. "He said we don't pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages, openly and blatantly." House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said Obama "owes the American people a full accounting of his actions and the dangerous precedent he has set." The money came from an account used by the Iranian government to buy American military equipment in the days of the U.S.-backed shah. The equipment was never delivered after the shah's government was overthrown in 1979 and revolutionaries took American hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The two sides have wrangled over that account and numerous other financial claims ever since. The Jan. 17 agreement involved the return of the $400 million, plus an additional $1.3 billion in interest, terms that Obama described as favorable compared to what might have been expected from a tribunal set up in The Hague to rule on claims between the two countries. U.S. officials have said they expected an imminent ruling on the claim and settled with Tehran instead. At an Aug. 4 news conference at the Pentagon, Obama said nothing nefarious occurred. "We do not pay ransom for hostages," he said. In a conference call with reporters, two senior administration officials intimately involved with the financial and prisoner negotiations sought to refute what they described as false reports about what happened. They weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity. There was no way that Washington could have avoided repaying the money to Iran in the short-term, one of the officials insisted. The 1981 Algiers Accord between the U.S. and Iran that set up the tribunal made repayment mandatory, and allowed for either claimant to seize assets in international courts if the other reneged on a ruling, the official said. Iran had lived up to its commitment by repaying $2.5 billion awarded for claims by U.S. citizens and companies. A ruling on the military fund was expected soon, the official said, as Iran asked last year for the tribunal to hear its case and Tehran and Washington had been negotiating proposals for a hearing. Given that interest rates in the early years of the fund were as high as 20 percent, the official said Iran stood to receive a much more substantial award than $1.3 billion in interest. As a result, the U.S. opted to settle with Iran. The second American official argued that if there was any quid pro quo, it was the exchange of U.S. and Iranian prisoners. Washington released seven Iranians, mostly dual Iranian-American nationals convicted of sanctions violations, as part of the deal. But even that trade-off faced several difficulties on the busy diplomatic weekend in January that also included the Iranians complying with last year's nuclear accord and the U.S. lifting many oil, trade and banking sanctions on Iran context, the official said, that played into the administration's decision making with the $400 million. He said the wife of one of the prisoners, Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, went "incommunicado" for several hours even though Iran had agreed to allow her to join her husband on the plane. At another point, a prisoner in Virginia who was part of the package refused to accept his pardon, leading Iran to threaten to pull out of the deal. Iran also became miffed when it learned that the prisoners being released in the United States didn't want to travel to Iran, the official said. Iran asked the U.S. to pressure them into leaving, but the American negotiators refused, he said. The various demands led the U.S. to believe there was a possibility the American prisoners would be returned to Iran's notorious Evin prison, the official said. And that is why the U.S. decided to use the settlement money as leverage, the official said. But Friday's explanation, while more detailed than previous tick-tocks of the diplomacy, still didn't answer why the administration insisted for seven months that the money and the prisoners never became part of a common negotiation. "Reports of link between prisoner release & payment to Iran are completely false," State Department spokesman John Kirby tweeted earlier this month. The explanation is also unlikely to stem the flood of Republican criticism for the changing narrative. Mexico's rights agency says police killed 22 at ranch MEXICO CITY (AP) Federal police killed at least 22 people on a ranch last year, then moved bodies and planted guns to corroborate the official account that the deaths happened in a gunbattle, Mexico's human rights commission said Thursday. One police officer was killed in the confrontation in the western state of Michoacan on May 22, 2015. The government has said the dead were drug cartel suspects who were hiding out on the ranch in Tanhuato, near the border with Jalisco state. The National Human Rights Commission said there were also two cases of torture and four more deaths caused by excessive force. It said it could not establish satisfactorily the circumstances of 15 others who were shot to death. FILE - In this May 22, 2015, file photo, Mexican state police stand guard near the entrance of Rancho del Sol, where a shootout with the authorities and suspected criminals happened near Vista Hermosa, Mexico. Mexico's National Human Rights Commission said on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, that it has concluded that 22 people were arbitrarily executed by federal police during the event. Commission President Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez said their investigation revealed a range of human rights abuses on the part of government forces. (AP Photo/Refugio Ruiz, File) "The investigation confirmed facts that show grave human rights violations attributable to public servants of the federal police," commission President Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez said. Mexico's national security commissioner, Renato Sales, who oversees the federal police, denied the accusations, holding his own news conference before the rights commission had finished its own. Sales said federal police ordered the suspects to drop their weapons and surrender, but were answered with gunfire. "The use of weapons was necessary and proportional against the real and imminent and unlawful aggression," Sales said. "That is to say, in our minds they acted in legitimate defense." The lopsided death toll had led to suspicions that officers might have arbitrarily killed people during the operation against suspected members of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. The rights commission questioned the government's explanation of what led to the clash in the first place. Federal police had said they encountered a truck and took fire from its passengers before being led to the ranch. The commission's report said the government did not produce evidence supporting that account and it said witness statements suggested 41 federal police had sneaked onto the ranch as early as 6 a.m. Officers started their assault at least an hour earlier than they maintained in reporting on the incident, the commission said. According to the agency's report, after the federal police officer was shot, police called for backup. Fifty-four more federal police officers arrived along with a helicopter. The helicopter fired some 4,000 rounds at the ranch house and a nearby warehouse, which caught fire. The helicopter was also hit by gunfire, the report said. One victim died of burns that the commission believes came after he was shot but still alive. In total, five people were killed by the helicopter, the commission found. One victim was hit by a bullet that entered around his left pectoral muscle and exited his groin, but there were no bloodstains on the jeans he was found wearing, the commission said. Thirteen of the 22 people the commission said were killed had been shot in the back, it said. Two witnesses interviewed by the commission said federal police officers told one heavily tattooed man to run outside the ranch house and then the witnesses heard gunshots. By the time investigators from the state Attorney General's Office arrived at the scene, "the Federal Police had approximately four hours to manipulate the scene," the report said. Eighteen of the victims were found barefoot and one just in his underpants, leading the commission to conclude most were asleep when police arrived. The commission's investigation said 40 civilians were killed by bullets, one died in the fire and one was run over. The government had initially refused to release autopsy reports on those killed. The commission criticized the autopsies performed by the Michoacan Attorney General's Office as being sloppy and incomplete and said the morgue turned over the wrong body to one family. The case is reminiscent of a 2014 incident in which the commission found that soldiers killed at least a dozen suspected criminals after they surrendered in a warehouse in Tlatlaya west of Mexico City. The army's version was that 22 suspects died in a gunfight in which only one soldier was wounded. But The Associated Press found evidence at the scene did not match that account. The warehouse wall showed signs that suspects were lined up and shot. In that case, three women who survived were tortured by agents of the state prosecutor's office to corroborate the army's version. On Thursday, the commission said two survivors of the bloodshed in Tanhuato had been forced to watch three slayings and were then tortured. Police threatened their lives and the lives of their families, it said. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has requested the independent Montana Healthcare Foundation to study the availability of treatment services across the state. Fox, Montana's chief legal officer, chief law enforcement officer, and director of the state Department of Justice, said Thursday he wants to look at areas where his office can increase funding or services for treatment of drug offenders. He also wants the foundation to study how hospitals can better identify patients with health problems that might not appear drug related, but point to an addiction. Yellowstone County by County Attorney Scott Twito has introduced a program in which he hopes to direct first-time offenders into treatment within two weeks of their arrest. Drug crimes stretch across Montana and out of Fox's jurisdiction in areas like tribal lands. The Montana Highway Patrol, which operates under the Montana Department of Justice, has a memorandum of understanding with some reservations, like the Blackfeet and Flathead. He said those agreements are complex and take a lot of time to draft and implement. Fox said he was hesitant to infringe on the sovereignty of Indian nations without a direct request for help. However, he said his office was open to working with both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations on agreements similar to the other tribes. The Northern Cheyenne enacted a state of emergency in March after a rise in crimes the tribe said was related to drug use. Drugs are coming into Montana more pure and cheaper than ever, Fox said. It is not only affecting our crime rates, but Montana families. Dependent neglect cases doubled in Yellowstone County in a year. In 2014, the number of neglect cases was 223. In 2015, the number rose to 512. Many of those children are represented by public defenders. Fox, a former public defender, stressed the importance of funding the public defenders' office, adding that all areas of the criminal justice system are struggling with limited budgets. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock directed a task force to look at the Office of the State Public Defender to determine the managerial and budgetary needs of the office. The Public Defender Commission, in response, offered a proposal to add an executive director of the office, co-managing with the Chief Public Defender, said Public Defender Commission Chair Richard Gillespie. Under the commission's plan, the executive director would be appointed by the commission. Under a proposed plan from the task force, the executive director would be appointed by the governor, Gillespie said. The Office of the State Public Defender is the counterweight to the attorney general's office, and Fox said he couldn't speak to the plans of the commission or the task force without more study. "I can say the public defender's office ought not to be too politically connected," Fox said. Zika researchers seeking volunteers willing to be infected WASHINGTON (AP) Wanted: Volunteers willing to be infected with the Zika virus for science. It may sound bizarre, but researchers are planning just such a study this winter, when mosquitoes aren't biting to help speed development of much-needed Zika vaccines. The quest for a vaccine began less than a year ago as Brazil's massive outbreak revealed that Zika, once dismissed as a nuisance virus, can harm a fetus' brain if a woman is infected during pregnancy. FILE-In this Feb. 11, 2016 file photo, Dallas County Mosquito Lab microbiologist Spencer Lockwood sorts mosquitos collected in a trap in Hutchins, Texas, that had been set up in Dallas County near the location of a confirmed Zika virus infection. The quest for a vaccine began less than a year ago as Brazils massive outbreak revealed that Zika, once dismissed as a nuisance virus, can harm a fetus' brain if a woman is infected during pregnancy. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File) Now, researchers in the United States have begun safety testing of two vaccine candidates, and more experimental shots are poised to enter that preliminary testing soon. Any that seem promising will have to be tested in thousands of people in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean that are hard-hit by the mosquito-borne virus the only way to prove if an experimental vaccine really protects. Even if all goes well, a vaccine wouldn't be available for general use any time soon. But a different kind of research also can offer clues for vaccine development. It's called a human challenge study, when healthy and nonpregnant people agree to be injected deliberately with a virus, mimicking natural infection while scientists track how their bodies react. The first question is even more basic: How much of the virus does it take to infect someone? If government regulators agree, researchers could find out by injecting paid volunteers with different amounts of lab-grown Zika virus as early as December in a Baltimore hospital. That information will help the researchers later, when they're ready to test an experimental Zika vaccine. "We're looking at these human challenge protocols not only as an important step in vaccine development but as a means to learn more about Zika," said Dr. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who is leading the work. "We can look at things that you just can't do in someone who's naturally infected." Some questions and answers about the development of Zika vaccines: Q: Which potential vaccines are first in line? A: Two so-called DNA vaccines have begun preliminary safety testing, one made by the National Institutes of Health and the other by Pennsylvania-based Inovio Pharmaceuticals. They mark a new kind of technology. Traditionally, vaccines are made using a dead or weakened virus to train the body's immune system to recognize that infection and fight it off. DNA vaccines may be easier to make. Scientists used a circular piece of DNA, called a "plasmid," to carry genes that prompt the body itself to produce certain Zika virus proteins, alerting the immune system. That piece of trickery worked in animals. The phase 1 studies in dozens of people will check for safety, and whether the vaccinations rev up human immunity enough to justify further tests. Q: What else is in the pipeline? A: "We are right now in a race of time to get the best vaccine," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Multiple candidates are important as there's no way to predict which kind will work best. The DNA vaccines simply were ready for human testing first. In October, safety tests are set to begin using the more traditional killed-virus vaccine, developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. The NIH also is developing a vaccine using live-but-weakened virus, the type thought to trigger particularly long-lasting immune protection. That's the kind used to protect against rubella, which back in the 1960s caused an epidemic of birth defects. Q: If the first candidates are safe, what happens next? A: Fauci expects to open next-step studies in January, enrolling 2,400 to 5,000 people in areas where Zika still is spreading widely to test if the vaccinated are less likely than the unvaccinated to become infected. Q: Are vaccines aimed at pregnant women? A: Not at this point. It's hard to test new products during pregnancy. Plus, a fetus can be vulnerable to Zika even before a woman realizes she's pregnant. The goal instead is to vaccinate women of childbearing age and their sexual partners because Zika also can be transmitted through sex well before pregnancy ever occurs. Q: Where do the human challenge studies come in? A: Jabbing someone with Zika is faster than waiting around for a mosquito to bite them to see if an experimental vaccine provides protection. But first Durbin must find what dose of Zika causes infection, to be sure she's giving a vaccine enough of a challenge. That's what the study planned for December would do. Volunteers given different amounts of Zika would be kept in a Hopkins hospital unit for 12 days, to be sure the virus had cleared the bloodstream, and would have to agree to use condoms for a while afterward to avoid any possibility of sexual transmission. Because Zika usually causes few if any symptoms, those infected might expect a rash or low fever. The second round of the research would recruit volunteers who'd received an experimental vaccine, trying to infect them with Zika six months after their shot. The extra benefit: Tracking people from the moment they're exposed to Zika also could shed important new light on how the virus affects the body such as how long it's infectious in blood, semen and other bodily fluids, and just how the immune system fights it off. Q: Has this been done before? A: Human challenge studies are rare because they're difficult to perform and expensive. But Durbin recently did just such research to test a potential vaccine against dengue, a dangerous cousin of Zika, and doesn't expect difficulty recruiting volunteers for the Zika study once regulators are satisfied it can be conducted safely. Q: What about the fight over federal funding for Zika? A: In February, the Obama administration requested $1.9 billion for the nation's fight against Zika, including vaccine development, but Congress hasn't approved any of it. With existing money running out, federal health officials are taking funds meant for other diseases to get by until the end of the year but Fauci said NIH alone will need $196 million more in 2017 to avoid delays in the vaccine research. Oregon buzz: Pot plants at state fair in a 1st for the US SALEM, Ore. (AP) Nine living marijuana plants will be displayed at the Oregon State Fair in a first of its kind event for the United States starting next Friday. The exhibit of the non-flowering, immature plants brings pot cultivation more into the agricultural mainstream less than two years after Oregon voters legalized recreational marijuana. The Oregon Cannabis Business Council, which organized the exhibit, says it's the first time live cannabis will be shown at a state fair anywhere in the U.S. The group last year had an informational booth about marijuana at the fair and there were no complaints a key factor in allowing them to go one step further and offer live plants for viewing this year, said Dan Cox, spokesman for the Oregon State Fair. Fairgoers over the age of 21 can see the plants at the Oregon Cannabis Business Councils booth in an exhibition hall. It is the first time pot plants will be featured at a state fair The specimens were selected by judges at a competition last weekend who chose three winners each in the sativa, indica and hybrid categories. The entire exhibit will be housed in a translucent tent and extra security will be on hand to check identification so only people 21 and over can enter, Cox said. None of the plants are allowed have buds, which are more potent than the leaves. That's because the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which will regulate the recreational marijuana business, is still finalizing regulations for the nascent industry and it's currently illegal to transport a flowering plant, said Donald Morse, director of the Oregon Cannabis Business Council. Those regulations and a licensing process for recreational producers are expected by 2017. The industry hopes to have plants with buds at the fair next summer, Morse said. The event has raised some eyebrows, but Cox said the Oregon State Fair has always played a role in displaying the latest and sometimes controversial fads in agriculture and state culture. Nearly 20 years ago, he said, the fair had an exhibit on tattoo body art that caused a similar sensation. "It is a showcase for traditional things. And yet it's always been a show place for the new, the different and the innovative," he said. Oregon voters legalized recreational marijuana in a November 2014 ballot initiative after medical marijuana was legalized years earlier. Recreational marijuana remains illegal in 46 states and under federal law. But in Oregon, the pot business has been booming. Anticipated state revenue from recreational marijuana through June 2017 was recently quadrupled by Oregon's Legislative Revenue Office, from $8.4 million to $35 million. Cox said there aren't plans to expand pot's place at the fair beyond the small exhibit, which is in a space rented by industry proponents. But for weed fans, just getting a place at the table is worth celebrating. "It's pretty awesome to be judging actual cannabis plants that are going to go into a state fair," said Tom Lauerman, one of six judges and an organic marijuana grower who was once arrested in a law enforcement drug raid targeting pot. "It kind of gives me goose bumps even talking about it." The fair runs from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5 in Salem, Oregon. ____ Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus Green ribbon: Ed Rosenthal, nicknamed the 'Ganja Guru', judges marijuana plants at a competition to select nine specimens for display at the Oregon State Fair Emilio Gurule, right, a plant tender at a hydroponic marijuana farm called Uplifted, helps a customer fill out a raffle ticket during the Oregon Cannabis Growers' Fair in Salem In this Aug. 13, 2016, photo, from left, Daniel Demeulle, Danny Grimm and Nathan Martinez display their first prize ribbons at the Oregon Cannabis Growers' Fair in Salem, Ore. The winners of the marijuana plant judging competition will display their live pot plants at the Oregon State Fair between Aug. 26 and Sept. 5. It's the first time real pot plants have been open for public viewing at the annual agricultural showcase in Oregon, where voters legalized recreational marijuana in November 2014. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus) In this Aug. 13, 2016 photo, marijuana plants await judging at a competition to select nine specimens for display at the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Ore.The exhibit of live marijuana plants will run from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5 and will mark the first time real pot plants have been open for public viewing at the annual agricultural showcase. Oregonians voted to legalize recreational marijuana in November 2014. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus) Judges rate marijuana plants at the Oregon Cannabis Grower's Fair marijuana plant competition in Salem, Oregon. Nine winners will be on display at the Oregon State Fair Ukraine details payments allegedly earmarked for Trump aide MOSCOW (AP) Once-secret accounting documents of Ukraine's pro-Kremlin party were released Friday, purporting to show payments of $12.7 million earmarked for Paul Manafort, who resigned as Donald Trump's campaign chairman following the revelations. Manafort's resignation comes a day after The Associated Press reported that confidential emails from his firm contradicted his claims that he had never lobbied on behalf of Ukrainian political figures in the U.S. The AP found that Manafort helped Ukraine's Party of Regions secretly route at least $2.2 million to two Washington lobbying firms. Manafort told Yahoo News that the AP's account was wrong. FILE - In this July 17, 2016 file photo, Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort talks to reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland as Rick Gates listens at back left. Emails obtained by The Associated Press shed new light on the activities of a firm run by Donald Trumps campaign chairman. They show it directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraines ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the countrys pro-Russian government. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau, which was set up in 2014 to deal with high-profile corruption cases, is studying the so-called black ledgers of the Party of Regions which investigators believe are essentially logs of under-the-table cash payments that the party made to various individuals. The bureau on Friday released 19 pages of the logs which contain 22 line-item entries where Manafort is listed as the ultimate recipient of funds totaling $12.7 million. The bureau said, however, that it cannot prove that Manafort actually received the money because other people including a prominent Party of the Regions deputy signed for him in those entries. Handwritten notes in a column describe what the payments were used for with entries such as: "Payment for Manafort's services," ''contract payment to Manafort" dated between November 2011 and October 2012. Manafort and business associate Rick Gates, another top strategist in Trump's campaign, were working in 2012 on behalf of the political party of Ukraine's then-president, Viktor Yanukovych. People with direct knowledge of Gates' work told the AP that, during the period when Gates and Manafort were consultants to Yanukovych's Party of Regions, Gates was also helping steer the advocacy work done by a pro-Yanukovych nonprofit that hired a pair of Washington lobbying firms. The nonprofit, the newly created European Centre for a Modern Ukraine, was governed by a board that initially included parliament members from Yanukovych's party. The nonprofit operation subsequently paid at least $2.2 million to the lobbying firms to advocate positions generally in line with those of Yanukovych's government. Two co-founders of the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine, Yevhen and Vitaly Kolyuzhny, both former members of parliament, are listed in the released documents as recipients of funds on Manafort's behalf. Serhiy Leshchenko, a former investigative journalist turned lawmaker, on Friday published several pages from the ledgers in an article in the respectable Ukrainska Pravda newspaper. When asked if he has evidence that Manafort actually received the money that had been earmarked for him, Leshchenko said investigators could prove that only if they question the people named in the ledgers. Leshchenko said Manafort had worked in Ukraine for several years and that the entries in the ledgers are the only explanation of how he could have been paid. Some Ukrainian politicians who have been mentioned in entries released earlier this year have confirmed to local media that the books are genuine. Leshchenko also said Manafort continued to work in Ukraine after Yanukovych fled and a new pro-European government stepped in and that Manafort consulted the Party of Regions for the 2014 parliamentary election and visited Ukraine last year. Leshchenko also said that the ledgers contained the name of U.S. television personality Larry King, listed as having received an advance payment of $225,000 via Geller, a Party of Regions deputy. On Friday, Ukrainska Pravda online newspaper published a photocopy of the line-item entry showing Geller's signature dated Oct. 11, 2011, as recipient of funds for King. When asked what King could have possibly been paid for, Leshchenko mentioned that King went to Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, in 2011 to interview Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, a member of the Party of Regions. The AP sought comment from King's representative, but there was no immediate response. ___ Detective: Man told police he shot 2 teenagers behind store ATLANTA (AP) A detective told a judge in Atlanta Friday that a defendant confessed to killing two 17-year-olds behind a suburban supermarket, but did not explain why. Local media report that Roswell Police Detective Jennifer Bennett was the only witness at the preliminary hearing for 20-year-old Jeffrey Hazelwood, who is charged with murdering Carter Davis and Natalie Henderson Aug. 1 in Roswell. Bennett said Hazelwood didn't explain why he shot them, according to WXIA-TV. She said Hazelwood told police that he shot Davis first after watching them park behind the store, and made the girl remove her clothes before shooting her in the head. Bennett said police found a revolver when they arrested Hazelwood, along with jumper cables from Davis' car. More people go home as progress made against California fire PHELAN, Calif. (AP) More people returned to their homes Friday as firefighters made significant progress against a huge wildfire burning in Southern California's San Bernardino National Forest, but that was tempered by the announcement that at least 96 homes and 213 outbuildings were destroyed. Johanna Santore was among those left homeless. She was running an errand Tuesday when the fire charged through her neighborhood. She tried to rush home to rescue the family's four dogs, six cats and hamster but was blocked by closed roads. Frantic for answers, she posted messages about her pets on Facebook. A group of animal rescue volunteers saw her pleas and offered to check on the animals. Scorched cars and trailers burned by the Blue Cut fire line a residential street in Phelan, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Thousands of residents chased from their mountain and desert homes were slowly beginning to take stock of their losses as the preliminary damage assessment was released for the blaze that erupted Tuesday in drought-parched canyons 60 miles east of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) They found the house in smoldering ruins with no signs of the pets. "I'm actually feeling numb," said Santore, who fled with her husband and granddaughter to an evacuation center. "It's like a nightmare." Thousands of residents chased from their mountain and desert homes were slowly beginning to take stock of their losses as the preliminary damage assessment was released for the blaze that erupted Tuesday in drought-parched canyons 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Firefighters initially struggled to get the towering flames under control but later made dramatic progress in corralling the fire that scorched nearly 58 square miles and was 40 percent contained. Plans were underway to demobilize some of the nearly 1,600 firefighters. "It's looking very good, we took the offensive last night into today," fire spokesman Brad Pitassi said. He said the number of destroyed homes and buildings could have been much higher for such a powerful fire. Katie and Johnathon Havens piled their 1-year-old son and teacup Chihuahua into their RV as flames neared. The Havens thought they had lost everything when a map of the fire was released. They later discovered their house was intact after they were able to access a camera they had placed inside the home. "It's very comforting to know the house is still there," Katie Havens said. "I'm pretty sure we're going to go back and have neighbors who don't have homes anymore. The community is never going to be the same." A prolonged drought has transformed swaths of California into tinderboxes, ready to ignite. Several other wildfires were burning in the state, including a blaze in rural Santa Barbara County that prompted the evacuation of a pair of campgrounds. In the southern Sierra Nevada, another blaze feeding on dense timber in Sequoia National Forest forced the evacuation of several tiny hamlets. In mountains north of San Francisco, a 6-square-mile blaze was 75 percent contained after destroying 299 structures, including 175 homes and eight businesses, in the working-class community of Lower Lake. All evacuation orders have been canceled. At the height of the fire east of Los Angeles, some 82,000 people were under evacuation orders. A small number of residents have been allowed to return home, but fire officials could not say when all the evacuations would be lifted. No deaths have been reported and the cause of the fire was under investigation. Crews continued to sift through burned regions to tally the damage. Michelle Keeney took a double-whammy hit. Not only did the fire level her house, but it also engulfed the Summit Inn, a popular Route 66 diner where she was the general manager. "I was in utter disbelief," said Keeney, who managed to salvage her father's silver ID bracelet and an antique gun he had from World War II. Max Torres didn't know whether his house was safe until he and his wife returned Thursday night. A decade ago, another wildfire narrowly missed the couple's home. "They saved our house last time. They saved everything," he said. "And they did it again." The Santores weren't as lucky. Volunteers who drove to their house found a moonscape. Some of the neighbors' homes were still standing, seemingly intact. Before the fire roared through, Johanna Santore had redecorated her granddaughter's room in a zebra pattern and added a loft bed. "We don't plan on rebuilding," she said. "We plan on leaving." ___ Associated Press writer Amanda Lee Myers contributed to this report. A firetruck passes scorched cars and trailers burned by a wildfire in Phelan, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Thousands of residents chased from their mountain and desert homes were slowly beginning to take stock of their losses as the preliminary damage assessment was released for the blaze that erupted Tuesday in drought-parched canyons 60 miles east of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Scorched cars and trailers burned by the Blue Cut fire line a residential street in Phelan, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. More people returned to their homes Friday as firefighters made significant progress against a huge wildfire burning in Southern California's San Bernardino National Forest, but that was tempered by the announcement that at least 96 homes and 213 outbuildings were destroyed. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A firetruck passes scorched cars and trailers burned by the Blue Cut fire in Phelan, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. More people returned to their homes Friday as firefighters made significant progress against a huge wildfire burning in Southern California's San Bernardino National Forest, but that was tempered by the announcement that at least 96 homes and 213 outbuildings were destroyed. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) The Blue Cut fire burns in Upper Lytle Creek near Wrightwood, Calif., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Firefighters were on the offensive Friday as they worked to expand significant gains against a huge wildfire that chased thousands of people from their homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Firefighters water down scorched compost material at a property burned near Phelan, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. The wildfire unleashed its initial fury on a semi-rural landscape dotted with small ranches and homes in Cajon Pass and on the edge of the Mojave Desert before climbing the mountains. (AP Photo/Christine Armario) Firefighters water down scorched compost material at a property burned near Phelan, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. The wildfire unleashed its initial fury on a semi-rural landscape dotted with small ranches and homes in Cajon Pass and on the edge of the Mojave Desert before climbing the mountains. (AP Photo/Christine Armario) A chimney stands amid rubble at a house scorched by a wildfire in Phelan, Calif., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Thousands of residents chased from their mountain and desert homes were slowly beginning to take stock of their losses as the preliminary damage assessment was released for the blaze that erupted Tuesday in drought-parched canyons 60 miles east of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) An air tanker makes a fire retardant drop Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 on the Lebec Fire off Interstate 5 in Lebec, Calif. Firefighters kept the blaze to 10 acres. (Casey Christie/The Bakersfield Californian via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES; ONLINE OUT; TV OUT Denmark contributes to help rid Libya of chemical arms COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Denmark is sending a container vessel, a support ship and 200 staff members to an international operation to rid lawless Libya of its chemical weapons arsenal and ship them out of the country, Danish lawmakers decided Friday. In a 99-0 vote with 80 absentees, Denmark's Folketing legislature decided Friday to send the contribution to the UN-backed Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The operation would be led by Denmark, but other countries including Finland and Germany are expected to join, according to Denmark's Foreign Ministry. It said Libya's UN-brokered National Unity government in July handed over a formal request for international assistance to have the chemical weapons removed. OPCW Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu welcomed the vote saying it "helped Libya to live up to its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention" which requires that chemical weapons be destroyed. Libya joined the convention in 2004. In the same statement, Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen said he was satisfied that the Scandinavian country "got the lead role," adding that the weapons "otherwise risk falling into the wrong hands." Denmark said it had been asked by the OPCW and the United States to contribute to the operation, dubbed RECLIB. When Libya began destroying its chemical weapons stocks in 2004, it declared that it had 24.7 tons of mustard gas, 1,390 tons of precursor chemicals and over 3,000 bombs containing chemical weapons. The destruction of chemical weapons was interrupted by the 2011 overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi, leaving some 850 tons of precursor chemicals stored at a facility monitored by the OPCW in Ruwagha. Australia formally bans Chinese from leasing power grid SYDNEY (AP) Australia's treasurer on Friday formally blocked Chinese bidders from leasing a Sydney electricity grid, saying the deal would not have been in the nation's best interest. The announcement by Treasurer Scott Morrison comes one week after he announced preliminary plans to ban Chinese state-owned State Grid Corp. and Hong Kong-registered Cheung Kong Infrastructure Group from bidding for a 99-year lease over a 50.4 percent stake in Ausgrid due to classified national security reasons. Morrison's initial announcement prompted criticism from China and accusations from some in Australia that his decision was made to appease influential lawmakers with xenophobic views a critique the treasurer has rejected as false. "In making this decision, national interest concerns have been paramount," Morrison said in a statement Friday, without elaborating on what those concerns were. Last week, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency criticized Australia for rejecting the bid along with Britain's recent move to delay a decision on a new nuclear power plant backed by Chinese investment. The agency said that although China's "dramatic development, huge population and unique culture" may cause concern for some countries, it could also result in "China-phobia." The Chinese Embassy noted this is the second time this year that the government has decided not to back applications by Chinese bidders to invest in Australia. It said this shows "a clear protectionist tendency and would have serious impact on the enthusiasm of Chinese firms which want to come and invest in Australia." The deal for the New South Wales state-owned electricity network would have earned more than 10 billion Australian dollars ($7.6 billion). On Friday, state Premier Mike Baird said he was irritated by Morrison's decision, saying it would delay the sale. "My frustration is that this should have been determined much earlier," he told reporters. "What we need to do now is get on with the job." Chinese foreign investment, particularly from state-owned companies, has become increasingly contentious in Australia as China takes a more aggressive stance in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Last week, Bob Carr, director of the Sydney-based Australia-China Relations Institute and a former foreign minister, accused the treasurer of bowing to the wishes of anti-establishment lawmakers who gained from the country's general election last month. Russia denies involvement in Aleppo attack that wounded boy MOSCOW (AP) The Russian defense ministry has denied responsibility for an attack on a neighborhood in the Syrian city of Aleppo which wounded a young boy whose rescue was filmed and shared widely on social media. The image of the 5-year old stunned boy, sitting in an ambulance caked with dust and with blood on his face, captured the horror that has beset the war-torn city. The Russian defense ministry said in a statement Friday it never targets populated areas and that rebels themselves hit urban areas in order to derail humanitarian efforts there. In this frame grab taken from video provided by the Syrian anti-government activist group Aleppo Media Center (AMC), a child sits in an ambulance after being pulled out or a building hit by an airstirke, in Aleppo, Syria, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Syrian opposition activists reported an airstrikes on the al-Qaterji neighborhood in Aleppo late Wednesday. (Aleppo Media Center via AP) More than 900 students absent at schools named in threats ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) More than 900 students were absent from three Orlando-area schools after authorities say a man posted messages on Twitter, threatening to shoot students and put pipe bombs inside campuses. News outlets reported that on Thursday there were 379 absences at Orange's Liberty Middle School, 357 at Orlando's Boone High School and 174 absences at Orlando's Edgewater High School. It is unclear how many students were missing from Orlando's Colonial High School, the fourth school named in the threats. The FBI said Wednesday they were looking into the threats made against the schools, but didn't think they are credible. Authorities: Woman accused of drugging horses to rig races BENSALEM, Pa. (AP) A groom at the Parx Casino and Racing facility in suburban Philadelphia is accused of giving performance-enhancing drugs to racehorses. The state Attorney General's Office announced Thursday that 25-year-old Marian Vega has been charged with rigging a publicly exhibited contest. Prosecutors allege the Bensalem woman administered doses of the drug Clenbuterol to a number of horses that was beyond "accepted guidelines." Authorities say she was found with a bottle of the drug during the investigations by the state's Horse Racing Commission and Attorney General's Office. The drug is used to treat horses with respiratory disease but has the effect of a performance-enhancing drug when it's used outside the prescribed guidelines. A ballot issue to create a Montana Biomedical Research Authority that could request up to $20 million a year for 10 years through state general-obligation bonds survived a Supreme Court challenge to knock it from the general election. Initiative 181, which would raise medical research funding using bonds paid off by taxpayers, will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot as planned. Opponents of the initiative, who say the way the money is spent is unconstitutional, were unable to persuade the Montana Supreme Court to weigh in. In a 5-0 decision, the justices said they wouldnt rush to consider the constitutionality of the initiative, nor would they treat I-181 as if it were law. Let the voters decide, the justices said. If the initiative becomes law, then it can be challenged. The ruling was not unexpected. Ive been a lawyer for nearly 40 years. Ive learned most good judges dont decide things that dont have to decide, said Max Davis, of I-181 organizing group Montanans for Research and Cures. The other thing is, most judges dont like things being dumped in their lap at the last minute. Opponents to I-181 filed the lawsuit July 28. The Montana Taxpayers Association and other plaintiffs in the case argue that I-181 is unconstitutional because it commits public money to a private group not under control of the state. The initiative would commit Montanans to providing $20 million in bonds each year for 10 years for medical research. A research board would determine who received the money. The state would not receive ownership in any successful research done by private companies who used the state funding. We believed, and still are confident, that this initiative is structurally unconstitutional and sets a bad precedent that would allow deep pocketed special interests to determine Montanas budget policy through the initiative process, said Al Ekblad, executive secretary of Montana AFL-CIO, a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Our petition was denied without prejudice so if this initiative becomes law we will challenge it again. AFL-CIO and other plaintiffs worry that the $200 million bond commitment will make it difficult to raise state bonding for roads and schools. Bonds are how Montana pays for public infrastructure projects. If taxpayers are already committed to paying for research bonds, legislators will be reluctant to add the burden of infrastructure funding on top of it, plaintiffs said.. And I-181 opponents dont like that the initiative lets a non-elected board decide how the money is spent. The Montana Constitution that reads, No appropriation shall be made for religious, charitable, industrial, educational, or benevolent purposes to any private individual, private association or private corporation not under the control of the state. The state Constitution also prohibits bond money from being used to benefit private individuals and entities not under the states control. I-181 opponents say the initiative violates those constitutional requirements. Montanans for Research and Cures is primarily funded by Great Falls-based McLaughlin Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, a private business. MRI research concerns Alzheimers, Parkinsons and other brain illnesses. The research group has put up half of MRIs roughly $80,000. The initiative is not breaking trail by leaving it to a non-elected commission to decide how the money is spent, Davis said. We got all kinds of non-elected boards that spend money the Board of Regents, Davis said. But, the money is controlled by the Legislature. It has to appropriate it, to the commission. There are all kinds of boards appointed by the governor that spend money. Thats a nonissue. What would be new ground is spending taxpayer money on private research that doesnt directly give Montanans a return on their investment. The research funded by taxpayers became a money-making success, Montanans wouldnt get a share of the profits. However, Davis said there would be indirect benefits. The research money would be spent in Montana, stimulating the state economy. Any medical discovery useful in treating conditions like Parkinsons, or Alzheimers, could benefit Montanans with those conditions, Davis said. German conservatives back partial ban on face veils BERLIN (AP) Security officials from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative bloc on Friday proposed a ban on wearing the burqa and other face-covering veils in public schools, courts, while driving and in other situations. Full-face coverings worn by some Muslim women are "not part of our open society" and officials "urge everyone to show their faces," Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said after meeting his state counterparts from Merkel's conservative Union bloc. But he acknowledged constitutional problems with a blanket burqa ban and said the proposal seeks only to prohibit face coverings "where showing the face has a function." German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere arrives for a cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday Aug. 17, 2016. (Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP) He pointed out that Germany already bans wearing any kind of face covering at demonstrations, such as masks meant to hide protesters' identities. Calls for a ban on burqas and other full-face veils emerged from parts of Merkel's bloc over the past two weeks amid discussions of how to step up security following several attacks last month two of them claimed by the Islamic State group which rattled Germany. Among the loudest advocates were the conservative interior ministers of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, which both hold state elections next month. Both are anxious to fend off a strong challenge from the nationalist, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party, which has been bolstered by concerns over the hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers Germany allowed in last year. There has been criticism from some even within their own party, however, who view the election-season focus on a burqa ban as a distraction from more important issues. Armin Laschet, a deputy leader of Merkel's Christian Democrats, was quoted Friday in Focus magazine as saying that getting tangled up in such debates was unhelpful for the party. "The security situation is so serious that we need to fully concentrate on internal security and not on symbolic topics," he said. "A burqa may displease some, but it has nothing to do with domestic security." De Maiziere acknowledged the face veil was not a security issue and also that "overall it's not a big problem in Germany." But he said the interior ministers felt strongly about sending a signal about what it found "unacceptable for our open society." Polish prosecutors investigate court head for abuse of power WARSAW, Poland (AP) Polish prosecutors have opened an investigation into the head of the country's Constitutional Tribunal to determine if he abused his power in not allowing judges appointed by the ruling party to take part in rulings. The investigation into Andrzej Rzeplinski, which opened Thursday, is the latest development in an ongoing conflict between the Polish government and the constitutional court, whose role is similar to the U.S. Supreme Court. The government's conflict with the court has raised international concerns about the state of democracy in Poland, and the political opposition and other critics have slammed the investigation into Rzeplinski as an attack on the separation of powers. In this April 28, 2016 photo, head of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal Andrzej Rzeplinski attends a meeting at the presidential palace in Warsaw, Poland. Polish prosecutors have opened an investigation into Rzeplinski to determine if he abused his power in not allowing judges appointed illegally by the ruling party to take part in rulings, what is the latest development in an ongoing conflict between the Polish government and the constitutional court. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) Amid the conflict, Rzeplinski has emerged as one of the key symbols of resistance against the right-wing government, which has moved to centralize power since winning elections last year. The investigation is seen by many as an attempt to discredit him since he enjoys, at least for now, immunity from prosecution. His term as head of the court also expires in December. Rzeplinski called the investigation part of a "hybrid war" against the tribunal and "a feeble attempt to interfere in the independence and autonomy of the judiciary." The problems with seating the three judges appointed by Law and Justice goes back to before that party won power, when the previous ruling party, Civic Platform, named five new judges to the 15-judge court. However, two of those judges were determined to have been appointed illegally because the terms of those they were meant to replace had not yet expired when the appointments were made. When Law and Justice came to power, it picked five new judges to replace all five of those appointed by the previous government, including the three that were appointed by the previous government in accordance with the rules. The Constitutional Tribunal has allowed the two Law and Justice nominees appointed legally to take their seats on the court, but not the three which it deemed were chosen illegally. That is only part of the bigger conflict between the government and the court. The government has also passed a law that changes the rules by which the court functions and makes it more difficult for the court to act as a check on the ruling party's power. The European Union says it violates the rule of law. In this Aug. 11, 2016 photo head of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal attends a session of the court in Warsaw, Poland. Polish prosecutors have opened an investigation into Rzeplinski to determine if he abused his power in not allowing judges appointed illegally by the ruling party to take part in rulings, what is the latest development in a ongoing conflict between the Polish government and the constitutional court. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) The Latest: 22 flooded public schools can't reopen next week BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) The Latest on flooding in southern Louisiana (all times local): 5:45 p.m. Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White says 22 of the state's public schools were so heavily damaged by flooding that they can't be opened by next week. Brandon Scott, left, helps Dexter Smith move furniture out of his home after flooding Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Crosby, Miss. Mississippi officials say heavy rains last week and through the weekend damaged roads in six counties in the southern part of the state. (Justin Sellers/The Clarion-Ledger via AP) White says the schools are spread across East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Ascension and Vermilion parishes in southern areas of the state hit hard by catastrophic flooding. Many other schools, he said, took on water but are dry now and can be used for student instruction. ___ 5:30 p.m. Authorities in hard-hit East Baton Rouge Parish say they have compiled an "inundation map" showing 58 percent of the parish, which includes the Louisiana capital city of Baton Rouge, was flooded. Data used to compile the map included details on emergency calls as well as early damage assessments in some areas. The map was produced as authorities continue to asses flood damage across much of south Louisiana. Meanwhile, an economic development agency, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, released a report Friday on potential damage in nine of the 20 parishes declared disaster areas because of flooding. It shows 110,000 homes were in flood-affected sections if the Baton Rouge metro area, although it's not yet certain that all of them flooded. The area also includes 7,300 businesses employing nearly 74,000 people. ____ 4:30 p.m. Gov. John Bel Edwards says short-term housing and food is on the way to victims of the catastrophic flooding in south Louisiana. The governor said Friday that FEMA will pay for hotel rooms on a rolling, 30-day basis. Storm victims who are staying in cars, hotels, shelters or their workplace are eligible but not those staying with friends and family. FEMA will contact people based on information provided when they signed up for federal disaster assistance. Nearly 4,000 people remain in shelters. The state will start Saturday to consolidate the sites. The governor said a disaster food stamp program will begin Monday in eight parishes. Baton Rouge residents have to wait until Aug. 29. ___ 3:25 p.m. The White House says President Barack Obama will travel to Louisiana on Tuesday to survey damage caused by historic flooding that killed at least 13 people and sent thousands to shelters. Obama has come under heavy criticism from some in Louisiana for continuing his New England vacation while parts of the state suffered after another major natural disaster. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and running mate Mike Pence visited flood victims on Friday. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called Louisiana's governor on Friday to discuss the situation and said the relief effort "can't afford any distractions." The White House announced Obama's trip Friday after he was briefed by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who visited Louisiana on Thursday. ___ 2:30 p.m. Louisiana's health department says pharmacists in areas affected by recent flooding can fill emergency 30-day prescriptions under certain circumstances. Pharmacists can provide the medication upon determining that it is essential to the maintenance of life or to the continuation of therapy. Flood victim Michelle Parrott says she has had trouble getting medications for her 17-year-old autistic son. She says his therapist also is flooded, so he's lacking the emotional support he needs from professionals. The health department is promoting a website that will refer people in flooded areas to open pharmacies. ___ 12:30 p.m. In flood-ravaged south Louisiana, mental scars are already showing on the youngest victims of a disaster that prompted more than 30,000 rescues and left an estimated 40,000 homes damaged. Children who endured harrowing rescues are returning home to a jarring landscape that even their parents can scarcely grasp: Homes filled with ruined possessions need to be gutted. Scores of damaged schools and daycare centers are closed indefinitely. Working parents must also line up caretakers for their kids. Denham Springs resident Michelle Parrott says the floods have traumatized her six children, who have slept in cars, a shelter and a hotel room since they had to be rescued by boat. Parrott says her children are hearing phantom thunder storms and ask if the floodwaters are coming again when it does rain. ___ 11 a.m. The sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana is changing the start time of the parish's curfew. Sid Gautreaux said in a news release Friday the nightly curfew will begin at midnight, instead of 10 p.m. The curfew's end time will remain 6 a.m. Gautreaux said the curfew is still needed to maintain the safety of residents and first responders and to provide security for homes and businesses devastated by flood waters. The sheriff said the curfew will still allow for individuals to travel to and from work and make food, fuel and other deliveries. ___ 10:30 a.m. A university scientist says flooding has cost south Louisiana rice farmers an estimated $14 million in fields that were destroyed after being completely submerged. Dustin Harrell, Louisiana State University's rice specialist, tells The Advertiser (http://bit.ly/2b6iuf2) that doesn't include yield or quality losses from rice that was damaged, but can still be harvested, nor does it include equipment and infrastructure losses. Harrell said in some ways the damage is worse than from previous hurricanes. He says with a hurricane the water recedes quickly, but in this case the backwater flooding is still there. Rice farmer Richard Fontenot says his fields have been flooded five days. Harrell says crops can generally survive complete submersion about two days. Fontenot, who farms rice and other crops, said the ultimate loss in rice will likely almost double Harrell's initial estimate. ___ 7:20 a.m. Even as most schools in the Baton Rouge area ready to reopen in the coming days, public schools in the hard-hit town of Central area won't reopen until after Labor Day at the earliest and perhaps later. Central Superintendent Michael Faulk tells The Advocate (http://bit.ly/2b2KamB) only one of Central's five schools, Tanglewood Elementary, sustained flooding, but it's a large school. Faulk says cleanup there should be done by the end of next week, but renovations will take longer. The town has its own school system. Also, roughly 60 percent of Central school employees suffered some kind of flood damage to homes or vehicles. Faulk said he wants schools to reopen but won't rush it to the point of causing problems later. The East Baton Rouge Parish school system, the state's second largest school district, will reopen classes Wednesday. Officials say six schools in the East Baton Rouge system sustained major damage and will remain closed after the other 70-plus schools reopen. ___ 5:45 a.m. Crews with Entergy-Louisiana from four states are walking through neighborhoods across south Louisiana, inspecting electrical equipment and working to re-energize lines where it is safe to do so. As of 5 a.m. Friday, the number of customers without power due to flooding had dropped to just under 6,000 from Tuesday night's peak of more than 32,000 customers. The process of restoring power to the remaining customers will be a slow one, as customers who had received floodwaters in their homes or businesses may have to make repairs to their electrical system before power can be restored. Customers in the Baton Rouge, Denham Springs and Gonzales areas who were not flooded but who are still without power also may have to wait a little longer. Entergy said power cannot be restored to their area until all meters are inspected on their circuit as well as other devices, such as transformers and fuses. ___ 2 a.m. Victims of catastrophic floods in Louisiana's capital city say they've seen people pull together white and black, officers and civilians in ways that give hope amid a summertime string of tragedies. It's been a summer of pain in greater Baton Rouge, a city rocked by the July 7 killing of black man Alton Sterling at the hands of police then the retaliatory slayings of three officers by a black gunman. After that came deadly floods that swamped thousands of homes and claimed more than a dozen lives. The anti-police rhetoric that followed Sterling's killing seems to have quieted somewhat, and officers once viewed with suspicion often risked their lives to rescue people in the floods. Observers say the test will be whether a sense of unity remains once floodwaters fully recede. In this Aug. 17, 2016, photo provided by the U.S. Army National Guard, soldiers with the 1023rd Engineer Company, 528th Engineer Battalion, attach supersac sandbags to a Louisiana National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk to be dropped at Alligator Bayou Control Structure by Elayn Hunt Correctional Facility at St. Gabriel, La. Mississippi National Guard supported the operation with 10 personnel and two CH-72 Chinooks, and together dropped 303 sandbags. (Sgt. 1st Class Glenn Childress/U.S. Army National Guard via AP) In this Aug. 15, 2016, photo, provided by the U.S. Army National Guard, Sgt. Chad McCann of Deville, Louisiana, crew chief with F Company, 2-135th MEDEVAC, brings a young child to the waiting UH-60 Blackhawk to be taken to safety after flood waters threatened his home in South Louisiana. Over 3,000 Louisiana National Guardsmen are still engaged in flood response efforts, to include rescues, evacuations, security patrols, engineering missions, and commodities distribution. (Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jesse Curtis/U.S. Army National Guard via AP) Rosalyn Scott hugs a community member as people aid in cleaning after flooding Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Crosby, Miss. Mississippi officials say heavy rains last week and through the weekend damaged roads in six counties in the southern part of the state. (Justin Sellers/The Clarion-Ledger via AP) The Rev. Robert Scott, center, leads community members in prayer Thursday, Aug. 18, in Crosby, Miss. where almost half the town's population has been displaced due to the historic flooding. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Crosby, Miss. Mississippi officials say heavy rains last week and through the weekend damaged roads in six counties in the southern part of the state. (Justin Sellers/The Clarion-Ledger via AP) Community members gather alongside mounds of ruined furniture from flooding Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Crosby, Miss. Mississippi officials say heavy rains last week and through the weekend damaged roads in six counties in the southern part of the state. (Justin Sellers/The Clarion-Ledger via AP) Ayzat Mardan, right, and Clarence Smiley load linens into a limousine from 654-LIMO, Thursday Aug. 18, 2016, at the Hampton Inn on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Area hotels donated linens, soaps and other items that will be delivered to storm victims in Louisiana. (Nick Tomecek/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP) American Red Cross member Michelle Wilson hands food out to residents Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Crosby, Miss. Mississippi officials say heavy rains last week and through the weekend damaged roads in six counties in the southern part of the state. (Justin Sellers/The Clarion-Ledger via AP) Volunteers with Christian Aid Ministries gut a flood-damaged home Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Crosby, Miss. Mississippi officials say heavy rains last week and through the weekend damaged roads in six counties in the southern part of the state. (Justin Sellers/The Clarion-Ledger via AP) In this Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016 photo, Dexter Smith stands outside of his flooded home in Crosby, Miss. The home was also flooded in 2014. (Matt Williamson/The Enterprise-Journal via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Rhiannon Reynolds, general manager at the Hampton Inn on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., reacts in her office on Thursday Aug. 18, 2106, to the pile of linens and soaps collected by area hotels that will be donated to flood victims in Louisiana. (Nick Tomecek/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP) In this image made from video, Willie Brooks III says speaks about the grave of his grandmother and how it's gone due to flooding, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Plainview Cemetery in Denham Springs, La. With an estimated 40,000 homes damaged by deadly flooding, Louisiana could be looking at its biggest housing crunch since the miserable, bumbling aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a decade ago. (AP Photo/Joshua Replogle) In this image made from video, Coffins lie unearthed Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Plainview Cemetery in Denham Springs, La. With an estimated 40,000 homes damaged by deadly flooding, Louisiana could be looking at its biggest housing crunch since the miserable, bumbling aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a decade ago. (AP Photo/Joshua Replogle) Police: Driver killed by NC trooper was hearing impaired CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) A driver shot and killed by a North Carolina trooper following a brief pursuit was hearing and speech impaired, a police report says. The report by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police provides no other details on the impairment of the 29-year-old driver, identified by the State Bureau of Investigation as Daniel Kevin Harris. The incident began about 6:15 p.m. Thursday when a trooper tried to pull over a vehicle for a speeding violation on Interstate 485, the patrol said in a news release. The driver led authorities on a brief pursuit before stopping, according to the release. Officials said that's when the driver got out of his car and an encounter took place between the driver and the trooper, causing a shot to be fired. The driver died at the scene. The SBI identified the trooper as Jermaine Saunders. Highway Patrol officials said in a news release that he was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure after an officer-involved shooting. SBI spokeswoman Audria Bridges said in an email that agents will interview Saunders next week. The SBI report doesn't mention that Harris is impaired, and Bridges didn't respond when asked in email if the impairment was a factor in the shooting. Suu Kyi meets Chinese president during visit to boost ties BEIJING (AP) Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi met Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to strengthen ties that have been challenged by Myanmar's democratic reforms and the suspension of Chinese projects in the country. Xi said he hopes Suu Kyi's five-day visit will boost "strategic cooperation between our two nations." "China attaches great importance to developing relations with Myanmar," he said in the meeting at a government guesthouse in western Beijing. "We should adhere to the correct direction, to push for new progress of bilateral relations and to bring tangible benefits to the two peoples." Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, pose for the media before their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Suu Kyi was welcomed by Premier Li Keqiang at a formal ceremony Thursday at part of a visit that will include talks with President Xi. The trip ending Sunday is her first to China since her party won a historic majority last year.(Rolex Dela Pena/Pool Photo via AP) Suu Kyi replied that "both sides are advancing relations and deepening mutual understanding and friendship." The fate of a stalled $3.6 billion dam project in northern Myanmar funded primarily by Chinese energy interests has been a key concern during the visit. Overwhelming local opposition to the Myitsone dam project led Myanmar's previous president, Thein Sein, to suspend it. Chinese officials have pushed for Suu Kyi to re-start construction. China's official Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday that the two countries agreed to try to find a "proper solution." Speaking to reporters earlier Friday, Suu Kyi said she had nothing new to announce concerning the dam, which is to be reviewed by a recently formed commission on hydroelectric projects along the Irrawaddy River. The dam is one of several Chinese-backed projects stalled due to protests by Myanmar citizens newly emboldened to speak out following democratic reforms, part of a larger backlash against China's economic domination of its poor southern neighbor. Suu Kyi leads Myanmar's government with the title of state counselor after her party won elections last year. The Nobel Peace Prize winner spent more than 15 years in detention, mostly under house arrest, under Myanmar's former military junta, which was supported for years by the authoritarian Communist Party-led government in Beijing. However, analysts say Suu Kyi has shown pragmatism and a desire to re-order Myanmar's relationship with China, its top trading partner and a major investor, while also reaching out to the United States, Europe and Japan. Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, left, hold a talk at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016.(Rolex Dela Pena/Pool Photo via AP) 2 Palestinian officers and 2 criminals killed in West Bank RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) Palestinian police say two of their officers were slain by Palestinian criminals, who were later killed in a shootout in the West Bank. Spokesman Adnan Dmairi said the criminals shot and killed two officers and wounded two others on Thursday. A chase to catch the killers ended early Friday in a shootout in Nablus, he said. Dmairi said Palestinian police were "determined to uproot the crime and lawlessness from our society." Two policemen were killed in the city a month ago in a similar incident that illustrates the growing lawlessness in the West Bank. Palestinian police have struggled to crack down on widespread illegal gun possession in the territory. The Latest: Clinton dismisses Trump's outreach to blacks WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on campaign 2016 (all times Eastern): 7:40 p.m. Hillary Clinton is calling Donald Trump's effort to appeal to black voters "ignorant." Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives onstage to speak at a rally in Dimondale, Mich.. Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) At a rally Friday in Dimondale, Michigan, Trump called on African-American voters to give him a shot at the presidency, asking, "What do you lose by trying something new like Trump?" Trump argues that many black people are living in poverty, with poor schools and few jobs, in spite of supporting Democratic politicians for decades. Clinton's Twitter account is linking to an excerpt from Trump's speech and says, "This is so ignorant it's staggering." Trump has made several appeals to the demographic this week, despite his dismal standing in the polls among black voters. ___ 5:45 p.m. The second lobbying firm that worked to advance Ukrainian political interests in Washington at the covert direction of two top Trump campaign aides says it also has hired a lawyer to investigate the situation. The move by Mercury LLC follows reports by The Associated Press that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort's consulting firm which worked for Ukraine's ruling political party oversaw what was supposed to be an independent European nonprofit without disclosing its role to the Justice Department. The attorney handling Mercury's review Ken Gross of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom also drafted the 2012 legal memo Mercury used to justify not notifying the Justice Department about its work under the U.S. Foreign Agent Registration Act. Gross confirmed to the AP that he had been hired by Mercury ___ 5:25 p.m. Donald Trump is telling African American voters to give him a shot at the presidency, asking what they've got to lose. At a rally in Dimondale, Mich., Friday, Trump asked the crowd, "What do you lose by trying something new like Trump?" He said many are living in poverty and have no jobs. "What the hell do you have to lose?" he asked. It's not the first appeal Trump has made to the demographic, despite his dismal standing in the polls. ___ 5:20 p.m. Donald Trump is vowing to win over African Americans if he is elected president, predicting that he will have "over 95 percent of the African American vote," at the end of his first term. Addressing a boisterous crowd in Dimondale, Mich., Friday, Trump spoke to deteriorating conditions in Detroit, saying it is among the worst afflicted cities in America, with no jobs, poverty and bad schools. He said his rival Hillary Clinton would rather give jobs to refugees than American citizens. Trump said, "it's time to hold democratic politicians accountable for what they've done for these communities." Most polls show Trump trailing Clinton significantly among black voters in particular, though Trump has repeatedly claimed that has strong support from the demographic. ___ 4:30 p.m. A lobbying firm involved in the effort by Donald Trump's former campaign chairman to influence Washington on behalf of Ukrainian political leaders has hired a law firm to investigate the situation. The chief executive for the Podesta Group Inc., Kimberley Fritts, said Friday her firm has hired Caplin & Drysdale LLP to determine whether it was misled into working on behalf of foreign governments or leaders. The move came one day after The Associated Press reported that Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort who resigned Friday and deputy Rick Gates had overseen lobbying by a Brussels-based nonprofit while they were working for Ukraine's governing political party between 2012 and 2014. By law, agents of foreign governments in the U.S. must disclose their roles with the Justice Department. ___ 3:30 p.m. Another top official has left the Democratic National Committee in the wake of an email hack last month that revealed embarrassing messages. Jordan Kaplan, the party's national finance director for more than three years, stepped down, becoming the scandal's fifth casualty. The first to go was DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Kaplan's resignation email, obtained by The Associated Press, makes no mention of the leaked emails. He says he is returning to consulting and in that capacity will continue to manage party fundraisers featuring the Obamas. Kaplan is a longtime Obama supporter, having first worked for him years ago during Obama's Illinois Senate campaign. Among the emails published by WikiLeaks--and potentially hacked by Russian operatives, according to the White House--were messages in which DNC finance team members disparaged specific party donors. ___ 2:15 p.m. Donald Trump has left Louisiana after spending more than three hours touring communities devastated by the recent flooding. The GOP nominee visited water-ravaged neighborhoods, where debris piled up in front lawns and on curbs as people continued to muck out their homes. During the visit, Trump met with first responders who conducted rescues in the flooding even as their own homes were damaged. And he spoke with volunteers at a church that was helping nearby residents with cleanup. Area residents cheered Trump's visit, lining up along streets to get a glimpse and thanking him for shining a national spotlight on the destruction. ___ 1:55 p.m. Donald Trump struck a somber tone as he toured the flood damage in Louisiana but still managed to get in a jab at President Barack Obama. In brief remarks in Ascension Parish, Trump made an appeal for more aid to the area and said he was "just here to help." Trump was also there to strike a contrast to Obama, who is on vacation and has not visited the area. When a woman told Trump she was happy he wasn't off playing golf, Trump replied: "Somebody is, somebody is that shouldn't be." Trump later added that "nobody understands how bad it is." The White House has said Obama has received regular updates about the flooding and the federal response during his vacation. He is due back in Washington on Sunday. ___ 1:50 p.m. Rick Gates, Paul Manafort's deputy, will remain with Donald Trump's presidential campaign, despite Manafort's resignation. Jason Miller, a campaign spokesman, tweeted Friday that Gates "will be taking over as the campaign's liaison to the RNC based in Washington." The campaign has a turbulent relationship with the national party, which has largely run Trump's ground game and voter data efforts. The job was previously held by Rick Wiley and Ed Brookover, both of whom were fired by the campaign. Gates, along with Manafort, are under scrutiny for their dealings with pro-Kremlin elements in Russia and Ukraine. Emails obtained by The Associated Press show that Manafort's firm orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's then-ruling pro-Russia political party. And neither man disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. ___ 1:40 p.m. Hillary Clinton's campaign manager is calling the resignation of Paul Manafort as Donald Trump's campaign chairman a "clear admission that the disturbing connections" between Trump and pro-Kremlin elements in Russia and Ukraine "are untenable." Campaign manager Robby Mook says in a statement that even with Manafort's departure, "that doesn't end the odd bromance Trump has" with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mook says Trump still has questions to answer about his "propensity to parrot Putin's talking points," a roster of adviser with ties to Russian and the recent Russian government hacking of Democratic Party records. ___ 1:10 p.m. Hillary Clinton has called Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards to discuss the state's devastating flooding and says the state's relief effort, "can't afford any distractions." The Democratic presidential nominee says in a Facebook post that her "heart breaks for Louisiana," where a torrent of about 2 feet of rain deluged the southern part of the state, damaging tens of thousands of home and affecting more than 100,000 people. Clinton's campaign released the post on the same day that Republican Donald Trump and his running mate Mike Pence traveled to Louisiana to inspect the flood damage. Clinton is urging people to reach out to the Red Cross and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to help with flood relief. ___ 12:30 p.m. Donald Trump is showing his softer side as he consoles Louisiana homeowners hit by devastating flooding. The Republican candidate's tour of the damage included a stop at the home of Jimmy and Olive Morgan in Denham Springs, Louisiana. As Trump and his entourage visited, the couple was still sweeping out floodwaters from their home. A ruined couch, chair and bedroom furniture are heaped on their lawn. Jimmy Morgan told Trump he spent his 79th birthday on the roof of his house. Asked by Trump about whether he'll rebuild, Jimmy Morgan replied: "I Just don't know what we'll do." Trump hugged the man and later told him: "You're going to rebuild. It's going to be so beautiful." ___ 12:00 p.m. Donald Trump is receiving a warm reception as he tours a heavily-damaged portion of East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana. The GOP nominee and his running mate Mike Pence were greeted by a crowd of supporters after visiting a local Baptist church where volunteers have gathered. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Trump," one woman screamed. "We knew you would be here for us!" another shouted. Trump greeted the crowd, shaking hands and signing hats. But he turned down a plate of the south Louisiana specialty, jambalaya, offered to him. ___ 11:35 a.m. Donald Trump and Mike Pence have stopped at a Baptist church in a heavily damaged portion of East Baton Rouge Parish. The Republican candidates met a group of volunteers who have been cooking meals for flood victims and helping the elderly gut their homes. Trump asked questions about the extent of the damage and thanked volunteers for their efforts. The candidate also met with Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council. Perkins own home was flooded. The prominent Christian conservative says he wants Trump to "let the country know" about the extent of the damage. Many Louisianans feel the flooding has been ignored by the national news. ___ 11:20 a.m. Donald Trump's son, Eric Trump, says the campaign's outgoing chairman "was amazing" and he resigned because Trump didn't want to be distracted by outside controversy. Eric Trump told Fox News Friday that Paul Manafort "did a great job with the delegates" ahead of the Republican National Convention last month, and that he resigned earlier Friday because Donald Trump didn't want to be "distracted by whatever things Paul was dealing with." Manafort stepped down in the wake of a campaign shake-up, as well as revelations about his work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. The Associated Press reported Thursday that Manafort's firm orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's then-ruling political party. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents, as required under federal law. ___ 11:20 a.m. Republican nominee Donald Trump is surveying the damage in flood-ravaged Louisiana. Trump's motorcade drove early Friday through the hard-hit community of Central in East Baton Rouge Parish, where ripped-up carpet and flooring, furniture and the entire contents of homes were piled on the curb. In some cases, people who were still mucking out their homes came out to wave at the motorcade. At least 13 people were killed and thousands were displaced in heavy rain that dumped as much as two feet of water on some areas. __ 10:30 a.m. Donald Trump is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to tour flood-damaged neighborhoods. Trump landed Friday morning at the Baton Rouge airport and was met on the tarmac by Republicans Rep. Steve Scalise, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Attorney General Jeff Landry. The Republican candidate wearing his signature "Make America Great Again" hat shook hands briefly with the officials before heading to the motorcade. His running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, also met Trump at the airport and planned to join on the tour. Trump's visit comes as his campaign continued to shake up its top ranks. The campaign released a statement Friday morning saying chairman Paul Manafort has resigned. ___ 10:11 a.m. Donald Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort is resigning from the campaign. In a statement, Trump says Manafort offered his resignation Friday morning. Trump praised Manafort's work on the campaign and called him a "true professional." Manafort is stepping down in the wake of a campaign shake-up, as well as revelations about his work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. The Associated Press reported Thursday that Manafort's firm orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's then-ruling political party. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. Earlier in the week, the campaign added two new top officials to the campaign in a move widely seen as a demotion for Manafort. ___ 10:07 a.m. Donald Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort is resigning from the campaign. In a statement, Trump praised Manafort's work on the campaign and called him a "true professional." Manafort is stepping down in the wake of a campaign shake-up, as well as revelations about his work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. ___ 9:40 a.m. Donald Trump is due to arrive Baton Rouge, Louisiana for a hastily planned tour of the flood-damaged city. The Republican presidential candidate's plane was set to land Friday morning at a private facility at the Baron Rouge airport. His running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, has already arrive and was seen chatting on the tarmac with Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Attorney General Jeff Landry. The officials are the highest-ranking Republicans in the state. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, says he won't be involved in Trump's visit. The governor spokesman says Trump was welcome but not for a "photo-op." Trump is expected to get a look at some of the neighborhoods devastated by flooding. ___ 9:30 a.m. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is making his first visit to Minnesota this campaign, but not for any public appearance. Trump was set to meet with wealthy Republican donors Friday evening to raise money, and doesn't plan to hold a public rally. Suggested donations for the Trump event at the Minneapolis Convention Center are $1,000 to $100,000 per couple. Federal Election Commission records show Trump has raised about $110,000 in Minnesota, far less than Hillary Clinton's $2 million. Trump drew condemnation from some in Minnesota's large Somali community ahead of his arrival. Jaylani Hussein, director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, criticized Trump for "anti-Muslim and anti-Somali rhetoric." ___ 8:10 a.m. Donald Trump's first general election TV ad contrasts his strict approach to immigration with what he calls Hillary Clinton's plan to do "more of the same, only worse." The Republican presidential nominee's ad is one of two different spots in a $5 million swing state as buy that begins Friday and runs for the next 10 days. This first spot employs some of his signature lines, said by a narrator as images of what are supposed to be a crowd of Syrian refugees and border crossers being detained by police. It begins: "In Hillary Clinton's America, the system stays rigged against Americans." It concludes after 30 seconds by saying Trump's plan to crack down on illegal immigration and halt some refugee programs is "change that makes America safe again." ___ 8:00 a.m. Hillary Clinton says her "heart breaks" for the family of a man from Lebanon living in Oklahoma who police say was fatally shot by his neighbor. Khalid Jabara's family says the neighbor, Stanley Majors, called them "dirty Arabs," ''filthy Lebanese," ''Aye-rabs," and "Mooslems." The family is Christian. Jabara was shot to death on his front porch Aug. 12. Police have arrested Majors on a first-degree murder complaint but prosecutors have yet to file formal charges in the case. Clinton shared a Facebook post late Thursday from Jabara's family. The Democratic presidential candidate wrote on Facebook that the country must unite "to ensure that no other family loses a beloved son or daughter because of prejudice and bigotry." ___ 7:15 a.m. Donald Trump's new campaign manager says his expression of remorse for making offensive comments was of his own volition. "It was not me," Kellyanne Conway told ABC's Good Morning America Friday, saying the Republican nominee's apology Thursday "was all Donald Trump." She added that "perhaps he felt it before," but he chose that moment to express them. Conway was named Trump's new campaign manager as part of a staff shakeup earlier this week. Conway said, "I absolutely hope that this campaign pivots to substance," saying that Trump is keen to take on rival Hillary Clinton on issues ranging from health care to national security. She said that Trump is acting more presidential, pointing to his planned trip to Louisiana later Friday to visit the victims of mass floods there. ___ 3:20 a.m. In a highly uncharacteristic move aimed at resetting his struggling campaign, Donald Trump says for the first time he regrets some of the caustic comments he's made that may have caused people pain. Trump told a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, Thursday night: "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that." He added: "And believe it or not, I regret it and I do regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain." It was a rare admission for Trump, who has said he prefers "not to regret anything." It underscored the dire situation he finds himself in with just 80 days left until the election. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, center, and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, listens to flood victims Jimmy and Olive Gordan during a tour of their flood damaged home in Denham Springs, La., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, followed by his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, shakes hands with Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry as he is greeted by Louisiana officials upon his arrival at the Baton Rouge airport in Baton Rouge, La., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton talks with media as she meets with law enforcement leaders at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) FILE - In this July 18, 2016, file photo, Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort walks around the convention floor before the opening session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Manafort resigned in wake of campaign shakeup and revelations about Ukraine work. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Kellyanne Conway, new campaign manager for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, speaks to reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Eric Trump, foreground, son of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, listens as his father delivers a campaign speech in Charlotte, N.C. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Right is Eric's wife Lara Yunaska. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Philippine President Duterte to be a granddad to triplets MANILA, Philippines (AP) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is best known for his deadly war on drug dealers, says news that his daughter is pregnant with triplets inspires him to carry on his tough-guy crusade. Daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio issued a statement Friday saying she is seven weeks' pregnant with triplets. Duterte-Carpio, 38, who was recently elected mayor of Davao city, already has two children with her lawyer husband Manases Carpio. She revealed her pregnancy in explaining why she felt she was not in shape to take part in "merrymaking" at her city's annual Kadayawan Festival this month. Philippine media reported that Duterte said he is "delighted" to hear of his daughter's pregnancy. "He is also hopeful that she will be able to see through the pregnancy smoothly and well," he said in a statement issued through Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. "He hopes to leave a legacy of a Philippines that is safe from crimes and drugs to the future generation of Filipinos." Police were busy near the Poly Drive Elementary school zone last year. People kind of rip though the Poly-Rimrock area, school principal Kevin Croff said. He requested officers monitor the street because of school and parent concerns for student safety and said police wrote ticketed several drivers each day they patrolled. But at least one driver ticketed on Poly Drive found a way to skirt consequences based on a quirk of state traffic law that has led city officials to change school zone signs and speed limits across Billings. A law passed in the 1990s limits officials to setting speeds in school zones at 80 percent of the regular traffic speed, rounded down to the nearest number ending in five with a minimum of 15 mph. But Billings never adjusted to the law, or a later provision requiring signs to note that fines double in school zones. Many of the zones are posted at 15 miles per hour too slow, according to Montana law. Historically, we just said eh, signs were there, theyre grandfathered, said Billings traffic engineer Terry Smith. If a project affected the area, like Broadwater School renovations over the last two years, officials took the opportunity to change signs. But 22 public schools and a handful of private schools have school zones that arent in compliance. Crews hope to have signs changed within one or two months, but they wont be ready by the beginning of school. Crews also have to post signs at any street entering a school zone. Smith said higher traffic areas will be changed first. Whatever speed limits are, many drivers are distracted in school zones, Croff said, often not realizing where they are or using devices like cellphones. Twenty-five (mph) would be appropriate as long as people paid attention, he said. He said that a couple local residents came in with questions, but otherwise he hasnt heard much from parents. School District 2 classes start Aug. 25. Middle and high schools in Billings typically don't have speed reductions nearby, Smith said. SD2, like many districts, already struggles to recruit crossing guards. About 50 positions are hired by individual schools. People just get cruising down the street, and dont even think about it, a Rose Park Elementary crossing guard said last year. They dont tend to stop. Smith said he expected to hear from parents with questions or concerns about the changes and said he hoped people wouldnt abuse the existing loophole before signs are changed. So far, he knows of two tickets that were successfully appealed, including the Poly Drive citation. Id hate for this to have hundreds of challenges or something, he said. France: Unstable attacker targets Jewish man with knife PARIS (AP) Police say a man with a history of psychiatric problems attacked a Jewish man with a knife in the eastern French city of Strasbourg. A Strasbourg police spokesman who wasn't authorized to be publicly named said the attacker was immediately arrested, and the victim was not seriously hurt in Friday's incident. The spokesman said the knife-wielding man was reported to have said "Allahu akbar" as he assaulted the Jewish man, who was wearing "clear exterior signs of his religion." He said local police do not consider it a terrorist attack. He called the attacker someone with "clear deficiencies" who had a police record, without elaborating. Ray Lewis' son indicted on charge of criminal sexual conduct CONWAY, S.C. (AP) A grand jury in South Carolina has indicted former Coastal Carolina University defensive back Ray Anthony Lewis III, son of former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis, on a charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. News outlets report the indictment returned this week alleges the younger Lewis engaged in sexual battery of an 18-year-old female who was incapacitated due to the use of drugs or alcohol. The indictment says the charge stemmed from an incident last Jan. 23. Lewis, of Apopka, Florida, turned himself in at the time an arrest warrant was issued and released on $10,000 bond. Mauritania sentences 13 anti-slavery activists to prison DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Mauritania has sentenced 13 anti-slavery activists to prison on terms ranging from three to 15 years. Amnesty International said late Thursday that the sentences send a disturbing message that Mauritanian authorities are willing to silence human rights defenders and restrict freedom of expression. It called again for the activists' unconditional release. The activists are members of a non-governmental organization that campaigns against slavery in the West African country. They were found guilty Thursday of rebellion, armed assembly, use of violence, attack against public authority and membership in an unrecognized organization. They were arrested between the end of June and early July after a protest against the relocation of a slum community. Authorities say a Maryland police officer shot an armed man during a confrontation Thursday night. Prince George's County Police Chief Henry Stawinski said at a news conference Friday morning that officers watching a man wanted in violent crimes tried to stop a vehicle to verify his identity around 9:50pm in Capitol Heights. He says the vehicle fled, then stopped, and the man ran. Scroll down for video A Maryland police officer shot a suspect in the arm Thursday night. Cops found this handgun with an extended magazine at the scene, but have not said whether it belongs to the suspect The suspect,who was reportedly wanted for violent crimes, is expected to survive his injuries The officer in question has been placed on administrative duty while the shooting is investigated Stawinski says a uniformed officer chased the man and fired three times during a confrontation in an unlit wooded area between townhouse rows, striking him at least once in the arm. Stawinski says he's expected to survive. He says police found a handgun 'with an extended magazine' at the scene, but it's unclear whether the suspect fired at officers. An extended magazine allows a gun to hold more bullets. Stawinski says the officer's on routine administrative duty. While the cop was not wearing a body camera at the time of the shooting, the cop car does have dash cam footage that investigators will be reviewing. Michigan restores pay of 6 employees suspended in Flint woes FLINT, Mich. (AP) The state of Michigan has restored the pay of six suspended employees who are charged with crimes related to Flint's crisis with lead-tainted water, as efforts move forward to replace old water pipes in the city. The Flint Journal, citing information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, said the pay of those workers totals about $500,000 a year. The newspaper and The Detroit News reported the update on the suspended employees, who also will get help from the state in defending themselves. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality employees Stephen Busch, Michael Prysby, Adam Rosenthal and Patrick Cook as well as Department of Health and Human Services employees Nancy Peeler and Robert Scott were suspended without pay earlier this year when the various charges against them were announced. "Given the uncertainty of the timeliness of the resolution of these cases, combined with the unique nature of this situation," the directors of the department decided to continue the suspensions but restore pay, the departments said Thursday in a joint statement. "DEQ and MDHHS are providing support for legal counsel and will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and evaluate next steps as appropriate," the statement said. The Michigan attorney general's office has charged nine current or former public officials in its investigation, which is ongoing. Meanwhile, Flint is moving forward on an effort to replace old lead and galvanized steel water lines. A kickoff for the latest phase of the Fast Start program took place Friday. Mayor Karen Weaver said it will result in the replacement of service lines at 200 to 250 homes. Contractors will be out in neighborhoods to seek permission for the work from residents, Weaver said, and Wayne State University students will be testing the water in homes before and after the pipes are replaced as part of a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. "This testing will help residents learn if their water becomes safer to use after their service lines are replaced," Shawn McElmurry, an associate professor at Wayne State University who is overseeing the study, said in a statement. He added that those conducting the study will receive sections of the replaced pipe from the contractors to determine their condition. Weaver's office said the next phase of the replacement program that started in March will cover 5,000 additional homes this fall. The project has replaced lines at 33 homes and $2 million from the state is paying for it. Over 18 months, lead leached from old pipes into Flint's water supply when the city used water from the Flint River. The water wasn't treated for corrosiveness. British-Australian man detained in Dubai for charity work DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A British-Australian dual national living in Dubai who wanted to raise money for Afghans who fled their country's long war has been detained for weeks over promoting a charity, his supporters said Friday. Scott Richards' case appears to be the first prosecuted under a new law that regulates charities amid regional concerns about cash donations reaching extremists. However, his supporters warn the regulations can be applied to anyone wanting to do good by donating to international causes or even talking about them online. "I'm shocked and horrified. It's heartbreaking because you're trying to do something so simple to make a positive difference just to help," Richards' brother, Brett Richards, told The Associated Press. "Relieving suffering was the only goal Scott had." In this undated photograph provided by the advocacy group Detained in Dubai, British-Australian dual national Scott Richards is seen in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Richards, who wanted to raise money for Afghans who fled their country's long war, has been detained by Dubai police for weeks over promoting a charity, his supporters say. (Detained in Dubai photo via AP) Richards, who grew up near Adelaide, Australia, and is married with two children, remains held at a Dubai police station. He appeared at a brief hearing on Thursday. He was arrested July 28, apparently over his support of the Zwan Family Charity in Afghanistan after advising the local government there, his brother said. Since the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, a number of small charities have set up in Kabul to aid those maimed or left homeless by the country's decades of war. Zwan Family Charity, registered as a public charity in Richmond, Texas, with the Internal Revenue Service, joined them relatively recently, in 2013. One of its projects focuses on providing tarps to protect against the elements for those living in Charahi Qambar, a community of mud homes northwest of the Afghan capital, Kabul. The thousands living there are largely ethnic Pashtuns who fled Helmand and Kandahar provinces, part of the Taliban's southern heartland in the country that has seen 15 years of violence. Children and others in the camp have frozen to death there in winter. "We have a hard time getting someone to donate something like a tarp," said Kimberly Wolenski, the vice president of Zwan Family Charity. "It just doesn't seem to fall on heart strings the same way." Richards was a friend of a friend to the organization and put out a statement supporting it and urged people online to donate to the tarp project, Wolenski said. She stressed the nonprofit has full accounts of its finances, urges its donors to follow local laws and has no ties to political or militant groups in Afghanistan. For Richards, his trouble apparently began after posting online about the charity and being quoted in a local Dubai newspaper about its efforts. "I think he was trying to raise awareness about the situation in Afghanistan," his brother said. "He was just shocked when he saw the conditions. I think he just thought, 'Maybe I can do something.'" Under a decree last year by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the emirate banned raising money or promoting any charity online or through the media without first getting the approval of the city-state's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. The decree, which exempted ruling family members, set penalties of up to one year in prison or a 100,000-dirham ($27,000) fine for violators. While liberal compared to other parts of the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates has strict laws governing speech and online conduct. The Dubai charity decree also comes as Mideast nations face Western pressure to crack down on charity donations that get funneled to regional extremist groups. Sheikh Mohammed's decree did not mention that concern, though a report on the state-run WAM news agency at the time quoted a charity leader saying the law "protects philanthropists from falling prey to fraud and racketeering." The Dubai Media Office declined to immediately comment on Richards' case. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Richards traveled on his British passport to the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. The British Foreign Office acknowledged Friday it was providing him consular assistance, without elaborating. For now, Richards remains held without a formal charge, said Radha Stirling, a lawyer based in Britain whose advocacy group Detained in Dubai is assisting in his defense. Since his case, Stirling said she's received a number of calls from panicked expatriates worried about their own charity donations or online comments being used against them by anyone holding a grudge. A lot of cases in general "come from someone offended by something you said or something you did on your Facebook," she said. "It could be anything. They have a look at anything else you've done that might be in breach of the law to make a complaint." ___ Online: Zwan Family Charity: www.zwanfamilycharity.org ___ Associated Press writers Amir Shah in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report. ___ Australian woman, British man arrested over murder in Bali BALI, Indonesia (AP) Indonesian police arrested an Australian woman and a British man on Friday in connection with the killing of a police officer in the tourist resort of Bali. Sarah Connor and David Taylor were arrested as they were seeking protection at the Australian Consulate in Denpasar, Bali's capital, two days after the killing of the traffic police officer, 2nd Assoc. Lt. Wayan Sudarsa. Bali Police Chief Maj. Gen. Sugeng Priyanto said statements from nine witnesses led to the arrests. Indonesian police officers escort murder suspect David Taylor, second from right, as he covers his face at police headquarters in Bali, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Indonesian police have arrested an Australian woman and a British man in connection with the alleged murder of a police officer in the tourist resort of Bali. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) Sudarsa's bloodied body was found early Wednesday on the beach outside the Pullman Hotel in Kuta, while Connor's handbag was discovered nearby. Priyanto said he interrogated Connor and she stated that she had been at that location with Taylor but had been drunk and could not remember what happened. She also said her handbag was missing, Priyanto said. The chief said Taylor refused to be questioned while waiting for a lawyer. Chief of Ngurah Rai immigration office Yoseph Renung Widodo said both Connor, who entered Bali on Aug. 16, and Taylor, who arrived July 29, have been banned from leaving Bali on police request. Indonesian police officers escort murder suspect David Taylor, center, as he covers his face at police headquarters in Bali, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Indonesian police have arrested an Australian woman and a British man in connection with the alleged murder of a police officer in the tourist resort of Bali. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) Slovak 4-party coalition loses a member, keeps majority BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) Slovakia's ruling four-party coalition government has lost one of its members, but will maintain a parliamentary majority. Five lawmakers from the smallest coalition partner, the conservative Net party, quit earlier this week to join a parliamentary faction of a party of ethnic Hungarians. The switch left the Net with just two lawmakers. Prime Minister Robert Fico says Net chairman Roman Brecely will resign as transport minister, the only ministry the party held. Fico says the Net is likely to be integrated with an unspecified coalition party. Fico's leftist Smer-Social Democracy party dominates the government formed after it won the March parliamentary election with eight government posts. A jury that convicted a Texas man of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child has decided he should serve nearly 700 years in prison. Jurors on Thursday gave Kelley Alexander Lewis 99 years in prison for each of seven counts of sexual assault of a child. Kelley Alexander Lewis (pictured left and right) has been sentenced to 693 years in prison Prosecutors say the attacks on a family member under the age of 14 took place over a nearly four-month period in 2014. Prosecutors say they happened between September 1 and December 23 of that year with a female relative, CBS 7 reports. The range of punishment on each count was five to 99 years in prison. Midland County prosecutors say jurors decided Lewis, of Midland, deserved the maximum punishment, totaling 693 years. Montanas African American population is tiny about 3 in 1,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But African Americans have made an indelible mark on our state, Ellen Baumler, Montana Historical Societys interpretive historian, told a crowd Thursday at the Western Heritage Center. Their history is often overlooked, and the lack of written records makes this task difficult." Still, during a 60-minute talk sponsored by Humanities Montana, Baumler packed in vignettes of nearly 20 notable African Americans who lived in Montana. Among them: Isaiah Dorman, who was probably an escaped slave, had a Sioux wife and was thus tabbed to serve as an interpreter for Gen. George Armstrong Custer. A civilian, he was probably the only African American to die during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Sitting Bull encountered the dying Dorman on the battlefield and offered him a drink from his personal cup. This is the black white man. He used to be one of us, Sitting Bull said of Dorman. Out of respect, Dormans body was not desecrated. Samuel Lewis was a musician, magician and a barber who made a fortune in Bozeman. He spent part of that fortune educating his sister, Edmonia, sending her to Boston, Paris and Florence to learn how to sculpt. She became world-renowned, and her signature piece, Forever Free, celebrating black heritage and freedom, has a home at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Sarah Gammon Bickford was one of Montanas pioneering businesswomen. In the 1880s the former slave and chambermaid sued her abusive husband for divorce Imagine the courage to do that, Baumler said and then married a white man, Stephen Bickford from Maine, with whom she had four children. When her second husband died in 1900, she inherited from him the water system that served Virginia City. She was probably the only black woman in the nation (at the time) to own a utility, Baumler said. Mary Fields of Cascade, about whom a lot of stories arent true, Baumler noted, was 6-feet tall, weighed about 200 pounds, dressed as a man, smoked cigars in public, was allowed to drink at the local bar, and claimed she could knock out any man with one punch. Born a slave in Tennessee, she was the second woman in the nation to manage a mail route. She babysat the Montana-born actor Gary Cooper decades before he became famous, and he was so taken with her that he wrote a 1959 article about her in Ebony magazine. She spent most of the money she made babysitting buying treats for neighborhood children. When Fields house burned down two years before she died in 1914, her neighbors showed their love for her by building her another. Horace Bivins enlisted in the 10th Cavalry Regiment in 1887 and was such a marksman that Buffalo Bill Cody offered him $100 per month plus expenses more than $2,600 in current dollars to join his Wild West show. But Bivins turned down the offer because he enjoyed the military life. He and other Buffalo Soldiers fought alongside Teddy Roosevelts Rough Riders during the Spanish American War. Contrary to what you might have heard, Baumler said, had it not been for the Buffalo Soldiers, Teddy Roosevelt and his men would have been exterminated." Bivins had an Irish Water Spaniel named Booth that, during one battle, spent all day in the hot sun guarding the body of a fallen soldier. Bivins retired in 1913, then rejoined the army in 1918 during the First World War, sacrificing an irrigated property in Billings and an unharvested crop worth $5,000, or about $80,000 today, to once again serve his country. A few of those same Buffalo Soldiers were recruited to form the armys only bicycle corps, riding 70-pound bicycles 1,900 miles from Missoula to St. Louis to test their performance. When the so-called Iron Riders arrived in St. Louis in 1897 they were welcomed by a host of appreciative bicyclists, but in the end the army decided not to use the heavy bicycles. Alice Augusta Ball was the daughter and granddaughter of famous photographers who moved to Montana from Cincinnati. The first African American woman to earn a masters degree at the University of Hawaii, she developed an injectable oil extract that was the first effective treatment for leprosy. She died in 1916 at age 24 before she could publish her findings, and a colleague published her work and took credit for it. Nearly a century later, the university finally realized her important contributions, Baumler said. We historians really hope that young people will learn their family heritage and pass on what they learn to their own children, Baumler said. This is an honorable history and its one worth remembering. Turkish foreign minister pays surprise visit to Iran ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkey's foreign minister says he has paid a surprise visit to Iran just days after the two countries agreed to greater cooperation on Syria despite their differences. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Turkish state media on Friday that he stopped in Tehran on his way to India on Thursday. The Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers met in Ankara last week and said they would cooperate more on finding a lasting solution to the crisis in Syria. Turkey and Iran have held opposing positions on Syria, with Iran backing the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Turkey advocating for Assad's departure. Russia's Putin blames Ukraine for sabotaging peace accords MOSCOW (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin is accusing the Ukrainian government of sabotaging peace accords for the country's east during a visit to Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Russia annexed in 2014. A conflict in eastern Ukraine between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian government troops has killed more than 9,500 people but 2015 peace accords signed in Minsk, Belarus, has helped to make the fighting less intense. Earlier this month, Russian intelligence accused Ukraine of sending its agents to Crimea to carry out terrorist attacks, saying that one Russian agent and one soldier were killed while fending off the alleged attacks. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev meet in Belbek in Crimea, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (Dmitry Astakhov/Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP) Nice joins wave of French towns banning burkinis PARIS (AP) The city of Nice, still shaken by last month's deadly extremist attack, has joined a growing number of French resort towns to ban the body-covering burkini swimsuit. Political leaders argue that the swimwear, resembling a full-body wetsuit with a hood, oppresses women and violates France's secular principles. But many see the bans as discriminatory. Nice was devastated when a man drove a truck into crowds watching fireworks on July 14, killing 86 people in violence claimed by the Islamic State group. The death of the 86th victim, a man hospitalized with injuries, was announced on Friday, more than a month after the attack. About a third of the victims were from Nice's large Muslim community, which is both in mourning and fearing a backlash. The Nice administration issued an order Thursday banning swimwear with religious connotations, citing security concerns. Turkey airport ad warns against visiting Sweden due to rape ISTANBUL (AP) A pro-government Turkish newspaper placed an ad at Istanbul's main airport on Friday warning against travel to Sweden due to alleged high incidences of rape, the state-run news agency reported, in the latest escalation of tensions between Turkey and its European allies. Anadolu Agency said the ad by Gunes newspaper appeared on two billboards at Ataturk Airport's International Terminal and read in Turkish and in English: "Travel Warning! Did you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide?" The ad was apparently placed in retaliation for a similar news ticker at the Vienna airport last week claiming Turkey allows sex with children and a subsequent tweet by Sweden's foreign minister calling on Turkey to respect child rights. Both incidents were in response to an earlier decision by Turkey's Constitutional Court to scrap an article in the penal code defining sexual acts against children as abuse, triggering concern among children's rights advocates that the move will lead to an increase in child sexual abuse cases. Turkish officials said the article was scrapped on a technicality and that parliament has six months in which to enact new legislation. The Turkish foreign ministry summoned diplomats from both countries following the incidents, which Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed reflected the "racism, anti-Islamic and anti-Turkish (trend) in Europe." On Friday the Swedish Embassy in Ankara suggested on its website that the information was based on "misconceptions." It said that comparing reported rapes in Sweden to those in other countries "does not describe reality correctly" due to different legal and statistical systems. Tensions between Turkey and Europe have been running high following the attempted coup on July 15 in which more than 270 people died. Ankara accuses its European allies of not providing the elected government sufficient support in the face of the attempted coup or its crackdown on suspected coup plotters. Meanwhile European nations have voiced concern over Turkey's pursuit of alleged supporters of a religious movement led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara claims orchestrated last month's violent coup. In a related development, the southern Turkish resort town of Alanya decided to cancel a twinning arrangement with the Austrian town of Schwechat following last week's news ticker incident, Anadolu reported. ___ AP EXPLAINS: What flight of South Sudan's rebel leader means KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) South Sudan, the world's newest country, was in political limbo Friday after rebel leader and former vice president Riek Machar fled earlier this week. His whereabouts remained unclear, as a spokesman for Machar and the United Nations both said he was in neighboring Congo but the Congo government said it had no knowledge of him being there. His departure puts South Sudan's peace deal, reached a year ago under international pressure, into disarray while the country's humanitarian crisis worsens. THE SITUATION IN JUBA Machar and many of his supporters fled the capital after last month's fighting between government and rebel forces, in which hundreds of civilians were killed and fears grew of a return to civil war. The fighting displaced at least 15,000 people in the capital. Around 12,500 fled to U.N. camps in Juba, where food remains scarce. Witnesses told The Associated Press that soldiers in government army uniforms raped women who ventured outside the camps to collect food, as U.N. peacekeepers stood by. FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 29 2013 file photo, displaced people gather around a water truck to fill containers, at a United Nations compound which has become home to thousands of people displaced by the recent fighting, in the capital Juba, South Suda. Sudan's political limbo continued Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 after rebel leader Riek Machar fled the country earlier in the week. Last month government and rebel forces clashed in the capital, killing hundreds of civilians and Machar was controversially removed as First Vice President. Machar's departure puts South Sudan's peace deal into disarray at the same time the country is suffering from a humanitarian crisis. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis,file) After he fled, Machar was replaced as first vice president, a post he held for just a few months under the fragile peace deal. He has been replaced by another official in his party, Taban Deng, but that appointment has not been accepted by many of Machar's supporters. A spokesman for Machar's opposition SPLM-IO party, Mabior Garang, told the AP that the move was "illegal" and claimed that some officials who nominated Taban were "coerced by security officials." Taban has pledged to step down if Machar returns to the capital. Machar says he will return to Juba only after a regional peacekeeping force arrives and secures Juba. Last week, the U.N. Security Council voted to send 4,000 additional peacekeepers to South Sudan with a strengthened mandate to provide security. President Salva Kiir's government at first rejected the decision, saying it violated the country's sovereignty. But in recent days, the government has been more receptive to the U.N. plan. Machar's flight from South Sudan could give him more visibility and increase pressure on the international community to send in the regional peacekeepers. THE SITUATION IN OTHER PARTS OF SOUTH SUDAN Most South Sudanese who are Dinka, the largest ethnic group of South Sudan's 12.5 million people, support their tribesman Kiir. Most ethnic Nuer, the second largest group, support Machar's opposition party, with some notable exceptions. There has been sporadic fighting in parts of the country since Machar and his forces fled, especially in the south. Local and opposition officials in the Yei region say clashes have taken place there. The region had little violence during the country's civil war, which began in December 2013. The fighting in Yei indicates that violence has shifted to a new front following Machar's disappearance. A NEW WAVE OF REFUGEES FLEE The displaced are not just in Juba. There are 190,000 South Sudanese living at U.N. camps across the country. At these sites, U.N. peacekeepers have been criticized for failing to protect civilians Around 70,000 South Sudanese have crossed the border into Uganda since the July clashes, adding to the more than 2.3 million people who have been displaced since the civil war began, according to the U.N. The new refugees have overwhelmed humanitarian agencies that are already short on funding. Earlier this week, the U.N. said it was forced to cut food assistance in half for 200,000 South Sudanese in Uganda. "Never has the gap between what is being provided and what is needed been larger," said acting UNHCR Representative to Uganda Bornwell Kantande. FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010 file photo, Dr. Riek Machar, Vice President of the Government of South Sudan, presides over an all-southern-parties meeting in Juba, Sudan South. Sudan's political limbo continued Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 after rebel leader Riek Machar fled the country earlier in the week. Last month government and rebel forces clashed in the capital, killing hundreds of civilians and Machar was controversially removed as First Vice President. Machar's departure puts South Sudan's peace deal into disarray at the same time the country is suffering from a humanitarian crisis. (AP Photo/Pete Muller, file) FILE - In this Sunday Dec. 29 2013 file photo, displaced South Sudanese children gather around a water truck to fill containers, at a United Nations compound which has become home to thousands of people displaced by the recent fighting, in the capital Juba, South Sudan. Sudan's political limbo continued Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 after rebel leader Riek Machar fled the country earlier in the week. Last month government and rebel forces clashed in the capital, killing hundreds of civilians and Machar was controversially removed as First Vice President. Machar's departure puts South Sudan's peace deal into disarray at the same time the country is suffering from a humanitarian crisis. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, file) Former Georgia officer pleads guilty to extortion charges ATLANTA (AP) Federal prosecutors say a former police officer in Georgia has pleaded guilty to charges of extortion and drug trafficking conspiracy. U.S Attorney John Horn says in a statement Friday that Charles Hubbard used his position with the Auburn Police Department to assist drug traffickers and used his patrol car to steal drugs and money. Auburn is about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. Federal prosecutors say wiretaps found Hubbard agreed to pull over a person carrying drugs in exchange for a $5,000 payment. Investigators say Hubbard took a confidential source's money in April. They say he wore clothing at the time identifying himself as a police officer and while using his official vehicle and that he gave the person a fake drug task force receipt. Officers found similar blank receipts after arresting Hubbard. The Latest: Reid: Congress must approve funds to fight Zika MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) The Latest on Zika infections in Florida (all times local): 3:45 p.m. The top Democrat in the Senate says Congress must return from its weekslong summer break to deal with the Zika virus, an unlikely scenario in light of the dysfunction that prevented lawmakers from agreeing on money to fight the mosquito-borne disease. Melvin Gaitan, from the Miami Beach Sanitation Dept., washes down alley ways Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, Miami Beach, Fla., with a high pressure water machine that is set to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills any bacteria or mosquito larvae that could be growing in still waters. (C.M. Guerrero/El Nuevo Herald via AP) Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada said in a statement Friday that the transmission of Zika in Miami Beach was the most alarming development yet, and the threat to the country's health and economy has never been greater. He said the American people cannot afford to wait any longer for action. President Barack Obama requested $1.9 billion in emergency funds in February to develop a vaccine and control the mosquitoes that carry the virus. But lawmakers left Washington in mid-July for a seven-week recess without approving any of the money. Abortion politics played a central role in the impasse. Republicans angered Democrats by adding a provision to a $1.1 billion take-it-or-leave-it measure that would have blocked Planned Parenthood clinics in Puerto Rico from receiving money. ___ 3:30 p.m. The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says officials will not be able to spray the South Beach area to prevent Zika as they have in other areas because of high-rise buildings and strong winds. Miami-Dade County officials have been spraying pesticide from planes flying over Miami's Wynwood arts district since early this month, when Zika transmissions by mosquitoes were confirmed there. Dr. Tom Frieden says planes can't fly low enough among Miami Beach's high-rises to spray pesticides that kill mosquitoes and their larvae. He says strong winds over the narrow island city also hinder such flights. Frieden also says the large numbers of residents and visitors in the area will make it challenging to control the spread of Zika there. Florida officials announced on Friday that they had identified South Beach as a second area of Zika transmission on the U.S. mainland. ___ 1:45 p.m. U.S. health officials are warning pregnant women to avoid Miami Beach, where Florida officials say mosquitoes have spread the Zika virus to five people. In a statement Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said pregnant women should avoid travel to the South Beach area, which has been identified as an infection zone. The CDC said pregnant women also should continue to avoid travel to Miami's Wynwood arts district. That neighborhood was the first site on the U.S. mainland where health officials determined mosquitoes were transmitting Zika. The CDC also said pregnant women and their partners may want to consider postponing nonessential travel to all of Miami-Dade County if they're concerned about potential exposure to the virus. In the agency's statement, CDC Director Tom Frieden said it's "difficult to predict how long active transmission will continue." ___ 12:45 p.m. Florida Gov. Rick Scott says officials have identified a second area of Zika transmission on the U.S. mainland. Scott told reporters Friday that five Zika infections have been linked to an area that encompasses most of tourist-friendly South Beach. Florida Department of health spokeswoman Mara Gambineri says officials believe the cases were transmitted by mosquitoes. Another infection zone was previously identified in Miami's Wynwood arts district. Scott says two of the Miami Beach cases involved Miami-Dade County residents, and three involved tourists from New York, Texas and Taiwan. Scott says the county has begun an aggressive mosquito-eradication plan in Miami Beach. ___ 10:45 a.m. The city manager of Miami Beach has told local officials that two Zika cases are linked to the community. In an email Thursday morning to the mayor and city commissioners, Jimmy Morales said his office had been in "constant communication" with Florida's Department of Health, and he had been informed of two local Zika cases. Morales said one case involved a tourist who visited Miami Beach about two weeks ago, while the other involved a resident who works in the city. He did not say whether mosquito bites caused the infections. The Miami Herald first reported the email. In a statement late Thursday, Morales said Florida's Department of Health was investigating Zika cases in Miami Beach but no infections were confirmed. Florida Gov. Rick Scott scheduled a news conference Friday in Miami about the Zika investigations. ___ 8:30 a.m. A Miami Beach official says there's been no confirmation that mosquitoes have spread the Zika virus in the tourism-dependent city. In a statement emailed late Thursday, City Manager Jimmy Morales said Florida's Department of Health is investigating Zika cases in Miami Beach, but none have been confirmed. Morales said the city has been "proactively focused on the elimination of potential breeding sites for months." He said the city is working with Miami-Dade County on mosquito control efforts such as targeted pesticide spraying and cleaning up areas where the insects could breed. In a separate statement Thursday, Florida health officials said they believe active Zika transmissions remain limited to a previously identified zone encompassing Miami's Wynwood neighborhood. However, the department also is investigating over six other infections outside that area. Miami Beach Sanitation workers clean up any sort trash that could hold water which allows mosquito larvae to grow, as another workers sucks up debris with mobile vacuum mobile in the alleyways of South Beach, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, Miami Beach, Fla. (C.M. Guerrero/El Nuevo Herald via AP) A City of Miami Beach Sanitation worker gets ready to clean the alleyways of South Beach, sucking up still waters and debris with a mobile vacuum, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, Miami Beach, Fla., as part of the city's Zika clean-up. (C.M. Guerrero/El Nuevo Herald via AP) Touring flooding, Trump moves ahead with campaign turnaround BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Offering consolation, expressing regret, cutting ties with a controversial aide. Donald Trump's campaign turnaround plan on Friday featured the unorthodox candidate acting much like a conventional politician struggling to revive a presidential bid on the ropes. Trump headed to flood-damaged Louisiana to express solidarity with residents cleaning up after devastating flooding that left at least 13 people dead. The trip made for a pointed contrast to President Barack Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who both have yet to go, although Obama announced later Friday that he would visit next week. The typically brash and spotlight-seeking billionaire offered notably restrained remarks as he surveyed the waterlogged wreckage. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, center, comforts flood victim Olive Gordan with her husband Jimmy, right, during tour of their flood damaged home in Denham Springs, La., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer) "Nobody understands how bad it is," Trump told reporters, after briefly helping unload a truck of supplies while cameras captured the moment. "It's really incredible, so I'm just here to help." Yet the trip did little to obscure the turmoil in Trump's campaign, punctuated early Friday when Trump announced that he'd accepted campaign chairman Paul Manafort's offer to resign. Manafort's departure followed a string of revelations about his work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. The damaging news included an Associated Press report Thursday describing a covert Washington lobbying operation run by Manafort's firm. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. Trump, in a statement, praised Manafort's work on the campaign and called him a "true professional." But his son, Eric Trump, made clear the controversy was behind the resignation. His father didn't want to be "distracted by whatever things Paul was dealing with," the younger Trump told Fox News. Campaign spokesman Jason Miller said Gates would remain part of the campaign with a new role as liaison to the Republican National Committee, which has had a turbulent relationship with its nominee this year. Clinton's campaign called the resignation an admission of the Trump campaign's "disturbing" connections with allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia and Ukraine. "You can get rid of Manafort, but that doesn't end the odd bromance Trump has with Putin," campaign manager Robby Mook said in a statement. But the Clinton camp also found itself on the defensive for the first time in weeks. Trump's visit to southern Louisiana put pressure on Clinton. Even as she kicked off a fundraising blitz, Clinton emailed supporters asking them to contribute to the relief effort and noted that she had spoken with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat whose spokesman blasted Trump's visit as "a photo op." In a clear swipe at her rival, Clinton added: "The relief effort can't afford any distractions. The very best way this team can help is to make sure Louisianans have the resources they need." Trump's trip was a striking detour for a candidate who has largely stuck to boisterous rallies and phone-in interviews to appeal to voters. The businessman and his running mate, Mike Pence, drove past piles of ripped-up carpet, furniture and personal belongings discarded on curbs. Trump consoled residents even hugging two as several Louisianans noted they have felt left out of the national spotlight. In East Baton Rouge Parish, residents emerged from their homes to wave at Trump's motorcade, some with gloved hands dirty from their house-gutting work. At a Baptist church later, a woman screamed "We knew you would be here for us!" as he and Pence sat down with volunteers. When a woman thanked him for coming, rather than playing golf like the president has been doing during his New England vacation, Trump replied, "Somebody is, somebody is that shouldn't be." With pressure mounting, the White House said after Trump's appearance that Obama would visit Louisiana on Tuesday to survey the damage. Aides have noted Obama is receiving regular updates on the conditions. Trump's visit was one of his first steps under new campaign leadership. Earlier this week, he tapped Stephen Bannon, a combative conservative media executive, as his new campaign chief. The decision suggested to some that Trump might ramp up the divisive rhetoric that has angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the electorate. While it remains too early to tell, the first moves under the new regime have largely shown an investment in conventional campaigning. Trump's operation on Friday released its first general election TV commercial, one of two set to run in battleground states over the next 10 days. Later Friday, Trump fired up a rally in Dimondale, Michigan but for the fourth time this week spoke with the aid of the telepromoters he used to revile. Although the suburb just outside Lansing is overwhelmingly white, Trump made an appeal to black voters. He urged them to abandon Democrats, who he said only take advantage of African-American voters. "You live in your poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployed what the hell do you have to lose?" he said, adding a bold prediction: "At the end of four years, I will get over 95 percent of the African-American vote." On Twitter, the Clinton campaign responded, "This is so ignorant it's staggering." Most polls show Trump trailing Clinton significantly among black voters. Obama won roughly 93 percent of black voters in his re-election campaign in 2012. The tone was a shift from the night earlier, when Trump expressed rare regret for some of his more caustic comments although he did not say which ones. "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that," the GOP nominee said. "And believe it or not, I regret it and I do regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain." ___ Associated Press writers Kathleen Hennessey, Steve Peoples, Julie Bykowicz and Lisa Lerer in Washington contributed to this report. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives onstage to speak at a rally in Dimondale, Mich.. Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A sign placed by resident Doug Ford welcomes Republican Presidential candadate Donald Trump on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 in St. Amant, La. Casting his campaign chairman aside with just 11 weeks until Election Day, Trump moved ahead with the reboot of his White House bid on Friday with a tour of flood-ravaged Louisiana. Ford 's trailer was completely flooded. (AP Photo/Rebecca Santana) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, followed by his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, shakes hands with Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry as he is greeted by Louisiana officials upon his arrival at the Baton Rouge airport in Baton Rouge, La., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer) Eric Trump, foreground, son of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, listens as his father delivers a campaign speech in Charlotte, N.C. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Right is Eric's wife Lara Yunaska. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, center, and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, listens to flood victims Jimmy and Olive Gordan during a tour of their flood damaged home in Denham Springs, La., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump talks to Principal Kelly Jones, in purple center, as he and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, second from right, tour the flooded gymnasium of Denham Springs High School in Denham Springs, La., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer) 5 hurt in attack on military vehicle in eastern Turkey ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkey's state-run news agency says Kurdish rebels have detonated a bomb on a road in eastern Turkey, wounding four soldiers and a civilian. Anadolu Agency said rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, exploded an improvised device on Friday as an armored military vehicle was passing on a road near the town of Ozalp, in Van province. The attack came a day after a string of bombings blamed on the PKK, targeting police and soldiers, killed a dozen people. The report of the attack came as funerals for the victims were underway. A ceasefire between the PKK and the government collapsed last year, leading to a resumption of the three-decade long violence. Northern Oil and Gas Inc. has fired its chief executive and co-founder, Billings native Michael Reger, in the wake of an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In response, Reger has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the Wayzata, Minn.,-based energy company. In an SEC filing, the company announced that Reger received a notice from the SEC regarding an ongoing investigation related to trading patterns of the securities of Dakota Plains Holdings, Inc., an oil transport company. Reger was an initial investor in Dakota Plains in 2008, and the SEC alleges that Reger's involvement with Dakota Plains violates federal securities law. The company said it will cooperate with the SEC investigation and has never owned an interest in Dakota Plains. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Reger filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Northern Oil and Gas. In the lawsuit, he denied any wrongdoing and said he is entitled to severance pay. Meanwhile, Northern Oil and Gas also announced that it has named Thomas Stoelk, chief financial officer, as its interim leader in the wake of Reger's termination. Northern Oil and Gas Inc. was one of the early entrants to the Bakken oil play of western North Dakota and Eastern Montana, but it has been scrambling to reorganize in the wake of falling oil prices. Reger became the company's chief executive in 2007, and Northern Oil and Gas became a publicly traded company in 2008. Hiring was healthy in past year in many US swing states WASHINGTON (AP) Hiring has been strong in the past year in many presidential campaign swing states, a possible hurdle for GOP candidate Donald Trump, who has sought to capitalize on economic distress. Employers have added jobs in the past 12 months at a faster pace than the national average in Colorado, Florida, Michigan and North Carolina, the Labor Department said Friday. Job gains have been solid but slightly below the national rate in other battleground states, such as Ohio and Virginia. FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, file photo, a worker leaves a Georgia Department of Labor career center, in Atlanta. On Friday, Aug. 17, 2016, the Labor Department reports on state unemployment rates for July. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) On a monthly basis, hiring rose significantly in 15 states in July compared with June, the government said. The biggest percentage gains were in North Dakota, Vermont and Maine. The only state to lose a large number of jobs in July was Kansas, which shed 5,600. Hiring was healthy nationwide in July, with employers adding 255,000 jobs, following a gain of 292,000 in June, the most in eight months. The U.S. unemployment rate is 4.9 percent. Nationwide, total jobs rose 1.7 percent in July from a year earlier. That is down from a 2 percent pace in 2015 and 2.2 percent in 2014, which was the healthiest two-year increase since 1998 and 1999. In Florida, traditionally a close-fought state in presidential campaigns, employers have added 250,200 jobs in the past year, an increase of 3.1 percent. In Colorado, payrolls have grown 74,200, or 2.9 percent. Michigan's job totals rose 2.5 percent and North Carolina's, 2.2 percent. There has been extensive debate among economists and analysts in recent weeks over the extent to which economic hardship is driving Trump's support. In the Republican primaries, Trump won strong majorities in hard-hit counties in Appalachia and the deep South, particularly parts of West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky that were devastated by a sharp downturn in the coal industry. Yet an analysis earlier this month by Jonathan Rothwell, a senior economist at Gallup, found that Trump supporters nationwide aren't worse off than the rest of the country, based on household incomes and employment. Rothwell found that the economy may still be an indirect factor. Those without college degrees, working in blue collar occupations and living in areas with limited economic mobility were more likely than other Americans to support Trump. But voters living in mostly white areas were also more likely to back Trump, suggesting that cultural anxieties over issues such as immigration are also a key factor, Rothwell found. Overall, standard economic models suggest a healthier economy is mostly beneficial for an incumbent political party. Other swing states have also seen solid job gains. Employers added 78,800 jobs in Ohio in the past 12 months, a gain of 1.5 percent. Virginia's total employment grew 1.5 percent in the past year. In Pennsylvania, hiring was weaker that the national pace, increasing 58,000 or just 1 percent. WTO largely sides with EU over Russian ban on pork products GENEVA (AP) A World Trade Organization panel has largely sided with the European Union in its dispute with Russia over a Russian ban of imports of EU pigs, pork and pig products. Russia imposed the bans starting in early 2014 following some cases of African swine fever in the EU. The bloc argued that the bans violated accepted practices. The EU said Friday's WTO announcement shows Russia's measures "have little to do with any real sanitary or health risks." The bloc said Russia continues to restrict trade in most products in the case under a "politically motivated ban" imposed on EU food products in August 2014. Trump hammers claim of fraud in new ad as early voting nears WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump's newest campaign ad begins with a warning: "In Hillary Clinton's America, the system stays rigged against Americans." The commercial, which aired Friday as part of his $5 million swing state ad buy, harkens back to a claim Trump has been hammering for weeks that the general election is rigged against him. The questionable claim looks to mobilize Republicans, with the all-important start of early voting in some states just weeks away. The presidential nominee has voiced strong support for North Carolina's stringent voter ID law struck down as discriminatory, but to be appealed saying without it, voters will cast ballots "15 times" for Democrat Hillary Clinton. He also launched a new effort on his website last week seeking volunteers to root out fraud at the polls. FILE - In this Aug.18, 2016 file photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks in Charlotte, N.C. Trumps first-of-its-kind campaign ad begins with a warning: In Hillary Clintons America, the system stays rigged against Americans. The commercial, which aired Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, as part of his $5 million swing state ad buy, harkens back to a claim Trump has been hammering for weeks _ that the general election is rigged against him. The questionable claim looks to mobilize Republicans, with the all-important start of early voting in some states just weeks away. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) Some things to know about voting fraud: ___ WHAT ARE VOTER ID LAWS? That ID law Trump referred to had involved a broader package of restrictions among them, reducing early in-person voting, which is popular among blacks in particular. At the same time, it exempted tough photo ID requirements for early mail-in voters, who were more likely to be white and Republican. In all, 17 states were set to have restrictions for the first time in a presidential election, pending final appeals, such as voter ID or cuts to voter registration or early in-person voting. Among them: the battlegrounds of North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Wisconsin and Georgia. Florida and Iowa had restrictions in place since 2012. The potential impact is significant: Barack Obama's strength among early voters in 2012 helped him capture Florida and Iowa despite losing the election-day vote in those states, according to voting data compiled by The Associated Press. He narrowly lost North Carolina by 92,000 votes; in 2008, Obama had won all three states plus Colorado, thanks to early voters. ___ IS VOTING FRAUD A PROBLEM? Not the type that Trump is referring to. While fraud can occur, the number of cases is very small and the type that voter IDs are designed to prevent voter impersonation at the ballot box is virtually non-existent. News21, a reporting project affiliated with Arizona State University, in 2012 found 2,068 cases of election fraud nationwide since 2000. Of those, just 10 involved voter impersonation or one out of every 15 million prospective voters. More common was absentee mail-in ballot fraud, with 491 cases. None affected the outcome of an election. Lorraine Minnite, a political science professor at Rutgers University-Camden, says voter impersonation fraud is rare because it's difficult to do on a large-enough scale to tip an election. "It's so irrational to even try just for one or two more votes," said Minnite, author of "The Myth of Voter Fraud." In court cases that temporarily invalidated some of the ID laws, including North Carolina, Wisconsin and North Dakota, election officials could barely cite a case in which a person was charged with in-person voting fraud. But Trump continued his warnings, calling last week for "election observers" on his official website to "stop Crooked Hillary from rigging this election." Volunteers who sign up are directed to a donation page. A new Pew Research Center report released Friday found that 38 percent of registered voters who support Trump are very confident their vote will be accurately counted. This view stands in contrast to the 2004 and 2008 elections, when substantial majorities of voters who backed Republicans George W. Bush and John McCain expressed confidence in the count of their votes. The survey found that 67 percent of Clinton supporters have a high degree of confidence that their vote will be counted accurately. ___ WHAT CAN WE EXPECT WITH EARLY VOTING? North Carolina is the first to kick off early voting on Sept. 9, when its residents may request and submit mail-in absentee ballots through election day for any reason. It will be followed by Georgia, Wisconsin, Virginia and Iowa. A total of 37 states also offer in-person early voting, typically in mid to late October. Over the years, mail-in early voters usually have been older, better educated and more likely white, while in-person early voters were often young people and black Americans, according to University of Florida professor Michael McDonald, an expert in election statistics. As a result, early voting will likely be concentrated heavily among registered Republicans initially before turning in the Democrats' favor in late October to early November. Those initial numbers will offer clues as to the depth of Trump's support among his biggest partisans, who vote right away, McDonald said. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, a potential wild card is its voter ID law. An appeals court recently invalidated restrictions that cut in person early voting from 17 to 10 days, but the governor has vowed to appeal, creating uncertainty about the extent of early voting this fall. Voter mobilization is a key part of Clinton's strategy to winning North Carolina, as it was for Obama. ___ WILL RULINGS INVALIDATING VOTER ID INCREASE THE DEMOCRATIC VOTE? Not necessarily. More likely, it will prevent a net loss of would-be Democratic voters the black Americans, young people and the poor, whom recent rulings said would be less able to vote if newly passed state voter ID laws remained. Based on rulings as they stand now, voters in North Carolina and North Dakota are ultimately unlikely to face new ID requirements, while those in Wisconsin and Texas will in some form. A number of factors can influence voter turnout, beyond ID laws, such as voter excitement for a candidate, as was seen in 2008 and 2012, when voters rushed to the polls to help elect the first-ever black president, said Richard Hasen, a law professor at the University of California at Irvine. ___ AP Director of Election Tabulations and Research Don Rehill contributed to this report. ___ On Twitter follow Hope Yen at https://twitter.com/hopeyen1 ___ What political news is the world searching for on Google and talking about on Twitter? Find out via AP's Election Buzz interactive. http://elections.ap.org/buzz International charity rescues animals from Gaza zoo KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) An international charity is rescuing animals from Gaza Strip's main zoo that it has dubbed "the worst in the world" and transferring them to better lives abroad. Zoo owner Mohammad Eweda said on Friday the animals are being "donated" because the zoo doesn't "have the ability to give them anything." In the past, his zoo turned to taxidermy to keep its deceased animals on exhibit while another zoo in the strip painted stripes on donkeys to try and make them look like zebras. The Four Paws charity said tortoises, an emu and other animals will be taken to a rescue center in Jordan and the zoo's single tiger to a sanctuary in South Africa. The zoo is now closed. Wyoming prepares for 2017 total solar eclipse tourism rush JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) Officials in Wyoming's Teton County are already setting up management plans to prepare for a crush of 40,000 tourists, including people camping illegally, who are expected to swarm Jackson Hole next summer to see a total solar eclipse. Jackson Hole lies in the path of the first total solar eclipse that will be viewable from the mainland U.S. in nearly four decades. The eclipse will occur Aug. 21, 2017, and will be visible from 12 U.S. states. The last total eclipse over the U.S. happened on Feb. 26, 1979, and was visible from parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota. Next year's eclipse will happen during the busy summer tourist season in Jackson Hole, which borders Grand Teton National Park and is a gateway to neighboring Yellowstone National Park. "Illegal camping is going to be a huge issue with this," Teton County Emergency Management Coordinator Rich Ochs told the Jackson Hole News & Guide (http://bit.ly/2brwLUL ) in a story published Friday. He added: "Hotels are already full, the ones that book this far out. People are coming here because it's a once-in-a-lifetime event. Not getting a hotel room is not going to stop them. So we're going to have issues a lot of nuisance issues." While Teton County isn't promoting the event like some other Wyoming cities, local officials know how attractive Jackson Hole during the summer even without an international event. "It's like running advertisements for a time when you're going to completely sell out," Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jeff Golightly said. "We've heard of hotels that sold out two years ago. There will be no bargains at that time." In contrast, officials in the eastern Wyoming city of Casper are promoting it as "the best place to view the 2017 total solar eclipse." Ochs said communities in and around Jackson Hole are already reserving anticipated extra needs, like portable toilets. "We already realized when we're looking at getting resources for this event, we really can't look to our mutual aid partners to the east and the west because they're having the same issue we are," Ochs said. "We've got to look north and south." Grocery stores have also been advised to stock up on bottled water and gas stations alerted to keep their tanks full. ___ Natalie Portman tells 'A Tale of Love and Darkness' BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) "It's like, I guess you caught me! I'm a nerd!" Natalie Portman says, laughing. She's talking about frenzied internet responses to a recent interview that she did with author Jonathan Safran Foer. The New York Times Style Magazine asked Foer to interview Portman about her directorial debut, "A Tale of Love and Darkness ." They weren't in the same city, and thus did the interview over email, which the magazine then coyly presented as actual emails between the two friends. The internet was confused. Onlookers smirked at the literary and occasionally pretentious words and thoughts exchanged between the two as though they'd stumbled on something private and deeply embarrassing. In this Aug. 2, 2016 photo, Natalie Portman poses for a portrait in Los Angeles to promote her film, "A Tale of Love and Darkness." Portman wrote, directs and stars in the film, adapted from the Amos Oz memoir, opening Aug. 19. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) "It was clearly for an interview," Portman said. "I can understand that it would seem funny if those were our normal 'hey Jonathan, what's going on' emails, which is not the case at all ... It's not what we write on a Tuesday afternoon. Obviously." Portman, seated on a couch in the sun soaked living room of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel's Royal Suite, tries not to pay attention to all of that. She knew it had become a thing when friends told her about it, but she's not concerned. For one, it did what it was supposed to do: get some attention for "A Tale of Love and Darkness." And the only semi-real discovery she can think of is that, well, she's a "nerd." This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone even remotely familiar with Portman, who gracefully transitioned from precocious child star into Oscar-winning adulthood, while still prioritizing intellectual pursuits and maintaining a healthy remove from the celebrity of it all. Now 35 and a mother, Portman lights up discussing the evolution of the Hebrew language as much as she does her recent films. This is one of those moments, too, when she suddenly has a handful of projects being released, even though many were shot years ago, like "Knight of Cups" and "Jane Got a Gun." She's also got the forthcoming Jacqueline Kennedy biopic "Jackie," which will have a festival debut this fall, and there are even more on the docket for 2017, including Alex Garland's "Annihilation" and Xavier Dolan's next project. But the one closest to her heart is "A Tale of Love and Darkness," in theaters now. It's a passion project if there ever was one. Portman's been working this adaptation of Amos Oz's memoir for the better part of a decade, about the author's childhood in the 1940s and 50s, the birth of the Jewish state and the loss of his depressive mother, who Portman plays. "(Amos) was very encouraging to me," she said. "He said 'please make your own film. The book exists. You don't need to just film the book.'" For years, she would come back to the script every so often, a little older and with more perspective on life to add. Then her husband, the French dancer Benjamin Millepied, got a job in Paris. Knowing that a move was imminent, it became a now or never moment for Portman. So they packed up their lives, moved to Israel for five months and just did it. "I had heard so many stories my whole childhood of my grandparents coming from Eastern Europe to Israel and then Palestine and the creation of the state. It's such a crazy moment in history," Portman said. "It colored my imagination so much growing up, hearing those stories and thinking about what that must have been like to come from cold dark Europe to the bright, dusty, hot desert of the Middle East." She made the edgy decision to do the film entirely in Hebrew to create a sense of authenticity with the period. On set, Portman tried to create a family energy. She was 11 when she got her first role in "The Professional." Amir Tessler, who plays the young Oz, was eight. "I've been working on sets my whole life," she said. "I was a kid on set, and we had a kid starring in the film so I really wanted it to be a positive environment." She felt lucky, too, that she made the film in Israel, where she thinks because both men and women serve in the army, that they're used to having both genders in positions of authority and respect that. With over 25 years working in front of the camera, Portman behind the camera drew on learnings from directors she's worked with Darren Aronofsky's eagerness to hear ideas from anyone and Terrence Malick's unconventional "paint from life" methods among them. But in the end, she knew she had to make this her own. Portman has just moved back to Los Angeles with her husband and son, Aleph, and is looking forward to this new chapter where she'll continue acting and hopefully directing. She's become more invested in having a connection with the filmmakers she's choosing to work with than she was earlier in her career. "You're taking time away from your family instead of like just going away to work and otherwise you'd be home reading a book," she said. "The stakes are a lot higher." ___ Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr This image released by Focus Features shows Natalie Portman in a scene from "A Tale of Love and Darkness." Portman also wrote and directed the film. (Ran Mendelson/Focus Features via AP) Manafort out amid scrutiny of covert lobbying campaign WASHINGTON (AP) The sudden resignation Friday of Donald Trump's campaign chairman put renewed emphasis on revelations about his past work on behalf of Ukraine's pro-Russian political leaders, including his firm's role directing a covert Washington lobbying operation that would have required him under federal law to disclose his efforts to the Justice Department. Manafort resigned from the Trump campaign amid scrutiny of his Ukrainian work but others involved in the once-secret influence campaign remain working for Trump in senior roles, including Manafort's deputy Rick Gates. The Associated Press reported Manafort's connection to the lobbying effort Wednesday. On Thursday, the AP reported that it had obtained emails revealing further details: Gates directed an unregistered influence campaign that included attempts to gain positive press coverage for Ukrainian officials, sway U.S. legislators, gather political intelligence and undercut American public sympathy for the imprisoned rival of Ukraine's then-president. FILE - In this July 17, 2016 file photo, Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort talks to reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland as Rick Gates listens at back left. Emails obtained by The Associated Press shed new light on the activities of a firm run by Donald Trumps campaign chairman. They show it directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraines ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the countrys pro-Russian government. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Meanwhile, new documents released by Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators appear to link the lobbying work the men directed in the U.S. to handwritten entries in ledgers listing $12.7 million in cash payments alongside Manafort's name. Some of that money was listed as paid to Manafort through two founding members of the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine, a Brussels-based nonprofit whose lobbying efforts Manafort and Gates oversaw. Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau said it cannot prove Manafort actually received the money. While working under Manafort, Gates sent emails to Mercury LLC, which along with the Podesta Group Inc. represented the European nonprofit on Ukrainian issues between 2012 and 2014. The messages show Gates oversaw lobbying strategy and execution by Mercury employees. On Friday, both lobbying firms hired outside legal counsel to investigate. The Podesta Group's chief executive, Kimberley Fritts, said the firm had retained Caplin & Drysdale LLP to determine whether it had been misled and threatened possible legal action against the European Centre. Fritts noted that the nonprofit had formally attested to being independent, leading her firm to conclude that it was not working on behalf of a foreign government. The attorney handling Mercury LLC'ss review Ken Gross of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom was the same one who drafted a legal memo in 2012 that Mercury had used to justify not notifying the Justice Department about its work under the U.S. Foreign Agent Registration Act. Gross confirmed to the AP that he had been hired by Mercury. Under the foreign agents law, people who lobby on behalf of foreign political leaders or political parties must provide detailed reports about their actions to the Justice Department. A violation is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. None of the firms, nor Manafort or Gates, disclosed their work to the Justice Department counterespionage division responsible for tracking lobbying by foreign governments. The emails obtained by AP were sent by Gates to Vin Weber, the head of Mercury's Washington office, and to Michael McSherry, a Mercury lobbyist who Politico reported was tapped earlier this month for a senior position in Trump's campaign. Buzzfeed reported McSherry's connection to the lobbying effort Thursday. In an interview earlier this week, Weber acknowledged knowing that Gates and Manafort were working for Ukrainian political leaders but said they had not played a role in his firm's lobbying. McSherry did not respond Friday to emails requesting comment or a phone message left at his office. In an interview before the AP obtained Gates' emails, Tony Podesta of the Podesta Group acknowledged working closely with Gates on the lobbying but said he had believed Gates was working for an independent nonprofit. Manafort and Gates have previously said they were not doing work that required them to notify the Justice Department. Manafort also said in a statement earlier this week that he never performed work for the Russian or Ukrainian governments. Gates previously told the AP, "At no time did our firm or members provide any direct lobbying support." Trump announced Friday on Twitter he accepted Manafort's resignation, though he did not say why. The campaign also said Gates will change roles, becoming Trump's liaison to the Republican National Committee. Manafort's resignation also followed weeks of sagging poll numbers and missteps for Trump's campaign. Once Trump's top strategist, Manafort's resignation came at the end of a week in which his name also was connected to the handwritten ledger describing cash payments from Ukraine's then-governing political party. The New York Times first reported the contents of the ledger. Manafort's campaign position was a vital though unpaid role that he used to steer the campaign over the past several months. And his firm's lobbying activities carried outsized importance as Manafort and Gates played a formative role building out Trump's campaign operation after pushing out an early rival, former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. The disclosures about their work came as Trump faced criticism for his friendly overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin and as Trump announced that, if elected, he would ask senior officials in his administration not to accept speaking fees, for five years after leaving office, from corporations that lobby "or from any entity tied to a foreign government." The emails do not describe details about the role of Manafort, who was Gates' boss at their firm, DMP International LLC. Current and former employees at Mercury and the Podesta Group, some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they are subject to non-disclosure agreements, told the AP that Manafort oversaw the lobbying efforts and spoke about them by phone. Gates directed the Washington lobbying firms to set up meetings between a top Ukrainian official and senators and congressmen on influential committees involving Ukrainian interests. Gates noted in the emails that the official, Ukraine's foreign minister, did not want to use his own embassy in the United States to help coordinate the visits. Gates also directed the firms to gather information in the U.S. on a rival lobbying operation, including a review of its public lobbying disclosures, to determine who was behind that effort, the emails show. The lobbying also included attempts to gain positive press coverage of Ukrainian officials and efforts to undercut sympathy for Yulia Tymoshenko, an imprisoned rival of then-President Viktor Yanukovych. The Ukrainian leader eventually fled the country in February 2014 during a popular revolt prompted in part by his government's crackdown on protesters and close ties to Russia. Manafort and Gates have said that they did not disclose their activities to the Justice Department because they did not oversee lobbying efforts and merely introduced the Washington firms to the European Centre, which they said ran the project. The center paid Mercury and the Podesta Group at least $2.2 million over roughly two years. The emails appear to contradict the assertion that the nonprofit's lobbying campaign operated independently from Manafort's firm. "There is no question that Gates and Manafort should have registered along with the lobbying firms," said Joseph Sandler of Sandler Reiff Lamb Rosenstein & Birkenstock, a Democratic-leaning Washington law firm that advises Republican and Democratic lobbyists. ___ Associated Press writers Maria Danilova, Desmond Butler, Bradley Klapper, Nataliya Vasilyeva and researcher Monika Mathur contributed to this report. A portion of the lobbying report filed by Mercury LLC to Congress for the first quarter of 2014 is photographed in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, that shows $70,000 payments for the quarter for lobbying on behalf of European Center for a Modern Ukraine. A firm run by Donald Trump's campaign chairman directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the country's pro-Russian government, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work to the Justice Department as foreign agents as required under federal law. Instead, lobbying firms in the campaign filed less-comprehensive reports with the U.S. Senate obscuring the role of Manaforts firm. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick) North Carolina man gets 14 years in butt injection death GREENBELT, Md. (AP) A man accused of injecting misbranded silicone into people's rear-ends in hotel-room procedures has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after one of his clients died. The U.S. Attorney's Office says 44-year-old Vinnie Taylor of Wilmington, North Carolina, was sentenced Friday in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland. The prosecutor's statement says Taylor pleaded guilty to receiving and selling misbranded silicone for buttock injections that led to the woman's death in Maryland in March 2014. UN panel seeks push toward nuclear disarmament GENEVA (AP) A majority of countries on a U.N.-mandated panel on Friday called on the U.N. General Assembly to consider launching multilateral negotiations on nuclear disarmament, voting in a process that has been boycotted by the world's nuclear-armed powers. Thai ambassador Thani Thongthakdi, who chaired the Open-Ended Working Group on Nuclear Disarmament, hailed a "strong signal" but said many countries would have preferred consensus among voting members on an agreement that will have little impact unless nuclear powers are also on board. The panel voted 68 to 22, with 13 abstentions, on Friday on a broad-ranging text that among other things recommends that the General Assembly take up efforts toward launching multilateral negotiations on nuclear disarmament at its next meeting. Nuclear-armed powers including Russia, China and the United States have rejected the process. Japan, which is sensitive about nuclear issues after experiencing two atomic bomb strikes in World War II, abstained from the vote. Toshio Sano, Japan's ambassador to the U.N.'s Conference on Disarmament, praised "many positive elements" to the text, such as calling for education about nuclear disarmament, but said envoys didn't devote enough time toward trying to reach consensus. "We are deeply concerned that the adoption by voting will further divide the international disarmament community and undermine the momentum of nuclear disarmament for the international community as a whole," he told the body after the vote. Alyn Ware, who coordinates the advocacy group Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, said the working group was split in two camps: A "hard- line" faction favoring a treaty that calls for the abolition for nuclear weapons right now, and another preferring "incremental measures." Ware called the vote a "good thing," but said the countries that support a treaty will now face a tough task of convincing nuclear-armed nations to join the process. "If you just have a treaty adopted by non-nuclear states, the nuclear weapons states and allies could ignore it," he said, calling for pressure on nuclear-armed powers to adopt "no first use" policies, move toward banning use, cut their arsenals and "give up the idea that you have security by threatening to blow up others." In the United States, the Obama administration has been considering instituting a "no first use" policy before Obama leaves office, but has faced criticism in Congress and beyond and isn't expected to move quickly to institute it. ___ AP National News Calendar Eds: Major scheduled events for the week of Aug. 21 - Aug. 27. Note that many events are subject to change at the last minute. The following economic reports will be issued in Washington (all times EDT), unless otherwise noted: SUNDAY: No events of note. MONDAY: No events of note. TUESDAY: Commerce Department releases new home sales for July, 10 a.m. WEDNESDAY: National Association of Realtors releases existing home sales for July, 10 a.m. THURSDAY: Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims, 8:30 a.m.; Commerce Department releases durable goods for July, 8:30 a.m.; Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, releases weekly mortgage rates, 10 a.m. FRIDAY: Commerce Department releases second-quarter gross domestic product, 8:30 a.m. SATURDAY: No events of note. ___ SUNDAY, AUG. 21 ___ MONDAY, AUG. 22 Vice President Joe Biden visits Latvia, Turkey and Sweden, through Aug. 25. WASHINGTON Congress on break until Sept. 6. ___ TUESDAY, AUG. 23 President Barack Obama visits Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ___ WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24 ___ THURSDAY, AUG. 25 ___ FRIDAY, AUG. 26 Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are expected to meet in Geneva for talks on Syria. ___ WASHINGTON If you thought the old Donald Trump campaign was wild and crazy, just wait for the new Trump campaign now that Breitbart's Steve Bannon has taken over as chief executive. The new leadership with Bannon and pollster Kellyanne Conway displacing Paul Manafort of the Ukranian Connection at the top of the heap is likely to steer Trump even more in the direction of the European far right. It also tells you something that Bannon sees Sarah Palin, about whom he made a laudatory documentary, as a model for anti-establishment politics. Bannon is close to Nigel Farage, the former head of the right-wing UK Independence Party, who offered "massive thanks" to Breitbart News for supporting the party's successful campaign on behalf of Britain's departure from the European Union. "Your UKIP team is just incredible," Bannon told Farage during an interview after the June Brexit vote. Judging from Bannon's history, Trump's campaign will become even harsher in its attacks on Hillary Clinton and work hard to insinuate anti-Clinton stories into the mainstream media. Bloomberg Businessweek's Joshua Green quoted Bannon proudly declaring in mid-2015: "We've got the 15 best investigative reporters at the 15 best newspapers in the country all chasing after Hillary Clinton." And count on Trump to ramp up his appeals to Bernie Sanders' supporters and the left. Pushing his anti-Clinton film "Clinton Cash" in May, Bannon said he wanted progressives to "understand how the Clintons, who proclaim that they support all your values, essentially have sold you out for money." In his conversation with Farage, Bannon expressed great interest in the role played by left-of-center voters in Brexit's victory. A Trump press release Wednesday bragged about the headline on Green's important Businessweek article describing Bannon as "the most dangerous political operative in America." The new CEO poses dangers not only to Clinton, but also to Republicans like House Speaker Paul Ryan who have been tiptoeing around their party's nominee by simultaneously criticizing him and endorsing him. Bannon has no use for Ryan. A December piece Bannon co-authored began: "Paul Ryan's first major legislative achievement is a total and complete sell-out of the American people masquerading as an appropriations bill." Bannon could thus speed the defection of longtime GOP officeholders, while Senate and House campaigns are likely to become even more distant from Trump. In his past endeavors, Bannon targeted not only Clinton but also Jeb Bush. Trump's relations with the Bush wing of the party could hardly be worse, but Bannon is likely to make them impossible. There is much good news but one piece of bad news for Clinton in the Trump shakeup. The bad news is that she is likely to have to play more defense, especially if Bannon builds on his success in enticing reporters at non-conservative media outlets to work on stories damaging to her. Trump's campaign is also likely to look more extreme, which cannot help the flailing candidate in the suburban, highly educated precincts in states such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado and North Carolina where he is hemorrhaging more upscale Republican votes. Bannon's fascination with Palin, who turned off many such voters to John McCain after he chose her as his running mate in 2008, could aggravate rather than ease this problem. And if the theme of this latest bit of Trump court intrigue is a return to the "Let Trump be Trump" philosophy, Clinton's operatives will only cheer. Trump being Trump is precisely what led him to this crisis point. Bannon's rise dramatizes the catastrophe GOP establishmentarians brought upon themselves by imagining that they could use the far right for their own purposes while somehow keeping it tame. Bannon's European interests suggest he is far more impressed by right-wing third parties than by traditional Republicanism. He believed the anti-establishment rhetoric that Republican politicians deployed but never really meant when they were attacking President Obama. Now, the GOP faces the possibility of a real split. It fell to Palin in her January endorsement of Trump to tell the party establishment off: "We are mad, and we've been had. They need to get used to it." They are unlikely to get used to Bannon. AP Analysis: For at least this week, Trump playing to win WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump's turbulent summer has been shadowed by a nagging question: Does the Republican nominee actually want to win the presidency? For at least this week, Trump answered with an emphatic yes. He moved to steady his struggling campaign with a late-in-the-game staff shakeup, replacing controversial campaign chair Paul Manafort with a veteran pollster and a conservative media executive who shares his populist views. He delivered a series of more formal speeches, unheard of for a candidate who prefers unscripted rallies. And in an address Thursday evening, he uncharacteristically volunteered that he regretted some of his caustic comments though he notably did not specify which ones. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts after delivering a campaign speech in Charlotte, N.C. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that," Trump said during his appearance in Charlotte, North Carolina. "And believe it or not, I regret it and I do regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain." Taken together, the moves suggest a candidate still straining for a way to win a White House race rapidly slipping out of his reach. Opinion polls show Trump trailing Democrat Hillary Clinton nationally and in key battleground states less than three months from Election Day and just weeks before early voting begins in some locations. There's no certainty Trump's shifting strategy can reverse that trend. It's not even clear whether Trump can maintain this new posture through the weekend. If his previous attempts at a "pivot" are any indication, the odds are low. But what if Trump really is in the midst of a lasting reset? The grim reality for the businessman is that it may not be enough to help him make up the significant ground he's lost. Clinton's campaign has spent the summer flooding the airwaves with television ads, building out field operations in the states and attracting Republican support. Trump, meanwhile, has made little effort to reach out to new voters or capitalize on Clinton's vulnerabilities, including the FBI director's criticism of her email practices. His attempts at rolling out policy proposals have been overshadowed by numerous controversies of his own making, none more damaging than his feud with an American Muslim family whose son was killed in Iraq while serving in the military. According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, just 33 percent of registered voters believe Trump has the temperament to be president a damning assessment that won't be reversed by a few staffing changes and a conciliatory speech. Trump's inability to course-correct has caused some political observers to question whether the real estate mogul actually wants to win the election and spend the next four years as president. There's speculation he's eying starting a media business after the campaign. He's even raised the prospect he might lose, saying he would go on a "very, very nice long vacation." But the businessman's willingness to at least entertain a new approach at this stage of the campaign suggests he's not ready for that vacation just yet. Indeed, the blueprint Trump has stuck to for much of this week has the potential to resonate with voters deeply frustrated with Washington and career politicians. He's emphasized his outsider credentials, casting his missteps as a consequence of his lack of political polish. He's focused on his core message of boosting security by tightening immigration laws, both in speeches and in his first television ad of the general election. And he's stepped up his focus on Clinton, casting her as a dishonest agent of Washington. "Trump, to his credit, wants to run a truly deep race of contrasts," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally, said of the GOP nominee's goals for the coming weeks. The relative steadiness of Trump's message was all the more surprising given that one of the staffing changes he made this week was bringing on Stephen Bannon, the combative head of Breitbart News, a pro-Trump website that frequently targets Republican leaders and promotes false conspiracy theories about Clinton. Bannon's hiring was seen as a signal Trump would double-down on some of his more controversial impulses, though that hasn't proven to be the case in the first few days of their new partnership. Republicans inside and outside the campaign give much of the credit for Trump's stronger week to Kellyanne Conway, the new campaign manager. Conway has gained Trump's trust and is seen as someone who can communicate campaign weaknesses to the businessman better than Manafort, who irritated Trump with his emphasis on moderating in the general election. Conway, in an interview on ABC, insisted it's Trump who is driving the reboot. "All the people who have been saying, 'Let's get Trump to pivot, let's get him to be more presidential.' That is presidential," she said. ___ Julie Pace has covered the White House and politics for the AP since 2007. Follow her on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jpaceDC Justice Ginsburg laments deadlocks on short-handed court POJOAQUE, N.M. (AP) U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said split 4-4 decisions by the short-handed high court have left important public policy issues up in the air, including the president's immigration plan, that are likely to be revisited by the court in the future. Addressing a gathering of attorneys in New Mexico on Friday, Ginsburg highlighted the impact of recent split decisions by the Supreme Court that left in place lower court rulings on immigration, organized labor fees and the ability of Native American tribal courts to decide controversies involving visitors. The Supreme Court has been working without a ninth justice since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February. Senate Republicans have refused to hold confirmation hearings for Obama's Supreme Court nominee ahead of the presidential election. U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is introduced during the keynote address for the State Bar of New Mexico's Annual Meeting held in Pojoaque, N.M., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Craig Fritz) Ginsberg said eight justices "was not good enough" to decide several crucial cases. "When we are evenly divided, it is equivalent to denying review," Ginsburg said. "There were important issues in these four cases that we were unable to decide, and they will come back again and one of them was the president's immigration policy." The 83-year-old Brooklyn native, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993 by Bill Clinton, made no mention Friday of the ongoing presidential campaign or her controversial comments last month about GOP nominee Donald Trump. In a series of media interviews in July, Ginsburg said she did not want to think about the possibility of a Trump presidency, describing the GOP presidential contender as a "faker" who "really has an ego." She later said she regretted her "ill-advised" public criticism. Members of the New Mexico State Bar Association and their guests flocked to a casino resort north of Santa Fe to hear from Ginsburg, an anchor on the liberal wing of the current eight-member court and counterweight to conservative Chief Justice John Roberts. The Supreme Court deadlocked on a decision in March that threatened the ability of public-sector unions to collect fees from workers who don't want to join unions or pay for collective bargaining activities, in a victory for organized labor. In June, a 4-4 tie among justices effectively ended a federal program that would have shielded millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation to work legally in the U.S. U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, speaks during the keynote address or the State Bar of New Mexico's Annual Meeting held in Pojoaque, NM, Aug. 19, 2016. (Craig Fritz, AP Photo) Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, speaks during the keynote address or the State Bar of New Mexico's Annual Meeting in Pojoaque, N.M., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Craig Fritz) Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, speaks during the keynote address or the State Bar of New Mexico's Annual Meeting in Pojoaque, N.M.,Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Craig Fritz) U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, speaks with Roberta Cooper Ramo, former President of the American Bar Association, during the keynote address for the State Bar of New Mexico's Annual Meeting held in Pojoaque, N.M., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Craig Fritz) One of two girls accused of trying to kill a 12-year-old classmate to please horror character Slender Man two years ago pleaded not guilty Friday by reason of insanity. Morgan Geyser, 14, entered her plea to one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide during a status conference in Waukesha County Circuit Court. Judge Michael Bohren appointed two doctors to examine her. Her attorney, Tony Cotton, said in a telephone interview after the conference ended that he felt the facts of the case fit an insanity plea. Scroll down for video Morgan Geyser (above in April), 14, pleaded not guilty Friday by reason of insanity. She is accused of trying to kill a classmate two years ago to please horror character Slender Man Geyser (above) entered her plea to one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide during a status conference Experts have testified already that Geyser suffers from schizophrenia and oppositional defiant disorder and maintains relationships with imaginary characters. Bohren said he will look to schedule a trial in March or as soon as prosecutors and Cotton are ready. If Geyser is convicted, the insanity plea necessitates another trial to determine her mental state at the time of the crime, Cotton said. If she's found mentally deficient, she would be ordered confined to a mental hospital. If she's deemed sane, she would serve up to 40 years in prison and 20 years on extended supervision. The other girl in the case, Anissa Weier, who is now 14 as well, also faces one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide. She pleaded not guilty last year. Bohren on Thursday said he would look to schedule her trial for March as well. Experts have testified already that Geyser (above) suffers from schizophrenia and oppositional defiant disorder and maintains relationships with imaginary characters The other girl in the case, Anissa Weier (above), 14, pleaded not guilty last year to one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide Assistant District Attorney Ted Szczupakiewicz, who is leading the prosecution of both girls, didn't immediately return a voicemail message Friday. Anyone 10 or older charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide is automatically considered an adult under state law. The Associated Press hadn't previously named the girls because their attorneys had been seeking to move their cases into juvenile court, where they could be incarcerated for three years and then supervised under age 18. A state appeals court, however, ruled last month that both girls' cases should remain in adult court, saying the crime was planned and violent. That leaves the state Supreme Court as the girls' last hope of being moved into juvenile court, but Cotton said Friday he won't ask the high court to take Geyser's case because it doesn't present a novel question of law. The other girl's attorney, Maura McMahon, didn't immediately respond to a voicemail asking if she planned to appeal to the Supreme Court. Geyser (pictured left at 12) and Weier (pictured right at 12) allegedly stabbed Payton Leutner 19 times as they tried to appease Slender Man, a fictional Internet figure they claim told them to murder Leutner Leutner (above) was also 12 years old at the time of the incident. She crawled to a road where a bicyclist found her. She recovered from her wounds and returned to school that fall According to court documents, the girls invited their classmate, Payton Leutner, to a birthday sleepover in May 2014. All three girls were 12 years old at the time. The next day they lured Leutner into some woods at a Waukesha park, stabbed her repeatedly and then fled. Leutner suffered 19 stab wounds, including one that doctors said narrowly missed a major artery near her heart. Leutner crawled to a road where a bicyclist found her. Police captured Geyser and the other girl on Waukesha's outskirts later that day. They told investigators they had hoped killing Leutner would gain them favor with Slender Man, a demon-like character featured in online horror stories. They said they were planning to walk 300 miles to the Nicolet National Forest, where they hoped to live as Slender Man's servants in his mansion. Leutner recovered from her wounds and returned to school that fall. Turkey arrests author over 'terror' charges ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkey's state-run news agency says a court in Istanbul has ordered a prominent author and journalist arrested on charges of membership in an armed terror organization. Anadolu Agency says Asli Erdogan, who worked for pro-Kurdish newspaper Ozgur Gundem, was arrested Friday after questioning by prosecutors. Erdogan, no relation to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained with other Ozgur Gundem employees after a court this week ordered the newspaper closed for allegedly engaging in propaganda of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. Most were released but two other workers also face charges, Anadolu reported. Mexican drug lord's kidnapped son potential bargaining chip MEXICO CITY (AP) For the ambitious Jalisco New Generation cartel, it must have seemed like a gift: Imprisoned Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's son, partying at a gourmet restaurant deep in their territory. Seven gunmen swept into La Leche restaurant in Puerto Vallarta's hotel district early Monday, taking the 16 people gathered there by surprise. Without firing a shot, they marched six men out. In a flash, 29-year-old Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar became a valuable potential bargaining chip or a high-profile casualty in the cartel turf battles that are wreaking havoc in large swaths of Mexico. Analysts say Jalisco New Generation could try to use him as leverage to win territory or other gains from what has been the country's dominant gang. FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2016, file photo, Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is made to face the press as he is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican soldiers and marines at a federal hangar in Mexico City, Mexico. The son of the imprisoned drug lord may be among the half-dozen men abducted by gunmen at a restaurant in the Mexican beach resort of Puerto Vallarta, authorities said Tuesday, Aug 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File) "They can use him, if they're astute ... to get concessions from the Sinaloa cartel and expand their moneymaking enterprise," said Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Jalisco New Generation formed from a splinter of the Sinaloa cartel after the death of Sinaloa boss Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel in 2010, and has rapidly expanded from its home base in the western state of Jalisco to the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, among others. It has done so in part through liberal use of violence. In a series of attacks last year, cartel henchmen killed 20 police officers in two ambushes and used a rocket-propelled grenade to down an army helicopter, killing 10 aboard. What Jalisco New Generation does not have is its own trafficking corridors along the U.S. border most of which are controlled by the Sinaloa cartel, the beneficiary of weakened regional gangs from the Gulf to the Pacific. Violence has surged in recent months in Baja California Sur state as Jalisco New Generation fights for a foothold in Sinaloa cartel territory. Killings have also risen in the key border cities of Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, suggesting that Sinaloa's control is being challenged there as well. "Now they're starting to move northward because they want to control some of the principal drug-smuggling routes along the U.S.-Mexico border," Vigil said. "So they know that in order to expand, they have to control some of these pipelines into the U.S. consumer market." Enter the young Guzman. Jalisco state Attorney General Eduardo Almaguer said this week that authorities have no reason to believe he or the other abducted men have been killed. But his kidnapping is a huge blunder by Sinaloa regardless of whether responsibility lies with Jesus Alfredo himself or with "El Chapo" associate Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who is believed to be running the cartel's operations following the elder Guzman's recapture earlier this year. "It's a grave error that is going to cost them a lot, either in life or in a very costly negotiation," said Guillermo Valdes, former director of Mexico's intelligence services. "If you're in a fight with these gentlemen of the Jalisco New Generation, you don't go to their territory without bodyguards." Valdes also called Jesus Alfredo Guzman's abduction the latest sign that rivals see "El Chapo" as weakened following his third arrest, in January, after two brazen prison escapes in 2001 and 2015. Fed-up Mexican officials now appear willing to grant a U.S. request for his extradition, and the case is currently wending its way through the courts. Authorities have tightened the drug lord's prison conditions this time, and since May he's been in a federal penitentiary near Ciudad Juarez far from his lawyers and apparently less able to communicate with underlings. Earlier this year Mexican media reported an attack on Guzman's mother's home in the state of Sinaloa, and in July two of his wife's nephews were killed, both events signaling that rivals are less afraid to tangle with the man long known as Mexico's most notorious drug lord. "This perception of weakness that 'El Chapo's' adversaries have speaks to a process of realignment and reorganization of drug trafficking in the country," Valdes said. There have been rumors that Guzman's older son Ivan Archivaldo was also kidnapped in the Puerto Vallarta incident, but authorities have not confirmed that and Valdes said he, too, does not know if that's true. But, he said, "kidnapping the sons could lead to, 'I'll trade you the life of your sons for the Manzanillo port or for Tijuana.'" If there are no negotiations, or if there are and Guzman's son is killed anyway, it would likely bring the full wrath of "El Chapo" and the Sinaloa cartel to bear on Jalisco New Generation. "It is going to unleash a very violent war," Valdes said. On Friday, National Security Commissioner Renato Sales announced the arrest of a man believed to handle finances for Jalisco New Generation, but he said it was unrelated to the kidnapping. Mormon church opposes plan for futuristic, green communities SALT LAKE CITY (AP) The utopic communities envisioned by a wealthy Mormon businessman near religious landmarks in Utah and Vermont would feature small homes clustered around community gardens and focus on walkability to reduce the need for cars. David Hall's effort to build sustainable communities is years away from reality but took a hit this week when the Mormon church denounced his plans, modeled after church founder Joseph Smith's vision from 1833. Hall is unfazed, vowing to press ahead with the developments that will welcome non-Mormons and urge people to consume less. The Church of Jesus Christ of Christ of Latter-day Saints has concerns about the communities affecting existing neighborhoods and the longstanding relationships the religion has with those residents, spokesman Eric Hawkins said in a statement. The project is not associated with the church in any way, he said. Architectural engineer Ben Jensen displays plans for modular residential structure Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in Provo, Utah. David Hall, a wealthy Mormon businessman has an ambitious plan to buy a Provo neighborhood and create a community of tiny, environmentally sustainable dwellings based on the teachings of church founder Joseph Smith. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) "The church makes no judgment about the scientific, environmental or social merits of the proposed developments," Hawkins said. "However, for a variety of reasons, we are not in favor of the proposal." Hall said he's not surprised because he believes church leaders are not forward-thinking and worry about their image. Their stance allows him to tout that his communities are not influenced by the church and not designed to be Mormon enclaves, he said. "I'm not running for office and I'm not trying to be a missionary, so I don't care what people think," Hall said. "I'm looking for long-term good." And long term it is Hall's plans are years away from reaching fruition in Utah and decades in Vermont. But neighbors in both states already have expressed concerns about the communities causing drastic changes. The "Utopia in Vermont" plan calls for housing for 20,000 people, offices, gardens, 48 basketball courts and 48 Olympic-size swimming pools. It's planned near a monument at the birthplace of Smith, the founder and first president of a religion that now counts 15 million members worldwide. A community near church-owned Brigham Young University and the Missionary Training Center in Provo, south of Salt Lake City, would be much smaller. Hall owns some of the land already. The project closest to happening is in a neighborhood in south Provo, where Hall has a warehouse and owns many homes. He plans to build a hotel and several hundred houses to test some of his concepts. Hall's foundation's website shows conceptual designs for the communities he envisions. Narrow, three-story homes with rooftop gardens would be built wall to wall around large, community gardens. People could get around by electric public transit. Energy-efficient multiuse buildings would provide space for meetings and business. He ultimately hopes to create an entire town with 50 diamond-shaped communities of 15,000 to 20,000 people each near an economic hub so residents could walk or take public transportation to work. Hall said he has committed much of his own money to the venture, spending $100 million on engineering and other research over the last 50 years. He sold a company last year specializing in synthetic diamond technology and is putting most of the proceeds toward engineering studies. Hall said Mormon officials have reached out to him, but he does not call back. He says he's in good standing as a church member but does not want faith leaders telling him what to do. Besides, he believes those who would be interested in his green living effort will be non-Mormons. "It's all getting to one-tenth of consumption we're at now," Hall said. "That's not going to go over well with LDS people, because they're consumers. They're free enterprise and right wing, that's what they're at." Architectural engineer Ben Jensen displays plans for modular residential structure Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in Provo, Utah. David Hall, a wealthy Mormon businessman has an ambitious plan to buy a Provo neighborhood and create a community of tiny, environmentally sustainable dwellings based on the teachings of church founder Joseph Smith. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Architectural engineer Ben Jensen displays plans for modular residential structure Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in Provo, Utah. David Hall, a wealthy Mormon businessman has an ambitious plan to buy a Provo neighborhood and create a community of tiny, environmentally sustainable dwellings based on the teachings of church founder Joseph Smith. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Police: Girl kills seagull at beach, father faces charge REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) Police in the Delaware resort of Rehoboth Beach say a Canadian man has been charged for allowing his daughter to lure a seagull to a hole in the sand, where she killed it with a plastic shovel. A police statement says officers were called to the beach Wednesday about complaints that a girl was trying to hit seagulls with a shovel. A police statement says the 13-year-old put food in a hole in the sand and killed one seagull, which was later found in a trash can. Authorities say officers found the girl's father, 48-year-old Christian Lesieur of Quebec, Canada, drinking alcohol on the beach. Wisconsin girl pleads mental illness in Slender Man attack MADISON, Wis. (AP) One of two girls accused of trying to kill a 12-year-old classmate to please horror character Slender Man two years ago pleaded not guilty Friday by reason of mental disease or defect. Morgan Geyser, 14, entered her plea to one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide during a status conference in Waukesha County Circuit Court. Judge Michael Bohren appointed two doctors to examine her. Her attorney, Tony Cotton, said in a telephone interview after the conference ended that he felt the facts of the case fit a mental illness plea. Experts have testified already that Geyser suffers from schizophrenia and oppositional defiant disorder and maintains relationships with imaginary characters. Bohren said he will look to schedule a trial in March or as soon as prosecutors and Cotton are ready. If Geyser is convicted, the mental illness plea necessitates another trial to determine her mental state at the time of the crime, Cotton said. If she's found mentally deficient, she would be ordered confined to a mental hospital. If she's deemed mentally fit, she would serve up to 40 years in prison and 20 years on extended supervision. The other girl in the case, who is now 14 as well, also faces one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide. She pleaded not guilty last year. Bohren on Thursday said he would look to schedule her trial for March as well. Assistant District Attorney Ted Szczupakiewicz, who is leading the prosecution of both girls, didn't immediately return a voicemail message Friday. Anyone 10 or older charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide is automatically considered an adult under state law. The Associated Press hadn't previously named the girls because their attorneys had been seeking to move their cases into juvenile court, where they could be incarcerated for three years and then supervised under age 18. A state appeals court, however, ruled last month that both girls' cases should remain in adult court, saying the crime was planned and violent. That leaves the state Supreme Court as the girls' last hope of being moved into juvenile court, but Cotton said Friday he won't ask the high court to take Geyser's case because it doesn't present a novel question of law. The other girl's attorney, Maura McMahon, didn't immediately respond to a voicemail asking if she planned to appeal to the Supreme Court. According to court documents, the girls invited their classmate, Payton Leutner, to a birthday sleepover in May 2014. All three girls were 12 years old at the time. The next day they lured Leutner into some woods at a Waukesha park, stabbed her repeatedly and then fled. Leutner suffered 19 stab wounds, including one that doctors said narrowly missed a major artery near her heart. Leutner crawled to a road where a bicyclist found her. Police captured Geyser and the other girl on Waukesha's outskirts later that day. They told investigators they had hoped killing Leutner would gain them favor with Slender Man, a demon-like character featured in online horror stories. They said they were planning to walk 300 miles to the Nicolet National Forest, where they hoped to live as Slender Man's servants in his mansion. Leutner recovered from her wounds and returned to school that fall. ___ Longtime metro Phoenix sheriff faces his toughest race ever PHOENIX (AP) The longtime sheriff of the metropolitan Phoenix area is facing his toughest political race ever to try to keep his job, with top aides under investigation for misconduct and the lawman himself facing possible criminal charges for defying an order to put an end to traffic stop patrols targeting people in the country illegally. Joe Arpaio is now 84 but says he's not ready for retirement, insisting his ties with Maricopa County voters who elected him six consecutive times will overcome a cascade of negative publicity from his legal troubles and give him a win against two retired law enforcement challengers and a fourth candidate in an Aug. 30 Republican primary. He has raised nearly $10 million in campaign cash aimed at helping him keep his grip over law enforcement one of the most populous counties in the country, much of it from people living outside Arizona. "There is some unfinished business that has to be done," Arpaio said in an interview this week. "I will stand around to defend this organization, and that's the way it is." Arpaio became nationally famous and infamous for his heavy-handed immigration crackdowns and for jailing prisoners in a tent city surrounded by barbed wire and issuing them pink underwear. But he has seen his popularity wane in recent elections and faces criticism for racking up multi-million dollar legal bills to unsuccessfully defend his immigration crackdowns. Two retired police officers who are among Arpaio's Republican challengers call him an egoistic media monger and promise to bring more professionalism and less self-promotion to the job. They have an uphill battle in trying to beat Arpaio in the primary. But he is more vulnerable in the general election face-off on Nov. 8 against the race's only Democrat, retired Phoenix police Officer Paul Penzone, said Mike O'Neil, who heads the O'Neil Associates polling firm in the Phoenix suburb of Tempe. O'Neil said some voters who have supported Arpaio in the past may have grown tired of the hefty taxpayer bills for lawsuits challenging his immigration enforcement efforts and jail conditions. "Law and order works unless you step over the line," O'Neil said. Former Buckeye Police Chief Dan Saban, the leading GOP challenger who was beaten by Arpaio in two previous elections, said the sheriff's promotion of himself in the media and willingness to drive up legal costs are finally catching up with him. "Joe Arpaio has created a myth for himself that he is the toughest sheriff in America when he is the most costly sheriff in America," Saban said. Arpaio's worst legal defeat was the racial profiling case, which morphed into a contempt-of-court proceeding in late 2014 after Arpaio was accused of violating court orders by continuing immigration traffic stops after they were banned and withholding police video evidence from his 2012 profiling trial. That led to bruising critique of sheriff's office internal investigations into possible wrongdoing by employees and managers. U.S. District Judge Murray Snow said in mid-May that the investigations had been manipulated to shield sheriff's officials from accountability. Snow has already found Arpaio and his second-in-command in civil contempt of court. On Friday, Snow ruled that he wants another judge to decide whether Arpaio should be held in criminal contempt-of-court for ignoring court orders in the racial profiling case. A former prosecutor has been appointed by the judge to re-investigate a dozen internal affairs probes deemed inadequate including allegations that sheriff's office managers ignored orders to stop immigration crackdowns and that Arpaio's special anti-immigrant smuggling squad pocketed items including drivers' licenses, a big screen TV and purses during the traffic stops and raids of suspected safe houses for people smugglers. The legal costs for the profiling case along are projected to reach $54 million by next summer for taxpayers from Maricopa County, which has about 3.8 million residents and more land than the U.S. state of Vermont. The financial hemorrhaging is likely to continue until the sheriff's office comes in full compliance for three straight years with court-ordered changes aimed at preventing profiling. Snow has also complained that Arpaio has been slow to make ordered changes, finding that Arpaio's agency by June was in compliance with 63 percent of new law enforcement policies ordered but just 40 percent in enacting changes mandated for how deputies do their jobs. Arpaio insisted in an interview that his office has made good progress complying with the changes ordered nearly three years ago but gave no firm prediction on when his agency would be in full compliance. "I am saying it takes time to comply," he said. "And we are making progress, but these kinds of situations take years." The $9.9 million in campaign money raised by Arpaio far exceeds his opponents' fundraising. Penzone has raised $160,000. In the GOP contest, Saban has brought in $30,000. Retired Sheriff's Deputy Wayne Baker has raised $10,000 and former sheriff's volunteer Marsha Hill took in $18,000. Penzone, who lost to Arpaio in 2012 by six percentage points, said getting the sheriff's office off court supervision can be accomplished doing things he says Arpaio hasn't meeting deadlines and holding sheriff's officials accountable when they miss them. "Every lost day is a lost dollar," Penzone said. "And every last day goes to undermine our ability to meet the expectations of not only the federal court but also this community at large. It's shameful that we have even gotten to this place." ___ Haiti welcomes UN admission, plans to assist cholera victims PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) A U.N. acknowledgement that it played a role in introducing cholera to Haiti and vows to aid victims were welcomed Friday in the Caribbean nation, which has experienced the worst outbreak of the disease in recent history. While the number of cholera cases has been significantly reduced from the initial outbreak in 2010, the fact that the preventable disease is still routinely sickening and killing Haitians is galling to many. "The U.N. brought this sickness to Haiti so they need to pay the country back. A lot of people got sick, a lot have died," said Michelle Raymond, who said her young son nearly died of the waterborne disease in 2013. FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2010 file photo, cholera patients receive serum at the St. Nicholas Hospital in Saint Marc, Haiti. A U.N. acknowledgement that it played a role in introducing cholera to Haiti and vows to aid victims were welcomed Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in the Caribbean nation, which has experienced the worst outbreak of the disease in recent history. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery, File) This week, deputy spokesman Farhan Haq acknowledged the United Nations' "own involvement" in the introduction of cholera to impoverished Haiti and pledged that "a significantly new set of U.N. actions" will be presented in the next two months. On Friday, Haq added that "the United Nations has a moral responsibility to the victims." He said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is developing a package that would provide "material assistance" to cholera victims in Haiti, indicating for the first time that some people might get financial help from the U.N. For years the U.N. had denied or been silent on longstanding allegations that it was responsible for the outbreak, while answering lawsuits in U.S. courts by claiming immunity under a 1946 convention. Haq reiterated that the world body's legal position on immunity has not changed. In a decision issued late Thursday, the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York upheld the United Nations' immunity from a high-profile claim filed on behalf of 5,000 cholera victims who blame the U.N. for the epidemic in a country where any number of diseases thrive. Brian Concannon, executive director of the Boston-based Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, said victims' advocates will be watching the U.N.'s actions closely. They have 90 days to decide whether to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. "We will decide how to proceed based on whether the U.N.'s actions fulfill the cholera victims' rights to an effective remedy," Concannon said in a statement. Researchers say there is ample scientific evidence the disease was introduced to Haiti's biggest river by inadequately treated sewage from a base of U.N. peacekeepers from Nepal, one of the units that have rotated in and out of a multinational force in Haiti since 2004. Cholera is caused by bacteria that produces severe diarrhea and is contracted by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It can lead to a rapid, painful death through complete dehydration, but is easily treatable if caught in time. Nearly six years later, there has been scant progress addressing the chronic lack of sanitation and access to clean water that allow the disease to flourish. Some Haitians expressed exasperation that the U.N. mission, known by its French acronym Minustah, took so long to acknowledge its role. "So now they are going to find a way to clean the disease from the country? It has been here for years and it seems like it is here to stay," Jhony Nordlius said as he pushed a wheelbarrow past a fetid canal where children were splashing and collecting garbage. In a densely packed cluster of shacks where cholera flares up each year, residents who heard about the U.N.'s admission were hopeful they might get compensation. Gerda Blot said she and her daughter were hospitalized for several days in 2014 after drinking tainted water. "I spent a lot of savings getting well. And I know it is still out there, that cholera disease," she said outside her plywood and sheet metal home. Cholera has killed more than 9,300 Haitians and sickened over 800,000. It showed up some 10 months after a devastating earthquake, deepening the country's misery at a time when it was ill-equipped to cope with another crisis. The disease is now considered "endemic" in Haiti, meaning it's an illness that occurs regularly. Health workers are hopeful that the U.N. has made a critical step forward by finally acknowledging its role in the cholera outbreak. "We look forward to the new response the U.N. plans to unveil, and we continue to call on the organization to devote additional resources," said Dr. Gary Gottlieb of Boston-based Partners in Health, an NGO which operates clinics and hospitals in 12 locations in Haiti. ___ David McFadden on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dmcfadd Young boys look for fish in a basin of polluted water in Delmas, a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and only 24 percent of Haitians have access to a toilet. Sewage is rarely treated and safe water remains inaccessible to many. ( AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery) Young boys bathe in muddied water pooled in the middle of a street, in Delmas, a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and only 24 percent of Haitians have access to a toilet. Sewage is rarely treated and safe water remains inaccessible to many. ( AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery) While Congress vacations, having failed to fix its severely flawed Veterans Choice program, community health care providers in Montana have stepped up to help the VA deliver faster care to veterans. How many veterans need this community care? As of Aug. 1, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website reported that the VA Montana system had 22,705 appointments scheduled, including nearly 4,000 for more than 30 days out. Veterans who cant get a VA appointment within 30 days are eligible for Veterans Choice. Under that law, the referral for outside-VA care must go to a private care contractor. For Montana and most other states that contractor is HealthNet. Unfortunately in many cases, veterans in Montana and elsewhere have waited even longer for appointments through HealthNet than they would wait in the VA clinics and hospitals. Partnerships between VA Montana and community providers are working around the major glitch in Veterans Choice. More than 170 Montana health care providers have signed agreements to work with the VA directly, including Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare, Benefis in Great Falls, Community Medical Center in Missoula and Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City, according to Mike Garcia, VA Montana public affairs officer. Veterans also may choose to wait to receive the care in a VA facility. The VA-community agreements under Veterans Choice are cumbersome and inefficient because of the way the law is written. Congress must fix the problem. Rather than immediately scheduling appointments with community providers, the Veterans Choice contract requires that VA first refer to HealthNet. Once HealthNet has accepted the referral, the company has seven business days in which to determine whether it can get the veteran an appointment within 30 days. (For urgent referrals the time limit is two business days for scheduling.) If HealthNet cant meet the deadline, the referral goes back to VA where staff is then allowed to contact the community provider under contract with the closest, fastest availability to serve the veteran. That back-and-forth referral wastes time for veterans and the VA. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, vice chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, has proposed reform of Veterans Choice so that money follows the veteran, rather than the program. The committee approved those changes in a bill sponsored by the Republican committee chair and supported by members of both parties. The bill didnt make it to the full Senate before the six-week vacation. In Billings this week, Tester said that the Veterans First Act needs to get on the Senate calendar. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, is working with GOP Senate leadership to get floor time. If theres no action in September, the veterans legislation will have to await the lame duck session in November, Tester said. It shouldve been done before we left, Tester said. Thats something Montanans can agree on. Veterans health care has fallen victim to the gridlock and delay that is typical of Congress. Everyone who is elected in November to the White House, the Senate and House must find ways to work for common good and get things done for the American people. Theres no higher priority than delivering the quality, timely health care America owes its military veterans. George Osborne 'fires Rambo-style machine gun in Vietnam' George Osborne has reportedly been spotted in a Vietnam jungle firing a machine gun. Mr Osborne was sacked from the Cabinet by Theresa May when she took office in July having served as Chancellor since 2010. But a video posted online by The Daily Mirror appears to show the MP for Tatton enjoying his summer holiday as he fires a heavy machine gun in Vietnam. George Osborne with a thermal imaging gun during a visit to Freightliner Heavy Haul in Crewe - the former chancellor has reportedly fired a machine gun in Vietnam The former chancellor reportedly visited the former stronghold of the Viet Cong close to Ho Chi Minh City. The footage has prompted some to liken the former chancellor to Sylvester Stallone's Rambo character. One person quoted by the newspaper suggested the weapon was "one of those really, really big machine guns - the Rambo-style one". Mr Osborne's choice of getaway differs greatly from that of the new Prime Minister who is spending two weeks walking in Switzerland. Albanian murderer who posed as Kosovan asylum seeker to be extradited An Albanian double killer who posed as a Kosovan refugee to enter the UK illegally is set to be extradited back to his native country after living here freely for almost two decades. Father-of-four Avni Metra, 53, came to Britain in 1998, a year after carrying out the brutal murder of two brothers, and was later sentenced to 25 years in prison in his absence. He fought to stay in the UK despite being entitled to be retried in Albania, arguing that he would not get a fair trial. Avni Metra told Westminster Magistrates' Court there was "no justice in Albania" He told an earlier extradition hearing: "There is no justice in Albania. There is only corruption." The labourer, who claimed he had originally fled his native country because his life was in danger after a friend was killed, also argued that he had a right to a private and personal life in the UK. But district judge Margot Coleman ruled at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Friday that he could be extradited, saying: "It's right that you have lived here for some time and that you have a wife and children. "But your living here, your life in this country, is based on a lie. "When you entered this country you did not say you were Avni Metra from Albania. You gave a false name, saying you were seeking asylum from Kosovo. "It was on that basis you were given leave to remain in this country and subsequently granted a British passport." Metra, who was living in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, was arrested by Scotland Yard detectives on June 8 as he drove through Watford, after a tip-off from the Daily Mail. Metra wore a short-sleeved blue patterned shirt and beige trousers as he stood in the dock for the hearing. He remained impassive with his arms folded as he was told of the judge's decision. Metra had used articles six and eight of the European Convention on Human Rights to fight his extradition. Judge Coleman rejected his challenge that he should not be extradited to Albania on the basis that he would not get a fair retrial. She said: "As far as your article six rights are concerned, this country has been extraditing people to Albania and there have been no concerns in respect to article six. "You called absolutely no evidence to support your assertion that you would be denied the right to a fair trial. There are no grounds that have been heard before me to reach that conclusion." Metra's challenge on the basis that he had a right to a family life in the UK was also dismissed. Judge Coleman said: "As far as your family are concerned, you were convicted of assaulting her (his wife) and subjected to a restraining order." The court also heard that Metra is barred from seeing his children without permission. Man due in court accused of couple's murder A man accused of the murder of a husband and wife is expected in court for a plea hearing. Prosecutors say Ali Qazimaj, 43, killed Peter Stuart, 75, and his wife Sylvia, 69. The body of Mr Stuart was found with multiple knife wounds in woodland near his home in Weybread, Suffolk, on June 3. Peter Stuart and his wife Sylvia are thought to have been murdered (Suffolk Police/PA) While Qazimaj has been charged with the murder of Mrs Stuart, her body has not been found. She is feared dead and police are continuing to search for her body. Qazimaj is due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday. He was extradited from Luxembourg to the UK to face the charges. At a court appearance four weeks ago he requested an Albanian interpreter and disputed his identity, stating his name as Vital Dapi. Qazimaj, formerly of Tilbury, Essex, and currently of no fixed abode, entered no pleas at the previous hearing. The Stuarts were last seen alive at Goodies Farm Shop in Pulham Market, Norfolk, on May 29. USOC condemns behaviour of swimmers caught up in false robbery incident The United States Olympic Committee has condemned the behaviour of the four swimmers involved in an incident at a petrol station last weekend and apologised for the trouble caused. Ryan Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medallist, claimed he and team-mates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and James Feigen were stopped by armed robbers posing as police in their taxi back to the athletes' village following a party. However, Rio police spotted inconsistencies in their initial statements and, following an investigation, civil police chief Fernando Veloso told a press conference that Lochte had lied to cover up a bizarre episode at a petrol station and the presence of two women the group had met at the party who were in a second taxi. Ryan Lochte, a six-time Olympic champion, is reportedly back in America USOC appeared to corroborate Veloso's version of events and has promised a review into the incident. USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun said in a statement: "The behaviour of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members. "We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States. "On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, we apologise to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence." The story first emerged when Lochte's mother told US media her son had phoned her on Sunday to say he had been robbed at gunpoint. But when journalists in Rio asked the International Olympic Committee and USOC what had happened they were told the story was "untrue". That, however, did not last long as Lochte then gave two interviews to US television that outlined the details of the alleged taxi ambush. However, the inconsistencies in their initial statements were spotted by the Rio police, which also investigated CCTV images from a petrol station near the village and conducted interviews with the staff. Veloso told journalists that police inquiries had substantiated the staff's account of what really happened: Lochte and his friends stopped to use the toilet but lost their temper over it being partly closed for repair. USOC added in its statement: "As we understand it, the four athletes (Bentz, Conger, Feigen and Ryan Lochte) left France House early in the morning of August 14 in a taxi headed to the Olympic Village. They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism. "An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave." Veloso said he did not know if any of this would lead to charges being brought but he said if it did the four would be charged with vandalism and falsely reporting a crime. While Veloso was speaking in a Leblon theatre lobby to more than 100 journalists, across the street Bentz and Conger were being questioned in a police station. USOC confirmed the pair have given statements to the police and departed Rio on Thursday night, with Lochte reportedly already back in America, while Feigen provided a revised statement "with the hope of securing the release of his passport as soon as possible". Earlier on Thursday Rio 2016's organising committee seemed more than willing to forgive this as the understandable release of steam. "We need to understand that these kids were trying to have fun," said Rio 2016's spokesman Mario Andrada. "They came here, they represented their country to the best of their ability. They trained for four years, they competed under gigantic pressure. "I understand this issue is under investigation but let's give those kids a break. Sometimes you take actions that you later regret. Showjumping gold medal for Nick Skelton on Big Star Great Britain's Nick Skelton has won a gold medal on Big Star in the individual showjumping at the Rio Olympics. The 58-year-old's triumph takes Team GB's gold medal tally up to 23 and the total medals won to 57, with 21 silver and 13 bronze. Skelton was part of the team that won the team jumping gold at London 2012 on his sixth Olympic appearance. Sam Quek celebrates a gold medal following victory in the gold medal match at the Olympic Hockey Centre His selection for Rio 2016 means he has competed at more Olympic Games than any other Team GB athlete. After a serious neck injury forced him into a first retirement in 2000, he returned to equestrianism in 2002 and has since received an OBE for services to the sport. He also broke the British record for highest fence jumped when he conquered a 7ft 7ins obstacle at Olympia in 1978. Speaking to the BBC, Skelton said: "It is unbelievable. I am speechless for once. The horse was amazing today. He has been really unlucky the last few days. "But I did it the other way round in London, it didn't pay off. Justice has been done for him today, and he deserves it. He has been incredible. "It has been a hard road because he hasn't been sound. Today was a good day to win. Everybody has worked towards getting this horse back on the road - it is amazing." He added that injury had made the last three years tough for both him and the horse. Speaking of Big Star, he continued: "He is an incredible horse, he knows exactly what is going on. He knows the day, he knows when it is really important." Asked if he would be returning for an eighth Olympics, Skelton said "I don't think so", adding that he and his horse would be too old by 2020. In the boxing ring, Joe Joyce ensured that Team GB would add at least another silver medal to its total, after winning his semi-final against Kazakhstan's Ivan Dychko at Rio Centro. In the final Joyce will will fight for super-heavyweight gold against Frenchman Tony Yoka, who came through the other semi-final via split decision. Skelton said winning gold had "capped" his career and that the achievement had been "emotional" for everyone in his team. He continued: "My groom has been with me for 31 years but if you see how many hours he spends with my horse you'd be amazed. He only looks after that one horse and he's with him nine hours a day constantly. "I always knew in the back of my mind that I could do it. He is an absolutely amazing horse. You can trust him, he wants to do it and he has all the right attributes. For me he's the best horse I've had and will ever have. "I'm so pleased for (Big Star) today because he's worked hard. We've done a lot of work with him and we've slowly been bringing him back. Today he really came good for me." Speaking of what happens next, the Olympian added: "I'm not going to stop now. I only ride Big Star and I've ridden him all year. When he stops, I'll stop for definite." Nick Skelton during the individual final jump off at the Olympic Equestrian Centre Turkey's Erdogan blames Gulen followers for role in bomb attacks ISTANBUL, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday blamed followers of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for playing a role in a series of bomb attacks in eastern Turkey blamed on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). In a speech broadcast live on television, Erdogan said Turkey was facing joint attacks by various terrorist organisations who act together. He said that Gulen's followers were complicit in attacks by the Kurdish militants that killed seven members of security forces and wounded 224 people in the southeast on Thursday. Ankara blames Gulen for the failed July 15 putsch when a group of rogue soldiers attempted to overthrow the government, commandeering tanks, planes and helicopters. Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, has denied the charges. China in talks over ministers' meeting with Japan and S.Korea BEIJING, Aug 18 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry said on Thursday it was in talks with Japan and South Korea about holding an annual trilateral meeting between their foreign ministers, but gave no date. Last month, a senior Japanese foreign ministry official said Japan was considering holding the meeting in late August, but a flare-up in Sino-Japanese tension had fuelled concern it was difficult to have such a meeting now. This week, a Japanese newspaper said the three were in talks about having the meeting next week. China's foreign ministry said Japan was this year's convener and so the talks would happen in Japan. "Recently, Japan has on many occasions brought up that it hopes to invite China and South Korea's foreign ministers to hold the eighth China-Japan-South Korea foreign ministers meeting in Japan, to talk about trilateral cooperation," the ministry said. "At present the three parties are in consultations about the exact date of the meeting," it added. The three-way foreign ministers' meetings are an important framework to discuss pressing regional issues, such as North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. Tension between Japan and China mounted this month after a growing number of Chinese coastguard and other vessels sailed near disputed islets in the East China Sea. The uninhabited islands, called the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are controlled by Japan but claimed also by China. Security checks at Prague Castle cause queues, anger tourist agencies PRAGUE, Aug 18 (Reuters) - New security checks at Prague Castle, which attracts nearly two million tourists annually, have caused queues of visitors at peak times, sparking criticism from tourist businesses. The vast historical complex overlooking the medieval city centre is the seat of the president, Milos Zeman, whose office says security had to be tightened in response to terrorism in Europe. Tourists queuing up at the Castle on Thursday mostly raised no objections to the checks, but the national association of tourist agencies said they were groundless or even dangerous. "Somebody creating a mass of tourists is creating a security risk. If somebody wanted to harm people in the Czech Republic now, he can be sure tourists are grouped in one spot," a spokesman for the association, Jan Papez, said. The Czech Republic has not suffered any attacks by Islamist militants nor have Czech security officials or the president's office warned of any specific threats. Papez said he believed the increased checks were a response to a prank by artistic group Ztohoven who scaled the Castle roof last September and replaced the presidential flag with a pair of enormous red boxer shorts. Zeman fired three security chiefs in response to that incident and said security at the Castle would be tightened. U.S. judge permanently blocks Florida law to end abortion funding Aug 18 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday permanently blocked parts of a Florida law that aimed to cut off state funding for preventive health services at clinics that also provide abortions. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle had issued a preliminary order in June after state Planned Parenthood affiliates challenged provisions as unconstitutional. The June order had come just before the restrictions were to take effect. "The preliminary injunction is made permanent with this order," Hinkle wrote in a three-page decision. The judge had found the clinics were unacceptably targeted by state efforts to eliminate funding for other healthcare services they also provided, such as birth control and screening for cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. The Planned Parenthood lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, focused on the funding cuts. It said they jeopardized about $500,000 annually. Planned Parenthood also challenged state inspections seeking to review 50 percent of patient medical records at abortion clinics. Lillian Tamayo, chief executive of Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida, said the organization was grateful the court had halted part of the law signed by Republican Governor Rick Scott. "If this law had gone into effect, it would have made a bad situation even worse," she said in a statement. Planned Parenthood did not challenge a related provision requiring doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, a type of formal affiliation that can be difficult to obtain. A spokeswoman for Scott said of the ruling, "We are reviewing it." China says navy carries out drills in Sea of Japan BEIJING, Aug 19 (Reuters) - China's navy has carried out drills in the Sea of Japan, the Chinese military's official newspaper said on Friday, describing the exercises as routine and done in accordance with international law and practice. The Chinese navy has increasingly been exercising in waters far from home as it seeks to hone its operational abilities. Last year, five Chinese ships carried out exercises in international waters in the Bering Sea off Alaska. The People's Liberation Army Daily did not say exactly where the latest drills took place, describing it only as a "certain part of the Sea of Japan". Drill commander Xu Haihua said the exercises were part of routine annual arrangements and were meant to help improve the fleet's ability to fight far out at sea. The paper said some of the ships involved were on their way back from the U.S.-hosted Rim of the Pacific exercise, or RIMPAC, held in Hawaii. "Exercises far out at sea in international waters are commonly done by navies of the world, and this year our navy has many times organised fleets to carry out exercises far out in the Western Pacific," the newspaper said. "This deep sea exercise is part of annual training arrangements, is not aimed at any specific country, region or target, and accords with international law and practice," it said. Crews cleared about 1,400 tons of debris from the area where a tornado tore through the small town of Baker on June 11, according to Chuck Lee. Lee, director of Fallon County Disaster and Emergency Services, estimates that there's another 396 tons of debris soaking in Lake Baker. The water body has been closed since the disaster and is the top priority as officials look toward an aggressive reconstruction effort. Pieces of homes, playground equipment and ATVs in the tornado's path ended up in the water. One witness swore to seeing cows lifted by the storm and tossed into the depths. The town's lakefront gazebo sits somewhere in there. "All that steel sticking out of the water," Lee said. "And in some cases sitting two feet below the water." Now with assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, residents hope to restore some of the damage caused by the EF-3 tornado. The storm ripped through a portion of a neighborhood, damaging 35 homes. Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team director Mona Madler estimated in June that 20 of them faced demolition. Madler could not be reached for comment by press time Thursday. Volunteers and public workers began clearing the scene right away. Lee said that crews made quick work removing debris that was strewn around public roads and lands. "You figure that on June 11, the tornado touched down," he said. "And on that following Friday, June 17, was declared the final day of cleanup." But the work was far from over. The heavy machinery and other traffic involved in the initial effort tore up the roads. Public facilities like bathrooms were damaged, and the lake bottom remained untouched. Lee said he has worked over the summer with local, state and federal officials on a plan of attack to restore the public portions of the affected area. He expects a plan to be finalized this week. Baker will benefit from federal assistance through FEMA. Randy Welch, an agency spokesman, said that a presidential declaration was announced on Aug. 3, which opened up funds for recovery. The money will cover 75 percent of the recovery cost, to be shared with state and local governments, Welch said. No price tag has been set on the project so far. One reason for that, Welch said, was that no one knows yet what lies beneath the lake's surface. Welch said that the recovery plan is drawn up locally. "FEMA is not here to make this a luxury resort and a lake that people from Switzerland come to," Lee said. "It's to put it back to its purpose, which is recreation." The federal funds constitute public assistance and won't aid those private property owners who lost all or most of their structures. A relief fund set up at the Bank of Baker contained $12,500 in late June. Madler, who managed the fund, wasn't available for comment on Tuesday. Baker City Clerk and Treasurer Kevin Dukart said that the home rebuild process has been slow, but it's moving forward. Weve had a few people who have come in to get permits to replace their homes that have been taken down," he said. "But not a lot. There's still a lot of bare lots out there. The Montana Department of Revenue does have a disaster tax relief and assistance program for property owners. As far as public works go, Baker Lake could prove to be a large project. Lee said the assessment effort has involved a number of agencies, including the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. On July 25, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reopened Baker Lake to shoreline fishing after stocking it with rainbow trout. The trout and black bullheads are swimming among the refuse lodged in the lake's silty bed. The FWP will be involved in an estimated two-year "major lake and wetlands restoration" effort at Baker Lake. FWP Sanitarian Richard Menger said in a release that it will be made deeper, doubling its capacity. A $100,000 renewable aeration grant from the DNRC will help fund the project, as well as possible federal funds, Menger said. The lake will be emptied for cleanup as part of the project. The next step in the process includes a lot of assessment, Lee said, but serious work should start soon. He said that the disaster has shown him what the people of Baker can do. Best damn people in the world," he said. "You get hit, and you just get up and do er again. Romania - Factors to watch on August 19 Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Romanian financial markets on Friday. DEBT TENDER Romania sold a planned 500 million lei ($126.56 million) worth of March 2021 treasury bonds on Thursday, with the average accepted yield at 2.13 percent, central bank data showed. Debt managers last tendered the paper in July at an average yield of 2.4 percent. MOODY'S Ratings agency Moody's is expected to unveil Romania sovereign ratings review. Romania is rated investment grade Baa3 by Moody's and BBB- by Fitch Ratings and S&P. CEE MARKETS Central European currencies partly erased gains on Thursday after disappointing retail and industrial output figures boosted bets on monetary easing in Poland. The currencies earlier rebounded from multi-week lows as U.S. rate hike expectations receded following the publication of what were viewed as relatively dovish Federal Reserve minutes. For the long-term Romanian diary, click on For emerging markets economic events, click on For an index of all diaries, click on PRESS DIGEST - Bulgaria - Aug 19 SOFIA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. -- Left-wing ABV party backed the nomination of General Rumen Radev for the presidential elections, party leader Georgi Parvanov said. Radev will be the nomination of a wide coalition of left-wing, patriotic and centrist political parties (Trud, 24 Chasa, Standart, Monitor) -- Bulgaria has received 9,388 applications for protection in the first seven months of 2016, the state agency for refugees said. The Balkan country received 20,391 applications last year. Sofia granted refugee status of 357 persons in 2016 through July 31, compared to a total of 4,708 in 2015 and 5,162 in 2014 Saudi-led coalition says it regrets MSF decision to evacuate staff from Yemen DUBAI, Aug 19 (Reuters) - The Saudi-led coalition expressed deep regret over a decision by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) to evacuate staff from northern Yemen and said it was trying to set up "urgent meetings" with the medical aid group. MSF said on Thursday it was evacuating its staff from six hospitals in northern Yemen after a Saudi-led coalition air strike hit a health facility operated by the group killing 19 people. "The coalition to support the legitimacy in Yemen expressed its deep regret over MSF decision to evacuate its staff from six hospitals in northern Yemen and asserts its appreciation for the work the group is undertaking with the Yemeni people in these difficult circumstances," the coalition said in a statement carried by Saudi state news agency SPA. The coalition said it was committed to respecting international humanitarian law in all its operations in Yemen and had set up an independent team to investigate incidents in which civilians are killed. "The coalition is seeking to hold urgent meetings with MSF to find a way on how to jointly find a solution to this situation," the statement said. MSF is one of handful of international medical aid groups operating on the ground in Yemen where a 16-month civil war between a Gulf Arab coalition and an Iran-allied militia has killed more than 6,500 people and brought one of world's poorest countries close to famine. Dozens of Saudi-led air strikes and shells launched by the Houthis have hit civilians in Yemen since the Arab coalition began military operations in March 2015 to restore President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power. MSF said many of these attacks had struck health facilities, putting patients and staff in danger and displayed a failure by warring parties to control the use of force. A coalition air strike on Tuesday hit a hospital operated by MSF in the northern Hajja province killing 19 people, including one of its staff members, and injuring 24, the group said. On Saturday, an air attack hit what MSF described as a school in neighbouring Saada province, killing 10 children. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the air strike and called for a investigation, which the coalition said it would conduct. MSF said it had met with officials from the Saudi-led coalition and shared GPS coordinates of the hospital it operates in with parties involved in the conflict but aerial bombings had continued. "The decision to evacuate the staff from a project is never taken lightly but in the absence of credible assurances that parties will respect the protected status of medical facilities there may be no other option," said the statement. Mauritius raises 2016 tourism earnings forecast by 1.8 pct PORT LOUIS, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Mauritius said on Friday that tourism revenue in 2016 will be 1.8 percent higher than it had previously forecast, after a surge in visitors during the first half. Tourism is a valuable source of foreign exchange for the tiny Indian Ocean country known for its luxury spas and beaches. Earnings from the sector are now expected to reach 56 billion rupees this year, up from an earlier forecast of 55 billion in May, according to Statistics Mauritius, an official body. Last year, tourism earnings totalled 50.2 billion rupees. The statistics agency also raised its forecast for 2016 arrivals to 1,250,000 tourists from 1,240,000. Visitors in 2015 numbered 1,151,723. Hospital in Indian Kashmir filled with beating, shooting victims By Cathal McNaughton and Fayaz Bukhari SRINAGAR, India, Aug 19 (Reuters) - More than 40 days of clashes between protesters and security forces have overwhelmed the main hospital in Indian-administered Kashmir, where some patients with severe injuries said they had been beaten in their homes by troops. House-to-house searches continued on Friday, authorities said, for suspected ringleaders of street protests sparked by the killing on July 8 of a popular field commander of a Pakistan-based separatist group. At least 65 people have been killed and 6,000 injured in the ensuing clashes, many of them wounded by shotgun rounds fired by security forces enforcing a curfew across the Muslim-majority region. Pictures taken by a Reuters photographer at Srinagar's main SMHS Hospital on Thursday showed men with weals across their backs and buttocks that they said had been caused by beatings. Another showed a crying boy, his head swathed in bandages, as he was comforted by his family, who said he had been wounded by shotgun pellets. Doctors at the hospital were exhausted, with one saying they had performed more eye operations in the past month than they had over the last three years. "We have here less number of beds and staff. We are in physical and mental stress," said Nisarul Hassan, senior consultant at SMHS hospital who was forced to use an ambulance to get back home. The Indian army has admitted to, and apologised for, the death of a college lecturer in one beating. A senior army officer said on Friday the forces were trying not to react to acts of provocation. "Militants are hiding behind the stone pelters and are trying to provoke security forces into firing on them, but we are exercising restraint to avoid civilian casualties," Lieutenant General SK Dua told a news conference in Srinagar. "They want us to fire on them and we will not do it. We are exercising restraint to avoid collateral damage." HOSPITAL OVERWHELMED Dozens of volunteers received the injured at SMHS Hospital as ambulances brought them in from rural areas. Paramedics and ambulance drivers said government forces attacked them on the way. The curfew restricts movement, severely disrupting daily life. "India and Pakistan are fighting over my homeland but in the end it's is only our blood that they manage to secure," said Faizal Wani, 24, whose father was being treated for pellet wounds suffered in the clashes. Another doctor said patients have been brought in with abdominal injuries from rifle bullets. "Our operating theatres are working non-stop," the doctor told Reuters. Troops have resorted to firing rifles and shotguns to quell stone-throwing protests sparked by the death of Burhan Wani, a field commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen separatist group. India's Central Reserve Police Force, which deploys a large contingent of paramilitaries in Kashmir, told a regional court that more than 100 people had been partly or completely blinded by shotgun pellets. Kashmir is at the centre of a decades-old rivalry between India and Pakistan, which rules a northwestern section of the divided region, and backed an insurgency in the late 1980s and 1990s that Indian security forces largely crushed. Turkey takes aim at bank inspectors and financing in latest purge By Ebru Tuncay and Tuvan Gumrukcu ISTANBUL, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Turkish authorities detained dozens of bank inspectors and academics on Friday and the government vowed to cut off financing to companies suspected of having ties to last month's failed coup. Turkey has detained some 40,000 people in its investigation into the July 15 attempted putsch, which it says was orchestrated by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. He denies the charges. Around 20,000 people have been formally arrested. The investigation has led to a sweeping purges of the military, civil service, police and judiciary, with around 80,000 people removed from public duty. While purges of the civil service continue, the private sector is now being targeted. The extent of the purges has unnerved Turkey's Western allies, who fear President Tayyip Erdogan may be using investigations to stifle dissent. Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said the government was in talks with banks to cut off funding to firms linked to Gulen. "The cutting off of terror financing... is critical," he told broadcaster TRT Haber. "We are talking about a few hundred companies, this is not enough to impact the economy seriously." Police on Friday detained 29 inspectors from the BDDK banking watchdog, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The banking investigators were detained on suspicion of making "irregular" investigations into the account of a government-related foundation and those of business people, including targets close to Erdogan, Anadolu said. A spokesman for the BDDK, which regulates Turkey's banking sector, was not immediately available for comment. Authorities on Thursday ordered the detention of nearly 200 people, including leading businessmen, and seized their assets in an operation targeting a Gulen-linked business association. INTERFAITH DIALOGUE Erdogan has vowed to choke off businesses with ties to Gulen, describing his schools, firms and charities as "nests of terrorism". Authorities say 4,262 such companies and institutions have been shut. Also on Thursday, a court in the central Turkish city of Kayseri appointed state administrators to take over the businesses of the energy-to-furniture Boydak group, which has 14,000 employees, Anadolu said. The group's top executives have already been formally arrested. Erdogan has long accused Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, of running a "parallel network" inside government institutions and the military. Gulen has denied that charge and condemned the coup attempt. Gulen's organisation, which advocates philanthropy, interfaith dialogue and science-based education, has followers across Turkish society. It helped Erdogan in the first years after his Islamist-rooted AK Party was elected in 2002. But the two men later fell out after police and prosecutors seen as sympathetic to the cleric opened a corruption investigation into Erdogan's inner circle in 2013. Authorities also detained dozens of academics and issued a total 145 arrest warrants for university staff in operations focused on Istanbul University and Konya in central Turkey, Anadolu said. At Istanbul University, 44 academics were detained and their rooms and homes were being searched, it said. Another 18 of their colleagues were set to be detained. Hong Kong shares close lower, but get a 3rd straight weekly gain Aug 19 (Reuters) - Hong Kong shares finished lower on Friday as investors are cautious about the coming central bank chiefs' meeting in Wyoming. Investors will be looking for clues about a U.S. rate hike at an annual meeting of central bank governors in Jackson Hole next week. The Hang Seng Index fell 0.4 percent, to 22,937.22, while the China Enterprises Index lost 0.5 percent, to 9,606.17 points. For the week, HSI was up 0.7 percent, a third straight weekly gain, while HSCE gained 0.5 percent. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is introducing its new Volatility Control Mechanism (VCM), which would prevent extreme fluctuations and price volatility arising from trading incidents. The new mechanism will come into effect on Monday. Britain's FTSE edges towards biggest weekly loss since June By Alistair Smout LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index edged lower on Friday and was set for its biggest weekly drop since June as a strong rally to 14-month highs stalled. Britain's FTSE 100 was down 0.2 percent at 6852.64 by 0828 GMT, taking its total fall for the week to 0.9 percent, its biggest weekly decline since mid-June, before Britain voted to leave the European Union. After initially being hit by the result of the June 23 referendum, Britain's FTSE rallied around 20 percent from its lows to a high of 6,955.34 hit on Monday -- its highest level since June 2015. It has been buoyed by its high number of internationally focused firms that earn revenues in dollars and benefit from weakness in the pound. However, this week has seen a series of weaker earnings reports, and some of the top gaining sectors, such as the mining sector, have edged down. "Equities are on the back foot into the end of what has been a week of reversal from post-Brexit highs... The FTSE 100 is testing recent lows of 6850, with potential for a breakdown to extend the sell-off from Monday's 14-month highs," said Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets. One stock with disappointing results earlier this week was insurer Admiral. It dropped from record highs on Wednesday after it said the vote for Brexit had hit its solvency ratio, and fell again on Friday. It was down 1.3 percent after Bernstein cut the stock to "market-perform" from "outperform". It said the stock was too expensively valued even though the broker said that the underlying results had been encouraging. "We think Admiral presented a good set of results. In our view strong reserves and growth outweigh a capital buffer behind expectations. We downgrade Admiral... as we think the stock is close to peak "pricing cycle" valuation," analysts at Bernstein said in a note. "Long- to medium-term there will be better opportunities to invest in this strong and well-managed company." Among risers, easyJet rose 3.3 percent after a media report fuelled takeover speculation among traders. The budget airline had seen its entire daily average volume traded within 2 hours of the open. Among mid-caps, bookmaker William Hill was a top riser, up 3 percent after 888 and Rank Group ended their pursuit of the firm. While William Hill initially fell on Thursday when the proposal was withdrawn, it had strongly rebuffed the merger interest. It responded after the market close by saying that its profit would come in at the top end of its forecast range. Liberum raised its target price on the stock, but said that the forecast hike might not be able to satisfy investors who were hoping for synergies from a merger. "Yesterday's statement from WMH that it now expects EBIT at the top end of previous guidance of 260-280 million pounds is probably only a stop-gap," analysts at Liberum said in a note. Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on Russian traffic police MOSCOW, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack on a traffic police post outside Moscow on Wednesday in which both attackers were killed, calling it revenge for Russia's aerial bombing campaign in Syria. The militant group made the claim via the Amaq news agency, which it regularly uses to issue statements, and released a video in which the purported attackers said they wanted to take revenge for Russia killing Muslims in the Middle East. Russia has been bombing militants in Syria since September last year, part of a military campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad. Islamic State called on its members to carry out jihad or holy war in Russia in a YouTube video last month, after which the Kremlin said such threats would not affect its fight against international terrorism. "We have taken the path of jihad on the orders of our Amir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi," one of the purported attackers said on the video released by Amaq, speaking in a mix of Arabic and Russian. The video named the attackers as Uthman Mardalov and Salim Israilov. "We have called this operation 'revenge operation'. Revenge for you bombing our brothers, because you kill our brothers every day in Syria and Iraq. ... This will be the start of everything that will come to you." Russian investigators said on Wednesday that two unidentified people armed with a firearm and two axes had attacked a traffic police post outside Moscow. One of them was shot dead while attacking the post, while the other was killed when he tried to put up armed resistance, the Investigative Committee said in a statement. Indonesia urges action against slash-and-burn clearing as haze season arrives By Bernadette Christina Munthe and Glenys Kirana JAKARTA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Indonesia's disaster agency urged prompt action against slash-and-burn plantation fires on Friday as the annual smoke "haze" begins to drift across the Malacca Strait to neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore. Fires in Indonesia, set in the dry season by companies clearing land for plantations, cause an annual crisis that at times blankets large parts of the region in choking smog, closing airports and schools and prompting warnings to residents to stay indoors. Home to the world's third-largest area of tropical forests, Indonesia has been criticised by green activists and by neighbouring Southeast Asian nations for failing to stop the annual fires. "Smoke from forest and land fires in Riau has started to enter the Malacca Strait. Let's prevent and put out the fires," agency spokesman Sutopo Nugroho said on his Twitter account @Sutopo_BNPB on Friday, referring to a district on the main island of Sumatra. He said that over the past week, the numbers of fire "hotspots" in West Kalimantan, on the nearby island of Borneo, had "increased significantly." Dry weather that complicates firefighting efforts would reach its peak in September, Nugroho told Reuters, noting that the "critical period" for fires was from August to October. The government's early announcement of a state of emergency for fires in five provinces this year had helped to prevent them from spreading as extensively as in 2015, he said, when El Nino made the problem worse. "Countermeasures, including the response from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, have been faster and better. Last year the emergency status was declared only after the fires were widespread," he said. Heavy smoke from slash-and-burn clearing often comes from the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, where large forest concessions are used by pulp and paper and palm oil companies, some of which are listed in Singapore. Singapore has pushed Indonesia for information on companies suspected of causing cross-border pollution. "As we go through the legal process, all the information will be publicly available," Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said on Thursday. A Hardin man convicted of hitting his baby son and fracturing his skull will spend 10 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters on Thursday sentenced Eric Harvey Littlecalf, 23, to 10 years for assault resulting in serious bodily injury and to five years for felony child abuse, to be served concurrently, court records said. A jury convicted Littlecalf of the crimes during a trial in March in Billings. He did not testify. The assault charge carried a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Prosecutors alleged that Littlecalf assaulted his eight-month-old son on Oct. 1, 2014 at his residence in Rabbittown, near Ashland, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Littlecalf was on a couch, suffering from a hangover, and his son was crying and crawling toward his father, the prosecution said. Littlecalf struck his son in the head with the back of his hand, and the blow sent the baby rolling. Later that day, the baby was playing on a mattress that was 19 inches off the floor and tumbled off. The mother took the baby to Billings Clinic on Oct. 3 and the boy was later admitted to St. Vincent Healthcare. Medical staff diagnosed the baby with a skull fracture and a bruise. The parents reported their son had fallen off the mattress. Prosecutors said the doctors were suspicious of injuries and contacted authorities. Philippine communist leaders vow to return home from Norway peace talks MANILA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Seventeen communist guerrilla leaders in the Philippines, granted bail by the courts to attend peace talks next week in Norway, vowed on Friday to return home after the five-day negotiations rather than flee. Seven weeks in office have earned President Rodrigo Duterte a reputation as an implacable foe of drug dealers, but he was elected in May on a promise to negotiate the end of two long-running insurgencies, by Muslims and communists. "We will return home after the peace talks in Oslo," Benito Tiamzon, the highest ranking leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines, told a news conference hours after he and his wife, Wilma, were freed from a police prison house. "We were released from jail to take part in the peace talks and we are serious about it," he added. "The negotiations in Oslo are only one part of the process and there are other talks happening in other venues." Talks brokered by Norway between the government and the Maoist-led rebels' National Democratic Front stalled in 2012 over the government's refusal to free communist leaders who had been in jail for decades. Security forces feared the rebel leaders could take advantage of the peace talks to stay overseas, or use them as a pretext to consolidate their ranks and rebuild their guerrilla army. In 1987, the founder of the communist party, Jose Maria Sison, went to the Netherlands months after being freed from nine years of detention, but never returned. He sought asylum in Utrecht and has lived there for nearly 30 years. "This is the first and only time we have a president determined to push genuine reforms," said Tiamzon, adding that this gave the communists confidence that current talks have better prospects to end nearly 50 years of conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people. He said the two sides hoped to negotiate a ceasefire in talks, which begin on Monday, and will discuss political, economic and constitutional reforms, among other issues. Mali authorities release radio host after protests BAMAKO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Mali authorities on Thursday released a prominent talk show radio host from prison after his arrest sparked protests in the capital Bamako in which one person was shot dead and others wounded. Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, who often attacks policies of the government of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on his radio show, was arrested on Monday on accusations of commiting an outrage against public decency. The specific reason for his arrest was not clear. "He was released yesterday evening," said a security source on Friday who spoke on condition of anonymity. A second security source confirmed his release. Crowds of supporters took to the streets in a series of protests this week. On Wednesday, police fired tear gas to disperse the protests, and one person was killed. Norway's opposition Labour party leads in opinion poll OSLO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Norway's opposition Labour party and its allies are ahead of their Conservative rivals a year before a parliamentary election, an opinion poll showed on Friday. Labour has 36.1 percent support among voters surveyed in a poll published in daily Aftenposten, while the ruling Conservatives were on 24.7 percent. Together with its allies, Labour could have enough support to form a government. The Nordic country of five million is led by a coalition of the centre-right Conservative party, led by Prime Minister Erna Solberg, and the populist Progress Party, led by Finance Minister Siv Jensen. According to the survey, 45 percent of voters would prefer Labour leader Jonas Gahr Stoere to be the next prime minister, against 37 percent who would prefer Solberg. Labour is benefiting partly from immigration slipping down the political agenda as the number of arrivals has fallen. "The fear of asylum seekers has gone quite a bit and the Progress Party tends to benefit from that fear," Thore Gaard Olaussen, managing director of Respons Analyse, which conducted the poll, told Reuters. The Progress Party's support fell to 13.7 percent, the poll showed. In 2015, 31,145 people sought asylum in Norway, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, but the number of arrivals has declined since then as neighbouring countries closed borders and Norway introduced more restrictive policies. Some 1,678 people applied for asylum in the first half of 2016, the lowest level recorded since 1997. EUROPE POWER-German spot prices fall, warm weather lifts those in France FRANKFURT, Aug 19 (Reuters) - European prompt power for early next week diverged on Friday, with German prices down on an increase in thermal capacity and those in France boosted by the return of warmer weather and tighter nuclear supply. German baseload for Monday delivery eased by 1.3 euros to 29.1 euros ($32.93) per megawatt-hour (MWh) from the price paid for Friday while the equivalent French contract was 2 euros up at 34.25 euros. Power plant operators in Germany and Austria are set to raise capacity at gas- and coal-fired power stations next week by 6.4 percent, data from the EEX bourse showed. But German traders said there might be some unscheduled outages, and a drop in solar could also add bullish factors from Monday. In France, average temperatures next week, based on daily 24-hour periods, will rise by 1.6 degrees Celsius over the level recorded on Friday to 23.4 degrees, Thomson Reuters data showed. This will trigger more air conditioning demand in the country, where temperatures will be nearly 3 degrees above Germany's. In the summer maintenance season for European nuclear reactors, French output capacity on line on Friday was 60.8 percent of total availability, down from 62.9 percent this week and 68.5 percent a week ago. German nuclear availability is back to 100 percent after two reactors restarted but Switzerland's Beznau 2 is due to resume closure mode a day after it was reconnected. German Met office DWD said in a note that a high-pressure front will near the region from France on Monday, pushing daytime peak temperatures in the south to between 24 and 33 degrees. Power forwards prices eased, led by sharp losses in UK gas - where maintenance is ending - and in coal, while oil continued its uptrend for a third week on hopes a producer meeting next month will lead to output cuts. German baseload power for delivery next year was down 35 cents at 26.2 euros/MWh. The equivalent French contract shed 30 cents to 31.85 euros. European coal for 2017 delivery traded 1.7 percent down to $56.8 a tonne. Front-year EU carbon allowances prices rose by 3.2 percent to 4.84 euros per tonne. In eastern European power, the Czech year-ahead position shed 55 cents to 26.85 euros/MWh while the day three position for Monday was at 29.5 euros compared with 30.3 euros paid for Friday. South African openers dismissed in first session DURBAN, Aug 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand removed both South Africa's openers in the first session on the opening day of the first test at Kingsmead as the home team elected to bat on an unpredictable wicket but with a wet outfield and went to lunch on 94 for two wickets. South Africa were hoping a wet ball would nullify the predicted swing but both Stephen Cook, in only his second test, and Dean Elgar both offered edges and were dismissed to full deliveries. Cook was caught by wicketkeeper BJ Watling off Trent Boult for 20 and Elgar fell for 19 three overs later to Doug Bracewell, the only change the visitors made to their line-up after beating Zimbabwe in a two-test series over the past month. Hashim Amla, whose test career on his home ground has been patchy, set about the Kiwi bowling with a quick-fire 42 from 41 balls and was unbeaten with JP Duminy (13) at the end of the first session. Ukrainian MP offers more details on alleged payments to Trump campaign chief By Pavel Polityuk KIEV, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian lawmaker on Friday divulged more details of what he said were payments made to Donald Trump's campaign chief in the U.S. presidential race by the political party of the Kremlin-backed former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich. MP Serhiy Leshchenko said money was allocated for Trump aide Paul Manafort to finance services such as carrying out exit polls at elections, buying computers and conducting research. The largest single payment was $3.5 million. Manafort has denied allegations - first made in the New York Times on Monday - that he received cash payments worth more than $12 million over five years that were itemised on secret ledgers belonging to Yanukovich's Party of Regions. Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators have corroborated the existence of what they called a "black ledger" of payments made by Yanukovich's party but stressed that they could not establish whether Manafort himself received money. Leshchenko, a member of President Petro Poroshenko's parliamentary faction, called on Ukrainian authorities to send a request for assistance to Washington to investigate Manafort. "Manafort didn't work for free in Ukraine, he served the Party of Regions for over 10 years and it is clear that his work was paid," Leshchenko told a news conference. "The money was transferred in cash and it is impossible to trace the transactions, but I have no doubt as to the authenticity of these documents," he said. "If Mr Manafort denies any allegations, I think he has to be interrogated into this case and prove his position that he was not involved," Leshchenko added. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign has previously said the allegations were evidence of "more troubling connections between Donald Trump's team and pro-Kremlin elements in Ukraine". Trump, a Republican, has spoken favourably in the past of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last month, he invited Russian hackers to find "missing" emails from Clinton's time as secretary of state, when she used a private email server to conduct government business, although he later described that call as sarcasm. In response to the earlier report in the New York Times, Manafort denied any impropriety in a statement on Monday. "I have never received a single 'off-the-books cash payment' as falsely 'reported' by The New York Times, nor have I ever done work for the governments of Ukraine or Russia," he said. Singapore detains two "Syria-bound militants" without trial SINGAPORE, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Two Singaporeans who the government says intended to travel to Syria to fight for Islamic State have been detained under a colonial-era law that allows suspects to be held without trial. Singapore has been on heightened vigilance since Indonesian police arrested a group of men they believed were plotting a rocket attack on the wealthy city-state with the help of a Syrian-based Islamic State militant. A major financial centre and the most westernised society in Southeast Asia, multi-ethnic Singapore is increasingly seen as a target for radicalised religious militants, authorities say. Rosli bin Hamzah, a 50-year-old car washer, and Mohamed Omar bin Mahadi, a 33-year-old waste truck driver, received two-year detention orders this month, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. Both had been radicalised, the ministry said, adding they were prepared to die as martyrs in Syria. Singapore, which has not suffered a militant attack in decades, deploys extensive surveillance and is largely seen as one of the safest countries in the world. But some critics say security comes with a cost to civil liberties. The Internal Security Act, under which the two were held, has been criticised by rights groups for allowing detention without trial. Russia rehearses swiftly moving military hardware to Crimea By Andrew Osborn MOSCOW, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Russian naval and land forces have practiced swiftly moving military hardware and troops to annexed Crimea as part of a logistics exercise which foreshadows much larger war games there next month, the Russian Defence Ministry said. The training exercise comes at a time of heightened tension between Russia and Ukraine after Moscow accused Kiev of sending saboteurs into the contested peninsula to carry out a series of bombings. Kiev has flatly denied that. President Vladimir Putin flew into Crimea on Friday where he planned to hold a meeting of his Security Council. The Defence Ministry said in a statement issued late on Thursday that Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister, had observed part of the training exercise which took place in the Russian port of Novorossiisk. It said specialised logistic troops had cooperated with Russian Railways and the country's merchant fleet to rehearse moving troops, armour and technical equipment to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Vessels from Russia's Black Sea Fleet had also taken part, including a submarine, a large landing ship, mine-sweepers and an unspecified number of guided missile cruisers. Around 2,500 troops and up to 350 armoured vehicles had also been involved. Shoigu had observed how quickly logistics troops were able to organise the loading of armoured vehicles and landing troops onto a large landing ship and how quickly they could re-arm a mine-sweeper and a submarine, the ministry said. "Training on how to destroy groups of saboteurs and how to repel underwater attacks was carried out," said the ministry. "Sergei Shoigu rated highly the logistic troops' actions and the fact that they were able to rapidly organise the movement of significant amounts of hardware to Crimea." It said the exercises, which also took place in a number of other locations, began on Aug. 16 and would end on Aug. 20. Russia's main military exercise for this year - Caucasus 2016 - is due to take place next month and will also involve Crimea and Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Philippines' Duterte rejects criticism over killings MANILA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte rejected on Friday criticism from the United Nations about a surge in killings of suspected drug traffickers and denied government responsibility, his spokesman said. About 900 suspected drug traffickers have been killed since Duterte came to power after winning a May election on a vow to wipe out drugs and warning traffickers they risked death if they did not mend their ways. The United Nations this week called on the government to protect all people from targeted killing and extrajudicial executions. "The president ... decries the attribution of killings to the Philippine government," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters. "This is simply unfair, especially to the hardworking men and women in uniform who risk their lives and limbs to win the war against drugs." Police have said many of the dead drugs suspects were shot while resisting arrest or were killed by rival gang members. A staunch critic of the president, Senator Leila de Lima, will next week start a congressional inquiry into the killings, summoning top police and anti-narcotics officials to explain the "unprecedented" rise in the body count. Duterte responded by warning legislators not to interfere with his campaign, saying they could be killed if they blocked efforts aimed at improving the country. "Be careful with me because when I say I will do it for my country, I will do it even if I have to kill you or be killed in the process," he said on Wednesday, directing his statements to opposition senators. This week, he also told police officers not to be intimidated by a suggestion from de Lima that the United Nations might be asked to look into the surge of extrajudicial killings. "Do not investigate us as if we are criminals," Duterte said in a speech to police. "Let the police do their duty." Turkish military defector makes case for asylum in Greece ATHENS, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A Turkish soldier who fled to Greece after a failed military coup attempt in Turkey last month was interviewed by asylum officials in Athens on Friday, the first step in a legal process which will help determine whether he should be sent back home. Eight soldiers flew a military helicopter to the northern Greek border town of Alexandroupolis on July 16, a day after the coup attempt unfolded. They immediately sought political asylum but were arrested and later sentenced to two months in jail on charges of entering Greece illegally. Turkey has formally sought their extradition, calling them 'traitors' and 'terrorist elements'. The men - three majors, three captains and two sergeant majors - deny any involvement in the coup and fear for their lives if returned to Turkey, according to their lawyers. "We are ready to do everything humanly possible and legally feasible, with utmost diligence, to avert the extradition of these eight innocent people to Turkey. And be sure of this, we will make it," their lawyer Stavroula Tomara said. She did not provide any information on the progress of the hearing which lasted hours and is expected to continue next week, according to government officials. The hearings of the other soldiers will follow. The case has underscored lingering tensions between NATO allies Greece and Turkey, tho neighbouring countries which came to the brink of war twenty years ago over an uninhabited islet in the Aegean Sea. It has also piled pressure on the left-led government of EU member Greece, which is struggling to emerge from a debt crisis and manage Europe's worst refugee crisis in decades. Tens of thousands of migrants have arrived on Greek shores from Turkey this year, and arrivals continue despite an EU-Turkey pact. Turkey has detained thousands of soldiers including half its generals since the coup attempt, in which more than 200 people, including civilians, were killed. The eight men say they did not know a coup was under way and were obeying orders by their superiors to transport the wounded from street clashes to ambulances, according to their lawyers. They said they fled to Greece when their Black Hawk helicopter came under fire from police on the ground. A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a Lame Deer man to a year in prison for abusing his baby son by pushing his head and dropping the infant in a car. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters of Billings imposed the term on John Lawrence Feller, Jr., 35, who pleaded guilty in April to felony child abuse, court records said. Prosecutor John Sullivan recommended the one-year sentence saying in court records that Feller abused his son while he was drunk and that he had a record of arrests and charges related to drug and alcohol abuse. Feller, Sullivan said, assaulted his eight-month old son on May 11, 2015 while in the presence of law enforcement officers in the Lame Deer Police Station parking lot. Officers were dispatched to a report of an intoxicated male who had locked himself in the back seat of vehicle and an intoxicated female who was walking around outside of the car, Sullivan said in court records. Police saw Feller holding his son and forcefully pushing the babys head, causing it to rock back and forth. He also covered the babys mouth and nose with his hand and squeezed the baby, causing him to scream and cry, the prosecutor said. As officers were getting access into the vehicle by reaching into a partially open window to unlock a door, Feller held out the baby and dropped him about two to three feet to the floorboard, Sullivan said. Assistant Federal Defender Gillian Gosch recommended a sentence 171 days of time served and recommended substance abuse treatment and parenting classes. Mauritania jails anti-slavery activists for up to 15 years NOUAKCHOTT, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A tribunal in Mauritania has sentenced 13 anti-slavery activists to up to 15 years in prison for their role in a riot in June in a decision condemned on Friday by international campaigners as a "devastating blow". The West African nation is a focus of activism by the modern anti-slavery movement over a practice believed to affect between four and 20 percent of the population. Authorities arrested the 13 members of the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) in late June and early July after a protest against eviction by residents of a slum in the capital Nouakchott, many of whom are themselves former slaves. Several police officers were injured in the demonstration. "The sentences are a devastating blow to the Mauritanian anti-slavery movement," said Sarah Mathewson, Africa Programme Manager at Anti-Slavery International. "The activists are clearly being targeted by the government for their work to expose and denounce slavery, still commonplace in the country." A tribunal found the defendants guilty on Thursday of counts including attacks against the government, armed assembly and membership of an unrecognized organization. The defendants said they were not present at the June protests and that the trial was a politically-motivated attempt by the government to discredit their organization. IRA vice president Brahim Ramdane called the verdicts a "parody of justice" and said the group's lawyers were deciding how to respond. Mauritania has attempted to crack down on slavery and last year passed a law making it a crime against humanity and doubling prison terms for offenders. Campaigners say it will not be enough to stamp out the practice. Parched French, Romanian maize belts to curb EU harvest PARIS, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Dry summer weather in the EU's biggest maize producers, France and Romania, has curbed yield prospects for the harvest, but better conditions elsewhere could allow EU production to exceed last year's drought-affected volume. "It's still looking very dry in France, Bulgaria and Romania," said Benoit Fayaud, crop analyst at Strategie Grains. "Conditions are generally good in the other EU countries. So whereas last year the crop was poor pretty much everywhere, it's more varied this year, even if it should be another small crop." The EU harvested nearly 58 million tonnes of grain maize in 2015. Strategie Grains last week cut its 2016 forecast by 1.1 million to 60.6 million to factor in crop stress in France, Romania and Bulgaria. In France, analysts and traders now see the crop at best matching last year's weather-hit harvest. The farm ministry this month estimated the grain maize harvest at 13.5 million tonnes, unchanged from 2015, but traders say it may fall short of 13 million tonnes. Crop ratings for maize fell sharply last week, farm office FranceAgriMer said on Friday. After a wet spring, France has experienced very dry conditions since July. Maize-growing belts in the west and southwest are particularly parched and among parts of the country facing water restrictions including for farm irrigation. Tight supply of forage for livestock, after poor cereal harvests and the drying out of grassland, could also push growers to cut maize early as so-called fodder maize, rather than let it mature as grain maize. In Romania, drought in the main southern grain belt may also leave production short of last year's poor crop. "We've been facing extensive drought, especially in the south in the Baragan plains," said Nicolae Sitaru of Romanian maize farmers association APPR. "We may reach last year's crop levels or go down by up to 15 percent, things will become clearer in the next days," he said, adding harvesting should start early next week. Romania reaped 8.9 million tonnes of maize in 2015. In Hungary, weather has been much more favourable. "The crop looks promising for now. Ripening has yet to start .... but we expect (a yield of) about 8 tonnes (per hectare)," said Jozsef Vancsura, chairman of farmers' group GOSZ. An 8-tonne average yield would give a crop of about 8 million tonnes, after farmers planted 1 million hectares this year. Last year, production was 6.5 million tonnes. Weather for maize has also been better this year in Poland and the harvest could rise 30 percent from 2015 to around 4 million tonnes, said Wojtek Sabaranski of analysts Sparks Polska. But in Germany, grain maize crops have suffered from a rainy summer and lack of sunshine. Farmers association DBV on Friday estimated the crop would fall 7 percent from last year to 3.7 million tonnes. This was below the 4 million forecast by the farming cooperatives association earlier this week. Turkish airport advert warns travellers about Sweden rape danger ISTANBUL, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A billboard displayed this week in Istanbul's main airport warned travellers against visiting Sweden, describing it as having the highest rate of rape in the world, the latest salvo between EU-candidate Turkey and its European allies. Ties between Ankara and Europe have worsened since last month's failed coup, with Turkey accusing its Western allies of insensitivity, saying they were more concerned about a subsequent crackdown than the coup itself. "Travel warning! Do you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide?" read the large advert, which was put on display on Thursday next to a moving walkway in the departures section of Ataturk Airport's international terminal. Travellers at the airport glanced at the billboard as they passed along the moving walkway, Reuters TV footage showed. Alongside the message was an image of the front page of the pro-government Gunes newspaper that read: "Rape country Sweden". State-run Anadolu Agency said a private company had paid for the advertisement. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters on Monday that Turkey had summoned Sweden's ambassador to protest comments from Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom regarding Turkish legislation on sexual abuse of children. "(The) Turkish decision to allow sex with children under 15 must be reversed. Children need more protection, not less, against violence, sex abuse," Wallstrom had written on Twitter. Cavusoglu said her comments were a scandal and based on false rumours, dismissing them as "the result of racism and anti-Islam sentiment in Europe". Her comments were in reference to a decision by Turkey's constitutional court annulling a penal code provision punishing all sexual acts involving children under the age of 15 as "sexual abuse" and asking parliament to draw up new legislation. On Sunday, Turkey summoned Austria's charge d'affaires to protest over a headline on an electronic news ticker at the airport in Vienna that allegedly read, "Turkey allows sex with children under the age of 15". Austrian officials played down the matter as one of freedom of the press. Syria rebels guardedly welcome truce idea in "nightmarish" Aleppo BEIRUT/GENEVA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - The main umbrella group for the Syrian opposition on Friday cautiously welcomed a proposal for a weekly pause in fighting in Aleppo to allow aid to reach besieged areas, provided this would be monitored by the United Nations. International concern has mounted over the fate of up to two million civilians in the city amid an intensification of fighting, with the World Food Programme warning on Friday that the situation was "inhumane, awful, disgusting, nightmarish". Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's most powerful military ally, said on Thursday it supported a longstanding U.N. call for a 48-hour truce each week in the city, and that it was ready to start the first one next week. Syria's government has not yet commented on the idea. "The High Negotiating Committee welcomes any initiative to staunch the blood of Syrians and to contribute to the arrival of aid to besieged areas," said the statement from the umbrella group, which includes representatives of many rebel factions. However, it hinged its welcome on a U.N. mechanism to monitor and enforce compliance of the truce. During a previous humanitarian pause this year, both sides complained the other had broken the truce as fighting escalated again. Rebel groups, including one that was formally aligned with al Qaeda until last month, stormed a Syrian army complex in southwest Aleppo two weeks ago, breaking a siege on opposition-held parts of Aleppo and prompting fierce counter attacks. INTENSE FIGHTING A senior rebel commander said there was a "positive atmosphere" surrounding talk of a ceasefire. "But so far there are no details." Another rebel official, Zakaria Malahifji of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim group, said the opposition had expressed its willingness to cooperate with a truce, but Russian warplanes had been bombing the city heavily since the morning. "The regime is trying to advance in the air force academy and elsewhere," he added, referring to one of the areas that the rebels had captured. Syrian warplanes had carried out 46 sorties in the last 24 hours, including strikes in Aleppo that destroyed a tank, a vehicle loaded with ammunition and three mortar emplacements, and killed dozens of rebel fighters, a military source said. Continuing clashes between rebels and the Syrian army and allied militias were fiercest in the southwest of city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based monitor of the five-year-old civil war, said on Friday. It added that air strikes and shelling in and around Aleppo had killed 422 civilians, including 142 children, this month. Pictures of a dazed, bloodied child pulled from the rubble after an air raid stirred international outrage on Thursday. "We need a 48-hour pause, we need it now," WFP spokeswoman Bettina Luescher told a briefing in Geneva on Friday. While the rebel advance this month opened a narrow corridor into opposition-held areas of Aleppo, access remains very limited and dangerous, meaning aid supplies are scarce. Up to 270 microcephaly cases expected in Puerto Rico due to Zika-officials By Julie Steenhuysen CHICAGO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - U.S. health experts estimate that as many as 270 babies in Puerto Rico may be born with the severe birth defect known as microcephaly caused by Zika infections in their mothers during pregnancy. The estimate is the first to project the potential impact of Zika on Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory located in the Caribbean that has borne the brunt of the outbreak in the United States. Puerto Rico had 10,690 laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika, including 1,035 pregnant women, as of Aug. 12. Rising infection rates of the virus in Puerto Rico prompted the U.S. government to declare a state of public health emergency last week. Using the most recent available data, researchers from the Puerto Rican Health Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecast that between 5,900 and 10,300 pregnant women in Puerto Rico will become infected with Zika during the initial outbreak, which began in Puerto Rico in December 2015. "Based on the limited available information on the risk of microcephaly, we estimate between 100 to 270 cases of microcephaly might occur" between mid-2016 and mid-2017, said Dr. Margaret Honein, chief of the birth defects branch at the CDC, who was one of several authors of the study published on Friday in JAMA Pediatrics. Honein said the findings do not paint the entire picture of Zika, which has also been linked to a number of other birth defects, including various brain abnormalities, limb joint deformities, club foot, deafness and eye abnormalities. "It's going to be very important to follow up on these infants," she said. Honein said the CDC was working closely with the Puerto Rican Department of Health to reduce the incidence or mitigate the impact of Zika infection, particularly in pregnant women. "I think it's critically important that we do everything we can to prevent Zika virus during pregnancy, and to minimize this very severe and devastating outcome." Honein said while the study was based on an imperfect understanding of Zika and its impact on unborn children, she said it was important to release the data to help the country plan for the services that will be needed to care for the children born with microcephaly. The condition, in which infants are born with abnormally small heads for their age, is estimated to cost $10 million over the lifetime of one child. Trump campaign manager Manafort quits after troubled stretch By Steve Holland and Emily Flitter Aug 19 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's U.S. presidential campaign sealed a major staff reshuffle with the resignation on Friday of its campaign chairman, and the Republican nominee tried to end weeks of upheaval to focus on beating Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. The departure of Paul Manafort came as Trump tried this week to reset his unorthodox bid for the White House after falling behind Clinton in opinion polls for the Nov. 8 election. Trump said in a statement he had accepted Manafort's resignation and praised his "great work," but did not offer an explanation for the departure. Trump aides say the staff changes usher in a greater focus on policy and a more serious tone. The former reality TV host has stuck to that mission, swapping his free-wheeling rally speeches for prepared remarks that stick to a singular theme. He has concentrated on immigration, trade deals and law and order. Speaking in Dimondale, Michigan, on Friday with the use of a teleprompter, Trump stayed clear of much of the hyperbole that has been a hallmark of his campaign. He attacked Clinton for her position on trade agreements, telling the Michigan crowd that the Democrat would send auto jobs to Mexico. Nonetheless, he appeared to stray at times from his prepared remarks, as when he said that black voters, who overwhelmingly tell pollsters they prefer Democratic candidates, should vote for him. "You're living in poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth are unemployed," Trump said. "What the hell do you have to lose?" Trump, who has never held elected office, did not refer to his staffing changes, but in an interview earlier on Friday his son Eric Trump said unflattering headlines about Manafort had taken a toll. "I think my father didn't want to be, you know, distracted by, you know, whatever things that, you know, Paul was dealing with," he told the Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures", while also praising Manafort's work for the campaign. Questions have arisen about Manafort's previous work for the political party of the Kremlin-backed former Ukrainian leader, Viktor Yanukovich. Federal investigators from the U.S. Department of Justice are examining American ties to corruption in Ukraine, CNN reported on Friday. The investigation is looking at the work of Manafort's firm and another lobbying firm, the Podesta Group, headed by Tony Podesta, whose brother, John Podesta, is chairman of Clinton's presidential campaign. CLINTON POLL LEAD Clinton leads Trump by 8 percentage points among likely voters, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Friday. The Aug. 14-18 online poll showed that Clinton was supported by 42 percent of Americans who are expected to vote, compared with 34 percent for Trump. Some 23 percent would not side with either candidate. On Wednesday, Trump overhauled his campaign team, hiring the head of conservative website Breitbart News, Stephen Bannon, as chief executive of the campaign in a move that bolstered his combative image. Trump also promoted adviser Kellyanne Conway, a data-driven political analyst, to campaign manager. In a previous shake-up, Manafort, who first joined the team in March, took over the running of the campaign from Corey Lewandowski, who was fired as campaign manager in June. The Clinton campaign has pointed to Manafort's Ukraine work and favorable comments that Trump has made about Russian President Vladimir Putin to sow questions in voters' minds about whether the Russian government has an unseen hand in the U.S. election. Russian officials have rejected that accusation. "You can get rid of Manafort, but that doesn't end the odd bromance Trump has with Putin," Robby Mook, Clinton's campaign manager, said in a statement. 'TOO MANY COOKS' John Feehery, a Republican strategist, said it would have been unsustainable for Manafort to stay on after Wednesday's hires. "Too many cooks in the kitchen," he said. Trump's hiring of Bannon was seen as a sign he would not hold back in his aggressive, unorthodox campaign manner. Still, Trump offered rare words of regret on Thursday for any time he had caused "personal pain" with his take-no-prisoners style. On Friday, he also began airing his first television advertisement since becoming the Republican candidate, buying airtime in the crucial states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida, where Clinton has already spent of millions in television advertising. The 30-second ad focuses on immigration, saying Clinton would allow "terrorists and dangerous criminals" into the country, a charge her campaign dismisses. Karlyn Bowman, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute conservative think tank, said Trump still had some time to turn around his campaign, noting the news of the shakeup came as many Americans were enjoying summer vacations. The final stretch of the protracted campaign traditionally starts after Labor Day, which falls on Sept. 5 this year. "I'm not sure the public pays a lot of attention to inside campaign stories," she said. "But that said, Trump has clearly been having significant problems in the polls and he needed to do something differently and perhaps this is the beginning of the attempt." Clinton won some relief on Friday from a controversy over her use of a private email system when she was secretary of state. A U.S. federal judge ruled that Clinton did not need to give sworn testimony in a lawsuit about the email issue. GRAINS-Soybeans fall as weather bolsters crop hopes; corn, wheat firm By Mark Weinraub CHICAGO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures fell on Friday as the weather outlook for the Midwest bolstered expectations of a huge harvest in the fall, traders said. Corn and wheat futures firmed, recovering from early weakness on short-covering and technical buying. The forecast for key growing areas of the U.S. Midwest showed moderate temperatures and some rain, beneficial for the final stages of development for the maturing soybean crop. The weather view outweighed continued signs of strong overseas demand for U.S. soybeans. The U.S. Agriculture Department on Friday morning said private exporters reported the sale of another 261,000 tonnes of soybeans to unknown destinations for delivery in the 2016/17 crop year. "(A) lack of weather threats to the crop hinders additional buying interest," CHS Hedging said in a note to clients. At 10:25 a.m. CDT (1525 GMT), Chicago Board of Trade November soybean futures were down 11-3/4 cents at $10.02-3/4 a bushel. "Production looks great and that is the problem," said Phin Ziebell, agribusiness economist at National Australia Bank. "Long term story is of ample supplies." Technical support for soybeans was noted near Thursday's low of $9.96-3/4 a bushel. For the week, CBOT soybean futures have risen 2.1 percent, on track for their third gain of the last four weeks. CBOT December corn futures were up 1-1/2 cents at $3.43-1/2 a bushel. Corn has risen 3.2 percent so far this week and was one track for its sixth straight higher close. Corn futures have posted intraday losses before recovering to close in positive territory every day during the streak. CBOT September wheat futures were 4-1/2 cents higher at $4.31-1/2 a bushel. Wheat prices, which were up 2.1 percent for the week, hit their highest since July 25. South African capital joins ranks of metros run by opposition JOHANNESBURG, Aug 19 (Reuters) - South Africa's main opposition party on Friday took control of the local government in the nation's capital, electing a mayor in a district the ruling party has held since the end of apartheid 22 years ago. Winning Tshwane, the municipality that includes the capital, Pretoria, and Nelson Mandela Bay, which includes manufacturing hub Port Elizabeth, in the Aug. 3 local elections, marks a turning point for the Democratic Alliance. The DA already held Cape Town, where parliament is situated. And it is vying with the ruling African National Congress to form a coalition in Johannesburg, the country's financial centre . "This is not just any city, but our capital," said the new mayor, Solly Msimanga, a black member of the mostly white DA. Msimanga was elected unopposed after the ANC declined to put forward a candidate. The ANC came second in the Tshwane municipal election. Although the DA did not win an outright majority in Tshwane, it formed a minority government with the support of the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters, which came third third in Tshwane, and smaller parties. The EFF had said it would vote for the DA's choice of mayor had the office been contested. But it warned that it would not back the DA on every issue debated by the council, and would scrutinise budgets carefully. The ANC has conceded that the elections were its worst since white-minority rule ended in 1994. Rwandan police say kill 3 suspected Islamist militants in raid KIGALI, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Rwandan national police said they killed three suspected Islamist militants and arrested three others in the western district of Rusizi on Friday. A police statement said the three who were killed had turned violent in resisting arrest during a raid that followed a tip-off from the public. Police found the suspects had barricaded themselves inside a house for two weeks. "Initial findings indicate they were in a radicalisation campaign aimed at recruiting jihadists," the statement said. It did not give further details such as the name of the suspected militant group, where it was based, or whether any attacks might have been planned in the small, central African country. On Thursday, national police said they had been investigating "individuals suspected of being radicalized and linked to foreign terrorist organisations" since last year. Several had appeared in court but no further details were given. Another suspected militant was killed late on Wednesday in a raid in the capital Kigali, police said. Two of those arrested in Rusizi were in police custody and a third was was hospitalised for injuries sustained in the raid. In January, Rwanda police said they had killed a Muslim imam as he tried to escape custody while under investigation for encouraging young Rwandans to join Islamic State militants, who are active in the Middle East and North Africa. Subsequently, 23 men and women were arrested on suspicion of links to the preacher. Last week, a high court in Kigali granted police more time to keep them in investigative detention. About 2.5 percent of Rwanda's 11 million people are Muslim, with the rest mostly Christian. Zika spreads to Miami Beach, U.S. expands travel warning By Zachary Fagenson and Julie Steenhuysen MIAMI/CHICAGO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Federal health officials on Friday warned pregnant women not to travel to trendy Miami Beach after Florida confirmed that the mosquito-borne Zika virus was active in the popular tourist destination. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggested that pregnant women who are especially worried about exposure to Zika - which has been shown to cause the severe birth defect known as microcephaly - might consider avoiding all of Miami-Dade County. The new warnings represent a challenge to Florida's multibillion dollar tourism industry, with Miami Beach accounting for nearly half of visitor stays in the Greater Miami area. They also heighten concerns over Zika's spread in the continental United States. In a press conference, Florida Governor Rick Scott said state health officials had identified five cases of Zika believed to be contracted in Miami Beach. "This means we believe we have a new area where local transmissions are occurring in Miami Beach," he said, noting that the state had already stepped up pesticide spraying efforts in this area. The new transmissions come as Miami-Dade continues to battle Zika in the Wynwood arts neighborhood of Miami, the site of the first locally transmitted cases of Zika in the continental United States. For a graphic of Florida's Zika outbreak, click here: (http://tmsnrt.rs/2b3VUp3) In Miami Beach, the state believes Zika transmission is confined to a 1.5-square-mile area located between 8th and 28th streets in the popular South Beach neighborhood. For a graphic of map, click here, (http://tinyurl.com/hdl6mxs) Miami Beach resident Steve Ehrlich, 30, said news of the five cases transmitted somewhere in the blocks around his home was not surprising, but that did not make it any less concerning. "You knew it was going to intermingle all over the place," he said. And though Ehrlich said and he and his wife Caroline did not have any immediate plans to have more children, any thought of doing so has been indefinitely shelved. Current CDC guidelines recommend men wait six months after being infected with Zika before trying to have children to avoid passing the virus to a pregnant partner through semen. The recommendations are based on observations that the virus can live in semen as long as 93 days after an infection, but a recent report in the journal Eurosurveillence described two cases in which the virus lingered in semen six months after a person was infected. "The CDC is giving recommendations for how long to wait before you get pregnant, but it seems like no one has a clear grasp on just how long it stays in your system," Ehrlich said. "That's scary for us because we eventually want to have more kids." Travel expert Henry Harteveldt, founder of travel consultancy Atmosphere Research Group, said the Zika outbreak in South Florida could jeopardize travel in the area. "Even if 1 percent or 2 percent of potential travelers decide not to go to Florida, whether it's for leisure or for business, there could be a multi-million dollar hit to the local economy," he said. In a conference call with reporters on Friday, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said there have been at least four other independent instances of mosquito-borne Zika transmission in Miami-Dade county. These were individual cases and did not represent local transmission. Frieden said it is difficult to determine if cases are locally acquired and whether cases are related. As a result, there may be a time lag in reporting the spread of disease locally. Given that, Frieden said there could be transmissions that have not been identified throughout Miami, which is why the CDC has advised pregnant women and their sexual partners who are worried about potential exposure to consider avoiding travel to Miami entirely. Of the five new cases in Miami Beach, one person is a resident of New York, one person is a resident of Texas and one person is a resident of Taiwan. "All three of these people traveled to Miami," Scott said. Frieden said battling Zika-carrying mosquitoes in this neighborhood will be especially challenging because the area's high rise buildings will prevent pilots from flying low enough to drop pesticides in aerial spraying campaigns. "The inability to use aerial spraying there means we'll be limited to using ground-based techniques like backpack spraying," he said. Frieden said aerial spraying continues to be successful in the Wynwood neighborhood, where experts have seen "substantial but not complete knockdowns of mosquito populations. Scott said Florida has requested more support from the CDC. LAWMAKERS URGE MORE FUNDING Reporters pressed Scott on the timeliness of the announcement, which was first reported in the Miami Herald on Thursday and was confirmed by many other news outlets on Thursday, including Reuters. "We recognize the desire for information quickly, but it is important that we conduct our interviews and investigations pursuant to epidemiological standards," Scott said. Reporters charged Scott with underplaying Zika transmission and delaying confirmation to minimize the effect on tourism in the state. Scott said the state was taking every measure to ensure the information they provided to the public was accurate. In a press conference later on Friday, however, Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine expressed frustration with Scott and the state's health department for keeping him and other elected officials in the dark about the island-city's five locally transmitted Zika cases. Levine said mayors across Miami received the information at the same time as media. "It's backwards," Levine said. Levine said he and tourism promotion officials have also sought to get ahead of a panic that could cut into hotel reservations. "Between our efforts and the county's spraying efforts the last thing I'd ever want to be is a mosquito on Miami Beach," Levine said. U.S. Senator Harry Reid, a Democrat, said the transmission of Zika in Miami Beach "is the most alarming development yet in the rapidly growing threat of Zika in the United States." Both Reid and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican, renewed calls for lawmakers in the House and Senate to return to Washington to authorize funding to help public health officials fight the spread of Zika. President Barack Obama in February requested $1.9 billion to fight Zika but Congressional efforts to approve part of the funding deadlocked before lawmakers adjourned for the summer. Earlier on Friday, U.S. health officials published a study estimating that as many as 270 babies in Puerto Rico may be born with the severe birth defect known as microcephaly caused by Zika infections in their mothers during pregnancy. A public health emergency was declared in the U.S. territory on Aug. 12 after more than 10,000 laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded, including more than a thousand pregnant women. The condition, in which infants are born with abnormally small heads and underdeveloped brains, is estimated to cost $10 million over the lifetime of one child. The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last fall in Brazil, which has now confirmed more than 1,800 cases of microcephaly that it considers to be related to Zika infection in the mothers. A former Dean Morgan Junior High campus supervisor pleaded guilty Wednesday to manslaughter for causing the overdose death of a Casper man. Authorities say Jon Patrick Freiberg caused the mans death last year by putting methamphetamine in his drink. During his plea change hearing, Freiberg maintained Richard Serafin ingested the drug accidentally. Freiberg admitted he acted recklessly by not taking Serafin to a hospital when he showed signs he was overdosing. While holding back tears, Freiberg entered guilty pleas to involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine. A plea agreement calls for Freiberg to be sentenced to up to 18 years in prison. He will be held in jail without bond pending his sentencing hearing. Natrona County District Attorney Mike Blonigen said Freiberg and Serafin met through a smartphone application and agreed to meet in the early morning hours of Aug. 28 at the Days Inn in Casper. Blonigen said Freiberg offered the victim meth, but Serafin said he did not use drugs. Serafin did drink alcohol, however, and somehow ingested a large amount of meth, the prosecutor said. Serafin began very quickly to have serious medical problems and Freiberg put him in a cold bath to try to revive him, Blonigen said. Freiberg also gave Serafin a small dose of additional meth in an attempt to help him, the prosecutor said. Police found Serafins body about 6 p.m. inside a hot car parked outside the hotel, Blonigen said. Investigators later spoke to a teenager who said he saw Freiberg carrying Serafin and putting him into the car about 1 p.m. An autopsy revealed Serafin died of cardiac arrest due to acute stresses of methamphetamine intoxication, the prosecutor said. Freiberg said during the hearing that he had asked Serafin on several occasions if he needed to go to the hospital and Serafin had told him no. He also said he did not give Serafin a dose of meth and did not know what the prosecutor was referring to. I never gave him any drugs, Freiberg said. The drugs in his cup that he drank was purely by accident. He had poured alcohol in a cup that had methamphetamines in it. Freiberg said he put Serafin in his car and gave him money for gas. Freiberg initially told the judge he did not act recklessly. However, after conferring with his attorney, he said he should not have had meth in his room and should have made sure Serafin received medical attention instead of leaving him in a hot car. Blonigen also asserted Freiberg sold meth to people in Casper. In January, an unnamed informant told Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation agents that Freiberg wanted to sell him meth, according to court documents. Authorities gave the informant money to buy drugs from Freiberg and put the man under audio and visual surveillance. When the man met Freiberg at the Natrona County Public Library to buy meth, Freiberg was heard saying he had put meth in a cup and Serafin had consumed it. Freiberg worked for the Natrona County School District until Feb. 3, when he resigned, district spokesman Kelly Eastes said. Authorities had searched his car two days earlier and reported finding methamphetamine, court documents show. Olympics-Volleyball-Italian men oust U.S. and seek first gold By Anthony Boadle RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Italy's men's volleyball team put an end to a U.S. winning streak and ousted the Americans from the Rio Games in a five-set battle on Friday to go through to the final seeking their first Olympic gold medal. Italy beat the United States 30-28 26-28 9-25 25-22 15-9 and will face defending gold medalists Russia or defending silver medalists Brazil on Sunday. The Americans, seeking their fourth gold in the sport, went down to Italy in four sets in the preliminary round, and came back from the brink of elimination after a stunning win over hosts Brazil. But their run of four straight victories ended at the hands of their nemesis Italy. With unstoppable spikes and ace serves by their top scorer Ivan Zaytsev, the Italians took the hard-fought first set. The United States recovered the lead in the second set despite a barrage of killer spikes by Osmany Juantorena, a former Cuba national team wing spiker now playing for Italy. The Americans streaked ahead with a 15-point run in the third with its top scorers outside hitter Matt Anderson and main server and setter Micah Christenson having a field day. But Italy came back to secure victory with aces by Zaytsev and Juantorena in the fourth set and tie-breaker. The crowd in Rio's Maracanazinho stadium favored the Italians, roaring "Italia, Italia!" in support. The stadium speakers blared "Volare" when the Italians scored and "YMCA" when the Americans scored. Angolan president Dos Santos re-elected leader of ruling MPLA party LUANDA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Angola's long-ruling president Jose Eduardo dos Santos was overwhelmingly re-elected leader of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party on Friday, results showed. Dos Santos, the sole nominee, won 99.6 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results gathered from delegates at the party's convention in the capital Luanda. Final results are expected late on Friday. There had been speculation before the congress that Dos Santos, who has ruled the oil-rich southern African nation since 1979, might not make himself available for re-election. He had said in March he intended to step down as party leader in 2018, without naming a preferred successor. Angola holds its next parliamentary election in 2017 and the leader of the winning party will become president. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on Balochistan as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Gilgit and Baltistan from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, potentially herald a marked departure from India's stance thus far. They unmistakably signal to Pakistan that India could, henceforth, adopt a proactive policy to reclaim Gilgit, Baltistan and the portion of Kashmir occupied by Pakistan, while highlighting human rights and other violations by Pakistan in Balochistan. The remarks suggest India will adopt a muscular policy in dealing with Pakistan and other countries when its sovereignty and territorial integrity are at stake. The newly enunciated policy is in keeping with the other strategic moves initiated by the prime minister from the day of his swearing-in. His remarks also dovetail with the policy implicit in the Geospatial Information Regulation Bill, 2016. In the coming days, the prime minister's bold initiative will ensure focus, including in international fora, on Pakistan's human rights violations in Balochistan. The spotlight on Balochistan will indirectly encourage the demands of the Balochi people, who occupy half of Pakistan's territory with the highest concentration of its natural mineral wealth. It will also cause unease in Beijing which has invested immensely in the Gwadar port, located in the Balochistan province. Prime Minister Modi's proactive policies towards Pakistan could well alter the regional dynamics. Modi's remarks also address China's claims on Ladakh, described by Beijing as "Little Tibet". China has, incidentally, hinted at the possibility of its becoming a party to the Kashmir issue. The remarks question the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which goes through Balochistan and Gilgit and has a definite military component. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has deployed troops in these areas, with their number likely to increase in the coming months. Moreover, the headquarters of the South Xinjiang Military District of China's newly created West Zone (Theatre Command) and the Pakistan Army GHQ in Rawalpindi have established a direct secure communications link indicating heightened coordination in future military operations. Pakistan's ties with China got elevated in April 2015 when Chinese president Xi Jinping visited Islamabad and announced the CPEC. The CPEC will effectively bind Pakistan to China as power generation, transport, commerce, R&D and the defence of Pakistan will all be increasingly tied to Chinese investments and interests. Almost six months before Xi Jinping's visit to Islamabad, an influential, senior Chinese academic, who is occasionally called to brief the politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, said in a private conversation that "while we had earlier purchased the loyalty of the Pakistanis, we will now buy Pakistan." After Xi Jinping's visit, senior Chinese communist cadres began urging India to ease tensions with Pakistan and resolve the Kashmir dispute. Yan Xuetong, director of the Institute for International Relations at Beijing's Tsinghua University and an influential Chinese strategic analyst close to Xi Jinping, told The New York Times on February 9, 2016 that "China has only one real ally, Pakistan". Just weeks before Xi Jinping's arrival in Pakistan, former Pakistan ambassador Riaz Khokar hinted at the need for upgrading the existing intelligence cooperation. He wrote in China's state-run Global Times that the "two countries must identify hostile elements operating in Balochistan". Since then, active intelligence cooperation between China and Pakistan has picked up, with China blocking India's requests at the UN sanctions committee for information on terrorists harboured by Pakistan. Emboldened by this elevated relationship with China, Pakistan resurrected the Kashmir issue in international fora. Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif's reiteration this January that "Kashmir is an unfinished agenda of Partition. Pakistan and Kashmir are inseparable", was made in the absolute confidence that he had China's unwavering support. Pakistan's brazen efforts to fan trouble in the Kashmir Valley by pouring in finances and other kinds of support have undoubtedly contributed to Prime Minister Modi's remarks during his Independence Day speech. Credible reports mention that in addition to sending jihadis of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen to Kashmir, Pakistan has begun to reorient the extremist Sunni organisation, Ahle Summat Wal Jamaat, to penetrate and operate in Barelvi strongholds in India and create a violent faction among the Barelvi Sunnis. "Burhan Wani was a Kashmiri leader. Pakistan will observe July 19 as Black Day." - Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif. "Have you seen pictures of procession when lakhs of Kashmiris came on streets? Did you see the man who was being carried on shoulders by the crowd? He is the Ameer of Lashkar-e-Taiba." - Hafiz Saeed, LeT/JuD chief. "Pakistan cannot forget Kashmiris and would continue to support them to get right of self-determination in light of the UN Resolution." - Pakistan president Mamnoon Hussain. "Mr Modi is trying to divert world attention from the grim tragedy unfolding in Kashmir for the past five weeks." - Sartaj Aziz, advisor to Pak PM on foreign affairs. "World needs to recognise the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and their struggle." - General Raheel Sharif, COAS Pakistan. "Quaid-e-Azam (Mohammed Ali Jinnah) ordered his commander-in-chief to respond by sending troops (into Kasmhir) but he refused. Now I ask Gen Raheel Sharif to send in troops to Kashmir. Quaid-e-Azam's order is pending." -Hafiz Saeed, LeT/JuD chief. By going for a high decibel "all or bust" approach on Kashmir, Pakistan has burnt all bridges painstakingly built in the past two years. Repeated statements by the Pakistani military, civilian and terrorist leadership - all parroting the same line - is evidence of the Pakistani state, civil and military, working in tandem with terrorists. While Pakistan's internal dynamics - Gen Raheel Sharif seeking to stay in harness by ratcheting up tensions with India, Nawaz Sharif shifting focus away from Panama papers controversy and Hafiz Saeed trying to stay relevant - is only a part of it, Pakistan's gamble is to get the people to rise against India. Pak COAS Gen Raheel Sharif and PM Nawaz Sharif have openly taken hostile lines on Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledging the appreciation of the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Balochistan is a clear message to Pakistan to either stop fueling the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir or prepare to face the consequences. There are deep fault lines within Pakistan that are not untouchable for the current dispensation in South Block to exploit. And Pakistan's efforts to fuel unrest in the valley are not restricted to making hate-filled statements. Saifullah Ali alias Bahadur was nabbed alive in an operation by the army where four other terrorists were killed. Bahadur Ali's interrogation revealed the depth of Pakistan's evil game plan for Kashmir. "He told his interrogators that he had been specifically tasked to reach towns in Kashmir and fire at the security forces from behind the stone-pelting crowds. The aim was to get the security forces to react and fire back - taking up the civilian casualties," Sanjiv Singh, a top ranking official of National Investigation Agency (NIA), told journalists. Like in 2010, Pakistan's aim in 2016 is also to fuel unrest and increase the body count. Pakistan, according to government sources has reached out to the separatist leaders and is actively funding the protests. The money trail is currently under investigation. Not all the protests following Burhan Wani's death have been spontaneous. "The Pakistani reaction to the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani has been very disappointing. For their prime minister to describe him as a political leader is worse. Burhan Wani had 15 serious cases registered against him, including that of being involved in the killing of a sarpanch and his son in Kashmir. The cases include the targeted killing of security forces personnel in the state. These cases were not registered overnight or even after Mehbooba Mufti took over as chief minister. These cases were registered over a period of past five years,'' top government sources told India Today. The government has prepared a strong case and has sent facts to all Indian missions over seas. To counter Pakistan's dirty propaganda, India is giving out facts - about Burhan Wani, about Hizbul Mujahideen - the terrorist organisation, Hafiz Saeed, the designated global terrorist and also that terrorists in Pakistan were directly in touch with Burhan Wani till the end. "We did not even have to give out source-based information or rely on technical intelligence inputs with Hafiz Saeed having announced publically that he was in touch with terrorist Burhan Wani. This was added proof of Pakistan's involvement in terror in India. But this time Pakistan is being completely shameless about it - openly fueling the unrest - militarily, politically, diplomatically and through terrorists and separatists," the sources added. India is convinced that the protests are not spontaneous. J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has gone on record to say announcements are being made from mosques forcing women and children to come out and protest. India Today exposed a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist sending out a video message asking protesters to come out on the streets and target the security forces. Locals have told the police if they do not come out and pelt stones, they are targeted. A very worrying aspect is the communal tension in parts of the valley. The minority Shia population in Budgam has been targeted. "We received a complaint that groups of protesters reached the Shia-dominated locality and forced people to come out and protest against the security forces. When they did not - there are reports that some houses were burnt down and people targeted. Additional police forces have been deployed for their protection. However, this is also indicative of the fact that the organisers of the protests are systematically targeting those who do not protest," sources added. Hafiz Saeed has asked General Raheel Sharif to 'send troops to India'. Pakistan tried to bowl a googly inviting the Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar to Islamabad to discuss the Kashmir crisis. "Pakistan obviously thought we would be uncomfortable to discuss Kashmir. But we are not. We told them we are willing to discuss Pakistan-sponsored terror and Pak role in fueling the unrest in the valley first," said another official. The ball is now in Pakistan's court. India has decided to call Pakistan's bluff on Kashmir this time. India is all set to expose Pakistan's atrocities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and in Balochistan. "It is a multi-pronged strategy that the government is adopting. There is total transparency on anti-terrorist operations that are underway. Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and the state government are initiating dialogue. Away from cameras, it is happening. An effort is to restore normalcy. Those who fuel the fire will be dealt with strictly according to the law. No leniency anymore for protesters, stone-pelters and separatists," an official privy to the road map said. Diplomatically, too, India intends to counter Pakistan's lies with facts. No country in the world would want to see Islamic State-like terror take roots in the region. Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has exposed the truth behind the protests. She has asked whether people want a Kashmir where 10-year-olds beat up old men for opening their shops, or, where restricting girls - stopping them from dressing up for a wedding or threatening to burn them alive if they ride a scooty - becomes the order of the day? Mehbooba Mufti has also exposed the role of money in protests. "Protests are now an industry. People move with money. Pay protesters to target security forces' camps and disappear when forces counter the attack," Mufti was quoted saying. The truth is emerging. However, there is a slant in the narrative. There are those who try to defend a terrorist like Burhan Wani. That faulty narrative needs to be corrected. The people of Kashmir need to realise no state can permit protests in favour of a terrorist. They need to appreciate the truth and move towards development, feel sources. The government is now mounting an all-out political, diplomatic and military offensive to counter lies and ensure peace prevails for development to return to track in the valley. If Pakistan rakes up Kashmir at the UN General Assembly, it will be in for a shock - because external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will give no quarter. A preliminary budget meeting for the Burleigh County Commission will reconvene at noon Monday at the City/County Building. Burleigh County Commissioners are attempting to downsize $63.5 million in spending requests from department heads. Spending in the 2016 budget was $58.9 million. Because the County Road Department is receiving $1.4 million less in state gas tax revenue, county commissioners have tentatively increased the mill levy apportioned to the County Highway Department from one quarter of mill levy to one full mill levy. A mill in the county has increased in value from $438,023 last year to $473,000 this year, said County Auditor Kevin Glatt. The mill levy formula is based on property values in the county. After the preliminary 2017 budget is approved, the county commission will schedule a final budget hearing and send notices if people are to see an increase in property taxes. Opponents of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline project took to the streets Thursday evening for a peaceful protest in solidarity against a project they say could cause severe harm to Missouri River drinking water for tribal members and others. Even though the oil companies might have the money, they cant subdue the message, Cody Hall of Eagle Butte, S.D., spokesman for the Red Warrior Camp, said. This is our stand. We all depend on water. More than 200 protesters initially lined both sides of East Boulevard Avenue while about 60 members of state and local law enforcement looked on at the south entrance of the state Capitol. A city permit for 4 to 6 p.m. was granted for the protest. East Boulevard Avenue was soon shut down between Fourth Street North and Seventh Street North to traffic, allowing participants to chant, dance and drum in the intersection in front of the Capitol. We will win this fight. We have to take a vigorous stance to fight for whats right, Hall said. Holding signs with phrases including No Dakota Access Pipeline and Rezpect our Water, participants chanted, cheered and were in high spirits. We cant drink oil. Keep it in the soil was a popular chant among the crowd. As the protest wound down, participants invited members of law enforcement to join in the dancing, which a few obliged in doing briefly. Afterward, protesters formed a line and walked the police line at the Capitol entrance, shaking hands and joking with officers. Thursdays protest was an extension of the movement thats sprung up off of Highway 1806 near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. From 1,500 to 2,000 protesters are camping near a part of the project site in Morton County. At the same time as the protest by the Capitol, about 20 people were at the now-closed work site along the Cannonball River, where protests have been staged over the past week. As no law enforcement or pipeline workers were there, the protesters walked around both sides of the barricade and up the path towards the construction site. Construction workers recently began ground work near where a section of the pipeline will go and a portion is planned to be bored under the Missouri River and run less than a mile from the tribes reservation boundary. This week, work temporarily ceased at the site. Oral arguments in a lawsuit filed by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last month over the permits issued for the project are set for Wednesday in U.S. district court in Washington, D.C. Protesters' concerns include potential contamination of the Missouri River if the pipeline were to rupture as well as the disturbance of cultural sites along the route. Dakota Access LLC, a partner of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, countered the Standing Rock lawsuit earlier this week by filing a lawsuit against several protesters, alleging threats to the safety of construction workers and law enforcement. At least 28 arrests had been made during the protests near the project site for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. Dallas Goldtooth, a member of the Lower Sioux Dakota Nation in Minnesota and of the Indigenous Environmental Network, said Thursdays effort helps put the issue in the spotlight. He said putting it closer to the public in an urban setting also builds momentum. It definitely helps to engage and bring this discussion into public spaces. Folks are committed for the long run, Goldtooth said. Doris Anderson, who lives along East Boulevard Avenue a few doors down from the intersection, said shes neutral on the project but said she understood opponents concerns. I think its been pretty calm. Respectful and calm, Anderson said as she looked on from her front lawn. And theyve got a lot to say. Anderson suggested that, if the company altered the design of the project slightly, it might alleviate concerns by opponents. She added shed never seen a large protest in person before. The 1,172-mile, 30-inch diameter pipeline when finished would originate in western North Dakota near Stanley and end near Patoka, Ill. Dakota Access began work on the nearly $3.8 billion project this spring following permit approval by state and federal officials. It would transport up to 450,000 barrels per day of Bakken crude when finished this year with a future capacity of 570,000 barrels per day. Vicki Granado, a spokeswoman for Energy Transfer Partners, said in a statement the construction timeline remains unchanged. We are constructing this pipeline in accordance with applicable laws, and the local, state and federal permits and approvals we have received. This is an important energy infrastructure project that benefits all Americans and our national economy," she said. Additional reporting by Caroline Grueskin. DICKINSON -- A key witness in the states case against the Dickinson State University Foundation is invoking his Fifth Amendment right by refusing to testify, according to Parrell Grossman of the North Dakota Attorney Generals Office. Grossman, representing the state Thursday during a request for summary judgment hearing, told Southwest District Judge William Herauf the very critical witness has a lot of key information and could incriminate himself through testimony. However, he did not name the witness. He knows more about anything that went on here than anyone else, Grossman added. Hes certainly entitled to do that to the extent that what he might say could result in criminal charges. The DSU Foundation, the universitys alumni and scholarship fundraising arm, is in the process of dissolution following a September 2015 order for the action by North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. The court proceedings are part of that process. Stenehjem forced the foundation into financial receivership in November 2014 because of financial issues he alleged were the result of multiple financial and ethical concerns, including the use of scholarship funds being to cover operating costs. Grossman said Thursday that other witnesses in addition to the man invoking the Fifth also have given the state some resistance in request for testimony. The announcement came after Herauf denied a motion for summary judgment requested by First International Bank and Trust of Watford City, an intervener in the case, regarding the validity and priority of debts owed to it by the DSU Foundation. Heraufs denial pushed all further arguments in the case to a hearing scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, though Jon Brakke -- the attorney for First International Bank and Trust -- expressed concern. Grossman agreed that it wouldnt be enough time for Herauf to sufficiently hear the entire case, and that it could require more than a week. The judge agreed and said the hearings will stretch out as long as they need to. Herauf said he has found the case against the foundation to be unique in North Dakota case law, with no true precedents. Ive spent some sleepless nights on this, and Ive spent many hours reading the statutes, he said. Herauf said while he wants the case to have an amicable conclusion in which the defendants, plaintiffs and intervening parties can all find reasonable outcomes, hes doubtful that will happen. One side or the other is not going to be happy with how this comes out. Thats a concern I have, he said. Herauf also expressed concern for the DSU Foundation donors, many of whose money cannot be accounted for by either the state-appointed receiver or Brady Martz accountants, saying they trusted their money to the foundation without any real ability to protect themselves. Then the DSU Foundation did a whole bunch of stuff that didnt work out and now we have this problem, he said. GRAND FORKS -- The attorney of a former Grand Forks teacher accused of having sex with a student will be allowed to interview the victim ahead of trial, but the defendant will not be allowed in the room during the deposition. Grand Forks District Judge John Thelen ruled Thursday in favor of defense attorney Robert Hoy, who is representing former Central High School teacher James Patrick Whalen in the case. Whalen, 41, has been charged with three counts of corruption or solicitation of minors and one count of sexual assault, all felonies, after a high school-age student told investigators they had sex multiple times last winter. The student has been interviewed four times for a total of five hours by school officials and law enforcement, said Haley Wamstad, the Grand Forks County assistant states attorney who is prosecuting the case. The defense filed a motion to depose the victim for discovery, but Wamstad asked Thelen to quash the subpoena, stating the court has an obligation under the Child Victim and Witness Fair Treatment Standards Act to protect the victim from repeated interviews that could cause significant distress. Essentially, the defendant is asking the court to allow Mr. Hoy to question this juvenile victim about the details of her sexual relationship with a teacher before her parents, the defendant, Mr. Hoy and other strangers, Wamstad said. If that isnt something that will unreasonably annoy, embarrass or cause undue burden to a victim of a sexual offense, I dont know what is. The mother of the victim also objected to the deposition in an affidavit filed Aug. 8, stating her child did not want to be deposed by the defense. (M)y child has expressed fear and anxiety about the defendants presence at a deposition, the mother wrote in the affidavit, adding since this matter was revealed to authorities, it has caused significant stress to my child and our family. Hoy argued the defense has not had the opportunity to interview the student and an action that has not happened cannot be repeated. He also questioned why the state was concerned with interviews causing the victim stress when the defense wanted to interview her. The states argument would have held more water if law enforcement agencies had collaborated with school officials to interview the victim once instead of four times, he said. Nowhere in the record is the states outrage or concern expressed about law enforcement interviewing her (four) separate times for up to five hours and causing her stress of concern or emotional harm, Hoy said. Apparently, thats OK. They can do it as much as they want, apparently, according to the states view of this. If necessary, Hoy said, the victim could take breaks and have a support person present during the deposition. Thelen agreed and ordered conditions for the deposition, including that Whalen not be present, the deposition be limited to three hours and the defense not cross-examine the victim. Helping farmers and ranchers keep up with regulations and requirements while still making a living was the main topic of conversation at two Stutsman County events with Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., who embarked Thursday on a two-day tour to learn what farmers and ranchers are looking for in a new Farm Bill. The existing bill was signed in 2014 and will expire in 2018. Heitkamp began the tour at the Northern Great Plains Research Lab in Mandan before heading to Cleveland and Jamestown. In Cleveland, John Devney, vice president of U.S. policy for the Delta Waterfowl Foundation, talked to Heitkamp about the Working Wetlands Pilot Project at the Denny and Connie Ova farm. The project, funded in part by $1.75 million from the North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund, pays farmers and ranchers not to drain or alter small, seasonal wetlands on their property. They still are allowed to farm the area when they can, but the payment from the program makes up for any losses when the wetlands wash out seeds or create other problems. Heitkamp said the program was a good way to help farmers cope with regulations and requirements that often burden producers without any benefit to them. A similar conversation ensued in Jamestown at the North Dakota Farmers Union headquarters. While the intention of Heitkamps roundtable conversation with leaders of commodity groups and local producers had been to talk about crop insurance and safety net priorities, it quickly became a more high-minded conversation about how agriculture could change to better ensure that farmers can stay in business and rural areas can stay alive. Mark Watne, president of Farmers Union, pointed out that farmers and ranchers are paid on production: The more they produce, the more they get paid. However, what they make is dependent on global markets and conditions. They have no way to make up for large expenses or the costs of complying with regulations. A farmer has zero avenues to pass on expenses, he said. Watne suggested that its time to discuss a total paradigm shift in the way agriculture operates. Whether that looks like a surcharge on food or direct payments to keep all producers afloat, Watne said food security and national security depend on a robust agricultural community. If production is the only goal, consolidation will continue and rural areas will be further depleted, he said. Attendees at the roundtable generally agreed there needs to be a better way to ensure that farmers stay above water in years with low prices or poor yields, and a better way to make sure they can get out some of the expenses related to complying with conservation and environmental regulations. We are being asked as farmers to do a lot more than just grow food, said state Sen. Terry Wanzek, R-Jamestown. Heitkamp sought more input on trade partnerships, crop insurance, renewable fuel standards and other hot-button agricultural issues. But she agreed that another year of low prices would necessitate harder conversations about the future of agriculture. You guys understand theres no promises, she said. Well just fight the fight. BILLINGS, Mont. -- In an unprecedented move, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is closing 183 miles of the Yellowstone River from Gardiner to Laurel to all water-based recreation fishing, wading, floating, tubing, boating. No similar closure based on a disease outbreak has ever occurred in Montana, even when whirling disease was causing significant fish die-offs across the state in the 1990s. "This significant action on the part of the department is in response to the ongoing and unprecedented fish kill on the Yellowstone," FWP said in an email. "This action is necessary to protect the fishery and the economy it sustains. The closure will also help limit the spread of the parasite to adjacent rivers through boats, tubes, waders and other human contact and minimize further mortality in all fish species." The closure also affects all tributaries from Yellowstone National Parks northern boundary at Gardiner to the Highway 212 bridge in Laurel. Rafting and fly-fishing businesses were scrambling to respond to the closure. Angling trips start as early as 7 a.m. so boats were being pulled off the river. "It's huge," said John Bailey of Dan Bailey Fly Shop in Livingston. "The spring creeks and Boulder are closed. The Stillwater is closed. So you're talking about a major deal here. It affects a lot of people." "The real question is when we will open?" he added. "I don't think we'll open in September." In the past week FWP has documented more than 2,000 dead mountain whitefish on some stretches of the Yellowstone River. Based on those figures, FWP estimates the total impact to mountain whitefish in the Yellowstone to be in the tens of thousands. FWP has also received reports of the kill beginning to affect some rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Fishing guide Dan Gigone with the Sweetwater Fly Shop in Livingston said one of his guides reported seeing hundreds of dead trout Thursday. He called the closure catastrophic but said he would not fight the move. "We have trips on the books through September," Gigone said. "It's definitely a big part of the Livingston and area economy. But we need to protect the resources as best we can for future years." Threat to entire outdoor economy Test results from samples sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Health Center in Bozeman show the catalyst for the fish kill to be Proliferative Kidney Disease one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout. The disease, caused by a microscopic parasite, is known to occur in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. It has been documented previously in only two isolated locations in Montana over the past 20 years. Recent outbreaks have occurred in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In trout, research has shown this disease to have the potential to cause 20 to 100 percent mortality. The parasite does not pose a risk to humans. The effect of the disease on Yellowstones fish populations is exacerbated by other stressors like near record low flows, consistent high temperatures and the disturbance caused by recreational activities. FWP Director Jeff Hagener said the decision to close the river came after weighing "the totality of the circumstances and risk to the fishery. We recognize that this decision will have a significant impact on many people. However, we must act to protect this public resource for present and future generations, Hagener said in a press release. "A threat to the health of Montana's fish populations is a threat to Montana's entire outdoor economy and the tens of thousands of jobs it sustains," said Gov. Steve Bullock, noting that Montana's outdoor recreation economy is responsible for more than 64,000 Montana jobs and nearly $6 billion in yearly economic activity. "We must be guided by science. Our state cannot afford this infectious disease to spread to other streams and rivers, and it's my responsibility to do everything we can to stop this threat in its tracks and protect Montana jobs and livelihoods." Bailey said it was dead in his downtown Livingston store now and the Labor Day weekend, at the end of the month, is traditionally one of the busiest times. "It's very unprecedented," he said. "I'm not against this, but we don't know when it will end." FWP will continue to monitor the river and will lift the closure when stream conditions such as flow and temperature improve and fish mortality ceases. Bailey noted that stream flows won't increase until next spring. In addition to the closure on the Yellowstone, FWP is asking for the publics assistance in preventing the spread of the parasite by properly cleaning boats, waders and trailers before moving between bodies of water. FWP has set up two Aquatic Invasive Species decontamination stations along Interstate 90 near the affected area in an effort to help reduce the chance of this parasite moving to other rivers. Reporter Matthew Brown of the Associated Press contributed to this report. Bengali Cooking Class to benefit The Haven is held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at The Haven at 112 W. Market St. $20. Register in advance at thehaven.org/cook_with us. (434) 227-0209. EcoVillage offers the Canning Tomatoes skillshare workshop from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 480 E. Rio Road. ecovillagecharlottesville.org (434) 987-1026. Geriatric Collaborative of Central Virginia is accepting registration for the Elder Care Conference for healthcare workers and family caregivers, which is set for Sept. 8 and 9 at Westminster-Canturbury of the Blue Ridge at 1550 Pantops Mountain Place. Details and advance registration are available at corporation.tjpdc.org/gccv/elder-care-conference. (434) 979-7310. International Rescue Committee holds an citizenship information session for immigrants interested in applying for U.S. citizenship at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Northside Library at 685 W. Rio Road. (434) 979-7772. Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center offers The Seed Exchange: Learning from Native American Seeds from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 27. $7 museum admission. 1445 Darden Towe Park. (434) 996-7282. Louisa County Library holds Whats in Your Attic? with the staff at Quinns Auction Galleries at noon Monday at 881 Davis Highway in Mineral. Event offers tips and tricks to help with downsizing and will provide information about one treasured for each participant, (540) 894-5853. Virginia Cooperative Extension offers Making and Feeding Quality Horse Hay is held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Stony Point Ruritan Club at 2835 Watts Passage. $5 includes dinner. Details and registration are available at vaforages.org. (434) 872-4580. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple issued an emergency declaration for southwest and south central North Dakota in response to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline near Cannon Ball. The declaration starts a process by which state agencies can get additional funding, said Greg Wilz, director of the Homeland Security Division of the state Department of Emergency Services. Dalrymple said in the declaration that the state is committed to protecting the right to lawful protests, but recent events have created a "significant public safety concern." The protests have grown substantially over the past week as about 1,500 people have gathered to demonstrate against the pipeline being drilled under the Missouri River. Large campsites have been established for the protesters. Twenty-nine people have been arrested during the demonstrations. The Morton County Sheriff's Department has been the central law enforcement agency involved in monitoring the protests, but several state agencies have gotten involved. North Dakota Highway Patrol has sent officers to the protest site, Wilz said. The health department has provided portable water trailers and a medical trailer at the protest camp. The transportation department has assisted with the road detour on Highway 1806 and put up barriers and signage. Wilz said he will be looking at funding requests from the agencies, make an estimate and ask the emergency commission for an appropriation. The commission can authorize emergency services to get a loan from the Bank of North Dakota. He estimated the additional resources could cost from $750,000 to $1 million, if the protests continue for the next few weeks. The declaration also means an emergency operations center will be set up in the emergency services building, so that the agencies can coordinate their resources, Wilz said. The money does not funnel directly into the local agencies, such as the Morton County Sheriff's Department. Rather, it reimburses the state agencies that provide personnel and material resources to local authorities. Morton County declared its own state of emergency on Monday, for the purpose of tapping into its emergency fund and creating public awareness, said Cody Schulz, chairman of the county commission. Schulz said the biggest expense for the county has been law enforcement, including overtime for the sheriff's deputies and assistance from other agencies, including the Mandan Police and the Cass and Mercer County Sheriffs. The governor's emergency order does not include activation of the National Guard. The city of Charlottesville has filed to dismiss a federal freedom of speech lawsuit thats challenging City Council meeting rules that officials adopted earlier this year in an attempt to prevent disruptive behavior and improve time management during its meetings. After being removed by authorities at a June 20 council meeting, Albemarle County resident Joe Draego sued the city last month alleging that his First Amendment rights were violated. Officials voted to remove him from the meeting after he referred to Muslims as monstrous maniacs, a characterization that councilors believed was a defamatory attack. Draego has appeared at a few recent council meetings to warn the city about the geopolitical refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe, maintaining that Americans should be guarded against Islamist radicals and other Muslims who might create chaos within the United States. Draegos attorney, Jeff Fogel, has argued that the council rule that prohibits defamatory attacks on individuals or groups is unconstitutional because it is not content neutral. Additionally, Fogel says, the federal definition of defamation does not encompass attacks on groups. According to the citys filing, however, the rule is content neutral and the council has the right to limit perceived defamatory attacks because its meant to serve the legitimate public interest in a limited form of decorum and order The filing goes on to say that Draegos comments were deemed defamatory because of the manner of delivery, vile and vulgar personal attacks on all persons of Muslim faith The council meeting procedures prohibit, among other things, profanity and vulgar language or gestures, as well as intimidating or disruptive behavior. According to the motion to dismiss, the council voted to remove Draego after he repeatedly used verbally abusive and disruptive behavior, including vulgar language in his earlier appearance before City Council that evening Because Draego intended to be disruptive and went as far as broadly accusing Muslims of being inspired to commit horrible crimes as part of their religious faith, the motion says, the councils decision to remove him was a reasonable exercise of judgment. Both Draego and Fogel have said those specific comments were overstated, and that Draego meant to characterize only a narrow group within the Muslim faith. The citys motion also claims the lawsuit is invalid because it was filed against the city, rather than the City Council. The Virginia Supreme Court has made it abundantly clear that the city of Charlottesville and the City Council of Charlottesville are not interchangeable entities, the filing says. In a news release addressing the motion to dismiss the case, Fogel alleged the city is seeking to avoid consideration of the merits of Mr. Draegos complaint. Fogel argued that Draego engaged in no behavior, but rather pure speech that is protected by the First Amendment. Fogel added there was no disruption or delay of the meeting due to that speech. At the same time as the city seeks dismissal, it acknowledges that even under its theory of the case, the government still must not discriminate against speech on the basis of viewpoint. Fogel said. That is precisely what happened here; Mr. Draego was ordered to stop speaking, not because he disrupted the meeting, but because the council did not like his point of view. According to the release, Draegos legal team soon will be filing a formal response to the citys motion. The team also will seek an application for a preliminary injunction against the citys meeting rules on group defamation. Bethany Seventh Day Adventist Church continues an evangelistic series, including refreshments, music, games and a Christ-centered message, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. nightly through Aug. 27. 401 Harris Road. (301) 538-5990. Effort Baptist Church (Palmyra) hosts a sale of gently used items, benefiting Fluvanna Meals on Wheels, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 27. Donations are accepted through Thursday at the church. 7820 Thomas Jefferson Parkway. mealsonwheelsfluvanna.org. (434) 589-1685. Faith Baptist Church holds its annual Jubilee with services at 10 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 808 Rives St. (434) 975-2228. Hops & Hymns (Scottsville) will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday. James River Brewery, 561 Valley St. (434) 286-7837. Laurel Hill Baptist Church offers drive-thru prayer from 7 to 8:30 a.m. each Thursday through Sept. 1. Airport Road. (434) 973-6125. Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Advance Mills) celebrates Homecoming with Pastor Steven Miller preaching at 11 a.m. and the Rev. Harrison Williams preaching at 3 p.m. Sunday. Revival services are held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to Friday with the Rev. Rickey White preaching Wednesday, the Rev. John Reid preaching Thursday and the Rev. Walter Bryant preaching Friday. 6045 Advance Mills Road. (434) 293-9887. Operation Esther Circle holds weekly meetings to pray and plan for new students coming to the University of Virginia and other colleges, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Thursday in August. 3045 Ivy Road. (434) 227-0811. Overseas Students Mission holds an information session on hosting an international college student, 7 p.m. Thursday. 3045 Ivy Road. (434) 227-0811. Rock Spring United Methodist Church (Faber) celebrates Homecoming with the Rev. Tommy Thompson preaching at 11 a.m. Sunday. A potluck luncheon will follow the service at the Nelson County Rescue Squad building. 1655 Rock Spring Road. (434) 263-4603. St. James Baptist Church (Roseland) celebrates Homecoming with the Rev. Michael Page and the Antioch Baptist Church Gospel Chorus at 11 a.m. and the Rev. Michael Scott preaching at 3 p.m. Sunday. Revival services with the Rev. George Gohanna will be held at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. 2099 Buffalo Mines Road. (434) 277-8928. Union Baptist Church (Trevilians) hosts Minister Walter Barrett preaching at 11 a.m. and Minister Jonathan Pemberton preaching at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Revival services are held with Pastor Harold Arrington preaching at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Minister Ryan Holcomb preaching at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Pastor Joseph Moore preaching at 7:30 p.m. Friday. 1546 Vawter Corner Road. (540) 967-1996. A six-year research study on cattle grazing on the Standing Rock Reservation could come to an end in November without a new funding source. Researchers say they felt like they were finally able to make some determinations on how prairie dogs and grass-fed beef could live in harmony on rangeland when the grant money for the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded study was not renewed, said Chris Schauer, director and animal scientist at the North Dakota State University Hettinger Research Extension Center. We finally feel like we have something to talk about, Schauer said. The study was done in partnership between North and South Dakotas land grant universities, Sitting Bull College and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Without a funding solution, the data set built by researchers would end at the six-year mark. Fencing and other infrastructure paid for by the original $1 million investment would go unused as the NDSU-owned cattle are returned to Hettinger essentially bringing any progress made to a close. To date, the scientists have been able to quantify forage left for cows to graze relative to prairie dog density, Schauer said. They learned while quantity goes down, grass nutritional quality goes up with a greater number of young shoots, making for good pasture to graze yearlings on. The research could help find that balanced cow-to-prairie dog ratio. They have also studied prairie dog movements and the possible effects eradication could have on other wildlife. But they would like to do more, such as studying restoration of grasslands with suitable forage and nutritional supplementation of cattle herds when prairie dogs are present. In addition to continuing their biological research, Schauer said they would like to move into phase two of feasibility and implementation. The goal was to create a beef herd and processing facilities managed by the Standing Rock Sioux, so that in 15 years or so, the tribe could have a product born, raised, harvested and eaten by its members. The researchers also wanted to hand off management of the site entirely to Sitting Bull College as its tribally run research site. This whole thing is tremendous boon for us, said Jim Garrett, professor of range science at Sitting Bull College. In addition to the possibility of grass-fed beef for the tribe, Sitting Bull students were able to learn from the NDSU, SDSU and USDA scientists, Schauer said. With interest from the site, they also created and graduated two students from a masters degree program in environmental science. Were going to do everything we can to make sure it continues, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., said of the study during a tour of the USDA-ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory and Area 4 Soil Conservation District Cooperative Research Farm in Mandan. She said she plans to link the program's long-term value to the potential worth of long-term research on the Standing Rock Reservation. Matt Sanderson, the lab's research leader, said his organization relies heavily on its partnership with NDSU Extension at the Hettinger Research Farm, and two USDA-ARS scientists have been providing vegetation and soil health research expertise to the project. Soil (research) takes a longer time, said Sanderson, adding that the funding provided to the Hettinger farm and the lab are not enough to keep the $800,000-per-year Standing Rock grazing project going. GRAND FORKS -- The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences has seen substantial increases in research funding in recent years, and its dean hopes that success continues through the end of the decade. Speaking to the North Dakota Legislatures Interim Higher Education Committee, Joshua Wynne, dean of the medical school and vice president for health affairs, said the school has seen a 50 percent increase in sponsored research funding since 2009. By 2020, Wynne said he wants UND to rank first nationally in sponsored funding of all public community-based medical schools. Currently, it ranks in the 22nd percentile. Were probably slightly behind where Id like to see us. But if we continue this trend, I think that there it is a reasonable assumption that were going to get to our goal of being No. 1 in sponsored funding, Wynne said. But thats simply a metric of what were really looking at; and what were really looking at is what is the impact of the research and how does that impact your fellow citizens throughout the state. Wynne and others at UND spoke to the committee Thursday at the $124 million UND medical school building, which opened earlier this month and was paid for by the state. The amount of research funding a medical school receives is one metric to measure its success, Wynne said, since most research awards are competitive among schools. Over the past two decades, the medical school has seen a large increase, from raising about $5 million a year in the late 1990s to $27 million during this past fiscal year. Part of that increase has been from the federal government more than doubling the amount of grant money it gives out, Wynne said; but in recent years those awards have remained stagnant as UNDs research dollars continued to grow. That research money can have a great impact on the state and its citizens, with some of it being used to fund projects on lymphocytic leukemia caused by radon, ovarian cancer in women and how best to treat people with eating disorders. The positive trend continued at the university level, with UND seeing an overall increase in research awards. Among the sectors receiving the most research money were the Energy and Environmental Research Center, the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences and the School of Medicine. UND gets a large majority of its research awards from federal grants, with the medical school itself receiving 81 percent of its research dollars from the federal government. Overall, UND research awards have fallen steadily over the past five years, though 2015 was the first year the university posted an increase since 2010. That trend has also been the case at North Dakota State University, whose research dollars have fallen since a peak in 2011, but rebounded in 2014 and 2015. The American Enterprise Institute and the Los Angeles Times have joined together to release a new survey of attitudes toward the poor, poverty, and welfare in the United States. Here are seven figures from the report you should know about: 1. The poor are more than twice as likely as those not in poverty (24 percent to 10 percent) to say the church has the greatest responsibility for helping the poor. The poor are also slightly less likely (31 percent to 35 percent) to say the government has the greatest responsibility. 2. More people in poverty (40 percent) than those who are not (32 percent) say that government efforts to reduce poverty have made things worse. 3. A majority of people think poor people are hardworking, though the percentage of those in poverty who believe this (72 percent) is higher than those who are not in poverty (63 percent). 4. Of those in poverty, the same percentage (41 percent) think that welfare benefits give poor people a chance to stand on their feet and start again as think that is encourages people to stay poor. Of those not in poverty, 31 percent think it helps them get started again and 61 percent say such benefits encourage people to stay poor. 5. About the same percentage of the poor say that unmarried adults almost always (24 percent) choose not to get married to avoid losing welfare benefits as say that it almost never happens (28 percent). 6. Only one quarter of Americans (25 percent of the poor, 22 percent of the non-poor) say that even if the government were willing to spend whatever is necessary to eliminate poverty in the U.S. the government does not know enough to accomplish the task. 7. Almost all those not in poverty (91 percent) and an overwhelming number of the poor (81 percent) support requiring poor people to seek work or participate in a training program in return for benefits. Welch Hornsby Investment Advisors was recently named as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Alabama. Welch Hornsby--headquartered in Montgomery with offices in Birmingham and Charlotte, North Carolina--was awarded top honors among small to medium firms. This seventh-annual survey and awards program, created by Business Alabama and Best Companies Group, identifies, recognizes, and honors the best employers in Alabama. The list is made up of 16 companies. Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process, evaluating and reviewing aspects of company culture, such as opportunities for growth and advancement, community involvement and engagement, and employee appreciation, among others. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined survey results determined the top companies and the final rankings. Edward Welch, Jr. and John Hornsby along with the late Ed Welch, Sr. founded the investment advisory firm with the belief that a client's interest should never be compromised. Nearly three decades later, this company-wide covenant holds true still, and along with the dedication to the client, Welch Hornsby holds commitment to employees in the highest regard. In referring to that standard that earned Welch Hornsby the top rank, President & CEO, Edward Welch, Jr., says, "We have truly dedicated people who embody our mission of uncompromising commitment to build and preserve the wealth of our clients, to enrich their lives, the lives of our employees, and the world in which we live." Welch continues, "While there is much room for improvement, we believe it is imperative to create an environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Our new wellness program is an example and we really have had fun with our internal competitions. We try to support our people with tuition and professional development opportunities. A lot of time together through corporate lunches and gatherings seems to nurture an environment of creativity and collaboration all of which ultimately supports our mission." Welch Hornsby is a registered investment advisory firm with the mission to build and preserve the wealth of individuals and families, endowments and foundations, and participant-directed retirement plans for corporations and municipalities. Founded in 1988, the firm is headquartered in Montgomery with offices in Birmingham, Alabama, and Charlotte, North Carolina. While Welch Hornsby is proud to have been recognized is this manner, it is not a representation of clients' satisfaction with Welch Hornsby or its services. For additional information concerning the award selection process, including any fees paid by Welch Hornsby to participate, can be found here: http://www.bestcompaniesal.com/UserFiles/File/AL-handout-2016(3).pdf. $40 (plus ticket fees) Downtown Middletown Inc. will be hosting our 2nd Annual Craft Beer Walk Saturday, August 5th from 12-6 p.m. Must be 21+ to attend. Get your tickets NOW. We sold out in 2016! WHEN TO ARRIVE: The Craft Beer Walk runs from 12-6 p.m. Saturday, August 5th, 2016. Check in to get your tasting guide & glass anytime between 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at The Windamere, located at 2 S Main Street in downtown Middletown. In fact, if you want to avoid the line, plan to arrive a little later in the afternoon. CHECK IN: Everyone must come to The Windamere to begin the Craft Beer Walk, it is where you will get your tasting glass, tasting map & goodie bag. You will also be ID'd, so make sure you bring a valid form of ID with you, this event is for those 21+ only. Please bring your Eventbrite ticket confirmation with you. WHERE ARE THE STOPS: TOP SECRET. No, really. We like it to be a surprise! The day of the event you will be given your tasting guides that tell you where the locations are for the beer & bites. What we can say-there are 20+ stops this year! GROUPS: A reminder if you are planning to do the Craft Beer Walk in a group, make sure you all arrive together so that you can get the same guide. We have multiple versions of the tasting guides so that we can avoid congestion in our small downtown businesses. WHAT TO WEAR: Walking is involved, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes! The event is rain or shine so make sure to check the weather. PURCHASE CONCIERGE: Shop till you drop, and we will handle the bags! If you make a purchase at one of our participating locations and you do not want to carry it around with you, simply ask for a baggage check tag at checkout. Every hour during the event we will swing by all locations to grab checked items and will store them safely at The Windamere until the end of the event. Make sure to include your name and cell phone number on every tag. Please note, we are not responsible for lost or stolen items. The government is facilitating equity capital for investors under various mechanism. New Delhi: The government is almost ready with policies to promote electric two-wheelers, Union Minister Jayant Sinha said today. The government is facilitating equity capital for investors under various mechanism including India Aspiration Fund, he said, while calling upon the big industries to invest in the electric two-wheelers sector. "Electric vehicles are very strategic for us as an economy. We are working at policy level to make this electric two-wheelers work," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said at the 15th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture organised by leading energy think-tank Teri. "Policies are already in place both in transport and power ministries. What is required is innovative models and financing..." he noted. Stating that electric two-wheelers are going to be game changer, Sinha said, "It is a massively important sector. India today is the world's largest market for two-wheelers. But they are petrol driven. We need to really make a transition to electric two wheelers." From policy perspective, government is really driving towards making electric vehicles more economical, practical and feasible for Indian conditions, he said. He, however, said batteries for electric two-wheelers is big problem area. "How do we recharge these vehicles? How do we get right batteries. Tremendous research is required in this area," the minister said. He also emphasised on using rooftop solar energy for recharging electric two-wheelers and called for more innovation from scientific community. On financing of such projects, Sinha said equity risk capital and not bank loans are very crucial for the sector. "Do we have sources of equity risk capital in this country and investors who are willing to put billions of dollars on new technology? I think we have big financing gap in equity risk capital," he said. Much of India's industry especially pharma, telecom, IT and e-commerce are funded by venture capitalists and private equity, and 90 per cent of which has come offshore and not from domestic sources, he said. It is due to this reason that the government is creating institutions like India Aspiration Fund to provide sources for equity funding, he added. Fortis Malar would issue and allot to the equity shareholders of Fortis Healthcare, as on record date, 0.98 fully paid up equity shares of Rs 10 each for every 1 equity share of Rs 10 each held by them in Fortis Healthcare. New Delhi: Fortis Healthcare today said its board has approved demerger of its diagnostics business into another group firm Fortis Malar Hospitals, a move aimed at ensuring independent growth of hospital as well as diagnostics business verticals. Company's board approved a proposal to demerge its diagnostics business, including that housed in its subsidiary SRL Ltd into another majority-owned subsidiary, Fortis Malar Hospitals pursuant to a composite scheme of arrangement and amalgamation, Fortis Healthcare said in a regulatory filing. As part of the process, Fortis Malar will sell its hospital business to Fortis Healthcare by way of a slump sale for a lump sum cash consideration of Rs 43 crore. "Upon the composite scheme becoming effective, and subject to receipt of requisite regulatory and statutory approvals, the diagnostics business of Fortis Healthcare, including that housed in SRL would be vested in Fortis Malar," it said. The name of Fortis Malar will subsequently be changed to SRL, the company which is proposed to be listed on the National Stock Exchange in addition to its current listing on the BSE, it added. Fortis Malar operates a hospital in Chennai. "We believe this will unlock immense value for all the shareholders. As a result of the new synergistic groupings, both the hospital and diagnostic businesses will benefit from greater clarity, a stronger focus and an independent growth trajectory," Fortis Healthcare Executive Chairman Malvinder Singh said. Equally, this will enable the accelerated pursuit of their respective business goals while empowering them to reach their fullest potential, he added. Upon the effectiveness of the composite scheme, Fortis Malar would issue and allot to the equity shareholders of Fortis Healthcare, as on record date, 0.98 fully paid up equity shares of Rs 10 each for every 1 equity share of Rs 10 each held by them in Fortis Healthcare. The equity shareholders of SRL will be issued and allotted 10.8 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Fortis Malar for every 1 equity share of Rs 10 each held by them in SRL as on record date. Appointed date for the slump sale, demerger and merger under the composite scheme is January 1, 2017. "Our hospitals and diagnostics businesses continue to perform equally well. However, in the longer term, they have a growth path of their own requiring distinctive strategies," Fortis Healthcare CEO Bhavdeep Singh said. The new arrangement resulting from the demerger will harness these unique capabilities and strengths, unlocking value by combining the flexibility with a focus on rapidly scaling up operations, he added. Fortis Healthcare shares today ended at Rs 187.80 apiece on the BSE, down 3.27 per cent from previous close. The overall deployment of equity funds in bank stocks stood at Rs 82,042 crore at the end of July compared with Rs 93,885 crore in June-end. New Delhi: Mutual funds' allocation for bank stocks slumped to Rs 82,000 crore at the end of July, after touching a record high in the preceding month. Prior to that, fund managers have been raising their allocation to banking shares since February. Although, they had trimmed exposure to the sector between November and January due to higher bad loans. Experts have attributed the trim in allocation to banking stocks to mounting bad loans of public sector banks. However, due to sheer size of financial sector in India, MF exposure to this sector is still the highest as compared to others such as auto and software and also because in the long run, finance/banking is a major part of the growth story which is India, they added. In percentage terms, exposure to banking stocks fallen to 19.86 per cent of equity AUM in last month as against 20.4 per cent in June. The overall deployment of equity funds in bank stocks stood at Rs 82,042 crore at the end of July compared with Rs 93,885 crore in June-end, as per data available from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The industry's exposure to banking sector was at Rs 78,644 crore, Rs 71,864 crore, Rs 82,196 crore, Rs 85,330 crore and Rs 90,014 crore in January, February, March, April and May, respectively. Banking continues to be the most preferred sector with fund managers as they cannot take a bearish call, given the high weightage attached to the index. Pharmaceutical comes in next. Equity fund managers' deployment in pharma stocks stood at (Rs 33,599 crore) followed by finance stocks (Rs 32,834 crore) and software stocks (Rs 32,273 crore). Mutual funds are investment vehicles made up of a pool of funds collected from a number of investors. They invest in stocks, bonds, money market instruments and similar assets. Deepika Padukone with Vin Diesel in 'XXX: The Return of Xander Cage' Mumbai: Deepika Padukone has finished her shoot for her upcoming Hollywood film xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, but her fresh pictures from the film are still regularly coming up as a treat for her fans. While her earlier pictures with Vin Diesel had gone viral, the recent one that Diesel has put up as his Facebook cover photo is even better. Not just Diesel, Deepikas picture with Hong Kong-China star Donnie Yen was also shared by the director of the film D J Caruso, fresh from the editing room. Another one sees a smiling Deepika relaxing on the sets, with the all technicians working to ensure the perfect shot. Deepika has largely been seen in black outfits in the film. Whats the obsession with black, Deepika? Mumbai: The rumour mills suggest that Anushka Sharma is playing a Gujarati girl in Imtiaz Alis next film tentatively titled 'The Ring', also starring Shah Rukh Khan and that the first location for the film to be shot in, would be Prague. Seems that the location part is at least correct, as Anushka has shared a video from Prague. The video sees Anushka doing a 360-degree turn in the streets of Prague on a sunny morning. Hello from Prague .... ... #nofilter A video posted by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) on Aug 18, 2016 at 9:21am PDT She also shared a selfie few hours before it, with the same caption as the one on her T-shirt, 'girls bite back'. Girls bite back ! A photo posted by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) on Aug 18, 2016 at 7:14am PDT As she was in Prague, she definitely missed her brother Karnesh on Raksha Bandhan as was evident in their lovable picture she shared. "To my best friend and the best brother a sister can dream of. From fighting over the TV remote to starting a film company together . We did it all with passion & saath saath @kans26," Anushka wrote. To my best friend and the best brother a sister can dream of. From fighting over the TV remote to starting a film company together . We did it all with passion & saath saath @kans26 A photo posted by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) on Aug 18, 2016 at 4:04am PDT Incidentally, Imtiazs Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Rockstar was also shot in Prague. Shah Rukh, though, is holidaying with his family in the United States currently. The film is set to reunite the Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. As far as Anushka playing a Gujarati chokri in the film, we hope she clears the mystery in a similar way. Reportedly, Shah Rukh Khan plays the role of a tourist guy in the film who takes a group on an European tour. The film will be shot in different locations in Europe. Mumbai: Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khans week-long ordeal, which began with the British government denying him a visa for a concert in September, has ended. Khan Sahib, as he is reverentially and affectionately referred to the world over, has finally been granted the elusive visa. Speaking with much relief and some (misplaced) gratitude, Khan Sahib said, Yes, the visa for my UK concert has been granted to me, finally. I am grateful to Mr Keith Vaz and Shrimati Sushma Sawaraj for their initiative. Khan Sahib says he was summoned to the UK visa office on Friday afternoon. I was called to be at the visa office for the third time .Ive now been granted a visa for the UK from 19 August to 19 September. Though I had asked for a visa till November I am just relieved the ordeal is over.I am so glad to gave got my passport back. Now I can again travel the world with my Sarod. My concert at the Royal Festival Hall South Bank on 18 September is now on. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will leave on Saturday for a tenure of residency at the Indiana University Bloomington. During the tenure he will take a break to perform in France and the UK. Varun Dhawan was last seen in the superhit 'Dishoom'. Mumbai: Varun Dhawan is on a roll of late. He's been belting out one hit after another. He has been impressing the critics and the masses alike and has promising projects lined up. In short, he has everything going for him. The actor who was last seen in brother Rohit Dhawan's 'Dishoom', has been touring with Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra, Karan Johar, Parineeti Chopra and others in the U.S. on the 'Dream Team' tour. The actor, who has an image of being a people's man, interacted with his fans in Chicago, after the Team's tour there. The actor also spent some quality time with a specially abled fan of his. More power to this young actor, who sets aside all potential starry airs in a time when other Bollywood stars find it difficult to part with their arrogance. Mumbai: Ranveer Singh had been painting the Swiss towns red with his inimitable swagger and he ensured we all ensured we saw him do it, courtesy his pictures and videos. Not like we complained. And now, 'Ranveer Ching' has returned and is on his way to breaking the internet. 'Ranveer Ching', the character created by popular Chinese food brand Ching's Secret, has returned in a five-minute-long advertisement, camouflaged as a typical Bollywood potboiler, directed by the crowned king of all things 'Masala', Rohit Shetty. The ad, also starring actress Tamannaah Bhatia, has Ranveer in all his elements, doing what he does best - entertain us. The ad has managed to pack in a lot of goodies for fans, with Ranveer dancing, beating villains to pulp, typical Rohit Shetty style, and wooing the lady like only he can. With Ranveer being the toast of the town, currently, the video is bound to take everyone's fancy. A Ranveer-Rohit feature film collaboration on the cards? We sure do hope so! Ranveer will next be seen in Aditya Chopra's 'Befikre'. Watch the video here: Rating: Director: Mudassar Aziz Cast: Abhay Deol, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal, Jimmy Sheirgill If you have been waiting for a family entertainer, 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' is the answer to your prayers. Director Mudassar Aziz, who last directed 'Dulha Mil Gaya' in 2010 brings a laughter riot which has all the possible ingredients to lighten up your mood. Daman Singh Bagga (Jimmy Sheirgill), an aspiring MLA of Amritsar is extremely fond of Happy (Diana Penty) and will soon tie the knot with her. But things are not that simple as Happy is in love with her college crush Guddu (Ali Fazal). Happys family is against their marriage and hence she decides to run away with Guddu and live happily ever after but unfortunately things dont fall in place, or should I say, Happy doesnt fall in the right place. After landing in the wrong truck, Happy reaches Pakistan at the residence of Bilal (Abhay Deol), the son of ex-governor of Lahore, who is to marry Zoya (Momal Sheikh), a daughter of a reputed businessman. Bilal decides to help Happy find her way back home. However, she is in no mood to return back to India. What happens next forms the cruz of the story, and a delightful one at that. 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' is by far the best film of director Mudassar Aziz. The film is a brave attempt from his quill. He has handled a complex issue with so much conviction, considering its cross border run-com theme. However, its never too late to say that, Mudassar has arrived now with a bang. It is worth the wait after six long years. Aanand L Rai and Krishika Lulla have produced an entertaining film for the family audiences especially who crave to see such films in todays time. Undoubtedly the actors are the strongest pillars of the film. To begin with, Abhay Deol just steals the show. No one else could have played this role with such ease as him. No doubt, he is a very picky actor but his film choices are strikingly correct. His soft corner for Happy despite being engaged to Zoya is emotional to see. Ali Fazal is funny and spontaneous as an idle college dropout. Diana Penty will surely surprise you as a brave Punjabi girl. Diana, who had debuted with 'Cocktail', steals the spotlight in every frame. Jimmy Sheirgill once again loses his bride, and makers have encashed this trick very well. One cant help but feel pity for his character while stepping out of the theatre. Momal Sheikh has few scenes in the film but she is watchable as a possessive classy fiancee. Every film has its own flaws and 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' is no less. Piyush Mishra, who plays the role of a Pakistani cop, is funny but he tries hard to throw punches in his Urdu accent. This is a known fact that he is a fine actor but he could have done a better job. Probably it was a demand of the script or perhaps someone else could have done this role. Another loophole in the film is the way all the characters get to travel without any glitches across borders except Diana of course. Abhay may belong to a politicians family but the rest of the Indian characters were travelling to Pakistan as if they are Salman Khan of 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'. Overall, 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' is perfect for a weekend outing with your entire family. Rating: Cast: Aadi, Namita Pramod, Sai Kumar, John Kokken, Prudhvi, Posani, Annapurna and others Director: Veerabhadram Director Veerabhadram, who had delivered two successive hits with his first two films Poolarangadu and Aha Na Pellanta followed by the flop Bhai with Nagarjuna, has returned with Chuttalabbayi with Aadi and Namita Pramod. Babjee (Aadi) is a recovery agent for a private bank in Hyderabad. He meets Kavya (Namita), a police officers sister, at his friends sister marriage. They later meet unexpectedly a few times and Kavyas brother mistakenly thinks that the two are in love. Her brother, who thinks that the two are eloping, asks cops to apprehend them. Meanwhile Kavya and Babjee catch a train and reaches Babjees village. The story starts from this point. Veerabhadram, it seems, has not learnt from his mistakes in Bhai. His forte is comedy and he concentrates on those scenes and forgets about the story. Chuttalabbayi is thus an ordinary, predictable film. The story is also similar to the Hindi blockbuster Chennai Express. The action scenes are good though one of them seems to have been copied from Brundavanam. The film also has many illogical scenes with a mediocre story and screenplay. Overall, Chuttalabbayi has nothing to offer and Aadi has to wait for some more time to get a good hit. The very same conclusion applies to director Veerabhadram. Cast: Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Bradley Cooper, Ana de Armas Director: Todd Phillips Early on in the film, when an out-of-work David confides in Efraim his anxiety, the latter suggests he join his business a proposition that results in an ethical conundrum. David responds, But I am entirely anti-war: Iz and me, we visit rallies and protests and stuff. Efraim dismisses his concern he says, What I do is not pro-war, it is pro-money. This laterally arranged logic suffices for David to assume the status of Efraims collaborator and to initiate the proceedings of the films narrative. Soon both self-identify as war dogs (bottom feeders who make money of war basically, suppliers of arms), register a company, begin picking up contracts and assume, in general, the respectability of a mid-level, cologne-heavy, warm-towel business in mainstream America. The amounts they deal in (millions, and soon, hundreds of millions) assuage Davids bleeding heart soon enough thereby revealing a hypocrisy even more starker than Efraims. His activist-partner wife displays an easy malleability of principles: she protests at first, but soon joins him in their glass-coated condominium, no questions asked. The film underlines, therefore, the simple, elegant logic that sustains much of America (a chapter-heading reads, God Bless Dick Cheneys America): if it results in profit, it is good. At an orientation for acolyte-sharks, a new entrant into the company asks, What do the A, E and Y in AEY Inc. stand for? and in perhaps the most telling statement in the movie, Efraim responds, It does not stand for anything. It does not have to an organisational credo is no longer a necessity; money is its own end. Or a variation at the ending, when the dream run of the two entrepreneurs has been brought to a grinding halt by a larger villain, who opens a suitcase full of money in front of David and says, (ask) no more questions. Efraim and David are not too different, in fact, from the venerated founders of Facebook, as depicted in The Social Network similar ideological conflicts abound: one is brutal in his pursuit of fulfillment of his companys potential, and the other is cautious, even conservative. The grand irony of the whole affair in War Dogs in fact is, that the two despite their meteoric success are terrible businessmen: they end up at a national convention and are suddenly revealed to be, as the voiceover declares, way out of their league, and the bid they make for the work-order that will result in their downfall is $53 million lesser than the next-lowest. But within the film, theres an implicit commentary on the new pursuers of the American dream ordinary men in their 20s, usually tribal, irreverent, very enterprising who end up forming the companies of the future, but may very well be sociopaths driven by an acute hedonism, a narrow view of life and of the world-at-large. Here, Phillips smartly engages his well-honed capabilities of depicting how men in groups and their self-destructive tendencies. He applies it to the larger template of ammunition trade. While these men may have all the fun they wish to, there will always exist an agency more supreme than them that will control them. In this case it is Henry Picard. War Dogs also inherits a discussion of the middle-class corrective attitudes from Phillips earlier, blockbuster series: there, Alan is subject frequently to his friends concern and intervention and here, Efraim is the subject of dinner-conversations and gossip. Efraim is the true character in the film whose fraud and performance is consistent. Phillips film features a genuine interest in systems its depiction of weapon trade across the world is full of insight and detail while effecting a style that is Scorsese-lite. Freeze frames, shifty narrators, a conscious retrospective of ballads from the 50s and 60s, swift track-ins pepper the film. Perhaps its most impressive accomplishment is its recognition of modern life as an experience derived essentially from quotations and phrases. The characters cite Scarface frequently but even more interestingly, each chapter in the film begins with a line of dialogue that will determine and set its tone. The writer is programmer, Lightcube Film Society Women across the world are increasingly joining the workforce in every sector, and the governments in several nations are introducing new measures to enable them to work comfortably and effectively. In one such step, authorities in the northern Chinese province of Ningxia have come up with a period leave policy, which will allow women to take two days off in a month in case of period pain. The new policies will also protect pregnant women and those who have given birth, and employers not complying with the guidelines will be punished. The policy is already in effect in Shanxi and Hubei. Apart from this, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia also provide menstrual leave, and Taiwan provides three days a year for cramps. In March, a UK based firm Coexist introduced a similar policy for its female workforce. Coexist said, This is not about employees taking more time off but working more flexibly and efficiently around their menstrual cycle and encouraging a work-life balance. Washington: Though polls shows that most Americans are embracing mixed-race relationships now-a-days, it is actually masked by with deeper feelings of discomfort, even disgust. A 2012 study by the Pew Research Center found that interracial marriages in the United States had doubled between 1980 and 2010 to about 15 percent, and just 11 percent of respondents disapproved of interracial marriage. New research from the University of Washington found that biasness against interracial couples is associated with disgust that in turn leads interracial couples to be dehumanised. Lead author Allison Skinner said that she undertook the study after noting a lack of in-depth research on bias toward interracial couples. I felt like the polls werent telling the whole story, said Skinner. The research involved three experiments. In the first, 152 college students were asked a series of questions about relationships, including how disgusted they felt about various configurations of interracial relationships and about their own willingness to have an interracial romance. The participants overall showed high levels of acceptance and low levels of disgust about interracial relationships, and pointed to a strong negative correlation between the two. In the second experiment, the researchers showed 19 undergraduate students wedding and engagement photos of 200 interracial and same-race couples while recording their neural activity. The researchers asked the students to quickly indicate whether each couple should be included in a future study on relationships, a task that was intended to ensure participants were socially evaluating the couples while their neural activity was recorded. Participants responded faster to images of same-race couples and selected them more often for inclusion in the study. More significantly, Skinner said, participants showed higher levels of activation in the insula, an area of the brain routinely implicated in the perception and experience of disgust, while viewing images of interracial couples. That indicates that viewing images of interracial couples evokes disgust at a neural level, Skinner said. As with all neuroscience studies, Skinner said, it is impossible to be certain whether the insula activation reflected a disgust response, since the insula is sometimes responsive to other emotions. But in combination with the other experiments, the authors believe it is evidence of a neural disgust response. Lastly, the researchers used an implicit association test, used to measure attitudes and beliefs people may be unwilling to acknowledge, gauging whether feeling disgusted would impact more than 200 participants feelings about interracial couples. One group was first shown a series of disgusting images while the other was shown pleasant images of cityscapes and nature. During the implicit association test, the two groups were tasked with categorizing photographs of same-race and interracial couples and silhouettes of humans and animals. They were first instructed to press one computer key if the image showed an animal silhouette or a mixed-race couple, and another key if it was a human silhouette or a same-race couple. Then the combinations were switched, participants were told to hit one key if the image was an animal silhouette or a same-race couple, and the other key if it was a human silhouette or mixed-race couple. Participants were quicker to associate interracial couples with non-human animals and same-race couples with humans. That suggests that interracial couples are more likely to be dehumanized than same-race couples, the researchers write, and previous studies have shown that people tend to exhibit more antisocial behavior and are more likely to use aggression and even violence toward dehumanized targets. Taken together, the experiments show that despite high levels of reported acceptance, bias against mixed-race couples persists in the United States, the researchers say. In 2013, they note, Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen caused a furor when he wrote that New York Mayor Bill de Blasios interracial marriage incited a gag reflex among some people, prompting the Post to write a follow-up story about the controversy. Such sentiments, Skinner said, contradicts the notion that most Americans are ready to embrace mixed-race romance. Some people are still not comfortable with interracial relationships, or at least theyre a lot less comfortable than they would appear to be. Acknowledging these biases is the first step to figuring out why people feel that way and determining what can be done so they wont, she said. The study has been published in Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. Uber has suspended the driver permanently and has reported him to the Mumbai Drivers Association. (Photo: PTI) Mumbai: App-based taxi service provider Uber suspended one of its Mumbai drivers after he was accused of molesting a woman passenger on Wednesday night. The accusation was made by Viola Wadia, from Pali Hill area of Mumbai. Wadia, in a Facebook post on Thursday, said her friend a foreign national was at her home when she booked a cab through Uber to travel to Seven Bungalows in Versova. She alleged that the driver first asked her friend to come sit in the passenger seat up front with him", but when she refused, he pulled over the car, saying the visibility through the back screen was not clear and he needs to clean it. He came to the back seat under the pretext of cleaning the window from inside and proceeded to put his hand on her thigh and tried to feel her up, she said in the post. The driver moved off the passenger when she shouted at him and went back to his seat, Wadia alleged, adding her friend managed to "jump off and get home safely. On Friday, she mentioned in a comment on her post that Uber suspended the driver permanently and reported him to the Mumbai Drivers Association. Uber also issued a statement stating that the driver has been suspended and all details related to the trip and the driver were shared with the relevant authorities for official investigation. Wadia shared a screenshot of the Uber app along with her post, revealing the name of the driver Shehbaaz. Last year, an Uber cab driver, identified as Shiv Kumar Yadav, was sentenced to life imprisonment till his natural death for raping a woman executive in his taxi in Delhi in December 2014. Bengaluru: Police on Friday resorted to 'mild' lathicharge to disperse ABVP activists staging a protest in front of the Amnesty International India office here demanding arrest of those who allegedly raised anti-India slogans at an Amnesty event. Several ABVP activists were injured, with a girl student fainting in the commotion before she was rushed to a hospital, police said, adding they detained many activists during the crackdown on the protest. One of the injured ABVP activists argues with the police officer. (Photo: PTI) Additional Commissioner of Police Bengaluru East P Harishekaran said police had to disperse protesters as they tried to burn an effigy in a residential area. "With two bottles of petrol they tried to burn an effigy in front of Amnesty International here. We had in prior warned them against any effigy burning as it is a residential area and from the security point of view," he said. The protesters alleged that the police under the DCP's leadership behaved in an "inhuman" way and more than 10 ABVP activists were injured in the lathicharge. Calling their protest "peaceful", ABVP National General Secretary Vinay Bidre said, "We demanded that police vacate Amnesty staff who were recording our protest from their office. We told police we won't cause any harm to them. We did not try to barge into their premises and tried to burn Amnesty's effigy, but police unnecessarily used force on us." Police baton charge ABVP activists who were trying to enter the Amnesty International India office during a protest against the NGO in Bengaluru. (Photo: PTI) He accused the Congress-led Karnataka government and police of protecting those involved in anti-national sloganeering. Stating that ABVP would continue its protest, Bidre claimed, "We will intensify our protest across the state after today's atrocity, we will show this government student power." As a precautionary step, police have asked Amnesty International India to keep its office in Bengaluru closed until the ABVP protest subsides, following which the organisation had asked its employees to work from other locations. An ABVP activist faints after police baton-charge them as they tried to enter the Amnesty International India office. (Photo: PTI) Amnesty International had on Saturday organised the event as part of a campaign to seek justice for "victims of human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir, which took an ugly turn with heated exchanges and alleged raising of pro-Kashmir 'Independence' and anti-Army slogans. ABVP activists had submitted a CD containing video-recording of the event after filing a complaint with police, who have registered an FIR against Amnesty International. IPC sections 142 (Being member of an unlawful assembly), 143 (whoever is a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) have been invoked against the organisation. Describing the lathi-charge on ABVP activists as "outrageous", state BJP President B S Yeddyurappa charged the government with using police as a tool to suppress "nationalist and patriotic voices". He demanded the immediate arrest of Amnesty International authorities as well as those who shouted the anti-national slogans, failing which, he said BJP would resort to state-wide agitation. He has also demanded the immediate release of all arrested ABVP workers. New Delhi: Bangladesh has sought from India details about Zakir Naik's operations even as it said several prominent ulemas wanted action against the Islamic televangelist much before deadly the Gulshan attack last month. Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who is here on a six-day visit, said his country has cracked down on Naik's Peace TV by banning its broadcast and indicated that it is waiting for India's action against the controversial preacher. Inu said his country doesn't have any evidence of links between home grown terrorists in Bangladesh with extremists outfits in India but at the same time slammed Pakistan for "harbouring terrorism". He said Bangladesh has witnessed over 43 attacks on thinkers, bloggers and people from Sufi faith and it has been found that in almost 90 per cent cases, the attackers had links with banned Jamaat-e-Islami which he alleged was a "corroborator" with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation war. "From Bangladesh's side Zakir Naik's case has been settled. We have stopped the broadcast of Peace TV. In last one year, ulemas came up with written complaints against Naik. We are examining it. We think his teachings, in certain cases are not in compliance with the Quran or Hadith. So, that is creating confusion. In certain cases it is instigating. So, we have taken our position. We have asked the Indian side to take their position and give us necessary information," Inu told reporters. In the backdrop of reports that ISIS was gaining ground in Bangladesh, he asserted that terror networks in his country is home grown. Bangladesh had banned Naik's Peace TV following the terror attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan Thana locality on July 1 in which 29 people were killed. About his meeting with Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Inu said both sides have agreed to broadcast their respective national TV channels in each other's country. The Minister said terrorism is Bangladesh is very different from terror networks in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East as his country has a "secular" approach, but insisted that the evil has its legacy in the 1971 liberation war. "There is no so-called radicalisation in my country. So, terrorism has a top-down approach in our country. It is not like Pakistan. In my country, a few people are involved in terrorist activities. "Having said that terrorism in Bangladesh has a legacy and that legacy is the 1971 liberation war. Here Jamaat-e-Islami, a party using Islam, was a corroborator with Pakistani aggressive force," he said adding terrorism in Bangladeshi has its roots in Jamat-i-Islami and Pakistan's ISI. Inu said the major focus of his meetings here was to combat terrorism and contain radicalism through proper dissemination of information. "For that we have agreed to cooperate in all the fields of information and mass media. That is the crux," he said. The minister said Bangladesh is still examining whether the Gulshan Thana attackers had any links with ISIS, al Qaeda or any terrorist organisation. "There is a fashion to use the names of ISIS and Taliban," he said, adding till now, government has not come across any links between Gulshan attackers and terror outfits like ISIS and al Qaeda. Inu said Bangladeshi government has been "very successful" in dismantling the armed network of Jamaat-e-Islami, its Chhatra Shibir (students wing), and various covert organisations. "It will be totally difficult to say that there will be no attacks. Even the western world cannot say that. But we think, in Bangladesh, terrorism is like a bubble," he said, adding "We think Pakistani is harbouring terrorism. Pakistani needs to explain her position on it." Inu said terrorism in Bangladesh has a legacy with pro-Pakistani Jamaat-e-Islami which take a position against the culture of the country, religions of other people. "This is a particular phenomenon which is not in the Middle East, Pakistani or Afghanistan. So, these terrorists are ruthless. They don't belong to Bangladesh," he added. Ghaziabad: A member of Union Minister Mahesh Sharma's security team allegedly assaulted guards of a housing society here for "delay" in opening the gate with the incident caught on CCTV cameras. The guards were assaulted last evening after he intercepted the minister's cavalcade and asked which flat they wanted to visit, some of residents of Aashiyana society said. When the guard stopped them, the occupants of the car got into an argument with him and used abusive language. They also slapped the guards. CCTV: Union Minister Mahesh Sharma's security personnel thrash housing society guards in Ghaziabad (18.8.16)https://t.co/7IL9iRXbia ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 19, 2016 Sharma was visiting his sister at the society for Raksha Bandhan celebrations when the incident took place. It was caught on CCTV cameras installed at the gate. Indirapuram Police Station SHO Gorkah Nath Yadav said no complaint has been received from the residents or office bearers of the society in this connection. Meanwhile, Sharma alleged that people were "trying to make a political" issue of it and "malign" his image even after he had apologised and suspended his staff. He claimed that the "scuffle" between the guards had broken out in his "absence" after he had gone inside. "...without knowing who was at fault, I unconditionally apologised to the guard, the RWA president and suspended my security personnel. I also permitted police to take action against him. What else can be done...There are other people who trying to make political issue out of it. People are trying to use this to malign my image," he said. Sharma is an MP from Gautam Buddh Nagar constituency in Uttar Pradesh which is slated for election early next year. New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Friday directed Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to "gracefully" vacate the government accommodation she has been residing in with her two sons. Payal, who has been residing at 7, Akbar Road bungalow since 1999, however, refused to move out and urged the court to pass an order. The court then said a detailed order will be passed with regard to the time within which she and her children will have to vacate the bungalow. "Will you gracefully evict or I should pass an order?" Justice Indermeet Kaur asked Payal's counsel, who categorically stated that the court should pass the order. The judge also orally observed that every person who retires from the office has to move out. The judge also noted that Delhi Police will provide security to Payal and her children, who are 'Z' and 'Z plus' security protectees, during their stay in the capital. On August 16, a trial court too, had asked Payal to move out of the house in Lutyen's zone here. The high court was hearing Payal's plea seeking that she and her children be not evicted from 7, Akbar Road (type VIII) bungalow here or an alternative accommodation be provided in view of their security status and threat to their lives. The Centre, however, opposed her contention to retain the accommodation on the ground of security threat and said it is for Delhi Police to ensure her safety for her stay here. The Centre, through its counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, appearing for Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), submitted that there is no substantial reduction in the security given to Payal since she started living in the present bungalow. "Delhi Police will take care of the security personnel who will be deployed at the residence where she will move," the MHA counsel said. The Centre told the court that government accommodation, on security grounds, is given only to SPG protectees. It said that a "general threat to them is perceived from Kashmiri militants for being the family member of Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, and in Delhi their threat quotient is assessed to be not as high as in Kashmir". The Centre also said there is "no input with it indicating any specific or imminent threat to Payal Abdullah". The high court had on July 12 given protection to them against eviction. The Jammu and Kashmir government opposed Payal's stay in the bungalow, saying it was faced with an extremely piquant situation as it does not have an appropriate accommodation to house the Chief Minister in Delhi befitting her position and security imperatives. Meanwhile, Payal has filed an application seeking perjury proceedings against a Central government official for filing a false affidavit before the court that she and her children are not central government protectees. In their plea, Payal and her children have claimed that the Centre, through a letter dated September 9, 2015, allotted the bungalow to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as the Chief Minister's residence with retrospective effect from August 11,2009, without following the due process of law which was thus illegal. They contended that the website of the Department of Hospitality and Protocol of Government of Jammu and Kashmir shows that the residence of Chief Minister of the state was 5, Prithviraj Road. Their petition filed through advocate Amit Khemka, claimed that they moved high court as Omar Abdullah in his response to the estate officer's show cause notice had said he was no longer in occupation of the premises and, hence the authority was free to take over the premises. The petitioners, including the couple's two children, have sought parity with Priyanka Gandhi, Subramanian Swamy and several others who have been granted government accommodation on security grounds. The petitioners have contended that the eviction order was passed without allowing them to lead evidence and without granting any personal hearing to them. As per the eviction order, the petitioners were given 15 days to vacate the premises. Payal, in her plea, said she has a flat in the city, but it would be "totally insufficient for making elaborate security arrangements for their protection" as there were other flats in the same building. Jaisalmer: A Pakistani national has been arrested near the Indo-Pak border in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on charges of being an ISI spy, with police claiming to have recovered classified information from him. The man, identified as 26-year-old Nand Lal Meghwal, is a resident of Sangad district in Pakistan and had come to India earlier this month on visa. "Following a tip off, a team of intelligence personnel caught him from a hotel in Jaisalmer. He had classified information stored in micro SD cards besides photographs of defence installations and vehicles, U R Sahoo, ADG Intelligence, said. Meghwal, who was arrested last night, was being taken to Jaipur for joint interrogation by intelligence agencies. "Primary investigation reveals that the accused remained in constant touch from Pakistan with anti-social elements and smugglers living in border areas of Rajasthan and also smuggled them various articles," Sahoo said. "In lieu of smuggling items on cheap rates, he used to collect information about defence and intelligence agencies and their activities and would pass it on to his handlers of ISI, the ADG said. The accused used WhastApp, Facebook and Skype for communicating with his sources in the border areas, he added. State Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria said the accused has come to India on visa several times. Additional SP CID (Intelligence) Rajiv Dutta said the accused had visa for Jodhpur only but he came to visit Jaislamer in violation of the visa norms. According to reports, this is the first time that Pakistan has sent a Hindu spy on visa and passport. Maharaj had been staying in Jaisalmer since the last six months. He operated a textile showroom in Pakistan and has sound financial background. New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu will hold wide-ranging talks on a range of bilateral and regional issues which may include deliberations on situation in West Asia and ways to counter threat of terrorism. Earlier this month, Turkey had asked India to act against the institutions affiliated to the network of Fethullah Gulen, blamed for last month's failed coup to topple President Tayyip Erdogan, and the issue may figure in the discussions between the two foreign ministers. "The entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as multilateral and regional issues are likely to be discussed during the talks,' External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. Cavusoglu will also call on Vice President Hamid Ansari on Friday. During his three-day visit, the Turkish Foreign Minister is also scheduled to visit Hyderabad on August 20 to open the Turkish Consulate building. Relations between India and Turkey have witnessed steady progress. The bilateral trade is also increasing and touched USD 6.3 billion last year. "We hope the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister will further strengthen our bilateral ties," said Swarup. This Cavusoglu's first official visit to India. He was in India on a transit halt last year and had met Swaraj. President Erdogan has vowed to take strong action against those linked to Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who he had blamed for the July 15 coup attempt. Tens of thousands of troops, civil servants, judges and officials have already been detained or dismissed in a massive crackdown following the failed coup. Pasighat: "India has requested Myanmar to take action against the insurgent groups taking shelter in the country", Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said on Friday. "There are reports of some leaders of insurgent outfits from the north east taking shelter in Myanmar and we are in constant talks with the government of that country requesting them to take action against them," Rijiju spoke to reporters after inaugurating the advanced landing ground (ALG). The minister made the remarks after his attention was drawn to the law and order situation in neighbouring Assam where outlawed ULFA activists and NDFB rebels carried out attacks prompting Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to ask the Centre for more forces to tackle the situation. Claiming that the situation in Assam was under control, Rijiju said the Unified Command Structure has been continuing its operations against NDFB militants since the carnage on December 23, 2014. "We were of the impression that after the massacre of December 2014 the activities of the NDFB have been controlled. "But the recent killing at Kokrajhar early in August and the continuous violence triggered by ULFA in Upper Assam have been seriously viewed by the Home Ministry," he said. "Additional forces will be deployed to tackle the situation," he further added. Anjali Mental Health Rights NGO posted the photos on Twitter of the thin patients living in what appear to be appalling conditions at the health facility in Baharampur. (Photo: Twitter) New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the West Bengal government over reports of an NGO finding some mentally-challenged men and women patients lying naked on dirty floor at a government hospital on Independence Day. "They had not bathed or shaved for months, had visible signs of various diseases. The toilets were so filthy that nobody could use them. The bed sheets were full of bugs," the NHRC on thursday said. In a statement, the Commission said it has taken a suo motu cognisance of a media report that "a team of NGO Anjali visited Berhampore Mental Hospital on Independence Day and found naked men and women, all mentally-ill patients, lying on dirty floors in a very bad condition." The NHRC has issued the notice to the Chief Secretary of the West Bengal government and sought for a detailed report on the state of affairs in that hospital along with the status of other mental hospitals run by the state government. It has also asked its Special Rapporteur, East Zone, Domodar Sarangi, to assess the situation on the ground and submit a report to the Commission. The state government as well as the Special Rapporteur have been given eight weeks to respond, it said. Reportedly, the Hospital Superintendent of Berhampore Mental Hospital refused to make any comments on it when approached by the NGO team. The Chief Medical Officer also denied the calls made by the NGO, the NHRC statement said. The Commission, reiterating its commitment towards the promotion and protection of rights of mentally ill persons, has observed that the contents of the news report are "distressing". According to the media report, carried on August 17, there are about 430 patients, including men and women, staying at the Berhampore Mental Hospital at present. "There is no facility of laundry, no barber and bathrooms are in such a bad condition that the patients often fall on the ground and hurt themselves," it said. Hyderabad: Lok Sabha member Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Friday said that Telangana government has not opposed to any package given to any state, including Andhra Pradesh. Her remarks came on the Centre's decision to provide special assistance of Rs 1,976.5 crore to Andhra Pradesh during 2016-17 to compensate the financial impact arising out of bifurcation of the erstwhile state. When asked if Telangana also needed such a package, Kavitha said, "Why should I compare myself with Andhra? Whatever they are supposed to get, they must be getting, we won't oppose it. "What is due to Telangana, should be given to Telangana. That we will certainly demand; we will not oppose any package given to any state, including Andhra," she added. She expressed confidence over the Centre's nod on increasing the number of Assembly seats in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, saying the move warrants amendment only to the AP Reorganisation Act 2014, and not to the Constitution. In the last Parliament session, Union Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, had said there was no such proposal (increasing the number of seats) under government's consideration, adding, the Attorney General had replied in the negative when the Law Ministry's opinion was sought in this regard. "The minister initially thought an amendment to the Constitution would be required but we had clarified to him that only an amendment in the Reorganisation Act is required which is quite easy owing to the Lok Sabha majority of Bharatiya Janata Party," Kavitha said. "We are speaking with the minister, making sure they understand that only the (AP Reorganisation) Bill needs to be modified and not the Constitution. So, that should make things a little bit more easier," the Telangana Rashtra Samiti MP from Nizamabad and daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, said. Telangana officials pointed out that it has been provided in section 26(1) of the AP Reorganisation Act that subject to provisions contained in Article 170 of the Constitution and without prejudice to section 15 of this Act, number of seats in Legislative Assemblies of successor states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana shall be increased from 175 and 119 to 225 and 153, respectively. "We certainly want the number (of Assembly seats) to be increased. We are reorganising the districts and our revenue divisions. Basically for administrative purposes, I believe reorganisation has to be done," she said. New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh has again gone to Saudi Arabia to help thousands of laid-off Indian workers either to return to India or seek alternative employment in the Gulf nation which is faced with severe economic slowdown that has forced companies to retrench work force. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that the purpose of VK Singh's visit was to resolve issues being faced by Indian workers wanting to come back home or find alternative employment in Saudi Arabia. Indians employed with Saudi Oger, Saudi-bin Laden and Saad Group are facing major difficulties and they have no other option but to return to India. "No other option is available to Indian workers belonging to these three companies. MoS VK Singh is in Saudi Arabia right now as there are some issues which need to be addressed so that the retrenched workers either seek alternative employment or return to India," said Mr Swarup. VK Singh had rushed to Saudi Arabia earlier this month after large number of Indian workers sought Indian government's intervention in taking up their difficulties with the Saudi authorities. The Saudi government, then, had agreed to swiftly resolve plight of the laid-off Indian workers including providing them free passage to return to India and clearing their unpaid dues. Mr Swarup said VK Singh will try to reach out to Saudi authorities to seek cooperation in helping the distressed Indians. Thousands of Indian workers have lost their jobs due to slowdown in Saudi economy, triggered by low oil prices and cut in spending by the government. The Indian government had requested the Saudi authorities to give the unemployed Indian workers exit visas without NoC (No-Objection Certificate) from employers and also urged it to clear the dues of workers who have not been paid for months, whenever they settle the accounts with the companies concerned. As per rules, no foreign employee can leave the country without NoC by the employers. The Saudi government also agreed to allow transfer of Indian employees, who have lost their jobs, to any other company within Saudi Arabia. As per rules, foreign employees cannot change jobs with permission of the company where they were employed. New Delhi: Security forces in the Kashmir Valley will continue to use pellet guns till the ongoing spate of violence is contained fully. Top Government sources told this newspaper that any possibility of immediately stopping the use of pellet guns is completely ruled out and this can be considered only after complete peace is restored. Only once normalcy returns to the Valley will the security forces start scouting globally for non-lethal options to the pellet guns. Home Minister Rajnath Singh had constituted an expert committee to assess the impact of pellet guns. The CRPF in an affidavit to the J&K HC on Thursday had stated that the only option for them in the Valley is either firing or using the pellet gun. New Delhi: Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has backed Prime Minister Narendra Modis reference to Balochistan in his Independence Day saying he welcomes and appreciates the remarks on the right of the Baloch people to enjoy a violence-free life. He said India is a very considerate country and will not engage in a proxy war. Mr Karzai also slammed Pakistan, saying Pakistan is paying a heavy price for what they (Pakistani establishment) have done in support of radicalism". He also said the Kashmir Valley is troubled by extremism and that the Afghans know where it is coming from, adding that India is only protecting its territory and people. The former President also exhorted India to take bold steps to bolster Afghan defence capabilities, adding that Afghanistan wanted defence equipment from India. He was speaking to a select group of reporters ahead of an event being organised by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies in the Capital. The former President has also met Indias National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval during his ongoing visit. We in this region have suffered immensely from violence, the promotion of extremism and the violation of rights, especially the right to development. Therefore, the Prime Ministers (Mr Modi) remarks on allowing the people of Balochistan to enjoy a violence-free life and to aspire for their development and progress is something that we appreciate and welcome, Mr Karzai said. New Delhi: Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan proposed by Islamabad will not take place, with Pakistan refusing to discuss terror and sticking to its position that the Kashmir issue needs to be discussed. Ignoring India's offer to hold talks on cross-border terrorism, Pakistan on Friday invited Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss Kashmir dispute "as per the UN Security Council Resolutions". Upping the ante, it called for an immediate end to "human rights violations in Kashmir" and sought permission for Pakistani doctors and paramedics to travel to the state. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said its Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry had given a reply to Jaishankar's proposal for talks on cross-border terror. The reply was handed over to Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambwale by Chaudhry in Islamabad. The spokesperson said the letter invites the Indian Foreign Secretary to visit "Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, with a view to finding a fair and just solution, as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations" of the people of the state. Pakistan has also called for "putting an immediate end to the human rights violations against the innocent people" of Jammu and Kashmir and for providing medical facilities to the injured, "including the permission for doctors and paramedics to travel." Earlier, Pakistan had on Monday invited India for talks on Kashmir, saying it is the "international obligation" of both the countries to resolve the issue. However, India on Wednesday rejected Pakistan's proposal to hold Foreign Secretary-level talks on Kashmir and insisted that discussions should be held on "aspects related to cross- border terrorism which are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir." Jaishankar, while expressing willingness to travel to Islamabad to discuss cross-border terrorism, had maintained that Pakistan has no locus standi in addressing any aspect of the situation in J&K, which is an internal matter of India, except to put an end to cross-border terrorism and infiltration. Yesterday, India set certain conditions for talks, asserting that discussions should focus on cessation of terrorist activities in J&K and ending incitement to violence and terror in the Valley. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said yesterday that Jaishankar had conveyed to his Pakistani counterpart that he accepts his invitation to visit Islamabad but made it clear the discussions should focus first on the pressing aspects of the J&K situation flagged by him. "In a letter dated August 16, Foreign Secretary has first of all underlined that Pakistan's self-serving allegations made in their communication are rejected in their entirety by the Government of India. Pakistan has no locus standi in respect of J&K, which is an integral part of our nation," said Swarup. Deliberations should also focus on denying safe haven, shelters and support to terrorists in Pakistan who have escaped Indian law, Jaishankar said in his letter. "The ball is in Pakistan's court now. They had made an offer, we have responded to the offer. It is up to them to carry it forward," said Swarup. The response also conveyed that detaining and prosecuting internationally recognised Pakistani terrorist leaders who have been publicly active in exhorting and supporting such violence in that state should be part of the talks besides closing down terrorist training camps, Swarup added. The Foreign Secretary said he looked forward to discussing with his Pakistani counterpart the "earliest possible vacation of Pakistan's illegal occupation of the Indian state of J&K". In his letter, the Foreign Secretary also underlined the importance of bringing to justice all those guilty in Pakistan for the attacks in Mumbai and at Pathankot airbase. "He said that his visit should provide the opportunity to receive a briefing from Pakistan's Foreign Secretary on progress in this regard," said Swarup. India has also maintained that the talks between the two countries must be held as per the framework of the Simla Agreement of 1972 and Lahore Declaration of February 1999. "The world is aware that Pakistan has a long history of violence and terrorism against India, as also in the broader region," the MEA spokesman had said, adding "The Indian state of J&K has been its particular target." He had said that the interference began with the government of Pakistan sending armed raiders into J&K in 1947 and again in 1965. "More than three decades later, displaying a similar attitude, military personnel were infiltrated across the Line of Control in Kargil in 1999. This approach to India was reflected in support for terrorist activities in Jammu & Kashmir that continues to the present day. "These acts were initially denied by the Government of Pakistan and attributed to local population, only to be admitted later by Pakistan's leaders who directed and organised such cross-border attacks on India, and assaults on the local people," the MEA spokesman had added. Referring to the Lahore Declaration of February 1999, he had said then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reiterated Pakistan's determination to implement the Simla Agreement in letter and spirit. Swarup had also talked about the assurance given by then President Pervez Musharraf in January 2004 that Pakistan government will not permit any territory under its control to be used to support terrorism against India. Hyderabad: Osmania University has locked down boys hostels A, B and D while cutting down power and water supply to Hostel C occupied mostly by overstayers. In the women's hostel, power and water supply have been cut to three blocks. The administration has repeatedly requested the illegal hostellers to move out. It has served them notices and warnings. Students staying illegally in hostels said police officials arrived at the hostels on Wednesday and told them to vacate their rooms. The principal of one of the colleges in Osmania University campus said, Over the last six months, at least 10 notices have been sent to the squatters in hostels to vacate their rooms. Each time, the last date for vacating the rooms was extended. He said the teaching faculty and university security staff had counselled them to vacate their rooms. With the squatters occupying rooms, it becomes difficult to accommodate freshers. Classes have started for this academic year but many students are not attending because they could not be allotted hostel room, he said, We were forced to cut power and water supply to push out squatters who are now seen leaving. The hostel application forms of those who applied this year are under scrutiny. From Monday, hopefully, we will start allotting accommodation to them, he said. A release from the university stated that the decision to sever water and power supply to the hostel was taken for upgrading the supply and providing the inmates with improved basic amenities such as RO purified water, hygienic food, neat dining halls and illuminated reading halls. This was planned as part of the centenary year celebrations of OU in 2017. Those overstaying in hostels were being counselled on leaving hostels. It did not say that the move was to evacuate squatters from hostels. Hyderabad: After ages, and much to the joy of visiting public, over half a dozen waterfalls in Telangana State have come alive. Thanks to widespread rainfall, rivers and streams are drawing down loads of water, making waterfalls the star attraction in districts like Adilabad, Warangal, Khammam and Mahbubnagar. While people from near and far are visiting these places in droves, many waterfall points lack basic amenities. They are located in thick forests and the government does not allow setting up of hotels and other facilities there. This, though, is not stopping people from reaching out to the waterfalls. What they do is to arrange stay and food in nearby towns or cities and head for the destinations. The Kuntala waterfalls is the highest waterfalls in the state. With waters from River Kadam falling from a height of 150 feet in Kuntala forest area of Neredigonda mandal in Adilabad district, this is the most-visited waterfall site today. The Telugu film Rudramadevi was partly shot here, adding to the peoples interest in visiting this place. Kuntala waterfalls is named after Shankuntala, consort of King Dushy-anth, who is believed to have bathed here as per mythology. Close to this is the Pochera waterfalls in Boath mandal, about 50 km from Adilabad. A narrow stream of Godavari, which flows down the Sah-yadri mountain ranges, it falls from a height of 20 metres. The beauty of the locale is breathtaking. The Parakuppi waterfalls in Jainur agency, the Kanakai waterfalls in Neredigonda mandal, the Gayatri waterfalls and other smaller waterfalls are within a 50km distance from Adilabad town. Khammam district, rich with its flora and fauna, has the famous Bogatha waterfalls in Koyaveer-apuram of Wazed mandal. A major town along the way is Manuguru, where there are hotels and other facilities. Similarly, some 20 km from Manuguru, theres another waterfall called Manuguru. It is after a long time that waterfalls have come alive in Telangana, thanks to good rains; and rivers as also rivulets are full with copious flow of waters. People in large numbers are visiting the waterfalls despite the fact they are mostly located in thick jungles. Since they are under the forest area, there are no basic facilities. One has to find accommodation in nearby towns, a senior official of the Telangana State tourism development corporation said. Where and how to go Mallela theertha Pilgrims and nature-lovers heading for the famed Brahmarambha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam do not miss the Mallela Theertha waterfalls (falls to a depth of 500 feet) in the thick Nallamalla forest area. Located 173 km from city on the Hyderabad Srisailam road, it is believed that many sages performed penance here for Lord Shiva and that the Lord appeared before them. It is also said tigers frequent the place during the summer. Srisailam has both government and private hotels. Bogatha waterfalls The Bogatha waterfalls is in Koyaveerapuram of Wazed mandal in Khammam district. Some 420 km from Hyderabad via Khammam. Khammam 200 km; and Khammam-Wazed 220 km. Major nearby town with hotels is Manuguru. Bheemuni Paadam The Bheemuni Paadam waterfalls, not very vibrant, is located in Warangal district near Komulavancha village of Gudur mandal. One has to walk through the forest for one km to reach the area. The water falls from a hillock to a depth of 20 feet in a semi-circular enclosure. Legend has it that Bhima, the Pandava, set foot here to pave the way for water to save Papanachamma, a Yadava deity. Pochera waterfalls The Pochera waterfalls are in Boath Mandal, some 50 km from Adilabad town. A narrow stream of the Godavari, which flows down the Sahyadri mountain ranges, falls from a height of 20 metres. The beauty of the locale is breathtaking. Smaller waterfalls The Parakuppi waterfalls in Jainur agency, the Kanakai waterfalls in Neredigonda mandal, the Gayatri waterfalls and other smaller waterfalls are within a 50-km distance from Adilabad town. Kuntala waterfalls The Kuntala waterfalls is set in Neredigonda Mandal of Adilabad district. The route is via Nirmal, famous for the Nirmal toys and paintings. Hyderabad-Nirmal is 220 km (Hyd-Nagpur highway). From Nirmal town, it is 30 km away. Distance between Hyderabad and Adilabad is 300km. Stay at nearby towns to visit waterfalls. Carry food, snacks and water. Visit only during the day. Better watch from a distance since it is dangerous to get into waterfalls. New Delhi: Delhi Police came under severe attack on Friday from AAP, Congress and BJP for making public the name of a rape survivor while Delhi Commission for Women sought stringent action against the erring officials. In a press release issued on Thursday, the northeast district police had mentioned the name and other details of the 12-year-old victim while sharing information about the case including her abduction and repeated sexual assault over a period of 10 years. The girl was reunited with her family recently. Reacting strongly, AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai called it an example of "utter insensitivity" of Delhi Police and referred to an FIR against Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal for allegedly mentioning the name of a rape victim. "This is utterly insensitive and unprofessional of Delhi Police. It is a cognisable offence and if they were so prompt in registering a case against Swati Maliwal, what action will they take against the erring officials. Their merely issuing an apology on WhatsApp is not acceptable," he said. Taking suo motu cognisance, the Delhi Police, last month, had filed an FIR against Maliwal for allegedly mentioning the name of a 14-year-old Dalit girl, who died after being raped repeatedly. Maliwal had denied making the girl's name public. Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken also slammed the Delhi Police for revealing identity of the victim and demanded a probe into it and strict action against the guilty. "It is condemnable. It is legally and morally wrong to reveal the name of the rape victim. There must be a probe into the matter and action should be taken against the guilty," he said. Delhi BJP's media in-charge Praveen Shanker Kapoor said the Delhi police commissioner should order a probe into the matter. "The matter should be examined under the purview of the law and if the officers have made mistake, the Delhi police commissioner must act against them." AK Singla, DCP (Northeast), after realising the "mistake", had issued a clarification yesterday in a WhatsApp group. When asked about the matter, Singla today said, "We hadn't revealed the new name of the girl. It was her childhood name but then we clarified and asked people not to carry the name. "Her name had earlier appeared in the media and certain media houses had mentioned her name. We had mentioned her old name at one place in the press release. We haven't disclosed her current name." The DCW chief called the police revealing the victim's name "shocking". "I never revealed the name of the victim and yet an FIR was registered against me and now why is Delhi Police shying from taking action against its own personnel who has actually revealed the name of the victim. Syed Ali Shah Geelani was arrested soon after he came out of his Hyderpora residence and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was taken into protective custody when he tried to lead a march to Aripanthan from his Nigeen residence. (Photo: AP/Representational) Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained on Friday after they tried to visit Aripanthan village in Budgam district where four persons were killed in CRPF firing on Tuesday. Geelani was arrested soon after he came out of his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar to offer Friday prayers in Aripanthan, a spokesman of the hardline Hurriyat Conference said. Mirwaiz, who was carrying a placard which read "stop state terrorism", was also taken into preventive custody when he tried to lead a march to Aripanthan from his Nigeen residence in the outskirts of the city, moderate Hurriyat Conference said in a statement. The separatist camp, which has been spearheading the ongoing agitation in the Valley, had called for a march to Aripanthan area of Budgam for protesting against the killing of four persons in CRPF firing on August 16. Meanwhile, the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake here witnessed a protest demonstration shortly after Friday prayers. Soon after the prayers ended at the shrine, people who had gathered there, shouted slogans to protest the killings in the ongoing unrest and in support of "freedom," officials said. They said the demonstration later ended peacefully. While the Friday prayers were held at the shrine, no prayers could be offered at Jamia Masjid, the grand old mosque in downtown Srinagar where Mirwaiz usually delivers the sermons ahead of the prayers, for the sixth consecutive Friday. Santosh Gulabrao Pol wrote a note to the Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil, lauding him for arresting him. (Photo: Tumblr) Satara: Santosh Gulabrao Pol, the man who has been dubbed as Maharashtras Dr Death for confessing to have killed at least six people, wrote a letter to the police and gave them a great salute for cracking the case. Pol was arrested by the police last week on charges of abduction and murder of a woman and had confessed to killing six people between 2003 and 2016 by administering them lethal overdose of medicines. According to a NDTV report, Pol wrote a note to the Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil, lauding him for arresting him. "SP Sir, firstly a great salute to you. Sir, if you ask me why I am doing all this, then the question should be asked to the corrupt officials from the (police) department and the dormant society between 2003 and 2016," read the letter which was signed by Pol. The police have however refrained from making any comments on the note. Earlier this week, the Wai police recovered the bodies of five people from Pols farmhouse, about 13 kms from Wai, and are interrogating him for the whereabouts of the sixth body. Pol had told the police that he threw the sixth body in a dam in 2008. At least five women were reported missing from Wai town since 2003. Pol revealed the details of his crimes during an interrogation into the murder of Mangal Jedhe, a 49-year old anganwadi worker. Pol with the assistance of a nurse had allegedly abducted Jedhe, president of Maharashtra Purva Prathmik Shikshika Sevika Sangh (MPPSSS), and murdered her with the overdose of some medicines on June 16. They buried Jedhe's body near Pol's farmhouse. The five other victims have been identified as Salma Shaikh, Jagabai Pol, Surekha Chikane, Vanita Gaikwad and Nathmal Bhandari. Kottayam: In a move to expand the activities of the Kerala Congress (M) among the Tamil diaspora in the state, the Kerala Congress Tamil Front, the Tamil wing of the KC(M) is expanding its activities to other districts. As of now, the activities of the KC(M) Tamil front which has been constituted in October 2013 by party chairman, KM Mani, is confined to Kottayam district. The Kerala Congress (M) Tamil Front, organized as an affiliate organization of the Kerala Congress (M) will be expanding its activities to the neighbouring districts of Idukki, Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta by the beginning of 2017, KC(M) Tamil front president C Salvan told DC. The preliminary activities for expanding the activities of the KC (M) Tamil Front in these neighbouring districts of Kottayam are ongoing, he said. Slowly, we are planning to expand its activities throughout the state, he added. The Tamil front was launched by KM Mani in October 2013 with a membership of 1,500 members. This has now expanded to 8,000 members and includes businessmen, vegetable vendors, labourers, textile shop employees, masons and other professionals. New Delhi: Irked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks over adversities faced by BJP, Congress on Friday hit back, accusing the ruling party's erstwhile avatar the Jan Sangh and RSS of being "collaborators" of the British during the freedom struggle. Targeting the Prime Minister for "trivialising" the freedom struggle, the party said that Modi should not only take back his "shameful" statement that BJP had faced more adversities in independent India as compared to what Congress did during the British rule, but should also apologise. "They were collaborators of the British," the party's senior spokesman Anand Sharma said, making a scathing attack on Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the Sangh Parivar and Veer Savarkar. He claimed that Mookerjee wrote to the then Bengal Governor on how to combat the Quit India movement. "It does not behove the Prime Minister to lower the dignity of his office by making a statement which is factually incorrect and an insult to the freedom fighters, to Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and thousands of others who made manifold sacrifices during India's national struggle," he said. Seeking to puncture the Prime Minister's statement, he said that BJP has been in power at the Centre or has been part of the governments there or an outside supporter for 13 long years and that was the time that Nehru spent in jail during the British rule, Sharma said. "The British Home Department file from 1942 has all the circulars from RSS. The Bombay Home Secretary said the Sangh has scrupulously kept within the law and refrained from taking any part in the disturbances of 1942," he said. He said that RSS decided to not take part in the Quit India Movement and it decreed that no member of the Sangh should participate. This was there in a letter written by Mookerjee to the British Governor of Bengal, Sharma said. Noting that BJP and the Prime Minister have tried to appropriate Sardar Patel, he said that Patel's views on RSS can be gauged through a official communique from the Government of India, which banned RSS and Hindu Mahasabha. "Post India's independence, Modi ji needs to be reminded that his colleagues and his party are direct beneficiaries of India's freedom, India's Constitution, India's democracy which allowed and empowered him, his colleagues, his party...", Sharma said. The conduct of Gen. V.K. Singh, former Chief of Staff and currently minister of state for external affairs, when he headed the Indian Army (2010-12), had brought down the well-earned high reputation of that institution a notch. Matters dipped to a low when Gen. Singh went to the Supreme Court against the UPA government on the matter of his age. Poor temperament and a singular inability to think institutionally can be said to be significant attributes of Gen. Singhs mental make-up. His going to the Supreme Court and the way he lit into then Lt. Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag, the present head of the Army, and placed him under a disciplinary and vigilance suspension an act that the government later called illegal raised eye-brows in military circles at the highest level. The chickens have now come home to roost. In an affidavit filed before the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) in 2012, in a matter brought by a rival for promotion to the rank of Army Chief, then Lt. Gen. Suhag noted that Gen. Singh had sought to victimise him with the sole aim of denying him promotion as Army Commander. He also questioned the malafide intent and mysterious design of the COAS. When his contention was upheld in the AFT, his rival, Lt. Gen. Ravi Dastane, went to the Supreme Court, where Gen. Suhag, the present COAS, presented the same arguments as he had given the AFT on Wednesday. Thus an old clash has come out in the open in a manner that reflects poorly on high officials of the state. This is a matter of chance, no doubt, and that is the only extenuating circumstance that exists. When the affidavit in the Armed Forces Tribunal was filed by Gen. Suhag in his personal capacity, he was not Army Chief and Gen. Singh not a Union minister. Had Lt. Gen. Dastane not approached the Supreme Court, the affidavit submitted to the Armed Forces Tribunal would not have had a second outing. Our fervent hope is that the issue in its present form will stop well short of politicising the Army, not least because Gen. Singh (retd) now represents a political party in Parliament, one which is in power. We also hope that the government, especially defence minister Manohar Parrikar, will ensure that no regional schisms in our forces are fed even inadvertently following the ill-conceived moves initiated by an egotistical, impractical and holier-than-thou man, years ago. Imagine two friends residing in the same city but in different suburbs decide to meet. They are some five-six km away from each other. A in suburb X agrees to visit B in suburb Y. How is A to find the way to Bs residence? To begin with, A will discover that Bs postal address mentions survey number. This number may have a historical significance identifying the plot of land that contains a sub-plot on which Bs house is located. This information, presumably believed to be of great historical significance in the annals of the town, has absolutely no use for A while searching for Bs residence. Because the numbering of the surveyed plots does not follow any logical system in general. So giving up on the postal address, A will take instructions from B on the phone. B will tell him the nearest big road, some identifying landmarks on it like a marriage hall, some hotel, or a school and, of course, the inevitable petrol station. A will be asked to turn left or right, look for a rickshaw stand or a shopping mall for further identification. He may finally end up asking a rickshaw driver as the most knowledgeable person. Requiring infinite patience and occasionally talking to B on his mobile (while driving!), A will be finally assured that he is just outside the condominium where B lives, and to make his job easy, B tells him to look out for the parking area where he is standing. The reason for this elaborate description is to underscore the inefficient way we have labelled our cities. How often are you able to see the name of the street you are driving on? Can you find any important buildings in the neighbourhood marked clearly? No, finding your destination (despite the confusing set of instructions given) is an ordeal. Perhaps, the most systematic labelling of cities and towns is found in the United States. There cities are aligned with streets running East-West and North-South. The block system subdivides the E-W and N-S system Thus, 1024 West Del Mar Boulevard, Pasadena 91120 tells you how to get there. A typical street running East-West will have house numbers increasing westward as well as eastward when marked from a central point. Hundred house numbers will make one block. Thus, we expect the house numbered 1024 West is in the westward direction and is in the 10th-11th block of Del Mar Boulevard. One could argue that the US was a relatively new country and had a chance of creating this systematic city-pattern afresh. However, even old countries of Europe or a modern city like Singapore, which evolved from an old system, show a clear way of identifying addresses. So, those who are anxious to develop Pune into a smart city may take this as a challenge: replace the haphazard address system currently in use with a logical and systematic one, so that a visitor does not need any subsidiary information to find his/her destination. This is not too much to ask. We are supposedly living in the age of information technology. Surely, we could find a system for a city that wishes to be one of the leading lights in IT. In fact, at present, we are displaying a sorry image of ourselves While we get lost between marriage halls and petrol pumps, the advanced user of satellite data tells us how to drive from A to B. In short, the facility already exists in bringing information into chaos, but we have not bothered to do so. Using it does not, however, solve the question raised here. Faced with the challenge, we have to find a satisfactory system that provides us an answer without relying on satellite technology. While we are planning for the future, here are some more challenges for smart citizens. The following developments are achievable: Many more people work from their homes. Children would attend school from home with big screen keeping them in touch with their class and the teacher. Solar powered-cars and rickshaws and a return to bicycles: Punes erstwhile preferred mode of transport. A review of flyovers and making them useful as well as pleasant to look at. A major part of the city centre be made into a pedestrian-only section. Find an energy-efficient way for garbage disposal. Banks offer customers the facility to interact from their homes. A strict watch and control over pollution. Systematic address system for the entire city, with the name of each street clearly marked at each major crossing. Keeping our city clean. These are all achievable, but I have my doubts as to how seriously the 10th item would be taken. The fourth point recalls the failed flyovers, like the one at the Pune University main gate. It seems to have generated more chaotic traffic than the one prior to its construction. A properly constructed unit would require something like the four-level interchange in Los Angeles, a monstrosity certainly out of tune with the serene setting provided by the university. A better solution might be to re-route. It would reduce the current traffic. A temporary measure could be to make the existing flyovers two-way. These are a few suggestions requiring greater thoughts by experts far more experienced than me. Some problems need to be can be solved by tact instead of compulsion. The following anecdote carries an example: Three sweet shops were adjacent to one another on the main street in the town. The one on the left put up a banner carrying the following claim on its entrance arch: The best sweet shop in the city. Not to be outdone, the one on the right advertised itself as the best sweet shop in the state. The third one put up a plaque at the entrance which prompted all customers to enter his shop only. The plaque read: Please enter here. Before opting for that new smartphone, always do a market research, check with your friends and make sure you go through the pointers given below. Opting for a new smartphone has become a yearly task, if not shorter. With growing needs from apps, operating systems and users, a smartphone soon tends to become sluggish, insufficient and even obsolete. In order to make sure you can use all your alls swiftly and efficiently, your only choice is buying a new smartphone. However, the decision of buying a new smartphone is not only because your older one is sluggishmany have the notion that the phone is now old, and others have a better one. Well, while this is a sad reality, you really dont need to buy a new device if your old one can cater to your needs. However, buying a new smartphone is definitely a good decision because you can keep yourself updated with new app requirements and added security features, and definitely be future ready. But when you head out to get yourself a new handset, are you making the right choice? Most stores and ecommerce websites are running crazy offers on the occasion of the festivals. No points for guessing that, smartphones remain the most wanted category during such shopping bonanza. Thus, before you splurge your hard-earned cash, here are a few mistakes you should avoid: Don't just buy it, because it's a popular device Despite years of evolution, herd mentality is common among us humans. Many people head out and buy certain smartphones simply because their friends have bought them too. For instance, a friend bought an iPhone only because his boss has the fancy high-end one. As far as the third-party apps are concerned, all he uses is WhatsApp and Facebook. And now he is struggling transferring music and videos as before and has an only choice to do it via iTunes. So overall, he is stuck with an expensive piece of electronics that does not serve his main purpose. Yet another example of popular opinion leading to disaster was the Samsung Galaxy Grand. The smartphone had a terrible display and very sluggish UI, yet it was the one of the best selling phones of that year. So, next time you want to buy a new smartphone, think of what you want the device for rather than what's popular in the market. We suggest that you wait for the next version The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse always gets the cheese. Holding up a purchase always pays off when it comes to smartphones. The worst possible thing you can do while choosing the right phone for yourself is to get shopping just before the release of the next model of your final choice. In simple words, if you are planning to buy the existing model of the iPhone 6 series, hold out until the iPhone 7 is launched. Once the new version is launched, the previous generation iPhones get heavy price cuts. In fact, this month is the right time to pull that trigger if you are opting for an iPhone or a Nexus device since the two will launch in September. All you need to do here is follow the update cycle of the manufacturer or simply follow our online tech news. Never confuse hardware specifications for its performance Every smartphone's performance depends on multiple factors, which include the operating system, memory management, and hardware power. There's a good possibility that a phone with quad-core processor and well-optimised operating system can outperform an octa-core handset. The best example comes from the photography department. Seriously, many think that Zopo Speed 8's 21-megapixel snapper can do wonders and the phone would definitely be great. Another example is that despite packing in 3GB of RAM, many Xiaomi phones run out of memory more often when compared to 2GB RAM handsets from Motorola. Rather than just numbers, a phone's performance depends on how software and hardware work together in tandem. So next time you buy a phone, don't follow the specs sheet blindly. In short, a stock Android smartphone can definitely outperform a smartphone with a custom operating system from the likes of Samsung, Sony or the others. Additional bloatware are also responsible for unwanted memory consumption and overheating. Don't be fooled by pixel density or PPI The display is the last thing you can judge going by the numbers they show on paper. A brilliant screen, like the one you find on the Galaxy S7 Edge offers wide colour gamut, perfect blacks, good viewing angles, and a lot of pixels. However, most manufacturers stress on only PPI, in which they excel. For instance, the Xiaomi Mi 5 and OnePlus X both have Full HD screens. However, the OnePlus X's panel looks way better than that of the Mi 5. Reason? Because OnePlus X features an OLED display as compared to the IPS LCD used on Xiaomi's Mi 5. To save you from hours of research, here's how the panels rank in terms of quality: 1. OLED, 2. IPS LCD, 3. Conventional LCDs. Most crucial: Warranty and service The new wave of Chinese smartphones in India has almost killed brand loyalty. As a side effect, companies are not willing to spend much on solidifying their after sales services as most buyers don't bother with long term repercussion. Gone are the days when Indians would pick a Nokia handset without a second thought, and the company in return would strive to uphold the buyer's trust. Today, the number of dedicated service centres is dwindling down, and at a higher rate. However, to paint rosy pictures, companies are tying up with third-party service providers in order to expand their service network. So before making a purchase, check whether the manufacturer has a way to provide future repairs in your area. Also check on online forums and with friends who have similar devices for more information about the quality of after sales service for the brand. Usually, consumer forums and the brand forums will have a flood of complaints and woes pertaining to their service quality, if bad. For more details, check out this article. - by Chandrakant ISI and Francis D'Sa (All images used in the above article are for representational purposes only) Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is widespread in the neighbouring west African countries, with about 90 per cent of women in both countries undergoing circumcision. (Photo: AFP) Freetown: A teenage girl died after undergoing a botched female circumcision in Sierra Leone, police said, just days after the death of a 10-year-old girl in Guinea. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is widespread in the neighbouring west African countries, with about 90 per cent of women in both countries undergoing circumcision. Teenager Fatmata Turay died after she was circumcised in an initiation ceremony in the village of Mabolleh in north Sierra Leone and three women involved, including the girl's aunt, have been arrested, police said yesterday. "There will be an investigation into the circumstances which led to the death of this girl," said vice minister of social affairs Rugiatu Turay. The death comes just days after a 10-year-old girl in Makpozou, a forested area in the south of Guinea, died in similar circumstances, according to the country's social action ministry. The child died in a circumcision camp for young girls, the ministry said. Guinea's government urged communities that practise FGM to "stop sacrificing the girls", and said it was committed to the fight against the "vile practice". Female circumcision is common in West Africa, where it is considered a female right of passage and where practitioners can earn up to USD 50 per girl. Sierra Leone recently ratified a 2003 African Union protocol that seeks to ban FGM. Washington: A hijab-clad Muslim woman, who was evicted from a Donald Trump rally in January, has been booted out of his campaign event again after handing out pens inscribed with the word 'salam' which means 'peace'. Rose Hamid said a member of the Republican Presidential candidate's security staff removed her from the event in Charlotte, North Carolina, even before the rally beganon the pretext that she was causing a "disturbance". "I just wanted to let people know that Muslims who don't support Trump can get along with people who do support Trump," Hamid told WBTV News. At the event, Hamid was handing out pens, decorated with a single red rose and the word "salam" which in Arabic means "peace" and is used as a greeting. "I thought it was sweet. I loved the little saying on it," a Trump supporter was quoted as saying. Hamid said she was inside the rally having positive conversations with Trump fans. "Those are the reactions I was getting. It was such a good experiment," Hamid said. This was the second time Hamid was kicked out of a Donald Trump rally after she was evicted from the business tycoon's event for a silent protest in January. However yesterday, she said it was her pens that sent her packing at the hands of a Trump staffer. "He claimed that I had been at several other disturbances, which is a lie. So that tells me they have a prejudice against Muslims," she said. She also expressed concerns over what life may be like for her under a Trump presidency. "The fact that he wouldn't allow me to be there says this is what America is going to be like if he's president," she said. The Republican presidential candidate had previously provoked global outrage by calling for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US and forcing them to carry special ID cards. Trump has since backed down on the proposal and appeared to deliver an apology to people offended by a string of controversies at his rally last night. Dacus was found severely burned lying on the ground in the backyard and pronounced dead at the scene. (Representational Image) Birmingham: An Alabama teenager is charged in the slaying of an 85-year-old man who was doused with gasoline and set on fire. Birmingham police spokesman Lt Sean Edwards said in a statement yesterday that 18-year-old Thomas Sims was arrested and charged with capital murder in Gene Dacus's death. Police said Dacus and the suspect had some type of encounter Wednesday, when witnesses reported a fire in a backyard and saw the suspect running down an alley with a red gas jug. Dacus was found severely burned lying on the ground in the backyard and pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was captured nearby. Authorities say the capital murder charge stems from the theft of Dacus's truck. They're still looking for a second suspect. It's unclear if Sims has an attorney. The infant's mother, who was unaware about her boyfriend's actions, only discovered that he daughter was killed, when she returned home from work. (Photo: Facebook) Minneapolis, Minnesota: A 21-year-old man from Minneapolis has been arrested on charges of murdering his four-month-old daughter by punching on her chest with a closed fist because she made 'baby noises'. Identified as Cory Morris, the accused was arrested after he made a 911 call and confessed to his crime. According to a report in the Daily Mail, when police officials and paramedics arrived at the crime scene, they were shocked to find the accused with blood on his hand. Medics also found blood stains on his clothes, wall and on the floor. The infant was found lying lifeless on the changing table in the bedroom. Without wasting a second, paramedics performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on the newborn. However, when she failed to respond, they rushed her to Hennepin County Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. In their report, doctors said that the victim was killed due to blunt force trauma. Four-month-old Emersyn who was murdered by her father Morris at their home. (Photo: Facebook) In his statement to the police, Morris said that he was taking care of his daughter while his girlfriend, the victim's mother, was at work. He told the police that he was busy watching television when his daughter began making baby noises. He told police that he tried to calm down the baby. But when she did not stop, he got furious and punched her in the face 15 times. He also added that he hit her in the chest seven times to make her quiet, resulting in her death. The infant's mother, who was unaware about her boyfriend's actions, discovered that he daughter was killed only after she returned home. Morris told her that he was going to jail because he did something to their daughter. Morris has been detained at Hennepin County Jail and is held on $22 million bond. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in prison. Washington: The US acknowledged that it waited for Iran to release American prisoners before delivering USD 400 million in cash that it owed the country, but again insisted the payment was not ransom. Republicans including Donald Trump pounced yesterday's admission as proof that President Barack Obama's government had misled the American people. "With concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release... we of course sought to retain maximum leverage until after American citizens were released," State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters. "That was our top priority," he said. In January, five American prisoners were released as Washington granted clemency to seven Iranians and withdrew arrest warrants for 14 others. Immediately thereafter, the United States helped airlift USD 400 million worth of Swiss francs and euros to Iran. The US government insists that money was meant to settle an old debt stemming from a military purchase by Iran. The money was delivered on January 17, just one day after a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers took effect. "We were able to conclude multiple strands of diplomacy within a 24 hour period, including implementation of the nuclear deal, the prisoner talks and a settlement of an outstanding Hague tribunal claim," Kirby said, referring to the money claimed by Iran. "It's already publicly known that we returned to Iran its USD 400 million in that same time period as part of the Hague settlement agreement," he said. In early August, the State Department had said the prisoner release and delivery of money were completely separate, although Kirby acknowledged Thursday that the two were in fact related. "I'm saying that the events came together simultaneously... it would have been foolish, imprudent, irresponsible for us not to try to maintain maximum leverage," Kirby said. The ordeal has set off a tidal wave of condemnation from Republicans, who have questioned the timing of the two events and said the government paid ransom for the prisoner release. Republican presidential Trump was quick to attack. "Speaking of lies, we now know from the State Department announcement that President Obama lied about the $400 million dollars in cash that was flown to Iran," he told a rally in Thursday in North Carolina. "He denied it was for the hostages, but it was. He said we don't pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages - openly and blatantly," Trump said. Trump's opponent in the race for the White House, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, was no longer serving as the nation's top diplomat when the accord came into effect. Still, Trump senior communications advisor Jason Miller said that "by helping put together a deal that ultimately sent $400M to Iran that was likely used to fund terrorism, Clinton has proven herself unfit to be president of the United States." House speaker Paul Ryan said Obama had set a dangerous precedent. "Today the State Department admitted what we've long suspected -- that the president and his administration have been misleading us since January about whether he ransomed the freedom of the Americans unjust imprisoned in Iran," America's top elected Republican said. "The president owes the American people a full accounting of his actions and the dangerous precedent he has set," Ryan added. Qatar is located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by land with Saudi Arabia and the rest of the territory is surrounded by the Persian Gulf. Nearby countries are Bahrain, UAE and Iran. In this blog, I will cover some brief facts about Qatar for anyone traveling or doing business there. Qatari Demographics Qatar is officially called the State of Qatar. The capital city is Doha. The total area of Qatar is 11,586 km2. The population is 2.5 million (2016). The currency is Qatari Riyal. Qatari Languages The official language is Arabic, with a local Qatari dialect. Arabic spoken in Qatar is also called Gulf Arabic or Khaliji. Other languages spoken in Qatar include: English, Farsi, Urdu, Malayalam, Pashto and Nepali. Qatari Culture The official religion is Islam. Traditional Bedouin culture has influenced Qatari culture. People are expected to dress in a way appropriate to the Islamic culture way, but it is not mandatory for ladies to wear Abaya or Hijab. Woman should cover shoulders, upper arms and knees. The official law that is followed in Qatar is Sharia law. Most of the marriages are arranged. Marriages are allowed between Gulf Arabs, but Qatari would need to get official permission to get married with non-Gulf citizens. Qatari Consumers Qatari consumers have some of the highest incomes in the world but they must deal with a high and growing cost of living. Nearly 85% of the population are expats, which influences the products offered in retail stores. Qatars GDP, per capita, is $75,117.36 USD (2015). Petroleum and liquefied natural gas account for more than 70% of total government revenue, more than 60% of total government revenue, 60% of GDP and 85% of export earnings. Qatars Future Qatar is one of the most developed countries in the Gulf. It is one of the richest countries in the world. It is very rich with oil and gas, and the main revenue of the government comes from the energy sector. Tourism is a developing sector in Qatar and they are aiming to increase capacity of the hotels. Summary Qatar is a nice place to visit and to reside, as it is relatively safe and comfortable. Business is continuing to grow and expand in many sectors, so it presents an opportunity for development and investment. English is widely spoken so speaking Arabic would be a plus, but not necessary. However, it is necessary to translate all business and marketing materials into Arabic to get more opportunities and make your partners comfortable by reading in their mother tongue and show your respect. New York: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has accepted the resignation of his campaign boss Paul Manafort, a statement read on Friday. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign, Trump said. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today. I wish him the greatest success, Trump said. A Trump source told CNN said Manafort believed he was becoming a distraction and he wanted to end that. Manaforts resignation comes hours after certain damning revelations from Ukraine a connection that has been exploited by Trump's rival. A Ukrainian lawmaker on Friday divulged more details of what he said were payments made to Manafort by the political party of the Kremlin-backed former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich. MP Serhiy Leshchenko said money was allocated for Trump aide Paul Manafort to finance services such as carrying out exit polls at elections, buying computers and conducting research. The largest single payment was $3.5 million. Manafort has vehemently denied the allegations. Rosli bin Hamzah, 50, and Mohamed Omar bin Mahadi, 33, are being held under the Internal Security Act, which allows for detention without trial, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Singapore: Singapore said on Friday it had detained two men under its tough internal security law after discovering they intended to travel to Syria to fight for the Islamic State group. Rosli bin Hamzah, 50, and Mohamed Omar bin Mahadi, 33, are being held under the Internal Security Act, which allows for detention without trial, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. Rosli, who worked as a car washer, "became convinced that ISIS militants were fighting for Islam and that their beheading of 'enemies' was religiously permissible," the ministry said, referring to the Islamic State group by another name. He "was keen to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS," the statement said, adding that he had researched how to travel to the war torn country. Omar, a waste truck driver, had made preparations with his wife and children to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group, the statement said. "He was prepared to die a martyr," it added. Singaporean officials have repeatedly warned that the city-state -- a key US ally in the region -- is a prime target for IS militants. Earlier this month, Indonesian police arrested six suspected militants over a plot to launch a rocket attack on an up-market Singapore waterfront district from the nearby Indonesian island of Batam. The alleged leader of the group is accused of planning the attack with a leading Indonesian militant, who is believed to be fighting with the IS group in Syria. Singapore said in July that it had detained a 44-year-old Australia-based Singaporean who allegedly glorified IS and backed the establishment of a caliphate in the city-state. London: A three-year-old boy in the UK has died after he was bitten by a dog, becoming the second person to be killed this week in the country in a similar incident. Police said the incident happened at a property in Halstead, Essex yesterday evening. An air ambulance was called to the scene and the boy was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Essex Police said a 29-year-old woman had been arrested for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control. The dog has been seized by police and placed in kennels. Neighbour Phyllis Younger heard the boy's screams. "I heard this screaming," she said. "I did not really associate it with anything terrible - it was like children having a bit of fun. But then I thought it might not be quite right. "Then it was quiet. I looked out of the window and saw a police car and paramedics and neighbours looking along the road," the BBC quoted her as saying. She said the family involved had not lived in the street for very long and "kept themselves to themselves". Shirley Diver, mayor of Halstead, said the incident was heartbreaking. She said: "It's dreadful news, it really is. I've had dogs all my life and I don't think you can ever trust a dog 100 per cent with any child. "It's so sad. I feel so sadly for the family who are involved. Words can't express how it affects anybody. The whole town is in shock." Braintree MP James Cleverly was briefed about the incident by police. He said: "I have got children of my own, and this is both shocking and heartbreaking. For any parent, this is the most terrible news. "This will be an absolute body blow to everybody in the town." On Monday, a 52-year-old man died in Sheepridge area in Huddersfield town after being attacked by a large dog, days after the pet was returned to its owner after it was previously seized by police over fears it was dangerous. Following the incident, A 29-year-old man, who is the owner of the dog has been arrested and was later released on police bail pending further enquiries. London: British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday said the mass collection of private data by the security services is "vital" for public safety after a report found that UK's spy services should continue to be allowed access to bulk surveillance data to prevent terrorist attacks. The 'Bulk Powers Review' conducted by the UK's Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation concluded that there is no viable alternative to the current process of harvesting large amounts of data from emails and other sources. "The review team was given information which demonstrated that there was no viable alternative method by which these individuals (terrorist suspects) could have been identified," said David Anderson, a legal professional who led the review. It had been ordered as part of the Investigatory Powers Bill, which will give Britain's security services GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 wider powers to hold bulk data. "I am grateful to David Anderson for this report, which follows a detailed and thorough review in which the government has provided unfettered and unprecedented access to the most sensitive information about our Security and Intelligence Agencies' capabilities," said May, who had ordered the review when she was UK Home Secretary. "Mr Anderson's report demonstrates how the bulk powers contained in the Investigatory Powers Bill are of crucial importance to our security and intelligence agencies. These powers often provide the only means by which our Agencies are able to protect the British public from the most serious threats that we face," May said. "It is vital that we retain them, while ensuring their use is subject to robust safeguards and world-leading oversight which are enshrined in the IP Bill," she added. Bulk interception differs from targeted interception -the bugging of a suspect's phone for example - in that it involves the harvesting of large quantities of data from the internet and emails. The data is then sifted and sorted by investigators. The security services will be able to collect such "bulk" data under the Investigatory Powers Bill, which is currently going through British Parliament. It will enable them view details of millions of communications, including when they are sent and who people communicate with, although they will be unable to read the content of their messages. The bill has been dubbed as snooper's charter by some human rights groups over fears it will give spies complete access to public data. However, Anderson's report says the security services need even more powers to hack into people's phones and computers to identify those who pose a threat to Britain because of increasing levels of encryption used by US technology giants. The review said bulk powers were used by Britain's spy agencies for "cyber-defence, counter-espionage and counterterrorism," as well as investigations into child sexual abuse and organised crime. On Friday, Russia denied that one of its air raids hit a dazed and bloodied Syrian boy. (Photo: Twitter) Moscow: Russia on Friday denied that one of its air raids hit a dazed and bloodied Syrian boy whose heart-wrenching photograph has drawn worldwide attention. The defence ministry issued an official denial that it carried out a strike on eastern Aleppo on Wednesday evening when the images of four-year-old Omran were taken. "The Russian planes operating in Syria never work on targets that are inside settled areas," ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement. The photographer who shot the video for Aleppo Media Centre, a network of activists, said he took the images after an air strike on Wednesday night hit the Qaterji neighbourhood in eastern Aleppo. Konashenkov said Qaterji was particularly out of bounds for Russian strikes because it adjoins two of the humanitarian corridors Moscow has opened for residents to flee. He branded Western media reports on Omran as a "cynical exploitation" of the tragic situation in eastern Aleppo and "cliched anti-Russian propaganda". He suggested the attack could have been carried out by rebels in Aleppo using homemade rockets to target roads close to the humanitarian corridors to undermine Russia's efforts. He also suggested however that the area where Omran was may not have been bombed at all, citing footage of unbroken windows. "If a strike really did take place," he said, it was not an aerial strike but either a gas cylinder "used in large quantities there by terrorists" or a mortar shell. Russia said on Thursday that its strikes by warplanes based in Iran hit areas held by the ISIS terrorist group in Deir Ezzor province, the third day of raids from the Hamedan base. Turkey's constitutional court in July annulled a criminal code provision punishing as "sexual abuse" all sexual acts involving children under the age of 15, responding to a petition brought by a lower court. (Representational Image) Istanbul: A billboard advertisement at Istanbul's international airport accused Sweden of having "the highest rape rate worldwide, state media reported on Friday just days after Stockholm accused Ankara of legalising sex with children. Printed in English and Turkish and displayed at the departures section of Ataturk airport, the huge banner ad reads: "Travel Warning! Did you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide?" Anadolu news agency reported alongside a picture of the ad. Alongside it was an enlarged copy of the front page of Gunes, a pro-government newspaper, with a headline saying: "Sweden, a country of rape." Anadolu said billboard advertisements at the airport were operated by a private company. The advert was largely seen as a tit-for-tat move after Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom caused a storm after writing a tweet which said the "Turkish decision to allow sex with children under 15 must be reversed", following a controversial ruling by the Turkish constitutional court. Her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu blasted her remark as "unacceptable", saying Wallstrom should have acted "responsibly". Turkey's constitutional court in July annulled a criminal code provision punishing as "sexual abuse" all sexual acts involving children under the age of 15, responding to a petition brought by a lower court. The top court has given parliament a six-month period to draw up new rules based on its ruling. The lower court that brought the petition was worried there was no distinction between cases of sexual acts involving a young teenager or a toddler. The legal age of consent in Turkey remains 18 and was not affected by the ruling. But it sparked outrage among activists worried it would open the way for unpunished child sexual abuse. The pair were wearing hoodies and spoke both Russian and Arabic, according to the Independent. (Representational Image) Moscow: ISIS has claimed its first terror attack on Russian soil after two supporters attempted to murder police officers near Moscow. Both men were killed during the assault at a traffic post on a motorway in Balashika on Wednesday, when they were armed with a gun and two axes. Russias Investigative Committee said the suspects were Uthman Mardalov and Salim Israilov and ISIS hailed them as soldiers of the Islamic State, the Daily Mail reported. The ISIS news agency Amaq released a short video featuring the two terrorists. The pair declared allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during the one-and-a-half minute clip. The pair were wearing hoodies and spoke both Russian and Arabic, according to the Independent. During the video, the pair claimed they wanted to take revenge for Russians killing Muslims in the Middle East. Russia has been bombing militants in Syria since September last year, part of a military campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad. ISIS called on its members to carry out jihad in Russia in a video last month. Yemenis inspect the rubble of a house in the rebel-held capital Sanaa after it was reportedly hit by Saudi-led coalition air strike.(Photo: AFP) London: Expressing concern over human rights violations in the Arab worlds poorest country, Yemen, UK campaigners and politicians have urged Prime Minister Theresa May to vote against Saudi Arabia retaining its chairmanship of Human Rights Council. On Friday, on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, UK leaders have urged May to intervene ahead of UN vote on whether Saudi should remain in its post or be thrown out, according to a report in the Independent. Saudi Arabia has been involved in air strikes, beheadings and mass execution in Yemen. UK leaders appeal comes in the wake of recent conflict has killed more than 9,000 people, displaced 2.4 million, and destroyed much of the already limited infrastructure in the violence-hit country. Critics have said that the crucial vote on September 13 would be a golden opportunity for Theresa May's government to show the world that UK values and respects human rights. Rights groups and UN agencies have expressed concern that even if the fighting is brought to an end, the country will still grapple with a brutal legacy of unexploded munitions, including bombs dropped by Saudi-led warplanes in and around the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, and in the Houthis northern heartland. They say most of the deaths to date have been caused by the Saudi-led airstrikes, and blame the United States and Britain for supplying weapons and providing logistical support for the bombings. In Yemen and in other conflict zones, children have been known to stumble upon undetonated balls or mistake them for toys, claimed Amnesty International. A report assessing the cost from damage to infrastructure and economic losses in Yemen's civil war stated that the loss is more than $14 billion so far that highlights the effort needed to rebuild the country, where more than half the population is suffering from malnutrition. Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the loss of lives in the Kashmir unrest and offered his good offices to facilitate dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue. The Secretary-General made the remarks in response to a letter by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who had apprised him about the "grave situation in Kashmir where large-scale violations of human rights were being committed by Indiansecurity forces", the Foreign Office (FO) said. Ban called for avoidance of violence and once again offered his "good offices to facilitate dialogue for a negotiated settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute", the FO said. "The UN SG has, inter alia, deplored the loss of life and hoped that all efforts will be made to avoid further violence," it said. Ban added the UN was convinced it is only through dialogue that the outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, including on Kashmir, can be addressed. Major General Chen Jie killed himself by taking an overdose of sleeping pills, Hong-Kong based South China Morning Post reported on Friday. (Representational Image) Beijing: A high-ranking Chinese Army General has committed suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping pills, the third military official to kill himself this month. Major General Chen Jie, 54, who had organised Hong Kongs handover ceremony in 1997, killed himself by taking an overdose of sleeping pills, Hong-Kong based South China Morning Post reported on Friday. He was the political commissar of a major army group under the People's Liberation Armys (PLA) Southern Theatre Command. His funeral will be held in Shenzhen on Saturday. "Chen was a rising star. He was to receive a promotion on August 6, just a day before his death. He took a large number of sleeping pills on August 5 in the dormitory of a subordinate regiment in Shenzhen. It was a pity," the Post quoted sources as saying. Chen was the third senior PLA officer to have ended his life within a week since the beginning of the month, it said. The first in the trio of suicides was a publicity director of a political office of the Southern Theatre Command based in Nanjing. Then Senior Captain Li Fuwen, director of the navys logistics enterprises management centre, leaped to his death from a building in the navys complex in Beijing on Friday last week, it said. The suicides followed investigations launched by the military's corruption investigator against General Tian Xiusi the former political chief of the air force and a member of the ruling Communist Partys elite Central Committee. Military watchers said the series of suicides suggested President Xi Jinping's campaign against graft within the PLA had entered a second round, the Post report said. Around 40 PLA officials including two former leading generals Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong who headed the PLA during the previous President Hu Jintao regime were indicted in corruption probes in the anti-graft campaign launched by Xi who succeeded Hu in 2013. While Xu died of cancer, Guo was recently sentenced to life after pleading guilty to various allegations including taking hefty bribes for promotion of officers. However, there was no conclusive evidence showing that Chens suicide was related to the corruption crackdown, the Post report said. Chen joined the army at age 15 and went on to play a key role in Hong Kongs handover from Britain to China in 1997. He was one of the very few Chinese military personnel sent to the city weeks beforehand to help arrange the transition. "These suicides were the effect of recent intensive probes into senior officials like Tian. Many senior officials were found to have close links with property developers amid the recent crackdown of the army's paid-for services," Liang Guoliang, a Hong Kong-based military analyst told the Post. In March, the Central Military Commission announced the PLA and the armed police must end their so-called paid-for services within three years. Barracks and warehouses would no longer be rented out. Willie C. Williams home.jpg Willie C. Williams, 64, was found dead in his home on the corner of Frederick and Charles Street in Moss Point. People gathered outside of Williams home Friday said that he was a "good man who never harmed anyone." Tyler Carter/Gulflive.com MOSS POINT, Miss. -- A community is in mourning at the revelation that a respected retired educator was found murdered in his Moss Point home Friday afternoon. Willie C. Williams, 64, was found by a friend who became worried after multiple attempts to contact Williams were unsuccessful. According to Moss Point Chief of Police Art McClung, the friend arrived at Williams' house just after 2 p.m., where he found an unfamiliar scene. According to the friend, when he arrived at Williams' home on the corner of Frederick and Charles Street, he immediately noticed Williams' truck was missing. He then went to knock on Williams' door, but found it ajar. According to McClung, Williams' friend found his deceased body on the floor and proceeded to call 911. McClung said that examination of the body showed that Williams had sustained multiple stab wounds. McClung said that Williams' stolen truck was found at 6525 Shortcut Road at what are now abandoned apartments. McClung said police are following multiple leads and the case has been deemed a homicide. Williams was a retired educator who had worked at Charlotte Hyatt elementary school as well as Ed Mayo Junior High. One resident who wanted to remain anonymous said that whenever test scores were low at certain schools, Williams was brought in to help improve them and he always achieved that goal. Nicci Goldsmith, Williams' first cousin, said he was a "good man and a pillar in the community." Williams' brother, Thomas Williams, said that he did not know what would've caused someone to murder his brother, but said that he knew one thing. "The devil is busy," Williams said. "It doesn't make any sense for someone to do this to my brother. He never bothered anyone." McClung is asking for those in the community to contact police if they have any additional information that could lead to the apprehension of those responsible. "No tip is too small," McClung said. "If anyone saw anyone go in or out of his house between Wednesday and Friday, call us at 228-475-1711 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898." The report of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice on the Hindu Marriage Bill 2016 was presented in the National Assembly on Thursday and is just one step away from being approved. (Photo: AP) Islamabad: After decades of delay and inaction, the much-debated Hindu Marriage Bill 2016 that seeks to give a legal framework to the marriages in minority community, has finally been tabled in Pakistan's National Assembly. The report of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice on the Hindu Marriage Bill 2016 was presented in the National Assembly on Thursday and is just one step away from being approved as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party is supporting it. Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Ramesh Lal, one of the bill's movers, said it took around 10 months for the committee to clear the bill and another six months for its report to be presented in the house. The bill was approved by the standing committee on February 8. "The delay was possibly because of extraordinary debates and discussion around the bill, but at least now the government should consider tabling it in the house in the next session," Dawn online quoted Mr Lal as saying. According to the chairman of the committee, Chaudhry Bashir Virk, "All segments - including the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) - were consulted during the course of discussions in the committee." However, some members of the Hindu community have expressed strong reservations regarding some of the bill's contents including clause 12 on the 'Termination of Hindu marriage' and clause 15 on the 'Termination of Hindu marriage by mutual consent'. The draft bill allows separated individuals to remarry, and clause 17 states that a Hindu widow is entitled to remarry and shall have the right to do so, of her own will and consent, after a period of six months since the death of her husband. The bill is expected to put an end to the practice of abduction of married Hindu women. "There are penalties for violating the provisions of this act and anyone who kidnaps a married Hindu woman will be liable to punishments after this law is approved, because the victim's family will be able to show proof of marriage," Mr Virk said. The bill is also expected to curtail forced conversions because it will allow the registration of Hindu marriages in the relevant government departments, the report said. Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have consented to the federal government formulating a Hindu marriage law that they would then adopt, while Sindh had formulated its own Hindu marriage registration law. The three suspects surrendered in to police on August 15 and confessed that they mistakenly shot the girl, thinking she was a rabbit. (Photo: Pixabay) Beijing: A nine-year-old girl in China's Anhui province was shot dead by three hunters who mistakenly believed her to be a rabbit, police said. The incident took place when three suspects, surnamed Zhang, Wu and Luo, all residents of Lu'an, went hunting in a pick-up truck with a high-pressure air gun and saw the girl, surnamed Wu, playing on farmland. "Zhang shot the girl in the head with the gun from the pick-up truck. The men then found the 'prey' was a girl and fled. The girl's parents later took her to a hospital, but she died of serious injuries," state-run China Daily quoted police as saying. The three suspects surrendered in to police on August 15 and confessed that they mistakenly shot the girl, thinking she was a rabbit. The suspects were detained and the case is under further investigation. Sharif said he has the vision of strong, democratic and economically viable Pakistan, adding that Pakistan would not compromise on its strategic interests. (Photo: AFP) Karachi: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan is committed to protect its maritime assets and achieve self-reliance in defence production as he launched a 17,000-tonne naval tanker, the country's largest. Speaking on the occasion, Sharif expressed happiness over the launch of the largest warship constituted at the country by Karachi Shipyard. "The project will further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey. The tanker was a gift to Pakistan on its 70th Independence Day," he said. Pakistan Navy's fleet tanker will play an important role in catering to its logistic needs. He said the successful construction of the fleet tanker would play a vital role towards achieving self-reliance in defence production and the government would continue to support the policy of indigenization in all technological spheres. The fleet was designed by a Turkish firm under the Ministry of Defence Production and Pakistan Navy and was constructed by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) with Turkish collaboration. "It is an example of Pakistan-Turkey cooperation and the construction of the fleet tanker will help achieve self-reliance in defence production," Sharif said. "I congratulate the navy and the Karachi Shipyard for launching the tanker ahead of schedule," Sharif said while announcing a Rs 100 million bonus for Karachi Shipyard employees. "The ongoing development programs of the government including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) stipulate the aim to achieve maximum output in terms of regional trade and trans-shipment with Gwadar as the focal point," he said. Sharif said that Pakistan was blessed with long coastline and was strategically located at the mouth of the Gulf. He said there were extensive trade and maritime activities being undertaken at two major seaports of Karachi. These would increase manifold with growth in the country's financial and industrial base. Additional capacity has to be created to support expansion in these activities, he added. He said the government was committed to consolidate maritime infrastructure along the coast from Karachi to Gwadar. Sharif said he has the vision of strong, democratic and economically viable Pakistan, adding that Pakistan would not compromise on its strategic interests. He said that Pakistan has immense power potential and resources for economic development, and this must be harnessed effectively for the country's development. The man confessed to the police that he killed his daughter to get money for paying off his debts. (Representational Image) Lahore: A debt-ridden man in Pakistan's Punjab province allegedly drowned his four-year-old daughter into a canal and reported a false complaint of kidnapping to get Rs. 500,000 as "compensation" from the government. Shahbaz Ahmad, struggling under a Rs. 700,000 debt, planned to kill Sabiha to secure the compensation from Punjab government, a senior police official said. After throwing his daughter into the canal, Ahmad lodged a false complaint with the police on Tuesday that his daughter had been kidnapped while going to school at Jakhar village near Kotla, some 150 kilometres from Lahore. The police found the girl's body floating in the canal near Randheer village. The official said that after fishing out the body from the canal, the police grilled Ahmad who confessed to have killed his daughter, hoping he would get the compensation the Punjab government was offering to families of kidnapped children. Ahmad told the police that he needed the amount to pay off his debts. "On Tuesday, I picked Sabiha from the house on the pretext of dropping her at school, but instead took her to the canal bank and threw her into deep waters," he said. A murder case has been registered in this connection. There has been a surge in cases of child abduction in the province and "special compensation" has been announced by the Punjab government for the families of the victims. A man in Pakistan stabbed 17 women, killing one of them, in a misogynistic spree because he wanted to take revenge for being ill-treated by his stepmother. (Photo: PTI/Representational) Islamabad: A Pakistani man has stabbed 17 women this year, killing one, in a misogynistic spree because he wanted "revenge" for a cruel stepmother, police in the garrison city of Rawalpindi said on Friday. Mohammad Ali, 22, targeted women in the streets at random from late January until this month, police investigator Malik Zulfiqar Hussain said. "He told police, 'I hate women, I was taking revenge,'" Hussain said. "He has confessed to injuring 17 women," Hussain said, adding that Ali had used a knife. "One of them was a hospital nurse, who died this week." Ali told officers his mother had died when he was young and his father married again, but that the second wife had mistreated him. He has been charged with murder and attempt to murder, Hussain added. A second police official confirmed the account. Ali said his only target was women of any age, and described how he would lay in wait and attack whenever the opportunity arose, according to Hussain. All the attacks took place in the streets of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad. Women in deeply conservative Pakistan have fought for their rights for years, in a patriarchal society where so-called "honour" killings and attacks on women remain commonplace. Two brothers were arrested for smuggling foreign weapons from Pakistan and supplying them in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday night, when they were making a transaction. The arrests followed a brief shootout with police. The others involved in the transaction fled the situation, said police. Ten foreign-made pistols and 157 live cartridges were recovered from them. Rehan Ansari, 42, and Qurban Ansari, 45, were arrested near Indraprastha Park, near Gate 4 on Thursday. Qurban and Rehans family members were involved in smuggling of foreign weapons from Pakistan and supplying them in Delhi and NCR, said police. They were running their network by communicating with their partners through different Internet platforms. Qurban and Rehan were brought up in Khurja in Bulandshahr district in Uttar Pradesh, police said. They have an electric switch and socket factory named India Ceramics at Central Industrial Area in Khurja, police added. Profit in business About two years back, Qurban came to know that one of their relatives is in the business of smuggling weapons from Pakistan via Nepal, and supplying them across the country, said police. After knowing that there is profit in this business, Qurban introduced Rehan to some UP-based partners and both brothers started smuggling and supplying these weapons. Qurban and Rehan came near Indraprashta Park at 11.30 pm to deliver the weapons to their partners, police said and added that their car came first and after 10 minutes, another car arrived. They were making a transaction when police rushed towards them and they opened fire at the cops, said police. Three cases under the Arms Act in IPC were registered against them. A .30 pistol with four live cartridges were recovered from Qurban and one .30 pistol with three live cartridges were recovered from Rehan. Three .22-bore pistols and one .30-bore pistol, along with 18 cartridges of .30 bore and 15 cartridges of .22 bore were recovered from the Duster car they came in. Seventeen mobile phones and the two cars involved in supplying weapons were seized, said police. Three bakery workers were killed and two others injured when a malfunctioning oven exploded in east Delhis Khureji area on Thursday morning. All the five victims were taken to Hedgewar Hospital where Zainul, 22, Sajid, 21, and Lifakat, 20, were declared brought dead. Nazar Alam, 20, and Afsar, 25, are still in the hospital in a critical condition, said police. Local residents said the blast around 5.10 am shattered their windows. We woke up to what felt like a blast and we could not make sense of it. We rushed outside our homes and found that the bakery was on fire. We rushed to the area and also called up the fire service, said Sandeep Sharma. The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) sent four fire tenders to the spot. We rushed to the location after the call was received at 5.20 am. The fire was brought under control by 6.10 am, said an official. Firemen and police personnel rushed into the bakery to rescue the workers. The oven had developed a problem earlier and the workers had shut it for a while. In the night the oven developed a snag and stopped working. The workers called up the bakery owner Zahid and told him about the issue. Around 4.30 am he came to the bakery and inspected the oven. He had just left the bakery and was outside the building when the blast occurred, said Akhtar, a local resident. Police also said the oven may have malfunctioned. They are waiting for the forensic report to ascertain the exact cause of the blast. We still do not know the real reason why the fire started. Prima facie it look like that the oven malfunctioned, because of which the fire started. The investigation is underway, said Rishi Pal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East). The bakery, Choudhary Sweets, makes rusks, biscuits and namkeens. It is situated on the first floor of a three-story building at Aflatoon Market in Khureji Khas. On the ground floor, there is a sweet shop while tenants live on the second floor. Around 20 workers work in shifts in a space of 50 square yards in the bakery. Some live in rented houses while others stay at the bakery. They work there for 10-12 hours and then sleep at the same place, said Salim Rizvi, another local resident. Two of the killed workers, Zainul and Sajid, hailed from Uttar Pradeshs Farrukhabad district. The third, Lifaqat,was from Kannauj district. The injured, Nazar and Afsar, are also from Farrukhabad, police said. A special court today framed various charges including cheating and criminal conspiracy against former Coal Secretary H C Gupta, two public servants, private firm Vikash Metals and Power Ltd and its two officials in a coal blocks allocation scam case. Special Judge Bharat Parashar put on trial all the accused in the case in which the CBI's closure report was earlier rejected by the court, asking the probe agency to further investigate the matter. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal to VMPL. In September 2012, the CBI had registered an FIR in the case. Besides Gupta and the firm, the court ordered to put on trial public servants, ex-joint secretary in Ministry of Coal (MoC) K S Kropha, the then Director (CA-I) in MoC, K C Samria, firm's Managing Director Vikash Patni and its authorised signatory Anand Mallick. The accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after which the court fixed the matter for further hearing on September 9. Gupta, an accused in several coal scam cases and presently out on bail, had recently told the court that he intended to "face trial from inside the jail" and withdraw his personal bond to secure bail due to financial difficulties. He had also refused to accept the court's offer to avail an advocate from New Delhi Legal Aid Services Authority or an amicus curiae appointed by the court. His application is presently pending before the court. While ordering framing of charges in the present case, the court had said "prima facie" offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust by public servants under IPC and various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act are made out against the accused. "Keeping in view the overall facts and circumstances of the case coupled with the submissions made, I am of the considered opinion that prima facie charge for the offences under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and for the offences under sections 120-B, 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants), 420 (cheating) of IPC and under sections 13(1)(c) and 13(1)(d) (criminal misconduct by public servants) of the PC Act is made out against all the accused...," the judge had said. The court also said prima facie substantive offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act are made out against Kropha and Samria. "Charge for the offence under section 409 IPC and for the offences under PC Act are made out against accused Gupta. "Charge for the offence under section 420 IPC is also prima facie made out against accused company M/s Vikash Metal and Power Ltd (VMPL), Patni and Mallick," it said. The CBI had on January 28 placed before the court a Central government order according sanction to prosecute Kropha and Samria for their alleged involvement in the case. It had also filed a report on its further probe in the case. Regarding Gupta, CBI had said that lapses in processing the application were found on his part too, but since he had retired, no action was being recommended. CBI had said that VMPL wrongly claimed that it had been allocated 300 acres of land in Begusarai in Bihar by the Bihar Area Development Authority. The agency had found that the land was de-allocated and directors of the company failed to inform the screening committee members about it, it had said. The area of Parwana Road in East Delhis Khureji khas area has hundreds of illegal bakeries and other small-scale factories dot, despite the fact that it is a residential area. As we walk through the road, the smell of freshly baked rusks and breads waft through the air, hiding the blood and sweat that goes through in making these items. People from Farrukhabad, Bijnor and Kannauj come here in search of jobs and money, and agree to work under the most inhuman conditions, said Mohhamad Saleem, a local and secretary of an NGO. Soon after the oven-blast that left three people dead in a bakery here, concerns of the residents are coming out in the open. We were expecting the acciden, as the bakeries in the area run for extended periods of time, but put no emphasis on the safety of the workers. They used to run the bakery for entire days, and it would always be overcrowded with workers. We had acomplained to the authorities concerned to take action, but so far, we never got any reply, said Rashid, a local resident. People also alleged that despite being a residential area, hundreds of unauthorised bakeries and other small-scale factories operate here which put peoples lives in danger. According to them, 18 years back, 48 people had lost their lives when a fire broke out in an unauthorised petrol sellers godown in the same area. Despite that incident, people havent learnt anything yet. Hopefully, this accident will force the people of the area to think and take action against such unauthorised factories, said Mohammad Saleem. Blaming the Residential Welfare Association (RWA) of the area for being hand in glove with the property owners, people said that neither is the RWA democratically elected nor do they act upon the genuine concerns of the residents. Most of the property owners have leased their buildings and plots to others. They get good money from the factory operators. The RWA is constituted by these very property owners. When they are getting good money from their property, why would they take action against the injustices? Its an unholy nexus where even the local authorities are also involved, Saleem added. CBI has taken over investigation in the Bulandshahr gangrape and dacoity case in which a woman and her minor daughter were assaulted by a gang in July. The incident had taken place when six members of a Noida-based family were travelling to Shahjahanpur in western UP. At the national highway passing through Bulandshahr, their car was stopped by criminals who dragged the 13-year-old girl and her mother out and raped them in a field nearby. The Allahabad High Court had ordered CBI to take over investigation in the case. CBI Spokesperson Devpreet Singh said the agency has registered a case under IPC sections related to dacoity, gangrape, kidnapping among others besides provisions of POCSO Act. "CBI took over the investigation of case No.838 of 2016 registered at Police Station Kotwali Dehat, District Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) on the allegations of abduction, dacoity and rape of a lady and her daughter by five-six assailants in fields situated in village Dostpur, district Bulandshahr in the intervening night of 29/30 July 2016," the spokesperson said. OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- After the idea was first tossed around over a year ago, a group of Ocean Springs officials and residents have taken the first step in the process of changing the city's form of government. When Ocean Springs was incorporated in September 1892, it adopted the mayor-aldermen form of government -- a system which employs a five- or seven-member board of aldermen, with the mayor charged with supervising the day-to-day operations of the city. In this system, the mayor only votes in the event of a tie among the aldermen, but does hold veto power. But the city manager form is the fastest-growing form of government in the U.S., with more than 55 percent of municipalities in the U.S. currently under that system, according to a study by the National League of Cities. Several members of the current Ocean Springs board want to make the change, as do a large number of Ocean Springs residents. In a poll published by The Mississippi Press last year, more than 73 percent said they favored changing to the city manager style. Thursday night, a group of about 20 people -- including aldermen Greg Denyer, Matt McDonnell and Bobby Cox -- met to discuss the process for making the change. Denyer said a fourth alderman wanted to attend, but did not since the presence of four aldermen would constitute a quorum and, thus, an official city meeting. "I'd like to see us have a professionally-trained manager who is there, available, 40 hours a week," Denyer said. "Someone to manage the (department) managers. I think if we do that, you'll get a better, more smoothly-run city and possibly save money in the process." Currently, the mayor earns $87,500 annually and is considered a full-time employee. If the city manager form is adopted, the mayor becomes a voting member of the council, which would drop from seven members to five, and the mayor's salary is typically reduced to reflect a part-time position. As a point of reference, Gautier -- which employs a city manager -- pays its mayor $7,200 per year. In order to make the change, the signatures of 10 percent of the registered voters in Ocean Springs will have to sign a petition. Once those signatures are ratified by the city clerk, aldermen must schedule a city-wide referendum within the next 60 days. During Thursday's meeting, Ocean Springs resident George Conwill was elected chairman of the newly-formed committee. Conwill said their goal is to have the necessary signatures -- about 1,500 -- gathered and presented to the city clerk no later than December in order for the referendum to take place before next June's municipal elections. Petitions were handed out to those in attendance at Thursday night's meeting to begin the signature-gathering process. "The city manager form is highly efficient," said Conwill, who is the Chief Financial Officer of the Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi. "It's allows the city to be run like a company, with the council operating as the board of directors and the city manager as its CEO." Denyer emphasized the push to change Ocean Springs' form of government isn't a reflection on its current mayor, Connie Moran, who is currently in her third term. "This is not a witch hunt against our current mayor," Denyer said. "This is simply about what's best for Ocean Springs -- how we're going to move forward. We're at a crossroads. We need somebody who can be there 40 hours a week. Somebody we trust. Somebody who looks out for the whole town." Statewide, only seven municipalities currently employ the city manager style, but five of those -- Gautier, D'Iberville, Pascagoula, Diamondhead, and Picayune -- are on the coast. "I was first approached about (making the change) about 16 years ago," Denyer said. "I looked into it, but there didn't seem to be a lot of support for it then. But I've watched what D'Iberville, Gautier and Pascagoula have done over the years and it has been highly effective for them." The coast's two largest cities, Biloxi and Gulfport, have not strictly adopted the city manager style, but have incorporated elements of it by hiring Chief Administrative Officers to handle day-to-day operations, while still maintaining a full-time mayor. Denyer and Conwill both said that option was discussed during Thursday's meeting, but the expense of employing both a full-time mayor -- even with a reduced salary -- and a city manager would likely be cost-prohibitive for Ocean Springs. Should the necessary signatures be gathered and the matter placed on a ballot, voters would be asked to vote not only whether they favor the switch, but -- if the city manager style is adopted -- would they favor the new five-member council be constructed via ward or district lines or should all five be considered "at large" and thus represent the entire city. Denyer noted that while moving the city manager form would eliminate two of the current board positions, both he and McDonnell have already announced they will not seek another term. Should voters favor making all five seats on the council at large positions, the five other current aldermen could seek reelection without fear of running against each other. Conwill also noted the city manager position, although a full-time city employee, falls outside the scope of Civil Service, meaning he/she could be terminated at any time at the discretion of the council. "You get reduced operating costs along with more competent management," Conwill said. "You still need strong council leadership, but you get professional management. It's time to do this." Denyer said the committee intends to hold another meeting in the near future. Police today resorted to 'mild' lathicharge to disperse ABVP activists staging a protest in front of the Amnesty International India office here demanding arrest of those who allegedly raised anti-India slogans at an Amnesty event. Several ABVP activists were injured, with a girl student fainting in the commotion before she was rushed to a hospital, police said, adding they detained many activists during the crackdown on the protest. Additional Commissioner of Police Bengaluru East P Harishekaran said police had to disperse protesters as they tried to burn an effigy in a residential area. "With two bottles of petrol they tried to burn an effigy in front of Amnesty International here. We had in prior warned them against any effigy burning as it is a residential area and from the security point of view," he said. The protesters alleged that the police under the DCP's leadership behaved in an "inhuman" way and more than 10 ABVP activists were injured in the lathicharge. Calling their protest "peaceful", ABVP National General Secretary Vinay Bidre said, "We demanded that police vacate Amnesty staff who were recording our protest from their office. We told police we won't cause any harm to them. We did not try to barge into their premises and tried to burn Amnesty's effigy, but police unnecessarily used force on us." He accused the Congress-led Karnataka government and police of protecting those involved in anti-national sloganeering. Stating that ABVP would continue its protest, Bidre claimed, "We will intensify our protest across the state after today's atrocity, we will show this government student power." As a precautionary step, police have asked Amnesty International India to keep its office in Bengaluru closed until the ABVP protest subsides, following which the organisation had asked its employees to work from other locations. Amnesty International had on Saturday organised the event as part of a campaign to seek justice for "victims of human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir, which took an ugly turn with heated exchanges and alleged raising of pro-Kashmir 'Independence' and anti-Army slogans. ABVP activists had submitted a CD containing video recording of the event after filing a complaint with police, who have registered an FIR against Amnesty International. IPC sections 142 (Being member of an unlawful assembly), 143 (whoever is a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) have been invoked against the organisation. As unrest continues in Kashmir, Army today appealed for calm, saying "everyone needs to step back" and sit together to find a way out of the current situation. Asking everyone involved to look at ways to de-escalate the situation rather than provoking it further, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda said while security forces have been directed to exercise maximum restraint, the other side also needs to see that security forces, police stations and bases of security forces are not attacked. He said the "cycle of conflict and violence" has been going on for more than 40 days now and "no one is going to get away from it unhurt". "My appeal is for calm. We have to sit down, put our heads together and see if we can find a way out of this situation. So everybody, who is in anyway involved in J&K, needs to introspect and see what we can do to stop it. It is not person or one organisation which can do it (alone)," the top Army commander told reporters here. "It is a statement of facts because everybody is involved, whether it is security forces, whether it is separatists, governments, students leaders. My appeal is to everyone. We need to find a way forward from this," he added. He noted that the unrest has affected the children who cannot go to school, the youth, those in the hospital, as also employees, traders and even the policemen and security forces. The unrest and the cycle of violence began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8. Asked if his appeal was addressed to the separatists, Lt Gen Hooda said "everyone needs to step back. Where are the protest calendars coming from?" Separatists have been issuing calendars for protests, with the latest week-long schedule issued only yesterday. In response to a question, he said a decision has been taken that Army will provide assistance to security forces and police in securing the highways and district roads in order to ensure movement of vehicular traffic during the day. "This will instill a sense of normalcy. Law and order is dealt with by the police and CRPF. We will provide whatever assistance in terms of reinforcement at police stations where the number of police personnel is low," he said. Asked if there was a possibility of Army taking over Kashmir, Lt Gen Hooda said "the situation is not there for the Army to take over". He said the unrest has affected the counter insurgency operations but the forces will resume these in right earnest. "The civil disturbance has affected the operations, particularly in South Kashmir. A deliberate decision has been taken to go after the terrorists. It will start in right earnest," he said. Lt Gen Hooda, however, said the counter-insurgency grid in north Kashmir was functioning properly as was witnessed during the operation in which four militants were killed one -- Bahadur Ali -- was captured alive. "One infiltration bid was also foiled in Uri sector recently," he said. The Army Commander said the counter-infiltration grid was alert and the borders continue to remain secure, notwithstanding the situation in the valley. "We have not pulled out one soldier from the borders. The borders continue to remain secure. Our counter- infiltration posture is strong. An infiltration bid was foiled in Uri sector recently," he said. In response to a question, he said everyone was worried about young boys joning militant ranks in the wake of the civil unrest in Kashmir. "Everyone is worried be it the central government, the state government, the security forces or army. There are no easy answers that we will do this or that which will stop it," he said. Asked about the possibility of spurt in militant attacks after the unrest in Kashmir, Lt Gen Hooda said the ultras will always try for an upsurge in the the violence. "I do not see the situation going out of hand (due to militancy related violence). Our posture is ready for it," he said. On the encounter that led to killing of Burhan Wani, Lt Gen Hooda said "it was not a staged encounter. It did not finish in two and half minutes. Information about presence of Burhan Wani (inside the house where he was killed) was not available (before hand)." Referring to the revised draft of the memorandum of procedure (MoP), highly-placed sources in the Law Ministry today said the document is based on the "judicial directions" given by a Supreme Court bench. As the Executive and the Judiciary seek to iron out differences on key clauses of the MoP, the sources pointed the December, 2015 apex court order on ways to improve the collegium system had said the system of appointing judges should be transparent, with accountability and should have a wider zone of consideration of candidates to be appointed to the bench. Detailing the stand of the government, the sources said the Centre wants that names of candidates should come from all Supreme Court and high court judges. They explained that all judges of a particular high court should be at liberty to suggest names to the high court collegium, which will eventually take a call on whom to recommend for appointment. Same should apply for the Supreme Court. The Madhya Pradesh High Court is following the same principle, they said. The government had on August 3, sent a revised draft of the MoP to the collegium, reiterating certain clauses on which the judiciary had objections. The sources said the chief ministers, as also advocates general, should also be allowed to suggest candidates to the high court collegium of their respective states. The Attorney General, the sources said, should be allowed to suggest names of candidates for the Supreme Court. While agreeing to the demand of the SC collegium that seniority-cum-merit and not merit-cum-seniority should be the criteria for selection, the government has said that geographic reasons -- for example, too many judges from a particular high court, inclusion of SCs, STs and women, outstanding performance of a judge and poor performance of a Chief Justice could used as grounds to overlook seniority. The reasons can be recorded in writing. While leaving it to the judiciary to fix an age at which a person can become a judge, the government has made it clear that the age once fixed should not be flexible. This, the sources said, will check favouritism. Despite the Chief Justice of India rejecting the clause on having evaluation and appraisal committees that the Supreme Court and high court level, the government has once again pressed for it. The committees can have either retired or serving judges, which the Chief Justice of a high court or the CJI in case of the apex court can decide. The committee at the Supreme Court will screen the candidates before the names are sent to the SC collegium for a final call, it will also go through the records of the committees of the high courts as part of the 'double filtration' process to ensure that meritorious names are not left out. The issue of disposal of complaints have been left to the in house mechanism of the judiciary to tackle, they said. Against the back drop of outburst by CJI T S Thakur on delayed appointment of judges, the sources said between August, 2014, when the National Judicial Appointments Commission law came into being and December, 2015 when the SC order on ways to improve collegium system was delivered, the government had no say in stalling judicial appointments. In January, then Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda had written to the CJI, saying till the new MoP is finalised, appointments can place based on the prevailing MoP. They said between January and now, 52 judges have been appointed to the high courts, four to the Supreme Court and 110 additional judges in high courts have been made permanent judges. Nine high court chief justices have been confirmed and 28 transfers affected. A total of 250 proposals are in the pipeline, they said. Amid a raging debate on judicial appointments, the government today said it is drawing its power to supplement the present document to guide designating judges to the higher judiciary from a Supreme Court judgement which had stressed on bringing transparency and accountability in the process. Paul Manafort, the beleaguered chairman of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, resigned today after a staff shake-up this week that marginalised him in the team amid growing speculation about his links with Ukrainian politics. "This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process," Trump said. "Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success," the 70-year-old business tycoon said. Manafort's role was reduced after Trump elevated two aides to senior positions on Tuesday, appointing Breitbart News chief Steve Bannon as campaign CEO and Kellyanne Conway as campaign manager. Manafort, who had once lobbied for pro-ISI and anti-India groups, had been recently attracting negative publicity for his alleged lobbying activities in Ukraine. Manafort had joined the campaign after Trump's historic wins in the Republican primaries. He successfully led the campaign in the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where Trump was formally nominated as the party's presidential nominee. Trump's popularity rating had been falling down after the convention. Manafort told Trump he was becoming a distraction and he wanted to end that, a Trump source was quoted as saying by CNN. The resignation comes as the campaign seeks to correct course after weeks of damaging controversies and self- inflicted wounds, effectively evaporating Trump's steady footing against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the polls and his post-convention bump. Trump is now trailing Clinton in every major poll. The most damaging for Trump was his attack on a Gold Star family - who lost their son, Army Captain Humayun Khan, while he served in Iraq -- for speaking out against him at the Democratic National Convention. He later refused to apologise or express regret. Manafort's personal business dealings have also come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, amid damaging questions over his ties to foreign governments and indications that he might have received USD 12 million in undisclosed cash payments, according to the Washington Post. The alleged payments, which Manafort denied, were noted in a ledger kept by former Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovych's political party. Since then, more evidence has surfaced that raised concerns about his ties to the Kremlin. One GOP strategist was quoted as saying that Manafort was undone by the combination of revelations about his work in behalf of pro-Russian forces in Ukraine and the elevation of Conway and Bannon. Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was today granted visa by the UK, a week after his application for the same was rejected apparently due to incomplete information. "My UK work visa has finally been granted. I would like to thank everyone for their absolute love extended to me last week over this was humbling to read all the messages of support truly means a lot," he posted on Facebook. "A special thank you to Keith Vaz for taking such a keen personal interest in the matter. I look forward to performing in London on the 18th of September at the Royal Festival Hall, Ministry of External Affairs, India, Sushma Swaraj, Indian High Commision in UK," the 70-year-old artist added. The UK Home Office had earlier said visas were declined due to incomplete information. Responding to Khan's message, the longest serving Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz, today expressed his delight after the Labour MP and chair of the influential House of Commons Home Affairs Committee had expressed his shock and written to the UK Home Office after Khan had been initially denied a visa earlier this month. His intervention helped process the musician's application for a short-term visa to take part in an 'In Conversation' as well as performance at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, on the banks of the river Thames in London, scheduled for September 18. "I am delighted that Amjad Ali Khan's visa has now been granted. Britain adores the music of Amjad Ali Khan and I am so pleased we will be able to hear it after all," Vaz said in a statement in London. "I want to thank the staff at the British High Commission in New Delhi for dealing with this issue promptly once the technical problem had been identified," he added. The 59-year-old Goan-origin politician also called for a review of the UK's immigration rules vis-a-vis Indians following the controversy. "We need a long hard look at the immigration rules so that they are seen to encourage Indian people to visit and work in the UK. This is especially so after Brexit. The UK must always be seen to be open to the rest of the world," he said. A spokesperson for the British High Commission in New Delhi had earlier said: "We don't comment on the detail of individual cases, but can confirm we will offer to speak to Mr Khan about how he should apply for the correct type of visa to do what he wishes to do in the UK." "Listen as legendary sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan reflects on his 50-year career. His wife Subhalakshmi Khan joins him for this candid conversation," reads the programme for the Southbank Centre's 'Classical Season 2016-17' as part of the annual Darbar Festival. In a counter-attack after Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of insulting freedom fighters, BJP today said the Congress of today does not represent the Congress of freedom movement, claiming that Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel would have never thought it would become a "family concern". Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also took a dig at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi after he tweeted a Sanskrit shloka to target Modi, saying he will have to first find out who tweeted on Gandhi's behalf and also his knowledge of history before he responds to comments. Citing participation of RSS founder K B Hedgewar in the struggle against the British rule, he also highlighted the "role" of RSS and BJP in liberation struggle for Goa and Hyderabad besides in movement against the Emergency to underscore the "sacrifices" made by them. After senior Congress leader Anand Sharma quoted Sardar Patel to target RSS, Prasad accused the party of quoting him "selectively" and insulting him "institutionally" as he noted that Patel was given Bharat Ratna in 1991 by the then Chandra Shekhar government, almost four decades after he died. "Does the Congress party of today represent even one per cent of the essence of the Congress party of the freedom movement? Nehru and Patel would have never thought that it would become a family concern," he told a press conference. Prasad insisted that Modi in his speech at a BJP even did not undermine the role of the Congress in the freedom movement and recalled that he had praised Nehru in his August 15 speech. RSS was banned twice and Jana Sangh, the forerunner of BJP, in Emergency, he said, adding that no reason was found to ban RSS leading to repeal of the ban. Earlier, BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said, "British used to repress Indians. Congress has been repressing rivals. It imposed the Emergency and threw all rivals behind bars. Repressing rivals has been part of its policy." He also referred to the death of Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in a Jammu jail during his protests against the stand of Congress on Kashmir issue. "We are giving due respect to all freedom fighters. Lakhs of people made sacrifices. India's struggle for freedom started in 1857. The past governments glorified a few people. Bhagat Singh was mentioned as a terrorist and Chandrashekhar Azad's sacrifice was hardly acknowledged. We are making amends and glorifying everybody," he said. Bengaluru has become a food capital that is willing to try different cuisines and flavours. This time, its the flavours of Israel that one can experience. Organised by Nook, at Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park, is the Taste of Israel festival. Chef Shachar Aschengrau and the team have put together an array of delicious dishes to create a culinary repertoire that will play a symphony on your palate. Hailing from the port city of Haifa, chef Shachar is excited to showcase dishes that bring out the flavours of the country. While many would think that only hummus and pita bread are the main dishes of Israeli cuisine, the team here proves otherwise. Bread such as pita, chala, fricassee and Jerusalem bagel have a different taste with each bite you take. The Jerusalem bread, for example, has a chat-patta taste to it that one wouldnt find otherwise. Even with the slightly hard coating on the bread, the flour is well-risen and gives a soft and moist texture on the inside. Eggplants are one of the major ingredients in this cuisine and there a few varieties that one can indulge in during the festival. Adding freshness to your palate are the interesting salad options. The Israeli salad and Tabuleh salad is recommended as it has everything one would hope for to give it that extra crunch. Israeli food wouldnt be complete without its dip. The Amba is a mango dip which instantly becomes ones favourite thanks to its tangy yet savoury flavour . The tahini and mentha dip, along with harrisa , give the dish that extra touch. The food festival also offers dishes like falafel, sabich, inflated French fries and shawarma to take one closer to the street food flavours. For the main course, one can enjoy the Spring chicken, fish in tomato sauce, traditional Jewish stew, Musakah and baked fish. One simple attraction as a side dish is the Baked all cauliflower. Though it may seem intimidating, as an entire cauliflower is placed in front of you, each flower that you taste will put a smile on your face. It has just the right amount of sweet, salt and spice to keep the dish interesting. There is also a wide selection of desserts that are both sweet and savoury for one to end the meal with. The flavours include the fresh, soft dates and cakes as well. The Taste of Israel is available until August 26 for both lunch and dinner. For reservations, call 45101033. Chief Justice of India Justice T S Thakur today stressed the need to fill the vacant post of judges to clear the pendency of cases and said that in case the vacancies are not filled, it becomes a challenge to clear the backlog of cases. "It becomes a National challenge for the Judiciary to clear backlog at the earliest in the High Courts where the vacancies of judges are more and required to be filled," he said while addressing a gathering after laying the foundation of National Law university and inaugurating the Hostel block of HP Judicial Legal academy at Ghandal, 15 km from here. Referring to the vacancies of Judges in High Courts, the Chief Justice said that "It is an inexorable process as the studies show that instance of cases was directly related to literacy and prosperity." "People now are quite literate and conscious of their rights and seek shelter of the courts even for their petty grievances," he remarked. Though the pendency in the Himachal Pradesh High Court has reduced by 50 per cent, which is commendable performance, Thakur said that he did not hear about any such reduction in other High courts . He said that 80 per cent of backlog was mainly in eight states including UP, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and observed that the burden of backlog of cases brings the entire judicial system at halt. Praising the Himachal and Kerala High Courts for clearance of backlog, Thakur said that the reason for this was that the number of vacancies in these High Courts was quite less. Quoting example of Himachal High Court, he said that against sanctioned strength of 13 judges, 11 judges are in place and only two vacancies existed. He said that as per the information given to him ,there were disposal of 33,240 pending cases in HP High Court and as many as 2,51,325 cases in sub-ordinate courts. Calling for optimum utilisation of the Judicial Academy, the Chief Justice of India said that it should not remain idle even for a day and besides imparting training to Judicial staff it should also train other stake holders exercising quasi-judicial functions, law students and the public. He said that there was a growing feeling that after investing so much in judicial academies, will it be fully utilised to serve the purpose round the year and to address this concern, the state academies need to maintain liaison with National Judicial academy to chalk out the curriculum of the courses throughout the year with purpose of training so that the state academies did not remain un-utilised or idle. "I will urge the Chief Justices of State and the judges that not even for a day, the academy remains un-utilised or its motive is defeated," he said and asked to prepare special training modules for the purpose. Thakur also assured the Chief Minister that he will take up the matter with the Prime Minister and if need be with the finance Minister for additional funding to the State government for completion of National Law University. "Though judiciary does not intervene in such matters, but for me Himachal is the second home as my better half belong to Himachal," he said in a lighter vein. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh expressed concern over the pendency of cases and said that this deprives people of speedy justice and stressed that a law should be enacted to adopt the dynamics of the ever evolving society. The Chief Minister said that despite huge expansion in Judicial set up in the State, the pendency of cases had increased and added that it was the duty of High Court to clear the pendency. He urged the CJI to take up the matter regarding additional funds for National Law University with the Union government. Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh, Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir said that judicial education was essential for enhancing the quality and improving the standards of justice, adding that independence of judiciary depends upon public confidence and also on that how well the judges are doing their jobs. He said judicial academies were responsible for planning and providing initial and continuous training to judges and court officers to enhance the quality of dispensation of Justice. Mir said that the academy had launched help desk on its website where the judicial officers can view the reading material, videos of previous lectures and can ask questions from the academy. The academy was also preparing Himachal Series named ILR which was sent to the judicial officers by e-mail to apprise them about the latest law laid down by the High Court, he added. The latest phase of violence has claimed the lives of over 60 people, blinded over 100 others and injured thousands in Kashmir in the past about six weeks. Curfew and ban orders have been in force in most parts of the Valley for most of these days. But the protests and unrest which started after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani by security forces have only been growing. Nothing that the government has said or done has had any impact on the situation. Both the Centre and the state government have to think of ways and take measures to bring down the level of violence. The prime minister and others have found the involvement of Pakistan and issued warnings to that country. But blaming Pakistan is no real solution. The present situation is more homegrown than choreographed from across the border. Use of more force and imposition of more restrictions will alienate the people further. Only an increase and widening of engagement with the people, and all sections of society, can help the Indian cause in Kashmir. This is easier said than done. Indias Kashmir policy has always been full of unlearnt lessons and lost or ill-used opportunities. Vajpayees Insaniyat approach was well taken but stalled on the ground. The UPA government tried to carry it forward but failed and violence and unrest only aggravated in 2008 and 2010. A new framework and approach may be needed to talk to the present generation of protesters who are young and angry. They do not seem to be under the control of the Hurriyat or other leaders. The protests actually have no leader. There is deep distrust of Delhi in Kashmir and so even the opening of a line of communication channel may not be easy. An all-party effort may be better for this than a government initiative. The heavy security set-up will have to be lightened and confidence-building measures like selective withdrawal of restrictions and stringent laws will be needed to earn the peoples trust. Such a course may be against the natural instincts of the present government but there does not seem to be any better course. Ultimately, Kashmir may have to be given more autonomy than it has now. It does not have the degree of autonomy it had at the time of accession. Many promises made then and later have been violated. There is room for a more autonomous Kashmir within the Indian union. A lasting solution will also, in the long run, call for the involvement of Pakistan. Only a realistic, honest, humane and political approach will help India in Kashmir. Coercive policies and actions, rhetoric and warnings can only hurt. Governor Cuomo's decision is great news for hundreds of dogs and cats in state-funded institutions in New York. These animals can now know love and affection and a human pack that really cares for them. Photo by The HSUS 1.3K shares In The Humane Economy, I muse about the life of my dog Lilya mixed breed whose beagle background yowls most prominentlybefore a rescue group pulled her from a rural shelter that had her on a euthanasia list. A veterinarian with Lost Dog and Cat Rescue said she was four or five when she came into our lives, and my wife Lisa and I often fret about the pain and even torments she experienced before we knew her, since her behavior signals those past traumas. For a variety of reasons, we expect she was a puppy mill dog, or a discarded hunting dog. But at times, we even wonder if she may have come out of a laboratory, since beagles are frequently used in experiments because they are so trusting and docile. Thats one reason why I am especially happy to celebrate Governor Andrew Cuomos signing of legislation in New York to require publicly-funded institutions of higher education to give dogs and cats used in biomedical research and testing a second chance and a chance at adoption into forever homes. Its great news for hundreds of dogs and cats in state-funded institutions in New York. Rather than discarding these creatures, and burying the evidence if you will, New York has made it possible that they can now know love and affection and a human pack that really cares for them. In a remarkable coincidence, Governor Cuomo put his signature on The Research Animal Retirement Act nearly fifty years to the day that President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the federal Laboratory Animal Welfare Act (now the Animal Welfare Act), which was motivated by a similar concern for the welfare of dogs. The Research Animal Retirement Act, championed by primary sponsor, State Senator Philip M. Boyle (R- Bay Shore) and Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) requires that dogs and cats be offered for adoption through private placement or non-profit animal rescue and shelter organizations when their time in research has come to an end. New York is among a growing number of states passing similar legislation, including California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Nevada. Such legislation solidifies a growing trend, as more and more research facilities across the United States have voluntarily instituted successful adoption programs for dogs, cats, and other animals. The development of good relationships between research institutions and rescue organizations has enabled this kind of progress. Thats why its sad to contemplate that similar bills in Illinois and Maryland faced stiff opposition from the research community and failed to pass. Laws like this affirm and ensure that the authority to determine when a dog or cat is no longer needed for scientific research rests with the research institutions. They do not affect the way that research is conducted. But they do offer an alternative solution to the only one outlined in federal laweuthanasia. Why shouldnt these animals be given a chance to become part of a family instead of being killed once their time in the laboratory ends? The use of dogs in research has substantially declined since the 1960s when the Animal Welfare Act passed, a time when some two million dogs a year passed through our nations laboratories, almost none of them coming out alive. In 2014, according to USDA data, the number of dogs used in US laboratories stood at 65,153 (a decline of almost 12 percent from the prior year). At the same time, fewer and fewer institutions purchase dogs from random source Class B dealers, not least because, in October 2014, the National Institutes of Health stopped funding research involving dogs procured from Class B dealers. Fifty years since the nations policy-makers first turned their attention to the plight of dogs and other animals in laboratories, were on the threshold of even greater opportunities to spare animals from any risk of harm in laboratory usage. Were pushing toward that goal with all weve got. In the meantime, a measure like this one, so easy to implement, does the animals real good, and makes us a little better as well. There was tension for a while inside the Bengaluru Central Prisons, Parappana Agrahara, after two groups of prisoners attacked each other on Friday. Krishna and his associate were injured in the attack. They are being treated at the hospital inside the prison, said the police. The Parappana Agrahara police registered a case against rowdy Kunigal Giri and his associates for attacking Krishna and his associates, said the police. Involved in murder Krishna and his associates were involved in the murder of rowdy Chichi in Kengeri recently. They were arrested and sent to prison. They were lodged in the A Block, said the police. The attack took place when the prisoners had come out of their barracks for breakfast around 9 am. Giri and his associates rushed to the A Block and attacked Krishna and his associates, who retaliated. The prison staff rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said the police. After 27 years, the students of 1989 BCom batch of St Aloysius College came under a roof for reunion. It was a nostalgic feeling. Fifty-six out of the total 78 alumni attended the programme. The reunion was organised with meticulous planning. The alumni attended the programme with their parents, spouses, children, teachers and non-teaching staff too. More than 35 alumni flew down from Middle East and other parts of the world. Some company executives and professionals had come down just to attend this programme. Some former teachers from other parts of the world as well as the country attended the programme. The programme began with a thanks giving mass at St Aloysius Chapel, concelebrated by Rev Fr Leo DSouza, principal of the college in 1989 and attended by other priests of the college. Later, the former students went to their class room --- Room No 308 --- for nearly half an hour, bringing back moments of yesteryears. Chief guests Rector Rev Fr Dynisious Vaz, Principal Rev Fr Swebert DSilva and Registrar Dr A M Narahari, while appreciating the fine gesture of the former students coming back to their alma mater, expressed happiness that they are upholding the ideals of the college as Aloysians and are well settled in life. A presentation was made about the progress of the college in recent years. An appeal was made to help the college which is about to become a university. Leslie Noronha, presently in Dubai, was instrumental in leading a very big team from the Middle East. SACAA president Dr Richard Gonsalves gave a brief account of its activities and requested all students to attend the Founders Day programme held on January 12, every year. More than 25 former teachers, including Dr A M Narahari, the non-teaching staff along and the spouses of the staff, who have passed away, were felicitated. Three girls out of four from the first batch after Aloysius College became co-educational in 1986 shared their happiness. Later, former student and renowned DJ in Dubai Anil Mascarenhas, popularly called DJ MAS, mesmerised the audience with a musical programme running late into the night. Lawrence Fernandes Foundation, Bengaluru, donated Rs 21 lakh to St Francis Xavier Education Trust, Bejai, Mangaluru on Wednesday, towards the benefit of students and non-aided staff at St Francis Xavier Higher Primary School and Lourdes High School, Bejai. Foundation Chairman, former MLA and MLC Michael B Fernandes handed over the deed of endowment and the cheque bearing an amount of Rs 21 lakh to Bejai Church Parish Priest, St Francis Xavier Education Trust chairman and the school Convener Fr Wilson Vitus DSouza, at a programme organised at St Francis Xavier Higher Primary School, Bejai. Speaking on the occasion, Fernandes said he and four among his five brothers ---George Fernandes (former Union defence minister), Lawrence Fernandes, Paul Fernandes and Aloysius Fernandes --- studied at St Francis Xavier Higher Primary School, Bejai, between 1939 and 1946. The Lawrence Fernandes Foundation, established in 2006, was named after his elder brother, who passed away in 2005. On the occasion of the centenary celebrations of St Francis Xavier Higher Primary School last year, the rest of the brothers had decided to donate the amount to their alma mater. Rs 8 lakh will be instituted as the corpus fund towards Jacob Fernandes Scholarships in the name of his paternal grandfather; Rs 4 lakh will be towards Margaret Pinto Scholarships in the name of Micheals maternal grandmother and Rs 9 lakh will be towards Lawrence V Fernandes Medical Grants to provide medical aid to the unaided teachers and support staff of both the schools, he added. Michael Fernandes was felicitated n the occasion. School headmistress Lona E C Rodrigues, St Francis Xavier Church Parish Council vice president Stany Vaz, secretary Cony Saldanha, School Development and Monitoring Committee member Augustine Rodrigues and corporator Prakash B Salian were among those present on the occasion. An alert was sounded as the threat of floods returned in Bihar with the Ganga and four other rivers flowing above the danger mark. The districts of Bihar, situated on the banks of the Ganga, were put on alert as the Central Water Commission on Friday warned Ganga basin districts that the river may witness a rise in water level in the next one to five days. Due to the increase in the water level of the Ganga, water has reportedly entered into the riverine areas of the districts like Patna, Buxar, Bhojpur, Munger, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur and Samastipur, a Disaster Management Department statement said. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, have already taken positions in Patna, Vaishali and Gopalganj while State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been put on alert in Patna and Bhagalpur, it said. Maximum temperatures hovered between one degree Celsius above normal to three notches above normal in most parts of Punjab and Haryana, the MeT office said. Ambala and Hisar settled at an identical high of 36.7 degrees Celsius, three notches each above normal. While Patiala had a high of 36.5 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal, the maximum at Amritsar was 36.4 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal. Chandigarh and Ludhiana settled at an identical high of 35.5 degrees Celsius each, three and two notches respectively above normal. The MeT department forecast light to moderate rainfall at few places in the region during the next 48 hours. It was a sultry day in Delhi with high humidity levels troubling Delhiites even as mercury settled at normal levels. The maximum and minimum temperatures settled at 34.4 and 26.4 degrees Celsius, both normal for this time of the year, a MeT official said. The three other metropolitan cities - Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai recorded maximum temperatures of 33.1, 38.4, and 30.7 degrees Celsius respectively. Amnesty International India is facing the heat after pro-Azadi slogans were raised at an event in Bengaluru recently. Amnestys executive director Aakar Patel responded to queries raised by Shemin Joy of DH. Excerpts: How do you react to the complaint against the event? The allegations are without any substance, and we are hopeful that the charges will be dropped. Amnesty International India staff did not raise any slogans or sing any songs, as claimed in the complaint. The events was for the families of victims of human rights violations in Jammu & Kashmir to narrate their personal stories of loss. These are issues that have regularly been discussed in the media. They have been written about at length by MPs, politicians, judges and members of the civil society. How do you see slapping of sedition charges? The police decide the sections of law which are mentioned in an FIR, and it is surprising that they chose to use provisions such as Section 124A (sedition) when the Supreme Court has ruled that for speech to amount to sedition, it must involve incitement to violence. The police were present all through the event. The registration of a case of sedition shows a lack of belief in fundamental rights and freedoms in India. Reports suggest that the home ministry would insist on Amnesty registering itself under FCRA. What are your objections to it? We have not received any notice. When we do, we shall respond adequately. Do you think the government is using the incident to tighten the screw on Amnesty? Is it part of a larger design to target NGOs? Various state governments have used the sedition law to clamp down on activists who are critical of government policies. Lately, we have witnessed a pattern of using the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act (FCRA) to suppress dissent and harass groups critical of government view and action. The government needs to respect the rights of these individuals and organisations to freedom of expression and association. Two days after Praveen Poojary, a BJP worker, was killed by Hindu Jagarana Vedike members while transporting cattle on Thursday, the family of the victim has denied the charge that he (Poojary) was involved in cattle trafficking. Prameela Poojary, the sister of the Praveen, told media persons on Friday that her brother was never involved in cattle trafficking. If that was the case, we would have been rich years ago itself. The people whom he believed stabbed him in the back, she said. She claimed that the people who did not tolerate her brothers popularity in the village were behind his murder. Praveens father Vasu Poojary said that his (Praveens) friends were the main culprits. He trusted people too much. They cheated him, he said. Udupi district BJP president Matter Ratnakar Hegde said he personally believed that Praveen had been murdered for personal reasons. Former district BJP president, Tingalay Vikramarjuna Hegde, said that the murder had nothing do with the party. He said that people who brand themselves as cattle protectors were no way connected with the party. However, Superintendent of Police K T Balakrishna told DH that according to the preliminary investigation, Poojary was killed over cattle trafficking. The suspects claim that they murdered Poojary as he was transporting cattle. But, it is yet to be ascertained whether the he was done to death owing to personal enmity, the SP said. Poojary, 29, was bludgeoned to death by a gang while transporting cattle in his mini truck at Kenjur in Brahmavar of Udupi district on Wednesday night. His friend, Akshay Devadiga, was injured in the murderous attack and he is under treatment in a private hospital in Brahmavar. Akshay Devadiga, who spoke to media persons, said that a gang of around 25 men attacked him and Praveen with iron rods when the vehicle by which they were transporting calves stopped near Muddur. Ramesh, the person who had hired the vehicle, fled the spot as soon as the gang struck them, Devadiga said. We were dumped along with the calves in the truck. I lost consciousness after the attack and when I regained senses, I heard Praveen screaming for water. The assailants told him to drink rain water and die. Later, some local people, who arrived at the spot, threw a water bottle at him. I put a few drops of water into his mouth. The police shifted us to a hospital, he recalled. A local court in Udupi has remanded 18 suspects arrested on Thursday in connection with the murder in judicial custody till August 30. The other seven suspects, who were produced before the magistrate at his house on Friday evening, were sent to judicial custody till August 31. Cow vigilantes into beef trade Congress MLC Ivan DSouza has said that people claiming themselves as protectors of cows were involved in beef export business, reports DHNS from Bengaluru. Beef export is a Rs 480-crore business in India. Those who are claiming to be the protectors of cows are involved in beef export business. In many instances, rescued cows have ended up in slaughterhouses, the MLC told media persons on Friday. A woman was killed on the spot and five others were injured when the ambulance in which they were travelling hit a private bus from behind near a toll collection centre at Nagasandra on Tumakuru Road on Friday morning. The deceased was identified Eeramma, 46, a resident of Sandur in Ballari district. She was being taken to Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (JICSR) here when the accident occurred around 7 am, said the police. The injured were identified as Veeresh, Kumaraswamy and Ratnamma, all Eerammas relatives from Sandur, Vinay Kumar, the ambulance driver, and Jacob, a support staff. They were rushed to a nearby hospital. They were stated to be out of danger. Eeramma was admitted in a private hospital in Hosapete four days ago after she developed cardiovascular complications. Her condition deteriorated on Thursday. We shifted her to Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in Ballari on the doctors advice. However, doctors at the VIMS advised us to take her to JICSR. Veeresh told DH. We hired the ambulance from Ballari and left for Bengaluru on Thursday night. The private bus driver did not make way for the ambulance though the siren was on. Kumar found it difficult to overtake the bus near Nagasandra on National Highway-4. The bus suddenly slowed down as the driver applied brakes. Kumar lost control and rear-ended the bus, he said. Eeramma was killed on the spot due to head injuries, while others escaped with minor injuries. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared her brought dead, Veeresh said. Lancy D Souza, driver of the private bus belonging to Canara Pinto travels, was arrested by the Peenya Traffic police on the charge of negligent driving. A 32-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, who was part of a gang of petty thieves, was murdered by his accomplices when he demanded a higher share in the booty, police said. The incident occurred at Vinobha Nagar in Kadugondanahalli, east Bengaluru, on Thursday night. Abdul Raheem was stabbed to death by Javed, Tabrez, Imtiaz and Afsar. Javed and Tabrez were related to Raheem while Imitiaz and Afsar were his long-time friends. They had formed a gang to commit robberies and thefts, police said. On Thursday night, the gang met up in Vinobha Nagar to share the booty of a robbery they had committed recently. Raheem demanded a higher share, saying he took greater risk by using his auto-rickshaw in the crime. Other members of the gang were not receptive to the idea. Javed ganged up with others to assault Raheem. One of them stabbed him. The gang left Raheem in a pool of blood and fled the spot. Passersby found him and called the jurisdictional the Kadugondanahalli police. The Bengaluru police on Friday questioned three people, including Jayaprakash, the organising secretary of the ABVPs Bengaluru unit, in connection with Broken Families, an event that was organised by Amnesty International India on August 13 at the United Theological College on Miller Road here. Jayaprakash and two other ABVP activists were summoned to the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (JC Nagar sub-division) on Friday. The police questioned Jayaprakash. The questioning would resume on Saturday. The two other ABVP workers did not turn up. They are likely to appear before the ACP on Saturday, Additional Commissioner of Police (West) KSR Charan Reddy told DH Apart from the three ABVP activists, the police had served notices on two others who were present at the event. They appeared before the police and stated that the situation went out of control when the programme was about to conclude. Their statements were recorded, said the police. According to the police, Jayaprakash had drafted the police complaint based on the accounts of a few from the audience at the event. He told the police that he was not present inside the hall. He was not sure if slogans were raised against the Indian Army, said the police. A few journalists and video journalists were present at the venue. They can approach the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Jayachamarajendra Nagar sub-division) if they volunteer to record their statement, Reddy said. The police have sent viodeographs of the event to Forensic Science Laboratory to ascertain the authenticity of the videos, said a senior officer. JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy on Friday charged that vice chancellors of many universities had paid bribe for their appointments in the state. Many vice chancellors have made payments for their appointments. They would have borrowed money from somewhere to make the payment. And now, after the appointment, they are trying to recover the money. Hence, scams are cropping up in universities, he told reporters. He, however, did not divulge names of vice chancellors who he claimed paid bribe. To a question on who had taken the bribe, he sarcastically said, Details of the payments might be available with Raj Bhavan. He took serious exception to Higher Education Minister Basavraj Rayareddi for terming some vice chancellors dacoits. Being the Higher Education Minister, Rayareddi will have access to all information. Why isnt he taking action against those dacoits? he asked. He also criticised Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar for lecturing on morals in public life and doing nothing to bring in the changes. He criticised the government for delay in recommending the police officers for promotion to IPS cadre. About 40 IPS posts have been vacant in Karnataka since March this year. But the government has not recommended any name to the Centre for promotions. Maybe, the government is averse to promoting Kannada-speaking officers to IPS cadre. It wants only officers from north India to occupy IPS posts so that they can mercilessly beat up locals, he said, and added that Kempaiah, the advisor to the home minister, would be the right person to explain why the government is dillydallying on recommending the names. Help denied to SC student H D Kumaraswamy charged that Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya refused to help a meritorious scheduled caste student pay the admission fee for his medical course. Shivanand Sonemane had secured the 1,345th rank in the common entrance test and was given a seat at Bangalore Medical College. But he was unable to pay the fees. When the student approached Anjaneya recently seeking financial assistance, the minister did not oblige him, he said. He also refused to accept the request letter that was written in Kannada. Instead, he asked him to submit the letter in English. The government claims to be a champion of SC, ST and backward classes, but poor students belonging to these communities are not getting help, the JD(S) leader charged and added that he will help the student if the government fails in its responsibility. I like the INC5000 list for 2016 because it is audited revenue, not the stuff of legend or press release. Birch is on here with $591M in revenue in 2015, which looks like the lost about $100M of the Cbeyond revenue. In 2013, revenue was approximately $207M. In 2013, Birch acquired Covista, Ernest and Lightyear Network Solutions. They bought Cbeyond in 2014 plus the customer bases of Liberty-Bell Telecom, EveryCall, SelecTel, 5LYNX and Orbitcom. "In September 2014, Birch announced that they undergone 24 acquisitions overall, worth more than $500 million." Apparently churn is a problem, because they should be at more than $700M. Then this year, Birch purchased Primus Canada. Maybe we will see next year if they are on the INC5000 - or if they go public. Fatbeam in Idaho "won 11 FCC E-rate contracts, which will help fund the construction of an additional 200 miles of fiber." [source] That should bump up their 2015 revenue of $2.8 million a bit. Tower Cloud is a cell tower backhaul provider at $41.5M. Masergy is at $254M. The list is mainly VoIP providers. Lightspeed Voice in Florida is just one of over 2000 Hosted VoIP companies operating in the US. They are at $2 million. In contrast, Clarity Voice is at $4M; NexVortex at $14M; Metaswitch powered CloudNet Group in Phoenix at $3.7M; and TeleBroad in Brooklyn at $3.4M. There are a lot of VoIP providers this size. Star2Star was on the list for the sixth time. The 2013 revenue was $33M. 2015 was $52.7M. S2S states that they have "500,000 business users at tens of thousands of locations across the US and Canada," which would put them near the same seat size as Vonage Business and 8x8 at about 500-600K. In contrast, Broadvoice is at $42M and 8x8 has $162M in revenue with 41,621 business customers in 2015. [8x8 average monthly service revenue per business customer increased 11% year-over-year to a record $320.] Star2Star is looking for an IPO in 2017. Evolve IP is at $59M. A few of my clients made the INC5000 list including Hunt Telecom for its second straight year; JMF Solutions; and IdeaTek. NITEL is on the list at $72.8m. More than a handful of channel partners are on the list. You have to wonder where CSNG, WTG, Telarus, Microcorp, COLOTRAQ, TBI and Avant are in revenue. It would be interesting to be where some of the others are like Kingcom, Exemplify, Datatel, Telecom Brokers, AB&T, Aligned, Acuity and Transit Brokers. I guess we will find out if any of them get picked off by (A) SYNNEX or another VAD; or (B) another master agent. Or if they make the INC5000 next year. Around 20 students and ABVP workers were injured, some of them seriously, when the police resorted to lathi charge to disperse a group of protesters which attempted to picket the Amnesty International India (AII) office in Indiranagar 1st stage on Friday. The ABVP-led protesters were demanding the arrest of those who had raised anti-India slogans at an event organised by AII here on August 13. Six police personnel were also injured as they were manhandled by the protesters. The injured students were rushed to CMH Hospital, C V Raman General hospital and other hospitals in Indiranagar. The doctors at CHM Hospital said that of the five students admitted there, one had sustained a gash on his head and was being treated. The others are out of danger, hospital sources said. Around 11 am, around 150 students gathered near the AII office and demanded the immediate arrest of those who had raised anti-national slogans. They removed the barricades placed by the police and made their way near the office gate. As they were preparing to burn an effigy of AII, the police requested them not to create trouble and asked them to disperse. As an argument broke out between the protesters and the police, some of the ABVP activists tried to climb the AII office gate to enter its premises. To disperse them, the police resorted to lathi charge. While some students were injured after being hit by lathis, a few others suffered injuries as they tripped while running for cover. The protestors were carrying two bottles of petrol to burn the effigy. We asked them not to do that as it is a residential area. As they did not pay heed to our advice, we used force to disperse them. They could have caused huge damage if we had not acted, said a senior police officer. ABVPs Bengaluru unit organising secretary Jaya Prakash said: We were told by the police that the AII office was closed. But we found a few persons on the top floor videographing the protest. Hence, we attempted to barge in. ABVP member Veena, who was injured, told DH: Male police personnel attempted to control women protesters though women police were at the spot. ABVP members Gavisiddaiah, Range Gowda and Manjunath Reddy sustained severe gashes on their heads and are undergoing treatment. The police detained ABVP workers who came to the hospital to enquire about the injured. The ABVP will intensify the agitation till those who raised slogans against the Indian Army are arrested, she said. The police detained 22 protesters and released them later. A case has been registered against the protesters at the Indiranagar police station. Security has been heightened at the AII office, the police said. In the first- ever government initiative in the country, the Karnataka government is all set to brand its ragi (finger millet) by tackling the demand side anomalies so that small holder millet farmers of the state benefit from the increasing preference to smart foods. Announcing the initiative at the headquarters of the International Crops Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) here on Friday, Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the state government has roped in ICRISAT, Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition for a brainstorming session with stakeholders on the topic, Popularising Millets Through Product Development and Branding Karnataka Ragi. A large group of processed food manufacturers such as MTR, 24 Mantra, Shreshta, Ammae, Manna and suppliers such as BigBasket, attended the meeting. Around 70% of the total ragi grown in the country is from Karnataka. Our earlier efforts to increase revenues of small holder farmers was much on the supply side. Now, we have decided to complete the circle by stressing on creating demand for millets, Gowda said. He said discussions included possibility of expanding production of top of the line cereals-rich in nutrients such as ragi flakes, cookies and crispies to attract the urban consumer. He demanded that the Union government keep a kilo-to-kilo parity in minimum support price between cereals and millets to make millet farming profitable. Rs 100-cr business Stressing the need to re-brand Indian millets, B Dayakar Rao of IIMR said that his organisation is working on increasing shelf life of millets from 10 to 30 days to six months. In fact, the consumption figures of millets have come down in recent years. However, efforts of Karnataka government have led to a turnaround in productivity of millets in that state, he said. He forecast a business of Rs 100 crore from branding and marketing ragi with at least 300 players ready to take part in the initiative. ICRISAT which will be chipping in with its expertise in demand creation for millets has been working with Karnataka through Bhoo Chetana programme. Economic opportunities We have to create economic opportunities for farmers by translating the increased productivity into profitability. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for doubling farm production by 2022. It will only come from transformation of agricultural sector, said Dr David Bergvinson, Director General, ICRISAT. Krishna Byre Gowda, AGRICULTURE MINISTER: Around 70% of the total ragi grown in the country is from Karnataka. Our earlier efforts to increase revenues of small holder farmers was much on the supply side. Now, we have decided to complete the circle by stressing on creating demand for millets Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday defended the Bangalore Development Authority for allotting sites on some lakebeds stating that the waterbodies had lost all characteristics of lakes. Replying to queries from reporters that BDA itself is in the dock for allotting sites on lakebeds, Siddaramaiah said, Some lakes have lost all their features. For instance, the Kempegowda Bus Station has been built on a lake. The Congress office on Queens Road and other buildings on Millers Road are also on lakebeds. There are many such instances. We will have to demolish at least one lakh buildings. That is not practically possible, he said. On JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamys challenge to the government to demolish illegal buildings of politicians, IAS and IPS officers at the posh Dollars Colony and JP Nagar, Siddaramaiah said nobody would be spared. Whether it is JP Nagar or any other place, properties which have come up on lakebeds and stormwater drains will not be spared. The government will not succumb to pressure from anyone, he said. He rubbished charges that the government is only targeting the poor. If the drive is not taken up, the repercussions will be disastrous every time it rains. Family members of Manipurs iconic human rights crusader Irom Sharmila Chanu on Friday said that they were not allowed to meet her at the JNIMS in Imphal. Though Sharmila is out on bail, one needs special permission of the hospital authorities to meet her for security reasons. Sharmilas family had claimed that they were harassed by the security personnel. This morning around 11 am, I, along with my elder sister Baijenyanti Devi, took my 84-year-old mother Sakhi Devi to the hospital. We had applied for permission and were verbally granted as the authorities were busy in regular rounds. We took our mother near Sharmilas room. Initially, the security personnel allowed us to enter. As we left our mother near Sharmila and came out, another group of security personnel came in and asked us to leave, said Irom Singhajit, Sharmilas brother, over phone from Imphal. Sharmila and her mother were in tears to see and hug each other after 16 long years. Sharmila had left home and started her hunger strike against AFSPA in 2000. Sharmila had told media on August 9, the day when she broke her fast, that she will meet her mother only after she achieves her goal of repealing AFSPA from Manipur. There were a lot of reports in national newspapers that we have dumped her. This is not true. When our mother got to know about this, we decided that we will meet her and welcome her home as we always wanted her to return. But we were stopped. There is some design to keep her away from her family, Singhajit further said. Only after they returned home, Singhajit reportedly got a call from the hospital saying that the permission to meet Sharmila has been granted. DH could not, however, independently verify the claims of Sharmilas family since repeated attempts to contact the hospital authorities went unanswered. Sharmila will be produced at the CJM court in Imphal on August 23. Naga militants on Friday claimed that a team of Indian Army commandoes crossed into Myanmar territory and attacked a NSCN (K) camp a charge that has been denied by the Indian Army. Army sources told DH that an ambush took place early on Friday, very close to the Indo-Myanmar border in Mon district. While there was no casualty from the Indian side, a large cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered. Army sources said they had no information about the injury to Naga militants as that would entail crossing the Myanmar border. But in a press statement, the NSCN (K) claimed 12 para commandoes intruded into Naga Myanmaran area inside Myanmar territoryafter crossing Thorloi. It the first border village well inside Naga Myanmar. Five-six commandos were gunned down and the rest ran helter-skelter in commotion, claims the press statement. The army completely denies the allegation and made it clear that there was no casualty from the Indian side. The operation is going on since early morning in the Mon area, said another Army source. Last year, the Indian Army is believed to have carried out a surgical strike on the militants inside the Myanmar territory, but there was never any official admission. The army maintained that the June 2015 operation took place near the Indo-Myanmar border and not inside the territory of another country. There seems to be no let-up in violence in the Kashmir Valley as clashes and strike continued for the 42nd consecutive day on Friday, leaving scores of people injured. Reports said that violent clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel after Fridays congregation prayers. Defying curfew, youth fought pitched battles with the security forces. However, the authorities did not allow Friday congregation prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar and other sensitive areas of Kashmir for the sixth consecutive week. Security personnel arrested many people as they stepped out of their houses in response to a call given by separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to march towards the UN office in Srinagar. Late on Thursday evening, an ambulance driver was shot at by CRPF personnel at Safakadal in the old city of Srinagar when he was taking a patient to SMHS hospital. The injured driver has been admitted to a hospital. Following an uproar, the CRPF suspended one of its men responsible for the shooting. We cannot go on a strike keeping in view the precarious situation in the Valley. We are with the government to ensure safety of the health officials and ambulance drivers, health officials said. Taking forward the probe against Vijay Mallya, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asked the CBI to provide the fresh FIR it registered against the liquor baron in connection with loan default. The ED, which is investigating a money laundering case on the basis of the first CBI FIR against Mallya for IDBI loan default, has decided to expand its probe after the registration of the fresh case. According to officials, the ED will study the content of the fresh FIR, under sections of criminal conspiracy and cheating for not honouring his commitment to repay a Rs 6,027 crore loan availed by Mallya-owned Kingfisher Airlines during 2005-10 from a consortium of banks. The complaint was filed by the State Bank of India on behalf of the consortium. It is also looking into other documents and details obtained from the CBI. The ED is expected to act on the fresh information soon. The State Bank of India and others had advanced various credit facilities to Kingfisher Airlines during 2005 and 2010 but the airline failed to honour the commitments in 2009-10. According to the CBI FIR, Kingfisher Airlines did not keep its account with the consortium banks and it became a Non-Performing Asset (NPA). The consortium then recalled credit facilities and also invoked corporate guarantee of United Breweries (Holdings) Limited and personal guarantee of Mallya. According to the information provided to a parliamentary panel, Mallya owed Rs 9,431.65 crore to 13 banks as on February 29. He owed Rs 2,350.34 crore to SBI, Rs 1,687 crore to JM Financial ARC, Rs 1,223.62 crore to IDBI and Rs 1,119.71 crore to Punjab National Bank. He owed another Rs 236.15 crore to SBM. Turkey on Friday confirmed its support for Indias membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. It also prodded New Delhi to act against some institutions run by the followers of controversial US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. External Minister Sushma Swaraj was briefed by visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the role of Gulen and a network of his followers in the recent attempt to stage a coup in Turkey. Cavusoglu pointed out that some of the followers of Gulen were running schools, colleges and other institutions in Mumbai, Hyderabad and other cities across India. He requested Swaraj to act against the institutions run by the network, sources said. The Embassy of Turkey here had earlier conveyed to the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi Ankaras concerns over Gulen networks footprints in India. Sushma told Cavusoglu that the government would take necessary action after verifying the allegations against the institutions run by the followers of Gulen. Gulen, a cleric, lives in Pennsylvania in the US. He runs the Gulen Movement, which, according to his website, is a worldwide civic initiative rooted in the spiritual and humanistic tradition of Islam. The Turkish government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim accused Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the failed coup in Turkey last month. Dental Council of India (DCI) president Dibyendu Mazumder is occupying the post illegally and has failed to check several cases of corruption in the DCI, charged anti-corruption activists here on Friday. The DCI regulates the standard of dental education in more than 300 dental colleges across the country. Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, at a press conference, sought the health ministrys intervention to institute a probe against the DCI office bearers and supersede the body with a credible Board of Governors as done with the Medical Council of India. The very appointment of the president tops the list of malpractices in the Council. While the illegalities involved in Mazumder's selection and continuation as the DCI president was known to the health ministry for years, there was little action on ground, he said. Letter questions On July 29 last, the union health secretary wrote to Jharkhand Chief Secretary asking how Jharkhand allowed Mazumder to become a visiting professor of Vananchal Dental College, Garhwa without the permission of West Bengal government. Mazumder is a full-time professor in WBs health services. Mazumder also took up a teaching position at the Nilambar-Pitambar University, Palamu, which does not have a dental faculty and returned to the DCI from Jharkhand in violation of rules. West Bengal government in 2012 had refused to send him to the Council. Jharkhand government has not responded to two letters from the health ministry regarding Mazumder, while West Bengal government is contemplating departmental action. A petition against some DCI members for accepting bribe is pending in the Kerala High Court since 2012 while a Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Delhi High Court in 2015 against 26 doctors being illegally accommodated in the DCI. The list includes Mazumder, Shaji K Joseph, a DCI member who filed the Kerala case, told DH. Support for computer science education is on the upswing, but more than half of 12th graders attend high schools that dont offer the subject , we reported recently. A growing number of states have put policies in place over the last few years to try to get more K-12 students taking computer sciencewith Arkansas being considered a leader in this realm. The state requires every public high school to have a computer science course. But making courses available doesnt necessarily mean students will take them. Indeed, we know from the above-mentioned NAEP data that while 44 percent of 12th graders have access to computer science, just 22 percent of students say theyve taken classes in the subject . The Arkansas education department is attempting to make headway here through a new incentive program. Last week, the department announced a computer science enrollment contest , to begin in the 2016-17 school year. Through the program, the governor will recognize schools with the largest number of students enrolled in computer science courses, as well as those with the largest percentage of students enrolled. And one school will be selected by lottery to receive a technology prize package (contents TBD). Schools can get additional lottery entries by having more students enroll in computer science courses, hiring more teachers with a computer science endorsement, holding Hour of Code events , and publicly promoting the computer science initiative. It will be interesting to see if more states take up this kind of tactic to improve computer science enrollment (and also to see if it works). Though Virginia probably wont need toits the only state so far to have made computer science a requirement for all elementary, middle, and high school students. Related: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by reading out a prayer to lead him from ignorance to truth. Rahuls tweets comes a day after Modi claimed that the BJP had suffered more adversities in Independent India than the Congress did during the British rule. Modiji a prayer for you: Asatoma Sadgamaya Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya Om Shanti Shanti Shanti, the Congress vice president said in Twitter quoting a hymn from the Upanishads. Lead me from ignorance to truth from darkness to light from death to immortality. Let there be peace for all living creatures, he said offering a translation. Congress leaders, however, were not so subtle. AICC senior spokesman Anand Sharma wanted Modi to apologise to the nation for the insults he had heaped on the freedom fighters by making the remarks on Thursday. It does not behove the Prime Minister of India to lower the dignity of his office by making a statement which is factually incorrect and insult to the freedom fighters, to leaders of the national struggle Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and thousands of others, he said. Hitting back at Modi, Sharma accused the Jan Sangh and RSS of being collaborators of the British during the freedom struggle. He also quoted from a letter written by Shyama Prasad Mookerjee to then Bengal Governor on how to combat the Quit India movement. The police arrested a 26-year-old man, suspected to be a Pakistani spy, from the Jaisalmer border of Rajasthan. Micro SD cards containing classified information, some Pakistani currency and two mobile phones have been recovered from the man, officials said on Friday. The police have identified him as Nand Lal Meghwal, a resident of Sangad district in Pakistan, who had come to India earlier this month on a visa. According to Additional Director General of Police (intelligence) Utkal Ranjan Sahoo, Nand Lal was arrested from a hotel in Jaisalmer on Thursday. Sahoo said, The SD cards had classified information related to defence institutions. Nand Lal was produced in a court on Friday and brought to Jaipur for further interrogation by security agencies. Primary investigation reveals that the accused remained in constant touch from Pakistan with anti-social elements and smugglers living in border areas of Rajasthan and also smuggled various articles. He has been arrested under Sections 3 and 3 (9) of the Official Secrets Act 1923. According to the initial investigation, the police said, Nand Lal used WhastApp, Facebook and Skype for communicating with his sources in the border areas. In lieu of smuggling items on cheap rates, he used to collect information about defence, intelligence agencies, and their activities and would pass it on to his handlers of ISI, the ADG added. State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria told media that the accused is an ISI agent and had come to India several times. Police said that he had visa for Jodhpur only, but he came to Jaislamer, in violation of the visa norms. The government does not have any role in stalling judges appointment and is trying to finalise a Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for the same, top government sources said on Friday. The MoP, being prepared in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is to widen the scope of consideration and include elements of transparency and accountability, they said. They also reiterated the governments decision to go ahead with the appointments, pending the finalisation of the MoP. As many as 52 high court judges appointment has been completed since January this year and the process is on for about 250, they said. During the period, 110 additional judges of the high courts were confirmed, and four new Supreme Court judges and nine chief justices of the high courts were also appointed. The transfer of 28 judges from various high courts was also notified, they added. Chief Justice of India (CJI) T S Thakur recently made strong observations against the government, saying the recommendations of 75 names by the Collegium were not being finalised and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also failed to make any mention of the vacancies in his Independence Day speech. After the invalidation of the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, the Constitution bench had on December 16 asked the Union government to supplement the existing MoP with the revised one. Subsequently, the government shot off a letter to the CJI in January, stating that it was not averse to resuming the appointment process till the MoP was in place. The government did not derail the appointment process...we do not have any role in stalling the appointment, a government source said. Schools in Louisianas second-largest district will remain closed until the middle of next week as leaders continue to assess the damage from historic flooding in the Baton Rouge area. Thus far, the East Baton Rouge school system reports that 17 of its 73 schools sustained significant damage, with six of those buildings completely flooded, the Advocate reports . Due to the flooding, roughly 30 parishes in southern Louisiana shut down schools just as the school year was beginning. The state Department of Education remains closed this week and has not yet tallied the cost or time to repair school campuses, spokesman Barry Landry told the New Orleans Times-Picayune . The flooding caused record-setting river crests that damaged homes and schools across southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi. The flood waters were so high in some places that East Baton Rouge school employees, even with aid from the Louisiana National Guard, werent able to reach every building until nearly five days later. In an interview with television station WBRZ, district Superintendent Warren Drake said that more than a third of his districts employees had their homes or property damaged during the flood. Most employees are tentatively set to return to work Monday with classes resuming Wednesday. As a result of the severe weather, Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency for the entire state. It remains in effect until mid-September. We are working diligently to develop a plan to resume school while recognizing the impact of this tragedy on our community, our employees and our facilities, Drake said in a statement posted to the district website Wednesday. But Drake cautioned that some water-damaged schools may remain closed, forcing students to attend classes in different locations. Drakes district wasnt the only one hit hard by the storm. More than a dozen schools in the Livingston and Ascension parishes are also shuttered as staff continue to assess damage in those locales. WBRZ reports that Livingston leaders will meet with officials in St. Tammany Parish this week to discuss how the district rebounded from massive flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina. The Advocate also reports that Baton Rouge-area parochial and charter schools were hit hard by the severe weather. In addition to flooded schools, districts also have to deal with waterlogged buses, which could complicate their efforts to get students back in school. The American Federation of Teachers has reactivated its Disaster Relief Fund to collect donations for Louisiana members and their families. The union began the fund in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, back in 2005. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been harmed by this flood, and we will be with them as they fight to recover from this disaster, AFT President Randi Weingarten and Louisiana Federation of Teachers Interim President Larry Carter wrote this week in an email to union members. The National Education Association and its Louisiana affiliate, the Louisiana Association of Educators, have also begun relief efforts to help those affected by the floodwaters. The Times-Picayune also reports that many of the districts walloped by Hurricane Katrina are collecting monetary donations and supplies for schools affected by the storm of 2016. Photo Credit: Gulfport, Miss., firefighters load water and cleaning supplies donated by Bayou View Elementary School families in Gulfport for flood victims in Louisiana. The city of Gulfport collected three truck loads of supplies and delivered them on Wednesday -- John Fitzhugh/The Sun Herald via AP The Prince Georges County, Md. school district had its Head Start grant for the 2016-17 school year revoked this week after incidents where children were forced to hold heavy boxes for refusing to nap, and a child was left unattended for close to an hour and ended up walking back home. The county, a suburb of Washington D.C., had already been under scrutiny from the Office of Head Start from an earlier inciden that involved a Head Start employee telling a 3-year-old to mop up his urine after a bathroom accident. The Head Start staff member texted a picture of the child to his mother, with the message lol and he worked that mop tho. The Prince Georges program serves 932 children and was slated to open Aug. 29. The federal Administration for Children and Families, which oversees Head Start and is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said that it was committed to continuing Head Start services in the county and to minimizing disruptions to children and families. No transition plans have been finalized, but Head Start does have a contract with Community Development Institute to provide interim services when a grant has been revoked. The Aug. 12 letter to the county revoking its grant started with an incident in December 2015. A child who wet his bed after naptime was made to mop up the urine while still wearing his wet clothes, the letter said. The teacher explained in a statement that she wanted the child to understand how hard a custodians job might be. The program was cited for allowing humiliation as a punishment, as well as violating confidientiality policies by taking a picture of the child and for not reporting the incident right away. The teacher was removed from Head Start, and the program added more staff training. But on June 15, two children were forced by a teacher and an assistant teacher to hold objects over their head as a punishment for misbehavior during nap time. They were told more time would be added to their punishment if they moved or dropped the boxes. A partial statement from one of the children said: "[the assistant teacher] wanted me to hold boxes in the air. I couldnt breathe. When [the teacher] came in, she made me hold more books my arms melted. I cried because my arms hurt so much. Head Start Student Walked Home Unattended And on June 9, a 5-year-old child at one of the county-run programs walked home after she returned from a visit to the nurses office and found that her classroom was empty because the other children were on the playground at the time. The childs aunt found her outside her apartments door, crying and visibly upset. The report said that the child was unsupervised for about 50 minutes, and that Head Start employees didnt know where she was for about 75 minutes. The child had to cross at least one street to get home. Kevin Maxwell, the superintendent of the school district, said in statement that we are deeply troubled by the circumstances that led to this decision. A handful of people used unacceptably poor judgment that compromised childrens learning environments, their personal well-being, and a program that has positively impacted countless lives in Prince Georges County. He added, To our parents with children enrolled in Head Start and throughout the system, please let me state in no uncertain terms: These incidents are completely unacceptable. They betray the confidence that you place in our schools. There is no room in Prince Georges County Public Schools for individuals who do not treat our students with compassion, with care, and with concern for their complete well-being. They will be held accountable to the fullest extent. Segun Eubanks, the chairman of the countys school board, added: Without question, the first priority of the Board of Education is the 932 children currently receiving Head Start services. The Board of Education will evaluate all options over the coming weeks and months for Head Starts continued operation. We will do everything we can for the children and families who participate in this program. We have made progress, but there is clearly more to be done. Related stories: for the latest news on policies, practices, and trends in early childhood education. After two seasons on the air, Thursday is the final episode of The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. The Comedy Central show occasionally trained its sharp comic and satirical sights on U.S. education, though not as often as I had wished. I was a fan of the show, which was in the mold of The Daily Show once hosted by Jon Stewart and lately by Trevor Noah. The Atlantic said this week that there was something particularly disappointing about Comedy Centrals decision to cancel the show for low ratings. Wilmore is late nights sharpest, most candid voice when it comes to tough issues concerning race, and his nightly program featured refreshingly honest panel discussions within a genre that can so often feel manufactured, The Atlantics Laura Bradley wrote. The show is an example of a genre of comedy shows"The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Last Week Tonight with John Oliverthat tackle serious and tough issues with comedy thrown in. I reported here last year about an extended segment Wilmore did on The Nightly Show about reports that the Texas state board of education had approved elementary and secondary textbooks that were whitewashing history. Below are videos of two other education segments on Wilmores show. The first is about the battle over a desegregation plan for the small community of Cleveland, Miss. (To his credit, Wilmore unraveled some of the ways the news media was oversimplifying the story of what the most recent court ruling in the 50-year-old case meant.) The second is a five-minute report about the sorry state of Detroits public schools and other public education horror stories. Larry, well miss your show, but hope to see you back on the air somewhere soon. I Wouldve Hit On Anything That Moves If I Wasnt Married, Says Fawad Khan Shine Technologies and Econet Wireless have announced a deal to bring network-level ad blocking to 40 million subscribers across Africa. The agreement marks the first availability of Shines network-level ad control technology in Africa, following a similar agreement with the Three Group in Europe. An analysis of Econets network performance has exposed that the prevalence and unchecked behaviour of AdTech is robbing its subscribers of up to 40% of their data plans. The introduction of Shines ad blocking technology is seen as a way to help subscribers protect and manage their data consumption. Under the terms of the agreement, which was facilitated by Cumii International, the first roll-out will take place in Zimbabwe, with ad blocking coverage turned on automatically for all subscribers. All remaining Econet Group regions will follow in succession. Shine CEO and co-founder Ron Porat said, "AdTech abuse is a global phenomenon, and in Africa in particular, it is devastating to consumers limited data plans." Econet Wireless Zimbabwe CEO Douglas Mboweni said, This will lead to quicker loading and cleaner looking web pages free from advertisements, lower resource waste in terms of bandwidth and memory. This goes a long way in solving the issue of bill shock resulting from unsolicited adverts. In addition there are privacy benefits gained through the exclusion of the tracking and profiling systems of ad delivery platforms. Mboweni added that, It would be remiss not to acknowledge the role played by our partner Cumii in bringing this service to our subscribers in Zimbabwe. For a long time, Motorola has behaved as the grizzled veteran of the smartphone industry. Its quietly launched phone after phone, never really caring to comment on what its opposition is up to. Until now. The new, Lenovo-operated Motorola, seems more aggressive. The companys US Twitter account has flat out accused Samsung of copying its feature. Its true, Motorolas Always On feature came before Samsungs, and its still much better. However, if anyone should get credit for such a feature, it should be Nokia. Remember the Glance screen? In what galaxy is it okay to steal competitor phones cool features? #TheOriginalAlwaysOnDisplay #motozdroid pic.twitter.com/T75byy5bIx Moto US (@Moto_USA) August 18, 2016 Motorola improved on Nokias feature, but Samsung sadly didnt, settling for an Always On display thats basically a gimmick. That said, this isnt the first time an OEM has been inspired by something someone else did. Heres a quick look. Apple Yes, Apple fans, the Cupertino-based giant is just as guilty as anyone else. Over its past few iterations, iOS has basically been a demonstration of Apple losing its edge with innovation. Heres how. Live Photos Nokia did this first, with something the company called Living Images, for its Lumia devices. Apple waxed eloquent about how innovative Live Photos were, but the credit really goes to Nokia and Microsoft. Nokia's Living Images (Credit: Windows Blog) Split Screen Split Screen view was introduced by Apple quite recently, but long time smartphone and tablet would give the credit for this one to Samsung. The company brought this to tablets much before Apple. A 12.9 inch iPad and the Apple Pencil The Pen is mightier than the sword, but is the Pencil mightier than the Pen? Apples Pencil is just as good as Microsofts Surface Pen, but will anyone ever give the credit for this to Apple? Actually, the true credit for smartphone styluses goes to Samsung and its S-Pen. Apple's iPad Pro (L) vs Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 (R) (Credit: Windows Central) Speaking of the Pencil, Apples 12.9 inch iPad Pro was a huge nod to Microsoft. The company basically accepted that the Surface was a tablet better suited to replacing the laptop. The Surface remains better, too. Siri Proactive and Apples Keyboard shortcuts From Microsoft to Google. Siri has forever been behind Google Now. The only thing Apples voice assistant can really boast of, is the fact that its a better conversationalist than Google Now. Siri Proactive, announced recently, is basically everything Google Now already has, and the voice recognition itself remains to be seen. While were on Siri. Remember the Spotlight Search page that Apple added to the left of the home screen is another effort at providing Google Now. Interestingly, there is little use for the page on an iPhone. Further, the new keyboard shortcuts from Apple, which allow quick insertion of emoticons, pictures etc. have been part of Android keyboard forever. Night Shift Apples newest poster boy, Night Shift, is a feature the company has no business taking credit for. It has been available on Android devices for ages, hasnt it? Lenovo Lenovo hasnt been the worst offender, but one of its recent devices perhaps flatters the hell out of Apple. Yes, the Sisley S90 is what were talking about. The picture below says a thousand words. Lenovo Sisley S90 (L), Apple iPhone 6 (R) Huawei In many ways, Huawei is the new Samsung. The Chinese telecom giant has quickly made its mark on the smartphone market, and with some impressive devices. Its not without some inspiration, though. Spotlight Search and Control Center If youve ever used a phone running Huaweis EMUI, you would have seen the Spotlight search like feature. You simply swipe down on any home screen, just like you do on Apple devices. Also, swiping up on the lock screen brings up a menu that looks dangerously like Apples Control Center. Huawei's take on Spotlight Search (L) and Control Center (R) Huaweis Force Touch Technically, Huaweis Force Touch-powered phone came to market before Apples, but can we really give Huawei the credit for this one? We think not. Not that Force Touch is very useful any way. Xiaomi Theres a reason Xiaomi doesnt enter the US market today, and a lot of that has to do with the inspiration the company has drawn from Apple. The list can seem never ending here. Mi Message iMessage, Mi Message, whats the difference really? Its all about creating an ecosystem of users, a community that uses your phones and other devices. MiUI India first saw MiUI with the Xiaomi Mi 3. MiUI 5 on that device, though, wasnt as iOS-like. Things changed with MiUI 6, which was almost a replica of iOS at the time, and things havent changed much since. Xiaomi has been innovating on its own as well, though. Xiaomi's MiUI 6 launch photos Xiaomi Mi4 launch If you followed the Mi 4 launch, you would remember the image shown below. 'Nuff said! Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun pays tribute to the late Steve Jobs almost every time he takes the stage. Samsung The inspiration game in smartphones was perhaps started by Samsung. The company was in multiple legal battles with Apple, and did pay the company a ton of money for copying its designs. The damage was done, though, and no one really cares what Samsung did at one time, especially considering how it leads the market today. Even more recent than the Always On display is Samsung's Iris Scanner for the Note 7. Microsoft added this exact same thing with Windows Hello just a few months ago. The incidents mentioned here are just some instances when such inspiration was drawn. Google's Pixel C tablet has the same story as the iPad Pro, and there are many other instances as well. Let us know if you can add to this list. Recruitment business Kellan Group swung to a loss in the first half as sales fell, with many clients taking longer to make decisions due to uncertainty surrounding the EU referendum. In the six months to the end of June, the company swung to a loss of 0.1m from a profit of 0.2m in the same period a year ago, as sales declined 13% to 10m. Meanwhile, net fee income dropped 10% to 3.3m. Executive chairman Richard Ward said the results for the first half were disappointing, but the group has had success in securing new clients and growing some areas of the business. The company said its Berkeley Scott temporary business was flat year-on-year with the new Living Wage impacting the first-half performance. It said the tourism, hospitality and leisure sector has one of the highest proportions of jobs paying the minimum wage of any sector in the UK. Berkeley Scott saw several major clients re-evaluate their staffing levels, pay structures and usage of temporary workers to negate the impact of the minimum wage on their business, Kellan said. Ward said: Uncertainty surrounding the EU referendum has been a distraction in H1 of 2016 with many clients taking longer to make decisions. We have also seen some general slowness post referendum in job flow and candidate attraction. At 0850 BST, Kellan shares were down 20% to 1p. For years, Diane Douglas, Arizonas elected state superintendent, has fought with her governor-appointed board over who works for whom. The board sued her, she sued the board, they moved into seperate offices, and then legislation was passed to help them resolve their issues. But the issues between the board and Douglas apparently have continued. This week, Greg Miller, the chair of the board, resigned, according to the Associated Press . In a written statement, Miller said work for the board had come to a standstill because of the legal and personality disagreements between board members and Douglas. The superintendent is currently unwilling to fulfill her constitutional duties as it concerns this board, Miller said to the AP. Hopefully this action will allow the board to move forward with the very important work on its agenda and fulfill its constitutional role by encouraging the superintendent to move beyond her personal issues with me. Douglas, whos in the thick of writing the states plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act, denied Millers claims through her spoksman Charles Tack. The superintendent has been and is committed to making sure the board has the resources it needs from the department to do its work, Tack told the AP. Douglas, an anti-common-core activist who was elected in 2014, started her relationship with the board on the wrong foot when she fired two staff members who worked for the board. After board members complained, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey reversed the order, and Douglas, also a Republican, sued, arguing that the superintendent manages employees, not the board. A judge later ruled against her. She has appealed the ruling. Soon, the board moved its staff a few blocks away, setting off a fight over who had access to the departments teacher files, which sat at the departments headquarters. The board sued Douglas to get access to the files. Gov. Ducey signed a bill in May that cleared up who worked for whom. I spoke with Douglas and board members a few months ago for a story I wrote about the powers of state boards of education . Check out that blog post here . Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics. Markets are likely to turn their attention back towards the US Federal Reserve in the coming week. The US central bank will hold its annual week-long Economic Symposium at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with chair Janet Yellen herself due to deliver a speech on 26 August entitled The Federal Reserve's Monetary Policy Toolkit, while the topic on debate at the wider conference was "Designing Resilient Monetary Policy Frameworks for the Future". Some economists believe that if the Fed is truly intent on tightening rates come September then Yellen will flag that possibility at the above venue. Given markets are currently only pricing in a roughly 15% chance of tighter policy in September such a move would be likely to ruffle a few feathers among traders. Indeed, at the time of writing even a move in December was only more-or-less half-priced into Fed funds futures. According to economists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, "The market is overpricing a Sept hike, but may be under-pricing a December hike. The Fed miscommunication reinforced the USD sell-off. The market is far from the stretched long USD position of a year ago. If the Fed starts hiking again in December, investors will have a lot of catching up to do." In terms of US data, towards the end of the week, on Thursday and Friday, investors would be asked to digest three first-tier indicators: durable goods orders, second quarter GDP and the results of the University of Michigan's consumer confidence survey for August. Back in the UK, the focus would be on the more timelier data on the state of the economy, as markets stay on guard for any sign of undue weakness. Up and until the time of writing some survey results had transmitted a direr picture of the British economy than the hard data, so it remained to be seen which would gain the upper hand or if they might just simply converge somewhere in the middle. First out of the gate in that respect would be the Confederation of British Industry's industrial trends survey on Tuesday, followed by the BBA's mortgage loan data the following day and the CBI's distributive trades survey on Thursday. Meanwhile, and in the euro area, the key releases looked to be Tuesday's preliminary purchasing managers survey results for the bloc's main economies and the IFO business confidence index for Germany, on Friday. Monday August 22 INTERIMS Wireless Group QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE SQN Asset Finance Income Fund Limited C SHS NPV AGMS Puma Vct VII UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS CBI Industrial Trends Surveys (11:00) Tuesday August 23 INTERIMS Cape, Eurocell , Hostelworld Group , Persimmon INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Dewhurst INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Durable Goods Orders (US) (13:30) New Homes Sales (US) (15:00) Q2 Hostelworld Group FINALS Rank Group AGMS Northern Bear, Redt Energy UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS BBA Mortgage Lending Figures (09:30) FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Blue Planet Investment Trust Wednesday August 24 INTERIMS Atlas Mara Limited (DI), Candover Investments, Carillion, Costain Group, Glencore , Gresham Computing, Headlam Group, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Paddy Power Betfair, Sportech, WPP, Xaar INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Blue Capital Global Reinsurance Fund Ltd (DI) QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE Tetragon Financial Group Limited INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30) Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00) Gross Domestic Product (GER) (07:00) House Price Index (US) (14:00) MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00) AGMS Collagen Solutions, Duet Real Estate Finance Ltd, Gable Holdings Inc., NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited, NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Aquatic Foods Group Thursday August 25 INTERIMS Anglo Pacific Group, Cairn Homes , CRH, Henry Boot, IFG Group, OptiBiotix Health, Playtech, STV Group INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Polar Capital Global Financials Trust, Tritax Big Box Reit INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE Apax Global Alpha Limited , Avanti Capital, BlackRock World Mining Trust, British Smaller Companies VCT 2, Devro, Equiniti Group , FDM Group (Holdings), Glanbia, Hammerson, Henderson Group, London Stock Exchange Group, Low & Bonar, LPA Group, Marshall Motor Holdings, Mobeus Income & Growth Vct, North Midland Construction, Polypipe Group , Prudential, Robinson, Rotork, Taylor Wimpey QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE Carnival, HICL Infrastructure Company Ltd INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Continuing Claims (US) (13:30) IFO Business Climate (GER) (09:00) IFO Current Assessment (GER) (09:00) IFO Expectations (GER) (09:00) Import Price Index (GER) (07:00) Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30) Q2 Anglo Pacific Group SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Aberforth Geared Income Trust AGMS Albion Enterprise VCT, Oryx International Growth Fund Ltd., The Fulham Shore UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Nationwide House Price Index (07:00) FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Hayward Tyler Group FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE Bloomsbury Publishing, Carclo, Cohort, Dixons Carphone , Miton UK Microcap Trust, Park Group, Redcentric Friday August 26 INTERIMS Computacenter, Lavendon Group, Marshalls, Restaurant Group INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Aberdeen UK Tracker Trust, Beazley, Entu (UK) , Jupiter Fund Management , Microgen, Nichols, Relx plc QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE GLI Alternative Finance , Primary Health Properties INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS GDP (Preliminary) (US) (13:30) GFK Consumer Confidence (GER) (07:00) M3 Money Supply (EU) (09:00) SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Manchester & London Investment Trust AGMS Bilby, Naspers Ltd. ADR, Yujin International Ltd. (DI) UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS GDP (Preliminary) (09:30) Index of Services (09:30) FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE GB Group, Halfords Group, Latham (James), Northern Bear, Octopus Apollo VCT, UK Mail Group London stocks were set to open a little weaker on Friday with little in the way of corporate or macroeconomic news to drive markets and volumes likely to be low amid the summer lull. The FTSE 100 was expected to open eight points lower than Thursdays close at 6,861. Atif Latif, director of trading at Guardian Stockbrokers, said: We expect a period of consolidation in the coming sessions before a significant move lower and have seen downward protection being added. With the continual drop in the pound that is seeing no respite, the common theme for FTSE companies will now be M&A. Overseas cash rich funds and private equity houses will be looking at potential buyout targets on valuations that are now 20/30% cheaper. On the data front, UK public sector net borrowing figures are due at 0930 BST. Societe Generale expects the PSNB ex-banking will move from a deficit to a surplus of 2.4bn in July. This weeks data will be for July which is a key payment month for corporation and other taxes. As the OBR points out, this is the most forward-looking component of receipts and we think it could suffer from Brexit uncertainty. Moreover, the year-to-date performance of the budget deficit relative to the pace of improvement implied by the OBRs full fiscal year forecast has been disappointing, a trend that we expect to continue. Corporate news was thin on the ground on Friday. Hammerson said developments towards achieving a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) are at an advanced stage The listing is expected to take place on 1 September after receiving approval from the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank. Hammerson is now awaiting formal approval from the JSE. Elsewhere, Faroe Petroleum applied to the LSE for 1,033,949 new ordinary shares of 10p each in respect of the vesting of employee share awards under its corporate incentive plan. Admission was expected to become effective on 23 August. Faroe held no shares in treasury, the company said in a statement. Healthy and safety group PHSC has raised 350,000 before expenses through a share placement. The company, which provides health, safety, hygiene and environmental consultancy services, said the placement was in response to investor demand. The group placed 1,590,909 new ordinary shares of 10p each with new investors at a price of 22p per share. The placing shares represent 10.8% of the enlarged issued ordinary shares of the company. PHSC will use the funds for additional working capital, including for ongoing expenditure relating to recent acquisitions. Former Labour staff have decried the way current party staff have been publicly attacked and urged Jeremy Corbyn to respect the partys workers, in a letter on Thursday. In a letter to the Guardian, over a hundred former and retired Labour party staff said the attack on workers was depressing in wake of the recent legal challenges to the voting rules for the leadership race from members of the partys National Executive Committee (NEC) and general secretary Iain McNicol, who could be ousted from his position. The signatories said that staff work long-hours and have little job security in an organisation that is almost entirely voluntary. Despite this, staff remain completely loyal to the party and to their employers, and the least they are entitled to expect is some loyalty and respect in return. To hear members of the Labour party attack their own employees is depressing; to hear talk about clearing them out is unacceptable; to hear such statements from the most senior level is intolerable. We call on all party members, whatever their view or role in the leadership election, to treat their staff as they themselves would expect to be treated by their own employers. Signatories to the letter include two past NEC general secretaries, Lord Collins and Peter Watt, Tony Blairs former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, and former adviser to Ed Miliband and comedian Ayesha Hazarika. On Thursday, Labours deputy leader Tom Watson and shadow cabinet member Jonathan Ashworth gave their support for the letter on Twitter. Recently Corbyns supporters won all six of the contested seats on the NEC and as Corbyn tightens his grip on the partys governing body it could mean that McNicols position is under threat if he is re-elected in September. At the latest leadership hustings in Solihull on Thursday, challenger Owen Smith accused Jeremy Corbyn of never believing in the European Union, in a bid to restructure the debate with Europe at the centre. Smith is currently trailing in the polls. Labours official party line is pro-Europe and was in favour staying in the EU for the referendum. Smith said: I think Jeremy cant bring himself to say he would argue for a second referendum or put into a Labour manifesto that we would stay within the European Union because he fundamentally never believed in the European union. That is why he steadfastly refuses [to agree to a second EU referendum], even though he acknowledges a likely Tory Brexit will diminish workers rights; damage social protections; damage our ability to deal with tax avoidance. Even though he thinks that is likely to happen, he thinks it more important that we stay outside the EU. I think that is a deep, deep mistake. Corbyn responded: The referendum took place, the result is there, we know the Tory agenda. But we have to recognise there were some problems before the referendum with the EU ... There is an agenda in Europe which is not something Labour would support which is the free market agenda. Industrial Metals and Mining companies' shares bore the brunt of selling at the end of the week, with Evraz and Glencore in turn the worst performer in their respective sectors. Russian steel miner Evraz was under the cosh again on Friday after having said in the previous session that half-year revenue fell due to weak steel prices and low demand, although it remained cautiously optimistic about the second half. For the six months ended 30 June, revenues decreased by 27.6% to $3.54bn, compared to the same period last year. Acting as a backdrop, commodities were generally weaker in Friday afternoon trading as the US dollar bounced back from the weakness seen in the previous session. As of 13:30 BST three-month LME traded copper futures were off by 0.6% to $4,787.00 per metric tonne. Glencore took a hit from a downgrade out of Australian broker Macquarie, whose analysts argued that the commodity trader's strong debt reduction efforts were already priced into the stock. Offsetting some of the drag from Glencore, Kaz Minerals racked up stellar gains for the second day running as Credit Suisse upgraded the stock to outperform from neutral saying development risks are receding following the first-half results. Our concerns around KAZ have centred around execution risks at the two main growth projects and funding risks due to high levels of debt. Both are diminishing in our view and, alongside better than expected earnings we upgrade to outperform. CS said it remains cautious on copper prices over the next 12 months but pointed out that a third of KAZ revenues are from gold/silver/zinc, cash costs are low and copper production is set to double in the next two years. On Thursday, KAZ shares surged after it reported a rise in first-half earnings and said its new Bozshakol project is on track for commercial output in the second half. Top performing sectors so far today Aerospace and Defence 4,622.06 +0.49% Tobacco 57,007.16 +0.46% Software & Computer Services 2,018.86 +0.43% Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution 15,390.40 +0.42% Gas, Water & Multiutilities 6,663.55 +0.34% Bottom performing sectors so far today Industrial Metals & Mining 1,462.53 -3.26% Mining 12,020.50 -1.68% Forestry & Paper 17,007.97 -1.07% Life Insurance 6,912.84 -1.01% Automobiles & Parts 7,210.60 -0.68% Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. What you get with a Dispatch subscription Without a contract in hand, Cleveland teachers say they intend to strike. The potential walkout comes after years of wrangling between the district and the union over a merit-pay system called for by a 2012 state law. That law created the Cleveland Plan for Transforming Schools, which was meant to overhaul the citys long-struggling public schools. On Monday, the Cleveland Teachers Unions executive board unanimously approved the strike , which is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. on September 1. Ohio law requires unions to provide at least a 10 day notice of their intention to strike. The executive boards action comes after a May vote in which a whopping 97 percent of voting rank-and-file members authorized the unions leadership to call for a strike. The union is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. It is our hope that the CMSD [Cleveland Metropolitan School District] and the Mayor will commit to using the next two weeks to resolve the contract, Cleveland Teachers Union president David J. Quolke said in a statement . It is essential that we invest in our schools and in our students, and we provide more, not fewer opportunities for students; and it is essential that we settle this contract and begin working to pass the Cleveland school levy. The levy Quoike is referring to is the potential renewal of a tax increase that Cleveland voters last approved in 2012. As Teacher Beat guest blogger Alyssa Moron reported back in 2013 , the union and district inked a three-year contract that instituted a differentiated compensation system and tied teacher evaluations to students test scores. Under the new pay scale, teachers could receive raises for a number of reasons, including special training or qualifications they earned or their scores on the new teacher-rating system in which students test scores accounted for 50 percent of a teachers mark. According to an arbitrators report, however, the district has only been giving raises based on those annual evaluations . There is no dispute that, in the intervening years, CDCS (Cleveland Differentiated Compensation System) has floundered at best and in other aspects the District has failed altogether to implement the system, wrote Mollie H. Bowers. Neither time nor resources have been expended to build out the system. As a consequence, the District lost the opportunity to lead the country with respect to innovation where compensation systems are concerned; an opportunity that has now been picked up elsewhere. Union president Quolke told The Plain Dealer that the union is just fighting for what was called for under the Cleveland Plan. We have an over-reliance on using these standardized tests to evaluate teachers, he said. Moneys really not the issue at the table. Its how we are living up to the promise of the Cleveland Plan. The district doesnt challenge the charge that the compensation plan is incomplete, according to The Plain Dealer, but lays some of the blame at the feet of the union. The 2013 contract called for the union and district to work together to hammer out the final details of the new pay scheme. At no point did they say WE failed to come to an agreement on compensation, District CEO Eric Gordon told The Plain Dealer. Its both [of] our failure. Its not the districts broken promise. Its the district and CTUs broken promise. The district also contends that it has implemented other ways for teachers to earn more money, through one-time stipends, in addition to the teacher-rating system. The very first blog I wrote for Education Week was devoted to teacher morale (Teachers Are Potted Palms in School Reform , Feb. 16, 2010). I explained why low morale was responsible in large part for teachers leaving the classroom. Since then, the situation has gotten worse. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, eight percent of public school teachers during the 2011-12 school year left the profession the next year (Just Paying Teachers More Wont Stop Them From Quitting , The Atlantic, Aug. 11). There are 3.2 million public school teachers in this country. Eight percent is not a trivial number. But in addition to the cost of finding replacements, I believe that the turnover is indicative of something more ominous: the deteriorating state of the profession. Studies have shown time and again that the most important in-school factor in learning is the quality of classroom teachers. I dont believe we can ever recruit and retain the best and brightest college graduates if we dont first stop denying that a systemic problem exists. Its not enough to increase salaries. Exit surveys consistently find they are not the No. 1 reason that teachers quit. Despite occasional tributes, its the demonization (Why We Love Teachers , Parade, Aug. 14). Teachers are not mercenaries, but neither are they missionaries. When all they hear is how they are solely to blame for the failure of their students to learn, they begin to question staying in the classroom. Burnout is far more prevalent than is known. I seriously doubt that more money will improve their psychological state. The military has long taken great pains to keep morale high. Top ranking officers know that nothing is more important. Remember how Bob Hope and his troupe used to put on shows around the globe for troops? But in education, morale is rarely considered. The result is seen in the departure of so many young teachers from the profession. Many take lower paying jobs in the private sector, disproving the assertion that salaries are the reason they leave. When I began teaching in 1964 in the Los Angeles Unified School District, it was a totally different era. I liked having July off, but I couldnt wait for school to begin in the fall. Salaries then were a pittance compared to what teachers in the district earn today. But I viewed teaching as fun. Thats all that mattered to me. When teachers in the district went on strike for more autonomy (and higher salaries), however, things slowly began to change. The public was appalled that teachers were no longer willing to be treated as tall children. We were seen as abandoning our duty by striking. It wasnt too long thereafter that the accountability movement began. (I know that correlation is not causation, but it shouldnt be dismissed out of hand.) The rationale was that public schools needed to provide evidence that students were being well educated in order for them to compete in the new global economy. But I think another reason was the belief that teachers had gone too far by making demands through their unions and then going on strike. I foresee further pressure on teachers along the same line, as anger and frustration over the glacial pace of student performance increases. Home Four wheelers Ban On Conventional Fuel Cars? Norway Clarifies The News oi-Sukesh A news that circulated like wildfire on the internet - Norway to ban all conventional fuel cars has been clarified. Was the news legit? No says Norway. This Tuesday, a German media channel reported that Norway is set to ban all cars running on petrol and diesel by the year 2025. DPA, a news agency from Germany stated that the National Transport Plan of Norway proposed to the government to make new strategies every four years to make emissions almost zero, and ultimately put a ban on petrol and diesel cars. On this matter, Spokesperson from Norway's Transport Ministry clarified that, Norway has not proposed any ideas as such. Speaking to the press he said, "This government wants to encourage more environmentally friendly vehicles by using the carrot instead of stick. This document included suggestions and recommendations for ambitious goals to reduce emissions from the transport sector". He said, that in the future if new technology becomes the new norm, then automatically, there will be no need of conventional fuels. So there will be no need of a ban. Norway has a plan to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) in new cars by 85 grams by the year 2020. This plan was proposed in the month of February and it has no mention of a ban. Updated 8/19 with Education Secretary John B. King Jr.'s statement The path toward reaching a diverse teacher workforce is much steeper than has been previously acknowledged, a new report published by the Brookings Institution concludes. Students of color make up about half of all public school students, yet just 18 percent of teachers are of color. Efforts to increase the diversity of the teaching profession have been heralded by the U.S. Department of Education and taken up by school districts across the country. But researchers and analysts from the Brown Center on Education Policy and the National Council on Teacher Quality found that the chances of significant progress in this realm are realistically very slim, even looking forward nearly 50 years. The researchers found that, at the current rate, the difference in proportion between black teachers and black students in U.S. public schools (currently 9 percentage points) will remain about the same through 2060, while the gap between Hispanic teachers and Hispanic students (currently 18 percentage points) will actually increase by four points. And if school districts simply focus on retaining black and Hispanic teachersa commonly discussed strategy, since teachers of color have lower retention rates than white teachersand achieve the same retention rate for teachers of color as for white teachers, the black diversity gap will only shrink by two percentage points by 2060. The Hispanic diversity gap will only shrink by 0.6 percentage points. To truly fix the problem, the researchers write, the leaky teacher pipeline needs several significant patches. Students of color already complete college at lower rates than white students. And minority students tend to demonstrate less interest in the teaching profession7 percent of white college students major in education, compared with 4 percent of black and of Hispanic college students. There are also racial gaps in masters programs in education. Ninety-five percent of white college graduates who majored in education are interested in teaching, compared with 76 percent of black education graduates. The report doesnt say what specific jobs the other graduates might be interested in, if not teaching, but it could be jobs with higher wages or other public service jobs. Those discrepancies contribute to white education majors being hired at higher rates than graduates of color, but there are other reasons as well, the researchers sayincluding poor recruitment in minority communities, aspiring teachers of color being lured into other professions, and possibly a lower passing rate on licensing tests for black and Hispanic pre-service teachers. Simply hiring more black and Hispanic teachers from the pool of available teachers of color does almost nothing to close the gap, the report found. At the crux of the discussion of teacher diversity, the researchers wrote, should be raising college graduation rates among black and Hispanic students. And if more black and Hispanic students choose to enter the teaching profession through a bachelors, masters, or alternate certification programs, that could make a signficant reduction in the diversity gaps, particularly among Hispanics. Still, that objective could be hard to achieve, the authors warned: Other professions are recruiting diverse candidates, and many students of color might be wooed by more lucrative career paths. If all strategies were combinedand black and Hispanic prospective teachers go through the pipeline at the same rate as white peoplethere would be parity between black teachers and black students by 2044. Hispanic parity would be close to being achieved by 2060. U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. issued a statement on Thursday saying that students of color benefit from having teachers of color who serve as positive role models. But we also know that society benefits when all students, regardless of their background, grow up seeing diverse adults in positions of authority. We must do more to support teachers of color at all points across the teacher pipeline so students today can benefit from and become the teachers and mentors of tomorrow. [Updated, 8/19 11 am] The authors offer the caveat that, in their own view, the end goal should not be that every student is taught by a teacher of the same race but that all students should interact regularly with teachers of their own and different races and ethnicities. Also, the report does not go into the issue of teacher qualityand the authors argue that hastily lowering standards to diversify the teacher workforce is not constructive solution. Ultimately, district-level retention and hiring strategies alone are not enough to achieve parity, the report concluded. Boosting the college graduation rate of students of color and persuading them to consider a career in teaching would be more effective, the authors saidso making the teaching profession more attractive to potential teacher candidates, through salary increases and better working conditions, could go a long way. Achieving a diverse teacher workforce must be a long-term policy goal with a suite of long-term strategies put in place to help minorities succeed in college and to encourage them to return to the classroom to help the next generation of students, the report states. Our failure to do so will keep us stubbornly in the same vicious cycle in which low teacher diversity contributes in a myriad of ways to low minority student success in K-12 and college, which results once again in low teacher diversity. Source: Chart via Brookings Institution report More on Teacher Diversity: Follow @madeline_will and @EdWeekTeacher on Twitter. Save INTO the Blue a fine art exhibition was officially launched in Blackrock last Thursday and according to organiser Francis Verling, of Verling Fine Art, the night was a resounding success, We had a fantastic turnout - the small gallery was filled to capacity with invited guests peeping in through the front and back doors for the speeches. A bit like a country church at 12 mass. The evening was lovely with hazy sunshine so we were fortunate- had the weather been otherwise everyone wouldn't have fitted in this old converted corrugated iron roofed cottage. The exhibition located on Murphys Lane Blackrock, was formally opened by Cllr Mark Dearey, Cathaoirleach Dundalk Municipal District, and will run until Sunday 28 August. We had the good and the great - Cllr Mark Deary, TD Declan Breathnach, Alan Kane - CEO of Craft Northern Ireland (Belfast), Thomas McEvoy - Head of Local Enterprise Office Louth, as well as many well-known people from Blackrock's Tidy Town's Committee, local businesses and restaurants. Local artists including Patricia Murphy, Leanne Mullen, Garrett Mallon, Declan Honan, Nanette Ledwith, Sarah McEvoy and John Horan, will be joined by artists from Northern Ireland such as Adam Frew, Catherine Keenan, Rebecca Killen, Valerie Giannandrea, Keith Sheppard, Malcolm Murchison, Helen Faulkner, Sasha McVey, Andrew Cooke, Limerick artists Tom Prendergast and Walter Verling HRHA, and American glass artist Scott Benefield. This is an exciting opportunity to see some beautiful and inspiring art works and Verling Fine Art looks forward to welcoming you to its exhibition. Co-owner Francis Verling said, Our Blackrock venue this year will provide a great opportunity to show the work of nineteen artists to a wider audience, given the easy to find location of Murphys Lane between the famous Danny Hughes Seaside Shop and Cafe Acqua on Main Street, Blackrock. He went on to say, Verling Fine Art has something for everyone from sculptural objects to functional art oil paintings to ceramic bowls. Its an Aladdin's cave of fine art, ceramics and glass from north and south and a lovely way to end or begin a walk along the sea front at Blackrock - a way to capture a memory, a way to take a step 'into the blue'. Were really looking forward to welcoming local art lovers, connoisseurs and the curious. Verling Fine Art is a Fine Art & Craft gallery specialising in the sale and promotion of work by Irish and International artists in the disciplines of fine art, glass and ceramics. Founded by Sarah Daly and Francis Verling based on a lifelong passion and enthusiasm for fine and functional Art. Both have backgrounds in art - Sarah did a Degree in Fine Art Painting in Limerick College of Art and a Masters which she completed recently and Francis studied Industrial Design in the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and worked as a designer with Waterford Crystal and Ediunburgh Crystal (in the 90's). The gallery will be open 10.00 5.00 daily from 11 August to 28 August or by appointment by calling 086 179 2568. If you would like to find out more about Verling Fine Art visit their Facebook Page Verling Fine art and or email at verlingfineart@gmail.com A 25 year old man has appeared before Dundalk District Court charged in connection with what Judge William Hamill was told, was a totally unprovoked and racially motivated attack on a Nigerian man. Details of the alleged incident were outlined during an application for bail, which was opposed by gardai. Martin Smith with an address at Ashling Park, Coxs Demesne appeared before the vacation sitting of the court last Thursday charged with assault causing harm arising out of the alleged incident two days earlier. The investigating garda said he was objecting to the bail application due to the seriousness of the alleged offence, which he said related to a man who was allegedly attacked three times after a man believed to be the defendant asked him for the time before racially abusing him. The garda said that a Good Samaritan intervened and its alleged that one of the two others involved in the incident and not the accused had a knife in his hand. The court also heard that a witness claims to have seen the man being stabbed in the head and gardai are awaiting medical reports to establish the extent of the injuries suffered. The garda confirmed that the CCTV footage, which was on a USB stick could not be viewed by the Defence on a laptop at Dundalk garda station. Mr. Smiths solicitor argued that the evidence grounding the objection to bail amounted to hearsay and in the event of the matter being contested in the Circuit Court, he said the case was unlikely to get to trial before October next year. He submitted there were insufficient grounds on which to refuse bail, however Judge William Hamill remanded Martin Smith in custody for a week to Cloverhill District Court on Thursday. A team of Dutch consultancy firm Acacia Water started a first exploration of the catchments in the Lokok and Lokere river basins in north-eastern Uganda. The exploration is part of a project to increase the resiliency of the local community against droughts and floods, by improved integrated catchment management. Acacia Water, together with other Dutch organisations Cordaid, Rain Foundation and Wetlands International, has been asked to join the project by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) Local water demand, such as at this hand pump, is part of the integrated catchment management. Central database on all water resources Acacia Water examines the biophysical landscape characteristics, the characteristics of the existing water resources and the demand for water and summarizes the knowledge in a central database and in maps of the area of the rivers Lokok and Lokere. These products form an important basis for the development of different interventions and management strategies. Upstream droughts, downstream floods The rivers run from extremely arid areas into the marshes downstream. The region is characterized by drought, floods, diseases, poverty and conflict. The precipitation is drained very rapidly in the north, resulting in drought in the north and floods in the south. As a result, the local population is very vulnerable to natural disasters. There are currently no long-term programs for sustainable water management. Meeting with local county officers. Involvement of local authorities Central to the project is the preparation of catchment management plans in close cooperation with local authorities. Water retention in upstream areas and sustainable management of wetlands will play an important role. Local catchment management organizations will be established to carry out the plans. Stakeholders are actively Involved in the process for possible solutions. Especially the local governments play an important role. This news item was originally published on the website of Acacia Water. Read also on this website IGRAC and Acacia mapped potential of Merti aquifer as reliable groundwater source for Kenya, 2 July 2015 projects: Improving drilling success rate with remote sensing, Ethiopia Country: Uganda More information Acacia Water Gouda, the Netherlands +31 182 686 424 www.acaciawater.com Armed with a box of digital toys, Sydneys Annabelle Smith is raising social capital for her clients by making it fun for consumers to engage with brands at events and share their experiences online. She is the founder and director of Social Playground, considered the first company in Australia to take the Instagram experience offline. To date, the company, which is based in Sydney with offices in Melbourne, has worked with 300 major brand including Topshop, Westfield, IBM, Spotify and Optus. It has also participated in 3,000 corporate and consumer events in Australia and around the world. According to Annabelle, the agency generates social media reach in excess of 20,000 impressions for every event. Were a social engagement agency that aims to bridge the gap between the online and offline worlds through live digital experiences, she told Dynamic Business. We drive brand awareness for clients by inspiring event attendees to create and share branded content in a memorable way. Social media is amplifying event experiences Annabelle said that experiential marketing and social media, when taken together, are very powerful. Previously, brands could offer amazing experiences but their reach was limited to the people attending the event and their friends hearing about it afterwards, she said. Now with social media, all of those event experiences are amplified in real-time, creating brand awareness and hopefully a case of serious FOMO for those not at the event. Our suite of products, which we call toys because theyre fun, includes the Hashtag Printer, GIFGIF, Branded Selfies, Live Feed, Open Photo Booth and Social Mosaic. Each one fulfils a slightly different purpose and, where necessary, we can customise them to fit a clients brief and meet their objectives. Due to our expertise across experiential marketing, branding and digital marketing, were really able to add value for our clients and thus ensure the success of their events. We work alongside experiential agencies to provide the tech engagement component of their brand activations. We also work with, and complement the services of, media, PR, advertising or even digital agencies. Finding her groove and hatching plans in NY Annabelle started her career in experiential marketing, working with FMCG brands, after which she briefly flirted with fashion PR, generating media coverage for events such as the Prix De Marie Claire Beauty Awards. This eventually led to a two-year stint in New York, where Annabelle found her groove working for a start-up social media marketing agency, commencing in March 2011. Working alongside brand heavyweights including Tiffany & Co., Quiksilver, Estee Lauder and Nine West, she became immersed in the fast-paced world of content and influencer marketing, social media and community management and digital PR. Critically, she was exposed to exciting social engagement technologies, still in their infancy. After seeing Hashtag Printing embraced at a handful of functions, where attendees had fun collecting print-outs of their Instagram photos, Annabelle realised there was an opportunity to use this technology to generate strong social value for businesses at consumer and corporate events: by tapping into the nostalgia for tactile experiences, she could incentivise the sharing of content online. Scouting for new technologies, building partnerships Soon after returning to Australia in mid 2013, Annabelle launched Social Playground with the Instagram Printer as its hero product. By the six-month mark, Annabelle knew the business had some serious legs. The clients we were attracting might have taken years to court had we been just another service-based agency, she said. Due to the innovative nature of our tech, and the fact that it filled a niche in the market, companies really wanted to hear us out. Despite that, we couldnt rest on our laurels. Tech companies have to constantly evolve for us, that meant backing up our Instagram Printer with another great product in the social engagement space. We were able to do that with GIFGIF, which was a natural evolution of our hero product. Our development team is always working on new products and updates and were also scouting around the world for new technologies to introduce to the Australian market. Weve realised we dont need to invent every product we offer; instead, we can spend time and resources on watching trends, identifying and putting a local spin on the best solutions from around the world. In addition to refining our product line, weve had to partner with the right clients in order to thrive. This has meant identifying likeminded partners who not only share our energy and enthusiasm but who attract further clients to the business. Setting clear expectations from the outset was also important. Delegating and timely damage control Despite being the lifeblood of Social Playground, Annabelle cites technology as one of the most challenging aspects of the business. Things sometimes go wrong, she admitted. When you couple that with the fact that we operate in a fast-paced environment, it can get a little stressful. The trick has been minimising any damage as quickly as possible and having a great team of developers on call 24/7! Along the way I have learned to trust my team and delegate. When you give them the freedom in their roles to excel, they will step up to the challenge and grow. As we grow, I love seeing new procedures and processes being implemented by the team for the betterment of the company without even having to ask for it. Going global, continuing to grow loving it Due to the success of Social Playground in Australia, Annabelle has pursued a global growth strategy. Replicating her business model in other markets hasnt been a cakewalk, she admitted, but with the help of people who possess the necessary market intelligence, it has happened. Social Playground now has a presence in the UK, Denmark, Iceland, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Mexico, UAE, Qatar and New Zealand. Were still very much in the growth stage, she said. Were going to continue doing what were doing well now. The market is pushing us towards more custom projects as clients get more creative with their briefs but we love any opportunity to let our creative juices flow and were excited to play more in the space. Im loving this ride and have no plans to jump ship any time soon theres so much more potential and I cant wait for whats next! U.S. Justice Department Will Stop Using Private Prisons The United States Department of Justice announced this week that it will phase out its use of private prisons for federal convicts. A DOJ memo noted that private prisons offered fewer rehabilitative programs and resources, were less safe, and cost just as much as Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities. The move away from private prisons could be a huge landmark in federal criminal justice, and could influence state use of private prisons as well. Where Will All the Inmates Go? While the federal prisoner population ballooned 800 percent from 1980 to 2013, that number has started to decline in recent years, from its peak of around 220,000 inmates in 2013 to 195,000 today. The DOJ expects that number will continue to decline, thus reducing the need for private prisons to handle overflow from federal facilities. There are only 13 privately run prisons that will be affected by the new recommendations, and they house just over 22,000 inmates. Still, those facilities could not compare to federal prisons in terms of safety and services. As Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates put it: Private prisons served an important role during a difficult period, but time has shown that they compare poorly to our own Bureau facilities. They simply do not provide the same level of correctional services, programs, and resources; they do not save substantially on costs; and as noted in a recent report by the Department's Office of Inspector General, they do not maintain the same level of safety and security. The rehabilitative services that the Bureau provides, such as educational programs and job training, have proved difficult to replicate and outsource -- and these services are essential to reducing recidivism and improving public safety. Federal to State Influence While this may be a positive first step for the federal government, it may not put a dent in the overall private prison population. Most inmates are housed in state prisons and their privately run contractors. The new directive also doesn't apply to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees, many of whom are also held in violence-ridden encampments. Perhaps one slice of good news for those who oppose private prisons? Their stocks took a nosedive following the DOJ's announcement. Follow FindLaw for Consumers on Facebook and Twitter (@FindLawConsumer). Related Resources: When to Sue for Loss or Damages From Wildfire Wildfires are currently burning over 40,000 acres in California, and that's just from three current fires in southern and central parts of the state. The Clayton fire in Clear Lake and the Chimney Fire in San Luis Obispo County have also claimed 220 structures, many of them homes. Some insurance policies cover natural disasters, but many do not. And not every insurance settlement covers the cost of losing a home or other damage. So what happens if you suffer loss or damages from a wildfire? Can you sue? Insurance First Most homeowners' insurance generally covers fires, but that may only apply to accidental house fires. Wildfires might be a whole other ballgame as far as your insurance carrier is concerned, especially if you live in certain areas of California or other regions prone to wildfires. Additionally, the destruction that a wildfire can cause is much greater than your typical house fire, and can claim trees, vehicles, and other structures on your property. Therefore standard insurance may not provide enough coverage to allow you to replace everything you lose in a wildfire. So check your insurance policy, even before a wildfire threatens your property. You'll need to know what's covered before you know what action to take. If you think wildfire damage is covered under your policy and the insurance company refuses to reimburse you or their payment is inadequate to cover the damage, you may have a legal claim against your insurer. Suits Second If a fire was started by human causes -- whether by an individual or a business, on purpose or accidentally -- you may be able to sue whomever started the blaze. Obviously arson is a crime, and you may be able to use a criminal prosecution as the basis for a civil claim for restitution. And negligence claims are the most common civil suit. The best source for wildfire liability is an experienced attorney. Contact one today regarding your claim -- most are happy to review your case for free. Related Resources: Unlike Conservatism, the alt-right has a natural constituency beyond billionaire donors You probably lost your ability to be shocked by the time a man whose only political credential was demanding the first black presidents ID won his first Republican presidential primary. But we have to take a moment to register some outrage over a moment that will go down in history way down in history. The white nationalist alt-right has surrendered its unofficial role as Trump campaigns unofficial muse and meme factory and officially taken over the Trump campaign in the form of Breitbart.coms publisher Steve Bannon. The alt-right sees limited-government constitutionalism as passe; it holds that only nationalist populism on the basis of shared tribal identity can save the country, writes former Breitbart editor and anti-alt right conservative Ben Shapiro. Its a movement shot through with racism and anti-Semitism. A Bannon-helmed campaign will allow Trump to be himself because apparently thats been Trumps big problem not enough Trumping. Huge rallies, The Washington Posts Robert Costa tweeted. Gloves off. Brutal fights with Clinton. Heavy emphasis on nationalism and populism. Thats the Bannon strategy. So everything that was terrifying about the Trump campaign to minorities, women and college-educated adults but in BREITBARTS TRADEMARKED ALL-CAPS HEADLINES. True Conservatives like Shapiro are terrified by the alt-right because they see it as biker running off with their sweet sister of a party. But there is a deeper fear thats barely evident in the worried ranting the GOP establishment has been effusively spraying out in its numerous failed attempts to stop Trump. Some have compared Trumps decision to surround himself with the most boorish figures on the right to a sort of hospice care for his dying campaign. But what it actually reveals is something even more disturbing for America. Unlike Conservatism, the alt-right has an natural constituency beyond billionaire donors. George Mason University public policy professor Justin Gest has found that 65 percent of white Americans would consider joining a nativist party that represents most of Trumps anti-immigration, anti-trade America First rhetoric. Thats more than the 59 percent of the white vote that Mitt Romney won in 2012, which was more than 56 percent of the white vote Ronald Reagan won in 1980. Trump needs to improve on Romneys margin with white voters by 5 percent, estimates FiveThirtyEights Harry Enten, to have any chance to win in 2016. Ans apparently he decided going the Bannon/Breitbart way is the only way to do it. To give Trump some credit, hes tried the Romney path. His latest economic proposals all but photocopied Paul Ryans billionaire bucket list of huge tax cuts for the richest, their corporations and their heirs. You also have the trademarked promise to freeze all regulations on everything ever. This is You did build that! economics that appeals almost exclusively to business owners. Romney used it to lose the white working class in the Rust Belt states Trump now claims will be his path to success. Embracing Romney/Ryans platform along with his protectionist spins on trade and immigration has led Trump to polls that suggest the biggest electoral college landslide since the 1980s. Whats most remarkable about this is not that Conservatives are finally being bitten by the karma of exploiting thinly veiled white identity politics for decades. Whats most remarkable is how close the partys billionaire donors came to utilizing those tactics before they destroyed an effort more than fifty years in the making. Republicans actually had a better than decent chance to win this election and add the presidency to their historically large majorities in the House of Representatives and state legislatures. The combination of a Republican in the White House and a GOP-controlled Senate could have easily led to a dominating conservative majority on the Supreme Court that could have easily achieved the right wing dream of overturning Roe v. Wade and then headed into undoing much of the Great Society and New Deal. All the party had to do was build on Romneys strong share of the white vote by attracting a marginally larger share of the minority vote. This would have been possible with a handsome Cuban-American known for occasionally backing his own immigration reform bill and its almost impossible with a birther. Trump is not only hemorrhaging minority voters. Hes losing college-educated white voters and white women in general something no Republican has done in generations. The GOP is now effectively torn between Republicans who think Trump is a terrible racist and those who think hes a wonderful racist or tribalist or nationalist or nativist, whatever the politically correct word for white supremacist is these days. There were 16 candidates who represented conventional conservatism in the GOP primary and all of them fell to Trump. Those 14 million voters who backed Trump were fewer in number than than 16 million who opposed him.But thats plenty to keep the Republican Party enthralled to a movement obsessed with making sure whites in America arent just another large minority especially if its the seed of an alt conservative news channel. Republicans have proven that they are either incapable or insufficiently interested in eliminating the poison of racial resentment from their party. Whether or not Trump wins, one of our two major parties will remain at least somewhat captive to a movement that insists maintaining the spoils of white majoritarianism. The GOP nominating a birther seemed unimaginable to most Americans just a few years ago. What comes next could be much worse. Didi Chuxing on Monday announced a historic deal to acquire the Chinese ride-sharing operations of rival Uber, which threw in the towel after years of unsuccessful efforts to grow its business in what may prove to be the worlds most challenging technology market. Under the agreement, Didi Chuxing acquired all of Uber Chinas assets, including its brand, data and business operations. The deal calls for Uber to receive 5.89 percent of the combined entity with preferred equity interest, which is the equivalent of a 17.7 percent stake in Didi Chuxing. The deal calls for Baidu and other Chinese investors to get 2.3 percent stake in Didi Chuxing. Didi Chuxing also will get a minor stake in Uber. Didi Chuxing Chairman Cheng Wei will join the board of Uber, and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick likewise will join the Didi Chuxing board. The agreement calls for Uber China to maintain independent branding and business operations, while Didi Chuxing will integrate the managerial and technological expertise of the two firms. Didi Chuxing will continue to expand overseas, said Jean Liu, president of the company. Stop the Bleeding The sale was necessary for both companies, said Egil Juliussen, principal analyst for automotive technology at IHS Markit. Fierce competition was taking a toll on Ubers international growth strategy while eroding Didi Chuxings price integrity. Both companies were losing a lot of money due to discounting to gain market share and building economies of scale, Juliussen told the E-Commerce Times. This super-competitive trend will stop, and Didi Chuxing is expected to be profitable soon. Uber reportedly lost about US$1 billion in China last year. The sale of its Chinese business will allow it to focus on expansion into other Asian markets, including India and other Southeast Asian countries, Juliussen said. Breaking into China is tough for tech companies, said Akshay Anand, an analyst for Kelley Blue Book. In fact, Uber progressed further in China than most other tech companies dream of, he told the E-Commerce Times. Didi Chuxing benefited from Chinese government actions that provided a more favorable competitive environment, Anand added. China is an extremely competitive market due to tremendous amount of entrepreneurial activities that are not present in other markets except the U.S., Juliussen said. Hence, it is nearly impossible to compete with an established Chinese player. Chinese Regulations The timing of Didi Chuxings Uber deal is not coincidental. The agreement was announced just days after the Chinese government officially legalized ride-sharing with a new framework. It sets up regulations that will help establish safety, along with competition guidelines that have caused havoc in emerging ride-sharing markets around the world. The regulations center around a set of standards regarding who can participate in ride-sharing services and how they can operate in major markets, according to a Bloomberg report. Among the guidelines: Drivers must have at least three years experience behind the wheel; user data must be stored within China for at least two years; and cars must be retired from operations after driving 600,000 kilometers. Ride-sharing so far has penetrated just 1 percent of the Chinese market, Didis Liu recently said in an appearance at Code 2016. Didi has 87 percent of the private car and 99 percent of the taxi-hailing market in China, the company has claimed. The service completed 1.43 billion rides in China in 2015, and it offers transportation to more than 300 million people in China across 400 cities. 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The decision to teach the ethnic language was reached at the Teaching Karen Language Workshop held at the education office in Kungyangone on August 10, 2016. Pwo Karen will be taught at state schools in nine villages in Tawgyidan starting on August 19. Lessons will be held three days a week and will be 45 minutes long, according to Mahn Soe Thein, chairman of the Kungyangone Karen Literature and Cultural Committee. Speaking to Karen News, Mahn Soe Thein said. There have been a lot of mistakes such as using Maung and Ma [Title for Burmans] instead of using Nant, Sa, Naw and Saw for titles of Karen people. Compared our [Rangoon] region to the Ayeyarwaddy region, there are more Karen people living in the Ayeyarwaddy Region than here, and they have been studying the Karen language for many years. Before Cyclone Nargis, we learned only in our villages. Weve just started to teach the whole township. There are 24 schools, 11 government employed teachers, 13 external teachers and 1,246 students in Tawgyidan. Government produced Karen alphabet textbooks will be used to teach. Each teacher will be rewarded with 30,000 Kyats as an honorarium, according to the officials from the Literature and Cultural Committee. A teacher who will be teaching at Taw Kyaung State High School said, Its really good for the students to study Karen language when they are young. We cannot say what the difficulties will be, for we havent started teaching. It might be not having enough time. The teaching time now is not enough. Kindergarten students are too young, and 4th standard is examined by the government, but we are happy that we get a chance to teach the Karen language. At present over 30,000 Karen people live in Kungyangone. Although most people spoke the Karen language in the past, now only 30% of the people speak the Karen language, according to Township Literature and Cultural committee. By Eric Pooley In the studio of a Los Angeles radio station, host Tina Mastramico was kicking off another edition of her show Celebrity Chat. Were here with Don Cheadle, she said, to discuss the Environmental Defense Fund [EDF], his new movie. Cheadle, the actor-director and climate activist, seemed taken aback. Um, EDF isnt a movie. Its an organization that helps protect the planet. Environmental Defense Fund Oooh like an alliance of superheroes? Cheadle chuckled. Sort of. Theyve found ways for both parties in Washington to make our air and water cleaner, and the products in our home safer. Interesting plot, Mastramico replied. Its not a movie. It wasnt a radio interview, either. Cheadle and Mastramico were taping a public service announcement for EDF at KSWD, a Southern California classic rock station thats part of the Entercom radio network. The nations fourth-largest radio broadcasting company, Entercom Communications had given us a generous gift of free airtime on its network, which includes 124 stations in 25 markets around the U.S. (Our thanks to Entercom and all of the great people there who made this happen!) The PSAs began airing across the network Thursday. A Witness to the Impacts of Climate Change We needed a celebrity voice and reached out to Cheadle who donated his time and talent to help more people learn about our work. (Thank you, Don!) Wed long admired his own work in films from Boogie Nights to Miles Ahead and we also admired his stance on climate change, an issue highlighted in the new radio campaign. As an on-air correspondent for the television news magazine Years of Living Dangerously, for example, Cheadle explored with great sensitivity how the people of Plainview, Texas, were coping with the crippling drought that shut down the towns biggest employer. The shows second season, on the National Geographic channel, begins in October and will include a segment about EDFs climate work in China. Cheadle told me that hed first noticed the impacts of a changing climate during his high school years in Denver, when we could only water our lawns on certain days because of the water shortage. I have been watching the steady increase in the effects of climate change ever since, he said. Im happy to have thrown my lot in with organizations like United Nations Environment Program, EDF and the Citizens Climate Lobby, as well as the people behind Years of Living Dangerously to wake people up and raise the alarm. Climate change is real and we must act. Hope Without Action Isnt Worth Much For Cheadle, theres a strong connection between acting and taking action. His Oscar-nominated role in Hotel Rwanda, the true story of a Hutu hotel manager who saved Tutsi refugees from genocide, led Cheadle to become a leader in the campaign to end genocide in Darfur and Sudan. And his work on Years of Living Dangerously, he said, expanded my horizons with regard to climate and continues to open my eyes and introduce me to more soldiers in this fight. I asked Cheadle how he stays hopeful while chronicling the harsh impacts of climate change. I do have hope, he replied, but hope without action isnt worth much. We need leadership and follow-through. EDF is providing a blueprint. Lets all execute. By Kathleen Rogers On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans hit the streets to protest the environmental effects of more than 100 years of uncontrolled fossil-fueled industrial development. It was the first Earth Day. What was intended to be a college campus teach-in soon spread to every community and city across the United States. It was and remains the single largest secular event in history. The sheer size of the protestalong with increasing visual evidence of dire health threats associated with air and toxic pollutionsoon forced Congress to pass some of the worlds toughest environmental laws, most of which include community right-to-know provisions and allow citizens to sue their government if it fails to enforce the law. Citizens rights have been enshrined in every major environmental law from that point on. These laws spawned others around the worldmany more stringent than those in the U.S.and most recognize the role of citizens in the enforcement of environmental laws. Nearly 50 years later, Earth Day remains a day of reckoning, and now more than 1 billion people take action each year in almost every country on Earth. Some protest, many clean up their communities and plant trees, and millions more have their first exposure to environmentalism through educational programs at schools and universities. Governments large and small make commitments and meet with their constituents, while corporations make pledges to be more sustainable and responsible for the pollution they create. It is fitting then that United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon chose Earth Day, April 22, for world leaders to sign the historic Paris climate agreement at UN headquarters in New York. At least 150 world leaders are expected to sign, making it the largest single signing of an international agreement in world history (another Earth Day first). And its happening not a moment too soon. On every front, global warming is becoming more immediate, more threatening and more irreversible, while scientific consensus and data on the health effects of climate changeparticularly on the poormount. Critics warn that the agreements specific emissions targets are too low, that the pace of implementation is too slow, and it fails failed to specify penalties for non-compliance. Thats where we the people come in. Included in the climate agreement are provisions that recognize the critical role civil society must play to make it work. It calls on citizens to scale up their efforts and support actions to reduce emissions. It signals the need for all of us to be actively engaged in transforming our world from one dominated by fossil fuels to one driven by renewable energy. While these words dont amount to a call for revolution, its clear both the UN and world leaders recognize that citizen participation in solving global warming has been missing. The successor failureof the agreement is on our shoulders. This isnt a fight in which any of us can remain on the sidelines and hope for the best. Unless we take these matters into our own hands, the agreement alone wont save the worlds ecosystems from collapsing, or our biodiversity, which supports all living things on Earth, from disappearing. Doing our part doesnt mean merely buying green products or inquiring how things are going. It means action. It means a direct challenge to the status quo. It means holding our elected officials accountable and voting out of office national, state and local leaders who wont take action on climate change. It means not passing the buck and hoping others do the hard work. For many, getting involved means knowing how your retirement accounts and pensions are invested and demanding divestment from fossil fuel stocks. It means demanding that your children be educated for green jobs of the future. It means showing up at town hall or city council meetings and asking about your communitys survivability in a climate crisis. It means saying No to every new coal or fracking project, and retooling those communities for safer green powered jobs. And there are no doubt countless other ways to act. Undoubtable, the climate agreement makes it clear that governments dont have the power to solve climate change alone. We all must do something more than we currently are. Earth Day 2016 is not about crossing the finish line. When the agreement is signed, the hard work begins anew. Kathleen Rogers is president of Earth Day Network. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Bill Nye vs. Sarah Palin on Climate Change: Who Do You Believe? Scientists Start to Look at Ground Beneath Their Feet for Solution to Climate Change March 2016 Was Hottest on Record by Greatest Margin Yet Seen for Any Month Al Gore and Neil deGrasse Tyson Talk the Future of Our Planet This week, as G20 leaders prepare to convene on Sept. 4 in Hangzhou, China, the Sierra Club launched its newest initiative, the Fossil Free Finance Campaign. With more than $5.3 trillion in global subsidies currently funneled into the pockets of the worlds fossil fuel giants annually, the Fossil Free Finance Campaign aims to move the U.S. government and public institutions, like the World Bank, as well as governments around the worldincluding those at the G20to completely eliminate all fossil fuel subsidies by 2020. In 2009, G20 leaders committed to phasing out fossil fuel subsidies but failed to set a deadline and seven years later, the world is still waiting for concrete action. G20 countries are still responsible for more than $440 billion in fossil fuel subsidies annually and account for 74 percent of global carbon emissions that are driving the climate crisis. To put that into perspective, the annual total of G20 subsidies is more than four times the global investment in clean energy. In the past seven years, weve seen historic climate progress across the U.S. and around the globefrom the Clean Power Plan to the U.S.-China agreement to limit carbon pollution to the adoption of the Paris agreement. But while the world moves forward toward a 100 percent clean energy economy, G20 leaders have remained stagnant, with the world waiting on empty promises, Michael Brune, Sierra Clubs executive director, said. Shifting over $440 billion from the pockets of the worlds dirtiest polluters is no small feat, but its a challenge that the Sierra Club and everyone who cares about clean air and water, healthy communities and a stable climate needs to take on. Building on the momentum of the historic Paris agreement, the Sierra Club is prepared to call on U.S. leaders to walk the walk and will be actively and aggressively pursuing this important goal by engaging a 360-degree organizing, communications, digital and advocacy campaign. By building and strengthening coalitions, mobilizing our 2.4 million members and supporters and keeping the pressure high on both U.S. leaders and those around the world, the Sierra Club will push for an end to all fossil fuel subsidies within the next four years. Well be tackling this issue at all levels of government and are prepared to elevate this issue in the weeks to come as the world prepares to ratify the Paris agreement. The U.S. and China will sign the Paris agreement on climate change on April 22, the first day they can do so, Presidents Obama and Xi announced Thursday. Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama at a press conference following their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2014. Photo credit: Xinhua / Liu Weibing The two nations will also take their respective domestic steps in order to join the agreement as early as possible this year and urge other countries to do the same, with a view to bringing the Paris agreement into force as early as possible. The presidents also indicated that they are planning agreements to limit aviation emissions and the powerful greenhouses gases known as HFCs. Experts and environmental groups are heralding the announcement as a significant step, saying that the U.S.-China commitment sends a strong signal to other countries. Heres the U.S.-China joint presidential statement on climate change: 1. Over the past three years, climate change has become a pillar of the U.S.-China bilateral relationship. Both countries have taken strong measures at home to build green, low-carbon and climate-resilient economies, helping galvanize global action to combat climate change and culminating in the Paris Agreement reached last December. With their joint announcement of ambitious climate actions in November 2014, President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping sought to lead by example, and by the time the Paris conference opened a year later, some 186 countries had put forward their own climate actions. In September 2015, the two leaders laid out a common vision for the Paris outcome during President Xis State Visit to Washington and also announced major domestic policy measures and cooperative initiatives to combat climate change, as well as significant progress on climate finance. In Paris, the United States and China, working together and with others, played a critical role in crafting a historic, ambitious global climate change agreement. Here's why the U.S. and China are signing the historic #ParisAgreement on Earth Day https://t.co/e6Tohm2qES pic.twitter.com/zcNE6KZy6A White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) March 31, 2016 2. Today, the two Presidents announce another significant step in their joint climate efforts. The United States and China will sign the Paris Agreement on April 22nd and take their respective domestic steps in order to join the Agreement as early as possible this year. They encourage other Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to do the same, with a view to bringing the Paris Agreement into force as early as possible. The Presidents further express their commitment to work together and with others to promote the full implementation of the Paris Agreement to win the fight against the climate threat. 3. The Presidents recognize that the Paris Agreement marks a global commitment to tackling climate change and a strong signal of the need for a swift transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. In this regard, the Presidents are also committed to working bilaterally and with other countries to achieve successful outcomes this year in related multilateral fora, including on an HFC amendment under the Montreal Protocol pursuant to the Dubai Pathway and on a global market-based measure for addressing greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation at the International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly. To accelerate clean energy innovation and deployment, they will work together to implement the goals of the Mission Innovation initiative announced at the Paris conference and carry forward the work of the Clean Energy Ministerial. They support a successful G-20 Summit in Hangzhou this year, including strong climate and clean energy outcomes, and call on the G-20 countries to engage constructively in international cooperation on energy and climate change. And they will continue to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation through the U.S.-China Climate Change Working Group, the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center, and other efforts. 4. Finally, the Presidents commit to taking concrete steps to implement the commitments they made in their September 2015 Joint Statement to use public resources to finance and encourage the transition toward low carbon technologies as a priority. Since the Joint Statement, the United States led an effort in the OECD to successfully adopt the first-ever set of multilateral standards for support of coal-fired power plants using export credit, and China has been strengthening its green and low-carbon policies and regulations with a view to strictly controlling public investment flowing into projects with high pollution and carbon emissions both domestically and internationally. 5. The joint efforts by China and the United States on climate change will serve as an enduring legacy of the partnership between our two countries. For a deeper dive: New York Times, Washington Post, AP, Wall Street Journal, Climate Home, Reuters, USA Today, The Hill, Bloomberg, Xinhua, Carbon Pulse, BBC, IB Times, Greenwire For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for daily Hot News. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Climate Model Predicts Melting of West Antarctic Ice Sheet Could Double Sea Level Rise The Brave New World of Carbon Pricing Symbolic Victory for Clean Energy as North Americas Largest Coal-Fired Power Plant Will Soon Be Home to a Solar Farm Boom & Bust: The Future of Coal-Fired Power Plants Fueled by their fury over cuts to K-12 budgets, low pay, and an array of other grievances, a scrappy group of teachers is attempting to upend Oklahomas political establishment this election season. After ousting the states superintendent in a 2014 primary, the loosely organized group of educators from around the state successfully campaigned to scrap the states teacher-evaluation system that was tied to students test scores. They notched another victory when they lobbied to defeat a bill backed by Republican Gov. Mary Fallin that wouldve expanded the use of vouchers. So last spring, when someone suggested to their Facebook group that they start legislating themselves, more than 40 teachers filed to run for one of the 126 open seats in the states Senate and House of Representatives. If enough of the estimated 43 educators win their races in the November general election, they could nudge the deeply conservative state to the left on several education issues. If youre not going to do your job, I want your seat, said Shawn Sheehan, the states current teacher of the year, whos running as an independent for a state Senate seat. Outside the political apparatus of teachers unions, individual educators have historically not been so active in rough-and-tumble political and policymaking arenas. Even though they are the real-world experts on the day-to-day challenges of educating children, its often noneducators who shape the policies that impact their jobs. But a number of recent policy shifts have politically animated teachers across the country. In some places, theyve bombarded school board meetings, staged noisy rallies, and convinced thousands of parents to opt their children out of taking standardized tests. Ras J. Baraka, a former high school teacher and principal in Newark, N.J., successfully ran for city council and then was elected mayor after parents turned against a school reform agenda in the city that was bankrolled largely by a $100 million donation from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. In Kansas, where the state supreme court recently ruled that lawmakers must fix the states K-12 funding formula, an estimated 50 current candidates for statewide offices are teachers, administrators, and former members of local boards. Many teachers now see an opportune moment as the new federal K-12 lawthe Every Student Succeeds Actshifts much of the education policymaking authority to states. In Oklahoma, one of those teachers is Mickey Dollens, a former roughneck oil driller and former Olympic bobsledder who was laid off after his first year teaching high school English. Another is Judy Mullen Hopper, a special education teacher in the Putnam City school district who served as her schools union rep before abruptly retiring out of frustration with new teacher evaluations and testing requirements for students with disabilities. We were teaching to the test, we werent getting pay raises and we were at the bottom of the barrel on everything, said Hopper. Its time that they start listening to what we have to say. Mounting a Credible Campaign But mounting a credible campaign requires hard work and money. And while they are all active on their shared social-media platforms, the teachers havent established a sophisticated campaign operation that can support multiple candidates. The group of educator-candidatesloosely branded as the teacher caucushas yet to agree on a common platform. The statewide teachers union will soon decide which candidates to endorse and support with financial contributions. Some of their opponents are sharing a $100,000 contribution from the American Federation for Children, a supporter of school choice, to help pay for blistering attack ads against them, framing the teachers as political novices looking for a bigger paycheck. The educators have also drawn scorn from other corners. The editorial board for The Daily Oklahoman wrote that the organizers of the Facebook group embody the worst stereotypes of fringe activists, including mudslinging and worse. In a nutshell, the online communities of supposedly pro-education activists are marked by self-contradictions, inconsistency, infighting, apparent dishonesty, and more. In Oklahoma, voters care about education as much as they care about putting limits on abortion and preserving gun rights, according to recent polls. The collapse of the states oil industry has created a billion-dollar budget deficit and the states legislators in recent years have cut the K-12 education budget by almost 24 percent, resulting in massive layoffs, overcrowded classrooms, and the axing of many extra-curricular programs across school districts. At the same time, the state is coping with a teacher shortage that many educators attribute to the states low pay and the lack of respect for their profession. On average, teachers in Oklahoma make $44,921 annually, including benefitsamong the lowest in the country. And the last time teachers got a raise was in 2008. A key measure on the November ballot seeks to address the pay issue. Voters will decide whether to approve a 1 percent statewide sales-tax increase to, among other things, provide teachers with a $5,000 increase in pay. Gov. Fallin, who opposes the sales tax increase, has proposed a special session to convince legislators to instead spend a $140 million surplus to increase teacher pay. Earlier this year, a GOP lawmaker proposed a bill to get rid of certification and background check requirements for teachers, a move that was widely viewed as an assault on the teaching profession. It didnt pass, but the prospect deeply offended educators. The frustration from parents, students and teachers just reached a critical mass, said Rick Cobb, the superintendent of the Mid-Delschool district in Oklahoma City. Cobb writes a popular blog that regularly rails against the state department of education and legislature. We reached a tipping point. Power of Social Media Many teachers here attribute the birth of their movement to an electrifying rally in 2014, when more than 25,000 educators, decked out in red, converged on the steps of the state capitol in Oklahoma City to protest cuts to education. Shortly afterward, Angela Little, a parent of twin sons who lives in a suburb of Oklahoma City and was frustrated by the common-core standards and the number of assessments in schools, started a Facebook group with teachers who shared her views. The closed groups mission is to bring awareness to the truths of the current education reform being forced upon districts, throughout Oklahoma, from state and federal officials. In between memes that make jabs at the absurdity of school culture, teachers use the space to discuss their day-to-day headaches on the job that they blame on policy changes, including a 3rd grade retention law, ever-evolving classroom standards, and a new A-F school accountability system. They regularly rail against the local media for what they call biased coverage. When the states superintendent, Janet Barresi, was up for re-election two years ago, they urged their growing group of followers to campaign against her, largely through social media. She placed third in the Republican primary. After that success, the Facebook group doubled and then tripled in size and soon they were turning their attention toward state legislators. The group, called Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education, has more than 24,000 members now. When legislators earlier this year tried to pass through a bill that would expand the use of taxpayer funded vouchers, the group flooded their inboxes and lobbied them on Twitter under the hashtag #oklaed. Despite a robo call from Gov. Fallin to voters in support of the bill, it failed. What weve seen is a strong bipartisan movement in favor in public education. And the voices have been heard by legislators, said David Blatt, the executive director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute, a Tulsa-based bipartisan think tank. On the Trail The races are spread across the entire state and teachers have had to expand their political messaging to weigh in on social issues such as gay rights, health insurance, and how to care for the growing population of elderly. The candidates say they deal directly with states pressing social issues daily in their classrooms. Like any candidate might, the teachers are reaching out to Rotary clubs, chambers of commerce, and American Indian tribes to garner support, especially campaign money. The moderators of the Facebook group have scrambled to organize themselves, publishing a list of endorsements and urging their members to help candidates canvass. Many of them are squeezing door-to-door campaigning and participating in political debates between their back-to-school meetings. During a recent afternoon canvassing trip, Hopper, along with another teacher, weaved through streets lined with bungalow homes in heat that sometimes topped 100 degrees. They were knocking on doors of Independents and Republicans. Hopper, who is a Democrat running for the state Senate, is challenging the incumbent Republican who is the vice chairman of the Senate appropriations committee. At one home, Hopper made her pitch to resident Donnie Biggerstaff, telling him that shes a teacher running for the Senate. She didnt mention her own political party, but she seemed to have found a supporter in the Republican grandfather whod just recently moved from Texas. The states run by a good-old-boy system, he said. The teachers deserve more respect and higher pay, thats for sure. Said Hopper: Well, if I get there, were going to talk about it. From October 1980 to September 2015, according to a new paper by Benjamin Acosta, an assistant professor at Louisiana State University, 123 militant groups carried out 5,305 suicide attacks, killing more than 40,000 people. Just this year, suicide attacks have hit Afghanistan, Belgium, France, Indonesia, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, and Turkey, among others. A growing body of research suggests that suicide attacks often prevent groups from achieving their political goals. So why do groups keep using the tactic? Acosta analyzed a database of more than 5,000 suicide attacks to find out. Organizations adopt suicide attacks to strengthen their support structures, extend their life spans, and boost or preserve status, he found. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is pressuring Hillary Clinton to speak out against the Obama administration's $400 million cash payment to Iran. Now that the State Department has admitted the $400 million the Obama administration secretly sent to Iran was tied to the release of U.S. prisoners, Hillary Clinton must immediately disavow this dangerous blunder or risk putting more Americans in jeopardy, he said in a statement Friday. Kelly, Pastore debate inflation, energy policy in congressional race Kelly and Pastore went head-to-head in a debate Tuesday that was organized by WQLN and Erie News Now, which first aired the taped debate Thursday. Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web 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 Jail for 'donkey' who smuggled cocaine to the Island A Peel man who tried to smuggle cocaine to the Isle of Man so he could pay off his own drug debt has been jailed for five and a half years. 29-year-old Matthew Prendergast was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse yesterday where he was told he was 'exactly the sort of person that drug dealers exploit'. He was arrested at Ronaldsway Airport on April 9th after disembarking a flight from Liverpool - he was taken to Noble's Hospital where an X-ray showed he had three packages concealed internally. They contained just over 83 grams of cocaine which had a street value of between 4,164 and 5,829 - he later pleaded guilty to production of the Class A substance and possession of it with intent to supply. In his basis of plea Prendergast admitted he had travelled to the UK to pick up the drugs "out of desperation" because he had a 1,000 drug debt caused by his own heroin addiction. He said he'd "only acted as a donkey" for the 500 payment he was being offered - his advocate told the court Prendergast was "somewhat of a small cog in the chain but still a significant cog". Jailing Prendergast Deemster Mongtomerie told him "you're the mule who takes the risk and regrettably for you, in this case, take all of the consequences". The National Democratic Alliance government has repeatedly foregrounded the importance of cooperative federalism as a cornerstone of its governance and policy initiatives. It has been called an article of faith for the government by the Prime Minister (Chakraborty 2016). While it is a term that has no clearly defined normative aspects, cooperative federalism is generally understood as referring to the joint efforts made by the union and the states in a federal polity such as Indias, to attain common development goals (Jain 1968). If this is the definition that the union government also had in mind, it would mean that it intends to direct its energies to work in cooperation with state governments and institutions to meet common goals, while recognising its own constitutional limits and operational limitations. Events in Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi and Uttarakhand over the last several months suggest otherwise. A staple of household life in India, domestic workers form the ever-increasing class of people struggling for an official labour identity, and consequent labour standards considered commonplace and irreplaceable elsewhere. Three interrelated aspects of the industry-- the identity of the Indian domestic worker, power idioms of worker oppression, and legal, even ideological, structures--need to be looked at in order to alleviate their oppression. An employee of the U.K. business software company Sage was arrested at Londons Heathrow airport on August 17 in connection with an insider data breach that may have compromised the personal information of employees at 280 British companies, BBC News reports. A 32 y/o woman has been arrested in relation to the ongoing fraud investigation from the business firm Sage, the City of London Police tweeted on the 17th. We believe there has been some unauthorized access using an internal login to the data of a smaller number of our U.K. customers, Sage said in a statement on its website. The City of London Police has now made an arrest in connection with this case, and we continue to work closely with the authorities to investigate the situation. MacKeeper security researcher Chris Vickery separately found more than 20 Sage customers corporate data exposed online, though Sage said those exposures were likely the result of the customers own lax security, Reuters reports. Specifically, what I found were over 20 unprotected MongoDBs, under the control of Sage customers, powering on premises versions of Sages X3 server software suite. X3 servers are intended for companies with over 200 employees, so finding more than 20 of them completely exposed to the public Internet, with no username or password required for access, was a little unnerving, Vickery wrote in a blog post. If you are a large Sage client, make sure that your software installation are behind a firewall or, at the very least, you have some sort of access restrictions in place, Vickery added. Most companies do, but I know of at least 20 that did not and the possible repercussions for those clients are frightening. Balabit CMO Matthew Ravden told eSecurity Planet by email that the problem with insider breaches is that so many security technologies are powerless to detect malicious activity by authenticated users. Too much faith has been placed in password management systems, which a privileged user just logs into and is given unconstrained access to sensitive data, he said. Organizations must put greater emphasis on monitoring and analyzing these users in real time to detect unusual activities and stop malicious acts from happening, Ravden added. Key points are made clear in this latest breach: privileged users pose a serious threat to every company, and passwords just arent effective. A recent survey [PDF] of more than 500 cyber security professionals found that 58 percent of respondents still lack the appropriate controls to prevent insider attacks, and 44 percent are unaware of whether their organization has experienced an insider attack at all. Sixty-seven percent of respondents said the fact that insiders have credentialed access makes insider attacks more difficult to prevent. Your organization is, and will be, compromised by insiders, and to prevent attacks, you need to have some controls in place that are specifically focused on the insider, Veriato CEO Mike Tierney said in a statement. Not only do companies need to do a better job of educating employees about what data they are able to share or take with them when they leave, but the departments within the companies need to do a better job working together to share any red flags they are seeing, for example from disgruntled employees, Tierney added. A recent eSecurity Planet article examined five ways to defuse the data threat from departing employees. With car purchases there is often a warranty that offers buyers the assurance that if something doesnt work, they can get it fixed. The same is true throughout much of modern consumer society, with products and services backed by warranties that simply affirm to users that products should work as they should. A glaring example where warranties are not common is in software, specifically security software. Jeremiah Grossman is on a mission to help change that. Grossman first introduced the concept of guaranteeing security in 2015, with former employer WhiteHat Security. The basic premise with WhiteHats guarantee is that if the software and service provided by the company dont help prevent a breach, WhiteHat would pay for breach-related costs. Grossman changed jobs this year, joining security firm SentinelOne, and launching a $1 million ransomware guarantee program with that company. At the recent Black Hat USA conference, Grossman provided attendees with an insiders guide to cyber-insurance and security guarantees. In an interview with eSecurityPlanet, he offered additional details on his view about how other organizations can follow his lead and offer guarantees. Infosec is a $75-billion-a-year business growing at five percent a year, or $3.2 billion in new money every year, Grossman said. That $3.2 billion is roughly the same size as the cybersecurity insurance business today in terms of premiums. In his view, organizations are probably just as likely to cover the potential downside of security by purchasing insurance as they are to actually buy new security products. Figuring out the inter-play between cyber-insurance that an individual organization buys versus a cyber-guarantee that a vendor provides is not an easy task, he noted. For the security vendors that want to provide a guarantee, they have to make sure it doesnt overlap with the insurance that a company has already bought, he said. The issue of coverage overlap is one that he has encountered at both WhiteHat and SentinelOne, Grossman said. The challenge for security vendors is to get out of the way of the insurance providers and deliver a guarantee that is substantively different. As a metaphor, car owners today get a vehicle warranty from the manufacturer but still buy insurance to protect against accidents. A particular challenge in offering security software guarantees is the simple fact that the attacker landscape is very dynamic, with new threats and attack vectors emerging on a regular basis. For ransomware, which is what SentinelOne is providing a guarantee against, Grossman argued that attackers are using techniques that have been popular for years. One of the things that Grossman has learned through his experience is how to get a vendor cybersecurity guarantee re-insured by an insurance vendor. The right way for vendors to get insurance for their own programs is by way of standard business insurance for errors and omissions. It can fall under a general business category and it can be very cheap to do, Grossman said. Grossman emphasized that with $75 billion being spent on information security, hes tired of hearing about how companies are still being hacked. What I want to see is vendors go to war on product performance, not on marketing collateral, he said. Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at eSecurityPlanet and InternetNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TechJournalist. Bottom Line: Parents are more likely to support laws that would make the human papillomavirus vaccine mandatory for school entry if their state offers opt-out provisions, however, the study's lead author cautioned that such opt-out provisions may weaken the effectiveness of the vaccine requirements. Journal in Which the Study was Published: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Author: William A. Calo, PhD, JD, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Noel Brewer, PhD, the study's senior author, who is a professor of health behavior at the University of North Carolina and a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Background: The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes most cases of cervical cancer and a large proportion of vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that boys and girls receive the three-dose HPV vaccination beginning at age 11 or 12. However, as of 2014, only 40 percent of girls and 22 percent of boys ages 13 to 17 had completed the HPV vaccine series, according to CDC statistics. Calo said previous research has shown that school-entry requirements have contributed to high uptake rates for vaccinations such as Hepatitis B, Tdap, and MMR. Since 2006, half of U.S. state legislatures have introduced measures to add HPV to the list of required vaccines, however, most measures were rejected, often due to parental disapproval or ethical, political, or legal concerns, Calo said. Presently, only Virginia, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia require the HPV vaccine for school enrollment, and all allow parents to opt out. How the Study Was Conducted and Results: In order to evaluate parental support for making the HPV vaccine mandatory for school entry, Calo, Brewer, and colleagues conducted a web-based survey of 1,501 parents between November 2014 and January 2015. To be eligible for the survey, parents had to have at least one 11- to 17-year-old child living primarily in their household. The survey stated, "Some states are trying to pass laws that would require all 11- and 12-year-olds to get HPV vaccine before they are allowed to start 6th grade." Parents were then asked whether they agreed with the statement, "I think these laws are a good idea." Overall, 21 percent of parents agreed that such laws are a good idea, and 54 percent disagreed. Twenty-five percent of respondents said they neither agreed nor disagreed with the statement; Calo said this group may benefit from public education about HPV vaccination and, as they learn about the benefits of vaccination, be more likely to support school-entry requirements. Respondents who said they disagreed that the laws are a good idea then received this follow-up statement: "It is okay to have these laws only if parents can opt out when they want to." When the opt-out provision was added, 57 percent of respondents agreed that the school-entry requirements are a good idea, and 21 percent disagreed. The study also identified several factors that influenced approval of HPV vaccine requirements. Nearly one-third (32 percent) of respondents felt that the vaccine was being promoted to make money for drug companies and only 40 percent felt that the vaccine was effective in preventing cervical cancer. Calo said changing some of those perceptions would be beneficial for improving HPV vaccination rates and for legislating school-entry requirements. Author Comment: Calo cautioned that opt-out provisions could weaken the overall effectiveness of vaccination if large numbers of families opted out. "Any process for requesting an opt-out should have an educational component and encourage parents to carefully consider their decision," he said. "HPV vaccination saves lives," Calo said. "We have an unprecedented opportunity to prevent thousands of HPV-associated cancers through vaccination and unfortunately, we are missing that opportunity." Brewer noted the findings suggest that states should consider school-entry requirements for HPV vaccination once states have implemented other approaches that have proven successful in raising vaccination rates, such as centralizing vaccination reminders in state health departments, focusing quality-improvement visits to providers on HPV vaccination, and training physicians to use announcements to introduce vaccination. ### Limitations: The authors noted that a limitation of this study is that it asked about hypothetical school-entry requirements, rather than actual laws, and did not describe the scope of opt-out provisions. The researchers said parents' opinions could differ if they were discussing actual legislation, and may vary depending on whether the opt-out provisions were based on medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. Funding & Disclosures: This study was funded by a grant from the Merck Sharp & Dohme Investigator Studies Program. Brewer has received HPV vaccine-related grants from or been on paid advisory boards for Merck Sharp & Dohme and Pfizer. Brewer is also chair of the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable. Follow us: Cancer Research Catalyst http://blog.aacr.org; Twitter @AACR; and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/aacr.org About the American Association for Cancer Research Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world's first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 36,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 107 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 30 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with nearly 19,500 attendees. In addition, the AACR publishes eight prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual investigator grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit http://www.AACR.org. BETHESDA, MD--There are as many motives as there are undergraduates taking introductory science courses, but if you look closely at groups of freshmen science students such as those from underrepresented minority (URM) backgrounds, you can see striking motivational differences across and within these groups. That's a major finding in a new survey of 249 freshmen by psychology researchers in California. The researchers found that those who entered undergraduate science studies with a strong belief that science could help members of their communities were more likely to identify as being scientists over time. But this held true only for URM first-generation college students, that is, URM freshmen who were first in their families to enroll at the college level. Students from all groups were highly motivated by traditional science values, such as curiosity and passion for discovery. But this "prosocial" outlook, say the researchers, was also a prime motivator for URM first-generation students' desire to pursue science careers. Yet looking across all URM science students, combining first-generation students with those from families with college or higher educational backgrounds, the researchers found a greater connection between broader prosocial goals and their reasons for pursuing a science degree or career. Seeing opportunities to fulfill these prosocial goals can be more important for URM students in science fields than for students who are traditionally well-represented. These are among the findings of a new study of URM student motivation just published in the journal CBE-Life Sciences Education (LSE), by psychology researchers Matthew C. Jackson, Gino Galvez, and Isidro Landa, plus organic chemist Paul Buonora at California State University, Long Beach, and psychologist Dustin B. Thomas at San Diego State University. These findings, say the authors, demonstrate that all students, even within a definable subgroup, can have differing motives and career ideals. Taking these "intersectional identities" into account, the researchers say, undergraduate science educators should pay attention to culturally connected career motives within URM communities to "make science matter" to them. Published by the American Society for Cell Biology, LSE is an open-access journal fostering excellence in life science education through peer-reviewed education research and evidence-based teaching. The special issue on broadening participation was edited by Kenneth Gibbs, Program Analyst at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, MD, and Pat Marsteller, Department of Biology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. All the research papers published in this issue, say the editors, are aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in "a vibrant scientific enterprise that continues to harness the contributions of those from traditionally well-represented backgrounds while fostering full participation and engagement of those from other backgrounds (e.g., women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, first-generation students, those from low-income backgrounds, etc.)." ### Media contact: Thea Clarke, ASCB Director of Communications & Education, 301-347-9304, tclarke@ascb.org. Bowalley Road Rules The blogosphere tends to be a very noisy, and all-too-often a very abusive, place. I intend Bowalley Road to be a much quieter, and certainly a more respectful, place. So, if you wish your comments to survive the moderation process, you will have to follow the Bowalley Road Rules. These are based on two very simple principles: Courtesy and Respect. Comments which are defamatory, vituperative, snide or hurtful will be removed, and the commentators responsible permanently banned. Anonymous comments will not be published. Real names are preferred. If this is not possible, however, commentators are asked to use a consistent pseudonym. Comments which are thoughtful, witty, creative and stimulating will be most welcome, becoming a permanent part of the Bowalley Road discourse. However, I do add this warning. If the blog seems in danger of being over-run by the usual far-Right suspects, I reserve the right to simply disable the Comments function, and will keep it that way until the perpetrators find somewhere more appropriate to vent their collective spleen. New Rochelle, NY, August 19, 2016--The combination of augmented reality technology, geocaching, and other novel techniques to create innovative active video games (AVGs) has potential personal and public health implications, as discussed in the Editorial "Pokemon Go, Go, Go, Gone?" published in Games for Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers The article is available free on the Games for Health Journal website until September 19, 2016. In the Editorial, Editor-in-Chief Tom Baranowski, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, identifies many lessons that can be learned from the success of the popular AVG Pokemon Go, in which players can log hours of walking as they physically chase the animated Pokemon creatures based on video images displayed on their smart phones. Dr. Baranowski encourages researchers to conduct well-designed studies to assess the health effects of AVGs. Game developers could then use this information to create new games that would be both fun to play and promote beneficial physical activity. "Pokemon Go stimulated substantial amounts of physical activity in many likely-otherwise sedentary game players without intending to! We might call this stealth exergame programming, and we have a lot to learn about how to achieve this!" says Dr. Baranowski. ### About the Journal Games for Health Journal breaks new ground as the first journal to address this emerging and increasingly important area of health care. The Journal provides a bimonthly forum in print and online for academic and clinical researchers, game designers and developers, health care providers, insurers, and information technology leaders. Articles explore the use of game technology in a variety of clinical applications. These include disease prevention and monitoring, nutrition, weight management, and medication adherence. Gaming can play an important role in the care of patients with diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive, mental, emotional, and behavioral health disorders. About the Publisher Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking and Telemedicine and e-Health. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available online at the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website. A chance observation in a Southern California fast food restaurant led Luis Martinez, Ph.D., to wonder about the connections behind wound healing problems and methamphetamine use. Martinez, an associate professor of biomedical sciences at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, was on vacation with his family in 2014 when he saw a man and woman with what he believed to be hallmark indicators of meth use - decayed teeth, needle marks, and furious scratching of open lesions covering their arms. While he was interested in researching methamphetamine and pulmonary infections in mice, and the relationship between meth and bacterial infections, his observation of the couple triggered questions for him about the drug's effect on the body's immunological response to wounds. "I want to investigate the mechanisms by which methamphetamine alters the body's inflammatory response and how it interferes with wound healing," he said. Martinez's quest for answers has begun in earnest; the National Institutes of Health awarded him a $431,700 three-year grant to investigate, in mice, methamphetamine's effects on the underlying biological mechanisms that cause inflammation and impair wound healing. Martinez hopes his findings can form the foundation for new studies on human subjects that might lead to targeted prevention and wound management. Martinez will conduct his research with three NYITCOM students and in collaboration with scientists at Rutgers-The New Jersey Medical School, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and The George Washington University. Martinez notes the cost of care associated with wounds in meth users in the United States is nearly $20 million annually, more than half of their meth-related hospital costs. Wounds are difficult to manage, he said, because of the persistence of bacteria, drug-related immune deficiency, and behaviors by users, including constant scratching related to the sensation of crawling skin caused by drug. "If we could effectively treat wounds in drug users while minimizing the cost for the health care system, it would be great," said Martinez. "And it's possible the findings could be applied to other chronic infections in the future." As part of the study, Martinez and his research team will study the impact of meth on white blood cells, known as leukocytes, including neutrophils and macrophages, both of which play a key role in wound healing. Using images of cells in wounds from mice that have been injected with meth, the researchers also will study the drug's effect on the production of a specific protein called IL-6. Those results will be compared with mice who have not received the drug and others who have been injected with combinations of other substances. Part of the research also involves comparison of results between male and female animals. "Our preliminary studies show that meth causes an overproduction of IL-6, which delays the body's inflammatory response and ability to heal," he said. "At the same time, we believe meth causes an uncontrolled process by which neutrophils migrate to a wound and their natural ability to clear bacteria and cellular debris is compromised while producing damaging substances against the mammalian tissue. We'll be able to collect images that trace the activities of cells in a wound and find out what each area in the immune response is doing in keeping the wound open." Another aim of the study is to discover what might counteract some of the wound-healing problems. One possible answer is the use of antibodies that work against the IL-6 overproduction. Martinez's previous studies on methamphetamine and infections were published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases and mBio. But the man and woman he saw a few years ago sparked a new set of questions as well as a deeper reflection on the toll of abuse. "It was the first time I thought of focusing on the wounds," said Martinez, adding that he was also struck by the human impact, noting the couple's affection for each other and how they interacted and walked together. "It was really touching." Referring to his focus on meth, microbiology, and immunology, Martinez added: "I was following the trends and found it an interesting topic to get into. Nobody was studying meth and the immune system." ### Contact Luis Martinez at 516.686.1271 or lmarti13@nyit.edu About NYIT New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) offers 90 degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, in more than 50 fields of study, including architecture and design; arts and sciences; education; engineering and computing sciences; health professions; management; and osteopathic medicine. A non-profit independent, private institution of higher education, NYIT has 12,000 students attending campuses on Long Island and Manhattan, online, and at its global campuses. Led by President Edward Guiliano, NYIT is guided by its mission to provide career-oriented professional education, offer access to opportunity to all qualified students, and support applications-oriented research that benefits the larger world. To date, 100,000 graduates have received degrees from NYIT. For more information, visit nyit.edu. The majority of smokers who successfully switch to vaping say they have fewer respiratory infections, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London The majority of smokers who successfully switch to vaping say they have fewer respiratory infections, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). The on-line survey of 941 respondents assessed subjective changes in respiratory symptoms in smokers who switched to vaping for at least two months. The results, published in the Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy, show that 66 per cent of respondents reported an improvement in respiratory symptoms, 29 per cent reported no change and 5 per cent reported worsening. Senior author Professor Peter Hajek from QMUL said: "There is no doubt that e-cigarettes are much safer than conventional cigarettes, but smokers are still led to believe that they're dangerous. This misinformation includes a misreported study on rats that claimed that vaping may increase vulnerability to infections. These new findings from human vapers show that this is not the case. "The study needs to be interpreted with caution because it is based on self-reported data, and further studies using objective measures are needed. However, the present results provide sufficient information to suggest that vaping does not increase infection rates and may in fact lead to a decrease in infections." Some previous cell and animal studies have been interpreted as suggesting that vaping may increase vulnerability to infection, but these studies did not use realistic exposure levels. Human trials have reported no significant adverse respiratory effects associated with e-cigarette use for up to 1.5 years and a follow-up study of smokers with asthma who switched to vaping found significant improvements. The researchers say that it is not surprising that the survey respondents noticed improvements in their respiratory health. This is because smoking increases susceptibility to respiratory infections and stopping smoking can be expected to have a positive effect. In addition to this, vaping may also provide some antimicrobial protection through the e-liquid ingredient propylene glycol, though further evidence is needed to confirm this. The main limitation of the study is that the reports are subjective. Future studies should assess respiratory symptoms objectively and on unselected samples of vapers. Despite the limitations, the researchers say that the study provides a reasonable reassurance that vaping does not promote respiratory infections and may in fact reduce them. ### For more information, please contact: Joel Winston Public Relations Manager (School of Medicine and Dentistry) Queen Mary University of London j.winston@qmul.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 7943 / +44 (0)7970 096 188 Notes to the editor * Research paper: 'Changes in the Frequency of Airway Infections in Smokers who Switched to Vaping: Results of an Online Survey'. Joanna Astrid Miler, Bernhard-Michael Mayer and Peter Hajek. Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy 2016. DOI: 10.4172/2155-6105.1000290 http://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/changes-in-the-frequency-of-airway-infections-in-smokers-who-switched-to-vaping-results-of-an-online-survey-2155-6105-1000290.pdf About Queen Mary University of London Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is one of the UK's leading universities, and one of the largest institutions in the University of London, with 20,260 students from more than 150 countries. A member of the Russell Group, we work across the humanities and social sciences, medicine and dentistry, and science and engineering, with inspirational teaching directly informed by our research - in the most recent national assessment of the quality of research, we were placed ninth in the UK (REF 2014). We also offer something no other university can: a stunning self-contained residential campus in London's East End. As well as our home at Mile End, we have campuses at Whitechapel, Charterhouse Square and West Smithfield dedicated to the study of medicine, and a base for legal studies at Lincoln's Inn Fields. We have a rich history in London with roots in Europe's first public hospital, St Barts; England's first medical school, The London; one of the first colleges to provide higher education to women, Westfield College; and the Victorian philanthropic project, the People's Palace based at Mile End. QMUL has an annual turnover of 350m, a research income worth 100m, and generates employment and output worth 700m to the UK economy each year. JUPITER, FL - August 19, 2016 - A well-known family of natural compounds, called "terpenoids," have a curious evolutionary origin. In particular, one question relevant to future drug discovery has puzzled scientists: exactly how does Nature make these molecules? A study from scientists on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has now filled in a missing piece of the evolutionary puzzle, determining a previously unknown structure of a family of proteins that are key to making these compounds. Terpenoids, mostly produced by plants, are a family of molecules that encompass some of the most well-known and successful drugs derived from natural sources, for example the cancer treatment Taxol. In total, there are more than 65,000 known terpenoids. Natural compounds, such as terpenoids, are typically made by numerous enzymes that stitch the parts together, like building a model from Lego. In the new study, the team focused on enzymes known as terpene synthases, which are found in both plants and bacteria. The study, led by TSRI Professor Ben Shen, was recently published online ahead of print by the Journal of the American Chemical Society. In addition to the advance in the structural biology of this class of proteins, the new findings could also affect drug discovery, making engineering of these proteins, and thus the compounds they make, easier in the future. Using x-ray crystallography--freezing the atomic structure of a protein, then bombarding it with x-rays to create a snapshot of it--Shen and his colleagues developed a detailed structural model that provides a far better understanding of bacterial diterpene synthases and how this class of enzymes work in a natural setting. "What we found out is that the bacterial version is structurally very similar to the plant version and may support the idea of a gene fusion event that created the bifunctional plant enzymes," said TSRI Research Associate Jeffrey Rudolf, a co-first author of the paper with TSRI Research Associate Liao-Bin Dong. "We were also able to map which parts of the enzyme are important, giving us an idea of how to engineer the protein for structural diversity." Dong added, "This new information not only allows us to engineer structural diversity into both bacterial and plant terpenoids, it also helps us identify new diterpenoids of bacterial origin, which are rare and could lead to exciting new natural compounds with interesting biological activities." ### In addition to Shen, Rudolf and Dong, other authors of the study include Hongnan Cao and George N. Phillips of Rice University; Catherine Hatzos-Skintges, Jerzy Osipiuk, Michael Endres, Gyorgy Babnigg and Andrzej Joachimiak of Argonne National Laboratory; Chin-Yuan Chang and Ming Ma of TSRI. The study, "Structure of the ent-Copalyl Diphosphate Synthase PtmT2 from Streptomyces platensis CB00739, a Bacterial Type II Diterpene Synthase," was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences Protein Structure Initiative (grants GM094585 and GM098248) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (grants GM109456 and GM114353). About The Scripps Research Institute The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. TSRI is internationally recognized for its contributions to science and health, including its role in laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. An institution that evolved from the Scripps Metabolic Clinic founded by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps in 1924, the institute now employs more than 2,500 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists--including two Nobel laureates and 20 members of the National Academy of Science, Engineering or Medicine--work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards PhD degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. For more information, see http://www.scripps.edu. Once available to the public, this and other press releases are posted on the TSRI website at http://www.scripps.edu/news/newsreleases.html A Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii) growing in the highlands of northern Greece has been dendrocronologically dated to be more than 1075 years old. This makes it currently the oldest known living tree in Europe. The millenium old pine was discovered by scientists from Stockholm University (Sweden), the University of Mainz (Germany) and the University of Arizona (USA). "It is quite remarkable that this large, complex and impressive organism has survived so long in such an inhospitable environment, in a land that has been civilized for over 3000 years" says Swedish dendrochronologist, Paul J. Krusic, leader of the expedition that found the tree. It is one of more than a dozen individuals of millennial age, living in a treeline forest high in the Pindos mountains. "Many years ago I read a thesis about this very interesting forest in Greece. In our research, we try to build long chronologies to construct climate histories, so finding living trees of old age is one of our motivations. To age the tree, we needed to take a core of wood, from the outside to the center. The core is one meter and has 1075 annual rings" says Krusic. The scientists hope the annual variations of the tree rings from trees like this and those fallen in centuries past, yet still preserved on the ground, will provide an informative history of climatic and environmental conditions, going back thousands of years. Considering where the tree was found, and its venerable age, the scientists have named this individual "Adonis" after the Greek god of beauty and desire. "I am impressed, in the context of western civilization, all the human history that has surrounded this tree; all the empires, the Byzantine, the Ottoman, all the people living in this region. So many things could have led to its demise. Fortunately, this forest has been basically untouched for over a thousand years" says Krusic. The millennium old trees were discovered during research expeditions conducted by the Navarino Environmental Observatory (NEO), a cooperation between Stockholm University, the Academy of Athens and TEMES S.A. The observatory studies climate change and its impact on environment and humans in the Mediterranean. For information, please contact: Paul J. Krusic, paul.krusic@natgeo.su.se, + 46 (0) 70 6503118 Press Office, press@su.se, + 46 (0) 8 164090 Timeline: 941 - Adonis is a seedling. The Byzantine Empire is at its peak. From the North, the Vikings reach the Black Sea. 1041 - Adonis is a 100 years old. In China, a book is published describing gunpowder. A man called Macbeth is crowned King of Scotland. 1191 - Adonis is 250 years old. The universities of Oxford and Paris are founded. The third crusade battles Saladin in the Holy Land. 1441 - Adonis is 500 years old. The Ottoman empire conquers Greece. Many Greek scholars flee to the west, influencing the Renaissance. In Sweden, the first parliament is held in Arboga. Johannes Gutenberg is about to test his first printing press. 1691 - Adonis is 750 years old. Isaac Newton has formulated his Laws on Motion. Ice cream, tea and coffee are introduced in Europe. 1941 - Adonis is a millennium old. World War II is ravaging the world. Greece is occupied by Nazi Germany, Italy and Bulgaria. ### G proteins are molecular switches on the insides of cell membranes. They convey important signals to the inner workings of the cells. The associated receptors are targeted by all kinds of medications. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are now shedding light on precisely how the individual amino acids of the G protein move during the switching process. The discovered mechanism signposts new approaches to the design of new active agents. The human body is like a huge team project. Millions of cells, structured into tissue and organs, assume various tasks and support, coordinate between and regulate each other. For this collaboration to function the cells must exchange information readily. Specific proteins regulate this communication. As "messengers" they transmit the signals they receive from the outside world to the inner workings of the cells. A messenger and its receptor in the cross-hairs of the pharmaceutical industry So-called G proteins form an important class of these messenger proteins. They function as tiny molecular switches: When a signaling substance attaches to a G protein coupled receptor, the so-called alpha subunit of the G protein is "switched" on. It separates from the receptor and the other subunits and activates further proteins. This is the first stage of a signaling cascade that culminates in the desired reaction. In a whole series of diseases, the regulation of this signal cascade is faulty, which explains why over 30 percent of all manufactured medications act on G protein coupled receptors. These include beta blockers, medications against high blood pressure and psychotropic drugs. Agents that act directly on G proteins are also conceivable. More than just a snapshot - How exactly are the switches triggered? Now a group of scientists led by Franz Hagn, Professor of Structural Membrane Biochemistry in the Department of Chemistry at TU Munich, has determined what precisely happens when the "switch" is flipped in an alpha subunit. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, they resolved step by step how the individual amino acids move in the alpha subunit upon activation. "This insight may help manufacturers of medications create active agents precisely geared to the individual steps, something that has been difficult hitherto," says Franz Hagn. G proteins investigated in natural state for first time In their work, Hagn's researchers were, for the first time, able to observe the movements of G protein alpha subunits in their natural environment, i.e. bound to a cell membrane. This is very difficult since membrane proteins are not soluble. But, it is a prerequisite for solution NMR spectroscopic investigations. The scientists overcame this hurdle to investigating the G proteins by developing small membrane patches in which lipid binding proteins shielded the water-repelling edges. They then placed the G protein coupled receptors into theses phospholipid nanodiscs and examined the interactions with the soluble G protein. The researchers determined that the receptor-bound form of the alpha subunit is very open when in the "off" position. When the activating guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binds to the protein, it snaps shut and the switch is activated. Now, the individual parts of the subunit rest together tightly. The complex is rigid and practically unalterable, which is essential for the activation of further signal proteins. Prerequisites for future active agent development The development of a medication that acts directly on the G protein is still a long way off. Nonetheless, the new insight indicates that the open form of the protein is more readily accessible by active agents than the rigid, closed form. In follow-on research, the scientists headed by Hagn hope to also investigate the influence of G protein coupled receptors on the structure of the G protein, as well as the role of other G protein subunits in the switching process. Essential for this work will be the state-of-the-art technical facilities of the Bavarian NMR Center, which will be extended by a further high-field spectrometer on the Garching campus of TU Munich in the next two years. ### The research was done in close collaboration with the Institute of Structural Biology of the Helmholtz Center Munich and the Department of Biochemistry of the University of Zurich, as well as the Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology of Harvard Medical School in Boston. The theoretical calculations were run on the supercomputer of the Leibnitz Computing Center of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences. The research was funded by the Institute for Advanced Study of the Technical University of Munich (TUM-IAS) with funds from the Excellence Initiative and the European Community, the Excellence Cluster Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), the international Human Frontier Science Program and the National Institutes of Health (USA). Original publication: David Goricanec, Ralf Stehle, Pascal Egloff, Simina Grigoriu, Andreas Pluckthun, Gerhard Wagner and Franz Hagn, "Conformational dynamics of a G-Protein subunit is tightly regulated by nucleotide binding", Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), vol. 113 no. 26, 2016 - DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1604125113 Highresolution picture: https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/?id=1324471#1324471 Contact: Technical University of Munich Prof. Franz Hagn Tel.: +49 89 289 10683 E-Mail: franz.hagn@tum.de Web: http://www.membrane.ch.tum.de UC College of Business research looks at high-level creative skills for envy in the workplace, finds there is a dark side Watching a co-worker get the extra respect and attention from a supervisor that you feel you deserve can leave you feeling envious. The more that envy increases the more you can become what researchers refer to as "ego depleted" -- a general lack of the personal resources you need to focus on and complete daily tasks. In a recent University of Cincinnati Lindner College of Business study, Joel Koopman, UC assistant professor of management, looked at envy in the workplace. Koopman's research found a strong link between an employee's feelings of envy after they perceive a supervisor has treated them worse relative to their co-workers and the length of time by which they process this information. Koopman refers to this phenomenon as a person's level of "epistemic motivation" (EM) -- the desire to process information thoroughly and grasp the meaning behind a particular situation. Some people are low in epistemic motivation and tend to generalize events into categories that can be easily explained and ignored, but those same people are not as skillful at solving novel problems in a creative environment. On the contrary, Koopman says people high in such motivation are more sensitive to nuance and devote more time to processing new information as it comes in. In the case of envy, that skill can come at a cost. "Research has shown that most creative working environments -- ones that require a strong ability to negotiate and attend to detail -- value employees who have a high level of epistemic motivation," says Koopman. "But that same ability to process new information for creative output also tends to show its dark side when envy comes into play." He found that negative feelings were carried home with the envious, went to bed with them, woke up with them and stuck with them into the following day, ultimately wasting valuable time and productivity. Koopman presented a paper on this topic at the 76th annual meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM) in August in Anaheim, California. His paper, titled, "My Coworkers are Treated Fairer than Me! The Depleting Effects of Justice Social Comparison Perceptions and Envy," looked at what happens when an employee feels they are treated worse than their co-workers and how they process those feelings of envy. "In a whirling spiral, the more energy they expend on processing the injustice, the less their resources are, and they become less likely to help others in the office," Koopman adds. "This cycle can build to the point that tremendous time and energy is wasted on simply processing negative emotions, leaving critical work projects to flounder until resolutions are achieved." Green-Eyed Monsters Devour Precious Time Reviewing prior research on behaviors in the workplace, Koopman found that supervisors treat employees differently primarily because of who they like and feel are the most trustworthy. This becomes a problem when employees are aware of this differential treatment, which then drives the envy. Koopman shows that while employees are concerned with their treatment by an authority, they are equally concerned with that treatment relative to others in their workgroup. But regarding the consequences for those employees when they notice this differential treatment, Koopman says that's what they really don't know yet. To capture a snapshot of "unfair justice social comparisons" from the vantage point of the employee, Koopman tested a group of participants with two surveys per day for 15 workdays, each day asking the participants how fairly they had been treated by their supervisor relative to their co-workers. The survey measured for the possible experience of envy immediately, and then how that envy persisted into the next day. Koopman's study showed that during such a response, the length of that envy response affected the employee's willingness to help co-workers with their tasks and were less likely to listen to personal problems. "This is significant because the workers who are valuable for problem-solving, skilled negotiating and finding timely solutions are also the ones who ruminate longer over processing the social injustice and envy they feel," says Koopman. "This resulted in a higher degree of ego depletion and negatively affected their overall productivity. "Future research looking at solving the risk and benefits of workplace coping mechanisms can be key for maintaining a happy balance at work." ### You just received the promotion you have worked so hard for, but you overhear a co-worker say that you got it because the boss only gives the easy projects to you while the hard ones are dumped on everyone else. Some of your envious co-workers come to congratulate you with the aim of being seen with you for reputational benefits, but some others may be less kind in their response. While these overt signs of envy can often be received badly, University of Cincinnati Lindner College of Business research indicates that how that envy is perceived and attributed by the envied person makes all the difference in how it is handled. "Envy is common in the workplace and generally occurs when a co-worker receives valuable accolades such as promotions, awards, benefits, high-profile assignments, expense accounts and even better office chairs," says Harshad Puranik, third-year UC doctoral student in the College of Business. "Any situation which leads individuals to make social comparisons that highlight differences in how they are treated can potentially lead to envy." In their theoretical paper titled, "They Want What I've Got: The Role of Self-Esteem and Attribution in Determining Responses to Coworker Envy," presented at the 76th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management in August in Anaheim, California, Puranik, along with his mentors, Heather Vough and Joel Koopman, both assistant professors of business at UC, and fellow collaborator Daniel Gamache from University of Georgia theorize about how envied employees are likely to respond to the behaviors of their envious coworkers. "While the research to date focuses primarily on the person who is envious, we, in contrast, suggest that envy occurs in an interpersonal context and it is also important to understand how the recipient responds to being envied," says Vough. "Our theory paper primarily focuses on when and why envied employees are likely to realize that they are being envied." "What we learn from using self-regulation theory is that self-esteem is important," says Puranik. "The trait self-esteem of the envied employee is an important component that will determine whether they are able to recognize the behaviors of their co-workers as being caused by envy or not and this will subsequently determine their behavioral response." Is it envy or am I great? According to Vough, in hostile or social undermining conditions, people with higher self-esteem are more likely to ask, 'Why would this person do these things to me, I'm great.' In their search for answers, they may determine that envy is the cause of the negative treatment. Individuals with low self-esteem, in contrast, may accept hostile behaviors because that is how they expect to be treated by others. On the flipside, when individuals receive positive treatment, such as compliments and opportunities for future collaborations, those with low self-esteem may become suspicious and wonder why someone is treating them in an unexpected way. When individuals with high self-esteem receive positive treatment, however, that behavior is self-confirming and does not require further elaboration. Not stopping there, the researchers take their theory one step further and track how the envied person picks up on the envy and responds. "What I find interesting is how we can have this negative behavior toward a person, but whether they attribute it to envy or not makes a difference in their response," says Vough. "Normally, when we see negative behaviors by an envious person, we expect a negative response back toward them, but if the envy attribution is made, it flips that and elicits a more positive response by the envied employee. "Alternately, we expect people to respond positively toward positive behaviors aimed at them." In their study model, the researchers predict, perhaps counterintuitively, that when individuals believe others are acting positively toward them due to envy, they will actually try to retreat from the relationship because they fear they are being used by the other person. Puranik says the level of trait self-esteem of the envied person is the important component that will determine whether they are able to recognize these behaviors from envy and that will subsequently determine how they respond. The researchers hope to inspire further studies looking at ways to enhance workplace relationships that foster more productive teamwork. ### News / Africa by Reuters LUSAKA - Zambian President Edgar Lungu said on Tuesday his inauguration would be delayed until a court rules on a challenge from his main election rival who said the vote was rigged.Results on Monday showed Lungu narrowly won re-election in Africa's second-largest copper producer which is suffering an economic slump due to depressed commodity prices.But his rival, opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, said he would challenge the result, alleging fraud during the vote counting process after Thursday's election.Police said they arrested about 150 protesters in opposition strongholds in the southern African country, while one ruling party supporter was detained on Monday after torching a police vehicle during celebrations. A rule introduced in January says the winner of a presidential election cannot be sworn in if the vote is contested in a court, which has two weeks to decide on such a petition.Wearing a white T-shirt with the victory symbol and the words "I love peace" on it, the president told his supporters at a victory rally in the capital Lusaka: "We will have to wait before I am sworn in because I am told some people have gone to court. The courts of law are our creature and so the courts should be given latitude to make decisions."Lungu won 50.35 percent of the vote against 47.63 percent for Hichilema.Zambia has been one of Africa's most stable democracies although there were skirmishes during campaigning. The kwacha strengthened 2.5 percent on Tuesday, in a sign investors welcomed an outright winner in the election.Lungu said there would be work in the next five years of his term in office to revive the flagging economy. "There is no time for a honeymoon," he said.Hichilema, popularly known as HH, was not available to comment. His UPND party accused Lungu's party of carrying out "a coup on Zambia's democratic process" in a statement released late on Monday."We submitted evidence before the declaration of the results regarding the gross irregularities that have taken place. That is why we will not accept the result," the party said.The UPND said on Saturday data from its own parallel count showed Hichilema beating Lungu "with a clear margin" with about 80 percent of votes counted. Monday's result means Hichilema has now lost five presidential elections.The ruling party and the electoral commission have rejected the UPND's charge.The election was fought around the issues of rising unemployment, mine closures, power shortages and soaring food prices which Hichilema, an economist and businessman, blamed on Lungu's mismanagement.But Lungu, whose government has been talking to the International Monetary Fund about financial aid to help plug its budget deficit, said he was doing his best to wean the economy off its over-reliance on copper.Robert Besseling, head of the EXX Africa business risk intelligence group said: "Lungu will struggle to secure concessions from the IMF and may be forced to turn to Chinese investors to bankroll a recovery of the copper-driven economy."Chinese companies have invested heavily in mining and other sectors over the last 10 years with investment reaching $2.6 billion in 2014, according to data from the Chinese Embassy. "The Running Bride Cancelled Her Wedding On Discovering Her Man Isn't A Chevron Staff."Bride just discovered on wedding morning that her husband-to be was actually not A CHEVRON STAFF. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Badoo etc all said he was a Chevron staff , but the truth was revealed this morning. News / Africa by Thulani Gqirana, News24 | News24 Cape Town - Five candidates will now be vying for the Public Protector position after a swift cutting down of the candidate list on Thursday, News24 reported..In a relatively short meeting, the multi-party committee whittled down the number of candidates from 14 to five.Most of the 9 other candidates were swiftly dispatched with, including current Deputy Public Protector Kevin Malunga.MPs did not even debate his candidacy, and merely said he must fall off the list.The five candidates who made the list are judges Sharise Weiner and Siraj Desai, and advocates Busisiwe Mkhwebane, Muvhango Lukhaimane and Professor Bongani Majola.While three candidates - Weiner, Mkhwebane and Lukhaimane - made the list without any objections, fierce debates were held over Desai and Majola's candidacy.Concerns over temperThe DA vehemently objected to Desai's candidacy, while the EFF's Floyd Shivambu refused to endorse Majola for the shortlist.This, Shivambu said, was because Majola had been neutral during the struggle for freedom in South Africa.DA MPs Glynnis Breytenbach and Phumzile van Damme raised concerns over Desai's temper, and his ability to be objective.Breytenbach compared his interview to Judge Weiner's, and said he had failed."He had a poor interview, lost his temper and was abusive to MPs who were questioning him," she said.EFF's Shivambu said while he was a fit and proper judge, he was not for the Public Protector position.Ramjathan-Keogh 'extremely dangerous'Candidates including Advocate MT Goodman (nee Shai) and director of the South African Litigation Centre Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh were knocked off the list, not so quietly.Shivambu said Goodman, who was found to have lied to the committee about her job at the Gambling Board, was not stable.She brought too much conflict, he said.Ramjathan-Keogh, who was grilled during her interview for her role in the Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir's case, was knocked off the list after both the ANC and EFF objected to her making the final cut.Shivambu said she should not be considered for the second round."Her lacklustre approach to the question of peace is extremely dangerous. She is extremely dangerous because you must have the social conscience to appreciate that in the pursuit of legalistic issues, there are other matters of political and public interest to consider," he said.Questions over fundingHe said her attitude was not correct for any lawyer."She must focus on that beautiful organisation she is working for," he said.He also raised concerns over the funding of her organisation.The DA's Glynnis Breytenbach said she met the requirements of the job.The ANC labelled her as arrogant.ANC MP Bongani Bongo supported Shivambu, while DA MPs made kissing noises while he was speaking.He said she was very evasive in answering other questions."Of particular importance I think she was very arrogant when MP Amos Masondo asked her about funding," he said.Other ANC MPs agreed.The committee will now meet on Wednesday to make the final selection. News / National by Staff reporter Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya says he is always on the war-path with extorters who want to have part of his wealth.He told journalists after officially handing over more than 5 000 housing stands to desperate home-seekers from his congregation through his multi-million dollar company, Planet Africa during a ground-breaking ceremony in Douglasdale."I am fighting endless battles with extorters on a daily basis and the majority of them are those people who have interacted with me before I launched the ministry," Magaya said."They think they are justified to benefit a thing or two from me because we used to interact before," he said."These are the same people, who are peddling falsehoods in the media about the organisation, but I am glad that despite all those false allegations levelled against me, my partners stood by me.""As a result, the project is meant to benefit PHD Ministries' partners, a way of returning the favour and love to church members for their faith and loyalty to the church," he said.The project at Douglasdale residential area is expected to be complete in the next five months or so.However, Magaya said the massive housing project is not confined to Bulawayo alone, but will be taken to other parts of the country as well as countries in southern Africa."The houses to be built are not common, we are trying to build tourist attraction features. It will be gated communities across the continent."I will discount beneficiaries, 60 percent will be removed on all 46000 houses to be established by the project in the country," he said.On behalf of Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, Tabitha Kanengoni-Malinga praised Magaya for taking an initiative that he said will go a long way in alleviating the accommodation crisis in Bulawayo.About 110 000 people are on the city's housing waiting list. Friday, August 19, 2016 One of the best ways to sell books is to do a book signing or author event at your local library because libraries are publicity machines. I was reminded of that this week when I visited the Grafton, Wisc., branch of U.S. Bank where I do my banking. While standing in the short line waiting for a teller, I saw a poster and bookmarks advertising a book signing for New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth Berg. The event is at 1 p.m. today at the U.S.S. Memorial Public Library in Grafton. The author is from the Chicago area and shes on a book tour to promote Make Someone Happy. I helped myself to a bookmark in the plastic display stand. On the drive home, I started thinking of all the ways banks can help you sell more books or products. Heres my list. It doesnt apply only to authors but to anyone selling products or services. 1. If youre doing a book signing or event at your local library, let the library know where you do your banking. Several banks might be willing to put your marketing materials on display. But you might have better luck at the branch where you do business. After all, youre a loyal customer, right? 2. Ask if you can use their community room. Several banks have community rooms they let people use for free. If the room is big enough, you can do a free class and sell your products afterward. Make sure the class offers value. It should be more than just a free commercial for your product. If they say yes, ask the bank to promote the event on social media, and you do the same. 3. Ask for a short article in their print or email newsletter. Make it easy for them. Write it yourself. If they dont have room for a long article, write a short tips list. 4. Ask them to post a flyer on their bulletin board. My bank has flyers for a wide variety of community events. 5. Ask for envelope stuffers. Banks mail materials to their customers frequently. If youre willing to pay for a marketing piece about your event at their bank, they might be willing to insert it inside envelopes along with other materials theyre sending anyway. The next time youre inside your bank, look around for other opportunities to partner with them. When they say yes to your request, make sure you share information about it on places like Facebook and Twitter. Tag the bank so they know youre promoting them. What have I missed? What other ways can banks help publicize you? Do you plan to live forever? Do you ever plan to move? Depending on where you're going, you can't take it with you. KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die is your guide to a clean house and a clear mind. Death educator Gail Rubin brings a light touch to cleaning out those dark recesses of your drawers and closets. The book shows you how to: Tackle downsizing without being overwhelmed by the job Evaluate what to keep, toss, donate and recycle Creatively remove excess goods from your home Manage your finances for today and tomorrow Organize your funeral and create your legacy If you need guidance to downsize and organize, this book is for you. The 128-page book, now available in paperback, is a quick, easy read, with colorful photographs and bonus online information. Each of the 100 Bucket List items include links to helpful internet articles that expand on each point. The forthcoming eBook versions make it easy to access the online resources. There's also a handy 50-item Executor's Checklist, guidance for the person who will take care of your after-death details, available as a free downloadable PDF here. Copies of the paperback version of KICKING THE BUCKET LIST can now be ordered for $15.95 through Amazon, AGoodGoodbye.com, and the publisher, Rio Grand Books. KICKING THE BUCKET LIST supports the work of the nonprofit National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the National Hospice Foundation. NHPCO brings patients facing life's end, and their families, comfort, compassion and hope even in the face of death. Author: Gail Rubin, CT, is a Certified Thanatologist (a death educator) who uses humor and funny films to help teach about end-of-life issues. She's the author of two other books, the award-winning A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die and Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips. Gail is also a pioneer of the Death Cafe movement in the United States and an informed advocate for pre-need funeral planning. She's available for media interviews by calling 505.265.7215. Publisher: Rio Grande Books, October 2016, $15.95, ISBN 978-1-943681-15-0. For a media review copy, call 505.344.9382. ### Welcome to the News Release Wire Selection Control Panel. Instant News Wire The naked Trump statues erected today in five cities New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Cleveland not only show off Trump in all his naked glory, but they show through the expression of the artist what millions of people in America and around the world think of Trump. More and more, people see him as a national joke and embarrassment, although what he represents is not so funny a racist, bigoted, isolationist, paranoid vision of America. These statues represent one more statement that Trump is really just a lumpy overweight potbellied man who presents himself to the world with orange make-up. But underneath, he is stark naked. Even the New York Parks Department, upon hauling the statue away -- fittingly in the back of a dump truck, had the right attitude, when its spokesperson Sam Biederman explained the reason for removing the statue thus: "New York City Parks stands firmly against any unpermitted erection in city parks, no matter how small." These naked Trump statues reflect what author/sociologist Gini Graham Scott, Ph.D., has been pointing out for the past six months in a series of seven books about Trump, now featured on the Website: Trump Is a Nut (http://www.trumpisanut.com), also known as Trump Is Nuts (http://www.trumpisnuts.net) and Who Is Trump Really? (http://www.whoistrumpreally.com). According to the media, Trump is livid and going nuts over these naked images of himself or maybe he is already nuts, as Scott suggests in a tongue-in-cheek cartoon book Trump Is Nuts! The book compares Trump to a series of nuts from peanuts to pecans and shows him ending up in a nut case with two other noted dictators Hitler and Mussolini, and finally he is hauled off to a nut house. While one of the images shows him regally dressed as an emperor, the naked Trump statues show that underneath the trappings of luxury and royalty, the emperor has no clothes. The Trump Is Nuts! book is on Amazon and Kindle, https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Nuts-Illustrated-Guide-Coloring/dp/0692738037, while the cartoons are featured in a video on Pivotshare. They are also part of a trilogy called Who Is Trump, Really? https://www.amazon.com/Who-Trump-Really-Collection-Extinct/dp/153541314X And now, as the popular enthusiasm for the statues shows, more and more people are recognizing in Trump's latest rants that he really is nuts. Some recent examples and there are so many of them -- are his attack on the American intelligence community, his claim that the 50 military leaders who rejected him as a Commander in Chief are mere has-beens, his comment that a gun going off at a rally could be someone shooting Obama, and his call on Second Amendment supporters to do something to stop Hillary from getting rid of the Second Amendment (actually a false statement), which many viewed as a sly suggestion that someone should assassinate Hillary. But then Trump suggested he was really being sarcastic, or maybe he wasn't. In other words, his words could mean anything, meaning that they really mean nothing. Or could Trump's crazy words and behaviors be due to the onset of Alzheimer's? It's a question raised by Dr. Gini Graham Scott in an article on the Huffington Post, which has already gotten 1.3 likes and has led to extended discussions on Facebook. http://tinyurl.com/z64hltk. In the article, Scott cites numerous experts, authorities, and writers who have suggested that one 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. Plus the condition has genetic links, and Trump's father had Alzheimer's for six years before he died of pneumonia in 1999. In any event, the naked Trump statues are a fitting "tribute" to a Trump who is increasingly being revealed nationally and internationally for who he really is. In fact, regardless of the many polls which report many different results, the gamblers who take bets are now viewing the odds of Trump winning as going down, down, down. In fact, one of the top polling sites, Nate's Silver's FiveThirtyEight.com has now caught up with the betting sites, giving Clinton a 86.4 percent chance of winning the election, with Trump at 13.6 percent. Now with the statues out there or perhaps just in millions of shared images maybe Trump's odds are even less, while the odds of him dropping out of the election are going up, up, up. ******** Scott has been an observer of the election since February 2016, when she first started writing a series of articles on Trump for the Huffington Post and published the first of a series of books on the election 2016 Election Fairy Tales, with tales like "Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Trump," followed by 2016 Election Monsters, Myths, and Mayhem, comparing Trump to a series of mythical monsters, such as the Medusa, Minotaur, and Devil. She brings to these books on Trump 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 News / National by Staff reporter Former Vice President Joice Mujuru's Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) party has challenged defence forces commander Constantino Chiwenga to resign from the military and join politics if he so wishes.Chiwenga has been accused of dabbling in politics through utterances which have riled opposition and pro-democracy groups, with some claiming his conduct was tantamount to an "armed factionalist in military attire".Others have urged him to quit the army and face his opponents in the political ring.This comes in the wake of Chiwenga's alleged unconstitutional rants following Mujuru's attack on President Robert Mugabe at a rally in Mashonaland East Province in April, where she called the nonagenarian to order for allegedly denigrating the role played by other war veterans during the war of liberation.Chiwenga chose the event to fire a broadside that many believed was a response to Mujuru saying he was aware of machinations of alleged enemies of the country to destabilise Zimbabwe using local elements."By commenting on statements made by Mujuru at a rally, Chiwenga abdicates his role as the commander of the Zimbabwe army assuming new roles as Mugabe's spokesperson, Zanu PF spokesperson, spokesperson for the war veterans, all rolled in one," said ZPF spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire in a statement yesterday .In his statement Chiwenga said the country's security forces were on high alert to thwart any such machinations."We are aware of all their tricks; even during the liberation struggle we also had the same problems."We had numerous rebellions they are waging a war on the country, the country's political system, the country's economy and the defence forces of the countrythere is a real assault on the establishment of Zimbabwe," Chiwenga said.And Mawarire said Chiwenga's comments should be condemned in the strongest of terms as they were in contravention of provisions of sections 211 and 208 of the Constitution.The sections provide that "members of the security services must act in accordance with the Constitution and the law" and must not "act in a partisan manner" or "further the interests of any political party or cause"."We respect Chiwenga's rights as a Zimbabwean, his freedom of expression and his right to associate or join a political party of his choice, but we implore him to do that within the confines of the law and outside his official designation as commander of our armed forces."He should, if he wants to be politically active, relinquish his position in the force and join active politics wherein he would subject himself to the vagaries of political criticism without the luxury of falling back on military force against perceived political opponents".Mawarire added that it was his party's belief that Chiwenga's involvement in partisan politics was a ploy by the country's security forces to intimidate all those he sees as his opponents. A newly published set of clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), the first such update to the guidelines since 2005, will help health care providers better diagnose children exposed to alcohol during gestation. These new guidelines will be a valuable resource for clinicians to accurately diagnose infants and children who were affected by alcohol exposure before birth, George F. Koob, PhD, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, said in a statement. They represent the most data-driven diagnostic criteria for fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder produced to date. The guidelines call for a multidisciplinary approach to FASD diagnosis, which would require children suspected of FASD to be evaluated by either a pediatrician or a clinical geneticist/dysmorphologist, along with undergoing a neuropsychological and behavioral assessment. Children also should be assessed by speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists, psychiatrists, and ophthalmologists on a case-by-case basis, if needed (Pediatrics. 2016;138[2]:e20154256). Dr. George F. Koob [FASD], the umbrella term for the range of disabilities that can result from prenatal alcohol exposure, represents the leading cause of preventable developmental disabilities in the world, according to an NIH statement. As a result of alcohol exposure in the womb, children can have lower IQ, restricted growth resulting in shorter height/lower weight, small head size, a characteristic pattern of facial deformities, and behavioral issues such as attention deficit, poor impulse control, and the inability to regulate mood/behavior. As a first step outlined in the diagnostic algorithm in the guidelines, the mothers should be assessed to determine how much prenatal alcohol was consumed; there is a table with a definition of documented prenatal alcohol exposure as it applies to the four definitions. The guidelines stress that no amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can be considered safe; therefore, the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, along with any possible drug use, is critical to determining the severity of FASD in the child. The four diagnostic categories into which FASD has been divided have not been changed in the update, although the criteria for each have been updated. These four categories, which were created by the Institute of Medicine in 1996, are: fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which applies to the most severely affected children; partial FAS (PFAS), which applies to children who display some, but not all, of the full spectrum of FAS characteristics; alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), which applies to children who have no physical signs of FAS but do display cognitive or behavioral impairment; and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD), which applies to children with no FAS symptoms aside from a physical malformation brought on by prenatal alcohol consumption. These four diagnostic categories remain the most apt descriptors of the range of disabilities observed within the continuum of FASD, guidelines coauthor Kenneth R. Warren, MD, said in a statement. We have refined the guidelines to reflect our collective expertise gained through the evaluation of more than 10,000 children in domestic and international venues. There is an extensive chart in the guidelines article documenting the updated criteria for the four diagnostic criteria. After determining maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, characteristic structural features should be evaluated in the child. Typical physical signs of FASD include short palpebral fissures, a smooth philtrum, and a vermilion border of the upper lip that may be thinner than normal, along with midface hypoplasia. There is a new lip/philtrum guide for the white population, incorporating a 45-degree view in the guidelines. From there, neurodevelopmental assessments and neuropsychological evaluations should be conducted to identify any cognitive impairments, keeping in mind that these will progress as the child ages. Finally, a multidisciplinary case conference should be held to discuss whether or not FASD should be diagnosed or not. These updated guidelines reflect consensus among a large and experienced cadre of FASD investigators in the fields of dysmorphology, epidemiology, neurology, psychology, developmental/ behavioral pediatrics, and educational diagnostics, wrote the authors of the guidelines, led by H. Eugene Hoyme, MD of the University of South Dakota in Sioux Falls. The improved specificity of these guidelines will aid clinicians in assignment of more accurate diagnoses of alcohol-exposed infants and children, thereby leading to more widespread early intervention and improved prevention efforts. The authors reported no relevant financial disclosures. dchitnis@frontlinemedcom.com < > 1 View Oberheim honored During the Government/Industry Day Luncheon, Aug. 17, Rick Roush, dean of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, presented retiring Ag Progress Days Manager Bob Oberheim with a token of appreciation for all his hard work. 2 View Dairy industry update Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding addressed the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees with remarks on the current dairy industry in Pennsylvania during a joint informational meeting at Ag Progress Days, Aug. 17. 3 View Dairy industry update A panel of House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee members gathered to hear concerns from the public relating to general dairy issues and House Bill 1265 during Ag Progress Days, Aug. 17. 4 View Scoping out the latest and greatest This group stopped to check out a combine during Ag Progress Days. 5 View Discussing equipment Lots of conversation about equipment and big decision to be made. 6 View Jousting demo Ag Progress Days truly has something for everyone including a heavy armor jousting demonstration in the horse arena. 7 View Miss America and the Pennsylvania State FFA officer team Miss America Betty Cantrell made a special appearance at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau building at Ag Progress Days, Aug. 16, to share her initiative in teaching kids about healthy choices and learning where there food comes from. Here she poses with the Pennsylvania State FFA officer team, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert (left) and Penn State Universitys College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Rick Roush (right). 8 View Meeting Miss America During Miss America Betty Cantrells visit to Ag Progress Days, Cantrell played an educational game of hopscotch with children. After hopping down a path, Cantrell asked each child an agriculture trivia question and then posed for pictures. 9 View A picture with Miss America pose Samuel Fuentes, Gabriela Fuentes of Manassas, Virginia, and Levi Lonzendorfer of Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania, pose for a picture with Miss America. Susan Fuentes said she has been coming to Ag Progress Days since she was a little kid and now brings her own children. 10 View Press conference with Miss America Miss America Betty Cantrell, talked with attendees at Ag Progress Days about her platform: Healthy children, strong America, during Ag Progress Days, Aug. 16. 11 View Miss America is "very pretty" Miss America, Betty Cantrell asks Gabriela Fuentes a trivia question about agriculture. Fuentes said she was excited to meet Miss America and that she is very pretty. 12 View Main street The streets of Ag Progress Days quickly began to fill on the first day. Even the heat and rain showers couldn't keep people away. 13 View Walk on main street The streets of Ag Progress Days quickly began to fill on the first day. Even the heat and rain showers couldn't keep people away. 14 View Tractors on display There was plenty of equipment to take in during Ag Progress Days. 15 View Can you identify these weeds? Ag Progress Days offers a variety of opportunities for learning including this troublesome weed station in conservation building on the grounds. Midwest spinach production explained in detail Learn how spinach performs in the Midwest and seasonal considerations in a new publication from ISU. The National Sheep Association has described the lynx reintroduction process adopted by Lynx UK as 'flawed' and 'misleading'. The economic, environmental and social consequences of releasing lynx into the UK countryside were highlighted at a National Sheep Association meeting. The meeting, held in partnership with the British Deer Society (BDS) in the Scottish Borders on Wednesday (17th August), was in response to Lynx UK Trust announcing Kielder Forest as its preferred site for a trial release programme. The event chaired by Sybil Macpherson, NSA Scottish Region Chairman and Argyllshire sheep farmer, brought together some 10 organisations and individuals involved in farming, tourism, animal welfare, land management and conservation. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, reports that there is "substantial" and "widespread" concern over the implications of releasing lynx. "There is concern over the way Lynx UK is going about its work," Mr Stock adds. Kielder Forest, in Northumberland, where the Lynx are thought to be reintroduced "Very valid points were raised in areas of strong public interest that go way beyond the losses that will be suffered by sheep farmers. "NSA has been very concerned the Lynx UK Trust would either orchestrate for its own, biased research to be used as the public consultation. "They might apply to only one licencing body despite the proposed release site falling under the remit of both Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage. Mr Stock says he feels "confident" that NSA would be far from the only group opposed to those two things. NSA does not believe UK has the suitable habitat to support the minimum population of 250 lynx He believes there is willingness within the Scottish and English licensing bodies to be communicating together. 10 animals for Kielder Forest No formal application has yet been made for the pilot release. But the NSA believes there will be 10 animals in Kielder Forest, five of each sex. NSA has voiced its concerns to Lynx UK Trust, Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage, and the organisation has said it will continue to oppose the proposals if and when a licence application is made. The NSA also attended a Lynx UK Trust meeting in Kielder last week, and said they were "dismayed" to see the group using its own consultation work and results interpretation to "garner support for the proposals." Mr Stocker adds: "The process adopted by Lynx UK is flawed and misleading and cannot be used as the legally required independent public consultation that must be carried out when the reintroduction of a lost species is considered. "It is essential any consultation is impartially conducted by an organisation that would attract unbiased responses. "NSA has tried on many occasions to engage with Lynx UK and, following its meeting last week, where it attempted to misrepresent NSAs position, has severed tied with the trust. 'This country is a very different place' "This country is a very different place to how it was 1,300 years ago. "NSA does not believe we have enough largescale, suitable habitat to support the minimum population of 250 lynx that is needed for true genetic sustainability. "We do not believe claims that say lynx will only predate some 0.4 sheep each per year, as evidence in other parts of the world (and more recently on Dartmoor where an escaped Lynx killed four sheep in three weeks) demonstrates that such theoretic claims are nonsense. "The UK countryside is stunningly beautiful and already provides the foundation for tourism and local economies. "But our iconic landscapes, environment and rural communities have been created largely by centuries of farming, grazing and human activity, at the same time as keeping people fed from the land. "Introducing lynx would jeopardise that delicate and essential balance," Mr Stocker concludes. Grass varieties bred by Agri-Food and Bio-Sciences Institute (AFBI) in cooperation with Barenbrug feature highly throughout the 2016/17 Recommended Grass List for Scotland. This year, five Barenbrug marketed ryegrasses and one clover variety have achieved acclaimed 1st Choice status. In addition, two brand new ryegrass varieties available from Barenbrug secure a listing for the very first time as Provisional 1st Choice options. The Scottish Recommended List of Grasses is an independent study of the grass seed varieties available to Scottish farmers. Published by Scotlands Rural College (SRUC), the list ranks grasses by performance making it easier for farmers to pick varieties that are proven to thrive in Scottish conditions, and deliver a quick return on investment. In compiling the 2016/17 Recommended List for Scotland, SRUC retested ten intermediate tetraploid ryegrass varieties that had been given 1st Choice status in previous years. Of the ten ryegrasses retested, only three remained categorised as 1st Choice: Malone, Seagoe and Dunluce all varieties available via Barenbrug. In addition, two other Barenbrug marketed ryegrasses Glenariff and Clanrye plus Katy, a clover, were confirmed as 1st Choice having spent a couple of years listed as Provisional 1st Choice. Furthermore, Gosford and Carland two new intermediate perennial ryegrass varieties available from Barenbrug were added to the Scottish list for the first time, going straight in as Provisional 1st Choice options. A quarter of ryegrasses bred by AFBI In total, 82 perennial ryegrasses appear on the Scottish list, almost a quarter of which are bred by AFBI in cooperation with Barenbrug through a specialist breeding partnership. Other ryegrass varieties on the list and available from Barenbrug include Kilrea and Moyola (early); Fintona, Ramore, Spelga, Moira, Caledon and Copeland (Intermediate); and Tyrella, Drumbo, Navan and Dunloy (late). Alongside Katy, three other white clover varieties from Barenbrug also appear including Crusader a medium leaf white clover, and the only clover variety to ever win the prestigious NIAB Variety Cup. Commenting, Mhairi Dawson, Research & Development Manager for Forage at Barenbrug UK, said: "Naturally we are delighted that so many of our varieties are going to be included on the Scottish Recommended Grass List for 2016/17 and importantly, have achieved 1st Choice status. "This result is testimony to the quality, innovation and continual improvement of our breeding programmes, which create varieties with genetics that stand the test of time." "Buying grasses and clovers that are bred by specialists like us, and included on the Recommended List, gives farmers peace of mind that they will be able to maximise the productivity of their grassland and get a good return on investment." Grass varieties that appear on SRUCs Recommended List are subject to rigorous checks and are evaluated under both conservation management and simulated grazing at SRUC sites in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Ayrshire. Varieties are also scored for winter hardiness, ground cover and disease resistance before being approved as fit to thrive in Scottish conditions. News / National by Staff reporter As the country's eagerly-anticipated 2018 national elections get ever closer, former vice president and now leader of the Zimbabwe People First (ZPF), Joice Mujuru, continues to haunt President Robert Mugabe's warring Zanu PF - luring hundreds of senior officials from the former liberation movement which expelled her from within its ranks in 2014.Mujuru's voracious recruitment of senior Zanu PF officials around the country, including sitting legislators, comes as Zanu PF is also reeling over the prospects of the widow of the late liberation struggle icon, General Solomon Mujuru, teaming up with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in their determined bid to end Mugabe's long rule.War veteran and ZPF elder, Rugare Gumbo, confirmed to the Daily News yesterday that the country's newest political outfit had accelerated its programme to "harvest" significant players from Zanu PF with the twin objective of strengthening their movement and weakening the ruling party."We are working with a lot of Zanu PF MPs and they are doing a great job for us. You see, the situation we have is two-fold."On one hand we have (Zanu PF) MPs who are working day and night establishing ZPF structures throughout the country and who will come out only when the time is ripe."We also have some, including officials who are not necessarily MPs, who believe in what we are doing but are also not yet ready at the moment to come out in the open and join us publicly," Gumbo said.Political analysts who spoke to the Daily News yesterday said Mujuru's "final push" against her former party was expected given how she and her allies had been hounded out of Zanu PF on untested allegations of plotting to oust and assassinate Mugabe, and where she still commands significant support.In a move that analysts described as "very significant", Mujuru held hands and also joined Tsvangirai during another massive MDC demonstration in Gweru last Saturday. And in a reciprocal development that was also variously described as "historic", she was later joined by the MDC top brass at her own rally in the same city.The development has not gone down well with Zanu PF, with poodle State media going into overdrive, blaming Mujuru's late husband for the planned coalition."What Zanu PF is saying is that Mujuru's meeting with Tsvangirai in Gweru and the coalition we are planning is a culmination of a supposed relationship with General Mujuru. This is all just nonsensical rumbling by a panicking political party."Mujuru was expelled from Zanu PF because they said she is an enemy and it is only normal that she has chosen to associate with others like Tsvangirai who have been labelled enemies as well."When they expelled her what did they expect? That she would fold her arms while they run down the social fabric of the nation?"They are mistaken because we will not allow that. A coalition of opposition forces is surely on its way and they have every reason to panic," Gumbo said.Mugabe and Zanu PF are facing myriad problems, including the government's continued failure to pay civil servants on time. This has seen angry citizens protesting over the country's deepening rot, including shortages of cash and an ill-advised ban on the importation of consumer goods.Last month, war veterans, who had been the bulwark of Zanu PF rule, also served divorce papers on Mugabe after growing disillusioned with his attitude towards them.War vets have been one of Mugabe and Zanu PF's strongest pillars of support over the past five decades, playing particularly significant roles to keep the nonagenarian in power in the hotly-disputed 2000 and 2008 elections which were both marred by serious violence and the murder of hundreds of opposition supporters.War veterans' secretary-general, Victor Matemadanda, has also since said that their role was "no longer to sing Zanu PF praises"."At the moment we are not thinking of forming a political party. What we are working for is for the attainment of people's rights. What is important now is not a political party but to push for the rights of the people."We must confront the problems that people are faced with. I personally do not think the problems we have need a political party. We must see the challenges that we are faced with as referees."You hear people saying pasi nanhingi (down with so and so) but that is like creating a violent society. The slogans we make expose people to violence and must stop."It is not a problem to have differences as people, but unfortunately there is no tolerance in our political parties, with Zanu PF leading the way," Matemadanda told the Daily News. One of Northern Ireland's biggest agri-food organisations has gained the green light to commence 20million of investment, despite the UK's Brexit uncertainty. The dairy giant has unveiled a 7m cheese-packing facility in which it said would help boost its sales, as well as bringing 60 new jobs. The factorys modern equipment and facilities make it one of the most advanced in Europe. Dale Farm head, David Dobbin, said the industry wanted a free-trade deal giving access to EU markets. He said that future investment would depend on trade deals struck up by the UK with the EU The company owns five plants in total three in Northern Ireland, one in Cumbria and another in Scotland. The company has been enjoying increasing sales in the UK - including the production of own-label cheese for supermarkets including Aldi and Sainsbury's. Much of the cheese is destined for customers in Britain, with the rest serving markets in Europe, the West Indies and the United States. If a free-trade deal was concluded with the EU, Dale Farm could continue to grow its European business, Mr Dobbin added. There's further evidence the number of feral wild boar in England is on the rise, with all the risk that brings for the UK's domestic pig population, the National Pig Association has said. The results of the latest survey show there now an estimated 1,562 wild boar roaming Gloucestershire and Herefordshire's Forest of Dean, equating to about 21 per sq.km. This represents more than a 50 per cent increase on the 2015 estimate of 1,018. In the central part of the forest, an area of nearly 43sq.km, estimates of boar numbers increased by 48 per cent, from 17.4/sq.km in 2015 to 25.8/sq.km this year. The authors of a Forestry Commission report on the survey describe the increase as 'disappointing'. It occurred despite an organized cull of 422 wild boar in the forest, slightly below the target of 460 estimated to be sufficient to contain population increase. Modelling suggests a further cull of 712 animals is now required to stabilise the population. The NPA says the failure to control feral wild boar, which are also present on the public forest estate in Kent and Sussex, is "storing up potential problems" for the pig industry. 'Genuine' threat to commercial pigs But NPA's Zoe Davies believes the rise in feral wild boar should be viewed as a genuine threat and wants to see more action from Defra. She said: "The ever-expanding feral wild boar population in the Forest of Dean poses a significant threat to the health of commercial pigs. "Wild boar can and do gain access to pig farms, where they steal food and mate with sows, therefore the potential for disease spread is considerable. "In the event of a notifiable disease outbreak, this risks the UK pig industry losing its export market something that would be impossible to regain with such high numbers. "We want to see a more coordinated and effective approach to management of wild boar populations the latest census figures only highlight the urgency of that. "NPA believes it is vital that Defra pressures the Forestry Commission to allocate the appropriate resources, including financial support, to the proper management of these animals." NPA is also calling for Defra to review the Dangerous Wild Animals Act to include wild boar crosses and to come up with properly defined criteria for a licence for farmed wild boar, such as fencing requirements. Dog walkers in Orkney and Shetland are being urged to keep their dogs on a lead or under close control after concerns have been raised by local farmers and crofters. Incidents have been reported in recent weeks of dogs worrying sheep, and as many go out and about to enjoy the countryside during the better spell of weather, they are being urged to keep their pets under control. Farming union NFU Scotland says the public needs to keep dogs under control, otherwise they could injure or worry sheep, leading the owner to face prosecution. NFU Scotland previously revealed that livestock worrying in Scotland last year is the highest it has been in six years. The Union has been working with stakeholders, including closely with Police Scotland as part of the national Scottish Partnership against Rural Crime to raise awareness of sheep worrying across the country. Kenny Slater, NFU Scotland Group Secretary in Kirkwall commented: "It is very disappointing that despite the extensive awareness raising that has taken place in recent months on this issue, a small minority of the public continue to allow their dogs to worry sheep. "NFU Scotland strongly supports a robust approach to this issue, including prosecution of irresponsible dog owners. "The worrying of sheep and other livestock by domestic dogs can have a very damaging impact on the livelihoods of farmers as well as cause significant and unnecessary distress to the animals themselves. "Anyone walking their dog in the countryside should ensure they are familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and also ensure their dogs are adequately controlled so that they are unable to cause distress or injury to farm animals. Third series of Clarkson's Farm in production, Amazon confirms "On the other hand, we have (some) farmers in debt and the last thing they want to think about right now is paying an increased levy, or any levy for that matter. I'm also aware there is a group (of dairy farmers) who believe we shouldn't be paying any levy at all and I'm sure they will make themselves heard. News / National by Staff reporter MASVINGO province is proving to be a hard nut to crack for the ruling Zanu-PF party.Last month, a delegation dispatched to Masvingo by the party's Politburo - the highest decision-making body in Zanu-PF in between congresses - returned from its mission with long faces after participants at the indaba walked out on them.Led by mercurial politician, Jonathan Moyo, the delegation was forced to call off the poorly attended meeting that was meant to end internecine infighting in the volatile province.A few weeks earlier, President Robert Mugabe had convened back-to-back interface meetings with the feuding parties - one in Chiredzi and the other in Harare - both of which failed to get the feuding parties to smoke a peace pipe.In the case of interventions by President Mugabe, the warring parties demonstrated their respect for the revered politician by sitting through the meetings and being guarded in their speech.This was not the case last week when the party's national political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, rolled into the city, along with his delegation.The abrasive politician had travelled to the south-eastern part of the country, 292 kilometres south of the capital, in the company of Harare provincial political commissar, Shadreck Mashayamombe and Zanu-PF Youth League national political commissar, Innocent Hamandishe, to preside over a special Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting.The PCC meeting had been necessitated by the issuance of prohibition orders by interim Masvingo provincial chairman, Amasa Nenjana, barring some of the region's executive members from exercising their party functions, pending their suspension.Among those who had been affected by the orders were provincial secretary for administration, Alois Baloyi, Brian Munyoro, Godhati Dunhira, Sengerai Manganga and Zvapano Mangasa.Ahead of the meeting, the rumour mill was buzzing.It had been intimated that Kasukuwere and his team were descending on Masvingo to confirm the prohibition orders.There were therefore pent-up emotions going into the indaba from a group aligned to the affected Zanu-PF officials who had mobilised to fight any decision that was to go against them.And when the meeting got underway, Kasukuwere came face-to-face with the ugly side of factionalism, which has divided Zanu-PF cadres in the region.He was heckled after he asked his fellow Politburo members from Masvingo, Shuvai Mahofa and Josiah Hungwe, to stop interfering with provincial matters under the purview of Nenjana's executive.He had been applauded at some point when he told members to respect the duo who are among the most senior Zanu-PF politicians in the area."But almost immediately, that transformed into boos when he appeared to be instructing the two Politburo members to stop interfering with provincial issues and leave them to the executive," said a source."The taunts grew louder when he mentioned provincial political commissar, (Jappy) Jaboon, suggestive of Team Lacoste's dominance. To his credit, he quickly changed the subject and started talking about unity."Masvingo is torn between two distinct factions involved in a gruelling warfare to succeed President Mugabe both at party and national level.On the one hand is a faction rooting for Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, supported by Mahofa and Hungwe.In the opposing camp, is a faction called Generation 40, comprising Nenjana, Jaboon and provincial youth and women's leagues leaders, Nobert Ndaarombe and Veronica Makonese.During his address, Kasukuwere took his audience by surprise when he started preaching unity, probably having sensed the tensions and intimidating atmosphere in the room.He urged members to turn their swords into ploughshares and work hard for the party to ward off rising new opposition party, Zimbabwe People First (ZPF), which is posing a serious threat to Zanu-PF's stranglehold on the country's political sphere.Sources said reactions from the floor varied from derision when Kasukuwere and Nenjana spoke to roaring applauses when a "Bible quoting" Hungwe addressed the audience."Nenjana was openly catcalled when he rose to give his welcome remarks as the interim provincial chairman. He was roundly booed by the majority of attendees when, in particular, he said he had been surprised by the huge turnout at the meeting. Notably, (deputy national secretary for legal affairs) Paul Mangwana drew roaring laughter when he shouted at him saying haudiwi nevanhu' (you are not wanted by the people). Nenjana then spoke for a few more minutes and sat down," said one official.Sources said after Nenjana had spoken, Hungwe was given the floor to speak in his capacity as the most senior member in the province to a largely receptive audience."Hungwe urged members to respect each other, quoting several scriptures in the Bible. He singled out Nenjana as the chief instigator of troubles in the province and asked Kasukuwere, whom he likened to his younger brother, to rein him in," another official said.Contacted for comment this week, Kasukuwere dismissed the reports about his heckling as mischievous."That's not true. Nothing like that happened. I don't know why people are lying so much. We had a good meeting in Masvingo and whoever told you that is lying. We made tremendous progress in MasvingoThey can proceed to tell you what you want to hear, but I have told you the truth," said Kasukuwere.Another Zanu-PF heavyweight in the province, Daniel Shumba, who is the Member of Parliament for Masvingo Central, also rubbished the claims saying: "Those are exaggerations. We are working together in Masvingo where work is in progress. In any household there are always bound to be quarrels, but with time people agree to work together." As hurricanes worsen, can Lumbee Tribe learn to live with water? The Native American tribe was saved by the swamp. Now, like so many people in the South, flooding threatens to drive them away. News / National by Staff reporter Radical pressure group Tajamuka staged a demonstration at UNICEF's offices in Harare protesting against the organization's recent remarks over the involvement of children in protests.This comes as UNICEF slammed Tajamuka for involving children in a demonstration a fortnight ago.But #Tajamuka spokesman Promise Mkwananzi saw nothing wrong in the children taking part in the demonstration calling for the return of their missing father Itai Dzamara, Patson's brother. Corruption, we often hear, undermines democratic institutions. Thats a sterilized phrase. What does it really mean? Start with a legitimately elected leader. If hes weak and greedy as many people are he takes a few small bribes in return for helping cronies game the system. The bribes are a breach of trust and have to be kept secret. As time passes and bribes mount, the stakes go up. The leaders family and friends become part of the graft machine. They collect bribes through phony companies. They launder bribe money by buying luxury properties in France or New York or Vancouver. Leaving office becomes more and more dangerous. Once out of power, the leader and his gang would be vulnerable. Keeping power is the only option. To hold on, the leader corrupts judges and legislators. He buys the loyalty of generals. He pays off or threatens those who control the ballot boxes. Elections, if they still happen, are now phony. Doing all that costs big money. So the leader becomes a full-blown kleptocrat. Treasuries are looted and resources stripped. Now what? Regimes led by kleptocrats (dictators) may look stable but theyre not. Bullied and victimized citizens will eventually fight back. They decide life is so bad that risking death is worth it. That might take ten years, or twenty, or even longer. But theyll rise up and the regime will come to a disastrous end. Thats what the Arab Spring was about. Its how Suharto lost Indonesia. Titos Yugoslavia eventually fell apart. People Power in the Philippines swept Marcos from office. The Somoza family ruled Nicaragua for 45 years but couldnt hold on. The Shah lost his Peacock Throne in Iran. And so on. When the end comes, kleptocrats scramble to save themselves and their families. Some live through it. Very often, though, mobs show up and demand heads. Yes, graft undermines democratic institutions. Thats why its important to fight against corruption and for transparency. Its the only way to keep the kleptocrats away. _____ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. Hell be the keynote speaker at the FCPA Blog NYC Conference 2016. The Dimple Strikes Back has got more dimples, more trouble, and more hot sex! What more could you want? Well, if it came with a bucket of fried chicken, that would be better... In the first book of my Samantha Lytton series, THE DIMPLE OF DOOM, Samantha, our heroine, met the art thief of her dreams and escaped the bad guys hunting them down. In this second book, she and her criminal Sam try to figure out how the heck you make a relationship work between a fledgling movie star and a guy on the run. I explore what it means to be noble, or selfish, or just how to take care of oneself in semi-terrible circumstances. Meanwhile, new nefarious persons spring into action to ruin Samantha's first film shoot overseas (in London!), and a super-hot co-star wants an extra-special close-up, if you know what I mean. I mean sex. The Dimple Strikes Back This is book two in the Samantha Lytton series so what can you tell us about the first? Samantha begins my series as a depressed secretary/wannabe actress who has more hot dates with Pizza Rolls than male persons. She meets a sexy accountant named Sam at her terrible job at the Steam on a Stick company. She whisks him away to her boss' secret art room during the office Christmas party and they make out. Nice, huh? Yeah, it's all fun and groping until a man with a gun shows up inside her apartment in the dead of night. Turns out, the accountant is an art thief, and he brings with him a helluva lot more trouble than just the fact that they have the same name. In the end, Samantha fights for and achieves a fresh direction for her life, and maybe gets a criminal boyfriend who's very good at undercover nookie. Please tell us a bit about the character of Samantha? She's a loser. At least at the beginning of book one. She works a day job she detests, has dreams that refuse to bloom no matter how hard she works, and can't meet a decent man in Los Angeles. But does that make her a "loser"? I think it makes her human, but she thinks of herself as a failure, and when you repeat that enough to yourself, you start to believe it. By embracing (in every sense) this crazy art thief, she shakes the doldrums out of her life and decides to really fight for herself again. My heroine saves herself, and I'm proud of that. I tend to write about losers a lot, because I think that as long as you're working, and trying, and pushing through the hard times that you can never be a loser. It's not the end result that makes a person successful, but the never giving up on yourself. You are a big daydreamer so does this ever contribute to your writing? Yes! I conceive of a lot of my favourite snippets of dialogue and scenes when my mind is wandering. I'll get a dreamy, faraway look and put my head on my hand to ponder this new, wonderful idea of mine. Then my husband will grumble, "Are you listening to me?" and I'll snap to attention and try to bluff my way out of it. Doesn't usually work. Never marry a smart dude, kids -- they'll learn all your tricks. What advice can you give to an aspiring writer? Honour your voice above all things. Above trends, above writing "rules," above opinions. Technique and grammar can (and should be!) improved, but you're the only one who writes like you do, and staying true to your heart will make a sparkling, special book in a way that nothing else can. Not everyone will love you, but that's okay - you only need one yes. Find what you really want to say, write in your true way, and you'll be on the right track. And throw in some sex - sex sells. What is next for you? I've got several projects in the hopper - a paranormal rom-com about were-bunnies, vampires, zombies (basically everything - it's a kitchen-sink kind of paranormal universe), and a couple of humour ideas I'm polishing up. And, of course, a new contemporary romance to replace my work on Samantha's story; I've just finished up book 3, the last installment in the Dimple series. Sigh. I'm gonna miss that crazy Samantha and her penchant for Cheez-Its. And cheeseburgers. And cheesecake. Hmmm...maybe what's next for me is a snack! You can purchase The Dimple Strikes Back from Totally Bound. by Lucy Moore for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla's visit to New Zealand reportedly cost taxpayers nearly NZ$1.4 million. Prince Charles and Camilla According to Stuff.co.nz, The Department of Internal Affairs have released a breakdown of the royal couple's November visit, which totalled $1,395,876. The pair spent almost a week in New Zealand before flying over to nearby Australia and their trip cost nearly NZ$400,000 more than when Prince William, Duchess Catherine and their son Prince George took in the country in April 2014. It was also more than three times the NZ$426,317 which was spent on Prince Harry's visit in May last year. More than NZ$494,000 was spent on personnel who accompanied Charles and Camilla and their aides around the country. What's more, over NZ$135,000 was said to have been spent on food, travel-related expenses and accommodation for the pair. During their time in New Zealand, they were fed mince and cheese pies as well as Lemon & Paeroa beverages. The pair started their week-long trip by attending a welcome ceremony at the Government House in Wellington and they also headed to Pukeahu National War Memorial Park to unveil a Commonwealth Walkway Plaque. It was the first time they had visited the country for three years. Jo-Ann fabric and craft stores, the leading fabric and craft specialty retailer, has appointed Susan van Benten as senior vice president/general merchandise manager (SVP/GMM), sewing.She will report to president and chief executive officer (CEO), Jill Soltau, effective August 15, 2016. Jo-Ann fabric and craft stores, the leading fabric and craft specialty retailer, has appointed Susan van Benten as senior vice president/general merchandise manager (SVP/GMM), sewing. She will report to president and chief executive officer (CEO), Jill Soltau, effective August 15, 2016. Susan Benten most recently served as chief merchandising and...# Susan Benten most recently served as chief merchandising and marketing officer/senior vice president (CMO/SVP) with Hancock Fabrics, where she led merchandising, marketing, planning, allocation and data integrity. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in merchandising from Indiana University.Soltau said, Susan has developed strong supplier relationships and a keen understanding of our industry's dynamics. She will play a key role in implementing new merchandising fundamentals as part of our retail strategy. Susan brings a passion for serving customers, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Jo-Ann leadership team.In support of this new merchandising structure, Mary Jo Schoenfeld and Kathy Lacks are also joining Jo-Ann.Schoenfeld is joining Jo-Ann as VP/DMM, seasonal/floral. She most recently served as a DMM for Boot Barn Holdings, Inc., driving sales in stores and ecommerce. Schoenfeld is a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.Kathy Lacks will serve as VP/DMM, trend craft. Lacks earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama. (GK) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe People First leader Joice Mujuru who has come under intense attacks from Zanu PF has threatened to expose president Robert Mugabe in her former party whom she accuses of trying to rewrite history.Mujuru has become a subject after she held joint rallies with Morgan Tsvangirai.Mugabe's spokesperson George Charamba said Mujuru should zip up and stop provoking history by belittling the role that the veteran Zanu PF leader played during the liberation struggle. Reliance Brands Limited has signed a franchise agreement with Amsterdam based fashion brand Scotch & Soda, under which it will set up Scotch & Soda stores in all major cities in India by 2017.Reliance will also grow the brand through other channels of sale in India, such as ecommerce, travel commerce, and leading multi-brand department stores. Reliance Brands Limited has signed a franchise agreement with Amsterdam based fashion brand Scotch & Soda, under which it will set up Scotch & Soda stores in all major cities in India by 2017. Reliance will also grow the brand through other channels of sale in India, such as ecommerce, travel commerce, and leading multi-brand department stores.# Scotch & Soda is known for its signature 'Amsterdam Couture', a unique style driven by an infinite curiosity in the world and free-spirited and irreverent thinking.The men's, women's and children's collections are crafted to the last button, stitch and detail and are all created in Amsterdam with the same thoughtful attention to detail.Currently, Scotch & Soda has over 160 stores, and is also available in over 8,000 multi-brand outlets, including the best global department-stores and the brand's webstore.Scotch & Soda joins other global apparel brands in the Reliance Brands portfolio like Brooks Bros, DC, Diesel, Dune, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gas, Hamleys, Hunkemoller, Iconix, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, etc. (AR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Star actor Jason Statham is all set to take his fight sequence to a new level, as he will be seen combating with a prehistoric Megalodon shark in his upcoming shark thriller movie. Titled as Meg, the movie is a Warner Bros project and will be directed by National Treasure fame Jon Turteltaub. Dean Georgaris is likely to pen down the screenplay, rewriting from the original book 'Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror.' by Steve Alten. In the movie, Statham will be seen portraying the character of 'Jonas Taylor', a disgraced military diver and officer, who is in an attempt to regain his glory, and joins a band of Chinese scientists to end the nemesis in the form of a giant prehistoric Megalodon shark. The Megalodon sharks are considered to be one of the largest and most deadly predators in history, they can even reach a gigantic length of 60 feet or more. This time around, the backdrop has been set to the coast of China rather than USA- a much tactical change to rope in Gravity Pictures as the associate-financier. The movie Meg was originally in the sight of Disney but failed to come up as a project due to internal issues. However, this time, Warner Bros is moving ahead with the project and the movie is expected to hit theaters around mid-2018. A Suave Interpol Agent Ajith is seen wearing a black outfit, often used by FBI and interpol agents. A couple of foreign actors are seen in this photo. The entire team of 'Thala 57' are currently stationed at Carinthia. Stunt & The Scenic Stunt choreographer Silva is seen discussing with his associates. His stunts in Veeram and Yennai Arindhaal were appreciated by critics and fans alike. Foreign Actors & Technicians Many foreign actors and technicians were seen during the filming of the stunt scene. A helicopter too was used, according to the Austrian report. Staying At The Mount The entire crew of 'Thala 57' is reportedly staying at The Mount hotel in Carinthia. It is said that as much as 35 rooms have been booked by the team. The Scenic Beauty Of Carinthia Situated within the Eastern Alps, Carinthia is famous for its mountains and lakes. The team might probably film a song sequence as well in Austria, before heading to the next shooting location. Siva's Third Film With Ajith Produced by Sathya Jyothi Films, the yet untitled movie is being directed by Siva, who had earlier helmed Veeram and Vedalam. While Kajal Aggarwal plays Ajith's wife, Akshara Haasan will be seen playing the star actor's colleague. Release Date? If speculations are to be believed, 'Thala 57' will hit the screen for Pongal next year. It is said that the movie might have a box office clash with 'Vijay 60'. About Women-centric Films "I am doing a lot of films which are women-centric, and many upcoming directors, with whom I speak, are really interested in crafting such roles. There are many talented guys out there... who'd I like to work with? Karthik Subbaraj," she told DC. On Glamorous Roles When asked about taking up glamorous roles and if it is a conscious decision by her, she has said, "I just do it if I like the film and the role. I don't think about what will happen next. It's black and white for me." On Horror-comedies Trisha has been signing a lot of horror-comedies and the actress feels it is time she takes a break from the genre. "It somehow happened one after the other, and I should take a break from the genre now," she has said. On Surviving For 17 Years When asked how she has managed to survive in the industry for such a long period of time, Trisha has termed it as a "backhanded compliment", saying that it's her job to act! Luck Factor? She also thinks luck has favored her throughout her career. "I think I am blessed since people have waited for my films. It also means that more than talent or ability, luck plays a big part. And, I am very lucky." On Dhanush's 'Kodi' Trisha has revealed that talking about Kodi makes her feel excited as she has played a very interesting role in the movie - a character she has not played before. Upcoming Movies Trisha is awaiting the releases of Nayaki and Kodi. She is also working on Bhogi - a social thriller which also stars Poonam Bajwa and Oviya. Also, her latest flick Mohini went on the floors recently. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - 888 Holdings Plc (888.L) and The Rank Group Plc (RNK.L) announced Thursday that they do not intend to make an offer for William Hill plc (WMH.L) and are withdrawing their proposal for a possible combination of the three companies. On Monday, Gambling company William Hill rejected the revised takeover proposal from 888 Holdings and Rank Group plc, as it continues to substantially undervalue William Hill. William Hill then said its Board continued to see no merit in engaging with the Consortium. Notwithstanding 888 and Rank's belief in the inherent value of their Proposals, it has not been possible to meaningfully engage with the board of William Hill. 888 and Rank respect the William Hill board's position and, as such, after careful consideration each now confirms that they have withdrawn their interest and that they do not intend to make an offer for William Hill, 888 Holdings Plc (888.L) and The Rank Group said today. Rank and 888 remain committed to enhancing returns to their shareholders through their respective focused strategic plans. Itai Frieberger (888 CEO) said, 'We are disappointed that the board of William Hill did not share our vision of the combined businesses. We believe that there was compelling industrial logic for the combination of these highly complementary businesses, which in our view would have brought scale, diversification, and strong revenue and cost synergies, from which all shareholders would have benefitted.' Henry Birch (Rank CEO) said, 'We strongly believe that the transaction would have created significant value for all three sets of shareholders. We and 888 are grateful for the shareholder support we have received throughout this process' Gareth Davis, Chairman of William Hill, said, 'We note the Consortium's confirmation that it no longer intends to make an offer for William Hill. We will continue to focus our efforts on our strategy to deliver value for shareholders. The team has a clear plan to grow by diversifying digitally and internationally and four priorities to get us there. We have had a good start to the second half of the year and the Board now expects operating profit1 for 2016 to be at the top end of the previously guided 260-280m range.' On 24 July 2016, 888 and Rank confirmed that they were evaluating a possible combination of 888, Rank and William Hill . 888 and Rank subsequently submitted non-binding proposals to William Hill's board on 8 August 2016 and 14 August 2016. Based on the closing price of the 888 shares on 5 August 2016, the Proposals valued William Hill shares at 364 pence and 394 pence respectively before taking into consideration the expected benefits of cost synergies, revenue synergies or the potential re-rating of the Enlarged Group. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA announced a settlement with Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG), Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group LLC, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company Inc. and Harley-Davidson Motor Company Operations Inc., that requires the companies to stop selling and to buy back and destroy illegal devices that increase air pollution from their motorcycles and to sell only models of these devices that are certified to meet Clean Air Act emissions standards. Harley-Davidson will also pay a $12 million civil penalty and spend $3 million to mitigate air pollution through a project to replace conventional woodstoves with cleaner-burning stoves in local communities. The government's complaint, filed today along with the settlement, alleged that Harley-Davidson manufactured and sold approximately 340,000 illegal devices, known as 'super tuners,' that, once installed, caused motorcycles to emit higher amounts of certain air pollutants than what the company certified to EPA. Harley-Davidson also made and sold more than 12,000 motorcycles that were not covered by an EPA certification that ensures a vehicle meets federal clean air standards. Since January 2008, Harley-Davidson has manufactured and sold two types of tuners, which when hooked up to Harley-Davidson motorcycles, allow users to modify certain aspects of a motorcycles' emissions control system. These modified settings increase power and performance, but also increase the motorcycles' emissions of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These tuners have been sold at Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country. 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. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The New Zealand dollar weakened against most major currencies in the Asian session on Friday. The NZ dollar fell to nearly a 3-week low of 1.5648 against the euro and a 2-day low of 0.7242 against the U.S. dollar, from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.5563 and 0.7284, respectively. Against the yen, the kiwi edged down to 72.57 from yesterday's closing value of 72.75. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.60 against the euro, against the greenback and 69.00 against the yen. 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. Innovative companies celebrated at black-tie Awards banquet MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Frost & Sullivan honored recipients of its 2016 Growth, Innovation & Leadership Awards at a banquet held Thursday, August 18th, in Cape Town South Africa, at The Table Bay Hotel. With a festive ambiance and exciting Awards, the event brought together top executives to celebrate their success. Photo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/399416 The Growth, Innovation & Leadership Awards are presented each year to companies that are predicted to encourage significant growth in their industries, have identified emerging trends before they became the standard in the marketplace, and have created advanced technologies that will catalyze and transform industries in the near future. Awarded companies included: A to Z Textile Mills Ltd. - 2016 East African Agricultural New Product Innovation Award Atomo Diagnostics - 2016 Sub-Saharan AfricanRapid Diagnostics Test Device New Product Innovation Award Fargo Courier Limited - 2016 East African Courier Growth Excellence Leadership Award GeoAgro Africa - 2016 South African Precision Farming Company of the Year Award Green Cell Technologies - 2016 African Food Processing Visionary Innovation Leadership Award Green Worx Cleaning Solutions - 2016 South African Biological Cleaning New Product Innovation Award Hippo Water Roller Project - 2016 African Rural Portable Water Solutions Product Leadership Award Horizon Contact Centers - 2015 Kenyan Contact Centers Competitive Strategy Innovation and Leadership Award Instant Life - 2016 South African Life-Insurance Customer Value Leadership Award Interactive Intelligence - 2015 South African Cloud-Based Solutions for Contact Centre Product Value Leadership Award iVeri Payment Technologies - 2015 Sub-Saharan African Information Technology for Banking Technology Leadership Award Kiira Motors Corporation - 2016 Ugandan Sustainable Mobility Visionary Innovation Leadership Award Link Africa (Pty) Limited- 2015 South African Fibre Technology Innovation Award LOCOMUTE - 2016 South African Car-Sharing Visionary Innovation Leadership Award MiX Telematics - 2016 SouthAfricanTelematics Company of the Year Award OneNebula (Pty) Ltd. - 2016 South African Telecommunications Management Solutions Product Leadership Award PROXA - 2016 Sub-Saharan African Water and Waste - Water Treatment Enabling Technology Leadership Award Redavia GmbH - 2015 Tanzanian Photovoltaic-Diesel Hybrid Systems for Off-Grid Mining Company of the Year Award Tariffic - 2016 South African Value-Added Services New Product Innovation Award T-Systems South Africa (Pty) Ltd. - 2015 South African Managed Services in Healthcare Customer Value Leadership Award ZTE Corporation - 2015 Sub-Saharan African Green Energy Solutions for the Telecommunications Customer Value Leadership Award Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices. For further information about the Awards Banquet, please contact a member of the Best Practices Team. About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. Our "Growth Partnership" supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure. The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation. provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation. The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes our 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as our global footprint of more than 40 offices. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies? Contact Us: Start the discussion Join Us: Join our community Subscribe: Newsletter on "the next big thing" Register: Gain access to visionary innovation Contact: Samantha Park P: 210.247.2426 F: 210.348.1003 E: samantha.park@frost.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A federal judge in California has rejected a proposed $100 million settlement on Thursday between taxi-hailing company Uber Technologies and drivers in the states of Massachusetts and California over employee classification. The suits representing about 385,000 current and former drivers claimed that they should be classed as employees with full benefits, rather than contractors, and sought protections including reimbursement for expenses and gasoline. The drivers were also frustrated that they received little warning before the firm deactivated its app from their smartphones and were given little or no explanation for any termination. As for Uber, it has insisted that its model, based around freelance contractors over whom it says it has minimal control, gives drivers flexibility to choose when to work and be their own bosses. These drivers becoming employees would require the company pay benefits that would push up its cost of operation. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled Thursday that the settlement in April of two class-action suits in these two states isn't fair, accurate or reasonable for drivers. The proposed settlement would have given the drivers in the class-action suit an $84 million payment. This could see a top-up by $16 million depending on Uber's valuation if it goes public. The vast majority of class members would have received less than $100 each from the settlement, Judge Chen noted. The settlement amount added up to only about 10 percent of the $854 million claims by the drivers. Uber reportedly said the decision was disappointing. 'The settlement, mutually agreed by both sides, was fair and reasonable. We're disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options,' it said. 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. News / National by Staff reporter Eight High Court judges vying for four vacant Supreme Court posts will battle it out in public interviews to be conducted in Harare next month.The judge's six men and two women have been nominated to participate in the interviews scheduled for September 29.Only four best performers will make it to the Supreme Court.The eight candidates are: Justices Francis Bere, Priscilla Chigumba, Alfas Chitakunye, Charles Hungwe, Samuel Kudya, Joseph Mafusire, Lavender Makoni and Nicholas Mathonsi.In a statement, the Judicial Service Commission said the nomination and interview process was being done in terms of the supreme law of the land. BLACKROCK EMERGING EUROPE PLC All information is at 31 July 2016 and unaudited. Performance at month end with net income reinvested One Three One Three Five *Since Month Months Year Years Years 30.04.09 Sterling: Share price 4.8% 6.3% 17.1% -9.2% -16.9% 67.3% Net asset value 3.3% 6.9% 20.5% -5.4% -16.0% 68.1% MSCI EM Europe 10/40(NR) 1.9% 3.7% 9.9% -19.6% -29.0% 34.7% US Dollars: Share price 4.1% -3.6% -0.4% -20.5% -32.8% 49.9% Net asset value 2.6% -3.1% 2.5% -17.2% -32.0% 50.7% MSCI EM Europe 10/40(NR) 1.2% -6.0% -6.5% -29.6% -42.6% 20.7% Sources: BlackRock, Standard & Poor's Micropal *BlackRock took over the investment management of the Company with effect from 1 May 2009 At month end Net asset value - capital only: 271.11p Net asset value** - cum income: 276.05p Share price: 243.50p Total assets^: 99.7m Discount (share price to cum income NAV): 11.8% Gross market exposure^^^: 105.6% Gearing at month end: 3.8% Gearing range as a % of Net assets: 0-20% Issued Capital - Ordinary Shares^^ 36,124,128 Ongoing charges* 1.3% * Calculated as at 31 January 2016, in accordance with AIC guidelines. ** Includes year to date net revenue equal to 4.94 pence per share. ^ Total assets include current year revenue. ^^ Excluding 5,400,000 shares held in treasury. ^^^ Long positions plus short positions as a percentage of net asset value. Sector % Total Country % Total Analysis Exposure Analysis Exposure Financials 39.5 Russia 46.5 Energy 22.4 Turkey 20.7 Basic Materials 8.8 Poland 12.1 Consumer Staples 8.2 Greece 7.4 Information Technology 8.0 Ukraine 6.2 Utilities 4.2 Kazakhstan 4.0 Consumer Discretionary 3.9 Romania 1.7 Industrials 3.6 Lithuania 1.2 Health Care 1.2 Net current assets 0.2 Net current assets 0.2 ----- ----- 100.0 100.0 ===== ===== Short positions (0.0) (0.0) Fifteen Largest Investments (in % order of Total Market Exposure as at 31.07.16) Company Region of Risk Total Market Exposure % Sberbank Russia 9.3 Norilsk Nickel Russia 5.6 PKO Bank Polski Poland 5.5 Garanti Bank Turkey 5.5 Novatek Russia 5.4 Gazprom Russia 4.9 Lukoil Russia 4.8 Halk Bank Turkey 4.5 Inter RAO Russia 4.2 KazMunaiGas Exploration Production Kazakhstan 4.0 Mail.Ru Russia 3.9 Globaltrans Russia 3.6 Luxoft Ukraine 3.4 PZU Poland 3.3 TSKB Turkey 3.3 Commenting on the markets, Sam Vecht and Christopher Colunga, representing the Investment Manager noted; Market Commentary The MSCI Emerging Europe 10/40 Index appreciated by 1.2% in July in USD terms. The Company outperformed the index and was up by 2.6% in USD terms. Performance among the regions' equity markets varied significantly in July. While Czech Republic (+8%) and Hungary (+8%) joined the post-Brexit rally, Turkey (-6%) was down following a failed coup attempt. On the evening of Friday, July 15, rogue elements within the military attempted to seize power in Turkey. The attempted coup was put down quickly as the civilian population poured into the streets to protest the military action. In the aftermath, a State of Emergency was declared as the government focused on ensuring that all state institutions were open for business as usual on the Monday morning. Both the market and the currency fell significantly on 18 July, however, the impact was relatively short-lived as both had recovered roughly half of their losses by the end of the first week of August. Elsewhere in the region, Greece (+6%) was a strong performer for the month as its central bank loosened capital controls that had been in place for over a year. In Poland (+2%), the market reacted positively as the government's new pension reforms were more benign than feared. Russia was a laggard during the month on the back of currency weakness and a falling oil price. Focus on: Turkey and miners Following the headlines from Turkey this month, our holdings in Garanti Bank, Halk Bank and Turkiye Sinai Kalkilma Bank detracted from returns for July. However we took this opportunity to add to our positions in Turkey as we felt the sell-off was excessive and did not reflect the fundamental facts on the ground. It is not that often that we get a chance to buy a market 20% cheaper than it was trading three days earlier. The political leadership was robust enough to withstand the attempt and, if anything, emerged stronger. The macroeconomic outlook has not shifted significantly, and the government is issuing a raft of reforms to support domestic growth. In this environment we believe that the Turkish banks will show increased profitability going forward, not less, and so we increased our exposure. Benefiting the Company was our position in miners. In Poland, KGHM Polska Miedz benefited from a rally in silver prices. The environment remains supportive for KGHM and speculation over a cut in mineral extraction taxes may unlock further value in the company. In Russia, Norilsk Nickel was a top performer on the back of the strong move in nickel prices during the month. We continue to like Norilsk Nickel as we feel the nickel price may continue to benefit from regulatory actions constricting supply of the metal, especially in the Philippines. Our position in Ukrainian IT company Luxoft also contributed positively as the stock rebounded as part of the post-Brexit rally. 19August 2016 ENDS Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.co.uk/beep on the internet, "BLRKINDEX" on Reuters, "BLRK" on Bloomberg or "8800" on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). Neither the contents of the Manager's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 4:30 am ET Friday, the Office for National Statistics is set to release public sector finance data for July. The U.K. budget deficit is seen at GBP 1.9 billion versus a surplus of GBP 7.8 billion in June. Ahead of the data, the pound held steady against its major rivals. As of 4:25 am ET, the pound was trading at 0.8621 against the euro, 1.2565 against the Swiss franc, 1.3124 against the U.S. dollar and 131.53 against the yen. 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. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Latvia's producer prices continued to decline in July, though at a slower pace than in the previous month, figures from the Central Statistical Bureau showed Friday. The producer price index dropped 3.1 percent year-over-year in July, following a 3.5 percent decrease in June. Prices have been falling since January 2015. Both domestic and foreign market prices dipped 3.7 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively in July from a year ago. Among the main industrial groupings, prices in the utility sector plunged 8.5 percent in July and those in the manufacturing sector went down by 2.0 percent. At the same time, mining and quarrying prices logged an increase of 0.6 percent. On a monthly basis, producer prices edged down 0.1 percent from June, when it rose by 0.2 percent. 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. Vast Resources plc / Ticker: VAST / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining 19 August 2016 Vast Resources plc ('Vast' or 'the Company') Planned Board and Management Changes Vast Resources plc, the AIM listed mining company with operations in Romania and Zimbabwe, announces that it is in advanced discussions with a figure based in the City of London with significant mining experience with a view to his appointment as a non-executive director of the Company. At the time of this new appointment, Graham Briggs would step down as a non-executive director of the Company and assume the position of Chief Executive of the Company's Zimbabwe operations. Pierre Joubert, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, who is based in South Africa, has decided that he will relinquish his position with effect from 30 September 2016 after the publication of the Annual Report and the holding of the Annual General Meeting. The Company will be seeking to appoint a UK-based Chief Financial Officer to replace him. These changes will have the effect of rebalancing the board and management in light of of the Company's increasing operations in Europe. For further information visit www.vastresourcesplc.com or please contact: Vast Resources plc Roy Pitchford (Chief Executive Officer) +40 (0) 372 988 988 - Office Romania +40 (0) 741 111 900 - Mobile Romania +44 (0) 7793 909985 - Mobile UK Roy Tucker (Finance Director) +44 (0) 1622 816918 +44 (0) 7920 189012 Strand Hanson Limited - Financial & www.strandhanson.co.uk Nominated Adviser +44 (0) 20 7409 3494 James Spinney James Bellman Brandon Hill Capital Ltd - Joint Broker www.brandonhillcapital.com Jonathan Evans +44 (0)20 3463 5016 Peterhouse Corporate Finance Ltd - Joint www.pcorpfin.com Broker +44 (0) 20 7469 0936 Duncan Vasey St Brides Partners Ltd www.stbridespartners.co.uk Susie Geliher +44 (0) 20 7236 1177 Megan Dennison This announcement contains inside information. This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of GlobeNewswire clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Vast Resources plc via GlobeNewswire [HUG#2036150] A0J3GBB142P69R25 Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de HOUSTON, TEXAS -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- Greenfields Petroleum Corporation (the "Company" or "Greenfields") (TSX VENTURE: GNF)(TSX VENTURE: GNF.DB) is pleased to announce the results from the annual general meeting of holders ("Shareholders") of common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") and the meeting of holders ("Debentureholders") of 9.00% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures of the Company due May 31, 2017 (the "Debentures"). Annual General Meeting of Shareholders The annual general meeting of Shareholders was held on August 18, 2016. All resolutions were approved by the Shareholders, including the resolutions increasing the share capital of the Company and authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of 111,124,540 Common Shares and 91,324,540 Common Share purchase warrants pursuant to the Restructuring Transaction (as defined in the management information circular of the Company dated July 18, 2016 (the "Circular")), resulting in the potential creation of Vitol Energy (Bermuda) Ltd. as a new control person of Greenfields. Meeting of Debentureholders The meeting of the Debentureholders was held on August 18, 2016. The extraordinary resolution approving the transaction pursuant to which the Debentures will be compromised and extinguished in satisfaction of all claims of the Debentureholders in exchange for Common Shares, was approved by the Debentureholders (the "Debentureholders' Resolution"). Pursuant to the Debentureholders' Resolution, following the satisfaction of certain conditions by Greenfields, 33,143,825 Common Shares (approximately 1,397 Common Shares for every CDN$1,000 of principal amount of Debentures, including all accrued and unpaid interest payable thereon) will be issued to the Debentureholders (the "Debenture Exchange Transaction"). The Debentures are currently listed and traded on the facilities of the TSX Ventures Exchange ("TSXV"). The trading symbol for the Debentures is "GNF.DB". The Company has requested approval from the TSXV to de-list the Debentures concurrently with the listing of the Common Shares issuable pursuant to the Debenture Exchange Transaction on the TSXV. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, listing of the Common Shares issuable pursuant to the Debenture Exchange Transaction and de-listing of the Debentures is expected to occur on or about August 25, 2016. The Common Shares to which holders of Debentures are entitled to pursuant to the Debenture Exchange Transaction will be delivered to CDS & Co. and CDS & Co. and the applicable participants will distribute the Common Shares through the book-entry only system to the beneficial owners of the Debentures. Holders of Debentures do not need to submit a letter of transmittal and should contact the broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee through which they hold their Debentures if they have any questions concerning the Debenture Exchange Transaction. For further details on the Debenture Exchange Transaction and the Restructuring Transaction, please see the press release of the Company dated March 8, 2016 and the Circular. About Greenfields Petroleum Corporation Greenfields is a junior oil and natural gas company focused on the development and production of proven oil and gas reserves principally in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Company plans to expand its oil and gas assets through further farm-ins, and acquisitions of Production Sharing Agreements from foreign governments containing previously discovered but under-developed international oil and gas fields, also known as "greenfields". More information about the Company may be obtained on the Greenfields website at www.greenfields-petroleum.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. More particularly, this press release may include, but is not limited to, statements concerning the Debenture Exchange Transaction, the listing of the Common Shares and de-listing of the Debentures from the TSXV and the timing thereof. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Greenfields, including expectations and assumptions concerning timing of receipt of required TSXV approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of all of the other conditions precedent to the completion of the Debenture Exchange Transaction. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties most of which are beyond the control of Greenfields. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These risks include, but are not limited to, TSXV and third party approvals and consents may not be obtained on terms that are satisfactory or within the timelines required; all of the conditions precedent to the completion of the Debenture Exchange Transaction may not be satisfied on the timelines required or at all; for reasons currently unforeseen, the Debenture Exchange Transaction may not be completed on the timeline anticipated or at all; the listing of the Common Shares may be delayed or not occur on the manner and terms currently contemplated by Greenfields for reasons currently unforeseen by Greenfields; the Company may have difficulties meeting the listing criteria of the TSXV in the future; the Debentures may not be delisted in a timely manner or at all; and certain other risks that can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in Greenfields' Annual Information Form and similar headings in Greenfields' Management's Discussion & Analysis which may be viewed on www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Greenfields undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The Company's forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Greenfields Petroleum Corporation John W. Harkins Chief Executive Officer (832) 234-0836 Greenfields Petroleum Corporation A. Wayne Curzadd Chief Financial Officer (832) 234-0835 info@greenfieldspetroleum.com www.greenfields-petroleum.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- Khan Resources Inc. (CSE: KRI) ("Khan" or "the Company") announced today that it has filed its financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the six months ended June 30, 2016 on SEDAR and has posted these documents to its website www.khanresources.com. Highlights International Arbitration Settlement - On March 2, 2015 the international arbitration tribunal rendered an award to Khan as compensation for the Government of Mongolia's illegal actions in relation to the cancellation of Khan's uranium licenses in 2009. On March 6, 2016, the Company signed a settlement agreement with the Government of Mongolia under which Mongolia would pay the Company US$70 million on or before May 16, 2016 and all outstanding matters pursuant to the international arbitration award would be resolved and terminated. On May 18, 2016, the Company announced that Khan and the Government of Mongolia had signed all of the documentation required for the release of the US$70 million from an escrow account to Khan. The funds have now been received. In addition, Khan's petition for certification of the international arbitration award filed in June 2015 in the US District Court in the District of Columbia, has now been dismissed. Over the last few months, liabilities have been discharged and alternatives have been evaluated to distribute the net proceeds to shareholders in a timely and efficient manner. To this end, the Company's corporate structure has been simplified and fiscal year-ends for the Khan group of companies have been better aligned. In addition, on August 17, 2016, Khan Resources Bermuda Ltd. was sold to an independent third party. The sale included three other Khan subsidiaries, namely CAUC Holding Company Ltd. CAUC LLC and Khan Resources LLC. Having consulted with its various professional advisors, the Company has concluded that the above reorganization and the sale of Khan Bermuda and its subsidiaries will accelerate and maximize shareholder distribution by simplifying the corporate structure and avoiding the need to wind-up and repatriate cash from these foreign subsidiaries in multiply jurisdictions and reducing or eliminating any risks to Khan associated with such subsidiaries. Cash - The major cash inflow during the nine months ended June 30, 2016, was US$70,000,000 of the settlement proceeds from the Government of Mongolia; in addition, officers and employees of the Company exercised 3,680,000 stock options resulting in a cash inflow of $1,407,675. A portion of the proceeds are being used for general corporate matters and legal and tax consulting services to develop procedures to distribute the majority of the proceeds to shareholders. Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2016 stood at $87,164,000. The following table summarizes financial results of the Company for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. In thousands of dollars ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change 2016 2015 % ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) from continuing operations Three months ended June 30 84,314 (650) 13071.4% Nine months ended June 30 83,495 (2,082) 4110.3% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) from discontinued operations Three months ended June 30 - 5 0.0% Nine months ended June 30 (3) 100.0% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic loss per share ($) Three months ended June 30 0.96 (0.01) 9700.0% Nine months ended June 30 0.98 (0.03) 3366.7% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diluted earning (loss) per share ($) Three months ended June 30 0.95 (0.01) 9600.0% Nine months ended June 30 0.97 (0.03) 3333.3% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow Nine months ended June 30 85,593 1,365 6170.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents As at June 30 87,164 1,717 4976.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Working Capital As at June 30 86,647 1,742 4874.0% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forward-Looking Statements and Information This press release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, which are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Forward-looking statements and information are characterized by words such as "will", "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "forecast", "schedule", "estimate" and similar expressions, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions and are inherently subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies and other factors, including the impact of international, Mongolian and Canadian laws, trade agreements and regulatory requirements on Khan's business, properties, licenses, operations and capital structure, Khan's ability to re-instate or re-register the Dornod uranium project licenses, regulatory uncertainty and obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals, legislative, political, social, regulatory and economic developments or changes in jurisdictions in which Khan carries on business, the nature and outcome of pending and future litigation, arbitration and other legal proceedings, the speculative nature of exploration and development, risks involved in the exploration, development and mining business, changes in market conditions, changes or disruptions in the securities markets and market fluctuations in prices for Khan securities, the existence of third parties interested in purchasing some or all of the common shares or Khan's assets, the method of funding and availability of any potential alternative strategic transactions involving Khan or its assets, including those transactions that may produce strategic value to shareholders, the need to obtain, maintain and/or re-register licenses and permits and comply with national and international laws, regulations, treaties or other similar requirements, and uncertainty in the estimation of mineral reserves and resources. In addition, a number of other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in such statements and information, and there is no assurance that actual results will be consistent with them. For further details, reference is made to the risk factors discussed or referred to in Khan's annual and interim management's discussion and analyses and Annual Information Form on file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Such forward-looking statements and information are made or given as at the date of this news release, and Khan assumes no obligation to update or revise them, either publicly or otherwise, to reflect new events, information or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities law. Contacts: Investor Relations Contacts: Khan Resources Inc. Grant Edey President & CEO Office: 416.360.3405 gedey@rogers.com Khan Resources Inc. Bruce Gooding Chief Financial Officer Office: 416.360.3405 bgooding@khanresources.com www.khanresources.com FRATELLI INVESTMENTS LIMITED FILES EARLY WARNING REPORT August 19, 2016 - On 30 December 2015 Fratelli Investments Limited ( 'Fratelli Investments') agreed to provide to Serabi Gold plc (the 'Corporation'), an interim unsecured short term working capital convertible loan facility of up to US$5 million (the 'Facility'). The Facility was for a period expiring on January 31, 2017 and for a maximum of US$5 million. The Facility was available to be drawn-down in up to three separate instalments of an initial US$2 million and two further installments of US$1.5 million each. The Facility was available to be used at any time up to 30 June 2016. Interest was chargeable at the rate of 12% per annum. There was no prepayment penalty or arrangement fee. On January 5, 2016, the Corporation announced that it had made an initial drawdown of US$2.0 million (the 'Loan'). The Corporation made no further draw- downs prior to 30 June 2016. The first US$2 million of the Facility was convertible at the election of Fratelli Investments into new Serabi Ordinary Shares ('Shares') at an exercise price of 3.6 pence per new Share at any time. On August 12, 2016, Fratelli Investments served a notice of conversion upon the Corporation and in accordance with the terms of the Loan, the Corporation allotted to Fratelli Investments 42,312,568 new Shares, which rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Shares. The Shares were acquired at a conversion price of UK0.036 or C$0.06026 (Bank of Canada noon rate on August 12, 2016 UK1.00 = C$1.6740) per Share for aggregate consideration of approximately C$2,549,924 (US$2,000,000). Prior to the transaction, Fratelli Investments owned or exercised control or direction over, 344,163,166 Shares, representing approximately 52.42% of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis. Immediately following the exercise of its conversion rights and following the allotment of the new Shares, Fratelli Investments owned or exercised control or direction over, 386,375,734 Shares, representing approximately 55.30% of the enlarged issued share capital on a non-diluted basis. Immediately following the exercise of its conversion rights and following the allotment of the new Shares, Fratelli Investments has become interested in 386,375,734 Ordinary Shares, representing 55.30% of the enlarged issued share capital. In this press release, for the purpose of calculating the percentage of Shares owned, Fratelli Investments has assumed that there are 698,701,772 Shares issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, as reported by the Corporation on its website as at August 17, 2016. The acquisition was made solely for investment purposes. Fratelli Investments may, depending on various factors including, without limitation, market and other conditions, increase or decrease its beneficial ownership, control or direction over Shares or other securities of the Corporation, through market transactions, private agreements, treasury issuances, exercises of convertible securities or otherwise. The information regarding this transcation as set out above was reported in a news release issued by Serabi Gold plc on 15 August 2016. This press release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which also requires a report to be filed with regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which the Corporation is a reporting issuer containing information with respect to the foregoing matters (the 'Early Warning Report'). A copy of the Early Warning Report will appear with the Corporation's documents on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval and may also be obtained by contacting Nicolas Banados, the MD Private Equity of Fratelli Investments at +56 2577 3600. Fratelli Investments Limited Victoria Place 31 Victoria Street Hamilton HM 10 Bermuda This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of GlobeNewswire clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Serabi Gold plc via GlobeNewswire [HUG#2036149] B4T0YL7R26 Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de CALGARY, ALBERTA and LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- Vogogo Inc. ("Vogogo" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: VGO) today announces that the previously proposed repurchase for cancellation of 2.3 million shares of the Company beneficially owned by Rodney Thompson, former Chief Revenue Officer of the Company, has been completed. The shares of the Company were repurchased for $149,500 in reliance on an exemption order exempting the Company from certain issuer bid requirements under National Instrument 62-104 Takeover Bids and Issuer Bids received from the Alberta Securities Commission on July 15, 2016. About Vogogo Inc. Vogogo Inc. has provided payment processing and related transaction risk services. The Company has developed software that administers multiple electronic payment types including card payments, pre-authorized debit, direct deposit, peer-to-peer and online banking payments for the US, UK and Canadian markets. The head office is located at 400, 320 - 23rd Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2S 0J2. The registered office is located at Torys LLP, 4600, 525 - 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta. READER ADVISORY Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Contacts: Vogogo Inc. Tom Wenz Chief Financial Officer 403-648-9292 PRAGUE, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 19, the European Outsourcing Association (EOA) announced the names of the 2016 EOA Awards shortlist. IBA Group - http://www.ibagroupit.com - was shortlisted in the categories Outsourcing Destination of the Year (Belarus) and Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). IBA Group submitted Belarus for an EOA award because the Belarusian IT outsourcing industry contributes significantly to the national economy and serves as a foundation of information society and knowledge economy in the country. The Government of Belarus declared IT a foundation of information society and included outsourcing services in the National Strategy of Sustainable Economic Development. With a population of 9.5 million people, Belarus hosts the largest IT outsourcing companies in Eastern Europe. As for the CSR award, IBA Group submitted the project Promotion of IT in Belarus among People with Disabilities. Implemented by the IBA Institute, a member of IBA Group, it was the first IT education project for disabled people in Belarus. In total, 120 disabled were trained, including 89 remotely. Following the course, IBA Group organized a national contest in system administration for people with disabilities with 45 course graduates joining the competition and ten qualifying for the final. After the project was completed, former students volunteered transfer of their competencies to peers and six graduates, including the contest winner, were offered IT jobs. Commenting on this year's EOA Awards, Kerry Hallard, CEO of the NOA and Director of the EOA, said: "This year we've had an unprecedented number of entries of excellent quality, which really is indicative of the high standard of outsourcing programmes being implemented across Europe. The shortlist is truly representative of the best and brightest that European outsourcing has to offer, with innovation, collaboration and customer-centricity inherently featured throughout. The award winners will be announced in Sofia on 6th October and we're very excited to see which partnerships and organisations will be crowned as the best of Europe's outsourcing elite." To see the 2016 EOA Awards shortlist, visit http://www.noa.co.uk/files/1019.pdf About EOA The European Outsourcing Association is the centre of excellence for outsourcing in Europe. The EOA is the leading association serving both the outsourcing professional and the global outsourcing industry. It is a membership organisation, representing the interests of companies and individuals which span the breadth of the outsourcing industry: buyers, suppliers and advisors. The EOA is committed to advancing the outsourcing profession and improving and growing the outsourcing industry by driving awareness, education, standards and thought leadership. About IBA Group IBA Group is one of the largest IT service providers in Eastern Europe. Headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, IBA Group has offices and development centers in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Czech Republic, Belarus, South Africa, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Slovakia. IBA Group focuses on mainframe systems, enterprise applications, web solutions, SAP, business analytics, and mobile applications. IBA Group is recognized by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) as one of The Global Outsourcing 100in the Leaders Category, and ranks as one of the world's largest software companies in theSoftware Magazine's Software 500. In 2015, 2014, 2012, and 2011, IBA Group won IT Europa's European IT & Software Excellence awards. For more information, visithttp://ibagroupit.com WESTPORT, CT -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- The Saatva Company, America's fastest growing online-only luxury mattress brand, has landed the #316 spot on the Inc. 500/5000 2016 list, an exclusive ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. Saatva is the top ranking Connecticut based-company out of 41 on the list, and ranks #21 out of 160 retail companies, nationwide. In just five years of business, this is the company's second consecutive ranking within the list's top 500, having reached $76M in revenue in 2015 and on pace to exceed $180M in 2016. The Saatva brand has become a leading company to watch in the mattress industry, as well as in the burgeoning direct-to-consumer category, and the company joins other hot brands like Dollar Shave Club, Twilio, and Square in the top 500. "The last few years have been a very exciting time for The Saatva Company, and making it on this list for the second time speaks a great deal to our product innovation, our unique level of customer service, and to our incredibly determined team," said CEO and co-founder, Ron Rudzin. "We're very honored to be in great company on this list." Saatva is a new kind of mattress company, that designs, manufactures and delivers luxury innerspring, memory foam and latex mattresses at half the price of in-store brands. Launched in 2010, Saatva was one of the very first online-only mattress brands in the industry, and its product innovation, logistics, national infrastructure and leadership have helped pave the way for the now thriving mattress category. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest online-only mattress companies in North America with its three product lines: Saatva Mattress: classic luxury innerspring mattress Loom & Leaf: ultra-premium memory foam Zenhaven: the recently launched, eco-friendly, 100% natural Talalay latex bed "With the shifts in the retail category in recent years, we've worked hard to stay ahead of that curve and bring a great experience to our increasingly discerning customers, and I think that our retail ranking is proof of how our approach has worked," said co-founder and CMO, Ricky Joshi. "The continued and immense success of each of our products lines, combined with another ranking on this list, shows a longevity in our model, the service we've built, and that we're doing something right." About The Saatva Company The Saatva Company is devoted to customer relationships built on providing the best buying experience over a lifetime of mattress purchases and ensuring that the customer will never have to go to a mattress store again. The company designs and delivers luxury mattresses through 18 U.S. and Canadian-based factories and over 120 fulfillment centers. By cutting out the middleman and retail store markups in the traditional supply chain, The Saatva Company is able to provide a luxury product at a significantly lower cost than other retailers, with a lot less hassle for customers. For more information, visit www.saatva.com. About Inc. 500/5000 The Inc. 500 is an annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Expanded to include the nation's top 5000 fastest-growing private companies, the list features a special ranking for the top 10% of the list known as the Inc. 500. Ranked according to the percentage revenue growth over a three-year period, companies must be based in the United States and independently held. Media Contact: The Saatva Company media@saatva.com News / National by Staff reporter It has emerged that President Robert Mugabe is no longer travelling to Ghana this week, but reasons for the cancellation remain unclear with Harare's envoy to the West African country tight-lipped over the issue.Harare did not, as is usual, announce the four-day trip but Zimbabwe's ambassador to Ghana, last week, told local media that Mugabe would visit the West African country from August 18 to 22.Ambassador Pavelyn Tendai Musaka said Mugabe would use the trip to "open corporate Ghana to opportunities in Zimbabwe".She added that Africa's oldest leader had a "a special soft spot" for the West African country where he married his first wife, the late Sally Francesca Hayfron.And, in indications that the visit was highly anticipated, billboards had been erected in the Ghanaian capital Accra to welcome the Zimbabwean leader.But local media reported Thursday that the visit had been cancelled.Reasons remained unclear, but some publications speculated that this was due to domestic political issues in Zimbabwe.Adding to the anxiety at State House, is speculation that Mugabe's health is failing amid claims doctors had to be flown in from Singapore ahead of the recent Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.Claimed Zimbabwe analyst Ken Yamamoto in a recent article; "Doctors had to be flown in this last week from Asia to medically prop him up to enable him (Mugabe) to stand the rigors of Zimbabwe's long weekend which includes the Heroes day festivities."Except when he has pressing meetings, Mugabe now works 30 minutes a day, often coming to his office around 3pm and leaving half an hour or so afterwards to go home and sleep." LONDON, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global University Systems B.V. ("GUS") today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Arden University Limited ("Arden"), a specialist online distance and blended learning university with 6,500 students, from US-based Capella Education Company. Aaron Etingen, Founder and CEO of GUS, said: "I am pleased to announce Arden University as the newest member of Global University Systems, with its strong position in the UK market for distance and blended learning. We look forward to working with Arden tobuild its offering of online and blended degree and masters programmes, to meet growing UK and international demand from employers and students for career-enhancing learning in the digital economy". Dr Philip Hallam, Vice Chancellor and CEO of Arden University, said: "I am very proud of our track record of pioneering new ways of learning in UK higher education. I am looking forward to working as part of GUS to realise our full potential to offer students in the UK and overseas a flexible and relevant university education. Although many things have changed over the past 25 years, our mission remains the same: to provide wider access to higher education, inspiring new ways to learn, and enriching people and their lives. GUS provides access to a global platform that will enable us to realise our ambitions." Global University Systems is a global education group made up of a number of prestigious institutions, offering a broad range of professional, vocational, graduate and post-graduate programmes to c.50,000 students each year from around 150 countries. It is based in some of the world's biggest cities, with campuses in London, Birmingham and Manchester; across the Atlantic in Toronto and Vancouver; and across the globe in places such as Singapore and Hannover. GUS has a strong track-record in enhancing the performance and reputation of institutions; the University of Law, acquired in 2015, was recently ranked 1stin the UK for overall student satisfaction in the 2016 National Student Survey. Arden University, previously Resource Development International (RDI), is a leading independent provider of UK university qualifications by distance learning. Itoffers more than 50 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to domestic and international students. RDI became Arden University in August 2015 having received confirmation from the UK government that it meets the criteria forUniversityTitle- the only specialist distance (online) learning university to launch in the UK in the last 50 years.RDI was granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP) in April 2014. Quayle Munro and Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisers to GUS. BSD Crown Ltd. (LSE: BSD) (the "Company") Company Updates Ramat Gan, Israel, 19 August 2016 Settlement agreement between Israel 18 and Mr. Naftali Shani Further to Company's announcements dated May 10, 2016, with respect to settlement agreement between BGI's controlling shareholder, Israel 18, Mr. Naftali Shani and Adv. Arnon Gicelter (Mr. Shani and Adv. Gicelter, collectively: the "Petitioners"), the Company has received the following additional information from BGI: On August 17 2016, Adv. Joseph Shem-Tov, who was appointed as an officer of the court, to sell or realize shares of BGI and the Company owned by Israel 18 (the "Shares"), and held by the Petitioners to secure Israel 18 debt, upon the failure of Israel 18 to make the Initial Settlement Payment, filed a request for an order from the court: (i) that, in light of several offers made to purchase the Shares, a delay of 30 more days to sell the Shares is required in order for him to evaluate further such offers and (ii) during such time, the Petitioners should be forbidden to make any disposition or transaction regarding the Shares including BSD shares that Israel 18 purchased and are held by the Petitioners until all the debt will be paid (the "Injunction"). On August 18 2016, the court granted the Injunction requested until August 25, 2016 when a further hearing will be heard. Company's motion for an interim order against Israel 18 The Company announces that on August 18 2016 it filed, to the Economic Department in Tel Aviv District Court (the "Court"), a motion for interim orders, against Israel 18, the controlling shareholder of BGI, to secure an amount of up to US13.1 M out of any monies that Israel 18 is or might be entitled to receive from the sale of any shares in BGI and/or in the Company - either pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement with the Petitioners referred to above or any other sale of shares (following the payment of any outstanding amounts owed by Israel 18 to Fortissimo Capital Management Ltd., if shares securing such debt are sold). The Company also requested an order forbidding Israel 18 from disposing any of its assets, whether located in Israel or anywhere else in the world. The Court gave an ex-parte decision, ordering the freezing of any monies received by the respondents from the sale of shares. A hearing regarding the Company's motion is scheduled for August 25, 2016. The order was requested by the Company in order to secure all rights it may have in connection with IBAR deposits referred to in the Company's announcement on August 3 2016. Israel 18's announcement regarding the Settlement agreement with Mr. Naftali Shani After the filling of the request by Adv. Shem-Tov as mentioned above, BGI received a letter from Israel 18, stating that Israel 18 considers the settlement agreement to be canceled in light of the interference by the Petitioners and violation by the Petitioners of the settlement by way of interfering with the Shares sale process referred to above. The company will provide an update in due course. Enquiries: Gil Leidner, member of the board: office@bsd-c.com Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Switzerland Tire Market Forecast Opportunities, 2021" report to their offering. The tire market in Switzerland is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 6% during 2016-2021. Furthermore, in 2015, passenger car tire segment dominated the country's tire market, followed by two-wheeler vehicle tire and light commercial vehicle tire segments. Increasing demand for tires in Switzerland can be attributed to expanding passenger car fleet size and rising construction activities. Automobile sales in the country increased from nearly 352 thousand units in 2011 to around 360 thousand units in 2015, and the same trend is anticipated to continue over the next five years as well. Anticipated growth in automobile sales is being supported by rising disposable income levels, increasing urbanization, and growing infrastructure and construction sectors in the country. In Switzerland, replacement demand for tires is mainly addressed through imports, due to absence of domestic tire manufacturing facilities in the country. The country mainly imports tires from Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Romania. Companies Mentioned: Apollo Vredestein B.V. Bridgestone Schweiz AG Continental Suisse SA Goodyear Dunlop tires Suisse SA Hankook Tire Company Ltd. Michelin Suisse SA Nokian Reifen AG Pirelli Tire (Suisse) SA Toyo Tire Europe GmbH Yokohama (Suisse) SA Key Topics Covered: 1. Product Overview 2. Research Methodology 3. Analyst View 4. Switzerland Tire Market Outlook 5. Switzerland Passenger Car (PC) Tire Market Outlook 6. Switzerland Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Tire Market Outlook 7. Switzerland Medium Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV) Tire Market Outlook 8. Switzerland Off-the-Road (OTR) Tire Market Outlook 9. Switzerland Two Wheeler Tire Market Outlook 10. Import-Export Analysis 11. Market Dynamics 12. Market Trends Developments 13. Policy Regulatory Landscape 14. Switzerland Economic Profile 15. Competitive Landscape 16. Strategic Recommendations For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/sb9rfb/switzerland_tire Related Topics: Automotive Tires View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005300/en/ Contacts: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- North Sea Energy Inc. ("NSE" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: NUK) announces an update to the Bagpuss well results from the Bagpuss Operator, Premier Oil (UK) Limited ("Premier"). Mr. Anthony Durrant, Premier's CEO and Mr. Robin Allan, Premier's head of North Sea and Exploration answered questions concerning the results from our Bagpuss well during Premier's "Half-Yearly Results for the six months to 30 June 2016" webcast. Please refer to Premier's webcast "Half-Yearly Results for the six months to 30 June 2016" posted on August 18, 2016 on http://www.premier- oil.com/premieroil/investors/results-centre for the further details. Premier's senior management espoused the following concerning the Bagpuss prospect: -- Bagpuss is a heavy oil discovery as anticipated and the well results came in on prognosis in terms of the reservoir; -- The analysis of the geochemistry of the samples collected is still going on, the results of which will tell us more about the flow properties of the oil in due course; -- The Bagpuss well was drilled on the Halibut Horst which is very large granite structure, so the reservoir is hotter when the granite is that close to the surface; -- The Bagpuss well confirmed a significant volume of oil in place; -- The temperature of the well was about the same temperature as the original 1981 Amoco well (44 degrees C, 111 degrees F) due to the raised geothermal gradient over the granite horst. While NSE management believes the information regarding the Bagpuss Prospect to be accurate, it will wait until the full technical analysis of the collected data is finalized before commenting on the Bagpuss results. Finally, the Bagpuss Well, a vertical well, was always planned to be an informational well only and in accordance with the original Well Plan it was plugged and abandoned upon completion. Should development of the Bagpuss field take place, it would most likely be done with horizontal wells. About NSE: The Company, founded in February 2007, is a UK focused oil and gas exploration and appraisal company quoted on the TSX-V. NSE, through its wholly owned subsidiary NSE2, holds two high impact opportunities in the UK North Sea. These opportunities are the Bagpuss and Blofeld prospects located in blocks 13/24c and 13/25 of the UKCS. Forward-looking statements Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plans", "expect", "forecast", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. In particular, there can be no certainty that commerciality of the Bagpuss or Blofled prospects will be established. Factors which may cause commerciality not to be established include risks and uncertainties such as analysis concluding that the hydrocarbons are not of a commercially interesting grade, logistical challenges associated with extracting in the North Sea, oil prices, access to financing (for a full list of risks please refer to our financial statements and management discussion and analysis filed on www.sedar.com). Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: J. Craig Anderson Chairman & CEO North Sea Energy Inc. 416-366-4700 canderson@northseaenergy.ca www.northseaenergy.ca WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Donald Trump Campaign has claimed that the US Government's airlift of $400 million worth of cash to Iran that coincided with the release of four Americans detained in Tehran in January was nothing but ransom payment, which has finally been acknowledged by the Obama Administration. Replying to a question during a daily press briefing Thursday, U.S. State Department Spokesman John Kirby admitted that they withheld $400 million Iran payment until Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three other Americans were released. 'With concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release given unnecessary delays regarding persons in Iran who could not be located as well as, to be quite honest, mutual mistrust between Iran and the United States, we, of course, sought to retain maximum leverage until after American citizens were released. That was our top priority,' Kirby told reporters when asked about a Wall Street Journal report on this. Earlier this month, when the issue became controversial, the White House had denied that it was a quid pro quo, and that it is against the policy of the United States to pay ransom for hostages. The Trump Campaign said Thursday that the admission by the State Department that they paid a $400 million ransom to release American hostages from Iran 'further cements Hillary Clinton's role in crafting disastrous policies that have led to a more dangerous world.' 'Already under fire for lying to the American people about her illegal email server, Clinton is continuing to align herself with an Administration that has continually lied to Americans as well,' said a statement issued by Jason Miller, Senior Communications Adviser for Trump. 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. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Amid recent indications his rhetoric may be hurting him in the polls, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump expressed regret for some of his controversial remarks in a speech on Thursday. Trump told supporters at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, that it takes far too much time to be politically correct. 'Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing,' Trump said. 'I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain,' he added. 'Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues.' The remarks from Trump come as the real estate tycoon has recently faced criticism for his attacks on the parents of a fallen Muslim soldier as well as a federal judge with a Mexican heritage. However, Trump did not specifically indicate which comments he regretted and argued that he always tells the truth. Trump has been accused of using racially charged rhetoric, but the billionaire-turned-politician claimed that Democratic rival Hillary Clinton is the actual bigot. 'We are going to reject the bigotry of Hillary Clinton, which sees communities of color only as votes and not as human beings worthy of a better future,' Trump said. 'In my Administration, every American will be treated equally, protected equally, and honored equally,' he added. 'We will reject bigotry and hatred and oppression in all of its forms, and seek a new future built on our common culture and values as one American people.' The Clinton campaign was quick to shoot back at Trump, arguing that he has insulted people throughout his campaign without shame or regret. 'We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize,' Clinton spokeswoman Christina Reynolds said in a statement. She added, 'But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets-and changes his tune altogether.' (Photo: Gage Skidmore) Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of "a" of Oman Insurance Company P.S.C. (OIC) (United Arab Emirates). The outlook for each rating remains stable. The ratings reflect OIC's strong risk-adjusted capitalisation and leading position within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). An offsetting rating factor is the company's declining operating performance during 2015. OIC's strong balance sheet is supported by excellent risk-adjusted capitalisation, a very low level of borrowings and excellent liquidity. Furthermore, the company's stable and diversified risk profile is adequately supported by a strong capital base of AED 1,883 million (USD 513 million). OIC actively manages its capital requirements as evidenced by its track record of de-risking its investment portfolio to focus on its core underwriting strategies. OIC's capital position is expected to remain strong through good internal capital generation and by maintaining a sufficient buffer for strategic initiatives over the next few years. OIC has a leading position in the UAE, with a diversified portfolio across life and non-life business segments. Whilst OIC's business continues to be concentrated in the UAE, it has achieved some geographical diversification, particularly from its Turkish subsidiary, Dubai Starr Sigorta A.S. In the medium term, OIC is expected to further diversify its revenue streams by introducing new products and developing its inward facultative portfolio, whilst remaining focused on protecting its leading position in the local insurance market. Whilst OIC historically has delivered robust earnings across its business lines, the company's technical profits declined significantly in 2015 to AED 4 million (USD 1 million). The decline in underwriting results stems primarily from the company taking a large bad-debt write-off, along with an increase in attritional losses in the company's medical portfolio. Furthermore, lower technical returns were exacerbated by a reduced level of fair value gains on its real estate portfolio, with the company suffering realised investment losses during the year. Reduced earnings from its insurance and investment activities translated into a 65% decline in profits after tax to AED 81 million (USD 22 million). A.M. Best recognises the positive impact of the company's medical remedial programme adopted in 2015, as well as the targeting of profitable market segments, to improve underwriting performance. For the first half of 2016, OIC has demonstrated an improvement in its underwriting performance. OIC's prudent management of its operations also has meant that there has been no financial impact from the new insurance regulations imposed by the Insurance Authority. This press release relates to rating(s) that have been published on A.M. Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. A.M. Best is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2016 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005413/en/ Contacts: A.M. Best Salman Siddiqui, ACA, +44 20 7397 0311 Senior Financial Analyst salman.siddiqui@ambest.com or Mahesh Mistry, +44 20 7397 0325 Director, Analytics mahesh.mistry@ambest.com or Christopher Sharkey, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 Manager, Public Relations christopher.sharkey@ambest.com or Jim Peavy, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644 Assistant Vice President, Public Relations james.peavy@ambest.com DUBLIN, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "The Africa 2016 Wealth Report" report to their offering. This Africa Wealth Report provides a comprehensive review of the wealth sector in Africa, including HNWI trends, luxury trends and wealth management trends in each country. Scope of the report: - African countries ranked by HNWIs and multi-millionaires. - The top performing African countries for HNWIs. - The top African cities for HNWIs and multi-millionaires. - The fastest growing African cities for HNWIs. - African countries ranked by average wealth per person. - The top luxury markets in Africa by revenue. - Spending review of African HNWIs, including: behavioural mapping, collectables, prime real estate, second homes review, clothing, cars, hotels, watches, liquor, private jets and yachts. - Review of African wealth management sector, including major players by AuM in each country. Key highlights: - Mauritians are the wealthiest individuals in Africa with US$21,700 in wealth per person, whilst people in the Zimbabwe are the poorest with US$200 per person. - There are approximately 165,000 HNWIs living in Africa, with combined wealth holdings of US$860 billion. - Approximately US$125 billion of African HNWI wealth is tied up with wealth management companies. South Africa Johannesburg US$72 billion South Africa Switzerland Dubai Ghana Kenya US$28 billion (mainly) is the hub for African private banking within AuM.- African HNWIs (outside) tend to keep their funds in traditional holding centers such as the UK, the Channel Islands andis another popular destination, especially for North African HNWIs.- It is estimated the African private banking market will grow by 7% per annum over the next 10 years.- The most promising emerging African markets for private banking areand- In Africa, aroundis tied up in venture capital companies and foundations that are linked to the wealthy. Many HNWIs use these vehicles as a way to transfer money to the next generation.- ABSA Wealth (Barclays)- Afrasia Bank- Citadel- Credit Suisse- Credo Group- Investec- Maitland- Momentum Group- Nedbank- Old Mutual Wealth- PSG Konsult- RMB- Sanlam- Standard Bank Pvt Clients- Stenham- Stonehage- UBSFor more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/22635n/the_africa_2016Related Topics: Wealth Management Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 News / National by Staff reporter CORRUPTION-RIDDEN Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) is embroiled in a fresh tender scandal in which convicted fraudster Wicknell Chivayo was awarded another US$113 million deal on top his several others by the company's subsidiary, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), despite lacking capacity and resources to implement the project.Documents seen by the Zimbabwe Independent, which of late has exposed a series of corruption scandals as per tradition, this week show Chivayo - already involved in other dodgy Zesa deals - was last year awarded a tender to refurbish Munyati Power Station despite that neither his company nor his Indian partners, Jaguar Overseas Limited (JOL), had the capacity and resources to undertake the power development scheme.Chivayo's company Intratrek, which has no previous experience or proven record in power projects, was awarded the Munyati contract on November 12 2015 to rehabilitate and modernise the 61-year-old thermal energy power plant to bring its generated capacity to 100 megawatts at a cost of US$113 182 627.This is in addition to the US$200 million 100-megawatt solar power plant in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province, in which Chivayo was paid US$5 million without a required bank guarantee.Zesa is currently reeling from a number of corrupt deals in which the country's energy projects were given to shady businessmen with criminal records, ranging from fraud to drug trafficking.The deals were inflated by more than US$500 million, raising suspicions Zesa executives and senior government officials, including ministers, are benefitting from the shady contracts which authorities are reluctant to investigate.Chivayo is politically well-connected and has links with President Robert Mugabe's family.Documents show that just like Intratrek, Chivayo's Indian partner JOL has no experience in power projects as it is "still new to power plants", according to a due diligence report done by ZPC from February 21 to 24 this year.To make matters worse, it has also emerged JOL has done some shoddy work or was blacklisted in several countries, including Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Swaziland, Ethiopia and India, where it is facing litigation.ZPC sent two teams to India to conduct some due diligence, one to examine the JOL/Triveni Consortium on technical matters and the other focusing on financial and legal issues.The ZPC technical team comprised group leader Tichaona Nyandoro (technical compliance manager), Fannie Mavhondo (general plant manager), Fungai Sabvukutwa (section engineer maintenance), Victor Kufahakutane (section engineer operations) and Eric Mvududu (projects engineer).Sanjay Gupta, a project engineer at Wapcos Limited, an Indian company which has previously worked with JOL on other projects, was also part of the team. The finance and legal team had ZPC finance director Muedzo Nebarwe and assistant company secretary Respina Zinyanduko.Strangely, though, the due diligence was only carried out this year - three months after the deal was signed. The tender was awarded in November 2015. According to the due diligence report seen by the Independent, it was found that "JOL itself was not financially sound.""Its balance sheet as at 31/03/15 was worth US$88 million of which US$53 million were creditors and its capacity to secure funding and to undertake a project of this magnitude was therefore questionable," reads part of the report titled Jaguar Overseas Limited Report. "The company also had huge overdrafts in two out of three of its bank accounts."The report further says although JOL's Indian partner Triveni Turbines had "good technical standing, its balance sheet raised doubts on the adequacy of the assets to satisfy the potential funders."Triveni was found to have a balance sheet of US$85 million of which US$43 million were creditors. Therefore, "the combined net worth of JOL/Triveni Consortium was US$77 million which is less than the project value for Munyati Repowering Project (US$113 million)""Based on the findings, it was noted that it will be highly risky to engage JOL and the committee recommends that it would not be prudent to enter into another contract with JOL," the report says."JOL alone neither has the experience of constructing power plants nor the financial capacity to absorb the high risk that comes with EPC contracts. The JOL/Triveni Consortium's combined balance sheet which has a net worth of US$77 million is less than the value of the Munyati Project (US$113 million) and this raises doubt if this would be adequate to secure funding from potential financiers."According to ZPC, potential funders like Afrexim Bank and BancABC had after conducting their own due diligence on JOL committed to jointly fund only 15% of the total EPC cost.The ZPC due diligence report also shows JOL has a history of shoddy work in Zambia, DRC, Swaziland, Ethiopia and India."It was also noted through internet (google) search that in most of these countries, Jaguar either did shoddy jobs or got blacklisted. There will be need to confirm on the ground the actual position of these projects from these countries," it says.The report also says JOL had concealed information that it was facing litigation in the courts in India along with one of its subsidiaries."JOL advised that there was none (litigation). However, on perusing their financial statements for 2015, it was noted that there was a case in which Jaguar Overseas and one of its subsidiaries was being sued in the High Court by M/s Jindal Drilling and Industries Limited The value of the claim was not captured in the financial statements," the report states.JOL insisted that the case was finalised and closed after being quizzed further on the matter.Munyati is one in a series of tenders controversially awarded to Chivayo and his dodgy foreign partners.Despite song and dance at official signing ceremonies for the Munyati, Gaeresi and Gwanda power projects, nothing concrete has materialised to date.Questions have been asked over the nature of the relationship between Chivayo and senior government and ruling Zanu PF officials, including Mugabe and his family, particularly First Lady Grace Mugabe, and Energy minister Samuel Undenge. Chivayo has previously been pictured in Dubai holiday jaunts with Grace. He has also been photographed with Mugabe and other members of his family.In February, Undenge forced ZPC to unprocedurally pay Chivayo an advance of US$5 million for the Gwanda project.The payment was made in the absence of a bank guarantee, a minimum requirement to protect public funds.Undenge, who was struggling to pay US$350 maintenance for his daughter as recently as of December 2015, has of late seen his financial fortunes improve dramatically in the aftermath of payments to Chivayo.In February Undenge received suspicious payments totalling US$186 000 through his personal and his wife's bank accounts. Since then he has been embarked on costly refurbishments to his Glen Lorne home in Harare to turn the place into a mansion.ZPC public relations executive Fadzai Chisveto was not reachable for comment on her mobile phone. Chivayo was also unavailable for comment. REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada The Government of Canada values the role of post-secondary institutions as they help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class. Today's $30.1-million investment at the University of Regina and Parkland College will do just that by fostering the training needed for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow. The funding was announced today by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation-one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. This investment exemplifies that vision in action and will help create the well-paying middle-class jobs of tomorrow. The funding includes $27.6 million for renovations to the university's 100-year-old College Avenue Campus, which will be modernized to support research and innovation. The renovated campus will also provide a home for the new Canadian Institute for Science and Innovation Policy, which aims to enhance the university's policy strengths in areas such as energy, digital analytics, bioscience and food security, water security, and health. An additional $2.4 million is also being provided for a separate project to upgrade a laboratory building on campus. The University of Regina will contribute $34.8 million to these two projects. Parkland College is receiving $100,000 to have an electrical and pressurized water system installed at its emergency services training site. In total, universities and colleges throughout Saskatchewan will receive close to $137 million from the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors. Federal funding will be allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities. As a result of these investments, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the country's best research. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces that support lifelong learning and skills training. They will work in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they will train for-and create-the high-value, middle-class jobs of the future. And their discoveries will plant the seeds for the next generation of innovators. That is how the Strategic Investment Fund will jump-start a virtuous circle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come. Quotes "This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic down payment on the government's vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into jobs and start-up companies into global successes. This investment will create conditions that are conducive to innovation and long-term growth, which will in turn keep the Canadian economy globally competitive." - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development "Investments like these in Saskatchewan will position Canada as a global leader in research excellence and innovation. Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are providing the next generation of Canadians with modern facilities where they can gain the training, the knowledge and the skills they will need to prosper." - The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness "Investments in the infrastructure of our post-secondary system help our students and support our economy. The projects being funded will generate direct economic activity in communities around Saskatchewan and improve the quality of facilities at the institutions for our students." - The Honourable Scott Moe, Saskatchewan's Minister of Advanced Education "The funding announced today demonstrates a significant commitment to post-secondary education in our province. The federal government's investment in infrastructure on our campus will help us meet the growing needs of our current and future students, faculty and researchers. The investment in the renewal of our historic College Avenue Campus and in the Laboratory Building on our main campus will breathe new life into aging facilities, enabling us to continue to advance our commitment to teaching, research and community service." - Dr. Vianne Timmons, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Regina "This investment helps to ensure the continued success of Parkland College's emergency services programming. By upgrading our training site, we are able to improve the learning experience for our students and industrial partners." - Dwayne Reeve, President, Parkland College Quick facts -- The Government of Canada is providing more than $63 million for research infrastructure at institutions across Saskatchewan. The University of Regina has been awarded $30 million for two projects. Parkland College has been awarded $100,000. -- The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada is globally competitive in promoting research, translating ideas into new products and services, accelerating business growth and propelling entrepreneurs from the start-up phase to international success. -- The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada's universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally. -- The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada's climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects. Associated links Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund website Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder Innovation Agenda backgrounder Follow Minister Bains on social media. Twitter: @MinisterISED Instagram: ministerised Contacts: Philip Proulx Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development 343-291-2500 Media Relations Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 343-291-1777 ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- TomaGold Corporation (TSX VENTURE: LOT) ("TomaGold" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce the closing of the transaction with Planet Exploration Inc. ("Planet") to acquire all of its interest in the Sidace Lake gold property, namely a 39.5% stake (the "Sidace property"), in exchange for 15 million shares of the Corporation. The shares will be subject to a hold period of six months following the closing date. The property is also subject to a 1.0% net smelter return. The Sidace property consists of 42 mining claims located 25 km northeast of Balmertown in the Red Lake mining camp, Ontario. The remaining 60.5% interest in the property is owned by Goldcorp Inc. ("Goldcorp") under the terms of a joint venture. On April 19, 2009, a NI 43-101 technical report was produced by Watts, Griffis and McOuat Limited, a geological engineering firm based in Toronto, Ontario. The mineral resource estimate was prepared from two separate block models, each using a 1.5 g/t Au cut-off grade and a 35 g/t Au high grade cap, based on a gold price of US$800/oz and a US$:C$ exchange rate of 1:1.2. Sidace Lake Mineral Resource Estimate ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zone Tonnes(i) g/t Au Total oz Au(i) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MDZ Indicated Resource 1,119,500 3.00 107,900 Inferred Resource 1,677,200 3.01 162,500 UDZ Indicated Resource 247,600 4.19 33,300 Inferred Resource 425,800 4.11 56,300 Total Indicated Resource 1,367,200 3.21 141,300 Total Inferred Resource 2,103,100 3.24 218,800 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - All tonnage and total oz Au figures rounded to nearest hundred. Totals may not add up due to rounding. "The closing of the Sidace Lake acquisition is another step towards our goal of working with major mining companies to efficiently enhance the development of our properties, with greater potential of discovery and at lower risk," said David Grondin, President and CEO of TomaGold. "We are eager to start working on the property and unlock it's full potential." Convertible Debenture TomaGold also intends to complete a convertible secured debenture (the "Debenture") issue for an aggregate gross proceed of $2,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Debenture will bear interest at an annual rate of 10% and will have a maturity date of 24 months from the date of issue. The debenture holder, during the 24 months from the date of closing, has the right, at its sole discretion, to convert the outstanding principal balance and accrued and unpaid interests into that number of Conversion Units determined by dividing the amount being converted by $0.15, provided that the Corporation has the right to require the conversion, in part or in full, of the outstanding principal amount and the accrued and unpaid interests under the Debenture if the closing price of the Class A shares of the capital stock of the Corporation ("Common Share") on the TSX Venture Exchange is equal to or exceeds $0.22. Each Conversion Unit, at a price of $0.15 each, will consist of (i) one Common Share; and (ii) one half (1/2) Warrant ("Conversion Unit"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one (1) Common Share of the Corporation at a price of $0.20 each for a 24-month period from the date of issue of the Debenture, provided that the Corporation has the right to require the exercise of the Warrants in part or in full if the closing price of the Common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange is equal to or exceeds $0.22. In such case, the holder will have 10 calendar days from the receipt of a written notice of the Corporation to exercise the Warrants and if not exercised during such period, the maturity date of the Warrant shall accelerate to the 10th day following such notice. The Corporation will grant a movable hypothec on all of its present and future moveable assets to the debenture holder. Other movable hypothecs will rank "pari passu" to such movable hypothec for an additional amount of up to $1,000,000. The convertible secured debenture is subject to regulatory approval. The Debenture, Warrants, Units and underlying Common Shares issued will be subject to a mandatory 4 months and 1 day holding period. The technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Andre Jean, Eng., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About TomaGold Corporation TomaGold Corporation is a Canadian-based mining exploration company whose primary mission is the acquisition, exploration and development of gold projects in Canada and abroad. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. The statements in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements". Readers are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual developments or results may vary materially from those described in such "forward-looking" statements. Contacts: TomaGold Corporation David Grondin President and Chief Executive Officer (514) 583-3490 www.tomagoldcorp.com Lets Android Users Lock All Apps Except Pokemon GO Allowing Others to Catch-and-Hatch For Them Avira, the award-winning security software company, today released 'Pokemon Go Mode,' a free upgrade for AppLock+ Android application that lets users securely lock everything on their device except Pokemon GO. The feature was created to allow users to hand over their phone to a friend to do the egg catching and hatching for them without the fear of accessing private information. Pokemon Go Mode is technically an extra feature activation created for Avira's AppLock+ app, available free from the Google Play store. AppLock+ lets users lock individual apps independently of the main device lock screen. Pokemon Go Mode is available free for Android and can be downloaded from the 'WalkMyPhoneForMe' explanation page. Developers at the normally buttoned-up German security firm were inspired by the Pokemon game, but simultaneously frightened by the security risks of letting others use their phones to play. About Avira GmbH Avira protects people in the connected world enabling everyone to manage, secure, and improve their digital lives. The Avira umbrella covers a portfolio of security and performance applications for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS. In addition, the reach of our protective technologies extends through OEM partnerships. Our security solutions consistently lead in independent tests for detection, performance, and usability. Avira is a family-owned company with headquarters near Lake Constance, in Tettnang, Germany, and additional offices in Munich, Bucharest, Beijing, and Silicon Valley. A portion of Avira's sales supports the Auerbach Foundation, which assists education, children, and families in need. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005520/en/ Contacts: Media Contact USA: Rocket Science PR, for Avira GmbH Rich Mullikin, APR, +1-415-464-8110 x216 M: +1-925-354-7444 rich@rocketscience.com BOIS-BLANC, NEW BRUNSWICK -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP) supports recreational fisheries habitat restoration projects led by angling/fishing groups, conservation organizations and Indigenous groups to rebuild and rehabilitate fish habitat in Canada. Parliamentary Secretary Serge Cormier, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced today in Bois-Blanc, New Brunswick, that the Government of Canada is investing $28 million in recreational fisheries habitat restoration projects across the country from 2016 to 2019. Of this investment, $10.7 million will be invested in 2016-2017. Recreational fisheries face many environmental challenges, with habitat loss being the most common threat. The RFCPP provides an average of $10 million annually to support local and community partners to restore, rebuild and rehabilitate Canada's recreational fisheries habitat. More specifically, Parliamentary Secretary Cormier announced $46,038 in funding under the RFCPP to the Comite de gestion environnementale de la riviere Pokemouche. This funding will enable the group to undertake work to restore the Maltempec Brook including selective clean-up, installation of deflecting trees as well as retaining walls and the selective cleaning of a portion of the Waugh Brook. A mixture of seeds and tree seedlings will be planted on the eroding banks of these two brooks. Under previous rounds of the RFCPP, this group received funding to undertake various restoration projects for fish habitat to increase the population of brook trout and Atlantic salmon in Cowan's Creek and Maltempec Brook. Quote "Shared stewardship of our cherished tradition of recreational fishing is something all Canadians can take pride in. The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program brings Canadians together with their government to conserve and protect the future of our recreational fishing. The Government of Canada is proud to support this community oriented initiative that restores our precious ecosystems to their natural form." Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Quick Facts -- 10 volunteers will work on the Maltempec Brook and Waugh Brook restoration project. The project consists of: 500 m of riparian planting, 100 m of shoreline stabilization, 10,000m2 of in-water habitat and 2,500 m of enhancement of fish passage. -- The RFCPP is a six-year, $53 million program that funds recreational fisheries habitat restoration projects. -- Since its inception in 2013, the RFCPP has funded more than 440 projects, with contributions worth almost $24 million. -- The RFCPP usually funds projects in the range of $20,000 to $100,000, with an upper limit of $250,000. Associated Links For more information on the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/rfcpp-ppcpr/index-eng.html RFCPP Success Stories: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/rfcpp-ppcpr/success-succes-eng.html Funding for Round 5 Recreational Fisheries Habitat Projects Now Available:http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=index&crtr.page=1&nid=1040079 Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca Follow us on Twitter! www.Twitter.com/DFO_MPO Contacts: Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada 613-990-7537 Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Patricia Bell Press Secretary Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada 613-992-3474 Patricia.Bell@dfo-mpo.gc.ca WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced the resignation of campaign chairman Paul Manafort on Friday. In a brief statement, Trump said he accepted Manafort's offer to resign from his presidential campaign this morning. 'I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process,' Trump said. 'Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success.' Manafort's resignation is seen as a continuation of the shake-up of the Trump campaign that began earlier in the week. On Wednesday, Trump announced the appointment of Breitbart News Executive Chairman Stephen Bannon as campaign CEO and the promotion of pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager. The move was seen as a demotion for Manafort, who had been serving as campaign manager, although at the time Trump said he would remain as campaign chairman and chief strategist. Manafort has recently faced questions about his ties to pro-Russian forces in Ukraine, and a Trump source told CNN he was becoming a distraction. The resignation of Manafort reflects the second high profile departure from Trump's campaign after campaign manager Corey Lewandowski was fired in June. The continued shake-up of the Trump campaign comes as recent polls have shown the real estate tycoon trailing Hillary Clinton nationally and in several key swing states. 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. Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. (OTCQB: XBIO) ("Xenetic" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation biologic drugs and novel orphan oncology therapeutics, announced today that an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the Company's product candidate, Virexxa (sodium cridanimod), has been allowed to proceed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This enables Xenetic to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study of Virexxa in conjunction with progestin therapy for the treatment of endometrial cancer in women with recurrent or persistent disease who have failed progestin monotherapy. The primary objective of the study is to assess the anti-tumor activity of Virexxa. Secondary objectives include assessment of additional efficacy, pharmacokinetic and safety/tolerability parameters. Further translational objectives are to observe the effect of Virexxa in combination with progestins, on the levels of progesterone receptor (PrR) and activated progesterone receptors (APrR) in tumor tissues. "This IND clearance enables us to proceed with our Phase 2 study in endometrial cancer and represents a major step forward in our clinical development of Virexxa," stated Scott Maguire, CEO. "We believe Virexxa to be a next-generation therapeutic that has the potential to provide women with no additional treatment options a novel and effective therapy." Endometrial cancer is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract and represents a major health concern, as overall five-year survival rates have not improved over the past three decades. Annually in the United States, an estimated 60,050 patients are diagnosed with endometrial cancer and 10,470 deaths occur from this disease, representing 1.8% of all cancer deaths in the US. The incidence of endometrial cancer is on the rise with a lifetime risk of approximately 3% while the disease-specific mortality of endometrial carcinoma has been rising in the last 25 years. Endometrial cancer patients whose tumors no longer express progesterone receptors are not candidates for progestin-based therapy. Patients who fail monotherapy with progestins have no additional treatment options. Virexxa may improve sensitivity to progestin therapy in subjects with advanced or recurrent PrR-negative tumors. About Virexxa Virexxa is a small-molecule immunomodulator and interferon inducer which, in preliminary studies, has been shown to increase progesterone receptor (PrR) expression in endometrial tissue. Restoration of PrR expression may re-sensitize endometrial tumor tissue to progestin therapy in previously unresponsive tumors. Virexxa is currently being studied in an ongoing Phase 2 multi-national study enrolling 58 subjects with documented evidence of progesterone receptor negative (PrR-negative) endometrial cancer as determined by tumor biopsy. This study is being conducted in conjunction with Pharmsynthez PJSC (St. Petersburg Russia) and its subsidiary AS Kevelt (Tallinn, Estonia). For more information on this Phase 2 study of Virexxa for the treatment of PrR-negative endometrial cancer, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and reference Identifier NCT02064725. About Xenetic Biosciences Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation biologic drugs and novel oncology therapeutics. Xenetic's proprietary drug technology platforms include PolyXen, designed to develop next generation biologic drugs by extending the efficacy, safety and half-life of biologic drugs. Xenetic's lead product candidates include ErepoXen, a polysialylated form of erythropoietin for the treatment of anemia in pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease, and FDA orphan designated oncology therapeutics Virexxa and Oncohist for the treatment of progesterone receptor negative endometrial cancer and refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Xenetic is also working together with Shire plc (formerly Baxalta Incorporated, a spinoff of the biopharmaceuticals business from Baxter Healthcare SA and Baxter Healthcare Corporation) to develop a novel series of polysialylated blood coagulation factors, including a next generation Factor VIII. This collaboration relies on Xenetic's PolyXen technology to conjugate polysialic acid ("PSA") to therapeutic blood-clotting factors, with the goal of improving the pharmacokinetic profile and extending the active life of these biologic molecules. Shire is one of the Company's largest shareholders having invested $10M in the common stock of the Company during 2014. The agreement is an exclusive research, development and license agreement which grants Shire a worldwide, exclusive, royalty-bearing license to Xenetic's PSA patented and proprietary technology in combination with Shire's proprietary molecules designed for the treatment of blood and bleeding disorders. Under the agreement, Xenetic may receive regulatory and sales target payments for total potential milestone receipts of up to $100 million plus royalties on sales. In addition, Xenetic is developing a broad pipeline of clinical candidates for next generation biologics and novel oncology therapeutics in a number of orphan disease indications. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.xeneticbio.com and connect on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), which statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning, including statements regarding expected benefits of NGS cancer panels, the ability to accurately determine the heritable factors increasing the risk of cancer, permitting tailored treatment, screening and prevention of cancer in patients, as well as other non-historical statements about our expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding our business, technologies and products, financial condition, strategies or prospects. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the risks inherent in funding, developing and obtaining regulatory approvals of new, commercially-viable and competitive products and treatments. In addition, forward-looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market factors, competitive product development, product availability, federal and state regulations and legislation, the regulatory process for new products and indications, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions and litigation, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160819005573/en/ Contacts: Jenene Thomas Communications, LLC. Jenene Thomas, 908-938-1475 jenene@jenenethomascommunications.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. ("Peregrine" or "the Company") (TSX: PGD) is pleased to announce the filing of a National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 technical report titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report on the Chidliak Project, Nunavut, Canada" and dated effective July 7, 2016 (the "Technical Report") for the 513,249 hectare Chidliak project and the adjacent 51,147 hectare Qilaq project, located approximately 120 kilometres north-east of Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut. The Technical Report supports the positive Preliminary Economic Assessment that was announced by news release dated July 7, 2016. QUALIFIED PERSONS The independent Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Chidliak Phase One Diamond Development was prepared by JDS Energy & Mining Inc., with support from SRK Consulting Canada Inc., and is based on an independent Mineral Resource estimate for the Chidliak Project published as a NI 43-101 Technical Report with an effective date of June 3, 2016. The following Qualified Persons have participated in the development of the PEA, or are responsible for specific inputs into the PEA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Qualified Person Company Responsibility ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gord Doerksen, JDS Energy & Mining Project Management, Economic P.Eng. Inc. Analysis, Costs, Infrastructure, Logistics, Mineral Processing ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dino Pilotto, P.Eng. JDS Energy & Mining Mine Plan, Production Schedule, Inc. Mine Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maritz Rykaart, SRK Consulting Water & Waste Rock Management P.Eng. (Canada) Inc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruce Murphy, FSAIMM SRK Consulting Geotechnical (Canada) Inc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Tom Nowicki, P. Mineral Services Resource Geology, Data Geo. Canada Inc. Verification, Mineral Resource Estimates ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Qualified Persons named above have reviewed this news release and have approved of its' contents. ABOUT PEREGRINE DIAMONDS Peregrine is a TSX listed diamond exploration and development company with assets located in northern Canada and Botswana. Peregrine's core asset is its' 100 percent-owned, 513,249 hectare Chidliak project, located 120 kilometres from Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut where 71 kimberlites have been discovered to date with eight being potentially economic. A Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") of a Phase One Diamond Development ("CP1D") has been completed. The PEA highlights that the CP1D represents a robust, high margin, ten-year, open-pit mining project with very attractive economics, including after tax NPV of C$471M, IRR of 29.8% and a two year payback. An Inferred Mineral Resource of 11.39 million carats in 4.64 million tonnes of kimberlite at an average grade of 2.45 carats per tonne has been defined for a portion of the CH-6 kimberlite. In addition, a Target for Further Exploration ("TFFE") of 2.34 to 3.75 million tonnes of kimberlite to a depth of 380 metres below surface has been identified at CH-6. An independent diamond valuation by WWW International Diamond Consultants, of a 1,013 carat parcel of diamonds from CH-6 returned an average market price of US$213 per carat and modeled prices that range from a minimum of US$162 per carat to a high of US$236 per carat, with a base model price of US$188 per carat (all using the February 24, 2014 price book). In February, 2016, WWW updated the CH-6 diamond valuation to reflect current market conditions, using a February 1, 2016 price book. The average market price was US$162 per carat and modeled prices ranged from a minimum of US$128 per carat to a high of US$189 per carat, with a base model price of US$149 per carat. An Inferred Mineral Resource of 4.23 million carats in 4.99 million tonnes of kimberlite at an average grade of 0.85 carats per tonne has been defined for a portion of the CH-7 kimberlite. In addition, TFFE of 0.90 to 2.36 million tonnes for a depth range of 240-320 metres has been estimated for the CH-7 kimberlite. An independent diamond valuation by WWW International Diamond Consultants of a 735.75 carat parcel of diamonds from CH-7 returned an average market price of US$100 per carat and modelled prices that ranged from a minimum of US$94 per carat to a high of US$155 per carat, with a base model price of US$114 per carat (all using the February 1, 2016 price book). A TFFE of 1.27 to 3.19 million tonnes to 250 metres depth has been estimated for the CH-44 kimberlite pipe. The Chidliak 2016 PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. There is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. The TFFE's identified above are conceptual in nature and are not Mineral Resources. It is uncertain whether further exploration will result in any of these tonnages being delineated as Mineral Resources. Peregrine holds eleven diamond prospecting licenses in Botswana that cover 661,330 hectares. Peregrine also controls the 8,493 hectare Lac de Gras project in the Northwest Territories, located approximately 27 kilometres from the Diavik Diamond Mine. The nine hectare 72.1%-owned DO-27 kimberlite, located at Lac de Gras, hosts an Indicated Mineral Resource of 18.2 million carats of diamonds in 19.5 million tonnes of kimberlite at a grade of 0.94 carats per tonne and it is open at depth. For information on data verification, exploration information and resource estimation procedures see the NI 43-101 technical report entitled "Mineral Resource Estimate for the Chidliak Project, Baffin Island, Nunavut", effective June 3, 2016, which is available on SEDAR and the Company's website. For information on mining infrastructure, mining techniques, capital and operational expense estimates, and economic parameters see the NI 43-101 technical report entitled "Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report on the Chidliak Project, Nunavut, Canada", effective July 7, 2016 which is available on SEDAR and the Company's website. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation, statements relating to proposed exploration and development programs, funding availability, anticipated exploration results, grade of diamonds and tonnage of material, resource estimates, anticipated diamond valuations and future exploration and operating plans are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions by the Company and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of diamonds, anticipated costs and ability to achieve goals. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: receipt of regulatory approvals; anticipated timelines for community consultations and the impact of those consultations on the regulatory approval process; market prices for rough diamonds and the potential impact on the Chidliak Project; and future exploration plans and objectives. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, uncertainties relating to availability and cost of funds, timing and content of work programs, results of exploration activities, interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, risks relating to variations in the diamond grade and kimberlite lithologies; variations in rates of recovery and breakage; estimates of grade and quality of diamonds, variations in diamond valuations and future diamond prices; the state of world diamond markets, reliability of mineral property titles, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, operational and infrastructure risk and other risks involved in the diamond exploration and development business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Contacts: Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. Mr. Eric Friedland Executive Chairman 604-408-8880 Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. Mr. Tom Peregoodoff President and CEO 604-408-8880 Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. Dr. Herman Grutter Vice President, Technical Services 604-408-8880 www.pdiam.com Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. Investor Relations 604-408-8880 investorrelations@pdiam.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- Condor Resources Inc. - ("Condor" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: CN) Further to the Company's news release of April 20, 2016 regarding the earn-in agreement with Compania Minera Casapalca S.A. ("Casapalca") on the Ocros project, Casapalca and Condor today received written confirmation of the granting of the Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental, or a "DIA", from the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines for the Ocros project. The DIA is the primary environmental permit, and allows for up to twentyfour drill holes. We would like to acknowledge the excellent work by Casapalca since concluding the Ocros earn-in agreement just four months ago. Subsequently, the local community approved a long term exploration and exploitation agreement (see our June 15, 2016 news release), and that community approval has led to the timely issuance of the DIA. Casapalca continue to impress, as a company that gets things done" stated Lyle Davis, President and CEO. Casapalca have commenced ground preparation at Ocros, and expect to mobilize a drill rig within a few weeks. Condor owns 85% of the Ocros copper project, where the historic Eldorado mine in the 1950s exploited a late phase, high grade copper sulphide vein, which was mined westward into wallrocks consisting of the potassic altered portion of a well mineralized porphyry copper system. To the best of the Company's knowledge, exploratory diamond drilling has never been completed on the copper porphyry system in the area of the adits. Systematic sampling of the old adits by the Company in 2014 and 2015 yielded greater than 0.55% copper over a horizontal length up to 326m on two separate levels. (see our July 7, 2015 news release). Casapalca may earn a 51% interest in the Ocros project by completing 6,000m of diamond drilling and making cash payments totalling US$250,000, over the next 3 years, with a further option to increase their interest at Ocros to 70% by completing an additional 4,000m of diamond drilling (or work equivalent), and by making a further payment of US$300,000. About Casapalca Casapalca is a significant private Peruvian mining company with more than 29 years of local experience, and extensive knowledge of underground mining. Its principal asset is the Americana mine, located in the historic Casapalca mining district, about 100 km east of Lima, where they are currently mining almost 1 km below the surface. Casapalca has been involved in the discovery and development of several mines and joint ventures in Peru. About Condor Condor is an explorer and project generator focused exclusively on Peru, and our objective is the discovery of a major new precious metals or base metals deposit. Project acquisition and development is managed by our Lima based exploration team. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Lyle Davis, President & Chief Executive Officer Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information: All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release relative to markets about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements even if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Contacts: Condor Resources Inc. 1-866-642-5707 info@condorresources.com www.condorresources.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Amid reports of the spread of the Zika virus in Miami Beach, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has called on Congress to return from recess to pass legislation providing funding to fight the virus. Reid released a statement Friday accusing Republican lawmakers of playing politics in the face of a mounting crisis. 'The spread of Zika is distressing, but it is not surprising,' Reid said. 'Public health officials warned this would happen and that's why Democrats demanded action months ago.' He added, 'But Republicans have irresponsibly decided that taking the longest summer vacation in 60 years is more important than a bipartisan response to Zika.' Reid claimed the public health crisis will only get worse if Republicans continue to refuse to work with Democrats on a bipartisan bill. A bill to provide $1.1 billion to fight the Zika virus failed to clear the Senate earlier this summer due to Democratic opposition related to the inclusion of so-called 'poison pills.' Reid accused Republicans of providing a goody bag for the fringes of the GOP despite the threat posed by the Zika virus. According to Politico, some Florida Republicans are also pressuring their leaders to reach an agreement on a Zika funding bill, no matter what it takes. 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. SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada The Government of Canada values the role of post-secondary institutions as they help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class. Today's $33.1-million investment at the University of Saskatchewan, the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research, and Carlton Trail College will do just that by fostering the training needed for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow. The funding was announced today by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by the Honourable Scott Moe, Saskatchewan's Minister of Advanced Education. The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation-one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. This investment exemplifies that vision in action and will help create the well-paying middle-class jobs of tomorrow. The University of Saskatchewan is receiving $32 million for three projects: -- $30.1 million for the construction of the university's new Collaborative Science Research Building, which will focus on projects that have potential clean-technology applications, such as the development of more efficient bio-based energy systems and better water purification techniques, the breeding of more drought-tolerant crops, and the development of more sustainable pest-control mechanisms; -- $1.09 million for renewing research space and improving energy efficiency at the university's St. Thomas More College; and -- $815,000 for building new infrastructure at the St. Peter's College campus for biomass production, harvesting and processing, which will act as a model for future green technology projects. The Government of Saskatchewan is providing an additional $250,000 for this project. The University of Saskatchewan and its federated college, St. Thomas More College, are contributing a total of $37.2 million in funding for the Collaborative Science Research Building and the project at St. Thomas More College. In addition, the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research will receive $880,000 for an expansion that will provide additional space for skills training and adult basic education to the community of La Loche. The Institute is providing an additional $100,000 for this project. Carlton Trail College has also been awarded $117,500 for renovations to its Punnichy facility so it can better meet the training needs of students in the area and help them meet future labour-market needs. The Government of Saskatchewan is also providing $117,500 for this project. In total, universities and colleges throughout Saskatchewan will receive close to $137 million from the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors. Federal funding will be allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities. As a result of these investments, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the country's best research. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces that support lifelong learning and skills training. They will work in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they will train for-and create-the high-value, middle-class jobs of the future. And their discoveries will plant the seeds for the next generation of innovators. That is how the Strategic Investment Fund will jump-start a virtuous circle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come. Quotes "This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic down payment on the government's vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into jobs and start-up companies into global successes. This investment will create conditions that are conducive to innovation and long-term growth, which will in turn keep the Canadian economy globally competitive." - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development "Investments like these in Saskatchewan will position Canada as a global leader in research excellence and innovation. Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are providing the next generation of Canadians with modern facilities where they can gain the training, the knowledge and the skills they will need to prosper." - The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness "Investments in the infrastructure of our post-secondary system help our students and support our economy, The projects being funded will generate direct economic activity in communities around Saskatchewan and improve the quality of facilities at the institutions for our students." - The Honourable Scott Moe, Saskatchewan's Minister of Advanced Education "This new infrastructure investment will advance exciting new collaborative research at the U of S that will help Canada address climate change and global challenges in food, water and energy security, while providing more than 600 construction jobs and $127 million in economic benefits for the country. Our colleagues at our federated and affiliated colleges are also grateful for the federal funding, which will enhance library research space at St. Thomas More College and create a regional hub for biomass research at St. Peter's College." - Dr. Peter Stoicheff, President, University of Saskatchewan "St. Peter's College greatly appreciates this outstanding support from the Government of Canada. With this innovative project, we will help create the next generation of professionals in the biomass industry. Through our partnership with industry and local and national governments, we can support better use of renewable resources, which is an important part of addressing climate change." - Al Hergott, Chair, St. Peter's College Board of Governors "The Government of Canada's timely investment in St. Thomas More College represents a substantial and lasting contribution to our scholarly community. While ensuring energy efficiency, this financial support is particularly crucial in enabling significant enhancement of our research capabilities that will benefit students and senior academics for decades to come." - Dr. Terrence Downey, President, St. Thomas More College "The Gabriel Dumont Institute has provided 445 adult basic education seats in La Loche since 2010. As a result of the federal funding, an improved and expanded GDI La Loche Centre will provide capacity for increased enrolment in employer-driven skills training programs, helping the Institute to fully meet its skills and training mandate in the community of La Loche." - Glenn Lafleur, Vice Chair, Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research "With the growing training demands of the Punnichy area, the need for additional classroom space was great. This funding is being used to purchase a former church and renovate it into a training centre that can accommodate the educational needs of our students now and in the future. We are grateful for the support we have received from the federal Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, the provincial Preventative and Maintenance Renewal Fund and our other training partners, which will allow us to continue to deliver exceptional education and training programs in the Punnichy area." - Dr. Ivan Yackel, President and CEO, Carlton Trail College Quick facts -- The Government of Canada is providing more than $63 million for research infrastructure at institutions across Saskatchewan. The University of Saskatchewan has been awarded $32 million for three projects, including one at St. Thomas More College and one at St. Peter's College. The Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research will receive $880,000, while Carlton Trail College has been awarded $117,500. -- The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada is globally competitive in promoting research, translating ideas into new products and services, accelerating business growth and propelling entrepreneurs from the start-up phase to international success. -- The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada's universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally. -- The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada's climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects. Associated links - Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund website - Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder - Innovation Agenda backgrounder Follow Minister Bains on social media. Twitter: @MinisterISED Instagram: ministerised Contacts: Philip Proulx Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development 343-291-2500 Media Relations Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 343-291-1777 ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) leader Joice Mujuru, who has come under intense attacks from Zanu-PF, has threatened to "expose" President Robert Mugabe and "revisionists" in her former party whom she accuses of trying to rewrite history.Mujuru has become a subject of Zanu-PF relentless attacks after she held joint rallies with MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai in Gweru last week.Yesterday, Mugabe's spokesperson George Charamba said Mujuru should zip up and stop provoking history by belittling the role that the veteran Zanu-PF leader played during the country's liberation struggle.This was after Mujuru claimed her late husband - Solomon "Rex Nhongo" Mujuru - catapulted Mugabe to the leadership of Zanu during the liberation struggle in Mozambique."The history of this country should not revolve around Mugabe, what Charamba and other apologists call history is not history at all," said Mujuru, in a statement issued on her behalf by the party's spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire."We have a lot of people who have done a lot for this country and need recognition; we are not saying Mugabe has not done anything because we are in the current status because of his misrule."He is responsible for all the bad things that have affected this country, Charamba wants to celebrate Mugabe's stay in Ghana, but the truth of the matter is that Mugabe's return from Ghana was far from glorious, he was not an ally of Kwame Nkrumah, he is a selfish leader, he was never a socialist," said Mawarire.In his autobiography, respected Zanu-PF elder Cephas Msipa, who accommodated Mugabe upon his return from Ghana in 1960, insinuates that the 92-year-old strongman, left the west African country under unclear and not-so-rosy circumstances."Mugabe supported the idea of a one-party State back then, but did not much about his personal experiences in Ghana. It was as if something had gone wrong while he was in Ghana, which he did not disclose," Msipa said in his book.Mujuru served as Mugabe's deputy for 10 years and was expelled from the ruling party in 2014 on untested allegations of trying to kill the nonagenarian.Mawarire said Mugabe should not be treated as super hero."He is not a trained soldier and he should not be treated as a superhero, if anything the history that Charamba wants to rewrite is something that was happening from where Charamba was, he himself should tell us whether he was part of (Abel) Muzorewa he cannot dispute Mujuru's account of history, how old was he in 1970," questioned Mawarire.On Monday, the State media launched a savage propaganda blitzkrieg against Mujuru and tried to soil the political legacy of her immensely-popular husband Rex - whom they blamed for working with Tsvangirai during his time in Zanu-PF.Rex, Zimbabwe's first black army commander, who was seen as a kingmaker within the warring Zanu-PF, and who is credited with playing a major role in catapulting Mugabe to the leadership of the ruling party in the mid 1970s, died in a mysterious fire at his Beatrice farmhouse, just outside Harare, in August 2011. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 19, 2016) - iCo Therapeutics (TSXV: ICO) (OTCQX: ICOTF) ("iCo" or "the Company"), today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. Amounts, unless specified otherwise, are expressed in Canadian dollars and presented under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). "Our second quarter results attest to the substantive conclusion of our reorganization, reducing the loss for the Q2 2016 period by roughly 74% relative to Q2 2015. We now estimate our runway to be extended to Q2 2018 based on the current burn rate with multiple milestones upcoming within that time horizon" stated Andrew Rae, President and CEO. Summary of Second Quarter 2016 Results iCo incurred a total comprehensive loss of $193,270 (loss per share of $0.00) for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to a total comprehensive loss of $738,607 (loss per share of $0.01) for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, representing a decrease in loss of $545,337. This increase is primarily a result of reduced operating costs related to the Company's reorganization announced on January 18, 2016 plus reduced research and development expenditures for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Research and development expenses were $88,966 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 compared to $176,049 for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, representing a decrease of $87,083. This increase was primarily the result of reduced activity during the Q2 2016 period related to the manufacturing scale up of our Oral Amp B Delivery System. For the quarter ended June 30, 2016 general and administrative expenses were $215,405 compared to $480,852 for the quarter ending June 30, 2015, representing a decrease of $265,447, primarily as a result of reduced operating costs subsequent to the Company's reorganization announced on January 18, 2016. Foreign exchange loss in for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $13,655 compared to foreign exchange loss of $67,494 for the same period in 2015, representing a decrease of $53,839. The changes for the period primarily reflect fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Canadian and U.S. dollar on iCo's cash balances. Liquidity and Outstanding Share Capital As at June 30, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $2,726,166 compared to $3,753,982 as at December 31, 2015. As at August 19, 2016, we had an unlimited number of authorized common shares with 84,457,713 common shares issued and outstanding. For complete financial results, please see our filings at www.sedar.com. The Company also announces that John Meekison has resigned as the Company's Chief Financial Officer to pursue other interests. He will continue in his role as a director. Michael Liggett, CPA, CA, Bsc. Pharm., has assumed the role of CFO effective immediately. Michael Liggett brings 30 years of experience in the health care sector. Michael was a practicing pharmacist for 7 years before obtaining his training and certification as a Chartered Accountant. After spending 7 years at Price Waterhouse Coopers (then Price Waterhouse), he joined Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in the capacity of Chief Financial Officer. He provided leadership through multiple financings and other strategic initiatives before successfully transitioning the company to establish its footprint in the forestry sector as Eacom Timber. His background includes over 19 years as a public company CFO with strategic and operational expertise and proven success in finance, M&A, strategic partnerships, restructurings, and risk management. BSc in Pharmaceutical sciences at the University of British Columbia. Chartered Accountant designation. "Mike brings a wealth of experience to the iCo team, possessing intimate knowledge of the biotechnology industry and strategic financial transactions. He has demonstrated value added leadership on multiple occasions, including the evolution of Inflazyme into Eacom. I also want to take the opportunity to thank John Meekison for his many years of service as CFO and co-founder of the corporation and I look forward to continuing working with John in the future" stated Andrew Rae, iCo Therapeutics co-founder, President and CEO. About iCo Therapeutics iCo Therapeutics in-licenses and redefines existing drug candidates or generics by employing reformulation and delivery technologies for new or expanded use indications. The Company holds worldwide rights to an oral drug delivery platform, with Oral Amphotericin B (Amp B) as the initial platform candidate, utilizing a known anti-fungal drug to treat life-threatening infectious diseases. iCo also has worldwide rights to two drug candidates: iCo-007 is a second generation antisense drug candidate targeting C-Raf kinase and iCo-008 is a monoclonal antibody targeting eotaxin-1. With Phase 2 clinical history, Bertilimumab (iCo-008) is a candidate for the treatment of vernal or atopic keratoconjunctivitis. iCo-008 is in Phase 2 clinical studies with iCo's partner, Immune Pharmaceuticals. iCo trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ICO" and the OTCQX under the symbol "ICOTF". For more information, visit the Company website at: www.icotherapeutics.com. No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the content of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulatory Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements included in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will," and similar references to future periods. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on iCo's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to iCo and relate to, among other things, anticipated financial performance, business prospects, strategies, regulatory developments, market acceptance and future commitments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to iCo and speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by iCo in its public securities filings and on its website, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. iCo disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Andrew Rae, CEO 778-772-7775 rae@icotherapeutics.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE: MEK) ("Metals Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the private placement previously announced on August 16, 2016 (the "Private Placement"), for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,370,000. The Private Placement consisted of the issuance of 13,700,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit (the "Units"). Each Unit consists of one (1) common share (the "Unit Shares") and one (1) common share purchase warrant (the "Warrants"). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.16 per common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issue. An aggregate of 13,700,000 Warrants were issued under the Private Placement. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company issued 1,061,200 finder's warrant entitling the holders to purchase one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.10 per share during the 36 months from the closing date. The Company also paid finder's fees and other commission equal to $106,120. The proceeds raised from the Units will be used for general corporate purposes. There is no material fact or material change about Metals Creek that has not been generally disclosed. All securities issued in the Placement are subject to a four month hold period. The Private Placement is subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. Retainer of Star Finance GmbH The Company is also pleased to announce that it has retained Star Finance GmbH ("Star Finance") to provide investor relations services. The contract is for a period of 12 months commencing on September 1, 2016. Under the terms of the contract, the Company will pay Star Finance $9,000 on a quarterly basis, reimburse Star Finance for certain pre-approved expenses, and is granting Star Finance options to purchase 400,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.16 per share vesting in stages over a period of twelve months from the date of grant. About Star Finance GmbH Star Finance GmbH is a Swiss company owned by Michael Adams, with offices in Steinhausen, Switzerland and Cologne, Germany that specializes in maximizing investor awareness for small- and microcap companies within the German-speaking financial community through the implementation of proactive communication strategies. Michael Adams has 15 years of experience working in the financial communications industry and has established a loyal and extensive network in the German-speaking investment community as well as long standing personal contacts to investment related media channels. About Metals Creek Resources Corp. Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has a 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF) that stretches between Timmins, Ontario and Val d'Or, Quebec. The Company has also entered into a JV with Benton Resources on Metals Creeks Staghorn Gold Project in Newfoundland. Metals Creek has also made a new gold/silver discovery in the "White Gold District" on the Squid East project in the Yukon and is engaged in the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of other mineral resource properties, and presently has mining interests in Ontario, Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador. Additional information concerning the Corporation is contained in documents filed by the Corporation with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.com. On Behalf Of the Board of Directors Metals Creek Resources Corp. Alexander Stares, President and CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Metals Creek Resources Corp. Alexander Stares President and CEO (709)-256-6060 (709)-256-6061 (FAX) astares@metalscreek.com www.MetalsCreek.com Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes Facebook.com/MetalsCreek TORONTO, ONTARIO and NUCLA, COLORADO -- (Marketwired) -- 08/19/16 -- Western Uranium Corporation (CSE: WUC)(OTCQX: WSTRF) ("Western" or the ("Company") is pleased to announce a closing of a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"), which was announced in a news release dated June 29, 2016, of 1,042,282 units (the "Units") for gross proceeds of US$1,367,871, which remains subject to final regulatory approval. The Company issued the Private Placement Units at a price of $1.70 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company ("Share") plus one (1) common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole such warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one Share at a price of Cdn$2.80 for a period of 5 years following the Closing Date of the Private Placement. The Warrants contain a provision that if the Company's shares trade at or above Cdn$4.25 per share for 15 consecutive trading days, the Company may, at any time after the expiry of the applicable statutory hold period, accelerate the expiration of the Warrants upon not less than 30 days' written notice by the Company. Securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement shall be subject to a six (6) month plus one (1) day statutory hold period for both Canadian resident investors and for United States investors. The Company may accept additional investors under the same offering terms through September 2, 2016. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement to pay the costs of the Company's acquisition of Black Range Minerals Limited, to fund the development of the Company's Ablation Technology, to fund mine production preparation and for working capital purposes. The securities offered and sold have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. About Western Uranium Corporation Western Uranium Corporation is a Colorado based uranium company focused on the near-term production of uranium and vanadium in the western United States. This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Contacts: Western Uranium Corporation George Glasier President and CEO Office: 970-864-2125 gglasier@western-uranium.com Western Uranium Corporation Michael Skutezky Chairman of the Board Office: 416-564-2870 mskutezky@western-uranium.com Arcadia Power, a Washington, D.C.-based clean energy company, raised $3.5m in funding. The round was led by BoxGroup and Wonder Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to expand its consumer energy options to include community solar and on-bill financing of energy efficient products like smart thermostats and LED lighting. Led by Kiran Bhatraju, co-founder and CEO, and Ryan Nesbitt, co-founder and President, Arcadia provides a direct-to-consumer software platform allows customers across 450+ utilities in all 50 states to manage home energy use. Customers link their utility account to Arcadia, which tracks usage and automatically matches it with renewable energy certificates from wind farms, certifying a clean power footprint. The Certified B-Corp. company offers automatic credit card payments, a personalized dashboard to track usage and impact, and rewards to partner companies. It currently serves nearly 10,000 customers. FinSMEs 19/08/2016 DevMynd, a Chicago and San Francisco-based digital innovation consulting company, received a Series A funding from Motorola Solutions Venture Capital. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The investment will allow DevMynd to expand its team, add new capabilities and enter new markets. It also will support access to strategy, design and custom software development services for Motorola Solutions and its customers. Led by JC Grubbs, CEO, DevMynd focuses on such areas as digital strategy, human-centered design, UI/UX, and custom mobile and web application development serving clients ranging from startups to Fortune 100 firms that are investing in design, digital transformation and innovation. FinSMEs 19/08/2016 Healthera Ltd, a UK-based provider of pharmacy-integrated personal health management solutions, secured a seed funding of undisclosed amount. Backers included the University of Cambridge, the University of Cambridge Enterprise Fund III, FT Capital and high net worth individuals. In conjunction with the funding, Cambridge Enterprise Investment Manager Tania Balsa joined the board of directors along with Martijn Veltmaat, a veteran CEO in the healthcare technology space. The company intends to use the funds to complete product development. Led by Quintus Liu, Chairman and CEO, and Martin Hao, Managing Director, Healthera provides pharmacy IT solutions to transfer and interpret complex medical instructions to patients, digital technology to cut costs and develop multiple additional revenue streams, enable patients to participate in managing their own medication and to supply their health care providers with real-world analytics In January 2016, the company launched a personal health management app available on the Apple app store. FinSMEs 19/08/2016 News / Press Release by Discent Collins Bajila - MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General The MDC YOUTH ASSEMBLY notes, with disappointment , a rising record of police intolerance to Zimbabweans exercising their rights to freedoms of speech, assembly and association. We note that over the past three months no less than 500 citizens have been beaten, arrested or both while exercising their constitutional rights. This figure adds to deaths on account of police brutality as recorded in Makokoba six weeks ago.As recent as Thursday 18 August 2016, MDC Youth Assembly Spokesperson Cde Brighton Makunike and other young people were arrested in Mashonaland East as they marched peacefully in solidarity with Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ)'s campaign for better working conditions for rural teachers. We condemn the arrest of Makunike and others. It is our contention that their demands are not only peaceful but legitimate and just.It is a matter of public knowledge that rural based civil servants suffer the most as they travel to their work stations on dilapidated roads and live on unclean and unsafe water and unreliable, hazardous sources of energy amongst other challenges. Rural workers deserve a better government with a devolved administration in order to be able to attend to the exclusive needs of each community and each sector.The MDC Youth Assembly further calls for1) the immediate release of Cde Makunike, RTUZ President Cde Obert Masaraure and fellow human rights defenders2) the release of Linda Musarara and all political detainees3) state compensation of Makokoba victims and survivors of police brutality4) the speeding up of bilateral and multilateral efforts towards the building of a united democratic opposition coalition to fight ZANU PF cannibalism from now until 2018 elections.The MDC Youth Assembly is committed towards peaceful multilateral cooperation with democratic, non-violent youth groups in fighting for a Fair and Just Zimbabwe where diversity of opinions is celebrated and not suppressed. When I was in law school I remember reading that the police could only hold you for 24 hours before they had to take you to a magistrate. I wondered what would happen if the policeman would release someone on the 23rd hour and arrest them again after 15 minutes. I was obviously being an overzealous first year at the time but today I realise that government intimidation often boils down to how the law is applied rather than the law itself. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of 2010 or the FCRA is a legislation that governs the receipt of foreign donations by Indian NGOs and Indian politicians. It is essentially a Foreign Exchange Control Legislation for NGOs. A law of this kind was first brought about by Indira Gandhi during the Emergency because there were fears of foreign NGOs being used to overthrow the government of India. The law though (like many other laws from the Emergency) stayed on the books until it was replaced in 2010. The new legislation is in some ways more liberal than the original one, in the sense that it provides a time limit within which applications for registration and permission are to be processed and that it allows NGOs receiving foreign money to have more than one bank account. To put it bluntly, the law prohibits politicians, sitting members of Parliament and the State Legislature, public servants and press in India from receiving foreign contributions. It also places restrictions on hospitality provided to these officials by foreigners, in particular, foreign governments. It also requires that organisations in India who receive foreign contributions, register themselves or seek prior permission from the Central government before these donations can be accepted. The Central government has broad powers in this aspect though. For example, it can exempt donations for a particular purpose from the FCRA as it did in the case of the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan. The goal of the FCRA is to track the source foreign money that comes into Indian NGOs, the purpose for which it comes and how it is being spent. For example, an Indian NGO receiving $100 for the express purpose of tree plantation will find it difficult to use the funds for feeding the poor. This way, the Central government can keep a tab on the flow of foreign money into India and make sure it doesn't go for any 'anti-national' purpose. Like the word 'anti-national', the law is vague and needlessly broad in the power it gives to the government, especially in terms of permission and registration. The FCRA gives the government broad powers to refuse registration or permission or even suspend the registration for or permission of NGOs if it satisfies myriad criteria. These include public interest, funds being used for benami purposes, reasons affecting national security and so on. It's not the law itself that's a problem. The FCRA has any legitimate uses, but it can also be a tool to intimidate and stifle NGOs in India that don't toe the government line when it comes to certain issues. This broad power though is why NGOs say the act is used to harass and intimidate them. The act creates a situation where an NGO that relies on foreign donations has its operations subject to the pleasure of the government of the day. At any point the government can invoke the Act and suspend the flow of money to the NGO concerned or the NGO can wake up one morning finding themselves facing sudden inspections. Organisations like Amnesty International have refused to apply for funding under the Act claiming that it is used to restrict freedom of expression. They only apply for permission on a case by case basis. The argument has only symbolic value though. If the government wants to intimidate a person (any person) there are many ways in which it can do so and it does so. For example, the police in Mumbai on some random evenings can suddenly be at a bar arresting people who blankly stare when asked for a permit. (Maharashtra is a prohibition state, you need a permit to drink) or paanwallas who suddenly find themselves being asked for shops and establishment registration (generally around Diwali). Most sound laws can eventually be used to intimidate a person. Especially laws like the FCRA which are very broad in scope. However, it's not the law itself that's a problem. The FCRA has many legitimate uses, like it can be used to prevent hate preachers from the Middle East preaching in India, or put a pause on missionary NGOs. But it can also be a tool to intimidate and stifle NGOs in India that don't toe the government line when it comes to certain issues. For NGOs in the area of the Environment and Human Rights (Indian or Foreign, Human Rights and Environmental NGOs worldwide find themselves on the wrong side of governments) though, laws like the FCRA present a draconian obstacle in discharging their functions literally putting them at the mercy of the government of the day. Greenpeace India was on the receiving end when the Congress government of the day invoked FCRA against the NGO because of its heightened protests against the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu. Now it's Amnesty's turn when it comes to Kashmir. The law is good and serves a very useful purpose. Its application though, is often whimsical and in most cases definitely has a clear political motive. The author is a lawyer and practices law in the Bombay High Court. Bengaluru: Police on Friday resorted to 'mild' lathicharge to disperse ABVP activists staging a protest in front of the Amnesty International India office here demanding arrest of those who allegedly raised anti-India slogans at an Amnesty event. Several ABVP activists were injured, with a girl student fainting in the commotion before she was rushed to a hospital, police said, adding they detained many activists during the crackdown on the protest. Additional Commissioner of Police Bengaluru East P Harishekaran said police had to disperse protesters as they tried to burn an effigy in a residential area. "With two bottles of petrol they tried to burn an effigy in front of Amnesty International here. We had in prior warned them against any effigy burning as it is a residential area and from the security point of view," he said. The protesters alleged that the police under the DCP's leadership behaved in an "inhuman" way and more than 10 ABVP activists were injured in the lathicharge. Calling their protest "peaceful", ABVP National General Secretary Vinay Bidre said, "We demanded that police vacate Amnesty staff who were recording our protest from their office. We told the police we won't cause any harm to them. We did not try to barge into their premises and tried to burn Amnesty's effigy, but police unnecessarily used force on us." He accused the Congress-led Karnataka government and police of protecting those involved in anti-national sloganeering. Stating that ABVP would continue its protest, Bidre claimed, "We will intensify our protest across the state after today's atrocity, we will show this government student power." As a precautionary step, police have asked Amnesty International India to keep its office in Bengaluru closed until the ABVP protest subsides, following which the organisation had asked its employees to work from other locations. Amnesty International had on Saturday organised the event as part of a campaign to seek justice for "victims of human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir, which took an ugly turn with heated exchanges and alleged raising of pro-Kashmir 'Independence' and anti-Army slogans. ABVP activists had submitted a CD containing video recording of the event after filing a complaint with police, who have registered an FIR against Amnesty International. IPC sections 142 (Being member of an unlawful assembly), 143 (whoever is a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) have been invoked against the organisation. Pasighat: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday said that the Chinese army had transgressed the border of Arunachal Pradesh on two occasions last month, but these could not be described as an incursion. "We cannot term it as an incursion, but transgression, as the Chinese army just crossed the perceived area along the Line of Actual Control," he told reporters here after inaugurating the Pasighat Advance Landing Ground (ALG) in the northeastern state. Rijiju said one incident was reported from Kibithu area in remote Anjaw district on 22 July and another at Thangsa in Tawang district during the month. He said when the matter was reported from Kibithu by ITBP, the Centre verified it and found that it was only an act of transgression. The ALG will allow fighter aircraft like Su 30 MKI to land and take off in a major fillip to India's military capabilities along its border with China. On government's efforts to match China's infrastructure development across the border, Rijiju said that the Centre had already started strengthening the infrastructure and the ALG at Pasighat was a major step in this direction. "We are not challenging or competing with any other country by strengthening our border infrastructure. We will have to build a robust infrastructure to strengthen our defence and whatever we have done is because India is an emerging power with capability. "So IAF should have operational bases in all the bordering states," he said, noting that the Centre attaches priority to the development of border infrastructure. Asked about the proposed ALG at Tawang, the minister said an area had been identified between Tawang and Lumla at an altitude of 11,000 feet and at that height, such a rugged terrain was very challenging. "We will have to see whether the site is feasible or otherwise we will have to look for an alternative place," he said. To a question about some leaders of insurgent outfits from the northeast taking shelter in Myanmar, Rijiju said that India has requested Myanmar to take action against the insurgent groups taking shelter in that country. "There are reports of some leaders of insurgent outfits from the northeast taking shelter in Myanmar and we are in constant talks with the government of that country requesting it to take action against them," the minister said. Why does India produce so few Islamic terrorists despite having a bigger Muslim population than most Muslim countries in the world, including our warmonger neighbour Pakistan? Thats a question often asked whenever terrorists claim innocent lives in the name of religion. The answer lies in the undying inner spirit of the majority of Indian Muslims and in the larger ideals of religious pluralism and their unflinching faith in the countrys secular fabric something which isnt easy to destruct by the self-proclaimed saviours of the 7th century religion Strong evidences for Indian Muslims displeasure against religious fundamentalists have manifested time and again. This time, it has come in the form of a fatwa issued by the influential Dargah Aala Hazrat seminary in UP against the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief and the alleged mastermind of Mumbai terror attacks, Hafiz Saeed. The fatwa mirrors the unrelenting spirit and anger of Indian Muslims against those who pursue violence in the name of misinterpreted Islam and teachings of the Prophet. Issuing the fatwa, the seminary described Saeed as anti-Islamic and asked Muslims to avoid listening to his speeches. "Saeed preaches terrorism and uses terror in the name of Islam and brings bad name to Muslims across the world," the fatwa added. More importantly, it is also a message to those hate preachers in the community who play with young minds, instilling the ideas of religious supremacy. Such ideas, which give birth to terrorists in young and innocent minds, have been the core reason of the ignominy the religion has nearly succumbed to in the modern era. A rise of liberal Muslims who weighs their patriotic feelings over that of religion is the biggest and probably the only feasible way to tackle the dreaded word of terrorism in India, and elsewhere. Lets look at the details of the fatwa issue by the Dargah Aala Hazrat seminary. According to reports, Mufti Mohammed Salim Noori, who is also the spokesperson of the seminary, justified the fatwa this way, "The ideology of Saeed is different from Islam. He, in a way, promotes people who have written few lines against the Prophet Mohammed. He is not a Muslim. It is forbidden to keep any form of ties with him, including greet, meet, have food with him and reading his namaz-e-janaza (prayer read during burial services) after his death," said Noori. There cant be stronger words against Saeed who spill innocent blood in the name of religion. Further, the fatwa says, Saeed is a promoter of terrorism and brings bad name to Islam and Muslims across the world. It is a sin for the common public to listen to his speeches and the community should not trust him. People should not consider him a Muslim and they should keep others away from Saeed and his ideology." Saeeds role in the Mumbai blasts and more recent attempts to destabilize the Indian authority in Kashmir Valley is well known. The JuD chief reportedly asked the Pakistan military to send its troops into Kashmir to teach India a lesson. At a rally in Lahore on Tuesday, Saeed said, This time the people in Kashmir are on the streets. This protest has become a mass movement. All groups in Kashmir have united. All the wings of the Hurriyat have become one. The Muttahida Jihad Council and all other groups have come on to the same platform. Those who have died in Kashmir, their deaths will not be in vain." Remember, these comments came not long after many lives ended as Kashmir Muslims and Indian forces attacked each other post the encounter of terrorist Burhan Wani. But Hafiz Saeed is only the symptom of the larger problem: The problem represented by the narrow minded, fundamentally flawed school of thought of Islam that propagate and practice terror and have followers across geographies, including in India. By discarding Saeed in the way of Islam (the same excuse Saeed uses to pursue violence), the Indian Muslims have replied him in a befitting manner. In the larger context, this fatwa is also a warning to the likes of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who have been allegedly inspiring young minds to take up arms allegedly justifying war and suicide bombing in the war against the enemies of Islam and cause confusion between the ideas of ones religious beliefs and the feelings of patriotism. In fact, there have already been protests from the Indian Muslim community against Naik, some of which have already demanded a ban on him. Investigative agencies, including the National Investigative Agency (NIA) too have reportedly found evidence that Naik has allegedly inspired over 50 terror suspects. Naik may or may not have links with terrorists. But, observations of investigative agencies show that speakers like him indeed pose a threat to the countrys secular atmosphere. The bottomline is this: One of the connotations of the word jihad is spiritual struggle within oneself against sin. Indian Muslims undying spirit is the biggest weapon in their jihad against terrorists and hate preachers. The fatwa against Hafiz Saeed is yet another proof of that fact. The message was loud and clear: The Army is family, our soldiers are our brothers too. There was Textile Minister Smriti Irani tying a rakhi on her jawan brothers in Siachen. Six other female ministers of the Narendra Modi government also spent Raksha Bandhan holding the hands of soldiers in various encampments. It is all of a piece, the hardline on Kashmir, the strong words to Pakistan, the insistence on the Armed Forces Special Protection Act (Afspa), the sweets to our fighters. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad's (AVBP) determination to teach respect for our armed forces, if necessary by force, fits well into this pattern too. While the ministers busied themselves to garland their brothers in arms, the BJPs student wing took out demonstrations in various parts of Karnataka to protest what they saw was the denigration of the Indian Army in Bengaluru by Amnesty International India. Sedition charge levelled at this human rights body the day before was apparently not enough. A political campaign had to follow. Amnestys fault was it had organised a symposium on failures in accountability for human rights violations by security force personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, where a few Kashmiri families affected by these depredations related their heartrending tales and a few Kashmiri students raised slogans of azadi. To the AVBP, this amounted to trying to project the Indian Army, which was trying to curb terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, in a bad light, and that meant the organisers had indulged in anti-national activities. This is not the first time the AVBP has come out in defence of our armed forces. Those momentous events in Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) earlier this year had at its root the AVBPs objection to anti-national slogans that, they felt, not only threatened the countrys unity but also belittled the sacrifices made by the Army. It even organised, An evening in memory of the martyrs on the JNU campus on 24 February, where former Army officers contrasted the sacrifices made by soldiers to protect Indias geographical integrity with the calls for the dismemberment of the country allegedly made by unidentified sloganeers on the campus on 9 February. Words that were echoed by many BJP ministers and leaders. Evidently, nationalism equals Army worship in the BJPs lexicon. Yet, for all the talk of honouring the sacrifices made by our military men, as a nation we have learned to successfully separate the warrior from the war. We do not really feel the pain of 36-year-old Havildar Hangpan Dadas young wife and two kids who lost him at Kupwara last 27 May nor the pride when he was awarded the Ashok Chakra on 14 August for his bravery in warding off terrorists trying to sneak in across the Line of Control at the cost of his life. In fact, 82 Gallantry Awards were handed out by the President this Independence Day eve, something he does every year, but how many even noticed, leave alone applaud? Nor, despite all the vociferous condemnation of anyone expressing any reservation about the actions of the Indian Army in Kashmir, the North East, wherever, is the Army a desired career option for our best and the brightest. Rather, irony of ironies, in a land brimming with nationalistic fervour, the Indian Army is critically short-staffed, desperately seeking men (some women too) to fill yawning gaps, especially in the Army and the Navy. The Army is grappling with the maximum shortage of 73,042 personnel, including 10,218 officers, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed the Lok Sabha on 13 August, through a written reply. The major reasons for the shortfall, he explained, were increases in authorised strength due to new accretions of posts from time to time, availability of other attractive career avenues, stringent selection criteria coupled with perceived high degree of risk. In short, patriotism may be running high in the country but not high enough for flag-wavers to forego lucrative careers that do not explicitly ask its workforce to make the ultimate sacrifice. The desh-bhakts default reaction to military service is hero worship but from a safe distance. Young jingoists with better things to do are happy to leave the fighting and dying to those with lesser opportunities in life while they stick to cheering from the sidelines in their spare time. But, surely, the truest form of patriotism is serving, not making others serve. To add insult to injury, even those who are joining the Indian Army are jumping ship before time. The Times of India report dated 14 August said, The number of officers who opted to hang up their boots before reaching the age of superannuation has gone up in all the three services this year. Yet again, pay, perks and hardship are the reasons for the disenchantment it is said. Undoubtedly, now is the time for all patriots to come to the aid of the Army, especially given the Modi governments deafening sabre rattling in recent days. Then their nationalistic outpourings wouldnt smack of political expediency, and the politics of war would be shaped by the blood, sweat and tears that would be expended by the defenders of the faith on the front lines. So, shouldnt the BJP, the ABVP and other constituents of the Sangh Parivar walk their talk, go beyond words and express their ardour for the Army in more concrete forms? Like, say, enlisting immediately and replacing face-offs on streets and campuses to facing fire at the front. That is, graduate from gau-rakshaks to desh-rakshaks? The nation wants to know. On Wednesday evening, Shabir Ahmad Mungoo, a resident of Shar-e-Shali village in the saffron-rich Khrew area of South Kashmirs Pulwama district, was discussing his 15-month-old sons health with his father, when the Indian Army barged into their house and starting beating him. We had just finished dinner and were sitting in his (Ahmads) room. All of a sudden there was noise outside and the army entered our house. They dragged my son out and started beating him mercilessly. We tried to stop soldiers, but they kicked us and whisked him away, said Wali Muhammad Mungoo, father of the slain Ahmad. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, protesters had pelted stones at army vehicles earlier in the day, and a scuffle had broken out. Wali said the soldiers were carrying knives, iron rods and axes and unleashed a reign of terror. Ahmad, 30, was a college lecture he had been teaching as an ad hoc lecturer for the past four years in the nearby college. His father said he was dragged out of the house by solders of the armys 50 Rashtriya Rifles, who also looted saffron worth Rs 30 lakh from the homes of locals, alleged the residents. They said that Ahmad was beaten to death by the army in a nocturnal raid, while dozens others received injures. The army threw iron rods at the high-tension lines and the electricity went out in the entire area. They then started entering every house and beating up everyone who came in their way, Wali said. Residents said the army took four people, including the sarpanch Abdul Ahad Sheikh and Ahmad, along. On Thursday morning, the dead body of Ahmad was handed over to the family by hospital authorities. Lieutenant-General Satish K Dua, Chinar Corps commander, told reporters in Srinagar on Thursday that the death of Ahmad was regrettable, but also said that it was a joint patrol. Last night's incident is regrettable. It was during a joint patrol that the death took place. But I assure you, we will investigate the incident," said the Chinar Corps commander. However, the police said it was not part of the patrol and refuse to hand over the body of Ahmad to his family after the army asked for it. The police sought details about Ahmads death that the Army refused to divulge. The soldiers later managed the ambulance that ferried Ahmads body to his home. After being taken away along with two other men, Ahmad was taken to an army camp in Pampore, where two other men from his village were already present. Abdul Ahad Sheikh, who was also taken to the army camp, said Ahmad was not able to stand on his feet as he had been beaten badly, and was continuously vomiting. When the army handed over four people, including Sheikh to the Pampore police station, the police refused to take custody of Ahmad and others as they were badly injured. Minutes later, Ahmad asked for a glass of water. He drank some water and fell down, and collapsed. We could feel he had breathed his last, Sheikh said. The body of Shabir was taken to the Sub-District Hospital, Pampore where doctors declared him 'dead-on-arrival'. Doctors at the hospital said he died of cardiac arrest caused by intense beating. National Conference leader Yawar Masoodi said the forces comprising the army, CRPF and SOG cordoned the village Shar-e-Shali at around 10 pm when the residents were asleep and beat them up mercilessly till 2 am. The forces after breaking open the doors and windows entered residential houses and attacked men, women and children. In the crackdown, scores of people were injured and property worth lakhs was damaged," Masoodi said. At least 200 houses were damaged while 100 people were beaten to a pulp. We have never seen such atrocities of the army before. It seemed the soldiers were drunk, another resident, said. On the hospital bed inside Srinagars SMHS hospital, Fayaz Ahmad Mirs body is completely bruised. His face is the only part of his body that doesnt have bruises and cuts. They were drunk and shouting azadi slogans, Mir said, while referring to soldiers who, when they came to the village, first starting shouted slogans and when people tried to find out what was happening, they entered homes and beat them up. While holding Ahmads 15-month-old son, Nouman, in his lap on Thursday inside his house, Wali said this was the second tragedy he has had to face in two years after losing his wife in 2014. She was hit by an army vehicle in the Lethpora area, on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, after which she died. I am old man now and I dont know how to take care of Ahmad's wife and this child now, Wali added. Awanitipora superintendent of police, Zahid Malik, said as per his reports, people pelted stones at army vehicles and a scuffle broke out. Some people were later arrested. Four people were injured and one of them died, he said. News / Regional by Staff reporter A BULAWAYO resident has sued Registrar-General of Births and Deaths, Tobaiwa Mudede for refusing to issue him with a new birth certificate bearing a new first name.Bayanai Tshuma, represented by Job Sibanda, filed a High Court application yesterday, citing Mudede as the sole respondent.He wants to change from Bayanai to Norman."I have attended over the last few years to the provincial registrar's offices in Bulawayo in an effort to apply for change of forename," he submitted in his founding affidavit.Tshuma said he went to the same office three times and was advised that the change of forename will only be possible if he engaged the services of the lawyer, which he later did.He submitted that his lawyer then wrote on April 5, 2013 to the Registrar General's Office indicating that according to section 18(2)(a) of the Births and Deaths Registrations Act, it is provided that the registrar may alter a person's forename without executing a notarial deed of change of name.Tshuma said the lawyers asked the Registrar General's Office to assist him. He submitted that instead, officials advised him against changing his first name at the age of 50 years, saying that would cause a lot of inconvenience, as his properties were registered under the old name."I submit that the respondent and his office are mistaken in their interpretation of the law," Tshuma submitted.He said some time in 2013, he obtained a High Court order compelling Mudede to issue him with an amended birth certificate and when he went to the Bulawayo registry offices, he was attended by a lady, who advised him she would send his file to Harare for amendments to be made.When he later visited the offices, he was told that Mudede had refused to make the amendments."I am advised that the registrar said I am too old to change name. I, therefore, seek an order compelling the respondent to issue me, upon payment of the statutory fee and lodging the appropriate form, with a new birth certificate reflecting my new forename," Tshuma said.Tshuma was born on January 7, 1963 at Mpilo Hospital and got registered at the Bulawayo registry offices on November 22, 1969 under the name Bayanai. Mudede is yet to respond to the application. India's most famous tiger, fondly known as 'Machli', photographed by hundreds and loved by thousands, breathed her last on Thursday afternoon at The Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan Aged 19, Machli, often touted as 'The queen of Ranthambore', had been sick for the past few weeks and had stopped eating, as reported by Economic Times. The longest surviving tiger of Ranthambore, the ageing Machli, had been slowing down and had lost her teeth. As per the reports, she was found starving and laying down on her side in a bamboo patch near the boundary of the park. Even as wildlife specialists and veterinary doctors monitored her situation, there was not much they could do to help. "We were trying to provide her treatment but she died. It was a natural death linked to her age," Ranthambore tiger project director Yogesh Kumar Sahu. The cremation for Machli would be carried out in a proper way because, as she was known not just for being a legend, but also the godmother of the entire forest. All guides and forest staff want a proper cremation for her just like we would do for any other family member, Hemraj Meena, guide and naturalist at Ranthambore was quoted saying to DNA. Machali had crossed the average life span of Endangered Royal Bengal tigers who live on average for 10 to 15 years. Her death made national headlines in India, while saddened fans took to social media to pay their respects to the "lady of the lake" and the "queen of Ranthambore". #RIPMachli:Oldest tiger in wild passes away, Ranthambore will miss her A prayer for Machli https://t.co/2sMZ5g4zhI pic.twitter.com/xkDiR9pmdD Vidya Deshpande (@vidyadee) August 18, 2016 #Rajasthan govt to offer ceremonial last rites to #Machli . The oldest living tiger in the wild passed west this morning. She was 19 sid (@sidsbose) August 18, 2016 19 year old #Machli finally succumbed to old age ending her #love affair with #Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. A #Legendary tigress she has been! Kamalika Basu (@KamalikaBasu) August 18, 2016 India's grand old and much loved tigress Machli dies at age 20. She was the Queen of hearts. https://t.co/SmNAcDmKVM viva kermani (@vivakermani) August 18, 2016 Featured in wildlife documentaries, she was once filmed successfully battling a four-metre (14-foot) long crocodile, according to the park's website. Machli, the Hindi word for fish because of shaped markings on her face, also had 11 cubs over the years whose offspring make up almost half the park's tiger population. She had added $10 million a year to Ranthambores income for the past 10 years, as reported by The Deccan Chronicle. Her death comes as a massive search continues for another much-loved tiger in the western state of Maharashtra who disappeared from a wildlife sanctuary in April. India is home to more than half of the world's tiger population with some 2,226 of the animals roaming its reserves, according to the last count in 2014. With inputs from agencies. A fire broke out in a building on Bandra's Linking Road on Friday. Reports suggest that the fire broke out on the sixth floor of Kimaya Showroom. Fire fighters rushed to the spot with six water tankers and doused the fire, according to ANI. According to CNN-News18, it was a level-3 fire. No casualties have been reported so far. Fire which broke out in a building on Linking Road, Mumbai has now been dowsed. pic.twitter.com/pO7s9BNFvN ANI (@ANI_news) August 19, 2016 According to reports, the fire brought traffic to a stand-still in the area. Various Twitter users took video of the fire and put it up online. The showroom is situated in the building opposite National College in Bandra West. Ghaziabad: At least two people who were involved in an attack on Bharatiya Janata Party leader Brijpal Teotia on 11 August, were arrested by the police here on Friday. Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police KS Emmanuel said the two identified as Abhisekh, 22, and Gaurav, 20 admitted to their crime. Emmanuel said Abhishek had studied for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course from IMS Ghaziabad while Gaurav was a matriculate. Abhishek, along with another accused Pahalwan, carried a bag containing an AK-47 and four pistols, which he dumped in his three-wheeler after the attack, and escaped. The other accused who were in another vehicle with Gaurav, were being tracked, the official said. The Uttar Pradesh Police had on Wednesday announced it had solved the case following the arrest of four shooters involved in the shooting. Police said the four shooters were hired by two cousins from Teotia's native village to avenge a family member's killing 17 years ago. Inspector General of Police Meerut Zone Sujeet Pandey told the media here that main conspirators Manish and Manoj, both cousins, hailed from Teotia's native village Mahrauli under Kavi Nagar Police Station of Ghaziabad. Both had hatched the conspiracy to avenge the murder of Manish's father Suresh Diwan, a Delhi Police Constable killed in 1999 in Shakarpur in Delhi. The Mumbai Police have come up with a 71-page report on the Salafist Islamist televangelist Zakir Naik and his unlawful activities. It was not least expected. However, what is worth deliberating is the serious concerns of the police over the kind of education imparted to students at the Mumbai-based Islamic International School (IIS), founded and conceptualised by Zakir Naik. Besides IIS, there are also various Islamic schools in the country which explicitly and proudly claim to be inspired by Naik, even though they are not conceived, planned, and developed by Zakir Naik like the one in Mazagaon in Mumbai. The IIS states in its website that it aims at upbringing students personifying the profound spirit, vision and skills true and able Muslims must have, to be Generation Next leaders as well as future torch bearers to all the people of the world. Apart from Zakir Naiks Islamic school, if we take a look at an emerging trend in the Muslim education in India, we find that the modern Islamic schools are booming and mushrooming like a profitable business in various metropolitan cities in India today. Regardless of the political economy of these educational institutions, their promising appeal has captivated the countrys English-speaking, middle-class and influential segment of the Muslim community. A New Delhi-based journalist, Gagandeep Kaur, did a story on the kind of education provided by Indias Islamic schools and how different it is from the conventional education imparted by a regular school. She writes: These schools can be described as a cross between a traditional madrassa [an Islamic religious school] and a regular school. The students study a combination of both the religious as well as regular subjects.. The rising appeal of Islamic schools points to a gap in the education system. While madrassas focused only on Islamic education, the community felt that regular education was also unable to inculcate moral values in children. There is no doubt that most Muslim parents want their children to be anchored in both the religious as well as regular or modern secular education. And this is precisely why they tend to get them enrolled in an Islamic school or what is also called Islamic Montessori. This is something that Muslim children are deprived of in the traditional madrassas which teach an age-old Islamic curriculum called Dars-e-Nizami compiled by Mullah Nizamuddin Sahalwi, who taught at the Firangi Mahal, the most prominent madrassa in Lucknow. But the leading Indian madrassas like Darul Uloom Deoband have shown reluctance over the years in incorporating modern subjects and the western methods of teaching. Prominent historian, Professor Habib, has rightly pointed out in his interview with Gagandeep Kaur that unless the curriculum [of madrassas] is revised and upgraded and structural and radical changes are brought about, madrassa education will not become relevant in terms of employment opportunities available today. That is a huge task and whenever there is talk about including madrassas in the modern education [system], there is a reaction from the people who run madrassas. Since an overwhelming number of madrassas in every part of the country have been reluctant to modernisation, they lost their appeal to the educated and well-to-do Muslim families. Thus, they were on the lookout for a sophisticated environment of both religious and secular learning which the modern Islamic schools have offered. But the recent report that reveals Zakir Naik's Islamic International School as an educational institution 'brainwashing students has come as a horror to scores of Muslim parents whose children are taught in the Islamic International School or its branches or in the similar Slafism-inspired Islamic schools around the country. According to Mumbai Mirror, a report submitted by the Mumbai Police to the Chief Minister's office and the home ministry said, There was enough material in the syllabus to indicate that the school was not only brainwashing students into rejecting other faiths but also urged them to convert people to Islam. Notably, the investigation into Zakir Naiks institution, IIS, initiated after a number of the Indian journalists and media persons raised this issue. As per this article in Firstpost, If the Indian government has identified Naiks speeches both, through the TV and outside, as a threat to religious harmony and to countrys secular fabric, caution is also warranted on the operations of a school, conceptualised and run by Naik in Mumbai. Apparently, what the writer of the Firstpost article suggested is now corroborated by the Mumbai Police report that has raised "serious concerns" over the nature of education imparted to the students of IIS. A senior police officer went to the extent of stating that, "Some of the school's literature, which is also available on its website, is highly controversial and objectionable, and could produce indoctrinated individuals." The police have found that the IIS's curriculum, which has the potential to indoctrinate individuals, is the same Salafi literature being taught in a large number of the Indian Islamic schools in the name of Islamic studies. Originated in the Gulf countries, the Salafism-inspired modern Islamic schools first expanded in the Western and European cities. Translated from Arabic into English, a large corpus of their Islamic curricula contain whatever was written by the modern Wahhabi ideologues like Shaikh Abdullah bin Baaz, Ibn Usaimin, Saleh al-Fawzan and Nasiruddin al-Albani. These scholars have dismissed all progressive interpretations and cultural practices of Islam as completely deviance from the Islamic Sharia. They propounded that "modernisation" or innovations (called Bidah in Islamic terminology) are the genesis of the moral and religious decline of the Muslim world. An Arabic article titled : (the Salafi curriculums teachings: religious extremism without organisational structures) has noted that, they [Salafist ideologues] completely reject the modern interpretations of Islamic law, the spiritually-inclined Sufi orders as well as the Shiite denomination of Islam. It further says: the vast majority of Salafis still remain true to the teachings of the Saudi theologian Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen, who was a member of the Senior Scholars Committee of Saudi Arabia. He issued the famous fatwa that stated: "Whoever launches a terrorist suicide attack will spend all his eternal life in hell." Deplorably enough, Naik has also quoted some of the Salafi scholars who permit suicide attack as a war tactic. Given Naiks avowed allegiance to the puritanical Salafism, it is not difficult to find what kind of Islamic curriculum is taught in the schools conceived or inspired by him. However, greater caution is warranted on the interaction of these schools students with the modern Salafist ideologues. The IIS's website itself reveals that, students get to interact with world-famous Islamic luminaries like: Shaikh Saud Ash Shuraim (eminent Imam of Masjid Al Haram, Makkah Al Mukarramah), Shaikh Salaah Al Budair (eminent Imam of Masjid Al Nabawi, Madinah Al Munawwarah), Dr. Hussain Hamed Hasan (renowned internationally as the father of Islamic Banking) and world acclaimed Daees [preachers] of Islam like Abdur Raheem Green (UK), Yassir Fazaga (USA), Hussain Yee (Malaysia), Salem Al Aamry (UAE), Assim Al Hakeem (Saudi Arabia), Yusuf Estes (USA) and many others. It should be noted that some of these Salafist scholars, like Zakir Naik himself, have justified suicide bombing as a war tactic, death penalty of apostasy, sex slavery, child marriage and destruction of cultural and religious structures. These are highly lethal opinions of the Salafi clergy that the parents of the students in these Islamic schools are unaware of. One can imagine the easy indoctrination of the innocent children if they are put in the close and personal interactions with these preachers of Salafism. It is clearly stated It is clearly stated in the schools website: These close and personal interactions; open question and answer sessions and discussions profoundly impress on the students, their apt grasping and understanding of Islam and related issues in contemporary context. The students also get to experience firsthand and learn from the proper attitude and presentation skills of these greatly respected Islamic personalities, scholars and Daees during their interactions with them at close quarters. The IIS website also states under the category of Islamic education that students are taught by the best available and dedicated teachers, who are graduates, post graduates and PhDs from the leading Islamic universities and institutions of the world, including Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. It is a common knowledge that Madina University is the worlds largest Saudi-Salafi Islamic institution which was established particularly for foreign Muslims. One of the above-mentioned key Salafist ideologues, Shaikh Nasiruddin al-Albani, who is little known in India, was appointed as the chief Islamic teacher at Madina University. Among the Islamic subjects which are taught to the students of IIS are Tarjamatul Quran (translation of the Quran), Hadith (Prophetic sayings), Tawheed (Islamic monotheism). Regrettably, these are the Islamic sources that have been brazenly misinterpreted by Zakir Naik in exclusivist, misogynist, male-chauvinistic and religiously inflammatory statements, as this Firstpost article points out in detail. The author is a scholar of Comparative Religion, Classical Arabic and Islamic sciences, cultural analyst and researcher in Media and Communication Studies. Write to him at grdehlavi@gmail.com New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday met Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi who is visiting India as special envoy following the installation of a new government earlier this month in the Himalayan nation. First visitor from the new Government in Nepal! EAM meets Special Envoy and Deputy PM Bimalendra Nidhi in Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. This is the first high-level visit from Nepal to India after the formation of the new government in Nepal under Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda'. In his weekly media briefing here on Thursday, Swarup said Nidhi's visit would provide an opportunity to understand the priorities of the new government, and to discuss ways in which India's multi-faceted ties with Nepal could be strengthened. After coming to power earlier this month, the new Maoist-led government in the Himalayan nation has said that it wanted to further strengthen bilateral relations with both India. While Nidhi, who is also Nepal's Minister for Home Affairs, has been deputed to visit India as Special Envoy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Krishna Bahadur Mahara of Prachanda's Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre), visited Beijing in a similar role earlier this week. Nidhi, who is on a four-day official visit to India, is expected to hand over an invitation from Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee as Kathmandu wants to ensure Mukherjee's visit to Nepal on the first anniversary of the promulgation of the Himalayan nation's constitution in September. He will also meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Earlier on Friday, Nidhi also met Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who hosted a luncheon meeting. He also attended a programme on natural disasters organised by the National Disaster Management Authority of India. Opinion / Columnist The Bulawayo province of ZAPU is gearing itself for the historic 8th ZAPU Congress. It is indeed historic in the sense that it is being held after numerous inhibitive hurdles that have been bedevilling the party as a whole. As a party of the people, by the people and for the people, ZAPU has not been a favourable ground for donations from outside its membership. Its members have had to pay for everything from their own meagre resources despite the fact that the majority of the people of Zimbabwe hardly have any income! The whole country is reeling under a serious economic demise as a result of state sponsored corruption for decades, general political repression and the heinous politics of patronage within the ruling party.It is difficult to expect struggling men and women from anywhere in Zimbabwe to find money to donate for a political party congress, and yet ZAPU supporters regardless of the difficulties they encounter every day are doing exactly that. As expressed by Comrade Baron Tshuma, "I had to take some money for my children's food. This congress must never fail." It is a sacrifice.Secondly the congress is historic in that it is a congress of a party of genocide survivors. These are indeed survivors physically and politically. The party was meant to be politically exterminated because this is the party of direct victims and survivors of the Gukurahundi genocide beginning with its leader Doctor Dumiso Dabengwa. After close to a decade of an armed onslaught, torture, brutal murders, kidnapping of party members and all sorts of blackmail, lies, tribal motivated hatred, that the party can still come back and convince whatever number of people must be a miracle.Added to this is the forced submission to ZanuPF with all its anti the people policies in 1987. The people outside the bribery machinery of ZanuPF hate that party with all its links of any kind. ZAPU members who left ZanuPF in 2010 had already been terribly smeared by the murderous Robert Mugabe led party. It is a mammoth task to convince the younger generation that the submission to ZanuPF by the late ZAPU President Joshua Nkomo was a desperate move to save lives and a refusal to be used by the real enemies of Zimbabwe as they were doing with UNITA of Angola and Renamo of Mozambique at that time. Comrade Mafukufuku, Joshua Nkomo, the commander in Chief of ZIPRA Forces was a rare African breed of an extremely high revolutionary consciousness gifted with a profound sense of patriotism!ZAPU's Bulawayo Province goes to this historic congress in a hyper-political environment where the citizens live daily with the effects of clear economic rejection and marginalisation by the ruling party and its leadership. Only earlier this week just all Bulawayo based security guards at Choppies a company belonging to Vice President Mphoko were dismissed summarily and replaced by a group from Harare. Just because the leadership of ZAPU is from Bulawayo it is labelled by even some opposition parties as a tribal party. Any attempt to argue and correct such blatant undemocratic behaviour by Mr. Mphoko's company is dismissed as tribalism. The majority of the people are therefore denied the opportunity to see reason. On the other hand the people on the ground want a party that is sensitive to their situation. Ignoring their plight renders any party irrelevant.With no massive resources to host large numbers or hire renowned musicians for luxury and fun during its congress, ZAPU takes pride in that it is for the people and with the people. This will be a people's congress indeed and the Bulawayo Province is playing its role with all the enthusiasm. There is a hive of activity at the party offices and there will be a roadshow at the week end.By Mkhululi Zulu. (Bulawayo Province Secretary for Information & Publicity). US Secretary of State John Kerry called up Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah in a bid to douse the simmering tension between the two Afghan leaders and save the Unity government formed as a result of his intervention and mediation two years ago. "The Secretary spoke with both President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah just this morning about the importance of continuing to move forward with the political and economic reforms that they're trying to enact and that all those reforms," State Department spokesman John Kirby said. "We understand that they are hard to come by, will be key to try to get to that kind of future in Afghanistan," Kirby told reporters amidst reports of sharp differences between Ghani and Abdullah. Last week, Abdullah lashed out at Ghani saying that the latter was unfit for the office he holds. Ghani and Abdullah came to power two years ago after a deal for a Unity government was hammered by Kerry following a disputed election in 2014. Kerry made several trips to Afghanistan but spent quite amount of his time and energy in negotiating the agreement between Ghani and Abdullah, in the absence of which many fear the country would have collapsed into chaos. The differences between Abdullah and Ghani coming out in open might have an adverse impact on Afghanistan. The State Department says it wants the government to continue to complete its full term of five years. However, a State Department official conceded they were not fully confident given the sharp exchange of words between the two camps of the Afghan government. In a speech last Thursday, Abdullah said Ghani was unfit to govern the country because he has failed to work collaboratively and implement pledges of introducing electoral reforms. "You don't have time to see your chief executive one-on-one for even an hour or two over a period of three months," Abdullah said. "Unfortunately, statements made by his excellency Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday were in contradiction to the spirit and morale of the governance," said a spokesman of Ghani a day after. Kerry's phone call to Ghani and Abdullah is seen in this context. The State Department did not say if the calls were made separately or he talked to them in a conference call. United Nations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday highlighted the vital role of science and technology in promoting peace and development, while calling on the international community to harness the power of science for the greater good. "Science and technology have crucial roles to play in promoting progress and peace from climate change to public health; from food security to sanitation; from disarmament to disaster preparedness," reported Xinhua citing Ban in his message for the International Week of Science and Peace. "Ours is the first generation with the knowledge and the tools to end extreme poverty. Ours is the generation that must and can, with the technologies already at our disposal forge a path towards a sustainable future," he said. The International Week seeks to generate greater awareness of the relationship of science and peace among the general public, and encourage academic discussions on the issue. The General Assembly adopted a resolution 25 years ago, which proclaims the International Week of Science and Peace to take place each year during the week in which November 11 falls. "One key challenge is to promote 'pro-poor' research that addresses the needs of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, such as small-scale farmers," Ban said. "Other imperatives include closing the digital divide in access to information technology and expanding education to better train young people for jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math." The UN chief said the international community also has the responsibility to protect all mankind against the destructive uses of scientific achievement and capacity, most notably by working for a nuclear-weapon-free world and to contain the spread of other weapons of mass destruction. IANS The Assembly of Governors of the Association of African Central Bank Governors (AACB) on Friday elected the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele as the President of the ACCB for the 2016 2017 year. The 39th Ordinary meeting of the Assembly ended in Abuja today. Elected, alongside Mr. Emefiele, to run the affairs of the Bureau for the period are the Governor of the Bank of Ghana as chairman of the West African sub-region; Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania, Chairman of the North African sub-region; and the Governor of the Bank of Central African States, Chairman of the Central African Sub-region. Also elected were the Governor, Banque de la Republique du Burundi as Chairman of the East African Sub-region and Governor of the Central Bank of the Kingdom of Swaziland as Chairman of the Southern African Sub-region. Reading the communique at the end of the meeting of Governors, the new AACB President, Mr. Emefiele disclosed that the nomination for the Vice Chairman of the AACB, which is zoned to the South African Sub-region, would be made known in due course. The Assembly of Governors also chose: Prospects for monetary integration in Africa: Lessons learned from the experience of monetary and financial integration of Europe, as theme for the 2017 symposium. According to the communique, the meeting noted that the unwinding of unconventional monetary policy measures, adopted during the financial crisis by the United States Federal Reserve and central banks of developed countries, could have a negative impact on African countries due to the interconnectedness of economies. However, the congress noted that the unwinding of unconventional monetary policy could be an opportunity for African countries to develop appropriate measures to strengthen their resilience in the face of exogenous shocks. The Assembly of Governors therefore stressed the necessity for African countries to diversify their economies and improve exports, while limiting imports. The Assembly also emphasised the urgent need for coordination between monetary and fiscal policy across all African countries. The Governors equally examined the implementation status of the African Monetary Cooperation Programme (AMCP) and pointed out the inability of African States to sustainably meet some of the criteria for macroeconomic convergence due to the negative impact of certain variables within the international environment. They therefore urged African countries to strengthen efforts at implementing structural reforms in order to diversify their respective economies, improve the business environment and promote intra-regional trade as a way of strengthening their resilience amidst external shocks. In reviewing the implementation of the work programme of the Community of African Banking Supervisors (CABS), which it noted had helped to set up an intranet platform for exchange of information among African banks, the AACB disclosed plans to unveil a project for collecting information on the activities of cross-border banks. This, the AACB noted, would allow the identification of risks associated with the activities. The 39th Ordinary meeting of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) was attended by 27 member Central Banks and the African Union Commission (AUC). Opinion / Columnist Internet surveillance propounded by the Computers crimes and cyber crimes bill, is not peculiar to Zimbabwe. The global powers, like the US government, which claim to practice the most advanced democratic principles, are on indelible global record for incriminating Netizens like Julian Assange, who is the founder and author of wiki-leaks.Assange was accused of illegally leaking some secret state security and intelligence materials which have a negative bearing on the integrity of the US. Meanwhile Assange is on the run, and is believed to be hiding in asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in the United Kingdom.In another example, in the case: U.S. vs. Edward J. Snowden, the former levelled criminal complaint against the latter who was accused of espionage after leaking documents on the internet about a secret National Security Agency surveillance program. After the disclosure, Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor was granted asylum in Russia up to this day.With the recent growth of social media in the past ten years as a new staple in our modern culture, social media or online participation has also emerged as a growing threat to national security everywhere. As the Internet and social media are constantly growing and changing, national security has lagged behind.In this vein, national state security experts and policy makers must now adapt quickly to emerging threats or face major national security breaches to upset the status quo. Normatively, Computers crimes and cyber crimes bill is the beginning of such moves to regulate and mitigate the destructive nature of cyber participation by irresponsible citizens that have the propensity to go crazy with illegalities.Social media is loosely defined as "Internet based application that enables people to communicate and share resources and information. Some examples of Social Media include blogs, discussion forums, chat rooms, wikis, YouTube channels, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Social media can be accessed by computer, smart and cellular phones, and mobile phone text messaging"Academic research has consistently found that people who consume more news have a greater probability of being civically and politically engaging across a variety of measures in an era when the public's time and attention is increasingly directed toward social media. Therefore, social media platforms have become a spring-board for illegalities apart from the good uses of social media in the contemporary societies. Nation states, therefore, have the natural obligation to protect their populations against perpetrators of online illegalities.In recent times social websites have inspired some destructive mass movements and political unrests in many countries, such as, the Arab Spring Uprisings of 2011 which rocked Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. Social media was accused for being an effective mechanism for uniting riotous groups of hoodlums who have the insatiable desire to upset public peace to the detriment of society.It is worth mentioning that Interpol says Cybercrime is a fast-growing area of crime. Vast numbers of criminals are exploiting the speed, convenience and anonymity of the Internet to commit a diverse range of criminal activities that know no borders, either physical or virtual, cause serious harm and pose very real threats to victims worldwide.Some of the offences mentioned include Aggravating Circumstances, illegal Access, illegal interception, illegal data interface, data espionage, illegal system interference, illegal devices, computer-related forgery, computer-related Fraud, child pornography, identity-related crimes, racist practices and xenophobic material, racist and xenophobic motivated insult, genocide and crimes against humanity, spam, disclosure of details of an investigation, failure to permit assistance, harassment utilizing means of electronic communication, violation of intellectual property rights, abetment and conspiracy.Honestly, to the best of my opinion, no one is against criminalizing all of the above offences.However, in spite all odds, the Computers crimes and cyber crimes bill provides many opportunities for e-governance and extensive consultation in order to incorporate public views. Written by the Editorial board of The Guardian Newspaper The failure of government to fulfill the agreements it reached with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has, once again, plunged the nations healthcare delivery system into avoidable turmoil. This is sad indeed. The doctors, who, barely a month ago, precisely on June 24, 2016, suspended a nationwide strike, are now on another indefinite industrial action not too long after the earlier one was suspended following the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other prominent Nigerians. Coming just as Nigeria is facing an unprecedented socio-economic crisis, government should urgently address the doctors grievances and put a stop to the incessant strikes that take their toll on human lives. The doctors embarked on the industrial action to press home their demand for the implementation of the agreement earlier reached. Consequently, they have withdrawn their services from 25 tertiary medical institutions across the country. That, expectedly, has paralysed medical services in the hospitals. A host of patients, including those in critical condition, have been abandoned to their fate. This is totally unacceptable in any decent and civilised society. The President of NARD, Dr. Muhammed Adamu Askira, the other day, in Kano, disclosed that the decision to embark on another round of industrial action was reached at the end of the associations national executive council meeting in Keffi, Nasarawa State. He said that many agreements reached with the government on the demands of NARD were yet to be implemented by the management of the hospitals. He alleged that resident doctors were being unduly victimised and sacked, particularly, at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), among others. Doctors who were sacked were yet to be reinstated contrary to resolutions reached with the government. Askira expressed regret that despite the commitment of the Federal Government to ensuring the commencement of the full payment of their outstanding arrears, which accrued since 2014 by end of July 2016, the doctors in the affected hospitals were yet to receive such entitlements. It is heart-rending that medical workers in Nigerias health-care delivery system have been pushed to this desperate situation without consideration for lives. The nations medical care system is in a shambles. When doctors are not on strike, it is nurses or other categories of health workers. On each occasion, it is the unfortunate patients who suffer. The issues agitating the resident doctors are long outstanding and except something is done urgently, the latest industrial action could lead to unnecessary loss of innocent lives. Not until the Federal Government and indeed the various state governments begin to honour agreements reached with labour unions without waiting for a showdown would Nigeria have industrial peace and harmony. Before now, there is the issue of appropriate salary regime for doctors. The NARD was complaining about the failure of government to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) from January 1, 2010 as promised. Their demands should be addressed forthwith. Doctors threatened a number of strikes last year and actually embarked on some that paralysed hospitals. But those actions, apparently, didnt achieve their desired results. Ordinarily, doctors shouldnt be pushed to going on strike because of the nature of their job, which involves human lives. And in actual fact, what the doctors are demanding is improved health facilities of which salary is only a part. Nigerian doctors are renowned for their excellence abroad simply because the facilities are there and the remunerations are commensurate. That the agreement government freely reached with the doctors is not kept shows not only a lack of integrity on the part of that government but also its disdain for lives. It is unfortunate that government has taken actions that would seem to erode whatever is left of the countrys dilapidated healthcare system, which is already among the worst in the world. The infrastructure is poor. Basic facilities needed in the hospitals are lacking. Worst still, the ratio of patients to available doctors is quite high, over and above the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. Thousands of Nigerian doctors have been pushed abroad as a result of the abject condition of the healthcare delivery system. Having agreed by collective bargaining to pay a certain salary to the doctors, government should honour its own side of the agreement. On this lies the solution to the recurrent strikes by different labour unions, including doctors. Scope: Caro pond expansion and drainage improvements. Includes, approx 1 LS of mobilization / demobilize, clearing and grubbing, earthwork. 4 EA of relocate existing standard mailbox. 6,152 SY of re-establish grade on ditch; 2,550 CY of remove and replace unsuitable materials; 2,578 SY of final grading and seal rolling prior to paving; 2,600 LF of dewatering, trench and/or pipe; 87 SY of pond access ramp, 5" GAB w/ fabric; 2356 CY of filter sand; 12,800 SY of grade pond slopes; 475 SY of 1 1/4"; 2,500 Type SP 12.5 asphalt (driveways), includes 4" compacted subgrade; 4,038 SY of mill existing asphalt, 1.0" thickness; 1,320 SY of lateral pavement patch; 160 LF of saw cut existing asphalt; 2,775 SY of 12" stabilized subgrade. 1 LS of relocate traffic signs; 1 LS of maintenance of traffic safety plan (develop & provide, including all items needed for implementation); 46 SY of 4" fiber reinforced concrete driveway; 706 LF of 5" fiber reinforced concrete sidewalk. 12 EA of ditch bottom inlet. 2 EA of storm manhole, 6-12 LF depth; 46 LF of 12" PVC pipe & fittings; 793 LF of 18" RCP pipe; 889 LF of pipe removal, 6"-24"; 4 EA of remove existing concrete headwall, 6"-24" pipe; 949 LF of 6" PVC force main. 22,424 SY of sod, staked; 78 SY of 18" depth rip rap rubble w/ 4" bedding stone and geotextile; 1 LS of pavement markings. 1 LS of sediment and erosion control plan including all items for implementation. 60 LF of PE water main pipe for 2.25" water main conflicts; 700 LF of 1" water service (Long). 2 EA of adjust WM valve. Click HERE for a list of our other web sites Click HERE to get filtered opportunity reports by email, starting at only $21.95/month. User login is required to use this feature. Register here Contact us if you like to have a single PDF file with each report send in your email each day. Opinion / Columnist The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is faced with a mammoth task to fight the corruption scourge, while it is are busy grappling and squabbling with its manpower internally at the expense of core business.That state of affairs casts doubt amongst the populace as to whether ZACC has the capacity to execute its constitutional to eradicate corruption which is gnawing the national fabric at an alarming rate to the detriment of public good.It is mind-boggling to note that the operational staffs poised to carryout investigation of cases are under for some obscured reasons. Ideally, who then is expected to participate in the examination of graft crimes? This imperatively makes it mandatory to compel ZACC to put its house in order to keep the commission working normatively.If ZACC cannot resolve the impasse disrupting its operability on its own, then the relevant arms of government should hasten to probe the matters at stake and restore sanity at this statutory body.The labour related matter cited by the investigating officers should be put under inquiry for it to receive due attention. This is the only sure way of clearing the air so that serious business takes precedence over the confusion which seems to be ruling at ZACC.His Excellence President Robert Gabriel Mugabe declared zero tolerance on corruption while officially opening the Parliament in Harare. He vowed zero tolerance on corruption in the civil service and all arms of government. He warned that his ZANU-PF Government would crackdown on high-level graft. " high-level corruption is costing the government dearly in terms of funds, and lost opportunities as programmes and projects are never finished. The law will descend heavily on those who abuse funds," President Mugabe said.President Mugabe declared that fighting corruption as an indispensible precursor to fostering national development. In that vein, all suitable law enforcement statutory institutions are challenged to implement the president's call in order to stamp out this germ threatening to tear apart our nation state.President Mugabe confided that stringent measures to uproot corruption, and to ensure accountability, and service delivery from all arms of government, which includes ministries and parastatals, will be put in place to regulate, and monitor all operations closely for the good of the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Chief among these would be the introduction of a results-based management system where government entities are required to submit reports and be subjected to routine inspection for checks and balances to keep them on rail.President Mugabe pronouncement is the best spring-board which can catapult the propensity of the law enforcement agencies and officers that they are reinvigorated to pursue the hunt knowing that even corrupt elements who believe that they are best-connected will not be spared. No sacred cows whatsoever! The law will take precedence over all odds. President Mugabe says the net is closing in on all such perpetrators. Their hay-days are gone!The president's declaration spurred a call by the ZANU-PF National Consultative Assembly members to decisively deal with corrupt party officials that are draining the economy mercilessly to the drying point. These predators are motivated by the desire to satisfy their selfish egos to accumulate wealth by devious means to flood their insatiable granaries booty. Never should our society allow this unpleasantness to live another day.ZACC should pull-up its socks and work efficiently and effectively to nub the ravenous and gluttonous citizens that are ravaging national resources unbridled. Some are even looting openly with no due care on the probable consequences of their actions. The local press is always awash with stories of corruption in public institutions that is characterising Government Ministries, local authorities and parastatals. This is really absurd!What hell has entered into our society that people are no longer scared of committing this scandalous sin of embezzling public resources without conscience?This is time for ZACC and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to step-up efforts in chase of all smokes of corruption that are soring our eyes daily. There is an immediate need to exorcise our society of corruption and cleanse all ugly parts for public good. This exercise should target all public institutions in the spirit of safe-guarding public resources against deceitful officials in public organisations that are converting them to private usage.The public should be ready to supply information to the relevant organisations through the toll-free numbers to assist acceleration of investigations and the ultimate full course of justice.Fighting corruption is the most prudent aspect for any society as declared by President Mugabe. Let's rally behind President Mugabe to defeat corruption now. Opinion / Columnist Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama was to confer on the Zimbabwean leader a Millennium Life Time Achievement award for his role in Zimbabwe's liberation struggle from British colonial rule had the four-day state visit not cancelled.President Mugabe, just like Ghana's first president, Dr Kwameh Nkrumah, did not only play a fundamental role in the liberation of Zimbabwe but that of the African continent as a whole. Thus, the award is befitting.However, one wonders if the Mugabe that was to be honoured in Ghana is the same person that some lost Zimbabweans are up in arms against. Jesus Christ was on the nose when he noted that a prophet is not without honour, except in his own country and among his own kin.People will begin to appreciate that President Mugabe was a person of high worth and value when he has passed on and they will wish if he could continue ruling them from the grave. This should not be misconstrued as a premature obituary for the president. The fact of life is that he is mortal whose biological clock will one day tick the last. People will remember him for his empowerment policies and his valor against the western neo-imperialism.Even Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has been the President's assistant for over 50 years, acknowledged that Zimbabwe will exceedingly miss him. "We shall miss him dearly. He is an outstanding leader and human being," said VP Mnangagwa during an interview with the UK-based New African Magazine in August last year.VP Mnangagwa likened President Mugabe to founding fathers of Africa such as Dr Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Modibo Keita."I don't think the next generation will be able to produce a person like him. I don't think we can get a person even in our generation who can fill his shoes to the extent that has been able to remain an intellectual giant in leading our people and charting a course for the African people of this region, perhaps even continentally. Within the current African leadership, I don't see many who fit the shoes of the founding fathers (of Africa). The only one I know without thinking much is President Mugabe," said VP Mnangagwa.This is the man that Ghana had found fit to honour with the precious award. Even the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe also remarked last year at her rally in Murombedzi that Zimbabweans would miss President Mugabe. "It will come a day that Mugabe will not be there and people will regret, missing his leadership," said the First Lady.Obviously when a Zanu PF member waxes such praising lyrics, the haters of Cde Mugabe rush to call them bootlickers. Surely, Sergei Lavrov, Xi Jinping, Faure Gnassingbe and Bruce Wharton among others, have no reason to bootlick President Mugabe.Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister who last year led a high powered delegation to Zimbabwe which signed a $3 billion platinum mining, described President Mugabe as "a legend, an historical figure" while the Chinese President, Xi described him as "seasoned statesman and a founding father of Zimbabwe."Gnassinge, the Togolese president who opened the 57th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair was also not lost to the rare breed at the helm of this country that he described as an elderly statesman who is preoccupied with pushing the Pan-African vision forward."President Mugabe clearly demonstrated his unmatched wisdom and vision with the way he helped to bring peace in Mali. He is indeed a veteran and elderly statesman," said President Gnassingbe.Even Bruce Wharton, the former US ambassador to Zimbabwe has a high regard for President Mugabe. During his final media breakfast meeting, like a man confessing before his death, Wharton said: "Robert Mugabe is a lion of Africa. He has dedicated his life to create a free and independent Zimbabwe. He is a leader not only of Zimbabwe, but he helped to bring down apartheid in South Africa."A story is told of two friends who agreed to exchange their problems after an argument on who had a lighter problem. The following day, the two decided to undo the exchange after both realised that their problem was lighter.If Zimbabweans could exchange presidents with the Americans, British or any of the professed democrats, surely they would not last a day with them. Libya did it with Muammar Gaddafi. They were manipulated by the West to violently remove and kill Gaddafi. That country has not known peace ever since Gaddafi was slaughtered.Gaddafi inherited Libya in 1967 as one of the poorest nation in Africa but he had transformed it into Africa's richest country. Under Gaddafi's rule, Libyans enjoyed not only free health-care and free education, but also free electricity and interest-free loans. Today Libya is a failed state with most of Libyans now regretting the assassination of Gaddafi.The same Mugabe who is being vilified locally is the same that citizens of other countries wish he were their president. President Mugabe is even held in high esteem by foreign opposition politicians such as Julius Malema."He (President Mugabe) is the only remaining leader in Africa who can still stand up to the West. He is the only one who continues to hold the whole of Africa together and still pushes for African agenda. No one pushes in the manner which President Mugabe is doing. From a broader perspective, he is the man who represents the kind of Africa we want. Africa where Africans own their land, Africa where Africans own their resources, Africa where Africa is treated as an equal partner in international economy and international politics."He is the only one who can speak that language without an apology and that's why everywhere he goes, President Mugabe is celebrated by Africans," said Malema. The Huawei P8 was a bold move from the company to follow up the Ascend P7 smartphone. There isnt much to talk about the Ascend P7 but the P8 was an entirely different story. It offered one of the most fluid performances of any Android smartphone at the time and the features too were flagship material. However, the smartphone didnt receive as much attention as it shouldve. At least not until the Nexus 6P came along. It took a bit of Google and Nexus branding for the world to recognize the kind of high level engineering that Huawei is able to achieve. The Nexus 6P is perhaps the best Nexus device ever made and I am sure a lot of people will agree with me on that. When people recognized the benefits and the quality that Huawei was able to provide, the P8 also got some attention. However, the brand needed something to follow up to the P8 and something that would really grab the attention of everyone. The result is the Huawei P9 with Dual Leica Lens which truly is an engineering marvel on paper with the dual Leica lenses. In the past, weve seen how such dual lens setups have failed to impress the average buyer but this time around, things seem different. Lets find out how in the review. Unboxing We already unboxed the Huawei P9. Here are the contents of the box: Huawei P9 smartphone in Silver color 2-pin charger (5V-2A) USB Type-C cable Earphones with microphone Screen protector Quick start guide Design, Materials and Build Quality It doesnt take a genius to figure out that the P8 and P9 are part of the same lineage. In fact, both the smartphones do seem as if the P9 is a Plus or a more advanced version of the P8 with a larger feature set. The similar design isnt a negative though. As weve come to see in the case of Apple and Samsung even, designs need to and have to evolve in order for it to become more user friendly and more reliable. In almost every other industry such as the automotive industry for example, it is perfectly acceptable to carry on the same base design for years till you have reached the pinnacle of engineering for that particular design. This allows companies to tinker and improve on every single aspect of the product so that the consumer gets a much better experience each time around. So in our books, the P9 is doing just that. It combines essentially all the good aspects of the P8 and improves on them either for function or for aesthetics. The first thing that comes to your mind when you pick up a P9 is just how light and easy to handle the device is. It feels premium. The metal and glass seamlessly bond together and gives a high end feel. However, the size of the device is just perfect to handle thanks to the 5.2 display and the weight of 144 grams feels evenly spread out across the surface area of the device. A heavier device automatically does feel more premium but its very difficult to make a lightweight device feel premium but Huawei have pulled this off with ease.The overall dimensions also remain pretty similar to the P8 which measures 144.9 x 72.1 x 6.4 mm compared to the P9 which measures 145 x 70.9 x 7 mm. The extra thickness is mainly attributed to the addition of a fingerprint sensor, dual lenses and a larger battery. The difference in thickness compared to the added benefits is a small trade off and the P9 still feels extremely svelte. It feels great to hold and use. There are phones that you would love to carry around in your hands and then there are phones that you would be dying to let rest on the table or in your pocket. The P9 is the former; you can carry it around effortlessly and it feels great to do so. The front of the device is covered with 2.5D curved glass that has a nice striped pattern underneath it. It isnt in your face types but does look elegant when you see it. The 5.2 display is surrounded by a Huawei logo at the bottom. While you get the front facing camera, earpiece, ambient light as well as proximity sensors above it. The sides are curved and you have chamfered edges around the front and back which make the design flow seamlessly. The chamfered edges arent sharp and dont stick out like a sore thumb like on some devices. The right side houses the volume rocker button and the power key which has a grooved pattern that helps distinguish it by touch. At the top, you find the secondary microphone and you also have the SIM card+SD card slot at the left. At the bottom is where you get the 3.5mm audio jack, primary microphone, USB Type-C port and the loudspeaker grille. The backside is where the camera unit is housed at the top underneath the glass just like on the P8 and Nexus 6P. However, this entire unit is flat and does not have a bump like on the 6P and that is impressive considering the amount of hardware that is housed within. You get two 12 MP sensors, a Dual-Tone LED flash and Laser AF. There is Leica branding at the top right as well and that is something worth flashing. Below the camera module is the fingerprint sensor that has a square shape with rounded corners as well as chamfered inner edges. Towards the bottom, you have the Huawei logo and antenna line. There is an antenna line at the top at the sides but not much at the back since the glass portion provides enough room to facilitate for better reception. The black unit we have here has Black glass up front while the back has a sort of purplish tinge on top of a silver basecoat. It definitely looks interesting and Huawei have several other colour options to choose from including Ceramic White, Prestige Gold, Rose Gold, Titanium Grey (Which we have), Mystic Silver and finally a Haze Gold which is perhaps the most unique since it has a brushed metal finish at the back and a different tone of Gold as well. The back panel is non-removable and neither is the battery. It is worth mentioning that the back panel does seem pretty durable and doesnt really get scratched easily. It is also quite resistant to fingerprints. Display The P9 sticks to the same 5.2 1080p formula of the P8 albeit with smaller bezels. The 2.5D curved glass is a treat to use and the display is sharp and beautiful as well. The brightness and sunlight legibility is good too. Even though it is slightly affected by the reflective glass, the brightness levels are high enough to compensate for it. There isnt any real need for a 1440p display on a 5.2 screen and we are glad this is a 1080p screen since it would only drain the battery faster. There is an LED notification light above the display and users can also adjust the colour temperature of the display from the settings to make it warmer or cooler based on their preference. Fingerprint Sensor The fingerprint sensor on the P9 is located at the back just below the camera module. The positioning Is spot on and your finger naturally rests on the sensor when you are holding it. The sensor itself is really accurate and also does a good job at recognizing your fingerprint even if it is slightly dirty or wet but not too much. I personally prefer the sensor on the Nexus 6P for the round shape and the deeper cutout but a round shaped sensor would look awkward on the P9 design for sure. The sensor is always active which means that you can directly unlock the phone even when it is sleeping. Users can register fingerprints quite easily with just 5 to 6 taps and you can enroll upto 5 different prints at a time. However, the fingerprint sensor server a lot more function than just giving you access to the phone or your files or protected apps. The fingerprint sensor itself acts as a touch sensitive pad of sorts and it can be used to navigate and access certain phone functions. For example, you can use the fingerprint sensor to take a photo or video, answer a call or stopping an alarm just by tapping and holding the sensor. This is especially useful when taking selfies. Additionally, there are several gestures that you can make use of as well. Swiping down on the fingerprint sensor will show you the notifications and a similar swipe up will hide them. You can also clear the notifications by double tapping the sensor after which the notification drawer retracts itself. Finally, users can also browse through photos by swiping left or right on the sensor. This provides a less intrusive viewing experience. Calling and Messaging Call quality is quite good on the Huawei P9. Speech is loud and audible through the earpiece and the same goes for the loudspeaker as well. The loudspeaker isnt as loud as say the Nexus 6P which has stereo speakers but compared to the recent crop of flagship products on the market, this is much better. The ringing volume is also really loud and can be heard even in the busiest of environments. There is a large dialpad that is easy to use and the built in keyboard is Swype which has an easy to use layout and is smooth. It supports tracing, themes and gestures as well. You can also choose to download and use a 3rd party keyboard from the play store if it doesnt suit you. Software and UI The Huawei P9 comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Huaweis EMUI 4.1 on top. EMUI lacks an app drawer but users can arrange the apps on their homescreen as per their preference and also group them into folders. There is a simple UI mode as well for those who are not quite tech savvy and those who are visually impaired. Users can choose whether or not to display the battery percentage and whether they want to have it in the battery logo or next to it. You can also enable displaying the carrier name as well. The recent apps screen has a 2D layout which can be used to jump from one app to the other or clear apps individuals or close all at once by pressing the recycle bin icon. There are two tools that can be used for people who have difficulty in accessing the large screen thats to the mini screen view and the shifting keyboard. Both these are nice to have but Id reckon these are features that will be more useful on larger devices such as the P9 Plus and I dont really see many people using it on the P9 since its compact. But still a good feature to have. Users can enable a mode that will prevent accidental touches and in case you want to use gloves, you can turn gloves mode on as well. Motion control allows several different ways to use your phones features. There is a flip to mute, pick up to reduce volume, tilt to move icons as well as a raiser to switch to earpiece feature that is especially useful when you are driving. If you phone is connected to the handsfree, you can take the call and automatically switch to the phones earpiece by just placing it on your ear. There is a screen on gesture mode which can be used to launch certain apps by drawing letters with your knuckles. Additionally, you can take screenshot by double tapping the screen with your knuckle. There is a scroll capture feature too that can either be activated after you capture the screenshot or drawing the letter S with your knucles. Lastly, you can even select a portion of the screen that needs to be captured using your knuckle. The on-screen navigation keys can be customized to your liking in terms of layout. You can swap positions of the recent apps and return key as well as add an open notification button. Lastly, there is an optional floating dock that can be expanded to reveal the recent app, return, home key as well as a screen lock and one touch optimization shortcut. You can drag the dock and place it in any corner of the screen too. Storage, Connectivity and Performance The Huawei P9 model that we are reviewing is the EVA-L09 which has a single nanoSIM card slot that supports 4G LTE. You also get a dedicated microSD card slot which supports cards upto 256GB in capacity. The internal memory is 32GB. We wouldve loved to have a Hybrid DualSIM model at least considering how most flagship models have already adopted it but as of now, we believe there would only be a single SIM variant in the India market. The USB Type-C port takes a reversible connector and you get a Type-C to Type-A cable in the box. The EVA-L09 model that we have comes with NFC but there are other variants which lack this feature. The device also supports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac as well as Bluetooth 4.2. The Huawei P9 is powered by a powerful in-house HiSilicon Kirin 955 chipset that has 8 cores. You also get 3GB of RAM and a Mali T880-MP4 GPU. Performance is fluid without any lag or hiccups. Camera Definitely the most important part of the P9 is the camera. Lets get the specifications out of the way first. The P9 has Dual 12 Megapixel Sony IMX286 sensors at the back which make use of Leica optics. One is RGB while the other is a Monochrome sensor. Both of them have a 27mm focal length, an f2.2 aperture and are assisted by Laser AF as well as a dual-tone LED flash. The pixel size is at 1.25 microns which is bigger than the 1.12 micro pixel size of the P8. Now onto how the two sensors actually work. In the past, there have been several smartphones with dual camera sensors. Some used it for 3D photos/videos while others used it for just depth sensing etc. The Huawei P9 uses it for many reasons. The first and most important of which is the low light performance. Despite the f2.2 aperture which most definitely sounds small compared to the f1.7 of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and f1.8 of the LG G5, the Huawei P9 has really good performance in low light. This is because of the monochrome sensor which can capture upto 3 times the amount of light that a conventional RGB sensor can. Huawei has created an algorithm that allows both these sensors to work in unison with each other. The RGB sensor is used to capture the colours while the Monochrome sensor is used to capture the details. As a result, the smartphone has a much better dynamic range as can be seen in the way the smartphone handles the details in the highlights and shadows. Additionally, the smartphone also does really well under low light by keeping the noise levels in check. There is a dedicated depth sensor on the camera which allows users to mimic the depth of field like on cameras with variable aperture. It starts all the way from f0.95 (homage to the 50mm f0.95 Noctilux from Leica) and stops all the way down to f16. Now, I used to be a hater of these depth of field effects that have been around on smartphones for a while. Almost every time, they end up looking fake and isnt really pleasing. Striking yes, but not pleasing. However, on the P9, it handles it with ease and manages to make the end result look good too. The bokeh looks quite real and is also quite smooth as well as pleasing to the eye. There are plenty of details to work with thanks to the 12 Megapixels resolution and 1.25 micron pixel size. Focusing too is really quick thanks to the Hybrid focus (PDAF+Laser AF). We didnt face the issues that have plagued Laser AF phones of the past such as the focus hunting. The P9 does a good job at locking the focus quickly whether it is on a close object or a far one, moving or stationary. Photos are captured quickly and the processing is also spot on thanks to the dedicated Dual core ISP which is optimized for colour and noise management. Coming to the software, it is almost as important as the hardware on the phone. It too has Leicas touches that give it an edge. As we mentioned earlier, there is a depth of field mode which allows the users to set values anywhere from f0.95-f16. Users can capture RAW photos in DNG format and also manually control the shutter speed, focus, ISO, exposure compensation and white balance. Apart from the various filters, you also have three different colour modes to choose from. Standard, vivid and smooth colours the third one is the closest to what you would get on a Leica camera and the colours really do look great. Below, you can see the three different colour mode and the resulting photos. The dedicated monochrome mode captures images with the monochrome sensor and isnt just a desaturated photo like on other smartphones. What is the difference? On a normal camera smartphone, the photos are captured on an RGB sensor, these photos are then processed (either by the smartphone or by you) and desaturated to look like a black and white photo. In the case of the P9 however, the sensor itself is monochrome and as we mentioned earlier, it captures more light at any given point of time. This means that the photo will be brighter, will be steadier due to needing shorter shutter speeds, will have a better dynamic range, more detailing and lesser noise levels than the black and white photos captured by regular cameraphones. The other most interesting mode is the Light Painting mode which allows you to capture light trails, water in motion, star trails and light painting. Note that for all these modes, youd need to make use of a tripod or something steady to balance your phone against to get an optimal sharp photo. However rather than just using a slow shutter speed to capture one single photo, the P9 uses image stacking to achieve the effects. Take this photo in particular, it was shot using the silky water effect. No matter which phone you are using on the market, you wont be able to take a shot that is exposed for around 2 seconds or more in broad daylight unless you place an ND filter in front of the camera. This is true even at the base ISO (100 or even 50). As a result, it is almost impossible to capture water in motion without an ND filter on phones. What Huawei have done cleverly here is capture the basic frame and then use multiple exposures and stack them one on top of the other and merge them to create this effect. As a result, you can get this effect which seems like its been taken with an ND filter but has just been taken with the phone itself. Another interesting addition is the ability to add a watermark to your photos which says Huawei P9 Leica Dual Camera. It appears on the bottom left corner of your phone along with the OO logo and adds a nice touch to the photo. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that the watermark is always on the bottom left and you need to compose the photo accordingly. Its likely that we will get the option to choose where the watermark appears in the future. The front facing camera is an 8 megapixel unit with f2.4 aperture. It fares well in good lighting conditions but is a bit dark under low light. The detailing is great too but can become a bit soft if you use the beautification features. However, its good enough for your social network purposes. Huawei pulled almost every stop for the camera department but the one thing missing is 4K video recording. The maximum resolution that can be shot at is 1080p and at 60fps. There is a 30fps mode too and the quality isnt that great. The P9 is much more of a still camera than a video camera and if you look at Leicas lineage, thats exactly what their cameras also suggest. There is an option of standard, smooth and vivid colours for video but no monochrome option. The lack of a 4K recording feature might possible be due to the complexity in the algorithm since the processor on the phone should be powerful enough to process it otherwise. Music The Huawei P9 music player is nice eye candy. It has a dynamic colour palette that changes based on your album art. Music can be sorted according to the song title, artist, album, folder etc. The now playing screen can display the album art, lyrics and also quick access to the various tracks. You also have the usual track controls, shuffle/repeat and favourite options. The output through the loudspeaker is loud but is a mono experience but is much better than most flagships these days. The output through the 3.5mm audio jack is really loud too and offers good quality output. It has a good dynamic range especially on the lower end and has good bass when needed. Battery Huawei has optimized the battery on the device to provide maximum backup possible. The efficient HiSilicon Kirin 955 processor coupled with the 5.2 1080p display provides great battery life. It should last even the heaviest of users a full day of usage. In case it does run out of juice, the battery on the P9 is a 3000mAh unit that supports fast charging. It can refill 40% of the charge in 30 minutes. Conclusion The Huawei P9 is a perfect example of a smartphone that suggests its not just about the specifications but its how you use what you have. The P9 has possibly the best camera on the market right now and its most definitely the most interesting one since it allows you to be quite creative. The f2.2 aperture seemed inadequate to me but in reality, its more than needed and bests some phones with larger apertures too. The rest of the phone too is top notch and if I would like to change one thing on the phone, it would be the single SIM slot. Other than that, the Huawei P9 is a smartphone that I loved using and one that has really pushed the envelope in terms of photography for smartphones. All these years, weve heard talks of smartphones replacing digital cameras but none of them have offered as much promise as the P9. There have been many implementations of dual lens cameras but Huawei is the first one to get it right. At the asking price, I would definitely recommend it for those people who have an interest in photography and also need a smartphone with all the bells and whistles. Pros Great Camera (Low Light Performance, Dynamic Range and Monochrome) Beautiful and Elegant Design Fast and Accurate Fingerprint Sesnor (Always Active) Good Audio Quality Good Build Quality Cons No 4K Video Recording Only Single SIM model Available (Not a con for everyone) Google already confirmed that it will roll out Android 7.0 Nougat sometime in Q3 2016. Now Canadian mobile provider Telus has updated their software schedule that says that both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P smartphones will get the Android Nougat update on August 22nd. Last year Google released Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images for Nexus devices on October 5th, as Telus had confirmed earlier, so Android 7.0 will most likely roll out on Monday. Telus says that all dates are approximate and subject to change. just in case if there are any last minute bugs that needs to be fixed. Google released Android 7.0 developer preview 5 for compatible Nexus devices last month. It released developer preview 4 in June that brought final Android N SDK with final APIs (API level 24). Both these updates did not any new features and come only with latest bug fixes and optimizations across the system and in pre-installed apps. Google is also expected to release HTC-made Nexus devices codenamed Sailfish and Marlin in the next few weeks running the latest Android Nougat. Source We know some visitors come to the website because a domain name leads them to here. If you are interested in buying Who is the Muhammad Ali of the investing world, the unquestioned "greatest of all time?" It's not an easy answer when it comes to investors, but Alison Southwick and Robert Brokamp have a good time trying on this episode of Motley Fool Answers. In going through their list, the Answers team will talk about some investors you know and share some details you may never have heard. You may even learn about some investing greats you had never heard of. The two also discuss what to do with a company pension after you leave a job. Is it best to keep it there until you retire? Should you roll it over? Or might there be other, smarter options? A full transcript follows the video. This podcast was recorded on August 14, 2016. Alison Southwick: This is Motley Fool Answers. I'm Alison Southwick and I am joined, as always, by Robert Brokamp. He's the personal finance expert... Well, not the. He's a personal finance expert here at The Motley Fool. Robert Brokamp: No, I think the. The... Alison: The... Robert: ...personal finance expert... Alison: ... at The Motley Fool. Hi! Robert: ...at The Motley Fool. Alison: Hi, how are you, Bro? Robert: Just fine. How are you, Alison? Alison: Good. I'm good, because I didn't have to carry a lot of water for this episode. You did, so let's just get into it. Today, we're going to look at the greatest investors of all time. The G-O-A-Ts, if you will. Actually, let's not, because that sounds more like a Pokemon than an honor. We'll also answer your question about whether to cash out a pension. All that, and more, on this week's episode of Motley Fool Answers. __ Alison: It's time for Answers' answers, and today's question comes from Ken. Ken writes: My former employer still has a pension plan [from] when I worked for them, and apparently I am eligible. Recently, they offered me a lump sum payout and I'm wondering which is better: (1) wait and get the monthly checks after I retire, or (2) take the lump sum, roll it over into my IRA, and let it grow under my watchful eye. Given the math of compounding and the numbers they provided for the payouts, option two seems to be a winner; but what do you think? Robert: Well hello, Ken. That's an interesting question. Many people have these defined benefit pensions and at some point in their lives, or their careers, they can choose to either leave the money in the pension, or take it as a lump sum. The first thing to do would be to look at the safety of your pension. Every pension plan has an annual report. You want to know that it is mostly or fully funded. If it is a pension plan that is underfunded, that might be a reason to move the money to an IRA to get it while you still can. Another thing to consider is, you might like that idea of what comes with a pension -- which is a check in the mail every month for the rest of your life; but you might be able to get a better deal from an insurance company through an annuity. You could take the money out, but then just buy your annuity. You just get the same benefit. It might be a higher benefit, or at least it might be with a highly rated insurer, so you feel more secure about the income. Or you can do what you're doing -- or it sounds to me like you would like to do -- and that is move the money to the IRA and manage it yourself. And I think that is a perfectly fine alternative, especially if you are a good investor. You have a demonstrated record of managing your money well. I did read several years ago a study that compared the returns of people who moved the money from their pension to [their IRA] accounts, and it found that people weren't managing the money so well, and that they were spending it too quickly. So you have to have a bit of self-awareness about whether that really is the best option for you. But if you've demonstrated that you are a good money manager, then taking the money and managing it yourself is a good idea. Alison: So there you go, Ken. Take a good, hard look at your track record and figure out if you really are up to the task. We think you probably are. Robert: I have faith in him. Alison: There you go. Go for it. __ "Ad: This podcast is sponsored by Casper.com" __ Alison: I actually talked to one of our listeners -- Byron. He went for it. He bought a mattress for his mom. He said she loves it, and he's thinking about getting one for himself. Robert: Well, that's good to hear. Alison: It is good to hear. I feel good when our sponsors treat our listeners well. I have yet to hear that they've treated them poorly, but if they do, they're going to have me to deal with. Robert: That's right. Alison: Some harsh words. __ You're the best around, nothing's gonna ever keep you down. You're the best around... Alison: Now that we all know the meaning of the acronym GOAT, thanks to our battle of the generations a few episodes ago, we can use it all the time, and in particular, when we're talking about the greatest of all time in investing. Bro is going to introduce us to five famous investors, and share some of the smarter things that they have said, and even some peculiar habits. Robert: Yes. So when we decided to do this, it actually turned out to be quite a challenge to boil it down to the greatest investors of all time. Alison: Oh, and I should say this is part one. Robert: This is part one... Alison: Citizens on patrol... Robert: ...partially because I could not narrow it down to a smaller list. Some of these investors have public records, but some don't because they managed hedge funds, and those don't always disclose their returns. Sometimes, these investors started investing way back in the '30s, '40, and '50s, and the records aren't available, so it was a little difficult to narrow it down to the greatest investors. But the five we have today are definitely investors that anyone who wants to learn to be a better investor should get to know. And I'm going to start with... Alison: No. 1. Robert: ... John Bogle. Alison: Jack. Jack to friends. Robert: Jack, to friends. And that might sound a little odd, because you might think a great investor is someone who beats the market, whereas Jack Bogle is often telling people to try to match the market by doing an index fund. Alison: The founder of Vanguard. Robert: The founder of Vanguard. Alison: And the creator of index funds. Robert: Exactly. And they were not available until Vanguard came out with it. In other words, the research back then was clear that it was difficult to beat the market, but you didn't have an option to match it until the index fund came out. But that was really only just one innovation. The other innovation was that, when Jack Bogle founded Vanguard in 1975, he created the first and really only mutual -- mutual fund company. The company is owned by the funds, which are owned by the shareholders; so basically, when you invest in a Vanguard fund, you own part of the company. Why does that matter? Because the company doesn't have a profit motive. It operates at cost. And it's key to why Vanguard can keep its costs so low. When the index fund came out, the bank that was helping launch it was hoping to raise $150 million. It only got about $11 million... Alison: Wow! Robert: ...and Bogle was urged to close it. In fact, it was labeled "Bogle's Folly." But he's kind of a stubborn guy, so he persevered, and now it is the biggest mutual fund in the world. Alison: Wow! So did he not get super wealthy rich starting Vanguard? Robert: No, because there wasn't any stock to own. It wasn't a situation like when you start a company. [One of the reasons] Bill Gates is so wealthy is because he owns Microsoft stock. Now John Bogle is doing fine. In an interview I read in 2012... Alison: I'm sure, yes. Robert: ...he estimated his net worth in the low eight figures, so that means like $20-30 million. That's a lot of money and he's doing fine, but nothing compared to the Jamie Dimons of the world, or any of these other titans of Wall Street. Alison: You'd think if the company you founded is the largest money manager in the world that you would be a bajillionaire. Robert: Right. Many of the other investors that we will discuss, today, and in the next installment, are billionaires. Jack Bogle's not a billionaire. Alison: Just a humble millionaire. Robert: Just a millionaire. Alison: Trying to help the world out. So what would you say is one of the smart things that Jack Bogle said? What's a good Jack Bogle quote? Robert: The one that encapsulates his whole philosophy is, "Don't look for the needle in the haystack. Buy the haystack." In other words, just buy the whole market. And history has shown that, if you do that, you will outperform the vast majority of mutual fund managers, as well as individual investors. Vanguard now has more than 200 funds and ETFs, and it's not just the Vanguard 500. You can have a small-cap index fund. I actually asked Morningstar to provide me with the top-performing 25 funds over the last 20 years that have had the same manager, and Vanguard's small-cap index fund is right there among the top five. So there are other options at Vanguard that also provide outstanding returns. Alison: Any fun facts about Jack we should know? Robert: The dude is just hilariously frugal. When he came to speak at The Motley Fool back in 2008 or 2009, he had this shirt on, and he was complaining that his wife made him buy it because the other shirt he had was looking a little ratty. And in a 2012 interview with Reuters' Chris Taylor, the interviewer asked him, "Do you have any extravagances?" This is what he said. He said, "Every winter my wife and I take a week off and we go to a resort in Florida. But I really can't stand spending money on myself. I don't like going into stores. I don't like the whole process of buying things." So here's a guy who was, at the time, 83 years old still working, and his big extravagance is that he takes a week off with his wife and goes to Florida. Alison: A whole week. Robert: I know. It's pretty funny. Alison: Let's move on to the next investor. This is the one I've never heard of, but then again, it's me, so I don't know if that says much. It's more about me. Robert: No, it's not, because I bet most people will not have heard of this person, and that's because most people cannot invest in his hedge fund -- and this person is Jim Simons. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who's had as much academic and investing success as this guy. So in 1958, he goes to MIT. Gets his mathematics degree. Gets a Ph.D. from Berkeley. He taught at MIT and at Harvard. At Stonybrook. He made significant contributions to math. I'm sure we all are familiar with the Chern-Simons form. Alison: It's my favorite form. Robert: That's right. Alison: Top three. Top three. Robert: In 1976, he was awarded the Oswald Veblen Prize by the American Mathematical Society. In the world of geometry, that's like getting the Best Director at the Academy Awards. It's the best award you can get in geometric circles. Get that? That's what I said. He doesn't do that many interviews -- he likes to stay very private -- but in a 2015 TED interview, he said by his late 30s, he was bored with math. He thought he'd start investing, so he started a hedge fund in 1982 (a company called Renaissance Technologies). He used computer-enabled statistical analysis to look for patterns in prices, make predictions about investments, and invest accordingly. That made one of the first of what we now call "quant funds," basically funds that invest just on quantitative analysis, and it worked. According to Bloomberg, from 1994 to mid-2014, the main fund returned, annualized, 71.8% a year... Alison: Wow! Robert: ...before fees. Alison: Oh! Robert: The fees? Ridiculous. So the average mutual fund charges about 1%-1.5%. The average hedge fund does something called "2 and 20" (2% a year plus 20% of profits). At one point, Jim Simons' fund charged the highest fees of any hedge fund ... 5% a year and 44% of the profits. Alison: Wow. Robert: And people still are clamoring to get in. So when you add his success to those high fees, his net worth is probably well over $15 billion at this point. And it's interesting because, we at The Motley Fool definitely are proponents of buy-and-hold investing, business-focused investing. He's doing what would now be called high-frequency trading, and it worked for him. And so there are lots of ways to make money. It's just that most people don't make money this way. Alison: Well, most people didn't win the "Zamboni Award" from the "Mathematical Association from..." Robert: He's a bright boy and he's managed to get other bright folks to come along and work for him. Alison: Any wise words from Jim? Can I call him Jim? Robert: You can call him Jim. Why not? He once said, "I wasn't the fastest guy in the world. I wouldn't have done well in an Olympiad or a math contest. But I like to ponder. And pondering things, just sort of thinking about it and thinking about it, turns out to be a pretty good approach." And he has a lot in common with a few of the other folks that we will highlight in that he is definitely a contrarian. He acts in a way that is different than everyone else -- most of the people on Wall Street -- and that's been a big secret of his success. Alison: Any quirky things we want to know about him? Robert: During the 1960s, he was a code breaker for the NSA until he was fired, partially because he wrote a letter to an editor of a newspaper (a newspaper or a magazine) basically speaking out against the Vietnam War. And in honor of his contributions to mathematics, as well as his philanthropy, the International Astronomical Union named an asteroid after him. Alison: Aw! Robert: Isn't that nice? Alison: That's so sweet. Let's move on to our next investor, and this is also someone I've never heard of. Robert: Then you need to listen to more of Tom Gardner's speeches -- Tom Gardner being the co-founder of The Motley Fool -- because No. 3 of our greatest investors of all time is Shelby Davis, and Tom mentions him every once in a while in his speeches. Rick, have you ever heard of Shelby Davis? We get a nod from Rick. Rick Engdahl: Yes. Robert: Yes. And he is famous because he turned $50,000 of his wife's money into $900 million over 47 years. That's a compounded rate of return of more than 23% a year. He started off in life not necessarily being interested in investing -- more in politics. He got an undergraduate degree in Russian history from Princeton in 1930. Got a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Geneva in 1934. He worked on Thomas Dewey's presidential campaigns in 1940 and 1944, Thomas Dewey being the governor of New York. Since he didn't win the presidency, he hired Shelby Davis to be his insurance commissioner for the state of New York from 1944 to 1947, and that's important because once Shelby Davis started his own investment firm in 1947, he basically focused on insurance stocks, and it did very well for him. He focused particularly on low P/E stocks (price-to-earnings ratio), so low-value stocks, but also ones that had depressed earnings, so that he would get what he would call his "Davis double play." Then when the company turned its earnings around, it would get a little boost in the stock price, but then people would see that it's a cheap stock that's now gaining earnings, rush into the stock, and drive up its valuation. So he had two forces going to work for him there. He was a big believer in diversification. Depending on which source you consult, when he died in 1994, he either owned [about] 500 stocks to over 1,000 stocks, partially because he just never sold. He bought and held on for the long term. And it's turned out to be a family business. Shelby's son (also named Shelby) founded Davis [Advisors] in 1969. They currently manage more than $2 billion with the help of the original Shelby's grandsons, Chris and Andrew, who manage some of those funds. You can learn about the whole family, as well as some pretty fascinating history of Wall Street, in a book by John Rothchild called The Davis Dynasty. Alison: What are some smart words from Shelby that we should all take with us? Robert: Probably the most famous one is, "Bear markets make people a lot of money. They just don't know it at the time." Alison: I like that. Robert: Another quote will get into the interesting facts, here. At one point, one of his grandsons asked Shelby for a dollar to buy a hot dog, and this was his response: "Do you realize if you invest that dollar wisely, it will double every five years? By the time you reach my age, in 50 years, your dollar will be worth $1,024. Are you so hungry that you need to eat a $1,000 hot dog?" Which brings us to the fun fact in that he also was a very frugal person. Alison: It sounds like it. Robert: Yes. He didn't like to write things down, because that wasted paper. If he had to, he would use old envelopes or scraps of paper. He kept old shoes going with tape... Alison: Wow! Robert: ...and glue. His kids kept begging him for a pool. Even though at that point they were millionaires, he said, "I'm only going to do it if you actually dig the pool." He created trust funds for his kids, but they grew more than he expected, so he didn't think they should get them. Alison: Oh, wow! Robert: So when his daughter turned 22, he tried to make her give her $3.8 million trust fund to Princeton, his alma mater. She didn't like that idea... Alison: No! Robert: ...so it became front-page news in the New York tabloids for years. At some point, he said something along the lines of, "You don't need a trust fund. You need a good spanking." Something along those lines. Alison: These guys may be great investors, but they may not be people I want to get a beer with. Robert: I don't know about Shelby Davis. If you're very conservative, you probably would, because he was a big backer of the Heritage Fund from the early days. John Bogle, frankly, is one of my all-time heroes, so I would love to sit down and talk to him. He's a very educated guy. I mean, the name Vanguard is historical. I'm not going to go into all the details, but he's just a very well-educated guy. Alison: I would get a beer with Jack. Jack, I would get a beer with you. Rick: You would buy the beer. Alison: I would have to buy the beer, but I'm OK with that. I just don't know about Shelby. I don't know about that guy. Let's move on to the fourth investor that we're going to talk about today, and this is a name I do know, but I don't know why. Robert: And that name is -- John Templeton. He was born in 1912 in a small town in Tennessee, relatively poor. He did manage to get to Yale. Graduated toward the top of his class, and then went to Oxford to get a master's in law as a Rhodes scholar. So a bright guy. Alison: Yeah! These are all bright guys. Robert: Yes, very bright guys. What's interesting is he co-founded an investment firm in 1937, and America still was in the throes of the Great Depression. So starting an investment firm in the 1930s, to me, is a pretty gutsy call. Then, in 1939, he basically bought every stock on the New York and American Stock Exchanges that was trading for less than a dollar. He ended up with 104 stocks, 37 of which [were] already in bankruptcy. He sells four years later. He quadrupled his money. In an interview in 2004 (he's now passed away) with SmartMoney, they asked what made him do that and he said, "Hitler was going into Poland, and I knew that during times of war, things become scarce. And when things become scarce, prices go up. That's why I did it." And that hints to why John Templeton is really famous, and that is he was really one of the first global investors. He said when he was growing up in Tennessee, nobody owned shares of anything. Then he went to Yale, and he saw plenty of people who owned shares, but they were all shares of U.S. companies, and he couldn't get anyone to explain to him how he could get shares in other companies. That's when he saw that as an opportunity. His mainstay flagship fund he founded in 1954. It's still around, and managed by other people. He's not managing it. It's hard to manage when you're dead. Alison: When you're dead, yes. He's good, but not that good. Robert: Not that good. But it was the first truly global fund. He started buying Japanese stocks in the 1960s, which no one was doing, which paid off huge, because in the 1980s, in particular, Japan was the place to be. And according to a fellow by the name of Frederik Vanhaverbeke, who wrote a very-interesting book about who the greatest investors were, he found that over Templeton's career, he outperformed the S&P 500 by approximately 3% a year, so if you compound that over the almost 40 years he was an investor, that's a huge thing. Alison: Do you have any notable quotables from John Templeton? Robert: Yes. He was also known as being a contrarian, and the quote I would give you is, "If you want to have a better performance than the crowd, you must do things differently from the crowd," which leads us into one of the fun facts, and that is, he renounced his U.S. citizenship and lived most of his life in the Bahamas. He renounced the citizenship because he didn't want to pay so much in taxes. He wanted to be in the Bahamas because he said that you have to be far away from Wall Street if you want to act different from Wall Street. He had dual Bahamian and British citizenship. He actually was a great philanthropist. He gave away about $1 billion to various causes, and because of that he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth -- so he's actually Sir John Templeton, born in Tennessee, lived mostly in the Bahamas. An interesting guy. Alison: And let's move on to the fifth and final great GOAT investor that we're going to talk about today, and that is... Robert: The one that everyone expects... Alison: ...everyone wants... Robert: ...that everyone knows, and that, of course, is Warren Buffett. Alison: Mr. Warren Buf-fay. Robert: That's true. And so, of course, you always have to do the obligatory "how much money you would have if you had invested in Berkshire Hathaway from the beginning," and that is from 1964 to 2015, Berkshire Hathaway returned 20.8% compared to 9.7% for the S&P 500. So a $1,000 invested in the S&P 500, today you'd have $112,000. Alison: Not bad. Robert: Not bad. In Berkshire, $15.3 million. Alison: Oh, that's a lot better. Robert: That's a lot better. The interesting thing about Warren Buffett is, he really was an entrepreneur and investor from a very early age. He told someone, about the time he was 13, [that] "If I'm not a millionaire by the time I'm 30, I'm going to jump off the tallest building in Omaha," which is where he grew up. One lesser-known thing about him is that he is a big supporter of Democratic causes. His father was actually a Republican congressperson who hated FDR and the New Deal, but when he was in office, Warren Buffett grew up and lived in Washington, D.C. He became a newspaper delivery boy for The Washington Post, which he later, as an adult, invested in. And this is back in the '40s, mind you. As a kid, he made more than $5,000 delivering newspapers. Alison: Wow! Robert: And by the time he was a teenager, at 14 years old, he invested $1,200 of his savings in 40 acres of farmland. So from a very young age, this guy was looking for ways to make money. He and a friend would buy used pinball machines, install them in barbershops, and share the profits with people. So he was wired for this type of thing. Alison: Well, he's extremely quotable, so were you able to narrow it down to just one? Robert: You know, it's not the most exciting one, but it's the one that, frankly, encapsulates what he mostly believes in and that is... Alison: Is it the tree one? Robert: No. Alison: Is it the... I don't know. Robert: It is, "Shares are not mere pieces of paper. They represent part ownership of a business, so when contemplating an investment, think like a prospective owner." I should, of course, add another one, and that is, "If, when making a stock investment, you're not considering holding it for at least 10 years, don't waste more than 10 minutes considering it." That's been the secret of Buffett's success, as well as the success of people like Shelby Davis. They found good companies at reasonable prices -- not necessarily supercheap prices -- but they were willing to hold on for decades. Alison: And he's also an extremely quirky guy. Were you able to narrow it down to one fun fact? Robert: He is a very quirky guy with a very interesting biography, but I think the fun fact about him is that many people don't know that he's a big proponent of index funds. In fact, he thinks most people should be invested in index funds. We mentioned in a previous episode that that was his advice for LeBron James when LeBron James asked him for investment advice. And in his will, he stipulates that some of his estate will be invested in index funds. So he recognizes, even though he he's had this great success, that it's actually very difficult to beat the market. Alison: So that is the first five of our two-part series on the GOATs of investing. We'll be back next week with five more fascinating investors that you can learn from. __ (Wait) Oh yes, wait a minute Mister Postman, (Wait) Alison: The postcards keep coming in and I have one I have to share. Robert: Please do. Alison: So bear with me, here. This is one that came from Randy in Tulsa, and I realize talking about a postcard does not make for great radio, but I will describe it to you. The postcard is probably about 50 years old, and it's a postcard of the Cook's Court Motel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the time, getting a room at the hotel was $2.50 a night. Randy writes: "My parents bought the land this motel has been on and built a collision repair center. We opened for business 40 years ago, tomorrow. I was 16. Now, at 56 (I'm good with math), the help I've received from Foolish advice has me comfortable that I'll be ready to retire at 65. Thanks for your services and podcasts. Fool on!" How cool is that? Robert: That is very cool. Alison: Isn't that awesome? We also want to thank [Kathy] in Virginia who sent a postcard from her alma mater, Kansas State. We've got [John from Mass], who visited St. Louis. And Mother, who sent probably the biggest postcard so far, and of course it's from Texas. And as far as the postcard that has traveled the farthest distance, I'm sorry Berlin. You've been beaten by Afghanistan. That's right. [Alan] has sent us a postcard all the way from Afghanistan. Unfortunately, he says, "Sorry. Afghanistan is not a tourist trap, yet. No postcard vendors. Can you believe it? Damn rocket attacks." So he, instead, sent us a card from Chuy's, which is his favorite restaurant, and he picked up a postcard while he was at the Dulles Airport. He says, "Keep the good times coming." He addressed the postcard: "Dearest Alison and that other guy." It's the Alison Southwick Show, apparently. [Alan], thank you for listening, and most of all, stay safe out there in Afghanistan. Sending lots of Foolish love your way. Fingers crossed we can still get a postcard from the Olympics. Again, our address is 2000 Duke Street, 4th Floor, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314. Thanks you guys. These really warm our heart. Thanks. Rick: Warms our heart? Robert: We share the same heart. Don't I get the heart tonight? Alison: It warms our (plural) hearts. Not our collective heart. Of course, we also take questions, in addition to postcards, because we're called Motley Fool Answers. You can email us at [email protected], or you can leave a voice mail at (866) MRSFOOL. It just cracks me up. That's going to do it for today. The show is edited GOATingly by Rick Engdahl. I don't know. It's fine. It's fine. Just go with it. For Robert Brokamp, I'm Alison Southwick. Stay Foolish, everybody. Sometime in the next two decades, NASA plans to land humans on Mars. In the meantime, several companies are making efforts to put fresh footprints on the Moon. But here's the thing: If astronauts want to spend any significant amount of time exploring these heavenly bodies, they're going to need someplace to live. As spaceflight pioneer Elon Musk has explained, even SpaceX's rather roomy Dragon 2 space capsule only has about as much interior volume as a family SUV, while Boeing's (BA 2.92%) CST-100 Starliner capsule isn't much bigger. The Orion crew module that Lockheed Martin (LMT 2.74%) is building for NASA is somewhat roomier -- but still probably not big enough to move its crew of four astronauts to Mars and back in comfort. Don't get me wrong. All three of these spaceships are probably comfortable enough for short hops. But for any mission of any real length on a foreign planet(oid) -- and especially for the 18-month round trip to Mars and back -- astronauts are going to need some better extended-stay housing options. So last week, NASA announced a new project to try to develop such options. Round up the usual space suspects On August 9, NASA expanded the parameters of its NextSTEP program (Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships) for development of new space technology by private industry. In NextStep part 2, the agency has invited six U.S. companies to try to come up with improved options for long-term deep-space living. These six companies include publicly traded space giants Boeing (BA 2.92%), Lockheed Martin (LMT 2.74%), and Orbital ATK (OA). In addition, up-and-comer Bigelow Aerospace, private aerospace specialist Sierra Nevada, and relative newcomer NanoRacks of Webster, Texas also won contracts. (Although actually, NanoRacks will partner with Boeing's and Lockheed Martin's United Launch Alliance joint venture. So in a sense, you could say that Boeing and Lockheed won this NextSTEP competition twice). Living off campus -- way off campus What will they be building for NASA? The range of potential space habitat ideas is pretty wide. We've already written at length about Bigelow's inflatable "BEAM" series of inflatable space habitats -- one of which is already undergoing testing as an add-on to the International Space Station (ISS). In addition, both Boeing and Orbital ATK are developing new purpose-built habitation modules for NASA. Lockheed and Sierra Nevada both envision habitats comprising repurposed cargo capsules (sent into orbit on ISS resupply missions, for example). The NanoRacks team will try to do something similar, refitting a launch rocket's second-stage fuel tank to see if it can be converted into living quarters (a la Skylab). What it means for investors NASA hasn't divulged the value of its initial six NextSTEP-2 contract awards, which is problematic for investors trying to gauge the investment opportunity here. On the other hand, neither has NASA stated that it will pick just one of the solutions proposed by its contractors for building future deep-space habitats. To the contrary, it might make more financial sense to build as much outer-space real estate as possible, utilizing all available resources -- spent fuel tanks, empty cargo containers, purpose-built modules, and inflatable structures as well. Potentially, all six of these companies could come out of the NextSTEP-2 competition looking like winners. For now, though, you can still only invest in three of them: Boeing, Lockheed, and Orbital ATK. Opinion / Columnist Musewe, unless we stop and think through what we have done wrong in the past we will never "create the Zimbabwe we want" you keep talking about. You keep say one thing and doing the exact opposite, for example, showing a complete disconnect between one half of your brain from the other half."We must never again, as a society, put too much of a burden on individuals, instead we must begin to build institutions that survive personalities," you argued."This has always been the challenge in Zimbabwe, in that our politics have indeed been too personalized and therefore too dependent on individual leadership failures of those we tend to put on a pedestal. Nobody is perfect and yet we have continually expected the impossible from those who lead whom we then blame when they fail to meet our expectations. That is a dependence mentality which disempowers us as individuals to be the change we want to see."At this point the reader would have been forgiven to think you have finally started to UNDERSTAND Zimbabwe's political problem which can be split into two parts although each feeds on the other.a) Poor leadership we would not be in this political and economic mess if we did not have some of the most corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical leaders, on both sides of the political divide, in the world.b) A naive and gullible electorate only a naive and gullible electorate will take corrupt and incompetent leaders and place them on a "pedestal" as you yourself have acknowledged above.You have clearly acknowledged the failure of our current political leaders with one half of your brain only because by singing the praise of failed leaders like Morgan Tsvangirai, Joice Mujuru, Tendai Biti and all the other opposition leaders it shows the other half of your brain is yet to be convinced these are failed leaders. You, Mr Musewe are the secretary of Finance and Economic Affairs for PDP, the party led by Tendai Biti, one of the MDC leaders who failed to implement even one democratic reform during the GNU landing us in this mess.In Japan if one is shown to be incompetent they "bow down low and resign from public life", according to Ken Yamamoto. In failing to get even one reform implemented in five years MDC leaders have proven that they are not just incompetent but, worse still, that they are corruption. Of course they sold-out they knowingly kick the reforms into the tall grass to appease Mugabe who granted them the ministerial cars, generous salaries and allowances and for, Tsvangirai, the $4 million Highlands mansion.After the rigged July 2013 elections, MDC leaders should have all grovelled in the dust, given up whatever car, farm, mansion, etc. bribe Mugabe had given them, resigned on mass from public life and be grateful not to face treason charges for having betrayed the nation over the reforms. It is therefore shocking that you Mr Musewe should be calling of the nation to re-elect the same failed leaders back into power and still claim these corrupt and incompetent leaders will deliver "the Zimbabwe we want"!"The fundamental question we must now ask ourselves in whether the current on going public protests from all manner of circles will achieve the change which we seek?" continued Musewe, talking of the people."I do not think that there is any doubt in anyone's mind what needs to happen if we are to see fundamental political and economic reforms. Mugabe must simply step down and allow a new leadership to take the country on a new path."There is the disconnect again; Musewe we are talking here of an electorate that has shown again and again that it is very naive and gullible, one half of your brain has acknowledged that; and yet you now tell us the same people now know what "needs to happen" to achieve the reforms we want. No, no, no, a thousand nos! The Zimbabwean people do NOT know anything about the reforms; that is exactly the point.If the people had understood even the most basic concepts behind the democratic reforms agreed in the 2008 GPA then they would have seen to it that MDC implemented at least some of the key reform during the five years life of the GNU. Even with the benefit of hindsight of the rigged July 2013 elections most people still have no clue what reforms are about; for anyone for whom the penny on reforms final drop, the one thing they will do without failure is to politically lynch all the MDC leaders for selling-out.MDC leaders still continue to enjoy some public support in Zimbabwe. I rest my case!The country's worsening economic meltdown has force the ordinary Zimbabweans to wake up to the reality that if they do not make a stand and demand change the situation will only get worse. However if anyone believes that joining in the street protest shouting "Tajamuka!" "Sesijikile!" "We are wiser!" "Hatichatya!" is all the nation has to do to get out of the political and economic mess we are in, then they have learnt nothing from the past. Shouting "Chinja maitiro!" "Change!" at MDC rallies failed to bring about any change.If we are serious about end the economic meltdown and have a competent and accountable government then we must address the country problem of a naive and gullible electorate. We will only have quality and competent leaders when we have a shrewd and diligent electorate at least, shrewd enough not to elect the same corrupt and incompetent individuals again and again! The water has been receding but the damage has been done as Louisiana residents begin to cope with the aftermath from the catastrophic flooding that has now left more than 95,000 residents seeking help from FEMA. FEMA is looking at how to best maximize its resources to get people back into their homes and many residents feel the maximum payout of $33,000 FEMA hands out for flood damage is not nearly enough. FEMA wasnt designed to be a fix all; it was really a safety net to get started. And knowing that, the amount of money is not going to make people whole, we are working closely with our partners at Housing and Urban Development, other volunteer groups that will be going in and providing assistance, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said during an interview on the FOX Business Networks Cavuto: Coast-to-Coast. Nearly $17 million has been approved to help survivors with temporary rental assistance, essential home repairs, and other serious disaster-related needs. However, some residents may feel frustrated with the Federal government because the funds FEMA is allocating might not simply be enough. We know that our programs dont make people whole, but we are working to get people places to stay and start that recovery process. But this is really where it takes a lot of other agencies and resources to get people back into their homes, he said. Fugate said there is no substitution for insurance and its looking at other Federal programs such as the Small Business Administrations (SBA) disaster loans to assist uninsured home owners and small businesses. Thats one of the things we really caution people about flood insurance. You may not live in an area that requires flood insurance, but if you are in an area that is of risk of flooding, your homeowners policy doesnt cover it. The only thing that covers it is flood insurance and again that is your best defense, Fugate told host Charles Payne. According to the American Red Cross, the Louisiana flooding is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy pummeled the East Coast in 2012. FEMAs assistant grants do not require any repayment while the SBA disaster loans are paid back with low interest over a period of time. Fugate went on to say, They [grants] are set to provide a level of assistance to start a recovery, but it will not make a full recovery. Google is opening a new space for developers and start-ups in San Francisco. Next month, the Web giant will open a 14,000-square-foot office at 301 Howard St. "We'll have more than enough elbow room to train, educate, and collaborate with local and international developers and start-ups," Launchpad Accelerator global lead Roy Glasberg wrote in a blog post. Google plans to host various events, including Google Developer Group community meetups, Codelabs, design sprints, and tech talks. It will also house the third class of Launchpad Accelerator, the company's start-up incubator for emerging markets. The three-month program begins with a two-week boot camp at Google HQ. "Developers are in an ever-changing landscape and seek technical training," Glasberg said. "This is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and emerging markets." Launchpad Accelerator already boasts nearly 50 alumni in India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Mexico, where start-ups are "tackling critical local problems, but often lack access to the resources and networks" available at Google. "This dedicated space will enable us to regularly engage with developers and serve their evolving needs, whether that is to build a product, grow a company, or make revenue," Glasberg said. In July 2015, Google introduced the Patent Starter Program, inviting eligible start-ups and developers to sign up for a set of Google patents, along with access to the company's non-organic patent portfolio. This article originally appeared on PCMag.com. Finding jobs onlinethe modern professional world couldn't function without online job marketplaces and career listing websites. It's the technology that allows you to apply to a dozen jobs over a cup of coffee in your apartment without putting on pants. A spate of recent acquisitions in the human resources (HR) tech space have begun to show us the quantifiable value these online networks and cloud-based recruiting services have in the enterprise landscapeand the figures are staggering. Last week, Dutch HR services conglomerate Randstad Holding bought US recruiting giant Monster.com for $429 million. This came only a month after Monster announced it was acquiring mobile job discovery app Jobr (which has been called the "Tinder for jobs") for an undisclosed amount. But the Monster deal is only the most recent example of the big money consolidation happening in HR tech right now. Earlier this summer, SimplyHireda popular online job portal with more than 30 million monthly users and more than $34 million in fundingwas acquired by another mega-HR conglomerate, Japanese firm Recruit Holdings. Recruit, which owns a slew of recruiting websites worldwide including Indeed.com, is syncing the Indeed and SimplyHired websites as "publishing partners" under its HR banner. Then there's the biggest deal of them all: Microsoft's landmark acquisition of LinkedIn. The $26.2 billion LinkedIn deal eclipses Oracle's $10.3 billion acquisition of PeopleSoft in 2005 for the most expensive HR tech deal ever, and ranks fourth on the list of all-time biggest tech acquisitions. We've talked about all of the possibilities of what Microsoft could do with LinkedIn but, from a revenue standpoint, LinkedIn Recruiter and the company's underlying HR pipeline are the moneymakers. Underneath the business social network, LinkedIn has a goldmine of HR data and functionality including a job board, recruiting tool, and an applicant tracking system (ATS). In all of these deals, the theme is consolidationnot just in assets and market share but from a holistic technological standpoint. Each of these moves gives the acquiring company a more complete, cloud-based portfolio of HR services and recruiting websites, each coming with substantial user bases to bolster the companies' overall cloud footprints. Breaking Down the Wheeling and DealingMonster had been searching for a buyer for a few years. Once valued at more than $8 billion in the early 2000s, Monster's market cap at sale was around $310 million, on approximately $667 million in revenue. Monster is still the second-most popular job board, ahead of Indeed and behind CareerBuilder according to web analytics company Alexa. Though, as Raghav Singh comments on in HR and recruiting news outlet ERE Media, a successful HR tech business can no longer subsist on a job board alone. "Job boards today provide a commodity service, so there's little to distinguish one from another, and they can mainly compete on price," wrote Singh. "Having a large volume of online traffic is not enough value to command a premium. In a race to help employers win the war for talent, job boards like Monster lost the leadership position a long time ago." Tech companies and cash-strapped startups are finding it harder to raise capital or satisfy post-IPO Wall Street expectations in general (see Twitter). So, as Rolfe Winkler in The Wall Street Journal recently explained, seeking a buyout or acqui-hire represents a path of least resistance. Look no further than Walmart's $3 billion deal to buy Jet.com for a fresh example. At the same time, cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms are hot right now. Oracle dropped $9.3 billion for NetSuite just last month. Microsoft's plans for LinkedIn also play prominently into this idea of a one-stop SaaS cloud for the whole gamut of HR, recruiting, training, and applicant services on top of an integrated enterprise platform. LinkedIn did a lot of the consolidation work for Microsoft, buying up several HR tech companies including Careerify, Connectifier, and popular online learning website Lynda.com in the last two years. Now Microsoft can take all of LinkedIn's services and integrate them with enterprise platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics to tie HR and recruiting, customer relationship management (CRM), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) into a powerhouse command center for business operations. The current state of the tech market and this era of integrated cloud platforms go a long way toward explaining the last few months in HR tech consolidation. Peter Yoon, Managing Director at Berkery Noyes, an independent investment bank focusing on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), told PCMag he sees several trends coming together to drive increased M&A in the HR tech sector. "As the unemployment rate continues to improve and it becomes more difficult to hire qualified personnel for key positions, corporations are increasingly utilizing human capital management [HCM] software to source and hire candidates in an efficient and cost-effective manner, as well as helping to improve retention of the employees that they do have," said Yoon. "In addition, consolidation and market growth is being spurred on by players who can provide the full breadth of HCM software and services, including core HR, workforce management, recruiting, training, performance reporting, compensation, and other functions." Job boards such as Indeed/SimplyHired, Monster, and to a broader degree LinkedIn, will all now serve as key cogs in larger HR machines. John Sumser had an interesting analysis of the Monster deal in HRExaminer. Sumser said Monster's comparatively low sale price had more to do with the company's longstanding struggles than the value of job boards, explaining that the deal is indicative of a new era in "full spectrum recruiting." "Any company of scale has to be great at a lot of things to do recruiting," wrote Sumser. "Any company that hopes to serve those companies requires even greater effectiveness. All recruiting operations require job board functionality, sometimes inside the operation and sometimes outside of it. "There is an important quiet revolution happening in the recruiting world," he added. "The market-facing functions like job boards, employment branding, candidate acquisition, pipelining, CRM, drip marketing campaigns, and all the rest of the marketing influence are shaping the public conversation. The internal processes, characterized by ATS workflows and team construction, are the next frontier." This article originally appeared on PCMag.com. IT security is a dangerous and expensive hellhole. Vast amounts of money are spent protecting company data and networks. Hordes of bad guys are motivated to break in, and the consequences for failure are more painful than the cost of protection. Worse, the current ways of dealing with security are intrusive. While core security tools such as managed endpoint protection will always be necessary, every one of us has bemoaned the difficulty of managing passwords, cussed about access rights to the software we need, and complained about the barriers between us and the work we need to do. If security procedures worked 100 percent of the time, perhaps we'd be okay with itbut hey, have you noticed how many breaches are still reported? Me, too. Just take a look at how the number of data breaches per year has exploded in this graphic below (by data analytics and visualization blog Sparkling Data). The graphic shows data breaches since 2009, broken out by industry type and how many millions of records were compromised: Source: July 24 2016; Analysis of HIPAA Breach Data; Sparkling Data But there's good news as well. The same machine learning (ML) technologies and predictive analytic algorithms that give you useful book recommendations and power your most advanced self-serve business intelligence (BI) and data visualization tools are being incorporated into IT security tools. Experts report that you probably won't spend less money on your company's IT security because of this, but at least your staff will work more efficiently and have a better chance of finding hackers and malware before damage is done. The combination of ML and IT security can certainly be labeled as "emerging tech," but what makes it cool is that we're not talking about just one technology. ML is comprised of several kinds of technology, each applied in various ways. And, because so many vendors are working in this area, we get to watch a whole new technology category compete, evolve, and hopefully provide benefit to all of us. So, What's Machine Learning?ML allows a computer to teach itself something without having to be explicitly programmed. It does so by accessing large data setsoften huge ones. "With machine learning, we can give a computer 10,000 pictures of cats and tell it, 'This is what a cat looks like.' And then you can give the computer 10,000 unlabeled pictures and ask it to find out which ones are cats," explains Adam Porter-Price, a Senior Associate at Booz Allen. The model improves as you give the system feedback, whether its guess is correct or incorrect. Over time, the system gets more accurate at determining if the photo includes a cat (as, of course, all photos should). This isn't a brand-new technology, though recent advances in faster computers, better algorithms, and Big Data tools have certainly improved things. "Machine learning (especially as applied to modeling human behaviors) has been around for a long time," said Idan Tendler, CEO of Fortscale. "It's a core component of the quantitative sides of many disciplines, ranging from airfare pricing to political polling to fast food marketing as far back as the 1960s." The most evident and recognizable modern uses are in marketing endeavors. When you buy a book on Amazon, for example, its recommendation engines mine previous sales and suggest additional books you'll likely enjoy (e.g., people who liked Steven Brust's Yendi may also like Jim Butcher's novels), which translates into more book sales. That's applied ML right there. Another example might be a business that uses its customer relationship management (CRM) data to analyze customer churn, or an airline that uses ML to analyze how many reward points incentivize frequent flyers to accept a particular offer. The more data a computer system gathers and analyzes, the better its insights (and its cat photo identification). Plus, with the advent of Big Data, ML systems can pool information from multiple sources. An online retailer can look beyond its own data sets to include analysis of the customer's web browser data and information from its partner sites, for instance. ML takes data that's too much for humans to comprehend (such as millions of lines of network log files or a huge number of e-commerce transactions) and turns it into something easier to understand, said Balazs Scheidler, CTO of IT security tool vendor Balabit. "Machine learning systems recognize patterns and highlight anomolies, which help humans to grasp a situation and, when appropriate, take action on it," Scheidler said. "And machine learning does this analysis in an automated way; you couldn't learn the same things simply from looking only at transaction logs." Where ML Patches Security WeaknessesFortunately, the same ML principles that can help you decide on a new book purchases can make your company network more secure. In fact, said Fortscale's Tendler, the IT vendors are a little late to the ML party. The marketing departments could see financial benefits in early ML adoption, particularly because the cost of being wrong was minimal. Recommending the wrong book won't take down anyone's network. Security specialists needed more certainty about the technology and it seems they finally have it. Frankly, it's about time. Because the current ways to deal with security are intrusive and reactive. Worse: The sheer volume of new security tools and disparate data collection tools has resulted in too much input even for the watchers. "Most companies are flooded with thousands of alerts per day, largely dominated by false positives," said David Thompson, Senior Director of Product Management at IT security company LightCyber. "Even if the alert is seen, it would likely be viewed as a singular event and not understood to be part of a larger, orchestrated attack." Thompson cites a Gartner report that said most attackers go undetected for an average of five months. Those false positives may also result in angry users, pointed out Ting-Fang Yen, a research scientist at DataVisor, whenever employees are blocked or flagged in error, not to mention the time spent by the IT team to resolve the issues. So the first tack in IT security using ML is analyzing network activity. Algorithms assess activity patterns, comparing them to past behavior, and they determine whether the current activity poses a threat. To help, vendors such as Core Security evaluate network data such as users' DNS lookup behavior and communication protocols within HTTP requests. Some analysis happens in real time, and other ML solutions examine transaction records and other log files. For example, Fortscale's product spots insider threats, including threats that involve stolen credentials. "We focus on access and authentication logs, but the logs can come from almost anywhere: Active Directory, Salesforce, Kerberos, your own 'crown jewel applications,'" said Fortscale's Tendler. "The more variety, the better." Where ML makes a key difference here is that it can turn an organization's humble and oft-ignored housekeeping logs into valuable, highly effective, and cheap threat intelligence sources. And these strategies are making a difference. An Italian bank with under 100,000 users experienced an insider threat involving large-scale exfiltration of sensitive data to a group of unidentified computers. Specifically, legitimate user credentials were used to send large volumes of data outside the organization via Facebook. The bank deployed the ML-powered Darktrace Enterprise Immune System, which detected anomalous behavior within three minutes when a company server connected to Facebookan uncharacteristic activity, said Dave Palmer, Director of Technology at Darktrace. The system immediately issued a threat alert, which enabled the bank's security team to respond. Eventually, an inquiry led to a systems administrator who had inadvertently downloaded malware that trapped the bank's server in a bitcoin mining botneta group of machines controlled by hackers. In less than three minutes, the company triaged, investigated in real time, and began its responsewithout corporate data loss or damage to customer operational services, said Palmer. Monitoring Users, Not Access Control or DevicesBut computer systems can investigate any kind of digital footprint. And that's where much vendor attention is going these days: towards creating baselines of "known good" behavior by an organization's users called User Behavior Analytics (UBA). Access control and device monitoring go only so far. It's far better, say several experts and vendors, to make users the central focus of security, which is what UBA is all about. "UBA is a way to watch what people are doing and to notice if they are doing something out of the ordinary," said Balabit's Scheiler. The product (in this case, Balabit's Blindspotter and Shell Control Box) builds a digital database of each user's typical behavior, a process that takes about three months. Thereafter, the software recognizes anomalies from that baseline. The ML system creates a score of how "off" a user account is behaving, along with the criticality of the issue. Alerts are generated whenever the score exceeds a threshold. "Analytics try to decide if you are yourself," said Scheiler. For example, a database analyst regularly uses certain tools. So, if she logs in from an unusual location at an unusual time and accesses unusual-for-her applications, then the system concludes that her account may be compromised. The UBA characteristics tracked by Balabit include the user's historical habits (login time, commonly-used applications, and commands), possessions (screen resolution, trackpad use, operating system version), context (ISP, GPS data, location, network traffic counters), and inherence (something you are). In the latter category are mouse movement analysis and keystroke dynamics, whereby the system maps how hard and fast a user's fingers whack the keyboard. While fascinating in geek terms, Scheiler cautions that the mouse and keyboard measurements aren't foolproof yet. For example, he said, identifying someone's keystrokes is about 90 percent reliable, so the company's tools don't rely heavily on an anomaly in that area. Besides, user behavior is slightly different all the time; if you have a stressful day or a pain in your hand, the mouse movements are different. "Since we work with many aspects of the users' behavior and the aggregated value is the one to be compared to the baseline profile, altogether it has a very high reliability that converges to 100 percent," said Scheiler. Balabit certainly isn't the only vendor whose products use UBA to identify security events. Cybereason, for instance, uses a similar methodology to identify behavior that makes attentive humans say, "Hmm, that's funny." Explains Cybereason's CTO Yonatan Streim Amit: "When our platform sees an anomalyJames working latewe can correlate it with other known behaviors and relevant data. Is he using the same applications and access patterns? Is he sending data to someone he never communicates with or are all communications going to his manager, who is replying back?" Cybereason analyzes the anomaly of James working abnormally late with a long list of other observed data to provide a context for determining if an alert is a false positive or a legitimate concern. It is IT's job to find answers but it sure helps to have software that can raise the right questions. For instance, two users in a healthcare organization were accessing records of deceased patients. "Why would someone be looking at patients who have passed away two or three years ago, unless you want to do some kind of identity or medical fraud?" asks Amit Kulkarni, CEO of Cognetyx. In identifying this security risk, the Cognetyx system identified the inappropriate access based on the normal activities for that department, and compared the two users' behavior to that of their peers' access patterns and against their own normal behavior. "By definition, machine learning systems are iterative and automated," said Fortscale's Tendler. "They look to 'match' new data against what they've seen before, but won't 'disqualify' anything out of hand or automatically 'throw away' unexpected or out-of-bounds results." So Fortscale's algorithms look for hidden structures in a data set, even when they don't know what the structure looks like. "Even if we find the unexpected, it provides fodder on which to potentially build a new pattern map. That's what makes machine learning so much more powerful than deterministic rule sets: Machine learning systems can find security problems that have never been seen before." What happens when the ML system finds an anomaly? Generally, these tools hand off alerts to a human to make a final call in some way since the side effects of a false positive are damaging to the company and its customers. "Troubleshooting and forensics needs human expertise," asserts Balabit's Scheiler. The ideal is that the generated alerts are accurate and automated, and dashboards give a useful overview of system status with the ability to drill into "hey, that's weird" behavior. Source: Balabit.com (Click on graphic above to see full view.) It's Just the BeginningDon't assume that ML and IT security is a perfect match like chocolate and peanut butter or cats and the internet. This is a work in progress, though it will gain more power and usefulness as products gain more features, application integration, and tech improvements. In the short term, look for automation advancements so that security and operations teams can gain new data insights faster and with less human intervention. In the next two or three years, said Mike Paquette, VP of products at Prelert, "we expect advancements to come in two forms: an expanded library of preconfigured use cases that identify attack behaviors, and advances in automated feature selection and configuration, reducing the need for consulting engagements." The next steps are self-learning systems that can fight back against attacks on their own, said Darktrace's Palmer. "They'll respond to emerging risks from malware, hackers, or disaffected employees in a way that understands the full context of normal behavior of individual devices and the overall business processes, rather than making individual binary decisions like traditional defenses. This will be crucial to responding to faster moving attacks, like extortion-based attacks, that will morph into attacking any valuable asset (not just file systems) and will be designed to react faster than is possible by human beings." This is an exciting area with plenty of promise. The combination of ML and advanced security tools not only give IT professionals new tools to use but, more importantly, it gives them tools that let them do their jobs more accurately, yet still faster than ever before. While not a silver bullet, it's a significant step forward in a scenario in which the bad guys have had all of the advantages for far too long. This article originally appeared on PCMag.com. Shares of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. rocketed 8.5% in active midday trade Friday to a 4 1/2-year high, and have now quadrupled in the past six months. With volume up to 56.4 million shares in afternoon trade, the stock was the most-actively traded on U.S. exchanges. The stock, which is on track to close at the highest level since April 20, 2012, had run up 5.4% on Thursday, after the chipmaker said its next-generation "Zen" chip achieved a 40% improvement in processor performance. The company was not immediately available for comment. Six months ago, the stock had closed at $1.91. Since then, AMD had reported quarterly results that surprisingly beat expectations--the first-quarter report triggered a 52% surge in the stock on April 22 while the second-quarter report sent the stock rallying 12% on July 22. Bearish investors have scrambled to close out their bearish as the stock rallies. Short interest has been cut nearly in half in the past six months, falling in July to the lowest level since May 2012. Copyright 2016 MarketWatch, Inc. IMAGE SOURCE: PHILLIPS 66. Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) reported adjusted second-quarter earnings of $499 million, a 50% decrease from the $1 billion in earnings from one year ago. The real story, though, is Phillips' brutally low refining margins, which dropped 40% from a year ago. For a company that depended on refining for over 60% of its earnings in the first half of 2015, this should strike any investor as an alarming development. Despite the sharp decrease in its refining margin, though, here's why the company remains well positioned for future growth. Impacts from refining Phillips' weaker earnings were caused almost entirely because of weak refining margins. The company's second-quarter report states that even with higher market crack spreads -- the margin from turning crude oil into petroleum products -- the overall margins were weak because oflower margins on gasoline & diesel and lower margins one other petroleum products due to rising crude prices. Because of this, the company's refining business dropped nearly 75%. Adjusted earnings from refining in the second quarter were $152 million, an increase over its first-quarter earnings of $86 million, but a huge decrease from the $604 million from the second quarter of 2015. Year over year, refining earnings for the six-month period that ended in June dropped from $1.1 billion to $238 million. Phillip 66 now joins several oil refiners, such asValero Energy, to indicate that the low margins will have further impacts this year. Like Valero, the company expects its refinery capacity to drop from 100% utilization in the second quarter to the mid-90% range in the second half of 2016. While this should have minimal impact on earnings, it highlights the continued struggle Phillips will endure as it contends with the difficult operating environment. Projects coming online While Phillips' refining utilization might drop, though,the company has several projects coming online within the next two years. In its refining business, yield improvement projects at the Wood River Refinery are scheduled for completion in the third quarter. Additionally, improvements to increase heavy Canadian crude utilization at its Billings Refinery should be complete in the first half of 2017, and modernization projects to increase gasoline yields at its Bayway Refinery will finish up in 2018. In Phillips 66's midstream business, several additional projects will contribute to returns by the end of this year or next year. Joint ventures to develop the Dakota Access and Energy Transfer Crude Oil pipelines remain on schedule to come online by the end of 2016. And an expansion project at its Beaumont Terminal will add 3.2 million barrels of new storage capacity by mid-2017. The fact that Phillips has managed to invest in these projects and continues to turn a profit while refining margins are so low is a very encouraging sign. Looking beyond refining While low refining margins are hard to overcome, Phillips actually increased its marketing fuel margins and brought in higher adjusted marketing earnings than a year ago. This is vitally important for its long-term profitablity as it shows how the company can work through hard times for a core business. The company also managed to generate $1.2 billion in cash from operations, which more than covered its capital expenditures of $620 million. Because of its strong cash flows, it had no issues returning $571 million to its investors during the quarter through its dividend and share repurchases. In fact, the company even increased its dividend by 12.5%. It's hard to look past the low refining margins and it is prudent to monitor the situation. With strong cash flows, though, as well as multiple sources of revenue and continued investment focused on future growth, Phillips 66 remains a very strong pick for long-term investors. A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here. David Lettis owns shares of Phillips 66. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Technology / Internet by APO The Facebook Challenge will become an official Loerie Award in the Student Category from 2017 DURBAN, South Africa - Facebook (www.Facebook.com) celebrated the creativity and excellence of young African creatives at The Loerie Awards for 2016, the premier annual advertising awards in the advertising industry in Africa and the Middle East. In addition to sponsoring The Loerie Student Awards for 2016, Facebook hosted a range of events aimed at young creatives in support of Loeries Creative Week (15-21 August, Durban).Facebook announced that it will work with the Loeries and advertising schools across the country to develop and promote young creative talent on an ongoing basis. This will culminate in the Facebook Challenge, which will become an official Loerie Award in the Student Category from 2017.One of the highlights of the week was the partnership between Facebook and the Nelson Mandela Foundation to run the first student Hack for Good at this year's Loerie Awards.Twenty of the country's top students competed in a 48-hour hack to create a world-class video campaign, speaking to the theme of "Tolerance" and "Living the Mandela Legacy". Facebook will sponsor the production and flighting of the campaign on 5 December, the second anniversary of Madiba's passing."If we want to be more creative, we have to connect with each other, the industry and the world," says Nunu Ntshingila, Head of Facebook, Africa. "For Facebook, the Loeries is a perfect opportunity to celebrate how Africa's dynamic creatives are using mobile to make human connections and tell compelling stories. Mobile is the creative canvas of our time and young African professionals will define how it is used in the years to come."Facebook's participation in Loeries Creative Week and beyond included:Facebook Made on Mobile workshop a full-day workshop in partnership with KCap (Kwamashu Community Advancement Projects) aimed at equipping disadvantaged youth with the skills to create marketing campaigns for small businesses using only their phones. Student Portfolio Day Facebook supported the Adams and Adams Student Portfolio Day, giving students the tools to build online creative portfolios, and promoting these to the industry using Facebook Canvas Ads. Supporting The Loeries Creative Futures Scholarship, which unearths and nurtures creative talent from previously disadvantaged communities.Adds Ntshingila: "We want to go beyond sponsorship to truly helping develop young, diverse talent, through programs and activities such as Made on Mobile and Hack for Good. We believe that any teen with a phone can become a marketing expert or an entrepreneur. Facebook sees a future of mobi-entrepreneurs in Africa, and we will help them unlock their creativity with the power of technology."Distributed by APO on behalf of Facebook. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2022 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. FAQ - New Privacy Policy Image by: Getty Images. In a world where dividend yields are frequently higher than bond yields, investors are increasingly using exchange-traded fund investments to generate income. Top ETFs like the High Dividend Yield ETF(NYSEMKT: VYM)offer payouts 50% larger than the stock market average by investing in the market's best dividend stocks. ETF name Ticker Expense Ratio Dividend Yield Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF VYM 0.09% 3.1% Source: Vanguard. Here's everything you need to know about this dividend-yield focused ETF. How this high-yield ETF works Like most of Vanguard's funds and ETFs, the High Dividend Yield ETF is an index fund. It picks stocks mechanically, following a multi-step formula, rather than picking stocks recommended by in-house analysts. The ETF picks stocks by compiling a list of all U.S.-listed dividend-paying companies, excluding real estate investment trusts. It then sifts out the highest-yielding half of the list, and then weights each company by market cap. The result is a highly diversified fund that holds more than 420 stocks, with a bias toward large-cap stocks. The fund is thus most heavily invested in companies that should be recognizable to almost anyone. Recently, it reported that its five-largest stock holdings were Microsoft, ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, and AT&T, all large-cap companies that are frequently found in high-yielding portfolios. What it holds Some industries are simply more capable of paying dividends to investors, and it's only natural that the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF would skew its holdings toward sectors where dividends are the largest and most common. As a result of its focus on dividend yield, this Vanguard ETF holds significantly more utilities, consumer staples, and energy stocks than Vanguard's S&P 500 ETF. However, it is also meaningfully underweight consumer cyclical, technology, and healthcare stocks. This isdue to the sectors' low dividend yields and fewer dividend-paying companies. Real estate exposure is also lower because real estate investment trusts are specifically excluded from Vanguard's ETF. You'll notice that this ETF, like most dividend-focused ETFs, is heavily invested in "value" sectors compared to traditional "growth" sectors. This is because the fund's methodology favors lower-valued companies -- high P/E ratios and high-dividend yields are mathematically mutually exclusive -- and because mature companies with few growth opportunities are much-more likely to pay dividends than their faster-growing counterparts. Fees and performance Like most Vanguard ETFs, the High Dividend Yield ETF is certifiably cheap, carrying an expense ratio of just 0.09% of assets, a tiny premium relative to an annual expense ratio of 0.05% for Vanguard's S&P 500 ETF. Riding the tailwinds of dividend-paying stocks, the High Dividend Yield ETF has put up five-year returns of 15.44% annually vs. 15.22% for Vanguard's S&P 500 index fund, with more of its return coming in the form of frequent dividends to its investors. If you're looking for a low-fee way to own a diversified portfolio of more than 400 stocks that yield about 50% more than the stock-market average, the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF may be your best bet. A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here. Jordan Wathen has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Johnson and Johnson. The Motley Fool owns shares of ExxonMobil, General Electric, and Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Are activist investors quietly coveting Bank of America? Image source: iStock/Thinkstock. A shot was fired across the bow this week on Wall Street: An activist investor bought a large number of shares in Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), the nation's sixth biggest bank by assets. There's a sense that this puts the other big banks on notice, and none more so than Bank of America (NYSE: BAC). But even though there are reasons to think that the North Carolina-based bank makes the juiciest target of them all due to its embarrassingly low valuation, I'd be surprised if an activist investor actually tries anytime soon to force change on the bank from the outside. Activist investors have lately avoided banks The threat from activist investors is nothing new. Nor is there anything new about them taking positions in major companies. Earlier this year, one of the best-known activist investors since the 1980s, Carl Icahn, exited a three-year investment in Apple, netting a $2 billion profit. Whether Icahn's less-than 1% stake in the company was enough to spur change is debatable, but that didn't stop him from lobbying Apple to return more capital to shareholders. Until now, however, the nation's biggest banks have seemed to escape activist investors' gaze. This is despite the fact that many bank stocks are patently cheap. For its part, Morgan Stanley's shares trade for a 16% discount to book value, meaning that the market values it at 16% less than the shareholder equity on its balance sheet. Bank of America presents an even more extreme case. Its shares trade for a 36% discount to book value. Indeed, this is why commentators have begun to speculate that it might be the next to attract the attention of activist investors. Bank of America and activist investors It's not just random analysts and commentators speculating about this. Here's what The Wall Street Journal's Christina Rexrode had to say about it on Wednesday: Rexrode surely has credible sources telling her this, but I'd say that the aversion among activist investors to Bank of America probably has less to do with size and more to do with the fact that it isn't an easy fix.Icahn asked Apple to distribute more of its cash. What would he push for at Bank of America? After all, the Federal Reserve dictates how much capital it can distribute. The one thing we know for sure is that an activist investor couldn't just swing into Bank of America's boardroom, push for massive cost cuts, and then triumphantly fly away with fattened pockets. The bank beat everyone to this punch. Over the last five years, it cut operating expenses by $15 billion a year. And CEO Brian Moynihan just committed to cutting $3 billion more by 2018. Bank of America Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan. Image source: Bank of America. There also couldn't be a lot of low-hanging fruit in terms of unloved, noncore subsidiaries for an activist to pry loose in order to free up capital. Bank of America has already culled the ranks of its various businesses, closing or selling dozens of them since the crisis. From the looks of it, the only opportunity to shake up Bank of America would be to sell off or shutter its trading operations. These reduce the number of high-yielding assets that large universal banks with both commercial and investment banking operations can hold on their balance sheets. They also negatively affect a bank's debt rating, which increases borrowing costs. If you get rid of trading operations, in other words, there's an opportunity to increase profitability. But the problem with this thesis is that Bank of America's trading operations are intimately intertwined with the other investment and commercial banking products and services that it offers. This goes to a point Moynihan has made in the past, that Bank of America's large customers want access to a full gamut of financial products, including trading. It would thus be very difficult to know in advance whether the reward from offloading its trading operations would outweigh the risks. In sum, while it wouldn't be impossible for an activist investor to take a pass at Bank of America, it seems unlikely. The unknowns and potential pitfalls are too great. It's for this reason that the recent conversation about interest among activist investors in Bank of America should, in my opinion, have no bearing on an investor's thesis in its stock. A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here. John Maxfield owns shares of Bank of America. The Motley Fool recommends Bank of America. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. IMAGE SOURCE: PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES. Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE: PXD)has made it very clear that it expects to expand oil production in its expansive Permian Basin positions. While its hefty acreage in the play will provide the oil resources, though, Pioneer's success will ultimately depend on its ability to profitably pull the oil out of the ground. Enter "well optimization." Although Pioneer reported second-quarter net losses of $268 million, oil and gas production actually grew by 5% from the first quarter to 233,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/D). This is largely because of its well optimization program, which -- surprise, surprise -- aims to optimize oil production while keeping costs low. As long-term investors, the question we need to answer is if another quarter of losses will derail Pioneer's efforts to continue its well optimization program. Expanding in the Permian Pioneer made a splash in the second quarter when it agreed to purchase 28,000 acres in the Permian Basin from Devon Energy. Pioneer already owns some of the largest positions in the Permian Basin, the large oil reserves in West Texas, and the added acreage allows for new drilling positions and longer horizontal wells. The purchase of the 28,000 acres is expected to close in the third quarter and will be a primary focus for development. According to the company's third-quarter guidance, of the five rigs that Pioneer is planning to add in the second half, three will be dedicated to the acquired acreage. Pioneer expects the rigs to contribute to its anticipated production growth ranging from 13% to 17% in 2017. Despite sustained lower oil prices, there are a couple of reasons Pioneer probably feels comfortable with this direction. The first reason is its strong positions in the Permian, which has large proven reserves and relatively low production costs. The second reason is that the company has continued to maintain a strong balance sheet over the past six quarters, taking on slightly more debt while substantially improving its cash on hand. This is at least in part because of its decision to utilize share issuances -- such as its June offering that raised $827 million -- which has helped the company fund its capital program but comes at shareholders' expense due to share dilution. These strong financial positions were also made stronger by noncore asset sales such as last year's Eagle Ford Shale Midstream sale that netted the company $1 billion in cash. This allowed Pioneer to expand its 2016 capital budget from $2 billion to $2.1 billion in the second quarter to cover the costs of the new rigs. What is well optimization? Well optimization alludes to Pioneer's three-year effort to optimize results from its Permian positions by altering the levels of proppant and fluids while reducing well cluster and stage spacing. Additionally, it expands the length of lateral wells. Since 2014, Pioneer has gone through three optimization phases and will bring Version 3.0 into more extensive testing in the second half of 2016. By the end of the second quarter, Pioneer had completed 150 Version 2.0 wells in its Spraberry and Wolfcamp positions. These improvements brought an average production increase of 10% over Version 1.0 wells. In the same quarter, it brought 37 wells into Version 3.0 and plans to add 43 more in the second half of 2016. Although well optimization increases costs, continued cost-reduction initiatives have actually brought down the production cost per barrel by 26% in the first six months of 2016 when compared with the first six months of 2015. More importantly, because Pioneer used the second quarter to improve well efficiency, it is expecting its Spraberry and Wolfcamp production to grow by 34% in 2016. Foolish bottom line Pioneer once again posted quarterly net losses, which are now becoming a trend. The negative earnings, driven by low oil prices and losses on derivatives, come as Pioneer continued its expansion in the Permian Basin. Additionally, the company continued to improve its well optimization program while keeping costs low. Pioneer has continued to improve well results despite low oil prices and fully expects that its cash flows in 2018 will catch up to its capital expenditures, making the company well-positioned for long-term growth. A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here. David Lettis has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. DAKAR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Aid agencies in the Central African Republic said on Thursday they were racing to prevent the first outbreak of cholera in five years from spreading across the conflict-stricken country. The outbreak, which was declared last week, started in the southern Kemo prefecture before spreading to the capital Bangui, and has infected more than 150 people and killed at least 18 people to date, according to the latest government figures. Medical charity Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF) has opened a cholera treatment center in Bangui, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is supporting an awareness-raising campaign along the country's entire southern border. MSF is also monitoring communities along the Oubangui River who use it as their main water source, and said it was working to prevent the river from spreading the epidemic further. "It is important to react quickly to prevent the spread of the disease because the risk of infection is higher in areas where clean water is limited," said Jose Antonio Sanchez of MSF. Cholera, which spreads through contaminated food and drinking water, causes diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The disease can lead to death by dehydration and kidney failure within hours if left untreated, but most patients recover if treated promptly with oral rehydration salts. The IOM said it was concerned about the risk of the cholera outbreak spreading throughout the capital's 26 sites for people uprooted by fighting, which host some 50,000 displaced. Central African Republic descended into chaos in March 2013 when mainly Muslim Seleka fighters seized power, triggering reprisal attacks by Christian anti-balaka militias. President Faustin-Archange Touadra took office in March after elections aimed at drawing a line under the crisis, but insecurity has since persisted and fresh fighting broke out in Bangui at the end of June. "Early action to prevent a further spread of the disease is crucial, especially considering the state of many displacement sites here in Bangui," said the Anne Schaefer of the IOM, adding that water and sanitation programs were hugely underfunded. The U.N. children's agency (UNICEF) said it was working with the health ministry to give medicine, clean water, purification tablets and hygiene kits to the cholera-hit communities. "Children are at the highest risk of cholera, but so far we have been lucky that not many children have been infected," Souleymane Sow of UNICEF told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Central African Republic was last hit by cholera in 2011, when an epidemic swept through West and Central Africa - one of the biggest in the region's history - infecting more than 85,000 people and killing at least 2,400. (Reporting By Kieran Guilbert, Editing by Ros Russell; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org) Mosquitoes are actively transmitting the Zika virus in Miami Beach, sources aware of conversations that took place Thursday between Florida state health representatives and local officials have reportedly told the Miami Herald. Officials were expected to confirm the new zone of transmission that afternoon, and the news could threaten the tourism hotspot of Miami-Dade County. Officials had been trying to halt the virus from spreading beyond a 1-square-mile section of Wynwood, an arts hub in the county just north of downtown Miami, since identifying local transmission there on July 29. Wynwood marked the first zone of ongoing Zika transmission in the continental United States. Our strategy has been and will continue to be focusing on the elimination of potential breeding sites and educating our residents and businesses on what they need to do, Miami City Manager Jimmy Morales said in a written statement to the Herald. We are also working with the county and they are also inspecting and as needed mitigating through techniques like clean ups, larvicides and fogging. Since Zika started spreading in Wynwood, seven new local cases of Zika have been reported outside of that zone, the Herald reported. On Wednesday, the health department reported an additional three new local Zika infections in Miami-Dade, including one in the initial 1-square-mile zone and two others outside of it. The Herald reported that so far this year in Florida, 557 people, 63 of them pregnant, have contracted Zika. Thirty-three of those stem from local transmission in the state, and all except for seven have been traced to the Wynwood area." The number of cases in Miami Beach has not been confirmed. According to the Herald, Miami Beach is home to half of the countys hotel rooms and the region depends on its $24 billion-a-year tourism industry. As Florida health officials Friday confirmed five new Zika cases in the tourist hotspot of South Beach, the CDC issued a warning to pregnant women not to travel to the area. The five cases follow the previous identification of Miami's art district of Wynwood as an infection zone and bring the state's total number of non-travel related Zika cases to 36. "Today the department of health has learned through one of their investigations that five individuals that have already been confirmed as cases of local transmission of Zika are connected to the Miami Beach area," Florida Gov. Rick Scott said at a press conference in Miami. The news prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand its Zika travel warning for pregnant women to the new area, which covers less than 1.5 square miles. It also has advised pregnant women not to visit the Wynwood arts district. In a statement to FoxNews.com, the Florida Department of Health declined to specify how many pregnant women reside in Miami-Dade County and may be at risk of contracting Zika. It also declined to disclose whether any of the non-travel-related Zika cases in the county were pregnant women. The Zika virus has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of microcephaly in Brazil, raising alarm among public health officials globally about its spread. The virus can also be spread through sex, making it unique among known mosquito-borne illnesses. Scott said two of the South Beach cases involved Miami-Dade County residents, and three involved tourists from New York, Texas and Taiwan. He did not say whether mosquito bites caused the infections. Miami-Dade County has begun an aggressive mosquito eradication plan in the city of Miami Beach, the governor said. The popular tourist haven saw 15.4 million holiday revelers flock to its beaches in 2015 alone, with the latest Zika news potentially threatening the region's $24 billion-a-year tourism industry. Officials had been trying to halt the virus from spreading beyond a 1-square-mile section of Wynwood, an arts hub in the county just north of downtown Miami, since identifying local transmission there on July 29. Wynwood marked the first zone of ongoing Zika transmission in the continental United States. Scott has mandated the department of health offer hotels and other tourist attractions in Miami-Dade mosquito spraying and related services for free. But officials said Friday that containing the virus in Miami Beach may prove difficult due to the area's numerous high-rise buildings and strong winds, which make it senseless to spray the neighborhood by air.That method helped cut Wynwood's mosquito population by up to 90 percent. "Miami Beach does have a series of characteristics that make it particularly challenging," CDC director Tom Frieden told reporters Friday. Officials plan to deploy door-to-door ground spraying in Miami Beach to try to eradicate the area's mosquito population. Three vacuum trucks purchased to help Miami Beach fight rising sea levels have been used since the beginning of the year to drain water in low-lying areas where mosquitoes could breed, said Roy Coley, the city's infrastructure director. The city also has been sending workers to fill potholes collecting water in alleys and fix leaky beach showers, in addition to applying pesticides to the area's many construction sites and flood-prone residential streets, Coley said. "Our call volume has increased significantly," Coley said. Because the virus only causes mild, flu-like symptoms in most people, confirming local transmissions has been difficult, the CDC said. "For this reason, it is possible that other neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County have active Zika transmission that is not yet apparent," the CDC's statement said. Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report. After spending more than a year on a waiting list for a functional prosthetic hand, a Texas girls needs were met by her local public library which happens to have a 3-D printing lab. Katelyn Vincik, 5, was born with a left hand that wasnt fully formed, but hasnt let that difference slow her down, Click 2 Houston reported. "She's very determined, she does everything," her mother, Kimberly Vincik, told the news channel. "It's never held her back." But during her nightly prayers, Katelyn always asks when the doctors will fix her hand. The Victoria, Texas, girl is currently on a waiting list for a functional prosthetic, but it isnt FDA-approved, her father, Casey, told Click 2 Houston. When she tried a cosmetic prosthetic hand, she found it to be too heavy and didnt like its appearance. The family turned to the internet for solutions and learned that the Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library has a 3-D printing lab. Though the library had never done a project like this before, after meeting with the Vinciks, they dove into the project with a team of volunteers. Using a free design from e-NABLE and Team UnLimbited, the team spent weeks programming and printing until it was time to present Katelyn with her new hand. "It's all been worth it," Branch Librarian Jim Johnson told Click 2 Houston. Katelyn has taken to her new pink and purple hand quickly, her parents said, and some of her first comments about it were to her younger sister, Lacey. [She said] Lacey, we can hold hands now, her mother told the news channel. If the progressive academic radicals at Princeton University have their way, the New Jersey school will soon be man-free. Dude. The private university wants to eradicate the word man from its vocabulary. Its all part of an effort to get folks to start using gender inclusive language. Click here to join Todds American Dispatch: a must-read for Conservatives! Our friends at The College Fix first exposed this gender neutral load of hooey in a fine story written by Jeremy Beaman. Staffers at the Ivy League school have been advised to no longer say man. Instead, they should use words like individual, person, or people. Remember George Washington and Benjamin Franklin? Dont call them our forefathers. Princeton says we should refer to them as our ancestors. These communication guidelines reflect the inclusive culture and policies at Princeton University, read a statement from the schools HR department. Check out some of these guidelines: Use spouses, partners, instead of man and wife. Say person hours instead of man hours. Its anchor not anchorman (Sorry, Will Ferrell). Its nurse, not male nurse. Its office cleaner, not cleaning lady. Its person hours, not man hours. And the nonsensical list goes on and on and on. Lord only knows how many person hours it took for them to come up with this load of gender neutral, politically correct foolishness. Princeton also posted a list of words that are forbidden: businessman, cameraman, chairman, fireman, coed, headmaster, mailman, freshman and salesman. Are you starting to see the pattern? Gender-inclusive language is writing and speaking about people in a manner that does not use gender-based words, according to guidelines complied by Princetons HR department. Anybody know the gender-inclusive word for pinhead? Fortunately, the folks at Princeton were kind enough to define the word gender binary. Its the traditional view on human gender, which does not take into consideration individuals who identify as otherwise, including and not limited to transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming and/or intersex. With all due respect to the academic elites, I prefer to use the traditional view on human gender as defined in the Book of Genesis. So God created man in His own image, thats what the Good Book says. And thats the difference between an Ivy League education and a Kudzu League education. Princeton may be on their way to a gender-inclusive campus, but their man-ban does create some unintended issues. What are they going to call that guy who is faster than a speeding bullet? Or the fellow who holds onto the ring at a wedding ceremony? Or that 1980s, GRAMMY-winning, Australian rock band? Oh, man. Oops. I meant, Oh, person. Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..Gatestone Institute..18 August '16..The dreamers in English still have it: "Hamas and Israel, Israel and Hamas. Maybe one day...who knows." And then the Arabic-language truth rolls in: "Death to Israel, always!"Some Arab and Western political analysts have mistakenly interpreted Hamas's agreement to participate in the Palestinian local and municipal elections, scheduled for October 8, as a sign of the movement's "pragmatism" and march toward recognizing Israel's right to exist.They falsely assume that Hamas's readiness to take part in the democratic process shows that the leaders of the extremist movement are also prepared to abandon their dream of destroying Israel and abandoning the "armed struggle" against it.These arguments about Hamas's purported "pragmatism" and "moderation" were also made back in 2006, when Hamas contested the Palestinian parliamentary election. Then too, many political analysts claimed that Hamas's decision to run in the election was an encouraging sign that the movement has endorsed a new, moderate approach toward Israel and the peace process.Reality, however, has proven these assumptions utterly false. Hamas's victory in the 2006 parliamentary election did not bring about any changes in its extremist ideology. Hamas did not change its charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel. Nor did Hamas abandon its murderous terrorist attacks against Israelis.To recall, here is what the Hamas charter openly states about this issue: Many children participate in reading programs over the summer. Some are promoted by libraries; some are rewards programs invented on the fly by parents desperate to get their kids off screens. Most of these programs are fairly free form, and, of course, lots of children spend the summer blissfully free of any rules or restraints on their reading. Heading back to school means millions of American children will resume their vexed relationships with formal reading programs. Whether the mechanism is a simple reading log or online reading-comprehension checks, these programs are designed to reward kids for reading. While this sounds like a good thing, and for some kids these programs have a positive impact, incentive-based reading programs have the unintended consequence of discouraging valuable kinds of reading. Some critics argue that by providing external motivations for reading, these programs may allow intrinsic motivations to fade away. In a recent New York Times piece The Right Way to Bribe Your Kids to Read, K.J. DellAntonia summarized research that shows when children are given rewards for completing tasks they once enjoyed, such as reading or coloring, they will no longer perform those tasks without rewards. DellAntonia writes about parents who bribe their children to read over the summer, but the same concerns are raised during the school year when teachers reward students for reading. Instead of reading because its enjoyable or illuminating or a welcome escape, a kid chooses a book because it will take her to 100 points. That same kid wont choose a book that she wont get credit for, and this means that despite the well-intentioned efforts to encourage reading, incentive programs actually discourage some kids from reading the books they feel most drawn to. Especially troubling is that children rarely receive credit for re-reading a book, an important intellectual exercise. Free from the constraints of a reading program, some children spend the summer re-reading favorite books, and going back to school means putting these favorites back on the shelf. Re-reading is a different intellectual challenge than reading a book for a first and only time. When a child re-reads a book, he reads it more deeply. Because he already knows the story, subsequent readings allow him to glimpse the authors craft. He notices that in the first chapter a seed is planted that doesnt sprout until later in the book. He sees how the author hints at whats to come. He also reads differently on later readings. Maybe on a first read, the plot was so engrossing the reader hurried through some passages that she lingers over the second time through. Maybe the child re-reads a book after a few years have passedthis is when re-reading gets really magical. In addition to noticing character and plot elements that werent interesting to the younger reader, the older reader also discovers she can use the book as a way to measure and know herself. When she realizes that she totally missed the older sisters story on her first read but now finds that story compelling, she has an opportunity to reflect on her own growth and where she is in her life. This re-reader makes the miraculous discovery that books are not static: they grow and change as we do. Re-reading is also essential for higher-level reading that will happen in high school and college. A first read can be a thoughtful and analytic experience, certainly, but a second read always involves some critical thinking. When a child re-reads, he doesnt just follow the story; he begins to pull back the curtain and understand how the story is made. He doesnt have to go on to be an English major, but he can carry with him through life the ability to delight in understanding how books work. Understanding how books work is a great platform on which to build an understanding of how people and societies work. This is the foundation of a liberal arts education, the foundation, really, of being a person. So, as children head back to school, I exhort parents and teachers to encourage re-reading. Even if an incentive is offered, I think intrinsic desire always kicks in when a reader is given the chance to go back to a favorite book. In my childrens novel The Rosemary Spell, the main character refers to the books that help you know who you arethese are books that you re-read at intervals in your life. You go back to them again and again, you read them until the pages grow soft and the cover falls away, and each time, you find something new and you become not only a better reader and an experienced critical thinker, but also a richer person. A two-page letter from Hillary Clinton's doctor a year ago, declaring the former first lady, senator and secretary of state "fit to serve" as president has done little to quell doubts about her health amid a gruelling campaign. Photos of the Democratic presidential nominee being helped up stairs, frequent coughing bouts on the campaign trail and rumors that a 2012 concussion was worse than revealed have made the 68-year old's fitness a campaign issue. Hillary Clinton lacks the judgement, the temperament and the moral character to lead this nation," Donald Trump said in a recent foreign policy speech. "Importantly, she also lacks the mental and physical stamina to take on ISIS, and all the many adversaries we face not only in terrorism, but in trade and every other challenge we must confront to turn this country around. Clintons health has been a matter of scrutiny since the concussion she suffered while serving as secretary of state. While being evaluated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, doctors discovered a blood clot inside a vein in her head and prescribed blood thinners, she told ABC News Diane Sawyer in 2014. In part to quash speculation about Clintons health, the campaign released a summary of her medical records last summer. In the July 28, 2015 letter, Dr. Lisa Bardack, an internist in Mount Kisco, N.Y., described Clinton as a healthy 67-year-old female whose current medical conditions include hypothyroidism and seasonal pollen allergies. Unlike 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain who invited reporters to review the full 1,173 pages of his medical records, Clinton released only a summary of her past issues, including an elbow fracture in 2009 and several episodes of deep vein thrombosis. Clintons chief strategist Joel Benenson said the campaign has no plans to release more detailed records, but his position is at odds with many Americans. A new Rasmussen Reports survey found that 59 percent of voters believe all major presidential candidates should release at least their most recent medical records to the public. That figure is up from 38 percent of Americans in May 2014, when questions about Clinton's health were first being raised. Thirty percent dont think candidates should have to release their recent medical records and 11 percent were undecided. The people may want to see more medical records, but the Clinton campaign just sees right-wing conspiracy. A campaign spokeswoman blamed the health controversy on Roger Stone, a longtime conservative policeal operative who had a formal role as a Trump adviser until he was fired a year ago. Still an unabashed supporter of Trump, Stone is still working to get him elected, say critics. Donald Trump is simply parroting lies based on fabricated documents promoted by Roger Stone and his right-wing allies," said campaign communications director Jennifer Palmieri. "Hillary Clinton has released a detailed medical record showing her to be in excellent health plus her personal tax returns since 1977, while Trump has failed to provide the public with the most basic financial information disclosed by every major candidate in the last 40 years. Requests for comment from the Clinton and Trump campaigns were not answered. Bardacks office declined to comment. I think the questions being raised are legitimate given that it impacts who leads our nation," said Dr. Jan Orient, executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. "As a physician, you cannot help but to ask questions. But given that our information is limited, it would be wrong for any physician to diagnose someone without seeing them themselves. Orient said she has received both positive and negative responses to her recent column on the Associations blog which asked whether Clinton is medically unfit to serve as president. Television personality Dr. Drew Pinsky told KABC radio this week that he was concerned about the 1950s level of care that Clinton was receiving and not as much about her actual health. It just seems like shes getting care from somebody that she met in Arkansas when she was a kid, he added. While agreeing that a candidates health is a serious issue for voters to consider, one Trump advisor warned against either side diagnosing the physical or mental health of the candidates. I would be very cautious and would recommend the doctors for professional reasons to be very cautious when deciding you are going to analyze people, said former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich on Fox & Friends. For the first time since declaring his presidential run, Republican Donald Trump acknowledged that his caustic comments may have caused people pain, saying that he regrets some of what he's said "in the heat of debate." A day after announcing a campaign shake-up and as he trails in the polls, the GOP nominee said that he recognized that his comments which have angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the general election electorate may have been ill-advised. "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that," the GOP nominee, reading from prepared text, said at a rally in Charlotte, N.C. "And believe it or not, I regret it and I do regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain." He added that, "Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues." As the crowd cheered, Trump pledged to "always tell you the truth." The remarks came as Trump was trying to rescue a campaign that has struggled since the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions from a series of self-created distractions. Early Wednesday, Trump announced that he was overhauling his operation, bringing in a new chief executive and appointing a new campaign manager. Rarely do presidential campaigns wait to advertise, or undergo such leadership tumult, at such a late stage of the general election. Yet Trump has struggled badly in recent weeks to offer voters a consistent message, overshadowing formal policy speeches with a steady stream of self-created controversies, including a public feud with an American Muslim family whose son was killed while serving in the U.S. military in Iraq. Trump's decision to tap Stephen Bannon, a combative media executive, as his new campaign chief, suggested to some that he planned to double down on the playbook he used in the primary, playing to his angry rally crowds and bouncing from one controversy to the next. Instead, a new Trump emerged on Thursday: a less combative, more inclusive candidate who said he was running to be the "voice for every forgotten part of this country that has been waiting and hoping for a better future" and for those who "don't hear anyone speaking for them." Earlier Thursday, Trump moved to invest nearly $5 million in battleground state advertising to address daunting challenges in the states that will make or break his White House ambitions. The New York businessman's campaign reserved television ad space over the coming 10 days in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to Kantar Media's political ad tracker. While Democrat Hillary Clinton has spent more than $75 million on advertising in 10 states since locking up her party's nomination, Trump's new investment marks his first of the general election season. Election Day is 81 days away, with early voting in the first states set to begin in five weeks. In his remarks, Trump struck a new, inclusive tone and tried to appeal directly to non-white voters, shown by polls to an overwhelmingly unfavorable view of the candidate. "I will not rest until children of every color in this country are fully included in the American Dream," Trump told his audience, again accusing Democratic Hillary Clinton of "bigotry." Clinton, he claimed, "sees communities of color only as votes and not as human beings worthy of a better future." He urged African-American voters to give him a chance, saying: "What do you have to lose by trying something new?" Clinton's campaign, meanwhile, brushed the speech off as just words he read from a teleprompter. "Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret," said spokeswoman Christina Reynolds in a statement. "We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize. But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets_and changes his tune altogether," she said. It remains to be seen whether Trump's reboot comes too late, and whether he has the discipline to maintain it. Trump now trails Clinton in preference polls of most key battleground states. And his party leaders, even at the Republican National Committee, have already conceded they may divert resources away from the presidential contest in favor of vulnerable Senate and House candidates if things don't improve. But Trump supporters largely accepted the change of tone, even if some saw it as unnecessary. "It takes a lot of strength to say, 'I'm sorry, ' to admit not that he was wrong, but he wished he hadn't done it," said Cindy Ammons, 70, a Trump supporter from Spindale, N.C. "I think he's evolving," she said. In a strong and unmistakable signal to North Korea and China, the U.S. Air Force has deployed three types of strategic bombers to its base on Guam. A senior defense officials told Fox News the B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers are together for the first time in the Pacific. The muscling up comes after China's recent rejection of an international tribunal saying its claims to the South China Sea, where it has constructed artifical islands, are not valid. China responded to the ruling by launching fighter jets. Satellite photos show new hangers on its contested islands in the South China Sea. In addition, North Korea recently launched a ballistic missile that traveled more than 600 miles into Japanese waters. The U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) stations nuclear-capable bombers in the Pacific to deter aggression in the region. But sending all three powerful bombers on Andersen Air Force Base in Guam represents a major escalation. This mission demonstrated the U.S. commitment to supporting global security and our ability to launch a credible strategic defense force," Brig. Gen. Douglas Cox, the 36th Wing commander said of recent exercises involving the bombers in an Air Force statement. Several B-1s and more than 300 Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota arrived at Andersen earlier this month to replace the B-52s assigned to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Additionally, three B-2s arrived from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Aug. 9 to conduct local sorties and regional training. During the deployment, members of the 509th Bomb Wing will hone skills in such key areas as command and control, air refueling and long-range navigation, while directly interacting with allied military forces, officials said in a statement. A kinder, gentler Donald Trump? After a yearlong maiden voyage into politics in which he never uttered sorry" -- even when he said a judge couldnt be trusted because of his Mexican heritage, called his primary opponents names and more recently mused ambiguously that Second Amendment people might be able to do something about future Supreme Court nominations -- Trump appears to have discovered the art of the apology. "Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing, Trump said Thursday night at a rally in Charlotte, N.C. I have done that. And believe it or not, I regret it. And I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues." Even those closest to Trump acknowledged the comments marked a new phase. On Friday, Eric Trump in an interview with Fox News suggested "Humble Trump" as a new nickname for his developer dad, whose buildings famously are gilded with marble and gold. The non-specific mea culpa caught many by surprise, and came on the heels of the Trump campaign earlier this week naming bare-knuckles brawler and Breitbart boss Steven Bannon its chief executive. Trump backers have been begging him to tone down his blustery rhetoric ever since he won the GOP nomination and entered the general race against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Thursdays uncharacteristic contrition was followed by another vow: "But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth." It also came as Trump planned a Friday trip to flood-stricken Lousiana, where tens of thousands of people have been displaced. As much surprise as Trumps comments generated, it was not the first time in the campaign that he gave what at least could be interpreted as an apology. After saying more than a year ago that people consider Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who served five years in a Vietnam POW camp a hero "because he was captured I like people who weren't captured," Trump walked back his remarks on Fox News Channel. "Certainly if there was a misunderstanding, I would totally take that back," Trump told OReilly Factor host Bill O'Reilly days later. He also expressed regret about retweeting an unflattering photo of primary rival Ted Cruzs wife, next to a glam shot of his own former model spouse. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't have sent it," Trump told The New York Times. Until Thursday, that was about as close as he got to offering up an apology. In addition to bringing on Bannon, the Trump campaign named longtime Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway campaign manager. Conway previously had expressed that letting Trump be Trump is a key to his success, but that she also would like to see a more serious tone and fewer insults. Maybe its just the mother in me, she told The Washington Post this week. Trump's Charlotte remarks, which were scripted, were not the first time he's signaled a pivot. He's repeatedly said that he planned to strike a more presidential tone as the Nov. 8 election approached -- but just as often, he has vowed to never change. I am who I am, he told a Wisconsin radio station earlier this week. It's me. I don't want to change. Everyone talks about, 'Oh are you going to pivot?' I don't want to pivot. You have to be you. If you start pivoting you are not being honest with people." Not accepting Trumps mea culpa -- and perhaps not surprisingly -- was the Clinton campaign. "Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people," Clinton spokeswoman Christina Reynolds said in a statement. "We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize. But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets -- and changes his tune altogether." As Florida state and local officials scramble to contain a Zika virus outbreak in Miami Beach a serious threat to the regions $24 billion-a-year tourism industry congressional lawmakers from both parties continue to be locked in battle over a billion dollars in vital funding that experts say is needed to keep the virus from breaking out across America. To underscore that Florida has become the latest ground zero in the U.S. mainland battle against the mosquito-borne virus, Republican Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday that there have been five new cases identified in Miami Beach, some involving tourists while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning Friday that pregnant women should stay out the region. To date, there have been more than 500 reported cases of Zika in the Sunshine State, with 63 reported among pregnant women. But Miami isnt the only hard-hit area. Puerto Rico officials have warned that as many as 270 babies may be born with the severe birth defect known as microcephaly caused by Zika infections in their mothers during pregnancy. As of August 12, Puerto Rico had 10,690 laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika, including 1,035 pregnant women. In New York City, 49 women have tested positive for Zika since April, and one baby has been born with microcephaly. Federal officials say that there have been 420 Zika cases in the Big Apple. The outbreak has pushed Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio to renew his calls for Congress to pass a significant funding bill. In February the Obama administration asked for $1.9 billion in order to fight the virus, including funding for vaccine development. A $1.1 billion funding package was proposed in the Senate, but the bill failed after Democrats claimed their Republican colleagues packed the legislation with politically-charged amendments in particular, a provision that would block the use of $95 million of federal grants to be used to distribute birth control for women in Puerto Rico. Democrats claimed the restrictions were aimed to punish Planned Parenthood, but they also objected to provisions that would loosen restrictions on the use of pesticides. Shortly after the bill stalled in the Senate in June, Congress broke for summer recess, leaving unresolved the question of Zika funding. Since then, however, the crisis has spiraled. Experts say that with money running out to fight the virus, health officials are resorting to using funds meant for other diseases. There has been bipartisan agreement in much of Floridas congressional delegation, with both Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson saying $1.1 billion is not enough, and both have called for Congress to accede to the full $1.9 billion requested by the Obama administration. The fight places both senators in awkward positions. Rubio has been forced to increase pressure on Republican nominee Donald Trump to be more outspoken about the virus, and has broken from many in his party for calling for such a large dose of federal funding and agreeing with the Obama administration. Meanwhile Nelson has also been caught in the middle of demands between his state and his party. On one hand he has passionately called for more funding, but on the other he rejected the Senate bill for taking funding away from Puerto Rico and for limiting its use. "Not only does it take $500 million in health care funding away from Puerto Rico, it limits access to birth control services needed to help curb the spread of the virus and prevent terrible birth defects. This is not a serious solution, Nelson said, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The escalating panic over the virus, and fears it may turn into a full blown epidemic in the United States, has slowly turned the issue into a national campaign issue on which there appears to be growing bipartisan consensus for Congress to act -- perhaps in part due to Floridas role as a key swing state. Earlier this month, Clinton urged Congress to cut short its summer recess and immediately pass funding for a response, blaming congressional Republicans for inaction. "I am very disappointed that the Congress went on recess before actually agreeing what they would do to put the resources into this fight," she said. Trump, meanwhile, told the Miami Herald earlier this month that he would push Congress to let some of the funds that theyre asking for come in to fight the virus. When asked if he would specifically ask Congress, he said absolutely, adding: Theyre fighting for it, and hopefully thats going to be approved very soon. Although it was unclear if Trump was referring to the $1.1 billion in the Senate bill, or the $1.9 billion requested by the Obama administration, it appears to be a rare moment of bipartisan agreement between the White House hopefuls. The Trump and Clinton campaigns did not respond to a request for comment from FoxNews.com. Congress returns in September, and there is a little doubt that calls for action will be significantly more urgent, and more heated, than they were in July. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Donald Trumps outspoken campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, resigned Friday -- days after he was pushed aside for conservative media executive Steven Bannon -- and also amid growing speculation about his ties to Ukrainian politics. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign, Trump said in a written statement to FoxNews.com. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success. Manafort, who as a 26-year-old Republican operative, helped manage the 1976 convention floor for Gerald Ford in his successful showdown with Ronald Reagan, drew praise for steering the campaign through the final weeks of the primary process and the convention. But he came under fire following a New York Times article over the weekend claimed handwritten ledgers show $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments to him from ex-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovychs pro-Russian party between 2007 and 2012. The document was found by investigators from Ukraines newly formed National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Investigators reportedly say the payment was part of an illegal off-the-books system whose recipients also included election officials. Manafort strongly denied receiving any such off-the-book payments calling the accusation unfounded, silly and nonsensical and denied ever doing work for the government of Ukraine and Russia. He has worked on political campaigns there but maintains they were not government-sanctioned. Those close to Trump praised Manafort, but did not dismiss a possible connection between his ouster and the Ukrainian controversy. "I think my father didnt want to be, you know, distracted by whatever things Paul was dealing with," Eric Trump, told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo in an interview airing on "Sunday Morning Futures." Earlier this week, the campaign announced that Breitbart head Steven Bannon was being brought on as CEO, and GOP pollster Kellyanne Conway as campaign manager. While Team Trump initially insisted the new team members would work with Manafort, many predicted his days were numbered. Sources told Fox News brinbging in Conway was the idea of Manafort, who believed she could help him get the developer to stay on script and avoid verbal gaffes. But bringing on Bannon was Trump's idea, the source said. A source familiar with Manafort's thinking said the 66-year-old stepped down so that "Trump could stay focused on the campaign." He will "continue to work from the outside," helping with coordination in Washington, the source said. Its the latest shakeup for the Trump campaign, which canned campaign manager Corey Lewandowski on June 20, after the pugnacious former cop had a confrontation with a Breitbart reporter. The ouster of Lewandowski was seen as a victory in a behind-the-scenes power struggle for Manafort, who was brought on board in March largely for his convention and delegate wrangling experience. Where Manafort at times expressed a desired to modulate Trumps bombast, the brash Bannon has signaled he wants to Trump to be Trump. After praising Manafort for helping his father's campaign through the tough primaries, Eric Trump ladded, "But again, my father just didnt want to have the distraction looming over the campaign and quite frankly looming over all the issues that Hillarys facing right now." Manaforts deputy, Richard Gates, is also on the outs. He now moves to the new role of campaign liaison to the RNC. Fox News Channel's John Roberts contributed to this report Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein has added a new and controversial - element to her campaign efforts with an embrace of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. In a recent CNN town hall, Stein characterized Assange as a hero for leaking Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails and exposing Americans to information about how the party was run. Stein also indicated that the possibility of Russian involvement in the leaks was something that state departments do to one another. Stein went beyond merely praising Assange by inviting him to speak via teleconference to the Green Partys national convention earlier this month. His views not only mesh with the partys belief in transparency and civil liberties, they apparently speak to many Bernie Sanders supporters who believed they were part of a movement, not merely a campaign. Assange addressed the audience from the Embassy of Ecuador in London where he's been living for the past four years as he fights extradition to Sweden over sexual assault allegations. The Green Party bringing in Julian Assange is an attempt to further brand themselves as an alternative to Hillary Clinton in the wake of Bernie Sanders loss and the leaked DNC emails, Jared Yates Sexton, a professor at Georgia Southern University and political contributor to The New Republic and New York Times, told Foxnews.com What I've found from time with the Greens, both at the convention and the Democratic National Convention, is that the Bernie Or Bust people are primarily voters who wouldn't have normally voted Democrat in the first place and were probably either not going to vote or go for the Greens in the first place, he added. Stein gained attention in 2012 when she was arrested outside the presidential debate at Hofstra University, but she only managed to gain 470,000 votes as the Green Partys presidential candidate. By comparison, Ralph Nader garnered almost 3 million as the partys presidential candidate in 2000. Stein may be courting those Sanders voters, but she has not shied away from criticizing the Independent senator from Vermont. Stein poked Sanders for choosing to run as a Democrat, saying that false pragmatism is not the path to revolutionary change but rather an incrementalism that keeps us trapped, voting for lesser evil again and again. The former doctor eschewed pragmatism when she chose human rights activist Ajamu Baraka as her running mate. Baraka has long affiliated himself with anti-Israel groups and last September did not mince words when criticizing Sanders. This is the world that a President Sanders promisescontinued war crimes from the sky with drone strikes and Saudi led terror in support of the Western imperial project. This is not to suggest that everyone who might find a way to support Sanders is a closet racist and supporter of imperialism, he wrote in a blog post excoriating the left wing following Saudi Arabias bombing of Yemen. You have to consider what her (Steins) real objective is, said Bill Scher, a senior writer for the liberal Campaign for Americas Future. She does not care about getting on the debate stage, she wants to the five percent threshold in November. In doing that she will earn recognition by the Federal Election Commission as a minority party and will be able to make the party a more permanent fixture in American politics. This campaign is extremely relevant to their prospects going forward into the future as a progressive movement, he told Foxnews.com. It's relatively common to find debris from rocket launches in the waters off Cape Canaveral in Florida, but divers exploring the seabed recently uncovered artifacts from an age of exploration long before America's space program: 22 cannons and a marble monument in what they think are three 16th-century Spanish shipwrecks. The finds include three ornate bronze cannons two that are 10 feet long and one that is 7 feet long and the marble monument, engraved with the coat of arms of the king of France, which has been identified from the manifest of a 1562 expedition to Florida by the French navigator and colonialist Jean Ribault. Robert Pritchett, chief executive of the Florida-based company Global Marine Exploration, which explored the wrecks in May and June, told Live Science that it was initially thought that the newfound wrecks might include Ribault's two "lost ships," which sank during a storm in 1565, a few years after the voyage from France. [See Photos of the Colonial-Age Shipwrecks Found Off Cape Canaveral] But records showed that the bronze cannons and monument from Ribault's expedition were installed at Fort Caroline, an early French Huguenot colony on the St. Johns River, in what is now Jacksonville, Florida. In 1565, the cannons and monument were seized in a Spanish raid, "so [the monument] would not be on a French ship if it was removed by the Spanish," Pritchett said. Instead, Pritchett thinks these items were being carried away from Florida as booty on Spanish ships, bound for Havana, Cuba, when they were struck by a storm that banished them to the seafloor. The remains of the three colonial-age ships were found across a wide "scatter field" of debris on the seafloor about 4 miles long and about a half mile wide, along with the remains of a later shipwreck that is thought to be from the 1800s, Pritchett said. Divers discovered the shipwrecks during a marine survey of the area in late September 2015 using underwater magnetometer equipment that allowed them to locate metal items lying beneath the seabed. In addition to the three bronze cannons and the marble monument, the divers found 19 iron cannons, 12 anchors, a stone grinding wheel, and scattered ballast and ammunition from the ships, Pritchett said. The markings on one of the bronze cannons indicate that it was cast in the 1540s, during the reign of King Henry II of France, he added. Rocket graveyard Pritchett explained that his company had permits from the state of Florida to explore seven areas off the coast of Cape Canaveral, where the wrecks were found an area littered with debris from rocket test launches at the U.S. Air Force base at Cape Canaveral, southeast of NASA's Kennedy Space Center. "We've found hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of U.S. Air Force rockets that they were testing from 1948 forwards, and also shrimp boats, airplane engines, airplanes, " Pritchett said. "We have found some of the actual rocket engines, and lots of rocket tubes some of these things are 30, 40 feet long," he said. "Some are sticking halfway out on the surface, or sticking straight up out of the sand there are literally thousands of them out there. We GPS and photograph everything we find, and we turn that stuff over to the U.S. Air Force, because one day, it will be valuable to someone for a historical reason." The area containing the colonial-age wrecks is in shallow water, and the conditions on the seabed changed from day to day, he said. [Shipwrecks Gallery: Secrets of the Deep] "The sea there is shallow, 15 to 25 feet, and the sand shifts a lot out there, " he said. "So the cannons could be covered by 3 feet of sand, or they could be covered by 8 feet of sand it's different every time the wind blows." Looter danger For now, the cannons and the marble monument remain with the other debris of the wrecks on the seafloor, until Florida authorities approve a permit for Pritchett's company to recover the artifacts, Pritchett said. "We've been letting the state [of Florida] know that these artifacts are at the jeopardy of looters, and of the weather," he said. "These cannons are worth over a million dollars apiece so if looters could find out the location, then a piece of history is gone forever, because it's going to be sold on the black market." Pritchett thinks the marble monument may be worth many times that amount, as "the only one of its kind and probably the most significant piece of maritime history that's ever been found on the entire East Coast of the United States," he added. The monument, which is in the shape of a coat of arms set atop a pillar, is about 3 feet high and 2 feet wide, "exactly the way it is described in the original records," Pritchett said, and decorated with fleur-de-lis symbols a stylized flower used in heraldry by French royalty and the crown of the king of France. Pritchett said more information about the origin of the wrecks will have to wait until archaeologists on the surface can study them. "It's a mystery at this point, and until we bring all these items up and study them, we're not going to know a lot more about them only what we know from the little bit of research in the water that we've been able to do," Pritchett said. "But right now, we're waiting on the state of Florida." Original article on Live Science. Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. For more than a decade, scientists have been aware of a methane hot spot the size of Delaware in the Four Corners region of the US. Now they know what's responsible. A NASA study finds more than 250 sources of the leak in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, including gas wells, pipelines, and processing plants. Roughly 66% of the leak can be blamed on just 25 locations, which were not identified, reports the AP. That, at least, is a good sign since "this can help [the] industry to more efficiently curb methane emissions," study author Christian Frankenberg tells the Farmington Daily Times. "Once these leaks are detected by regular inspections, we can go out with a wrench or unstick a plugged valve," adds an Environmental Defense Fund rep. Though evidence of the hot spot surfaced in 2003, a satellite image made it obvious in 2014. To determine the source, researchers flew over 1,200 square miles of the Four Corners region with spectrometers that reveal atmospheric gases in April 2015, identifying sources releasing methane at up to 11,000 pounds per hour, reports Tech Times. Frankenberg says the study shows only "a single snapshot in time," but the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association describes it as limited. A rep says the industry has reduced emissions by 15% since 1990. And though the EPA says natural gas, made up of 90% methane, is a major contributor to global warming, the rep says it's better for the environment than coal. "Many groups exploit study findings like these unfairly," he says. (Read more on the leak here.) This article originally appeared on Newser: America's Worst Methane Hot Spot Might Be an Easy Fix As authorities in California battle devastating wildfires across the state, experts are weighing the infernos effects on wildlife. The weeks-long Soberanes Fire near Big Sur, for example, has been burning through areas of sagebrush, an important animal habitat. [Sagebrush destruction] greatly affects the wildlife that depends on it, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Land Management told FoxNews.com. Sagebrush provides food and shelter to more than 300 species, such as sage grouse, the sagebrush lizard and various songbirds, she added. The spokeswoman noted that when sagebrush is destroyed, invasive weeds often take over. It can take up to 40 or 50 years for sagebrush to grow back, she said. The Soberanes Fire, which has been burning since July 22, has spread across 79,000 acres and is 60 percent contained, Cal Fire said Thursday evening. Californias rich natural environment means that wildfires are tearing through multiple ecosystems. In Southern California, firefighters are attempting to control the Blue Cut Fire north of San Bernardino that has reportedly burned dozens of buildings and forced more than 82,000 people to evacuate their homes. The inferno that started out Tuesday as a small patch of flame next to Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass had scorched 35,969 acres and was 22 percent contained by Thursday, according to Cal Fire. A fire of that size might take out focused resources [for animals] such as springs or riparian woodlands, that are already rare in that environment, Thomas Scott, a natural resource specialist at the University of California, told FoxNews.com. Riparian woodland that adjoins a river or stream can be a rich habitat for wildlife, and is an important part of an areas ecosystem. This is an area that doesnt have a lot of woodland -- its largely a transition zone between mountain and desert, Scott explained. In these mountain transitions there are a lot of plant species that are only found in certain areas. The area, for example, is home to the rare San Bernardino Mountains Monkeyflower. The Blue Cut fire came after several steady weeks of major fires in drought-ravaged California, even though the full force of the traditional fire season has yet to arrive. Experts in Northern California also have been assessing the fires impact, which varies dramatically from area to area, according to Rick Macedo, chief of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Habitat Conservation Planning Branch. The effects of the Clayton Fire, for example, which is in Oak woodland northwest of Sacramento, will be very different from last years nearby Valley Fire that spread across 76,000 acres, he explained. In Oak woodland, the fire goes through the grasses, he said, noting that thick trunks also help woodland trees survive. After the fire goes through, you will see things like creeks flow with more water because some of the vegetation has been taken up by the fire. The feeding habitat for many animals can actually improve after a woodland fire as younger, more nutritious shrubs emerge from the burned soil the following spring, according to Macedo. However, the Valley Fire, which occurred in a higher elevation, cooler, coniferous forest, caused much more long-term damage. The fire crowned in the trees, burning canopies, Macedo said. In the coniferous forest the trees are less resilient -- there will be no acorn production because the trees are dead and theres limited nesting for birds. Set against this backdrop, it could take a decade for some plant species to return, limiting the food available for animals. The first animals you would expect to reoccupy the burned area will be birds that can fly in and out, and small mammals like mice, Macedo added. The slowest group to return is the carnivores like foxes and mountain lions -- they need the small mammals to provide them with food. No data is available on the number of animals expected to perish in Californias wildfires, although studies of other fires indicate that many animals were able to escape the infernos. Researchers, for example, were surprised that a fire at Yellowstone National Park in 1988 did not take a higher toll on wildlife. A U.S. Forest Service report on the 2013 Rim Fire in Californias Stanislaus National Forest found that many bats and birds flew away from danger, and small animals like lizards, snakes and gophers escaped into burrows or unburned areas. Many of the forests population of California mule deer were at higher elevations when the fire occurred, so were saved. However, squirrels and wood rats may not have been as fortunate, the report said, noting that some skunk, coyote and bear probably died in the fire. A California man was arrested Monday on arson charges for allegedly sparking the Clayton Fire, which spread across 3,929 acres Friday. Cal Fire says that the blaze is 65 percent contained. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers Sea ice in the Arctic probably will not set a record for how much its going to melt this summer, but the low amount of it in general has become the new normal, NASA announced on Friday. The ice in the globes north melted faster than usual this spring, setting a record in March. It continued to melt quickly during May. By the end of that month, the melt was ahead of schedule, NASA said. Then the weather changed, and conditions like clouds and lower temperatures slowed the melting. In August, the melt picked up speed again. Even when its likely that we wont have a record low, the sea ice is not showing any kind of recovery. Its still in a continued decline over the long term, Walt Meier, a sea ice scientist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said in a statement. Its just not going to be as extreme as other years because the weather conditions in the Arctic were not as extreme as in other years. The news about the sea ice follows an announcement from NASA that July was the warmest July on the record books, and also the warmest month in recorded history, which begins in 1880. The NASA announcement about July agrees with an assessment from NOAA, which also said that July was the worlds hottest month on record. The months temperatures averaged across the land and oceans was 1.57 degrees above average. Scientists attribute the Earths warming temperatures to human actions like the burning of fossil fuels. In its most recent assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that: Human influence on the climate system is clear, and recent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are the highest in history. Skeptics have largely dismissed fears over mans impact on global warming, saying climate change has been going on since the beginning of time. They also claim the dangers of a warming planet are being wildly exaggerated and question the impact that fossil fuels have had on climate change. On Saturday, a rare tyrannosaurus rex skull will go on display at the Burke Museum in Seattle, a discovery unearthed this summer in Montana. The skull, which was covered in plaster to protect it, measures about 4 feet long and 3 feet wide, and is 66.3 million years old. Scientists arent sure whether the dinosaur was a male or female, but they do know that it was about 15 years old when it perished and ended up in what is now an ancient riverbed. T-rex specimens are very uncommon. The museum says that this skull is only the 15th one to be found that is mostly complete." The first clue that a remarkable discovery was at hand came from the work of two volunteers who found large vertebrae in rock at the Hell Creek Formation in Montana. Eventually, the team unearthed ribs, hips, lower jaw bones, and even teeth of a T-rex, which in general grew to be as tall as 20 feet, according to the museum. They say they've excavated about 20 percent of the skeleton. The combination of the skull features, the size of the bones, and the honeycomb-like appearance of the bones tell us this is a T. rex, Greg Wilson, the museums adjunct curator of vertebrate paleontology, said in a blog article that the museum published about the find. This was a very exciting moment for us. A local farmers tractor lifted the plaster-covered skull onto a truck, and on Thursday, the specimen arrived at the museum in Seattle. The museum said it will be on display until October 2. The specimen is called the Tufts-Love Rex in honor of the last names of the two people who first found it. Follow Rob Verger on Twitter: @robverger An incredible video shows a killer whale tossing a sea turtle in the air off the Galapagos Islands. A video posted to YouTube by cruise company Quasar Expeditions explains that Rafael Pesantes, the lead guide aboard the ship M/Y Evolution spotted the killer whale going after the sea turtle in the Galapagos on May 29, 2016. Its extremely rare to see an Orca tossing a sea turtle in the air, explained Quasar Expeditions, in a post accompanying the video, which was taken in the Galapagos Bolivar Channel, off the coast of Fernandina Island. Though transient Orca pods are not uncommon in the Galapagos, they are only seen very infrequently by visitors. Transients are opportunistic predators and feed on species including sea lions, dolphins, fish and in this case, green sea turtles. The video clearly shows the La Cumbre volcano in the background on Fernandina Island. Earlier this year Monterey Bay Whale Watch in California released a dramatic and disturbing video showing a group of killer whales attacking a gray whale and her calf, reportedly resulting in the death of the baby. A Long Island man who is the nephew of a former Army Chief of Staff is accused of drowning his mother in the family's pool after she scolded him for not taking his medication. Denis Cullen, 23, of Lloyd Harbor, N.Y., was arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of his mother, 63-year-old Elizabeth Cullen. He was held in lieu of $5 million cash bail or an $8 million bond. "This is a son who killed his mother, and the way he killed her, the way he describes how it was done, is chilling," Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Robert Biancavilla told reporters. Biancavilla said the two had argued Wednesday morning over Cullen not taking his medication. The prosecutor said the argument escalated to the point where she poked him and Cullen put his mother in a headlock, walked her to the deep end of the pool and held her until she stopped struggling. "He said she struggled violently and he was surprised a woman of her stature could struggle as much as she did," Biancavilla said. It was not clear what type of medication Cullen was supposed to be taking. After the arraignment, defense attorney Steve Fondulis described his client's demeanor as "calm." "I have to determine if he had a psychiatric background. I have to determine if he's under a doctor's care," Fondulis told Newsday. Elizabeth Cullen was the daughter of Maj. Gen. George William Casey, who was killed in a 1970 helicopter crash in Vietnam. Her brother, George William Casey Jr., is a retired general who last served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 2007 until 2011. The Associated Press contributed to this report. I was recently hit with interactions with young entrepreneurs through email, Facebook message and a LinkedIn request from three young entrepreneurs. Each of them had businesses, were under the age of 20, and had a strong vision for their life and goals. I mentor about 15,000 entrepreneurs from all over the world in my closed Facebook group, and was happy to provide insight ( request invite here). Entrepreneurship saved my life, its the purpose of my existence and its what I wake up for every single day. Of course I want to give back to other entrepreneurs. Related: 5 Essentials to Becoming a Millionaire Before You're 30 Heres my advice: 1. Connect with everyone. The email hunter extension will give you about 90 percent of the email addresses youre looking for. If that doesnt work, go to LinkedIn and connect there. If you read an article, connect with the author. If you read about someone online with a good idea, connect. If you meet someone in person, connect. Connect with everyone and build up your network. 2. Focus on your personal brand. Deep Patel is one of the young men who reached out to me. Hes already written a book, booked interviews with high profile entrepreneurs including Mark Cuban, and is under 18 years old. Hes establishing himself as an authority and is working on developing his brand. Its working. Figure out what makes you unique, and build your brand. No matter what business you start, youll have brand equity through your own personal brand. 3. Exploit your age to attract mentors. Most experienced and successful entrepreneurs want to give back to younger entrepreneurs. Use this to your advantage. 4. Leverage all resources (school, family, etc.). As a young person, you have access to lots of additional resources you may not have as an adult. School, family and friends will all want to help. Reach out to everyone, use programs in school, search for programs online, talk to family friends, find out who your parents know that are entrepreneurs. Leverage whatever resources you have access to. 5. Get started. Starting now will give you exponential experience and growth potential. Plus, youll learn as you go, just like every other entrepreneur. Stop analyzing everything in your life, and just start. 6. Write. Writing is beneficial for so many reasons. It helps improve your grammar and vocabulary, it helps you communicate better, and it will be great to follow your personal growth and development by going back and reading your previous thoughts. Start writing today on Medium. 7. Live at home. Take advantage of having literally no overhead costs such as rent and additional expenses. Make sure to help around wherever you can and stay grateful, not entitled. Living at home will help you take more risks without the obligation to make money to pay bills. 8. Get a part-time job. Maybe. This is a 50-50 shot. If you have some sort of way to live without needing a job (grant money, scholarship, mommy/daddy, whatever) take advantage. If not, a part-time job can help pay bills, but also give you some necessary social components you may be lacking if youre starting a company on your own. Plus, the job can work as a place where you can share your business, get potential users or clients and practice your pitch to co-workers. 9. Learning is more important than dollars. When I was getting started, I had the opportunity to go the corporate route to chase big pay checks or earn pennies but get thrown right into the mix by working at startups. Choosing the startup route gave me infinite experience, skills and knowledge that gave me the power to strike out on my own. As a young entrepreneur, you must always learn. Learning is more important than dollars. You have plenty of time to make money, and your evolution will help expedite your money-making process. Related: The Surprising Second Act for One of YouTube's Biggest Stars 10. Read Hacker News. Cmon, Paul Graham is still the authority. Read that shit religiously. 11. Stop looking for investment. Seriously. Dont get blinded by the propaganda. Youll raise money when you need to raise money. For now, focus on your product, on validation and customer/user experience. Thats what matters most right now. Elon Musk focuses all of his time on creating amazing products, and the products do the rest. Follow that mantra. 12. When youre ready for investment, go to friends, family and fools. The three Fs are your best best in attracting funding for your company. Youll need to put together the right documentation, learn about investment instruments (convertible notes, etc.) and show how you plan to use that money. When youre ready, meaning youve validated your idea and have some traction, the most probable place youll find funding is through the three Fs. 13. Ask for help. Its always beneficial to ask for help. Some people are too prideful or dont know how. Its easy: just ask. Ask all of the time, and use the help given to you. 14. Take aggressive risks. Nows the time to take big, uncalculated risks. Its fun as hell. Youll learn and youll grow. If it works, great. If it doesnt, you learn. Either way you win. Move across the world. Create that app. Whatever you envision, take the risk. 15. Trust your gut. Even at a young age, you have an idea of what you want in life. If something doesnt feel right, learn how to trust your intuition and make decisions. 16. Dont use age as an excuse. There are plenty of people who have done more at a younger age. So using your age as an excuse as to why you cant accomplish something is bull. Use your age as the reason, and youll accomplish more. 17. Test all of your ideas. Read the Lean Startup and learn how to create as many MVPs as possible, for all of your different ideas. Use the actual feedback to figure out what idea you want to focus on. 18. Read everything. Books, articles, blog posts, newspapers, magazines, whatever. Be a sponge of information and read constantly. Carry a book with you, and read it between meetings, at the barber shop, at the beach, wherever. 19. Create an idea book. Look at every successful person in history and see what they all have in common. Yep, an idea book. This includes Einstein, Edison, Musk, to the Dali freakin Lama. They all have (or had) idea books. Jot down your ideas all day long, carry it with you always, and review your book every day and night. Related: 8 Tough Questions You Must Answer Before Making the Leap to Entrepreneur 20. F*ck rules and dogma. Do what is best for your life. Dont let family or friends dictate your decisions. In every big choice you make, analyze the reason youre choosing that direction, and make sure it aligns with your own vision for your life. This is your life, you need to do what is best for your dreams, visions and goals. Is your new business a lemonade stand? Thats the term we use to describe businesses that were set up quickly with lots of passion but will fade into oblivion instantly when hit with the first sign of a legal or tax challenge. Lemonade stands are not serious businesses and are not worthy of funding. Lemonade stands are here today, gone tomorrow, and never create a legacy of wealth or success for their founders. Dont let your next business be a lemonade stand. Related: A Simple 6-Step Process to Starting a Small Business Instead, opt for the Fortified Cash Machine model by using these five smart tips for structuring your new business right from day one: 1. Set up an operating entity rather than being a sole proprietor. With guidance from your tax attorney or CPA, select and establish an operating entity, such as a corporation or LLC, through which to conduct your business. While operating as a sole proprietor is certainly the easiest method, doing so clearly shows youre more interested in building income for yourself rather than in building an actual business. It almost never makes sense to conduct business in your own personal name, says Tim Berry, an asset protection expert in Phoenix, Ariz. Operating in that manner exposes you to the worst of everything: The worst legal liability, the worst tax rates and the lowest chance of being able to ever sell your business in the future. 2. Establish a trust to hold your operating entity. Its wise to have a buffer between you and your new business so that challenges that you or your business might face in the future will be confined and not threaten everything else that you own. Establishing a trust is a great way to create such a buffer, and it can provide a plethora of other benefits. A trust is essentially a way to separate yourself from some of the risks of owning things like businesses, vehicles or other assets. When a trust is well-structured, it gives you the benefit of controlling an asset -- like your new business -- while taking far less risk. Its a very wise move Berry says. Trusts can be very expensive to form, but don't need to be. Expect to spend a few thousand dollars to get a solid basic trust in place for your new business. 3. Separate your intellectual property from your business. You might think that your new business has no intellectual property, but youd be mistaken. The two most obvious and potentially valuable pieces of intellectual property your business already owns are its telephone number and its web address. Related: 5 Ways to Protect Your Small Business Against a Legal Fallout Berry offers this ominous warning: Imagine its 10 years from now and your business has been very successful, when a frivolous lawsuit is brought against your company by a competitor. Unfortunately, your company loses the lawsuit. If your company owns your telephone number or website address, your competitor could actually legally take over your phone number and website and benefit from your great reputation. A simple solution is to let your trust own all of your business intellectual property, and simply license those assets to your business. This separates those assets from your business in the event your business ever faces any problems, and also could create some tax reduction possibilities, Berry says. 4. Establish a solo 401(k) for your business. A solo 401(k) -- sometimes called a self-directed 401(k) -- is a special type of retirement savings account thats available only to small businesses. It enables you to sock away as much as $50,000 or more per year and get huge tax deductions. But tax savings arent the only reason to set up a solo 401(k). The money you place in a solo 401(k) is, from a legal perspective, extremely secure Berry says. If you handle the account correctly, almost nothing can touch your 401(k) savings, including bankruptcy, lawsuits and usually even the IRS. 5. Name your business with funding in mind. Banks and traditional lenders prefer to lend to certain types of businesses more than others, and if you need to get funding for your business, you must bear this in mind when naming your business. Weve seen over and over that some businesses are just less attractive to lenders than others. For example, all else being equal, most lenders will provide financing to a marketing or management company long before theyll fund a real estate company, because the perceived risk is so much higher in real estate says Ari Page, CEO of Fund & Grow. Related: 3 Routes to Register Your Business Name This does not mean you shouldnt be in the real estate business. Rather, its a suggestion that you should not stack the deck against yourself by making the name of your business overtly real estate-related, as that stigma alone may be enough to be rejected by your lender of choice. Creating a new business is incredibly exciting and utterly terrifying at the same time. But if you use these five strategies to form your new venture on a firm foundation, your new business can rocket past its lemonade-stand-like competitors and enjoy a strong foundation forever. Two commuter buses slammed into each other in the heart of New Jersey's largest city Friday morning, killing one driver and a passenger and injuring 17 others, including six critically, authorities said. The driver of a New Jersey Transit bus that had no passengers was killed when the bus slammed into the side of another NJ Transit bus carrying about 20 passengers at around 6 a.m. in Newark. A woman, who was a passenger in that bus and who was among seven people critically injured, died later Friday, said Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. 1 dead in horrific NJ Transit bus collision: At least one person is dead and at least seven are injured after... https://t.co/eyZlX4ehZm Fox5NY (@fox5ny) August 19, 2016 "We're praying for all of those in the hospital," Mayor Ras Baraka said. Jennifer Petrain was opening up a Starbucks about 100 yards from where the accident occurred. She said she heard a crash "like an explosion" and ran outside. She said she and a co-worker brought ice water, rags and a first aid kit. "We were there before anybody was on the scene," Petrain said. "It was terrible. We saw people with head injuries, leg injuries." Investigators were trying to determine if the driver who died ran a red light, Baraka said. The immediate aftermath of the horrific @njtransit crash in #Newark. Photo courtesy: Jennifer Petrain. pic.twitter.com/U0CzO4YwhZ Robert Moses (@RobertMosesFox5) August 19, 2016 The intersection where the crash occurred was the first in the state, in 2009, to feature a surveillance camera designed to catch people running red lights. Then-Mayor Cory Booker conducted a demonstration in which he purposely rode through a red light. The red light camera program ultimately expanded to about two dozen towns and cities in New Jersey before it was discontinued in 2014 amid controversy and lawsuits. Officials in Newark and other towns claimed the red light cameras reduced accidents. Critics disputed that and said the cameras were mainly used to rake in cash for cities and towns. The force of Friday's crash left the westbound bus embedded in the side of a northbound bus, which had come to rest on a traffic median tipped at a 30-degree angle. Firefighters could be seen pulling passengers through a side window and loading them onto waiting stretchers and into ambulances. The crash occurred as the bus without passengers began its route between Newark and Dunellen; the other bus was traveling between Irvington and Clifton, NJ Transit spokeswoman Nancy Snyder said. The Essex County prosecutor is investigating the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board said it wasn't involved in the investigation. A 76-year-old Colorado man was arrested Thursday in the 1970 murder and rape of a Utah woman more than 40 years ago, authorities said. According to Fox 13 Now, Thomas Edward Egley confessed to the July 1970 murder and rape of Loretta Jones, the Carbon County Sheriffs Office said in a press release. Sgt. David Brewer said that Egley also confessed to destroying evidence that would have linked him to the crime. Were grateful for the hard work that Carbon County investigators put into solving this 45 year old cold case, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said in a press release. I hope this arrest brings some measure of closure to the family, even after all these years. The case had been reopened in 2009 at the request of her family. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that a neighbor convinced Egley to confess to investigators and arranged the man to meet with investigators at his home in Colorado, according to charging documents. Brewer told the paper last year that Egley and Jones used to date and that Egley had asked his neighbor how long DNA evidence and semen lasted when Jones body was exhumed. The Tribune reported that Egley admitted to police last month that he had slit Jones throat when he was denied sex. According to charging documents, Egley expanded on the gruesome details to his neighbor. He said that he thought Jones was still alive and that he had sex with her and cut her throat, according to the documents. He said he left Jones on the floor. Jones 4-year-old daughter found her mother dead on their living room floor. Egley told his neighbor that he then went back to his hotel room, bathed with all of his clothes on and then threw the clothes out the next day. He said he also tossed the knife he used to murder Jones in the river behind the hotel. Egley was arrested in November 1970 and charged with murder. However, the charges were dismissed for lack of evidence. Egley, of Rocky Ford, Colo., was arrested on a $1 million warrant. He awaits extradition to Utah to face rape and murder charges. The community of Carbon County, particularly the victims daughter who was four years old at the time, can finally find solace in knowing Loretta Joness family will have the justice they deserve resulting from the tragic death of Ms. Jones some 45 years ago, Carbon County Attorney Gene Strate said. Sergeant Brewer and Detective Hendricks from the Carbon County Sheriffs office should be commended for their efforts, he added. Click for more from Fox 13 Now. Click for more from The Salt Lake Tribune. Billy Smolinski was 31 and in love when he disappeared nearly 12 years ago from his Connecticut home -- a one-story house in Waterbury not far from the farm where his parents had raised him. Since that day -- Aug. 24, 2004 -- no one has seen or heard from Billy, the only son of William and Janice Smolinski -- a hard-working tow-truck driver who, by all accounts, loved sports, his German Shepherd "Harley," and his close-knit family. Detectives have long suspected foul play, according to sources close to the investigation, but without a body or other forensic evidence, the case is a mystery that continues to haunt Connecticut residents. Yet with each passing year, the family's determination to solve the case never wavers and, as the 12th anniversary of his disappearance nears, they are appealing to the public for information. "Someone, somewhere knows something," said Janice Smolinski. "He just loved life," said Smolinski, who believes her son was murdered. "He had such a future ahead of him." According to police reports and numerous media accounts, Billy Smolinski was dating Madeleine Gleason, a school bus driver from Woodbridge, Conn., at the time he vanished. The two had just returned from a trip to West Palm Beach, Fla., when Smolinski reportedly learned Gleason was also dating a married politician. Smolinski confronted Gleason about the alleged cheating, and his last phone call on record was to the other man, identified in press reports and court documents as Chris Sorensen. Both Gleason and Sorensen have denied any involvement in Smolinski's disappearance. Gleason told Waterbury police that she last saw Smolinski leaving her home on the morning of Aug. 24 --"a little depressed," she said, because the two broke off their relationship. Sorensen told detectives he received a phone message on Aug. 24, 2004, in which a male caller said, "Chris, you better watch your back at all times," according to police reports. Authorities later determined the caller was Smolinski. Shortly before that phone call, Smolinski -- described by his family as "heart-broken" -- contacted a friend and former girlfriend and invited her on a date to Six Flags. At around 3 p.m. on Aug. 24, he drove his white truck to a local Burger King, where he purshased two hamburgers and fries, according to receipts found in a trash bin inside his home. What happened to Smolinski next is a mystery. When his parents drove to his home from their farm in Naugatuck on Aug. 25, Janice Smolinski said she immediately feared for her son but was told by police she had to wait three days before reporting him missing. Smolinski's white truck was parked in a usual spot -- with his keys and wallet still inside, his mother said, and a rubber glove was found under the driver's seat. A next door neighbor would later tell the Smolinskis that Billy asked him to walk his dog because he was leaving town for a couple of days -- a claim Janice Smolinski does not believe. "Billy would never ask anyone aside from Mary Ellen to watch the dog," she said, referring to Smolinski's friend and former girlfriend. The neighbor said that when he went to the home on Aug. 25 to walk the dog, the spare key Smolinski hid in the foyer was nowhere to be found. "As soon as we heard that, we knew there was something very wrong," she said. Authorities received tips claiming Gleason's son, Shaun Karpiuk, killed Smolinski, according to police and local media reports. Karpiuk died at age 27 in 2005 from a drug overdose. Over the years, several searches have been conducted -- some using cadaver dogs. One such search involved digging up the yard of a home after Chad Hanson -- one of Karpiuk's friends -- claimed Smolinski was buried there. The search turned up no clues. Hanson, who has been identified in court documents as a person of interest in the disappearance, was jailed for two years for making false statements to police about Smolinski's whereabouts. The family still maintains a website, Justice4Billy, which tracks the number of days, hours, minutes and seconds since Billy was last seen alive. The site includes a tipline for information in the case. The Smolinskis have also plastered Waterbury and surrounding towns with flyers about their son -- much like the families of other missing loved ones. The posters, however, have caused legal trouble for the Smolinskis, who were sued in 2006 by Gleason for alleged harrassment and defamation of character. Gleason -- who admitted to ripping down the flyers along her route as a school bus driver -- claims the Smolinskis taunted her and falsely blamed her for their son's disappearance. In 2012, a judge awarded her $52,666 in damages, including intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation. In 2015, the state Supreme Court overturned the trial court's decision on First Amendment grounds. The case was remanded to the trial court and later withdrawn by the plaintiff. The FBI referred all inquiries into the Smolinski case to the Waterbury Police Department, which did not return calls seeking comment. Gleason declined to speak about the matter through her attorney, John Williams, of New Haven. Sorensen could not be reached. For William and Janice Smolinski, the pain of not knowing what happened to their son is unbearable at times. "All we are is a family looking for Billy," Janice Smolinski said as she reminisced about a son who loved to play practical jokes, "lived for the holidays," and was known to pick up wounded or stray animals and care for them. "We will never give up looking for Billy," she said. A federal indictment alleges that a North Carolina man accused of plotting a terror attack in the U.S. communicated with a member of the Islamic State as he developed his plans. The indictment filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Charlotte said Justin Nojan Sullivan spoke with Junaid Hussain in June 2015 via social media about making a video of a terrorist attack in the U.S. to be used by IS. The original indictment unsealed in February accused Sullivan of killing his neighbor and stealing his money so he could buy an assault rifle to carry out an IS-inspired shooting at a concert or club. The indictment said Sullivan offered an undercover FBI employee money to kill his parents, who he believed would interfere with his plans. In the initial indictment, Sullivan was accused of planning to use an assault rifle and silencer to carry out an attack at a concert, bar or club, which he believed would kill as many as 1,000 people. A grand jury in Burke County also indicted Sullivan in February on a murder charge in the death of 74-year-old John Bailey Clark, who lived a few doors down from him, said District Attorney David Learner. In December 2014, he used a .22-caliber rifle stolen from his father's gun cabinet to shoot Clark in the head, the federal indictment said. A news release said forensic testing shows the rifle was used to kill Clark. Federal authorities said they began investigating Sullivan after his father called 911 in April 2015 saying his son was destroying religious items in their home in Morganton. He was arrested at the family's home without incident on June 19, and later told investigators that he planned to carry out an attack in the coming days when his parents were expected to be out of town, investigators have said. A Southeast Texas man serving life in prison for the suffocation of his girlfriend's child in 1998 has been released and charges dismissed because of what prosecutors say is a lack of evidence. Neal Hampton Robbins said nothing Thursday as he left the Montgomery County courthouse in Conroe after appearing in court. He'd been imprisoned for nearly 18 years. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ordered a retrial last year, citing a 2013 law that allows for new trials if forensic evidence is found to be flawed. A medical examiner recanted her trial testimony eight years ago, saying she should have ruled the cause of 17-month-old Tristen Rivet's death undetermined, not homicide. Robbins said he put the child in her crib for a nap and couldn't explain his death. Two people were arrested Sunday after a tip led Florida police to a funeral home where they found 16 bodies in varying degrees of decay. Funeral director Gregory Dunphy, 64, and Felicia Boesch, 39, the daughter of the funeral homes owner, were arrested and charged with a combined 16 misdemeanor counts of unlawful storage of human remains. The News-Herald reported that Bay Country Sheriffs deputies responded to a tip about bodies being improperly stored at Brocks Home Town Funeral Home near Panama City. According to WJHG-TV, deputies found flies throughout the building and found at least six bodies being stored without any refrigeration. An additional 10 bodies were being stored in an area called the cooler which is supposed to be kept at no more than 40 degrees; the cooler was 62 degrees. None of the bodies had been embalmed and cremations had not been done according to some family members wishes, the station reported. "There's a lot of grief involved and our thoughts and prayers are with them, it's a very tough situation," Sherriff Tommy Ford told the station. "We're trying to be as sensitive as we can." Dunphy spoke to News 13 about the situation at the funeral home. He told the station that he had only been working at Brocks Funeral Home for three weeks as a favor to Boesch so she could handle a family emergency. "This was a hell of a turmoil for me," he said. When Dunphy arrived at the home, he said the conditions were deplorable. He said he found bodies outside the aforementioned cooler and didnt know that the temperature wasnt cold enough to store the bodies. He told News 13 that he didnt have access to the cooler. "The smell, the physical condition of the remains themselves. I mean that's somebody who is loved," Dunphy said. "I'm, morally and ethically, I was bound to report it, but I still had to give Felicia the chance to correct it." Dunphy said he called the Bay County Sheriffs Office about the funeral homes condition. The medical examiners office and a separate funeral home have taken custody of the bodies. Ford said the incident is still under investigation. Sheriff's spokeswoman Ruth Corley said investigators are conferring with the state attorney's office to determine whether they'll face additional charges. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Facebook has failed to hire a significant number of nonwhite and female employees, despite establishing a point-based reward system that incentivizes recruiters to bring in black, Hispanic and female engineers. Recruiters at Facebook receive one point for every white or Asian male employee they recruit and two points for hires outside of those demographics that are already overrepresented within the company. Previously, the value of each diversity recruit was 1.5 points. However, the company-wide demographic breakdown remains stagnant. Four percent of its U.S. employees are Hispanic and 2 percent are black -- unchanged from 2014 and 2015. In 2014, 31 percent of Facebook employees were women. Today, 33 percent are women, according to the Wall Street Journal. Related: Diversity Programs Often Make Workplaces Less Diverse, New Study Finds The tactics that Facebooks recruiters have devised for tracking down diverse talent on LinkedIn include searching the network for individuals who attended historically black colleges or are members of Hispanic engineer organizations, for example. They also seek out individuals with common Hispanic names or attempt to recruit people based on their profile pictures, the Journal reports. In June, two sociology professors published a study regarding the effectiveness of various strategies to increase company diversity in the Harvard Business Review. Frank Dobbin of Harvard University and Alexandra Kalev of Tel Aviv University gathered data from 829 U.S. companies to examine which types of initiatives hinder diversity efforts, vs. which methods are more likely to succeed. For one, they found that companies cannot trust their employees to follow through with hiring more diverse candidates. They also noted that the word diversity itself may be the culprit of a failed initiative for increased representation. (You can read a summary of their findings -- diversity hiring dos and donts -- here.) The Wall Street Journal interviewed Dobbin about Facebooks point-based system, which he says is not a really effective way to change behavior. It can backfire. While Facebook argues that its minority recruits are not merely an add-on to interview lists, the companys failure to shift its numbers indicates a different reality, despite Facebooks intentions. Related: How Top Companies Aim to Close the Gender Gap in Tech Facebook needs to stop making false statements about the pipeline, or the lack of availability of female and nonwhite talent. These cop-out excuses undermine the efforts the company has in place to improve representation within its global enterprise. They disregard so many people who know and prove otherwise in their daily lives. Companies are better off taking a more systemic approach to the problem internally, following Dobbin and Kalevs findings about mentorship, diversity task forces and cross-departmental collaboration. While Facebook may be experimenting with some of these solutions already, its clear that giving recruiters positive reviews and bonuses when they find Spanish-speakers on LinkedIn isnt working. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Protesters have put up tents in Chisinau, the Moldovan capital, demanding a probe into the disappearance of up to $1.5 billion from three Moldovan banks last year. Organizers from non-governmental groups erected about 40 small tents Monday in a main square, a day after tens of thousands joined a demonstration calling on the government, the central bank governor, the general prosecutor and others to resign. The state-owned Savings Bank, the Social Bank and Unibank, where the money disappeared before the November 2014 parliamentary elections, were put under the National Bank of Moldova's administration in December, and the losses were covered by state reserves An unpublished parliamentary report said some of the money was transferred to Russian banks. The three banks are owned by Moldovan and Russian investors. South Sudan's government has recruited child soldiers in the past week to prepare for a renewed conflict, according to an internal United Nations document obtained by The Associated Press. The document says a senior politician appointed by President Salva Kiir led the recruitment of an entire village of boys using intimidation. Some were as young as 12 years old. Armed groups in South Sudan often coerce children to join their ranks by threatening to confiscate their family's cattle, a key source of wealth and status. Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang says youth who join the military are not forced. The U.N. says at least 650 children have joined armed groups in South Sudan this year. Around 16,000 child soldiers have been recruited since civil war began in December 2013. The Chinese government is holding chief editors of news websites personally liable for content after several portals this year posted material that was seen as embarrassing to President Xi Jinping. State media reported Thursday that the new rules placed responsibility squarely on head editors, saying news sites must monitor their content 24 hours a day to ensure "correct orientation, factual accuracy and appropriate sourcing." The rules come at a time when Xi is ratcheting up control over Chinese media and cyberspace. Tencent, one of China's most popular websites, fired its top editor after a July headline mistakenly said Xi delivered a "furious" instead of "important" speech commemorating a Communist Party anniversary. In March, an online portal called Wujie appeared to inadvertently publish a letter calling for Xi's resignation. For the ambitious Jalisco New Generation cartel, it must have seemed like a gift: Imprisoned Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's son, partying at a gourmet restaurant deep in their territory. Seven gunmen swept into La Leche restaurant in Puerto Vallarta's hotel district early Monday, taking the 16 people gathered there by surprise. Without firing a shot, they marched six men out. In a flash, 29-year-old Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar became a valuable potential bargaining chip or a high-profile casualty in the cartel turf battles that are wreaking havoc in large swaths of Mexico. Analysts say Jalisco New Generation could try to use him as leverage to win territory or other gains from what has been the country's dominant gang. "They can use him, if they're astute ... to get concessions from the Sinaloa cartel and expand their moneymaking enterprise," said Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Jalisco New Generation formed from a splinter of the Sinaloa cartel after the death of Sinaloa boss Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel in 2010, and has rapidly expanded from its home base in the western state of Jalisco to the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, among others. It has done so in part through liberal use of violence. In a series of attacks last year, cartel henchmen killed 20 police officers in two ambushes and used a rocket-propelled grenade to down an army helicopter, killing 10 aboard. What Jalisco New Generation does not have is its own trafficking corridors along the U.S. border most of which are controlled by the Sinaloa cartel, the beneficiary of weakened regional gangs from the Gulf to the Pacific. Violence has surged in recent months in Baja California Sur state as Jalisco New Generation fights for a foothold in Sinaloa cartel territory. Killings have also risen in the key border cities of Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, suggesting that Sinaloa's control is being challenged there as well. "Now they're starting to move northward because they want to control some of the principal drug-smuggling routes along the U.S.-Mexico border," Vigil said. "So they know that in order to expand, they have to control some of these pipelines into the U.S. consumer market." Enter the young Guzman. Jalisco state Attorney General Eduardo Almaguer said this week that authorities have no reason to believe he or the other abducted men have been killed. But his kidnapping is a huge blunder by Sinaloa regardless of whether responsibility lies with Jesus Alfredo himself or with "El Chapo" associate Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who is believed to be running the cartel's operations following the elder Guzman's recapture earlier this year. "It's a grave error that is going to cost them a lot, either in life or in a very costly negotiation," said Guillermo Valdes, former director of Mexico's intelligence services. "If you're in a fight with these gentlemen of the Jalisco New Generation, you don't go to their territory without bodyguards." Valdes also called Jesus Alfredo Guzman's abduction the latest sign that rivals see "El Chapo" as weakened following his third arrest, in January, after two brazen prison escapes in 2001 and 2015. Fed-up Mexican officials now appear willing to grant a U.S. request for his extradition, and the case is currently wending its way through the courts. Authorities have tightened the drug lord's prison conditions this time, and since May he's been in a federal penitentiary near Ciudad Juarez far from his lawyers and apparently less able to communicate with underlings. Earlier this year Mexican media reported an attack on Guzman's mother's home in the state of Sinaloa, and in July two of his wife's nephews were killed, both events signaling that rivals are less afraid to tangle with the man long known as Mexico's most notorious drug lord. "This perception of weakness that 'El Chapo's' adversaries have speaks to a process of realignment and reorganization of drug trafficking in the country," Valdes said. There have been rumors that Guzman's older son Ivan Archivaldo was also kidnapped in the Puerto Vallarta incident, but authorities have not confirmed that and Valdes said he, too, does not know if that's true. But, he said, "kidnapping the sons could lead to, 'I'll trade you the life of your sons for the Manzanillo port or for Tijuana.'" If there are no negotiations, or if there are and Guzman's son is killed anyway, it would likely bring the full wrath of "El Chapo" and the Sinaloa cartel to bear on Jalisco New Generation. "It is going to unleash a very violent war," Valdes said. On Friday, National Security Commissioner Renato Sales announced the arrest of a man believed to handle finances for Jalisco New Generation, but he said it was unrelated to the kidnapping. Asked if Guzman had been told of his son's abduction, Sales said, "he found out through his lover." Russian President Vladimir Putin is accusing the Ukrainian government of sabotaging peace accords for the country's east during a visit to Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Russia annexed in 2014. A conflict in eastern Ukraine between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian government troops has killed more than 9,500 people but 2015 peace accords signed in Minsk, Belarus, has helped to make the fighting less intense. Earlier this month, Russian intelligence accused Ukraine of sending its agents to Crimea to carry out terrorist attacks, saying that one Russian agent and one soldier were killed while fending off the alleged attacks. Putin said on Friday the Ukrainian government is behind the attack because they are looking for a pretext not to comply with the Minsk peace deal. South Sudan's government has recruited child soldiers in the past week to prepare for a renewed conflict, according to an internal United Nations document obtained by The Associated Press. The document says a senior politician appointed by President Salva Kiir led the recruitment of an entire village of boys using intimidation. Some were as young as 12 years old. It was not clear how many children were involved. Armed groups in South Sudan often coerce children to join their ranks by threatening to confiscate their family's cattle, a key source of wealth and status in this pastoral society. The U.N. document indicates that the recruitment of children took place shortly after the U.N. Security Council a week ago approved sending an additional 4,000 peacekeepers to the East African country to protect civilians after renewed fighting in the capital, Juba, last month. Separately, UNICEF on Friday announced that at least 650 children have joined armed groups in South Sudan this year alone. Around 16,000 child soldiers have been recruited since civil war began in December 2013. Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang said youth who join the military are not forced. He said he was not aware of the recent recruitment of children. South Sudan's military and opposition forces have made repeated promises to address allegations of child recruitment, but both sides have continued recruiting since July's outbreak of violence, according to Justin Forsyth, UNICEF's deputy executive director. "They believe they can easily control and manipulate young minds," Forsyth said. The children then "can commit atrocities, and they will do what they are told." Child soldiers are defined as anyone recruited to join armed groups under the age of 18, and the International Criminal Court considers the recruitment of those under 15 to be a war crime. In an interview this month in Unity state, one former child soldier said he had expected to do cooking and cleaning in the army when he joined at age 16 but instead was sent to fight on the front lines. "If you go to the front line, two things would happen: either you will kill someone or you will be killed," he said. He was released from the army a few months ago, one of more than 1,000 child soldiers who have been demobilized from different armed groups as part of a UNICEF program. "I was not happy because I was given a gun when I was so young," the teen said. "If you are afraid, the commander will beat you." Since the outbreak of civil war, children have been recruited at an expedited rate to protect their communities, according to Joseph Manytuel, the governor of Northern Leich state. "When you are in a crisis, whoever is ready to join will not be left alone," Manytuel told the AP from Bentiu earlier this month. Last year, President Barack Obama issued a partial waiver to South Sudan from the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008, allowing the U.S. to continue military assistance to support South Sudan's peace process. The United Nations wall of denial concerning its responsibility for Haitis six-year-old cholera epidemicand claims of diplomatic immunity regarding the consequences-- appears to be crumbling. In a statement issued Wednesday, a U.N. spokesperson declared that the world body has become convinced that it needs to do much more regarding its own involvement in the initial outbreak of the vicious cholera epidemic that first exploded in 2010, and has killed more than 9,300 Haitians while infecting at least 780,000 overall. Just what the U.N. will do, however, and when, remains a mystery. The spokesman said only that a series of options are under consideration for a significant new set of actions in regard to the catastrophe. He added that the new response will be presented publicly within the next two months, once it has been fully elaborated, agreed with the Haitian authorities and discussed with [U.N.] member states. That small glimmer of accountability, immediately obscured in a fog of continuing backroom maneuver, represented a significant step forward in truth-telling for the U.N. on the cholera issueor at least an acknowledgment that its old excuses about the disaster are not believed by anyone anymore. Beatrice Lindstrom, an attorney with the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, a non-government organization bringing the lawsuit, hailed the latest U.N. announcement as a groundbreaking first step towards justice. But she added immediately that the U.N. must follow this announcement with action, including issuing a public apology, establishing a plan to provide compensation to the victims who have lost so much, and ensuring that cholera is eliminated in Haiti through robust investment in water and sanitation infrastructure. We will keep fighting until it does. It has been a long fight so far. Since 2011, the U.N. has hidden behind a report from a hand-picked panel of experts who pin-pointed the source of the ongoing epidemic as infected human sewage from a contingent of Nepalese peacekeepers in Haiti, part of a U.N. force known as MINUSTAH but then maintained the outbreak was not the fault of, or deliberate action of, a group or individual. Some members of the expert panel have since changed their minds, as waves of other scientific researchers have shown that the specific cholera strain in the Haitian epidemic could be linked genetically to a strain in Nepal, and that an outbreak had occurred in that country just before its peacekeepers joined the MINUSTAH force. Even while hiding behind the panels wording, the U.N. in 2013 invoked immunity to insulate itself from a class action lawsuit launched by Haitians who lost family members or suffered from the disease.. The U.S. State Department has backed the U.N.s immunity defense. On Thursday a U.S. appeals court dismissed the lawsuit, in effect deferring to the U.N.s assertion of immunity. The Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, which has pressed the lawsuit, says it is studying the court decision. Meantime, the U.N.s frequent expressions of concern for Haitis cholera victimspiggy-backed on pleas for international donors to support an elaborate, multi-billion-dollar water and sanitation development scheme for Haitihave worn thin, especially in light of its stonewalling attitude on responsibility and troubling signs that nothing else about its behavior in Haiti has changed all that much. A long-suppressed internal U.N. report examined by Fox News last week has shown that four years after the initial outbreak, U.N. peacekeepers in Haiti were continuing to violate almost all of their own sanitary rules for containing the diseaseincluding the dumping of sewage into public waterways. Earlier this week, the New York Times leaked elements of yet another internal U.N. report, by New York University law professor Philip Alston, a long-time U.N. advisor on legal and human rights issues, which also castigated the U.N. for its non-accountable stance. According to the Times, Alston called the U.N.s stonewall morally unconscionable, legally indefensible and politically self-defeating, and said it undermines both the U.N.s overall credibility and the integrity of the Office of the Secretary-General. Alstons report, still in draft stage, will not be published until late September. He declined to comment on the document when queried by Fox News, and its recommendations were not revealed in the Times story on his report. Even while the Alston document remained under wraps, however, a spokesperson for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moonwho has done much of the public stonewallingsaid that the Bans office wanted to take this opportunity to welcome this vital report. He added that the Alston report and its recommendations will be a valuable contribution to the U.N. No similar hosannas were raised back in 2013, when a U.N. special rapporteur for human rights in Haiti, Michel Forst, noted tersely in an annual report that silence is the worst response to the need that victims or their families have expressed to know the truth and perhaps even to be given compensation for the cholera outbreak. Forst resigned from his U.N. position shortly afterward for personal reasons. The fact that a new report telling the U.N. that its actions in evading truthful accountability in a horrendous humanitarian disaster could be hailed by the U.N. itself is a sign of how misplaced its priorities are, commented Brett Schaefer, an expert on the world organization at the conservative Heritage Institute. As far back as 2013, Schaefer noted that the U.N. already has a legal mechanism that would allow it to consider compensation for cholera-afflicted Haitians, in the form of a standing claims commission that is written into the normal legal agreements allowing peacekeepers to operate in host countries like Haiti. The commissions have never been established in any country by the U.N. since peacekeepings inception, he observed. This has left Haitians with no recourse but to go to court, he says. Schaefer has always supported U.N. immunity to lawsuits like the Haiti class-action effort, on the grounds that member statesespecially the U.S.would pick up the tab, and that the people responsible, in MINUTAH or the senior leadership of the U.N. would not bear the cost of their poor judgment. Nonetheless, he notes, some form of accountability is needed to create incentives to not have these situations arise in the first place. So far, the U.N. stonewall has not crumbled enough to provide an answer. George Russell is editor-at-large of Fox News and can be found on Twitter: @GeorgeRussell or on Facebook.com/George Russell We are here for you and your loved ones beyond your cancer diagnosis. Find information related to your care at Fred Hutch. Our team members will help you with your medical records, financial assistance, housing questions and other services. Expert Vancouver Plumber Says PEX Repiping Best For Old House Repipe Job Pioneer Plumbing and Heating Inc announces the availability of their house repipe service 8/19/2016. More information can be found at https://pioneerplumbing.com/ -- Homeowners looking for the best repipe service in Greater Vancouver now have access to the expert advice of Pioneer Plumbing and Heating Inc. Today Curtis Butchart, business owner at Pioneer Plumbing and Heating Inc releases details of their old house repiping service. This service is offered in the following GVRD cities. Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, White Rock, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam Port Moody, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. Click here to visit their website: https://PioneerPlumbing.com Pioneer Plumbing's home repiping service is designed to appeal specifically to Vancouver homeowners interested in upgrade a heritage home or a 60's - 80's era home needing a little TLC. This Type of Renovation is Important for the Following Reasons: Avoids a plumbing emergency by upgrading old plumbing that is deteriorating - This is mentioned because it will guard against a burst pipe situation or leaking pipe problem. It's great news for the homeowner as it will provide peace of mind and extend the life of the plumbing system. Prevents a costly situation like a flooded basement - This was recently made a more prominent part of their service since it will add to the integrity of the building structure. Customers who invest in this service will appreciate it because of the increase in value to their home. The company provides licensed plumbers to perform the repipe service and a full work warranty - Pioneer Plumbing made a decision to make this a bigger part of their services as it will help customers enjoy peace of mind and improve the resale value of their home. Customers of the repiping old house service can also appreciate this because water pressure will remain stable in their home for years to come. Curtis Butchart, when asked about their repipe service said: "Repiping an older home is a smart move for anyone looking to stay in their home for 10 years or more. Knowing the house is protected from a flood due to a burst pipe or high water pressure problem, common in the Vancouver area will ease their mind." This is the latest offering from Pioneer Plumbing and Heating Inc and Curtis Butchart is particularly excited about this service launch, because Pioneer Plumbing has been repiping older homes since 1976, and is now letting GVRD residents know it is a specialty service they offer. Those interested in learning more about Pioneer Plumbing and their expert repipe service can do so by visiting the website at the address below. Pioneer Plumbing & Heating Inc 626 Kingsway Vancouver, BC V5T 3K4 (604) 872-4946 http://pioneerplumbing.com/ For more information, please visit https://pioneerplumbing.com/ Contact Info: Name: Curtis Butchart Organization: Pioneer Plumbing and Heating Inc Address: 626 Kingsway Vancouver, BC V5T 3K4 Phone: +1 604 872 4946 Release ID: 128494 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Review Wave Launches Free Tools To Help Businesses Get and Display More Customer Reviews On Their Sites Review Wave has created a new, free WordPress plugin designed to help businesses syndicate Google + and Yelp reviews directly onto their site, to use for promotional purposes. -- Reviews are essential to online business prosperity. Reviews show new and potential customers what the experience of previous customers has been like. Great reviews will encourage people to buy from a site, where no reviews would require a huge leap of faith. Review Wave is a new start-up that understands the power of reviews, and wants to help more businesses leverage them. As such, it has launched a brand new Google Reviews WordPress plugin that enables businesses to crop reviews directly from Google + and Yelp, then publish them on their own site. The new plugin is quick to install, easy to use and completely free of charge. The tool is the ultimate answer for anyone who has wondered How To Get Google Reviews on their site. It allows individuals to import their reviews from Yelp and Google Plus, then curate them accordingly for maximum promotional use. Individuals can promote their best reviews, allow positive reviews to be seen, and even hide less positive reviews, to create the overall first impression they are looking for. What's more, Review Wave has plans to be able to help businesses get even more Google + and Yelp reviews. The plugin encourages new customers to use these sites to drop their feedback, creating a momentum effect that can help businesses get the number of positive reviews they need to achieve full customer trust. A spokesperson for Review Wave explained, "The new tools we have created are just the beginning, but they are already a great leap forward in terms of what's possible for businesses. There has never been an easier way to collect, collate and present online reviews. We plan to increase the number of sources our tool can pull from, while simultaneously adding more new features that will serve to further optimize customer experience, interaction, and importantly, recruitment. This will help more businesses get more reviews than ever before." About Review Wave: Review Wave is a start up software company founded with a mission to empower businesses to get real customer feedback from real customers, and a passion to help those businesses improve their service in real time, to improve their online reputation as a result. Their suite of tools now enables companies to syndicate their Google and Yelp reviews to their website for free. For more information, please visit http://www.reviewwave.com/ Contact Info: Name: Matt Prados Email: support@reviewwave.com Organization: Review Wave Address: 27762 Antonio Parkway L1-520 Ladera Ranch, CA, 92694 Phone: 949-383-4022 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/review-wave-launches-free-tools-to-help-businesses-get-and-display-more-customer-reviews-on-their-sites/128662 Release ID: 128662 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Palmetto Primary Care Otolaryngologists Dr. Robert Jordan & Dr. Jessica Lee to Join Charleston ENT & Allergy Charleston ENT & Allergy announced today that Dr. Robert Jordan and Dr. Jessica Lee are joining their practice. Lomax, Jordan & Lee of Summerville, SC previously joined Palmetto Primary Care Physicians in 2015. -- CHARLESTON, SC., August 18, 2016 - Charleston ENT & Allergy announced today that Dr. Robert Jordan and Dr. Jessica Lee are joining their practice. Lomax, Jordan & Lee of Summerville, SC previously joined Palmetto Primary Care Physicians in 2015. Dr. Lomax has announced his retirement on August 31st and Dr.'s Lee and Jordan will transition to Charleston ENT & Allergy as of September 1st. Dr. Robert Jordan graduated from the University of Virginia with a Master of Science degree in Physics in 1971. He went on to serve in the United States Air Force for five years as a KC-135 Navigator. He returned to Charleston and continued his education at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) from which he graduated in 1980. He has been board certified in Otolaryngology since 1985 and has practiced in Winston-Salem, NC and Anderson, SC prior to making his home in Summerville. In 1999, Dr. Jordan joined Dr. Lomax, establishing Lomax & Jordan ENT. Dr. Jordan will practice in the Charleston ENT & Allergy Summerville location with operative time at the Surgery Center of Charleston. Dr. Jessica Lee joined Dr. Jordan and Dr. Lomax in 2015. Dr. Lee graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mississippi State University in 2004 and received her medical training at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She continued her training in Otolaryngology (Head & Neck Surgery) in Charleston at MUSC. Dr. Lee will primarily be seeing patients at the Charleston ENT & Allergy West Ashley and Goose Creek locations with operative time at the Surgery Center of Charleston. Charleston ENT & Allergy www.charlestonent.com With 17 physicians, 6 mid-level providers and 9 Audiologists, Charleston ENT & Allergy is South Carolina's largest private ENT practice with eleven locations and an accredited ambulatory surgery center. Charleston ENT & Allergy's team of 100% board-certified or eligible, residency-trained specialists treating children, adults and seniors for the full range of ear, nose, throat, allergy and head and neck conditions. Offering ancillary services such as imaging, hearing testing, hearing aids, allergy testing and treatment, and on-site pharmacy, Charleston ENT & Allergy offer same day as well as Saturday appointments for Otolaryngic and Allergy services to all patients in the Lowcountry. Palmetto Primary Care www.palmettoprimarycare.com Palmetto Primary Care Physicians (PPCP) is the largest independent multi-specialty group practice in South Carolina. The group is comprised of over 90 clinical providers with a wide range of expertise in primary and specialty care including endocrinology, neurology and gastroenterology. The company employs over 600 clinical and non-clinical staff throughout South Carolina and provides exceptional medical care for patients through 32 physician's offices in 5 counties. PPCP was among one of the first practices to nationally establish a successful Patient Centered Medical Home Program and the first in South Carolina. The group provides patient-centered services such as a state-of-the-art urgent care clinic, an imaging and lab center and a Nurses Triage Line that is available to patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ### For more information, please visit http://www.CharlestonENT.com Contact Info: Name: Staci Bennett Organization: Charleston ENT & Allergy Phone: 843-766-7103 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/palmetto-primary-care-otolaryngologists-dr-robert-jordan-dr-jessica-lee-to-join-charleston-ent-allergy/128610 Release ID: 128610 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) NJ Business Directory for local Businesses and Residents Starts August 22, 2016 2b1 Marketing announced the availability of their New Jersey Business Directory beginning August 22, 2016. More information can be found at http://www.2b1njbusinessfinder.com. -- New Jersey Businesses and Residents looking for the latest NJ Business Directory are able to go to 2b1njbusinessfinder.com. Today Kevin Brady, Co-Owner at 2b1 Marketing releases details of the new Local Business Directory development. The New Jersey Business Directory is designed to appeal specifically to local Businesses and Residents and includes: Editor's Choice - This feature was included because it will highlight top performing local businesses with great reputations. This is great news for the consumer as it will give the state of New Jersey resident's greater peace of mind and greater confidence in purchasing goods and services from these local service providers. Business Spotlight - This was made part of the service, since it will give residents greater insight into the various local businesses and what makes them standout from their competition. Customers who utilize this service should enjoy this feature because it will give local residents greater purchasing confidence as they are given an inside look of the specific business. Review capability - 2b1 Marketing made sure to make this part of the Local Business Directory as local residents are able to rate local businesses based upon their own experiences. Users of the Local Business Directory will likely appreciate this because of the greater transparency provided; local residents are given insight into the local business by reading and adding their own experiences with the various businesses. Kevin Brady, when asked about 2b1 NJ Business Finder the Local Business Directory stated: "The singular goal is to connect local residents with local businesses" This is the latest offering from 2b1 Marketing and Kevin Brady is particularly excited about this launch because while other similar services concentrate on national brands the focus is and should be on local businesses the true engine of the American economy. Those interested in learning more about 2b1 Marketing and their Local New Jersey Business Directory Service can do so on the website http://www.2b1njbusinessfinder.com For more information, please visit http://www.2b1njbusinessfinder.com Contact Info: Name: Kevin Brady Email: deals@2b1marketing.com Organization: 2b1 Marketing Phone: 1 609-986-0060 Release ID: 128617 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Top Kelowna Plumber Releases Report on Tankless Water Heater VS Hot Water Tank Expert Kelowna plumber releases a new report comparing traditional hot water tanks to the new on demand, tankless water heaters. Service areas include Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Lake Country and Peachland BC. -- Shamrocks Plumbing and Heating revealed their new case study today on the new breed of residential hot water heaters. This case study demonstrates how to choose the best hot water heater for residential needs. The case study also makes it obvious that savings based on hot water usage is possible, and that many people fell it is important to look at usage and installation costs combined. For a personal consultation click here http://ShamrocksPlumbingandHeating.ca/hot-water-heaters/ Shamrocks Plumbing and Heating owner Brent Alward says there are many people looking for insights and answers regarding whether or not they should invest in a tankless water heater or stay with the traditional storage type of hot water tank. Purchase and Installation Costs: Tankless water heater prices are more expensive initially, but cost less to run overall. Whereas the older style of hot water tank (storage system) is cheaper up front, but consumes more energy. In both cases it is best to consult with a professional when but choosing what type of water heater to go with. Comparison: There are many factors involved in replacing a hot water heating system. Most traditional hot water tanks will last 10 years and are easy to replace. The most expensive models may last a few years longer but that relies heavily on maintenance such as annual tank flushing. On demand water heaters usually last longer and cost less to operate. Installation will be a little more expensive if the unit is replacing a hot water tank storage unit because a little extra plumbing will be required. Click here for a Government report on tankless water heaters - http://energy.gov/energysaver/tankless-or-demand-t... The tankless water heater models are slightly more expensive when comparing quality, but as described in the government research, usage expense is less than traditional systems. For those searching online for water heater prices, tankless water heaters range from a low of $150 for an under-sink unit to $2000 or more for a whole house unit. When compared with $400 to $1200 for the regular storage-tank types (not including installation fees). Typical Life Spans: This question is best suited to a consultant who can look up the specifications for individual units. In almost all brands, quality ranges from low-end to high quality with varying manufacturer warranties available, depending on where the unit is purchased. Conclusion: The cost of replacing a storage type hot water tank is not much less than a tankless water heating system. Cost savings are greater with on demand than storage, but some people still opt for the traditional choice mainly because they are used to it. Studies show that tankless hot water heaters cost less to operate as long as the calculations have been done correctly for the needs of the home. About Shamrocks Plumbing: Shamrocks Plumbing and Heating was founded in 2015 and provides licensed plumbing and heating service in Kelowna BC. Previous to that Brent Alward operated the same service in Vancouver BC under a different name from 2002. Shamrocks Plumbing and Heating 1325 Elwyn Rd Kelowna BC, V1X 5M9 Ph: (250) 575-8138 http://shamrocksplumbingandheating.ca/ For more information, please visit http://shamrocksplumbingandheating.ca/ Contact Info: Name: Brent Alward Organization: Shamrocks Plumbing and Heating Address: 1325 Elwyn Rd Kelowna BC, V1X 5M9 Phone: +1 250 575 8138 Release ID: 128630 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Free Freightnet Membership List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. Zurich has confirmed it is still committed to launching a Lifetime Isa in April 2017, after a number of fellow life companies called for the launch date to be delayed. However, Zurich urged the government to release the specifications of the new investment wrapper as soon as possible to give providers time to design a product. According to the details laid out by then-chancellor George Osborne in the March Budget, the Lifetime Isa, or Lisa, would allow people under 40 to begin putting aside up to 4,000 a year after tax, plus a 25 per cent government bonus, towards either a first home or their retirement. But five months on, the government has still not released the specifications, leading many providers to warn there is not enough time to design a product. Aegon went a step further, with head of pensions Steven Cameron calling for the retirement aspect of the Lisa to be scrapped altogether, turning it into a souped up Help to Buy Isa. But Zurichs head of retail platform strategy Alistair Wilson said the firm was still optimistic of meeting an April launch date, adding that the retirement aspect would actually be the key feature for its target customers. Were looking to build a lifetime Isa next year. Were not backing away from it. But we need government to tell us what the rules are sooner rather than later, because its a big build. Back in June, days after the Brexit vote, representatives from Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs said the specifications would be released in early autumn. Mr Wilson said, if early autumn meant September, then Zurich would expect to have a product ready by April. But he said the government would need to retain the simplicity of Mr Osbornes outline, crucially avoiding any complicated add-ons. Mr Wilson said he expected Zurichs clients to use the Lisa to save for their retirement rather than a first home. He said those saving for a first home were more likely to keep their Lisa in cash accounts, most likely provided by banks. Investment platforms, he said, were better suited for those saving for retirement. However, he said he did not expect the retirement aspect of the Lisa to encourage people to opt out of auto-enrolment, as many fear it will. He pointed out that opting out of AE would mean foregoing employer contributions. But giving people an extra avenue by which to save for retirement was a positive. Anything that gives people the opportunity to save more for their future has to be a good thing, and I the Lifetime Isa will achieve that. But it has to be simple for people to understand, he said. james.fernyhough@ft.com Consumers have more trust in farmers to make sure food is safe than government or supermarkets, according to a new survey. The British Social Attitudes survey, from social research institute NatCen, uncovers for the first time whom the British public trust when it comes to the food supply chain. In the wake of the 2013 horsemeat scandal, only 33% of people surveyed said they trust the government a great deal or quite a lot to make sure food is safe to eat. See also: Public support for farmers grows for fifth year in a row A similar proportion 34% said they trusted supermarkets, but 29% said they do not trust the government very much or at all and 26% said this about supermarkets. By contrast, 68% said they trust food inspectors a great deal or quite a lot to make sure food is safe to eat, and nearly two-thirds (58%) said they trust farmers. The proportion that said they did not trust these organisations very much or at all was just 7% and 9%, respectively. The survey also revealed just over half of people (58%) were sure that food from Britain was prepared to the highest quality standards. However, less than one-quarter (23%) thought this about imported food. Healthy food matters Consumers said buying healthy food was more important to them than having low-cost food, with 83% saying it matters a great deal or quite a lot that the food they buy is healthy. Caireen Roberts, research director at NatCen social research, said: Healthiness of food is clearly an important issue when buying food, more so than considerations about the origin and cost. While confidence in the quality of food produced in Britain was just over 50%, it was higher than levels of confidence in imported food and we also saw low levels of trust in the government, supermarkets and food manufacturers. This may be because these organisations are viewed as being motivated by profit either directly or indirectly or it may be the result of previous food scares. The survey provides further evidence that consumers are asking questions about where their food comes from. Positive view of farmers The publics opinion of farmers and farming is increasingly positive. According to an NFU-commissioned survey published in June, more than two-thirds of people polled said they actively support farming, with 69% saying they have a favourable view of British farmers a 9% rise since 2012. * The 2015 British Social Attitudes survey polled 4,328 adults in Britain with a response rate of 51%. Interviewing was carried out between 4 July and 2 November 2015. Story Highlights 28% of U.S. parents are concerned for their children's safety at school Mothers, minority and lower-income parents most likely to express concern 13% of parents say their children have expressed fear about school safety WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. parents' concern for their children's physical safety at school has held steady this year at 28%. Parents' fears most recently edged up to 33% in 2012 and 2013 after the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012. Since then, the percentage of parents who fear for their children's safety has returned to the levels seen from 2009 to mid-2012. Gallup's 18-year trend documents spikes in parents' concern about school safety after major incidents of gun violence at schools, including the April 1999 Columbine massacre (55%) and the March 2001 shooting at Santana High (45%), and an uptick after the December 2012 Newtown shooting (33%). The combined data since 2012 demonstrate that parents' worry varies among key subgroups. Mothers (33%) are more likely than fathers (25%), nonwhite parents (40%) are more likely than white parents (23%), and lower-income parents (41%) are nearly twice as likely as high-income parents (21%) to be concerned. Parents' Concern for Their Children's Safety at School Fear for child's safety at school Child has expressed worry about safety at school % % U.S. parents overall 28 13 Men 25 8 Women 33 13 Whites 23 9 Nonwhites 40 14 Income less than $30,000 41 19 Income $30,000 to $74,999 30 7 Income $75,000 or more 21 8 Parent of child in public school 30 11 Parent of child in private school 28 6 Parent of elementary school student (K-5th grade) 30 8 Parent of middle school student (6th-8th grade) 34 13 Parent of high school student (9th-12th grade) 26 11 Combined data from 2012-2016 Gallup, Aug. 3-7, 2016 Despite the racial and income differences, concern among parents whose children attend public versus private schools does not differ significantly. However, parents of elementary and middle school students are slightly more likely than parents of high school students to be concerned about their children's safety at school. Roughly One in Eight Students Express Fear for Their Own Safety Currently, 13% of parents say their children have expressed fear about their safety at school. This is the highest level of fear recorded since 2001, when 22% of parents said their child indicated concern shortly after the Santana High School shooting. However, the current figure is largely consistent with the 8% to 12% range seen since 2012. Parents' reports since 2012 that their children have expressed fear are higher among mothers than fathers, nonwhites than whites, and low-income than middle- and high-income parents. These patterns match those seen among parents' own concerns for their children's safety. Additionally, 11% of parents with children in public schools say their children have expressed fear about their safety in school, nearly double the rate among parents of children in private schools (6%). Implications The spikes in parents' fear for their children's safety in the wake of high-profile school shootings have receded in recent years. After the 1999 Columbine shooting that left 12 students dead, a majority of U.S. parents admitted concern for their children's safety at school. However, after 20 children were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut in 2012, one-third of U.S. parents expressed fear for their children's physical safety at school. According to the FBI, there have been as many as 50 mass murders or attempted mass murders in U.S. schools since the Columbine shooting. Parents' muted response to high-visibility school shootings in recent years could reflect an increasing desensitization to school violence. Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics. Survey Methods Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Aug. 3-7, 2016, with a random sample of 254 parents of children in grades kindergarten through 12, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 8 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting. Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 60% cellphone respondents and 40% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by time zone within region. Landline and cellular telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods. View survey methodology, complete question responses and trends. Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works. No Mans Sky Guide, Tips & Tricks: 3 Best Ways To Earn Money In The Sci-Fi World Living in "No Man's Sky" is no different than living in the real world: money talks; cash rules. To survive in that sci-fi universe, you need to amass an extraordinary amount of money to trade, fix your ship and buy some fuel to explore. So what are the best ways to earn money in "No Man's Sky?" You should first know how and what to prioritize. The ship and your Exosuit should be upgraded before anything else. When you land on different pods in the universe, you will have the chance to trade your stuff in exchange for another slot in your suit. The trick is to spend your money, buy those stuff and trade them later at a higher amount. A very simple, but necessary, task in "No Man's Sky" is to mine. Everything that you can mine has a monetary value when you go to trading posts. Take note, however, that your inventory slot is limited. At one point, your Exosuit will max out and one helpful tip is for you to transfer valuable elements to your ship. These are things that you may later need to repair your space craft. It is helpful if you transfer your gold and platinum to your ship right away to max it out to 500. Remember that your Exosuit has only 250 capacity to start with. The next trick is a simple rule in the business world: buy low, sell high. When you are done with your mining business, go to the nearest trading terminal in "No Man's Sky." Once inside, you can select the Sell button and check the prices they are offering. Red means less than the price you bought it for, while yellow means more. Master the market game since one stuff may be insignificant in one solar system, but has a greater value in the next system you are heading. 'Making A Murderer' Season 2 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Steven Avery Will Be Freed? Prosecutors To Appeal Over Brendan Dassey's Acquittal? It looks like viewers following the case of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey will see a major twist and turn of events in "Making a Murderer" Season 2. It has been known that the 26-year-old American man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin is about to get free in three months time after his verdict is overturned by a federal judge and it looks like Steven Avery will be the next. Steven Avery, Has A Chance To Be Acquitted? Brendan Dassey was just 16 years old when he was being probed by the police. That time, the young boy was not accompanied by any guardian or even his own lawyer. Hence, the interrogation appeared to be forced that led to his and Steven Avery's imprisonment, as per Refinery29. So, Steven Avery's new legal representative Kathleen Zellner believes that her client has a strong chance to be acquitted from his verdict in "Making a Murderer" Season 2 because of the new revelation about Brendan Dassey. The attorney believes that reiterating the previous DNA examinations, which she believes is manipulated, and introducing a new suspect may make the 54-year-old convicted to be freed. "There is evidence that already exists in the case that points to a different location and a different suspect," Kathleen Zellner told the New York Times. "We've got a combination of forensic evidence and a tip from somebody that we've interviewed multiple times that we think is credible." Prosecutors Will Appeal Over Brendan Dassey's Acquittal? Meanwhile, as Brendan Dassey will be released soon, the legal specialists believe that the prosecutors will do their best to make an appeal over his acquittal. As per news.com.au, these prosecuting officers might even ask for another investigation over the offender's crime in "Making a Murderer" Season 2. But, they might have a hard time to do so as the federal judge thinks that his declaration of guilt is made out of mental inability because of his young age. However, legal experts revealed that Brendan Dassey might still stay imprisoned for a year even if he is already freed. This is because the country's attorney-general is more likely to appeal his petition over last week's decision. "Making a Murderer" Season 2 is now in the works, although Netflix has yet to announce its release date. The free event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29, and feature more than 30 different types of aircraft. Jan. 27, 1935 July 31, 2016 Florence Esther Woodworth was born Jan. 27, 1935, in Albany to Dr. Marshall M. Woodworth and Janet Chalmers Woodworth. Florence graduated from Albany High School in 1953. She went on to graduate from the University of Oregon in Eugene in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in general science and a Phi Beta Kappa key, followed by a certificate in medical technology and later a certification as a cytotechnologist (medical microscopist in cancer detection) both from the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland. She moved to Seattle, Washington, and became the first cytotechnologist employed by the University of Washington, University Hospital, helping to establish the first school of cytotechnology at that institution. Later she was recruited by the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, School of Medicine and Dentistry to become the first non-physician faculty member in the history of that institution, holding appointments, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1970 -1990. In 1979, Florence married the love of her life, Stanley F. Patten Jr., MD, PhD, and they shared a remarkable life and love until his premature death in January 1997. In 1990 Stan and Florence retired from the University of Rochester and relocated to Issaquah, Washington, and the Providence Point Retirement Community. Stan and Florence continued their work in cancer detection and cytopathology at first at Laboratory of Pathology and Swedish Hospital, Seattle Campus and with NeoPath Inc., a new bioengineering firm helping to develop the very first automated imaging device able to pre-screen Pap smears. Following Stans death in 1997, Florence became manager of Cytopathology R&D for NeoPath. She continued her lifelong work until 2002. She then became Vice President for Clinical Research at Vision Gate Inc., another new medical imaging company, a position held until she retired March 27, 2013. Florence was very active in professional organizations including the American Society of Cytopathology, where she edited the monthly newsletter for 10 years, and was awarded a lifetime achievement award in 1979. She was a founding member and National President of the American Society for Cytotechnology in 1982. She was also active in the International Academy of Cytology winning the prestigious Cytotechnologist Award of that organization in 1978. Florence was always deeply interested in preservation of animal and undersea life being an experienced and certified SCUBA diver and a volunteer docent at the Seattle Woodland Park Zoo for many years. While Florence had no children of her own, she deeply loved and nurtured Stans three daughters and their families, Lesley Patten (husband Crane Stookey), Pamela Patten-Haus and Susan Patten (husband Richard MacLeod), and granddaughters Karin Haus, Lily MacLeod and Ruby MacLeod. Florence loved volunteering and helping make life better for the less fortunate by knitting sweaters for the Issaquah Clothing Bank and tending to the spiritual and physical needs of her beloved friends and neighbors over the years. She also volunteered her time at the Issaquah Food Bank after she retired from her final position with Vision Gate. A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at University Presbyterian Church, 4540 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle, Washington. Florence will be inurned beside Stan in the columbarium at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Arrangements are by Flintofts Funeral Home in Issaquah, Washington. Memorials may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center or the Seattle Union Gospel Mission. Please visit www.flintofts.com to sign the online guest book and share a memory of Florence. Sept. 29, 1923 Aug. 12, 2016 Lucille Price Baker of Midland, Texas, passed into the arms of our loving Father on Friday, Aug. 12, at her home. She was 92. She was born at home in Kings Valley to Arthur and Lorena Price on Sept. 29, 1923. She was raised and attended school in Kings Valley. She married Kenneth Baker in Aberdeen, Washington, on Aug. 27, 1949. Her husbands military career caused them to move often; Kings Valley was always her home, but her final days were spent in El Paso and Midland, Texas. She is preceded in death by her husband, CWO 3 Kenneth Baker of Minnesota; and three sisters, Nina Carlson of California, Virgie Nyman of Aberdeen, Washington, and Ruth Moore of Corvallis. She is survived by two daughters, Linda Segal-DuTeau and Jacqueline McMillan, both currently residents of Midland, Texas; three grandchildren, Dean Segal and Kenneth Segal, both of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Jennifer Drummond of Midland, Texas; five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. A visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at Sunset Funeral Home, 4631 Hondo Pass, El Paso, Texas. A graveside service and interment will be at 1 p.m. Mnday, Aug. 22, at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Hospice of Midland at 911 W. Texas, Midland, TX 79701. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Article Protecting the worlds oceans an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs. Niger Delta Militants Blow up Two NPDC Pipelines In Delta bayonel3 at 19-08-2016 04:15 PM (6 years ago) (m) Two pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, were in the early hours of Friday blown up by gunmen suspected to be Niger Delta militants. Local community sources who confirmed the development, said about two pipelines operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company were blown up at about 2am. Two pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, were in the early hours of Friday blown up by gunmen suspected to be Niger Delta militants. Local community sources who confirmed the development, said about two pipelines operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company were blown up at about 2am. Although no militant group has openly claimed responsibility, local community sources however said a new militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, was behind the attack. Report equally revealed that a technical team of NPDC and security officials have been deployed to the area to prevent the spread of spilled crude to other communities. Although no militant group has openly claimed responsibility, local community sources however said a new militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, was behind the attack. Report equally revealed that a technical team of NPDC and security officials have been deployed to the area to prevent the spread of spilled crude to other communities. Post Reply I scour the world wide web to bring you interesting stories from around the globe. +2348055557203 Posted: at 19-08-2016 04:15 PM (6 years ago) | Hero ruthie at 19-08-2016 04:48 PM (6 years ago) (f) bastards Posted: at 19-08-2016 04:48 PM (6 years ago) | Hero bastards Reply rashjr at 19-08-2016 04:49 PM (6 years ago) (m) Those hoodlums will never ceased to amazed me of their ignorance any similarity btw them and a human is purely coincidental Posted: at 19-08-2016 04:49 PM (6 years ago) | Upcoming Those hoodlums will never ceased to amazed me of their ignoranceany similarity btw them and a human is purely coincidental Reply Mykie010 at 19-08-2016 04:55 PM (6 years ago) (m) Buhari is not a serious man.these people only asked u to develop thier state,are they asking for too much? Posted: at 19-08-2016 04:55 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac Buhari is not a serious man.these people only asked u to develop thier state,are they asking for too much? Reply osarobo62 at 19-08-2016 05:05 PM (6 years ago) (m) Quote from: Mykie010 on 19-08-2016 04:55 PM Buhari is not a serious man.these people only asked u to develop thier state,are they asking for too much? just remember....it's only a fool that throws stones on his father's roof when he is angry. because when the rain comes...... Posted: at 19-08-2016 05:05 PM (6 years ago) | Hero just remember....it's only a fool that throws stones on his father's roof when he is angry. because when the rain comes...... Reply BournIdentity at 19-08-2016 05:08 PM (6 years ago) (m) konfirm talk..,, Posted: at 19-08-2016 05:08 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero konfirm talk..,, Reply benosky4 at 19-08-2016 05:10 PM (6 years ago) (m) Destruction is not the way forward #MyVerdict. Posted: at 19-08-2016 05:10 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac Destruction is not the way forward Reply Blessed75 at 19-08-2016 05:25 PM (6 years ago) (m) Stubborn buhari Posted: at 19-08-2016 05:25 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac Stubborn buhari Reply Deltaboy1 at 19-08-2016 05:32 PM (6 years ago) (m) Quote from: Mykie010 on 19-08-2016 04:55 PM Buhari is not a serious man.these people only asked u to develop thier state,are they asking for too much? u are an idiot, did jonathan even clean ogoni land before he left.. buhari did Posted: at 19-08-2016 05:32 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac u are an idiot, did jonathan even clean ogoni land before he left.. buhari did Reply HUMANresurce at 19-08-2016 05:44 PM (6 years ago) (m) Quote from: osarobo62 on 19-08-2016 05:05 PM just remember....it's only a fool that throws stones on his father's roof when he is angry. because when the rain comes...... Which rain go come?? rain when dey beat them already??? You don see how the phyuking crude oil damage this pple soils??? Posted: at 19-08-2016 05:44 PM (6 years ago) | Upcoming Which rain go come?? rain when dey beat them already??? You don see how the phyuking crude oil damage this pple soils??? Reply osarobo62 at 19-08-2016 06:03 PM (6 years ago) (m) Quote from: HUMANresurce on 19-08-2016 05:44 PM Which rain go come?? rain when dey beat them already??? You don see how the phyuking crude oil damage this pple soils??? so by blowing up the pipelines, the soil damage would be less Posted: at 19-08-2016 06:03 PM (6 years ago) | Hero so by blowing up the pipelines, the soil damage would be less Reply BournIdentity at 19-08-2016 06:05 PM (6 years ago) (m) Quote from: HUMANresurce on 19-08-2016 05:44 PM Which rain go come?? rain when dey beat them already??? You don see how the phyuking crude oil damage this pple soils??? mumu shut up b4 I shut u up....,, u dey mental...? Get sense Posted: at 19-08-2016 06:05 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero mumu shut up b4 I shut u up....,, u dey mental...?Get sense Reply kingcalors at 19-08-2016 06:11 PM (6 years ago) (m) Divide Nigeria or nothing will work Posted: at 19-08-2016 06:11 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac Divide Nigeria or nothing will work Reply odegbalegu at 19-08-2016 06:16 PM (6 years ago) (m) how I wish this madness will just pass away. how does it affect Buhari? Posted: at 19-08-2016 06:16 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac how I wish this madness will just pass away. how does it affect Buhari? Reply ael1990 at 19-08-2016 06:19 PM (6 years ago) (m) Quote from: Mykie010 on 19-08-2016 04:55 PM Buhari is not a serious man.these people only asked u to develop thier state,are they asking for too much? you must be stupid Were you living under a rock when Buhari wanted to go to ogoni land about 2-3 months ago, but the militants threatened him not to come. And what did Jonathan do for the Niger delta people (his own people) nothing. I wonder why people refuse to exercise common sense Posted: at 19-08-2016 06:19 PM (6 years ago) | Newbie you must be stupid Were you living under a rock when Buhari wanted to go to ogoni land about 2-3 months ago, but the militants threatened him not to come. And what did Jonathan do for the Niger delta people (his own people) nothing. I wonder why people refuse to exercise common sense Reply BournIdentity at 19-08-2016 06:21 PM (6 years ago) (m) Quote from: kingcalors on 19-08-2016 06:11 PM Divide Nigeria or nothing will work I bin tink sey u be king I no no sey u b Ewu,,,.. increase ur shout as king u be..,, maybe Nigeria go divide Posted: at 19-08-2016 06:21 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero I bin tink sey u be king I no no sey u b Ewu,,,.. increase ur shout as king u be..,, maybe Nigeria go divide Reply osarobo62 at 19-08-2016 06:30 PM (6 years ago) (m) Quote from: BournIdentity on 19-08-2016 06:05 PM mumu shut up b4 I shut u up....,, u dey mental...? Get sense mumu shut up b4 I shut u up....,, u dey mental...?Get sense PDP WAS IN POWER FOR 16 YEARS, NOTHING DONE . APC IN POWER FOR 1 YEAR, YOU EXPECT MIRACLES. . EWU MONKEY Posted: at 19-08-2016 06:30 PM (6 years ago) | Hero idiot...stop talking from your anus. use your brain for once.. EWU MONKEY Reply kison at 19-08-2016 06:54 PM (6 years ago) (m) SOMEBODY WILL STILL BLAME BUHARI FOR THIS....Y'ALL BETTER BE CAREFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Posted: at 19-08-2016 06:54 PM (6 years ago) | Hero SOMEBODY WILL STILL BLAME BUHARI FOR THIS....Y'ALL BETTER BE CAREFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Reply zeigbo at 19-08-2016 07:33 PM (6 years ago) (m) Very gud They can close the door against me but can't stop me frm coming in Posted: at 19-08-2016 07:33 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero Very gud Reply Android 7.0 Nougat Final Build Might Start Rolling Out on August 22 News oi -Chakri Kudikala It is a known matter that Google will release the Android Nougat final build in this month itself. As there were some rumors at the start of the month saying that August's security patch will be the final build of Android N, however, that wasn't the case. Also Read: Add Unlimited Fingerprints to your smartphone And, now the update schedule history of LG and Telus (Canadian carrier) shows that Android N might release on August 22. Both LG and Telus have some history of delivering the updates in time. In the update cycle of Telus, it is clearly mentioned that the devices such as Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X will be receiving the Android N update whereas the Galaxy A5 will be receiving the Android Marshmallow code. Also Read: How to Get a Reliance JIO SIM Card And, the Korean page of LG G5 shows the same date to experience the next iteration of Android, which further confirms the release date of Android N. Having said that, Sony has already released the AOSP code of Android N. That said, we can say that the Android N will start rolling out from August 22 (Monday). As of now, there is no information regarding which devices will be updated to Android N apart from Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X. Stay tuned for more updates regarding Android N. Best Mobiles in India Trump undermines US intelligence agencies ahead of briefing Iran Press TV Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:53PM US presidential candidate Donald Trump says he does not trust the intelligence produced by the American spy agencies, citing the situation in the Middle East. In response to a question on whether he "trust[s] intelligence," the Republican nominee replied "Not so much from the people that have been doing it for our country." He made the comments in an interview aired on "Fox and Friends" Wednesday morning, hours before he was set to receive his first classified intelligence briefing. "I mean, look what's happened over the last 10 years. It's been catastrophic," he said. "Very easy to use them, but I won't use them, because they've made such bad decisions." The real estate mogul was apparently referring to apparent intelligence failures preceding the 2001 war on Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. His comments undermine the American spy network, consisting of 16 federal intelligence agencies and tens of thousands of employees. The remarks also follow a US House Republican analysis released last week, apparently proving that intelligence produced by the military's Central Command had been edited to provide a positive image of the fight against Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria. The reality TV star was supposed to take part in the planned briefing along with Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, the former head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency in the administration President Barack Obama. "He's a terrific guy, a terrific general: tough, smart, feels like I do about illegal immigration, in particular," Trump said of him. New Jersey GOP Governor Chris Christie is also scheduled to join Trump. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Force aims to hasten foreign military sales process By Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published August 18, 2016 WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- In remarks at the State Department's Foreign Press Center in New York Aug. 17, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James outlined the Air Force's multifaceted approach to expedite the service's portion of the foreign military sales process. Last year, James directed secretary of the Air Force International Affairs to examine how to streamline the FMS process, particularly in case development and contracting. A dual-signature memorandum from James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein directed acquisition and international affairs communities to implement a number of new initiatives. "We found the majority of cases are developed in under 90 days, but we could still work to improve the requirements development process for complex cases," James said. Since building international partner air force capabilities is important to both mitigate U.S. Air Force operational risk and benefit its defense industrial base, the secretary has reached out throughout 2015 to hear and heed feedback in multiple nations, including appearances at the Paris and Dubai air shows. In addition, Goldfein received similar feedback during the recent Royal International Air Tattoo in England. "Secretary James and I have heard from both industry and partner nations about the desire that we speed up the process; we certainly take it to heart. But it's important to remember that in the United States, it's an interagency process," Goldfein explained. "We have our part of it in the Air Force and pride ourselves on being great advocates within the rest of government to try to get these things moving because we appreciate the importance of these partnerships day in and day out." According to James, the first challenge they will address follows the Defense Security Cooperation Agency's lead to establish a new and more extensive training program to prepare security cooperation officers more fully before going overseas. The Air Force will better connect the Air Force Life Cycle Management, the Institute of Security Cooperation Studies, and the Defense Acquisition University to develop a new FMS curriculum. "We're going to establish and deliver an FMS training program for program offices, international partners and U.S. industry, which leverages best practices and better connects the major stakeholders of FMS, while linking these efforts with our professional military education institutions," James said. As such, James said the second step will be to establish a new, service-specific oversight program to select and oversee the deliberate development of security cooperation officers involved in FMS, which has an annual portfolio of nearly $10 billion. "We're going to better prepare these officers for FMS planning responsibilities during their overseas tour, which includes better training on the time-consuming but critical process of helping the foreign partner define their defense requirements," she said. James acknowledged that the inability to speak directly with the partner on their requirements hampers the Air Force's ability to generate a valid request needed to adequately begin the acquisition process. "We need to ensure our Airmen have the training and skills to set them up for success in the international environment," she said. Within the acquisition realm, the secretary said the Air Force plans to implement requirement classifications, specifically in the more challenging FMS cases, labeling them Category C, or "complex." And, she added, these cases -- often involving major weapons systems sales such as the C-17 Globemaster III or F-16 Fighting Falcon with technological, political, and financial complexities -- are ones she and Goldfein hear about most frequently on air show ramps in United Arab Emirates, France and England. "We've challenged our acquisitions team to achieve a 10 percent timeline reduction on these cases by the end of 2017," James noted. "We're going to try to cut a month from the time the Air Force initially receives a partner's request for a complex system to the time we can provide them a valid letter of offer and acceptance to purchase it." James has also charged service officials to expand FMS program reporting so she and the chief of staff can better assess portfolio performance, including details of complex cases having trouble getting to the LOA and ongoing cases in which contracts are unable to get to the finish line. "This review will shed light on the causes, and potential fixes, for industry or partner frustration," she said. Ultimately, James emphasized that the Air Force used a "very deliberate process" to ensure the FMS program review was correct and thorough, with independent reviews at different levels within the Defense Department, to include a legal review. "We need to redouble our efforts and get the message delivered back home that it is important to give much more quick consideration if at all possible, but always guarding our most critical technologies," she said. "We can't ever let that go." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, Aug. 18, 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, attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 14 strikes in Syria: -- Near Abu Kamal, a strike struck an ISIL oil wellhead. -- Near Raqqah, a strike struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle. -- Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL oil wellheads and three ISIL vehicles. -- Near Manbij, three strikes destroyed two ISIL artillery systems and an ISIL vehicle. -- Near Mara, six strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL command-and-control node. -- Near Tal Abyad, a strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL propaganda billboard. Strikes in Iraq Attack and fighter aircraft conducted five strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government: -- Near Mosul, four strikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed 38 ISIL oil tanker trucks, five ISIL vehicles and six ISIL assembly areas and denied ISIL access to terrain. -- Near Ramadi, a strike destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL shelter. 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 it poses to Iraq, Syria, the region and the wider international community. The destruction of targets in Syria and Iraq further limits ISIL'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, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japanese Minister of Defense Visits Camp Lemonnier Navy News Service Story Number: NNS160818-06 Release Date: 8/18/2016 9:45:00 AM By Lt. Desiree V. Woodman, Camp Lemonnier Public Affairs CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (NNS) -- Camp Lemonnier welcomed Japanese Minister of Defense Tomomi Inada to the Horn of Africa, Aug. 15. The official visit to Camp Lemonnier gave Inada the opportunity to get a firsthand look at the installation expansion efforts. It was also an opportunity to meet key leadership, including the U.S. Embassy Charge d'affaires a.i., Christina Higgins; Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) Rear Adm. Rick Williamson; and outgoing Camp Lemonnier Commanding Officer Capt. Geoffrey Colpitts. Inada was greeted by the entire leadership staff upon her arrival to Camp Lemonnier. She was given a guided tour of the installation and its facilities. The final stop of the tour was at the Dorie Miller 5-Star Galley. An exchange of gifts occurred at the conclusion of the tour. Williamson presented a rungu stick to Inada, which is a traditional wooden throwing club or baton bearing special symbolism and significance in certain East African tribal cultures. The stick also bore the region EURAFSWA coin on one side and the Camp Lemonnier commanding officer's coin on the other. This was Inada's first trip to the Horn of Africa since she assumed office as minister of defense, Aug. 3. Camp Lemonnier provides, operates, and sustains superior service in support of combat readiness along with security of ships, aircraft detachments and personnel for regional and combat command requirements, enabling operations for the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-African nation relations. Camp Lemonnier enables the forward operations and responsiveness of U.S. and allied forces in support of Navy Region, Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia's mission to provide services to the fleet, fighter, and family. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thai army detains 15 over last week's bombings in tourist towns Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 3:6PM Thailand's military has detained at least 15 suspects following last week's deadly bomb and arson attacks in tourist resort towns, the Southeast Asian country's ruling junta says. Colonel Burin Tongprapai, the junta's top legal adviser, told reporters on Thursday that 17 suspects had been initially detained, but two of them were later released. They are now being held at military barracks in the capital, Bangkok. "Authorities have detained 17 suspects at the special 11th Army Circle barracks in Bangkok but we released two of them," media outlets quoted Tongprapai as saying. Army officials are now looking to re-detain the two released suspects and the entire group is likely to be charged on Friday. The deadly attacks came ahead of a national holiday marking the birthday of Queen Sirikit and just before the anniversary of a blast in downtown Bangkok last August that killed 20 people, mainly ethnic Chinese tourists, in the deadliest such attack to hit the country in recent years. Four people were killed and dozens of others wounded in the last week attacks in Thailand's tourist resort towns. Police and the military have ruled out international terrorism, saying the perpetrators were local saboteurs. Police earlier said that they had no information about the motives behind the attacks or the identities of the bombers. Thailand's junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha has called the bombings an attempt to trigger unrest in the country blighted by a decade-long political crisis. The developments also come days after voters in Thailand overwhelmingly approved a junta-proposed draft constitution in a referendum that would lay the foundation for a civilian government influenced by the military. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Sudan's Machar flees to neighboring state: Opposition Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:4AM South Sudan's rebel leader and former first vice president Riek Machar has reportedly left for a neighboring country weeks after he fled the capital, Juba. An opposition spokesman on Thursday confirmed that Machar had left a day earlier to a "safe country within the region," and was expected to hold a news conference on Friday. Machar's spokesman James Gatdet Dak said in a separate statement that he "has been successfully relocated to a neighboring country" after one month of stay in the bushes around Juba. Dak thanked rebel forces for foiling what he called a "ruthless attempt" by President Salva Kiir to kill Machar. Thousands of people have been killed and more than three million forced to flee their homes in the war that started in December 2013, when Kiir sacked Machar as his deputy after accusing him of plotting a coup. The conflict broke out only two years after the country seceded from Sudan. The two sides eventually signed an agreement in August 2015 to bring the war to an end. As part of the deal, Machar returned to Juba on April 26 to take up the post of vice president in a national unity government. However, peace did not last long as a new wave of fighting erupted on July 8, when gunfire broke out near where Kiir and Machar were meeting in Juba. During the next several days, more than 300 people were killed in clashes and Machar left the capital after his base in Juba was bombed by troops loyal to Kiir. The vice president was then removed after being given a 48-hour ultimatum to return to the capital which he ignored. Machar's supporters say he is still the legitimate vice president and his removal is a sheer violation of last year's peace deal. Amid the conflict, the UN Security Council approved this month to deploy a 4,000-strong protection force to South Sudan despite Juba's strong opposition. The deployment will bring the total number of foreign troops in the country to 17,500. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), as the force is called, has already been criticized for failing to protect civilians during an attack in Juba last month. The mission is also under fire for allegedly failing to stop government forces from reportedly committing sexual assaults outside UN camps in the capital. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'False' Report on Vietnam Rocket Launchers Sparked Chaos in South China Sea Sputnik News 22:11 18.08.2016(updated 02:05 19.08.2016) A Reuters report citing unnamed Western officials that Vietnam had deployed rocket launchers to the Spratly Islands and pointed them toward Chinese facilities led Beijing to call on Hanoi to "remember" the 1979 War that led to 137,000 Vietnamese deaths. On Thursday, Vietnam again refuted a Reuters report that it allegedly deployed rocket launchers to bases in the Spratly islands allegations that led Beijing this weekend to remind Hanoi about previous wars which many view as a not-so-veiled threat to attack Vietnam. The diplomatic row began following an August 10 Reuters report suggesting that "Vietnam has discreetly fortified several of its islands in the disputed South China Sea with new mobile rocket launchers," in recent months. Reuters also reported that Vietnam's foreign ministry said the information about the deployment of rocket launchers, based on unnamed Western officials, was "inaccurate." Despite the countervailing statement by Vietnam and the lack of satellite photography or other tangible evidence to substantiate the report, the news outlet chose to run the story, sparking an international incident. On August 11, the Global Times, a subsidiary of the Chinese Communist Party's People's Daily, published a piece titled "Restraint crucial to avoid new crisis in South China Sea." The article warned that, "If Vietnam's latest deployment is targeting China, that would be a terrible mistake. We hope Vietnam will remember and draw some lessons from history." The Hong Kong-based Asia Times asserted that Vietnam would only place rockets on the Spratly islands as a defensive response. "Even if it had made such a move or will make any similar attempt in the future that is mainly a defensive act and a reaction to China's action in the South China Sea." Hanoi insists on the resolution of maritime disputes by peaceful means and in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN reports reveal 'mixed' progress on efforts to end child refugee detention 18 August 2016 While two new reports released today as part of a new global strategy by the United Nations refugee agency found an overall drop in the total number of refugee children detained in 12 focus countries, they also revealed mixed progress in two critical target areas: ensuring alternatives to detention, and improving detention conditions. "This strategy is an important step in ending the counter-productive use of detention, and we welcome the encouraging progress made in these two years," Volker Turk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said today in a news release. However, noting that asylum-seekers and refugees accounted for 17 per cent of all people detained for immigration-related purposes in 2015 in the countries, up from 12 per cent in 2013, he added: "Too many refugees and asylum seekers, including children, are forced to stay in detention centres when they should be in an environment where they can get the information, support, privacy and access to their legal rights." The two reports issued as part of the agency's global strategy, Beyond Detention 2014-2019, which is supporting governments end detention of asylum-seekers and refugees, include a baseline report that uses data compiled from 2013 and a mid-216 progress report. On the strategy's first goal: ending child detention, encouraging progress was reported. This includes adoption of protective laws and policies to limit or rule out child detention, prioritized processing of the asylum claims of children, enhanced access to age appropriate information in a child-friendly format and increased attention to the process of appointing qualified guardians. According to UNHCR, these measures contributed to an overall decrease of 14 per cent in the total number of children detained across the 12 countries in 2015 as compared to 2014, when all the countries detained children for immigration-related purposes. By the end of 2015, two countries had also stopped detaining asylum-seeking children. However, ensuring referral to alternatives to detention, the second goal of the global strategy, has proved more of a challenge. "Officials in most of the focus countries still rarely or never consider alternatives in each individual case before detaining," said the agency in the news release. "Asylum-seekers and refugees still [face] the risk of indefinite detention in one-third of the focus countries due to the absence in law of a maximum time limit in detention," it added, noting moderate progress on the final goal improving detention conditions. The report further revealed that in a majority of the 12 countries, asylum-seekers are still penalized for irregular entry or stay and that they may be detained together with people suspected or convicted of a crime. The agency also said that while it is too early to assess the medium and long-term impact of the roll-out of the strategy, the first assessment indicates emerging trends which could herald changes in coming years in immigration detention policies. "The progress results will form the basis for further dialogue with all stakeholders and to help identify and remedy shortcomings and support policy making, particularly in reception and alternatives to detention," it noted. The five-year strategy was launched in June 2014 and has been rolled out in Canada, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. The 12 countries were chosen based on criteria, including regional and thematic diversity, size and significance of the problem, and prospects of progress in the initial roll-out period. Each government has established a national action plan to help address change and implement the strategy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan: Ban 'disappointed' at failure to reach truce agreement 18 August 2016 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed disappointment that Sudan's warring parties failed to reach an agreement on a cessation of hostilities in Darfur and the two states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, during the last round of negotiations. According to a statement issued last night by Mr. Ban's spokesperson, the Secretary-General "is disappointed" that no agreement was reached during the 9 to 14 August 2016 talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Further in the statement, the Secretary-General strongly urged all the parties to resume negotiations, abide by the roadmap agreement, and refrain from any attempt to escalate the conflict in Darfur and the two areas. He also reiterated that there can be "no lasting alternative to a negotiated settlement" and stressed that a cessation of hostilities is "the first, indispensable step" towards achieving this goal. The Secretary-General appreciated the vital role played by the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), the African Union/UN Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and his Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan to bring about a lasting peace in Sudan, the statement said. On 8 August, the African Union-brokered roadmap for ending conflicts in the country was signed by Sudanese opposition groups. The Secretary-General, at that time, called on all Sudanese parties to maintain "this positive momentum" and urged them to continue working towards an agreement on a cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas and the process for reaching a final, political settlement through an inclusive national dialogue. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Commander to Afghan Leaders: Don't Let Political Process Undermine Security By Ayaz Gul August 18, 2016 The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan urged Afghan leaders Thursday not to allow political differences to undermine recent security gains in the war-torn country. U.S. General John Nicholson made the remarks as President Ashraf Ghani and his governing partner, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, are locked in a political confrontation, raising questions about the survival of their so-called national unity government. "RS (Resolute Support) respects the Afghan political process, but has no involvement with it. Our only message to all involved is please don't let the political process undermine the security gains and progress within the security institutions that have been made over the last six-nine months," said General Nicholson in written comments that NATO's Resolute Support mission sent to VOA from Kabul. Simmering tensions between Ghani and Abdullah were publicly exposed for the first time last week when the chief executive criticized the president and accused him of not honoring provisions of the political agreement they signed in September 2014, that paved the way for installing the unity government. President Ghani called the remarks counterproductive and "not in line with the spirit and principles that shape the foundation of governance." Abdullah responded by demanding "total implementation of the agreement on unity government; we don't want anything more or less than that because implementation of the agreement would lead to the survival and stability of the country," he said. The two Afghan leaders met for the first time on Wednesday since the political turmoil erupted and are scheduled to hold more talks in coming days to resolve their differences. The Obama administration has reiterated its support for the Afghan unity government, encouraging both Ghani and Abdullah to work together for a prosperous and stable Afghanistan. "I think our assessment is that they've got significant challenges facing them, but we stand by and ready to support them as they work through these challenges," Deputy State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in Washington. "We want to see them implement what is an ambitious reform agenda and we believe that they understand the importance of them working together rather than separately," he noted. The political dispute has gripped the Afghan government at a time when Taliban fighters have intensified attacks in 15 of the country's 34 provinces. They have also made significant advances in recent weeks in southern Helmand and two northern provinces, Baghlan and Kunduz. Addressing a gathering at the presidential palace in connection with Afghan independence day on Thursday, Ghani praised national security forces for bringing security to the country. "On this historic day, I call on all Afghans to work for peace, prosperity and stability. And I urge Afghan people to stand with their security forces as our security forces have already proven that they can defeat the enemy." Abdullah was not present at the ceremony and Ghani did not make any reference to the tensions between the two. Ghani and Abdullah were rivals in the 2014 presidential election and both claimed to be winners after polls that many observers declared were marred by fraud and irregularities. The deadlock ended when U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry intervened and brokered a political deal between the two. Under the agreement, Ghani was installed as the president and the post of chief executive was created for Abdullah to equally share power in their national unity government. It was also agreed that electoral reforms will be introduced to prevent a repeat of the controversy-marred presidential polls and a constitutional jirga or grand assembly would be held within two years to give legal cover to Abdullah's office, a deadline due to expire next month. It has not, however, been possible to convene the jirga meeting because a delay in electoral reforms has prevented authorities from holding parliamentary as well as regional elections that together form the assembly. Abdullah's camp insists the delay in electoral and other reforms is deliberate, assertions Ghani aides reject. The Taliban have recently made significant advances in southern Helmand province and northern provinces, including Baghlan and Kunduz. The insurgent group lately has also taken steps to reduce internal divisions, raising fears of a more resilient and unified opposition that may face Afghan security forces in coming months, although they have held certain key areas only with the help of U.S. airstrikes in recent weeks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MSF to Pull Staff Following Yemen Hospital Bombing By VOA News August 18, 2016 Doctors Without Borders said Thursday that it would evacuate staff from six hospitals in Yemen, following the deaths of more than a dozen people in the bombing of a hospital earlier this week. The Saudi-led-coalition airstrike killed 19 people and wounded about 20 others Monday at a hospital in Yemen's northern Hajja province. Doctors Without Borders, the humanitarian medical organization known by its French acronym MSF, said that it repeatedly gave coordinates of hospitals to military parties involved, but the Saudi-led coalition nevertheless conducted "indiscriminate" bombings and gave "unreliable reassurances." MSF said it would withdraw staff from six hospitals in Yemen's northern governorates of Saada and Hajjah. "This latest incident shows that the current rules of engagement, military protocols and procedures are inadequate in avoiding attacks on hospitals and need revision and changes," said Joan Tubau, MSF general director. "MSF asks the Saudi-led coalition and the governments supporting the coalition, particularly the U.S., U.K. and France, to ensure an immediate application of measures to substantially increase the protection of civilians." Monday, MSF decried the "tragic consequences" of the attack on a "fully functional hospital full of patients," saying it was the fourth such attack against an MSF facility in the past 12 months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Sudan's Machar Flees to DRC By Margaret Besheer August 18, 2016 South Sudan's former first Vice President Riek Machar has fled to neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, where he may be ill or injured. U.N. Spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters that Machar and a small group of people turned up in the DRC on Wednesday. The U.N. mission there, known as MONUSCO, was alerted to his presence and contacted the Congolese government. The government asked them to facilitate the group's transfer from an area near the DRC-South Sudan border to a location inside Congo which the U.N. has not revealed. "We can confirm that an operation was undertaken by MONUSCO on humanitarian grounds to facilitate the extraction of Riek Machar, his wife and 10 others from a location in the DRC in support of the DRC authorities," Haq said. He said the U.N. Mission in South Sudan played no part in Machar's arrival in the DRC. Asked whether Machar required medical care, Haq said "we have been providing him with whatever medical assistance he needs." Sources tell VOA that the former leader was either ill, injured or possibly both, when peacekeepers met him in DRC. Peacekeepers retrieved Machar and his group from the town of Dungu, near to the border of South Sudan, sources told VOA's South Sudan In Focus. They said he was suffering from exhaustion after having been on the move for weeks. Machar has been in hiding since early July following clashes between his supporters and government troops in South Sudan's capital, Juba that killed more than 300 people. President Salva Kiir fired Machar as first vice president and replaced him with Taban Deng Gai, who was backed by a breakaway faction of Machar's SPLM-IO movement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DRC Sees 2nd Day of Protests Against Massacres By Nick Long August 18, 2016 Demonstrators took to the streets in eastern DRC for a second day to protest the massacre of at least 50 people in Beni territory during the weekend. Three people died when a demonstration turned violent Wednesday in Beni town, according to the United Nations. This latest round of protests in eastern Congo's North Kivu province follows the killing of at least 50 people in a village on the outskirts of Beni last Saturday by assailants suspected to belong to the ADF rebel movement. The U.N. Mission in Congo reported the killers were disguised as park rangers and detained people returning from their fields before murdering them. The ADF originated as an Ugandan rebel movement, but over the years has recruited many Congolese. It is blamed for the massacre of at least 700 people in Beni territory since late 2014, civil society activists say as many as 1,200 people have been killed. The United Nations says the Beni protest led to the deaths of a policeman, a demonstrator and a third person lynched by a mob, and that a soldier and several civilians were wounded. A peaceful demonstration was held Thursday in the provincial capital Goma. Activist Diego Mutima addressed the crowd of several hundred people. He called for the truth to be established as to who instigated and carried out the massacres in Beni. Mutima also demanded military and judicial action to bring them to justice, whatever their rank and status. Several reports have raised questions about the role of high ranking officers in Beni's troubles, but these allegations have not been tested in court. The demonstration in Goma quickly turned political with opposition party supporters chanting "he is on the way out" a reference to the end of DRC president Joseph Kabila's two-term mandate in December. Speaking to Congolese media Wednesday, North Kivu province vice governor Feller Lutahichirwa accused activists and opposition members of exploiting the massacres to stir up more trouble. He says those who have been calling on the people to demonstrate are practically aligned with the terrorists, and there might have been ADF terrorists among the demonstrators. Opposition lawmaker Juvenal Munubo rejected the accusation against opposition parties. It is not enough to make allegations, he says, they have to be backed up with proof, and he says the vice governor has not been able to say which opposition party or group was behind the disturbances. A civil society organizer Thomas d'Aquin Mwiti told VOA a public trial of suspected ADF members will be held next week in Beni. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippine Senator Vows to Continue Inquiry into President's Drug Crackdown By VOA News August 18, 2016 A Philippine senator has vowed to continue an official inquiry into President Rodrigo Duterte's incendiary anti-drug trafficking campaign despite his accusations and threats against her. Senator Leila de Lima called Duterte's attacks an "abuse and misuse of executive power" during an emotional speech Thursday in Manila. De Lima has launched a legislative probe into the killings of at least 1,000 suspected drug traffickers since Duterte took office in June, having won election on a pledge of ridding the archipelago of illicit drugs and drug criminals. The senator said Duterte's accusations, which he made during a speech Wednesday marking the 115th anniversary of the country's police force, had temporarily caused her to reconsider her position. "It is clear that what is being done to me is what will happen to anyone who does not bow to the wishes of the president," she said. President Duterte also lashed out against the United Nations in his speech Wednesday, saying the world body was making "a very stupid proposition" in criticizing his efforts. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Duterte's apparent support of extrajudicial killings, calling them "a breach of fundamental human rights and freedoms." The president questioned why the U.N. would be "so easily swayed into interfering into the affairs of this republic" since only 1,000 people have been killed. Official tallies say at least half of those killed were involved in shootouts with police. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodian Crackdown Hardens Resolve Among Khmer Diaspora By Luke Hunt August 18, 2016 The killing of independent analyst Kem Ley and a broad crackdown on dissent in Cambodia has hardened attitudes against Prime Minister Hun Sen among the Khmer diaspora living in Australia and the United States. However, prominent members of the communities warn disillusionment with the long-ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) would not automatically result in further support for opposition leader Sam Rainsy, currently living in self-imposed exile in France. Opposition not benefitting In Australia, Hong Lim, a prominent member of the Victoria state parliament and the Khmer expatriate community, has dropped his support for Sam Rainsy, head of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP). He said the opposition leader's performance, after losing four consecutive elections, and a lack of consultation with the diaspora in Australia had cost him. "People have lost faith in them because they have sold the community out," he said referring to Sam Rainsy. "There is no consultation with him. Sam Rainsy just comes and carries on and it's not going to work anymore." The Australian diaspora has historically provided lucrative support for the opposition, which was forged into the CNRP ahead of elections in 2013, through a merger of the Sam Rainsy Party and the Human Rights Party, run by Kem Sokha, who is currently the opposition's deputy leader. Sam Rainsy refused to return to Cambodia earlier this year after he was threatened with jail from a defamation suit. Kem Sokha is also facing possible jail time over a similar issue and Hong Lim added the CNRP had failed to promote young talent from within it its own ranks. "There has never been a succession plan," he said. Adding new leaders, he said, was a major problem confronting the CNRP ahead of commune elections next year and general elections in July, 2018. Crackdown on opposition A further 18 CNRP members and supporters have been jailed while the public shooting of Kem Ley, a popular radio host and political analyst, had flabbergasted and angered the Khmer diaspora, Hong Lim said. The government here in Phnom Penh has become increasingly wary of the diaspora, formed by hundreds of thousands of Cambodians who fled decades of war and found homes as refugees in the West. Interests groups among the diaspora have also been accused of fueling opposition discontent often descending into violent anti-government rallies and that includes unfounded allegations of land grabbing by the neighboring Vietnamese. Hong Lim has also been sharply criticized by the Cambodian government and declared persona non grata after he labeled the CPP-government a "beast" in regards to Kem Ley's death. US diaspora alarmed and upset In the U.S., Kem Ley's murder has also sparked anger among many Cambodian Americans. But concerns are also growing about the ability of the opposition to compete in the current political landscape. Sok Paul Pen, President of Youth and Students Relations for the CNRP in Lowell, Massachusetts indicated campaign finances were emerging as a major issue for the opposition ahead of elections. "We will travel to Cambodia in 2017 and 2018 to encourage young people within our network and beyond to focus on the election and observe the election process, helping out with transportation, and also appeal to them to provide some financial support in preparation of the elections," he said. His sentiments were echoed by Tung Yap, President of the Cambodian American for Human Rights and Democracy, which he said was focused on providing an equal playing field for all political parties in terms of media coverage. "As the matter of fact, reports or coverages such as the land grabbing issue in the country where people across the world are aware of is unheard on the state-controlled television and radio," he said. However, Vibol Touch, President of the Cambodian-American Alliance, sounded a more conciliatory note by stressing his organization was in the process of organizing a public forum to enhance diplomatic relations between both countries. Hun Sen recently singled out the American diaspora as a potential base of future support. "We try to connect young people in the U.S. with young people in Cambodia to engage," he said. "Some young people in Cambodia have engaged with us on the understanding of democratic principles and importantly on the rule of law." Ten Soksreinith contributed to this report from Washington. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shahid Nojeh Airbase, Hamadan Shahrokhi Air Base, 3rd Tactical Air Base The Hamadan Air Base (N3452'05.40" E4833'08.31") is located outside of the city of Hamadan. This base is part of the Western Area Command of the Iranian Air Force. The base is operated by the civil government. There is one asphalt runway at the base (3229 meters x 45 meters). There are two additional airfields/bases approximately 30 miles north of Hamadan that also serve military purposes. This is where Shahroki Air Base is located. There were three tactical squadrons (33d and 34th TFS and 31st TRS) located at Hamadan/Shahrokhi which fly F-4Ds, F-4Es, and RF-4Es. This base is also reported to house a rescue squadron and a Base Flight, which uses an AB-212. As of 2008 an unknown squadron with Su-24 was also reported to be station at the base. During the first US-Iraq War, Ex-Iraqi AF pilots fled to Iran, and those planes that have not been put to use to the Iranian Air Force, these would be primarily the Su-20 and Su-22 Fitter aircraft not absorbed into the IRIAF, have been stored at Hamadan/Shahrokhi. Frederick W. Kagan et al reported in December 2015 that "The Iranian armed forces appear to be allowing Russian aircraft to use their military airfields in support of combat operations over Syria. This development is remarkable: Iran is one of the most virulently anti-colonial regimes in the world, and yet it is allowing a former colonial power that had partitioned Persia with Great Britain to place military forces on its territory. But Russia likely requires access to an airfield in Iran to support its military operations in the region, and Tehran seems willing to permit it. Contrary to Western analysts arguments that Russia is marginalizing Iran in Syria or even driving it out, Russia appears to be more dependent militarily on maintaining a strong relationship with Tehran than has been previously thought. "Iranian fighters have been escorting Russian bombers as they transit Iranian airspace for some time, as can be seen in a video filmed and released by the Russian air force (reported by The Aviationist). Military aviation specialist Babak Taghvaei reports (as cited by The Aviationist) that Russian Tu-95MS Bear, Tu-160 Blackjack, and Tu-22M Backfire bombers have flown a southwesterly path through Iranian airspace since late November on their way to missions against rebel and Islamic state forces in Syria..." "One such combat aircraft, a Russian Su-34 Fullback strike fighter, was seen on the main parking apron of Shahid Nojeh Air Base in the northwestern province of Hamedan, Iran on November 23, 2015 and remained there for at least two days. An Il-76 Candid transport aircraft arrived likely in the afternoon or evening of November 24. Both had departed by December 5, according to AllSource analysts." Russian upper house lawmakers were ready to ratify an agreement with Iran to deploy the Russian Aerospace Forces grouping at the Hamadan airbase, a Russian senator on the security committee said 16 August 2016. Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed earlier in the day its Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bombers and Su-34 strike aircraft took off from the Hamadan airfield to conduct airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria. "Similar to the ratification of the agreement with Syria on the deployment of our air group, ratification with Iran may be required. The Federation Council I think is ready to make this decision," Sen. Viktor Ozerov told RIA Novosti. A few days before, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted for ratification by the lower house an agreement with Syria on the deployment of Russias air grouping in the Arab republic. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on 16 August 2016 that it had deployed Tu-22M3 bombers and Su-34 strike fighters in Iran and these aircraft have already been used to carried out airstrikes against Daesh in Syria. "We know that the chances of Daesh and other terrorist organizations obtaining anti-aircraft weapons are minimal, but nevertheless, using only one military base [Hmeymim, Syria] bears some limited risks for our Aerospace Forces," Sen. Viktor Ozerov told RIA Novosti, adding that the base in Iran would give the Russian forces "more options for striking blows" against militants in Syria. According to Ozerov, the conclusion of such an agreement with Iran reflects the depth of the Russia-Iran cooperation. "The cooperation of Russia and the state [Iran] located in such a volatile region will bring benefits to the overall situation in the Middle East," Ozerov added. On August 17, 2016, Russian Su-34 bombers carried out strikes from the Hamadan airfield on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran against targets of the Daesh terrorist group in the province of Deir ez-Zor. Aircraft carried high-explosive bombs OFAB-500. The decision to allow Russian bombers to fly out of Shahid Nojeh air base near Hamadan was made following a directive by the countrys Supreme National Security Council, which is chaired by President Hassan Rohani and includes the heads of the judiciary, the army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), and other powerful institutions. Council spokesman Hossein Naghavi Hosseini said on August 16 -- the first of two days so far on which strikes were launched from near Hamadan -- that Tehran and Moscow had very good cooperation against terrorists in Syria that is increasing in scope. The Russian Defense Ministry deployed Tu-22M strategic bombers to the Hamadan airfield in Iran. The first combat sorties from the base were conducted on August 16. According to the Defense Ministry, aircraft bombed positions of Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorists in Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor and Idlib. Hamadan, the 3rd tactical airfield of the Iranian Air Force, has a more advanced infrastructure than Hmeymim in Syria. It has two air strips (3.9 and 4.3 km) against one air strip (2.8 km) at Hmeymim. There are also advanced facilities for maintaining military equipment, including ammo storages and large parking places for aircraft. The two airstrips facilitate aircraft take-off and landing. They widen the range of weather conditions for the aircraft and guarantee safe take-off for warplanes with full payloads. All of the above boost the combat capabilities of the aviation. When Russian Tu-22M bombers flew from an airfield in Russias Mozdok they could carry 2.5-6 tons of bombs and attacked 1-2 targets. The distance between the Hamadan base and target areas in Syria is nearly 1,000 km. Russian sources claim that a Tu-22M bomber can take off with some 20 tons of bombs and destroy several targets. The use of the Hamadan airfield is the first time that Irans territory has been used by foreign military forces since 1946. At the same time, the use of the Iranian airbase does not mean that Russia would abandon Hmeymim. A Russian task force will be permanently stationed at Hmeymim. An agreement on this was submitted for ratification to the Russian parliament. Iranian officials have publicly dismissed questions over the legality of the Russians' use of the military facility and concerns about compromising sovereignty, saying the move does not violate the constitution, which explicitly prohibits allowing foreign countries to establish military bases inside the country. They insist that Iran is not handing over its Shahid Nojeh air base to Russia. Alex Vatanka, a senior Iran analyst at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, told RFE/RL the cooperation with Russia was likely to present a significant challenge for Iranian officials to explain. This notion that Iran as an Islamic republic works with Christian Russia and operates hand in hand [with Russia] in another Muslim country, in Syria, it just raises a host of difficult questions that surely will be difficult for days and weeks to come for the Iranian regime to justify, Vatanka said. The influential speaker of Irans parliament, Ali Larijani, reacted strongly to concerns raised by a fellow conservative lawmaker, Heshmatollah Falahatpishe, who questioned the cooperation with Russia while describing Moscow's foreign policy as very different and turbulent and volatile at times. Larijani was quoted by Iranian media as saying: "Based on Article 146 of the constitution, establishing any foreign military base in the country is banned, and we havent given a military base to anyone ... The fact that we cooperate with Russia as our ally on regional issues, such as Syria, does not mean that we have provided Russia with a military base. Russia decided to use the Hamadan airfield in Iran to prevent terrorists from spying on its strategic aircraft taking part in the Moscow-led counterterrorism operation in Syria, the Vzglyad newspaper asserted 17 August 2016. The business daily maintained that spying appears to have become a major issue since some radical groups fighting in Syria have lately succeeded in hiding from incoming Russian airstrikes. This, according to the media outlet, seems to indicate that someone has been tracking Russian strategic aircraft and sharing this information with the militants. "We would rather not point fingers but jihadists and 'moderate' rebels who joined them have managed to hide from Russian warplanes suspiciously too often. This could only be done if they have access to satellite surveillance data," the business daily suggested. Vzglyad emphasized that radical groups lack equipment, particularly satellites and electronic warfare systems, needed to track long-range bombers as they take off from the Engels Air Force Base located east of the Russian city of Saratov. "There are grounds to assume that someone interested and generous could provide this information to those who fight against Assad," the media outlet noted. There were technical problems in the use of Hamadan. Russian bombers had been using the Iranian base for refueling during the transport of hardware to the Hmeimim airbase in Syria before the start of the operation there last fall without incident. Originally, the base was used as a staging airfield to refuel our aircraft. The same happened [now] in the case of Tu-22M3, which made a stopover there to have some technical work done and to set off on their combat missions, said Nina Mamedova, head of the Iran section at the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Oriental Studies. After the first two days of sorties in August 2016, however, a number of technical problems arose. According to Yevseyev, several steps would have to be taken to ensure the full-fledged operation of the Russian aircraft including the setting up of a command post in Iran with the relevant communication channels and the construction of a hangar to store ammunition for the Tu-22M3 aircraft, which also would need to be serviced and guarded. Finally, the question of the status of Russian troops serving in Iran would need to be resolved. In case there is any incident, serious problems would ensue. They do not have diplomatic immunity as our soldiers in Syria do, Yevseyev said. One solution might be for Russia to formally lease and use the airbase, but this would require the parliaments of the two countries to adopt a treaty specifying all the technical and diplomatic aspects of Russians presence in Iran, including the status of its diplomats. Russian combat aviation will no longer be using Irans Hamadan air base in the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria, according to an announcement made on 22 August 2016 by Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov. In his statement, Konashenkov said that the tasks set for the Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 strike aircraft flying from the base have been accomplished. The aircraft that performed sorties from Hamadan returned to Russia. Konashenkov left open the possibility that the Iranian airbase may be used again, however, depending on the situation in Syria. Russias use of the air base and subsequent quick withdrawal from it is tied to a breakdown in relations between Moscow and Tehran. According to military analyst and deputy head of the CIS Institute Vladimir Yevseyev, Tehran was irritated by the failure of Russian political leaders to agree on their public statements with their Iranian counterparts. Tehran is a very tricky partner, and information for the media needs to be released jointly. They should have organized a media appearance by Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanayee and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with a joint statement about the use of the airbase. Instead, what we did was to unilaterally give the information to the media via the military, Yevseyev said. A Revolutinary Iranian Account of Hamedan To the west of Iran where the sun sets behind the crest of Alvand Hill, an ancient city was born, which on the scrolls of the hearts was named Hamedan. Although this city had different names in the cornices and historical scrolls of 3000 years ago to date, only a single one has survived the ages and overpowering shadows of Alvand. Hamedan is the Old Man of cities. The capital of Media was Ecbatana, or Hamedan. The Persian, and afterwards the Parthian monarchs, made Ecbatana their summer residence, to avoid the excessive heat of Susa and Ctesiphon. On the road between Bagdat and Hamedan was an antient monument, said to be that of Samiramis, at a place called Bagistana. This cradle of civilization has recorded many sweet and bitter events from the days of the labyrinths of the seven forts of the Medes to the cool summer days of the Achaemenids capital and from the devastating assault of the Moguls and the massacre of the people in the 6th Century Hijjara during the Seljuqids to the occupation of Hamedan by the Red Army and so on until the historical presence of the people and combatants of the Province in the most brilliant history of Islamic Iran, i.e. eight years of Sacred Defense. Hamedan is also the reflection of Irans wisdom and knowledge, from the entry of Islam and acceptance of the Prophet (PBUH)s guiding light until the age of Islamic philosophy and wisdom versus the Greek philosophy and the brilliance of Avicennas and the age of literary and spiritual passion mirrored in the letters of Badi Al Zaman Hamedani, Baba Tahers quatrains and essays of Ein Al Qozzatt While these mirrors were broken time and time again or burnt like Ein Al Qozzatt, but their teachings were not lost and reached the generation of the Imam of epics and wisdom, who knew well how to honor these paths. According to Iranian accounts, that generation accompanying Imam Khomeini, the unique reformist of the Iranian history, by grasping the messages of Koran and inspired by the teachings of Ashoura, burrowed the depth of history and thus quenched their thirst from the limpid waters of movement that originated from the heart of Abbas (AS) to reach the events of February 1979. With the victory of the Islamic Revolution and defeat of the imperialisms stronghold, the Zionist theoreticians of White House, in an unprecedented union with the east, equipped the Baathist army of Iraq in the aim of overturning the newly established regime; and with the illusion of repeating Qadessiah, Saddam fired the first artillery shell on 22 September 1980 towards Iran. At the same time, the flights of the enemy bombers over the Iranian cities and airports heralded the news of an unequal and cowardly war. In the light of the extensive Iraqi armys onslaught, all the frontier provinces were made subject to land attack while the provinces bordering the western and southern borders were made targets of airstrikes. The city, airport and the airbase of Hamedan were among the strategic targets of Iraq. Bombs that were dropped on the eastern limits of the city airport incited young men from all over the Province to gather round in the form of Revolutionary Guards and popular forces and to rush to the western fronts. "Whereas the enemys armored columns were demolishing the lives of defenseless people in Ghasre Shirin, and the fruitful palms were beheaded one by one in the tornado of explosions, the first groups of defenders were dispatched from the Province of Hamedan to stand up against the mass of tanks under the command of Taghi Bahmani. They were the Few who overcame the enemy numbers with the grace of God. They were the young men who proclaimed Allah is our God from the depth of their hearts". In March 1980, the entry of an unknown green clad combatant who was the spiritual son of Ali (AS)s Nahj Al Balaghe led to a great upturn in the combat management of the Hamedan Province., when the Traveler to God Eng. Mahmoud Shahbazi took command of the Provinces army and the war. His legendary battles in the cliffs of Tangekourak in West Guilan was named the "Dawn of the Sacred Defense". Then came the spring of 1982 and earth was resurrected once more to allow the sun of We have granted to shine from the east on the combatants of the third armored battalion of the brave martyr and make the Fath Al Mobin the bestowing of Gods Blessings on Abbas Plain and Fakkah. Although the humble conqueror of Khorramshahr, Eng. Mahmoud Shahbazi, "flew to heaven" on the eve of Khorramshahrs liberation on 24th May 1982, his disciples set up the Provinces first organized combat ready forces under the flag of Imam Hossein (AS) and under the title of Ansar Al Hosseins Brigade. "The epic battles of the valiant warriors from the Province of Hamedan at the warfront and the popular supports behind the lines, accompanied with the perfume of incense and the feasts of embraces; and send offs became an exciting commotion,which infuriated the enemies so much that they extended the war from the western and southern frontiers to the bombardments of the cities. "The height the enemys malevolence and cruelty in the war of malice versus true belief was the bombardment of people during a Friday prayers in the Hamedans Quds Stadium and the killing of innocent children and the fasting women during the Ramadan of the year 1982. The mass of blood stained prayer mats of the women and the mutilated bodies of the children shall bear witness to the plight of these thirsty martyrs on the Judgment Day." In a reply to the bombardment of schools and kindergartens the pilots of the Shahid Nojeh Airbase under the command of Martyred Major General Mahmoud Khazraee bombarded the military, industrial and economic interests of Iraq. The attack on the Iraqi Airbase of Al Walid, better known as H3, deep within the heart of Iraq near the Jordanian border was a show of belief, strength and bravery of the pilots. They took off from Hamedans Shahid Nojehs Airbase and their altitude attained the heights of determination and dedication. The importance of bombing this target, which consisted of three advanced bases, could severely affect the enemy's military capacity and inflicted huge economic damage upon it; while will affect its dignity and psychological aspects and supporters. Fourteen F-4 aircrafts took off from Shahid Nojeh Base in Hamedan with maximum ammunition. Two tanker aircraft were waiting them in the south of Lake Uremia, so that the first refueling carries were out there. Then from northern Iraq, they entered through Iraqs territory in a low altitude and continued their way along the margin of Turkey border to reach to the meeting point of border of Syria and Turkey and Iraq. Due to the long distance, it was necessary that the fighters refuel once again close to the target and continue toward it. After completing their mission, they immediately returned toward tankers and re-fill the fuel tank, and went back to the country through the same route. Two tanker aircraft waited at the south of Lake Uremia to get fuel to the fighters for the fourth time. Now the fighters could return to their hangar without any problem. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea resumes plutonium production at Yongbyon Iran Press TV Wed Aug 17, 2016 5:53PM North Korea has resumed plutonium production by reprocessing spent fuel rods at its main Yongbyon nuclear facility, citing the United States' hostile policy toward Pyongyang. North Korea's Atomic Energy Institute told Japanese Kyodo News Agency in a written interview that it had been producing highly enriched uranium necessary for nuclear arms and power "as scheduled," adding, "We have reprocessed spent nuclear fuel rods removed from a graphite-moderated reactor." The institute, which has jurisdiction over the Yongbyon nuclear facilities, did not disclose the amount of plutonium or enriched uranium that Pyongyang has produced. According to Kyodo, the institute has already succeeded in making lighter and diversified nuclear weapons. The institute did not rule out the possibility of conducting further nuclear tests as long as perceived US threats remain. "Under conditions that the United States constantly threatens us with nuclear weapons, we will not discontinue nuclear tests," the institute was quoted by Kyodo as saying. North Korea mothballed the Yongbyon reactor in 2007 under an aid-for-disarmament accord. However, Pyongyang began renovating it after its third nuclear test in 2013. In September last year, North Korea said Yongbyon was operating and that it was working to improve the "quality and quantity" of the country's nuclear weapons. Tensions have been flaring in the region since January when North Korea said it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, its fourth nuclear test, and vowed to build up its nuclear program as deterrence against potential aggression from the US and its regional allies. A month later, Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket which it said placed an earth observation satellite into orbit. However, Washington and Seoul denounced it as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test. North Korea says it will not give up on its nuclear "deterrence" unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward Pyongyang and dissolves the US-led command in South Korea. Thousands of US soldiers are stationed in South Korea and Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US: N. Korean Plutonium Reprocessing Violates UN Resolutions By Steve Herman August 17, 2016 The United States expressed fresh concern about North Korea after Pyongyang indicated renewed nuclear activity that would allow it to churn out at least enough plutonium for one bomb annually. The announcement, made by North Korea's Atomic Energy Institute, in a written response to Japan's Kyodo News agency, confirms what the intelligence community, academics and analysts have been asserting for months: Pyongyang has made good on its vow to resume activities at the Yongbyon nuclear complex. "If these reports are correct, it is obviously a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, which prohibit such activities," State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in response to a VOA question. The confirmation is not surprising and primarily timed to get attention as North Korea "needs to escalate tension and crisis," said Kongdan "Katy" Oh, senior Asian specialist at the Institute for Defense Analyses in Alexandria, Virginia. Relevancy North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, for domestic consumption and international relevancy, wants to tell the world "respect and treat me as a nuclear leader," Oh, who regularly briefs U.S. government officials, told VOA. The 5-megawatt reactor and other facilities at Yongbyon were shut down under an agreement reached in 2007 involving North Korea and five other countries: the United States, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea. The North vowed in 2013 to resume activities 90 kilometers north of the capital. The International Atomic Energy Agency, a U.N. body, had no immediate public reaction, but officials there noted the announcement comes as no surprise. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano told reporters in June that the Yongbyon reactor had been restarted, either for enrichment or reprocessing. The IAEA is to issue its annual report on North Korea's nuclear activities in a few weeks, which will contain additional assessments of the reclusive state's atomic activities. "We have reprocessed spent nuclear fuel rods removed from a graphite-moderated reactor," the Atomic Energy Institute, which holds jurisdiction over North Korea's main nuclear facilities, told the Japanese news agency. The institute added that Pyongyang has been producing highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons and electrical power "as scheduled." A uranium enrichment facility was revealed six years ago. Plutonium In February of this year, U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said North Korea was expected to be able to harvest plutonium from Yongbyon with a matter of weeks. In May, analysts at the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said commercial satellite imagery indicated a reprocessing campaign to separate more plutonium for nuclear weapons was underway. In its comments to Kyodo, the Atomic Energy Institute did not reveal the amount of plutonium or enriched uranium it had produced, saying Western analysts were free to draw their own conclusions. The activities are the latest in a series of defiant acts by North Korea amid numerous United Nations sanctions for its atomic and ballistic missile development. The comments issued by the Atomic Energy Institute also hint at the possibility of a fifth North Korean atomic test, saying amid constant threats from a nuclear-armed United States, "We will not discontinue nuclear tests." On Wednesday, North Korea's foreign ministry repeated a threat to have the country's army destroy U.S. military bases in the Pacific theater, including Guam, in "an all-out and substantial attack." The report, carried by Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), quoted a foreign ministry spokesman saying the situation on the Korean peninsula had entered a "very grave phase" following the deployment to Guam by the U.S. Air Force of B-1B and B-2A bombers to compliment B52-H strategic bombers stationed there. THAAD system aggravation Also angering Pyongyang is a move by the United States to deploy in South Korea a Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system to shoot down North Korean missiles. Earlier this month, a missile fired by North Korea landed in or close to waters of Japan's exclusive economic zone, the latest in a series of such provocative launches. As far as the next steps under consideration by Washington, in lieu of the defiance of various international sanctions, "We continue to evaluate our options," said Toner, at the State Department. North Korea has long indicated its ultimate quest to miniaturize a nuclear warhead that could be placed atop a guided missile capable of hitting the continental United States. A young and insecure Kim, in the shadow of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, who founded North Korea, and his father, Kim Jong Il, needs to demonstrate his legitimacy and "that I'm in charge" and thus is seeking to stay relevant and maintain the world's attention, Oh said. "It's all a game for him," she told VOA. Kim's hardline government suffered an embarrassment Wednesday when South Korean officials revealed that a high-ranking North Korean diplomat posted in London had defected, reportedly stating he was "sick and tired" of the Pyongyang regime. State Department officials said they could "not comment on the specifics of this case," but that the United States remains "deeply concerned about the human rights situation in North Korea and the treatment of North Korean refugees and asylum-seekers." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK slams US for nuclear arms buildup in Asia Pacific People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:41, August 18, 2016 The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday slammed the United States for causing a nuclear arms buildup in the Asia Pacific. A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry denounced the United States in a statement for dispatching strategic bombers like the B-1B and B-2A in early August to the Anderson Air Force Base in Guam for the first time in ten years, according to the state news agency KCNA. Sending more strategic nuclear bombers to Guam right after the joint decision by Washington and Seoul to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in South Korea proves that the "U.S. plan for a preemptive nuclear strike at the DPRK has entered a reckless phase of implementation," the statement said. "Such military moves of the United States are part of its sinister strategy to contain Russia and China in the Asia Pacific and maintain its military hegemony in the region, not just aiming at a surprise preemptive nuclear strike at the DPRK," the statement added. The statement warned that the DPRK, instead of being an on-looker to U.S nuclear threats, will "whet more sharply the treasured sword of nuclear weapons" to defend the sovereignty and security of the country. On July 8, South Korea and the United States announced the deployment of one THAAD battery in South Korea by the end of next year. Five days later, the deployment site was designated at Seongju county, some 250 km southeast of Seoul. The decision has triggered widespread criticism and strong opposition in the country and from neighboring countries China and Russia. China has voiced resolute opposition to the THAAD deployment on the grounds that it will harm its security interests and disrupt the region's security balance, while Russia has indicated a military response by deploying a missile unit in the Far Eastern region. In early August, the DPRK fired two ballistic missiles into eastern waters in an apparent protest against the anti-missile shield. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address N Korea Strengthens Surveillance Over Diplomats, Business Staff After Defection Sputnik News 17:12 18.08.2016 North Korean authorities reportedly tightened surveillance measures in regard to the country's diplomats and business personnel working abroad, following a recent defection of a senior diplomat. TOKYO (Sputnik) Earlier in August, Thae Yong Ho, a high-ranking diplomat from the North Korean embassy to the United Kingdom, defected to South Korea with his wife and children. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent security agents abroad to tighten control over the representatives of the diplomatic corps and economic community, the Yonhap news agency reported citing a source familiar with the state of affairs in Pyongyang. The media outlet added that Kim ordered to root out any possibility of people working in the diplomatic missions and restaurants to leave their posts without a permit. In April, more than 10 North Korean workers employed in a restaurant in the Chinese city of Ningbo escaped to South Korea. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea Threatens to Destroy US Military Bases in Asia-Pacific Region Sputnik News 14:06 18.08.2016 Pyongyang has threatened to destroy all US military bases in the Asia-Pacific Region should Washington dare to take "an insane step," according to the North Korean Foreign Ministry's statement. MOSCOW (Sputnik) According to the statement, the fact that the Unites States deployed three types of strategic bombers on Guam ahead of the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military drills conducted annually during August or September between South Korea and the United States is "a very alarming signal." "The situation on the Korean peninsula is entering a very dangerous stage because of the continuous US intrigues to increase the capacity of its nuclear weapons aimed at the DPRK. In case the United States dares to take an insane step, all the US military bases in the Pacific Operations region, including the island of Guam, will not escape destruction by our army's comprehensive and real attack," the statement seen by RIA Novosti reads. On Monday, several B-1 bombers and more than 300 US Air Force personnel arrived at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to replace a B-52 squadron, as the United States continues to build up its presence in the region to counter a potential threat from Pyongyang. On Wednesday, the US Pacific Command (PACOM) said in a statement that three US Air Force strategic power projection bombers the B-52, B-1 and B-2 had participated in their first integrated operation in the South China Sea. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cautious Debate In Iran Follows Russia's Use Of Military Base August 18, 2016 by Golnaz Esfandiari Russia's use of Iranian territory to launch air strikes in Syria this week has sparked cautious debate in Iran, where open discussions of sensitive foreign policy issues are rare and perceived affronts to national sovereignty could weigh heavily on a regime founded on promises to kick out foreign meddlers. Iranian officials have said that the unprecedented move, which deepens both Russian and Iranian involvement in the five-year-old Syrian conflict, is part of a "strategic cooperation" with Moscow aimed at fighting "terrorism." The partnership has raised concerns in Washington, whose relations with Moscow have soured to Cold War levels and which last year signed a landmark agreement along with Russia and other world powers to ease sanctions on Tehran in exchange for nuclear concessions. A senior Iranian lawmaker said the decision to allow Russian bombers to fly out of Shahid Nojeh air base near Hamadan was made following a directive by the country's Supreme National Security Council, which is chaired by President Hassan Rohani and includes the heads of the judiciary, the army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), and other powerful institutions. Council spokesman Hossein Naghavi Hosseini said on August 16 -- the first of two days so far on which strikes were launched from near Hamadan -- that Tehran and Moscow have had "very good cooperation" against terrorists in Syria that is increasing in scope. Russia and Iran are staunch allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom they have helped stay in power since a bloody civil war broke out in 2011. U.K.-based analyst Saeed Barzin says Tehran's strategic military cooperation with Russia is significant, particularly as the United States is being accused by Iranian officials of dragging its feet in implementing the nuclear deal, whose terms were agreed in July 2015. "Losing hope that the U.S. is willing to become a partner, the [Iranian] military establishment, to say the least, is now more keen to work with the Russians," Barzin says, adding in connection with an increasingly bitter regional rivalry between Shi'a-dominated Iran and Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia: "Strategic cooperation with the Russians should also give Saudis the jitters, particularly now that they have openly declared a policy of confrontation with Iran." "Independence" was one of the main slogans of the 1979 revolution that led to Iranian religious and political leaders' creation of an Islamic republic that has prided itself on being, in its organizers' words, "neither pro-Western nor pro-Eastern." Iranian officials have publicly dismissed questions over the legality of the Russians' use of the military facility and concerns about compromising sovereignty, saying the move does not violate the constitution, which explicitly prohibits allowing foreign countries to establish military bases inside the country. They insist that Iran is not handing over its Shahid Nojeh air base to Russia. But Alex Vatanka, a senior Iran analyst at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, tells RFE/RL the cooperation with Russia is likely to present a significant challenge for Iranian officials to explain. "This notion that Iran as an Islamic republic works with Christian Russia and operates hand in hand [with Russia] in another Muslim country, in Syria, it just raises a host of difficult questions that surely will be difficult for days and weeks to come for the Iranian regime to justify," Vatanka said. Iranian officials have increasingly painted the conflict in Syria as the front line of a battle to defend Islam, including in order to recruit volunteers to travel to join thousands of other Iranians in the fighting there. The influential speaker of Iran's parliament, Ali Larijani, reacted strongly to concerns raised by a fellow conservative lawmaker, Heshmatollah Falahatpishe, who questioned the cooperation with Russia while describing Moscow's foreign policy as "very different" and "turbulent and volatile at times." "Based on Article 146 of the constitution, establishing any foreign military base in the country is banned, and we haven't given a military base to anyone," Larijani was quoted by Iranian media as saying. "The fact that we cooperate with Russia as our ally on regional issues, such as Syria, does not mean that we have provided Russia with a military base," Larijani added. Reformist lawmaker Mahmud Sadeghi said on August 18 that 20 of his colleagues had written a letter to Larijani asking him for a closed session with relevant authorities to discuss the decision to allow Russia use the Iranian air base. Sadeghi told the semiofficial ILNA news agency that the meeting was likely to take place over the weekend. A commentary in the reformist Shargh daily noted after the first reports that Russian bombers were using Iranian territory that "Iranians are highly sensitive about the preservation of their national sovereignty and their constitution." Another pro-reform media outlet, Etemad, warned that "Iran should bear in mind that Russia has acted against Iran's expectations and requests when [Moscow's] interests have dictated it." The popular Asr-Iran website appeared to criticize a perceived lack of transparency over the decision, saying it would have been better if Iran's Defense Ministry or the military had issued an official statement announcing the increased military cooperation. Analyst Vatanka says that while allowing Russia to use its military base might represent a joint effort by to strengthen Assad militarily, the partnership could also be an attempt by Tehran to send a signal to Washington. "'We've concluded a nuclear deal with the West, but we're still not seeing the benefits, the fruits of the sanctions relief,'" Vatanka speculates about Iran's possible thought process, putting himself figuratively in Tehran's shoes. "'We still feel the United States is not doing its part. What do we do to get the United States attention? Perhaps by playing the Russia card, we can do that.'" Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-cautious- debate-russia-military-base/27932431.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Iraq Should Set Up Joint Border Committees to Boost Security Sputnik News 17:07 18.08.2016(updated 17:46 18.08.2016) Iran and Iraq should create joint border committees in order to strengthen regional security, Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, said Thursday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The two neighboring countries were involved in an armed conflict that lasted from September 1980 to August 1988. The fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 2003 led to the normalization of relations between the two countries. In 2008, then Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became the first Iranian leader to visit Iraq since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution. "[Bolstering] unity between the two countries, establishing stable security, creating joint border committees and negotiations would be beneficial to regional security," Baqeri was quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency. The top Iranian commander also expressed his satisfaction over Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units successes in the fight against the Daesh terrorist group, outlawed in many countries worldwide, including Russia and the United States. Iraqi forces backed by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are currently preparing an assault on the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. Daesh has controlled Iraq's second largest city for the past two years. On Tuesday, the US military said that Iran-backed Shiite fighters in Iraq were preparing to retake Mosul. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New UN report lays bare widespread ISIL 'atrocities' committed against Yazidis in Iraq 18 August 2016 A new United Nations report lays bare the widespread and systematic manner in which the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, Da'esh) has committed "terrible atrocities" against the Yezidi and other ethnic and religious communities, the UN envoy for Iraq said today, calling for the perpetrators to be fully and properly held to account. Compiled by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the report details heart-wrenching testimony of Yezidi survivors of ISIL atrocities in Iraq since the attack on Sinjar in August 2014, including accounts of systematic and widespread killings, sexual violence and sexual slavery, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, forced conversions and forced displacement, among other abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law. The report contains accounts of those who were among the 308,315 mostly Yezidis who fled Sinjar District. An estimated 360,000 Yezidi remain displaced, with a serious lack of badly needed psychological care. According to a press statement women interviewed by the UN spoke of being sold multiple times and having their young children and babies snatched from them. One woman told how she was sold to a 26-year-old Syrian ISIL member who raped her regularly for at least 15 days, threatening to kill her daughters if she did not submit. Another woman was bought and sold to six successive men. She managed to rescue her seven-year-old daughter from the man who tried to abduct her, and tried to keep her safe by cutting off her hair and eyelashes, putting the child in a diaper and telling her to pretend to be mentally ill. However, in spite of this, an ISIL member tried to rape her daughter, driving the woman to attempt to kill her daughter and herself in despair. She eventually escaped with the help of a smuggler. The report contains many accounts of men being separated from women, and of the mass killings of the captured men. In one instance, up to 600 men were reportedly killed in Tel Afar District. In other instances, members of the Yezidi community were forced to convert to Islam or be killed. Special Representative and Head of UNAMI Jan Kubis said the report also notes that approximately 3,500 women, girls and some men, predominantly from the Yezidi community but also a number of other ethnic and religious communities, remain in ISIL captivity. "Two years after the fall of Ninewa, the Yezidi community continues to be targeted by ISIL. Thousands of men, women and children have been killed or are missing, or remain in captivity where they are subjected to unspeakable sexual and physical abuse," Mr. Kubis said, adding: "Faced with such evidence, it is of paramount importance that the perpetrators of these heinous acts are fully and properly held to account." For his part, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said the testimony recorded in the report must serve as a clarion call to all members of the international community that "no effort must be spared in ensuring accountability for these terrible crimes and to send a clear message that no one may perpetrate them with impunity." "I am profoundly concerned at the grave impact that the current conflict is having on civilians, particularly on people from Iraq's ancient and diverse ethnic and religious communities. The experiences recounted by survivors and documented in this report reveal acts of inhumanity and cruelty on an unimaginable scale that constitute a serious and deliberate attack on the most fundamental human rights and are an affront to humanity as a whole," High Commissioner Zeid said. The report states that the violations and abuses committed by ISIL may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. "Every effort must be undertaken by the Government of Iraq and the international community, in strict compliance with applicable international humanitarian law and human rights law, to put an end to the human rights abuses being perpetrated by ISIL and to secure the safe release of these civilians," the report states. "Psycho-social, medical and other forms of support are urgently required, notably for the survivors of sexual violence and sexual slavery. Furthermore, everything feasible must be done to create safe, dignified conditions for the Yezidi, along with [internally displaced persons] from other communities, to return to their places of origin," it adds. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ten killed as bombs hit Libya's GNA forces near Sirte Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:43PM Twin car bomb attacks have claimed the lives of at least 10 fighters with pro-government Libyan forces near the city of Sirte, where they are battling the Daesh Takfiri terrorists to drive them out of the North African country. The deadly bombings struck Gharbiyat area west of Sirte on Thursday, said Reda Issa, a spokesman for troops loyal to Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA). The attack took place near a center used to distribute food, ammunition and other supplies to pro-GNA fighters. Another 20 fighters were also wounded in the fatal attacks. The death toll is expected to rise since many of the troops wounded were in critical condition. The attacks are believed to have been conducted by Daesh militants. Following the attack, pro-government forces launched a raid into a residential neighborhood in Sitre, killing three Daesh militants. Sitre is the final stronghold of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Libya. The mayor of Sirte, Mokhtar Khalifa, said on August 11 that Libyan forces had liberated 70 percent of the city from Daesh. The large-scale military operation to retake Sirte from the Daesh terror group began in May. The pro-government forces entered Sirte in June, but their advance was slowed down as Daesh hit back with sniper fire, car bombs and counterattacks. Libya has been struggling to contain Takfiri terrorists, who have been expanding their presence in the country following the overthrow and death of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Taking advantage of the chaos in Libya, Daesh took control of Sirte in June 2015, nearly four months after it declared presence in the city. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Eleven militants killed in Pakistan's restive northwest Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:19PM Pakistan's military forces have killed about a dozen militants in the country's restive northwestern tribal region along the border with Afghanistan. The military said in a statement on Thursday that "eleven terrorists were killed and four others injured" in Khyber district. The military added "eight terrorist hideouts close to the Afghan border" were also destroyed by "precision air strikes and synchronized ground operations." On Tuesday, the military announced that it had killed at least 14 militants in the same area. The army offensive against militants has been going on in the mountainous terrain of Babar Kachkol, Naray Nao and Tor Sapar areas of Khyber. Khyber is one of the seven semi-autonomous tribal agencies or districts, where the army has been battling al-Qaeda-linked terrorists and pro-Taliban militants for years, especially after the US-led invasion in neighboring Afghanistan in 2001 and the subsequent spillover of militancy into the region. In June 2014, the Pakistani army intensified its anti-militancy efforts by deploying some 30,000 troops near the border with Afghanistan to wipe out militant bases in the tribal area and bring an end to the bloody militancy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea stages largest ever artillery drills near North border Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 12:58PM South Korea has launched large-scale artillery drills near the border with North Korea amid heightened tensions between the two neighbors. According to South Korea's military, a total of 300 artillery systems deployed along the border began firing shells simultaneously in multiple directions on Thursday afternoon. The South Korean army said that there was no sign of any unusual military response by the North. An unnamed South Korean army official said the number of artillery mobilized in Thursday's drills was the biggest ever, adding that the simultaneous shooting in all major frontline areas was a departure from previous exercises. The border between the two Koreas is the most heavily fortified in the world. The two countries occasionally exchange gunfire along the frontier and near a disputed maritime border. In recent years, South Korea has held several joint military drills with the United States. Pyongyang is irked by joint Seoul-Washington military maneuvers, viewing them as direct threats to its security. Tensions have been flaring in the region since January when North Korea said it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, its fourth nuclear test, and vowed to build up its nuclear program as deterrence against potential aggression from the US and its regional allies. A month later, Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket which it said placed an earth observation satellite into orbit. However, Washington and Seoul denounced it as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test. North Korea says it will not abandon its nuclear "deterrence" unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward Pyongyang and dissolves the US-led command in South Korea. Thousands of US soldiers are stationed in South Korea and Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 25 Years Ago: Failed August Coup Changed U.S. Diplomatic Approach Toward Soviet Union August 18, 2016 by RFE/RL A member of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush's administration says that until the attempted coup against Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in August 1991, nobody in the U.S. government imagined the Soviet Union would collapse by the end of 1991. Nicholas Burns -- who was the White House's director for Soviet affairs at the time and attended all seven U.S.-Soviet summits between Bush and Gorbachev from 1989 through 1991 -- had an insider's view of how the U.S. administration formed policies in reaction to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989 and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, which culminated in late December 1991. "The coup against Gorbachev on the 18th and 19th of August 1991 -- when [Gorbachev] was caught in Crimea and the coup plotters in Moscow took over -- was a shock to the rest of the world," Burns, who also was a member of Bush's National Security Council before later becoming the undersecretary of state for political affairs, told RFE/RL in an interview marking the 25th anniversary of the August coup. Burns said Washington was caught by surprise by the attempted coup because of "the history of the psychology of the Cold War." He said the coup plot by hard-line members of the Soviet Communist Party revealed what no Western powers had understood just a month earlier: The Soviet Union was on its last legs. "It was only after the coup, the attempted coup, that it became apparent that it was a possibility," Burns said. "In August and September of 1991, we began to realize it was possible that the Soviet Union might break up -- might cease to exist. It was unimaginable before that." "It was only after the coup against Gorbachev when we saw how weak [Gorbachev] was politically, when we saw that [Boris] Yeltsin was rising [in power as] the Russian republic president; that [future Ukrainian President Leonid] Kravchuk was rising; that [future Belarusian leader Stanislau] Shushkevich in Belarus was rising. [It was] when they became power centers unto themselves." Burns said that before the August coup, the big emphasis of White House policy from 1989 had been how to deal with the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe -- in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary, and East Germany. "We knew, obviously, because we had embassies in all of these countries, we knew about the democracy movements in these countries," Burns explained. "We supported the democracy movements. We wanted them to succeed. We wanted to see an end of communism," he said. "But because of the psychology of what happens when you are in a Cold War dynamic, it was really barely believable for a long time to think that the Warsaw Pact could die, cease to exist; that communism could end in a series of countries in Eastern Europe and then ultimately in the Soviet Union. It took time to believe that this was possible." Fears Of 'Loose Nukes' However, Burns said once it became apparent that Soviet power was weakening significantly, the policy of the Bush administration was driven by concerns of a violent breakup of the Soviet Union and the "fear of loose nukes" -- that "nuclear weapons might end up in the hands of violent people." "The Soviet Union, of course, was a great nuclear-weapons power," Burns said. "It had nuclear weapons on the territory of the Ukrainian republic inside the Soviet Union, the Belarusian republic, the Kazakh republic." "That was a danger to all of us around the world if the nuclear weapons were not held securely by responsible authorities," he continued. "We worried about who might have custody over nuclear weapons. We worried about whether warlords would emerge. Would there be a long-running civil war?" Burns said that is why the August coup brought about a new diplomatic approach from Washington of dealing with both "a rising Yeltsin and a sinking Gorbachev." "You could see Gorbachev was losing power and authority," he said. "Yeltsin was gaining it. So when President Bush was dealing with the leadership in Moscow between mid-August 1991 and December 1991, when he called Gorbachev he would normally call Yeltsin the same day just to inform Yeltsin what was happening." "If he called Yeltsin, he would call Gorbachev to say, 'I've had this conversation.'" "We didn't want to divide them," Burns said. "We didn't want to choose. We weren't trying to interfere. We had to deal with both of them -- and the staffs of both of them. It was a balancing act." Burns also said President Bush worked hard "behind the scenes" in the weeks after the failed coup to try to "pressure" Gorbachev to allow and recognize the independence of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. That recognition by the Soviet Union came on September 6, 1991. "As I look back at 1990s and 1991, I think President George H.W. Bush achieved a balance between the Soviet leadership and the Russian leadership that was just about right," Burns said. "Now we know how the story ended, 25 years later. We can look back. We understand. We can see how the entire story ended. [But at the time], we didn't know how that story was going to end," he added. "We were hoping that communism would collapse. But we were also hoping and praying that it would not collapse in a violent way when thousands, or hundreds of thousands of people, might be killed." Written by Ron Synovitz and Nicholas Burns interviewed by RFE/RL's Russian Service correspondent Yury Zhigalkin Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/failed- 1991-coup-changed-us-diplomatic- approach-to-ussr/27932246.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armed Forces Minister welcomes liberation of Manbij 17 August 2016 Freeing of the strategic town in northern Syria is the latest gain in the fight against Daesh. Mike Penning, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, has welcomed the liberation of Manbij from Daesh. The loss of the northern Syrian town is the latest setback for the terrorist group, which has seen its territory, financial resources and leadership increasingly dwindling. RAF airstrikes supported Syrian democratic forces on the ground over recent weeks, including providing close air support close to Manbij and striking at Daesh defensive positions in the town. UK intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability also supported Coalition strikes, with UK Reaper flying over 500 hours, providing key information on targets to Coalition partners. Minister for the Armed Forces Mike Penning said: "Manbij's liberation is a significant development in the fight against Daesh in Syria." "The RAF supported the liberation with airstrikes over recent weeks, alongside our Coalition partners." "We thank all our armed forces for their ongoing commitment and bravery in this vitally important fight." Detail Airstrikes from RAF Typhoons and Reapers contributed to Coalition strikes in support of freeing Manbij. Last week, a Reaper patrolled over the town and cleared two groups of extremists engaged in a fire fight with the Syrian moderates. The week before, a pair of Typhoons conducted a successful precision strike on a fortified Daesh defensive position. In July, Typhoons destroyed a network of fortified positions on the south western edge of the town, held by a large number of Daesh extremists. A Reaper also conducted two attacks with Hellfire missiles on Daesh fighters and also provided targeting assistance to a coalition air strike. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia jets fly from Iran for more anti-terror strikes in Syria Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:47PM Russia says its warplanes have launched airstrikes against terrorists in Syria from an Iranian air base for a third straight day. In an online statement released on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said its Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 warplanes took off from bases in Russia and Iran and struck positions held by the Takfiri Daesh terrorists in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr. The defense ministry released footage showing the aircraft during operation. The Russian military aircraft destroyed six command posts and a large number of militants and military equipment belonging to the Takfiri elements, the statement said. "After the successful completion of the bombing raid all aircraft returned safely to their respective bases," it added. Russia first announced on Tuesday that its planes had used a base in western Iran to carry out aerial assaults in Syria. Senior Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Wednesday that Russia's use of the Nojeh air base near the city of Hamedan for refueling was approved by Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Boroujerdi, who is the chairman of the Iranian parliament's Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, said the move was not against Iran's Constitution but rather part of Iran's cooperation with Russia, Syria and Iraq against terrorism. Iran and Russia have been assisting the Syrian government in its fight against foreign-backed terrorist groups, including Daesh. Russia has been conducting airstrikes against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria at the Syrian government's request since September 2015. Iran has also been providing advisory assistance to the Syrian government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says prepared for humanitarian pause in Aleppo Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:31PM Russia says it is ready to support a proposal by the United Nations for weekly 48-hour ceasefires in Aleppo in a bid to allow humanitarian aid deliveries to the contested northwestern Syrian city. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov announced Moscow's position in a statement released on Thursday. "We are ready to implement the first 48-hour 'humanitarian pause' to deliver humanitarian aid to Aleppo residents as a 'pilot project' already next week in order to ensure safe cargo deliveries to the city's civilians," Konashenkov said. He added that specific dates could be determined after coordination with the UN and receiving guarantees of safe passage of the aid convoys from the US. Humanitarian aid could be sent from Turkey's Gaziantep to the eastern parts of Aleppo or from Syria's Handarat to western Aleppo, both via the Castello road, the Russian official said. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura welcomed Russia's statement, saying he would work with Moscow to iron out specifics of a humanitarian pause in Aleppo. "Our plan is to collectively work out the operational details, and be ready for delivery as soon as possible," de Mistura said in a statement. Earlier on Thursday, the UN official said aid convoys had not reached Syria's besieged areas over the past month. Last week, Russia declared it would call a halt to fighting around Aleppo for three hours each day to facilitate aid deliveries, but the UN said that the pause was insufficient. Aleppo has been divided since 2012 between government forces in the west and the Takfiri terrorists in the east. Syrian forces have been engaged in a major operation to liberate the militant-held areas of the city as well as the province with the same name. In another development on Thursday, the European Union urged a swift pause in Aleppo fighting to allow medical and humanitarian aid to reach civilians trapped there. "The EU and its member states call for... an immediate halt to the fighting in Aleppo to allow medical evacuations, deliveries of aid and repairing of essential water and electricity infrastructure," EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said in a statement. On September 30, 2015, Russia began its aerial campaign against the Takfiri Daesh terrorists and other militant groups upon a request by the Damascus government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: Humanitarian Pause in Aleppo to Succeed Only if Supported by All Sides Sputnik News 21:07 18.08.2016(updated 21:08 18.08.2016) A recently proposed humanitarian pause in Syria's Aleppo could succeed in provision of humanitarian assistance only if all the parties support it, Deputy Spokesperson of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Jens Laerke told Sputnik on Thursday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry welcomed UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura's proposal for a 48-hour pause in fighting in the city of Aleppo for UN humanitarian convoys to enter the city. The Russian military expressed readiness to implement the first 48-hour humanitarian pause to supply Aleppo with aid next week, as a "pilot project." "We take note of today's announcement by the Russian Federation. As we have said consistently, the UN will look at any proposal to mitigate the suffering of the people of Aleppo, but for a humanitarian pause to support the provision of humanitarian assistance it must be agreed by all parties," Laerke said. He added that it was vitally important to provide a sufficiently long humanitarian pause to deliver aid to those in need and called on all parties to the conflict to allow safe and impartial access to the affected areas. "The UN calls on all parties to the conflict, under long established and accepted international humanitarian law, to allow safe, unimpeded, impartial humanitarian access. However, to ease the suffering of those civilians in Aleppo and across the country, what is most needed is a fully fledged ceasefire," Laerke said. Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups. Aleppo has been mired in intense fighting over the past few months, with the Syrian army and local militia forces having managed to encircle large groups of militants in eastern districts of the city. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lula who has been dangling her legs over the sofa and cracking me up! a new perfume with a delicious scent and super cool packaging (and its all natural) a visit to the Getty Center with my siblings the UD Pro Makeup Brush launch from (with the most hilar foam finger) arriving in Geneva, Switzerland and deciding I might want to stay forever Happy Friday! I am currently writing this at 12:15AM Switzerland time (this 9-hour time difference really has be in a doozy), but despite sleepy eyes, I am so excited to enjoy the rest of my time in Geneva and get home to edit all of the photos Ive taken (behind-the-scenes on Snapchat: CBLied!)! The scenery is so breathtaking, its been so much fun playing tourist and following along the Tourism team of Geneva. Isnt it fun to play the child on trips and just follow the leader? The. Best. Its always a little hard for me to have these kind of experiences without Christian by my side. Truthfully I always feel like Ive forgotten something and its my guy! I miss him so much, and not being able to talk much because of the time difference is hard for me. But the challenge is good and as my Pilates studio has written on the wall (I love this and think of it often!), if it doesnt challenge you, it doesnt change you. I will be back on an 11-hour flight soon (not looking forward to that part), but will be back in California to visit with Christians sister and her family before leaving for a short conference in LA. Excited to share more about that! What are your plans this weekend? I loved all of your comments about Switzerland and how much you love it it got me even more excited, so thank you! Thank you so much for reading XO Russian Tu-22M3, Su-34 Conduct Group Strike on Daesh in Syria From Iran, Russia Sputnik News 14:30 18.08.2016(updated 15:56 18.08.2016) Russian Tu-22M3 and Su-34 bombers carried out group strikes on Daesh targets in Syria's Deir ez-Zor from airfields in Russia and Iran, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The Russian Aerospace Forces' aircraft destroyed 5 large Daesh ammunition and fuel depots, 6 command centers, a number of militants, artillery positions and military equipment in the Deir ez-Zor province, the ministry said. "On August 18, 2016, Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 strike aircraft that took off from bases in Russia and Iran conducted a group strike on Daesh targets in the Deir ez-Zor province." Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters deployed to the Hmeymim airbase in Syria provided air cover for the bombers. "The air cover was provided by Su-30SM and Su-35S aircraft based at the Hmeymim airfield [Syria]. All Russian aircraft returned to the bases after the successful combat operation," the ministry said. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that it had deployed Tu-22M3 bombers and Su-34 strike fighters in Iran and these aircraft have been used to carried out airstrikes against Daesh in Syria. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan will not seek U.N. membership: foreign minister ROC Central News Agency 2016/08/18 18:30:42 Taipei, Aug. 18 (CNA) Taiwan will not seek membership in the United Nations, but will continue to pursue meaningful participation in U.N. specialized agencies, Foreign Minister David Lee () said Thursday. Lee made the remarks in response to a report in the Chinese-language Liberty Times Thursday that the Taiwan United Nations Alliance, a group that advocates the country's accession to the U.N. under the name "Taiwan," called on the minister a day earlier to urge the government to take action to push for a U.N. bid. The group is scheduled to conduct a campaign in several U.S. cities, including New York, from Sept. 9-19 in an effort to appeal to the U.N. to extend membership to Taiwan, as the 71st session of the U.N. General Assembly will take place Sept. 13-26 at U.N. Headquarters in New York. Speaking to reporters Thursday about the issue, Lee said that the government will make every effort to seek meaningful participation in U.N.-related agencies, but will not apply for U.N. membership. The matter of applying for membership of the U.N. is a highly politically sensitive issue that will have an impact on Taiwan's foreign relations, a senior foreign affairs official said, adding that it involves more than just the Foreign Ministry. The ministry is waiting for a decision by high-level national security officials on what exact actions Taiwan will take this year, the official said, stressing that the actions will not risk jeopardizing cross-Taiwan Strait relations and will not surprise Taiwan's diplomatic allies. Taiwan's representative to the United States Stanley Kao () has said recently that Taiwan has made "meaningful contributions" through its participation in international organizations, and that he hopes for better arrangements for Taiwan's participation in specialized international bodies. The previous independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government applied for U.N. membership in 2007, but the application was denied by the U.N. Secretariat. Due to a series of pro-independence moves by the administration of then-President Chen Shui-bian (), tensions across the strait continued to intensify at the time. Since President Ma Ying-jeou () of the China-friendly Kuomintang took office in 2008, Taiwan began to go with a more pragmatic approach by seeking meaningful participation in U.N. specialized agencies, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Health Organization. The current administration of President Tsai Ing-wen () of the DPP has adopted "steadfast diplomacy," meaning that it will adopt practical strategies when dealing with Taiwan's foreign relations and expanding the country's international space. The Republic of China joined the U.N. in 1945 as one of the founding members, but was expelled from the body in 1971, with its seat replaced by the People's Republic of China. (By Tang Pei-chun and Elaine Hou) ENDITEM/J NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Erdogan accuses Gulen of aiding PKK attacks in Turkey Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:40PM Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the supporters of US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen of aiding Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in conducting new attacks in southeastern Turkey. "You don't have to be fortune teller to see that the the Gulen movement is behind the latest PKK attacks in terms of sharing information and intelligence," Erdogan said on Thursday. Erdogan's comments came hours after a PKK roadside bombing targeting a military vehicle near Gayda village in the Hizan district of Bitlis province killed five soldiers and wounded six others. Another soldier was killed in clashes with militants in the rural areas of Nazar village in the same area. Hours earlier, six people lost their lives and more than 250 others sustained injuries in two separate car bomb blasts hitting police stations in the city of Elazig in Eastern Anatolia and in another town in the province of Van. "I personally asked Obama to extradite Gulen a year ago. I have asked him again after the latest events," Erdogan further said, adding, "Things are moving in a different direction in our country, and a strategic partner should not make its partner's work harder." Washington has so far refused to extradite Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of masterminding the mid-July botched military coup in the country, saying it needs evidence of his involvement in the failed putsch. At least 246 people were killed and more than 2,100 others sustained injuries when an army faction, using hijacked helicopters and tanks, clashed with government troops and people on the streets of Ankara and Istanbul on July 15 in an attempt to overthrow Erdogan. Ankara blames Gulen for orchestrating the coup, an allegation Gulen has repeatedly dismissed and warned that the blame game could be a ploy by the ruling Justice and Development Party to cement its grip on power. On Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced on national television that over 40,000 people had so far been detained in connection with the abortive coup, of whom 20,355 had been formally arrested. Yildirim added that 79,900 people had also been removed from public duty in the military, police, civil service and judiciary. Ankara has additionally shut several thousand companies and institutions suspected of having financed Gulen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Six killed in fresh PKK bombing, clashes in eastern Turkey Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 12:24PM A new bomb attack claimed by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and clashes with the militants have killed at least six members of Turkish security forces east of the country. Local media said Thursday that the bomb attack was carried out in Hizan district of the province of Bitlis about noon local time, when militants detonated a hand-made explosive device placed on a road near Gayda village while a military vehicle was passing. Reports said five soldiers were killed and six others were wounded in the attack. The Dogan news agency said a village guard was also killed and another soldier was wounded when clashes erupted in the rural areas of Nazar village in the same area. The attack came hours after six people were killed and more than 250 people were injured in two separate bomb blasts hitting police stations in the city of Elazig in Eastern Anatolia and in another town in the province of Van. Turkey has been suffering from bombings and clashes with the PKK since July 2015, when the government declared an end to years of efforts for reconciling with the militants. The Turkish military has also been conducting ground operations as well as airstrikes against PKK positions in the troubled southeastern border region as well as Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region over the past months. According to the latest toll provided by the state-run Anadolu news agency in July, more than 600 Turkish security forces and over 7,000 PKK militants have been killed since the collapse of the truce. Ankara says all of those killed in its operations were PKK members. Rights campaigners and Turkey's pro-Kurdish political parties challenge the figure, saying many civilians have been killed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More than 40,000 detained over coup attempt: Turkish PM Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:49AM Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says more than 40,000 people have been detained in connection with last month's failed coup, which Ankara blames on US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen. Speaking live on national television on Wednesday, Yildirim said around 20,355 of those detained have been formally arrested since the July 15 abortive putsch. Yildirim added that 79,900 people have been removed from public duty in the military, police, civil service and judiciary. Moreover, some 4,262 companies and institutions linked to Gulen have been shut down, the Turkish premier said. At least 246 people were killed and more than 2,100 others sustained injuries in the coup attempt. Gulen has condemned the coup attempt and denied any involvement in the violence. Turkey is seeking Gulen's extradition from the United States. Washington has said it would only do so if it has firm evidence. On Wednesday, Ankara issued a decree, paving the way for the conditional release of some 38,000 inmates not linked to the failed coup attempt. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said the release was "not an amnesty" but the measure could eventually apply to almost half of the Turkish prison population which has swelled to over 200,000 since the bungled coup. "The regulation refers to crimes committed before July 1, 2016. The crimes committed after July 1, 2016 are outside its scope," Bozdag said on Twitter. In a separate decree, however, Turkey dismissed 2,300 more officers from the police force, in addition to another 136 military officers and 196 employees from its information technology authority. Turkey's crackdown has raised concerns among European nations and human rights organizations, who have urged the Turkish government to show restraint. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey's Anti-Gulen Clampdown Rages Out Of Control August 18, 2016 by Abbas Djavadi On August 17, the Turkish prime minister issued a "special decree" announcing the release of 38,000 prisoners, not including any sentenced for murder, sexual abuse, or rape. This includes financial crimes. Tukey's overcrowded prisons and slow court processes have forced all governments to issue some sort of amnesty every year to make room for new prisoners. But the unprecedented scope of the clampdown on suspected supporters of U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has been accused of masterminding the July 15 coup attempt, seems to have played a major part in inducing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government to move quickly and include as many inmates as possible in the amnesty. Thousands of prisoners suspected of actively or verbally supporting Gulen are awaiting court in big detention halls across the country. They need places in a regular prison. "Are we releasing thieves and criminals to make room for coup plotters?" is a question widely discussed in Turkish media these days. There's no question -- the answer is yes. Today I took a look, as usual, at top news from Turkey. Let me give you a summary of the detentions, arrests, and suspensions of the last 24 hours related to the coup attempt. I will also include separate terrorist attacks related to the Kurdish insurgency: -- 24 detained journalists of the newspaper Ozgur Gundem sent to prosecutor's office; -- In a terrorist attack in a village close to the southeastern city of Bitlis, four security officers were killed; -- No trace of detained teacher Demirtas; -- Per "special decree," 187 businessmen to be detained; -- Bomb attack on the police center in Van, eastern Turkey: three dead, 73 wounded; -- Anti-Gulen operation against Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas's son-in-law; -- National Radio and TV Committee bans reporting on the bomb attack on the police center in Elazig, eastern Turkey; -- Colonel detained in Gulen-related case tries to defend himself; -- Governor of Elazig in eastern Turkey says three policemen killed, 146 people wounded, 14 of them seriously; -- A "special decree" on the dismissal of 2,360 people from police department and 112 people from armed forces personnel; -- Detention of 86 judges and prosecutors planned. All that in just one day. To be sure, "special decrees" by the president or the prime minister play the role of laws in the current state of emergency. I think the list is not complete. Let's for one moment forget about the terrible terror attacks mostly related to the Kurdish insurgency. How can you follow the daily detentions and dismissals that have been continuing since July 15 without any break? You can't. Nobody but the security agencies can. Journalists try to keep up, though, with statistics. According to some estimates, since the coup attempt 77,000 public servants have been suspended, 5,000 fired, 19,000 detained, and more than 11,000 people arrested. The same sources estimate that the number of 77,000 suspensions will soon rise to 100,000. The president has warned that the "viruses," as he calls Gulen supporters, "are everywhere." He has called on everyone to report them to prosecutors and security agencies "even if they are your friends." With the "special decree" issued on August 17, 2,360 police staff and 112 employees of the Turkish armed forces were fired. Obviously, it is virtually impossible that 77,000, let alone 100,000, people were armed or active supporters of the abortive coup. Anybody suspected of having even talked positively about Gulen in the past is being reported and eventually suspended or detained. Some have reported that occasionally even friends of Gulen supporters were detained. There are also claims that some people spy on others and report them as "Gulenists" to the security services just to take their jobs or businesses. A clarification of these tens of thousands of allegations and cases in open and fair trials may take years -- if it comes to a transparent court process at all. Meanwhile, the accused have lost their jobs and financial security. Together with their families, they will probably amount to around half a million people - or more. Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ turkey-notebook-gulen-clampdown- out-of-control/27932142.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish Police Raid More Businesses in Post-Coup Fallout By VOA News August 18, 2016 In a pre-dawn operation Thursday, Turkish police issued nearly 200 arrest warrants and raided more than 100 places as they searched for people alleged to have connections to U.S.-based cleric , Fetullah Gulen, who the government claims is behind an attempted coup last month. Turkey's financial police led the raids in search of connections between businesses and sympathizers who fund Gulen's religious movement. On July 15, at least 270 people were killed during a short-lived coup attempt the government claims was masterminded by Gulen and carried out by thousands of police officers and military personnel. Afterwards, the government announced a state of emergency and began rounding up people it accused of plotting the coup. The raids came a day after Turkey said it will free 38,000 prisoners who have less than two years left on their sentence. The announcement Wednesday, was intended to make room in jails for the thousands of people it's arrested in recent weeks for allegedly participating in the failed coup. Turkish justice minister Bekir Bozdag cautioned in a series of tweets Wednesday morning that the releases are not pardons but rather conditional releases. "This measure is not an amnesty. The punishment will be served outside through supervised released," Bozdag said on Twitter. "I hope that the arrangement is beneficial to the prisoners, their loved ones, our people and our country,'' the minister wrote. In addition to those inmates with less than two years left on their sentence, prisoners who have served more than half of their sentences would be eligible for parole. The decree will not apply to inmates jailed on murder, terrorism, domestic abuse or sexual assault charges. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Wednesday that more than 4,200 businesses and organizations linked to Gulen had been shut down. In all, more than 35,000 people including judges, academics and journalists have been detained for questioning, with more than 17,000 of those people formally arrested. Nearly 80,00 government employees have been removed from duty since the failed coup attempt, Yildirim said in a speech broadcast live on television. Bozdag announced a second decree Wednesday that would remove 2,300 more officers from the police force, as well as 136 military officers and 196 government employees from its information technology authority. The government's post coup attempt crackdown has raised criticism from some European nations and human rights organizations which have urged Turkey to show restraint. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine says seen heaviest shelling by pro-Russians in one year Iran Press TV Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:44PM Ukrainian officials claim that pro-Russia forces operating in the east of the country have carried out the heaviest shelling of government positions in a year. "The rebels launched more than 500 mortar and over 300 artillery shells at our positions," Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said Thursday, adding that the strikes had doubled from the previous day. Tensions between Kiev and Moscow began to soar last week when the Kremlin accused Ukraine of plotting to make armed incursions into Crimea, a former Ukrainian territory which rejoined Russia after a referendum in 2014. Motuzyanyk, who was speaking to reporters in Kiev, said three Ukrainian soldiers were killed and six were wounded in clashes that erupted between government forces and pro-Russians. "The last time we witnessed a similar intensity of fire using heavy armaments was a year ago," he said of the confrontation along the 30-kilometer-wide (19-mile-wide) buffer zone splitting government forces from the pro-Russians. Violence subsided in eastern Ukraine after a ceasefire agreement was reached in February 2015 between Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. However, sporadic clashes continued on the frontline, with the two sides accusing each other of violating the truce. Ukraine and its Western backers accuse Russia of involvement in the conflict in the east. Moscow denies the charges. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko reacted to the surge in violence, saying that could be a prelude to a full-scale Russian "invasion." He even sent his top army commander into the war zone. "The likelihood of the conflict's escalation remains very high," Poroshenko said, warning that he "does not exclude a full-scale Russian invasion along all fronts." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPR Claims Kiev Deploying Heavy Weaponry Near Contact Line in Donbass - DPR Sputnik News 17:03 18.08.2016 The Ukrainian authorities are deploying heavy weaponry, including howitzers, mortars and tanks, near the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, the deputy defense minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic's (DPR), Eduard Basurin, said Thursday. DONETSK (Sputnik) He added that at least three tanks and about 400 servicemen had been observed in the settlements of Novohryhorivka and Donskoye respectively. "[Reconnaissance by the DPR] has revealed the location of three Gvozdika self-propelled 122 mm howitzers in [the settlement of] Novotroits'ke eight kilometers [5 miles] from the contact line. The location of a Grad multiple launch rocket system and of four 120 mm mortars has been discovered in Hranitne," Basurin told reporters. In April 2014, the Ukrainian authorities launched a military operation to suppress independence militia in the eastern region of Donbass. In February 2015, the two sides reached a ceasefire deal after talks brokered by the leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Key points of the Minsk agreements include a ceasefire, heavy weapons withdrawal from the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, constitutional reforms, including a decentralization of power in the country, and granting a special status to the Donbass region. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bucharest Denies Reports That U.S. Is Moving Nukes From Turkey To Romania August 18, 2016 by RFE/RL The Romanian Foreign Ministry has rejected media reports that the United States was moving nuclear weapons from a base in Turkey to one in Romania. The ministry's August 18 statement said it "firmly dismisses the information." The website Euractiv.com published a report citing two unidentified sources saying that the United States had started transferring nuclear weapons from Turkey's Incirlik air base to the Deveselu air base in Romania. Earlier this month, the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank, issued a report saying there are up to 50 nuclear weapons at Incirlik and that their security came under question during the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey. "Whether the U.S. could have maintained control of the weapons in the event of a protracted civil conflict in Turkey is an unanswerable question," the report states. Paul Ivan, a senior policy analyst at the European Policy Center, posted on Twitter that "Romania is not part of NATO's nuclear sharing policy" and that such a move would be "politically too risky." On August 2, the U.S. Congressional Research Center issued a report for Congress that concluded "most experts agree that the weapons at Incirlik are not, at this time, vulnerable to theft or loss of control." With reporting by Euractiv.com and Business Insider Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/romania-denies- nuclear-weapons-turkey/27931861.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon Mute on Reports of US Nuclear Weapons Move From Turkey to Romania Sputnik News 17:33 18.08.2016 The Pentagon could not provide any information concerning media reports that Washington was going to relocate nukes from Turkey's Incirlik airbase to Romania. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The US Department of Defense has declined to comment on media reports that Washington was preparing to move over 20 warheads from Turkey's Incirlik airbase to the US base at Romania's Deveselu. "It is US policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence or absence of nuclear weapons at any general or specific location," Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump told Sputnik on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Brussels-based EurActiv online news outlet cited sources as saying that the United States was getting ready to relocate the warheads from Turkey to Romania. The move was explained as stemming from increasingly tense relations with Turkey following the failed July 15 coup attempt. On Monday, the Stimson Center think tank warned that the United States was running the risk of losing control over tactical nuclear weapons deployed at Turkey's Incirlik airbase to terrorists. The think tank stressed that a protracted civil conflict in Turkey would make the fate of the weapons uncertain, referencing the attempted coup. The Turkish airbase was impacted significantly by the events of July 15 and their aftermath. Former base commander Gen. Bekir Ercan Van was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the plot, while the Turkish authorities cut the base's electricity supply off and prohibited US planes from taking off. On Thursday, the Romanian Foreign Ministry denied media reports of US nuclear weapons being transferred from Turkey to its territory. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Transfers Nukes From Turkey to Romania Amid Rising Tensions Sputnik News 11:41 18.08.2016 The United States has started to move nuclear arms deployed in Turkey to Romania amid rising tensions in relations between Washington and Ankara, media reported on Thursday, citing sources. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The base was impacted significantly by the events of July 15 and their aftermath. Former base commander Gen. Bekir Ercan Van was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the plot, while the Turkish authorities cut the base's electricity supply off and prohibited US planes from taking off. "It's not easy to move 20+ nukes," a source told the EurActive news website. Another source confirmed to the media outlet that arms are being transferred from Turkey's Incirlik air base to the Deveselu air base in Romania due to Washington's lack of trust in the Turkish authorities in the wake of the thwarted coup attempt in the country. The Romanian foreign ministry denied the reports in a written answer to the media outlet. On Monday, the Stimson Center think tank warned that the United States was running the risk of losing control over some 50 US tactical nuclear weapons deployed at Turkey's Incirlik Air Base, just 70 miles from the Syrian border, to terrorists. In a statement to accompany the report's publication, the think tank stressed that a protracted civil conflict in Turkey would make the fate of the weapons uncertain, referencing the attempted coup in Turkey on July 15. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 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. More than $21,000 has been awarded to the Danville Police Department by a grant from the Department of Justice. U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced Danville was one of the recipients of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the Department of Justice on Thursday afternoon. According to the Department of Justice, Danville police will use the funding to purchase a Livescan fingerprinting system that will allow the department to fingerprint and photograph certain minors adjudicated by the courts. Danville, Manassas and Spotsylvania County were the three localities to receive the funding. Danville received the second most amount of money, at $21,605. This funding will help provide law enforcement in the commonwealth with resources to carry out innovative public safety measures while improving their policing practices through enhanced training and equipment, Warner said in a news release. William Billy Scheier, the Goodyear employee who died in an accident at the plant Aug. 12, died from blunt injuries to the chest and mechanical asphyxiation, according to the Medical Examiners Office in Roanoke. The death was accidental, said Tracie Cooper, district administrator with the office. Cooper declined to elaborate. Scheiers death was the fourth to occur at Danvilles Goodyear plant in the past year. The accident remains under investigation. Scheier, 47, lived in Halifax County and had worked as an electrician at the Goodyear plant. The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry classified the incident as an industrial accident last week, and the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program is investigating. Mike Wright, director of health, safety and environment with the United Steelworkers Union in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said last week the union and the company are also investigating the incident. The family of a 10-year-old girl bitten by a camel at the Virginia Safari Park has reached a $155,000 settlement with the drive-through zoo. Madison Holland suffered serious injuries to her forearm during a May 30, 2015, visit to the Rockbridge County attraction, according to a court settlement approved Monday. Visitors to the safari park drive their cars or ride on wagons through the 180-acre property, where antelopes, camels, llamas, zebras and other animals often approach the vehicles to be fed from buckets of grain provided by the park. Holland, of Franklin County, was on a wagon ride when the camel went to obtain food and bit [her] arm, according to a settlement approved by Roanoke County Circuit Judge David Carson. Had the case gone to trial, the attorney for Hollands family would have argued the park was negligent in the way it allowed its patrons close access to the animals. Having a wild animal that is interacting with people, I think you would have to use an extra degree of care, said lawyer Brooks Hundley of Richmond. At the time of the incident, Holland was riding in a hay-filled wagon with friends who had gone to the safari park for a birthday party. She was not attempting to feed the camel when she was bitten, Hundley said. I cant say what the animals thought process was, but the animal was probably upset that she wasnt feeding him, the attorney said. Through its insurance carrier, Scottsdale Insurance Co., the safari park agreed to the settlement without admitting any liability. Court papers call the settlement a good faith payment to compromise a disputed claim. Calls to the safari park and its lawyer were not returned this week. Although the settlement was for $155,000, Holland actually will receive nearly $190,000. Thats because the money will earn interest until she turns 18, when she will be old enough to begin collecting payments. Holland is now 11. An annuity established for Holland will pay her a $10,000 lump sum when she turns 18, followed by $1,000 monthly payments starting when she turns 21 and continuing through 2040. About $35,000 of the settlement will be paid to Hundleys firm for legal fees, and nearly $3,000 will go to medical bills. Holland spent several days in the hospital and still bears a scar on her arm, Hundley said. A key attraction at Virginia Safari Park is the close encounters its visitors have with exotic animals. We encourage interaction by allowing visitors to feed the animals with our specialty grain, the parks website states. That practice, at least in some cases, has drawn concerns from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which regulates zoos. An enforcement action filed last year against the Gulf Breeze Zoo, a Florida zoo operated by the same company that owns the Virginia Safari Park, alleges that children were allowed to move unattended while feeding camels, goats and llamas. In one case, a child was bitten by a camel at the Gulf Breeze Zoo, according to the USDA complaint. The civil complaint which also accuses the Virginia Safari Park of violating the Animal Welfare Act for the improper care of a monkey that died from frostbite is pending an administrative court hearing, according to a USDA official in Washington. At the time the complaint was filed in June 2015, Virginia Safari Park owner Eric Mogensen said the zoos deny the allegations, which he described as redundant, and for the most part very minor. Averett University will convert its student fitness center into a 1,500 square-foot health and wellness center on the main campus and partner with the Danville YMCA for fitness options. We are thrilled to offer these new amenities to our students, which will help them maintain their health and well-being in a convenient, upgraded location, Averett President Tiffany M. Franks said in a news release. Our community partners and donors are so valuable to us, and without them, none of this would be possible. Averett will reconstruct its current student fitness center at 141 Woodland Drive into the new health facility. The 1,500 square-foot space will include a lobby and reception area, two exam rooms and the health and wellness office. The clinic will allow Averett students a place for wellness checks, sick visits, physicals, immunizations and routine lab work. Blair Construction Co. will oversee design and construction of the project. Dr. Jennie Emery, chief family medicine resident at DRMC, along with DRMC nurses will provide care in the clinic. This partnership builds upon the strong commitment DRMC has maintained in the community for more than 130 years, said Market President and DRMC CEO Alan Larson in the release. We feel privileged to collaborate with Averett in such a meaningful way, while at the same time ensuring our mission of making our community healthier. In providing these services, we hope it will give Averett students a competitive edge and help maximize their educational experience at the university. Since Averett will no longer have a student fitness center on campus, the Danville YMCA will offer students and staff reduced-price membership rates. Having a new, state of the art YMCA health and wellness facility for their use will be an asset to their overall quality of life here in Danville, Danville Family YMCA CEO Sarah Folmar said in the release. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Aug. 19, 2016) - NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES Highlights Acquisition Transformational Acquisition Complete - Thor has acquired 100% of Segilola Gold Project with an indicated mineral resource estimate of 555,000 ounces of gold at 3.8 g/t Considered the most advanced gold project in Nigeria Project has significant exploration upside potential and near term production potential Private Placement of $4,647,864 closed (total raised for acquisition and working capital is $5,054,976 over last two private placements). Initial work program funded Thor Explorations Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:THX) ("Thor" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of the transactions contemplated in its previously announced agreements for the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Segilola gold project located in Osun State, Nigeria (the "Segilola Gold Project") through the acquisition of Segilola Resources Operating Limited ("SROL") from Tropical Mines Limited ("TML") and Delano Gold Mining Industries Limited ("Delano") and through the acquisition of its joint venture partner Segilola Gold Limited ("SGL") from Ratel Group Limited ("Ratel"), a wholly owned subsidiary of RTG Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE:RTG) ("RTG"). The Segilola Gold Project The Company believes that the Segilola Gold Project, which is located in Osun State of Nigeria, approximately 120km northeast of Lagos, is the most advanced gold exploration project in Nigeria. The property comprises mining license ML41 and exploration license EL19066. ML41 covers an area of (17.2km2; 1,720ha) and is wholly contained within the larger EL19066 covering an area of 135 Cadastral Units (27.0km2; 2,700ha). The Segilola Gold Project comprises a proposed open pit gold mining project based on an indicated mineral resource defined by a comprehensive drilling program including 157 drill holes totalling over 12,200 metres to define 555,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 3.8 grams per ton (at a cut-off grade of 1.0 g/tAu and applying a top cut of 50g/tAu). The resources estimate was carried out by Odessa Resources Pty Ltd, an independent geological and resource consultancy based in Western Australia, according to NI 43-101 guidelines. A NI 43-101 technical report titled "Updated Resource Estimate for the Segilola Gold Deposit, Osun State, Nigeria for Thor Explorations Ltd.", dated February 25, 2016 has been filed by the Company on SEDAR. The Acquisition Pursuant to the terms of the share purchase agreement among the Company, TML and Delano, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of SROL in consideration for: a cash payment of US$1,300,000; the issue of 103,857,388 common shares of the Company (being the number of shares that was equal to 40.68% of the shares of Thor, after giving effect to the issuance of shares contemplated by the Private Placement (as defined below) but prior to the issuance of shares contemplated by the acquisition of SGL); the grant of an aggregate 1.5% net smelter return royalty to TML with a maximum royalty payable of US$4,000,000; and post-closing payments to the shareholders of SROL in the aggregate amount of US$545,000 within five business days of the Company making a decision to put the Segilola Gold Project into commercial production. Pursuant to the terms of the share purchase agreement among the Company, Ratel and RTG, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of SGL in consideration for: a cash payment of US$1,450,000; the issue to Ratel of 16,893,913 common shares of the Company (being the number of shares having a value of US$1,500,000, using an issue price of CAD$0.115 per share) and the US$/CDN$ Bank of Canada non exchange rate in effect on June 24, 2016); the grant of a 1.5% net smelter return royalty to Ratel with a maximum royalty payable of US$3,500,000; a post-closing payment to Ratel of US$50,000 payable on the earlier of (a) two business days after Thor completes its next debt or equity financing; and (b) the date that is 12 months following closing; and a post-closing payment to Ratel of US$2,000,000 payable on the first to occur of (a) Thor completing a financing for the development of full scale mining of the Segilola Gold Project; and (b) the date that is 24 months following closing. Private Placement In connection with the acquisition of the Segilola Gold Project, the Company is also pleased to announce the completion of the related non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$4,647,864 through the issuance of 40,416,204 common shares of the Company at an issue price of CAD$0.115 per share (the "Private Placement"). In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid finder's fees comprised of $118,486 in cash and 428,386 common shares of the Company to third party finders. Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used to finance the acquisition of the Segilola Gold Project and the Company's associated transaction costs, to fund the initial work program at the Segilola Gold Project, to advance the Company's exploration project and for working capital purposes. All securities issued as part of the acquisition and the Private Placement will be subject to a four month hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, expiring December 19, 2016. Change to Board of Directors of the Company As part of its agreement relating to the acquisition of SROL, two nominees of SROL, Folorunso "Folli" Adeoye and Kayode Aderinokun, have been appointed to the board of directors of the Company. Segun Lawson, President & CEO of Thor commented: "The Segilola Gold Project is now Thor's flagship project and has the potential to be a landmark project in the Nigerian Mining Sector. Its acquisition is also transformational for Thor, providing Thor with an excellent opportunity to develop and grow an existing high-grade resource with potential to fast track production. The acquisition is a material change in Thor's portfolio of gold exploration and development assets. Thor's immediate priority is to update the resource statement for which there is strong rationale for significant upside. Thor is also pleased to have strengthened its board through the appointment of Kayode Aderinokun and Folli Adeoye to its board. Together they bring over fifty years experience of successfully doing business in Nigeria. We look forward to near term future where our main aim is to add shareholder value through the development of this project." Qualified Person Mr Alfred Gillman (F.AusIMM, CP), a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. About Thor Thor Explorations Ltd. is a Canadian mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso. In addition to the Segilola Project, Thor holds a 70% interest in the Douta Gold Project located in south-eastern Senegal. The Douta Gold Project lies within the Kenieba Inlier which hosts significant gold resources and has attracted major international mining companies. Thor also holds a 100% interest in the Ouere, Bongui and Legue gold permits located in Hounde greenstone belt, south west Burkina Faso which are being advanced through an Earn-In Agreement with Acacia Mining plc Thor trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "THX". Thor has filed an updated NI43-101 relating to the acquisition on SEDAR and uploaded an updated presentation to its website (www.thorexpl.com). Thor Explorations Ltd. Per: "Segun Lawson" President & CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase securities. The securities to be offered in the offering have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the benefit or account of, a U.S. person, except pursuant to an available exemption from such registration requirements. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented constitutes "forward looking statements" within the meaning of certain securities laws, and is subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the acquisition of the Segilola Gold Project and the use of the proceeds of the private placement. The words "may", "could", "should", "would", "suspect", "outlook", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "target" and similar words and expressions are used to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this news release describes the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release and accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time. Shares Outstanding: 272,197,227 Thanks for visiting ! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Thank you for your support! SHARE By Glenn Dromgoole Several of my favorite contemporary Texas women writers have new novels on the shelves this month. Or, in one case, an older novel revisited. Leila Meacham, who became a best-selling author with "Roses" and most recently "Titans" and other 600-page Texas epics, wrote three shorter romance novels back in the 1980s that are being reissued in new editions in the next few months. The first of them, "Ryan's Hand" (Grand Central Publishing, $20 hardcover), is set on a West Texas ranch, where a young female Boston librarian has taken up residence against her better judgment as a promise to a dying friend. She and the single, gruff, domineering ranch owner do not hit it off at all in fact, they can't seem to stand each other. So you can probably see where this story is headed. Meacham, as the 2016 A.C. Greene Award winner, will be featured at the West Texas Book Festival in Abilene on Sept. 24. Linda Castillo continues her popular thriller series set in the Amish country with "Among the Wicked" (Minotaur Books, $26.99 hardcover). Castillo's newest novel branches out a bit from the regular Ohio setting, however, with Chief of Police Kate Burkholder going undercover in an isolated and secretive Amish community in rural upstate New York. Castillo fans will find that her newest offering may well be the best yet. If you haven't read any of her earlier mysteries, go ahead and plunge right in. Once you've zipped through one of her novels, you'll probably want to go back and read the others. The fourth book in Amarillo novelist Jodi Thomas's Ransom Canyon series is due out on Aug. 30. "Sunrise Crossing" is the third title published this year, following "Rustler's Moon" back in January and "Lone Heart Pass" in April. Thomas's stories, while technically in the romance genre, make good reading for men as well as women. And although they are part of a series, each title can be read as a stand-alone. A few familiar characters come and go throughout the series. Abilene's Karen Witemeyer says she writes historical romances "to give the world more happily ever afters," and she's making quite a name for herself with more than 300,000 copies sold and several awards framed. Her latest is "No Other Will Do" (Bethany House, $14.99 paperback), set in 1882 in a women's colony in Texas where women in need are offered a fresh start. But when an assailant threatens to drive them out, Emma Chandler sends out a plea for help to a man she knows. She once saved his life; now he has a chance to return the favor. Fans of Dixie Cash will be excited to know that the fun-loving two-sister writing team is back with an intriguing new title, "You Can Have My Heart But Don't Touch My Dog," set in a gourmet pet food bakery in Midland (available in paperback and e-book). The tenth book in Diane Kelly's delightful Death and Taxes series featuring female Dallas IRS agent Tara Holloway is "Death, Taxes and a Satin Garter" (St. Martin's, $7.99 paperback). Kelly also has a second mystery series going, Paw Enforcement, starring a Fort Worth police officer and her K-9 partner. Kelly's stories are always entertaining. Glenn Dromgoole is the editor of a new collection of West Texas Stories. Contact him at g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net. SHARE Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News A guard watches from one of the watchtowers at the French Robertson Unit in Jones County on Wednesday, May 24, 2014. Three French Robertson Unit employees are being recommended for dismissal as a result of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's investigation into the death of correctional officer Mari Johnson. In addition, an assistant warden faces a seven-day suspension and four months of probation. Johnson, a seven-year correctional officer at Robertson, was found unresponsive about 3 a.m. July 16 near the prison's kitchen area. She was taken to Hendrick Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. On July 19, the TDCJ announced that Dillon Gage Compton, a 21-year-old inmate serving time for aggravated assault of a child, had been identified as a suspect in the homicide. Compton was transferred to another unit, and results of the TDCJ investigation will be turned over to the Jones County district attorney to present to a grand jury. A Serious Incident Review is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding Johnson's death, according to prison spokesman Robert Hurst. "Our preliminary review has identified some operational processes related to making security checks, count procedures and equipment utilization that were not being properly followed by certain correctional staff at the prison," Hurst said in an email. Corrective action has been taken, he said, including disciplinary action against four people: Jimmy Webb, assistant warden four months of probation, seven-day suspension Edward McQuade, major of correctional officers recommended for dismissal Gregory Cruse, food service manager recommended for dismissal Patrick Roach, food service manager recommended for dismissal. The review is standard after any serious incident, Hurst said. SHARE The San Angelo Police Department issued the following summary of law enforcement activity in San Angelo leading up to late Friday morning. Friday Just before 2 a.m., officers responded to the Inn of the Conchos at 2021 N. Bryant for a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, officers determined that an assault occurred between the suspect, Jose L. Valdez, 28,and his girlfriend. Valdez was arrested on suspicion of Assault Class C, Family Violence, and transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Just after 2 a.m., officers made consensual contact with a subject at Orient Street and East Avenue L. During the encounter, officers located a drug pipe that was linked to the man, identified as Michael A. Reiser, 45.Reiser was arrested on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Just after 2:15 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of Beryl Street on a report of a stolen vehicle. Officers responded and learned about a possible suspect name and location. Officers located the suspect, Brittany Craig, 25, along with the vehicle, in the 1300 block of Parker Street. The Criminal Investigation Division was consulted. Subsequent to the investigation, Craig was not charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; however, Craig was arrested on an outstanding warrant and transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Just after 4 a.m., officers were dispatched to Mathis Field for the report of an unknown problem. Upon arrival, they met with airport security and learned that a subject, later identified as Lester Rollison, 60,had gone behind the counter at the ticket area and attempted to enter the terminal through the exit doorway. Security advised that Lester needed to leave the premises if he was not expecting to board a plane. Lester was confirmed by dispatch to have city warrants. He was arrested and transported to Tom Green County Jail. Just after 5 a.m., officers responded to the Stripe's store at 2718 Sherwood Way for a wanted person. The wanted person, Ricky Pharr, 36, was taken into custody and transported to Tom Green County Jail. Thursday Around 2:30 p.m., an officer working the Traffic Safety Program conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for expired registration in the 1800 block of South Chadbourne Street. The driver was identified as Jamie L. Doty, who had outstanding warrants. Doty was arrested on suspicion of the warrants, cited for driving without a license, expired registration and displaying false or fictitious registration, and transported to Tom Green County Jail. Just before 3:30 p.m., an Officer conducted a traffic stop in the 3300 block of Sherwood Way. The driver told the officer he did not have a valid driver's license. It was also discovered that the vehicle insurance was unconfirmed and the driver had outstanding warrants. The driver was identified as Michael P. Rodriguez. Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of the warrants and was issued citations for no driver's license, no insurance, and disregarding a stop sign. He was transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Just after 5 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Medina Street on a the report of a stolen vehicle and the name of a possible suspect involved. The alleged stolen vehicle was located in the 1000 block of Volney Street, along with the named suspect and another subject. The two were detained in handcuffs and identified as Tara Mirelez, 27, and Modesto Cortez, 24.During the detention, Mirelez ran from the officers but was immediately taken into custody. She was arrested on suspicion of evading arrest or detention. Cortez was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding warrant. CID was consulted. The owner of the vehicle did not pursue charges for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Mirelez and Cortez were transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Just after 6:15 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of North Poe Street on a report of an unwanted subject. Officers located and identified the subject as Kimberly Farmer, 20, who had an outstanding warrant. Farmer was arrested on suspicion of the warrant and transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Just after 10 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop on a maroon Ford Ranger in the 1100 block of Millspaugh Avenue. It was discovered that the vehicle's registration sticker had been altered and the driver was driving while his license was invalid. Cruz Falcon was arrested on charges of driving without a license with prior convictions and displaying fictitious motor vehicle registration. Compiled by SAPD. Associated Press FILE Mosquitoes are sorted that had been collected in a trap in Hutchins in February near the location of a confirmed Zika virus infection. SHARE By Niels Lesniewski, CQ-Roll Call (TNS) WASHINGTON Development of a vaccine to combat the Zika virus is on track for at least the next three or four months, despite the bitter congressional standoff over funding a response. But the scientist in charge of the effort said Wednesday the money is likely to dry up in December. Funding for vaccine research at the National Institutes of Health was part of a much broader $1.9 billion request from the Obama administration that's been the subject of much wrangling this year on Capitol Hill. "We asked for $277 million, and if you do the math and you look at all the money that was reshuffled in different places, when you pay it back, we still need $196 million to go through 2017 and into 2018," Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in an interview. Fauci's team has relied on reprogrammed dollars shuffled between government accounts, including last week's reallocation of some $34 million within the NIH by Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Fauci said Burwell wanted to avoid the transfers because they will eat into research of conditions such as heart disease and cancer. "We have to spend that money by the end of September," Fauci said. "We are going to be funding things that we're going to be doing starting in January and February. So, when you get to October, November, December, we're not going to be spending any additional money because we already put it into the contracts and the things to start." He predicted the possibility of a funding drop-off unless Congress agrees on stopgap measures to keep federal agencies running. "If we get a continuing resolution, we can still do what we're doing until like maybe December, and then, all of a sudden, we start to get into real trouble," Fauci said. "So, when we get to calendar year 2017, and we essentially run out of the money that we had forward funded into the areas to keep the vaccine going, we're going to be back in trouble again." Fauci told Roll Call that a large-scale Zika outbreak such as those seen in Brazil and Puerto Rico is "extremely unlikely" in the continental United States, though not impossible. SHARE If you're thinking about attending a Donald Trump rally just to see what it's all about, you might not want to let your curiosity get the better of you. The aura of violence that surrounds these affairs, which never seems far from the surface, has been stimulated by the Republican nominee's own imprudent mouth during the long and cantankerous campaign and was highlighted by his recent statement suggesting that gun rights advocates might know how to deal with Hillary Clinton. Add to that supporters with monumental intolerance toward those who disagree with their candidate and a staff that appears to lack any judgment about how to handle even the mildest protest, and there is always a danger of a rumble. The other day during a Trump campaign rally in Northern Virginia, Joy Maloney found herself a victim of this over-exuberance. The campaign affair was being held in a Loudoun County high school auditorium, and Malone was standing in a line with friends, ticket in hand, waiting to be admitted. Now before we go any further, we should note that Maloney is a county school board member and, as a result, is personally responsible for overseeing the system's school facilities and policies. She is not a Trump fan but had decided she wanted to understand the support he's been receiving. Her education on what motivates Trump voters came quickly. The lesson: They tolerate only true believers. A reporter approached her for an interview, and she stepped out of line to honor the request, making it clear she was not a fan of Trump and that she had found his remarks denigrating minorities offensive. She added this was her daughter's school. When she attempted to return to her place in the queue, however, Trump voters behind her protested and summoned campaign staffers who told her to go to the back of the line. She refused and sat down in protest of what she believed was unfair treatment. The staffers then summoned sheriff's deputies, and she was subsequently arrested, handcuffed and led away on a charge of trespassing, which carries a fine up to $2,500. She was the only person arrested at this campaign affair, although law enforcement officials told the press that several other people were asked to leave, including a group of students wearing T-shirts that said "Stump Trump" on the front. One could argue that Maloney should have either refused the interview request or moved far enough away that her remarks offensive to the Trump voters could not be heard. She might have found it even more prudent not to have attended in the first place. But the very purpose of political stumping is to convince voters to support you. A candidate who wants only attendees who already are in his or her corner is a fool. When Hattie Caraway of Arkansas, first appointed to the U.S. Senate following the death of her senator husband, decided she would run for a full term, she was opposed by the state's Democratic Party machinery and given no chance of winning. That is, until the great populist Huey Long of Louisiana spent three days stumping on her behalf. She won handily. The charge of trespassing is patently ridiculous when applied to Maloney. As a member of the school board, she has unrestricted access to any school facility. It is also a serious question whether the sheriff's office had authority to arrest her on school property unless she was in serious violation of the law. Even though the event was private, she could have stated that in her official capacity she was there to make sure there was no harm done to school property. The board is looking at whether the Trump campaign has any authority to bar anyone lawfully on school grounds. This is just another incident albeit a small one in which obviously inexperienced Trump staff members, in this case not even egged on by the candidate himself, have shown an utter lack of propriety and good sense. So far there is a decided lack of professionalism in the entire campaign. That is, I suppose, to be expected given the fact that Trump is completely without experience in the art of politics, including its niceties. We can only hope that the incivility that lurks everywhere in this country doesn't become true violence, which would tarnish our most cherished institution, the election of a president. Dan Thomasson is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service and a former vice president of Scripps Howard Newspapers. Contact him at thomassondan@aol.com. Gov. Mark Dayton voluntarily released his tax returns Thursday, showing he earned $385,000 in 2015.As reflected in past tax returns he released, Dayton, the scion of the Dayton's department store fortune, earned most of his income -- more than $200,000 -- from capital gains.The Democratic governor had previously released all his tax returns every year, going back to his 2010 campaign for governor. But he said last year that he would stop the pattern because he was no longer planning to be a candidate for anything.Last week, however, he told the Pioneer Press he had changed his mind in light of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's goading of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to release his returns.According to the returns from last year, Dayton paid $73,098 in federal taxes and $32,931 in state taxes. That means he paid an effective tax rate of about 30 percent."The effective tax rate is lower than published federal and state income tax rates, because income from dividends and capital gains is taxed at a lower federal rate than earned income. Governor Dayton opposed that differential tax treatment of different sources of income, when he was a U.S. senator," Dayton's office said in a statement. Dayton also championed a higher tax rate for high-income Minnesotans, which increased the taxes he paid to the state.Neither Dayton's 2014 tax returns, also released Thursday, nor his 2015 tax returns show any deduction for charitable gifts. However, his office said the governor "made more than $10,000 in charitable contributions in 2015 but did not report them to his tax preparer." That level of donations would be about average for someone of his income.Asked, through a spokesman, to which charities Dayton donated the $10,000 and to confirm that Dayton donated nothing to charity in 2014, the governor declined to answer."The governor has released his tax return(s) in full for both years. He has no further comment," spokesman Linden Zakula said.The governor's lack of large reported donations to charities has previously been an issue.In 2013, Dayton's tax returns revealed that he had given just $1,000 to charity in 2012 in a year when he earned more than $343,000 in income. He said he was disappointed in himself for that low amount and promised to be more generous in future years. The next year, he gave $10,000 to charity.Dayton did not provide more information when asked about any inheritance he received upon his father's death, Bruce Dayton. Bruce Dayton, a former executive at the family's retail empire, died late last year. The probate period on the will ended in 2016.A copy of Bruce Dayton's will obtained by Minnesota Public Radio does not specifically name a dollar amount inherited by his children. The will does say, however, "I have intentionally made only limited provision herein for my children or their issue as I have previously provided for them." Slaying of officer 2009 repeal In the aftermath of the recent shooting death of a Hatch police officer, Gov. Susana Martinez said Wednesday she will push during next year's 60-day legislative session to reinstate New Mexico's death penalty -- at the least for child-killers and those convicted of murdering law enforcement officers.Martinez, a former prosecutor, backed legislation to reimpose the death penalty immediately after taking office in 2011, but the proposal stalled that year in the Democratic-controlled Legislature, and the issue has not been part of the governor's agenda in recent years.In a statement Wednesday, the two-term Republican governor told the Journal, "A society that fails to adequately protect and defend those who protect all of us is a society that will be undone and unsafe."People need to ask themselves, if the man who ambushed and killed five police officers in Dallas had lived, would he deserve the ultimate penalty? How about the heartless violent criminals who killed Officer Jose Chavez in Hatch and left his children without their brave and selfless dad? Do they deserve the ultimate penalty? Absolutely."Nationally, there's been a movement away from the death penalty in recent years. Nineteen states, including New Mexico, currently do not have death penalty laws on their books, and four states -- Illinois, Connecticut, Maryland and Nebraska -- have abolished capitol punishment in the past five years, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.Allen Sanchez, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Wednesday that the Roman Catholic Church will fight the effort to reinstate the death penalty."We've been through this debate," Sanchez said in an interview. "As sad as (the Hatch police officer) shooting is, we believe the governor is just trying to create a distraction from what's going on in New Mexico with poverty and need."The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico also vowed to oppose the latest death penalty effort, which could emerge as a campaign issue during this year's election cycle. All 112 legislative seats are up for election, and control of both the state House and Senate are at stake.Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas, D-Albuquerque, called Wednesday's announcement politically driven and unwise, given a looming state budget shortfall."If she truly believes the death penalty is good public policy, then she should attach an appropriation to (the bill) and we can have a debate on that," Maestas said of Martinez.The governor's announcement that she will renew her push to reinstate capital punishment comes less than a week after Hatch police officer Jose Chavez was shot and killed after making a traffic stop.Jesse Hanes, a fugitive from Ohio, has been charged with murder in connection with Chavez's death. He also faces federal firearms charges. He was traveling with an accomplice on a cross-country trip funded by robbing banks and selling methamphetamine at the time their vehicle was pulled over, prosecutors have alleged.Third Judicial District Attorney Mark D'Antonio, whose office filed the murder charge, indicated Wednesday that he would be receptive to reinstating the death penalty in certain cases."My priority is prosecuting the death of Officer Chavez, but I'm open to conversations about reinstating the death penalty," D'Antonio said in a statement. "The death penalty should be the last resort for the worst of the worst and in certain situations like for cop-killers."Meanwhile, Martinez also cited the May killing of an 11-year-old Navajo girl near Shiprock in her statement about the death penalty. In that case, Tom Begaye Jr. is accused of kidnapping and murdering Ashlynne Mike."I think of poor Ashlynne and the horror she went through," the governor told the Journal. "Does the monster who killed her deserve the ultimate punishment? Yes -- absolutely."Although legislation to reinstate the death penalty has not been drafted, the Governor's Office indicated it could apply to only certain types of cases."At minimum, we can all agree that it should apply to cop-killers and child-murderers," Martinez spokesman Chris Sanchez said.New Mexico had the death penalty on its books for years, but then-Gov. Bill Richardson signed legislation in 2009 repealing capital punishment and replacing it with a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.Opponents of the death penalty had argued that capital punishment was not cost-effective, and Richardson, a Democrat, said at the time he signed the repeal bill into law that he did not have sufficient confidence in the criminal justice system to be the final arbiter of who lived and who died.However, the bill applied only to crimes committed after its effective date and several inmates remain on death row in New Mexico.Before abolishing the death penalty, New Mexico had executed just one inmate since 1960. That happened in 2001, when Terry Clark received a lethal injection after having been convicted of raping and killing Dena Lynn Gore, a 9-year-old Artesia girl. On Thursday, in the morning, at ANZAC Square, Brisbane, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC attended the Vietnam Veterans Day Remembrance Service and laid the first wreath. In the afternoon, at Parliament House, the Governor presided at a meeting of the Executive Council of Queensland. In the evening, at Government House, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey hosted a reception for members of the Queensland University Regiment Association where His Excellency addressed guests. Following, at Government House, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey hosted Brigadier Sam Harrison MBE RFD ED (Retd) and Dr Jennifer Harrison to dinner. A taxpayer activist group asked a number of questions at a city board on Thursday about a complex tax abatement deal for Walnut Commons on Walnut Street. The city, through its Chattanooga Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, has held title to the land under the apartments. However, the new owner has opted to buy that land, causing a new round of paperwork involving the tax abatement granted earlier in which the apartment owners are mostly exempt from taxes for a lengthy time. Three members of the five-member CDRC who were at the meeting postponed action. Members of Accountability for Taxpayer Money (ATM) speaking included Tresa McCallie, Bruce Stewart, Becky Raymond, Helen Burns Sharp and Franklin McCallie. Several speakers expressed dismay that the property does not even pay school taxes. Ms. Raymond said allowing owners of a property like this one to be exempt from taxes increases the burden on everyone else, including senior homeowners. Lloyd Longnion, a member of the city HEB board, also asked a number of questions. That board will also have to take action. ATM had this letter: Dear CDRC Members: Members of Accountability for Taxpayer Money (ATM) hope that you will discuss and answer a few legal and policy questions before voting on the resolution in your August 18 agenda regarding the PILOT Agreement for the Walnut Commons apartment complex. In 2010 the Citys Health Education and Housing Facilities Board (HEB) approved a PILOT for Walnut Commons LLC that would provide a $2.4 million property tax break over the period 2012 to 2025. In addition to city and county taxes, school taxes were also waived. The PILOT was granted under a provision in state law allowing the HEB to approve PILOTs for multi-family housing facilities (only) when low and moderate-income persons, elderly or handicapped, occupy them. This wording is referenced in the 2010 HEB resolution approving Walnut Commons. Q.1-- Can the LLC provide documentation that at least 20% of the units are and have been rented to persons with incomes less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or elderly or handicapped? ity Resolution 23253 established the local Downtown Housing Initiative. Section 4(d) states an applicant whose application for a PILOT Freeze is approved shall have one year from the date of approval to close a PILOT Lease. If this schedule is not met, the applicant must resubmit an application. The Limited Warranty Deed and Bill of Sale conveying the Walnut Commons property from the LLC to the HEB was executed on December 1, 2010. This document was recorded August 27, 2012. Closing happened more than a year after the PILOT was approved. Q.2Did the LLC resubmit an application? ection 4 (g) of the city program states: Upon completion of any project qualifying for a PILOT Freeze, the project shall be reviewed by the Bond Board to determine if it was completed substantially in accordance with the representations set forth in the application. If appropriate, the term of the PILOT Freeze will be reduced by action of the Bond Board. Q.3Who did the review on behalf of the HEB? What were their findings relative to low and moderate-income compliance? What about the parking structure that the LLC originally proposed but chose not to build? n 2007 the CDRC and Walnut Commons LLC entered into a 50-year Lease and Option to Purchase for the real property where the apartment complex sits. At a meeting in February of 2016, the LLC chose to exercise its option to purchase. Rather than recording a deed that would make them the new owner, Walnut Commons LLC approached the HEB in February about taking title to the property. The LLC is now asking the CDRC to execute a special warranty agreement from the CDRC to the HEB. Q.4Does the CDRC believe that the bond board is obligated to take title to the property or do you agree with the ATM attorney that the CDRC and Board have a choice? Q.5If title is to remain in the name of the HEB, does that relieve Walnut Commons LLC from the payment of real estate taxes? Q.6What public policy purpose would be served for the continuation of any exemption from property taxes? he Special Warranty Deed attached to your Resolution 2016-09 (dated 8-18-16) states that the property to be conveyed from the CDRC to the HEB shall be subject to a restriction that the residential units constructed on the property shall remain as rental units until March 24, 2019. Q.7What is contemplated in 2019? Would the units become condos or extended stay hotel rooms? Q.8--Is there an acknowledgement on the part of the Resolutions proponent, Walnut Commons LLC, that a Housing PILOT granted by the HEB may only be for multi-family rental units for persons of low and moderate income, elderly or handicapped? ATM looks forward to hearing your answers and to your being an advocate for the public interest. Walnut Commons LLC reopened the PILOT Pandoras box in 2016 when they decided to exercise their option to purchase the land from the CDRC. We respectfully request that the CDRC do all you can do to get this attractive, market rate property back on the tax rolls so that it will contribute its fair share of property tax revenue for high priority community needs such as public education, job training, and public safety. If you need more time to get answers to these questions, please take it. Walnut Commons has been before this board and the HEB off and on since 2007. Spending a few more weeks or month would be time well spent. Looking beyond the math Making a human calculation Multiplying the impact From black box to open book Counting on lessons learned We had a unique one today with one non-custodial parent and two different support amounts for two different periods, and it worked like magic. This child support worker is describing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services child support calculator, which was recently redesigned in a clear, transparent and human way.The co-design process was not build it and they will come development in which technology solutions are built in isolation. Instead of creating something for caseworkers, the department created it with them, using iterative development methods.By exploring the calculators place within the larger customer service process, the department, working with its partners, surfaced underlying challenges and then designed solutions directly with those who use the calculator and the parents they assist in mind. This helped to take the stress away for caseworkers, make parents feel fairly treated, and establish the right amount of support for the children involved.Establishing an appropriate child support obligation for a family can be complex. It involves personal financial information, and sometimes, raw emotions. Child support calculators play a vital role in the process. Caseworkers use them to determine the necessary level of support based on robust state formulas. The calculator is a linchpin of the program child support orders would not happen without the calculator, and it is used more than 5,000 times per month.Well aware of the importance of this tool, the department had tried before to enhance it without satisfactory results. This time, leadership recognized that to get different results, they had to work differently. So instead of focusing solely on getting the complex math right, the department extended its emphasis. Without a doubt, the math mattered. But so did the more than 1,500 caseworkers experiences using the calculator with parents. Thats why the department moved away from status quo redesign processes to an innovative co-design process that emphasized both functionality and service experiences.With this dual focus, the goal was to create an accurate, easy to use tool that lifted the veil on how and why child support calculations were made. After all, transparency is essential to building confidence and consensus among parents, caseworkers, attorneys and judges that child support payments are exactly what they should be. Leadership also hoped that a simple and clear calculator would help diminish peoples reluctance around using child support services when they really could benefit from the program.This unique co-design process started with the caseworkers themselves. The project team conducted a series of interviews to understand frontline experiences and perceptions about the calculator.These interviews revealed caseworkers concerns for parents in this process was a top priority. They believed that parents experienced the calculator as a black box. Custodial and non-custodial parents provided extensive financial information, from income to expenses, which caseworkers entered into the calculator. But the calculator failed to provide enough information about how the resulting child support recommendation was derived. This left parents feeling confused and unhappy about support amounts.For many parents, the issue was not the accuracy of the results. It was having assurances that the resulting obligation was fair. But caseworkers could not necessarily provide such assurances. The calculator was not optimized for consistency and transparency. It was not flexible enough to accommodate what-if scenarios. Most importantly, caseworkers did not have the tools to moderate informative conversations with parents. The results often felt arbitrary to all, and service experiences were not satisfying.Working from this insight, the project team approached this initiative as something much more than a usability refresh. They approached it as a service design challenge.This meant addressing the calculator in context, not as a technology transformation for technologys sake, but as a tool within a broader service experience. This experience needed to be a clear, consistent, collaborative and human interaction. Caseworkers had to be armed to be transparent with parents about how child support decisions were made. Parents needed to have all of their questions answered.Instead of using a rigid, sequential design process, the project team opted for an iterative design process. This meant that solutions were repeatedly tested as they were being built. The team shared progress with a group of up to 20 stakeholders every two weeks. They gathered and incorporated feedback into the next stage of development.Six months after caseworkers started using it, the new co-designed calculator is helping them offer the positive customer experiences that they hoped to deliver. Todays calculator is a tool, not a barrier. It helps build understanding, guide parents and assure that child support obligations are fair. The result is more transparency, consistency and faster results. The calculator is delivering important benefits:The new calculator pulls data directly from the case management system so workers have a head start based on information that has already been provided or supplied through automated systems. The tool also allows for customization of specific comments that are routinely added to child support order recommendations, saving time and reducing effort when creating calculations.Auto-calculation makes it possible for caseworkers to quickly inform parents about the support that they would get during any timeframe. Unlike before, the answer is just a click away.The new calculator now creates a more exhaustive report specifically tailored to courtroom requirements. The project team designed the final report with caseworkers to help ensure they have all the information they need to present to the judge.In the first 10 weeks that the calculator was available, there was a near 9 percent increase in the number of calculations performed compared to the same time period last year. Caseworkers can now accomplish the same results with a single calculation, where previously each calculation required at least two iterations.As part of its commitment to transparency, the department plans to develop an online version of the calculator that parents can use themselves.The departments experience co-designing the child support calculator offers insightful lessons for other human services agencies that are considering using a similar approach.Co-design and iterative development is not the right fit for every situation. Agencies need to think first about the business problem that they want to solve. Different methodologies apply best to different situations. For example, regulation-driven initiatives are unlikely to be a strong fit, while user-centered needs like this are more aligned. The ideal for any agency should be to develop a set of options rather than to over-rely on the same standard approaches every time.Agencies that select an iterative design approach must be comfortable with the risks that come with it. This kind of process can challenge agencies risk tolerance. Leadership must be comfortable letting something evolve, putting something into production that will by its very nature have multiple versions. Some programs are ill-suited for a methodology that is about continuous improvement and evolutionary change. Agencies also have to consider whether they have the time to commit to a process like this. Sometimes, more definitive, sequential process with formal exit criteria might be a better option.For co-design processes to work well, agencies must keep users and customers as their North Star throughout the development process. This means truly understanding the needs and behaviors of specific audiences, not just making assumptions about them. It also means committing to the latest service design principles to create interactions that are intuitive, relevant and welcome. For Michigan, this meant finding the sweet spot to accommodate baby boomers and Gen X employees and millennial parents who have starkly different expectations and comfort levels with digital tools like the calculator.By interviewing caseworkers at the beginning of the process, the department set an expectation about their involvement. Agencies that take a similar approach should develop a process that does not just solicit initial feedback, but that also re-engages people toward the end of the process, perhaps with a first view or option to test drive the tool.As it was in this case, co-design is a newer development approach for many agencies. It provides an excellent way to build transformation that works for the people actually doing the work. It also embodies a test-learn-optimize philosophy that can help agencies get to the end result that works for all stakeholders, while protecting their investment. That adds up to a win for everyone involved.Policy & Practice (TNS) Georgias open meetings laws do not specifically forbid public officials from having private conversations during a meeting using their smart phones, and that riles Attorney General Sam Olens, his spokesman said.The public should demand better behavior from their elected officials, Nick Genesi said. But, he added, Right now the current statute doesnt cover this gross violation of public policy.Genesi said his boss wanted to include language reining in the use of technology, such as text messaging, during otherwise public meetings in his rewrite of state sunshine laws four years ago, but he said Olens got resistance from state lawmakers.The exchanging of text messages by public officials has emerged in the north Fulton County suburb of Milton as part of a bitter zoning fight. A local resident who ended up on the losing side of a development issue discovered through an Open Records Act request that Mayor Joe Lockwood and some city council members had been sending and receiving text messages from people in the audience on the other side of the issue.Copies of the texts viewed byshow opponents of the zoning plan lobbying Lockwood while supporters were testifying in the public hearing.It stinks, said resident Laura Rencher, who requested the texts. Its just not transparent.That may be true, but state sunshine laws do not necessarily forbid it.Government transparency advocates agree that one-on-one conversations, including by email or text, do not violate state law, even if they are not in the spirit of doing the publics business in public.Milton Councilman Bill Lusk said he plans to introduce a rule forbidding texting during public meetings. Esteban Ocon has not denied that his forthcoming nine-race stint at Manor is effectively an audition for a Renault race seat for 2017. "No idea," the French teen, who is backed not only by the French marque but also Mercedes, said ahead of his F1 race debut at Spa-Francorchamps next weekend. Ocon is replacing Manor's Rio Haryanto, whose Indonesian state funding has dried up. It has been suggested that Renault is treating Ocon's Manor drive as a trial for a full race seat at the works team next year. "The important thing is that I give the best of myself, which will open doors for me. If I start asking myself these questions, for sure my job becomes harder," he told the French magazine Auto Hebdo. Much has been made this week of Ocon's admission that his sudden graduation from a DTM race seat and Renault reserve role to the F1 grid caught him by surprise. But he insists he is ready. "I have spent a lot of time on the track and in the paddock so yes, I'm ready," said the 19-year-old. "I think I am even more ready than Max Verstappen when he made his debut in formula one," Ocon, who actually beat Verstappen to the 2014 F3 title, added. And he denied that, unlike Verstappen's meteoric rise from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, making his own debut for a backmarker like Manor is much riskier. "The team is not as weak as it may seem," Ocon insisted. Not just that, he is being paired with Pascal Wehrlein, another Mercedes-backed junior who has been tipped for an almost certain future at the works team. Asked if he is therefore also auditioning for Mercedes as well as Renault, Ocon smiled: "I hope so. "I'm kidding. I honestly don't know. But I don't have to think about this pressure. If I can do my work well, there is no doubt that my future is in formula one." (GMM) Kanye West Reveals Chicago Pop-Up Shop Is In Northbrook By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 19, 2016 2:50PM Kanye at the album release party for "The Life of Pablo" on Feb. 11 at Madison Square Garden (Getty Images) Chicago-native hip-hop great and self-promotion savant Kanye West announced earlier this week that 21 pop-up shops would spring up at locations across the world this weekend to sell The Life of Pablo-related merch. Today, West revealed the exact locations of those stores, including the one in Chicagoor the Chicago area, at least. Wests local outpost will spring up in Northbrook Court (2171 Northbrook Court). Plenty of fans and media watchers were quick to gently chastise West for setting up shop in the North burbs. So Kanye West put his Life of Pablo pop-up shop in Northbrook? That's exceedingly lame. Mike Bennett (@mrhonorama) August 19, 2016 Kanye West "We gon put a pop up store in Chicago" Puts a pop up store in Northbrook, IL. TYRELL WELLIT (@fakelewisem) August 19, 2016 A closer look at the full map of temporary shops in fact reveals many sites to be in the surrounding area category. Along with Chicago, shops announced for Portland, Dallas, Detroit and Philadelphia are all outside their respective cities, strictly speaking. Plus the guy is such a savvy marketer, it's hard to imagine there wasn't some method to the choice. Any 'burbs-bound West fans, let us know how it looks. The shop is open this weekend only: Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Photos: Explore The Old School Graffiti Of Mid-'90s Chicago By Gwendolyn Purdom in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 19, 2016 2:31PM It's everywhere. Bold balloon letters claiming turf. Political messages scrawled in unexpected corners. Intricate memorial portraits. For graffiti artists, Chicago's alleys, side walls and highway overpasses are the canvas, and have been since the words and images first started appearing in the city in the 1980s. The three decades since have seen Chicago's street art scene expand and evolve. The art form (or criminal activity, depending on whom you ask) has had varying degrees of public support over the years, and today it can regularly be found in places beyond the parking garage pillar or warehouse wall. Non-profits and galleries often team up with street artists to collaborate on public pieces or community projects. Taggers who started out spray-painting their name on garage doors have had their work exhibited in independent local galleries or at the Chicago Cultural Center. Schools like The School of the Art Institute have taught courses in graffiti's history. And some city landmarks, such as the Damen Silos, are particularly known for their graffiti. Of course, technically, defacing property that doesn't belong to you is still illegal, and the city of Chicago in particular has a long history of cracking down on graffiti and other street art. In the early '90s, when graffiti was enjoying a heyday across the country and solidifying its place within hip hop culture, the city introduced its Graffiti Blasters program, which, in addition to sounding like a cheap Ghost Busters knock-off, spent millions to remove graffiti from more than 700,000 buildings. That was also around the time Chicago started its ban on spray paint sales, frustrating graffiti artists and DIY crafters (we're assuming here) alike. In 2014, Mayor Rahm Emanuel took the anti-graffiti campaign a step further: vandalism fines spiked from $750 to no less than $1,500 and no more than $2,500 for each graffiti offense, with higher fines for repeat offenders. The mayor also added an extra $1 million to the city's Graffiti Removal Program (apparently, they dropped the snappy "Blasters" moniker somewhere along the way.) Graffiti is vandalism that impacts the beauty and vitality of our neighborhoods, Emanuel said at the time. While the city's stance undoubtably has some support, others would strongly disagree. Graffiti can also be an expression of self, of mourning, of oppression, of pride, of city life in its most joyous and most tragic aspects. Photographer Matt Tuteur captured 30 images of such messages made in Wicker Park, Rogers Park, Uptown, Evanston and across the city from 1994 to 1997. Chinese police have nabbed 409 fugitives hiding overseas as part of its "Fox Hunt 2016" campaign, including 15 listed in an Interpol red notice, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said Wednesday. The campaign has seen the arrest of 272 fugitives and 137 others have been persuaded to return from 61 countries and regions, according to the MPS. The MPS has sent 33 work groups overseas and they have managed to capture fugitives in Madagascar, Thailand, Peru, the Philippines, Ecuador, the Republic of Korea, Cambodia, and Spain, among others. Of the 409 fugitives, 38 are implicated in duty-related crimes, and 14 in smuggling crimes. Thirty-three of them were at large for more than five years, including 12 for over 10 years, the MPS said. Like the writer of a letter today, I also consult the daily weather stats. And I also noted that some of our all-time high temperatures were recorded more than a century ago. I don't agree with her conclusion that this disproves the fact of global warming. You can't draw conclusions by looking at record highs. But if you do want to compare record numbers, you should look at highs and lows. For example, in today's almanac, we see that Greensboro's numbers yesterday were 90/73. Yesterday's high was 13 degrees lower than the record of 103 set in 1988. Yesterday's low was 18 degrees higher than the record low set in 1981. I find we are generally closer to the record high than we are to the record low, an indication that, overall, the weather is warmer. But comparing to the average is most useful. Yesterday, Greensboro was 4 degrees warmer and 5 degrees less cool than the average for the date. That's just one day in one location, though, which provides just the smallest picture of climate change. Scientific measures detail how much and how quickly the earth is warming. Today's writer urges, "Use your heads, people." That's what scientists do. I'm not a scientist, but I defer to people who know much more about complex subjects than I do ... especially when an overwhelming consensus of experts agrees on the same conclusion. Some can refuse to believe. "The climate change scam is the biggest hoax ever perpetrated," someone commented on today's letter. That's what the Republican presidential candidate says. On the basis of what scientific evidence, I wonder, can someone conclude that the vast majority of the world's climate scientists are trying to pull of a hoax? I suppose some people still believe the earth is flat and the moon landings happened in a TV studio. You'll never convince everyone of anything. I'm just glad it's supposed to be a little cooler today. But I'm worried about tomorrow. GREENWICH The first ever Charity Blue Fish Derby will be held on Aug. 20 in Western Long Island Sound. Prizes will be given out for the three biggest fish caught, and proceeds go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Weigh-ins begin at noon and go until 2 p.m. at weighing stations in Greenwich, Cos Cob, Port Chester, N.Y., and Stamford. First place is $1,500 cash; second and third place will receive baskets of assorted gift cards worth $750 and $500 respectively. Im excited its almost here, said Kim Oeding, organizer of the event. It was a little stressful in the last week. I think what happens is fisherman wait on the water and they wanted to wait and see if it would be a nice day on Saturday. Well probably have between 75 and 100 fisherman on the water. Oeding works at the Northwest Mutual office in Norwalk, and said it all started when her boss said they needed to do a fundraiser. She had a background in educational fundraisers and a sibling with MS, and she felt her number had been called. The impact of MS in their office runs even deeper. Oeding said last year one of the managers in their office went on vacation to Slovakia, and one morning simply couldnt get out of bed. She was 31 and had never been diagnosed, but she had MS. She makes the sixth person I know that has come down with MS at an early age, Oeding said. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that attacks the connections between the brain and the rest of the body, disrupting a persons ability to move under their own power. There is no known cause or cure of the disease, according to the NMSS website. Organizers said they hope to raise $20,000 by the end of the weekend. People have been absolutely wonderful in donations, Oeding said. The biggest donor was the J House, who donated a $400 gift certificate. Organizers expect to have about 35 boats on the water carrying about 85 fisherman, a turnout Oeding said she is satisfied with. She said she had to get approval from the Town of Greenwich, City of Stamford and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to have the fish derby. Donations will be accepted though the weekend online. Those interested can sign up until 8 a.m. Saturday at the Sportsmans Den in Cos Cob, Byram Bait and Tackle, Ponus Yacht Club in Stamford and Byram Shore Boat Club. The tables will be run by Oeding and three of her sisters-in-law. Registration is $25 per adult and $10 per child. pfrissell@hearstmediact.com; @PeregrineFriss This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Two out of three students in the state can read as well as they should as they approach their final year of high school but fewer than 40 percent are making the grade in math, the state announced on Wednesday. The results come from the revamped SAT taken last spring in school by nearly all public school eleventh graders as it replaced the states standardized test. In this first year, Connecticut students averaged 520 on the language arts test and 502 on the math. The top score on each section of the test is 800 points. The College Board, which wont release national SAT results until mid-September, has set 480 as a college ready score in language arts and 530 in math. Locally, the results mirror other state tests. Fairfield had a combined score of 1129 when average language arts and math scores were combined. Trumbull and Monroe both came out with combined language arts and math scores of 1114. Stratford had a combined average score of 977. Bridgeport brought up the rear among large urban school districts with a combined average score of 860. In addition to the easily recognized SAT scores, the state has its own scoring system. In Stratford, Schools Superintendent Janet Robinson said she was particularly pleased with the number of students who met or exceeded the states proficiency standard, at least in language arts 61.2 percent. More Information Header here Chatter here and here aand here District ELA* Math* Ansonia 476 448 Bridgeport Achievement First 515 489 Bridgeport 438 422 Capital Prep. Harbor School Inc. 416 419 Derby 446 431 Fairfield 572 557 Milford 533 502 District ELA* Math* Monroe 562 552 Oxford 552 517 Reg. Sch. Dist. 9 587 573 Seymour 502 496 Shelton 540 524 Stratford 502 475 The Bridge Academy 438 431 Trumbull 557 557 Westport 598 599 Source: xxxxxx xxxxxxx | *Average Score See More Collapse Stratford has had a solid college acceptance rate, and with the continuing improvements on SAT scores, Robinson said. I am certain more and more of our students will be accepted into their choice colleges. In Fairfield, 84 percent of students met or surpassed the states proficiency bar in language arts and 63 percent in math. In Bridgeport, meanwhile, 29 percent of students were deemed proficient in language arts and 10 percent in math. We need to grow, Fran Rabinowitz, Bridgeports interim school superintendent said. We need to ensure that we begin early in elementary school and ensure that all students receive a high-standards curriculum across every one of our schools and subject areas. Why the switch The state switched from the controversial Smarter Balanced assessment test, which is still given in grades three through eight, to the new SAT last spring after parents and lawmakers complained high school juniors were suffering from test overload. Many who are headed to college were already taking Advanced Placement Tests, the SAT and ACT, another college preparedness test. At the urging of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, the federal government agreed to let the state use the SAT as the measure of success instead of SBAC. By switching to the SAT, we responded to student and parent concerns about over testing, Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzell said. We also took a big step toward greater equity in our schools by giving all Connecticut eleventh graders a chance to take a college and career readiness exam. Connecticut students can also use their SAT scores when they start applying to colleges and can send them to four colleges for free, Ellen Cohen, deputy commissioner for the state Department of Education, said. This year, the College Board, producers of the SAT, changed the test for everyone to make it more reflective of the Common Core curriculum most students are being taught. Connecticut is among a handful of states using the test in place of its achievement test. Four states, Connecticut Delaware, New Hampshire and Maine met to establish what a passing grade would be. On the new test, there is no penalty for wrong answers, obscure vocabulary is out and answers require students to use evidence. Ajit Gopalakrishnan, a bureau chief in the state education department, said the plan is to track students two or three years from now to see if their scores were actually a predictor of how well they do in college. We do feel that this is a good start, Gopalakrishnan said. Now we have to see, are those standards actually working. Cause for concern Gopalakrishnan said there is a continued concern about the math scores and that steps are being taken to attack that issue aggressively by establishing a Commissioners Council on Mathematics and putting laser-like focus on math from the early grades on. State officials say the results cant be compared to the old SAT or to the former state test. Still, Gopalakrishnan said are a bit more students meeting the proficiency standard on the new test, than they did on last years SBAC test. In 2015, the average public high school SAT score for Connecticut score in critical reading was 494 and in math, 495. Participation was also up, from about 82 percent last year when a so-called opt out movement was going strong in the state to about 94 percent when the test was given in March 2016. That is still below the 95 percent threshold set by the U.S. Department of Education. About 38,000 public high school juniors in the state took the new test, free of charge to them and in school. Shelton Schools Superintendent Chris Clouet said because the SAT is widely viewed by parents and students as a gate keeper for college, it added an extra layer of seriousness to it. And it also is a measure of a student academic well being, Clouet said. In Shelton 74.7 percent of students met the reading standard and more than half met the math standard. The new results shows that the achievement gap between white and minority students remains wide as well as students who are eligible for free and reduced priced lunch and those who are not. The SAT results break scores down into categories ranging from exceeding standards to meeting them, approaching them and not meeting them. For instance, in Trumbull, between 6 and 8 percent of students were at the lowest level in math or language arts. In Stratford the percentage at the lowest standard was 19 to 29 percent; in Ansonia, 37 to 58 and in Bridgeport, it was 45 to 51 percent demonstrating a minimal understanding of the knowledge and skills needed for college or career readiness. lclambeck@ctpost.com; Twitter: @lclambeck There were errors and prominent omissions in the Aug. 7 article (Neighbor to Neighbor building plan sparks neighbor vs. neighbor). First, I wish to thank Greenwich Time for raising the attention of its readership to the fact that the proposed building Neighbor-to-Neighbor intends to build on Christ Church property would be on the historic Tomes Higgins House lot. This property is a crown jewel among 21 contributing buildings, three contributing sites and two other contributing structures to the Putnam Hill Historic District that account for its recognition in the National Register of Historic Places. And, special thanks to Norma Bartol for first bringing this up in her column of April 29. The current Greenwich Time article, in which the project is the central subject, has certainly brought public awareness to a higher level. But, it omits a critical and primary element of context, and that is the substantial impact of this project on the Putnam Hill Historic District, which architects, historians, Greenwich residents, visitors to Greenwich and, of course, well established adjacent neighborhoods appreciate. The Putnam Hill Historic District is a source of great civic pride. Many prominent figures in our nations colonial and modern history lived or visited here, and the district contains many architecturally significant buildings and sites. Not mentioned in the article is the very significant fact that The Greenwich Historic District Commission voted unanimously against the proposed building project on April 13. The integrity of the Putnam Hill Historic District, which is priceless by any standard, is most assuredly in the balance with respect to this project. As currently proposed, the NTN building challenges several standards for an historic site as well as Greenwichs own Municipal Code for a residential R20 Zone, in which the Tomes-Higgins House resides. The NTN building would require commercial infrastructure; its style and use is remarkably different to other structures on the property and in the district; it is sited with inadequate setbacks to all property lines (100 feet is required); and it breaks other codes for its size (6,400 sq. ft. vs. 800 sq. ft. code) and height (40 ft. vs. 25 ft. code). The history of Greenwich, its stewardship of its past, present and future for this generation and those to come, is very much in the spotlight with this very aggressive application. Regarding other significant errors and omissions: Calvert Vaux did not design the Brooklyn Museum of Natural History, which doesnt exist. He did design the American Museum of Natural History. He also was known for his landscape design with notable projects such as the White House and the Smithsonian. And, of course, his long collaboration with Frederick Law Olmsted on New Yorks Central Park and so many other park projects around our nation is legendary. In point of fact, Vaux is especially well known for the equal importance he placed on the landscape and the building. The Tomes Higgins House and Landscape is the only remaining intact Vaux-designed property in the state of Connecticut. Greenwichs ties to the most seminal architect of his time deserves great care and attention. The quote attributed to me, alluding to the lack of social services in Greenwich, deserves much more context. The Town of Greenwich does provide extraordinary levels of social services ranging from numerous health, food and education initiatives, and so much more. However, there are gaps. To that end, the service provided by NTN is a large-scale commercial grade operation within a well-established historic and residential district. The article should also have pointed out that the NTN project, as previously reported in the Greenwich Time, will cost an estimated $3.5 million, with a large donation from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation. This amount of capital buys a lot of building, even in Greenwich. I doubt that donors care where this building is as long as it successfully serves the mission and the community for which it is intended. Finally, it is extraordinarily difficult to measure the potential loss of an historic district or an historic building or site. But, one thing is certain and that is that the Planning & Zoning Commission is charged with the stewardship and integrity of our existing environment. Their performance in maintaining this integrity will be judged for generations to come. It is up to us, as citizens and taxpayers of Greenwich, to insist on their adherence to the very standards and guidelines that they created. Charlotte Walker is president of Putnam Park Apartments, Inc. Flash [Image from iPanda] One month ago, over 10,000 Internet users watched a giant panda Shuqin living at the Bifengxia Base of the Giant Panda Protection and Research Center of China (GPPRCC) in Yaan give birth to a baby on iPanda . iPanda is an online channel that was jointly launched on August 6, 2013 by CNTV, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and GPPRCC to offer 24/7 live coverage of the lives of giant pandas. Netizens left messages of congratulations to the mother giant panda through various services of iPanda, including its website, weibo account and app. The team responsible for the live coverage consists of members who are all 31 years old or younger. On August 12, inside the teams workplace, video editor Li Chengxuan was fixing her eyes on display screens which capture through 28 high-definition cameras the amusing moments of giant pandas living in the delivery room, the young panda section and the adult panda sections of Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. When the image of a giant panda starting to move slowly appeared on the central screen, Li skillfully repositioned the cameras so that the panda could be seen by viewers through the high-definition live coverage platform. [Image from iPanda] One difficulty team members are faced with is recognizing each and every giant panda on all the cameras, said Li. It takes a long time, sometimes half a year to recognize them, Li said. Staff members have to be attentive to the features of each panda. For example, Qiqiao (the name of a panda) has two little black spots on its nose, Maoge has extraordinarily large dark circles, Shuanghao has a heart-shaped head, In order to give 24/7 live coverage, team members work on two shifts. For Wu Zhenyu, another team member, a difficult task is live broadcasting the mating and childbearing of giant pandas. Last year, he went to Yaan with his colleagues to live broadcast the mating between Lulu and Ximei. They had to be glued to the two pandas to wait for the unpredictable mating time. We waited for one week until the day came, said Wu. The live coverage lasted for more than three hours. Though tired, Li and his colleagues never complain. We love giant pandas from the bottom of our hearts, said Wu. Sometimes, a look from the giant pandas can dispel all our worries and pressure. Speaking of why they wanted to live broadcast the mating process, Wu explained: There are three major challenges in giant panda breeding: mating, reproducing and the survival of panda cubs. Many people dont know where the challenges come from, so we are giving the live coverage to popularize knowledge about giant pandas and make more people realize how important it is to protect the rare animal. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. Seems very conjectural, frankly. Photo: WHSV A couple ticked at having a Latina server in a Virginia diner wrote a racist zero-dollar tip that is now all over the internet. The duo ate at Jess Lunch in Harrisonburg on Monday and left server Sadie Elledge a note on their $26.11 bill that read We only tip citizens. Clearly not referring to President Wilsons citizens of the world idea, their remark was confusing for Elledge, whos actually American. She tells the local news she knew something was up the moment this couple sat down. They wouldnt talk to me, she says. They would just nod their heads. At the end of their meal, security-camera footage shows the woman casually signing their receipt, then leaving: Owner Angeliki Floros isnt keen on having them back, explaining that theyre banned until they apologize. Coward is the word to describe what they did. I have worse words to use, she adds. But lets go with coward. Microsoft has pushed back the release of HP's Elite X3 Windows 10 smartphone in the UK. The business-focused device, which was supposed to begin shipping on August 18, will now be shipped starting August 22 in the country. The Redmond, Washington-based company has also reduced the price of the business pack as part of which the handset is being offered. The pack - which includes a Desk Dock - is now available for 706.80 (taxes included), down from its original price tag of 749. The price cut brings the cost of the bundle inline with what HP is officially selling it for. However, the date at which HP will start shipping the phone isn't yet clear - the company's UK website just says "delivered in 5-10 Working days." Among third-party retailers, Clove currently has the bundle listed for 700. The listing reveals that the device will begin shipping today (August 19). Source 1 2 3 | Via These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Flash Confidence in either U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump or his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton being a good president continues to remain low, as was the case earlier this year, a Pew Research Center poll said on Thursday. People protest against poverty at Perk Plaza after a protest through the streets on the first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. [Photo/Xinhua] Just 27 percent of registered voters think Trump would make a good or great president, while 55 percent say the bellicose New York billionaire developer would be either poor or terrible president. Opinions about Clinton are not as negative, but still only 31 percent registered voters say Clinton would be a good or great president. As many as 45 percent voters say Clinton would be a poor or terrible president. Also, the poll found that large shares of voters worry that there is distinct possibility that if elected, either nominee would make a serious mistake that would damage the country, with 55 percent registered voters saying that Trump has a "big chance" and 44 percent saying the same about Clinton. Meanwhile, supporters of Trump and Clinton diverge on how their life has become and where the country is heading for. According to the national poll, Trump supporters overwhelmingly believe that life in the country is worse that it was half a century ago "for people like them," with 81 percent holding such opinion, compared with only 11 percent saying life has gone better. The majority of Clinton's supporters take the opposite view, with 59 percent of them saying that life for people like them "has gone better" over the past five decades. About one in five Clinton's supporters think life has gotten worse and another 18 percent see little change. As to the future generation's prospects, most Trump backers are pessimistic, with 68 percent saying that life for their children will be worse than today. Clinton's supporters hold mixed expectations, with 38 percent being optimistic, compared with 30 percent who say life for the next generation will be worse. Published on 2016/08/19 | Source Added episode 8 captures for the Korean drama "W" (2016) Advertisement Directed by Jeong Dae-yoon Written by Song Jae-jeong Network : MBC With Lee Jong-suk, Han Hyo-joo, Jung Eugene, Lee Tae-hwan, Park Won-sang, Cha Kwang-soo,... 16 episodes - Wed, Thu 22:00 Synopsis A mysterious melodrama about a parallel universe which depicts a man and a woman who live in the same Seoul but in different environments. Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2016/07/20 More Photograph by Ralf-Finn Hestoft In 2005, parents and school officials in Dover, Pennsylvania, were locked in a courtroom debate over a school-board mandate that intelligent design be presented as an alternative to evolution in ninth-grade science classes. The judge in the case ultimately ruled in the parents favor, deciding that the requirement was unconstitutional. Throughout the trial, paleontologist Neil Shubin, Ph.D. 87, Bensley professor in the department of organismal biology and anatomy at the University of Chicago, struggled to remain quiet in his office: on his desk lay the bones of a strange flat-headed, fish-cum-crocodile-like creature-with-a-neck that he and colleagues had found the year before while scraping away at ancient rocks in the Canadian Arctic. Roughly 375 million years old, from the Late Devonian period, the fossilized creature was a genus of the extinct sarcopterygian (lobe-finned) fish that shares several key features with tetrapods (early four-legged animals). In addition to the neck and non-conical head, Tiktaalik roseae, as it was named, boasted expanded ribs and parts of a shoulder, along with webbed finsinside which were also primitive bones corresponding to an upper arm, forearm, and pieces of a wrist. All are explicitly non-fish features. Shubin and other scientists say Tiktaalik helps bridge the gap in our understanding of what changes occurred as sea animals crept ashore, and plays a critical role in understandingand provinghuman origins. During the Dover trial, I couldnt tell anyone apart from colleagues about our find, Shubin says now, with a smile: the news was an exclusive, scheduled to be announced in Natures April 2006 cover story. Most of the nations news media, major publications, and science magazines followed up with articles about Tiktaalik (the word means large, freshwater fish in the Inuktitut dialect of Inuit). Hailed as the fish that crawled out of the water and the missing link, Tiktaalik is by far the most important discovery of Shubins career, which has centered on the evolution of limbed beings. Ive devoted my life to this evolutionary biology stuffI love it, he exclaims. I enjoy going to work because its fun working with worms, fish, and salamanders. I think its beautiful that remedies for the problems we suffer from will be found by seeing pieces of us nestled in the most primitive and humble creatures that live on the earth. Photograph courtesy of Neil Shubin His new book, Your Inner Fish, is an infectious exploration of the 3.5-billion-year history of the human body. It traces our organs back to fossils and prehistoric DNAhow our arm and hand bones came from fins; how our teeth first formed as spiky structures in the mouths of tiny, ancient, jawless lamprey-like fish known as conodonts; and how major aspects of our genome are similar to those of worms. Our ability to talk, for example, depends on the larynx, which is composed primarily of cartilage akin to the gill bars in a fish or shark. Even hiccupsa nerve spasm and inhalation, followed almost immediately (35 milliseconds, Shubin writes) by the hic soundare the product of our shared history with fish and tadpoles, respectively. And the process through which teeth first formed in fishat base, from the interaction between two layers of tissueis the same process involved in the subsequent development of scales, hairs, feathers, and sweat glands. Shubin says he wrote the book to explain his work to his father, Seymour Shubin, who still writes crime novels and thrillers for a living at 87. I gave him the first draft and he said, I dont understand it, Shubin said at a winter reading at Harvard Book Store in Cambridge. He told me, Neil, nobody ever lost money writing a page turner. I said, Dad, Im a scientist. We dont write page turners. But I wrote it over again. And this time he liked it. Your Inner Fish, in fact, is something of an adventure tale. It pulls in the reader even though the Tiktaalik discovery took six years and four often frustrating, error-filled trips into deep wilderness to complete. For starters, there were polar bears, says Shubin, a city boy from Philadelphia. And polar bears eat people. On the groups first expedition to the Canadian Arctic, in 1999which Shubin calls a colossal bad choice all aroundthey took rifles and motion detectors, which they set up in their tents before going to sleep. Not long after, the detectors went off and everyone jumped up, cocked their guns, and raced outside. Nothing was there. This scenario played out at least four times before someone realized that it was not lurking man-eaters setting the detectors off, but ferocious winds. These detectors were made for suburban New Jersey, not the Arctic, Shubin jokes. Youve just got to learn in fieldwork that you never get it just right. That wasnt the first field trip to leave a strong impression on him. As a child, he loved going to museums, especially the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and the Natural History Museum in New York City. In high school, he worked on an urban archaeological site and loved ancient Egypt and Tutankhamen and seeing the past inside the dirt, he explains. Paleontology pulled me into the immediacy of discoveries. If you know where to look, and crack inside the rocks, and find a physical piece of evidence that can change the way we look at our pastthis struck me as very powerful. At Columbia, he majored in biology and anthropology, which led to paleontology and then doctoral work at Harvard. In the 1980s, academic research in anatomy and development focused on the relationships between living creatures and fossils on the cellular level, using embryos. Only a handful of people were doing it, and few as well as those at Harvard, Shubin points out. (This was before new technological tools enabled scientists to work on the molecular level.) His first Harvard-affiliated expedition came in 1983, on the field team of professor of biology and curator of vertebrate paleontology Farish A. Jenkins Jr., who was working in the American West, looking for new sites and early mammals that could help explain how humans developed the ability to chew. Shubin writes that the mammalian method for chewing first emerged in fossil records dating from 225 million to 195 million years ago, in big-headed reptiles that walked on all fours and had bony jaws with teeth that fell out and re-grew throughout their lives. Having finally learned how to spot bones in the dust, mud, and dirt, Shubin grew eager to lead his own trip. He explored 200-million-year-old Connecticut rocks a half-days trip away from Cambridge before expanding to Nova Scotia; ultimately, he found enough bones to fill a few shoeboxes among the sandstone cliffs in the Bay of Fundy. Among them was a significant find: a piece of an early mouse-like mammal with a tiny jaw and a few teeth best seen under a microscope. The remains of this tritheledont, previously linked only to South Africa, showed it had a human way of chewing food. I had an idea for field research and Harvard had the resources to support this independent research, he says. If that hadnt existed, I wouldnt be here talking about all of this today. By now, his main academic interest was the morphology of the tetrapod limb. Working with the embryos of salamanders, frogs, and fish, Shubin wrote his dissertation on developmental biology and the similarities between fins and limbs. He spent the next two years doing postdoctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also met and married geologist Michele Seidl 85 (now director of planning for biological sciences at the University of Chicago). An 11-year stint at the University of Pennsylvania followed. At Penn, and still searching for the origins of limbed creatures, Shubin focused his sights on the already well-studied Catskill Formation of Pennsylvania. In the Late Devonian age, when Shubin and others say some animals were making the switch from sea to land, this region was akin to todays Amazon River delta, he notes, with many streams draining into a large sea where Pittsburgh now stands. In 1993, he and one of his graduate students, Ted Daeschler, began visiting rock zones recently blasted out by the state transportation department to prepare for more roadways. To their surprise, Shubin relates in Your Inner Fish, Daeschler one day found a marvelous shoulder bone that they named Hynerpeton, Greek for little creeping animal from Hyner, Pennsylvania. The two men formed a dynamic partnershipShubin always pushing on to the next target; Daeschler patiently working to examine a given spot thoroughly. In 1998 they were in Shubins office, having an academic argument about the next most plausible search sites, when one of them pulled out a geology textbook to prove a point and found a diagram that stopped them short. It showed three places on earth with known Late Devonian freshwater rocks: eastern North Americahome of Hynerpeton; the east coast of Greenland (where the earliest known tetrapods had already been found); and well-exposed rocks in the Canadian Arctic that, the duo realized, were unexplored. No paleontological field guides existed for that area, but Shubin knew one man who had led previous trips to Greenland and was experienced enough to help them: Farish Jenkins. (Later that day, Shubin adds, he and Daeschler went to a Chinese restaurant where Shubins fortune cookie held this gem: Soon you will be at the top of the world. This slip of paper was taped to his office door for years.) That first outing, in 1999the time of the motion-detector debacle, when terrible weather kept the researchers inside tents for three weeks rereading every book theyd broughtwas on Melville Island in the western part of the Canadian Arctic. They found plenty of fish fossils, but all appeared to be deep-water dwellers, not the shallows skimmers that ultimately crept on shore. The following year, better prepared for five weeks in the wild, Shubin, Daeschler, and their team set up camp on Ellesmere Island, with permission from the Inuit people of the Nunavut Territory. One evening, an undergraduate in the party, Jason Downs, failed to return to the base camp on time. We were very worried, but then he came limping into the cook tent with a wild-eyed stare, like hed been chased by polar bears, Shubin recalls. But we knew he hadnt been, because his pockets were full of bones. That same night, the team spent hours (in the Arctic summer, the sun never sets) documenting the site and gathering fragments. Fast-forward to July 2004. With grant money running out, and the prognosis looking poor, Shubin and Daeschler opted for a fourth and final trip (their third to Ellesmere). Shubin describes cracking ice and rock in the bottom of a quarry one day when he saw a patch of fossilized scales and a jaw-like blob in ice unlike any fish mouth hed ever seen. The next day, while foraging at the top of the same quarry, Shubins colleague and former fellow graduate student Stephen Gatesy, Ph.D. 89 (now a biology professor at Brown), dug out a piece of rock and we realized we saw a flat-headed something, something unknown, Shubin reports. It was a snout sticking straight out from the rock. The team spent the rest of the summer painstakingly chipping away at the rock around the creature so they could wrap up the boulder-cum-fossil and transport it thousands of miles to the lab where, for two months, preparers used dental tools to pick apart the specimen. What was revealed was a creature with eyes on top of its flat head, a neck, upper arm bones, a wrist, parts of a palm, and an elbow joint that Tiktaalik wouldve used to push itself up off the substrate, as if it were doing push-ups, Shubin explains. And it had ribslarger and more expandable ribs than youd ever see on a fish. In short, Tiktaalik is not a random find, he says. It is a piece of the human story. To date, the core research team has found about 20 individualsbased on isolated fins, jaws, and other piecesbut only about four really good specimens. Were the only people working up there and were going back this summer, in July, in hopes of finding more bones, Shubin says. You never know whats going to happen when you get there, because of the weather, but the goal is to go to the original site and work on new areas around it to find slightly younger or slightly older rocks and see if any bones they contain shed light on further developmental changes. The group has found other water-based creaturessome really bizarre-looking armored fish, some eight- or nine-foot-long predatory fish, and some fish as tiny as a fingernail. Shubin is excited that the Tiktaalik find has also inspired other scientists, who are looking at new, undisclosed geological locations for more Late Devonian specimens. We are beginning to unlock the mechanisms that underlie evolutionary change, so we can ask what is the genetic and developmental recipe that built the human, and how is it different from fish? he says. Were at a moment in scientific discovery where we can begin to see that that kind of understanding is possible within our lifetimes, that the basic tool kit and developmental processes are very ancientthat a version of same tool kit that builds a worm builds a human. Its been a remarkable time for paleontology, a very powerful revolution on a lot of scientific fronts. After his talk at Harvard Book Store, the audience asked Shubin questions that ranged from specifics about Tiktaaliks anatomy to his arctic experiences and plans for the future, to his views on intelligent design and creationism. Did he think his discovery would sway religious beliefs? What should teachers say about Tiktaalikhow is it a scientific tool for students? No degree of evidence will shift the views of a creationist, Shubin responded, then added with a laugh, but if, next to my Tiktaalik, Id found a human skull, then that would be truly devastating to evolutionists. What about intelligent design? I dont have time for it because its not testable, its not science, Shubin explained. I have a job to do and thats making hypotheses and going out in the field and finding out if they are true. I became a scientist because I like looking at creatures and discovering new things that tell us about the history of life. ~Nell Porter Brown Flash Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Thursday he stands ready to impose martial law in the country if the crisis in the eastern regions and near the separation line with Crimea deepens. "We don't rule out the possibility of introducing martial law and declaring mobilization if the situation in the east and in Crimea escalates," Poroshenko told reporters during his visit to Ukraine's western Lviv region. Noting that government forces have experienced a "record number" of attacks on their positions in eastern Ukraine last night, Poroshenko said there is a risk that the conflict in the restive region may escalate further. At the same time, Poroshenko stressed that Ukrainian troops are fully prepared to repel a possible offensive. "Our armed forces are ready to resist the enemy in the east of Ukraine, where the rival is occupying Donbas, and along the administrative border with Crimea," Poroshenko said. Last week, Poroshenko has ordered the country's defense and law enforcement agencies to put their units near Crimea and in eastern Ukraine on high alert, as Moscow accused Kiev of plotting terror attacks in Crimea and vowed to take additional measures. Ukraine dismissed the claim, terming the allegations as Moscow's attempt to justify its alleged re-deployment of troops and actions in the region. Crimea, which was previously part of Ukraine, was incorporated into Russia in 2014 following a referendum, which was recognized by Moscow but rejected by Kiev and Western powers. In eastern Ukraine, the fighting between government troops and independence-seeking insurgents has been underway since April 2014. Statehood Day Message from Keli`i Akina Candidate for OHA Trustee-at-Large As an American, I am proud that Hawaii is a state of the union. The 50th state represents our nations breadth and diversity. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, we span the globe, not for domination but for beneficence. What we practice and live within our borders being one nation under God, indivisible - extends across the world with liberty and justice for all. As a Hawaiian, I am proud to be part of the great people of the United States. No other nation could better fulfill the aspirations of Hawaiians as expressed in the 1840 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom: God hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the earth, in unity and blessedness. God has also bestowed certain rights alike on all men These are the values embedded within Americas most cherished document, the Declaration of Independence. In 1959, Governor William Quinn presided over the greatest celebration Hawaiis people had ever seen, following a resounding 93% plus affirmation of statehood by all people of Hawaii. Molokai, with a preponderantly native Hawaiian population, led the way in the vote! Today, we would do well to celebrate again the great union of the United States and Hawaii. Current detractors who seek to undo this union are truly a minority, although a vocal one. I have traveled throughout these islands, visited the Hawaiian Homestead lands, spoken with those who are too shy to go to public hearings, talked with aged kupuna and young workers. The silent, yet vast majority of ethnic Hawaiians, like myself, are proud to be Hawaiian and proud to be American. Thats worth celebrating, and its worth celebrating in the company of all Americans, from multiple ethnic backgrounds, who can all rightly call themselves Hawaiians. With Aloha, Keli`i AKINA - Uniting Hawaii! Kelii Akina, Ph.D. Candidate for OHA Trustee-at-Large CONTRIBUTE TO OUR CAMPAIGN: www.keliiAKINA.com/donate Hawaiis seemingly unsolvable homelessness situation has prompted the Governor to issue a series of emergency decrees. But is homelessness an emergency, and is short-term, emergency action its solution? Dr. Colin Moore joins E Hana Kakou to discuss how politics affect public policy, especially during an election year. * * * * *. The Problem With the Emergency Approach to Homelessness From Grassroot Institute August 18, 2016 On this week's episode of E Hana Kakou, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Colin Moore, Professor of Political Science at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Moore has gained some notoriety for his criticism of Governor Ige's decision to decree a homelessness "state of emergency" in Hawaii. His reasoning, however, is less about the problem of homelessness than it is about the problem of executive overreach. As Dr. Moore explained, our state's homelessness problem didn't arrive out of nowhere. While it has gotten worse in recent years, it is a systemic issue--one that cannot be solved by simply moving the homeless around or creating band-aid solutions to get a few people into houses. And yet, that is the primary approach that we've seen from our political leaders. To truly address the problem will require serious, long-term action, not rhetoric or quick fixes. Unfortunately, most politicians are looking at their next election, not a plan that could require decades to come to fruition. An example of the short-term style of political gamesmanship can be seen in Gov. Ige's declaration that homelessness had reached a state of emergency. In essence, the Governor was saying that homelessness in Hawaii is on par with a natural disaster, such that it requires special executive powers to address. Declaring a state of emergency clears the way for government to act without having to comply with the various rules and constraints that are ordinarily placed upon state agencies. So in a sense, the Governor's declaration was a profound statement about the inefficiency of our state government: the red tape is so bad that we must suspend normal operations in order to get things done. While this may have some nodding in agreement at the problems created by Hawaii bureaucracy, the answer is not to give the executive branch special powers to avoid it. As Dr. Moore observed, the one thing all executives can agree on is that they should have more power. Moreover, subsequent Governors will try to expand the powers exercised by their predecessors. By using the "state of emergency" to address homelessness (and doing it in such a way that it can be extended indefinitely), the Governor is opening the door to a major expansion of executive power in our state. E hana kakou (Let's work together!), Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. President/CEO The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) have expressed their opposition to a union push that would have severe ramifications for employers of casual workers. An upcoming full bench hearing of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) will consider new clauses proposed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). These clauses call for all casual workers to be converted to fulltime employment after six months of regular work. A four-hour minimum engagement period for casuals has also been recommended. The hearing comes soon after a separate FWC decision which saw casual periods of service counted towards redundancy payouts in certain circumstances. It is in the interests of employers and casual employees that the unions claims be decisively rejected," said Innes Willox, chief executive of the Ai Group. If the proposed conversion clauses were accepted, thousands of casual employees would be terminated, he said. If employers were forced to convert casuals after six months of regular employment, the predicable result would be that many employers would ensure that they do not employ casuals for more than six months, or they would outsource or offshore work. James Pearson, chief executive of the ACCI, put the number of fulltime jobs lost at 19,000. If it succeeds, the union claim will cost the Australian economy $3.7b a year, and lead to 19,000 fewer full-time-equivalent jobs, according to modelling carried out for ACCI by a team led by professor Glenn Withers, an economist at the Australian National University, he told The Australian. Willox called the unions naive if they thought employers would simply convert tens of thousands of casuals to fulltime work in the event the FWC approved these clauses. He also criticised the proposed four-hour minimum engagement period, calling it ill-conceived and harmful to workers. Many casuals cannot or do not want to work for four hours, eg school students who work in the fast food industry after school, he said. A four-hour minimum engagement period would be crippling for the aged care and community services industries which provide in-home services for the elderly and sick, and people with disabilities. Finally, he slammed the bogus claims allegedly spread by the unions about the casualisation of the Australian workforce. ABS statistics show that the level of casual employment in Australia is the same today as it was in 1998 about 20% of the workforce. The level of casual employment in Australia has been around 20% for 18 years, with no sign of the level increasing. owners-operators of Mamak Malaysian, an inner Sydney restaurant, have been fined almost $300,000 for underpaying staff and using false records to disguise their actions.At the conclusion of todays legal proceedings, Federal Circuit Court Judge Justin Smith said the operators of the restaurants Haymarket branch had deliberately ignored its legal workplace obligations in order to maximise profit.That approach, of course, was taken at the cost of the employees, who, in reality, funded the success of the business.The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action after an investigation revealed that six employees were receiving as little as $11 an hour. Between February 2012 and April 2015, they were underpaid a total of $87,000.The restaurants owner-operators Joon Hoe Lee, Julian Lee and Alan Wing-Keung Au have been penalised $36,992, $35,360 and $35,360 respectively. The company Mamak has been penalised an addition $184,960.To determine the given rate of pay, the company conducted informal market research to see what other restaurants were paying.They discovered that there were three approaches the first were the star-rated restaurants which paid according to the Award, the second were medium restaurants that followed the Award half the time and the third included small restaurants that just paid illegal rates, Smith said.The trend of other restaurants failing to follow the Award did not excuse the owners of Mamak, he added.The point here is that all of the respondents knew that there was an Award but deliberately chose to ignore it in order to maximise profit.In addition to knowingly underpaying their staff, Mamak also deliberately flaunted the law with regards to their record-keeping practices, Smith said.Mamak has now been ordered to commission a qualified professional to audit pay practices across its other restaurants in Chatswood and the Melbourne CBD as well as a factory in Marrickville where the food is prepared.Researching black market wage rates in an industry is not the way to determine how to pay your staff, Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said. Minimum wage rates apply to everyone in Australia including visa-holders and they are not negotiable.She praised the courts for delivering close to the maximum penalty in this case and for taking the provision of false records to Fair Work inspectors seriously.Cases such as this demonstrate the harm that can be caused when businesses fail to keep records, or provide false records to disguise their deliberate underpayment of staff, she said. The North Carolina FFA held its annual State Leadership Conference August 1-5, 2016 at The North Carolina FFA Center in White Lake, NC. The theme for the Conference was (Im)possible!, implying that nothing is impossible for those who work hard enough to achieve their goals. Four Avery County FFA members participated in this intense leadership conference. There were 230 FFA members in attendance in addition to FFA Advisors, camp staff, state staff, NCFFA State Officers, and a National FFA Officer, Abrah Meyer, from Iowa. The NCFFA State Officers and National Officer led workshops and leadership sessions for all students in attendance. The 2016-17 NCFFA State Officer Team consists of Layne Baker, Sarah Thomas, Katherine Miller, Trey Palmer, Mary Kate Morgan, and Clark Fowler. Each State Officer presented leadership skills, new methods to improve personal growth in FFA, and opportunities for FFA members. Past State Officers participated in the sessions to assist with group activities, techniques, procedures, and project based hands on learning. Abrah, the National FFA officer from Iowa, was the keynote speaker for the final day of SLC. She used personal examples and experiences and inspired FFA Members to realize they can achieve their goals by stepping out and believing in themselves. Avery County FFA Members participating in the State Leadership Conference were Miria Jones, Rylie Daniels, Jared Jaynes, and Dawson Buchanan. Jared Jaynes and Dawson Buchanan represented Avery County and the Northwest FFA region well as regional officers. Jared Jaynes and Dawson Buchanan actively participated in regional officer activities and both were part of the team that placed 3rd in the Parliamentary Procedure competition that took place at SLC. Gretchen Blackburn and Dewayne Krege were the FFA Advisors that had the privilege of attending SLC with these four amazing students and future leaders. The mission of the National FFA Organization is, FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Please contact Mrs. Blackburn or Mr. Krege at Avery County High School to see how your student can take part in future opportunities in the Avery FFA Chapter. We also welcome any and all who would like to partner with the Avery FFA Chapter to insure future students can take part in these activities. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket Inc. magazine has released its 35th annual Inc. 5000 list, an exclusive ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. Western North Carolina-based retail technology firm, ECRS, joins this impressive list for the second consecutive year. The list represents the most comprehensive look at a vital segment of the U.S. economy Americas growing entrepreneurial enterprises. Inc. 5000 described the 2016 list as the the superheroes of the U.S. economy. Americas fastest-growing private companies wield powers like strategy, service, and innovation. I am very proud of the ECRS team and honored to be part of this distinguished and dynamic group for a second year, said Pete Catoe, founder and CEO of ECRS. ECRS will be recognized at the Inc. 5000 Conference and Gala, October 18-20, 2016 in San Antonio, TX. ECRS provides retail success solutions to retailers in grocery, specialty/gourmet foods, natural/organic grocery, and spirits/beverage segments. Catoe founded the company in 1989 as a student at Appalachian State University in Boone. The company is located on Howard Street. The company has enjoyed steady growth and a stellar 2014 2016. ECRS is one of the largest private employers in Watauga County, NC and continues to grow its extensive client-base throughout the United States and beyond. Last year, ECRS and Appalachian State University announced that ECRS would award $90,000 in scholarship funds over the next four years, to incoming Appalachian State University freshmen who intend to major in computer science. Two students will be selected each year for this scholarship, and the scholarships will be handed out in increments of $22,500 each for four years. Learn more at www.ecrs.com. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket On Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016 at approximately 1:00 pm, the Boone Police Department responded to 196 Oak Street, Unit #10, to check the welfare of the resident of that apartment. Officers located a deceased individual inside the apartment. The deceased has been identified as Daniel Lewis Fritz, 27, of 196 Oak Street. Mr. Fritz was a current Appalachian State University student and lived alone at this address. Boone Police Department Investigators responded to the scene and began an investigation. Boone Investigators requested the assistance of Appalachian State University Police Investigator during the initial phase of this investigation. Many interviews were conducted as an investigation of the scene began. Once inside this apartment, investigators located several items that can be used to manufacture the drug known as DMT. DMT is a hallucinogenic drug that is gaining popularity among the college age population of the United States. Investigators stopped their investigation of the crime scene and called the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). The NCSBI Clandestine Laboratory Response Team responded to the scene. As a precaution, the residents of the apartment building were asked to relocate until the NCSBI completed their work at the scene. The NCSBI properly removed all items that could be hazardous to health and the death scene investigation was completed. Investigators have seen no signs of foul play. An autopsy was completed today at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC. Investigators are awaiting the full autopsy and toxicology reports to help determine the cause of death Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket High Country Crime Stoppers and Boone Police seek the publics assistance in solving the following crime: On Aug. 16 at about 9:40 p.m., two black males and a white female gained entry into a register cash drawer, located at Walmart in Boone. The surveillance video shows the one of the male suspects utilizing what appears to be a key to open the cash drawer. He is then seen removing the money bag, containing $926.92 in cash, and placing the bag into a Walmart grocery bag held by the other black male. All three suspects are then observed leaving the store and entering a silver vehicle before leaving the scene. Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 828-268-6959 / 828-737-0125 or the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900. You may also submit a Crime Stoppers Tip via our website at https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtips.aspx?AgencyID=1251 or Text NCTIP plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES). All information will be kept confidential. High Country Crime Stoppers pays rewards for information, which leads to arrests; recovery of stolen property; seizure of drugs and the location of wanted persons. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket Pope Francis voiced his sorrow for the damage done by wildfires raging on the Portuguese island of Madeira, entrusting the victims to the intercession of Our Lady and offering his closeness to their families. In a letter published Aug. 16 and signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope expresses his dismay at the terrible news and asks for his condolences to be conveyed "to the families of the victims." Wildfires on the Portuguese island of Madeira and in Spain have so far killed at least five people, and forced hundreds to evacuate their homes. More than 2,000 firefighters have been sent to help fight the flames. Addressed to Bishop Antonio Cavaco Carrilho of the diocese of Funchal, the letter said that "on the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of the Mount, His Holiness entrusts the diocese of Funchal to the Holy Mother of God so that, with her Assumption into heaven, making herself closer to her children here on earth, she intercedes together with Jesus as a luminous sign of the future life we hope for." Pope Francis asked Bishop Cavaco to convey his "participation in the pain of all those who are grieving, as well as his solidarity and spiritual closeness to those who lost their homes." The Pope also asked for comfort and restoration to the wounded, urging "the courage and consolation of Christian hope for all those affected by the tragedy." He gave special mention of everyone working to combat the fires, and closed the letter by extending his apostolic blessing to those affected. Deputies seize $217,000 worth of pot Henderson County Sheriffs deputies arrested one resident and are looking for another after seizing $217,600 worth of pot at a home on Wednesday. Investigators executed a search warrant for the house at 1003 John Delk Road in Hendersonville and gathered 68 marijuana plants, paraphernalia and marijuana manufacturing equipment, the sheriff's office said. Charged was Shawn S. Hatfield. He faces charges of manufacturing marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for that purpose and conspiracy. He was jailed under an $18,000 secured bond. The authorities are looking for a man they described as co-conspirator, Sonny Roger Roberts, 55, also of 1003 John Delk Road. Roberts has three active felony warrants that include manufacture marijuana, maintaining a dwelling, and conspiracy. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of ROBERTS is asked to contact the Henderson County Sheriffs Office at 828.697.4912 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 828.697.STOP. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation which is ongoing. In a separate and unrelated investigation, sheriffs deputies responding to information that drug transactions were being conducted in a parking lot near Fruitland Baptist Church on Aug. 9 arrested Robin Lyle Estes, 53, of Mills Gap Road. Estes was charged with Possession With Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana, Possession of Firearm by Felon and Maintaining a Dwelling, all felonies. Henderson County drug agents seized 15 ounces of marijuana, 12 firearms and $1,400 cash. Estes has been released on bond. Never Blue chef to compete in cooking Showdown Jesse Roque. Never Blue chef Jesse Roque heads to Raleigh next week to compete in the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Chef Showdown. Roque will be making a dish representative of her restaurant to compete in the Savory category against some of North Carolinas top chefs including Luca Annunziata of Passion 8 (Charlotte), Matthew Krenz of The Asbury at the Dunhill Hotel (Charlotte), Richard Miller, Graze (Winston-Salem), Sam Stachon of Highland Avenue (Hickory), and Matt Tilman of Gallery Restaurant at The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge (Charlotte). Awards will be given in the Savory and Sweet categories based on the use of GotToBeNC ingredients and the most creative presentation. NCRLA will name one participating chef as their 2016 Chef of the Year, and guests will also choose a People Choice Award. A total of 16 chefs are competing. Roque visited Hendersonville 10 years ago and never left. The classically-trained pastry chef opened Never Blue with her husband and artist mother as a cafe/bakery and art gallery, but over the last eight years, the restaurant has grown to a globally inspired tapas hotspot drawing loyal diners from across the Southeast. Roque grew up underfoot in the various kitchens of her friends and family in Tampa where she learned techniques and methods from people that had a genuine love and compassion for food. The Filipino, Greek and Cuban flavors she experienced in her youth permeate her recipes still today. Her first jobs in restaurants started at age 15, so becoming a chef was the logical next step to a career in the hospitality industry. At 21 years old, Jesse packed up her little Toyota and with a map in hand, she headed for Johnson & Wales in Charleston, South Carolina to start her culinary adventures. Three quarters through culinary school, she took a pastry detour. Roque continued to move between chef and pastry chef throughout her career. Highlights include an internship at the famed Fontainebleau Hilton Resort in Miami Beach and classical French, Four Star, award winning restaurant, Le Festival in Coral Gables, Florida. She apprenticed under renowned Charleston chefs Mama Rose Durden at Carolinas, Donald Barickman at both Blossom and Magnolias, and under famed "Rock n' Roll Chef" Kerry Simon at Mercury in South Beach, Florida. She landed the Executive Pastry Chef position at the AAA Four Diamond Charleston Grille inside the Charleston Place Hotel in 1999 working under world renowned, celebrity chef, Bob Waggoner and Michelle Weaver. She later opened Yia Yias Euro Bistro locations for PB&J Restaurants, Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri. After family tragedy, a new start brought her mother to a little house on Never Blue Road in Western North Carolina. Jesse visited her mom and after some soul searching, decided to stay. She called her boyfriend (now husband), Edson, to ask if he wanted to move to the mountains and open a coffee shop/art gallery with her mother. They found a dilapidated building on the south side of Main Street and after a year of construction, Never Blue opened in February of 2008. Like the layers of one of the beautiful paintings of her mothers that adorn the walls, Never Blue has emerged as a dining icon in downtown Hendersonville. Jesse Roque has become a noted chef in the North Carolina dining scene and is known for her seamless melding of flavors and use of local and often unusual ingredients. Her recipes have been featured in Chefs of the Mountains: Restaurants and Recipes from Western North Carolina and Fine Dining: Tennessee Style. She has also been featured in Southern Living, WNC, Charleston Place, Parents and UpScale magazines. She and her husband, Edson, live on a small family farm, which produces eggs, vegetables and unique herbs for the restaurant. On her days off, she homeschools their two girls, Violet and Lily Jo, cans and preserves food stuffs for the restaurant, and enjoys all the beauty and adventures Western North Carolina has to offer. Japan has decided to deploy the new land-to-sea missiles to increase its maritime defense capabilities in the China's growing aggression in the region due to its more aggressive stance in East China Sea. According to Shimbun newspaper that Japan aims to increase preemption with improved long-range strike capability as China repeated acts of provocation around rhe Senkaku Islands. The said new missiles with a range of 300 kilometers will be deployed on islands such as Miyako in 2023. because Japan wans to protect its territorial waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands with the help of its new missile. However the Chinese state media has slammed Japan's decision to deploy missiles to the islands. Global times said that if Japan wants to make trouble with China on the latter's path to the Pacific, then it shouldn't make confusion about the fact that China will limit Japan's waterways in the South China Sea. Japan shouldn't use double standards between the militarization of the Miyako Islands and the militarization of the Nansha Islands the Chinese state media added in an editorial. Japan has been engaged in a bitter maritime dispute with China over the East China Sea. Knowing that Tokyo is also supporting the Philippines in its dispute with China over territories in the South China Sea. Moreover The Japanese government announced lat week that they would provide two patrol vessels and a surveillance aircraft to the Philippines. Two men have been charged with seriously assaulting a man while stealing a woman's car in west Dublin. Eoin Jarvis (24) and Jason Keating (43) are alleged to have unlawfully taken the car while assaulting a man in an incident last month. Judge David McHugh granted them both bail and adjourned their cases at Blanchardstown District Court. They are prohibited from having any contact with the alleged victims under their bail conditions. Mr Jarvis and Mr Keating, both from different addresses at Corduff Grove in Blanchardstown, are charged with assault causing harm to a man and unauthorised taking of a woman's car. The offences are alleged to have happened at Castlegrange Park, Clonee on July 13. Mr Jarvis is further charged with producing a black-handled kitchen knife and metal bar, capable of inflicting serious injury, in a manner likely to intimidate another person. It is alleged he did this while appearing to be about to commit an offence - threatening the man in the course of a fight. This offence is alleged to have taken place at the same time and place. Objection Both men were in custody when they appeared in court. There was no garda objection to bail in either case. Judge McHugh granted bail in the accuseds' own bonds of 100, on condition they sign on daily at Blanchardstown Garda Station between 9am and 9pm and have no contact with either of the alleged injured parties. They must also stay away from a named housing estate. The court heard the prosecution was seeking an adjournment for the directions of the DPP to be made available. This will determine whether the case will be dealt with at district court level or will have to be sent for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where potential penalties on conviction are more severe. The defendants have not yet indicated how they intend to plead to the charges against them and neither man addressed the court during the brief hearing. The charges against the accused are under Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act. The additional charge against Mr Jarvis is contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. For the first time in 15 years, the Chippewa Falls School District will be taking a referendum to its taxpayers. On a 4-3 vote, the School Board passed a $61.2 million resolution that calls for building a new elementary school to replace Stillson Elementary for up to $22 million, $38.5 million for repair and maintenance to all of the district buildings, and another $630,000 to buy land for a future high school. The proposal from board member David Czech was seconded by Pat Allen and supported by Pete Lehmann and Kathy Strecker. Board members Amy Mason, Staish Buchner and Jennifer Heinz were opposed. Czech specified the bond would be spread over 10 years, with the idea that the board would go to the voters at that time to ask for a new high school. Its been a long road, Mason said. Were going to referendum in November. The building plan will go on the ballot for the Nov. 8 general election. A special meeting Aug. 25 will deal with the wording of the resolution. Long and winding road The board went through many twists and turns to arrive at a divided vote Thursday. It had settled on a pair of $115 million proposals one highlighted by a new Stillson, the other calling for a new high school for the public to weigh in on during its June 30 meeting. But on Tuesday, a majority of the board voiced little confidence the public had the appetite for a referendum at that price. The resolution that passed Thursday was for little more than half of that amount. Czech modified that $115 million Stillson plan primarily by cutting the amount targeted for remodels or additions by approximately $48 million, and eliminating a new district office. He had broken down the remodels and repairs to specifically include those earmarked for Jim Falls and Halmstad elementary schools. Lehmann proposed to amend the $16.6 million earmarked for those two schools be merged with the rest of the money tagged for repairs and improvements. Stillson is the oldest of the districts half-dozen elementary buildings, and was built in 1930. It has had six additions, the last in 1994, and among its problems are plumbing issues. It doesnt come back to the fact that I dont want these schools to be in perfect condition any more than you do, Czech said to Buchner, who made the other proposal Thursday. It comes back to what the voters would support, and what we can take care of. If we show we have done well with their money, maybe they will give us a chance in 10 years to do something else. First resolution fails Buchners motion was for a two-part question: a $115 million proposal that included a new high school; and for those who voted yes, a second question for building a new Stillson Elementary for $22 million. Id still like to go for the whole thing, he said. I believe all of these things that have been brought forward are necessary now. This has been going on for 10 years, and nobody wants to make the jump. Why are you afraid of the public? Buchner asked his fellow members. The only privilege Im going to get out of this is higher taxes. Somebody once did this for our kids, and its time to do it for somebody elses. Heinz seconded the motion and cast the other vote in favor, as it was defeated 5-2. Reading all of the feedback and listening to the comments tonight, I believe that is certainly the boldest recommendation, Heinz said. Given a number of comments that a referendum would pass at that level, I think the community needs to have that option. She remarked each of the board members was earnestly struggling to come up with a plan that would address all of the schools needs and gain support. If that couldnt be done to everyones satisfaction, she said it would not be a black eye on the board, and that they should forget about November and take more time to come up with the best plan. Its not a failure to get something on a referendum this November. Its a reflection on our duty to get it right, she added. I personally feel if were not prepared to go with the bold, then this board simply has more homework to do. We would all love to see a $167 million resolution pass, Czech said, explaining the catch was he wants it to pass and did not believe Buchners proposal would. I believe it to be worse for us to walk out of here and do nothing. As he did Tuesday, Buchner referred to the modified proposal as amounting to using rubber bands and Band Aids to address the schools space and building needs: An expensive one, yes, but a Band Aid. Well improve them as we go, Czech responded to which repairs would be made and which would not, before telling Buchner both resolutions were similar, but went about it in different ways. Ultimately, were on the same page, Czech said. Do I believe our 20-year plan includes a new high school? Yes. But ultimately its not as pressing a need as Stillson. Public supports action Prior to the discussion, the School Board heard from six people half who were school employees who were there as district residents. All six encouraged the board to pass a building proposal in some form or another. I know you dont take the decision lightly, Randy Knowlton, the districts building and grounds director, said. However you have the ability to do something momentous here, and that takes courage. Please give us the chance to improve our teaching situation for now and into the future. Ross Spitz said he attended a community session led by Superintendent Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos last week. I had no idea we were in need of so much stuff. The teachers dont complain about it. I wasnt aware of it and I have two kids in school, he said. The high school I graduated from in 1993 had more facilities than the one we have today. I know as a taxpayer a community always does better when the facilities we are allowed to give to our students are top-notch, Sherry Jasper, a counselor at Halmstad Elementary, said. Its important to me that Im able to support the future of our state, so I encourage you to put something on the ballot in November. I value education as much as anybody and trust my two kids to the school district because the people are incredible, said Jeremy Forster. But the buildings are lacking. Please bring us at least something. Bring us a start. By sending a referendum to the voters, the board did that Thursday. Rats pictured near the storage units at the Grange View Road estate in Clondalkin Picture: Frank McGrath The HSE is taking up to four weeks to deal with rat infestations in Dublin housing estates due to a "significant" lack of staff and resources. An estate in west Dublin has been hit with a rat infestation over the last number of days, with residents of Raheen Park in Ballyfermot making complaints to the local authority to eradicate the problem. However, the HSE has stated that it is taking up to a month to deal with such complaints. Pest "The HSE Pest Control Service can confirm that it has received complaints with regard to a rat infestation at Raheen Park Estate, Ballyfermot," a spokesperson said. "The Pest Control Service is experiencing significant resource pressures at present and complainants are being advised that there can be up to a four-week delay in dealing with complaints. "The HSE is prioritising complaints and is endeavouring to respond as promptly as possible," the spokesperson added. A rat infestation previously plagued a housing estate in Clondalkin, where massive rodents swarmed the area. Local councillor Daithi de Roiste called the delay "absolutely disgraceful" and said that people in the area have been prevented from going about their daily business as a result of the problem. "The HSE have allowed a situation to develop whereby, out in the open, there are rats running around. "They're running around where children are playing, where people are trying to go about their daily business. "I will be raising this at the next HSE Regional meeting and call on the Health Minister to get involved in the backlog and fix the problem," the Fianna Fail councillor said. "The fact that there is a wait of four weeks before someone can even come out and look at the problem is not good enough, and this serious health and safety issue needs to be dealt with immediately," Mr de Roiste added. Pat Hickey is wheeled from the Hospital Samaritano in Rio Picture: Sportsfile Pat Hickey was being questioned by Brazilian police last night over his involvement in an alleged ticket-touting fraud after leaving hospital in a wheelchair escorted by police. Mr Hickey, who stood aside temporarily as Olympics Council of Ireland (OCI) president after his arrest in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, was moved from the hospital near the Olympic Park yesterday afternoon. He was helped into a waiting black Ford Fusion car before being driven to the Instituto de Criminalista Carlos Eboli, in the centre of the Brazilian city. Police are now planning to question him about his role in an alleged ticket scam which came to light after fellow Irishman Kevin James Mallon (36) was arrested on the day of the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Games. Mr Hickey is facing three charges: facilitating ticket touting, formation of a cartel, and ambush or illicit marketing. Brazilian detectives say the offences carry a sentence of up to seven years in prison. The OCI last night issued a statement confirming the latest development: "The Olympic Council of Ireland can confirm that Pat Hickey has been discharged from hospital and has been accompanied to a police station to complete a deposition." On Wednesday night William O'Brien, first vice president of the council, vowed to defend Mr Hickey and the association. Defence He told media at the private Hospital Samaritano, after visiting Mr Hickey: "We will defend ourselves to the hilt. That's all I can tell you." When asked about the charges Mr Hickey faces, Mr O'Brien said: "No comment, because as you can understand he is having all sorts of tests inside, so he has made no comment about the allegations. We have really restricted access, that's all I can tell you." Mr Hickey was arrested at the Hotel Windsor Marapendi, na Barra da Tijuca at 6am on Wednesday. The 71-year-old explained he had a heart condition and as a result was brought to the private Hospital Samaritano instead of a police station. He received a number of visitors, including OCI General Secretary Dermot Heneghan, and was 'hooked up' to a number of medical machines and drips according to sources. He was flanked by a number of armed police officers throughout his treatment. Friends could speak to him, but police intervened when visitors attempted to hand him anything or show emails. There was no sign of Mr Hickey's wife Sylviane at the hospital throughout yesterday. A Brazilian legal team arrived shortly before midday. and a lengthy consultation took place inside the hospital throughout the afternoon. Those at the meeting declined to speak to reporters afterwards. Condition Earlier, members of the Brazilian military police were spotted outside the hospital and there was a regular police presence throughout the day. A spokeswoman for the hospital said they could not provide any update on the patient's condition. She would not reveal the cost of Mr Hickey's treatment but added most of the patients have private medical insurance. Mr Hickey is now being questioned at the Instituto de Criminalista Carlos Eboli in downtown Rio. It is possible he will be sent to Rio's Bangu 8 prison, but his lawyers could also request house arrest from a court, which would require him to wear an electronic tag. There are six criteria for house arrest, including being over 80. The only criteria that might apply to him is if he is "extremely debilitated by serious illness" - but that would depend on a medical assessment. There is no deadline on the order against him for his preventative detention, which was issued as police believe it might hinder the investigation if he left the country. In theory he could be detained for as long as criminal proceedings against him, potentially months or even years. His lawyers can request his provisional release at a State court. They can appeal this judgment twice, eventually to a federal court. At a press conference, Mark Adams of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed it has had no communication with Mr Hickey as he is in hospital. Mr Adams claimed the IOC had no details on the charges Mr Hickey may face and he said Mr Hickey was entitled to the presumption of innocence. IOC delegates get up to 900 in expenses for days that they are travelling on official visits. Mr Adams could not confirm if Mr Hickey was still in receipt of these expenses, and said that he would check this. home Tech MacBook Air 2016 rumors: Apple to discontinue MacBook Air lineup? Reports indicate that Apple might ditch its MacBook Air lineup as the tech giant puts more research and development efforts in giving its cousinathe MacBook Pro seriesaa massive design makeover. Speculations are rife over the possible scrapping of the Air series which other tech observers consider as redundant. As noted by Apple Insider, MacBook Air's life is hanging in the balance following the lack of significant updates for quite some time. Moreover, sales of Air devices are also falling way behind MacBook Pro laptops. Apple last upgraded MacBook Air in spring of last year with only a handful of minor under-the-hood tweaks such as the addition of Intel's Broadwell chipset, high-definition graphics 6000 and Thunderbolt 2 display, per Ecumenical News report. In addition, the Cupertino-based tech giant seems disinclined to give MacBook Air a decent retina display upgrade that has long been on consumers' wish list. Moreover, a series of price markdowns on a number of Air notebooks is also indicative of Apple's decision to let the lineup die a natural death. Meanwhile, a number of reports making rounds across rumor land suggest that this year's iterative MacBook Pro upgrade will include the addition of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel to replace the function keys traditionally found on the keyboard, Tech Radar reported. Under the hood, the new MacBook Pro will reportedly run on Intel's sixth-generation Skylake processors. It must be noted, however, that other PC makers like Dell and Hewlett-Packard have already adopted Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake chips, Enstarz reported. As far as the design is concerned, Apple's flagship laptop is expected to sport a slimmer external frame. In another update, Apple's tech sales have decreased by 20 percent across Target's retail chain stores amid a worldwide drop in consumer demand for smart devices. Moreover, there are also worrying concerns over the declining interest in Apple's existing product lineup due to lack of innovation in recent years. Consumers are reportedly holding off buying as they wait for huge iterative upgrades. "Our guests come to us looking for those products. They're looking for the newness and the innovation. We're putting together plans with Apple and our merchandising teams to make sure we're ready to take advantage of that in the back half of the year," said Target CEO Brian Cornell per Bloomberg report. The 2016 IPCPR Trade Show saw Ventura Cigar Company, the premium cigar division of Phillips and King launch its new Archetype brand. While the company opted to partner with Drew Estate for its Archetype Series B line, the company is partnering with another tobacco giant for its Archetype Series A line Davidoff. The Archetype Series A will feature three all-new blends coming from the two countries where Davidoff produces cigars the Dominican Republic and Honduras. Ventura Cigar Company Chief Jason Carignan provided some context on the new brand: The Archetype brand is inspired by the work of psychologist Dr. Carl Jung and the writings of mythographer Joseph Campbell who defined archetypes as the constantly repeating characters who occur in the dreams of all people and the myths of all cultures. Campbell discovered through his study of world myths is that the Heros Journey is a common storytelling arc that has been retold in infinite variations since time began. Cigar smoking is really no different; we gather and we weave our tales as we share a couple of sticks and a glass of fine whiskey. Dreamstate Dreamstate comes from Davidoffs Occidental Factory in the Dominican Republic. It features a Dominican Connecticut wrapper. It is available in three sizes: Robusto (5 x 52, SRP $9.99), Toro (6 x 50, SRP $10.99), and Churchill (7 x 48, SRP $11.99). It is described as a mild to medium offering. Sage Advice Sage Advice also comes from Davidoffs Occidental Factory in the Dominican Republic. This cigar features an NSA and Habano hybrid wrapper featuring what is described as rare, aged tobaccos. The cigar is available in three sizes: Robusto (5 1/4 x54, SRP $10.99), Toro (6 x 52, SRP $11.99), and Gordo (6 x 60, SRP $12.99). This is described as a more full-bodied offering. Strange Passage Strange Passage comes from Davidoffs Agroindustrias Laepe S.A. in Danli, Honduras. This is a Honduran box-pressed cigar described as a multi-dimensional powerhouse that features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. It comes in three sizes: Short Robusto (4 1/4 x 50, SRP $8.99), Robusto (5 1/4 x 54, SRP $10.49), and Toro (6 x 60, SRP $12.49). Photo Credits: Ventura Cigar Company Several of the country's most prominent pro-Israel groups participated in the first Israel Today Symposium designed to educate the Dallas, Texas, community on understanding the complex issues Israel faces. The event, organized by Dallas's Reform synagogue Temple Shalom, drew more than 300 people to hear speakers including Lillian Pinkus, president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC); Charles Pulman, founder of Why Israel Matters; and Daniel Agranov, deputy consul general of Israel to the Southwestern U.S. More than a dozen topics were discussed by experts including the Arab-Israeli conflict, business development in Israel, missile defense systems in Israel, Israeli technology, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) legislation and Christian outreach for Israel advocacy. The BDS panel drew some of the most participants who heard from Max Chamovitz, deputy director of Israel Action Network; Republican Texas Representative Phil King; and Lauren Feibelman, national associate director of Campus Affairs for StandWithUs, among others. "The BDS panel's explanation of what they are doing, particularly on [college] campuses was thought-provoking," Pamela Buckroyd told JNS.org. "They mentioned that one of the challenges is that different pro-Israel organizations on campuses are not united in their approach." "Personally, I think another challenge is simplifying and clarifying the message. People (who are pro-Palestinian, pro-Black Lives Matter and pro-LGBT) do not realize they are boycotting businesses that employ Palestinians, Black (Ethiopian) Israelis, and LGBT Israelis," she said. Texas Rep. King, who spoke on the BDS panel, focused on some of the challenges Texas faces in passing anti-BDS legislation. He plans to introduce an anti-BDS bill in January, similar to what 11 other states have already passed. Ken Glaser, chair of the synagogue's Israel Connection Committee, which organized the Aug. 7 event, told JNS.org why creating the symposium was important. He is also a founder of Temple Shalom that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. "We actually had a mini-version of this limited to just the congregation a couple of years ago," Glaser said. As a member of AIPAC, he found it helpful to model a larger version of the event after AIPAC programs that seek to empower people in their advocacy of Israel. "I wanted to bring something like this to Dallas because not everybody can afford or has the time to go to AIPAC." Various organizations that typically attend national conferences on Israel advocacy sent representatives from the local area to set up booths, signifying that these groups consider the Dallas/Fort Worth community an important region to focus on. Some of the groups included the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and the B'nai Zion Foundation. Glaser said that he hoped to reach the wider non-Jewish Dallas community by offering topics with a "broad perspective of raising awareness of Israel." Joann and Olin Bond, a Christian couple who have visited Israel countless times and advocate for the Jewish state, attended the symposium to learn more about these topics so they can be better prepared to discuss them in their community. "It is always wonderful to see Jews and non-Jews meeting together to find mutual ways to support Israel's right to exist in the land," Joann Bonds told JNS.org. "I especially enjoyed the Ethiopian Aliyah session and my husband particularly enjoyed the session on desalinization." For Joseph Green Bishop, this event was an opportunity to learn more about Israel, it's history and its people. "It is important that all members of the human family respect and grow to love one [another], the symposium was consistent with that desire," Bishop told JNS.org. Bishop co-chaired the symposium with Ken Glaser, who represents a North Texas-based group "dedicated to the advancement of the relationship between the Black American and Jewish communities through dialogue that leads to actions that enhance the entire society," he said. Glaser was pleased that people that he collaborates with outside of Temple Shalom also participated. "It's working," he said. "Bringing this to the community is really what this is all about." Dr. Moshe Pelli, whose name is almost synonymous with the Interdisciplinary Judaic Studies Program at the University of Central Florida, has stepped down as director of the program. However, he is quick to state that he is not retiring. That is one word never to be in his vocabulary-in English or Hebrew. He will remain the Tess and Abe Wise Endowed Professor of Judaic Studies. After taking some time off to study and do research for a book he was finishing this past spring, he returns this fall to the Judaic Studies Program to teach II Semester Hebrew. His decision to step down came about last December, when he notified Dean Jose Fernandez of his plans. "I would like to convey our gratitude to Dr. Pelli for 31 years of service as director and his dedication to the program," Fernandez stated in a memo to the faculty and UCF administration. Interestingly, Pelli did not create the Judaic Studies program. In 1983, a visiting professor set up part of the program while on Sabbatical here. Pelli was selected as the director after a national search in 1984, and further developed the program, adding more and diverse courses. He has a distinguished career, having taught at Yeshiva University, Cornell University, Ben-Gurion University, The University of Texas, Brooklyn College, Melbourne University, and Hebrew University, to name a few. Born in Israel, Pelli served in the Israeli Defense Force as a military correspondent and fought in the 1956 war and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. He came to the States in 1957 and studied at Columbia University and New York University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism. While studying at NYU, he worked at the Histadruth Ivrith of America as the executive director and editor of Hanoar Haivri, the Hebrew Youth Organization and director of the educational program for Hebrew Schools. He earned his doctorate in Modern Hebrew Literature; Jewish Intellectual History from The Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning in Philadelphia. In addition to his academic career, Pelli has published 16 scholarly books on Hebrew Enlightenment, Hebrew culture in America, and literature of the Holocaust, 2 novels, 8 children books, 3 text anthologies, and 15 short stories. He has also reviewed articles and books and given 86 presentations. He has received numerous awards over his career and is listed in many "Who's Who" book in the States, Europe and Israel. It would take a few pages of The Heritage to write about all of his accomplishments and awards. When Pelli requested to step down, he recommended that Dr. Kenneth Hanson be appointed interim director of the program while a national search was made for a permanent director. The search didn't take very long as the perfect fit for the job was Hanson, who assumed the directorship this summer. Hanson came to UCF in 1993 as an adjunct professor in the Judaic Studies Program. After about 10 years, he became an associate professor. He also taught at the Holocaust Center Summer Institute for many years. Hanson earned his degree in Judaic Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and has written five books. (The Heritage had a feature story on Hanson when he wrote his first book, "Dead Sea Scrolls: The Untold Story," in1997). Since then, he has written on Kabbalah, lost books of the Bible and other intriguing and scholarly topics. Charismatic and energetic, he presents Jewish history and culture in a refreshing, engaging fashion. He also has been on several television documentaries, including Ancient Aliens on Discovery Channel, Mysteries at the Castle on the Travel Channel and recently, Banned from the Bible II on the History Channel. Dr. Kenneth Hanson As director, Hanson has already changed things up a bit in the program. Several of the courses are web-based classes. Called the "Steve Jobs of Judaic Studies," Hanson is bringing a touch of humanity to technology (as Jobs did). Already, he has seen dynamic changes in students. "We have 100 percent attention and attendance," he stated about the web-based classes. Mind you, this is not a course that has pages and pages of textbook on the screen that students are required to read-as some online courses are taught. A natural storyteller, Hanson is too innovative for that. The courses have video episodes, with Hanson portraying characters. For an example of his style of teaching, visit his website http://www.treasuresintime.org and see how Hanson makes biblical history come to life. This past summer, he traveled nine countries and was a visiting lecturer at the National University of Ostrvo Academy. While there, Hanson was encouraged that there is hope for the Ukrainian Jewish community. It also encouraged him to take the steps to form a partnership between the UCF Judaic Studies Program and the Ostroh Academy. For information about the Judaic Studies Program, visit http://judaicstudies.cah.ucf.edu or call Dr. Hanson at 407-823-5039. Rabbi Karen Allen of Congregation Beth Sholom in Leesburg will lead a Torah Roundtable discussion on Aug. 25 at 2:30 p.m. at the Sumter County Administration and Library Building (with the golden dome) at 7375 Powell Rd. (near Pinellas Plaza and 466A), Wildwood. The roundtable provides a unique opportunity to talk with the rabbi as she leads an informal and interactive discussion focusing on topics of contemporary Jewish interest. The public is also invited to join us for our Saturday Morning service at 10 a.m. on Aug. 27. A Kiddush with light refreshments will follow the service. The synagogue is located at 315 North 13th Street in Leesburg, with the entrance on Center Street. More information is available on the synagogue website: http://bethsholomflorida.org/ or by calling the synagogue at 352-326-3692. (JNS.org) The International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem and Israel's Foreign Ministry held a seminar on the 1994 Rwanda genocide, whose anniversary took place earlier this week. Several Rwandan genocide survivors were part of delegations attending the seminar. In 1994 members of Rwanda's majority ethnic Hutu government killed an estimated 500,0001,000,000 ethnic Tutsi Rwandans over a period of three months. The seminar at Yad Vashem continues a partnership founded in 2005, when the museum first hosted survivors of the Rwandan genocide who were making efforts to commemorate the genocide. This delegation to this year's seminar met with Israeli Holocaust survivors and learned about the work of the Holocaust Archive and Conservationists, and the Yad Vashem Museum. They also learned how they can use techniques developed at Yad Vashem to build their own memorial to the Rwandan genocide. "Yad Vashem is exactly what we are trying to create," said the head of the Rwandan delegation Gerta Honorah and head of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Yedioth Achronoth reported. The 2016-17 year for Temple Israel Sisterhood will commence with a membership tea held on Sunday, Aug. 28, from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. in a private home. It will be an afternoon of socializing with old and new friends, enjoying "tea time" desserts and, of course, taking advantage of the excellent program to be presented by Penny Polokoff, author of "Conversations With My Daughter," which has been arranged by Michelle Bilsky and Regina Buchanan, co-programming vice presidents. Polokoff, a resident of South Florida, is among the most talented of new writers on the Independent Publishing circuit today. A graduate of Queens College of the City University of N.Y., her series, "Conversations Worth Having," explores relationship dynamics, self-love and intimacy and expresses the unique individual power of tikun olam, the healing of the world both within and outside of ourselves. In "Conversations With My Daughter" she reflects on her conversations, interactions, and experiences with her daughter to gain insight and heal from the past. This book will be available for purchase at the event. In addition, Temple Israel will use this occasion to officially kick off Sisterhood's Book Club group for this year which is being organized by Ellen Calish and Penelope Neely, co-education vice presidents. It will be an opportunity to sign up as a participant, give input regarding this year's reading material, and assist in setting up the 2016-17 book club calendar. Mollie Savage, membership vice president has said, "All women, both members and nonmembers of Temple Israel Sisterhood, are cordially invited to attend this annual opening event by calling the Temple Israel office to RSVP (407-647-3055). Our sense of camaraderie is very special, indeed. Please join us." (JNS.org)Turkey and Israel are reportedly expected to sign a reconciliation deal before September, the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Israel is cooperating with Arab nations, Foreign Ministry Director says Israeli diplomacy with Africa continues, Togolese president visits Israel I think we will finalize the issue before parliaments recess. Israel has met our terms, paving the way to normalize ties. Therefore, we must do this as soon as possible, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters on Wednesday. Conditions of the agreement to restore diplomatic relations were met by both countries last month following a six-year breach in relations, but finalization of the deal was delayed by a failed coup attempt by a faction in the Turkish Armed Forces. Turkish-Israeli ties broke down in 2010 when nine Turkish militants were killed in clashes after they had attacked Israeli commandos who boarded the Mavi Marmara ship that was attempting to breach the blockade on Gaza. As part of the new reconciliation deal, Israel agreed to give $20 million in compensation for the families of the Gaza flotilla incident. When I made aliyah over a year ago, I was warned that it would be hard. With no family here, many people gave me their contact information and an open invitation for any assistance when needed. But for me, for the first year, it really wasnt all that hard. Thanks to a great absorption experience, a steady job and an amazing support system, I felt great about my choice to make aliyah. I didnt need much assistance and had nearly 100 percent positive experiences. That is, up until this week. The pain in my back returned, but this time with a vengeance. Along with it came the healthcare debacle of the decade (at least I hope it only happens that rarely). After sitting in ulpan for five hours per day, the herniated disc in my back, which was healing so well in the U.S., revolted. It got to the point where I wasnt able to sit, stand, or walk without pain. Walking down the street, I relied on my boyfriend to hold me up. Even the elderly people watching me shook their heads in pity as I hobbled with agony. Sadly, that is not an exaggeration in the slightest. So I went back to the doctor I previously saw, the one who scolded me for not speaking Hebrew to him and suggested that I go swimming. Well guess what? He did the exact same routine again, but worse this time. As I limped into his office, this is how it began: Me: Hi, Doctor. Dr.: I didnt call your number yet. Me: Oh, Im sorry. Its up on the screen. Dr.: You need to wait until it beeps! Me: Okay, well would you like me to step out? Dr.: Yes! Go now! [I walk outside and not a whole second passes before he beeps my number.] Me: Was that the beep? Dr.: Yes. Next time, wait til you hear the beep before entering my office. How long have you been here in Israel? Me: A year. Dr.: And you dont speak Hebrew? Me: I do. But when it comes to urgent and important things like health care, I like to speak in my native language. Dr.: Do you know how important it is to speak the language of the place you live? Me: Doctor, as I told you before, I do speak Hebrew and Im still learning. In fact, it was sitting in the Hebrew course that brought back this extreme pain Im in. Dr.: I told you, you need to go swimming. Heres a painkiller. Twelve hours later, I woke up feeling strange. As I stood up, I realized I couldnt stand properly, the room was spinning, and I was very nauseous. Something felt wrong. As minutes passed, it only got worse. I began frantically calling the doctor for suggestions and to make an urgent appointment. But it was very difficult to even dial, and the receptionist seemed to be completely unhelpful and unconcerned that I was having a reaction to the medication. I called a friend who picked me up and brought me to a different doctor. When the second doctor found out how much painkiller the first doctor had prescribed, she was shocked, especially after taking my blood pressure. She told me I am very lucky that I didnt pass out and hit my head, and then sent me to the ER. After a very long day of IVs, tests and pain, I got home just before Shabbat began. One doctor I spoke with told me the drugs were eight times the strength I should have begun with. Another said that he takes half of what I took, and he is more than 200 pounds with three spine surgeries under his belt. Clearly, there was some serious malpractice going on. This whole experience made me very skeptical of the governmental health care. This wasnt the first time Ive had a problem with a prescription, another doctor prescribed me something that was banned in the U.S. due to its adverse side effects. And that automated phone system when you call to make a doctors appointment? Its 100 times worse when you are truly desperate for care. Why was the doctors bedside manner so terrible? But most important, how could this doctor have prescribed me such a crazy amount of painkillers? I felt emotionally and physically abused, and still with back pain. I wanted to be back in the U.S. where doctors were respectful, caring, and most of all, safe. As an eternal seeker of silver linings, Ive learned a lot through this experience. My friend took a whole day to help me get to the doctor and hospital, even paying for my cab rides. She literally held me up and advocated for me in every respect. Another friend called later in the week, recommending a doctor and specialist. I received great advice, even from strangers and professionals who could have easily charged for the time they spent helping me. I received an outpouring of support. Even though the pain is still very much present, my heart has been warmed knowing that even without family here, friends will step in. I now understand the desperation and hardship many people experience when immigrating without family. And most important, I now understand how much it helps to know you are never alone. Eliana Rudee is a fellow with the Haym Salomon Center and the author of the Israel Girl column for JNS.org. Her bylines have been featured in USA Today, Forbes, and The Hill. Follow her column on JNS.org. In late March 2016, Rabbi Barry Silver reached out to his Muslim friends Wilfredo Ruiz (CAIR), Professor Bassem Al-Halabi (ICBR Mosque), Deputy Sheriff Nezar Hamze (CAIR), and former Israeli Army Officer David Shimon to have a panel discussion on Islamophobia, Shariah Law, and Islam on July 20, 2016 at Congregation LDor Va-Dor. All four men agreed to be a part of the discussion. The community responded enthusiastically filling Rabbi Silvers Synagogue to standing room only. The three Muslim leaders were last minute no shows in a shameful and dishonorable effort to derail the event. One week before the event Ruiz of CAIR notified Rabbi Silver he would be out of town and couldnt attend. A day before the event Hamze of CAIR said he couldnt participate because duty may call. Al-Halabi canceled a day before the event without a plausible reason. Rabbi Silver is too much of a gentleman to publicly expose his Islamist friends shameful behavior, but I drove two hours to attend this event and dont take such rude behavior lightly. According to Islamic doctrine, Ruiz, Hamze, and Al-Halabi violated Quran verse Al-Ankabut 26: 46-47 where it is commanded Muhammad and the Muslims behave kindly toward People of the Book (Christians and Jews) and that the commonalities between them be emphasized. Prophet Muhammad never refused those who wanted to meet, speak, or debate him fulfilling his most important mission to convey the book of Allah inviting the non-believers to allah. Not following the example of Muhammad is serious business for most Muslims, except when the nonbelievers are involved. Bassem Al-Halabi Less than two months ago at a Florida Atlantic University Islamophobia panel discussion, Al-Halabi earned the nickname Professor Chop Chop. Professor Chop Chop Al-Halabi said, But if it takes one or two people to have their hands cut off, and then theres no more stealing and theres no more stealing in the whole nationthats a much better resolution than having hundreds of people die every day. Al-Halabi truthfully explained the Islamic law punishment for stealing is the cutting off of hands and feet. He explained how these Islamic public body mutilations are necessary for the government to control the people in Islamic cultures. Professor Chop Chop unknowingly made the case why our Representative Republic form of government and Islamic Law are incompatible. Four Facts Everybody Should Know about Bassem Al-Halabi Fact: June 2003, Al-Halabi was found guilty of illegally shipping a $13,000 thermal imaging device to Syria in 1998, in a violation of United States technology export laws. Fact: Al-Halabi worked closely with and still supports convicted terrorist Sami al-Arian. To this day Al-Halabi will not condemn Hamas as a U.S. designated terrorist group. Fact: Al-Halabi is one of the founding members and current leader at the Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR). From its inception, nothing happens at ICBR without Al-Halabis knowledge. Fact: Under Al-Halabis leadership at ICBR, they accepted a $600,000 grant from the Global Relief Foundation (GRF). The Department of Treasury in a press release states GRF has connections to and provided assistance to the Al-Qaeda terrorist network. WARNING: These Two Al-Halabi Scrubbed Website Quotes Will Shock You The United West research team uncovered a dark and hate-filled window into the soul of Al-Halabi, who thought his ICBR Mosques webpage postings from 1999-2002 were scrubbed from the Internet, never to see the light of day. You wont believe what you read next. On March 5, 2001, under the ICBR website articles tab, a question was asked, Why cant Jews and Muslims live together in peace? Answer: Jews are people of treachery and betrayal; it is not possible to trust them at all... As the Muslims and Jews are enemies residing in opposing religious and doctrinal camps, it is not possible for them to be brought together unless one is made to submit to the other by force... and prevented them (Muslims) from earning a proper living, and carried out chemical and radiational experiments on their prisoners, and taken organs from them (Muslims) for transplant into Jewish patients... and all other kinds of persecutions and atrocities. You will fight the Jews and will prevail over them, so that a rock will say, O Muslim! There is a Jew behind me, kill him! (Reported by Muslim, 2921; al-Bukhaari, 2926). The quotes below are from an April 6, 2001, ICBR website link on their homepage to a Jihad in Chechnya website. Islamic Ruling on the Permissibility of Martyrdom Operations Another technique is for an armed Mujahid (Jihadi) to break into the enemy barracks, or area of conglomeration, and fire at them at close-range, without having prepared any plan of escape, nor having considered escape a possibility. The objective is to kill as many of the enemy as possible, and he will almost certainly die... As for the effects of these operations on the enemy, we have found, through the course of our experience that there is no other technique which strikes as much terror into their hearts, and which shatters their spirit as much...They have also become occupied with trying to expose such operations before they occur, which has distracted them from other things. Praise is to Allah. The tactics exposed above by Al-Halabis approved website link, are what we saw take place in the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting; San Bernardino attack; German mall shooting; Nice attack; Charlie Hebdo; Garland, Texas; and the 84-year-old UK Catholic priest beheaded inside his church during mass, to name only a few. The words and deeds of Bassem chop chop Al Halabi fit a disturbing pattern of behavior, supporting the Global Jihad Movement, that should make any DHS and FBI profiler concerned. The next logical question is, how much of this Jihadi ideology was taught to ICBR Mosque members, their children, and people unknown to the present day? Nezar Hamze At the Florida Atlantic University Conference on Islamophobia, Rabbi Silver asked Al Halabi to find another panelist for his sequel Islamophobia event at his synagogue on July 20, 2016. Al Halabis go-to man was Deputy Sheriff Nezar Hamze. Planning emails between Rabbi Silver, Wilfredo Ruiz, Al-Halabi, and Hamze began. Open source information on Al-Halabis ties to Islamic terrorism is troubling to even the most casual observer. The Broward County Sheriffs Department and DHS, should be looking closely at the Al-Halabi/Nezar Hamze connection with professional interest. Hamze is a paid leader of the Council On American Islamic Relations (CAIR) South Florida office. Some National Security experts believe Hamzes dual roles as a cop and Islamist activist present a troubling conflict of interest. In a Dec. 15, 2015, article, titled FBI Chart and Documents Portray CAIR As Hamas-Related Organization, Jordan Shachtel writes, In 2007, CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) trial, a Hamas financing case that would result in the FBI ceasing its working relationship with CAIR. The HLF trial was the largest terror-financing case in American history. In 2008, during a retrial of the HLF case, an FBI special agent labeled CAIR as a front group for Hamas during her trial testimony. In 2010, a federal judge reiterated that his court had ample evidence that CAIR was involved in a conspiracy to support Hamas. CAIR, which relies upon millions of dollars in Saudi cash, was recently listed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a terrorist organization. Al-Halabi and Hamze would appear to be terrorists based on the organizations they are affiliated with. Wilfredo Ruiz Ruiz was a Navy JAG officer from 1993-1997, later transitioning into the Navy Chaplain Officers program. Sometime in 2003 Ruiz reverted to Islam. Islamic doctrine teaches that every person is born Muslim and reverts back to their Allah-given natural state, a Muslim. Ruiz embraced his Islam by becoming active in both Hamas-supporting groups AMANA (American Muslim Association of North America) and CAIR. Joe Kaufman writes, In one article previously found on Ruizs AMANA website, it is stated, Every believer [Muslim] should firmly believe that the Jews and Christians are kuffar [infidels] and enemies of Allah, His dean, the Prophet Muhammad, and the Believers... The efforts to gain the friendship of the Jews and Christians are useless, as they will never be pleased with the Muslims until the Muslims follow their religion. Rabbi Silvers Panel Discussion on Islam All three of these men, Ruiz, Al-Halabi, and Hamze made a promise to participate in Rabbi Silvers panel discussion, representing the Islamic perspective. Deputy Sheriff & CAIR Leader Nezar Hamze called Rabbi Silver a day before the panel discussion and canceled with a snarky comment that duty calls. Bassem Al-Halabi cancelled the day before without even a good explanation except he will try to make it. CAIR Leader Ruiz at least gave Rabbi Silver a weeks notice saying he would be out of town. Ruiz, Hamze, and Al-Halabi are hypocrites according to Muhammad. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) is reported to have said: Three traits make man a hypocrite even if he prays and fasts: Betrayal of trust, lying and non-fulfillment of promise.[al-Kafi] Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) also remarked, Do not make a promise that you are not confident of fulfilling. [Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 10297] Islamic traditions comment further, Non-adherence to ones promise shall cause one to become hated, its burden shall remain upon his neck like a necklace till the Day of Judgment and Allah shall cause the persons enemies to gain ascendancy over him. Lying To Further IslamHere is where the duality of Islam comes into play. Taqiyya or lying to further the cause of Islam is an acceptable practice in Islamic doctrine and theology. The information presented above is so powerful, that if made public in a forum type setting, it may have been a factor in Ruiz, Hamze, and Al-Halabi not appearing at a public discussion they had help plan two months earlier with Rabbi Silver. I dont believe Ruiz, Hamze, and Al-Halabi are ashamed about being cultural terrorists and terrorist sympathizers. They are only ashamed when that information is made public. The two ICBR webpage samples presented in this article are not compatible with our Constitution and Rule of Law. Worse still is that Al-Halabis scrubbed web-pages are an incitement to violence and promotes a dark hatred of Jews and Christians. Ruiz, Al-Halabi, and Hamze are wolves in sheeps clothing. They are not a part of the solution but a part of the problem. The facts have been presented to you. Verify the information for accuracy, as you should all be informed. Knowing the truth can be a burden as you look and analyze the world around you. God Bless America and God Bless Our Troops. By Gideon Aronoff, Ken Bob, Josh Weinberg and John Rosove NEW YORK (JTA)As progressive American Zionists, we take seriously the critique of Israel and Zionism by professors Hasia Diner and Marjorie N. Feld, contained in their Aug. 1 Haaretz article, Were American Jewish Historians. This is why weve left Zionism behind. However, unlike them, we affirm progressive Zionist values. And those values mandate activism in order to ensure that Israel is both a democracy and the national home of the Jewish people. The difference between us and professors Diner and Feld is that we continue to believe in the Zionist enterprise and the viability of the state of Israel, despite troubling trends: the rightward turn of the Israeli government; the corrupting influence of the nearly 50-year Israeli occupation of the Palestinian people in the West Bank; the growing messianic nationalism of the settler movement; the ultra-Orthodox influence on the Israeli government and its control over Jewish religious life; the second-class status of Palestinian Israeli citizens. We have a duty as Diaspora Zionists to critique Israeli policies whenever we believe that the State of Israel violates Jewish and democratic values as articulated in Israels Declaration of Independence. For us, Jewish nationalism cannot be the sole objective of Zionism. Rather, Zionism and the Jewish nation is a means towards the perfection of the Jewish people and the world (tikkun olam). Since its establishment, Israel has meant many things to many people: a haven from persecution, a catalyst for Jewish renewal and a place where the rhythms of civic life are Jewish rhythms. We regard the State of Israel as the Jewish peoples laboratory of Jewish ethical living, one that has seen unparalleled achievements and successes, as well as considerable deficiencies and failures. We regard the founding of the state as a consummate historic opportunity, to test the efficacy of Jewish ethical values, institutions and the diversity of Jewish peoplehood all while holding onto political power as a sovereign state. Sadly, the professors base their argument on the highly reductionist notion of Judaism as simply a religion, and they even seem to breathe life into the 40-year-old defamatory attempt to label Zionism as racism. They suggest that it was Israeli homogenization that led to the demise of Jewish communities around the world, as if the great holy communities of Warsaw, Vilna and Krakow would somehow be intact today if it werent for... Zionism. They also deeply oversimplify the reality here in the U.S., with its religiously neutral environment. America, and American Jews, have championed the Goldene Medinahthe Golden Landas the great melting pot and exalted land of assimilation and acculturation. But today, Jews throughout the U.S. struggle with the challenge of balancing the benefits of American religious freedom while responding to communal trends in which Jews struggle to find connections, meaning and relevance in being Jewish. As Zionists, Israel is the center of global Jewish life, and, it is important to recognize, it has managed to create a vibrant and creative Jewish society with a rich and incredibly ethnically diverse Judaism. Yet, Diaspora Jewry is a partner in assuring Israels viability as a democracy and a Jewish state, and its security as a sovereign nation. Our role in the Diaspora is different than that of Israeli citizens, but it is no less important. Indeed, our two centers need each others wisdom and support. Professors Diner and Feld seem to have been defeated by their mythic understanding of Zionism and Israel. Though there is merit to their legitimate concerns about the other and what Jewish nationalism must do to include non-Jews as equal citizens in the state, it is unfortunate that they are turning away from Zionism altogether. Their relationship with Israel seems to be conditional. We would like to suggest an unconditional relationship to Israel. That means, like family, when we see troubling trends and abhorrent behavior, rather than disavow the entire enterprise, we prefer to roll up our sleeves and get more involved. They are right that the Palestinians are entitled to empathy, justice and redress. Israel cannot continue to occupy another people and remain true to its democratic and Jewish values. The only way to preserve Israel as a Jewish state and a democracy is for Israel and the Palestinians to enter into negotiations leading to two states for two peoples. Similarly, Israeli Jews and Diaspora Zionists must actively engage non-Jewish Israelis to address the real tensions within Israels identity as a Jewish and democratic state. Making Israel both more democratic and more Jewish is a serious challenge, but it is the essential struggle of Zionism. And as we reject Professors Diner and Feld when they give up on Israel as a Jewish state, we oppose Israelis and other Jews who take actions that threaten Israels essential nature as a democracy. Ultimately, our vision of progressive Zionismwhich is embodied in the Israeli Declaration of Independence and the Zionist movements Jerusalem Programis one grounded in hope and action. And we will continue to strive to fulfill this vision to ensure a just, secure and peaceful future for all Israelis, and an Israel that can be a dynamic inspiration to Jews around the world. Rabbi Josh Weinberg and Rabbi John Rosove are the president and chair of ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America. Gideon Aronoff and Ken Bob are the CEO and national president of Ameinu. This domain has expired. If you owned this domain, contact your domain registration service provider for further assistance. If you need help identifying your provider, visit https://www.tucowsdomains.com/ Our democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned soon after coming to office, will not sustain if we cant guarantee freedom of speech and expression. Importantly, it should be noted, that it is not just the freedom to voice conformist views it is also the freedom to express views that are unpopular, critical, or even offensive. This is why the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and has signed up to a number of international human rights treaties. In India, those protections flow from a proud tradition of pluralism and debate. When that tradition has been broken with, such as during the notorious Emergency, it leaves an indelible mark on the countrys history. Sadly, the threats to that tradition are still with us today. In the name of protecting the nation, they imperil Indias identity by endangering pluralism and shutting down debate. The charges of sedition levelled against the Amnesty International India staff are merely the latest in a series of assaults on long-cherished freedoms. Earlier this year, it was the students at JNU who were hounded and vilified before being arrested for sedition. Days later, SAR Geelani, a former Delhi University lecturer, was also arrested under this crude law that was once favoured by the British Raj as a tool to silence the movement for independence. In the first three months of this year, 19 people reportedly faced sedition charges. For years, there have been constant and widespread assaults on peaceful civil society organisations. The irony is that the very people who boast a fiercely independent identity are so beholden to colonialisms tainted legacy. No staff of Amnesty International India was involved in the alleged anti-national sloganeering at an event on human rights violations in Kashmir. We are an independent human rights organisation that campaigns all over the world for states to comply with international human rights laws and, accordingly, do not take a side on questions such as self-determination in a given context. But if others were involved in the alleged sloganeering, their human right to do so must be protected, as is made clear in Indias Constitution. Read | Centre likely to deny Amnesty permission for opening South Asia hub in India The same right applies to the ABVP, the youth organisation that filed the original sedition claim against us. We absolutely supported their right to protest peacefully against us. But the attack on our office in Bengaluru on Friday is an unconscionable act. We will not tolerate any threats against our staff, or be cowed by attempts to shut us up or to delegitimise our human rights work. Read | ABVP students protesting against Amnesty lathicharged in Bengaluru Amnesty International is not new to controversy. We have been attacked by numerous governments for documenting human rights violations. As the Nobel Peace Prize Committee noted in 1977 when it presented Amnesty International the award, the organisations great and ambitious goal is to contribute to the implementation, in every country, of the principles of the Declaration of Human Rights. We are not always popular in that pursuit. The hostility the organisation is currently facing is reminiscent of some reactions we have faced from many other countries. For example, from critics in Pakistan when we publicised its record as the third most prolific executioner in the world, and denounced its government for failing to reform its own colonial-era laws, such as on blasphemy. Or when we called for accountability of the Pakistan military for its record in Baluchistan, including secret detentions, torture, unlawful killings, mass graves, and enforced disappearances. However, there are also times when the mood in Pakistan has been more sympathetic, such as when we criticised the unlawful killings that the US carried out through drone attacks, some of which possibly amounted to war crimes. The report was consistent with our work on violations of international humanitarian law by US forces in Afghanistan. Read | Space for civil society and dissent in India is shrinking: Amnesty India chief In June, we also said that the US had failed to halt the transfer of arms for use in Yemen despite mounting evidence of war crimes. Saudi Arabia, which is leading the military coalition in Yemen, has also taken strong objection to our work. The UNs credibility, we said, was at stake if it continued to have Saudi Arabia on the Human Rights Council without a credible and impartial investigation of its human rights violations in Yemen. But we did not just focus on the Saudis in Yemen. In a report published this May, Amnesty International detailed how Houthi forces the focus of Saudi Arabias war have presided over a brutal and deliberate campaign targeting their political opponents and other critics. Judging by the favourable coverage the report received in the Saudi press, it is fair to say that even Saudi Arabia finds it possible to appreciate Amnesty Internationals work. As the report on the Houthis shows, we do not just focus on states. Amnesty International always and absolutely opposes attacks by armed groups against civilians around the world. Over recent months, amid a wave of horrific and unconscionable violence, we have condemned attacks by armed groups in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, France, Belgium, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Nigeria, Cameroon, Thailand and other countries. Read | Charities alarmed over closure of Amnesty offices, ask govt not to be like China In India, we uphold the same principles. In our 2015 report on Kashmir, we criticised the authorities for human rights violations committed in Kashmir under the Armed Forces Special Power Act, including unlawful killings and enforced disappearances. And, in the same report, we pointed out how the Kashmiri Pandit community has witnessed a number of attacks by armed opposition groups that led to hundreds of thousands fleeing the valley. We make no apologies for standing up for human rights everywhere, including India. Human rights do not stand in the way of Indias ambitions. Indeed, human rights are an inherent part of these. Read | You cant bring every criticism under the ambit of sedition Champa Patel is South Asia director, Amnesty International The views expressed are personal The Congress, it seems, is once again relying on the tried, trusted and failed yatra politics to recapture Uttar Pradesh in the next years assembly elections. The party is planning an exhaustive campaign yatra that will take two groups of leaders to 66 districts in 50 days from Sunday. With poll strategist Prashant Kishor handling the partys campaign plan for the 2017 assembly elections, Congress leaders from the countrys most populous state were hoping him to bring fresh ideas to the table this time and avoid failed strategies of the past. We thought there will be out-of-the-box ideas this time, but it is like selling old wine in even older bottles, said a UP Congress leader who refused to be named. The state has 403 assembly constituencies (besides one member nominated by the governor) across its 75 districts. Though the yatra politics is yet to provide electoral benefits to the Congress, party strategists involved in the poll campaign claim such programmes help create a buzz about the party that is struggling to revive its political fortunes in Uttar Pradesh after being ousted from power in 1989. In 2002, the party organised parivartan yatras (marches for change) from six parts of the state: Deoband, Lalitpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ballia, Varanasi and Deoria. Senior leaders, including Sheila Dikshit, Ashok Gehlot, Digvijaya Singh, Ajit Jogi, Subodh Kant Sahay, Choudhary Birender Singh and Mukul Wasnik, were given the charge of different zones. The yatras were much hyped, but they failed to moblise the masses into the partys favour and translate them into votes. The Congress ended up with 25 seats that time. While Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad was then the general secretary in charge of UP, Sri Prakash Jaiswal headed the state unit. Again, in a year ahead of the 2007 assembly elections, Congress state chief Salman Khurshid launched a Jan Vishwas Yatra. That, too, failed to help the party reap electoral dividend. Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot was then the party general secretary in charge of UP. The Congress bagged 22 out of 403 seats. Rahul Gandhi led the partys 2012 poll campaign from the front, addressing 211 public meetings across the state in just 45 days. The Congress failed to cash in on the Nehru-Gandhi family scions high-voltage campaign; the party won just 28 seats. Gandhi had then kicked off his campaign with a Kisan Sandesh Yatra from Bhatta and Parsaul villages in Greater Noida. While Digvijaya Singh was then the general secretary, Rita Bahuguna Joshi headed the state unit. The failure to translate the crowd into votes has often been blamed on the weak organisational strength in the politically important state. This time too, Azad, who again holds the charge of general secretary, claimed impressive crowd response to the first phase of campaigning. It started with a three-day bus yatra from Delhi to Kanpur on July 23, followed by a workers meeting at Lucknow on July 29 and a road show by party chief Sonia Gandhi in Varanasi on August 2. It is difficult to maintain the momentum till the end, another leader said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The 11th G20 summit and the 8th BRICS summit will be held in the near future in China and India respectively. From whatever perspective, the two summits are held at the right time and right country. More than eight years since the international financial crisis, especially since this year, world economic growth has been sluggish. American economic growth in the first half of this year was far lower than expected and some emerging markets are still in recession. The whole world is worried about the direction that the economy is moving in, whether there will be more Black Swan events like Brexit. Asia is emerging as a new centre of global economy. China and India are now the second and the seventh largest economies in the world, whose growth rates rank the first and second among the major economies; their contribution to the world economic growth rank the first and the third, respectively. When Asia, especially China and India, have become the major engines of the world economy, the two upcoming summits in Asia will naturally draw the attention of the whole world. Read | The Dragon does not come bearing gifts Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province of China, is the host city of G20 summit 2016. President Xi Jinping has made it clear that Chinas general themes when hosting the summit are innovation, reform and development. Under the theme Toward an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy, the Hangzhou Summit is likely to achieve nearly 30 major results. In terms of the general direction, the summit will forge a new impetus to promote robust, sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy through advocating innovation. It will come up with new proposals to resolve the various difficulties faced by current economic and financial sectors through advancing structural reform. It will also explore new prospects in leading the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through enhancing development cooperation. At present, the preparatory work of the summit has been basically completed. It is believed that Hangzhou summit will strengthen the economic cooperation among the G20 members, as well as between the developed countries and the emerging market countries. It will promote the transition of the G20 from a crisis responding mechanism to a long-term mechanism of global economic governance, which will bring confidence and hope to the weak world economy. Read | Indian media stirring up negative sentiments about China: State media In the view of a Chinese diplomat, there are some significant aspects to the BRICS summit to be held in Goa. First, it shows that the BRICS countries will unite and plough though the waves, regardless of the negative voice toward BRICS. The Goa summit is focused on development, digitisation, urbanisation and the peoples livelihoods, including areas like agriculture, services, trade, customs, science, technology, drug control and health, which is in accordance with the development levels and needs of the BRICS countries. Taking the smart city push as an example. China, India and South Africa are in the process of rapid urbanisation. The BRICS summit will help its members achieve progress. Besides, the Goa summit will certainly put forward good proposals on tackling common challenges and promoting the development of the BRICS countries, as well as improving global governance. Cheng Guangzhong is minister counselor, the Embassy of China, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal. In 2016, Waris Shahs Heer completes 250 years. Heer, as you might have guessed, is the protagonist from the legend of Heer-Ranjha, a story we have heard in songs, read in books or seen on the silver screen. Sayyed Waris Shah, as the 18th century Sufi poet was known, composed the most popular rendition of the epic love story of Heer-Ranjha. Not much is known about Waris Shah. The story, however, goes like this and is mostly told by Shah in Heer itself. It was the year 1766, in ancient Malka Hans, a historic town in Punjab (that lies in todays Pakistan), and Waris Shah was a man presumably in his 40s, living in a room next to a mosque. He was an outsider. He writes: Waris Shah vasneek Jandialray da. Waris Shah is a resident of Jandiala Sher Khan, a small village in Sandal Bar, also in Pakistan now. So, why did this stranger from Sandal Bar choose to stay in Malka Hans? No one knows, says Lahore-based poet Mushtaq Soofi in a tribute to Shah in Pakistani newspaper Dawn; all we know is that he was a learned man, had paid his homage to the great Sufi saint Baba Farid Shakarganj and was often seen writing. In 1766, he finished composing the tragic story of Heer Sial, poisoned by her family for wanting to marry Dheedo Ranjha against their wishes. The 18th century Sufi poet Waris Shah, as imagined by Chughtai. (Courtesy Chughtai Museum, Lahore) What Waris Shah wrote 250 years ago in a small village has stood the test of time. Rather it has proved to be the best creative expression of Punjabi genius, writes Soofi. To celebrate this, as Hindustan Times had reported earlier, several programmes have been planned across the world. UKs SOAS South Asia Institute will hold a discussion on the significance of Shahs work next month, while Panjab Universitys Department of Indian Theatre has planned a grand revival of its play Heer this year. There has also been a demand for a celebratory Indo-Pak literary event at Shahs tomb at Malka Hans in Pakistans Pakpattan district. In the capital, a music festival will bring the audience closer to the verses of Heer. The two-day festival will focus on the richness of traditional folk melodies as well as more recent interpretations of the story to an urban audience. Day one will bring together four musicians of Chaar Yaar: The Faqiri Quartet, and day two will be star-studded with performances by Rabbi Shergill and Jasbir Jassi. Read more: 250 years of Waris Shahs Heer: Writers, artistes set to celebrate epic In the 18th century, there was widespread political turmoil in the region. Two of these transgressive poets happen to be from that time Bulleh Shah and Waris Shah, said Chaar Yaars Madan Gopal Singh, who credits the poets for breaking away from perceived norms. Singh also feels that the story of Heer-Ranjha is a kind of reworking of the Radha Krishna myth. There is this flute player, who meets Heer and her 60 friends on a river bank and he falls in love with her and so on. This is also, in a way, a celebration of the point where religious boundaries are blurred, says Singh. Waris Shah wrote 250 years ago in a small village has stood the test of time and has proved to be the best creative expression of Punjabi genius. (Courtesy Chughtai Museum, Lahore) Historian Fatima Hussain had written in an article that Waris Shah borrowed the plot of Heer-Ranjha and restructured it . There are earlier versions of Heer written by Punjabi poets Damodar Das (around the time of Akbars rule), Ahmad Gujjar and others. However, it is Waris Shahs work that stands out. Apart from the literary merit of his poetry, Heer meticulously documents anthropological details of that era, its language and customs. In their 250 years of existence, Shahs words have transcended generations and cultures. When poet Amrita Pritam wrote about the horrors of partition, she addressed these lines to Warish Shah: Today, I call Waris Shah, speak from your grave And turn to the next page in your book of love Once, a daughter of Punjab cried and you wrote an entire saga Today, a million daughters cry out to you, Warish Shah, Rise! O narrator of the grieving! Look at your Punjab, Today, fields are lined with corpses, and blood fills the Chenab What: IHC Lok Sangeet Sammelan When: 7 pm, August 21 and 22 Where: The Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road Call: 24682002 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Why did Laxman Shreshtha, one of Indias greatest contemporary artists, choose a reclusive existence? At 79, he opens the doors to his bungalow. Heres what he has to say about the family that never accepted his profession, friends Husain and Gaitonde, learning about wine from Raza Laxman Shreshthas bungalow in Khar is an unassuming, two-storeyed structure. Inside is a simple living room with white walls, a coffee table, and white couches. A TV in the corner has DVDs stacked below it, from Die Hard to Ingmar Bergmans Autumn Sonata; and there are shelves of well-thumbed books (Herman Hesses Demian to Leo Tolstoys stories). The walls are lined with Shreshthas early figurative work, as well as abstract art by wife Sunita. Read: Coming full circle: SH Raza on making art at 94 and the bindu motif Dressed in a striped blue shirt and black trousers, the artist looks younger than his 79 years. He is easy to recognise from the jet black, long hair that has been a constant. But age is catching up, he says. Just a day before, he had to visit the doctor for an ache in his hand, caused by a lifetime of lifting heavy canvases. Laxman Shreshtha, Intent, oil on canvas (1963) (Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation ) The better half Shreshtha continues to paint daily, but has cut down on the hours from six to three, he says. The painting sessions are interspersed with coffee and juice breaks with his wife. Laxman and Sunita met at the Sir JJ School of Art where she was his junior; they have been together for more than five decades now. Read: Gallery: The best of artworks and archival photos of Laxman Shreshtha She is the only one allowed in my studio. She can look at what I paint but cant comment, he laughs, admitting that their different natures helped sustain their relationship. Many of our painter friends separated. If both the partners are intense, its tough. My wife paints for herself; few know about her work, he says. Laxman Shreshtha, Painting III, oil on canvas (2005) (Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation ) Alone by choice His friend, the late MF Husain, was always in the public eye. In contrast, little is known about the Nepal-born Shreshtha. In fact, after 2008, the artist has not had a single solo show. Shreshtha says the onus lies on others: Museums or curators should show my paintings. Let them organise my exhibition. I have done my work, he says. The Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation has stepped up to the task. Their upcoming retrospective, Laxman Shreshtha: The Infinite Project, features 49 works from their collection. Divided in two parts, the exhibition showcases his early figurative works (from 1963) and the various phases of his abstract work up to 2008. Laxman Shreshtha, Untitled, oil on canvas (1994) (Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation ) While he is famed for his large, abstract canvases, Shreshtha started as a figurative artist. I went to abstract art through landscapes. Maybe I missed the mountains of Nepal or the expanse of the Himalayas. I thought that could be captured only on a bigger space, and thats why I started painting large canvases, he explains. Shreshtha is known to be reclusive, something he attributes to the discipline required to be an abstract artist: Abstract is the end result of painting. The tendency of an abstract artist is to be reticent. Reading, listening to music, silence are the main ingredients. In silence, you find what you have been searching for, he says. Untitled, oil on canvas (1984) (Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation ) But Shreshtha used to be a lot more social till the 80s. At the peak of my career, I would attend dinners and cocktails almost every day. But the deeper meaning of life eluded me. It used to make me restless, he says. He shared his crisis with his friend, abstract artist (late) VS Gaitonde, who gave him Nisargadatta Maharajs book, I Am That. He met the seer and seemed to have found the answers he wanted. I was born boisterous and colourful, but [afterwards] I became quiet and withdrawn. My paintings, and my lifestyle, changed, he says. Friends, old and new While many of his artist friends have passed away MF Husain, SH Raza, Gaitonde Shreshtha remains pragmatic. I never go for condolence meetings, but I remember them with affection, he says. The memories he retains are of happier times, of when Raza taught him and Sunita to enjoy wine in France, or times spent with artist Prabhakar Barwe, chatting on the lawns of Sir JJ School of Art. He has friends among todays popular artists as well: the likes of Jitish Kallat and Bose Krishnamachari. They sort of grew up here, and they would pack my paintings when I had an exhibition, he recalls. An archival photo of Laxman Shreshtha (Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation ) Other passions There is music playing all the time, from the time I am awake, says Shreshtha, who listens to classical (western and Indian) and jazz. When he needs quiet, he spends five to six hours reading. I am curious, and want to find myself. When I was younger, I would read the Upanishads and Buddhist philosophy, he adds. His choice of movies range from art house, by Francois Truffaut, to popular Rocky and Rambo films. When confronted with questions while painting, he turns to movies: I do something serious upstairs. When I struggle to get the answers, I feel like I will tear the canvas. So I watch a film and go back a different man, he says. Laxman Shreshtha, Untitled, oil on canvas (1975) (Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation ) Back in time While his works now sell for lakhs of rupees at auctions, Shreshtha struggled early in his career. He recounts how he survived on scholarships as a student and, after his education, found few takers for his art: Artists like Husain and Raza were stars. When I returned from Paris, nobody wanted my paintings. Identity was a concern: how to ascertain that we are Indian painters without painting exotic imagery or copying Western artists. Shreshtha may be a legend now, but he feels his family tolerates him. When I told them I wanted to paint, no one spoke to me. In 1959, a painter in Nepal was like an untouchable. So I ran away and came to Bombay. Even now, I visit them, but stay in a hotel. They think Im useless, he says. At 79, Shreshthas plans still involve travelling (hes lived in New York, Paris, Berlin, among other cities) and, of course, painting: As an artist, there is no retirement. If your fingers are running, you can paint, he says. An archival photo of Laxman Shreshtha painting a canvas (Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation ) Wall of fame >1957-62 Completes his Diploma in Painting at Sir JJ School of Arts > 1964-67 Wins the French Government Scholarship to Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts and the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere, Paris >1966 Wins the Prix d Honneur, International Art Exchange Exhibition, New York > 1970 Studies at Central School of Art & Craft, London with the British Council Grant > 1971 Given the IVP Grant by the US government to visit Baltimore and San Francisco At Jehangir Nicholson Gallery, second floor, East Wing, CSMVS, Fort. From August 18 to October 3; October 14 to December 31, 10.15am to 6pm Call 2202 9613 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A wide range of arts and crafts pots, textiles, jewellery, and what not from five South Asian countries. Where can you find all this? At Dastkar Asia Bazaar. Craftsmen from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan are in Delhi to showcase their culture and tradition at this ongoing fair. This is my second time in India, and I have got a lot of support. I am here with precious stones and jewellery which are native to my place, says Suraiya Ahmadi, an artisan from Balkh (Afghanistan). Samina Waqar, a designer from Pakistan, is attending the fair for the first time. Ive brought hand-embroidered suits and saris that our womenfolk make back at home. I have visited Delhi earlier as well and the experience is always good. We get a lot of love from people here, she says. The bazaar presents a kaleidoscope of jewellery, bags, rugs, shawls and a lot more. (Amal KS/HT Photo) Deepanshi Dutta, project coordinator, Dastkar, proudly adds that theres more variety this year. Delhiites love to buy khurja pottery from Uttar Pradesh, fibre baskets from Assam and paintings from West Bengal, she says. Read: When it comes to fashion, its time to get back to your roots The 12-day fair also boasts of workshops, cultural performances and regional food stalls, with an aim to give visitors an aesthetic shopping experience that goes beyond malls and markets. Theres always something new and interesting here. I try and come as often and as early as I can in the exhibition, says fashion designer Anupamaa Dayal. Fashion desginer Anupamaa Dayal at one of the stalls set up by women from Afghanistan. (Amal KS/HT Photo) The bazaar is set up like a village, with colourful pots, lanterns and figurines along the paved pathways. At the West Bengal stall, a woman who paints Patachitra (stories) on canvas, sings along, describing the scenes from her paintings. Read: One for the weavers: #iwearhandloom is trending Like hers, every stall has a story steeped in heritage. The artists, however, complain that handicraft doesnt get the appreciation they deserve. Dinesh, a weaver from Bhadoi (UP), says, People think our craft is overpriced. They dont see the effort and time it takes to make every single piece. The artist at the West Bengal stall paints stories on canvas (called Patachitra) and sings along to describe various scenes from the paintings. (Amal KS/HT Photo ) The fair attracts a mixed bag of crowds, from expats to locals. Some are here to buy, some to admire and some, to find inspiration. Whatever their reason is, we are assured that with initiatives like these, Indian handicrafts will become mainstream, sooner or later. Quick info What: Dastkar Asia Bazaar Where: Nature Bazaar, Andheria Modh When: August 11-22 Timing: 11am to 7.30pm Nearest Metro Station: Chattarpur on Yellow Line SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Ever wondered how Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh would have felt during the shooting of the Chuk chuk chak chak song from Rafoo Chakkar (1975)? Heres your chance to experience it first hand this Sunday. The team behind the Kumaon Literary Festival (KLF), in association with the Gurgaon Rapid Metro, has come up with a unique idea organising Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai, an antakshari session inside a moving metro train. Sumant Batra, one of the organisers, said, This event is planned as a build-up to the festival thats going to take place in October. Cinema is a dominant theme this year. Last year, it was a closed-door event where only certain film scholars were invited. Now, we want to take it to everyone. Read more: A Punjabi saga of timeless, tragic love: 250 years of Waris Shahs Heer The three-hour metro journey will start and end at the Sikanderpur metro station. During 12 laps of 15 minutes each, travellers will have to sing songs according to the Antakshari rules; they will also have a chance to participate in a cinema-themed quiz. Film experts like journalist and author Yaseer Usman will be there to enrich your experience. Well build on what the quizmaster will start. Well tell you the trivia, the anecdotes and back stories attached to a film. So, imagine a train full of people reciting songs, repeating masala dialogues, and hearing amazing stories behind known events, said Usman. Read more: Forty years of performing Krishna, the flute-player and the charioteer in the annual theatrical ballet Adds author Gautam Chintamani, You cant avoid cinema even if you dont like it. We will be acting as the bridge between the participants and the quizmaster. Its like time travel, only more fun. Its a celebration of films and memories related to them. Priced at 200 per person, the event is aimed at presenting cinema as modern-day literature. What: Gaadi Bulaa Rahi Hai When: 10.30 am to 1.30 pm, August 21 Where: Sikanderpur Rapid Metro, Gurgaon Call: 9999455040 Entry Fee: 200 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A picture tells a thousand words and freezes a moment for years. HT marks the World Photography Day by speaking to two stalwarts of photography, Pablo Bartholomew and Raghu Rai who captured the aftermath of the horrific Bhopal gas tragedyone of the worlds worst industrial disaster risking their own lives. The two photographers spoke at length on challenges that a photographer faces while covering a tragedy. More than 31 years back, deadly methyl isocynate gas leaked at the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal that claimed thousands of lives and still has an impact over children who are born after the disaster. Pablo Bartholomew, who was then working for a French news agency in India, photographed the tragedy right from the next day until last year. I started working closely with Bollywood and other corporate people but that did not satisfy me. Then I joined a French news agency and I was in Patna on December 2, 1984, covering Rajiv Gandhis election campaign, when I heard about the tragedy on BBC radio, says Bartholomew. After I saw disturbing videos of hand carts carrying corpses on Doordarsan and that was a wake-up call for me and a fellow photographer and we left for Bhopal. On the only flight to Bhopal, we met another photographer Raghu Rai and the three us got the rare opportunity to capture the tragedy. The photograph of a dead child being buried, become a symbol for the tragedy and won the World Press Photo award. Raghu Rai, who worked for a leading magazine when the disaster struck, also shot the burial of the unknown child, says, It was a heart-rending situation. His was an innocent face and usually when you see a dead person, their eyes are closed, but that child had his eyes wide open and his family members were giving the last caress to him. That moment still gives me chills and that picture is enough to say the worst about the tragedy. We used to go to Hamidia Hospital, the factory premises and to the burial grounds and everywhere, there were similar spine-chilling scenes. Asked about the precautions they took while covering the tragedy, Raghu says, We were so engrossed at that time, that we hardly thought of risks involved. We just wanted to document the tragedy to the maximum extent. We were not at all scared. We were shooting at the hospital, at burial grounds and around the factory and officials were very cooperative. They knew the seriousness and they understood the need to document that. Risk is a part of this profession. When a reporter or a photographer goes to cover an earthquake or a flood, he or she never thinks about his or her own life. You can even die, says Pablo. Asked about how he felt to intrude in peoples lives while shooting such incidents and what impact had on him, Pablo says, You just cant be a gentleman photographer. We are vultures in certain way. There is a humanist way to look at life, but this is our job. We need to get into peoples lives as they are affected. Its just like a surgeon performing a heart surgery, amid all the blood and veins To spread the word and to let the world know about a tragedy, you have to reconcile with disaster and then just shoot. A perfect photograph, Raghu says, is the one that captures the real feelings and strengths of a particular situation. Taking criticism is a part of an actors profession, says actor Radhika Apte, however there are not many people in the industry who she appreciates criticism from. I am very good at taking criticism. I like criticism. I think everyone should give themselves and others a place to fail. But there are only a few people in the industry, criticism from whom I take seriously , she says. Read: Radhika Apte says it was unfortunate she couldnt promote Kabali I read a few reviews. When I feel its constructive criticism, I am more than happy to talk to critics and understand what they mean. But yes, I would rather have constructive criticism rather than fake appreciation, she says. Actor Radhika Apte says that the new generation of actors are supportive of each others work. However, the actor adds that during the release of a film, any kind of support from the industry helps to encourage her. Any kind of support is a good thing. And anyway you can make out who is saying what from what point of view. At the end of the day if someone is saying something nice, just take it rather than judging the intention behind it. This industry has become supportive. But it is pretty competitive as well. I am fortunate to have some really good friends. This new generation of people is supportive in many ways, she says. Read: Kabali is an emotional roller-coaster with enough Rajinikanth swag The actor, whose last film Kabali was a huge hit, says that she still has a long way to go. My journey has just started. I am taking each day as it comes. I dont look at my past films or the future, I am just concentrating on the work I have right now, she says. Polish actor Erika Kaar, who will make her Bollywood debut with actor Ajay Devgns film Shivaay, says that she enjoyed Indian food the most on the sets. The actor says that although she had a separate cook for her food, she enjoyed Indian food more. The food was great. Although food would be cooked separately for me as I was not allowed this food, I would often sneak out and eat parathas with the crew. I enjoyed that the most, she says. Read: Honoured to be part of Ajays directorial Shivaay: Sayyeshaa Erika Kaar wants to see how people react to her in Shivaay before she takes on any more work in Bollywood. Although she had fun on the set, shooting for a Bollywood film was also challenging, says the actor. The most challenging thing was combining my physical appearance with my performance. My look in the film is very demanding and that combined with the character made it quite tough. But it was a good challenge and I learnt a lot in the process, she says. The actor is looking forward to the release of her film before taking on any other work in Bollywood. Before I think about acting anymore in Bollywood, I want to see how people react to me. I feel that before anyone can even say that they are my fan, they need to see me in this film. This is the real test for me, she says. Read: Shivaay effect? Ajay Devgn, Kajol and their Twitter PDA Talking about working with Ajay, Erika says that she learnt a lot from him on the set. More than a star, I looked at him as my teacher. He taught me so much. He often showed me my scenes on the monitor to see where I could improve, she says. Follow @htshowbiz for more After almost three years of slow sales, real estate developers are shifting their strategies towards building more affordable houses to catch the latest trend in home buying. Launch of affordable homes across Indias top 8 cities nearly doubled in the first half of the calendar 2016, while that of high-end projects have slowed. Between January-June 2016-17,130 affordable housing units were launched across Indias top 8 cities, a 97% rise over 8,698 units launched in the same period last year, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Houses in the Rs 20-50 lakh bracket (up to Rs 70 lakh in Mumbai) are considered as affordable homes. Launches of high-end residential units in the Rs 1.0-2.5 crore (Rs 2.0-5.0 crore in Mumbai) declined 29% to 7,525 units in the six months period, compared with 10,662 units launched across these cities a year ago. Maximum launches were in the mid-segment where 36,267 units were opened in the first half, compared to 32,997 last year, up about 10%. This is a directional shift in trend as high value homes are always seen as economy resistant where the rich were seen as buying or investing in property irrespective of any slowdown. Analysts say the rise in the launch of affordable housing projects is due to a steady demand in this segment in cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai. It is heartening to see that demand for this segment, which was neglected for a very long time, is now being catered to as this forms a very large segment of latent demand, said Anshul Jain, MD, India, Cushman & Wakefield. In Mumbai, overall launches surged 72% in the first half of the year at 12,413 units, which majorly consisted affordable and mid market homes. While high-end launches declined 53%, there were no new luxury housing units launched in Mumbai in the six month period, data showed. Nearly half of the affordable homes launched in the same period in Mumbai, were in the distant suburb of Ambernath in Thane district. The NDA government has been pushing for housing for all by 2022 and analysts say this will drive the demand for affordable homes. An earlier report by KPMG had estimated that 70% of the urban housing need was in the affordable segment and almost 11 crore houses will likely have to be built by 2022 at an investment of $2 trillion, to achieve the governments vision. Analysts expect affordable housing project launches to continue to only grow further driven by the demand, lesser time required for construction compared with mid-to-high end housing and government incentives for such units. An Australian court on Friday turned down the application of an Indigenous group from Down Under challenging the mining leases awarded to India-based energy major Adani Groups $21 billion Carmichael coal mine project. Members of Wangan and Jagalingou community - a Queensland Indigenous group - filed the application contending that a decision the National Native Title Tribunal made in April last year regarding the awarding of the two mining leases for the project, said to be one of the biggest in the world, was incorrect. But the Queensland Federal Court rejected the application, with Justice John Reeves concluding it lacked merit. Senior traditional owner for the community J Adrian Burragubba, who had moved the application seeking judicial review against the Queensland government, Adani and the NNTB, had argued that the tribunal had ended up making the wrong decision as it was misled by the Indian company about the economic benefits that would flow. Reeves said while awarding the lease, the NNTT had upheld the rules of natural justice and there was no constructive failure in its exercise of its jurisdiction. Adani welcomed the decision and declared the company would continue to work with the Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners to help realise the potential benefits of the mine, rail and port project. Over five years, Adani has worked closely with traditional owners spanning its mine, rail and port projects in Queensland. Over that time, Burragubba has continuously objected to any and every process relating to the mine at Carmichael, even in the face of the majority of his traditional owner group supporting the project, the company said in a statement. Pending the resolution of outstanding legal challenges to activist-led state and federal approvals, Adani stands ready to deliver on its plans to build a long term future with Queensland, while delivering the jobs, training and economic benefits both to regional Queensland and traditional owner communities it said. However, Burragubba promised to continue to fight, saying he would seek advice from his legal team on moving an appeal. The project, launched six years back, has been bogged down in court battles. In August, 2015,A the Australian Federal Court had quashed the original approval citing environmental concerns. But the project got a fresh lease of life two months later as the Australian government gave its re-approval. State Bank of India (SBI) is set to be among top 50 banks in the world after the government approved the proposal to merge five associate banks with it by end of March next year. Currently, no Indian bank features in the list of top 50 global banks. SBI, Indias largest bank, has five associate banks State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Travancore (SBT). The government has also proposed to merge the all-women Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB), a bank for women set up in 2013. According to the merger scheme announced on Thursday, a shareholder will get 28 shares of SBI for every 10 shares in SBBJ and 22 shares of SBI for every 10 shares held in SBM/SBT. The remaining two subsidiaries are not listed. For a merger with BMB, the swap ratio has been set at 4,42,31,510 shares of for every 100 crore shares of BMB. The merged entity will create a banking behemoth, one-fourth of market share in Indias banking sector (in terms of loans and deposits), with an asset base of Rs 37 lakh crore from Rs 22.59 lakh crore. This is one-fifth the size of Indias gross domestic product (GDP) and more than five times the balance sheet size of ICICI Bank, largest private lender in the country. The merger will also boost the number of employees by further 64,000 employees of the subsidiaries making total employee strength of nearly 2.70 lakh from 2.05 lakh people across 23,000 branches. At present, SBI has about 16,800 branches, including 198 foreign offices spread across 36 countries, and over 59,035 ATMs. Analysts say, the key challenge for SBI will be to integrate human resources and rationalise branch network and operations. However, the short-term negatives will be more than offset by long-term positives. After the announcement on August 18, shares of parent SBI on Bombay Stock Exchange ended higher by 4.15% to end at Rs 258.50 per share on Friday. SBBJ shares were up 1.47% at Rs 683.20; SBT shares jumped 6.17% at Rs 537.05 while SBM ended weaker by 12.09% at Rs 546.55 per share at days close. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The government is working towards increasing the taxpayer base, as well as curbing the use of black money. For this, the tax department is already reaching out to people, and the younger generation is already adapting to the change, CBDT chairperson Rani Nair told HT. Excerpts from an edited interview. The on-going black money declaration window has seen a lukewarm response. In the initial months, the emphasis was on outreach programmes, educating and telling the benefits of the scheme that accrue to taxpayers. As we approach the end of the scheme (around 40 days are left), we are seeing interest from people. We have issued a series of FAQs, and will come out with another set of clarifications this week. Since this is a voluntary scheme we have to wait for it to get over to assess its success. There have been a lot of measures earlier to curb black money, but they have not yielded desired results. A lot of work has been done in the recent past to curb black money PAN disclosures for various transactions have been made mandatory, 1% tax collected at source (TCS) has been levied for cash transactions exceeding 1 lakh and Benami Bill has also been cleared by Parliament, among others. Even GST will help curb black money as it will bring unaccounted transactions under a tracking system. Black money is a social evil, so there is need to change the mindset of people. The younger generation is already adapting to this change, they do not want to use cash for transactions, they want to use cards and avail benefits of electronic payments. The CBDT initiated the drive, PAN for all, last year. What is the current status? We have issued over 25 crore of PAN card already. We have made PAN application process completely online. For new PAN-related measures, you will have to wait for the Budget to spell it out. The use of PAN will make it difficult for black economy to exist in the country. We have also started looking into non-PAN data of high-value transactions to identify potential non-filers or tax evaders. The department is yet to issue a roadmap for corporate tax reduction. Today, more than the large corporate houses, it is the small companies, which have a much higher tax liability around 28% to 29%. In Budget 2016, the finance minister announced measures to bring down the tax liability of smaller companies. The roadmap is clear and we will slowly phase out the exemptions. All new companies can opt for 25% tax rate without claiming exemptions. Can we see a further reduction in the upcoming Budget? Let the Budget process start in September. The finance minister has already announced the roadmap and we will work towards it. Finance Minister has been indicating that the burden of personal tax on middle class needs to be reduced, but it can be done once tax base is enhanced, what is the philosophy of the department? I do not think that the personal income tax slabs, or the rates, need to be tweaked. Both have been well placed given the economy and the tax payers of the country. When it comes to the agenda of increasing the tax base, then yes, theres work that we have been doing, and we will be doing in the future also. Studies conducted say that the tax base, which is missing right now, is from the lower income groups. We through our various information gathering tools -- third party information, annual information report, bank transactions and data and non-filers mechanism, have been identifying people who are escaping tax filing, or are evading taxes by less declarations. We are sending them notices and are asking them to either come clean and start filing the returns and pay taxes, or they should be ready to face action under the Income Tax Act. We are working towards widening and deepening of tax base. PM Modi has sought to double the taxpayer base to 100 million. By when is it possible? We cannot have a set date for this, but the department is working towards it. Last year, 45 million people paid taxes. This year till date, 22.7 million returns have already been received, which is 9.8% higher than the same period of the previous year. The tax base for direct taxes has grown to over 60 million, which includes tax return filers as well as those whose tax has been deducted at source. A huge number of corporate entities are enjoying a free ride of tax exemptions int he garb of agriculture income, what is the view of the department? This is a constitutional issue. This proposal needs constitutional amendment. Under the dispute resolution window, are Cairn and Vodafone likely to take the benefits? We have clearly said that these are voluntary schemes. It is for them to decide. If they dont take the benefits, they will be liable to interest, penalty, etc. On international tax treaties, after Mauritius and Singapore, which are the other countries where these will be revisited? We are in dialogue with Cyprus and Singapore. As more and more countries sign up for automatic exchange of information, do you see less instances of parking black money in tax havens? Automatic exchange of information across jurisdictions should deter people from using low tax/ no tax jurisdictions for illegitimate purposes. What is the status of investigations under the Panama papers leak case? A multi-agency group (MAG) has been constituted by the government representing CBDT, ED, FIU, RBI, etc. and investigations are underway. NEW DELHI: Anti-corruption branch officials Thursday searched the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) office in connection with complaints against its chief Swati Maliwal. The complaints were filed by the former chief of the commission and a former Delhi chief secretary. Former DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh, a Congress leader, had accused Maliwal of appointing 85 Aam Aadmi Party volunteers and supporters without following procedure. In another complaint, former chief secretary Omesh Sehgal had said Maliwal misused her office to issue a show-cause notice to a club of which he is a member. The DCW refuted the charges, saying it needed the staff for smooth functioning of the commission. Attacking Singh, Maliwal said DCW was being targeted for working. She worked in DCW for nine years but just took up only one case but why no questions have been raised to her? Why did she complete only one case? Isnt it corruption? Maliwal said. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, Modi ji did not leave even DCW, which is doing such good work. What Modi ji did is wrong. ACB officers said though no FIR had been registered, an inspector was conducting preliminary inquiry into the allegations against Maliwal. We went there to collect some documents regarding the appointment of some officers. We took some files and questioned a few employees, said an officer. During the search, the staff of the panel tied rakhis to the ACB officials who had come for the search. Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta demanded that Maliwal should be dismissed for making the 85 appointments and requested the L-G to set up a judicial commission for timebound investigation. NEW DELHI: The Art Of Living Foundation on Thursday said the expert committee report on the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplain because of the World Culture Festival was factually incorrect and demanded a fresh probe. Art of Living lawyer Kedar Desai said the foundation demands an independent, unbiased and scientific committee to look into the damage, if any. We have already given it in writing to the National Green Tribunal but that plea hasnt been heard yet. We have faith in the judiciary and hope the NGT will ensure justice. We will again submit our objections to the committee report to NGT and seek fresh unbiased probe, Desai said. An NGT-appointed expert panel has said that Yamunas floodplain was completely destroyed and the ground was devoid of water-bodies and vegetation because of the festival held in March. The panel submitted its report to the NGT last week. It said the floodplain lost its natural vegetation, flattened using soil and debris to fill gaps, the soil composition had been changed and water bodies levelled. Art of Living officials on Thursday questioned the scientific validity of the report. The committee has classified the World Culture Festival venue as a wetland. However, the Wetland Atlas of Delhi released recently, the 1986 survey of India map, and many other authentic government documents do not mark this land as a wetland. By labelling it a wetland, the committee is manipulating facts. The truth is this land has always been classified as a floodplain; a sandy floodplain, at that, the Art of Living lawyer said. Scientifically, the characteristic of sandy soil or a riverbed soil is that it can never be compacted. The claim that the Art of Living flattened the land is completely baseless. The grounds were depicted as a flat land in 1985, he said. The NGT had levied Rs 5 crore environmental compensation on the foundation. NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh said on Thursday that Pradeep Chauhan who has been accused by Union minister VK Singhs wife of blackmail met him on Sunday and claimed that he has evidence against two union ministers of plotting murder. But the audio and video evidence did not have anything substantial, the AAP leader said. He said Chauhan wanted an AAP ticket for the Punjab elections. He (Pradeep Chauhan) came to my office on Sunday. He said he is a nephew of Gen (retd) VK Singh and has worked for him from Sahibabad during elections, Sanjay Singh said. He said that he has evidence against two union ministers of hatching a conspiracy to get a few people murdered and assured that he has audio and video evidence of the same, Singh said. When I asked him to show the audio and video evidence there was nothing substantial in them, the AAP leader said. SRINAGAR: At a time Kashmirs youth are raging against the Indian state, a small group has donned the khaki-and-olive of the army and pledged to fight for the country. On a bright, clear Thursday, 308 soldiers participated in a passing-out parade to join the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) an exclusive regiment of soldiers drawn from the state. Of the 308, 116 were from the Valley and Muslim dominated areas of Jammu. Their families travelled in the stealth of night to watch them take the salute and fly the tricolour at the Rangreth Centre in Budgam district mindful of the tension outside its walls, where a 41-day curfew keeps a fragile peace after violent clashes between young Kashmiris and security forces that have left 66 dead and thousands injured. This is the paradox facing the average Kashmiri youth give in to the overwhelming azadi sentiment or pursue the stability of a job with the security forces. Most of the recruits from Kashmir and their families werent keen on talking about their motives for joining the Army. Asked why he had sent his son to the army, Ghulam (who refused to reveal his full name) said, The situation is very bad. It is not easy to talk. The farmer hails from south Kashmirs Anantnag, which has seen the highest number of killings (18) in the ongoing unrest that is a result of the peoples anger against the killing of a militant commander. We are poor families. That is why we send our children to the army. We know the sentiment of the people (against the army) is not favourable, said a woman from the same district, who had come to cheer her cousin. Recruits from Jammu were more vocal. My childhood wish was to join the army as my father and grandfather both worked with the army, said Tanveer Ahmad from Rajouri, flanked by his father, mother and 100-year-old grandfather. On the protests in Kashmir, he said, Every individual works towards his own aspirations. I appeal to the Valleys youth to live peacefully. Many students are not able to study and many people are not able to earn. All the recruits went through a rigorous 11-month training session at the Rangreth Centre. The regiment recruits jawans from J&K and brings together three religions Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism to bring laurels to their regiment and the nation, said Lt Gen Satish Dua, general officer commanding of the Chinar Corps. NEW DELHI: The Police have arrested a woman and her associate for befriending and abducting a man and demanding a ransom of Rs 10 lakh from his family. The woman, whose name police did not reveal, and Santosh Kumar, 38, reportedly honey-trapped one Rajneesh Singh and kept him locked in a room for 10 days. Rajneeshs brother Parveen Singh had registered a case on August 11. He told police that Rajneesh had been missing from five days and he suspect that someone had kidnapped him. The police mounted manual and technical surveillance to crack the case, DCP, (east) Rishi Pal said. The kidnappers called the family from Rajneeshs phone and asked them to deposit Rs 10 lakh ransom in his account. The family got scared and deposited Rs 20,000 in Rajnishs account and asked for some time to arrange the balance, the DCP said. Based on the surveillance of the phone, the police arrested Santosh and rescued Rajneesh. On the instance of Santosh, his woman friend was also arrested. The abductors took Rajneesh hostage in a rented room in Bhopura, Sahibabad. NEW DELHI: On a day Pakistan accused India of crossing a red line by raising alleged rights abuses in Balochistan, New Delhi said it wanted to discuss the vacation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir under illegal occupation by Islamabad. The war of words heated up a day after India said it would take up Pakistans offer of talks provided they focus on cross-border terrorism and not the unrest in Kashmir, where more than 60 people have died in protests after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani. India reiterated that foreign secretary S Jaishankar had accepted his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Chaudhrys invitation to visit Islamabad for talks, which should focus on the more pressing aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir situation. These aspects, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, include Pakistan ending cross-border terrorism. Incitement to violence and terrorism in Kashmir, detaining and prosecuting terrorist leaders who have been active in supporting such violence, closing down terrorist camps, and denying safe haven, shelters and support to terrorists who have escaped Indian law could also be on the agenda if the meeting is held on Indias terms. The Indian foreign secretary also looks forward to discussing the earliest possible vacation of Pakistans illegal occupation of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Swarup told a news briefing. Swar up also dismissed Islamabads contention that the Indian premier had crossed a red line as an extraordinary remark from a senior functionary of Pakistan that recognizes no red lines in its own diplomacy. Earlier, Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told a news briefing in Islamabad that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had crossed a red line by raising Balochistan. He also said Pakistan will raise the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly next month. Modi had brought up atrocities in Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in his Independence Day speech. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: More than 300 children from outer Delhis Shahbad Dairy on Thursday tied rakhis to effigies of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the local ACP, requesting for protection. Saksham, an NGO working for the welfare of children, said around 171 kids had gone missing in the forest area near Shahbad Dairy between December 2013 and March 2015. Of these missing children, 66 are untraceable. Five children four of them below 10 were killed, 28 girls were raped and 17 sexually abused. The NGO said it got the figures from RTI replies. On Thursday, on the occasion of Rakshabandhan, the children of the area and their parents organized a programme during which they tied rakhis on CM Kejriwals effigy. We hope the CM provides CCTV cameras in the areas to protect the children and the women. There is a lack of schools. The people are looking up to the chief minister for protection and education, said Sant Lal, NGO member. Hindustan Times had in June reported how lack of toilets led to an increase in crime. The NGO had invited Kejriwal to attend Thursdays event but did not get any response from the CMs office. They made an effigy and tied rakhis on it. They also tied a rakhis to the effigy of the local ACP. The children prepared a memorandum to be submitted to the CMs office. The people of Shahbad dairy are economically backward, disadvantaged and vulnerable. Our on-ground experience tells us the people of the area do not feel safe. Thursdays event was an attempt to bridge the gap between the people and the law enforcement agency and building a sense of trust and cooperation between them, said Soha Moitra, director, Child Rights and You, another NGO which works with Saksham in the area. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: Three people died and two other were injured in an explosion in a bakery in East Delhis Khureji on Thursday. A senior Delhi Fire Services official said at 5:20 am, a local resident reported the fire at Aflatoon Market in Khureji. Eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Five workers were seriously injured and were pulled out of the bakery by our rescue team. They were immediately rushed to the hospital, the official said. Police said that around 20 people were working at the Chaudhary bakery, with five of them working inside the kitchen when an oven exploded. The victims were all in their mid-20s who came to Delhi to work from their village in Bhadhosa district in Farrukhabad, UP. Zainul, 22, Sajid, 21, and Nifaqat,20, succumbed to their injuries before reaching Dr Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan. They were brought to the hospital around 6 am where doctors declared them brought dead. The two injured -- Afsar, 25 and Najrealam, 25 -- were taken to Lok Nayak Hospital in a critical condition. Najrealam was discharged later in the afternoon with a fractured arm. Afsar was admitted into the ICU with fractures in his arm and a leg along with burns. A ba ke r y wo rke r sa i d , Around 4 am, fire and smoke was coming from the oven. We switched the oven off and called the owner. The owner said its normal and asked us to switch it on. As soon as it was switched on, the oven exploded. We have been complaining to the owners about the oven for the past one week. However, the owner neglected the matter, he said. Nifaqat had been working with the bakery for five years. He lived in the bakery and often complained of falling sick because of the smoke from oven. He was under treatment for three months, said Nifaqats brother. Zainul had been working at the bakery for four years. His family members claimed that he wanted to leave the job because the owner did not listen to the workers grievances. A relative of Sajid said, Police should take action against the owner for his negligence. NEW DELHI: Two smugglers of sophisticated foreign-made guns were arrested after a gunfight near a public park on Ring Road on Thursday, police said. Mohammad Rehan Ansari, 42, and his brother Qurban Ansari, 45, used to smuggle the weapons from Pakistan, special cell sleuths said. They were arrested from near Gate number 4 of Indraprashta Park on Ring Road. Ten pistols, including Walther (German) and Sig Sauer (USA), worth Rs 1 crore, and 157 cartridges were seized from their possession. Police sources said the Ansari brothers procured German, Russian and USA-made pistols from Pakistan and smuggled them into India via Nepal. The police had been tracking their movement for the past one month, said sources. We had information Qurban and Rehan Ansari and their family were involved in smuggling of weapons from Pakistan, a police source said. We had a tip-off that they were going to deliver a consignment to their associates in Delhi. They used internet channels to communicate with their associates in Pakistan, they said. A specific tip-off was received on Wednesday that the Ansaris deliver a consignment of guns to their associates at Indraprashta Park. A police team reached the spot and spotted them in a SUV. They were waiting for someone near the park when a car slowed down near them. When the police rushed to arrest them, they fired at the police. The police returned the fire and arrested the duo, DCP, Special Cell, PS Kushwaha said. They told the police that they ran a factory of electric switches and sockets in UP and came in contact with people smuggling weapons from Pakistan two years ago. NEW DELHI: A day after Union minister VK Singhs wife Bharti Singh filed a police complaint against a Gurgaon man, accusing him of trying to extort Rs 2 crore by blackmailing her with doctored audio-video clips to defame her husband, the two parties and their counsels met Delhi Police on Thursday. According to sources, Singhs counsel said they had come to meet the other party after they were pressured by family members to settle the matter. Sources said a compromise may soon be reached in the case and the FIR quashed. The accused, Pradeep Chauhan, is reportedly a friend of Bhartis nephew. According to sources, the two parties met at Tughlaq Road police station to discuss an out-of-court settlement. Sources said Chauhan was again called in for questioning. He appeared before the police and when asked to produce the said audio and According to sources, the two parties met at Tughlaq Road police station to discuss an out-of-court settlement. Sources said Chauhan was again called in for questioning He appeared before the police and when asked to produce the said audio and video clips video clips he threatened to make viral, he told the police that he would need some time. Following that round of questioning, Chauhan did not return. During questioning, Chauhan claimed that since he was to expose VK Singh and his wife, there was a threat to his life and he had approached the AAP and Congress for help, but was turned down. Bharatis family however argued that Chauhan demanded a ticket to fight elections but when he was not entertained, he turned vindictive. The police are he threatened to make viral, he told the police that he would need some time Following that round of questioning, Chauhan did not return The accused, Pradeep Chauhan, is reportedly a friend of Bhartis nephew yet to verify their claims. Meanwhile, the police accessed the call logs and details of messages exchanged between the two parties. The police also seized Bharatis mobile phone and sent it for verification. Police said they accessed details of the number of calls and messages exchanged between the two including the IP addresses of the system used in uploading the video on Youtube. The matter is under investigation. If the two parties reach a compromise, the police will put an application in the court to quash the case. The Delhi high court on Friday told Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, that she will have to vacate the bungalow in Lutyens zone after the Centre said there is no imminent threat against her. Nobody is denying you security, but you will have to shift the accommodation,Justice Indermeet Kaur said taking note of Centres submission that Payal will be given similar security arrangement in her new house. Justice Kaur passed an order after Payals counsel failed to come forward with a date on which she would be able to shift to another accommodation in the capital. The Centre submitted a report saying that there is no imminent threat to her, but the general threat perceived is from Kashmiri militant for being a member of Abdullah family. The report also said the security threat is not as high in Delhi as in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier this week, Payal failed to get any relief from a Delhi court that directed her to vacate the bungalow in Lutyens Zone in the heart of Delhi where she has been living since 1999. Read | Vacate govt accommodation: Delhi court to estranged wife of Omar Abdullah The Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government told the high court that the 7, Akbar Road bungalow has been designated for the chief minister. Payal had moved the court seeking a stay on the June 30 eviction order issued by Jammu and Kashmirs estate officer. She had claimed that she enjoys Z category security cover, and each of her sons has Z plus security, comprising of a total 94 personnel, who operate on three shifts. She said the personnel, their weapons and other security arrangements cannot be accommodated at her private flat in the city. She contended that she will not get the same level of protection in the new accommodation. Read | Delhi HC protects Omar Abdullahs family from eviction till July 28 Countering the argument, the Centre said that her husband and father-in-law stay in private location when they are in the capital and Delhi Police have been providing them adequate security The Centres counsel said she cant claim that adequate security will not be provided to her. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party criticised the Delhi Police on Friday for allegedly revealing a rape survivors identity. A police release on Thursday night about the arrest of eight men who abducted and raped a woman for 10 years allegedly mentioned the survivors name. DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal demanded action against the police officer. Last month, the police filed an FIR against DCW officials for mentioning a rape survivors name. Maliwal said police tried to falsely implicate the DCW. We have a classic case of police revealing the name and no action being taken against them. This is a mistake and the commission will take requisite action in this case, said Maliwal. AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai called it an example of utter insensitivity. It is a cognisable offence and if they were so prompt in registering a case against Swati Maliwal, what action will they take against the erring officials. Their merely issuing an apology on WhatsApp is not acceptable, he said. Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken demanded a probe and strict action against the guilty. It is condemnable. It is legally and morally wrong to reveal the name of the rape victim, he said. Delhi BJPs media in-charge Praveen Shanker Kapoor said the Delhi Police commissioner should order a probe. The matter should be examined under the purview of the law and if the officers have made mistake, the Delhi police commissioner must act against them. Deputy commissioner of police (north east) DR Singla told PTI, We hadnt revealed the new name of the girl. It was her childhood name, but then we clarified and asked people not to carry the name. Her name had earlier appeared in the media and certain media houses had mentioned her name. We had mentioned her old name at one place in the press release. We havent disclosed her current name. A 26-year-old Northeastern woman fought a man who tried to molest her and got him arrested in south Delhis Khirki Extension area, police said on Friday. The woman was going to her house from a market when she was allegedly attacked by a youth -- later identified as Ritesh -- at an isolated place of Khirki Extension area on the intervening night of August 13-14, said a senior police officer. She fought tooth and nail with the accused and raised an alarm that attracted passersby. The woman also caught hold of the accused who was later nabbed by the cops who reached on the spot, he said. On the complaint of the woman, a case under Section 354 A (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) was registered at Malviya Nagar police station and the accused was arrested. The accused Ritesh was a student and lived at Kalkaji area. The woman met the joint commissioner of police and nodal officer for the Northeast people in Delhi, Rajan Hibu who hailed her exceptional courage. He also termed the woman as a role model for other girls adding that an appreciation letter and a reward of Rs 5,000 will be presented to her in a ceremony. Another war is brewing in Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University, this time over its iconic Ganga Dhaba. Served an eviction notice, the owner had until Friday morning to move out. But as the eatery opens only in the evening, students started gathering at the dhaba in the morning to protest against the administrations attack on the dhaba culture of the Left-leaning campus. Authorities say Bharat Tomar doesnt have a licence to operate but the eatery is not being shut. No such move (to close the dhaba). However, all commercial spaces on the campus must adhere to the university regulations, vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar said. It is hard to separate JNU from Ganga Dhaba, which opens at 4pm and feeds hungry students till 3 in the morning and at nominal prices. But, it is more than food. It is the ideas place, it is a debating club, it is a place where revolutions are sown. A Facebook group named after the eatery, almost as old as the campus, has nearly 13,000 members. An old-timer went to the extent of describing the eatery as a dhaba with university facilities. No wonder students are upset. They say Tomar should be allowed to continue. He was served an eviction notice as he was illegally occupying the space and didnt have the authority to run the eatery, registrar Pramod Kumar told HT. You are hereby directed to vacate the premises before August 18, 2016 and hand over the possession of the Ganga Dhaba to the estate branch of the university the August 9 notice sent by the universitys estate officer said. The Ganga dhaba is one of the cheapest food joints in New Delhi. (Aarju Alam/HT Photo) The University on Friday issued a statement, Ganga Dhaba is not being closed by JNU Administration. It is considered as JNU Heritage. Since the present occupant is illegally occupying the premises, he has been asked to vacate the place so that tendering procedure may be initiated at the earliest to run the Ganga Dhaba. JNU students union general secretary Rama Naga said the university should retain Tomar. He has been serving the campus for a very long time. If there is not a single complaint against his food or behaviour then why change him? he said. Tomar had not paid rent for three years, ignoring repeated reminders, Kumar said. His father used to run the dhaba and then his mother ran it after his fathers death. Now he is running it. It is not personal property -- to be transferred to family, the registrar said. The Tomar family has been running the dhaba since 1984. (Aarju Alam/HT Photo) The university would call fresh tenders and Tomar was free to apply and seek a new contract, Kumar said. He has been asked to vacate today (Friday) but if he seeks more time we can consider that, he said. Ganga Dhaba is not being closed by JNU administration. It is considered as JNU heritage. Since the present occupant is illegally occupying the premises, he has been asked to vacate the place so that tendering procedure may be initiated at the earliest to run the Ganga Dhaba, said the university in a statement. But students are not convinced. Naga said the university said the same for a photocopy shop but a year on, the place was still shuttered. Same will happen with Ganga dhaba, this is a trick to attack the dhaba culture in our campus, he said. Tomar said that the Dhaba was alloted to his father in 1983-84. We provide cheap food and have developed a relation with students. The students dont want us to go, he said. A JNU official said that eviction notice was also sent to a Magazine Centre, which runs near the bus stand opposite to Ganga Dhaba. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actress Amber Heard said on Thursday she is donating her $7 million divorce settlement from actor Johnny Depp to charity. Heard, 30, said in a statement that she is dividing the full settlement equally between the American Civil Liberties Union, specifically to prevent violence against women, and the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Read: Johnny Depp divorce - Amber Heard withdraws charges, case settled out of court As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves, the actress said. Heard and Depp, 53, privately settled their acrimonious divorce case on Tuesday, a day ahead of a court hearing on the status of a restraining order the actress had obtained against her estranged husband. (Reuters) Depps representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Heard and Depp, 53, privately settled their acrimonious divorce case on Tuesday, a day ahead of a court hearing on the status of a restraining order the actress had obtained against her estranged husband. Read: Johnny Depp sliced finger in angry fit, used bloody stump to write on mirror? The couple released a joint statement calling their relationship intensely passionate and at times volatile but always bound by love, adding that there was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. The settlement ended the couples 15-month marriage after weeks of highly publicized claims of domestic violence by Heard and counterclaims of financial blackmailing by Depp. Actress Amber Heard leaves the Superior Court of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 27, 2016, with what appears to be a bruise on her right cheek after obtaining a restraining order against husband Johnny Depp in this still image from video. (Reuters) Depp, one of Hollywoods top actors and box-office draws with franchises such as Pirates of the Caribbean, married Heard, known for Friday Night Lights, in February 2015 after meeting on the set of the 2011 film The Rum Diary. Heard will be starring in Warner Bros upcoming Justice League superhero film, while Depp will reprise his lead role in the next Pirates of the Caribbean film. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Miles Teller says the criticism of Fantastic Four was tough and he wouldnt wish it on any other movie. The 29-year-old actor portrayed Mr Fantastic in the 2015 Marvel remake. Though he enjoyed working alongside the likes of Kate Mara, Jamie Bell and Michael B Jordan on the film, he says the fact it was universally panned was tough, especially because it was always going to be difficult to live up to fan expectations, reported Contactmusic. Read: Fantastic 4 review - A dud without action, charm, humour Kate Mara, Miles Teller and Michael B Jordan in Fantastic Four. I wasnt starving to be a superhero. Although at the time - it was a couple of years ago - if youre a young man in this business, a part of you is saying, I need to get a Marvel project; I need to be a superhero, because you see all these actors you respect being put in that world, Teller said. I would not have wanted to be Spider-Man because I wouldnt want the whole thing riding on my shoulders. I enjoyed the ensemble element of Fantastic Four. Read: Fantastic Fours cast shows no faith, expects bad reviews I wouldnt wish what happened to us on another movie. Its tough, because there are such high expectations. Comic books mean so much to a lot of people. Watch the trailer for his this weeks release, War Dogs: Follow @htshowbiz for more Three militants belonging to the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sonitpur district near Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on Friday. Sonitpur superintendent of police Sanjukta Parashar told PTI the encounter took place when a joint team of police, CRPF-Cobra battalion and army were conducting a search operation for NDFB(S) cadres at Mainaoshree Paharpur. When the forces approached an NDFB(S) camp where a group of militants were hiding, there was an exchange of gunfire in which three insurgents were killed on the spot and four others fled to the dense forest, she said. The security forces destroyed the extremists camp, Parashar said, adding the slain militants were identified as NDFB(S) platoon commander Raikhoo, section commander Gothal and another named Aranga, the SP said. A search operation is continuing to track the ultras who fled, she said. Police said three pistols, two grenades, eight rounds of ammunition and five mobile handsets were recovered from the slain militants. NDFB-S had gunned down 14 people and injured over 20 others at Balajan in Assams Kokrajhar district on August 5 and killed a couple in Chirang district in the early hours of August 18. Incessant rain in many parts of Uttar Pradesh has destroyed more than two dozen houses in Bacraich after Ghaghara river breached the danger mark and flooded the district. According to latest reports Ghaghara river is flowing 30 cm above the danger mark and has breached banks near the Elgin bridge area. More than two dozen houses in Kayampur area along with a primary school have collapsed due to floods. Three of a family were killed in Mirzamurad area after a house collapsed. All the stairs at Sheetla Ghat in Varanasi have submerged. Six from same family were killed in Mirzapur when their car overturned and fell into an overflowing drain. They were travelling to a religious Sufi shrine - Dargah Sharif in Chunar. Low lying areas in Allahabad and Varanasi may submerge as Ganges breached the danger mark on Friday. The Met department has predicted continuous rain in eastern Uttar Pradesh. NDRF personnel have been deployed in some areas of UP for rescue. Police resorted to mild lathicharge on Friday to disperse ABVP activists staging a protest in front of the Amnesty International India office here, demanding arrest of those who allegedly raised anti-India slogans at an event organised by the NGO. Several ABVP activists were injured, with a girl student fainting in the commotion before she was rushed to a hospital, police said, adding that they detained many activists during the crackdown on the protest. Additional commissioner of police Bengaluru East, P Harishekaran, said police had to disperse protesters as they tried to burn an effigy in a residential area. With two bottles of petrol, they tried to burn an effigy in front of Amnesty International here. We had in prior warned them against any effigy burning as it is a residential area and from the security point of view, he said. The protesters alleged that the police, under the DCPs leadership, behaved in an inhuman way and more than 10 ABVP activists were injured in the lathicharge. Calling their protest peaceful, ABVP national general secretary Vinay Bidre said, We demanded that police vacate Amnesty staff who were recording our protest from their office. We told police we wont cause any harm to them. We did not try to barge into their premises and tried to burn Amnestys effigy, but police unnecessarily used force on us. He accused the Congress-led Karnataka government and police of protecting those involved in anti-national sloganeering. Stating that ABVP would continue its protest, Bidre claimed, We will intensify our protest across the state after todays atrocity, we will show this government student power. As a precautionary step, police have asked Amnesty International India to keep its office in Bengaluru closed until the ABVP protest subsides, following which the organisation had asked its employees to work from other locations. Amnesty International had on Saturday organised the event as part of a campaign to seek justice for victims of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, which took an ugly turn with heated exchanges and alleged raising of pro-Kashmir Independence and anti-Army slogans. ABVP activists had submitted a CD containing video recording of the event after filing a complaint with police, who have registered an FIR against Amnesty International. IPC sections 142 (Being member of an unlawful assembly), 143 (whoever is a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) have been invoked against the organisation. Lalu Prasad, whose RJD is a major ally of the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar, has advised habitual drinkers to consume toddy, locally called tadi, to avoid incidents like the hooch tragedy that has killed 16 people. Lalu, who described the hooch tragedy in Gopalganj as a heart wrenching incident, said: Sarab bandi ke baad ab jo milega jahrila hi milega. Aisi ghatna se sabak le, jaruri ho to tadi piyen. (After the liquor ban, what you get will be poisonous. Draw a lesson from this, and if necessary drink toddy). For hundreds of thousands of people in rural Bihar, toddy is considered the poor mans beer and regarded as natural juice. Toddy has been a favourite of villagers as a natural drink made from the palm tree. Soon after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar announced total prohibition in the state from April 5, 2016, a large number of people, including alcoholics, thronged toddy shops after the government banned desi or, country-made liquor as well as foreign liquor. But later the state government also banned the sale of toddy, which was opposed by the people, including by Lalu as well as the opposition BJP and its allies. According to RJD leaders, Lalu was not in favour of banning toddy. Lalu Prasad -- as the former Bihar chief minister in the early 90s -- had declared toddy tax-free in Bihar to help people engaged in the business, particularly the Pasi caste Dalits. However, last month in view of increasing pressure from main ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar decided to lift the ban on the sale and consumption of toddy. The move was welcomed by the people. Toddy is cheap and easily available at roadside shops and open fields in the morning and evening in rural areas. It is also available in urban localities. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Armys Chinar Corps, Lieutenant General Satish Dua has appealed to the youth of Kashmir Valley to help restore peace. For how long can you do this and what will happen by this? Like chief minister said on August 15, give peace a chance. Now is the time that we have to bring peace together. Children are not able to go to school. Fruits are not moving to markets. Patients are not able to go to hospitals. And there are many difficulties like these, General Dua said on Thursday on the sidelines of a passing out parade in Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Centre in Rangreth in Budgam district. He said that it was regrettable as to what is happening in Kashmir for the last 40 days. Read | Kashmir: Curfew stretches to 42nd day, ambulance driver latest casualty He said that to de-escalate the situation, the state government and security forces need to control the cycle of violence. This cycle of violence cant be controlled only by us it can happen after everybodys support. I appeal the people particularly youth to help us. Then the state will take its steps like engaging with different groups, he said. As far as law and order situation is concerned that has been handled well by the police and the CRPF. As far as law and order situation is concerned, the police and the CRPF have done a god job. Things keep coming under control, but if there is a casualty, then the cycle of violence does pick up, he said. Read | Need to start dialogue process in Kashmir: Mehbooba Mufti Pakistan factor General Dua also said that the protests which erupted immediately after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last month were spontaneous but soon after, engineered violence emerged in north Kashmir. The situation (right now) is far from normal. For the initial few days after July 8, there were spontaneous protests. Thereafter we have seen a cycle of almost engineered violence more in north Kashmir, said General Dua. He blamed Pakistan for trying to take advantage of the current unrest in the valley. During these days there have been attempts from Pakistan to facilitate more infiltration as they think we are busy internally. But you all know how many encounters took place with militants (during these days) and many more were pushed back (across the LoC), General Dua said. Read | Pak interfering in J-K, has direct role in Kashmir proxy war: Army He, however, was not sure how many youth have joined the ranks of militants during the current unrest. It is difficult to ascertain how many youths have joined militants and how many infiltrated owing to the situation, he said. The GOC Chinar Corps said that the army was dominating the areas in the hinterland to make sure that they are free of militancy. Kashmir has been in the grip of a violent unrest that began after Wanis death in an encounter on July 8. Since then, 66 people have lost their lives and thousands have been injured in crackdowns by security forces on protesters in the Valley. Protests have ranged from anti-India and pro-azadi rallies to stone pelting on security forces. Read | Kashmir all-party meet: Modi discusses atrocities in PoK, Balochistan South Kashmir has borne the brunt of the violence so far with 45 deaths in the districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian. General Dua acknowledged that not all protests are violent. Nowadays things are cooling down in terms of protests. Not all protests are violent or they are not pelting stones all the time which is a good thing, he said. Taking control of highway The army has now decided to dominate the national highway and move their convoys during the day from Friday. The convoy movement during the day was suspended after protesters thronged the highway in south Kashmir following Wanis death. We were moving during the nights essentially for two reasons: One to avoid any collateral damage and second because of the haj period (till August 19) as there was a lot of vehicular movements (early in the morning after namaz). We had decided to move in such a manner so as not cause any inconvenience to the people who see off their friends and relatives for the haj, Dua said dismissing any claims that the decision to ply during the day had anything to do with attack on an army convoy in Baramulla. Two soldiers and a policeman were killed after militants attacked an army convoy on Wednesday night in Baramulla. He said that they would secure the highway for both civilian and military movement. When our convoy moves on roads, those will be obviously secured and you will see from tomorrow that traffic will be through both of civil and army, he said. Read more | UNHCHRs Kashmir visit proposal: Pakistan welcomes, India downplays Read more | Modi crossed red line by talking about Balochistan, says Pakistan A Samajawadi Party leaders nephew was stabbed to death in Aligarh following which a group of people went on a rampage and ransacked half-a-dozen shops. Mohammad Adil (20), nephew of SPs district vice-president Sagheer Ahmad, and his friend Faheem Chaudhary were stabbed by around six men in Civil Lines area in Aligargh last night, police said on Friday. The two were rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College where Adil succumbed to injuries. One of the assailants was nabbed by locals, while the others escaped. As the news spread, protesters hit the streets and ransacked several shops and also attacked a police picket. Police said the motive behind the murder was not clear. Additional Superintendent of Police A K Srivastava said an FIR was filed this morning after the victims family complained. The main accused in the FIR is Sameer Chaudhary, who has a criminal past. An alleged Pakistani spy was arrested by the Rajasthan police from Jaisalmer on Thursday and items containing information on Indias defence institutions seized from him. Nandlal (26), hailing from Sangad district in Pakistan, was arrested from a hotel in Jaisalmer on Thursday night by a CID (intelligence) team led by ASP Rajiv Dutta, ADGP (intelligence), Utkal Ranjan Sahoo said. Two mobile phones with micro SD cards, 2010 Indian Rupees, 30 Pakistani Rupees and a diary containing information on money received from ISI, were recovered from him. The SD cards contained classified information and photographs related to Indias defence institutions and vehicles, Sahoo said. Preliminary probe revealed that Nandlal, a cloth trader in Pakistan, used to smuggle various items, including silk, with help from his associates in border areas of Rajasthan. He used to sell silk at cheap prices to obtain information about the defence agencies. He collected the information and shared it with Pakistans Inter Service Intelligence officials using WhatsApp, Facebook and Skype, the ADGP said. A senior officer told HT on condition of anonymity that this was Nandlals fourth visit after 2010, 2012 and 2014. He had come to India on the Thar Express on August 5 on a valid visa. His visit to Jaisalmer was illegal as the visa issued was for Jodhpur, the officer said. Depending upon the information he gave to ISI, he received varying amounts of money, all of which have been recorded in the diary, he said. Nandlal was arrested under sections 3 and 3 (9) of Official Secret Act 1923. He was produced in court on Friday and brought to Jaipur for further interrogation, Sahoo said. Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said the arrested accuse is an ISI agent and was being tracked for a long time. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At least 30 army commandos crossed over into Myanmar and exchanged fire with members of the separatist SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) early Friday morning, officials in Nagaland told HT. But army sources rejected reports that special forces commandos had entered Myanmar, saying the gunbattle took place inside Indian territory. In an email to HT, the NSCN-K claimed it killed five to six commandos. The army refused to confirm any reports of casualties. The gunfire began at 3am on Friday and lasted for more than two hours without any casualty on the Indian side, said officials in Nagalands Mon district that borders Myanmar. The gunfight took place beyond Thorloi, a village in Myanmar two kilometre from the border. They had no casualty and I dont know if the NSCN-K suffered any loss, Mon district superintendent of police, Yangba Konyak, said. He said he saw about 30 commandos when they returned. This makes a platoon. The gunbattle is a reminder of a similar episode last year, when reports emerged that the elite army paratroopers entered Myanmar, raided two insurgent camps and inflicted significant casualties. The counterattack had apparently come in response to the ambush and killing of 18 soldiers in Manipur by the NSCN-K five days before, the worst attack on security forces in two decades. The army denied launching any such operation. In March last year, the NSCN-K ended a 14-year ceasefire to resume its secessionist war with India and has been involved in a series of attacks in tandem with other militant groups in the Northeast under the banner of United Liberation Front of South East Asia. The outfit walked out of the ceasefire pact after it was alleged that the area along Indo-Myanmar border under their control was turning into a safe-zone for militants of the Ulfa faction led by Paresh Barua, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit), and armed groups such as the Peoples Liberation Army of Manipur. Police say the NDFB-S was responsible for an attack in Assams Kokrajhar town earlier this month that killed 14 people. In its email to HT, the insurgent group said the Indian armys 12 Para commandos entered Myanmar and were spotted by the militant groups men. Our soldiers manning the forward security post gunned five to six of their men down, the NSCN-K said. The advancing commandos were pinned down and the rest ran helter-skelter. The dispersed commandos tried to regroup but were forced to retreat. The NSCN-K further claimed the commandos who survived the Naga armys attack, carried their slain and injured colleagues till the border. But the Mon district police chief said he did not see the commandos carrying any bodies. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bangladesh has sought from India details about Islamic preacher Zakir Naiks operations even as it said several prominent ulemas wanted action against him much before deadly the Gulshan attack in Dhaka last month. Bangladeshs information minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who is in Delhi on a six-day visit, said his country has cracked down on Naiks Peace TV by banning its broadcast and indicated that it is waiting for Indias action against the controversial preacher. Inu said his country doesnt have any evidence of links between home grown terrorists in Bangladesh with extremists groups in India but at the same time slammed Pakistan for harbouring terrorism. He said Bangladesh has witnessed over 43 attacks on thinkers, bloggers and people from Sufi faith and it has been found that in almost 90%, the attackers had links with banned Jamaat-e-Islami which he alleged was a corroborator with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation war. From Bangladeshs side Zakir Naiks case has been settled. We have stopped the broadcast of Peace TV. In last one year, ulemas came up with written complaints against Naik. We are examining it. We think his teachings, in certain cases are not in compliance with the Quran or Hadith. So, that is creating confusion. In certain cases it is instigating. So, we have taken our position. We have asked the Indian side to take their position and give us necessary information, Inu told reporters. In the backdrop of reports that the Islamic State (IS) was gaining ground in Bangladesh, he asserted that terror networks in his country is home grown. About his meeting with information and broadcasting minister Venkaiah Naidu, Inu said both sides have agreed to broadcast their respective national TV channels in each others country. The minister said terrorism in Bangladesh is very different from terror networks in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East as his country has a secular approach, but insisted that the evil has its legacy in the 1971 liberation war. There is no so-called radicalisation in my country. So, terrorism has a top-down approach in our country. It is not like Pakistan. In my country, a few people are involved in terrorist activities. Having said that terrorism in Bangladesh has a legacy and that legacy is the 1971 liberation war. Here Jamaat-e-Islami, a party using Islam, was a corroborator with Pakistani aggressive force, he said adding terrorism in Bangladeshi has its roots in Jamat-i-Islami and Pakistans ISI. Pakistan on Friday informed India that proposed talks between the foreign secretaries of the two sides should be centred on finding a solution to the Kashmir issue, skirting New Delhis contention that the discussions should focus on terrorism. In a response to Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankars letter that called for discussions on the more pressing aspects of the Kashmir situation, including the stopping of cross-border terror, his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Chaudhry said the talks should be aimed at finding a fair and just solution of the Kashmir issue. Chaudhry called in Indian high commissioner Gautam Bambawale to hand over his reply to of August 16, Pakistans Foreign Office said in a statement late on Friday. Pakistan had first mooted the talks in a letter sent on August 15. Both sides have shown no signs of backing down on the main issues they want to be addressed during talks. Pakistan has reverted to describing Kashmir as the core issue for any discussions while New Delhi has insisted Islamabad must address its concerns about terrorism, including action against those involved in the Mumbai and Pathankot attacks. Read | Amid war of words, India tells Pak it wants to discuss illegal occupation of PoK According to Pakistans Foreign Office, Chaudhrys reply invited his Indian counterpart to visit Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss a solution to the Kashmir issue in line with UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan also called for an immediate end to human rights violations in Kashmir and for providing medical facilities to the injured, including permission for doctors and paramedics to travel to the Indian state. India has accused Pakistan of inciting violence in Jammu and Kashmir, where more than 60 people have died in protests that followed the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. It has also called for the earliest possible vacation of Pakistans illegal occupation of parts of Kashmir. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday took over the probe into the gang rape of a woman and her teenaged daughter in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr district on an order of the Allahabad high court. Yes, we have taken up the case on the orders dated August 12, 2016, of Allahabad high court in criminal writ Public Interest Litigation (PIL), CBI spokesperson Devpreet Singh told IANS. The CBI has registered a case under Sections 395 (punishment for dacoity), 397 (robbery), 376D (unlawful sexual contact) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code, and 4 of the Pocso (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. We have taken over the investigation into the case No.838 of 2016 registered at Police Station Kotwali Dehat, District Bulandshahr, on the allegations of abduction, dacoity, and rape of a lady and her daughter by five to six assailants in the fiels situated in village Dostpur, district Bulandshahr, in the intervening night of July 29 and 30, the agency said in a statement. The Allahabad high court ordered the CBI to take over investigation into the incident which took place on National Highway-91 in Bulandshahr on July 29, when the 34-year-old woman and her teenaged daughter were raped after their car carrying six members of the family from Noida was stopped by criminals. The travellers were on way to Shahjahanpur to meet their relatives following a death in the family. The victims also alleged that initially the police did not pay attention to their complaints. Read | After Bulandshahr incident, UP police lists dos-donts for safety on highways The Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) on Friday suspended one of its men for shooting pellets at an ambulance driver in Srinagar in the violence-torn Kashmir Valley, under curfew for 42 straight days now. The decision came within hours of the incident as security forces battle unrest in the Valley, where 66 people have been killed and thousands injured in clashes with troops. Police are investigating the matter but departmental action has been taken against sub-inspector PS Yadav for the incident, CRPF inspector general Atul Karwal said. The driver, who was on his way to the SMHS hospital, was hit by pellets on Thursday night but managed to drive despite a bone fracture, said a doctor. Use of pellet guns, considered the safest option by the forces, has fuelled anger, with many protesters left dead or blinded. The government has been asked by activists and political rivals to revisit the use of these guns to disperse protesters who have been mobbing the streets after Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8. Read | Forces used human shields in anti-militancy ops in Kashmir: Mehbooba Stepping up the pressure, the separatists have called for a social boycott of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders. On Wednesday night, protesters allegedly attacked the house of Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, a legislator from Shopian, and set ablaze his servant quarter. The PDP leader was not at home at the time. This was the second such attack this month. On August 2, Jammu and Kashmir education minister Naeem Akhtars residence was attacked with petrol bombs. The minister, who lives in his official bungalow, was not present at the house. Sources said protesters attacked Bhats house to protest the excessive use of force during night raids in Mimender area of Shopian. They pelted stones at Bhats house and attacked the securitymen guarding it. The separatists have extended their strike to August 25 and asked people to visit families of those killed in the unrest and prepare lists of such families. Read | Day after all-party meet, Kashmir tense as separatists call march They have also asked people to write to all MLAs, MLCs and ministers from pro-Indian political parties to resign from the government and party positions. Residents on Thursday complained that police stopped vehicles carrying essential supplies from entering Srinagar. Authorities have denied issued instructions to oil companies to stop distribution of fuel to the dealers. Officials said oil companies, including Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil, temporarily suspended the supply because of Raksha Bandhan. Read more | Army backs pepper shots, chilli grenades over pellet guns in Kashmir Opposition DMK, whose 80 legislators have been suspended for a week, on Friday conducted a mock session outside the Tamil Nadu assembly to showcase how democracy was functioning in the state. Locked out of the assembly, the DMK MLAs congregated under the leadership of party treasurer and DMK legislative party leader MK Stalin who sat through the assembly proceedings conducted by Speaker Durai Murugan. In the sitting that lasted about an hour, Speaker Murugan decreed that his word was law and no other interpretation was permitted. If he asked someone to shut up, the person should sit down, he said pointing to an MLA. When the MLA wanted to question the government about the plight of the poor, Speaker Murugan, imitating the TN state assembly speaker P Dhanpal, dismissed the questioner and ridiculed him asking if that was something to be asked in the House. First, you learn how to ask questions and sit down, the Speaker decreed to a peel of laughter and clapping from the House that convened under the open skies outside the assembly buildings Gate No 4. Then Stalin rose up to raise the issue of Cauvery waters and Karnataka governments decision to erect a dam at Mekedatu on the river. He said it would further choke water supply from Cauvery to Tamil Nadu, adding that this would not be allowed. After this novel protest by the suspended DMK MLAs, Stalin told media persons that they conducted the sitting of the mock assembly to highlight the fact that a live telecast of the proceedings would present the correct picture to the people as to what exactly happens inside the House. Even today the DMK MLAs, Congress MLAs and IUML MLAs sought reconsideration of the suspension of 80 DMK MLAs, but the speaker rejected it outright. There is no question of revoking the suspension, the speaker is said to have told the opposition MLAs present in the house today, he said. A DMK petition challenging the suspension of MLAs was filed in the Madras high court. Stalin told reporters that the petition was admitted and was slated to come up for hearing on Wednesday. On Thursday, Stalin led 79 of his partys legislators in a sit-in outside the Tamil Nadu assembly. Stalin and his party MLAs were evicted from the assembly and suspended following a ruckus over an unparliamentary remark by an AIADMK member over the DMKs pre-election roadshow. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A farmer in Pahadganj village has accused a woman doctor of removing his pregnant wifes kidney during a Caesarean section five months ago. He submitted a complaint to the district magistrate in this regard, following which the administration formed a team of doctors to probe the matter. The farmer, Patiram, alleged that five months ago he took his wife to a private hospital for delivery on the recommendation of a village midwife. He admitted his wife to the Rohit Agnihotri Hospital in Izzatnagar on March 3. After preliminary tests, the doctor in-charge of the hospital suggested Caesarean section, saying it was the only option. She said my wife and child would die if operation (C-section) was not done. I had no option so, I paid Rs 20,000 for the operation, said the farmer. He said the Caesarean section was performed successfully and his wife Narayani Devi gave birth to a girl child. She was discharged from the hospital on March 10. But things went downhill from there. I started having a chronic pain on the right side of my abdomen and blood appeared in my urine, said Patirams wife, Narayani, adding that she told the midwife about her problem. The midwife first asked her to wait it out but then took her to the private hospital on April 20 when the pain didnt subside. Dr Sushma Agnihotri, a former chief medical superintendent and the doctor who performed the C-section, examined Narayani and called Patiram. She told me that my wife had contracted septic (septicemia) and she could not be saved. She told me to feed my wife everything she asked for and wait for her last time, said Patiram. According to Patiram, apart from the advice, the doctor did nothing and sent them away. Patiram claimed that he visited other doctors and on their suggestion went for an ultrasound examination on April 22. The result showed that Narayanis right kidney was not seen. To make sure, three other ultrasound tests were done but the right kidney was reported missing or not seen in all of them. Patiram then submitted a written complaint to the district magistrate on Thursday, demanding an inquiry into the matter. The doctor removed the kidney of my wife during the operation, he alleged. Dr Agnihotri has refuted the claims of kidney theft. Narayani must be having a single kidney since birth. Her kidney was not removed at my hospital and neither is it possible to remove a kidney during a Caesarean operation, said the doctor, who opened the hospital six years ago after retiring from her government job. Meanwhile, constant loss of blood has left Narayani bedridden. I can barely walk a little distance these days, how long can my husband sustain the family like this? asked the hapless woman. A senior mufti of Dargah-e-Alahazrat issued a fatwa on Friday against the East African country Kenya for constructing a replica of Kaaba, a day after issuing fatwa against the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack. The fatwa claims the people who constructed the structure and the place where it was constructed were un-Islamic. The original Kaaba is a building at the centre of Islams most sacred mosque, Al-Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (HT Photo) It is against Islam to offer prayer at such a place and those who do so are not Muslims, said the fatwa issued by Mufti Salim Noori. The Kaaba is a building at the centre of Islams most sacred mosque, Al-Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The fatwa was issued after a video showing people thronging the Kaaba-like structure was circulated on social media. I received many phone calls and messages from people inquiring about the validity of the structure. I personally watched the pictures and video before issuing the fatwa, said Noori. The mufti said the structure could only be justified if it was being used to train people for the Haj pilgrimage. (HT Photo) Kabba is not a structure. It is a unique place, which is revered by Muslims all across the globe, and it cannot be changed. The construction of a similar structure is against Islam, he added. The mufti said the structure could only be justified if it was being used to train people for the Haj pilgrimage. It is still not clear whether the structure is being used for training or for misleading innocent Muslims. It can be accepted as a model for training but in no case as an alternate to the holy Kaaba, he said. The fatwa has asked Muslims to boycott such structures. The Narendra Modi government is not responsible for the delay in appointments of judges, sources in the law ministry asserted on Friday, even as CJI TS Thakur described the number of judicial vacancies as a national challenge. We have several problems in matter of appointment of judges, CJI Thakur said in Shimla. He said states like Himachal Pradesh and Kerala are fortunate because the number of vacancies there is low. Elsewhere the number of vacancies is so large that it has become a national challenge and we are making effort persuading the government to look into the matter and expedite appointments, Justice Thakur added. A top source in the law ministry said within days of the Supreme Courts judgment of December 16, directing the government to improve the collegium system, it had written to the CJI saying it is not averse to the process of appointments being resumed if the collegium agrees. Since January, the appointments of 52 high court judges, 110 additional judges and four judges of the Supreme Court have been made. The government believes that the Supreme Courts own judgement has given it enough teeth to revamp and improve the process through a new memorandum of procedure (MOP) or guidelines for appointing judges. There is a judicial direction to us, the top government source said, underlying the governments intent to pursue judicial reforms. The government believes that the constitution benchs judgement places an obligation on it to introduce transparency into the system and widen the process of consultation for appointing judges. The five-judge bench, headed by Justice JS Khehar, laid down the guiding factors for preparing a fresh MOP. These include eligibility criteria, transparency in the appointment process, setting up a secretariat and a mechanism for looking at complaints. Everyone knows Machhli, the Queen of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan the 1997 born tigress that died on Thursday morning. But, only a few knows the flip side of its existence in the reserve. Machhli was a non-functional tigress that stopped having litters since more than 9 years. Due to its popular name and also the longest surviving tigers, the reserve management was forced to earmark its territory and artificially provide food, a serious breach of conservation in wild, say experts. VB Mathur, director Wildlife Institute of India told Hindustan Times, Artificial feeding and earmarking its territory is a serious slap to conservation. Certainly, there was pressure on reserve management to protect the individual because it was named and most sighted tiger in the tourism zone. Naming tigers thus is a serious concern for scientists and officers. According to them, giving names to individual tigers diminishes existence and conservation for the entire fraternity. Needless to say, its a tourism uprooted system. Yogesh Kumar Sahu, director Ranthambore said, Naming or giving numbers are one and the same thing. We do feel pressure when people start recognising a tiger by a name and then start following it close informing about its movement. In the case of Machhli, what bothered scientists is an injustice to other adult tigers that could have had better and wider habitat. Tigers should do their ecological role in a system. Machli though moved towards fringes because of its old age, yet its territory was earmarked by the management breaching and disallowing other adult tigers to claim territory. Where are we taking conservation through such efforts? Just because it was named Machhli and bore cubs that were re-introduced in Sariska does not make it important over other tigers in the reserve that are less sighted and camera shy Bilal Habib, scientist WII said. Read | Machhli and her magic: The tigress who renewed Ranthambhores success story There are several popular tigers in tourism zone of various reserves of the country that are extremely popular. For example, nature guides in Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary in Nagpur address two male young tigers by the name of Srinivasa (Srinivasa Reddy-IFS) and Bittu (Bittu Sahgal of Sanctuary Asia). Nature guides and locals play a prominent role in naming tigers in tourist zones of reserves. Srinavasa and Bittu in Umred is a classic example, Digambar Chaple, wildlife photographer based at Nagpur informed. Shivanjari and Choti Tara in Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Collarwali in Pench Tiger Reserve, Khali in Corbett Tiger Reserve are some of the popular tigers that are a huge attraction in the field as well as social media. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At least two people involved in the August 11 attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brijpal Teotia in Ghaziabad, were arrested by the police here on Friday. The total number of those nabbed in the case has climbed to six, an official said. Ghaziabad senior superintendent of police KS Emmanuel said the two -- identified as Abhisekh, 22, and Gaurav, 20 -- had admitted to their crime. Twelve people were involved in the attack on the BJP leader. Emmanuel said Abhishek had studied for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course from IMS Ghaziabad while Gaurav was a matriculate. Abhishek, along with another accused Pahalwan, carried a bag containing an AK-47 and four pistols, which he dumped in his three-wheeler after the attack, and escaped. Four others -- identified as Rahul Tyagi, 26, Ram Kumar, 25, Nishant Singh, 25, and Jitendra, 40 -- were arrested on Wednesday. The police have recovered a total of six pistols, one Samsung mobile phone, a motorcycle and two helmets from the possession of those arrested. As many as 20 teams were formed to arrest the criminals. The teams comprised officers from Special Task Force groups of Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut. Some teams were also working to track the criminals in other states. The other accused who were in another vehicle with Gaurav, were being tracked, the official said. Inspector general of police, Meerut Zone, Sujeet Pandey told the media here that main conspirators Manish and Manoj, both cousins, hailed from Teotias native village Mahrauli under Kavi Nagar Police Station of Ghaziabad. Both had hatched the conspiracy to avenge the murder of Manishs father Suresh Diwan, a Delhi Police constable killed in 1999 in Shakarpur in Delhi. The NDA government on Friday sent a senior NIA officer Sanjiv Kumar Singh packing, reversing its June order to extend his stay by another year. It is not clear why the government changed its mind. But the order issued on the PMOs instructions left no doubts on how the NDA government had moved at lightning speed to shunt the NIAs inspector general. Singh is a 1987-batch police officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre. When it extended Singhs tenure in June, the ACC had taken nearly two months to make an exception for Singh. Home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi had made a special request for Singh, who apart from leading probes into terror cases such as the Pathankot attack, had also become the face of the agency. He doubled as its spokesperson. The IPS officer had already completed seven years in the central government, the maximum permissible stint for an officer of his rank. Fridays order reversing the ACC decision, in contrast, was issued in a hurry. The order said the competent authority in the ACC the PM had approved the order to supersede the ACC decision a day earlier. The only other member of the ACC apart from the PM, is home minister Rajnath Singh. The Ministry of Home Affairs may relieve Shri Sanjeev Kumar Singh, IPS (MP:S7) from the post immediately, Friday evenings order said, pointing that the approval to let Singh continue beyond 5 July in the NIA stood withdrawn. This could complicate things for Singh as it implies that his stay in the NIA beyond this date was without approval. Incidentally, Singh was one of few officers deputed to the NIA soon after it was established in 2009. He handled the probe in the seven cases of right-wing extremists probed by the NIA till the NDA government assumed charge in May 2014. Singh later supervised probe in the Burdwan case and the Pathankot airbase attack case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As the NDA government inches toward closing the multi-billion euro Rafale fighter deal, New Delhi has sought a waiver from a key provision that requires India to shell out an advance guarantee. If France accepts the Indian demand, it will result in a saving of more than euro 134 million, South Block sources said on Friday. The deal for 36 Rafale warplanes is expected to be worth around euro 7.3 billion. The sources said the deal was stuck as India had put its foot down on doing away with the advance guarantee clause as it was a government-to-government sale. The sources said defence minister Manohar Parrikar has conveyed the Indian position on the issue to French authorities through diplomatic channels on Thursday. It is learnt all other issues have been resolved. Last week, Parrikar informed Lok Sabha that the team negotiating the deal to buy the French fighters, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, had submitted its final report to the government. A favourable response from France to the Indian proposal could see the deal being sent to finance ministry in the coming days, the sources confirmed. Finance ministry clearance will pave the way for final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The deal is crucial for the Indian Air Force which is grappling with a significant drawdown of its fighter fleet. The IAF has a 33 fighter squadrons each consisting of 18 fighter planes, but it requires 45 combat units to counter a combined threat from China and Pakistan. The IAF admits it does not have sufficient number of warplanes to fight a two-front war. The plan was to buy 126 fighter planes but the Centre scrapped that deal, opting to buy 36 jets in fly-away condition from France. The new deal was announced by Modi during a visit to Paris last year. Ben aavi gay ache. Atyare ghare nathi (Ben has shifted back here. But she is not at home right now), says a security guard outside Dharm, a sprawling bungalow in western Ahmedabads upmarket Shilaj neighbourhood. Anandiben Patel, fondly called Ben by many, is rarely at home despite not being preoccupied with her high-profile job as Gujarats chief minister anymore. In the three weeks since she stepped down, the politician has given up her ministerial accommodation and shifted to her sons home and generally stayed out of the headlines. But in no way has the pace of her public life slackened. Thursdays Raksha Bandhan was a case in point. Up early AT 5 am and ready after a strenuous round of yoga, the 75-year-old was at the residence of new chief minister Vijay Rupani to tie him a rakhi. She then called on deputy chief minister Nitin Patel for the same purpose. In the afternoon, she was at a school in her assembly constituency of Ghatlodia to tie rakhis to teachers and hundreds of students. She is as active as ever. Now she has more time to devote to her constituency that she has started visiting almost daily, points out MLA and former minister Vasuben Trivedi. Unlike Kesubhai Patel who sulked after being forced to make way for Narendra Modi as the Gujarat chief minister in 2001, Anandiben appears to have made the transition back to the status of an ordinary legislator effortlessly. For the records sake, she stepped down citing her age and to make way for a younger generation. However, at the swearing-in of her successor, she set tongues wagging by staying away from Rupani and engaging with Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis instead. Rumours spread that she was unhappy at being coaxed to resign by the leadership in a desperate bid to reverse the growing disenchantment with the party ahead of next years assembly elections. But Anandiben betrays no signs of carrying any grudge. Her Facebook page is full of pictures of the new chief minister that her aides say are proof of her maturity. It was Modi who constantly made efforts to bridge the gap with Keshubhai, respecting his seniority. But Anandiben has approached Rupani keeping aside her seniority, points out one of her ministerial colleagues. Another party leader insists Anandiben is someone who likes to stay busy. The former principal of Mohiba Girl High School in Ahmedabad is likely to revive her work in the field of education and also art and culture, the leader says. The ex-chief minister is also the director of Gramshree, an NGO run by her daughter that promotes rural artisans. Though no more the CM, Anandiben is far from retiring. Mostly out of home during the day, she returns for few precious moments with her family in the night. Doctors perform surgeries even at the age of 80, she had said in her last speech as the chief minister on the occasion of World Organ Donation Day. By her own account, her innings as a public figure is in no way over. The Haryana government on Friday admitted before the Punjab and Haryana high court that eyewitnesses examined by the special investigation team (SIT) reported incidents of molestation in Murthal on February 20 night during the Jat quota agitation. Reading out portions of the report submitted in a sealed cover, additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta told the bench of justice SS Saron and justice Lisa Gill that 562 mobile phones were found active when the alleged instances of gang-rapes took place in Murthal. The SIT tried contacting the phone owners. So far 162 people, including 131 men and 31 women, either commuters or others, were contacted and their statements recorded. Some of them have told of instances of molestation. But none has confirmed rape, Mehta said. DUMPED CLOTHES SENT TO DELHI LAB Mehta told the court that dumped clothes found near Murthal, suspected to be that of rape victims, were sent to a forensic laboratory in Delhi as human semen was found on them. We have arrested five persons after the FIR for alleged rape and other sections and blood samples of these persons have been taken. They would be sent for forensic examination. But the arrests were for other offences not for rape, Mehta said. The government told the court that the SIT contacted the purported NRI rape victim and she denied travelling beyond Delhi airport that night. As for the email citing instances of molestation and rape, which was presumably sent by another NRI woman, turned out to be fake. The SIT found no evidence about the letter posted in Faridabad, claiming a girl student on her way to Delhi that day was raped. Mehta also denied reports of a Raj Bhawan employees relative falling prey to goons in Murthal. GO AHEAD WITH FULL STEAM, HARYANA TOLD The Haryana government told the court that the Delhi journalist, who claimed to have interviewed the mother of a rape victim, was not cooperating despite the SIT approaching him time and again. The court told the state to go ahead with full steam, as per law. Who is stopping you? Neither the amicus nor the court has any problem, the bench said. The state said that it wanted to examine the device used by journalist for recording the statement of the girls mother. Haryana to submit action taken report The high court has summoned the action taken or proposed action taken report on the Prakash Singh commission recommendations from Haryana by September 1. The panel was set up to look into the role of officials during the Jat quota protests. The court sought a response from the government on a demand of senior advocate Anupam Gupta that the state be directed to provide copies of statements and case diaries into the quota violence FIRs. Gupta also told the court that a member of the Parkash Singh panels extended team informed him about rapes in Murthal. Amrik Singh, the owner of Sukhdev Dhaba on the highway near Murthal, told the (extended) panel that these persons (quota agitators) did something for which boiling water should be thrown on them. A panel member told me over phone, Gupta said. He said it was up to that officer to come out in the open. The Parkash Singh panel was a one-member committee but assisted by IAS officer Vijai Vardhan and IPS officer KP Singh. India signed a short-term agreement with Bangladesh on Thursday to allow transport of petroleum products to Tripura through its territory after heavy rain virtually cut off Tripuras road link to Assam from where the supply originates. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and the Roads and Highways Department of Bangladesh in Dhaka. The MoU enables IOCL to send its trucks carrying petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG from Meghalaya to Tripura via Bangladesh. Trucks carrying the petroleum goods will ply in the Dawki (Meghalaya) Tamabil (Bangladesh) Chatlapur (Bangladesh) Kailasshar (Tripura) route. The validity of this facility is till September 30. Both sides have also agreed to extend the transit facility for a further short period on need basis. The northeast frontier railways has also started a roll on-roll off (RoRo) service from this month to carry fuel tankers loaded on flatbed rakes to help Tripura mitigate the fuel crisis. Tripura has been reeling under an acute fuel crisis after a large section of national highway 44 was virtually washed away in the current monsoon. The fuel crisis had forced the state government to adopt measures like odd-even days and showing vehicles insurance papers to allow motorists to fill their vehicles tanks. The Jammu and Kashmir government has read out the riot act to its employees warning them that it would stop their salaries from this month (August) if they do not attend office. The divisional commissioner in an order on Wednesday directed heads of departments not to pay salaries to those employees who play truant. According to the order, the decision was taken after reviewing the attendance of employees for month of July. Asking for strict compliance, the divisional commissioner has warned any deviation from the order will be viewed seriously and recovery would be made from personal account of the erring officer. All government offices have witnessed thin attendance since July 8 after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani. Authorities had earlier asked all employees to report for duty saying identity cards would be considered as curfew passes. However, government employees have either not complied with the earlier government directive or have not been able to comply largely because most transport is off the roads and security forces do not consider identity cards as curfew passes. The separatist leadership on the other hand have also asked employees except those in essential services like hospitals, not attend offices. Attendance data of August 16 accessed by a local newspaper Kashmir Reader shows that Srinagar district has shown the lowest attendance in the Valley in government offices. Of the 50 government departments in Srinagar, more than 20 have registered below 30% attendance. The higher education department has registered just 10% attendance while the handicrafts department, the electric division (2nd) and the irrigation department have witnessed 0%, 33%, and 22% attendance, respectively. In south Kashmiris Pulwama and Kulgam districts, the attendance in the education department was 7% and 51% respectively. In north Kashmirs Kupwara and Baramulla districts, employee attendance in private schools was 20% and 52% in government schools. According to the attendance data, out of 2600 employees, only 400 attended their duties in the civil secretariat. Read | Kashmir: Curfew stretches to 42nd day, ambulance driver latest casualty Pradeep Chauhan, the man who has been accused of blackmailing Union minister VK Singhs wife, has filed a police complaint alleging that there was a threat to his life as he was aware of some secrets of the ministers family. In his complaint, a copy of which is with HT, he stated, I am being threatened because I have strong evidence against Singh and his family planning to eliminate a Colonel and his OSD (officer on special duty). I have both audio and video clips to support my claims. He also named VK Singhs daughter, wife Bharti Singh, brother-in-law and a captain of the army in his complaint. Sources said that Chauhan has recorded conversations between Singh and some officials of the ministry of external affairs related to some inquiries. The recordings also had some correspondence between Singh and defence ministry officials. We are not aware of any such allegations. All of this is rubbish. Let the investigation agency work and get to the bottom of it, Singhs counsel Vishwajeet Singh said. Chauhan has reportedly submitted his phone to the Gurgaon police for investigation. It will now be handed over to the Delhi Police who are looking into the case. The mobile will be sent for forensic examination. If Chauhan pursues the case, then voice samples of Bharati and Singh will be collected and compared with the audio clips recovered from Chauhans phone, an investigator told HT. Sources said that Singhs family approached the police to quash the case. The police, however, refused to act saying that the matter was now in the court. The ban on plastic along Ganges, to free the river of the menace, remains on paper as authorities have shown little interest in cracking the whip on offenders in the face of strong opposition from traders lobby. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning the use of plastic from Gaumukh to Haridwar came into effect on February 1 this year. The order had said that there shall be complete prohibition on the use of plastic.The procurement, storing and sale of plastic bags, plates, glasses and allied items are herewith prohibited. However, the use of plastic, in the form of bags, bottles, cans and other items, has been rampant and open in places like Haridwar and Rishikesh, where thousands of Hindu pilgrims throng, especially during festivals and auspicious days. Authorities have done little to contain the menace, with the Haridwar Municipal Corporation seizing only 76 kg of polythene and fining different traders Rs 2.5 lakh in the last seven months. The Haridwar municipal commissioner Vipra Trivedi refused to speak to HT on the issue. In Rishikesh, Ganga water is collected in plastic cans by the local post office for the departments flagship scheme to deliver Gangajal (Ganga water) by post. Traders in the two cities allege that the green tribunals notification has become a tool of harassment for authorities. Whenever officials feel, they summon us and threaten to confiscate plastic products, but they dont offer us a solution, Kailash Keshwani, president of the traders association in Haridwar, complained. The notification on plastic ban is a good step but I think its a failure of administrative machinery to ensure its implementation. Moreover, there is an immediate need to sensitise pilgrims on the use of plastic, said Mohan Rawat, an expert member with National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). Indias longest and most revered river, the Ganga is formed by the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi at Devprayag. The Bhagirathi originates from the Gaumukh in the Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Haryana village sarpanch Vinod Sharma (32), his wife Rekha, and three-year-old son Aman are battling for life at Sir Ganga Ram hospital in Delhi. They were shot at by miscreants on August 15 at their residence in Rohtaks Kultana village over alleged political rivalry in the panchayat elections. However, Sharma is not the only one. The politics at grassroot level in Haryana has taken a bloody turn, with sarpanches and their families being attacked regularly by rivals over election-related feuds. The political experts in the state are attributing it to prestige problem of the people living in rural areas, where Khap panchayats have a dominant hold and cases of honour killing and shootouts are rampant. Recently, a newly-elected sarpanch and his father were shot dead by three men at their residence in Asauda Sevan village in Bahadurgarh. The police said they were killed by the family of a runner-up in the sarpanch elections. The panchayat poll rivalry had claimed its first life in matter of hours after the results of the elections were declared in January. Newly-elected sarpanch of Kheri village in Jind, Rakesh Kumar Yadav (40), was shot dead allegedly by the son of his nearest rival, who wanted to take revenge of the defeat in the polls. A political observer and social activist in Jhajjar, Mukesh Singh, blamed it on Haryana mens mooch problem. For them, their reputation comes first. When they lose elections, the only thing they can think of is revenge, Singh said. What has added to the problem is hooligans and criminals contesting elections, or nominating their family members. They think their dabang attitude will make them win without doing any development, he added. A recent incident of poll rivalry shamed Haryana when an army officers father and brother were killed by a goon in Sonepats Karewari village for not voting for his brother in panchayat elections. Disappointed Major Sushil Chikkara wrote an emotional message: A soldier goes to the battlefield leaving behind his family at home with confidence that police and civil administration will ensure their well-being. More than a dozen other incidents have been reported in Haryana in these last eight months where either sarpanches or their family members have been attacked. Last week, over 47 sarpanches in Rohtak collectively went to meet SP and DC to demand security for the husband of Baland village sarpanch, who has luckily dodged three attacks by masked miscreants. His complaint to the police, too, names a panchayat poll rival. Raj Singh Hooda, a political commentator in Rohtak, said property and corruption could be major factors behind such attacks. Many sarpanches have commission-business with contractors for developmental works in their villages. When they lose elections, they also lose their source of income through corruption, which they cannot tolerate. Also, people close to sarpanches often illegaly acquire panchayat land for their own personal use. When their favourable sarpanch loses, they fear being deprived of property and take such steps, Hooda said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted a prayer for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday for his remarks that the BJP had suffered more adversities in independent India than the Congress did during the British rule. The Congress also demanded that the Prime Minister should withdraw his comments and apologise to the nation. Modiji a prayer for you: Asatoma Sadgamaya Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya Mrityorma Amritam gamaya Om shanti shanti shanty, he said in the first tweet. Modiji a prayer for you: "Asatoma Sadgamaya Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya Mrityorma Amritam gamaya Om shanti shanti shanti"https://t.co/ZwXiOiMHTY Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 19, 2016 Lead me from ignorance to truth - from darkness to light - from death to immortality. Let there be peace for all living creatures Gandhi wrote in his second tweet. "Lead me from ignorance to truth - from darkness to light - from death to immortality. Let there be peace for all living creatures" Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 19, 2016 At a press briefing, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said the PM has trivialised the freedom struggle. This is historical lie. The PM should maintain the dignity of his post and speak the truth. Not only must he recant the shameful statement, he must also apologise. Sharma allege that Modi has insulted all those who sacrificed everything for the nation - Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and countless freedom fighters. Its a historical truth that the RSS and BJP are trying to appropriate freedom fighters. They tried with Sardar Patel. The Congress leader said Sardar Patels views on the RSS could be gauged through a government of India communique, which banned the RSS and Hindu Mahasbha. Piecing together the 10-year-old ordeal of a woman, who was sold multiple times, held captive and gang-raped all these years by men in four different states, police have arrested eight men. The eight men, include two senior citizens, aged 61 and 70, who had forced her into marriage. The woman, a rape victim, escaped her kidnappers and returned home after 10 years, last month. Now 22-year-old, she was kidnapped at the age of 12 from her home in northeast Delhi. Police said that following the womans return, they recorded her statement and quizzed over 400 people in Punjab, Gujarat, West Bengal, Haryana and Delhi. On August 2, she and her mother approached the police and complained that on September 9, 2006, she was going to her sisters house when she was kidnapped by a man and a woman. The two overpowered her near her house and forced her to sniff a handkerchief, after which she fell unconscious. The woman said that she was then taken to Punjab and Gujarat and gang-raped. Her tormentors also forced her to work on the fields in Gujarat before selling her to two men in 2009. In 2009, she was sold nine times, she told police. DCP (North East) AK Singla said they have arrested eight people, including Ranju, 35, and her husband Shyam Sunder, 35. The two had kidnapped her from near her house and taken her to Ambala. Babli, 47, who bought her for Rs 12,000 was arrested along with another buyer Sarup Chand of Punjab, 61, who had paid Rs 10,000 for her. Police said Chand is a tout and a mediator who bought the woman for his contacts Partap Singh, 70, and Jagshir Singh, 35. Partap had bought her for Rs 20,000 and got the woman married to his son Jagshir in 2006. The two have also been arrested from Punjab. In 2009, the father-son duo sold the woman to another man Roda Singh, who is absconding. Two men, Makkan Singh and Birender Singh, who were involved in selling the woman have been arrested. The woman had earlier told HT that in all those years, her rapists also burnt her with cigarettes. Last month, she had met a woman, while being forced to work in a dance bar. The woman after hearing her ordeal helped her escape from the dance bar in Siliguri. Union minister Maneka Gandhi knows to invest money in ways smarter than her cabinet colleagues. Out of the eight cabinet ministers who submitted annual statement of assets, Gandhi has the highest income jump of Rs 1.04 crore. While most ministers invested in fixed deposits and other financial instruments, Gandhis properties in posh markets and malls fetched more returns. The women and child welfare minister owns the two shops at the capitals upscale Khan Market where Goodearth has its showroom. Gandhi owns two commercial properties in south Dehis Vasant Kunj. She has also put on rent a shop (G11) at MGF Plaza Mall in Gurgaon. A comparison between her 2015 declaration and the 2016 statement of assets shows that except in the value of shares, Gandhi gained in all other investments. Her cash and bank balance is up and so is her mutual fund investments. It is likely she invested the rentals earned in mutual funds. To maintain transparency in public life, ministers submit their annual statement of assets and liabilities and those of their spouse and dependent children to the Prime Ministers Office for public consumption. Among the other ministers who declared assets this year, annual income increased marginally for foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, Ramvilas Paswan (food) and Prakash Javadekar (HRD). The value of assets went southwards for M Venkaiah Naidu (urban development) , Sadananda Gowda (statistics) and Thawar Chand Gehlot (social justice). Finance minister Arun Jaitley was the first to declare assets. His statement showed a rise assets by more than Rs 6 crore. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress president Sonia Gandhi was discharged on Friday from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where she underwent a minor procedure after a shoulder reconstruction earlier this month. The 69-year-old leader was admitted to the west Delhi hospital on Wednesday evening for a follow-up during which doctors removed her sutures after the August 3 surgery. Mrs Gandhi has been discharged in a stable condition, Ganga Ram vice-chairman Dr SP Byotra said. She was admitted for a planned minor procedure on Wednesday, which she underwent successfully. She has shown good recovery. Earlier, last Sunday, Gandhi was discharged from the hospital eleven days after the surgery. Doctors had then said Gandhi would be coming back within a week for evaluation of her condition. The surgery was carried out a day after Gandhi dislocated and fractured her left shoulder during a Congress road-show in Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh. Mumbai-based Dr Sanjay Desai, who specializes in shoulder reconstruction, was flown in for her surgery. Gandhi also suffered from massive electrolyte imbalance and suffered from acute diarrhoea, fever and vomiting. The leaders condition was serious when she was flown in to Delhi directly from the pilgrim city in Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are to be held next year. She was admitted into the intensive care unit of Ganga Ram. The dizzy spell had led to a fall that had caused the dislocation and fracture of her left shoulder. While supporters of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) see party chief Mayawatis demand for state assembly election in January- February as a strategy, rival political parties feel Mayawati wants early elections as she is worried about more desertions. BSP state unit president Ramachal Rajbhar says the state is in grip of political instability due to the feud in the Yadav family and Mayawatis demand in this backdrop makes sense. Mayawatis appeal to the Election Commission to hold elections in January-February has rattled the rival parties as they are not prepared yet, he said. Political observer RK Mishra, however, feels Mayawati demanded early election as she is worried rival parties may be better off if the EC holds election in March- April. The BSP had started preparation immediately after the 2014 Lok Sabha election and announced candidates on majority of the 403 assembly seats. This is in sharp contrast of the SP, Congress and the BJP, which started preparation in July this year, he says. BJP state unit spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak says, The EC will decide the dates. The BJP has completed its preparations but is not as eager as Mayawati is. Senior Congress leader Akhilesh Pratap Singh feels the BSP chief is creating unnecessary fuss over the election dates, as all political parties know that assembly elections in UP will be held in February. She is rattled over her partys shrinking base and growing popularity of the Congress among the people, he says. Deepak Mishra, a spokesperson of Samajwadi Party, says, She (Mayawati) fears that Samajwadi Party might come back to power on the basis of its development projects. The SP government spent the first two years in bringing the de-railed economy back on tracks and now most of its big development projects are getting finishing touches. This may be one of the reasons why she wants elections to be held early. She doesnt have any knowledge about the Constitution, all that she wants is power. EC already in election mode Mayawatis appeal notwithstanding, the Election Commission (EC) has already moved into election mode with its team recently visiting the state to review preparations. Sources in the EC said the assembly elections in 2012 were held in February- March and the first meeting of the legislative assembly was held on May 28. The Election Commission can hold elections anytime prior to the first meeting of the house. If the EC wished, it could hold elections in UP from November onwards, they said. Since the house is to be constituted by March 27, the assembly elections can be held in March-April as well. As Board examination in UP is held in March-April and the EC might repeat the schedule of 2012 assembly election. When asked if the assembly election will be held in March- April, an Election Commission officer said, Assembly elections in five states are due in early 2017, including UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. The assemblies in four states - Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa --is to be constituted in March. The EC might opt for elections in all the states simultaneously. In such a case, elections in UP are likely to be held in February- March. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A law that makes it difficult to get a divorce may not have kept unhappy married couples together. Census data released this week suggests these couples were splitting up anyway, without a divorce. For every divorcee recorded by the census, there was an average of two more who told enumerators that they too had separated from their spouses. For Hindus, there were three more separated people for every divorcee. The data comes against the backdrop of the NDA governments move to drop a much-debated bill that would give legal sanctity to live-in relationships and make it easier for Hindus to get a divorce. But former law minister Sadananda Gowda dumped the bill in February last year, saying there were people who felt the amendments would be detrimental to the present system of family. The law for Hindus and others registered under a special marriage law makes it difficult to get a divorce unless both partners give their consent. If one partner objects, the other has to prove allegations such as adultery, cruelty and insanity to get the courts seal of approval. n analysis of the census data indicates that Hindus have the lowest proportion of divorced members 0.1% of its population -- among all religious communities. The corresponding number for Muslims, Sikhs and Jains is 0.16%, Buddhists 0.23% and Christians 0.2%. But the picture changes once the separated population is added. At 0.35%, Jains reported the lowest proportion of people who emerged from a marriage on the rocks, followed closely by Muslims at 0.38%. Hindus and Sikhs come next at 0.4% of the population. Apart from a social stigma associated with divorce, the restrictive provisions of the divorce law and the long delays are linked to a high proportion of separated individuals. Between 1901 and 1931, the census added the number of divorced persons as widowers. It started recording divorced persons separately from 1941 and started clubbing separated and divorced people from 1961. The 2011 census was the first where it reported on separated and divorced population separately. The data also revealed that the men divorced and separated move on. Across all religion groups except Sikhs, the proportion of separated and divorced women is much higher than men. The lower number of divorced or separated men is almost certainly due to their higher rates of remarriage compared to women, said Prof Premchand Dommaraju at Singapores Nanyang Technological University in his study Divorce and Separation in India. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the ill treatment of patients at the Berhampore mental hospital in Murshidabad district and has sent a notice to West Bengal chief secretary Basudeb Banerjee, calling for a detailed report within eight weeks. The basis of NHRCs action was a report published in Hindustan Times on August 17, reporting how a number of patients at the hospital, including women, were kept naked and left to sleep on dirty floors. The report was based on photographs taken by members of an NGO, Anjali that is active in the sphere of mental health. Read: Bengal mental asylum inmates kept naked, sleep on dirty floors says NGO The Commission, reiterating its commitment towards the promotion and protection of rights of mentally ill persons, has observed that the contents of the news report are distressing. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal calling for a detailed report about the state of affairs in Behrampur Mental Hospital along with the status of other mental hospitals run by the State Government, NHRC said in a press release issued on Thursday. The NHRC has also asked its Special Rapporteur, East Zone, Domodar Sarangi, to assess the situation on the ground and submit a report to the commission within eight weeks. This is a systemic failure. It can happen anywhere in any hospital in Bengal or outside Bengal. Therefore, the need of the hour is to strengthen the monitoring system as per the Mental Health Act and the committee should be constituted of members who are committed to the issue and unbiased. Government must take these reports seriously and chalk out action plan, Ratnaboli Ray, the head of the NGO, told HT as she welcomed NHRCs move. The government, besides the Berhampore mental hospital, will also have to submit report on the state of affairs at all other government-run mental hospital in the state. SUCI workers demonstrated outside the hospital on Thursday demanding action against the authorities for the poor state of affairs. (HT Photo) There are six government-run hospitals in the state, three of which are in Kolkata, one in Purulia and one in Cooch Behar district. According to the media report, carried on the 17th August, 2016, there are about 430 patients, including men and women, staying in the hospital at present. There is no facility of laundry. There is no barber and the bathrooms are in such a bad condition that the patients often fall on the ground and hurt themselves, NHRC wrote. Read: Bengal mental asylum bosses dress up patients in new robes, clean toilets HT reported that members of the NGO, when paying a visit to the hospital to celebrate Independence Day with the patients, found the inmates were forced to live in unhygienic and inhumane conditions. Their clothes were full of bugs and lice, forcing them to abandon the clothes. The clothes were not fumigated for months. However, the patients were given new clothes after HT published the report on Wednesday. Members of the NGO described the move as an attempt by the hospital authorities to cover-up. After the expose Berhampore mental hospital authorities also hung this volleyball net to indicate the inmates were in a cheerful mood. (Photo: Anjali) The Commission, while issuing the notice to the State Government, has also observed that a state-run Mental Hospital is bound to take care of the patients who are staying there. Mentally ill persons are also entitled to the same inalienable rights as are available to other human beings. They are entitled to be treated with dignity, decency and equality and cannot be discriminated against. There is an ardent need to educate and change the attitude of the public authorities towards the persons suffering from mental illness, the NHRC press release said. Berhampore mental hospital is about 200 kms to the north of Kolkata. When this correspondent telephoned the hospital authorities on August 16, the super said he is not authorised to speak to the media. The chief medical officer of the district said he was listening to music and will not speak even if it was an emergency. Flushed by the success of Mohalla (Community) Clinics in Delhi where primary medical care is provided free of cost, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) plans to replicate this model in Mumbai, the first of its kind outside Delhi. AAP claims that its public funded initiative is aimed as a pressure tactic to force the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation to clean up its act to provide quality health care. According to Satish Jain, member, AAP (MMR Group), the city desperately needs such centres. The BMC primary health care centres are in an abyssal state as they lack basic facilities. The doctors come late and there is a constant shortage of medicines, said Jain. We are introducing a model where we will have a general practitioner for at least five hours daily along with a specialist . We will conduct 100 tests and also provide basic medicines free of cost, he added. The first clinic will be opened at Kamani Estate, Kurla on August 23 by AAP leader Sanjay Singh. The BMC has 182 primary health care centres in the city which are in bad shape thus forcing patients to rely on bigger hospitals. This puts a lot of pressure on the whole healthcare system. Starting the Mohalla clinics was one of the revolutionary steps taken by the Kejriwal government to reduce the load on tertiary hospitals. Another aim was to provide free and prompt healthcare to poor people in a clean environment. The doctors in the clinics are equipped with smart tablets to collate the data of patients from several devises like Blood Pressure monitor, glucometer and ECG. Currently there are 75 such hospitals in Delhi and the government has planned to have 1000 by the end of the year SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Angry Air India passengers have been tweeting comments and pictures of broken seats, torn storage space and dysfunctional toilets in flights, particularly international routes. While the problems of poor cabin upkeep have been reported earlier by cabin crew in-flight reports, the latest flurry of angry complaints has hit social media over the past few days. On August 17, Ajay Anand, a passenger travelling from New York to Delhi tweeted, Flew AI102 on aircraft VT-ALR last week...extremely disappointed with condition of seats. Broken seat back on 48K !! The same day Dilip Sahay, who was on the same route, said that washrooms in AI101 (Delhi-New York) and 102 (New York-Delhi) were out of order on July 29 and Aug 14. Xtremely disappointed with the awful state of Business Class!! he tweeted. Poor cabin maintenance on Boeing 747s and B777-300ERs has drawn flak, said cabin crew sources. For instance, in the B747 named VT-EVA emergency buttons in 7 out of 14 toilets do not work. What if a passenger passes out inside the lavatory? Nobody would know, said a cabin crew personnel requesting anonymity. The flight attendant added that an elderly passenger travelling from New Jersey to Mumbai two months ago had a lucky escape. The passenger had collapsed inside the washroom. Luckily, he had not locked the doors and a co-traveller happened to use the loo around the same time. AI chief Ashwani Lohani did not comment on the cause of the poor upkeep. We are taking all measures to improve the cabin, he said. Some angry tweets against AI were backed with pictures. On August 16, for instance, Amit Bansal travelling from Newark to Mumbai tweeted, Dirty tray area, broken chairs, torn storage space, life jackets falling ahead in the leg space area, with photographs. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 38-year-old driver of a former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA, Milind Kamble, opened fire at a manager of a site, which is under construction, near Pragati Society at Kurla Junction around 4pm on Friday. Police sources said both the driver and manager worked for the NCP leader. The leader said the incident happened because of a personal rivalry. The driver, identified as Mangesh Shankar Waghmare, a resident of Sakharabai Shingare Chawl, in Kurla fired four rounds from a country-made pistol at 49-year-old site manager Anil Laxman Bhise. Bhise has been taken to Sion Hospital after preliminary treatment at Rajawadi hospital, and his condition is stable, said Shahji Umap, deputy commissioner of police Zone 6. According to police, Kamble was inside the cabin at the site when the incident occurred. The accused fled from the spot after the incident, said RD Shinde, additional commissioner of police, central region. The accused was later detained by the crime branch. The pistol used by Waghmare belonged to Kamble and it was inside the car, sources said. The MLA himself rushed the injured to hospital. The site named as Imperia is located on the Eastern Express Highway where an 18-storey residential tower is being constructed. Bhise had been shot on his waist and legs. I heard a sound and thought that a tyre burst. When me and my accomplices came out after hearing the noise, Bhise told us that he had been shot at. I quickly went to my vehicle but the door was locked. Waghmare had the keys with him and he was nowhere to be seen. I immediately took Bhise to hospital, Kamble told Hindustan times at Sion hospital. The former MLA said that the duo were at loggerheads but he had intervened and had solved their dispute. He stated that there were disputes between them including one over a local Ganesh mandal in Chembur. I never thought that the dispute would reach such an extent. Bhise was made the chief of the mandal, which Waghmare did not like, he said. It was Bhise who got Waghmare his job as a driver with the MLA, sources said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The BJP has appointed its leaders as governors to consolidate its power over states, its warring ally Shiv Sena said on Friday and demanded that capable leaders from ally parties be named for gubernatorial posts too. Shiv Senas criticism comes after the Modi government named its four senior leaders as governors and lieutenant governor: Former Union minister Najma Heptulla for Manipur, former Rajya Sabha MP VP Singh Badnore for Punjab, Banwarilal Purohit, a three-time former MP from Nagpur, for Assam, and former MLA Jagdish Mukhi for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Until now, all the governors appointed by the Modi government had been leaders of the BJP. If governors positions have to go to party leaders, then even its alliance partners such as the Telugu Desam Party, Akali Dal and Shiv Sena have many former MPs, MLAs and former ministers ready to take up the responsibility, the party said in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamna. The mouthpiece further said the BJP has been using the gubernatorial post as a post-retirement plan for its veteran leaders. The allies have been on a collision course over ministerial births in the state and at the Centre, and chairmanships of plum trusts and corporations. The BJP has been following the precedent set by the Congress in making political appointments to the apolitical post, the mouthpiece said. The Shiv Sena further said that since it is clear that all governors appointments are purely of a political nature, there will be no reason to hide any political agenda. Manipur and Punjab are soon going to the polls, and the newly appointed governors will get a chance to fulfil their political duties, the party said. It added, for border states, where the responsibility is more acute owing to security and political unrest, traditionally the government has been appointing retired defence or police officers as governors or lieutenant governors. However, despite this, the BJP-led government replaced a retired Lieutenant General in Andaman and Nicobar and appointed BJP leader Mukhi in his place, the Saamna editorial said. There are many experienced and capable leaders in ally parties as well, but as long as the government is run by the 280 wale (the majority party), it doesnt seem like anyone will pay heed to the partys friends, the Shiv Sena said. Additional chief secretary Bhagwan Sahai has been sent on leave pending inquiry for apathy in the suicide of a joint secretarys son last week. He is likely to be kept without any charge until the inquiry is completed. Responding to the aggressive agitation and demand of his suspension by various unions representing government employees, state government decided to send the officer on leave. Right now he has been asked to go on leave and the charge of the agriculture department has been handed over to additional chief secretary DK Jain, Fadnavis said in a reply to a text message by HT. However, there are contrary views from the state administration. There is no such thing as compulsory leave in the law. Sahai had applied for leave of two weeks, through an application to the chief secretary today, which has been granted, said Mukesh Khullar, principal secretary of general administration department. According to the sources, the officer was advised to apply for leave amid the tremendous pressure from employees. The employees have been demanding the suspension claiming that it was not possible for them to work under him. Had the officer continued in the department, it would have been difficult to pacify the employees and hence Sahai was told to apply for the leave on his own. The employees have been citing previous incidents of harassment and one more case of suicide by a clerk last month. This has created sentiments against the officer, the officer said. 19-year old Avdhut, son of Ghadge, committed suicide last Thursday over domestic issues. Before taking the extreme step, the son had called Ghadge to ask him to rush back home as he was restless. When Ghadge approached additional chief secretary Bhagwan Sahai for permission to leave early, he was denied permission and was warned to not leave office before the office hours end. Employees have been holding Sahai guilty for the death. Employees unions continued their protest on second consecutive day demanding action against the officer. Sahai should be kept away from any department in Mantralaya pending inquiry as he is likely to influence it. The performance of the employees from any department he heads is affected badly and it was imperative to shut him out if the government wants employees to work fearlessly, the Maharashtra Mantralaya Officers Organisation has stated in its memorandum submitted to the chief minister and chief secretary. Government has already announced the probe by chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya. Sahai has been asked to present his side in the case. Ghadges statement is likely to be recorded once he comes back from his native place in Solapur. 1. Nineteen-year-old Avdhut, son of Rajesh Ghadge, a joint secretary in the department, committed suicide on Thursday over domestic issues. 2. Before taking the extreme step, he had called up Ghadge to ask him to rush home as he was restless 3. When Ghadge approached Sahai for permission to leave early, he was allegedly denied permission and warned not to leave office before office hours end. 4. Despite continuous requests from his son and wife over phone, Ghadge was not allowed to leave early. He got the news of his sons demise on his way home. 5. Employees have been holding Sahai guilty for the death. Macarena, the cult Spanish party song, turns 20 this year. The catchy track first appeared on 1993 album A mi me gusta by Spanish duo Los del Rio, but became a mainstream hit when producers, Bayside Boys, remixed it with English lyrics. It topped charts around the world, including the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for 14 weeks. Antonio Romeo Monge and Rafael Ruiz of Los del Rio, who have been performing together since 1962, are still overwhelmed with the support Macarena receives after it became the go-to jam for weddings, sporting events, bar mitzvah and even a Democratic convention, reported Billboard magazine. Read: Here are Spotifys top 10 most viral tracks globally Watch the original Spanish version of Macarena here: We have no words to thank everyone. Were just two guys from a small town, doing things very humbly because we come from very humble families, we lost our parents very young, weve worked so hard, and to see ourselves here? That girl Macarena really was something, added Rafael. Read: Ghazals far from fading away, says Talat Aziz Watch the Macarena song with English subtitles: The story was inspired by a Venezuelan girl Antonio spotted at a private party. Singing a little tune to himself, about the girl he called Madalena, Antonio later changed the name to Macarena in honour of his daughter, and the hit was born. The song has sold over four million units in the US. European Olympic head Patrick Hickey of Ireland is spending the closing days of the Rio Games in a prison after his arrest in a ticket-scalping scandal, authorities said on Friday. Read more: European IOC chief arrested in Rio over ticket scandal The 71-year-old International Olympic Committee executive was denied bail after his legal team argued unsuccessfully that he was being detained illegally following his early-morning arrest Wednesday at his hotel. Police only began questioning Hickey on Thursday because he was hospitalized for a day with chest pains following his arrest. Hickey has now been transferred to the sprawling Bangu prison complex in Rio, a police statement said. Hickeys Brazilian lawyers did not respond to an email seeking comment. Hickey has temporarily stepped down from his IOC duties, including his post on the ruling executive board and heading the influential umbrella group for Europes Olympic bodies. The former judo athlete is facing charges of conspiracy, ticket scalping and ambush marketing after Brazilian authorities alleged he was part of a plot to make $3 million by illegally selling Rio Games tickets above face value. Police said Irelands Olympic body helped transfer tickets to an unauthorized vendor who would set high fees and disguise the transaction as a hospitality package. The Olympic Council of Ireland board said it will not comment Hickeys criminal case, adding that he is receiving his own legal advice and is entitled to natural justice and due process. Hickey built his power base through judo, going on to lead the Irish Olympic team at the 1988 and 1992 Games before being elected to the IOC in 1995. He joined the executive board four years ago. The OCI has halted the earlier internal investigation established by Hickey before his arrest and set up an independent one. The Dublin-based organization said it will cooperate fully with a non-statutory government inquiry at home into the scandal. Rio police made their first arrests in the investigation last week when Kevin James Mallon, from the British hospitality provider THG, was held in Rio. Authorities have also issued warrants for four more executives at the company. Some Irish tickets for the Olympics opening ceremony with a face value of $1,400 were sold for $8,000, police said.The board of the Olympic Council of Ireland regrets that recent events in Brazil have overshadowed the many great performances of Team Ireland at the Rio Olympic Games, the organization said. Two US Olympic swimmers flew home from Brazil on Thursday after a local crowd jeered them, calling them liars and fakes, and police accused them of fabricating a story about being robbed at gunpoint during the Rio Games. Their departure marked what the US Olympic team hopes will be the closing stages of an incident that has embarrassed the host city, angered the police and government, unleashed a storm on social media, and dominated news coverage of South Americas first Olympics. The US Olympic Committee (USOC) issued an apology after the departure of Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, who were among four US swimmers shown to have lied about being stopped by gunmen posing as police in the early hours of Sunday. We apologise to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence, USOC chief Scott Blackmun said in a statement. Apart from Bentz and Conger, the incident involved gold medallist Ryan Lochte, one of Americas most decorated swimmers and the most outspoken about the robbery, and Jimmy Feigen, who also won a gold medal in Rio. In this Sunday, August 14, 2016 frame from surveillance video released by Brazil Police, swimmers from the United States Olympic team appear with Ryan Lochte, right, at a gas station during the Rio Olympics. (AP) Lochte returned to the United States on Monday. Feigen revised his police statement on Thursday in the hope of securing the release of his passport, the USOC said. ABC News reported early on Friday that Feigen had agreed to pay $11,000 to a Brazilian charity to avoid prosecution in the case, citing his attorney Breno Melaragno Costa. The outlet said the dispute would be settled, his passport returned, and Feigen would be allowed to leave the country once payment was made to the Reaction Institute charity. Reuters could not independently verify the report. Neither Feigen nor Lochte could be contacted for comment. The USOC confirmed police accusations, including that one of the swimmers had vandalised the gas station after the group stopped there to use the bathroom during a taxi ride back to the Athletes Village from a late-night party in the city. After days of standing by the swimmers story, the USOC also backed up other police evidence, including a security video showing the swimmers in an argument with staff at the Shell service station. An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment, it said, adding that the guards allowed the swimmers to leave once some cash had been handed over. The USOC said it would further review the incident and assess any potential consequences for the athletes. USA Swimming said it could also take possible action. Embarrassment A poster based on the popular movie Liar Liar depicting Ryan Lochte as its star is shown during the final of the mens decathlon javelin throw final in Rio on August 18, 2016. (REUTERS) During the two weeks of the Rio Games, the sporting action has been competing for headlines against a series of muggings and armed robberies of high-profile athletes and visitors in Rio de Janeiro, including two government ministers. None created more embarrassment for Rio than Lochtes statement that a robber had at one point put a gun to Lochtes forehead and demanded the groups wallets. Rios police chief denounced the story on Thursday. There was no robbery as the swimmers described it, civil police chief Fernando Veloso told a news conference, adding that it would be noble and dignified if the swimmers were to apologise to the people of Rio. Brazils Presidential Chief of Staff, Eliseu Padilha, said the swimmers should be held accountable. GloboNews reported that police were recommending prosecutors charge Lochte and Feigen with falsely reporting a crime. But a police source later told Reuters that this had not yet happened. Bentz and Conger were interviewed at a Rio police station before heading to the airport. As they walked from the building, a waiting crowd shouted liars and fakes. The pair had tried to leave Brazil on Wednesday but were pulled off their flight. After checking in to the flight to Miami, Conger and Bentz were escorted by security to the airport lounge. Their lawyer, Sergio Riera, hugged them before they walked through customs. Cash paid in compensation A view of the gas-station bathroom that the US swimmers reportedly vandalised. (REUTERS) Veloso, Rios police chief, said police investigations had shown that the swimmers had broken a mirror and a soap-holder in the bathroom, adding that they then handed over a total of 100 reals ($31) and $20 in US currency as compensation. According to Lochtes account, $400 was stolen from them. At one point, a security guard pulled a firearm after one swimmer behaved erratically, Veloso said, adding that the guard had not overreacted: From the moment the gun was pulled out, they calmed down. Once they were calm, the gun was lowered. The security video, broadcast on Brazilian TV, showed three of the swimmers made to sit on the ground with their hands in the air. At one point, Lochte stands and appears to argue with the guards but is made to sit down again. Staff at the gas station said on Thursday that the US swimmers ripped an advertising plaque off a wall and urinated against the building. Security was called and an argument ensued, said one employee who declined to give his name. A sign on one of the bathrooms read: Please Do Not Enter. Rio Games organisers on Thursday defended the four swimmers, saying they were just kids who made a mistake. They competed under gigantic pressure. Lets give these kids a break. Sometime you take actions that you later regret. They had fun, they made a mistake, life goes on, Rio 2016 spokesman Mario Andrada told reporters. Fifteen police officers of the Town police station in Gopalganj were suspended in connection with the suspected hooch tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 people. The 15 policemen, including the officer in-charge of Town police station under which the tragedy took place in Khajurbanni locality were suspended yesterday on charge of dereliction of duty, superintendent of police Raviranjan Kumar told PTI. The tragedy was the first major incident reported in the state after Bihar declared total prohibition in April this year. Santosh Kumar has been made the new officer-in-charge of the police station, the police superintendent, who ordered suspension of the errant officers, said. Four others are still admitted in PMCH, hospital principal SN Sinha said, adding that eye surgeons have been directed to examine their eyes over fears that they might have lost their eyesight in the incident. District magistrate Rahul Kumar said viscera and blood samples of the deceased were handed over to the Muzaffarpur Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team last evening after their post-mortem reports failed to reveal the cause of death. The arrest of one more person in connection with the Gopalganj incident has takenthe total number of arrests to seven, the DM said. The police superintendent said seven more accused are at large and a search was on. Principal secretary of excise and prohibition KK Pathak was scheduled to visit Gopalganj on Friday to review the situation. Chief minister Nitish Kumar, who has expressed grave concern over the Gopalganj tragedy, said the culprits would be dealt with under the stringent new liquor law. Stung by a hooch tragedy claimed 18 lives, dry Bihar has gone into overdrive to clean the system and set an example to avoid a recurrence of the incident. After the suspension of all 25 officers of the Town police station in Gopalganj on Thursday evening, axe is set to fall on the excise superintendent of the district and other department officials, the civil surgeon and a few other doctors for dereliction of duty, sources said. Read | 15 cops suspended over death of 16 people in hooch tragedy Six doctors who were on duty when the tragedy struck have been issued a show-cause notice on charges of dereliction of duty, and a payment of Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia is to be announced by district magistrate Rahul Kumar for the next of kin of the victims. Departmental proceedings have also been recommended against the excise commissioner. Principal secretary, department of excise, KK Pathak, visited Khajurbanni, a place known for its illicit liquor production business. I have seen the place where the illicit liquor was prepared. There were four concrete houses where it was going on. All those involved in this heinous act will face stringent action as per the Excise Act, Pathak added. Pathak said the manufacturing houses would be sealed, and if they are found to be constructed on government land, they would be demolished. I have also asked for confiscation of palm trees and a thorough search of the canal and the surrounding areas. They are around 40-50 in number. Accountability will surely be fixed, he added. Pathak, who held a meeting with district magistrate, the police superintendent, the excise superintendent and other officials, said unlawful activity was going on in an organised way. We are examining the matter and whoever is found responsible for dereliction of duty, at whichever level, will not be spared. Some of the culprits have fled after the incident, he added. The Gopalganj incident is the first major hooch tragedy in Bihar since prohibition was enforced on April 1. Though a few more incidents suspected to be due hooch consumption were reported, the government attributed them to other causes. A report of the forensic analysis of the viscera samples of the deceased is awaited, but circumstantial evidence strongly points to spurious liquor being the cause, a fact accepted by the district administration. The viscera and blood samples of the deceased have been handed over to the Muzaffarpur forensic science laboratory on Thursday evening. The FSL report will make it clear as to what was mixed with the locally made brew, Rahul Kumar said. Read | Suspected hooch tragedy toll rises to 16, FIR lodged against 14 The Gopalganj district magistrate said the area surrounding Khajurbanni would be dug up to ascertain if more liquor was being hidden. We have proposed a community fine on Khajurbanni and ordered that the houses of the culprits be sealed, he added. The DM said the investigation was on and raids were conducted at places where liquor is suspected to have been sold or manufactured. So far, seven persons have been arrested in this connection, while FIR has been lodged against 14, he said. The DM appealed to Khajurbanni residents to share whatever information they had with the administration, assuring that their identity would be kept a secret. Those who consumed liquor in Khajurbanni should also come out fearlessly for proper medical treatment, he added. As per the amended excise law, if death is caused due to mixing of noxious substance with liquor or preparations as substitute of alcohol for sale or possession of such substances, the punishment is death sentence or imprisonment for life, apart from fine not less than Rs 5 lakh, which may extend up to Rs 10-lakh. In case of disability or grievous hurt, the punishment could be a minimum of 10-year imprisonment, which can extend up to life. The new excise Act is yet to be notified, as the gubernatorial assent is awaited. Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said 2017 polls would be a direct fight between pro and anti-Punjab forces. Addressing a gathering at Rakhar Punia Da Mela here on Thursday Badal said: If the SAD-BJP alliance is voted to power again, it will give a fillip to states development, but if anti-Punjab forces such as the Congress and the Aam Aadmi party get a chance, it will be suicidal for Punjab. Accusing the Congress for adopting anti-Sikh stand, Badal said it was the same party behind the 1984 riots and the Operation Bluestar. Read: Rahul carrying anti-Sikh family legacy: Badal Taking a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party, the CM said: The AAP was nothing more than a band of gossip mongers. People should not to get swayed by the malicious propaganda of such people, who were anti-Punjab from core of their heart. Read: Phones of oppn leaders being tapped: AAP to Election Commission Coming down heavily on AAP convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said he wanted to attain power in the state just to settle score with the Union government. If AAP was voted to power, there will be a direct clash between state and the Centre, which will be disastrous for Punjab, he said. Attacking state Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh, the deputy CM said he had done nothing for the state and it was on record that even MLAs of his party could not list even single achievement of his tenure during state assembly session. Read: Capt, Kejriwal building castles in the air: Parkash Badal Meanwhile, revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that both the Congress and the AAP were anti-Punjab and anti-Sikh. Cautioning the people to be beware of the AAP, he said Kejriwal was a conman who was habitual of duping people by showing them green pastures. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON To provide better medical facilities and preserve the British-era building, Princess of Wales Zenana hospital at Dhab Khatikan in Amritsar being upgraded into a community health centre (CHC) under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). The foundation stone of the hospital was laid by lady Chelmsford on April 16, 1917. Giving details, Dr Prabhdeep Kaur Johal, deputy medical commissioner-cum-nodal officer of NUHM said, The idea is to put a soul in to the building without tempering with the original structure and also provide better medical facilities. We will ensure that facilities such as a proper labour rooms, operation theatres, more outpatient departments (OPD) and plenty of medical furniture are provide to the patients, adding, It will take a year to complete the process. Under the plan, the interior of the 99-year-old hospital would be changed, giving it a modern approach while preserving the old British things. The hospital shall be administered collectively by the municipal corporation (MC) and officers of the NUHM. The estimated expenditure for the project has been made at `2.34 crore provided by the state government to Punjab Health Systems Corporations. Moreover, surgeons, gynaecologists and paediatricians will also be brought on board to provide health services as at present, only normal delivery cases are handled in the hospital along with a functional morning OPD. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has given Paviter Singh, its national council member from Punjab, a week to show cause why he should not be removed from the party for accusing its leaders of putting the election candidatures on sale. He had accused AAP state affairs in-charge Sanjay Singh and national organisational secretary Durgesh Pathak of asking him to pay Rs 50 lakh for an assembly poll ticket for his wife. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, AAP legal wing in-charge Himmat Singh Shergill said the party will also file criminal and civil defamation against Paviter Singh and his wife, Lakhvinder Kaur. Shergill said that Paviter had called a press conference on Wednesday as part of a political conspiracy and made allegations without any audio or video proof. The onus of proving the charges is on him now, said Shergill. Addressing the media in Amritsar on Thursday, Sanjay Singh said he was shocked that a party member could stoop to this level just because his wife was denied ticket. If Paviter Singh can come up with any proof that I asked anyone for even a single rupee, I will quit politics. We are open to any probe, he said. Sanjay Singh said anyone from the public or media in Punjab was welcome to probe the manner in which tickets for the assembly elections were being finalised. Our working is like an open book. We have nothing to hide because we are from a party that believes in honesty and transparency. Read: Man who blackmailed VK Singhs wife wanted Punjab poll ticket: AAP After two months of protests at a district level, farmer unions will march to Chandigarh to agitate at the iconic Matka Chowk on September 5 for an indefinite period. Farmers across districts such as Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, Muktsar, Fazilka, Moga and Sangrur have been demanding for a loan waiver, besides a consolidated policy that addresses their grievances so that farmers are not driven to end their lives. Sukhdev Singh Kokri, state general secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union (ekta ugarahan), said they were fed up of the governments anti-farmer policies. He added that their protests had failed to move authorities. The purpose of starting an indefinite protest is to build pressure on the government so that our demands are fulfilled at the earliest, said Kokri. Buta Singh Burjgill, state president, BKU (ugarahan), said the government had turned a blind eye to their demands. The government is serious about our issues. This reflects in its failure to take strict note of corruption in the agriculture department. Even after last years (crop) losses, it is shameful that senior officials were caught making deals with pesticide dealers to allow them to sell their spurious products, said Burjgill. Among other demands, farmers want the government to recalculate their debts, take action against fraudulent commission agents, give a compensation of `5 lakh and a government job to the next of kin of farmers who committed suicide, withdraw the Prevention of Damage To Public and Private Property Act and set a minimum price of `4,500 per quintal for Basmati 1509 and Rs 5,000 for 1121, clear dues of sugarcane growers, give ownership rights to smallscale farmers and conduct a fresh survey related to farmer suicide cases across the state. Ahead of the Punjab assembly polls early next year, the Union home ministry has removed 225 names from the blacklist of NRI Sikhs who are barred from travelling to India due to their alleged ties with Khalistan movement of the 80s and 90s. There were 298 names on the blacklist and the government has slashed their number to 73. After periodic review, 225 names have been removed so far. Its a continuing process, a senior government official told HT, pleading anonymity. Also read: 36 blacklisted Sikhs get ticket to India as Modi lands in US Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to prune the list. His son and states deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal too had written a letter to Union home minister Rajnath Singh in this regard. A delegation of British Sikhs too had urged Modi for scrapping the blacklist, when he went to London. The Khalistan movement was launched in the late 80s seeking a separate state for Sikhs and it turned violent resulting in killing of thousands of innocent civilians, security personnel and militants. Also read: Name off blacklist, but Sikh hardliner in UK wont return The process of pruning down the list picked up pace following instructions from the PM. Names of individuals keep on getting added or deleted after a reference from the intelligence agencies, said the official. At the moment, around 38,000 names figure in the blacklist, a classified document that is maintained in Indian high commissions and embassies all across the world. The list has names of those individuals who are suspected to have links with terrorist outfits, violated visa norms in their previous visit to India, indulged in criminal activities or those accused of sexual crimes against children in their respective countries. The Punjab and Haryana high court has deprecated the role of the Punjab government and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on a Patiala college for unnecessarily trying to stall admission of a daughter of former army Major, who was killed in anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir, to the MBBS course. Unnecessary objections had been raised by respondents, putting the petitioner and her family to hardships despite the sacrifice her father had made for the country, the high court bench said while confirming the admission and imposing a cost of Rs 20,000 on a Patiala medical college. The students father was killed in an encounter with militants in October 1999 and was recognised as battle casualty. The girl, now a student of Government Medical College, Patiala, had qualified the Punjab Pre Medical Entrance Test (PMET 2015-16), but at the time of admission in September 2015, several objections were raised about the validity of certificate of battle casualty since it was issued by the army headquarters and not countersigned by district sainik welfare officer and the director, defence services, Punjab. The girl had got the counter signatures on certificate of the secretary, Zila Sainik Board, Panchkula, since her father was a native of Haryana. At one point, she was told that if objections were not removed, the seat allotted would be offered to the student in waiting list. Left with no option, she approached the high court, which gave direction of provisional admission on September 24, 2015. In court, the Punjab government took a stand that the reservation was only meant for the candidates who were dependents of the defence personnel belonging to Punjab and not to the other states. But the high court observed that the girl studied from SAS Nagar (Mohali) and her mother belonged to Sangrur in Punjab. There should be no dispute that she would be entitled for admission on the strength of having passed her Class 12 and her mother owned property in Punjab, high court said. Army headquarters had sent all requisite certificates, which were objected by respondents and certificate being issued by army headquarter was not required to be countersigned, the high court bench said, adding that it was unfortunate that ward of a ex-serviceman, killed in terror operation was put to such a hardship and put in a zone of uncertainty for one year. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Another, 17-year-old mentally challenged inmate of the shelter home Sukhjit Ashram here died of food infection and hepatitis C at Government Medical College in Amritsar on Friday, taking the toll to three. The deceased, Banti, was undergoing treatment with three other children at the local civil hospital but was shifted to Amritsar on Wednesday as his condition worsened. Deputy commissioner (DC) Jaskiran Singh confirmed the death. Health officials said that body will be shifted to Kapurthala on Friday evening and a post-mortem examination will be done too before the cremation. The condition at Sukhjit Ashram, Kapurthala. (HT Photo) Meanwhile, nothing has changed at the state-run Sukhjit Asjram except that, to segregate genders and acknowledging the staff crunch, the authorities have shifted 11 male inmates to a shelter for the mentally challenged in Rajpura. One male inmate is still ill, hence not been shifted, while the 18 female inmates remain at the centre. It was on August 2 that two inmates were killed and 31 others were taken ill after they ate donated food. The then sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Mandeep Kaur, in her 11-page inquiry report, had raised questions over the functioning of the staff at the shelter home and had recommended their replacement, but no change has been made. The SDM had also recommended the formation of a monitoring committee, proper cleanliness of the premises, ban on serving cooked food from outside, appointment of a full-time doctor, installation of security cameras, weekly inspection, and the maintenance of a visitors register. But no steps have been taken to implement these recommendations so far. Punjab director of social security and women and child development Gurloveleen Singh had promised to change the staff immediately but nothing has happened so far. A permanent superintended has also not taken charge at the ashram though the director had said that Kiratpreet Kaur of the Amritsar home for the mentally challenged would do that. The premises remain unclean, full of plants and bushes. Officials said, on the condition of anonymity, that the district administration has asked child protection officials to look into the affairs of the ashram until a new superintendent takes charge. Also read | A report from two years ago: No material, grant for Sukhjit Ashram SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Police heaved a sigh of relief with dreaded gangster Gaurav Sharma alias Goru Bachchas arrest by the special task force in Amritsar on Wednesday. The accused was a headache for Ludhiana Police. Committing crimes with utmost audacity, the gangster flaunted his political links and terrorised city residents with no fear of law. Jail term was never a deterrent to him, for he used to get bail and commit crime again. A total of 18 cases, including murder, attempt to murder and rape have been registered against him. He hit the headlines when he committed a murder and then was again booked for murder attempt. Goru Bachchas name first appeared in police records in 2009. Shimlapuri police arrested him with illegal weapons and lodged a case under the Arms Act. The jail term failed to mend his ways, and he indulged in criminal activities soon after coming out on bail. Also read | With Gorus arrest, another round of gang war foiled: STF After this, a case of rape was registered against him at Sadar station in 2009. In 2010, he was again booked in two cases of attempt to murder at Model Town and Division Number 5 stations. A case under the Arms Act was also registered against him at Model Town police station. In 2011, he was arrested for hatching a loot conspiracy, by Model Town police. In 2013, Salem Tabri police booked him for snatching. He was also for attempt to murder by Government railway Police (GRP) and Nakodar police. In January 2016, he was booked for hatching loot conspiracy, by Model Town police. His name surfaced again on April 7, 2016, when he gunned down autorickshaw driver Vikrant Kumar in Dugri. Two-and-a-half months after this on June 23, Bachcha fired six bullets at his friend-turned-foe Johny Lamba at Manjit Nagar near Engine Shed and fled. Bachcha suspected that Johny was passing information about him to police. But, Johny survived the bullet injuries. He had also flaunted about his ties with Student Organisation of India (SOI) student wing of Shiromani Akali Dal by installing hoardings carrying his pictures with SAD and SOI leaders. SOI district president Jeevan Sekha was also arrested for sheltering him. Name used to extort money, evade arrest On July 3, a man claiming him to be Goru Bachcha tried to extort money from a city trader. He demanded Rs 5 lakh from the factory owner and threatened to kill him if he failed to give him the money. On being informed, police laid a trap and arrested the accused, who was later identified as Sunil Kumar alias Sony (26) of Field Ganj. On July 9, a man, Vijaypal Ghugga of Haibowal, suffered bullet injury in an accidental fire as his illegal weapon went off. To evade police action for possessing illegal weapon, he told the police that two unidentified men opened fire at him and fled. He said he suspected Goru Bachcha was behind the attack. Later, police solved the case claiming that the man concocted a story. Used new SIM card in every city Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) special task force Maninder Bedi, who arrested the accused from Amritsar, said, After attacking Johny Lamba, Bachcha fled to Gurgaon from the city. Later, he moved to Sirsa, Jaipur, Delhi, Jawalaji in Himachal Pradesh and Amritsar. He used to procure new SIM card in every city, and throw the old SIM card after moving to the next place. He had also challenged Davinder Shooter alias Davinder Bambiha and his accomplices for gunfight in Tarn Taran, but the special task force arrested him. The forces has arrested five gangster, including Inderjit Singh and Goru Bachcha that were wanted by Ludhiana police in separate criminal cases. Man kills self alleging harassment by police On April 29, Inderpal Singh Ahuja, 26, of LIG colony, Dugri, ended his life by jumping in front of train, alleging harassment by police for his alleged links with Goru Bachcha. Ahuja had a mobile phone recharge shop. Bachcha used to visit his shop for recharging his number. A life-insurance agent is charged with posting derogatory remarks on Facebook against a Sikh Guru. Accused Shyam Sunder was remanded in the judicial custody after police arrested him on Wednesday under the Information Technology (IT) Act. Police registered a case under Sections 295-A (acts to outrage religious sentiments), 153-A, (promoting religious enmity between groups), and Sections 67 (publishing of obscene information) and 67-A (abusive language) of the IT Act on the complaint of Patialas Kamaljit Singh. On Wednesday, a delegation of city residents complained that Sunder had hurt their religious sentiments by the post. We have arrested him and the investigation into his motive is on, Kotwali station house officer (SHO) Gurpreet Singh said. His remarks against our first Guru and his asking for pushing Sikhs out of Punjab are both unacceptable, said the complainant. The post was published around 11pm on August 10. He might have deleted it since, said the complainant. But we have submitted the copy of the August 10 page to police. Its official now Chandigarh will not have its own administrator, and the charge will be with the new Punjab governor, BJP veteran VP Singh Badnore, who will take oath on August 22. With this, the reported move of the central government to appoint Kerala BJP leader and retired bureaucrat KJ Alphons as the UTs administrator has been shelved. That move would have changed a 32-year-old system of the governor being the boss of the UT, joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. The BJP-led Centres u-turn came after political parties, including key ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) with which it is in power in Punjab, decried that. Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had approached Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday asking him to review the decision to appoint Alphons as it was seen as weakening the poll-bound states claim over Chandigarh. Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had also resented the move. Alphons, meanwhile, expressed disappointment at the turn of events. Badnore, a former MP who hails from Rajasthan, will take over from Kaptan Singh Solanki, the Haryana governor who has additional charge of Punjab and the UT. The swearing-in will be held at 4pm, Monday, at Punjab Raj Bhawan, where Punjab and Haryana high court chief justice SJ Vazifdar will administer the oath. LOOKING FORWARD TO VERY INTERESTING ASSIGNMENT Badnore told HT on Thursday that he is looking forward to this new, exciting and very interesting assignment. He said over the phone, I have lots of regard for the brave and hardworking people of Punjab. Yes, most probably, I will take oath next week on Monday. Punjabi writer Gurdial Singh, who breathed his last on Tuesday, was cremated with state honours at his native town Jaito on Thursday. Deputy commissioner MC Jaggi was also present at the ceremony. Jaggi said Gurdial Singh reflected on the trials and travails of the poor in his writings. The 83-year-old writer was the second Punjabi literary figure after Amrita Pritam to be honoured with the Jnanpith Award. His son Ravindra performed the last rites. Literature lovers read poems during the ceremony. Faridkot MP Sadhu Singh, MLA Joginder Singh, former Rajya Sabha member Bibi Gurcharan Kaur, and members of agricultural workers union and BKU were also present along with a large number of relatives, and friends. Raksha Bandhan turned out to be a nightmare for sisters who were visiting their brothers at the Mansa jail to celebrate the festival on Thursday morning. While police claimed to have made proper arrangements, many families alleged that they had to pay cops to tie rakhis on their siblings wrists. Others alleged that visitors with influence even clicked selfies with relatives, though mobile phones are not allowed inside jail premises. In fact, it seems cops followed a unique plan of action of their own. Visitors alleged that they were asked to pay so that their duration of visit is extended. Whoever struck a deal with cops was marked on the palm to distinguish them from the others. People were also asked to purchase food items from the jail-run canteen. The canteen sells low quality vegetables and fruits at high prices and we were persuaded to buy from them, said a female visitor from Bathinda. Many said cops resorted to such practices on special days such as Rakshabandhan to harass visitors. Also read | HT Spotlight: Why Punjab Police cant cope with crime Initially, only women were allowed to go inside while men met their relatives in the waiting area. However, men from families with contacts were allowed inside the jail, said Nachattar Singh, another visitor. Visitors had to wait for hours in the scorching heat because many were being allowed inside out of turn. Deputy superintendent of police (prison) Rahul Raj did not comment saying he was busy enough. However, jail superintendent Devinder Singh Randhawa said he will probe the issue as and when a formal complaint was lodged. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Making another breakthrough in the 90-second robbery at Punjab National Banks (PNB) Jawahar Nagar Camp branch on August 1, Division Number 5 police arrested another accused from Kochar Market following a tip-off on Wednesday late. The accused has been identified as Rakesh Kumar (28) of Ferozepur. Police claimed to have recovered a motorcycle, country-made pistol, two bullets and Rs 71,000 from his possession. The accused was produced in the court that remanded him in two-day police custody. Till now three out of five accused have been arrested. And of the Rs 15 lakh looted from the bank, police have managed to recover Rs 7.21 lakh. Division Number 5 station house officer (SHO) Beant Juneja said after the incident, accused and his accomplices fled towards Ferozepur. From there, they separated and moved to different places. The accused told police that he got Rs 2 lakh in cash as share from the Rs 15 lakh that they had looted. He purchased a mobile phone worth Rs 6,500, and also spent a lot of money on buying clothes and shoes, said the SHO. He hired a taxi and visited hill stations such as Kullu, Manali, Dalhousie and Mcleodganj. He spent Rs 1.2 lakh in 15 days. Accused is a school van driver in Ferozepur. Police are investigating, but have not found any criminal record. He is married and has two children. Read: Kingpin had savings account in same PNB branch Police will question him about from where he procured the country-made pistol. While the district health department has been facing a vigilance inquiry into the alleged misuse of funds, an audit team has raised objections on the non-utilisation of Rs 51.6 lakh, earmarked under various health programmes under the National Health Mission (NHM). The audit team has noted that non-utilisation of funds has resulted in the denial of benefits to the people under the NHM programme as funds were given by the government as per the demand of district. The amount was sanctioned under the programmes like the Mata Kaushalya Scheme (MKS) (at present, this programme does not exist), non-scalpel vasectomy week (NSV), National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and iodine deficiency programme. In its report, procured by the Hindustan Times under Right to Information Act 2005 from the civil surgeons office, the audit squad claimed that NHM programme was launched to provide accessible, affordable, accountable, effective and feasible health facilities in the rural and urban areas. It stated during the scrutiny of records, it was noticed that during the period from April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016, a sum of Rs 51.6 lakh was available with the department but remained unspent. It included Rs 49.7 lakh under the MKS, Rs 3,900 for the NSV week, Rs 1.4 lakh in the NCCP and Rs 45,650 for iodine programme. Not only this, the audit team had also pointed out that Rs 26.6 lakh, earned through interest on the NHM funds in the bank, also remained unutilised in the bank, in contravention of the guidelines. It further detected as per guidelines of the department, funds are to be kept in an interest-bearing account and the interest occurred on the funds is to be treated as a grants-in-aid and utilised for the purpose for which these funds were earmarked. The instructions in this regard to all offices were given by the department in its letter issued on December 15, 2010. The local officials stated that matter would be referred to the higher authorities to sort the issue. The audit was conducted from April 15 to April 26 by an inspection team in the local office. It submitted its report with the civil surgeon office on May 23. Civil surgeon Dr Rajiv Bhalla said, the department has replied to higher officials over objections pointed out by the audit. It is pertinent to mention here that Sanjeev Kumar, district accounts officer (DAO) in the civil surgeons office here, who had been quizzed by vigilance sleuths in the probe, was transferred from here to Fazilka district in the first week of this month. The vigilance probe was initiated in February after the director general of police (DGP, vigilance) received a complaint about irregularities in the purchase of electronic equipment and other items by the health department. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released its second list of 13 candidates for the upcoming Punjab assembly elections, suspended AAP leader and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi on Friday announced to float a new, regional party on August 23. Punjab needs a regional party as the Shiromani Akali Dal has failed to protect the interests of state. Akalis have ignored the farmers and labourers and have stakes in real estate, hotels chains, and the transport and liquor trade. I will float a party which will work for the welfare of Punjab, said Dr Gandhi. Also read | Party democracy a sham, AAP tickets given to parachute leaders: Dr Gandhi He is aiming at uniting like-minded outfits which are against the Congress, Akalis and AAP. He is hoping that rebel members of the AAP will also join his outfit, which he will announce in Chandigarh on Tuesday. As of now, it is different from the Swaraj Abhiyan of former AAP leader Yogendra Yadav which plans to formally turn into a party on October 2, as also from the Abhiyans estranged Punjab unit, Swaraj Lehar, which has already turned into a party but not moved further than an announcement. The people of Punjab reposed faith in the AAP, but it has now deviated from its path and has joined the mad race to attain power. The local leadership is being ignored and the real issues, such as corruption and changing the system, have taken a backseat, said Dr Gandhi. I appeal well-wishers of Punjab, including individuals, political groups, organisations and intelligentsia, to join hands under a common banner for the welfare of the state, he added. Also read | Legalise opium, marijuana: Dr Gandhi to move bill in Parliament to change law Meanwhile, AAP volunteers objected to the candidature Gurdev Singh Dev from Nabha by terming him an outsider. The volunteers raised their objection at a meeting chaired by Patiala district coordinator Balbir Singh. Why have you sent a parachute leader? it will demoralise the party workers, said an AAP worker. AAP ticket aspirants from Sanaur Harjeet Singh Adaltiwala, Gurbans Singh Punia and five others objected the ticket to Balbir Singh. Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said here on Thursday that he had already intimated every candidate of the party about the seat allocated to him for the 2017 assembly polls. Sukhbir, who attended a function of the Christian community here, said there was no need for his party to make any official announcement of the list of candidates. Asin apne bandeyan de kan vich phook maar ditti hai (We have already sounded every candidate about his or her seat. Our leaders are already in the poll mode and are gearing up to win them, said Sukhbir. On the contentious issue of setting up of a solid waste management plant in Jalandhar, which is being opposed by Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh, the deputy CM said, the government would review the project. The project will not come up without the consent of the people. We will ask the people if they need project or not, he said. Addressing the gathering at the function, Sukhbir announced that graveyards for Christians would be set up in every village, where Christians are settled. A Rs 100-crore fund has been earmarked for the project, he said. Revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia said the SAD-BJP government was the only government in the north region which has set up a development board for the welfare of the Christian community. Actor Prabhas, known for the film Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), was offered Rs 5.5 crore to endorse a fitness brand, but he turned it down. Why? To concentrate on his next film, says the actors spokesperson, adding: Prabhas was offered the amount as the brand felt he fit its image due to his popularity and pan India appeal. His character in Bahubali was also known for his fitness. Read: Sita and Bahubali! Siya Ke Rams Madirakshi Mundle meets Prabhas The actor has also been working on himself to beef up for his next project. A fitness freak, he engages in various physical activities to stay in shape. Prabhas has kept himself fit through rock climbing, outdoor workouts and running. This caught the eye of the ad makers, says a source close to the actor. Meanwhile, Prabhas is shooting for the sequel to Baahubali that will release next year. According to reports, the actors look in the film will be released in October. Follow @htshowbiz for more. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop For the first time since declaring his presidential run, Republican Donald Trump expressed regret for saying things that may have hurt people. Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, the GOP nominee, reading from prepared text, said at a rally in Charlotte, N.C. And believe it or not, I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. He added: Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues. As the crowd cheered, Trump pledged to always tell you the truth. The remarks came as Trump makes significant changes to a campaign that has struggled since the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions from self-created distractions. Earlier Thursday, Trump moved to invest nearly $5 million in battleground state advertising to address daunting challenges in the states that will make or break his White House ambitions. He also shook up his campaign in recent days, tapping a combative conservative media executive, Stephen Bannon, to serve as CEO of the campaign. The New York businessmans campaign reserved television ad space over the coming 10 days in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to Kantar Medias political ad tracker. While Democrat Hillary Clinton has spent more than $75 million on advertising in 10 states since locking up her partys nomination, Trumps new investment marks his first of the general election season. Election Day is 81 days away, with early voting in the first states set to begin in five weeks. The step into swing-state advertising, which came after Trumps second staffing shake-up in as many months, did little to alleviate the concerns of Republican officials frustrated with Trumps refusal to adopt the tools of modern-day political campaigns. We may have reached the point of no return for Donald Trump, said Republican strategist Alex Conant, a senior aide to Florida Sen. Marco Rubios presidential campaign. In addition to Bannon, Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway filled the campaign manager position left vacant since Trump fired his former campaign chief almost two months ago. But Trump struck a new, inclusive tone on Thursday, as he worked to improve his dismal pole numbers among non-white voters. I will not rest until children of every colour in this country are fully included in the American Dream, he said. Conway insisted Thursday that the new team would help re-focus the nominee, without sacrificing the authenticity that fuelled his successful primary campaign. Were going to sharpen the message, Conway told CNN. Were going to make sure Donald Trump is comfortable about being in his own skin that he doesnt lose that authenticity that you simply cant buy and a pollster cant give you. Voters know if youre comfortable in your own skin. Rarely do presidential campaigns wait to advertise, or undergo such leadership tumult, at such a late stage of the general election. Yet Trump has struggled badly in recent weeks to offer voters a consistent message, overshadowing formal policy speeches with a steady stream of self-created controversies, including a public feud with an American Muslim family whose son was killed while serving in the U.S. military in Iraq. He now trails Clinton in preference polls of most key battleground states. And his party leaders, even at the Republican National Committee, have already conceded they may divert resources away from the presidential contest in favour of vulnerable Senate and House candidates if things dont improve. Trumps advertising plans highlight his shrinking path to the presidency. Although Trump claims his popularity with white, working-class voters could translate to victories in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine or Connecticut, theres little evidence to back that up. His first major ad buys shows him focused on more conventional battlegrounds. Trump is spending at least $1.4 million in Florida, $1 million in Pennsylvania, about $831,000 in North Carolina and $746,000 in Ohio, according to Kantar Media. His biggest single-market investment comes in the Philadelphia area. That is the most direct route to 270, said Chris Young, RNC field director. Those states are critical on that pathway. Trump has struggled so far with women, minorities and young voters. His performance with those voters is so dismal that it puts other states potentially in play in an offensive way for Democrats, said Jeremy Bird, who ran field operations for President Barack Obamas 2012 campaign and is now advising Clintons operation. Germanys interior minister on Friday proposed partially banning the full-face burqa Islamic veil, as a debate on integration rages after two jihadist attacks and ahead of key state elections. The call by Thomas de Maiziere comes as Chancellor Angela Merkels government attempts to address public fears surrounding last years record influx of nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees, most from predominantly Muslim countries. It also echoed a controversial decision by several French towns in recent weeks to outlaw burkinis, the full-body Islamic swimsuit, at a highly sensitive time for relations with the Muslim community following a series of Islamist attacks. De Maiziere, one of Merkels closest allies, said after a meeting with regional counterparts from his conservative bloc that the burqa ban would cover places where it is necessary for our societys coexistence -- including government offices, schools and universities, courtrooms, demonstrations and behind the wheel. He told reporters that the full-face veil does not belong in our cosmopolitan country, adding that it was not a security issue but an integration issue. The minister acknowledged that the burqa was not a common sight on German streets, calling the proposed ban a preventive measure. Of course the issue of the full veil stands for the question which role certain branches of Islam play in Germany, he said. No emancipated woman can accept burqa De Maiziere did not say when he would put forward a draft bill, acknowledging that the Social Democrats (SPD), junior partners in the ruling coalition, had reservations about the move. But he indicated that outlawing the burqa only under certain circumstances -- as opposed to the blanket ban favoured by the hard right of Merkels Christian Union bloc -- would be likely to win approval in parliament. Merkels right-left grand coalition holds an overwhelming majority in the Bundestag lower house but faces a general election in a years time. In an interview with a regional newspaper this week, Merkel underlined her objections to the burqa. From my point of view, a woman who is entirely veiled has hardly any chance at integrating, she said. However Bilkey Oney, a Turkish-born integration expert from the SPD, said a burqa ban was too blunt an instrument to fight radicalisation. In France, they long ago outlawed the burqa but it apparently couldnt stop a single terror attack. However I dont like the mentality behind a burqa either -- it is a piece of clothing that no emancipated woman can accept, she told the daily Die Welt. She said that rather than regulating clothing, Germany would be better served by expanding integration efforts. You have to convince people to no longer want (the burqa). We must ensure that Muslims and migrants emancipate themselves but that will take time. News website Spiegel Online was more forceful in its opposition, saying that German conservatives apparently have so little faith in the attractiveness of values such as individual freedom and equal rights that they think bans are necessary. With a burqa ban, Germany ends up on a par with Iran and Saudi Arabia -- countries where the government decides what a woman can wear in public. IS threat already there De Maizieres position represents a compromise with hardliners ahead of two pivotal regional polls next month in which the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party looks set to make strong gains. Just last week he had rejected a call from conservative state interior ministers for a sweeping burqa ban, saying: We cant ban everything that we reject, and I reject the wearing of the burqa. He made the comments on August 11 as he unveiled tough new anti-terror measures after two attacks in Germany last month claimed by the Islamic State group. They included a controversial proposal to strip jihadist fighters of their German nationality, as well as to speed up deportations of convicted criminal migrants and boost police resources. The AfD in particular has attempted to link the record influx of migrants and refugees last year to an increased threat of terrorism -- an argument Merkel sharply rejected this week on the campaign trail in her home district. The phenomenon of Islamist terrorism by IS is not something that came to us with the refugees -- it was already there, she said, referring to the threat posed by home-grown militants. The father of Ami Bera, the only Indian-American in US Congress, has been sentenced to a year in prison for violating election funding laws in his donations to his sons campaign. Babulal Bera, 85, a retired chemical engineer who came to the US from Gujarat, had pleaded guilty to the charge in May, telling the trial court, I have, in fact, done the crime. Prosecutors and a defence lawyer had since then argued about his punishment, given his advance age. He will eventually serve 10 months from the day he begins his term. This is one of the most difficult moments my family has ever experienced, Ami Bera said in a statement after the sentencing on Thursday. Im absolutely devastated and heartbroken for how todays decision will impact our entire family. But my fathers accepted what he did was wrong, hes taken responsibility, and I love him more than words can express. Bera was found to have been unaware about the violation committed by his father. To date, there is no indication from what weve learned in the investigation that either the congressman or his campaign staff knew of, or participated in, the reimbursements of contributions, acting US attorney Phillip Talbert stated during the trial. Bera, a Democrat, is only the third Indian-American elected to the US House of Representatives, after Dalip Singh Saund and Bobby Jindal, and is running for a third term. Prosecutors said his father had solicited donations from friends and relatives for Beras first two campaigns in 2010 (which he lost) and 2012 (which he won, for his first term). The elder Bera had either paid these relatives and friends to make those donations, or repaid them later, after they had contributed. He was funneling his own money through others to get around funding laws that limit individual contributions to $5,000 for primary and general elections together. Prosecutors traced $260,000 in such funding. This blessed country has given me...so much, Babulal Bera said in a statement at his sentencing. I felt my son would repay this beautiful nation by serving in the United States Congress. Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was on Friday granted a UK visa to travel to London to perform at the Darbar Festival, a week after his earlier application was turned down. Senior Labour MP Keith Vaz, who assisted Khan during his second visa application, said, "I am delighted that Amjad Ali Khan's visa has now been granted. Britain adores the music of Amjad Ali Khan and I am so pleased we will be able to hear it after all. Vaz thanked the staff of the British High Commission in New Delhi for dealing with the issue promptly once the technical problem had been identified. He added, We need a long hard look at the immigration rules so that they are seen to encourage Indian people to visit and work in the UK. This is especially so after Brexit. The UK must always be seen to be open to the rest of the world." Khan, who has performed in Britain often since the early 1970s, is due to perform at the Darbar Festival in Southbank Centre here on September 17 and 18. According to the programme, he will reflect on his 50-year career during a candid conversation accompanied by his wife, Subhalakshmi Barua Khan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Its a version of food from the Indian subcontinent developed by immigrants in the 1970s, but Brussels has poured cold water over the spicy hot and tingling Birmingham Balti cuisine for which protected status was sought under European Union regulations. Lovers of the unique cuisine developed in Birmingham are furious and have accused Brussels of anti-Britain bias. The campaign that lasted six years was aimed at securing the TSG (traditional speciality guaranteed) status for Birmingham Balti under EUs rules. The application for TSG status, moved by the Birmingham Balti Association (BBA) and supported by the British government, defined the cuisine as a fast cooked curry dish which can be made using chicken, fish, meat or vegetables. The Birmingham Balti is cooked and served in a thin steel wok-shaped bowl called the balti, from which the dish gets its name, the application said. However, the EU said in a recent ruling: Some different varieties of balti are allowed; those varieties are not definitively identified. The colour of the dish changes (either lighter brown or more reddish) depending on which ingredients are added. It added, The additional ingredients and spices may but not have to be added. It is therefore not possible to determine what the final recipe to be followed is. TSG status would have given the dish legal protection against imitation across the EU. TSG status is not geographically bound, so if anyone meets the specification and is audited to prove it, then they can use the name Birmingham Balti. BBAs Andy Munro, who led the consortium of balti restaurants behind the application, said: "This is a shameful way to treat such a well-loved British food institution. It shows crass insensitivity to the ethnic diversity of modern British cooking. In the final analysis, they don't 'get' that balti is a method of cooking rather than a recipe albeit that every restaurant uses the same base ingredients, then overlaying this with spices of their own choice. Munro added, It's nonsense when you consider the Neapolitan Pizza has the mark when it's just pizza dough, tomatoes, cheese and basil. It's all a bit disappointing especially when the UK government were happy with our application." According to the BBA, it was seeking TSG status to preserve this unique food, as a fusion between the traditions of South Asian and British cuisine. An area of Birmingham is called the Balti Triangle, where many popular Balti restaurants are located. The history of Birmingham Balti goes back to the 1970s, when people from Mirpur in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, displaced by the Mangla Dam project, migrated to the UK and brought with them their traditional method of slow cooking meat on the bone (chicken, lamb and beef) or vegetables, usually in an earthenware pot called a haandi or a cast iron receptacle called a karahi over low heat. As the cuisine became popular in Birmingham, it was named balti because Brummies found it easier to pronounce than karahi. The earthernware pot gave way to thin pressed steel bowls with two handles, similar to a wok, about 22 cm in diameter, which was called a balti. In its application, BBA set out five characteristics of Birmingham Balti, which, it claimed, combined to differentiate it from other curries whether cooked for both the indigenous UK population or Indian subcontinent palates. These characteristics are: For meat baltis, the meat is cooked off the bone rather than on the bone as in other curries in the traditional one pot cooking of the Indian subcontinent; the meal is fast cooked in a balti at high temperatures over a high flame very quickly; vegetable oil is used instead of ghee; dried spices are used, with the exception of fresh ginger and garlic puree and prepared generic commercial curry pastes and powders are not used; the meal is served in the thin pressed steel wok in which it is cooked and traditionally eaten with fingers, using naan bread. Under EU rules, TSG status is given to products which are traditional or have customary names and have a set of features which distinguish them from other similar products. These features must not be due to the geographical area the product is produced in nor entirely based on technical advances in the method of production. Indian dishes have been modified to cater to the British palate since Sake Dean Mohamed from Patna opened the first Indian restaurant in London Hindustanee Coffee House in 1810. The popular chicken tikka masala is one such dish that is considered a British invention. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bangladeshi security officials have detained 21 people, including three suspected members of a banned radical group blamed for many recent attacks on atheist bloggers, liberals and minorities. Police said on Friday the other arrested people belonged to the Jamaat-e-Islami party, whose top leadership is embroiled in war crimes trials over their role in the 1971 war of independence. Detectives arrested three members of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) militant group in separate drives in southeastern Chittagong district early on Friday, said Detective Branch additional commissioner Nazmul Hasan. The arrested men were identified as Farhad Hossain Ripan, a 27-year-old former student of Chittagong University, Mohammedd Emran, 25, a former student of Chittagong Polytechnic Institute, and Ahmed Roni, 21, a student of Shyamoli Ideal Polytechnic Institute. Officials seized two laptops, three mobile phones and books on jihad from them. Hasan said the detainees said during interrogation that they work as ABT members and regularly attended secret meetings in the district. I think we will get vital information from them about the group, he said. Fridays arrests came after a man who had recruited these three men was captured by security officials last month. Musa Ebne Omayer, a converted Muslim, was their mentor. His former name was Piklu Das and he was a Hindu who converted to Islam in 2013 to marry a Muslim woman he was in love with. Omayer, a resident of Chhanahara village of Patiya Upazila in Chittagong, also managed funds for the group. Meanwhile, police in Bangladeshs capital detained 18 people during a secret meeting at the Islamic International School and College in Badda area, said local police station chief MA Jalil. He said they were allegedly holding a clandestine meeting though it was not immediately clear what charges they would face. We have brought them to the police station. We are questioning them, Jalil said. The Jamaat-e-Islami, a key partner of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former premier Khaleda Zia, has been struggling to stay afloat as several of its top leaders have been convicted of war crimes. Four leaders have been hanged since 2013 after being convicted of genocide while thousands more are facing criminal charges stemming from previous anti-government movements that turned violent. President Xi Jinping on Friday assured Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi that China will play a constructive role in promoting the peace process in her country, where ethnic violence along the border has neighbouring countries worried. Xi pledged that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting Myanmar's peace process and work with the country to safeguard peace and stability in their border areas, Chinas official media quoted the President as telling Suu Kyi during their bilateral meeting. Suu Kyi is here on a high-profile five-day visit, her first to China after the National League for Democracy (NLD) government took over in March. She met Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday. Suu Kyi, considered Myanmars de-facto ruler, is also the foreign minister. President Htin Kyaw, her former close aide who was appointed head of state in March, is headed to India later this month. Experts say that under Suu Kyis guidance, Myanmar has adopted a pragmatic foreign policy whereby the government is trying to balance diplomatic relations with its two giant neighbours, India and China. But there is little doubt China is Myanmars foreign policy priority, a top Chinese expert told Hindustan Times. The Aung San Suu Kyi-led NLD government has actually adopted a well-balanced foreign policy towards its neighbouring countries, including China and India, said Dai Yonghong, director of the Centre for Myanmar Studies at the Sichuan University. We can see from Suu Kyis visit to Beijing, which indicated the NLD government still regards China as the most influential neighbouring country. But at the same time, India is a rising power with a long border with Myanmar. So, later this month the Myanmar President is going to India, which means both China and India can have more role to play in Myanmar. So at this point, we can see the NLDs foreign policy is more pragmatic with greater importance attached to the neighbouring countries, which is very rational. But Dai had no doubt which country Myanmar will look to for building infrastructure China. When we say that a well balanced policy (has been) adopted by the NLD government, it doesnt mean they equally treat different neighbouring countries. China has the advantages of capital and technology, and infrastructure development. So this time Myanmar is trying to seek more Chinese role in its economic development, he said. India is also a very important country for Myanmar but India doesn't have the advantages that China has. Chinas navy has carried out drills in the Sea of Japan, the Chinese militarys official newspaper said on Friday, describing the exercises as routine and done in accordance with international law and practice. The Chinese navy has increasingly been exercising in waters far from home as it seeks to hone its operational abilities. Last year, five Chinese ships carried out exercises in international waters in the Bering Sea off Alaska. The Peoples Liberation Army Daily did not say exactly where the latest drills took place, describing it only as a certain part of the Sea of Japan. The Sea of Japan is a strategic waterway bordered by Japan, Russia, South Korea and North Korea. The state-run China Daily newspaper quoted a senior designer as saying that China is eyeing the use of a high level of artificial intelligence and automation for its next generation of cruise missiles. We plan to adopt a plug and play approach in the development of new cruise missiles, which will enable our military commanders to tailor-make missiles in accordance with combat conditions, Wang Changqing of the China Aerospace and Industry Corp told the newspaper. Moreover, our future cruise missiles will have a very high level of artificial intelligence and automation, Wang added. They will allow commanders to control them in real time manner, or to use a fire-and-forget mode, or even to add more tasks to in-flight missiles. China is already a global leader in the field of using artificial intelligence in missiles, Wang added, without elaborating. Donald Trumps campaign chair Paul Manafort resigned on Friday, parting ways with the Republican nominee who is trying to reset his White House race with a long overdue pivot. Trump began the process this week with a top-level reshuffle of his team, and followed it up with a stunning expression of regret for unspecified offensive remarks at a campaign rally on Thursday. Sometimes in the heat of debate, and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, Trump told his supporters. And believe it or not I regret it. I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues. Was he expressing regret about his public feud with Khizr and Ghazala Khan, parents of a fallen Muslim-American soldier, that outraged even his own supporters and allies? Was that about calling Mexicans criminals and rapists? Or for saying Senator John McCain was not a war hero? The list is long, and he did not specify. The New York businessman, known for his bombastic style of speaking and combativeness, has rarely if ever backed down in a confrontation or retracted his remarks or apologised. This was completely out of character, which made pundits and experts wonder if this was part of the long overdue pivot to a more disciplined, traditionally presidential Trump. The Republican nominee wants to run his campaign the way he ran it during the primaries by being himself. I am who I am, he said in tweets and multiple interviews. His advisers have counselled him to run a more disciplined race, not trigger needless controversies through off-the-cuff remarks or get distracted by real or imagined slights and insults. While the let-Trump-be-Trump approach served him well during the primaries, it failed to help him expand his appeal beyond his core supporters, necessary for him to stand a chance. His poll numbers sank, leaving him trailing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by six points in the RealClearPolitics average of polls nationally and by widening margins in critical swing states. His presidential bid was in trouble, with Republican party leaders considering cutting him off, to focus on congressional races and insulate them from his doomed campaign. After reports appeared recently of chaos in his campaign, Trump brought in Steve Bannon and promoted Kellyane Conway, a pollster already on his roll, as campaign manager. Manafort, whose earlier career as a lobbyist for some of the worlds most controversial figures had come under intense scrutiny in recent days, was clearly sidelined. With his exit, Trumps new team will try to shape his campaign the best way it can. And forcing him to use a teleprompter, as he did for the apology speech, more may not be a bad start. In a hate incident, a Sikh holy book was maliciously thrown over the locked gates of a gurdwara in the West Yorkshire region of England. West Yorkshire Police have recorded the attack at Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara on Gobind Marg in the Barkerend area of Bradford last week as a hate incident. Clearly, this is an extremely distressing incident for the whole congregation and the wider Sikh community and we have recorded a hate incident, said police constable Mercer from the Bradford East patrol team.I would appeal to anyone who was in and around the area near to the gurdwara between 10pm and 10.20pm on Friday (August 12) evening, who may have seen or heard anyone acting suspiciously around the entrance to the gudwara to come forward with any information, Mercer said. I would also appeal to anyone who may have seen a white rental van near to the location around the time of the incident to speak to police, he said. A white rental van was seen in the area and it is believed the suspect or suspects may have used this to try and conceal their identity. Pakistan is investigating a Mumbai attack suspect for allegedly providing financial assistance to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) men to carry out the deadly assault in 2008. The FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) has arrested Sufyan Zafar recently and is interrogating him for his role in providing financial assistance to the accused of the Mumbai attack who are lodged in the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, FIA special prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar told PTI on Friday. He said Zafar was absconding after being declared a proclaimed offender in the Mumbai attack case. A resident of Gujrawala district of Punjab, some 80 km from Lahore, Zafar is among 21 other absconding suspects wanted in this high-profile case. Zafar will be indicted in the Mumbai case after completion of the investigation, the FIA official said. A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has charged seven LeT activists its operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum with abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attack. The case has been underway in the country for more than six years. Lakhvi, the mastermind of the Mumbai attack, is living at an undisclosed location after being released from jail on bail over a year ago. The other six suspects are in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The trial proceedings have come to a halt as India is yet to send 24 witnesses to Pakistan for recording of their statements in the trial court. Pakistan says the trial cannot be concluded unless India sends its nationals for recording their statements in the case. As many as 166 people were killed and over 250 injured in the attack carried out by 10 LeT men. Nine assailants were killed while the lone survivor, Ajmal Kasab, was captured and later executed by India. A Pakistani man has stabbed 17 women this year, killing one, in a misogynistic spree because he wanted revenge for a cruel stepmother, police in the garrison city of Rawalpindi said Friday. Mohammad Ali, 22, targeted women in the streets at random from late January until this month, police investigator Malik Zulfiqar Hussain told AFP. He told police, I hate women, I was taking revenge, Hussain said. He has confessed to injuring 17 women, Hussain said, adding that Ali had used a knife. One of them was a hospital nurse, who died this week. Ali told officers his mother had died when he was young and his father married again, but that the second wife had mistreated him. He has been charged with murder and attempt to murder, Hussain added. A second police official confirmed the account. Ali said his only target was women of any age, and described how he would lay in wait and attack whenever the opportunity arose, according to Hussain. All the attacks took place in the streets of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad. Women in deeply conservative Pakistan have fought for their rights for years, in a patriarchal society where so-called honour killings and attacks on women remain commonplace. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis remarks on Balochistan sparked protests across the Pakistani province and chief minister Sanaullah Zehri accused New Delhi of fomenting terror in the region, stoking fears that bilateral ties could worsen in the coming days. Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said Modis remarks especially at a time when relations were frayed by the violence in Kashmir had further strained ties between the two sides. Zakaria noted that Tariq Fatemi, the special assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, had said Modis comments could set back relations in a far more serious manner than anything thats gone before because the Indian premier had crossed a red line by discussing Pakistans internal issues. Read: Modi crossed red line by talking about Balochistan, says Pakistan Proof of that breakdown came when Pakistan International Airlines announced one of its flights was barred from entering Indian airspace. The PIA flight from Peshawar to Kuala Lumpur was reportedly told to change its route by Indian aviation authorities. Pakistani media reported the Indian government had not given any response when it was asked about the reason for the PIA flight not being allowed to use Indian airspace. Analysts in Pakistan warned that barring flights of national carriers from each others airspace would be only one of many steps that the governments could take if bilateral talks break down. We are also looking at a reduction in trade between the two countries as well as making it difficult for nationals of one country visiting the other, said analyst Mosharraf Zaidi. Read: Why PM Modis Balochistan barb changes the India-Pakistan game Thursdays protests in Balochistan, believed to have been orchestrated by the local government, were held in all major towns of the province. Chief Minister Zehri said the demonstrations and rallies were evidence that Balochistans people did not like what Modi had said about rights violations in the province. Zehri said the Kashmir and Balochistan issues were entirely different as people of his province were in favour of Pakistan while people in Kashmir were resisting state-sponsored oppression. He castigated Brahumdagh Bugti, the self-exiled head of the banned Baloch Republican Party, for thanking Modi for taking up the issue of Balochistan. Zehri called Bugti a traitor and said he should have thought about the friends of his grandfather Akbar Bugti who had made many sacrifices for Pakistan. By saluting Modi, Brahumdagh has proved he is a traitor, Zehri told the media. Russian President Vladimir Putin was on Friday visited annexed Crimea to boost security measures there, just days after accusing Kiev of attempting an armed incursion into the peninsula. Putin chaired a meeting of his powerful security council in Crimea as he made his fifth visit to the strategic Black Sea peninsula since annexing it from Ukraine in March 2014. We have gathered because of the well-known incident, after stopping an attempt by Ukrainian army sabotage groups to stage an incursion into Crimean territory, he said during the meeting whose aim was to discuss and implement additional security measures. Last week, Putin lashed out at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea and Ukraine, accusing it of practising terror and sending a group of saboteurs into Crimea ahead of the elections. Two Russian officers were killed in the incident, in which Ukraine denied any involvement. Putin however continued his accusations Friday, saying our partners in Kiev have decided to exacerbate the situation because they did not want to uphold their end of the European-brokered truce agreement signed in Belarussian capital Minsk last year. Ukraines President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday said he considered the likelihood of an escalation high and could not rule out a full-scale Russian invasion along all fronts. Kiev said Thursday heavy rebel shelling killed three soldiers in its east, where the government has been battling pro-Russian separatists since 2014. Western leaders have expressed alarm over the possibility of an escalation. Russian warships in the Mediterranean Sea fired cruise missiles at targets near Aleppo on Friday, a further sign of Moscows broadening military effort in Syria days after it began to fly bombing missions from an airbase in Iran. Russian air power had helped Syrian President Bashar al-Assad make steady advances against rebels seeking to oust him since Moscows intervention a year ago, but a recent insurgent advance in Aleppo has checked that momentum. In northeastern Syria, warplanes from a U.S.-led coalition flew patrols on Thursday to protect local ground forces they back against Syrian government airstrikes that are targeting the Kurdish city of Hasaka, the Pentagon said. Russias three cruise missile launches were its first against targets in Syria from the Mediterranean, with previous ones made from its Caspian Sea fleet. On Tuesday Russian bombers began flying missions in Syria from Hamedan air base in Iran. Russias Defence Ministry said the strikes targeted the Islamist militant group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, known as the Nusra Front until it broke formal ties with al Qaeda last month before playing a big role in the sudden rebel advances in Aleppo. The upsurge in fighting and airstrikes in and around the city, split between government-held west and rebel-held eastern sectors, has prompted growing international concern, galvanised by pictures on Thursday of a dazed, bloodied child. The plight of civilians in Aleppo has been aggravated in besieged areas by dire shortages of basic goods, leading the World Food Programme to warn of a nightmarish situation. Nearly 40 people in need of medical attention were evacuated from the besieged towns of Fouah, in Idlib province, and Madaya, near Damascus, a statement from the office of the U.N. special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said on Friday. On Thursday Russia, Assads most powerful military ally, said it supported a proposal for a weekly 48-hour pause in fighting in Aleppo to allow aid to reach the besieged areas and that it was ready to start the first one next week. On Friday, the main umbrella group for the Syrian opposition also cautiously welcomed the idea provided the U.N. monitored the truce and enforced compliance. During a previous humanitarian pause this year, both sides complained the other had broken the truce as fighting escalated again. DOZENS KILLED IN HASAKA On Friday Syrian Kurdish authorities evacuated thousands of civilians from Kurdish areas of Hasaka following government air strikes, a spokesman for the Kurdish YPG militia, an integral part of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said. The SDF is at the heart of Washingtons military campaign against Islamic State group and last week seized the town of Manbij from the militant organisation, part of a growing swathe of northern Syria it controls. Hasaka is divided into zones of Kurdish and Syrian government control and fighting between them has killed dozens of civiians in the past 48 hours, YPG spokesman Redur Xelil said. The YPG and the government have mostly avoided confrontation during the multi-sided war that has turned Syria into a patchwork of areas held by the state and an array of armed factions. Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, has focused mostly on fighting Sunni Arab rebels who have been battling to oust him in western Syria with support from countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The YPG, or Peoples Protection Units, has meanwhile prioritised carving out and safeguarding predominantly Kurdish regions of northern Syria. The group has ties to Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels in Turkey. While the YPG controls most of the northeast, the Syrian government has maintained footholds in the cities of Hasaka and Qamishli at the border with Turkey. The SDF seizure of Manbij from Islamic State last week raised the prospect of possible advances towards al-Bab, near Aleppo. ALEPPO TRUCE Rebel groups, including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, stormed a Syrian army complex in southwest Aleppo two weeks ago, breaking a siege on opposition-held parts of Aleppo and prompting fierce counter-attacks. A senior rebel commander said there was a positive atmosphere surrounding talk of a ceasefire. But so far there are no details. Syrian warplanes had carried out 46 sorties in the last 24 hours, including strikes in Aleppo that destroyed a tank, a vehicle loaded with ammunition and three mortar emplacements, and killed dozens of rebel fighters, a military source said. Continuing clashes between rebels and the Syrian army and allied militias were fiercest in the southwest of city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based monitor of the five-year-old civil war, said on Friday. It added that air strikes and shelling in and around Aleppo had killed 422 civilians, including 142 children, this month. We need a 48-hour pause, we need it now, WFP spokeswoman Bettina Luescher told a briefing in Geneva on Friday. While the rebel advance this month opened a narrow corridor into opposition-held areas of Aleppo, access remains very limited and dangerous, meaning aid supplies are scarce. Its crucially important that we go in there because people are absolutely desperate, Luescher added. From both sides, these sieges have to stop - its inhumane, awful, disgusting, nightmarish. Not necessarily U.N. words, but thats what it is. Previously unpublished documents released by former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden confirm that some of the spy agencys top-secret code has been leaked or hacked, The Intercept reported Friday. The online news sites editors include journalists that worked with Snowden to publicise his notorious 2013 NSA leak revealing the extent of government snooping on private data. The Intercept said Snowden had given the site a classified draft NSA manual on how to implant malware -- malicious code that is used to monitor or control someone elses computer. Whether code published online by a mysterious group called Shadow Hackers is genuine has been the source of much debate in recent days. The NSA has steadfastly declined to comment on whether it has been the victim of a security breach. Over the weekend, the Shadow Hackers posted two sets of files, one that is freely accessible and another that remains encrypted. They said they would release this additional information subject to raising one million Bitcoins -- digital currency, in this case worth about $575 million -- through an online auction. According to the Intercept, the draft NSA manual contains instructions to NSA operators telling them to use a specific string of characters associated with the SECONDDATE malware program. The exact same characters appear throughout parts of the Shadow Brokers leak, the Intercept said. According to The New York Times, much of the code was created to peer through the computer firewalls of foreign powers like China, Iran and Russia. Such access would enable the NSA to plant malware in rivals systems and monitor -- or even attack -- their networks. Whoever obtained the code would have had to break into NSA servers that store the files, the Times said. The United Nations is saying for the first time that it was involved in the introduction of cholera to Haiti and needs to do much more to end the suffering of those affected, estimated at more than 800,000 people. Researchers say there is ample evidence that cholera was introduced to Haitis biggest river in October 2010 by inadequately treated sewage from a U.N. peacekeeping base. The United Nations has never accepted responsibility, and has answered lawsuits on behalf of victims in U.S. courts by claiming diplomatic immunity. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haqs statement referring to the U.N.s own involvement, which was sent to The Associated Press on Thursday, came a step closer to an admission of at least some responsibility and was welcomed by lawyers for the victims. This is a major victory for the thousands of Haitians who have been marching for justice, writing to the U.N. and bringing the U.N. to court, said Mario Joseph, a Haitian human rights attorney whose law firm has led a high-profile claim on behalf of 5,000 cholera victims who blame the U.N. for introducing the disease. Cumulative toll of cholera cases and deaths in Haiti since 2010, with map showing worst-affected areas - (AFP) In a decision issued late Thursday, a U.S. federal appeals panel in New York upheld immunity for the UN and affirmed a lower courts 2015 judgment dismissing that case. Cholera victims and their lawyers have 90 days to decide if they will seek an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Haq said that the United Nations has been considering a series of options, and a significantly new set of U.N. actions will be presented publicly within the next two months. He told reporters later that a U.N.-appointed panel already looked into the U.N.s involvement and found that a local contractor failed to properly sanitize the waste at the U.N. base. Weve been trying to see exactly what we can do about our own particular role as this has been going on and how to bring this outbreak to a close, he said. Haq wouldnt say whether reparations were under consideration. His statement on U.N. involvement was first reported by The New York Times. Five U.N. human rights experts criticized the United Nations in a letter to top U.N. officials late last year for its effective denial of the fundamental right of the victims of cholera to justice. At least one lawsuit was dismissed because of the U.N.s diplomatic immunity claim. But a U.S. federal appeals panel in New York is weighing whether the lawsuit that Haitian lawyer Joseph is involved in can proceed, or if the United Nations is entitled to immunity. Haq reiterated Thursday that the U.N.s legal position in claiming diplomatic immunity has not changed. According to government figures, cholera has sickened more than 800,000 people, or about 7 percent of Haitis population, and has killed more than 9,200. As of March, it was killing an average of 37 people a month. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and only 24 percent of Haitians have access to a toilet. Sewage is rarely treated and safe water remains inaccessible to many. At a dusty crossroads on the outskirts of Haitis capital, local residents gathered Thursday at a trash-clogged stream to wash clothes and bathe. So now they are going to find a way to clean the disease from the country? Its been here for years and it seems like it is here to stay, said labourer Jhony Nordlius as he pushed a wheelbarrow past a fetid canal where children were splashing and collecting garbage. Maxcilus Vale, who ekes out a living shining shoes by the trash-clogged waterway, was more hopeful about the UNs statement. Maybe now well get more sanitation and water treatment to help make cholera go away. I hope so because it has harmed many people, said Vale, as he washed his socks in a roadside pool of stagnant water. Researchers said cholera was first detected in the central Artibonite Valley and cited evidence that it was introduced to Haitis biggest river from a U.N. base where Nepalese troops were deployed as part of a peacekeeping operation which has been in the country since 2004. Cholera is endemic in Nepal. In December 2012, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced a $2.27 billion initiative to help eradicate cholera in Haiti and the neighbouring Dominican Republic, which share the island of Hispaniola, but the ambitious 10-year plan is underfunded. According to a report last November, only $307 million has been received. Haq said the announcement of U.N. plans for new action to address cholera was made in response to a draft report by the U.N. special investigator on extreme poverty and human rights. Ahead of its release, likely in late September, he said we wanted to take this opportunity to welcome this vital report. Haq said its findings and recommendations will be a valuable contribution to the U.N. as we work towards a significantly new set of U.N. actions. NEW DELHI: Nearly 7,000 Islamophobic tweets in English were generated every day in July across the world, with the most significant increase coming after the terror attack in the French city of Nice, according to research by the think tank Demos. In comparison, the number of such tweets in April was about 2,500. The Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at Demos used 49 words and hashtags as indicators of anti-Islamic tweets. Over July, we identified 215,247 tweets, sent in English and from around the world, as highly likely to be hateful, derogatory, and anti-Islamic. On average, this is 289 per hour, or 6943 per day, a report based on the study said. Online big data research by Demos found significant spikes in the use of anti-Islamic language on Twitter were strongly correlated to current events, particularly acts of terrorism. Many of the tweets identified as derogatory and anti-Islamic included specific references to recent acts of violence and attacked entire Muslim communities in the context of terrorism, Demos said. The think tank said the five most significant spikes in anti-Islamic tweets occurred on July 5, four days after the siege of a cafe in Bangladesh by Islamic State militants (9,220 tweets); July 8, a day after the killing of five police officers in Dallas (11,320 tweets); July 15, the day after a terrorist drove a truck through crowds in Nice (21,190 tweets); July 17, a day after the failed coup in Turkey that was seen by some Twitter users as an attack on secularism (10,610 tweets); and July 26, the day after a Christian priest was beheaded in a Normandy church by IS members (8,950 tweets). Demos said Islamophobia on Twitter was increasing month on month, with July the highest rate since its dedicated analysis began in March. Since the research began, Demos found an average of 4,972 Islamophobic tweets were sent per day. In the wake of the IS attack in Brussels, a particularly high volume was recorded in March. Demos was able to geo-locate abusive tweets in every EU member state. The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (Cern), best known for its work in particle physics, has launched an investigation into a video filmed at night on its Geneva campus depicting a mock ritual human sacrifice, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday. The bizarre video, which has been circulated online, shows several individuals in black cloaks gathering in a main square at Europes top physics lab, where a large sized idol of Nataraj, the dancing posture of deity Shiva, is on permanent display. The video shows the stabbing of a woman in what appears to be a re-enactment of an occult ceremony. A Cern spokeswoman confirmed the video was shot on the research centres premises, but without official permission or knowledge. Responding to an email query, she said, Cern does not condone this type of spoof, which can give rise to misunderstandings about the scientific nature of our work. An investigation was under way and was an internal matter, she added. The video appears to have been shot by someone spying on the enactment, who seemingly panics when the stabbing takes place. The videographer then turns around and sprints away, the camera still on. The last frame of the video appears to catch a glimpse of the Large Hadron Collider, Cerns prized possession and the worlds most powerful particle smasher that scientists are using to understand the universe. The video, which was posted around four days ago, has raised questions about security on Cerns campus. Cern IDs are checked systematically at each entry to the Cern site whether it is night or day, the spokeswoman said, indicating that those responsible for the prank had access badges. Cern welcomes every year thousands of scientific users from all over the world and sometimes some of them let their humour go too far. This is what happened on this occasion, she said. LONDON: Britains Indian community is among the best performing communities on several social indicators, according to a major report on race relations released on Thursday that paints a grim picture about state failure to tackle deep-rooted race inequality. Titled Healing a Divided Britain, the report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reveals a very worrying combination of a post-Brexit vote rise in hate crime and long-term systemic unfairness and race inequality in British society. Reviewing race equality across every aspect of peoples lives, including education, employment, housing, pay and living standards, health, criminal justice and participation, the report said the 1.4 million-strong Indian community is among the top performers, particularly in education. Indians saw the largest increase (18.1 percentage points) in degree-level qualification between 2008 and 2013, while unemployment was lowest among Indians (9.2%) and highest in the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, the report said. On pay, it said the Indian ethnic group did not experience a significant reduction in average pay which resulted in a positive pay gap in 2013; Indians were paid 8.9% more per hour on average than the White ethnic group. Except for Indian and Chinese women, the report revealed women from other ethnic communities earned significantly less than their white counterparts. Indians also had the lowest child poverty rate, it added. However, the report noted that India, with 75 cases, was among the top five countries linked to cases of forced marriage handled by the Foreign Office. The cases involved a British national being forcibly married to a non-British national in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Somalia. EHRC chair David Isaac said: The combination of the post-Brexit rise in hate crime and deep race inequality in Britain is very worrying and must be tackled urgently. Todays report underlines just how entrenched race inequality and unfairness still is in our society. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ISLAMABAD: After decades of delay and inaction, the Hindu Marriage Bill 2016 that seeks to give a legal framework to marriages in minority community, has finally been tabled in Pakistans National Assembly. The report of the standing committee on law and justice on the Hindu Marriage Bill 2016 was presented in the National Assembly on Wednesday and is one step away from being approved as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party is backing it. Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Ramesh Lal, one of the bills movers, said it took around 10 months for the committee to clear the bill and another six months for its report to be presented in the House. The bill was approved by the standing committee on February 8. The delay was possibly because of extraordinary debates and discussion around the bill, but at least now the government should consider tabling it in the house in the next session, Lal was quoted as saying by Dawn online. According to the chairman of the committee, Chaudhry Bashir Virk: All segments including the Council of Islamic Ideologywere consulted during the course of discussions in the committee. However, some members of the Hindu community have expressed strong reservations regarding some of the bills contents, including clause 12 on the Termination of Hindu marriage and clause 15 on the Termination of Hindu marriage by mutual consent. The draft bill allows separated individuals to remarry, and clause 17 states that a Hindu widow is entitled to remarry and shall have the right to do so, of her own will and consent, after a period of six months from the death of her husband. The bill is expected to put an end to the practice of abduction of married Hindu women. There are penalties for violating the provisions of this act and anyone who kidnaps a married Hindu woman will be liable to punishments because the victims family will be able to show proof of marriage, Virk said. Maintaining a delicate diplomatic balance between Myanmars two giant neighbours, President Htin Kyaw will head to India days after State Counsellor and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyis five-day visit to China. Suu Kyi arrived in Beijing on Wednesday night to talk about reviving stalled China-funded projects and to enhance bilateral cooperation in tackling ethnic problems along the border. She is also looking to gradually expand economic cooperation with China as Myanmar transitions from a reclusive dictatorship to a democracy in order to rapidly develop her countrys poor infrastructure. This will be the first high-level visits to India and China after the new civilian government was formed in Myanmar in March. Details of Kyaws visit were not immediately available though it is learnt it will be a goodwill visit that will broadly outline the future path of India-Myanmar relations. A ministerial delegate accompanying Suu Kyi said India and China are Myanmars important neighbours and it is important to maintain good relations with both. On Thursday, the ruling Communist Party of China lavished a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of the People on Suu Kyi, an honour usually reserved for heads of state. Military pomp and show marked her entry to the hall, escorted by Premier Li Keqiang. On Friday, she will meet President Xi Jinping, National Peoples Congress (NPC) standing committee chairpman Zhang Dejiang and State Counsellor Yang Jiechi. Suu Kyi, who is accompanied by the ministers of finance, power and transport and communication, will also visit Xian and Kunming, from where she will fly back to Myanmar. A key focus of Suu Kyis visit has been reviving work on the suspended Myitsone dam project on the Irrawaddy river. The dam is jointly funded by the two countries but work was suspended by Myanmar in 2011. Suu Kyi was quoted by Chinese vice-foreign minister Liu Zhenmin as having told Premier Li that her government had decided to set up an investigation board to seek solutions to the problem. Relevant departments are expected to find a settlement that will keep the interests of both countries in mind. Liu said Suu Kyi and Li had reached agreements on enhancing cooperation in various fields, especially in the border regions. Referring to the upcoming Panglong Peace Conference, Liu said Li had expressed support for the process of ethnic reconciliation in Myanmar and backed the government on settling ethnic issues through talks. Concert band to begin today COLUMBUS -- Micah Crochet, instrumental music instructor at Central Community College-Columbus, is inviting musicians to join the Columbus Campus Concert Band. The first rehearsal will be 7 p.m. today in the Fine Arts Center, room 717, at CCC-Columbus. The band is comprised of both CCC students and community members. The fee is $33 per semester. For more information contact Crochet at 402-562-1294; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1294; or micahcrochet@cccneb.edu. 'Great Books' fundraiser today COLUMBUS -- Runza Restaurants will conduct the 14th annual Great Books for Great Kids fundraiser today, with 10 percent of sales from all locations all day donated to this effort. The funds will benefit local libraries, schools and literacy organizations and be used to purchase childrens books. DBA meeting set Wednesday COLUMBUS -- The Downtown Business Association regular meeting is scheduled 8-9 a.m. Wednesday at SIP Espresso Bar in downtown Columbus. All members and employees are welcome to attend. For more information, call Barb at 402-910-6604. OT seminar at chamber office COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce will host a seminar about changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday at the chamber office, 753 33rd Ave. The cost to attend is $39 for chamber members and $49 for non-members. John Hill, president of HR Total Solutions, will lead the seminar. Attendees will learn what overtime laws are changing, what makes a position non-exempt or exempt according to overtime laws, how to properly classify positions, learn record-keeping methods and explore efficient solutions to meet business needs. Businesses of all sizes and types are welcome to attend. For more information or to register for the Overtime Law Changes seminar, visit www.thecolumbuspage.com or contact the chamber at 402-564-2769, chamber@megavision.com. Art sale planned at DC gallery DAVID CITY -- The Nichols Art Gallery, 665 S. 4th St, will have a sale from 1-6 p.m. Sunday. The gallery will be closing, and items for sale will include personal artwork by Ruth Nichols and other artists. Nichols, daughter of master metal sculptor Floyd Nichols and niece of artist Dale Nichols, is retiring at age 81. Alzheimers fundraiser set COLUMBUS -- Pizza Ranch will host the last of three fundraising tip nights for the Alzheimers Association. The final tip night will run from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 29. All tips, along with 10 percent of all sales, during that time will go to the association. The event is sponsored by The Heritage at Meridian Gardens. Every year for the past nine, Holloman Airmen and their families spend hundreds of hours in the New Mexico heat, volunteering in the local community during the annual Big Give event. Thirty-two teams of 412 volunteers participated in this years Big Give. This years theme, Grow Community, racked up 4,997 man hours over the span of three weeks. Since its creation in the summer of 2008, Big Give has saved the Alamogordo and surrounding communities a total of $1,881,513.67. This year alone, the Big Give saved the local community an estimated $202,092.33. This impact has been noticed and celebrated by the new 49th Wing commander, Col. Houston R. Cantwell. Im so excited to be here, and be a part of this event, Cantwell said. In my short one month here in Alamogordo, it is readily apparent to me how close the relationship is between Holloman Air Force Base and the Alamogordo community. That is a testament to everyone here and everyone downtown. Big Give projects range from fixing computers for high school students in need, to landscaping and everything in-between. Re-painting the local landmark A in the mountains above Alamogordo is one such task many teams have taken on in the past. After their work is done, the teams present their projects to be judged. The first round of judging takes place a day before the Big Give after-party. Wing leadership watches every team present their project, and decides the Small and Large Team Award winners. At the Big Give after-party, attendees vote for their favorite teams. Those teams win the Peoples Choice Small and Large Team Awards. The 2016 winning teams and their awards were: Peoples Choice Small Team 1st Place: 49th Operation Support Squadrons Team Ram Rod! -- $500 Peoples Choice Large Team 1st Place: 49th Maintenance Squadrons Magnanimous Maintainers -- $1,000 Small Team 1st Place: 49th Mission Support Groups Echos PTO -- $2,000 Large Team 3rd Place: 6th Attack Squadrons R2D2 -- $1,000 Large Team 2nd Place: 372nd Training Squadron Detachment 10s Team Detstar -- $2,000 Large Team 1st Place: 29th Attack Squadrons Ghost Warriors -- $5,000 The awards were donations from local businesses that contribute every year and go to the squadrons of the winning teams. These teams and others contributed to over 25 local organizations and numerous individuals. Next year marks a historic milestone in Hollomans involvement with the surrounding community. This was our ninth year of doing the Big Give, said Cantwell. So, next year is the big one. What Are You Looking to Accomplish With Your Refrigerator? Pros & Cons of New and Used Fridges. New Pros: New Cons: Used Pros: Used Cons: Sourcing a Used Refrigerator Temperature Control Options I should probably begin with where I brew, as I believe this has played a huge role in my process. I live and brew in south Mississippi. Our 95 degree heat in the summer provides another challenge in the process of fermenting. I know what you are thinking, Just put the fermenter in the cool basement and let it bubble away. That would be an excellent option if we lived in an area where basements were part of every house, but in our piece of the world, the water table is so high that any basement would quickly turn into a very unpleasant, aromatic mildew spa. Much to the chagrin of my wife, my fermenter took up residence in our closet, right next to her clothes of course; and no, I was not using a blow off tube.This is the point in my tale where my version of the events and my wifes version differ slightly. My version is that the air lock and bung were ever so gently pushed out of the fermenter and my beautiful wort bubbled down the side of the fermenter, leaving a very tiny puddle for me to clean up. Now my wife believes that Astronaut Scott Kelly saw the explosion from the International Space Station as my smelly beer spewed out over all of her clothes. You can decide for yourselves which version is true, but I must disclose that our Pastor asked my wife that following Sunday if she had been drinking.My experience quickly taught me that I needed a new place to ferment and a hot garage in August would probably not be the way to go. I decided that I needed to find a refrigerator to serve as a fermentation chamber. Make sure you are looking for a fridge that will hold as many fermenters as oyu need it to.If you are looking to just use it for fermentation control of one carboy, then maybe a mini-fridge would work just fine for your purposes. An added bonus is that they are relatively cheap, even brand new, usually around $100. If kegs, as in more than one, are in your future plans, then a full size refrigerator or freezer is likely a wiser choice. Since we live in the era of the internet, and more importantly HomeBrewTalk, why should we reinvent the wheel and do all of our own time consuming research? Edwort over in the forum has already done an amazing job of researching and documenting freezer sizes and how many kegs each will hold. Check it out when you have a spare few minutes, I promise that you will be impressed and have a better understanding of what you may need to meet your own personal requirements.There are a few things to consider when making your decision as to whether or not to go used or with a brand new refrigerator or freezer.First of all is cost: Are you, or better yet your spouse, ready to drop anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand dollars (and up for ultra high end ones) on an appliance that you will modify to suit your purposes?Second of all is your home brewing vision: What are your long term plans or goals with home brewing? Are you planning on just fermenting in it or are you planning on kegging or using refrigerator/freezer for cold storage of food? Is this a passing hobby or are you in this lifestyle for the long haul? I know, I know it is a stupid question, but I had to see if you were still reading.A brand new fridge is well, new. There is no risk of the compressor dying the moment you complete your modifications.Lets face it, who among us relishes the thought of cleaning up someone elses mess? A new fridge still has that new fridge smell and zero mold or years of food and grime build up.The moment you take a drill or a pair of wire cutters to your new fermentation chamber to be, you can kiss your warranty goodbye.A new fridge can be expensive, especially when could be modifying it. Probobly not a good idea to shoot for a fridge this old, but a used fridge can serve your purpose.A used refrigerator or freezer will be much cheaper and in some cases even free.You can modify your fermentation chamber to your hearts content without worrying about voiding any warranty.You have no idea how long the compressor will last. It could very well last for years but you just dont know.Your used fridge could end up costing you more in the long run by costing more in higher electric bills. If you get lucky, you can get a decent fridge on the cheap or even free.If you find it difficult to drop a few hundred dollars on a brand new appliance just for fermentation, you may be headed down a path to acquire a used unit. Try scouring the local classifieds, Craigslist, Facebook, or yard sales for some great deals. If you are patient, you will eventually land a fridge on the cheap. If it is graduation season, you may be fortunate enough to find some sobering up frat boy that is unloading his beer fridge.Either way you go, you will need some additional help to control your fermentation temperature. There are a myriad of choices, from the inexpensive STC-1000 that requires a bit of wiring and planning, to the pre-wired versions that are simple to use and setup.The STC-1000 version is one of the most widely recognized and used temperature controller used in the home brew community. It does take a bit of wiring knowledge to set it up but nothing more than some basic home electrical wiring. They are pretty simply device. The STC-1000 uses a temperature probe to monitor your temperature in your fermentation chamber and then either close a circuit to turn on a heat source, usually an incandescent light bulb placed in your chamber, or turn on the compressor to cool the chamber. The crux is that you need to wire up 2 outlets to power your heat source or your compressor. Not terribly difficult, but a bit more work than a simple plug and play.The pre-wired versions by Inkbird, Johnson Controls, and numerous others operate using the same concept. The main difference between the 2 is the simplicity of setting them up. They come pre-wired with outlets ready to connect your heat source and your compressor. Your only chore is to set the temperature range, and your fermentation chamber is ready to go. G ood transport links are essential to Londoners, so it's no surprise that homes close to train stations command premium prices. With the launch of the new 24-hour service on Friday and Saturdays for the Central and Victoria lines, residents who live near the stations along these two key Tube routes are about to have faster weekend connections, all night long. House prices average almost 885,000 along the Central and Victoria lines, outstripping the London average by more than 300,000. Of course, this is largely due to the multi-million pound price tags attached to many prime central London homes. The average house price near Marble Arch, in Zone 1 and on the the Central line, stands at 2.5 million, while property prices close to Oxford Circus on the Victoria line have reached an average of 1.9 million. However, once you head out to Zones 2, 3 and 4, where the Night Tube will be valued most, average asking prices do start to come down. The up-and-coming spot to watch: Tottenham Hale, Zone 3 The average house price for north London's Tottenham Hale, in Zone 3 on the Victoria Line, is 347,000 - making it the cheapest area in which to buy a home along the Night Tube network. Harringey council hopes this will be Londons next great affordable neighbourhood of choice, thanks to the developer behind the regeneration of King's Cross striking a deal to regenerate the area with hundreds of new homes, jobs, shops and leisure facilities. MAP OF PROPERTY PRICES ALONG THE CENTRAL AND VICTORIA LINES, CLICK TO ENLARGE: eMoov The Olympic champion: Stratford, Zone 2 You can buy a property for 363,000 in east London's Stratford, in Zone 2 on the Central Line, which has seen huge transformation since the 2012 Olympics. The district has also been upgraded to travel Zone 2/3 by Transport for London earlier this year, and is set to further benefit from the high-speed Crossrail link, the Elizabeth Line, when it opens in 2018. TODO: define component type brightcove The ones to watch "The introduction of the night Tube service should only help boost the value of the properties surrounding stations due to benefit from the service," says Founder and CEO of eMoov.co.uk, Russell Quirk, who provided the data. Loughton, in Zone 6 on the Central Line, is a promising district for home buyers searching for value, as Quirk says the high level of demand means that house prices have increased by five per cent in the last 12 months. Gants Hill in Essex and Barkingside are also spots to watch as Londoners, increasingly pushed further out of the City in search of better value homes with easy commutes, continue to boost demand, and therefore prices. News, events, history, and other mid-week tidbits. Tuesday, October 25, 4:30 7 p.m. Orr Area EMS Open House Brats and burgers will be served. Event includes a new ambulance tour and blood pressure screenings. For more info: 218-780-3798. Orr Fire Hall 4540 Lake St., Orr Tuesday, October 25, 12 6 p.m. Essentia Health Job Fair Talent recruiters and department managers will be on-site at Essentia Health-Virginia. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to attendnurses, nursing and clinical assistants, surgery technicians, radiology technicians, respiratory therapists, human resource professionals, and those interested in environmental services or nutrition services. Essentia staff will greet candidates, conduct an initial screening and filter them to appropriate hiring managers for interviews. Select candidates will be verbally offered a position before leaving. Candidates are asked to bring a resume, but its not required. Attire is business casual. For more info: www.essentiacareers.org. 901 9th St. N., Virginia LINCOLN Legislative leaders haven't yet set a course for how they'll respond to Sen. Bill Kintner's cybersex scandal. A much-anticipated meeting of the Legislature's Executive Board ended Friday without formal action against the outspoken conservative from Papillion. Kintner has admitted he used his state-owned laptop to exchange live video of himself masturbating with a stranger while attending a conference in Boston last year. Instead of acting Friday, the 10-member Executive Board will meet again at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 29 to consider options ranging from revoking Kintner's computer access, Capitol office and parking space to impeaching or expelling him from the Legislature. "We can't carry this circus on," said Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha, the board chairman, saying it's important for lawmakers to respond quickly. Kintner didn't immediately react and didn't attend Friday's meeting, but he did appear at an unrelated hearing later in the day. He has refused to resign despite calls that he do so from Gov. Pete Ricketts, Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley and others saying he apologized to his wife, God and his colleagues and that remaining in office will best allow him to continue serving God. "I'm still one of the leading advocates for limited government, for lower taxes, for public safety in our state," he has said. Nebraska lawmakers have never booted one of their own from office. On Friday, Hadley said his research found only 17 lawmakers have been impeached in all of U.S. history. "This is uncharted water," Krist said after the Friday morning hearing. Lawmakers are therefore establishing procedure as they go. A vote to eject Kintner from office this year could require a special session before senators convene as scheduled in January. Another option floated Friday was be to make the issue a substantial debate during a regular interim meeting of the legislative council. Those gatherings were made possible by a 1937 law and have typically served as social functions, but Krist said lawmakers could use one to take formal action. In the meantime, the Executive Board's next hearing will give Kintner a chance to defend himself, with an attorney present if he chooses, Krist said. Members of the public will be allowed to testify as well. Friday's hearing mostly consisted of a timeline, compiled by legislative staff, of how Kintner's cybersex encounter bubbled up from an initial report last summer to a public scandal in recent weeks. Cass County Democratic Chairwoman Marsha Babcock of Elmwood testified after submitting signatures from 800 of Kintner's constituents calling on him to resign. The environmental group Bold Nebraska submitted a similar list of its own with 2,042 names. And several Executive Board members made it clear during the hearing that they want Kintner to step down. Sens. Dan Hughes of Venango and Dan Watermeier of Syracuse both said they've personally asked him to resign. "Bill Kintner has decided to carry this on himself," Krist said after the hearing. Kintner's district includes all of Cass County and parts of Otoe and Sarpy counties. If he remains in office, he would be eligible for re-election in 2018. Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol and Ricketts learned Kintner had apparently misused his state-owned laptop more than a year ago. But the case first became public late last month, about a week before Kintner was fined $1,000 by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission on Aug. 5. Kintner contacted the patrol himself last August because immediately after the cybersex, the woman, who was from another country, threatened to release video of him masturbating if he didn't send her money via wire transfer. The patrol launched investigations into the alleged extortion and into Kintner's misuse of his computer. The extortion probe went cold, and after consulting with Attorney General Doug Peterson's office, the patrol turned over the other piece to the Accountability and Disclosure Commission. While state law allows people who misuse public property to face criminal charges, Peterson's office has determined Kintner was not subject to criminal penalty here because the incident happened outside the state. Hadley and Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers both questioned that conclusion Friday, and Chambers called for an "objective" review of the criminal case. Chambers was the first to call for Kintner's impeachment and has threatened to hijack the legislative session if the Papillion senator remains in office. "To me, it remains mind-boggling how any man whose wife has been diagnosed with cancer can be so selfish, small-minded, and lacking in ordinary, common decency as to drag his wife through a public meatgrinder of a pornographic scandal," Chambers wrote in a memo to colleagues last week. Kintner's wife, Lauren, is Ricketts' chief policy adviser, a position she also held under the previous two governors. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer days after her husband's return from Boston. "My wife has shown absolutely incredible grace and forgiveness, more so than any man deserves," Kintner has said. "I am just fortunate that we have a good, strong marriage, and my faith is stronger than ever." Krist questioned Kintner's character, both with his handling of the cybersex issue and his history of incendiary statements. Krist also referred to Kintner's comments about God and faith, saying, "Whatever phone number he's using to talk to God, I want it." Barely a month after the African Union (AU) launched the continent's Pan-African passport, a lot of mixed reactions have since ensued on the possible success or flop of the single African permit. The historic move by the AU aims at opening up borders to allow free movement of goods and people among the African countries. The visa-free travel for all African citizens will provide for creation of more jobs to the millions of unemployed Africans especially the youth. In the Sub-Saharan region alone, the unemployment rate increased from 7.3% in 2014 to 7.4% in 2015, according to statistics by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Economists say reducing the unemployment rate will trigger further economic activity and a ripple effect of an increased intra-African trade; thus heightening economic growth in a continent whose economic progress has been termed significant. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa states that with an average rate of growth of 5% per annum since the late 1990s, Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. AU targets to have all the African governments issue their citizens with the biometric passport by 2018; the choice of the electronic pass is meant to reduce possible fraud attempts. With a United African Anthem already in place, the introduction of the Pan-African passport marks yet another major step towards the unification of Africa. Major progress has already been made towards ridding off all travel barriers within Africa, with countries like Seychelles having completely abolished visa requirements for all African countries. Others have made impressive progress, with Ghana issuing visas on arrival; Zimbabwe abolishing visa requirements for members of AU's regional trading bloc SADC (Southern African Development Community); and Namibia scraping off requirements of visa for diplomatic and official passport holders from AU Member States. Others making headway in opening borders to their African counterparts include Rwanda, Senegal and Mauritius. Sub-regionally, East Africa continues to hoist the flag high, as citizens of three East African countries; Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda share a common East African Tourist Visa. Southern Africa follows closely as an open-visa sub-region, with most of its countries abolishing visa restrictions for a large number of the world's population - Africans included. The tourism industry which UNWTO forecasts will grow to approximately 88 million international arrivals by 2030, is set to massively benefit from the Pan-African passport initiative. This is largely because free travel will encourage more domestic tourism in Africa. In its report, Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2016 Africa, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) indicates that the domestic travel spending for Africa generated 62.3% of direct Travel & Tourism GDP in 2015, compared to 37.7% for visitor exports. Domestic travel spending is expected to grow by 3.8% to USD 80.0bn and rise by 4.5% pa to USD 123.8bn in 2026. An influx in domestic tourism in the continent means and increase in job creation, with the report further showing that in 2015, the Travel and Tourism industry in Africa generated approximately 9 million jobs directly (3.0% of total employment) and a growth forecast of 0.3% in 2016 (2.9% of total employment). This includes employment by hotels, restaurants, travel agents such as Jumia Travel and airlines among others. It is predicted that by 2026, the industry will account for about 11.7 million jobs directly, an increase of 2.5% pa over the next decade. This will go along way in helping achieve one of AU's goals by launching the Pan-African Passport. That said, more need to be done to tackle the major challenges likely seen to impede the initiative. Estelle Verdier, the Managing Director for Jumia Travel East and Southern Africa, points out that lack of proper implementation policies may hinder the success of the single African passport, as is the case in many African projects that fail to see the light of day due to lack of execution frameworks. Besides, resistance by some countries to adopt the passport citing security concerns as it may encourage unmonitored inflow of migrants and perhaps criminals from one country to another; is a challenge whose solution needs to be addressed. This follows increased political instability, social unrest, armed conflicts and terror attacks across the continent, by self-acclaimed militant groups such as the Shabaab. It will take a convincing solution for countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Principe, Sao Tome and Equatorial Guinea, to revoke their visa restrictions and adopt the Pan-African Passport. Otherwise, their doors would remain closed to citizens of other African countries who do not hold their passports. Nevertheless, once again Africa remains under close watch by the rest of the world, as it starts rolling out one of its most historic move as a continent, towards achieving the African Union vision 2063. According to the AU, this new road-map emphasizes the importance of Pan-Africanism, a sense of unity, self-reliance, integration and solidarity that was a highlight of the 20th century. It looks like you've reached a page that doesnt exist (anymore). Please use the navigation or search above to find content on Hospitality Net. Go back to home India is expected to be the third largest construction market globally by 2030, contributing over 15 per cent to Indian GDP with the size of more than USD 1 trillion. The real Estate and Construction sector in India is expected to be the third largest globally by 2030, contributing over 15 per cent to Indian GDP and emerging as the largest employer in India providing employment opportunities to over 75 million people. A background paper, by KPMG in India and the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) provides an overview of the key programmes launched by the central government in the recent past to address the key challenges in urbanisation and the real estate sector, and throws light on the policy reforms undertaken by government to address these concerns. The paper highlights that Indias urban population is forecasted to increase by about 40 per cent from 420 million in 2015 to over 580 million by 2030. The government has launched several large programmes (such as Smart Cities, Housing for All, AMRUT, HRIDAY etc.) along with policy support (Real Estate Act, REITs, GST etc.) to accommodate such a vast population base. According to the paper, nearly 110 million houses would be required by 2022 alone in urban as well as rural India to provide housing to all citizens. This includes the current shortage of over 60 million houses, out of which around 20 million exist in urban areas. As per the paper, there are a number of solid infrastructure projects in the pipeline. These include 432 projects worth INR6.5 trillion for roads, more than 400 projects worth INR6 trillion in railways, 70 projects worth INR670 billion for the development of airports and 75 projects worth INR551 billion for the ports. The paper attempts to analyse the construction development sector as a whole. The sector has attracted over USD 24 Billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between 2000 and 2015. The Housing for All initiative requires an investment of USD2 trillion by 2022. Also, the potential value of REITable commercial office assets is more than 400 million sq ft which is worth over USD 50 billion. With every 6th person getting urbanized globally being an Indian, the real estate and construction sector holds significant opportunity for both global and domestic companies engaged across the value chain (design, development, construction, finance etc.). To meet this requirement India will need to construct 43,000 houses every day until 2022 to achieve the vision of Housing for All by 2022, hundreds of new cities need to be developed over the next decade. This has the potential for catapulting India to 3rd largest construction market globally. The sector is expected to contribute 15 per cent to the Indian economy by 2030, become the largest employer by 2022 employing about 75 million people or more than 13 per cent of the total estimated workforce of India, remain the largest contributor to the state exchequer and will consume almost a quarter of Indias total electricity need by 2030. The recent policy reforms such as the Real Estate Act, GST, REITs, steps to reduce approval delays etc. are only going to strengthen the real estate and construction sector. The sector players now more than ever need to develop a global mindset towards quality, project delivery, work culture and governance. Strong steps are required to provide faster approvals, serviceable and clear title of land, long term finance and skilled workforce. said Neeraj Bansal, Partner and Head, Building, Construction and Real Estate Sector KPMG in India. According to Rajeev Talwar, Chairman, NAREDCO, The Honble Prime Minister has laid the road map for making India into a 10 Trillion US$ economy. We are excited about the next Decade belonging to India - as Real Estate is going to be a catalyst and major economic driver in the process. The Government has paved the way with introduction of GST, Real Estate Act; Relaxation in investment norms for REITs, direct and indirect tax incentives on housing development. The Convention is an opportunity for us as an Industry to deliberate about the challenges that we are likely to face in coming years. We now take upon ourselves to implement strategies for fulfilling his vision. The paper reflects upon the major programmes in the real estate and construction sector which includes Smart Cities, 500 AMRUT cities, HRIDAY, Housing for all by 2022, etc. The policy framework complementing these programmes include the introduction of the Goods and Service Tax, Real Estate Act; Relaxation in investment norms, REITs, direct and indirect tax incentives on housing development, and IFRS convergence The KPMG-NAREDCO background paper also lists the challenges faced by the real estate and construction sector in India. Strict and prolonged regulatory processes leading to delays in project completion is one of the biggest hurdles. Also, there are numerous land-related issues with limited funding from banks, limited availability of long-term funding also posing tough times for growth on the real estate sector. Lack of manpower coupled with the conventional usage of technology followed by the lack of stable and predictive tax regime, are also some of the core afflictions of the sector. India has made rapid progress in recent years to address these challenges. The ease of doing business rankings have improved, reforms have been brought in direct and indirect tax policies, the approval mechanism is being streamlined across cities, and policies encouraging transparency and governance are reviewed regularly. We can say now, that, India is gearing up for the future and real estate and infrastructure have a plethora of opportunities to offer. About NAREDCO National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) is the apex body of real estate sector, under the aegis of Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA), Government of India. Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, the Hon'ble Minister of UD, and HUPA, is the Chief Patron and seven Joint Secretary level officers from Central Government and Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are on the Governing Council. The founders of NAREDCO are prestigious public and private sector organizations including Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), National Housing Bank (NHB), National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), LIC Housing Finance, PNB Housing Finance, HDFC, Cement Manufacturers Association, DLF, K Raheja, Hiranandani, Sobha, Prestige, Shriram Properties, Tata Housing, Dewan Housing Finances etc. Objectives of NAREDCO inter alia includes promotion of housing and real estate sector in India, and inculcate transparency and accountability for the benefit of the customers. NAREDCO and its State Chapters work in close cooperation with Central and various State Governments to achieve these objectives. About KPMG in India KPMG in India, a professional services firm, is the Indian member firm affiliated with KPMG International and was established in September 1993. Our professionals leverage the global network of firms, providing detailed knowledge of local laws, regulations, markets and competition. KPMG has offices across India in Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Noida, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. KPMG in India offers services to national and international clients in India across sectors. We strive to provide rapid, performance-based, industry-focussed and technology-enabled services, which reflect a shared knowledge of global and local industries and our experience of the Indian business environment. For further information, please contact Subir Moitra | Sudeep Biswas E smoitra@kpmg.com | sudeepbiswas@kpmg.com Daily Hotel Industry News Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest hotel news and trends. Alice doesn't sing here any more - but that has not deterred the other half of Crystal Castles from moving forward with this transcendentally batshit-crazy electro project. The idea of Ethan Kath ploughing on minus (genuinely) iconic frontwoman Alice Glass will strike fans as, at first pass, preposterous. Yet two years after Glass departed citing irreconcilable "personal and professional" differences, Kath returns, with mysterious recruit Edith Frances and a mash-up of spooky EDM and recycled N64 bleeps and bloops that has changed not at all. Recent single 'Char' is quintessential Castles, with haunting synths and vocals delivered somewhere between a mumble and a shriek; 'Sadist' and 'Frail' spin familiar fever-dreams of paranoia and dread. If you didn't know, you would be pushed to tell the difference between Glass's banshee caterwaul and that of the new girl in town. Kudos to Kath : he's replacedEthe irreplaceable. There's also quality fare from Bobby Basil, Eric Eckhart, New Order, Oasis, CAKE and Better Than Ezra This weeks Free Music Friday is dedicated to Stevie Martin, the Artist Also Known As Rainy Boy Sleep who was as lovely and warm as he was supremely talented. See the new issue of Hot Press for a full tribute to the 29-year-old who is very much in Team Hot Press' thoughts. Bobby Basil of Dah Jevu fame has premiered the video for Poppybella, another excursion into the darker side of hip hop that finds him collaborating with fellow Dubliner Wastefellow. Meanwhile, Dah Jevu are appearing as part of the Trenchtown line-up at Electric Picnic, which is a definite must-see. Advertisement Its not quite as good as actually flying down to Franklin, Tennessee for next months Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, but the preview sampler featuring the likes of CAKE, Better The Ezra, Son Little, JD & The Straight Shot and Hall & Oates - with Rich Girl no less! is a little beaut. Also new and extremely tasty from Noise Trade is an acoustic covers EP from Austin alt. folker Rebecca Loebe whose take on the Big Zims Forever Young features some serious high note-hitting. Advertisement The hip hop legend that is Kool Keith has teamed up with MF Doom on the phenomenal Super Hero. Feature Magnetic by Kool Keith Mixtape of the Week honours go to Nipsey Hussle whose Slauson Boy 2 collection includes Snoop Dogg, Buddy, Young Dolph, Young Thug and Mozzy among its impressive roll-call of guests. Nipsey Hussle - Slauson Boy 2 To the streams now and the diva other divas call the Guvnor Barbra Streisand; Oregon close-harmony sister act Joseph; Jimmy Lavelles ambient project The Album Leaf; piano trio The Bad Plus, and hotshot Americana outfit River Whyless all have new albums debuting courtesy of our American NPR chums. Advertisement Bad Brains, The Misfits, The Stooges, The Jam, Blondie, Billy Idol and Buzzcocks weve told you before, there is no the! get the dreamy acoustic treatment courtesy of Katy Goodman and Greta Morgan. Oasis' 'D'You Know What I Mean?' gets a rebooted video ahead of its Oasis documentary re-release. It's fair to say that a good time was had by all... Advertisement Were loving the look of Danny Says, a documentary about Harvard dropout Danny Fields who moved to New York and became the Head of Hype at Elektra Records. Hitting cinemas and digital platforms on September 30, the likes of Alice Cooper, Wayne Kramer and Iggy Pop attest to his act-breaking genius. He also managed The Stooges, MC5 and The Ramones, which is a none too shoddy roster! Maija Sofia has shot a gorgeous video for Stains on Sandymount beach. That Magic Marker is going to take some shifting FMF is delighted to bring you the exclusive first listen to Fado, the lead tune from the new Eric Eckhart album, which is due later in the year. The song is a deeply moody, electronica ballad which is quite a departure for me and I am happy to say, I have never been prouder of a song of mine, enthuses Eckhart, an American based in Berlin but who also has strong Irish connections. Advertisement Kiefer Sutherland has made a country rock album and its not half-bad! You can cop an earful of Down In A Hole at [link]consequenceofsound.net/2016/08/stream-kiefer-sutherlands-boozy-bad-ass-country-album-down-in-a-hole[/link] We suspect that the 24 star may have listened to few Steve Earle & The Dukes records in his time! Of course, many actors have gone the Nashville route before him including Billy Bob Thornton who played a memorable gig in Vicar St. in 2002. Thank you #warnernashville ... To hold an LP in my hand... Unforgettable... pic.twitter.com/qu8XewcfOJ Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) August 14, 2016 Advertisement HI NRG fans will love 'Blowing You Kisses', the new tune from Veda and her bezzies Angelina, Alicia, Regina and Pixie, which reminds us of the mighty Divine. Our RetroVid of the Week is New Order's 'Bizarre Love Triangle', which will doubtless get a runout in a few weeks when the chaps and chapess headline Electric Picnic. We spent a very pleasant half-hour yesterday chatting to Gillian Gilbert, with the interview to be found in our Stradbally Eve issue. Advertisement And thats where Free Music Friday takes its leave of you for another week. As ever, keep those links flooding in to @stuartclark66! The famous couches are ready for the journey to Stradbally and our guestlist is already looking rather tasty When Team HP decamps for Electric Picnic, it will be with our famous couches in tow, as the Hot Press Chatroom returns to Stradbally for yet another year of chats, tunes and surprises. Last year saw a veritable who's who of the festival squeeze between our tentflaps, as the likes of Gavin James, Bob Geldof, Tame Impala and Chvrches drew monstrous crowds over the three days. And while there's still a host of names to be unveiled for this year's proceedings, we've already been inundated with RSVPs from the stars of the line-up and all with the correct box ticked too! From international giants like Editors and Chic's Ralph Rolle to homegrown sensations including Picture This, Rusangano Family, R.S.A.G., The Academic and The Blizzards, some of the most exciting acts of the weekend will be wagging chins with our team. The latest to plan a visit is the iconic ABC man Martin Fry, who'll undoubtedly have a few rib-tickling tales from the '80s to share. Indie royalty The Frank & Walters will also drop by, along with the always entertaining Le Galaxie. Advertisement Add in the much-anticipated return of The Strypes who rank among our favourite visitors ever as well as some chucklesome chats with Alison Spittle and Andrew Stanley, and it's all shaping up very nicely indeed! Of course, there's a galaxy of stars still to be announced for the Chatroom keep a close eye on hotpress.com for updates over the coming fortnight! Ken Starr, the once beloved president and chancellor at Baylor University, reduced to a law school professor in the wake of a sexual assault scandal at the school, has officially cut ties with the Baptist university. Starr has left his post in the law school, according to a joint statement issued by himself and Baylor on Friday. "The mutually agreed separation comes with the greatest respect and love Judge Starr has for Baylor and with Baylor's recognition and appreciation for Judge Starr's many contributions to Baylor," the statement said. A report by the law firm Pepper Hamilton released by the university in May found that football coaches and other athletic department officials knew about reports of sexual assaults on campus by multiple football players and chose not to report them. Football at Baylor, the report said, "was above the rules." Starr was first stripped of his position as president in the wake of the report, then stepped down as chancellor -- basically a booster position -- soon after. Here's the full statement from Baylor and Starr: "Effective today, Judge Ken Starr will be leaving his faculty status and tenure at Baylor University's Law School. The mutually agreed separation comes with the greatest respect and love Judge Starr has for Baylor and with Baylor's recognition and appreciation for Judge Starr's many contributions to Baylor. Baylor wishes Judge Ken Starr well in his future endeavors. Judge Starr expresses his thanks to the Baylor family for the opportunity to serve as president and chancellor and is grateful for his time with the exceptional students of Baylor University who will lead and serve around the world." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Acting Houston Police Chief Martha Montalvo said she plans to fire an officer charged with intoxicated manslaughter in a Fort Bend County crash this month. Fort Bend County authorities alleged this week that city police Officer James Combs was driving drunk around 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 12 when his Chevrolet Tahoe struck a Chevy Corvette driven by 36-year-old Brian Manring, who was killed. He leaves behind an 8-year-old daughter, for whom a gofundme site has been set up to support financially. Combs had been suspended indefinitely on July 2, 2012 after failing a random drug test, a department spokesperson said. But Combs appealed the punishment, which was later reduced by an independent arbitrator to a 60-day suspension. "He had a second chance," Montalvo said Thursday of the 6-year department veteran, "and I'm horrified that a life was taken because of his behavior." Deputies responding to the crash said they detected alcohol on Combs, who Montalvo said was scheduled to work a shift later that morning. Sheriff's deputies arrested Combs this week. A relative posted his $100,000 bail Wednesday afternoon, and he was released later that evening. HPD is working to expedite the process for Comb's termination, Montalvo said. The department relieved Combs of duty on the day of the crash, meaning he would stay on paid leave pending an internal investigation. "We are terminating him," Montalvo said Thursday. "I think with a charge of intoxicated manslaughter, the least of his problems is worrying about his job." The news comes as HPD on Friday kicked off a program focused on DWI enforcement and education to last through Labor Day. "This is just an example that individuals who commit this crime come from all walks of life, including police officers," Montalvo said. "So please help us get the message out: be a responsible drinker. If you do drink, get a designated driver, take a cab, but do not drive. Do not put the life of other people and yourself in danger." A Houston man was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for making fetish "crush videos" of the torturous deaths of small animals, including puppies, chickens and kittens. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake ordered Brent Justice to serve 57 months, which will run concurrently with a 50-year state prison sentence for cruelty to animals. During a one-day federal trial in May, Justice, 55, was convicted of three counts of producing the videos and one count of distributing them. Co-defendant, Ashley Richards - who appeared in the videos - pleaded guilty to federal charges and testified against Justice in federal court. The pair are believed by authorities to be the first prosecuted under the 2010 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which prohibits the making of videos of humans torturing animals. "This was a difficult yet important case," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Zack. "As the first successful prosecution since the statute was amended in 2010, we believe the punishment imposed today sends a clear message that these horrific acts should not and will not be tolerated." She, too, was victim The sentence was at the top of the federal sentencing guidelines, she said, and "clearly demonstrates the importance of punishing those that harm and exploit some of society's most vulnerable victims. These animals cannot speak for themselves and were tortured and killed for the sexual gratification of others." Justice's lawyer decline to comment. Richards, 25, told authorities that Justice was her "best friend" and that they lived together. She said he was the cameraman and convinced her to join him in making the videos. He handled the marketing and distribution, she said. Her lawyer, Joyce Raynor, stressed that while Richards was a victimizer in the case, she also was a victim. She said that Richards had a rough upbringing and that Justice had promised her a way to stable employment and a life off the streets. "I know she is remorseful - she has expressed that to me from day one," Raynor said. Had prior convictions A scantily clad Richards can be seen in the videos wearing a Mardi Gras-type mask. In one video, she tortures a puppy, hitting the dog several times with a meat cleaver and then chopping off its paws, head and neck. In another she is wearing a bikini top as she writhes atop a rooster, then she snaps his legs, plucks his feathers and slices his throat. The videos were made from 2010 to 2012 and were distributed on the Internet, according to authorities. Richards had been sentenced to 10 years in state prison for related crimes and was sentenced federally to time served. Justice has seven prior convictions, including car theft, assaulting a family member and assaulting a peace officer. The case began in 2012 when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent several crush videos to Houston police, according to court papers. Other animals that have appeared in crush videos include rabbits, rodents, crawfish and crabs, according to PETA. WASHINGTON - This week Russian bombers flew out of Iranian air bases to attack rebel positions in Syria. The State Department pretended not to be surprised. It should be. It should be alarmed. Iran's intensely nationalistic revolutionary regime had never permitted foreign forces to operate from its soil. Until now. The reordering of the Middle East is proceeding apace. Where for 40 years the U.S.-Egypt alliance anchored the region, a Russia-Iran condominium is dictating events. That's what you get after eight years of U.S. retrenchment and withdrawal. That's what results from the nuclear deal with Iran, the evacuation of Iraq and utter U.S. immobility on Syria. Consider: Iran The nuclear deal was supposed to begin a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran. Instead, it has solidified a strategic-military alliance between Moscow and Tehran. With the lifting of sanctions and the normalizing of Iran's international relations, Russia rushed in with major deals, including the shipment of S-300 ground-to-air missiles. Russian use of Iranian bases marks a new level of cooperation and joint power projection. Iraq These bombing runs cross Iraqi airspace. Before President Obama's withdrawal from Iraq, that could not have happened. The resulting vacuum has not only created a corridor for Russian bombing, it has gradually allowed a hard-won post-Saddam Iraq to slip into Iran's orbit. According to a Baghdad-based U.S. military spokesman, there are 100,000 Shiite militia fighters operating inside Iraq, 80 percent of them Iranian-backed. Syria When Russia dramatically intervened last year, establishing air bases and launching a savage bombing campaign, Obama did nothing. Indeed, he smugly predicted that Vladimir Putin had entered a quagmire. Some quagmire. Bashar Assad's regime is not only saved. It encircled Aleppo and has seized the upper hand in the civil war. Meanwhile, our hapless secretary of state is running around trying to sue for peace, offering to share intelligence and legitimize Russian intervention if only Putin will promise to conquer gently. Consider what Putin has achieved. Dealt a weak hand - a rump Russian state, shorn of empire and saddled with a backward economy and a rusting military - he has restored Russia to great power status. Reduced to irrelevance in the '90s, it is now a force to be reckoned with. In Europe, Putin has unilaterally redrawn the map. His annexation of Crimea will not be reversed. The Europeans are eager to throw off the few sanctions they grudgingly imposed on Russia. And the rape of eastern Ukraine continues. Ten thousand have died and Putin is threatening more open warfare. Under the absurd pretext of Ukrainian terrorism in Crimea, Putin has threatened retaliation, massed troops in eight locations on the Ukrainian border, ordered Black Sea naval exercises, and moved advanced anti-aircraft batteries into Crimea, giving Moscow control over much of Ukrainian airspace. And why shouldn't he? He's pushing on an open door. Obama refuses to send Ukraine even defensive weapons. The administration's response to these provocations? Urging "both sides" to exercise restraint. Both sides, mind you. And in a gratuitous flaunting of its newly expanded reach, Russia will conduct joint naval exercises with China in the South China Sea, in obvious support of Beijing's territorial claims and illegal military bases. Yet the president shows little concern. He is too smart not to understand geopolitics; he simply doesn't care. In part because his priorities are domestic. In part because he thinks we lack clean hands and thus the moral standing to continue to play international arbiter. And in part because he's convinced that in the long run it doesn't matter. Fluctuations in great power relations are inherently ephemeral. For a man who sees a moral arc in the universe bending inexorably toward justice, calculations of raw realpolitik are 20th-century thinking - primitive, obsolete, the obsession of small minds. Obama made all this perfectly clear in speeches at the U.N., in Cairo and here at home in his first year in office. Two terms later, we see the result. Ukraine dismembered. Eastern Europe on edge. Syria a charnel house. Iran subsuming Iraq. Russia and Iran on the march across the entire northern Middle East. At the heart of this disorder is a simple asymmetry. It is in worldview. The major revisionist powers - China, Russia and Iran - know what they want: power, territory, tribute. And they're going after it. Obama takes Ecclesiastes' view that these are vanities, nothing but vanities. In the kingdom of heaven, no doubt. But here on earth - Aleppo to Donetsk, Estonia to the Spratly Islands - it matters greatly. Krauthammer's email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com. The quarterly meeting of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 23) at the Texas County Justice Center (on Grand Avenue in downtown Houston). The Texas County Commission has selected Keith Follin as the committees new chairperson. Follin is also Roby Volunteer Fire Department chief. The LEPC is an important part of every community, he said. We encourage all business owners who handle, sell or receive hazardous materials to attend as well as the general public. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! 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If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. terday, people all over the world were shocked to hear that Egypts state broadcaster had suspended eight employees for being overweight but as unbelievable as the case might be it could actually happen in New Zealand too.The Human Rights Act does not include appearance as a prohibited ground of discrimination, says leading employment lawyer Carl Blake . So, in theory, there is the ability for an employer to discriminate on the basis of appearance but it would have to be a key requirement of the role.The Simpson Grierson senior associate says there are some industries which may be able to successfully argue that appearance as an integral component to the position TV or modelling being the most obvious.However, Blake told HRM that even in those very limited circumstances Kiwi employers are still bound by a duty of good faith.Assuming someones appearance is a key requirement of the role and assuming thats clearly set out in the employment agreement, then I would say there is a duty on the employer in good faith to help ensure the employee meets the requirements of the role, he stressed.The employer would, in my view, have had to have taken reasonable steps in good faith to assist the employee to meet those ongoing requirements and not just wait until the employee got too overweight before taking action, he continued.They would need to sit down with them, remind them of their obligations, their ongoing requirements of the role to maintain a certain appearance and the employee would need to be put on notice that a failure to meet those ongoing requirements could impact on their ongoing employment.Its akin to a type of performance measure even though it does sound unusual describing it that way, he admitted.Auckland-based Blake said Human Rights violations would only arise if the employees weight was directly linked to a protected ground under the Act, such as disability.Where someones weight is an issue for whatever reason either gaining weight because of a medical condition or simply another reason that is out of the employees hands then it could be argued that any action taken as a result of that which is to their detriment could be claimed to be discriminatory, he warned.If one of these presenters did have a medical condition that caused them to either be unable to lose weight or to gain weight then they could legitimately use the Human Rights Act to say what is happening to them is discriminatory, he added. eading industry lawyer has identified a notable trend in the compensation space, suggesting New Zealand could be about to move into a world of new averages.Compensation awards in the employment jurisdiction have been stagnant for quite some time, says Chapman Tripp senior associate, Marie Wisker Historically, averages have been between $4,000 and $7,000 for unjustified dismissal claims but what we have been seeing over the past couple of years is an increasing trend to higher compensation awards, she revealed.According to Auckland-based Wisker, there are a couple of key reasons behind the change.One is an express acknowledgement by the Employment Court of a need to recalibrate these awards precisely because they have been so stagnant for so long, she told HRM.There have also been some recent high-profile decisions coming out from the Human Rights Review Tribunal where there have been substantial awards made for conduct that, [had it been] in the employment jurisdiction, you wouldnt see those levels of awards at all.Wisker pointed to two cases in particular one which ended in an award of $98,000 and another of $45,000 far in excess of the $4,000 to $7,000 thats typically seen in the employment jurisdiction.In my view, I think were moving to a world of new averages of perhaps between $6,000 to $10,000 for procedural defects thats where a dismissal is upheld but where the court considers that the employer had not complied with all of its legal obligations then perhaps between $15,000 and $20,000 for unjustified dismissal claims, she said.While Wisker indicated compensation levels were on the rise, she said employers shouldnt be too worried as courts were keen to keep awards relatively low.I think HR professionals can take some comfort out of the fact that the courts have expressly said that rewards will remain modest particularly so if an employee is demanding some extravagant level out of the employment jurisdiction, she told HRM. Just a couple days after reaching a settlement in her divorce from Johnny Depp, Amber Heard has stated she will be donating her entire $7 million settlement to charity. "As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves," Heard said in a statement to People magazine on Thursday. Advertisement The 30-year-old actress added: "As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated. This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future." According to The Guardian, the money will be split between the American Civil Liberties Union and the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, with the ACLUs share going towards its efforts to combat violence against women. "I know these organizations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future. Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most," she said. Advertisement Heard and Depp reached a divorce settlement outside of court just one day before their scheduled restraining order hearing was scheduled to begin. "Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love,'' a joint statement released by Heard and Depp said. "Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future." A judge dismissed the domestic violence case against Depp on Tuesday and terminated the temporary restraining order that Heard asked for back in May. "The Danish Girl" actress accused Depp of being physically and emotionally abusive throughout their relationship, which began after they met while filming the 2011 film "The Rum Diary." The couple married Feb. 3, 2015. Advertisement "During the entirety of our relationship, Johnny has been verbally and physically abusive to me," Heard wrote in her sworn declaration. "I endured excessive emotional, verbal and physical abuse from Johnny, which has included angry, hostile, humiliating and threatening assaults to me whenever I questioned his authority or disagreed with him.'' Amber Heard submitted this photo as evidence for her domestic violence restraining order https://t.co/sA3BZc3D6fpic.twitter.com/VjHxoobna6 People Magazine (@people) May 27, 2016 On Monday, video leaked showing the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor displaying disturbing behaviour around Heard. The video, filmed by Heard, shows the 53-year-old slamming doors, smashing a glass of wine on the floor and swearing multiple times. TMZ also obtained graphic photos of Depp's sliced finger, which he reportedly hurt in "a fit of rage." According to the website, Depp dipped his injured finger in blue paint and wrote the name of the actor Billy Bob Thornton and "Easy Amber" on a wall, allegedly accusing them of having an affair. Thornton has denied the allegations, calling them "completely false." Heard filed for divorce on May 23, citing irreconcilable differences. OTTAWA Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has elevated first-time MP and rookie cabinet minister Bardish Chagger to the post of Government House Leader. Chagger, the 36-year-old MP for Waterloo, Ont., is the first woman, and first visible minority, to hold the position. Advertisement Bardish Chagger looks on after being sworn in as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons at Rideau Hall on Aug. 19, 2016. Photo: Justin Tang/CP) She will be responsible for negotiating smooth passage of the government's agenda in the House of Commons as well as be the point person for any House reforms. Speaking to reporters Friday afternoon, Chagger said she was honoured by the promotion and would continue to bring a positive, optimistic and collaborative tone to Parliament. But she declined to say what she would do differently, for example, pledging not to invoke closure on parliamentary debate. Advertisement "Today's is my first day on the job," she answered when pressed on specifics. She will continue to raise the bar on an open Parliament, she said, adding she really believes parliamentarians "can all work together." "I know what democracy should look like. Democracy should be engaging with Canadians." House Leader Bardish Chagger When asked what experience she brings to the job, Chagger responded that she had been "involved in the political process basically my whole life. "I know what democracy should look like. Democracy should be engaging with Canadians. That is the leadership of our prime minister. That's why the whole of government approach will work for Canada," she answered. Chagger said she and Trudeau had a "great conversation" Thursday where they discussed delivering a more open government, one that reflects Canadians and one that works as a team. Advertisement "I am so proud to be part of a cabinet that reflects Canada. That's why today is another exciting day," she said. Bardish Chagger speaks in the House of Commons on February 23, 2016. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/CP) Chagger, who does not speak French but understands it, suggested she was tapped for a relatively big job because she works hard. "I have never been a stranger to hard work. I believe in hard work and I'm up for the challenge." She said she's working with a teacher to ameliorate her French and told a Quebec reporter she just lacks confidence. Her ministerial mandate letter outlines 11 priorities, which include looking at ways to make Parliament more family friendly, such as getting rid of Friday sittings, and reforming question period. Trudeau has mused about establishing one question period a week directed solely for prime minister, which would free him up to spend more time outside Ottawa. Advertisement Chagger, who will also remain the minister of small business and tourism, replaces Dominic LeBlanc, the longtime New Brunswick MP, as Government House leader. LeBlanc to stay at fisheries post LeBlanc becomes the permanent minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada a portfolio he was asked to take over after Hunter Tootoo resigned from cabinet and left the Liberal caucus in May after engaging in a sexual relationship with a younger staff member and seeking treatment for alcohol addiction. LeBlanc's time as Government House leader was a bit rocky. He was criticized for suggesting a vote on medically assisted death would be whipped before the matter had been discussed in caucus. The Liberals had promised during the election campaign that all votes would be free except for platform commitments, Charter issues and confidence matters. LeBlanc was also seen as responsible for introducing Motion 6 in May that sought to limit parliamentary debate and take certain rights away from opposition parties. The measure was largely seen as a response to the Grits nearly losing a surprise vote in the Commons. Advertisement The move heightened tensions in Parliament and culminated in Trudeau inadvertently elbowing an NDP MP in the chest. LeBlanc later withdrew the motion. Chagger was elected to Parliament last October. She previously worked as an assistant to the riding's former Liberal MP Andrew Telegdi. With files from Ryan Maloney Also on HuffPost Kathleen Wynne's days as Ontario premier could be numbered, a new poll suggests. A Forum Research survey released Wednesday paints something of a grim picture for Wynne and her long-serving Liberals, but also shows that Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown remains a mystery to many voters. Advertisement Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne looks on before making a climate change policy announcement in Toronto on June 8, 2016. (Photo: Mark Blinch/CP) The poll suggests Brown's Tories would win 41 per cent of the vote if an election were held today likely enough for a majority compared to 28 per cent for Wynne's Liberals and 23 per cent for Andrea Horwath's NDP. Liberal support dropped seven percentage points from July, with those votes appearing to have gone to the NDP. Horwath's party jumped in support by six per cent in one month. Not much support for Wynne's job performance Just 16 per cent approve of the job Wynne is doing, while 72 per cent disapprove and 11 per cent don't know. Advertisement In contrast, 26 per cent approve of Brown's performance as leader of the Opposition, while 25 per cent disapprove. Almost half 49 per cent aren't sure. Horwath's job approval rating is highest at 34 per cent. Things aren't much better for Wynne on the question of who would make the best premier. Just 14 per cent chose her, compared to 25 per cent for Brown and 17 per cent for Horwath. "None of these" was the most popular response at 27 per cent. "It appears Premier's Wynne's chickens have finally come home to roost, and voters have started to notice the controversies surrounding her government." "It appears Premier's Wynne's chickens have finally come home to roost, and voters have started to notice the controversies surrounding her government," Forum Research president Dr. Lorne Bozinoff said in the poll summary. But Bozinoff also told The Toronto Star not to read too much into the numbers because it's summer and provincial politics is not exactly top of mind for many voters. Advertisement And with a provincial election still two years away, there's plenty of time for Ontario Liberals to turn things around. Forum and other polling firms had the Wynne Liberals trailing the Tories at the start of the 2014 provincial election and they ended up winning a majority government. The interactive voice-response telephone survey was conducted on Monday among 1,097 Ontarians. It has a margin of error of three percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Changes, challenges this summer With eyes to 2018, Wynne shuffled her cabinet in June to promote some fresh faces, including former NDP MP Glenn Thibeault, who took over as energy minister. And she took credit later that month for the deal reached among provincial finance ministers to enhance the Canada Pension Plan, saying Ontario's constant pushing on retirement security kept the issue front and centre. Advertisement Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau and his provincial and territorial counterparts at a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on June 20, 2016. (Photo: Darryl Dyck/CP) In July, it was revealed the Ontario government spent $70 million on a provincial pension plan that will no longer be needed, including more than $2 million split among six executives. Liberals are now raising some eyebrows with publicly-funded radio ads promoting the CPP deal. Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk suggested to The Canadian Press that the government ads were too partisan but said she does not have the power to veto them because Liberals changed the rules on advertising last year. Byelection in September In recent months, Liberals have also faced questions about their political fundraising activity, spurring the government to bring in legislation that seeks to ban corporate and union donations to parties. Advertisement The next possible test for Wynne's government will be a byelection on Sept. 1 in the Toronto riding of Scarborough-Rouge River, a safe Liberal seat since 1999. Last February, Tories easily won a byelection in Whitby-Oshawa, keeping the seat previously held by ex-PC MPP Christine Elliott, despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Wynne campaigning in the riding. With a file from The Canadian Press ALSO ON HUFFPOST: B.C.s Liberal government will likely take a political hit for their decision to impose a foreign buyer tax on the Greater Vancouver housing market, even though the city's housing correction began before the tax took effect, a report from Capital Economics says. We would be amazed if B.C.s Finance Minister, Mike de Jong, doesnt get the blame when Vancouver house prices are falling next year, the report said. Advertisement By the time the B.C. provincial election rolls around next May [house price growth] will be close to, or even below, zero, economist Paul Ashworth wrote in the report. The prediction of flat or falling prices comes as preliminary data for August shows signs of a steep decline in Vancouvers housing activity. According to Multiple Listings Service data obtained by Global News, homes sales in Greater Vancouver collapsed by 85 per cent in the first two weeks of August, compared to the same period a year ago. In ritzy West Vancouver where the benchmark price of a home was nearly $2.8 million in July, up 40 per cent from a year ago home sales collapsed by 94 per cent, realtor Brent Eilers told Global. There were three sales in the first half of August this year, compared to 52 sales in the same period last year. Advertisement It's impossible to tell from such a small data set whether this is a short-lived correction or the start of a longer, broader decline. Much of the weakness appears to be concentrated at the upper end of the market. According to inventory data from real estate website Zolo, the number of days Vancouver homes spend on the market has fallen for every housing category except the top of the market, where houses are taking much longer to sell. (Click for full size) Zolo data also shows that the average selling price in Vancouver dropped by 21.3 per cent in the past month. However, that doesnt necessarily indicate falling prices, only a change in the mix of houses sold, reflecting the decline in upper-end home sales. But despite the fact the slowdown seems concentrated where the foreign buyers are, it appears that the foreign buyer tax had little to do with it, at least at first. Home sales on Vancouvers affluent west side fell by more than 38 per cent in June, year on year well before the provincial government announced a 15-per-cent foreign buyer tax in late July. Advertisement Some market observers say a crackdown by the Chinese government on illicit cash flowing out of the country dampened the flow of cash into Vancouvers housing market well before the new tax was introduced. The Chinese government announced earlier this week it had arrested 450 people in connection with illegal transfers of money out of the country. The flow of cash out China is estimated to have slowed to US$49 billion in June, less than a third of the US$171 billion that flowed out of China last December. Even without a decline in house prices, the housing downturn will be a drag on the economy, the Capital Economics report said. Lower home sales means a decline in ownership transfer costs, a.k.a. realtors fees, and lower housing starts will translate into a decline in home construction spending. British Columbia could be particularly hard hit, economically, from a housing-market slowdown. Real estate and construction account for more than 26 per cent of the provinces economy, the highest share of any province. We were at the public pool and this happened; Milo saw an Ariel doll from The Little Mermaid at the side of a pool and said, "Whoa!" He grabbed it and started to play with it. Then the mother of the little girl whom the doll belonged to said to us, "Boys don't play with dolls!" Frank and I both said in unison, "Of course boys can play with dolls!" I am not quite sure why some parents are so against their boys playing with dolls, or taking dance, or even wearing pink. Her daughter (maybe five years old) said to her mom, "Boys play with trucks. Girls play with dolls." The mother said quietly to her daughter, "I know." She then asked us to leave the dolls at poolside when we are done playing and swam off. As Frank and I both looked at each other with bewilderment, another mother with her son swims up to us and says, "Just to let you know, my son plays with dolls. That was the stupidest thing she could say!" As much as we were astonished that this mother actually said this to us, we are not that surprised that some people still think like this. Gender-based toys and colours still seems to be an ongoing topic nowadays. Just last year, Target stopped gender labelling their toys. That of course had all the naysayers weighing in and voicing their opinion how ridiculous it is. But is it, really? Religious groups were calling for a boycott to shop there. Now THAT is ridiculous. Advertisement Why are toys marketed toward girls in pink and mostly princesses? If a boy wants a princess doll, why is he labelled a "girl" or "gay?" Why are superheroes marketed mainly towards boys? Why is pink for girls and blue for boys? Last year we were in a restaurant in Miami, feeding Milo from a pink bottle. A woman in her early 60s who was sitting next to us turned to us and said, "Oh I thought your baby was a girl because he has a pink bottle!" To which Frank replied, "We don't believe pink is for girls!" Then she rolled her eyes so hard we thought they would get stuck in the back of her head and she turned around. There is nothing than I love more than getting judged by complete strangers. (That was sarcasm, by the way!) As long as I could remember, I played Barbie with my sisters, and I also played with my Hot Wheels and He-Man figures. Although Frank used to hide to play with his sister's Barbies, times were different back then. Advertisement The "Free To Be You And Me" album and song book by Marlo Thomas just came out, and that album helped open the minds of parents that it's perfectly normal for a boy to play with a doll. In the song adaptation of "William's Doll" with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, it explains: "Explaining, William wants a doll So when he has a baby someday He'll know how to dress it, put diapers on double And gently caress it to bring up a bubble And care for his baby as every good father Should learn to do William has a doll, William has a doll 'Cause someday he is gonna be a father, too" I am not quite sure why some parents are so against their boys playing with dolls, or taking dance, or even wearing pink. Do they really think this will make their son gay? In our house there is no such thing as girly things or boy things, or "mommy jobs or daddy jobs." Is it because we are a gay dad family and there are no specific gender roles? Regardless of gender, in any household, the laundry needs to get washed, the dishes need to get cleaned, diapers need to get changed, the lawn needs to get mowed. My favourite question is always "So, who does the mommy stuff?" which is immediately followed up by, "Oh, I didn't mean it like that, but you know what I mean!" Frank and I both are Milo's father, mother, playmate, disciplinarian, caregiver, but most of all we are his parents. Milo will continue to wear pink, play with dolls, vacuum and clean, be a ballerina if he chooses to. He will use his imagination with whatever toy he is playing with, because a toy is a toy. Advertisement He loves his little baby just as much as he loves his trains. I think people need to stop overreacting with the whole "dolls are for girls and trucks are for boys" thing. Just let your kid be who they are, play with what they want to play with. In the end, they will grow up to be the person who they were meant to be. To read more blog posts from BJ and Frankie, visit their website www.familyisaboutlove.com like us on facebook follow us on Instagram and twitter Originally posted on Family Is About Love Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: By David Dodge & Dylan Thompson On the roof of the Two Twenty building in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan are 90 solar modules comprising a 27.5 kilowatt solar system, the very first project built by the newly-formed SES Solar Co-operative. The co-op is an offshoot of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) that works on conservation, sustainability and yes, energy issues. In fact, in its early days the SES fought the construction of a dam on the Churchill River. The society offices are in the Two Twenty building, a co-working space for social innovators in Saskatoon. Advertisement The SES wanted to push the envelope on solar and, let's be honest, "Environmental organizations are always strapped for funding so we decided what if we could form an entrepreneurial arm of the society, that would do things well by the planet and also make money for the society," says Joe Schmutz, president of SES Solar Co-operative. People power Many people seem to support the concept of community-owned power and the ability to get involved with solar without huge personal investments or loans. "It empowers people to move from mere consumers of energy to being part of the energy enterprise," says Schmutz. Community power is hugely successful in Germany and it's part of generating significant public support and involvement in building a clean energy grid. Some call it the democratization of the electricity grid. SolarShare in Ontario has been remarkably successful attracting $30 million in investment thanks to Ontario's feed-in-tariff. But in places like Saskatchewan or Alberta due to market structure and other barriers it's much more challenging. Advertisement But the SES Solar Co-operative in Saskatoon is determined to develop this creative way of supporting solar. While Saskatchewan has net metering in place, overproduction of solar energy gets "donated" to the grid. On the upside SaskPower offers a 20 per cent rebate on solar capital investments to a limit of $20,000. Shares snapped up Armed with ideals and the goal of building clean energy SES Solar Co-op ran an Indiegogo campaign and 100 investors each put up $1,000 to get regular and preferred shares. The co-op also got seed money from Affinity Credit Union who ran a social enterprise competition in 2014. The SES came out on top and received $50,000 in start-up funds. Then Bullfrog Power stepped in a provided a $100,000 interest free loan. All together, SES Solar is now well on their way. Their first completed project on the Two Twenty building is a collaboration with Shift Development, their landlord. The co-operative will own the system and Shift Development will use the electricity and return savings to the coop. Despite being finished first, this is actually the co-op's second project. Their first project being a 26 kilowatt solar project in partnership with the City of Saskatoon at the City's landfill gas plant. Advertisement "The city wanted to take one extra step and install a solar operation to replace the power they buy from SaskPower, and we teamed up with the city. That project is 26 kilowatts, and we teamed up with the city 50/50," says Schmutz. Why a co-op? Any form of business could have potentially made the SES money. Mark Prebble is on the board of the SES Solar Co-operative. He explains why a coop made the most sense. "The pooling of a diverse range of expertise and resources has been critical to our success," says Mark Prebble. "The co-op model has also certainly improved accessibility for many in reducing investment risk and encouraged entry into solar generation for those that are perhaps interested but wish to learn more through participation before committing to a greater solar investment." A solar co-op "provides a mechanism to raise funds from a community for a community to best serve their needs" says Schmultz. "It also allows people to participate in solar even if their own house roof may be shaded." The SES Co-op is "expecting and targeting a return of two per cent to three per cent over the 25-year lifetime of the panels," says Prebble, while Schmultz says this is about pushing change: "The buy in we got, we got primarily from Saskatchewan Environmental Society members and they weren't so concerned about the return. They wanted to make this work, they believed in solar, they believed in the planet and they believe that we need to make an energy transition." Advertisement Regulatory hurdles The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan was rigorous (perhaps rightly so) in ensuring that this type of coop would comply with their existing regulations. Because of this, the co-op was unable to raise more than $100,000 in funds, which is quite limiting for a start-up. After 18 months they have finally received the thumbs up from the FCAA and may now actively market to Saskatchewanites. Currently, the coop has 98 paid members but this is sure to increase. Speaking of increasing interest, across the provincial border, The Alberta Solar Co-op is in the startup phase as is the Solar Power Investment Cooperative of Edmonton. And in B.C. SolShare Energy has just finished their first project. Many people involved in these efforts are counting on Alberta to provide incentives to get the ball really moving on solar. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Yannis Behrakis / Reuters A Northern Alliance fighter armed with an AK-47 assault rifle scansTaliban positions at a front line observation post in Bakhshi i Khelsome 25 km north of the Afghan capital Kabul October 26, 2001. TheNorthern Alliance, a mix of mostly ethnic Uzbek and Tajik fighters inthe north, is viewed with suspicion and enmity by ethnic Pashtuns, whooperate in other areas. REUTERS/Yannis BehrakisYB/WS By Melanie Murphy I used to think that most guns sound like they do in the movies -- a big bang, followed by screaming and oncoming sirens. When I was working in southern Sudan a few years ago, in a small town called Renk, I realized one Saturday morning this was all wrong. Advertisement It was early, the sun was rising and so was I. My four colleagues were snoring down the hall. Our calm, peaceful morning was shattered with sudden gunfire, like the cracking of a whip, repeated multiple times in quick succession. It was not the deafening bang I imagined, and there were was no screaming or sirens, but we all knew right away where the noise came from. We lived in a small compound surrounded by a tall brick wall, far too high to see over, so we had no idea what was going on outside. We ran to our living room and lay on the floor in silence covering our heads, each trying our best to pretend we were not afraid. As we lay there, I remembered thinking how unprepared I was -- we all were -- to be in that situation. At the time, I knew there were risks, but my youthful naivete led me to the conclusion I was immune to them. Advertisement Now I am older, more experienced. Now I know better. Fast forward eight years and I now work as the safety and security adviser for CARE Canada, an international humanitarian organization. Every attack on an aid worker puts everything we are trying to do at risk. Security advisory roles are still relatively new in humanitarian organizations, but they are becoming more common as our agencies are called to respond to emergency situations in increasingly hostile environments. Our life-saving interventions require security training for our staff, coupled with strong organizational capacities to both mitigate risks and respond to incidents such as staff kidnappings, injuries and deaths. Sadly, these have increased remarkably within the sector over the past 10 years, as conflict has been the primary driver of humanitarian need. Every morning I walk through CARE's front lobby past two large marble slabs that take up nearly an entire wall. Inscribed on these slabs are the names of CARE staff that have tragically lost their lives in the course of their work over CARE's 70-year history. On a small table nearby sits a digital photo frame with the names of more staff projected slowly, silently across it. We are unable to carve these names on a third piece of marble because the wall cannot support another slab or the structure will be damaged. Advertisement It's an analogy I think about as I start each day. When our staff are targeted, the foundation of our work crumbles, for if we cannot keep our staff safe, we cannot do our work. Every attack on an aid worker puts everything we are trying to do at risk. August 19 is World Humanitarian Day. It's a day set aside to remember those who have lost their lives in the humanitarian service to others and celebrate the commitment and sacrifice that underpins such efforts. Governments -- including Canada -- are critical to this equation. To safely provide aid amidst conflict, humanitarians must be seen as impartial actors so we can reach those caught in the middle. We need governments to respect and advocate on our behalf the importance of humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality so we can safely provide help. It's also a time to commend organizations that are prioritizing the safety and security of their staff and encourage those that are not doing so to address this urgent need. A month before the Saturday morning incident described above, my Sudanese colleague, Adam, was killed in Darfur when a group of armed men demanded he hand over his satellite phone. He refused. They shot him. Advertisement He should have handed it over. If he did, he would probably still be alive. But no one told him that. He was unprepared. Just like my colleagues and I were as we laid on our living room floor waiting for the gunfire to end. It lasted for 20 minutes and as suddenly as it started, the bullets stopped. Relieved and thankful, our small team was left unscathed. We were lucky. Yet in an increasingly hostile world for those doing their best to further humanitarian goals, mere good fortune should not be the cornerstone of safety and security for aid workers. Melanie Murphy is safety and security adviser at CARE Canada The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CCIC or its members. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: The Refugee Olympic Athletes' team arrives for the opening ceremony. (Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach) There are some compelling reasons that we loved Team Refugee at the 2016 Summer Olympics. First, it was the stories. We were in awe of the grit: one day running barefoot through a crowded refugee camp in Kenya, the next, running the 800m in Rio. The guts: swimming your own rescue boat to shore and then winning your heat at the world's most celebrated games. Advertisement Then it was the public acknowledgement of a painful year for the 65 million refugees who have crossed dangerous borders in overcrowded boats, carried all their belonging in their arms and left loved ones behind. Almost a year ago to the day, three-year old Alan Kurdi washed up dead on the shore of Turkey. Every day last week, more than 4,000 people have fled to Uganda from South Sudan. More than 85 per cent of these refugees are women and children under the age of 18. And, I believe, we loved Team Refugee because it taught us a new way to talk about the refugee crisis. It showed us that we need to be innovative in our storytelling, space-making and nation building if we ever hope to make change. Team Refugee encouraged us to learn from the refugees themselves and to ask the questions: Do we have what it takes? We can't all be Olympic athletes, but how can we display courage, strength and stamina in a crisis of Olympic proportions? Advertisement The Refugee Olympic team members take part in the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) People around the world are rising to the challenge. A recent example from Uganda comes to mind: As of July 2016, Uganda reported more than half a million registered refugees and asylum seekers from places like Burundi, South Sudan and Somalia. While praised for being one of the best places to be a refugee, Uganda is arguably just as hazardous for women refugees as anywhere else. Women face sexual violence as they go about their day, many risk being married off as children, and female genital mutilation (FGM) is practiced on girls as young as six years old. Clare Ayebare, a staff member with a women-led legal organization in Uganda, recently noticed a disturbing trend. Though FGM has been outlawed in Uganda since 2009, rates of FGM were increasing alongside the influx of refugees from places where FGM is still legal. Clare and her team spoke to the women refugees themselves. They learned that despite the high prevalence of violence and FGM in the refugee camps, no one in Uganda was doing anything about it. The women told them that, because they are refugees who are still trying to resettle, they receive no other kinds of support. Advertisement Clare and her team are now training the women in the camps to share and document their stories. This data, soon to be gathered by the refugee women themselves, will be used to influence the Ugandan government to provide the support the women need. Refugees have much to teach us about resilience, endurance and inclusion. And we have much to learn. Clare and her team have demonstrated the importance of asking questions, finding the gaps and taking action. They will not win any Olympic medals, but they are re-shaping the reality for thousands of refugee women. They have found a way to include these women's voices in a conversation that is often disproportionately skewed toward men and boys. Refugees have much to teach us about resilience, endurance and inclusion. And we have much to learn. By early 2016, Canadian citizens had privately sponsored 11,000 Syrian refugees. Entire communities came together, making space in their own homes, coordinating resources and bringing government ministers, landlords, health-care workers and technology geeks to the table. That's how thousands of refugees received free computers, affordable housing and a personalized cheering section at the airport. And that's also how Canada's refugees mobilized to support the victims of the Fort McMurray fires in May 2016. Syrian women in Calgary pooled their resources to provide hampers to displaced families. They knew what it felt like to flee their homes. Team Refugee showed us how to approach the refugee crisis with the heart of an Olympian: By rigorously collecting stories and data to uncover hard truths, by building deliberate strategies over time, by training government and civil society to implement compassionate policies, and by training our hearts and minds to think outside of the box. Advertisement We do, indeed, have what it takes to end the world's refugee crisis. But, as any athlete would tell us, the real work takes years. It happens behind the scenes. It happens when we reveal the blind spots. And, most importantly, it happens when we listen to the voices that can be the hardest to hear. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: Westend61 via Getty Images Two female fashion bloggers watching magazine at office Bloggers can gain an impressive, loyal following on the social Web through excellent content, communication, and trust built through fellowship and familiarity. Their value to brands is in their influence over consumer purchasing, often in a very specific niche. A nod of approval from the right blogger can seriously increase sales and having one as a brand advocate is invaluable. Successful Canadian bloggers are that much more valuable because they're rare and often come with a strong Canadian following. You'll find many of them on this list of PR3+ Canadian-owned Blogs for Blogger Outreach and Guest Posts. Advertisement Niche Bloggers can have a significant impact on the success or failure of your products and services in this country and beyond. The benefits of appearing on a blog include actual or perceived endorsement, traffic directly from the blog post, and social media mentions. Working with bloggers is a remarkably cost-effective way to reach your target market. Some big brands are even bringing their advocate bloggers into their TV commercials, because their opinion is so trusted and valued by consumers. Keep in mind that the number of visitors or social media followers isn't as important as the niche being a perfect fit for you. In fact, studies have shown that a smaller number of followers results in more engagement than those with massive audiences. "A survey of 2 million social media influencers by influencer marketing platform Markerly showed that for unpaid posts, Instagram influencers with fewer than 1,000 followers have a like rate of about 8 percent, while those with 1,000 to 10,000 followers have a like rate of 4 percent," reports Digiday. "As following base continues to increase, like rate keeps decreasing. Instagram influencers with 10,000 to 100,000 followers see a 2.4 percent like rate, compared to 1.7 percent for those with 1 million to 10 million followers and more. Comment rate follows a similar pattern." The Many Ways Brands Work With Bloggers Approaching bloggers isn't difficult, it's just different. The most effective approach is to offer them something of value. Advertisement Product Testing & Reviews Ask a niche blogger if you may send a product to be reviewed. Be prepared for negative product points to be included in the review, because most bloggers value their readers' trust above all else. You're not buying a good review, you're asking for an honest review. Be aware that testing and writing reviews is time consuming. Most bloggers aren't willing to put all of that effort into reviewing your $4.99 product for the freebie. Offer extra products or company swag for bloggers to use for a giveaway, or simply as a thank you for their effort. Many bloggers charge an administrative fee for reviews. Prize Donation Bloggers often hold small giveaways that can be widely promoted over the period of a week or more. Offer your product as a prize or double it up and have the blogger review your product at the same time. Company swag, such as branded clothing or products, are popular prizes as well. I have found that small prize donations rarely offer much benefit to the sponsor or the blog, so I recommend a prize value of at least $100 with a negotiated longer contest run. Consumers will be more interested and the giveaway will be promoted for a longer period, resulting in a higher ROI (return on investment). Guest Posts on Blogs First and foremost, remember that a guest post is not a press release or an opportunity to promote your products. It's also not a job for your average marketer. Even a Masters in Marketing does not mean someone can write effectively for blogs and social media, because it requires talent as much as knowledge. Have a proven online writer research and compose useful content for blogs and offer each article to one blog exclusively. It is critical that you and your writer check the blog for guest post guidelines and follow them to the letter. Advertisement The majority of bloggers allow a link in the author bio and that's where the value for you is. If you want to feature a link within the article itself, you may have to pay a nominal fee. Purchasing "do follow" links will result in a Google penalty, so don't go there. If advertising information isn't published on the website, write to the blogger and explain what you'd like to do and ask for rates. News Releases Traditional press releases usually don't fly with bloggers, unless it's truly news that their readers will be interested in. When sending a press release to a blogger, tell them briefly why you think their readers will appreciate the information. Interviews Invitations to be interviewed are usually extended by the blogger, but it can't hurt to mention that you're available. Advertising Blog monetization through sponsored links and banner advertising isn't practiced by all bloggers. Look for advertising information on the blog or send a polite email detailing your requirements. Bloggers can get creative with advertising so don't be afraid to discuss other ideas with them. For example, some bloggers are paid to appear in their videos or at events wearing a branded shirt. Blogger Etiquette Your initial correspondence should be professional, direct, polite and appreciative of the blogger's time. It's your job to work with the blogger and accommodate his or her style, scheduling and goals. Advertisement Once you've been mentioned on a blog, promote it with pride via social media or on your website. A note of thanks to the blogger is also the kind of gesture that promotes good will and keeps the door open. These tips will help you establish mutually-beneficial arrangements with many influential Canadian niche bloggers, resulting in effective and inexpensive marketing and PR. On a visit to the Nduta and Mtendeli refugee camps in Tanzania last month, I was struck by powerful first impressions: the remoteness, the dust, and the immense need of the 84,007 Burundian refugees living in the camps. I was also struck by the opportunity for progress: in services provided to refugees, in support available from the donor community, and ultimately in the impact on vulnerable people's lives. Today is World Humanitarian Day, and the theme for this year highlights our shared humanity -- something that the people working and living in these camps understand well. Advertisement The bustling Mtendeli camp in Tanzania is currently home to over 30,000 Burundian refugees. (Photo: Madeline Baker/Plan International Canada) The current Burundian crisis began over a year ago, following President Pierre Nkurunziza's unlawful claim to a third term in office and an outbreak of protests that ensued. Human rights abuses and violations have been widely reported, including unlawful killings, torture and disappearances. In the past 16 months, well over 140,000 people have fled into neighbouring Tanzania, and tens of thousands more to Rwanda. Despite the magnitude of the issue, the Burundian refugee crisis has gone largely unnoticed, particularly in North American media. The need in Tanzania's refugee camps is immense. The remoteness of the camps means that almost all refugees are reliant on humanitarian aid to meet their basic needs. By Tanzanian law, they are not allowed to leave the four-kilometre radius surrounding their respective camp, and there is only one small market within range of Mtendeli. There are no markets within four kilometres of Nduta. This desert of economic opportunity can make the future seem hopeless, particularly for young people coming of age in the camps. After all, it is difficult to aspire to a better future that is so far removed from your lived experience. Students attend classes in one of Tanzania's refugee camps. (Photo: Madeline Baker/Plan International Canada) In the Nduta camp, less than 1,000 students out of an eligible 8,000 are attending secondary school. Many students choose to seek out informal skills training instead of attending school, in the hopes that they will be able to trade their skills or labour in the future. Other teens are the primary providers for their households and spend long hours in food distribution queues instead of attending class. The situation isn't ideal for those students who do attend school, either. A single textbook can be shared by up to 20 students, and many school buildings are in poor condition. Students have very limited access to lighting in the camps, leaving them with no ability to study after class. Advertisement The situation is undoubtedly worst for girls, who often leave school when they are forced into early marriage. Poor sanitation is another major reason that girls are forced to drop out. Girls need reliable access to private, secure bathrooms in order to manage their periods at school. In the Nduta camp, there are 11,000 students but only 32 bathrooms, which means only one bathroom for every 340 students. Of those students, boys outnumber girls by a ratio of five to one. Child-friendly spaces provide stability for children in crisis and emergency situations. (Photo: Madeline Baker/Plan International Canada) Though the need is palpable, there are also amazing success stories. One of Plan International's priorities in crisis situations is ensuring that children are kept safe. Child protection is especially vital in refugee camps like the ones I visited, where children make up 65 per cent of the population. Child-friendly spaces are an effective way to support children in crisis or emergency situations. They provide kids with stability, consistency, companionship and education. The child-friendly spaces I saw in Nduta stood out like beacons against the backdrop of temporary canvas buildings and red, dusty ground. The child-friendly spaces are painted with bright, friendly colours and images. They are cherished spaces in an otherwise harsh and unforgiving landscape. Advertisement But what happens inside is even more amazing. Children are thrilled to attend each day. They sing, they dance, and they're able to put their worries aside. Having spoken to many people who were struggling with such diverse issues, it was heartening to see the hope and joy that these spaces were bringing to the communities they served. A group of children gather between activities in one of Tanzania's refugee camps. (Photo: Madeline Baker/Plan International Canada) Ensuring children have safe and equitable access to education is a major priority for Plan International. Schools return some normalcy to the lives of children who have been uprooted from their homes and provide a safe space for children in a refugee camp. While I was in Tanzania, we were able to move forward on programming that will help to meet some of the most urgent needs in these camps. We are currently developing a holistic education program in Nduta camp to meet the urgent needs of secondary school students. This project will ensure that girls and women receive essential items like sanitary pads and will help them to manage their periods in an effort to increase girls' enrollment in school. Textbooks will be distributed to more students, and child-friendly spaces will be retrofitted with solar-powered lights that will allow them to serve as after-hours study locations. Despite the complexity of the issues facing Tanzania's refugee population, there is much to feel hopeful about -- and a look at the thriving, bustling child-friendly spaces serves as a constant reminder. Advertisement The enormity of the humanitarian crises facing the world are sometimes difficult to comprehend, let alone productively address. But humanitarian workers are working hard in Tanzania and in other countries around the world to support people living in the most difficult situations imaginable. They are seeking a more equal world and are tirelessly recognizing, protecting and promoting a vision of our shared humanity. This World Humanitarian Day, let's all strive for that common goal. Madeline Baker is the Manager of Emergency Response at Plan International Canada. (Photo: Plan International Canada) Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: Ethiopia is a country of limitless possibilities and challenges. As important as it is to never neglect to note its many challenges, it's also important to embrace and celebrate its achievements as well. In reflecting on where the country is headed, it would be foolish and unfair to look for a perfect scenario. There is no perfect society. My adopted country, Canada, while a model for many, still faces many challenges to overcome. As Harvard Professor, Calestous Juma once confided to me, it is better to be positive when it comes to Africa, rather than be its constant critic from a distance. In the words of Albert Einstein - "The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." That is why, I am proud to endorse the efforts of Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Tedros Adhanom (Phd) and hope his approach will be welcomed around the world as the next Secretary General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Advertisement For the past three decades, Dr. Adhanom, led many institutions that have benefited from his wisdom, unique leadership and they each have shown a real, remarkable impact on the ground. As health minister, for instance, he was a celebrated advocate for accessible health care for all. He led the effort to build 3,500 health centers in all areas of Ethiopia, including those that are hard to reach in the urban areas of the country and led the fight to reduce the child mortality rate of the country by a significant number. On issues such as health care, he made Ethiopia an example for other countries to emulate. A feminist before it became the norm to be one, he advocated for women and girls rights. With a slogan, "Let's put women and girls first," he revolutionized Ethiopia's scarce health-care system to better reflect a higher standard. Under his watch, close to 40,000 people were trained as health-care workers and helped create a system that better-reflected gender neutrality. The respected malaria expert also became a voice of reason in the international arena. He was appointed to chair the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as well chair the board of UNAIDS. He also chaired the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Coalition, with 75 member countries; and as the head of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, he helped raise $3 billion. On issues such as health care, he made Ethiopia an example for other countries to emulate. In 2011, the Jimmy Carter Center honored him with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award, the very first non-American to receive the prestigious honour. Advertisement The reality is, he is a respected voice and his public service record is the hallmark of what is needed at WHO. The world needs a strong voice like his to lead this prestigious international organization, especially as it faces a slew of challenges in the years to come. It is remarkable, while Africa benefits from developing resources sent from abroad, WHO has never experienced African leadership. Dr. Adhanom, enthusiastically endorsed by the African Union would be its very first, if he was to be successful. I hope member nations will quickly embrace him as their preferred candidate and understand the values he will bring to the position. That is why I look forward to having him lead the World Health Organization and see his experienced, unique and personable leadership be used for better health in the world. I don't know about you, but if I just created history for my country on a world stage and my fellow citizens reacted by calling me derogatory names that could potentially put my life in danger, I would seriously think about moving to another country where people see people for the human beings they are and nothing less. Sadly, Jamaican athlete Omar McLeod was not so lucky, even after capturing his country's first gold medal in the men's 110-metre hurdles at the 2016 Olympic Games, currently taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Advertisement Celebrating the historic win on Tuesday, Jamaica Gleaner brand manager Terri-Karelle Reid tweeted: IF YOU COULD CAPTION TOMORROW's @JamaicaGleaner front page of Omar Mcleod what would it read? #RioGoldRush#JAinRio Terri-Karelle Reid (@TerriKarelle) August 17, 2016 One response left many familiar with the Jamaican vernacular in shock. It read "Goldfish" and was tweeted from manufacturer Lasco's account. What's the problem? In Jamaica, the term "fish" is among the words used to belittle gay men, and is also pulled out when a man doesn't appear to be "macho" enough in a society with a big machismo culture. While the company apologized and explained that an employee hacked its account and has since been terminated -- a move that paves the way for more tolerance -- many Jamaicans on social media used the opportunity to let the world know that a gay athlete would not be welcomed in their country, even if that athlete is an outstanding Jamaican flying Jamaica's flag. Advertisement Omar McLeod of Jamaica celebrates after winning the gold meda in the men's 110m hurdles final. (Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach) In the comment section of one online news article, the reactions reminded us of how many Jamaicans feel about the LGBTQ community. I've rewritten some of the language for those who do not understand patois. "Free speech... she said what she saw. He behaved effeminate when he won. Him no (he doesn't) look straight." "If the employee want use her own account and call the young man battyman (gay man), that' her business..." "I didn't even cheer after the race because of his reaction to the win... a fish is a fish in water or out." "America backs battam man (gay men) and that's why they light up the place with the batty (gay) colored lights (rainbow lights)." Interestingly enough, that reference to the coloured lights being lit up is about the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica marking a significant event in the country's history -- Gay Pride Week, which angered homophobes -- much like when the country's attorney general blasted the embassy for flying the rainbow flag in Jamaica following the Orlando Massacre, which left 49 LGBTQ members dead. Trust me, I know how crazy that sounds, but it doesn't surprise me one bit, as I lived in Jamaica for five years and saw enough for me to make the decision to stay deep inside the closet, while attending university. The sad thing is that Jamaica has a large LGBTQ population with many closeted gays from every walk of life. Yet, Jamaicans choose to bash every man that has "feminine tendencies" and women with "masculine tendencies." This type of attitude can be seen across the Caribbean which, oftentimes, lead to both suspected and openly gay members of the LGBTQ community being harassed and discriminated against. Advertisement Why can't we just accept people for who they are? It is time for Jamaica and other Caribbean islands to recognize that homophobia does more harm than good. We are all human beings and our sexual orientation should not take away from our achievements... on or off the track. What will happen to Omar now? Ultimately it shouldn't matter if Omar is gay or straight, but if he is and Jamaicans cannot celebrate a gay athlete who has made their country proud, then please ship him to Canada as quickly as possible. We'd welcome him with open hearts and open minds. But knowing the hypocrisy that tends to lift its ugly head in Jamaica and other Caribbean territories, Jamaicans will most likely close their eyes and end the homosexual accusations and go back to singing Omar's praises... as long as he continues to bring in the gold medals. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: The 25 August 2016 will mark the 26th year since Indonesia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) through Presidential Decree Number 36 Year 1990. While the country has made significant progress to implement the CRC, there are serious challenges still remaining. One of the recently discussed topics is on child marriage, which has been a growing campaign led by organisations on all levels. Child Marriage in Indonesia: Statistics, the Law and Its Consequences Due to its population size, Indonesia ranks among the ten countries in the world and one of the highest in the Southeast Asia and Pacific region with the highest occurrences of child brides. A research by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and UNICEF reported that more than a sixth of girls married before reaching 18, or around 340,000 girls annually. They also reported occurrences of under-15 marriages, many were unregistered or they got registered as aged over 16. While the Convention on the Rights of the Child defined children as persons under the age of 18 years, which was the same definition on the Law Number 23 Year 2002 on Child Protection, Indonesia's 1974 Marriage Law sets the minimum legal age for marriage at 19 for males and 16 for females. The law also allows younger age to marry if the parents gain permission from the court or marriage officer -- in 2012, there were 9,632 cases of dispensation requests. However, a great move backwards to protect children's rights happened when in 2015, the Indonesian Constitutional Court rejected a judicial review request to raise the legal marriageable age for girls from 16 to 18 years. In its ruling, the Constitutional Court noted that considering the progress of technology, nutrition, freedom to information that may speed up a child's sexual drive, it should be channelled through legal marriage as ruled by religion to prevent children born out of wedlock. The Court also stated there is no guarantee that increasing the child marriageable age would fix the problems of divorce, health and other social problems. The only dissenting opinion came from Maria Farida Indrati, the only female in the panel of judges, citing the harm of child marriages and the importance of the country's obligation to protect, fulfil and respect children's rights. Advertisement Child marriage violates women and children's rights. The arguments for banning child marriages include its health risks such as early pregnancy risks, childbirth complications and socioeconomic risks such as increased poverty, patriarchal traditions and gender-based discrimination and inequality. Considering the high rate of child marriages, it is no surprise that Indonesia is facing high levels of maternal and infant mortality. Based on the Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) 2012, 10 per cent of women aged 15-19 have started childbearing. Worsen by limited access to health services, the maternal mortality rate in Indonesia is 190 per 100,000 live births. The harmful consequences emphasise the importance of eliminating child marriage in Indonesia. In addition to that, following the recent issues on child sexual offences in the country, prohibiting child marriages is also crucial to ban the legalisation of sexual activities with underage children through the institution of marriage. Tackling Structural and Social Issues Child marriages are driven by several factors, including poverty and the belief that child marriage offers protection and reduces economic burden, as well as social reasons such as protection from premarital sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. In Indonesia, it occurs mostly in rural areas. The five provinces with highest rate of child marriage are West Sulawesi, Papua, Central Sulawesi, West Papua, and Southern Sulawesi. These provinces have the prevalence of 50,000 under-15 marriages annually. Reflecting from the demographics, consequently we need not only to ban child marriage, but also to ensure that girls everywhere across Indonesia have an equal access to education, health, employment and other services. Eliminating child marriage in Indonesia needs equitable strategies that would give girls an opportunity to access sustainable livelihoods. Following the Constitutional Court ruling, we need to explore the many ways to end child marriage and link them to a wide range of social issues. Advertisement There are various ways to help end child marriage and it needs commitments and coordination between the whole communities and societies. It is thus important to shift the sociocultural attitudes amongst parents, teachers, religious leaders who hold conservative views and approve child marriage through social and educational interventions. Furthermore, the 2012 IDHS noted the relationship between early childbearing and education, where teenagers with no education had begun childbearing in far greater numbers than those with secondary education. Thus, the Government needs to increase female enrolment in education and employment. One of the ways to cut child marriage is through programmes to build the girls' life-skills and knowledge that would elevate their status in the family and community. It is also crucial to utilise secondary schools as a medium for interventions - unfortunately, it is often reported that pregnant teenagers are banned from enrolling in schools. The Government also needs to work with community stakeholders and through mass media campaigns to raise awareness on the dangers of child marriage. Moreover, since early marriage often occurs in rural areas with high rates of poverty, we need adequate public programmes to empower them economically. Recognising that government's resources are limited, plans and actions may be phased over some period of years. The conviction of Anjem Choudary is a victory for tolerance. For too long we have allowed people to incite hate and to further radicalism in the misguided and dangerous belief that freedom of speech is sacrosanct - whatever the cost. Freedom of expression is essential in any liberal democracy, but this ruling acknowledges that there must be a limit. It has taken 20 years for Choudary to face the penalty of his actions, and due to weak legislation that allowed him to sow the seeds of extremism across Europe, it is the law abiding, freedom-loving European citizens who have paid the price. The time has surely come for stronger safeguards against religious radicalism, hate and intolerance. This is why the work undertaken by the legal experts at the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR) is so important and timely. The ECTR has brought together five of the finest legal minds in the world to draft legal provisions - called The Model Law For the Promotion of Tolerance (The Model Law) - which could be enacted by parliaments around Europe to better tackle extremism and combat the rise of violent hate and intolerance in the UK and Europe. Advertisement The Model Law also addresses the need to curb hate speech, which would introduce the concept of Group Libel into law for the first time. Without these provisions we will continue to see people like Choudary take advantage of gaps in our legal system, which was not designed to deal with contemporary threats such as religious radicalism. A broader strategy that combines social measures with security policy reform is needed across Europe. Extremists prey on the weak, the vulnerable and the disenfranchised in order to build a following, and as such, governments have a dual responsibility to their citizens in this area; they must not only protect them from violence through security measures, but they must also protect them from falling victim to radicalisation through stronger social measures. With this in mind, the Model Law provides for tolerance education and the broad inclusion of these principles from early years through to adulthood, as changing a culture must involve all levels of society. The UK government's recent push to counter extremism in universities and colleges acknowledges the significance of education in this struggle, but will not be far-reaching enough to have a broader impact on society. Security policy must equally be revised. Warfare today is asymmetrical. We are faced with enemies who do not respect borders, do not care about Brexit, and can operate from anywhere in the world. Our leaders must recognise that existing legislation is inadequate in this new context. To ignore this reality is to condemn Europe to a future of more attacks, more lives lost and a climate of fear on a continent that has for so long been a bastion of peace, tolerance and progress. Choudary had been stoking the fire of extremism in the UK for decades, and has very successfully exported this hate across the continent without any restrictions or legal challenges. In Brussels he helped to set up Sharia4Belgium, an organisation that according to Europol "engaged in organised indoctrination and recruitment of young people to participate in the armed conflict in Syria". In the Netherlands he was considered a driving force behind the national jihadi movement, and is monitored by the Dutch intelligence agency. Upon his conviction, the head of London Metropolitan police's counter-terrorism command said Choudary had "stayed just within the law for many years, but there is no one within the counter-terrorism world that has any doubts of the influence that they have had, the hate they have spread and the people that they have encouraged to join terrorist organisations." Advertisement Health visiting is a service many of us should all be familiar with because every family, no matter where in the UK they live, should have been visited by one of these specially qualified public health nurses at one time or another. They make a vital difference to the nation's health but their futures are currently at risk. Following cuts to Local Authority budgets in England, there have been cuts to their numbers - 500 posts in 2016 - and the fear is that these are only the tip of the iceberg with potentially devastating consequences for the health of the nation. Health visitors go straight to the heart of a family to provide them with individualised support and advice. Through this unique relationship, they work to promote healthy ways of living and prevent illnesses - measures that can have long lasting effects on the long term health and wellbeing of children and young people, and to the health service overall. Advertisement For new families too, their work is invaluable: helping both mothers and fathers and the wider family through pregnancy, child birth and the early childhood years. Equally key is their role with children, ensuring that all have the best possible start in life, whilst using safeguarding expertise to protect parents and children when they're at risk. At a time when mental health, obesity, and widespread health inequalities are escalating out of control, health visitors are more crucial than ever. And yet, now is the time that there numbers are beginning to fall - and fast. Once again, financial decisions are the cause for the drop in a vital service. Since October last year, the responsibility for health visiting, and other children's public health services, has been transferred from the NHS to local authorities; a move which coincided with cuts of 200m to public health budgets. Now straining to make ends meet, it seems health visiting - alongside other key children's services such as school nursing - is under threat. It's a long way from the days when the Government promised to invest in health visiting. Back in 2011, the Coalition Government launched the Health Visitor Implementation Plan which provided for the training of more than 4,000 additional health visitors by 2015. It was a laudable aim but if the posts are cut, all this funding - not to mention the training and skills - will be wasted. Advertisement That's the short term consequence - long term we are likely to see a build-up of a number of health issues that would once have been caught and acted upon by health visitors ending up in GP surgeries and emergency departments. The impact on longer term health, education and social care issues that health visitors aim to prevent is even more difficult to gauge, but is potentially huge. With the health service already under enormous pressure, this makes no sense whatsoever. Prevention is much cheaper than cure, and yet it is here that services are being cut. Thanks to the Health Visitor Implementation Plan we have the workforce to really make a difference in the lives of families and children - and to support key Government goals such as tackling obesity and promoting social inclusion. But if the posts are lost, we will arguably be back to square one. That's why the RCN, along with organisations like the including the RCPCH, the Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) and the National Children's Bureau, has written to The Times, in a call on the Government to secure health visitor funding and protect this crucial contribution to health care in the UK. Because this vital role needs to be protected with the care and the compassion health visitors themselves show their patients each and every day. As the Rio Olympics draw to a close, tomorrow's World Mosquito Day provides a timely reminder of the deadly threat posed to humans by mosquitoes. From the Zika virus risks faced by those in attendance in Rio, to yellow fever, West Nile virus, chikungunya and encephalitis - mosquitoes spread all manner of debilitating and deadly diseases. Mosquitoes cause around 536,000 deaths every year - far more than lions, sharks, snakes or even human beings. At Malaria No More UK, our fight is against the biggest mosquito-borne killer of them all - malaria. The World Health Organization estimates malaria killed almost half a million people in 2015. Seventy percent of those were children under five years old. Just this week we've learned the sad news that British TV presenter, Charlie Webster - who is covering the Olympic Games in Rio - is fighting for her life after contracting malaria. The statistics are shocking and there's still a long, hard road to end malaria, but progress has been made in the fight against this killer disease. An extraordinary 60% reduction in deaths from malaria since 2000 has saved 5.9 million children's lives. But history has shown that if we don't keep up the intensity of the fight, malaria will come back with a vengeance. We just cannot let that happen - particularly when there are such simple and effective tools available to fight back against this tiny but deadly foe - life-saving treatment costing less than 1, bed nets protecting families costing 5 to buy, deliver and hang. Advertisement At Malaria No More UK we're fortunate to have some inspiring partners in our fight against malaria. Soul star and Malaria No More UK Special Ambassador, Aloe Blacc, has just recorded a powerful new song which will be available on iTunes and will help to spread the word about this killer disease. Filmed on a recent trip to Kenya where he saw first-hand the impact of malaria, the video tells a story of heartbreak and hope, and how simple it is to save a life from malaria with the right tools and education. We're also thrilled to be marking one year working with one of our corporate partners, 1897 Quinine Gin. The gin was launched last World Mosquito Day, and commemorates British Doctor Sir Ronald Ross's discovery in 1897 that mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans. This laid the foundations for scientists across the world to better understand the deadly role of mosquitoes in transmitting the disease. Five pounds from every bottle of 1897 Quinine Gin sold is being donated towards our lifesaving work. The next great bend in the river of the malaria fight in now upon us. On 16 September the Canadian Government will host the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This will bring global leaders together, joining forces to commit sufficient funding to meet the Sustainable Development Goals' objective of ending the epidemics of three of the world's most devastating diseases by 2030. The new UK Government, yet to confirm its contribution, has an opportunity to demonstrate the UK's proud global leadership of this fight. A fully funded Global Fund has the potential to save eight million lives over the next three years, and will show the world's commitment to ending malaria for good. Advertisement For so many Mums, Dads and carers of A Level students, yesterday was enormous! I remember when my son received the news - the initial shock and the intense relief left little energy for celebrations. It's such an important milestone that triggered for me a flood of memories of our amazing journey together as mother and son. He had worked so hard and for so long. After an earlier setback, he had had a mountain to climb and few thought he could pull it off. It was sweet. Advertisement He'd also received support. I remember reflecting on how blessed he and his friends were, especially in the context of the wider world. It's no surprise given my day job running iguacu(igwah-soo), the platform for effective global giving. But I am sure there are many parents who feel the same. So many children in this country benefit from a safe quiet place to study, good nutrition, a purpose built classroom, qualified teachers, books, pens, computers, a safe route to school and so much more. At work I had read about the girls living in poverty in drought-stricken rural Zimbabwe who walked 20km to get to school yet, despite their circumstances, were their school's strongest students! They dreamed of being able to stay on in school and sit their A levels. It was satisfying at the time to jump online and donate so that one of those girls could have that opportunity. As my son passed through this great door of life, I was able to open the door for another. It was a wonderful feeling. I share my journey with fellow parents and carers in case today you feel the same and want to help another girl through the door. If that's you, you can follow this link to support the appeal. Advertisement The girls' education is supported by Camfed, one of the leading charities in this field. One young girl supported by Camfed went on to become a doctor and now spends her time giving back to rural communities. Another graduate, Faith Nkala, now runs Camfed Zimbabwe. The Camfed alumni is quite an amazing group of women. Camfed has been supporting the education of girls in sub-Saharan Africa since 1993. Their effective model of community engagement has now been replicated in more than 5,300 partner school communities in Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. They work in some of the most deprived rural communities and support the girls in greatest need. Infrastructure of any kind in these places is very limited. Ill-health is common and rates of literacy are extremely low. People live largely hand to mouth, and the girls often have to walk very long distances to the nearest school. Their lives are a world away from the lives of our children and it's thanks to the tireless work of organisations like Camfed that we have this chance to connect, and make a massive difference to the life of another young person who unlike few people we know, strives to achieve against all odds. Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters A year ago, an image of the body of a little boy called Aylan Kurdi, washed up on a tourist beach in Bodrun, sparked horror and profound distress around the world. Aylan and his family had been fleeing the war in Syria and were seeking sanctuary and the chance to build new lives in Europe. Today, many of us have seen the footage of another small boy from Syria. Omran Dagneesh was pulled from the rubble of his home yesterday following an airstrike. He was placed in an ambulance alone while the rescue workers from the White Helmets went back for his family. Omran was in such profound shock that he sat in complete silence while he realised that what he was wiping from his face was blood. Advertisement Last year, the day before the picture of Aylan Kurdi was taken, I posted an event on Facebook to invite people to join a march in London asking that the UK government do more to welcome refugees. When the image of Aylan appeared in the papers, the event went viral, and 11 days later around 100,000 people marched to Parliament Square behind a banner reading 'Refugees Welcome Here'. In the week of that demonstration, the government agreed to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020. It was far from enough, but it was an encouraging sign that policy can change in response to public outrage. I don't understand why it is that some images seem to break through and are taken up by our press and seen by millions, when there are so very many similar images created every day, but I know that when I look at these pictures my heart breaks and it's all too easy to imagine that any of these children could be my own small daughter. I know that others feel the same. It's important to remember that for every Aylan and Omran there are tens of thousands of children who are suffering and dying, away from the cameras. In the year since the death of Aylan Kurdi, the conflict in Syria has not improved. Indeed it is worse than ever. Of course, to resolve the situation, there need to be solutions in Syria. There needs to be greater effort for a ceasefire and for a broader settlement of the conflict. But this won't happen overnight, and in the meantime people need urgent help. Omran can't stay in this hell. And he can't drown like Aylan. These people need to be brought to safety, safely. Millions are still stuck in wretched camps in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. On our own doorstep, the running sore of Calais shames us all. Greece is overwhelmed, with many sleeping on pavements, or in overcrowded camps. Malnourishment is normal, and traumatised children are selling their bodies on the street to get the money to survive. In Europe. Right now. Advertisement The Greek people, despite their own appalling financial conditions have responded with extraordinary generosity. But while the rest of Europe turns away, the system simply can't cope with processing so many claims, so families remain separated and people remain stuck in limbo unable to work, study, make a home, or build a future. We have to do better than this. There are a large number of great initiatives you can support to get aid to refugees. But as well as doing our own bit, we need to convince our government to do more. Much more.. So how can we do that? On September 19th and 20th, world leaders will be meeting at two crucial summits in New York at which they will discuss ways to approach the crisis. Just a couple of days before, on September 17th, I am organising another march which I hope will send a powerful message to Theresa May. This will be her first chance to speak as Prime Minister at a global summit, and to show the world what sort of country the UK will be post-Brexit. And we want her to go to New York and demonstrate in her words and deeds that UK is open, inclusive, and welcoming. That we step up to our responsibilities. That we don't let children like Omran suffer even more trauma. That we can be the good guys. What we as a country do now will define us to our own children. Either we will appear to them as honourable, examples of what is best, or as shameful. We cannot end this terrible suffering. But when our on children grow up, they should be able to look back at what we tried to do with respect, not with shame. Advertisement Marine Le Pen, France's far-right National Front political party leader, speaks during a news conference at the FN party headquarters in Nanterre near Paris after Britain's referendum vote to leave the European Union, France, June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen BERLIN -- As the philosopher Baruch Spinoza once said, there are two ways to approach complex systems. The first regards things in the spirit of what is temporary or provisional (sub specie durationis), while the second transcends time (sub specie aeternitatis). For a political system, the provisional view describes the politics of the day, the project that must be kept on course, while the time-transcendent view formulates an idea, a utopia, the summum bonum -- the highest good. From the standpoint of the provisional, Europe exists as a political entity, as its public administration -- a system that, like all systems, is judged by its self-preservation. Innovation is the enemy, and tenacity wins. An administration lives from its well-established procedures and responsibilities. Advertisement In contrast, thinking about Europe as a utopia expresses the ideas that foster innovation and keep pace with the changes that the future will bring. This means nothing more than the combined wellbeing of the greater community, which some would argue is the summum bonum. The argument that peoples who share a common currency will never again wage war against each other is as simple as it is true. The vision of a united Europe is nothing new. Centuries before the Europe we know today was built up out of the rubble of the World War II and the Holocaust, Erasmus of Rotterdam had already dreamed the same dream. He wished for the people of the Old World to unify and be drawn together in the spirit of Christian humanism, but the religious wars of the Reformation would destroy his utopia. For more than a century, Europe sank into chaos and death before a new start was made possible with the Peace of Westphalia. The peace settlement after the World War II was also successful -- it combined today and tomorrow, project and utopia, in outstanding ways. What does this mean in concrete terms? The argument that peoples who share a common currency will never again wage war against each other is as simple as it is true -- on the provisional as well as the higher level. For this reason, the primacy of the political realm in the European Union was always proper and essential. Creating the euro was the correct choice, even though its practical implementation was tied to many questions that lay still in the future. The summum bonum was the preservation of a comprehensive peace. This end justifies all the means. Advertisement Future generations of historians will argue over the question of when the entanglement of the provisional and the transcendent was broken. Clearly this decoupling of the two spheres has begun; it's especially noticeable in the rhetoric used to discredit the European Union. Portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam. (DeAgostini/Getty Images) Opponents of the EU brandish the term "European project" as if it were a curse word. By emphasizing the provisional nature of the word "project," they reduce and discredit the whole, which the temporary provisions form with the timeless goal. At the same time it is those very provisions, the functionality and the calmness of public administration, that keeps conflict-accelerators like nationalism and religion under control. Bluntly put: all of the EU's banana curvature standards maintain peace, not dispose of it. Peace is the sovereign of Europe, not the nation-state. But the populists fear this sovereign. For them the Union is too bland. There's not enough oomph behind it. Because of that they evoke the danger of the external enemy, of Islam, and the individual nation and Christianity are staged as the bulwark against it. A mediating force, a secular and sober administration, is not considered helpful. The lost youth The youth no longer understand the European narrative because they haven't experienced a war -- this is an argument brandished by those who wish to shake the timeless validity of the narrative, those who want to assert their tough interests. It applies to all the new right-wing populist movements and parties. Every success has its detractors. Europe is a success -- that is why it has enemies, both in the Kremlin as well as inside its own borders. It is true that the youth today have it more difficult than in past generations. And when in countries like Spain the youth unemployment rate is near 50 percent, then that is not to be accepted. But at the same time, it is also true that ending the peace would bring about no economic recovery. And as we now see in the case of Brexit, leaving the European Union brings about the particular worry of economic setbacks. Advertisement Emergency firefighters protest cutbacks and staff shortages in Oviedo, Spain. (Mercedes Menendez/RoverImages/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) The elites are at fault for the failure of Europe, the populists say. Both parts of this statement are false. Europe hasn't failed! The Union did not win the Nobel Peace Prize as some gold star for its efficient administration, but because it laid out a lasting order on a continent that would be remembered for eternity. Everything that the EU does must protect and preserve the state of peace. For this reason, absorbing Eastern European countries was so important. And it was also correct to try to bring Russia into closer cooperation with the institutions of Europe and the West. The democratic deficit of the EU, in turn, is owed to the fact that all countries, regardless of their size and population, are equal before the law and operate thusly. Nearly everything is decided in a council, in which sit democratically elected heads of state. That is absolutely proper if one keeps the European utopia in view. The equal ranking of all members ends the proportional political representation based on ethnicity and religion -- in other words, the two elements that were responsible for the destructive wars of the past, nationalism and religious fanaticism. Europe hasn't failed! The deepest crisis currently facing European democracy appears to lie with the citizens of Europe. Many people have been blinded against rational argument out of fear of immigration and dread of Islam. The question suggests itself as to whether democracy itself shouldn't be suspended during a time when the electorate does not have the capacity to think clearly. Advertisement The continent's residents are citizens, not consumers. They are invited to participate, to exercise their civic duty and to take up their civil rights, but their mentality, rather, is to let others simply dictate what is good for them. That is the only reason why the Farages, the Johnsons, the Le Pens, the von Storches and the Wilders are so successful: because citizens do not check their claims and they let themselves be lied to. Hundreds of pro-European campaigners marched to 10 Downing Street in London on July 23. (Gail Orenstein/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The populists also say that one can be European without the Union and still operate in Europe. The opposite is true. Europe is the European Union. The supposedly unifying elements of all European peoples -- Christianity, the philosophy of the ancients, humanism and the Enlightenment, to name just a few -- have existed for centuries on the European continent. But that has never stopped the brotherly Christian nations from waging heinous wars against one another. What can we conclude from this? Both lines of the European Union -- the here and now and the lofty utopic principles -- must once again be thought of together lest Europe flies apart. This is particularly the challenge for the political class, as it is a question of the language used and the contexts in which it is to be spoken. Apathetic citizens are the problem What happens when the connection between speech and action no longer exists? This was abundantly clear during the refugee crisis. The EU -- as a community of values, of human rights, of solidarity -- stopped counting for many of its member states. For many politicians, the next election was more important than basic principles, the summum bonum. "First comes a full stomach, then comes ethics," said the German poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht. First the reelection, then politics of substance. Advertisement The populists in turn discredit knowledge and expertise. They drive the liberal parliamentary democracy and its actors before themselves. They define the here and now for their own utopias. In the Brexit discussion in the U.K., right-wing populists invoked the Commonwealth as an alternative to the EU. The Commonwealth is a construct from the past, one that has, for half a century, had no sway. But it was built and sold as a powerful counter image to the EU. The electorate let themselves be lured by the short-term accomplishments of the day. That is a sad piece of the truth. The EU has no elite problem, but rather a problem, particularly in Western Europe, with a thoroughly sedated, consumerist and apathetic population. In this mindset, sad figures like Geert Wilders or Marine Le Pen resonate. Europe needs a new elite: in politics, in the economy, in culture, in the media. One that is prepared to not just tell people what they want to hear, but to communicate, to embody and to represent the credible present and the future with a coherent, comprehensive image. The populists are not the partners of the people. They want destruction and the reevaluation of our values, chaos, anarchy and, in order to be understood by all, the much-invoked "Decline of the West." Earlier on WorldPost: Image: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev in 2010. Author: Kremlin.ru A thousand ethnic Armenians in the diaspora enclave of Glendale, California, held a protest recently to demand that their homeland free political prisoners. Ethnic Armenians in the United States and Europe are politically active, so a demonstration to call attention to something going on in their homeland was nothing new. Except for one thing: Some in the Glendale crowd held signs calling for Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's resignation. Advertisement The demands for his abdication came on the heels of an opposition group's seizure of a police station in Armenia that focused world attention on the country for two weeks. The stand-off in the capital of Yerevan ended when the remaining 20 of the 31 members in the armed group that seized the station on July 17 surrendered on July 31. Armenian officials and some political analysts appeared to have been caught by surprise when street protests supporting the station occupiers grew as the occupation continued and morphed into shows of general dissatisfaction with the government. The fact that the station occupants were members of a political fringe group -- the Founding Parliament Party -- had led many observers to believe that the raiders' anti-government action would have little support. Advertisement They didn't count on those who dislike the Sargsyan regime using the station occupation to stoke a broader movement against the government. The occupiers had demanded that the government free the leader of Founding Parliament, Jirair Sefilian, who was arrested in mid-June of 2015 on charges of plotting a coup. The raiders had also demanded Sargsyan's resignation. The regime made the situation worse by using excessive force against many of the protesters. Human Rights Watch and other organizations documented the abuse. Police stun grenades burned some protesters and unleashed hard-plastic shrapnel that penetrated the flesh of others. And police beat and kicked demonstrators, breaking some protesters' bones. The Glendale demonstrators took to the streets to protest the Sargsyan regime's suppression of political dissent. While the catalyst for the march was the brutality used against the station-occupation supporters, the demonstrators wanted to convey the bigger-picture message that the Sargsyan regime has consistently tried to suppress dissent, and needs to stop. Advertisement "People just go on the street, and they get arrested," Glendale protester Albert Rostomyan said. "Next thing you know, they're in jail. If the jails are filled, they put people in stadiums and gymnasiums, and they have no food or water for 10 hours." The arrests started in 2008, when thousands of Armenians protested that the election that gave Sargsyan the presidency was rigged. There have been hundreds of arrests in scores of protests since then. Some of the high-profile demonstrations included marches against the fairness of Sargsyan's re-election in 2012; against transit-fare and electric-rate increases and the weakening of pensions; and against the government initially agreeing in 2015 to let a Russian soldier charged with killing an Armenian family be tried in a Russian military court. The Glendale rally wasn't the first time Armenian Americans have demonstrated against Sargsyan. In 2009, a crowd gathered outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, where he was staying during a state visit, to protest his effort to normalize relations with Turkey. Sargsyan and Turkish leader Recep Erdogan were seeking a rapprochement that included the reinstatement of diplomatic relations and the reopening of the sealed Turkish-Armenian border. Advertisement The protesters objected to a rapprochement unless Turkey acknowledged that the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Turks during World War I constituted genocide. The rapprochement effort, which many Armenians in the homeland opposed, foundered and was abandoned in 2010. Although the 2009 protesters were taking issue with a key Sargsyan policy, they did not call for his resignation. Since then, the diaspora -- the largest of which is in Southern California -- has seen a lot of other things going on in the homeland that they dislike. Armenia remains one of the poorest countries in the former Soviet Union, corruption is still rife, Russia forced Armenia to drop its plans to join the European Union in favor of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union, and Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to broker a Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal that Armenians fear will be unfavorable to the enclave's ethnic Armenians. Advertisement Since its independence in 1991, Armenia has always been able to count on the millions in the diaspora to support its policies and prod the countries where they live into offering political and financial support. There have been exceptions to this pattern of unwavering support -- like the California protest against the Turkey-rapprochement effort. What made the recent diaspora protest in Glendale different was that it was aimed not at a specific Armenian government policy but at the way the country treats those who feel their voices aren't being heard. The message the Glendale protest conveyed to Yerevan was far louder than the combined voices of the 1,000 participants: If you want to retain the diaspora's support, you'd better make the political process open to all. As China has projected its economic and military power more widely not only in Asia but also in Africa and to some extent in Latin America, little notice has been paid by the general public to another arena of growing influence: United Nations peacekeeping. In coming weeks, the Chinese are expected to announce the formation of a deployment-ready police contingent on call for UN service and reveal Beijing's overall plans for an 8,000-member standby, quick-response force of troops and police. The newly pledged uniformed troops, to stand by in China, include infantry battalions, engineering units and force protection soldiers as well as transport, medical and aviation units. The contingent will fall under the command of the UN. Advertisement Details are still being worked out with the UN, according to the Department for Peacekeeping Operations, which has been planning to make UN responses to crises quicker by asking nations to designate troops to be on standby, ready at short notice. It often takes months to put a fully equipped mission on the ground. Yet attacks in July by South Sudanese soldiers in the capital of Juba, including rapes of South Sudanese women right near a UN civilian camp and Western aid workers at a hotel compound, call into serious question the ability of Chinese peacekeepers to react appropriately to crises. Two Chinese peacekeepers were killed during the violence at the UN civilian site. The Chinese have a combat battalion in the UN mission in South Sudan, known as Unmiss, but when news of the July 11 attack against Westerners in Juba surfaced this week, it was reported that several quick-reaction forces that included Chinese refused to respond to emergency calls for protection at the Hotel Terrain. There, apparently drunken South Sudanese soldiers rampaged, killing a local journalist point-blank and hunting through the site for Americans, in particular, to attack. Women and men were separated, said the report from The Associated Press and a witness on NPR, with women gang-raped by the soldiers and men beaten or wounded by gunshot. Advertisement Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, responding to news of the Hotel Terrain attack, announced an independent special investigation to determine the "circumstances surrounding these incidents and to evaluate the Mission's overall response," a statement said on July 16 . China has recently overtaken Japan as the second-largest financial contributor to the UN's 2016-2018 peacekeeping budget, after the United States, whose dues have been set at 28.6 percent of the total costs. In the 2013-2015 budgetary period, China ranked sixth, behind the US, Japan, France, Germany and Britain. Its dues assessment was 6.6 percent of the peacekeeping budget. This year, it jumped to 10.3 percent. Wang Min, China's deputy ambassador to the UN, said last December in New York that China was also prepared to pay 7.92 percent of the organization's regular administrative budget, making it the third-largest contributor among 193 member states, after the US and Japan . China is now the largest contributor of peacekeeping troops and police among the permanent-five members of the Security Council, the other four being Britain, France, Russia and the US. Among all 135 countries providing troops and police, China ranks eighth, according to the peacekeeping department. China has a well-trained, mostly educated army with much higher technical and advanced warfare skills than some nations that contribute larger numbers of troops. Herve Ladsous, the UN under secretary-general who heads the Department for Peacekeeping Operations, has been stressing the need for more advanced technology, particularly intelligence abilities, in peacekeeping to keep up with changes in warfare globally. When 50 world leaders met at the UN in September 2015 to make pledges to enhance peacekeeping, among the items promised -- apart from 40,000 additional troops and police -- were more than 40 helicopters, 22 engineering companies, 11 naval and riverine units and 13 field hospitals. Britain is holding a second peacekeeping summit meeting, in London next month, to follow up on the pledges made last year. The UN has added the use of drones, other surveillance tools and attack helicopters to deal with what military specialists call asymmetric warfare, with contemporary challenges coming not from regular forces but terrorist groups and rebel militias that are elusive and often better armed than peacekeepers. There is also a widely noted need for better human intelligence in the field. Advertisement Ladsous said in an interview with PassBlue in November 2014 that peacekeeping has been forced into an entirely new global military environment, with scant tools. He said that the days of believing that "by your sheer presence you deter attacks" are over. Peacekeepers need to be proactive, he said, using mobile communication more effectively and electronic surveillance to track leaders of rebel forces who are constantly on the move or hiding in secret locations. Besides the combat force in South Sudan, where the Chinese have deployed a helicopter squadron, several thousand Chinese peacekeepers are serving around the world, including in Mali. There, they work primarily as engineers in the north in Gao and generally do not speak French in the Francophone country. The presence of more uniformed Chinese police officers and troops in peacekeeping is likely to raise questions about whether the men and women, raised in an undemocratic system, will adhere to the required human-rights standards of the UN, which asks countries to train troops and police about treatment of civilians and others in conflict areas before they are deployed. young woman wearing burkini sitting by the beach in dubai Since several French mayors decided to ban from their beaches the "burkini", or full-body bathing suit, worn by some conservative Muslim women, a lot of criticism of French restrictions on women's liberties has resurfaced. Just as with the passage of a law forbidding face coverings in public, effectively banning the burka (complete covering of the body, including the eyes) or niqab (covering all but the eyes) in public spaces, commentators have scorned the ban as men behaving badly and forcing women to conform to their ideals. Kathleen Parker, writing in the Washington Post, complained that "liberte ought to mean wearing a burkini on the beach -- or a thong if you must." She points out that men have long legislated what women must wear in public. She and other commentators dismiss French feminists who point out that it is indeed men who insist women wear these garments. Advertisement But the question of women's rights misses the point, at least in the burkini controversy. It was after a fight broke out on a beach in Sisco, Corsica, between locals apparently objecting to women overtly wearing conservative Muslim clothing, and their defenders. In fact, as it turns out, the bagarre was between three North African brothers who wanted to "privatize" the beach so that the women in question could not be photographed, and locals who objected to such action on a public beach. The burkini was not the root of the issue, but was the flashpoint. Nevertheless, with nerves frayed for French people, Muslims included, after several recent terrorist attacks, other mayors decided to head off controversy and ban the highly visible symbol. Thus this particular ban was to forestall violence, not suppress the rights of women to wear what they want. Concerning the 2010 ban on covering one's face, the law is rarely enforced, which also enrages some people, who see burkas or niqabs as provocation. Indeed, there is reason to be concerned that women are forced to wear these if they go out, just as they must be accompanied by a male relative when they go out in public. Moreover, it has been illegal in France since the 1870s to cover one's face in public (except for occasional costumes). Anyone getting an identification card or passport in the country has to abide by strict rules for photos: no uniforms, head coverings, or even smiles. Just as privacy is jealously guarded here, one's public identity cannot be dissimulated. So in both cases, banning these garments is not a flagrant case of sexism nor conformity to feminist strictures. The real question is, can a conservative Muslim exercise the right to worship as they choose, in public, despite local customs and laws? Advertisement The fact is that, like the yarmulkes, earlocks and round hats and beards for some Jews, none of the dress -- burkas, niqabs, chadors and headscarves for women, beards, taqiyah caps, qamis and djellabas for men -- is required by the religion. Men covering their heads out of respect for the Almighty is traditional among Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The Qur'an, like the Bible, insists only that women dress modestly. The meaning of "modest" is quite fluid, of course. For millennia, Middle Eastern women have covered their hair in public, saving the sight of their long locks for their husbands. But this is all purely traditional, not legally required of the faithful. Furthermore, requiring restrictive clothing and repressing the rights of women today are marks of variants of Sunni Islam that are conservative, if not downright fundamentalist. The spread of Salafism and Wahhabism, stoked by gushers of oil money, is at the root of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Which is to say the terror now striking the West. Furthermore, a similarly conservative version of Shi'a Islam, developed under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, now rules Iran, also a source of funding terror. That some Sunni and Shi'a are basically at war has only made the present situation even more complex, ambiguous, and murderous. I am not exonerating the Western powers, including France and the United States, whose imperialist adventures in the Middle East vastly fueled the growth of these fundamentalisms. Nevertheless, here we are now, trying to hold things together so that people can continue to follow their consciences and worship (or not) the way they wish. That raises other issues in France that foreigners do not comment upon, such as insistence by some that girls swim separately (in burkinis) from boys in public schools, and that pork never be served in cafeteria, even when an equivalent meal is prepared. Furthermore, all meat must be slaughtered halal, not just kosher. The vast majority of French Muslims are proud to be French, and live quite peacefully with everyone else. However, such pressure from what is actually a small fringe of people becomes magnified in the present climate. Striking a balance between the legitimate rights of people to the free exercise of religion and maintaining public order has also been a recurrent issue in American life and history, and it certainly is now, as well. That the French struggle with it more or less well is a tribute to the nation's strong desire to maintain liberte, egalite, and fraternite, despite the hundreds of people killed by terrorists in recent months. illustration of Nuclear bomb explosion As Donald Trump stumbles towards the November 8th election, it's clear that each week will bring a new Trump screwup. Here are my top ten predictions. 10. Trump's tax returns will be hacked. Donald Trump has refused to release his tax returns. He called upon Russian hackers to obtain Hillary Clinton's emails and release them to the press. Trump's remark has some hackers promising to make public Trump's tax returns. On a recent Bill Maher show, the host asked WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange when they were going to release Trump's returns; Assange replied, "We're working on it." It's only a matter of time before someone releases Trump's recent returns. They'll likely show zero taxes paid, no charitable contributions, and scary ties to Russian oligarchs. Advertisement 9. Trump will drop any pretense of political correctness. Trump is in a death spiral: he makes an offensive remark; his ratings lower; his fragile ego is shaken; Trump lashes out with another offensive remark. How low will he go? Recently, he accused Obama and Clinton of "founding" ISIS. Soon Trump will sink lower and call them "traitors." Trump's bad behavior will egg on his crowds and poison the presidential debates. (Trump's August 17th hiring of Steve Bannon is proof of this.) 8. Trump will receive only a limited security briefing because of his ties to Russia. On August 17th, Trump was given a general national security briefing. Subsequently, Trump will ask for a detailed briefing on Russia; this will be denied because of the ties between his staff (Paul Manafort and Boris Epshteyn) and Russian interests. Trump will blurt out this news. (This week, the New York Times published information about Manafort's ties to subterranean Ukrainian-Russian politics.) 7. Most GOP swing-state senatorial candidates will move away from Trump. It's already started to happen; incumbent Republican candidates with tough re-election races - such as Illinois Senator Kirk - disavow Donald Trump. By Labor Day, if Trump doesn't change his ways, most challenged Republican incumbents will move away from him. This list includes: Ayotte (NH), Blunt (MO), Burr (NC), Grassley (IA), Johnson (WI), McCain (AZ), Portman (OH), Rubio (FL), and Toomey (PA). (If Trump bombs in the September 26th presidential debate, the majority if GOP congressional candidates will abandon him.) 6. Trump fundraising will tank. As an inevitable counterpart to a faltering candidate, Republican presidential fundraising will decline. In order to secure big donations, Trump promised to appear more presidential and to run a conventional campaign. He hasn't done this and, as a consequence, large donations will dry up. (Big Republican donors will give to Senate and House candidates.) This won't impact Trump's visibility but it will mean few Trump TV ads and a miniscule get-out-the-vote effort. Advertisement 5. Trump will escalate crowd anger. As Donald Trump spirals downward, his anger and frustration will egg on his supporters. His crowds won't get any smaller - Trump's base is about 30 percent of likely voters - but they will sense that the election is slipping away. Trump will feed their anger by telling them the system is rigged and accusing Obama and Clinton of being "traitors." (The Secret Service will warn Trump about his rhetoric but he will continue to ignore these admonitions.) 4. Because of his erratic behavior, two-thirds of Americans will find Trump "unfit" for office. The current Huffington Post poll of polls indicates that 64.5 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of Donald Trump (32.5 percent view Trump favorably). Trump's unfavorability will continue to decline. (Can it get to 70 percent?) 3. US/Iraqi forces will drive ISIS out of Iraq. Politico contributor Mark Perry writes that Iraqi and Kurdish forces, led by US advisors, are preparing a major push into Mosul that should result in ISIS forces being pushed out of Iraq just before the election. This should bolster Obama-Clinton favorability and further diminish Trump's chances. (Either this or the leaking of Trump's tax returns will be the dreaded "October surprise.") 2. Only one presidential debate will occur. After non-stop whining about the debate format, Donald Trump will show up at the September 26 Presidential debate at New York's Hofstra University. Even though he understands how important this debate is to his Presidential aspirations, Trump won't be able to control himself: he will be evasive and irritating. He will refuse to abide by the debate format: six 15-minute segments, each on a particular topic; with each candidate having two minutes to respond followed by an opportunity to question each other. Trump will refuse to honor the time limit; he'll interrupt Clinton during her response; and call her "crooked Hillary" and other derogatory terms. When questioned, Trump will refuse to give straight answers. Trump will lose the substantive debate and his favorability rating will further decline. Raise your hand if you'd like to be at a beach somewhere with an umbrella drink in your hand. Oh yes, that would be me. Right over here - this lady. I really want to go on a vacation soon, somewhere warm, but unfortunately that will be a long way off. We recently traveled in May to celebrate time together as a family before my husband started residency after graduating from medical school. Let me tell you, it's a good thing we did. I knew his residency schedule would be hard, but it's been almost unreal. The job is extremely challenging and requires a lot of thought and energy. Any time he makes it home in time to read to the kids before bed, he falls asleep in their room. Advertisement Needless to say, we're all still adjusting, especially me. I am doing all sorts of new things like cutting the grass and taking the trash to the curb. You know, dude things. (Hence me fantasizing about being on a beach somewhere without a care in the world.) Life Is Hard. Vacations are Awesome. Needless to say, raising a family is hard. Running a house is hard. Running a business is hard. And, sometimes it's nice to get a break. However, there are many of you out there who are caught up with work and family responsibilities and can't get that nice vacation break that you want. Maybe you'd like to take a vacation but you have no idea how you'd fit it in to your schedule or how you'd even afford it. According to the seventh annual Vacation Confidence Index by Allianz Travel Insurance more than 170 million Americans haven't taken a vacation in the last 12 months. And wait, hold the phone. Allianz's research also showed that 37% of people haven't been on vacation in more than two years! Oh my gosh, guys. We need a break! Two years is far too long to deal with day to day life stresses without some time to yourself. Advertisement So, if you're one of those people who hasn't had a vacation in a long, long time, here are some ideas for affording that vacation you so badly need: Rent an Apartment A great way to save money on a vacation is to rent an apartment. I've rented several apartments on , and it's always been a great experience. For about half the price of a hotel room, I usually get a bigger place, a kitchen, and more amenities. Sure, I don't have someone cleaning my room every day like I would in a hotel, but that's okay. Staying in an apartment allows me to feel like I actually live in the city I'm visiting. It also helps to save money because you can buy some groceries and cook meals in your apartment. Go Somewhere Nearby Just because you want to go on a vacation doesn't mean that you have to go to the airport, wait in super long lines, get a cab, and spend a bunch of money. Instead, you can go to a nearby city, rent an Airbnb, and just enjoy being away for a little while. For example, Chicago is only a 4 hour drive from my new home in Detroit, so that would be a good weekend getaway that wouldn't require plane tickets for four people. Save Ahead of Time There's nothing worse than returning home from a vacation with maxed out credit cards and a bunch of regret. In fact, this could be one of reasons so many people haven't traveled in a while. If you put a vacation you can't afford on your credit card, you're not going to feel relaxed when it's over. Instead it will cause you more stress. My advice is to save ahead of time for your vacation. You can create a separate high yield savings account with a vacation goal in it. I use Smarty Pig for actually saving for goals like this (read my review of that here). Every month I have a small amount of money automatically deducted from my bank account and put in a Smarty Pig account. I do this for a variety of goals, like Christmas spending, throughout the year. When that fund gets full, you know it's time to start shopping around for vacation destinations, and the best part is, you'll already have the money there to pay for it. When's the last time you went on a vacation? Do you usually save for vacation ahead of time? I grew up playing in the yard of my church in Lexington, Kentucky. From Vacation Bible School to youth group water wars and church picnics (complete with the requisite KFC buckets), my house of worship was a safe place for my friends and me. I know that my own sense of safety in my churchyard was part of my experience of privilege- both racial and religious- in our nation. As I've traveled the country over the last couple of years for work, I've seen firsthand that there are many places in America, where this sense of safety in a religious space is absent. Muslim children, on multiple occasions, have had to walk past armed men on their way to school and prayer in Texas, being told to "go back home" when the suburbs of Dallas are the only home they've ever known. Muslim kids in my own home state of Kentucky, as well as in Rhode Island and many other places have seen their places of worship desecrated with hateful graffiti. And just in the past week and a half, we've witnessed horrific murders of two Muslim leaders in Queens, NY, and of an Arab Christian in Tulsa, the latter by a neighbor who had repeatedly expressed anti-Arab and anti-Muslim rhetoric. The image of Khizr Khan pulling out his pocket US Constitution at the Democratic National Convention has in many ways become an icon of this election season, as it should. The Khans have brought to national attention the question of whether our nation's commitment to religious freedom for all really means all. This is not just about a presidential candidate's careless and harmful rhetoric. The stories above about unsafe religious spaces happened before the campaigns were full-steam. This challenge to religious freedom is not new; though, to be sure, political rhetoric has intensified these experiences and made them more visible to the public eye. Advertisement The political fear-mongering, and the violence and hate seen at community levels, is not only happening at the expense of American Muslim individuals and families, but also at the expense of our own national ideals. Before the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, a coalition of 32 American religious denominations and faith-based organizations, delivered copies of the Religious Freedom Pledge to every Congressional office. This Pledge was endorsed by more than 100 faith leaders at Washington National Cathedral in the fall of 2015, and calls for elected officials to uphold and defend individual religious liberty by speaking out against bigotry, discrimination, harassment, and violence based on religion or belief. These are values that people across the political spectrum should be able to unite behind; after all, they are ideals upon which our nation was founded. Certainly, history shows that we have not always upheld these founding values, but the promise of America lies in the progress we have made- however slow and imperfect- and in what we know we can overcome together. Ideals do not uphold themselves. We must confront narratives of fear, hate, and division by showing in words and action that we are in this nation together and must look out for one another in our journey toward creating a more perfect union. We hope all Americans will join with us in rejecting efforts to scapegoat American Muslims, or Americans of any faith, ethnicity, race, or identity. The recent murder of Khalid Jabara- a Lebanese-American Christian- in Tulsa, OK, is a sobering reminder that anti-Muslim bigotry does not only affect the Muslim community. It opens the door for hate and violence targeting people of many different backgrounds, including Sikhs and Arab Christians, and it further enables bigotry and discrimination against racial and religious communities more broadly. Advertisement As we move toward the presidential election, we can expect more politicized responses to the turmoil and tragedies in our world. Reactions that target and isolate people based on their religious identity or racial or ethnic background do not make us safer or stronger. Whatever any of us believes about how to best advance equality, liberty, and security for all people, we must all be on guard against the narratives that seek to divide us against one another. Image Credit: Huffington Post Images If there is something I have learned this year; it is that advocating for wildlife conservation and environmentally-friendly eating is a lonely undertaking. Many friends and family listen, but seem not to "hear." Articles I write with THE FACTS get a mere few reads. When I encourage patients to eat more plant-based, for health--and to prevent or alleviate disease--(I don't even bring up the environment), they look at me like, "Are you crazy?" Advertisement And, most colleagues, who I feel should have an understanding or knowledge about environmental issues (I work in the medical field) seem completely ambivalent. Thus, I FEEL VERY ALONE in this fight. I feel like no one gets me, or understands my passion. No one understands my want, MY NEED, to protect, advocate, and "shout" for wildlife conservation. They seem only to care about what affects them, personally, at that moment. They cannot foresee or understand the detrimental future that lay before us. Yet, I know there are other people out there who are JUST as passionate as I am. The makers of the movies "The Cove" and "Racing Extinction", the Oceanic Preservation Society, is one such group. Advertisement I know that Sylvia A. Earle and Carl Safina feel the same way. I've read their books! I've even had the pleasure and fortune of speaking with some of the great minds on conservation, dolphin and orca intelligence, and nutritional-sustainability. But, I tell you, it is challenging. It is difficult. It is lonely to advocate for something that no one immediately around you seems to care about. What got me started in my quest for wildlife conservation was the movie, "The Cove." An expose on the dolphin slaughters in Taiji, Japan. That night, and for weeks after watching the movie I was so sad, I would randomly cry when an image of a dolphin popped into my mind's eye. I would follow and update myself daily on the dolphin hunts (They run from September 1 - February 28) in the hopes that if I was vigilantly watching, maybe, just maybe it would be a "Blue Cove Day." That maybe, just maybe, no dolphins would be found, and lives would be spared. I felt so helpless and hopeless to do anything. I don't know how the cove monitors or cove guardians live-record what is happening. Advertisement It seems too much to bear. I know why they go; and, if I summon up enough courage, I might consider going some day too. The go so they can be the eyes and ears of what is happening. They go to record and show the world. They go to be a source of strength for the dolphin lives that have been shattered, ripped apart, and stolen too early from this Earth. So, I do what I can, and donate to those groups, to support their work; and I write. I write about what I know. I write about what I've watched, live. I write about what I've read. I write, I write, I write. I write so that people can read and learn about what is happening. I write so that the dolphins, or the whales, or the elephants, or the rhinos, or...fill in the blank...animal has a voice. Because, to be silent is to perpetuate the killing. If I instead make noise, maybe just maybe I will educate one more person today, who will, like me, become tomorrow's great advocate. I volunteer to assist organizations in what I do best. Write or Speak. But, it is and it can be lonely. Fortunately, I was recently able to reach out to someone else; someone who has even been to Taiji. I was able to commiserate with her about her experience there; about how we both came to love this work-of advocating. Her story was so similar to mine. And, her experience in Taiji was not so dissimilar from my experiences with climate change and food security in Ethiopia for my doctoral research. Advertisement So, while people near me may not "GET ME" or understand my passion, it's OK. I mean, it hurts, it's lonely, it's challenging, and can be demoralizing. But, with the Taiji, Japan dolphin slaughters set to resume on the first of September, less than 2 weeks from now, it will be nice to have someone, a shoulder to lean on (aside from my husband's very wet one), to discuss the situation with; because, these slaughters should NEVER be allowed to happen. Yes, different people have different things that motivate them or call them to action, and I probably won't understand theirs. But, I've definitely found mine. My motivation is wildlife. My motivation is to see an end to brutal, callous, needless, and greedy mass murders of sentient, aware, empathetic, loving animals. If I can touch even one more person and his or her sense of empathy, their sense of humanity, and basic decency, then perhaps one-by-one we can guide humans and conservation in the right direction. In a way, it has been a journey, an evolution to get to this point. I've also been fortunate enough to be given a voice on blogs such as this, Huffington Post and Planet Experts. Advertisement Every day, in my spare time, I find my passion, my need and desire to educate only gets stronger; and as it does, my community of advocates and friends grows. I guess it's true what they say, "Anything worth having, (or doing), isn't easy." Sadly, in less than two weeks, the Japanese dolphin slaughters will begin. It will be difficult. It will be emotional. It will be lonely. Co-authored by Pedram Gholipour Since Direct Recording Electronic voting machines first came into vogue in the U.S. in 2002, a team of cyber-academics (known as the Princeton Group) has been busy demonstrating how easy it is to hack these machines, to remind American citizens just how cyber-vulnerable the voting process is. From their first successful hack into a DRE 15 years ago, they surmised that it was just a matter of time until a cyber-attack occurred in a national election. This summer's cyber-attack of the Democratic National Committee has shed light on how such events can potentially affect this, and future, elections. Given the apparent ease with which the attack occurred on the DNC, is there any real reason to believe the same cannot, or will not, occur in November? The DNC hack has certainly captured the attention of the government, with DHS Secretary Johnson acknowledging that the nation's electoral system is indeed vulnerable, and that it has a long way to go achieve meaningful cyber security in the voting booth. To underscore the point, consider that the U.S. electoral system is not even governed by a national body, but rather each state. There are more than 8,000 separate electoral jurisdictions that are, in the end, governed by city, county and state governments. No offense to the election officials in these jurisdictions, but the vast majority are middle aged volunteers. Neither they, nor the institutions they represent, have meaningful orientation toward or experience in cyber security. Given this, and the absence of federal government oversight, it is clear that we are terribly vulnerable. Advertisement The Princeton Group's message is simplistically clear: the latest generation of smart phones are more secure than DREs, and as a result, there are many critical areas in the vote gathering and counting process that are at risk. Although some voting district officials have commenced the process of becoming less reliant on DREs -- replacing them with alternatives such as optical scanners -- those DREs that remain are increasingly obsolete, with aging software and large cyber 'holes' that may be exploited. Hundreds of digital-only precincts remain, many in swing states, and they become less secure with each passing year. Since the Chinese government successfully hacked into the Office of Personnel Management last year and stole the personal information of some 22 million government employees, can there be any doubt that a government (or person) with an inclination to influence the outcome of an American election can indeed do so? Given that states constantly hack into each-others' computer systems, it is clear not only that electoral hacking will continue, and that there is little that can be done to stop it. Although the DNC hack was attributable to Russia, President Obama said it would not affect bilateral relations. Last month, Russia announced that about 20 Russian government organizations had been targeted by spyware, though it stopped short of attributing the infiltration to any specific state or actor. Payback, perhaps? Some 28 states - including the swing states of Florida and Ohio - still use digital technology in their voting process, and most of these continue to use Windows software from the 1990s and early 2000s. While DREs are programmed individually, an attacker with access to the administration system that is used to program the memory cartridges before an election can distribute malicious code to all machines being used. Whether a DRE or optical scanner is being used, votes are tallied on a memory card, which is fed into a central system that can be used to infect the tabulating system, which can also be infected. Given how antiquated the entire voting system appears to be, and how many gaps there are in the system, governing authorities have a monumental task on their hands. Advertisement Even though the DNC apparently received a warning from the government that an attack was likely to occur, its failure to implement additional security measures led to what was in essence a breach of national security. Taken to a new level, this week's NSA cyber-attack has made it clear that there is not much that hackers cannot do. What once seemed to be a 'remote' possibility - cyber-attacks throughout the most sensitive parts of the U.S. government - are now becoming commonplace. Given the stakes implied, there is no choice, therefore, but to enhance America's voting process and bring it into the 21st century. Last year, the Brennan Center for Justice conducted an extensive survey of 100 specialists familiar with voting technology and election officials in all 50 states. Its findings are sobering. Among them are that 43 states are using some machines that will be at least 10 years old in 2016, nearly every state is using some machines that are no longer manufactured (with many election officials struggling to find replacement parts), and the biggest risk is increased failures and crashes (which can lead to lost votes). Election jurisdictions in at least 31 states wanted to purchase new voting machines in the next five years, and officials from 22 of these states said they did not know where they would get the money to pay for them. The Center estimates the initial national cost of replacing equipment over the next few years could exceed $1 billion (in other words, less than the total amount candidates have spent this election cycle to get elected president of the U.S. ). The concern expressed by some officials was that without federal or state funding, wealthier counties will be in a position to replace aging machines, while poorer counties will be forced to use them far longer than they should, subjecting the poor to potential greater levels of security breaches. Just as America's critical infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to collapse, its voting system is increasingly vulnerable to attack. Congress should change the U.S. voting system to introduce federal oversight and allocate more federal money to fix this problem. A failure to do so will guarantee that one or more cyber-attacks will occur - possibly in November, and certainly in coming elections. In the era of man-made risk, we cannot afford to merely remain reactive, or hesitate to take decisive action. The electoral process is a matter of national security and should become a legislative priority when Congress reconvenes in September. *Daniel Wagner is CEO of Country Risk Solutions and co-author of the new book "Global Risk Agility and Decision Making". Pedram Gholipour is a student at the University of Toronto. Charlottesville, VA - Transworld Business Advisors of Virginia Beach, VA and Charlottesville, VA have Lex Meredith as President and Principal Broker. He's an extremely laser focused guy who is continually looking for the next opportunity to improve. A helper, a giver and an overly competitive individual. He quoted Billy Beane: "I hate losing, even more than I love winning" and that would about sum up his personality type. "If I do something, I want to be the best in the world at it, not second or third. If I don't truly believe that I'm the best in the world at what I do, then I can't promise people the things that I promise them. I'm not always the most likeable guy in the room, that's for sure, but I promise my perspective and ultimately my actual clients three things. I say to them, "you're not always going to like me and you're not always going to hear what you want to hear from me but I will promise you this... I will always tell you the truth, you'll always know where I stand on an issue and I'll always do what's in your best interest." What has driven you in building such success? "That's a great question! When I was young I wanted to be a garbage man. It just seemed to me that riding on the back of that truck would be the most fun ever! The two key factors at this point in my life though, are my desire to help people and my desire and love of the win, in that order. I think that my deep love of Country has also contributed. I see this country heading in a certain direction financially and I want to be part of the solution and the best way that I could find to do that is to help people become entrepreneurs. Helping someone buy, sell or franchise a business is the most important role that I can see myself in with regards to the business community to help them at all points in their journey from the beginning to the end in retirement." Advertisement How important is it to keep personally connected to the process of procuring your team? "Hiring is an extremely important responsibility and putting the right candidates in the right spot is essential to building a strong company name and reputation. As the #1 ranked business brokerage in the world, keeping that ranking and increasing our market share is of the utmost importance to us and me personally. When your company is entrusted with the sale of someone's business or helping someone purchase a business, that's the largest and most important transaction that anyone will make in their life. It requires someone not only with an integrity-first mentality but also someone with the drive that it takes to work a business deal as that can be a confusing and 24-hour a day process at times." Best interview question you have asked? "I was taught by a great mentor to watch what people do and not what they say so instead of telling you what my best question is I'll tell you one of the tactics that I've found to weed out the lazy. I interview at 6:30 A.M.! I find you can tell a ton about a person by how they react to scheduling and ultimately showing up in a timely manner for a 6:30 A.M. interview." "I also like to end interviews with "There are a lot of people that we've interviewed that are a lot more qualified than you are..." and leave it hanging to see what they say. If they push back and say 'No, you haven't; I'm the one you're looking for' you may have someone worth taking a closer look at." What are your underlying and long-term goals? "My main focus is giving back to my community and speaking with teens both in Virginia and nationally via social media. I was physically abused by my father growing up, had a troubled childhood and wasn't a very good student. I can't stand to see people enabling a victim mentality because of that and I try to encourage victims to get out of it. Because of that my passion is to eventually be able to help restructure the entire education system. I believe that some major gaps are being completely missed in school including finance, how to run a household financially and balance a checkbook. I believe that sales skills should be taught to everyone because whether you choose sales as a career or not, every single day you are alive is a series of sales. You want to get a job? Better know how to sell. You want to go on a date with a girl? Better know how to sell. You want to get a promotion? Better know how to sell! Master sales professionals are the highest paid individuals on the planet. I also think classes on entrepreneurship along with the "basics of investing" that would teach kids early that saving their money is not the way to financial independence. Every dollar you "save" gets smaller and worth less every second that it's sitting in a savings account. It's actually working in reverse from what our grandparents taught us it would do for us. You might as well throw money off a bridge. I'm a big believer in "save to invest, not simply to save" which is something Grant Cardone says. Advertisement Despite the success of America's post-World War II policy, its advocates act as if it is an abysmal failure. Consider the argument from the ROK's supporters for continuing to treat the Republic of Korea as a helpless dependent. No matter that the ROK took advantage of Washington's defense shield to develop into one of the world's most important, largest, and advanced economies. The U.S. must continue to protect the South from the latter's decrepit northern neighbor. Notably, few offer evidence that South Korea is vital for America. For instance, analyst Khang Vu refers to another Korean war posing "an adverse prospect for future U.S. administrations." That's about right. It would be a human tragedy, source of instability, and all-around inconvenience. But it wouldn't matter much for American security. The next step would not be a North Korean task force sailing on Hawaii and conquering the West Coast (despite the hysterical plot of the movie reboot Red Dawn). Frankly, most Americans wouldn't even notice the ROK's fall. But why would the South lose? Indeed, why couldn't it deter a North Korean attack? Few observers deny that South Korea is capable of defending itself. After all, the South possesses an economy around 40 times as large and population about twice as large, and has neutralized North Korea's two traditional military allies, China and Russia. Unless the peninsula has a special gravitational field which prevents the southern country from building as many tanks and fielding as many soldiers as the northern nation, Seoul could easily match, indeed overmatch, the so-called Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Advertisement Yet Vu worries about a "vacuum of power," apparently fearing that the South would not bother to build up its own forces. Like the Europeans who, though possessing far more military potential, don't see any need to spend more on their own defense. Rather, they want to rely on the U.S., apparently forever. America therefore must spend more, deploy more troops, and repeatedly "reassure" its helpless allies. Ohm Tae-am of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses recently defended the ROK's inadequate spending as having increased six times since 1991. So what? The objective should not be "cost-sharing" with America, as he argued, but "cost-bearing" by the South. Seoul is poorer than America, but far richer than the DPRK. So South Korea has no excuse for claiming it cannot defend itself. If Pyongyang can afford to threaten the ROK, the South can more than afford to respond appropriately. Still, maybe the ROK would not expand its forces while the U.S. was withdrawing its units. Heck, maybe the South Koreans would preemptively surrender. Probably not, but even that would be Seoul's decision. It makes no sense to force the American people to defend the South Korean people if the latter aren't willing to defend themselves. Washington should not treat security guarantees as international welfare. However, Vu warns that the South might irresponsibly respond "militarily to avoid losing face" to a DPRK provocation. Thus, American troops must remain on station to prevent Seoul from doing something stupid. Seriously? More than six decades after the end of the Korean War the U.S. must occupy the ROK to prevent it from starting a new war? Surely that is a poor reason for Washington to continue to occupy a prosperous, populous nation that is far stronger than its chief antagonist. If Seoul is truly that irresponsible, Washington should disengage immediately. Americans shouldn't risk dying because South Koreans might gamble away the peace. Advertisement Of course, Vu says, don't worry, "the presence of American troops has effectively thwarted North Korean attacks in the first place." However, deterrence frequently has failed. In both World Wars I and II alliances turned into transmission belts of war rather than acting as firebreaks to war. Moreover, the chief danger on the Korean peninsula is not aggression but mistake. Kim Jong-un appears to be less responsible, more impulsive, and less experienced than his father and grandfather. It is impossible to deter misjudgment. If something goes wrong, the U.S. will find itself automatically involved in someone else's war. Many analysts also make the curious claim that defending the world costs America nothing. Indeed, in their view Washington saves money every time it protects another wealthy nation because other states help pay basing costs. However, the U.S. does not raise military units for pleasure. Rather, they exist to achieve specific ends. Foreign policy drives force structure. If Washington did not promise to defend the South--as well as Japan, Europe, and a multitude of other states--it could shrink the armed forces. So the cost of protecting the ROK is not just the expense of basing units overseas, but of creating them in the first place. Finally, Vu authoritatively asserts that withdrawal "will not result in any breakthroughs in negotiations with North Korea." Unless he has been conducting secret talks with Kim, however, it is impossible to know what the impact of U.S. disengagement would be. It seems highly unlikely that Pyongyang would yield its existing nuclear arsenal under any circumstances, but there are other potentially useful deals that could be struck, including limiting future nuclear developments and reducing conventional force deployments. Of course, positive results remain unlikely. But the best definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. The typical solution to the "North Korea Problem"? Enforce sanctions. Yup, those have brought the North to heel. Get China on board. Yup, U.S. pleading, begging, and whining have moved Beijing to, well, tears. Just keep trying and maybe, miraculously, something eventually will change for the better. Not likely. Ultimately, North Korea threatens America only because America threatens North Korea. If U.S. troops weren't stationed on the peninsula, Kim would find other targets for his abundant venom and threats. Moreover, as noted earlier, the South is fully capable of containing the DPRK. There's no need for America to be, as argued by Vu, an "offshore balancer" against a country which isn't a threat and can be contained by someone else. Advertisement As Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump roll out their very different energy policy platforms -- with Clinton promoting production of renewable energy and Trump of traditional energy -- it's useful to look at activities at the state level. Because President Obama's Clean Power Plan is making its way through the courts, there is virtually no federal energy policy, which means the 50 states of America are providing 50 pilot programs showing how different potential new federal energy policies could be implemented. Among the progressive states, New York is worth watching. Governor Andrew Cuomo has advanced a "50 by 30" (50 percent of electric energy must come from renewables by the year 2030) climate and energy policy. Due to its rich existing endowment of energy resources, New York has the luxury to choose from contending forms of renewable and zero or low carbon energy resources. In 2015, 45 percent of New York's electricity came from oil, gas, and coal. That means 55 percent of electric power already comes from low or zero-carbon emitting resources. Here is the breakdown of that 55 percent. 31 percent of New York's electric energy in 2015 came from New York's nuclear plants. Whatever one's view of nuclear, it does produce carbon-free electric power. The problem is, some of the nuclear plants are in dire straits economically, and some are quite far along in the 60-year expected life span of these facilities. If New York could keep its nuclear plants open, maintaining "50 by 30" will be easier; if all of the nuclear plants close, it will be much, much harder. New York is already at "50 by 30" only by virtue of its struggling nuclear power fleet. Hence the determination of the Cuomo administration to keep the upstate nuclear power plants operating until 2030. The mechanism for allowing nuclear plants to survive is by awarding them "zero emissions credits" and requiring electric distribution companies to purchase those credits. Advertisement 19 percent of New York's power in 2015 came from hydro, anchored of course by the huge facility at Niagara Falls. Only 2.8 percent of New York's electricity in 2015 came from wind. It has the potential for much more wind development, most of it located in upstate. Additional wind capacity could be developed assuming a buildout of north-to-south and west-to-east transmission to get the clean power to downstate markets. New York can import more clean power from Quebec and from PJM (the New Jersey-Pennsylvania-Maryland market). Several advanced new transmission projects are in development that could serve as "renewable expressways" into New York. New York could also ultimately be home to several thousand MW of offshore wind. Solar energy is expanding rapidly, although most of it is "behind the meter" or a "retail" form of renewable energy. As the idea of "microgrids" takes hold as a result of New York's regulatory reforms, solar will continue to expand in New York. Energy efficiency is also part of the microgrid toolkit, so substantial additional efficiency improvements will continue. This microgrid-led activity in the retail sector of the industry will show up largely as slightly declining demand for electric power from the wholesale sector. What implications does the New York experience have for President Clinton, or President Trump's, energy policy? Acknowledging that the state's carbon goal requires keeping nukes alive is an important adjustment in the clean energy narrative. But, the subsidy is aimed at "keeping nukes alive," not at creating the next generation of nuclear plants. That experiment is being conducted in other states (almost all in the South) and it is not going well: it turns out that electricity from new nuclear plants may be more expensive than renewable energy from wind and solar. Advertisement It's worth asking what New York will ultimately get from this portfolio of renewable and carbon-free initiatives. One answer comes from the old idea of "comparative advantage." What does New York have that makes it competitive in the renewable energy business? To be sure, it has finance, it has technology and first class educational systems. It seeks to be a 21st century high tech manufacturer. Perhaps its most important attribute, however, is its location. The State's electric infrastructure -- its transmission and microgrid assets -- can, with modest investment, capitalize on New York's comparative advantages to create a booming, region-wide, renewable energy trade. With New York City and Long Island as the fulcrum, New York should be at the center of commerce between its own energy-rich upstate, the massive power market of "PJM" (essentially the area from New Jersey to North Carolina, westward to Illinois), New England, Quebec and Ontario. The greater northeast of North America abounds with intelligence, capital, and natural resources. New York can uniquely be the hub of regional renewable energy trade. At first glance, the argument that New York will be the hub of an interregional market in renewable energy seems old-fashioned. But it isn't for two reasons. First, a regional renewable energy market, anchored in expanded trading links between New York and its neighbors, will provide electricity users throughout northeastern North America with access to the affordable renewable energy that is all around us. Second, an open market where energy and technology is traded is critical for the adoption of innovation. When markets are closed -- whether it be by actions of utilities or regulators -- innovation is stifled and along with it the economic growth that New York expects to get out of its renewable energy initiatives. Only with a regional renewable energy markets linking producers and consumers of energy can New York and northeastern North America secure large amounts of carbon-free energy at affordable prices. EF Summit attendees pitch their solutions to global human rights challenges at the Innovation Village By Samie Freedman Anyone who stepped outside onto the streets of the Dutch parliamentary city of The Hague on Friday June 24th could tell that it would be no ordinary weekend. The city center was filled with enormous white tour buses and bright orange EF staff t-shirts, but most importantly, it burst with thousands of high school students from around the world who had come together to attend the EF Global Student Leaders Summit. A multitude of languages drifted through the air, filling the streets with discussions focused on the topic of human rights, and icebreaker conversations building connections between the different states and countries represented at the conference. However, the mission of these students, including myself, was not just to foster global connections and recognize the array of human rights issues facing our world today. Our task ran much deeper than this. After hearing from the inspiring keynote speaker Ndaba Mandela that "the power to change the world lies in [our] hands," we realized that as future leaders and change-makers, our job is to generate solutions. Advertisement A daunting responsibility to undertake, the question that immediately came to mind was, "but what can I do?" In fact, in a haunting and powerful demonstration to kick off the second day of the Summit, students illuminated by spotlights rose out of the darkness of the World Forum's auditorium, asking that very question. "My grandmother grew up eating only one bowl of rice a day, while my grandfather was imprisoned in his own country just for calling for democracy," one girl cried out. "But what can I do?" "I have heard of girls around the world being raped and sold for marriage," lamented another. "But what can I do?" What could we as students not yet even enrolled in university do to solve some of the most widespread and glaring human rights issues facing our world today? Luckily, in the form of innovation sessions spread out over the course of the three-day summit, EF gave us the tools to begin to craft our own solutions, to go beyond just a discussion about human rights and make a larger impact. The Global Student Leaders Summit innovation sessions presented small, organized groups of students with a simple goal: identify a human rights issue faced by a specific user, and design a prototype of a product or an idea that could be used to help this person. Employing the design thinking process, students read articles about individuals affected by human rights issues, created persona profiles to understand the wants and needs of their subjects, and with basic materials such as tape, markers, cardboard, and construction paper, teams had two days to create a project representing a real-life solution that would be presented to the summit participants and judges at the culminating Innovation Village. "What I enjoyed most about the innovation sessions was being able to work together with people from all around the world, focusing on an issue we are all interested in," says Sarra Mechri, a German student who attended the summit. "I was able to not only meet people and build a project we are all proud of, but I also made friends." Advertisement Teamwork did play an important role, and as my fellow students and I put our heads together, racing to find the best solution possible to our chosen human rights issue, another solution began to take shape, one that would provide answers to the very question we had asked ourselves at the beginning of the conference: "But what can I do?" Stepping out into the boundless foyer of the World Forum, which housed the highly anticipated Innovation Village on the final day of the summit, the answer seemed to gleam from every corner of the room. It turns out, we could do a lot. We could help a working Indian woman who overcame the traditional gender roles imposed on her spread her message of empowerment to young girls around the world, representing her as a doll complete with interchangeable professional outfits, a book with information to contact real life working women with these professions, and an audio message of the woman's voice telling her own inspiring story. We could help a construction worker from Mexico finish his high school education by building a local hostel specifically geared towards educators, providing them with cheap housing and the opportunity to hold classes for workers after hours or when they would have free time. Other projects presented in the village included an app to connect local farmers with residents in their area, making it easier to find and sell food in rural, impoverished areas, and these are only some of the hundreds of solutions generated in just three days. Out of all of these innovative solutions, the judges could only pick one winner, but for the first time in summit history, there was a tie. Fitting with Mandela's message that "education is the key tool in being able to change the world," both projects attempted to help a refugee prosper in his new country by providing him with access to a classroom-like environment. "Sixty-five million people are displaced in the world today, without access to the education they deserve," says Anne Staff, a member of one of the winning groups. In order to provide this basic human right to people in refugee camps, the first group designed an organization called Educators Without Borders. Similar to Doctors Without Borders, it would send teachers to refugee camps around the world, giving millions of people access to higher education in their new countries. The program would also provide educators with global knowledge and foster deep teacher-student connections, so that the educators may return to their communities and share their understanding of the refugees' situations. Keeping the same issue in mind, the second group outlined a refugee care package program called Education 2 Go, which involves sending boxes with pencils, notebooks, and a solar-powered tablet that stores different types of textbooks to refugee camps. The boxes are customizable, providing refugees of any age or level with an education specific to their needs, and by allowing supporters to sponsor a box and learn about the refugee who will be receiving it, the program will establish human connections across the globe. "Throughout the summit, we learned that education is the right that allows for the freedom of all other rights," says Anne, about the incentive behind her project. "Our hope is that the Education 2 Go box will help these refugees by giving them the opportunity to continue learning on their way." Advertisement The initiative of Anne and her team to take what they have learned about human rights from the summit and use it as inspiration for change truly embodies the spirit of the Global Students Leaders Summit Innovation Village, and the winning projects, along with all the others presented at the village, showcase the unique characteristics of our generation when it comes to large-scale problem solving. Not only do we recognize issues pertaining to individuals from different backgrounds and cultures other than our own, but our solutions are designed to link people from different countries and establish a sense of community across borders, creating a network of global citizens that recognize the importance of an interconnected world. Additionally, our incorporation of things like social networking, virtual textbooks, and solar power into our solutions shows how much further we are able to reach for solutions when we live in an age with so much technology at our fingertips. The solutions showcased at the Innovation Village have truly brought to light a generation of young thinkers who, using the technology, knowledge, and global mentality put in their reach, have the power to speak out rather than just observe, to do rather than just dream. Ndaba Mandela told us that once we "understand the power and potential we have, nothing can stop us from achieving our dream." The Innovation Village unearthed the immense power and potential that we students hold in our hands: the power to go beyond the question, "but what can I do," and start realizing that when it comes to human rights, social justice, or any other global issue, we have the ability to bring about change. It is up to us now, as future community, country, and world leaders, to strive for the impact we know we can make, to put our dreams into action and carry out the innovative solutions that will brighten the future of people around the globe. Advertisement Samie Freedman is a student at EF Academy in Thornwood, New York By Allan Wright Allan Wright is country economist for The Bahamas at the Inter-American Development Bank, and an associate researcher for the Caribbean Centre for Money and Finance. He formerly was a senior economist for the Central Bank of Barbados, and responsible for coordinating the Caribbean Regional Taskforce on Derisking Impact. Allan Wright, country economist for The Bahamas at the Inter-American Development Bank, discusses the impact of derisking strategies on the Caribbean: Q: What is derisking? A: Derisking is the termination of or the restriction of business relationships to avert risk related to money laundering and terrorist financing, according to a definition by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an independent inter-governmental body that develops and promotes policies to protect the global financial system against these threats. Advertisement Q: Why should the Caribbean pay attention to derisking? A: International financial institutions have been the subject of regulatory censures as a result of deficiencies identified within their frameworks for anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT). Penalties and fines have increased and, as a result, financial institutions have looked for ways to address these deficiencies. One of these ways is to terminate business relationships with certain businesses and regions considered to be high risk. A 2015 World Bank study revealed that the Caribbean appeared to be the region most severely affected by this derisking strategy. International "correspondent" banks have either ceased to offer their services or have restricted the type of services offered to a number of domestic "respondent" banks in the region in the last four years. This has happened to at least eight financial institutions in Barbados, seven in Jamaica, five in Belize and others in Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, and other states, according to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). While the derisking may not have resulted directly from AML/CFT issues, many large international banks consider their business with the region as either high risk or unprofitable. iStock Q: How much of an impact does derisking have on people and businesses in the Caribbean? A: Globalization and technology allow countries to conduct business, despite the distances between them. International correspondent banks facilitate international transactions by providing access to the global payment and financial systems. These transactions--including remittances, credit card payments, foreign direct investments, and international trade in goods and services--contribute significantly to the Caribbean's growth and development. Therefore, the loss of these relationships could threaten the region's banking sector, as local respondent banks would no longer be able to conduct international transactions on behalf of their customers. Furthermore, trade facilitation would be stymied, with the result that countries would be unable to import essential basic goods such as food and medicine, which could ultimately destabilize regional economies. Advertisement Derisking has already affected certain classes of business, customers, and jurisdictions throughout the Caribbean. One correspondent bank has ceased to conduct business with currency exchange businesses and businesses that handle money transfers. Some regional branches of international banks have also started derisking in the jurisdictions where they operate. These branches no longer offer services to credit unions or building associations, or third-party transactions on behalf of lawyers and other service providers. Q: Do people in the Caribbean understand what's happening? A: Derisking has generated much discussion among international and regional financial institutions, including Caribbean central banks, the Financial Stability Board (FSB), World Bank, International Monetary Fund, as well as CARICOM, to reach an understanding of the complexity and multidimensional nature of derisking. The FSB has proposed the following four-point plan: a further examination of the issue; clarification of regulatory expectations; capacity building in jurisdictions where respondent banks are affected; and the strengthening of tools for correspondent banks to perform due-diligence checks. Q: What are Caribbean governments doing about derisking? A: CARICOM is fully committed to international financial reforms and has embraced the FSB's four-point plan for addressing derisking. At its most recent meeting in July 2016, the CARICOM heads of government agreed on a new approach for addressing the problem: the CARICOM Committee of Finance Ministers proposed the establishment of a global forum in the Caribbean to bring the various stakeholders together, including correspondent banks, respondent banks, regulators, policymakers, and non-government organizations that have been adversely affected by derisking. Furthermore, the committee has communicated with the U.S. Treasury Department and other U.S. government officials, seeking clarification about the issues giving rise to the heightened risk aversion by U.S. regulatory authorities towards Caribbean financial transactions. Also, banks, regulators, and others affected by derisking in the Caribbean have raised the issue at high-level forums, including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, FSB, and meetings of CARICOM heads of government and central bank governors. Q: What are Caribbean regulators doing about derisking? A: Regional regulators have participated in high-level discussions with international financial institutions, as well as with international regulators. Caribbean regulators have also implemented strategies that are specific to their respective jurisdictions, such as allowing local banks that are cut off from international transactions to reroute transactions through a regional financial institution that still has access to correspondent banks. Advertisement A CARICOM central bank governors' technical working group was established to document and analyze the impact of derisking strategies on regional financial systems. The group prepared a background paper on the issue of derisking, which was recently published by the Caribbean Centre for Money and Finance. Q: Is it too late for the Caribbean? A: While some regional banks have already received official notification of the imminent termination of their relationships with correspondent banks, most of the affected banks have already begun establishing new relationships with other international banks. However, more international banks may eventually choose to derisk rather than expose themselves to the possibility of being fined or otherwise penalized. A version of this post appeared originally in the Caribbean DEVTrends blog. Can we talk? I'm not going to whisper about this. I'm going to keep the decibel level loud and clear. Don't listen or read any further if you're squeamish and don't want to hear about my bladder. Let me say my bladder again. Not your bladder. So, please don't interject negative feelings. My bladder is sensitive and so am I -- about it. I pee every 20 minutes to an hour. Yes, I drink a lot. And, I pee a lot. Everyone has a theory why. Even when not asked. "Try drinking less tea," plenty of people feel is the answer to a question I never asked. "It's a diuretic, did you know that?" Why, yes, I hear that a lot. Then I give them my pat answer that I'll now give to you if you're still on board. I have always, and I do mean always, had a very small (at least I assumed it was small) bladder. Even in my 20s, I peed nearly the same amount. In case you think talking about bladders is taboo, everyone seems to be talking about them these days. Everyone in my age bracket anyway. Women. Men. All of us, discussing the frequency of urination. Since I'm not a man, I have nothing to add or share on that. All I really know is that their prostates enlarge, causing them to wake up in the night to pee. It doesn't sound that bad to me because I've always had to wake up to pee in the middle of the night. Not just since menopause, which a lot of women claim is the issue with their bladders. Advertisement I have women friends who tell me they talk to their over-stimulated bladders and tell them to calm the fuck down. Some women say they pee just a little when they laugh and have done this since giving birth. In their pants. They want to assume that I do that too. I do not. I had C-sections, I tell them, but don't know if this is why I don't have the problem. Plus, I just prefer making it to a toilet. One day, about six years ago, I did have this sudden urgency to go. I mean just like the commercials. To go RIGHT NOW. I'm not a person who pulls her pants down and squats at the side of a road, or on a mountain while hiking. So, now I was in this traffic and the light wouldn't change and I was freaking out so much, I thought it might just be a heart attack. But, finally I pull into the Ralphs market parking lot in some random area and frantically rushed to find their bathroom. I'm so worried about the way this went down that I drive straight to my doctor's office. I just show up. Unannounced. No appointment. I figure this is my internist and I know they are open and I would like to be checked out in case it was some sort of heart issue. The woman who works there is angry: "Fredrica," she calls out to me in a harsh tone that indicates how she feels. "Next time go the nearest emergency room." REALLY? I tattled on her to the doctor for being the c-word that she is. I inadvertently stumbled on the physiological reason I have this peeing issue. I will not label it a problem. I get a yearly exam and before the gynecologist did the pelvic ultrasound, she asked me to go to the bathroom to relieve myself. "Oh, and while you're in there, leave us a sample." Only, I had already left that sample the minute I arrived for the appointment. As you see, I can pretty much always "leave a sample." Ten or 15 minutes go by and I'm sitting in a half smock, legs spread, feet placed on the oven mitts that cover the cold stirrups. The doctor, a beautiful, serene East Indian woman, walks in. She calmly inserts what looks like a dildo with a condom on it inside of me and turns it to one side. Then the other side. She asks me, "When did you urinate? Was it the minute I asked?" Yes, I say, like I passed a test. Well, she realizes there is around 20 percent of urine still inside my bladder and eureka! -- or should I say urethra! My doctor figures out why I always have to pee. My bladder doesn't completely empty. It's what Oprah calls the Aha Moment. Advertisement Over the years, my bladder and I have learned to navigate the world together. When I'm driving from my house to the east side of town -- which can take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours -- I know each clean and easy-access bathroom along the way. The one in the Chevron station close to the 405 Freeway is vital because that's where all the traffic congests. If I'm driving as far as Hollywood, a must-stop is the Bristol Farms market on Doheny & Beverly Boulevard. While I'm there, I pick up some organic cashews to snack on because hey -- it's been a long ride. Traveling on a plane, I get a seat near a restroom, on the aisle. Close enough to get up at least once an hour, or more, during the flight. I know all the good and quick pee-stops to and from the airport once I land in New York. Hint: hotels are great. Staples on Queens Boulevard has a clean bathroom, but forget about the Staples closest to JFK. I even use one at the Custom Hotel on the way to LAX, even though the drive is not that long. But the lines at airport security are. Recently, I was introduced to an actress at Locanda Portofino, an Italian restaurant. We chatted about food we love and how exciting it is to now have a train that gets us from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles. I told her I didn't think I could take that train because of the long ride without a bathroom. She didn't hesitate to make a suggestion: wear a diaper. I said, "I'll be right back." I stood and excused myself to use the restroom. While I was peeing -- in a toilet -- I thought about it. Advertisement I don't think I'm there yet. Earlier on Huff/Post50: When one of my dearest friends, Suzanne, asked me to join her, Lamel, her children Erin and Chandler at The Legendary Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania a few nights before my son Colin and I were to begin our volunteer work in Monduli, I wasted no time re-booking our tickets so that we could meet her. From toddlers to teenagers, Prague to Tulum, Suzanne and I have logged in over twenty-five years of traveling the world together with our children. No matter where we are, we always have the very best experiences, bordering on exceptional serendipity. Our stay at The Legendary Lodge was no different. There's something magical about being in Tanzania. You are at once surrounded by the exquisite natural beauty, the immense and breathtakingly beautiful African sky and in our case the impeccable attention to grace and elegance in a simplistic way, the perfect confluence between British chintz and African ethnic. That first night we all sat down to a delicious three-course dinner prepared with locally grown vegetables and did what we always do when we are all together - go around the table and ask one question that everyone has to answer. Over the years these questions have ranged from what Superhero you would like to be to what would you do if you were President of the United States, but tonight the question was "What are you looking for in your visit to Africa?" Advertisement It was my son Colin's answer that caused everyone to pause. At just seventeen years old he is insightful and inquisitive and always gives thoughtful insight that reveal a wisdom much older than his chronological age. He said that he "didn't have any expectations and was open to seeing how the trip unfolded." Whether consciously or subconsciously, Colin was trusting in the Divine and letting the trip unfold. Colin and his classmates Parker, Mackenzie, Andrew, and Sophie were the reason I was in Tanzania. They are all members of the IEFT Youth Board at the Cate School, a group founded by Parker in 2014 and have been raising money for the Orkeeswa Secondary School in the under-served Maasai community in Monduli in Northern Tanzania. I was there as one of the parent chaperones, who later came to be known as Jeff and the Campfire Girls (Yvette, Ginger, Jennifer and myself). Once we got to Monduli I asked Parker what motivated him to found a youth board to help Orkeeswa. This is what he told me: "I first visited Orkeeswa Secondary School in 2010 with my family. At the end of our family's safari, we did a small service trip; in which we visited a woman's micro-lending group in Moshi and then went to Monduli to see Orkeeswa. The first time I visited Orkeeswa, there were four buildings, a little over sixty students, and a small teaching staff. Regardless of their limited resources or distance from town, the students had the biggest smiles, best energy, and the motivation and dedication to walk two hours each direction to get an education. Something that has stuck with me since my first visit was when my Mom asked a student how much homework they have a night. They told her it depends on how much sunlight they have when they get home. This put my life in perspective, it made me realize how fortunate I am to have the government to provide a "free" education until the end of high school. That I have light and electricity to do my homework after the sun goes down, and again how fortunate I am to be able to eat breakfast at home because Orkeeswa students leave their house at the crack of dawn to leave for school. Advertisement After leaving Orkeeswa, I knew I wanted to do something to help, so I asked my parents to host a cocktail party. Luckily they talked me out of it because a ten-year-old hosting a cocktail party might not be sending the right message. My sisters and I ended up throwing a family picnic and concert, but after the first one my older sister went off to high school, and my younger sister found new interests. The following year I organized the fundraiser by myself and with the help of my mom, but it wasn't as much fun. My Mom and I brainstormed to think how could I involve my friends and make working with Orkeeswa more fun, so in 2014 I founded the IEFT Youth Board. The idea was to include my friends and share my passion for IEFT." And now six years after Parker's first visit he returned with his friends and their parents so we could all meet those students whose smiling, energetic and eager faces inspired him to create the IEFT Youth Board. Without the Orkeeswa school, which was founded by Peter Luis in 2008, with a vision to create leadership in the community, there wouldn't be an opportunity for these students to receive free secondary education. The Tanzanian government only provides schooling through primary school leaving only ten percent of the population to receive secondary education. Orkeeswa promotes gender equality in co-educational learning settings. It's a holistic model of learning with a mission to "equip students with the skills to create positive change in their community." Because it's a non-profit the support of volunteers and fundraisers like Parker, Andrew, Colin, Mackenzie and Sophie is much needed. What Parker didn't know when he founded the IEFT Youth Board was that the effects of his vision would do more than financially help the school. Because of his desire to help those less fortunate than himself, he blessed all of us with creating an experience that helped to improve our collective environmental health. People immediately think clean air, water and food when I talk of environmental health, which is all true. But I've learned that a crucial element of environmental health is the company we keep, the experiences we share and the friendships that ensue. It was my son Colin who once again summed it up best when he said that his biggest take-a-way from the trip was the relationships that grew out of it, the deepening of friendship with his classmates and the creation of new ones with the staff and students at Orkeeswa. By following his lead that first night, being open to what unfolded and staying in the moment, I was reminded that it is not just the adventure of travel that enriches us, but our willingness to open up to others and share the unknown inside of us through collective experience, especially those that our children lead us to. The Gentle Barn was founded 17 years ago by Ellie Laks in her back yard in The San Fernando Valley. Today it is located on a much larger property in Santa Clarita just thirty minutes north of Los Angeles and they have a location in Knoxville, Tennessee also. The Gentle Barn was Ellie's dream since she was seven years old when she started telling everyone that when she grew up she would have a big place full of animals to show the world how beautiful they were. Now The Gentle Barn is now a national organization that helps animals and people alike. The Gentle Barn gives shelter to unwanted animals - animals that are too old, sick, or lame to be adopted. They have horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, llamas, peacocks, dogs, cats, donkeys, and emus. Once the animals are healthy they are given sanctuary for the rest of their lives. And when the animals are ready, they help heal people with similar stories of abuse and neglect. Through their "Peace Enhancement Program," The Gentle Barn offers programs for at-risk, inner-city, and special-needs children, as well as war veterans, seniors, victims of domestic violence, people recovering from drug, alcohol, or gang affiliation - anyone who needs some hope and unconditional love. They also host school field trips to teach children tolerance, kindness and confidence. Advertisement Ellie told me that when she was young she had a hard time fitting in with other children and turned to animals for comfort. "Animals were always there to beckon me back to life and make me feel wanted, loveable, and valuable," she said. Knowing first-hand the healing qualities of animals, Ellie always had a dream that she could heal animals - and once healed the animals could work with her to heal people. To date Ellie's dream has helped hundreds of thousands of people who walk away from The Gentle Barn feeling a little brighter and more hopeful. It is Ellie's goal to have a Gentle Barn in every state and help and heal more animals and people. Board treasurer Marc Hernandez told me, "I remember my first visit to the Gentle Barn. I sat down and listened to Ellie give a short talk about how and why she founded the organization. Her constant love and compassion for animals - from saving a little bird as a child to caring for over 170 animals presently - was deeply expressed that morning. I walked up to her, gave her a hug, and vowed I would do anything I could possibly do to help the Gentle Barn organization." As I have been saying for quite some time, marketing follows the rules of the universe. At the very least, physics provides very useful metaphors for marketers that we can use to create more effective marketing. The latest idea is one that Einstein pondered till the day he died - the unification of gravity and quantum mechanics. Many scientists have been working on this for a long time, and considerable progress has been made as discussed in a recent article from Science News. It connects the very small world related to the quantum mechanics of sub-atomic particles with the very big world of gravity, galaxies, and black holes. What are wormholes? From Star Wars, Star Trek, and all the other science fiction movies you may have seen, you probably know that wormholes are postulated pathways through the fabric of space-time so it can be traversed much faster. That's exciting because our nearest stellar neighbor, Proxima Centauri, is 4.24 light years away. It would take many lifetimes to travel to its orbiting planets unless there is a portal, or shortcut, through which humans might travel. That's the bad news. The good news is that NASA claims to have found hidden portals in Earth's magnetic field. According to Jack Scudder, a physicist at the University of Iowa funded by NASA, we have portals right here on Earth. Here's what he says about them "We call them X-points or electron diffusion regions...They're places where the magnetic field of Earth connects to the magnetic field of the Sun, creating an uninterrupted path leading from our own planet to the sun's atmosphere 93 million miles away." If you are into science, this is exciting news. If you are more interested in marketing, I can tell you that it might even be more exciting. Why? It provides another fantastic physics metaphor for branding. Finding shortcuts into the brain In developing brand identities for companies and products, marketers do their best to penetrate buyer brains. How? They create marketing instruments such as names, logos, slogans, jingles, and mascots to do what is analogous to non-invasive brain surgery. The end objective is to use these instruments to effectively create shortcuts to purchase. If marketers are able to achieve this objective, they find (or develop) portals in the brain where messages (1) travel much quicker, (2) produce buying actions, and (3) form habits. Recognizing the difficulties While you may think this is easy to do, it's not. Why? There are many reasons. The important ones are: The human brain is complex and designed to forget most things, Buyers are bombarded with roughly 20,000 ad messages a week, To manage the clutter, people have a network of filters in their brains that screen out most of these messages. It is in this environment that brand marketers have to operate. Those that anticipate the difficulties are the ones that are likely to more successfully penetrate the obstacles. Getting buyers to tune into your brand and tune out your competitors If you do branding effectively, buyers will "tune in" to your messages and "tune out" those from your competitors. Using your branding tools, you will be taking shortcuts through portals while your competitors will have brain filter obstacles in 600 miles of 100 billion grey matter neurons to traverse. After you take these shortcuts, your effective branding tools will help to save buyers considerable time and money. They will reward you by preferring your brand and making it a habit that will be hard for your competitors to break. Traversing the portal Now that we know the objective, how do we do it? The process below is conceptually easy. The proper brand architecture and execution, however, require the marketing skill equivalent of a good brain surgeon. Identify the lock. To find the portal, you need to find the needs that are not being properly filled. This will end up identifying the target audience that has these unfilled needs. I call this audience "the lock" - using a "lock and key" metaphor. Create the key. The easiest way to penetrate the lock is to create a "do not duplicate" key that will open the wormhole or portal through which your brand will travel into the brains of your target buyers. In layman's terms, what is the key? It is the image of the product that fits the lock (fills the need) much better than your competitors. A "do not duplicate" key satisfies an important need and is unique, which limits the competition. Create branding tools to make the key To create the proper key, we use a variety of branding tools. The big three are name, logo, and slogan. These are symbols that help buyers feel comfortable buying your brand. If done properly, they also give your target audience unique benefits that they can only receive from your products. Quite often, the big three are not enough. It helps to employ other branding tools. These include colors, type fonts, jingles, and mascots. All of these tools taken together help you find and traverse the portals in the buyer's brain. The quicker you get there and the more unique the key you create, the more likely they'll remember your products and exclude your competitors. Advertisement Communicating Once you have the right key, you use it in your promotional vehicles. You communicate your key to your lock using traditional and online media such as business cards, letterhead, ads, brochures, Web sites, videos, social media, etc. The more effective your communications, the quicker your messages will speed through the portals in the buyers' brains and be remembered. Closing the loop by creating a feedback system Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S., August 18, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri Yesterday, Donald Trump read the following off a teleprompter in Charlotte, North Carolina: Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. It's a clever line. Hats off to Donald's speechwriter. But that's all it is: a line from a teleprompter. Advertisement For most of us, an apology involves looking someone in the eye and taking responsibility for what you did. But Trump didn't even bother to tell us what he regrets saying or who he regrets hurting over the past year. Here's the truth: over the past year, Donald Trump has tried to insult and bully his way to the White House. He has fabricated lies and invented bizarre conspiracy theories to stoke racial animus and divide the American people. He repeatedly made racist remarks about a federal judge's heritage and attacked a Gold Star family because of their faith. He has preyed upon the most vulnerable and disparaged our men and women in uniform in his power-hungry quest for the presidency. Even after winning his party's nomination, he has acted more like a Bully-in-Chief than a future leader of our country. In Trump's warped world, it might be enough to vaguely say that you have regrets. But Trump owes the people he has attacked and bullied so much more than that. He needs to explain exactly what he regrets--and then sincerely apologize to the individuals, families and communities to whom he has caused personal pain. Advertisement Here's where he could start: 1.Slandering Mexican immigrants: "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." [Campaign kickoff speech, 6/16/15] 2.Criticizing former POW Sen. John McCain: "He's not a war hero. He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured." [Politico, 7/18/15] 3.Criticizing Fox News host Megyn Kelly: "I have no respect for her...You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever." [CNN, 8/7/15] 4.Calling children of immigrants "anchor babies" [Fox News (reported by CBS), 8/19/15] 5.Questioning then-opponent Ben Carson's religion: "I just don't know about" the Seventh-Day Adventist church [Washington Post, 10/25/15] 6.Mocking a disabled reporter: "'I don't know what I said. I don't remember!' He's going, 'I don't remember!'" [South Carolina rally, 11/22/15] Advertisement 7.Claiming that as the Twin Towers collapsed, "thousands of Muslims were cheering." [Birmingham rally, 11/21/15; debunked 12/4/15] 8.Calling for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." [12/4/15] 9.Using violent language: "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot people and I wouldn't lose voters." [Sioux Center, Iowa,1/23/16] 10.Retweeting an unflattering picture of Ted Cruz's wife. [Twitter, 3/23/16] 11.Saying it was "not my job to apologize" to the reporter who was allegedly assaulted by former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski [NYT video, 3/29/16] 12.Accusing Hillary Clinton of playing the "woman card" and claiming that without it, she "would not even be a viable person to even run for a city council position." [Today Show, 4/28/16] 13.Putting out an offensive #CincoDeMayo tweet: "I love Hispanics!" with a photo of him with a taco bowl [Donald Trump tweet, 5/5/16] Advertisement 14.Calling a Washington Post reporter "a nasty guy" for asking him about fulfilling his pledge to donate to veterans groups. [Washington Post,5/23/16] 15.Going after GOP Gov. Susana Martinez, saying she was "not doing the job" after she criticized him and didn't appear at his rally. [New York Times, 5/25/16] 16.Launching racist attacks on Indiana-born Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who is presiding over a class-action lawsuit against Trump University, saying he couldn't be impartial because he was "Mexican." [New York Times editorial, 5/31/16], [Wall Street Journal, 6/3/16], [New York Times, 6/3/16] 17.After being asked more than 20 times in one interview, denying he was being racist toward Judge Curiel. [CNN, 6/5/16] 18.Pointing out "my African-American" at a rally in California. [New York Times, 6/3/16] 19.Tripling down on his racist comments about "very strongly pro-Mexican" Judge Curiel, saying he is biased because Trump is "going to build a wall." [Face the Nation, CBS News, 6/5/16] Advertisement 20.Saying it is "absolutely" possible a Muslim judge wouldn't treat him fairly. [Face the Nation, CBS News, 6/5/16] 21.Calling U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren "Pocahontas" (again). [Donald Trump tweet, 6/10/16], [Vox, 6/10/16] 22.Accusing President Obama of sympathizing with terrorists. [Washington Post, 6/13/16] 23.Calling for a ban on immigrants from areas of the world with a "proven history of terrorism." [Trump remarks via TIME, 6/13/16] 24.Calling for surveillance of U.S. mosques. [New York Times, 6/15/16] 25.Calling for profiling of U.S. Muslims. [Face the Nation, CBS, 6/19/16] 26.Posting an anti-Semitic graphic on Twitter, which originated on an alt-right message board. [Mic, 7/3/16] 27.Saying the Star of David image he tweeted was actually a "sheriff's star," "plain star," and "basic star" [CNN, 7/4/16] and that his staff should not have deleted the Star of David tweet. [The Hill, 7/6/16] Advertisement 28.Attacking GOP senators, characterizing Sen. Mark Kirk as a "loser" and singling out Sens. Jeff Flake and Ben Sasse for criticizing him. [Washington Post, 7/7/16] 29.Tying Ted Cruz's father to the JFK assassination (again). [Politico, 7/22/16] 30.Calling on Russia to interfere in the U.S. election. [New York Times, 7/27/16] 31.Denying he mocked a disabled reporter. [Fox News via Mediaite, 7/28/16] 32.Attacking Gold Star parents Ghazala and Khizr Khan [New York Times column, 7/29/16], [This Week, ABC News, 7/31/16] 33.Predicting the election will be "rigged" [Huffington Post, 8/1/16] 34.Saying former POW John McCain "has not done a good job for the vets." [Washington Post, 8/2/16] 35.Inciting violence by saying "Second Amendment people" could stop Hillary Clinton from appointing Supreme Court justices after assuming the presidency. [Trump rally, 8/9/16] 36.Declaring President Obama "the founder of ISIS." [New York Times, 8/10/16] 37.Hiring a campaign chairman who fully embraced the white supremacist alt-right on racist, conspiracy theory-laden Breitbart. [Daily Wire,8/17/16] Many LGBTQs had the experience of feeling like they had to divorce the God they grew up with in order to live an authentic life. A lot of pulpits condemned homosexuality and this hurtful rhetoric translated into feelings of shame and resentment for LGBTQ youth. I grew up in the church and loved it but came to an inevitable fork in the road in which I had to choose between being a good Christian and being true to myself. I left the church when I was fourteen and came out when I was sixteen. Like a lot of gay kids, drama club became my sanctuary. This experience isn't as common today thanks to the willingness of many churches to evolve with society. But it still happens. Seven years ago I came up with the idea to host a weekly spiritual service in gay bars on the WeHo strip. The original intention was to offer a different experience for bar goers. The location was crucial because ever since there was a gay community bars have served as a safe-space (mostly) where we could connect with one another. I also thought young LGBTQs would appreciate a sober environment that focused on cultivating a rich inner-life and didn't judge you solely on your exterior. We met on Sunday mornings. Late mornings. In the beginning only a small group of folks would show up. There were weeks that we had two people at services but it didn't phase us too much, we knew that if we continued to show up the idea would catch on. We were right. Slowly but surely the crowds got larger, we formed a membership base, outgrew the bars all together and now have our own center in West Hollywood, which we are currently out-growing. It's really catching on. Advertisement We experienced our first growth spurt in 2013 and again in 2015. These are significant years in LGBTQ history. In October of 2013 Prop 8 was lifted in California and in June 2015 the Supreme Court guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage. I've often contemplated why marriage equality and our growing community parallel one another and I find the conclusion inspiring. The first years of Inspire were focused on healing wounds left by organized religion. We emphasized the importance of self-love, forgiveness and compassion. I could feel how uncomfortable some of the attendees were just coming to a space that resembled a church and I knew we wouldn't have any returning guests if the elephant in the room wasn't addressed. By sharing authentically, together we created a new and empowering experience in spiritual community. We carried the same principles into our conversations regarding marriage equality. In order to bring equality to our nation we had to believe that we were worthy of it. We worked on healing internalized homophobia, judgment and shame so we could be unwavering in our stance for justice, not as an intellectual understanding but as a power we felt in our bones. We decided that love was a force capable of transforming hate into harmony. We understood that when one person attacks another it's because they're afraid. This allowed us to use the hate speech thrown at us as an exercise in compassion. Those who seemed to oppose us were actually helping us love ourselves more deeply. Marriage Equality is an reflection of the LGBTQ community's ability to love ourselves. It's a beautiful testimony to the work we've done together over decades of darkness. We've created families out of friends, we took care of our sick and we rallied together when it mattered the most. This is why I'm witnessing such growth at Inspire Spiritual Community and organizations like ours. We know we have the right to a deeply nourishing relationship with something greater than ourselves. Now that we're creating a new landscape of possibility in our communities, I'm happy to see that we are grounding in a foundation of love. I know from experience that love is strong and solid. When we're willing to start there, movements can be made and miracles can unfold. Advertisement Peace within. Beauty throughout. ('Fais Pas Comme Je Le Fais, Fais Ce Que Je Dis' - photograph by the author) Talk about greatest hits - our reading in the Torah this week includes both the Decalogue (the 'Ten Commandments,' Deuteronomy 5:6-21) and the essential creedal statement of our tradition, "Hear, O Israel, the Eternal One our God, the Eternal One is One." (Deuteronomy 6:4) Let's think about that for a moment - about the fact that our scriptures so closely couple the most prominent precepts of practice with the deepest article of faith. In Jewish tradition, that pairing is so natural - after millennia, so habitual - that it can be difficult to appreciate it as remarkable at all, or to imagine a religious tradition without this combination. Our heritage is founded on the idea that the way we walk in the world is of ultimate spiritual importance and consequence, and therefore is to be charted with paramount and even religious care. Advertisement Actually, though, this emphasis on action was an issue of hot controversy as Judaism and nascent Christianity differentiated from one another in Late Antiquity. Take, for example, the following argument in the Epistle to the Galatians by the apostle Paul, himself a convert from rabbinic tradition to the then-new Jesus movement: "Knowing that man is not justified by works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified." (Galatians 2:16) Let me hasten to say that characterizing Judaism and Christianity simplistically in terms of "Works vs. Faith" runs a high risk of caricature. Early fathers of the Church saw urgent need for righteousness in practice, and early rabbinic teachers were urgently concerned about particulars of belief. Still, it is fair to say that, by contrast to a way of thought that came to regard absorption with the minutiae of earthly life, often derisively, as something like an off-ramp from the highway to divinity, our own tradition came to conceive of well-considered behavior as the highway itself. Now let me say why all of this strikes me as especially relevant in the week just before our marvelously diverse Jewish community gathers back at Harvard for the start of a new year. For a start, and for example, I am always dismayed when someone says to me at Friday evening services or over a Sabbath day meal, "I don't really keep Shabbat." It happens remarkably often; and remarkably often the person saying such a thing is either a stalwart of participation in Shabbat at Harvard Hillel, or someone who has come out of a deeply felt thirst for the oasis of Shabbat, or both. And I feel like saying - and sometimes do - "If you're not someone who 'remembers the Sabbath day to keep it holy' (Exodus 20:8), I don't know who is; after all, here you are." Advertisement What I mean is that all too often many of our people sell themselves short when it comes to their own actual part in constituting our people and our ways. And what those who do that mean, I suppose, is that, in some way, they consider Jewish authenticity, at least insofar as the religious heritage is concerned, as residing elsewhere, not in themselves - and I just don't think that's true. So long as we are searching - drawn and motivated by our inheritance - for a way to be, and are taking steps accordingly - however tentative or celebratory - we are participating in the ages-old quest of our tradition to take part with the Blessed Holy One in the very creation of this world. Action that is motivated by that quest, in our legacy, is called halakhah - often translated as 'Jewish Law,' but really meaning 'the way one walks' in the world, the way in which one deliberately and mindfully puts each foot in front of the other. It is understandable that, over the centuries, and especially in modern times, this way of talking about a way of walking has accrued a definite article and (in English) a capital letter, so that some now speak of 'the Halakhah,' as if one definite Way were spelled out unambiguously somewhere. But I've got news for you - The closer you look at the sources and teachings of our heritage - and I am happy to take this walk with anyone who wants a close-up view - the more you come to realize that each and every picture of each and every moment along the vast timeline of our beautiful tradition is actually composed of multiple and distinct brush-strokes of differing opinion. In each and every century, almost in each and every decade, it is true, there are efforts to pull the whole together into comprehensive codifications and definitive statements of The Way. And so we have, for instance, Maimonides' Mishneh Torah ('Recapitulation of the Teaching') of the 12th century, and Rabbi Ya'akov bar Asher's Arba'ah Turim ('Four Rows') of the 13th-14th centuries, and Rabbi Yosef Karo's Shulkhan Arukh ('Laid Table') of the 1500s, and many more, to this day - the titles notably tending to suggest order and certainty, in the face of an actuality tending notably to be more of a tumult. I respect that there are those who consider that the enterprise of way-making should be primarily a matter of carefully placing one's feet in the footsteps of the great ones who have gone before. Some bristle and balk at the apprehension of a 'free-for-all,' or, stated much more positively, find tranquility, inspiration, and motivation in modeling one's own steps upon the ways of one's illustrious forebears. I acknowledge there are aspects and parts of my own thought and praxis that are like that. Reacting against that tendency - and against the perceived authority of masters of halakhah - some others have come to speak of 'post-halakhic Judaism.' But that makes about as much sense to me as would, say, 'post-dharmic Buddhism.' I do not mean that I believe everyone should walk in one particular Jewish way. I mean that many, many more take part in the authentic Jewish way-making of our times than realize that they do. So let me suggest to you the following spiritual and practical exercise for this new year, for yourself, and in community together with one another: As you contemplate the mystery of Oneness, how does our tradition inspire you toward a path in action? Or, put differently, what is your halakhah? Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump leaves a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S., August 18, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri A full rupture with the RNC has never felt closer The moveable feast of exiled Republicans seeking an alternative to Donald Trump at the top of the ticket persists in its hope that the billionaire may end his faltering campaign. But his recent moves suggest he may bolt the party, not the race. This might free the RNC to name a new candidate, but create precisely the three-way contest Reince Priebus hoped to avoid by accepting Trump into the fold a year ago. The logic for such a defection is inherent in Trump's outsider status, which he has begun to highlight again as his polls deflated like so many of last month's convention balloons. A tenuous detente followed the convention as the candidate acceded to the occasional teleprompter, statistics-drizzled speeches and other trappings of political adulthood. But with Republican critics reaching new levels and the Wall Street Journal calling for Trump to shape up or ship out, the mogul just might opt for the latter. Advertisement In public statements and fundraising emails, Trump has revived his ire toward the media - "If the disgusting and corrupt media covered me honestly...I would be beating Hillary by 20%," he tweeted on Sunday - and toward "Certain Republicans who have lost to me." On Tuesday, Trump demoted political insider Paul Manafort, who had tried to rein in the candidate's worst tendencies; elevated Breitbart firebrand Steve Bannon; and explicitly rejected the "pivot" in tone and substance that party stalwarts had long sought. Message: Classic Trump is back. New Trump was a bust from the start, and there was an almost contractual symmetry at work in the strained impatience of both Trump and his establishment co-tormentors. Like those who stuck by him while squirming through his worst gaffes, Trump's attempts at civility felt less like acquiescence than the public exhaustion of his obligations. Should man and party dissolve the political bands which have connected them, each can say they did all they could - all while petulantly declaring the other in breach. With Trump's recent moves in defiance of Republican campaign orthodoxy, the ball is now back in the establishment's court. Many House and Senate candidates are already distancing themselves from their standard-bearer, and Ryan has publicly given them a blank check to do so. The next step would be for the Republican National Committee to make good on its murmurings about drawing resources from the presidential race to protect down-ballot candidates. As reported in TIME, whether and how such a possibility was communicated to the candidate has already brought new friction to the tinder-box of his relations with the RNC. Should the party indeed go after ticket-splitters "who shun Trump" but might "remain open to supporting vulnerable congressional candidates," the new team of Trump loyalists would have precious few reasons to stay in the party. As Trump said at the campaign's outset: staying in the party depends on "how I'm being treated by the Republicans." Advertisement The most artful thing about such a deal is that it doesn't even need to be negotiated. The terms couldn't be clearer: The party sacrifices a dwindling number of hardcore Trump votes, but shores up its Congressional bulwark against a Clinton presidency, which now seems a foregone conclusion whether in a two-candidate majority or a three-candidate plurality. Trump exits on his own terms - give or take the challenges of mounting a write-in campaign at this late date in many states - while pitching blame to the corrupt media bent against him and the rigged party that pulled the rug from under him. How an Injustice Committed Over 100 Years Ago Inspires Our Commitment to Justice Today This week, we mark a somber anniversary of the 101st anniversary of the lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish businessman sent to Georgia to manage his family's pencil factory. This lynching took place at a time of rampant anti-Semitism in the South and more broadly in American society. So it was no surprise that when a young Christian girl was found murdered on the property, fingers were pointed at the outsider Frank. Despite a lack of evidence, and in part due to an environment of incitement, Frank was found guilty and sentenced to death. When the governor of Georgia subsequently commuted Frank's sentence from capital punishment to life imprisonment, a mob was enraged by this act of mercy for a Jew. At midnight just over 100 years ago, they tore Frank from his prison cell at the Milledgeville State Penitentiary and hung him on a tree in Marietta. Photographers captured the grotesquerie for posterity. The sham trial and brutal lynching were an injustice and a wound whose pain still sears the Jewish community. It was an isolated incident for the Jewish community, but just one of thousands of lynchings carried out against black Americans during that time, murders that still scar our national psyche. And it was a moment in time that made clear the need for ADL, which had been founded in 1913. Advertisement In this moment, our founders huddled in Chicago and laid out a charter for a new organization they called the Anti-Defamation League. They wrote that it would be energized by a simple mission: "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure fair treatment and justice to all." These activists set out to address a mission which eventually led ADL to address the systemic discrimination and pervasive prejudice that kept Jews from achieving full equality in the United States. Decades later, this led to the break down of quotas that kept Jews out of higher education and the tearing down of cultural barriers that prevented our community from participating fully in American life. Their passion prompted our work to unmask hate groups and expose bigots. It motivated our commitment to use education to tear out hatred at its roots. It drives our work today to understand anti-Semitism around the world and to use innovation to identify and call out hate in all its forms. Basically, the ADL could not have saved Leo Frank, but we since have endeavored to build a world where this kind of lynching never again would take place. In 2016, the American Jewish community certainly has overcome many of the obstacles that once held us back. We now possess a degree of political power and social capital that was unimaginable in the early twentieth century. To a large extent, the open anti-Semitism that was woven into the culture of a prior generation has been pushed out of the realm of polite conversation. But it has not gone away. Advertisement Anti-Semitism remains a potent force and a persistent problem in our society, even if it now assumes different forms. In an age of filter bubbles and personal news feeds, self-selecting communities traffic in anti-Semitism and reinforce each other's conspiracies. We also encounter this hatred in radically different ways on social media, on our college campuses or even on the wrestling mat in the Olympics. Indeed, though open anti-Semitism remains largely taboo in the mainstream, we see haters often hiding behind a veneer of 'political correct' hostility, directing their animus toward the Jewish state rather than Jews as a religious group. But we recognize the double standards, overt demonization and the denial of the very right of the Jewish state to exist, a phenomenon also known as delegitimization. Despite all the grave injustices in the world, these are tactics only directed at Israel. They are reminders that what we are facing in a rising tide of anti-Zionism is little more than a modern version of the Oldest Hatred. That is why ADL remains dedicated to our founding purpose. We never will relent in the fight against anti-Semitism. And that is why we also speak out against all forms of bigotry. Some seek to portray ADL's one hundred year commitment to fight hatred in all forms as a dilution of our focus. They say that ADL has lost its way. But we are not distracted by armchair critics who mischaracterize our work from the comfort of the sidelines. We know that our case is strengthened when we dare greatly, that we are stronger when we find common cause with others who also face hate. The pursuit of partners does not mean that we will shy away fighting anti-Semitism whenever it comes from. ADL will continue to call out anyone who peddles in prejudice regardless of their party or station, whether it's those seeking public office who resort to cartoonish slander or those who traffic in a modern version of the age-old blood libel. Advertisement And we will continue to stand by other communities who suffer from hatred and terror. That is ADL stood with the Sikh community after the murder of four worshippers at a Gurdwara in the summer of 2012. That is why in the wake of the massacre at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston last year, ADL launched 50 States Against Hate, to ensure that there are adequate hate crimes laws in all 50 states to protect marginalized communities. That is why we supported the LGBT community after the heinous terror attack perpetrated in Orlando earlier this summer. And that is why ADL will call out anti-Muslim bigotry and the worrying increase in violence targeting Muslim communities and places of worship. Our tradition implores us: "Justice, justice shall you pursue." On this anniversary, Leo Frank's memory impels us to ignore the critics and fight ferociously against anti-Semitism and bigotry in all its forms. To paraphrase Dr. King, we recommit to the struggle because the work is not yet done. Foreclosures are no longer fodder for major news headlines. The media intensity diminished as Americans became dulled to the stories of millions of families being kicked out of their homes by big banks and Wall Street-backed hedge funds. Instead, the media whips up a frenzy over Ryan Lochte and his pals vandalizing a bathroom in Rio de Janeiro. Yet, out of the media spotlight, our fellow Americans continue to be foreclosed out of their homes. Kathleen Gross and her family will lose their Paradise Valley, Arizona home of twenty-five years to foreclosure next Tuesday, August 23. This will mark the end of a relentless years-long battle with a series of mortgage companies. "All of our memories are here. We raised our children in this home," she wept. "We have been in this neighborhood for over two decades and don't want to leave." Advertisement The family's trials began after the financial collapse of 2008. Kathleen and her husband owned a small business developing medical technology to improve patient education. "We were trying to make a positive contribution to the world in our business," she explained. "It was a family owned and run business." But, as the economy tanked, the family business foundered. "We were unable to get any expansion capital and were consequently unable to make a living." The decline of their livelihood led Kathleen and her husband into financial turmoil. As they fell behind on mortgage payments, the lengthy battle with lenders began. "We started getting notices about our delinquency," said Kathleen. "We wrote back describing our circumstances and that we are trying to work through a financial difficulty. But they started saying, 'we are coming to take your house, and we are going to foreclose.'" Kathleen requested a modification of her loan, which was then handed off from lender to lender. It became difficult to determine who to deal with, leading Kathleen to ask for verification of who actually owned her loan. She sent Qualified Written Requests to the parade of mortgage companies, demanding information and records. "Nobody has been able to prove that they were the legal note holder," she explained. "Every time we asked for proof that someone had the legal right to negotiate either a loan modification or some other resolution, we would get a notice within thirty days saying, 'you now have a new servicer.'" Between 2010 and today, Kathleen counted three purported mortgage holders, four law firms, and nine servicers who have tried to collect her mortgage debt. Kathleen shared that not one of them, however, has been willing to negotiate a modification. Advertisement Kathleen questioned whether her current lender even has the right to foreclose. Christiana Trust was assigned the mortgage on Halloween 2013 by a signer in the capacity of "Attorney In Fact for Bank of America, N.A." However, Kathleen provided a Limited Power of Attorney which appears to authorize the signature, but was not signed until July 31, 2014. "How can a Power of Attorney be effective for an act which happened nine months prior?" asked Kathleen, exasperated at what she interprets as fraud. "We haven't been able to catch up on our payments and there is no law that requires any of these lenders to give us a modification," she said. "However, there are laws which govern how these loans are transferred, and these documents indicate that our lender has not followed them. They shouldn't be able to foreclose until they get their documents straight." Consumed by their efforts to save their home, Kathleen and her husband have not established a post-foreclosure plan. "At this point, we don't have a plan B because we have been putting every ounce of energy into trying to save our home," she explained. "We have been working on this in all of our waking hours." Kathleen and her husband fear the effects foreclosure will have on their family. "We have spent our whole lives trying to live on the right side of morality and ethics, and have taught our children to live that way," said Kathleen. "We don't want our children to see this. We feel badly that this is the reality of how the system works in this world, and that they are going to be raising their children in it. You want children to inherit a life and world better than you had, and it appears that they are inheriting an upsetting and sad world." Only four days remain until Kathleen and her husband will be forced to relinquish the home they have cherished for twenty-five years. They are not alone in their hardship, as nearly 1.1 million properties had foreclosure filings in 2015. "We are nearly at the point where we would be able to recover financially," said Kathleen through tears, "and they are displacing us without a conscience." Advertisement View Of Busy Stock Traders Office This is the third part in a series about mental health and illness at the workplace. Here are the first two parts: Advertisement The workplace is the most important environment to discuss mental health and illness, yet it is the last place we expect to hear about it. Employees are afraid of discussing it with co-workers and bosses. They don't want to lose their jobs, damage relationships or risk future employers learning of illnesses and judging them. The stigma of mental illness keeps them silent. Employers have the opportunity to change this climate of fear regarding mental health at the workplace. They rarely do, though. Roughly 85% of employee's mental health conditions are undiagnosed or untreated. There is plenty of motivation for them to step up. Mental health conditions cost employers more than $100 billion and 217 million lost workdays each year. By addressing mental health issues in the workplace and investing in mental health care for workers, employers can increase productivity and employee retention. Advertisement The issue goes beyond making the workplace better, though. Here are more reasons why investing in mental health treatment and discussing mental health in the workplace will benefit all of us (and in all parts of our lives): Helping People Become Happier, Confident and More Productive Let's say there is an employee who has been diagnosed with panic disorder and suffers from panic attacks during work. He sometimes runs out of a meeting dripping with sweat. In an environment where he doesn't feel comfortable talking about his panic disorder, the situation could become much worse. He might not seek treatment, causing his performance to plummet. His supervisors might consider firing him. In a workplace where he felt he could talk with his boss about the issue, the situation could turn around. The boss could recommend ways to cope with the panic disorder at the office. They could work together to create a plan that might allow the employee to improve his performance and become more valuable to the company. These results would improve his overall happiness and confidence. Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness Imagine a woman who deals with depression. In the late evening she video chats with a therapist who tells her the depression is nothing to be ashamed of. She is lucky enough to have family members and friends or a romantic partner who helps her fight that stigma. They accept her depression. Advertisement Then she goes to work in the morning. No one talks about mental illness. It's as if it doesn't exist. On the rare occasions she does hear about it, the conversations are not positive. Her co-workers don't have enough education to be sensitive. They accuse people of using mental illness as an excuse to be lazy or receive special treatment. She wants to believe her therapist and loved ones when they say her mental illness isn't a weakness. It's hard to, however, when no one at work is coming forward. None of the people she spends the majority of her time with are telling her there is nothing wrong with her, that depression is OK. When people want to view their mental health issues in a positive way, they need encouragement and acceptance in all parts of their life. Inconsistencies or an absence of positive rhetoric in one environment can make it harder to fight the stigma of mental illness. Creating a Culture of Acceptance Now envision the ideal scenario: employers disclose their mental health issues to employees, give presentations on mental health and encourage people to discuss mental health issues whenever they feel like it. Advertisement Philanthropist Adam Shaw creates this environment in his workplace by being open about his obsessive compulsive disorder and discussing it with staff. He also co-wrote a book, "Pulling the trigger: OCD, Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Related Depression -- The Definitive Survival and Recovery Approach." Shaw encourages employees to be open about their mental health issues or at least share "quirks" that make them unique. The goal is to make employers feel an obligation to address mental health and help people see mental illness as "a normal human condition." Practices like Shaw's create a culture of acceptance that benefits everyone, according to workplace mental health consultant Nancy Spangler. Spangler facilitated presentations where employers talked about their experiences with mental illness. "People weren't aware their manager had struggled and gotten treatment," Spangler said. Two months after her clients began addressing mental health and illness in the workplace, they noticed an increase in the number of employees who sought treatment, including psychotherapy and medication. Reducing the stigma of therapy was an unexpected extra result of the atmosphere of being open about mental health. Great Company Culture Attracts More Employees and Retains Current Ones Some of the most talented and potentially valuable employees in the world have a mental illness. If employers want to hire them before other companies do, a reputation for accepting mental health conditions can be invaluable. Advertisement There are many people who would forego a salary increase to work for a company guaranteed to accept their mental illness. This can be an advantage when competing for talent against companies with larger budgets. Current employees are also more likely to stay with a company that addresses their mental health needs and creates an environment where they can openly discuss mental illness and therapy. It's a retention tactic more employers should try. Less Stress and More Benefits to Bring Home When people stress about their mental health problems at work, they bring that stress home. It then negatively impacts their life and relationships outside of work. By creating an environment where people can openly discuss their mental health issues and treatment, we can reduce this stress. This will improve our lives outside of work and make friends and family grateful we are not unloading extra work stress on them. Decreasing Social Isolation and Making People Feel More Included Mental illness can make people feel isolated. They might not be seeing a therapist or know anyone who will understand or accept their illness. The loneliness can exacerbate illnesses such as depression. Advertisement Employers can prevent this isolation by encouraging employees with mental health issues to connect with other people who deal with similar issues. Creating an environment where people can discuss mental illness openly will negate this feeling of isolation. "We all want to be part of a social group," said psychologist Lauren Callaghan, who is also an author of "Pulling the trigger." "Anything that threatens our social inclusion is a threat to our well-being." Social inclusion at the workplace makes people happier, and mental illness should not stand in the way of that. It's the Direction Our Society Needs to Move In Only a few decades ago, it was rare for LGBT people to disclose their sexual orientation in the workplace. They worried it would get them fired or at least did not feel like the work environment encouraged them to be open. Now it is somewhat common for LGBT people to be out in the workplace. There is less fear of mentioning their lifestyle or opposite-sex partners. Advertisement Children play sitting volleyball at Home of Happiness in Lusaka, Zambia on Thursday, June 30, 2016. Home of Happiness for children with disabilities is an orphanage center founded in 2015. There are 62 children in the center, 25 of them live in the Home of Happiness permanently. Twenty volunteers take care of boys and girls with different kinds of disabilities. The House of Happiness is situated in two rooms building without any facilities. Volunteers prepare food on fire, wash childrens clothes outside. (Photo by Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images) A 13-year-old Tanzanian boy with albinism lost his arm and several fingers after being attacked by strangers with machetes. Three deaf women in Haiti were brutalized and killed when they decided to stay overnight at a relative's home. Nineteen people with significant disabilities in Japan were stabbed to death by a former attendant. Although these stories occurred thousands of miles apart, they share a common theme: the victims were targeted because they had a disability. Advertisement Over the past few decades, countries have been paying greater attention to the issue of violence against persons with disabilities. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, persons with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be victims of non-fatal violent crime than counterparts in their age group who do not have disabilities. Emerging evidence suggests that women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to violence, including sexual abuse. A report from the European Parliament found that women with disabilities are four times more likely to experience sexual abuse than their counterparts without disabilities. Children with disabilities, persons with intellectual disabilities, and persons living in institutional settings also face a greater risk for sexual violence. Despite these disturbing figures, violence against persons with disabilities remains an overlooked problem. This is largely because persons with disabilities face many barriers when trying to report crimes. In many countries accessibility barriers exist, such as when police departments lack ramps or sign language interpreters. Social stigma and discrimination from law enforcement may prevent crimes from being investigated. Finally, persons with disabilities may not report an assault for numerous reasons. They might lack social support in their communities. They may also be dependent on the very people causing them harm; such as family members or personal assistants. The combination of these factors has resulted in violence against persons with disabilities being significantly underreported. As a result, many countries lack data on the violent victimization of persons with disabilities. This lack of information further contributes to marginalization of persons with disabilities in society and their inability to enjoy basic and universal human rights. Advertisement Despite this state of affairs, there are initiatives from governments and civil society that are helping crime victims with disabilities access justice. For instance, the Vera Institute provides technical assistance to disability and victim service organizations with support from the Department of Justice. The Arc has provided training to law enforcement on how to interact with persons with intellectual disabilities; and the National Council for Independent Living (NCIL) Subcommittee on Violence and Abuse provides education and training on the issue around the country. Finally, non-governmental organizations such as Handicap International supports civil society's efforts to end violence against persons with disabilities through a number of projects. Of course, to truly end the scourge of violence against people with disabilities, we also need to address the social stigma and isolation that accompany a disability in far too many parts of the world. That's why the Department of State, through our diplomacy and programs, supports efforts to empower men and women and ensure that they are full participants in their communities. For example, our Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan partners with the National Forum for Women with Disabilities and the Special Talent Exchange Program to improve advocacy for disabled women and provide the necessary training and opportunities to integrate them into society. Violence against persons with disabilities has been ignored by too many for far too long. Today, we are moving to end it. Governments and civil society now recognize that abuse on the basis of disability is a form of discrimination. It's time that we all recognize its harmful impacts. Violence against persons with disabilities denies them the inalienable human rights we all deserve; and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer. Photo by Randy Gentry Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia-based alt-folk band Annabelle's Curse isn't so much a curse as a happy accident. A series of accidents actually. One of the original group's founders guitarist Zack Edwards explains that he showed up on the porch of the other co-founder Tim Kilborne (vocals, banjo, guitar) six years ago after being introduced through mutual friends at Emory and Henry College. "We started playing music and I just never went home," Edwards remembers. "We did that for a little while, writing songs on the front porch and playing open mic nights." Advertisement A third member joined the group after a night involving drinking a lot of whiskey and a little sleeping in a Walmart parking lot, according to Edwards. "We wanted an upright bass for our image," he said. "We were looking up to The Avetts at that point in time, so we pooled all of our money together and named the bass Annabelle." There is, of course, a story behind that bass, its curse and the band's subsequent name. Not long after they purchased it, they dropped the instrument, which broke in half. The night they got it back from being repaired, it fell through a window in Edward's house breaking it. Again. "There's still a sheet of plexiglass over the window it broke," he says with a laugh. Annabelle now sits in Edwards' living room and serves as wall art (it's no longer playable). "For our first Kickstarter campaigns, Annabelle was one of the incentives. We sold it but the person who bought it didn't want the curse, they just wanted to help, so we still have it." Advertisement After abandoning Annabelle and a subsequent upright, the band slowly transitioned over to a less acoustic and more electric sound, Edwards explained. "We kept evolving and we needed to change our image," he said. "It was also a pain in the ass to travel with. We wanted to sound bigger. We're a five-piece band now but want to sound like a 12-piece. There's always been this desire to sound more full." Cue in Carly Booher (vocals and mandolin), a student of the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass Program, who was touring with David Mayfield at the time. A mutual friend told her she needed to meet the Annabelle's Curse guys. "She just showed up at band practice, it sounded really awesome and she never went home," Edwards says with a laugh. Booher adds, "I got a call from David and told him I found a group I was really meshing with. Two months later he was producing our next album, 'Hollow Creature.' They asked me why would you give up this full-time gig? I said I just found the right people." That was 2012 when the band also added Travis Goyette on drums. In 2014, bassist Tyler Luttrell rounded out the group. Working man's band Most musicians have side jobs. The members of Annabelle's Curse work 40-plus hour a week day jobs and play on the weekends. Advertisement Edwards and Goyette work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Kilborne teaches fourth grade. Booher is an assistant therapy director at Blue Mountain Therapy and Luttrell is a staffing coordinator for a temp agency, They all live in Abingdon, Virginia, with the exception of Luttrell, who lives in Johnson City, Tennessee, about 45 minutes away. "The passion for our music drives it," Edwards says. "If I get a day off, I'm going to be trying to book shows because what we want to do is be full-time musicians but we have to work so much harder. We pull it off somehow." Indeed. Since being formed in 2010, the band has released three full-length albums; the most recent two, "Hollow Creature" and "Worn Out Skin," were fully funded by fans and have received positive reviews in Pop Matters, Magnet Magazine and The Huffington Post. In addition to their studio work, the band has toured extensively throughout the Southeast and mid-Atlantic. Annabelle's Curse came in second as the FloydFest fan favorite in the "On the Rise" contest in 2014 and has appeared on Music City Roots and have become fixtures at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion and Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival. The band has also played Rhythm and Blooms, HoustonFest and is scheduled for the inaugural Hillfest over Labor Day. They've played Gypsy Sally's in Washington, D.C., The Camel and Tin Pan in Richmond and Evening Muse in Charlotte. Annabelle's Curse has opened for Anderson East, The Black Lillies, The Hackensaw Boys, HoneyHoney and Humming House, among others. Advertisement On Friday, Aug. 19, the band will perform a free, all-ages show at The Grey Eagle in Asheville, North Carolina. Annabelle's Curse has been performing in Asheville since 2012. "We couldn't think of a more fitting way to show our love for our fans and one of our favorite cities," Goyette says. "Some of the best musical experiences of my life have been free shows in Asheville." On Saturday, Aug, 20, they'll be back at Rooster Walk's home, Pop's Farm in Axton, Virginia, opening for Mountain Heart. Ticket info can be found here. The New York Times recently reported on the disappointing result of yet another Alzheimer's drug trial. According to The Times, the drug, LMTX, "failed to slow the rate of decline in mental ability and daily functioning in its first large clinical trial ... The initial reaction to the outcome was disappointment, with perhaps a glimmer of hopefulness." For those of us who work in the field of Alzheimer's and dementia care, these results, while discouraging, are not surprising. Between 2002 and 2012, 99.6% of the 413 clinical trials for Alzheimer's failed. What does surprise me is our continued short-sightedness when it comes to Alzheimer's funding. Both of my parents had dementia, so, believe me, I understand that finding effective therapies is essential. But, while we wait, good care is the best medicine we have. So, the lack of funding available to support an effective system of dementia care is an egregious oversight. Advertisement Today, we estimate that 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's or a related dementia and it's estimated that by 2050, that number will triple. According to data derived from the 2009 CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the U.S. Census Bureau, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Alliance for Caregiving, AARP and U.S. Department of Labor, in 2015, there were 15.9 million unpaid caregivers, including family members, caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. . If, by 2050, as predicted, we have triple the number of people needing care, then over 45 million Americans will be caring for someone with dementia. The absence of focus on care is a tragic omission and one we will all pay for dearly - as individuals and as a nation. What should be our focus? First, we need affordable access to knowledgeable, trained healthcare and social service professionals including primary care providers, geriatricians, emergency department personnel, home health aides, long-term care providers and discharge planners - all well-trained to recognize signs of dementia and familiar with resources, like CaringKind in their own communities. Good care means affordable access to specialized programs and services run by these trained professionals, including support groups and critical respite programs. In addition, we will need access to programs for those who have a dementia diagnosis including senior adult daycare programs. And good care also means having sufficient nursing home and hospital beds, as well as assisted living facilities. Advertisement Family caregivers need affordable homecare assistance, without which they are often forced to quit their jobs or place their family member in a long-term care facility at much greater cost. And this has implications for us all. When family members quit a good job to care for someone, they are not paying the very taxes that support the social and medical programs, like Medicaid, that they will draw upon. Fewer dollars coming in and more going out will have a disastrous effect on our already stressed healthcare system. Critical to addressing this problem is making home healthcare jobs desirable by paying adequate compensation, providing benefits and offering specialized training and education. We know that none of this comes cheap. At CaringKind our annual budget is $10 million and with this we provide free access to programs and services for as many as 15,000 people each year. But given our estimate that more than half a million people in New York City either have dementia or are taking care of someone who does, CaringKind is only serving a fraction of those who desperately need our help. Support from government is essential in our efforts. In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo's Alzheimer's Disease Community Assistance Program (AlzCAP) is providing important support - $3.4 million over three years - to help CaringKind expand our free care and support, outreach and education services. In response to the mounting costs associated with long-term care, some states are exploring programs that allow caregivers to receive compensation from Medicaid. For example, in New York the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) allows siblings, ex-spouses and adult children to be paid caregivers. While not perfect, this is a step in the right direction. Advertisement Our elected officials must also create rational leave policies for family caregivers who take on the burden of caring for loved ones. While we are a long way from achieving this goal, in March, New York State passed a bill requiring paid-family-leave time for most employees. One of only five states with similar measures, New York now mandates up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a gravely ill parent, spouse, domestic partner or other family member. The mainstream and predominant narrative depicts Iran and Assad as fighting forces against the Islamic State. Nevertheless, does ISIS actually serve the interest of ruling politicians in the Islamic Republic and Syria? Did Damascus and Tehran contribute in giving birth to ISIS? Iran and its staunchest ally the Syrian government have been designated by the US State Department as state sponsors of terrorism. Advertisement A new report by the SAPRAC ( the Saudi American Public Relations Affairs Committee) titled " Germany and Saudi Arabia: The Alliance in Counter-Terrorism" sheds light on the nuances, complexities and interconnectedness between ISIS, Iran and Syria. The German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel has also reported on the complete restructuring of the terrorist organization "Daesh", containing the name of the organization's founder as well as its the real leader as well as his strategy. In addition, the report reasserts President Obama's message that Riyadh has been instrumental in cooperating withe US and countering terrorism "That's how intelligence collected with Saudi Arabia helped us stop a cargo plane from being blown up over the Atlantic. These partnerships work." as well as the historical facts that Riyadh has been victim of terrorism for many years. So, the question remains whether we should continue to believe in the dominant narrative spread by some media outlets or wether we need to analyze the facts more closely. Advertisement Based on the latest developments, is not reasonable to believe that the Islamic State is indeed benefiting Assad to stay in power and assisting Iran by justifying Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) regional adventurism and interventionist actions? _______________________ Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is an American political scientist, business advisor, best-selling author, and the president of the International American Council on the Middle East. Harvard-educated, Rafizadeh serves on the advisory board of Harvard International Review. An American citizen, he is originally from Iran and Syria, lived most of his life in Iran and Syria till recently. He is a board member of several significant and influential international and governmental institutions, and he is native speaker of couple of languages including Arabic and Persian. He also speaks English and Dari, and can converse in French, Hebrew. You can sign up for Dr. Rafizadeh's newsletter for the latest news and analyses on HERE. You can also order his books on HERE. You can learn more about Dr. Rafizadeh on HERE. If you watched "Making a Murderer," the ten-episode Netflix documentary about the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, you were probably both transfixed and horrified by the scenes chronicling the police interrogation of 16-year-old Brendan Dassey. Dassey is the nephew of Steven Avery, whose arrest, prosecution and conviction for Halbach's murder were the central focus of the documentary. Dassey ultimately provided the confession the police demanded, repeating the suggestion that he assisted Avery in Halbach's murder. He was convicted and, under the current terms of his sentence, would not be eligible for parole until 2048. Despite the apparent flaws in the interrogation and investigation, the Wisconsin appellate courts rejected his appeals and affirmed his conviction in 2013. With a new legal team, Dassey then sought habeas corpus relief in the federal district court in Wisconsin. On August 12, a federal magistrate judge granted his petition and ordered Dassey released from prison -- unless the state of Wisconsin, within 90 days of the court order, decides to retry Brendan for his role in that murder. Brendan's potential release is welcome news, as our justice system continues to struggle with how to assess the legal "voluntariness" of children's confessions. Based on public sentiment and other contemporaneous commentary on "Making a Murderer," we know that much of the Netflix audience was shocked and appalled as they witnessed two Manitowoc County detectives - as well as the private detective hired by Brendan's own attorney -- repeatedly cajoling, manipulating and spoon-feeding Brendan the necessary words and facts to finally extract a confession to Ms. Halbach's murder. Importantly, without Brendan's "confession," there was no other evidence actually linking him to the crime. Viewers watching these scenes unfold, from the average lay person to legal scholars, believed the interrogation repeatedly crossed the line from dogged police investigation in pursuit of the truth to intimidation and manipulation in pursuit of a false confession, regardless of the cost. Advertisement Public skepticism that anyone would really falsely confess to such a heinous crime as murder is common - but "Making a Murderer" provides the blueprint for how it can happen. We all bore witness to the coercion and manipulation. Multiple studies also prove that many people will falsely confess simply to end an interrogation, especially children who lack the understanding of the gravity or permanence of their statements. The coercion present in any police interrogation are magnified for children, whose susceptibility to suggestion, deference to authority, and simple lack of understanding about what is at stake in a police interrogation and investigation all make children more vulnerable to falsely confessing to crimes they did not in fact commit. While we would expect this research to alter the standards for evaluating children's confessions, the law continues to set a high bar for the suppression of these confessions, requiring evidence of extreme duress, coercion, or physically or psychologically abusive interrogation techniques before throwing out statements that otherwise, conveniently wrap up a case. Courts must look at the totality of the circumstances surrounding the challenged confession to determine if it was truly voluntary or involuntary; the age of the suspect is only one factor in that calculus. In declaring Brendan's confession involuntary under this "totality of circumstances" test, the federal judge highlighted several aspects of the interrogation, including the investigators' promises, assurances, and threats of negative consequences in light of Brendan's age, his intellectual deficits, lack of experience with the police, the absence of a parent during the interrogation, and other relevant personal characteristics. Dassey was repeatedly led to believe he would not be punished for incriminating himself in Teresa's murder and promised either leniency if he told the "truth" or repercussions if he did not. The totality of the evidence convinced the judge "that the free will of a reasonable person in Brendan's position would have been overborne." This conclusion, the court wrote, was not one about which "fair minded jurists could disagree," and in fact precisely illustrated the "extreme malfunction in the state criminal justice system" that federal habeas corpus relief exists to correct. Advertisement While the depiction of Dassey's interrogation is chilling, there is a larger message that emerges from this case. Once again, we are compelled to recognize that children are NOT adults. We intuitively know children's limitations, and enact numerous legal barriers to teenage driving, participation on juries, purchasing alcohol or cigarettes, and many other prohibitions on certain activities "reserved" for adults. Yet when it comes to potentially life-altering involvement with our justice system, law enforcement and the courts too often refuse to account for these deficits, failing to apply some of the most fundamental tenets of due process in these high stakes interrogations. A day after Gov. Bruce Rauner called the Illinois Democratic Party a "corrupt political machine" during a rally at the Illinois State Fair, Democrats fired back on Thursday, accusing Rauner of holding the needy hostage over his reform agenda and mocking the state GOP for trying to distance itself from Donald Trump. "We're going to actually do something the Republicans couldn't do yesterday, couldn't bring themselves to do," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told the crowd at the annual Democratic County Chairmen's Association breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. "We're going to actually say the name of our presidential nominee out loud because we are proud of Hillary Clinton." Advertisement A few hours later, at Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair, Durbin took another dig at the Republicans, who in their Governor's Day rally at the fair a day earlier barely mentioned Trump's name. "(A)ll the Republicans who came here yesterday tried to deny the obvious," Durbin said. "Their candidate for president is unfit, unfit to be president of the United States." Where Rauner had used his address to unite the Republican party faithful against what he called a "corrupt political machine," the Democrats rallied around a call for a united front against Rauner's agenda. "No. 1, I think we can come together in opposition to the extremism of Donald Trump," said House Speaker Michael Madigan, who also is chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party. "No. 2, I think we can all come together in opposition to the extremism of Bruce Rauner." Advertisement Throughout a historic budget impasse that has found the state operating without a full budget for more than a year, Madigan repeatedly has characterized Rauner as "operating in the extreme" due to the union-weakening demands on which Rauner has made budget negotiations contingent. He continued that theme on Thursday, with the connection of Rauner to Trump added as an extra twist. Madigan reiterated his oft-repeated charge the Rauner's approach to government seeks to lower the wages and standard of living of the middle class by weakening unions, doing away with prevailing wage requirements for public construction projects and putting a greater burden of proof on workers in workers' compensation cases. He says Rauner is trying to reverse a fundamental government philosophy that dates back to the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration in 1933. "For 83 years the American national government and state governments including Illinois have always worked to raise wage levels and the standard of living and to protect the vulnerable in our society...," Madigan said. "However, today in Illinois, Gov. Rauner is attempting to advance an extreme agenda that would actually take Illinois in the opposite direction." While Rauner on Wednesday said Republicans were about to launch the "biggest ground game ever" to get Republicans elected to the Legislature in November, Madigan predicted the effort would fail. Advertisement "He could learn from history that Illinois is not ready for his extreme agenda," Madigan said at a press conference after his speech. In addition to the presidency, there are two statewide election in November, and both are shaping up to be hotly contested and brutal in tone. U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Hoffman Estates, is challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in a race that has drawn heavy national attention as Democrats attempt to re-take the Senate. Duckworth on Thursday criticized Kirk for his past history of embellishment to his military record, which she said he "lied about at least 10 different times." "In fact he said he was shot at in Kandahar, he was shot at in Bosnia and he was shot at in Iraq," said Duckworth, who lost both legs when the helicopter she was piloting in Iraq was shot down in 2004. "I've been shot at. It's not the kind of thing you misremember." Advertisement The other statewide race is between incumbent Republican Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger and Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza. Munger was appointed to office by Rauner in January 2015 after the death of Judy Baar Topinka a month earlier. Topinka had won re-election in November 2014, and Rauner sought to appoint Munger to fill Topinka's full, four-year term. But Democrats on a party-line vote passed a bill requiring a special election after two years. Munger on Wednesday described Mendoza, who served in the Illinois House from 2001 to 2011, as faithful soldier of Madigan during her years in the House. She also said Mendoza regarded Madigan as her mentor. "You know who she is," Mendoza said Thursday of Munger. "She's the self-proclaimed wingman of this governor and clearly his appointee beholden to him." Mendoza took special umbrage at Munger's implying that she owed her political career to Madigan. "The sexist notion that any one of us was put into a position of power -- like, say, being appointed to a statewide spot -- ...only through the power of men, you know that has no place in 2016," Mendoza said. "And it's something that's straight out of the Donald Trump playbook on women." Advertisement State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, who emceed the Illinois State Fair Democrat Day rally, thanked the opposing party for providing extra motivation. Before I left for Chicago, I had a Skype call with a client. In setting up the call, I noticed how my profile picture no longer matched what I saw on the video broadcast. My hair is much longer, my skin much darker, and I almost didn't recognize myself versus my three-year-old picture. I realized it was time to have a new photograph taken. Before I flew in, I Googled for photographers and found a reasonably priced one in Arlington Heights. I booked the shoot to directly follow my first haircut in almost a year. I picked out a few outfits to use. I was ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille. Jim at Photos by Robert did a fine job of taking a few different poses to choose from. As we reviewed the options, I became very critical. "My eye is too googly in that one. My neck looks as thick as my torso in that one. My smile looks like I just did something wrong." We went through each photo until I decided on the one I wanted to use. We did a bit of cleanup on the image but stopped well before a supermodel retouch. I wanted the photo to still look like me. Advertisement All the way home I didn't feel good about the final photo. I couldn't decide if I looked that overweight in real life or if I could have done something different to help slim down my neck for the photo. To help me get out of my head and get a reality check, I emailed my new headshot to a few friends. While waiting to hear back from them I tried to figure out when I could have the photos retaken on my short trip. Then something happened to prevent a retake. I chipped my tooth. Back when I was about ten-years-old, I chipped my front tooth. Over the years through accidents or improvements I have had the tooth redone a few times already. Now I'd have to do it again. But with my tight schedule, I could either get my tooth fixed or get the photo retaken. Since a gapped tooth smile would be worse than the photo I had, I resigned myself to accept my current photo. And I really accepted it. If this was my reality, then so be it. And I had to accept my broken tooth too. The day after I chipped it, I was scheduled to meet a client and all my old networking buddies. I greeted them with my imperfect smile. And it was ok. People would ask what happened, but they did not run in horror. As I accepted and was comfortable with my imperfection, so was everyone else. The funny things was when I went to have my tooth fixed she kept the slight overlap, the "imperfection" of my natural tooth, because that was "me" and how people recognize me. Most of my life I have been negative about my looks. I would be critical. I would hide. I would be worried about what others thought. I was afraid of being ostracized because of my appearance. Had I only known decades ago that once I accepted myself - as I am - that others would too. Advertisement When we focus on our flaws, we also highlight them to others. My original email to my friends included pointed questions about what I thought was flawed in the photo. Thankfully that is not the email I sent out. My friends were just asked for their opinion. The result was that no one mentioned anything I thought was wrong. I did receive some terrific suggestions and perceptions, but none of them were close to my initial reaction of wanting to destroy the photo and start over. When I didn't talk about my "flaws" neither did anyone else. Throughout the time of my exposed chipped tooth I met friends, family and strangers. They talked to me, not how I look. They saw me, not my broken smile. As I concentrated on I just being me, I was accepted for who I am. Where is your focus? Are you highlighting your "flaws" to yourself and others? What if you truly accepted who you are and how you look? How would that change the way you approach your day? How would that change your interactions with others? How could truly accepting yourself help make you easy in your own skin? Original post at It's My Life, Inc. "Where were we when Hitler began shrieking his hate in the Reichstag? ... (Were we) deaf, dumb, blind?!" Screenwriter Abby Mann's scripted words were spoken by the fictional pre-war German Justice Minister Ernst Janning, played by Burt Lancaster, as he testified before a military tribunal in the award-winning 1961 film Judgment at Nuremberg. The film is prophetic. It's a reminder to self-governing institutions -- including the United States -- that the governed must be their ultimate sovereigns. The movie's message resonates almost daily in our tumultuous 2016 presidential politics. Janning's questions are relevant in this real-life election season because the way that we respond over the next 80 days to Donald Trump's demagogic presidential campaign of hate and fear will determine how much or how little it has dented our 240-year-old American experiment. Advertisement Comparisons between the seismic events that shook Germany during the 1930s and this country's political climate in 2016 must be made with care, but they're hardly tenuous. To ignore the similarities would be at best careless; in the nuclear age, it could be catastrophic. I remember hearing the Fuehrer's rants on the shortwave in 1940. As I developed a more comprehensive knowledge of world events in high school and college, I appreciated how much the checks and balances that are part of our social and political fabric (which are a fundamental part of what we frequently refer to as American exceptionalism) set us apart from the forces which influenced developments elsewhere. After all, the Great Depression hadn't altered our form of government. We conquered tyrannical forces abroad and survived McCarthyism at home. What happened in Europe in the 1930s, I thought, couldn't happen here because our institutions were too strong. But the politics of 2016 have altered my previously held beliefs. After all, our institutions are only as good as the people who occupy the positions within them. Trump captured the Republican presidential nomination with an unceasing campaign of hate, lies, ignorance and self-aggrandizement. It continues as he stampedes his way toward November's election, riding a personal platform of fear and division. It threatens to get worse with Wednesday's announcement that the Breitbart News site's Steve Bannon (who has been called a bully and a street fighter) is the campaign's new CEO. Could the shameful bulldozing beat the system? Possibly. But it's not just the candidate himself. As with 20th century European dictators, Trump needed enablers and he got them. Raucous mobs at rallies respond to his outrageous exclamations with standing ovations and gleeful laughter. More importantly, he's backed by seasoned politicos in GOP circles who should know better. Abby Mann's perspicacity when he developed his Judgment screenplay illuminates these Trump-supporting Republicans, many of whom denounced his antics before flipping after he became their nominee. "What about those of us who knew better, we who knew the words were lies and worse than lies?" asks Ernst Janning. "Why did we take part? Because we loved our country ... The country is in danger. We will march out of the shadows! We will go forward. Forward is the great password!" Today's version is Trump shouting, "We're gonna make America great again!" Advertisement Here are just a few of his enabling hypocrites who should know better: Senators Orrin Hatch, Marco Rubio and John McCain claim they support Trump because they had previously pledged to support the Republican nominee despite strongly worded condemnations of him. So Hatch embraces the man he acknowledged has made "a lot of outrageous statements," and muses that "political rookies" are prone to say things that get them in trouble; Rubio backs "a con man with a huckster's business record"; and McCain backs the guy he excoriated both for disparaging a military hero's grieving parents and for hinting that he may renege on America's commitment to NATO. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie called Trump a carnival barker, but when he quit his own presidential run, he endorsed the Donald as the candidate best "prepared to provide America with the strong leadership." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell believes that Trump's call for a travel ban on Muslims "is simply contrary to American values," but in June he said "we're all behind him now." Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, officially the leader of that congressional chamber, not just its Republican members, sticks to his Trump endorsement despite deprecating a myriad of Trump's false, bigoted and incendiary statements that include the candidate's inciting assassinations of his political adversaries and outrageously insisting that President Obama and Hillary Clinton are founders of ISIS. Advertisement Last month Khizr Khan, an attorney and the father of U. S. Army Captain Humayun Khan who was killed in Iraq in 2004, addressed the Democratic National Convention. He told MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell, "There comes a time in the history of a nation where an ethical, moral stand has to be taken regardless of the political costs." It's a plea for America to live up to its exceptionalism, and it echoes another passage from Judgment at Nuremberg when Spencer Tracy, in the role of presiding judge Dan Haywood, says, "A decision must be made in the life of every nation ... (when it confirms) what it stands for when standing for something is the most difficult." Since the Democratic National Convention in late July, Donald Trump's incessant, off-the-charts rants have stimulated strong reactions from an increasing number of individuals across partisan lines and among media sources. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy railed against "this sick bravado of Donald Trump ... where he's just tougher than everybody else ... This is a confrontation which he's calling for ... We can't tolerate this. People of good will have to reject this rhetoric ... This is a dangerous human being who must be repudiated lest we repeat what we've seen happen in our own country and seen happen in other countries. Let's be clear -- he does not have the temperament to be president of the United States. This is not someone we turn the codes over to." Earlier this month business executive and high profile Republican activist Meg Whitman strongly denounced Trump, calling him "a dishonest demagogue," who could lead the country "on a very dangerous journey." She also said that people who were saying that what happened in Germany before World War II can't happen here are being naive. When Trump suggested that "second amendment people" could do something about a President Hillary Clinton getting to pick judges, veteran journalist Dan Rather stated the obvious: "This is a direct threat of violence against a political rival." Admonishing the supporters who continue to advocate for him despite the rhetoric, he said, "The rhetoric is the candidate." Advertisement Rather's comments remind me of that March 9, 1954 evening when pioneer broadcast newsman Edward R. Murrow took down the infamous Senate anti-communist witch hunter Joseph McCarthy while few others dared to try. His closing comments that night could easily apply to Trump. Just substitute the words "Donald Trump" for the references to Wisconsin's Senator McCarthy in this quote: This is no time for men who oppose Senator McCarthy's methods to keep silent, or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of a republic to abdicate his responsibilities ... The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn't create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it -- and rather successfully. Cassius was right. "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves." More than two decades ago, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors adopted a report reaffirming a simple yet profoundly important principle: teaching is the primary responsibility of each of the University's 17 institutions, from Western Carolina University to Elizabeth City State University in the far northeast corner of the Tar Heel state. One outgrowth of that 1993 report was the establishment of annual Awards for Excellence in Teaching honoring an outstanding faculty member at each campus. This announcement continues to be greeted with considerable fanfare across the system, and certainly was an event that I looked forward to each spring during my 1997-2006 tenure as UNC president. Of course, I also knew that selecting just one recipient at each institution for recognition is an extremely difficult proposition. Students at campuses across the UNC system and at colleges and universities nationwide learn valuable lessons every day from tens of thousands of outstanding and dedicated teachers. Skilled and effective faculty members are at the very core of the academic enterprise. Advertisement That is why I did all that I could to support faculty professional development initiatives during my time at UNC. For instance, some but not all UNC campuses operated teaching and learning centers dedicated to helping faculty members stay on the cutting edge of teaching techniques and how to best spur student success. When we secured state funding in the early 2000s that allowed all of the campuses to open such centers, that made an enormous difference and improved the quality of teaching across the breadth of the system. But the American higher education landscape has changed dramatically. When I began at UNC, most students were still 18-22-year-olds entering college straight from high school. And a majority of faculty members were traditional tenured or aspiring tenure-track professors coming from traditional academic backgrounds and intending to make teaching and research their lifelong careers. Now, most students have made some stops along the road toward their degrees. Some enter college after serving in the military or during their service. Others leave high school for a job, only to enroll later in life as adult learners seeking degrees or credentials to advance their careers. What these new, nontraditional students have in common is the frequent need to juggle the demands of work and family along with their classes. Today, the majority of faculty members nationwide are contingent, non-tenure track instructors, many of whom enter the classroom from outside the academy and bring with them initially a wealth of practical knowledge from their professional fields but little, if any, classroom teaching experience. The question is how to apply that knowledge to ensure effective and engaging teaching and learning in college classrooms that can be filled with students of different ages and life experiences. Advertisement For instance, a first-time, full-time student may be in the same classroom as a person who, when a professor explains something in theoretical terms, is able to say, "Yes, this happened to me on the job and this is how I responded." What is needed is an instructor equipped to incorporate situations like that into a lesson, and thus to engage with different types of students in a way that informs all students. In short, the role of university teaching and learning centers has never been more vital, and the need to help such centers and other faculty professional development programs employ new and innovative teaching tools and techniques aimed at reaching new types of students has never been more urgent. That is why my organization, the American Council on Education (ACE), has formed an important collaboration with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), a company founded in 2014 that is focused on providing state-of-the-art professional development and support services to college instructors. ACE has joined with ACUE to work together on a set of teaching modules designed to improve student outcomes and advance ACE's nearly century-old mission to improve access to postsecondary education and help our institutions enhance student outcomes through effective college instruction. ACUE and ACE's shared goal is to expand dramatically the use of effective teaching practices to benefit students, faculty, and institutions. Advertisement I believe that ACUE's work will prove of great value to teaching and learning centers. Indeed, ACUE's online, scalable faculty development and certificate program for college instructors helps expand the reach of those centers and other faculty development initiatives taking place on campuses around the country. For our part, ACE, which has long made college credit recommendations for workplace and military courses, is applying our rigorous quality assessment expertise to ACUE's Effective Practice Framework and Course in Effective Teaching Practices. ACUE's first-of-its kind courseware is enhanced by this new application of the quality assurance work ACE has done for decades using subject matter expert teams to evaluate teaching that takes place outside a formal classroom for credit recommendationsince 1954 for military experiences and occupations and since 1974 for workplace courses. Those recommendations have been used successfully by students to earn credit at many institutions; and many of those students have done well academically at the more than 2,000 institutions that make it a practice to consider ACE credit recommendations. What ACUE has developed offers higher education institutions a scalable, extensive opportunity to address how to assist new kinds of instructors by providing new tools and techniques to help new types of students succeed, sharpening their focus on both nontraditional faculty and nontraditional students. Sue Henderson, the president of New Jersey City University (an ACUE partner institution), and James Muyskens, the former president of Queens College (NY), and Sue Gerber, assistant vice president of Institutional Effectiveness at New Jersey City University, put these issues into sharp focus in a recent op-ed in University Business, Redeploying Faculty for Student Success. Their topic was how to improve instruction in beginning general education courses in order to ensure that students persist in their studies and move on to complete their degrees. The picture they paint about the importance of effective teaching is a vivid one, and speaks directly to why ACE believes so strongly in the work being carried out by ACUE. Advertisement "Because of the high cost and labor intensity of 'high touch' education, it is tempting to embrace learning technologies designed to supplant the professor," they wrote. "In some cases, such as post-baccalaureate studies and job and professional development courses, the approach works well. The targeted students are motivated and ready for the rigors of the proposed course of study. But with the vast majority of first-year freshmen and sophomores, readiness and motivation are in short supply. They have yet to learn how to learn, to be able to follow and generate an argument, to witness the serendipity of discovery and the rigors of confirming a hypothesis. Few of us could acquire these skills without the expert guidance of an instructor or mentor." ALEPPO, SYRIA - JULY 09: A search and rescue team member helps people after the Syrian regime forces airstrikes targeted over Aleppo's opposition controlled Bustan al-Qasr district, Syria on July 09, 2016. (Photo by Ibrahim Ebu Leys/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) Earlier this week in the capital of war-weary South Sudan, the Associated Press reported that a female aid worker stared down the barrel of an AK-47 while a soldier threatened, "Either you have sex with me, or we make every man here rape you and then we shoot you in the head." It was only one of the many alarming stories related by the survivors of a horrifying attack on international aid workers last month. During the same "rampage through a residential compound," South Sudanese troops also reportedly killed a local journalist and raped and beat foreigners and aid workers. Tragically, no help came for those who devote their lives to helping others. The United Nations has launched an urgent investigation following claims that its peacekeepers turned a blind eye to the attack. Advertisement Last month, Deepmala Mahla, our country director in South Sudan, described being locked in a room as explosions shook the window panes. She recently said she "feels proud, excited and often helpless; helpless and frustrated" working in the war-torn country. During one instance of fighting, she recalls her team texting her and saying, "'Deepmala, I am under my bed, the house is shaking.'" One of them told her, "sometimes we feel we are totally on our own." A boy walks on the rubble of a house after it was destroyed by an airstrike in Yemen's capital Sanaa, August 11, 2016. (Mohamed al-Sayaghi/Reuters) This lack of protection extends beyond South Sudan. Just this past week, a Doctors Without Borders hospital was hit by an airstrike in Yemen, killing at least 11, including medical personnel and patients, and forcing the organization to evacuate some staff from local operations. In Syria, Khaled Omar Harrah, a volunteer rescuer who earned widespread acclaim for rescuing a newborn baby trapped in rubble (among countless other lives he saved), was killed while trying to help civilians after yet another airstrike. Sadly, attacks such as these are not gruesome exceptions, but common events that serve as brutal reminders of the dangers faced by humanitarians who risk their lives to bring hope and help to those trying to survive in the world's most dangerous and fragile places. With few mechanisms in place to shield them or the innocent people they help, the harsh reality is that we will never be able to protect aid workers, or the civilians they serve, until we address the root causes of the violence prolonging these humanitarian emergencies. Advertisement On Thursday the world woke up to photos of the stunned and bloodied face of Omran Daqneesh, a 5-year-old boy who, along with his parents and three siblings, survived an airstrike in Aleppo. But some are not as lucky as him. In the month of July, more than 200 civilians were allegedly killed in Syria from airstrikes, a monitoring group reported. Omran is not merely today's iconic representation of the horror facing those inside Syria; he is a reminder of why aid workers risk their lives day in and day out and remain in some of the most dangerous situations. We cannot protect aid workers, nor the civilians we are trying to help, until we address the root causes of violence. "Omran is why we are in Aleppo city," Mercy Corps' Director of Programs Casey Harrity said in response to the image. "Children like him are the reason our team continues to work in Aleppo, despite great personal risks. This picture has captured the hearts of thousands, but the reality is there are thousands more like him." In Syria, many courageous aid organizations remain unrecognized by the Syrian government and fear criminal prosecution or worse for saving lives. Despite the lack of protection, our team members inside Syria continue to risk their lives every day. Our office in Aleppo was hit twice in the past two months, and one Mercy Corps team member inside the city told us, "I thought about leaving [east Aleppo]. But the people are waiting. They are, impatiently, looking forward to receiving aid. Fleeing won't make my son proud of his father." Another said, "We walk and our eyes are hung in the sky, watching the warplanes." Syria, Yemen and South Sudan represent the larger problem of lawless conflict around the world. Mercy Corps has humanitarian workers in more than 40 countries, many of them places where war has become an unending everyday reality. In too many of these places, the so-called "law of war" has disappeared as non-state actors, and in many cases states themselves, ignore international humanitarian law. Few mechanisms exist to enforce humanitarian law, and states and the U.N. are often unable -- or perhaps unwilling -- to provide protection. Advertisement 5-year-old Omran Daqneesh sits in the back of an ambulance after being injured in an airstrike in Aleppo, August 17, 2016. (Mahmud Rslan/Getty Images) On World Humanitarian Day it has become customary to recognize the hard work and sacrifice of aid workers around the globe. It has also increasingly become a time to call for renewed commitment to protect and provide safety for those who put their lives on the line for others. But this year, that is not enough. We need to be bold and state that while we reaffirm with the U.N. Security Council and member states that international humanitarian law is paramount to protection, in reality, international humanitarian law at times provides little more than hope, with little in the way of physical protection. We cannot protect aid workers, nor the civilians we are trying to help, until we address the root causes of violence. In my work, I have found that we create our first and best line of defense when we can build community trust and effectively meet community needs in a respectful, accountable and transparent manner. Unfortunately, with active war fronts in Yemen, South Sudan, northeast Nigeria and Syria, we see environments where building such relationships is past the point of possible -- until the violence ends. But where we can, we target the drivers of conflict and violence head-on, leading peace-building efforts alongside provision of food, shelter and water. Tens of millions of displaced and desperate people around the world -- a record high -- depend on local and international humanitarian workers for their survival. While we grieve for our colleagues who have suffered beyond imagination, we remain fully operational in South Sudan, reassessing with clear eyes the tough security challenges we face, even as the humanitarian situation grows more dire. Violence and cholera outbreaks further threaten the lives of the estimated 4.8 million people there already affected by food insecurity -- families whose survival depends on the ability of humanitarian workers to deliver aid are increasingly having nowhere else to turn. Advertisement But they are not alone. From Syria to Yemen to Iraq to Nigeria, tens of millions of displaced and desperate people around the world -- a record high -- depend on local and international humanitarian workers for their survival. We cannot expect the landscape to change immediately, but if we make the right investments now, we can save lives in the future. We cannot afford to have another Omran Daqneesh or to have more aid workers held at gunpoint. Innocent civilians and the people striving to protect them deserve more. Earlier on WorldPost: Having offended constituencies vital to securing electoral success in November, including blacks, Latinos and women, Donald Trump has now seemingly surpassed himself by alienating yet another group, Ukrainian-Americans. Though the latter don't constitute a numerically huge voting bloc, Ukrainian-Americans reside in Midwestern battlegrounds such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, swing states which Trump must win. Traditionally, Ukrainian-Americans have skewed toward the Republican Party which took a hard line toward the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Now, however, Ukrainian-Americans may abandon the GOP due to Trump's apologetic stance toward Putin and Russia. Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's ties to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who in turn had sought to ally his country to Russia before he himself was ousted during the Maidan revolution, may also prompt Ukrainian-Americans to jettison the Republican Party. Currently, there are more than 20 million Ukrainians living abroad, of which one million reside in the U.S. In Ohio, Ukrainian-Americans are mostly congregated around Cleveland and some 45,000 people stateside trace their roots back to the Old Country. In Pennsylvania meanwhile, Ukrainian-Americans number more than 120,000. Other sizable populations reside in must-win states like Michigan and Florida. The expat community has long-standing ties to Midwestern members of Congress serving on the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. Advertisement Within the Rust Belt, Ukrainian-Americans have been politically active over the past few years. In Pennsylvania, for example, the local community around Pittsburgh has sent medical supplies to the fledgling government in Kiev which has found itself at war with Russian-backed separatists. Moreover, when Russia invaded Crimea and later hastily organized a referendum, Ukrainian-Americans in Pittsburgh voiced their concerns about Kremlin interventionism to local Republican Congressman Tim Murphy. In Philadelphia meanwhile, Ukrainian-Americans have rallied in support of Kiev and support sanctions against Russia. In neighboring Ohio, Ukrainian-Americans have been no less active. Students at Ohio State University, for example, took to the streets of Columbus to protest Viktor Yanukovych's clampdown on Maidan protesters back in 2014. Demonstrators, who hoped the U.S. and E.U. would provide more active support for the Maidan, also took to the streets of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo. Paying the Political Price Though Manafort has resigned from the Trump campaign, the political damage may have already been done. In an interview with the New York Times, Trump questioned whether the U.S. would come to the aid of Eastern European nations if the latter were attacked by Russia. Needless to say, such aid is required under the NATO Charter. Even more brazenly, Trump changed the GOP platform to strip out providing defensive weapons to Kiev. Such moves set off alarm bells amongst Ukrainian-Americans in the Midwest who are certainly familiar with historic patterns of Russian aggressiveness. Andrew Fedynsky of New Jersey's Ukrainian Weekly remarks, "Let me put it bluntly: If you care for Ukraine, you cannot vote for Donald Trump. For Ukrainians and many others, Mr. Trump's and Russian President Vladimir Putin's mutual admiration is utterly alarming, starting with his proposal to pull the U.S. out of NATO. Doing so would undermine 75 years of a successful global security policy even as it would fulfill Russia's strategic goal going back to Joseph Stalin." Advertisement Adrian Karatnycky, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, has remarked "At a time of a mounting threat by Russia to the countries in Eastern Europe and with Russian forces occupying parts of Ukrainian territory ...There is a strong core of first and second generation voters numbering in the hundreds of thousands who closely follow events in their ancestral homelands and whose electoral choice can be decisively swayed on the issue of NATO and a strong anti-Putin stance." Democratic Congressman Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, who is a member of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, has excoriated Trump. The Republican nominee, Pascrell charges, lacks a mastery of the "simple facts" and merely regurgitates Putin's "talking points" on Crimea. Tamara Olexy, President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, has chimed in. "We are very troubled by the recent statements from Candidate Trump," she declares, "that he might recognize Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea and even end sanctions against the Russian Federation." Myroslaw Smorodsky, Communications Director of the Ukrainian American Bar Association, adds that "During his television interview with George Stephanopoulos on July 31, 2016, Donald Trump unabashedly denied Russian military presence on Ukrainian territory. All Americans of every ethnicity and political affiliation should be appalled by such reckless comments. Trump has displayed his inherent inability to observe and comprehend the reality of the historical events as they occur before his very eyes. There is no reasonable doubt that Russia has -- in full view of the entire world -- illegally annexed Crimea and it is Russian military and mercenaries who are killing Ukrainian soldiers and civilians daily on Ukrainian soil." Politics of Ukrainian Diaspora It's no secret that the current electoral season has given rise to all manner of outlandish, perverse and bizarre political spectacle, and the latest wrinkle involving Trump and Ukraine may prove no exception. But while it's certainly understandable that Ukrainian-Americans have been appalled by Trump's statements on Putin and Ukraine, the Diaspora too can be prone to its own excesses. Historically, many Ukrainian-Americans have displayed right wing sympathies, and some have even provided financial backing for nationalists linked to controversial World War II figure Stepan Bandera. Reportedly, the Diaspora has even provided funding to none other than Dmitry Yarosh, a paramilitary rightwing figure in Ukraine, and to the infamous Azov Battalion, a volunteer outfit fighting Russian-backed separatists in the east whose members are enthralled with Nazi insignia and iconography. Advertisement It is to be hoped that the political right will not shape Ukrainian identity in the midst of war, though Donald Trump has certainly exacerbated tensions through his rhetorical blundering. With both the Diaspora and Trump promoting their own extreme and dangerous points of view, voices of moderation may get frozen out of the spotlight as the Ukrainian conflict becomes more and more volatile and unpredictable. Wisconsin's Democratic candidate U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, left, listens as Republican challenger Ron Johnson, right, speaks during a senate debate held at Marquette University Law School, Friday, Oct. 22, 2010, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps) By Emma Baccellieri Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) and his challenger Russ Feingold have raised almost exactly the same amount of money in their race for a Wisconsin Senate seat. But they've done so in very different ways. In terms of fundraising, the race is among the tightest in the country, not to mention one of the few where a challenger has raised more money than an incumbent. The pair is currently separated by less than a million dollars, with the Democrat Feingold and his $15.6 million narrowly ahead of the Tea Party-backed Republican Johnson and his $14.8 million. Advertisement Getting to this point, however, has taken each candidate on a very different path -- with Feingold depending on small donors, more so than almost every other Senate candidate in the country, while Johnson draws far more support from PACs and outside funding groups. Sound like deja vu from the 2010 election? It should. At a glance, the current situation mirrors the one from six years ago almost exactly. Then, however, Feingold was the incumbent, finishing his third term in the Senate, and Johnson was the outside challenger, a manufacturing CEO running for office for the first time. Though Feingold ultimately raised more money, with $20.8 million to Johnson's $15.2 million, Johnson narrowly won the seat. Now, with their roles reversed, the two are neck-and-neck in terms of fundraising as Feingold attempts to win back his old territory. Just as was the case in 2010, small donors are an important component of Feingold's fundraising. More than 40 percent of his funding, or $6.3 million, has come from contributions of $200 or less -- putting him at the top of the small donor leaderboard, behind just one other Senate candidate, Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), who has raised more than 55 percent of his cash from small contributions. Feingold is outpacing even the sizable portion he drew from the small donors in 2010, when they provided 36 percent of his cash. Johnson, on the other hand, has raised comparatively little from small donors -- 16 percent of his overall fundraising, or $2.3 million. Advertisement While Feingold's 2016 fundraising resembles his 2010 effort, Johnson has introduced an entirely new strategy. The senator's 2010 campaign was largely self-financed, with the erstwhile corporate executive providing well over half of his own campaign cash. He poured $8.7 million into the race, or enough to make up 57 percent of his total funding. (It's worth noting, though, that Johnson didn't bear that dent in his financial portfolio for too long -- shortly after winning the election, he received $10 million in "deferred compensation" from his company, the plastics firm Pacur, in a move that frustrated many Wisconsin Democrats.) This year, however, self-financing is nearly absent from Johnson's campaign, as he's contributed just $100,000. Feingold, for his part, has not self-financed at all. So how's Johnson making up the difference here? Several ways. For one, the broad finance, insurance and real estate sector has been far more generous than it was when he was running as a challenger, providing him $1.9 million so far this cycle, compared to $700,000 in 2010. More notable, however, is the presence of PACs. In 2010, Johnson received only a small fraction of his funding from political action committees, a little more than $800,000 that made up just 5 percent of his overall cash. This cycle, he's received nearly $2.2 million in PAC money, or 15 percent of his funding in total, with most of that coming from PACs aligned with business organizations. PACs, particularly on the business side, tend to prefer incumbents. Feingold, meanwhile, has received about $800,000 from PACs, many of them labor-oriented, which is slightly less than what he received from this category in 2010. Advertisement And the 2016 race has one more feature the 2010 one lacked -- the Koch brothers. The duo, well known for bankrolling a slew of conservative candidates via outside spending groups, have put more than $2.2 million into the Wisconsin race through their super PAC Freedom Partners Action Fund. Most of that cash has been used to attack FeingoldFeingold. And it's not the only super PAC that's doing so. In total, $3.6 million from outside groups has been directed towards opposing Feingold, while another $700,000 of outside spending has gone towards supporting Johnson. Far less outside spending -- which includes both super PACs and dark money groups, such as political nonprofits -- has been used to benefit Feingold. A little more than $500,000 has been used to oppose Johnson, while just $40,000 has gone towards supporting Feingold himself. The result is an outside spending landscape markedly different from what the race offered in 2010, when more of this cash was directed towards supporting the candidates, rather than opposing them. Outside spending in 2010 yielded more than $1 million in pro-Feingold money and nearly $1.8 million pro-Johnson, with almost $800,000 spent against Feingold and nearly $300,000 against Johnson -- in other words, nothing approaching the $3.6 million that's fueled anti-Feingold advertisements yet this cycle. And, as is often the case these days, it is hard to capture exactly how much has been spent by dark money groups -- nonprofit social welfare organizations that can engage in politics without disclosing their donors. For example, Americans for Prosperity, the flagship group of the Koch donor network, has reported spending only $68,812 on anti-Feingold ads, though it has spent more than $1 million on pro-Johnson ads as well. Advertisement I'm sure many of my readers enjoy the eclectic and erudite essays of Michael Koplow, disseminated as "Ottomans and Zionists" and also by the Israel Policy Forum, of which he is the policy director. I generally agree with his point of view, though I'm often convinced that he doesn't take his own logic sufficiently far. This feeling was so strong with regard to his current column that I had to write this rejoinder. (I'll pause while you read his article.) As you just read, he strongly critiques the unique standard Israel is not infrequently held to in international forums. In this case, an Egyptian judoka refused to shake hands with an Israeli competitor after a match and was sent home. I should emphasize that I absolutely agree with Dr. Koplow that this is outrageous and the reactions to it should have included some of the further societal critiques he suggests. But there is one crucial aspect of the context missing from his critique; namely, the word "Occupation." In my view, that is the primary (though by no means sole) reason for this phenomenon of singling out Israel and Israelis for this treatment. This is the 50th year of the Israeli Occupation of the West Bank, and no one sees any likelihood of it ending any time soon. Advertisement Now, the Occupation in no way justifies this behavior, nor is it one of the major atrocities in the world today. I know that Dr. Koplow does not support it, and the IPF is engaged in a new campaign to try to end it. But the fact that this salient aspect of the situation that gives rise to the all-too-common treatment of Israel goes unmentioned is itself curious. In fact, it plays into the hands of the current Israeli government in ways that I am sure Dr. Koplow doesn't at all support, but his article nevertheless gives aid and comfort to a pernicious worldview. That worldview is the updated version of the "lachrymose" view of Jewish history; namely, that they (i.e., the whole world) hates us (the Jews), and will always hate us, and that there is nothing Israel (or the Jewish people) can do about it. We have to simply keep our own counsel, do what we feel is necessary, and recognize that we will always be attacked whatever we do. That is clearly the message that is put out overtly, in increasing measure, by Prime Minister Netanyahu and many of his coalition partners. They have no doubt that Israel will always be "a nation that dwells alone," so why not expand settlements, spit in the world's eye, and increase the pressure on foreign support of NGO's, since "they" will always hate us. In fact, it is the Occupation that is now the overwhelming source of anger against Israel - and ending it would liberate Israel from its psychological, human, military, and financial costs, as well as ending most (certainly not all) support for BDS and other anti-Israel measures. Advertisement Now, I do not want to overstate the case. There is undoubtedly a core of genuinely anti-Israel sentiment that would reject the end of the Occupation and see it just as a step on the way to Israel's eventual demise. Israel would remain under threat; ending the Occupation would not really affect that hard core. But the vast majority of those whose resentment against Israel has grown considerably in the last 15 years would turn their attention elsewhere. Europe, for example, is labeling and boycotting products from the settlements. It has no other major dispute with Israel. The Sunni states, which are now Israel's de facto regional allies, cannot make their relationship overt and public because there first must be a Palestinian state. As they have repeatedly made clear; after that, all options are open. Then why is Israel, whose transgressions are far less violent than, to make a random and far from complete list of vicious states, singled out? (Any such list would of course include North Korea's treatment of its own people, China's treatment of Tibet and dissidents, Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen and support for terror, the regime of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, Russia's aggression, Erdogan's wholesale oppression in the wake of the failed coup, etc., etc.) For many the only acceptable answer is anti-semitism. But that is the wrong answer, or at least constitutes only a tiny part of it. It is that Israel holds itself out as - and in many ways is - a modern, progressive, westernized nation recognizing the rule of law and rejecting discrimination. That is partly true. But Israel's Occupation and repression of Palestinians flies in the face of that. No other country on the (admittedly incomplete) list above is in that position. Yes, there is a double standard, and Israel benefits tremendously from it. But there are costs to the double standard - and one of them is that ruling over another nation without rights to vote or control its own destiny, is unacceptable today. Israel has transgressed that rule for 50 years. That is at the root of Israel's isolation. End that and most (not all) of the anti-Israel rhetoric and activities would dry up - as well as benefitting Israel itself in a variety of ways. Advertisement There are at least two points I am making that will likely be distorted, so I will reemphasize them:1) There is no justification for the behavior that Dr. Koplow rightly criticizes.2) All opposition to Israel will not cease the moment the Occupation ends. But the mass support will fairly quickly fade away. The Palestinians in the Occupied Territories are the poster child for Israel's repressive policies. Once there is a credible, viable Palestinian state, Israel will not be perfect, but its issues will not stand out as they do now. Andrew Breitbart and Stephen Bannon Before he became the chairman of Breitbart News, Stephen Bannon worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions Department at Goldman Sachs. For the past year, Bannon has merged Breitbart News with Donald Trump's presidential campaign, hoping to acquire more and more influence as a frequent Trump advisor and, as of this week, as the campaign's CEO. After Trump loses, don't be surprised to see Bannon join forces with Trump and Roger Ailes (the former Fox News guru deposed for engaging in sexual harassment of employees who recently jumped aboard Trump's sinking ship) to create a new right-wing media conglomerate -- Trump TV or Trump Media -- linking Breitbart News to a new cable network that will almost make Fox News look tame and responsible. Together, Trump, Ailes and Bannon would run their media empire to advance their common goals: gaining political influence, massaging their massive egos, moving the Republican Party further to the right, attacking Democrats and liberal ideas, and promoting a neo-fascist agenda combining xenophobia, racism, sexism, government-bashing, and anti-immigrant nativism. Donald Trump and Roger Ailes Earlier this week, Trump hired Bannon as his campaign's chief executive. Bannon took over the right-wing website in 2012 after its founder, Andrew Breitbart, died of a heart attack at age 43. The media have had a difficult time explaining Bannon's operation just as it did when Breitbart ran the show. In its article, "What Is Breitbart News?," posted on Tuesday, the New York Times labeled it a "conservative-leaning news website." The Washington Post called it "leading organ of the conservative media." Closer to the truth, Bloomberg News termed it a "crusading right-wing site." Advertisement Although it has the word "news" in its corporate name, Breitbart News is not a news-gathering enterprise. It does not report the news. It does not investigate the news. It does not comment on the news. It manufactures news. It is, as my colleague Christopher Martin and I explained in our 2010 Huffington Post article, "Why Does Anyone Take Andrew Breitbart Seriously?" (pasted below), a propaganda organization. To be even more straightforward, Breitbart News traffics in lies in order to advance its ultra-right wing agenda. Through a careful analysis of the right-wing media echo chamber, Martin and I identified the key factors that Breitbart News uses to inject its manufactured scandals into the mainstream media. As we explained in our article, some of Breitbart's most famous crusades involved spreading lies about the community organizing group ACORN and lies about Department of Agriculture official Shirley Sherrod, both designed to promote an ultra-conservative agenda and attack liberal institutions. Under its founder, Breitbart News invented scandals and then fed them to Fox News. Ailes' operation broadcast these fake news stories, which the mainstream media picked up, giving them credibility they didn't deserve. Under Bannon, it has continued this tradition, advancing lies about Planned Parenthood and affiliating itself with various extremist causes. Advertisement As Stephen Hayes observed, writing in the conservative Weekly Standard, bringing Bannon on board "means that Trump is choosing to end his campaign living in the alternate reality that Breitbart creates for him on a daily basis--where everything he does is the best, where everyone who questions him is an idiot or a traitor, where big rallies portend electoral victories, where House speaker Paul Ryan is the problem with modern conservatism, where polls that find him down are fixed, where elections he loses are rigged, where immigration and trade are the nation's most pressing issues, and where, truly, Trump alone can fix it all." When Breitbart, who started the site in 2007 after learning the ropes from Matthew Drudge, found the truth inconvenient, he simply made stuff up and packaged it as "news." This included posting videos that were edited in ways that gave viewers a totally misleading view of what actually occurred. These weren't errors or mistakes. They were conscious lies. But the mainstream media never called them lies, but simply referred to these videos as "controversial" or similar words. Bannon has continued his predecessor's modus operandi of spreading lies and manufacturing news, but taken it a step further, blatantly aligning itself the most extremist right-wing politicians. Under Bannon, Breitbart News promoted a series of deceptively edited videos, manufactured by David Daleiden and his anti-choice group, the Center for Medical Progress, claiming - wrongly -- that Planned Parenthood profited from donated fetal tissue. This is part of Breitbart's ongoing crusade against Planned Parenthood, designed not only to destroy the pro-choice movement but also to undermine support for pro-choice Democrats, including Hillary Clinton. Breitbart News contributors have compared Planned Parenthood and doctors that perform abortions to Nazis, and claimed that contraceptives make women "unattractive and crazy." In February, Breitbart News contributor Crystal Wright claimed that Planned Parenthood was engaged in "a sinister pattern of black genocide" by placing some of its clinics - which provide the full spectrum of medical services for women -- in predominately black neighborhoods. Another article in Breitbart News advised women subjected to online harassment to "just log off" and stop "screwing up the internet for men." In June, Breitbart a contributor Austin Ruse wrote a bizarre story fear-mongering that exposure to "contraceptives in drinking water" could be linked to "infertility among those who want to have babies," hoping to jump start a "a legal revolution against the pill." Advertisement Bannon worked for Goldman Sachs, the Wall Street investment bank, before embarking on a career as a right-wing propagandist, including producing documentary films lionizing Sarah Palin ("The Undefeated") and attacking the Occupy Wall Street movement ("Occupy Unmasked"). Since taking over the reins at Breitbart News in 2012, he has also tried his hand as a talk show provocateur, hosting the Breitbart News Daily on Sirius XM satellite radio channel, rising to the status of a third-rate Rush Limbaugh. In 2014, Breitbart News promoted David Brat's successful Republican primary campaign against House majority leader Eric Cantor. Brat had almost no money, no political experience, and no name recognition, but Bannon's operation helped publicize Brat's uphill challenge to Cantor who, despite being a Tea Party favorite, wasn't reactionary enough for Bannon, who was friends with one of Brat's top campaign advisors. Breitbart News published dozens of pro-Brat and anti-Cantor articles that helped the little-known college professor topple the powerful Cantor. Serving as a virtual Trump surrogate, Bannon's Breitbart News has criticized Trump's Republican opponents and conservative critics, such as Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, whom Breitbart News called a "renegade Jew." (Given its penchant for lies and for anti-semitism, don't be surprised if Breitbart News soon republishes The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the early 1900s forgery purporting to describe a Jewish plan for global domination that was a favorite of anti-semites Adolf Hitler and Henry Ford). If Bannon truly ran a news operation, he would have come to the defense of his employee, Michelle Fields, when she accused Corey Lewandowski, then Trump's campaign manager, of assaulting her after a news conference in Jupiter, Florida earlier this year. Instead, when Trump backed Lewandowski and attacked Fields, Breitbart News published an article questioning Field's account. Not surprisingly, she soon quit, as did other Breitbart employees who, despite their common right-wing views, believed that even Bannon had gone too far. Advertisement This week Trump brought the Breitbart News chairman on to head his sputtering campaign despite the fact that Bannon has no experience working on, much less running, a national political campaign. The appointment was generally seen as evidence that Trump was unhappy with efforts by his previous campaign operatives to restrain the impulsive candidate's rants and rages. Bannon will remove the straightjacket (and the Teleprompter) and let the narcissistic Trump be Trump. Bannon and Trump are a perfect fit, since Trump has consistently demonstrated his willingness to make stuff up if it can rile up his followers at rallies. And with Ailes joining the Trump campaign (helping him prepare for his debates with Hillary Clinton, among other tasks), it is clear that Trump will crawl even lower into the gutter of lies and character assassination to try to revive his faltering presidential run. In our 2010 analysis, Martin and I looked closely at Breitbart's approach to manufacturing scandals and injecting them into the mainstream media. We can expect that formula -- which Breitbart pioneered, Fox News perfected, and Bannon took even further -- to be reflected in Trump's increasingly bizarre campaign between now and November, and to serve as the template for a new media operation that Trump, Ailes and Bannon may launch soon after Clinton delivers her inaugural address in January. Why Does Anyone Take Andrew Breitbart Seriously? By Peter Dreier and Christopher R. Martin Huffington Post, July 23, 2010 Andrew Breitbart has a job to do and he does it well. Breitbart's job is to lie and distort the truth in order to advance a right-wing agenda, embarrass liberals, and undermine the Obama administration. Advertisement Breitbart is not a journalist, researcher, or pundit. He is a propagandist. He operates several websites (BigGovernment, BigJournalism, and BigHollywood), where he and other right-wing bloggers spew their political pornography. The articles that appear on these websites are contemporary versions of what historian Richard Hofstadter called, in a famous 1964 essay, the "paranoid style" of American politics practiced by extreme conservatives. Breitbart is part of the "paranoid style" conservative echo chamber that includes Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Mark Levin, and thousands of lesser-known activists who use a combination of talk radio, Fox News, dozens of conservative publications, and the new media (emails, blogs, youtube, facebook) to mobilize support for their right-wing crusade. Breitbart was a featured speaker at the Tea Party conference in Nashville in February and is a frequent guest on Fox News and right-wing TV and radio talk shows. His websites are propaganda vehicles for building a political movement. Unlike Fox News, he doesn't even pretend to be "fair and balanced." What much of America learned this week is that Andrew Breitbart is unfair and unbalanced. What's distressing is not that Breitbart does his job, but that the mainstream media and mainstream politicians, including the Obama Administration, take him seriously. The recent dust-up over the firing of federal Department of Agriculture employee Shirley Sherrod, fueled by a doctored video on Breitbart's website, is only the latest example of this. Since he began his website operation, Breitbart has sought to inject himself and his blogger network into the political debate. Sometimes he succeeds in getting wider attention, outside the right-wing silo, for the manufactured scandals he tries to provoke. Breitbart's public visibility has peaked twice, according to an analysis of stories on the Lexis/Nexis database. Advertisement His first brush with fame occurred in September 2009, after he sponsored two young right-wing video activists -- Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe -- who visited 10 ACORN offices with a hidden video camera, claiming they were a prostitute and her friend, and tried to entrap the group's staff into giving them advice about buying a home to use for their prostitution ring. They recorded their stunt and selectively edited the tapes for release, later splicing in video footage of O'Keefe dressed up in an outlandish pimp costume (hat, sunglasses, fur coat, and walking stick) with racist overtones. In fact, O'Keefe actually wore a dress shirt and slacks and identified himself as a student or friend of the young woman who was trying to protect her. Although O'Keefe's costume change was exposed months ago, the image has been imprinted in the media's mind. On Thursday, for example, the Associated Press story about Breitbart referred to O'Keefe and Giles as "actors posing as a prostitute and her pimp." Breitbart not only defended the duo's actions but said that O'Keefe "is already well on his way to being one of the great journalists" and that he deserved a Pulitzer Prize. Breitbart has refused to release the original, unedited videos to any of the organizations investigating the ACORN controversy. By the second week of September 2009, the ACORN videos became a national story. The videos were posted on Breitbart's website, then quickly became the top story on the Glenn Beck Show, the rest of Fox News, conservative talk radio (including Rush Limbaugh and his local counterparts), and CNN's Lou Dobbs Show. The controversy proved irresistible for the mainstream news media, which reported the story and broadcast clips of the videos many times. These video attacks compounded ACORN's problems, having been the victim of another manufactured scandal before and during the 2008 presidential campaign, when Karl Rove, John McCain, Sarah Palin, and the Republican establishment falsely accused ACORN of "voter fraud." The videos led many of ACORN's supporters to abandon the community organizing group. Soon after the video scandal surfaced in the mainstream media, the U.S. House of Representatives (including many Democrats who had worked with ACORN in the past) voted to de-fund the organization. In reality, less than 10 percent of ACORN's budget came from federal grants. But the symbolism of Congress' action was more important than the money itself. Congress' action provoked ACORN's cautious foundation funders to drop the group like a hot potato. Advertisement Within a few months, ACORN had been exonerated of wrongdoing by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, the Attorney General of California, and a federal judge, who ruled that the law barring the group's receipt of federal funds was unconstitutional. By then, however, it was too late. In April, ACORN laid off its entire staff and closed its offices in over 100 cities. (Meanwhile, last January O'Keefe was arrested for breaking into Sen. Mary Landrieu's New Orleans office in another "gotcha" attempt,; he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years of probation, a fine of $1,500 and 100 hours of community service). (Full disclosure: We were a target of Breitbart's smear tactics after we published a study revealing the distorted media coverage of the manufactured ACORN controversy. That study, "How ACORN Was Framed: Political Controversy and Media Agenda Setting," was published in the September 2010 issue of Perspectives on Politics, a journal sponsored by the American Political Science Association). Now Breitbart is back in the news as a result of another manufactured controversy, this one regarding Shirley Sherrod. He's gotten even more media attention for this episode than he did for his ACORN shenanigans. But the current firestorm has many of the same elements as the phony ACORN scandal that he cooked up last year. First, Breitbart posted a highly doctored video on his website that was intended to put its target (both African Americans -- hardly a coincidence) in the worst possible light. Then the right-wing echo chamber -- including Fox News and the conservative blogosphere -- picked up Breitbart's ball and ran with it. Next, the mainstream media -- the daily newspapers and the TV networks -- took the false accusations at face value and repeated them without bothering to verify and fact-check, acting more like stenographers than reporters. Finally, liberal groups like the NAACP and liberal politicians (in this case, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the White House), wary of any controversy, jumped the gun and distanced themselves from the target of Breitbart's attacks -- by firing Sherrod before she even had an opportunity to explain or they bothered to investigate the accusations. Advertisement Unlike the manufactured ACORN controversy, Breitbart's deception in the Sherrod "scandal" was uncovered quickly. A few media outlets, including CNN, dug a bit deeper, interviewed Sherrod, talked to the white farmers that Sherrod helped, reviewed the entire videotape of her speech to the NAACP in Georgia, and disclosed what should have been apparent from the beginning -- that what Sherrod actually said had no relationship to what Breitbart claimed she said. This led the White House, Vilsack, the NAACP and others to offer apologies and led Vilsack to offer Sherrod another job with the Department of Agriculture. There are thousands of right-wing websites and bloggers, but so far Breitbart is the most successful, having mastered -- indeed, having helped create -- the new rules of political combat made possible by the internet and cable TV. Breitbart has not only drawn attention to his manufactured scandals but also to himself. Time magazine, the New Yorker, Wired, Slate, and other publications have published profiles of Breitbart. These profiles could hardly be called fawning or even admiring. He comes across as an obnoxious, self-centered bully. But the profiles are nevertheless respectful, in the sense that they recognize his entrepreneurial skill and his take-no-prisoners attitude. Both the right-wing echo chamber and the mainstream media don't quite know how to categorize Breitbart and what he does. The Philadelphia Daily News called him a "rising conservative media figure." The Washington Post called him a "conservative activist" and an "internet entrepreneur." NPR described him as a "conservative online news entrepreneur." The New York Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution called him a "blogger," while Newsday and the New Republic called him a "conservative blogger." The Las Vegas Review-Journal called him an "online muckraker and journalist." Sean Hannity, the San Francisco Chronicle, and ABC's "Good Morning America" labeled him a "publisher." Regardless of what he's called, the Sherrod story is a good example of Breitbart's skill at what academics call "agenda-setting" and "framing". A week ago, hardly anyone had ever heard of Shirley Sherrod. Now, she's practically a household name. And many people who might not recognize her name at least know something of the story. In the past few days, almost every major news outlet has published or broadcast something about this story. That's the art of agenda-setting. Advertisement Americans not only know who Sherrod is, they already have an opinion about her, because they've been told that she's a black federal employee who used her position to discriminate against whites. That's the art of framing. Within a matter of hours, that frame burned through the media like prairie fire. This process is easily verified by an examination of Lexis-Nexis. Among daily newspapers, the conservative Washington Times has been the most likely to report Breitbart's propaganda over the past few years, followed by the Wall Street Journal. Among magazines, the conservative National Review, followed by the right-wing American Spectator, have given Breitbart a megaphone. Among TV networks, Fox News has been Breitbart's best customer, followed by CNN. Only after his smears are reported in the right-wing echo chamber do the mainstream media outlets pick it up, where it reaches a much wider audience. The mainstream media are mesmerized by the Tea Party and controversies that it and its political allies have stoked. In bending over backwards to cover the right wing -- and downplay comparable activities by liberal and progressive activists -- the reporters and editors have lost sight of the journalists' responsibilities not only to fact-check and verify, but also to provide context. By now it is clear what Breitbart is selling. But the real question is why the mainstream media and Democratic politicians bought it. Breitbart is a con artist, but con artists succeed if consumers don't know they are being conned -- or don't care. Given Breitbart's track record, why does anyone -- reporters and editors, foundations, advocacy groups, and elected officials -- take him seriously? Or why not at least treat him like an arm of the Tea Party, as a political activist, and a propagandist, not as a source of credible information? Advertisement Of course, Breitbart has offered no apology and is still trying to defend and justify his actions. Perhaps this most recent brouhaha will destroy Breitbart's credibility with the mainstream media and even with his right-wing colleagues at Fox News and elsewhere, who were embarrassed by the Sherrod mishap. But it isn't only the mainstream media that needs to do some soul-searching. It is also the Obama Administration and, more broadly, liberal Democrats and liberal advocacy groups and foundations, who were too quick to distance themselves from ACORN and now Sherrod. Clearly the Obama administration over-reacted, fearful, as a high-level official put it, of having the Sherrod story show up on Glenn Beck's Fox News show. Why they are so intimidated by Beck and his ilk is a mystery. Their followers, and those who identify with the Tea Party, represent no more than 15 percent of all voters. Moreover, very few of Beck's (or Limbaugh's) devotees would even consider voting for a Democrat. After all, they think Obama is a Marxist, a Muslim, and a foreigner. This is not a constituency that Obama and the Democrats are going to win over by appearing to be bipartisan or middle-of-the-road. And if Obama and his inner circle are worried that Breitbart's and Beck's poison will spread from their base among right-wing zealots and start influencing "independent" and "swing" voters -- and thus help sway close elections toward Republican candidates -- then the best way to prevent that from happening is to fight back, and challenge their lies and distortions, not run away and hide, or capitulate, as they did by firing Van Jones, abandoning ACORN, and firing Shirley Sherrod. Breitbart's credibility may or may not survive the Sherrod controversy. But what's important is whether responsible journalists -- as well as the Obama administration, the Democrats, and liberals and progressives -- learn some lessons from this episode. Advertisement Before I begin, please allow me to make it clear here. I am not a miserable person. Far from it in fact, however, I've began to realise recently that there are a number of noises that do something to me and it ain't pretty. Below is a comprehensive list of 10 noises that I've come to hate. I just cannot bear them. 10. Rustling of bags I don't go to the cinema often. In fact, Wes and I have been together almost 6 years and we have only been to the cinema twice. This is in part because of the noises the general public seem to make whilst watching a film. Coupled with the fidgeting, the chewing and the constant rustling of bags that seem to contain the noisiest food items in the world, it's as much as I can do to stop myself from storming out of there. And don't even get me started on the price of a trip to the cinema 9. Gagging I feel a bit tight putting this one on here but there's been numerous times over the last year or so where I've been subjected to the sound of nocturnal gagging. Of course, this is all self-inflicted so I have little sympathy for my dearly beloved. Especially if said beloved yells from the bathroom "Rach, can you come and rub my back." 9 times out of 10 I do it and as many of you will know, if there's one thing that puts me in a high state of anxiety then it's vomit. Advertisement 8. An alarm When we first moved into our house last Summer, the burglar alarm that we inherited had the most god-awful habit of going off in the small hours. Cue a Usain Bolt type sprint to the bloody device itself pushing a whole manner of buttons in the vain hope of shutting the bastard thing up. Do you think we could find the piece of paper that had the code on it at 3am whilst systematically trying to prevent our son from waking up? Could we balls. Our neighbours must hate us was 5 words I repeated on the regular. Even now I wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat worried the alarm is going to sound at any given moment. 7. The voice of someone I dislike Luckily I don't tend to spend much time with people I dislike. It's a lifestyle choice you see. However, if I do have the unfortunate experience of being in the company of some horrendous individual then hearing their voice makes me want to punch myself in the ear repeatedly. You know what it's like, when you realise you don't like someone everything they do and say becomes highly annoying. 6. Motorbike If my ears had tear ducts they would actually cry upon hearing the sound of a motorbike. Recently a neighbour of mine has introduced his motorbike or moped (I don't really know what it is but it has 2 wheels and an engine and quite frankly that's all I need to know) to the vicinity and I'm already finding myself cursing him under my breath. There was a time when Wes told me he was going to invest in a motorbike. An ultimatum was delivered upon hearing that and I'm pleased to report he remains bike-less to this day. 5. Fingernails down a chalkboard Surely no one is a fan of this noise? It makes me go all cold whenever I hear it, which luckily is quite rare, especially since I haven't been in school *whispers* for almost 2 decades. To be honest, anything to do with fingernails makes me feel a bit queasy. You'd always get a kid in school who liked to run his nasty nails down the board, didn't you? Little shit. Advertisement 4. Bagpipes Apologies to any Scottish readers who might be having a peruse of this post but I have to be true to myself and confess how much I hate the sound of bagpipes. There really is nothing worse than having a wander around a city centre on a Sunday afternoon, enjoying the sound of the birds tweeting (not really, I don't really like that noise either) when all of a sudden your peace comes to a dramatic end because some bloke has decided to blow the contents of his lungs into a bagpipe. I swear I can hear the sound ringing in my ears for days afterwards. 3. People eating loudly When my son has gone to bed, I often find myself languishing in my bed (my most favourite place ever) watching trashy television. This absolute heaven is usually disturbed by my other half plonking himself down, opening a noisy bag of something (see number 10) and chowing down on a noisy food item. Once I've noticed it that's it, I can no longer concentrate on Celebrity Big Brother or Emmerdale or whatever it is that I'm watching and Wes may as well be in my brain eating the packet of nuts. I swear he does it so he can have what he wants on the box. 2. George from Peppa Pig crying Peppa Pig is by far one of my son's most favourite TV programmes. Much to my dismay. I can't bear it when George suddenly bursts into tears, which as many other parents will know, tends to happen in every single bastard episode. It goes right through me. My face contorts and I have to go and stand in the kitchen for 5 minutes (the duration of the episode itself) just to escape the shrill that's reverberating around my living room. You can also file under here the sound of Peppa Pig's voice. In fact everything to do with Peppa Pig. Pity me when I take my son to Peppa Pig world in October. I wonder if I can have wine intravenously drip fed throughout the excursion. 1. My neighbours car As a budding entrepreneur, first impressions with potential clients, financiers or venture capitalists are of the utmost importance. The number of progressive-minded professionals seeking out entrepreneurial careers continues to grow at a pace much faster than the pool of available resources. By providing a presentable, confident and prepared innovative identity, new entrepreneurs can highly increase their chances of meeting the ultimate successful entrepreneurial cluster. Entrepreneurialism The landscape of entrepreneurialism continues to evolve. The characteristics that define the profession, or as some describe the culture, are much different than other professions. Effective entrepreneurs are tireless leaders who seek to take ideas and turn them into a viable business or social enterprise. Some prosperous entrepreneurs are well-known, while others remain behind the scenes while continuing to push their companies further. Even those that shy from the spotlight understand that the most successful entrepreneurs understand the value of networking. The importance of networking to develop long term business opportunities cannot be overstated. Goeffrey Wright, author of Business Networking: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Business Networking (Making Contact, Building Credibility and Getting Work), explains that effective networking is one of the cornerstones for any business accomplishment, especially entrepreneurialism. An important part of networking, he explains, is how a person presents them self when initiating meetings with prospects. Advertisement First Impressions Arthur Dobin with Psychology Today, speaks to the importance of a positive first impression in any phase of life, stressing the significance in building a career. While an initial constructive encounter advances a person's social cohesion, a bad first impression can create bias. Destroying a good impression can be done much easier than reversing the effects once an unlikable predisposition is formed. A bad first impression can be created by not understanding your audience. For example, showing up to an interview or social event to network for support for a research-related spark fund wearing shorts and a hat may not be taken well by a group of financial executives in Armani suites. If, on the other hand, the product was a new type of surf board and the meeting was with a group of surf shop owners in the middle of a beach, the apparel may be appropriate. Another way to create a bad first impression is by not being aware of social strengths and weaknesses and, if necessary, practicing skills. By fine-tuning their impression abilities, young entrepreneurs will be able to create a network of industry and business experts and peers to assist them in moving their ideas into the marketplace. In order to ensure a good first impression, entrepreneurial professionals should being with a professional appearance, exude confidence in their abilities, be prepared, keep abreast of and utilize appropriate technology and leave a positive, memorable lasting impression. Advertisement Professional Appearance As previously mentioned, the appropriate appearance may depend on the audience. When in doubt, however, conservative and professional is always the best choice. Dressing professionally does not have to mean expensively, but it should entail presenting oneself in a tidy, clean package. Professional appearance only begins with clothing. Hair, makeup and accessories should also be considered, and, of course, everything should done to ensure timeliness to any scheduled meetings or appointments. An entrepreneur is the face of the company--make sure the face the public sees in one they want to support. Show Confidence Making the decision to follow the entrepreneurial path takes a certain amount of confidence, and that confidence should be expressed when dealing with anyone, not just potential supporters. While self-assuredness may come naturally to some, it is not something every entrepreneur may find easy to exude. Confidence is a state of mind and, like other skills, it can be learned and honed. Overcoming a lack of sureness and self-doubt is possible. In his book, Confidence: Overcoming Low Self-Esteem, Insecurity, and Doubt, Dr. Thomas Chamorro-Premuzic discusses ways to eliminate self-doubt. Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic, a professor of business psychology at University College London, states that "dissatisfaction is the mother of change, and only change can drive improvement." Successful up-and-coming entrepreneurs who may find themselves dissatisfied with the status quo as it relates to their ability to be confident in interactions with others must turn that discontent into a tool for change. Be Prepared Entrepreneurs who are successful at obtaining funding and other support have invested substantial time and energy in developing a sustainable, clear path forward. Additionally, they have developed a method to explain this path in laymen terms to any audience. When first meeting with potential investors, clients and peers, have a strategy in place and be prepared to succinctly explain the plan for development and operation, as well as expected outcomes and returns. Anticipate questions related to the business venture and be ready with an answer. I do not know is never an acceptable response to questions specific to an entrepreneur's strategic plan. Utilizing Technology Technology is a driving force for many of the changes in the entrepreneurial landscape. Technology allows professionals to work faster, more efficiently, in more areas and, for better or worse, allows them to work constantly. Understand all of the technologies that can affect a specific business, and be willing to show potential clients and investors how that technology can be utilized to strengthen the business from the very first interaction. Have the appropriate information and, if possible, technology on hand to provide interactive examples of how social and other technologies will be utilized. Advertisement Lasting Impression CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 17: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to supporters at a rally at John Marshall High School on August 17, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images) There is a growing asymmetry between the media's mounting demands for Donald Trump to release his tax returns (Hillary has done so) and their diminishing demands that Hillary Clinton release the secret transcripts of her $5000 per minute speeches before closed-door banking conferences and other business conventions. The Washington Post, an endorser of Clinton, in its August 18 issue devoted another round of surmising as to why Trump doesn't want to release his tax returns--speculating that he isn't as rich as he brags he is, that he pays little or no taxes, and that he gives little to charity. Other media outlets endorsing Hillary have been less than vociferous in demanding that she release what she told business leaders in these pay-to-play venues. Advertisement When asked last year about her transcripts on Meet the Press, she said she would look into it. When the questions persisted in subsequent months, she said she would release the transcripts only if everybody else did. Bernie Sanders replied that he had no transcripts because he doesn't give paid speeches to business audiences. Nonetheless she continues to be evasive. We know she has such transcripts. Her contract with these numerous business groups, prepared by the Harry Walker Lecture Agency, stipulated that the sponsor pay $1000 for a stenographer to take down a verbatim record, exclusively for her possession. . The presidential campaign is moving into a stage where it will be harder for reporters to reach her. Except for a recent informal gathering with some reporters, Hillary Clinton, unlike all other presidential candidates, has not held a news conference since last December. This aversion to media examination does not augur well should she reach the White House. Secrecy is corrosive to democracy. Why wouldn't Hillary tell the American people, whose votes she wants, what she told corporations in private for almost two years? Is it that she doesn't want to be accused of doubletalk, of "gushing" (as one insider told the Wall Street Journal) when addressing bankers, stock traders or corporate bosses? On the campaign trail Hillary only mimics Bernie Sanders's tough, populist challenges to Wall Street. The Clintons are not known for answering tough questions or participating in straight talk. Dodging and weaving is what they do and too often they get away with it. Advertisement Hillary is the clear reported choice for president not just by the Wall Street crowd. The champions of the military-industrial complex love her variety of extreme hawkishness, which rings the cash registers for ever more military weapons contracts. As the Sanders uprising dims, Hillary can be seen already returning to her former militarized foreign policy. On the last day of the Democratic Convention, the stage's military presence foreshadowed her return to militarism. Her supporters shouted "U.S.A., U.S.A." to drown out the Sanders shoutouts for peace and justice. Hillary's supporters sounded like the jingoistic Republicans. She's been endorsed by numerous retired Pentagon, C.I.A. and N.S.A. officials who find Trump's "Why can't we get along with Russia and China?" statements disturbing to their world views. Where Trump's White House is seen as utterly unpredictable, Hillary's White House is utterly predictable: more Wall Street, more military adventures. As Senator and Secretary of State she has never seen a weapons system or a war that she didn't support. Remember her singular pressure to attack Libya over the objections of then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates who asked, "What happens after the regime is overthrown?" Hillary's judgement and experience regarding Libya resulted in an ongoing, spreading disaster of violence and chaos in that war-torn country and its neighboring countries to the south. It is bad enough that monetized politicians and the mass media reduce voters to the status of spectators, excluded from injecting their issues, and their perceived injustices into the electoral campaigns. Now people are told to stop complaining when candidates such as Hillary Clinton tell the gilded few what she and they don't want many of us to hear. Advertisement Finance has a way of turning useful tools into dangerous weapons. The U.S. saw this a decade ago with mortgages, and now a similar problem is shaping up with student loans. A mushrooming of student debt There is now $1.36 trillion of student debt outstanding, and what is most striking is the pace of increase. This debt has doubled in the past eight years, a rate of growth that is comparable to that of mortgage debt leading up to the housing crisis. On its way to reaching its peak level in mid-2008, mortgage debt roughly doubled over the prior seven years - and we all know how that turned out. Not surprisingly, this mushrooming of student debt its taking its toll. According to Federal Reserve figures, some 11.8 percent of students with loans are officially considered to be in default. Advertisement The price of student loan forgiveness A populist solution is to simply forgive part or all of the student loan debt. A common assumption behind this proposal is that profiteering banks have taken advantage of students by enticing them into loans they didn't understand and can't afford. Here are four reasons why student loan forgiveness could be costly: 1. Taxpayers foot the bill One problem with this is the U.S. government has guaranteed the vast majority of the student loan debt outstanding, so if loans are forgiven or students simply default on them, it is the U.S. taxpayer who will foot the bill, not some deep-pocketed bank. This would amount to a national subsidy of tuition, which is an idea worth discussion. But this solution is expensive enough that it should be planned in advance, not backed into after the fact. 2. Students who already paid back tuition wouldn't benefit Also, deciding retroactively to broadly subsidize tuition would be patently unfair to those students who worked hard to earn tuition money or pay off their loans. 3. Government loan guarantee programs could disappear Besides this unfairness, a general student loan repayment amnesty would have a couple of other hazards. It would most likely result in government loan guarantee programs being sharply curtailed in the future. Removing or scaling back government support for student loans would cause bank rates on those loans to skyrocket, especially given how high default rates have been. Advertisement 4. Less accountability among schools The other hazard is that simply forgiving student loans would not hold academic institutions accountable for making sure the tuition dollars their students are paying are well spent. Real student loan reform A big problem is that the aggressive marketing of some academic programs leads to heavy enrollment in schools or courses of study with low graduation rates, shaky career prospects or both. To fix this, consider restricting government-backed student loans in the following ways: By degree program. The government agonizes over how to create a workforce with the right skills. Restricting loans to degree programs with reasonable employment prospects would be one way of discouraging students from pursuing credentials for which there is no demand. By school. Schools which consistently graduate a small percentage of their students are essentially conning young people out of their money - or ultimately, the government out of its money. Attendance at those schools should not be eligible for government-backed financing. Shockingly, the federal government only requires schools to address high loan default rates when 30 percent of their former students are in default. If there is one lesson these schools can teach effectively, it is that the government cannot afford to be so forgiving. T. Harry Williams opens his celebrated biography of Huey Long with a story about the time Long went to campaign in "rural, Latin, Catholic, south Louisiana." A local boss was worried because Long was from Protestant north Louisiana. But when Long stood before the crowds he began by telling a reassuring story: "When I was a boy, I would get up at six o'clock in the morning on Sunday, and I would hitch our old horse up to the buggy and I would take my Catholic grandparents to mass. I would bring them home, and at ten o'clock I would take my Baptist grandparents to church." The local boss afterwards appreciatively told Long: "Why Huey, you've been holding out on us. I didn't know you had any Catholic grandparents." "Don't be a damn fool," Long chided him. "We didn't even have a horse." This is not the kind of story that is going to upset a lot of people concerned with politicians' lying. But it's worth understanding what even this charming tale says about voters. One lesson is that they easily can be hornswoggled. Some social scientists have argued in recent years that through the miracle of aggregation the judgment of the crowd is usually wise. But nothing in history suggests there's a reason for believing this to be true about voters. Voters make mistakes all the time. Advertisement There's no pattern in politics as clear as this one. In the thirties millions, were duped by Huey Long into believing that the federal government could guarantee every family a $5,000 a year income, a free college education, a 30-hour work week, and a month's vacation. But for an assassin's bullet Long might well have been elected president A few decades later, voters cheered as Joe McCarthy tarred the reputations of innocent people while spreading rumors that the government was infested with spies. (There were spies, but he wildly exaggerated their number and influence.) More recently a majority of Americans, according to well-regarded scientific surveys, succumbed to the belief that Saddam Hussein was somehow responsible for the attack on 9-11. They cited this misinformation when explaining their reason for supporting the invasion of Iraq. Wise voters wouldn't have (twice) given the keys to the White House to a man as unbalanced as Richard Nixon or rewarded George W. Bush with a second term after he started the Iraq War. Advertisement The trouble is knowing what to do when voters err. This question has taken on added urgency in 2016. While the presidential election has yet to be decided, we already have abundant evidence that millions have reached a mistaken conclusion in supporting Donald Trump's candidacy. By many measures he's unprepared for the office and by the judgment of many officials, both Republican and Democratic, he's unqualified by temperament as well. While some GOP leaders have been courageous in calling out Trump for his lies and innuendos, they haven't been willing to say that his voters are at fault, too. Here's Paul Ryan after Trump had made yet another embarrassing comment: "We are a party where the grass-roots Republican primary voter selects our nominee. And I think there's something to be said about respecting those voters." In effect, he's saying that out of a passionate commitment to democracy we need to defer to the judgment of voters even if we believe they've made a gigantic, monstrous blunder. That's some commitment. If a healthy respect for voters means you can't criticize them in a year when they've nominated Donald Trump as their presidential candidate then it is hard to know when you could ever call them out. (Yes, only a small minority of voters voted for Trump. But some 70 percent of the party's voters currently support him.) But we aren't paying homage to democracy when we decline to criticize voters. Actually, we're betraying it. Democracy only works when everybody's honest about the failings of both politicians and voters. This is for a very practical reason. You cannot fix a problem you don't acknowledge. Refusing to admit the obvious -- that voters failed -- undermines democracy's chief advantage over dictatorships. In a dictatorship, problems pile up because the people at the levers of power aren't held to account. In a democracy, where both voters and politicians have hold of those levers, they are -- or should be. But this can only happen when a spirit of honesty suffuses the body politic. In our dishonest times the voters are being given a pass. They don't deserve it. Advertisement It's understandable why a politician wouldn't want to rebuke voters he might need to turn to in the next election, but the rest of us shouldn't be taking our cues from politicians and we shouldn't be shy about saying what needs saying. But what exactly should we be saying? This is the hard part. It's not easily apparent what might prompt Trump voters to recognize they've made an error. The media have tried fact checking. That obviously and predictably hasn't worked because most people don't come by their political opinions through logic and reason. While I am all in favor of fact-checking, I hold out little hope it alone will move committed Trump voters to reassess their views. What then can we do? One temptation is to scream at them to try to break through. But that won't work either. Screaming just raises the political temperature and in that in turn is likely to lead Trump voters to double down on their commitment to Trump. They're angry enough to begin with. Making them more angry is only going to further freeze their views in place. That's one of the clearest lessons of political psychology. We should heed it. So we know what we shouldn't do. But what should we do then? One answer is offered by the Theory of Affective Intelligence. This theory, developed over the last two decades, rests on studies that show that human beings most readily change their views when they grow anxious. In that moment we become willing to set aside fixed beliefs and stare facts in the face. This happens because of the way our brain works. We privilege existing information in our heads about the way the world works until we get a funny feeling that suggests a mismatch between the idea in our head and the world as it actually exists. When our brain's unconscious surveillance system detects a mismatch it sends a signal to our conscious brain to make a fresh assessment. This suggests that what we should be doing is pointing out over and over again where Trump's views depart from reality. Expert opinion must lineup in unison against his plans to build a wall, block Muslim immigrants, or monitor intrusively Muslim communities. To be sure in this year of the outsider and populist anger leaders are held in contempt by many. But voters will be reluctant to go against experts if they hear time and again that they believe Trump's policies won't work. Advertisement The problem we face is that the dominant feeling in our politics right now is anger. And anger sabotages our surveillance system. When we're angry we are on automatic pilot. We don't think. We react. Anger has its uses, to be sure. Angry people feel empowered when they're angry. In small groups anger can help fuel social change. But when a whole society is angry, compromise, the lifeblood of democratic politics, is impossible. Trump, whether he knows about these scientific findings about anger or not, is acting as if he does. His incendiary language helps keep American politics burning red hot. This keeps his voters in an angry state. The self-evident solution is for everybody else to stop playing his game. Fighting fire with fire doesn't work. Instead, the Democrats and GOP moderates should be lowering the temperature so that Trump voters' brains don't default to instinctive commitments. As the social scientist George Marcus, one of the founders of the Theory of Affective Intelligence, says, voters are likely to reassess their views when the burden of holding onto their existing beliefs becomes greater than the cost of changing them. The truth is democracy failed us in this election. Voters should be told this. When they go wrong they need to know it. But how we go about it is vitally important. The first step is to stop yelling. Medical marijuana. Used by patients with varying health symptoms. This is a Cannabis Sativa, also known as Skunk. In the wake of the DEA's decision against rescheduling marijuana, the super-majority of the American people who support legalizing medical marijuana might properly wonder, "How bad is this news?" As the leader of the largest marijuana-policy-reform organization in the nation, my answer might surprise you: It barely mattered which way the DEA ruled. Advertisement Back in 1970, Congress and President Nixon placed marijuana in Schedule I, along with LSD and heroin, defining these drugs as having no therapeutic value and a high potential for abuse. Simultaneously, drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine were placed in Schedule II, which are defined as having therapeutic value. This "Flat Earth Society" view of marijuana has been challenged numerous times since 1970, but the DEA and federal courts have rejected all such attempts, including the Washington and Rhode Island governors' 2011 petition that the DEA just rejected. To be sure, moving marijuana to Schedule II would have had symbolic value, showing that prohibitionists were wrong to stubbornly claim for decades that sick people were merely imagining or lying about the medicinal benefits they experienced. However, there are federal criminal penalties for marijuana possession that are imposed regardless of its schedule. Even if the DEA had moved marijuana to Schedule II, growing 100 marijuana seedlings would still land you in federal prison for a minimum of five years. But rescheduling marijuana would not have allowed doctors to prescribe marijuana nationwide. Coca leaves, from which cocaine is derived, are listed in Schedule II, but physicians cannot prescribe coca leaves -- and pharmacies cannot sell these leaves -- because no one has moved coca leaves through the FDA approval process to make them available by prescription. Advertisement For marijuana (or any drug) to become available by prescription, you need to conduct FDA-approved clinical trials that demonstrate that a particular strain of marijuana is both safe and effective. If you were successful in doing so, that particular strain of marijuana would be available by prescription in pharmacies nationwide -- not just in the 25 medical marijuana states. While dozens of FDA-approved studies have shown that marijuana has medicinal value in the treatment of cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, AIDS, and pain, the problem is that no single, reproducible strain of marijuana has moved all the way through the FDA approval process. As such, the FDA must claim that marijuana hasn't yet been proven to have medical value, which led the DEA to conclude the same thing. To be fair, the DEA did announce that they will end NIDA's monopoly on marijuana grown for research purposes, which could help lead to the types of research the FDA is seeking. Next year, the FDA is expected to approve the first formulation of marijuana-derived cannabidiol -- known as "Epidiolex" and patented by GW Pharmaceuticals in England -- for physicians to prescribe to treat chronic seizures. This will be good news for epilepsy patients, but this won't legalize medical marijuana in all its forms; relatedly, this FDA approval of one specific combination of molecules won't affect the legal status of the hundreds of other marijuana strains that are legal in 25 states. So, contrary to common belief, if the DEA had rescheduled marijuana -- or if the FDA approves Epidiolex as a prescription medicine -- it's not that important. The FDA wouldn't have the authority to raid medical marijuana dispensaries (and the FDA doesn't have its own cops anyway). And even if the DEA had rescheduled marijuana, it could still raid the thousands of businesses that are growing or selling marijuana legally under various state laws. Also contrary to common belief, federal law doesn't trump the state laws that allow marijuana to be used for medical or social use in 25 and four states, respectively. Federal law specifies that state governments have the authority to determine their own criminal penalties for state and local courts to mete out. At the same time, the federal government can -- and does -- impose its own set of penalties, which are meted out in federal courts. Advertisement State and federal laws are simply two coexistent systems. But 99 percent of all marijuana arrests are made under state and local laws, not federal law. There simply aren't enough DEA agents and other federal enforcers to wage an inclusive war on marijuana users, and the federal government cannot require states to enforce federal law on behalf of the federal government. Back to rescheduling: The one benefit of moving marijuana to Schedule II is that it would reduce the amount of paperwork that clinicians must fill out in order to conduct research. But, even so, if you want to study marijuana with human subjects, you still need approval from the FDA, the DEA, and the Institutional Review Board of the institution where you want to conduct your research -- regardless of what Schedule marijuana is in. So we don't really care whether marijuana is in Schedule I or II. In fact, my organization and other advocates of marijuana legalization don't desire rescheduling, but rather the removal of federal penalties for marijuana and, furthermore, an explicit recognition that states should be able to determine their own policies without federal interference. FROM REALCLEARWORLDAUGUST 17, 2016By Ronald TierskyAugust 17, 2016 The military campaign against the Islamic State has jelled, and ISIS defeats continue to mount. As shown in the ouster of Islamic State forces last week from Manbij in Syria and Sirte in Libya, the group's fighters are now fleeing abroad or into the desert rather than fight to the death to hold untenable positions in cities and towns. Raqqa and Mosul will be next and at that point the war against ISIS in Syria and Iraq becomes a mopping-up operation, however bloody that may be. Its morale broken and its administrative structures and military force collapsing, the ISIS operation is shifting from establishing a Muslim theocratic state and global authority to surviving as a collection of more or less coherent international terrorist networks. Across the world there may be even more terrorist attacks than before, but at a certain point jumping from one dismal assessment to another must give way to looking at the facts as they are. In the Middle East, numerous religious, ethnic, regional, and national conflicts remain to be addressed, but the Islamic State's demise will be seen to be an event of historical consequence. ISIS is the apotheosis of Islamist geopolitical jihad as launched by al-Qaeda in the late 1980s. It will have had a fearsome life, but its short-lived success is unlikely to be replicated, let alone surpassed. That Islamic State survives materially in some other, ultimately less unique and consequential form, is another matter. That other jihadist groups survive for the foreseeable future is also of lesser consequence. That the ideology of global jihad survives in a weakened form and still attracting certain numbers of recruits is also regrettable but not fundamental. Some fanaticisms need only time to burn themselves out. Advertisement The issue then is how to make the most of Islamic State's destruction. The greatest issue has to do with the present and future development of Islam in general, and Islam in the Arab world in particular. How the ISIS saga will be pondered and digested within Islam is an important element of world political and religious evolution. A far from insignificant piece of that great debate involves what should be done with any ISIS leaders that are captured. ISIS leaders must not escape accountability in some forum. Those responsible for Islamic State's war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocidal depredations must not be allowed to simply disappear into prisons or be executed. ISIS should not be allowed to evaporate into historical oblivion. The International Criminal Court, flawed as it may be, is the appropriate institution because its specific mission is to enforce U.N. covenants on these most heinous of crimes. And the very fact that the United States for its own specific reasons is not a party to the ICC treaty will lend legitimacy to the court's jurisprudence. ICC cases are only brought to indictment and trial by its own Office of the Prosecutor, not by states. Advertisement Trying ISIS leaders at the ICC will furthermore demonstrate that religious war as well as war crimes committed for other reasons can be tried and judged as legal matters within the purview of agreed international law itself. A Tunisian woman wearing a 'burkini', a full-body swimsuit designed for Muslim women, walks in the water with a child on August 16, 2016 at Ghar El Melh beach near Bizerte, north-east of the capital Tunis. / AFP / FETHI BELAID (Photo credit should read FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images) Could Italian mayors follow in the footsteps of their French counterparts and issue decrees outlawing the burkini? In order to answer this question, we would need to discuss the meaning that the principle of secularism has in each of these two countries. In France, the heir and guardian of the Enlightenment, the secularism of the republic is defended in the first article of the constitution. Secularism here is interpreted as the absolute neutrality of government institutions in the face of religious phenomena, which are considered to be potential factors for social divisions. The state must guarantee freedom of religion, without interference. Meanwhile, religion must remain a "private affair," devoid of any social or legal emphasis. In other words, secularism in France is based on the clear separation of church and state. Citizens may be Jews, Muslims and Christians in the confines of their own homes, but French republicans once they step out the front door. Advertisement As a result, students in French state schools (excluding universities) are not allowed to wear clothes or symbols that "conspicuously manifest religious affiliation," including the veil. Students may be suspended or expelled if they do so, under French law no. 228/200. Similarly, "identity concealment by the covering of the face in public spaces" is prohibited in France, under law no. 1192/2010 -- effectively banning the burqa and niqab. The European Court of Human Rights upheld the ban on wearing full-face veils in public on two occasions. In Italy, however, the secular state is understood in a positive and inclusive sense. The Italian constitution regards religious phenomena as articles for personal expression that can exist in private and in public. Article 19 of the Italian constitution states: "Everyone has the right to freely profess their own religious faith in whatever form, individually or in association, to propagate it and to exercise it in private or public worship, provided that the rites are not contrary to good morals." Advertisement We must ask ourselves if a similar burkini ban in Italy would be the best way to fight the oppression of women. Secularism, therefore, does not imply the "indifference of public government in the face of religions", but rather "legislative neutrality and impartiality to all religions." Furthermore, the "government guarantees to protect and safeguard the freedom of religion, within a regime of confessional and cultural pluralism." It is the Italian republic's responsibility to "guarantee the conditions that favor the expansion of the freedom and liberty of everyone and, within this sphere, the freedom and liberty of religion," which is considered to "represent an aspect of the dignity of the human being, recognized and declared inviolable according to Article 2." Consequently, the constitution guarantees the right to profess one's personal religious beliefs in public; the right to conscientious objection on religious grounds; the right to practice in public institutions (such as hospitals, jails, or schools), the right to abstain from work in order to honor certain religious celebrations and festivals; and public financing for the construction of buildings dedicated to religious worship (civil constitutional amendments 195/1993; 346/2002). If these are the rights guaranteed by the Italian constitution, it is quite clear that wearing the burkini cannot be outlawed or forbidden in Italy, both because it does not constitute a threat to public order, and because it is an element of the expression of religious practice. Advertisement First of all, wearing the burkini does not fall under the legal prohibition of "means designed to make the recognition of an individual in a public space or an area open to the public, difficult without any justified motivation." In any case, the exercise of religious freedom qualifies as a justifying motive. There could be far more serious and effective ways to tackle gender inequality in the Muslim world -- including safeguarding the right for young Muslim migrants, boys and girls, to get an education. In fact, the Italian government states that the burqa -- which is even more concealing than a burkini -- "does not constitute a mask, but rather a traditional article of clothing for several populations, that continues to be used today for aspects of religious practice...therefore it would be misguided to discuss it under the laws that forbid wearing a mask in public spaces...its use is not generally intended to prevent recognition [which remains possible at the request of law enforcement], but rather constitutes the implementation of a tradition of certain populations and cultures." Of course, no one here wants to hide the fact that, in addition to an expression of their own cultural and religious identity, the burkini may constitute a form of the intolerable subjugation of women. But we must ask ourselves if a similar burkini ban in Italy would be the best way to fight the oppression of women. There could be far more serious and effective ways to tackle gender inequality in the Muslim world -- including safeguarding the right for young Muslim migrants, boys and girls, to get an education, and to become fully integrated in Italian society. Advertisement A bathing suit, as long as it is an expression of free choice, certainly won't threaten our society. Other crimes might hurt Italian society, such as female genital mutilation -- a practice that while motivated by cultural traditions, injures the dignity of human beings. Building up new walls of division or social marginalization not only risks proving useless and futile, but even counterproductive, as the dramatic consequences of the failed model of immigration in France are unfortunately demonstrating today. History is filled with so much irony it might have been written by Noel Coward, minus the wit. For years the right wing in America accused every liberal of being a Communist and a traitor. Now the right wing is enthralled by Putin and Russia - admiring the thuggery and calling it strength. Trump and Manafort are purveyors of this new myth. Some bloggers are truly worried by this Russian connection of Trump's and like in days of yore they call it treason. For me it is merely stupidity disguised as policy - but not for this blogger who wrote: "Comrade Trump is in the pocket of Russia. His economic and political ties are there. He asked Putin to cyber attack the US and offered to give over a free country to Russia. Add to this the fact that Comrade Trump hates the US and it's armed forces shown by his attacks against soldiers and their families. And his daughter "Ivanka" is one of his chief advisors. This Russia loyal scum should be kicked out of the race and out of America." The rhetoric of those who associate Trump with treason reminds me of the Republican rhetoric of the nineteen-fifties - and I am sure it is wrong based upon what we know of Trump. He has only one loyalty, not to men, women, or children - and not to Russia - only to money. Wealth is the measure of any man or woman he knows. Money is his native born country to whom he has pledged allegiance. If that man is a Russian oligarch who can lend him millions at low interest and buy a piece of property from him -- that man is a friend and fellow countryman. Loyalty can be counted in dollars and rubles - not in ideology. The amazing talent that he has is in turning his beliefs upside down for the mob. He clearly has nothing but contempt for the poor white men who attend his rallies - he considers them "white trash" losers yet he has convinced them that he will protect their interests - that they will be masters of the world once again if he is elected President. In this he is a true revolutionary candidate - and he would, I fear continue to encourage assassination when he loses the Presidency - because his bruised pride demands a little blood to help him heal. No, he is too inept to be a foreign spy, but just smart enough to be a Russian dupe, and a great American danger. A nuclear working group at the UN concluded its work in Geneva today and the majority of governments voted to recommended that the UN General Assembly set up a conference in 2017 to negotiate a new treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons are the only weapon of mass destruction that are not outlawed by international treaty. But that is about to change. 2017 Conference After more than twenty years of nothing, this working group just had a breakthrough. 107 governments said they support: Advertisement "The convening by the General Assembly of a conference in 2017 open to all states, international organisations, and civil society, to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons leading towards their total elimination" It was a group of Pacific Island countries that said these exact words first. Diplomats who have personal connections with nuclear weapons- relatives who remember seeing the bombs explode in the distance. Friends that can never go home to what were once islands of paradise, and are now radioactive wastelands. The 54 member African Group, the 33 member Community of Latin America and Caribbean countries (33) also voiced their support for a conference in 2017. For the first time, the ASEAN grouping (11) added their collective voice to this call for negotiations next year on a new nuclear weapons treaty. It is now up to the October meeting of the UN General Assembly First Committee to take up this recommendation, and set up a meeting next year to negotiate a new treaty to finally make nuclear weapons illegal. Advertisement Putting people first This breakthrough is result of the new global discourse on nuclear weapons. Since Norway hosted the first conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons in 2013, the effect of the weapons on humans and the environment has taken center stage. Three conferences were held on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons (Norway, Mexico, Austria). These brought together governments, academia and civil society for fact based examination of what the weapons can do- and what can be done to mitigate their effect. The result was: nothing. The conferences found that there is no way to recover from any use of nuclear weapons in populated areas, and no way to prevent the damage from crossing borders. No one can deny the catastrophic humanitarian harm that would be the result of any use of nuclear weapons. By discussing the effect of the weapons, they have been increasingly seen as illegitimate. The majority of countries have rejected the use of nuclear weapons, under any circumstances. There are only a very few countries that still hold onto the idea that nuclear weapons are useful. It is actually less than 20% of UN members. These countries include the possible use of nuclear weapons in their security strategies or doctrines. Overwhelmingly, however, the recognition is that any use of the nuclear weapons would have a catastrophic effect not constrained by national borders. Banning the bomb International treaties exist to prohibit all other weapons of mass destruction (Chemical and Biological) as well as to outlaw other weapons with indiscriminate effects (anti-personnel landmines and cluster bombs). The fact that nuclear weapons are not clearly illegal is simply bizarre. Advertisement No weapon has ever been eliminated before it was made illegal, and nuclear weapons are no exception. A ban would not only make it illegal for nations to use or possess nuclear weapons; it would also help pave the way to their complete elimination. Nations committed to reaching the goal of abolition have shown that they are ready to start negotiations in 2017. The overwhelming majority is about to ban the bomb. Man with jacket slung over his shoulder Gender expression can very much be forgotten amongst the copious discussions on gender identity. I forget about it every morning when I'm getting dressed for work. Usually, the quickest and most comfortable items that I see go on my body. I really don't care about the colour or design of my clothing, or where on the gender spectrum it falls. Moreover, how I look at work doesn't faze me that much and never really has. However, in the past year of employment many things about my gender identity and gender expression have made me stop to ponder the lack of connection between how I feel at work versus what people think I look like. When I first began teaching High School, I bought a bunch of new clothing to wear. Albeit, none of it made me feel how I felt my gender was, but as usual I just rolled with it. I mean, I wouldn't mind a jazzy waistcoat and matching bottoms (and come on, who wouldn't want to look like Sherlock Holmes at work?), but finding those things is very hard to come by, especially in tiny peoples' sizes. So I held on to, and continue to wear, the only waistcoat I own and jeez is it getting tattered! For the first few months of teaching I picked and matched items from the bundle I had bought and went to work looking mostly cisgender. The reaction of students and colleagues alike was neutral and no one was stunned when the waistcoat popped out of the woodworks like a missing sock in a closet. Over time, though, I would hear students and teachers refer to me as 'cute looking', 'frail', and 'sweet and innocent.' Now I don't know about you, but the people that know me would scream in horror at these statements. I am most definitely not any of the aforementioned! These ideas of me as a teacher continued for the remainder of the year and sort of lingered on my mind. Advertisement So here I am thinking about where I went wrong; was it the blouse I wore, cropped bottoms, or the cool way I said 'okey dokey'? It became clearer and clearer to me that how I felt it my head about my non binary identity was not showing to people at work. Firstly my thoughts consisted of a desire to lift weights and lose any and all cheeriness to establish a firm sense of authority and that I wasn't 'sweet.' Quickly I lost who I was in the process-I'm not that kind of teacher people, I'm too jolly- and I resorted back to my true self, much to my students confusion. However, a deeper awakening occurred for me. My eyes were opened to how my gender identity was not taken seriously by people at my work simply because my gender expression didn't 'look the part.' This became vivid when a student of mine commented on how normal I looked at an LGBT meeting. Normal? Am I expected to look queer in some way to be taken seriously? I simply and plainly wouldn't want to sport a three piece suit every day to seem authentic to people, and why should I? I enjoy the freedom to wear what I want depending on how I feel. I'm not going to put on airs for others. This also exposed how programmed students and people are in general to thinking that LGBT+ equals 'dressing odd.' Hmmm the last time I checked that's called stereotyping. Furthermore, my lack of 'looking odd' left me feeling-as well as like a joke to some people-misgendered. Many take me for cisgender based on my appearance (like I said, I'd kill to be Sherlock Holmes). This brings with it a cisgender 'privilege' towards me whether I like it or not, when inside I feel anything but privileged (more like invisible and underrepresented). I have once been notably told 'well you can talk, at least you pass.' Well yes I have a voice box, so I can talk, but really, you're going to use the word 'pass'? For me, 'passing' is what creates my feelings of invisibility at work in the first place, fueling a constant internal battle with myself about wanting to dress as I do, but wanting to be taken seriously at the same time. Passing can be vital to some people though, especially if they want to be identified by others as a certain sex. Advertisement There are many others in a work environment that feel the urge to dress eccentric, and by all means they have the right to. The results of this, though, can be the opposite effect of being taken seriously. I watched a supply teacher show up in something I can only describe as out of Michael Jackson's closet. Don't get me wrong, this teacher rocked that outfit, but what didn't rock were the reactions by fellow colleagues. They saw this person as a 'threat' and 'bizarre looking' simply because they had a cool sense of style. The supply teacher identified as gender neutral and was very pleasant to speak to during break time. So gender expression in this case didn't help this person gain validity of their gender identity at work. So what can you do? I personally I continued to be who I am and dress the way I like. I know I will never be seen by some people at work as being 'authentic non binary' based on my attire, but would they embrace my identity if I looked more 'queer' to them? This probably will remain a challenge of mine and one that I shall laugh over when looking back in time. It really goes to show how non binary identities still aren't 'real' for most people. -- Boo at the Zoo is back Boo at the Zoo will take place from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, throughout the grounds of the zoo, and is free to the public. A memo sent to the Group Insurance Board last week by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking the former to reconsider its July 12 decision to cover for the costs of gender reassignment surgery for state workers starting next year.The insurance board did not take any action on the changes at a meeting Tuesday, reported Wisconsin State Journal.DOJ deputy attorney general Andy Cook explained in the memo that the boards decision was based on unlawful federal rules from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Cook argued that the boards rules improperly reinterpret Title IX, which covers discrimination on the basis of sex, to apply to gender identity.Nowhere in the Congressional debates over Title IX does the phrase gender identity or transgender appear, Cook asserted.It was the state Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) that had previously advised the insurance board to cover for gender reassignment services, asserting that it was required by the new federal rules.ETF responded to the DOJ memo, saying that failing to cover for the services could endanger the states capability to contract with health insurance companies. The agency also warned that the state could lose about $36 million per year in Medicare subsidies if the board rescinds its decision.ETF recommended those changes after careful review of the (federal) rule, said David Nispel and Diana Felsmann of the ETF.Cook commented that by ending the states previous exclusion of coverage for gender reassignment services, the ETF is encouraging that all similar services be covered even if they are not medically necessary.Nispel and Felsmann, however, disagreed with Cooks opinion, saying that health plans can still deny services that are not medically necessary.According to ETF spokesman Mark Lamkins, the department is proceeding with the boards decision. The Regional Issues Subcommittee agreed to craft warning letters to send to the towns. BRPC To Towns: Consider Long-term Sustainability of Broadband Choices PITTSFIELD, Mass. Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is warning towns not to settle for internet which may not be fast enough in a few years. The relaunching of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute comes with changes to the program which allows towns to craft individual plans for expanding broadband into unserved areas. That includes grants for cable companies to expand, such as Lanesborough, West Stockbridge, and Hinsdale opted to do, or expansion of a wireless system like Middlefield is piloting or running fiber cables to the homes like Mount Washington. BRPC's Regional Issues Subcommittee believes that nothing less than fiber optic wiring to homes will be sufficient in the coming years and is warning for a careful consideration before utilizing the money MBI is offering. Towns are being asked to sign off that the grant for whichever project is chosen fulfills MBI's funding for the town. "I can easily envision that if they don't think through that carefully, they may be in the position of making a decision now that in four or five years from now they will still be paying for and finding it is something they regret," Executive Director Nathaniel Karns said. "We don't have any evidence that says anything buy fiber is going to meet those future needs." In Lanesborough, West Stockbridge, and Hinsdale, MBI released a grant to Charter Communications for $1.6 million to expand throughout those towns. The towns had previously been only partly served by cable. Karns, a Lanesborough resident, said that expansion is going from very poor service to "slightly better" service. "It is going from one monopoly with crummy service to one with slightly better service," Karns said. Karns said the expansion will lower the cost immediately. But, he fears in a handful of years, the service won't be up to the standards envisioned by the MBI program when it was first enacted. He said every town that has tried using wireless or satellite for internet has been a failure. "My impression around the region is that, with rare exceptions, folks like the select boards and our legislators are not often aware of the deficiencies and the problems we will be facing," Karns said. After waiting so long for internet, underserved towns may be quick to pull the trigger to get any high-speed service. In some cases when companies like Verizon or Comcast has a monopoly, Karn's found instances when the upload capacities were well below advertised and there is very little room to work with the towns to provide better service and Karns presented a case made by the towns of Hardwick and Montague made to the Department of Telecommunications and Cable echoing those sentiments about Comcast. "I think it is a stark reminder of why we might be so concerned about having monopoly position by the cable companies," Karns said. In Williamstown, Town Planner Andrew Groff said there has been momentum to expand fiber optic wire to the homes. But, the upfront cost poses a boundary. At the same time, he sees copper wire expansion as having less return on investment because it will deteriorate quickly. "There is only so much we can do. North Adams has fiscal challenges, we have infrastructure concerns that are slightly more pressing," Groff said. Groff also expressed concern with each town crafting its own plan, which is a major change of the MBI model. He says towns working together through collaboratives would find a much better long-term solution. "If you don't all work together on it, the solution is not going to present itself," Groff said. BRPC isn't just going to criticize the plan but is willing to take part in keeping those towns together to find a long-term solution. The organization receives state funding for District Local Technical Assistance projects and Karns said there could be some money available to help towns through that provided the governor doesn't cut the program with another round of so-called 9C cuts this year. He also added the organization can help seek out funding from major employers and non-profits, who have a stake in the internet game, to help. "I think there is a great deal of urgency to it," said Pittsfield representative Sheila Irvin. "My concern is as soon they finish with these unserved, nobody else is going to have a chance." Irvin said when it comes to cable companies, they are "calling all of the shots." "That's a very limited vision that they've got and when they are done, they're done and we're stuck," she said. "We do need to involve businesses, the bigger businesses." BRPC is now sending out letter outlining their concerns to various stakeholders towns that are unserved with basic information about the different technologies, the three towns who already agreed with the Charter welcoming them to the 21st century while still cautioning them that in a few years there may be speed issues, all of the other towns which have cable about the upgrades the companies are performing, and the local Chamber of Commerce's to get businesses on board. "I still don't get the sense that anyone is really looking at what is going to be needed in five years," Karns said. "We are going from an awful situation to a slightly better situation." Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers Dave Shepard honored state Rep. Paul Mark as legislator of the year. Mass Dairy Farmers Honor Rep. Mark As Legislator of the Year DALTON, Mass. State Rep. Paul Mark was honored by the Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers as legislator of the year. At a picnic in Sunderland, Mark was given the award by MADF President Dave Shepard. "The award was presented to him for his unwavering advocacy on behalf of the dairy industry of Massachusetts as well as recognition of his effective representation for his district, for agriculture, and for the environmental issues having a state wide impact," Shepard said. "He's a true leader among the legislative members of the house." The Peru Democrat has been an advocate for local farms and argicultural products since taking office in 2011. He served as a member of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture from 2011 until 2015. He sponsored multiple farm-friendly bills and budget amendments. "Dairy Farmers are some of the hardest workers this state has and to be named their legislator of the year is a great honor to me," Mark said. "The importance of helping these local farms remain viable cannot be overstated and I will continue to do everything I can to assist them at the state house and in the district." Mark's district consists of 16 cities and towns, mostly rural and with many small, family-owned farms throughout Berkshire and Franklin Counties. We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers. To unlock this article: Imperial Valley News Center Discussing the History of Social Change in the Modern US Navy Washington, DC - The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) hosted a lecture on "Social Change in the Modern U.S. Navy," at the National Museum of the United States Navy Aug. 17 as part of the "Needs and Opportunities in the Modern History of the United States Navy" lecture series. The lecture featured Edward J. Marolda, Ph.D., an adjunct professor at Georgetown University who completed a 40-year career in the U.S. federal government in 2008. Marolda recently completed an essay reviewing social history books written about the modern U.S. Navy published after 1945. Focusing on social change in the U.S. Navy in the 20th century, Marolda spoke about the military service experience of women and minorities. According to Marolda, World War II brought their service into the public eye. "At the end of World War II, Americans were much more aware of the contributions of African Americans in combat in support of the war... much more aware of the WAVES - Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service," Marolda said. "Americans knew about the great contribution of Dorie Miller, a black Sailor who received the Navy Cross for his exploits at Pearl Harbor, and about the Japanese-American 442 I Regimental Combat Team, the most highly decorated Army unit in World War II, [which was made up of] Japanese-Americans." Marolda continued, discussing the impact of Executive Order 9981, issued by President Truman in 1946, which mandated a policy of "equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin." Marolda argued that during the next few decades, the civil and women's rights movements, racial unrest in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the end of the draft in 1973 all affected social change within the Navy. He placed particular emphasis on the role of Adm. Elmo Zumwalt as a catalyst for change and a champion for equal opportunity for minorities and women in the Navy. NHHC historians John Sherwood, Ph.D., and Frank Blazich, Ph.D., also spoke on the topic at the lecture. "Unquestionably, the Navy has come a long way since 1945 to develop a force more representative of the society and nation it is sworn to preserve and protect," Blazich said. "There are some quality studies available, including several written by the historians of this command. Much work, however, remains to be done." Both Blazich and Marolda called for a more comprehensive social history of the post-World War II Navy, one that synthesizes the myriad of literature published about women and minorities in the modern Navy. For a more recent study of history, he said it is important to study social media's impact in the Navy. "How the Navy and its personnel are perceived in the digital realm by individuals of all walks of life will influence the future of the force's recruiting, retention, and public perception," Blazich said. Sherwood, author of "Black Sailor, White Navy: Racial Unrest in the Fleet during the Vietnam Era," was concerned about historians taking an approach that was too progressive. Truman's order did not end racial discrimination in the Navy overnight; the plight of black Sailors in the Navy did not improve considerably until Admiral Zumwalt's reforms in the 1970s," Sherwood said. The last lecture of the series will focus on U.S. naval operational history in relation to mine warfare and will be held at the National Museum of the United States Navy on the Washington Navy Yard at noon, Aug. 31. It will be presented by Scott Truver, Ph.D., co-author of "Weapons that Wait: Mine Warfare in the U.S. Navy." For help with accessing the museum, call (202) 781-0976. You possibly can relaxation assured your essay shall be finished privately, and your particular person information is going to be firmly protected. Thus, you'll obtain the most effective-written essay. When looking on the internet for a treatment to your assignment issues, it is often fairly overwhelming to sift by means of every one of the different essay writing providers that profess to offer the perfect services and high quality for the very best costs. Fortunately, you'll be able to order inexpensive essay at EssayMama! Selecting an internet essay writing service is kind of widespread at the moment. 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Should you have any kind of issues with regards to where by and tips on how to use paidessay.com/research_paper, it is possible to email us from our own website. NHHC, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history, and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus. Imperial Valley News Center Southern White Rhino at San Diego Zoo Safari Park Under Medical Treatment for Suspected Bullet Wound Escondido, California - A 5-year-old female southern white rhino at the San Diego Zoo Safari Parks Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center is undergoing veterinary care for a non-healing wound on the rhinos left side. The animal care staff at the Safari Park has been treating the rhino, named Wallis, since she was moved from a private reserve in South Africa to the Safari Park. A minor surgical procedure was performed to explore and clean the wound. When this did not result in resolution, a second procedure was performed and revealed the wound to be more extensive than it appeared. There has been speculation that the wound was originally caused by a penetrating foreign body. Earlier this week, a metal detector provided a strong signal for a brass or lead object under the current wound site. Radiography will be attempted to further evaluate the affected area; however, there are concerns that the size of the animal will limit the effectiveness of this study. The animal care team may seek assistance in the near future from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, which has offered the use of specialized imaging equipment utilized by their bomb squad. Veterinarians want to pursue all noninvasive diagnostic techniques available to give them a better understanding of this chronic wound and the best treatment approach. While it cant be confirmed, it appears Wallis may have been the target of a failed poaching attempt while in South Africa. Poaching has dramatically affected rhino populations in the wild and in private reserves in Africa. Rhinos are poached for their horn, which is made of keratinthe same material that forms human fingernails. Rhino horn has been erroneously thought to have medicinal value and is used in traditional remedies in some Asian cultures. In addition, objects made of rhino horn have more recently become a status symbol, purchased to display someones success and wealth, because the rhino is now so rare and endangered. Wallis is one of six female rhinos that were relocated to the Safari Park from private reserves in South Africa, as part of a collaborative conservation effort to save the critically endangered northern white rhinoand all rhino speciesfrom extinction. San Diego Zoo Global has been working for decades, along with other accredited zoos, to keep a sustainable population of rhinos safe under human care while working to protect them in sanctuaries in the wild. The Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center furthers this commitment and helps in establishing the Safari Park as a sanctuary to protect rhinosat a time when an average of three rhinos are killed each day in the wild by poachers. Bringing species back from the brink of extinction is the goal of San Diego Zoo Global. As a leader in conservation, the work of San Diego Zoo Global includes on-site wildlife conservation efforts (representing both plants and animals) at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, as well as international field programs on six continents. The work of these entities is made accessible to children through the San Diego Zoo Kids network, reaching out through the internet and in childrens hospitals nationwide. The work of San Diego Zoo Global is made possible by the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy and is supported in part by the Foundation of San Diego Zoo Global. Afghan Independence Day Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I extend our congratulations and best wishes to the government and people of Afghanistan on the occasion of Afghanistans 97th anniversary of independence on August 19. "Despite the many challenges Afghanistan has faced and the many sacrifices endured, there is much to celebrate today. The Afghan people have made tremendous strides over the last 15 years, including significant improvements in education, health, infrastructure, womens rights, economic opportunities, and media freedom. "Afghanistan continues to make progress towards a more democratic and secure future. We stand with you as you honor your many achievements, and we salute your courage, your hard work and your commitment to build on them in the years ahead. "Our commitment to the Afghan people is strong, and we look forward to strengthening the bonds of friendship between our nations." Secretary Kerry To Travel to Nairobi, Sokoto, Abuja, and Jeddah Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Nairobi, Kenya, on August 22 to meet with President Kenyatta to discuss regional security issues and counterterrorism cooperation, as well as bilateral issues. Secretary Kerry will also meet with Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed and other regional foreign ministers to discuss key challenges in East Africa, including the prospects for resumption of a political process in South Sudan and support to Somalias political transition and ongoing fight against al-Shabaab. He will have the opportunity to meet with participants of the Young African Leaders Initiative and the Mandela Washington Fellows programs. The Secretary will travel to Sokoto, and Abuja, Nigeria, on August 23-24. He will meet with President Buhari to discuss counterterrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption, and human rights issues. In Sokoto, he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism. In Abuja, the Secretary will meet with a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society. He will also meet with northern governors and religious leaders. On August 24-25, Secretary Kerry will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a series of meetings with senior Saudi leaders, his counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen. His discussion will focus on the ongoing conflict in Yemen and efforts to restore peace and stability. Additionally, the leaders will discuss the regions most pressing challenges, including Syria and our global effort to counter Daesh and violent extremism. On the Occasion of Hungary's National 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 Hungary as you celebrate Saint Stephens Day this August 20th. "The United States values its partnership with Hungary. As NATO allies and members of the broader transatlantic community, we share the burden of combating new and emerging challenges to global security, from Iraq and Afghanistan to the realm of cybersecurity. "Our partnership also reminds us of our obligations to uphold the principles of democracy, rule of law, and human rights domestically and abroad, working to advance the causes of peace, freedom, and human dignity. "On this special day, the United States wishes the people of Hungary continued peace and prosperity in the years to come. The United States looks forward to continuing the strong collaboration between our nations across a range of mutual interests." If you read Superman comics as a kid, youre probably familiar with Bizarro World the planet where everything is the opposite of life on Earth. I bring this up because its clear Donald Trump is running for president of Bizarro World. Trump is on track to lose female voters like no other candidate in modern times a new poll in pivotal Florida says that hes losing white women by 17 points so you would think, here on Earth, that hed want to prepare for the autumn debates by enlisting an adviser whos politically savvy about women. But no. Hewing to the rules of Bizarro World, Trump will take debate advice from Roger Ailes the Fox News chairman who lost his job amidst allegations that he sexually harassed at least 20 women. Trump is bursting with Bizarro behavior these days. He has no chance zero, nada of winning Maine or Connecticut or Wisconsin ... so naturally he has campaigned this month in all three. Hes trying to pitch himself to black voters ... so naturally he staged a rally in a white suburb. He badly needs to broaden his appeal beyond the fever swamp ... so naturally he announced this week (in yet another staff shakeup) that his new campaign CEO is Steve Bannon, the notorious chairman of Breitbart News, a fever swamp website thats pitched to people who think Fox News is too nice. Bannon is bad enough conservative critic Erick Erickson says the Trump campaign is moving from dumpster fire to Chernobyl but the fateful pairing of Trump and Ailes is what fascinates me most. Two serial sexists, jointly plotting their last hurrah. They deserve each other. Even as various Trump flacks tried to deny that Ailes is on board, its patently obvious why Trump wants him around. Ailes is the acknowledged master of using television to fool gullible viewers. Long before he ever worked his magic at Fox News, creating a misinformation propaganda shop that masquerades as journalism, Ailes made his bones repairing and honing the TV images of Republican candidates. And no candidate has ever needed image repair more than Trump. Ailes wont be the only voice in Trumps ear as debate season draws near, but he alone brings expertise dating back to Dick Nixon in 1968. His task that year, as Nixons media adviser, was to package a New Nixon in place of the Old Nixon. The Old Nixon was paranoid and polarizing; the New Nixon was wise and mature. It was all fakery, of course, but Ailes did his job well. He crafted 30-minute infomercials that featured Nixon taking a lot of softball questions in TV studios from citizens pre-chosen by Ailes. The studio spectators applauded every answer. Itll be the challenge of Ailes career to soften Trumps detestable image, especially during his debates with Hillary Clinton. Its one thing to fool the credulous viewers of Fox News, but itll be tough to foist a New Trump on the broader, skeptical public. During debate prep, Ailes will probably try to shave down Trumps rough edges, try to make people forget the divisive bellowing buffoon. Heck, even an alleged sexual harrasser understands that female viewers wont vote for an alpha male who yells at a woman. But there are two big problems: (1) Trump doesnt listen to anybody, and (2) The rest of Trumps brain trust new CEO Steve Bannon, Putin-compromised Paul Manafort, and new campaign manager Kellyanne Conway (who has toiled in vain for 20 years trying to get more women to vote Republican) will be competing to make Trump listen. Bannon, for instance, is not big on image makeovers; he thinks that Trump should just be Trump. How sad for Roger Ailes. He may have launched his political career as a genius, but now, after leaving Fox News in disgrace, he risks going down in the smoking wreckage. Designation Under Russia's "Undesirables" Law of the International Republican Institute and the Media Development Investment Fund Washington, DC - We are deeply troubled by the Russian governments decision to designate the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) as so-called undesirable organizations. Throughout the world, IRI and MDIF promote openness, accountability in government, and media freedom, principles Russia should seek to promote, not to suppress. The people of Russia deserve transparent and accountable governance, equal treatment under the law, and the ability to exercise their rights without fear of retribution. We again call on the Government of the Russian Federation to uphold its international obligations and commitments to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to eliminate such restrictions on the important work of civil society organizations in Russia. President Barack Obamas Trip to China and Laos Washington, DC - President Obama will travel to China and Laos September 2-9, 2016. This trip will highlight the Presidents ongoing commitment to the G-20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation as well as the U.S. Rebalance to Asia and the Pacific. In China, the President will participate in his final G-20 Leaders Summit, where he will emphasize the need to continue building on the progress made since 2009 in advancing strong, sustainable, and balanced global economic growth. He will underscore the importance of G-20 cooperation in promoting a level playing field and broad-based economic opportunity. The President will also conduct in-depth meetings with President Xi Jinping of China in Hangzhou, where the two leaders will discuss a wide-range of global, regional, and bilateral issues. President Obama will be the first U.S. president to visit Laos, where he will participate in the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit. Additionally, he will have bilateral meetings with President Bounnhang Vorachith and other key officials to advance U.S.-Lao cooperation on economic, development, and people-to-people ties, among other areas. The President also will participate in the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative Summit, where he will hold a town hall meeting. During the ASEAN Summit, the President will discuss ways to strengthen our economic cooperation with the countries of Southeast Asia, which collectively represent Americas fourth largest trading partner and further enhance our collaboration on regional and global challenges. At the East Asia Summit, the President will coordinate with the regions leaders on efforts to advance a rules-based international order. This visit also will support the Presidents efforts to expand opportunities for American businesses and workers to sell their products in some of the worlds fastest-growing markets. Central to this effort is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the high-standards trade agreement that will unlock key markets to American exports and cement Americas economic leadership in the Asia-Pacific. This is the President's eleventh trip to Asia since taking office in 2009. WATCH: Cat Becomes Hostile After Pitbull Pampers it MEA launches mobile App integrating various social media handles Published: August 18, 2016 The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has launched a mobile app that integrates various social media handles of over 170 Indian missions on a common platform. The application will help to further expand digital presence of MEA and serve as a common platform to further its public outreach. Key Facts The application has been developed by social media giant Facebook for free. It will help people connect with Indian missions abroad and the MEA through a range of social media platforms without having to access individual websites. The MEA uses Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Gplus, Youtube, Soundcloud, Flickr to reach out to people as part of its social media engagement. People through the app can just tap on the map of the country to get access to all social media platforms of the mission rather than searching for websites, Facebook pages and twitter handle of individual missions. Month: Current Affairs - August, 2016 Topics: E-governance Facebook MEA National Latest E-Books Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Boogie Nights, Oceans Eleven, Hotel Rwanda, The Guard over his two-decade career, Don Cheadle has set himself apart as a character actor to be reckoned with. His talents dont end there; with recent film Miles Ahead an unconventional biopic focused on legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis the actor turned writer-director. We spoke with Cheadle about his filmmaking struggles, whether hell return as War Machine in future Marvel outings and how Rush Hour 2 led to him playing one of the most celebrated musicians of our time. Would you describe Miles Ahead as a passion project? It went through a lot of different stages and a ten-year journey to bring it to the screen but I guess ultimately what drove it more than that was just the sense of responsibility to the [Davis] family and to myself to complete it and not just walk away. Because it seemed at times it was going to be impossible to finish. The films gone through every single kind of emotion torture, joy, pain so maybe passion is all of those things. Don Cheadle as Miles Davis in Miles Ahead What was the key obstacle that you faced in getting the film made? Oh, there was every obstacle the financing, casting, the timing. We had a home at HBO who had a relationship with Picturehouse and was going to release it theatrically there. Then the world broke and everybodys money dried up and we were back to square one. We were out beating the bushes trying to find independent money and that was a grind. Right up until post production on the movie, we were still dealing with issues; it never stopped. Was it true the Miles Davis family wanted you and nobody else for the role? Yeah, Miles was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006 and they were interviewing his nephew Vince Wilburn and they said: "Are you ever going to do a movie about his life?" and he said, "Yeah, and Don Cheadles going to play him." So that was when I became fully aware [laughs]. I didnt know I was going to direct or write, that was not in my mind Vince just knew I was going to play his uncle. He said he saw Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) and he also saw me in, of all things, Rush Hour 2 (2001). When did your decision to direct arise? The decision to direct came out of when I met the family and they pitched me some ideas in ways they would tell the story and, to me, they all felt kind of biopic-y and standard. I said, "If I do the movie, I want to do something that feels like Miles like a gangster movie, a heist movie. I just want the music to be pumping through the whole film. I dont want to do a CliffNotes of his life." We wanted to make the movie feel like a music composition as much as a film. Was it a relief when you made that decision? No, I never felt fully comfortable in that seat because I was always doing three other things at the same time and could never really totally give myself over and focus on just that. There was no other way to make the movie, though, so that became the way it had to happen. But I was never relaxed.I never chilled; I was always stressing about one thing or the other, dealing with that. Do you have plans to direct in the future? Yes, Im going to be uncomfortable again on some other things. But Im not planning to be in them which will help a lot having to wear all those hats simultaneously led to the stress. You have such an extensive list of credits. Do you have a personal defining career moment? I hope to look back in years from now and be able to answer that questions better. Miles Ahead was a defining moment for me in many ways; a maturation, a graduation learning that I could put something together and muscle it through was a big step for me. But yeah, Ive been a very fortunate dude, worked on really great films with some really good filmmakers and even though our business seems to really be suffering from un-imagination right now, you hope that the studios will become courageous again. I don't see how its gonna happen I think the studios are done with it, theyre just too bottom line right now. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up The studio that seems to be taking over Hollywood is Marvel and youre a part of that Cinematic Universe [Cheadle replaced Terence Howard as Lt. Colonel James Rhodes in 2010s Iron Man 2] but producers seem to be increasingly employing a diverse range of talent to oversee the films Yeah, its cool to have movies that get that broad appeal that people keep coming to. We also know that theyve got to change because you cant continue to do the same thing over and over and accept that people are going to come to it with the same enthusiasm or that its going to work, quote unquote. So Im excited to see the changes that are going to come; Black Panther could be a completely different movie to anything thats come before. Do you plan to be a part of those films for a while longer? I dont think you ever know what youre going to be a part of. They just call you up and go "Hey, youre in this one." I wasnt supposed to be in Captain America: Civil War I was never contracted. That was quite a big one for your character. Were you worried you were being killed off? Yeah, I didnt know. I saw the script and they were like "Oh yeah, something happens..." Then you got to get through 500 pages and youre like: Am I gonna make it? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Show all 34 1 /34 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 1. Captain America: Civil War Release date: 6 May 2016. Iron Man and Captain America are set to face off in this superhero blockbuster that will feature nearly all the Avengers but wont be an Avengers film. It will also mark the first time Spider-Man will feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Sony having made a deal with Marvel Studios. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 2. X-Men: Apocalypse Release date: 27 May 2016. Following the success of Days of Future Past, Apocalypse will follow the young X-Men team as the battle against Oscar Isaacs titular villain as he gathers his four horsemen; Magneto (Fassbender), Angel (Hardy), Storm (Shipp), and Psylocke (Munn). Expect carnage and no Wolverine. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 3. Suicide Squad Release date: 5 August 2016. The first supervillain film, Suicide Squad is also based in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe, where Batman and Superman live) and will introduce the world to Margot Robbies Harley Quinn and Jared Letos Joker. One of the more exciting upcoming DC films thats for sure. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 4. Doctor Strange Release date: 4 November 2016. Benedict Cumberbatch will debut in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Captain America and Iron Man live) as the Sorcerer Supreme. The film already has an incredible cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachael McAdams and Tilda Swinton. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 5. Untitled Lego Batman film Release date: 20 February 2017. Kicking off 2017 is the Lego version of Batman, who will lead his own spin-off, having already featured in the amazing Lego Movie. Will Arnett voices the titular character, while Zach Garfianakis - from the Hangover - will voice The Joker. But will he better than Leto? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 6. Untitled Wolverine film Release date: 3 March 2017. Having not starred in X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine will return to the big screen in a solo film which was recently made R-Rated following the success of Deadpool. It is expected to be Hugh Jackmans last outing as the titular character. Fox 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Release date: 5 May 2017. Chris Pratt and the crew are returning to space in the sequel to the surprisingly successful Guardians of the Galaxy. According to director James Gunn, the film will not feature Thanos, even though he will to play a major role in phase MCU Phase 3. Cast includes newcomers Kurt Russell and Pom Klementieff, as well as, rumour has it, Sylvester Stallone. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 8. Wonder Woman Release date: 23 June 2017. Gal Gadot is returning to the DCEU in her very own film, marking the first female-led superhero film on this list. Chris Pine is on board to play Wonder Womans love interest. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 9. Untitled Spider-Man reboot Release date: 7 July 2017. Yes, it is another Spider-Man reboot, having previously been redone with Andrew Garfield as the lead. However, this time it is part of the MCU, with Tom Holland as the titular character, and a heavily rumoured cameo by Iron Man could be in the pipeline. We can dream. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 10. Untitled Fox film Release date: 6 October 2017. In a strange announcement, Fox decided to withhold the release of Gambit until a future, as-yet unannounced date, which could be here, or this could be a completely separate project. Many suspect Deadpool 2 could nicely fit here, Fox capitalising on the success of the first film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 11. Thor: Ragnarok Release date: 3 November 2017. Chris Hemsworth will be returning as the Norse God in his third solo MCU film. Flight of the Conchords Taika Waititi is on board to direct, and promises a fun adventure that will likely lead into Marvels next project, Infinity War. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 12. Justice League Part One Release date: 17 November 2017. Hot on the heals of Thor comes Justice League Part One, the first DCEU team-up flick which will see Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg work together to fight bad guys. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 13: Untitled Fox film Release date: 12 January 2018. Kicking off 2018 will likely be the second Deadpool film, but then again, this could very well be another X-Men team-up. Theres also talk of an X-Force film, with Deadpool and other mutants teaming up to fight evil. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 14. Black Panther Release date: 16 February 2018. The first non-white male-led superhero film in the MCU comes in the form of Black Panther, with Chadwick Boseman reprising the titular role, having also starred as the Panther in Civil War. Creeds Ryan Coogler is on to direct what could be a very exciting film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 15. The Flash Release date: 16 March 2018. The Flash will be the first DCEU film since Justice League, and sees Ezra Miller take the lead. Phil Lord and Chris Miller were supposed to pen the film before Disney snapped them up for the Han Solo-film, leaving Seth Grahame-Smith to take charge. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 16. Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 Release date: 4 May 2018. And so, we finally get to the point of all these Infinity Stones! Thanos will be the big bad, with the Avengers needing to team up to defeat their biggest foe yet. It has previously been described as the end of the Avengers as we know it. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 17. Ant-Man and The Wasp Release date: 6 July 2018. Peyton Reed will be back to direct this surprise sequel to one of the better received MCU films. While the name is ridiculous, at least Marvel are finally having a leading female superhero. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 18. Untitled Fox film Release date: 13 July 2018. Again, not much word on this one except it is thought to be X-Men spin-off New Mutants, something Josh Boone has been hit up to write. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 19. Animated Spider-Man Film Release date: 20 July 2018. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Amy Pascal - the team behind the live-action Spider-Man films - are producing this unrelated animated adaptation of the hero. Because you can never have too much Spider-Man, right? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 20. Aquaman Release date: 27 July 2018. Another Justice League spin-off, Jason Momoa plays the leading man. Furious 7s James Wan is on to direct, but little else is known about the film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 21. Captain Marvel Release date: 8 March 2019. Weve hit 2019, and the first confirmed superhero film will be the first proper female-led MCU film. No-one is confirmed to be in the titular role of Carol Danvers just yet. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 22. Shazam Release date: 5 April 2019. Dwayne Johnson stars as the villain in this DCEU film which will be somewhat separate to the other DC films. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 23. Avengers: Infinity War Part 2. Release date: 3 May 2019. The conclusion to the long drawn MCU saga. Expect a big finish with at least a few planets being destroyed. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 24. Justice League Part Two Release date: 14 June 2019. Soon after the Infinity War story reaches its conclusion, so will the Justice Leagues. Not much is known, except Darkseid will likely be the villain for at least one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 25. Inhumans Release date: 12 July 2019. The concept of Inhumans (or Marvels mutants) has already been introduced in TV, through Marvels Agents of Shield, yet the film is expected to introduce the Royal Family who have yet to be seen in the show. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 26. Cyborg Release date: 3 April 2020. Having debuted in Justice League Part One three years previously, Cyborg will finally be making his own outing, with Ray Fisher as the titular character. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 27. Untitled MCU film Release date: 1 May 2020. The first of three untitled Marvel films. There are a couple of contenders, the first is a likely sequel to Spider-Man with Sony, or a third Guardians of the Galaxy film, thus finishing the trilogy. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 28. Green Lantern Corps. Release date: 19 June 2020. Before you start to worry, this has nothing to do with the Ryan Reynolds-starring flick that hit cinemas a little while ago. Instead, this will be another DCEU film that will likely spin-off from Justice League after the Green Lantern Corps cameo in one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 29. Untitled MCU film Release date: 10 July 2020. As well as Spider-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy sequels, a Doctor Strange or Black Panther one could fit in nicely here. Or perhaps Black Widow may finally get the solo-film she deserves. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 30. Untitled MCU film Release date: 6 November 2020. Some speculators also think a Blade film could fit in here, marking over 20 years since the first Blade. But many believe the character may be better suited to a Netflix series, as with Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Theres also talk of a Runaways film reaching cinemas at some stage. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 31. Untitled Ben Affleck Batman film Release date: TBA. Now were onto the TBA release dates, the first of which is a Batman solo film, written and directed by Ben Affleck. When this is due, no one is quite sure but expect it sooner rather than later if Batman v Superman is a success. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 32. Suicide Squad 2 Release date: TBA (rumoured 2017). A sequel to Suicide Squad is expected to come in 2017 according to recent reports, but nothing has been confirmed. If the first is successful, it should come as no surprise for Warner Bros to rearrange their schedule to fit in this surefire hit. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33. Venom Release date: TBA. This is an odd one, as it has been confirmed Sony are wanting to release a Venom film completely unrelated to the upcoming Spider-Man reboot. Venom, as you may know, is a Spider-Man villain, intrinsically linked to Spider-Man, so it seems odd they would release a film unrelated to the rebooted project and not linked to the MCU. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Anything else? Well, now you mention it, theres also that sequel to Fantastic Four that has seemingly been dropped by Fox. Plus, theres the Gambit film which has been put on hold (but will likely fill an untitled Fox slot so we havent added it extra). Then again, it could be shoehorned in somehow Marvel If you could choose any other Marvel characters film to be in that you havent been in already, whod you pick? I think a War Machine movie would be the best to star in [laughs] I dont know, lets start a whisper campaign that its already happening and then maybe theyll have to do it. Are you going to be in the next Avengers film, Infinity War? I... dont know. Theyve got to figure out what happens with that dudes legs. Weve got to sort them out. But no, I havent seen anything yet. Would you star in another TV series? [Cheadles series House of Lies was cancelled after five seasons] If it was the right situation, an interesting project and something that felt like another fun thing to get into, yeah Id do TV again; its really where the most interesting writing is now. Its where you get some of the best creative minds because people cant do it in movies anymore. Its hard to find the space to say the things you want to say and create these complicated characters everything has to be binary in movies these days. Youve worked with an impressive range of directors do you recall being given any advice that has stayed with you to this very day? When I was on the set of films, I would always hang out on set I didnt often run back to the trailer, Id go and sit next to the DoP [Director of Photography] or shadow the director because I wanted to know all aspects of filmmaking and how everybody did everything. I tried to siphon from everyone. Paul Thomas Anderson, [Steven] Soderbergh, Carl Franklin these are people who I still to this day talk to about film and about story. Its been cool to continue those relationships. Miles Ahead is out now on digital platforms, and on Blu-ray and DVD from 22 August, courtesy of Icon Film Distribution Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Ever since Tom Holland was announced as the new newly-rebooted Spider-Man, fans have been wondering if Mary Jane would once again appear on the big screen. According to The Wrap, Zendaya - who became week known after starring in the Disney channels Shale It Up - will be starring as the aforementioned love interest of Peter Parker in the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming. As yet, the stars role in the film has only officially been confirmed as being Michelle, with Marvel not commenting on the recent bout of speculation. Starring alongside both Holland and Zendaya in the film are Michael Keaton, rumored to be playing the villain Vulture, Donald Glover, Marisa Tomei as Aunt May, and Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Show all 34 1 /34 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 1. Captain America: Civil War Release date: 6 May 2016. Iron Man and Captain America are set to face off in this superhero blockbuster that will feature nearly all the Avengers but wont be an Avengers film. It will also mark the first time Spider-Man will feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Sony having made a deal with Marvel Studios. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 2. X-Men: Apocalypse Release date: 27 May 2016. Following the success of Days of Future Past, Apocalypse will follow the young X-Men team as the battle against Oscar Isaacs titular villain as he gathers his four horsemen; Magneto (Fassbender), Angel (Hardy), Storm (Shipp), and Psylocke (Munn). Expect carnage and no Wolverine. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 3. Suicide Squad Release date: 5 August 2016. The first supervillain film, Suicide Squad is also based in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe, where Batman and Superman live) and will introduce the world to Margot Robbies Harley Quinn and Jared Letos Joker. One of the more exciting upcoming DC films thats for sure. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 4. Doctor Strange Release date: 4 November 2016. Benedict Cumberbatch will debut in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Captain America and Iron Man live) as the Sorcerer Supreme. The film already has an incredible cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachael McAdams and Tilda Swinton. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 5. Untitled Lego Batman film Release date: 20 February 2017. Kicking off 2017 is the Lego version of Batman, who will lead his own spin-off, having already featured in the amazing Lego Movie. Will Arnett voices the titular character, while Zach Garfianakis - from the Hangover - will voice The Joker. But will he better than Leto? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 6. Untitled Wolverine film Release date: 3 March 2017. Having not starred in X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine will return to the big screen in a solo film which was recently made R-Rated following the success of Deadpool. It is expected to be Hugh Jackmans last outing as the titular character. Fox 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Release date: 5 May 2017. Chris Pratt and the crew are returning to space in the sequel to the surprisingly successful Guardians of the Galaxy. According to director James Gunn, the film will not feature Thanos, even though he will to play a major role in phase MCU Phase 3. Cast includes newcomers Kurt Russell and Pom Klementieff, as well as, rumour has it, Sylvester Stallone. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 8. Wonder Woman Release date: 23 June 2017. Gal Gadot is returning to the DCEU in her very own film, marking the first female-led superhero film on this list. Chris Pine is on board to play Wonder Womans love interest. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 9. Untitled Spider-Man reboot Release date: 7 July 2017. Yes, it is another Spider-Man reboot, having previously been redone with Andrew Garfield as the lead. However, this time it is part of the MCU, with Tom Holland as the titular character, and a heavily rumoured cameo by Iron Man could be in the pipeline. We can dream. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 10. Untitled Fox film Release date: 6 October 2017. In a strange announcement, Fox decided to withhold the release of Gambit until a future, as-yet unannounced date, which could be here, or this could be a completely separate project. Many suspect Deadpool 2 could nicely fit here, Fox capitalising on the success of the first film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 11. Thor: Ragnarok Release date: 3 November 2017. Chris Hemsworth will be returning as the Norse God in his third solo MCU film. Flight of the Conchords Taika Waititi is on board to direct, and promises a fun adventure that will likely lead into Marvels next project, Infinity War. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 12. Justice League Part One Release date: 17 November 2017. Hot on the heals of Thor comes Justice League Part One, the first DCEU team-up flick which will see Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg work together to fight bad guys. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 13: Untitled Fox film Release date: 12 January 2018. Kicking off 2018 will likely be the second Deadpool film, but then again, this could very well be another X-Men team-up. Theres also talk of an X-Force film, with Deadpool and other mutants teaming up to fight evil. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 14. Black Panther Release date: 16 February 2018. The first non-white male-led superhero film in the MCU comes in the form of Black Panther, with Chadwick Boseman reprising the titular role, having also starred as the Panther in Civil War. Creeds Ryan Coogler is on to direct what could be a very exciting film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 15. The Flash Release date: 16 March 2018. The Flash will be the first DCEU film since Justice League, and sees Ezra Miller take the lead. Phil Lord and Chris Miller were supposed to pen the film before Disney snapped them up for the Han Solo-film, leaving Seth Grahame-Smith to take charge. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 16. Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 Release date: 4 May 2018. And so, we finally get to the point of all these Infinity Stones! Thanos will be the big bad, with the Avengers needing to team up to defeat their biggest foe yet. It has previously been described as the end of the Avengers as we know it. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 17. Ant-Man and The Wasp Release date: 6 July 2018. Peyton Reed will be back to direct this surprise sequel to one of the better received MCU films. While the name is ridiculous, at least Marvel are finally having a leading female superhero. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 18. Untitled Fox film Release date: 13 July 2018. Again, not much word on this one except it is thought to be X-Men spin-off New Mutants, something Josh Boone has been hit up to write. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 19. Animated Spider-Man Film Release date: 20 July 2018. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Amy Pascal - the team behind the live-action Spider-Man films - are producing this unrelated animated adaptation of the hero. Because you can never have too much Spider-Man, right? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 20. Aquaman Release date: 27 July 2018. Another Justice League spin-off, Jason Momoa plays the leading man. Furious 7s James Wan is on to direct, but little else is known about the film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 21. Captain Marvel Release date: 8 March 2019. Weve hit 2019, and the first confirmed superhero film will be the first proper female-led MCU film. No-one is confirmed to be in the titular role of Carol Danvers just yet. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 22. Shazam Release date: 5 April 2019. Dwayne Johnson stars as the villain in this DCEU film which will be somewhat separate to the other DC films. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 23. Avengers: Infinity War Part 2. Release date: 3 May 2019. The conclusion to the long drawn MCU saga. Expect a big finish with at least a few planets being destroyed. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 24. Justice League Part Two Release date: 14 June 2019. Soon after the Infinity War story reaches its conclusion, so will the Justice Leagues. Not much is known, except Darkseid will likely be the villain for at least one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 25. Inhumans Release date: 12 July 2019. The concept of Inhumans (or Marvels mutants) has already been introduced in TV, through Marvels Agents of Shield, yet the film is expected to introduce the Royal Family who have yet to be seen in the show. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 26. Cyborg Release date: 3 April 2020. Having debuted in Justice League Part One three years previously, Cyborg will finally be making his own outing, with Ray Fisher as the titular character. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 27. Untitled MCU film Release date: 1 May 2020. The first of three untitled Marvel films. There are a couple of contenders, the first is a likely sequel to Spider-Man with Sony, or a third Guardians of the Galaxy film, thus finishing the trilogy. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 28. Green Lantern Corps. Release date: 19 June 2020. Before you start to worry, this has nothing to do with the Ryan Reynolds-starring flick that hit cinemas a little while ago. Instead, this will be another DCEU film that will likely spin-off from Justice League after the Green Lantern Corps cameo in one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 29. Untitled MCU film Release date: 10 July 2020. As well as Spider-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy sequels, a Doctor Strange or Black Panther one could fit in nicely here. Or perhaps Black Widow may finally get the solo-film she deserves. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 30. Untitled MCU film Release date: 6 November 2020. Some speculators also think a Blade film could fit in here, marking over 20 years since the first Blade. But many believe the character may be better suited to a Netflix series, as with Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Theres also talk of a Runaways film reaching cinemas at some stage. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 31. Untitled Ben Affleck Batman film Release date: TBA. Now were onto the TBA release dates, the first of which is a Batman solo film, written and directed by Ben Affleck. When this is due, no one is quite sure but expect it sooner rather than later if Batman v Superman is a success. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 32. Suicide Squad 2 Release date: TBA (rumoured 2017). A sequel to Suicide Squad is expected to come in 2017 according to recent reports, but nothing has been confirmed. If the first is successful, it should come as no surprise for Warner Bros to rearrange their schedule to fit in this surefire hit. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33. Venom Release date: TBA. This is an odd one, as it has been confirmed Sony are wanting to release a Venom film completely unrelated to the upcoming Spider-Man reboot. Venom, as you may know, is a Spider-Man villain, intrinsically linked to Spider-Man, so it seems odd they would release a film unrelated to the rebooted project and not linked to the MCU. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Anything else? Well, now you mention it, theres also that sequel to Fantastic Four that has seemingly been dropped by Fox. Plus, theres the Gambit film which has been put on hold (but will likely fill an untitled Fox slot so we havent added it extra). Then again, it could be shoehorned in somehow Marvel In recent Marvel Studios news, Natalie Portman has confirmed she will not be returning to the Thor series, while the writer behind Black Panther - who debuted in the Marvel Universe alongside Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War - has given away details about the film. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Men who provide the majority of their familys income take a hit to their health and psychological wellbeing, new research has found. Data gathered over 15 years from a group of men and women in heterosexual marriages showed mens levels of health and happiness declined when they took on more financial responsibility than their partner. This could be down to the psychological impact of ingrained gender roles, Christin Munsch, the University of Connecticut sociologist who led the study, told the Independent. The psychological experience of being a breadwinner for men and women is really different. Men don't get any brownie points for being a breadwinner, it's just the status quo, she said. If they lose that, it's seen as an emasculating, bad thing you're more likely to get teased by your peers saying your wife wears the pants in the family, that sort of thing. However, when women were the main breadwinner, their psychological wellbeing improved. For women, being a breadwinner is not the expectation, so when you are a breadwinner, people look up to that. And if you lose that, you don't become a loser, it's just the status quo. Philip Davies: 'Feminist zealots want women to have their cake and eat it' Ms Munschs study looked into answers given by 3,176 married people aged between 18-32 in the 1997 to 2011 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. The sample was chosen to represent a cross-section of the United States population. Psychological wellbeing was measured through questions relating to happiness, anxiety and depression, such as 'How often do you feel so down that nothing could pick you up?' or 'How often do you feel happy?' said Ms Munsch. Recommended Read more Why watching lots of porn can make you more religious Responses to these questions as well as inquiries into the subjects health were then analysed in relation to which partner brought the majority of income into the family. Mens wellbeing scores took a 5 per cent dip and health scores reduced by 3.5 per cent when they were the primary breadwinners as opposed to taking an equal role in ensuring the familys financial stability. I was surprised, not to find that men have these dips in psychological well-being and health when they are the breadwinner, but that it was different for women, said Ms Munsch. The assistant professor of sociology said she and her team had carefully considered a number of variables, such as how much money the couple made in total, to ensure the validity of their findings. They concluded financial inequality between partners was a major reason for the psychological impact of breadwinning on men. There is an element of breadwinning that's stressful, but it's only having health consequences because there's something about you making a lot and your partner not making a lot, she said. It's not about absolute income, it's about how responsible you are for your family's standard of living. 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 The study comes more than 40 years after the publication of Betty Friedans The Feminine Mystique, the influential feminist study into widespread unhappiness among housewives. This study shows that following rigid gender roles in heterosexual marriages has a negative impact on men as well as women, said Ms Munsch. People think gender roles are super-entrenched, and in some ways they are, but for most of history men and women have worked together, and there hasn't been a homemaker and breadwinner model, she said. Recommended Read more Erectile dysfunction studies outnumber PMS research by five to one I think it's totally possible to eradicate these expectations. And, according to other sociological studies, things may already be changing. Young people report across the board that they want to be in egalitarian relationships, where both couples contribute equally, financially and do the childcare and domestic responsibility, said Ms Munsch. Given that's what they want, men and women are making these career decisions that are misaligned with their preferences. The research will be presented at an American Sociological Association conference in Seattle on Sunday. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Some of the world's major cities are becoming tougher places to live due to rising political and social unrest, as well as growing threats of terrorism. The Economist Intelligence Unit report, which ranks the best and worst cities to live in the world, found that 10 cities in Western Europe suffered falls in liveability in the wake of attacks in Paris and Brussels. "Factors such as social unrest in many US cities due to the deaths of black people in police custody, tensions in Eastern Europe and Asia and the ongoing civil wars in Ukraine, Syria and Libya have led to greater security concerns and compounded this decline," the report added. The EIU's Global Liveability Ranking provides scores out of 100 for lifestyle challenges in 140 cities worldwide. It looks at which cities have the best living and worst living conditions. The ranking takes into account healthcare, education, infrastructure, safety, and the threat of terrorism. It then gives an overall mark out of 100. The EIU said "the survey is designed to address a range of cities or business centres that people might want to live in or visit. Although few could currently argue that Damascus and Tripoli are likely to attract visitors, their inclusion in the survey reflects cities that were deemed relatively stable just a few years ago." After looking at the nine best cities to live in the world, Business Insider decided to take a look at the worst cities to live in the world. 9. Douala, Cameroon -- It is perhaps unsurprising the African city made the worst city list, as it scores very poorly across healthcare, education, infrastructure, and culture and environment. However, a higher stability score helped keep it from the top spot. ( 8. Harare, Zimbabwe --The African city may still be one of the worst cities to live in the world due to having the worst score out of 140 countries for healthcare, one of the worst for infrastructure, as well as continual social unrest. However, it has one of the most improved liveability scores over the last five years. T=6. Karachi, Pakistan -- This city had one of the lowest scores for stability and for culture and environment. However, a modest score for education at 66.7 helped keep it from topping the worst cities to live ranking. T=6. Algiers, Algeria --The city tied with Karachi with an overall score of 40.9 due to scoring under 50 for all categories including stability, infrastructure, healthcare, and education. 5. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea -- The city's stability is super-low at 30 as political and social unrest is continual. Its healthcare score is also one of the worst in the world. 4. Dhaka, Bangladesh -- The EIU said that "violent acts of terrorism" in Bangladesh have taken their toll on the city's liveability ranking, as it has the lowest score for infrastructure out of the 140 cities surveyed. (Reuters) 3. Lagos, Nigeria --The city has the worst score for stability at 10. "Continued threat from groups like Boko Haram acts as a constraint to improving stability in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city," says the EIU. 2. Tripoli, Libya -- "Escalations in hostilities in Libya have prompted a sharp decline in liveability in Tripoli as the threat to stability from Islamic State (IS, an extreme global jihadi group) continues to spread across the Middle East and North Africa," said the EIU. 1. Damascus, Syria --The city was relatively stable years ago but it remains "the subject of high-profile armed conflicts," said the EIU. "Conflict is responsible for many of the lowest scores. This is not only because stability indicators have the highest single scores but also because factors defining stability spread to have an adverse effect on other categories," it added. Read more: This chart is easy to interpret: It says we're screwed How Uber became the world's most valuable startup These 4 things could trigger the next crisis in Europe Read the original article on Business Insider UK. 2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The launch of the 24-hour tube service is pushing up prices of properties close to stations on the all-night lines, an online estate agency revealed. The tube will run past midnight on the Central and Victoria Lines starting from Friday August 19, making it possible for Londoners to avoid long journeys on night buses. The 24-service will then be introduced on the Piccadilly, Jubilee and Northern lines in autumn. Online estate agent eMoov has taken a look at the average property price across the two lines due to open on Friday, as well as the increase in value over the last year and the areas rate of demand. It found that property values across the Central and Victoria line night service have increased by 3 per cent, on average, in the last year. Stations that have enjoyed the largest increase are Warren Street and Euston, both on the Victoria line, with property values up 8 per cent. Property demand across the initial night tube service is currently at 25 per cent, with average house prices along the central London section of these lines reaching more than 885,000, almost 300,000 more than the average property price for the capital. Tottenham Hale, in zone 3 on the Victoria line, is the cheapest area in which to buy a home along the Night Tube route at 347,389. Demand for property in the area is at 56 per cent over, making it also the most popular spot on the network. Night tube Russel Quirk, founder and chief executive of eMoov said that in London transport links have almost become an additional feature of the property itself. The introduction of the night tube service should only help boost the value of the properties surrounding stations due to benefit from the service. The great thing about the underground and the night service itself is that you dont have to live centrally to benefit, you can live out in Zone 4 or beyond and still benefit, not only from the night tube but the cheaper cost of property, he said. The online estate agent is not only one predicting house prices will rise. Strutt & Parker, estate agent, believe prices will rises on homes within a 10-minute walk of a number of stations over the next 12 months, according to the Evening Standard. Outrageous property deals in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Outrageous property deals in pictures Outrageous property deals in pictures The Park Lane townhouse set to become one of the UK's most expensive student flats at 4,000 a week A town house situated in Park Lane, one of the most affluent places in London, is about to become the capitals most expensive student residence. Most of London students usually live in halls of residence before moving on to house-share. For this reason it is fair to say few will able to afford the 3,540 square foot three-bedroom flat, which is available for 4,000 a week, 16,000 per month or 192,000 per year. Wetherell Outrageous property deals in pictures London's most expensive flat goes on sale at Buckingham Palace near Buckingham Palace priced at 150m A luxury flat in Londons historic Admiralty Arch, which overlooks Buckingham Palace, could sell for up to 150 million. If sold for that price, the 15,000 sq ft apartment will become London's most expensive flat, topping One Hyde Park, a flat which sold for 140 million in 2014.The Grade I listed property boasts 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms Outrageous property deals in pictures Little White House inside the US embassy complex in London goes on sale for 2.5m A luxury home inside the US embassy complex has gone on sale for 2.5m. The property is said to be the most protected home in Britain and any visitor is asked to carry an identity card at all times. The complex has patrolling US marines, a 24-hour British police presence, checkpoints, anti-tanks blocks and CCTV.But potential buyers looking for a fortress should not get their hopes up as all the security will disappear once the US embassy moves to a new site in Nine Elms in 2017. The home, located at 4 Blackburnes Mews near Grosvenor Square, dates back to 1732 and owes its nickname to its white facade, grand entrance and sweeping staircase as well as its proximity to the US embassy. It provides nearly 3,000 sq ft of living space and benefits from access to communal gardens. Wetherell Outrageous property deals in pictures First London luxury flats to contain their own private art gallery with prices going from 3.8m up to 7.7m The first private luxury apartment building in London with its own private art gallery has been unveiled in March. The Chilterns at 24 Paddington Street contains 44 luxury residences, the majority of which were sold in 2013. It contains a signature restaurant, a 24 hour-hotel style concierge service, a gymnasium and sauna and a private cinema. The new art gallery, with original pictures of the area by David Bailey, is part of the lobby of the building and is one of the most exciting and unique features of the Chilterns, according to Stephen Conway, CEO of Galliard Homes. With prices going from 3.8 million up to 7.7 million for a three bedroom flat, the residence is located between the local shops of Marylebone High Street and Baker Street. Outrageous property deals in pictures Margaret Thatcher's Belgravia home is up for sale for 30m Margaret Thatchers six-floor townhouse in Belgravia is on the market for a cool 30 million. The Grade II listed building on No. 73 Chester Square, one of Londons most prestigious addresses, now boasts a lift, a newly constructed mews house with a roof terrace and a private garage after a three-year refurbishment by Leconfield, a development and construction company. Some features from Thatchers time at the property remain. The layout and design of the formal dining room and interlinking study on the ground floor has been reinstated exactly as the Iron Lady had it during her 22 years at the property, from 1991 until her death in 2013. Outrageous property deals in pictures Tiny London house that is just 10ft wide goes on market for 800,000 A tiny terraced house that measures no more than 10ft wide has gone on the market in south London for a staggering 800,000. The house, generally labelled "unique" by estate agent Foxtons, looks all the more unusual because it is sandwiched between two regular-sized homes. It doesn't even have a proper back door - images of the interior suggested renovators had sought to maximise the property's space by including a folding aperture to the similarly narrow back garden. Outrageous property deals in pictures The Mayfair penthouse that sold for 30 million A Mayfair penthouse on Albemarle Street, one of Mayfair's oldest roads, sold to a mystery buyer for 30 million in December. The 5,845 sq ft, three-bedroom family home is thought to be one of the most expensive properties sold in the capital this year, and comes with an annual service charge of 61,000. supplied by Estate agent Peter Wetherell Outrageous property deals in pictures The dilapidated pre-fab 'shed' sold for nearly 1 million A pre-fabricated bungalow in south-east London has sold at auction for just under 1 million. The 1950s property in Peckham comes with 0.6 acres of land, is in need of renovation and has no fitted bathroom, but still sold for 950,000. A guide price of 590,000 was initially set, but increased rapidly during the bidding. Google Maps Outrageous property deals in pictures The starter home flats that went for a combined 60 million Some 215 affordable starter homes, specifically designed for first time buyers, sold out in just three hours in November, after dozens of aspiring homeowners camped overnight and queued in bad weather to get their hands on the flats. The starter home flats at Trinity Square by Galliard Homes went for a combined 60 million, or an average of 700 per sq ft. Londoners looking for affordable housing did not hesitate to camp out for up to two days to snag a flat, despite the fact that the project will not be complete for another two years. Galliard Outrageous property deals in pictures The longest lateral flat where H.G wells hosted a book club: yours for 3.65m The 2,200 square foot apartment in Chiltern Court in Marylebone was also home to author Arnold Bennett and political cartoonist David Low. Now on the market for 3.65 million through Rokstone agency, the four-bedroom flat has been refurbished into a luxury apartment, providing an exceptional 40 meter window frontage and depth. It claims to be the longest and most outstanding lateral flat - ones that stretch the full width of a building, or sometimes across two buildings - currently for sale in Londons West End. Rokstone Outrageous property deals in pictures Gatti House: the flats with celebrity links and private "pizza" lift that sold for a collective 16.5 million Celebrity links, a famous history and a private pizza lift has helped set a new record for price per square foot for a block of flats in central London. The four flats have sold for a collective 16.5 million at Gatti House on Londons Strand. Gatti House, a magnificent grade II building built in 1867, was sold as four separate apartments priced from 2.95 million to 5.95 million by CBRE Residential and Beauchamp, which has completed the last remaining sale. CBRE Residential and Beauchamp Outrageous property deals in pictures Londons most expensive office A newly refurbished office in the heart of Mayfair measuring 6,000 sq ft was unveiled by Enstar Capital in October. At 500 per sq ft, it is set to be the most expensive commercial fit out ever undertaken in the West End, according to the developer. The workspace on 54 Brooks Mews features gold-plated executive washrooms inspired by Armani-hotel in Italy, timber flooring imported from a 16th century monastery in Tuscany and an Art Deco entrance restored with a new 54 entrance logo replicating Steve Rubells famous studio 54 nightclub logo from the seventies. While the directors floor include a rooftop terrace dressed with loungers and an outside meeting and dining table. Enstar Capital Outrageous property deals in pictures Former garage in Mayfair become worlds most expensive mews house at 24m in Mayfair In September, the worlds most expensive mews house, in Reevews Mews, sold to a Qatari buyer for an eye-watering 24 million. Outrageous property deals in pictures A penthouse where you canoe from your front door, yours for 16.95 million London luxury dockside complex located on Chelsea creek is due for completion by the end of 2016. But its luxury flats are already on sale including this penthouse yours for 16.95 million. Its future residents will be able to slip down the river for a work out on the water at anytime of the day. Outrageous property deals in pictures The only property in London too expensive for the citys super-rich property buyers A 45 bed-room mansion near Hyde Park, previously owned by a Saudi Prince, received a private bid for 280 million. If accepted this would have made the property he most expensive single home ever to be sold in Britain. It was originally listed with an asking price of 300 million more than double the price of the UKs second most expensive home. The stops on the end of the Night Tube lines will be of particular appeal to the first-time buyer and the younger demographic who enjoy Londons nightlife and will like not having to spend a fortune on taxis late at night, Dominic Price, a partner at Strutt & Parker, told the publication. Letting agents also warned there will be rent rises around tube stations benefiting from the 24 hours service. Residential areas at the end of the Night Tube lines that could be affected include Redbridge, Morden, Neasden and Barnet, according to a survey by the Association of Residential Letting Agents. Transport for London estimates 200,000 people will use the service each weekend. TfL expects it to take three years for the night service to break even, but the Mayor of London said it would boost the economy by 360 million. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump surprised everyone when he took the podium in Charlotte, North Carolina and did something unprecedented. He apologised. The man who has corralled support with his refusal to back down on comments no matter how divisive or incendiary stood before his loyal supporters and repented at the rally overnight. Mr Trump, the man who also called Rosie ODonnell a pig, a woman disgusting for breastfeeding and implied Mexican illegal immigrants are rapists and criminals, had something (reportedly scripted) to get off his chest. As you know I am not a politician, he told those gathered, no doubt beginning to feel bewildered by his more considered tone. I have never wanted to learn the language of the insiders and I have never wanted to be politically correct, it takes far too much time. Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and believe it or not, I regret it. I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. His opponents have capitalised on his ability to offend after recent comments sparked more intensified criticism. Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY But there have been many moments throughout his Republican campaign where Mr Trump has been accused of speaking out of turn, and confusion continues to mount over which comments Mr Trump could be referring to. They could include: Youve called women you dont like 'fat pigs,' 'dogs,' 'slobs,' and 'disgusting animals' Megyn Kelly told Mr Trump during a GOP debate. His response? Only Rosie ODonnell." His comments about Ghazala Khan, the mother of a fallen Muslim-American soldier sparked particularly fierce ire. Ms Khan had stood with her husband when he lambasted Mr Trump for consistently smearing the character of Muslims. If you look at his wife, she was standing there, Mr Trump said. She had nothing to say. She probably, maybe she wasn't allowed to have anything to say. You tell me. In a second interview with the New York Times, he added: I'd like to hear his wife say something. Trump Threatens to Close "Garbage Paper" New York Times If Elected Ms Khan responded with an essay in the Washington Post, where she told Mr Trump she did have something to say. Here is my answer to Donald Trump: Because without saying a thing, all the world, all America, felt my pain. I am a Gold Star mother. Whoever saw me felt me in their heart. I cannot walk into a room with pictures of Humayun. For all these years, I havent been able to clean the closet where his things are I had to ask my daughter-in-law to do it. Walking onto the convention stage, with a huge picture of my son behind me, I could hardly control myself. What mother could? Donald Trump has children whom he loves. Does he really need to wonder why I did not speak? Donald Trump suggests mother of fallen Muslim-American soldier 'wasn't allowed' to speak at DNC 2016 Mr Trump's impression of a Serge Kovaleski, a disabled reporter, where he made jittery movements with his hand and slurred his speech, were found to be the action that bothered likely voters the most in a Bloomberg poll. The 70-year-old billionaire kick-started his campaign with a slew of claims about Mexicans as part of his promise to build a big beautiful wall on the border. When challenged on his evidence for some of his assertions, he had this to say: Well, somebody's doing the raping, Don! I mean somebody's doing it! Who's doing the raping? Who's doing the raping? Mr Trump called Mr Obama the founder of Isis twice in a week and branded Hillary Clinton the co-founder. In many respects, you know, they honour President Obama, Mr Trump told a crowd in Florida. Hes the founder of Isis. Hes the founder of Isis. Hes the founder. He founded Isis. These comments did not sit well and Mr Trump found himself embroiled in yet more controversy. He later clarified that his comments were sarcastic. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Despite being sacked from the Cabinet by Theresa May last month, George Osborne seems to be having a blast on holiday in Vietnam where he was filmed firing a Rambo-style machine gun. In a video published by the Mirror, the former chancellor appears to fire a heavy gun at a shooting range in a former Viet Cong base near Ho Chi Minh City. The footage of Mr Osborne shooting with his son has prompted some to liken the Conservative MP for Tatton to Sylvester Stallone's Rambo character. According to the newspaper, the gun chosen by the politician is believed to be an M60 model used by US forces and featured in the famous Rambo film series about a disturbed Vietnam War veteran. After all these years, I finally have a front page in the Daily Mirror worth keeping, Mr Osborne wrote on Twitter in reaction to the newspapers splash. Tourists told the Mirror Mr Osborne really let rip", adding: We were all having a bit of a laugh about it that he was aiming at a picture of Boris Johnson or Theresa May. Mr Osborne had served as chancellor since 2010 but was fired by Theresa May when she took office in July. His choice of getaway differs greatly from that of the new Prime Minister who is spending two weeks walking in Switzerland. The video was reportedly filmed when Mr Osborne visited the Cu Chi tunnels outside Vietnams largest city. George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance Show all 8 1 /8 George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance Debt forecasts up, growth forecasts down The OBRs new forecasts have downgraded growth in all of the next five years to 2020. The watchdog says the economy will only grow by 2 per cent in 2016, as opposed to the anticipated 2.4 per cent. Borrowing and productivity growth are also down with forecast borrowing in 2018-198 16 billion higher George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance New tax on sugary drinks The Chancellor announced a new tax on sugary soft drinks, which is projected to raise 520 million. At least some of the money will be spent on doubling funding for school sport, the Chancellor says. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn welcomed the levy George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance Tax cut for higher earners paying the 40p rate The Chancellor has raised the threshold for paying the higher rate of income tax to 45,000. The higher rate is paid by roughly the richest 15 per cent, currently people earning over 42,386 George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance Increase in tax-free income tax threshold The tax-free allowance increase to 11,500 in April 2017 up from 10,600 now. The Chancellor previously raised the allowance from 6,475 in coalition with the Liberal Democrats. The Conservative manifesto pledges to put the allowance up to 12,500 by the end of the Parliament George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance New devolution for counties and powers for London and Manchester The West of England, the East of England and Greater Lincolnshire will all get elected mayor-led combined authorities with new powers. The Chancellor says they are backed by 1 billion new funding. Greater Manchester will get new powers of criminal justice while London will keep its business rates giving whoever is elected Mayor a lot more spending power George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance Fuel duty frozen for sixth year running The Chancellor had planned to end the fuel duty freeze he had put in place for the whole previous parliament. In the event, he has announced a freeze for another year George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance All schools to become academies As reported yesterday the Chancellor unveiled legislation to turn all schools into academies. He said all schools would either be academies or on their way to being academies by 2020, and that funding had been set aside to fund the change George Osborne 2016 budget at a glance Lifetime ISA The Chancellor announced a new savings account to encourage under-40s to save for retirement for every 4 saved, the Government will top this up by 1 up to the value of 4,000 a year. Tax-free ISAs will also be increased from 15,000 to 20,000 The Cu Chi tunnels part of a network of tunnels across the country where Viet Cong soldiers hid in during the 20-year war which ended in 1975. Mr Osborne bought his ammunition for 1 a shot, according to the newspaper. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A week after his nephews murder conviction was overturned, Making a Murderers Steven Avery is hoping to kickstart his own fight for freedom. Last week, a federal judge in Wisconsin overturned the conviction of Brendan Dassey, a vulnerable young man who was six months shy of his 18th birthday when he was convicted in 2007 of the 2005 murder of photographer Teresa Halbach. The judge said there was insufficient evidence to support the conviction and criticised the performance of his lawyer. Now, Averys lawyer is seeking to seize on the momentum and file a new legal motion to try and gain access to DNA evidence that was gathered from the scene of the crime and which she said was used to wrongly convict her client. She also plans to order new testing, some of which was not possible during the original trial, and raise the identity of an alternative suspect. Dassey speaks with a detective during a 2006 interrogation Steven Avery & Brendan Dassey cases/YouTube There is evidence that already exists in the case that points to a different location and a different suspect, Ms Zellner told the New York Times. Weve got a combination of forensic evidence and a tip from somebody that weve interviewed multiple times that we think is credible. The cases of Avery and his nephew, who were prosecuted separately, made international headlines late last year when they were the subject of a hugely popular Netflix documentary. The team behind Making a Murderer reported how Avery had been wrongly convicted of a rape and served 18 years in jail. It also told how, as he sued the Manitowoc County and its sheriff for $36m in damages for wrongful conviction, he was accused of the murder of the young photographer, Ms Halbach. Last week, the judge who reviewed Mr Dassey conviction said that a confession had been coerced from him after police made false promises. The judge said that this, along with Dasseys age, intellectual deficits, and the absence of a supportive adult, meant the confession was involuntary. Especially when the investigators promises, assurances, and threats of negative consequences are assessed in conjunction with Dasseys age, intellectual deficits, lack of experience in dealing with the police, the absence of a parent, and other relevant personal characteristics, the free will of a reasonable person in Dasseys position would have been overborne, said Judge William Duffin. The judge said that the state had 90 days to appeal against his overturning of the conviction. If there was no such appeal, Mr Dassey, now aged 26, would be set from from prison. Making A Murderer- Where are they now? The prosecutor in both cases, Ken Kratz, said he was surprised by the judge's decision. It is without question that this was an incredibly important public decision, and I think it will remain that for the foreseeable future. This isnt the end of the Brendan Dassey case, he told USA Today. The chief prosector in Wisconsin has also said he is ready to defend 54-year-old Averys conviction. The attorney general and Wisconsin Department of Justice will make their arguments in court and feel confident Averys conviction will be upheld, Johnny Koremenos, a spokesman for attorney general Brad Schimel, said in a statement. Of course, the attorney general wants to see justice prevail and will evaluate any new, credible evidence brought forward. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Mark Longhurst is leaving Sky News two months after his row with Owen Jones over the Orlando shootings that saw the Guardian columnist walk off set in disgust. Jones disagreed with the Sky News Press Preview host and co-panelist Julia Hartley-Brewer during a discussion about the motivations of the gunman in the attack on an LGBT nightclub in Orlando and whether the atrocity should be called a homophobic attack or be labelled solely as a religiously motivated attack. His departure has prompted questions about whether it is related to the discussion, but a Sky News source told the Independent Longhursts departure was unrelated to his clash with Jones. People news in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 People news in pictures People news in pictures 7 October 2015 Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in an ice hockey match between former NHL stars and officials at the Shayba Arena in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Vladimir Putin spent his 63rd birthday on the ice, playing hockey with NHL stars against Russian officials and tycoons EPA People news in pictures 6 October 2015 German designer Karl Lagerfeld (R) and model Cara Delevingne (C) appear at the end of his Spring/Summer 2016 women's ready-to-wear collection for fashion house Chanel at the Grand Palais which is transformed into a Chanel airport during the Fashion Week in Paris, France Reuters People news in pictures 5 October 2015 Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne addresses the Conservative party conference in Manchester. The Chancellor argued that reducing the payments to people in low paid jobs would give them economic security by reducing the Governments spending deficit Getty Images People news in pictures 4 October 2015 Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston takes a moment in the centre of the field with his daughter Frankie Thurston, holding dark-skinned doll, after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The image quickly became the talking point of Australias National Rugby League Final and provoked a strong reaction on social media, with many praising Thurston for giving his child a toy that promotes inclusiveness and diversity Getty Images People news in pictures 3 October 2015 Pope Francis gives a thumbs-up as he greets people at the end of an audience to the participants of a meeting organized by the "Food Bank" at the Paul VI audience hall in Vatican Getty Images People news in pictures 2 October 2015 Britain's Finance Minister George Osborne (L) throws an American football as he meets with former American football players Dan Marino (2nd R) and Curtis Martin (not pictured) at 11 Downing Street in London, ahead of the New York Jets playing against the Miami Dolphins at London's Wembley Stadium on 4 October Getty Images People news in pictures 1 October 2015 An honor guard opens the door as Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to attend a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia People news in pictures 30 September 2015 Former Mrs America Lisa Christie, who alleges misconduct by Bill Cosby, holds up photos of her younger self during a news conference at the law office of attorney Gloria Allred in Los Angeles People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Matt Damon has defended himself against claims that he instructed gay actors to remain in the closet. He had said I think youre a better actor the less people know about you and sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether youre straight or gay, people shouldnt know anything about your sexuality but an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show said, I was just trying to say actors are more effective when theyre a mystery. Right? Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Marion Cotillard has said that there is no place for feminism in Hollywood. Speaking to Porter magazine, she saidFilm-making is not about gender/ You cannot ask a president in a festival like Cannes to have, like, five movies directed by women and five by men. For me it doesnt create equality, it creates separation. I mean, I dont qualify myself as a feminist." Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Paul Walkers daughter, Meadow, is suing Porsche over her fathers death in a lawsuit that claims he was trapped in the burning car because of design flaws and the seat belt. The Fast and Furious star was killed when the Porsche Carrera GT he was a passenger in hit a pole in California in 2013. The driver, his friend Roger Rodas, also died when the vehicle burst into flames. AP People news in pictures 28 September 2015 Robert Mugabe waits to address the United Nations General Assembly. The leader of Zimbabwe reportedly exclaimed 'We are not gay!' as he criticised Western nation's "double standards and attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, norms, traditions and beliefs. In 2013 he described homosexuals as worse than pigs, goats and birds. Reuters People news in pictures 28 September 2015 South African comedian Trevor Noah hosts the first 'Daily Show' since taking over from Jon Stewart as host. Stewart had presented the US satirical news show since 1999 and was described by Noah during the show as a 'Political father' 2015 Getty Images People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Sir Elton John may have received a phone call from the real Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin's spokesman announced he had made contact weeks after the singer was duped by pranksters pretending to be the Russian President. Getty People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was mistakenly declared as the artist who produced the Mona Lisa by Fox News anchor Shepard Smith. It was in fact Leonardo da Vinci. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 A new biography claims Donald Trump expected to be dead by 40 and never marry. The Guardian says the a new book also claims that in 1980, Mr Trump manufactured a fake vice-president of his real estate conglomerate, whom he called John Baron. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 The Dalai Lama has said that Britain's policy towards China is just about 'Money, money, money.' And asked 'Where is morality?' People news in pictures 24 September 2015 Puff Daddy secured the number-one spot on the Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list, with the publication calculating he made an estimated $60million (39m) between June 2014 and June 2015. Mark's a great broadcaster but management are looking to shake up the schedule a bit, the source said. This has absolutely nothing to do with Owen Jones. Reacting to the news, talkRADIO host Hartley-Brewer praised Longhurst as a consummate professional and a pleasure to work with. Jones also addressed the move on Twitter. Mark Longhurst leaving Sky News has nothing to do with me or anything that happened involving me," he wrote. "Any claim to the contrary is false. Longhurst released a statement days after where he expressed regret for the way the segment ended. I absolutely accept the atrocity in Florida was, of course, an attack on LGBT people, but I was also trying to reflect what was on the newspaper front pages. It was never my intention to offend Owen Jones and I very much look forward to working with him again in future. 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... Important!! email - yadmoshe@gmail.com Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The first human to catch a cold appears to have got it from a camel, according to new research. It means the common cold originates from the same animal as the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, known as MERS. Researchers at the University Hospital of Bonn in Germany had been investigating MERS when they made the unexpected discovery. Professor Christian Drosten, one of the team, said: In our MERS investigations, we examined about 1,000 camels for coronaviruses and were surprised to find pathogens that are related to HCoV-229E, the human common cold virus, in almost six per cent of the cases." The scientists took samples of the camels cold viruses and discovered that they were capable of infecting humans, according to a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. But tests showed there was no apparent danger of a new cold epidemic because our immune system was already primed against it by the human version of the disease. A number of human diseases are thought to have initially infected other animals before mutating genetically by chance to give them characteristics that enable them to infect humans. Influenza, for example, is thought to have made the jump from birds to humans several times in the past. The initial outbreaks can be severe because humans may not have any immunity. The so-called Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 is estimated to have killed three to five per cent of the worlds population. However extremely lethal viruses tend to die out over time because they kill their hosts too quickly, creating an evolutionary pressure for a milder disease that makes people sick but keeps them alive, enabling the virus to infect others. MERS, which was found in humans for the first time in 2012, causes a severe infection that is often fatal. However it has not evolved into a form that is easily passed between humans. Professor Drosten said: The MERS virus is a strange pathogen: smaller, regionally restricted outbreaks, for example in hospitals, keep occurring. Fortunately, the virus has not adapted well enough to humans, and has consequently been unable to spread globally up to now. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary However he added that the global spread of the cold virus showed that MERS might become a worldwide problem one day. Our current study gives us a warning sign regarding the risk of a MERS pandemic because MERS could perhaps do what HCoV-229E did, Professor Drosten said. Humans can also pass on diseases to other species. It is thought that we gave a bacterial infection to monkeys while feeding them peanuts and otherwise coming into contact with them in The Gambia. Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Care to learn more about 400-foot tsunamis on Mars? Now you can, after Nasa announced it is making all its publicly funded research available online for free. The space agency has set up a new public web portal called Pubspace, where the public can find Nasa-funded research articles on everything from the chances of life on one of Saturns moons to the effects of space station living on the hair follicles of astronauts. Meteor Moment- Viewing Tips In 2013, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy directed Nasa and other agencies to increase access to their research, which in the past was often available (if it was available online at all) only via a paywall. Now, it is Nasa policy that any research articles funded by the agency have to be posted on Pubspace within a year of publication. There are some exceptions, such as research that relates to national security. Nonetheless, there are currently a little over 850 articles available on the website with many more to come. Making our research data easier to access will greatly magnify the impact of our research, NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan said in a statement. As scientists and engineers, we work by building upon a foundation laid by others. The move is part of a trend in the worldwide scientific community towards making knowledge more readily available. In May, EU member states agreed on an initiative to try to make all European scientific papers freely available by 2020. In the meantime, you can enjoy Nasa-funded insights into keeping fit in space, the ages of the lunar seas, and much more. Should keep you occupied for the weekend. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A ban on begging is being considered by the Swedish government, a minister has said. The potential law, suggested by Civil and Local Government Minister Ardalan Shekarabi, of the centre-left Social Democrat party, comes after a poll showed half of Swedes wanted to outlaw asking people for money in the street. The ban could split Sweden's coalition government with the Greens strongly opposed to the idea. Sweden has seen a sharp rise in numbers of beggars from EU countries, in particular Romania and Bulgaria, which has riled anti-immigration groups. Begging on Swedish streets can never solve the major problems of exclusion and poverty in Romania and Bulgaria, Mr Shekarabi said at a meeting in Reykjavik, according to a translation by The Local. The point of departure for this government is to defend and develop the Swedish [social] model. Its hardly part of the Swedish model to solve poverty with begging." Mr Shekarabi said the government had attempted to reduce the number of people ending up on Sweden's streets by coming to agreements with the Romanian and Bulgarian authorities. Yet still the begging continues, and our position is that begging in Sweden is no solution to the discrimination, poverty and social exclusion in the countries in question," he said. Recommended Read more The 19 countries with the best reputation in the world A national ban on begging is in place in Denmark, where it is punishable by up to six months in prison. Mr Shekarabi said it was "too soon" to give details about the details of the proposed ban. The Green Party, the junior partners in the coalition government witht he Social Democrats, said they oppposed the move. Begging is not a crime in Sweden and the government does not intend to change this legislation. You cant ban poverty, said Maria Ferm the partys migration spokesperson, according to The Local. "It is not the governments policy to use criminal law against people who ask others for help." The Greens are currently trailing in the polls. If a vote were held now, the party would not get into power, a survey for the tabloid Aftonbladet found. 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 anti-immigration party, the Swedish Democrats, has surged in popularity in recent weeks as the coalition has haemorraged supporters. A poll commissioned by Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet found that half of Swedes support a ban on begging, with only 27 per cent explicitly opposing such a rule. A survey by Swedish broadcaster SVT in 2015 found that the number of beggars in Sweden had doubled from the year before. Between 3,400 and 4,100 EU nationals, mostly from Romania and Bulgaria, were found to be asking for money on Sweden's streets. In August 2015, anti-begging advertisements created by the Swedish Democrats were branded as racist after they appeared on Stockholms undergound. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A best man who concocted a string of dreadful lies, including that he had terminal cancer, has been jailed after using money collected for stag parties to fund his gambling addiction. Martyn Galvin, from Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees, claimed he was organising stag dos in Prague and at York Races for the groom a school friend he had known for 18 years. Instead, the 30-year-old had pocketed the 7,945 he received from the stag group and spent it on gambling and extravagant purchases, Teesside Crown Court heard. Galvin had volunteered to arrange the two stag parties as it was considered the best mans duty and appeared to organise them by contacting the grooms friends and setting up a Facebook group, the Gazette Live reports. When he failed to turn up for meetings with the groom, Galvin, whose father had died of cancer when he was a teenager, claimed he had been having tests and an operation for terminal bowel cancer and needed radiotherapy, the court heard. His lies, described by the Judge as the nastiest and meanest he had ever encountered, were unearthed when the stag group of 17 arrived at Newcastle airport in August 2015 to find no flights or hotels rooms had been booked, despite having giving Galvin the money to pay for them. Galvins mother eventually exposed to the groom that he did not have terminal cancer as he had claimed, the MailOnline reports. The groom later said: I was beyond devastated. It tore me apart that Martyn used the most important day of my life to get money. In court Galvin said he was in debt and had planned to commit suicide. He later admitted fraud by false representation between January and October 2015, the Telegraph reports. Duncan McReddie, defending, said Galvin had a long-established gambling addiction and was extremely repentant. He said he and his family had saved money to compensate all 23 victims. Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC told Galvin: This fraud is perhaps one of the nastiest and meanest Ive encountered in my time involved in criminal law. The fraud involved a string of quite dreadful lies, lies to your best friend, a man who entrusted in you the task and the honour of being his best man. Galvin was jailed for 20 months and ordered to repay the full compensation in 28 days. The wedding later went ahead, with a different best man. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A three-year-old boy has died after being bitten by a dog in Essex. Dexter Neal was attacked in a residential road in Halstead at around 5.40pm on Thursday and airlifted to hospital, but later died of his injuries. Essex Police said a 29-year-old woman has been arrested for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and injuring a person. 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. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA The animal has been seized by police and placed in kennels. It came days after a 52-year-old man died following a dog attack in Huddersfield, where he had been walking his own pet near his home. Four breeds of dog are banned in the UK - the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero - and it is illegal for any dog to be let dangerously out of control. The offence can be punished with prison sentences of up to 14 years if the animal causes death or five years for injury, while lesser offences can be punished with shorter sentences, fines, bans on dog ownership or orders for the pet to be put down. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A British man has been imprisoned for almost a month in Dubai over a Facebook post raising money for refugees in Afghanistan. Scott Richards unwittingly fell foul of the United Arab Emirates bizarre laws banning the operation of any charity not registered in the country. Police said the 42-year-old, who holds dual British and Australian citizenship, was arrested after using social media to promote a US-based crowd funding campaign. The offending link was to a Go Fund Me page raising money to buy blankets for families at the Chahari Qambar refugee camp near Kabul, where children froze to death in 2012. Scott Richards was arrested after promoting a Go Fund Me charity page on Facebook Mr Richards was arrested at his Dubai home, where he lives with wife and two sons, on 28 July and has remained in detention since. The Detained in Dubai group is leading the campaign to secure his release after three bail applications were refused. Radha Stirling, the organisations founder, told The Independent Mr Richards' wife had to pay for drinking water and food and was only able to see him once a week. Hes imprisoned in al-Murraqabat police station, which is really one of the worst places to be, she said. The cells are only meant to hold people for a few hours. Its very overcrowded, theres no segregation of prisoners so you are in there with all sorts of people who have committed different crimes, even murderers. There are no blankets, or mattresses, forcing prisoners to sleep squatting in overcrowded communal cells. Human rights attacks around the world Show all 10 1 /10 Human rights attacks around the world Human rights attacks around the world China Escalating crackdown against human rights activists including mass arrests of lawyers and a series of sweeping laws in the name of national security. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Egypt The arrest of thousands, including peaceful critics, in a ruthless crackdown in the name of national security, the prolonged detention of hundreds without charge or trial and the sentencing of hundreds of others to death. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Gambia Torture, enforced disappearances and the criminalisation of LGBTI people; and utter refusal to co-operate with the UN and regional human rights mechanisms on issues including freedom of expression, enforced disappearance and the death penalty. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Hungary Sealing off its borders to thousands of refugees in dire need; and obstructing collective regional attempts to help them. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Israel Maintaining its military blockade of Gaza and therefore collective punishment of the 1.8 million inhabitants there, as well as failing, like Palestine, to comply with a UN call to conduct credible investigations into war crimes committed during the 2014 Gaza conflict. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Kenya Extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and discrimination against refugees in its counter-terrorism operations; and attempts to undermine the International Criminal Court and its ability to pursue justice. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Pakistan The severe human rights failings of its response to the horrific Peshawar school massacre including its relentless use of the death penalty; and its policy on international NGOs giving authorities the power to monitor them and close them down if they are considered to be against the interests of the country. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Russia Repressive use of vague national security and anti-extremism legislation and its concerted attempts to silence civil society in the country; its shameful refusal to acknowledge civilian killings in Syria and its callous moves to block Security Council action on Syria. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Saudi Arabia Brutally cracking down on those who dared to advocate reform or criticise the authorities; and committing war crimes in the bombing campaign it has led in Yemen (pictured) while obstructing the establishment of a UN-led inquiry into violations by all sides in the conflict. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Syria Killing thousands of civilians in direct and indiscriminate attacks with barrel bombs and other weaponry and through acts of torture in detention; and enforcing lengthy sieges of civilian areas, blocking international aid from reaching starving civilians. Getty Images Mr Richards' relatives do not know how long he will be held in the station, after police were granted an extension to his detention and notified prosecutors of their intent to charge him with fundraising without permission. UAE laws created last year forbid donations to foreign charities or advertising fundraising campaigns without written approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai. Anyone convicted can be jailed for up to a year and fined a maximum of 100,000 dirhams (20,000). Mr Richards grew up in the Australian city of Adelaide but lived with his family in London before moving to Dubai to work as an economic development adviser eight years ago. Ms Stirling said he was unaware about the bizarre new charity laws and had most probably been turned in by someone who read his Facebook post. If they actually enforced the law as they are in Scotts case, they would probably have to arrest 70 per cent of the country, she added. I dont think the law was intended to be enforced in this way, does the UAE really want to stop people donating to charities? Mr Richards is not the first foreign visitor to the UAE to fall foul of the countrys myriad laws and restrictions. Detained in Dubai said it handles around 50 cases a month, including several British citizens, and a freedom of information request revealed that 258 Brits were arrested in the UAE in 2014 alone. Tourists and expats in Dubai must navigate the UAE's extensive laws and restrictions (EPA) Lee Bradley Brown, a tourist from east London, died in custody after allegedly being beaten to death by police officers in 2011. He had been charged with using abusive language and intimidating behaviour towards a maid at the Burj al Arab hotel. The following year, three friends said they were tortured by police and forced to sign confessions after a previously legal synthetic drug was found in their hire car. Ms Stirling said Mr Richards has not reported any mistreatment but that his family were extremely concerned for his welfare. A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was supporting Mr Richards but gave no further details. The hashtag #FreeScottRichards is being used to support his case on Facebook and Twitter, while a friend is doing a charity run to raise awareness. As pressure grows on the UAE authorities to release the father-of-two, donations have been pouring in for the Warm Up Qambar IDP Camp campaign, where contributors have been writing messages to the prisoner and his family. To Scott's family - hang in there and be proud of who you are, one wrote. The fundraising page aims to raise $35,000 (27,000) for new tarpaulins, blankets, warm clothes and sleeping bags for the camps 7,000 residents as they face a harsh winter after being displaced from their homes by conflict. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Nearly 7,000 Islamophobic tweets written in English were sent every day in July, a huge increase on the 2,500 per day recorded in April. The phenomenon spiked noticeably in the wake of the Nice Lorry attack and the attempted coup in Turkey. Thinktank Demos discovered the increase in Islamophobic tweets by tracing 49 keywords and hashtags as indicators, BBC reports. Between March and July, they found 215,247 tweets sent in English that were "highly likely" to be intended as anti-Islamic and derogatory. The biggest spike of 21,190 occurred on 15 July, the day after a man drove a lorry into packed crowds on the Nice waterfront, killing 85 people. The second highest peak came on 17 July, with 10,610 tweets sent after a splinter faction of the Turkish military attempted to bring down the civilian government. Carl Miller, a research director from Demos, said the tweets were not showing anger at Isis but at "the wider Muslim world". Donald Trump blamed for stoking Islamophobia after imam and assistant shot dead Mr Miller added that while the posts were "damaging and tremendously problematic", only a "thin sliver" were actually illegal. He added: "Only when there's an actual threat to life are people actually breaking the law and, therefore, people that are in the online space are actually far less protected than the offline space when it comes to receiving that kind of abuse." Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa Mays timetable for negotiating Britains withdrawal from the European Union could be derailed by a High Court challenge in October. Pro-EU campaigners who claim the Prime Minister needs Parliaments backing before starting formal talks have raised 32,000 towards their 50,000 initial legal costs from 840 people through crowd-funding. They are confident their Peoples Challenge will go ahead. Ms May is expected early next year to trigger Article 50 of the EUs Lisbon Treaty, which will start two years of Brexit negotiations. The Government has refused to promise MPs and peers a vote on the decision, fuelling speculation that it may use the Royal Prerogative, under which the monarchs historic powers are exercised by ministers without needing Parliaments approval. Owen Smith accuses Jeremy Corbyn of being 10 out of 10 for leaving the European Union About 480 of the 650 MPs backed Remain in the June referendum and there is a strong pro-European lobby in the House of Lords. Although many MPs and peers are wary of opposing the publics decision, if they were consulted, they might push for negotiations to be delayed and for the fullest possible access for the UK to the EU single market after Brexit. Grassroots campaigners who have launched the Peoples Challenge claim that the rights they enjoy as British citizens inside the EU cannot be taken away unless the Acts of Parliament giving effect to EU law are repealed by Parliament. They include Grahame and Rob Pigney, who live in France; Christopher Formaggia, who lives in Wales, Paul Cartwright, who is from Gibraltar; Tahmid Chowdhury, who lives in London and Fergal McFerran from Belfast. John Halford, a partner at law firm Bindmans which is representing the group, said: The support the public have shown so far for this case is heartening. It demonstrates that people feel profoundly troubled by the prospect of having rights they have had for four decades stripped away in the democratic vacuum that will be created if the Prime Minister is allowed to use the Royal Prerogative to invoke Article 50. The People's Challenge group's stand against that happening is courageous and a critical means to ensure ordinary British citizens voices are heard and given real weight by the courts on this issue. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA Several separate challenges the Government over Article 50 are being planned and they are likely to be heard together in mid-October. Ms May is also under political pressure to delay the start of Brexit talks. Some politicians, including the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, have argued that it would be better to wait until after elections in France next spring and Germany next autumn so the Prime Minister knows with whom she will be negotiating. But the European Commission and other EU leaders are pressing the UK to open formal talks as soon as possible. The EUs approach to Brexit will be discussed by Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor; Francois Hollande, the French President and Matteo Renzi, Italys Prime Minister, at a summit near Naples on Monday. The 27 EU leaders, meeting without the UK, will debate the issue in Bratislava next month. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Jeremy Corbyn has refused to say he would provide military help to a Nato ally invaded by Russia as he clashed with rival Owen Smith over Britain's defence policy. Asked at the latest Labour leadership debate how he would react as Prime Minister to a violation by Vladimir Putin of the sovereignty of another Nato state, Mr Corbyn failed to assure he would enact the organisation's principle of collective defence. Nato's article five enshrines the principle that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all, which, as a member, the UK would be expected to uphold. Speaking in Birmingham on Thursday, Mr Corbyn said: You would obviously try to avoid that happening in the first place, you would build up a good dialogue with Russia to ask them and support them in respecting borders. Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith Show all 8 1 /8 Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith clash at a leadership hustings in Gateshead, where Mr Smith was scarcely able to answer a question without being booed by Mr Corbyns supporters PA Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith Jeremy himself admitted he was seven out of 10 in terms of his faith in the European Union. He said it, said Mr Smith during his second live debate with Jeremy Corbyn Getty Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith Ballot papers are currently due to be sent out on 22 August and returned a month later, with the result being announced at a special Labour conference on 24 September Getty Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith Jeremy Corbyn supporters cheer and wave placards as the Labour Leader addresses thousands of supporters in in Liverpool, England Getty Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith Labour Party leadership candidate Owen Smith poses for a picture with supporters during a picnic for young members in London Fields, Hackney in London Getty Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith The Labour leader has a spring in his step at a leadership rally in Sunderland Screenshot Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith Labour leadership contender Owen Smith delivers a speech at the Open University in Milton Keynes, where he promised to reverse Conservative cuts set to leave millions of low paid workers thousands of pounds a year worse off PA Labour leadership contest: Jeremy Corbyn vs Owen Smith Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has urged Owen Smith to distance himself from those saying they want to split the Labour party Getty The Labour leader repeatedly insisted on the importance of improving diplomacy with Russia but dodged formally committing to upholding Nato's article five. Mr Corbyn said he would want to avoid the UK entering into military action: I don't wish to go to war. What I want to do is achieve a world where we don't need to go to war, where there is no need for it. That can be done. In an increasingly turbulent hustings, leadership challenger Mr Smith was unequivocal when answering the question. We would have to come to the aid of a fellow member of Nato. That's the nature of the Nato accord. That would be the job of Britain in the event of a fellow Nato member being invaded, obviously, he said, despite admitting such a move would be calamitous. Mr Smith also urged the importance of improving the UK's diplomatic links with Russia. In a further attack, Mr Smith accused the Labour leader of not believing wholeheartedly in the European Union, saying: That is why he steadfastly refuses [to call for a second referendum]. He thinks it more important that we stay outside the EU I think that is a deep, deep mistake. In retaliation, Mr Corbyn said: The referendum took place, the result is there, we know the Tory agenda," adding he would call for links with Europe that would protect workers rights, the environment and trade relationships. Mr Smith was heckled by some members of the audience while referring to 170 socialist MPs who lack confidence in Mr Corbyn's leadership. Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith clash at Labour's leadership hustings Debate moderator ITV News' Carl Dinnen, attempted to quash tensions while Mr Smith said: This is what is going wrong with the Labour Party. We are beginning to look at one another as though we are each other's enemies, we are beginning to treat one another in a deeply uncomradely fashion. The suggestion that Jeremy is the only socialist in our party is an insult to many of us who are socialists. We're not red Tories or anything else that we're branded on Twitter, we're people who want to create a more equal Britain. Mr Corbyn asked the audience for a debate in a comradely manner, adding he was very disappointed when Mr Smith and others resigned from the shadow cabinet and called for a leadership change. He said he will seek to reach out if re-elected as leader to develop a coherent, cohesive Opposition. Mr Smith claimed Mr Corbyn only met him once during his nine months as shadow work and pensions secretary, with the incumbent leader countering that they met every week in the shadow cabinet. Additional reporting by Press Association Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A senior Tory who took an 8,000 payoff when he was forced to quit at the height of the 'Tatler Tory' bullying scandal, today faced calls to hand the money back. Former Conservative Chairman Grant Shapps was given the 'golden goodbye' payment despite saying during the scandal, "the buck should stop with me". The payment has only emerged now after accounts were published for the Department for International Development, to where he was demoted following the row. Labour MP John Mann called for Mr Shapps to return the money to taxpayers this morning, saying "nobody should get it". It comes after a Tory-commissined report into the bullying scandal found that Mr Shapps was responsible for giving activist Mark Clarke a key election campaign role. Mr Clarke, once tipped for greatness by Tatler magazine, later became subject to allegations of bullying and sexually inappropriate behaviour, all of which he denies. Among the claims made against him were those by 21-year-old Elliott Johnson in August last year, shortly before he went on to commit suicide. However, the report said there was no evidence that Mr Shapps had knowledge of the allegations until August 2015. When he stepped down from his ministerial post under pressure over the scandal, he said: Whatever the rights and wrongs of a serious case like this, responsibility should rest somewhere. "Over the past few weeks as individual allegations have come to light I have come to the conclusion that the buck should stop with me. : , CCTV Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} POWERS that allow spy agencies to harvest bulk data were today given the go-ahead by the UK's terror-law watchdog. In David Anderson QC's report, published this morning, he said there was a "proven operational case" for most of the controversial methods of data collection. Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed the findings claiming it showed how the powers, which she is currently trying to cement in legislation, are of "crucial importance" to MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. But critics raised concerns over whether the Government would follow all of the report's recommendations, and raised the prospect of blocking them in the House of Lords if they are not happy. Mr Anderson was asked earlier this year to evaluate the case for the tactics, which are included in the landmark Investigatory Powers Bill. His report said bulk powers "play an important part in identifying, understanding and averting threats in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and further afield". The techniques are used across a range of agency activity, from cyber-defence, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism to child sexual abuse and organised crime, the review found. It concluded that there is a "proven operational case" for three of the four powers examined, and a distinct "though not yet proven" operational case for the fourth. In one example in the review it said bulk interception of data had led to hostages being located in Afghanistan within 72 hours of their abduction, allowing an urgent and successful military rescue mission. Mrs May said: "Mr Andersons report demonstrates how the bulk powers contained in the Investigatory Powers Bill are of crucial importance to our security and intelligence agencies. "These powers often provide the only means by which our agencies are able to protect the British public from the most serious threats that we face." A spokesman for Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham, who had called for the review, said his party was happy with the case made for the powers, but urged ministers to ensure all the recommendations are followed. He highlighted in particular Mr Anderson's plan for a Technical Advisory Panel to advise on the impact of changing technologies. The Liberal Democrats said they would not be afraid of blocking Mrs Mays Bill in the Lords if they thought safeguards were not strong enough. Home Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: "As Anderson himself states 'the review was not asked to reach conclusions as to the proportionality or desirability of the bulk powers'. "It now falls to us in both the Commons and the Lords to assess whether the powers are proportionate and desirable in a democratic state." For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A six-year-old boy has been stabbed to death after trying to stop a man from raping his mother. Kutlwano Garesape was stabbed with a broken bottle by the man when he attempted to intervene during the attack on his way to school in Northern Cape, South Africa. His mother, Segomotso Garesape, said she, Kutlwano and his eight-year-old brother Thabiso had decided to walk to school after missing their bus in the town of Jan Kempdorp. When they had almost reached the school when a man appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her shoulder asking for money. When she refused, the man became angry and attacked, pushing her to the ground, IOL News reported. Her son then began to slap and kick the man screaming, Let go of my mommy, it is my mommy, in a bid to save her. Ms Garesape said: Thabiso was scared but Kutlwano kept on defending me. I could feel that the man was pulling up my skirt with his other hand and realised that he wanted to rape me in front of my children. The unnamed attacker was distracted by Kutlwano and Ms Garesape was able to kick him away. He then turned his anger on Kutlwano. Ms Garesape and Thabiso ran to find help as the man threw the boy into the air before strangling and stabbing him. 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 attacker then ran away after leaving his body on a nearby railway track. She said: I heard my child crying out for me and I saw him trying to defend himself with his hands. The man just kept on stabbing him. I felt helpless and ran to the main road in an attempt to find help... all the cars just drove past as I cried and screamed that a man is killing my child. I ran back and could still hear Kutlwano calling me ... When I got closer, I saw that he was now stabbing my son with a stick. I was screaming and felt so helpless. A spokesman for the local police, Captain Olebogeng Tawana, said a 32-year-old man has appeared in a local magistrates court charged with the murder of a six-year-old boy. Members of the local community have staged a protest outside the jail demanding the attacker is not granted bail. One community member said: "This angers the community as this incident now inflicts fear in all of us and we feel that we are not safe. As a parent, you now really worry about the safety of your children because this woman and her children were attacked during the morning while walking to school. They said the man must "pay" for what he did. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Cory Morris was home with the baby over the weekend, he told investigators. His girlfriend had gone to work and Morris was watching television. Then, the 4-month-old child, a girl named Emersyn, started to make some noises. Morris described it as baby talk in his interview with authorities, according to a criminal complaint. The Minneapolis father said he took Emersyn out of her swing, carried her into her room and placed her on a changing table. But Emersyn kept making noises, Morris later told authorities. So to quiet her down, Morris began to punch the baby. "He admitted he punched her approximately fifteen times in the face with a closed fist," the documents state. "He stated he punched her approximately seven times in the chest with a closed fist. Defendant admitted squeezing her chest with both hands." Emersyn was later pronounced dead. And now Morris, 21, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his baby daughter. "None of us can comprehend what this is all about," Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said at a news conference Tuesday. "And I'm a proud father of five and a grandfather of two. There's nothing more important in my life than my children and my grandchildren. What is this? Why? Frankly, right now, we don't know." Freeman said there were "suggestions" of mental health issues, which would be evaluated. "But right now, we have charged him with second-degree intentional murder," Freeman told reporters. "And we're just sad." Authorities responded to a Minneapolis home after a man called 911 and said he had killed his baby, according to the probable-cause statement. Emersyn was unconscious when police arrived. She was covered in blood. "The firefighters were the first to arrive to the residence and they found the baby on the changing station, lying in a pool of blood," reads the probable-cause statement. "Officers observed the blood spatter all over the wall and floor near the changing station in the baby's room." Morris was taken into custody and said he had repeatedly hit the baby. "His clothing, hands and arms were covered in dried blood and officers observed swelling to his right hand," the complaint notes. Emersyn was rushed to a hospital but died from blunt force trauma. Morris's girlfriend told investigators that he watched the child about three to four times a week, while she is at work. She "stated Defendant can go from happy to mad easily" and had thrown things in the past, according to the documents. His mother, Ginny Morris, told the Star Tribune that her son had recently seen a therapist but wasn't previously violent. She said that in the past, the family had trouble getting Morris help. "We never thought he would hurt the baby. We would never allow him to be with the baby if that was the case," Ginny Morris told the newspaper. "We were worried he was going to hurt himself, not the baby." The Star Tribune reports: Family members say that although they'd long been trying to get Morris psychological help, he never showed violent tendencies, and it was typical for him to watch the baby on his own. After police arrived and spoke with Morris, Freeman said, the father expressed no remorse. He would later tell law enforcement that he was schizophrenic and heard voices. Freeman said a full psychological evaluation on Morris will be completed but that his depiction of his state of mind has since changed. "There's all sorts of different stories from him," he said. A message left with Morris's attorney was not immediately returned. Freeman said at the news conference that Morris called his girlfriend and his mother after the fatal incident and indicated that he had done something wrong, but he didn't tell them that the baby might be dead. "She's shocked," Freeman said, when asked about Emersyn's mother. Copyright: The Washington Post Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A 15-year-old girl is awaiting trial in juvenile detention after she was charged with killing her "abusive" father. Bresha Meadows shot her father dead with his own shotgun after he spent years terrorising her, then 14 years old, her mother and two siblings, according to her lawyer. Campaigners are arguing for charges against the teenager to be dropped. In prison, they say, a girl who acted out of self-defence would face further persecution and trauma. Jonathan Meadows, 41, was sleeping in the living room when he was shot dead. Bresha was charged with delinquency by reason of aggravated murder. Yet her mother, Brandi Meadows, has described her daughter as a hero. She helped me; she helped all of us so we could have a better life, she told Fox News. A petition called Free Bresha Meadows has gathered close to 1,000 signatures. The campaign said that 15.5 million children in the US are exposed to domestic violence each year, and of of those incarcerated for self-defence, a disproportionate number are black. Criminalising Bresha in this context sends a harmful message to survivors and their childrenthat even in the most desperate of situations, they will be punished instead of helped, the petition read, which has gathered support under the twitter hashtag "#FreeBresha". A GoFundMe page has also raised more than $37,000 to support Bresha and her family. Her mother told the Plain Dealer that her daughter, a gifted student, was suffering low grades at school and was feeling increasing despair under her fathers control. As reported by the Huffington Post, Ms Meadows filed a protective order in 2011 that was eventually dismissed. She said she was afraid to leave, and had gone to hospital as much as 20 times after being physically assaulted by her late husband. In the 17 years of marriage, he has cut me, broke my ribs, fingers, the blood vessels in my hand, my mouth, blackened my eyes. I believe my nose was broken, she wrote. Jonathan Meadows' sister, Lena Cooper, said that her brother was a good father who loved his family, and he had been persecuted for one instance of abuse that took place years ago. Breshas lawyer, Ian Friedman, told Fox 8 that her 200-pound father had threatened the family with a gun on several occasions, and that Breshas use of that gun was a last resort. The Free Bresha campaign said that three women in the US are killed by their partners or former partners every day, and that Breshas father was times as likely to kill his family as he owned a weapon. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Muslim woman has been ejected from a Donald Trump rally after handing out pens inscribed with the word peace. Rose Hamid said a member of the Republican Presidential candidates security staff removed her from the event in Charlotte, North Carolina, because she was causing a disturbance. I just wanted to let people know that Muslims who dont support Trump can get along with people who do support Trump, she told WBTV News on Thursday, saying she had positive conversations with Trump supporters. Donald Trump blamed for stoking Islamophobia after imam and assistant shot dead [The guard] claimed that I had been at several other events and caused disturbances, which is a lie, so that tells me they have a prejudice against Muslims. Ms Hamid remained outside the convention centre to give out the pens, which were in the shape of roses and displayed the Arabic word salam, which means peace and is used as a greeting. The 56-year-old was escorted out a previous Trump rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, after holding a silent protest over his policy on Syrian refugees in January. As Ms Hamid stood wearing a hijab and yellow star with the word Muslim written on it, reminiscent of those worn by Jews in Nazi Germany, she was shouted at by supporters including one who yelled: You have a bomb, you have a bomb. Police said they ejected her from the event because Mr Trumps campaign staff instructed officers to remove anybody who made any kind of disturbance. Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY The billionaire had previously provoked global outrage by calling for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US and forcing them to carry special ID cards. Mr Trump has since backed down on the proposal and appeared to deliver a scripted apology to people offended by a string of controversies at his rally on Thursday night. Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, said the GOP nominee. And believe it or not, I regret it - and I do regret it - particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Mr Trump has recently drawn criticism for a public feud with the family of a Muslim soldier who was killed serving in the US military in Iraq. The rare apology came after a shake-up was announced in his campaign as Mr Trump trails against Democrat rival Hillary Clinton in the polls. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Tens of thousands of voters in Texas want Harambe, the gorilla shot dead in the Cincinnati zoo in May, to become the next leader of the free world. Public Policy Polling released its latest survey on Tuesday, revealing that the Internet famous gorilla is polling at 2 per cent, the same number as Green Party presidential hopeful Jill Stein. And for those interested, Donald Trump is leading Hillary Clinton 50-44, largely thanks to white voters in the state. As the story goes, Harambe was fatally shot by security personnel when a 3-year-old boy jumped into his enclosure on May 28. His death has become emblazoned across the social web providing us with hilariously dark memes and ironic tributes for the year. Despite his overwhelming popularity, the survey shows that Harambe has fallen three percentage points over the past several weeks, losing ground to Independent candidate Gary Johnson, who is polling at 6 per cent. The pollsters at PPP are known for offering alternative independent options for voters that generate interesting headlines. Earlier this year, many registered voters opted to see a giant meteor strike Earth as an alternative to a Clinton or Trump presidency. And in December, voters displayed their support of bombing the fictional city of Agrabah from the Disney film Aladdin. Fifteen-year-old Brady Olson of Iowa, commonly known as Deez Nuts, is also polling at three per cent in the state. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The driver of a bus has died in a horrific accident in New Jersey that threw passengers across the road in a scene of chaos. Onlookers rushed to offer first aid after two buses collided in Newark, throwing one of the vehicles in the air and causing it to split almost in half. Officials said 19 people were injured, seven of them critically, in the accident between the number 13 bus - carrying 20 passengers - and the number 59 bus, which was empty. Ras Baraka, Newark mayor, said: "We're praying for all of those in the hospital. During a news conference he said an investigation would focus on whether one of the buses had run a red light. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as some victims were thrown across the road and more than 20 people needed to be pulled from the wreckage. Two Starbucks employees rushed to help This is my city. This is Newark. This is where we need to be," one employee told PIX11 news. "These people need help and were going to do whatever we need to do to help them. TV footage shot from a helicopter showed how one of the buses had crumpled in the impact with glass showering the ground. The crash closed two streets and local news outlets reported that the Essex County Prosecutor's Office would investigate the crash. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Trump campaign is at the centre of more reverberations after it was announced his campaign manager is standing down days after the tycoon promoted a maverick conservative as the de facto chief. Paul Manafort, a Washington insider who had reportedly sought to soften some of the Republican candidates more extreme edges, announced that he was resigning. It came as his business dealings in Ukraine, and his alleged links to Russian politicians, came under increased scrutiny. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign, said Mr Trump. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success. The Trump campaign has for weeks been the focus of drama surrounding whether Mr Trump would act the manner of a more traditional presidential candidate, or stick with the abrasive, outspoken manner with which he won the Republican primary. Mr Manafort wanted the New York tycoon to use a teleprompter for his speeches and make less off-the-cuff remarks. Mr Trump, however, has made clear that he had no desire to change or pivot. Mr Manaforts resignation comes a day after the Associated Press reported that confidential emails from his firm contradicted his claims that he had never lobbied on behalf of Ukrainian political figures in the US. Trump Threatens to Close "Garbage Paper" New York Times If Elected Emails between Mr Manaforts deputy, Rick Gates, also a top Trump adviser, and the lobbying firm Mercury LLC showed that Mr Manaforts firm directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's then-ruling political party. Earlier this week, Mr Trump brought in a new campaign chief executive and campaign manager following a disastrous stretch in which the New Yorker committed a series of errors and fell behind Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in both national and battleground state preference polls. The new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, had described Mr Manafort and Mr Gates as part of a new core four atop the Trump operation with her and CEO Stephen Bannon, publisher of the conservative news site Breitbart News. Their arrival at the top of the campaign means it is now certain Mr Trump will continue to chase the White House in the same manner he sought the Republican nomination. On Thursday night, at a speech in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mr Trump voiced regret for any language that had offended people while he was on the campaign stump. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The US Navy SEAL who was sued by the government for publishing a book about the killing of Osama Bin Laden has settled his case, saying he is delighted to finally put an end to a lengthy and painful chapter of his life. Matthew Scott Bissonnette wrote the book No Easy Day, a first-hand narrative about the mission which led to him shooting dead the al-Qaeda leader in Pakistan in May 2011. He was charged with releasing classified information. The settlement requires that he forfeit all profit he made from the 2012 book to the government, totaling more than $6.6 million, along with any future profits derived from the book or television rights. Recommended Read more The secret story behind the mission to kill Osama bin Laden Mr Bissonnette must pay close to half the amount within 30 days. The author, who wrote under the pseudonym Mark Owen, was also investigated for allegedly keeping a picture of the Bin Laden's dead body. He said in a statement that the last thing he had intended to do after serving 14 years in the military was to spend four years at odds with the US government. I set out to write No Easy Day after seeing numerous accounts of the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden coming from our own government leadership, he said. The house of secrets: behind the high walls of Osama's compound Show all 4 1 /4 The house of secrets: behind the high walls of Osama's compound The house of secrets: behind the high walls of Osama's compound EPA The house of secrets: behind the high walls of Osama's compound REX FEATURES The house of secrets: behind the high walls of Osama's compound CNN The house of secrets: behind the high walls of Osama's compound CNN I believed strongly then and I still believe that the men and women who found and killed Bin Laden deserved to have their story told in their own voice, by one of those who risked his life to make the mission a success. He admitted that the legal advice he received was wrong and his lawyer did not advise him to submit the book to the Pentagon for pre-publication review. I acknowledge my mistake and have paid a stiff price, both personally and financially, for that error, he said. I accept responsibility for failing to submit the book for review and apologize sincerely for my oversight. His next book, No Hero, has been approved by the US government for publication, he added. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised pregnant women to avoid a section of Miami Beach in Florida, after five people were found to have been infected with the Zika virus in the tourist hotspot. Floridas Republican Governor Rick Scott said on Friday that the new patients were infected by local mosquitoes in a 1.5-square mile section of the Miami Beach neighbourhood, known for its Art Deco architecture. Of the five, two were from Miami Beach and three were visitors from New York, Texas and Taiwan. Florida is the first US state where native mosquitoes are confirmed to have spread the Zika virus, which has now been found in 70 countries. CDC workers are already working to contain the virus in Wynwood, another Miami neighbourhood. The five new cases bring the total number of infections from local mosquitoes in Miami to 36, and the insects may be spreading the disease elsewhere in Miami-Dade County, according to CDC director Thomas Frieden, who said on Friday that there were undoubtedly more infections that were not aware of. Pregnant women and their sexual partners are being advised to avoid the county altogether if they are concerned about the virus, which can cause microcephaly in babies if their mothers are infected during pregnancy. Pregnant women who have travelled to the area since 14 July should be tested for Zika, while men with a pregnant sexual partner who have visited the area in the same period should consistently and correctly use condoms to prevent infection during sex or avoid having sex for the duration of the pregnancy, the CDC said. The CDC says more than 500 pregnant women have been infected with Zika in the continental US and Hawaii, though the vast majority of the countrys 2,200 total cases were caused not by local mosquitoes, but by travel to other affected countries or sex with those carrying the virus. The CDC is using pesticides to kill mosquitoes in Miami, with workers spraying the pesticide from backpacks. Dr Frieden said it would be preferable to spray the affected areas from the air, but the high-rise buildings in Miami Beach made it impossible for planes to spray from the optimum altitude: approximately 100 feet. Mr Scott, whose office disputed reports that mosquitoes were spreading Zika in Miami Beach as late as Thursday, has now requested 5,000 new Zika testing kits from the CDC and 10,000 Zika prevention kits from the Obama administration. Speaking on Friday, he insisted Florida remained a safe state. We have two small areas [affected by Zika], he said. One less than a mile, and weve already been able to reduce the footprint. We have another area now thats 1.5 miles on Miami Beach. Thats out of a state that takes 15 hours to drive from Key West to Pensacola, so lets put things in perspective. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A baby girl has been gifted a million air miles by an airline after being born on a flight between Dubai and Manila in the Philippines. The baby's mother went into labour fours hours into the Cebu Pacific Air flight, five weeks before her due date. Fortunately, cabin crew were able to find two nurses able to help with the delivery of the baby, who has been named Haven. Fellow passenger Missy Umandal, who was seated near Haven's mother, wrote on Facebook: "We only heard one semi-loud screech, and a few seconds later there were tinier, cute screeches, and it was then we knew the baby was born. "Moments later, the woman got up to go back to her seat, baby in arms (mighty strong, I might say). "There were two other babies with us in the front row, and one of the passengers had a suitcase full of infant clothes and necessities, which could not have come at a better time." The plane was forced to land in Hyderabad, India, to provide further medical attention for the woman and her premature infant, reports the Guardian. Mark Martin, the cabin crew's team leader, subsequently said in a message to Haven: "You are God's miracle at 36,000 feet and we're blessed to have been an instrument in your safe delivery. "You will always be my most memorable passenger." Cebu Pacific chief executive Lance Gokongwei announced that Haven will receive one million GetGo poinits from the airline's reward scheme as a birthday present. According to the airline, the airmiles have no expiry date and can be used by her family. To earn the same number of GetGo points as Haven has received, a regular traveller would have to spend 83,000 on flights with the airline, the Philippines' largest. In April, a baby boy was born on a Jetstar Asia flight from Singapore to Yangon in Burma. He was named Saw Jet Star by his parents in honour of his unusual birthplace. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} This picture shows the scale of the devastation wreaked by a massive explosion at a Chinese factory which killed 173 people. The astonishingly powerful blast at the Tianjin factory in Hebei province in August 2015 flattened buildings and created a giant fireball that shot into the air as debris rained down on surrounding homes. Nearby residents said it had felt like an atomic bomb had hit. A total of 173 people, including at least 80 firefighters, were killed in the blast which injured nearly 800 others and destroyed over 300 homes. The explosion left a giant crater where the factory once was. The official report into the disaster found 123 people, including senior officials, responsible for the explosion which it said was caused by the illegal storage of 11,300 tonnes of hazardous chemicals. Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Show all 14 1 /14 Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tiajin Explosion A man wearing a mask walks past overturned shipping containers after explosions hit the Binhai new district in Tianjin. Two massive explosions caused by flammable goods ripped through an industrial area in the northeast Chinese port city of Tianjin late on Wednesday, killing 17 people and injuring around 400, official Chinese media reported. Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjin8.jpg A screen grab from taken from state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) footage on August 12, 2015 shows a huge explosion in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin. Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjin Explosion Excavators work near the site of the explosions at the Binhai new district, Tianji Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjin Explosion A man who was injured following the massive explosions at the Binhai new district in Tianjin receives medical treatment at a hospital. Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjin Explosion View of the destruction after explosions in the port area of Tianjin, northern China, Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjin Explosion A emergency worker is lifted by a crane as smokes plumes from the explosion site in Binhai new district in Tianjin Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjin Explosion A damaged truck is seen on a highway near the site of the explosions at the Binhai new district in Tianjin Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjin Explosion Flames rise as a banner in the background reads "no illegal operations" at the site of a series of explosions in Tianjin, witnesses described a fireball from the blasts ripping through the night sky. Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjn Explosion Smoke rises from shipping containers after explosions at Binhai new district in Tianjin, China. Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjn Explosion Firefighters take a break after trying to put fire down at the explosion site in Binhai new district in Tianjin, Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjn Explosion A survivor talk on his mobile phone at the site of the explosions at the Binhai new district in Tianjin Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjin Explosion Firefighter's truck and other rescue vehicles are pictured as smoke rises among shipping containers after explosions at Binhai new district in Tianjin Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjn Explosion Damaged cars are seen near the site of explosions at the Binhai new district in Tianjin Tianjin Explosion - In Pictures Tianjn Explosion A paramilitary policeman wears a mask as he blocks the road leading to evacuated residential area and the explosion site in Binhai new district in Tianjin It concluded that the explosion occurred after a highly flammable chemical, nitro-cotton, had been allowed to dry-out and self-ignite in its barrel, setting fire to other nearby chemicals such as ammonium nitrate. This set a chain reaction in motion which led to the destruction of the factory, the BBC reported. Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency estimated the blast caused damage worth around 6.87bn yuan (790m). Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The most powerful leaders of the remaining European Union states are to meet on a small Mediterranean island to discuss how to deal with the myriad issues the EU faces. But Britain will not be attending. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande will dine in Naples before flying to the island of Ventotene. The meeting, to be held on 22 August, will be primarily dealing with how the EU should progress in light of the recent loss of the UK from the bloc, following the countrys vote to leave on 23 June. It will serve as an opportunity for the remaining leaders to establish a common set of goals before an informal Bratislava summit on 16 September. With the exception of Britain, representatives of all EU member states will be in Bratislava for the event, which will aim to plot a course for the bloc after Brexit. Besides losing one of their most powerful and wealthy members, the EU must also deal with a grinding refugee crisis, terrorism, and relations with their unpredictable neighbours, Turkey and Russia. Ventotene will is an historic venue at which to meet and has played a central role in European politics in previous eras. The island housed a jail during the Mussolini dictatorship and held numerous political prisoners. Two of its inmates were anti-fascists Ernesto Rossi and Altiero Spinelli, who in 1941 published the text For a Free and United Europe. A Draft Manifesto, which became known as the Ventotene Manifesto. 6 ways Britain leaving the EU will affect you Show all 6 1 /6 6 ways Britain leaving the EU will affect you 6 ways Britain leaving the EU will affect you More expensive foreign holidays The first practical effect of a vote to Leave is that the pound will be worth less abroad, meaning foreign holidays will cost us more nito100 6 ways Britain leaving the EU will affect you No immediate change in immigration status The Prime Minister will have to address other immediate concerns. He is likely to reassure nationals of other EU countries living in the UK that their status is unchanged. That is what the Leave campaign has said, so, even after the Brexit negotiations are complete, those who are already in the UK would be allowed to stay Getty 6 ways Britain leaving the EU will affect you Higher inflation A lower pound means that imports would become more expensive. This is likely to mean the return of inflation a phenomenon with which many of us are unfamiliar because prices have been stable for so long, rising at no more than about 2 per cent a year. The effect may probably not be particularly noticeable in the first few months. At first price rises would be confined to imported goods food and clothes being the most obvious but inflation has a tendency to spread and to gain its own momentum AFP/Getty Images 6 ways Britain leaving the EU will affect you Interest rates might rise The trouble with inflation is that the Bank of England has a legal obligation to keep it as close to 2 per cent a year as possible. If a fall in the pound threatens to push prices up faster than this, the Bank will raise interest rates. This acts against inflation in three ways. First, it makes the pound more attractive, because deposits in pounds will earn higher interest. Second, it reduces demand by putting up the cost of borrowing, and especially by taking larger mortgage payments out of the economy. Third, it makes it more expensive for businesses to borrow to expand output Getty 6 ways Britain leaving the EU will affect you Did somebody say recession? Mr Carney, the Treasury and a range of international economists have warned about this. Many Leave voters appear not to have believed them, or to think that they are exaggerating small, long-term effects. But there is no doubt that the Leave vote is a negative shock to the economy. This is because it changes expectations about the economys future performance. Even though Britain is not actually be leaving the EU for at least two years, companies and investors will start to move money out of Britain, or to scale back plans for expansion, because they are less confident about what would happen after 2018 AFP/Getty Images 6 ways Britain leaving the EU will affect you And we wouldnt even get our money back All this will be happening while the Prime Minister, whoever he or she is, is negotiating the terms of our future access to the EU single market. In the meantime, our trade with the EU would be unaffected, except that companies elsewhere in the EU may be less interested in buying from us or selling to us, expecting tariff barriers to go up in two years time. Whoever the Chancellor is, he or she may feel the need to bring in a new Budget Getty Images The work, circulated among members of the Italian resistance, promoted European federalism a very radical concept for the time - as a way to prevent conflict in the region. It became very influential and inspired the Italian European Federalist Movement, giving solid political grounding to the prinicple of federalism. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An Irish MP has claimed the Biblical story about Noahs Ark supports his view that climate change is not being caused by humans because God above is in charge of the weather. Danny Healy-Rae, an independent, told music-and-politics magazine Hot Press said he was basing his views on facts and history. Climate scientists were getting more vehement about the issue, he claimed, because they were getting a lot of finance. Mr Healy-Rae, a publican in Kilgarvan, Kerry, told a debate in the Irish parliament earlier this year that God above is in charge of the weather and we here cant do anything about it. And, following a backlash about his remarks, he told Hot Press: Everyone is entitled to their view. Im basing my views on facts. The facts are there and history proves it. We had the Ice Age. We had Noahs Ark. We had all those stories. Weve proof of the Famine in 1740, which was caused by two years of incessant rain. Those are facts. There were some centuries when the country was very hot and warm and then there were different centuries with so much rain and cold. So, those are facts. He added that while he was a practising Catholic he was not a holy Joe. Mr Healy-Rae sparked international headlines in 2013 when he called for drink-driving permits to be issued by police to allow people to drink more than the legal alcohol limit in rural areas. He said because people could no longer drink in pubs then drive home, some were buying alcohol from supermarkets and drinking alone at home, leading to depression. He said he believed three of his regular customers had taken their own lives partly because of this. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Healy-Rae also told Hot Press that he would shoot anyone who broke into his home. Id aim for their legs first. Id immobilise them first, or something like that, if there was no other way of dealing with them. Id have no problem with that. Its ridiculous where the law actually favours the criminal in some of these incidents, he said. He also spoke about being portrayed as an eejjt from Kerry by Irish newspapers. The one thing those people miss when they are criticising us, they are also criticising and making little of [people] who voted for us, he said. According to thermometer readings, the average global temperatures has risen by about one degree Celsius in just over a century. During this time, the level of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by fossil fuels burned in cars, power stations and other machines has also risen. Laboratory experiments show that adding carbon dioxide to a jar full of air causes it to heat up more quickly. The vast majority of scientists the UK's Met Office, Nasa in the US, state-run institutions in China and across the world support the idea that humans are changing the planet's climate dramatically. Geologists are even considering declaring a new epoch has begun because of the extent of human's influence on the climate and Earth generally. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An Austrian farmer has finally solved the mystery of why his cows had no milk - it was being drunk by three local pigs. Hans Gumpitsch said he had been unable to work out why his cattle were not producing as much during the summer months until passing tourists snapped a picture of the piglets suckling their udders. The three pigs, which belong to the local mayor Gaimberg Bernhard Webhofer, had been spending the summer months outside in the small town of Nudorf-Debant in southern Austria. Mr Gumpitsch told the Tiroler Tageszeitung the pigs were able to suckle the cows because they drink from the udder with a lot of sensitivity - if they had bitten or been too rough the cows would have kicked them away. He said that after drinking their fill, the eight-month-old piglets like to lie down in the summer for a nap. Since the milk rustling came to light, Mr Gumpitschs farm has become an unlikely tourist attraction with visitors and locals all flocking down to see the spectacle for themselves. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Jewish man has been stabbed in France by an attacker heard shouting Allahu Akbar in the latest attack to shake the country. The victim, Chalom Levy, was taken to hospital after the assault in Strasbourg on Friday morning and is expected to make a full recovery. Police arrested the attacker at the scene and were holding him in custody while investigating his motives. Mendel Samama, a local rabbi and good friend of Mr Levy, told The Independent the 62-year-old victim was wearing a Jewish kippa when he was targeted. He had been shopping for Shabbat [the Jewish day of rest on Saturday] and he was walking back home when it happened, on the corner right by his house, Mr Samama said. He was stabbed once and the guy shouted Allahu Akbar, and when he took the knife out to stab him again he ran away. I dont know how he had the power but he managed to run to a bar. I think it saved his life. The bar staff barricaded the doors and called the emergency services while helping Mr Levy. He has been taken to hospital to be treated for a stab wound to his abdomen, which missed any vital organs. After visiting his friend, Mr Samama said: Hes in shock, when I spoke to him he was crying. He told me he thinks its a miracle, he told me I think God saved me today. 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 The suspect, said to be mentally ill, is believed to be known to police in relation to another attack on a Jewish victim in 2010. Mr Samama said the man had recently been held in a psychiatric hospital and that Mr Levys family were demanding to know why he had been freed. He described Mr Levy as a gentle man who loves taking care of people. The grandfather lives with his wife in Strasbourg and is retired, having formerly worked at a local factory. He is a very quiet man, a gentle man he is the type of person you would love to have in your family or in your community, Mr Samama said. Europe: Germany and France to beef up security Judicial police are investigating the suspected anti-Semitic attack, which came in Strasbourgs Jewish quarter at around 11.45am local time (10.45am BST). Officers have not confirmed any motive or possible link with foreign terrorist groups. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which raised tensions after a series of stabbings and attempted killings by Isis supporters elsewhere in France and Europe. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The United Nations has warned Turkey that wide-ranging purges and arrests following a failed coup go beyond what can be justified and may violate international law. Recep Tayyip Erdogans government has launched a wide-ranging crackdown since a military faction attempted to oust the president last month, arresting tens of thousands of people and removing many more from their posts. More than 130 media outlets have been shut down, with dozens of journalists detained, while prisoners have reported torture and abuse. Turkeys failed coup strains relations with the West A group of experts from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) criticised purges in the military, media, education and justice sectors. While we understand the sense of crisis in Turkey, we are concerned that the governments steps to limit a broad range of human rights guarantees go beyond what can be justified in light of the current situation, they said in a joint statement. Turkey is going through a critical period. Derogation measures must not be used in a way that will push the country deeper into crisis. Mr Erdogan has blamed a network led by Fethullah Gulen, a cleric who lives in self-imposed exile in the US, for the failed rebellion that left hundreds dead. Authorities have arrested or suspended tens of thousands of police, troops, officials, judges and bureaucrats alleged to have linked to his Hizmet movement, which has denied involvement. In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters A total of 40,029 people have been detained in investigations following the coup, and 20,355 of them formally arrested, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Wednesday. Several thousand companies and institutions suspected of having financed Mr Gulen have also been shut. But the UN raised concern that the measures were being used to target dissent and criticism. Turkish authorities gained increased powers with the declaration of a national state of emergency on 20 July, and the country is now invoking Article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which allows it to temporarily relax laws on public freedoms. The UN group, comprised of 19 special rapporteurs and three working groups, said the government was using wide and indiscriminate administrative powers that affect core human rights". "The invocation of Article 4 is lawful only if there is a threat to the life of the nation, a condition that arguably is not met in this case, they noted. Pro-government supporters demonstrating after the coup (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters) One cannot avoid, even in times of emergency, obligations to protect the right to life, prohibit torture, adhere to fundamental elements of due process and non-discrimination, and protect everyones right to belief and opinion. Turkey has also invoked a similar clause enabling it to violate obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. As well as cracking down on alleged coup supporters, authorities are fighting Kurdish militants in the south east and responding to a series of Isis terror attacks. Mr Erdogan sought to link the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Hizmet on Thursday, in the wake of a series of bombings that killed at least 10 people and injured 300 more. You don't have to be fortune teller to see that the Hizmet movement is behind the latest PKK attacks in terms of sharing information and intelligence, he said. At the scene of a car bombing that killed three police officers in the city of Elazig, Mr Yildirim, vowed to raise the state of alert to a higher level. The White House condemned the attacks but has repeatedly refused calls from Ankara to extradite Mr Gulen. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A news ticker at a Turkish airport has warned travellers about the prevalence of rape in Sweden. The screen at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport displayed a headline lifted from the Turkish newspaper Gunes, which claimed Sweden had the highest rape rate worldwide. A photograph of the ticker was shared on social media on Friday morning. The headline came days after a diplomatic spat in which the Swedish foreign minister angered Turkish politicians by publicly criticising Turkey's legislation on child rape. Sweden has the most recorded rapes per capita in Europe, but not in the world. Sweden's high rape rate could be down to more people in the country reporting sexual assault, a more expansive legal definition of rape, and a better trained police force than in other countries, rather than reflecting a greater number of actual incidents. In addition to far more acts legally constituting rape in Sweden than anywhere else in the world, women who report sexual assault in the country are less likely to be stigmatised than in other places, making them less afraid to go to the authorities. A report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights which accompanied data on violence against women across EU member states, said it was important to take a number of factors into account when interpreting the numbers. The observed variations between EU member states in the prevalence rates of sexual harassment can be explained by a number of factors looked at in combination," the report said. For example, the different level of acknowledgement of sexual harassment in national legislation and its prioritisation in specific policies and political debates might be reflected in womens overall level of awareness of sexual harassment as a fundamental rights abuse, and their disclosure of such experiences. Klara Selin, a sociologist at the National Council for Crime Prevention in Stockholm, told the BBC that countries' rape rates cannot be accurately compared, because police procedures and legal definitions vary around the world. In Sweden there has been this ambition explicitly to record every case of sexual violence separately, to make it visible in the statistics, she said. So, for instance, when a woman comes to the police and she says my husband or my fiance raped me almost every day during the last year, the police have to record each of these events, which might be more than 300 events. In many other countries it would just be one record - one victim, one type of crime, one record. Selin added that public debate about sexual assault in Sweden over the past two decades has had the effect of raising awareness and encouraging women to go to the police if they have been attacked. Gunes, which is owned by a Turkish businessman with ties to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, did not go into detail about the figures behind its headline, or discuss the complex factors that influence rape rates. Instead the article focused on what it perceived as hypocrisy from Swedish ministers, who recently criticised Turkey's rape legislation. Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallstrom said Turkey had "legalised sex with children", after Turkey's constitutional court voted to remove a legal provision that automoatically classifies sexual activity with children between the ages of 12 and 15 as child sexual abuse. In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters Deputy Prime Minister Memet Simsek tweeted that Ms Wallstrom should get her facts right, while Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in televised comments cited by AFP: It is a scandal for a foreign minister to post such a tweet based on false news or speculation. The Swedish envoy was summoned to Ankara to discuss the incident. An airport news ticker featured in the previous argument too -- the accusation that Turkey had legalised sex with children was first publicised by an Austrian newspaper, and the headline was reported on a news ticker in Vienna airport. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The twin sons of Iraqs ambassador to Portugal have been arrested on suspicion of carrying out a brutal attack on a 15-year-old boy but the two teenagers may be protected from prosecution by diplomatic immunity laws. The boy, named locally as Ruben, is in a coma and is said to be fighting for his life after he was violently beaten in the town of Ponte de Sor in central Portugal on Wednesday. He has had reconstructive surgery on his face, which was disfigured in the attack, and his prognosis is poor after suffering a head injury, according to Jornal de Noticias. The incident allegedly followed an altercation at a bar in Ponte de Sor, where one of the 17-year-old twins is training to become a pilot at a nearby air base. Police are investigating what caused the attack on Ruben, described by Jornal de Noticias as a calm and tranquil boy local to the area. The brawl came to a violent end at around 4am in the centre of the town. One of the twin brothers allegedly ran the victim over with a car registered to the Iraqi embassy and the other punched and kicked him on the ground, according to Algarve Daily News. Witnesses are said to have reported the brothers to the police after they saw the cars diplomatic plates. Portugal: Wildfires rage across Madeira Islands The victim was airlifted to a hospital in Lisbon where he remains in a critical condition. Everything depends on the next 48 hours, the victims stepfather Marco Silva told Sic News yesterday. The twins were released from jail yesterday, reported Diario de Noticias. As the two young men have diplomatic passports, they benefit from diplomatic immunity which exempts ambassadors and their families from prosecution, the police confirmed to the Lisbon-based newspaper. Recommended Read more Erdogan crackdown after coup causes diplomats to flee Turkey The police will continue to investigate the case, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told Lusa News Agency that diplomatic actions may be considered. This means the Iraqi ambassador, Saad Mohammed Ridha, could be expelled from his position for his son's actions. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a country can make any member of diplomatic staff from another state "persona non grata" at any time, without having to explain why. In any such case, the sending State shall, as appropriate, either recall the person concerned or terminate his functions with the mission, states article 9 of the convention. 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 student has since been expelled, the school wrote in a post on its Facebook page. An incident occurred in the early hours of 17 August in a bar brawl involved a student, who does not live on-campus, said the post by G Air Training Centre. The actions of the student are intolerable and damages the good name of the school and all its students and staff [...] according to the schools code of conduct, the expulsion process has been started for this student. The Independent has contacted the Iraqi embassy of Portugal who did not comment on the attack. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} If you looked across the water from downtown Boston to the Seaport District, youd be forgiven for thinking there was no reason to cross the bridge. At least, not yet. Bland office buildings, cranes and half-finished construction projects dot the skyline, and rusty old infrastructure lurks off shore. But this is Bostons Innovation District, where hidden behind the scenes are dozens of tech start-ups and those new buildings will eventually cater to them. Among the first on the scene was The Envoy, a waterfront hotel thats part of Marriotts Autograph Collection a growing group of individually designed and run properties. Opened last year, The Envoy has already become the go-to after-work spot for the tech crowd, thanks to its rooftop Lookout bar, which serves cocktails accompanied by banging tunes and views across the water. The Envoy sits on the waterfront, with views towards the city Down on the ground floor, the lobby has a work/play vibe: hot desks with power outlets, motivational slogans on the walls and an arcade machine disguised as a pool table (who needs real pool when you can play it on a giant tablet?) but there are also comfy couches, and, come evening, an inevitable queue for the lift up to the Lookout. Location Beyond the confines of the hotel and a couple of pretty waterfront parks, youre unlikely to spend much time in the Seaport District, but youre just a five-minute walk across the Fort Point Channel from downtown. Here you can follow the Freedom Trail (thefreedomtrail.org), a two-and-a-half-mile walk between the citys historic sights (often complete with tour guides in American Revolution costume), or take a stroll along the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway (rosekennedygreenway.org) a long strip of parkland on the site of an old six-lane freeway. Launched in 2008, it hosts a regularly changing roster of markets, events and art installations. The Rose Kennedy Greenway makes for a pleasant stroll through the city (Kindra Clineff/MOTT) Want to strike out further afield? Make the journey the picturesque Harvard University campus in Cambridge. Comfort Given its location, you might expect The Envoy to go one of two ways super corporate or hipster chic when in fact it manages to blend the two. White walls are livened up with splashes of colour in the curtains, and fun furniture such as ladder-like shelving, television stands made from bicycles, and mid-century-style leather chairs. The 136 rooms come in various categories: at the lower end are Classics, which offer city or partial water views; while at top end are Coveted Corner Rooms and Suites. My Deluxe Larger King Room was spacious enough to have a free-standing bed right in the centre, complete with a headboard that had inbuilt electrical sockets ideal for business guests who want to use the desk behind, or for anyone else, like me, who hates to be too far from their phone while it charges overnight. A Deluxe Larger King room, complete with bicycle TV stand The shower room was compact but clean, with nautical touches including glass panels decorated with maps, and lights that looked like telescopes. Instead of a minibar, rooms come with a box of goodies including a carton (yes, carton) of water and healthy snacks (coconut-crusted macadamia's anyone?), while hanging by the inbuilt clothes rail are a tote bag and umbrella, which guests can use during their stay, or take home at extra cost. The Outlook restaurant, adjoining the lobby is well worth a visit, serving great wine and a menu centred around the three Ss seafood, salads and steaks but in a much more modern way than that might suggest. The Outlook restaurant serves seafood and steak in stylish surrounds Essentials The Envoy, an Autograph Collection Hotel, 70 Sleeper Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (001 617 338 3030; marriott.co.uk). Double rooms start at $275 (209), excluding breakfast. Wifi: free Parking: $46 (35) a day Access: four wheelchair-accessible rooms Rooms: **** Service: **** Value: **** Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Q When making a compensation claim for a cancelled flight is there normally any benefit to asking for vouchers rather than cash? Annabelle Marston A The European rules on air passengers rights, known collectively as EC261, specify payouts for cancelled or heavily delayed flights. They also say that the default should be cash payment (or, strictly, payment by bank transfer, cheque or to the card used for the original purchase). Airlines may offer travel vouchers instead of cash, but only with the signed agreement of the passenger. And the passengers should only agree to accept vouchers if there were something in it for him or her: higher value than you would get in cash, and confidence that you will be able to use the vouchers. Monarch has a transparent and potentially valuable policy, with an uplift of 20 per cent in the amount of compensation. The airline says: In the case of a successful claim, you have the option to choose whether any settlement is paid by cheque or by Monarch Flight Vouchers. If you select Monarch Flight Vouchers then you will receive a voucher to the value of your delay compensation plus 20 per cent. For example, if you are entitled to compensation of 250 then you will receive a Monarch Flight Voucher to the value of 300. These vouchers are generally valid for a year from the date of issue. So for anyone with a holiday home in Spain, for example, it could be an excellent deal. Other airlines, though, are not so straightforward. I have seen multiple cases of Thomas Cook Airlines failing to seek signed agreement before supplying vouchers. With no benefit to the passenger, I have told claimants to demand cash, as they are entitled to do. Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a readers question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} It is now eight weeks since we voted to leave the EU but it may be at least eight years before the UK is fully and totally out of Europe if we finally leave at all. After a post-truth Brexit campaign, now the era of truth is dawning in Downing Street and they are discovering there was never any work completed by the Brexit team on what wthe costs of leaving the EU would be and how precisely it would be done. The new Prime Minister, Theresa May, who is coldly pragmatic, has given the three Musketeers of Brexit Boris Johnson, Liam Fox and David Davis the task of getting us out of Europe as painlessly and quickly as possible. They are finding out that their two decades of demagogic condemnation of the EU and all its works is no preparation at all for turning Brexit into reality. Instead, there is the surreal sight of Liam Fox writing a letter saying that half the Foreign Office staff and responsibilities should be placed under his control. Ever since it was set up after Britain lost America at the end of the 18th century, the Foreign Office has been seeing off raids on its territory like these. Having been told that leaving the EU would reduce bureaucracy and costs, there is the bizarre sight of Whitehall recruiters hiring lawyers expert in EU law on 5,000 a day and consultants from KPMG and Ernst and Young on 1,000 a day. The extra cost of negotiating Brexit is reckoned to cost 5bn which taxpayers will have to pay for. Angela Merkel insists Article 50 must be triggered before Brexit talks Fox has a name for unforced errors, as his abrupt dismissal as Defence Secretary in 2011 showed. He is finding out from the US Trade Secretary, and every other minister responsible for trade around the world, that no-one will talk to the UK about trade deals until we are completely outside the EU. For years the Europhobes told us that the world would be queuing up to sign trade deals with Britain once we were out of Europe. Now Fox is discovering that it is illegal under World Trade Organisation rules to start negotiations with the UK as the EU has sole and exclusive responsibility for speaking for its member states on major trade matters. Of course countries can negotiate small market openings. Spain has spent eight years negotiating a deal to export plums to China. The UK has spent just as long trying to get India to lift its 150 per cent tariff on Scotch whisky so far, without success. The Indians are willing to let Scotch be imported duty-free but in exchange they want visa-free access for Indians to come to the UK. Over to Dr Fox to solve that conundrum. Brexit racism and the fightback Show all 9 1 /9 Brexit racism and the fightback Brexit racism and the fightback Demonstrators protest against an increase in post-ref racism at London's March for Europe in July 2016 PA Brexit racism and the fightback These cards were found near a school in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the day after the EU referendum Twitter/@howgilb Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback Romford, Essex, June 25 @diamondgeezer Brexit racism and the fightback A worker at this Romanian food shop was asleep upstairs at the time of this arson attack in Norwich on July 8, but escaped unharmed. Hundreds later participated in a love bombing rally outside the shop to express their opposition to racism and their support of the shop owners. JustGiving/Helen Linehan Brexit racism and the fightback This neo-Nazi sticker was spotted in Glasgow on June 26 Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback But after news emerged of neo-Nazi stickers appearing in Glasgow, some in the city struck back with slogans of their own. Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback More signs began to appear in some parts of the UK, created by people who wanted to show their opposition to post-referendum racism Courtesy of Bernadette Russell When she was Home Secretary, Theresa May tried to abolish visa-free travel arrangements with Brazil, but was slapped down by David Cameron who judged the good relations with Brazil was worth the risk of some over-staying by Brazilians who came to London and then disappeared into the black labour market. The same dilemma faces UK exporters who have been told by all EU leaders, not just the wicked Eurocrats, but nationally elected leaders in Germany and France that there is no question of having access to the EU Single Market for 500 million middle class consumers without allowing those consumers the right to travel, live and work the same rights that more than a million Brits in Spain enjoy too. No-one in Europe wants to punish Britain but no EU leader dare deny his or her own citizens the rights that Brits take for granted in order to give the UK a special privileged status. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has sensibly said that there is no point in beginning the initial withdrawal negotiations the so-called 'Article 50 procedure' until there is clarity on who will be in charge of Europe. In 2017 there are elections in France likely to produce a new president next May and right-wing challengers have called for the relocation of the Calais frontier to UK territory. Angela Merkel will have done 12 years as German Chancellor at the time of the federal elections in September 2017 and may decide to stand down rather than go on and on and on to the kind of unhappy career end of Helmut Kohl. Recommended Read more 12 reasons not to panic about Brexit But Khan, a shrewd EU watcher, is right to say that inserting a rushed UK withdrawal into a crucial election year in both France and Germany is not smart. He also has to speak for London and the $120tn volume of business in trading and clearing euros, which only takes place in London because we are in the EU. London is home to 350,000 French citizens alone, as well as hundreds of thousands other European professionals, and removing their right to live and work freely in the UK will send a disastrous signal around the world that London is no longer Europes hub for financial transactions. In any event, Article 50 negotiations are not even foreplay to the main event. They only cover how to share out between Brussels and London the responsibility for paying the pensions of Brits who work for the EU and will now be dismissed, as well as existing retirees like Stanley Johnson, father of Brexiteer Boris. Once Article 50 talks are over, Jean-Claude Piris, the EUs former chief lawyer, reckons it will take at least eight years to write out any kind of satisfactory UK-EU deal on trade access and the rights of British citizens living in Europe. Pascal Lamy, the former WTO director general, also dismisses the idea that a final EU-UK trade deal is achieveable without years of negotiation. It has taken the EU and Canada eight years to agree a relatively modest trade deal which now has to be ratified by all 28 EU national parliaments. Any UK-EU deal would also have to be agreed by national parliamentarians from Ireland to Bulgaria. To be sure, the 23 June vote must be accepted and respected, even if two million young citizens and two million Brits in Europe were denied a vote by the inefficient jobsworths at the Electoral Commission. But it is not the last word. There has been a major new surge led by young activists who refuse to accept, as with general elections, that a change in UK policy is impossible. Theresa May is the leader of Tory MPs and most of them like her were Eurosceptic but not in favour of the Ukip-Johnson-Fox agenda on Europe. She returns from her Alpine walking holiday to find that her predecessor, David Cameron, has handed her mission impossible: to pull the UK out of Europe without huge economic damage and political anger. Farage, Johnson and Fox have won their 15 year-long battle to obtain a vote for Brexit. But Britain is not out of Europe. And as the UK public realises the damage to their future that isolation represents, there will be a re-think. May is no Europhile, but she does not want to lead a Britain that become poorer and weaker in wealth and status, with the ever-present shadow of Scotland leaving the UK too. The Europhobes who brought us Brexit may not have the last laugh. Denis MacShane is the former UK Minister for Europe and author of 'Brexit: Why Britain Left Europe' Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The photo of five year old Omran Daqneesh, whose dazed and bloodied face was seen around the world yesterday, should serve as a timely reminder that the situation in Syria is getting worse, not better. Five years after the countrys civil war began, we are seemingly as far away from a resolution as ever. Images of minors injured or killed by war inevitably have a particular power. Children, above all others, can bear no responsibility for the carnage inflicted by adults around them: they are the innocents in this slaughter. And Omran is just one of many, of course. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has estimated that to the end of May this year up to 14,000 children have been killed during the Syrian war, with many tens of thousands injured and in need of aid. Omran then is a symbol, not a singular example. So why him? Perhaps it was something in the blank way he looked, and the manner in which he wiped his eye with his hand, which brought to mind a child who has been unexpectedly woken from a deep sleep and cant quite work out where they are. That connection between a far off tragedy and an everyday normality grabs our attention. We weep for Omran because we see in him our own children. 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 I felt that same connection when I first saw the images of Aylan Kurdis body, washed up unceremoniously on a Turkish beach last September. The photograph which showed him lying at the shoreline on his front reminded me of seeing my children fast asleep in their beds on their tummies. The difference between sweet dreams and very unsweet death seemed so desperately slight. That was one of the reasons we decided to publish that photograph more prominently than some of the others which had been taken at the scene. Yet nearly a year on from Aylans death, how much has really changed? Those fleeing Syria and other conflict zones are still taking extraordinary risks to reach Europe. The EUs deal with Turkey and various European border closures may have reduced numbers arriving in Greece, but the UNHCR still anticipates that nearly a quarter of a million people will enter Europe from the east by the end of the year. As of June, a further 50,000 were thought to have entered Italy from Libya. There have been several thousand deaths along the way. Meanwhile, many refugees, including thousands of unaccompanied minors, remain trapped in official and unofficial camps, hoping that European governments of one hue or another will take mercy on their plight. As for the UK, the Home Affairs Select Committee expressed concern last month that Britain was not on course to fulfil its pledge to take in 20,000 refugees by 2020. What a pitiful indictment of an already unambitious programme. CNN presenter cries during Aleppo piece For those who have been unable to flee or who have taken the conscious decision to stay in Syria, the bloodshed continues unabated. It is estimated that over 400,000 people in total have been killed during five years of war. Large parts of Aleppo, a city once home to 2.3 million, have been reduced to rubble and UN humanitarian aid has been unable to get through battle lines for a month. Regime forces, supported by their Russian allies, carry out frequent airstrikes using all sorts of weaponry. There frequently seems little effort to finesse any targeting. On the other side, rebel advances are said to have been made possible by the arrival of new equipment, allegedly provided by backers in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with America turning a blind eye. Syrias conflict has become as much a proxy war as a civil one. And there is no end in sight. The image of Aylan Kurdi haunted us because we knew for him there would be no tomorrow. Footage of poor, baffled Omran in the back of an ambulance should haunt us more; because for him a new day dawning in Aleppo will bring only more misery. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Britain and the Saudis have been in bed together since the First World War. In 1915, Ibn Saud signed the Treaty of Darin with Asquiths government, accepting the status of a British protectorate. Now the Age of Empire may be over, but the UK is just as invested in its relationship with the Middle Easts economic powerhouse. In recent years, on the watch of the international community, the couples marriage has come under some strain. Britain has increasingly found herself struggling to defend Saudi Arabia's sordid abuse of human rights: beheadings for homosexuality, mass execution, detainment of activists, misogyny and a vicious crusade against Yemen, which Amnesty International condemned as breaching international rules on the use of force. Yet it is Britain that sleeps on the sofa, desperate to save its failing marriage and uphold its the various trade deals it has signed with the quasi-pariah state. In 2005, the lovers embarked on a nuclear arms deal. Again, in 2014, British defence firm BAE won a contract worth 4.4bn to supply the Saudis with 72 fighter jets some of which were used to bomb Red Cross and MSF hospitals in Yemen. The former Prime Minister David Cameron, as recently as January, called the Saudis our close allies. Does Theresa May think the same way? Saudi-led coalition resumes air strikes in Yemen On 13 September she will have her chance to make her voice heard or so say the activists and pressure groups who, on World Humanitarian Day, are calling for May to vote against Saudi Arabia retaining its membership of the UN Human Rights Council. It is paradoxical that a country with one of the worst records is even party to an institution which sets and monitors human rights standards. Recommended Read more Our government is facing legal action over its Saudi arms sales The UN has called the war in Yemen a human catastrophe which has claimed 6,500 lives so far; Save the Children reports that one in three Yemeni children are suffering from malnutrition, while Amnesty and Human Rights Watch say they have identified 69 unlawful air strikes, some of which may amount to war crimes, killing at least 913 civilians. It is no surprise, then, that Amnesty International demands that the UK hold Saudi Arabia to account for its appalling human rights record and the on-going war crimes in Yemen. But will it do this by merely booting it out of the HRC? The simple answer is no. Yes, the Saudis must go. Get them out. But if we continue our trade deals, our military support for the nation, then our Prime Minister's vote would amount to a meaningless exercise in political theatre. King Salaman wont be too heartbroken to exit the council, though he would toss and turn in his sleep at the thought of brutal economic sanctions not least since the price of oil is at an all-time low. Like the forbidden love in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, the British elite and Saudi royals' ill-fated affair is a blood-sodden tragedy. Things must come to an end, and quickly. Theresa May has the opportunity to take a different course of action. But, as she votes in a few weeks time, she should remember that a red card on the international playing field is one thing, but parting ways for the last time at the bedroom door is quite another. A whistleblower who helped reveal false accounting at Deutsche Bank has refused an $8.25m award from a US securities regulator because of the agency's failure to punish bank executives, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. Eric Ben-Artzi, a former Deutsche Bank risk officer, wrote in an opinion article in the Financial Times that the $55m US Securities and Exchange Commission penalty on which the award is based should have been paid by Deutsche's executives. Ben-Artzi, his lawyer and a Deutsche Bank spokeswoman could not be immediately reached for comment. We brought all of the charges supported by the evidence and the law, which were unanimously approved by the Commission," said Andrew Ceresney, the SEC's enforcement division head. Last year, Deutsche Bank agreed to pay $55m to the SEC to settle claims that it ran afoul of U.S. securities laws because of the bank's "inadequate internal accounting controls" related to the valuation of complex derivatives, the SEC had said. Deutsche Bank did not admit or deny allegations connected to trading "leveraged super senior" (LSS) derivatives dating back to late 2008 and early 2009. A second whistleblower, Matthew Simpson, was awarded the other half of the $16.5m payout. "Deutsche did not commit this wrongdoing. Deutsche was the victim," wrote Ben-Artzi, who had joined Deutsche in 2010. But the Deutsche executives went unpunished because of a "revolving door" situation in which top SEC lawyers who had held senior posts at Deutsche moved "in and out of top positions at the regulator even as the investigation into malfeasance at Deutsche were ongoing," Ben-Artzi wrote. Among the officials Ben-Artzi singled out: Robert Khuzami, a top Deutsche lawyer in the United States who served as the SEC's enforcement head from 2009-2013. Khuzami could not be immediately reached for comment. Ben-Artzi wants his $8.25m share of the award to be given to "Deutsche Bank and its stakeholders." The award money should be clawed back from bonuses paid to Deutsche executives, he wrote. Ben-Artzi's lawyers and ex-wife are still entitled to claim a portion of his award, he wrote. At 15 years of age, Larry Goodman refused to return to school in Dundalk. He had previously been made to kneel in front of his class by the Marist Fathers. It was 1952, and Mr Goodman was already demonstrating a knack for business - and stubbornness. Coupled with a tough work ethic (he was known to work Christmas Day to show dedication to customers in the Middle East), those attributes have held him in good stead through the decades. With an estimated fortune of almost 800m, he and his family are now among Ireland's richest. His APB Food Group is the biggest privately-owned beef processor in Europe and he has an extensive property portfolio that includes the former Bank of Ireland HQ. When he ditched school, Mr Goodman did a stint working for his father, a well-regarded cattle dealer. Snapped Then he branched out on his own. His first business was collecting sheep-gut to sell as sausage skins. From that humble beginning, Mr Goodman was quickly becoming a force. He snapped up underperforming meat plants, sending in no-nonsense managers. By the '80s, Mr Goodman and his meat group were sailing on the crest of a wave. He had the ear of ministers, was a major employer - and he was a backer of Fianna Fail - but there was a storm brewing far off on the horizon. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, Mr Goodman's empire was suddenly on the precipice. And then it fell off. He was the single biggest supplier of beef to Iraq, and when UN trade sanctions were imposed, it all but destroyed his business. If that wasn't enough, the Beef Tribunal had been established in 1991. Mr Goodman continued to run the beef business even when it went outside his control. But in 1995, he pulled off an audacious move - buying back his company for just 30m. He turns 79 next month - and clearly, he still has that fire in his belly. Farming organisations are unlikely to get any political backing in their battle with Larry Goodman's ABP over the collection of levies at meat factories. The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) views the ending of automatic levies as an attack on its income base, while the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) fear that its ability to fight for the welfare of farm families will be reduced. However, Fianna Fail's Eamon O Cuiv told the Irish Independent that the current system, which attaches levies to all transactions at marts, beef and sheep meat processors and dairies, was wrong. Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said if the IFA was forced to ask farmers for contributions, then it "might start giving them proper representation". The Department of Agriculture has distanced itself from the row, saying it is "entirely between ABP and the IFA". At a meeting on Wednesday, ABP informed the IFA of plans to introduce an 'opt-in' model for those farmers who wish to continue to pay into the European Investment Fund (EIF). It is estimated that ABP collects close to 400,000 for the farm organisations each year. More than 90pc of the money is believed to go to the IFA, while the ICMSA is understood to receive an estimated 100,000 a year. If other companies and co-ops were to follow ABP's lead, the IFA would face losses of up to 4.7m. After the meeting, Joe Healy, the IFA's president, wrote to Mr Goodman, instructing him to suspend the collection of the levies immediately. He said: "ABP will not dictate to IFA and the association will not be compromised on any issue in its representation of farmers. That's why I have instructed Larry Goodman to suspend their collection of the IFA levy immediately." The decision has been partly linked to the IFA's opposition to ABP's proposed deal to buy a 50pc stake in Slaney Foods. However, Mr O Cuiv said the levies operated on "very, very shaky legal ground" and should only be collected if a farmer gives explicit permission. He said that while EIF sounded like a "grandiose" name, it might as well be called the "XYZ fund". "It's not an EU scheme or a government scheme," said Mr O Cuiv. Mr Fitzmaurice commented: "If this is voluntary, then they should have the good manners to ask farmers to sign a docket before taking their money. "If I want to be a member of a GAA club or a rugby club, I pay the membership, they don't come and take the money out of my wages every week." John Comer, president of the ICMSA, said anything that threatened the coherence of farm organisations was not in the interests of farmers. He added: "We are almost exclusively funded by farmers' contributions. Individuals have got to ask themselves would they be in a stronger or weaker position dealing with government agencies, gigantic retailers and processors and corporations as a member of a strong farm organisation or acting as unaffiliated individuals." Patrick Kent, ICSA president, called for a review of all levies, statutory and non-statutory, adding: "ICSA gets no levies whatsoever. Farmers are under severe income pressure and deductions from factory cheques add up to a considerable sum." A global survey of 2,000 investment professionals has tipped Dublin to benefit from the UK's vote to pull out of the European Union. The study by the CFA Institute - the global association of investment professionals - found that 62pc believe Dublin, as a financial services centre, will be a winner from the Brexit result. Frankfurt came out on top, however, with 69pc believing the German city that plays host to the European Central Bank had the most to gain. And the vast majority of respondents -more than 80pc - believe London will lose out as a result of the referendum vote. It's hoped that Dublin can gain an investment boost, particularly in financial services, as a result of the result from the June 23 poll. The potential loss of 'passporting rights' could see some finance houses move operations out of London. But there have been doubts at home about the extent to which Dublin can benefit because of a shortage of housing and the high personal tax rates. But the CFA survey shows Dublin is regarded as a potential contender. "There is a lot of uncertainty about what is going to result from Brexit with a lot of potential negatives for Ireland and the Irish economy," said Fran Carter, president of CFA Society Ireland, the Irish arm of the CFA Institute. "But one positive from the survey by our parent institute is that Dublin's attractiveness as an international financial centre will be significantly boosted by Brexit." Dublin has already been attracting interest. Insurer Prudential has confirmed it is considering shifting funds from its asset management wing to Dublin and Luxembourg as it moves to deal with the fallout from the UK vote. The boss of Prudential's M&G fund arm, Anne Richards, said the company could boost the number of funds it already has based in the two cities, depending on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations. And international law firm Pinsent Masons is reportedly looking for office space here. European capitals are jostling for a piece of London's financial industry and has stepped up efforts to promote themselves as an affordable and creative alternative to other centres. Berlin's Senator for Economics, Technology and Research, Cornelia Yzer, has sent hundreds of letters to British businesses, for example, and has travelled to London Fintech Week to lobby startup founders. Berlin Partner has also launched a website in English and will reportedly open a pop-up lab in London in October to try to woo more companies. The French government has also pledged to make its tax regime for expatriates the most favourable in Europe. The Irish Independent reported last month that the IDA will seek additional resources from Government amid signs the battle to win investment is intensifying. Chief executive Martin Shanahan said his agency's drive to win new business for Ireland kicked off within hours of the result of the British vote being known. Around 54pc of respondents to the survey believed Paris could be the big winner, followed by 45pc for Luxembourg and 41pc for Zurich. Some 59pc of respondents said that fragmentation of the UK following the referendum is more likely than not, while almost half of respondents said that they thought Brexit would be the forerunner of further withdrawals from the EU. Norwegian Air Shuttle has injected $15m (13.2m) into its Dublin-based subsidiary, Norwegian Air International (NAI). New filings at the companies office show that the boost was received by NAI in July. NAI made a near $60m (53m) loss last year, according to accounts recently filed here. It generated revenue of $719m in 2015, which included ticket and ancillary revenue of $577.7m and revenue from wet lease operations of $141.2m. In April this year, Norwegian Air Shuttle put $25m into its Irish unit, while in February it injected $50m. The cash received from its parent comes as NAI continues its efforts to secure a permit from US authorities that would enable it to fly between Europe and America. NAI has been based in Dublin to avail of rights under the EU-US Open Skies agreement. However, despite making its application to the US Department of Transportation for a permit over two years ago, it has still not received it. The EU has warned the US that the failure to issue the permit could damage wider trade relations between the pair. The EU has sought arbitration in the matter. Norwegian group chief executive Bjorn Kjos has welcomed the arbitration move. AI wants to launch flights from Cork to Boston and New York as part of its route network if it receives the necessary permit. But US aviation unions are opposed to NAI being allowed operate in America. They claim that the airline is based in Ireland in other to circumvent stricter labour laws in Norway, something the airline has consistently denied. Both sides have been lobbying heavily in the US. Aviation unions have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to US Congressmen who have voiced opposition to NAI's plans. Norwegian Air Shuttle has paid over $1m to lobbyists to fight its case. It appears almost certain now that a decision on NAI's permit won't be made until after the US presidential elections in November. CityJet boss Pat Byrne pictured with Ireland football manager Martin O'Neill earlier this year, as the airline was named official airline partner of the Football Association of Ireland A deal to sell Aer Lingus Regional operator Stobart Air to CityJet looks set to close next week, the Irish Independent understands. It's believed that UK-based aviation financing group Falko, which is supported by affiliates of funds managed by Fortress Investment Group, is closely linked to the deal. CityJet is also preparing to base aircraft at London Southend Airport, which is owned by UK-based Stobart Group. It's believed that Stobart Air will be sold for about 80m, which includes the acquisition of a leasing firm that acts as a holding company for a chunk of the airline's fleet. The deal is likely to result in Stobart Air and CityJet being operated as two separate entities for at least the time being. However, synergies are certain to be eyed at a later stage. It's believed a deal could be structured that will see Stobart Air first acquire all the shareholdings of existing investors, before the carrier is then sold to CityJet. The Stobart Group owns 45pc of Stobart Air, with 40pc held by Invesco Perpetual. Broker Cenkos owns 10pc, and former Aer Arann chairman Padraig O'Ceidigh owns 5pc. The airline was previously known as Aer Arann, and was acquired out of Examinership by Stobart and its investment partners. Invesco indicated last year that it wanted to exit Stobart Air, prompting a sales process. In June, former Stobart Air chief executive Sean Brogan left his role after a 65m management buyout plan was rebuffed. Stobart Air operates the Aer Lingus Regional Service under a franchise agreement with Aer Lingus. While a change of control at Stobart Air could conceivably have meant the franchise agreement could be terminated, it's understood that Aer Lingus has given its approval for the takeover by CityJet. Stobart Air also operates some services for Flybe. CityJet, whose main base is at London City Airport, is headed by Pat Byrne. He founded the airline, which was eventually a subsidiary of Air France-KLM. It sold CityJet to Germany's Intro Aviation, which this year sold it back to Mr Byrne and a group of backers. Falko has worked closely with CityJet in the past, including helping to finance the carrier's acquisition of new Sukhoi Superjet aircraft. CityJet has also taken delivery of a number of new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. They're being used by CityJet's Blue1 subsidiary, which operates regional routes on behalf of Scandinavian carrier SAS. No one was injured when a motorist on U.S. 67 struck an abandoned vehicle on the shoulder of U.S. 67. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, on Thursday night a 56-year-old Bonne Terre woman was driving southbound in a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe near Old Orchard Road in Bonne Terre. She became inattentive and drove onto the right shoulder striking the rear of an unoccupied 1996 Chevrolet Corsica. The driver refused medical treatment at the scene. A Leadwood man was moderately injured in a one-car crash off U.S. 67 in Jefferson County on Tuesday at 6:20 p.m. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Michael Ingram, 35, was driving northbound in the left lane of U.S. 67 just north of Meyer Road in his 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. He went off the left side of the road, hit the cable barrier and overturned. Ingram was wearing his seat belt and was taken by Washington County EMS to Mercy Hospital Jefferson for treatment of moderate injuries. Here are the main business stories from this morning's papers: Irish Independent * The debts of households continue to fall and are now at their lowest level in 10 years. New figures show that households in this country fell from being the third most indebted in the European Union to the fourth. The debts work out at just over 31,000 per head, a calculation that includes children. * Sterling has recovered some ground from its three-year low against the euro earlier this week, as UK retail sales surged in July, suggesting British consumers are unfazed by the vote to pull out of the EU. Official data showed that retail sales increased more than expected, signalling that the vote on June 23 hasn't yet dented the confidence of shoppers. This is despite the fact that a separate survey announced late last month showed consumer morale had suffered a sharp drop. * A global survey of 2,000 investment professionals has tipped Dublin to benefit from the UK's vote to pull out of the European Union. The study by the CFA Institute - the global association of investment professionals - found that 62pc believe Dublin, as a financial services centre, will be a winner from the Brexit result. The Irish Times * The European Union is sending out a mission from its statistics agency to investigate Ireland's 26pc economic growth figures that were published by the CSO last month. A Eurostat document confirmed the figures looked plausible but the Union is following it up with its own verification process. * Bank of Ireland is set to become the first domestic financial institute to start charging customers for putting their money on deposit. According to a report in The Irish Times, the decision by BoI comes after the European Central Bank began charging banks 0.4pc to hold their money. * Over 60pc of investment professionals believe Dublin will gain from Britain's decision to leave the European Union. According to a survey of 2,000 investment professionals around the world by the CFA Institute, 64pc believe Frankfurt will be better off as a result of Brexit. Irish Examiner * The Irish Beverage Council has called on finance minister to either scrap or delay his sugar drinks tax plan ahead of the October budget. The Government made a commitment to bring in a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks due to public health concerns. * Assets at the Irish arm of Atlantic Philanthropies have been brought down to as little as 293,650 as the fund looks to shut up shop by the end of the year. According to a report in the Irish Examiner, the fund will close its operations here soon. Check out these for killer moves. Limerick Institute of Technology played host to the first ever Fusion Dance Fest last week, which attracted a huge presence from fans. The week-long festival included workshops, seminars, and video projects. Event organisers Fusion Fighters kept people who couldn't make it to Limerick updated, posting videos and pictures of performances to their Facebook page. In one video. dancers Chris Naish, Michael Donnellan, Conor Kennedy, Felix Morgenstern and John McCullough strut their stuff on the Limerick stage. Mr Naish, who is Artistic Director of Fusion Fighters, said a lot of hard work went into the festival in recent months. "I've been planning the festival and show for a year now so it was a lot of relief that the event went better than expected with 50 dancers and musicians coming from five continents," he told Independent.ie. "The idea was to create a platform for not only dancers who are aspiring to become professional dancers, but to give dancers who may never tour with a show the chance to perform in a show to a live audience" After this year's success, the group will take the festival to Philadelphia next year. If you would like to keep up with the group, you can follow their Facebook page here. Rip Off Britain presenter Gloria Hunniford was the victim of a 120,000 fraud by an imposter posing as the star. The 76-year-old Loose Women panelist's bank account was emptied just days after the woman arrived at a Santander branch with her "daughter" and "grandson". Personal banker Aysha Davis, 28, said the woman told her she had "a few bob" in there and had come to add the teenager as a signatory because she had been ill. She then helped them complete the paperwork, including photocopying their driving licences, at the Croydon North End branch. Davis was accused of being part of the plot but was acquitted after less than 30 minutes of jury deliberation after saying the TV star was "not of my time". Police are still hunting for the lookalike and her daughter, while stand-in grandson Alan Dowie, 18, faces jail. He will be sentenced alongside Reyon Dillon, also 18, who laundered some of the cash from the scam. The court heard Santander have reimbursed the money stolen from Ms Hunniford's account after it was drained of 120,000. Giving evidence, Davis said she had never met Dowie before he walked into the bank and had to google TV star Ms Hunniford - who regularly appears on This Morning and The One Show - to find out who she was. "The name on the ID card was Mary Winifred Gloria Hunniford, and sorry to be stereotypical but this lady looked like a Mary," she told jurors. "I had to google Gloria Hunniford and even if I passed her on the street I wouldn't recognise her because she's not from my time." Prosecutor Sheilagh Davies said: "But she's pretty famous." Video of the Day Jurors giggled when the defendant replied: "In your opinion." The prosecutor said it was ironic that Ms Hunniford presented consumer complaints programme Rip Off Britain. Davis said she had spent the morning doing paperwork before going to the cash desk to book customers in for meetings about opening new accounts. She then went to the main banking hall to help any customers who had not yet joined a queue and looked like they needed help. CCTV footage shows Davis approaching a black male to ask him if he needs assistance, before speaking to the three fraudsters. "The lady said 'I've come to add my grandson to my account' she said she had 'a few bob' in there and that she'd been ill. "The old lady had her bank card and her driving licence - it's not rare people wanting to add someone to their account, so this was just the same as always." When asked if she would recognise Gloria Hunniford, she replied: "I didn't recognise her or I would have done something about it. I wouldn't have gone ahead with the transaction." She said she had passed both driving licences under the UV scanner and both had illuminated correctly and then photocopied them. "I had never seen these people in my life before - I had no part in what I am accused of. "Banks get defrauded every day but because of the high profile of the person on the account, I am being used as a scapegoat to try and repair the damage to the bank's reputation. "I was three months pregnant at the time and the only thing I was focused on was the pregnancy." She continued: "I spoke to the black male before and if he had said I want to open an account, would have taken him up to my office." The prosecutor said: "The account had a significant cash balance, the boy was clearly young, only 17, did you not question it?" Davis continued: "I asked the older lady 'How come you're adding your grandson and not your daughter?' she said she'd been ill and she wanted to add her grandson. "I'm a working class person and I don't see that kind of money every day, but some people you think would have lots of money have nothing, and some people who you think wouldn't have much have quite a lot." She said that as they had all the correct ID documents and paperwork it wasn't her job to pry for fear of causing offence. Jurors were told that one of the forms was missing, but Davis said: "If I was purposefully doing something wrong I would have done everything right to cover my back. "Just because I made a mistake and I would have gotten into trouble at work it doesn't implicate me in this fraud." Davis, of Streatham, south London, denied one count of conspiracy to defraud. Dowie, of Oxted, Surrey, has already pleaded guilty to the same charge. Dillon, of Croydon, pleaded guilty to money laundering. Dowie and Dillon will be sentenced later today. A Santander spokeswoman said: "Santander takes fraud extremely seriously. As soon as we identified this fraudulent activity we alerted the authorities as well as Ms Hunniford herself. "We are very sympathetic to the distress caused to Ms Hunniford for being the victim of a scam and as is our normal practice in a case like this, we have reimbursed her fully for her financial loss. "We have also made significant improvements to our processes to ensure this type of fraudulent activity is prevented in future." Thomas Barr enjoyed a celebratory beer last night after his epic, national record-breaking performance in the 400m hurdles yesterday. Still smiling ear to ear Barr met up with Irish badminton player Scott Evans and rower Gary O'Donovan in the Olympic village in Rio to cap off his heroic fourth-place finish. The Ferrybank AC athlete posed for a photo with Evans and O'Donovan which proves that, as he said himself, he really is enjoying every minute of the Rio Olympics. And he confessed, he's too busy celebrating to reply to everyone individually to thank them for their support. "I'd love to reply to everyone individually but that would eat into valuable 'celebrating' time. Cheers lads #imstillirishafterall," he said. Right, he is. Barr, who is a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Limerick, is the first Irish finalist in the 400 hurdles since Bob Tisdall won gold in 1932. He broke the 48 second barrier to come home in a time of 47.97, and missed out on a podium place by just five hundredths of a second. Yesterday, he told RTE Sport: "To be anywhere close to a medal... I'm absolutely thrilled." "I'm absolutely delighted to have made it to the final and I'm even more delighted to see a 47 up on that clock. AA's latest blog gives details of the driver who had to call the road recovery service after he was left with a dead battery after leaving his car's lights on in a bid to catch a roadside pokemon. Sometimes you really don't 'gotta catch em all.' Becoming the best Pokemon Go Master comes at a serious price. For example, one person in Waterford had to call AA's road recovery service after being caught out by the virtual critters. AA's latest blog gives details of the driver who had to call the service earlier this week after he was left with a dead battery from leaving his car's lights on in a bid to catch a roadside Pokemon. AA has urged all drivers to "Remember... it doesn't matter how many Pikachu you have in your pocket, electric-types still dont have the ability to re-charge your battery!" They also said that: "Thankfully for the driver their breakdown was dealt with by the AA before Team Rocket found them, meaning they left with all their Pokemon and a quick fix for their car." Gary Davis, the Wicklow man who is alleged to have been an administrator of the Silk Road website that dealt with illegal drugs and hacking software is to appeal the High Court's order that he be extradited to the United States. Mr Davis, 27, of Johnstown Court in Kilpedder is wanted by US authorities on charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Mr Davis, who has Asperger's Syndrome and depression, had opposed the request. Among his points of objection, he said that if extradited he will be detained in an inhuman and degrading manner. If convicted in the US Mr Davis could receive a life sentence. Lawyers for the Attorney General said that Mr Davis should be surrendered to the US. Earlier this month Mr Justice Paul McDermott ruled that Mr Davis be surrendered to the US. The judge rejected all grounds of Mr Davis's opposition to the request including that his Constitutional rights and rights under the European Convention on Human Rights would be breached. Following the decision Mr Davis was remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison. The matter returned before the court today when Ms Justice Caroline Costello was informed that Mr Davis has lodged an appeal against Mr Justice McDermott's order with the Court of Appeal. Mr Davis, represented in court by Niamh Foley Bl, made an application to the to Court to release him on bail pending the outcome of his appeal. The state said it was consenting to bail, on conditions including that he sign on daily with the Gardai and that an independent surety of 15,000, 10,000 of which must be cash, be lodged in court. Further terms of his bail include that he reside at Johnstown Court in Kilpedder, be of good behaviour and undertake not to seek travel documents that would allow him leave the jurisdiction. The court heard Mr Davis had been on bail while the High Court was dealing with the extradition request and had fully complied with all the terms of his bail. Ms Justice Costello, who approved Mr Davis's father John Davis as the independent surety, granted Mr Davis bail. Mr Davis was not in court, but he is expected to be released from custody sometime on Friday. The Silk Road, which was shut down by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2013, was an underground website that hosted a "sprawling black market bazaar" on the internet. Mr Davis is accused of acting as a site administrator on the Silk Road website using the name 'Libertas'. It was launched in 2011. It was created and run by American Ross William Ulbricht under the pseudonym 'Dread Pirate Roberts' (DPR). Ulbricht had been charged and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. The site offered anonymity to its users, where trades were conducted in the online currency bitcoins. The US authorities claim between June 2013 and October 2013 Mr Davis was a site administrator of the Silk Road website and had an "explicit knowledge of the items for sale on the website". The drugs available on the site included heroin, LSD, cocaine and amphetamines. It was claimed that as part of his role, Mr Davis dealt with queries from the site users, and had re-organised into different categories certain items that could be purchased on the website. Trevor O'Neill, inset, emergency services at the scene of the shooting in Costa de la Calma. Photo: Solarpix Paramedics at the scene of the shooting dead of Trevor ONeill in Costa de la Calma, Spain. Photo: Solarpix.com THE FAMILY of innocent murder victim Trevor ONeill last night arrived home from Spain on the same flight as the intended target of the hit. His partner Susan and their three children were on FR9998 which arrived at Dublin Airport from Palma, just before midnight. Jonathan Hutch was also on the flight. Mr ONeill (41) was a victim of mistaken identity and gardai believe Hutch (37) was the intended target of the slaying. Mr Hutch, a nephew of Gerry The Monk Hutch, who has been warned about threats on his life had been staying in the same apartment complex in Majorca where Mr ONeill and his family were staying for their holiday. He was talking to the group as they walked to a restaurant when the gunmen struck, killing the wrong man. Passengers from the flight disembarked at Terminal 1s arrivals last night. Read More However, the family was escorted out a private exit and did not come through the public arrivals hall. Mr Hutch was also taken out a separate exit. Gardai kept a discreet presence at the airport. Beforehand officers had set up a checkpoint and were stopping motorists as they drove into the airport. Gardai are investigating reports the suspected gunman lay in wait for days before the botched gun attack which resulted in the fathers death on Wednesday night. Liaising with their Spanish counterparts, gardai are probing whether the gunman hid in the Balearic island or mainland Spain for a number of days, intent on murdering Jonathan Hutch the older brother of feud murder victim Gareth Hutch. Threats It is believed the killer flew from the UK where he has been hiding after threats were made against him in Dublin and made his way to Majorca with the latest feud hit in mind. Both Mr ONeill and Hutch were in a group of people who were walking in the resort of Costa de la Calma when the cowardly gun attack happened. The men were not known to each other are understood to have only met on holiday as their children played together in the pool area of the apartments they were staying in. Read More A gunman, who was with two other men, pumped five shots into innocent Mr ONeill around 9pm on Wednesday as he walked close to Hutch. Gardai said Mr ONeill had no involvement in crime. His devastated family were due to arrive back in Dublin Airport late last night. Mr ONeills partner Suzanne, speaking to RTE News from the airport in Majorca, described the events as horrific. We went out the front of the hotel and Trevor was walking in front with the chap we met on holidays. I was walking behind pushing the buggy. I saw a man walking up wearing a hoodie. I thought it was strange because it was roasting. I saw him pull out a gun. She said armed police then took them to a safe house in Palma where they spent the night. She said they had no food or water and had to sleep on chairs. She said she did not know Mr ONeill was dead until her family called her from Ireland yesterday. The couple had been together for 20 years. She said she was distraught at the news, and that their three children aged five, seven and 12 are petrified. Sources said that investigators are now trying to establish the exact whereabouts of the ruthless 36-year-old hitman, who was based in Finglas before fleeing the capital last month. He has previously been arrested and questioned about the feud murder of Eddie Hutch Snr in February, and gardai have also been investigating if the violent hood was involved in the murder of Noel Kingsize Duggan (55), a former business partner of Gerry The Monk Hutch who was shot dead outside his home in Ratoath, Co Meath, on March 23. Whats not in any doubt is that Jonathan Hutch has been one of the major targets for the Kinahan cartel. The hitman who travelled to Spain has been involved in a number of murders for the cartel, a source said. Despite being a major target for the cartel, Jonathan Hutch is not considered a serious criminal and is not known for involvement in organised crime. One of his most serious brushes with the law occurred almost two decades ago when he was jailed for four years for dangerous driving offences in the Phoenix Park and North Circular Road. However, sources say he has rarely been on the garda radar for serious offences. Murdered None of this matters to the Kinahan cartel, who it is believed have decided that he should be murdered simply because he is a nephew of crime boss Gerry The Monk Hutch. Since the deadly feud between the cartel and some of his associates kicked-off, Jonathan Hutch has been warned by gardai on a number of occasions about an active threat against his life. In May, he was brought to a confirmation in the south inner city by armed gardai after they received information that he could be targeted. Days earlier, he carried the coffin of his younger brother Gareth (35), who was shot dead on the orders of the cartel at the Avondale House Flats in North Cumberland Street on May 24. Representatives from the St. Francois County Ambulance District were among the special guests at Tuesdays Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce monthly lunch meeting. Chamber President Chad Speakar introduced T.J. Isgrig, the ambulance districts spokesman, who in turn introduced chamber members to the agencys new Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program, sometimes referred to as Community Paramedic. Our goal is to keep people from going to the hospital, said Isgrig. I know it seems counterproductive for an ambulance service to not want to transport patients, because that is our business. He continued to explain by first sharing an unfortunate fact. In Missouri, Isgrig said, we are number 109 out of 140 counties for being the least healthy. Through MIH, Isgrig said the ambulance district has begun to be more proactive with their services in order to improve the health of its patients and the community at large while cutting costs at the same time. To illustrate how the program works, Isgrig told the story of one patient who has benefited from MIH. We have one patient that is part of our program at this time whos a diabetic patient, he said. We were running on him six to eight times a month at least 153 times in two years so we were constantly there. But we finally sent our team over and sat down and talked to him. He didnt understand what the doctor was telling him We sat down and educated him. Our team started going to doctors appointments with him so they could explain to him what the doctor was saying. They would go in three times a week and visit with him for an hour, check his sugars (and overall health) Finally this week, we got him an insulin pump through insurance The last four and a half months that weve been working with him, we have not had a 911 call from him Thats the goal of the program. By being proactive rather the reactive, patients are getting better care while the ambulance district saves vital funding. Community paramedic programs like MIH have been operating for a while in many parts of the country and have proven to provide improved patient outcomes for situations involving non-emergent care. The St. Francois County Ambulance District is among the first pre-hospital providers in Missouri to offer this service outside of a major metropolitan area. MIH provides healthcare using patient-centered, mobile resources in a pre-hospital environment. It may include, but is not limited to, services such as providing telephone advice to 911 callers (who may not be experiencing an urgent situation) instead of dispatching an ambulance; and providing community paramedic care for chronic disease management, preventive care, post-hospital-discharge care or routine follow-up visits. Community paramedics are specially trained to provide care under the direction and oversight of a medical director physician but also work closely with the patients primary care physician. Community paramedics receive intensive training and continuing education. In addition to classroom hours, training includes clinical rotations with physicians, nurses, hospice service providers, mental and behavioral health services, long-term care facilities and home health services. Also during the chamber meeting, Brad Dush, the chambers first vice president, introduced the second annual recipient of the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. Central High School 2016 Graduate Taylor Jones was recently chosen to receive a total of $2,000 in scholarship money: $500 per semester, for up to four consecutive semesters, to assist with the costs of earning her associate degree from MAC. Im planning to start at MAC on Monday, said Jones. I love working with kids so am pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. I already have 41 of my credits done from dual credit in high school I just want to thank everybody for the scholarship. Candidates for the scholarships are graduating seniors at Central High School with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above who plan to attend college at one of the three local campuses Mineral Area College (MAC) or the Park Hills campus for Central Methodist University or Missouri Baptist University. Award recipients are those who have stated their intention to remain in the community after completing their education to give back in some way. Another stipulation of the scholarship emphasizes the importance of being an active member of the community in which the recipients live by requiring that they attend and/or volunteer at one chamber of commerce meeting and one chamber-sponsored event such as the Annual Firecracker Run or Sweetheart Trivia Night. As a recipient of the Park HillsLeadington Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, Jones will receive her first $500 installment of funds to assist with fall classes at MAC, which begin on Aug. 22. Three additional $500 installments will be available to Jones, one for each consecutive semester she attends MAC, Central Methodist University or Missouri Baptist University. After receiving her associate degree, Jones said she plans to continue her education at a four-year college to earn her bachelors and master's degrees. The chambers monthly luncheon meeting takes place at noon on the third Tuesday of every month at The Coffee Grill in Park Hills. There is no charge to attend the meeting and non-members are welcome. The cost for lunch is $10, payable to the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce. For questions or more information, contact Executive Director Tammi Coleman at the chamber office by calling 573-431-1051. Gardai in Co Donegal are hunting for a man who tried to rob a post office on Friday morning. Detectives say the lone raider smashed security glass inside Kilmacrennan Post Office around 9.30am but then fled empty-handed. Staff were left terrified by the incident, said Gda Supt David Kelly. The suspect was described as about 6ft tall, of heavy build and was wearing a blue tracksuit. He fled the area in a metallic blue Peugeot 206 which may have had a Northern Ireland registration plate. Supt Kelly described the incident as "very serious". He appealed to anyone with information to call Milford Gardai on 07491 53060. The mother of 13-year-old Erin Gallagher, the Donegal schoolgirl who took her own life after being bullied online, has said she hopes no other parent will have to suffer the same torment. Erin took her own life at her home in Ballybofey in October 2012. Her sister Shannon (15) took her own life 45 days later. Lorraine Gallagher said in a statement issued through her solicitor that giving evidence at her daughter's inquest yesterday was like reliving her death all over again. The inquest into Erin's death heard how the schoolgirl was tormented by bullies on the Ask.fm website. "It was all just a blur those few days. Finding Erin in the house like that is something I just hope no other parent has to ever go through," said Lorraine. "Erin was in such good form that afternoon when herself and Sean James (Erin's brother) called in to see me at work. "There was no warning that she was planning to do this. "I just couldn't understand how that was it - that I would never speak to her again, to be able to hug her or joke with her. "Giving evidence and speaking in front of everyone again was just like reliving it all again. I listened to the words and I could see Erin in front of me again as if it was the night she died. It was just all so realistic, hearing it in such detail," she said. Ms Gallagher said having her son had helped her to keep going. "The girls absolutely doted on him. There was a bit of an age gap between them - a few years and that made him even more special to them. "I will never fully understand why they had to do this but I know they didn't do it to hurt me or to hurt Sean James. "They were such good girls and wherever they are now, I know that they would want Sean James to ... grow up and do as much as he can with his life," she said. Lorraine thanked gardai and neighbours for their support. "Since the deaths people have been so good. No matter what happened in the past, nobody would wish what happened to my family on anyone. "You see the real good in people when things go wrong and so many people have been so good to me," she added. Lorraine said she still has so many questions she needs answers to, some of which were raised at the inquest. She added that the time was perhaps not quite right now to ask them. Trevor ONeill, who was shot dead in Spain in a case of mistaken identity Trevor O'Neill, inset, emergency services at the scene of the shooting in Costa de la Calma. Photo: Solarpix The shooting dead of an innocent father, Trevor O'Neill, in front of his family has been branded "appalling and tragic". The father of three was shot dead in the Costa de la Calma region while on holiday with his partner Suzanne and their three children. Suzanne was wheeling one of their children in a pushchair when the gunman approached, along with two other men, and opened fire. It is understood that Spanish police removed her and the children from the scene shortly after the murder but Suzanne was not informed that her husband was dead until a number of hours later. The heartbroken mother of three was due to travel home from Majorca last night with the couple's children, who are aged 12, seven and five. Speaking to RTE News from the airport in Majorca, she described the events of last night as "horrific". She said armed police brought her and her three children to a safe house in Palma to spend the night. Expand Close Paramedics at the scene of the shooting dead of Trevor ONeill in Costa de la Calma, Spain. Photo: Solarpix.com / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paramedics at the scene of the shooting dead of Trevor ONeill in Costa de la Calma, Spain. Photo: Solarpix.com She said that she didn't hear that Trevor had died until relatives contacted her from Ireland with the devastating news this morning. The couple had been together for 20 years. The family was in Majorca since last Saturday. The holiday was a birthday present. She said she was distraught at the news, and that their three children - aged 5, 7 and 12 - are "petrified". A spokesperson for Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald described Mr O'Neill's death as an "appalling and tragic killing". She has received a briefing on the circumstances behind the attack and gardai are "continuing to liaise closely with their Spanish counterparts". Her spokesperson continued: "Following a meeting in June between the Tanaiste and the Spanish minister for the interior, both ministers recognised the excellent bilateral co-operation between the police forces in both jurisdictions and reiterated their commitment to the importance of such cooperation. "An Garda Siochana will continue to take whatever measures are open to them to counteract the deadly activities of gangs, both in this jurisdiction and in co-operation with their international partners." Mr O' Neill (41) was a victim of mistaken identity. Gardai believe that Jonathan Hutch (37), an older brother of feud murder victim Gareth Hutch, was the intended target. "Jonathan Hutch was present when this murder happened and the main theory is that Mr O'Neill was shot by mistake, instead of the intended target," a source said last night. Both Mr O'Neill and Jonathan Hutch were in a group of people who were walking in the resort of Costa de la Calma when the killing took place. The men had not known one another before but are understood to have met on holiday as their children had played together in the pool area of the apartments where they were staying. A gunman who was with two other men pumped five shots into the Dublin City Council worker as he walked on the street close to Jonathan Hutch. Gardai have stressed that Mr O'Neill had no involvement in crime. It has now emerged that a north Dublin criminal, who is a suspect in at least two feud-related gangland murders, had travelled to Spain from England, where he had been based for a number of weeks after fleeing Dublin. Sources said that investigators were trying to establish the exact whereabouts of the 36-year-old criminal, who had been based in Finglas before he fled Dublin last month. He has previously been arrested and questioned in connection with the feud murder of Eddie Hutch Snr in February. Children Gardai have also been investigating if the criminal was involved in the murder of Noel 'Kingsize' Duggan (55) - a former business partner of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch - who was shot dead outside his home in Ratoath, Co Meath, on March 23. "What's not in any doubt is that Jonathan Hutch has been one of the major targets for the Kinahan cartel and the hitman who has travelled to Spain has been involved in a number of murders for the cartel," a source explained. Mr O'Neill's murder is the 10th linked to the deadly Kinahan Hutch feud and the second in Spain after Gary Hutch's shooting last year. Read more: Partner of innocent Trevor O'Neill says their children are 'petrified' after he was shot in front of them Read more: Irishman gunned down in Majorca resort 'in front of family' An heroic American nurse who saved the life of a toddler after he had fallen from the rooftop of a hotel has told of her delight at the child's incredible recovery. Neil Shanahan (2) survived a fall from the sixth floor of the Strand Hotel in Limerick on July 2 and is now back at home with his family after five weeks in Temple Street Children's Hospital. Julie Genova, who hails from Concord near Boston, Massachussets, was on the scene seconds after the toddler fell to the terrace. She administered CPR on Neil for around five minutes, helping bring him back to life. Speaking from the US, Julie said: "It was a horrible situation. This little baby was lying there, not breathing. "I gave him CPR for about four to five minutes and he started to cough and come back to us. He was looking at his mum, he was moving his extremities and moving on his own." Neil was then rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick, before being transferred to Temple Street. Expand Close Neil Shanahan. Photo: Press 22 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Neil Shanahan. Photo: Press 22 Julie, who works as a nurse in a private boys' school, was on a surprise trip to Ireland organised by her husband David, while her three children Justin (16) Jonathan (15) and Jacqueline (11) were at summer camp. She recalled the horrifying moment that she found Neil unconscious. "He was just laying on his back on the terrace. He was not breathing and it was difficult to ascertain a pulse. Martina [Neil's mother] did not know what had happened to him; she found him like that. We did not know at the time that he had fallen from the top of the building." It was then that Julie's instincts kicked in and she administered CPR, which she teaches to students in the USA. "You just do what you are trained to do in the moment," she said. Although she is now back in Massachusetts, Julie wants to return to Limerick as soon as possible to see Neil, Martin and the Shanahan family. "I cannot wait to see them again and give that little one a really big hug." The miracle toddler - who bears no physical scars from his dramatic fall - will have a special treat to look forward to this Christmas. He has been invited by Mayor Kieran O'Hanlon to switch on Limerick's festive lights. Lucinda Creighton with a lapel badge for Renua, the party she founded and later quit. Photo: Collins Former Renua leader Lucinda Creighton breached data protection law when her campaigners rang a woman seeking her vote ahead of the General Election. The ex-minister's election team used the phone number of a constituent who had been in contact with her office years previously but had not consented to use of her number for election or marketing calls. Dublin woman Christine Murray complained that she was phoned three times, including on the day of the election, by people soliciting her vote on behalf of Ms Creighton. Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon has ruled that the ex-politician broke the law by allowing Ms Murray's number to be used in such a way. Prior to the election, Ms Dixon had publicly warned candidates who canvass using the phone, email or text that such practices could be seen as "direct marketing". "In any democracy, candidates must be empowered to engage with the voters whom they wish to represent," she said. "However, there are obvious potential data protection implications to canvassing, particularly when it takes the form of contact by text, phone call, email or fax which constitutes direct marketing." After it emerged that a complaint had been made about her office, Ms Creighton said it was a "common occurrence" that politicians use numbers and email addresses in the run-up to elections. "It happens all the time. Maybe that's a grey area," she said. It is not yet clear what further action, if any, will be taken on the issue. Meanwhile, Ms Creighton has said she sees a future for her former party, even though it failed to secure any seats in February's election. The Mayo woman represented the Dublin South East constituency for nine years before losing her seat in the election. Afterwards she stood down as leader of Renua and set up a consultancy firm called Vulcan Consulting. She advises on a range of economic and political issues, with particular focus on the pharmaceutical, technology, aviation, telecommunications and financial services sectors. Asked about her much publicised election battle with former Fine Gael colleague Kate O'Connell, Ms Creighton said there had been a "huge effort" to drag her into a personalised campaign. However, speaking on RTE's Today with Sean O'Rourke, she said: "I don't look back with bitterness. I'm very pleased to say that losing my seat didn't affect me." While she did not rule out a return to politics at some stage in the future, she said "at this point in time I'm not interested". It comes after the Irish Independent revealed that Reuna is to advertise in the coming days for Ms Creighton's replacement as leader. The party is to hold an AGM on September 3 at which time the new leader is expected to be revealed. It is understood the advertisements will state the position is "full time" and comes with a salary of 65,000. Offaly councillor John Leahy is favourite for the position. Read more: Renua to offer 65k salary in search to replace Creighton Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar has hit back at what he sees as the "misinformation" being spread in the wake of claims by a homeless campaigner that she can't get State aid to go back to college. The minister has taken the highly unusual step of publicly addressing concerns raised by Erica Fleming, who has been living in a hotel with her daughter. Ms Fleming was recently offered a place in Trinity College Dublin but said she will be unable it accept it as her Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) application was denied. She publicly appealed to Mr Varadkar to intervene. Mr Varadkar has now said he is "delighted" for the single mother that she "has been accepted to the Trinity Access Programme and given the opportunity to study where I did". "She can be assured of my department's support while she is on the programme and in the years ahead." However, in a separate statement, which did not name Ms Fleming, he expressed concerns about "a lot of inaccurate information" that has "recently entered the public domain [relating] to a high-profile individual case that might cause lone parents to pass up educational opportunities in the mistaken belief that there are no supports available to them". When Ms Fleming was accepted to Trinity's Access Programme, she applied for the BTEA allowance - but it was refused because she works part-time. Mr Varadkar said that this allowance existed for those whose main income came from social welfare. He said that those on family income supplement did not qualify as the system would be "wide open to abuse". "It would not be possible to allow anyone who wanted to give up their job to attend college and immediately receive a social welfare payment of 188 per week from the State," he said. The minister clarified that lone parents can receive support from the Jobseeker's Transition Payment, which allows lone parents to receive 188 per week while attending college. They also receive an extra 29.80 per week per child under this payment, as well as child benefit. He said that after nine months of being on that payment, the lone parent can qualify for the Back To Education Allowance. "I think any fair-minded person will agree that this is a considerable level of support from the taxpayer. It is much more than is available to the average student or family." Erica Fleming met with social welfare officials yesterday in what sources said was a "constructive and co-operative meeting". She declined to comment on Minister Varadkar's statement when she was contacted by the Irish Independent. St. Francois County will play host to a 9/11 survivor on Aug. 25 thanks to the Ozark Firefighters Association. Big River Fire Chief David Pratte said Joe Torillo, a retired New York Fire Department lieutenant, was buried alive twice when the twin towers were attacked that fatal morning. He went in to the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks, said Pratte. He was buried in the first building that fell and they dug him out. They got him on a boat and was taking him out of the harbor to a hospital. The second building fell and debris fell on the boat and sunk it with him in it. They were able to rescue him a second time. Pratte said Torillo is now retired and he agreed to tell his story here. Pratte added Torillo is a motivational speaker and just an awesome individual. According to Torrillos bio on www.joetorrillo.com, Torrillo was a 25-year lieutenant with the NYC Fire Department. He is now retired on disability. He spent the first 15 years of his career in Engine Company #10, across the street from the South Tower of the World Trade Center. While recuperating from a severe injury on New Years Eve of 1996 going in to 1997, Torrillo was assigned to convalesce in the office of fire safety education. Eight months into this "light-duty" position, Torrillo was ultimately named the Director of this public-based program. In his new position, Torrillo would co-design a children's state-of-the-art fire safety learning center, which opened in October 2000. This new venue, "The Fire Zone," in the heart of Manhattan, was nominated and won the coveted "THEA" award at the Emmy's in 2002. In January of 2001, Torrillo worked on a project with Fisher-Price Toys to help design a new children's "action figure" which was part of their line of "Rescue Heroes." This new action figure was named "Billy Blazes" and was a likeness of a NYC Firefighter, who was an addition to their other "Rescue Heroes." In conjunction with the executives of the Fisher-Price Corp., Torrillo chose the "Fire Zone" as the location for the press conference to introduce "Billy Blazes",and then keeping with a safety theme, ironically chose the date of September 11, 2001, because 9/11 is the Emergency phone number in New York City. On the way to the press conference that was set for 9 a. m., he was about an eighth of a mile away from the World Trade Center when American Airlines Flight #11 struck the South Tower at 8:46 a.m. Fearing for his firefighter brothers in Engine Co. 10 and Ladder Co. 10 across the street from the Towers, Torrillo diverted to the scene to render assistance. Three minutes after donning borrowed bunker gear, at 9:03 a.m., the second jet, flew over Torrillo's head and slammed in to the South Tower. With a background in structural engineering, Torrillo made an immediate assessment that everyone above the fire was doomed to death, and the buildings would collapse. While Torrillo was involved in the rescue operation, the South tower fell at 9:59 a.m. he was buried alive with a fractured skull, broken ribs, broken arm, crushed spine and heavy internal bleeding. Shortly after being found alive in the rubble, they removed Torrillo on a long spine board and placed him on the deck of a boat on the Hudson River with the expectation of getting him to a hospital. As emergency personnel were holding his split scalp together, the North Tower fell and buried Torrillo alive again. He was alone in the engine room. About 45 minutes later, Torrillo was once again rescued from the debris, and taken across the Hudson River, where he awoke in a hospital room at the Jersey City Trauma Center in New Jersey. Because he was wearing a borrowed set of firefighting clothing with the name Thomas McNamara, Joe was misidentified by that name, and Torrillo was declared missing for three days. By the time the sun set on the evening of September 11, 2001, Torrillo had miraculously survived the collapse of both Towers, but with life-long injuries. Sadly, "Billy Blazes" would come to represent the 343 New York City firefighters who had made the supreme sacrifice of their lives in the rescue effort. Today Torrillo travels the world as a professional speaker with a quest to make our country the "Re-United States of America," resurrecting patriotism, trumpeting the men and women of the armed services, mentoring adolescents, and inspiring audiences of all sizes to embrace change and never give up on their dreams. Torrillo has a wide variety of topics to choose from which are all both inspiring and high in content. His memorable programs are an excellent fit for any type of organization. Torrillos speaking engagements very often end with a standing ovation, followed by a long line of attendees excited to meet him and shake his hand. Pratte said it was Leadingtons month to do an Ozark meeting and one of the guys at Leadington made a phone call about having Torillo come out and speak. The gentleman started talking with us and agreed to waive the $10,000 fee and Farmington has stepped forward, said Pratte. They got the hotel and secured the Centene Center for us to get him in here. Its open to the public and firefighters, police and EMS are encouraged to attend, but its for anyone who is interested. Pratte said it will take place Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Centene Center and the speech will last about an hour to an hour and a half. The event itself is free of charge, but they may take donations during the event. For more details contact Chief Pratte at 573-701-3567. Donna was battling stage four lung and brain cancer and passed away three days after the scan. An emotional video of an unimaginably difficult moment has been captured in Colorado as a pregnant woman determined the sex of her unborn baby with her mother, who was battling terminal cancer. Taylor Masilotti (26) joined her mum Donna Callender (58) in her hospital bed and the pair received the happy news that she was expecting a baby girl. However, the moment was tinged with sadness as Donna was battling stage four lung and brain cancer and passed away three days after the scan. Speaking to Today.com, Taylor said: "I'm so thankful I had somebody record it for me because I want to be able to show it to my little girl when she comes in this world. "It's a memory that I will never forget. It's very special to me." "I had gone through a lot of stuff and was told that I couldn't even get pregnant, so we were so excited,'' she said. The moment was captured by Taylors boyfriend Cotey Keith. We tested classic full-fat houmous. Perceived as a healthy food - ingredients are chickpeas, sesame seeds, lemon, garlic and oil - it's worth keeping an eye on the contents as some contain a hefty amount of salt, fat and calories. Cabots of Wesport Hummus, 190g, 4.05, 9/10 Fresh and lemony, this Irish-made houmous has 0.9g of salt per 100g and 232 calories. Pricey though. Old MacDonnells Farm Hummus, 220g, 3.50, 7/10 The rough consistency of this Irish-made houmous is described as Greek style and it contains no artificial ingredients. On the downside, the flavour is a tad bland. The salt content is under 2pc and it has just 165 calories per 100g. Aldi The Deli Houmous, 200g, 79c, 7/10 Good flavour and an unbeatable price. Salt is modest at 0.64 per 100g, but calories are high at 346. Lidl Meadow Fresh Houmous, 200g, 79C, 7/10 Good flavour and a great price. Contains 0.58g of salt and 351 calories per 100g, so a 50g serving would give you 9pc of your calories and 5pc of your salt for a day. Tesco Houmous, 200g, 2.10 (promotion: 2 for 3), 6/10 With 320 calories and 1.1g of salt per 100g, a quarter pot serving of this houmous would give you 8pc of your calories and salt for the day. The flavour is pretty good. Laragh Stuart Hummus, 170g, 4.19, 5/10 Our testers found the lemon and salt overwhelming in this houmous. Contains just 215 calories per 100g, there is no figure given for salt. Pricey. Sol Houmous (widely available), 200g, 1.90, 4/10 The taste of chickpeas is to the fore in this houmous, which has a low salt content of 0.2g per 100g, and only 172 calories. There's a long list of ingredients, including several 'E' numbers. Our testers were underwhelmed. Ready to binge-fly? Surf Air, which offers unlimited air travel to members, is set to launch operations in Europe. Since it launched in California in 2013, the airline has been dubbed the 'Netflix of air travel' thanks to its all-you-can-fly model - offering members the facility to skip queues and travel flexibly on swanky executive jets. Passengers pay a monthly fee of 3,200 for the privilege, however. Surf Air will launch its European operations with flights between London Luton, Cannes, Geneva and Zurich on a daily basis from October onwards. Weekend flights to the likes of Ibiza will also be offered, with destinations like Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona set to be introduced in 2017, the airline says. Expand Close Surf Air interior / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Surf Air interior Private jet hire is widely available throughout Europe, but Surf Air's model disrupts the norm by allowing members 'Uber'-style unlimited air travel. The booking process takes 30 seconds or less via its app, it says. In the US, Surf Air has 3,000 members, and operates up to 90 daily flights from dedicated air terminals with valet parking and free Wi-Fi. The whole aim of Surf Air is to combine simplicity and convenience, giving business and leisure travellers across Europe a fresh, new way to fly that saves valuable time, said Simon Talling-Smith, CEO of Surf Air in Europe. In the US, members can arrive as late as 15 minutes before take-off - and they don't have to deal with baggage or flight cancellation fees either. Read more: When it comes to pantomime, the Trump presidential campaign is the show that keeps on giving. Some of us have even become addicted to regularly checking the internet for the latest Trumpism. But for all the deranged showmanship of the primaries, the fact is he succeeded in defeating rivals and winning the Republican nomination. His essential offering is that of the billionaire outsider attempting to upend the political establishment, with strongly held views against immigration and a generalised ultra-nationalist credo of "making America great again". This has played excellently to the ultra-conservative, predominantly male Republican voter. But can he win over new voters beyond his narrow base? For a while, senior Republicans held their noses hoping that, when formally nominated, he would tone down the bombast and pivot to a more acceptable political space in order to win over more votes. They reckoned that Hillary Clinton was weakened by a perception of being an unlikeable establishment insider, damaged by the email controversy and slurs against her character by Trump, such as "crooked Hillary". She had to battle hard against Sanders to win the nomination. Ironically, charges against her from the Sanders camp probably did more damage than anything Trump could throw at her. However, the issues thrashed out among Democrats in the primaries, which will have to be included in her policy platform, have improved her candidacy. The tough primaries made her stronger. By contrast, since winning the nomination, Trump has begun to slide in the polls due solely to his own bizarre claims and accusations. Republican elders are now herding in panic to disown the increasingly reckless Trump as he veers from claiming that President Obama was the "founder" of Isil to musing that the Second Amendment gun rights people might stop Clinton - a repost widely perceived as an incitement to violence against her. His disrespect of the Muslim parents of a slain war hero did colossal damage. Now that his campaign is faltering, with Clinton showing a lead of seven points in the last week, Trump has appointed new campaign managers to stem the flow. He has recently resorted to petulant claims of media bias and even electoral fraud. Suggesting that his opponents would cheat to defeat him and questioning in advance the legitimacy of the election outcome is dangerous, even by Trump standards, and is a new low. The irony is that Clinton is beginning to look attractive to establishment Republicans, with some raising money for her campaign as they flee in horror from Trump. As columnist Maureen Dowd remarked in the 'New York Times': "The erstwhile Goldwater Girl and Goldman Sachs busker can be counted on to do the normal political things, not the abnormal, haywire things Hillary will keep the establishment safe." Many Republicans have worked with her in the Senate and would find her style of politics preferable to the runaway train that is their own candidate. Clinton has close connections with Wall Street and big business, something for which she has been pilloried by Democrats. She is seen as more hawkish on foreign policy than Obama, notably voting for the Iraq war. I am ploughing through the Clinton biography 'Hard Choices', a 600-page tome which she wrote following her term as Secretary of State in the Obama administration. It is not an easy read, but if nothing else it shows how qualified Clinton is to be the president. It tracks the range of foreign policy challenges which beset the US in that period and the trends which continue to define our world today - including global terrorism, upheaval in the Middle East, the Arab Spring, climate change and financial crises. Having been trounced by Obama in the primaries, she was finally persuaded by him to join his "team of rivals" as America's 67th Secretary of State. It was a brilliant call by the president, and she was impressive in the State Department, competently managing both policy and administrative aspects of the huge Foreign Service and USAid. From her years of public service as First Lady and Senator, she already had connections with foreign governments and with influential politicians across the political divide in Capitol Hill. Her first act as Secretary of State was to recalibrate the US relationship with Asia - and in particular with China. She visited 112 countries during her time in the State Department, reorienting foreign policy around what she called "smart power". She described this as "integrating the traditional tools of foreign policy, diplomacy, development assistance and military force, while tapping the energy and ideas of the private sector and empowering citizens - especially the activists, organisers and problem solvers we call civil society - to meet their own challenges and shape their own futures.". She had to make hard political calls, many of which come with "imperfect information and conflicting imperatives". One of those was the operation to send navy SEALs "into a moonless Pakistani night" to capture Osama Bin Laden, and she sat with Obama, watching the drama unfold from the operations room in the White House. The bottom line is that she is a proper politician whose life has been devoted to public service. She knows the territory, the pitfalls, the language and the losses. She is no plaster saint, but it's hard to think of another person more qualified to serve as president. The breadth of her competence and experience is in stark contrast to her opponent's weak grasp of international affairs. Clinton is ahead, but there is no knowing how this will go. These are curious times. That Trump has come this far is indicative of a worrying malaise in US society. In contrast with Trump's credo of American decline, Clinton counters the US is the "indispensable nation". But she concedes that "our leadership is not a birthright - it must be earned by every generation". Wise words from a world leader in waiting. A recurring theme in Irish economic debate down through the years has been a lament for our dearth of natural resources. If only there was oil, gas or coal under the ground or gold in the hills. While the benefits of physical natural resources are at best debatable, that particular outlook has served to divert attention away from a very real natural resource which remains largely untapped - our heritage. While we lose no opportunity to promote Ireland's green and pleasant land and ancient culture in our international marketing to tourists and overseas consumers, we are missing out on potential employment opportunities at home as a result of a potential failure to make sufficient investment in that most precious asset, our heritage. Our heritage includes our landscapes, our built environment, our culture, our history, our traditional crafts, and much else besides. It's all around us and Irish people from all walks of life constantly voice their pride in and appreciation for it. Yet it remains an underutilised resource. And it is difficult to understand why this should be the case. Austerity measures and public expenditure cuts across all areas were the norm during the economic crisis and it would certainly be difficult to argue for increased spending in one area at the expense of another, such as health or education. But the proven return on investment in heritage is unarguable. Research undertaken by the Heritage Council shows that for every 1 spent by the council, the Irish tourism industry receives 4.40 in increased revenues. That translates into millions of euro in tourism revenue and hundreds if not thousands of additional jobs. And those benefits spread far beyond the tourism sector. Arts, crafts, sporting, cultural and environmental ventures in rural Ireland also gain from heritage promotion and investment. In this context, heritage has a definite role to play in offering a solution to the two-speed economic recovery which sees rural Ireland progressing at a slower rate while Dublin and other major urban centres power ahead. Regional disparities in employment remain stark. The most recent 'Regional Labour Markets Bulletin' published by the Expert Group on Future Skills showed Dublin and the mid-East regions enjoyed the highest employment rates at 66.4pc and 65.1pc respectively, whereas the Border region had the lowest rate, at 57.4pc. Meanwhile, the Midland and South-East regions suffered the highest rates of unemployment at 13pc and 12pc respectively with the lowest rates again in the Mid-East region (8.5pc) and in Dublin (8.6pc). With unemployment rates having fallen significantly over the past year, that urban-rural divide may well have widened still further. The employment-creating potential of heritage in the regions has been proved time and again. For example, an economic report on Youghal's annual, one-day Medieval Festival - made possible by the restoration of its medieval walls support by the Heritage Council - estimated its economic benefit to the town at half a million euro. The current Programme for a Partnership Government includes commitments to creating 135,000 jobs outside Dublin by 2020 as well as the creation of "a clearing house forum to investigate the best ideas to advance economic and social progress in rural Ireland". The potential of heritage to make a real contribution to the achievement of that jobs target and the advancement of economic and social progress in rural Ireland simply cannot be ignored. The Heritage Council is seeking a modest increase in funding of 5m in the forthcoming Budget to support a number of programmes in towns, villages and remote rural areas throughout Ireland. On the basis of our research this will deliver a direct return of at least 22m and will support the regeneration of rural Ireland by helping it capitalise on its natural heritage resources. Next week, more than 400,000 people will attend National Heritage Week events around the country. This nationwide festival will comprise more than 1,800 local activities, largely made possible by the hard work and dedication of around 16,000 volunteers. The investment of an additional 5m to turn that energy and solidarity into hard economic benefits should be an easy decision for the Government to make. Michael Starrett is CEO of The Heritage Council. Heritage Week takes place from tomorrow until August 28. More: Heritageweek.ie Campile author Paddy Cummins has published a top three Amazon travel book about the Maltese islands of Malta, Gozo and Camino, where he lives most of the year. Cummins released the book - which is for sale on Kindle and Amazon - adding to his previous books which were three novels, an epic sea book, an autobiography, a travel book, a self-help book and three collections of short stories and poems. 'In Love With Malta (The Hidden Treasures)' is a complete guide to the hidden treasures of Malta, Gozo and Comino, describing little idyllic gems which are not highlighted in other guide books, but which define the charm and mystique of these Maltese islands. The book is already proving a hit with visitors to Malta, reaching number three in the top 100 travel books in its first week. His first travel book, 'It's a Long Way to Malta (An Irishman's Gem in the Med)' is an Amazon number one bestseller and all of his books are on sale worldwide in paperback on Amazon and E-Books on Kindle. Cummins said most of his readership is in the UK and America and he has a following of more than 40,000 people on social media. His memoir 'Yoke and Pony' has been released in America. It is a true story of life in Ireland in the 1950s and is already proving to be a big hit with Irish Americans. His autobiography 'The Long Road (My Journey)', which was published last year, has been widely acclaimed, receiving many glowing reviews. Paddy lives most of the year in Malta, returning to spend the summer months in Campile. DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a pastor of a small church, and we are currently renting space at our local theater complex. Our plan is to purchase a building of our own in the future. In the meantime, my parishioners would like to incorporate a community outreach program while we are looking for a new home. I am having a hard time trying to find a happy medium between raising money for our new location and creating a presence in the community. What is the best way I can use the church funds to address these pressing issues simultaneously? -- Good Shepherd, Brooklyn, New York DEAR GOOD SHEPHERD: Actually, your two goals -- fundraising for your new home and engaging the community in an uplifting outreach program -- should go together quite naturally. Building positive awareness in your community should help you connect with the movers and shakers as well as the mainstays in your neighborhood. If these people grow to like and respect you and your congregation, they will want you to stay. They may end up being key in your capital campaign. DEAR HARRIETTE: I lost my father when I was 17 years old because of a drunk driver. Now, as a mother of two children, I want my children to appreciate their father in a way I feel like I didn't have the chance to. I have been thinking about ideas of how to make my children more appreciative, but it seems like they aren't even interested. -- Practice Gratitude, Dallas DEAR PRACTICE GRATITUDE: Children learn by example. While you are inspired by the loss of your father, you need to find a source of inspiration for them with their own father. Think about what they do together that they enjoy. How does your husband bring joy to the children's lives? What do they enjoy together that they would like to continue? By tapping into what connects them naturally, you create space for their bond to flourish. Do not just leave this to the children. Talk to your husband about your idea. Let him know its origin -- you missing this opportunity with your own father. Invite your husband to work with you to create special moments with the children. By engaging him, he becomes an active participant in building even better memories than may already be underway. Don't go overboard in your zeal, though. Allow the family to enjoy each other in little and big ways. When you are around, take pictures of your children's engagements with their father. Gather those photos into photo albums. Get them printed on mugs or other memorabilia. Share images of your whole family -- including you -- with other family members as well. By living your lives fully and being conscious about spending time together, including with your husband, you create space for beautiful relationships to bloom. DEAR HARRIETTE: I have decided to attend graduate school in fall 2017 because I do not feel like I am ready to attend this September. I have an extra 11 months to find the necessary monies to fund my graduate degree. Finding the money will be no problem; however, I am scared of taking the GRE and GMAT exams because I do not think I am good test-taker. What are some steps I can take to ease the anxiety of taking these exams? -- On the Clock, Jacksonville, Florida DEAR ON THE CLOCK: If you are serious about getting into business school, you must do everything you can to prepare for these tests. This is the time for test prep. There are many books available that you can read, along with practice tests that you can take. But you may want to consider enrolling in a class with a live instructor who can guide you in test prep. You can immerse yourself in the readings and practice tests provided by the instructor and receive important feedback about areas where you may need improvement. Look for a class you can attend in person, or look online for a virtual class. Do your best to find one that offers interaction with the teacher. DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 45-year-old screenwriter, and I have submitted my ideas to a numerous television production companies over the past 10 years. I remain hopeful because I am getting positive responses from various media companies for my style of writing. My family has their concerns because they would like me to work a regular job and stop chasing my dream of becoming a television writer. I am slowly thinking I may have to put my dream of becoming a writer on the shelf, and this has me wondering, is there a time limit on working toward your dream? -- Patiently Waiting, New York City DEAR PATIENTLY WAITING: On one hand, it's great that you have not given up on your dream. On the other, you really do need to figure out how to support your family consistently and responsibly. Many screenwriters have full-time jobs until they have their big break. It's similar to actors who wait tables until their day comes. You cannot and should not shirk your responsibilities simply because a dream burns inside you. Chances are, you would do better with your family supporting your dream if you stepped up and showed initiative in putting your family first. Bottom line: You have to determine if your time is up on this dream. Time is certainly up on you ignoring your family's financial security. Admit that to your family. And take concerted steps to find viable work that will provide some fulfillment for you as it immediately helps to fortify you and your loved ones. DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife, "Tammy," has an adult son from a previous marriage. I think Tammy's son is a total deadweight to her. Tammy told me a few months ago that she lent her son $8,000 for him to move into his own home because he and his "baby mama" couldn't work things out. I was so angry and shocked at Tammy. I wanted to know when our bank account would be paid back, and she told me that when you lend money to family you shouldn't expect it back. After confronting my stepson, he told me he couldn't give me a date when he would be able to pay me back. I think this is cowardly. A grown man (he is almost 30) shouldn't need handouts from his mother. How do I get my $8,000 back when neither my wife nor stepson are willing to work to get it back in the right bank account? -- Losing Battles, Jackson, Mississippi DEAR LOSING BATTLES: You are going to have to accept that you may never get that money back. That said, you can establish ground rules for the future. Let your wife know that you will not co-sign giving more money to her son and his family, because you do not think it is healthy for them. Offer to support them in other ways, including giving advice on becoming financially independent, if they are open to it. Work with your wife on establishing boundaries for the health of the entire family. Make sure that you do not pose this in a way that is "us against them." You will not win if you even unconsciously attempt to alienate your wife from her son. Instead, work toward whole-family health, which includes agreeing on how to support adult children. 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 Actress Amber Heard has pledged to donate her multi-million dollar divorce settlement from estranged husband Johnny Depp to charities that support battered women. The star ended her nasty three-month legal battle with the actor on Monday, and as part of their official marriage termination agreement, she will receive approximately $7 million (6.17 million) from her ex-lover. During the divorce proceedings Heard alleged she was physically abused by Depp throughout their 15-month marriage, and the 30-year-old has now announced she won't be pocketing any cash from the settlement, using the money instead to help others in need. "The donation will be divided equally between the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), with a particular focus on helping defend battered women, and the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, where I have worked as a volunteer for the past 10 years," she reveals in a statement obtained by TMZ, adding: "Hopefully this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most." Expand Close A photo submitted to Los Angeles Superior County Court by Amber Heard showing her bruised face. Photo: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A photo submitted to Los Angeles Superior County Court by Amber Heard showing her bruised face. Photo: PA Less than a week after filing for divorce from Depp in May, Heard obtained a domestic violence restraining order against him, which was rescinded as part of the terms of the couple's separation agreement. Amber has made it clear throughout the divorce proceedings that she's not after a big cash windfall, and after reaching their settlement earlier this week, the former couple released a statement, in which it confirmed "neither party has made false accusations for financial gains". In her latest announcement, Heard emphasised her motivation for ending her marriage to Johnny had absolutely nothing to do with money, stating: "Money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves." Meanwhile, bosses at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles have released a statement thanking Amber for the donation, noting, "Her generosity will support the lifesaving treatments and cures that CHLA provides for critically ill children each year." Miriam O'Callaghan is taking over James Kavanagh's Snapchat for 24 hours Miriam O'Callaghan is taking over James Kavanagh's Snapchat for 24 hours Miriam O'Callaghan is taking over James Kavanagh's Snapchat for 24 hours The king of the Irish 'Snap Pack' is handing over his social media account to the queen of midsummer chat, Miriam O'Callaghan. James Kavanagh is one of Ireland's most prolific Snapchat stars. Each day he keeps his audience entertained with the adventures of his alter-ego Veronica Sachs, daily encounters with 'basic b*tches', cooking demos and short videos which feature him coming up with unique ways to scare his boyfriend William. But tomorrow, the former PR executive and co-owner of Dublin eatery Currabinny, will pass on his account details to Miriam O'Callaghan and allow her to take over his Snapchat. Expand Close Miriam O'Callaghan is taking over James Kavanagh's Snapchat for 24 hours / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Miriam O'Callaghan is taking over James Kavanagh's Snapchat for 24 hours Tomorrow Im going to RTE to meet one of my RTE icons. Such a glam b****. Can you guess who it is? James asked his followers on Thursday night. Ill be giving her my phone for 24 hours as an experiment so tune in. This also means I cant Snapchat for 24 hours which is probably going to be the end of me. The 27-year-old confirmed to Independent.ie that the Saturday Night With Miriam presenter will take over his account for 24 hours. Expand Close Miriam O'Callaghan is taking over James Kavanagh's Snapchat for 24 hours / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Miriam O'Callaghan is taking over James Kavanagh's Snapchat for 24 hours Follow @JamesKSnaps to see how she gets on. TV3 star Aisling O'Loughlin has said raising her two eldest sons has made welcoming her new baby far easier. The Xpose presenter, who is on maternity leave after the birth of her third son, has been enjoying plenty of trips abroad with the new little man in her life. And Aisling said it helps that baby son Joseph is a dream. "I've learned a lot with my first two boys," she told the Herald. Expand Close Aisling O'Loughlin and her son Patrick / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aisling O'Loughlin and her son Patrick "I've got to say, Joseph is very quiet and placid," she added. At just three and a half months old, Joseph is already quite the jet-setter, having squeezed in two holidays with his mum already this summer - the latest on the Maltese island of Gozo in the Mediterranean. Missing "It was so beautiful," she said. "My friend has got a house over there, so I went over with three friends - and the baby," she added. "People were wondering what the relationship was - it was a bit like Modern Family," she joked. Video of the Day Joseph - also known as Joe - is the youngest of her three children with her partner, photographer Nicholas MacInnes. Aisling told the Herald that her two older boys, Patrick (4) and Louis (2), are also getting on great with their little brother. The busy mum is making the most of her maternity leave, and isn't missing work. "I'm at the point where I'm enjoying the time with the baby," she said. Aisling added that she was very grateful for the space to bond with Joe. "I think we are very lucky in Ireland to have six months for maternity leave," she added. "I have a lot of friends from abroad who are always saying how lucky we are here." "So it's great to have those six months. They [babies] do need their mother. Plus you get a lot out of it yourself." But Aisling stressed that she feels she has been spared much of the hardship many other new mums go through. "Even after a C-section, people go through so much," she said. Kaia Jordan Gerber (L) and model Cindy Crawford attend the Balmain x H&M Los Angeles VIP Pre-Launch on November 4, 2015 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for H&M) Cindy Crawford's daughter Kaia has landed her first solo magazine cover. Photo: Instagram (L) Cindy Crawford as a young model and (R) her 14-year-old daughter Kaia Gerber Cindy Crawford, one of the most recognisable and successful models of the past 30 years, is passing the throne to her daughter Kaia. The 14-year-old is the supermodel's daughter with entrepreneur husband Rande Gerber and is already carving out a promising fashion career for herself. Expand Close (L-R) Cindy Crawford, model Kaia Jordan Gerber, Presley Walker Gerber, and businessman Rande Gerber attend a book party in honor of "Becoming" by Cindy Crawford, hosted by Bill Guthy And Greg Renker, at Eric Buterbaugh Floral on December 4, 2015 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (L-R) Cindy Crawford, model Kaia Jordan Gerber, Presley Walker Gerber, and businessman Rande Gerber attend a book party in honor of "Becoming" by Cindy Crawford, hosted by Bill Guthy And Greg Renker, at Eric Buterbaugh Floral on December 4, 2015 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage) The aspiring catwalk star has clearly inherited her mother's good looks and model poise a she's just landed her first magazine. Kaia graces the front page British bi-annual style bible, Pop, which has featured the likes of Kate Moss, Gisele, Naomi Campbell, Grimes and Joan Small since its inception in 2000. The teenager was photographed by Charlotte Wales for the Autumn/Winter issue and flashes a fresh-faced grin as she poses in Chanel for not just one, but three covers of the magazine. A photo posted by POP Magazine (@thepopmag) on Aug 18, 2016 at 2:50am PDT Video of the Day Kaia is having quite the year as earlier this summer she was photographed by Kendall Jenner for Love Magazine, appeared on April's Vogue Paris issue alongside her mother and bagged her first acting role in indie film Sister Cities. The IMG-signed model also landed her first fashion campaign with Chrome Hearts, a luxury boutique with an A-list following that includes A$AP Rocky, Bella Hadid and even Karl Lagerfeld. All in a day's work for the daughter of a supermodel. Sports Illustrated cover model Ashley Graham poses at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2016 - NYC VIP press event on February 16, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated) Ashley Graham channels her inner-Bond girl in a stunning gold bikini as she takes on body critics who accused her of losing weight. The brunette beauty proudly flaunted her curves as she posed on the beach in a metallic two-piece bikini. #beautybeyondsize #bts #myswimbody A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Aug 17, 2016 at 6:02am PDT With her slicked back hair and sultry, barely-there make-up, the 28-year-old looked as fierce as a Bond girl. She shared the photo with her 2.3 million Instagram followers, alongside the caption: " #beautybeyondsize #bts #myswimbody" The body activist and plus-size model recently came under fire from fans who accused her of succumbing to industry pressures by losing weight. The accusations came after Graham posted a selfie on Instagram in which she was dressed in a white crop top, matching skirt and Balmain leather jacket. Glam squad magic A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Jul 20, 2016 at 5:43am PDT Fans blasted her "shrinking frame" and suggested that she was propagating the industry's standard of unattainable beauty and body 'norms'. Responding in an essay for Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter newsletter, Graham highlighted how some fans were criticising her for exercising, despite the fact that she actually gained weight this year, Expand Close Model Ashley Graham / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Model Ashley Graham The size-16 model addressed the comments ranged from disappointment to anger, including: You dont make plus-size dollars anymore, you make backstabbing dollars and, You dont love the skin youre in, you want to conform to Hollywood, you believe being skinnier is prettier, were two Graham highlighted in her essay. She said: "Having been a model for sixteen years, I know my angles, just like we all know our favourite filters and lighting and our good sides. I pick the photos I like best. A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Jul 30, 2016 at 1:52pm PDT Video of the Day No matter how many empowerment conferences, TED talks, and blog posts are out there, women keep tearing one another down over physical appearance. Body shaming isnt just telling the big girl to cover up. Its trying to shame me for working out." Graham will be hitting TV screens in autumn as she hosts the revamped version of America's Next Top Model, replacing long-time presenter Tyra Banks. From a luxurious hotel, to one of the most feared prisons in a country full of feared prisons; Pat Hickeys stay in Rio has been nothing if not varied. The 71-year-old, who temporarily stepped down from his position as president of the Olympic Council of Ireland, is being detained in Brazil's largest prison complex, Bangu. Read More Mr Hickey is potentially facing three charges of facilitating ticket touting, formation of a cartel and ambush or illicit marketing. Here are nine things you should know about the Bangu prison complex where he is currently detained: 1. Bangu is located in West Rio de Janeiro and is the largest prison complex in all of Brazil. 2. It is a maximum security prison and holds 17 units. Pat Hickey is being held in Bangu 10, while Irishman Kevin Mallon (36) is currently being detained at the adjoining Bangu 8. 3. The Rio Times said the prison has "a deadly reputation" as its in the control of the deadly Commanda Vermelha gang. 4. The complex is home to some of Brazils most feared criminals, including murderers, drugs traffickers and gang members. Previous inmates include Brazilian druglord Fernandinho Beira-Mar. 5. According to an article on Bloomberg, the outside, smells from sewage ditches blend with whiffs of deep-fried tidbits. 6. Ray Whelan, a British executive was held at the prison as part of a World Cup ticket touting investigation in 2014. 7. Riots in the prison left 30 inmates dead in 2004. 8. Brazilian reality show Fantastico showed images of prisoners openly selling and taking drugs in the complex. 9. In 2005, a security chief at the Bangu 3 prison became the fifth official to be killed within five years. At the moment it is unclear how long Mr Hickey will stay in the prison. An international charity is rescuing animals from Gaza Strip's main zoo, which it has dubbed "the worst in the world", and transferring them to better lives abroad. Zoo owner Mohammad Eweda said the animals are being "donated" because the zoo does not "have the ability to give them anything". In the past, his zoo turned to taxidermy to keep its deceased animals on exhibit while another zoo in the Strip painted stripes on donkeys to try to make them look like zebras. The Four Paws charity said tortoises, an emu and other animals will be taken to a rescue centre in Jordan and the zoo's single tiger will go to a sanctuary in South Africa. The zoo is now closed. AP A British-Australian dual national living in Dubai who wanted to raise money for Afghans who fled their country's long war has been detained for weeks over promoting a charity, his supporters said. Scott Richards' case appears to be the first prosecuted under a new law that regulates charities amid regional concerns about cash donations reaching extremists. However, his supporters warn the regulations can be applied to anyone wanting to do good by donating to international causes or even talking about them online. "I'm shocked and horrified. It's heartbreaking because you're trying to do something so simple to make a positive difference just to help," Mr Richards' brother, Brett Richards, said. "Relieving suffering was the only goal Scott had." Mr Richards, who grew up near Adelaide, Australia, and is married with two children, is being held at a Dubai police station. He appeared at a brief hearing on Thursday. He was arrested on July 28, apparently over his support of the Zwan Family Charity in Afghanistan after advising the local government there, his brother said. Since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 2001 terror attacks, a number of small charities have set up in Kabul to aid those maimed or left homeless by the country's decades of war. Zwan Family Charity, registered as a public charity in Richmond, Texas, with the Internal Revenue Service, joined them relatively recently, in 2013. One of its projects focuses on providing covers to protect against the elements for those living in Charahi Qambar, a community of mud homes north west of the Afghan capital, Kabul. The thousands living there are largely ethnic Pashtuns who fled Helmand and Kandahar provinces, part of the Taliban's southern heartland in the country that has seen 15 years of violence. Children and others in the camp have frozen to death there in winter. "We have a hard time getting someone to donate something like a tarp," said Kimberly Wolenski, the vice president of Zwan Family Charity. "It just doesn't seem to fall on heartstrings the same way." Mr Richards was a friend of a friend to the organisation and put out a statement supporting it and urged people online to donate to the project, Ms Wolenski said. She stressed the non-profit group has full accounts of its finances, urges its donors to follow local laws and has no ties to political or militant groups in Afghanistan. For Mr Richards, his trouble apparently began after posting online about the charity and being quoted in a local Dubai newspaper about its efforts. "I think he was trying to raise awareness about the situation in Afghanistan," his brother said. "He was just shocked when he saw the conditions. I think he just thought, 'Maybe I can do something'." Under a decree last year by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the emirate banned raising money or promoting any charity online or through the media without first getting the approval of the city state's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. The decree, which exempted ruling family members, set penalties of up to one year in prison or a 100,000-dirham (20,000) fine for violators. While liberal compared with other parts of the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strict laws governing speech and online conduct. The Dubai charity decree also comes as Middle East nations face Western pressure to crack down on charity donations that get funnelled to regional extremist groups. Sheikh Mohammed's decree did not mention that concern, though a report on the state-run WAM news agency at the time quoted a charity leader saying the law "protects philanthropists from falling prey to fraud and racketeering". Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said Mr Richards travelled on his British passport to the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. The British Foreign Office said it is providing him with consular assistance. For now, Mr Richards remains held without a formal charge, said Radha Stirling, a lawyer based in Britain whose advocacy group Detained in Dubai is assisting in his defence. Since his case, Ms Stirling said she has received a number of calls from panicked expatriates worried about their own charity donations or online comments being used against them by anyone holding a grudge. A lot of cases in general "come from someone offended by something you said or something you did on your Facebook", she said. "It could be anything. They have a look at anything else you've done that might be in breach of the law to make a complaint." AP Three Albanian citizens, two men and a woman, were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and money laundering A Dutch police dog has sniffed out a fortune tucked into the boot of an alleged drug trafficker's car. Amsterdam police recovered more than 1.3 million euro (1.1 million) from under the spare tyre in the alleged trafficker's Saab due to the specially trained dog's sharp sense of smell. As part of the same investigation, police discovered 13kg of cocaine while raiding a house in the city. Three Albanian citizens, two men and a woman, were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and money laundering. AP An increase in Islamist terror attacks in Germany cannot be blamed on the influx of refugees from Syria and the Middle East, according to Chancellor Angela Merkel. Speaking at an event in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on Wednesday, the leader countered fears refugees were in any way responsible for a series of attacks on German citizens last month. Ms Merkel did however admit it was "apparent" terror groups including Isil were attempting to recruit many of the million or so refugees who have taken asylum in Germany over the past year. "But the phenomenon of Islamist terrorism including Isis is not one which has come to us through refugees," she said, "but rather one which we already had here before. Through digitalisation, through social media, through the so-called darkweb - which is now in the media again because of the Munich shooting - we must constantly and continuously adapt to tackle these threats. An Islam that works and lives on the basis of the constitution... belongs to Germany." At the end of July, Ms Merkel flatly rejected calls to alter the country's refugee policy and stressed that those fleeing persecution had the right to be protected. "The terrorists want to make us lose sight of what is important to us, break down our cohesion and sense of community, as well as inhibit our way of life, our openness and our willingness to take in people who are in need," she told a news conference in Berlin. The influx of migrants since 2015 has boosted support for the right-wing anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, while Ms Merkel's own popularity has slumped. AfD politicians and members have repeatedly suggested a link between the growth in Islamist terrorism and the arrival of refugees from Syria. There were four attacks on citizens in southern Germany over the space of a week in July, two of which were reportedly perpetrated by asylum seekers who had pledged support for Isis. The Chancellor concluded her speech by reiterating the government's plans to confront terror threats in a more effective way by increasing police personnel and boosting "powers to intervene". Police arrested the attacker at the scene and were holding him in custody while investigating his motives. A Jewish man has been stabbed in France by an attacker heard shouting Allahu Akbar in the latest attack to shake the country. The victim, Chalom Levy, was taken to hospital after the assault in Strasbourg on Friday morning and is expected to make a full recovery. Police arrested the attacker at the scene and were holding him in custody while investigating his motives. Mendel Samama, a local rabbi and good friend of Mr Levy, told The Independent the 62-year-old victim was wearing a Jewish kippa when he was targeted. He had been shopping for Shabbat [the Jewish day of rest on Saturday] and he was walking back home when it happened, on the corner right by his house, Mr Samama said. He was stabbed once and the guy shouted Allahu Akbar, and when he took the knife out to stab him again he ran away. I dont know how he had the power but he managed to run to a bar. I think it saved his life. The bar staff barricaded the doors and called the emergency services while helping Mr Levy. He has been taken to hospital to be treated for a stab wound to his abdomen, which missed any vital organs. After visiting his friend, Mr Samama said: Hes in shock, when I spoke to him he was crying. He told me he thinks its a miracle, he told me I think God saved me today. The suspect, said to be mentally ill, is believed to be known to police in relation to another attack on a Jewish victim in 2010. Mr Samama said the man had recently been held in a psychiatric hospital and that Mr Levys family were demanding to know why he had been freed. He described Mr Levy as a gentle man who loves taking care of people. The grandfather lives with his wife in Strasbourg and is retired, having formerly worked at a local factory. He is a very quiet man, a gentle man - he is the type of person you would love to have in your family or in your community, Mr Samama said. Judicial police are investigating the suspected anti-Semitic attack, which came in Strasbourg's Jewish quarter at around 11.45am local time (10.45am BST). Officers have not confirmed any motive or possible link with foreign terrorist groups. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which raised tensions after a series of stabbings and attempted killings by Isis supporters elsewhere in France and Europe. China is to step up personnel training and humanitarian assistance to president Bashar al-Assad's Syrian government, state media reported yesterday, in a sign of growing concern in Beijing about the course of Syria's civil war. Rear Admiral Guan Youfei, who heads China's office for international military co-operation, met Lt Gen Fahd Jassem al-Frejj, the Syrian defence minister, in Damascus earlier this week, the Xinhua news agency said. "They reached consensus on improving personnel training, and the Chinese military offering humanitarian aid to Syria," the Xinhua report said of the meeting. Xinhua said Rear Admiral Guan also met Lt Gen Sergei Chvarkov, the Russian general in charge of the reconciliation centre Russia set up earlier this year to monitor a short-lived ceasefire between the government and rebel groups. Russia did not comment on the meeting. Russia entered the war in Syria on Mr al-Assad's side last September. The 'Global Times', a paper published by the ruling Communist Party, said advisers are already on the ground in Syria to train regime forces in the use of Chinese-bought weapons including sniper rifles, rocket launchers and machine guns. China has been selling weapons to Syria for decades and has joined Russia in blocking resolutions critical of the regime at the UN Security Council. It has avoided further entanglement, however, and is the only permanent member of the Security Council not involved in military operations in Syria. "The dispatch of senior Chinese military personnel suggests a deeper involvement and a more strategic angle," said Michal Meidan, Asia analyst at Energy Aspects. China sources half of its oil and gas from the Middle East, mostly from Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Beijing is unlikely to risk alienating any of those by becoming involved in the conflict. The visit may be intended as a diplomatic poke in the eye for the United States amid mounting tensions over Chinese territorial ambitions in the South China Sea, Ms Meidan said. A British-Australian dual national living in Dubai who wanted to raise money for Afghans who fled their country's long war has been detained for weeks over promoting a charity, his supporters said. Scott Richards' case appears to be the first prosecuted under a new law that regulates charities amid regional concerns about cash donations reaching extremists. However, his supporters warn the regulations can be applied to anyone wanting to do good by donating to international causes or even talking about them online. "I'm shocked and horrified. It's heartbreaking because you're trying to do something so simple to make a positive difference just to help," Mr Richards' brother, Brett Richards, said. "Relieving suffering was the only goal Scott had." Mr Richards, who grew up near Adelaide, Australia, and is married with two children, is being held at a Dubai police station. He appeared at a brief hearing on Thursday. He was arrested on July 28, apparently over his support of the Zwan Family Charity in Afghanistan after advising the local government there, his brother said. Since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 2001 terror attacks, a number of small charities have set up in Kabul to aid those maimed or left homeless by the country's decades of war. Zwan Family Charity, registered as a public charity in Richmond, Texas, with the Internal Revenue Service, joined them relatively recently, in 2013. One of its projects focuses on providing covers to protect against the elements for those living in Charahi Qambar, a community of mud homes north west of the Afghan capital, Kabul. The thousands living there are largely ethnic Pashtuns who fled Helmand and Kandahar provinces, part of the Taliban's southern heartland in the country that has seen 15 years of violence. Children and others in the camp have frozen to death there in winter. "We have a hard time getting someone to donate something like a tarp," said Kimberly Wolenski, the vice president of Zwan Family Charity. "It just doesn't seem to fall on heartstrings the same way." Mr Richards was a friend of a friend to the organisation and put out a statement supporting it and urged people online to donate to the project, Ms Wolenski said. She stressed the non-profit group has full accounts of its finances, urges its donors to follow local laws and has no ties to political or militant groups in Afghanistan. For Mr Richards, his trouble apparently began after posting online about the charity and being quoted in a local Dubai newspaper about its efforts. "I think he was trying to raise awareness about the situation in Afghanistan," his brother said. "He was just shocked when he saw the conditions. I think he just thought, 'Maybe I can do something'." Under a decree last year by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the emirate banned raising money or promoting any charity online or through the media without first getting the approval of the city state's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. The decree, which exempted ruling family members, set penalties of up to one year in prison or a 100,000-dirham (20,000) fine for violators. While liberal compared with other parts of the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strict laws governing speech and online conduct. The Dubai charity decree also comes as Middle East nations face Western pressure to crack down on charity donations that get funnelled to regional extremist groups. Sheikh Mohammed's decree did not mention that concern, though a report on the state-run WAM news agency at the time quoted a charity leader saying the law "protects philanthropists from falling prey to fraud and racketeering". Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said Mr Richards travelled on his British passport to the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. The British Foreign Office said it is providing him with consular assistance. For now, Mr Richards remains held without a formal charge, said Radha Stirling, a lawyer based in Britain whose advocacy group Detained in Dubai is assisting in his defence. Since his case, Ms Stirling said she has received a number of calls from panicked expatriates worried about their own charity donations or online comments being used against them by anyone holding a grudge. A lot of cases in general "come from someone offended by something you said or something you did on your Facebook", she said. "It could be anything. They have a look at anything else you've done that might be in breach of the law to make a complaint." Experts hunting for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 are attempting to define a new search area by studying where in the Indian Ocean the first piece of wreckage recovered - a wing flap - most likely drifted from after the disaster that claimed 239 lives, the new leader of the search has said. Officials are planning the next phase of the deep-sea sonar search for the lost Boeing 777 in case the current two-year search of 46,000 square miles (120,000 square kilometres) turns up nothing, said Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Greg Hood, who took over leadership of the bureau last month. However, a new search would require a new funding commitment, with Malaysia, Australia and China agreeing in July that the 160 million US dollar (122 million) operation will be suspended once the current stretch of ocean south-west of Australia is exhausted unless new evidence emerges which would pinpoint a specific location for the planet. "If it is not in the area which we defined, it's going to be somewhere else in the near vicinity," Mr Hood said in an interview this week. Further analysis of the wing fragment known as a flaperon found on Reunion Island off the African coast in July last year - 16 months after the plane went missing - will hopefully help narrow a possible next search area outside the current boundary. Six replicas of the flaperon will be sent to Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's oceanography department in the island state of Tasmania where scientists will determine whether it is the wind or the currents that affect how they drift, Mr Hood said. This will enable more accurate drift modelling than is currently available. If more money becomes available, the Australian bureau, which is conducting the search on Malaysia's behalf, plans to fit the flaperons with satellite beacons and set them adrift at different points in the southern Indian Ocean around March 8 next year - the third anniversary of the disaster - and track their movements. Meanwhile, barnacles found on the flaperon and an adjacent wing flap which washed up on Tanzania in June are being analysed for clues to the latitudes they might have come from. The flap is in the Australian bureau's headquarters in Canberra where it has been scoured for clues by accident investigators. Peter Foley, the bureau's director of Flight 370 search operations since the outset, said the enhanced drift modelling would hopefully narrow the next search area to a band of 5 degrees of latitude, or 340 miles (550km). "Even the best drift analysis is not going to narrow it down to X-marks-the-spot," Mr Foley said. Some critics argue that the international working group which defined the current search area - that includes experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board, Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch, the plane's manufacturer Boeing, Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group, satellite firm Inmarsat and electronics company Thales - made a crucial mistake by concluding that the most likely scenario was that no-one was at the controls when the plane hit the ocean after flying more than five hours. The airliner veered far off course during a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing. What happened to the plane has become one of the biggest mysteries in aviation, with a wide range of theories, including that a hijacker could have killed everyone on board early in the flight by depressurising the plane. The current search area was defined by analysis of a final satellite signal from the plane that indicated it had run out of fuel. Scientists have determined how far the plane could have travelled from a height of up to 40,000ft (12,200m) after both engines lost power. But critics who favour the theory that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah hijacked the plane argue that he could have glided the aircraft beyond the current search area. Some say he could have made a controlled ditch at sea in order to minimise debris and make the plane vanish as completely as possible. Officials say Zaharie flew a similar route on his home flight simulator only weeks before the disaster. Mr Foley said his bureau's analysts were working on the flap to ascertain whether or not it was deployed when the plane hit the water. They will test their hypothesis with the Boeing accident investigation team to validate their findings. Recent analysis of the final satellite signals also suggest the plane was descending at a rate of between 12,000ft (3,700m) and 20,000ft (6,100m) a minute before it crashed. A rate of 2,000ft (600m) a minute would be typical of a controlled descent. "The rate of descent combined with the position of the flap - if it's found that it is not deployed - will almost certainly rule out either a controlled ditch or glide," Mr Foley said. "If it's not in a deployed state, it validates, if you like, where we've been looking," he said. Crews have not given up hope of finding the plane in the current search area, which because of bad weather and 65ft (20m) waves could take them until December to finish scanning. Less than 4,000 square miles (10,000 sq km) of seabed, which is outside the original 23,000 square mile (60,000 sq km) high-priority search zone, remain to be searched. More than 20 sonar contacts require closer examination by a sonar-equipped underwater drone. These are between 1,700 miles (2,700km) and 1,200 miles (1,900km) from the Australian port of Fremantle where the search ships are based. "We are still hopeful and optimistic," said Mr Hood. Mr Foley said finding the plane was the only chance of the solving the mystery of what happened on board Flight 370. "We will never know what happened to that aircraft until we find it," he said. AP U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton delivers remarks at a gathering of law enforcement leaders including New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton (L) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, U.S., August 18, 2016. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton delivers remarks at a gathering of law enforcement leaders at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, U.S., August 18, 2016. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson Hillary Clinton has been ordered by a US federal judge to answer questions in writing from a conservative legal advocacy group about her use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state. US District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan issued the order on Friday as part of a long-running public records lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch. The judge's decision is only a partial victory for the group, which had sought to question the Democratic presidential nominee in person and under oath. Republicans have pressed to keep the issue of Mrs Clinton's email use alive after the FBI closed its investigation last month without recommending criminal charges. Judicial Watch is among several groups that have sued the government over access to records about Mrs Clinton's service as the nation's top diplomat. American astronauts taking a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (Nasa via AP) Spacewalking astronauts have installed a new door for visitors at the International Space Station, the crucial first step in welcoming commercial crew capsules as soon as next year. Americans Jeffrey Williams and Kate Rubins hooked up the docking port in just a few hours. SpaceX delivered the new gateway last month, packed in a Dragon cargo capsule. Americans have not rocketed into orbit from their home turf since Nasa's last shuttle flight in 2011. SpaceX and Boeing expect to resume human launches from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in another year or two. But their crew capsules cannot dock without this new-style parking spot, which replaces the now obsolete shuttle set-up and is meant to be internationally compatible. Friday's success paved the way for these future spaceships. "We have a new port of call for the new US commercial crew vehicles," announced Mission Control commentator Rob Navias. SpaceX is aiming for a test flight of its souped-up Dragon with two astronauts as early as a year from now. Boeing is aiming for a two-person shakedown of its Starliner capsule in early 2018. Until then, Russia will keep providing all the rides - at a hefty price for US taxpayers. Nasa started using private US companies to carry out cargo shipments a few years back. Commercial crew launches will be an even bigger step. This commercial hand-off is freeing up Nasa to focus on true outer-space exploration; the space agency is working to get astronauts to Mars in the 2030s. This is actually Nasa's second new docking ring. The first was destroyed in a SpaceX launch accident last summer. Nasa ultimately wants two of these ports at the lab. Another one - cobbled together from spare parts - should fly up in about a year. Flight controllers in Houston set the spacewalking stage earlier in the week, using a robot arm to move the docking port to within a few feet of its intended lock-down position - the very spot where Atlantis undocked on July 19 2011 to close out the shuttle era. An hour into Friday's spacewalk, the mechanical arm let go, and Mr Williams and Ms Rubins took over, connecting a range of hooks and cables. Soon, all 12 hooks were driven into place, firmly securing the port as the 250 mile-high complex soared over the Indian Ocean. The space station is currently home to two Americans, one Japanese and three Russians. Up there for five months, Mr Williams and two of the Russians will return to Earth in a few weeks. Mr Williams will conduct one more spacewalk with Ms Rubins on September 1 to retract a radiator. Mr Williams, a veteran spacewalker, was the first one through the hatch on Friday morning. "Come on out," he urged Ms Rubins. "The view is phenomenal," Ms Rubins said before getting straight to work. Ms Rubins is only the 11th American woman to conduct a spacewalk and the 12th in the world. The first professional virus-hunter in space, she has been experimenting with a DNA decoder also delivered last month. SpaceX's crew Dragon ship will fly on the company's own Falcon rocket from a former shuttle launchpad at Kennedy Space Centre and, at mission's end, splash down off the Florida coast. Boeing's Starliner, meanwhile, will launch aboard the United Launch Alliance's trusty Atlas V rocket and parachute down somewhere in the American south west, possibly New Mexico. These test flights - intended to go all the way to the space station and dock - will last about two weeks. Nasa will provide most if not all of the initial test pilots. AP Thank you for reading! To read this article and more, subscribe now for as little as $1.99. South Beach has been identified as a second site of Zika transmission by mosquitoes on the US mainland, Florida officials have confirmed. The discovery prompted the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to announce it was expanding its travel warning for pregnant women to include the tourist-friendly area of Miami Beach. In a statement issued shortly after Governor Rick Scott and health officials released the latest information, the CDC said pregnant women may also want to consider postponing non-essential travel throughout Miami-Dade County if they are concerned about potential exposure to the mosquito-borne virus. "We're in the midst of mosquito season and expect more Zika infections in the days and months to come," said CDC director Dr Tom Frieden. "It is difficult to predict how long active transmission will continue." Five cases of Zika have been connected to Miami Beach, bringing the state's caseload to 36 infections not related to travel outside the US, Mr Scott said at a news conference. In response to a follow-up question from The Associated Press, Florida Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Gambineri said officials believe the cases were transmitted by mosquitoes. Two of the infected people are Miami-Dade County residents and three are tourists, including one man and two women, Mr Scott said. The tourists are residents of New York, Texas and Taiwan. Mr Scott described the new area of infection in the narrow island city as just under 1.5 miles between 8th and 28th streets. Another infection zone was previously identified across a roughly one-square-mile area encompassing Miami's Wynwood arts district. Possible infections outside Wynwood and Miami Beach also are being investigated. Zika infection can cause severe brain-related birth defects, including a dangerously small head, if women are infected during pregnancy. The virus only causes mild, flu-like symptoms in most people, making it difficult to confirm local transmissions, the CDC said. "For this reason, it is possible that other neighbourhoods in Miami-Dade County have active Zika transmission that is not yet apparent," the CDC's statement said. AP Republicans have pressed to keep the issue of Hillary Clinton's email use alive (AP) Hillary Clinton has been ordered by a US federal judge to answer questions in writing from a conservative legal advocacy group about her use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state. US District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan issued the order on Friday as part of a long-running public records lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch. The judge's decision is only a partial victory for the group, which had sought to question the Democratic presidential nominee in person and under oath. Republicans have pressed to keep the issue of Mrs Clinton's email use alive after the FBI closed its investigation last month without recommending criminal charges. Judicial Watch is among several groups that have sued the government over access to records about Mrs Clinton's service as the nation's top diplomat. The United Nations has said for the first time that it was involved in the introduction of cholera to Haiti and needs to do "much more" to end the suffering of those affected, estimated at more than 800,000 people. Researchers say there is ample evidence that cholera was introduced to Haiti's biggest river in October 2010 by inadequately treated sewage from a UN peacekeeping base. The United Nations has never accepted responsibility, and has answered lawsuits on behalf of victims in US courts by claiming diplomatic immunity. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq's statement referring to the UN's "own involvement", which was sent to the Associated Press on Thursday, came a step closer to an admission of at least some responsibility and was welcomed by lawyers for the victims. "This is a major victory for the thousands of Haitians who have been marching for justice, writing to the UN and bringing the UN to court," said Mario Joseph, a Haitian human rights lawyer whose law firm has led a high-profile claim on behalf of 5,000 cholera victims who blame the UN for introducing the disease. In a decision issued late on Thursday, a US federal appeals panel in New York upheld immunity for the UN and affirmed a lower court's 2015 judgment dismissing that case. Cholera victims and their lawyers have 90 days to decide if they will seek an appeal with the US Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Mr Haq said that the United Nations has been considering a series of options, and "a significantly new set of UN actions" will be presented publicly within the next two months. He told reporters later that a UN-appointed panel had already looked into the UN's involvement. It found that a local contractor failed to properly sanitise the waste at the UN base. "We've been trying to see exactly what we can do about our own particular role as this has been going on" and how "to bring this outbreak to a close", he said. Mr Haq would not say whether reparations were under consideration. His statement on UN involvement was first reported by The New York Times. Five UN human rights experts criticised the United Nations in a letter to top UN officials late last year for its "effective denial of the fundamental right of the victims of cholera to justice". At least one lawsuit was dismissed because of the UN's diplomatic immunity claim. Mr Haq reiterated that the UN's legal position in claiming diplomatic immunity "has not changed". According to government figures, cholera has affected more than 800,000 people, or about 7% of Haiti's population, and has killed more than 9,200. As of March, it was killing an average of 37 people a month. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and only 24% of Haitians have access to a toilet. Sewage is rarely treated and safe water remains inaccessible to many. At a dusty crossroads on the outskirts of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, local residents gathered at a rubbish-clogged stream to wash clothes and bathe. "So now they are going to find a way to clean the disease from the country? It's been here for years and it seems like it is here to stay," said worker Jhony Nordlius as he pushed a wheelbarrow past a fetid canal where children were splashing and collecting rubbish. Maxcilus Vale, who ekes out a living shining shoes by the waste-clogged waterway, was more hopeful about the UN's statement. "Maybe now we'll get more sanitation and water treatment to help make cholera go away. I hope so because it has harmed many people," said Mr Vale, as he washed his socks in a roadside pool of stagnant water. Researchers said cholera was first detected in the central Artibonite Valley and cited evidence that it was introduced to Haiti's biggest river from a UN base where Nepalese troops were deployed as part of a peacekeeping operation which has been in the country since 2004. Cholera is endemic in Nepal. In December 2012, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon announced a 2.27 billion dollar (1.72 billion) initiative to help eradicate cholera in Haiti and neighbouring Dominican Republic, which share the island of Hispaniola, but the ambitious 10-year plan is underfunded. According to a report last November, only 307 million dollars (233 million) has been received. Mr Haq said the announcement of UN plans for new action to address cholera was made in response to a draft report by the UN special investigator on extreme poverty and human rights. Ahead of its release, likely to be in late September, he said "we wanted to take this opportunity to welcome this vital report". Mr Haq said its findings and recommendations "will be a valuable contribution to the UN as we work towards a significantly new set of UN actions". AP Contributed photo Fall of an Empire will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday at Beer Belly's in Anderson. SHARE Contributed photo Spartanburg heavy metal band Fall of an Empire performs Saturday at Hog Tails Bar & Grill in Pendleton. By Vincent Harris, Special to Your Hometown Fun vinceharris94@yahoo.com The music of the Upstate quintet Fall Of An Empire is less "heavy" than it is HEAVY. The band formed in 2012 and quickly drew a loyal fan-base by creating large, slow-moving, monolithic slabs of molten riffs, and a rhythm section that resembles a brontosaurus lumbering through mud. Speed is not a factor size is. The songs are massive and echoing that skip back over hair metal and land squarely in the new wave of British heavy metal. These giant metal epics are accented by the positively primal vocals of Kenny Lawrence, whose powerful, bellowing voice sounds like some unholy cross between Glenn Danzig and The Cult's Ian Astbury. In short, those not prepared to be flattened by classic Black Sabbath-style hugeness need not apply. And that goes double for their new EP, "Croweater: An Echo In The Bone," though the heaviness on this new release is as emotional as it is musical. It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get these songs done, in some cases literally. "'Croweater,' the title song, is about a time period where the band broke up," says guitarist Brent Carroll. "It's a collection of songs about trials and tribulations." The band, which will play an EP-release show at Beer Belly's in Anderson on Saturday, broke up at the end of 2015 after a period of increasing internal acrimony, and Carroll says he was at a complete loss. So he turned to the only way he had to express himself: songwriting. "I wrote a song called 'Confession,'" he says. "The band says it was my emo song, because I was just crying through the whole thing. Well, I was crying in real life, too. The band broke up, I'd lost all of my best friends, everybody was mad at each other and it felt like my world was broken. I wrote it just to heal myself and then I sent it to everybody and they said, 'We've got to be a band again' (laughs). So the song brought us back together." And it brought them together with an additional guitarist named Cody Edens, who joined the band just before they went into the studio to record the Croweater EP. "What's really funny about it is when I first started the band, I contacted Cody and asked if he wanted to jam, and he said no because it was too far away," Carroll says. "He lived in Anderson and I was in Cowpens. But five years later, I asked again and he said, 'Yeah, let's do it.' And it's been awesome. He should be super proud of what he was able to pull off in the amount of time he had and it sounds incredible. It's the first time we've had another guitar player and I couldn't be happier." In fact, not only is Fall Of An Empire back together, but they've sprouted some serious ambition about what their next moves will be after "Croweater" is released. "It's actually part one of a two-part album," Carroll says. "The idea is that we're going to hit the studio as soon as we can and record the second EP called "The Last Wishes Of Kings," then we're going out put them out on double-vinyl." Perhaps some of that excitement comes from how the EP was written, and how well it turned out. "Unlike (their first album) 'Songs Of Steel and Sorrow,' these songs were extremely collaborative," Carroll says. "Everybody's written something for this album, and we wrote a lot of it together. It's a very personal record and we're really happy with it." 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: By Melissa Cyrill On July 31, two key railway lines were inaugurated by Indias Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu and his Bangladesh counterpart, Mohammed Mazibul Hoque in Agartala, Tripura state. The first was the opening of the weekly Tripura Sundari Express, traversing from New Delhi to Agartala, and the second, was the foundation stone laid for the India-Bangladesh Broad Gauge Rail link, connecting Agartala in India with Akhaura in Bangladesh. Both projects are critical to the region, opening up direct linkages with mainland India, and with it, boosting the scope for greater trade and commerce and people to people ties. Until recently, Guwahati, the capital of Assam state in India, functioned as the single gateway to the countrys entire northeastern region that consists of eight states covering an area of 101,250 square miles. The cumbersome and costly travel route in turn has contributed to the regions lagged development and economic stagnation, despite their abundance of natural resources and sharing international borders with five countries. In the light of these developments, this article briefly sketches out the proposed India-Bangladesh railway project, its impact on improving connectivity in the region, and its long term economic prospects. India-Bangladesh Broad Gauge Rail Link As mentioned above, the India-Bangladesh broad gauge rail link will connect Agartala in India with Akhaura in Bangladesh, and is expected to get completed by 2017. Akhaura is an important railway junction in southeastern Bangladesh, which connects Chittagong port, the resource-rich Sylhet, and Dhaka. The proposed line is an outcome of the larger India-Bangladesh rail project, which was first mooted in 2012, following which the two countries signed an MoU in February 2013. The length of the Agartala-Akhaura line will be 15.06 km (9.35 miles), of which 5.05 km (3.13 miles) will fall in Tripura (India) and the remaining 10.01 km (6.22 miles) will fall in Bangladesh. Altogether, there will be five stations and nine level crossings that will involve the construction of 15 bridges, including one major bridge. This line will have a speed potential of 100 kmph (62.13 mph). India will bear the entire expenditure of the project, at an estimated US$ 144.37 million (Rs 968 crore). Towards this, US$ 22.07 million (Rs 148 crore) was earmarked in the 2015-2016 Railway budget, and the engineering and construction company IRCON was chosen as the technical advisor for the project. Prospects of the New Railway Linkages The new train linkages revisit the old connectivity and freight routes established under the colonial era, when most of the subcontinent was under the British Indian Empire. Today, the India-Bangladesh railway project seeks to capitalize on opportunities for expanding trade, tourism, and commerce between the two nations. According to the Indian Railways Ministry, upon its entire completion, the composite India-Bangladesh rail link project will connect Agartala, Tripura (India) with Ashuganj and Chittagong Port (Bangladesh), at a distance of 54 km (33.55 miles) and 213 km (132.35 miles), respectively. Similarly, it will connect Agartala to Kolkata (India) via Dhaka (Bangladesh), covering a distance of just 514 km (319.38 miles). The significance of this project therefore becomes obvious as currently, the railway distance between Agartala and Kolkata is 1613 km (1002 miles). The new railway project via Bangladesh cuts this distance by over 1000 km (621 miles). As a result, the India-Bangladesh railway project has massive implications, both for the socio-economic development of the northeastern region and for improving ties with Bangladesh. The new rail link will ease both ordinary travel and freight transport, open up multiple trade points, and advance the scope of commerce and tourism. For example, the Agartala-Akhaura link alone will provide full rail connectivity from east to west of Bangladesh, facilitating transit from Chittagong and Mongla ports to Tripura and the rest of Indias northeast. This means that Indian ships could dock in Chittagong port and use the rail linkage to access India. In terms of impact on the tourism sector, the ease of transport and regional development will directly feed into more tourist footfall and better prospects for the hospitality industry. Under the plan scheme Swadesh Darshan, the Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, for various tourism projects, which includes the North-East India Circuit. Such schemes will now have a better chance of implementation. A few other advantages may also materialize. The rail link opens up transparent routes to India, offering greater economic and job opportunities. This in turn will check the influence of anti-India insurgent groups that operate out of the northeast states and promote illegal infiltration along Indias borders. Promoting development in the region, thus, becomes a win-win proposition for both India and Bangladesh as it allows the regions youth to partake of the development, instead of getting recruited into insurgent groups. Moreover, building the India-Bangladesh rail linkages also assists in Indias future plans to connect with the Southeast Asian states, including Myanmar, which shares its borders with four northeast Indian states. The U.S. in particular has been keen on seeing India emerge as a counterweight to Chinas heavy presence in the South Asian ASEAN regions, and India too, desires the expansion of its sphere of political and economic influence. Building regional networks by road and rail and other infrastructure projects form an integral part of Indias Act East policy. RELATED: India Regulatory Brief: Government Extends Highway Contracts to Attract Investors and More Changes to GST Bill Announced Observations: The India-Bangladesh rail project plays an important role in the current regimes foreign policy agenda with respect to its immediate neighbors. It also introduces Bangladesh as a direct stakeholder in the region. Further, the development of the northeastern states is a key objective of the government, which seeks to reap the economic benefits of greater integration. More importantly, the new rail connectivity serves as a counter to Chinas aggressive foreign policy moves with respect to all of Indias neighbors, an outcome that will have takers in Washington as well. Finally, the long term plan for India is to connect its northeastern region with Southeast Asia, for which the India-Bangladesh rail project serves as a starting point. The benefits of the new and improved rail linkages are thus not only economic, but also geopolitical, and will contribute to greater regional stability. About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email india@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. Managing Your Accounting and Bookkeeping in India In this issue of India Briefing Magazine, we spotlight three issues that financial management teams for India should monitor. Firstly, we examine the new Indian Accounting Standards (Ind-AS) system, which is expected to be a boon for foreign companies in India. We then highlight common filing dates for most companies with operations in India, and lastly examine procedures and regulations for remitting profits from India. Using Indias Free Trade & Double Tax Agreements In this issue of India Briefing magazine, we take a look at the bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that India currently has in place and highlight the deals that are still in negotiation. We analyze the countrys double tax agreements, and conclude by discussing how foreign businesses can establish a presence in Singapore to access both the Indian and ASEAN markets. Passage to India: Selling to Indias Consumer Market In this issue of India Briefing magazine, we outline the fundamentals of Indias import policies and procedures, as well as provide an introduction to engaging in direct and indirect export, acquiring an Indian company, selling to the government and establishing a local presence in the form of a liaison office, branch office, or wholly owned subsidiary. We conclude by taking a closer look at the strategic potential of joint ventures and the advantages they can provide companies at all stages of market entry and expansion. He has been cited by Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed on radio, TV and in social media. Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates. Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post and other publications. A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission. He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups. Cirucci's passions include politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel. In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association. He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, Matt Rooney's sidekick on Save Jersey's videocasts and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV. Thala Ajith's 'AK 57' is being shot in European countries. At present, director Siva is canning some important action sequences designed by Stunt Master Silva with Thala Ajith in Austria. An Austrian newspaper has published a news in about the shooting of 'AK 57'. Through this, some stills from the shooting spot which feature the lead actor Ajith have also been leaked and they are spreading viral in social media. Through the news report it has been confirmed that the shooting is presently happening at Carinthia a place at Austria where more than 100 people including the artists, technicians and assistants are working for the film. The report also states that the stunt scene is being shot on a grand scale and a Helicopter is being used. The 'AK 57' team is staying in 'The Mount' hotel at Austria and 35 rooms have been booked for the crew. The news report also includes some words of praise for our Thala. The news headline goes as "Indian Sylvester Stallone to visit in Carinthia." It states Ajith is a big star in India with more 20 million (Two crores) fans This yet to be titled 57th film of Ajith is being produced by Sathya Jyothi Films banner. Ajith reportedly plays an Interpol officer in this film that will be predominantly shot in European countries. Kajal Aggarwal is playing the female lead in this film that will have the musical score of Anirudh Ravichander. 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 | 28-10-2022 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 | 28-10-2022 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 | 28-10-2022 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 | 28-10-2022 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 | 28-10-2022 2:00 pm Political prisoner, activist, journalist, hymn-writer, emerging think tanker, aspiring novelist, "tribal elder", parliamentary candidate for North West Durham, Shadow Leader of the Opposition, Speedboat, proudly banned from Twitter so officially more dangerous than the Taliban, eagerly awaiting the second (or possibly third) attempt to murder me. The Oaks Academy, a multiracial classical school in Indianapolis that promotes a culture of high expectations, is a finalist for WORLDs 2016 Hope Award for Effective Compassion. The annual Hope Award goes to an organization that demonstrates the power of effective compassion by fostering life-change through personal, Christ-centered help to those in need. Each year, five regional awards go to organizations that embody all that the Hope Award stands for, qualifying them for the national award. When The Oaks Academy opened in 1998, its home was a former public school building in a crime-ridden neighborhood called Dodge City that was full of vacant lots and abandoned houses. The schools founders wanted to help families in need by going deeper than after-school tutoring and summer camp. Putting Oaks in a tough neighborhood helped fulfill that vision, and the founders wanted a tough curriculum. Soon 53 students, almost evenly divided between black and white, were memorizing the preamble to the Constitution, diagramming sentences, and working on Latin conjugations. Students, prompted to be all they could be, responded with hard work. Outside the school, change also came. The Oaks helped attract adventurous middle-class families who rescued broken-down houses and built some new ones on the vacant lots. Over the years crime decreased, the neighborhood improved, and the school grew to 665 studentshalf are low income, one-fourth middle income, and one-fourth higher income. Racially, of every five students, two are African-American, two are white, and one is biracial, Asian, or Hispanic. The school curriculum incorporates a biblical worldview but does not shout it. We are Christ-centered, says administrator Bruce Crawford: Christ modeled for us how to love one another in community and in fellowship. Its not just in chapel, but all day long. Were trying to live out our faith and not just adopt the Christian label. The overall 2016 Hope Award winner will receive $15,000 for the advancement of its ministry. The other four finalists will receive $2,000 each. Read WORLDs full article on the Oaks here, then submit your vote at wng.org/compassion. The deadline is August 29. A WORLD reporter has thoroughly vetted each organization, so voters can be confident that whichever of the five that wins the grand prize will steward the money wisely. About the Hope Award for Effective Compassion: The Hope Award for Effective Compassion is sponsored by WORLD News Group, a nonprofit organization that produces WORLD Magazine, WORLD Radio, and a wealth of engaging digital content, all dedicated to providing clarity in the news through wise insights into the stories that matter most. To learn more about WORLD and its award-winning Christian worldview journalism, visit wng.org Ivy Tech Community College is hosting an event featuring a panel of key community leaders to facilitate a discussion about race, policing and common understanding in Indianapolis. WHAT: Unite Through Dialogue WHO: Panelists include: Dr. Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College; Troy Riggs, chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department; Dominic Dorsey, president of Dont Sleep Indy; Satchuel Cole, vice president of Dont Sleep Indy; Rima Khan-Shahid, executive director of Muslim Alliance of Indiana; Lindsey Mintz, executive director of Jewish Community Relations Council; and Derrick Jones, Ivy Tech student and president of the National Society of Leadership and Success- Sigma Alpha Pi Chapter. WHEN: Wednesday, August 24, 4 p.m. WHERE: Ivy Tech Community College Illinois Fall Creek Center, Room 101/102 2535 N Capitol Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46208 Amid the chaos and rising slogans of Azadi in Kashmir valley, a group of Kashmiris donned the uniform of Indian Army on Thursday with a pledge to fight for country. As many as 308 recruits participated in the passing out parade to join Indian Army's Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) regiment while the curfew was imposed outside the parade ground. JAKLI exclusively recruits people from the state of J-K - including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. ANI Out of a total of 308 soldiers, 116 are from Kashmir valley and Muslim dominated areas of Jammu who went through a rigorous 11-month training at Renegarh centre located in the outskirts of Srinagar. The families of Kashmiri soldiers who wanted to see their children in the parade had to travel in the night in order to avoid the raging protesters and stone pelting youth. Kashmir has been in the grip of massive violence since July 8 when Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter by the Indian Army. Ever since, the clash between angry youth and army has become a routine in the valley and till now more than 60 people have lost their lives. ANI The parents and family members of new inducted soldiers, however, didn't speak much about their feelings of their kids joining the army. Many refused to speak and those who spoke said that since valley has a dearth of employment, poor Kashmiri youth didn't have much of a choice - it was either the police or the army. Looking to build on the momentum of the Dalit protests in Gujarat, scheduled caste organisations are planning to stage a mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila grounds ahead of the winter session of Parliament that is being billed as a challenge to the Modi government's policies. BCCL/representative image The sustained protests after the flogging of Dalits in Gujarat's Una has encouraged Dalit outfits to mobilise support in other states with several events leading up to the Delhi rally that seeks to rope in more disadvantaged sections. Also Read: Gujarat Dalits Returning From Una Rally Complain About Attacks, Police Inaction Plans are afoot for mobilisation in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Odisha between August-December with Dalit leaders organising the community and also inviting political parties to support their demand for an equitable share of national resources in all spheres and to protest against violence and discrimination. BCCL/representative image "We want a new social contract as the Pune Pact (between Ambedkar and Gandhi) has become irrelevant. So it is time for a fresh contract," said activist Ashok Bharti of National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations. The Pune Pact was specific about political rights of Dalits, but now we want the downtrodden to get their due in all walks of life...like agrarian, land, corporate, mining," said Bharti. "By Dalits, we mean not only the caste identity or community, but all those who are downtrodden and marginalised people in the larger sense," said Prakash Ambedkar, a political activist and grandson of B R Ambedkar, said Gujarat has become the hub of Dalit protests as "it has turned into a fascist state". He accused BJP and RSS of representing caste hegemony. He is also organising a conference in Delhi on September 12 on the issue of atrocities against Dalits. BCCL/representative image The organisers are planning to organise Dalit marches from places of significance in terms of historical incidents of atrocities against Dalits, such as Laxmanpur Bathe in Bihar (1997). State-wise plans are being taken up ahead of the rally that organisers hope will be attended by 10 lakh people and the mobilisation is expected to take between August 29 and the first week of September. Marches will be held from Dalit localities to areas with Muslim presence or vice versa. BCCL/representative image In UP, Dalit leaders are picking up centres like Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, Chandauli to name a few for rallies to start before a big show of strength at Lucknow. In Gujarat, 5,000 motorbikes are to set out from Junagarh on August 29 for Gandhi Nagar. Similar programmes are being worked out in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and elsewhere. Also Read: After Years Of Silence, Dalits Are Coming Out And Standing Up Against Atrocities They Have Been Facing For Generations Community leaders said an important trigger that set off the present movement was resentment among Dalits at V K Singh's "dog remark" in October, 2015. He had said, "For everything like, if somebody throws a stone at a dog, then the government is responsible, it is not like that". This was in reaction to an attack on a Dalit family by upper castes in Haryana. The issue further escalated with the Rohit Vemula incident at Hyderabad University. A Dalit leader explained that lack of action against Singh or Union minister Bandaru Datttreya (for the Vemula case), both of whom remained in government, had angered SC opinion and revealed the mindset of the BJP government. Delhi police have begun a probe into the disappearance of a metro guard with Rs. 50.33 lakhs. The guard, identified as Neeraj Kumar, reportedly fled with the cash collected from various stations across the capital on Wednesday. AFP/ Representative Image Kumar was employed with a cash collection company based in Okhla and has been working with the Delhi Metro for the past two years. He disappeared while on his way to deposit the cash with the cashier at a cash van outside the AIIMS metro station. DMRC According to police, Kumar boarded the metro at Udyog Vihar and got down at Malviya Nagar. The incident was reported to the authorities by the cash van employees after Kumar failed to turn up and his phone was also unreachable. A police team was sent to Kumar's house in Delhi and later to his home town Bihar. However, his family members apparently had no clue about his whereabouts. The war of words between India and Pakistan over talks on Kashmir has hit a new level. Responding to Pakistan's invite to hold talks on Kashmir, India said it wanted to discuss the vacation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan. PTI Responding to a letter from his Pakistani counterpart, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said he "looked forward to discussing with his Pakistani counterpart the "earliest possible vacation of Pakistan's illegal occupation of the Indian state of J&K". "The ball is in Pakistan's court now. They had made an offer, We have responded to the offer. It is up to them to carry it forward," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said. PTI He also rejected Pakistan's allegation that India had crossed the red-line by talking about Balochistan in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech. I find this an extraordinary remark from a senior functionary of Pakistan that recognises no red lines in its own diplomacy," he said. Responding to Pakistan's claim that it will raise the issue of human rights violations in Kashmir at the UN next month Swarup said Pakistan has no locus standi in respect of Jammu & Kashmir, which is an integral part of our nation. ANI He also pointed out that Pakistan which wanted a UN delegation to visit Kashmir to assess the situation following the unrest there is not allowing the same in PoK speaks for itself. Swarup also clarified that "India will do whatever it has to do, after all people of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir arr also our people." Ever since the killing of Burhan Wani last month and the subsequent violent protests in the valley, Pakistan has been trying to once again internationalise the Kashmir issue. New Delhi in its part had warned Islamabad against interfering in the internal matters of India. AFP But the face-off between the two nuclear-armed neighbours was taken to the next level on August 15, after PM Modi, for the first time, in an Independence Day speech by a Prime Minister spoke about Balochistan, Gilgit and PoK. Days after rejecting the claims made by family members of the victims of those who died in Bihar's Gopalganj that they died after consuming illicit liquor, the Nitish Kumar government has changed its stand. BCCL Chief minister Nitish Kumar said that there was a possibility of spurious liquor consumption leading to the tragedy. "The postmortem report may not have found alcohol in the bodies of the victims because vomiting could clear out its traces, but the viscera report will expose the truth. We have to wait. We will not hide anything," he said. This is in sharp contrast with the earlier position of the government which outrightly rejected the involvement of illicit liquor. ANI Gopalganj DM had blamed the deaths on poisonous food, even while the family members had accepted that the victims had consumed liquor. There were also reports that the police tried to play down the incident and made the family members take the bodies of the victims from the hospital on bikes to make it look like they were alive. 25 policemen have been suspended, and six people have been arrested in connection with the incident which happened earlier this week. The liquor deaths will be a huge embarrassment to the Bihar government which imposed a blanket ban on liquor sale and consumption in the state since April. BCCL/ Representative Image Ever since the idea was proposed many had pointed out the possibility of country made liquor coming into circulation illegally. Even after being faced with criticism Nitish Kumar said that there would be no going back on the liquor ban. The joint operation of intelligence Bureau, RAW and Rajasthan Intelligence have nabbed a Pakistan spy from Jaisalmer. The spy, identified as 26-year-old Nandlal Maharaj, a Hindu man from Sanghar in Pakistan's Sind province, is being interrogated by the agencies. A diary, two mobile phones and about 20 Pakistani SIM cards were also recovered from him. Read more 1. National Green Tribunal Panel Report On Yamuna Floodplain Damage Is Unscientific, Says Art Of Living Facing severe criticism over the irreversible damage its World Culture Festival held in March caused to the Yamuna floodplains, Sri Sri Ravishankar's Art of Living has demanded a fresh probe by an 'unbiased' panel. Its lawyers termed the report on damages to the Yamuna river bed "unscientific, and illogical". 2. Get Out Of PoK And Then Let Us Talk About Kashmir, India Tells Pakistan The war of words between India and Pakistan over talks on Kashmir has hit a new level. Responding to Pakistan's invite to hold talks on Kashmir, India said it wanted to discuss the vacation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan. Responding to a letter from his Pakistani counterpart, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said he "looked forward to discussing with his Pakistani counterpart the "earliest possible vacation of Pakistan's illegal occupation of the Indian state of J&K". "The ball is in Pakistan's court now. They had made an offer, We have responded to the offer. It is up to them to carry it forward," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said. Read more 3. Minister Mahesh Sharma's Bodyguard Thrashes Security Guard Because He Keeps Him Waiting In a bullying incident, the bodyguard of the Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma was caught on camera while ruthlessly beating a housing security guard of a society, in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The guard got late by a minute or two to open the society's gate and the convoy of the ministers had to wait there. Read more 4. 116 Kashmiris Join The Indian Army Amid Slogans Of Azadi, Pledge To Fight For The Country Amid the chaos and rising slogans of Azadi in Kashmir valley, a group of Kashmiris donned the uniform of Indian Army on Thursday with a pledge to fight for country. As many as 308 recruits participated in the passing out parade to join Indian Army's Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) regiment while the curfew was imposed outside the parade ground. JAKLI exclusively recruits people from the state of J-K - including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Out of a total of 308 soldiers, 116 are from Kashmir valley and Muslim dominated areas of Jammu who went through a rigorous 11-month training at Renegarh centre located in the outskirts of Srinagar. The families of Kashmiri soldiers who wanted to see their children in the parade had to travel in the night in order to avoid the raging protesters and stone pelting youth. Read more 5. After His Arrest, Maharashtra's 'Dr Death' Congratulates Police For Catching Him The police in Satara district of Maharashtra were in for a surprise when they received a congratulatory note on cracking a serial killing case - from the alleged killer himself. Santosh Pol, arrested for murdering at least six persons between 2003 and 2016, sent a handwritten note addressed to Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil. Pol hailed Patil for catching him and said, "If you ask me why I am doing all this, then the question should be asked to the corrupt officials from the (police) department and the dormant society between 2003 and 2016." Read more The joint operation of intelligence Bureau, RAW and Rajasthan Intelligence have nabbed a Pakistan spy from Jaisalmer. The spy, identified as 26-year-old Nandlal Maharaj, a Hindu man from Sanghar in Pakistan's Sind province, is being interrogated by the agencies. ANI "He had maps of the border areas and photographs, he is probably part of a big espionage network," said Gaurav Yadav, Superintendent of Police. A diary, two mobile phones and about 20 Pakistani SIM cards were also recovered from him. The diary is said to have details of transactions between him and the Pakistani authorities he is working for, and the amount of money transactions he was receiving. According to reports he has admitted that 35 kilo of RDX has been brought in India so far, which was then dispatched to carry out blasts at various locations across the country. BCCL Villagers reportedly told investigators that Maharaj was offering money in exchange for information on high-security areas and arrangements. Authorities are also on the search for an associate of Maharaj, who fled during the search operation. The Pakistani spy was caught weeks after a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was arrested in Kashmir. ANI The terrorist, Bahadur Ali, in a confession video admitted that Pakistan Army was helping them infiltrate and that he was tasked to attack Indian security personnel in Kashmir by mingling with the crowds who were protesting against the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. "Mother, this may be the last letter from me, but please keep writing to me. Eat well, and take good care of yourself. If everything goes well, I will be home soon." TOI Sunil Uikey scribbled these words on a piece of paper from inside a prison in Pakistan, for his mother in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh Sunil had gone missing from Gujarat two months ago. His family was clueless about his whereabouts, till his uncle Shivlal Inwati received the handwritten letter addressed to his mother from Malir jail, Karachi. i.dawn/representative image He is the second youth from Madhya Pradesh to be jailed in Pakistan after Seoni's runaway lad Jitendra Arjunwar. Sunil wanted Shivlal to inform his mother about his incarceration in Pakistan so she would not worry. He requested Shivlal to look after his mother till he returns. Sunil was among 55 Indian fishermen arrested by Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA) off Jakhau coast on March 29 for allegedly violating its territorial waters in the Arabian Sea. He was on one of 10 boats, PMSA alleges, which were operating near the International Boundary Line (IMBL). Majority of these boats were from Okha and Mangroal ports of Gujarat. TOI In 2015, Sunil had gone to Gujarat looking for a job. He was on board a boat named Rundra Raj that set sail for a fishing trip on March 14 from Okha port, an intelligence official said. Other boats seized by PMSA are Macch Raj, Vayu Raj, Anjani Putra-7 and Megh Raj. All boats were operating from Okha port. Sunil's family approached Balaghat police on Thursday to certify his voter ID and other credentials related to his Indian citizenship for authorities in Pakistan. "Sunil was carrying a voter ID card with him. He does not have an Aadhar card. Pakistan will not release him unless they get certified documents from the government, please do the needful," reads a letter from his uncle Shivlal Inwati to Balaghat police. Sunil mentioned in his letter that he has been lodged with 25-30 other youths from UP. thehindu/representative image Jitendra Arjunwar, who hails from Seoni district and had dug his way to Pakistan through the barbed wire on the Rajasthan border in search of water, is in the same jail for the last three years. Arjunwar was arrested by the Pakistan Rangers on August 12, 2013. His lawyer Ali Plah had told TOI that Pakistan is treating him with compassion, convinced by his defence on trespass charges and would release him soon. Arjunwar, who had travelled 35km inside Pakistan unchecked, was arrested just a few kilometres away from the Sindh Cantonment. They handed him over to Khokhrapar police in Umerkot district of Sindh, where he was charged under the Foreigner's Act. His family has not heard from him since long. Nine Iraqi asylum seekers and refugees allegedly raped a German girl on New Year's Eve. The Austrian Police confirmed on Monday that they have been arrested. Reuters The 28-year-old travelled from Lower Saxony in Germany to visit her friend in Vienna and bring in the New Year. She was celebrating at a square in central Vienna and the next thing she remembers is waking up in another apartment at 6 am. The apartment is where she was assaulted and is where two of the nine men were staying. The men are aged between 21 and 47 years and deny any wrongdoing, a police spokesman said. All have either applied for or been granted asylum. Austria has not experienced a scene like Germany where hundreds of women were groped, attacked and robbed by men in Germany's Cologne on New Years Eve. Isolated incidents of assault, both sexual and violent, are going to set the scene for borders in Europe - whether they should remain open or be closed. Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Russias Middle East Breakthrough No Wonder Washingtons Grouchy By Finian Cunningham Washington is losing all credibility in the strategically pivotal region. - Continue ========= Turkey and Iran Reach Agreement on Conditions for Syria Peace By Gareth Porter Russia was instrumental in initiating the new diplomatic approach with Turkey. - Continue ========= Turkey, Let Us Not Celebrate Yet! 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Syrians Flee Clashes Between Kurdish, Government Troops : Scores of residents of the northeastern Syrian city of Hassakeh took advantage Friday of a lull in fighting between Kurdish forces and Syrian government troops to flee to safer areas nearby, after fighting intensified the previous day with government warplanes bombing Kurdish-controlled positions Russian Black Sea Fleet carries out missile attacks on terrorist targets in Syria - military : "As a result of the strikes a command post and a terrorist base near the village of Dar Taaza as well as a production site of mortar ammunition and an arms depot in Aleppo province were destroyed, the ministry said in a statement. Russias Defense Ministry has denied claims it carried out attacks on a civilian area in Aleppos Qaterji district . The claims were made by Western media after video and pictures of a wounded five-year-old boy from the area emerged online. U.N. welcomes Russian words on Aleppo truce, trucks 'ready to move' : Russia said on Thursday it would support a 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo, a move the U.N. Syria envoy said would allow aid to reach besieged areas soon, as long as all sides respect the temporary truce. Iraq to Execute 36 ISIS Terrorists Who Killed 1,700 People : Iraqi President Fuad Masoum has announced that the government will execute 36 terrorists from Islamic State who have been convicted of killing 1,700 people held captive after promising that they would be sent back to their families. 18 ISIS fighters killed in airstrike in southern Mosul : International coalition aviation jets targeted seven ISIS vehicles on the highway between Qayyarah and Hamam al-Alil. Shaikhani added The operation resulted in the death of 18 ISIS fighters. Iraq: Mortar Barrage killed 12 and left scores injured : At least 12 displaced people were killed and 36 others wounded on Thursday in a mortar barrage by the Islamic State (IS) militants on a displacement camp in Iraq's northern central province of Salahudin, a provincial security source told Xinhua. 5 killed in bomb attacks in Baghdad : Lieut. Deham al-Mahmoud told Anadolu Agency that two soldiers were among the dead in southern Bagdad. Separately, Mahmoud said the bodies of a teenage girl and a woman were found in the Al-Abadi and Al-Saab areas of the city. 14 Killed in Attacks on Police, Military in Turkey : A string of bombings, blamed on Kurdish rebels and targeting Turkey's security forces, killed at least 14 people and wounded more than 220 others, officials said Thursday. US moves nuclear weapons from Turkey to Romania : The US has started transferring nuclear weapons stationed in Turkey to Romania, against the background of worsening relations between Washington and Ankara. 'US apoplectic as Turkey pivots eastward': Turkish President Erdogan has given up on NATO and the EU, and is pivoting toward the East, says ex-Pentagon official Michael Maloof. As Ankara and Moscow discuss military ties, this offers an intriguing new opportunity for regional cooperation. At least 13 Yemeni civilians killed in fresh Saudi airstrikes: Nearly a dozen civilians, including two children, have been killed and several others injured when Saudi military aircraft mounted a raft of fresh airstrikes on various residential areas in crisis-plagued Yemen. MSF to evacuate staff from Yemen: MSF said on Thursday it was evacuating its staff from six hospitals in northern Yemen after a Saudi-led coalition air strike hit a health facility operated by the group killing 19 people. New York Times slams US as complicit in Yemen carnage : The Saudi-led coalition has been criticised for killing thousands of civilians and bombing non-military targets since the commencement of airstrikes in March last year. Libya: 19 killed in suicide attack in Sirte: At least 19 victims were killed Thursday and approximately 80 others injured in a suicide attack that targeted al-Bunyan al-Marsous forces in the northern Libyan city of Sirte. 9 killed in inter-communal clashes in Mali: Nine people were killed in clashes between Fulani and Bambara, two rival communities in central Mali, local sources told Anadolu Agency late Thursday. Car bomb kills 1, wounds 4 in Mogadishu: "Security forces were chasing a car loaded with explosives when it went off near Sinay intersection," said police official Ibrahim Mohamed. "The violent elements wanted to harm civilians but their attempt was foiled by the national intelligence agency." Kashmir: Nighttime ban added to curfew restrictions, 66 killed : Killings blamed on Indian forces have continued with villagers in the southern Kashmiri settlement of Khrew accusing the military of beating a 30-year-old teacher to death on Wednesday night. 11 militants killed in NW Pakistan army operation : At least 11 militants were killed and four others injured when Pakistani army launched aerial and ground operation in the country's northwest tribal area of Khyber Agency on Thursday, officials said. Chinas New Silk Road May Be A Game-Changer For Pakistan : Former Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz discusses Chinas plan to link its western region with a Pakistani port, a plan he negotiated while in office. Five migrant bodies recovered in Mediterranean, 534 rescued - Italy coastguard: The migrants were picked up from two large rubber dinghies and nine other smaller boats, the coastguard said, giving no details about how the deaths occurred. Putin flies into Crimea amid war games and tension: Vladimir Putin flew into annexed Crimea on Friday a day after staging war games there, and said he hoped Ukraine would see "common sense" when it came to resolving a diplomatic crisis over the peninsula. Russian drill calls for NATO soldiers to lay down arms, stop being pawns NATO soldiers! You are being lied to! You are not peacekeepers! Lay down your arms, a female voice warned the soldiers in a recording played on loudspeakers, according to RIA Novostis reporter on the scene. Russian prosecutors blacklist another 2 US organizations: Five other U.S. non-profit organizations have been blacklisted under a 2015 law intended to cut potential sources of foreign funding for Russian NGOs. Jewish man injured in knife attack in Strasbourg: The victim, who was wearing a traditional kippa, was attacked outside his home which is located in the Jewish quarter of the city. He also said that witnesses reported that the assailant, who has a history of mental health problems, shouted Allahu Akbar. German interior minister calls for partial burqa ban : Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that a completely covered woman has almost no chance of integrating herself into German society. Number of foreign visitors to France falls sharply : The number of nightly stays in France by foreign tourists fell by 8.5 percent in the three months to end-June compared to the same period a year ago. French tourists were also less keen to visit their own country, with figures down 2.9 percent. UK surveillance powers have gone further than any other Western democracy: MP: new surveillance powers will permit UK intelligence agencies to collect, store and access information about internet users, which is stored online, but critics of the Bill say it infringes on civil liberties and personal privacy. Royal Bank of Scotland to start charging large UK companies to hold cash: Some investment banking customers will be hit with negative interest rates from Monday Bank of Ireland to charge for placing cash on deposit : Bank which is 14% owned by State to impose unprecedented levy on larger customers Vancouver Housing Market Implodes : Average Home Price Plunges 20% In 1 Month U.N. Admits Role in Cholera Epidemic in Haiti: For the first time since a cholera epidemic believed to be imported by United Nations peacekeepers began killing thousands of Haitians nearly six years ago, the office of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has acknowledged that the United Nations played a role in the initial outbreak" Congress, Worried About Trump, Is Trying To Tie The Next Presidents Hands On Russia : But the oil industry is trying to lay the groundwork for a President Trump. Trump Plays the Role of President in Louisiana : GOP nominee tours disaster area while Obama, Clinton won't be parted from politics and rest Ransom After All? $400m to Iran was Contingent on Americans Release By RT August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - " RT " - A shipment of $400 million in cash to Iran in January was contingent on the release of four imprisoned Americans, the US State Department said Thursday, addressing accusations that it was a ransom payment. Wooden pallets stacked with $400 million worth of euros and Swiss francs were flown into Iran on January 17, the same day the US exchanged seven Iranian prisoners for four Americans, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month. State Department spokesman John Kirby said that the US took advantage of the July 2015 nuclear deal to bundle the talks about releasing the prisoners with the settlement over the frozen Iranian funds. I dont think that anybody in the administration is going to make any apology for taking advantage of these opportunities, he told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday. The cash delivery was contingent on Irans willingness to release the Americans, Kirby said. To retain maximum leverage over Iran, the US withheld the payment until the Americans had left Tehran. BREAKING: State Dept. says $400 million cash payment to Iran was contingent on American prisoners' release. The Associated Press (@AP) August 18, 2016 Two weeks ago, however, Kirby was saying that the cash transfer was entirely separate from the prisoner swap. "As weve made clear, the negotiations over the settlement of an outstanding claim were completely separate from the discussions about returning our American citizens home, he was quoted as saying by the Journal. The cash delivery was the first installment of the $1.7 billion the US was obligated to pay Iran under an international settlement. That is the sum, with interest, held frozen by Washington since 1979, when the pro-US government of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was overthrown in the Islamic revolution. The funds had been deposited in the US to pay for a shipment of American fighter jets, which never went through. None of the funds were in US dollars, as such transactions are still illegal under US law. Instead, the euros and francs were procured from the Dutch and Swiss central banks, the Wall Street Journal reported. Approaching Dangerous Seas It's not just the chilling rhetoric. In the past five months, warships from both sides have done everything but ram one another. By Conn Hallinan August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - " FPIF " - A combination of recent events, underpinned by long-running historical strains reaching back more than 60 years, has turned the western Pacific into one of the most hazardous spots on the globe. The tension between China and the United States is one of the most striking and dangerous themes in international politics, says The Financial Times longtime commentator and China hand, Gideon Rachman. In just the past five months, warships from both countriesincluding Washingtons closest ally in the region, Japanhave done everything but ram one another. And, as Beijing continues to build bases on scattered islands in the South China Sea, the United States is deploying long-range nuclear capable strategic bombers in Australia and Guam. At times the rhetoric from both sides is chilling. When Washington sent two aircraft carrier battle groups into the area, Chinese defense ministry spokesman Yang Yujun cautioned the Americans to be careful. While one U.S. admiral suggested drawing the line at the Spratly Islands close to the Philippines, an editorial in the Chinese Communist Partys Global Times warned that U.S. actions raised the risk of physical confrontation with China. The newspaper went on to warn that if the United States bottom line is that China has to halt its activities, then a U.S.-China war is inevitable in the South China Sea. Earlier this month Chinas Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said Beijing should prepare for a peoples war at sea. Add to this the appointment of an extreme right-wing nationalist as Japans defense minister and the decision to deploy anti-ballistic missile interceptors in South Korea and the term volatile region is a major understatement. A History of Conflict Some of these tensions go back to the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco that formally ended World War II in Asia. That document, according to Canadian researcher Kimie Hara, was drawn up to be deliberately ambiguous about the ownership of a scatter of islands and reefs in the East and South China seas. That ambiguity set up tensions in the region that Washington could then exploit to keep potential rivals off balance. The current standoff between China and Japan over the Senkakus/Diaoyu islandsthe Japanese use the former name, the Chinese the latteris a direct outcome of the treaty. Although Washington has no official position on which country owns the tiny uninhabited archipelago, it is committed to defend Japan in case of any military conflict with China. On Aug. 2 the Japanese Defense Ministry accused China of engaging in dangerous acts that could cause unintended consequences. Tokyos new defense minister, Tomomi Inada, is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni shrine that honors Japans war criminals, and she is a critic of the post-war Tokyo war crimes trials. She has also called for re-examining the 1937 Nanjing massacre that saw Japanese troops murder as many as 300,000 Chinese. Her appointment by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seems almost calculated to anger Beijing. Abe is also pushing hard to overturn a part of the Japanese constitution that bars Tokyo from using its military forces for anything but defending itself. Japan has one of the largest and most sophisticated navies in the world. Over the past several weeks, Chinese Coast Guard vessels and fishing boats have challenged Japans territorial claims on the islands, and Chinese and Japanese warplanes have been playing chicken. In one particularly worrisome incident, a Japanese fighter locked its combat radar on a Chinese fighter-bomber. Behind the bellicose behavior on the China and U.S. sides is underlying insecurity, a dangerous condition when two nuclear-armed powers are at loggerheads. Containment Updated From Beijings perspective, Washington is trying to contain China by ringing it with American allies, much as the United States did to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Given recent moves in the region, it is hard to argue with Beijings conclusion. After a 20-year absence, the U.S. military is back in the Philippines. Washington is deploying anti-missile systems in South Korea and Japan and deepening its military relations with Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. The Obama administrations Asia pivot has attempted to shift the bulk of U.S. armed forces from the Atlantic and the Middle East to Asia. Washingtons Air Sea Battle strategyjust renamed Joint Concept for Access and Maneuver in the Global Commonsenvisions neutralizing Chinas ability to defend its home waters. China is in the process of modernizing much of its military, in large part because Beijing was spooked by two American operations. First, the Chinese were stunned by how quickly the U.S. military annihilated the Iraqi army in the first Gulf War, with virtually no casualties on the American side. Then there was having to back down in 1996, when the Clinton administration deployed two aircraft carrier battle groups in the Taiwan Straits during a period of sharp tension between Beijing and Taipei. In spite of all its upgrades, however, Chinas military is a long way from challenging the United States. The Chinese navy has one small aircraft carrier, the United States has 10 enormous ones, plus a nuclear arsenal vastly bigger than Beijings modest force. Chinas last war was its disastrous 1979 invasion of Vietnam, and the general U.S. view of the Chinese military is that it is a paper dragon. That thinking is paralleled in Japan, which is worrisome. Japans aggressive nationalist government is more likely to initiate something with China than is the United States. For instance, Japan started the crisis over the Senkaku/Diaoyus. First, Tokyo violated an agreement with Beijing by arresting some Chinese fishermen and then unilaterally annexed the islands. The Japanese military has always had an over-inflated opinion of itself and traditionally underestimated Chinese capabilities. In short, the United States and Japan are not intimidated by Chinas New Model Army, nor do they see it as a serious threat. That is dangerous thinking if it leads to the conclusion that China will always back down when a confrontation turns ugly. Belligerence and illusion are perilous companions in the current tense atmosphere. Rising Risk of Nuclear War The scheduled deployment of the U.S. Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile systems has convinced Beijing that the United States is attempting to neutralize Chinas nuclear missile force, not an irrational conclusion. Although anti-missile systems are billed as defensive, they can just as easily be considered part of the basic U.S. counterforce strategy. The latter calls for a first strike on an opponents missiles, backstopped by an anti-ballistic missile system that would destroy any enemy missiles the first strike missed. China is pledged not to use nuclear weapons first. But given the growing ring of U.S. bases and deployment of anti-missile systems, that may change. It is considering moving to a launch-on-warning strategy, which would greatly increase the possibility of an accidental nuclear war. The AirSea Battle strategy calls for conventional missile strikes aimed at knocking out command centers and radar facilities deep in Chinese territory. But given the U.S. counterforce strategy, Chinese commanders might assume that those conventional missiles are nuclear-tipped and aimed at decapitating Chinas nuclear deterrent. According to Amitai Etzioni of Washington University, a former senior advisor to President Jimmy Carter, China is likely to respond to what is effectively a major attack on its mainland with all the military means at its disposalincluding its stockpile of nuclear arms. A report by the Union of Concerned Scientists concluded that if China moves to launch on warning, such a change would dramatically increase the risk of a nuclear exchange by accidenta dangerous shift that the U.S. could help to avert. President Obama is said to be considering adopting a no-first-use pledge, but he has come up against stiff opposition from his military and the Republicans. I would be concerned about such a policy, says U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. Having a certain degree of ambiguity is not necessarily a bad thing. But given the possibility of accidentsor panic by military commandersambiguity increases the risk that someone could misinterpret an action. Once a nuclear exchange begins it may be impossible to stop, particularly since the U.S. counterforce strategy targets an opponents missiles. Use them, or lose them is an old saying among nuclear warriors. In any case, the standard response to an anti-missile system is to build more launchers and warheads, something the world does not need more of. China Alienates the Region Although China has legitimate security concerns, the way it has pursued them has won it few friends in the region. Beijing has bullied Vietnam in the Paracel islands, pushed the Philippines around in the Spratly islands, and pretty much alienated everyone in the region except its close allies in North Korea, Laos, and Cambodia. Chinas claimsits so-called nine dash linecovers most the South China Sea, an area through which some $5 trillion in trade passes each year. It is also an area rich in minerals and fishing resources. Chinas ham-fisted approach has given the United States an opportunity to inject itself into the dispute as a defender of small countries with their own claims on reefs, islands, and shoals. The United States has stepped up air and sea patrols in the region, which at times has seen Chinese and American and Japanese warships bow to bow and their warplanes wing tip to wing tip. The recent decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague that China has no exclusive claim on the South China Sea has temporarily increased tensions, although it has the potential to resolve some of the ongoing disputes without continuing the current saber rattling. China is a signatory to the 1982 Law of the Sea Treaty, as are other countries bordering the South China Sea (the U.S. Senate refuses to ratify the treaty). China has never tried to interfere with the huge volume of commerce that traverses the region, trade that, in any case, greatly benefits the Chinese. Beijings major concern is defending its long coastline. If the countries in the region would rely on the Law of the Sea to resolve disputes, it would probably work out well for everyone concerned. The Chinese would have to back off from their nine-dash-line claims in the South China Sea, but they would likely end up in control of the Senkakus/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea. But to cool the current tensions Washington would also have to ratchet down its military buildup in Asia. That will be difficult for the Americans to accept. Since the end of World War II, the U.S. has been the big dog on the block in the western Pacific, but that is coming to an end. According to the International Monetary Fund, China surpassed the U.S. economy in 2014 to become the worlds largest. Of the four largest economies on the globe, three are in Asia: China, Japan, and India. Simple demographics are shifting the balance of economic and political power from Europe and the United States to Asia. By 2015, more than 66 percent of the worlds population will reside in Asia. In contrast, the United States makes up 5 percent and the European Union 7 percent. By 2050, the worlds pin code will be 1125: one billion people in Europe, one billion in the Americas, two billion in Africa, and five billion in Asia. Even the CIA predicts, The era of American ascendancy in international politics that began in 1945is fast winding down. The U.S. can resist that inevitability, but only by relying on its overwhelming military power and constructing an alliance system reminiscent of the Cold War. That should give pause to all concerned. The world was fortunate to emerge from that dark period without a nuclear war, but relying on luck is a dangerous strategy. Liberal Hate for Stein and Baraka So-called liberals and progressives have caught the Mad Democratic Cow Disease, frothing at the mouth at those who would resist the coronation of the corporate warmonger, Hillary Clinton. They flail with McCarthyite fury at both Donald Trump and the Green Party presidential ticket of Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka. Liberals are now quite deranged and applaud a woman who will crush their feeble agenda as soon as she says the oath of office. By Margaret Kimberley There is no longer any pretense of claiming a desire for systemic change or even calling themselves progressives. Liberals have joined Hillary Clintons big nasty tent in a very big way. They have moved far beyond the usual rationales for sticking with the Democrats and are now carrying on a full-fledged hate fest. Their targets are Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein and her running mate Ajamu Baraka, who is also a Black Agenda Report editor and columnist. The screeds have become more and more extreme and defy the run of the mill rationales that progressives use to justify remaining within Democratic Party lines. Holding ones nose and voting for the lesser evil democrat is passe. So is fear of Republican judicial appointments. Concern for abortion rights doesnt cut it anymore. Liberals are no longer going through the motions of criticizing the Democrat. Instead they openly show love for Hillary Clinton and disdainfully pile on Stein and Baraka with fury. The blog Wonkette called Jill Stein cunty and a mendacious nihilist piece of shit. The site Very Smart Brothas declared that a vote for Stein was akin to putting it in the trash. They also threw in a dig at Cornel West because he dared to criticize Barack Obama. The Huffington Post chose to deride Green Party convention delegates because they ate at McDonalds. Gawker tried to link Ajamu Baraka to holocaust denial. His unassailable human rights credentials didnt mean much when the media decided to go into attack mode. Liberals have sided with the ruling classes and resist anyone pointing out the truth. The list is long and will get longer between now and Election Day. The degree of antipathy is actually quite useful. It tells us why the Green Party is so important and why liberals are such a dangerous enemy. They are wolves in sheeps clothing. They spend years wringing their hands because Republicans control state legislatures but when the recently released DNC emails show that the party starves local races of money they say nothing. When they spoke up at all they made a big deal about a spurious Russian hacker connection to Donald Trump. There is no longer any pretense of claiming a desire for systemic change or even calling themselves progressives. They are with her -- as the slogan goes -- and her illegal activities and record of mass killing dont dissuade them from supporting her. Liberals dont want the Democrats to change. They cling to a bizarre hope for reform, nibbling around the edges while keeping the criminals in charge. They prefer to look down their noses at Trump supporters or consider themselves the cool kids in the high school clique. When they have an opportunity to make history and begin the process of dismantling the hold of the Democratic Party they instead become quite vicious on their behalf. They cheerlead for Hillary Clinton just as they did for Barack Obama and will say nothing against her once she is in office. Donald Trump is the perfect foil for their con game. His open appeals to racism and unpredictable statements and behavior give them an excuse to do nothing except make excuses for the very crooked Mrs. Clinton. They dont even feign concern when Republicans who contributed to Chris Christie and John Kasich start doling out dollars to Hillary. They long ago gave up on fighting for peace and just as the name Trump is a one-word attack ad, questions about foreign policy turn into harangues directed against Vladimir Putin. Liberals have sided with the ruling classes and resist anyone pointing out the truth. While they falsely accuse Jill Stein of being anti-vaccine, even after she clearly stated she was pro-vaccine, American police departments keep up their body count. The United States risks war with China and Russia and unemployment is still high. But they say nothing about any of those issues. They cheerlead for Hillary Clinton just as they did for Barack Obama and will say nothing against her once she is in office. The election of 2016 will be a notable one in history but for all the wrong reasons. Millions of people voted for the not-so-left wing Bernie Sanders who wasnt serious about denying Clinton the nomination. Yet it must be said that they wanted change within the Democrat Party. He left his followers high and dry and made the case for the people who feared and scorned his half-hearted campaign. Progressives and big money Republicans are now on the same page and that is why Stein and Baraka face so much scrutiny and so many big lies. While Democrats were confused about what made a candidate a progressive, the Republicans were following a new leader. Donald Trump was a political novice who used free media attention and blatant appeals to white nationalism to win the nomination. But Trump makes statements which dont sit well with the Republican establishment. He went on record saying that the trade deals beloved by the duopoly are harming American workers. He asked reasonable questions about United States/Russian relations. He was then used to invent numerous lies about the Russian president, who was already demonized by the media and the ruling classes. Liberals are now quite deranged and applaud a woman who will crush their feeble agenda as soon as she says the oath of office. Progressives and big money Republicans are now on the same page and that is why Stein and Baraka face so much scrutiny and so many big lies. The Green Partys existence is proof that the Democratic Party emperor has no clothes. The logical progression of success for the Greens is the end of the party which claims to be more inclusive and the champion of working people and human rights. It does none of those things while the party which actually articulates these policies has been designated an enemy. In this case the enemies of the enemy are most definitely our friends. Far from being wasted votes, support for the Green Party ticket can be the beginning of the end for the Democratic Party. There is no downside to that. The 2016 election is an opportunity to send scoundrels to the proverbial dustbin of history. Margaret Kimberley's Freedom Rider column appears weekly in BAR, and is widely reprinted elsewhere. She maintains a frequently updated blog as well as at http://freedomrider.blogspot.com. Ms. Kimberley lives in New York City, and can be reached via e-Mail at Margaret.Kimberley(at)BlackAgendaReport.com. August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - " Reuters " - The United States Armys finances are so jumbled it had to make trillions of dollars of improper accounting adjustments to create an illusion that its books are balanced. The Defense Departments Inspector General, in a June report, said the Army made $2.8 trillion in wrongful adjustments to accounting entries in one quarter alone in 2015, and $6.5 trillion for the year. Yet the Army lacked receipts and invoices to support those numbers or simply made them up. As a result, the Armys financial statements for 2015 were materially misstated, the report concluded. The forced adjustments rendered the statements useless because DoD and Army managers could not rely on the data in their accounting systems when making management and resource decisions. Disclosure of the Armys manipulation of numbers is the latest example of the severe accounting problems plaguing the Defense Department for decades. The report affirms a 2013 Reuters series revealing how the Defense Department falsified accounting on a large scale as it scrambled to close its books. As a result, there has been no way to know how the Defense Department far and away the biggest chunk of Congress annual budget spends the publics money. The new report focused on the Armys General Fund, the bigger of its two main accounts, with assets of $282.6 billion in 2015. The Army lost or didnt keep required data, and much of the data it had was inaccurate, the IG said. Where is the money going? Nobody knows, said Franklin Spinney, a retired military analyst for the Pentagon and critic of Defense Department planning. The significance of the accounting problem goes beyond mere concern for balancing books, Spinney said. Both presidential candidates have called for increasing defense spending amid current global tension. An accurate accounting could reveal deeper problems in how the Defense Department spends its money. Its 2016 budget is $573 billion, more than half of the annual budget appropriated by Congress. The Army accounts errors will likely carry consequences for the entire Defense Department. Congress set a September 30, 2017 deadline for the department to be prepared to undergo an audit. The Army accounting problems raise doubts about whether it can meet the deadline a black mark for Defense, as every other federal agency undergoes an audit annually. For years, the Inspector General the Defense Departments official auditor has inserted a disclaimer on all military annual reports. The accounting is so unreliable that the basic financial statements may have undetected misstatements that are both material and pervasive. In an e-mailed statement, a spokesman said the Army remains committed to asserting audit readiness by the deadline and is taking steps to root out the problems. The spokesman downplayed the significance of the improper changes, which he said net out to $62.4 billion. Though there is a high number of adjustments, we believe the financial statement information is more accurate than implied in this report, he said. "THE GRAND PLUG" Jack Armstrong, a former Defense Inspector General official in charge of auditing the Army General Fund, said the same type of unjustified changes to Army financial statements already were being made when he retired in 2010. The Army issues two types of reports a budget report and a financial one. The budget one was completed first. Armstrong said he believes fudged numbers were inserted into the financial report to make the numbers match. They dont know what the heck the balances should be, Armstrong said. Some employees of the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS), which handles a wide range of Defense Department accounting services, referred sardonically to preparation of the Armys year-end statements as the grand plug, Armstrong said. Plug is accounting jargon for inserting made-up numbers. At first glance adjustments totaling trillions may seem impossible. The amounts dwarf the Defense Departments entire budget. Making changes to one account also require making changes to multiple levels of sub-accounts, however. That created a domino effect where, essentially, falsifications kept falling down the line. In many instances this daisy-chain was repeated multiple times for the same accounting item. The IG report also blamed DFAS, saying it too made unjustified changes to numbers. For example, two DFAS computer systems showed different values of supplies for missiles and ammunition, the report noted but rather than solving the disparity, DFAS personnel inserted a false correction to make the numbers match. DFAS also could not make accurate year-end Army financial statements because more than 16,000 financial data files had vanished from its computer system. Faulty computer programming and employees inability to detect the flaw were at fault, the IG said. DFAS is studying the report and has no comment at this time, a spokesman said. Turkey and Iran Reach Agreement on Conditions for Syria Peace By Gareth Porter August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - In a stunning diplomatic surprise, Turkey and Iran have announced a preliminary agreement on fundamental principles for a settlement of the Syrian conflict. The dramatic turn in the diplomacy of the Syria War was revealed in Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirims regular weekly speech to the ruling AKP Party in the parliament and confirmed by a senior Iranian foreign ministry official Tuesday. Both Yildirims speech and the Iranian corroboration were reported Tuesday by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed and Al-Hayat, Arabic-language newspapers published in London, but the potentially pivotal development has been unreported thus far in Western news media. The common approach to a Syria settlement outlined by Turkey and Iran represent what appears to be the first significant diplomatic break in a five-year international conflict on Syria that has been immune from any real peace negotiations up to now. International conferences on Syria under UN auspices have generated no real moves toward compromise. The new negotiations between Iran and Turkey are the result of a major policy shift by the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan toward diplomatic cooperation with Russia and Iran on Syria and away from alignment with the United States and its Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Turkey has been coordinating military assistance to the armed opposition to the Assad government including jihadists and other hardline extremists with Saudi Arabia and Qatar since early in the war. However, Erdogan began searching in May for an alternative policy more in line with Turkeys primary strategic interest in Syria: containing the threat of Kurdish demands for a separate state. The announced agreement on broad principles for ending the Syrian crisis is only the beginning of a process of negotiations on the details of a settlement, as Irans Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari made clear. This agreement on the general lines will contribute to creating an environment suitable to solving the Syrian crisis, Ansari said, according to Al Hayat. It is also possible that Turkey may be planning to use the threat of allying with Russia and Iran on Syria to force the United States to reduce its own reliance on Kurdish forces in Northern Syria the main issue dividing US and Turkish policies toward the conflict. But Yildirim had already hinted last month before the failed military coup in Turkey and the launching of a new offensive by al-Qaedas al-Nusra Front around and in Aleppo at Turkeys intention to revise its policy toward Syria in order to prevent Kurdish forces in Syria from establishing their own mini-state. Yildirim said in his speech Tuesday that the solution to the Syrian crisis would require two basic conditions: first to preserve the territorial unity of Syria and second, establishing a system of government in which all ethnicities and religions are represented. In the context of the territorial unity issue, Yildirim raised the specter of an international drift toward the partitioning of Syria. Someone would come and say, I will give the West of Syria to one, he said, and the south to another and the north to the Kurds. This is not possible, said Yildirim, meaning that Turkey would not stand for it. The Turkish prime ministers reference to the threat of partition in general and Kurdish inheritance of much of northern Syria in particular was clearly aimed at the Obama administrations de facto military alliance with the YPG militia units of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the war against Daesh. That policy has encouraged the Kurds to continue to extend their territorial control westward along the Turkish border. Turkey is especially upset that the YPG units have already moved west of the Euphrates River, which was Turkeys publicly announced red line, and dont intend to stop. Turkey has been demanding that the United States keep its promise that the Kurds will retreat to east of the Euphrates, but the YPG has said it intends to link Manbij the city west of the Euphrates that it has just helped recover from Daesh with Afrin and then gain control of al-Bab city on the border, thus uniting two previously separate Kurdish zones of control. Turkey fears that a consolidation of Kurdish power over such a large territory on the Turkish border will embolden the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey to demand its own state. A Kurdish state in the Middle East, Yildirim declared, will not bring a solution. On the second condition for a settlement, Yildirim said there is a possibility to establish a Syrian administration in which all of Syrias religious communities and ethnicities can be represented. After that was accomplished, he said, there will be no obstacle to reaching a solution. Al-Hayat quoted Ansari as saying that a third principle discussed but not agreed on was that the Syrian people will decide their own fate. That was apparently a coded reference to the fate of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Turkey has publicly insisted in the past that Assad must step down before a settlement can be reached. Yildirims language on the second principle and Ansaris further clarification suggest that Turkey is dangling before Iran and Russia the possibility that Assad could remain in the government if Turkey is satisfied with a set of reforms to assure that all ethnic and religious communities in Syria have adequate political representation. Despite speculation by pundits that Iran would not mind having Syria carved up into a set of enclaves under foreign protection, Tehran has responded with unconditional endorsement of the Turkish demand. The principles that have been announced indicate that Turkey will insist on Russia and Iran using their weight in Syria to pressure the Kurds to retreat from their territorial gains in the northwest. Turkey, in return, would have to halt all support for the armed opposition, starting with its favorite Syrian military client Ahrar al Sham and that groups close political-military ally, the newly renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham the al-Qaeda affiliate formerly called Jabhat al-Nusra. Russia was instrumental in initiating the new diplomatic approach with Turkey. On August 8, just before Erdogan met with President Putin in St. Petersburg, Mikhail Bogdanov, Russias deputy foreign minister for Middle East and Africa, met with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz for four hours, Irans Ansari told Al-Hayat. After that summit, Bogdanov briefed Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the Russian-Turkish discussions related to Syria. That led to Zarifs crucial visit to Ankara last Friday including a meeting with Erdogan which Ansari said was necessary to the formulation of the framework that was agreed to by Turkey. The two countries will try to keep the diplomatic momentum toward an agreement this coming week, when Turkeys Yildiz will travel to Tehran for more negotiations on the framework, according to Al-Hayat. Although it is still partial and tentative, the framework appears to offer far more hope for peace than any cooperation between Russia and an Obama administration without any consistent strategy. Gareth Porter, an investigative historian and journalist specializing in US national security policy, received the UK-based Gellhorn Prize for journalism for 2011 for articles on the U.S. war in Afghanistan. His new book is Manufactured Crisis: the Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare. He can be contacted at porter.gareth50@gmail.com Team Hillary to End Evil Worldwide By Philip Giraldi August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - " Unz " - I had the misfortune of watching a recent episode of Real Time with Bill Maher. For those who are not familiar with the show, it is an HBO weekly one hour long feeding frenzy consisting of a series of rapid fire overwhelmingly progressive half-truths cheered relentlessly by a select audience that is constantly engaged in hooting and jeering while giving the pollice verso to any designated victim who finds himself targeted by a smug Maher. The episode I saw was filmed on July 29th, shortly after the conclusion of the Democratic convention. Guests included Matt Welch of Reason magazine, Alex Wagner of The Atlantic, Professor Cornel West and former Congressman from Massachusetts gay activist Barney Frank. The episode can be seen on HBO on demand for those who have that service and bits of it are also available on YouTube. Openly expressed hatred of Donald Trump by a mainstream media that has de facto become part of the Hillary Clinton campaign is one of the more interesting aspects of the current electoral cycle. One might therefore have expected that the Real Time ridiculing of Trump would be a constant, driven mostly by Maher himself but also picked up on with some alacrity by the others. Even though I knew in advance that the show would be blood sport targeting Trump, I had tuned into the program because I have a great deal of respect for Cornel West who, to me, maintains some of the best traditions of the old and now nearly dead type of liberalism that was such a powerful force in America in the 1950s and 1960s. West is genuinely anti-war and pro-people and not afraid to stick by his guns when confronted by the powerful, metaphorically speaking. He recently went to bat for the Palestinians while serving on the Democratic platform committee and on the Maher program dared to mention the repression taking place on the West Bank, which produced a stone faced response from the progressive-except-for-Israel Maher. To his credit West, when asked his opinion of Hillary Clinton, opined that she had vast experience in government but is completely lacking in integrity, an assessment that was poorly received by Maher, who had spent the early part of the show eulogizing the Democratic candidate. So to hear what else West had to say I put up with Franks blathering and Mahers invective as well as the occasional interjections by Welch and Wagner, who played secondary roles in the proceedings. Inured to hearing a load of old codswallop I was nevertheless really blown away by Barney and Mahers launch into an explanation of something that had occurred at the Democratic National Convention. For those who have not seen it, the July 28th prime time speech by Hillary national security adviser General John Allen is positively Strangelovean, pledging to rid the world of evil and declaring that America is great because America is good. Reportedly intended to bolster the Dems national security credentials and possibly to welcome into the fold disenchanted neocons, it is as red blooded, American-exceptionalism-laden a presentation as anyone is likely to witness anywhere, replete with a backdrop consisting of a stage full of American flags. It is available online and is highly recommended to anyone who doubts that Hillary and her entourage are as nutty as fruitcakes in their own way, more than eager to assume the mantle of American global military dominance without any hesitation or reservations. When Welch and Wagner expressed surprise at the Democrats embracing such a chauvinistic display, Frank explained emphatically though somewhat oddly that the speech by Allen and the rhythmic chanting of U-S-A U-S-A by the audience that accompanied it were all due to Donald Trump, who has embraced that vicious thug and one of the worst men in the world Vladimir Putin. The highly charged nationalistic Democratic crowd reaction was per Franks both a warning about Trump and a direct challenge to Putin to keep his hands off those wonderful little democracies springing up everywhere in Eastern Europe. Trumps encouragement of Putin, per Franks, has made the United States complicit in Putins brutality and the Democrats were responding to that challenge. When Cornel West attempted to object to the militarism implicit in the Allen speech and interject the failed project represented by Libya into the discussion Maher and Frank made sure that everyone understood that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was also a horrible dictator and thug who fully deserved to be overthrown and subsequently killed by having a bayonet inserted in his anus. If Hillary Clinton had been present she might have added with a laugh, We came, we saw, he died. So this is what passes for progressive thought on war and peace as seen by the Democratic Party of Hillary Clinton, Barney Frank and Bill Maher. I would prefer to describe it as Democratic Party Derangement Syndrome. And, of course, there is a back story to it all that Maher chose to avoid. The chanting of U-S-A was apparently organized by Hillarys team on the Democratic National Committee, which clearly connived at rigging the nomination process in favor of Clinton before focusing on marginalizing and silencing Bernie Sanders supporters at the convention. That the Bernies would stage a significant and disruptive demonstration on the convention floor was particularly feared. There were white noise speakers placed inside the hall to make incomprehensible unauthorized chanting while Bernie supporters had their signs taken away from them before entering the venue. It has also been reported that many Bernie delegates coming back to the convention hall on the second day found that their seats had disappeared, being replaced by blocked off reserved seating where no one was actually allowed to sit. When Allen got well into his speech and his message became clear, Bernie supporters began to chant No More War. The technicians running the light and sound for the event immediately followed their instructions and killed the lights and microphones in the area where the chanting was coming from so that the media present around the floor would be unable to film the disruption. Meanwhile Clintons team converged and surrounded the Bernie supporters, holding up previously distributed USA signs to block the protesters from camera view while themselves chanting U-S-A to drown the dissidents out. By some accounts, Hillarys people in the hall were supplemented by an organized group of counter-demonstrators who were in this case responding to instructions on what to do if anyone attempted to disrupt the proceedings. If all of that is true it was a shameful episode, reminiscent of what was done to Ron Paul at the 2012 Republican Convention in Tampa. And there is also a bit of a back story on retired Marine Corps General John Allen. Allen, one recalls, became mired in the same security investigation regarding the mishandling of classified information that brought down philandering CIA Director and former General David Petraeus. And, ironically, Allens own path to an early retirement was the result of an email problem, curiously reminiscent of the issues that have plagued the woman he has so enthusiastically endorsed for President of the United States of America. Allen reportedly became heavily involved with someone elses wife, in this case Tampa socialite Jill Kelley. Kelley, an honorary ambassador to U.S. Central Command, hosted numerous parties at her waterside mansion for the CENTCOM and U.S. Special Operations Command senior officers, including both Allen and Petraeus. While subsequently serving in Afghanistan as commander in chief, Allens many hundreds of inappropriate emails to Kelley cost him both his job and his expected nomination to become the commander of U.S. military forces in Europe (EUCOM). The investigation of Allens email contact with Kelley did not result in any formal charges by the military but he was forced to resign his commission in February 2013. Obama subsequently rewarded the feckless Allen with an appointment as Special President Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant in 2014, a position he held until October 2015. He was largely unsuccessful in that role, witnessing on his watch the conquest of much of Syria and Iraq by ISIS. He now has a sinecure position at the Brookings Institution in its Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence, and apparently came to Hillarys attention when he rounded up a group of military retreads who were willing to support her for president. Bill Mahers Real Time is certainly real, but it is symptomatic of everything that is wrong with the American media. It has plenty of one-liner joking, laughter and mugging for the camera but is astonishingly light on content and heavy on pretense. In the episode I watched, it largely consisted of saying Donald Trump followed by either a laugh line or an expression of disgust. Serious discussion regarding what Trump is saying about out of control immigration, endless wars in the Middle East and why a reset of relations with Russia is imperative appear to be of no interest. Revealed: The Secret Donor Behind Children of Israel, Ghost Corporation Funding GOP Super PACs By Jon Schwarz August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - " The Intercept " - The 2016 elections have seen a surge in contributions from ghost corporations, so-called because they are not functioning businesses or non-profits, and hence seem to exist solely to shield their owners identities. Ghost corporations are a particularly dangerous and alarming new twist in campaign financing in the wake of the Supreme Courts 2010 Citizens United decision. They make a mockery of one of the central claims of that decision: that prompt disclosure and transparency would allow U.S. democracy to survive the unlimited flood of money into elections from individuals, corporations and unions. So exposing the real donors hiding behind ghost corporations is essential. And The Intercept has now determined the identity of the donor behind this cycles second-most generous ghost corporation, Children of Israel LLC. He is Saul Fox, a California private equity CEO. Children of Israel LLC contributed $150,000 in 2015 to Pursuing Americas Greatness, a Super PAC supporting Mike Huckabees presidential run; $400,000 in 2016 to Stand for Truth, a Super PAC supporting Ted Cruz; and $334,000 to the Republican National Committee. Foxs motive in masking his identity is unknown. He did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Foxs funding of Children of Israel LLC can be pieced together via a close examination of corporate and FEC filings, specifically a twice-amended Republican National Committee year-end filing for 2015. According to the Republican National Committees initial Jan. 31, 2016, filing with the FEC, Saul Fox personally gave the RNC the annual legal maximum of $334,000 on Dec. 10, 2015. (Congress recently crafted new rules that allow individuals to give $33,400 to national parties general accounts, and then $100,200 each to accounts for their headquarters, conventions and legal funds. There are therefore technically four separate donations.) In that original filing, Foxs address is listed as being on a street in Cupertino in Silicon Valley. This address is the same as the home address of Shaofen Gao a realtor in Silicon Valley who, in filings with the state of California, is listed as the registered agent for Children of Israel LLC. The RNC then amended that filing twice, most recently in May. The May filing has new information: it says for the first time that when the RNC received $334,000 on Dec. 10, 2015, the money came from Children of Israel. And the amended filing lists Fox, immediately after the Children of Israel entries with the same transaction ID as the Children of Israel donations, with an M added at the end. The M stands for memo, and signifies that the entry is not a separate donation but exists to provide additional information about the Children of Israel contribution. In this case, the entrys additional information is that the contribution from Children of Israel is attributable in full to Saul Fox. If limited liability companies like Children of Israel make political donations, and the LLC is treated as a partnership for tax purposes, federal regulations require the LLC to inform the recipients who the actual humans behind the company are. Then the recipients of the donations must disclose this in their filings with the Federal Election Commission. By May of this year, Fox and the RNC were doing that. But Children of Israel either failed to do so with its contributions to Pursuing Americans Greatness and Stand for Truth, or the two Super PACs simply chose to ignore it. According to Brendan Fisher, associate counsel of the political money watchdog group Campaign Legal Center, Fox and/or Children of Israel therefore violated prohibitions on straw donor contributions made in someone elses name. (The CLC filed a complaint with the FEC against Children of Israel in March before Foxs identity became known.) Pursuing Americas Greatness did not respond to questions. Stand for Truths treasurer stated that the Super PAC is confident that its filings are accurate and comply with FEC regulations, but would not say anything further because of the complaint pending before the FEC. The RNCs amended, legally compliant filing came after the Campaign Legal Center filed its Children of Israel complaint. After a similar Campaign Legal Center complaint in 2011 about several corporate donations to Restore Our Future, the main Super PAC supporting Mitt Romney, a former Bain Capital official revealed that he had funded one of them. The RNC did not respond to requests for comment. This is not the first time Fox has been connected to donations whose true sources were obscured. During the 2012 campaign, a company called Mercury Trust gave $1 million to American Crossroads, a Super PAC co-founded by Karl Rove, and made a donation of $425,000 to Restore Our Future. Mercury Trust was later discovered to be affiliated with Fox Paine. Fox is also a prolific, longtime GOP donor under his own name. He most recently gave $100,000 to Team Ryan, a joint fundraising committee set up by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and $25,000 to Donald Trumps joint fundraising committee. In addition to his Children of Israel contributions to their Super PACs, Fox personally gave $2,700 to Huckabees presidential campaign and $5,400 to Cruzs. Fox also gave $5,400 to Marco Rubios campaign, as well as surprisingly $5,400 to campaign-finance reformer Lawrence Lessigs abortive presidential run. The FEC took over four years to vote on whether to open an investigation into the similar Restore Our Future donations during the 2012 election cycle, and then deadlocked without taking any action. So imminent action at this point seems unlikely. The donor or donors behind Freedom Frontier, the most generous ghost corporation, remain unknown. Freedom Frontier is a Dallas 501(c)(4) nonprofit a type of organization that can engage in political activity as long as that is not its primary focus. Freedom Frontier does not appear to have ever done anything except give $2,575,000 to various conservative Super PACs this election cycle. What Became of the Left? By Paul Craig Roberts August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - Acquaintances of my generation are puzzled by the disappearance of the American left. They remember when there was far less war, far less monopoly capitalist theft, a less rich and powerful elite, less police violence against civilians, less militarization, less privatization and deregulation, fewer attacks on the social safety net, less propaganda from the media, and yet, despite the milder state of affairs, the leftwing was present raising hell about it all. For fifteen years, and more if we go back to the Clinton regimes destruction of Yugoslavia, the US has been engaged in wars on populations in seveneight counting Yugoslavia/Serbiacountries, causing millions of deaths, disabled, and dislocated peoples. A police state has been created, the US Constitution stripped of its protective features, and massive crimes committed under both US and international law by three administrations. These crimes include torture, transparant false flag events, naked aggression (a war crime), spying without warrants, and murder of US citizens. Yet, the leftwings voice is barely heard. Clearly, my acquaintances are beginning to miss the challenge to explanations and the countrys direction that the left formerly provided. I know how they feel. We used to be pushed along by biases and stereotypical thinking, and the left was there to rattle our cage. Now we are pushed along by propaganda and there is no countervailing force except a few Internet voices. I remember telling the audience in the Q&A session after my Frank M. Engle Lecture in 1992 that I never realized how much we would miss US Supreme Court Justices Brennan and Marshall. Today we need a leftwing far more desperately than we did when we had one. Today governments considered democratic have the powers of a dictatorship. In the United States, for example, habeas corpus has been erased from both law and Constitution. Even worse, White House officials can create lists of citizens to be murdered without due process of law. These are the powers of a dictator. Yet, these attributes of dictatorship are now institutionalized and go unremarked. One would think that the dispossessed American workers, whose jobs and financial security have been moved offshore and given to foreigners, would be protesting in the streets like the French do. But not a peep. When presidential candidate Ross Perot warned American workers of what was about to happen to them, they did not have enough confidence to vote for him. Have the dispossessed American workers gained enough senseor is the problem a lack of leadershipto vote for Trump who acknowledges the job loss that is eroding the prospects of the 99 percent? If Trump does not intend to deliver or is incapable of delivering, we are still better off because a failure to deliver raises the awareness of the people. From the standpoint of the left, there is a perfect environment for them in present day America. So where is the left? Here is my answer to the question. The left suffered a tremendous blow when the Soviet Union collapsed. The Soviet collapse deprived the left of its belief that there was an alternative to American democratic capitalism. The Soviet collapse also disheartened the left because the collapse removed any constraint on Washingtons unilateralism. With China shaking off Mao and moving into the capitalist camp, there was no one to pick up the torch. People are puzzled why the left goes along with the governments explanations of what appear to be orchastrated false flag terror events. If people of no political persuasion, such as architects and engineers, physicists, nano-chemists, firemen and first responders, airline and military pilots, challenge on the basis of evidence the official account of 9/11, why does the leftwing defend the account of a government that in other circumstances the left distrusts 120%? The left knows that Tonkin Gulf was an orchestration for war, that Saddam Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction, that Iran had no nukes. The left knows that the government lies through its teeth, so why does the left believe the governments improbable conspiracy theory of 9/11? The answer, I think, is that with the demise of Marxism, the lefts only hope is that the peoples oppressed by the West will rise up. The left finds huge emotional satisfaction in 9/11 as blowback of the oppressed against the oppressor. This is why the left clings to the official story of 9/11. And to the stories of other terrorist events, such as Orlando and Nice despite the lack of any real evidence in behalf of the stories. I can remember when the Amerian left, if told that a large truck travelling at a reported 56 miles per hour had mowed down 185 people and, then, being shown in the immediate aftermath the truck devoid of a spot of blood, clothing, human flesh, or even a small dent, would have shouted down the obviously false account. Ask someone who has hit a dog at 56 mph about the blood and damage to the car. Ask someone who has hit a deer and the car is totalled. Ask experts if a large truck hit a person at 56 mph if the persons body would remain intact and could be viewed lying without any apparant damage or blood in the street. You dont need to ask, do you? You see the point. The force of a large truck moving at 56 mph that hits a human is going to splatter that human all over the street. Yet, the Nice photos show no such event. I can remember when the American left, if told by a Nice police official that the French Minister of the Interior in Paris had ordered Nice authorities not to release and to immediately destroy the entire filming of the alleged terror event from security cameras posted along the entire street where allegedly 185 people were hit by a truck and, additionally, to falsify the police report of the event, the left would have been demanding blood from the authorities, not calling those who do demand explanations conspiracy kooks. Today the American left wants to shut down those who do raise questions about such very strange events in which a few Saudis who could not fly airplanes prevailed over the American National Security State and in which 185 people are allegedly hit by a large truck but the photos show no such results and the Paris officials order the destruction of the recorded evidence and the falsification of the report. The official story of 9/11 is the justification for the wars. It is difficult to oppose wars when you accept the reason for them. By accepting the governments 9/11 conspiracy theory, the leftwing killed the antiwar movement. Why does the left trust the government precisely on those matters that the government uses to justify war and a police state? The answer is that those who challenge the official story deprive the left of the emotional satisfaction that comes from the belief that oppressed peoples are capable of striking back and do strike back. Alexander Cockburn once explained this to me himself. He said that when I report the challenges of experts to the official 9/11 story, I am taking away the dignity of oppressed peoples by assuming that they do not strike back against their oppressors. Alex could not accept the truth, because it meant that the oppressed acquiesced in their oppression. I understand how Alex saw it. I understand the importance to any movement of hope, and I regret that the left has positioned itself such that facts undermine hope, causing the left to come out against facts. I offer the left, or the simulacrum that remains, a different hope: trust the power of truth. Dont defend the oppressor, attack him, and as you attack him your might will grow. People are not forever fools. A time comes when their personal situation contradicts the story fed to them. But if there is no leadership, awareness cannot graduate into revolt. The West needs a strong leftwing movement with the strength to challenge the lies that are leading the world to a war of extinction of life. I would prefer a reformist left to a revolutionary one, but this is not to say that a revolutionary left is not preferable to what exists today, which is revolutionary neoconservatism without opposition from a countervailing force. Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West , How America Was Lost , and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order . Crocodile Tears For Aleppo Poster Child By Paul Craig Roberts August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - Washingtons media presstitutes are using the image of the child to bring pressure on Russia to stop the Syrian army from retaking Alleppo. Washington wants its so-called moderate rebels to retain Alleppo so that Washington can split Syria in two, thereby keeping a permanent pressure against President Assad. Let us not forget the tens of thousands of children that Washingtons wars and bombings of 7 Muslim countries have killed without any tears shed by CNN anchors, and let us not forget the 500,000 Iraqi children that the United Nations concluded died as a result of US sanctions against Iraq, childrens deaths that Clintons Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said were worth it. Let us not forget that Washingtons determination to overthrow the Syrian government has brought many deaths to Syrians of all age groups. Washington alone is responsible for the deaths. The evil Obama regime has stated over and over that Assad must go and is prepared to destroy the country and much of the population in order to get rid of him. According to the Obama regime, Assad must go because he is a dictator. Washington tells this lie despite the fact that Assad was elected and re-elected and has far higher support among Syrians that Obama has among Americans. Moreover, whatever Washington accuses Assad of doing to Syrians is nothing compared to the death and destruction that Washington brought to Syria. Perhaps the tragedy of Aleppo could have been avoided if the Russian government had not prematurely declared mission accomplished in Syria and withdrawn only to have to rush back after the Russian government was again deceived by Washington. Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West , How America Was Lost , and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order . Obama and Clinton Created ISIS Too Bad Trump Cant Explain How It Happened It is an historical fact that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia created the international jihadist network from which al Qaida and ISIS sprang, almost four decades ago. By Glen Ford August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - " BAR " - Donald Trump has backtracked -- sort of -- on his assertion that President Obama and Hillary Clinton are the founders of ISIS, or the most valuable players on the Islamic State team. Obviously, Im being sarcastic, said the self-styled America-Firster quickly adding, but not that sarcastic, to be honest with you. Trump cannot articulate or fully grasp the horrific truth of his original statement because that would require a much more fundamental indictment of U.S. imperial policy in the Muslim world since the last days of 1979, when Zbigniew Brzezinski convinced President Jimmy Carter to set the jihadist dogs loose in Afghanistan. As stated in his memoir From the Shadow, Brzezinski advised Carter to aid the right-wing Muslim resistance to the leftist, secular government in Afghanistan in order to induce a Soviet military intervention and thus embroil the USSR in a Vietnam-like quagmire. Brzezinski viewed the so-called Mujahadeen as potential foot soldiers of U.S. global policy. What is most important to the history of the world? The Taliban or the collapse of the Soviet empire? Some stirred-up Moslems or the liberation of Central Europe and the end of the cold war? Brzezinski asked, rhetorically, decades later. Having acted in accordance with Brzezinskis counsel, President Carter can accurately be described as a founding creator of al Qaida, along with fellow most valuable player Ronald Reagan, whose CIA partnered with Saudi Arabia to spend billions drawing Muslims from around the globe into the war in Afghanistan. Together, the U.S. and the Saudis gave birth to the international Islamic jihadist movement a phenomenon that had not previously existed in world history. The jihadists would become an essential weapon in the U.S. imperial armory, a ghastly tool for regime change in the Muslim world which also doubled as justification for the never ending American quest for planetary dominance, now that the Soviet boogeyman was gone. In 2011, Obama launched the Mother of All Proxy Wars. Brzezinski became Barack Obamas foreign policy guru, with consequences that should have been predictable for U.S. Middle East policy but were largely ignored by liberals and so-called progressives in their euphoria at the exit of George W. Bush. Clearly, the U.S. public would not tolerate another episode of massive, direct U.S. troop involvement in the region; that was no longer an option. But what force, then, was available to execute Washingtons unfinished agenda for conquest in this part of the world? In 2011, Obama launched the Mother of All Proxy Wars, first against Muammar Gaddafis government in Libya, then swiftly mobilizing the totality of the international jihadist network that had been created out of whole cloth under Carter and Reagan nearly 30 years before. Washington and its NATO partners in the Libya aggression, in close concert with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, turned Syria into a cauldron of death, funneling billions of dollars in weapons to literally hundreds of Salafist and outright mercenary militias, with Al Qaidas regional affiliate, al Nusra, at the core. This was Obamas idea of a smart war: a frenzied terror offensive cloaked in lies and deception. The criminal foreign policy pursued by Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is rooted in the same worldview arrogantly articulated by Brzezinski when he derided those who fretted over the blowback that might result from deploying some stirred-up Moslems as foot soldiers of imperialism. As the U.S. and its allies literally competed with each other to flood Syria with the weapons, funds, intelligence resources and diplomatic and media cover to bring down the government in Damascus, they collectively created both the material basis and political space for the jihadists to pursue their own ideological objectives. ISIS emerged, to establish a caliphate of its own in Syria and Iraq. No one should have expected otherwise. This was Obamas idea of a smartwar: a frenzied terror offensive cloaked in lies and deception. Back in July of 2014, we at Black Agenda Report described the rise of ISIS as signaling the final collapse of U.S. imperial strategy in the Muslim world -- certainly, in the Arab regions of Islam. We wrote: Think of it as a Salafist declaration of independence...from the Arab monarchies and western intelligence agencies that have nurtured the international jihadist network for almost two generations. The Caliphate threatens, not only its immediate adversaries in the Shiite-dominated governments of Syria and Iraq, but the potentates of the Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and the Mother of All Monarchist Corruption in the Arab Sunni heartland, the Saudi royal family. The threat is not inferential, but literal, against all emirates, groups, states and organizations that do not recognize that ISIS in its new incarnation is the embodiment of Islam at war. ISIS did not exist when President Obama took office and put Hillary Clinton in charge at Foggy Bottom. His (and her) regime change in Libya and massive, terroristic pivot to Syria created ISIS. And, lets get the history right, on this score: the U.S. did not reject the jihadist death cult that became ISIS; rather, the Islamic State divorced itself from the U.S. and its European and royal allies. Yet, it still took the Russian intervention in Syria in September of last year to push Washington to mount more than token air assaults against ISIS. Apparently, the U.S. wants to avoid killing too many Islamic State fighters, in hopes that there will be lots of them left to join U.S.-sanctioned jihadist outfits when it gets too hot for ISIS. (Al Nusra has changed its name and resigned from al Qaida -- with the blessing of al Qaidas leadership in Pakistan -- so as to better blend in with the other jihadist outfits on western payrolls.) U.S. military intelligence saw clearly the imminent rise of ISIS. You dont need to take Donald Trumps word for it, that Obama and Clinton have been most valuable players for ISIS. The U.S. militarys Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) came to much the same conclusion, back in 2012. The military spooks reports, declassified last year, showed the DIA had warned that the West, Gulf countries, and Turkey [which] support the [Syrian] opposition believe there is the possibility of establishing a declared or undeclared Salafist principality in eastern Syria (Hasaka and Der Zor), and this is exactly what the supporting powers to the opposition want, in order to isolate the Syrian regime. The DIA was alarmed that ...the deterioration of the situation has dire consequences on the Iraqi situation and are as follows: This creates the ideal situation for AQI [al Qaida in Iraq, which became ISIS] to return to its old pockets in Mosul and Ramadi, and will provide a renewed momentum under the presumption of unifying the jihad among Sunni Iraq and Syria, and the rest of the Sunnis in the Arab world against what it considers one enemy, the dissenters [meaning, Shia Muslims]. ISI could also declare an Islamic State through its union with other terrorist organizations in Iraq and Syria, which will create grave danger in regards to unifying Iraq and the protection of its territory. Thus, a year after Obama and his European and Arab friends brought down Libyas Gaddafi and shifted their proxy war of regime change to Syria, U.S. military intelligence saw clearly the imminent rise of ISIS -- and that this is exactly what the West, Gulf countries and Turkey...want, in order to isolate the Syrian regime. Yes, Obama created ISIS, with the enthusiastic assistance of Hillary Clinton, and he is still nurturing al Nusra, the erstwhile affiliate of al Qaida, which was mid-wifed into existence by Jimmy Carter and Zbigniew Brzezinski. In the intervening years, the jihadists have become indispensable to U.S. imperial policy, but especially so since George W. Bushs defeat in Iraq, which soured the American public on dumb wars meaning, in Obama-Speak, wars in which large numbers of Americans die. Proxy wars are ideal -- smart, because only Arabs and Africans and people that Americans have never heard of, die. Libya wasnt even a war, according to Obama, since no U.S. personnel perished. The jihadists have become indispensable to U.S. imperial policy. The truth about ISIS and the Obama administration is so obvious that even Donald Trump has a hazy idea of what happened in Syria and Libya. However, the spoiled man-brat white nationalist billionaire from Queens is incapable of putting the Obama/Clinton/ISIS connection in the historical context of U.S. imperial policy. Sadly, most liberals and far too many progressives (including Black ones) are afflicted with the same disease as Trump: extreme imperial chauvinism -- which is practically inseparable from white supremacism. Extreme imperial chauvinism allows Americans to send to the White House people that should, instead, be sent to the gallows or a firing squad (after a trial, of course). It allows Americans that claim to be on the left side of the spectrum to recoil in horror at Donald Trump (who hasnt killed anybody that we know of, and who says he will not engage in regime change as president), yet will vote for a woman whose career is soaked in the blood of hundreds of thousands in the Middle East and the northern tier of Africa, and whose husband set in motion a genocide that has killed six million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. One candidate, Trump, most resembles the late Alabama governor George Wallace with a lets make a deal foreign policy. The other, Clinton, is a genocidal maniac, whose crimes as president will be Hitlerian in scale. What is scarier than Clinton or Trump, is that Americans seem to have no visceral aversion to genocide (of non-white peoples). But, unless youre a Green or some shade of Red, genocide isnt even an election issue. BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com. Russias Middle East Breakthrough No Wonder Washingtons Grouchy By Finian Cunningham August 19, 2013 " Information Clearing House " - " RT " - Russias air raids in Syria, launched from Iranian territory this week, were received by Washington with a mixture of consternation and disappointment. Understandably, too. It marks a breakthrough in Russias standing in the Middle East. Russia is working closely in a quartet that includes Iran, Iraq and Syria. We can add Lebanon because of the cooperation on the ground in Syria with Hezbollah, which is one of the governing coalition partners in Beirut. Even Middle East countries, thought of as Washingtons partners, are showing a newfound appreciation of Russia and the leadership provided by President Vladimir Putin. The notably conciliatory relations between Turkey and Russia in the wake of a failed coup that Ankara implicates a cleric who lives in the US in speaks of a tectonic shift in regional geopolitics. VIDEO: Russian Tu-22M3 'Backfire' long-range bombers target ISIS from Iran base https://t.co/qBLEAisf8c pic.twitter.com/1NyLygpdG4 RT (@RT_com) August 16, 2016 Despite deep differences over Syria, Russia has managed to retain cordial relations with other states normally considered American proteges and enemies of Moscows ally in Syria. Putin has over the past year warmly received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while also respectfully hosting Saudi leaders in Moscow. Russias foreign minister Sergey Lavrov was recently welcomed in the Persian Gulfs Qatari capital, Doha, for high-level talks on Middle East conflict resolution. Contrast this all-round respect for Russia with Americas increasingly dismal reputation. Decades of US-led destructive wars, failed nation-building schemes and regime-change machinations have diminished Washingtons standing in the region, even among its supposed partners. Privately and publicly, the Israelis, Turks and Saudis seem to harbor contempt towards their American patron in spite of official designation as allies. When Russian long-range Tu-22M3 bombers took off from western Iran this week to conduct missions in Syria it signaled that Moscow is the emerging dominant player in the region after decades of presumed American hegemony. The very fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran for the first time since the 1979 revolution made the unprecedented provision to its constitution to allow a foreign power to use its territory for military purpose is testimony to Russias sway in the sensitive region. Lavrov: No reason to suspect Russia of violating UNSC resolution on sale and transfer of arms to Iran https://t.co/CZtEnr7flB RT (@RT_com) August 17, 2016 Even official enemies of Iran Israel and Saudi Arabia cannot but acknowledge the significance. Iran, which has defied decades of Western-imposed sanctions out of principle for its sovereign rights, is willing to trust Russias military with territorial access. This must be seen as a measure of Russias integrity in conducting international relations. Unlike Washington which is mired in double dealing and treachery as even its supposed closest allies all too well know. In short, Washington has a trust deficit. Whereas Russia whatever some states may feel about its allies in Syria and Iran can nevertheless be seen for genuinely sticking by its commitments. Before Vladimir Putin ordered Russian military intervention in Syria at the end of last September, the government of President Bashar Assad was on the ropes. Rebels and foreign-backed militants were threatening to topple Assad in accordance with the objective of regime change supported by Washington and its NATO allies, Britain and France, and partners across the region Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Israel. Putins bold intervention in defense of Russias longtime ally in Damascus completely reversed the tide of war. In less than a year, the Syrian state has recovered much of its territory, and it is the foreign-backed militants who are now facing defeat. The recent about-turn by Turkey once a gung-ho backer of the militants in Syria to call for closer cooperation with Russia and Iran in settling the Syrian conflict is tacit admission that the covert war for regime change is all but over. And it is Russias power that achieved the outcome. A New York Times report earlier this month was candid in its assessment of Russias strategic success in Syria. Alluding the wider geopolitical ramifications, the newspaper editorializes: For the first time since Afghanistan in the 1980s, the Russian military for the past year has been in direct combat with rebel forces trained and supplied by the CIA. The American-supplied Afghan fighters prevailed during that Cold War conflict. But this time the outcome thus far has been different. 'Russia anti-ISIS airstrikes from Iran base show model cooperation lacking in West' (Op-Edge) https://t.co/NKb1JnCayq RT (@RT_com) August 16, 2016 The NY Times added: Russias battlefield successes in Syria have given Moscow, isolated by the West after its annexation [sic] of Crimea and other incursions into Ukraine, new leverage in decisions about the future of the Middle East. This is why Washingtons reaction to Russias breakthrough military cooperation with Iran in the Syrian war was weirdly downcast. The US State Department described the more effective deployment of Russian air power in Syria as unfortunate. And it decried the closer liaison between Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria as doubling down to prop up the Assad regime. Russia had notified the US of its overflights from Iran through Iraq to Syria in accordance with their deconfliction procedure. But it was evident that Russia was not seeking consultation from Washington. Moscow had determined the plan and was going ahead with it regardless of Washingtons misgivings. American disquiet over the Russian-Iranian move was revealing. At first, Washington tried to quibble about legalities, claiming that the Russian military flights contravened a UN Security Council resolution barring supply, sale or transfer of combat aircraft to Iran. But as Russias Sergey Lavrov pointed out the arrangement involved none of these. These military aircraft are used by air forces after Irans authorization for taking part in the anti-terrorist operation in Syria after a legitimate request from its government, he said on Wednesday. Then Washington objected with the threadbare trope that the Russian air raids on Deir ez-Zor, Aleppo and Idlib were striking moderate rebels. State Department spokesman Mark Toner assured reporters that the Russian targets were not extremists belonging to Islamic State or Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (rebranded from Al-Nusra), but rather were predominantly moderate rebels supported by the United States. Strangely though in his press conference response to the Russian operations, US military spokesman for Syria and Iraq, Colonel Chris Carver said that he did not know where the proscribed terror groups were located in the targeted areas. So how come the State Department knows it was moderates that the Russians were hitting but the Pentagon cant say where the terrorists are? While Russia is winning the war in Syria on behalf of the sovereign authorities with the majority support of the Syrian people, Washington is seen doubling down on double talk and double think in its collusion with terrorist proxies. Iran-backed Shiite forces in Iraq now estimated at 100,000 US military spox https://t.co/T2Q3eYpuKu RT (@RT_com) August 17, 2016 Washington is losing all credibility in the strategically pivotal region because it has for too long pivoted between criminal schemes and duplicity. Even traditional partners and clients can see this unedifying spectacle of sordid US conduct. Feckless, unreliable American power is something to disdain, if not dread. Russia has stood firm with its allies, and, as Syria attests, has carried out the mission it said it would, without mendacity or intrigue. That integrity is surely worthy of respect among allies, non-aligned states and foes alike. For too long Russia witnessed the Americans carve up and mutilate the Middle East with wars and subversions, from Afghanistan to Iraq, Libya and Syria. Syria has marked a historic turning point in Washingtons depredations in the Middle East. And Russia has emerged as a serious countervailing force to be reckoned with. Fortunately. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Ahmadu Dan Zago, has warned of dire consequences for the party if the ongoing internal squabbles are not amicably resolved. He reminded the governing party that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lost the 2015 general elections because it failed to settle the differences and disagreements among its members. The APC has been accused of not properly managing its success at the polls last year just as there is mutual suspicion among members, especially between the Executive and the party dominated National Assembly, following the emergence of Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Speaking in Abuja yesterday, Dan Zago, a former North-West chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), one of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC, advised leaders of the governing party to put more effort to tackle the lingering crisis, especially by embracing all the aggrieved members. But, if they keep quiet until they come to them, or they set up a committee and forget about it, then they should forget about 2019 because Nigeria is dynamic. We should remember that we took the government from an incumbent. We are now the incumbent. We should not be in a hurry to forget about the past. The other party refused to settle their differences and that led to their loss, he said. President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday had a closed-door meeting with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, at the State House in Abuja. The president also met behind closed-doors with his running mate in the 2011 presidential elections and General Overseer of Later Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, in Abuja. The meeting with Dogara, which took place inside Mr. Buharis office at the State House and lasted about one hour, is the second in less than two weeks between the president and Speaker. Mr. Dogara, who stands accused by a former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, of padding the 2016 budget, was accompanied to the Villa by some lawmakers from the National Assembly including Senator Suleiman Nazif (APC/Bauchi North). The Speaker snubbed all questions from State House correspondents at the end of the meeting. Meanwhile, the meeting with Pastor Bakare was still ongoing at the time of publishing this report. At least two prison warders and 10 inmates are feared dead following a failed jail break attempt at the Abakaliki federal prison in Ebonyi State on Thursday. The Controller of Prisons, Ebonyi, Adaobi Oputa, who confirmed the development yesterday, said the incident occurred around 9.20 a.m. when some inmates refused to allow prison warders conduct the early morning routine search of their cells. Although no inmate escaped from the facility, Mrs. Oputa said they tried to escape by attempting to break one of the walls but the situation was quickly brought under control by the combined efforts of the armed squad of the Prisons, the Police and Military stationed at the prison. An official, who craved anonymity, said that some of the inmates protested over the poor breakfast served to them by prison officials. This claim, however, was denied by the controller of prison. RELATED POST: Jail Break Averted In Abakaliki Prison Another insider, a warder, said a warder was killed and about 10 wounded by the inmates in their bid to escape. The prison warder said the situation was brought under control by soldiers and mobile policemen, who arrived the scene in 2 Hilux vans. He said the report that I am hearing from the prison is that over 12 persons lost their lives and many others injured, one is a warder and rest were inmates. Meanwhile, the State Governor, David Umahi, has declared a state of emergency on Abakaliki Prisons. He spoke when he visited the prisons after he returned from Port Harcourt, Rivers State where he attended the Peoples Democratic Party botched national convention. The General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has pleaded with Nigerians to exercise patience with President Muhammadu Buhari as he provides leadership at a difficult time in the nations history. The outspoken cleric, who met with the president behind closed doors for about 45 minutes at the State House in Abuja on Friday, stressed that any change for good normally takes time. I will like to appeal to all Nigerians that we should just excise a bit of patience. This change will not become chain that will tie all of us down. Change for good takes time and we should just exercise a little bit more of patience. We trust that government is listening and the leaders are listening too and they will respond to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, he told State House correspondents after the meeting. Speaking further on the change agenda of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bakare, who was the running mate to Buhari during the 2011 Presidential Election under the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), said: When you are driving on a wrong direction, for example, you are going to Ibadan and you face Badagry and you get to Cotonu and you realize you have gone in the wrong direction for too long a time, then you turn back and make a U-turn, there will be some suffering you have to go through. Pain is part of gain. No pain, no gain. The years of wastage and all that we have done wrong has finally caught up with us. All we are praying for is wisdom for this government to do things right and to do the right things. So that gradually, we can begin to come out of the woods. He further said that it is too early to begin to judge the performance of the Buhari administration. If there is anything I know about Mr. President, it is that he has a good heart. He loves this country and he wants the country to run well. But it takes time. I know we are all impatient and in a hurry and I trust we will come out of the woods, he added Bakare also tacitly declined to speak on the budget padding controversy in the House of Representatives, stressing that he is still studying the allegations. I just return to the country last Friday. I am reading about it. I will make my decision when I have checked both sides. And I will definitely speak on that, he said. When asked if the time is not right for Buhari to effect a cabinet shake-up, the cleric said that it is left for the president to take the decision anytime he wants. He knows what he has given them. For example, I have not given any appointment to anyone so I cant judge their performance. But if there are yardsticks and standards given to them and if they have performed below par, definitely, the president would not mind at the right time to do those things. On why he visited the Villa, he said: I came to see the President and he is doing very well health wise. Thats all I came to do. The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, has denied speculations in some quarters that there is a grand plan to turn Nigeria into an Islamic State. He insisted that it is not possible for a multi religious nation like Nigeria to either be Islamized or Christianised. The Sultan spoke on Friday at the commissioning of the International Centre for Inter-Faith Peace and Harmonys office in Kaduna. Abubakar III, who is also a Co-Chairman of the centre, pointed out that no country survives religious war; hence, Christians and Muslims in Nigeria must imbibe the culture of peace and peaceful co-existence. He also advised that ethnic and religious crisis in the country should become a thing of the past, adding that, No country survives war or war stimulated by religious intolerance. According to him, the practice of religion should be voluntary and not by force. We have seen countries where people are killing one another; obviously, there can be no peace in such countries. Killing is not part of the teachings of the holy book, he stressed. The Sultan also enjoined Christians and Muslims across the world to desist from making comments that anybody is out to Islamize Nigeria. Nigeria has a Muslim president and before him was a Christian president. We must see ourselves as one big family, without that, we cannot have peace. It is not possible to Islamize Nigeria, if God had wanted, He would have created all Christians or all Muslims, we are not secular but a multi-religious state because the people are so religious. We must respect one another and understand the tenets of the two religions, he asserted. Similarly, the Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, decried the series of crises that had erupted in the state; lamenting, that the state has been divided along religious lines. He mentioned that religion is no longer a matter of life after death but business; adding that those who operate the religious business make money by promoting division. We must de-emphasise our differences and promote peace, he stated. While he stressed the importance of the Centre situated in Kaduna, Gov. El-Rufai declared the state governments commitment towards ensuring that the message of peace and inter-religious harmony is taken to a higher level. Earlier in his remark, the General Secretary of The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Reverend Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Wushishi, noted that by nature, religion plays a vital role in purposeful leadership, community building, social justice, law and order among others. Our obligatory responsibility as faith based community in Nigeria is to respect our religious differences. In our diversity as a nation, we are bound to opt for bonds based on our common humanity, he added. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has launched a probe into the arrest of three Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for alleged possession of substances suspected to be cocaine. The Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd), who expressed disappointment at the incident, said a panel, headed by Director of Operations and General Investigation Mr. Olugbenga Mabo would probe the incident. The pilgrims, who are from Kwara State but whose identities were not disclosed, were arrested in Medina by Saudi security authorities. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia operates a strict Sharia law, which prescribes capital punishment for drug related offences. Although drug related offences are not mandatorily punishable by death according to the authorities interpretation of Sharia law, executions for the offences in the Kingdom rose from just 4 per cent in 2010 and 2011 to 28 per cent in 2012 and 32 per cent in 2013. The figure rose to 47 per cent by 2014 and 2015. Reacting to the arrest of the pilgrims, which he described as utterly reprehensible, the NDLEA boss said This is unfortunate and we are working hard to get to the root of it. According to Abdallah, the agency is handling the case with every sense of seriousness and urgency because the action of the pilgrims has negatively affected Nigerias image abroad, especially in Saudi Arabia. We have also taken measures to intensify the screening of pilgrims yet to depart to Saudi Arabia to prevent a recurrence of the sad incident, he added. The NDLEA chief also urged pilgrims to uphold the principle of probity, patriotism and eschew any act capable of bringing the image of the country to disrepute. Nigeria will establish a $25 billion Infrastructure Development Fund to finance projects in the country, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo-Udoma, has said. Mr. Udo-Udoma said this while receiving the Report of the three-day Pre-Summit Workshop from the Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Summit Group on Thursday in Abuja. He said the development fund would provide a pool of fiscal resources for long term financing of priority projects. He said the ministry had developed the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) for accelerated infrastructure development in the country for the next 30 year. The fund seeks to raise the stock of infrastructure from the current level of 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the GDP to at least 70 per cent by 2043. A total investment outlay of 3.05 trillion dollars will be required for the implementation of NIIMP. The investment will be geared towards meetings infrastructure requirements of the major sectors of the economy. The NIIMP captured Energy, Transport, Information Communication Technology, Agriculture, Water, Mining, Housing, Social Infrastructure, Security and Vital Registration sectors, Udo-Udoma said. He pointed out that the implementation of the NIIMP required collaboration of stakeholders Federal and State Governments and the private sector to provide required investments. The NIIMP, apart from being a robust framework for infrastructure development, will also serve as investors guide, enhance economic growth, and create job opportunities among other benefits, he said. Earlier, Abubakar Mahmoud, Chairman, Infrastructure PPP Summit Group, said the group was formed to address deficit in infrastructure and that government alone could not drive the provision of infrastructure. Mr. Mahmoud said that the concept of forming the group was for private sector to pull resources and expertise together to create framework for PPP dialogue and engagement. We have received a lot of support from government agencies, including the ministry, he said. Also Speaking, Daniel Gori, a member of the team who presented an outcome of the summit, said that infrastructure was key to reclaiming Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa. Gori recalled that Nigeria had lost its first position as the largest economy in the continent to South Africa. We know that infrastructure is critical to this; infrastructure deficit is putting a break on Nigeria potential. The report focuses on Power, Transport, Agriculture and Health and we have analysed all sectors and ways they can be developed, he said. (NAN) Nollywood actor, Prince Eke and his multi-talented wife, Gift Iyumame (Muma Gee) welcomed their baby girl today, August 18, 2016. The excited father, whos also a year older today shared photos of his newborn on Instagram. He wrote; What more can a man receive as a birthday present? God just gave me another daughter by exactly 4:45 pm today on my birthday , mother and child smiling .. The couple are parents to a set of twins, a boy and girl born on April 18th, 2014. Congrats to them. Immediate past Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, yesterday said he is ready to give account of his tenure in office so long as the process is without bias and free of predetermined outcomes. The former governor was reacting to the inauguration of a commission of inquiry by the state government to probe his eight years administration. In a statement issued by his media aide Clinton Garuba, Jang, who is now the senator representing Plateau North, said he was studying the composition and terms of reference of the Judicial Commission as constituted by Governor Simon Lalong, so as to take an informed decision. He, however, stressed that his good works, legacies and good intention while serving as governor, would surely outlive him. Jang was governor of the middle-belt state from 2007-2015. The statement noted that; as at the last count, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry is the fifth committee Lalong has constituted, mandated, empowered, and inaugurated to probe the tenure of the former governor and like the rest before it, nothing would be gained except the visible characteristics of all associated with power acquired by accidentso much money has been expended in what is now a wild goose chase. A notorious gang responsible for kidnap-for-ransom, has been arrested by the Police. The gang was particularly linked to kidnapping and violent crimes along Kaduna-Abuja and its environs. The kidnappers; Haruna Adamu (25), who is the gang leader, Shaibu Adamu (18) and Abubakar Saidu (30), were arrested after coordinated and painstaking investigation by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Polices monitoring unit. They were trailed and rounded up at Ungwan Kawu village in Dan Dumi L.G.A in Katsina State. According to a press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Don Amunah on Thursday, exhibits recovered from the gang include N250,000 buried in the ground in a bush at one of the suspects village and a Gionee phone, which was used for negotiation. The statement said this particular gang was responsible for the kidnap of a serving member of the House of Representatives, Sani Bello, on 2nd August 2016 in his farm along KadunaAbuja road and other cases traced to them. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the offence and also admitted to the various roles individually and collectively played in their criminal enterprise. They also assisted the Police to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang, Deputy Commissioner of Police Amunah said. He added that the suspects will soon be arraigned in court. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday welcomed the $100 million credit facility from India for development of Nigerias power sector. Osinbajo spoke in his office at the State House in Abuja on Thursday when a delegation led by Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Nagabhushana Reddy, paid him a visit. The vice president, who called for more active engagement between Nigeria and India, said there opportunities abound for both countries in areas of agriculture and technology. He also noted that diplomatic and economic relationship between both countries had been extremely good. Mr. Osinbajo said the federal government expected to achieve a 50 percent target reliance on renewable energy for the power sector by 2020. We are doing some expandable work in solar energy adding about 1000MW of solar. We are looking at 50% reliance on renewable energy sources by 2020. The Buhari Presidency is determined to improve access to electricity for our people, he said. In his remarks, Reddy said his country supported President Muhammadu Buharis administrations economic plan. A former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), yesterday emerged from a closed-door session with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja with a plea to Nigerians to give the current administration the necessary support to succeed. The former military ruler, who made the plea in a chat with State House correspondents after the meeting, said he was at the Presidential Villa to discuss national and global issues with the president. He did not give details. I came to discuss issues of national interest and international affairs with the president. Both of them are interwoven. I have discussed with the person I came to see and I dont think I need to discuss it in the news media, he said. Mr. Abubakar, who chaired the National Peace Committee for the 2015 General Elections, said the committee was still working, though silently, to ensure peace in the country. The elder statesman also reiterated his stand on the Niger Delta crisis, saying it was unnecessary and uncalled for. There will be no lame-duck period for Tom Wheeler. The FCC chairman vowed this week to push ahead in the last months of 2016 to complete an ambitious agenda to reshape the rules governing broadband and "put a referee on the field to throw the flag on any future unjust or unreasonable activity." In a speech at the Aspen Institute, Wheeler gave a nod to the agency's accomplishment in passing net neutrality rules, but made clear that the "network revolution" can't stop there. [ Read 'em and weep: 5 ways your ISP is screwing you | Cut to the key news in technology trends and IT breakthroughs with the InfoWorld Daily newsletter, our summary of the top tech happenings. ] "Other consumer protection items remain in progress, including giving consumers choice in the devices they use to access their pay-TV services, dealing with competitive access to essential last-mile facilities, and protecting consumer privacy rights for network-generated information," he said. The agency, Wheeler continued, intends to complete all these matters before the end of the year. The battle for your data Broadband providers are fighting him every step of the way, most recently in the matter of privacy rights. The FCC drafted new broadband privacy rules in March that prohibit ISPs from selling users' personal data to third parties without users giving opt-in consent to share that information. This is the same kind of privacy protection that already applies to telephone customers' data. The proposed rules stopped short of banning two-tier broadband pricing like that deployed by AT&T in its Internet Preferences program. That pay-for-privacy model forces users to pay more for service if they wish to opt out of deep-packet inspection systems. But Wheeler has since suggested he may be open to tightening the rules. "I would hope that privacy doesn't become a luxury item," he told The Washington Post. Opting out of AT&T's snooping could raise a customer's monthly bill by between $531 and $800 in the first year. In response, Comcast this month urged the FCC not to ban pay-for-privacy schemes. Broadband providers, the company argued, are not charging users who want to protect their privacy, they're offering a "discount" to users who agree to be tracked. Banning that option "would harm consumers by, among other things, depriving them of lower-priced offerings." Really? "Considering [Comcast's] business model, as that of every ISP, is to squeeze consumers like Luke in the trash compactor [perhaps] in some boardroom, that [argument] made sense," commented Forbes. What's at stake As gatekeepers to the internet, ISPs have access to "enormous amounts of revealing data customers send and share online about communications, banking, health and medicine, employment, and everything in between," notes the National Consumer Law Center. ISPs use deep-packet inspection to gather information about customers' internet habits, including what apps they use, what they search on, what websites they visit and information they enter. Internet companies buy the data and use it to serve ads based on an individual's online activities. Prior to broadband providers being reclassified as common carriers, issues of privacy were regulated by the FTC -- which lacked the authority to establish privacy rules. The FCC's new privacy regulations aim to give internet users a measure of control over the information collected by broadband providers. Why should you care? Many readers will yawn at this point and ask what do a few more targeted ads matter. Even better, why not let government and law enforcement agencies use ISP-collected data to track terrorists or prosecute criminals? For starters, as PrivacyPolicies.com notes: If you live under an oppressive government, even seemingly innocent online activity can be very dangerous. Plus, in an era of almost-daily data breaches, assuming your information is safe with anyone is naive at best. Even ISPs can be affected. If you did some research on cancer warning signs, would you want your health insurance provider to know? And do you really want your boss to find out how actively you're looking for a new job? Your browsing history says a lot about you, and most of us would prefer that it stayed between us and our computer. The FCC recommends a system of corporate accountability for data breaches and third-party misuse of customer information. It also wants mechanisms for limiting data retention and notifying users when their data has been stolen. "ISPs must be held accountable for data breaches and must accept their responsibility to safeguard the data they gain access to make their networks work," says advocacy group Freepress. "Data brokers can and do build into each and every person's profile that individual's race, income level, sexual orientation, familiarity with English, and other categories that can be used to discriminate. These profiles can be used against internet users seeking insurance, buying medical products, or applying for loans." "Why are you picking on us?" Broadband providers complain that they shouldn't be singled out for privacy regulations when internet companies like Apple and Google are also vacuuming up users' data. But as the FCC has correctly pointed out, the lack of broadband competition means "a consumer's relationship with her ISP is very different than the one she has with a website or app. Consumers can move instantaneously to a different website, search engine or application. But once they sign up for broadband service, consumers can scarcely avoid the network for which they are paying a monthly fee." The root of the matter is that broadband companies, despite having lost their appeal of net neutrality rules earlier this year, have not come around to the idea of being considered common carriers. "[They] will continue to try to milk consumers till the teat is dry," says Forbes. "Then they will break out the Shop-Vac and suck up the dust. Then charge us a premium for dust removal. Then sell our dust demographics to advertisers." So the fight continues. As Wheeler said, "We shouldn't kid ourselves; existing in the midst of a network revolution is difficult. And when you are the agency charged with overseeing the networks that are driving the change, you're either in the frying pan or the fire." Hogs Rebound into Weekend Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT Lean hog futures ended the Friday round with 32 to 97 cent gains to fade the triple digit losses from Thursday. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price was $90.54 in the PM update, down by $1.15. The... HEZ22 : 86.100s (+1.15%) HEJ23 : 92.700s (+0.62%) KMZ22 : 96.125s (+0.37%) Cotton Falls Triple Digits Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT December cotton ended the day locked limit lower on the 3c loss. The March contract worked back off the limit for the bell, but still went home down by 274 points. For the week, Dec cotton closed 702 points... CTZ22 : 72.11s (-3.99%) CTH23 : 72.07s (-3.66%) CTK23 : 72.30s (-2.99%) Cattle Market Fades on Friday Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT Live cattle futures ended the weeks last trade day down by 35 cents to $1.02 with soon to expire October down the most. Cash trade picked up later in the week with some Friday catch up sales mostly... LEV22 : 150.375s (-0.68%) LEZ22 : 153.000s (-0.28%) LEG23 : 156.325s (-0.33%) GFX22 : 177.875s (-0.14%) GFF23 : 180.375s (-0.04%) Loss for Friday Wheat Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT Wheat futures faded on Friday with the front month contracts going home 6 1/4 to 9 1/4 cents lower in SRW. For the December contract that completed the week with a 21 1/2 cent loss. KC futures closed down... ZWZ22 : 829-2s (-1.10%) ZWH23 : 849-0s (-1.05%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.6281 (-1.18%) KEZ22 : 925-0s (-0.78%) KEPAWS.CM : 8.8324 (-0.81%) MWZ22 : 945-0s (-0.58%) Corn Closes Red on Friday Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT Front month corn futures settled the Friday session with fractional to 1 1/2 cent losses. The December contract saw a tight 7 1/2 cent range from -6 cents to +1 1/2 cents on the day. It was also down for... ZCZ22 : 680-6s (-0.22%) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.7193 (-0.15%) ZCH23 : 686-6s (-0.15%) ZCK23 : 686-2s (unch) Soy Futures Close Mixed on Higher Beans and Meal Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT Soybean futures ended the day with the deferred contracts above the $14/bu mark on 5 1/2 to 8 cent gains. November contracts stayed 12 cents under the mark but closed near the top end of the 20 cent range... ZSX22 : 1387-6s (+0.40%) ZSPAUS.CM : 13.4825 (+0.51%) ZSF23 : 1400-2s (+0.48%) ZSH23 : 1409-0s (+0.50%) Mark Ruffalos the Solutions Project has quickly grown into a legit national clean energy campaign, and in the past year, a grantmaker. It continues to impress with its new plan to deploy nimble community-based grants. Weve watched with interest as the Solutions Project has grown from a pet project of a celebrity activist and a few expert partners to a staffed research and communications outfit with a mission to accelerate the transition to 100 percent clean energy. Its picked up some impressive funders, too, including the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, the 11th Hour Project, and Skoll Global Threats Fund, among others. Related:Mark Ruffalos Clean Energy Outfit is Growing, and Drawing A-List Funders But about a year ago, the Solutions Project became a funder itself, establishing its 100 percent Leadership Fund, which has given out almost $1 million so far. Now its just launched a second grantmaking program, the Fighter Fund, designed to make small, responsive grants to grassroots groups working for clean energy and climate justice. Thats an underfunded area of climate funding as it is, a problem we frequently write about. But the really unique thing about the initiative is that the group says it will respond to most requests for funding in a matter of days. Often, philanthropy cant keep up with whats happening on the ground, said Tyler Nickerson, director of investments and state strategy, in the announcement. The Fighter Fund is designed to make small grants at key movement moments so that homegrown, frontline groups working with regular people from Alaska to Alabama to Alberta can empower and mobilize communities. Related: Grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded to nonprofits in the U.S., Mexico and Canada on a rolling basis for activities like direct action and organizing, communications and media work, and movement-building tactics like trainings and convenings. The application form, aside from organizational and budget information, asks just three questions. The Solution Projects first funding program, the Leadership Fund, continues to operate, making larger grants by invitation only. Both funds are backed by DiCaprio, Sara & Evan Williams Foundation, JPB Foundation, and Franciscan Sisters of Mary. While Ruffalo himself reportedly came up with the idea for the Fighter Fund, the Solutions Projects grantmaking strategy is overseen by Tyler Nickerson, who comes from grassroots nonprofits and foundations in Michigan. Nickerson has been a critic of traditional philanthropy, calling on funders to take on systemic causes, support social movements, and be faster and more democratic in their giving. Theres some compelling stuff happening at the Solutions Project right now. Lets face itwhile celebrity philanthropy and charity work can be fascinating and admirable, it doesnt exactly push the envelope very often. A plan for such quick disbursement of funds, open to all, isnt something many funders would take on. Couple that with the fact that, stemming from Ruffalos background in anti-fracking activism, theres a clear preference for grassroots and justice groups, and this is a genuinely responsive grantmaking strategy, with or without famous actors. Related: By Dave Beltramini In April 2015, the Harvard Business Review reported that, for the first time in history, customer relationships were being valued more highly than a companys brand. And how do new customer relationships start in this modern age? Via Web search. According to research by BIA/Kelsey, a research, consulting and valuation company focused exclusively on local advertising and marketing, 97 percent of U.S. adults use search engines to investigate products and services. If youre a self-storage operator, this puts a lot of pressure on you to deliver relevant information on your website to prospective and current tenants. Having a best-in-class website with responsive design and integrated search engine optimization (SEO) is essential to an effective digital-marketing strategy. But integrated SEO isnt enough; SEO and pay-per-click (PPC) together are the strategic formula for success. Misconceptions Demystified SEO is often referred to as organic search. Its the practice of optimizing content, keywords, site speed, citations, links and social signals to leverage brand performance on search engines and improve organic website discoverability. PPC is often referred to as paid search. Its a targeted way to deliver the right information to the right prospect at the right time, displaying contextual, behavioral or keyword-targeted advertisements across the Web. There are a couple of common misconceptions around SEO and PPC Id like to clear up: Misconception 1: You dont need PPC if your SEO is optimized. With more than 51 percent of all searches now taking place on smartphones and tablets, PPC is the clear winner on mobile, potentially dominating more than 70 percent of the first-page listings. PPC may be the only way to out-rank Google and get above the fold for many queries. Misconception 2: PPC is a temporary solution thats required until SEO kicks in. Nathaniel Tower of First Scribe, a Minneapolis-based Web-design and Internet-marketing company, wrote in a February 2015 blog post, What business owners need to understand is that SEO and PPC arent rivals; they are harmonious partners. They are two equally important marketing strategies that shouldntand dontcompete against each other. Rather they work together to create a stronger, more reliable strategy for your site. Your Strategic Formula Your search strategy should leverage SEO and PPC. Theres clear evidence supporting the need to include both. The results of a March 2012 Google study exploring click trends between organic search results and PPC ads confirmed the symbiotic relationship between the two disciplines. On average, 50 percent of the ad clicks that occur on the top PPC ad are incremental. In other words, they wouldnt be recovered organically for the same site if the ad campaigns were paused. To look at this another way, even if your website ranks in the No. 1 position and you were to pause your PPC campaigns, 50 percent of the ad clicks that used to be yours would now go to a competitors PPC ad, not your organic listing. And when you look at the results of the Google study for sites ranking in positions two through five and below, the numbers are even more staggering. On average, the incremental ad clicks percentage across verticals is 89 percent. This means that a full 89 percent of the traffic generated by search ads is not replaced by organic clicks when ads are paused, the study stated. The increased benefits of SEO and PPC working simultaneously to drive relevant traffic doesn't stop there. Experts in their respective fieldsSEO buff Mark Munroe and PPC specialist Evan Waterspresented advertiser data at the 2013 Search Marketing Expo that showed a 66 percent higher click-through rate on PPC ads when an organic listing was also present, and a 92 percent higher click-through rate on organic listings when a PPC ad was also present. There are no guarantees when it comes to SEO and PPC, as Google algorithms change frequently. To keep up with these constant changes and maximize your digital-marketing effectiveness, it's essential to dedicate the resources internally or partner with an external marketing firm with search expertise. Despite the ever-shifting landscape of search, one thing is clear: Using both SEO and PPC harmoniously to dominate valuable search engine results is the formula for success in todays complex digital environment. With more than 15 years of digital-marketing experience, Dave Beltramini is vice president of digital performance at G5, which provides Digital Experience Management software and marketing services to the self-storage industry. The companys offerings include responsive-design websites, search engine marketing, social media, reputation management, lead tracking and management, analytics, and client-performance management. For more information, call 800.656.8183; visit www.getg5.com. Update 3/31/17 Moncap LLC of Scottsdale, Ariz., has purchased the Ahwatukee parcel from 1784 Capital Holdings for $1.8 million. The new owner plans to build a 104,000-square-foot storage facility, according to the source. Moncap was represented in the transaction by Matt Rinzler, a broker with Insight Land & Investments, a Scottsdale-based real estate firm. Denise Nunez, senior vice president for commercial real estate company NAI Horizon, helped broker the deal, a source reported. A hidden gem, it will serve well as a community self-storage project that will benefit from the expansion of [Arizona State Route] 202 just south and the extension of Chandler Boulevard to the west of this location, Nunez said. 9/7/16 The Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee voted 9-1 to recommend the planning commission approve the self-storage project proposed by 1784 Capital Holdings. The committee viewed the project favorably despite some continuing opposition from nearby residents, according to the source. My opinion, the committee believed the proposed commercial use was less obtrusive than many of the other commercial possibilities for the site, committee chair Chad Blostone told the source. Also, the developer made significant improvements to the design of the building. He split the building into two, lowered both, and added architectural features and landscaping not required by the city. The report didnt indicate when the planning commission would discuss the project. 8/18/16 1784 Capital Holdings is seeking approval to build a three-story self-storage facility in Ahwatukee, Ariz. The Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee will discuss the proposal for the 2.78-acre vacant plot at an Aug. 22 public meeting. The property at the intersection of Desert Foothills Parkway and Marketplace Way has been vacant for 32 years, according to the source. Although zoned commercial, it requires a special-use permit for self-storage. 1784 Capital is also seeking an exemption to the citys ban on structures higher than one story. The company had previously introduced the proposal but later withdrew it so it could hold additional meetings with residents about the facilitys design, the source reported. The building would comprise nearly 104,000 square feet over the three floors, one of which would be below ground. The use will provide a low-intensity, low-traffic-generating buffer to the adjacent residential uses, while providing convenient storage options for nearby residents and businesses, according to a June 10 letter to neighbors written by Jessi Thornton, a planner with Withey Morris PLC, the law firm representing 1784 Capital. In the original documents filed with the city, Thornton said the storage development would be an improvement for the neighborhood and eliminate a magnet for unsafe activities and general nuisance. The proposed maximum height of 25 feet is lower than the two 30-foot-high, single-story supermarkets nearby, she noted. The proposed low-intensity commercial use is much more compatible with the adjacent residential than the more intense commercial uses that are permitted, Thornton said. The developer might also seek a waiver from the city that requires storage facilities to have a guard onsite. The documents stated the requirement was indicative of outdated self-storage models and facilities. The facility will have video cameras posted inside and around the building and wont include manager housing. Extensive security measures negate the need for an onsite residence, according to the documents. The design has also taken nearby housing into consideration. Reflective glass wont be used in windows that face homes, and the sites entrance will be placed on the buildings west side, opposite the houses, the documents stated. Founded in 2013 and based in Scottsdale, Ariz., 1784 Capital acquires, develops, constructs and owns self-storage facilities. Its subsidiary, 1784 Solar LLC, provides short-term construction financing for solar projects in Canada and the United States. Easistore Self Storage in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, has donated free use of a storage unit for one year to the Tree of Hope childrens charity. Access to the 250-square-foot space will save the organization more than 5,000, according to the Tree of Hope website. We are so grateful to Easistore, said Emma Bourne, fundraising manager for Tree of Hope. We developed new merchandising to provide additional support for our families, but then had nowhere to store it when we moved out of our other premises. The generous donation helps us keep our costs down. Tree of Hope helps families raise funds to pay for potentially life-changing treatments and therapies for children with complex needs. This fall, the charity is helping three children travel to the United States for surgery to help them walk unaided, according to the source. Every year we work with amazing charities, and we are pleased we can help Tree of Hope with their storage needs, said Paul Glenister, managing director of Easistore. Easistore operates four facilities in Crawley, Edenbridge, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, England. The earthquake that struck off the coast of Bowen on Thursday was stronger and could have been more destructive than the deadly Newcastle tremor in 1989, according to one expert.Fortunately, the epicentre of yesterdays magnitude 5.8 earthquake was at sea, which prevented major damage on land, said Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Jonathan Bathgate.It was bigger than the Newcastle earthquake so in comparison to that, it certainly had the potential to do some significant damage, Bathgate was quoted as saying in a report by the Australian Associated Press (AAP).The Newcastle earthquake was relatively weaker at magnitude 5.6, but it became one of the most serious natural disasters in Australia after killing 13 people and injuring 150 more.So far, there have been no reports of major casualties or damage following the Bowen tremor. The Insurance Council of Australia said the quake caused only light damage.The Insurance Council of Australia is monitoring the situation and is in regular contact with the Queensland Government and emergency services, a spokesman for the organisation told the AAP.Earthquakes are covered by most home, contents and business insurance policies.The recent earthquake, which had six aftershocks, prompted the government to temporarily close three schools and the Cairns airport, the AAP report said.The public has been urged to report home or property damage to their insurers or brokers.If there is any cracking or movement of walls or floors, take photos because (the cracks) could close up, Paul Glasby, business development manager of North Queensland Insurance Brokers, told AAP.He warned that some damage from natural catastrophes only appear later.When a roof has moved or been damaged that may not become apparent until you get heavy rain. Thats more common than you think, Glasby was quoted as saying in the report. Australian insurance premiums will continue to drop across multiple classes amid fierce market competition and weak economic growth, Global broker Marsh reported.In its Insurance Market Mid-Year Update, Marsh said underwriters tried to resist premium reductions during the early part of 2016, only to return to competitive discounting behaviour in the second quarter in a bid to retain clients and win new business.Clients continue to focus heavily on cost control during renewals, as businesses in general are still hurting due to the unfavourable economic environment of low growth and continued falls in commodity prices, Marsh said.With the cost of claims creeping upwards and room for premium discounts dwindling, insurers have reached a critical mass dilemma, and therefore are turning to more creative ways to stay competitive.Both the catastrophe and non-catastrophe markets have continued to provide premium discounts averaging 0 to 10 per cent. A premium change of 0 to 10 per cent has been recorded in property, professional indemnity, medical malpractice, group life (disability) and domestic health.General liability, financial institutions, directors and officers liability, workers compensation, group life, life, and accident & health, on the other hand, recorded premium changes of -5 to 5 per cent.Marsh also noted a growing disparity or a two speed economy between incumbent insurers and those seeking further growth as new businesses.Incumbent key markets (particularly on primary layers) attempt to maintain static pricing, terms, and conditions, relying on goodwill over preceding years to encourage brand loyalty and value via wording negotiations and/or previous claims handling.To stay competitive on a mono-line basis, Marsh said insurers have also attempted to use strategies traditionally reserved for risk management clients, such as offering further discounts or packaging deals. Fierce market competition has also caused insurers to adopt aggressive pricing and broaden coverage to attract clients, said Marsh. John Donnelly , managing director, head of placement Asia Pacific at Marsh, said: The first half of 2016 has panned out very much as we had expected. A Leominster, Mass., man who set fire to his own restaurant to collect the insurance money has been sentenced to four years in prison. Jeffrey Cordio, who owned the West End Diner, was also sentenced in federal court to three years of probation. Cordio pleaded guilty in March to a charge of conspiracy to use fire to commit mail fraud for filing the fraudulent insurance claim. Cordio and a former restaurant employee were seen on surveillance video from a nearby business driving to the diner in Cordios truck in November 2013, going in and out several times, before driving away as smoke poured from the building. Prosecutors say Cordio needed the insurance money due to significant financial distress and a desire to relocate to Florida. He apologized in court. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Fraud Massachusetts A city councilman is resigning following charges he filed a false accident report and repeatedly changed his explanation for what happened. Lebanon, Penn., councilman Tony Matula, 59, faces charges including insurance fraud, false reports to law enforcement and hit and run, The Lebanon Daily News reported. Police said he reported in June 2014 that someone hit his car, which had been parked outside his home. Investigators questioned his story based on the evidence they gathered, including damage to his car and a nearby utility pole. Police said he later changed his story and said his friends husband fell asleep at the wheel and hit his car. Matula then changed his story again and said a friend moved the car without his knowledge and hit the pole. She corroborated the story, then recanted and said Matula asked her to lie. Police said Matula then admitted he hit the pole and submitted a fraudulent hit-and-run insurance claim. Matula, a councilman since 2010, said he had a lapse in judgment that resulted from him wanting to hurt his insurer for high rates he has been paying following two previous accidents. I accept the fact that I made a false report, he said. I understand the implications that go with it, and I accept them. I regret doing it. There was no malice or intent to hurt anyone. Mayor Sherry Capello said Matulas resignation could become official as early as Thursday. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Fraud Pennsylvania CNA plans to eliminate its Central zone branch network as a standalone zone and realign it into the property/casualty insurers other remaining U.S. market territories, according to Carrier Management. The Chicago-based insurer explained in a statement issued to Carrier Management that the effort to streamline, slated for this fall, connects to a 2010 decision to align its field structure to be more customer centric. Another factor in play: the decision of Central Zone leader Greg Vezzosi to retire in September. Over the past several years, our organization has matured, and Greg Vezzosis decision to retire at the end of September provided us an opportunity to reassess how to best manage the branch network, the CNA statement reads. CNA said that the realignment of its Central zone into the other five U.S. zonesNortheastern, Northern, Mid-Atlantic, Southern and Westernmaintains our commitment to understanding and addressing geographic difference in the marketplace. The insurer added it expects to do so with minimal market and employee disruption, and that the change in management structure will in no way change or compromise our commitment to a strong branch network represented by teams of underwriters working closely with our producer network. It remains unclear how many jobs will be affected by the reorganization. A spokesperson said the insurer could not disclose specifics right now, but noted that any affected employees will get supplemental unemployment benefits and placement services will be made available to facilitate and ease their transition. While these decisions are always difficult, these are the right actions to ensure the long-term success of the company, the spokesperson told Carrier Management via email. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. has launched a pay-as-you-go option for workers compensation policies that allows insureds to pay their premiums in real-time, based on payroll. The new payment option offers businesses the choice of paying their premiums as part of their payroll processes, either by self-reporting payroll at the end of each pay period or by linking Hanover EZPay with their payroll company. Business owners can now pay their workers compensation insurance premiums as each payroll cycle is processed, helping to improve their businesses cash flow and reduce audit exposures with real-time premium calculations. This option also offers businesses automatic premium withdrawals and does not require down payments or monthly billing fees. Hanover EZPay is available exclusively for The Hanovers agent partners across the country and cannot be obtained directly through the company. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for several property and casualty insurance companies. The Hanover provides a range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families, and businesses. Products are distributed through a select group of independent agents and brokers. All products are underwritten by The Hanover Insurance Company or one of its insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to the company underwriting guidelines and the issued policy. Topics Workers' Compensation New Markets Some 86,500 people have filed for federal aid after deadly flooding hit Louisiana in the past several days and damaged some 40,000 homes, Gov. John Bel Edwards told a news conference on Aug. 18. He said the death toll from the flooding stood at 13 people and about 30,000 people have been rescued from the floods. Rainfall hit historic levels in some parts of the state. In Louisiana, taking care of one another is a way of life. We are on our way from response to recovery, Edwards said. Waters have receded in many deluged areas with thousands of people returning to flood-hit homes to rip out soaked carpet and dump water-logged mattresses. Many residents said they lost almost everything they owned. As of Aug. 18, about 4,000 people were in shelters. Rains that started last on Aug. 14 have dumped more than 2-1/2 feet (0.76 meters) of water on parts of Louisiana. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was on the ground and processing claims for help. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said his agency was preparing for a very large response to help flood victims and the immediate issue was finding a safe place for affected residents to stay. A lot of people didnt have flood insurance, he said in an interview with MSNBC on Aug. 18, adding he had spoken the previous day with President Barack Obama about recovery efforts. Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said the flooding has made it more likely the state would rely on a short-term bank loan to shore up government funding. The state had anticipated the need for cash flow borrowing before the flooding, the governors office said. Louisiana is grappling with years of unresolved structural budget deficits that have collided with a weakening state economy and a sharp drop in revenues from oil and gas extraction taxes. The state believes it ended the last fiscal year with a deficit that must be closed this year. It is also grappling with a potential $1.5 billion budget gap for the next budget year of 2018-19. (Writing by Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas; Additional reporting by Robin Respaut in San Francisco and Susan Heavey in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler and Alistair Bell) Related: Topics Louisiana Flood A Texas man said the Autopilot mode on his Tesla Model S sent him off the road and into a guardrail, bloodying his nose and shaking his confidence in the technology. He doesnt plan to sue the electric-car maker, but his insurance company might. Mark Molthan, the driver, readily admits that he was not paying full attention. Trusting that Autopilot could handle the route as it had done before, he reached into the glove box to get a cloth and was cleaning the dashboard seconds before the collision, he said. The car failed to navigate a bend on Highway 175 in rural Kaufman, Texas, and struck a cable guardrail multiple times, according to the police report of the Aug. 7 crash. I used Autopilot all the time on that stretch of the highway, Molthan, 44, said in a phone interview. But now I feel like this is extremely dangerous. It gives you a false sense of security. Im not ready to be a test pilot. It missed the curve and drove straight into the guardrail. The car didnt stop it actually continued to accelerate after the first impact into the guardrail. Molthans experience while not as serious as a fatal crash that federal regulators are investigating still highlights the challenges ahead in determining who is to blame when semi-autonomous vehicles are involved in accidents. Insurance claims involving Teslas Autopilot are largely uncharted territory, in part because driver behavior is still a contributing factor. Cozen OConnor, the law firm that represents Molthans auto-insurance carrier, a unit of Chubb Ltd., said it sent Tesla Motors Inc. a notice letter requesting joint inspection of the vehicle, which has been deemed a total loss. Tesla said its looking into the Texas crash. Tesla stresses that Autopilot is only an assist feature that drivers need to keep their hands on the wheel and be prepared to take over at any time. Fresh Focus Teslas driver-assistance features, which the company calls Autopilot, have been in the spotlight in the wake of a fatal crash in Florida on May 7. Probes by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board of the Florida crash are ongoing. After non-fatal accidents in Montana and Pennsylvania, Consumer Reports called on Tesla to require drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel and to change the features name to avoid confusion. Scrutiny around Autopilot is heightened in part because the federal government is drafting guidelines, expected to be released this summer, for automakers racing to bring fully self-driving cars to market. Ford Motor Co., while announcing plans to produce a fully autonomous vehicle for use by ride-hailing services this week, said it would avoid adding incremental technologies because they leave the driver too detached in no-mans land to take over in a dangerous situation. While Ford and Alphabet Inc.s Google espouse an all-or-nothing approach, Tesla has introduced driver-assist technology in beta form for continuous improvement and frequent over-the-air software updates. Teslas website stresses that active sensors, GPS and high-resolution digital maps help the vehicle to stay within lanes, and that real time feedback from the Tesla fleet ensures the system is continually learning and improving upon itself. Automakers including General Motors Co., Honda Motor Co. and Daimler AG have also pushed to add features that take over some of the work but require the driver to remain responsible. Safety First About 35,200 people were killed in U.S. auto accidents in 2015, according to NHTSA. The overwhelming majority of vehicle accidents 94 percent are due to human error. Safety regulators want to improve human behavior while promoting technology that will protect people in crashes and help prevent them from occurring. Fans of Teslas Autopilot bemoan that theres no database of lives saved or accidents avoided by the technology. Im disgusted that the only time Autopilot is in the news is when there are crashes, said Diana Becker, 55, of Los Angeles, in a phone interview. Nobody hears about the accidents that dont happen. Becker recently completed a 27-day road trip throughout the West with her two children. She credits the Autopilot in her Model X with saving her family from colliding with a driver who crossed suddenly in front of them. I drove 400 miles a day on our road trip, and Autopilot was my second pair of eyes, said Becker. I depend on it. A Missouri man who suffered a pulmonary embolism last month relied on Teslas Autopilot to help him drive at least 20 miles to the nearest hospital, Slate reported. Molthan, the Texas driver, also owns a Model X sport utility vehicle. He said hes a big fan of Palo Alto, Calif.-based Tesla and Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, but his next car wont be another Model S. Related: Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Carriers Auto Texas Tesla A federal grand jury has indicted 22 people from a so-called Irish traveler community in western South Carolina for racketeering, alleging various violations ranging from food-stamp and tax fraud to money laundering and insurance fraud. Acting South Carolina U.S. Attorney Beth Drake announced that the 48-count indictment alleging the operation of a criminal organization was returned on Tuesday. The indictment says the defendants are residents of a community near North Augusta. It says travelers are itinerant laborers and salesmen who go door to door and speak a dialect of English and Gaelic called Cant, in addition to American English. It said many of the defendants reside in Murphy Village where they own large homes, luxury cars and expensive jewelry and clothes which are often acquired through fraud schemes or acquired with the proceeds of fraud schemes. The indictment says those charged are either travelers or their associates. The government says the defendants committed fraud to obtain things such as life insurance benefits, food stamps, Medicaid funds and automobile financing. It also alleges some of the defendants participated in money laundering to conceal the source or ownership of their assets. It alleges they structured bank deposits and withdrawals in amounts of $10,000 or less to avoid bank reporting requirements. The specific counts include conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen items. Each carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The indictment also includes counts of structuring financial transactions to avoid reporting requirements, each of which carries a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The indictment says that, if the defendants are convicted, assets owned by the defendants are subject to forfeiture to the federal government. The indictment lists five homes and 25 mostly high-end vehicles including BMWs, Lincolns, Audis and Lexus vehicles that the government says are subject to forfeiture. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Fraud South Carolina A central Alabama firefighter is charged with setting a fire in an Elmore County community thats been plagued by a string of suspicious blazes. WSFA-TV reports that 28-year-old Chad Ellis of Deatsville was arrested Tuesday by the State Fire Marshals Office on an arson charge. Ellis is the assistant chief of the volunteer fire department that serves Deatsville, where four fires have occurred at vacant homes in recent months. State Fire Marshal Scott Pilgreen says investigators believe Ellis is responsible for at least one of the fires. Officials say tips from the community helped lead to a break in the case. Court records arent yet available to show whether Ellis has an attorney to speak on his behalf. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Alabama Tampa-based American Integrity Insurance Co., a Florida property insurance company, has launched a new umbrella policy for Florida consumers and property insurance policyholders. The new coverage offers up to $5 million in protection. Umbrella coverage is designed to help protect policyholders from major claims and lawsuits, with its primary aim at protecting policyholders assets and future. American Integritys umbrella insurance will provide policyholders with at least $1 million in coverage on top of their underlying policy limits, with possible available limits up to $5 million. American Integritys umbrella policy is available to customers who have a primary residence insured with American Integrity, with some restrictions. Customers must use the same agent for their home, auto and umbrella policies. American Integrity agents will begin quoting and binding this coverage for new and existing policyholders immediately. Umbrella coverage is in addition to American Integritys product suite that includes home, condo, rental, vacant and manufactured home insurance. Tampa-based American Integrity offers property insurance products, including traditional home insurance and coverage for vacant homes, condominiums, manufactured homes and dwelling fire policies. Topics Florida Homeowners New Markets Florida health officials have found evidence of local Zika virus transmission in Miami Beach, one of the worlds most popular tourist destinations, opening a new front in the fight against the mosquito-borne virus, according to a source familiar with the investigation. A handful of Zika cases have been identified and health officials are deciding which area or areas to include in any updated travel guidance, the source said. An announcement is expected to be made as early as Friday. The virus, which has spread rapidly through the Americas since it was first detected in Brazil last year, can cause the rare birth defect microcephaly, marked by abnormally small heads and developmental problems. A spokeswoman for Floridas health department, Mara Gambineri, said the department believes active transmissions are still only occurring in a small area in the Wynwood area of Miami but acknowledged two new Zika cases outside that area. If investigations reveal additional areas of likely active transmission, the department will announce a defined area of concern, she said in a statement. Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine told a press conference late on Thursday that state and federal health officials have yet to conclude the tourist hotspot is the latest area where Zika has been transmitted. We dont know the exact link, one could be a tourist, one could be someone who may have worked on Miami Beach, Levine told reporters. If it was confirmed wed be able to talk about that, but its not. Levine said health department investigations are ongoing, and a determination could come as soon as Friday. So far there have been 35 cases of likely local transmission in the state, including the two new cases announced on Thursday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention referred calls to state health officials. The prospect of the virus spreading to the tourism-dependent Miami Beach area is likely to alarm tourism officials. Last year, some 15.5 million people spent at least one night in Greater Miami and the beaches, generating nearly $24.4 billion in direct expenditures, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. More than 48 percent of all visitors stayed in Miami Beach. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said it would not be surprising to see new clusters of Zika cases pop up in different areas or counties of Florida. Local mosquito populations could pick up the virus from a person returning from another area where Zika is active. He said it is important to alert people as soon as possible if local transmission is occurring so that pregnant women can protect themselves and get tested for the virus. At the same time, he said, you dont want to jump to conclusions right away and cause people to panic or stigmatize an area that doesnt have local transmission. Earlier this month Florida began aerial spraying of insecticides to kill mosquitoes in the Wynwood neighborhood. The CDC also issued an unprecedented warning to pregnant women and their partners to avoid the area. It is unclear what kind of mosquito control may be implemented, if any, in Miami Beach. The Zika virus has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of microcephaly in Brazil, raising alarm among public health officials globally about its spread. The virus can also be spread through sex, making it unique among mosquito-borne diseases. President Barack Obama in February requested $1.9 billion to fight Zika but Congressional efforts to approve part of the funding deadlocked before lawmakers adjourned for the summer. (Reporting by Toni Clarke in Washington; Additional reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa and Zachary Fagenson in Miami; Editing by Michele Gershberg, Bernard Orr and Michael Perry) Topics Florida Hawaii authorities are urging diners to be aware of the risks of eating raw and undercooked food after they traced a hepatitis A outbreak to frozen scallops served raw at a sushi restaurant chain. State Department of Health Sanitation Branch Chief Peter Oshiro said he and others in Hawaii like to eat food raw. But he said people should have their eyes wide open about such foods and understand theres a possibility they could get sick. Obviously I am an enjoyer of raw foods also, and I am at risk just like all of you. This is not going to stop me from eating it because I recognize that it tastes good, Oshiro said. The department on Aug. 15 ordered Genki Sushi, a popular restaurant chain that serves sushi on a conveyor belt, to close 10 restaurants on Oahu and one on Kauai. The restaurants must dispose of their food supply and disposable items like cups and napkins and disinfect the facilities before they reopen, Oshiro said. The outbreak has sickened 168 people so far. The disease can cause fever, loss of appetite, nausea and other ailments. The department said the tainted product is called Sea Port Bay Scallops distributed by Koha Oriental Foods. They were shipped frozen, but Genki Sushi served them raw. The box says the scallops are from the Philippines. U.S. Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman Lauren Sucher said the agency is working to confirm the source. People can contract the virus by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, close personal contact or sex. The company immediately complied with the departments order, said Mary Hansen, Genki Sushi USA chief administrative officer. We continue to work with the Department of Health to ensure were in compliance so we can reopen our restaurants as soon as possible, she said. Genki Sushi patrons select their sushi items by taking them off a conveyor belt that moves around tables and counters. Maui and Big Island restaurants arent being ordered to close because state health authorities havent verified the scallops were delivered there. The state health department first announced the hepatitis A outbreak on July 1, but it struggled to identify the source because of the diseases long incubation period. Its been difficult for those infected to remember everything they ate and all the people with whom they had contact. Dr. Sarah Park, the states epidemiologist, said one key piece of information was that 70 percent of those infected had eaten at Genki Sushi, but only 22 to 23 percent of those who replied to a department survey had. She said health officials didnt get a response like that for any other restaurant, food chain or grocery store. Park said the department is concerned the scallops may have been served or distributed to places other than Genki Sushi because a small number of patients say they didnt eat at the chain. Park said the distributor said it only provided the scallops to the Genki Sushi. Park said the health department has notified other U.S. health agencies so doctors around the country can consider travel history to Hawaii if their patients report hepatitis A symptoms. Attorneys for an Oahu resident, Brant Mauk, on Aug. 16 filed a lawsuit against Genki Sushi and Koha Oriental Foods alleging negligence and seeking damages. Hansen said Genki Sushi hadnt seen the lawsuit and didnt have any comment. A voicemail message left for Koha Oriental Foods wasnt immediately returned. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bankrupt coal company Peabody Energy has won U.S. court approval for agreements with three states to partially cover $1.14 billion in potential environmental liabilities and for a bonus plan for its six top executives. Under the agreements, Wyoming can receive $127 million in cash if Peabody walks away from its mine cleanup obligations in the state while in bankruptcy, while New Mexico would receive $32 million and Indiana would get $17 million. Until now those liabilities were covered by a federal program known as self-bonding. It allows the largest miners to extract coal without setting aside cash or collateral. The program is currently under review. Peabodys agreements with Wyoming, New Mexico and Indiana are similar to deals reached by bankrupt coal miners Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources on self-bonds in Wyoming and West Virginia. Peabody also overcame objections by funds affiliated with the United Mine Workers of America to its executive bonus plan. The plan and another incentive plan for non-insider employees proposed setting aside up to $16.2 million in bonuses. Peabodys executive leadership team would be eligible for the bonuses if they hit performance targets through the end of next year. The funds had argued the bonuses for the executives were unfair and retentive in nature. Bonus plans in bankruptcies routinely come under scrutiny, especially by the U.S. trustee, over concerns they are mainly intended to keep insiders from quitting. Bonus plans emerged as an alternative way to reward company leaders after changes to the U.S. bankruptcy code in 2005 essentially abolished retention payments for top executives while companies were slashing payrolls. To win court approval, debtors must prove the plans pay for performance rather than simply substitute for retention payments. Hurt by weak prices for coal and unable to service $10.1 billion in debt, much of it incurred to finance expansion into Australia, Peabody filed for bankruptcy in April. The case is In re Peabody Energy Corp, in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Missouri, No. 16-42529-399. (Reporting by Jim Christie; Editing by Tom Brown) Related: Topics USA (Bloomberg) -- A Texas man said the Autopilot mode on his Tesla Model S sent him off the road and into a guardrail, bloodying his nose and shaking his confidence in the technology. He doesnt plan to sue the electric-car maker, but his insurance company might. Mark Molthan, the driver, readily admits that he was not paying full attention. Trusting that Autopilot could handle the route as it had done before, he reached into the glove box to get a cloth and was cleaning the dashboard seconds before the collision, he said. The car failed to navigate a bend on Highway 175 in rural Kaufman, Texas, and struck a cable guardrail multiple times, according to the police report of the Aug. 7 crash. I used Autopilot all the time on that stretch of the highway, Molthan, 44, said in a phone interview. But now I feel like this is extremely dangerous. It gives you a false sense of security. Im not ready to be a test pilot. It missed the curve and drove straight into the guardrail. The car didnt stop -- it actually continued to accelerate after the first impact into the guardrail. Molthans experience -- while not as serious as a fatal crash that federal regulators are investigating -- still highlights the challenges ahead in determining who is to blame when semi-autonomous vehicles are involved in accidents. Insurance claims involving Teslas Autopilot are largely uncharted territory, in part because driver behavior is still a contributing factor. Cozen OConnor, the law firm that represents Molthans auto-insurance carrier, a unit of Chubb Ltd., said it sent Tesla Motors Inc. a notice letter requesting joint inspection of the vehicle, which has been deemed a total loss. Tesla said its looking into the Texas crash. Tesla stresses that Autopilot is only an assist feature -- that drivers need to keep their hands on the wheel and be prepared to take over at any time. Fresh Focus Teslas driver-assistance features, which the company calls Autopilot, have been in the spotlight in the wake of a fatal crash in Florida on May 7. Probes by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board of the Florida crash are ongoing. After non-fatal accidents in Montana and Pennsylvania, Consumer Reports called on Tesla to require drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel and to change the features name to avoid confusion. Scrutiny around Autopilot is heightened in part because the federal government is drafting guidelines, expected to be released this summer, for automakers racing to bring fully self-driving cars to market. Ford Motor Co., while announcing plans to produce a fully autonomous vehicle for use by ride-hailing services this week, said it would avoid adding incremental technologies because they leave the driver too detached -- in no-mans land -- to take over in a dangerous situation. While Ford and Alphabet Inc.s Google espouse an all-or-nothing approach, Tesla has introduced driver-assist technology in beta form for continuous improvement and frequent over-the-air software updates. Teslas website stresses that active sensors, GPS and high-resolution digital maps help the vehicle to stay within lanes, and that real time feedback from the Tesla fleet ensures the system is continually learning and improving upon itself. Automakers including General Motors Co., Honda Motor Co. and Daimler AG have also pushed to add features that take over some of the work but require the driver to remain responsible. Safety First About 35,200 people were killed in U.S. auto accidents in 2015, according to NHTSA. The overwhelming majority of vehicle accidents -- 94 percent -- are due to human error. Safety regulators want to improve human behavior while promoting technology that will protect people in crashes and help prevent them from occurring. Fans of Teslas Autopilot bemoan that theres no database of lives saved or accidents avoided by the technology. Im disgusted that the only time Autopilot is in the news is when there are crashes, said Diana Becker, 55, of Los Angeles, in a phone interview. Nobody hears about the accidents that dont happen. Becker recently completed a 27-day road trip throughout the West with her two children. She credits the Autopilot in her Model X with saving her family from colliding with a driver who crossed suddenly in front of them. I drove 400 miles a day on our road trip, and Autopilot was my second pair of eyes, said Becker. I depend on it. A Missouri man who suffered a pulmonary embolism last month relied on Teslas Autopilot to help him drive at least 20 miles to the nearest hospital, Slate reported. Molthan, the Texas driver, also owns a Model X sport utility vehicle. He said hes a big fan of Palo Alto, California-based Tesla and Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, but his next car wont be another Model S. Even six years after the Panama Papers leaked a confidential list of offshore accounts held by the global elite, tax morality is still very much on the table. Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese. Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa. Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista. E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta. A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito. Nel 2016 la lotta allevasione fiscale ha consentito allAgenzia delle Entrate di recuperare 19 miliardi. Un risultato record, sottolineato da Pier Carlo Padoan nel presentare al Tesoro il report del lavoro svolto dallAgenzia guidata da Rossella Orlandi. Lo scorso anno, ha spiegato il ministro dellEconomia, si registrato un gettito record per lerario. Oltre 450 miliardi secondo le prime stime, rispetto ai 436 miliardi del 2015 e ai 419 del 2014. Lesecutivo non strizza locchio agli evasori ma alle aziende e ai contribuenti onesti, aiuta ad adempiere, a non sbagliare e a correggere gli errori, senza approcci inutilmente punitivi, ha affermato Padoan, evidenziando che una buona amministrazione fiscale non serve solo ad assicurare il gettito ma anche la giustizia sociale, perche il mancato adempimento crea disuguaglianze e distorce la concorrenza. Levasione delle multinazionali, ha proseguito Padoan, nella maggior parte dei casi e elusione, cioe comportamenti che rispettano la lettera ma non lo spirito della legge e sfruttano le asimmetrie. Questi preoccupano tanto quanto levasione fiscale vera e propria. Il ministro, definendo odiosa levasione internazionale dellAgenzia delle Entrate, ha ricordato che Italia, ha fatto molto negli ultimi anni ed e stata capofila dei progressi globali che si sono registrati, che hanno portato allo scambio automatico di informazioni tra i Paesi secondo il protocollo Beps, che spiegano anche il successo della voluntary disclosure. Al G7 dei ministri delle Finanze di meta maggio a Bari, ha poi annunciato, si discutera della tassazione delle nuove forme di impresa delleconomia digitale, vedremo quali sono le forme possibili e concrete di cooperazione internazionale. Rosella Orlandi e poi entrata nel dettaglio. Nel 2016 sono stati fatti controlli sul 40% dei grandi contribuenti, che sono 3.114, portando alle casse dello Stato 1,6 miliardi di gettito. Dati, ha sottolineato che dimostrano che lamministrazione non si accanisce sui piccoli contribuenti. Soddisfatta dei risultati la sottosegretaria alla presidenza Maria Elena Boschi che su Twitter ha commentato: Lotta a evasione. Il risultato del 2016 supera tutti i record: 19 miliardi. Orgogliosa dellazione del Governo. What Is a Stalled Pattern? A stalled pattern is a candlestick chart pattern that occurs during an uptrend, but indicates a likely bearish reversal. It is also known as a deliberation pattern. Candlestick charts are price charts that show the open and closing prices of a security, as well as their highs and lows for a specific period. They get their name from the way the illustrations in the chart resemble candles and their wicks. A stalled pattern indicates indecision in the market. It may suggest a limited ability for traders turn a quick profit through short-term trades. Image by Sabrina Jiang Investopedia 2020 Understanding Stalled Patterns A stalled pattern does not necessarily indicate a bearish reversal. However, when the candle following a stalled pattern moves below the middle of the second candles real body, a bearish reversal is likely. Traders often see this as an indication that they should consider cutting their losses. Reversals can happen very quickly, often inside of a day, but market observers look for reversals that take place over longer periods, such as weeks. Technical analysts search for reversal patterns throughout the day as indicators of how they should shift their trading strategies. Intraday reversals are usually caused by events such as company announcements or news reports that can alter consumer or investor confidence quickly. A bearish, or a downward trend is indicated by a series of lower highs and lower lows. Once bearish, a market can reverse into an uptrend when both the highs and lows begin to move higher. Understanding Candlestick Charts A stalled pattern chart consists of three white candles and must meet a specific set of criteria. First, each candles open and close must be higher than that of the previous candle in the pattern. Second, the third candle must have a shorter real body than the other two candles. Finally, the third candle must have a tall upper shadow, and an open that is near the close of the second candle. The wide part of the candle in the chart is called the real body. It shows the range between the opening and the closing price of a security over a specific time period. If the real body is black or red, the stock closed lower than it opened. If it is white or green, the stock closed higher. Investors and observers can also look for reversals in future candles that follow the stalled pattern. One indicator of such a reversal is bearish engulfing. Investopedia does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Top News - Investor Idea REE Stock News - Defense Metals (TSX-V: DEFN.V) (OTCQB: DFMTF) Drills 113 metres of 2.50% Total Rare Earth Oxide at Wicheeda Vancouver, British Columbia - October 26, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mining / Metals / Green Energy Stock News - Defense Metals Corp. (TSX-V: DEFN / OTCQB: DFMTF/ FSE:35D) is pleased to announce high-grade Rare Earth Element ("REE") assay results from one additional core hole, totalling 383 metres (m), collared within the northern area of Defense Metals' 100% owned Wicheeda REE Deposit. Top Cleantech News - Investor Idea Breaking EV Stock News: Pre-orders for Mullen (NASDAQ: MULN) FIVE Electric-SUV Crossover Exceed Expectations as the FIVE 'Strikingly Different' Tour Begins BREA, Calif. - October 28, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN), an emerging electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, announces today that the Mullen FIVE "Strikingly Different" EV Crossover Tour which began yesterday, in Pasadena, California, is off to a great start with first day reservations exceeding expectations and overwhelmingly positive customer feedback. Top Health and Wellness News - Investor Idea Health and Wellness Stock News - Endexx (OTCBB: EDXC) Secures Third Order for Non-Nicotine Vape Product HYLA Worth Approximately $1.5M in Revenue for First two Fiscal Quarters of 2023 CAVE CREEK, Ariz. - October 27, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Endexx Corporation (OTCBB:EDXC), a provider of innovative, plant-derived, and sustainable health and skincare products, today announces it has secured three key significant orders for its newly acquired, non-nicotine plant-based vape product, HYLA. Top AI Stock News - Investor Idea Breaking AI Stock News: FatBrain (OTCQB: LZGI) Acquires Confidential Computing Platform ZeroTrust to Protect Data Privacy and Accelerate Innovation for Millions of Growth Businesses NEW YORK, NY - October 19, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow, has acquired the confidential computing and privacy intellectual property (IP) plus software assets of Zero2A PTE LTD ("ZeroTrust Platform"), a software company based in Singapore. Check out our Podcasts for great investor ideas: Get new posts by email: Subscribe Powered by Investorideas.com Newswire: Subscribe to Investor Ideas Newswire Jabbar al-Luaibi, the former head of Iraqs biggest crude producer who was appointed oil minister, stated that he observes ways to resolve the energy dispute with the self-governed Kurds in the north of OPECs No. 2 producer. His statement was accepted in parliament, as part of a government reshuffle, according to a statement by deputy parliament speaker Humam Hamoudi. Al-Luaibi is former head of the state-owned South Oil Co. which produces most of the countrys crude. He replaces Adel Abdul Mahdi who had suspended his participation in the cabinet in March, citing disarray in government ministries. More than 13 years after the U.S.-led invasion that ousted former President Saddam Hussein, Iraqs finances are being drained by the oil-price plunge and the political bickering that has delayed efforts to tackle graft and sectarian divisions. The country has lost sales and revenue from its northern region as a payments dispute with the Kurds and interruptions to the flow of oil for export through a pipeline to Turkey have crippled shipments. According to new minister, there are various ways to resolve the conflict with the Kurdish region of Iraq which has split control of the countrys crude exports. He also said that Iraq will seek local investment to develop its natural gas industry. The Kurdistan Regional Government is ready to seriously negotiate with the central government to resolve disputes including issues related to oil, KRG spokesman Safeen Dizayee said. He mentioned, We wish all the best for the new ministers and that they can take part in creating an environment to help resolve problems between the two parties. Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said the cabinet reshuffle was part of reforms, according to a statement on his website. Al-Abadis efforts to shuffle the cabinet have been repeatedly blocked by lawmakers. Iraq, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, holds the worlds fifth-largest oil reserves. The drop in crude prices over the past two years has squeezed state revenue as the government waged a costly campaign against Islamic State militants who have seized parts of northern Iraq. Iraq produced 4.36 million barrels a day in July compared with 4.44 million at the end of last year. Al-Luaibi, who has a bachelor of science in chemical engineering, has worked in Iraqs oil business since 1973. | Soruce: Bloomberg | By S.Seal The miracle-working nurse who saved the life of two-year-old Neil Shanahan when he fell from the sixth floor of a Limerick hotel has spoken for the first time of her delight in the young boys speedy recovery. Nurse Julie Genova, from Concord, near Boston, Massachusetts, was on a surprise vacation in Ireland with her husband while their three children were at summer camp when she happened upon the scene of the accident on July 2 just seconds after the toddler had fallen from the sixth floor terrace of the Strand Hotel in Limerick city. Administering emergency CPR on Neil for five minutes, she helped bring him back to life before he was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick and later transferred to Temple Street Childrens Hospital in Dublin. The miracle-boy has since been released from hospital and returned home with his family just five weeks after the fall that could have taken his life. "It was a horrible situation. This little baby was lying there, not breathing, Genova told the Irish Independent. "I gave him CPR for about four to five minutes and he started to cough and come back to us. He was looking at his mum, he was moving his extremities and moving on his own. "He was just laying on his back on the terrace. He was not breathing and it was difficult to ascertain a pulse. Martina [Neil's mother] did not know what had happened to him; she found him like that. We did not know at the time that he had fallen from the top of the building." Genova has since returned to Massachusetts where she works as a nurse in a private boys school but looks forward to returning to Ireland and to meeting with Neil and his family again under happier circumstances. "I cannot wait to see them again and give that little one a really big hug," she said. As for Neil, who now bears no signs at all that he suffered such a dramatic fall, he can look forward to an extra-special Christmas present as the Mayor of Limerick, Kieran OHanlon, has asked him to do the honor of turning on the citys Christmas lights. Read more: Miracle Flying Boy fell from sixth-floor Limerick balcony without a scratch The following interview is from Irish America magazine's 2016 Healthcare and Life Sciences issue, which celebrates Irish leaders in the medical field. Honorees will be feted at the Healthcare & Life Sciences 50 Awards in New York City on October 5. The Irish-born biologist and parasitologist William Cecil Campbell, who was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine, gave the issue's feature interview. Here he talks to Irish America's Founding Editor Patricia Harty. For those of us fortunate enough to turn a simple tap to take a nice relaxing bath or long hot shower, its hard to imagine risking the loss of your eyesight for a single bucket of water. But for centuries, onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, had plagued remote communities in Africa, Latin America, and Yemen. Lifelines for villagers, the rivers are also breeding grounds for black flies that, infected with a parasite worm, transmit the disease through repeated biting. In return, those infected transfer the disease to uninfected flies who bite them, resulting in a plague characterized by extreme itching and eventual blindness. That the simple chore of getting water in these communities is no longer as much of a danger as it had been for generations is due to William Bill Campbell, an Irish-born scientist who, with his colleagues at Merck Research Laboratories, discovered a novel therapy for treating the disease. In 2015, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, sharing it with Satoshi Omura of Japan. One wonders why it took so long. It was in the late 1970s when, working with a batch of microbe strains that Omura sent over for evaluation, Campbell developed a drug using ivermectin (later named Mectizan) and suggested it would work for river blindness in humans. Not only did the drug work, it also proved effective against the parasite that causes elephantiasis (so-called because of the elephant-like appearance of swollen limbs in severely affected cases), which co-exists with river blindness in many places. More than 25 years later, since Merck made the drug free in those countries most affected, treating 250 million annually, the results speak for themselves. Several countries in Africa are making significant progress towards eliminating both diseases. In Latin America, three countries Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico have effectively eliminated river blindness. Campbell, who at 86, is fit and trim with twinkling eyes, a keen mind, and self-effacing wit, is also decidedly modest about his Nobel Prize. I think of it as an award in which Im the representative of the Merck companys research teams, he said in one of several phone conversations that I had with him over the summer, prior to a meet up in Cape Cod, where he and his wife, Mary, children (two daughters and a son), and five grandchildren had gathered for a vacation in early August. The respite is a welcome break from all the attention that being a Nobel laureate has brought. He had settled into retirement in North Andover, MA, enjoying time with Mary (they met at a church function in Elizabeth, NJ over 50 years ago), his three-times weekly doubles ping pong games, solitary kayak trips in early morning, an occasional hike up nearby half-mile hill, and painting and writing poetry that reflects his passion for roundworms and other kinds of parasitic worms. A true Renaissance man who can turn his hand to any number of things, Campbell likes to keep it simple. In fact, the title of his Nobel Lecture, Ivermectin: A Reflection on Simplicity,could serve as a mantra for the man himself. More than anything, the now world-famous biologist and zoologist, is a naturalist who espouses nature-based remedies for curing diseases. He told Adam Smith, the chief scientific officer of Nobel Media, there is a certain amount of hubris in humans thinking that they can create molecules as well as nature can create molecules in terms of the diversity of molecules, because nature consistently produces molecules that have not been thought of by humans. Campbells appreciation of nature is rooted in his childhood. He grew up in Ramelton, a small farming town in County Donegal, with two older brothers and a younger sister. The town is situated on mouth of the River Lennon, in one of the most beautiful and remote spots in Ireland. His parents, Sarah Jane Campbell (nee Patterson) of Dunfanaghy, and R.J. Campbell of Fanad, ran a general store, supplying farmers. His father also farmed, raising shorthorn dairy cattle that won prizes at agricultural shows. And it was at an agricultural show that 14-year-old Campbell picked up a leaflet on fluke worms in sheep that, in hindsight, may have influenced his interest in becoming a scientist. But then Campbell could just as easily have become a writer, an artist or a historian. His teacher during his formative years, Miss Martin, instilled a love of learning, not in the sense of a chore to be mastered, but getting the satisfaction of knowing something, and remembering something. She had a tremendous influence on me, he says. Desmond Smyth, the renowned parasitologist, who was Campbells science professor at Trinity College, was another key influencer. He changed my life by developing my interest in parasitic worms, he says. After graduating with first class honors in zoology from Trinity, Campbell went on to the University of WisconsinMadison where he earned a Ph.D. in 1957 for work on liver fluke in deer. Headhunted by Merck out of school, he stayed with the company for over 30 years developing many significant drugs, including a treatment for trichinosis. After his retirement from Merck, Campbell taught undergraduate biology and graduate history at Drew University until 2012. Nowadays, he often begins lectures by showing a picture of his fathers cows. Of course it has absolutely nothing to do with the lecture, but I like to tell people where Im from because it is such a part of me, he says. When I remark that he still has a hint of an Irish accent after all this time in America, he laughs. After about three days in Donegal with my family, Mary says it comes back. And that will be soon. In September, Campbell will be honored by IT Sligo and then go home to Ramelton for a town reception. My brother, Bert, said hell make sure that there will be time for family picnics on Marble Hill beach, Campbell, his eyes lighting up at the prospect, says. His lovely mother used to put together such wonderful picnics for us, Mary adds. Campbell agrees. I was very lucky to have a great mother and a great father. He pauses for a moment, verklempt. Thats one of those things about the Prize you wish they were around. --- You have lived here a long time. Do you feel more American than Irish as the years go by? Well, I feel both and that may seem strange. I never ceased to feel Irish but I also feel American. I am proud to be American and I am proud to be Irish and proud to be a citizen of the U.K. Tell me about growing up in Donegal? My father started with a little grocery shop and built it up over his lifetime into a general merchant store selling farm equipment, hardware, kitchen utensils, and chinaware just about everything. Sometimes the farmers would come in at lunch time when the shop would be closed but my father would always get up, much to my mothers distress, and go out and talk to farmers. It wouldnt have occurred to him not to open the shop for some farmer who had maybe come in from a long distance. He was a natural entrepreneur and businessman. He also farmed. He just loved to do that. He grew a lot of potatoes and oats, and raised dairy cattle. He used to take his purebred dairy shorthorns to shows. One thing that sort of typified my father, was that he brought electricity to the town. He hired people to set up the poles and the wires to bring electricity to the whole town. He bought this big generator the engine room that housed it was behind our house. When we were in bed, we could hear this generator going through its paces before it settled down into a steady rhythm. People in those days who had battery-powered radios would bring them to my fathers shop to get them charged. Then after the war, he bought three or four smaller diesel-fueled generators. I had wonderful parents. My mother was saintly. I dont use saintly in a religious or liturgical sense, though she was devout, but rather to convey a sense of her profound goodness. She was very caring. I never heard her say a bad thing about anyone. Has your life changed since the Nobel Prize? There is no way you can stop it from changing your life because there is just a constant barrage of invitations and letters and emails and requests. And while they are all wonderful to have, there are just so many of them and I am now very ancient and have no secretary or manpower or secretarial skills, it is stressful for me. Whether I say yes or no, it is just a constant preoccupation, especially if the invitation is from someone I know, and I have a lot of speeches to give and lectures to write. The Nobel experience itself was just out of this world, and then to meet the President of the United States was a great honor. I think the main positive is being contacted by people you havent been in touch with for many, many years and to know that people still remember you. In fact, the most positive thing is that people actually enjoy hearing about it. They actually get pleasure out of talking to someone who had [the Nobel] experience. I understand that as a boy, you became interested in science after picking up a leaflet on Fluke worms in sheep at an agricultural show. One of the things that has happened with the prize, it is that I find myself telling the same story and even writing it. Only in retrospect, did I find it intriguing that I only remembered one thing about that show, and that happened to be a leaflet about a parasitic worm that I took home with me. I didnt think, Aha! This is what I want to study. The decision came gradually, and it all really stemmed from Desmond Smyth, my professor at Trinity College. He was a fantastic man, the sort of teacher who changes peoples lives. He was very encouraging and engaged me in the study of parasitic worms. How did the decision to go to Trinity College come about? At that time and place, if you were a Protestant you went to Trinity, or perhaps to Queens University Belfast. If you were a Roman Catholic you tended to go to University College Dublin, or University College Galway or Cork. That is the reality of how it was at the time. One of the things I liked when I came to this country was what I naively perceived to be a lack of prejudice because people didnt seem to know by looking at me whether I was Protestant or Catholic. Whereas in Ramelton, if a new person moved to town, everyone knew, before they even got there, whether they were Protestant or Catholic. It was ridiculous, but that is the way it was. How did you end up at the University of Wisconsin? As I was nearing graduation, a professor at the University of Wisconsin wrote to Smyth in Dublin. They knew each others work, and as a result of this contact, I applied to do research and graduate studies at Wisconsin. When I got there, my professor had a project on liver fluke that he and his department were working on. This was the giant liver fluke that is very pathogenic in deer and sheep, so it turned out to be the perfect spot for me. And this led to a job at Merck? Yes. The head of parasitology at Merck wrote to my professor at Wisconsin to see if there was anybody just finishing their PhD that he might recommend. I looked at the map of northern New Jersey and decided (unfairly, of course) that it didnt look appealing. But my professor said, Just go there and have the experience and stay in New York. So that is what I did. It turned out that seeing the work being done at Merck, and meeting the people there, intrigued and impressed me. When I got back to Wisconsin, there was a letter offering me a job. Ivermectin, as well has having a huge impact on human diseases, has also made a difference in veterinary practice. How did it come about? Yes. I meet a lot of veterinary practitioners who tell me that. [The discovery] was a long process of finding a drug that worked against some worms, and then testing it against other worms, and following up with more testing, and more experiments. That involved a lot of hard work and a lot of persistence. Knowing enough about worms to draw analogies between the different types, and where they live and what they do, was a key factor. Was it a huge eureka moment when you realized that the treatment for parasites in horses might be used to treat humans? No, it wasnt. I was very conscious of human worm diseases. While still at Merck, I was lecturing at New York Medical College on human parasitic worms. And I had been in South America on an Inter-American Fellowship in Tropical Medicine. So there was never a eureka moment for me. When you discover something active, you have a sort of subdued excitement because the chances are overwhelming that it is going to fall by the wayside. The vast majority turn out to be too toxic or too unstable or too stinky But, on the other hand, there certainly were moments that were more important than others, some things that would shift the trajectory a bit, and therefore we might call them inflection points; certainly I am thinking about the horses here. Can you talk about the river blindness trials? I read that you persuaded Merck to make the drug available for free in poor countries. First of all, let me say that the trials were carefully done by the Merck medical people working with French tropical medicine experts in Africa. Any trial that is a first trial in humans has to be very cautious but this was out of the ordinary in terms of being cautious. And when it worked, there was some serious skepticism on the part of leading authorities that had do with people being susceptible to particular drugs and particular life stages being more dangerous to treat than other life stages, in terms of hypersensitivity, reactions and so on. But Merck decided to go ahead despite the skepticism and set up its own trials and not rely on some big international agency. And again, it worked just wonderfully well and the question then was what to do with it. As a pharmaceutical company, it would have been nice to sell it at a profit, but those most affected lived in poor countries, so there was no way people were going to get it unless it was donated. And this decision was decided by the chairman and CEO of the company in collusion with a handful of three or four top associates, and I was not one of them. To my mind, they are the ones, and the only ones, who deserve credit for that donation. What else have you worked on? As a parasitologist, I have had the privilege of interfacing with both human and veterinary medicine because parasites are so important to both. There is one particular disease that I spent an enormous amount of time on and that is trichinosis, the one you get from eating under-cooked pork. I gave a talk at George Washington University, in D.C., in March and at the end of the lecture, a young fellow put up his hand and said, I heard that you once gave Scotch whiskey to pigs. Can you confirm that? And I said, I never in my entire life gave Scotch whiskey to pigs. I gave them Irish whiskey! I fed the pigs seven-year-old John Jameson whiskey because of reports that alcoholic beverages would prevent trichinosis, and published a paper on it. And did it work? Yes, but you would have to drink an awful lot of it. It would be a very expensive and hazardous cure. Humans affected with trichinosis get tremendous fever and pain pigs dont get either. You can give them enough [trichinosis] to eventually kill them with infection, but they never get the fever. What are your thoughts on using animals in research? I dont dismiss it lightly. In biomedical research we say that it is justified because it is to benefit humans. I realize for some people that is not enough. I can certainly respect the difficulty that people have with it. A number of years ago a British member of parliament tried to get a bill passed that all medicines in which animals were used in the research would have to carry a label saying, Animals were used in developing this product. The bill never got passed but I think it would have made people stop and think, Okay, Im against the use of animals in research. Do I take the drug or be noble and say no, even if its going to cure me? There is a big focus now on using ones own autoimmune system to target disease. Yes, and some of it has to do with worms. There is a connection between early childhood worm infections and a stronger immunity. You can cure some diseases by infecting the person with worms. In Mexico, for a couple of hundred dollars you can become infected with worms as a cure for irritable bowel syndrome. You can get the treatment in London. It hasnt caught on here because people are put off by the idea of worms. Most of the research is being done on the fringe. Established researchers wont touch it. You have spent your whole career developing chemical answers to disease but youve said that we need to look to nature for cures. Yes, absolutely. I believe that. We need to look at the immunological response and other biological approaches rather than chemical contrivances. We need to continue to work on other ways of interrupting life cycles and disrupting transmission of disease. One would hope that eventually [chemicals] would be replaced but certainly we are not anywhere near that yet, except in certain cases such as virus diseases. In terms of the Prize, you like to give credit to others, saying the discovery was a team effort. Right, that is really important. Im a representative of the Merck companys team of teams parasitologists, chemists, microbiologists, and toxicologists. If there was a problem or an obstacle in one department, somehow it was solved. As obstacles arose, they got resolved. And of course, there was a lot of good fortunethings went better than one had any right to expect. How do you stay fit and mentally alert? The thing that I cling to, no matter how busy I get, is playing doubles ping-pong three times a week. It is very energetic and requires a lot of mental focus. I also kayak early in the morning. I love the serene atmosphere. When you have the lake all to yourself, it is such a source of refreshment. And of course, its good physical exercise as well. Also, I paint and write poetry. Those are things that you can keep on doing. Well, the painting you can keep doing. The poetry seems to be something that is either there or not there. From your paintings and your poetry, I have come to the conclusion that you love worms. Yes. I consider them beautiful. They are just doing their own thing and not meaning to be destructive. And I have said in some recent papers that the objective is not to get rid of parasitic worms, the objective is to get rid of parasitic diseases. One of your worm paintings actually looks like a stained-glass window. Yes. Several of them do. It is always the same stained glass window. One last question as a scientist and as a person, do you believe in the afterlife? Ah. I cannot answer that. I have a very fuzzy but very important religious faith you know, from growing up in a Christian household. When I say I cant answer that, it is not just that I dont want to (although I dont want to) but it is because I dont have an answer that satisfies me. I dont believe in heaven with a big-bearded God and Saint Peter with a big keys at the gate and stuff. I am not a literalist in terms of religious faith. I am very liberal. In fact, I am a very fuzzy-minded person when it comes to those things But I cant let go of the belief that theres something there. Thank you, Dr. Campbell. To read more stories from this issue of Irish America, click here. The only constant in New York City is change. Leave town for a week and your favorite restaurant will close, the local bar will become a corporate pharmacy, and the quaint little city block you once knew will give way to another glass and steel financial tower. You unwittingly become a sociologist as well as a historian if you live here, because almost everything you know will get built over, change hands, lose its mojo or find it -- and that was just last week. For writer Jay McInerney, 61, who grew up in an Irish American family that was constantly on the move, New York's endless flux is familiar. My father was a kind of corporate gypsy. We never lived in the one place for very long so I had to find, to decide what my home terrain was and I think New York City is my home town at this point, McInerney told the Irish Voice during a recent interview. In his new book Bright, Precious Days (Knopf), McInerney returns to the now 25 year marriage of Corrine and Russell Calloway, the two privileged New Yorkers he introduced in two of his prior novels. The Calloways like the author himself live the dream. With their loft in TriBeCa and their summers in the Hamptons, on the surface they're a picture of upper class accomplishment, but all is not well in their long marriage or their careers. The book takes place during the years leading up to the 2007 financial crisis, McInerney explains. That's the backdrop. It's a slightly different picture in 2016. The financial system didn't melt down and Wall Street didn't collapse. Everybody has charged ahead as if nothing happened, but it's a different city to the one I arrived in the 1980s. The city he loves and lionized in the 1980s most memorably in his famed novel Bright Lights, Big City, which was turned into a movie starring Michael J. Fox -- is as lost now as Atlantis, he realizes. In some ways you could say that New York's much improved because it's safer and cleaner, but on the other hand it's a lot less diverse now. Manhattan has become so gentrified, there's less creativity, less diversity than there used to be and that bothers me, McInerney feels. Read more news about Irish books here But to me it's still the best place in the world. I don't like the fact that it's increasingly becoming a ghetto of the rich and entitled. But where else on earth can one go to a dinner party and sit next to an actor, an artist, a ballet dancer, a hedge fund manager and a novelist all at the same table? For all it's changes it's still not that unusual in Manhattan, McInerney says. Thats one kind of diversity, but many others are missing now I remind him. Drag queens are the canaries in the gay coal mine and they are shouting that the scene is dead. He nods his head. It's funny you should mention drag queens. The downtown scene in the early 80s was so vibrant and a large proportion of the people who created culture and nightlife here then were gay. I think one of things that we sometimes forget about the 80s was that increasingly that population was really decimated by the AIDS epidemic. 1981, 82, 83, the nightclub scene in New York seemed to me as vibrant and authentic as anything I've ever seen. Where better for a kid raised on impermanence to decamp but the moving center of everything, which New York actually was when he came here. Does McInerney look at that time now as a kind of belle epoch? In a lot of ways it was in terms of creativity. It really was a sort of a renaissance because in the 70s it looked as if New York was completely falling to pieces and we saw it rebound in the 80s, he says. We saw really vibrant developments in art, we saw a very vibrant music scene, there was a whole downtown culture that was really fascinating and which turned out to be very influential. I'm not sure I can say the same now. Insofar as those things are happening they're probably scattered around Brooklyn more than they are downtown Manhattan. At this point an awful lot of that original energy has been commercialized, he says. It seems like every party nowadays has a corporate sponsor, which means there's a lot less spontaneity than there used to be. But I don't want to sound like a horrible old fart who's nostalgic for the old days, he laughs. I still love New York and I still believe in it. In Bright, Precious Days the marriage of Corrine and Russell is increasingly on the rocks over their past affairs and the reappearance in Corrines life of an old and ardent paramour. Does the city make it particularly tough on couples, or is something else? I'm someone who has failed at monogamy several times over, McInerney says candidly. I've been married four times, so I'm fascinated by the idea of people who somehow sustain a relationship over 25 years, as they do in the book. I think that there may be those marriages that are untroubled and perfect, but then those probably aren't all that interesting dramatically. (McInerney, a father of two, has been married to publishing heiress Anne Hearst since 2006). It's hard to sustain passion, he adds. Eventually you have to decide what kind of compromises are you going to make. Are you going to shut off that part of your being or are you going to seek it elsewhere, I guess. In this book Corrine is seeking it elsewhere (in the arms of besotted tycoon). The fate of love and the vicissitudes of marriage and career are his perennial themes, and McInerney captures each moment in the book with empathy and forensic precision. It's his set in stone reluctance to judge that reminds readers of his heritage. I'm Irish American, Irish on both sides, he says. My mothers maiden name is Murphy and McInerney is Irish too of course. So yeah I'm very conscious of my heritage, especially as a writer. Irish literature and Irish American literature have been very important to me, whether it's James Joyce or Frank O'Connor or Yeats and Synge. F. Scott Fitzgerald has definitely been an influence on my work over the years. Barely in his thirties when he was being compared to his literary idol Fitzgerald, McInerney happily acknowledges just how influential Irish and Irish American writers have been. I was really knocked out by Joyce when I encountered him in college. At the time I was writing poetry and thinking of myself as a poet. But after I read him I realized that prose could be just as lyrical and as powerful and I just sort of switched over. He's inexhaustible. Every time you read Ulysses you get another ten things out of it that you hadn't noticed before. That admiration has taken him to the homeland many times. I've been to Ireland a number of times and I do feel connected to it. It's the homeland for sure. I have always been very conscious of being Irish and for that matter New York City itself is pretty Irish. The Irish and the Jews are the two main tribes that shaped contemporary New York, I don't think there's any question about that. Ireland's most celebrated international figure, Peter Sutherland, has carried out a strident verbal condemnation of Donald Trumps latest call for action against radical Islam. Sutherland, United Nations special representative on migration, described Trumps comments on Muslim emigrants as utterly disgraceful and contrary to the charter of the UN. Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, proposed an ideological purity test to screen out immigrants with sympathies toward radical Islam in a sharp escalation of what he claimed is a religious war with the west. He also proposed refusing entry to people from certain countries. Sutherland told RTE that it was utterly disgraceful to say someone fleeing from persecution is not acceptable because theyre Muslim. It is utterly disgraceful and contrary to the charter of the UN. We should be worried about human lives. This year more 3,000 are dead trying to flee across the Mediterranean, Sutherland said. Read more: Trump doubles down on smears and conspiracy campaign Sutherlands attack on Trump is bound to attract international attention. He is a former EU commissioner, former chairman of global investment bankers Goldman Sachs International and of oil giant BP, and was founding director-general of the World Trade Organization. Among the 70-year-olds numerous awards, he was European Person of the Year in 1988. Sutherland was commenting following the agreement of a draft UN declaration on the refugee and migrant crisis which will be discussed when world leaders gather at the United Nations next month. The mere fact that weve got to the stage where 193 countries have, in effect, agreed a draft of what will come out of the summit, is a bit of an achievement. Ten years ago when I started out on the migration trail some countries would not even discuss the topic in a multi lateral setting, he said. If this doesnt have real teeth and have a real effect then as a generation we will have failed to deal with the biggest challenge of our time. I think it potentially has real teeth, but at the end of the day we need to get specific commitments some countries are stepping up to the plate Germany, Sweden, Canada. Read more: Kennedy Summer School will bring US politics to town of JFKs ancestors Leading public figures and academics from Ireland and the US will come together for one weekend in September, to bring a feast of political conversation to the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross, Co. Wexford the hometown of JFKs Irish ancestors. The 2016 summer school, which revolves around the theme 'A Festival of Irish and American, History, Politics and Culture, will take place from September 8 10. Thirty guest speakers, including Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny, former 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Gov. Martin OMalley, and former chief strategist for Bernie Sanders Tadd Devine, will participate in a wide range of different topics. Organizers say that the imminent US Presidential Election will obviously feature prominently. The Kennedy Summer School and Festival is run in association with the John F. Kennedy Trust New Ross and with Wexford County Council. The presidents great-grandfather Patrick Kennedy departed from New Ross in 1848, fleeing the Great Hunger. As president, JFK returned to his familys homestead in 1963, just a few months before his tragic death in Dallas. 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 on the US Playwright Eugene ONeill, whose Irish roots also stem from New Ross, and a key note lecture by Professor Robert Downing a leading US academic authority on Eugene O Neills work. 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 honor 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 (Irish police) Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan will be interviewed for this year's Kennedy Summer School focus interview, title On a Personal and Policing Journey. This will be followed by the Edward M. Kennedy Lecture, hosted by the guest of honor and keynote speaker for the Summer School, the former Governor of Maryland and Democratic Presidential Contender, Martin O'Malley. Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Irish Minister for Justice Francis Fitzgerald TD will also speak at the keynote address event. Getting the school underway on Saturday, September 10, Dr. Robert M. Mauro, Director of the Irish Institute at Boston College and Dr. Richard Aldous, Eugene Meyer Chair at Bard College, will join a panel to discuss the US Presidency and politics titled 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, Political Correspondent for RTEs Current Affairs Department, who will be joined by leading Irish politicians from each of the main political parties and the independents candidates. Later in the afternoon, Tadd Devine will tell the story of the spectacular Bernie Sanders campaign for the Democratic Party nomination in which Devine was a key adviser. 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 Oscars 2016 Best Picture, Spotlight, which tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation into clerical sexual abuse in the Catholic dioceses, and the decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal, and government establishment. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Colm OGorman, Executive Director at Amnesty International Ireland, and Kevin Cullen, columnist with the Boston Globe. A number of Fleadh Cheoil events and luncheons will also take place with other guests including Anne Doyle, Charlie Bird, Tony Bates and more. For further details and tickets for the 2016 events see kennedysummerschool.ie. The Staten Island teen who died by suicide last week after relentless bullying from his peers and alleged inaction on the part of his school may have also faced troubles in his home life, The Washington Post reports. According to documents obtained by the newspaper, 13-year old Danny Fitzpatrick was not doing well in his academic life, engaged in angry outbursts during class and talked of his parents drinking and how that affected him. The report from an investigator working on behalf of New York Citys Administration of Childrens Services wrote: Danny said mom being drunk affects him in everything and makes him angry. He said dad also drinks, but controls himself more than mom. Student cant remember a time when mom was not drunk often. The report continued to state that the young student denied any physical abuse by his parents and denied having suicidal thoughts but that he was afraid of his parents anger. Danny denies physical abuse by mom and dad, but says Kristen, his older sister, hides him in the attic or his room when mom is drunk. He says his dad and Kristen protect him, the report said. Danny denies suicidal thoughts, but feels angry, sad, has thoughts of wanting to run away. Mother is blaming his teachers for his failures and has written several accusatory letters to school. Student is afraid of both parents anger. Read more: Bullied to death Staten Island teen was proud of his Irish roots A lawyer acting on behalf of the Fitzpatrick family denied the accusations of mistreatment when confronted by the Post and cited that they were part of a larger scheme by Holy Angels Catholic Academy, the school Danny attended, to discredit the family following the familys criticism of how the school administration dealt with their sons bullies. The lawyer, Scott Rynecki, presented the paper with a letter to Dannys mother Maureen Fitzpatrick from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services in which the results of the previous report were declared unfounded. Local Child Protective Services found no credible evidence that the child(ren) has been abused or maltreated while a NYPD spokesperson also confirmed there had been no domestic related incidents in the Staten Island home since January 2015. Daniel Fitzpatrick hanged himself in the attic of his family home in Staten Island last Thursday, August 11, just days before his 14th birthday and was discovered by his 17-year-old sister Kristen. His parents Daniel Snr. and Maureen Fitzpatrick have since spoken out against the actions, or lack thereof, of his school Holy Angels Catholic Academy in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, whom Danny had also criticized in a heartbreaking letter written just one month before his death. The teen is believed to have been bullied by five other boys and suffered a fractured finger during a fight with one of them. He was set to start in a new school in the Fall. Mrs. McGoldrick (school principal) didnt do anything. I told all the teachers. Nothing except one Ms. DAlora. She was the nicest teacher ever. She understood and did something but it didnt last long, Danny wrote. I wanted to get out. I begged and (pleaded). Eventually I did I failed but I didnt care. I was out. That was all (I) wanted. In an 18-minute video posted to Facebook, Daniel Fitzpatrick Snr also slammed the parents of those who had bullied his son, who is said to have been extremely proud of his Irish roots. I have no words to describe the pain I am feeling right now. The parents of those boys, you know who you are, your boys know who you are, I know who you are now the world knows what kind of people you are and what you will be, he said. To the parents of the boys who tormented my son, all I have to say is I hope you never have to feel what my family is going through right now. You get to hold your children every night and day for the rest of your lives, I dont get that anymore. Your little monsters took that from me, and my wife, and his sisters. His father told the Daily News their family had been at odds with the school since it was suggested Danny repeat the seventh grade at another school. Daniel Snr believed the recommendation to be offensive and blamed Dannys academic failings on the bullying he was suffering, saying it had broken his confidence. In a statement from the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, spokesperson Carolyn Erstad said that the principal and teachers at Holy Angels are heartbroken over the death of Daniel Fitzpatrick. Ive spoken with them at length and can tell you that they truly cared for Danny and believe they did their best to help him. That said, we are examining every incident that has transpired and evaluating every aspect of school policy. H/T: The Washington Post Thousands of people from around the world have flocked to Volcanoes National Park by land, sea and air to view the lava, which crackles and hisses, and reeks of sulphur and scorched earth, as it oozes across the rugged landscape and eventually off steep seaside cliffs. When the hot rocks hit the water, they expel plumes of steam and gas and sometimes explode, sending chunks of searing debris flying through the air. The 2,000-degree molten rock is from Kilauea, one of the worlds most active volcanoes. Its Puu Oo vent began erupting in the 1980s and periodically pushes enough lava seaward so that people can access it. Reaching the flow requires a boat, a helicopter or strong legs. The climb to the entry point, where the lava meets the sea, is a 16km round trip on a gravel road surrounded by kilometres of treacherous, hard lava rock. Pablo Aguayo, of Santiago, Chile, took a sunrise boat tour of the flow earlier this month. Its pretty amazing. You start in the middle of the ocean in the darkness, and you end up in this beautiful lava falls, he said. Mr Aguayo said he could feel the lavas heat, and it smelled super funny. Its like welding something. We have many volcanoes back home in Chile. We have plenty. But nothing like this, he said. His tour boat was a 12m aluminium catamaran operated by Lava Ocean Tours owner Shane Turpin, who said he navigates to within a few metres of the entry point for the best view. Volcanoes National Park has seen an increase of about 1,000 to 1,500 visitors per day since the current lava flow reached the sea, boosting attendance to about 6,000 people daily, officials said. The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) has confirmed that Pat Hickey has left the Samaritano hospital in Rio and has been accompanied to a police station, writes Shaun Cronin. Hickey, who temporarily stepped down as president of the OCI yesterday following his arrest, will be questioned in relation to Olympics ticket touting scandal that has rocked Irish sport. US billionaire Donald Trump has admitted for the first time that he regrets some of the caustic comments he has made during his presidential election campaign. "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that," the Republican nominee, reading from a prepared text, said at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday night. "And believe it or not, I regret it - and I do regret it - particularly where it may have caused personal pain." Mr Trump did not specify what comments he was referring to, but he added: "Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues." It was a rare admission for a man who has said he prefers "not to regret anything" and it underscores the dire situation he finds himself in. With just 80 days left until the election, Mr Trump is trailing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in opinion polls in most key battleground states. At the same time, party leaders have conceded they may divert resources away from the presidential contest in favour of vulnerable Senate and House candidates if things do not improve. Mr Trump's remarks came a day after he announced that he was overhauling his campaign operation, bringing in a new chief executive and appointing a new campaign manager. Rarely do presidential campaigns wait to advertise, or undergo such leadership tumult, at such a late stage of the general election. Yet Mr Trump has struggled badly in recent weeks to offer voters a consistent message, overshadowing formal policy speeches with a steady stream of self-created controversies, including a public feud with an American Muslim family whose son was killed while serving in the US military in Iraq. Mr Trump's decision to appoint Stephen Bannon, a combative conservative media executive, as his new campaign chief suggested to some that he might continue the divisive rhetoric which has angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the general election electorate. Instead, a new Trump emerged on Thursday: a less combative, more inclusive candidate who said he was running to be the "voice for every forgotten part of this country that has been waiting and hoping for a better future" and for those who "don't hear anyone speaking for them". And the changes appear to be more than cosmetic. Earlier on Thursday, he moved to invest nearly 5 million US dollars (3.8 million) in battleground state advertising to address daunting challenges in the states that will make or break his White House ambitions. The New York businessman's campaign reserved television ad space over the coming 10 days in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to Kantar Media's political ad tracker. While Mrs Clinton has spent more than 75 million US dollars (57.2 million) on advertising in 10 states since locking up her party's nomination, Mr Trump's new investment marks his first of the general election season. Mr Trump also made a last-minute change to his diary, scrapping a planned event in New York in order to travel with his running mate, Mike Pence, to tour the flood damage in Louisiana on Friday morning. But the visit was met with harsh words from Governor John Bel Edwards, whose spokesman, Richard Carbo, said: "We welcome him to LA, but not for a photo-op." In his remarks, Mr Trump struck a new, inclusive tone and tried to appeal directly to non-white voters, who have so far resisted his candidacy. "I will not rest until children of every colour in this country are fully included in the American Dream," he said, urging African-American voters to give him a chance. "What do you have to lose by trying something new?" he asked. Mrs Clinton's campaign, meanwhile, brushed off the speech as just words that he read from a teleprompter. "Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret," said spokeswoman Christina Reynolds in a statement. "We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologise. But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets and changes his tune altogether," she said. It remains to be seen whether Mr Trump's revampt has come too late, and whether he has the discipline to maintain it. But several Trump supporters at the rally applauded the move. "It takes a lot of strength to say 'I'm sorry', to admit - not that he was wrong, but he wished he hadn't done it," said Cindy Ammons, 70, a Trump supporter from Spindale, North Carolina. "I think he's evolving," she said. Nevertheless, some said it was unnecessary. "I think the regime wanted him to say it. It was damage control," said Jeff Devers, 46, visiting from Arkansas. "But I personally don't regret anything that he's said. What he has said should have been said, politically correct or not." A debate has raged whether London will hold onto all of the hundreds of thousands of people who work in financial services following the shakeup in the industry in the wake of the June 23 vote. Policymakers here have also debated whether Irish cities such as Dublin and Cork have the office space and infrastructure to accommodate any potential flight of banks from the City of London. Financial institutions there must make contingency plans to locate their European head offices in an EU jurisdiction when the complicated divorce negotiations between the UK and Brussels finally get started. However, a survey of 2,000 financial services executives across the world who hold the prestigious CFA qualifications believe that Dublin could rival Frankfurt as one of the biggest winners of Brexit shake-out to attract a substantial number of jobs. Of the CFA survey, 69% believe that Frankfurt and 62% believe that Dublin will be the biggest winners from the disruption caused by the vote and the long years of negotiations that lie ahead. The CFA executives tend to be senior in their organisations and may wield considerable influence over future relocation plans. CFA members believe Irelands similar legal and regulatory system, as well as the common language with the UK would help boost its appeal. Fran Carter, president at CFA Society Ireland, said that undoubtedly Brexit had raised uncertainty about the outlook for the Irish economy but one positive from the survey by our parent institute is that Dublins attractiveness as an international financial centre will be significantly boosted by Brexit. With 60% of the EU respondents saying their UK-based financial units would now likely cut back, the results make challenging reading for the financial services sector in the UK and for the policymakers that will work on the Brexit negotiations, said CFA UK chief executive Will Goodhart. Meanwhile, head of the Canary Wharf Group, which is the landlord of a clutch of international banks in the east London district, said the arrival of the citys Crossrail network will help keep jobs. George Iacobescu said the opening of Crossrail is due in 2018. n Additional reporting Bloomberg It has missed its long-term target of 5% to 6% annual sales growth for three years but it said it still expects organic growth this year will be in line with the 4.2% seen last year. The shares which were up 1.7% yesterday, have gained 7% this year. Organic sales growth, which excludes the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and currency, slowed to 3.1% in the second quarter, hit by weakness in China and deflation in Europe, while growth in the first half was 3.5%. Analysts had been expecting a rise of 3.6% in the second quarter and 3.8% for the full six months. However, chief financial officer Francois-Xavier Roger said he thought pricing had hit the bottom in the second quarter and, to underscore the importance of innovation, said a third of Nestle sales came from products new to the market in the last two years. New products often fetch higher prices, which in turn boost profit margins. The maker of Kitkat chocolate bars and Maggi noodles has also been cutting costs, shedding underperforming businesses and expanding its presence in the more profitable and faster-growing market for healthcare products. Liberum analysts, which has a hold stock rating, said that may lead to upside surprise although current progress is slow and the shares remained an attractive defensive haven. Faced with more demanding consumers asking for fresh, healthy products, makers of packaged foods are reformulating recipes, cutting sugar, salt and fat. To accelerate its health push, Nestle recruited Ulf Mark Schneider from German healthcare group Fresenius as its next chief executive. In our view, the Nestle investment case hinges on incoming CEO Ulf Mark Schneider, who takes over on January 1, 2017. In the meantime, though, we regard this as a competent set of results, said RBC Europe analyst James Edwardes Jones in a research note. Asked whether Nestle would increase its dividend this year, Mr Roger only said Nestle had done so in the past despite the strong Swiss franc. Nestle, which is also the worlds biggest coffee seller, has planned to give its instant coffee brand Nescafe and its Nespresso single-serve coffee a shot in the arm as fast-growing rivals with lean cost structures chip away at its global dominance. While its two megabrands still control nearly 23% of the 68.3bn retail coffee market, the breakneck rise of JAB Holdings, which has bought nine rivals in four years to grab a 16% share, is pushing Nestle to innovate once more. n Reuters Building work on the 1.6m Limerick-based complex, designed specifically for sick and disabled children, is due to be completed by next Friday. Chiefs from the Share A Dream Foundation said the 12,000sq ft all-inclusive facility, called Dreamland, will be free to use for children with special needs. Robert Byrne, of Bridge Meadows, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford went out to a local pub in Enniscorthy on April 23 2015 for a few drinks. He was found barely conscious in bed by a family member two days later and rushed to hospital. Mr Byrne suffered a skull fracture and cuts and bruising to his brain in a suspected fall down stairs at his home after the celebratory night out. His sister Susan Earle became concerned when he didnt answer his phone and called to his house on April 25 around 3pm. She found his car outside, the front door open, a lamp overturned, a clothes basket overturned and smudges of blood on the wall in the hallway. She found her brother upstairs in bed, with a bad cut over his eye which was badly swollen. She asked him if he was okay and said he held onto the blankets and told her leave me. She called her parents and an ambulance. Mr Byrne was rushed to Wexford General Hospital and later to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he died ten days later. Garda Brian Kinsella said Gardai found nothing suspicious or untoward in relation to the case, although they were notified after Mr Byrne passed away. Pathologist Dr Jane Cryan outlined the severity of the injuries Mr Byrne sustained, noting that the medical cause of death was brain swelling due to lack of oxygen to the brain, due to trauma to the skull and the brain. Mr Byrne had an underlying heart problem that compounded his injuries. Tragically, the last man to see him alive, who dropped him home the night of his birthday, took his own life two months later. Coroner Dr Crona Gallagher returned an open verdict. Theres still a lot of questions we cannot answer, we dont know the circumstances of what occurred. The evidence isnt there because it wasnt witnessed and he (Mr Byrne) was too unwell to be able to say himself what had happened, Dr Gallagher said. The Employment Appeals Tribunal found that it was reasonable that mechanic, Edward Fahy, terminated his employment with Denis Kinane Motors, a Honda dealer based in Thurles, after he was accused of stealing a piece of equipment. The EAT said the allegation of the unlawful taking of a voltage meter from the companys premises had been unsubstantiated. The tribunal heard that Mr Fahy had previously left his job on a number of occasions but had always returned after a few days. However, on August 20, 2014, the pair had a row after Mr Fahy made a mistake while repairing a car which resulted in him terminating his employment claiming he could not take it anymore. The companys owner, Denis Kinane, denied that he had called him a waste of space as claimed by Mr Fahy but admitted he had given out to his employee. In evidence Mr Fahy, who worked at the dealership since 2007, said it was hard to satisfy Mr Kinane, and he found it difficult to work for him. Mr Kinane said Mr Fahys work performance was generally fine but he needed careful watching. Mr Fahy claimed he was called a thief after he returned to the premises following the row to clear up the matter an allegation denied by Mr Kinane. The businessman said he had known that a voltage meter which Mr Fahy had shown him in the boot of his car in July 2014 belonged to the company, despite the mechanics claims his uncle found it when he was cleaning out a garage in England. Mr Fahy denied the incident took place as described by his former employer and insisted he bought the tool in Thurles for 25. Mr Kinane considered the piece of equipment an heirloom as it was the first machine he had purchased when he started his company and it had gone missing from the premises. He had not raised the issue at the time with Mr Fahy as he believed he would return the meter because of their good relationship. Mr Kinane also denied telling Mr Fahys father that his son was a thief. He explained he was shocked at the mechanics leaving as he had nobody in his workshop and had to close it for a week. EAT chairwoman, Kate T OMahony said it was clear the issue of the voltage meter became the deciding issue as to whether Mr Fahy returned to his job. She said whether the word thief had been used or not the imputation from words used was that Mr Fahy had taken the equipment. Ms OMahony said even if the Tribunal believed Mr Kinanes version of events his failure to investigate or discuss the issue was fatal to his case. Brother Martin Murphy, 80, of Cherryfield Lodge in Ranelagh, worked for Cramptons construction firm in his early 20s before joining the Jesuit Order. Br Murphy joined the Jesuits in 1950 and travelled the world carrying out missionary work, particularly in Zambia in Africa. An inquest into his death heard how he was exposed to asbestos in his early 20s but did not develop any associated lung problems until his 60s. It can be latent for long periods of time, Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said. Nicholas Roche (79) was due to fly to Australia the following day. The retired Aer Lingus aircraft engineer was walking downstairs when he lost his footing on the stair turn on March 10 2015. His wife Antoinette Roche heard him fall at around 11am and ran to his aid. The pair had booked flights to visit family in Australia and were getting ready to leave. I heard Nicholas cry out from the top of the stairs. I saw him fall backwards down the stairs. He said he lost his footing on the turn of the stairs, she said. Mr Roche was conscious and alert following the fall and Mrs Roche said they received a number of visitors that day, calling to their family home in Santry, Dublin 9, to wish them well on their trip. At around 6pm Mr Roche was speaking on the phone and his wife noticed something was not right. He didnt sound right, his speech was slurred, she said. Unable to help him out of his chair, she called an ambulance and travelled with him to the Mater Hospital. Doctors were unable to save Mr Roche, who had been taking the prescribed blood thinning medication Warfarin since 2004. Doctors found a very large hemorrhage that was not possible to treat with surgery, Deputy Dublin Coroner Dr Crona Gallagher said. The cause of death was subdural hematoma, or bleed on the brain, due to a fall, an inquest into his death at Dublin Coroners Court heard. Returning a narrative verdict, the coroner said it was not possible to say whether the Warfarin medication had a part to play in his death, it may have been a risk factor in the severity of the onset of the brain hemorrhage, but this could not be confirmed, the coroner said. Yesterday, Ms Justice Caroline Costello said she was satisfied to appoint experienced insolvency practitioner Tom Murray as interim examiner to JJ Red Holdings Ltd, the company that operates the Dublin Citi Hotel and the Trinity Bar & Venue at Dame St, Dublin. The judge said she was satisfied the company was insolvent and unable to pay its debts, but an independent expert report presented to the court said if certain steps were taken, the company had a reasonable prospect of survival as a going concern. The company, which has been operating a 27-bedroom hotel since 2006, has 40 full time and 14 part-time employees. It sought the protection of the court arising out of a dispute with its landlord Henciti Ltd, over claims for arrears of rent allegedly due. Seeking Mr Murrays appointment, Stephen Brady, for JJ Red Holdings, said proceedings arising out of the dispute over the rent arrears had been settled in July. As part of the terms of settlement, it had been agreed JJ Red Holdings would make a number of six figure payments to the landlord between July and the end of the year. If the agreement was defaulted on, the landlord was entitled to reliefs including re-take possession of the premises. While the first payment was made, JJ Red Holdings were unable to make the second payment. This, counsel said, was because his client believed it would be provided with the monies from its bank allowing it to pay the sums agreed. However, for some reason only known to that bank, the money was not available. As a result counsel said that in order to protect the business, which has been in existence since 2006, and maintain the jobs the company was seeking the appointment of an examiner. The judge had expressed some initial concern about the application. However, after considering factors, she said she was satisfied to appoint Mr Murray as examiner on an interim basis. Chief executive Tanya Ward said the importance of adoption agreements, such as the process signed in Dublin yesterday between Ireland and the Philippines, could not be overstated. Given the sums of money involved, inter-country adoption can encourage malpractice and corruption, with children and prospective adoptive parents at risk of being exploited for financial gain, she said. Children have been denied the right to grow up with their parents and families because of child trafficking, abduction, and through the deception of birth parents. The Childrens Rights Alliance represents a group of organisations working to ensure the rights of all children and young people in Ireland are respected. Ms Ward said Ireland and the Philippines had ratified the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption and it clearly outlined how the adoption process would operate between the countries. Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone said the convention provided an assurance for children, their families and the state that appropriate procedures had been followed and that the adoption was in the best interests of the child. My aim is to have safe and secure adoptions. It is against this background that my department is working to create the appropriate legislation, policy and administrative frameworks which will ensure a well-regulated regime of adoption, said Ms Zappone. She believed the agreement between the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Philippines Inter-country Adoption Board would provide a clear road map on how the inter-country adoption process would operate between Ireland and the Philippines. The agreement on administrative arrangements between the two countries was drafted by the chair of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, Dr Geoffrey Shannon, who said it reflected the legal diversity and common goals of the contracting states. There have been 10 children adopted from the Philippines since the establishment of the Adoption Authority in 2010. The administrative agreement between Ireland and the Philippines is the third to be concluded by the authority. In 2012, an administrative arrangement was reached between Ireland and Vietnam and that was followed by one between Ireland and the US in 2013. Speaking on RTE radio, Dr Shannon, said the central authority in the sending country, in this case the Philippines, would consider what set of parents best met the needs of the child being adopted. So you have the professional matching of a child with suitable adoptive parents, he said. There were 82 inter-country adoptions to Ireland last year. Families here have adopted children from Bulgaria, China, Thailand, India, Poland, and Lithuania. Inter-country adoptions can take place between countries that have ratified the Hague Convention or with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. If you're a DealNews reader, we know you love to save and one of the best ways to save on groceries is to join a warehouse store like Costco, Sam's Club, or BJ's Wholesale Club. These stores let customers buy in bulk for a lower cost, but those savings are generally only available to people who pay a fee to become members. While the stores themselves offer many great deals, we're here to help you save on the membership itself. Use the Pharmacy or Buy Drinks Without a Membership A federal law prevents warehouse stores from requiring membership to use the pharmacy, meaning non-members can get cut-rate prescriptions and immunizations at either store. That same law will also allow non-members to get examined by Costco's hearing and optical services, where available. (It won't allow non-members to purchase products like glasses or hearing aids, though.) SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Grocery Shopping Guide: Get the Best Deals on Household Essentials! Also, residents of some states can buy alcohol without a membership as well namely, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Texas, and Vermont. If you live in one of these states, just tell the door checker you are there to buy alcohol and be ready to pay with cash. Workarounds Let You Shop With No Membership Crazy, right? But actually a possibility. BJ's Wholesale Club regularly offers free 60- or 90-day trial memberships to new members. If you have a tolerant friend with a Costco membership, you can actually get member prices without having a membership yourself. Sam's Club offers a printable One-Day Pass that will let you shop their store without being a member. Unfortunately, non-members will pay an extra 10% service fee, which will definitely cut into your bulk-buying savings. It's not a solution for everyone, but it might be a good option for those interested in a only a few items Sam's carries. If you have a tolerant friend with a Costco membership, you can actually get member prices without having a membership yourself; just ask them to purchase you a Costco Cash Card. You'll be able to pay for your purchases with the Cash Card even if you don't have a membership. Watch for Deals on Memberships Whether through Groupon, LivingSocial, or the warehouse stores themselves, it's not uncommon to see great deals on new memberships: Already this year, we've seen several deals for Sam's Club memberships, with some discounted BJ's Wholesale Club membership and Costco Gold Star memberships as well. SEE ALSO: Your Costco Credit Card is About to Change for the Better Although these deals are typically only available to new members, they usually represent large savings. You can expect direct savings of $20 to $30, either via a bundled gift card or a discount on the price of the membership, and often greater savings in the form of bundled vouchers for specific food or goods. The best plan? Set up a DealNews alert for the warehouse store you're looking for, and we'll send you an e-mail when we see a deal. Readers, are you a member of a warehouse club? Which one, and what are your favorite things to buy there? Let us know in the comments. Following a lengthy campaign, the Department of Defence has decided it will present Scrolls of Commendation to four of the crew of LE Cliona, one posthumously. Former defence minister Simon Coveney initiated a review of the actions of crew members after a campaign was launched to have their bravery recognised. The scrolls will shortly be presented to ex-stoker Bill Mynes, who lives in Cabra, Dublin; lieutenant Pat OMahony, who later retired as a commander and who lives in Kerry; and Maurice Egan, who worked in the engine room and retired as a warrant officer. He lives in Midleton, Co Cork. The family of late chief stoker Gerry OCallaghan, who lived in Ringaskiddy, will also be presented with the scroll. Meanwhile, a special plaque is to be erected at the Naval Service headquarters in Haulbowline to recognise and honour all the crew of LE Cliona. The ship had been conducting an anti-submarine exercise off Cork Harbour in May 1962. Just off Roches Point the crew started to fire off hedgehog depth charges. The first round went off successfully, but during the second round, one of the depth charges exploded prematurely, resulting in a fireball that engulfed the boiler room. The force of the blast lifted the corvette out of the water and ruptured oil lines, sparking the fire below deck. Both Lt OMahony and stoker Mynes suffered severe burns fighting the fire. There were around 80 people on the ship at the time, including a number of guests, an RTE film crew, and journalists and photographers from the then Cork Examiner. Mr Mynes, who was 19 at the time, was in the boiler room when the explosion occurred. He ordered two younger stokers to evacuate while he suffered burns on his arms, hands, and face crossing the rising flames to cut off oil supplies. Lt OMahony, who was second-in-command on the ship, left the bridge to help Mr Mynes and fought the fire with sea water for about 40 minutes. The fire was eventually extinguished. Despite the Marine Rescue Co-ordination centre dispatching an oceangoing tug, the Clonmel, to the scene to assist, the LE Cliona was able to proceed to Haulbowline under her own steam for an investigation and repairs. None of the crew who showed immense bravery were eligible for Distinguished Service Medals because they were not recommended within four years of the incident. It was never really about getting medals, we just wanted recognition for what we did at the time. So its nice after all these years to be honoured because there could have been an absolute disaster that day and potentially a great loss of life, said Mr Mynes. Although a date for the presentation of the scrolls has not been firmed up, it could happen as early as September 1. Meanwhile, the Naval Service has confirmed September 30 will be a big day at its Haulbowline headquarters. A number of new officer cadets will be commissioned on that day and there will also be joyful family reunions with the crew of LE James Joyce, which is due to return from the humanitarian rescue mission in the Mediterranean Sea. The commemoration takes place at the site where the convoy of the pro-Treaty Irish Army Chief of Staff died after an ambush by IRA volunteers. Organisers of the event say they are very privileged to have President Higgins deliver the oration, while still in office. Ex-president Mary Robinson had previously been among the guest speakers at Beal na mBlath, after she had vacated Aras an Uachtarain. "It is a particular honour for us to have a first sitting president officiating at the ceremony and that President Higgins is giving the oration," said Dermot Collins, chairman of the commemoration committee. "Furthermore, his presence this year is special as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, especially as Michael Collins had been in the GPO in Dublin at the time and had been acting as aide-de-camp for Joseph Plunkett. "Also, President Higgin's father and two of his uncles fought in the War of Independence. The President has such a depth of knowledge about Irish history that we are all really looking forward to what he will say in his speech." Mr Collins said the organising committee was also expecting a large attendance at the commemoration due to President Higgins' presence and, in particular, his popularity. History buffs, he said, will have a treat on the day as the historic armoured car Sliabh na mBan will also be on display at Beal na Blath on the day. The Rolls Royce armoured vehicle which accompanied Collins when he was shot is only one of two such vehicles surviving worldwide. "It was in part of the convoy carrying General Collins and his soldiers," Mr Collins said. "It was last in Beal na mBlath in 2012 when Taoiseach Enda Kenny delivered the oration." Meanwhile, after attending the commemoration which starts at 3pm, President Higgins will travel a short distance to officially open a new museum in Kilmurry which is dedicated to the War of Independence and Civil War fighting in the general area. The village is off the main Macroom-Cork road. The museum is the culmination of more than a decade's work by the Kilmurry Historical & Archaeological Association, and was finally completed with the help of Heritageworks, a new West Cork business which designs and builds heritage projects. It boasts artefacts such as the wheel from the ambushed and burnt-out Crossley Tender at Kilmichael in 1920, Tom Barrys suitcase and books that belonged to Terence MacSwiney. But in the full glare of the national media, Shane Ross emerged through the security doors in Terminal 1 in Dublin Airport. Perhaps aiming to portray a humble image, Ross set his stall out, having landed back from Brazil. Today, the Government is to announce a full independent inquiry into the Rio Olympics ticket scandal, he told assembled reporters live on national television. I am meeting tomorrow with Minister Patrick ODonovan, officials from the Attorney Generals office, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and we will decide tomorrow what sort of enquiry to carry out and to be sensitive to the international situation. We expect a decision to be made tomorrow, he said. Mr Ross said that independent oversight is essential to the inquiry and this was what he had requested in his meeting with Pat Hickey. The principle question I asked on Monday was the one about accepting independence or at least an independent member on the inquiry. That was the principle one and that was turned down absolutely flat. We havent determined the terms of reference. But nothing I supposed should be out of bounds at all provided it doesnt do any damage to the proceedings that are going on in Brazil at the moment. I think we need to keep the options open. Probably tomorrow certainly we are looking at only an independent inquiry. There is a very good case for the Transport and Sport Committee to look at it as well. I think they have done it before on the Olympics. They did it with the London Olympics but I think there is a very good case for them as well. There is no reason why we cant have parallel reports coming out about this. Mr Ross said he does not mind whether the inquiry is headed up by a senior counsel or a judge, provided it is someone who is seen to be independent and gives credibility to the inquiry. There is a political consensus now an independent inquiry must take place and Mr Ross said he feels it could run alongside criminal investigations in Rio. But what is clear: the previously proposed OCI internal inquiry is now obsolete. Im assuming that is now off the table. I dont know, we havent discussed that but I think it is very, very unlikely, he told reporters. Ultimately, following Mr Hickeys arrest, the Government is demanding proper accountability and transparency and the OCI will have little or no option but to cooperate or lose their funding. Mr Ross was pressed about reports in this mornings Irish Examiner which said the Government is considering pulling the funding from the OCI. He said the re-routing of funding which this year amounted to 520,000, through another body has to be considered. While Mr Ross has been criticised for his handling of the Hickey affair since heading over to Rio, there is support within Government for his desire to contain the political fallout of this controversy. Mr Ross also again said the Attorney Generals opinion is merely only an opinion, but said in this situation, her advice will be of paramount importance. Later today, we will see the colour of Mr Ross money and just what inquiry he is able to set up. Brian McGiff from Ballyogan, Carrickmines, Dublin 18 reached out his hand and asked for help as he dangled from a bridge over the M50, an inquest heard. Dublin Coroners Court heard the young man, who had plans to train as a hairdresser, was out with friends in the hours before the incident. He consumed alcohol during a shopping trip to Dublin city centre and was described as somewhat drunk, the court heard. Witness Natalie Brandon said she met Brian at St Stephens Green around 10pm on February 19, 2015. He was holding a bottle of wine. He was drunk but in good form, she said, adding that at one point he ran into The George pub before running back out again. They returned to Carrickmines on the Luas. He was talking to everyone on the Luas. Then a man said something to him and Brian said to him, You are only slagging me because I am gay, Ms Brandon said. They got off the Luas at Ballyogan and she returned home while Brian went to another house nearby. Witness, Lee Maguire, said Brian stumbled in the door. There was an altercation at the house, according to Sergeant Edward Maughan. Brian had some alcohol consumed and was described as somewhat drunk. He became upset and emotional. A slight altercation ensued with some of the females. He was put out of the house, Sgt Maughan said. Brian then made his way to the top of the bridge crossing the M50 at Carrickmines. Lee Maguire followed him. I climbed the railings. Brian was sitting on the edge, he said. Brian turned his body so that his feet were dangling and he was holding onto the ledge with his hands. He asked me to help him and said he was sorry. He was in a state, I dont think he wanted to do it. I tried to help him as best I could, Mr Maguire said. Brian McGiff reached out his hand and Lee Maguire grabbed it but his hand slipped and the teen fell, the court heard. He was rushed to St Vincents Hospital where he died the following day. I feel my son Brian may have been subjected to some bullying because he was gay, thats my own personal view, Frederick McGiff told Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane. He was looking forward to his 18th birthday, to his college courses, Mr McGiff said. The boys mother, Selina, said her son had no ambition to kill himself. His ambition was to come to me in Newry to do hairdressing, she said. The court heard that Brian had attempted to take his life on one previous occasion. Both parents queried what happened at the house before Brian made his way to the bridge. The inquest was adjourned pending the appearance of another witness who was present at the house. Lorraine Gallagher told how just hours after speaking to her 13-year-old daughter, she found her dead at the family home in Co Donegal. An inquest into Erins death held in Letterkenny this week found that the Ballybofey teenager died as a result of taking her own life in October 2012. Her mother returned from working in a local department store at 6pm to find her youngest daughter dead. She tried desperately to save Erin, along with valiant attempts by two neighbours to administer CPR. She said yesterday, sitting and listening about her daughters life and death was like reliving her nightmare. To be honest, it was all just a blur those few days. Finding Erin in the house like that is something I just hope no other parent has to ever go through. Erin was in such good form that afternoon when herself and Sean James (Erins brother) called in to see me at work. There was no warning. I just couldnt understand how that was it that I would never speak to her again, to be able to hug her or joke with her. Giving evidence and speaking in front of everyone again was just like reliving it all. I listened to the words and I could see Erin in front of me again as if it was the night she died. It was just all so realistic, hearing it in such detail, said Mrs Gallagher. The mother found her daughter at their home at Silverwood, Ballybofey, in darkness when she arrived home at 6pm, and told how little Sean James, then just 3, thought Erin was just sleeping. She sobbed as the statement was read into the record of the inquest by Garda Superintendent David Kelly. She specifically thanked Supt Kelly and Garda Detective Tom Ward and her solicitor Patsy Gallagher for their support. Her eldest daughter Shannon, aged 15, died a few weeks later. She said people have been so good to her in the wake of Erin and Shannons death, and she is trying her best to get on with her life. I will never full understand why they had to do this, but I know they didnt do it to hurt me or to hurt Sean James. They were such good girls and wherever they are now, I now that they would want Sean James to want for nothing and for him to grow up and do as much as he can with his life, she said. Mrs Gallagher was joined at the inquest by many of her neighbours and friends whom she said she will never be able to thank enough for their understanding, compassion and support. Since the deaths, people have been so good. No matter what happened in the past, nobody would wish what happened to my family on anyone. USI president Annie Hoey was responding to the figures from the Irish League of Credit Unions which suggest 60% of parents are getting into debt to fund their childrens third-level education. She said this reflects how desperate families are to get their children into higher education because they know it provides the key to a brighter future. Its a win-win. If politicians prioritise education, they will have a better, stronger workforce able to earn more, in higher tax brackets. And they will also gain the support of the people who vote them in. Prioritising education is prioritising the needs of the people, she said. Ms Hoey said increasing grants, as recommended to Government in the recent report of a higher education funding group chaired by Peter Cassells, would help young people and their families avoid debt. So too, she said, would reducing the 3,000 fee which all third-level undergraduates must pay unless they qualify for a grant. Around half of all third-level students are now eligible for grants, meaning the cost of close to 400m a year has not been falling despite the cuts in the amounts paid, and changes to some of the eligibility criteria for higher payments which were made during the recession. The Cassells reports recommendations included significant increases, due to the inadequacy of grants in meeting the growing costs of college education. A Dublin Institute of Technology guide last month showed rents are back near their 2007 peaks, while there is also a growing crisis for students trying to find affordable accommodation, particularly in the capital and in other cities and towns with large third-level campuses. On Monday, more than 50,000 people will be offered places on courses at over 40 colleges when the first main round of offers for this year is made by the CAO. The round 1 cutoff points for entry to all CAO courses will be listed in the 12-page Choices for College supplement in Mondays Irish Examiner. The new Avenger is part of a significant investment in the airports fire and rescue service, which has also seen the development of a hi-tech aircraft firefighting simulator at the airfield. The Avenger replaces an older machine which has been in service in the airport fire services four-tender fleet for several years, all maintained by an on-site mechanical team. Its bigger cab can carry up to four crew. It has upgraded off-road driving ability, high specification firefighting systems, improved scene illumination capability, and enhanced equipment-carrying capabilities. It can carry 10,000 litres of water; 1,200 litres of low-expansion firefighting foam for tackling aviation fuel fires; and 160kg of high-performance firefighting powder. While in the older vehicles, fire crews have to run separate hoses for delivery of powder and foam, the Avenger has a hydro-chem unit which can produce powder and foam from one hose. It also has a cab-operated, roof-mounted hose which allows the driver spray water on a fire once the vehicle is in range. It also has seat-mounted breathing apparatuses which allow firefighters fit them as they respond to an incident. Critically, despite its size and weight, it can reach 80km/h in 34 seconds. The airports chief fire officer, Jim Johnson, said all of these features combine to ensure fire crews will be able to respond faster. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality of training in rescue and firefighting to our fire crews here at the airport, he said. The purchase of this modern and highly capable vehicle will further add to the high standards we have in order to provide the maximum possible level of safety to the travelling public. A new aircraft firefighting simulator has also been developed to provide a full mock-up of engine, undercarriage, or cabin fires, which can be sequenced to occur one after the other, or together, as they might in a real-life scenario. It will allow extremely realistic training scenarios be applied within the ongoing training programme, ensuring crews are fully prepared for any situation that may be encountered at the airport, said Mr Johnson. The airports fire and rescue team members received international praise and credit for their response to the Manx2 plane crash at the airport in February 2011, in which six people, including the two pilots, died. The swift arrival of firefighters at the off-runway crash site, and the speed with which they extinguished an engine fire, prevented an even greater loss of life. It will help centres such as Infant (The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translation Research), based in UCC; and Cork University Maternity Hospital to biobank human biological samples and data. Infant is involved in a wide range of studies into conditions such as pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth, and foetal growth restriction. The centre and other biobanking researchers throughout the world have developed a burgeoning and rapidly expanding the collection of samples. The biobank will allow Infant to expand its holdings and to surpass existing international best practice guidelines. Crucially, it will position both the college and the centre at the forefront of biobanking internationally. The biobank was awarded 355,000 to expand as part of the Science Foundation Ireland infrastructure awards, with supplementary funds from UCC. Infant director, Prof Louise Kenny, said the samples could hold the key to medical problems that have affected pregnant women and their babies for centuries. The Infant centre is unique as it is located in the Cork University Maternity Hospital, where fantastic patients readily donate their samples and data for research, said Prof Kenny. Biobanks like this allow us to explore large amounts of data and use the results to reduce and eventually prevent life-threatening complications in pregnancy and early life: that is what we are working towards, saving the lives of mothers and their babies. Prof Kenny, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the maternity hospital, is leading ground-breaking work on preeclampsia, a life-threatening complication of late pregnancy. A critical phase of the Scope (Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints) research will be combining clinical information and pregnancy specific biomarkers to develop the most effective system for predicting problems in pregnancy. It is hoped that mother and babies will benefit from a new screening test within the next five or 10 years. Infants quality and regulatory manager, Emma Snapes, said the biobank will help them to do a much better job of protecting precious samples for research aimed at improving perinatal outcomes. There is excellent care taken of the samples. They are stored at really, really low temperatures, -80C and below. Asked about the capacity of the facility, Ms Snapes said it depended on the size of the sample, but it is capable of holding between two and four million samples. We have moved to a much smaller footprint for size sample. We have tripled the capacity of our freezers and using that very tiny footprint, we could hold up to four million samples. Howre oo goin on? The missus is back from a city break in Barcelona and didnt she get herself a tattoo. Nothing will do her now but that I get one myself. What do you think it should say? Ger Mick Michael, veer left outside Ballinascarthy and hope for the best. You dont see many tattoos west of Bandon. I hear they are about as rare down there as taking a shower during the week. Bear in mind no-one will take you seriously if you walk around with I love Ballinascarthy written on your arm. And a tattoo can put a fierce strain on your relationship. My Conor suggested that we get matching tattoos to proclaim our love. He forgot to say it should be our love for each other. So now I have Ill never forget you Rodrigo, or is it Luis written across the back of my neck. My Conor wouldnt talk to me for six months. Every cloud, says you. The new principal in my daughters school sent a letter saying we are to use cheap supermarket uniforms to help cut costs for back-to-school spend. I asked her to send out another letter saying if you cant afford the Douglas lifestyle, theres always Turners Cross. The daft hippy refused. What can I do about this? Sophie, I love going for tapas with the girls and roaring my head off about our seven grand holiday. Remind me to give tapas a miss for a while. You are not alone on the supermarket uniform dilemma. Half of posh Cork is looking for new ways to use their kids to ram their wealth down other peoples throats. I hear the most Googled term in Blackrock is Louboutins for kids. Followed closely by fee-paying primary schools in Cork and Is it true that Tesco is full of Norries? Hello darling. Myself and my lady friends here in Chelsea are rather turned on by your ODonovan brothers who won silver at the Olympics. We are flying over for a (hopefully) dirty weekend with the local lads in Skibbereen. Have you any tips for us? Cressida, London, I think Daddy owns Mallow. Hell struggle to get rid of it. Youll struggle with the lingo in West Cork. Its mainly muttering, whistling and the word Crysht. I find the best way to prepare for it is to listen to a badly tuned-in Christian radio station. A couple of phrases should come in handy for your dirty weekend. A collection of local lads is known as the min. They should be greeted with how are the min? And sorry to be the bearer of bad news... For every well-toned rower in Skibbereen, there are ten guys who have a nickname for their beer belly. Guten tag. I am driving around the Wild Atlantic Way next week. What kind of car do I need to hire for this terrain? Erik, Berlin, I am one of those Germans who likes everything to be just so. I didnt realise there was any other kind of German. Car choice is tricky for the Wild Atlantic Way. Arrive into parts of West Cork driving anything less than a Mercedes and people will have nothing to say to you. Except maybe, Any chance you could wash my yacht there, old stock? My advice is to change down to a smaller car for the next part of the trip. You dont want to drive around the Ring of Kerry in an expensive car. Its not unusual to hear a bar owner in Killorglin whisper Hes driving a Merc, Eileen, lash one fifty on to the price of a Purple Snack. Cmere, whats the story with the event centre we were promised on South Main Street? That Mayo fella, Enda Kenny, was mad to turn the sod on it before the election. But there has been nothing done since. This is typical of the crowd above in Dublin. What can we do about it? Dowtcha Donie, I was delighted to see Cork winning a medal in the Olympics. I hope it gets sorted out soon and they move the gigs from the Marquee into town. Im sick of mouth-breathing culchies parking around my place in Ballinlough before the gigs. I had to go out and ask one of them to move the other night because I didnt want the neighbours to think I know someone from Westmeath. I cant repeat here what your one said in reply. Mainly because shes from Westmeath and I couldnt understand a word she was saying. Peace in Europe is impossible as long as Vladimir Putin remains Russias leader. As both the biggest obstacle to peace and the key source of potential war, Putin has become the main threat to Russias neighbours and the West. However, what, exactly, motivates him? Analysts are divided over the reasons for Putins foreign policy moves. Some see them as being grounded in his realist fears of Western strategic encirclement. Others root them in his authoritarian regime and imperialist ideology. Putins most striking feature, however, is his unpredictability. Were his foreign policy grounded in some discernible logic, his moves would be predictable and ex post facto explicable. However, his ability to constantly surprise his domestic constituents and the world demonstrates that his moves are not grounded in any one logic or strategy. To the contrary, they appear to be rooted in his personal whims. As Russias undisputed dictator, he can do whatever he decides is right, regardless of whether it promotes Russias interests or harms those of his perceived enemies. In this sense, Putin is the 21st centurys Hitler a tyrant who solipsistically defines rationality in terms of his own shifting understanding of the concept. Russias recent military buildup and sabre-rattling on Ukraines borders are a case in point. Do they portend war? Are they merely intended to intimidate? No one knows, and every interpretation is pure speculation about what is really going on in Putins head. The same holds true for Putins latest provocation: the supposed neutralisation of groups of Ukrainian terrorists in Crimea by the Russian security service. Putins claim that Kiev is now resorting to terrorism follows directly from his earlier characterisation of Ukraines post-Viktor Yanukovych democratic government as fascist. Is the provocation a prelude to an all-out attack along the lines of Hitlers after the notorious Gleiwitz incident of 1939, in which German commandos dressed as Poles attacked a German border radio station? Or is it intended to scare Russians into supporting Putins party in the September parliamentary elections? Or is the provocation a signal to the West and Kiev that Putin is angry and will lash out? No one knows, and its not inconceivable that even Putin does not know. Is Putin rational? The answer depends on what is meant by rationality. If rationality means doing the morally right thing, then Putin is rational only in some twisted, immoral world. If rationality entails finding the best means to enhance ones ends, however disreputable they might be, then Putin must qualify as deeply, disturbingly irrational. After all, has Russias power and status in the world increased since Putin went to war against Ukraine? Has its economic standing improved? Has his own position become stronger? Putin almost certainly would answer yes to each of these questions (Germanys fuhrer also believed final victory was at hand, even as his country was ablaze), but a dispassionate analysis would suggest the opposite is true. Finally, if rationality entails understanding the relationship between actions and consequences, between causes and effects, then Putin must qualify as irrational not because he gets that relationship wrong, but because he appears to believe that actions have no consequences and causes have no effects. Hence, his unpredictability. The comparison with Hitler is strong stuff, of course, but its high time Western policymakers realise that they are dealing with a man who could blithely start a world war because his position of supreme power for close to two decades has led him to believe that he is Russia. What the 18th century Scottish philosopher David Hume once said about rationality applies with full force to Putin: It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger. Indeed, the fact that a full-scale military assault against Ukraine, Belarus or Estonia appears to make no sense is precisely why Putin could do it. While one must negotiate with irrational leaders, the only thing that can keep them in check, possibly, is preparedness. Their promises are as meaningless as their declarations of peace, and appeasement only whets their appetites. Putin will have to go, one way or another, for peace-loving Europeans to breathe easier again. Alexander J Motyl is a professor of political science at Rutgers University-Newark, specialising in Ukraine, Russia and the former USSR. ITS not often we can say our politicians are ahead of the public but when it comes to the issue of transgender theyre way ahead. This week we were told that almost 150 people have had their gender legally recognised in Ireland since new legislation was passed a year ago. The Act allows over 18s to decide their own gender identity without the backing of a medical professional or gender reassignment treatment. We are only the fourth country in the world to do so. Now if you are like me, you might have a vague notion of what this means exactly; further you may be more than slightly baffled by the entire subject of transgender and you may worry that your take on it all is not quite what you might like it to be. You might be familiar with the name Lydia Foy. The Co Kildare dentist who fought a two-decade legal battle for a new birth certificate reflecting her gender identity. From a subject about which we seemed to hear almost next to nothing, suddenly it seemed as if the issue kept cropping up. You may remember there was a bit of a media stir when we heard that RTE journalist Jonathan Clynch had identified as gender fluid and told colleagues he intended to dress as a woman and take on the additional name of Rachel. Earlier this year, US President Barack Obama said transgender pupils at public schools must be allowed to use the toilets and changing rooms of whichever gender they identify with. At home, Peter Mullan, assistant general secretary of the INTO, said gender-neutral toilets for junior infant pupils as young as four should be considered to make certain children feel more comfortable in the classroom. He also called for unisex uniforms. People, he said, must accept we live in a changing society, and there must be recognition that some children have gender dysphoria. This is a term used to describe those who feel ones emotional identity as male or female to be opposite to their biological sex. Then just a few weeks ago we read in the Sunday Independent how broadcaster George Hook, as a teenager, used to steal underwear from the drawer of a school friends mother and wear them to bed. I did it because I liked it, he said, but explained that in 1956 no one had ever even heard of a transgender person. So I wasnt going anywhere with it. These days at 14, every second person you meet is gay, so wearing womens clothes isnt a problem anymore. If I was 14 now and wearing womens knickers, who knows that I wouldnt be transgender? The reason I wasnt was because of society. Things, as George asserts, have certainly moved on, as evidenced by the passage of the transgender legislation a year ago. But in truth, a 14-year-old male wishing to wear womens underwear today would probably feel nowhere near as comfortable as George imagines they might. The actuality is our transgender legislation was overshadowed by the gay marriage referendum. That is understandable, but also means the issue did not get as much proper public debate as it might otherwise have done. As a guest presenter this week on the Tonight with Vincent Browne programme, I was delighted when the producer suggested tackling the topic of transgender people. For ages now Ive been meaning to educate myself on the topic, not to mention tackle some of my prejudices. For instance, when I first came across that idea of gender fluidity where a person may identify as male, female or somewhere in between, I found it very difficult to take the concept on board. In a discussion on the subject with a friend I was rather embarrassed and uncomfortable to find myself agreeing vigorously when she said: Your instinct is to say to someone like that will you pick a team and stick to it. At the time we both acknowledged that our reaction came from a place of ignorance. This was combined with a horror of being offensive, as well as a fear of not using the correct terminology or correctly identifying the gender which the person wishes to be recognised as. In an era when we like our news in soundbytes, where complex matters have to be simplified enough to fit into a tweet and the phrase when youre explaining youre losing has such popular currency, transgenderism can be an almost impossible sell. Its a bit of a minefield. The television panel included Vanessa Lacey from Waterford who was once a husband and a father to two sons. Vanessa strongly rejects any notion that she had a choice in her situation, pointing out that it would have been so much easier to remain one gender, and so much easier on her sons. She spoke about how her sons were very comfortable about her coming on television on Tuesday night to tell her story. Next to her was Sam Blanckensee, a 22 year old who was born in the body of a girl. He explained how he identified as a man while trying to come to terms with his rejection of female as a gender. He has had surgery and hormonal treatment. But he now describes himself as non binary, which means that he identifies as neither male nor female. A third panelist Catherine Cross is the mother of a transgender man, Lucas. She told of how Lucas had always been a tomboyish girl. However, it was when puberty hit that it became clear there was a problem as the process made Lucas very distressed. At the age of 15 he came out as gay and subsequently as transgender. She spoke of how she had a very hard time when Lucas told her about being transgender. It felt as if she was losing a daughter and needed to mourn that loss. Catherine, like Sam and Vanessa, is involved with TENI Transgender Equality Network Ireland which works to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families. Catherine, as family support and education officer, travels around to schools, secondary and primary, to speak about trans issues. When youve been a journalist as long as I have, there is frequently the feeling of having seen it all before. But listening to these people recount their stories felt somehow ground breaking; like we were dealing with a section of society that has been without a voice for so long. The people on the show came across as very together and articulate, so it is no coincidence that they are involved with a support group. But in truth, the majority of trans people suffer serious mental health issues. In a survey conducted by TENI in 2013 almost 80% of those questioned had considered suicide, and a similar figure avoided some public places or situations for fear of harassment. At the risk of sounding twee, listening to these people tell their stories, and being allowed to do so in public, means it will make it impossible for us to ignore what they go through personally, and at the hands of society, and to have proper services put in place to help them. It is a cliche but it is through us listening, and them telling of their experiences, that their cause will be advanced. The video showed Omran Daqneesh sitting dazed in the back of an ambulance, having just been pulled from the rubble of his home after an air strike in Aleppo. The nurse who treated Omran told the ABC network the boy did not cry as he was being treated, describing him being in shock. He didnt say anything expect to ask for his parents, Abu Rajab from the Syrian American Medical Society said. They arrived shortly after, in a second wave of people. Only then once Omran saw them did he start crying. Omrans parents told medical staff they would not speak for fear of reprisal from forces allied to the regime of President Bashar al Assad. The photos and video of Omran were taken on Wednesday night in the besieged rebel-held eastern suburbs of Aleppo. Doctors say Omran had head wounds and was discharged from the M10 hospital. Video taken by the Aleppo Media Centre showed the moment Omran was rescued along with three other small children from the rubble of a house after an air strike, by volunteers from Syrias Civil Defence group known as the White Helmets. Doctors told the ABC he was brought in to the hospital by four young men. Rescue workers and journalists arrived at Qaterji shortly after the strike and began pulling victims from the rubble. We were passing them from one balcony to the other, said photojournalist Mahmoud Raslan, who took the photo. He said he had passed along three lifeless bodies before receiving the wounded boy. The strike occurred during the sunset call to prayer, around 7:20pm said Raslan, a correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubashir. In the video posted by the Aleppo Media Centre, a man is seen plucking the boy away from a chaotic nighttime scene and carrying him inside the ambulance, looking dazed and flat-eyed. The boy then runs his hand over his blood-covered face, looks at his hands and wipes them on the ambulance chair. The horror generated by the image of Omran in the orange chair echoes the anguished global response to the pictures of Aylan Kurdi, the drowned Syrian boy whose body was found on a beach in Turkey and came to encapsulate the horrific toll of Syrias civil war. Meanwhile, the UN special envoy to Syria said not a single aid convoy had reached besieged areas in the past month. Staffan de Mistura said he abandoned a humanitarian aid meeting within eight minutes after realising all sides were unwilling to change their ways Two of the attacks were car bombings that hit police stations in eastern Turkey, while a third a roadside blast targeted a military vehicle carrying soldiers in the south-east of the country. Authorities say the assaults were carried out by the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which has launched a campaign of car bombings targeting police stations or roadside bomb attacks security force vehicles. Last week, PKK commander Cemil Bayik threatened increased attacks against police in Turkish cities. The wave of attacks come as Turkey is focused on a clampdown on suspected followers of a movement led by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, which the government accuses of orchestrating a failed military coup last month, that killed at least 270 people. The first car bombing hit a police station in the eastern province of Van late on Wednesday, killing a police officer and two civilians. At least 73 other people including 53 civilians and 20 police officers were wounded, officials said. Hours later, another car bombing hit police headquarters in the eastern Turkish city of Elazig, killing at least three police office officers and wounding 146 other people, officials said. At least 14 of them were in serious condition. Video footage showed a large plume of smoke rising from the area. Cars were overturned and the windows of the four-storey building and its wings were blown out. In the south-eastern province of Bitlis meanwhile, four soldiers were killed after the rebels detonated a roadside improvised explosive device as an armoured military vehicle was passing by, officials said. Seven other soldiers were wounded in the attack. A government-paid village guard, helping the security forces battle the PKK was also killed in a clash with the rebels in the province, Anadolu reported. Prime minister Binali Yildirim travelled to Elazig to visit the site of the bombing as well as those wounded in the attack. He told reporters there that both the PKK and the Gulen movement were directed by the same intelligence intent on causing Turkey harm, without elaborating. Ms Merkel said that the phenomenon of Islamist terrorism by IS isnt a phenomenon that came to us with the refugees, its one that we had before too. She conceded, however, it can be seen that there are attempts to win over refugees (for terrorism), or we had the case of Paris, where refugees were deliberately smuggled in by IS. The international human rights group said in a new report that many other people have been tortured. A catalogue of evidence reveals 19 prisoners were beaten to death after guards found one teaching martial arts skills; prisoners suffocated in overcrowded cells; inmates had their fingernails and toenails pulled out; and guards used a variety of torture methods during interrogations, including forcing male prisoners to rape each other or risk being shot dead. Amnesty International estimates that more than 17,723 people died in custody in Syria between March 2011 and the end of 2015. With tens of thousands of people forcibly disappeared in detention facilities across Syria, the real figure is likely to be even higher, the report said. It said common methods of torture included forcibly contorting the victims body into a tyre and flogging on the soles of the feet. The authorities also used electric shocks, rape and sexual violence, the pulling out of fingernails or toenails, scalding with hot water and cigarette burns. One survivor, named only as Omar S, recalled being made to watch a prisoner being forced to rape another. The guard stripped all of us. And he chose two of us, one of us huge, and the other very small. He told the two to come to him. He asked them to turn in a circle, to show him their bodies. Then he ordered the bigger one to rape the smaller one. Because of the torture, and the situation, he couldnt, even if he had tried. The guard told him he had to do it or he would die. The report was based on interviews with 65 torture survivors who described witnessing several deaths in custody. Detainees are frequently subjected to a beating upon arriving. One witness said the weak were targetted on arrival to prison: It felt like the purpose was death, some form of natural selection to get rid of the weak as soon as they arrive. They first asked my friend and he said, Yes, I have breathing problems I have asthma. They started beating him until he died, right there in front of me. Another detainee, Said, a pro-democracy activist, said he was hung by one hand and blindfolded. While I was hanging... they used an electroshock baton to hit my penis. Then they took the electroshock device and inserted it into my anus and switched it on. This was my first experience of rape. Then one of the guards asked for my face to be uncovered and I saw my father there. He had witnessed all of it. For decades, Syrian government forces have used torture as a means to crush their opponents, said Amnestys Middle East and North Africa director Philip Luther. Those responsible for these heinous crimes must be brought to justice. However, they later acknowledged security guards had pointed guns at the swimmers. The alleged robbery has become a big spectacle at the Olympic venues in Rio. No robbery was committed against these athletes. They were not victims of the crimes they claimed, Civil Police chief Fernando Veloso said during an afternoon news conference yesterday. Lochte, along with fellow swimmers Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen, stopped at a petrol station in Barra da Tijuca, a suburb of Rio where many Olympic venues are located. They had been at the French hospitality house celebrating the final night of swimming events at the Rio Games. A Brazilian police official told The Associated Press that two of the swimmers said Lochte had made the story up. The official said the swimmers had tried to open a door at the petrol station but it was jammed. They broke the door, and a security guard came to investigate. Then, the official said, the station manager demanded money to pay for the door. The swimmers handed over money and left. Hours later, the official changed the story and said two security guards pointed guns at the swimmers. The change in the version of events came after police interviewed one of the guards yesterday. The official said the swimmers broke the bathroom door and a soap dispenser inside. Workers at the petrol station went to see what the commotion was about, the official said. At that point, a security guard also came and confronted the swimmers, and pointed a gun. A second guard came behind him and pointed another gun. Lochtes lawyer, Jeff Ostrow, has maintained that there is no question the robbery occurred. Burma Four Girls Missing as Boat Capsizes in Arakan State A government boat searches for four missing girls in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, after a ferry carrying schoolchildren capsizes on August 19, 2016 / Rakhine Gazette RANGOON Four girls are missing after a boat carrying 17 schoolchildren between villages in Arakan States Rathedaung Township sank on Friday morning, according to a local man who participated in rescue efforts. The ferry was traveling along the Khwae Dauk River from the village of Kon Zae Tan to Yan Aung Myin when it began to fill with water through holes in the lining, and due to wood that had rotted on the boats frame. Locals were able to rescue 13 of the students on board. Normally, the small vessel carries around 10 passengers to school; Fridays 17 exceeded the boats capacity. As water began to seep in, the children reportedly grew frightened, causing the operator to accelerate the ferrys speed to reach the riverbank. The boat then capsized, said Soe Pe, one of the locals who watched the scene unfold. Soe Pe said that a fisherman, Maung Aye, was repairing his boat near the riverbank when he witnessed the accident. Using his own boat, and working with the ferry operator, the two men were able to bring 13 of the 17 children to safety. Among the four girls who have not been located is one 14-year-old, two 12-year-olds and one 11-year-old. The only adult on board was the operator, and the boat reportedly had only one life jacket. Some of them were able to swim, and that is why they are alive, said Soe Pe of the children. If not, I cannot imagine what could have happened there. The students from the village of Kon Zae Tan pay around 3,000 kyats (US$2.50) per month to cover ferry fees for the half-hour daily trip to school in Yan Aung Pyin village. Many small villages in Arakan Stateincluding Kon Zae Tanlack government schools at the middle and high school level, leaving students to travel long and often dangerous routes to continue their education beyond the primary level. On Friday afternoon, the Arakan State Chief Minister, Nyi Pu, travelled by speedboat from the state capital of Sittwe to Rathedaung Township when he heard about the boating accident. He spoke with families who lost their children, according to posts on his official Facebook account. Soe Pe explained that the residents of Kon Zae Tan and Yan Aung Myin villages are hoping that construction of a suspension bridge connecting their communities will improve transportation and safety in the region, but it is unclear whether the Arakan State government has allocated funds from the budget for such a project. This boating accident is not the first such tragedy to occur in Arakan State this year. On June 1, the first day that Burmese schools resumed after a long holiday, seven children died when a boat capsized near Poe Shwe Pyin village outside of the town of Ponnagyun. As with the incident in Kon Zae Tan, the boat operator had carried a number of passengers exceeding the ferrys capacity, and provided no life jackets on board, said Wai Hun Aung, an Arakanese social activist. Wai Hun Aung said he believes that there is a correlation between weak management of government departments and such accidents. The operation of student ferries is not an enterprise open to just anyoneambitious locals need to compete for a business tender designed by the township municipality. The bidders normally promise to follow the rules and regulations of the auction, but upon being awarded the tender, such expectations and conditions are known to be rarely enforced or adhered to. He recommended that government initiate auctions for ferry operations with the condition that the winning businessmen provide a sufficient amount of life vests on board the boats, or be penalized. The government, Wai Hun Aung, added, should then actively enforce such requirements in order to minimize any carelessness on the part of the operators. I would like to urge the new civilian government to value the lives of the public. These children are the future of our country, Wai Hun Aung said. Home to an expanse of creeks, rivers and coastline, Arakan States transportation system is dominated by ferries, speedboats, and shipping routes. On March 13, 2015, the government-owned Aung Ta Kon (3) ship, running between Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, sank near the Naungdawgyi Sea in Myebon Township. The boat was overloaded with various goods and around 300 passengers. According to local publications, at least 160 people died in the accident; only 72 dead bodies were discovered. The Arakan State government has since suspended the route. William Ernest Kuenzel Attorneys for Alabama death row inmate William Ernest Kuenzel filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court this week seeking a ruling that would allow him to present new evidence that they say will prove his innocence. Kuenzel was convicted in the 1987 shooting death of a Sylacauga convenience store clerk during a robbery. He has gained support for his claims of innocence from a group of lawyers, former district attorneys, ministers, and actors, including Law & Order actor Sam Waterston.That group filed a brief supporting Kuenzel's innocence to the Alabama Supreme Court, which refused to hear the case in April. In the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday Kuenzel's attorneys state that in 2010, and during federal proceedings, attorneys for Alabama disclosed "critical exculpatory evidence" that it failed to turn over during Kuenzel's capital trial, which they say violated previous federal rulings. "This new evidence completely undermines Mr. Kuenzel's already tenuous capital conviction and vindicates his long-maintained position that he is actually innocent. Regardless of one's views on the broader questions surrounding capital punishment, this particular case presents the intolerable risk that an innocent man will be put to death without any consideration of new exculpatory evidence that gravely undermines the already limited evidence supporting his conviction," according to the U.S. Supreme Court petition. After a federal petition was denied on procedural grounds, Kuenzel returned to Alabama state court and filed a second state petition based on the evidence that the state prosecutors had newly disclosed during the federal habeas proceedings, according to the U.S. Supreme Court petition. But under Alabama law, Kuenzel was blocked from seeking state habeas relief during the pendency of his federal habeas proceedings because of state law that prohibits prosecuting 2 actions in the courts of Alabama "at the same time for the same cause and against the same party." "Unusually, Alabama has interpreted this provision to apply to concurrent litigation in Alabama federal courts, and mandates dismissal when a 2nd suit for the same cause is brought," the U.S. Supreme Court petition states. "Yet the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals rejected Mr. Kuenzel's habeas petition as untimely under Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 32.2(c), which requires that successive state habeas petitions based on newly discovered evidence be brought within 6 months of the discovery of that evidence," the petition states. "By this rule, Mr. Kuenzel was required to file a successive state habeas petition while his federal habeas proceedings were pending, even though Alabama Code # 6-5-440 would have required the dismissal of such a duplicative suit." The question Kuenzel's attorneys have posed to the U.S. Supreme Court is this: "Whether it is fundamentally unfair and violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to require a capital habeas petitioner to bring a successive state habeas petition within six months of the discovery of new evidence, when Alabama Code # 6-5-440 would have simultaneously barred such a suit." Kuenzel was convicted in the shooting death of clerk Linda Offord. His roommate Havey Venn pleaded guilty as an accomplice. Venn testified that Kuenzel suggested robbing the store. A number of witnesses testified to seeing Venn's 1984 Buick Regal automobile at the store the night of the murder and an unidentified man in the front passenger seat. Venn testified that he sat in the car while Kuenzel went inside the convenience store with a 16-gauge shotgun. Venn heard a shot and saw the clerk fall backwards, according to court records. A 16-year-old witness also testified she was riding in a car past the store about an hour before the murder and that she saw Venn and Kuenzel inside the store. Without her identification, the evidence was insufficient to convict Kuenzel because state law requires that accomplice testimony be corroborated, attorneys have argued. Missed deadlines The evidence Kuenzel says is new evidence is that grand-jury testimony of the 16-year-old girl, first disclosed in 2010, indicates she could not identify Kuenzel as the man she saw in the convenience store the night of the murder, Moore states. Because the discovery of that evidence occurred more than 2 decades after Kuenzel's conviction, his only procedural route for bringing that evidence before the circuit court for a hearing was a new petition filed within 6 months of discovery of that evidence, he stated. Kuenzel filed his current petition in September 2013, long past the 6-month filing deadline. That deadline, however, under extraordinary circumstances may be disregarded, Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore wrote in an opinion in the case. Kuenzel argued he had found out about the testimony transcripts while he was litigating an appeal in federal court. The Court of Criminal Appeals, perceiving no reason why Kuenzel could not file his 2nd petition while his federal case was proceeding, affirmed the circuit court's finding that the petition was untimely. "Ordinarily, that would be the end of the matter. Because of the irreversibility of the death penalty, however, I believe some leeway may be warranted in this case," Moore stated in his opinion. Among the evidence Kuenzel's defense team say they have uncovered since the trial that jurors never heard or saw include: --Venn's gun was a .16 gauge shotgun after all despite Venn having claimed it was a .12 gauge. Offord had been shot with a .16 gauge. --Grand jury testimony by a prosecution witness, who had testified at trial that she saw both Kuenzel and Venn inside the store, was not shown to jurors. During the grand jury testimony she stated she couldn't identify the men. --Venn's girlfriend said Venn was alone and was not with Kuenzel that night. --Police notes, which the defense team got in 2010, show Venn had first told police he was another man, but police never tried to find that man. --A police officer noted Venn had injuries consistent with that of the victim. --Venn needed money for an attorney to defend himself at an upcoming drug trial. --The shotgun Kuenzel had borrowed had been returned to the relative days before the shooting. Among the evidence the jury did have was that Venn had blood from the victim on his clothing and Kuenzel didn't, the lawyers have also argued. Also, Kuenzel and his step father both testified that Kuenzel was asleep at home, without access to a car, that night. | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! Source: al.com, August 18, 2016 Burma Suu Kyi Assures China of Solution to Myitsone Dam Aung San Suu Kyi tells Chinas premier that her government is willing to look for a resolution on the stalled dam that suits both countries. BEIJING, ChinaAung San Suu Kyi told Chinas premier on Thursday that her new government is willing to look for a resolution that suits both countries to a suspended Chinese-funded hydropower project in northern Burma, a senior Chinese diplomat said. Finding a solution to the US$3.6 billion Myitsone dam project is important for Suu Kyi who needs Chinas cooperation in talks with Burmas ethnic minority armed groups operating along northern borders with China. Former Burma President Thein Sein angered China in 2011 when he suspended work on the hydropower dam, in the Irrawaddy river basin, after it drew widespread environmental protests. About 90 percent of the dams power would have gone to China. At the time, Suu Kyi also called for the projects suspension. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters after a meeting in Beijing between Suu Kyi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that Li had said China hopes Burma can come up with an appropriate resolution. Aung San Suu Kyi said that the Burmese government has already set up an investigation committee to look for an appropriate resolution to the Myitsone dam issue, Liu said. She also said that she is willing to look for a resolution that suits both sides interests via both sides energy administrations cooperation. China has been pushing for work to restart on the dam, which under the original plans would have sent 90 percent of its power to China. A Burmese government commission reviewing the projectas well as other proposed hydropower dams, including several on the Salween Riveris expected to report by Nov. 11. Suu Kyi did not mention the dam in remarks to Li made in front of journalists, but said she hoped her visit would further consolidate and develop relations. The two countries also signed a deal to build a strategic bridge near their border. A Burmese foreign ministry official said China had also agreed to build two hospitals in Burmas two largest cities, Rangoon and Mandalay. The bridge will be built in Kunlong, 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the border in northeastern Burma and near the Kokang region where an ethnic Chinese rebel group fought Burmas military last year. Liu said Premier Li reaffirmed Chinas support for efforts to bring peace to northern Burma. Suu Kyi, who is barred from the presidency by a junta-drafted constitution but holds several government posts including that of foreign minister, will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday. The visit is Suu Kyis first major diplomatic foray as de facto leader, after a new government took power in April following her National League for Democracys sweeping election victory in November. Interview There is No One-Size-Fits-All Federalism: Swiss Ambassador Switzerlands Ambassador to Burma Paul Seger / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy A landlocked, mountainous country in the Alpine region of Europe, Switzerland, which has been a federal state for centuries, presents an interesting example to Burma as it plans to devolve power equitably to its states and divisions under a new peace settlement. With the opening up of Burma after the launch of reforms in 2011, Switzerland was the first European country to open an embassy in Burma, in 2012. Switzerland has funded humanitarian and development programs in Burma over several years, for instance the building of schools and healthcare centers in Karen and Mon states in southeastern Burma. It has been among the international backers of Burmas peace process, which began under President Thein Sein five years ago. The Swiss Ambassador to Burma, Paul Seger, currently chairs the multinational Peace Support Group, which advises peace process stakeholders and channels donor money. Prior to arriving in Burma last year, Paul Seger was Switzerlands permanent representative at the United Nations in New York. Irrawaddy senior reporter Nyein Nyein spoke to the Swiss Ambassador earlier this month about Switzerlands development assistance, its role in Burmas peace process, and growing trade relations. What kind of support has Switzerland been providing to the peace process? We started supporting the peace process around 2012 by establishing contacts with both ethnic armed groups and the Tatmadaw [Burma Army]. We tried to bring the parties together, to pave the way for the signing of bilateral ceasefire agreements. We try to reach out to as many ethnic armed groups as possible. We host meetings, we organize preparatory events, etc. I think that it was quite useful, leading up to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement [NCA] signing in October 2015. But our support did not end with signing; we continue working both with the Tatmadaw and with both signatories and non-signatories [of the NCA] in support of the current national dialogue. Multilaterally, we have been chairing the Peace Support Group since May 2015. We would like to maintain the principle of rotation. But, as long as the group wishes us to continue chairing, we are happy to go along with that. Besides, we are donors to the new Joint Peace Fund, which has a clear financial focus. We have been working directly with actors on both sides, under full transparency. At the same time, we try to contribute financial and material support. What is the Switzerlands place on the peace table? Our role is in providing support that is effective, but discreet. From my personal experience of other peace processes, confidentially and confidence are the key elements. At the same time, we are transparent in what we do. It is not about sitting at the peace table, but being an active partner. In the upcoming union peace conference, stakeholders will discuss establishing federalism in Burma. Since you come from a federal country, what is your message to them? Look at as many examples from abroad as possible. There is no one-size-fits-all type of federalism. Every country has to find its own political system, which is suitable to its own tradition, to its own culture and to its own history. We have been inviting armed groups and the Tatmadaw, and womens groups and others to explain how federalism works in our country. The idea is to allow people to see how federalism works and what are its limitations and difficulties. Federalism may be much more complex than it looks. It is not only about the relationship between the union and federal states, but also, within the federal states, to lower levels, such as townships and communities. In Switzerland, federalism has three tiers: communities, cantons [equivalent to states/divisions in Burma] and the federal level. How important is it to protect the minorities in individual federal states, along with power sharing? One of federalisms main purposes is the protection of minorities. Cultural identity and language are part of that. Another important element, at least from our experience, is financial autonomy. In Switzerland, it is very important for cantons [equivalent to states/regions] to have their own budgets because, when you have money, you can decide. You can build hospitals, schools, and pay the teachers. Lets take the example of language: if you want to teach the local languages, obviously you need local teachers. Do you want to pay them locally or do you want the federal government to pay them? To touch on Switzerlands humanitarian and development support in southeastern Burma, what is the specific assistance given and how is it benefiting local people? Our main area of support is in the southeast, in Mon and Karen states. We have been there about six years. We started with rebuilding schools destroyed by natural catastrophes, particularly Cyclone Nargis [in May 2008]. Since, we have been rebuilt about 100 schools in the region, both directly and in cooperation with others. We have also been working to promote local health projects, providing basic health services to the people. This has the added advantage of bringing people from ethnic armed groups together with people from the government, which in turn may help the political dialogue in the peace process. Is your assistance delivered through civil society groups or the government? Our main partners are nongovernmental and civil society organizations, because we want to get close to the people. For us, local ownership, local participation and local impact are very important. So far our experiences with local nongovernmental partners have been proving very successful. But we consult with the government and we keep it informed of what we do. One of our main principles is transparency. Is your humanitarian support reaching displaced people, especially in northern Burma, where fighting is continuing? Do you face any limitations in supporting them? We are supporting displaced people in the areas of conflict, mostly through the international organizations, like UNHCR, UNICEF and ICRC. We have strategically decided to concentrate on areas in the southeast to create the best impact within our means. We have a total budget of US$150 million over four years. That may sound a lot, but if you really want to do something concrete, it is better to concentrate. What are the trade relations with Burma, especially under the new government? The potential for Swiss investment is there, but there is room for improvement. With democratization, the changing of laws, the furthering of the rule of law and the practical administration of justice, conditions are improving. We have to look down the road a few years. Swiss companies usually are rather prudent. Our main products are mostly high-end, with high added value, usually for clients already at an advanced economic level. Pharmaceuticals, machinery and watches are not cheap products. We already have some working here, like Nestle, pharmaceuticals, and some construction companies. We also have some small firms working in tourism, one of the big growth sectors in Myanmar. During my short presence here, there is growing interest. More people are coming here for business opportunities. My hope is that, over the next years, this will only increase. How do Swiss companies approach corporate social responsibility? We have been hearing about the involvement of Swiss firms in a dam project in Shan State, which environmentalists are campaigning against. I heard about the accusations and we take them seriously. Together with the company, were have looked into the matter. We found that the company takes environmental, social and cultural concerns seriously. For us, corporate social responsibility is important. We cannot allow ourselves to work in situations where there are violations of human rights or of environmental standards. We are also an active financial supporter of the Myanmar Center for Responsible Business. What is your impression of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi after she met with diplomats? Shortly after the election last year, she convened a diplomatic call on November 19 to give an overview of her intentions and goals. I had only one opportunity to meet with her. But I have to say, that one time was enough to be very impressed. She is a very charismatic person. Interview We Cannot Talk Recklessly About Building Peace: Govt Peace Negotiator Government peace negotiator and former lieutenant general Khin Zaw Oo / The Irrawaddy Three ethnic armed groupsthe Taang Nationalities Liberation Army, Arakan Army and Kokangs Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Armycurrently involved in active conflict with the Burma Army in northern Shan State issued a statement on Thursday announcing their readiness to join the Union Peace Conference, scheduled to begin on August 31 in Naypyidaw. However, a government peace negotiation team requested they announce their willingness to end armed struggle in order to participate in the peace talks. The government delegation had met the groups in Shan States Mongla region last week for a second time. Khin Zaw Oo, a negotiator from the governments peace team and a former lieutenant general, spoke with Irrawaddy senior reporter Nyein Nyein about the process. Has the government invited all groups to attend the Union Peace Conference, including members of the United Nationalities Federal Council [UNFC]? We will invite the seven members of the UNFC, and the Wa and Mongla groupswhich have not signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement [NCA]. But these other three groups must issue a statement including what we have asked for. If not, there is no way for us to talk with them yet. Why cant the government invite them, since the UNFC has been invited? They are not the UNFC and it is different. They have been actively engaged with us since the fighting in Laogai [in northern Shan State, February 2015], where they undermined the sovereignty of the nation. We think differently of them. A statement released after last weeks meeting said that it was a success. What has changed? At that time, they said they would reply to us through an official channel. They should have contacted us officially. If their statement was as we discussed, there would have been a positive response; but if not, it would be negative. We do not want a response through a publicized statement. We want it to come through a negotiation channel. What was your arrangement for further communication when you met with them? When we met in the Mongla region, they replied to us via the Mongla leaders. Mongla was the medium. Now, the Mongla did not even know about this statement, when they should be the group contacting us and letting us know whether or not they agree with our previous discussions. Will there be any further negotiations? How will you handle it? Unless they contact us, we have no reason to contact them. Regarding how we will continue, we still need to talk to them. Even if they wish to join the Union Peace Conference, it is not the Taung Pyone festival [an annual Nat/spirit festival held at Mount Popa that all are allowed to join]. Will they be unable to join the peace conference until they pledge what you have asked? Absolutely. If they want to build peace, they must. If not, there is no way for them to attend the conference. As far as we know, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi plays the role of negotiator between the Burma Army and ethnic armed groups. You are a member of the group that she leads. Are you following her path as a negotiator? What is your approach to bringing both sides to the table? The Burma Army and the government share the same view. When we hold talks, we take the views of both the army and the government. It is not that the army goes in direction A and the government goes in direction B. The publicized statement said that the groups would work for peace, but it did not address the issues that we brought up. Is it quibbling over word choice? It is not quibbling over a word. There is meaning behind the word. They said they would join the political dialogue, but did not say whether they would continue the armed struggle. They should express their desire to end the fighting in the near future. If the three groups pledge what you demandare they doing so to sign the NCA or just to join the Union Peace Conference? It is different. We have not even considered the signing of the NCA yet. Talking about political negotiation does not equate to proving their commitment. We cannot talk recklessly about building peace. Talking alone does not bring anything, they must follow the path to the peace process. If so, how much will the government agree to all-inclusion? All-inclusion cannot happen all at once. But it will happen sooner or later. Nebraska: Gathering signatures against the repeal of the death penalty. A Nebraska death row inmate challenged the state's death penalty law Wednesday based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down capital punishment in Florida. The motion for post-conviction relief argues that Nebraska unconstitutionally requires a 3-judge panel to make the final sentencing decision in capital cases. The motion cites the Supreme Court opinion released this year in Hurst v. Florida, which said the U.S. Constitution requires juries to decide the critical elements of a death sentence. "The Nebraska statutes, which allow a panel of judges, not a jury, to make findings authorizing a death sentence, violates this central constitutional tenet repeated in Hurst," Omaha lawyer Alan Stoler wrote in the motion. A similar legal challenge that relied on the Hurst ruling prompted the Delaware Supreme Court to strike down that state's death penalty this month. Stoler filed the motion in Scotts Bluff County District Court on behalf of Jeffrey Hessler, convicted of the 2003 1st-degree murder of 15-year-old Heather Guerrero of Gering. Hessler abducted the girl as she was delivering newspapers, then drove her to an abandoned farmhouse, where he raped her before shooting her in the head. The jury that convicted Hessler identified aggravating circumstances necessary to warrant a death sentence, said Suzanne Gage, spokeswoman for Attorney General Doug Peterson. Jurors who heard all of the evidence in the case determined that Hessler's actions were "especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or manifested exceptional depravity." "The Attorney General's Office will defend the motion, which we expect will be as unsuccessful as Hessler's other 2 failed post-conviction cases," she added. The new legal challenge comes as advocates on both sides of the death penalty ramp up efforts to sway Nebraska voters, who will be asked Nov. 8 to decide a referendum on the Legislature's 2015 repeal of capital punishment. This week, death penalty backers released poll results indicating that a strong majority of Nebraskans support capital punishment. Meanwhile, opponents unveiled an economic analysis that says the state spends $14.6 million annually to maintain the death penalty. Hessler's new challenge won't be decided before voters go to the polls, so it most likely becomes moot if the repeal survives. But his case will proceed if voters keep the death penalty on the books, and Hessler will try to convince the Nebraska Supreme Court to strike down the law. In Hurst v. Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court negated a death penalty sentencing scheme that required juries to make a recommendation to the judge on sentencing. The final decision, however, rested with the judge. The Supreme Court said the Florida law violated the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to a jury trial. Nebraska's system is similar, but not identical, to Florida's. In Nebraska, a 2nd trial takes place after a defendant is convicted in a death penalty case. The same jury that decided guilt also decides whether aggravating factors exist to justify the defendant's execution. If the jury finds that aggravating factors were present in the murder, a three-judge panel is convened to determine if they outweigh any mitigating factors in the defendant's favor. The 3 judges also must determine if the death sentence is warranted and, if so, whether it is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases. After making the necessary determinations, the judges impose the sentence. "Those findings are elements of the crime of capital murder," Stoler said in a legal brief. "As a result, these elements must be found by a unanimous jury, not a judge." Hessler, 37, is 1 of 10 men on Nebraska's death row. He was sentenced in 2005 and lost his appeal to the State Supreme Court 2 years later. He has filed 2 other post-conviction appeals, which were unsuccessful. His newest motion will be heard by District Judge Randall Lippstreu. Nebraska death penalty backers unveil campaign website A group that wants to reinstate Nebraska's death penalty in the November election has unveiled a website and online video to make its case to voters. The video released Tuesday highlights crimes committed by Nebraska's death row inmates. Nebraskans for the Death Penalty says the ad is intended to reinforce that, to keep the death penalty on the books, voters need to vote to repeal the legislation which abolished it. Nebraska lawmakers eliminated the death penalty in May 2015, overriding Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto. A petition drive partially financed by Ricketts gathered enough signatures to prevent the law from going into effect until voters decide whether to retain it. The video is narrated by Steve Zimkilton, the voiceover actor featured in the television series Law & Order. State Senators Thank Dr. Ernie Goss for study on death penalty costs Now there is validation from one of the most respected economists in our region, that we made the right choice. LINCOLN, NE Following a private briefing with Dr. Ernie Goss to review his study that shows the death penalty is costing the State of Nebraska $14.6 million each year , a bipartisan group of Nebraska State Senators, said today they now have further evidence that their decision was the right one for all Nebraskans.In a show of solidarity for their vote in 2015 to end Nebraskas death penalty and replace it with life in prison, a supermajority of Senators released a letter today that reads in part: In May of last year, the Nebraska Legislature voted to end a government program that we viewed as unnecessary, unworkable, and a waste of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Many of us consider that vote one of the most important, and certainly one of the most carefully thought through, votes of our career. Now there is validation from one of the most respected economists in our region that we made the right choice. Dr. Goss findings affirm the decision the Unicameral made when we acted to remove our broken, costly death penalty and leave in place the strong alternative of life without the possibility of parole, said Speaker Galen Hadley. Also appearing at the news conference were Grand Island Sen. Mike Gloor, and Lincoln Senators Colby Coash and Adam Morfeld. Sen. Mike Gloor I am not opposed to the death penalty, in theory. But I wasnt voting on a theoretical death penalty, I voted on Nebraskas death penalty, and I couldnt keep this broken law on the books after I saw how dysfunctional it is. In the last 40 years, we have only had 3 executions. And in the last 19 years, weve been unable to carry out a single executions despite claims from multiple administrations they would get the system running again. Something that hasnt worked in two decades is clearly a broken government program. Now we know the alarming price tag of this broken system. Thanks to the careful analysis of Dr. Ernie Goss, esteemed economist from Creighton University, we now know exactly how much Nebraskas death penalty is costing us - $14.6million annually. As a fiscal conservative opposed to broken government programs, I am more confident than ever now that our death penalty was failing Nebraskans, Sen. Gloor said. Sen. Colby Coash Now that we know the state is spending $14.6 million every year to keep our broken death penalty on the books, we can turn our attention toward finding ways to use those funds that will best serve our state. $14.6 million would go a long way to supporting our struggling department of corrections. People who are concerned about keep our communities safe should not be willing to continue spending millions on a capital punishment system that is little more than a symbol. We instead need to invest our valuable crime prevention dollars on proven methods for preventing violent crime, and keeping our prisons and guards secure. Sen. Adam Morfeld There were many reasons the 30 Senators 13 Democrats, 1 independent, and 16 Republicans voted to end Nebraskas death penalty. Fear we would execute the innocent. The fact there is no evidence it prevents violent crime. Frustration that decades of appeals leave victims families in legal limbo. And for many, especially my Republican colleagues, concerns about the price tag of the death penalty. We now have definitive data from the economist the Governor himself relied on when founding the conservative Platte Institute, that the death penalty in Nebraska comes with a $14.6 million annual price tag, Sen. Morfeld said. Source: Retain a Just Nebraska, August 18, 2016. Retain a Just Nebraska is a public education campaign to urge the retention of LB 268, the Nebraska Legislatures vote to end the death penalty. Supporters include fiscal conservatives, law enforcement officials, faith leaders, murder victims families, and Nebraskans from all walks of life. It is a statewide coalition conducting public education on the smart alternative of life in prison without parole, which protects society without the many problems of our death penalty system. | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! Source: Omaha World-Herald, August 18, 2016Source: Associated Press, August 18, 2016 Pokemon Go has been a huge hit worldwide. Even I got convinced into jumping in with the hype. I never played Pokemon my entire life and just started now in my 30's. Well, maybe I watched the cartoons back in high school but never really touched the gaming part. After playing Pokemon Go for 2 weeks I have started to get a grasp on how it works, even posted a bunch of articles here like using Zubats as target practice, using the CP and IV calculators, even wrote an update about Legendary Birds and Detective Pikachu. I also start to wonder how these wild Pokemons are spawned. I searched the internet but found no concrete explanations on why a Pokemon spawns in a mall or in a church or some big rock across the hospital. There are observations and estimates on how this works. Pokestops, Lure Modules and Incense First, you would notice that you frequently get more Pokemon on areas near Pokestops. Pokestops are usually landmarks in your area, provided you are already exposed at Google Maps. These landmarks are churches, historical landmarks, art murals, famous establishments, big fountains, and so on. The further you are from these Pokestop clusters, the less to none chances a wild Pokemon spawns. There is also a 'lure' feature where players can drop at Pokestops', this increases the chances of a wild Pokemon appearing. Incense also help attract wild Pokemon to you. My note though, I tried using Incense in a remote area, far from Pokestops, no wild Pokemon appeared which is ironic because, you know, wild Pokemon should be out 'in the wild' not in urban areas. Usually, malls are full of Pokestops, I tried going to a newly-built mall but this one doesn't have any Pokestop yet. The explanation simply lies on the next paragraph: 'Ingress'. Pokemon Go and Ingress Yes, Pokemon hooks up with Ingress' database in terms of landmarks which explains the new erected mall I visited for Pokestops has not been on the list yet. Most, if not all, Ingress Portals are converted into Pokestops in Pokemon Go. If you have played Ingress, then you'll sure know how to make your way around Pokemon Go. If you haven't of Ingress, then the best natural indicator you will have are your area's landmarks. You can refer to the Ingress map database here. Literally travel the world Escape.com.au reported a list of Pokemon Go hotspots all over the world. Travelers now include catching wild Pokemon in Pokemon Go as part of their travel itinerary. The report lists hotspots such as the Circular Quay in Sidney to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park in New York, Big Ben, The Coliseum in Italy and all other popular world-wide tourist attractions. Any proven formula? As stated, there is really not enough information on the internet to create a concrete formula on how these wild Pokemon appear in Pokemon Go. However a website called Pokesnipers.com gives you data in coordinate form on where to find rare Pokemon in real-time. This is used in parallel with Pokemon Go bot cheats where you 'teleport' to far places around the world. Just remember the basics If you just want to catch wild Pokemon in your local area, the best places to go are old landmarks, art murals, old malls, and other significant urban areas that are at least 4 years old. There have been speculations going around that actress Angelina Jolie is jealous of the success in the career of her husband, Brad Pitt. With the latter rumoured to be in line for the next Oscar's nomination, the actress may feel out of the light. "Allied" With Marion Cotillard Brad Pitt's new upcoming film entitled "Allied" with co-star Marion Cotillard recently came out, and it has been receiving many positive reviews. The movie hasn't even hit the big screens yet but word around the corner says the actors might already be in line for a possible Oscar's nomination. In line with this, there have been allegations that Brad's wife, actress Angelina Jolie may be envious of the spotlight her husband is in right now, according to Celebrity Dirty Laundry. His light is alongside another actress who seems to be a good friend of the actor, even speculated a relationship between the two. "By The Sea" Bombed With Horrible Reviews Her latest film with Brad Putt, "By The Sea," allegedly got negative reviews and was named one of the worst movies of both their careers. Since Brad's upcoming movie "Allied" is a World War II-period film, it couldn't help but be compared with "By The Sea," and it looks like the former going to win. Angelina Jolie Feels Secure With Her Career And Marriage With Brad Pitt These rumors were then put to rest by Gossip Cop, claiming that none of them were true. Even though Angelina allegedly hasn't had any good hits in her films since "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" with Brad Pitt back in 2005, she is much secured of where she is right now in her career and her marriage. Despite the allegations that her 2005 film was her last hit, that is not true. Angelina Jolie's "Maleficent" was very well praised by the viewers and the critics, and it is even getting a sequel that is bound to hit the theatres sometime soon. Amidst all the speculations that seem to be trying to break up the couple's marriage, Angelina remains strong and secured. A further 235,000 Twitter accounts have been suspended 6 months into this year as announced today by the social media site through their blog in an effort to mitigate extremism, especially the violent type. ISIS has been actively using Twitter as a means to expand their group and make themselves known to more people. To counter the said use by ISIS, Twitter has already added more of its crew to the team which reports abuse. They are also maximizing the use of tools to prevent proprietary spam from spreading, which would help detect accounts which may be violating the rules of use of the social media site. The suspensions announced are in addition to the 125,000 Twitter accounts that were taken down in February for promoting terrorism or issuing violent threats. According to the blog post on Twitter, the initiative yielded positive results, with fewer extremist activities and more accounts suspended. Twitter has also further updated their tools to now enable users to effectively regulate what tweets they can view and the ones who could contact them through their accounts. Users who have been deemed as trolls can be banned using the notification settings, which would enable users to choose to just see notifications from the ones they follow. A quality filter can help to effectively sort out good tweets from the bad ones, which include duplicate tweets and spams, so as not to be seen on user's notifications and anywhere else on the social media platform as a way of preventing users from being bothered by these kinds of tweets. Accounts which have been previously interacted with by the user and other users who follow them, however, will not be part of the scope of the filtering system. Justice League will soon be out by the last quarter of 2017, and with comparisons to the Batman Comics, it is indeed worth talking about. The latest issue of Batman Comics features one of the most popular superhero brawls. The story starts with Gotham running through the streets of Gotham City, as he has lost his mind due to the dissatisfaction that he received from the Psycho Pirate. This puts Alfred Pennyworth as a very likely superhero to stand against this growing threat. Alfred worked his way to distract Gotham, enabling Batman to plan an attack to put an end to the life of Gotham. With this, Batman is motivated to pursue the assistance of the Justice League. However, the powers of the entire Justice League aren't enough to beat Gotham. It is soon discovered that Gotham and Gotham Girl become stronger and stronger, even reaching god-like status, by sacrificing their life span. This is the main reason why Gotham can easily beat the Justice League, even if Superman goes on full blast. It then ends with Gotham Girl realizing the evil of his brother and then attempts to kill Gotham for the welfare of the city. The story ends with the possible death of Batman, as what Gotham Girl narrates. Meanwhile, the story of Justice League will revolve around how the death of Superman motivated Batman to form a team of superheroes to defend Earth against greater evils. One can see how Superman's death and Batman's death as what is seen in the comics works its way. An alien meta-human named SteppenWolf is on a quest to find the Mother Boxes on Earth. This is enough reason for the formation of the Justice League. With this, it can then be said that Justice League is a far cry from the action-packed light-headed plotline that kids are seeing on Marvel movies. Justice League will offer a more dark and surreal feeling as its characters of great superheroes unfold in the upcoming 2017 movie. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab collaborates with Microsoft Research to reveal a new smart tattoo called DuoSkin. This new project aims to use temporary tattoos as a connected interface that can be used in different ways. Based on the reports, the tattoo will act as a wearable gadget that enables your skin to act as a touchpad and control electronic gadgets such as cellphones or laptops. According to Tech Times, MIT researchers describe DuoSkin as a fabrication process leading towards the future creation of modified functional devices that can be attached onto the user's skin. Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao, MIT Media Lab PhD student, says the project was inspired from the increasing trend of metallic temporary tattoos making DuoSkin a mixture of the existing fashion with significant functions on the modern world. Kao added that there is an enormous culture of cosmetics and street fashion in Taiwan. These street fashion is said to be affordable and accessible enough allowing people to change their presence whenever they like. DuoSkin's research team aims on doing the same culture with the project. The material used in 'DuoSkin' is gold metal leaf, cheap and skin-friendly material that is suitable for everyday use. According to Yibada, gold metal leaf has been primarily used by DuoSkin due to its basic conductivity on a low price. The material is then mixed with other components such as vinyl cutter and a temporary printing paper. LEDs were also used occasionally to create the impressive DuoSkin project. Based on the reports, DuoSkin can used in three different kind of ways: an input interface, output interface or a communication interface. The tattoos can be used as an input interface through transforming the user's skin into a trackpad-like function to control the connected mobile devices. Next, tattoos used as an output has the ability to show. soft displays to the user's skin and changes the color depending on the skin's temperature. Lastly, tattoos can be used as communication interface through holding off data which is detectable by other devices using the NFC wireless technology. Kao said that it will bring a great change heading to the future both on fashion and technology. It blends flawlessly to the society today. Researchers say that it will be having more features and customization options regarding on the designs of the tattoos. DuoSkin could be a great alternative to the more bulky wearable technology such as smartwatches. ISIS Twitter accounts numbering at least 235,000 have been suspended, according to a report submitted by the social network on August 18. Twitter is also planning to roll out a set of "proprietary anti-spam software that will allow users to control the kind of tweet they received. It took Twitter at least six months to suspend that many accounts, according to the Daily Mail. Most of the suspensions occurred every time a terrorist attack occurred. The total number of suspended ISIS related Twitter accounts have reached around 360,000 since the last year. The Federal Bureau of Investigation lauded Twitter when it started weeding out and hampering one of the terrorist organization's means of communication with the outside world. The social messaging service said that it has always tried to balance the right of its users and its obligation to the authorities. Law enforcement authorities are concerned regarding the ease in which ISIS used the social network as a means to air their propaganda and message of violence. European authorities estimate that ISIS posted more than a hundred thousand tweets daily. These daily tweets have made the terrorist organization appear bigger than it looks, according to a number of anti-terrorist experts. They also have posted videos that are quite gruesome that intend to incite hatred among its followers. The hacker group Anonymous has also joined in the online fight against ISIS. However, the terror group has dismissed the group as a bunch of "idiots". It is interesting to note that ISIS has its own Islamic Cyber Army that it can use for its online activities and possibly against Anonymous and other government and private groups. Meanwhile, Twitter is rolling out a new set of filters that will give users the option of seeing tweets from Twitter posts that they actually follow, according to NBC News. Users can now remove spam and duplicates using the new filter software. Radical Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir Terrorist convict Abu Bakar Ba'asyir gets 3-month sentence cut Convicted terrorist leader Abu Bakar Ba'asyir was given a three-month sentence reduction on Independence Day, an official said on Wednesday. "This is the second year he [Ba'asyir] has been granted an Independence Day remission," said the corrections office chief of the West Java Justice and Human Rights Agency, Agus Toyib, in Bandung, West Java, as reported by Antara news agency. Ba'asyir had fulfilled administrative requirements for a remission, such as having served one-third of his sentence and cooperating as a justice collaborator, he added. Ba'asyir, the spiritual leader of Islamic organization Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2011 after the South Jakarta District Court declared him guilty of funding a military training camp for a terrorist group in Aceh. He filed for a review of his case, which the Supreme Court rejected in August. After serving time in a high-security prison on Nusakambangan Island in Cilacap, Central Java, the ministry moved Ba'asyir to Gunung Sindur Penitentiary in Bogor, West Java, in April over health concerns for the frail 77-year-old. The firebrand Muslim cleric was among 11,010 inmates in West Java granted remissions on Independence Day. Indonesia marks Independence Day by sinking 60 illegal ships Indonesia marked its Independence Day on Wednesday by sinking 60 foreign ships seized for fishing illegally in the country's waters. Indonesia celebrates its Independence Day Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the ships were sunk at eight locations across the Indonesian archipelago. Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the ships were sunk at eight locations across the Indonesian archipelago. Pudjiastuti has organized the destruction of more than 200 illegal fishing boats since 2014. The government of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has taken a hardline stance against illegal fishing, partly driven by the need for Indonesia to show its neighbours, including China, that it is in control of its vast territory of 17,000 islands. Many of the boats were captured off Indonesia's Natuna Islands, a point from which Indonesia's exclusive economic zone thrusts into the South China Sea. Beijing has described the area as a traditional Chinese fishing ground even though it is nearly 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) from the Chinese mainland. The sinkings were carried out in a low-key fashion compared with previous occasions, when boats were blown to smithereens and their destruction broadcast live. Pudjiastuti told a news conference in Ranai, a Natuna Islands port, that the ships were sunk off Ranai, Batam, Tarempa, Kalimantan, Maluku, and Sorong in West Papua to create artificial reefs. "We do see at the moment the deterrent effect," she said. "I think it is already quite a strong message" to foreign countries and their fishing fleets. | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! Source: The Jakarta Post , August 17, 2016 Clothing retailer Eddie Bauer has informed customers that point-of-sale systems at its stores were hit by malware, enabling the theft of payment card information. All the retailers stores in the U.S. and Canada, numbering about 350, were affected, a company spokesman disclosed Thursday. He added that the retailer is not disclosing the number of customers affected. The card information harvested included cardholder name, payment card number, security code and expiration date. The retailer said that information of payment cards used at its stores on various dates between Jan. 2 and July 17, 2016 may have been accessed, but added that not all cardholder transactions were affected. Payment card information that was used for online purchases at its website was not affected. The company is the latest in a long list of retailers, hotels and other establishments that were hit by point-of-sale malware that skimmed payment card information. Eddie Bauer learned during the investigation that the malware found on its systems was part of a sophisticated attack directed at multiple restaurants, hotels, and retailers, besides its own operations, CEO Mike Egeck said in a statement. Unfortunately, malware intrusions like this are all too common in the world that we live in today, he added. The company said it has been working closely with the FBI, cybersecurity experts, and payment card organizations, and wanted to reassure customers that it had fully identified and contained the incident. Customers would not be responsible for any fraudulent charges to their accounts, it added. Eddie Bauer said it had taken measures to strengthen the security of its point-of-sale systems to prevent a similar hack in the future. Kroll, a provider of risk mitigation and response, would provide 12 months of complimentary services to affected customers, it added. Businesses need to be able to watch more closely the data passing through a corporate network to have a better chance of preventing breaches or at least minimizing the damage by stopping them soon, said John Christly, chief information security officer of Netsurion, a provider of remotely-managed security services for multi-location businesses, in an emailed statement. Some of these breaches may look like normal web traffic coming out of the firewall, and other attacks can even seem like legitimate DNS traffic, which may pass right by the typical un-managed firewall," he added. Hyatt Hotels, Target, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Omni Hotels & Resorts, HEI Hotels & Resorts and Neiman Marcus have also reported previously data breaches through their point-of-sale systems. Responding to today's YouGov poll, which suggested that 52% of Americans want the remaining prisoners at Guantanamo Bay to be either given a trial or released, Shelby Sullivan-Bennis, Reprieve U.S. attorney for detainees, said: Most Americans recognize that denying those in Guantanamo the same right to a fair trial provided those lucky enough to be in the United States flies in the face of justice. "Guantanamo is an emblem of a dark period for our country. The Obama Administration must urgently take steps to shutter the prison, and charge or release its long-suffering inmates, while theres still time. 61 prisoners remain held at Guantanamo after the Administration released 15 cleared men - 12 Yemenis and 3 Afghans - to the United Arab Emirates on Monday. Today's YouGov poll is here: https://today.yougov.com/news/2016/08/19/most-americans-support-trials-or-release-guantanam/ Source: Reprieve, August 19, 2016. Reprieve is an international human rights organization. Reprieve U.S., based in New York City, can be contacted on Katherine [dot] oshea [at] reprieve.org / +1 917 855 8064. Reprieves London office can be contacted on: communications [at] reprieve.org.uk / +44 (0) 207 553 8140. | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! Iranian authorities hanged two prisoners in public on Wednesday August 17. Iran Human Rights (AUG 18 2016): Two prisoners were reportedly hanged in public at Saheli Boulevard, located in the city of Bandar Abbas (Hormozgan province, southern Iran), on rape charges. The executions were reportedly carried out on the morning of Wednesday August 17 in front of a crowd of people. The Iranian state-run news agency, ISNA, has identified the prisoners as: M.P., 28 years old, and A.A., 25 years old. The prisoners were reportedly sentenced to death for rape, kidnapping, and theft. A prisoner was reportedly hanged at Mashhad Central Prison (Razavi Khorasan province, northeastern Iran) on murder charges, and another prisoner was reportedly hanged at Tabas Central Prison (South Khorasan province, eastern Iran) on drug related charges. A report by the Iranian state-run news agency, Rokna, identifies the prisoner who was executed in the city of Mashhad as "N", hanged on the morning of Tuesday August 16. Unofficial source, Human Rights Defenders Association of Kurdistan, reports on the execution in the city of Tabas. | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! The prisoner, whose identity is not known at this time, was reportedly also executed on Tuesday morning. Iranian official sources have not announced this execution.A prisoner was reportedly executed at Lakan, Rasht's central prison, on drug related charges.According to the Iranian state run news outlet, ISNA, the execution was carried out on the morning of Saturday August 16th in the Gilan province (northern Iran).The report identifies the prisoner as H.R., 45 years of age. The prisoner was reportedly charged with buying and selling two kilograms of crystal meth. Email Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday. Detainees who died in custody since January 2009: 4.7 When Obama wanted to close Gitmo and put the prisoners in American prisons the republicans raised hell because they didn't want them near U.S. Cities. One time you say you want them to tried by a military tribunal, another time you want them tried in civilian court. We can't find many countries willing to take them back or accept them. You people aren't satisfied with anything short of executing all of them and some of them are most likely innocent of terrorist activities or aiding and abetting."The DetaineesDetainees currently held at Guantanamo: 61.1Total number of detainees ever incarcerated at Guantanamo: 780.2 Detainees released under President Bush: Over 500.3 Detainees at start of Obama Presidency: 242.4 Detainees transferred, repatriated or resettled under Obama: 177.5 Detainees transferred to U.S. for prosecution: 1.6 Number of current detainees imprisoned for more than 10 years: 44 (72 percent of total population).8Remainingdetaineesapprovedforrelease: 20.9 Yemenis approved for transfer: 12.10Detainees convicted by military commission and still held at Guantanamo: 311 Detainees Obama Administration is currently trying in military commissions: 7.12 The Pentagon may only plan to prosecute 14 detainees in total, including those currently in pre-trial hearings.13 Detainees Obama Administration is holding for indefinite detention without charge or trial: 31.14 Number of countries that have accepted Guantanamo detainees: 59.15"The DetaineesDetainees currently held at Guantanamo: 61.1Total number of detainees ever incarcerated at Guantanamo: 780.2 Detainees released under President Bush: Over 500.3 Detainees at start of Obama Presidency: 242.4 Detainees transferred, repatriated or resettled under Obama: 177.5 Detainees transferred to U.S. for prosecution: 1.6 Detainees who died in custody since January 2009: 4.7 Number of current detainees imprisoned for more than 10 years: 44 (72 percent of total population).8Remainingdetaineesapprovedforrelease: 20.9 Yemenis approved for transfer: 12.10Detainees convicted by military commission and still held at Guantanamo: 311 Detainees Obama Administration is currently trying in military commissions: 7.12 The Pentagon may only plan to prosecute 14 detainees in total, including those currently in pre-trial hearings.13Detainees Obama Administration is holding for indefinite detention without charge or trial: 31.14Number of countries that have accepted Guantanamo detainees: 59.15" CHARLOTTE A State Highway Patrol trooper shot and killed a hearing-impaired driver in the University City area Thursday after the two apparently got into an altercation after the driver refused to pull over for a speeding violation. The State Bureau of Investigation on Friday identified the man who was shot as Daniel Kevin Harris and the trooper as Jermaine Saunders. Investigators said the incident began at 6:14 p.m., when the trooper tried to stop a Volvo for speeding on Interstate 485 near the North Tryon Street exit. The driver refused to stop and after a brief pursuit, the driver traveled onto Rocky River Road, exiting into a neighborhood at Seven Oaks Drive, officials said. While on Seven Oaks Drive, the driver exited his vehicle and an encounter took place between the driver and the trooper causing a shot to be fired, according to a statement from the State Highway Patrol. The driver died at the scene, officials said. Family members said Harris, 28, lived on Seven Oaks Drive. Details of the encounter are still being investigated, Audria Bridges, special agent in charge of the SBI office that covers the Charlotte region, said in a statement Friday afternoon. The SBI is in charge of the investigation. The SBI is in the process of obtaining all available dash cam or body camera video present on the scene from the State Highway Patrol as well as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, as CMPD responded to the scene immediately after the shooting, Bridges said. Multiple sources confirmed to the Observers news partner, WBTV, that Harris had a hearing and speech impairment. Public records show an interpreter provided sign language for Harris at a court hearing in Florida in 2010. At the hearing, he was found not guilty of misdemeanor larceny and had a charge of misdemeanor resisting property recovery dismissed, records show. Harris was found guilty of resisting an officer in 2010 when he lived in Connecticut, according to public records. His family members declined further comment to the Observer on Friday, saying they needed to consult an attorney about the case. Neighbors said the incident surprised them. Its a little nerve-wracking to come home and have half of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on the street, along with four or five state troopers, resident Rick Kralik told WBTV. The Highway Patrol car came down across here, neighbor Mark Barringer told the station. He was kind of smoking real bad, and then he stopped over here, and then a few minutes later, I heard a gunshot. I saw a body on the street, and it looked like he was dead. Neighbor Ryan Russell said hed see the man out in the neighborhood speaking in sign language with his family. It seemed like a very peaceful family, Russell told WBTV. These things are always heartbreaking. Russell asked neighbors to keep the family in their thoughts. Im already working on trying to get people to reach out to this family, because no matter what this guy did, the family is hurting because they lost one of their loved ones, Russell told WBTV. Neighbor Pat Johnson, who lives just around the corner from where the shooting happened, echoed those thoughts. I asked everybody to keep them in prayer, Johnson told WBTV, not just for them, but for the entire community, because its a rough time for them. For all of you Obama supporters out there, I just wanted to point out just some of the many reasons why Obama is one of the worst presidents in American history. * *After you've read mine, to make things interesting, create a list of 10 reasons why G. W. Bush (or any other recent Republican President) was one of the worst presidents in history. * You may also include any reasons you may have of why my facts are untrue. * Than we can compare our lists and maybe have some independents decide who makes their president look worse. We'll, here's my list. 1. * President Obama introduced a healthcare bill that forces Americans to buy a service. * This he claimed was not a tax, and simply a penalty. * He continuously reaffirmed that that was the case, despite the fact that more than half the population thought the bill was in violation of the constitution. * When it came time for the court to decide whether it lived or not, the President's lawyers argued that it was legal because it was a tax and congress has the power to tax people. * Now the President is denying it again. * This is deception. 2. *The President has used Executive privilege to allow his Attorney General not to turn over documents related to the Fast and Furious scandal. * He is obviously hiding something from everyone. * If he can't give up at least half of the documents, you know that something big is happening behind the scenes. * ** 3. *The President has made some very clearly politically motivated over the course of his term in office, arguably more than any president in modern American history. * The most recent of these was his recent temporary immigration reform. * *He had promised that he would have done it much earlier when his party controlled both houses of congress. But no, he had to wait until the election year so he could gain more support among Hispanic voters before they forgot. 4. *The president has almost doubled our national debt in just 3.5 years, something that has never happened in American history. * We've accumulated more debt in the past 42 months than all of the previous 232 years of this republic. That's impossible to overlook. 5. *This president is also involved in the leaking of some of our most confidential secrets. * It's certain they either came from someone high up in his cabinet that HE choose. *Regardless, he only launched an investigation after conservatives demanded he do so. * Wouldn't most people want an it to start immediately to insure that the *traitor to our government could put in jail as soon as possible and not do anymore damage. 6. * President Obama is absolutely terrible at diplomacy. * He's convinced the Iranians that the US won't stop their nuclear programs and we'd never attack them unless they attacked us. * An Israeli ambassador even said "they aren't afraid of us"! * You know that the president is sending a weak message when any nation isn't afraid of the world's superpower. 7. * The President has flip flopped more than once on the issue of gay marriage; this shows that we can never know what he truly stands for. 8. *Unemployment is higher than when President Obama first took office and income is down. *These stats should be much better. * The president has been limiting economic growth because he has been limiting economic freedom for the job creators. 9. * President Obama has been supporting environmentalists by giving them tens of billions in funding and subsidies despite the much more pressing concerns *that can't be solved without government and are much more practical to fix. 10. The President has refused to work with the other party on anything. * He's always late on passing the budget because of this, among other things. * It's very possible to work with the other party, you just have to compromise on some things-Reagan did it very well. *President Obama can't just blame the Republicans every time the Feds don't act fast enough. * This is one of the prime indicators of a good president, and Mr. Obama lacks it. In short, President Obama is a selfish, unethical, deceptive, and just all around bad leader. * I'll say it in the words of Sarah Palin: *Obama lies, freedom dies. 08/19/2016 Dorothy G. Quarles & Catherine H. Chappell The JSU Office of the President welcomes two new administrative support personnel: Dorothy G. Quarles and Catherine H. Chappell. Quarles, who has served as executive assistant to the vice president of University Advancement for nearly 10 years, is now the presidents special assistant. Chappell, a JSU newcomer, has joined the office as executive assistant to the president. Longtime secretary to the president Pam Stinson recently announced her retirement after 30 years of service to the university. Sherry Taylor, secretary to the universitys chief audit executive, has relocated with the Office of Internal Audit to room 319 of Bibb Graves Hall. I would like to thank Mrs. Stinson for her many years of service to the university and for all her support during the first year of my presidency, said President John M. Beehler. Her grace and kindness will be missed on campus and I wish her a very happy retirement. Quarles has more than 20 years of banking experience and has served as a branch manager, loan officer, assistant credit manager, head teller and teller. Before coming to JSU, she served as executive assistant to the president and chairman of the board for Regions Bank in Calhoun and Talladega Counties, where she was also secretary to the Regions Bank Board of Directors, secretary to the Association of Bank Institutions, and a member of the United Way budget allocation committee. Prior to her career at Regions Bank, she was employed by Battelle Memorial Institute (BMI) as the project administrative coordinator and office operations manager for the Joint Service Integration Group (JSIG) at Fort McClellan. The JSIG is a Department of Defense/Joint Chiefs of Staff and BMI contractor team focused on the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical arena and works with the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines at the Pentagon. She is currently a board member for the MG Gerald Watson's McClellan Chapter of the Chemical Corps Regimental Association and a member of the JSU Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae Northeast Alabama chapter. She attended the University of South Alabama and Livingston University, which is now University of West Alabama. Chappell comes to JSU with more than 20 years of experience in retail management, banking, education and health care services. She most recently served as optometry manager with Sarrell Dental and Optical Centers, where she was responsible for the operations of five optical centers. Under her leadership, the department saw a significant increase in revenue. She also formerly served as executive director of the Anniston City Schools Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provided scholarships to Anniston City Schools students. Chappells professional affiliations include Altrusa International, Inc., and Leadership Calhoun County, Class of 2006. She has also served on the Board of Directors of McWane, Inc., Leadership Calhoun County, Sarrell Regional Dental Center, Inc., and St. Michael's Clinic. I have worked closely with Dorothy over the past year in her role planning special events for the university, said Beehler. Her professionalism and attention to detail are unmatched and she is an outstanding addition to the presidents office. Catherine brings several decades of administrative experience to the university that will prove valuable into the future. For assistance within the Office of the President, please contact Quarles at 256-782-8619, dquarles@jsu.edu, or Chappell at 256-782-5881, chappell@jsu.edu. Reddit Email 0 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a campaign event on Wednesday evening, that there is no relationship between the influx of some one million migrants and refugees into Germany in the past year and the incidents of radical Muslim violence in the country. She pointed out that Muslim radicalism as a phenomenon pre-existed the rise of Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) and that even Daesh was there before the refugee crisis. She said that German authorities have been worried about Daesh for some years. To some extent she blamed social media rather the the influx of refugees. She said that the right way to deal with domestic terrorism is more state powers and better trained police. Reuters reports that Merkel said that forms of Islam compatible with the constitution are welcome in Germany: We have said clearly that an Islam that works and lives on the basis of the constitution belongs to Germany . . . About half of Germans agree with her. And what is remarkable is that you have the head of state talking in this clear-eyed and generous way about people who have lost everything and sought a better life. It is hard to imagine a US politician of Merkels level openly speaking out this way. Of course her party may suffer for it at the polls we have yet to see. But Merkel is not backing down. Merkel has long insisted that Islam belongs to Germany. I pointed out 18 months ago that this assertion is historically true. If Germans did not want Islam to belong to Germany, they shouldnt have gone out and subjugated e.g. Tanzania in the 19th century (although a mixed society it has a strong Muslim community). There was also German colonialism in West Africa, where there were also Muslims. If you go out an incorporate people into your empire, they belong to you whether they or you like it or not. I wrote: Some 57% of Germans say in polls that they feel threatened by Islam. A country of 80 million, Germany has 4 million Muslims, 2/3s of them Turks. About half of these Turks of Muslim heritage, however, hail from the Alevi Shiite minority in Turkey, and many Alevi families became secular leftists in the 1960s and 1970s. So most Turkish Muslims are not interested in Sunni fundamentalism. Moreover, only about half of resident Muslims are citizens, so they are not in a position to Islamize anything, even if they wanted to which most do not. In polling, Germans give unrealistically high estimates of how many Muslims they think there are in the country. Germans have very small family size and the country is projected to fall from 80 million to only 60 million by 2050, thus falling behind France, which is growing through immigration. Merkels government appears to favor emulating the French policy, encouraging immigration, to avoid Germany losing its economic and demographic leadership role in Europe. Besides, there was radical terrorism of leftist and rightist varieties in Germany in the twentieth century and it was far more deadly than the Daesh attacks of today (as horrific and inexcusable as those are). To start the clock on social violence with last years arrival of so many immigrants and refugees and then to blame everything on them is ahistorical thinking. Related video: Angela Merkel stands by refugee policy after attacks in Germany Reddit Email 4 Shares By Peter Hopkins | (The Conversation) | Rio 2016 is proving not just to be a platform for sporting prowess, it is also helping to shake up some traditionally-held cultural misconceptions too. In the West, many regard traditional Muslim dress like the hijab as a sign of oppression, with women forced to wear the garments by men. But it is not as simple as that: many women choose to wear the hijab as a sign of faith, feminism, or simply because they want to. Recently, 19-year-old Egyptian volleyball player Doaa Elghobashys decision to wear a hijab while competing against Germany caused a stir. Her and partner Nada Meawads team uniform of long sleeved tops and ankle length trousers were already a stark contrast to the German competitors bikinis, yet it was Elghobashys hijab that media attention focused on. Elgobashy and Meawad were the first team to represent Egypt in volleyball at the Olympics and, in the words of Elgobashy, the hijab which she has worn for ten years doesnt keep me away from the things I love to do. The determination and sporting prowess that Elgobashy displayed is a polar opposite to the assumption that all hijab-wearing Muslim women are passive and oppressed. The support and celebration that Elgobashys hiajb has also received is in direct contrast to the banning of burkinis in several French towns though to look at both outfits, they cover the same amount of the body. Many Muslim women today are wearing hijabs and other traditional dress to challenge the assumption that these are symbols of control. In fact, there are several revealing truths about Muslim dress that society must hear. 1. Women are not forced to wear hijabs Some women choose to wear the hijab because it is a national tradition of their country of origin, or because it is the norm in their local area, city or country. Others wear it to demonstrate their commitment to dressing modestly and for religious reasons. Like any item of clothing, some women wear the hijab for specific occasions, such as for family or community events, or during particular times of day but take it off at other times, such as wearing the hijab to and from school or work but taking it off while studying or working. A very small minority may claim to be forced to wear the hijab. However, many studies show that in fact Muslim women choose to wear the hijab as a way of showing self-control, power and agency. 2. Youre not sexually oppressed Many hijab wearers have said that they wear the veil not as a symbol of control by a man, but rather to promote their own feminist ideals. For many Muslim women, wearing a hijab offers a way for them to take control of their bodies and to claim a stance that challenges the ways in which women are marginalised by men. Research has shown that for young Muslim women, wearing a hijab says little about the likelihood of them having a boyfriend or participating in a sexual relationship. Indeed, some young women have said they would wear the hijab to give them more space to engage in such activities. 3. Youre not more likely to be linked to terrorism Since 9/11, negative media coverage of Muslim communities, alongside government counter-terrorism policies in many Western countries, has further demonised Muslims. British research has shown that government policies have resulted in Muslims receiving unjustified attention in airport security, for example. They have also been shown to have created extra tensions and divisions between Muslim communities and the police. For some hijab wearers, the hatred towards Muslim communities pushed them to stop wearing the veil after terrorist incidents, like the 7/7 London bombings, in order to minimise the chance of them experiencing racism. However, at the same time others started to wear the hijab to show their commitment to their religious faith. The hijab therefore cannot be a fixed symbol, but is far more flexible and changeable and certainly cannot be deemed a marker of terrorism. 4. Its not a West versus rest division There are many different styles, colours and shapes of hijab including different ways of wearing it. There is also a rising transnational Muslim fashion trade focusing particularly on younger women. In many respects, the hijab is similar to any other item of clothing with businesses marketing different styles and brands in order to maximise sales. This global fashion trade transcends national and regional boundaries. It is about maximising the market rather than reinforcing divisions between the West and the Muslim rest. Rather than asking why a women is wearing a hijab to reinforce difference, we should ask what high street store or online retailer she purchased her clothing from and what attracted her to this brand. For some wearers, this is far more pertinent and telling of their personality. 5. The hijab is not something to be feared A recently published report of anti-Muslim abuse in England found that more than 60% of victims are women, and 75% of these women were visibly Muslim so were likely to be wearing some form of head-covering. Women were also more likely than men to suffer anti-Muslim attacks on public transport or when shopping. The vast majority of the perpetrators in these incidents were white men, motivated by stereotypes. So rather than being feared, its more likely that women wearing hijab might fear others. Muslim women wear the hijab for many different reasons all of which can change over time. This applies if the wearer is a community activist, an Olympic athlete like Elghobashy, a PhD student, a mother of young children or some or all of these. Any assumption that society attaches to the veil will never be right for each individual wearer, and it is for that very reason that we need to start changing the way we view it. Peter Hopkins, Professor of Social Geography, Newcastle University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Subiaco, Western Australia (FSCwire) - RTG Mining Inc. (RTG, the Company) (TSX Code: RTG, ASX Code: RTG) is pleased to announce the completion of the previously announced sale of RTG's interest in the Segilola Gold Project to Thor Explorations Ltd (Thor), a TSX-V listed company. The total consideration is US$8.5m with US$2.95m already paid upfront, including US$1.45m in cash and US$1.5m in Thor listed shares. ABOUT RTG MINING INC RTG Mining Inc. is a mining and exploration company listed on the main board of the Toronto Stock Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange. RTG is focused on developing the high-grade copper/gold/magnetite Mabilo Project and advancing exploration on the highly prospective Bunawan Project, both in the Philippines, while also identifying major new projects which will allow the Company to move quickly and safely to production. RTG has an experienced management team (previously responsible for the development of the Masbate Gold Mine in the Philippines through CGA Mining Limited), and has B2Gold as one of its major shareholders in the Company. B2Gold is a member of both the S&P/TSX Global Gold and Global Mining Indices. ENQUIRIES Australian Contact US Contact President & CEO Justine Magee Investor Relations Jaime Wells Tel: +61 8 6489 2900 +1 970 640 0611 Fax: +61 8 6489 2920 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This announcement includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Statement regarding interpretation of exploration results, plans for further exploration and accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates and related assumptions and inherent operating risks, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from RTGs expectations include uncertainties related to fluctuations in gold and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, recovery rates, production estimates and estimated economic return; the need for cooperation of government agencies in the development of RTGs mineral projects; the need to obtain additional financing to develop RTGs mineral projects; the possibility of delay in development programs or in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for RTGs mineral projects and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading Risk Factors in RTGs Annual Information Form for the year ended 31 December 2015 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at sedar.com. Thor Explorations Ltd. (TSXV:THX) ("Thor" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of the transactions contemplated in its previously announced agreements for the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Segilola gold project located in Osun State, Nigeria (the "Segilola Gold Project") through the acquisition of Segilola Resources Operating Limited ("SROL") from Tropical Mines Limited ("TML") and Delano Gold Mining Industries Limited ("Delano") and through the acquisition of its joint venture partner Segilola Gold Limited ("SGL") from Ratel Group Limited ("Ratel"), a wholly owned subsidiary of RTG Mining Inc. (TSXV:RTG) ("RTG"). The Segilola Gold Project The Company believes that the Segilola Gold Project, which is located in Osun State of Nigeria, approximately 120km northeast of Lagos, is the most advanced gold exploration project in Nigeria. The property comprises mining license ML41 and exploration license EL19066. ML41 covers an area of (17.2km2; 1,720ha) and is wholly contained within the larger EL19066 covering an area of 135 Cadastral Units (27.0km2; 2,700ha). The Segilola Gold Project comprises a proposed open pit gold mining project based on an indicated mineral resource defined by a comprehensive drilling program including 157 drill holes totalling over 12,200 metres to define 555,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 3.8 grams per ton (at a cut-off grade of 1.0 g/tAu and applying a top cut of 50g/tAu). The resources estimate was carried out by Odessa Resources Pty Ltd, an independent geological and resource consultancy based in Western Australia, according to NI 43-101 guidelines. A NI 43-101 technical report titled "Updated Resource Estimate for the Segilola Gold Deposit, Osun State, Nigeria for Thor Explorations Ltd.", dated February 25, 2016 has been filed by the Company on SEDAR. The Acquisition Pursuant to the terms of the share purchase agreement among the Company, TML and Delano, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of SROL in consideration for: a cash payment of US$1,300,000 ; ; the issue of 103,857,388 common shares of the Company (being the number of shares that was equal to 40.68% of the shares of Thor, after giving effect to the issuance of shares contemplated by the Private Placement (as defined below) but prior to the issuance of shares contemplated by the acquisition of SGL); the grant of an aggregate 1.5% net smelter return royalty to TML with a maximum royalty payable of US$4,000,000 ; and ; and post-closing payments to the shareholders of SROL in the aggregate amount of US$545,000 within five business days of the Company making a decision to put the Segilola Gold Project into commercial production. Pursuant to the terms of the share purchase agreement among the Company, Ratel and RTG, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of SGL in consideration for: a cash payment of US$1,450,000 ; ; the issue to Ratel of 16,893,913 common shares of the Company (being the number of shares having a value of US$1,500,000 , using an issue price of CAD$0.115 per share) and the US$/CDN$ Bank of Canada non exchange rate in effect on June 24, 2016 ); , using an issue price of per share) and the US$/CDN$ Bank of non exchange rate in effect on ); the grant of a 1.5% net smelter return royalty to Ratel with a maximum royalty payable of US$3,500,000 ; ; a post-closing payment to Ratel of US$50,000 payable on the earlier of (a) two business days after Thor completes its next debt or equity financing; and (b) the date that is 12 months following closing; and payable on the earlier of (a) two business days after Thor completes its next debt or equity financing; and (b) the date that is 12 months following closing; and a post-closing payment to Ratel of US$2,000,000 payable on the first to occur of (a) Thor completing a financing for the development of full scale mining of the Segilola Gold Project; and (b) the date that is 24 months following closing. Private Placement In connection with the acquisition of the Segilola Gold Project, the Company is also pleased to announce the completion of the related non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$4,647,864 through the issuance of 40,416,204 common shares of the Company at an issue price of CAD$0.115 per share (the "Private Placement"). In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid finder's fees comprised of $118,486 in cash and 428,386 common shares of the Company to third party finders. Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used to finance the acquisition of the Segilola Gold Project and the Company's associated transaction costs, to fund the initial work program at the Segilola Gold Project, to advance the Company's exploration project and for working capital purposes. All securities issued as part of the acquisition and the Private Placement will be subject to a four month hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, expiring December 19, 2016. Change to Board of Directors of the Company As part of its agreement relating to the acquisition of SROL, two nominees of SROL, Folorunso "Folli" Adeoye and Kayode Aderinokun, have been appointed to the board of directors of the Company. Segun Lawson, President & CEO of Thor commented: "The Segilola Gold Project is now Thor's flagship project and has the potential to be a landmark project in the Nigerian Mining Sector. Its acquisition is also transformational for Thor, providing Thor with an excellent opportunity to develop and grow an existing high-grade resource with potential to fast track production. The acquisition is a material change in Thor's portfolio of gold exploration and development assets. Thor's immediate priority is to update the resource statement for which there is strong rationale for significant upside. Thor is also pleased to have strengthened its board through the appointment of Kayode Aderinokun and Folli Adeoye to its board. Together they bring over fifty years experience of successfully doing business in Nigeria. We look forward to near term future where our main aim is to add shareholder value through the development of this project." Qualified Person Mr Alfred Gillman (F.AusIMM, CP), a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. About Thor Thor Explorations Ltd. is a Canadian mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso. In addition to the Segilola Project, Thor holds a 70% interest in the Douta Gold Project located in south-eastern Senegal. The Douta Gold Project lies within the Kenieba Inlier which hosts significant gold resources and has attracted major international mining companies. Thor also holds a 100% interest in the Ouere, Bongui and Legue gold permits located in Hounde greenstone belt, south west Burkina Faso which are being advanced through an Earn-In Agreement with Acacia Mining Plc. Thor trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "THX". Thor has filed an updated NI43-101 relating to the acquisition on SEDAR and uploaded an updated presentation to its website (www.thorexpl.com). THOR EXPLORATIONS LTD. Per: "Segun Lawson" President & CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase securities. The securities to be offered in the offering have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the benefit or account of, a U.S. person, except pursuant to an available exemption from such registration requirements. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented constitutes "forward looking statements" within the meaning of certain securities laws, and is subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the acquisition of the Segilola Gold Project and the use of the proceeds of the private placement. The words "may", "could", "should", "would", "suspect", "outlook", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "target" and similar words and expressions are used to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this news release describes the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release and accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time. SOURCE Thor Explorations Ltd. JURIST Guest Columnist Glenn C. Smith of the California Western School of Law discusses what a four-four Supreme Court split means for the future of President Obamas immigration policy As a professor of complex constitutional and statutory law issues, Im not used to having people answer my questions in one word! But a one-word No is the proper response to the question headlining my January 27th JURIST column In Deciding DAPA Dispute, Will the Justices Reach Constitutional Questions? In fact, a one-word No answers the broader question I would have asked a couple of weeks later, in the aftermath of Justice Scalias surprising death Will the Justices Reach ANY Questions about DAPA? On June 23, 2016, in a nine-word order [PDF] with no concurrences or dissents, the justices affirmed by an equally divided court a lower-court preliminary injunction [PDF] barring implementation of DAPAs immigration relief. In splitting four-four, the court left a host of complicated, important and deeply troubling questions on the table. Unless the justices take the unusual step of granting the administrations request [PDF] that the case be held for rehearing when the court has nine members, it remains unclear when or if these issues will make a return Supreme Court appearance. In the final analysis, then, the enduring legacy of the DAPA dispute could be its graphic reminder of how the dynamics and timing of federal litigation interact and sometimes clash with the quite different dynamics and timing of American politics. US v. Texas: The Road to Non-Decision To recap matters: The Supreme Court was the administrations only hope for un-stalling the high-profile and highly controversial DAPA program the 2014 Department of Homeland Security Guidance Memo offering deferred legal status (i.e., three years of freedom from deportation, with potential eligibility to work and eventually receive social-security benefits) to millions of undocumented aliens who are the parents or children of the dreamers offered deferred status in the prior DACA program (itself not under a legal cloud). A federal district judge located near the Texas border found DAPA invalid on administrative-procedural grounds; the court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against DAPA implementation. On appeal, a divided 5th Circuit panel affirmed the ruling and injunction, adding that DAPA was also illegal on statutory-authority grounds. In granting review in January, the Supreme Court upped the ante by adding an oral-argument question [PDF] going to the heart of the presidents constitutional authority. Also suggesting that the court seemed poised to render a major decision were the numerous amicus briefs filed by high-ranking state and federal officials, the longer-than-usual oral-argument time the court scheduled, and the appearance during the argument of counsel representing the House of Representatives. Yet, all that ultimately came to naught in one of several split decisions in the aftermath of Justice Scalias death and the Senates failure to act on President Obamas nominee to replace Scalia. Key Questions Left on the Table The Constitutional Dimension: The DAPA Dispute could have contributed deeply and broadly to modern understandings of constitutional, statutory, and administrative law. To start at the top, the dispute raised core constitutional questions about reconciling the presidents constitutional authority to prioritize law enforcement with the Congress power to define legal statuses. These questions didnt predominate in the April 18, 2016 oral argument. But constitutional clouds brooded over the entire enterprise. And they occasionally touched down in multi-question exchanges, such as one between Justice Sotomayor and Texas legal advocate over whether Congress had acquiesced in previous similar exercises of presidential power to defer deportation of unlawfully present aliens. Whether a president is acting with Congresss implicit permission, or is instead making and executing his own policy, matters greatly under pragmatic approaches to separation-of-powers doctrines dating back to the 1950s challenge to President Trumans seizure of steel mills during the Korean War and used to decide questions of modern presidential authority, such as those surrounding President Carters foreign-claims-settlement actions to resolve the late-1970s Iranian hostage crisis. Enlightenment from the DAPA Dispute about how to judge the meaning of Congress actions and non-actions in the immigration area could have contributed more generally to understandings about how to draw the power lines between the president and Congress. A Host of Non-Constitutional Issues: So, too, could a ruling on the merits in the DAPA Dispute have resolved some of the important and troubling non-constitutional issues raised by the lower-court decisions. Answering threshold questions about whether the state of Texas and the other 25 states joining in the DAPA litigation had standing to sue would have gone a long way toward shutting down or encouraging increasingly litigious states to challenge federal-government policies about which they are out of sympathy. (See my previous column for an elaboration of the doctrinal framework surrounding standing.) Note that, although, conservative red states sought in the DAPA lawsuit to challenge the pro-immigrant policies of a Democratic administration, a Supreme Court green light would have emboldened future challenges by blue states out of sympathy with executive actions taken by future Republican administrations. Indeed, at oral argument Justice Breyer echoed concerns of the dissenting Fifth Circuit judge, who warned of a breathtaking expansion of state standing; in a line of questioning Breyer suggested that if Texas won every case of political disagreement between states and the federal government would come before the Court. Granted, a sweeping court ruling on these expansive implications was not inevitable. The oral argument highlighted a variety of narrower grounds for decision. To point to just a representative few: The justices could have ruled that Texas claim of financial injury from having to expend state resources to give drivers licenses to now-lawfully present aliens flowed not from DAPA but from state policies and practices within Texas control. Or the justices could have limited past precedential expressions of special solicitude for states defending their sovereign interests to allegations of direct territorial injury, not the indirect and speculative financial injuries Texas asserted here. The oral argument even included a subtle theory, championed by Justice Kagan, that Texas real gripe was not with the DAPA directive itself, but with administrative regulations about the implications of lawful presence regulations that could be challenged in administrative proceedings. As Justice Sotomayor then pointed out, Texas failure to go that route could violate familiar requirements to exhaust administrative remedies. Finally, the justices were poised to clarify a range of specific, but potentially important questions about the reach and meaning of federal laws in the areas of immigration and government benefits. But, of course, none of this clarifying happened. What Happens Now? Law Meets Politics In the normal course of federal litigation, the many interesting and troubling questions raised by the DAPA dispute could return to the Supreme Court at a later date. After all, the lower-court DAPA rulings ordered and affirmed a preliminary injunction based on the challengers predicted likelihood of ultimate success. In many cases, after district-court trial and final orders and a circuit-level appeal, the parties can again petition for Supreme Court review. But the political timing and dynamics of the DAPA dispute are anything but normal. Put to one side the fact that Congress political stalemate over comprehensive immigration reform led the administration to search for non-legislative options in the first place. Still, theres the reality that we are at the end of the administration championing DAPA as the way to afford relief to millions of undocumented aliens who have lived for decades in the shadows of American law and society. A Trump administration would certainly rescind the DAPA Guidance. And although Democratic nominee Clinton has expressed support for the Obama administrations immigration initiatives, legal officials in her new administration might find it advisable to revise the DAPA approach in light of the legal objections surfaced to date. Such political considerations probably figured prominently in the Petition for Rehearing [PDF] the administration filed with the court on July 18, 2016. Acknowledging that it is exceedingly rare for the court to grant rehearing, the administration nevertheless urged the justices to hold onto US v. Texas over its summer recess and undertake a new round of oral argument and decision when there is a full nine-justice bench. The administrations filing notes that the validity of the [DAPA] Guidance is unlikely to arise in any future case and argues that only the Supreme Court should resolve through nationally binding precedent a matter of great national importance involving an unprecedented and momentous injunction. The blithe reference in my previous paragraph to when there is a full nine-justice bench of course highlights a second and stark way in which political dynamics and timing are at work here. The Senate Republican majoritys refusal to conduct hearings or a vote on justice nominee Merrick Garland leaves it entirely unclear if there will be a ninth justice in the meaningful near future. Those uncertainties no doubt cloud the current eight justices deliberations about how to handle the rehearing petition (still pending at this writing.) Thus, although the DAPA Dispute has immediate and heart-felt implications for millions of individuals and their families, DAPAs enduring legal legacy is likely to be as a prominent example of how political dynamics and timing intersect awkwardly with their legal counterparts. Glenn C. Smith is a professor of Constitutional Law at California Western School of Law in San Diego. He is the co-author of CONSTITUTIONAL LAW FOR DUMMIES, a Dummies-brand guide for law students, legal practitioners and interested laypersons. Suggested citation: Glenn C. Smith, The DAPA Non-Decision: The Meaning of Missed Opportunities, http://jurist.org/forum/2016/08/glenn-smith-dapa-decision.php. This article was prepared for publication by Dave Rodkey, an Assistant Editor for JURIST Commentary service. Please direct any questions or comments to him at commentary@jurist.org A man who found an explosive device near the Lyons library held on to it for a day before alerting law enforcement, according to Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley. The device was about two inches in length, wrapped in tape, with a fuse. Deputies got the call at 3:12 p.m. Wednesday, when City of Lyons Public Works employee Richard Birky reported he'd found the homemade device the day before in the road near the library, 279 Eighth Street. Birky said he put the device in his vehicle until contacting law enforcement. According to the report, deputies immediately placed the device on the ground and cleared a safe area. They next notified the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad, which rendered the device safe for disposal. State Police Bomb Technician Sgt. Kevin Del Grande told deputies the device was capable of taking off a hand. Sheriff Riley asks anyone who comes across any suspicious-looking device to not touch it, clear a safe area around the device and immediately report it to local law enforcement. No suspects have yet been identified, and Riley reports the investigation continues. Anyone with information are asked to contact Deputy Russell Williams at the Linn County Sheriff's Office, 541-967-3950. JURIST Guest Columnist Maya Manian of the University of San Francisco School of Law discusses the history of abortion laws, and how Whole Womans Health has impacted womens constitutional right to access abortion care As numerous commentators have noted, the Supreme Courts 5-to-3 decision in Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt [PDF] was a resounding victory for abortion rights, reaffirming and strengthening womens constitutional right to access abortion care. Justice Breyers wonky opinion in Whole Womans Health not only soundly rejected Texas attempt to shut down abortion clinics under the guise of protecting womens health, but also laid the groundwork for challenging a wide range of abortion restrictions. Whole Womans Health involved a challenge to a Texas law that required abortion clinics to transform themselves into mini-hospitals pursuant to ambulatory surgical center (ASC) rules and abortion providers to obtain admitting privileges at a local hospital. A number of other states have passed similar legislation, known as TRAP laws because the goal of this targeted regulation of abortion providers is to close clinics. Had the Supreme Court upheld the Texas law, the number of abortion clinics in Texas could have dropped from over 40 to about 10, effectively leaving thousands of women in rural areas without access to abortion care. More broadly, in determining whether or not admitting privileges and surgical center requirements are constitutional, the court clarified the constitutional test for abortion rights established almost twenty-five years ago in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Although Casey allowed states more leeway to regulate abortion than Roe v. Wade, the decision still protected womens constitutional right to choose abortion by prohibiting any abortion restrictions that act as an undue burden on a womans right to access abortion care. Casey defined an undue burden as a law that has the purpose or effect of placing a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion. However, federal courts disagreed on how the undue burden test should be applied. The Fifth Circuit upheld [PDF] the Texas law, weakening the undue burden standard in two ways. First, the Fifth Circuit held that the undue burden test places an extremely heavy burden on challengers to prove that an abortion restriction amounts to a substantial obstacle. Second, while the challengers bore a heavy evidentiary burden to establish a substantial obstacle, in contrast the government bore almost no evidentiary burden [PDF] to show that the law actually serves the asserted state interest in protecting womens health. Other courts read the undue burden test as providing more meaningful protection for abortion access, recognizing the real burdens TRAP laws created, and demanding that the government offer more than its say so that its legal restrictions actually improved womens health. For example, Judge Richard Posner struck down Wisconsins admitting privileges law in his Seventh Circuit opinion, stating: Until and unless Roe v. Wade is overruled by the Supreme Court, a statute likely to restrict access to abortion with no offsetting medical benefit cannot be held to be within the enacting states constitutional authority. In Whole Womans Health, Justice Breyers opinion smacked down the Fifth Circuits approach to the undue burden test. The opinion clarified that the undue burden test actually requires the government to justify its law and requires courts to balance a laws burdens on abortion access against its benefits. Justice Breyer stated that the Fifth Circuits interpretation of the undue burden doctrine contradicted Casey, which requires that courts consider the burdens a law imposes on abortion access together with the benefits those laws confer. Justice Breyers analysis also demonstrated that courts must carefully canvas the empirical evidence on both the benefits and burdens of an abortion regulation. Rather than deferring to a state legislatures unsupported assertion that an abortion restriction protects womens health, the majority opinion stressed that the Court retains an independent constitutional duty to review factual findings where constitutional rights are at stake. (Interestingly, Justice Breyer took this quote from Gonzales v. Carhart, which upheld the federal partial-birth abortion ban). Justice Breyer concluded: [N]either of these [Texas] provisions offers medical benefits sufficient to justify the burdens upon access that each imposes. Each places a substantial obstacle in the path of women seeking a previability abortion, each constitutes an undue burden on abortion access, and each violates the federal Constitution. In a brief concurrence, Justice Ginsburg wrote that it is beyond rational belief that [the Texas law] could genuinely protect the health of women. In mere weeks since the decision, Whole Womans Health has already had a significant impact on abortion access. Shorty after the ruling, Alabamas attorney general declared that he would not appeal a 2014 federal court decision striking down the states admitting privilege requirement. The Supreme Court declined to review challenges to federal appeals court decisions striking down Wisconsins and Mississippis admitting privileges legislation. Recently, a federal district court judge blocked an Indiana law banning abortions based on fetal genetic abnormality. With many more legal challenges expected, the full impact of Whole Womans Health remains to be seen. While the case clearly signals the death knell for admitting privileges requirements (and likely the end of surgical center regulations and other types of TRAP laws), a wide range of burdensome abortion restrictions remain in place, though thanks to Whole Womans Health, perhaps not for long. Whole Womans Healths clarification of the undue burden balancing test and its emphasis on evidence-based analysis puts at risk many abortion restrictions that purport to protect womens health. For example, a number of states require biased so-called informed consent procedures for abortion patients, in-person consultation with a physician twenty-four hours prior to abortion care (or in a few states forty-eight or seventy-two hour waiting periods), and mandatory descriptions of ultrasounds [PDF]all in the name of protecting women. However, given the minimal to non-existent evidence that inaccurate medical information, in-person consultations necessitating two trips to a clinic, more than twenty-four hour waiting periods, or forced descriptions of ultrasounds actually benefit womens informed decision-making, versus the significant evidence that these requirements impose substantial burdens on women seeking abortion care, these laws too should fail under Whole Womans Health. Perhaps courts might even reassess laws requiring that teenage girls seeking abortion care obtain parental consent or a judicial bypass [PDF]. The Alaska Supreme Court recently struck down a state parental involvement law based on the state constitutions equal protection jurisprudence. Although the US Supreme Court has upheld parental involvement legislation in the past, more recent evidence suggests that these laws fail to achieve their purported goal of enhancing adolescent abortion decision-making, while imposing heavy burdens especially on the most vulnerable minors. Whole Womans Healths emphasis on the need for the government to present scientific data supporting an abortion restrictions asserted benefits should prompt a rethinking of laws mandating parental or judicial involvement, especially when less restrictive alternatives like involving third-party adults or professional counselors are available. It is less certain how Whole Womans Health will impact anti-abortion legislation that purports to advance the governments interest in protecting the fetus, but these laws too should be subject to the stringent analysis set forth by the Supreme Court. For example, some anti-abortion activists are aiming to focus on fetal protection laws post-Whole Womans Health, and in particular on fetal pain laws banning abortion at twenty weeks post-fertilization. Fifteen states have adopted laws barring pre-viability abortions at twenty weeks based on the assertion that a fetus can feel pain at that point. Given that this assertion is scientifically dubious, and that a complete ban on pre-viability abortion is clearly a substantial obstacle, under the Courts balancing test twenty-week bans should be struck down. A more recent effort to regulate abortion purportedly to protect the dignity of the fetus arose out of Texas, where regulators quietly issued a proposed rule requiring fetal tissue to be buried or cremated rather than disposed of similarly to other medical tissue. This new line of attack appears to be aimed at increasing costs associated with abortion, which could create significant burdens for some women seeking access to care. Although whether such a law actually serves the governments interest in the fetus is harder to assess empirically, if evidence can establish that the the law imposes a substantial obstacle, such regulations should be struck down under Whole Womans Healths balancing analysis. Whole Womans Health stayed true to the principles expressed in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Courts and state legislatures should heed the Supreme Courts command that abortion policy must be evidence-based. Laws that purport to protect womens health must actually accomplish that goal, rather than being a cover for attacking womens health by shutting down access to abortion care. Furthermore, laws purportedly serving the governments interest in protecting the fetus must also be scientifically sound and properly weighed against womens right to access abortion care prior to viability. As Casey emphasized, The ability of women to participate equally in the economic and social life of the Nation has been facilitated by their ability to control their reproductive lives. The constitution requires that the government also respect and protect womens equality and dignity in accessing reproductive health care. Professor Maya Manian of the University of San Francisco School of Law focuses her research on access to reproductive health care and explores the relationship between reproductive rights and gender equality. She publishes and presents widely on abortion rights and related constitutional issues. She previously served as a Blackmun Fellowship Attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights in New York City, where she was a visiting scholar for a series of events during the 2011-2012 academic year. Professor Manian received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she served on the Harvard Law Review. Suggested citation: Maya Manian, Protecting Abortion Rights After Whole Womans Health , JURIST Forum, Aug 16, 2016, http://jurist.org/forum/2016/08/Maya-Manian-Protecting-Rights.php. This article was prepared for publication by Yuxin Jiang, a Senior Editor for JURIST Commentary service. Please direct any questions or comments to her at commentary@jurist.org The Deputy US Attorney General announced [official statement] Thursday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] will phase out privately operated prisons. The report states the DOJs intent to focus on the rehabilitative aspects of incarceration will be better both for society and the taxpayer, and outlines the ultimate goal of housing all federal inmates in bureau facilities. This memo was supported by the 2013 report Smart on Crime [official report, PDF] and was prompted by the expiration of a contract for 1,200 privately operated beds. The treatment of prisoners and prison reform [JURIST podcast] have been matters of ongoing concern in the US. In March two groups in Ohio released a report [JURIST report] detailing recommendations for criminal justice reform in their state. Also in March the DOJ urged state court systems [JURIST report] to stop using procedural routines and hefty fines to profit off poor defendants [press release]. In February the Supreme Court of California ruled [JURIST report] that Governor Jerry Brown can put his plan to ease prison overcrowding on the ballot this November. In January the US Supreme Court ruled that a landmark decision banning mandatory sentences of life without parole for juveniles should apply retroactively [JURIST report]. In May Human Rights Watch released [JURIST report] a report stating that mentally disabled prisoners experience unnecessary, excessive, and even malicious force at the hands of prison staff across the US. A judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida [official website] on Thursday permanently blocked [order, PDF] portions of a Florida law that would stop funding to Planned Parenthood [advocacy website] following Governor Rick Scotts decision to not pursue further legal action. The judge, Robert Hinkle, had previously enjoined the law [JURIST report] on June 30, and held the law harmed Planned Parenthood based not on any objection to how the funds are being spentbut solely because the recipients of the funds choose to provide abortions separate and apart from any funding. The proposed law would have prevented any organization that provides abortions from receiving state or local funding, resulting in a loss of $500,000 according to Planned Parenthood officials. Scott and his lawyers could still potentially appeal the decision. Abortion in general continues to be a highly controversial subject in the US. A federal court judge in Ohio blocked [JURIST report] similar legislation earlier this month. Last month the Alaska Supreme Court [official website] ruled [JURIST report] that the states parental notification law requiring doctors to inform the parents of minors seeking an abortion is unconstitutional, and cannot be enforced. Also in July a federal judge placed an injunction [JURIST report] on an Indiana law that would have banned women from seeking abortion procedures when they are based on race, sex, or the potential for or actual diagnosis of a disability in the fetus. Recently the US Supreme Court ruled [opinion, PDF] that a Texas law [HB2 text] imposing certain requirements on abortion clinics and doctors creates an undue burden on access to abortion, and is therefore unconstitutional [JURIST report]. A collection of Texas abortion providers challenged provisions of HB2 requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital and requiring abortion clinics to conform to state standards for ambulatory surgical centers on the grounds that such requirements violated the Fourteenth Amendment as interpreted by the Court in Planned Parenthood v. Casey [text]. The Indiana statute contained a similar admitting privilege provision. Angela Merkel, through the Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere [official profiles, in German], said on Friday that women should be banned from wearing a face veil in various areas, including in school and while driving. On the partial face veil ban, which is part of a larger security declaration presented by the regional interior ministers for Merkels Christian Democrats and (CDU) the Christian Social Union (CSU), Maiziere said [Reuters report] the veils have no place in Germany society Though Merkel and other German conservatives have been open about wanting a face veil ban, Maiziere stated they were aware a full ban would not be allowed in the countrys constitutional court. The statement is issued on the cusp of Germanys state elections and at a time where Merkel has lost significant public support over immigration. Those in opposition, including Social Democrat (SPD) Labour Minister Andrea Nahles, have said the calls show an increasingly xenophobic discourse within the country. Germanys population is comprised of only five percent of the population and very few women actually wear a burqa in the country. Face veils and other symbols of religion have been a controversial subject around the world. Last month, the European Unions [official website] highest court ruled in favor [JURIST report] of a French woman who was fired for wearing a head scarf. Last year the US Supreme Court [official website] ruled [opinion, PDF] in favor of a Muslim woman who was denied a job [JURIST report] at Abercrombie & Fitch [corporate website] because of her headscarf. In September a Canadian court ruled that women may be allowed to wear [JURIST report] face-covering veils while swearing the oath of citizenship after an individual sued the country because she was not allowed to take part in the ceremony. Also in 2015, after suicide bombings in Fotokol by two women wearing burkas, Northern Cameroon banned [JURIST report] women from wearing burkas and face-covering veils as the bombs had been smuggled into public under veils. In July 2014 the European Court of Human Rights ruled [JURIST report] that Frances face covering ban is permissible under European law and complies with all articles of the Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and does not violate freedom of religion. In February 2013 the Spanish Supreme Court struck down [JURIST report] a city ban on wearing veils over the face in municipal buildings, finding that the law infringes on religious freedom. Afghan security forces are occupying schools as part of military operations, contrary to several international declarations, Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] reported [materials] Wednesday. The report details why such military seizures push civilians into the front lines, risks the lives of children and perpetuate a failing educational system in the nation. HRW also claims the Taliban is responsible for occupying numerous schools in the northeastern region of Afghanistan, leaving the buildings in rubble. The advocacy group urged the government to take immediate steps to curtail the use of schools in military efforts. This is not the first time Afghanistan has faced criticism for putting its children and its educational system at risk. In July the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) [official website] reported that civilian casualties have reached a record high [JURIST report] in the first half of 2016, with more than a third of that number accounting for children. In April the UN reported that violence in Afghanistan has injured health and education personnel, reducing available health care and restricting childrens access to fundamental health and educational services [JURIST report]. In August 2015 the UN reported a significant increase [JURIST report] in the number of women and children being hurt or killed in Afghanistans war against the Taliban and other insurgents. According to a report [report, Spanish] issued by Mexicos independent National Human Rights Commission [official website, Spanish], 22 civilians were executed during a May 2015 drug raid in Michoacan. The report states that among the 43 individuals killed during the drug-bust, including one police officer, 22 civilians died as a result of arbitrary execution, and an additional four were killed from excessive use of force. While Mexican authorities continue to say the civilians were killed during the gunfight, the human rights commission maintains that the deaths were a result of human rights violations, and said that police placed guns next to 16 bodies in an attempt to substantiate these false claims. The human rights watchdog also found that the Michoacan Attorney Generals Office was at fault for mishandling the ballistics evidence. The countrys National Security Commission continues to support [LAHT report] the actions of the police, saying [t]he the use of arms was necessary and the police actedin legitimate defense. Mexico has received criticism from multiple human rights organizations for its handling of human rights abuses, as forced disappearances and military violence have come to international attention. In May the UN called upon [JURIST report] Mexico to investigate human rights violations following the death of 22 people, including at least 12 summary executions. In April three UN human rights experts pleaded [JURIST report] with Mexican authorities to support human rights groups facing extreme criticism in the national media. In 2015 Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] reported [press release] that there is evidence of recent unlawful police killings in Mexico. The report suggested that police action which left eight civilians dead in the city of Apatzingan on January 6, and 42 civilians and one police officer dead in Tanhuato on May 22 was an excessive use of force against unarmed civilians. That same year, the Miguel Agustin Pro human rights center [official website] in Mexico announced that there is evidence that high-ranking Mexican officers gave soldiers orders to kill criminals prior to an army mass slaying of suspected cartel members in June 2014. In 2013 the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns [official website], urged Mexicos government [JURIST report] to better protect against human rights abuses, specifically with respect to the militarys use of force against civilians. Polish prosecutors said Thursday that they have begun an investigation into Constitutional Tribunal [official website] head, Andrzej Rzeplinski, to determine if he abused his power in preventing judges appointed by the ruling party to take part in decisions. Likely the investigation [NYT report] is meant to discredit the judge, who is immune from prosecution by virtue of his position. The investigation is the most recent development in the fight between the ruling right-wing government, Law and Justice (PiS), and the Constitutional Tribunal, which operates much like the US Supreme Court, stemming from a incident before PiS came into power. In particular, PiS has been accused of illegally appointing three judges where the previous ruling party had already legally filled those positions. PiS has drawn ire from those in the international community for threatening democracy in Poland. In June the European Commission issued a warning to Poland over the appointment of the three judges. The European Union began examining Polands decision regarding the Constitutional Court [JURIST reports] in January. In February the Polish government passed a controversial surveillance law [JURIST report] that grants the government [press release, Polish] greater access to digital data and broader use of surveillance for law enforcement. The PiS, a conservative party elected in October, holds an overwhelming majority [BBC report] of positions in the Polish government including the lead in both parliamentary houses and the presidency. In December the leader of the European Parliament [official website] compared PiS rise to power in Poland to a coup [BBC report], leading to Parliament calling for an apology. PiS has rejected [DW report] criticisms that its policies are undermining democracy in Poland. However, there is a larger concern in the EU that new Polish law will erode checks and balances on government powers. A group of human rights experts for the UN called upon [press release] Turkeys government to uphold its international human rights obligations, despite declared emergency following failed coup. In particular, the experts ask that Turkey does not invoke Article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) [materials], which allows governments to relax obligations under the Covenant, or at the very least strictly adhere to the restraints provided within Article 4. The experts said invocation of Article 4 is lawful only if there is a threat to the life of the nation, a condition that arguably is not met in this case, and stressed that one cannot avoid, even in times of emergency, obligations to protect the right to life, prohibit torture, adhere to fundamental elements of due process and non-discrimination, and other obligations. Since the attempted coup on July 15, there has been a purge within education, the media, military and justice sectors, and there have been documented instances of torture and poor detention conditions. The aftermath of the failed coup attempt last month continues as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed [JURIST report] that those involved in the coup would pay a heavy price. Last week an Istanbul court issued [JURIST report] an arrest warrant for Pennsylvania-based preacher, Fetullah Gulen, on charges of orchestrating the attempted coup. Also last week Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjrn Jagland arrived [JURIST report] in Turkey to meet with a variety of Turkish officials to urge for respect for the rule of law. Last month Amnesty International condemned [JURIST report] Turkeys decision to issue arrest warrants for 42 journalists. Also last month Erdogan ordered [JURIST report] the closure of thousands of private schools, charities, and other institution An Oklahoma County [official website] judge upheld a controversial voter identification law [text, PDF] this week, allowing the law to be in place Thursday while early voting commenced [AP report] for a primary run-off. The Oklahoma law requires citizens to provide valid photo ID before voting. A brief [text, PDF] filed by the plaintiff in the suit alleged that the photo ID requirement would exclude more than half a million citizens from voting and would disproportionately impact vulnerable classes like minorities, the impoverished and the elderly. The law does allow for the use of provisional ballots and the acceptance of voter registration cards. Primarily because of these two attributes the defendants in the case argued [text, PDF] that the measure was reasonable and not destructive to some constitutional right, and that the plaintiff could not meet her burden to prove otherwise. This lawsuit began in 2012 in a suit claiming the photo identification requirement infringed upon the right to vote and came before the District Court for Oklahoma County in 2016. Opposition to the law have compared the requirement to a poll tax, while supporters of the law claim it will reduce voting fraud. Voting rights have been the subject of numerous legal challenges across the US, particularly in years with a presidential election. Earlier this month a federal court denied a motion by North Carolina officials to stay an earlier order striking down the states voter ID law [JURIST report]. Earlier that week a federal judge barred North Dakota [JURIST report] from enforcing its voter ID law. Last month voter restrictions were overturned not only in North Carolina, but in Kansas and Wisconsin [JURIST reports]. In June a federal judge ruled that Ohios elimination of the states early in-person voting [JURIST report] was unconstitutional and in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In May a federal judge ruled that Virginias voter ID law, which requires that voters have a valid form of ID either before voting or within three days after voting, is constitutional [JURIST report]. In February the Maryland Senate overrode a veto by Governor Larry Hogan to pass a bill that will allow felons to vote [JURIST report] before they complete parole or probation. The Target Distribution Center in Albany opened 20 years ago with 616,000 square feet of storage space and 400 full- and part-time workers to unpack trucks from manufacturers, box up products and load up rigs headed to stores. The facility frequently referred to as the DC now stands at 1.5 million square feet and has 500 full-time employees. Most of those workers live in Linn and Benton counties, but their handiwork usually travels miles away from home. We currently service 68 stores throughout the Northwest and Alaska, said Cody Miller, a Target DC quality operations manager. The impact of the facility is huge, just like the building itself, officials said. Its been an enormous benefit for us in the Linn-Benton area, and it impacts almost the entire region. They have been a great employer for our area, said Janet Steele, president of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. Building the facility, which cost an estimated $48 million in 1996, and expansion projects alone represented huge windfalls for local construction firms and other businesses, she added. Albany City Manager Wes Hare said the distribution center is one of the biggest employers in Albany, and it opened when Linn County was reeling from the downturn in the timber industry. The city was able to attract the facility thanks to infrastructure and proximity to Interstate 5, Highway 34 and Highway 20, Hare added. In essence, Albany lived up to its nickname of Hub City. The DC also is the largest taxpayer within Albany, representing 1.9 percent of the citys assessed value, Hare added. According to the Linn County Assessment and Taxation Office, the Distribution Center had a tax bill of approximately $1.2 million. They contribute a lot of financial support to the services that we all use, Hare said. Patrick OConnor, a regional economist with the Oregon Employment Department, said that it was important to consider distribution centers as traded sector businesses, not retail establishments. It brings in money from outside of the area, he said. More workers A blitz is underway at the Distribution Center to hire 300 additional seasonal employees by the end of September. Many of those workers will handle online sales leading up to the holidays. Miller said those seasonal employees have the potential to become permanent full-time team members for the company. This spring, the Distribution Center converted about 250,000 square feet into a fulfillment center, which handles online orders. The goal is to get products to online customers within two days, said John Aurand, senior operations manager. Only three Target distribution centers have fulfillment centers inside of them, Aurand said. Lauren Stuart, human relations business partner, stressed that seasonal workers are paid well. Seasonal fulfillment center employees start at $11.75 per hour. The company also is hiring for seasonal packers, who start at $11.04 per hour, and seasonal warehouse workers, who start at $13.63. While the warehouse space at the Distribution Center has nearly tripled since 1996, the number of workers hasnt grown by the same proportion because of technological advances that have reduced manual labor. Now we can do much more volume with the same number of people, said Christi Volk, senior operations manager. The Target store in Heritage Mall, which opened in July 1989, also is no slouch when it comes to employment figures, either, as it has about 100 workers, Stuart said. Nearly 50 of the DCs 500 employees have been there since the beginning, including Tina French of Albany, a senior human relations specialist. Its been a great job for me and my family. Ive always had enough vacation to take enough time off for my kids sports, she said. Volunteerism Michael Weitzel of Philomath has worked at the Distribution Center for a mere 14 years, and said that he liked that the workplace organized opportunities to volunteer. They make it so easy, he said. This year, thanks to his volunteerism and other factors, Weitzel won the companys Bullseye Volunteer Hero award, and the opportunity to give $1,000 to the charity of his choice. Supervisors said that Weitzel even used vacation time to help out in the community. Weitzel isnt alone in volunteering. For several years, the Albany Distribution Center has been the top volunteer building in the entire company. From February through July, workers donated more than 2,600 hours to the community. And in June, employees raised $46,350 for the United Way of Linn County. About 99.9 percent of workers gave or pledged money to the United Way and associated non-profits, including the local Boys & Girls clubs, CARDVA, and more. Miller said he was proud to work for a company that cares not only for customers, but for the community as well. I think that really sets Target apart, he said. The South Albany High School graduate toured the facility as an Oak Elementary School second-grader in 1997. I just remember looking to the end of it. I couldnt see the end of the building, he said. The facility is more than a quarter-mile long. The visit was part of a team-building activity for his classroom, and the students got to see workers coordinating their efforts. Miller said the experience stuck with him. Its cool to have toured it at such a young age and to come full circle now that Im employed here, Miller said. A lot of people who are born and raised here are employed here, he added. NEWSLETTER Sign up Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. Just Drinks Daily News The top stories of the day delivered to you every weekday. Just Drinks Weekly News A weekly roundup of the latest news and analysis, sent every Monday. Just Drinks Magazine The industry's most comprehensive news and information delivered every quarter Photo Credit: The Charmant Hotel If you desire luxury in the Midwest, a hotel in the quiet calm of the backdrop of the Mississippi River sits the perfect place for you. The Charmant, with a name meaning charming in French, is an independently-owned, 67-room luxury boutique hotel in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Whether a Millennial, an architecture lover, or a couple seeking a romantic getaway, The Charmant is charming with impeccable design and a perfect setting to suit your needs. The hotel is a renovated candy factory that was originally built in 1898, appropriately named Charmant due to the premium line of chocolates they produced. The preserved architectural details of the buildingmaple wood flooring, wood beams, and exposed brickprovide character and history that no modern building can claim. Its been said that the building emanates the sweet smells of the once made Charmant confectioneries. Photo Credit: Trip Advisor Upscale amenities set the tone for a warm and relaxing stay at The Charmant. A special treat from Indulgence Chocolatiers greets guests upon check-in. The Sweets Bar quietly entices guests to generously treat themselves to the rich confectioneries that are edible works of art. Tokens are offered for complimentary cups of award-winning Kickapoo Coffee Roasters in The Parlour, alleviating the need for guests to have to brew their own. Photo Credit: Trip Advisor Luxury continues in 6 room types featuring lofted ceilings, carefully-selected furnishings, retro-style lighting, 48-inch flat screen HD TVs, Bongo Bluetooth speakers, Euro-top mattresses, double vanities, rainfall showers, C.O. Bigelow toiletries, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Some rooms offer additional amenities such as sleeper sofas, sitting areas, private balconies, and views of the Mississippi. Each room is much like a museum with its unique and luxurious tapestries, framed prints, and custom lighting. Photo Credit: The Charmant Hotel The Restaurant at The Charmant serves rustic French-inspired cuisine that utilizes the best of each seasons offerings. Dishes include lump crab cakes, decadent baked macaroni and cheese, ham and cheese Croque Monsieur, and tuna tartare. The Lobby Bar and Lounge offers a parlour-like setting offering coffee, wines, and remarkable cocktails along with an abbreviated French-inspired menu, which features delectable delights including parmesan-encrusted fried chicken, French onion soup, crispy aioli French fries, and classic coq au vin. The Rooftop Bar at the Terrace atop The Charmant, with its large outdoor patio, industrial edge and cosmopolitan flair, offers the perfect place for a celebration, intimate meet up, or lunch gathering. Guests can nosh on wood-fired pizza, pastries, and handmade confections while enjoying a spectacular view of the Mississippi River. Photo Credit: The Charmant Hotel The details are absolutely exceptional at The Charmant. Planning your getaway to The Charmant in LaCrosse, Wisconsin is a great way to sweeten up any event you decide to throw this season. Cest si bon! KEARNEY - Kearney farmer Jerry Gillming apologized to the community today for leading them astray after claiming to be abducted from a rural Buffalo County pasture in October. "I made some poor choices that day," Gillming said, reading from a prepared statement. "I wish I could change those decisions. A simple phone call to my family that day would have prevented this." Gillming, 53, was sentenced to complete 250 hours of community service and was placed on one year of probation today in Buffalo County Court for leading his family, law enforcement and church congregation on a wild goose chase after faking his abduction in October from a rural pasture. Gillming also was ordered to continue psychological counseling and to pay a $500 fine and court costs. Judge Graten Beavers sentenced him. "I needed help and didn't know who to reach out to for that help," Gillming told Beavers. "My family and I are very grateful to the community for their love and support." Gillming's attorney, Greg Harris of Kearney, said Gillming didn't intend to create problems when he disappeared. "What made Jerry walk away that day was a product of what he didn't know how to handle," Harris said. "It was a spontaneous reaction to a situation he didn't know how to handle." Buffalo County Attorney Shawn Eatherton said Gillming created the hoax after mounting stresses involved in his family business over a long period. No crime was committed, Eatherton said, until Gillming returned home. "He made the same people who were out there looking for him in fear of being abducted (themselves), based on his crime," Eatherton said. "The debt needs to be to society and those he put in fear." Beavers agreed with Eatherton, saying damage to the community called for restitution. On Oct. 21, 2005, Gillming was dropped off at a pasture 13 miles northeast of Kearney near 145th and Maple Roads by his brothers-in-law, Randy and Warren Solomon. Gillming was supposed to check a pasture fence, then drive a tractor back to his pickup parked several miles away. He never made it. Because Gillming hadn't been seen by his brothers-in-law and failed to return home, his wife notified police later that night. A search immediately began in the area where Gillming was last seen. Police again searched the area the following day. More than 200 volunteers searched the ground within five miles of where Gillming had been dropped off by his brothers-in-law, while police searched from the air. Fliers with a photo and description of Gillming were distributed throughout Buffalo County, and there was a prayer vigil at his church. Gillming surfaced unharmed five days later 190 miles southeast of Kearney in Marysville, Kan. Gillming told police, his family and the media that three men had shoved him into a car trunk, took him on a long ride to parts unknown, bound him in duct tape, loaded him onto a railroad car, and fed him only bread, popcorn and water. Two days after his return, while being interviewed by police about inconsistencies in his statement, Gillming recanted his story. e-mail to: KEARNEY - A week after claiming he was abducted from a Buffalo County pasture, Gerald "Jerry" Gillming was recanting his story. Late this morning, Buffalo County Attorney Shawn Eatherton said Gillming, 52, disclosed to authorities that he had not been abducted. At 11 a.m. today, Gillming was being interviewed by Buffalo County Sheriff's Office investigators. Gillming went missing Oct. 21 when his brothers-in-law, Randy and Warren Solomon of Kearney, dropped him off at a pasture one-half mile north of the intersection of 145th Road and Maple Road, which is 2 miles west of Gibbon and four miles north of U.S. Highway 30. Gillming's wife, Connie, reported him missing at about 10:45 p.m. Oct. 21 after Jerry failed to return home. Jerry was supposed to check pasture fence after the Solomons dropped him off, then drive a tractor back to his pickup parked several miles south near Highway 30. However, Gillming never made it to his pickup, and the tractor was never moved. Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of people searched for Gillming, and Tuesday evening more than 400 people held a prayer vigil for him. No one had seen or heard from Gillming before he surfaced Wednesday in Marysville, Kan., wearing the same clothing he was last seen wearing. Find out the latest on this developing story by visiting kearneyhub.com throughout the day. e-mail to: From commodities like corn and soybeans to beef and pork, Nebraska reaps the benefits of international trade to the tune of about $10 billion. We didnt achieve this level of success overnight it has been the product of a lot of hard work in building trade relationships with countries around the world. With low commodity prices right now, it is particularly important we work to expand trade opportunities and open up new markets across the globe. Last week, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and I announced that Nebraska would be signing letters of intent with Taiwan to expand our trade relationship with the country. Taiwan has historically been a very important trade partner with our state. During a visit to the country this month, Nebraska Ag Director Greg Ibach signed letters of intent on behalf of the state with Taiwan to purchase more than $405 million in Nebraska corn, soybeans, wheat, beef, pork, and distillers grains. The letters outline Taiwans intent to purchase over $100 million each of wheat, corn, and soybeans as well as a total of about $20 million of pork and beef products. These letters of intent build on our successful trade missions last year. Our efforts to build relationships during international trade missions have led to several successful investments from companies including Morio Denki, Geist, and Worldlawn. In addition to these successes, Kawasaki announced in January that it would establish its first U.S. aerostructures production line in Lincoln. Kawasaki leadership said last falls trade mission to Japan played a part in their decision-making to expand Kawasakis presence in Nebraska. This expansion is great news for Nebraska, and builds on Kawasakis current production lines that produce railcars and all-terrain vehicles and employ 2,000 people in Lincoln. Another tool that could help Nebraska expand overseas trade relationships is the Trans-Pacific Partnership. TPP would bring down tariffs and help expand markets for Nebraskas commodities along the Pacific Rim. Earlier this year, I partnered with the Nebraska Farm Bureau to unveil an analysis of TPPs economic impact on Nebraska. The analysis released by the Farm Bureau showed that TPP had the potential to add $378 million in cash receipts for Nebraska in ag products alone. Trade agreements like the letters of intent Nebraska is signing require a great deal of relationship building over time. I will lead trade mission to China later this fall. China is Nebraskas fourth largest trading partner after Mexico, Canada, and Japan, and its a country with a growing economy and middle class, who have an increasing demand for quality food products. During this trade mission, we will highlight Nebraskas quality commodities and manufacturers. Nebraska businesses and ag producers who do business in China, or those that are hoping to enter this market, should contact the Department of Economic Development or NDA to express their interest in joining the trade mission. Departmental contacts include Cobus Block at 402-480-5806 or cobus.block@nebraska.gov or Stan Garbacz at 402-471-2341 or stan.garbacz@nebraska.gov. You can also download the form for yourself at http://opportunity.nebraska.gov/trademission. Space is limited, so contact the departments soon. Trade has been and continues to be a great way to grow Nebraska. As we continue to look for new ways to expand trade relationships, I will to share success stories with you. If you have questions about this topic or any other, I hope that you will contact my office by emailing pete.ricketts@nebaska.gov or by calling 402-471-2244. Pete Ricketts is governor of Nebraska. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A portion of the website for the website fara.gov, on the Foreign Agents Registration Act, is photographed in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. A firm run by Donald Trump's campaign chairman directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the country's pro-Russian government, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick) 4K Shares Share I was in the break room at the hospital scarfing down a power bar between three-hour cases. The truth is, I was multi-tasking: eating, writing on a chart, and checking my email on my phone. I had received an email from a businesswoman, whom I have known for a few years. She wanted to know if I wanted to join her for lunch next week. I had to laugh out loud. The rest of the staff, who were busy also grabbing a quick bite in between patient cases, looked up. I read the email out loud. Lunch!? they all said. Then, we all did the combo of laughing and shaking our heads. Doctors dont do lunch. Even when I am in the office, taking a break and actually leaving the office for lunch is out of the question. On those super busy days, I bring something slightly more like real food to eat than my usual power bar. And I heat up hot water for some tea. But always, as the water warms for my tea, I complete the mornings charts, fill out paperwork for surgery the next day, and answer questions from my staff on patient concerns. So, no. I wouldnt exactly call this a true lunch hour. The invitation to lunch got me thinking of all the things doctors and most medical staff do differently. Heres a quick list I came up with in a few spare minutes between patients: We dont always sleep through the night. Our pagers or phones are at the ready, whether we want them to be or not, for urgent or not so urgent calls, 24/7. We dont try to see movies or eat nice dinners out when we are on call. Yes, its annoying for others when our phones ring during a movie. But, whats more disrupting is having to leave the theater at the best part of the movie to meet someone in the emergency room. We dont make appointments to take care of our own health. I know I am not alone when I admit that the few times I reluctantly dragged myself to a doctors office, I was almost too sick to walk or drive there. I remember a time when my technician insisted I be seen Now! I literally asked if there was somewhere I could lie down as soon as I checked in at the front desk. It turned out that I had pneumonia. Yes, doctors lives are different. But, if you know me at all, you also know that I am going to find a silver lining to this story. On the flip side of our differences are things doctors get to do that other people never experience: We get to wear pajamas (some call them scrubs) and comfortable shoes to work. Not always, but most of the time. Sometimes, the soft cloth of the well-worn scrubs are the most comfy part of the day. We get to hear peoples stories, their fears, their innermost concerns. Our patients trust us. They value us enough to go out on a limb with their own discomfort to seek help. We get to relieve pain, reduce fear and reassure. Not always. But, arguably, more often than most people. We are often the first to know. We are in the operating room when the pathologist calls in to report that the lesion thought to be cancer is benign. We get to be the bearer of great news. We tell the patient and their family the good news of the pathology report. We get to see the miracle of life when the baby is born. We witness the joy of the parents, and the incredible love-rush that surrounds the entire room, every time. Yes, doctors experience the world a bit differently. But, I think its a fair trade for eating power bars in the break room during our lunch hour. Wouldnt you agree? Starla Fitch is an ophthalmologist, speaker, and personal coach. She blogs at Love Medicine Again and is the author of Remedy for Burnout: 7 Prescriptions Doctors Use to Find Meaning in Medicine. She can also be reached on Twitter @StarlaFitchMD. Image credit: Shutterstock.com The following is a guest post by Dr. Robert G. Blanton, Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. For as long as it has existed, heavy metal music has been associated with controversy the aggressive nature of the music and lyrics arouses seemingly constant suspicion and often deep dislike, and metal bands have long been the target of controversies and even legal actions (some unfounded, some not). Somewhat ironically, there is an increasing awareness of the beneficial impacts of heavy metal for emotional well-being and possibly governance. Indeed President Obama famously noted, Finland has perhaps the most heavy metal bands in the world, per capitaand also ranks high on good governance. I dont know if theres any correlation there. Given these benefits of metal, the important question for scholars and policymakers is obvious what factors facilitate the creation of heavy metal bands within a society? Surprisingly, while there is no shortage of literature on the cultural and social implications of heavy metal, as well as its historical roots and its somewhat gendered nature, there is only a single scientific study of the diffusion of metal. This blog represents my somewhat preliminary attempt at taking up this charge. Specifically, I articulate three somewhat distinct sets of political and economic factors that encourage the formation of heavy metal bands within a country, and empirically assess the impact of these factors. In all, my analysis covers patterns in the formation of over 55,000 metal bands across 138 countries for the years 1990-2008. Please click here for a further explanation of data and research design issues. Globalization and Metal The metal community has long been a worldwide phenomenon. Before the internet, knowledge of metal was disseminated via tape-trading and even the writing of letters (as documented in books such as these two). Obviously the internet has played a massive role in further facilitating and increasing these ties. For example, as covered in an interview with Decibel Magazine, members of the band Toxic Holocaust live in separate states within the US, and have even recruited temporary members to fill in at concerts, viewing this as a less expensive alternative to paying for travel arrangements. As band founder Joel Grind noted its a whole new creative approach to doing a band. Thus in all metal is an appealing example of the decentralized diffusion of culture (Mayer and Timberlake 2014: 28) as it features broadly accessible ties spread across many actors. Indeed, I find that such cultural globalization (which includes such things as cross-border personal contacts as well as access to necessary technology) has a strong effect on the prevalence of metal bands. As shown on Table 1, holding all other variables constant, a shift across the range of variation in the social globalization variable that is a state going from the lowest to the highest score on that variable is related to over a 12 per cent increase in the number of metal bands created during a given year. Though this is obviously a hypothetical situation, it does indicate the general strength of the relationship between social globalization and the creation of metal bands. However, economic globalization such as trade and investment ties has no significant effect. Wealth Effects and Regional Diffusion Though metal is a global phenomenon, and studies have focused on the advent of bands in places such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Botswana, the genre is particularly prevalent in developed countries, as demonstrated in this map of metal bands throughout the world. Moreover, while cultural globalization may conceivably spread metal culture throughout the world, geography plays an obvious factor in such diffusion, as it facilitates easier travel by musicians as well as fans. In scientifically assessing the prevalence of metal, I would thus be remiss to ignore such obvious factors as income levels of countries as well as the prevalence of heavy metal bands within a given geographic region. Indeed, I do find both to be statistically significant causes of metal bands. As shown in Table 1, there is virtually a direct relationship between the regional popularity of metal bands and the creation of bands within a given country. While the impact of income is not as strong, it still has a significant impact on the formation of metal bands. That is countries with higher income levels tend to have more metal bands. State Policies and Metal Though metal may be seen as rebellious in nature, the formation of metal bands is influenced by the political and economic environment of the given country in which musicians live. We thus turn to the specific political and economic policies and institutions that increase the prevalence of metal bands within their borders. I posit that there are several related dynamics in play. First, while metal may be associated with protests and criticism against the political order, an active metal scene particularly the holding of concerts and releasing of music may connote some degree of personal and political freedom. Economic support is also required for metal to flourish. State support for music programs and music training can be vital here. The example of Sweden is particularly useful as Daniel Ekeroth noted in his epic history of Swedish death metal, everybody (in Sweden) who ever wanted to play in a band is able to do so. Instruments and rehearsal rooms have historically been providedand in certain places you could actually even get paid by certain associations to rehearse and make recordings. Support for ongoing musical careers is also important. Rock star personas and images of excess aside, the reality is that a vast majority of metal musicians are not wealthy, as their music generally appeals to a relatively small segment of the public. Indeed a vast majority of well-regarded metal musicians have regular jobs (for example here and here), and have to simultaneously juggle the demands of work with their music. Thus, the presence of jobs with predictable working hours and vacations can be a key to allowing musicians to have the time and energy to properly devote to their craft. In this case I find a mixed picture for the political factors neither my measure of democracy nor human rights (specifically physical integrity rights) is significantly related to the formation of heavy metal bands. However, my proxies for state spending and fiscal capacity (tax as a proportion of GDP) is significant in one of my two models, while work conditions (respect for worker rights) is significant in both, thus connoting that state investment in this area, as well as protection of key worker rights, pays dividends in terms of metal. In terms of the magnitude of this relationship, results show that shifts in worker rights and fiscal capacity are each related to just under a four per cent shift in the number of metal bands created within a given country. Table 1 Magnitude of Impact: Significant Variables Variable Increase in Bands Social Globalization 12.33% Regional Average 95.6% Income Level 6.33% Fiscal Capacity 3.87% Worker Rights 3.57% In all, I find the formation of metal bands to be a multifaceted phenomenon driven by factors at various levels of analysis. For metal fans, this is an inherently interesting issue, as it provides some structure and deeper understanding of the global nature of metal, strikingly evidenced in such documentaries such as Iron Maiden: Flight 666 or Metal: A Headbangers Journey. On a broader scale, this analysis does provide some insights into broader issues, such as showing the multiple factors that contribute to the diffusion of this cultural phenomenon. Moreover, it does connote to the positive externalities that may result from such state-level factors such as respect for worker rights as well as the fiscal capacity. Given the often precarious status of worker rights, as well as state spending on such programs, my findings do imply that the protection of these rights, as well as these societal investments may yield some worthwhile, albeit unexpected, results. Women work on a tea field at Suoi Giang village, in northern Yen Bai province, Vietnam June 5, 2016. Photo by REUTERS/Kham Excessive use of pesticides has got the worlds fifth largest tea exporter in hot water. Despite supplying a large volume of tea to the global market, Vietnam's products are considered inferior to its competitors as they fail to reach food safety standards. Over the first seven months of this year, the country shipped more than 69,000 tons of tea abroad, recording an on-year increase of five percent in volume but a two percent decrease in value, according to the Vietnam Industry and Trade Information Center (VITIC). The average price of Vietnamese tea was $1,160 per ton, down 6.6 percent against a year ago. The center said that Vietnam is the fifth largest tea exporter in the world (behind Kenya, Sri Lanka, China and India) and provides a wide of varieties like black tea, green tea, oolong tea and jasmine tea. However, Vietnam's tea exports are traded for about 60-70 percent less than its competitors. The reason for this is a decline in quality due to extensive use of pesticides. A survey by the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture revealed that 49 percent of Vietnamese farmers sprayed pesticides onto their plantations at higher levels than recommended. 64 percent mixed two types of pesticides together while 14 percent said they had blended three types as they didnt know this would increase the chemical concentration. In addition to pesticide abuse, many farmers even use products that are banned by the ministry. Each year, the ministry updates a list of products that are banned in Vietnam. However, many farmers still manage to get their hands on these products hoping to boost output, but they also leave a high content of residue on the leaves. In July last year, Taiwan returned 80 tons of tea grown in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong due to excessive pesticide residue. Other 2,000 tons of tea were kept in stock rather than reaching the Taiwanese market as scheduled for the same reason. Farmers, however, shouldnt be the only ones taking the responsibility for low-quality tea products. The VITIC said that many tea manufacturers have no control over the quality of their input materials, and as the prices these companies offer are low, farmers lack the motivation to improve on quality. To develop a sustainable tea industry, the VITIC said that tea processors should set up long-term plantations where the use of pesticides is tightly controlled. Last year, Vietnam exported some 125,000 tons of tea to other countries, a dip of 5.8 percent from the previous year. Pakistan was the largest recipient of Vietnamese tea, accounting for 39 percent of the total volume, followed by Taiwan at 13 percent. 90 percent of exports were raw products with low export value. People work out at a fitness center. Over the past decade, an increasing number of people have joined gyms, gradually transforming regular workouts from a niche interest to a mainstream pursuit. File photo Gyms have been popping up like Popeye's muscles in major cities across the country. Commercial gyms used to be a rarity in Vietnam, where 70 percent of the population live in rural areas with labor-intensive agricultural production as the main source of livelihood. This has all changed now, and the booming fitness industry has the countrys average 5 percent economic growth since 1999 to thank for that. The World Bank forecasts that Vietnams $200 billion economy is likely to grow to a trillion dollars by 2035 with more than half of its population, compared with only 11 percent today. The country has joined the ranks of the global middle class with annual average income of $2,100 last year, according to the World Bank. The rapidly growing middle class, mainly living in urban areas, are traveling farther, eating healthier and becoming fitter. Over the past 10 years, an increasing number of people have joined gyms, gradually transforming regular workouts from a niche interest to a mainstream pursuit. For many people, going to the gym has become a daily habit, and they are becoming increasingly willing to spend big bucks on gym membership. There are gyms that charge members just VND400,000 ($18) per month, said Ngo Manh Duy, an office worker in Ho Chi Minh City, who has recently become a member of high-end health club chain after a few years working out at low-cost and poorly-equipped gyms. Some gyms even offer a monthly membership fee as low as VND200,000, he said, referring to small, dingy gyms that are badly equipped. High-end fitness centers offer a wider variety of classes, including yoga, cardiovascular and muscular exercises, said Le Viet Quy, who has been a member of a luxury fitness club for three years, adding that trainers at high-quality and expensive fitness centers are internationally certified and members can get a personal trainer to help them with their workouts. Quy added that it is more economical to join a gym where most of the equipment is imported with reputable brands. Revenue in Vietnam's fitness industry will hit $54.5 million in 2016 and is expected to grow annually at 19.9 percent to $112.7 million by 2020, according to Statistics Portal. The penetration rate of fitness facility members in Vietnam stands at 5.97 percent this year and is forecast to reach 10.66 in the next four years. To put the figure into perspective, the gym user penetration rate in the United States is 16 percent, 15 percent in the Netherlands and 13 percent in the United Kingdom, according to a fitness company in the Netherlands. The fitness industry has become attractive to foreign investors as an emerging market with great potential. Industry experts predict that the high-end fitness segment in Vietnam will continue to grow at a rate of 50 percent in the years to come. California Fitness and Yoga Center (CFYC), one of the top players in the market, set up its first fitness facility in Ho Chi Minh City in 2007, and has rapidly expanded to 24 centers in seven cities throughout the country. A 250 square meter gym could cost an estimated $1.5 million. Japanese financial group Mizuho Asia Partners in 2014 acquired a 10 percent stake in the fitness firm for $15 million. CFYC, managed by California Management Group, has diversified its services targeting urbanites from various age categories. For example, the gym has built separate luxury fitness centers that go under the name Centuryon where members pay as much as $25,000 a year. Top players include the Hanoi-based Elite Fitness, which has opened six facilities in Hanoi and two in Ho Chi Minh City. Getfit Gym & Yoga, which has been in Vietnam for seven years, has laid out its expansion plans for the country towards 2020, with an average growth rate of 20-30 percent per year, said CEO Nguyen Huu Phuc. Heritage Week 2016 runs with the theme People and Place from August 20-28, with many events planned throughout Kilkenny. Castlecomer Discovery Park has organised the now annual Heritage Week guided tour of the former Deerpark Colliery site with ex-miner Seamus Walsh on Tuesday, August 23. Through stories and poems, Seamus gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the miners. Follow him back in time to the mouth of the tunnel as you see and hear about the Deerpark Colliery, the most productive coal mine in Ireland in its time. Participants meet in Castlecomer Discovery Parks Visitor Centre at 10.30am before driving out to Deerpark (own transport required). Rainwear and sturdy footwear are advised. Guided tour is free but booking is recommended (Tel: 056-4440707). Heritage Week is a great opportunity to promote awareness of our built and cultural heritage and to remind locals and visitors alike of the rich industrial heritage from the coal-mining era here in North Kilkenny, says Nichola Salmon, Education Officer at Castlecomer Discovery Park. Seamus has a unique way of recalling his time in the mines and his tour is sure to captivate young and old. Following the tour, Castlecomer Discovery Parks interactive coal-mining museum will be available complimentary to all until 4pm where visitors can hear about the formation of the coal 320 million years ago, the significant amphibian fossils found in the Jarrow coal seam and the memories of the miners themselves. The plan to free up roads for pedestrians around Hoan Kiem Lake is pending approval. Police in Hanoi have put forward a proposal to ban all vehicles from the roads around Hoan Kiem Lake during weekends to create more space for pedestrians. The idea is to create a peaceful place, free of noise and emissions, for people to enjoy their time around the iconic lake. Vehicles will be prohibited from entering Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Thai To and Hang Khay during weekends if the plan is approved, Vietnam News Agency reported on Thursday, quoting Dao Vinh Thang, the director of the city's Traffic Police Department. There is less traffic around the lake at weekends, so the plan is reasonable, Thang said, adding that the proposal has been submitted to the municipal government for approval. Hoan Kiem Lake is centrally located and a few minutes walk from the Old Quarter. Legend has it that in the mid-15th century, a golden turtle god surfaced and asked Emperor Le Thai To to give back a magical sword, he had been given to drive away Chinese invaders. The turtle then grabbed the sword and disappeared into the lake. The Turtle Tower (Thap Rua), which stands on a small island near the center of lake, is linked to the legend. There is also the Temple of the Jade Mountain on Jade Island, which is connected to the shore by The Huc Bridge. Hanoi has already opened ten pedestrian streets in the Old Quarter, which have become popular places for visitors to the capital. At a conference in late June, authorities laid out plans to gradually reduce the number of private vehicles in the capital and even ban motorcycles by 2025. Related news: > Radical proposal to limit Hanoi's motorcycle traffic > Surviving 2025 motorbike ban Hanoi style > Hanoi, the city of lakes Remember when the cost of a stock trade could run into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars? That was when the wirehouses charged commissions based on the volume and price of shares traded. If you remember that, then you remember when an upstart named Charles Schwab came along and told investors his firm could handle all of the stock trades they wanted for a mere $150 per trade. With that move, he may have put some stockbrokers out of business, but he did all investors a favor by helping them realize there is very little cost difference between putting $10,000 and $1 million in the market. The discount brokers of today have simply taken that concept a step further. How many investors would pay a flat $150 per stock trade now knowing they could pay a discount broker just $7 a trade? The cost of financial advice has taken a similar path. Since 2008, when the veil was lifted on the shady dealings of Wall Street product manufacturers, the assets under management (AUM) fee compensation model, which charges clients a flat percentage (typically around 1%) of AUM, has spread rapidly. It's thought to be fair, fully transparent and conflict-free, especially when operated by fiduciary-bound, independent advisers. But is it? Subscribe to Kiplingers Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Save up to 74% Sign up for Kiplingers Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplingers expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplingers expert advice - straight to your e-mail. Sign up Problems With the AUM Fee Model While it is more transparent, questions have been raised as to its fairness and its immunity to conflict. Let's go back to the Charles Schwab example. If the cost differential between a $5 million trade and a $5,000 trade is negligible, is it fair for the larger investor to pay a higher commission than the smaller investor? The same question has been posed for assets under management. If it doesnt cost any more to manage a $5 million portfolio than it does to manage a $1 million portfolio, why should the larger investor pay five times more? While it is true that someone with a $5 million portfolio may have more complex issues than someone with a $1 million portfolio, is it five times as complicated? Thanks to a relentless bull market, many investors, especially those who utilize a passive investment strategy, have seen the value of their portfolio double in the last seven years. The $5 million investor who paid his adviser an annual fee of $50,000 in 2009 may now be paying him $100,000 annually. Has the value of that advisers service doubled in that time? Chances are he is providing the same level of service now as he did in 2009. Why then is he earning twice as much (or slightly less if a graduated fee schedule is used)? The AUM-fee model is also coming under criticism for potential conflicts-of-interest issues. An adviser who is paid primarily for managing assets has little incentive to offer advice in areas that could reduce AUM, such as using assets to pay off a mortgage or invest in a business. Investing in an income annuity might be the right strategy if you want to ensure lifetime income sufficiency, but an AUM-fee-only adviser would not be compensated for the investment. Most adviser-fiduciaries strive to be conflict-free in dispensing advice, but the method of compensation may at times influence that advice. Plus, through technology and competition, investment management has largely become commoditized. As a way to add value, many advisers are shifting more of their focus towards holistic planning by delivering more financial planning services. Yet they are still using AUM-centric pricing model, which tends to keep your focus on your portfolio rather than your planning needs. The Flat Fee: A Completely Client-Centric Alternative In recognition of these potential conflicts-of-interest, as well as the issue of fair pricing, the advice-pricing model continues to evolve. In recent years, the advisory landscape has been experiencing a shift towards a flat-fee-for-advice or retainer-fee model that removes all potential conflicts of interest and is based solely on the level of services provided. With a flat-fee model, you simply pay for unbiased advice, rather than an investment product. It provides the most complete transparency and fairness in that it aligns the pricing of services directly with the cost of delivering those services. More importantly, an annual flat retainer completely changes the client-advisory relationship, with the emphasis placed on the holistic nature of financial planning. Although portfolio management should remain an integral part of the relationship, it is more aligned with all the elements of your financial life, including retirement planning, estate planning, income tax planning, risk management and cash flow planning, as well any investments the adviser is not managing. Under a flat-fee arrangement, all elements receive the appropriate attention based on their priority at any given time. The amount charged under a flat-fee arrangement is typically based on how much input the adviser gives you, not the amount of assets you bring him, regardless of the direction of the market. So you can rest assured that you will receive the same level of service and attention in good and bad markets. Most advisory firms that charge flat fees will price them according to multiple levels of services they provide, allowing you to select the one that is appropriate for your needs. While AUM-based fees may not completely go the way of commissions and other product-centric forms of compensation, investors today are leading the charge for more transparency, fewer conflicts-of-interest and fairness in their advisory relationships. One day, we will be asking, Why would anyone pay 1% on AUM knowing they can pay a simple flat fee for advice? Pete Woodring is founding partner of San Francisco Bay area Cypress Partners, a fee-only wealth consulting practice that provides personalized, comprehensive services that help retirees and busy professionals to enjoy life free of financial concern. Craig Slayen, a new partner with Cypress Partners, contributed to this article. Aug 18 (Reuters) - Caterpillar Inc CAT.N , the world's No. 1 maker of construction and mining equipment, said on Thursday it would explore options, including a possible divestiture, for some of its mining products. The company said it expects to cut up to 155 jobs in the room and pillar business, which caters to underground soft rock mining customers. Caterpillar said it would also stop making track drills, eliminating about 40 jobs. (Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) Aug 18 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc GS.N filed a lawsuit on Thursday seeking to force a former managing director to arbitrate his claim for legal fees stemming from probes into his alleged use of confidential Federal Reserve documents. The lawsuit was filed in New York state Supreme Court in Manhattan against Joseph Jiampietro, an ex-Goldman employee whom the Federal Reserve Board this month brought an enforcement case against. Goldman's lawsuit came after Jiampietro in July sued the bank in Delaware Chancery Court seeking to force it to cover at least $350,000 in legal expenses stemming from probes by the Federal Reserve and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority in 2015. Adam Ford, a lawyer for Jiampietro, in a statement called Thursday's lawsuit "a classic example of inappropriate forum shopping" by Goldman Sachs to delay advancing his client's defense fees. The Fed brought enforcement proceedings against Jiampietro on Aug. 3, the same day it announced a $36.3 million settlement with Goldman Sachs for the unauthorized use and disclosure of confidential information. The Fed alleged that Jiampietro in 2014 on multiple occasions asked Rohit Bansal, a Goldman associate who previously worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, to obtain confidential information from a New York Fed employee. The information was then used by Jiampietro and Bansal in connection with Goldman Sachs' regulatory advisory work for current clients and pitches to potential clients, the Fed said. The Fed is seeking to fine Jiampietro and bar him from the banking industry. Jiampietro denies wrongdoing. Bansal and the former New York Fed employee, Jason Gross, both pleaded guilty in November to a misdemeanor charge of theft of government property, and were sentenced to probation in March. The criminal case came after an earlier related $50 million settlement by Goldman Sachs in October with the New York Department of Financial Services. The case is The Goldman Sachs Group Inc v. Jiampietro, New York State Supreme Court, New York County, No. 654364/2016. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) U.S.-Based Stock Funds Attract First Net Inflows In A Month -Lipper NEW YORK, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Investors tiptoed into riskier assets during the latest week, delivering U.S.-based stock funds $307 million and their first week netting new cash in a month, Lipper data showed on Thursday. U.S.-based taxable bond funds took in $4.2 billion in the week through Aug. 17, the data showed, their second straight week of inflows. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Chris Reese) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. kitco news Aug 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not complied with federal requirements to study the effects of the nation's biofuel use mandate, an agency watchdog said on Thursday. EPA's Inspector General concluded that the agency has not issued a report to Congress on the environmental impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) since 2011, even though federal law requires that the agency provide a report every three years. The RFS, which is administered by EPA, sets the amounts of biofuels, such as ethanol, that must be blended into U.S. gasoline and diesel supplies annually. The IG report also said the agency has not evaluated whether the program is causing any harm to air quality and it has no formal process to initiate an update of its data on the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of biofuels. "Not having required reporting and studies impedes the EPA's ability to identify, consider, mitigate and make policymakers aware of any adverse impacts of renewable fuels," the report said. EPA said it mostly agreed with the report's findings. The agency said it has "agreed to a set of corrective actions and timelines" to address the report's conclusions. The agency estimated that it would complete a report on the impact of the biofuel mandate by the end of 2017. The renewable fuel program has faced intense opposition in recent years from oil companies, who argue that the program places undue financial burdens on refiners. A spokesman for the American Petroleum Institute said the oil and gas trade group is still reviewing the IG report. Some environmental groups have also questioned whether EPA has properly evaluated the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of corn ethanol to calculate its global warming potential. They say land-use change associated with its production outweighs the environmental benefits of replacing gasoline. But, biofuel backers have strongly pushed back against these claims. "We are confident that once EPA conducts these required studies, they will show that biofuels like ethanol are significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, even above the threshold reductions," said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen in a statement. (Reporting by Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Deutsche Bank AG (DBKGn.DE) on Thursday agreed to retain a monitor to ensure it reports swaps data properly, to resolve U.S. regulatory charges over its handling of an April 16 system outage that has yet to be fully addressed. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said the bank was unable to report swap data for multiple asset classes for five days after the outage, and that its efforts to restore the services exacerbated existing problems and created new ones. Some of these problems still persist, affecting market data made available to the public, and impeding the CFTC's ability to evaluate systemic risk in swaps markets, the regulator said. The German bank's shortfalls reflected its failure to have adequate business continuity and disaster recovery plans in place, and violated a September 2015 CFTC order intended to prevent such shortfalls, the regulator added. "Deutsche Bank's repeated violations warrant the intervention of a court-appointed monitor," CFTC Enforcement director Aitan Goelman said in a statement. The regulator said Deutsche Bank cooperated in the matter. In a separate statement, Deutsche Bank said it understood the CFTC's concerns, and is "committed to meeting all regulatory requirements." (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Marguerita Choy) SHARE Alissa Capuano Nicoleen Lebita UNIVERSITY HONORS Scholarships awarded Two Kitsap County students have been given awards through the Scholarships for Military Children Program. Nicoleen Lebita of Bremerton and Alissa Capuano of Poulsbo are the recipients of a $2,000 scholarship. The program awards scholarships to graduating seniors or college-enrolled students who are sons and daughters of parents serving in the military. Children of active duty, retirees, National Guard and reserves and deceased military personnel are eligible. Students apply for the scholarships through their local commissary. Manufacturers that do business with the commissary system fund the scholarships. Capuano plans to attend Seattle University. Her school and community activities include student government, volleyball, band, Link Crew Leader and Kitsap Humane Society volunteer. Lebita plans to enroll at the University of Washington. Her school and community activities include Alpha Kappa Psi, Beta Alpha Psi, Filipino American Student Association, Ascend Business Organization and Circle K volunteer. LETTER OF THANKS Dog, owner reunited I was at a friend's house on Old Frontier Road last Saturday. My little dog wandered off. After searching I was close to panic. We went to the Humane Society on Dickey Road. There was my little Elsa! To the person that picked her up, you are an angel! Thank you. Orion Hanson Seabeck SHARE By Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun EAST BREMERTON A portion of Sheridan Road was shut down Wednesday night as police investigated reports of gunshots in the area, according to Bremerton police. Officers were called to the road about 8:20 p.m. They found several shell casings in the area. After conducting interviews, police said a silver sedan with tinted windows might be involved. No other information was provided. It is illegal to discharge a firearm inside Bremerton city limits. There were no reports of injuries or property damage. Bremerton detectives continue to investigate the case. SHARE As the only black person on the editorial board of this newspaper, I was hesitant to comment on Black Lives Matter movement based off my own emotions. But I was encouraged to write, so I started asking others about their thoughts after the summer's high-profile shootings of black men and the reactions around the country. I have spoken to black people, white people, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders. I have had great conversations. But sadly, I still have the feeling that too many just don't understand why it's time to say "Black Lives Matter." So I want to explain that from my perspective, and from history's. Ernst Toller said that "History is the propaganda of the victors." Our country's history has been painted over, like a room, to make it look nice. We're a wonderful nation, but we created a facade covering up atrocities that affected a large segment of people over generations. Slavery is glossed over in movies without explaining how long it lasted. We can visit beautiful antebellum homes in the South on tours, without realizing that those places oppressed a nation of people for generations. It is a major part of American history, but we rarely speak of it. America wants to move on, or tell black people to "get over it." In order to understand some of the anger in the black community and the important of the phrase "Black Lives Matter," you have to understand that very recently we did not matter. Killing black people is nothing new. Killing black men was sanctioned in America. When Africans were brought over on slave ships, if they were uncooperative, they were tossed into the sea. If they were lucky, they were killed or already dead from the conditions they suffered on the ships. When Africans arrived in America, they were whipped, beaten and chained. Many were killed in order to train others to submit. Those who submitted to slavery had to work tirelessly from sun up to sun down in a field or in a house where they were treated as property for the rest of their lives. My people lived in constant fear of being whipped, tortured or beaten to death for not picking the plantation product quick enough, not picking enough of it, for speaking out. There were beatings for transgressions like learning to read. Those who tried to escape were killed for the audacity of wanting to escape such a life. After the Civil War and passage of the 13th Amendment, slaves were free, no longer "property" to be disposed of as it suited the slave owners. But black people were not full citizens of America. We become free, but Jim Crow laws made sure black people had different rights than white people. We did not have "full" protection from violence done by racist groups like the KKK. These groups had no repercussions for the violence they inflicted on black people, instead it became major events to see the torture and killing of black people. As Nina Simone sang in one of her songs, black people were "Strange Fruit hanging from the Poplar Trees." We began to be killed in cars. Killed in the streets. Killed for being on the wrong side of the road. Killed if we looked a white man in the eye. Killed if a boy like Emmitt Till, God forbid, even glanced in a white woman's direction. Killed for being outspoken about our civil rights. Killed for being leaders in our community. We kept moving forward. Political and legal systems helped stop people from terrorizing us, but then a new terror emerged. A new kind of violence using power and a law that still protected people who wanted things the "old way." Billy clubs, excessive choke holds, beating when no one was watching. Remember Rodney King? Was he still a threat after the 35th hit? After the 45th? Or do you just remember that "we should all just get along"? It wasn't just the police; this was state sanctioned. "Probable cause" was reasoning that no one could question. Police thought Miss Eleanor Bumpurs, a 66-year-old black woman, was running a "crack house" from her New York City apartment when they shot her to death. Amadou Diallo was reaching for his wallet when he was shot 19 times. So we as black people became fearful of moving too quickly, wearing the wrong clothes, driving on the wrong street, even just having fun. We remain in fear, just like the slaves lived. I know that there are good police officers. I have police officers in my family, and the police officers in this community are good people. Bremerton's police chief is a wonderful person and I know he would never let an unwarranted shooting happen on his watch. But he's one man. I've been asked: What about blacks committing violence against one another? If children are beaten over period of time, research shows that they become angrier and more violent. If a woman has been abused for years, she becomes self-destructive and will hide her pain. After generations of violence handed down toward us, it seems obvious what leads to the violence in our neighborhoods among our families. Look at America from our viewpoint, and try to understand the psychological effect our country's history still has on black people. Understand our suspicion that people can kill black men with few repercussions, if any. If black people are killed by police, then are we expected to feel that law enforcement will also protect us? Who do you call for help if you're afraid that you'll be the suspect? So when you hear "Black Lives Matter," understand that for a long time in America we feel like we did not. Drayton Jackson is a member of the Kitsap Sun's editorial board. He lives in Bremerton. SHARE If a new American citizen, an English speaker, asked you for a reliable source of information about the two leading candidates for president their backgrounds, their philosophies of government, their solutions to the country's problems where would you send him? A former neighbor of mine recommended Fox News. "It tells me pretty much of what I need to know," he said. He specifically recommended Sean Hannity's show on television and Rush Limbaugh on radio. So our new citizen went to these sources and ultimately concluded first that our current president is a tyrant who violates the Constitution, who wants to tax the rich and bring them down to the middle class, who wants to undermine personal initiative by federal handouts that will better the lives of the lazy poor and make them even more dependent on the government and drive it even further into debt, and who probably isn't even an American citizen. His disciple Hillary Clinton is a congenital liar who has released secret government information, who has lived off the government most of her life, who will continue Obama's disastrous tax-and-spend policies, who caused the disaster in Benghazi, is too weak to be our commander in chief, and who would pack the Supreme Court with leftists. Then he also checked out Michelle Malkin, the Drudge Report, and the Weekly Standard, all of them saying pretty much the same thing. Our new citizen decided this liberal party sounded pretty bad, but one day at work, conversation turned to the upcoming election, and he expressed his preference for Donald Trump. A co-worker halted him, suggesting that before he made up his mind, he should check some other sources of information, like The Nation, The Huffington Post, MoveOn.org and The New Yorker. So he did, and he saw that Obama is the greatest president since Lincoln, that Clinton is a smart woman with a keen knowledge of government and a dedication to the idea that government should do what it can to see that the economy works to the benefit of all citizens. He wasn't sure anymore who he favored for president. Is Trump really all bad or all good? Is Clinton really all good or all bad? These sources seemed merely to confirm the biases their followers already had, not give him information he could reasonably be certain was balanced and fair. So he searched the internet and found a report from the Pew Research Center on Journalism and the Media: 47 percent of those surveyed consistently named Fox News as their main source of information and opinion on government and politics. Almost a third of those who are "mostly conservative" get their news from the same source. On the liberal side, no single source so predominates, but consistent liberals favor CNN, NPR, MSNBC and The New York Times. The New Yorker and The Nation are as predictably liberal as Fox News is predictably conservative, bringing comfort to those who believe that conservatives are irretrievably evil or at least dangerously uneducated. Respondents with mostly liberal views trust more news sources than they distrust, while the reverse is true of those with mostly conservative values. Fortunately for voters who want a balanced picture of our government and politics, our new citizen whose mind is still open and the rest of us have access to reasonably neutral sources. The Economist, a British weekly magazine, is as neutral as any news source can hope to be. The BBC is also good, unless you want only the information that comforts you. FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan site that checks the veracity of politicians' claims and tries to hold them accountable. Spot-On is also well regarded as a source of information and opinion from both the left and the right and that ultimately tries to be nonpartisan. Project Vote Smart is a citizen-produced source of information on candidates and elected officials, their background and voting records, their biographies, their campaign contributions and evaluations of them by scores of competing special interest group. So this hypothetical new voter, like the rest of us, isn't limited to the blizzard of half-truths, whole lies and one-sided representations that accompany political campaigns, especially national ones where so much more is at stake. Most of us, though, prefer to be comforted by opinions that reinforce our own and are dismissive of all that don't. Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (2nd,L) visits a shooting victim in the northern moutainous province of Yen Bai on Thursday. Photo by Vietnam News Agency Police chief says the 'extremely serious' nature of the incident warrants the probe. Police in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai will launch a criminal investigation into the unprecedented fatal shooting of two provincial leaders even though the prime suspect, another local senior official, had killed himself. That was an about-face as at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Major General Dang Tran Chieu, the director of Yen Bais police department, in invoking the Penal Code, said there would be no criminal investigation into the shooting as the prime suspect had died. But Chieu reversed his decision late Thursday, saying the extremely serious nature of the incident would warrant such a probe. Pham Duy Cuong, the chief of Yen Bais Communist Party Unit, and Ngo Ngoc Tuan, the chairman of the Peoples Council (the local legislature) died on Thursday after Do Cuong Minh, the head of the provinces forest ranger unit, allegedly gunned them down in their offices. Minh later shot himself. The three men, who were shot multiple times in their head, chest, and abdomen, were pronounced dead by Thursday afternoon. The rare, headline-grabbing shooting took place just before a meeting of the Peoples Council. Its motives have remained unclear as of press time. In the wake of the incident, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Yen Bai to instruct investigative work. He asked agencies concerned to beef up security in the province to prevent the situation from exacerbating. Phuc, who acknowledged that the shooting had never happened anywhere in Vietnam", also called for increased protection for family members of both the victims and the alleged gunman. Related news: > Vietnam official guns down 2 provincial leaders before shooting himself The Herald reports: The Human Rights Commission has given cautious support to the Governments spying reforms. However, the human rights watchdog says it is concerned about the broad definition of national security in the legislation, which will come before Parliament tomorrow. Chief commissioner David Rutherford said today that the proposed changes to laws governing the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Government Communication Security Bureau (GCSB) addressed concerns the commission had previously raised about the agencies. These concerns included stronger authorisation for spying warrants, greater oversight of the agencies, and strengthened requirements regarding compliance with human rights law. Rutherford said the proposed changes were a significant improvement but there were aspects of the bill which were still a concern. Chief among these is the definition of national security, he said. Stuff reports: Duncan Garner and current breakfast host Paul Henry are set to swap seats in a TV3 reshuffle. It is understood the switch will see Henry move to co-hosting Mediaworks prime-time current affairs show Storywith Heather du Plessis-Allan, taking Garners spot. Garner will shift to the breakfast slot on TV3, which simulcasts on radio and the internet. This will be interesting. Back when Paul Henry did Breakfast on TV One, I said that HDPA would be a good co-host for him as she would take any shit he gives her, and give it back in spades. So the 7 pm shot will be Henry vs Hosking. I predict the Greens will call for all media networks to be nationalised and only approved presenters allowed on at 7 pm! The morning slot will be Garner vs Hillary Barry and Jack Tame. Henry had done very well at winning audience share off TVNZ, so will be interesting to see if that continues. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Stuff reports: Uber and the Government could be on the brink of a truce following a promise from Transport Minister Simon Bridges to make the vetting process for commercial drivers cheaper and faster. Just a week ago Bridges warned Uber drivers could be taken off the road completely if they didnt start following the law since April the companys drivers have failed to go through the required vetting process. Bridges accused the $60 million business of mocking New Zealands safety compliance rules, saying the Government had zero tolerance for illegal behaviour. But on Tuesday Bridges extended an olive branch to Uber saying he was going to make sure its much cheaper and takes much less time to get a P endorsement passenger carrying licence. Simon has been in fact saying this for some time. It is the right thing to do. While Uber is doing its own Ministry of Justice and driver licence checks before deciding if someone can drive these checks dont cover criminal convictions beyond seven years, a medical fitness to drive or overseas criminal convictions. Responding to Bridges comments, an Uber spokesman said, they want to work with the Government to ensure Kiwis have access to a quick and affordable accreditation process that puts consumer safety first. It is encouraging that Minister Bridges has committed to reducing the cost and complexity of obtaining a Government P-Endorsement. The cost of a P endorsement, which Bridges says is less than $2000, is prohibitive and hed like to see it brought down to around a third of the cost. Plans are in place to speed up the process for undertaking the vetting process and Bridges expects both those issues to be cleared up once a Bill is introduced to the House. Once weve done that, whether youre a taxi, Uber or some other ride-share operation, there will literally be nothing to complain about. It will be a low compliance level playing field for everyone. It should be low compliance because technology provides a much better safety guarantee than in the past. Look at how things have changed: With Uber you know your drivers identity 100%. With a taxi it is reliant on you remembering the name on their ID card With Uber you have the exact route recorded. You can prove where the car was at any point in time. This increases safety and also reduces fraud potential as seeminhly occured with ECan With Uber you never pay cash or need cash on you With Uber you get prompted to review your driver every single time. With a taxi you need to do go to the hassle of ringing up and complaining With Uber drivers with a rating below 4.5/5 get dumped as drivers. This provides a huge amount of safety and security. So the Government should make driver safety checks quicker and cheaper to recognise this. But also until they do, Uber should not use unlicensed drivers who breach the law. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr The Herald reports: Kiwi actor Sam Neill has slammed Sydneys lockout laws and the states ban on greyhound racing. First up was Sydneys lockout laws which he said had taken the guts out of the city. Sydney (in the 1970s) seemed to me to be the most vibrant place in the world and I think a lot of that vibrancy has been sucked out of the place, Neill said. I particularly lament this lockout which has taken the guts out of the nightlife of Sydney. And Sydney without nightlife is kind of a pointless place. I dont really want to see Adelaide being a place to go for a good weekend. The actor labelled Kings Cross one of the saddest places hes ever been to and said the city needs it just as London needs Soho. Instead of making the streets safe, theyve just stopped the streets, he said. August 19, 2016 | 03:22 am PT Foreign tourists caught under heavy rain in the Old Quarter in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy Trips out to sea and mountain treks would be a death wish in the north of the country. Thousands of tours to popular destinations in Vietnam have been re-routed or canceled due to prolonged extreme weather. Since Wednesday, tours to Ha Long Bay have been forced to return to Hanoi due to Quang Ninh Provinces ban on boats and ships going out to sea, said Pham Ha, sales manager at Bhaya Cruises. The company also stopped taking new bookings on Thursday. We have 19 ships in our fleet that were fully booked for these days. However, about 750 clients have canceled in just three days, costing the company $75,000 - $80,000, said Ha. On the first day of the typhoon, when clients were unable to set out, we had to help them return to Hanoi. Since then, the fleet has stayed at anchor and we've stopped taking bookings, said Le Phuong Nhi, sales and marketing director at Indochina Sails, adding that they'd received 500 cancelations due to Dianmu, the third typhoon to hit Vietnam this year. Ha Long Bay, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) northeast of Hanoi, is one of Vietnam's top tourist attractions, drawing tens of thousands of domestic and overseas visitors each year, many of whom take overnight boat tours. Many tour agencies have been forced to change their itineraries, cut short tours or reschedule. Tours to Ha Long have been re-routed to the mountainous province of Ninh Binh, the Perfume Pagoda, the central province of Thanh Hoa or city tours of Hanoi, said Pham Hong Ha, director of APT Travel. However, since Thursday, heavy rainfall has also canceled these alternative tours. Today alone, all of the tours we had re-routed to Sa Pa, Cat Ba and Ninh Binh were canceled, and we lost 600-700 clients, said the head of domestic tourism at APT Travel. Some travel agencies have been forced to cancel up to 100 tours to Ha Long every day. Many trans-Vietnam tours have also been reversed, starting in the south instead of the north as scheduled. Beside road tours, domestic and outbound flights have been delayed by the typhoon. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines canceled all flights to and from Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong City, Tho Xuan Airport in Thanh Hoa Province and Lien Khuong Airport in the Central Highlands resort town of Da Lat today. Budget airline Vietjet Air also rescheduled eight flights to and from Cat Bi Airport and Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, and canceled several others. Typhoon Dianmu arrived in northern Vietnam at noon today, bringing gusts of wind up to 90km/h. The typhoon is expected to reduce to a low air pressure system at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Vietnam is hit by on average eight to 10 tropical storms formed in the Pacific Ocean between July and October every year, which often cause heavy material and human losses. On July 26, Typhoon Mirinae formed in the South China Sea and made landfall in northern Vietnam, triggering heavy rains accompanied by gale-force winds. Though not regarded as a strong typhoon, Mirinae caused significant damage in Vietnam, leaving a trail of destruction in Hanoi and the northern provinces of Nam Dinh,Thanh Hoa, Ha Nam and Ninh Binh. In early August, Typhoon Nida swept through Hong Kong, shutting down most of the financial hub with gale-force winds and disrupting hundreds of flights before churning through China and weakening to a low pressure system. Related news: > Vietnam Airlines cancels flights due to Typhoon Dianmu > Vietnam braces for third storm of typhoon season > Vietnam-Taiwan flights grounded due to super typhoon Nepartak It makes landfall Friday noon and is likely to trigger flash floods and landslides. Typhoon Dianmu has hit the coast of northern Vietnam at around 10 a.m. local time on Friday with maximum wind speeds reaching 90-100 kilometers per hour. At 4 a.m. on Friday, Dianmu, the third to hit Vietnam this year, was about 180 kilometers east of Vietnams northern coast heading for Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. The typhoon is approaching the country at speeds of 15-20 kilometers per hour. Dianmu made landfall in northern Vietnam at noon on Friday. Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting is closely monitoring the storm, which could intensify as it crosses the Gulf of Tonkin. Border guard forces in the northern port city of Hai Phong batten down the hatches for the upcoming storm. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Chinh The typhoon is anticipated to move further inland, significantly affecting northern and north-central regions of Vietnam with winds gusting up to 75 kilometers per hour. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected in large parts of northern and north-central Vietnam from Friday throughout the weekend, with up to 400mm of rainfall expected in some areas. Floods are predicted around the northern and north-central deltas while flash floods and landslides are likely in mountainous areas. The typhoon is expected to weaken into a tropical low pressure rainstorm from Friday night through the weekend as it continues to track westward. Local authorities in areas likely to be hit by the tropical storm are taking measures to limit the damage. In Hai Phong, the municipal government on Thursday banned boats and ships from sailing out to sea, strengthened sea defences and evacuated areas at risk. Vietnam is hit by an average of eight to 10 tropical storms between July and October every year, which often cause heavy material and human losses. On July 26, Typhoon Mirinae formed in the South China Sea and made landfall in northern Vietnam, triggering heavy rains accompanied by gale-force winds. Although it was not regarded as a strong typhoon, Mirinae caused significant damage in Vietnam, leaving a trail of destruction in Hanoi and the northern provinces of Nam Dinh,Thanh Hoa, Ha Nam and Ninh Binh. In early August, Typhoon Nida swept through Hong Kong, shutting down most of the financial hub with gale-force winds and disrupting hundreds of flights before churning through China and weakening into a low pressure. Related news: > Vietnam braces for third storm of typhoon season > Typhoon Nida bears down as Hanoi picks up the pieces after Mirinae LHP Capital LLC, redevelopment work on the Townview Towers apartment complex on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL) SHARE By Ed Marcum of the Knoxville News Sentinel Knoxville's LHP Capital LLC, development firm announced today it has sold 10 affordable housing properties in four states to a Cleveland, Ohio-based company, in a $106.8 million deal. LHP Capital, which develops and manages multifamily housing, sold properties in Tennessee, Alabama, Illinois and Oklahoma to Millennia Housing Management, of Cleveland. "The real estate market is strong and the timing was right for us," Phil Lawson, LHP Capital chairman, said in a statement. "These are excellent properties that have been in our portfolio for many years and Millennia was a good fit." The properties represent a total of 2,192 units. After the sale, the LHP portfolio consists of 56 properties totaling 7,358 units in nine states. "LHP will use the sale proceeds to further its mission of providing quality affordable living environments our residents are happy to call home," he said. LHP, formerly Lawler Wood Housing Partners, is a national leader in affordable housing properties. It acquires and rehabilitates Section 8 properties using Low Income Housing Tax Credit as a source of investment capital. One of its major and most recent projects is the renovation of the Townview Towers apartment complex, which it acquired in partnership with Knoxville's Community Development Corp. When it comes to collecting furniture, Pop Weasel owner Gina Alazawi admits to being "all over the map." "I have a lot of mid-century stuff, items from the Art Deco time period, a lot of Victorian-era things, Art Nouveau up to the 70s and 80s Hollywood Glam," she said. Photo by Ali James/Special to the News Sentinel SHARE : Gina Alazawi has collected over 500 Barbie dolls over the course of her career and enjoys tracking down toys in mint condition. Photo by Ali James/Special to the News Sentinel : Gina Alazawi, owner of new store Pop Weasel, refers to the wall behind her store counter as "My haunted wall.". The collection of oddities even startles Alazawi at times. Photo by Ali James/Special to the News Sentinel : Gina Alazawi spent months transforming her storage space on Gay Street into her new store, Pop Weasel. Alazawi has an eclectic collection of political, religious and advertising memorabilia, including this framed picture of "JFK, MLK and RFK" pictured next to her. Photo by Ali James/Special to the News Sentinel : "I have a lot of medical and industrial stuff and I'm starting to really get into oddities too," said Gina Alawazi of her unique collections. "If somebody walks into the store with something odd, I'll probably say "what in the world is that?" But I'll probably like it." Photo by Ali James/Special to the News Sentinel By Ali James of the Knoxville News Sentinel Gina Alazawi has leased her shop for two years, but she will officially open the doors to "Pop Weasel" with a grand opening during the Emory Place block party on Saturday. "I have used it for over two years as storage," she said of her collectibles store, at 611 N. Gay Street. "I was looking for a location for a store, but then I would sell something at one of my various vendor booths and would run to my storage unit to replace it on a first Friday and see 10 times more people around. "There's just so much happening around here, it just all made sense," said Alazawi. Businesses nearby include A1LabArts, K Brew, GEO Hair Lab, Crafty Bastard Brewery and Maker's Donuts. Pop Weasel has opened for First Fridays and some other special events, including an impromptu opening for some wedding guests at a nearby sanctuary but never on a permanent basis. It took Alazawi about three months to prepare her store for customers. "It was crazy; it was so severe that I had to carve a path to move around," she said. "It was like a hoarder situation at its finest. "A lot of times it was like Jenga to move this here, so I could move that there," she said. "I've even amazed myself. We put in a lot of work, but we got it to where we wanted it to be." As for the name, Alazawi said she wanted to come up with something that was a combination of her love of toys and pop culture. "I just started thinking about characters I liked, and wanted to have that character's mind blown," she said. "The weasels from Roger Rabbit came to mind, so really it's a play on words -- pop culture, pop-up events -- Pop Weasel." Several years ago, Alazawi owned and operated her own store in Clinton. Then she relocated to Knoxville and ran at least three different vintage booths in vendor malls. "I needed to streamline things," she said of her decision to open her own shop again. "I wanted to respond as a business owner to the events around me, to work smarter, not harder. I have a good friend who owns the Vagabond truck and she can go wherever the action is." Alazawi also wanted the flexibility to set her own hours and open on a whim for big events. Given a good girlfriend for company, a lawn chair and an adult beverage, I could be open until midnight," she said. "I like to shop that way myself. "I started collecting when I was a child,' she said. "The first thing that got me going was a doll from my mother that had a crack in her head and I was so concerned about it. It had so much history -- my mother had played with it -- and I still have it wrapped in bubble wrap." That doll led to a Barbie doll collection of more than 500 dolls over the years. "EBay was in its infancy and the Barbie Rockettes Doll Special Limited Edition from FAO Schwarz were selling for at least $125," she said. "I called FAO Schwarz; they had them for $50 each and they asked how many cases I wanted." Alazawi realized doing her research and putting in the work could really pay off, and she went from just being a collector to starting her own business. "I can tell from the markings how old a toy is," she said. "My main passion is Disney. The different markings will tell you what period it is from. "I started to get things in their original pristine condition," she said. "A lot of times it was difficult to get the mint-condition toys, still in their boxes." If she heard that the Muhammad Ali doll had a warm-up jacket, or the Dorothy of Oz doll with the yellow blanket in her basket was worth more, she would look for it and often ended up with duplicates that she later sold. "It's more than just being a good shopper with a good eye," Alazawi said. "There's so much information and variables with a lot of things. You really have to do your homework." Validation came in the form of an Elvis 78 RPM record featuring "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Alazawi and her husband took it with them to a taping of Antiques Roadshow and had their five minutes of fame. It is not all toys at Pop Weasel. "I got a lot of World War II stuff at one time (from a customer)," she said. "It was his grandfather's, and he had a first aid kit that had never been used. I have a lot of medical and industrial stuff and I'm starting to really get into oddities, too. If somebody walks into the store with something odd, I'll probably say, 'What in the world is that?' But I'll probably like it." When it comes to collecting furniture, Alazawi admits to being "all over the map." "I have a lot of mid-century stuff, items from the Art Deco time period, a lot of Victorian-era things, Art Nouveau up to the 70s and 80s Hollywood Glam," she said. "I go for more than the magazine rack and the fondue pot. I have those things, but I'm a little more whimsical. I like the dark side with the twist, but I don't want to get too dark." After so many years in the business, she said she has people bring items to her often. "There's a lamp that I bought; it took me two years," she said. "I really wanted it. He had a crazy high price on it, but called me when he was ready to sell it. It's just establishing those relationships, I'm not here just for the stuff -- I'll be a good steward." Alazawi has been known to turn down some items. "There have been times when people will cry and say it's their aunt's or uncle's and clearly they're not ready to let it go, so I won't buy it," she said. Pop Weasel will be open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and Alazawi will announce on her Facebook page when she opens for events such as the Big Ears music festival again or the Tour de Lights holiday bicycle tour. Despite being a couple of blocks south of Emory Place, Alazawi is participating in the second annual Emory Place Block party along with four other vendors this weekend. "I've been to a few of the planning meetings and they have adjusted the length of the event and added quite a few bands," Alazawi of the event that will run from 2-9 p.m. Saturday. "There are also a lot of new businesses, so the event is doing nothing but growing." Alazawi has big plans to host her own pop-up events. She recently hosted "The Queens of Vintage" sale with "other like-minded gals," and is excited to do more of that at her new location, she said. "Everybody fusses about parking, but I have three parking lots nearby and I'm in negotiations to do an antique street fair," she said. "The outdoor market is going to be a main focus." Flights to and from Hai Phong and Thanh Hoa are most affected. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has cancelled 10 flights scheduled on August 19 due to Typhoon Dianmu, the third typhoon to hit the Southeast Asian country this year. The 10 flights were scheduled to depart from or arrive at Cat Bi International Airport in the northern port city of Hai Phong and Tho Xuan Airport in the central coastal province of Thanh Hoa. Information about rescheduling has yet to be released. Specifically, the state-owned carrier has cancelled six flights between Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Nha Trang, as well as four flights between Thanh Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City. On August 20, they will arrange two flights to transport passengers from Thanh Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City. They typhoon has hit northern provinces including Hai Phong and Ninh Binh at 10 a.m. today with wind speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. The typhoon is forecast to affect larger areas of northern and north-central provinces with heavy rainfall and strong winds. Over the weekend, Dianmu will weaken into a tropical low pressure front and turn westwards. Related news: > Typhoon Dianmu hits northern Vietnam Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash leads a hike. SHARE INSTANT NINJA DAY West Knox Tiger Rock is hosting an Instant Ninja Day free community event from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Learn taekwondo basics and key self-defense techniques for free. Children between 4-16 years can participate in board breaking, an agility course and have access to the Ninja Bounce House. All kids will receive a free hot dog and can have their picture taken with TROC, the Tiger-Rock hero. All attendees will receive free admission to the Stranger Safety and Child Self Defense class seminar they offer in October. Tiger Rock is at 9111B Executive Park Drive. Info: www.westknoxtigerrock.com SMOKIES HIKE Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash and City of Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner invite the public to join them on a hike along the Gatlinburg Trail at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, in honor of the National Park Service centennial. Hikers should meet in front of Sugarlands Visitor Center to begin the 4-mile round-trip hike which follows the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River to Gatlinburg. Cash has committed to hike 100 miles in the park during 2016 and challenges the public to do the same. To complete the Hike 100 challenge, participants must hike any 100 miles of maintained trail within the park boundaries by Dec. 6, 2016. Participants who reach the 100-mile goal will earn a commemorative "Smokies Centennial Challenge - Hike 100" pin and be invited to a park celebration hosted by Cash. Info: www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/gsmnp-hike-100.htm. BOOK TALK What's true about the influence of lobbyists? Mike Cohen, owner of Cohen Communications Group, leads a discussion of "Republic, Lost: The Corruption of Equality and the Steps to End It," by Lawrence Lessig, at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 24, in the East Tennessee History Center auditorium, 601 South Gay Street. It is this month's Books Sandwiched In program sponsored by the Friends of Knox County Public Library. Lessig addresses corruption in campaign finance and corporate lobbying and how we arrived at this crisis: how fundamentally good people, with good intentions, have allowed our democracy to be co-opted by outside interests, and how this exploitation has become entrenched in the system. Cohen served as information director for Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe, communications director for Knox County School system and senior director for Communications and Government Relations for Knox County. SHARE Alan Pastor By Pat Pastor, Special to the News Sentinel My husband Alan and I had just returned from a wonderful trip to France, spending time in Provence and Paris. It was to be our last. My husband had dealt with shortness of breath due to COPD for some time, but we were stunned by the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer shortly after we returned. He went through chemo and radiation. Small cell lung cancer tends to share with other parts of your body so he also had preventative radiation on his brain. During those months of treatment, he would become dehydrated and have to go to the emergency room and was usually admitted. I became very familiar with Blount Memorial Hospital. My strong husband, who had lifted weights for decades, grew weak. I would go to the hospital twice a day. One day as I was going up on the elevator by myself, I prayed aloud to God saying, "I could use some good news, Lord." The answer I received wasn't audible, but it was instant and clear. "You have the Good News." And I did. I knew if he didn't get well, that I wouldn't lose him. I'd know exactly where he was. Soon after that, I received the news that his lungs looked clear of the cancer, but it had spread to his liver. I asked his oncologist the question I didn't want to ask. "How long?" Not long. Our daughter, Stacey, who had been teaching at a university in Guadalajara, flew home July 19 and we went straight to the hospital to visit her dad. I know it was difficult for her to see him so weak. We went home, planning to return the next morning, only to be called at 3 a.m. by his nurse saying we had better come. We threw on our clothes and rushed to the hospital. Stacey called her brother who joined us around his bed. We stood there in tears telling him how much he was loved and that we would be okay and we'd look after each other. We don't know if he heard us as he seemed peacefully sleeping and then ... he was gone. Those next few weeks are still a blur. We had been college sweethearts and married almost 51 years. People said that was a long time. All I could think was, not long enough. It has been two years since my darling husband died. I don't cry as often. I remember the good times more than that last difficult year. I felt my heart was broken and I found two verses I have repeated time and time again: "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3) and "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble" (Psalm 46:1). I want to say that I am stronger than I thought, but that is not completely true. God is the one who is strong, and I'm leaning on Him. Submit your story of Personal Faith of about 500 words to features@knoxnews.com. Miles Teller, left, and Jonah Hill in a scene from, "War Dogs." SHARE By Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press "War Dogs" is too good of a true story not to get the Hollywood treatment, even if the end result doesn't entirely do justice to the moral ambiguities and larger geopolitical implications of one of the craziest hustles in modern American history. Essentially, in 2007, a couple of 20-something stoners from Miami Beach landed a nearly $300 million contract from the Department of Defense to supply ammunition to the Afghan military. And, unbeknownst to the U.S. government at the time, many of the supplies they were selling were over 40 years old, manufactured in China and basically unusable. It's an absolutely insane story of the ambition, delusion and megalomania of a few young strivers who managed to find a lucrative place in the international arms game. The events have been chronicled extensively in the press over the past eight years, including by journalist Guy Lawson, whose Rolling Stone article "The Stoner Arms Dealers" and book became the basis for the film. Director and co-writer Todd Phillips, best known for chest-thumping comedies like "The Hangover" trilogy, reaches beyond his comfort zone to tell this complicated and fraught tale. The film struggles to find the right tone, and instead of consistency goes for a more disjointed kitchen-sink approach that juggles satire, bro fantasy and high-stakes thriller with varying results. Miles Teller stars as David Packouz, a struggling massage therapist who takes up with Efraim Diveroli (Jonah Hill) in a moment of desperation. A much shadier figure but a childhood friend nonetheless, Efraim has the plan to game the government contracts system and make a few bucks from the war. David gets to play the family guy who just wants to provide for his beautiful partner Iz (a one-note Ana de Armas) and newborn daughter. The audience has to care about someone after all, and it was never going to be Efraim, a schemer who fetishizes "Scarface," money, women and guns, and who goes from general creep to all-out sociopath as the film progresses. Hill makes him sleazy to the core, with a hyena-like laugh that will make your skin crawl (possibly out of embarrassment). As with so many of these fast-rise-and-faster-fall stories, at first David and Efraim are having a "Hangover"-style blast running from armed militia in Iraq to hand deliver Italian guns to an American outpost, and doing cocaine in the clubs with South Beach babes all around. The tone in this first part feels almost a little too light-hearted and gleeful for the subject matter. Are we supposed to think of these dudes as subversive heroes and delight alongside them in the money, the drugs and the adrenaline of engaging in something so risky? It's never quite clear. Things do get substantially darker (and more over the top) when the guys take on the $300 million contract that will eventually be their downfall. This is where the film, and Teller in particular, really come alive focusing more on the practicalities and headaches of the illegal business of repackaging the Chinese munitions. Bradley Cooper has a small role as a mob-like, blacklisted arms dealer in this section, too. "War Dogs" seems to want to be everything from "The Social Network" to "The Big Short" and while it flirts with moments of greatness, the script just can't compete with the brains of those other films. Or maybe that's because the audience is getting the story straight from David, whose real-life version has a cameo in the film and is far too valorized to be believable. In the end, this rendition of Efraim and David's wild story probably plays a lot like the movie version they would be likely to fantasize about. It's an entertaining lark when it could have been a shattering indictment of America, of these dudes and the military industrial complex. Frank Zappa is at the center of the documentary "Eat That Question: Frank Zappa In His Own Words," opening Friday at Downtown West. SHARE By Dan Deluca, Philadelphia Inquirer What would Frank Zappa have to say about the unseemly battle being fought over his estate by his children that's put the guitarist and composer's name back in the headlines more than two decades after his death? We can't know, of course, because Zappa, who died of prostate cancer in 1993, couldn't have foreseen the squabble between his oldest son, who recently changed his live show brand from Zappa Plays Zappa to Dweezil Zappa plays Whatever The ... He Wants: The Cease and Desist Tour after he was threatened with legal action by the Zappa Family Trust, which is run by Dweezil's younger brother, Ahmet. But it's safe to say that Frank Zappa wouldn't have been silent on the issue. Because if there's one thing that Zappa loved to do, besides write and perform dense, sometimes brilliant, often funny, and frequently inscrutable songs that blurred the lines between rock, jazz and 20th century classical music, it was talk. So it is fitting that German director Thorsten Schutte's new documentary is called "Eat That Question: Frank Zappa In His Own Words." A free-speech advocate who was best known in the years before his death as an acutely intelligent talk-show guest and critic of the music industry warning-label system advocated by Tipper Gore, Zappa was never at a loss for words. Schutte's film, which began with the cooperation of Zappa's late wife Gail and has the blessing of Ahmet and his sisters, Moon and Diva (but not Dweezil), lets him speak for himself. "Eat That Question" chronologically tracks the contrarian's career, beginning with an amusing 1963 network TV appearance on "The Steve Allen Show." An uncharacteristically clean-cut Zappa later described by a British television host as "a force of cultural darkness, bearded and gross and filthy, a lone brutal reminder of music's ability to evoke chaos and destruction" cleverly turns two bicycles into avant-garde musical instruments. From there, however, the movie doesn't go in for music-documentary conventions. There are no baby pictures, recollections from childhood friends, or talking heads of any kind, other than Zappa and his interviewers. "I'm famous," Zappa says. "But nobody knows what I do." So he talks to Mike Douglas, appears on "What's My Line?" and chats with the "Today" show. He discusses his love for Stravinsky, Varese and Ravel, and is fawned over by journalists in the Czech Republic, where he's hailed as a hero by president and fanboy Vaclav Havel. In perhaps the strangest clip, Pennsylvania state trooper Chuck Ash interviews Zappa who despite his hirsute appearance was no hippie for an antidrug campaign for a Montgomery County school district. Do we get to know "the real Frank Zappa"? Something close to it, though Zappa, of course, tells us that's nigh on impossible since "being interviewed is one of the most abnormal things that you can do. ... It's two steps removed from the Inquisition." Still, it's telling that Zappa rarely seen without a cigarette, always unafraid to offend and delighted to satirize societal norms keeps talking, in hopes of achieving what every artist is really after: being understood. SHARE Katelen Elisabeth Shepherd Monica Upton Michael Shane Grace Richard Gilberto O'Neil By News Sentinel Staff KNOXVILLE Seven men and two women were arrested during an undercover prostitution sting on Thursday, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The seven men face charges of patronizing prostitution within 100 feet of a church or a mile and a half of a school. Charged were Richard Gilberto O'Neil, 48, of Knoxville; James Joseph Seidler, 55, of Clarkrange, Tenn.; James Roy Brown, 41, of Greenback; Omar Garcia Rodriguez, 25, of Loudon; Michael Shane Grace, 41, of Oliver Springs,; Alberto Parra, 43, of Knoxville; and Jose Armando Aron-Matute, 45, of Knoxville. Each man had answered an advertisement on backpage.com for an escort and arranged a meeting Thursday at a Motel 6 on Harry Lane Boulevard in West Knoxville, according to law enforcement. The motel is within 1.5 miles of Cedar Bluff elementary and middle schools as well as Knoxville Catholic High School. As each man arrived and paid, he was taken into custody, according to police. O'Neil was also charged with resisting arrest when he refused to comply with verbal commands and resisted being placed in handcuffs, authorities said. The same day, an undercover detective arranged to meet Katelen Elisabeth Shepherd, 19, of Louisville, Tenn., at the same location. Shepherd had posted an advertisement as an escort on backpage.com, and once the undercover detective paid, Shepherd was arrested on a prostitution charge, authorities said. Monica Upton was also arrested that day when undercover detectives saw her drop off a woman at the hotel. Upton was known by officers to have a revoked drivers' license and was stopped and charged with driving without a license. She has a criminal history in Knox County that includes prostitution, impersonation of a licensed professional, theft, and burglary. More details as they develop online and in Saturday's News Sentinel. Joshua Hurst, second from center, appeared with his attorney Jeff Whitt, center, in Knox County Criminal Court for his arraignment Thursday, May 5, 2016. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL) By Hayes Hickman of the Knoxville News Sentinel KNOXVILLE A Knox County judge extended the plea deadline Friday for an ex-Knoxville police officer and seven co-defendants charged with conspiring to distribute prescription painkillers. Joshua Hurst, 38, and his alleged co-conspirators are set to appear again before Criminal Court Judge Scott Green on Nov. 3 to enter their pleas. The deadline extension was requested for defense attorneys to review the evidence handed over by prosecutors. The eight defendants were indicted in April on charges they distributed painkillers in Knox and other counties across East and Middle Tennessee. Also charged are Milbern Breeden Jr., 51, of Knoxville; Mark Gilbertson, 46, of Knoxville; Erin Keenan, 41, of Knoxville; Pamela Moretta, 43, of Knoxville; Trevor Loy, 37, of Wartburg, Tenn.; Gilberton's brother, Paul Gilberton, 44, of Knoxville; and Hurst's brother, Jacob Hurst, 35, of Clarksville. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched its probe in late February after Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch alerted District Attorney General Charme Allen to "possible criminal conduct" within the department, authorities said. Officials haven't said what led to those suspicions. Hurst's police powers were suspended when the investigation began. He submitted his resignation after his April 20 arrest. Over six weeks, TBI agents kept Hurst under surveillance, recording his cellphone calls, reading his text messages and trailing along as the officer repeatedly bought and traded pain pills with the other suspects in their homes and in the parking lots of local business, according to search warrants. "During the period of time when the wiretap was being monitored, thousands of incriminating statements were made by members of the conspiracy outlining the course, nature and extent of this drug-dealing enterprise," Assistant District Attorney General Sean McDermott wrote in court filings. "Agents were able to observe drug transactions as they took place in real time. Investigators determined that conspirators possessed controlled substances with the intent to further distribute those drugs at various locations in Knox County, including the Knoxville Police Department headquarters." Hurst, a decorated 13-year veteran of the KPD, had been trading drugs and other evidence seized off the street for OxyContin and other painkillers since at least 2014, records state. More details as they develop online and in Saturday's News Sentinel. SHARE A Knox County school bus No.35 delivers students home from Farragut High School Wednesday, March 30, 2016. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL) Russ Oaks, Knox County Schools chief operating officer. By Megan Boehnke of the Knoxville News Sentinel Some Knox County school buses are still running behind schedule nearly two weeks into the new school year, some as much as 40 minutes, while the transportation department continues to grapple with a shortage of bus drivers. Buses scheduled to pick up students at the final bell have been arriving 30-40 minutes late at West Valley Middle School, Principal David Claxton told parents during an open house Tuesday. Claxton's own children attend West High School, which also has had transportation problems, he said. In the first seven days of school, the district fielded more than 1,000 phone calls about buses including complaints about late buses, questions and requests to move bus stops, according to Russ Oaks, chief operating officer for Knox County Schools. Oaks blamed the problem on a shortage of drivers and a struggle to recruit qualified candidates, with more than half of the nearly 100 people who applied for a job in recent months failing to pass screenings. "What you're seeing there is a consequence of the fact that we are still short about 8-1/2 drivers from what we need to have the system running as we originally had it routed," Oaks said. "Everybody doesn't get to leave at 3:30 (when middle school is dismissed). Some of those buses have to make a run, then come back and pick up folks for the next run. "I think you'll see some reduction in that as we have drivers to bring on, but some of that has been routed into the system." In an interview this week with the News Sentinel, Oaks and Knox Schools Transportation Director Rick Grubb discussed a range of lingering transportation issues as the district has moved to adopt recommendations from an outside consultant. A Missouri-based firm, hired after the Dec. 2, 2014 crash that killed two students and a teacher's aide, outlined myriad problems, including a shortage of drivers and routes to adequately transport students and a crash rate nearly double industry guidelines. The report, which determined the district's transportation system "is on a dangerous cliff," made several recommendations, including increasing pay for contractors, adding more buses, offering mandated district training for drivers and re-examining bus runs that take longer than 60 and 90 minutes. While many improvements already been made, Oaks said recruiting drivers has been a struggle. He said the district has added 13 drivers in the last six to eight weeks, but another 60 drivers have failed to make it through the screening process. Another 22 drivers are still going through an approval process that includes drug testing, local, national and criminal background and sex offender registry checks, a school bus endorsement on the driver's commercial license and various other steps, Oaks said. While some of the failed candidates withdrew, Oaks said he and Grubb, who are charged with the hiring decisions, have rejected "a significant number" from joining the district's roster of approved drivers. This screening process is more rigorous now. "We are much more reluctant to give somebody the benefit of the doubt if someone has a discrepancy in their background," said Oaks. "That's been one of our challenges. When we come back with a flag, we err on the side of being extremely conservative." The consultant had recommended higher pay to contractors who could then use the money to increase wages and attract higher-quality drivers, but Oaks said it would be a "multi-year process." So far, the district has added $1 million to the transportation budget for the upcoming school year. That translates to about $300 per month for 10 months for each of the 336 buses owned by 69 contractors, Oaks said. The money goes to the contractor and he or she decides how to spend it, such as upgrading equipment or increasing driver pay. Meanwhile, the district has placed national and local advertisements for contractors, but so far there have been no applications for companies outside Knoxville and the surrounding counties, Grubb said. Two contractors were added this school year, but each only requested one route. Other changes Knox County Schools has put in place after the consultant issued its report include the following: Installing two cameras on each bus, a task that was finished two weeks ago, although additional installations have been scheduled as contractors add or replace buses, Grubb said; Hiring David Smith, a former safety manager with Trans-Bridge Lines Inc. in Pennsylvania, for an annual salary of $55,700, to design and implement training programs for drivers; Making unannounced safety check rides on buses, which began early this year; Adding radio systems to spare buses to limit reliance on cellphones. In the meantime, many parents are waiting in long lines to drop off or pick up children from Knox County schools, some of whom decided driving their children to school was better than children riding a bus that may be late. The school system won't have its first official count of students riding the buses until mid-September, when the district will be able to make systemwide adjustments to routes, Oaks said. Until then, he reminded parents: "Anytime there is a hiccup with a bus in the system, it can affect a whole bunch of runs. We've got people giving their all every day to meet the needs of our students and our parents." By Megan Boehnke of the Knoxville News Sentinel Knox County students on Thursday asked for more leniency in length of shorts, the freedom to wear leggings and a dress code that is applied fairly across genders during a sparsely attended forum on the issue. "We just want it to be easier to find clothes that suit the dress code and some sort of general fairness when it comes to the dress code," said Hollie Sikes, a Farragut High School sophomore who started a petition last week that has since gained 3,300 signatures. "It's not that we don't want to be covered, it's that we want a little bit of liberties." A dozen students, and about as many parents, attended the hourlong forum to offer their opinions and suggestions to Knox County school board student representative Sydney Rowell, who said she would take the student concerns to the board. Rowell said suggestions such as three-finger-length straps for tank tops are reasonable and board members she has talked to seemed receptive to student input. "Students aren't asking to eliminate the dress code all together, they're just asking for small changes," Rowell said after the meeting. Students lamented the ban on shorts that don't extend past their finger tips, tank tops and leggings. Most who attended all but one of whom were female said they had an example of being called out for violating the dress code or had a friend flagged for a dress code infraction. Students complained that boys in school were not subjected to the same scrutiny, and that girls who violated the rules were pulled out of class. "You should be able to wear the shorts you want as long as your completely covered," Sierra Janaskie, a freshman at Hardin Valley Academy, told the crowd. "I think appropriate clothing is subjective and I think we should all focus on our education and not what we're wearing because if you take me out of class for what I'm wearing, you're valuing my clothes over my education." Donald Trump at the Knoxville Convention Center on Monday, November 16, 2015. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL) By Georgiana Vines of the Knoxville News Sentinel KNOXVILLE The headquarters for the Donald Trump-Mike Pence presidential team will have a "soft" opening at 10 a.m. Friday at the National Rx building in Farragut but a grand opening is planned for later at which local Republicans are hoping to get one of Trump's children to attend. Buddy Burkhardt, chairman of the Knox County Republican Party, said with Trump and Pence expected to carry Tennessee in the fall, Party officials are trying to get Trump's daughter, Ivanka, to come. "Or one of the sons," chimed in Suzanne Dewar, Party vice chair who will be in charge of the headquarters at 11134 Kingston Pike. Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka Trump are helping the candidates on the campaign trail with the candidates themselves concentrating on states where the outcome between Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is not yet clear. Burkhardt said the headquarters location came together quickly this week, thanks to former Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison, who was a Trump delegate and has been assisting the real estate mogul's efforts since before the March primary. Burkhardt had said a week ago that he and Hutchison were still looking for a location. Hutchison and Burkhardt both said the headquarters is combined to help elect Trump and local Republicans on the Nov. 8 ballot. The hours will be 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. "There will be more than one of us in that building," Hutchison said, declining to say who was making the building available. An anticipated pharmacy business is not yet open in the building which was formerly used as a bank. The headquarters has about 200 Trump-Pence signs and numerous campaign buttons, each for sale at $2 apiece. Bumper stickers are yet to arrive, Dewar said. There is an office and a conference room where a phone bank will be established. Manuela Ptacek will assist Dewar in running the office and Randy Pace will be volunteer coordinator. Burkhardt said Ryan Haynes, state GOP chairman, is working on the phones, being provided by the state Republican Party. They've been ordered, but Burkhardt said he doesn't know how many will be assigned to Knox County. Volunteers will be making calls on behalf of the Trump-Pence ticket as well as for state Rep. Eddie Smith, a Republican who represents the 13th House District, Burkhardt said. Smith is in a competitive race for re-election against Democrat Gloria Johnson, who held the seat previously for two years. The phone number for the headquarters will be 865-689-4671 once phones are installed, Dewar said. Clinton's local headquarters is on the second floor of the Knox County Democratic Party headquarters, 311 Morgan St., An open house is planned for 2-5 p.m. Aug. 27, according to Elizabeth Rowland, strategy and coordination captain for the local campaign. UT Diversity Matters students march across campus to the 5th floor of Andy Holt Tower where Chancellor Jimmy Cheek's office is located, in response to his absence at the groups meeting, scheduled to be held in Thompson Boling Arena's dining area on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. (CAITIE MCMEKIN/NEWS SENTINEL) By Adam Tamburin, USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee A state lawmaker said Thursday that the diversity controversy earlier this year at the University of Tennessee "could have been prevented" with more communication between the college and the legislature. Speaking at a joint Tennessee House Education Committee meeting, Rep. Mark White said he had met with a new diversity leader at the UT college system and told her communication could have subdued the fight to defund the Knoxville campus's Office for Diversity and Inclusion that roiled the General Assembly earlier this year. "UT went through a lot of grief this past year that could have been prevented, and I think it's (because of) a lot of the communication" problems, said White, R-Memphis. Because we all understand on college campuses the need for diversity and inclusion." Continue reading at The Tennessean, a News Sentinel partner. Just so you know, Obama took a look at one during his official visit. In Vietnam, folk religion blended with other faiths creates a spiritual sense that affects all aspects of life. In its most crowded city, Saigon, sites dedicated to the gods can be found nestled away in neighborhoods, small yet outstanding with their architecture and unique ambiance found only at the intersection of urbanization and religion. Below are three original sites worth putting on your itinerary for a spiritual journey of Saigon. The Temple of Lady Thien Hau Lying on Nguyen Trai Street in District 5, it's a Chinese-style temple dedicated to Thien Hau, the Lady of the Sea in traditional Chinese religion. The Chinese community in Saigon is said to have built the temple in the 19th century. Thanks to its ornate appearance hailed by many, Lady Thien Haus temple attracts both locals who come to pray for prosperity, luck or whatever they need in life, and tourists curious about the citys favorite pagoda. Spiral incense hung from the ceiling is a scene that catches the eye and lens. The Jade Emperor Temple Built between 1892 and 1900 in honor of the supreme Taoist God (The Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, or Ngoc Hoang in Vietnamese), the temple is filled with statues of phantasmal divinities and grotesque heroes depicting characters from both Buddhist and Taoist lores made from reinforced papier mache and wood. In 1984, the temple's name was changed to Phuoc Hai. It is known among the citys people as the place to ask for children, and earned global fame when U.S. President Barack Obama visited in May. Mariamman Temple Mariamman, or Indian Lady as she is referred to by the people here, is a Hindu goddess. Her temple on Truong Dinh Street (District 1) was built in the early 20th century by Indian immigrants as a sacred place for those living on alien soil, and it is still under the care of Indian people today. Despite being the cradle of both Hinduism and Buddhism, Indias influence is only faintly present through the latter, a religion that emigrated to Vietnam quite early on but has been localized and bears far more resemblance to characters from neighboring China, due to long domination, than from its birthplace. The Temple of Mariamman is a rarity and the most visited Hindu site in Vietnam, serving those who wish to complete their spiritual journey with something original. Photos by Phong Vinh Related news: > Inside the temple Obama plans to visit > U.S. Ambassador and family celebrate Ghost Festival at Hanoi pagoda What is the status of free speech in the 21st Century? Id say that speech is freer, but people are not. On the one hand, its easier than ever for people to share their thoughts. I started my blog, InstaPundit, over 15 years ago, when new online platforms made it really easy to run a weblog (we still mostly called them me-zines back then) without having to fiddle with things like DreamWeaver and FTP. Now, while lots of people still have blogs, other platforms, like Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, InstaGram, etc. make it even easier to express yourself. (And if hyperlocal expression is your thing, theres always YikYak.) So the old gag line that freedom of the press belongs to the man who owns one is out of date. Or, maybe its a case of back-to-the-future here: In Colonial times, a printing press was a comparatively inexpensive investment before newspaper publication became an industrial scale operation. But as the technical barriers to self-expression have dropped, the social barriers seem to have increased. A few decades ago, both left and right believed in free speech. Students at Berkeley and elsewhere protested to demand free speech rights, and a national consensus arose that the answer to ideas one dislikes is not suppression, but more speech. Thats not so much the case today. As Kimberley Strassel notes in her new book, The Intimidation Game, its now open season on free speech, at least when its expressing the wrong views. President Obama himself presumed to lecture the Supreme Court on the wrongness of the Citizens United decision, though that decision was really about the governments power to punish filmmakers for making a documentary that was critical of Hillary Clinton the sort of thing that one would think was at the core of the First Amendments guarantee of free speech. If you cant make a film criticizing a powerful politician, what does free speech really mean? And numerous state attorneys general have taken it upon themselves in probable violation of federal laws against conspiring to deprive people of their constitutional rights to go after various climate change deniers because they view their ideas as unacceptable. And where legal pressure ends, we now face vastly more social pressure against free speech than we used to. As Victor Davis Hanson writes, 1984 might have better been titled 2016. We may be able to communicate in a nanosecond and send photo images in real time on our cell phones, but someone who was a student at UC Berkeley in the 1960s would today be shocked that there is less free speech on campus than a half-century ago unless he is a tenured dean who helped to implement the censorship he once opposed. If a junior faculty member were to write a paper on the racialist undertones of Black Lives Matter, the lack of factual evidence for a campus rape epidemic, or the connection between radical Islam and terrorism, he would likely have to struggle for tenure. It is not just that a John Ford western could not pass current PC muster, but even modernist raunchy satire such as the 1980s TV hits In Living Color and Married with Children, or the comic career of a Teri Garr or Victoria Jackson, or a movie like True Lies simply could not pass todays Ministry of Truth. Well, just like Big Brother in 1984, people dont suppress opponents ideas because they are confident in their own. They suppress opponents ideas because they have more confidence in the argument of force than in the force of their arguments. And that leads to a general rule: The people who are trying to silence their political enemies arent doing it because theyre right. Theyre doing it because theyre afraid that otherwise, people will realize theyre running a scam. Bear that in mind, this election season, and beyond. Glenn Harlan Reynolds, a University of Tennessee law professor and the author of The New School: How the Information Age Will Save American Education from Itself, is a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors. Follow him on Twitter @Instapundit. SHARE When the Legislature passes a law to correct a perceived educational deficiency it should be forthright about enforcing the law. Instead, the law requiring that high school students take a civics test before graduation contains the loophole that passing the test really isn't necessary for graduation after all. The state Department of Education clarified the issue to public school system directors last week, as schools were beginning their new year. A number of legislators, school officials and students believed that passing the test was mandatory, based on the original draft of the measure. House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, the Chattanooga Republican who sponsored the bill, told The Kingsport Times-News recently that an amendment was added late in the process dropping the requirement that students must pass the test to graduate. The exception, apparently for special needs students and others who might have trouble with the test, was plugged in without the same fanfare as the need for the bill in the first place. McCormick said a student who met all other requirements might try really hard and not be able to pass the civics test. "That could be embarrassing to the student and the family," he said, "especially if it got into the media." What should be embarrassing is the revelation that this law, one of the positive legislative strokes to deal with a real educational deficiency, is a mere formality and discredits the notion of truly requiring students to know more about their nation's government and its history not the best lesson in good government. Waiving the requirement to pass the test makes little sense in light of the bill's provision that students can take the test as many times as necessary to achieve a passing grade answering correctly 70 percent of the questions. Certainly there should be tutoring help for students who have learning problems or who consistently perform poorly on the test without damaging the integrity of the law. The legislation requiring the test grew out of the frustration of knowing that graduating high school seniors knew little about their nation's history or government. Several polls and surveys showed, for example, that only one in four could name a basic right protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution or that few could name the three branches of government. The Civics Education Initiative, launched in 2013, hopes to correct this by encouraging states to require that high school seniors pass a test on 100 basic facts of U.S. history and government. The test is from the U.S. Citizenship Civics Test, the exam all new U.S. citizens must pass to earn American citizenship. And, while we believe the Civics Education Initiative is definitely worthwhile, lawmakers should encourage courses in American history, government, civics and geography, since questions from those subjects are on the citizenship test. This would avoid teaching to a test but permit time for discussion and reflection and genuine learning. The state's lawmakers should plug this loophole and return to the original measure requiring the test. Anything short of that undercuts the intent of the law and the wider goal of understanding what our nation is all about. SHARE In a recent visit to Market Square, a letter writer was highly critical of many things she found. She is critical of "the vagabond musicians" who, she says, "obviously" use their instruments "to legitimize their begging." Most of the buskers in Knoxville are not vagabonds, but permanent residents, and I have never seen one begging. Most play because they enjoy playing for others. Many also play professionally. One regular busker is a retired university professor whose hobby is busking. Another represented his home country as a musician at the 1982 World's Fair. One, an accomplished cellist, has a university degree in music, majoring in concert cello performance. One temporary busker who recently played on Market Square is the two-time International Musical Saw Champion, visiting from Japan. These are not people "begging," but people who enjoy performing. Busking is a respected activity, having been engaged in by Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Tom Jones, Justin Bieber, Bob Hope, Jimmy Buffett and even Alexander Hamilton. Further, you will find buskers in any major city with a vibrant downtown, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Tokyo, etc. The writer is also critical of public restrooms being constructed at Market Square, arguing that they will attract "non-paying" patrons. Not everyone is there to dine in the very fine restaurants. Some are there to shop in the retail stores, or to attend concerts, summer movies, festivals or farmers' markets. She even seems critical that she found Shakespeare on the Square being performed there. Public restrooms will just enhance our visitors' experiences while visiting downtown Knoxville. In Knoxville you will find a vibrant city with diversity, variety and vitality. Perhaps this is why so many Knoxville residents are moving to a dynamic downtown. It's also why Trip Advisor rates Knoxville as a Top 10 Destination on the Rise. Robert C. Maddox, Knoxville SHARE I applaud a recent letter writer for his concern for environmental health and safety in Oak Ridge, but I'd like to reassure him that the concerns about the Melton Lake rowing course expressed in his Aug. 16 letter are based on information that is largely inaccurate, out of date or both. People can enjoy Melton Lake Park and the rowing course without worrying about contamination. The Elza Gate warehouse site that the letter writer discusses was in eastern Oak Ridge near the Clinch River. However, he may have received inaccurate information about its location it wasn't on the city park land that will be excavated to add an eighth lane to the rowing course. Also, his information about site contamination is outdated, coming from reports written before the Elza Gate site was cleaned up in the early 1990s. After cleanup, environmental regulators determined that the site was clean and safe. Similarly, his information about "contaminated East Fork Poplar Creek soil" used as fill appears to come from a report published before toxicity testing determined that this fill material is not a concern for public health. Anyway, this soil is not believed to have been used on the Melton Lake waterfront. It's true that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency warns against eating catfish from Melton Hill Lake, but this isn't because of the Elza Gate site. Sadly, PCB contamination is common. Other East Tennessee reservoirs with fish postings because of PCBs include Fort Loudoun Lake, Tellico Lake and Watts Bar Lake. The catfish warning is the only TWRA warning for Melton Hill Lake. The writer's statement regarding restrictions on other fish, wildlife and plants is inaccurate. The lake is safe for rowing, and fishermen can safely eat the other fish they catch in this beautiful lake. Ellen Smith, mayor pro tem, Oak Ridge Former Helen Ross McNabb Center CEO honored for leadership legacy AUGUST 18, 2016 at 8?07 p.m. Andy Black with building dedication ceremony speakers 8-10-16 From left to right: Andy Shafer, Helen Ross McNabb Foundation Board Chair; Chip Finn, HRMC board chair; Hank Bertelkamp, HRMC supporter and founder of Bertelkamp Automation; Susan Conway, former HRMC board chair; Andy Black, Former HRMC CEO; and Jerry Vagnier, HRMC president and CEO. KNOXVILLE The Helen Ross McNabb Center has dedicated a building in honor of former CEO, Andy Black, to recognize his years of service and many accomplishments in improving access to mental health care throughout East Tennessee. Officials and friends of the Helen Ross McNabb Center gathered to watch the dedication ceremony, which took place at 201 West Springdale Avenue in Knoxville. Individuals who have worked closely with Andy over the years spoke to his work as the Centers first development officer, as CEO and, lastly, as a community volunteer. Speakers included Jerry Vagnier, HRMC president and CEO; Hank Bertelkamp, HRMC supporter and founder of Bertelkamp Automation; Chip Finn, HRMC board chair; and Susan Conway, former HRMC board chair. During the ceremony, Chip Finn remarked, Notwithstanding all of his successes, Andy always deflected credit, empowered others and served with complete humility. After the dedication ceremony, Andy thanked everyone in attendance for their friendship and support over the years and, just as Chip stated, Andy used his time at the podium to recognize the Centers staff and leadership who work every day to support the Centers mission. He also shared, It has been a wonderful opportunity to have worked here for more than 30 years. It has been a real labor of love and passion to see those that we serve have the opportunity to improve their lives. To me, the Center has thrived for several reasons. The first is we have a great mission and its very simple; to improve the lives of the people that we serve. Andy Black served as CEO from 2003 until 2014 and began his career at the Helen Ross McNabb Center in 1986 as the Centers first director of development. During his tenure with the Helen Ross McNabb Center, Andy increased access to affordable, quality health care for thousands of East Tennesseans facing mental health, addiction and social challenges. He also led the charge to expand access to care in rural communities and build out continuums of service that help those in our communities with the greatest needs and the least resources. Over his career, Andy raised more than $40 million on behalf of the Helen Ross McNabb Foundation, establishing a legacy, which will ensure the sustainability of services long into the future. Andys fiscally conservative leadership allowed the Center to direct its resources towards providing quality services to individuals in East Tennessee. In 2003 when Andy was named CEO, the Center served approximately 7,000 children and adults. Today, the Center serves approximately 25,000 individuals in 25 East Tennessee counties. The Helen Ross McNabb Center, a premier notforprofit provider of behavioral health services in East Tennessee. Since 1948, the Center has provided quality and compassionate care to children, adults and families experiencing mental illness, addiction and social challenges. As the Center celebrates nearly 70 years of providing services to communities in East Tennessee, its mission remains clear and simple; Improving the lives of the people we serve. For more information, visit www.mcnabbcenter.org. Published August 18, 2016 American consumers figured out from the beginning that Obamacare wasnt worth buying. Now insurance companies are wising up. Aetna is withdrawing from Obamacare exchanges in 11 states, following United Healthcare Groups decision last April to leave 34 states. Which will be the next domino to fall? In a well-functioning insurance market, such as for automobile accidents, insurance carriers craft countless plans to meet exactly the needs of millions of different individuals. Typically, only catastrophic unexpected events are covered, not the predictable oil changes. Automobile insurance is real insurance, and automobile owners as well as insurance companies eagerly participate. Not so for Obamacare, which is not insurance at all. Under Obamacare annual physicals, which are predictable and routine, are covered without charge, but major surgery requires payment of a $6,000 to $12,000 deductible. Aetna spokesman T.J. Crawford said on August 16, This is a business decision based on higher-than-projected medical costs that resulted in a second-quarter pretax loss of $200 million in our individual products, which we project will grow to in excess of $300 million by the end of the 2016. Insurance companies are making losses because fewer Americans are signing up for Obamacare than were predicted, and these Americans are sicker than average. Premiums rose in some markets by 20 percent in 2016, leading to more healthy people dropping out of plans or not enrolling, accelerating the financial imbalance. Premiums are expected to rise by a similar amountor morein 2017. Fewer than 13 million people signed up for Obamacare in the 2016 enrollment period, compared with 22 million predicted by the Congressional Budget Office in May 2013. Young, healthy people are not signing up in great numbers for the expensive policies, even with the threat of penalties. Insurance companies and politicians thought that the premiums from these young people, who do not use much health care because they are rarely sick, would be used to pay for the care of the old and the chronically-ill. Rather, young people are either on their parents plans, or on employer plans, or going without insurance and paying the penalty. So far Congress has not bailed out the insurance companies. Last year the Department of Health and Human Services moved $362 million to insurance companies to cover losses, rather than the $2.9 billion that they requested. The Congressional Research Service and the U.S. Government Accountability Office have ruled that a congressional appropriation is required before federal agencies can bail out insurance companies for their Obamacare losses. The Obamacare model is not workable, as I wrote in a 2009 column. It requires an expensive, comprehensive plan that obligates participants to purchase coverage for maternity care even if they have finished having children, pediatric dental care even if they are childless, mental health coverage even if they do not need it, and drug abuse coverage even if they have never taken any drugs. People are not allowed to buy a simple plan that covers major illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, or falling off a bike in traffic. Furthermore, the deductiblesthe amount that has to be spent before people can use the insuranceare so broad as to make coverage practically useless. For 2016, the average deductible for singles for the lowest-cost bronze plan is $5,700, and for families, it is $12,000. That is why those who are on the exchanges are disproportionally sicker than average and have chronic health conditions that make them more expensive to insure. Obamacare is collapsing as health insurance companies continue to withdraw from the exchanges. What then? Congress will either convert Obamacare into a public plansuch as Medicare for allor repeal it altogether. The path to repeal and reform has been laid out by Speaker Paul Ryan and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Both plans include returning flexibility to insurance companies over what plans are offered while insuring that once people are in the insurance system, they cannot be dropped. Rather than hire the same academic consultants who designed the non-insurance program called Obamacare, the next administration would be well advised to listen to the real expert on medical insurance: the American consumer. That consumer is very happy with a wide range of well-functioning insurance markets such as automobile insurance, home-owners insurance, and life insurance. So too are the insurance companies that provide the insurance, all without a dime of federal subsidy. There is a simple logic to insurance markets. Let businesses freely compete to provide services to consumers with sensible regulations but without government support, and both consumers and insurance companies are well off. In contrast, when real insurance is outlawed, and only non-insurance can be sold, neither consumers nor insurance companies benefit. Thats where America is today. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former chief economist of the US Department of Labor, is an unpaid adviser to Donald Trump. Interested in real economic insights? Want to stay ahead of the competition? Each weekday morning, E21 delivers a short email that includes E21 exclusive commentaries and the latest market news and updates from Washington. Sign up for the E21 Morning Ebrief. By Kim Tae-gyu Almost 2 million Koreans lost their mobile phones last year and around half of those phones failed to find a way back to their owners, according to the country's three mobile operators, Friday. A total of 900,000 customers of SK Telecom made reports of missing or stolen handsets to the business bellwether in 2015 and 450,000 of them managed to retrieve their devices later. The figures were 640,000 and 340,000 for No. 2 player KT and 360,000 and 180,000 for LG Telecom. "Typically, the chance to get their missing phones back is about 50 percent. Those who fail to find their gadgets face a very stressful situation," said an LG Telecom official. If the handheld device doesn't turn up, people hit the panic button due to financial burdens for a new cell phone. Worse, so many pictures and contact information are gone in case they didn't back up the crucial data. Then, what happens to the permanently missing phones? Observers point their fingers to China. "Numerous missing and stolen phones are illegally sent to China with the black market of the gadgets flourishing there. Criminals buy the latest versions of the smartphones of Samsung and Apple at up to 300,000 won," said an official at a local wireless carrier, who asked not to be named. "Let's say you misplaced your expensive smartphone in a taxi. The taxi driver can easily earn 300,000 won by selling it. Do you think the driver would give up the windfall, which is almost three or four times his daily income?" Many are caught smuggling handsets to China despite the government's efforts to contain them. Most recently, the police arrested a 24-year-old Korean Chinese surnamed Lee in Busan this week on a charge that he bought stolen or misplaced cell phones in order to ship them to China. Evidence shows that Lee unlawfully sent more than 100 phones to China recently but the police continue investigations on the belief that the total amount is much larger. Before the handsets end up in the hands of unscrupulous people, new technology can help those who misplaced their phones. For instance, various services are available to enable users to track the missing phone or make it ring with just a few clicks. Included in other features is to lock it with a message and contact number on the screen. If the phone still remains missing, the owner can make the final effort to check with the Korea Association of ICT Promotion (KAIT). "Last year, we collected some 45,000 missing cell phones and we could send about 28,000 to their owners," a KAIT officials said. By Yoon Ja-young As Samsung Electronics is soaring to a record high in the stock market, investors are wondering whether the tech giant would reach 2 million won. Samsung Electronics closed at record-high 1,675,000 won, Friday, up 2.13 percent from the previous day. John Soh, an analyst at Shinhan Financial Investment, pulled up the target price of Samsung Electronics to 2 million won from 1.85 million won, citing competitiveness of memory chips and OLEDs, strong sales of Galaxy Note 7 and emerging future growth engines. He noted that Samsung Electronics is nurturing its future growth engines through M&As. "Samsung Electronics strengthened its potential in IoT and fintech by acquiring IoT platform company SmartThings and mobile payment service Loop Pay in 2014 as well as cloud service Joyent in 2016," the analyst said. "Its competitive edge in home electronics will be strengthened through acquisition of Dacor, following acquisition of Quietside in 2014." The handset maker's Galaxy Note 7 is earning acclaim for incorporating top technologies, with innovative features such as iris-scanning and water resistance. Analysts expect Galaxy Note 7 to surpass Galaxy Note 5 in sales. Soh estimated the company's operating profit to record 31.7 trillion won this year, up 20.1 percent from the previous year. The company's sales have been stagnant for three years since 2013 when they stood at 228 trillion won, but growth in sales will be visible in 2017, according to the analyst. "With strong sales of Galaxy Note 7 and improving performance in memory chips and display, its share prices are expected to rise." He added that the availability of foldable OLEDs in 2017 will shed light on Samsung's innovative hardware technology. "It has no reason to be undervalued compared with other global IT giants." Uh Kyu-jin, an analyst at eBest Securities, also expects Samsung Electronics to reach 2 million won. While the stock price has risen steeply already, he continued recommending buying the share. "Its profitability is continuing to improve thanks to bullish sales of the handsets, and it has much stronger leadership in new technology, such as 3D NAND and flexible OLEDs. The company will reach differentiated profitability." The rise of Samsung Electronics is pushing up the KOSPI, but analysts advise investors to note that KOSPI isn't as bullish as it looks when excluding the Samsung Electronics effect. "Samsung Electronics takes one-fifth of the market. Its effect on the index is absolutely huge," said Kim Yong-gu, an analyst at Hana Financial Investment. He said when excluding Samsung, the KOSPI would be at around 2,000 points. According to Bloomberg, Samsung Electronics' market cap stands at the world's 24th as of Thursday. As the company rose over 30 percent so far this year, it surpassed Toyota Motor, the world's 27th largest business, in terms of market cap. Toyota shed 19.8 percent in value this year as exports were damaged due to the soaring Japanese yen. Samsung Electronics, however, is still around one-third the market cap of Apple, the world's top. Samsung sold 32 million more smartphones than Apple in the second quarter, widening the gap from 24 million a year ago. The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Friday said a special inspector's alleged leak of information over his probe into a presidential aide would constitute a "grave violation of the law," if it turns out to be true. The remarks came a day after Lee Seok-su, a special inspector looking into the allegations of corruption involving Woo Byung-woo, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, submitted a petition with the state prosecutors' office to seek a formal investigation. Lee himself has been mired in a controversy after local broadcaster MBC reported Tuesday that he illegally leaked information about his investigation into Woo to an unspecified reporter via social media. By law, a special inspector can face a prison sentence of up to five years for leaking information related to ongoing work. "(The alleged leak of information, if it is true) is a grave breach of the law, and a matter that can't be condoned," senior presidential secretary for public affairs Kim Sung-woo told reporters. According to the MBC report, the special inspector told a reporter that should Woo refuse to budge from his denial of all allegations against him, Lee would refer Woo's case to the prosecution. Lee's special inspection began on July 21 amid mounting calls for Woo to step down. Opposition lawmakers have even called for a special probe by an independent prosecutor into Woo's case. Woo is alleged to have received favors from a disgraced former prosecutor in a 2011 real estate transaction involving the family of Woo's wife. He is also purported to have peddled influence to help his son get an easy job during his ongoing military service. Another allegation against him is that he had misappropriated funds from a company run by his family. (Yonhap) Huh Soo-young By Lee Kyung-min A district court rejected a request from the prosecution to issue an arrest warrant for Lotte Chemical Chairman Huh Soo-young, 65, citing a lack of evidence, Friday. The Seoul Central District Court dismissed the request early Friday citing a lack of grounds to arrest Huh, the chief of Lotte Group's key subsidiary, given the ongoing dispute over his culpability in his alleged corrupt activities. The prosecution had sought an arrest warrant for Huh on suspicion that he managed to receive a 27 billion won ($24 million) tax refund from the government by forging documents after colluding with former Lotte Chemical chief Ki Joon between April 2006 and March 2007. Ki, who had been arrested, was indicted on charges of tax evasion last Thursday. Huh is also suspected of evading taxes worth 1.3 billion won and receiving tens of millions of won in bribes from his subcontractors in return for granting them business favors. Another suspicion is that Huh offered tens of millions of won in bribes to tax officials asking them to stop a tax audit of Lotte Chemical. Huh is the second key executive among Lotte subsidiaries to avoid arrest following Lotte Homeshopping CEO Kang Hyun-koo; the district court last month rejected a request from the prosecution for a warrant for Kang. Kang was suspected of bribing officials of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning to obtain the ministry's approval needed to be renewed every five years in order to continue the business, as well as creating a slush fund worth 900 million won. The court's refusal to issue the warrants deals a major blow to the prosecution's drive to expand its investigation into the nation's fifth-largest conglomerate over alleged group-wide corruption, zeroing in on group chairman Shin Dong-bin in particular. Prosecutors planned to question Huh on whether Shin was aware of, or involved in, creating a 20 billion won slush fund by helping a Lotte affiliate in Japan receive a commission fee after including the unit as a middleman when Lotte Chemical imported raw materials from Japan. The prosecution suspected that most of the slush fund was managed by Shin. By Kang Seung-woo Following the defection of Thae Yong-ho, North Korea's deputy ambassador in London, the repressive state is showing signs of tightening controls on diplomats and laborers sent overseas to earn foreign currency. According to sources familiar with North Korean affairs, Friday, family members of diplomats and laborers have been summoned home an apparent move to take them "hostage" to prevent further defections. "South Korean intelligence authorities are keeping tabs on such moves," said a source without elaborating. The senior diplomat one of the highest-level North Koreans to desert the country is known to have fled the isolationist regime with his family. According to the South Korean unification ministry, Thae is believed to have decided to defect for a better future for his children and because of his disillusionment with the North Korean regime under leader Kim Jong-un. In line with the move, the North is expected to prevent diplomats from working overseas with their families, according to U.S.-based Radio Free Asia (RFA). "North Korean diplomats could decide to defect and flee abroad if they are accompanied by their family," the RFA said, citing a source. "In this respect, the system allowing them to go abroad with their family may be abolished." Kim Cheol-sung, a diplomat at the North Korean embassy in Russia, who allegedly escaped to South Korea in July, also came here with his wife and son. The North has allowed diplomats to stay abroad with their families since 2009. The RFA also reported that the North Korean foreign ministry, in charge of diplomats, may face extensive censorship and scrutiny. In the wake of a series of defections, the North Korean leader is said to have sent security agents overseas to monitor government officials and business personnel. The leader has also ordered the execution of those who failed to prevent the recent defections, according to a source familiar with the regime. "Kim has threatened an immediate pullout of overseas business operations that fail to perform," the source said, adding that he has ordered tighter crackdowns on North Koreans watching smuggled DVDs of South Korean dramas and other programs. In April, 13 North Koreans working at a North Korean government-run restaurant in China fled to South Korea, leading the country to send some 800 security agents to areas bordering China in a bid to beef up monitoring of foreign workers. "Thae's defection may have been a huge psychological shock to the North Korean leadership because he is one of the highest-ranking diplomats," said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute. "So, his defection may bring about the regime toughening its monitoring on diplomats and laborers." By Jun Ji-hye The growing possibility of South Korea introducing ship-based Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors has ignited speculation of Seoul's virtual participation in Washington's global missile defense program. News about the possible introduction of SM-3s comes amid already widespread speculation and repeated denials of the Ministry of National Defense that the government's recent decision to allow the U.S. forces to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) unit on Korean soil would result in Seoul's participation in the U.S.-led missile defense system (MD), of which the THAAD is an integral part. Seoul's import of SM-3s has become a possibility after it was revealed that South Korea's second batch of Aegis destroyers, which will be built by the mid-2020s, will have advanced, integrated air and missile defense system that includes the capability of intercepting enemy missiles. Once the latest system is in place, the new destroyers can be equipped with SM-3 interceptors capable of shooting ballistic missiles down at an altitude of 150 to 500 kilometers. This has been raising speculation that Seoul may push for purchasing SM-3s. According to U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin, Monday, three new South Korea KDX-III destroyers, along with a new U.S. Navy destroyer and two Japanese Atago-class destroyers, will be equipped with Aegis Baseline 9, the latest evolution of the combat system, which includes the firm's SPY-1 radar. South Korea is currently operating three Aegis destroyers equipped with Baseline 7.1, with which the ships can trace the trajectory of ballistic missiles but not intercept the missiles. Earlier this month, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Vincent K. Brooks also raised the need to pursue surfaced-based-at-sea interceptors to add layers to the defense of South Korea, when he stressed the need to deploy a THAAD battery and upgrade the Patriot Advanced Capability interception system. The possible introduction of SM-3s will very likely add fuel to controversy over Seoul joining the U.S.-led MD, given that not many military experts see the necessity to operate SM-3s here to defend the nation from North Korea's missile threats. SM-3s are designed to shoot down incoming missiles at an altitude of 150 to 500 kilometers, which is much higher than the THAAD's intercept altitude of 40 to 150 kilometers. The SM-3's high intercept altitude does not seem to be helpful for shooting down the North's short-range missiles heading to the South. Rather, the ship-based interceptor's altitude seems more useful for shooting down longer-range missiles heading to U.S. bases in Japan or to the U.S. territory of Guam. This raises suspicions that the introduction of SM-3s is not for Seoul itself, but for Washington to enhance its global missile shield program, observers say. Lockheed Martin said a $490 million contract to provide destroyers of Washington, Tokyo and Seoul with Baseline 9 comes on the heels of "a successful joint-missile defense exercise in June in which Aegis destroyers from the three nations shared data while detecting and tracking a simulated missile threat." Japan officially announced its participation in the U.S. MD in 2003. But South Korea has held its position of not joining the MD program since the late President Kim Dae-jung was in office from 1998 to 2003. On rumors about SM-3s, the Ministry of National Defense has given a cautious comment, only saying "Whether to introduce SM-3s has yet to be reviewed," apparently wary of the possible controversy about Seoul's participation in the MD. By Lee Kyung-min An increasing number of senior citizens are being discovered after apparently dying of heat-related illnesses, police said Friday. According to police, a man, 78, was found dead trapped under a cultivator in Yeongdong County, North Chungcheong Province. The man was found by his son, 48, who visited his father after receiving phone calls from a relative who said his father had been missing for three days. Police said the man is believed to have died after suffering from heat exhaustion following hours of direct exposure to sunlight and heat amid midday highs reaching well above 33 degrees Celsius in the region. Last Friday, a man, 79, was found dead by a social worker days after he passed away in his room in Jung-gu, Busan. The temperature of the room, heated by the weather, reached 35 degrees Celsius at the time police visited. Without air conditioning, found next to the body was a small, old electric fan. Police said the cause of death was acute heat stroke. Similarly, a man, 72, who went out to pull weeds, was found unconscious in his field in Incheon last Tuesday. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but pronounced dead the next day. He died of heat stroke, hospital officials said. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced that 15 people have died this year as of Friday from heat-related problems such as heat stroke. More than 1,878 patients have visited hospital emergency rooms seeking treatment for heat-related illnesses since May 23, 1.8 times the figure reported the for all of last year. The figure is also the largest since the country started collecting weather data in 2011. By Jun Ji-hye The passage of a supplementary budget bill seems unlikely this month, as rival parities' deliberations on the plan made little progress for the third straight day, Friday. Last week, the three main political parties agreed to pass the government's 11 trillion won ($10 billion) supplementary budget on Aug. 22 in a bid to invigorate the slumping economy. But they are now divided after opposition parties called on the ruling party to cooperate on selecting witnesses for hearings on what caused the financial troubles in the shipbuilding and shipping industries before passing the bill. Friday's standstill makes it almost impossible to pass the bill on Aug. 22, according to Assembly officials. The main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) suggested handling the bill on Aug. 24, while the minor opposition People's Party proposed doing so on Aug. 26 although it remains to be seen whether the parties will be able to reach a consensus by then. During a session of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, the MPK and the People's Party called for bringing up former Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan, senior presidential secretary for policy coordination Ahn Jong-beom and the former chairman of the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) Hong Ky-ttack into hearings. They allegedly held a secret meeting at the presidential office in October last year and decided to inject some 4.2 trillion won into the already ailing Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME). Referring to the ruling Saenuri Party's disagreement with their proposal for hearings, the opposition parties said that the government and the governing party are trying to gloss over the issue as if nothing had happened. However, the ruling party dismissed the proposal as a political offensive to damage the reputation of the Park Geun-hye government, urging the opposition to pass the supplementary budget first as it is a more urgent task than holding hearings. "The supplementary budget bill dies if the Assembly misses the timing, but hearings can always take place," said Saenuri floor leader Rep. Chung Jin-suk. Chung even indicated giving up the passage of the supplementary budget bill, saying if the passage founders, they will have to draw up next year's budget again. He said if the bill fails to be passed by Aug. 22, its economic effect would disappear. Rep. Joo Kwang-deok slammed opposition party for "neglecting their duty for the people." The opposition parties shot back, saying that the ruling party is shifting the responsibility to them. They said that the truth behind the government's doubtful decision to pump billions in taxpayers' money into the financially troubled DSME should be unearthed. Last month, the finance ministry announced plans to spend an additional 9.8 trillion won as the extra budget, which includes financing the restructuring of shipping and shipbuilding companies by recapitalizing state-run policy banks. Cheong Wa Dae hits investigator's alleged info leakage By Jun Ji-hye President Park Geun-hye made it clear Friday that she will not succumb to mounting demands to let go of her scandal-ridden senior secretary. Apparently irritated by independent presidential investigator Lee Seok-soo's referral of Park's civil affairs secretary, Woo Byung-woo, to the prosecution the previous day, Cheong Wa Dae criticized Lee for "illegally leaking details of the investigation" to a media outlet. The presidential office's comment came days after broadcaster MBC reported that Lee shared the progress of the investigation into Woo with an unidentified reporter through a messaging app. Lee asked the prosecution to investigate Woo on Thursday after having wrapped up his own investigation. Lee, who mainly deals with corruption cases involving the President's relatives and aides, has denied the media report. But the presidential office said leaking information of the investigation to a certain reporter is "a critical illegal act that cannot be overlooked." "It should be revealed what information has been leaked, and why and how this happened," said senior presidential secretary for public affairs Kim Sung-woo. According to the MBC report, Lee told a reporter that his investigation is pointing to Woo's son and Jeonggang, a company run by Woo's family, saying he would transfer the case to the prosecution. Woo is suspected of having used his authority to help his son get special treatment in his mandatory military service, while his family members are alleged to have used the company's public funds for living expenses. Lee earlier said he never contacted the media or revealed details of the investigation, urging MBC to identify the reporter. But Cheong Wa Dae believes Lee had his own motives for leaking the information. By Kim Bo-eun The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) plans to increase Chinese-speaking instructors at elementary schools in southwestern Seoul, where a large percentage of Korean-Chinese and Chinese immigrants live. The program is designed to help students who have difficulty communicating in the Korean language adjust to school here. A total of 15 schools in Seoul, mostly in the districts of Guro, Yeongdeungpo and Geumcheon, have started offering co-teaching by Chinese-speaking instructors. Chinese students take up over 80 percent of the foreign population in each of the three districts. Two schools Youngil Elementary School in Guro and Daedong Elementary School in Yeongdeungpo have been designated for a pilot program, where Chinese students account for 40 percent and 30 percent of the schools' respective student bodies. The two schools receive greater funding from SMOE as well as have more Chinese-speaking instructors. As the majority of students are still Korean at these schools, regular Korean-only classes remain intact. In other classes, the Korean homeroom teachers teach in Korean while the Chinese-speaking instructors summarize the content in Chinese. Such measures have been taken to aid the children of Chinese immigrants to Korea, who have difficulty learning Korean and adjusting to school life here. Children who struggle to acquire the language have trouble keeping up with school and end up dropping out at higher rates. Some of them attend welfare centers set up for immigrant children while others take part-time jobs. Since 2009, the education ministry has been training instructors speaking the languages of immigrants to Korea, as the number of immigrant workers and marriage migrants continues to rise. These instructors complete training courses at Seoul National University of Education. A total 85 instructors with proficiency in a total 14 languages have been placed at 80 schools across the nation. More than 40 percent of them are Chinese-speaking instructors. SMOE began placing such instructors at schools in 2010. "Policy research is being conducted on how to better address the needs of the Chinese immigrant children population concentrated in southwestern Seoul," said Hong Seung-kyun, supervisor at the SOME's Democratic Citizenship Education Division. "There has been a consensus on the need for a new school model. With Chinese-speaking instructors, Chinese-speaking students will be able to better understand classes and this will also facilitate their learning of Korean. Other Korean students at the school can also benefit, as they are exposed to the Chinese language and can learn it. We believe this can create a synergy effect," he said. Hong said although SMOE has yet to officially evaluate the classes at the end of the year, it has been hearing positive responses from the schools. The pilot program at the two schools, which began this year, will run for two years. SMOE will decide on how to further expand the Chinese language classes in 2018. Signe Poulsen, representative of the United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaks during The Korea Times Roundtable discussion on South Koreans kidnapped by North Korea at its conference room, Aug. 11. Together clockwise from left are Hwang In-cheol, the son of a television program director on board a KA: flight hijacked by a North Korean agent in 1969; Casey Lartigue, leader of the Teach North Korean Refugees (KNTR), a nongovernmental organization; Oh Young-jin, the Times' chief editorial writer who hosted the round; Poulsen; translator and Choi Sung-yong, representative of the Abductees' Family Union. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By Oh Young-jin Hwang In-cheol speaks about his wish for the United Nations to arrange for a reunion in a third country with his father who was abducted by North Korea in 1969. Hwang In-cheol doesn't remember what his father looked like. After all, Hwang was only a two-year-old toddler when an airplane his father, Hwang Won, a television program director, was on board was hijacked by a North Korean agent. That was 47 years ago on Dec. 11, 1969. However much time may pass, some wounds never heal. For Hwang, that wound is his father. The bizarreness involved in his father's abduction makes the situation even more painful for him. The senior Hwang was not supposed to take that fateful flight it was a last-minute call from his boss, who asked him to take his place. "Here it is," the junior Hwang said, showing a copy from historical records from MBC, the broadcasting firm he worked for. He indicated the underlined part about the boss's recollections. That piece of paper was all there was that showed him his father's fate, indicative of how materially tenuous his links with him are. But his will to see him again couldn't be stronger because it was one of the few things he could have to continue his struggle not being sure whether his father was alive or not. The last time he was told his father was alive was early this year through a source. Even if he were alive, at age 80, the health of his father could change from day to day. With the uncertainty and anxiety, his personal conviction helped him to stage a one-man demonstration on and off for six years since 2010. Before that, it went further nine years to 2001 during the inter-Korean family reunions. Among those participating was a former flight attendant, one of the 11 kept by the North out of the 50 passengers and crewmembers on the fateful flight KAL NAMC YS-11, meeting with her family members. Hwang started his fight to get his father back more earnestly. Then, any help would be a big help to him. "Seven people joined me when I held my recent one-man rally in Imjingak," he said with a laugh. "My rally got 700 percent stronger." Imjingak is located close to the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where North Korean defectors and those who fled southward during the Korean War pay respects to their ancestors during traditional holidays. By Signe Poulsen On Aug. 30, the international community will mark the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances. This day is an opportunity for people in all parts of the world to reflect and commemorate the missing, to denounce the practice of enforced disappearances, and to advocate for an end to this practice. Under international law, an enforced disappearance occurs when an individual is arrested, detained, or otherwise deprived of their liberty by government officials or individuals acting on behalf of, or with the support, consent or acquiescence of the government, followed by a refusal to disclose the fate or whereabouts of the person. For victims and their families, the reality of enforced disappearances is not limited to one day a year, but is always present. This is the case internationally, and on the Korean peninsula. During the Korean War, thousands of civilians from the South were captured and forcedly removed to the North. While precise numbers are not known, the Korean War Abductees Family Union has compiled records of 96,013 Korean War abductees. There are strong indications that these abductions were organized and targeted persons with particular practical or administrative skills. Abductions continued after the end of the war. While most of those abducted have been returned, 516 citizens of the Republic of Korea abducted after the war are believed to remain in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. North Korea also abducted individuals from other countries, in particular Japan, during the 1970s and 1980s. By Casey Lartigue One of the most profound things that I heard from Howard Fuller, an American activist and one of my mentors: If you plan a meeting for 100 people, but only three people show up, then work with those three people rather than focusing on the 97 people who didn't show up. Then ask those three people who showed up to bring a friend next time. It is a point I recall often, especially at those painful times when only three people show up at an event I have organized. It was also a point I had in mind as I participated in a Korea Times Roundtable discussion on "Enforced Disappearances" that was inspired by one of my recent Korea Times columns. The question put to me by The Korea Times: "What do you think about Koreans being indifferent to enforced disappearances and other causes that foreigners have joined?" I have mixed feelings about it, after more than 15 years of engaging in volunteering and activism. On the one hand, I strongly defend the right of people to be apathetic. There isn't anything wrong with anyone for ignoring the millions of causes, organizations and problems in the world. I avoid drafting people who don't want to be part of my cause and warn others to back off if they try to pressure or guilt-trip me into joining theirs. South Koreans take themselves on guilt trips, condemning themselves and others for not getting more involved. When South Koreans learn about my volunteer activities helping North Korean refugees, many will tell me that they are "embarrassed" that a foreigner, rather than a South Korean, is doing so much to help. South Korea's Lee Dae-hoon, left, competes against Jaouad Achab of Belgium in the men's -68kg taekwondo bronze medal contest at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Thursday. Lee defeated Achab 11-7. / Yonhap Lee Dae-hoon South Korea's Lee Dae-hoon won a bronze medal in men's taekwondo at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Thursday. Lee defeated Jaouad Achab of Belgium 11-7 in the men's -68kg bronze medal match at Carioca Arena 3. Earlier in the day, Lee lost in the quarterfinals to Ahmad Abughaush of Jordan 11-8. The South Korean moved into the repechage stage when Abughaush reached the final. Lee, who won the 2012 silver in the -58kg, needed to win two matches to claim one of the two bronze medals at stake. He beat Ghofran Ahmed of Egypt 14-6 in the first contest and then Achab for his second Olympic medal. On Wednesday, a netizen uploaded a photo of South Korean women's national volleyball team members eating kimchi jjigae at a restaurant after winning a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games./ Courtesy of Naver Blog By Yeo Ye-rim Netizens have attacked the treatment of the South Korean women's volleyball team. While pointing out the team's failures in its loss to the Netherlands in the Rio Olympics quarterfinals on Tuesday, they also leveled criticism at the Korea Volleyball Association. But disappointment turned to public anger toward the association when a controversial photo was uploaded to an online community website on Wednesday. It showed women's national volleyball team members from the 2014 Incheon Asian Games celebrating their gold medal win by eating "kimchi jjigae" -- a kimchi stew usually sold cheaply -- at a restaurant. One netizen said the members were served with a "poor prize in return for winning a precious gold at a huge competition." Another said: "What an unfair treatment of a national team that beat China after 20 years." There was more anger when it became known that the athletes, after losing at the Rio Games, returned to South Korea separately. They had wanted to return home earlier than planned, but because the association could not afford the plane tickets, team members had to return on their own. And no doctors or interpreters accompanied the team during its Rio matches. The Korea Volleyball Association explained: "It was a systematic problem. We did not have enough AD cards (athletes' ID cards)." One netizen said: "This is the reality of the South Korean women's volleyball team. Don't criticize." There have been horror stories of medical malfeasance at military hospitals. So much so that injury-stricken soldiers often opt to get medical care at civilian facilities. Here is one more case that proves those horrible stories are true and their suspicions about the low level of military doctors and nurses is warranted. In June, a drafted Army sergeant, identified as Kim, was sent to an Army hospital for severe neck pain and was diagnosed with a herniated cervical disc. Endoscopic surgery was chosen to ease his neck pain. Then, a military doctor injected ethanol into the nerve system of the soldier which caused paralysis in his left arm. That ethanol was for cleaning the tool. A nurse mistook it for a contrast medium and the doctor injected it without checking. Being a guest on a recent radio talk show, Kim's mother said that the paralysis was so severe that her son had a hard time moving his fingers. "After being discharged, my son had to go back to the hospital after vomiting blood and experiencing difficulties in breathing," she said. "Only then did the hospital acknowledge that it was an apparent medical accident." In a subsequent bizarre twist of events, the doctor who made the faulty injection, who is an Army captain, and the nurse, also an officer, are blaming each other the nurse claiming that the doc should have checked the fluid before use, while the doc pleaded his innocence by saying the nurse should have brought the right drug to him in the first place. Adding insult to injury, the head of the hospital changed his words. At first, he vowed to take full responsibility for the soldier's treatment, asking the young man's family to keep silent about it. Then, according to the mother, he now claims that he has been relieved from his post so he can no longer have anything to do for the soldier. Now, the defense ministry put the injured solider on disability status while he is still in service, deciding to pay him compensation of 10 million won and promising to foot his medical bills for six months after his discharge. Kim is now taking a leave of medical absence for rehabilitation at a civilian clinic. The nurse and doctor are now under investigation. Also under scrutiny is the problem with the storage of medical items. "The chance is likely that he doesn't make a full recovery and has to live with a paralyzed arm for the rest of his life," the mother said on the radio interview. "I don't want the same thing to happen to other young soldiers." In Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military. This poor quality of medical care is exactly the kind of reason why our young men and their parents feel reluctant to perform military duty that is supposed to be something that is honorable and they can be proud of. By Jason Lim The issue of the official founding day of the Republic of Korea made front page news when President Park Geun-hye said the following in her official address commemorating the anniversary of Liberation Day on Aug. 15: "Today marks the 71st Liberation Day and the 68th anniversary of the nation's founding." This would mean that she believes that the Republic of Korea was founded on Aug. 15, 1948. Historically, it is true that the official government of the Republic of Korea was established on that day with Syngman Rhee as the president. But is that the same thing as the founding of a nation? The preamble to the constitution of the Republic of Korea reads thus: "We, the people of Korea, proud of a resplendent history and traditions dating from time immemorial, upholding the cause of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea born of the March First Independence Movement of 1919 and the democratic ideals of the April Nineteenth Uprising of 1960 against injustice." Note that the preamble specifically mentions two dates from which the ROK derives its legitimacy and mandate to govern. Especially relevant to this debate is the first date of March 1, 1919, when thousands of ordinary Koreans rose up to protest the Japanese usurpation of their country. This resulted in a country-wide crackdown by the Japanese authorities on independence activists and led to the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai. Now, do you see the disconnect? Park states that the ROK was founded in 1948 while the constitution states that the ROK was born in 1919. Individuals can have differing interpretations of history, but it's awkward when the president of the country disagrees with what's written in the constitution. Why is this happening? According to The Korea Times, "the controversy over the country's founding year was first triggered in 2006 by Seoul National University economics professor Rhee Young-hoon who wrote a column in the local daily DongA Ilbo saying that the nation needs to designate a "Foundation Day," to celebrate what he called the "true light" that came to the Korean people following the end of Japanese occupation. In 2007, Rep. Jung Kab-yoon of the Grand National Party, the predecessor of the conservative Saenuri Party, proposed a bill seeking to change the holiday name from Liberation Day to Foundation Day, only to withdraw it in September 2008 following strong public uproar. This raises another question. Why would the conservative ruling class want to formalize the ROK's founding in 1948? And why does the general public oppose this so vociferously? Therein lies the rub. If you declare that the modern day South Korean nation was founded in 1948, everything that went before it becomes part of a bygone era, lacking power and relevance to the nation today. This means that the independence movement that happened between 1919 and 1945 would be a footnote in the history of the modern South Korean nation, rather than the genesis and foundation of what made today's nation possible. Admittedly, you maintain a historical and cultural continuity much the same as Joseon and Goryeo but no longer a legal one. Moreover, the ROK's legitimacy as a nation would not be directly tied to the independence movement. Then, why would the conservatives push for this? As with everything in Korea, it's all about Japan. More specifically, the Japanese collaborators. It's no secret that many of today's elites, whose interests are mostly represented by the ruling conservatives, are descendants of the so-called Japanese collaborators. Even Park's own father, former President Park Chung-hee, graduated from the Japanese Manchurian Military Academy and was accused of having been involved in the crackdowns against Korean independence fighters. Other prominent families have also been named as Japanese collaborators by a South Korean presidential commission, the "Investigative Commission on Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Property," that was established under President Roh Moo-hyun in 2006 to "name and shame" the suspected descendants of the Japanese collaborators and provide legal grounds to seize their property. In short, the progressives weren't shy in politicizing this issue for their advantage either. Now, the conservatives are pushing back. By cutting out the independence movement from the nation's history, the conservative ruling class can claim a clean break from their forefathers' actions and wipe the slate clean. Moreover, since many of these prominent families were founding members of the ROK government in 1948, they could also be rebranded as patriotic pioneers of the new modern nation. Many people oppose this because they are resentful of the often cavalier way they are treated by the elites. Remember the "dogs and pigs" controversy just a few weeks ago? They feel disrespected and dismissed by the ruling elites. The people are even more incensed that many prominent elite families derive their privileged positions from their forefather's alleged collaboration with the Japanese during the brutal occupation. They view the founding day issue as an attempt by the elites to whitewash their historical guilt and justify undeserved privilege. Whether this is the real reason behind the conservatives' efforts on this issue can't be determined with any certainty. But the controversy does point to the huge fissure between the ruling elites and the people in light of the rising inequality and lack of opportunities that have many calling Korea "Hell Joseon." Jason Lim is a Washington, D.C.-based expert on innovation, leadership and organizational culture. He has been writing for The Korea Times since 2006. Reach him at jasonlim@msn.com, facebook. com/jasonlimkoreatimes or @jasonlim2012. South Korea's military said Thursday that it will carry out the largest-ever artillery drill near the border with North Korea to demonstrate its determination to retaliate against future provocations. The drill will take place in the afternoon, one day before South Korea marks the first anniversary of the North's shelling of areas south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas. "Some 300 artillery pieces from 49 artillery battalions are planning to take part in the live-fire exercise. The drill that will kick off at 5:04 p.m. will involve the K-9 and K-55 self-propelled artillery pieces," the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a statement. On Aug. 20, last year, North Korea fired several artillery rounds toward a South Korean front-line military unit in Yeoncheon, 62 kilometers north of Seoul, around 4 p.m. South Korea fired back 29 shells towards the North Korean side of the DMZ in retaliation at 5:04 p.m., according to the ministry. The North's artillery shelling was an extension of its provocations in August last year. Two South Korean soldiers were seriously injured -- one lost both legs and the other lost one -- in a North Korean land-mine attack on Aug. 4. As Seoul resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts at the border in retaliation for the explosion, tensions on the Korean Peninsula soared, which led to the artillery exchange. On Aug. 25, the two Koreas reached a deal to defuse tensions after Seoul promised to suspend the loudspeaker campaign in return for Pyongyang's expression of regret over the land mines. (Yonhap) Customers queue up at an SK Telecom handset outlet in Gangnam, southern Seoul, to get Samsung Electronics' new large-screen smartphone Galaxy Note 7, Friday. / Yonhap By Yoon Sung-won Samsung Electronics rolled out its Galaxy Note 7 in 10 countries including Korea and the United States, Friday. The world's largest smartphone maker has received presale orders for Note 7 since it unveiled the device in New York on Aug. 5. Since then, the company began an aggressive marketing drive by offering its new smart band "Gear Fit 2." It has already drawn more than 400,000 presale orders in the domestic market alone between Aug. 6 and 18. Expectations are high that the shipments of Note 7 will exceed Note 5s by 8.65 million. Reflecting the anticipation over the new handset, customers crowded the company's mobile stores. But most of them could not buy a Note 7 due to the shortage of products. "I think those who did not make a presale order will likely be able to get a Note 7 after the first week of September at the earliest," an official at Samsung Mobile Store said, Friday. "In particular, it is even more difficult to secure a supply of products with the Blue Coral color because of its popularity. So those who want this color may have to wait longer." A Note 7 was priced at 988,900 won ($885) in Korea. This is the lowest price among the 10 countries. In the United States and European nations such as Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom, the price exceeds 1 million won once tax included. This contrasts to the past when the company used to sell its smartphones at cheaper prices in larger global markets such as the U.S. "We have set the price based on the price levels in each region. The price of Note 7 is the lowest in the domestic market and relatively higher in the European regions," a source from Samsung Electronics said. The Note 7 is the sixth model of the company's large-screen smartphone brand. Behind the 5.7-inch screen, the new handset has an iris scanner and an enhanced digital pen. Like its sibling models with smaller screens Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, the Note 7 adopted the IP68-grade waterproof and dustproof functions and thus can survive for about 30 minutes underwater. In addition, the digital pen has also been redesigned to be waterproof and customers can use the pen to control the device in rain or underwater. The storage capacity options have been unified to 64 gigabytes. Among the four color options unveiled silver, gold, light blue and black the black model will be released later, the company said. SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus have put up their respective subsidy benefits for the Note 7 to draw subscribers. While LG Uplus is offering 264,000 won for its subsidy, which is the biggest amount, SK Telecom and KT are providing 248,000 won and 247,000 won, respectively. However, expectations are that more customers will choose a 20 percent discount benefit for a subscription contract because they can get greater benefits this way. Under the current Telecom Act in Korea, consumers who sign up for a subscription contract with a certain mobile carrier when they buy a handset can choose from an instant discount for the handset or a 20 percent discount for their monthly subscription fee during the contract period. For instance, a customer who buys a Note 7 under a 24-month subscription contract with a monthly plan priced at 60,000 won can save about 320,000 won on monthly fees whereas the discount for a handset will be around 160,000 won. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics launched the new version of its head-mount virtual reality (VR) device "Gear VR," Friday. The new model has the type-c universal serial bus port, which is compatible with the Note 7, and has a wider viewing angle. The new Gear VR is priced at 129,800 won. Samsung Electronics closed at 1,675,000 won on the Seoul bourse, Friday, up 2.13 percent from the previous day, and broke the highest price for the second consecutive day on expectations over Note 7's sales performance. A woman in a burkini on the beach in Marseille, southern France. / AP-Yonhap By Yeo Ye-rim Some French seaside towns have banned Muslim women from wearing full-body swimsuits known as "burkinis." Cannes Mayor David Lisnard said, according to British media outlets: "Beachwear which ostentatiously displays religious affiliation, when France and places of worship are currently the target of terrorist attacks, is liable to create risks of disrupting public order." Several beach towns have banned burkinis, including Cannes, Villeneuve-Loubet and Sisco on the island of Corsica. This is not the first time France has tried to exclude Muslim culture. In 2004, the French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools went into effect, banning people from wearing clothes with religious symbols in schools. In 2011, France became the first country to ban burqas. And just a few weeks ago, France's right-wing leaders, including a member of former President Nicholas Sarkozy's Les Republicains Party, Valerie Boyer, dismissed a plan by a community group in Marseille to reserve a water park for one day for Muslim women wearing burkinis. "Accepting this so-called fashion means we accept communalism in our country," Boyer tweeted, according to the BBC, Thursday. Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday that "only 1,000 died" in his crime crackdown, and he warned the U.N. not to meddle in the country's politics. / Yonhap By Hong Dam-young Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has blasted the United Nations as "stupid" for criticizing his controversial war on illegal drugs that has claimed over 1,000 lives. Duterte warned the global body not to interfere in the nation's affairs and reconfirmed his will to continue waging war against drugs and crime when he spoke at the 115th police-service anniversary at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Manila, Wednesday, according to AFP. "Here comes the U.N., easily swayed, and coming with a very stupid proposition," Duterte said. "Why would the United Nations be so easily swayed into interfering in the affairs of this republic? There are only 1,000 (killed)." He said the U.N. was silent on the massive killings happening in some regions. "Take for example in the Middle East," Duterte said. "I have yet to see the U.N. complaining publicly, even not criticizing countries who are into bombing villages and communities, killing everybody there, including the goats and the cows and the dogs." Duterte rose to power on a promise to wage war on illegal drugs and other crimes. According to the nation's largest broadcaster, ABS-CBN, 1,054 people have been killed since the May elections. Duterte also has been urging police to shoot drug suspects who resist arrest. In June, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon condemned Duterte over the killings and said they were "illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms." But when asked about the possibility of the U.N. sending observers to the Philippines, Duterte responded: "While I really do not know who's going to come here for that, I am going to whack him in the head." British YouTube star Louis Cole has been subject to criticism for uploading a series of videos from his recent trip to North Korea that portray the state only in a positive light. / Courtesy of YouTube By Hong Dam-young Being a tourist in North Korea is not like being a tourist elsewhere. A British YouTube star has come under fire for uploading videos of his recent trip to North Korea that only glamorize the state without touching on the country's controversial "dark" realities. Louis Cole, 33, a British travel blogger with nearly 2 million subscribers to his YouTube channel " FunForLouis ," recently posted the videos after a 10-day trip to North Korea. The videos showed the seemingly overwhelmed blogger traveling from Beijing to Pyongyang to begin his journey. The footage suggests he enjoyed the trip, visiting famous tourist spots, surfing, having meals with dressed-up North Korean women performing on stage, and staying in a hotel with a city view from his room. The videos also showed him interacting with North Koreans. In a description of one video, Cole writes: "I'm trying to focus on positive things in the country and combat the purely negative image we see in the media." But Cole has been criticized for not touching on the realities of North Korea and presenting a delusional picture of the country as a paradise. Many critics believed his videos could be used by the communist state as propaganda, regardless of his intention. They also said Cole's responsibility as a worldwide blogger entails not only enjoying his stay but also raising awareness of what should be disclosed, in this case, human rights abuses in North Korea. Some even accused him of being paid by the North Korean government for the videos. "I do not agree with the North Korean ideologies, but I do care for and love the people there," Cole said in a video he uploaded on Wednesday to respond to the criticism. / Courtesy of YouTube But Cole responded to the criticism with a video uploaded Wednesday, saying: "I'm not an investigative journalist. I don't do political commentary. There are other places on the Internet that you can go to find those kinds of things." "As much as we can be skeptical about how much was real and how much was staged, that is what I experienced and I can only share with you guys what I experienced." "I do not agree with the North Korean ideologies, but I do care for and love the people there." Cole said he went on an organized tour. It was later reported that the tour company runs surfing and skateboarding lessons for local tour guides and children, according to the Guardian. Cole ended the trip by creating a music video called "Surfin' in the DPRK," which is also causing controversy on YouTube. ARLINGTON, Va. Mine drill operators face their share of on-the-job risks. Failing to follow safe drilling practices can lead to fatal outcomes, as has been the case in recent years. In April 2014, a 53-year-old miner died in an underground gold mine in Elko County, Nevada, after his clothing caught in a jackleg drill. Less than two years earlier, a 30-year-old contract driller at a shale quarry in Ulster County, New York, died in November 2012, as he attempted to thread a new drill steel manually when the drill head rotated and entangled him. In fact, at least seven workers died in metal and nonmetal mining accidents involving drills since 2002. For drill operators, the risk of entanglement in rotating machinery that is difficult to guard properly is a real danger. To focus industry attention on safe drilling practices and the importance of well-maintained equipment, the U.S. Department of Labors Mine Safety and Health Administration issued a drill entanglement safety alert to the mining community on Aug. 10, 2016. Failing to follow safe drilling practices has tragic consequences as weve sadly seen, said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. Paying attention to safe job procedures, staying clear of rotating drill and augers, complying with drilling safety standards and following best practices will reduce the risk of death or injury. Mine drill operators often work alone and, at times, in locations away and removed from other miners, which adds to the jobs risks. MSHA urges drillers to consider the following before beginning drill operations: Examine the drill and surrounding work area. Eliminate all tripping hazards. Do not wear loose-fitting or bulky clothing when working around drilling machinery. Avoid using objects that could entangle in and be thrown by moving or rotating parts. Stay clear of augers and drill stems in motion. Never manually thread the drill steel while the drill head rotates. Drill from a position with good footing and access to the controls. Assure that machine controls and safety devices such as emergency shutdowns operate effectively Never nullify or bypass machine control safety equipment. Place emergency shutdown devices such as panic bars, slap bars, rope switches, two-handed controls in easily accessible locations. MSHA collaborates with industry representatives regularly to develop its monthly safety alerts. The Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers Safety Committee suggested Augusts alert. ELKO A controversy appears to be brewing over the death of several horses at Mustang Monument. The Nevada Department of Agriculture has confirmed that 11 dead horses have been found on Madeleine Pickens property in Elko County, along with an unspecified number on public land. Neither the state investigator nor Pickens returned calls Thursday from the Elko Daily Free Press. The Nevada Department of Agriculture cannot discuss any specifics of an ongoing investigation, said a statement from the agency, which included a message from State Veterinarian JJ Goicoechea. Although we have not determined responsibility, care for animals is ultimately the obligation of the livestock owner, he said. We alert all livestock owners to be extra cautious during the excessive heat of the summer months. When temperatures exceed 90 degrees, as they consistently have been in northern Nevada, dehydration can set in fast when livestock do not have access to fresh water sources. Pickens told a Las Vegas television station this week that more than a dozen of her horses had died, and she was offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for vandalism on her property. A Bureau of Land Management spokesman said staff from his agency noticed damage to fences a week or two ago and reported it to Pickens. The federal agency is not investigating, however, because the damage was on her private land. Pickens purchased two ranches south of Wells, which are intermingled with federal land. Her intent was to operate an eco-sanctuary for rescued horses, but she has not received a permit from the BLM. Her Mustang Monument eco-resort has been operating on private land. ELKO The Nevada Department of Agriculture is taking the lead on an investigation into vandalism that apparently resulted in the death of several horses owned by Madeleine Pickens. KLAS-TV in Las Vegas reported Wednesday that more than a dozen horses died over the past week, and Pickens was offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible. Undersheriff Ron Supp confirmed that a deputy investigated the report of cut fences, opened gates and water being closed off in Goshute Valley. He said the state ag department was continuing the investigation. Pickens purchased the Warm Creek and Spruce ranches south of Wells in 2010 to create Mustang Monument. She acquired hundreds of horses that were destined for slaughter, but faced opposition from Elko County Commissioners regarding the conversion of grazing rights. Some horse advocacy groups also oppose the creation of eco-sanctuaries, saying the animals are best left to roam in the wild. Mustang Monument issued a press release in February stating it was prevented from opening for the 2016 season because of delays in receiving a permit from the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM this spring asked ranchers to reduce cattle grazing in response to an overpopulation of wild horses in the region. Pickens called the recent vandalism an act of terrorism, according to the television report, which said dozens more horses are missing. State agriculture investigators were not immediately available for comment. The United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) on Thursday said President Muhammadu Buhari knows exactly what to do to end the Niger Delta crisis arising from militancy. UNDEDSS Secretary, Mr. Tony Uranta, who made this disclosure, said they had drawn up proposals that captures the interests of all the parties involved in the agitation in the Niger Delta. In a statement made available to ThisDay, the coalition said, President Buhari knows what, exactly he needs to do to end the crisis today if he so desires. He probably has not because he has allowed his administration to be beset with too many petty rivalries, too many individuals jockeying for putative relevance, and too many party chieftains of Niger Delta origin who dont have the interests of the region at heart! He said this is the position of UNDEDSS and other well-meaning Niger Delta citizens, who interfacing with patriotic members of the presidents inner cabinet and intelligence chieftains, have drawn up a proposal that should be win-win for all parties concerned. He further said, This dynamically tweaked proposal is before Mr. President, the armed agitators in the creeks, the international community (including the UK & the USA) and other relevantly interested Nigerians like Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka. The proposal is hinged on four vital prerequisites, viz., the affirmation by Mr. President that there is no change in policy regarding the need to commence Matriculation of students this year in the National Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State; the rebirth of the Niger Delta Council (with its five relevant sub-committees!) of President Yar Aduas 2009 template. And the guarantee of safe passage for delegates to any dialogue locations, all armed parties publicly agree to a 60-days Armistice to be proposed by the FGN; and, the attendance of Foreign Observers (including Diplomats from the EU, UK & USA), to be invited by the FGN, to any such dialogue. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, is expected in Nigeria on Aug. 23 to discuss U.S. cooperation with Nigeria over Boko Haram, economy and human rights issues. A statement issued by the Information Office of the Embassy of the U.S. today in Abuja, said Kerry would hold meetings with President Muhammadu Buhari and Northern Governors. Kerry will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss counter terrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption and human rights issues. In Sokoto, he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism. In Abuja, the Secretary will meet with a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society. He will also meet with northern governors and religious leaders, the statement said. According to the statement, the Secretary will travel to Sokoto and Abuja on Aug. 23 to 24. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates An easier-than-expected first mammogram experience HUNTERSVILLE Scheduling a cancer screening probably ranks somewhere on your to-do list between "clean out the garage" and "donate those clothes that don't fit." Sure, you'll get to it at... Chamber retreat helps discover strengths in communication The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce has proved that networking can come in many ways. It doesnt have to come at a luncheon or happy hour or Christmas party, but... Introductory Remarks by Mangala Samaraweera, MP., Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Keynote Address by Mme. Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO 16th August 2016 Ladies and gentlemen, I feel most honored today to have the opportunity of introducing to you Mme. Irina Bokova, the Director General of UNESCO, who has so generously accepted our invitation to deliver this Keynote Lecture at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies. Thank you Mme. Bokova, we warmly welcome you to Sri Lanka, and to this Institute. Madam Bokovas keynote speech today will be on the very timely and interesting topic of Soft Power for peace and development: UNESCO and the Sustainable Development Goals. Madam Bokova, This Institute, as you know, is named after one of my predecessors, Lakshman Kadirgamar, who held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2000; 2000 to 2001; and from 2004 to 2005, until he succumbed to the bullets of a terrorist. He was a much respected and much loved Foreign Minister who yearned to see peace and reconciliation in our country. Although he called himself a citizen of the world, he had the highest appreciation and respect for the beliefs, customs and traditions of others. Yearning to see his dream of unity in diversity become a reality in Sri Lanka, he said: I believe that all our peoples can live together, they did live together. I think they must learn to live together after this trauma is over. I see no reason why the major races in this country, the Tamils, Sinhalese and the Muslims cannot again build a relationship of confidence and trust. That is my belief. That is what I wished for and in working for that I will not be deterred.. Lakshman, unfortunately, did not live to see the day the guns fell silent in our country, or the day the Sustainable Development Goals were adopted. He was a firm believer of the principles UNESCO and the persuasive approach to durable peace, progress and development. He often echoed the words of the preamble of the Charter of UNESCO when he spoke to us Since wars begins in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed; -That ignorance of each others ways and lives has been a common cause, throughout the history of mankind of that suspicion and mistrust between the peoples of the world through which their differences have all too often broken into war; -That the great and terrible war which has now ended was a war made possible by the denial of the democratic principles of the dignity, equality and mutual respect of men, and the propagation, in their place, through ignorance and prejudice, of the doctrine of the inequality of men and races; -That with the wide diffusion of culture, and the education of humanity for justice and liberty and peace are indispensable to the dignity of man and constitute a sacred duty which all the nations must fulfil in a spirit of mutual assistance and concern; -That a peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world, and that the peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind. Madam Bokova, Your visit to Sri Lanka takes place at an important time, when, under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, our nation seeks to build a new Sri Lanka that, -safeguards, promotes and protects the rights and dignity of all, and equality of all; -respects and celebrates the multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious nature of our society; -empowers our youth and our women; -upholds the rule of law; respects democracy and fundamental freedoms including the freedom of the media; -preserves our environment while taking steps to ensure integrated and equitable sustainable development; -gives priority to securing the best education possible for our children and youth, including the skills they require to meet the demands of the job market both in Sri Lanka and overseas; -focuses on infrastructure development, and economic growth required for the prosperity of all our people; -and enhances and encourages understanding and preservation of culture, respect for each others traditions and beliefs, and is always conscious of the need to be a responsible and respected member of the international community. We see this path as the means to enhance our own soft power. Before I invite our distinguished guest to speak to us, let me provide you with a brief snapshot of her illustrious career and contribution as the Director General of UNESCO. Mme. Bokova has been the Director-General of UNESCO since 2009, and was successfully re-elected for a second term in 2013. She carries the significant honour of being the first woman and the first Eastern European to lead UNESCO. As Director-General of UNESCO, Mme. Bokova has been actively engaged in international efforts to advance gender equality, quality education for all, and combat terrorist financing by preventing the illicit traffic of cultural goods. A leading figure in the fight against racism and anti-Semitism, Mme. Bokova has spearheaded UNESCOs activities on Holocaust remembrance and awareness. She is also the first UNESCO Director-General to appoint a Special Envoy for Holocaust Education. Mme. Bokova is a strong advocate of gender equality, and has made it her personal priority at UNESCO. She has also made commendable contributions in the field of scientific cooperation for sustainable development, such as early warning systems for tsunamis or trans-boundary water management agreements, and global advocacy for the safety of journalists and freedom of expression. It is also noteworthy that during her tenure as Director General of UNESCO, Mme. Bokova has emphasized and taken steps to further empower and strengthen national UNESCO commissions. The price of LITRO gas cylinders would be further reduced in the first week of November in accordance with the Read more The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary Read more Its not often that a writer possesses genuine name recognition, but Terry McMillan, the author of such novels as Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got her Groove Back and, most recently, I Almost Forgot About You (Random House: 368 pp., $27), is an exception to the rule. Im the first to arrive for our lunch at Mi Piace, an elegant, high-ceilinged Italian restaurant in Old Town Pasadena; when I query about the reservation, the hostess suddenly looks up from her seating chart, her mouth a tiny, incredulous O. Terry McMillan, she repeats. The author? Oh, my God, I love her books! Advertisement Beaming, she shows me to a quiet table beside the red-tiled bar. McMillan strides in shortly after, impeccably dressed for the heat in a breezy, cotton matching set. She has just returned from Mexico, a quick vacation following a month-long national book tour, reading to 400 fans at a time. How women feel is important, and Im not going to let anyone make it seem like its frivolous. Terry McMillan McMillans voice-y, character-driven fiction, pitch-perfect dialogue, unabashed romance and celebrations of female friendship are all cherished hallmarks of her storytelling. But does that make it chick lit? When men write about mens lives, its not called dude lit, she says. How women feel is important, and Im not going to let anyone make it seem like its frivolous. She sinks back into a leather booth, and with one tossed-off line, irrefutably defends her penchant for narratives concerning affairs of the heart: I would like to know how many women and men you know who can live without love. Georgia Young, the middle-aged protagonist of I Almost Forgot About You, has certainly had her fair share of it. When she discovers that a former flame has died, she sets about tracking down the various paramours who have shaped her, an ingenious plot device in a novel about self-discovery and second chances: Georgia rediscovers not only who she was, or even who she has become, but also the possibility of a yet another, late-in-life reinvention. We knew we could get over heartache and disappointment and failure in a snap, because we were going to have hundreds if not thousands of opportunities and do-overs, Georgia reminisces of youth in the novels first chapter. Now you fall across the bed when youre not sleepy but just tired of the way you live or arent living And then one day, out of nowhere, you stop wondering and start worrying that the best part of your life is behind you. Is this how its going to be forever? Is this all there is? Georgias journey springs from her defiance; the best part of her life may just be yet to come. Thats a big deal to admit to yourself, says McMillan. To have the guts to say, Im not dead yet. That requires courage and introspection. Here and throughout our conversation, McMillan speaks of her characters with affection, admiration and not a little bit of awe. That cracked me up! she says of ones unlikely engagement, and Oh, I just fell in love with him, swooning over a certain gentleman from Georgias past. Who was it she almost forgot about? I didnt know! But I had a good time finding out. Terry McMillan on writing her novel I Almost Forgot About You In person, McMillan is just as charming and companionable as her characters. They are clearly deeply real to her, and she is genuinely delighted and surprised by their arcs. Its an act of discovery for me as well as my characters, she says of her writing process. I have to be honest about who they are. I cant just force things to happen the way Id like them to, because its not my story. Working on I Almost Forgot About You, she says, I knew [Georgia] had forgotten about somebody Who was it she almost forgot about? I didnt know! But I had a good time finding out. Certainly, I Almost Forgot About You has a number of juicy plot twists and unexpected reveals; the course to discover whom Georgia has forgotten functions like a page-turning mystery. But there is more to McMillans fiction than merely satisfying curiosity: I Almost Forgot About You contains same-sex and interracial relationships. The whole trajectory is my characters making discoveries, and in some cases, [they discover] their own prejudices not just racial prejudices, although thats one of them, she says. But, she adds, I dont believe in being didactic. Im not trying to teach anybody any lessons. In McMillans novels, the personal is political. But on Twitter, @MsTerryMcMillan is overtly political: I hope we never have another presidential election where one of the candidates is a racist, misogynist, liar, egomaniac and sociopath, she tweeted recently. (On the day we met, she vowed to stop tweeting her frustrations about Republican candidate Donald Trump He gets enough free publicity although she has since returned to form.) McMillans books have become cultural touchstones, wildly beloved and impactful both in print and in their screen adaptations. Popular fiction, womens fiction, crossover fiction: These labels feel reductive, veritable micro-aggressions in the face of McMillans prolific, far-reaching career. She takes issue with their exclusionary implications. I dont know a whole lot of people who go around thinking in layers, she says of the idea that her work could be deemed thin. Its like, How am I gonna pay my rent? When am I gonna get laid? What am I having for dinner? What am I doing for Christmas? Is Forensic Files on tonight? Thats what I pride myself on. In other words, producing realistic fiction, which takes as its subject not just romance but also the details that compose the fabric of daily life, is paramount to her. Furthermore, themes like self-discovery, second-chances and the pursuit of happiness rich territory for American literature of any kind are all couched in an accessible, heartfelt prose that no doubt accounts for McMillans popularity. Until McMillan sinks back into writing (50 pages of a new novel, which she began before her tour, are burning a hole in her hard drive), she is looking forward to reading some of the years other most lauded releases. I put a little post-it up on my mirror: Terry, once youre finished with your tour, spend the rest of the summer binge reading. On her list: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and Cynthia DAprix Sweeneys The Nest. As we approach the door, I overhear our hostess venture a quiet, sincerely reverent Im a big fan. McMillan smiles wide and stops to thank her. French is a writer in Los Angeles The court, I fear, has ventured into a minefield. Thats how Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg concluded her dissent to the 2014 Hobby Lobby decision. Thats the case in which the court ruled that businesses have a right to their own religious beliefs, and could use them to flout otherwise generally applicable federal laws in this particular, the Affordable Care Acts mandate that businesses provide contraceptive coverage as part of their employees health insurance. The minefield Ginsburg warned about has now detonated. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Sean F. Cox of Detroit ruled that a local funeral home was well within its rights to fire a transgender employee because its owner had a religious belief that gender transition violated biblical teachings. If religious motivation exempted businesses from anti-discrimination laws, our government would be powerless to enforce those laws. ACLU brief in EEOC vs. Harris Advertisement Coxs ruling puts the lie to Justice Samuel Alitos denial, in his majority opinion in Hobby Lobby, that the ruling would provide a shield for a wide range of discriminatory practices by allowing them to masquerade as religious scruples. Our decision today provides no such shield, Alito wrote. Ginsburg, who was on the short end of a 5-4 decision, knew better. She said there could be little doubt that religious claims would proliferate, because the courts expansion of religious freedom to corporations invites for-profit entities to seek religion-based exemptions from regulations they deem offensive to their faith. She asked, where is the stopping point? Suppose an employers sincerely held religious belief is offended by health coverage of vaccines, or paying the minimum wage or according women equal pay for substantially similar work? She further cited court precedents holding that accommodations to religious beliefs or observances must not significantly impinge on the interests of third parties. As it happens, the case before Cox involves all those points. At issue was the firing of Aimee Stephens by R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes, which she had joined as a funeral director and embalmer under the name Anthony Stephens in 2007. In July 2013, she informed her employer that she would transition to her female identity starting in 2013, living and working as a woman for a year before undergoing sex-reassignment surgery. Within two weeks, she was fired. A year later, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the funeral homes on her behalf. At first, the case resembled an ordinary sex-discrimination matter. The employers defense was that it had a written dress code distinguishing between mens and womens working garb, and Stephens had refused to wear mens clothing. Soon, the funeral homes added a religious dimension, citing the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the same statute underlying the Hobby Lobby case. That legislation was designed to give people a pass on generally applicable laws if they could show that the burdens imposed on their beliefs outweighed the publics interest. The funeral homes owner, Thomas Rost, is a devout Christian who, according to court filings, sincerely believes that the Bible teaches that a persons sex is an immutable God-given gift and that it is wrong for a person to deny his or her God-given sex. Rost believes that the Bible teaches that God creates people male or female and that he would be violating Gods commands if [he] were to permit one of the funeral directors to deny their sex. He would be directly involved in supporting the idea that sex is a changeable social construct rather than an immutable God-given gift. The problems Ginsburg identified are obvious from this narrative. First, theres no way of determining if Rosts beliefs are genuine or even religious, and plenty of grounds to determine that theyre presumptuous. Coxs ruling doesnt indicate what passages of the Bible were the basis of Rosts conclusion about its teachings, if any. His assertions that sex is immutable and that Stephens was taking advantage of a changeable social construct are contradicted by medical science. And the accommodation Cox is granting plainly impinges on the interest of a third party Stephens, who has lost her job. The ACLU, in a friend-of-the-court brief in the Stephens case, underscored the concerns that Ginsburg raised in Hobby Lobby. The implications of a ruling in the funeral homes favor would be staggering, it declared. People hold sincere religious beliefs about a wide variety of things, including racial and religious segregation and the role of women in society. If religious motivation exempted businesses from anti-discrimination laws, our government would be powerless to enforce those laws. Among other things, business owners could refuse service to people of color, on the ground that their religious beliefs forbid racial integration. Employers could refuse to hire women or pay them less than men, because their religious beliefs require women to remain at home. And educational institutions receiving federal benefits could impose religiously motivated racial segregation policies on their students. All civil rights laws would be vulnerable to such claims where the discrimination was motivated by religion. Hobby Lobby, Ginsburg warned, was a decision of startling breadth. How broad is just now becoming clear. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. MORE FROM BUSINESS A manufacturing boom lifts Mexico and some U.S. workers, despite trade fears Redstone saga shows that ego and family can make succession a risky business Politicians spend a good bit of their time complaining about the media. But why should they have all the fun? Im going to join in, though I tend to get upset about different things than most sitting politicians do. You see, I dont actually mind when journalists whether in print, on television or online treat what politicians say with skepticism. That means theyre doing their jobs. This doesnt happen nearly as much these days as it should. A lot of journalists dont just want to report the news, they want to be players and affect policy. As one observer said, the media is drawn to superficiality, sensationalism, scandal, and sleaze. They make building a consensus the key task of the democratic process much harder. There are still really excellent journalists out there who are doing their best to serve both their profession and the country. Every day they struggle to make sense of enormously complex events. What they understand and what I wish more of their colleagues believed is that democracy demands journalism that improves its workings. Properly done, journalism can help consensus emerge, improve the knowledge and judgment of voters, and sharpen the performance of public officials and government as a whole. In the end, the democratic process is about bridging differences. This is virtually impossible without a solid base of information and analysis. Our democracy needs well-informed citizens making decisions based on facts about both policies and politicians. This means that the model of the journalist that seems to be going out of fashion reporters who were reasonably objective, independent of outside groups, and even independent of their companys owners is actually crucial to representative government. Curious, skeptical journalists who point out inconsistencies, draw attention to mistakes, call out misleading statements, and identify outright lies serve a larger purpose: they provide citizens what they need to know in order to be a good citizen, and public officials what they need in order to do their work well. This is quite an ideal, especially in this age of economic turmoil within the media universe. But I dont think its too much to hope that as the profession sorts out its future, it takes seriously its leadership role in advancing the public good, and doesnt sacrifice its part in making representative democracy work properly. Space junk is getting worse. Could the answer be smart plastic wrap? That concept, being investigated by Aerospace Corp. of El Segundo, involves blasting thousands of tiny, flat spacecraft into orbit. There they would find and hug the bits and pieces of failed satellites and rockets, dragging them into the atmosphere to burn up. There are more than 7,000 metric tons of material in the near-Earth space environment, said J.C. Liou, NASA chief scientist for orbital debris. It can slam into a operating satellite or spacecraft at about six miles per second faster than a speeding bullet which means that even debris the size of a sand grain could prove catastrophic. Advertisement That was demonstrated in 2009, when an operational Iridium satellite collided with an inactive Russian satellite, creating more than 2,000 large pieces of orbital debris and many smaller pieces. The problem is growing as more nations and private companies get into the launch business. And it has spurred a number of creative solutions, including a giant net that would scoop up space junk and setting off a bomb to knock it out of orbit. Most havent gotten past the development stage for a simple reason: no one wants to pay for them. A Rand study on orbital debris published in 2010 found that although the space community agreed that space junk posed a risk, the lack of government and private industry funding to remove it suggested the perception of risk had not yet crossed a critical threshold that would prompt demands for remediation. In other words, its going to take some expensive space disasters to make it worth investing in a fix. Although NASA has funded some smaller technology development projects, it has yet to support demonstrations or operational missions, said Bill Ostrove, aerospace and defense analyst at market research firm Forecast International. It doesnt really neatly fall under one particular organizations jurisdiction, he said. Its almost like a hot potato problem. The technological challenges are daunting enough. Aaron Ridley, professor of space physics at the University of Michigan, encountered this in 2010 during his collaboration with Raytheon BBN Technologies on a NASA grant. The idea at the time was to fly a high-altitude balloon into the upper atmosphere and release a substantial amount of energy basically detonating a bomb. That energy would be channeled upward to increase the density of the atmosphere in a small, specific region where a piece of debris might travel. That was expected to result in giving the junk more drag and forcing it to drop to where it would burn up thus removing the debris without launching a costly rocket. But the idea proved infeasible. The amount of energy needed to increase the density in that very small area of the atmosphere was much greater than anticipated. Research also showed there was no way to keep the energy directed completely upward, rather than diffusing to the sides, Ridley said. NASA did not fund further investigations. This was definitely outside the box, Ridley said. Tethers Unlimited, a 40-employee aerospace and defense tech company based in Bothell, Wash., took a different approach, addressing the source of the debris. It developed a tether and a tape that are attached to a satellite before launch and deployed at the end of a satellites life. That should increase its drag and pull it back into the atmosphere. The company also came up with a giant net that would capture objects already in space. The tether was created in the late 1990s and early 2000s, around the time that large satellite constellations were proposed by companies such as Iridium and Teledesic. When many of those ambitious plans collapsed, Tethers Unlimited had to shelve its technology. They were interested in the device, but when they all went bust, our market evaporated, company Chief Executive Robert Hoyt said. A new market could emerge with recent interest in launching small satellites and new constellations. Two of Tethers Unlimiteds Terminator Tape products have already launched on small satellites, with a few more set to launch this year, he said. Debris removal technology is only about 5% of the companys business today. But if everything worked out with the new small-satellite boom, it could very easily be 10- or 100-fold bigger, Hoyt said. Aerospace Corp.s plastic-wrap idea, called the Brane Craft, is being funded with an early stage grant from NASA. Though only in early theoretical stages, it could be a reasonably inexpensive way of taking out the trash, said Siegfried Janson, a senior scientist in Aerospaces micro-satellite systems department. The Brane Craft would be a square, 1 meter wide and 1 meter high. Orbit data for documented debris would be uploaded to the craft, which would then navigate to the correct location through GPS. Once within 200 meters of the target, on-board optical and radio-frequency sensors would lock on and help the craft get close enough for a hug. Janson is researching nonfreezing propellants for the crafts many tiny ion engines to keep it active once it passes out of sunlight. When it finds an object, the spacecraft would fire those thrusters to drag the debris down to a lower orbit before dropping it. Janson said he wants to apply for a phase-two NASA grant which would involve building and testing of parts after his current funding ends. Establishing a junk-removal market also would require stricter enforcement of debris removal. Various regulations have been enacted by NASA, the U.S. government and other international agencies; one U.S. rule states that a spacecraft must be removed from orbit within 25 years of its missions end. A 2009 paper on the risk and responsibility of space debris by Stanford University researchers Lawrence Wein and Andrew Bradley suggested that stricter enforcement of those regulations, as well as adding penalty fees, could deter future junk generation. For these de-orbit technology and debris removal services to really have a market, the laws and regulations are still going to have to evolve where theres some teeth behind the regulations, said Hoyt of Tethers Unlimited. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com For more business news, follow me @smasunaga Seems like every time conservatives make the case for less regulation of business, some well-known company gets caught breaking rules intended to protect consumers, workers or the general public. This time, its Woodland Hills insurer Health Net Inc., which was busted for strong-arming employees into keeping quiet about questionable company practices. Health Net agreed to pay a $340,000 penalty this week after the Securities and Exchange Commission determined that the company illegally linked severance payments for hundreds of employees to their agreeing not to seek whistle-blower awards. Advertisement They were basically saying to employees that they couldnt tell anyone about what the company was doing wrong if they wanted their severance, said Toni Jaramilla, a Century City lawyer specializing in whistle-blower cases. They were trying to muffle employees ability to report problems in the workplace. They were trying to muffle employees ability to report problems in the workplace. Toni Jaramilla, Century City lawyer Health Nets severance agreement, according to the SEC, required that outgoing workers waive any right to bring a lawsuit against the company or to receive funds from any proceeding brought based on any communication by employee to any federal, state or local government agency or department. Think about that. If you wanted to keep your severance, youd have to pledge not to sue for any reason and not to be rewarded for reporting any wrongdoing on Health Nets part to officials. Makes you wonder what they were so eager to hide. No one at Health Net responded to my requests for comment. Federal authorities said the company consented to the SECs cease-and-desist order without admitting or denying the findings. Health Net was acquired in March by St. Louis managed-care giant Centene for $6.3 billion. In response to the SEC settlement, Centene said only that these alleged issues occurred prior to the merger. Jaramilla and other whistle-blower experts told me this case represents merely the latest attempt by businesses to limit what former employees can say about their work experience. An increasingly common provision in employment contracts is the so-called non-disparagement clause, which forbids former employees from criticizing their erstwhile employer. Roger Ailes reportedly had such a provision in his contract at Fox News, which he recently departed with a $40-million severance payout amid allegations of sexual harassment. The SEC is authorized by the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to pay whistle-blowers up to 30% of any funds collected from companies found to be committing fraud or violating securities laws intended to protect investors. Since the program began five years ago, more than $85 million has been handed to 32 whistle-blowers, the commission says. A payout of more than $17 million was announced in June, the second-largest payout to date after a $30-million award in 2014. Its hard to say how substantial an impact these cases have had because the SEC is prevented by law from disclosing any information that might reveal a whistle-blowers identity. Financial incentives in the form of whistle-blower awards, as Congress recognized, are integral to promoting whistle-blowing to the commission, Antonia Chion, associate director of the SEC Enforcement Division, said in a statement. Health Net used its severance agreements with departing employees to strip away those financial incentives, directly targeting the commissions whistle-blower program. The SEC said Health Net inserted the hinky language in its severance agreements after passage of Dodd-Frank in 2010. Section 922 of the law places a bounty on any securities-related misbehavior that results in at least $1 million in penalties. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has called for a dismantling of Dodd-Frank. He went a step further last week, saying in a speech to the Detroit Economic Club that, if elected, he would oversee a sweeping rollback of all financial regulations and a moratorium on new rule making. This will give our American companies the certainty they need to reinvest in our community, get cash off of the sidelines, start hiring for new jobs and expanding businesses, Trump said. Id be more sympathetic to such proposals if businesses werent repeatedly being caught crossing legal and ethical lines, usually for no better reason than to boost profit at the expense of customers or competitors, or to keep some wrongdoing under wraps. Last week, a federal court jury convicted San Franciscos PG&E of violating pipeline safety laws six years after a defective gas line exploded in Northern California, killing eight people and destroying 38 homes. The utility also was convicted of obstructing the federal probe into the blast and misleading investigators. This isnt to say all companies behave badly. The vast majority go about their business without violating state or federal rules even if they find these rules burdensome. Such companies shouldnt blame overzealous lawmakers or regulators for all the scrutiny. They should blame the Health Nets and PG&Es. Rules are there for a reason, said Don Warren, a Newport Beach whistle-blower attorney. Theyre meant to protect the public. By forcing Health Net to clean up its act, the SEC has accomplished that goal. But its questionable how meaningful a deterrent that $340,000 penalty will be for other businesses. See the most-read stories in Business this hour Warren deemed the amount a really skimpy punishment for violating an important law. He said some companies might view such a relatively light fine as just the cost of doing business. Health Net reported $186 million in profit last year. Writing a check for $340,000 wont exactly break the bank. I look at Health Nets actions and I see the classic profile of a schoolyard bully, pushing around those with less power to get its way. Thats why adult supervision is necessary. Until businesses prove themselves worthy of more lenient treatment. David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com. MORE FROM DAVID LAZARUS California Inc.: Seeking cleaner air for SoCal, battling Pokemon Deciphering your hospital bill good luck with that This secret society says it can help you attain wealth and power but theyll cost you This loft-style home, tucked behind a wall of frosted glass in Venice, was designed in 1980 by noted architect Milica Dedijer-Michich as her personal residence. Known as the Michich-Small House, the white-stuccoed design pays homage to the Modern style of the 1920s and 30s with curved columns, balconies and angled walls of glass. Among the unique aspects of the house is an open kitchen dressed in unusual red cabinetry and waterfall granite cabinets. The details Location: 120 Thornton Place, Venice, CA 90291 Asking price: $1.795 million Year built: 1980 Architect: Milica Dedijer-Michich House size: 1,223 square feet, two bedrooms, 1.75 bathrooms Lot size: 1,825 square feet Advertisement Features: Floor-to-ceiling windows; vaulted ceilings; lofted living room with bonus space; red-hued chefs kitchen with waterfall granite countertops; lower-level patio; balconies; rooftop deck with partial ocean view About the area: In June, 20 single-family homes sold in the 90291 ZIP Code at a median price of $1.549 million, according to Corelogic. That was a 14.4% decrease in price compared with the previous years. Agents: Kerry Ann Sullivan and Tami Pardee, Halton Pardee + Partners, (310) 907-6517 To submit a candidate for Home of the Day, send high-resolution color photos via Dropbox.com, permission from the photographer to publish the images and a description of the house to hotproperty@latimes.com. neal.leitereg@latimes.com Twitter: @NJLeitereg MORE HOT PROPERTIES: Seahawks coach Pete Carroll lists his Manhattan Beach home for $2 million Disney Junior exec Joe DAmbrosia sells his L.A. home for $1.225 million Designer Barbara Barrys Beverly Hills home sells furnished for $7.85 million Westwood condo of late singer Natalie Cole lists for $2.995 million The setting sun dancing on the diamond tip of Point Dume. The formidable waves of the Pacific crashing mightily near the multimillion-dollar celebrity homes on Carbon Beach. The endless parade of cars hugging the curve of PCH as it traces the crescent shores of the Santa Monica Bay, with kelp beds and surfers riding the rolling swells just a few feet away. Of the set of things moments, sights, sounds that make up our collective conception of what Southern California is, Malibu offers more than its fair share. The Chumash people gave the area its name: Humaliwo, where the surf sounds loudly. Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo is said to have spotted them there on his journey up the coast in the 1540s as they peacefully gathered seafood at the waters edge. Advertisement By the 1800s they were swept away, gone into missions or worse, leaving behind them the evocative place-names we still use today: Zuma, Topanga, Malibu. The Spanish land grant of Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit, with its productive lagoon and beaches, and access to plentiful fresh water, now spread across their former territory. But cows and wheat, not the sea, were the economic lifeblood of the rancho. The last owner of the land grant, feisty May Rindge, fought a fierce legal battle to keep it just that way, blocking first the building of a railroad (the shipping pier that her and her late husband had built was sufficient to send their cattle and grains out to the wider world, thank you) and then attempting to block the creation of what would become Pacific Coast Highway itself. Her failure to beat the states road builders in court was as complete as it was expensive, and Rindge was obliged to create a scheme to lease parcels of a chunk of land to the west of the lagoon to movie stars in order to defray her legal bills. Malibu Colony at first a rustic beachfront retreat of small cabins built by studio stagehands became a luxury enclave as leaseholders bought their rented homes and, in whats become an all-too-familiar SoCal trope, tore them down to build bigger and grander houses. With the stars in place, Malibu just needed the surfers, and they came in droves beginning in the 1950s, swarming the beaches made popular by movies like Gidget and Beach Party, drive-in flicks that sent millions of people rushing to the West Coast for fun in the sun, all in candy-colored bathing suits and smelling like coconut oil. Today, Malibu is as popular as ever. The tourists come to lie in the sun and gawk at the massive hillside homes, the windows ablaze with the reflected light of the sinking sun. The wealthy come for the privacy and prestige. The crumbling mountains watch over it all, as the ocean beats against the yellowed edge of the continent. Beachgoers enjoy Carbon Beach. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times ) Neighborhood highlights Beaches for miles: Do you like surfing, bodysurfing, fishing, sunbathing, nude sunbathing, and watching dolphins frolic in the waves? Yes? Welcome home. Take a hike: Its known for its beautiful beaches, but scenic hikes like Solstice Canyon, Escondido Falls and the Backbone Trail make inland Malibu just as exhilarating. Roadside dining: From Paradise Cove to Nobu, there is something for every palate and price range to be found on the 21 miles of Pacific Coast Highway that runs through Malibu. Neighborhood challenges Paradise for a price: Relevant fact Malibu is a place where even mobile homes can fetch many millions of dollars on the market. An aging infrastructure: Outdated water and electrical systems present another set of challenges for current and future homeowners. Expert insight Jack Pritchett, a longtime area resident and co-owner of Malibu-based Pritchett-Rapf Realtors, describes the market for anything under $2 million as highly active, while high-end demand centers on large, oceanfront properties. Last year, Pritchett brokered a $50.5-million deal in the Encinal Bluffs area involving businessman Rande Gerber and supermodel Cindy Crawford, sources told The Times. Theres a pretty high demand for large estates on the ocean, particularly Paradise Cove and the [Encinal] Bluffs, where you can own from the highway to the beach, said Pritchett. It kind of depends on where you are, but [places by] the beach always move nicely. His advice to prospective buyers looking at oceanfront real estate is to buy on the best beach you can, on the best foundation you can afford. It still takes a particular breed that wants to live out here, with some of the challenges, but the trade-off is the beauty and the pace of life, he added. Market snapshot In June, based on 23 sales, the median price for single-family homes in the 90265 ZIP Code was $2.904 million, a 2.8% increase in price year-over-year, according to Corelogic. The median price for condominiums, based on eight sales, was $887,000. Report card Within the Malibu area is Webster Elementary, which scored 944 out of 1,000 in the 2013 Academic Performance Index. Point Dume Elementary had a score of 929, and Malibu High scored 883. Juan Cabrillo Elementary had a score of 877. hotproperty@latimes.com A federal judge rejected Ubers proposed $100-million bid to settle a class-action lawsuit involving the employment status of drivers, describing the sum as not fair, adequate, and reasonable. The San Francisco ride-hailing company had offered to pay drivers $84 million and an additional $16 million if the firm goes public rather than classify them as employees a shift that would make them eligible for benefits such as expense reimbursement and overtime. In a court order issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen of the Northern District of California said this would amount to only 10% of what the plaintiffs attorneys estimated to be the full value of drivers claims. Advertisement A chart included in the order showed that drivers can potentially lay claim to $700 million in mileage reimbursement, $122 million in tips, $2.4 million in overtime and $30 million in phone reimbursements. The settlement, mutually agreed by both sides, was fair and reasonable, Uber spokesman Matt Kallman said in a prepared statement. Were disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options. Plaintiffs attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan also expressed disappointment at the judges order, but said it was possible that both sides could return to the drawing board and arrive at a new proposed settlement. Thats what Uber rival Lyft did after a judge rejected its proposed $12.5-million settlement in a similar suit. Its proposed settlement of $27 million was approved in June. But legal experts who are not involved in the case said the judges order could make a settlement unlikely. I dont want to say the settlement is dead, but its pretty darn close, said Todd Scherwin, an employment attorney at law firm Fisher Phillips. Im not sure what dollar amount the court would be satisfied with. If Uber and the drivers cannot agree on a new sum, the case could proceed to trial. If plaintiffs win at trial, it could be a huge blow to the ride-hailing company, which may be forced to stop treating drivers as independent contractors and face a statutory penalty exceeding $1 billion. If Uber wins, the plaintiffs could get nothing. Or, if the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturns Judge Chens certification of the class a decision expected soon then the vast majority of the class would have to go to individual arbitration. The class currently includes some 240,000 drivers from California and Massachusetts. If the arbitration agreements are enforced, the class could be reduced to 8,000 people. tracey.lien@latimes.com Twitter: @traceylien UPDATES: 6 p.m.: This article was updated to include reaction from plaintiffs attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan. This article was originally published at 4:40 p.m. In As Straw Before the Wind, playwright Felix Racelis attempts to draw attention to two topics sorely underrepresented in the theater: the Filipino American experience during and after World War II, and the challenges facing senior citizens. The new indie production, however, presents challenges for the Ruby Theatre audience in ways the author surely did not intend. The narrative follows San Gabriel Valley senior-care facility proprietor Nene Santos (Tita Pambid), a Filipina with buried traumas from her wartime experience. She is having trouble finding the money for a much-needed expansion of her business. Advertisement Nenes struggles to cope, and her contradictory behavior and erratic approach to caregiving, affect her overcrowded residents, especially curmudgeon Poncing (Muni Zano) and a widow with dementia named Mildred (Anita Borcia). Then theres Pilita (Sarnica Lim), Nenes long-suffering daughter and employee, whose desire to move on is as acute as her mothers resistance, for reasons that emerge in recurring flashbacks to the war. SIGN UP for the free Essential Arts & Culture newsletter Racelis has plenty to say and a promising premise. Yet too many scenes and a zigzagging time frame disrupt the narrative flow. Director Lesley Asistio stages the set changes through incessant blackouts that repeatedly halt the rising action in its tracks. The languid pace prevents us from absorbing revelations with anything like the shock and empathy we should, making the ending feel more melodramatic than poignant. The cast, which also includes Rochelle Lozano as Poncings appalled daughter and Doan Nguyen and Gabriel Garcia in multiple roles, is nothing if not game. At moments the performers manage to suggest where the still-gelling material could go. As Straw Before the Wind, which takes its title from the Book of Job, has some serious travails to overcome. ------------ As Straw Before the Wind, Ruby Theatre at the Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Ends Sept. 4. $20. (800) 838-3006 or strawbefore.brownpapertickets.com. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes. Follow The Times arts team @culturemonster. ALSO Review: All My Distances Are Far dives into the turbulent waters of teenhood Summer Shakespeare: A critics take on the secret to theatrical success The Wooster Group to bring Town Bloody Hall adaptation to L.A., with Maura Tierney Conceptualist John Baldessari is fascinated by the ways in which a small canvas by Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte questions what we think we know. Photographer Catherine Opie is beguiled by the embrace of a pair of wrestlers in an 1899 canvas by Thomas Eakins. And Mario Ybarra Jr., known for his long-running social practice studio Slanguage, reflects on the ways in which Ed Kienholz finds poetry in everyday materials. A new video series debuting this week from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art captures some of L.A.s most notable artists reflecting on works in the museums permanent collection. Artists on Art, as it is called, was organized by Modern art curator Carol Eliel, who says she launched the series because she was curious to see what drew artists to the museum. Advertisement I always think of artists as one of LACMAs most important and discerning audiences, she says. The new series, she adds, give the public special insights into some of the works at LACMA that intrigue artists and feed into their own creativity. In addition to Baldessari, Opie and Ybarra, the first wave of videos also feature Alison Saar discussing an intimate wood sculpture by Ernest Ludwig Kirchner, Tom Knechtel on a drawing by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, and Judy Fiskin on an early 70s photograph by Lee Friedlander. Future featurettes are scheduled to include prominent L.A. figures such as Ed Ruscha, light and space artist Helen Pashgian and abstractionist Roy Dowell. The videos are short (about two minutes each) but they are sweet and offer an artists eye view of some of the aesthetic treasures our city holds. To see more, visit lacma.org/artistsonart. Sign up for our weekly Essential Arts & Culture newsletter Find me on Twitter @cmonstah. ALSO Its a big deal: $100,000 Mohn prize for Hammers Made in L.A. biennial goes to dancer Adam Linder Why the exterior of D.C.'s soon-to-open African American museum is an exciting sign of whats inside The Broad announces its first visiting special exhibit: Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors Just two days after the conclusion of her contentious divorce proceedings with ex-husband Johnny Depp, Amber Heard has donated the $7 million she received in the settlement to two charities. As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves, in a statement from Heard, released Thursday afternoon. In the days immediately following Heard filing for divorce on May 23, the actress was granted a temporary restraining order against Depp based on her allegations that the actor had been repeatedly physically abusive, a claim her legal team supported with photographs of Heards bruised face, taken in the aftermath of an alleged dispute with Depp. Advertisement The pair were due to appear in court Wednesday to determine whether the restraining order would remain in place moving forward, a hearing that would have exposed both parties to further public scrutiny. Depp denied all allegations of abuse toward Heard and in preliminary hearings, his legal representation suggested that his estranged wife was merely looking to financially capitalize on their divorce. Upon announcement of their settlement Tuesday, the former couple released a joint statement reading, Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future. Amber will be donating financial proceeds from the divorce to a charity. There will be no further public statements about this matter. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Heards statement regarding her charitable donations states that she was awarded $7 million in the divorce and all of those funds would be donated equally between the American Civil Liberties Union, with focus on battling violence against women, and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, where Heard has volunteered for 10 years. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how more funding for staffing, better equipment and better medication can make the difference between life or death for a child, Heard said. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, commented on Heards donation, saying, For years, we have worked through the courts and legislatures around the country to make sure that domestic violence victims are fully protected by the law and receive the government assistance they deserve. We could not be more thankful for Ms. Heards support -- she can be confident that this gift will help other women live safely and freely. Paul S. Viviano, president and CEO of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles also commented on the funds provided by Heard. On behalf of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles leadership, staff and the thousands of brave patients and their families who will benefit from this donation, I would like to thank Amber Heard for this tremendous gift. Her generosity will support the lifesaving treatments and cures that Childrens Hospital Los Angeles provides for critically ill children each year, Viviano said in a statement. libby.hill@latimes.com Twitter: @midwestspitfire ALSO Johnny Depp and Amber Heard reach divorce settlement, avoid court hearing Amber Heard alleges Johnny Depp physically abused her; judge grants her a restraining order Johnny Depps attorney on domestic violence allegations: Amber has tried her claims in the media Its called The People vs. Fritz Bauer, but this involving, based-on-fact German drama is really about Fritz Bauer versus everybody else, not the other way around. All but unknown in this country, Bauer was a major crusader against Nazi influence in post-World War II Germany and the key player in 1963s Auschwitz trials, the first time German criminal cases were brought against Holocaust perpetrators. Bauer has been the subject of major museum exhibitions and numerous books, and this film was a considerable success in its homeland, winning six Lolas (the German Oscars), including best picture and best director for Lars Kraume. One aspect of Bauers life that was not made public until a decade after his death was his crucial involvement in the celebrated 1960 Israeli capture of top Nazi Adolf Eichmann, caught hiding out in Buenos Aires, a scenario that is at the heart of this engrossing film. Advertisement The real Bauer can be seen in an old black-and-white newsreel clip that starts things off, talking passionately about Germany being the land of both Goethe and the Nazi Party, of all cultures having light and dark sides. And of the necessity of providing his countrys young people with the truths their parents avoided. This may sound rather tame in the 21st century, but in the years just after the war in a Germany filled with men in powerful positions eager to hide their past as key Nazi functionaries, it couldnt have been more controversial. Bauer was a German Jew whod spent time in a concentration camp and finished the war in exile in Denmark. He wanted to expose those individuals not out of revenge or righteous anger but because he believed a new democratic society could not take hold in his homeland without that kind of accountability. Energizing the entire film, in fact powering us past its more conventional aspects, is the compelling performance of veteran German actor Burghart Klaussner, who captures Bauers firebrand intensity exactly. Unable to relax and quick to take offense, the kind of irascible chain smoker who plays chess with himself, Klaussners Bauer sees enemies and obstacles to his quest everywhere he looks. Its not that hes paranoid, hes simply perceptive. Movie Trailers Fritz Bauer opens in Frankfurt in 1957, with its namesake, the attorney general of the German state of Hesse, knocked out by an accidental combination of red wine and sleeping pills, something his enemies, particularly Paul Gebhardt (Jorg Schuttauf) of the Federal Office of Criminal Investigation, try to paint as a suicide attempt. Simultaneously, in Buenos Aires, we hear an unrepentant Eichmann giving an interview to a sympathetic journalist talking about his regret at not having killed even more Jews than the millions whose lives were lost. Back in Germany, Bauer is dealing with frequent death threats and facing continued frustration in his quest to bring former Nazis to justice. Even my own office is enemy territory, he complains as underlings frustrate his plans. But then the attorney general, whose anti-Nazi efforts get a lot of press, receives a letter from a man in Buenos Aires tipping him off that Eichmann is living there under a false name. Fearful of trusting this news to his fellow Germans, as likely as not to tip the fugitive off, Bauer considers taking the information to the Israeli intelligence service Mossad, even though hes told in no uncertain terms by his otherwise sympathetic boss that if this action were discovered Bauer would be charged with treason. Making things even more difficult is that his nemesis Gebhardt has discovered that Bauer is gay. In a Germany still living under Nazi-era stringent anti-homosexual laws, being caught (or entrapped) in actionable behavior would also lead to arrest and prison. To emphasize this aspect of the story, director Kraume and his co-screenwriter Olivier Guez (author of a book on Bauer) have created composite character Karl Angermann, a young public prosecutor in Bauers office whos married but still retains a discernible interest in the male sex. Though actor Ronald Zehrfeld (whose credits include both Barbara and Phoenix for director Christian Petzold), won a Lola for his work here, these aspects of Fritz Bauer are not as compelling as the thrills of the hunt for Eichmann. Even though the result of that endeavor is known, seeing what a near thing it was never fails to engage. MPAA rating: R for some sexual content. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes. Playing Laemmles Royal, West Los Angeles, Town Center 5, Encino, Playhouse Pasadena. The People vs. Fritz Bauer. An involving film, a major award-winner in Germany, about the real-life anti-Nazi prosecutor who had a secret hand in Israels capture of Adolf Eichmann. - Kenneth Turan See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Actors gravitate toward passion projects, films they care deeply, even obsessively about, but the end result is hardly ever as convincing as A Tale of Love and Darkness a film of beautiful melancholy written, directed by and starring Natalie Portman. A Hebrew-language film based on the celebrated memoir by Israeli novelist Amos Oz, Love and Darkness persuasively intertwines the personal tale of a young boys strong bond with his emotionally fragile mother, strongly played by Portman, with the wider narrative of the early days of the future state of Israel. It is a story Portman has been eager to tell for eight years, but one she never planned to star in. Initially, I wanted to use an Israeli actress, but no one would give me the money as a first-time director for such a completely noncommercial project, she said in an interview when the film debuted at Cannes. And I was also starting to get old enough to play the part myself. Advertisement Portman, an Oscar-winner for Black Swan, was also old enough to know who to surround herself with, and this film is effective because, starting with her Israeli costars, the people shes elected to work with are all impressive. Natalie Portman directs and stars in A Tale of Love and Darkness. Veteran cinematographer Slawomir Idziak, responsible for the films appropriate desaturated look, has shot everything from Black Hawk Down to The Double Life of Veronique, while editor and frequent Sidney Lumet collaborator Andrew Mondshein, production designer Arad Sawat (Footnote) and composer Nicholas Britell (12 Years a Slave) all have credits just as notable. But finally, as writer, director and star, it is Portmans own deep connection to the material, her integrity and respect, that are key. Though Love and Darkness has moments of self-conscious artiness, as many first films do, Portman, very sure as to what she wanted, has made certain not to overstate the storys potent emotions, and that has made the difference. This is especially true in her performance as Ozs troubled mother, Fania, a woman, we are told in the films opening minutes, who took her life at age 38, when the author was but 12 years old. Acting in Hebrew in a performance that might be her best work, Portman makes Fania a genuinely haunted woman, someone who saw an abyss where others saw hope, with the pain of fighting against the pull of the vortex constantly on her face. As a screenwriter, Portman has condensed Ozs 500-plus-page book into a tight 98 minutes, concentrating on key sequences and episodes, starting with a scene of the 10-year-old Amos doing what he loved best, making up stories with his mother, who employed fables about her past in Europe to obliquely explain the world to her son. Fania came to Jerusalem from Rovno, in Ukraine, where she dreamed of a Palestine where handsome pioneers made the desert bloom. Instead, after her family left, 23,000 Jews, including everyone she knew, were killed by the Germans in two days. Amos is always trying to understand a mother whose essence is fated to be forever out of reach. Beautifully played by Amir Tessler, Amos is a born observer, a very serious young person always listening in as his mother trades stories of romance and tragedy with her sisters. Amos love of words also came from his earnest, careful father, a scholar and sometime author as well as something of a philologist who delights in, for instance, pointing out the connections between the Hebrew words for earth, man, blood and silence. Love and Darkness begins in 1945, in British Mandate Palestine, where even making a phone call to nearby Tel Aviv is shown to be a major production. Its a time when Jerusalems Arabs represented a more cultured world and the Jewish settlers worked hard to help everyone get along. A turning point both politically and personally is the Nov. 29, 1947 vote by the U.N. General Assembly that approved the partition of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, a roll call which throngs of Jews, including Amos and his family, listened to in front of a public loudspeaker. For most of the crowd, that vote was a hopeful moment, but for Fania the armed conflict it presaged would emphasize the way her girlhood fantasy clashed with cold reality. A fulfilled dream is a disappointed dream, the adult Oz says in voice-over, words that have as much relevance today as they did then. MPAA rating: PG-13 for thematic content and some disturbing violent images. In Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour, 38 minutes. Playing Landmark, West Los Angeles. A Tale of Love and Darkness. Based on the Amos Oz memoir and directed by and starring Natalie Portman, this Hebrew language film persuasively intertwines the personal tale of a young boys strong bond with his emotionally fragile mother with the wider narrative of the early days of the state of Israel. - Kenneth Turan See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour ALSO Natalie Portman on how A Tale of Love and Darkness is set in a time shes thought about her whole life Natalie Portman can relate to A Tale of Love and Darkness Venice Film Festival lineup includes Mel Gibson, Denzel Washington and Amy Adams This is to all the people that have been supporting this Shoshone Foot-Soldiers reporting of his journey of 15 years. This full-blood Western Shoshone, at the age of 73, he is going forward with his writing and telling the whole truth about his past Indigenous peoples way of life from the time of the signing of the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. These Indian leaders at that time didnt know how things were going to be. They were going with the flow because this signing was at gunpoint, and the signing was in blood. At that moment of time, Indian leaders were not educated in the way the white mans politics works. Indian leaders didnt know this was going to be a simple contract. Future Indian leaders of our community, you need to review it and make it a true binding contract. That way the white politicians wont run all over it. By doing this, it protects all of our Indian peoples traditional culture rights. As the supreme law of the land, the signing of these Indian treaties established a legally binding agreement between two sovereign nations; the United States and the Indian tribal nations. But the United States Government confined Native Americans to reservations. These corrupt bureaucrats, past and present, kept Indians under control by allowing their lands to be open to all the white intruders. But here is todays Western Shoshone elder, Judy Moon Glasson. She was from Ruby Valley at one time, but now she lives in Elko. She is now 90 and knows the history. Judy always said, Write the whole truth about our Shoshone peoples way of life on these Indian reservations and how it really happened at the signing of this Shoshone Treaty. There were no criminal penalties for murdering an Indian for his land and for his God-given rights. Some used to say, it was not recorded about an Indian being murdered before the signing. This report was past on down by word of mouth, about this Indian person that was cut-up in pieces and boiled. These soldiers at gunpoint, they forced these Shoshones to eat one of their own. At first, these Indian people said it didnt taste right. It tasted too sweet they said, and one of their spiritual members said, We better not eat more of this meat. These Indian treaties are theft treaties. Bureaucrats stealing Indian lands. It happened all across our Indian country and to this day. The person thats been writing these reports started this journey May 29, 2001. He was 58. But being the messenger, this Foot Soldier is always looking at his peoples Shoshone history in a different way from the way the white man wrote it. Now, its going to be written in our Shoshone way. To this day, there are 400 Indian treaties and there are about 565 tribal nations. Now its our turn to write it down. A brief summary will suffice to make the point. Going back to the first Indian treaty that was made in 1847, with the Penatek Indians. But of course, these corrupt bureaucrats could not enforce any of their law and rules onto the other tribes. But the terms were typical: Indians were to give up their lands and their way of life. Government people promised that no white man would be permitted to steal Indian lands. In 1889, the U.S. Congress came-up with a new plan. Just steal all Indian lands. The three-man panel, the report says, they were known as the Jerome Commission. They were appointed to negotiating with the tribes west of the 96th Meridian. People, their goal was to secure the cession to the United States. The idea was simple: the Indians would just give up their collective tribal lands for reservations. People, that is where these prison camps came from. We, the Indian people are still prisoners of war to this day 2016. They say during the second half of the 19th century; the west was engulfed in several Indian wars. At that moment of time, the Shoshones, they fought to keep their way of life together. The bureaucrats, they were fixing boundaries for the railroads and fixing prison camps for all Indian people. But to this day, we the Indian people, we have no rights to our land of birth. As we are moving forward with our Indian issues there are some non-Indian people say that Native American had no concrete title to all the lands they claimed. The words that they used on our past Indian people were not always amicable. But the spread of their diseases, apart from dispossessing the Indian people of there lands and decimating the local Native Americans. The words of years ago by our past Indian elders, they use to say, Washington D.C. always has been a place of crooks, cheaters, and dishonest bureaucrats and politicians. These Federal Government people are only good to themselves, not to the Indian environment. We the Indian people of today 2016, we cant be short sighted on our policymaking. As were moving forward, we have to stand by our Indian constitution. Thats our law. But our past elders were always saying to stay on the same path that our people been on. But this lost warrior, he is putting his right foot in the right direction for this new future Indian leader. He is Chief Robert Leo Brady. The Lost Warrior, Lone Gray Wolf, he has been walking in two different worlds. The past and present, protecting his peoples aboriginal land rights. We are still fighting for our traditional rights. Indian people there is a new era being opened up ahead. Its called the new transition. Transition is a new way of thinking about our politics. People we need to move with time, there is a new turning point in our Shoshone History. It starts with trust and it goes on to this. The charter set forth by the principles of our Indian Constitution and our peoples freedom and on to our religious beliefs. This foot soldier is a man of action. But he is closing his workshop and moving on to another project. He has reached the climax of his journey, working for his deceased elders. P.S. The old Shoshone foot-soldier, he owns the copyrights to all of writing about his Indian peoples true history. It took 15 years to complete the journey. A bad shoulder has put the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour on hold, but only for a week, according to the Associated Press. Bad Boy rapper and label exec Sean Puff Daddy Combs is recovering from shoulder surgery and needs the extra time to recover and give fans the incredible stage experience they have come to expect from a Puff Daddy experience, a spokesman for Combs told the AP on Friday. The tour, which also features Lil Kim, Faith Evans, French Montana, Mario Winans and other Bad Boy Records acts, was to begin Aug. 25, and is now slated to start on Sept. 1. Advertisement The Los Angeles-area stop had been slated for Oct. 4 at the Forum in Inglewood. New dates for the full 25-city tour have not been announced, but the opening show in Columbus, Ohio, has been reset for Sept. 1. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour As of Friday morning, the change in schedule was not reflected on the tours official website or on those of promoter Live Nation or Combs PuffDaddyAndTheFamily.com site. In conjunction with the tour, Bad Boy last week released a five-CD retrospective Bad Boy 20th Anniversary Box Set containing 80 tracks also including label stars such as the Notorious B.I.G., Maze, Shyne, Nelly, Yung Joc, Danity Kane and Janelle Monae. randy.lewis@latimes.com Follow @RandyLewis2 on Twitter.com For Classic Rock coverage, join us on Facebook ALSO Frank Ocean releases visual album Endless on Apple Music Rap feud between Drake and Eminem shut down by joint Detroit appearance Prepare to get your groove on: Vaud & the Villains return to Ford Amphitheatre on Aug. 19 Long-running L.A. art-rock duo Sparks will have a new album next year and brothers Ron and Russell Mael have put together an ambitious film teaser for the project. Coming off their collaboration with Franz Ferdinand in 2015, which yielded the album FFS and a tour with the combined forces of both groups, Sparks will return with the yet-untitled album in 2017. The teaser film, shot inside a large industrial factory of some sort, shows human and robotic factory workers and other machinery going about their labors as the phrases Manufactured in Los Angeles, Years in the Making, Artisan Crafted and Attention to Detail appear successively on the screen. Advertisement The Mael brothers albums in recent years had jettisoned standard rock guitar-bass-drums instrumentation for synthesizer and string-dominated efforts including Lil Beethoven in 2003, Hello Young Lovers in 2006 and Exotic Creatures of the Dark in 2009. They also wrote, on commission from Swedish national radio, a radio drama, The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman, released as an album and performed live in L.A. in 2011 in a semi-staged production for the Los Angeles Film Festival, en route to a still-gestating feature film treatment to be directed by Canadian filmmaker and longtime Sparks fan Guy Maddin. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Its all part of the Maels ongoing quest to defy expectations and turn pop music cliches inside out. From our perspective, and maybe theres some self-delusion there, we see ourselves being what pop music should be about, Ron Mael told The Times in 2009. People who are singing really mundane things to mundane music are really abusive of the privilege of being able to do pop music. Theres so much freedom there, apart from any of the rules, Mael said. We cant understand why what we do is thought to be so eccentric, when its just something we think is exciting. The teaser film clip offers no overt clues about the content or style of the new album, but the music accompanying the images is full of stentorian atmospherics and ominous chords. randy.lewis@latimes.com Follow @RandyLewis2 on Twitter.com For Classic Rock coverage, join us on Facebook ALSO The brothers Mael concoct The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman Mutual fans Franz Ferdinand and Sparks team for FFS album and tour Prepare to get your groove on: Vaud & the Villains return to Ford Amphitheatre on Aug. 19 SUNDAY The 2016 Rio Olympics in Rio de Janeiro wrap up with a Rio Gold recap followed by the closing ceremony. 7 and 8 p.m. NBC Michael B. Jordan is Creed, son of the late boxer Apollo Creed, and Sylvester Stallone is Rocky Balboa for the umpteenth time in director Ryan Cooglers inspirational 2015 off-shoot of the Rocky franchise. 8 p.m. Epix Advertisement Inspector Lewis, we hardly knew ye. This Inspector Morse spinoff starring Kevin Whately airs its finale on Masterpiece Mystery! 9 p.m. KOCE The only thing we have to fear is Fear the Walking Dead itself. The zombie drama returns with new episodes. With Kim Dickens and Cliff Curtis. 9 p.m. AMC Jon Voight fights to protect his home, home on the range in the new TV movie J.L. Family Ranch. James Caan, Melanie Griffith and Teri Polo also star. 9 p.m. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries The Jim Gaffigan Show ends its sophomore season with a pair of new episodes. 10 and 10:30 p.m. TV Land The Voice gets a jump on its upcoming season with a special post-Olympics episode. With Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. 10:30 p.m. NBC MONDAY Someones in the kitchen with mentors Tia Mowry and Donal Skehan, and they can barely reach the stove, in the new spinoff Food Network Star Kids. 8 p.m. Food Network Graces (Daisy Head) fate is in the hands of a jury on the first-season finale of the London-set mystery drama Guilt. 9 p.m. Freeform A scandal in D.C. sends an ambitious woman (Danielle Savre) back from whence she came Alabama, where family drama awaits in the new Tyler Perry series Too Close to Home. 9 p.m. TLC Cougar Towns Courteney Cox goes Running Wild With Bear Grylls in a new episode of the celebrity outdoor adventure series. 10 p.m. NBC Have pom-poms, will travel: Members of a world-champion Cheer Squad defend their title in this new ten-part reality series. 10 p.m. Freeform; also Tue.-Fri. TUESDAY Two of however many Duggars there are now are back in a new episodes of the reality-TV spinoff Jill & Jessa: Counting On. 8 p.m. TLC Silicon Valley is calling on the third-season premiere of the 1980s-set tech-industry drama Halt and Catch Fire. With Lee Pace, Mackenzie Davis, Kerry Bishe, Scoot McNairy and new cast member Annabeth Gish. 9 and 10 p.m. AMC Heavy metal: The blade-making competition Forged in Fire returns for a third season. 9 p.m. History Channel Buddy Valastro is back with an eighth season of Cake Boss. 9 p.m. TLC William Shatner, Henry Winkler, Terry Bradshaw and George Foreman boldly go where many have gone before Japan in the debut of the wacky new travel series Better Late Than Never. Comic Jeff Dye serves as tour guide. 10 p.m. NBC Can they talk? The new special The View: 20 Years in the Making celebrates two decades of the daytime gabfest. Barbara Walters hosts. 10 p.m. ABC Aspiring rappers get One Shot at stardom in this new competition series hosted by MTVs Sway Calloway. 10 p.m. BET Under a spreading chestnut tree, a Milwaukee Blacksmith stands in this new unscripted series. 10 p.m. History Channel If Playhouse Masters build it, kids will play in it in this new unscripted series. 10 p.m. TLC WEDNESDAY NBA great LeBron James promises to not be cavalier with budding entrepreneurs in his new reality series Cleveland Hustles. 7 p.m. CNBC Pint-sized princesses promenade for a seventh season of Toddlers & Tiaras. 8 and 9 p.m. TLC Just put it on my bill: An injured bird gets his beak repaired by veterinarians in Costa Rica in the new nature special Toucan Nation. 10 p.m. Animal Planet Crime pays in Naples, Italy at least in the new imported mob drama Gomorrah. 10 p.m. SundanceTV THURSDAY Its every queen for herself on the return of RuPauls All Stars Drag Race. Raven-Symone serves as a guest judge. 8 p.m. Logo These corrections officers are still a little wet behind the ears in a second season of the docu-series Behind Bars: Rookie Year. 10 p.m. A&E The fish and game wardens are back on the case on the return of the docu-series Rugged Justice. 10 p.m. Animal Planet The former American Idol contestant that no one loved to hate is back with a second season of I Love Kellie Pickler. 10 p.m. CMT FRIDAY Theres no place like Nome on the return of the Alaska-set docu-series Bering Sea Gold. 9 p.m. Discovery Channel Eddie Redmayne portrays a man who undergoes a sex change in 1920s Copenhagen in the fact-based 2015 drama The Danish Girl. With Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, Matthias Schoenaerts and Ben Whishaw. 9 p.m. HBO Regular-Joe investors put their hard-earned money where their mouths are in the new reality series Blue Collar Backers. 10 p.m. Discovery Channel SATURDAY Thar she blows! Director Ron Howard retells the whale of a tale that inspired Herman Melvilles classic novel Moby Dick in the 2015 adventure drama In the Heart of the Sea. With Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw and Brendan Gleeson. 8 p.m. HBO Shes overstayed her welcome and then some in the new thriller Unwanted Guest. With Kate Mansi and Beth Littleford. 8 p.m. Lifetime Former 1980s pop star Debbie Gibson plays a ... former 1980s pop star in the new TV movie Summer of Dreams. With Robert Gant. 9 p.m. Hallmark Channel Remember Memogate? Robert Redford portrays then-CBS News anchor Dan Rather and Cate Blanchett is then-60 Minutes producer Mary Mapes in the fact-based 2015 drama Truth. With Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid, Elisabeth Moss, Bruce Greenwood and Stacy Keach. 9 p.m. Starz Customized TV Listings are available here: www.latimes.com/tvtimes Click here to download TV listings for the week of Aug. 21 - 27, 2016 in PDF format This weeks TV Movies Miao Miao and Scott Franklin are the kind of couple who relish childlike beauty. They like to watch cartoons. Their home is decorated with mouse and squirrel artifacts they have made, including a mouse door stop and miniature paintings. And in a romantic take on texting, they have compiled a journal of love notes composed of their drawings on paper napkins. Childish things are inspiring, Miao explained with a smile. Advertisement 1 / 17 Married 8 years, Scott Franklin and Miao Miao work together as the creative agency NONdesigns and live in the Dorland house, a two bedroom, one bath house in Altadena designed by Lloyd Wright. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 17 Scott Franklin, left and Miao Miao at home in Altadena. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 17 With its sawtooth roof, brick, glass and wood composition, carport and grid system, Lloyd Wrights design is reminiscent of his fathers Roland Reisley House, the third of Frank Lloyd Wrights Usonia homes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 17 Despite its 1949 time stamp, many of the homes elements - concrete slab flooring, radiant heating, indoor outdoor access via floor to ceiling sliders - feels of the moment by todays standards. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 17 A whimsical doorbell, that is not original to the house, greets visitors. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 17 The couple named a pair of flexible cord lamps, at left, Hansel and Charlotte after their Altadena neighbors potbellied pig and goat. The trio of maple tables also have names: YOYO, FUFU, and KOKO. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 17 It took four people to assemble the witty and elegant Ingo Maurer chandelier which features a collection of scribbled paper notes in place of crystals. The dining room table is a Lloyd Wright design and has been passed down from homeowner to homeowner. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 17 A detail of the dining room table designed by Lloyd Wright specifically for the house. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 17 It was a great thing to be able to make a home in a piece of modernist history, says Scott Franklin. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 17 Miniature mouse and squirrel paintings and a sculpture by Scott Franklin infuse the house with personality along with a NONdesigns bowl and carved walnuts crafted by Miao Miaos father. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 17 One in a series of love notes on paper napkins that the couple have compiled in to a bound journal. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 17 The kitchen was updated by previous homeowners. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 17 Birch plywood chairs by NONdesigns are stacked in the guest room. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 17 Redwood sliders allow for easy indoor- outdoor access. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 17 In the master bedroom, a ceramic giraffe Franklin created when he was 14 is mounted next to a standing Noguchi floor lamp. Theyre like creatures, Miao says of the paper lights. They have so much personality. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 17 The master bedroom was originally a sleeping porch. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 17 The 1,465 square foot house effortlessly connects to the lush landscape in Altadena. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) Married eight years, the couple work together as the creative agency NONdesigns and live in the Dorland house, a two-bedroom, one-bath house designed by Lloyd Wright that they purchased in 2013. Their creative works demonstrate their shared appreciation for whimsy. In 2007, they helped design Bubbles, an inflatable art installation for the architectural design nonprofit Materials & Applications, where enormous air-bags inflated and deflated on contact. They have created collaborative office spaces for Good magazine and modular lighting systems that can change color with a remote control. They even named a pair of cord lamps Hansel and Charlotte after their Altadena neighbors potbellied pig and goat. Everything has a name, said Miao as she flipped over an end table to show BUBU which has been milled in to the maple. Other tables in the family include YOYO, FUFU, KOKO and TUTU. Marimekko textiles and a Noguchi lamp liven up the master bedroom, originally a sleeping porch. (Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times ) With its sawtooth roof; brick, glass and wood composition; carport and grid system, Wrights Altadena design is reminiscent of the organic affordable Usonian-style homes designed by Wrights father, the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Despite its 1949 time stamp, many of the Dorland homes elements -- concrete slab flooring, radiant heating, indoor-outdoor access via floor-to-ceiling sliders feels of the moment by todays standards. So what becomes a legend most? In the couples case, colorful, whimsical furnishings and personal artifacts that inject the iconic home with their creative spirit and personality. In the master bedroom, a ceramic giraffe Franklin created when he was 14 is mounted next to a standing Noguchi floor lamp. Theyre like creatures, Miao said of the paper lights. They have so much personality. And in the guest bedroom, another young Franklin design illuminates the room. I told Scott, Who knew the floor lamp you made in 11th grade would be in a Lloyd Wright house? Miao said. And that it would look great! It took four of them -- Franklins parents included -- to assemble the witty and elegant Ingo Maurer chandelier that features a collection of scribbled paper notes in place of crystals. A glimpse at the decor of Lloyd Wrights Dorland house in Altadena by designers Miao Miao and Scott Franklin A bright-red, low-slung sofa by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius adds drama to the living room, along with a pink lounge chair by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra. The result is a nice illustration of how modern furnishings and personal objects their own designs, Marimekko textiles and family heirlooms --- can liven up an iconic home. Following stints living at the Brewery lofts and a Pasadena condominium, the couple had hoped to build their own home. But when they saw the Wright house, they were overwhelmed. This house is very much us, Miao said of the Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced design, which is based on a parallelogram grid. We were made for it, or it was made for us. Everything is exposed, Franklin said of the bare wood beams and interiors. It is the opposite of how homes are built today. With the exception of refinishing the redwood doors and updating the pool, there was not a lot of refurbishing required when the couple moved in. This speaks to the care the previous homeowners took in preserving the house. As the fourth owners of the home, the couple inherited blueprints and photographs from the previous families, along with a dining room table and three end tables designed by Lloyd Wright. Looking forward, the couple hopes to remodel the kitchen and build a second living space that shares a similar geometric grid system. Looking back, Miao laughs at their first date. He invited me to go see [architects] Thom Mayne and Shigeru Ban speak at USC, she said. Today, they have come full circle, living in a home designed by another respected architect whom they have long admired. It was a great thing to be able to make a home in a piece of modernist history, Franklin said. lisa.boone@latimes.com Twitter: @lisaboone19 ALSO: More Southern California home tours Lloyd Wrights Sowden Residence Lloyd Wright-designed Samuel-Novarro House sells in Hollywood Hills Landmark houses: Frank Lloyd Wrights Millard House (La Miniatura) August used to be a leisurely time in presidential politics, a chance for candidates and others in the traveling campaign circus to retire to the beach or mountains and rest up for the final sprint to November, starting on Labor Day. No more. The round-the-clock news cycle and bottomless maw of social media make the notion of a summer respite seem as antiquated and old-timey as straw boaters and torch-light parades. Good afternoon, Im Mark Z. Barabak, filling in for Washington Bureau Chief David Lauter. Welcome to the Friday edition of our Essential Politics newsletter, in which we look back at the events of the week in the presidential contest and highlight some particularly insightful stories. Advertisement While the presidential candidates and their running mates kept up a brisk schedule of coast-to-coast appearances, the biggest news of the week was yet another shake-up in Donald Trumps troubled presidential campaign. Polls in key battleground states show that Trumps already difficult climb to the White House has grown considerably steeper after several weeks of self-generated controversy. The response of the Manhattan business mogul, never one to bow to political convention, was to double down on what has proved so problematic. TROUBLES FOR TRUMP As Noah Bierman pointed out, the demotion of seasoned campaign veteran Paul Manafort, who left Trumps campaign Friday, and the hiring of Stephen K. Bannon, the head of the pugnacious Breitbart News website, signals Trumps intention to continue his brawling, unrestrained ways. Cue Frank Sinatra: Come Nov. 8, win or lose, Trump will be able to say he did it is his way. Speaking of unconventional, Don Lee visited with one of Trumps economic advisors, a UC Irvine professor and four-time Democratic political candidate, Peter Navarro, who has never met the GOP nominee or even spoken with him on the telephone. Looking back, Bierman paired with Joe Tanfani for an examination of young Donald Trumps start in the real estate business, (which was helped along nicely with a big assist from his rich father.) Even then, the hallmarks of Trumps presidential run were plainly visible, including allegations of racial insensitivity and an elbows-out approach to dealing with opponents. Turning back to 2016, Lisa Mascaro reported from New Hampshire on concerns that Trumps sinking fortunes could drag down other Republicans running in November and possibly cost the GOP control of the U.S. Senate. Republican incumbent Kelly Ayotte is locked in one of the countrys closest Senate contests, against Democratic N.H. Gov. Maggie Hassan, and Trump hasnt made Ayottes life, or campaign, any easier. And with shades of Dr. Strangelove, Evan Halper reported how Trumps loose talk has elevated discussion of nuclear weapons and the possibility of nuclear war to the highest level in decades. NOT ALL ROSES FOR CLINTON Looking beyond the top-line, or horse-race, numbers, Cathleen Decker did a deep dive on the USC Dornsife/L.A. Times tracking poll and found several structural shifts that are working to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clintons advantage. Meantime, Tracy Wilkinson, exploring Clintons years as secretary of State, finds her tenure helping lead the nations foreign policy is not the unalloyed political asset it once was. And in the steady drip-drip-drip surrounding Clintons use of a private email server, the FBI turned over to Congress classified documents explaining prosecutors decision not to pursue criminal charges against the Democratic standard-bearer. WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN Vice President Joe Biden thought long and hard about running for president a job he twice sought before making way for Clinton. Ever the good party soldier, he appeared this week with the Democratic nominee at a stop in his hometown of Scranton, Pa. Michael Memoli was there as Biden proclaimed: She gets it, vouching for Clintons working-class cred. A LATE START AND A MISSED DEADLINE Evan McMullin, the former CIA counter-terrorism officer who last week launched a late independent campaign for the presidency, did not meet Californias deadline to submit nomination papers signed by 178,039 registered voters. WHAT WERE READING The Pew Research Center offers some of the best political analysis around, going well beyond whos-up-and-whos-down polling to parse various demographic groups and plumb whats on voters minds. This week, the center released a nationwide survey that found Clinton and Trump supporters view the past and future in strikingly different ways. Those findings and much more are available here. CANT GET ENOUGH CLINTON & TRUMP? Everything you ever wanted to know about the two major-party nominees is here and here. And check our daily USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times tracking poll at the top of the politics page. LOGISTICS If you like this newsletter, tell your friends and family to sign up. Its free! Did someone forward you this? You can sign up here for delivery straight to your email in-box. That wraps up this weeks summary. My colleague Christina Bellantoni will be back Monday with the weekday edition of Essential Politics. Until then, keep track of all the developments in the 2016 campaign with our Trail Guide, at our Politics page and on Twitter @latimespolitics. Comments, suggestions, news tips? Send them along to politics@latimes.com. Aug. 25, 2016, 10:40 a.m. Reporting from imperial beach, Calif. We made it, Oregon to Mexico, along an 1,100-mile beach The drive began at the Oregon border. It ended five weeks later at the Mexican border. Where I almost got arrested. OK, thats an exaggeration. When photographer Allen Schaben and I got to the border of Tijuana and Imperial Beach, the party was much better on the Mexican side. Families were in the water and on the sand, a Mariachi band played, and the whole scene was rather festive compared with two people strolling quietly on the Imperial Beach side. I thought briefly about defecting. One man stood at the fence on the Tijuana side, so I walked up to say hello. I asked why he wasnt swimming and he said he didnt have a bathing suit, then he stuck his hand through the fence to shake my hand. A Border Patrol agent sped toward me in an SUV and yelled for me to stand back from the fence. I hesitated, because what was the big deal? But then I noticed a sign warning against contact or the passing of narcotics through the fence, etc. So I stepped back from the fence because I didnt know if Id be able to write my last road trip columns from a jail cell. Im going to wrap up the series on Sunday, but that wont be the end of my coverage of the California Coastal Commission on the 40th anniversary of the Coastal Act. Theres lots to keep an eye on. Legislation to ban private meetings between commissioners and developers could move forward later today. A vote has been delayed on the controversial proposal for a desalination plant in Huntington Beach, a project that doesnt make a lot of sense in my opinion but has big money backing it. The ever-controversial Newport Banning Ranch project -- a massive hotel/housing development on the last undeveloped plot of privately owned coastal property in Southern California -- will be up for a vote in early September. And the City Council election in Pismo Beach has gotten very interesting because Erik Howell, a councilman and coastal commissioner who ticked off Pismo residents by supporting a development that will block ocean views, now has challengers in his reelection campaign. Howell, if youve forgotten, accepted a $1,000 campaign donation from the domestic partner and business colleague of the lobbyist who represents the Pismo development. If he loses his council seat, he loses his Coastal Commission seat too. So stay tuned. The Coastal Commission will have a new director soon, a new chair and at least two new commissioners, and we need to watch closely because whats at stake is the greatest 1,100-mile coast in the world. 10:25 A.M. reporting from san diego Lawmaker who led 72 coastal preservation bike ride from San Francisco to San Diego still has Schwinn that delivered win Former senator James Mills, 89, stands with the bike he rode from Sacramento to San Diego in 1972 to promote Prop 20, which created the Coastal Commission and led to the Coastal Act. The photo was taken overlooking the San Diego skyline from Mills Coronado apartment Wednesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The bike. I wanted to see the bike, and meet its owner. Arriving in San Diego meant our coastal trek from Oregon to Mexico was coming to an end, and it meant that it was finally time to pay a visit to Jim Mills. Mills, a state legislator from 1962 to 1981, was Senate president pro tempore in 1972 when he decided to support Proposition 20, the coastal preservation act. Without it, conservationists feared, coastal development would run amok, Highway 1 would be widened, and a string of nuclear power plants would spring up on some of the greatest beach fronts in the world. But there wasnt much money to fight Prop. 20s foes, said Mills, who had grown up wading in La Jolla Cove and has a deep appreciation of the states greatest natural resource. So in September 1972, he hopped aboard his canary yellow Schwinn Super Sport and led a bike rally from San Francisco to San Diego. The number of riders swelled at times, Mills said, and bikers were greeted each evening by locals serving plenty of carbs. We ate a lot of weenies and beans, and spaghetti too, he said. He recalled PG&E executives following the cyclists in a chauffeur-driven Cadillac, doing their own spin on Prop. 20. The bike rally drew lots of publicity, Mills said, and whether it made the difference is anyones guess. But Prop. 20 won 55% of the vote and led in 1976 to the Coastal Act that to this day protects the coast for the benefit of fragile marine and land habitats and the enjoyment of everyone. Mills was 45 when he rode down the coast, and 89 now. He greeted me and photographer Allen Schaben at his Coronado condo and said he hasnt done any riding lately, but hes doing a lot of writing. Mills has written several books and is working on another. He leads us down to the basement, and there it is. The dusty, canary yellow Schwinn that Mills rode in 1972, and for many years after the Prop. 20 campaign. He was an avid cyclist. Mills also kept the helmet he wore in 1972. We took the bike upstairs, where Mills put on his helmet and posed next to the bike that is a piece of California history. The Coastal Act has done a great deal of good over the years, Mills said, and the cause is no less important now than it was when he rode south from San Francisco. We need to preserve the coast for the benefit of future generations, he said, and I thank him for his contribution. Aug. 21, 2016, 10:50 p.m. Reporting from the Mexican border Steve Lopez reflects back on his 1,100 mile trek down the California coast 6:57 P.M. Sometimes the sausage is good enough to eat Two things will happen soon. The last column from my 1,100 mile road trip down the California coast will be done. And the reform bill banning private communications between California Coastal Commissioners and developers, as well as others, could finally emerge from the factory. As Ive been saying, Hannah-Beth Jacksons bill sailed through the Senate and should have done the same in the Assembly, but it got pushed off into a dark corner after a very fishy report claimed that reform costs money. The thing has come back to life, though, with amendments that arent as bad as the original amendments. I dont see why we need the amendments at all, or why the wrangling has to take place behind closed doors and out of public view. While I was thinking about that, a reader emailed me a clever idea about how to keep coastal commissioners honest -- make them strap on body cameras, like cops. I like it, and why not do the same with legislators, so we can all see whats going on? Having said all this, though, Im hearing from supporters of Jacksons bill that they think theres actually a chance the legislation is going to be OK, once all the cooks are done tweaking the recipe. Sausage is full of awful stuff, but just about all of it is good on the grill. So as much fun as Ive had telling you to ping Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, @Rendon63rd, and Appropriations Chair Lorena Gonzalez, @LorenaAD80, and ask what gives, maybe we should try another approach. Im told that Rendon, Gonzalez and other Assembly leaders have done some decent work rescuing this much-needed bill from the trash. So go ahead and tweet them again, and tell them youre encouraged, and still watching -- to the extent thats possible -- and counting on them to do whats necessary to get the bill to Gov. Jerry Brown, which is when the real fun will begin. 8:46 A.M. When it comes to coastal protection, why does state Assembly have such a problem with transparency? The need to clean up the way the California Coastal Commission operates was obvious. Commissioners meet privately with developers more than with any other group, by far. They have repeatedly failed to fully explain the nature of those meetings, and have even failed to report them on occasion. State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) penned a bill to ban such meetings. It cleared the Senate and bounced over to the Assembly, which nearly killed it, but finally decided this week to merely beat it to a pulp. The toothless mess that emerged from the Assembly Appropriations Committee this week would allow private meetings to continue under certain circumstances, and now Sen. Jackson has the task of trying to put some punch back into her bill. And heres the irony: We dont know which Assembly members, or higher powers, conspired to water down Jacksons bill because there is no transparency in the process. You cant peer through a window into the sausage factory. These amendments were hammered out privately. One can guess that the development lobby and labor groups did not like Jacksons reform bill because it would get in the way of a process that gives an advantage to those who want to build on the coast. One can even guess that the Brown administration shares their view. But we dont know, because a bill to shine a light on important decision-making got pummeled in a dark room, and the perps left no fingerprints. See Dan Weikels story at latimes.com. Ive sent in a request for an explanation to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount). He has appointing authority for four coastal commissioners and itd be nice to hear what he thinks about the handiwork by his Appropriations Committee. If youd like to ping him or Appropriations Chair Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) to ask what happened, try @Rendon63rd and @LorenaAD80. Or you can drop a line to The Silent One @JerryBrownGov, but Ive tried, and despite months of turmoil and controversy on the 40th anniversary of the Coastal Act he signed into law, the governor doesnt want to be disturbed. 7:36 A.M. Summer is in the rear-view mirror, end of journey just down the road 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) Carlsbad. Leucadia. Encinitas. Cardiff. Solana. Del Mar. Summer is disappearing in my rear-view mirror. Week Five of my trip from Oregon to Mexico will be over in just a few days, 1,100 miles after it began. Photographer Allen Schaben is farther down the road, waiting for me in San Diego. Soon well stand at the Mexican border and reflect on a deeper love of the California coast, a greater appreciation of the Coastal Act on the 40-year anniversary of protections that became law. Ill wish Id had a week to spend in places where I only had an hour or two. Ill thank the people we met along the way, and tell others well take up their offer the next time through. Californians are passionate about their coast. Theyre closely watching those in public office whose job is to protect fisheries and dunes, to limit development and maximize access. Ive got one eye on Sacramento myself. On legislative reforms that would serve all Californians. On coastal commissioners, some of whom seem to have forgotten their purpose. Im pulling into San Diego, where the air is warm, the water blue, Mexico in the near distance. 4:14 P.M. La Jolla The palm fronds of a palapa reveal a surfer, a couple and children taking in a warm summer sunset at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 1:07 P.M. newport beach Watts in a name? Find Amp-le answers in Newport Beach On Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach. (Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times) Im driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway and spot the sign. The boat name of the week, it says, is Watt A Man. Thats not a mistake. This is the headquarters for Duffy, which makes the electric boats that are part of the culture in the Newport harbor. Many years ago, I wrote a column about a day of hobnobbing and bar-hopping, by boat, with local residents. I also wrote, at the time, about boat owners trying to out-do each other with clever names for the battery-powered boats. One of my favorites was Salt n Battery. So what are some of the newer ones? I walk into the office, and salesman Jim Drayton says one of the best ones this summer was Amp-ly Endowed. Not bad. Tyler Duffield, of the Duffy family, shows me a list with a few more recent winners. Your name here. (Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times) Its a Ohm Run. Watt the Hey. Watta Yacht. Going back through the years, some of the better names include: Current Affair. Carry Us Ohm Watts the Hurry. Shock Cousteau. Ohmer Simpson. Knots and Volts. I could go on, but why dont you, instead? Send me your best names. Its not as easy as it looks, Duffield said. Its usually the hardest part, he says. Someone comes in and orders a boat, and they get the colors and everything figured out, and the last thing to do is come up with a name before the boat leaves the factory. Yeah, Its a Duff Life out here, where people are Ohm on the Watter, but It Is Watt It Is. 9:13 A.M. Going under in Laguna Beach A snorkeler looks for fish at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Garibaldi swim and feed on rocks at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 2:41 P.M. Catching waves in Huntington Beach 10:53 A.M. On our way toward Mexico 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) The site of the proposed Banning Ranch development now before the California Coastal Commission. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The tide rolls in at twilight at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station located on the border of San Diego County and San Clemente. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 4:52 P.M. Laguna Beach 4:45 P.M. Laguna Beach 12:51 P.M. Dana Point 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) 10:37 P.M. sacramento Profiles in courage: Legislators soften Coastal Commission reform, leave no fingerprints A perfectly sensible bill to clean up the way California coastal commissioners do business has been getting the waterboard treatment. First, Santa Barbara Sen. Hannah-Beth Jacksons SB 1190 was submerged by a ludicrous report claiming it would cost too much money to prohibit private conversations between developers and commissioners. Then it was tossed overboard and dragged like chum. Then on Thursday, legislators pulled SB 1190 back into the boat so badly decomposed its barely recognizable. As my colleague Dan Weikel reports at latimes.com, five amendments gutted the good intentions. The most egregious one allows commissioners to meet privately with developers during on-site visits. This comes just weeks after reports that Coastal Commission Chairman Steve Kinsey met twice with developers of the massive Newport Banning Ranch development and failed to properly report those confabs. Environmental groups, however, would not be able to have such meetings in the bills current form. On my best day, I could not have come up with a more Alice in Wonderland outcome. Details were still emerging, and it wasnt clear which legislators were responsible for the hatchet job, or whether they caved in to political, development or union pressure, or all three. No fingerprints on the body, in other words. Three environmentalists I checked with were livid, and understandably so. Stay tuned for updates on the autopsy, and dont stop letting @JerryBrownGov know how you feel about whats happening to coastal preservation on his watch. #SaveYourCoast 7:46 A.M. Sunset at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages Children run along the beach at twilight near the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The sun sets over the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 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) Incoming tide rolls onto the beach at twilight at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 1:29 P.M. Column: Fighting for the California coast from a tiny office in her kitchen nook Susan Jordan, who created and runs the California Coastal Protection Network, is seen in her Santa Barbara office. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) If you were a coastal conservation activist in California, with 1,100 miles of shoreline to look after, how would you even decide where to begin? Theres always a battle somewhere, and let me give you just a couple of examples from one tiny section of the coast. Moss Landing is in the news again this week as the Surfrider Foundation and other activists try to stop Cemex, an international sand mining company, from trucking away the beach as it has done for decades, causing erosion that has begun to set off lots of alarms. Read more 8:49 A.M. Hermosa Beach Remember when you could spend a night at a California beach motel for less than a weeks pay? A third-generation motel owner in this seaside town tells me he gets an offer, about every other day, from someone who wants to buy his property, bulldoze it and rebuild. But hes hanging on because three generations of families have been staying at his low-budget, no-frills motel since the 1960s, and he doesnt want to end those summer vacation traditions. Elsewhere on the California coast, motels and hotels have been bought out by chains and developers, driving up the cost of affordable family vacations. Look for my column on the Hermosa Beach motel in the coming days. And if you know of good low-budget beach lodging, or if youve seen your motel go from cheap to chic, drop me a line at steve.lopez@latimes.com Over the next two days, photographer Allen Schaben and I will be in Hermosa and Huntington Beach, reporting on the proposed desalination plant there. And, by the way, we should find out in the next day or two whether legislation banning private meetings between coastal commissioners and developers is released from legislative prison and put up for a vote in the state Assembly. Theres still time to weigh in at #SaveYourCoast and be sure to give a poke to @JerryBrownGov and Assemblywoman, Lorena Gonzalez @LorenaAD80. Read more More than a decade ago, Los Angeles County sanitation officials made a deal with a Central Valley farmer that seemed to solve an intractable problem for both sides. The 11 wastewater treatment plants operated by the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County were producing nearly half a million tons a year of treated sewage sludge from human waste, and it had to be disposed of somehow. For the record: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that the plant had yet to take any wood chips from Central Valley operations. It has taken wood chips from locations in the Central Valley. Meanwhile, Westlake Farms, a large agricultural operation near Kettleman City in Kings County, was struggling with both financial troubles and poor soil. Advertisement They entered into a deal to build a composting plant on the farmland, where the biosolids would be mixed with wood chips and other green waste to turn the sludge into fertilizer that would meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency safety standards. The fertilizer then would be used by the farm to grow crops such as cotton, wheat and alfalfa. The sanitation districts which manage wastewater and solid waste for 78 cities in Los Angeles County, not including the city of Los Angeles spent $130 million to buy the land and build the plant, which finally opened earlier this year. But after the lengthy delays in starting, it is producing a fraction of the compost that had been projected. Now, the sanitation districts are embroiled in a legal fight with the farmer. I think we were seriously misled along the whole project, Westlake Farms President Ceil Howe Jr. said in an interview. Howe sold 14,500 acres of the 54,000-acre farm to the sanitation districts in 2001 for $27.4 million. The districts would use 2,500 acres for the plant, wetlands and evaporation ponds; and the farm would lease back the remaining land and grow crops there using the compost. Howe said he had been expecting that the plant which was designed to process up to 500,000 tons of biosolids and 400,000 tons of green waste a year would provide enough compost for the entire farming operation, saving him as much as $1 million a year on fertilizer. Instead, the plant started this year with plans to process only 40,000 to 60,000 tons of human waste, and its unclear whether it ever will reach full capacity. Howe is now suing to have the sale undone, saying the sanitation districts have not lived up to their part of the deal. Howes attorney, James Ardaiz, called the plant a bad financial deal both for the farmer who has been paying $300,000 a year in rent on the 12,000 acres he leased back and for the taxpayers of Los Angeles County. From L.A.s standpoint, its just a $130-million white elephant sitting out in the middle of nowhere, he said. Sanitation district officials pointed out that their agreement with the farm did not guarantee Westlake a set amount of fertilizer from the plant on any specific timeline. They defended the money spent on the facility as necessary to ensure the agency will have a way to dispose of biosolids in the future. We view this facility as an important investment in long-term, reliable infrastructure that is critical to our ability to provide our vital wastewater treatment services, said Ann Heil, section head of reuse and compliance for the districts. The districts currently send some of the biosolids produced in Los Angeles County to a landfill in Kern County and some to Arizona, where the matter can be spread directly on farmland, Heil said. The majority goes to five composting plants, including the newly completed Tulare Lake Composting Facility on the Westlake Farms site, which is the only one the district fully owns and operates. She said that when sanitation district officials first started talks with Westlake Farms, they were concerned because a number of counties were banning the application of biosolids directly on land and were looking for a backstop or fail-safe. Originally, the biosolids were to be spread directly on the farm, but when Kings County banned the practice as well, they turned to the idea of building a composting plant. Heil said district officials will analyze the economics of the facility after the first year of small-scale operation and then will decide whether to increase production. Like any project, you like to start small when youre first starting it up, she said. Right now, were still in the ramping-up stage. People who live near the plant have expressed mixed feelings about it. Some local farmers initially welcomed it as a boon to the economy and a potential outlet for their own green waste. The plant has taken wood chips from Central Valley operations since starting up, and Heil said the operators plan to continue to do so. But environmental groups concerned about air and water pollution sued to stop the project after it was approved by Kings County in 2004. They settled two years later, with the sanitation districts agreeing to use clean-fuel trucks for hauling the waste. If the plant were operating at full capacity, it would take 55 trucks a day or more than 20,000 a year to haul the waste there. Maricela Mares-Alatorre, a Kettleman City resident and community organizer who opposed the project from the beginning, said shes still not sold on it. It seemed like another deal where the Central Valley gets shafted by Southern California, she said. We send them good water to drink, and they send us back their poo. I cant say Ill be really upset if theyre not operating at 100%. abby.sewell@latimes.com Twitter: @sewella ALSO Raging Blue Cut fire leaves some homes in smoldering ruins, but scope of loss still a mystery Exide cleanup: Parts of three L.A.-area schools are fenced off due to lead contamination Legislator seeks to revise bill that would ban behind-the-scenes communications at the Coastal Commission The tally for Californias harsh fire season ascended to even grimmer terrain Saturday as officials announced that the Blue Cut fire in the Cajon Pass has destroyed 105 homes and 213 other structures. The toll in San Bernardino County caps a week of extensive losses across California, including 300 structures destroyed in Lake County in Northern California when a wildfire raced through the town of Lower Lake, hammering its downtown area. In both cases, officials said, the fires ravaged rural communities on the edges of vast open spaces so quickly that there was little firefighters could do. They blamed Californias five-year drought, which has left brush bone-dry, as well as hot, windy weather conditions. Advertisement They are just moving as fast as the wind can push them, and thats leading to what were seeing in terms of devastation, said Char Miller, a Pomona College professor whos an expert in wildfires. Lets call it an imperfect storm of conditions: the drought, the heat, the low humidity. And lets be honest, this is not really big winds. Miller and other experts said the Blue Cut fire, which erupted Tuesday, is the latest harbinger of what could be a difficult fall when fierce Santa Ana winds traditionally cause many Southern California wildfires to pick up. If this came with Santa Ana, oh, my God, this would have been double or triple damage, Miller added. The blaze has covered more than 37,000 acres and was 68% contained as of Saturday morning, prompting officials to lift some evacuation orders and allowing residents to return to their homes. At the peak of the fire, more than 80,000 people were ordered to evacuate. More than 2,600 firefighters are battling the blaze, officials said. They are being assisted by 12 air tankers and 14 water-dropping helicopters. The property losses were scattered over a wild swath of the Cajon Pass. The last time Mabel Ramos saw her peach-colored home was through the rear-view mirror of her car as she was pulling out of her driveway soon after the Blue Cut fire started. She saw flames as high as a utility pole surrounding her property. I was thinking, Our Lord, dear father, his son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, please, when I leave this gate, take care of my house, she said. Ramos returned to her home late Thursday afternoon. When she got to the gate, she found the charred Jaguar that she and her husband drove off in after getting married. Then she saw the guest house that she and her husband had built together, now a pile of rubble. I cried, she said. It was terrible. On Friday, she stood in what was once the living room of the guest house. The singed metal frame of a coffee table stood nearby. Other parts of the house survived, including a cast-iron wood stove. The guest house was special, Ramos said. Her grandmother from El Salvador and family in Canada would stay there whenever they visited. Her son, who lives in Los Angeles, used it as second home. Raw video from Blue Cut fire near the Cajon Pass. The shed where she kept her animals also burned. She lost 135 of her livestock. I didnt have time to even open the door, she said, stifling tears. Though the fire is slowly being contained, those whose homes were burned are just beginning to come to terms with the loss. We know that there are going to be people who are going to come home to nothing in a fire like this that seemed to burn at will and jump literally a half-mile ahead of itself, San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said. There are also going to be homes that are saved. You scratch your head and wonder why those survived and those that seemed to be positioned better did not. The Blue Cut fire came just one week after another major blaze nearby, the Pilot fire. Its been a tough couple weeks for the people of San Bernardino County, Hartwig said. It seems like much more than two weeks. San Bernardino has seen much more destructive fires in its history. In 2003, the deadly Old fire burned more than 90,000 acres and destroyed nearly 1,000 structures. That fire burned during the heart of the Santa Ana winds season at the same time as several other destructive blazes that have come to be known as the 2003 fire storm. So far this year, there have been more wildfires in California, but they have consumed fewer acres compared with last year. Some 3,640 fires erupted between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13 of 2015 and charred 144,645 acres, according to data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. This year, 3,874 fires have burned 112,950 acres through Aug. 13. Seven people have died. The Blue Cut fire continued to be most active in the Gobblers Peak area, just south of Wrightwood. Gusty winds, high temperatures and low humidity are expected to persist and could create the same challenges that have hampered crews since the blaze erupted. Although the fire calmed slightly overnight and halted its march north and east, a red-flag warning remains in effect. On Friday afternoon, some signs of progress were evident. Mandatory evacuations were lifted in several communities, and Caltrans reopened the 15 Freeway on Thursday. The route connects Los Angeles and Las Vegas and is a key trucking and commuter route that runs from San Diego, through the Inland Empire and across the Mojave Desert into Nevada. Its two-day closure had contributed to massive congestion, creating nightmares for travelers and those trying to evacuate. A portion of Highway 138, another major roadway in the area, also reopened, according to the California Highway Patrol. And with both sides of the 15 Freeway reopened, truckers like Kevin Holladay were able to return to their usual commute. Holladay prayed the flames would calm down, he said not because of the drive but because of the destruction. His thoughts drifted to residents whose homes and animals were threatened by the wildfire. Driving through the area, he caught a glimpse of some of the damage left behind. I was shocked, he said. Stuff youve seen for years is gone. Down a narrow dirt road off Highway 138 in Phelan, a popular Korean churchs retreat center sat in ruins. About 10 buildings belonging to the Thanksgiving Korean Church were left in large piles of rubble. Rows of scorched metal chairs remained standing in some buildings. Damaged sinks, stoves and washers in others suggest they may have been used as living quarters. Jinny Lee, owner of a cafe off Highway 138, walked past one incinerated building after another, trying to remember the one where the actual church services took place. She looked at the charred furniture before her. Maybe its this building, she said. Parvini reported from Los Angeles and Vives from Oak Hills. Times staff writers Joseph Serna and Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. sarah.parvini@latimes.com For more local and breaking news follow me on Twitter: @sarahparvini ALSO In pretty Lake County, an arson fire lays out some ugly realities Wildfire near Santa Barbara burns 600 acres, prompting evacuations Man with bayonet-style weapon killed by police in East Hollywood, LAPD says UPDATES: 11:10 a.m. This story has been updated with new containment figures and the number of houses and structures destroyed. Aug. 20, 6:15 a.m.: Updated with the fire 40% contained. 3:15 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with more details. 11:25 a.m.: This article was updated with the number of homes destroyed. 10:30 a.m.: This article was updated with reporting from a truck stop in the Cajon Pass. 9:42 a.m.: This article was updated with an eyewitness account from a camper evacuated due to the Rey fire. This article was originally published at 8:40 a.m. Aug. 19 A man armed with a bayonet-style weapon was fatally shot by police early Friday morning in East Hollywood, authorities said. Officers assigned to the LAPDs Hollywood Division were driving along Hobart Boulevard, just south of Sunset Boulevard, about 1 a.m. when they encountered the man, said Lt. Chris Ramirez. Ramirez described the weapon as a long piece of metal with a bayonet more than 6 inches long fixed to the end, but he said investigators were still examining the object. Police had initially described the weapon as a long firearm with a knife attached to the end. Advertisement It was not immediately clear what happened in the moments before the officers opened fire. The man, described as being in his 30s or 40s, died at the scene. No officers were injured. Los Angeles County coroners officials said they were still working to identify the dead man late Friday morning. He may have been mentally ill, police said. Ramirez said investigators found vehicles parked down the street that had punctured tires, and were looking into whether there was any connection to the mans activities before he encountered police. The officers did not have body cameras, but their car was equipped with a camera, Ramirez said. Investigators will review the device to see if it captured the shooting. Authorities are also canvassing the area for any witnesses or security cameras in the neighborhood that could reveal more about what happened. The man was the 17th person shot by on-duty LAPD officers this year. Fourteen have died. As with all shootings by LAPD officers, the deadly encounter will also be reviewed by the district attorneys office, Police Commission and its inspector general. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. sarah.parvini@latimes.com For more local and breaking news follow me on Twitter: @sarahparvini ALSO In pretty Lake County, an arson fire lays out some ugly realities Friends mourn Mother Teresa of the homeless, who lived in an alley for 30 years Man arrested in fatal beating of taxi driver at Hollywood gas station UPDATES: 10:10 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details from the Los Angeles Police Department. This article was originally published at 7:30 a.m. The author of a bill to ban behind-the-scenes communications at the California Coastal Commission said Thursday that she will seek to revise amendments an Assembly committee recently made to moderate the reform measure. Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) said she wants to revise, perfect and clarify changes in SB 1190, her bill to stop coastal commissioners from having private, so-called ex-parte communications with developers, lobbyists, environmentalists or anyone else interested in the land use agencys business. Her legislation also would prevent commissioners from trying to influence reports and recommendations by staff members, who are supposed to do their job free of political influence. Advertisement I want to stay focused on the purpose of the bill: To provide transparency, to restore confidence in the commission and level the playing field for all Californians, said Jackson, who has until the end of the legislative session Aug. 31 to revise the measure and get it through the Assembly. Ex-partes are private communications between a commissioner and an interested party that could influence a decision. They can involve telephone calls, face-to-face meetings, emails or other written materials communications that must be publicly disclosed to the agency within days of their occurrence. Jacksons bill emerged Thursday from the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which finalized the language of several amendments that were announced late last week. The senator said she is optimistic that ongoing negotiations in the Assembly will improve the legislation and address concerns that the committees proposed changes might not provide a complete ban. One amendment would let commissioners and staff visit project sites of developers and permit applicants if the visit is allowed by the property owner and approved by a majority of the commission. In addition, the ban would not apply to commissioners who are also elected officials and were acting in that capacity while communicating about a matter before it came to the commission. Another amendment would require the commission to provide telephone and video access to its public meetings so that members of the public could testify about a matter. The idea is potentially costly for the agency. The Appropriations Committee further recommended that the commission adopt a policy preventing commissioners from unduly influencing the staff and to include general comments from interested parties such as labor unions, environmentalists and business groups, in staff reports related to commission business. Ex-parte communications became controversial in February when commissioners fired Charles Lester, the agencys executive director, with little public explanation. A review of ex-parte disclosure forms by The Times later found that some commissioners filed late reports or, in a few cases, completely failed to disclose their communications, a potential violation of state law. Other disclosure forms did not contain dates, signatures or detailed accounts of the communications as required, and the majority of ex-partes involved developers or their representatives. Dan.Weikel@latimes.com Gandia is one of the areas that's decided to remove unattended umbrellas JOSE JORDAN Every day, as dawn breaks, a silent battle commences on Spains busiest beaches: securing a spot as close as to the water possible. Starting at 7am, hundreds of people stake their claims in the sand with umbrellas and sometimes chairs, tables and coolers too before heading out to enjoy the water. Sometimes, they dont return for hours. More and more complaints from residents and vacationers alike have led authorities of coastal Mediterranean communities to declare war on this spot saving by passing new ordinances or enforcing existing ones. Weve decided to go one step further and have local police remove these objects, which are turning a public space into a private space in the earliest hours of the morning, says councilman Jose Manuel Prieto of Gandia in Valencia, the latest city where these regulations have been set into motion. The measure has been well received by the majority of vacationers, according to Prieto and confirmed by various residents. I take a walk here every morning, and I see a lot of older people coming and basically setting up fences, all at the very front by the water. And I dont think its right, says Carlos Peiro soon after leaving the water. Eusebio Sanchez, who is 73, sees the logic in the prohibition even though he admits that he too has often left an umbrella speared in the sand to reserve his family the closest spot to the water. The vacationer, who comes from Toledo every summer, adds: If the city council is doing it so the machines that smooth out the sand dont run into issues with umbrellas, Ill be the first to jump on board. However, if theyre doing it so they can collect fines and make more money, I dont think thats reasonable. The authorities want to prevent umbrellas from turning public beaches into private spaces before the sun is even up In Gandia, a town whose population grows from 75,000 in the winter to 300,000 in the summer, the mere announcement has led to the overnight disappearance of the umbrellas at least for now. Vacationers have complied with the rule change even before authorities have had to remove any umbrellas or issue any fines, which can run as high as 720. The spreading news of the ordinance has set an example, which is exactly what we wanted, but we couldnt achieve it just with a month of giving the people information, the councilman reports. Since the new rule came into effect last Tuesday, the number of umbrellas and shades set up early in the morning has diminished, and the ones that do appear on the beaches arent abandoned, instead left with someone standing guard nearby. But combating this phenomenon isnt easy. In Torrox, a beach town in Malaga, where the umbrella sanctions have been in effect for two summers now, and where the recovery of umbrellas removed from the beach costs 30, simple deterrence hasnt been enough. According to Pablo Escobar, local police spokesperson, not everyone agrees. The last time we enforced the rule, there were people yelling insults at police from the balconies. The neighboring town of Algarrobo and Granadas Almunecar have followed in Torroxs footsteps. In addition to the early-bird spot-claimers, another phenomenon that conflicts with local regulations can be observed in Torrox. There are people that go to eat around midday and leave their things on the beach, or cool off with a nap in their house and come back around 6 or 7pm. And were taking action, Escobar says. Whose umbrella is it anyway? According to Spain's regional governments, removing unattended umbrellas (after checking that the owners haven't just stepped away) isn't a problem, especially early in the morning. The challenge comes with issuing the fine; unlike cars, umbrellas don't come with identification. "You can only fine someone if they come back to claim the umbrella. And since it can cost up to 300, depending on the circumstances, the offending umbrella owner is better off abandoning it and buying another." Towns such as Gandia are planning to implement much higher fines, up to 720, but the city council hopes to not have to issue them. "The initiative's intention is to dissuade rather than to punish," says Prieto. "We're doing this for the community spirit, to guarantee that everyone can enjoy the beach under the same conditions." The deterrence measures havent been in place for very long in Torrevieja (Alicante), which last year removed the first umbrella and gave its owner a 150 fine. It worked for a while. But this summer theyve filled the beaches again, says the mayor, Jose Manuel Dolon. The councilman admits that they havent taken action yet, out of fear that it would mean declaring war on the packed beaches. We will, though. Its unacceptable to claim public space like this. According to sources from various regions, the people who use the umbrellas to stake out their territory at the break of dawn tend to be older, mostly men, who come on family trips every summer to the same tourist destination, often to the same part of the beach. This problem doesnt exist in Mallorca, where the hotels have a stronger presence and tourists use more rental umbrellas and sun loungers, says the city council. Salou in Tarragona, where beach cleaning starts at 5am, also doesnt face the issue. At that time, the machines dont run into umbrellas. And up to now we havent thought it necessary to regulate them, says a spokesperson. The measures to tackle this practice are spreading rapidly, on the other hand, along the Valencian coast. Sagunto has begun to regulate unattended umbrellas. Alicante and Benidorm prohibit placing them before 8am, as does Cullera, a tourist apartment destination in Valencia. The Cullera councilman who oversees the beaches, Salvador Tortajada, describes his daily struggle: Once the machines finish cleaning, theres a race to see who can grab the first spot. Some groups are organized so that one person guards everyone elses things. There are also those people who mark out their plot of sand with the umbrella pole. Sign up for our newsletter EL PAIS English Edition has launched a weekly newsletter. Sign up today to receive a selection of our best stories in your inbox every Saturday morning. For full details about how to subscribe, click here English version by Allison Light. The two camouflage-wearing, assault rifle-carrying men involved in a bizarre rolling standoff with police in Inglewood and Los Angeles this week are facing weapons charges, prosecutors said Thursday. Edmon Washington, 35, and Brook Lindsey, 30, both residents of the San Fernando Valley, were charged Thursday with felony counts of possession of an assault weapon, the L.A. County district attorneys office said. Prosecutors described the weapons as Hi-Point semiautomatic assault rifles. Lindsey faced an additional felony charge of unlawful assault weapon activity, prosecutors said. Advertisement Lindsey pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment Thursday. Washingtons arraignment was pushed to Friday. The spectacle, which was captured by local television stations, began about 11:30 p.m. Monday in Inglewood, where the men were seen carrying the guns and wearing military gear before getting in a car and driving to a San Fernando Valley apartment. At one point, an LAPD assistant chief told police commissioners Tuesday, authorities received radio calls indicating the men had said they were at a convenience store waiting for the police to arrive so that they would shoot the police. The two men were taken into custody Tuesday morning after they exited their car at a busy intersection in Sylmar, and one was struck with a less-than-lethal round. The other man stripped down to his boxer shorts and surrendered to heavily armed LAPD officers. By Tuesday afternoon, police had obtained a warrant and were searching the apartment. Investigators recovered two rifles that matched what the men were seen carrying, along with ammunition, hatchets and backpacks, said LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing. The investigation was ongoing, prosecutors said Thursday. If convicted of the charges, Lindsey faces more than eight years in jail, prosecutors said. Washington faces up to three years. kate.mather@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter: @katemather ALSO Authorities seek publics help in identifying woman found dead along remote road in Gorman Man accused of intentionally hitting LAPD motorcycle officer on 5 Freeway is arrested, CHP says Wildfire near Santa Barbara explodes to more than 500 acres, prompting evacuations A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fatally beating a taxi cab driver at a Hollywood gas station following a dispute over fare, authorities said. Najib Halibi, a resident of Los Angeles County, was taken into custody Wednesday near Avalon Boulevard and the 405 Freeway, Los Angeles police Officer Drake Madison said. Police contend that Halibi was riding in a taxi cab Sunday at about 3 a.m. when he argued with the driver at the 76 gas station in Franklin Village, at the foot of the Hollywood Hills. Advertisement The dispute escalated, and both the passenger and the driver exited the car, LAPD Officer Norma Eisenman said. The driver was repeatedly punched and kicked, police said. The cab driver was struck several times, LAPD Lt. John Radtke told KTLA-TV Channel 5. That fight led into the gas station parking lot and then the victim fell down and possibly hit his head. Halibi fled on foot, heading eastbound on Franklin Avenue, police alleged. The driver was later identified by the Yellow Cab taxi company as Afsawosen Alemseged. Paramedics rushed him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The L.A. County coroners office has not officially identified him because his family has not been formally notified. The taxi company told KABC-TV Channel 7 that Alemseged had worked as a driver for 24 years and that he had gained renown among his native Ethiopian community for his singing, writing and music work. Its very hard to take it, longtime friend and Yellow Cab executive Mekebib Seifu told KNBC-TV Channel 4. Hes like my brother, you know? He was one of the good drivers. The alleged killer, Halibi, has not been charged by the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. He was being held in lieu of $2 million bail, and its unclear if he was represented by an attorney. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno. ALSO Man accused of intentionally hitting LAPD motorcycle officer on 5 Freeway is arrested, CHP says Gun-toting men in a standoff with police in Inglewood and L.A. face charges, prosecutors say Wildfire near Santa Barbara explodes to more than 500 acres, prompting evacuations Ida Mae Prince survived 30 years in a Westlake alley, sharing food and her makeshift plywood shanty with other homeless people, and helping many get off the streets that held her to the last. When she died of cancer last month at age 58, Princes remains appeared destined for cremation or a lonely burial in a paupers grave. Then evangelist Gloria Kim, a longtime street minister to the homeless, mobilized. On Monday, Prince was buried with full solemnity at a graveside service. Advertisement Several members of her street family sobbed as Father Anthony Garcias, associate pastor at St. John Chrysostom parish in Inglewood, prayed over Prince, who was dressed in white and arrayed in a powder-blue casket on a breezy hillside with a panoramic view of Culver City. At Kims behest, the expense $10,000 or more was picked up by St. John Chrysostom and Holy Cross Cemetery. She was very special, said Kim, 75. Years ago, Prince fled an abusive husband in the Bay Area for Los Angeles, friends said. But they could add little else to fill in her biography, which is not unusual in homeless circles, where the past is something to escape and not to share. Streetwalkers and addicts were among the homeless people she helped counsel off the street, friends said at an impromptu wake later Monday in the alley not far from MacArthur Park. Sahara McFadden, 31, said Prince put her up in her lean-to so she could get clean and have her son, now 4, drug-free in the hospital. Several women insisted that they were her real daughters, although other mourners said they knew of no blood kin. She taught so many ladies of the night how to conduct themselves, said Berval Cato, 53. With this particular addiction, sometimes people in desperation would put themselves at risk. She would clear it up and give them an education. People whose lives she helped turned around would come back to spend time with her, said Cody Atkins, a former cocaine addict who now lives in Hollywood but still visits the alley regularly. I have seen them pull in here in their own cars, bicycles hanging out, with jobs, said Atkins, 61. She was the Mother Teresa of the homeless. Everybody came here under the influence of speed, meth, alcohol and dope, still wallowing in shame. She was able to find a frequency for all of them, said Alex Quincy Barlow, 55. Shed say youre not going to stay here long, you know its a trap. A man called Cuba, who was Ida Mae Princes next-door-neighbor, stands in silence near Princes shelter. (Callaghan OHare / Los Angeles Times ) Los Angeles police Sgt. Darius Trugman said he was broken up by the passing of Prince, tweeting that she was an unlikely friend who taught him so much about policing. She put other people ahead of herself, Trugman said in a phone interview Wednesday. The shopkeepers all knew her, the local gang left her alone, and she would defend Trugman against loudmouths who trashed the police, he said, adding: And I was the one with a badge and gun. He said he would sometimes find her in her tent with a much younger man. She would play it off, Oh sugar, Im just hanging out, he said. She kept everyone in check. He and other officers helped get her into apartments for months at a time, close by where she could visit with friends, Trugman said. But she always came back to the streets. The alley, that was her spot, he said. Gloria Kim, who operates a traveling soup kitchen, prays in the alley that Prince called home in Los Angeles. (Callaghan OHare / Los Angeles Times ) Princes friendship with Kim, of Zion Gospel Mission, went back 30 years, when the pastor began dispensing soup, water and fruit to L.A.s homeless people from the back of a van. Kim is a street legend in her own right. Prince was one of the few who could decipher Kims thick accent. With a fine singing voice and lively dancing, Prince would help the pastor work up the crowd, friends said. The cancer struck last year. After an operation, Princes caretaker brought her to the alley in a wheelchair for a long visit, and she later popped back up in her lean-to, where the women helped her bathe and dress herself, said Alecia Mahoney, 50, one of her longtime friends. But she wasnt in the best of shape, Mahoney said. Prince died July 19 in hospice care in Inglewood, Kim said. Kim arranged a viewing before the service all for us, so we could see her again, Mahoney said. She looked so beautiful today, our old vibrant Ida. She was sent out like the queen that she was. Several mourners said they would try to keep her lean-to open as a refuge for homeless people. This is a dark place. Ida represented light in a dark place, Barlow said. If a homeless woman can feed an undetermined number of people, thats God. Members of the homeless community who lived alongside Ida Mae Prince hope to speak with the City Council about officially naming the alley Idas Alley. (Callaghan OHare / Los Angeles Times ) gholland@latimes.com Twitter: @geholland ALSO Trump shows a new emotion regret Rio police call swimmers story of robbery a fabrication; USOC issues apology Scientists unlock a secret to Latinos longevity, with hopes of slowing aging for everyone Few roads lead to Lake County. The drive there from any of them is lovely. Wrapped around scenic Clear Lake are rolling amber hills divided by vineyards and stands of oak and other trees. But once the hills recede, you find empty parking lots and vacant storefronts along the lakes southeastern edge. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that 1,300 homes were lost in the Clayton fire. The number of homes destroyed is 175. Blessed with natural beauty, Lake County is also bedeviled by pervasive poverty. And that was before another wildfire tore through the place this one suspected to have been intentionally set by a local. Advertisement Forced to evacuate to the Twin Pines Casino 20 miles south of her Clearlake home, 75-year-old LaDonna Hart said its cheap to live here but no one would live here if they had other options. This is poor Appalachia, she said as tubes from a tank fed her oxygen. The Clayton fire tore through more than 4,000 acres and 175 homes, many of them mobile homes and rentals. The blaze followed three that ripped through Lake County last year, including the Valley fire which destroyed more than 1,300 homes and killed at least four people. The Clayton fire hit the town of Lower Lake particularly hard. There, it destroyed a 150-year-old church on Main Street and a Habitat for Humanity office. When law enforcement announced on Monday that Damin Pashilk, 40, was believed to be responsible for the latest fire and 16 others since last July, the calls for vigilante justice were loud enough that extra sheriffs deputies were on hand for his arraignment. Pashilk, is being held on $5 million, and his lawyer said he would enter a plea on Sept. 7. Serial arsonists typically target their own communities because they know the best spots to start a fire, prosecutors said. In Clearlake, just a few miles north of Lower Lake where Pashilk lived and is accused of igniting several fires, the opportunities to fly under the towns radar knew no bounds, residents say. Police patrols arent seen much here, and Clearlake didnt hire a code enforcement officer until recently. High fences hide marijuana growing operations, according to locals. When the wind-driven Clayton fire raced down a grassy hillside into Lower Lake and toward Clearlake, thousands evacuated. According to 2015 US Census data, 24% of Lake County residents live in poverty, making it one of the poorest counties in the state. In Clearlake, the rate is 34%. The national average is just under 15%. More than a fifth of the towns residents are disabled, and less than 8% of its residents hold a bachelors degree or higher markedly worse than county and national averages of 16% and 30%, respectively. Most dont see that hope or have a vision that things can change, said Richard Birk, president of the Lake County Habitat for Humanity. If they came here and moved on to college, they dont come back here. Pashilk lived in a home at the end of a bumpy dirt road lined with willow trees behind the Clearlake police department. A trailer with an expired registration and a pile of chopped wood layered with cobwebs gathered dust in the front yard. The neighborhoods streets are narrow and walled in by mobile homes, broken-down vehicles and piles of junk. The smell of kicked-up dust and algae from the lake thickens the hot summer air. Next to the police station is a check cashing business and farther down the street is city hall a plain building that used to be a grocery store, Birk said. Over the years, developers have attempted to make inroads in the area but are greeted with skepticism and labeled as outsiders, said Birk, who has lived in the area for 12 years. Motels offer discount rates for rooms with pristine views of the water. On Lakeshore Drive, the towns main drag, theres a Safeway and Rite-Aid, but no big box stores, chain coffee shops. There are wineries in Lake County, and fishing and boating does draw visitors. On Thursday, Birk, a former Silicon Valley engineer, sat in front of the lake and a patch of green grass hidden from the road by an old restaurant and homes with peeling paint. There is potential here. I see it, Birk said, pointing to the run-down properties lining the shore. If we could get some new blood in here, I think. Dan Glover, 67, moved into Clearlake after he lost his Hidden Valley home in the Valley fire last year. Eating a breakfast quesadilla at the Twin Pines evacuation center earlier this week, he guessed probably a third of those who lost their homes or were forced to flee because of the Clayton fire wont return. Of the homes destroyed in the last two years, Birk estimated only about 10% are currently in the process of being rebuilt. Middletown, Kelseyville and Hidden Valley were all hit hard by the Jerusalem, Rocky and Valley fires in 2015. Many of the residents were renters or people who couldnt afford to rebuild. The paperwork for others who applied for help was lost when the fire destroyed the Habitat for Humanity office. Many burned properties were not insured, Birk said, adding that its going to be a long recovery. In Clearlake and Lower Lake, many of the areas inhabitants survive on social security checks or welfare, residents say. The Clearlake website lists five job openings and one of them is part-time. Churches hold weekly food drives and neighbors look out for each other, said Frances Hart, who has lived in Clearlake for 24 years and is not related to LaDonna Hart. Over breakfast at the evacuation center as Harts dog slept under a Red Cross blanket nearby, Glover and the two women brainstormed what fate should become Pashilk, the alleged arsonist and one of their townfolk. Im Irish, have a temper, accelerant and road flares, Frances Hart quipped. We should put him in the what are those called? With the head and hands? Glover asked. The stocks! Hart exclaimed. Yeah! Glover replied. Tar and feathers! LaDonna Hart jumped in, asking moments later: What kind of person burns their own town? We need jobs. We need help! joseph.serna@latimes.com @josephserna ALSO Live updates: New fast-moving fire burns near Santa Barbara as Blue Cut fire threatens mountain communities Wildfire near Santa Barbara burns 600 acres, prompting evacuations Raging Blue Cut fire leaves some homes in smoldering ruins, but scope of loss still a mystery Authorities have arrested a former Air Force staff sergeant, accusing him of intentionally hitting the back of a Los Angeles police officers motorcycle and pushing the moving officer down the 5 Freeway in Castaic for about a half-mile during Wednesday mornings commute. Philip Newlyn, a 28-year-old Elk Grove resident who was awarded a Purple Heart for his actions in Iraq, was taken into custody early Wednesday evening in the San Diego area, authorities said. California Highway Patrol records indicated he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Authorities said the incident unfolded at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, when the uniformed LAPD officer was riding his marked police motorcycle on his way to work. As the officer rode south on the freeway, a white pickup truck hit the back of the motorcycle, CHP officials said. Advertisement Based on witness accounts, the officers statement and other preliminary evidence, investigators believe the truck shoved the motorcycle for a significant stretch at freeway speeds, said CHP Officer Josh Greengard. It was not an accident, Greengard previously said. It was an intentional act. The officer was able to stay on the motorcycle and ultimately get away from the truck before pulling over to the freeways shoulder, Greengard said. The truck sped off. The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment but was home recovering by mid-afternoon Wednesday. He is a 28-year veteran of the LAPD, officials there said, and has spent about half his department career working a motorcycle detail. CHP officials held a press conference Wednesday afternoon, describing the hit-and-run and asking for witnesses to come forward. A few hours later, Newlyn was in custody. Hes our sole suspect, CHP Officer Eric Priessman said Thursday. Air Force records showed Newlyn enlisted October 2006 and served until July 2012, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. He was last stationed at Beale Air Force Base, near Sacramento. The records indicated Newlyn received the Purple Heart, awarded to military members who are killed or wounded in action, but did not detail how he earned the decoration. A 2009 article in the Appeal-Democrat in Marysville, Calif., said Newlyn was awarded the Purple Heart after helping pull a man from the wreckage of a roadside bombing in Iraq, despite his own injuries. Newlyn nearly lost his leg during the September 2009 blast, the article said. Times staff writer W.J. Hennigan in Washington contributed to this report. kate.mather@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter: @katemather In South Los Angeles, community activists had long complained that the city failed to follow up on neighborhood concerns about foul smells, noise and other nuisances from an oil drilling site. Now Los Angeles is taking a first step toward scrutinizing whether Freeport-McMoRan, the company that runs the Jefferson Boulevard facility, has flouted city conditions imposed on the drilling site. The Department of City Planning recently sent the petroleum company a letter, requiring it to turn in an application that would ultimately trigger a public hearing on whether its oil operations are in line with city rules. Advertisement Planning officials would also weigh whether the existing rules are adequate to protect neighbors living near the drilling site, which sits closer to homes and other sensitive sites than any other Los Angeles drilling facility, according to the nonprofit Community Health Councils. Environmental and neighborhood activists hope that process could spur new conditions for how the facility is run, including requiring drilling equipment to be enclosed in a building to insulate neighbors from noise and smells. They see the decision as a key move toward Los Angeles exercising its municipal powers over oil operations. This is a sign that the city is doing its job, said Richard Parks, president of Redeemer Community Partnership, a nonprofit that has repeatedly raised concerns about neighborhood oil operations. This is just a first step -- but its an opportunity for neighbors to give voice to how this site has been impacting them for years. A Freeport-McMoRan spokesman declined to comment on the city move. In a letter to planning officials this week, company attorney Jeffrey Dintzer said there was no legal justification for the city request, stating that any problems since the company took over the Jefferson site had been minor and were promptly corrected in every instance. Freeport-McMoRan vigorously objects to any effort by the city to unilaterally modify conditions as no evidence has been identified that further conditions or modifications are necessary or legally permissible, Dintzer wrote. Until the city provides more evidence of validated nuisances, he said, the oil company had been advised not to turn in the requested paperwork. The California Independent Petroleum Assn., which counts the company among its members, was alarmed by the city move. Launching the city process for a drilling site in full compliance with the applicable rules and regulations blatantly ignores the vested rights of the operators of these facilities, its chief executive, Rock Zierman, said in a statement Friday. Environmental activists from the law firm Earthjustice argued in a petition to the city earlier this year that there was ample reason to tighten the rules on the Jefferson site, which sits close enough to neighboring homes that some apartments overlook its walls. Records from the South Coast Air Quality Management District also show that the agency has twice detected excessive emissions from a water treatment unit in recent years. In one case, an inspector said he smelled an odor like diesel exhaust. The evidence has been presented by the people who live near the facility, Earthjustice staff attorney Angela Johnson Meszaros said, citing complaints of odors, vibrations, noise and glaring lights. These are the things that impact the community on an ongoing basis. Decades ago, when the city first decided to allow drilling there, a zoning official wrote that all features of oil drilling and production must be strictly controlled to eliminate any possible odor, noise, vibrations, hazards and other annoyances. Eight years ago, the city added that if there was evidence of continued violation of any of the conditions, resulting in an unreasonable level of disruption or interference with the peaceful enjoyment of neighboring properties, zoning officials could being a process to reexamine and possibly alter the city conditions. The letter to Freeport-McMoRan, signed by Chief Zoning Administrator Linn Wyatt, says that the oil company must turn in the requested paperwork and fees by the beginning of September. Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who represents the area west of USC where the drilling site is located, welcomed the citys move. I have said that the planning department should respond to the issues put forward by residents, the councilman said in a statement. Im glad to see that process is moving forward. emily.alpert@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter at @LATimesEmily ALSO Man with bayonet-style weapon killed by police in East Hollywood, LAPD says Transgender man who was denied service at Long Beach barbershop settles discrimination lawsuit 96 homes, 213 other buildings destroyed as Californias fire season take another grim turn A Los Angeles pregnancy center that failed to comply with a state law requiring it to provide clients with information about free or low-cost family planning services, prenatal care, contraception and abortions has agreed to cooperate, City Atty. Mike Feuer announced Thursday. After the Pregnancy Counseling Center in Mission Hills missed an Aug. 14 deadline to correct violations, the city attorneys office moved to file a lawsuit under a state law that bars unfair business practices and carries a possible $2,500 daily penalty. Feuer also informed the center that his office would seek a temporary restraining order to force it to comply. By Tuesday afternoon, the centers counsel contacted the city attorneys office to say it would make the necessary changes. Representatives for the center could not be reached for comment. Advertisement The reason for the urgency in my view is that when a woman is desperately seeking the kind of counseling that would lead them to come to one of these centers, it is imperative that she has full information about her reproductive choices, Feuer said. In May, Feuer sent letters to six reproductive health facilities in the city of Los Angeles, informing them of their legal obligations under the Reproductive FACT (Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care and Transparency) Act, which took effect in January. According to the law, all licensed facilities offering pregnancy-related services must post and disseminate information at the time of check-in about how to access alternative resources, including abortions. The law also requires unlicensed facilities to disclose that they are unlicensed. Last month, undercover investigators from the Los Angeles County Department of Business and Consumer Affairs discovered that three facilities were not in compliance. Feuer notified the non-compliant centers that they had 30 days to correct the violations, according to the law. After 30 days, investigators determined that two of the facilities had made the appropriate adjustments, but the Pregnancy Counseling Center in Mission Hills was still not following regulations. Feuer then took legal action. They werent apprising clients of key information regarding the availability of contraception, abortion, family planning or other services that are available free of charge to people in California that can qualify on an income basis, Feuer said. It would be pretty important to know if such services were available. On Wednesday, investigators confirmed that the center had indeed made the required adjustments. Matt Bowman, senior counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom, a national group representing pregnancy centers, previously told The Times that the FACT law threatens the facilities freedom of speech. The 1st Amendment does not allow the government to target its political opponents and force them to speak a message they disagree with, said Bowman, who is helping represent multiple clinics in legal actions contesting the new law. According to the California ProLife Council, there are 189 crisis pregnancy centers in the state that provide services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and counseling. Critics contend that the centers try to steer clients away from considering abortion altogether. erica.evans@latimes.com ALSO Man accused of intentionally hitting LAPD motorcycle officer on 5 Freeway is arrested, CHP says Gun-toting men in a standoff with police in Inglewood and L.A. face charges, prosecutors say Legislator seeks to revise bill that would ban behind-the-scenes communications at the Coastal Commission A stark-naked likeness of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appeared on a Los Angeles street corner early Thursday morning and boy, is it unflattering. It has a large pot belly, exaggerated varicose veins, a saggy butt, an expression that the artist described as a constipated scowl and other unenviable features. Although the plastic effigy has delighted Trump foes in East Hollywood, it failed to amuse Los Angeles officials, who quickly ordered its removal from the sidewalk at Hollywood Boulevard and Rodney Drive. Advertisement After a brief standoff in which the city threatened to cart the statue off, a business owner offered to place the object on private property instead. First thing I thought was that it was hilarious, said Ian Randolph, a cashier at Soap Plant and Wacko, the quirky gift shop and gallery that now displays the statue on its front steps. A nude statue of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump caused a stir when it appeared at Hollywood Boulevard and Rodney Drive in Los Angeles. But that wasnt the end of the matter. About 3:45 p.m. Thursday, two officers from the Los Angeles Police Department showed up at the store and told its manager that the statue had to be taken indoors. Apparently, someone had complained that it was obscene and that it was attracting large crowds who were blocking the sidewalk. Here's the naked Donald #Trump statue in #LosFeliz at Hollywood & Rodney. One of many that popped up across the US. pic.twitter.com/KvQNBP8yOQ Jennifer Thang (@jenniferthang) August 18, 2016 Matt Kennedy, the manager of the propertys gallery, told the officers that the statue was a work of art and should be allowed to stay where it is. The officers said they would need to consult with the Los Angeles city attorneys office and would get back to him. The Trump statue was one of a handful installed in major cities across the nation by Indecline, a group that bills itself as an anarchist arts collective. Trumps pot-bellied likeness also appeared in San Francisco, Seattle, Cleveland and New York, his hometown. The statues were really just in response to our disdain for Trump making it as far as he did, said an anonymous spokesman for the group. The man responsible for creating the statues goes by the name Ginger and typically creates monsters for haunted houses and horror films which is why Indecline approached him, he said. I was very crunched for time, he said of the effort. I actually have a day job where Ive been working 15 to 20 hour days, six days a week. So coming home and trying to knock out the statues was very hard and time-consuming. The Cleveland and New York statues didnt last long they were both torn down in less than three hours, said the Indecline spokesman, who was in New York. We just watched the statue get ripped down and violently get ... thrown on the back of a city workers truck, he said. But in Los Angeles, the statue continues to attract a lot of curious passersby, said Patricia Fetters, the book manager at Soap Plant & Wacko. No one expects a naked Trump in front of your store, she said. Times staff writer Matt Stevens contributed to this report. What do you think of Los Angeles latest statue? Tweet at me: @anniezyu ALSO Analysis: New poll analysis finds a wasted summer for Trump and a boost for Clinton U.S. now says $400 million to Iran was contingent on release of prisoners Hillary Clinton won praise as Americas top diplomat, but time has tarnished her record The city of Baltimore has terminated its contract with an attorney after learning he was accused of having neo-Nazi ties. Glen Keith Allen, 65, was a contract employee who had worked on complex litigation for the city since February. The city began investigating Allens background after the Southern Poverty Law Center reported that he had a history of supporting the neo-Nazi National Alliance. Allen said he was a casual member of the group in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He said he did purchase books the National Alliance published and would sometimes provide legal advice to the organization but that he hasnt been a member in more than a decade. Advertisement Whether you believe me or not, Im not a member of the National Alliance, havent been for many years, Allen said. You cannot find a single person who can say, Glen Allen treated me disrespectfully. He said of his past affiliation with the group: I will acknowledge emphatically that that was a huge mistake. He said he had a number of experiences in the Army that shaped his worldview, and he then became curious about the group. But then, he said, I disagreed with them on several things, and I just stopped giving them money. Heidi Beirich, the Southern Poverty Law Centers intelligence project director, wrote in a post Wednesday on the centers website that Allens history with organized racism and anti-Semitism is deep. The center said it obtained records showing Allen was a dues-paying member of the National Alliance for years. Allen was also a subscriber to the NAs racist publications, purchased entrance to a Holocaust denial conference the group held and bought a Holocaust denial DVD the group sold, Beirich wrote in her post. The city has paid Allen $42,000 since February, but he will receive no further work or payments, a spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. He has agreed to have his contract terminated, spokesman Anthony McCarthy said. Still, elected officials in Baltimore said they were angered that Allen had ever been allowed to represent the taxpayers. Several said more thorough background checks are needed. City Council President Bernard C. Jack Young said the Rawlings-Blake administration was right to terminate Allens contract. I am angry that someone who allegedly harbors such disgusting views as Mr. Allen was allowed to work on behalf of the citizens of Baltimore, Young said in a statement. I am pleased that Mr. Allens contract with the City of Baltimore has been terminated. Moving forward, each department and city agency should conduct an internal review of their hiring practices. The mayors office said in a statement that Allen retired from a large and respected law firm in January and began working for the city on a one-year contract in February. Mr. Allen was fully vetted at the time of his hire and of course had decades earlier been professionally and character tested upon his admission to the bar, the statement said. None of the historical facts and alleged facts recently publicized about Mr. Allens political views and affiliations were disclosed or discussed when his contract was agreed to. The law department does not as a general practice question its hired or contract attorneys about their political views. Allen was helping to defend the city in a lawsuit brought by an African American man who alleges that police officers withheld and fabricated evidence to convict him wrongfully of murder. Sabein Burgess was sentenced in 1995 to life in prison in the shooting death of his girlfriend, Michelle Dyson, in her Harwood home the year before. The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project began raising doubts about Burgess involvement in 2010, and a Baltimore judge ordered a new trial in 2014. Then-States Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein dropped all charges against Burgess, and he was freed after 19 years in prison. Burgess filed his lawsuit against the mayor, City Council, Police Department and several officers last year. McCarthy said Allen was working as support staff on that case and no others. McCarthy said his removal will not affect the litigation. The action against Allen comes a week after the U.S. Department of Justice accused the Baltimore Police Department of a pattern or practice of discriminatory policing and civil rights violations. In a report, Justice Department investigators said police practices in Baltimore perpetuate and fuel a multitude of issues rooted in poverty and race, focusing law enforcement actions on low-income, minority communities and encourage officers to have unnecessary, adversarial interactions with community members. The Justice Department began investigating the department after the death last year of Freddie Gray. Gray, 25, died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury in police custody. City Solicitor George Nilson said Allen played absolutely no role in the law departments assessment of the Gray case, the Justice Department investigation or any alleged police brutality lawsuits zero. McCarthy said the mayor had no involvement whatsoever in [Allens] recruitment and hiring. Allen said he believed a disgruntled member of the alliance provided old records to the Southern Poverty Law Center that named him. He was aware that he was being investigated by the center, he said. Once the report appeared online, he expected to be fired from the city. He said the report exaggerated any connection he once had to the alliance. They throw these things up there like Im a huge contributor, he said. Im just getting slapped around because I crossed some lines the Southern Poverty Law Center draws. He said he wanted to do something to help the city. Im not a Baltimorean, but I actually had become fond of the city and I wanted to make a contribution. Now, he said, Im damaged goods. Broadwater and Wenger write for the Baltimore Sun As riots raged in Milwaukee, the county sheriff took to Twitter. Black LIES matter, David Clarke wrote to his quarter-million followers, ridiculing the Black Lives Matter movement. The protesters, he tweeted later, were part of a culturally dysfunctional underclass and were responding to inane provocation. Advertisement His taunts stood in sharp contrast to the message being sent out by the Milwaukee police chief. Speaking on local television, Edward Flynn laid out the facts of the shooting that had ignited the unrest, then said he was heading to a meeting with local black pastors to plead for their help. It was very important that those people that are in the neighborhood are constantly giving a message of peace and civility, Flynn said. Nothing is being accomplished through acts of violence. In racially charged Milwaukee, the two most prominent law enforcement officials whose jurisdictions overlap are proving that race is anything but simple. Clarke is black. Flynn is white. They have clashed with each other for years over the roots of mistrust between police and black residents and how to quell increasing violence in a city with some of the deepest racial inequalities in the country. A spike in homicides. Job loss. Bad schools. Milwaukee unrest isnt about one thing Clarke, a conservative, argues that downtrodden blacks are largely to blame for their own plight and that black-on-black violence is a bigger problem than mistreatment of blacks by police. In turn, he has taken a get-tough, lock-em-up approach to policing, including the use of military equipment. He has blamed Flynn for increases in violent crime in Milwaukee, saying the citys police force should hire more officers to crack down harder on crime. Clarke has also encouraged citizens to arm themselves. Flynn, a liberal, sees the anger of the black residents as a product of poverty and decades of official neglect and believes the biggest gains will come from increased cooperation between officers and the community. He has belittled Clarkes proposals and argued that allowing people to carry concealed weapons has increased deaths from gun violence. Their disagreements have come to a head on a national stage this week as Milwaukee grapples with the aftermath of the police killing of a 23-year-old black man, Sylville Smith, a case that itself complicates the narrative that has dominated a national debate over policing and race. Authorities say Smith had taken off on foot after a traffic stop and turned toward an officer while raising a gun. Mayor Tom Barrett says he has seen a photograph showing that Smith was armed. Smiths family says he sometimes carried a gun but doubts that he would have raised it at an officer. Hes not from here. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, on city Police Chief Edward Flynn The officer who fired the fatal shots was also black, and according to Smiths family, the two men knew each other from high school. The state justice department is investigating the shooting and plans to release a video from the body camera of the officer, according to a spokeswoman, though she said there was no timeline for making it public. In interviews, the two law enforcement leaders had little nice to say about each other. Hes not from here, Clarke said of Flynn, calling him political and arrogant. Nobody has got more to say about law enforcement and less to do with it, Flynn said of Clarke, calling him a self-serving man who seeks celebrity. Clarke, who describes himself as the peoples sheriff, rarely leaves home without his cowboy hat and likes to ride his horse through the city. A frequent guest on conservative talk shows and a Donald Trump supporter, he was one of five black speakers at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, where he denounced Black Lives Matter as anarchy. On the day Smith was killed, Clarke tweeted that the reaction was overblown and misguided: Four murdered, 9 shot in Milwaukee Fri night/Sat morning. Silence. 1 cop kills an ARMED black guy & riots break out? The son of an Army paratrooper-turned-postal-worker and a secretary for the citys public schools, Clarke grew up in one of the two black families in a white community about a 12-minute drive from Sherman Park, the black neighborhood where rioters burned buildings and smashed police cars over the weekend. He joined the citys Police Department at 21 and rose through the ranks for more than two decades to become the head of its intelligence division, earning a reputation as being loud and flashy. Clarke left the city police after the governor appointed him sheriff in 2002 to fill a vacancy. With wide support from the mostly white, mostly Republican Milwaukee suburbs, he has kept the job through four elections. Now 59, he oversees about 350 deputy sheriffs and 500 corrections officers in a jurisdiction that stretches 1,190 square miles and includes about a million people. His deputies are responsible for patrolling county parks, highways and the airport in the city of Milwaukee. A sheriff would typically oversee everyday policing in unincorporated areas. Milwaukee County has none. Clarke called poverty a major issue in Milwaukee but blamed liberal politicians, social welfare programs and black people for it. Flynn, in contrast, expressed empathy for blacks who say they are angry about police shootings and living conditions. The neighborhoods that depend on us the most and where officers end up the most, he said, are also the ones that have been the most historically ignored. Nobody has got more to say about law enforcement and less to do with it. Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, on county Sheriff David Clarke The son of a paralyzed World War II veteran and a library worker, Flynn was 23 when he joined the police force in Hillside Township, N.J. He went on to be police chief in several East Coast cities and later served as secretary of public safety in Massachusetts. He arrived in Milwaukee in 2008 after being recruited by a Democratic-appointed city commission. His responsibilities include street policing, traffic enforcement and responding to crime across the 96-square-mile city of 600,000 people. The 68-year-old chief pointed to large racial disparities in income and education levels and suggested that such factors, coupled with loosened gun laws, played a role in a rising homicide rate. There were 145 murders in the city last year, a 69% increase over 2014 and the most since 1993. If you are a city police chief, you know all racial and social classes commit sin at the same rate, he said. But public violence belongs to the poor. While the animosity between Clarke and Flynn has largely been a war of words, it spilled over this week into heated debate over how to respond to the riots. Clarke asked the governor, Scott Walker, to call in the states National Guard. Flynn, who said he was offended he wasnt consulted, pushed back. He worried that a military presence in the city would increase tensions between protesters and police. The guard was not deployed, but 123 guard members were in the region this week awaiting commands. On Wednesday, Clarke told the governor to send them home. Clarke also drew scorn from Flynn for his decision to close a popular county-run park near the protests. Clarke said rioters were using it as a staging area. Flynn said the move alienated the community. With Flynns agreement, Clarke had already sent 100 deputies to the neighborhood, joining 150 city police officers already there. The differences between the two leaders were evident on Tuesday night. Some of Flynns black officers were out chatting with residents who attended a vigil, while Clarkes deputies patrolled the streets in armored trucks. Many black residents express disdain for Clarke. Flynn gets better reviews, but he has also faced serious criticism for the deaths of several black men in shootings by his officers or in their custody. The best-known case involves Dontre Hamilton, a 31-year-old mentally ill man who was shot in a park in 2014 by a white officer, who was later fired but not prosecuted. His death has become a rallying point in the Black Lives Matter movement. As the rioting subsided this week, residents gathered in Sherman Park to mourn and talk with each other about how to improve a neighborhood where conflicts with law enforcement had become common. Gary Conner, who is 28 and was friends with Smith, said he would start by reducing the police presence. This is our neighborhood, he said. If we are not causing violence, why are you here bothering us? If theres none of that, you dont need to be in the neighborhood. jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com Jaweed Kaleem is The Times national race and justice correspondent. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. ALSO 26 overdoses in just hours: A small West Virginia city faces its demons Baltimore terminates contract with attorney accused of neo-Nazi ties In Idaho, theres no insanity defense for accused shooter who says he was fighting aliens Having signed up to a series of anti-corruption measures imposed by Ciudadanos on Friday morning, the Popular Party (PP) is now clearly hoping it can count on the emerging partys support to form a government and end a political stalemate that has left Spain rudderless for more than eight months, thus avoiding a third general election in a year. This is the beginning of a love affair, said a smiling PP spokesman, Javier Hernando, as he shook hands with his opposite number in Ciudadanos, Juan Carlos Girauta, on Friday in Congress after signing an anti-corruption pact. The deal was part of a memorandum of six measures Ciudadanos presented to the PP last week. By signing up to Ciudadanos six points, his party and Riveras have moved closer together, making his investiture a possibility But the leader of the emerging center-right group, Albert Rivera, who is still wary of being pulled into a marriage of convenience by the PP, continued to insist that his partys demands that the PP take specific measures to combat corruption is simply a pre-condition for voting with the PP when interim Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy appears before Congress at the upcoming investiture debate, which will start on August 30. In order to be reinstated as the countrys prime minister, following a second inconclusive election in June, Mariano Rajoy will need to secure an absolute majority in a vote to be held on August 31. If he fails, a second vote, at which a simple majority will suffice, will take place on September 2. At present, Rajoy lacks the support in Congress to be voted in as prime minister. He will have 170 votes with the support of Ciudadanos and the Canary Islands Coalition, but will still need six more for an absolute majority in the first round, or a total of 11 abstentions in the second. Rajoy has repeatedly said over the course of this year that is he open to negotiations without limits with the Socialist Party and Ciudadanos, highlighting the urgency of approving a budget in time to meet European Union fiscal policy deadlines. Rajoy says he would need to greenlight the budget in late August, in time to send it to Brussels by mid-October. The vetoing and blocking weve seen isnt against the PP, but against the expectations of the Spanish people PP spokesman Javier Hernando Now, by signing up to Ciudadanos six points, his party and Riveras have moved closer together, making his investiture a possibility. We will continue to move steadily forward until we reach agreement, said Hernando on Friday morning, explaining that the talks over the coming days with Ciudadanos will be divided into four policy blocks: economy, education and R&D, social, and institutions. The idea is for an agreement on the investiture, which at a future date we would like to see become a pact for government, he said, adding in reference to the Socialist Partys (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez: The vetoing and blocking weve seen isnt against the PP or Mariano Rajoy, but against the expectations of the Spanish people. Pedro Sanchez has the key to unblock this situation. No change of stance from Socialist Party But speaking immediately after the PP and Ciudadanos announcement, Pedro Sanchez reiterated his partys refusal to support Rajoy in any way. The PSOE is the alternative, not a potential ally, he said, insisting again that he would vote against Rajoy at the investiture. The PSOE will vote against the investiture and the budget, which will simply mean more cuts, said Sanchez. He also criticized the date for the start of the investiture debate, pointing out that should it fail, a third general election would take place on December 25. Sanchez suggested that should Rajoy fail to win a vote, it would not be his partys responsibility and that the PP would be able find allies in Congress, noting that regional parties supported the PPs choice for speaker of Congress, Ana Pastor, in July. Sign up for our newsletter EL PAIS English Edition has launched a weekly newsletter. Sign up today to receive a selection of our best stories in your inbox every Saturday morning. For full details about how to subscribe, click here What Rajoy needs to do is reach agreement with his potential allies. One of them is Ciudadanos, but I would remind him that this wont be enough to be invested. He must continue talking, negotiating, but he needs to do that with his allies, among which the PSOE is not included, said Sanchez. Over the course of the year, Rajoy has sought to pressure Sanchez, accusing the PSOE of responsibility for the ongoing political impasse. But Sanchezs hands are tied: the decision not to support Rajoys investiture was taken by the Socialist Partys federal committee earlier this summer. But former Socialist Party leader Felipe Gonzalez, who led the country between 1982 and 1996, has called on Sanchez to allow Rajoy to form a government and avoid holding a third general election in a year. Similarly, Javier Lamban, the head of the regional government of Aragon, said on Thursday that if Rajoy failed in his bid to continue as prime minister, that perhaps this would be the moment to rethink voting against the PP. Rajoy has sought to pressure Pedro Sanchez, accusing the PSOE of responsibility for the political impasse Ciudadanos knows that if it is to act as kingmaker to the PP, it must be seen not only to be not involved in any graft, but to have done its utmost to get the PP to take action against wrongdoers. The first of Ciudadanos six points requires the PP to expel anybody charged with corruption from the party. The fourth point demands an end to amnesties for those found guilty of graft, and the sixth calls for a parliamentary commission to look into the Barcenas case. The other three points call for greater transparency in the way Spains parties draw up their lists of candidates, an end to privileges that prevent deputies from being tried by lower courts, and a maximum two terms in office for prime ministers. English version by Nick Lyne. For a candidate who proudly stands behind his most caustic comments, it was a mea culpa of sorts. On Thursday, Donald Trump expressed some regret over his behavior on the campaign trail, saying he hadnt always used the right words in speeches and television interviews. Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing, the Republican presidential nominee told supporters at a rally in Charlotte, N.C. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Advertisement Trump, using a teleprompter, did not say which specific incidents he regretted. In a tumultuous week for his campaign, the statement seemed gauged to turn the page on months of insults that have marked his campaign against Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues, Trump said. But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth. Clinton responded by emailing supporters a reminder of Trumps many insults and refusals to apologize, casting his remarks as a political exercise. We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize, Christina Reynolds, a spokeswoman for Clinton, said in a statement. But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets and changes his tune altogether. Donald Trump is overhauling his campaign by bringing in a Breitbart News executive as CEO and promoting pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager. Trump has called Mexican immigrants rapists, disparaged the appearance of certain women, mocked a disabled reporter and battled publicly with the Muslim parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq. In each of those cases, Trump has never expressed regret. In May, Trump said he did not regret criticizing the war record of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who spent more than five years as a prisoner in North Vietnam. I like not to regret anything, he said on conservative talk radio at the time. This week, Trump hired a new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, a veteran pollster who once headed a group of super PACs supporting Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. He also made Stephen Bannon chief executive of his campaign. Bannon is the executive chairman of Breitbart News, a website know for its abrasive and unapologetic brand of conservatism. In North Carolina, Trump trails Clinton by 9 percentage points, according to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News/Marist poll. The situation is similar in several swing states. Trump is scheduled to begin airing his first television ads of the campaign in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania on Friday. Meanwhile, Trump continued his attacks on his opponent, tying her to the recent news that a payment of $400 million the Obama administration had made to Iran in January was contingent on the release of a group of American prisoners. The payment had fueled accusations from Republican lawmakers and Trump that the United States had violated its longstanding policy against paying ransom. Hillary Clinton owns President Obamas Iran policy, Trump said. One more reason she can never, ever be allowed to be president. Follow @kurtisalee on Twitter. ALSO Americans dont expect much from their next president, no matter who it is Hey, Los Angeles: Theres a naked statue of Donald Trump on Hollywood Boulevard Critics say Obama should cut short his vacation to visit flood-ravaged Louisiana Obama criticized for golfing while Louisiana grapples with deadly flooding President Obama is facing a backlash for continuing his annual Marthas Vineyard vacation as widespread flooding has damaged tens of thousands of homes and killed at least 13 people in Louisiana. A newspaper in the state editorialized that Obama ought to cut his vacation short to visit the most anguished state in the union and show his solidarity with suffering Americans. Weve seen this story before in Louisiana, and we dont deserve a sequel, the Advocate wrote Wednesday. In 2005, a fly-over by a vacationing President George W. Bush became a symbol of official neglect for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The current president was among those making political hay out of Bushs aloofness. Obama has received regular briefings on the storm, declared it a federal disaster earlier in the week, and dispatched Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to the region. But conservative voices juxtaposed pictures of the floodwaters with images of Obama golfing on Thursday. A Fox News headline read: Bias alert: Media that ripped Bush on Katrina ignores Obama on La. flooding. Some residents also said they would appreciate a presidential visit. It would be great if he could come, give us moral support, said Mary Green King, as she rested at a shelter south of Baton Rouge in flood-ravaged Ascension Parish. Hes been to disaster areas. King, 67, had just been informed by her landlord that she had 48 hours to move her belongings from her home in the bedroom community of Gonzalez, La. But when Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy visited the shelter with some aides, King shared her problems with them and felt encouraged. He said they would see what they can do, she said from her cot in the shelter thats still housing 524 people. GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump plans to visit the state Friday, and opened his Thursday evening rally by talking about the tragedy. Our prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, and we send them our deepest condolences, he told supporters in Charlotte, N.C. Though words cannot express the sadness one feels at times like this, I hope everyone in Louisiana knows that our country is praying for them and standing with them to help them in these difficult hours. Mehta reported from Los Angeles and Hennessy-Fiske from Baton Rouge. Trump predicts landslide support from black voters if he gets to seek a second term as president In four years, Donald Trump predicts, hell get more than 95% of the African American vote. The support will come if he is elected president and seeks a second term in 2020, he said Friday, explaining that African Americans will be moved to back him because of the great strides he will have made for inner-city communities. Youre living in poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58% of your youth is unemployed. What the hell do you have to lose by voting for Trump? the candidate asked. At the end of four years, I guarantee I will get over 95% of the African American vote. The statement highly unlikely given how poorly Republicans fare among black voters continues a theme the GOP presidential nominee has pounded this week as he courted African American voters. He said Democrats take black voters for granted and have ignored their needs while governing cities with large African American populations. America must reject the bigotry of Hillary Clinton, who sees communities of color only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future, he said of his Democratic opponent. In 2012, GOP nominee Mitt Romney won 6% of the black vote, according to exit poll data. Trump is seeing single-digit support among African Americans in most polls. In some states, polls Trump logged 0%. Trump made his remarks while campaigning Friday night in Dimondale, a suburb of Lansing, Mich. The village was 92.7% white and 0.7% African American in the 2010 census. Trump argued that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons policies on issues such as immigration and refugee resettlement harm African Americans. Clintons campaign railed against Trump, pointing out that the real estate developer was a prime figure in questioning whether President Obama, the nations first black president, was born in the country and that he had been sued for housing discrimination. Donald Trump asks what the African American community has to lose by voting for him. The answer is everything from a man who questions the citizenship of the first African American President, courts white supremacists, and has been sued for housing discrimination against communities of color, Marlon Marshall, Clintons director of state campaigns and political engagement, said in a statement. Trump painting the entire community as living in poverty with no jobs continues to show he is completely out of touch with the African American community. Mark Bauhaus used to make a point of avoiding Sacramento. Like other technology executives, he saw state politics as nothing more than a drag on Silicon Valleys freewheeling innovation. Yet this month he was walking the halls of the Capitol, wearing an advocacy groups pin on his suit jacket and holding a folder of fact sheets as he visited lawmakers to push for a new law on climate change. Although the oil industry and some manufacturers have opposed the legislation, Bauhaus and his compatriots are embracing the proposal as an opportunity. Business has to stand up and say, Yes, this is important, Bauhaus said. Advertisement The goal is to show that support for environmental regulations extends beyond tree huggers to people who sit in corner offices and to prevent skeptical lawmakers from dismissing climate policies as anti-business. The coalition of supporters includes electric bus builders, biofuel producers and investors who see green cash in green energy. For them, legislation that would extend the states target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an economic boost, not the job-killing, cost-increasing red tape that critics say it is. The proposal, Senate Bill 32, would require the state to lower emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, a stiffer target than the current goal of reaching 1990 levels by 2020. Advocates say passing the legislation would send a signal that California will continue being the right place to invest in clean energy, an industry they hope will take its place in the states economic pantheon alongside film production, aerospace and technology. Debating whether to continue Californias climate programs is like asking, Should we vote to extend Hollywood in Hollywood? said John Cheney, a San Francisco investor. Its a huge amount of jobs, he said. Its a miraculous part of the economy. Not everyone feels that way. Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, which represents the states largest corporations, said clean energy advocates are pushing for policies that will only help themselves while driving up costs for others. Theyre rushing to lock in investments for their own projects, and they dont necessarily care about the other 98% of jobs in the economy, he said. And we do. Here are the big issues being considered by lawmakers this month The state Senate already passed the legislation, but it faces a tougher battle in the Assembly, where lawmakers are more skeptical of its benefits. With the legislative session ending Aug. 31, Gov. Jerry Brown has already signaled that hes looking further down the road to make the changes he wants, possibly through a ballot measure in 2018. Companies working on climate-related initiatives dont want to wait that long, saying they must plan years into the future and need policies they can count on. If lawmakers delay, youre creating massive uncertainty in the markets, said Rick DeGolia, a technology executive who is also a city councilman in the Bay Area town of Atherton. Youre telling entrepreneurs to go elsewhere. Environmental Entrepreneurs, an advocacy group better known as E2, has been trying to assuage lawmakers concerns about the effect of regulations. Using research from Advanced Energy Economy, an association of clean energy companies, they distributed statistics showing how many jobs were being created in each Assembly district, with 500,000 total around the state. Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) said hes not sold on the benefits of the legislation, which he fears would cede too much authority to unelected regulators. It is good for some businesses, he said. But Im looking at the entire package of it. Cooper is a leader in the so-called moderate caucus of Democrats who are often described as pro-business. But to some advocates, that description isnt accurate. Youve got to look at the oil-and-gas donations, said Maureen Blanc, director of Charge Across Town, a nonprofit that supports electric vehicles. Theres just a really obvious trail. Tipping the balance of power in the Legislature away from oil companies is a challenge. The industry put millions of dollars into advertising last year to fight a proposal to reduce gasoline use for transportation, and the Western States Petroleum Assn. has spent $14 million on lobbying since the beginning of 2015. Companies are pumping even more money into lawmakers campaigns this year. Oil has been involved in Californias history for quite some time, said Thomas Lawson, president of the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition. Were new. For Lawson and his allies, a key part of the debate is the low-carbon fuel standard, a state regulation that requires reducing the carbon content of gasoline by 10% by 2020. The oil industry wants to use the debate over environmental laws as leverage to undo, or at least limit, the program. Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president of the Western States Petroleum Assn., said the organization supports addressing climate change but fears that the states policies are putting it at a competitive disadvantage. If lawmakers want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, she said, one would hope that decision makers would do it in the most cost-effective manner. CalStart, an advocacy group that supports cleaner transportation, and others are fighting to protect the low-carbon fuel standard. Because companies can earn a financial incentive for producing biofuels or charging electric vehicles, theyve incorporated the regulation into their own business plans. Proterra, an electric bus company that relocated its headquarters from South Carolina to the Bay Area, is planning a new manufacturing facility in the City of Industry. When company officials pitch their buses to transit officials, they make sure to point out that the low-carbon fuel standard helps reduce operating costs. Thats really one of the best selling points, said Kent Leacock, director of government relations for Proterra, who visited the Capitol with a CalStart group recently. Theres a lot of companies out there that are benefiting, thriving and adding jobs with policies put in place by California. CR&R Inc. is building a facility in Riverside County for turning food waste into biofuel. Paul Relis, the companys senior vice president, said hes been reaching out to lawmakers to persuade them to protect the fuel program. He chuckled when asked about whether the regulations are good for business. We think were a business, Relis said. Our people are part of the workforce of California. chris.megerian@latimes.com Twitter: @chrismegerian ALSO: With climate legislation stalling, Jerry Brown looks to potential fight at the ballot box Californias cap-and-trade program faces daunting hurdles to avoid collapse Updates on California politics Updates from the campaign trail In adopting a sweeping package of gun control laws this summer, many California lawmakers focused on the sobering statistics the large number of shootings that they say represent an epidemic of gun violence. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon also saw faces: those of his relatives, who were killed by guns. During a recent Assembly session, the Democrat from Paramount acknowledged the personal toll that gun violence has taken on his family. Advertisement None of us are immune from the tragedies that guns deliver every day in communities throughout our state, he told his colleagues. In my own family, five of my relatives have been shot. Three were killed. The dead include a teenage cousin, Armando, who was shot to death in 1997 near a food stand on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, Rendon said later in an interview with The Times. Nick Wilcox, co-chairman of the California Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, credits the Democratic leader with playing a role in getting a package of seven gun control bills approved by the Legislature in June and signed by the governor. The bills included a ban on large-capacity magazines and semiautomatic rifles with detachable magazines, and a requirement that those who buy ammunition undergo a background check. Having personal experience with gun violence cant help but focus ones attention on the issue, Wilcox said. He knows firsthand. He became an activist after his college-student daughter, Laura, was shot to death in a Northern California office by a mentally ill man with a semiautomatic weapon. It certainly forces you to take the issue seriously, Wilcox said. We do this work in [Lauras] name. We think of her every day. We try to leave the world a little bit safer. In passing the gun control measures, lawmakers cited sobering statistics: From 2002-13, some 38,570 Californians were killed by gun violence. In just 2013, firearms were used to kill 2,900 Californians, including 251 children and teens. That same year, 6,035 others in the state were hospitalized or treated in emergency rooms for non-fatal gunshot wounds, including 1,275 children and teens. Rendon said such numbers, while horrifying, can be mind-numbing and hard to fully grasp. There is nothing abstract about Armando, Rendon said. In this country, a number of people are killed each year and I guess that can be abstract at times. But when its someone you know, it puts a face on shootings. Armando was 16 when he was killed. He had gotten into some trouble and had been sent to live with Rendons parents while Rendon, who was a decade older, was away at graduate school, the assemblyman said. He stayed in my childhood room, Rendon recalled. He liked sports. He liked games and a lot of things that young teenage kids like. On the evening of April 8, 1997, Armando and some friends had gone to Burrito King, a popular food stand in Echo Park. The coroners report said police suspect Armando was spray painting graffiti on a wall on Alvarado Street when someone fired a gun from a passing car, hitting Armando in the back of the head. The report called the shooting gang related, and said a suspect was taken into custody. He was certainly getting in trouble and hanging out with the wrong crowd, Rendon said. The crowd he was hanging out with was in gangs. I dont know if he was. Rendon remembers attending his cousins funeral at an East Los Angeles Cemetery and coming to the chilling conclusion at the time: This can happen to any family. Eight months later, the family held another funeral, this time for Charles Martinez, the 38-year-old estranged husband of another of Rendons cousins. On Christmas morning, Martinez was shot four times, including twice in the abdomen, as he stood next to his car in a residential neighborhood of Montecito Heights, according to the Los Angeles County coroners report. He was pronounced dead upon arrival to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. The autopsy report said a .45 caliber pistol was found at the scene and Martinez was believed to have been shot by a man with whom he had a dispute. Another Rendon cousin, JoJo Martinez, was shot to death in 1995, but details were not readily available. Rendon said his cousin Michael was just 15 when he was shot in front of the Atwater Village apartment of a friend, who was also hit by gunfire. But Michael survived the shooting two decades ago. He was innocent, Rendon said. That was a drive-by. He was just in his front lawn and some guys came by and shot him. He remembers visiting his cousin in Huntington Memorial Hospital where the youth had to lay on his stomach because his back had been sprayed by pellets from a shotgun. My cousin Michael ended up in the military, Rendon said. Hes a great guy who has a family now and lives in Los Angeles. Hes doing quite well. An uncle also survived a shooting, he said. Updates from Sacramento All of the incidents taken together but especially the death of Armando helped shape his attitude about guns, Rendon said. Obviously what happened to my cousin Armando means a lot to me personally because he was close to me, Rendon said. It was part of the equation, but not the whole thing. He said the current spate of shootings, including the mass murder of 14 people by terrorists in San Bernardino, has further convinced him that more needs to be done. In June, after 49 people were shot to death in an Orlando, Fla., nightclub, Rendon was one of a small group of lawmakers who attended a rally by the group Moms Demand Action on the steps of the Capitol to call for tougher laws. One potential obstacle was Gov. Jerry Brown, who had vetoed gun control bills in the past on grounds they did not improve public safety enough to justify taking away privileges of law-abiding gun owners. Amid concerns over the prospects of the new batch of state bills regulating guns, Rendon and Senate Leader Kevin de Leon secretly met behind closed doors with Brown on the day of the rally to make their case. Two days later, Brown signed seven bills. Rendon cites the one month he spent in his Los Angeles district during the Legislatures summer break in July as proof that gun violence remains an epidemic. We had eight or nine shootings in my district just while I was home for the break, Rendon said. Its too much. patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com Follow @mcgreevy99 on Twitter California lawmakers pass unprecedented package of gun control bills Gov. Jerry Brown signs bulk of sweeping gun-control package into law, vetoes five bills Leader of effort to overturn gun control laws is enlisting firearms shops for help You can get a pretty good idea of a countrys wealth by seeing how much it shines at night just compare the intense brightness of China and South Korea to the dark mass of North Korea thats sandwiched between them. But nighttime lights dont tell you which neighborhoods or villages within a large region are merely poor and which are home to people living in abject poverty. Thats the level of detail policymakers need when they decide where to deploy their economic development programs. You could get that detail by sending legions of survey-takers into crowded slums and sparsely populated rural areas. But that would be hugely time-consuming and cost tens of millions of dollars or more. Advertisement So researchers at Stanford came up with a way to get computers and satellites to do the work for them. Their computer model, described Thursday in the journal Science, isnt perfect. But its predictive power is at least as good as or better than methods that rely on data from old and out-of-date surveys. The Stanford approach requires a few key ingredients. First, you need to have some kind of data that covers every single place where people live. You get bonus points if that data is in the public domain. You also need a smaller amount of data that you know is pretty accurate. Finally, you need a powerful computer that can calibrate the trove of noisy data to the smaller amount of reliable data. The Stanford researchers tested their system with five African countries: Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi and Rwanda. They started with nighttime images captured as part of the U.S. Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. Places that were brighter at night were presumed to be more economically developed than places that were dim. Then they had their computer program compare the nighttime images to higher-resolution daytime images available via Google Static Maps. The program was able to recognize certain shapes in the daytime pictures that were correlated with economic development. Without being told what to look for, our machine learning algorithm learned to pick out of the imagery many things that are easily recognizable to humans things like roads, urban areas and farmland, study lead author Neal Jean, a computer science graduate student at Stanfords School of Engineering, said in a statement. Other recognizable features included waterways and buildings. The computer even learned to distinguish metal rooftops from those made of grass, thatch or mud, according to the study. To bring it all together, the Stanford team used statistical methods to determine how the presence (or absence) of items identified in the daytime pictures related to income data collected in surveys. The type of roofing material on a building was directly related to income, for instance. So was a locations distance from an urban area. The final computer model was strongly predictive of two important measures of poverty average spending by households and average household wealth. In Rwanda, for instance, the model predicted average household wealth more accurately than data from cellphone records, according to the study. (Another problem with cellphone records: Theyre proprietary, and companies arent always willing to share them.) When a computer program churned through satellite data from just one of the five countries, the resulting model worked best in that country. But in some cases, it did a pretty good job of making predictions in other countries as well. That should make it a valuable tool, the study authors wrote, since the method is straightforward and nearly costless to scale across countries. Jean and his colleagues arent the only ones excited about the prospect of using satellites and computers to fight poverty. In an essay that accompanies the study, Joshua Blumenstock of UC Berkeleys Data Science and Analytics Lab said that making use of daytime satellite data which contains far more information than nighttime images can make it possible to differentiate between poor and ultrapoor regions. This, in turn, can help to ensure that resources get to those with the greatest need. karen.kaplan@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @LATkarenkaplan and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook. ALSO How Otzi the Iceman outfitted himself: Fur from brown bears and leather from roe deer Scientists catch a white dwarf star in the act of exploding into a nova Did physicists discover a previously unknown fifth force of nature? I have read with interest the July 27 article in the Burbank Leader, The Burbank Channel scores an Emmy, written by Anthony Clark Carpio. The Burbank Channel has now earned four Emmy awards. This Emmy, earned for the terrific State of the City address given in 2015 by then Mayor Bob Frutos, was a 15-minute video that highlighted topics in the city such as economic development, the effect that Warner Bros. has had on our city, innovations at Burbank Water and Power, and the status of the 5 Freeway and Empire Avenue. The video was produced by Drew Sugars, the city of Burbanks public information officer. Ive been able to get to know Sugars as I sit on the citys Civic Pride Committee. Sugars is our committees liaison to the city. I have enjoyed working with someone who is both creative and visionary. Members of our committee, and Sugars, have been able to craft a vision that will take us into the future. Assisting Sugars in the production of The State of the City video was Peter Musurlian, a senior producer, and Walter Lutz, production associate. The popular Musurlian was in the control booth and advising council members when the city began televising its City Council meetings in the 90s. Congratulations to the Burbank Public Information Office. Professionals all around! So glad I get to work with these folks! Its so good to know that when you turn your television to the Burbank Channel the content and the video production is as good as it gets! Joe Hooven Burbank Civic Pride Committee Residents make her day I want to thank the wonderful people who were so kind and so caring when I fell on Sunday on an uneven sidewalk on Fairview Street in Burbank. Not only did they give me ice and water but walked to get my car so I would not have to walk to get it. Not only did people come from their house, but a wonderful gentleman stopped his car and offered to hold my dogs leash. He was behind me, so I never really saw him. There really are wonderful people in the world, and I love Burbank. Barbara Edwards Burbank Its ranked as one of the most unusual houses in Laguna Beach, and now the residence with a private staircase to the sandy coves is for sale. The two-story oceanfront home settled high on a bluff overlooking Woods Cove Beach is affectionately known to locals as The Ark, so coined because of its resemblance to a wooden boat. From the homes front deck, which is fashioned like the hull of a boat, stretches appropriately a panoramic view of the ocean. Its wood siding and pyramidal roof with the light bulge add to the maritime image, as do certain interior features, like the hand-carved wooden beams, hand-tied rope work and scattered portholes. Advertisement It is a residence so steeped in history that its style has become known over the years as a shining example of the citys unique architecture, and it has remained nearly unaltered for more than 90 years except for an updating of the kitchens and bathrooms. The Ark sits at Ocean Way and Moss Point, a desirable location just below Coast Highway where deluxe summer homes were crafted in the early 1920s for the wealthy from out town. According to city records, actress Bette Davis owned a bluff-top estate just steps away from the property. President Woodrow Wilson briefly stayed at the house next door when he fell ill during a visit to Laguna Beach. And writers lived at The Ark while drafting novels. The Ark was built in 1923, by Jean-Louise Egasse, a local architect of French heritage who created unique designs with strong European influences and helped shape, architecturally, the Laguna image. His architectural influence spread to Los Angeles, where the Egasse-Braasch House remains a 93-year-old landmark with its white stucco and arched stained-glass windows. The Los Angeles dwelling was said to be where two aspiring screenwriters, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, lived and wrote Academy Award-winning film Good Will Hunting. Laguna city records show that the The Ark was originally built for the Uttley family of Pasadena. The owner was an attorney who located his summer home at Moss Point. Its unknown if he requested that the home to be modeled after a boat. In 1936, the house was bought by two families, the Fitzgerrells and the Booths, with ownership later transferring to the Fitzgerrells, who stayed there during the summers for over 65 years. Its current and third owner purchased it in 2004. The 2,400-square-foot structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes, retains its original hardwood floors, working fireplaces, stained-glass windows, hand-placed stonework and built-in nooks and bookcases. Adjacent to the oceanview living room is an indoor-outdoor deck and above the semi-detached garage is a studio apartment, apt for a living space or office. Beneath the studio apartments staircase is a bathroom. The homes master bedroom can also operate as a family room. Villa Real Estate is handling the property, which is being offered for $8.75 million. For more information, visit 2191oceanway.com. kathleen.luppi@latimes.com Twitter: @KathleenLuppi Its a 100th birthday party so big that the celebration is starting a year in advance. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa will honor four jazz visionaries all born in the same year 1917 with tributes by some of the worlds leading jazz musicians. The centennial celebration will be held from Oct. 7 to 9. Anniversaries seem to be the theme; the center is currently marking its 30th year. Those being remembered for leaving an indelible mark on the jazz scene are Dizzy Gillespie, who died in 1993; Ella Fitzgerald, who died in 1996; Mongo Santamaria, who died in 2003; and Thelonious Monk, who died in 1982. These are all significant people in the world of jazz, and we wanted to make sure we celebrated these great legacies with wonderful performers, said Aaron Egigian, the Segerstrom Centers senior director of music programming. The celebratory affair kicks off Oct. 7 with a concert featuring the SFJazz Collective, an ensemble that will perform a tribute to the late Miles Davis. Davis, who would have been 90 in September, was a jazz trumpeter, bandleader and composer. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz and 20th century music. The SFJazz Collective, which is big on the West Coast, is made up of eight jazz musicians who thrive on keeping their arrangements fresh. To that end, the ensemble will present a new take on Davis compositions something that the musicians believe would have pleased the innovative Davis. Miles was a visionary who was so well-known for his leadership in bands, said Edward Simon, a pianist with SFJazz. Looking at the scope of his career, you see that he always moved forward and changed with the times. Simon said that when he and the group are creating a new musical arrangement basically a reconceptualization of a previously composed work they harmonize and try to make the piece more personal. We create a new perspective because you really cant do it better than they [the original musicians] did, Simon said. Itd be a disservice to the way they did it. Following the collectives performance that evening will be Jazz 100, which will present The Music of Dizzy, Ella, Mongo and Monk. Musical director and former Gillespie pianist Danilo Perez will lead the ensemble of seven in paying homage to the jazz greats. Rounding out the program on the main stage Saturday night will be tenor saxophonist Kamasi Washington, who has emerged over the last year as a breakout star. Washington, Egigian said, is putting a modern spin on jazz. The Los Angeles native will make his Segerstrom Center debut with performances based on his latest album, The Epic. The record debuted at No. 1 on several iTunes Jazz Charts, including in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Segerstroms inaugural Jazz Weekend, as it is being called, will wrap up Sunday with an afternoon performance by Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Marsalis is hailed as a world-renowned trumpeter and composer who is the only artist to win both classical and jazz Grammys in the same year. He repeated the feat a year later. Vocalist and drummer Jamison Ross, who counts Marsalis as an influential teacher who helped him reach a level of sophistication when commanding the drums, will open for him. Music, Ross explained, is something that should be felt. Were a younger generation and we have a different perspective, Ross said, commenting on the changes in music over the years. As long as people take away the soulful impact of the performance as well as have a smile on their face and a deeper understanding of what we call jazz or music, then thats all right with me. The music genre, which originated in the U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was celebrated in May as the White House hosted International Jazz Day with acclaimed musicians including Dianne Reeves, Diana Krall and Herbie Hancock. Its a sound that has been described as Americas most significant artistic contribution to the world, and this years festival is an opportunity for people to celebrate the sounds historic past while looking to the future, Egigian said. I want the audience to marvel at all the incredible music that is a part of our culture and that has been given to us by composers and performers that is distinctly American, Egigian said. Jazz is always evolving and we wonder, Where is it tomorrow? For that, we have to look at these great performers today. -- What: Jazz Weekend When: 8 p.m. Oct. 7: SFJazz Collective paying tribute to trumpeter Miles Davis, followed by Jazz 100 marking the births of the four jazz musicians; 8 p.m. Oct. 8: tenor saxophonist Kamasi Washington; 3 p.m. Oct. 9: drummer and vocalist Jamison Ross followed by the Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa Cost: Tickets start at $39; Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis starts at $49 Information: (714) 556-2787 or visit scfta.org. An old-timey barbershop chain with locations in Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach has been sued on allegations of refusing to cut a transgender mans hair. In a civil-rights lawsuit filed March 29 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Rose Trevis claims he was discriminated against at the Long Beach location of Hawleywoods Barber Shop & Shaving Parlor. The lawsuit claims that when Trevis asked for an appointment at the shop, an employee stared at him and replied, We dont cut womens hair. Trevis, who identifies as a man, replied, Who says Im a woman? according to the lawsuit. Another employee looked Trevis up and down and reiterated, We dont cut womens hair, the suit alleges. Ultimately, Trevis alleges, he was denied service by the employees, who told him they dont even allow women in the shop, according to court documents. I felt humiliated, discriminated against and frowned upon, Trevis said in a statement provided by his attorney, Gloria Allred. I was dumbfounded and appalled that this type of behavior continues to exist and hope that we can bring an end to this absurd type of discrimination. The barbershop chains owner, Donnie Hawleywood, did not respond to a message left for him Wednesday at the Costa Mesa location on Newport Boulevard. In addition to its three Southern California shops, Hawleywoods has a location in Sydney, Australia. The Hawleywoods website bills the business as a time warp back to 40s Chicago where customers can get a straight razor shave, a nice tight haircut and enjoy the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere of a real mens sanctuary. In her own statement, Allred highlighted another passage on the website: One thing you wont see at Hawleywoods is women. You all know how distracting a woman can be, and who wants a straight razor shave with a buxom blonde in the joint? A business that excludes women, refuses to serve women and that confirms a discriminatory policy in its advertising is in violation of the law, Allreds statement said. Trevis lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and an injunction preventing Hawleywoods from denying services based on gender. Irvine-based company Smart Customer Mobile won the Energy Industry Innovator of the Year Gold award at the recent Golden Bridge Awards in San Francisco. The company, which launched in 2011, enables utility companies to establish real-time, state-of-the-art communications with customers, according to a news release. * Irvines Lantronix announces CEO transition Networking company Lantronix Inc. of Irvine has announced that Kurt Busch has resigned from his post as president and chief executive and will be replaced on an interim basis by Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Whitaker while the company searches for a permanent CEO. * Fox Business Network anchor to speak at Irvine chamber event Stuart Varney, a Fox Business Network anchor and host of Varney & Company, will be a guest speaker at the Irvine Chamber of Commerces 2016 Business Outlook on Jan. 22. The event at the Irvine Marriott also will feature Bill Maurer, UC Irvines dean of social sciences. Varney will discuss the current economic climate and lead a discussion about Orange County economic indicators, according to a news release. Maurer will discuss his role in redesigning the $10 bill and how technology is changing the future of money. Ticket prices start at $65 for chamber members and $85 for nonmembers. For more information, visit irvinebusinessoutlook.com. * Cafe Rio Mexican Grill to open in Irvine Cafe Rio Mexican Grill is coming to Irvine next month, according to an Irvine Co. news release. The restaurant, in the Westpark Plaza Shopping Center on Alton Parkway, will be the Utah-based chains fourth in Orange County, after others in Costa Mesa, Tustin and Lake Forest. Chief Ernie Salas picked up a large conch shell from a wooden table filled with Native American artifacts, gathered all the breath in his lungs and blew as hard as he could into a hole in the spire of the shell as if he were playing a wind instrument. Ten elementary school children from Aliso Viejo stood on the opposite side of the table, eyeing Salas carefully. Theyd never seen someone blow into a shell before. At first, the 89-year-old struggled to muster the wind necessary to make more than a faint whistle. But on his second try, the rumble emitted from the shell sounded similar to the blare of a foghorn. Salas, of the Kizh (pronounced keech) Gabrieleno tribe, explained that his Native American ancestors once used conch shells to communicate with one another. It was so quiet here before. There were no airplanes, trains, cars, Salas said, gesturing toward the nearby Banning Ranch property in Newport Beach. It was so silent you could hear miles and miles away. Kizh Gabrieleno Native Americans once inhabited the entire Los Angeles basin, extending from Laguna Beach to Santa Barbara, including the site now known as Banning Ranch. The 401-acre property currently the largest undeveloped coastal land in Southern California has been used for oil operations since the 1940s. But centuries before that, Native American groups called it home. On Thursday, Salas and his nephew Matt Teutimez, a tribal biologist, presented the first of what they hope will be a series of lectures in the greenhouse just outside the Newport Banning Ranch Land Trust offices to teach children about their tribes customs and heritage. At the same time on the nearby Banning Ranch property, leaders of the Kizh Gabrieleno and Juaneno tribes, along with Newport Banning Ranch crews, were digging in several areas of the site that are planned for residential, retail and hotel development to determine whether the land contains artifacts or ancient burial grounds. The digging is expected to wrap up over the weekend. If artifacts are found, the tribes will collect them. However, if burial grounds are discovered, the bones would need to remain in the soil undisturbed, and the development plans likely would have to change, according to Ernies son Andy. Andy Salas is one of several tribal members overseeing the digging. He said his tribe is in favor of the Banning Ranch building project, which proposes 895 homes, a 75-room hotel, a 20-bed hostel and 45,100 square feet of retail space on about 62 acres of the site. About 310 acres would be preserved as open space with public trails, while the remainder of the land would be used for parks and roads. The open space preservation hinges on the California Coastal Commission approving the development proposal, according to the Land Trust, which serves as steward of the space that would be preserved. Officials with developer Newport Banning Ranch LLC have floated the idea of creating an educational and cultural center on the site as a place for Native American rituals and artifacts. Its a natural fit, said George Bayse, vice president of Aera Energy, which owns half the land. Were really hoping there will be an exciting collaboration in the future between the Native American groups and the Land Trust. The fate of the property has sparked controversy over the years between some local environmental groups and advocates of the development. The Banning Ranch Conservancy, which opposes the project, says the property contains valuable and sensitive habitat that must be protected under the state Coastal Act. The group has indicated a desire to purchase the property and maintain it as open space, but it has not raised enough money to do so. Newport Banning Ranch originally proposed 1,375 homes, 75,000 square feet of retail space, a hostel and several parks on about 95 acres of Banning Ranch. That plan was approved by the Newport Beach City Council in 2012. However, the project has since been scaled back at the behest of the Coastal Commission, which has final say over development along Californias coast. In November, Newport Banning Ranch sent the commission its current plan, for which commission staff recommended approval but included conditions that would further reduce the projects footprint. The developer decided to delay going before the commission for a vote in May, saying some issues remained unresolved and that it needed more time to review the staffs proposal. Most recently, Newport Banning Ranch asked Coastal Commission staff to ease some restrictions for the site to allow more space to build. Andy Salas sent a letter to the Coastal Commission on Aug. 1 urging approval of the project, pointing to Newport Banning Ranchs proposal to clean up oil operations on the land and open it to the public. The commission is expected to consider the project in September. Were here to stand up, protect and preserve the last areas that are left of our land, Andy Salas said. Who else is going to offer to clean the land and the soil? This plan might be the one shot for this to happen in our lifetime. South Coast Plazas exhibit on former President Richard Nixon, called The Week That Changed the World: Nixon, China and the Arts, has been extended to Thursday due to popular demand. The exhibit had been slated to close Aug. 18. The exhibit celebrates significant arts and cultural developments resulting from Nixons historic 1972 trip to China, according to a news release. An estimated 1 million people have visited the exhibition since it opened June 24. We are overwhelmed with the success of the display, said Bill Baribault, president of the Richard Nixon Foundation. The Richard Nixon Foundation is very pleased that even more visitors will now have the ability to learn of the ongoing impact of President Nixons trip to China. Shade store coming to Fashion Island The Shade Store, which provides custom window treatments, plans to open a showroom this fall in Newport Beachs Fashion Island shopping center. The store, near Macys, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Dickeys to expand to Costa Mesa Dickeys Barbecue Pit is expanding to Costa Mesa as part of a five-store development plan. The restaurant, part of the Dallas-based chain, is expected to open in summer or fall 2017. The specific location was not announced. Costa Mesa uniform maker acquired Costa Mesa-based Mocean Holding Co. LLC has been acquired by SNC Technical Services, based in Puerto Rico, according to a news release. Mocean, headquartered at 1635 Monrovia Ave., makes uniforms for law enforcement and security guards. SNC Technical makes military uniforms. SNC Technical is a subsidiary of Sitnasuak Native Corp., based in Alaska. The synergies of products and staff will significantly enhance [SNCs] opportunities to serve their customers, improve performance and create value for Sitnasuaks shareholders, Sitnasuak said in a statement. Costa Mesa developer to build retail center in Long Beach Costa Mesa-based Lab Holding won approval from the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday to turn city-owned land into a retail project tentatively called the North Village Center. The developer will pay $2.58 million for 30 properties totaling 176,613 square feet near the intersection of South Street and Atlantic Avenue and an additional $4.36 million for 18 nearby parcels, the Orange County Business Journal reported. The center is expected to open in summer 2019. Lab Holding developed The Lab and The Camp in Costa Mesa and the Anaheim Packing House. Chapman University president to speak at Center Club Chapman University President Jim Doti will speak at an Orange County Business Council event Sept. 6. Tom Phelps of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, LLP will be interviewing Doti at the event, which starts at 8 a.m. at the Center Club, 650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Registration for members of the business council is $85; non-members pay $145. For more information, contact Sabra Ritter at (949) 794-7241 or sritter@ocbc.org. ------------ FOR THE RECORD August 22, 11:36 a.m.: A previous version of this story misidentified Tom Phelps law firm. It is Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, LLP. ------------- Verizon Wireless Pacific market gets new president Verizon Wireless has appointed Jonathan LeCompte as president of its Pacific market, based in Irvine. LeCompte will lead all business functions across the seven-state market, including California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, northern Nevada and northern Idaho, according to a news release. Yogurtland hires two executives Irvine-based Yogurtland has named John Wayne Carlson as vice president of development and Chad Bailey as senior director of marketing. Were eager to welcome John and Chad to Yogurtland during this exhilarating time of expansion and growth, Phillip Chang, Yogurtland founder and chief executive, said in a statement. They both have the extensive backgrounds needed to build on our growth trajectory and will make valuable contributions to our creativity and success. Carlson has held a variety of development and operations positions with Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Dunkin Brands, according to a news release. Bailey most recently was chief marketing officer of Robeks Juice. LendingQB names new vice president LendingQB, a Costa Mesa-based provider of technology solutions for the mortgage industry, has named Rob Pommier as vice president of national sales. Rob has the experience we were looking for to help grow our organization, Binh Dang, LendingQB president, said in a statement. With his background and understanding of the mortgage banking industry, we believe Rob can effectively communicate our Lean Lending solution to lenders. The Newport-Mesa Unified School District announced this week that Jacob Topete has been appointed principal of California Elementary School in Costa Mesa as part of a shuffling of principals that began with a controversy over an award application at Mariners Elementary. California Elementarys former principal of five years, Matt Broesamle, moved to Mariners in Newport Beach after that schools principal, Laura Sacks, requested reassignment amid complaints from teachers and parents about her leadership and an application she filed on behalf of the school for a state Gold Ribbon Award. Sacks, who served as Mariners principal for one school year, will be on special assignment for Costa Mesa middle and high schools. Topete most recently was an assistant principal for Newport Heights and Whittier elementary schools simultaneously. He once taught kindergarten and first grade at California Elementary. Jacob has demonstrated instructional leadership as an administrator and teacher leader combined with an incredible work ethic and a focus on students, Russell Lee-Sung, Newport-Mesa associate superintendent of education, said in a statement. As an assistant principal, Topete has led staff through technology and software training, collaborated with the PTA on fundraising strategies and worked to improve playground safety, according to a district news release. This year will be all about getting to know the community and staff, Topete said in an interview Thursday. I know they have great programs in visual and performing arts and technology in the classrooms. Im excited and honored to be there and look forward to building those relationships. Broesamle goes to Mariners Elementary with 13 years experience in the Newport-Mesa district, first as a teacher at Adams Elementary School, then as principal of California Elementary. Before Sacks departure from Mariners in June, the district hired Dana Point-based Nicole Miller & Associates to investigate teachers allegations of mischaracterizations and inaccuracies in the application Sacks submitted last fall for a Gold Ribbon Award, which the school received in April. The district and the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers did not immediately respond to a request for information about the status of the investigation. A 12-year-old girl sitting on a motel bed, surrounded by homework, siblings and parents, all crammed into one small room. A 9-year-old boy entering a classroom with his head down, ashamed to not know where he will sleep tonight. These are the images of children in Orange County struggling with homelessness the countys best-kept secret. While we may not see these motel kids along the streets or desperately gripping cardboard signs, they exist in overwhelming abundance. Under the areas veil of affluence are the faces of more than 32,500 children experiencing homelessness and 120,000 children living in poverty. They say goodnight from motels, shelters and couches. They are forced to focus on where they will sleep instead of what they will learn. Tragically, their educations and futures suffer. Years ago, I was one of these faces. For decades I silenced my past as an Orange County motel kid, but in the spring of 2013, I shared my story to spark hope and conversation about childhood homelessness. A technology entrepreneur, my father experienced unpredictable lapses in income. Although my mother also worked as a preschool teacher, keeping a roof over our family of six proved taxing. While there were periods of financial stability, there were also times of despair. During my junior high and high school years, my three brothers, our parents and I often packed our lives into 214-square-foot motel rooms. Feelings of shame, lack of privacy, and an economically schizophrenic childhood created an environment where the basic elements of being a kid were sometimes lost, like doing homework. Childhood homelessness data from the U.S. Department of Education is shocking. According to the department, 1 in 30 children in the country experienced homelessness in 2013. On a local level, here in Orange County, its 1 in 6. California has the largest population of homeless children in America, and Orange County has more homeless students than the state average and neighboring Los Angeles and San Diego counties, per the California Department of Education. The effects of youth homelessness are devastating, ranging from chronic emotional stress and physical malnourishment to significant academic gaps and difficulty making friends. In comparison with their peers, children experiencing homelessness are nine times more likely to repeat a grade, four times more likely to drop out of school, and three times more likely to be placed in special education programs, according to The Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness. But there is hope. At Project Hope Alliance we start with the kids. Our goal is to make sure that every homeless child in Orange County succeeds academically. Our impactful, two-generational approach ends homelessness today by rapidly rehousing the families we serve and helping them achieve financial independence. We end the cycle of generational homelessness tomorrow by empowering our kids with a unique academic program lovingly tailored to their skills and strengths. Three especially notable programs are our innovative Bright Start Pilot Program, Promoter Pathway program at Newport Harbor High School, and our core Family Stability Program. Since 2012, we have ended homelessness for more than 700 kids and parents by stabilizing families in their own homes and providing their children with an exceptional education. Take my story as an example of the boundless power of faith, hope and determination. Since graduating from UC Irvine and Whittier Law School, becoming a partner at a large law firm before age 40, then leaving the practice of law to proudly serve as Project Hope Alliances CEO, I have realized that my story is not about me. I just happen to be the one with a voice right now to communicate that a childs future should never be determined by their parents economic circumstances. I look ahead to our third annual gala on April 17 with hope and purpose. Project Hope Alliance exists to mend the chaos in the lives of children and families struggling with homelessness, and to ensure that they never, ever give up. Learn more about how we are ending the cycle of homelessness, one child at a time, at projecthopealliance.org. JENNIFER FRIEND is CEO of the Project Hope Alliance. A construction worker was seriously injured Thursday morning after falling 10 feet while working on building a five-story apartment complex in Glendale, officials said. At around 9:30 a.m., fire officials responded to the construction site, located at North Central and West Wilson avenues, where the worker had landed on his back after falling from the fourth floor to the third, according to Glendale Fire spokeswoman Brandy Villanueva. Firefighters extricated the man from the building using an aerial ladder attached to a Stokes basket a stretcher used for rescues in confined spaces before rushing him to a hospital. The worker is expected to survive. Officials are investigating what caused the fall. -- Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @atchek Glendale school officials touted the importance of establishing college savings accounts for children as they initiated a new discussion about how they may be able to facilitate discussions about financial literacy. We know that when students go to college, they outearn students with a high school diploma. Theres an economic incentive. Those students are able to take care of their families, said Glendale Unified Supt. Winfred Roberson Jr. Us having this particular value is important. He pointed to research compiled by the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Corporation for Enterprise Development, including findings that when students know that money is set aside for them to go to college, they anticipate attending college as a teen, and they perform better academically. Glendale school board member Greg Krikorian expressed a desire to connect with local banks that can provide outreach to students about financial literacy. Meanwhile, fellow board member Nayiri Nahabedian, who made the initial request for the board to publicly discuss childrens savings accounts, suggested that Glendale Unified form a committee to begin conversations on the subject. Across Glendale Unified, most financial literacy programs take place in secondary schools. Hoover High freshmen learn about finances in their guidance class, while Crescenta Valley High seniors cover the subject in an economics course. Daily High, Glendales continuation school, offers an online elective course on personal and family finance. At Roosevelt Middle School, a new stock market club will debut this year. Roberson said he would like to see financial literacy education expanded to younger students. I think its our responsibility to turn over every stone thats out there to say, How do we get our students [college] ready? This is a non-traditional method, he said. Meanwhile, Armina Gharpetian, school board president, suggested the topic also be brought up with parents, and fellow member Christine Walters suggested school PTAs could help spread the message. I think the major portion of this has to do with educating parents, Gharpetian said. -- Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com Twitter: @kellymcorrigan Much to the relief of some local parents, La Crescentas first drive-thru Starbucks opened its doors Thursday morning, attracting many who preferred to order coffee from the convenience of their cars. But the stores opening also was a welcome event for others inside, including three La Crescenta mothers eager to scope out the interior of the building, where for the past 30 years a Burger King was located before its recent overhaul. At a table by a window, the three moms Lyttle Sullivan, Erin Monacelli, and Sarah Stehly praised the interior, which is spacious enough for strollers. They also liked the shaded and fenced-off patio as well asthe parking lot that has more than 30 spaces. As moms of small children, this is a big deal for us, Sullivan said. The trio had been waiting for weeks for the new Starbucks to open. All three met there Thursday morning with their youngest children, ranging in ages from 9 months to 4 years old, after they dropped off their older children at school. Stehly noticed right away that her daughters stroller was not going to interfere with anyones space. We can all meet, bring the kids, its not going to be uncomfortable, she said. They anticipate using the drive-thru on days when they have cars full of children and no time to park and walk inside. Its very convenient, Monacelli said. They were not the only local parents pleased with the space. Local father Hamlet Grigorian, who drank his coffee on the patio, praised the new store and its ample parking. As the new site opened, a nearby Starbucks that was located a couple of blocks away closed. That Starbucks, which had been located at 3747 Foothill Blvd., shared a parking lot with several other businesses. The new site at 3517 Foothill Blvd. features parking spaces that dont compete with other businesses. I love it, Grigorian said. I love the space. Earlier in the morning, after dropping his children off at school, he saw the store was open for business, and with a week off from work, he didnt have to rush to be anywhere. This was a good chance to sit, relax, have some coffee and people watch, he said. A Starbucks spokesperson said the company could not accommodate a request for an interview. -- Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com Twitter: @kellymcorrigan Unemployment rates rose slightly last month in Glendale and Burbank with job declines in leisure and hospitality as well as public educational institutions due to summer recess driving up the numbers across Los Angeles County, according to the latest labor report. The jobless rates in both cities increased by 0.3%, coming in at 4.5% in Burbank and 5.3% in Glendale, according to statistics released Friday by the California Employment Development Department. The states unemployment rate was 5.5% last month, an uptick from 5.4% in June, but a significant improvement from 6.1% in July 2015. In La Canada Flintridge, the jobless rate edged up to 2.9%, a 0.2% rise, while the La Crescenta-Montrose area also reported a 0.2% increase, up to 3%. In 1542, when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was in search of new trade routes, he became the first European explorer to set eyes on the California coast. Cabrillo landed his ship, the San Salvador, in several places, including what is now San Diego. Now, a replica of the historic galleon will kick off its two-month maiden voyage at the citys Festival of Sail over Labor Day weekend. The San Salvador will be open to visitors Sept. 3 to 5 at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, Sept. 15 to 18 in Oxnard at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, Sept. 23 to 25 in Monterey at Monterey State Historic Park and Sept. 30 to Oct. 9 at Morro Bay. Each stop on the Pacific Heritage Tour has planned activities special to the area. For example, Morro Bay will greet the San Salvador with, among other vessels, tule boats newly made by the Salinan Tribe, Native Americans local to that part of the coast. The visit coincides with the Morro Bay Harbor Festival on Oct. 1. Advertisement Tickets to visit the ship at San Diegos Festival of Sail or on its coastal tour cost $7 per adult and $5 for children ages 3 to 12. If you want to find out what its like to sail on a 16th century galleon in the 21st century, you can hop on board from Morro Bay to Oxnard (Oct. 10 to 14), circumnavigate Catalina (Oct. 17 to 21) or sail from Avalon to San Diego (Oct. 23 to 26). While on board, youll be schooled in how to sail by day and learn about Cabrillos journey by night. The cost is $995 per person (ages 12 and older), which includes the cruise and meals on board the ship. Info: Maritime Museum of San Diego, (619) 234-9153, Ext 101 MORE Dinner in a Maui tree house for $1,200, and you get to set the menu Summer whale watching in California: Where to see blues, humpbacks and even sharks Did you get a great shot like this one? Send it to us for the L.A. Times Photo Fiesta OpenTable selects 100 scenic restaurants that are all about the views In Las Vegas, where theatrical productions come and go, Blue Man Group will mark a milestone Friday when the percussion-and-paint act performs its 10,000th show. Blue Man Group Las Vegas first brought its offbeat brand of performance art to the Luxor casino-resort more than 16 years ago. Advertisement After a move to the Venetian, the group returned to its original digs in 2015, boasting a new design, new music and new technology. Blue Man Groups milestone will be observed during a sold-out show for charity at 4 p.m. Friday. The $10 tickets were quickly snapped up. Tickets still remain for that evenings regularly-priced shows ($69-$160) at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Theyre available online or by calling (800) 258-3626. According to a publicist for the group, during its long run, Blue Man Group has used: 30,000 bald caps, which give performers their uniform appearance; 25,000 cakes of blue makeup (they are, after all, Blue Man Group); 44,000 drumheads; 58,000 custom-panted drumsticks; 50,000 gallons of paint (that liberally splash more than a few fans); 450,000 ponchos (for audience members in the first few rows); and 4.7 million feet of streamers, which create a festive atmosphere. There is no need to get em before theyre gone when it comes to tickets. The Las Vegas Sun reported that MGM Resorts signed Blue Man Group to a contract through 2025. Blue Man Group started in 1991 and now hosts theatrical productions in New York City, Boston and other cities. ALSO: Remember the Age of the Showgirl? You can by perusing these Las Vegas exhibits A kind of psychedelic Stonehenge in the desert near Las Vegas Original Michael Jackson HIStory statue comes to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas The watermelons lay fat and green on Umar Bates farm, almost ready for harvest. He would need a tractor-trailer just to get his crop to market. Musa Jabbis 400 cows wandered the plains, growing plump as they grazed. Abubakar Gamandi, a fisherman on Lake Chad, had smoked and stored a rich harvest of fish, ready to sell. Then it all went wrong. Northeastern Nigeria is now close to famine after nearly two years of brutal interference from Boko Haram, the Nigerian terrorist group that has systematically plundered and starved those who live here in a relentless scorched-earth campaign. Advertisement A woman caries branches and reeds to be used for making huts in the Muna settlement. (Stefan Heunis / Getty Images ) Nearly 50,000 children will die of starvation if they dont get food soon and nearly 250,000 more are severely malnourished in Borno state, according to UNICEF. There are 4.4 million people affected by the crisis, half in areas inaccessible to humanitarian agencies. The story of what happened to Bate, Jabbi and Gamandi and the others who helped feed those who live here is part of a wider mosaic of terror and deprivation in northeastern Nigeria, where 1.4 million people have fled their homes because of Boko Haram, the Islamic State affiliate in West Africa. The group is accused of kidnapping women and girls, sacking entire villages and slaying residents indiscriminately. The land here is flat with scrubby trees; the towns ramshackle and dusty. Black plastic bags from local markets skitter across the landscape like alien tumbleweeds. But on the shores of Lake Chad the soil is so fertile and the underground water so abundant that farmers can irrigate and grow their crops year-round. The region was once one of Nigerias breadbaskets, producing rice, maize, wheat, millet, sorghum, cowpeas, fruits, peppers, chilis and vegetables. Lake Chads fish were eagerly consumed by buyers in markets throughout the country. We have nothing left Umar Bate, farmer Umar Bate, who heads the farmers union in Doron Baga on Lake Chad, abandoned his watermelons early last year when Boko Haram attacked the town. We lost our farmlands and produce to Boko Haram and [were] reduced to a life of begging. We left our produce on the farm, in silos and stores in the market, Bate said. But all that is gone, we have nothing left. He now lives in a bleak camp for displaced people near Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. Bate said that when he fled, he left 30 tons of rice and nearly 18 tons of maize behind. Boko Harams assault on Doron Baga, Baga and other nearby towns was staggering. Nobody stopped to count the bodies, but some estimates suggest that 2,000 people were killed. The two towns were nearly wiped from the map. Satellite images show 3,700 houses were destroyed. Food supplies were looted, markets sacked, cattle stolen or killed, and farmers, fishers and herders driven away. All 280 rural food markets in Borno state were closed, according to Mohammed Rijiya, the president of the state chamber of commerce. Emaciated cows in the Muna settlement. (Stefan Heunis / Associated Press ) Bate said 250 of the 7,520 farmers in the Doron Baga farmers union have died in the past two years because of the deprivation inflicted by Boko Harams attacks. Several months earlier, Gamandi said Boko Haram stopped a convoy of Lake Chad fishermen near Doron Baga, slitting their throats, tying them up and heaving their bodies into the water. The lake is now brimming with fish but we dare not go back and harvest it because of fear of Boko Haram attack, said Gamandi, the fisherman who heads the Borno fishermens union. We were forced to flee the town to save our lives, leaving everything we owned. All our fishing equipment, such as fishing boats, nets and other accessories were lost to Boko Haram. I lost my house, my capital and stock of smoked fish. I now have to start from scratch. Musa Jabbi, the herder, has been left with just 52 of his 400 cattle. Like other herders, he is now camped with his cows on the outskirts of Maiduguri, but there is no food for his animals. Boko Haram have seized most of our herd and killed many of our people. They forcibly take our young boys and take them to Sambisa Forest, where they are recruited and turned into foot soldiers, he said. There is little grazing area left because Boko Haram has taken over the countryside. Any herder who ventures afield risks falling into the hands of Boko Haram who will kill him and seize his cattle. The Nigerian military has driven Boko Haram out of the major towns in the region, but rural areas and roads remain insecure. Mustapha Adam of the Kukawa Development Assn., the umbrella union of 55 trade associations in Kukawa district, said the slayings of so many farmers and traders by Boko Haram would affect future agricultural production. The soil doesnt require fertilizer. We farm throughout the year and grow natural produce. But we have been made weak, vulnerable and turned into beggars, he lamented. According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, or FEWSNET, Nigerias northeast faces one of the worlds most severe hunger emergencies, and the crisis is expected to continue. After Boko Haram attacked a UNICEF convoy last month, the agency temporarily suspended humanitarian assistance to the region because of the risk to its own staff. But humanitarian deliveries have resumed. Toby Fricker, spokesman for UNICEF, said that as Boko Haram has been driven out of areas of Borno and the northeast, humanitarian access has improved, but there are still 2.2 million people who are inaccessible to humanitarian aid workers, because of poor security. Security conditions do change on a daily basis, but we are reaching areas that were not accessible before and we are scaling up our response in Borno state, said Toby Fricker, a UNICEF spokesman. As we reach these areas, the true extent of the humanitarian crisis is being revealed. The legs of a young boy suffering from acute malnutrition at a camp outside Maiduguri, Nigeria. (Stefan Heunis / AFP ) Abubakar reported from Kano and Dixon from Johannesburg, South Africa. robyn.dixon@latimes.com Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT ALSO A Hollywood-style celebrity scandal is dominating the Internet in China A pariah no more, Myanmar is open for business and corporate America is already in line Despite relatively few terrorist attacks, Germany is gripped by fear and false alarms China is in the midst of one of its biggest celebrity scandals in recent memory, a messy divorce which, over the last week, has dominated the countrys Internet and turned ordinary social media fans into avid sleuths. Actor Wang Baoqiang on Sunday posted via Weibo, Chinas Twitter, that his wife of seven years, Ma Rong, an actress, was engaged in an affair with his agent, Song Zhe. On Monday, Wang filed for divorce. Since then, the scandal has become the biggest topic in Chinese cyberspace. The hashtag #WangBaoqiangDivorce on Weibo had been viewed 8.6 billion times as of late Friday afternoon on average, more than six times for every one of Chinas more than 1.3 billion people. Chinese Internet users have overwhelmingly rallied to the actors defense, with many even donating money to help cover his legal fees. Advertisement Since I married Ma Rong in 2009, Ive kept my wedding vows; Ive been sincere to her and loyal to my marriage, Wang wrote in his original Weibo post, which has attracted 5.3 million likes and 3 million comments. I protect my wife and take care of my children and all of our parents; I make efforts to be a good husband, dad and son. I work hard to provide a better living environment for my family. Ive been absolutely loyal, honest and tolerant, he continued. But I cant stand the evil behavior of betraying a marriage and destroying ones family. Soon afterward, Ma struck back, claiming that Wang was the guilty party. The more one tries to hide, the more one is exposed, she posted cryptically. The truth will finally come out. On Monday, Wangs company wrote on Weibo that Wang had borrowed money to fund his divorce case, sparking speculation in the Chinese media that Ma and Song had absconded with his wealth. Internet users struck out at Ma, posting a string of vitriolic comments to her Weibo page. Some users even tracked down her address and ID card number and posted them online. Wang Baoqiang is a village boy he suffered a lot, said one fans Weibo post, reflecting a popular sentiment. All your money was made by him. Please dont take away his hard-earned money. On Tuesday, Ma sued Wang for defamation. On Wednesday, Songs wife filed for divorce. Wang, 32, was born to a poor family in Hebei, a dusty, mountainous province that surrounds Beijing. His debut role was as a 16-year-old victim of two scam artists in Blind Shaft, a bleak film about murder in a Chinese coal mine. He hit the mainstream soon afterward, playing charming, if naive characters in several comic capers, including A World Without Thieves (2004) and Lost in Thailand (2012), for a time Chinas highest grossing movie ever. Chinese media have referred to Wang as a grassroots star, and his down-home appeal might partly explain the overwhelming sympathy. Yet some observers have seen it as a symptom of unfair gender relations in the country. Its a double standard, Lu Pin, the editor in chief at Gender Watch, a feminist activist website, told the Chinese news website Phoenix News. Society is particularly intolerant towards women cheating on their husbands. We always find a reason, or an excuse, for men cheating. More often well forgive men, and give [them] a second chance. Chinese Internet users and media have attempted to eke out as much information on the case as possible. The Legal Evening News, a state-run newspaper, published information about the couples assets (they found nine properties, a BMW car and other luxury goods). An anonymous airline company employee even publicized Ma and Songs flight information to help amateur sleuths track them down. According to Chinese media, one Beijing resident flew overnight to the northeastern city of Dalian to try to find Song. (He failed). Many Internet users have helped donate money to abet Wangs divorce enough that swindlers have piggybacked on the scandal for financial gain. Some have composed text messages in Wangs name to solicit donations, according to an article in the Henan Legal Evening News. One victim, a villager, reportedly transferred 5,000 yuan ($750) to a swindlers account. On Wednesday, the scandal in full swing, several U.S.-based fans located Wangs Pasadena house on a real estate app, traveled to the residence, and interviewed a neighbor about who lived there. They didnt find much. According to a reporter for the website SinoVisionNet, the neighbor told them that two people live in the house, a man and a woman. The neighbor didnt recognize a photo of Wang. The video of the neighbor also went viral. As of late Friday, it had been viewed at least 6 million times. Yingzhi Yang in the Times Beijing bureau contributed to this report. MORE WORLD NEWS What people are saying about burkinis in France Despite relatively few terrorist attacks, Germany is gripped by fear and false alarms Haunting image of boy in an Aleppo ambulance captures plight of children caught in Syrian war When a tour bus caught fire in Taiwan in July, killing 24 mainland Chinese visitors, China reacted in fury. It demanded stronger safety measures for its travelers on the island. Chinese state media warned that tourists might stop going to Taiwan. In response, Taiwans Transportation Ministry pledged the best possible aid to families of the victims. That sort of back and forth wouldnt have happened a year ago. Then, China more than likely would have officially ignored the disaster, not wanting to further damage relations with Taiwan, a political rival for seven decades. Advertisement But since Taiwans new president, Tsai Ing-wen, took office in May, China has grown surlier and no one is sure how much further it will go. And the abrasiveness cuts both ways: Despite the pledge to help families in the tour bus disaster, Tsai is considerably less conciliatory to China than her predecessor. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which considers itself to be fully independent. Chinas prickliness, plus a string of jarring episodes such as the fire, is now putting pressure on Tsai to form a clearer China policy. The question that arises is whether Beijing can tolerate an indefinite stagnation of relations. Denny Roy, senior fellow at the East-West Center in Honolulu President Tsai is still trying to find a solution, said Liu Yi-jiun, public affairs professor at Fo Guang University in Taiwan. Shes entering the tunnel and shes still far away from the end. ... She needs to say something not to discourage the Chinese leaders. About 90% of Taiwanese support holding talks with China, according to a government poll released Aug. 99, but the two sides have found no way. China and Taiwan are separated only by a 110-mile-wide strait, but the political and rhetorical gulf between them is vast. Beijing wants Tsais administration to enter a dialogue in which each side casts itself as part of a single entity known as China, though subject to different interpretations a bit like Chinas one country, two systems approach to Hong Kong. Tsai opposes that condition as belittling the islands de facto autonomy. Complicating matters are the China-related mishaps, including the bus fire, that have mounted quickly under Tsais watch. In July, Beijings top Taiwan policy advisor predicted a severe effect on relations after the islands navy misfired a supersonic antiship missile. The missile killed a Taiwanese fishing boat captain in the strait but did not reach waters controlled by the Peoples Liberation Army. China had already said in June that it was suspending talks between two foundations that have served as de facto embassies, representing each government in the absence of formal diplomacy. Just before that, a Taiwanese indigenous childrens choir said its performance scheduled in Guangzhou, China, was canceled. This month, Kenya deported five Taiwanese citizens to China, drawing a strong protest from the Foreign Ministry in Taipei. Beijing persuaded Kenya to hand over the Taiwanese, who will probably be charged with fraud, on the premise that they all belong under one flag, that of China. Earlier in the year, Kenya and Malaysia turned over Taiwanese citizens to China on suspicion they were targeting Chinese mainlanders in scams. Group tourist arrivals from China have declined 30% since April after reaching a record 3.4 million last year, the governments Mainland Affairs Council in Taipei says. Travel agents say Chinese authorities are urging tour agencies to issue fewer Taiwan travel permits. That, in turn, has hurt large hotels, mid-level restaurants and tour bus operators, said Kuo Tzu-yi, director of the Pingtung Tourism Assn. in southern Taiwan. His association covers Kenting National Park, a strip of beaches popular with mainland Chinese tourists. Crowds there had visibly thinned by mid-July. China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since Chiang Kai-sheks Nationalists lost the Chinese civil war of the 1940s to Mao Tse-tungs Communists. The Nationalists retrenched in Taipei. The two sides have been separately ruled since then. Both have robust capitalist economies, but Taiwan is now democratically ruled, while the mainland remains in the grip of the Communist Party. China hoped Tsai would offer an extension of the upbeat relations of the previous eight years, when Beijing-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou agreed to see the two sides as part of one China. That allowed the governments to build trust and sign 23 deals related to trade, transit and investment. Voters had put Tsai in office partly because her Democratic Progressive Party takes a more cautious view on China than Mas Nationalists. Tens of thousands who demonstrated in Taipei in March and April 2014 highlighted growing fear that the Ma government had grown dangerously close to China, which wants the two sides ultimately to unify. But the absence of talks since Tsais inauguration has meant the freezing of any new economic deals. Under Ma, the two sides opened about 800 trade categories to tariff exemptions and allowed 890 direct flights per week, from just a trickle before. China and Taiwan were negotiating a broader pact to slash tariffs before Tsai took office, and an additional 20 agreements were in the pipeline. Tsais approval ratings have fallen 14 percentage points to 56% since her inauguration. Its almost 100 days after the inauguration and we have to admit cross-strait relations are kind of in a frozen status, said Wu Chung-li, political science research fellow at Academia Sinica in Taipei. China may privately be giving Tsai a probationary period of about six months, Wu said, after which it might bring pressure to bear on Taiwans international relations. Taiwan should make concrete efforts for the resumption of cross-strait communication, Chinas State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman, Ma Xiaoguang, said this month, according to the official New China News Agency. Tsais government has discussed no specific proposals to improve ties with China, saying it needs a clearer idea of Taiwanese public opinion before making any moves. But its now reviewing existing regulations on Taiwan-China interaction with a view toward improving them, a government official said. We need to know peoples views and keep listening to other peoples voices, said Chiu Chui-cheng, spokesman for Taiwans China policymaking body, the Mainland Affairs Council. With so much flexibility and goodwill, we think China should show support and understanding. Much of the public likes Tsais campaign pledge to avoid unifying with China or declaring legal independence but worry that her China policy doesnt specify any details, said Liu, the professor from Fo Guang University. Taiwanese can tolerate cold relations with China for now because Chinese economic growth has fallen since 2011, offering less than it once did to the export-reliant island, said Ku Chung-hwa, a standing board member with Citizen Congress Watch, a legislative monitoring group. The expectations for Tsai arent that high, and as long as relations with mainland China develop without conflict they can slip into a cold spell, Ku said. They have little obvious impact on peoples livelihoods now. Tsais stance, so far, is less confrontational than that of former President Chen Shui-bian, a member of Tsais party who was in office from 2000 to 2008. Chen advocated legal independence from China, which in turn told Taiwan it had not ruled out use of military force. The question that arises is whether Beijing can tolerate an indefinite stagnation of relations, said Denny Roy, senior fellow at the East-West Center think tank in Honolulu. Chinese President Xi Jinping will ultimately decide what to do, but may be interested in first shoring up Chinas economy and quieting international opposition to his countrys claims in the disputed South China Sea, Roy said. Xi has incentives not to seek an early and decisive showdown with Taipei, he said. Jennings is a special correspondent. ALSO Chinas crackdown on dissent is described as the harshest in decades Shes old, for a woman: Media around the world condemned for sexist Olympics coverage Taiwans president expresses deepest apologies for governments decades of abuse against indigenous people Heavily armed police stormed the apartment of a German man this week after getting a tip that he might be an Islamic State terrorist putting together a bomb. Instantly, the sensational news was flashed across a jittery nation and around the world. But the 27-year-old man, with a record of drug abuse and petty crime, was quietly released from custody a day later without authorities issuing any charges. Advertisement Police in the depressed and off-the-beaten-trail eastern town of Eisenhuettenstadt near the Polish border acknowledged they were unable to find anything of note other than 37 firecrackers, a replica Kalashnikov rifle, a few posters with Islamic State symbols and marijuana. It was the latest in a string of false alarms to rattle Germany, a country that has experienced precious few terrorist attacks in recent decades compared to waves of attacks that have hit other countries, yet nevertheless is on edge. Terrorism is on everyones mind right now after it was only a distant threat for so long, said Christian Tusschoff, a political scientist at Berlins Free University and expert on international terrorism. There is a palpable apprehensiveness all of a sudden even though, compared to other countries hit by terror attacks, hardly anything has happened here. Fears have been running high after two refugees with links to Islamic State were killed in attacks last month that caused no other fatalities, though a total of 16 people were injured. A suicide bomber from Syria died in a bungled bomb attack at a wine bar outside an open-air concert in Ansbach just days after a knife-wielding teenager from Afghanistan was shot dead by police after slashing four tourists with a knife and ax on a train near Wurzburg. A shooting rampage in Munich last month by an 18-year-old German-Iranian left 10 dead, including the gunman. There has been a steady flurry of terrorist scares across Germany after those unrelated attacks. Hardly a day passes without false alarms about suspected terrorists, which spread like lightening on social media or via news flashes by online mainstream media and create a misleading impression of a country under siege. The countrys fourth largest city of Cologne, for instance, came to a halt recently over at-first terrifying reports online that cascaded into national and international news bulletins about a woman with a gun at a Labor Office building. The building went into a lockdown, stranding hundreds, as heavily armed police swarmed in. No woman with a gun was ever found. We searched the building from top to bottom but couldnt find anything suspicious at all, a Cologne police spokesman said after the dust had settled. The city returned to normal about four hours later. France, Belgium, Spain, Britain, Russia and other countries have been plagued by terrorism and are in various states of siege as they try to guard against more attacks, but Germany had remained relatively immune. Ortwin Renn, an expert on risk at the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies in Potsdam, said fears of getting killed in a terrorist attack in Germany are driven by emotion rather than likelihood. One factor causing concern is the more than 1.4 million migrants who have entered Germany during the past year, Renn and other analysts said. Pressure has been building with the large number of refugees arriving, peoples suppressed emotions about that, and terror fears are the outlet for all that pressure, said Renn, scientific director at the institute. Its almost like people are now shouting: See, I told you so. Tusschoff said that elections in the northern region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the city-state of Berlin next month were playing a contributing role to the perceived national angst because conservative politicians to the right of center are deliberately playing to the publics fears with their law-and-order platforms. Some of the parties are trying to score with voters by hitting the security issue hard, he said. Security also has a booming business sector. Gun sales are rising and self-defense courses are enjoying a new popularity. Berthold Stoppelkamp, the head of the Berlin office of the BDSW Association of German Security Industry, said that there has been a 15% increase, to 247,000, in the number of security guards working in Germany in the last year. Many larger organizations are ramping up security for large public gatherings, he said. The way that the terror threat is being discussed in Germany doesnt really correspond to the actual situation on the ground, Stoppelkamp said. The situation in Germany hasnt really changed at all but the terror issue has become a center of the publics attention. Its actually a good thing that the terror danger has become more present in Germany now because beforehand there was a sense that there was no need to worry about it. Further exacerbating the anxieties, analysts said, is the speed in which social media and mainstream media outlets disseminate even the first hint of a possible suspected terrorist being arrested or sought. The quality and self-control of the media has disappeared, Tusschoff said. They used to wait for confirmation from at least two independent sources before spreading their news but that seems to be ignored now with all the pressure to be first with social media. So many of these initial reports these days turn out to be wrong. A TV network called me up as the attack in Munich was still unfolding and asked if I could come into their studio and talk about the terror attack, he said. I told them no, sorry, because it wasnt known at that point if it was a terror attack. And of course it wasnt. Kirschbaum is a special correspondent. MORE WORLD NEWS Russian use of Iranian air base shows Moscows renewed military might Starving to death in Nigeria: Boko Haram is threatening the lives of thousands Haunting image of boy in an Aleppo ambulance captures plight of children caught in Syrian war When Myanmar elected its first civilian-led government in more than 50 years last November, allowing former political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi to become the countrys de facto leader, it cleared the way for this onetime pariah nation to normalize relations with many Western countries. The United States has restored full diplomatic relations with the Southeast Asian country, also called Burma. In May, the White House eased some to its toughest sanctions against the nation, such as lifting the boycott of state-owned banks and offering support to help quicken reform in the countrys political, economic and social sectors. Many challenges remain in Myanmar, including halting government-sanctioned discrimination against ethnic Rohingya Muslims, stamping out corruption and improving relations with armed ethnic minorities who control portions of the country. Advertisement But U.S. officials believe that Myanmar is on the right track. When we eased 80% of our sanctions, and when Burma elected Aung San Suu Kyi, it literally ushered in a new era of opportunity, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Charles Rivkin said in an interview with The Times this month, shortly before leading U.S. business leaders on a trade delegation to Myanmar. Here are excerpts from that interview, which have been edited for length and clarity. How open is Burma to business? When you think about Burma it is bordering China and India, meaning its bordering 2.5 billion people. It is said that Burma, because of its location, its geography, is going to be, by 2025, within 5 hours of half of the worlds consumers. So it is at a very interesting point in time. Its a $63-billion economy, but it really could be the crossroads between Southeast Asia and South Asia. And so is it open for investment? The answer is yes. Its not just the fact that U.S. exports have tripled to Burma between 2011 and 2014 and theres huge demand for U.S. goods. In my opinion, theyre open to investment, but theyre particularly open--at least weve heard from their government--to American investment. The American brand when it invests is pretty unique in that we invest in communities. We invest for the long term. We hire local employees. We partner with communities. Microsoft just did a deal with Myanmar Computer, where Microsoft is going to be training 100,000 people in Burma for IT skills. Coca-Cola just put in $200 million, which were told is going to result in 22,000 jobs for people in Burma by 2018. And the Coca-Cola Foundation has partnered with something called Pact, which is [a nongovernmental organization], to empower 25,000 women focusing on women and entrepreneurship and business management. Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmars de facto leader. (Narong Sangnak / Associated Press ) How does the militarys continued influence affect U.S. investments? Challenges still exist. The military has 25% of the seats in parliament. They have control over key ministers and parts of the economy. Weve eased 80% of our sanctions. There are still 20% that remain. The vast majority of those sanctions are about people, specific individuals who undermine the reform process. But at the same time we want to have sanctions promote broad and inclusive economic development. We dont want to get in the way of that. Does that mean that theres still a pocket of money off limits to U.S. investors? The sanctions target key individuals. But something quite interesting happened this May where President Obama announced a number of steps about how he would support the new democratic government, involving sanctions. He eased all the remaining sanctions so that U.S. banks can get involved with any financial institution in Burma. Secondly, he changed the investment cap reporting threshold from $500,000 to $5 million. Thats also very important because it (had) discouraged American investment, because youd have to get caught up in a lot of reporting requirements. Finally, he took the state-owned enterprises that report to the civilian government off the (sanctions) list. The ones that report to the military are still largely there. What the president has done is that he has opened the door for American investment. An activist displays a banner bearing portraits of military junta leaders at a Yangon rally to mark the 28th anniversary of the Aug. 8, 1988, democracy uprising. (Romeo Gacad / AFP /Getty Images ) What is the aim of the delegation youre leading to Burma? Secretary of State John Kerry has asked us to engage in something that he has created called the Innovation Roadshow. It highlights American entrepreneurship and innovation and encourages governments to adopt regulatory rules that attract investors and create jobs. It also strengthens the bilateral business ties between American and the other nations business leaders. Largely what were sharing with them is something that America does very well, which is innovation and entrepreneurship. It is the spark of any economy. (The U.S. business leaders who traveled to Myanmar with Rivkin included representatives of IBM, Chevrolet, General Motors, Coca-Cola, Omidyar Network, Deloitte & Touche, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.) What still needs to happen in order for American companies to invest? The U.S. business leaders all are interested in further investment. They believe this has enormous opportunity. But obstacles still exist inside the country. For example, the infrastructure in many ways is outdated and poorly maintained. I would argue that the infrastructure concerns are also opportunities for investors. For example, 30% of Burma doesnt have access to electricity. Theyve already done a lot in terms of tax policy, investment policy. Theyve already tried to reform laws, but there are still a bunch of laws that are outdated, that need to be reformed. What American investors need are three basic concepts transparency, predictability and the rule of law. The more that we can work with our friends and allies in these countries when we do our roadshows to help explain the American system and maybe help them create a regulatory environment that would help promote investment, the better. Is it realistic to think that the easing of sanctions is going to lead to reforms that would allow for greater U.S. investment? The easing of the 80% of the sanctions has already ushered in a lot of American investment and will continue to do so. America [represents] only about 1% of the total foreign direct investment. That also is an opportunity because the investment has always been in the past about natural resources, and now theres a chance for manufacturing and services investments. If you look at the history of Burma it once was the largest exporter of rice in the world. The agricultural economy has enormous opportunity, but now obviously there are other natural resources, like wood, oil, etc. With the development of their economy, manufacturing and services investment could be enormous as well. The private sector is pushing for more normalization to give more tangible benefits to the people of Burma. I think this is a real moment in time. ann.simmons@latimes.com For more on global development news follow me @AMSimmons1 on Twitter MORE WORLD NEWS U.N. admits a role in deadly Haiti cholera epidemic Russian use of Iranian air base shows Moscows renewed military might Grainy footage appears to capture kidnapping of son of Mexican cartel leader El Chapo Months after an earthquake devastated Haiti in 2010, a deadly new crisis began to unfold: Cholera spread through the wretched tent cities that had become home to thousands of displaced families. Scientists traced the outbreak to a base housing United Nations peacekeepers sent from Nepal to assist with the recovery efforts. But for years, the U.N. refused to accept responsibility for introducing a disease that has killed at least 9,100 people, sickened hundreds of thousands more and continues to claim victims across the small Caribbean nation. Now for the first time the U.N. is acknowledging that it played a role. On Thursday, a spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that over the last year the world body has become convinced that it needs to do much more regarding its own involvement in the initial outbreak and the suffering of those affected by cholera. Advertisement Officials are considering a series of options and plan to unveil a significantly new set of U.N. actions within the next two months, the spokesman, Farhan Haq, told reporters in New York. The U.N. stopped short of saying it caused the epidemic. But its acceptance of some responsibility, first reported by the New York Times, was welcomed by lawyers representing Haitian cholera victims. This is a groundbreaking first step towards justice, said Beatrice Lindstrom, a staff attorney at the Boston-based Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti. But promises will not stop choleras killing or compensate for the damage to poor families in Haiti. The real test is in what comes next. The group is among several organizations that have filed a federal class action lawsuit in New York seeking compensation for thousands of cholera victims who blame the U.N. for bringing the disease to their country. It is also demanding that the U.N. issue a public apology and ensure that cholera is eradicated in Haiti by investing in water and sanitation infrastructure. Haq declined to say what steps the U.N. is considering, but suggested that reparations were not among them. An appeals court is considering whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed. U.N. officials have long argued that the organizations charter provides diplomatic immunity, and Haq said its legal position had not changed. The stance has drawn sharp criticism from some U.N. staff members. In October, a group of five special rapporteurs, who serve as internal watchdogs, wrote a letter to the secretary-general arguing that the lack of an effective remedy for cholera victims challenges the credibility of the organization as an entity that respects human rights. The response to date in terms of efforts to fully eradicate cholera, to ensure safe water and adequate sanitation provision, and to mobilize sufficient funding for these purposes appears to be clearly insufficient, the letter said. Haqs statement Thursday came after the U.N. was provided a draft copy of a report on the U.N.s handling of the outbreak that was written by one of the advisors who signed the letter. The report by Philip Alston, special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, will probably be released to the public in late September and presented to the General Assembly in October, Haq said in an emailed statement. He did not elaborate on its contents but said we wanted to take this opportunity to welcome this vital report. Before the outbreak that began around mid-October 2010, cholera had never been documented in Haiti. In fact it had been eliminated from much of the Western Hemisphere. The bacterial disease, which is spread through contaminated food or water, can quickly overwhelm areas with inadequately treated sewage and drinking water, a common problem after a natural disaster strikes. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. Scientists concluded that the strain circulating in Haiti could be traced to Nepal, where cholera is endemic. Evidence suggested that the disease was introduced into Haitis largest river through sewage from the U.N. peacekeeping base. The epidemic is now estimated to have affected 780,000 people, according to figures released by the U.N. At least one study has suggested that the death toll could be much higher than the official figures. At the end of 2012, Ban announced a $2-billion initiative to help eradicate cholera in Haiti and neighboring Dominican Republic, which share the island of Hispaniola. But the U.N. has struggled to raise the necessary funds. Although the number of cases has dropped significantly since the start of the epidemic, cholera still sickens thousands every year and claimed more than 320 lives in 2015. alexandra.zavis@latimes.com Twitter: @alexzavis UPDATES: 6:25 p.m.: This article was updated with details about the current caseload. This article was originally published at 4:30 p.m. All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced. 19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc. Nazareth's mayor has applied to enter a special program that could wipe a criminal charge from his record. Carl Strye, 54, is charged with stealing $8,000 cash garnered from games of small chance and illegal poker at the Vigilance Hose Co.'s social hall. Court records say the money went missing between Jan 1, 2009, and Jan. 1, 2013. Strye served as president of the Vigilance Hose Co. from 1987 to 2013. During his tenure, he was the only person to have full access to that money, authorities said. Strye applied Thursday to enter the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program, according to Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli. If he's accepted into the program and completes it, the theft charge will be wiped from his record. The program requires periodic check-ins with law enforcement, similar to probation. Morganelli said he'll review Strye's application next week. The mayor submitted several letters from character witnesses who urge Morganelli to recommend him for the program. Morganelli could require the mayor to resign his office as a condition of entering the program. "I haven't decided yet whether I would give him ARD, and if I do whether (resigning as mayor) would be a condition or not," Morganelli said Friday. If Morganelli recommends Strye for the program, the mayor still needs approval from a county judge. Strye was charged following an investigation that began on Nov. 3, 2014. If he's admitted into the program, Strye would have to admit he took the money. After he was arraigned in April, Strye said he would not resign as mayor, nor would he relinquish oversight of the borough police department. "I'm not going to comment right now," Strye said Friday. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. Justin Running "is always looking for new people to smoke weed with," he allegedly told authorities after he was arrested on Wednesday. Justin Running, 26, of Easton, was arrested Aug. 17, 2016, in Monroe County after he made plans with a county detective to exchange marijuana for sex, the district attorney's office reports. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) Running, 26, of the 1000 block of Bushkill Drive in Easton, was apparently trolling Facebook on Aug. 11 when he noticed a woman and messaged her "You are incredibly beautiful," the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. County Detective Kim Lippincott, whose undercover Facebook account received the message, didn't immediately respond, the district attorney's office said. The next day, Running allegedly tried again. "Wanna smoke Hella blunts??" he asked, according to the district attorney's office. They began a conversation where Running said, "yeah prove your you and I def smoke ya up," prosecutors said. They spoke by phone and Running identified himself by his first name, the district attorney's office said. "Running, during these conversations, said he would supply the marijuana if she would perform sexual favors after they were high," the district attorney's office said. He also wanted her to make him dinner, according to prosecutors. They arranged to meet Wednesday at a gas station in Ross Township, and once there, Running was arrested by Lippincott, the district attorney's office said. Approximately 3 grams of marijuana were recovered from a jar labeled THC in the vehicle's center console, authorities said. Running was arraigned before District Judge Kristina Anzini on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a cellphone, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, the district attorney's office said. He was freed on $5,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled 9 a.m. Aug. 29. Running, reached via Facebook message, declined comment other than to say the district attorney's office saying in the news release that sex was involved in the conversation was false. "He thought he was meeting a real girl," the district attorney's office said. "He went on to explain that he does this all the time and has never gotten caught." Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Washington Borough sign generic A statement from Washington's mayor referring to "a negro women on our governing body" was meant to highlight diversity, but instead is an example of the varying reactions that race and language can invoke. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo) Responding to a criticism about diversity, a Warren County mayor boasted: "We have a negro woman on our governing body." The statement, in an email from Mayor Scott McDonald, was meant to highlight diversity in Washington Borough government but instead is an example of the varying reactions race and language can invoke, observers said. Washington Borough Councilwoman Ethel Conry, right, says she takes no offense to Mayor Scott McDonald's statement referring to her as a "negro woman." (lehighvalleylive.com file photos) "That's shocking, that that term's still used," said Lance Wheeler, president of the NAACP chapter in Easton, when told of the email dialogue. Not only did it distract from the intended message, Wheeler said, but it gave the impression that "we have one (black person on council) so that's good enough." However, Councilwoman Ethel Conry, to whom the mayor's statement referred, said she took no offense. "I don't think he meant it to be offensive," she said. "I really don't." "She is a negro woman," said McDonald, a Democrat, adding that he meant no offense with the term. When asked why he didn't refer to her simply as a black woman, he said: "This isn't something that I gave any thought to. Negro is a word I believe is used commonly." "It's not the preferred word, but I don't consider it offensive," said Charles Boddy, president of the Warren/Sussex chapter of the NAACP, of which McDonald is a member. "It certainly doesn't bear someone being called a racist." Jim Smith, who was at the other end of the email chain with the mayor, told lehighvalleylive.com that he found it "offensive, inappropriate and completely unacceptable that the mayor of anywhere would refer to someone as a negro." "I am African American and have no problem being referred to as black or a black male but find it offensive and disrespectful for someone, especially the mayor, to call someone a negro (and) then claim to be a NAACP member," Smith said. "I firmly believe it's indicative of the larger problem we are trying to address." Smith, of nearby Mansfield Township, is a volunteer with a website and Facebook page critical of Warren County government, including the lack of diversity within. The site, warrencountynj.org -- not to be confused with the official county website www.co.warren.nj.us -- encourages "freeholder reform" by voting out incumbents and increasing the three-person board's size. Smith said emails about diversity have been sent to government officials around the county. The Numbers do not bode well for Women, Minorities, Democrats or Independents but Republican White Males continue their... Posted by Warrencountynj on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 The emails -- provided to lehighvalleylive.com -- started Tuesday night when Smith, using an address affiliated with the website, sent a flier about diversity within county government to McDonald's official email address. The mayor the next day said the address is not for political campaigns. Smith responded, in part: "The lack of diversity in your administration and roster of public personnel is relevant because just as on the county level, the township is lacking sufficient levels of minority employees ... As mayor it is your duty to strive for change and implement such and as citizens ours (is) to continue to contact you to voice our grievances!" Specifically, he criticized the racial makeup of the Washington Township Police Department, which covers the borough. The mayor wrote back: "Apparently, you do not know how our form of government works. ... The police department is overseen by Washington Township, not Washington Borough. All hirings are done by them. The Borough of Washington does employ minorities. We have many females working for us. Our library director is a women whose roots are from the middle east. We have a negro women on our governing body. As a member of the NAACP who regularly attends local meetings, I find your accusations out of line. A dialog has started between the local NAACP and the police department, a dialog that I facilitated. ... I would strongly suggest that you do more research in the future before you make such unfounded accusations." Smith said he was stunned by the response. "I think Mayor McDonald should publicly apologize to the woman he was referring to and not continue in his post," Smith said Friday. "Racism cannot be tolerated nor can racial, ethnic or religious intolerance be allowed in any shape or form in government. There is just no place for it." Conry said no apology is necessary. "We don't know who this is coming from," she said of Smith. Boddy, the Warren/Sussex NAACP president, said McDonald "is a good man and a faithful supporter of the NAACP and all of our actions." He encouraged Smith to reach out to the group with any grievances, noting use of the NAACP logo on Smith's website is unsanctioned. Wheeler, in Easton, noted the mayor's statement did not contain "the other word he could have used," but suggested diversity training may be appropriate. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Members of the Nuclear Weapons Working Group are presenting their personal views as part of a wider consultation process into the partys future policy on nuclear weapons. The full consultation paper can be found at www.libdems.org.uk/autumn-conference-16-policypapers and the consultation window runs until 28 October. Party members are invited to attend the consultation session at party conference in Brighton, to be held on Saturday 17 September at 1pm in the Balmoral Room of the Hilton. Its great to be able to speak with my own voice for a change. Im more used to putting words in other peoples mouths. As Ming Campbells foreign affairs adviser, Charles Kennedys speechwriter, and then Nick Cleggs policy chief, I played a small part in the Lib Dems evolving policy on nuclear weapons for over a decade. When I joined the Ministry of Defence in 2009 as a politically restricted civil servant, I thought my involvement would end. No such luck! From my berth in the MOD, I found myself supporting Nick Harvey as he out-foxed the steely men with cold eyes to set up the Trident Alternatives Review. I wrote Danny Alexanders speech launching the review, helping him frame the options so as to fulfil the Lib Dems pledge of no like-for-like replacement. Now, as an ordinary party member, free from any encumbrance, Im able to contribute in my own name, as part of the policy working group bringing a consultation paper on nuclear disarmament to conference in September. So, enough of the flannel, what do I think? Please bear with me this has been a long time coming and as Ive been asked to kick off the consultation Ive been given a little lee-way on word length. Like many Party members, I struggle with this issue. We all share the hope that nuclear weapons can be permanently put beyond use. But it isnt in the gift of the UK, let alone the Liberal Democrats, to create a nuclear free world. Nuclear weapons need no longer play such a front line role in our defence. But the UK Government has a responsibility to see the safety of its people, and its allies, now and in the future. So far, so uncontroversial. The questions I ask myself are this: First, how can the UK best contribute to global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, without risking our security? Second, how can the Liberal Democrats, as one (currently small) political voice in this increasingly pluralist country, best deliver that? Now for the difficult bit answering them. A minority in the Party, vocal and passionate, believe that Britain should abolish its nuclear weapons come what may and some argue the Lib Dems would benefit electorally through this. Another more reticent minority believe that in such a volatile world, Britains responsible course is to retain a significant, powerful and active nuclear weapons capability; and that the British people would judge any other position as beyond the political pale. I think most of us stand somewhere in between. We get the strong arguments of both these entrenched positions, but seek a practical solution that meets the moral and legal imperative to disarm, and provides the Party with a powerful, progressive argument with which to take on the status quo and win votes. Money matters and nuclear weapons dont come cheap. But, in my view, this is not an argument wholly about cost. The price of abolishing Britains nuclear weapons is also not inconsiderable, and the working group has heard evidence that, even if a future government did away with them, financial dividends wouldnt appear for up to decade. Even then the dividends would be small, particularly if you believe Britain still needs a future submarine capability and strong armed forces. Further, by the time we get to the next election, this Conservative Government is likely to have tied its successors into contracts that would be very costly to get out of. Put plainly, at the next election, if the Lib Dems stood on a platform of scrapping Trident altogether, we wouldnt be able to offer any big and immediate spending commitments off the back of it. Lets spend the money on hospitals and schools, not nukes has appeal, but it is bogus. In my view, the idea that a different nuclear system may square the circle is riddled with problems. Read the Trident Alternatives Review. You could argue that Britain going back to rolling free-fall nuclear weapons out the back of bombers is politically appealing. But I think even Donald Trump would question that. If Britain is to maintain a nuclear capability, the real room for manoeuvre is on the posture not the platform. So what do the Lib Dems do? I believe our choice comes down to stick or twist. The Lib Dems entered the last election with a nuclear weapons policy relevant to todays geo-political position, where nuclear deterrence can be safely de-emphasised without the need to bristle your missiles. Build fewer boats, maintain the capability, but abolish continuous at sea deterrence, box up the warheads, and hold them as insurance against a future turn of events. This policy is timeless. It is relevant at the next election, no matter what arrangements the Tories put in place. And it will still be relevant in twenty years time, as the new submarines are being completed. It means Britain remains at the top negotiating table, still able to drive the path of rejuvenated disarmament and non-proliferation. Thats a position I can back but can the public? Tough one. You save little money for a deterrent that is virtual rather than active. In my view Britain would be no less secure but it is a position that is open to parody. But just like our policy on drugs, it speaks to what many know in their hearts to be true the Tory position is bombastic overkill. So, as far as people are interested, there is the possibility to gain traction. The other course is to twist and promise to abolish Britains nuclear weapons. There is a strong moral case for this. But there is also a moral argument for maintaining deterrence. Less emotive, but equally valid. So we have to be careful how we express ourselves. If we want to win people to our cause, making a values-based case is helpful, but adopting a holier than thou attitude is not. It will turn a lot of people off. The argument for abolition that would sway me is if I was convinced that it would result in threshold states giving up their ambitions and nuclear weapons states cutting back significantly on the path to zero; that it would make the world materially safer, and Britain with it. Ive yet to hear any evidence it would. Britain holds just 1% of the worlds nuclear weapons. India, China, and Pakistan look to each other. USA and Russia are conjoined in historical parity. North Korea couldnt give a fig what we do. And Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in their own interdependent orbit. France could act, but with Brexit, that is even more unlikely. Regardless, unless we left NATO, Britain would still shelter under its nuclear umbrella, as even the Scottish Nationalist concede. So to get my vote when a substantive motion comes to conference in the Spring, abolishers will have to show how scrapping Trident will produce a large, practical effect on disarmament, without alienating the public whose support we Liberal Democrats will need if we are to help set Britains course. Stick or twist: I stand ready to be convinced. I have now had my say and in my own words. Fellow Liberal Democrats, over to you. * Greg Simpson is a former Lib Dem staffer 1997-2009. He has served as Speechwriter to the Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. He hold an MA from King's College in War Studies. How deeply could Brexit divide the Conservative Party, as the contradictory choices involved in negotiating an alternative relationship with the EU become clearer? Media focus since the Referendum outcome has been on the widening divisions within the Labour Party. Press comment has praised the self-discipline of the Conservatives, by contrast, in resolving the issue of leadership so quickly though in reality it was resolved by the implosion of Leave candidates, one after the other, leaving Teresa May in command of the field. But the divide between practical Eurosceptics and ideological Europhobes is wide, and often bitter. May, Hammond, Fallon and Clark have no strong or deep commitment to European cooperation, but they recognise that real British interests are at stake in maintaining close relations with our European neighbours, and they listen to the arguments put forward by major British companies and banks. They will want to maintain the military, intelligence, police and border cooperation links which have developed over the past 40 years scarcely mentioned in the Referendum debate, but all important to UK security. Above all, they will want to maintain as close a relationship with the Single Market as possible, understanding that the sharing of standards and the avoidance of delays in transit across borders are crucial to keeping industrial production within the UK rather than seeing it move across the Channel. Boris Johnsons assurance in his Telegraph article the Monday after the Referendum that the UK could retain full access to the Single Market showed that his half-thought-through preferences are also for a Brexit-lite. The Adam Smith Institute, a free market think tank, has recommended negotiation of re-entry to the European Economic Area (alongside Norway), at least for an interim period, accepting that this will involve a trade-off with some continuing free movement, and a significant (though smaller) UK contribution to the EU budget. Europhobes, by contrast, want to leave as soon as possible, and as completely as possible, paying nothing more, and offering no compromises to the EU in negotiating our future relationship. Bernard Jenkin MP, one of the most ideologically anti-European Conservatives, has doubted whether the government needs to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty; all we need to do, he and others have suggested, is to reassert national sovereignty, unilaterally, by repealing the 1972 European Communities Act. The impact on the UK economy would be severe, as major companies have made clear; but Europhobes are not too concerned about the economic penalties. Julian Lewis MP, the Europhobe chair of the Commons Defence Committee, said on the World at One in early August that the extra 700m cost in future military defence procurement, estimated to follow from Brexit and exchange rate adjustments, is a price worth paying for regaining our sovereignty. Theres an irrational hatred of European cooperation among the Europhobes. Once when in government I was escorting the German Minister for Europe round Parliament. As we got into a lift John Redwood joined us. An accompanying German diplomat politely introduced his minister to this former associate of Mrs.Thatcher, who responded by insulting the Germans before we had reached the next floor. Liam Fox, now back as international trade minister, would like to rebuild the Anglosphere of English-speaking countries; he believes that the English share values with right-wing Americans that are in fundamental opposition to those of Germany, France, and above all Brussels. Independence from Brussels drives the passion of the Europhobe Right; they see no contradiction in accepting greater dependence on China and the Arab Gulf states for investment and trade, so long as we are free from Europe. The press are now beginning to comment on the emerging tensions among the four ministers responsible for negotiating Brexit. Fox and Davis want a hard break. Johnson and Leadsom, who will have to defend the interests of the British food industry which sends two-thirds of its exports to the EU Single Market, appear more open to compromise. The Cabinet, and the parliamentary party, are similarly divided. Mrs. May risks facing a similar problem to John Major, with an embittered ideological right demanding a clean break from Brussels and Conservative supporters in the City and industry pushing for some form of closer association. She wont find it easy to reconcile nationalist passions and practical economic and security interests, while holding her party together. A recent diatribe from Melanie Phillips in The Times, accusing establishment members of the government of plotting to weaken the terms of Brexit, gave a good indication of how sharp the argument could get. We should not assume that the Labour Party is the only one that faces bitter internal conflict over the coming year. * William Wallace has fought five parliamentary elections in Manchester and West Yorkshire. He is a former president of the Yorkshire regional Liberal Democrats. All News & Views Toward 'Fiber-Like' Wireless Broadband Fixed wireless broadband is the flavor of the month &ndash again &ndash but with a number of not-insignificant number of hurdles still to be overcome. A Cloud Full of Harleys Huawei CEO Eric Xu finds inspiration in an unlikely place -- Harley-Davidson's drive to transform itself into a digital enterprise for the 21st century. The Evolution of Big Data & Analytics The ability to holistically analyze, in real time, any network data impacting customer experience is one reason why big data and analytics (BDA) will become a key network element in the near future. In the Cloud Era, Its About Connectivity Operators still fear the 'dumb pipe' label, but they must realize that their unique role in the future marketplace is in providing ultra-broadband connectivity between users and content. Enterprise Cloud Turns to Containers, Microservices The next phase of moving applications to the cloud means looking at platforms that use container technology and are suited to a cloud-native, microservices approach. Analytics Helps Level 3 Read Minds By deploying analytics and business policies, automation can make network change decisions as if the customer had made those decisions themselves. Huawei Goes After Operator & Enterprise With Unified Controller Huawei unveils new products to help operators take advantage of on-demand opportunities. Conferences & Communities Grapple With IoT Dealing with the implications of the Internet of Things (IoT) will require not just an ecosystem of companies and government agencies, but also a broad, engaged community of thought leaders. SDN + AI: A Powerful Combo for Better Networks AT&T and Level 3 execs explain how AI and machine learning are being built into network platforms that deliver more reliability and security. Achieving a Fully Automated IoT World The Internet of Things could trigger a global transformation of economics and culture on an unprecedented level. SPs on SDN: This Stuff Ain't Easy CenturyLink and Perseus execs share real-world experiences, reminding everyone there are no easy paths to virtualization. Cloud, IP Shake Up Media & Broadcast IT Just as telecom is moving toward virtualized data centers and SDN, the broadcast and media services industry are transforming core IT processes and moving to cloud and IP. SD-WAN to Catch Up With Pace of Cloud IT Commercial launches of SD-WAN services will help better align service provider networks with the changing cloud and hybrid IT needs of enterprise customers. Is Hue an MVNE Trendsetter? As network operators evolve into supremely efficient infrastructure players, and OTTs monopolize all dealings with consumers, the MVNE may be on the ascendant. CORD Fuels Access Virtualization Push As CORD becomes its own open source project and releases a major distribution, virtualized access gets closer to reality. Waters Leaves Level 3 for Zayo CTO leaves after 18 years at Level 3 to report to Zayo CEO and Chairman Dan Caruso, a former Level 3 executive. ONOS, ONF Create Integrated NFV Approach Combining the CORD project with a new open-source leaf-spine fabric for data centers is enabling ONOS and ONF to deliver a total NFV solution for operators. Verizon's Next With VNFs The Verizon business unit rolls out three virtual network services on a managed, on-demand basis, offering total flexibility and deployment choices. AT&T, Orange Unite to Press for SDN, NFV Standards Carriers collaborating to speed up standards that make virtual CPE, SDNs and VNF on-boarding universally interoperable across networks. THE American nurse who administered first aid moments after Neil Shanahan, 2, fell from six floors has spoken of her heroic actions for the first time. Limerick is united in relief after the youngster returned to his family home in Farranshone having made a recovery from the horror accident which saw him board a lift and climb to the top floor of the Strand Hotel before falling off. Speaking to the Limerick Leader from her home near Boston in Massachusetts this Wednesday, Julie Genova spoke of how she hopes her giving of CPR helped the lad make a miracle recovery. It was a horrible situation. This little baby was lying there, not breathing. I gave him CPR for about four to five minutes, and he started to cough and come back to us. He was looking at his mom, he was moving his extremities, and moving on his own, she recalled. He is meant to do great things in this world, Julie added. Meanwhile, while it may only be August, Neil has a special treat to look forward to this Christmas. This is because he will switch on Limericks festive lights upon the invitation of Mayor Kieran OHanlon, who visited the family home on the northside this week. The mayor said: The two of us are going to switch on the Christmas lights this year. It is a big occasion in Limerick. We will switch on those lights together, and Christmas will be a very happy time for you. Julie, who works as a nurse in a private school in her residence of Concord, Massachusetts , was on a surprise trip to Ireland organised by her husband David while her three children Justin, 16, Jonathan, 15 and Jacqueline, 11, were at summer camp. Having arrived in Limerick the night before the accident on Saturday, July 2, they slept in and enjoyed a late breakfast when they happened upon Neil. He was just laying on his back on the terrace. He was not breathing, and it was difficult to ascertain a pulse. Martina [Neils mother] did not know what had happened to him: she found him like that. We did not know at the time he had fallen from the top of the building, said Julie, a nurse since 1994. It was then that her instincts kicked into action, administering CPR, a practice she teaches to students in the USA. You just do what you are trained to do in the moment, she said. Off the back of this, Neils mother Martina says she is planning to learn CPR in case she faces a similar situation, saying: What goes around comes around. I want to be in a position to be able to help someone. Having taken in Derry, Belfast, the west of Ireland, Julie and David spent two days in Limerick, a city she says she fell in love with. The pair went to the south of the country, before ending their trip in Dublin, where they stayed in the Temple Bar Hotel. Upon hearing they were in the hotel near Temple Street Childrens Hospital, where Neil was in intensive care, his parents visited the hotel to say thank you to the nurse. Martina said: We were shy about intruding on her. But we were there, so we asked if we could have her room number. We rang the room, and came tumbling down the stairs. She was just so delighted. There was a huge hug, a mutual embrace, and I feel I have made a new friend. Struggling to hold back tears, Julie said: It was at that moment we were basking in this miracle. They were elated. You could tell that they were so thankful to everyone who had taken care of him. Although she is back in Massachusetts, Julie wants to return to this island as soon as possible. I cannot wait to see them again, and give that little one a really big hug, and give them all a big hug. It sounds like he is making amazing progress, she told the Limerick Leader. Mayor OHanlon praised the people of Limerick for the support they have afforded the Shanahan family during their ordeal. I think the people of Limerick have really shown their true colours. I am delighted for Neils family. It is a miracle recovery. You can see what great form he is in now, the mayor said, as little Neil played with a toy garage and car bought for him as a present from the first citizen. As mayor, he thanked the public for their support, as well as the medical staff who helped ensure Neils recovery. I hope life returns to a normal state for you, he told the family. See page three for more A PRIEST based in west Limerick has been suspended from duty as a result of what is understood to be an allegation of sexual impropriety. A letter was read out to mass-goers in the parish last weekend explaining that the long-serving priest would step down from his duties pending an investigation into the allegation. It is understood that the allegation relates to an isolated historic event. However the nature of the complaint has not been made public by the diocese of Limerick. Locals who spoke to the Limerick Leader this week said they were surprised and shocked when the letter was read out at masses in the area. [The letter] that was read out was about a member of the clergy in the diocese that had to step down for a period of time because an allegation was made. There were no details of what the allegation was, one local man told the Leader. This alleged incident was supposed to have happened years ago, another parishioner said. There are a lot of rumours going around, but nobody really knows what its about. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Limerick has confirmed that a priest of the diocese has asked for and been granted leave from ministry while a complaint is being investigated. The diocese has communicated this to the priests parish and arrangements are in place to ensure the continued pastoral care of the parish, the spokesperson said. May 1, 2021, 4 PM The Lower Lake (Ca.) post office, pictured here by the Postmark Collectors Club in 2015, was one of nearly 200 buildings that suffered damage from a wildfire that ripped through the Northern California town on Aug. 14. By Joe O'Donnell A Northern California towns post office suffered damage when a wildfire tore through the town on Aug. 14, the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting. The fire destroyed four homes in the town of Lower Lake, population 1,200, and also hit the main business district, where the post office is located. "The fire broke out Saturday afternoon and grew to more than 3 square miles as firefighters struggled to get a handle on the largely out-of-control blaze amid hot, windy conditions, the Chronicle reports. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter The charred aftermath of the wildfire that swept through Lower Lake can be found in numerous tweets since the damage was done over the weekend, including a powerful shot of the Lower Lake post office surrounded by flames. Linns Stamp News was alerted to the post offices precarious position by Postmark Collectors Club member Steve Bahnsen, who also provided the image of the Lower Lake post office weve featured at the top of this story. According to The Press Democrat, a local newspaper in Northern California, a man has been charged with arson in connection with the fire, which in total burned 4,000 acres and destroyed 268 structures including 175 homes. Damin Pashilk, 40, of Clearlake, is believed to have been responsible for starting 11 fires since July 2015, with this particular fire, referred to as the Clayton fire, being the largest. He appeared in court for an arraignment Aug. 17 but did not enter a plea. No news reports that Linns has come across have updated the status of the post office building. Clinton and Trump are featured on a set of new stamps, but not in the U.S. Apr 29, 2021, 5 AM One souvenir sheet in Liberia's Race to the White House set pictures United States presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on $200 stamps. By Denise McCarty New stamps from Liberia commemorate the upcoming Nov. 8 presidential election in the United States. Called Race to the White House, these stamps and souvenir sheets feature photographs of the candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and their spouses. Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corp., the new-issue agency for Liberia, reports that the issue date was July 19. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Five of the stamps are denominated $20.16, obviously in reference to 2016 as the election year. Liberian $20.16 is equal to about 22 in United States currency. The $20.16 stamps are in three large sheets of 20 stamps. Each sheet includes two blocks of 10 with two different designs and a photograph of the White House in the background. Printed at the bottom of each sheet is Race to the White House. The great seal of the United States is shown between the words the and White. The sheet with two stamps reproducing different photographs of Clinton is inscribed at the top 2016 Presidential Candidate of The Democratic Party. Similarly, the sheet with two stamps showing Trump is headed 2016 Presidential Candidate of The Republican Party. In addition, the Clinton sheet includes the donkey emblem of the Democratic Party, and the Trump sheet has the elephant emblem of the Republican Party. A third sheet includes 10 stamps picturing Clinton and another 10 for Trump, with the donkey and The Democratic Party above the Clinton stamps on the left side of the pane and The Republic Party and the elephant above the Trump stamps on the right. Both candidates also are pictured in a souvenir sheet of two $200 (about U.S. $2.10) stamps, again with Clinton on the stamp on the left and Trump on the stamp on the right. The White House is shown in the background of this and the other two souvenir sheets in the set. These sheets feature the candidates and their spouses. One sheet contains two $200 stamps showing Hillary and Bill Clinton in one design and Hillary by herself in the other, and the other pictures Donald and Melania Trump on one stamp and Donald by himself on the other. Liberia is not alone in issuing stamps for the U.S. presidential election. Earlier this year, the Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean issued two souvenir sheets focusing on the election and also commemorating World Stamp Show-NY 2016. One sheet contains a single stamp showing President Barack Obama. The two candidates are pictured in the border. The other sheet has four stamps: Clinton and Trump on the top stamp, two images of Trump on the first stamp in the second row; the Statue of Liberty in the center stamp; and Bill and Hillary Clinton on the final stamp. Stamperija is the new-issue agent for the Maldive Islands. The website of IGPC can be found online here. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. To figure out how life on Earth started, scientists must recreate the world as it was, or at least know the ins and outs of our primordial planet. This week, scientists moved in that direction, putting together a mix of chemicals simpler than DNA that reproduced similar molecules a step toward actually being alive. Scientists studying the origin of life think that the first molecules to replicate themselves the very first living things lived in what is called "RNA world." The RNA world hypothesis says that before there was DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, there was RNA (ribonucleic acid) serving as a kind of primitive genetic material and simple enzymes. This is simpler than the protein-based chemistry that governs life today, in which the genetic material and enzymes are separate. [7 Wild Theories on the Origin of Life] RNA replicator In the new study, David Horning and Gerald Joyce, both at The Scripps Institute in La Jolla, California, mixed a cocktail of water, RNA and an enzyme called ribozyme. They found that the ribozyme linked to the pieces of RNA, and in turn allowed those RNA bits to link with other chemicals called monomers, to make more RNA. "It's the first example of nucleic acids (or genetic information in general) being replicated by anything other than a protein enzyme, and further shows that replication of genetic material could be accomplished with RNA alone, confirming part of the RNA world hypothesis," Horning told Live Science in an email. Ribozymes have been used in biochemistry for decades. But in this experiment, Horning and Joyce took the ribozyme and made millions of variants. The idea was to have these different types of ribozyme interact with RNA in a test-tube environment. The ribozymes that could link up to RNA and form more RNA were the "survivors." Effectively, what happened was very like the natural selection process. [Extreme Life on Earth: 8 Bizarre Creatures] The reason the resulting material isn't a fully living thing is that the ribozyme can neither duplicate itself nor any RNAs that are larger than the enzyme. Even so, the new research did show it's at least possible to make proto-life out of RNA alone. "If the polymerase is made better, it should be able to replicate itself." Essentially, the only missing piece is the right molecule to link with the RNA. The reason this works is that like DNA, RNA is made of a specific set of chemical bases called nucleotides. They differ in their shapes. DNA is a double-stranded helix shape made of adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine, the famous A, G, C and T of the genetic code. RNA shares three of the nucleotides with DNA; the fourth is a chemical called uracil so the "alphabet" is A, G, C and U. Instead of making a double-helix shape, RNA comes in single strands that sometimes fold on themselves. Ribozyme links to RNA and unfolds it, which allows the nucleotides to come in contact with their complementary partners, making more RNA. Why DNA is better at creating life DNA replicates by coming in contact with enzymes and breaking into two strands. Because the A can link only with T, and G can link only with C, DNA can preserve its shape the DNA molecule can only be put together in a certain way. That's why genetic information can be preserved; the DNA always duplicates itself. Horning and Joyce's work got RNA to replicate itself, but only for a limited amount of time before it stopped. And on top of that, the process did not always reproduce exactly the same kind of RNA, nor can it make copies of molecules bigger than itself. With DNA and the enzymes that unzip the helix, that's not the case DNA molecules are quite a bit larger than the enzymes that cut them in two. Yet some in the field are skeptical. Parallel research last year looked at the possibilities of simple chemicals that may have worked with RNA to give life a jumpstart, notably that RNA might have worked with simple amino acids and avoided the use of complex enzymes entirely. While that work shares some characteristics with the RNA world hypothesis, there are some differences. Charles Carter, of the University of North Carolina, who worked on one of those studies, said while this experiment was a "tour de force," it might not tell scientists everything they hope about the first living molecules. He said the chemicals used ribozyme in this case might not reveal how evolution could have happened billions of years ago, because they are artificial. Ribozyme "is entirely the product of 21st-century technology," and doesn't answer the question of how pre-biotic chemistry could give rise to the kind of reactions Joyce and Horning set up. The experiments Carter and others did last year, he said, seem to point in a different direction, in which RNA molecules interacted with simple amino acids to act as a primitive kind of code for biochemistry. Horning, though, likened the stage of their research to early nuclear experiments in physics. "For a while before they built a bomb, they understood that if you enrich uranium, you get generation of heat," he said. "Only after you had a critical mass, enough uranium together, could you get a process that was self-sustaining." The next steps, he added, will be finding that combination of enzyme and RNA that sustains itself, and keeps reproducing. No need to worry about creating life that will take over the world, Horning noted. RNA-based life was replaced by protein-based life precisely because protein-based life worked better. This is one reason why it's so hard to find evidence of what kind of RNAs existed billions of years ago. "[The] RNA world probably died out no less than 3 billion years ago," he said. There are also implications for finding life elsewhere. While there's no real data on how often life happens in the universe as a whole, the research does point to the kind of chemistry that can get it started. "It begins to confirm something that life doesn't need the genetic code." The research appeared in the Aug. 15 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Original article on Live Science. There's a new Tyrannosaurus rex fossil on the block, with a cute nickname and about 20 percent of its former body intact, including a well-preserved skull. The T. rex was found by paleontologists from Burke Museum and the University of Washington (UW) in Montana's famous dinosaur-fossil haven, the Hell Creek Formation. It has been dubbed the "Tufts-Love Rex," in honor of the volunteer paleontologists who first noticed bones jutting out of a hillside: Burke Museum's Jason Love and Luke Tufts. RELATED: Pregnant T-Rex Might Have DNA The Burke and UW researchers say they were able to unearth roughly a fifth of the animal, including ribs, hips, jaw bones and vertebrae. (They'll search for more pieces of the iconic beast next summer.) But the centerpiece of the find is the skull, which is about 4 feet long. So far, the scientists can see the right side of the skull -- from base to snout, including teeth -- and they think it's likely the left side, now trapped in rock, is intact too. (They'll begin the painstaking process of removing the remaining rock in October.) The researchers estimate Tufts-Love lived about 66.3 million years ago, making its living toward the end of the Cretaceous Period, not geologically long before a mass extinction wiped out the dinosaurs. They also reckon, due to skull size, that the T. rex was 15 years old when it died, putting it about halfway through a typical T. rex lifespan. RELATED: New Dino Reveals How T. Rex Became Top Predator The fearsome meat-eaters, with enormous jaws and razor-sharp teeth, were around 40 feet long and stood up to 20 feet tall. This find, the researchers say, would have been the height of a city bus at its hips and as long as one from head to tail-tip. Tyrannosaurus rex fossils are uncommon finds, and even more so are well-preserved skulls. The UW and Burke team said their find marks just the 15th fairly complete skull in the world. RELATED: T. Rex Was Likely an Invasive Species The skull is currently encased in a plaster jacket, the whole package weighing about 2,500 pounds. The plaster cover kept the Tufts-Love Rex intact during a move from its longtime home on a Montana hillside to its new digs at the Burke Museum in Seattle. (See video below for its arrival at the museum.) There it will go on display, still in the plaster casing, for a quick look by the public before going into long-term study by scientists beginning in October. Just separating the skull from the rock that surrounds it could take more than a year, the researchers said. "We think the Tufts-Love Rex is going to be an iconic specimen for the Burke Museum and the state of Washington and will be a must-see for dinosaur researchers as well," said research lead Gregory P. Wilson, a UW biology professor and Burke Museum curator, in a statement. "Having seen the 'Tufts-Love Rex' during its excavation, I can attest to the fact that it is definitely one of the most significant specimens yet found, and because of its size, is sure to yield important information about the growth and possible eating habits of these magnificent animals," added Jack Horner, a Burke Museum researcher who founded the Hell Creek project Wilson now leads. Original article on Discovery News. A woman in Japan went to the hospital after eating a meal of raw fish that turned out to contain an extra, unwanted ingredient: parasitic worms that eventually burrowed into the walls of her stomach. The 36-year-old woman went to the hospital after two days of chest and stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, according to a recent report of her case. She told the doctors that the pain had started about 2 hours after she ate uncooked salmon, the doctors wrote in their report, published Wednesday (Aug. 17) in the New England Journal of Medicine. The doctors ran several tests, including some to make sure there were no problems with the woman's heart, due to the location of the pain. The tests revealed no heart problems; however, an imaging test showed that the walls of her stomach had thickened. [Here's a Giant List of the Strangest Medical Cases We've Covered] When the doctors inserted a small camera into her stomach, they found the culprits: 11 anisakis larvae, a type of parasitic roundworm. Anisakis worms cause an infection called anisakiasis, said Dr. Uichiro Fuchizaki, a gastroenterologist at Keiju Medical Center in Japan who treated the woman and a co-author of the report. People can get infected by eating raw fish or undercooked seafood that contains the worms, according to the report. The worms can burrow into the walls of the stomach or the small intestine, though it is much more common to find them in the stomach, Fuchizaki said. About 95 percent of anisakiasis cases are in the stomach, he told Live Science. When the worms burrow into the walls of the stomach, the symptoms usually develop within several hours of eating contaminated fish, Fuchizaki said. If the infection occurred in the small intestine, however, the symptoms wouldn't start until one to five days later, he said. Some people may notice the worms even sooner than a few hours after eating raw fish in some instances, people actually feel a tingling sensation in their mouth or throat while they are eating, which is caused by the worm moving around there, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people may be able to remove the worm with their hand or by coughing, the CDC says. Vomiting, which is often a symptom of anisakiasis, can also expel the worms, the CDC says. In most cases, people experience pain and other stomach problems because the worms are damaging the tissue of the digestive tract, Fuchizaki said. But some people may be allergic to the worms, and experience an allergic reaction if they eat them, he said. Because the worms do not reproduce in humans, they eventually die and cause an inflamed mass, according to the CDC. In the woman's case, doctors used a camera and forceps (a tool that looks like tweezers) to remove the 11 worms from the the woman's stomach. Some of the worms were found in the area where the esophagus meets the stomach, according to the report. This area is located close to the heart, which is why the woman had chest pain. [Images: Human Parasites Under the Microscope] Most cases of anisakis infection involve only one or two worms, Fuchizaki said. After removing the worms, the woman's symptoms went away, according to the report. Anisakiasis is more commonly found in Japan, where eating raw fish is popular, according to the CDC. But it is expected to become more common in other parts of the world as the popularity of raw fish dishes grows, Fuchizaki said. Originally published on Live Science. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. More than 300 spectators were in attendance last Friday evening to witness the official unveiling of Abbeylaras state-of-the-art Parish Centre. Named after Granard born missionary priest Fr John Christopher Drumgoole the centre, which cost over 1m to build, was formally opened by parish priest Fr Michael Campbell. He was joined by Vincent Ignizio, CEO of Mount Loretto, Staten Island, New York, a sprawling campus Fr Drumgoole helped found to house orphaned children over 100 years ago. Mr Ignizio said the occasion was testimony to the unsung efforts of a man who helped provide shelter to thousands of poverty-stricken children. I wanted to say thank you for sending us Fr Drumgoole, he told a hushed crowd. He had no children but in fact he had over 150,000 children. Mr Ignizio said Fr Drumgoole managed to secure a site totalling more than 600 acres, dividing it into two 200 acre plots for impoverished girls and boys. They (children) were no longer pushed away, they were no longer shunned. Mr Ignizio also revealed the efforts of Fr Drumgoole lived on today with Mount Loretto attracting over 1,000 visitors each day for a whole host of services. There were moving speeches too from Bishop Emeritus, Colm OReilly and chairperson of Abbeylara Pastoral Council PJ Reilly. The Longford County Councillor said the need for a parish centre had been discussed for 40 years. He said it was fitting the centre was dedicated to a man like Fr Drumgoole. We can sit here and talk all we like but this would not have been possible but for the hard work of one man, he said, referring to Fr Michael Campbell. It was a tribute which prompted a standing ovation from those watching on from the floor. Looking close to tears, Fr Campbell insisted the centre's opening was very much a community effort. He thanked Longford County Council, LCRL and the anonymous donor which between them brought in around 200,000 . And despite the project running out of money in 2009, he said persisient fundraising managed to secure the additional 900,000 which was needed to make the centre a 1.1m reality. Isn't it great to say we are now debt free and that no more direct fundraising will be needed to finish the centre, he added. Local News, National & World News, Health & Wellness, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events By Long Island News & PR Published: August 19 2016 Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages together with representatives from Northwell Health and the New York State Department of Health will host the conference call. Informational conference call held in regards to the growing outbreak of Zika Virus cases across the United States. Valley Stream, NY - August 17, 2016 - On August 23, 2016 Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages together with representatives from Northwell Health and the New York State Department of Health will host a Zika Virus telephone conference call. Individuals will understand the biology and transmission of the Zika Virus, as well as learn how to stay safe. When: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 6:00 PM Where: Telephone Conference Call, Phone: (631) 992-3221, Access Code: 875-481-220 Who: Assembly Member Michaelle Solages; Northwell Health Representative; and New York State Department of Health Representatives. About Michaelle Solages Michaelle C. Solages is a Member of the New York State Assembly, representing Twenty-Second Assembly District and serves as Chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Child Product Safety and is a member of the following Committees: Consumer Affairs and Protection, Governmental Employees, Libraries and Education Technology, Racing and Wagering, Social Services, the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, and the Legislative Women's Caucus. Solages represents the communities of Elmont, North Valley Stream, Valley Stream, South Valley Stream, South Floral Park, Floral Park, Village of Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, North Woodmere, Stewart Manor, and parts of Franklin Square. Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: August 19 2016 Inc. magazine has named SUNation to its 35th annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Ronkonkoma, NY - August 19, 2016 - Inc. magazine has named SUNation to its 35th annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. SUNation Solar Systems, Long Islands Fastest Growing Solar Provider with over 2,000 residential, commercial and municipal installations, was recognized for its increased revenue as a result of its singular focus on customer service. The company ranked in the top 50 percentile for 2016 for demonstrating 158 percent revenue growth over a three-year period. SUNation attributes our growth to the strong relationships we have established with our many residential and commercial customers whose referrals to family members, friends and other businesses has driven our steady growth. We are proud of our accomplishment and humbled by the confidence our SUNation Solar Family customers have placed in us, says Scott Maskin, SUNation Solar Systems co-founder and CEO. SUNation has been selected by homeowners across Long Island who are taking control of their energy futures by owning their solar systems to produce clean, affordable power from the Sun. Residential and commercial building owners have realized significant energy cost savings, enabling them to invest their money in their families or businesses. The Inc. 5000 list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economyAmericas independent entrepreneurs. Companies such as Yelp, Pandora, Timberland, Dell, Dominos Pizza, LinkedIn, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 5000. The 2016 Inc. 5000, unveiled online at Inc.com and with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc. (available on newsstands August 23) is the most competitive crop in the lists history. The average company on the list achieved a mind-boggling three-year growth of 433%. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue is $200 billion, and the companies on the list collectively generated 640,000 jobs over the past three years or about 8% of all jobs created in the entire economy during that period. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at here. About Inc. Media: Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Winner of the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 15,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com. About SUNation Solar Systems SUNation Solar Systems is a full-service solar installation provider based in Ronkonkoma, NY. With unmatched attention to detail and dedication to a high standard of quality of work, the company has built a strong reputation since its origin in 2003, and has installed over 1,900 systems in the region to date. The solar company gives back to its community through many charitable efforts as part of its not-for-profit corporation SUNation Cares. SUNation Solar Systems Chief Executive Officer Scott Maskin also serves on the Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, and is a dedicated supporter of Last Chance Animal Rescue. For more information on SUNation Solar Systems, visit here. Local News, Business & Finance, Health & Wellness, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: August 19 2016 Niurqui Nikki Mariano of Valley Stream, NY, has been appointed Manager of Healthcare Outreach for CaringKind. New York, NY - August 18, 2016 - CaringKind, New York Citys leading expert in Alzheimer's and dementia care for more than three decades, has appointed Niurqui Nikki Mariano as Manager of Healthcare Outreach. In her new role, Mariano will build and strengthen CaringKinds relationships with NYCs healthcare professionals, including primary care providers, geriatricians and others, introducing them to the myriad free services available to their patients who may have dementia and their caregivers. The programs goal is to ensure that CaringKind becomes a vital resource for New York Citys medical community. Mariano, a native of the Dominican Republic who is fluent in Spanish, previously served at CaringKind for seven years, including as Latino Outreach Manager, when it was known as the Alzheimers Association, New York City Chapter. The Healthcare Outreach Program provides an easy way for healthcare professionals to facilitate connections to CaringKinds free services including a 24-hour Helpline (646-744-2900); nearly one hundred free supports groups, workshops and educational seminars for caregivers and people with the disease; the MedicAlert NYC Wanderers Safety Program; a state-of-the-art Early Stage Center; satellite programs in Queens and Brooklyn; culturally sensitive outreach efforts to the African-American, Latino, Orthodox Jewish, Russian, Chinese and LGBT communities; and other vital resources for New York Citys Alzheimers community. Mariano will also present information about CaringKinds programs and services and basic information about the disease to larger audiences of medical students, hospital staff and other professional staff and organizations. We are proud to welcome Nikki back into the CaringKind family, said Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and CEO of CaringKind. Nikkis previous experience with our organization has allowed her to hit the ground running in her new role. Her experience in different facets of our organization helps her more fully understand the breadth and needs of the New York City Alzheimers community. We know this Healthcare Outreach Program will thrive with Nikki in charge. Mariano said, I am thrilled to be back serving New York Citys Alzheimers community. While medical care is imperative, so too are support services and education. I look forward to ensuring New Yorks medical professionals are informed about and understand CaringKinds vast resources so they can better serve their patients. Prior to re-joining CaringKind, Mariano served as Development, Communication and Operation Manager at The Early Childhood Parenting Center (ECPC) in Santa Monica, California. A resident of Valley Stream, Long Island, Mariano holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Hunter College and an Associate degree in Liberal Arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College. About CaringKind: CaringKind is New York Citys leading expert on Alzheimers and dementia caregiving. With over 30 years of experience, we work directly with our community partners to develop the information, tools and training to support individuals and families affected by dementia. We offer a 24-hour Helpline run by professional staff, individual and family counseling sessions with licensed social workers; a vast network of support groups; education seminars and training programs; early stage services and a wanderers safety program. We believe in the power of caregiving and seek a world where everyone dealing with dementia has the support they need, when they need it. Looking to stay up to date about all of the news stories and local headlines that are important to Long Islanders? We've rounded up the top coverage for all of the important topics from multiple sources around Long Island, so you can be sure you've got the most recent update on the top stories for Long Island. Have an idea for a news story? Email us at news@longisland.com Columnists Press Releases Luton is a large town, borough and unitary authority area of Bedfordshire. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 258,000. Luton is home to Championship team Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport and The University of Bedfordshire. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. For all the latest news from Luton sign up to our newsletter here. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser Pandora is aiming to expand its territory in the music streaming wars. The internet radio service is set to start offering two paid subscription tiers as early as next month, according to The Wall Street Journal. These tiers for on-demand streaming would complement Pandoras free radio stations and make the company better suited to rival Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and other music services. Similar to those services, Pandoras on-demand subscription will cost $10 a month. Pandoras second paid subscription offering will be an upgraded version of its no-ads radio service, Pandora One, which will give listeners the chance to skip more songs and enable offline listening. Pandora One is currently $5 a month, and the price is set to remain the same after the added features. The launch of these new added streaming tiers is dependent on Pandora closing the licensing deals required with the major record deals, which would expand Pandoras offerings from 2 million songs to about 30 million. Once finalized, these deals will allow Pandora streaming in the U.S. and abroad, suggesting the company is also looking towards international expansion. Currently, Pandora only operates in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. According to the WSJ, one major point of contention for the record labels is that Pandora, like Spotify, will have paid tiers as well as an ad-supported free service, which is less lucrative for the music industry. The record labels are in essence giving Pandora permission to stream their entire catalogues all over the world, but have no control over which songs are put on the free radio. Spotifys free tiers have also been criticized, most famously by Taylor Swift. This is the first time that Pandora has had to negotiate with the music industry to ink these licensing deals. Previously, Pandoras free radio did not require permission from the labels because listeners could not select songs on-demand. Why this matters: Even though the music streaming wars have gotten more competitive since the launch of Apple Music, Pandora does have a few advantages. For starters, over 80 million people listen to Pandora-powered radio stations every month. This gives the company a solid user base to try to convert into paid subscribers. In addition, Pandora is offering a $5-a-month plan that gives listeners a halfway point, price-wise, to the $10-a-month plans that are offered by the rest of the streaming services. The next few months are packed with IP conferences and other events and we look forward to meeting readers at some of them. Do let us know if you're attending any and would like to meet with any of our team. Among the events we plan to attend are: We are also hosting several events during September: the Global IP & Innovation Forum (Shanghai, August 31 and September 1), the European Patent Reform Forum (Munich on September 6 and Paris on September 8), the Life Sciences Forum (New York, September 14) and the new Trade Secrets Forum (Palo Alto, September 27). And don't forget our packed programme of webinars, covering topics including university patent licensing and enforcement and trade secrets strategies during September. Finally, we're delighted to announce that Kingsley Egbuonu will be taking part in the launch of the ARIPO/Africa University Master in Intellectual Property programme in Mutare, Zimbabwe next Monday. We are sponsoring the donation of a library of IP books to support the students on this course and Kingsley will report on the launch when he returns to London. We look forward to seeing many readers over the next few months. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today earned recognition from the ports of both Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, for its efforts to ensure compliance with standards that call for vessels to slow down within 40 nautical miles (nm) of the shore. The programs, called Vessel Speed Reduction Program at Port of Los Angeles and Green Flag Program at Port of Long Beach, urge vessel operators to slow down to 12 knots or less within a certain range of the ports to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), nitrogen oxide (NO X ), and sulfur oxide (SO X ) in coastal areas to conserve coastal environment, and offer annual rewards to vessel operators that achieve extraordinary compliance percentages. Last year, a total of 226 MOL Group-operated vessels including containerships calling at MOLs TRAPAC container terminal, as well as car carriers, tankers, and bulkers, navigate through the area covered by the speed standards. The ports have clearly appreciated the companys efforts to comply with the program and contribute to a cleaner coastal environment. MOL has been awarded every year since the awards started at Los Angeles in 2008 and at Long Beach in 2005, respectively. MOL continually contributes to environmental conservation not only in this area, but also at other ports all over the world, and takes proactive environmental steps on a global scale. The first two of four Rhine class river cruise ships are simultaneously under construction at MV WERFTEN in Wismar. Delivery of the 7-star vessels Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler to Crystal River Cruises will be in 2017. Shipbuilder MV WERFTEN held a keel-laying ceremony for two Rhine class river cruise ships in Wismar today. The Crystal Bach (yard number 120) and Crystal Mahler (yard number 123) are the first two of four new luxury river cruise vessels to be built in the completely covered dock shop. In the presence of Tan Sri Lim, Chairman of the Genting Group; Edie Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crystal Cruises; Erwin Sellering, Prime Minister of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; and the Malaysian Ambassador to Germany, Dato Zulkifli Adnan; as well as numerous guests, the first sections of the 7-star ships were ceremoniously lowered into position on keel blocks. This keel laying marks an important milestone for us. We are excited to build these high-end vessels for our brand Crystal River Cruises in our very own yard, Tan Sri Lim said. The ships of about 135 meters length and 11 meters breadth will operate on the European rivers Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube after their delivery in 2017. Up to 110 passengers will travel in 55 cabins all suites with a size of up to 70.5 square meters and of the most luxury furnishing. Furthermore, 39 crew cabins will be accommodated in the 3,100 GT ships. These are not only impressive vessels, but today is also a special day because it is the first keel laying under a new flag, said Sellering. This phase of the expansion of Crystal River Cruises is in the hands with the expert shipbuilders and designers at MV WERFTEN, Rodriguez said. We are thrilled to take this step toward offering our travel-savvy guests another option in which to explore the world in the utmost luxury. The order book of MV WERFTEN includes a total of 10 vessels in the next five years, among them the Wismar-Max class, the worlds biggest cruise liner regarding passenger capacity. The 201,000 GT cruise ships of the Global Class series will be more than 340 meters long and 45 meters wide. The production will start end of 2017 and the delivery to the shipping company Star Cruises is planned for 2020. We are happy and proud to start now. It is our great pleasure to build these ships and push ahead our building program. We have grand plans, are heading into the right direction and will strengthen our staff and skills further in the fields of planning, design, procurement and project management, Jarmo Laakso, the Managing Director of MV WERFTEN said. On August 18, a new container terminal built by NYK Line together with PT. Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Persero) (IPC), Mitsui & Co. Ltd. and PSA International Pte Ltd opened for commercial service at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia. This new terminal will be operated by the newly established company PT New Priok Container Terminal One. The terminal will have an annual handling capacity of approximately 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers, an overall berth length of 850 meters and a 16-meter draft, allowing the terminal to accommodate advanced mega containerships. Aulong Shipbuilding, a joint venture company formed by Austal Limited and Guandong Jianglong Shipbuilding of Zhuhai, China, has won the first ferry contract to build a 42 metre high speed aluminium ferry for Chinese mainland operator Blue Sea Jet. Less than two months after the announcement of the joint venture, Aulong Shipbuilding has been awarded a A$10 million (RMB49.99 million) contract to design and build the ferry. The contract was awarded following a competitive evaluation based on product performance, price and commercial terms. The ferry is based on a proven Austal design developed in Australia to world class standards. The design optimises performance, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort and will carry up to 288 passengers on the Zhuhai Hong Kong route, at speeds in excess of 36 knots. Construction of the vessel is anticipated to commence in October 2016, with delivery scheduled for October 2017. Austal has appointed an Australian General Manager to oversee the delivery of this and all subsequent vessels contracted, to ensure that Austals renowned quality and customer satisfaction is maintained in the joint venture. Announcing the contract, Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton remarked To win our first vessel to be built in China within weeks of setting up the joint venture is a great testament to Austal and our joint venture partner, Jianglong Shipbuilding. This is another export win for an Australian designed vessel in a competitive market and clearly validates both the joint venture and the decision to build in China. Austal has previously delivered 52 vessels to 20 customers in China, Hong Kong and Macau from our Henderson, Western Australia shipyard. Now, with an in-country solution utilising Australian design and technology and a proven local shipbuilder, we can cost effectively pursue more opportunities and expand our market share in mainland China, he added. Set up costs and general, non-recurring expenditure required to deliver this first contract mean this vessel, whilst strategically important in a huge market, will not contribute to overall group earnings and will require some modest capital expenditure by Aulong Shipbuilding. MEERCAT Workboats said it has sold a third workboat to Scottish aquaculture firm Dawnfresh. MC26, named Venetia, is an aquaculture specific workboat which will be delivered to Scotland in late August. Venetia is a 15m x 6m monohull workboat designed and principally engineered for aquaculture. The vessel is built to U.K. MCA workboat code of practice CAT 3. She displaces 44T and has a deck loading of 10Tm2. The vessel is powered by two Doosan L136 Ti 460Hp engines with a Beta-Marine 21kVA 50Hz generator. Her deck cargo capacity is 20T. The deck crane is a HEILA HLRM 25/4S (1600kg at 12.62m) and the deck winch a North Sea CW50 5 tonne tugger winch. Weve worked hard to market Meercat workboats in both Scotland and to the aquaculture sector, said Jamie Lewis, Meercats Managing Director. The fact that Dawnfresh are now on their third boat is both positive testament to the product and also the industrial application. Meercats are perfect for aquaculture. Meercat Workboats based in Hampshire, U.K. attended Aquaculture 2016 in Aviemore in Scotland. It is the U.K.s biggest trade show and conference for the fish and shellfish farming industry. Jim Hepburn, the Chief Financial Officer of Dawnfresh, said, Working with Meercat is always a pleasure and were extremely grateful for the innovative financial solution we sought to achieve an August delivery. Dawnfresh based in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, is a U.K. producer of fish and seafood with a number of faring sites and specialized production facilities. The new vessel will be one of the last workboats to be built at the Meercats current premises prior to the businesss move to Hythe, at the top of Southampton Water in Hampshire. Weve been searching for a new home for 18 months and its fantastic that weve found a superb landlord in Oceanic Estates and ideal new premises, Lewis said. The footprint really is perfect, and we need it to deliver on our FY17 business plan and our current developing pipeline. 1812 - The frigate USS Constitution captures the frigate HMS Guerriere, off Halifax, Nova Scotia after an intense battle. 1818 - Capt. James Biddle, as commanding officer of USS Ontario, takes possession of Oregon Territory for United States. 1936 - Lt. B. L. Braun, pilot, completes test bombing against the submarine USS R -8 (SS 85) off the Virginia capes, sinking the old submarine and proving the value of properly armed aircraft in antisubmarine warfare. 1943 - USS Finback (SS 230) sinks the Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser (No.109) off the eastern Celebes. 1981 - Two F-14 Tomcats of VF-41 shoot down two Libyan (Su 22) Sukhoi aircraft over international waters. Flying off USS Nimitz (CVA(N) 68), the Tomcats are on a reconnaissance mission for a missile-firing exercise being conducted by U.S. ships from two carrier battle groups when they are fired on by the Libyan planes. 2000 - USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) is commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is the first ship named for Marine Private First Class Oscar P. Austin, who earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty after he twice threw himself between a North Vietnamese weapon and a wounded comrade on Feb. 23, 1969. (Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division) South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries Co Ltd said on Friday its board of directors have approved a plan to raise about 1.1 trillion won ($985.22 million) via a rights issue. Samsung Heavy, part of the Samsung Group conglomerate, has been planning a rights issue to weather a drop in orders for new vessels at South Korea's three largest shipbuilders, while the country expects a 20 percent drop in major shipbuilders' capacity by 2018 from 2015. Separately, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee - the de facto head of Samsung Group - does not plan to buy any of the new Samsung Heavy shares. A Samsung Group spokeswoman declined to comment. Reporting by Joyce Lee and Se Young Lee The Harris Pye Engineering Group is currently engaged in turnkey scrubber installation packages for major cruise line companies. On August 3, 2016 Harris Pye completed the installation of an Advanced Emission Purification System, fully automated, which was duly DNV GL certified which met with MARPOL regulation 14 of Annex V1 for the control of emissions complying to regulations 14.1 or 14.4. The design package for open and closed loop systems was utilized to model and fabricate all piping systems, hardware integration, and major/minor steelworks. Along with new exhaust tail pipes, sea chests were installed with the vessel in service along with the associated overboard discharges. A new decorative funnel extension was designed, fabricated and installed to encapsulate the scrubber tower, and newly constructed Technical Room which houses the AEP Hybrid components. To accommodate the operating fluid systems correctly sited new tanks, together with on-board conversions to existing tanks, were engineered and fabricated with special coatings applied. Electrical power, distribution and automation systems was installed by Harris Pye experienced electrical/E&I staff. Harris Pye is currently installing similar systems on other large cruise vessels with completions imminent and throughout the year. The installations currently under way and already installed are in response to the need to reduce Sulphur Oxide (SOx) emissions from fuel oils and the recent implementation of more stringent rules within Annex VI of the 1997 MARPOL protocol on 1st January 2015 which have seen SOx emissions significantly reduced to 0.1% in Emission Control Areas (ECAs). On January 1, 2020, a new regulation will enter into force limiting the Sulphur emissions for vessels to 0.5 % in other designated areas, making it crucial for ship owners to ensure proactive, effective planning and groundwork is in place to comply with these regulations. Not surprisingly, we are seeing a marked increase in interest in complete turnkey installation packages for exhaust gas scrubber systems; from initial site surveys, feasibility studies, 3D laser scanning/modelling ultimately progressing to detailed engineering and design, leading to a cost effective installation programme, explains Harris Pyes Chief Technical Officer, Chris David. With workshops in the UK, Middle East, Asia and Brazil, we can offer an efficient and economical alternative to onsite production through prefabrication prior to installation, thereby reducing installations costs and disruption to a ships itinerary. All our workshop facilities are compliant with the following standard certifications: ISO 9001, API QI, ASME S.R.U Stamps, GL Workshop (welding) and EN 1090 Execution Class 2. Vessel owners are able to benefit from local and globally discounted supply chain costs and reduced installation times. Harris Pye Engineerings workforce includes fully versed, certified and accredited skilled workers for both GRE, GRVE and conventional steel piping, all managed by dedicated project management teams liaising and coordinating with vessel owners on a daily basis to ensure seamless and efficient installations. Semco Maritime has welcomed the recent arrival of two Maersk Drilling high specification jack-up rigs to its Invergordon shipyard facility. Maersk Reacher will be berthed in the Queens Dock facility for an undisclosed duration, carrying out necessary upgrades and modifications, whilst the recently constructed Maersk Highlander, following arrival by heavy lift from Singapore, will be at quayside for a short time, carrying out various commissioning tasks prior to naming ceremony and thereafter, mobilization out to the CULZEAN development in the U.K. sector North Sea, on long term contract. Semco Maritime Rig Projects have provided support for various disciplines, including electrical, mechanical and construction, with a number of safety instrumented systems provided by Semco Maritime as original equipment during the construction of the rig being commissioned, prior to departure. The Cromarty Firth and Invergordon Service Base was chosen as most suitable for both of these assets due to its strategic location in the North sea, with deep water shelter, the facilities offered by Port of Cromarty Firth and a long standing relationship with Semco Maritime as main contractor, providing full project management support to Maersk Drilling. Semco Maritime are also nearing completion of a number of scopes of work for the semi-submersible rig, Paragon MSS1, prior to departing Cromarty Firth on a drilling contract. The School: Combining classroom and lab learning with summer sea terms aboard the training ship and industry internships, SUNY Maritime prepares students to be leaders in all sectors of industry, the military and government. Education and training are comprehensive and use state-of-the-art simulation centers and facilities. The college has expanded to include more than 20 buildings and the training ship Empire State VI, a 565-foot ship that gives mariners-in-training the knowledge, skills and sea time necessary to join the maritime industry. The Bouchard Transportation Company Inc. Tug and Barge Simulation Center opened in 2015 and includes a full-mission bridge and two class B tug assist simulators for students to practice maneuvers. The Case: SUNY Maritime College produces more licensed mariners than any other U.S. institution. Fully one quarter of these go on to work in the brown water industry, providing nearly a third of its licensed mariners. The college is involved in STCW compliance and helps professional mariners maintain their credentials through training. 6 Pennyfield Avenue Throggs Neck, NY 10465 Tel: (718) 409-7277 Website: www.sunymaritime.edu CEO/President: RADM Michael Alfultis A new era of dominance in a polar region opening up. The size and scale of Russia's military activities in the Arctic are producing negative perceptions and growing suspicion in the West. UPI reports that Russia, long seen as an aggressive and unpredictable bear in international politics, has stepped up its military activities in the region including large-scale exercises, an extensive modernization program and the reconstruction of infrastructure. Observers, mainstream media in particular, have adopted the Cold War narratives of the Russian bear vying for military superiority, border delineations and dominance over natural resources in the High North. This is something that's raising fears that the Arctic could become the next crisis zone between Russia and the West. The expansion of its military presence there comes as the U.S. and Scandinavian states modernize their own defenses in the region. The buildup of the permanent group of troops in the Arctic is underway, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. This will expand the armed forces capabilities for securing the defense of the national interests in the region. Moscow is reopening old airfields and military bases on the New Siberian Islands and the Novaya Zemlya, Franz Josef Land and Severnaya Zemlya archipelagos and constructing new ones. It has also deployed extra submarines, patrol vessels, nuclear-powered icebreakers, anti-aircraft systems and military aircraft in the North. Large-scale and unannounced military exercises are being carried out close to northern neighbors, with the intensity of air and submarine patrols in the region reportedly reaching levels last seen during the Cold War. United States District Court Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi accepted the guilty plea of Doorae Shipping Co., LTD, a South Korean maritime operations company, and sentenced the company to pay a fine of $275,000, and a term of three years of probation for the failure to maintain an accurate oil record book, in violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. According to the Information to which Doorae pled guilty, the operation of a marine vessel, such as the B. Pacific, a petroleum oil tank ship registered under the flag administration of the Marshall Islands, and operated by Doorae, generates large quantities of waste oil and oil-contaminated waste water. International and U.S. law requires that these vessels use pollution prevention equipment to preclude the discharge of these materials. U.S. law requires that the movement and transfer of oil on board a ship be accurately documented in the ships Oil Record Book. Information produced to the court established that from between July 8, 2016, through July 14, 2016, during a Port State Control examination conducted by the United States Coast Guard, employees of Doorae Shipping presented the B. Pacifics Oil Record Book to representatives of the United States Coast Guard knowing that it failed to document or acknowledge that approximately 5,400 gallons of oil contaminated bilge water had been placed into and stored in an unapproved void space neither designated nor appropriate for the storage of oil and other ship generated liquids. In addition, the Oil Record Book also failed to document the location of approximately 8,400 gallons of machinery space oil contaminated bilge water. Florence T. Nakakuni, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, said "It is unacceptable for a maritime company which was convicted and sentenced to pay $950,000 in fines and penalties four months ago for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to commit another criminal violation of the Act. This failure to properly follow the law with respect to maintaining an accurate and truthful Oil Record Book requires another conviction and sentence commensurate with Dooraes conduct. By this prosecution and todays sentence, we demonstrate our continuing resolve to keep our ocean environment clean, and the commercial tanker ships which port in Honolulu accountable." Doorae pled guilty and was sentenced to paying a $750,000 fine and making a $200,000 community service payment in April 2016. "Environmental crimes are a serious threat to the health of our oceans," said Capt. Mike Long, Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Honolulu. "The Coast Guard is dedicated to enforcing all U.S. laws and international requirements to prevent marine pollution in Hawaii and all U.S. waters. This case sends a clear message that violators will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted." The case was investigated by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. U.S. Coast Guard, industry working together in preparation for the implementation of inspected towing vessel regulations Marine Inspectors from Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Portland conducted a field dry dock examination, Wednesday, to educate and train the towing vessel community on new regulatory standards that will come into force in the summer of 2018. Shaver Transportation Company suggested the field outreach event during a U.S. Coast Guard initiated information session the previous week. The information session held at MSU Portland was the second in a series of national outreach forums designed to educate towing vessel operators on the new regulations, referred to as Subchapter M. These new regulations establish new safety and compliance requirements for towing vessels, including lifesaving and fire protection, design and construction, and operational safety standards. Coast Guard Inspectors attended the Tug Willamette after it was hauled out at JT Marine for a regularly scheduled dry dock. Experienced marine inspectors walked through the Coast Guard dry dock examination process while answering questions from towing vessel operators in a collaborative forum. Today was a great example of the towing vessel community and Coast Guard learning from one another and fostering a professional relationship that will support the implementation of Subchapter M and our shared goal of improving safety said Capt. Bill Timmons, commander of Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. Shaver Transportation invited other towing vessel companies to attend the event. The exam was well attended with personnel from JT Marine Inc., Shaver Transportation Company, Tidewater Barge Lines, Bernert Barge Lines, Salmon Bay Barge Line Inc., and Olympic Tug & Barge. South Africa has become the seventh state to ratify the 2012 Cape Town Agreement. The treaty, which implements the Torremolinos Protocol, covers various fishing vessel safety requirements including radio communications, life-saving appliances and arrangements, and emergency procedures, musters and drills. Peace Kennedy, Counselor at the South African High Commission in London, presented the instrument of ratification to International Maritime Organization (IMO) Senior Legal Officer Jan De Boer at IMOs London headquarters on August 19. The agreement will enter into force 12 months after it has been ratified by 22 states which, collectively, have 3,600 or more fishing vessels of at least 24 meters in length operating on the high seas. According to PGIs Risk Portal, there were at least 81 incidents of piracy or attempted piracy in or around the Singapore and Malacca Straits between April 2015 and April 2016. The majority of these incidents have occurred on the western approach to the narrow waterway, indicative of the heightened risk of piracy in surrounding waters. The actual number of incidents is likely higher, given that many are thought to go unreported. The high-level of piracy in surrounding waters presents security considerations for travel to and from Singapores port. Protection Vessels International Comment: Levels of piracy in the Singapore Strait region have continued to increase since 2015 with a spike of attacks on vessels while underway. While States bordering the Singapore Strait have increased focus on preventative measures such as localised security initiatives to curb illegal activity it is believed that criminal gangs will continue to pose a high threat to all vessels transiting through these geographically challenging and congested shipping channels. All vessel should retain a high state of security awareness while transiting these waters, PGI said. The AP Moller-Maersk Group subsidiary Maersk Supply Service,, which is part of the "fifth leg" in the light blue conglomerate, is divesting up to 20 vessels over the coming 18 months and reducing its crew pool by 400 offshore positions. The divestment plan is a response to vessels in lay-up, limited trading opportunities and the global over-supply of offshore supply ships. The first ten vessels are expected to exit the fleet in 2016, reports Denmark's local media 'Business'. Denmark-headquartered Maersk Supply Service CEO Jrn Madsen says One of our prime objectives is to attempt to restore the demand balance in the offshore supply vessel market. This is why the vast majority of the divested vessels will be recycled or modified by their new owners to compete outside their present segments. We are facing unprecedented market conditions and regrettably we have to further adjust our crew pool. It is an unfortunate but necessary step to safeguard the future of our company, he added. The company also said it would flag its four Stingray Subsea Support Vessel new-buildings to the Isle of Man registry. In addition, the firm will lay off 400 more employees by the end of September. It laid off 200 workers last December, and its present roster comes to roughly 1,500 positions. The Company: Thrustmaster builds a complete line of Z-Drive azimuthing thrusters from 500 HP to 4,000 HP for the inland towboat industry specifically designed to endure the demanding conditions when operating in brown water. Using Z-Drives on towboats results in substantially improved fuel efficiency, shorter trip times, decreased maintenance downtime and higher customer satisfaction when compared to traditional shaft and rudder installations. All thrusters are developed in-house by a complete engineering department for mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and electronic design. Tooling includes machining and measuring equipment, CAD, vessel resistance and propulsion, 3D modeling and ANSYS Finite Element Analysis. The application of modal analysis, stress and strain analysis as well as rotor dynamic analysis of drive trains and transmissions are fundamentals towards the reliability and quality of Thrustmasters products. The Case: Thrustmasters products are built in the United States. A total of 289 employees produce results for customers in a facility that spans 200,000 square feet. This years highlights include Thrustmasters announcement that they had signed a service agreement with McGinnis Inc. National Maintenance & Repair. This agreement extends Thrustmasters service centers to six locations in the U.S. Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. Service Locations now include South Point, Ohio, Paducah, Kentucky, Hartford, Illinois, Harahan, Louisiana, Houma, Louisiana and Houston, Texas. Thrustmasters new capacities enables the firm to provide a new level of service, with even faster response times to customer requests. With Thrustmasters new service sites and 24/7 service hotlines we are available for our customers anytime and anywhere. 6900 Thrustmaster Drive Houston, TX 77041 Tel: (713) 937-6295 Website: www.thrustmaster.net CEO/President: Joe Bekker Tesco Club Card Vouchers Days Out Tokens Cheapest Theme Parks Entry All who shop regularly at Tesco's will each year build up a sizeable balance of clubcard vouchers that can be used for a whole host of purchases from groceries in stores, to restaurants, and cinema tickets. However, in many cases the most cost effective use of clubcard vouchers is to exchange them for tickets and tokens for entry into 180 venues across the UK including major theme parks as explained in this real world example of how Tesco vouchers converted into tokens are the cheapest route into many of Britain's theme parks such as Pleasure Island. Ensure to subscribe to our channel for new videos. Also remember to visit our website for more. By Anika Walayat http://www.howtoguidesandreviews.com http://www.marketoracle.co.uk Copyright 2005-2016 Marketoracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd). All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. MARTINSVILLE The saga involving a local businessman and neighbors who dont want to see vehicles stored on his property continues. After a public hearing in July, Martinsville City Council approved the rezoning of 925 Boden St., in the eastern part of the city, from residential to commercial use so Sammy Wright could use the site for overflow parking at his adjacent business, Church Street Automotive, as well as to exit the business and access an adjoining lot. The rezoning was approved with a condition that a fence seven feet high must be installed around the property within 60 days. The fence must obscure at least 90 percent of the vehicles on the property, which must stay free of vehicles until the fence is built, city Zoning Administrator and Community Planner Susan McCulloch has said. Since the council meeting, Wright asked for a variance that would allow him to build the fence 1 to 2 feet from the property line instead of 7 feet, as is permitted under the zoning ordinance. McCulloch said during a Martinsville Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) meeting on Thursday that the fence is intended to "shield inoperative vehicles from public view." The BZA after holding a hearing and talking with Wright; Virginia Martin, who lives at 923 Boden St. and others with interests in the neighborhood postponed making a decision on the variance request until a special meeting at 10 a.m. next Thursday at the municipal building. In the meantime, BZA members will individually visit and inspect the property to determine how the variance would affect the property and the neighborhood. BZA Chairman B. Page Brockenbrough said he wants Wright and Martin to be there and "point to the ground," showing how where exactly the fence is erected would affect them. Just three of the five BZA seats are occupied. Two members, India Brown and Richard Howell, on Thursday attended their first meeting since a Martinsville Circuit Court judge appointed them to the panel, which meets infrequently and only when there are matters to consider. Howell said he didnt feel comfortable making a decision on Wrights variance request yet. Neighbors have had issues with vehicles outside of Wrights business for more than 10 years, said Donald Kirby of Banner Street, about a half-mile away. He said he thought the rezoning would resolve those issues. "What else do we have to do as a community" to no longer have to view the vehicles, Kirby asked. Wright said he plans to erect a solid metal fence. It basically would replace a fence that already exists, except that he would "move it my way (toward his business) a little bit," he said. "Its definitely going to be an attractive fence," Wright added. "Its not going to be like whats there now." "I do not want to be able to see over" the fence, Martin said. "I am sure you will like this fence," Wright replied. "Youll have total obscurity." With the variance, there would be more space between Martins house and the fence, according to Wright and McCulloch. And, the fence "wont be on your property at all," Brockenbrough told Martin. Concerns mentioned by speakers during the hearing included how the fence would affect a driveway to the property and traffic in the neighborhood, including school buses. At different times during the meeting, speakers and BZA members spent a total of at least 20 minutes clustered at the city councils desk to analyze maps and discuss technical aspects of the property and the variance request. Because of its technicalities, "this is not the easiest case weve ever presented" to the board, McCulloch said of planning officials. The new members got their "baptism by fire," she said. In another matter, the board approved a variance that will enable First United Methodist Church to erect a 48-inch by 41-inch sign on property at 135 E. Main St. to direct people to the churchs Uptown Ministry Center. The center is in part of a former warehouse behind Ranias restaurant. It houses a food pantry and "clothes closet" for the needy, and plans are to let public events be held there, said church spokesman Larry Ryder. McCulloch said the centers entry is far from the street and "faces the opposite way of a one-way street." "If you miss" the entry, Ryder said, "its almost impossible to turn your head and find it without consequences," such as having an accident. Pictures and diagrams show the sign, which will feature a Christian cross and the United Methodist Churchs flame logo, will be installed in a mulched area between the sidewalk along East Main and Ranias parking lot. The ministry centers address is 145 E. Main. Also, the board re-elected Brockenbrough as its chairman. It elected Brown as its vice chairman and Howell as its secretary. I honestly meant to sit down and write something about Martinsville schools, but then the numbers came out. These arent happy numbers either, theyre flat out ugly. I dont mean ugly as in well this stings, but we can make it work. Its more like youve been robbed blind and then told to pay more for a bill. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid provided Congress this month with a report about the cost of Medicaid expansion, details that show why its important to plan ahead before launching a program. It seems that the cost of Medicaid expansion added up to $6,366 per person in 2015. Thats expensive on its own, but the problem comes in that its 49 percent more than what was budgeted for. The second problem comes in the form of a question. Namely, how are states going to pay for this? See, under the Affordable Healthcare Act, the entire cost of Medicaid expansion was covered from 2014 to the end of this year by the federal government. At the end of this year, that amount drops to 90 percent. It was free money that states rushed to use, without any idea of how they would pay for things once the end of 2016 arrived. Well, the end of 2016 is less than five months away and now those states that expanded services will have to pay 49 percent more than expected. To give you an idea of how many states were talking about, Virginia is just one of 19 that refused to join the program. Our neighbor to the south, North Carolina, also declined. As for the rest, how will they cover that cost? Nobody knows. Will that mean new taxes? Again, nobody knows. This is why, before we rush out to do something, we need to plan ahead and see not just how itll affect us next year, but two or three or 10 years from now. Sen. Mark Warner touched on the point during his visit with local leaders Monday night. If we want to improve and develop, then we have to put aside short term thinking and look at the long term picture. He was talking about business, but it applies to politics just as well. Short term vision only gets you so far. Sure, if theres a decent offer on the table, its worth checking out the benefits. And yes, if you approve that bill today, its likely to guarantee your re-election. But what about after the election? What will that decision do to the city or states economy in two or three years when it comes time to pay for it? After all, debt doesnt go away. Ive seen it far too often in all the places Ive lived, on the local, state and federal level, where people make short term decisions and the residents are the ones who suffer the long term consequences. Take this Medicaid increase, for example. Why did the cost jump so much? It turns out the gifted people in charge of planning didnt expect the truly sick to take advantage of the expansion. For some reason only known to them, the budget estimates were based on mainly average or healthy people signing up as a preventative measure. Just so were clear, the law allowed people making up to $16,390 per person or $33,530 for a family of four, to opt in. That added up to just over 9 million people. You cant always identify sick people. Thats a population whose numbers change daily, due in part to who has access to treatment and the right doctors. And yet, nobody thought that maybe, just maybe, people who didnt have healthcare werent shunning the doctor because they were well, but rather because they couldnt afford the bills? Its a cautionary tale, one we can all learn from. While Virginia wasnt one of the states that opted in, our federal tax dollars will still go to pay the additional costs nobody planned for. That means less money for federal education grants, less money for other projects. We need to remember that when making decisions about new programs or funding projects. What does this mean for the future? Or not. If we just do nothing, if we dont clean things up and keep demanding that programs be expanded without finding the money to pay for them, it doesnt end well. After all, this isnt a Disney movie. Debt doesnt magically go away by itself. The exhibition is held by the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the PCC Offices Archives Department on the occasion of 70 years since the leader paid an official visit to France in 1946, and the 71st anniversary of the August Revolution that led to the foundation of Vietnam the same year. It provides an overview of the time when President Ho Chi Minh was in France, from activities to seek ways to liberate his homeland from the French colonialists, the struggle for an equal relationship between the two countries, and his official visit to France in 1946. Cutting ribbon to open the exhibition (Source: CPV) Representatives to the exhibition (Source: CPV) Objects displayed at the exhibition (Source: hanoimoi.com.vn) Addressing at the opening ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thuy Duc, Acting Director of Ho Chi Minh museum, said that during the national struggles, President Ho Chi Minh always courted the support of the Communist Party of France and French people. A series of visits by senior leaders between the two countries have strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries in the fields of politics, diplomatic, national defence and security, economics, commerce, investment, culture, health, education and training. Especially, since Vietnam and France signed a joint statement on setting up a strategic partnership in 2013, the two sides have been working to tap their cooperation potential for the sake of their people as well as for peace, stability and development in the world. The exhibition will run at Ho Chi Minh Museum at No.19A Ngoc Ha street, Ba Dinh district, until December 2016./. Vice Chairman of the Da Nang city Peoples Committee Ho Ky Minh presents a souvenir to Ms Pitunun Samanvorawong. (Photo: baodanang.vn) According to the Da Nang city Peoples Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh, Da Nang city and Thailand have seen important results in their cooperation, especially in economics, trade and investment.The city is maintaining friendship and cooperative relationship with some Thai provinces, including Khonkaen, Phuket and Chiang Mai, he said. There are currently nearly 20 enterprises in Da Nang city establishing trade relations with Thailand, while two Thai enterprises are investing directly in the Vietnamese city with a capital of over USD10 million. A direct Da Nang - Bangkok air route opening in late May helped to more strongly promote the trade, investment and tourism relations between the two localities. Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh suggested that Ms Pitunun Samanvorawong continue to act as a bridge to lead Thai enterprises to Da Nang city for trade links, especially in the logistics sector; and create favorable conditions for Thai enterprises and Da Nang city enterprises to exploit tourism cooperation, especially tourism by road through the East-West Economic Corridor. In addition, the two sides should consider the establishment of a Thai enterprises club in Da Nang city, according to Mr. Minh. Ms Pitunun Samanvorawong said she was impressed by Da Nang citys strong development, and expressed her thanks to the city authorities for creating the best conditions for Thai enterprises investing in the city. She pledged to discuss with Thai enterprises about the business environment in Da Nang city, adding she believed that more and more Thai enterprises would come to invest in the city, especially in the logistics area./. I-181 requests that the Montana Legislature appropriate the proceeds of the bonds to pay for the program. It will create a Montana Biomedical Research Authority, which will award grants for scientific research in the state of Montana. An independent panel of doctors, scientists, nurses and patient advocates will decide which organizations receive research grants. It will be subject to an independent audit. Phil Drake, [email protected] Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2016/08/18/montana-biomedical-research-initiative-will-stand/88961456/ 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 Les membres du Cabinet on pris note que la delegation du Pape Francois sera forte de 45 personnes, du programme officiel de la visite du souverain pontife, la mise en action du Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019, la promulgation du Local Government (Application for Building and Land Use Permit) (Collection and Transfer of Fees) (Revocation) Regulations 2019 entre autres. Cabinet has taken note of the preparations for the State Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Mauritius on 09 September 2019. His Holiness Pope Francis would be accompanied by a delegation of around 45 persons and the Papal delegation would also comprise 69 Vatican accredited media personnel. The main features of the programme of visit include (a) the Arrival Ceremony at the SSR International Airport; (b) the Mass at the Chapel and Shrine of Marie Reine de la Paix, Port Louis; (c) a private visit to the Shrine of Pere Laval, Ste Croix; (d) a Tete-a-tete with the Acting President of the Republic and the Hon Prime Minister at the State House, Le Reduit; (e) an official function and a tree blessing ceremony at the State House, Le Reduit; and (f) the Departure Ceremony at the SSR International Airport. 2. Cabinet has taken note of the key actions being undertaken by the Land Drainage Authority, namely : (a) an inventory and mapping of the existing natural and manmade drainage infrastructure; (b) the identification and mapping of some 250 flood risk areas for Mauritius; (c) the formulation of a Land Drainage Master Plan and Action Plan by November 2020; (d) the elaboration of a new High Resolution Digital Elevation Model by end of November 2019; and (e) the development of a Drainage Impact Assessment guideline. 3. Cabinet has taken note that following the enactment of the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019, the undermentioned Regulations under the Consumer Protection (Price and Supplies Control) Act and the Consumer Protection Act would be promulgated : (a) the Consumer Protection (Control of Imports) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2019; (b) the Consumer Protection (Export Control) (Amendment) Regulations 2019; (c) the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations 2019; (d) the Plastic and Polyethylene Pipes and Fittings (Mauritius Standard Specifications) (Amendment) Regulations 2019; and (e) the Toys (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2019. /2 The salient points of the Regulations include, among others, : (a) the reduction in the time taken to process and issue an import or export permit; (b) the mandatory use of an electronic system, namely the TradeNet; and (c) the introduction of guidelines by the Mauritius Standards Bureau to importers and exporters. The five Regulations would come into operation on 31 August 2019. 4. Cabinet has taken note that the Local Government (Application for Building and Land Use Permit) (Collection and Transfer of Fees) (Revocation) Regulations 2019, would be promulgated in order to facilitate the start of businesses and implementation of projects, while ensuring efficiency and higher degree of compliance with construction permitting. The processing fees for plan approval from utilities are being removed. The Local Government (Application for Building and Land Use Permit) (Collection and Transfer of Fees) Regulations 2017 would be repealed. The new Regulations would come into operation on 1 September 2019. 5. Cabinet has taken note that : (a) for the period 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, a total of 7,425 vacancies have been filled in the Civil Service; and (b) a total of 803 vacancies have been filled during the month of July 2019. 6. Cabinet has agreed to the Mauritius Standards Bureau hosting the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Leadership and Management Programme from 25 to 29 November 2019 in Mauritius. The ISO brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges. The ISO Leadership and Management Programme is a pilot programme which is specifically targeted for Chief Executive Officers of National Standards Bodies and it enables them to enhance their skills, knowledge and competencies in standardisation and related works. 7. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade to the United Republic of Tanzania where he attended the 39th Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government. The theme of the Summit was A Conducive Environment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, Increased Intra-Regional Trade and Job Creation. The Summit elected the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as the new Chairperson of the SADC and the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe as the new Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation. The Summit reviewed, among others, the socio-economic and political situation of the region. In the margins of the Summit, the Minister signed the SADC Protocol on Industry which aims at improving the policy environment for industrial development in the region and supporting the implementation of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap. The Minister met : (a) HE Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who congratulated Mauritius for its socio-economic reforms and expressed the wish to establish a formal framework of cooperation between the two countries; and (b) Hon Jose Condungua Pacheco, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of Mozambique, with whom he reviewed the status of cooperation following the inaugural session of the Mauritius-Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission of Co-operation. 8. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of the Statutory Bodies Family Protection Fund with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands as Chairperson. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Le Premier ministre, M. Pravind Jugnauth, quitte le pays ce samedi 16 avril 2022 pour se rendre en Inde dans le cadre dune visite officielle. Le chef du gouvernement est linvite dhonneur de Narendra Modi, pour la ground-breaking ceremony du WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) qui aura lieu a Jamnagar, au Gujarat, le 19 avril 2022. Sera aussi present, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, le Directeur general de lOrganisation mondiale de la sante (OMS). Ce WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine sera un pole dexcellence de lOMS en matiere de medecine traditionnelle. Il emane dune collaboration entre lOMS et le gouvernement indien. Pravind Jugnauth participera grace a linvitation de M. Narendra Modi, au Global AYUSH Investment and Innovation Summit 2022 qui se tiendra a Gandhinagar, au Gujarat, le 20 avril 2022. Lors de ce deplacement en Inde, le Premier ministre sentretiendra avec son homologue indien sur plusieurs questions dinteret commun que cela soit au niveau bilateral et multilateral. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Does more stripes equate to more influence? For about 20 U.S. and international junior enlisted members, these questions and many more were answered during the first U.S.-led Pacific Rim Junior Enlisted Leadership Forum held here Aug. 8 through 12. During the five-day conference, Airmen and a Soldier from the U.S., and junior enlisted airmen from Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore participated in discussions that allowed participants to share their experiences in leadership and learn more effective ways to lead in their organizations. The conference also included team building activities, guided lessons and senior leader briefings and panels. The activities incorporated some of the principles familiar to those who have completed one or several levels of Air Force Professional Military Education. "The professional development of our junior enlisted Airmen and Soldiers is important and in this forum they are provided with valuable information and tools, with the focus being on international leadership development to further their growth as tomorrow's senior enlisted leaders," said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Buddy Hutchison, Pacific Air Forces command chief. Hand-picked by their leadership, the multinational participants were able to bring their knowledge and experiences to the conference which enabled them to further strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Pacific. "Diversity is so important in our militaries today," said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Horn, Air University command chief and senior enlisted host of the conference. "Joint integration of our international militaries does not happen often enough, or early enough in any given service member's career, so this forum provides a great opportunity for them to gain some leadership tools, to see the bigger picture and to understand how they fit in. Attendees discussed leadership with a variety of speakers including U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Craig Wills., the PACAF Strategy, Plans, and Programs director, who was able to share his leadership experiences from an officers perspective. "Generals are not the most important people in an organization; they are the most visible, and often get the glory, but the real strength of our Air Force is our NCO's and Airmen, Wills said. Our front-line supervisors are the most important part of our Air Force. They make the mission happen; they train our Airmen; and they take care of our families. Without great junior NCO's, we won't have an Air Force." Video portions of the conference advised the attendees to be actively involved with their people and to focus less on how many stripes they have and more on being as effective as they can with their stripes. Philippine Air Force Sgt. Bernard Magpantay, Promotion Branch NCO in charge, put these leadership tips in to perspective for his peers. As an NCO, I understand that it is no longer about me, he said. My job now is to prepare those below me, so they are prepared to take my place in the future. Horn hosted this iteration of the JELF along with Warrant Officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Mark Harwood, who will be hosting the next JELF which will be in New Zealand. Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank. by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, August 18, 2016 According to new data from Quri, the "Summer of Merchandising" with keys to drive ROI ahead of Labor Day, merchandisers could see up to a 5% sales gain and close out the summer strong by making key adjustments. The study found that on-shelf availability (OSA), capturing a true shopper view of the shelf, is vital to maintaining sales. OSA levels dropped as much as 50 percentage points immediately after the Memorial Day and Fourth of July in-store promotional periods. The report shows that OSA levels are consistently between 2 and 20 points lower than the 98% OSA rate reported by the industry when using inadequate monitoring strategies. A two-percent drop in OSA typically results in a one percent loss in sales. For highly seasonal categories, it is imperative to maintain strong levels of OSA in order to capture full ROI during this critical period, according to the study. Every brand in the study had significant gaps in OSA during key summer weeks. For example: Banana Boat Sunscreen averaged only 89% in Walmart for the past 10 weeks ending July 24th Aquafina Water maintained only 74% in Walmart for the 2 weeks ending July 17th Hershey Bars dropped to 77% in Target the week ending July 24th Breyers Ice Cream averaged only 87% in Walmart for the 3 weeks ending June 19th Repel Insect Repellant bottomed out at 43% in Target for the week ending June 19th Justin Behar, CEO and co-founder of Quri, says " uncovering a significant and highly achievable growth opportunity is welcome news routine reporting based on what shoppers actually see on-shelf brands are increasing OSA levels on a store-by-store basis fixing routine execution problems and diagnosing more systemic forecasting issues " There is a tendency to "set and forget" summer displays when in reality these need to be maintained routinely, notes the report, finding that from Memorial Day through July 4th display coverage dropped 41% to 21% overall. For seasonal brands under time restraints to maximize ROI, coverage fell from 61% to 30%. This highlights missed opportunities to capitalize on promotional spending for increased incremental sales throughout the summer. If armed with a real-time, quantified shopper view of stores, innovative manufacturers can instruct retail execution teams on where to go and what to do routinely at the store-level and avoid sales loss, concludes the report. Additionally, these CPG brands are not only maximizing return on spend from trade promotion, but also gaining share relative to competitors who fail to keep pace. The study indicates displays are placed in the home aisle 42% of the time, on average, across all categories. Yet, displays outside the home aisle are up to three times more effective at driving incremental sales. Examples of brands frequently displayed in the home aisle include: Carbonated Beverages 52%, Condiments 52%, Bottled Water 45%, Personal Care 64%, and Beer 39%. Displays that are interesting, appealing, and clearly communicate the product, are far more profitable when they disrupt shoppers outside the brands' home aisle. Behar concludes that " customers are more likely to execute on a brands' promotion plan if they understand the ROI that's in it brands who consistently show customer's the benefits of a quality location see much better results (and ROI) from their promotional spend " For additional information from Quri and the study, please visit here. by John Motavalli , Columnist, August 17, 2016 Who will win the ongoing battle between Facebook and Adblock Plus? The outcome will have sweeping ramifications for programmatic advertising, but it isnt predictable. We wrote last week of the opening salvos in this war, with Facebook announcing they will block all ad blockers, but particularly Adblock Plus, the German-based leader. ABP quickly appealed to the open source community for a way to block Facebooks fix, and we are now in a series of amusing skirmishes between the two, as open source software guys come up with new ways to stymie Facebook, or Farcebook, as ABP minions call it. If I had to bet, I would say that Facebook will lose the propaganda war, even if they ultimately prevail with blocking ABP. Why? The answer is rooted more in sociology than in algorithms. First, the Facebook user is overwhelmingly young. Of the over 1.71 billion monthly active Facebook users, about 30% are in that key demographic, 25-34. Note that this 30% adds up to about 600 million users in that demo, almost twice the population of the U.S. One estimate claims that 50% of 18-24 year-olds go on Facebook when they wake up, according to the Social Skinny. advertisement advertisement That is a lot of young people. And many of todays college and high school kids are the same young idealists who flocked to the Bernie Sanders bandwagon. They distrust big corporations, and had no trouble with the Socialist label attached to their candidate. In any conflict between a big corporate entity like Facebook, and a young, seemingly altruistic outfit like ABP, many younger users will side with the ad blockers. Moreover, using an ad blocker is cool, the kind of thing that young people admire. ABP plays this up big. ABP Knows Its Young Audience The ABP spokesman is not some uptight, accented German, but an affable young American named Ben Williams, who blogs seemingly righteous stuff about freedom and choice. His latest blog post is perfectly aimed. ABP knows its young audience: We clearly feel like giving users control of their Internet experience is better than taking it away, and its disheartening that a company like Facebook would abuse everyones experience of their site by forcing that experience into a one-size-fits-all, see-the-ads-or-else tube. The Internet just doesnt work that way. At least it shouldnt. Even conservative outlets like the Wall Street Journal seem to back up this conclusion, with its headline, Facebook Will Force Advertising on Ad Blocking Users. One can almost hear Ben Williams echoing, Exactly. Facebook and others can counter all they want that ABPs whitelisting practices amount to blackmail, that argument doesnt reach most youth, who think Facebook makes obscene profits anyway. By contrast, Facebooks arguments sound like corporate spiel because it is corporate spiel. On August 9, it posted this: For the past few years at Facebook weve worked to better understand peoples concerns with online ads. What weve heard is that people dont like to see ads that are irrelevant to them or that disrupt or break their experience. People also want to have control over the kinds of ads they see. As a result of what weve learned, weve introduced tools to help people control their experience, improved how we decide which ads to show and created new ad formats that complement, rather than detract from, peoples experience online. Notice how this concedes half the points made by ad blockers, that some ads are irrelevant or disruptive? Telling young people that Facebook offers good, rather than bad ads? Will that work? Remember that ABP itself wants to appoint a committee that will decide on acceptable ads, not let Facebook do it. It may be perfectly obvious to any MediaPost reader that there would be no Facebook without some kind of ad revenue, but that doesnt matter to the young audience that has racked up 300 million Adblock Plus downloads. We downloaded ABP software last week, and have been using it since, with a Safari browser. It took about 30 seconds. Sticking It To Corporate America This comes down to an almost existential question that all MediaPost readers should ask themselves. We work in a world supported by ads. We are writing about advertising, and we see it as a vital industry (if not the most popular one in America). At least Don Draper was cool, right? But, given the choice, would you use an ad blocker if the thought occurred to you? Is your decision to not download one a statement in favor of our industry, or are you just lazy? Hundreds of millions of Facebook users have no qualms about disrupting Facebooks revenue stream. As a matter of fact, its probably the safest, most legal way to stick it in the eye of corporate America, other than shoplifting. We think much of the publishing community does not understand what is going on here. In a bizarre piece, The New Yorker weighed in on this August 12. The point seems to be that Facebook is moving against ABP now because it will give them a further huge advantage over most online publishers, who lack engineers who are good enough to foil the open source community. This could have something to do with it, but we think its more about taking a stand now, before advertisers start voting with their feet. P&G told the WSJ recently that it was going to cut back on Facebook advertising. That could have set off alarm bells. The New Yorker itself, and Conde Nast in general, clearly lack the resources to fight ABP. If you go to newyorker.com with an ad blocker, the slots for ads are replaced with magazine subscription links. That sounds like defeat to me. Online publishers want to believe that ABP will lose this war. We note Fortunes piece August 12, Here's Why Facebook Is Always Going to Win the Ad-Blocking War. The author claims that because Facebook has unlimited engineers and resources, they can make ads that look precisely to an algorithm like Facebook content, and ABP and others wont know what to block. But if one compares Facebooks resources, with the clever and seemingly endless abilities of the open source community, which came up with a work-around for Facebooks first effort in only a few hours, I am not so sure. Think of those clever hackers out there who can access the DNCs email and who knows what else. And then think about all those people you know who think Julian Assange and Edward Snowden are such big heroes. In that light, the inevitable victory of Facebook is not so pre-determined. by Yan Moukoury , Columnist, August 18, 2016 In June, Snapchat announced that more than two-thirds of its video ads are viewed with the sound on. This announcement was considered a not-so-subtle jab at competitor Facebooks track record on sound; 85% of the social networks ads are viewed with sound off and captions on. Given that sound and video have been ubiquitously intertwined since the Roaring Twenties, Facebooks lack of ad sound is stark. Nevertheless, soundlessness has become so endemic to Facebook that the company urges advertisers to take captions into account for their videos. Brands like Hotels.com have launched ads that poke fun at this quality. Why have Facebooks ads regressed to a time before sound, but Snapchats have not? Here are four factors: 1. Snapchats users are in a more receptive state of mind for ads. People use Snapchat primarily to view funny things, according to a study by the University of Washington. With this motivation, an ad will find users in a state of mind that is much kinder to advertisements. In contrast, Facebook is primarily used to provide and check updates among ones friends and family. A 2014 survey of Facebook users found that seeing entertaining/funny posts was only the third-greatest Facebook motivation among women and fourth among men. For marketers, this is troublesome, as people are less receptive to ads when they are focused on sharing updates within their social circles. Ad sound can be interpreted as an intrusion into personal conversations among family and friends. advertisement advertisement 2. Facebook is used more at work than is Snapchat. Facebook is more commonly used at work than Snapchat. In fact, Facebook is the most-used social network for work, beating out LinkedIn, employer-provided networks, other and Twitter. As such, video with sound will be particularly unwelcome to workers not seeking to interrupt their colleagues or give their boss the impression theyre slacking off. Snapchat, unburdened by work-related use, is more likely to be used in situations when sound will be less disruptive. 3. Facebook must accommodate a desktop user base. Another reason Facebook users watch video with the sound off is because sound is more difficult to toggle on desktop than mobile. Snapchat, meanwhile, is currently isolated from the rest of the web; its central to the apps appeal. As a result, its user interface is much simpler compared to other social networks that must accommodate navigation with a traditional mouse and keyboard. With the flick of their finger, Snapchat users can digest quick bouts of content, stopping and starting videos with ease. This is more conducive to sound than more complicated interfaces. 4. Snapchats ads are click-to-play. Perhaps most importantly, all Facebook video is autoplay by default. This may be due to Facebooks insistence that 3 seconds is a view, and videos are more likely get to that point if users have no choice of when it starts. Having sound on by default, however, would be a bridge too far for users. Even in 2009, four years before Facebook introduced autoplay video, 70% of web users disliked ads playing sound with no prior warning. Snapchat ads, on other hand, are click-to-play, implying those who view them are genuinely interested in their content. This simple difference between Facebook and Snapchats videos leads to increased user engagement with ads, sound and all. Bottom Line At a time when consumers are installing ad blockers in record amounts, marketers are being challenged to find the best ways to engage audiences. Without sound, video ads lose the music, dialogue and much of the emotional resonance that make them such a unique medium for brands. This stark difference in sound for ads between Snapchat and Facebook is a teachable moment for marketers. Sound in video has been a staple for a century, and because of Facebook users state of mind, location, desktop use and the sites pre-roll video have, in some ways, forced them to revert. Snapchats success in sound can be an indication of where the future of advertising is heading. by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, August 18, 2016 The most in-demand product for those headed to college should surprise few. Among this generation, the hottest brand is Yeezy, the collaborative sneaker and clothing line between Adidas and rapper Kanye West. Hitwise, a division of Connexity that collects search data from more than 60 engines like Bing and Google, analyzed the visits from search engines to the Hitwise Retail 500, a collection of the top online shopping sites, which found the Yeezy sneaker grew more than 1,228 ranking points during the four weeks ending Aug. 13, 2016, when compared with the four weeks ending Aug. 15, 2015. The Hitwise Hot Product List measures the year-over-year change in ranking order of about 6,000 product searches and identifies those that have increased the most among product terms that perform well against each of the three audiences: parents of elementary school kids, parents of middle-school and high-school kids and college students+parents of college students. advertisement advertisement Adidas also did well among the middle- and high-school kids where its Ultra Boost shoes landed among other best searched for and selling products among this category like Ghostbuster backpack, iPad Pro, Bento lunch box, and Emoji backpack. Shoppers are in the midst of the back-to-school season, and the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that back-to-school 2016 spending will hit $75.8 billion, up from $68 billion spent last year. Online shopping has seen a jump this year 36.6% in 2015 vs. 46% in 2016. More than 80% of shoppers will take advantage of free shipping and more than 53% will buy online and pick up in-store, according to the NRF. So how does a brand compete with a hot-ranking back-to-school brand? There is still an opportunity to make an impact. Think of it this way. If someone's looking for a direct competitor's product or service it makes sense to assume they might be looking for your products and services too. There are some pros and cons to bidding on competing hot terms in paid search. For one thing, which search marketers know well, the more competitive the term the higher the price and not all are willing to invest in a higher cost per acquisition. Overall, visits to the Hitwise Retail 500, a collection of the top online shopping sites, rose 2.6% during the four weeks ending Aug. 13, 2016 compared with the year-ago weeks. That means approximately 100 million more online shopping visits this back to school season so far, according to Hitwise. The back-to-school hot product were analyzed based on the increase in rank position of nearly 6,000 unique search variations in aggregate sites of weekly tracked products on the Hitwise list. Among the college set, Microsoft Surface Pro 4 rose more than 575 spots in the ranking landing at No. 152. The movement reflects the "hotness" among the market segments and the "ranking" reflects where the product falls in the line of best loved products. Kegerator also won among students heading to college, rising in the ranking 417 points. The Sound bar followed rising 198 points and Gaming Chair slightly more than 100. The hottest products among elementary school kids were Lands' End lunch boxes, Pokemon backpacks, loft beds with desk, transformers, and Hush Puppies shoes. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, August 18, 2016 T-Mobile today unveiled a new version of its "unlimited data" plan. But the fine print makes clear that the company is stretching the meaning of unlimited. The new option, T-Mobile One, will cost just $70 a month. But there are drawbacks. For one, the plan will throttle all streaming video to 480 lines per screen -- enough to watch in standard definition, but not high-definition. People who want high-definition video will have to pay an extra $25 a month. T-Mobile also is drastically curbing people's ability to use their phones as hotspots by throttling hotspot users to 2G speeds. People who want the ability to tether their phones will have to pay an extra $15 a month for each 5 GB of hotspot data. In addition, T-Mobile says it may slow the speeds of people who use more than 26 GB per month. T-Mobile boasts that the new offering is "a radically simple subscription to the mobile Internet." But whether it's good for consumers remains unclear. advertisement advertisement While the plan may well turn out to be cheaper for some people, it also could prove more expensive for others. T-Mobile's current "unlimited" data plan costs $95 a month, but offers unlimited high-definition streaming, as well as 14 GB of hotspot data. New T-Mobile customers who want to purchase an equivalent package would have to pay around $130. (Current customers can keep their plans, at least for now.) Still, even though some of the company's boasts of "unlimited" data may raise questions, the new plan addresses one of the major criticisms sparked by last year's controversial launch of the zero-ratings service Binge On. With Binge On, T-Mobile exempted video streams offered by around 100 providers from the data caps of consumers who paid by the byte. T-Mobile also throttled all video to 480p when Binge On was activated. Net neutrality advocates criticized the feature on a number of fronts, including that the company's technical requirements excluded some video distributors at launch. In January, Stanford professor Barbara van Schewick said in a report that Binge On undermined net neutrality by giving people incentives to watch videos from a select group of companies. "A core principle of net neutrality is that ISPs should not pick winners and losers online by favoring some applications over others," she writes. "But thats exactly what Binge On does," she wrote. The new service at least appears to overcome that complaint by allowing people to stream unlimited video from any sources they like, provided they don't object to T-Mobile's throttling. The deal would have cost between $1 and $2 for each phone, which in terms of audience acquisition is a pretty typical price. The scoop comes via an Ad Age report, which cites unnamed agency executives. Its unclear whether the cell service carrier got any takers, and if they did, there would likely have been some upset customers registering complaints regarding the use of space on their phones. The downloads were only made available on Android because Apple has a tighter reign on which apps can make it onto its phones. advertisement advertisement While such a strategy would have spiked downloads, the resulting negative association would likely have outweighed the marginal benefits of a few one-time users. Mobile marketers are still wrapping their heads around the idea that less is more when it comes to app marketing. Few users will stick with an app unless it offers an indispensable service to them. Having a solid engagement and retention strategy will be of more value in the long run than a cheap and verifiable download. The offering also didnt offer any targeting, so it would have been an inaccurate scattershot approach to audience buying. The move seems a little desperate, but it makes sense. It is an extremely competitive cell carrier space, and Verizon needs to monetize more effectively. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, August 18, 2016 Siding against Google, a federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that the company unlawfully scans Gmail messages for ad-targeting purposes. But the opinion, issued Friday, appeared to leave open the possibility that the case could still be dismissed on the grounds that Google's email scans didn't cause any concrete injuries. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed last year by San Francisco resident Daniel Matera, who said he doesn't have a Gmail account, but is forced to communicate with Gmail users due to the "ubiquity of Gmail." Matera, like others who have sued Google and Yahoo over email ads, alleged that Google "intercepts" email messages and sells ads based on their contents. He accused Google of violating the federal wiretapping law as well as a California privacy law. advertisement advertisement Google's terms of service currently disclose that it analyzes the contents of email messages for features including "tailored advertising." But Matera says that as a non-Gmail user, he never agreed to those terms. Google argued in papers filed last October that the case should be dismissed for several reasons, including that scanning emails for ad purposes isn't covered by the wiretapping law. That statute prohibits companies from "intercepting" electronic communications without people's consent, but contains exceptions for interceptions in the ordinary course of business. Google said the email scans were made in the ordinary course of business, but Koh disagreed. She ruled that the scans would only be in the ordinary course of business if Google had to engage in them in order to provide email. "Google is able to provide the Gmail service to at least some users without intercepting, scanning, and analyzing the content of email for advertising purposes," she wrote, referencing the company's 2014 move to stop scanning emails sent through its education apps. "This strongly suggests that the alleged interception, scanning, and analysis of email neither facilitates nor is incidental to the provision of Googles electronic communication service." The decision was consistent with two prior rulings by Koh in other privacy lawsuits against Google and Yahoo. In 2013, Koh first ruled that Google potentially violated privacy laws by scanning emails in order to surround them with ads. That lawsuit was brought on behalf of Gmail account holders as well as non-Gmail users. Google resolvedthe matter in 2014; settlement terms were never disclosed. Koh also allowed Web users to bring a privacy class-action against Yahoo for allegedly scanning emails for ad targeting purposes. She recently tentatively approved a settlement that requires Yahoo to add new language to its privacy policy, and to make some technical changes to the way it scans emails, but doesn't require the company to otherwise change its ad-targeting efforts. The agreement doesn't call for Yahoo to pay monetary damages to Web users whose privacy allegedly was violated, but provides for payments of up to $4 million to the attorneys who brought the case. In June, Google filed new papers arguing that the lawsuit should be dismissed based on the Supreme Court's recent decision in a case against the online data broker Spokeo. The Supreme Court's decision in the data broker case stemmed from a 2010 lawsuit by Virginia resident Thomas Robins, who alleged that Spokeo violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by posting incorrect information about him. The Supreme Court ruled in May that Robins can only proceed in federal court if he can show that Spokeo's errors caused him a "concrete" injury. Google said that decision entitles it to dismissal of Matera's case, arguing that he can't show a concrete injury. "Plaintiff does not allege, for example, that the alleged violations led to the disclosure of his confidential information to third parties, or that he suffered any other purported harm from the alleged 'interceptions' of his emails," Google wrote. Koh said in her ruling that she would address Google's contentions regarding that issue in a future order. by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, August 19, 2016 After a strong fundraising haul in July, the Donald Trump campaign has at long last made its first broadcast TV buy of the general election. New ads could hit the airwaves as early as today, and are expected to run through August 29. The monies are being deployed in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania all swing states where Hillary Clinton has established a lead in the polls. As we get closer to September, expect more states to be added to the list. For now, this gives us a good idea of where the Trump campaign thinks it can make the biggest impact, as well as the states it deems central to a November win. According to NBC, the biggest ad buy is in Florida, where the Trump family has a home base. Florida has been one of the most contentious swing states over the years, and recently, the Clinton campaign has taken a high single-digit lead in polling. Trump will spend a minimum of $1.44 million in Florida with a focus on Orlando ($441K) and Tampa ($440K). The campaign will also spend in Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, as well as smaller five digit buys in other cities. advertisement advertisement Pennsylvania is another critical swing state where Hillary Clinton has developed a strong polling lead that reaches into the low double digits. The state being targeted by the Trump campaign with at least $985K in broadcast ad buys. Trump is spending a majority of the buy in Philadelphia ($530K), with $211K allocated to both Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. In North Carolina, the Trump campaign will spend $838K, directed mostly at voters in Charlotte ($347K) and Raleigh ($220K). The last state in this first iteration of Trumps broadcast TV advertising strategy is Ohio, where the campaign will spend $204K in Columbus and $195K in Cincinnati, with low six-digit buys in Dayton and Toledo. Polls show Clinton ahead in all four states since around June, bar a few lost polls showing Trump with slim leads in late June or July. Clintons swing state spend, and the $61 million spent by her campaign so far on TV in the general election, has shifted much of the swing state map the blue column. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, August 19, 2016 CTIA, the trade group for the wireless industry, is joining Comcast in urging the Federal Communications Commission to allow "pay-for-privacy" broadband pricing schemes. "Allowing consumers a variety of options regarding whether to receive a discount on broadband service in exchange for personalized advertising should be preserved," the CTIA says in a new FCC filing. The FCC is considering issuing tough broadband privacy rules that would require broadband providers to obtain consumers' opt-in consent before tracking them for ad purposes. When the agency requested comments about that proposal, regulators also sought input about methods for obtaining consent, including whether providers should be able to charge consumers higher fees to avoid online tracking. AT&T already does so in Austin and Kansas City. U-Verse customers in those cities who agree to accept AT&T's Internet Preferences ad-targeting program can purchase 1-GB service for $70 a month. Customers who don't want to participate in Internet Preferences are charged $99 a month for the same service. (With taxes and fees, the price difference reportedly is as high as $66 a month.) advertisement advertisement A group of Democratic lawmakers recently urged the FCC to prohibit that type of "pay-for-privacy" billing, arguing it's "counter to our nation's core principle that all Americans have a fundamental right to privacy." The lawmakers added that those pricing models "may disproportionately harm low-income customers, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations." The CTIA counters in its latest filing that pay-for-privacy models -- which the group refers to as "hybrid payment models" -- are nothing new. "Hybrid payment models have been in commerce for centuries, including advertising supported magazines, grocery store loyalty programs, and app-based discount programs for retail establishments," the CTIA writes in its most recent filing, which summarizes arguments it made during two meetings this week with FTC officials. The group goes on to compare broadband carriers' pay-for-privacy plans to business models of companies like Google and Facebook. "Many internet companies rely on use of consumer data as their sole source of income, like search engines and social networks," the CTIA writes. "Such offerings can lead to significant cost savings for all consumers, enable more valuable services for consumers, and mirror much of the economic activity that consumers expect." But, as FCC Chairman Wheeler and privacy advocates have said for months, broadband carriers aren't equivalent to Google, Bing, LinkedIn or Facebook. For one thing, most people have choices about Web sites to visit or which services to use, but limited options for broadband access. Also, most people already have tools at their disposal to prevent their information from being collected by Web sites. For instance, people can tweak their browser settings to prevent ad networks and other companies from setting third-party cookies; doing so blocks many forms of online data collection. But prevent tracking by broadband providers is technologically harder. Another key difference between broadband providers and Web services companies is that only broadband providers have a view into all unencrypted traffic -- including visits to non-commercial sites. The FCC hasn't yet set a date for voting on the proposed privacy rules, but that could happen very soon. Wheeler said this week that the agency is progressing with a variety of initiatives, including "protecting consumer privacy rights for network-generated information." He added that the FCC intends to complete its work on broadband privacy by the end of the year. New research suggests that intelligence-led heart disease prevention can significantly increase the prescription of preventive drugs to the patients who can benefit most. The findings, published in the British Journal of General Practice, present a strategy that could address the under-treatment of individuals at highest risk of heart disease or stroke. Information in electronic medical records was used to target patients at highest risk of heart disease and invite them for a check-up. The authors believe that it presents clear evidence that using electronic medical records to target patients for health checks is a better solution than the current programme of NHS Health Checks for all. Official policy of Health Checks for all adults has been the subject of high profile reviews, which highlight their inability to identify enough high risk eligible patients or to start enough preventive drugs in patients who need them. This study took place in 26 general practices from urban areas in the West Midlands region of the UK between February 2009 and August 2012. Untreated high-risk patients between the ages of 35-74 were identified from their GP's electronic medical records. A high-risk patient community is defined by at least 20 in 100 being expected to get heart disease within the next ten years. Most of the identified group were middle-aged males, and around half were smokers. A dedicated nurse, resourced and managed separately from the primary care team, then invited them for a check-up. The study compared the number of patients started on preventive drugs when the nurse was actively inviting patients to the number started in a similar time period before the nurse arrived. Of the 2926 high-risk patients identified when the nurse was working in the practice, 19.7% were started on treatment. Before the nurse arrived there were 2969 high-risk patients, similar in age and sex, but only 10.8% were started on treatment. Professor Tom Marshall, from the University of Birmingham, explained: "We know that the treatments work. The problem has been identifying the highest-risk patients who benefit most and offering them blood pressure treatment or statins." Official UK government policy is to offer NHS Health Checks to everybody aged over 40 years. Professor Marshall added: "Health Checks may be wasteful because it does not prioritise those most likely to benefit. We now have strong evidence to support the idea of targeted health checks. It is a bit like intelligence-led policing, putting our staff where they are most likely to be useful." In a pilot study for the research, a group of general practices were provided with a list of high-risk patients, but not one was invited for assessment, suggesting that simply providing a list of high-risk patients to general practice would not be enough. Professor Marshall said: "The pilot study highlighted that there needs to be someone to coordinate inviting and assessing patients. Aside from that, we don't need extra resources. Every GP has electronic patient records and can generate a list of high-risk patients. We can unburden the health service if we stop inviting low-risk patients for Health Checks." The project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) through the Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care for Birmingham and Black Country (CLAHRC-BBC) programme. Article: Targeted case finding in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial, Karla Hemming, Ronan Ryan, Paramjit Gill, Paul Westerby, Kate Jolly, Tom Marshall, British Journal of General Practice, doi: 10.3399/bjgp16X686629, published 16 August 2016. A new study in animal models, led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), suggests that the eye's lacrimal glands can be repaired by injecting a kind of regenerative "progenitor" cell. The eye's lacrimal gland is small but mighty. This gland produces moisture needed to heal eye injuries and clear out harmful dust, bacteria and other invaders. If the lacrimal gland is injured or damaged by aging, pollution or even certain pharmaceutical drugs, a person can experience a debilitating condition called aqueous deficiency dry eye (ADDE) - sometimes called "painful blindness." Now a new study in animal models, led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), suggests that lacrimal glands can be repaired by injecting a kind of regenerative "progenitor" cell. "This is the first step in developing future therapies for the lacrimal gland," said TSRI biologist Helen Makarenkova, who led the study. The findings were published this week in the online Early Edition of the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine. Up for the Challenge If injured, a healthy lacrimal gland naturally regenerates itself in about seven days. When diseased and chronically inflamed, however, regeneration stops - and scientists are not sure why. In the new study, Makarenkova and her colleagues looked at whether they could kick start regeneration by injecting progenitor cells into the lobes that make up the lacrimal gland. Progenitor cells are similar to stem cells in their ability to differentiate into different kinds of tissue. In this study, the researchers used progenitor cells that were poised to become epithelial tissue, a key component of the lacrimal gland. The researchers knew they faced a major challenge: sorting and separating "sticky" epithelial cell progenitors without destroying them. "We had to figure out how to dissociate the tissue into single cells without completely obliterating everything," said Anastasia Gromova, the study's first author, now a graduate student at the University of California, San Diego, who spearheaded the project while interning at TSRI during her undergraduate years. The researchers solved this problem by developing markers to label the cells of interest and then testing different enzymes and other reagents to draw them out of tissues. Restoring Eye Health With these cells in hand, the researchers injected them into the lacrimal glands of mouse models of Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that results in ADDE, dry mouth and other symptoms. The team used only older, female mice because ADDE most commonly strikes that demographic in humans. The treated mice showed a significant increase in tear production, indicating - for the first time - that epithelial cell progenitors could repair the lacrimal gland. Further tests suggested that epithelial cell progenitors helped by restoring the connection between cells called myoepithelial contractile cells and the lacrimal gland's secretory cells, which produce tears. The next step in this research will be to study how long the improvement in the lacrimal gland lasts after progenitor cell injections. Makarenkova said the eventual goal is to develop therapies to boost a patient's own regenerative abilities. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health's National Eye Institute (grant EY021292), the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant 12-04-01621-a) and an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship. Article: Lacrimal Gland Repair Using Progenitor Cells, Anastasia Gromova, Dmitry A. Voronov, Miya Yoshida, Suharika Thotakura, Robyn Meech, Darlene A. Dartt and Helen P. Makarenkova, Stem Cells Translational Medicine, doi: 10.5966/sctm.2016-0191, published online 15 August 2016. A team of researchers from Utah State University, Logan, has characterized the consensus genome sequences of three historically important Zika virus strains. This work is an important step towards developing antiviral therapeutic and preventive strategies against Zika, and related viruses. The research is published in Genome Announcements, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology. "The epidemic in the Americas is potentially threatening the entire world," said senior author Young-Min Lee, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah State University. The new research, he said, will ultimately lead to stopping Zika's spread, and preventing future outbreaks. Previously, these researchers focused on understanding the molecular basis of viral replication and pathogenesis of the Japanese encephalitis virus, a mostly neglected but clinically important pathogen, which, like Zika, is a flavivirus. That research has provided a lot of information that will be critical to efforts to tame Zika, said Lee. For example, the researchers had sequenced several clinically important strains of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), and had developed a "reverse genetics" system for manipulating those viruses. That system made it possible to create recombinant and mutant JEVs. That, and other tools these investigators developed for JEV can easily be adapted to use on Zika. For example, these tools will allow them to create an attenuated Zika virus that can serve as a candidate vaccine, said Lee. The researchers can attenuate the virus by inactivating proteins that Zika uses to invade human cells. The first of the three strains whose sequences the researchers have characterized was isolated in 1947, from a sentinel rhesus monkey in Uganda. "A sentinel animal is an animal intentionally placed in a particular environment to detect the presence of an infectious agent in the area," said Lee. "Zika virus was discovered accidentally in the Zika forest of Uganda during a search for yellow fever virus, another flavivirus related to Zika." The second strain of Zika was isolated in 1966, from a pool of Aedes aegypti mosquitos in Malaysia. The third strain is responsible for the epidemic that recently swept Latin America. It was first isolated in early 2015, in Puerto Rico, and has now reached Florida, where it has begun to spread. From this research, and from an analysis using the sequences of 29 available Zika virus genomes, the Utah team has shown that these viruses fall into two major genetic lineages. One of these is African, and the other is Asian. The latter includes both the Malaysian, and the American epidemic strain. That latter strain is derived from an ancestor of the Asian lineage. Meanwhile, questions remain as to why the strains differentiated. Viruses face different environments in different hosts, said Lee. "The most obvious and significant challenge is the host immune response, and evasion of the host immune response is a key feature of the survival strategy. Studies are currently underway at Utah State University to examine the functional importance of the genetic variation on viral replication and pathogenesis." Article: Complete Genome Sequences of Three Historically Important, Spatiotemporally Distinct, and Genetically Divergent Strains of Zika Virus: MR-766, P6-740, and PRVABC-59, Sang-Im Yun, Byung-Hak Song, Jordan C. Frank, Justin G. Julander, Irina A. Polejaeva, Christopher J. Davies, Kenneth L. White, Young-Min Lee, Genome Announcements, doi: 10.1128/genomeA.00800-16, published July 2016. Some anxiety is perfectly normal for kidney transplant patients, but new research suggests that medical staff can help patients feel more at ease when they leave the hospital and that could decrease the chances they'll be readmitted. High levels of anxiety a week after a kidney transplant patient went home more than doubled the chances he or she would be readmitted within 30 days of release, researchers found. And anxiety was higher for patients who received inconsistent directions related to post-discharge care while in the hospital and who reported less-than-optimal empathy on the part of nurses, doctors and other caregivers, researchers from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and Wexner Medical Center report in September's Journal of Surgical Research. "The more patient-centric the care, the more trust the patient had in the information provided, the lower the anxiety level after discharge," said Aravind Chandrasekaran, study co-author and an associate professor of operations and associate director of Fisher's Center for Operational Excellence. "If you're anxious, you're going to come back." Readmissions can happen for true medical reasons - such as a patient taking the wrong medications or not adhering to post-transplant safety measures. They can also arise when the worried well return unnecessarily, said Susan Moffatt-Bruce, study co-author, cardiothoracic surgeon and chief quality and patient safety officer at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center. "Sometimes we can make ourselves unwell because we've been so anxious," she said. Standardizing post-transplant care and training caregivers to convey more empathy during their educational interactions could go a long way toward keeping new kidney recipients well and out of the hospital, the study concluded. "It comes down to understanding the whole patient," Moffatt-Bruce said. "With some simple interventions, including being kind and being present, we can make a difference." About 17,000 people receive kidney transplants each year in the United States and more than 100,000 are on the waiting list, according to 2014 data from the Health Resources and Services Administration. More than 30 percent of them are readmitted within 30 days of their release, previous research has found. When patients head home, good self-care - including taking medications properly and avoiding infection risks - is critical for maintaining good health. But the list of instructions for transplant patients is long and it can be confusing, Chandrasekaran said. On top of that, patients sometimes hear conflicting advice from different members of their care team. Prior to beginning the study, he and his collaborators reasoned that anxiety after discharge could be a significant player in the high rate of readmissions. Ohio State's research team first interviewed 20 patients who received a transplant at the Wexner Medical Center to get a handle on the quality of care delivered during hospitalization. In general, the interviews suggested that information conveyed to patients varied depending on the caregiver and was delivered "in a somewhat rushed manner." Researchers also shadowed the care team to listen first-hand to the instructions they gave transplant patients after their surgeries. One example of inconsistent advice they witnessed: One nurse recommended "a lot of fluids," another said to drink two liters a day and another told the patient to consume 100 ounces. "There must have been 16 different ways to tell them to drink a lot of water," Chandrasekaran said, adding that this wasn't because the nurses weren't following protocol. Rather, they were passing along various guidelines they'd been told over the years. The researchers then used information from those shadowing experiences and the initial 20 interviews to develop surveys given to another 77 kidney recipients, 24 of whom were readmitted within 30 days. "We wanted to see what was it that caused them to have anxiety and what could we do to alleviate that," Moffatt-Bruce said. "We asked patients, 'What went right, what went wrong?' " The researchers assessed the consistency of patient education using a five-item test that measured the ease of getting information and the level of understanding of symptoms and procedures. To evaluate empathy, they used a three-item scale that asked patients about their comfort level when they interacted with caregivers. The researchers worked closely with the entire transplant team at Ohio State's medical center, including 24 nurses and several physicians. They found a strong association between anxiety levels a week after discharge and readmission within a month. They also found that the odds of getting readmitted increase by 110 percent for a one-unit increase in anxiety levels. They did not find a direct link between consistency and empathy measured in the surveys and readmissions. But they did find that those elements appeared to play a clear role in raising anxiety, which was linked to readmissions. The researchers took into account factors that could skew their findings - including age, ethnicity, preexisting health conditions and the function of the transplanted organ upon discharge. Since conducting this work, the researchers and transplant staff designed interventions to improve pre-discharge care and attempt to reduce preventable readmissions. The discharge nurses, in particular, played a key role in the changes, which have cut the number of individual instructions given to patients from about 80 to 25, Moffatt-Bruce said. "When you go home you're going to be more confident, you're going to be safer and you're going to be less likely to come back to the hospital," she said. The researchers plan to publish results from the follow-up study soon. Advertisement Scientists have long struggled to find an effective strategy against cocaine addiction, which is estimated to affect more than two million Americans, resulting annually in about half a million emergency room visits and hundreds of thousands of rehab facility admissions. There is still no FDA-approved drug specifically for treating cocaine addiction.Addiction researchers know that cocaine produces a huge surge in the levels of dopamine in the "mesocorticolimbic reward system," where the brain registers pleasurable experiences and wires itself to want them. In rat models, repeated exposure to cocaine--which the animals readily self-administer--causes long-lasting adaptive changes in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex, two key areas of this reward system.Over the past decade, studies have found that these changes are mediated at least partly by changes in production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which works by activating TrkB receptors. Mimicking that effect by injecting BDNF directly into the nucleus accumbens strongly increases rats' motivation for cocaine and other measures of dependency. By contrast, blocking BDNF production or BDNF/TrkB signaling in this brain region reduces the signs of dependency.Those results have suggested TrkB-blocking as a new therapeutic strategy against addiction. One problem has been that BDNF has the opposite effect on addiction-type behavior when it acts in the medial prefrontal cortex. In experiments with rats, BDNF applied to this region reduces dependency behaviors, whereas blocking BDNF/TrkB signaling increases those behaviors."Based on these previous findings, we were very excited to investigate whether blocking TrkB receptors throughout the brain would be beneficial or detrimental in helping to reduce the motivation to take cocaine," said Michel M.M. Verheij, a research associate at TSRI at the time of the study, now at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands.For the new study, which appeared recently in The Journal of Neuroscience, Contet and her colleagues examined the overall effects of blocking TrkB signaling, using a recently developed TrkB-receptor blocker, or "antagonist," that can successfully get into the brain after being injected into the bloodstream.The team found in rats that had learned to self-administer cocaine infusions by pressing a lever, the TrkB blocker powerfully reduced basic behavioral measures of cocaine use and dependency--and did so more strongly when the dose was higher. The treated rats used much less cocaine, were much less willing to press the lever many times to get more cocaine, and were less inclined to "relapse" when re-exposed to cocaine after a period of withdrawal.These behavioral improvements were accompanied by signs of lower, more normal TrkB signaling activity in the nucleus accumbens. Surprisingly, signs of TrkB signaling activity in the brain's medial prefrontal cortex also showed a move toward normal--rising, despite the presence of the TrkB-blocking drug."We suspect that the antagonist has its primary action in the nucleus accumbens, where it's logical that it would prevent the activation that is triggered by cocaine," said Contet, "while what happens in the prefrontal cortex is probably a downstream consequence, rather than a direct effect of the TrkB antagonist in that region."Importantly, the TrkB-blocking treatment did not blunt the rats' appetite for a sweet-tasting glucose-saccharine solution. "That's good because it shows that the TrkB antagonist doesn't work by causing a general suppression of appetite or activity, but specifically reduces the sense of reward and motivation for cocaine," Contet said.Contet and her colleagues now hope that their results will encourage clinicians to consider the therapeutic potential of the TrkB-blocking strategy in humans with cocaine addiction. TrkB-blocking compounds are already being investigated by academic and pharmaceutical company laboratories for treating disorders including anxiety, depression, and brain cancer.Source: Eurekalert Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends. Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice. Circadian rhythm (also known as the sleep/wake cycle or the body clock ) is a biological process that follows an internal cycle of roughly 24 hours. The term circadian ( Circa means "around" or "approximately" and diem meaning "day" in Latin). Circadian rhythms are our daily activity cycle and include body's natural cycles that control appetite, energy, mood, sleep and libido. To be circadian in nature, the rhythm must be - Endogenous - The rhythm must persist in constant conditions without external periodic inputs - The rhythm must persist in constant conditions without external periodic inputs Entrainable - The rhythm can be reset by exposure to external stimuli (zeitgebers) like light and heat. - The rhythm can be reset by exposure to external stimuli (zeitgebers) like light and heat. Exhibit Temperature Compensation - The rhythm must maintain a 24-hour clock despite the changes occurring in the bodys cells due to temperature fluctuations outside. All living beings including cyanobacteria, plants, animals, birds and fungi, have a certain rhythm that regulates our internal clocks and life itself. The discovery of circadian rhythms in the early 80's led to a new science called 'chronobiology'. These body rhythms are tied to the cycles and rhythms of nature. When functioning properly, the human circadian rhythm will respond to the morning light of a new day. Light will stimulate the body to produce cortisol, serotonin, other hormones and neurotransmitters that get a person up and going and cause the blood pressure and body temperature to rise. At sunset, the body receives another of natures cues and responds to dusk and ultimately the nights darkness. As the sun goes down, the body will produce and secrete the hormone melatonin, and blood pressure will drop as the body prepares for and eventually falls off to sleep. Advertisement This rhythm controls the timing, quantity and quality of the hormones and neurotransmitters the body produces and eventually secretes. Hormones and neurotransmitters are the elements that determine how we feel, our sleep patterns, appetite, sex drive and other sleep and mood-related issues. When functioning properly, our circadian rhythms create circadian balance. When out of balance, quantity, quality and timing of hormone and neurotransmitter secretion suffer and our bodies suffer from a circadian rhythm disorder (CRD). Almost all of us, at some stage in life fall out of balance and suffer from sleep, mood or anxiety disorders. When circadian rhythm disorder affects sleep it is termed circadian rhythm sleep disorder (CRSD). The field of chronobiology has revealed that the body undergoes more than just blood pressure variations. In fact, the body passes through significant changes throughout a day. The circadian rhythm disorder related to the sleep-wake cycle can be categorized predominantly into primary and secondary types. 1. Primary Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders In these sleep disorders the changes in rhythm are not due to any known reason and become an established pattern. The different patterns are a. Delayed Circadian Rhythm Disorder (DCR) People with this disorder are commonly referred to as Night Owls. It occurs mostly in young adults and adolescents where the body clocks run slower than a normal circadian rhythm (24-hour period). The pineal gland releases the nighttime hormone melatonin too late and the people tend to sleep late and 'wake up' later in the morning or day. Advertisement Symptoms include Difficulty falling and staying asleep, and or late night insomnia. insomnia. Individuals with DCR fall asleep late and wake up late. An increase of energy/mood in the evening or late at night. Difficulty concentrating, being alert, or accomplishing tasks. Some DCR sufferers oversleep and have trouble getting up. A general lack of energy in the morning. b. Advanced Circadian Rhythm Disorder (ACR) People with this disorder are called Morning Larks. It occurs mostly in the elderly where the body clock is running faster than a normal 24-hour period making. Melatonin gets released prematurely. Hence, one feels tired earlier in the evening and they tend to sleep early and awaken early. Symptoms include: Early morning awakening and/or early morning insomnia. ACR is characterized by a persistent early evening sleep onset time and an early morning wake-up time. Inconsistent sleep with one or more awake periods during the night. Lack of energy during the day, feeling tired in the early afternoon and/or evening. Alertness and ability to function may also be diminished. Some ACR sufferers may not notice a sleep problem but lose energy and feel tired or down in the afternoon or evening time. c. Bimodal Circadian Rhythm Disorder (BCR) or Irregular Sleep/Wake Cycle In this disorder, there is more than one sleep period, which is not sustained. This may be due to melatonin getting released irregularly during day cycle, causing one to feel tired at various times during the day. Since melatonin is released prematurely, the body clock can't sustain a complete sleep cycle. Symptoms include Early morning insomnia, lack of energy during the day, feeling tired in the mid-day, early afternoon and/or evening. An irregular sleep-wake schedule features multiple sleep episodes without evidence of recognizable circadian features of sleep and wakefulness. Daily sleep logs demonstrate irregularity not only of sleep but also of daytime activities, including eating. Difficulty falling asleep, an inability of staying asleep, and awaken one or more times during the night. Alertness and ability to function may also be diminished. d. Non-24 Hour Sleep/Wake Cycle (or Free-running Circadian Rhythm Disorder) This disorder is most commonly found in blind people. The person is not able to perceive the light or dark signal and hence has rhythms independent of a normal 24-hour day. So the bodys need to function is at odds with your rhythm. As a result the body is often producing the wrong withdrawal and sleep hormones when one needs to be active and energetic, and when one needs to sleep. Symptoms include Cycling or inconsistent insomnia that occurs at different times every night. Periodic episodes every few weeks or during the month where sleep/wake pattern is in sync with 24-hour day. Lack of energy during the day, feeling tired in the mid-day, early afternoon and/or evening. Alertness and ability to function may also be diminished. 2. Secondary Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders In these disorders there is a visible cause for the shift in circadian rhythms like: a. Jet Lag Jet lag occurs when the body's biological clock is out of sync with local time. When traveling to a new time zone, our bodies are slow to adjust, and remain on their original biological schedule for several days. The result is that we feel excessively sleepy during the day or stay wide awake at night. The severity of jet lag symptoms is directly related to the number of time zones crossed by a flight. Symptoms include Daytime sleepiness Night time alertness (insomnia). Loss of appetite and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Mood disturbances. Difficulty concentrating or focusing. b. Illness A psychiatric or medical disorder can disrupt the rhythm and lead to disturbed sleep. The changes in sleep rhythm depend on the type and severity of illness. Sometimes the improvement in a psychiatric disease is gauged by the changing sleep patterns. c. Shift Working A shift worker is anyone who follows a work schedule that is outside of the typical "9 to 5" business day. As a result of untimely work schedules the shift workers have disturbed sleep rhythms and face frequent sleep disturbance and associated excessive sleepiness. Symptoms include Excessive sleepiness is the main complaint for people with shift work sleep disorder. Insomnia. Disrupted sleep schedules. Reduced performance. Difficulties with personal relationships. Irritability/depressed mood. The exact incidence and prevalence rates of circadian rhythm sleep disorders are not known. One fourth of all chronic sleep disorders are the result of a mismatch between the bodys internal clock and the external 24-hour schedule. Women suffer from circadian rhythm sleep disorders 2 to 3 times more than men with girls in their teens being more prone to it. with girls in their teens being more prone to it. Womens body clocks speed up sooner than men, usually when in their early 40s. Most mens clocks dont start speeding up or advancing until they reach their 60s. The National Institute of Health estimates that over 35 million Americans suffer from circadian rhythm disorders. Delayed Circadian Rhythm Disorder (DCR): Approximately 7-10% of patients who complain of insomnia are diagnosed with DCR. The prevalence of DCR is probably higher than that because the total sleep time is typically normal in patients with DCR and because patients with DCR adjust their lifestyle to accommodate their sleep schedule and do not seek medical treatment. In adolescence, the prevalence is approximately 7%. Approximately 7-10% of patients who complain of insomnia are diagnosed with DCR. The prevalence of DCR is probably higher than that because the total sleep time is typically normal in patients with DCR and because patients with DCR adjust their lifestyle to accommodate their sleep schedule and do not seek medical treatment. In adolescence, the prevalence is approximately 7%. Advanced Circadian Rhythm Disorder (ACR) probably is quite rare. However, an age-related phase advance is common in the elderly, who tend to go to sleep early and get up early. probably is quite rare. However, an age-related phase advance is common in the elderly, who tend to go to sleep early and get up early. The prevalence of Bimodal Circadian Rhythm Disorder (BCR) has not been established but is said to be quite high. Irregular sleep-wake schedule is common in people with Alzheimers disease. Our daily activity and sleep rhythms are regulated by a control center in the hypothalamus region of the brain called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) or in laymans terms, the body clock. The body clock needs to receive signals to tell it when to shut down and prepare for sleep and when to produce the active waking hormones. The pineal gland in the brain helps by secreting the hormone melatonin that slows us down and lets us sleep. The most powerful signaler or zeitgeber is bright light such as sunshine. Other zeitgebers are darkness, certain sounds, weather and mealtimes. Altered or disrupted sensitivity to zeitgebers is probably the most common cause of the circadian rhythm disorder of the sleep-wake cycle. Some examples for this breakdown may include the following: Disrupted Pacemaker Function : A dysfunction may be present in the internal coupling mechanisms of biological pacemakers, for example, the coupling of the sleep-wake cycle with the temperature cycle. : A dysfunction may be present in the internal coupling mechanisms of biological pacemakers, for example, the coupling of the sleep-wake cycle with the temperature cycle. Environment: Light, higher noise levels, and elevated room temperature are not conducive to good sleep and are important variables to consider in both shift and night workers. Light, higher noise levels, and elevated room temperature are not conducive to good sleep and are important variables to consider in both shift and night workers. Travel: The severity of jet lag is related to the direction of travel and is more frequently seen in individuals traveling in an eastward direction. The number of time zones crossed also has an effect on the severity of jet lag, with most individuals experiencing jet lag if they cross 3 or more time zones. The rate of adjustment is 1.5 hours per day after a westward flight and 1 hour per day after an eastward flight. Neurological Disease: Alzheimers disease is one of the more common examples of neurological disease associated with a circadian rhythm disturbance; however, irregular sleep-wake cycles can also be seen in other neurodegenerative diseases. Sun downing, which is a common phenomenon in persons with Alzheimers disease, is characterized by sleep disruptions with awakenings and confusion. Alzheimers disease is one of the more common examples of neurological disease associated with a circadian rhythm disturbance; however, irregular sleep-wake cycles can also be seen in other neurodegenerative diseases. Sun downing, which is a common phenomenon in persons with Alzheimers disease, is characterized by sleep disruptions with awakenings and confusion. Shift Work : Rapid shift changes and shift changes in the counterclockwise direction are most likely to cause symptoms of a circadian rhythm disorder. : Rapid shift changes and shift changes in the counterclockwise direction are most likely to cause symptoms of a circadian rhythm disorder. Lifestyle and social pressure to stay up late can exacerbate a circadian rhythm disorder. The end result of a rhythm disorder is sleep deprivation. Death and Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders: Many deaths related to circadian rhythm disorders are the result of impaired performance secondary to sleep deprivation; therefore, many times, the deaths are categorized into different headings (e.g., motor vehicle accidents, heavy machinery accidents, other accidents). Sometimes, the deaths are a sequel to the use of hypnotics and/or alcohol to treat insomnia. Shift workers have been found to have a 40% greater cardiovascular disease risk than non-shift workers. Frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms, other psychosomatic symptoms, and psychiatric symptoms increased in shift workers. than non-shift workers. Frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms, other psychosomatic symptoms, and psychiatric symptoms increased in shift workers. Daytime sleepiness in students with DCR disorder has been correlated with negative mood and increased smoking and alcohol consumption. Some of the features of depressive disorders, such as early morning awakening and decreased rapid eye movement (REM) latency, are suggestive of ACR disorder. Whether these changes are secondary to depression or actually cause it has not been established. An accurate history forms the basis for diagnosing these disorders. Obtaining a detailed account of the sleep habits, medical history and the medications used is necessary. Sleep Diary: While not technically a laboratory test, this diary allows identification of sleep-wake cycles in the normal environment and allows subjective assessment of alertness over a 2-week time period. Sleep logs also can be used for self-monitoring and as an adjunct to behavioral treatment. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS): This scale is based on a set of eight questions and rate responses on a scale of 0 -3 based on whether the situation was likely to be associated with dozing behavior. It was designed to give an indication of daytime sleepiness. Actigraphy: An Actigraph is a small motion-sensing device worn on the nondominant wrist, generally for 1 week. It is based on the premise that wrist motion is decreased during sleep. This allows a very gross measure of sleep-wake cycles over time. An overnight sleep study called a polysomnogram is usually not needed to detect a CRSD. It may be done to rule out other sleep disorders. Imaging studies, such as CT scan and MRI, may be done to evaluate for neurodegenerative diseases. Treatments for this disorder aim at helping the patient achieve one long sleep time at night and one long awake time during the day. Bright light therapy, behavioral therapy and chronotherapy are the mainstays of treatment of circadian rhythm disturbances. Emphasize good sleep hygiene measures and discourages maladaptive behaviors. 1. Bright Light Therapy: The principle of light therapy is to imitate bright sunlight and in turn tune the body clock. The light is provided through a bright light box. This therapy helps a person maintain a consistent circadian rhythm by sending a properly timed signal of light through the retina of the eye to the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus, or body clock in the hypothalamus Circadian rhythm disturbances respond very well to light therapy, especially bright light (>600 Lux). The timing of light therapy also is important as it affects the degree and direction of the rhythm shift. The modes of therapy for different disorders are: Light therapy applied in the early evening and nighttime hours will delay the cycle for Advanced Circadian Rhythm Disorder (ACR) In the early morning light therapy will stimulate morning alertness and an earlier bedtime for Delayed Circadian Rhythm Disorder (DCR). Bimodal Circadian Rhythm Disorder (BCR) may cause a person to be awake during the night, so it is important to avoid light during the night. Use bright light in the mid-morning, afternoon, late afternoon and evening while avoiding bright morning light before 9:00 am. may cause a person to be awake during the night, so it is important to avoid light during the night. Use bright light in the mid-morning, afternoon, late afternoon and evening while avoiding bright morning light before 9:00 am. For sighted people, bright morning light should regulate Non-24 hour Sleep/Wake Cycle symptoms or a free running circadian rhythm Light therapy should always be used within the proper limits for intensity and time. Minor side effects may include the following: Eye irritation and dryness Headache Nausea Dryness of skin 2. Chronotherapy This behavioral treatment consists of a gradual shift in sleep time in accordance with the patient's tendency. The changes recommended for different disorders are: In Delayed Circadian Rhythm Disorder (DCR) a progressive delay of bedtime by 3 hours per day is prescribed, followed by strict maintenance of a regular bedtime hour once the desired schedule is achieved. a progressive delay of bedtime by 3 hours per day is prescribed, followed by strict maintenance of a regular hour once the desired schedule is achieved. In Advanced Circadian Rhythm Disorder (ACR) chronotherapy focuses on advancing bedtime by 2-3 hours per night over 1 week until a desired schedule is achieved. chronotherapy focuses on advancing bedtime by 2-3 hours per night over 1 week until a desired schedule is achieved. For Bimodal Circadian Rhythm Disorder (BCR) and Non-24 hour Sleep/Wake Cycle the therapy is initiated based on the sleep pattern. 3. Lifestyle and Behavioral Modifications Lifestyle modifications like avoiding naps, caffeine and other stimulants can balance the rhythm and reset the clock for effective functioning. The following adaptations can help to modify the rhythm. a. Shift Worker A shift worker has to successfully balance his life and work. Tips for a successful balance would be: Napping: The evening or night worker can take a nap before work to be refreshed. Studies show that napping at the workplace is especially effective for workers who need to maintain a high degree of alertness. In situations where the worker is working double shifts or longer, naps at the workplace are even more important. Make Sleep a Priority: Go to sleep as soon as possible after work. Ensure to get adequate amount of sleep. Set the stage for sleep even though it might be broad daylight outside. Follow bedtime rituals and try to keep the same sleep schedule even on weekends. Safety: Driving home after work can be risky for the shift worker, particularly since he has been awake all night and the body needs to sleep. If sleep is over-whelming than stop to nap, but do so inside the car in a well-lit area. Alternatively you can opt for public transport or car-pooling. Alertness at Work: Take short breaks throughout the shift. Try to exercise during breaks. Don't leave the most tedious or boring tasks to the end of your shift when you are apt to feel the drowsiest Work Place: Install bright lights in the work areas. A well-lit workplace signals the body that it is time to be awake and alert. The planning of shifts should allow sufficient breaks and days off, especially when workers are re-assigned to different shifts. Overtime should not be promoted among shift workers. b. Jet Lag The following steps can help minimize jet lag: Shift your sleep times before you travel. In the few days before traveling West, go to bed and wake up 1 hour later each day. In the few days before traveling East, go to bed and wake up 1 hour earlier each day. In the few days before traveling West, go to bed and wake up 1 hour later each day. In the few days before traveling East, go to bed and wake up 1 hour earlier each day. Regulate your light exposure before you travel. In the few days before traveling West, seek evening light and avoid morning light. In the few days before traveling East, seek morning light and avoid evening light. People can use a bright light box to get light, although people who experience migraines, mood disorders or have eye diseases should first consult with their physician before using one. In the few days before traveling West, seek evening light and avoid morning light. In the few days before traveling East, seek morning light and avoid evening light. People can use a bright light box to get light, although people who experience migraines, mood disorders or have eye diseases should first consult with their physician before using one. Regulate your light exposure in your new time zone. If you traveled West, on arrival, seek morning light and avoid afternoon light. If you traveled East, on arrival seek evening light and avoid morning light. Weather conditions permitting, people can seek light by going outdoors and wearing only lightly tinted sunglasses. Do not look directly at the sun. Light can be avoided by staying indoors away from windows, wearing very dark sunglasses when outside and by sleeping. If you traveled West, on arrival, seek morning light and avoid afternoon light. If you traveled East, on arrival seek evening light and avoid morning light. Weather conditions permitting, people can seek light by going outdoors and wearing only lightly tinted sunglasses. Do not look directly at the sun. Light can be avoided by staying indoors away from windows, wearing very dark sunglasses when outside and by sleeping. Avoid alcohol and caffeine for at least 3-6 hours before bedtime. Avoid heavy exercise close to bedtime. Bring earplugs and blindfolds to reduce noise and light while sleeping. 4. Medications a. Melatonin Dracula of Hormones Melatonin is only released in the dark and prepares a person for sleep. Bright light inhibits the release of melatonin. It is not categorized as a drug, so synthetic melatonin is made in factories that are not regulated by the FDA. Research indicates improved sleep when melatonin is taken at the appropriate time for jet lag and shift work. Evidence suggests that melatonin can reset the body clock. Melatonin might help shift workers on irregular shifts who need to adjust their schedules. When taken in low doses at the appropriate time, melatonin can help advance or delay the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin can be effective for preventing or reducing jet lag, particularly for crossing five or more time zones and when traveling East. Side effects such as fatigue and depression have occasionally been reported with use of melatonin. Questions have been raised as to the synthetic Melatonins dose and its safety, particularly with regard to its effect on the cardiovascular system and reproduction. A melatonin agonist Tasimelteon was approved in the USA in 2014 solely for the treatment of non-24-hour sleepwake disorder in totally blind people. Other Medications for Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders Benzodiazepines: Short-acting benzodiazepines like alprazolam are often chosen in the early treatment of a circadian rhythm disorder and are used in conjunction with behavioral therapy. Long-term use of these medications is not recommended due to potential side effects, such as the rebound phenomenon (the original problem returns at a higher level), and the risk of developing a dependence on these drugs. Non-benzodiazepine Hypnotics: Medications like zolpidem, zaleplon are gaining popularity because they do not have a significant effect on the regular sleep cycle and are not associated with the rebound phenomenon seen with benzodiazepines. 5. Enhancing Environmental Cues This is a part of the treatment of circadian rhythm disorders once a regular pattern of sleep-wake cycle has been established. It is also very important to provide as many circadian signals or zeitgebers as possible. Patients are encouraged to keep a dark quiet room during sleep and a well-lit room upon awakening Patients are encouraged to keep a dark quiet room during sleep and a well-lit room upon awakening Lower night time temperatures (8 lower than daytime temperature) darker evening and dark nights, with very bright morning and daytime light are all helpful Avoid bright light exposure in the evening Enforce regular mealtimes and other activities Untreated disorders tend to become worse, not better. A mild disorder may progress towards a moderate or more acute disorder that becomes difficult to control. A circadian rhythm disorder is likely to be due to production of melatonin at the wrong time of day, when one needs to be more active. Studies have also linked this maladaptation to higher cancer risks. Circadian rhythm disorders may also contribute to stress and other health risks, since the body does not produce the hormones that are required for being active and energetic. A recent study links higher mortality rates to insufficient sleep. Life used to be a lot simpler. Just a few decades ago, we would get up and wind down with the sun. And we spent much more time outdoors than we do now. This was in sync with our internal clock and kept us healthy and free of stress. The clock of the body takes its cue from the sunlight and tells us when to be active and energetic, and when to sleep. The fast-track current lifestyle and the modern inventions that cater to all our needs have changed all this. We no longer need to depend on sunlight to provide us light. Due to the influence of artificial light, the physiology of the internal milieu of our body slowly gets diseased. The circadian related disorders are reaching epidemic proportions. For example, the rate of depression and related disorders has doubled over the last 50 years, and sleep disorders have tripled during the same time. Circadian balance happens when we are in harmony with natures cues or signals. A clock that has worked perfectly for hundreds of generations, if meddled with, is producing new diseases that were unheard of in the past. Tip for Better Sleep Make Your Room Sleep Friendly - Create a sleep conducive environment in your room before you go to sleep. Your bedroom should be free of loud noises that can disturb your sleep. It is suggested that your bedroom temperature should be between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep. And, your bedroom should be free from any light. You can opt to drape your bedroom with blackout curtains, "white noise" machines, humidifiers, fans and other devices to achieve the best conditions for sleep. The Islamic State has long relied on several key factors in making its case for Muslim hearts and minds. For several years, its astonishing military success, achieved, as they often said, "with the permission of Allah," was the best of all statements. An organization given up for dead in 2010 had not only survived but expanded and flourished. The fact that this success was coupled with the restoration of a Caliphate along the lines of the "Prophetic Methodology" just strengthened the case that this Salafi Sunni Muslim revivalist state was a going concern, something very special. While ISIS has been attacked on many real and virtual fronts, one charge that Muslim critics have often made is that ISIS is not Islamic at all. Practicing takfir against the Takfiris, these critics have dubbed them Khawarij or Kharijites ("the Outsiders") after that very early Islamic grouping of the 7th century.[1] These first Kharijites actually came from among the partisans of Ali, and warred against both him and his rival for the Caliphate, Muawiyya Ibn Abi Sufyan. The first Kharijites were puritanical and ruthless non-conformists who rebelled against the Islamic status quo, finding it insufficiently pure. In that sense, there certainly are some similarities with the Islamic State. Today's critics seek to isolate ISIS as "outside" of Islam, even outside of Salafi Islam.[2] While not responding directly to the claim that they are Kharijites, there is no doubt that the Islamic State does exert great efforts to present the image of orthodoxy - orthodoxy of a Salafi Islamist kind.[3] The image to be presented is not a new one; back in 2006, the leader of the new declared Islamic State of Iraq described their rule in this way: "The people of Iraq are today one of the greatest nations on the face of the earth in maintaining monotheism, for there is no polytheistic Sufism being propagated, or shrines being visited, or innovated festivals being celebrated, or candles being lit or a pilgrimage being made to a pagan totem, for the people of Iraq have destroyed these shrines with their own hands so that Allah will be worshiped alone... Go and delve into the country, so that you will see that [there are no longer] places that encourage sordidness or corruption, and no [unveiled women] present to infatuate the young, and to tempt the old, or to be devoured by wolves... Search and you will not find a dance party that angers Allah in His heavens..."[4] As military victory has become scarcer in later 2015 and beyond, the Islamic State has emphasized a series of spectacular acts of terrorism worldwide, and these have certainly captured attention. The fact that many of these victims have been Muslims has strengthened the "Kharijite" argument, as have high-profile forms of slaughter such as the burning alive of a Jordanian pilot in January 2015.[5] But ISIS has not abandoned making the case, through its still-potent propaganda apparatus, that it is faithfully fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a rightly guided Islamic state. The imposition of shari'a is one way that ISIS seeks to demonstrate its impeccable (Salafi) Islamic credentials. Admittedly, ISIS's ideology is actually much more complex than just Salafism.[6] But I am referring here to the projection and imagery of a worldview, rather than the ideology itself. While some in the West focus on some of the Hadd punishments, such as cutting off the hands of thieves or stoning adulterers, the ISIS message is really one of good governance, actually the best possible governance, one that is faithful to the commands of the Almighty. This is nothing new. One of the most heart-breaking videos MEMRI has ever documented is one showing the discussion before ISIS's stoning to death of a woman taken in adultery near Hama, Syria in October 2014.[7] The killers of the woman urged a recalcitrant father to forgive his daughter before they carry out the punishment. Even though they are about to kill her, they come across as seemingly more merciful than her parent. The speaker cautions that "this is a message to all married men from a married Muslim woman, who was driven to do what she did by the mistake of some men. Don't leave your women alone beyond the period designated by the shari'a."[8] A typical recent ISIS video released on August 10, 2016 by Al-Jazeera Province (Wilaya), titled "The Authority of Sharia," graphically presents this vision. The ancient Arabs are shown as idol worshippers - using clips from television serials - until the arrival of Muhammad who ends the first period of ignorance (Al-Jahiliyah). The Islamic State then appears and ends the latter day Jahiliyah by implementing and enforcing the rule of Allah on earth, something far better than the "rotten democracy" and secularism of other regimes. The video graphically shows this "better way" - the poor are provided for and given charity, morals are enforced, the expiration dates on foods and medicine are checked, weights and measures are tested to be sure that people are not cheated in the market places. Corporal punishment for minor offenses is shown being meted out with the repentant culprits embracing and thanking their punishers afterwards. Three actual deaths are shown in the video; two former Iraqi Army soldiers who took up arms against the Islamic State, shackled and dressed in orange, are shot in the head by the side of the road, and, in another scene from Tel Afar, a shari'a court judge pronounces the death sentence on a homosexual pedophile who is then thrown from a tall building and stoned to death. The punishments and killings are public events - morality plays - with ample explanations of the religious reasons for the sentence read out in detail to audiences of male onlookers including many little boys and a few old men. The administration of "justice and mercy" depicted in this video, harsh to Western eyes, would seem mostly unobjectionable to some Muslim audiences far larger than those who support the Islamic State. Another way that the Islamic State seeks to burnish its religious credentials as a faithful organization carrying out God's commands is by the zealous promotion of monotheism (tawheed) and repentance (tawbah) among its subject population. Of course, tawheed, the strict and uncompromising oneness of the God of Islam, is a core belief of Muslims beyond the Islamic State. But by this point in the history of the Islamic State, the usual mushrik suspects - Shia, Christians, Yazidis - are rather thin on the ground. So in addition to the occasional Muslim executed for practicing "sorcery," rooting out remnants of folk Islam or Sufism is a good way to vividly illustrate this principle. An August 13, 2016 video from ISIS's Al-Furat province titled "I Am Leaving You Upon a Clear Path" detailed a campaign to promote a better understanding of religion among the region's population. The title is taken from a saying of Muhammad.[9] The 13-minute video also begins by making a clear connection with the period of formative Islam before moving on to acknowledge the long years of bloody struggle against the infidels and efforts to spread Islam worldwide. One early image shows an ISIS fighter with a black flag approaching Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. It then introduces cleric "Abu Muhammad Al-Homsi" who details the success that the tawheed campaign has had. Abu Muhammad notes that they were surprised by the great attendance and acceptance of the campaign with more than 35,000 participants. The campaign involved all the mosques but also taking the message to men working in the fields and distributing material by hand and on truck sideboards. Boys get a piece of candy along with a religious pamphlet. An interesting part of the campaign is the opening of "repentance centers" where ahl al-bid'a (those Muslims who have practiced forbidden "innovations" like Sufism) repent of their errant beliefs. The video shows groups of men from the Al-Khaznawiyya Sufi sect "repenting from that evil" by reading a public statement acknowledging that they were "mushrikeen" who "worshipped the dead, religious leaders, and graves." They now strongly rejected such beliefs and called on all other Muslims to do the same. Of course, the antipathy of ISIS and of Salafists in general against Sufism is nothing new. Indeed, it is remarkable that almost 10 years since the first speech of Abu Omar Al-Baghdadi in December 2006 that there would be any Sufis left in ISIS-controlled territory. Attacks against Sufis in general still make occasional appearances in ISIS videos aimed outside of their territory, as in the January 2016 video series focusing on North Africa which decried Morocco as "the country of more than 100,000 polytheistic shrines... with more Sufi lodges and shrines than mosques." In addition to the imposition of Sharia and its zeal for promoting right belief among its own population, another way that ISIS seeks to promote an image of orthodox Salafi Islam is through the work of da'wah or the proselytizing of Islam among non-Muslims. In this particular field there is no better evidence than the latest issue of the Islamic State's signature English-language online magazine Dabiq which appeared in August 2016. Issue 15 devotes a huge part of the publication - 20 pages - to a detailed theological refutation of Christianity and the Bible.[10] Aside from devoting so much space to such an argument, the interesting thing is that the Islamic apologetics employed here are those practiced by Muslim preachers seeking to convert Christians for decades if not for centuries.[11] This is not about foreign policy but about right belief, about promotion conversion. And there is nothing particularly unique or ISIS-like in the appeal, strongly flavored by the work of Western modernist critics of Christianity and the Bible, except that it is the Islamic State associating itself with an age-old struggle for religious dominance and credibility going back to the revelation of the Qur'an and its view of other religions.[12] Again, ISIS associates itself with an approach that many conservative Muslims would find completely unobjectionable. With its penchant for bloody histrionics in high-definition video, it is sometimes all too easy to forget that the Islamic State repeatedly seeks to portray itself, to its own population and to outside audiences, as a faithful steward of standard Salafi Islam within the admittedly rather unique circumstances of the ISIS "caliphate." It does so by both the use of propaganda and by real events connected to its governance. Certainly the brute force and power being brought to bear against the ISIS heartland in Syria and Iraq should eventually lead to positive results in successfully denting one part of the ISIS image. Nobody likes a loser, especially one claiming to have a divine mandate. But one can also foresee that all this effort, both real and perceived, at burnishing the "Islamic" credentials of the Islamic State will be used one day to make the case that the nascent state crushed by the anti-ISIS Coalition was actually far more orthodox, effective and sincere than its many critics would care to admit today. The Islamic State of today is preparing the arguments and the images now that the revisionists and apologists of tomorrow will use. * Alberto M. Fernandez is Vice-President of MEMRI. Endnotes: The following are some of this week's reports from the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Project, which translates and analyzes content from sources monitored around the clock, among them the most important jihadi websites and blogs. (To view these reports in full, you must be a paying member of the JTTM; for membership information, send an email to [email protected] with "Membership" in the subject line.) Note to media and government: For a full copy of these reports, send an email with the title of the report in the subject line to [email protected]. Please include your name, title, and organization in your email. EXCLUSIVE: Osama Bin Laden's Son Hamza Urges Saudis To Overthrow Al-Saud Royal Family, Calls On Youths To Join AQAP On August 17, 2016, Al-Qaeda media arm Al-Sahab released an audio message by Hamza bin Laden, the son of Osama bin Laden, in which he called on the Saudi people to overthrow the Al-Saud royal family and urged young men to join Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). EXCLUSIVE: Pro-ISIS Media Group Releases Video Calling For Attacks In U.S., France, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Russia And Iran On August 17, 2016, the pro-Islamic State (ISIS) media group Al-Thabat released a video in which it urged Muslims to carry out attacks in the West, specifically in the U.S., France, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, and also in Russia and Iran. The video, released on Al-Thabat's Telegram channel and titled "Come On Rise," begins with a series of slides listing these countries. EXCLUSIVE: AQAP Official Promises 'Creative And New' Attacks On U.S. By English-Speaking Jihadis With Western Names Who Are Not On FBI Or CIA Blacklist In an article published by Al-Marsa, a weekly newspaper affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Ibrahim Al-Qusi, a former Guantanamo detainee, a former Osama bin Laden, and a member of AQAP's Shura council vowed that attacks on the U.S. would continue and will be carried out by English-speaking jihadis with Western names who are not on the CIA or FBI blacklist. Al-Qusi, who was released from Guantanamo in 2012 and joined AQAP in December 2014, urged the mujahideen in Syria to unite and form a new army whose mission would be to liberate Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. EXCLUSIVE: Jersey Jihadi Active On Facebook Was Allegedly Under FBI Investigation For Threatening Donald Trump A man from Paterson, New Jersey is part of a pro-ISIS Facebook clique. At the time of this writing, he changed his Facebook name to an alias. He reveals that he is a convert to Islam, and that he used to lead a very un-Islamic lifestyle. EXCLUSIVE: Dispute Over Boko Haram Leadership Mounts In Wake Of ISIS's Appointment Of New Commander For Group On August 3, 2016, the Islamic State (ISIS) announced the appointment of a new leader of its West African branch, Boko Haram, Abu Mus'ab Al-Barnawi, who had until then served as the group's spokesman. Al-Barnawi replaced Abu Bakr Shekau, who had pledged Boko Haram's loyalty to ISIS in March 2015. On Facebook, ISIS Supporters Discuss Latest 'Charlie Hebdo' Cover, Issue Threats On August 16, 2016, an American ISIS supporter posted the cover of the latest issue of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The magazine's headquarters were a target of the January 2015 terror attacks in Paris. The cover of this issue of the magazine, published August 10, 2016, depicted a nude Muslim man and woman running into the ocean, with the caption "The reform of Islam: Muslims loosen up." In response to the Facebook post, a discussion developed on his page, on Charlie Hebdo in general and on how to fight an enemy. Some commenters promoted violent means, and issued threats against the magazine. EXCLUSIVE: ISIS Operatives Distribute Kill List, Target List, Operational Tips For 'Lone Lions' In France And The West On August 11, 2016, Francophone operatives active on Telegram distributed two infographic images with names of individuals and organizations, as well as specific locations, for targeting by Islamic State (ISIS) militants in France. These images are part of ISIS's ongoing efforts to capitalize on the recent wave of terror attacks in France and the West and to inspire more supporters to carry out attacks. Tunisian Fighter In Iraq Says He Lived In The U.S. And Was Radicalized There Before Joining ISIS On August 9, 2016, the media office of ISIS in Al-Anbar released a video featuring a Tunisian suicide bomber in Iraq, who claimed that he had joined ISIS after being radicalized while living in the U.S. In the video, titled "Fighting Will," the man, identified as Abu Muqatil Al-Tunisi, said that he had lived in the U.S. and had left from there to join ISIS. Georgia Couple Is Part Of Pro-ISIS Facebook Clique; Incarcerated Husband Is Converting Fellow Inmates A Georgia-based convert to Islam who has been incarcerated since June 2016 is part of a pro-ISIS clique on Facebook. The man was arrested in February 2016 and charged with, according to news reports, "three counts of possession of a large-capacity firearm without a license, possession of large-capacity feeding devices, possession of ammunition without a license, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony (drug distribution) and possession with the intent to distribute a Class B drug (cocaine)." Al-Zawahiri Lashes Out At Muslim Brotherhood In New Video On August 13, 2016, Al-Qaeda released the first installment of a new video series featuring the group's leader, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, titled "Short Messages to a Victorious Nation." In this video, Al-Zawahiri returns to the topic of the Arab Spring, noting that it failed in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen, that its success in Libya is yet to be seen, and that it has only achieved victory in Syria. ISIS Executes Homosexuals In Al-Jazeera Province, Iraq - Warning: Graphic Images A video posted on the Internet on August 10 shows the implementation by the Shari'a Court of the Al-Jazeera Province, Iraq, of "the punishment decreed by Allah" for "the abomination of homosexuality." The execution was carried out by throwing the man off a roof. ISIS News Agency Introduces Firefox Add-On For Easy Access To Its Website The Islamic State (ISIS) news agency, A'maq, has released a Firefox add-on for redirecting users to its website. Once installed, the add-on, which is available from A'maq's website, will lead users using the Firefox browser to the most recent A'maq website when the icon is clicked on. ISIS News Agency Releases New Version Of Its Android App The Islamic State (ISIS) news agency A'maq has released an updated version of its Android app. The new app offers more stability and "resilience," while promising timely delivery of ISIS news in Arabic to users' devices. New Video Features Canadian Terror Suspect Killed In Ontario Threatening Retaliation Against Canada, Saying He Is Responding To Al-Baghdadi's 'Call For Jihad In The Lands Of The Crusaders' On August 11, 2016, the ISIS-affiliated news agency A'maq claimed responsibility for the attack against Canadian police that took place in Ontario, Canada the previous day. A'maq also said that the attacker, who was identified by Canadian authorities as Aaron Driver, was an "Islamic State soldier" who responded to ISIS's call to target coalition countries. On August 16, 2016, it was announced that British Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary had been found guilty the previous month of eliciting support for the Islamic State (ISIS).[1] Officials said that a vital piece of evidence in his conviction was his recorded oath of allegiance to ISIS, which he posted on an extremist website on July 7, 2014, the ninth anniversary of the London terror attacks.[2] According to The Guardian, British authorities had since then made repeated efforts to get his Twitter posts and YouTube videos taken down, but the content remained online,[3] even though it is in violation of British anti-terror laws as well as of Twitter's own terms of service prohibiting promotion of terrorism. MEMRI has been monitoring Choudary, including his social media activity as well as video and interviews, since 2011, and has repeatedly warned about him and called for social media platforms to remove his content. Reports On Choudary's Activity JTTM report, Islamic Website Izharudeen Announces 'International Islamic Revival Conference'; Speakers To Include Omar Bakri Muhammed, Sheikh Anjem Choudary, November 15, 2010. http://www.memri.org/legacy/jttm/islamic-website-izharudeen-announces-international-islamic-revival-conference-speakers-to-include-omar-bakri-muhammed-sheikh-anjem-choudary Inquiry & Analysis Series Report No. 755, Deleting Online Jihad on Twitter: The Case of British Jihadi Anjem Choudary - Tweeting for the Caliphate and the Conquest of the White House, November 4, 2011. http://www.memri.org/legacy/report/5779 Special Dispatch No. 4278, UK Home Office Bans 'Terror Organization' Muslims Against Crusades; Group Spokesman Anjem Choudary Still Communicating Via Twitter, YouTube, November 11, 2011. http://www.memri.org/legacy/report/5809 Inquiry & Analysis Series Report No. 797, British Islamist Anjem Choudary Launches 'Shariah for India,' Vows to Demolish Hindu Temples and Bollywood; Muslims Urged to Join In New Delhi March Next Month Marking 88th Anniversary of the End of Islamic Caliphate, February 9, 2012. http://www.memri.org/legacy/report/6071 Inquiry & Analysis Series Report No. 1042, On Twitter, British Pro-Jihad Islamist Anjem Choudary - Whose Network Is Regarded As 'Single Biggest Gateway To Terrorism' For European Fighters in Syria - Incites To Violence And Jihad, Calls For Conquest Of West; In Tweet, He Defends Opinion Expressed By Accused Islamist During His Trial That U.K. Is 'A Theoretic & Practical Battlefield', December 13, 2013. http://www.memri.org/legacy/report/7665 Inquiry & Analysis Series Report No. 1124, 1st Issue Of Jihadi Magazine 'Ihya-e-Khilafat' Praises 9/11 Hijackers, Reveals Realignment Of Pakistani Taliban Groups, British Youths Joining Jihadists In Pakistan, October 20, 2014. http://www.memri.org/legacy/report/8183 JTTM report, Western Pro-ISIS Clerics Disseminate Radical Messages Via U.S.-Based Online Video Chat Platform Paltalk, August 11, 2015. http://www.memri.org/legacy/jttm/western-pro-isis-clerics-disseminate-radical-messages-via-us-based-online-video-chat-platform-paltalk MEMRI TV Clips Of Choudary #2349 - British Islamist Anjem Choudary: We Want to Implement Islamic Law in Britain Press TV (Iran) - January 13, 2010 - 03:18 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/2349 #2388 - British Islamist Anjem Choudary: Freedom and Democracy Are Idols That Must Be Destroyed and Replaced with Obedience to Allah Press TV (Iran) - February 3, 2010 - 04:19 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/2388 #2928 - Islamists Hold Funeral Prayers for Osama Bin Laden in London, Chanting: "Obama, Watch Your Back" and "Democracy, Burn in Hell!" The Internet - May 6, 2011 - 07:11 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/2928 #3133 - British Islamist Anjem Choudary Eulogizes Anwar Al-Awlaki and Says: May the Call for Jihad Never Die The Internet - October 1, 2011 - 04:16 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/3133 #3243 - British Islamist Anjem Choudary in Christmas Message: Jesus Was a Muslim; If He Were Alive Today, He Would Be Fighting to Liberate Muslim Land and Implement Divine Law The Internet - December 22, 2011 - 06:08 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/3243 #3842 - British Islamist Anjem Choudary: As Muslims We Reject Human Rights The Internet, Press TV (Iran) - April 11, 2013 - 00:53 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/3842 #4092 - Jihadi Leaders Anjem Choudary and Omar Bakri Acknowledge Sending Western Fighters to Syria LBC/LDC TV (Lebanon) - November 27, 2013 - 02:49 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/4092 #4116 - British Jihadi Cleric and Pro-Iranian U.S. Commentator Exchange Insults over Syria Crisis The Internet, Press TV (Iran) - January 14, 2014 - 03:58 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/4116 #4182 - London Islamists Campaign for Instating Islamic Law in Britain The Internet - March 2, 2014 - 02:24 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/4182 #4562 - British Islamists: The Caliphate Will Expand to Europe and the U.S. The Internet - September 16, 2014 - 04:51 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/4562 #4723 - British Islamist Anjem Choudary Praises Paris Terrorists: May Allah Accept Them in Paradise Murr TV (Lebanon) - January 13, 2015 - 01:54 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/4723 #4864 - British Islamists in Response to Theresa May: She and Cameron Can Go to Hell; We Will Be Happy If They Deport Us to Syria The Internet - March 23, 2015 - 03:08 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/4864 #4874 - British Islamist Anjem Choudary Calls to Refrain from Voting in U.K. General Elections The Internet - April 5, 2015 - 04:04 http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/4874 Endnotes: Theres something that renders Delhi quite incomplete without Momosthose tiny little dumplings stuffed with the most delicious fillings of chicken, mutton, vegetables, paneer; you name it! But, while every street, nook and corner of the city has at least one designated momo vendor, not every momo vendor sells the greatest dumplings in the city and any momo-virgin can actually ruin their initial experiences with the delicacy if they dont get it right! Fret not, foodies of the city! Thanks to us, you can now hit up only the most popular momo joints in Delhi and eat to your hearts desire! 1. Dolma Auntys Momos Burrp Where: Lajpat Nagar, 2, New Delhi Shes been around for longer than you can remember, serving up piping hot and steamy momos that sell better than hot cakes. In fact, Dolma Aunty has become so famous that people actually go to Lajpat Nagar from all across Delhi just to savour the momos. Suggestion: Carry a bottle of chilled water with you because youre going to need it after the momos cause your ears to burn and your nose to run. 2. Dilli Haat TripAdvisor Where: Opposite INA Market, New Delhi Enter Dilli Haat and head straight to the Mizoram and Nagaland food stalls inside the popular cultural haven. The momos are served to you, along with a spicey chutney, a soup and is so filling, you might want to keep this as your starters as well as your main course. Suggestion: Order the famed fruit beer along with a plate of the dimsums. Its the best combination in the world! 3. QDs NDTV Where: Satya Niketan, New Delhi One of the citys earliest fast food restaurants that emerged around the college culture; the students of South Campus frequent QDs almost on an everyday basis at Satya Niketan for their absolutely delicious Chinese food. And while most of the offerings on the menu are worth a try, you should definitely look at the selection of momostry the Tandoori Momos. Theyre a specialty at QDs. 4. Tee Dee Holiday IQ Where: Majnu Ka Tila, New Delhi Tee Dees is rather popular if youve ever been to Majnu Ka Tila and remains a favourite choice with those who want to eat their hearts content without burning a hole in their pockets. Most of their delicacies are completely irresistible; but, you have got to try their dimsum selections. Suggestions: Go for the Chilli Chicken Momos and the Devils Mutton Momos; theyre everything! 5. Wow! Momo Wordpress Where: Across Delhi NCR I first discovered Wow! Momo on a hot summers day when I was tired, sweaty and irrevocably hungry with a craving for good Chinese that wouldnt overwhelm the crap out of me. Thats when I saw the bright yellow board with its quirky prints staring right back at me. If youre a first timer, its the colourful exteriors that will lure you to Wow! Momo. After that, youll keep coming back for more. Suggestions: You should definitely try the Pan Fried Chicken Momos in Szechwan Sauce, the Tandoori Chicken Momos and the chicken momo burger! 6. Depauls Zomato Where: Janpath, New Delhi A lot of us dont really know about the small little Depauls outlet hidden away inside the street market at Janpath. But, once youve figured it out, rest assured, youre going to keep wanting to go back, even if its just for the amazing chicken momos at Depauls. Suggestions: Try the chicken momos along with a bottle of their popular cold coffee. Its a surprisingly good combination. 7. Cafe Brown Sugar Zomato Where: GK- 1, M-Block Market, New Delhi Its true when they say that some of the best things come from the unlikeliest of all places. This blink-and-you-miss-it shop is at the end of the market, and has been there since the golden days of the market, right before you step out of it. And while they have some very interesting and mouth-watering fast food options on offer, its really the momos that are mind blowing. Suggestions: While most of the wheat steamed momo options are great, the chicken ones are a popular favourite. 8. Rosang Soul Food Zomato Where: Safdarjung, New Delhi This authentic Northeastern cuisine joint in Safdarjung has become a popular stopover for every foodie. The great food, along with the fact that the owner, a Mrs Mary personally caters to the customers, ensuring that their food is piping hot and delicious as ever. While absolutely everything on the menu is worth trying out, you should definitely try the momos at Rosang as theyre some of the best authentic dimsums in the city! 9. Momos Point Zomato Where: Kamla Nagar, Delhi One of the most popular and thronged places in Delhi Universitys Kamla Nagarthe students who come here for a scrumptious bite of momos is ever increasing. And no, its not just about ever Chinese food lover; but, its about every college-goer, or for that matter, anyone who can just never stop eating momos. Suggestions: Try their Masala Momos. 10. Hunger Strike Zomato Where: Lajpat Nagar, 4, New Delhi If youre one of us momo addicts, living in and around South Delhi, Hunger Strike is literally the place to be. The place has some of the best momos to offer you; provided you have the patience and the stamina to actually wait it out. Hunger Strike gets terribly crowded, especially during the evenings when it becomes the hub for every momo-lover out there. Suggestions: You absolutely must try their Tandoori chicken momos. Theres a reason why theyre their bestsellers! Uber was testing their self-driving cars since they bought a small startup, Otto, that focused on self-driving trucks and is now deploying their self-driving fleet of cars in Pittsburg, USA later this month. Uber Uber is the first company to implement this technology commercially leaving Google and Tesla behind the self-driving car industry. Uber has partnered with Volvo and has outfitted their SUVs with sensors and cameras that will begin picking up Uber customers this month. These rides will be free for passengers and Uber engineers will accompany them in the front seat to monitor the situation and performance. Uber Uber has been testing their cars for the last few months and has now taken the next step of driving passengers around in a self-driven car. The only problem that appears to arise is that Uber drivers will probably be replaced by their technology in the near future. Uber has already faced issues in the United Kingdom, India, and other countries where it has changed the taxi industry completely. Experts are predicting that if successful, a single rides cost could be cut in half for passengers making transport even more accessible and affordable while it takes away jobs from millions of people. Ukraine will accumulate about 14.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in underground storage by the start of the heating season, exclusively using gas imported from Europe, Naftogaz Ukrainy CEO Andriy Kobolev said on Channel 5 television on Thursday. "Since we understood there is the likelihood of a rejection from Gazprom in the third quarter, the gas purchasing schedule was constructed so that we could purchase gas fully, the entire volume necessary for Ukrainian consumers, from the European direction, which we began doing back in July," he said. Ukraine is intensively buying gas in Europe using funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and its own money. "We are a little ahead of schedule, since private companies, not just Naftogaz, are buying gas. The daily imports are very high - about 45-46 million cubic meters. That is higher than any day last year. We reckon to accumulate about 14.5 bcm by the start of the heating season, which is a comfortable level for proceeding through the fall-winter season," he said. Purchasing gas is currently impossible due to the "noncommercial behavior" of the Russian gas giant. "The problem is that Gazprom refused to sign a supplementary agreement for the third quarter, which is absolutely necessary in order for deliveries to be made. It is not even a question of price. Gazprom signed such agreements at least three times: gas was supplied under them in 2014-2015, the summer of 2015 and last winter. This time, Gazprom unexpectedly refused, which we consider to be a manifestation of hostile and noncommercial behavior," Kobolev said. CASEVILLE The members of the Caseville Historical Society conducted their monthly meeting on Aug. 11 at Maccabee Hall, 6733 Prospect Street, Caseville. There were 17 members and one guest present. The minutes of the previous meeting and the treasurers report were presented and placed on file. President Rich Bass welcomed everyone. He reminded attendees about upcoming educational opportunities including the Historical Society of Michigans History Skills Workshop on advanced digitizing of collections scheduled for Aug. 26 and the State History Conference which will take place Sept. 23-25. Bass said the Pinnebog Community Reunion is scheduled from 12:30 to 4 p.m. for Sunday, Sept. 11. Bass expressed thanks for the work done to exhibit a quilt block pattern on the front of Maccabee Hall. The offer to display the block came from the Thumb Quilt Trail. The pattern, called a Fish Wheel, was chosen by a committee of historical society members. Thumb Quilt Trail supplied the prepared block with the pattern already traced out. Historical society members painted the block, and Kappen Tree Service supplied the equipment to hang the quilt square. The new, colorful quilt block can be seen from several blocks away and is a wonderful addition to Maccabee Hall. Bass also thanked Dave Beltz of Last Call Drywall for his help in getting the quilt square displayed. Bass said a donation from The Point of Sand Point was received as a memorial for their members lost over the last year, Warren Swainquist, Richard Rinke and Charles Broadway. The Membership Committee reported one new sponsor membership, Sandy Monette of Riverside Roadhouse. Reporting for the Events Committee, April Bieniek said the gift baskets for the Cheeseburger silent auction have been received and are on display. There are 12 gift baskets to be auctioned. Bieniek also asked attendees to help sell the raffle tickets for the $200 cash prize. Tickets sell at $1 each or six for $5. Bieniek said volunteers are needed to work at the museum throughout the Cheeseburger event. Dave Vizard updated attendees on the plans for a Classic Car Show to take place in conjunction with the Caseville Pumpkin Festival on Sept. 24. Moore Shoreline has donated entry prizes and T-shirts have been donated for attendee prizes. Vizard said he is still looking for a DJ and a sound system to play 50s, 60s and 70s music for this event. April Bieniek suggested contacting Caseville School Boosters and inviting them to provide snacks for sale at the event. This idea was approved by the group and the school boosters will be contacted. Harold Hoelzle is chairing the Michigan in the Civil War presentation set for this fall at the Caseville Public School auditorium. A date has not been finalized for this event. The final event planned for the 2016 calendar year is the Christmas dinner scheduled for Dec. 11 at Maccabee Hall. Reporting for the Archival and Museum Committee, Rich Bass said 66 visitors toured the museum over the past month. Bass said Jack Perry has donated an old deer hide to be used in the hunting cabin display. Bass said an e-mail has been received from Jeff Hyatt seeking information about William Kennedy and George Anderson. Barb Eimers continues to be available the first Thursday of each month at Maccabee Hall to assist those interested in doing genealogical research. Reporting for the Development Committee, Rich Bass said work is nearly complete on the upstairs renovation. There are just a few odds and ends to be done, and the construction project will be done. Bass thanked D&D Construction, Last Call Drywall, All Pointes Services, Centerline Heating and Cooling, Jim Flock Plumbing and Caseville True Value Hardware for the work they have done on this project. The next meeting will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15 at Maccabee Hall. All meetings are open to the public and everyone is invited to attend. Meetings generally last about one hour and provide a good way for interested persons to become involved in preserving the history of the Caseville area. After the meeting, the group may go to a local restaurant for lunch. For more information, call 989-856-9090, visit the web-site at www.thehchs.org/caseville, e-mail chscm@comcast.net or like the group on Facebook. Starting price of Odesa Port-Side Plant could be almost halved The starting price of Odesa Port-Side Chemical Plant could be considerably cut at a new privatization tender to sell the plant, and this would help to attract more bidders, Head of the State Property Fund (SPF) Ihor Bilous has said. "It was decided to considerably cut the starting price to increase the number of bidders in the tender. The price could be halved," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday. He said that this would help to attract at least three new bidders to the auction. Bilous said that he assesses the market value of the plant at $400-450 million. As reported, the fund announced a tender to sell 99.567% shares in the plant at the starting price of UAH 13.175 billion (around $527 million). 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. Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West, the Army Surgeon General, on Thursday was wary of endorsing the first trials approved by the government for using marijuana to treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. West noted she was an Army officer and the military still considers marijuana an illegal substance despite growing public support for its decriminalization. If service members test positive for marijuana, they can be subject to a "wide range of actions," she said. In addition, research has found "that using marijuana has a lot of adverse health effects," West said at a breakfast with defense reporters. Marijuana "is more dangerous, with some of the carcinogens that are in it, than tobacco," West said. "The impact that it has long-term on certain areas of the brain, especially young people developing, that's been proven -- irreversible damage to the hippocampus and things like that that can really have impacts on individuals long-term," she said. However, the surgeon general, who succeeded Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho in the position last December, said she would look at the results of the government-approved trials of marijuana for PTSD treatment "so long as it's evidence-based." She said some chemical components of marijuana short of a full dose might prove useful in treating PTSD. "I'm for looking at that," she said. "We're looking at all modalities," but "I don't know if we need to have the full spectrum of what's in marijuana as it's typically administered -- if that's necessary," she said. "We should always, at least, have an open mind to look at things in an evidence-based way for something that could be useful for our soldiers," West said. Currently, the various therapies available in the military have proven to be about 80 percent effective in easing the symptoms of PTSD, she said. In April, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration, approved the first-ever clinical trials backed by the government of marijuana as a treatment for PTSD in veterans. The trials were expected to begin next month with combat veteran volunteers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and at the Scottsdale Research Institute in Phoenix. In June, Quinnipiac University reported that 87 percent of 1,561 voters polled nationwide supported giving veterans marijuana for PTSD. --Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Shifting military family members back into military hospitals and clinics for health care is a top priority, the head of the Defense Health Agency said during a visit here Thursday. "All the military services continue to be very interested in the recapture effort," Navy Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, DHA's director, said during a wide-ranging interview with Military.com at the hospital on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. "We feel like the military health system can best take care of our patients," she added. "We want to be there for our patients, so that recapture effort is ongoing and very robust right now." Tricare Prime, used by about 1.5 million active-duty family members, requires beneficiaries to be assigned to a primary care provider within the military treatment facility if one is available. But if the closest facility is at capacity or the family is pushed into the community for care for some other reason, those families may instead be seen by a civilian provider of base. The Defense Health Agency wants those patients back. Poll: Do you want to go back to military doctors? In 2014, the Army and Navy began a plan to move nearly 30,000 Tricare Prime military beneficiaries who were seen by civilian providers near Army and Navy hospitals back in the military system. That effort has since expanded to the Air Force. Through that recapture program, Tricare Prime users who are seen through the system's civilian network are either involuntarily reassigned to a primary care provider within the military system or "invited" back through an advertising campaign. Army, Navy and Air Force officials decide how to move families back into the system based on local needs and space, officials said. That space and patient capacity, Bono said, are among the reasons Pentagon officials see a need to continue to move users back into military hospitals. "We recognize as the wars wind down we have some capacity and we want that capacity to be used for our beneficiaries," she said. Even so, military family members often prefer to be seen by civilian providers because of location, appointment availability and provider consistency. Bono said her agency is working to tackle those issues. For example, a program allowing beneficiaries to be seen at their nearest military medical facility, regardless of whether or not it's run by their service, is online in six locations nationwide with a multi-service presence, such as the Washington D.C. area. The program, known as "enhanced multi-service markets," seeks to make it easier for families to get care at locations near them, instead of traveling to a hospital or clinic run by their military service. Ultimately, Bono said, they hope to improve the user experience at the military treatment facilities enough to make families want to use them rather than being forced in. "If we do this in a responsive way, meeting our patient's needs, our patients would want to stay in the MTF," she said. "Part of being that MTF that patients want to be with is really understanding and honoring what our patients want." --Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @amybushatz. U.S. fighters scrambled Friday against Syrian aircraft that dropped bombs near American special operations forces on the ground in the northeast in an incident that was the closest the U.S. has come to combat in the wartorn country. Syrian air force Su-24s made by Russia departed the areas over the contested city of Hasakah before the U.S. warplanes arrived but Pentagon officials made clear that the Syrians would risk attack if they returned. U.S. and coalition troops were on the ground near the bombing in their train, advise and assist role, according to Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman. "The Syrian regime would be well advised not to do things that would place them at risk," he said. "We do have the right of self-defense." No U.S. or coalition troops were injured in the bombings, which were close enough to pose a threat, he said. Davis said he could not confirm that the incident in the skies over Hasakah was the closest the U.S. has come to combat in Syria but added that "Id be hard-pressed to think of another situation like it." President Barack Obama has barred combat for U.S. ground forces in Iraq and Syria but the ban stops at self-defense. Davis said that two Syrian Su-24s conducted bombing runs over Hasakah, where there have been clashes in recent days between Syrian regime forces and Kurdish militias backed by the U.S. American officials immediately contacted the Russians through communications channels set up by the two militaries under a memorandum of understanding, Davis said. "The Russians said it was not them," he said. The U.S. then scrambled fighters but Davis said the action was not an "intercept" since the Syrian aircraft were leaving the scene. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Ukrainian competition agency reminds potential participants of Nord Stream 2 project of getting permit from Ukrainian authority Ukraine's Antimonopoly Committee has reminded potential participants of the Nord Stream 2 project of the necessity of getting a preliminary permit from the Ukrainian antimonopoly agency. "We propose to the participants of the Nord Stream 2 project to apply to Ukraine's Antimonopoly Committee with the relevant application to prevent violation of legislation on protecting economic competition," the press service of the committee reported. The committee said that the creation of a new legal entity by some companies to design and build a gas pipeline is considered concentration in Ukrainian law. As reported, six partners in the Nord Stream 2 project decided to withdraw an application on the creation of a joint venture from Polish antimonopoly regulator UOKiK. Nord Stream 2 envisages the construction of a gas pipeline system with a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas a year from Russia to Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The route's overall capacity will increase to 110 bcm per year. Ukraine to get next tranche of EU's financial aid soon - Poroshenko Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says Ukraine will receive a new tranche of the European Union's financial assistance soon. "I'm confident we'll soon get a powerful financial cushion for reform in the form of a tranche from the European Union," he said a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new underground railway station, Peremoha, in Kharkiv on Friday. The Astros still dont know whether they can expect top young righty Lance McCullers Jr. to return this season from his elbow woes, as MLB.coms Brian McTaggart reports on Twitter. We wont know until he gets evaluated in a week, said manager A.J. Hinch. Its all guess work at this point. After climbing back from a rough start to the year, Houston now sits just one game over .500 and is in danger of falling out of contention. The 22-year-old McCullers owns a 3.22 ERA matching his results from a season ago and is sorely missed. Here are some more notable pieces of information on the injury front: 2:45pm: Matz will placed on the disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 15, with tightness in his left shoulder, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. AUG. 22, 1:09pm: Matz has been diagnosed with a mild strain and some inflammation of the rotator cuff in his left shoulder, but doctors found no structural damage, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Theres no word yet on whether hell require a stint on the disabled list, however, and the Mets have yet to formally announce the test results. AUG. 19: Mets left-hander Steven Matz has been scratched from tonights start due to discomfort in his left shoulder, as Newsdays Marc Carig writes. The New York Posts Mike Puma writes that hes likely to be examined on Monday in New York. Matz stated that what hes experiencing is just discomfort and said hes not too worried about the issue, but theres obviously at least some cause for concern for both Matz and the team. Matz, of course, has been pitching through a bone spur in his left elbow, and while Carig writes that neither the team nor Citi Fields Trackman software has detected any mechanical changes to his delivery due to the spur, theres still no immediate way of knowing whether the elbow ailment has contributed to his newfound shoulder troubles. Matz first felt the discomfort when throwing off flat ground earlier this week and didnt feel improvement when throwing prior to yesterdays game. Right-hander Seth Lugo will start in Matzs place tonight. The 26-year-old has quite been good in his first taste of the Majors this season, albeit in a limited sample. In 17 innings, Lugo has a 2.65 ERA and a 16-to-6 K/BB ratio with a 47.6 percent ground-ball rate. He could potentially step into the rotation if a replacement for Matz is needed for more than one start. Alternative options in Triple-A include Gabriel Ynoa, Robert Gsellman and Sean Gilmartin. None of the bunch owns particularly exciting numbers in Triple-A this season, though the Las Vegas home of the Mets Triple-A affiliate is a notoriously hitter-friendly environment. Berlin Raceway and Kalamazoo Speedway are hosting open wheel specials this weekend. (Photo courtesy of RW Motorsports Marking ) Kalamazoo Speedway and Berlin Raceway are both hosting special events, with open wheel cars being the focus, and the end result is a doubleheader that begins Friday and runs through Sunday. *Saturday: The Must See Racing Sprint Car Series will tackle Berlin Raceway's half-mile oval beginning at 6:30 p.m. The series will join the traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America along with Berlin's weekly Super Late Model and Modified divisions. *Sunday: The Must See Racing Sprints will head to Kalamazoo Speedway to participate in the Jerry Landon Klassic at 6 p.m. The event will include the Michigan Traditional Sprints, the Midwest Compact Touring Series and the Midwest Hornets. The race is held in honor of Mr. Landon, who was killed in a race at Kalamazoo in 1989. "It's an honor and privilege to be able to honor one of the greatest open wheel racers from his time," Windy City promotions promoter Andy Jach said in a press release. "We look forward to seeing some of the greatest open wheel drivers in the Midwest racing for Jerry." Berlin tickets are $15 for adults and children 11-and-under free. Visit www.berlinraceway.com for more information. Kalamazoo's adult general admission is $20, $10 for students 11-16 and $5 for children 6-10. Visit www.kalamazoospeedway.com or www.midwestcompacts.com for information. HOLLAND, MI - When your autonomous car drives itself in the future, what will you be doing? If your autonomous car is driving you to work, will you want it to have a coffee maker? If you're headed to Florida, will you want a place to sleep while it's driving through Georgia? Beth McGough, manager of Human Factors at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, asks those questions as they work with automakers to design automotive interiors at the company's research and development laboratories in Holland. "We believe it will completely change how people will interact with their vehicles," says McGough, during an open house at Yanfeng's Human Factors Lab on Thursday, Aug. 18. "That's what we're trying to figure out," says McGough. "What do you want? Will people want to start working less in the office and work in their vehicle?" Shanghai-based Yanfeng, the world's largest supplier of automotive interiors, hosted about 75 guests at its Holland lab about 13 months after the creation of a joint venture that included Johnson Controls Inc.'s (JCI) automotive interior division as part of a joint venture. Yanfeng makes dashboards, arm-rests, center consoles and door panels for auto makers throughout the world. Much of how they look, feel and perform are determined by the research that occurs in Holland, McGough says. "Almost everything is designed and developed in Holland." The Human Factors Lab includes a driving simulator in which engineers can study how drivers interact with cell phone holders, dashboard controls or cup holders as they navigate through a simulated city during the daytime or evening. The lab brings in consumers - and sometimes their children - to try out new products before they are incorporated into the vehicles. Interview rooms with one-way mirrors are set up so engineers and designers can watch and listen as focus groups discuss how they responded to the interior components. The feedback can be subtle and subjective, McGough said. In one session, engineers learned that customers did not like the surface of an interior component because of the sound it made when it was touched. A simple amenity such as sliding tambour door on a center console required comprehensive testing before it became part of a 2014 Toyota Highlander, said Gunnar Bracelly, the company's product manager for floor consoles. The materials had to be soft to the touch, lightweight and strong enough to withstand years of flexing, temperature changes and "abuse load," Bracelly said. Established in 2015, Yanfeng has more than 90 manufacturing and technical centers in 17 countries and employs over 28,000 people globally. JCI retains 30 percent ownership of the joint venture. In West Michigan, Yanfeng operates three manufacturing facilities. Two are located in Holland; at 1600 S. Washington Avenue and 1776 Airport Park Court; and one in Cascade Township, at 5050 Kendrick Street SE near the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. In Holland, Yanfeng has about 950 employees at its Washington Avenue Plant and about 40 at its plant at Airport Park Court, according company officials. The Cascade Township plant employs about 460. MUSKEGON, MI - If Muskegon's biggest assets are its water and its people, then this weekend's Michigan Maritime Celebration is one that shouldn't be missed. The celebration of all things water will take place at locations throughout Muskegon County Aug. 19-21. Community kayak, canoe and standup paddle board events, bike pedals, movie screenings, boat raft-up and historical ship tours are among the events scheduled. "We are excited about our Blue Economy past, present and future and hope many will take advantage of our great outdoor theaters," said organizer Roger Zuidema. "Invite a friend and join in the fun. It's time to celebrate." Here is a look at some of the weekend's highlights. For a complete schedule of events, visit http://michiganmaritimecelebration.weebly.com. Movies on Deck The weekend's festivities will begin with the conclusion of the USS LST 393 Veteran Museum's popular "Movies on Deck" series. E.T. The Extra Terrestrial will be screened after dark on the WWII-era ship docked in downtown Muskegon on Friday, Aug. 19. Released in 1982, the classic family film tells the story of a troubled child who summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home world. Admission is free but donations will be accepted. Community paddle A community paddle led by Zuidema, Dave Alexander of Downtown Muskegon Now and Guy Debor, owner of Guy's Ultimate Kayak Service will take place at the Harbor Towne Marina beach on Aug. 20. Staging begins at 9:30 a.m. and send-off is at 10 a.m. Single kayak rental is $5 per person and double kayak rental is $10 per person. Registration can be completed online. Pirate Pub Pedal A pirate pub pedal will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20. Participants are encouraged to dress like pirates and pray water toys to cool off other pirates while cruising from place to place throughout Muskegon. "Pirate stops" include Unruly Brewing, Pigeon Hill Brewing, Top Shelf Bar and Grille, Tipsy Toad Tavern, Marine Tap Room, Lakeside Tavern, The Deck and Dockers. This is a family-friendly event. Lake Effect Lights Boat Parade The 2016 parade route will take the boats through the Muskegon Channel into Muskegon Lake to Harbor Towne Marina by Dockers, past the Muskegon Yacht Club, and to Balcom's Cove and into Great Lakes Marina. Boats will then travel down the lake by Hartshorn Marina, Heritage Landing and Terrace Point marina completing the route. Boats are asked to gather in the South Breakwater Cove around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20. The parade will start around 9 p.m. Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry has starting the revision of all regulatory acts if they comply with the public regulatory policy. The ministry's press service reported that Deputy Infrastructure Minister Dmytro Romensky gave information on August 19, 2016 at a first meeting of the working group. "According to the order of the first deputy prime minister of Ukraine and in coordination with Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan all regulatory acts are being revised for compliance with the public regulatory policy. According to the order, a working group has been created. We must systemically and globally revise all regulatory acts and unveil those that hinder business development and require revision and relaxation of the procedure, require improvement," Romensky said. He also said that the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) will help the ministry in this. "BRDO office will help us with it help to work out and draft guidelines. They accepted the British model, relaxed and adapted it to Ukraine. The work should include three key stages; cleaning up the legislative base from fabricated acts passed not in line with Ukrainian law, analysis of principles of each regulatory document and increase of the level of business involvement in lawmaking," he said. The BRDO was created under an initiative of the Economic Development and Trade Ministry and western partners of the Canadian government and the World Bank. It is an independent nongovernmental institution financed by international donors. PJSC Ukrtelecom has put property objects worth a total of UAH 194 million up for sale, as well as is now studying the demand for the sale of property with the initial value of about UAH 1.1 billion, Ukrtelecom Corporate Communications Director Mykhailo Shuranov has stated. "As of August 16, 2016 the total starting price of the property offered for sale was UAH 194 million, while the total initial cost of property, the demand for which is being studied, is UAH 1.1 billion," he said. The company also plans to lease about 440 real estate objects throughout Ukraine. Ukrtelecom emphasized today the demand for buildings, in which automatic telephone systems are located, is being studied as they could be potentially freed due to Ukrtelecom modernization. "We cannot estimate the actual market value of real estate objects without studying the demand and generally be confident they will be in demand. The situation is aggravated by the fact that most of our buildings are used for technological purposes," he said. He said that in the first half of 2016 Ukrtelecom sold several unused facilities with a total value of up to UAH 9 million, while objects with a total cost of about UAH 75 million were sold in 2014-2015. Ukrainian Member of Parliament Serhiy Leshchenko from the Petro Poroshenko Bloc parliamentary faction claims that former president Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions used its shadow assets to pay to famous U.S. journalist Larry King and the party's European-based office. "Money from the Regions Party's shadow assets was paid, for instance, to Larry King, a well-known American journalist who had been a CNN host for decades. He got $225,000 from the Regions Party's shadow coffer," Leshchenko said at a press conference on Friday morning in Kyiv. Editor-in-chief of the Internet online publication Ukrayinska Pravda Sevgil Musaieva-Borovyk in turn said that King had received those funds for an interview with the then Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov. Leshchenko added that there are documents proving that the Regions Party had financed its European office, the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine. The center was co-founded by Regions Party members Leonid Kozhara, Vitaliy Kaliuzhny and Yevhen Heller and managed by German citizen Inna Kirsch. In addition, he also pointed out that the documents provided by former First Deputy Head of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine Viktor Trepak to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) mention presidential nominee of the Republican Party in the United States Donald Trump's campaign chief Paul Manafort, who advised Yanukovych. The secret ledgers show $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments designated for Manafort from Yanukovych's Regions Party between November 20, 2007 and October 5, 2012. On Thursday, August 18, the NABU posted scans of 19 pages from the Regions Party's secret ledgers, mentioning Manafort. "We emphasize that mentioning Manafort's name on the list does not mean that he actually got the money because the signatures that appear in the column of the recipients could belong to other people," the NABU wrote on Facebook. International funding will help Yangon Region keep up with rising demand for electrical power, the chief minister has pledged. U Phyo Min Thein, speaking at the Fourth Myanmar Green Energy Summit yesterday, said boosting the electricity sector was the key to the countrys development. Electricity use across the country has doubled in recent years. The highest rates of electrification are found in Yangon Region where 67 percent of households are connected to the grid. The next highest is Nay Pyi Taw with 54pc, followed by Kayah States 37pc and Mandalay Region with 31pc. But the average electrification rate is just 16pc in rural areas, and Myanmars per capita electricity consumption is the lowest among the 10 ASEAN countries, said U Phyo Min Thein. This is due to lower rates of power generation, industrial development and investment in the electricity sector, but the chief minister said the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank were providing assistance. Development agency loans have already gone toward the implementation of the National Electrification Plan (NEP), which prioritises the electrification of rural areas, U Thura Aung Bo, deputy chief engineer for the Electricity Supply Enterprise of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, told The Myanmar Times. The government is receiving loans from international development agencies, US$400 million from the World Bank of which $310 million is being spent on expanding transmission lines. The ministry has already used a Japan International Cooperation Agency loan to connect power transmission lines to regions without access to electricity, and a KfW loan will be spent to help villages in southern Shan State in accessing power. Translation by Thiri Min Htun Japanese retail giant Aeons ambitions in Myanmars lucrative retail sector have highlighted uncertainty about what foreign firms are allowed to do as far as trading is concerned, with local industry heads calling for more clarity and a level playing field for domestic and international players. Aeon has provided most of the US$8.1 million in capital for a joint venture Aeon Orange with local firm Creation Myanmar Group of Companies (CMGC). This new company began operating 14 supermarkets it acquired from a CMGC affiliate on August 1, and plans to open a new store within a year. The existing supermarkets, which are based in Yangon and Mandalay, and the new store will all operate under the Aeon Orange brand, according to Kitagawa Yosuke from Aeons corporate communications department. Aeons entry marks a significant foreign investment into a sector with huge potential for growth. Very few incumbent retailers operate supermarkets in Myanmars booming economy, and a report from Bangkok Bank on the countrys retail sector in 2014 estimated consumer spending could almost triple from $35 billion to $100 billion by 2030. But uncertainty around trading rules makes it unclear to what extent foreign-local joint ventures will be able to carve out a slice of the supermarket business. When foreign companies register with the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA), they must sign an undertaking not to conduct any trading activities, according to Sebastian Pawlita, a partner at Lincoln Legal Services in Yangon. However, there is no precise definition of trading in the regulations, said Edwin Vanderbruggen, senior partner at VDB Loi. Some officials argue that the regulation refers to importing and then reselling goods without any manufacturing or processing, he said. That is certainly the way it is enforced, through the denial of import licences to foreign-owned companies, he said. The Ministry of Commerce relaxed long-standing restrictions on trade in November last year allowing foreign businesses to import fertilisers, insemination seeds, pesticides and hospital equipment, on condition they partner with a local company. This was extended to construction materials last month. But outside of that narrow group of goods, a foreign-domestic JV needs special permission from the ministry. Mr Yosuke said that Aeon Orange would not seek permission from the ministry to import goods. Instead the firm will rely on a tried and tested strategy for foreign firms, where a licensed local partner in this case CMGC imports the goods for the joint venture to sell. Local players, meanwhile, are unhappy with what they see as a loophole allowing a joint venture like Aeon Orange to register as a services company but still engage in trading. At present the Aeon Orange supermarkets are still selling existing stock and the venture has not yet started to import goods, which will eventually make up 20-30 percent of those on sale and come mainly from Thailand and Japan, Mr Yosuke said. But the rules around buying and selling locally made goods, which will be the bulk of Aeon Oranges business, are also unclear. Mr Pawlita said that according to general understanding the trading prohibition as part of the DICA registration process also covers buying and selling domestically produced goods. Theoretically competitors could try to lobby DICA to deregister the joint venture company, he said. Myanmar retailers are clearly unhappy with how the government is regulating the sector. Daw Win Win Tint, president of the Myanmar Retailers Association and CEO of supermarket chain City Mart, said the local firms are at a disadvantage. Myanmars nascent financial sector does not offer domestic companies the same access to finance as their international rivals, she said. The Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) also has the discretion to grant tax incentives including a five-year income tax holiday to newly registered foreign firms with MIC permits. Daw Win Win Tint believes these should only be applied in sectors that support Myanmars development. In addition to preventing foreign firms from skirting trading restrictions by using a local importer, the government should also make its position on foreign involvement in the trading sector public, she told The Myanmar Times. Current uncertainty makes it impossible for Myanmar businesses to plan for the future, she said. Clarity on the regulation around trading is hard to come by, however. U Aye Lwin, a member of the Myanmar Investment Commission of which DICA serves as the secretary said he was unsure of whether the trading restriction allowed foreign firms to buy and sell local products. U Aung Naing Oo, DICAs director general, said that although the Ministry of Commerces policy is not to allow joint ventures to engage in trading including operating supermarkets if the venture obtained an MIC permit it would be allowed. This permit is in addition to the standard company registration process, and consultation between the ministry and the MIC on this policy is still ongoing, he added. But Aeon Orange has not not yet applied to the MIC for this permit, U Aung Naing Oo said. Yoshinori Takekawa, deputy chief representative at Aeons Myanmar office, said that the firm follows government guidelines and directions and had received the required permission to operate in Myanmar. U Aung Naing Oo did not respond to further questions about Aeon Oranges lack of an MIC permit, or what the policy would be toward issuing such permits to foreign firms in the future. Lincoln Legal Services notes that there is no explicit legal basis for barring foreigners from trading, just an administrative practice that appears to have set in rather suddenly in 2002. Just as nothing absolute prevents a foreign firm from using a Myanmar entity to import goods for resale, there is nothing to stop a foreign-owned company from buying local goods and reselling them, Mr Vanderbruggen said. Whether that is in fact permitted has purposely been left undetermined it seems to me, he said. Flooding across the country over the past two months has impacted more than 400,000 people and submerged more than 500,000 acres of paddy, according to recent government data. Around 70 percent of the population depends on the agriculture sector, while the floods have hit during plantation of the rainy season crop of paddy, which is mostly cultivated in the wetter months. While flooding is less severe than last year, it has hit at the same critical point in the farming calendar, which coincides with the heaviest annual rains. According to the most recent data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the estimated rainy-season paddy crop for this fiscal year is 15.6 million acres. Around 10 million acres of this had already been cultivated on August 15, while floods have affected more than 500,000 acres of plantation. Ayeyarwady Region has been the most severely impacted, with more than 200,000 acres of farmland under water, followed by Bago Region, said U Myo Tint Htun, deputy secretary at the ministrys office. We cannot say that all of the submerged paddy has been destroyed. We are calculating the damage as the water level recedes. Of the 150,000 acres that is no longer underwater, around 20,000 acres has been destroyed, he said. U Myo Tint Htun said that while the total extent of the damage cannot yet be estimated, it appears the losses will not be as heavy as last year, when floods destroyed around 300,000 acres out of 15 million acres of rainy-season paddy. However, more damage could still be caused as the water level of the Ayeyarwady River is still rising, he said. The ministry has access to more than 60,000 buckets of seed which will be distributed around the country to those in need. The ministry also needs to consider that flooding will inevitably happen again in the next few years, said U Nay Lin Zin, rice trader and joint secretary at the Myanmar Rice Federation. Ayeyarwady Region is still under- water and the rain has been heavy during the past few days so it is hard to count the total loss at the moment, he said. This is the second year of consecutive flooding and total rice production will certainly fall to some extent. In fiscal year 2015-16 the government targeted rice exports of 2.5 million tonnes, but Myanmar only exported 1.4 million tonnes, compared with 1.8 million in fiscal year 2014-15, according to data from the Myanmar Rice Federation. Rice exports and flooding are not directly proportional, but exports were banned for several weeks between August and October last year due to the floods, and rice production also fell because of the water damage, U Nay Lin Zin said. The government targets rice exports of 4 million tonnes in the year 2020 but may also struggle to reach this target because Myanmars rice is more expensive than rice in neighbouring countries, U Nay Lin Zin said. This is partly due to flooding; the price of local rice has risen from K500 to K1000 for one bag of lower-quality Ma Naw Thu Kha, or Sin Thwe Latt, while the price of higher-quality Shwe Bo Paw San has risen from K2000 to K3000 since the floods began. Thai rice is even being imported to Myanmar illegally across the borders because the price is lower than the local rice price, said U Nay Lin Zin. We also face the problem that China still does not allow imports of Myanmar rice across the Muse border. In some countries, governments sell reserve rice to the market in times of shortage, to stabilise prices. In fiscal year 2012-13, Myanmar put aside K30 billion to buy reserve rice, but used just K14.5 billion of the funds. Since then, the government has not allocated any budget to buying reserves. This is likely to change, said U Nay Lin Zin, because of an ASEAN food security agreement that requires each country in the regional bloc to reserve at least 14,000 tonnes of rice each year to protect against the impact of natural disasters and climate change. Myanmar could learn lessons from other countries in the region such as Vietnam and Thailand, as they also rely on rice and face similar challenges, U Nay Lin Zin said. Vietnam has a good policy for farmers, he said, with favourable logistics and techniques. The country also benefits because few of its workers migrate overseas, unlike Myanmar which is facing the very serious challenge of farm labour shortages. Thailands policy of subsidising rice prices is also beneficial for farmers, he added. For Sean Turnell, a government economic adviser, a whole range of things can be done to improve agriculture by improving rural access to credit. Furthermore, he said, financial services exist that can reduce the risks to farmers and allow them to maximise output, such as crop insurance. Bizarrely, at the moment [state-owned] Myanma Agricultural Development Bank does not collect savings. This is the best way around the world to allow people to protect themselves. Then they have a safe place to store their earnings and if the harvest is bad they can take out loans, he said. While Vietnam has many problems of its own, it has had incredible success in the agriculture sector, he said. Thirty years ago, people even in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, went hungry. Now Vietnam is the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, while Thailand is among the largest exporters of rice. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is central financial reform. There is great reason for optimism, Mr Turnell said, as Myanmars agriculture sector shows huge promise. Myanmars agriculture exports are way, way below their potential. Just to take rice [as an example], exports are now about one-third of what they were in 1937, he said. [But] if you are a farmer, it is very difficult to get affordable credit and MADB at the moment does not [offer loans] for most crops. In paddy farming, the bank only offers one-third of total production costs. This means that farmers do not use the best techniques or good-quality fertilisers and, as a consequence of this, production falls. Farmers are also forced to approach informal money lenders for additional credit and pay around 10 percent interest each month. Just for that one fact alone, forget about all the other stuff, getting agricultural credit right will lead to a significant increase in production, Mr Turnell said. Seeing a pile of old concrete blocks in the street, the rubble from a renovation job, Htein Lin picked them up and carted them off to his studio, to be incorporated into a future work. In the same spirit, his exhibition Picking up the Pieces: A Show of Installations, which opens today at the Goethe Villa, is a re-evaluation of things that did not quite attract enough attention the first time round. The Myanmar Times caught up with him at his studio in North Okkalapa industrial zone, amid masks, cartwheels and other objects he thought might come in artistically handy. Picking up the Pieces is itself a continuation of his 2015 exhibition The Story Teller and, like it, is more than installation, bordering rather on revival. Its important not to throw away things of value as we build a new country. Sometimes you can build a better building by using old things. Art can revitalise things by adding to their value, which lies in the eye of the user, he said, explaining his concept. He shows bamboo sheath masks, an idea he picked up when attending the centenary of the birth of Bo Aung Kyaw, one of the fallen heroes of the 1938 students strike. Villagers had cut out eyeholes in the protective sheaths of bamboo trees and decorated them with charcoal to make masks. They carry love for their hero in their hearts. Under the military regime, people masked their feelings, but now the masks can be removed and feelings expressed freely. This is the effect of peace and freedom, he said. Take another example. People used cartwheels when I was young. Now farmers use motorbikes to carry the crops. They use machines. Many farmers have left the country because there is no work. When people share an aim, they work together. The union of different attitudes can strengthen the common effort. But wheels chained together will not run. A former prisoner of conscience who spent more than six years in jail, he infuses all of his art works with a political viewpoint. He admits to being a political symbolist: Some say Im still living in 1988. As a responsible citizen, he felt obliged to participate. His work is not overtly political, rather a retelling of life as he saw it. But he saw it as the enemy of a regime and a political prisoner. To talk about his work is to talk of politics. Of his picture Safeguard Artwork, he says, Last February the electricity was unstable, to the point where power surges ruined electronic equipment. This is an image of our country. For his 2015 exhibition his first since he was released from prison over 10 years ago he created A Show of Hands, a rendering in plaster casts of the hands of fellow ex-prisoners that spoke of the sacrifice of their freedom for the good of the country. The motivating spirit is a nexus of ideas: that any individual bears some responsibility for the state of society; that nothing is ever a complete success; and that nothing is perfectly safe. Democracy may be here, but it has not banished political unrest. Keeping things safe is everyones responsibility, and can entail risk. People want change, a will to democracy that has built up over 20 or 30 years, but change in a globalised world is not safe. An artist is not responsible for the effect his work creates among the audience, whose life experience may be very different from his own, he believes. Instead, his works hold up a mirror, in which the viewer can see a reflection of her own experience. Htein Lin thinks the art market in Myanmar has now gone beyond the desire to provide tourists with souvenirs. It has become a showcase. Now we have people capable of stocking that showcase. The need is growing for curators, art management and contemporary art museums. But universities still employ old teaching techniques. Its time to move with the tide of the international art community. Art lessons should be made compulsory in the curriculum. Foreign universities are more realistic in requiring students to use their own concepts, since each student has his or her own different ideas of what they have experienced. All this adds colour to their art. Picking up the Pieces: A Show of Installations is on show at the Goethe Villa, 8 Kominkochin Road, from August 18 to 29. Five years ago artist Htet Lin Aung could only dream of becoming an animator. Now he is well on his way to making his ambition a reality. In June 2011, Htet Lin Aung showed his art in public for the first time. The occasion was the Artistic Reinforcement Touch group exhibition at Yangons Lokanat Art Gallery, featuring the work of young artists enrolled in the University of Cultures bachelor of arts program. Htet Lin Aungs acrylic painting of an armour-clad Kinnara birdman stood out among the dozens of other artworks in the exhibition. The mythical Kinnara, normally a symbol of love in classical Myanmar literature, was depicted here as a fierce warrior with its feathered wings spread in rage and menace. At that time, 18-year-old Htet Lin Aung who had moved to Yangon from Meiktila in 2008 to attend the university told The Myanmar Times that one of his hobbies was studying the characters from Myanmar history and legend. I learned about Kinnari and Kinnara in Myanmar traditional art class, and they are used by artists to represent sorrow and love, he said. They never had a remarkable place in literature other than entertaining kings and queens. They should be more than that. That is why I created [a different] story of Kinnari and Kinnara. Love causes many things. Where there is love, there is war. His dream, he said at the time, was to turn his version of the Kinnari and Kinnara story into an animation feature, and eventually to create high-quality animation that would be seen around the world and recognised as a product of Myanmar. To produce animation requires many people and costs a lot of money, but Ill be patient and go through any hardships until I get there, he said. Five years on, Htet Lin Aung now going by the name Mg Shino, after a character in a Naruto video game whom his friends say he resembles is well on the way to realising this dream. The Myanmar Times caught up with the artist earlier this month at his Yangon studio, where the walls surrounding his work desk are decorated with drawings, cartoons and stills from animation features from around the world. Since I finished university in 2011, Ive given all my time to making animation. From the time I was a child, Ive dreamt of making my drawings come to life. I didnt think it was interesting for them to stay motionless on paper, so I was attracted to animation, Mg Shino said, adding, My parents never wanted me to become an artist, but now Im finally getting my chance. Indeed, art was always a hard sell for his parents, who thought he was not focused enough on his school lessons as a child. My teachers scolded me about my drawings and called my home. But I could never remember the dates or facts of history very well, so I drew small pictures of what I was learning at school to help me remember. I did this all the way through 10th standard, he said. His parents planned to send him to a military school after matriculation, but an uncle who saw Mg Shinos drawings convinced his mother and father to allow him to pursue his passion and attend the University of Culture. But even landing a job at the 5 Network television station after graduation failed to impress his parents, who worried about the long hours he spent sitting in front of a computer. His work creating animation segments for advertisements and music videos finally helped send the message that he was not wasting his efforts. My parents have slowly come to accept my work, and when they see me interviewed on TV about my animation they are proud of me, he said. Mg Shinos recent projects include a short animation segment of Inguli Marla, a notorious prince from Myanmar legend who wore a necklace of human fingers. He cut off peoples fingers even his own mothers and finally tried to cut off the Buddhas finger. I wanted to do a test project of Inguli Marla running, which is nice because he wears a necklace of fingers that moves while he runs, he said. Over the years, Mg Shino has also maintained his early interest in Kinnari. Now Im studying the characteristics of bird-humans their bones and joints, how long their wings should be and how they fly. Different kinds of birds have different characteristics, he said. Im focusing on this project at the moment, and hope to release it next year. The influence of Japanese animation is evident in some of Mg Shinos past work, but an even more obvious inspiration is Walt Disney. I loved fairytales, but when I was young I could only watch stories from other countries, like Cinderella, Snow White or Beauty and the Beast. All children love these films, but there was no animation depicting the many interesting fairytales from our own country. We grow up hearing our grandmothers read those stories to us, but I want to bring them to life, he said. The characters Ive made so far are mostly similar to Disney in style, but now Im working to create my own style for my own characters, he added. In the meantime, Mg Shino must struggle not only with his own creativity but also with striving for success in a country in which the animation industry is virtually nonexistent. Until 2005, there were very few animators in Myanmar, but recently a few more young animators have emerged, Mg Shino said. Some other countries have well-funded studios where hundreds of animators work together on one feature, but here we all work on our own without support. I had to learn by watching animation cartoons over and over again, and I use Adobe Flash software, which I learned from another local animator. He said the local animation industry would benefit from more competitions, more support from the government and businesspeople, and more understanding from parents and society at large. People dont know anything about making animation, and the parents of young artists dont support them. In our country, most people do not have the habit of encouraging or appreciating each other. They would rather attack or insult you, he said. As animators, we are not wasting our time but working hard to realise our dreams. We can see what painters want to say with their brushwork, and we can understand what actors or directors want to say in their movies. When action and art combine, the result is animation. For me, this is the best way to get peoples attention and send a message. Additional reporting by Lynn Whut Hmone These multi-pocketed monstrosities have provoked an unlikely online fashion war. But do they have merit beyond kneecap-high mobile phone storage? Ding dong merrily on high, cargo shorts have finally been banned by international law! At long last, the European court of human rights has decreed that these hideous, multi-pocketed monstrosities contravene my human rights by appearing in my line of vision on every third man in the street. From today, there will be a cargo shorts amnesty. Everyone must hand in their disgusting shorts at a designated safe space; failure to do so will result in offenders having to walk around town wearing a scarlet sign that says, Hi! Im a straight guy who cant accept the 90s are over. Personally, I think this is a rather odd punishment, given that wearers of these shorts essentially wear that sign every day, ba boom boom tish. Anyway, sadly, I jest; this has not happened. Rather, a journalist named Nicole Hong wrote an article about the perfectly obvious awfulness of these shorts and men rose up as one and gave a collective howl of fury. The male employees at The Wall Street Journal all came in wearing their beloved cargo shorts to protest against Hongs piece. Film director Judd Apatow tweeted that womens dislike of mens cargo shorts proves you dont understand us. In fact, its because women understand men all too well. A man who wears cargos is a man who is refusing to embrace maturity, as proved by the collective temper tantrum these chaps had when one woman questioned the merits of their stupid shorts. There are two conclusions to draw here. First, its adorable how outraged men (#yesliterallyallmen) get when someone criticises one piece of their clothing, given that women are told every single goddamn day how they are supposed to dress. Heck, fashion magazines tell women to throw out their entire wardrobes every six months. Do women cry about it? No, because theyre adults, and they know and I realise this is ironic coming from me, given that the whole point of this column is ostensibly to tell people what to wear it doesnt really matter. Someone doesnt like your clothes? Oh well, walk it off! Seeing these men willing to die on the hill of their cargo shorts is like watching people spend all day quarreling on the internet, unable to accept that someone has a different point of view to them. It reflects a deeply narcissistic belief that not only should everyone think the same way as them, but that they can make them do so. So, here is the definitive ruling on cargo shorts, chaps. They are clearly, objectively, obviously fugly. You know this, of course, given that your only real argument in defence of them is that they allow you to store your mobile close to your kneecap. And yet you want to keep wearing them. Fine, no one is going to arrest you. But we will think you look terrible in them, and no amount of whingeing will change that. Consider it your burden. Store it one of the 17 pockets on your shorts. The Guardian Are cargo shorts really that bad? We asked the men of The Myanmar Times office: Wolf Vitamin If cargo shorts were good enough for mojito-swilling, sandal-wearing Ernest Hemingway, theyre good enough for me. "I'd rather not be Googled for this" Whether T-shirt, tuxedo or taikpone, there is a time and a place for any article of clothing. Cargo shorts arent an everyday item for me, but the pockets are mighty handy when outdoors, for keeping camera and other essentials at the ready. RJ Vogt I dont wear them to look good, because frankly, they dont look good. Theyre hideous, sartorially speaking, and I am loathe to be caught in them on a night out. But the pockets are clutch when youre running errands, doing chores or adventuring in Myanmars wilder regions. Just dont wear them to the club. Groan. Dont you dare print my name I wear my cargo shorts everywhere! I am genuinely surprised to learn that some people dont like them, and that they can arouse great ire. Ukrainian military positions in Donbas have been shelled 73 times in the past 24 hours, the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation headquarters wrote on Facebook on Friday morning. "The Russian occupiers used weapons against Ukrainian defenders 73 times in the past 24 hours," it said. "Most of the attacks, 38 of them, have been recorded in the Donetsk sector." In particular, the enemy used 152mm artillery in the villages of Troitske and Semyhirya, and 122mm artillery in the villages of Luhanske and Leninske in the Donetsk sector. Ukrainian positions between the towns of Toretsk and Avdiyivka were shelled with the use of mortars, grenade launchers, large-caliber machine-guns and small arms. The villages of Novoselivka, Novhorodske, Verkhniotoretske and Luhanske were attacked by infantry fighting vehicles, while Troyitske was shelled by a tank gun. In the Mariupol sector, there were 23 instances of militant shelling, the press center said. In particular, even before dawn, the enemy fired 122mm-caliber howitzers at strongholds in the village of Myrne. The towns of Maryinka and Krasnohorivka and the village of Pavlopil came under mortar and grenade-launcher fire. Ukrainian military positions in the villages of Novotroitske and Shyrokyne were attacked with grenades and large-caliber machine-guns. Militants also engaged armored vehicles near the villages of Talakivka and Shyrokyne and the town of Maryinka. An enemy special forces unit was repelled near the village of Bohdanivka. The village of Novotroyitske was under sniper fire. In the Luhansk sector, the enemy fired 122mm artillery at the villages of Novozvanivka and Kalynove and the town of Popasna, the press center said. Ukrainian positions in the town of Zolote were shelled with 120mm mortars and automatic mounted grenade launchers. Mostly grenades were fired near the villages of Novo-Oleksandrivka, Novotroitske and Krymske and the towns of Popasna and Zolote. Militants staged armed provocations in the village of Stanytsia Luhanska with the use of grenade launchers of various systems and large-caliber machine-guns. Small arms were used to attack the village of Novozvanivka. The enemy has stepped up aerial reconnaissance, with seven drone flights over Ukrainian military positions registered over the past 24 hours, the ATO HQ press center said. Eight people have died, nearly half a million have been driven from their homes or face imminent threat of flooding, and nearly K700 million (US$590,000) has been spent on flood-relief measures as heavy rain continues to batter most states and regions of the country. The depression associated with Typhoon Dianmu off Chinas Guangdong province is said to be driving the extreme weather. The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said yesterday that isolated heavy showers were expected in Sagaing, Bago, Mandalay and Magwe regions; Shan, Chin, Rakhine, Kayah and Kayin states; and Nay Pyi Taw from August 20 to 22. Upper Sagaing and Bago regions and Shan, Chin, Rakhine, Kayah and Kayin states were forecast to receive 3 inches (7.6 centimetres) of rainfall over a 24-hour period. Nay Pyi Taw, lower Sagaing, Mandalay and Magwe regions are forecast to receive 1.5 inches or more. The DMH warned people living near rivers and streams and in hilly regions to be alert to the risks of flooding and landslides. Department director U Kyaw Lwin Oo said on August 17 that strong monsoon conditions would bring more heavy rain to lower Myanmar, including the delta area, and northern Rakhine and Chin states in the coming week. Ayeyarwady, Yangon and Bago regions face further flooding. Camps for families displaced by flooding had already been opened in upper Myanmar after last months heavy rains, particularly in Kachin State and Sagaing, Magwe and Mandalay regions. Ayeyarwady, Bago and Yangon regions are still struggling with floodwater, according to the Department of Relief and Resettlement. Kachin and Mon states and Sagaing, Magwe, Mandalay, Bago, Yangon and Ayeyarwady regions have been struggling with floodwaters for the past month or more, with Ayeyarwady Region the worst hit. U Than Soe, director of the Department of Relief and Resettlement in Ayeyarwady Region, said, Pathein district, which includes Thapaung, Pathein, Kangyidaunt and Yegyi townships, is still struggling with floodwater, affecting both inhabited areas and fields. As of August 15, 15 townships in Ayeyarwady Region were facing flooding, with 100,000 people from 20,000 households being evacuated. Though the authorities closed some camps in Maubin and Hinthada townships because of falling water levels, more than 6000 people were still living there. In Ayeyarwady Region, Pathein, Hinthada and Maubin districts are flood-affected, with Pathein being the worst-affected, he said. U Than Soe warned of further flooding to come. Though the floodwaters receded starting August 16, were keeping an eye out for more rain. Floodwater levels are higher than last year because of the tides, and the water is lingering in the villages longer. The relief department said eight people had died and 477,360 from 114,247 households had been evacuated or faced displacement since June. A resident of Thi Htet village, Thapaung township, said, Our village has been flooded for 20 days. We get flooded every year, but the rains have brought more flooding this year. However, displacement camps in Kachin State and Sagaing Region have closed and floodwater is receding in parts of Mandalay and Magwe regions and Mon State, allowing at least some residents to return home. The Department of Relief and Resettlement said yesterday that it had provided more than K667 million in aid to the flood-affected areas. Meanwhile, U Soe Aung, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, praised the involvement of the public in providing aid to victims of flooding, as they did this time last year. The ministry has received more than 700 reports on relief aid supplied by the public, he said. The permanent secretary told a press conference on August 16 that the ministry had access to K22 billion in funding to help flood victims. Of this sum, K20 billion comes from the National Natural Disaster Management Committee. We have a sufficient budget for relief aid, and there are plans for additional funding if we run short, he said. The ministry provides victims with two cans of rice per person per day, adults and children alike. It was now possible to provide this aid for 10 days, increased from the previous limit of three to seven days. Union Minister Win Myat Aye said the ministry has been listening to the voice of the people about the governments management of flooding. Theres still room for improvement, but were listening to everybody, he said. Additional reporting by Htoo Thant, translation by Zar Zar Soe Nearly 140 detained Myanmar migrant workers from camps around Malaysia are scheduled to return home today with help from the military. The government plans to repatriate 2246 detained migrant workers with the military kicking in funding for 400 of them. On August 17, the military funded the return of 130 migrants and the second military-assisted wave is scheduled to return today, bringing the total number of repatriated workers to more than 500 over the past two weeks, according to the Ministry of Labour and Immigration, which hopes to have everyone home by the end of the month. Plans were led by the parliament-formed Supervision Committee of Overseas Employment within the Ministry of Labour and Immigration, said senior ministry official U Thein Win. The first group of 130 returned on August 8 with the help of the KBZ Brighter Future Myanmar Foundation and Myanmar Airways International (MAI). Phoe La Min trading company made a private donation that led to the return of nearly 140 detainees on August 12. The military is funding three repatriation groups, said U Thein Win, but we do not know when the third trip will be yet. MAI public relations manager Daw Aye Mar Tha said the airline, in association with the KBZ foundation, will be helping in the repatriation again after the military assistance is complete. The company is standing by for future repatriation plans, though they are not sure of the timeline. As far as I know, after the military-funded repatriation, there will be a repatriation funded by a private company and then the KBZ foundation will fund the next one, she said. However, I am not sure which one comes first after the military funding: us or the private company. Thousands of Kaman Muslims from the Rakhine State capital Sittwe obtained identity cards this week, some two years after they applied for the documents. Now the problem is solved. The Kaman got national ID cards. We had proposed to the government and immigration office to work on the process of giving ID cards to Kaman, said U Tin Hlaing Win, general secretary of the Kaman National Development Party (KNDP). The Kaman, as one of 135 officially recognised ethnic groups in Myanmar entitled to full citizenship, had struggled to get authorities to grant them the IDs due to the complex ethnic demographics and fraught identity politics of Rakhine State. Complicating the process for the Kaman applicants has been the population of more than 1 million Muslims in Rakhine State who self-identify as Rohingya, most of whom are stateless. Citizenship scrutiny programs to issue some form of identification to the minority group by the previous and current governments have been met with resistance by Rakhine nationalists. The shared Muslim faith of the Kaman and Rohingya became just one aspect of a contentious debate over terminology earlier this year, when State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi put forward the phrase the Muslim community in Rakhine State to refer to self-identifying Rohingya in an attempt to chart a middle course on the issue of lexicon. Rohingya stirs passions among Buddhist nationalists, who insist that they be called Bengalis to imply that they are illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh, despite many tracing familial lineage in Rakhine State back generations. Some Kaman have since viewed the state counsellors edict warily, concerned that the Kaman identity might be conflated with that of the Rohingya who are not entitled to citizenship and could jeopardise Kaman prospects for ID cards and full rights under the law. Violence in 2012 between Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine State affected Rakhine Buddhists, Kaman and Rohingya, but the latter suffered the brunt of casualties and displacement. U Tin Hlaing Win told The Myanmar Times last week that some of the Kaman Muslims displaced by the conflict in the island town of Rambre had also recently received national ID cards. The Kaman are ethnics belonging to Myanmar, said U Than Htun Aung, a senior immigration officer for Rakhine State. Township immigration officers will examine [legitimate Kaman claims to citizenship] according to the process and they will ensure they get their rights. Around 2000 Kaman applied for national ID cards in 2014, but only 38 people were issued the documents. The others were told they had not received IDs because of the purported existence of fake Kaman. More than 100,000 people are thought to hold government-issued national ID cards identifying them as Kaman, but KNDP research in 2013 estimated the actual ethnic Kaman population to be about 50,000. U Tin Hlaing Win said sorting out the fake Kaman issue was not solely the responsibility of Kaman people, adding that immigration officers through the years, and generations of ethnically mixed marriages and the offspring they produced, were also to blame for the confusion. According to our research and knowledge tracing family trees, some Kaman identity-card holders were Rakhine plus Bengali or Rakhine plus Indian, not Kaman. It [identity problems] should be solved by three groups we Kaman, the Rakhine and immigration authorities, U Tin Hlaing Win told The Myanmar Times last week. What most seem to agree on is that real Kaman deserve the documentation they need to enjoy the full rights of citizenship. Ethnic Rakhine youth leader Ko Khine Lamin said, The Rakhine objected to national ID cards for Kaman because of the controversy over fake Kaman. But there are real Kaman who have lived in Rakhine State since a long, long time ago. They should get their ethnic rights through careful examination by immigration officers. Kaman politicians are not satisfied with their victory this week and are trying to meet with Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu to raise other difficulties Kaman people face, such as transportation barriers. They also intend to ask the chief minister for rehabilitation programs for Kaman internally displaced people, as well as education and health support for the broader Kaman community. Three ethnic armed groups have announced that they would willingly participate in the 21st-century Panglong conference, scheduled to start on August 31, despite the fact they have not been extended an invitation. In a statement issued yesterday, the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) said they were pleased with the progress being made in the peace process so far particularly with regard to the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committees (UPDJCs) August 15 announcement that an all-inclusive approach would be taken for the landmark Panglong summit. We welcome the decision of government to start the 21st-century Panglong Conference on August 31 and we are ready to attend the conference, the statement read. The expression of their willingness to attend the summit prompted speculation as to whether the three groups had accepted governments demands for disarmament. The conditions laid out for participation in the upcoming conference, which the three groups had so far objected to, include [issuing] a statement expressing their willingness for peace talks and surrendering their stance of armed struggle and to keep the groups arms in the hands of a trusted third party. However, TNLA official Colonel Tar Phone Kyaw told The Myanmar Times that the statement was a separate matter, and was not related to the talks between the peace commission and the three groups. It does not mean that we have accepted their demands. Since they had decided in the UPDJCs meeting that the government would invite all armed ethnic groups to the 21st-century Panglong Conference, we are encouraged to announce our readiness to cooperate with the government, he said. U Hla Maung Shwe, a government peace aide, said the government has not yet extended any invitation to the groups. The groups held talks with the governments peace commission on August 8 in the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) stronghold of Mong La, Shan State, but could not agree on the key proposed negotiation points. While no resolution was reached in Mong La, officials from the groups said they hope they would meet with government officials again ahead of the conference. However, Tar Phone Kyaw said yesterday he had not yet heard of any such meeting being planned. The three groups have been engaged in active hostilities with the Tatmadaw since a major flare-up in February 2015 in the Kokang self-administered areas. The three groups had been frozen out of peace negotiations by the previous government due to the ongoing conflict. Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang yesterday as Myanmar seeks to cement ties with Beijing long the former military juntas protector. The five-day visit with the suspension of a giant Beijing-backed dam project set to dominate talks is Daw Aung San Suu Kyis first major foreign trip since her government took over in March after a landslide election victory. That showed that the Myanmar government and you yourself pay great attention to China-Myanmar ties, Mr Li told Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. China approves of this, he said, adding, China and Myanmar are linked by mountains and rivers. Myanmar sees its giant neighbour and largest trading partner as its biggest foreign policy preoccupation. Unfreezing the US$3.6 billion Myitsone dam will be a priority for China, while officials said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would seek Beijings cooperation for talks with armed groups operating near the countries shared border. Beijing was instrumental in shielding Myanmars former junta rulers from international opprobrium while Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, now state counsellor as well as foreign minister, languished for years under house arrest as a democracy activist. At the time Myitsone was seen as emblematic of Chinas economic dominance over Myanmar. In 2011 a quasi-civilian government halted the project in a surprise move after local protests, and Beijing has been pressing for its resumption ever since. At present there are complex changes in the world, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said in Beijing, where she was greeted with military honours. She hoped that relations between the two countries could be further consolidated and developed, she added. As well as Mr Li, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is due to hold talks with Chinas President Xi Jinping during her trip, which began on August 17. On her first visit to China last year, she faced calls to raise the case of her fellow Nobel laureate Chinese writer Liu Xiaobo sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2009 for circulating a petition calling for democratic reforms but did not do so. Beijing staunchly objects to foreign leaders criticising its rights record, and few expect her to do so this time. Analysts said the choice of China for Daw Aung San Suu Kyis first trip to a major foreign capital shows the relationship is a priority after Myanmars historic November election saw a landslide vote to end military-backed political domination. With a total of $15.4 billion of approved investments in Myanmar, China is by far its largest foreign investor, despite reforms in recent years that have seen Western firms surge back. Its interests range from a huge oil and gas pipeline and special economic zone to dams and mining. Chinese firms have continued to win major contracts in recent months. But Myanmar has drawn closer to the US during its transition to civilian rule. At the same time Myanmar needs to get Beijing onside as it pursues historic peace talks with armed groups who cross over the border into China to find sanctuary and to trade in illicit items. Fighting in the border region of Kokang between the Myanmar army and local rebels has seen residents flee into China, and shells occasionally landing on its territory, straining relations. We are prepared to discuss it [about peace] if they would discuss, U Kyaw Zeya, director general at Myanmars Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told AFP earlier. Communist-ruled China launched a diplomatic charm offensive after the November election, dispatching Foreign Minister Wang Yi for talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi soon after her partys victory. Chinas state-run media sought to portray the current trip as a sign that Myanmars ties with Beijing are stronger than its links to Washington. Contrary to the subjective view that a democratic Myanmar will lean toward the West, Suu Kyis visit to China carries significant weight, commentator Wang Wenwen wrote in the Global Times newspaper. Several commentators said Chinese investment was still essential for Myanmar, but signalled that Beijing might be willing to make concessions on dam projects by consulting more with locals. Researcher Song Qingrun wrote in the China Daily that China should make sure local residents approve of the location and size of the hydroelectric stations, and the environmental assessments pass public scrutiny. AFP Sixty civil society organisations (CSOs) in Myanmar asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to stop the Myitsone dam project on the Ayeyarwady River in a letter sent yesterday through the Chinese ambassador in Yangon. China will not neglect our request. I believe this because of the two countries relationship, U Thwin Lin Aung, director of the CSO Genuine Peoples Servants, told The Myanmar Times yesterday. And Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also would not neglect the publics desire. She will implement our desire. The letter comes during State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis trip to Beijing this week, where the matter is expected to be discussed. Though Myanmars domestic political landscape, and the bilateral relationship between the two nations, is much changed since the controversial Myitsone project was suspended in 2011, environmentalists have remained steadfast in opposition to it. Rejection is better, said U Myo Thant, secretary of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee. EIA/SIA [environmental and social impact assessments] should be done specifically with experts in various sectors to decide the future of the project. His concerns are also seismological: The dam is sited in Kachin State near the Sagaing Fault, prompting fears that a large earthquake could seriously damage the structure, possibly sending waters from its reservoir flooding downstream. The reservoir itself is part of the problem, he said, with the accumulated water from the dam weighing on the earths crust and increasing the likelihood of seismic activity. While U Myo Thant argues that the earthquake risk is one of the most important factors for the government to consider, others point out that the area to be submerged by the reservoir would lead to the displacement of thousands of people. Last week President U Htin Kyaw formed a commission to assess Myitsone and other dams along the Ayeyarwady River, with a report of its findings expected in November. Though it was the president who officially ordered its formation, there is no doubt among environmentalists and activists that it is Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who will decide the Myitsones fate. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported last week that the director general of the Political Affairs Department, U Kyaw Zeya, said it was highly likely that a discussion about Myitsone would take place during the foreign ministers trip to China. The state counsellor met with Premier Li Keqiang yesterday in Beijing but a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not mention discussion of the dam. According to the Myanmar foreign ministry, she will meet with the Chinese president today. I dont think the government is positively considering continuing the Myitsone dam project, because some of the activists like U Maung Maung Gyee and U Cho Cho were expert activists in opposing the Myitsone dam project, said Amyotha Hluttaw lawmaker Saw Moe Myint (NLD; Kayin 1), who is also a member of the Myanmar Green Network. He added that an EIA/SIA should not be conducted only for the Myitkyina area where the proposed dam is cited but also for the entirety of the Ayeyarwady River, taking into account downstream impacts. I dont want to be blamed by future generations. I will stand on the side of thoroughly rejecting the Myitsone dam project, said U Kyaw Nyein, executive committee member of the Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association, adding that he had concluded that the negative consequences of the project going forward outweighed the benefits for Myanmar. China could have done this [built a mega-dam] in their country but they didnt do it because of the worries about their environment, said U Win Htut Zaw of the Myanmar Green Network. Pre-construction works for the US$3.6 billion Myitsone dam began in 2009 and the project was suspended two years later, with then-president U Thein Sein bowing to growing public anger over the project. In addition to concerns about its environmental and social impacts, many in Myanmar balked at the terms of an agreement that would see some 90 percent of the electricity generated by the Myitsone dam exported to China. Yesterdays open letter was organised by the Former Political Prisoners Society and other CSOs, as well as a handful of concerned individuals. It asked the Chinese government to supervise Chinese businesses investing in Myanmar and enforce rules of conduct as if the enterprises were working on their own soil. A positive resolution of the Myitsone dam project would foster growth in the two countries relationship, it said. International experts are conducting a study of how to enhance trips to see endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, said U Han Win of the Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Team, as part of a drive to promote tourism in the dolphin conservation zone. The study tour is being conducted in the conservation zone on the Ayeyarwady River between Mandalay and Kyauk Myaung. During last years tourism season, foreign visitors could set out from Mandalay for Singu township, through the heart of the zone. Previous trips only included Sin Kyaung, Aye Kyaung and Sein Pan Kone in Madaya township and two villages in Singu township to view the dolphins and study the fisheries industry. Now we plan to extend the trip, said U Han Win. The limited dolphin-based tourism itinerary was launched in 2013, he added. A lot of visitors want to see the dolphins, which are an endangered species. But we have to promote this trip ... I think people who came to Mandalay would take this trip if they knew about it, said tour guide Ko Aung Myo. Translation by Zar Zar Soe On World Humanitarian Day, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Renata Dessallien says the key to success is amplifying local voices and bolstering CSO efforts. Today the world is witnessing human suffering on a scale that has not been seen since the end of the Second World War. More than 130 million people around the world need humanitarian assistance. Together they would form the tenth most populous country in the world.In Myanmar alone, hundreds of thousands of people are estimated to be in humanitarian need due to disasters and protracted conflict. On World Humanitarian Day, their plight is front and centre in our hearts and minds. Myanmar is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, ranking ninth out of 191 countries on the global Index of Risk Management. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are displaced by flooding during the annual monsoon rains, underscoring the importance of investment in preparedness. This year has been no exception. Since the end of July, close to half a million people have been temporarily displaced across eleven regions/states by monsoon flooding. This is in addition to the 220,000 displaced people already living in camps and host communities in Kachin, northern Shan and Rakhine states as a result of protracted conflict. Decades of displacement and under-development have left people with littleaccess to essential services such as healthcare and education. It is against this sobering backdrop that we commemorate this years World Humanitarian Day on the 19th of August. On this day we unite as one humanity with others across the world who are affected by conflict and disaster, while recognizing the hard work and dedication of humanitarians working in this country,across this region and around the world to alleviate suffering. On World Humanitarian Day, we also remember and pay tribute to those heroic colleagues who have lost their lives in humanitarian service. This includes eight aid workers and volunteers who died while helping people in need during the August 2015 floods in Myanmar. Our hearts go out to their loved ones. World Humanitarian Day 2016 follows one of the most pivotal moments in the history of humanitarian action: the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul. I was part of an 18-strong delegation from Myanmar that attended the Summit where the global humanitarian community came together to declare their support for a new Agenda for Humanity, as well as to make a collective commitment to reduce suffering and deliver better for people caught in crisis. At the Summit, the Myanmar Government reinforced its commitment to providing humanitarian access to vulnerable people and to investing in disaster preparedness. Local NGOs from Myanmar also took the opportunity to advocate for better recognition of their central role in responding to crises and urged the humanitarian community to work with them more closely. In Myanmar, their call for greater recognition and support is a strong one. In Kachin and Shan States, local organizations are already central to providing vital humanitarian relief to those in need. When a natural disaster strikes or conflict breaks out in Myanmar, it is always local people, local Civil Society Organizations, local authorities and NGOs who are the first to respond. They do so effectively because they have deep roots in their communities and national staff who have an unmatched capacity to understand and navigate the local context. They are able to respond more quickly and efficiently due to their extensive in-country networks and lower overheads. Complementing and enhancing their invaluable roles and services should be a centrepiece of the international humanitarian response.To continue this vital work, local organizations need a stronger voice at the international humanitarian table, they need to receive funding more directly, and they need international organizations to invest more in working closely with them andfurther enhancing their capacity. There is now an urgent need to make good on the global promises and messages from the World Humanitarian Summit, turning commitments into concrete action. I am pleased to say that here in Myanmar, the humanitarian community is already taking strides in the right direction when it comes to supporting local and national CSOs. Being as local as possible and as international as necessary was one of the rallying cries at the Summit and the recent flood and measles responses in Myanmar are practical examples of this principle in action. Local, state and regional governments have effectively led the flood response in collaboration with national partners, Civil Society Organizations and the private sector. International organizations have been working in support of the Government where requested, particularly on food, but national actors have been firmly in the drivers seat. Likewise in the remote and under-developed Naga Self-Administered Zone, where a deadly measles outbreak has been confirmed, the Ministry of Health has mobilized response teams to investigate and respond, with technical support provided by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. It is little wonder that local humanitarian and civil society organizations are such a central part of Myanmars social fabric given the countrys unparalleled culture of compassion and generosity in the face of suffering. According to the 2015 World Giving Index,people in Myanmar are the most generous on earth, more willing to volunteer their time or donate their money than anyone else on the planet. On this World Humanitarian Day, I urge all of us to pause and reflect on how we can spread this Myanmar spirit of compassion to ensure that no-ones suffering is ignored. Renata Dessallien is the UN Resident Coordinator in Myanmar. Being transgender can mean a world of possible gender identities, where people move from one gender to another and can also put aside the choice of male and female for one of third gender. Across Asia, including in Myanmar, many societies have a place for a third gender identity, and increasingly they are legally recognised too. Yet transgender people bear the brunt of the stigma and discrimination against the LGBT community. They are usually much more visible, and less able or less willing to simply blend in. They can also face discrimination within the LGBT community itself because they embody the stereotypes of effeminacy that many gay men shun. When we were making the selection for this years &PROUD LGBT Film Festival held in Yangon in January some people in the community felt we needed to increase the content about non-trans lesbians and gay men in order to demonstrate to the Myanmar public that being gay did not always mean being effeminate, and that being a lesbian did not always mean being a tomboy. For the festival we tried to keep a balance and reflect all parts of the LGBT community in Asia and show the diversity of sexual and gender identities that are available. More worryingly, because of this discrimination, in most countries the rate of physical assaults on transgender people is much higher than among the general population. In Myanmar we dont have good data on violence against transgender people, but the most recent big police activity against the LGBT population in Mandalay in 2013 was overwhelmingly focused on the transgender population. Moreover, because of discrimination transgender people may be cut off from families or find employment difficult. Some transgender people may have no choice of employment outside sex work, which will also throw them into situations where they are at risk of violence. When law enforcement can use existing discriminatory laws to target the transgender population, like they did in Mandalay, it becomes that much harder to insist on condom use with clients. Over the past week many visitors went to Mandalay for the magnificent and hugely atmospheric nat festival at Taung Pyone. Many transgender natkadaws one of the professions where trans people thrive in Myanmar as well their assistants and followers would have travelled from all over Myanmar to be there. Its an incredibly lively and electric environment, and it is attractive to think that it exists as a safe place where transgender people are totally secure. However, when I was walking there last year on one of the final evenings with a transgender woman, a stranger came up and groped her. She gave as good as she got and hit right back, but it was a sign that even in supposed safe places transgender people are at risk. To protect against sexual and physical violence most transgender people look to legislation to protect LGBT rights. In Myanmar, where same-sex relations are criminalised under the British-era penal code, this kind of protection is some way off. There is another path, which is to look for protection under legislation on violence against women. That is what Myanmar civil society organisations have been discussing and lobbying for during consultations on the draft law on the Prevention of Violence against Women. To date, though, these efforts have been resisted by lawmakers. The draft law which has been developed only covers biological women. That means it will cover tomboys or women who take a masculine role, but not men who have become women. One argument is that the law is meant to protect women, not LGBT people. But there may be something more at work too. May Sabe Phyu of the Gender Equality Network (GEN), which has been arguing to include transgender women, feels that their inclusion under the protection of this law might be seen as a tacit sign of approval of the LGBT community. And there is some pushback from within the womens rights movement. Some people feel that because talk of womens rights is new for many people, to add LGBT rights will cause a rejection of all of it. If, as looks likely, it becomes impossible to include transgender women within the remit of the Law on Prevention of Violence Against Women, what are the prospects for the future? As trans activist Yaya (David Aye Myat) says, the road will be slow toward the amendment of current laws and development of new protections. As it moves forward, the LGBT movement will need to continue to work alongside the womens movement to build bridges and show that violence against transgender women is part of the impact of unequal gender relations, and that transgender rights are equally part of the gender and human rights movement. Billy Stewart works on public health programs in Myanmar and is a cofounder of the &PROUD Yangon LGBT Film Festival. On this day, August 19, we commemorate World Humanitarian Day. This is an opportunity for us to call for global solidarity and stand together with everyone affected by humanitarian crises in Myanmar and beyond. We all have a common responsibility to demand action to reach those furthest behind, and to support those who are most vulnerable and in need of assistance. This years World Humanitarian Day follows the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, held in Istanbul in May. I was one of 18 delegates from Myanmar who attended the summit where the global humanitarian community came together to declare their support for the new Agenda for Humanity, as well as make a collective commitment to reduce suffering and deliver better aid for people caught in crisis. Today in Myanmar, there is a real opportunity to change peoples lives by all of us from the Myanmar government, to international and local actors, to the private sector working together to strengthen Myanmars national and local humanitarian response systems. As experience from around the world shows, this needs to be based on humanitarian principles rather than political interests or political agendas. Sadly, we also have much experience of this in Myanmar. For example, the humanity and confidence displayed by local actors in working together in the aftermath of the 2008 Cyclone Nargis tragedy or the response by community groups to the conflict in my Kachin homeland can be replicated. This should not only be when circumstances block access for international actors; it is also the most appropriate way to promote ethical, effective and efficient humanitarian responses to help alleviate suffering and build peace among the peoples in our country. So how can we seize this moment to change peoples lives and improve the way we respond? The answer is not difficult. We need to tap into the existing capacity of local actors and the relationships they have with the government and communities where they work. In order to do this, however, a number of conditions must be encouraged. In particular, there must be more trust in local organisations, fewer bureaucratic impediments, the courage to take more risks and the political will to strengthen local capacity. If we agree that aid should go through the most direct routes to be the most impactful among the communities in need, then local organisations must be supported. But, regretfully, our experience all too often shows that local actors, for the most part, are not being directly funded by UN agencies and donors due to bureaucratic obstacles and an unhelpful lack of trust in the abilities of local organisations. And while international NGOs receive core funding for essential needs like rent, accommodation, salaries and travel, local and national NGOs very often do not. This prevents them from undertaking strategic planning and the building of systems that are able to meet donor funding requirements. This in turn can lead to the marginalisation of local NGOs and hinders effective aid delivery. For Mettas part, we commit to ensuring that at least 90 percent of all our funding goes directly to programming operations and that we will not take any funding that does not include local communities in the design and implementation of programs. We also pledge to be transparent and accountable about how we spend our funding, including our operational costs. For example, Metta works alongside eight other local organisations in Kachin and northern Shan states. We work together, share resources together, and undertake joint assessments, monitoring, evaluation and learning together. Finally, we commit to working with the government, local authorities, civil society and the private sector to develop local and national response systems, including spending domestic funding for local preparedness and response. In essence, we promote a multi-sector approach to work together with all parties in societies that are in need and, very often, have been divided by conflict. I wish to affirm that Myanmar NGOs are ready to do our part in ensuring that no one is left behind, and we ask for the international humanitarian community to trust us and work with us not around us so that we can reach those most in need. Myanmar now has an opportunity for change and a better future, and it is an opportunity that must not be lost. Laphai Seng Raw is the cofounder of the Metta Development Foundation, a national organisation in Myanmar that assists communities recovering from the impact of decades of civil conflict. The Kenyan government is mulling a possibility of using Ukrainian drugs to fight Tuberculosis (TB). The Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ukraine told Interfax-Ukraine that this information was announced at a meeting of the Ukrainian ambassador to Kenya Yevhen Tsymbaliuk with Health Minister of Kenya Cleopa Mailu. At the meeting the sides discussed the possible ways of stepping up bilateral relations in the health care area, development of medical and scientific cooperation and cooperation in medical education. They determined the prospects for signing a bilateral agreement of cooperation in the above-mentioned spheres or a memorandum of sectoral cooperation. The Ukrainian diplomat presented the potential of the Ukrainian pharmaceutical complex to the Kenyan minister, in particular, the potential of the companies that applied for help to the Council of Exporters and Investors at the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine and directly to the Ukrainian Embassy in Kenya. The meeting participants also discussed the possibility of launching the Protect Children from TB project in Kenya with the involvement of Ukrainian specialists and using Ukrainian medicines. "The establishment of cooperation with Kenya in the health care sector, including fight against infectious diseases, and creation of the conditions for providing proper medical assistance to Kenyans would help Ukrainian pharmaceutical companies to enter local markets," the association said. As reported, in March Ukraine's Interchem double liability company took part in the largest pharmaceutical exhibition in Eastern Africa in Kenya. Interchem double liability company is one of the leading Ukrainian manufacturers of medicine and pharmaceutical substances. It has a full production cycle from the design and synthesis of new biologically active molecules, and the industrial production of pharmaceutical substances, to the production of medicines and sales of products to end consumers. The company is part of the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ukraine uniting leading pharmaceutical manufacturers of the country. Yaanom! Mema Mo Akwaaba! Mekyea Mo Nyinaa! A big hello to all my loyal and new readers, it is always a pleasure writing to you guys, truly. Today, we will be covering the topic of the Adinkra symbols. Yes, this topic has been way overdue and it is finally here! There are many articles out there, as well as numerous scholarly books... but because I needed this article to be highly accurate, I made it my duty to visit the library of Legon University for this one (yea this girl does not play!). But all I could find was their names, meanings and proverbial explanations and that was simply not sufficient enough for me. As a researcher, I have learnt that we Ghanaians, and in particular our ancestors, did not just draw up random symbols simply because they wanted to but I believed that there must have been a reason for designing a symbol a certain way, a reason for why the symbols look the way they do. I was interested in all the above and so much more. I wanted to know the linguistic and semiotic explanations of all these symbols, and by that I mean I wanted to truly understand their names (down to the very root) and find correlations between their symbolism and their visual structures. And after long (and I mean very long) and extensive research I am finally pleased. I have to tell you though, this article was by far the most tedious one Ive written so far. Simply because the analysis time of each symbol varied so much. Some symbols took me 5 minutes, some took me a couple of hours, and some even had the audacity to be so insanely complex and abstract that it literally took me a couple of days to my biggest frustration (yea... struggle did get that real!). But I got nothing but love for you guys so taking one for the team here (smiling). I am finally satisfied with the results and I'm anxious to share these with you, so do get comfortable. A little bit of history... The Adinkra symbols were created by the Akan of Ghana and also by the Gyaman of Cote DIvoire in the early 1800s for communication purposes. Now "Adinkra" was actually the name of a king of Gyaman (present day Cote DIvoire) called Nana Kofi Adinkra. And this king was captured by the Ashanti with the offense that he had copied the "Golden Stool" (click "here" for the article on that topic), and we all know by now that that is simply a big no-no... The Golden Stool is incredibly sacred to the Ashanti! So anyways, when he was captured, the Ashanti noticed that this king was always wearing patterned cloth, which was meant to symbolize his grief for being captured. Now the word Adinkra is an Akan word (in Ghana) which means Farewell or Goodbye and so the "Adinkra symbols" became a visual system of various symbolic representations of ethics, morality, advice, concepts and ideas. These symbols were printed on fabrics that were to be worn on funerals to pay the last respects with the purpose of sharing subtle underlying messages. The beautiful part of this is, not everybody back then was able to read or write, but almost everybody did understand these symbols, so it became an oral tradition, an illustrated verbal system that worked. If you travel to Ghana, you simply cannot go through a day without seeing at least 5 symbols pictured, carved or painted somewhere, they are truly that popular. And to ease you a bit into the topic, do enjoy this short introductory video created by yours truly. Youre welcome back! Now "Ananse and His New Wife" is a fun narrated tale in which I tried to get you more acquainted with the Adinkra symbols, so I sincerely hope I was able to do that for you. Okay so in this article I will be presenting you the original 63 Adinkra symbols which happen to be the most popular ones (considering there are hundreds of them out there). Now I know this is quite an extensive article but do not worry though, you are not required to read it from A to Z, but you are allowed to jump around randomly, because all the Adinkra symbols are numbered. So that way itll be easier and much more fun to read. Im ready when you are lets get started, here we go! Ow wait... and after youre done reading, you can click "here" and this will redirect you to an online quiz I made for you guys (I promise its all fun and games). Let me know how well you did! Okay now lets go! (1.) This symbol is called Adinkrahene and it stands for greatness, charisma and leadership. Now "Adinkra" is a historical name (which was established in the introduction) and Hene in the Akan language means King. When we take a good look at this symbol youll notice a black dot in the middle and 3 black concentric circles around it. Way back it was believed that Ohene Y3 Owia, meaning The King is the Sun. So just as the planets rotate around the sun in our solar system, making it the most important object, so does the Hene who is pictured as the dot. Now the concentric circles around this dot represent the people in his kingdom, and the dot represents the king, making the king the most important person. (2.) This symbol is called Fofo and it stands for jealousy and envy. Now the reason why this symbol has a flower kind of look is because it is actually named after the fofo plant, which has yellow-like flowers. Now when its pedals drop, they turn into black spiky-like seeds. There is an Akan proverb associated with this Adinkra symbol which goes Sedee Fofo Pe Ne Se Gyinantwi Abo Bidie and this means The Fofo Plant Wants The Gyinantwi Seed To Turn Black. Meaning, others can wish misfortune for you during your endeavors... so be cautious! (3.) This symbol is called Funtunfunefu-Denkyemfunefu and it stands for unity and democracy. When we look at this Adinkra symbol, we see 2 crocodiles intertwined. Now legend has it that Funtunfunefu and Denkyemfunefu were 2 Siamese crocodiles, they had 2 individual bodiesbutthey shared one stomach (as you can see in this Adinkra symbol). And the irony is that they would fight over food all the time, even though they share the same stomach! This symbol teaches us that even though we all seem like independent individuals, at the end of the day we are all fighting for the same cause, so we need to unite. (4.) This symbol is called Akoben and it stands for wariness, vigilance and readiness/preparedness. Ako in the Akan language means War and Ben means Horn. In the olden days, this horn was blown by the Chief and it signified an immediate call for arms (looked pretty much like the symbol you see here). The chiefs horn was embellished and decorated with jaw bones of the defeated enemies because it was believed that horns like these sang the praises of the chief through the jaws of the enemy. (5.) This symbol is called Fihankra and it stands for security and protection. In the Akan language "Fi" means house and "Hankra" means compound. And so fihankra literally means compound house. Now the compound houses back then were built in such a way that there was a quadrangle center and all the four sides of this center consisted of rooms which enclosed the center space, which is what we see when looking at this symbol. And finally, these houses had one entrance which also served as the exit, for security purposes. (6.) This symbol is called Akofena. Now in the Akan language "Ako" means war and "Fena" means sword. And so this Adinkra symbol stands for bravery, war and heroism. This symbol is quite self-explanatory, you do see 2 swords crossing each other, symbolizing that war always includes the other participant, the opposition, the enemy. (7.) This symbol is called Ese Ne Tekrema which literally translates as teeth and tongue and this symbolizes the beautiful harmony in friendships. You can actually see the teeth and the tongue in this Adinkra symbol when you turn it horizontally (with a bit of imagination). Anyways, just the way the teeth and tongue are separate parts in the mouth, they are still dependent on one another and so they come together to work for the same cause. This is also true for all the interrelations between humans. We are social beings and so we need friendships. (8.) This symbol is called Bese Saka. In the Akan language "Bese" means cola nuts, and "Saka" means sack. So this Adinkra symbol means bundle of unseparated cola nuts, but it is also known as a sack of cola nuts. This stands for power, abundance and economical welfare. Back in the olden days, a sack of cola nuts was usually shared among chiefs during a chief meeting, and the bigger your sack was, the better economic status you gained. The design of this symbol reflects the image of a true cola nut flower. (9.) This symbol is called Dame-Dame and it stands for intelligence. To be able to play this game, one needs their utmost concentration, or else you might as well just leave the show before sitting down. Dame-Dame was a 10x10 checkerboard game that was played a lot by the elderly men in the village. In the middle youll see a square which represents the mind at its highest concentrated state, but it also stands for the squares you see on the dame-board, you can only be positioned in 1 square at a time, such as your concentration. Then youll see 4 lines leaving the square reaching a circle which represents pathways. This means, once the mind is concentrated you are able to see all the positive directions available to you (in this game as well as in life). And then finally the circle represents the dame-chip that you use to move around with on the board. (10.) This symbol is called Eban and it means fence. This Adinkra symbol stands for safety and security, much like Adinkra nr.5. Now in Ghana, fencing your house is a super important thing. It keeps unwanted visitors away from coming to your sacred space. So just like Fihankra which also symbolizes the same thing, this symbol seems to be having 4 little Fihankras which is already very safe, and then having an even greater super fence around it, making it double secure. (11.) This symbol is called Fawohodie and it means freedom. It stands for emancipation and independence. This Adinkra symbol is actually associated with an Akan proverb which goes Fawohodie Ene Obre Na Enam meaning independence comes with its responsibilities. If you look at this symbol youll see something that actually resembles a traditional stool, and if you look closer youll notice that there is a double layer designed on the inside. When it comes to this Adinkra symbol, you have to start from the inside, the double layer, which represents an individual without independence, and hence without responsibilities. This individual is taken care of by another person, which is symbolized as the outer chair-looking design. When one wants to become independent, and move from the inner to the outer sphere, then one will feel the weight of the responsibilities, which is symbolized by the inner design. (12.) This symbol is called Denkyem and this literally means crocodile. Now the image you see is rather self-explanatory, this Adinkra symbol has the image of a crocodile and it stands for adaptability. The reason they chose this animal was because back in the olden days, it was quite fascinating to see a creature that lives in water who also happened to be dependent on air. The crocodile is supposedly very adapted to any circumstance. (13.) This symbol is called Onyankopon Adom Nti Biribiara Beye Yie which literally means by the Grace of God, everything will be alright. When we look at this Adinkra symbol, we notice a heart which symbolizes God, who is love. And an inner circle divided in 4, which symbolizes the human being with all his needs. Once we believe that God is love, by his grace, everything that has been placed under His care, under His wings, will be protected forever, thus everything will be alright with God by our side. (14.) This symbol is called Akoma Ntoso which basically means linked hearts and this stands for understanding and agreement. Now when we carefully look at this Adinkra symbol, with a little bit of spatial awareness, youll notice 4 separated halved oval shapes which are all connected by a center circle. Now when you connect the 2 top halved oval shapes with the center circle, you get a heart, and the same goes for the 2 bottom halved oval shapes hence the linked hearts. It takes understanding for two hearts to be linked as one. The center circle represents the point of understanding, the point of coming together as one. (15.) This symbol is called Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo which means help me and let me help you. Now this symbol stands for cooperation and interdependence. This Adinkra symbol is very beautiful. For the people whove had Genetics courses during uni./college years or advanced biology during high school years, will immediately notice the squares and the circles that are used in pedigree charts. In medicine, when creating a genetic chart (pedigree), the square is typically used for males and the circles are used for females. The white square and white circle represent helping each other out on micro level, one on one, directly between individuals. And the black square and black circle you see (right above the white square and below the white circle) represent helping each other out on macro-level, on nation-state level, perhaps even globally so to say. The triangles where the squares and circles are embedded in are pointed towards each other, as in we need one another. And finally the triangles are connected to one another on both sides which represent the exchange of help. (16.) This symbol is called Akokonan which literally means a leg of a hen. Now this Adinkra symbol is supposed to represent the disciplined characteristic as well as the nurturing aspect of parenthood. Hens are known to trample on their chicks without hurting them. Meaning its important to create a balance between nurturing children and disciplining them. When you look closely at this symbol, you can actually divide it in half (vertical line), and youll notice 2 hens legs, with the left side smaller than the right side. The left side which is smaller, with the toes pointing to the right represents the disciplining role of a parent, and the right side, which is the bigger leg with the toes pointing to the left, represents the nurturing and embracing role of the parent. They are both equally necessary in the upbringing of children. (17.) This symbol is called Nkyimkyim and it stands for versatility and dynamics in life. Nkyimkyim means something that is bended, curved, so basically the opposite of straight. And that is what we see in this symbol. Life is not a straight path, its curvy, its bendy, its stormy, its likely not to even go as planned but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Besides, life could get slightly boring if it wasnt a little rough around the edges right beautiful symbol. (18.) This symbol is called Gye Nyame. In the Akan language "Gye" means except and "Nyame" means God, and so this basically means except for God. It is pretty safe to say that this Adinkra symbol is by far the most popular one. You can literally find them everywhere. This symbol represents the utmost supremacy of Nyame and it is associated with the following saying No one has ever lived long enough to see the beginning of creation and no one will ever live long enough to see its very ending except God. This represents the omnipotence of our Father. This symbol strongly looks like a bar spiraled galaxy. Now you may ask how did our ancestors base this Adinkra symbol on something that requires a telescope to see, which was not even present back then? This seems to be beyond comprehension. However we should remember that our ancestors had a lot of scientific knowledge that present day science is now catching up to, 100s (if not 1000's) of years later. So in that regard, lets keep an open mind. (19.) This symbol is called Mmusuyidee and this means that which drives out bad luck. In our culture black is associated with darkness, misfortune, death the unpleasant sides of life. And white is associated with the good sides of life, purity, clarity, good fortune etc. When we take a look at this Adinkra symbol, well notice that even though white is in the minority, it is bright enough to drive out the darkness. So this symbol represents good fortune and sanctity. (20.) This symbol is called Nsoromma which literally means children of the heavens and it represents guardianship. This Adinkra symbol obviously looks like a star right And because stars, moon, planets can all be seen as creation of the Almighty God, it automatically makes them children of the heavens, who are protected by their Creator. (21.) This symbol is called Nea Onnim No Sua A, Ohu which literally translates as those who do not know, can still get to know through education. So this Adinkra symbol represents knowledge and life long-education. When we take a look at this symbol it looks a bit complex but its quite okay. Take a look at the horizontal middle part of this symbol, youll notice closed rectangles, which represent ignorance, a boxed mind, tunnel vision mentality. However through education, you open your mind, think for yourself, knowledge is power which can set you free. This is symbolized by the outer part of the symbol (top and bottom horizontal layer) which has open rectangles. (22.) This symbol is called Owuo Atwedee which literally means the ladder of death and it basically represents our mortality. Letting us know that one day, we will all take that path, the transition from life to death individually. The ladder symbolizes the means of transition to death and the afterlife. (23.) This symbol is called Hwe Mu Dua. In the Akan language "Hwe mu" means (to) measure and "Dua" means stick and so this Adinkra symbol means measuring stick. This symbol represents quality control and examination. It pushes us to desire the best quality in all things and not to settle for anything less. When we look closely at this Adinkra symbol, you can see a weighing scale, like the very old fashioned ones, they were usually quite little in size. These ones were used way back to weigh gold and silver. (24.) This symbol is called Hye Won Hye and it literally means that which cannot be burnt. It stands for endurance and imperishability. It lets us know that no matter what you go through in life, having a good dose of endurance and resilience will surely get you through everything that comes your way. When we look at this symbol, in the middle youll see a flame, which represents fire, the hardships of life. And on each side of the fire you'll see 2 identical figures which represent your being. Meaning, you will surely be fine and non-broken at the end of the road (at the other side of the bridge) only if you endure the hardships of life and keep fighting your way through it. (25.) This symbol is called Mmere Dane which literally means time changes. This symbol teaches us about the dynamics of life. How one day things can appear in a certain way, and on another day they would switch up again. The design of this Adinkra symbol was based on the shape of an hourglass. When times runs out, you have to turn it for the sand to seep through the hole again. Same thing with life, nothing in it is constant, it is always in dynamic modus. (26.) This symbol is called Kintinkantan. In the Akan language "Kintin" means puffed up and "Kantan" means extravagance. So this Adinkra symbol stands for extreme arrogance and boastfulness. It teaches us about the importance of humility and warns us of cockiness and puffiness. When we look at this Adinkra symbol youll see 4 identical circles (2 top and 2 bottom). And in the middle youll find another circle, this center circle represents egocentrism and arrogance. Thinking everything and everybody is inferior to you and that the world literally and metaphorically revolves around you. (27.) This symbol is called Asase Y3 Duru which literally means the earth is heavy (it has weight). It is also associated with the following saying Asase Y3 Duru Se Po which means the earth is heavier than the sea. This teaches us that even though water is important because it can sustain life, the sea is part of the earth, which can sustain even more life. We need to be aware of our environment. Mother Nature gives us a lot to be thankful for, so lets return the favor with love, hence the 2 hearts (1 upside down). The bottom heart = Mother Nature and the top heart = people. Inside both hearts youll find curled shapes, these shapes is what we use in mathematics to define infinity. So this symbol basically tells us to continuously (infinitely) protect our earth in order for it to sustain life. (28.) This symbol is called Nyame Biribi Wo Soro. In the Akan language "Nyame" means God, "Biribi Wo" means something is, and "Soro" means heavens. And so this Adinkra symbol teaches us that there is a God out there in the heavens. This encourages us that we should keep on praying, and that no matter what God will always hear us and listen to us. When we look at this symbol youll see 2 white kidney shapes, when you overlap these 2 then you get the sign of infinity, which symbolizes that God will always hear you. This is a symbol of hope. (29.) This symbol is called Kete Pa and this literally means good bed. This symbolizes good marriage. When we look carefully at this Adinkra symbol youll see something that looks like a woven bedsheet or like old timers woven mattress. One of the simplest symbols out there but yet still very beautiful. (30.) This symbol is called Mate Masie which literally means I have heard it, and I will hide it (or safeguard/keep it). This Adinkra symbol stands for understanding, wisdom and knowledge. When we look at this symbol, the top outer circles stand for I have heard it and top inner circles stand for It is safe for I have kept it, the bottom outer circles stand for I have seen it and the bottom inner circles stand for It is safe for I have kept it. So basically what I hear or see, I will keep, I will hide and I will safeguard it. (31.) This Adinkra symbol is called Mpuannum and it means 5 knots (of hair) and this stands for loyalty, devotion and faithfulness. Now the 5 circles actually represent the hairstyle of each priestess way back in time. Apparently they tied their hair in 5 knots which is what is shown here. (32.) This symbol is called Nea Ope Se Obedi Hene and this is actually derived from the proverb Nea Ope Se Obedi Hene Daakyi No, Firi Ase Sua Som Ansa which basically means, he who wants to be king in the future should first learn how to serve. This Adinkra symbol stands for service and leadership. When we look at this symbol, we'll notice an arrow in the middle, which symbolizes the starting point. The place of commencement is on the inner side, start with yourself. And then you work your way up from there. (33.) This symbol is called Nkonsonkonson and it means chain links which stands for unity. This Adinkra symbol is trying to teach us that together we are much stronger than when were alone. When looking at this symbol, we see 2 chain like structures who are actually mirror reflections of themselves. Reminding ourselves that we may not look alike at first sight, but that we really are one people, and there is strength when we unite. (34.) This symbol is called Nkyimu and in the Akan language this literally means divider, so zig-zag, and not straight. This Adinkra symbol stands for skillfulness and precision. When we look at this symbol we see a pattern of crossed divisions. These divisions were actually made in cloth with a broad tooth comb prior to placing the Adinkra stamps on the cloth. And because this craftsmanship required patience and precision, this pattern was chosen to reflect just that. (35.) This symbol is called Nsaa which means something made by hand. In this case Nsaa actually represents a certain type of handwoven fabric. The pattern of the hand weft is reflected in this symbol. There is also a proverb that goes with this Adinkra symbol which goes Nea Onnim Nsaa, Oto NAgo and this means, he who does not know the authentic Nsaa will always buy fake ones. So in other words this symbol teaches us about quality in craftsmanship. Do not settle for mediocre. (36.) This symbol is called Nyame Dua and it literally means Gods tree (Gods altar). It represents the most sacred place of a house or compound dedicated for rituals. This Adinkra symbolizes Gods protection and presence and it kind of looks like a tree leaf. Way back, our ancestors would choose a tree in front of their house or compound, which had more than 3 branches growing together as one (or in most cases intentionally erected one), cut it down and then carve out a sacred altar from it. It was believed that such a tree was composed of all the water, minerals and herbs necessary for rituals and purification. (37.) This symbol is called Nyame Y3 Ohene meaning God is king. It represents the ultimate supremacy of God Almighty. As we look closer at this Adinkra symbol, we'll notice the Adinkra Gye Nyame (nr.18) inside the circle, which also means except for God. The only distinction is the circle around this symbol. (Read Adinkra nr.18 for more information on its structure). (38.) This symbol is called Okodee Mmowere which literally means the eagles talons (nails). This Adinkra symbolizes strength, bravery and power. Now the reason why our ancestors chose this bird to symbolize these virtues is because it is well known that the eagle is one of the strongest birds in the sky, and that its strength is concentrated in its talons. Now this symbol actually reflects the image of an eagle. The top vertical line represents the head, then moving downwards the first horizontal line represents its wings, the second horizontal line represents its feet and the third horizontal line in combination with the vertical bottom line represent the feathered/wavered tail of the eagle. (39.) This symbol is called Odo Nyira Fie Kwan and this means love never loses its way back home, which symbolizes the power of love. Now when we look at this Adinkra symbol, we can see something that looks like a Love Bug. Now the reason these insects are called Love Bugs is because they have an astonishing mating system in which they mate whiles flying in the airbeautiful isnt? (40.) This symbol is called Osram Ne Nsoromma which literally means the moon and the stars. The design of this Adinkra symbol is not really farfetched and so this is truly what we see when we take a look at this symbol. This Adinkra is also meant to symbolize harmony, faithfulness and love. With this symbol our ancestors tried to teach us that there is great harmony when man and woman bond together. (41.) This symbol is called Pempamsie. In the Akan language "Pempam" means sew and "Sie" means to preserve. So a literal translation would be "Sew to preserve" but metaphorically it means sew in readiness. This Adinkra symbol is supposed to remind us about the importance of unity, coming together, readiness, steadfastness and hardness. When we look closely at this symbol, we can actually see chain-like structures held together with a link. (42.) This symbol is called Woforo Dua Pa A which actually means when you climb a good tree, youll definitely get a push. You see, when you're working for something good, people will surely try and support you along the way. When we look at this Adinkra symbol we see a box-like structure with 2 horizontal bars on the inside. These horizontal bars reflect the push that is given when you want to climb higher. (43.) This symbol is called Sankofa. In the Akan language "San" means go back, and "Kofa" means get it/take it. So this Adinkra symbol means go back and get it. This symbol teaches us about the importance of learning from the past. When we look at this symbol we see the infinity sign (the mirrored curls) inside the heart shape. This means infinite learning from the past is nothing but a good thing. (44.) This symbol is also called Sankofa and it therefore also means go back and get it. This Adinkra symbol teaches us about the importance of learning from the past. When we look at this symbol we see a chicken who is looking backwards to get something important, meaning it is okay to look back, to reflect and to learn from the past. (45.) This symbol is called Owo Foro Adobe. In the Akan language "Owo" means snake, "Foro" means climb and "Adobe" means raffia tree/palm. So this Adinkra symbol means the snake climbs the raffia tree. Now the raffia tree is a tree with a lot of thorns and it is therefore a huge undertaking for a snake to climb one. It takes courage, persistence and prudence, which is exactly what this Adinkra symbol is teaching us. When we look at this symbol we see a structure of a raffia tree branch. (46.) This symbol is called Wawa Aba. In the Akan language "Wawa" stands for the wawa tree and "Aba" means seed. So this Adinkra symbol means seed of the Wawa tree. Now the seed of the Wawa tree is known to be very tough and hard and with this our ancestors are trying to teach us about the importance of perseverance, the importance of seeing through hardships. When we look at this symbol, we do see a structure that looks like a seed. (47.) This symbol is called Akoma and this means the heart. Now this is definitely a symbol you can find in all cultures, it is that universal. This symbol stands for love, patience and tolerance. In the Akan language "Ako" means war and "Ma" means to give/offer. So basically that which goes to war for you, that which fights for you. Every single day the heart beats approximately 60 beats/minute, 3600 beats/hour, 86.000 beats/day, 31.536.000 beats/year... multiply all that by your current age... and you'll get a whole lot of beats! This organ literally fights/beats just for you... simply astonishing! (48.) This symbol is called Ananse Ntontan and this means spiders web. This Adinkra symbol represents the complexities of life, creativity and wisdom. When we look at this symbol, we do see a spiders web represented here. (49.) This symbol is called Aya which means fern. Now the fern is known to be a very hardy plant which is capable of growing under very difficult circumstances and in very difficult soil. With this Adinkra symbol we learn about the importance of endurance, the importance of seeing through issues. When we look at the design of this symbol, we see a representation of a tree with all its branches. (50.) This symbol is called Bi Nka Bi. "Bi" in the Akan language means one and "Nka" means bite not, and so this Adinkra symbol means one should not bite the other. With this symbol our ancestors tried to teach us about the importance of harmony and peace, and to warn us of provocation. Now as abstract as this symbol may be, I learnt that the design of this Adinkra symbol was based on 2 fish who are trying to bite each others tail. (51.) This symbol is called Duafe and it literally means wooden comb. "Dua" means wood and "Fe" means comb in the Akan language which is exactly what we see when looking at this symbol. Now this stands for all the exterior female qualities such as beauty, but also inner female qualities such as peace and calmness. (52.) This Adinkra symbol is called Dwennimmen. In the Akan language "Dwennim" means ram and "Men" means horns so this basically means Rams horns. Now the ram is known to be very strong and resilient when need be, but it can also be very humble when he should be. Thus the double rams horns you see in this symbol represented in each others mirror reflection. This Adinkra symbol stands for humility and resilience. (53.) This symbol is called Nyame Nti and this means by the grace of God. Now this branch that we see in this Adinkra symbol is supposed to be seen as the tree of life. If it werent for trees or nature in general, our very existence would be nonexistent. So we humans get nourished by Gods grace through nature. And this symbol teaches us about the importance of having faith and trust in God. (54.) This symbol is called Epa and this means handcuffs, which is basically what we do see in this symbol. Now this Adinkra is supposed to remind us of the ruthless characteristic of the law, but also of our history when it comes to slavery. So this Adinkra basically stands for justice, law, slavery and captivity. (55.) This symbol is called Kwatakye Atiko which means the backside of Kwatakyes head. Now Kwatakye was an old Ashanti war captain, who had an interesting hairstyle on which the design of this symbol was based upon. This Adinkra teaches us about the importance of bravery and valor. (56.) This symbol is called Me Ware Wo and this means I shall marry you. This Adinkra symbol represents commitment and perseverance. Now when we look at the design we see 4 circles. The left top and bottom circles represent the commitment of marriage of 2 individuals on a physical level which are connected to each other. And the right top and bottom circles represent the commitment of marriage of 2 individuals on a spiritual/mind/soul level which are also connected with each other. (57.) This symbol is called Mframadan which means wind-house. Now this Adinkra is supposed to represent fortitude and readiness to face the complexities of life. You see back in the olden days, our ancestors believed that after a house was built with mud, it should be reinforced with turf to give it extra strength. So when we look at this symbol, youll see the house from a top perspective, with an extra wall surrounding it for extra security to help against any kind of weather conditions. (58.) This symbol is called Mpatapo. In the Akan language "Mpata" means reconciliation and "Po" means knot. So this Adinkra symbol represents the knot of reconciliation and peace. Now when we look at the design we do see a knot-like structure, which is believed to represent the knot of peace traditionally used when reconciliation is desired between any disputing parties. This symbol teaches us about the importance of pacification. (59.) This symbol is called Nyame Nnwu Na Mawu which means God never dies so I shall not die. It is believed that the soul is immortal and a piece of God, therefor if God does not die, then I surely shall not die. When we look at this symbol we see an X structure which is universally known as a cancellation symbol. (60.) This symbol is called Nyansapo and this means the knot of wisdom. Now with this Adinkra our ancestors tried to teach us about the importance of attaining wisdom. Wisdom is associated with knowledge which is power. When we look at this symbol, we do see a representation of a knot. (61.) This symbol is called Sesa Wo Suban which means change your attitude. This Adinkra symbol is teaching us about the concept of transformation, the dynamic pattern of life. When we look at the design, we see a star in the center which represents the morning star, a breaking dawn of a new day. Now this star is placed inside a wheel-like structure which represents the moving/dynamic characteristic of life. (62.) This symbol is called Tamfo Bebre which means the enemy will stew in his own juice. This Adinkra stands for jealousy and envy. When looking at this Adinkra symbol we do see something that looks like a cooking pot. (63.) This symbol is called Wo Nsa Da Mu A which means if your hands are in the dish. With this Adinkra our ancestors tried to teach us that people will not eat everything and leave you nothing. So this is a symbol of democracy. When we look at the design we see 2 triangles that represent 2 individuals who share a common denominator, the circle. Well my dear readers, we have reached the end of this article. The beautiful female illustrations you see were created by the talented fashion illustrator Ms. Sabiene Pieper who worked together with Vlisco for the Delicate Shades campaign, and they are absolutely gorgeous! If you were able to read this from A to Z then I thank you so much for the all the love and sticking around till the very end. If you had a good time hopping around from Adinkra to Adinkra then Im also glad you had a good time. To test yourself on the Adinkra symbols, do click "here" and let me know how well you did by sharing your results on Facebook and by tagging "Eclectic Kyeiessa" in it (no cheating guys!). Ow and also let me know which Adinkra is your favorite one and why, will be waiting for your responses! Until then, take care of yourselves, be kind to one another and I'll see you in the next one xoxo. Originating at www.eclectickyeiessa.com Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced he is confident of visa-free travel to the European Union for Ukraine in coming weeks. "I'm sure that the European Union will take the decision soon - already in a few weeks the united Europe's visa-free doors will open for Ukrainians," he said a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch a new underground railway station, Peremoha, in Kharkiv on Friday. Celebrated actress, Lydia Forson, is set for an impressive return to the big screens in an upcoming high budget Nigerian movie titled 'Isoken'. The popular and outspoken actress was in Nigeria a few months ago for the production which will hit the screens very soon. It is her biggest project in 2016 so far, and casts other top-notch Nigerian actors, including Dakore Akande, Damilola Attoh, Joseph Benjamin, Funke Akindele, Marc Rhys, among others. I can't wait for you all to see this movieI know I make you wait, but trust me, the wait is always it!!! Ladies and gentlemen I present to you my upcoming movie, Isoken, she announced the production on Tuesday on Instagram. The movie is written, directed and produced by Jade Osiberu, the brain behind Ndani TV and shows such as Gidi Up, Skinny Girl In Transit, Rumour Has It. It is a story of self-discovery that explores cultural expectations, racial stereotypes and the bonds that unite families, in touching, dramatic and sometimes funny ways. Produced to the highest international standards and starring some of the biggest names in Nollywood, this is a film everyone must see, according to sources close to the production. Im so honoured and happy to be a part of this wonderful project. A lot of effort and passion went into this film and I cant wait for people to see it when they watch the movie. My co-stars, director and production team are some of the most professional people Ive worked with and all of this will reflect in the movie, Lydia Forson told NEWS-ONE. By Francis Addo (Twitter: @fdee50 Email: [email protected] ) Pretty Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Okoro, is one of those eligible spinsters in town but she is not ready to settle down yet as she wants to take her time to build an empire for herself first. To many of these celebs, Marriage is by choice not force as such, they dont see themselves running faster than their shadows when the topic of settling down comes up and such is the same for the pretty actress. An eligible suitor had made his intentions known publicly by expressing how he is in dare need of a wife to settle with and he casting his thoughts if his kind of woman, he decided to go with Yvonne and he made his intentions known but was rejected. According to him, Yvonne Okoro, Trust me if I had the opportunity to work with you, and have you beside me , I will make you the happiest woman on earth, but Yvonne seeing how passionate the dude was appreciated his effort to reach out to her but declined his offer with How sweet but story story. 19.08.2016 LISTEN According to report, Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill have moved into a Beverly Hills mansion. The new mansion costs $30,000 per month. According to TMZ, the mansion features nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms and a five-car garage. TMZ claims only Nickis name is on the lease but Meek lives there too, and he recently shared a photo of himself at the propertys drive way. The duos relationship keeps waxing stronger everyday! Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa's ruling ANC lost control of the capital Pretoria for the first time since the end of apartheid two decades ago, as an opposition councillor was elected mayor on Friday. Solly Msimanga, 36, of the liberal centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA), was elected unopposed at a city council meeting following nationwide municipal ballots earlier this month. ANC councillors, aggrieved at their loss of power, heckled Msimanga as he addressed the council. "The people decided which way they want the city to go, and it was not the direction that it has been taking in the last... years," Msimanga said in his inaugural speech. It is the first time since the end of white-minority rule in 1994 that Pretoria is not headed by a mayor from the African National Congress (ANC). The DA topped the August 3 municipal election in the capital, taking 93 of 214 council seats to the ANC's 89. Nationally, the party of Nelson Mandela suffered its worst result in 22 years in the municipal vote, garnering less than 54 percent of ballots cast -- an eight percentage point drop from the last local poll in 2011. The municipal elections were largely seen as a referendum on President Jacob Zuma, whose rule of Africa's most advanced economy has been dogged by scandal. Of the country's six most populous cities, the ANC won an outright majority in only one: Durban, Zuma's traditional stronghold. - 'No more suffering' - Msimanga vowed to end the patronage that he said had left the capital in the red. "This city is technically bankrupt right now because of greediness and because of people who decided to put themselves first," he said in a speech repeatedly drowned out by chants and singing from ANC councillors. "No more will our people suffer under the hands of the ANC." He said the residents of the capital, also known as Tshwane, were "tired of corruption, they are tired of nepotism, they are tired of cronyism... they are tired of work only given to members of certain families and their friends". A staunch Christian and father of two, Msimanga started off in the DA's marketing department, working his way up over the years. In an interview with local Afrikaans-language daily Beeld, Msimanga said when he never dreamed of becoming a mayor as he was growing up in Pretoria's Atteridgeville township, one of the hotbeds of pre-election riots. "The dream of becoming mayor was as far-fetched as that of becoming an astronaut, so I never even considered it," he said. "Today I'm proud and grateful for the opportunity to be the leader of this city." Pretoria was the second major city the ANC lost. On Thursday, the symbolically-named coastal town of Nelson Mandela Bay also went to the DA when its candidate Athol Trollip was elected mayor. It remains unclear which way the mayoral vote will swing in the economic hub of Johannesburg, where the ANC won most councillor seats, but fell short of an outright majority. The DA now runs three major cities, including tourism hub and legislative capital Cape Town. Algiers (AFP) - The United Nations on Thursday said it had found no sign of any suspicious military activity by Morocco in the disputed Western Sahara, after a separatist group complained about a Moroccan security operation in the region's far south. The Polisario Front campaigning for the independence of the Western Sahara had protested to the UN about the operation earlier this week, claiming it had involved large numbers of military units and had taken them beyond the sand wall that marks Morocco's normal area of control. Responding to the complaint, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the UN mission in the territory, MINURSO, had investigated the allegations and had "not observed military presence or equipment in the buffer strip". "The mission observed what were assessed as civilian vehicles moving across the berm but was not able to determine additional information" he told reporters in New York. "MINURSO continues its liaison with both parties in order to ascertain the facts with regards to the alleged incident." Morocco said its operation in the Gargarate area north of Mauritania's second city Nouadhibou, which began on Sunday, was aimed at stopping cross-border smuggling, particularly of second-hand and stolen vehicles. A 1991 ceasefire brokered by the United Nations that ended 16 years of conflict between Morocco and the Polisario left Morocco in control of all of the territory's main towns and the Polisario confined to a narrow strip of the desert interior. The far south was left as a no-man's land with neither side having a permanent presence. Rabat maintains that the Western Sahara is an integral part of Morocco, despite UN resolutions calling for a referendum on self-determination. The UN said earlier this month it was preparing a "formal proposal" to jumpstart talks on settling the decades-old conflict over the Western Sahara, after four rounds of failed talks since 2007. Bamako (AFP) - A popular radio presenter in Mali who was arrested earlier this week was released Thursday, local media reported, a day after violent clashes between his supporters and police left one dead. Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, a government minister's son also known as "Rasbath", whose polemical presence on local radio has raised the ire of the authorities was arrested on allegations of "offending public decency" on August 15. "Rasbath has been released. Thanks to all for your wishes," artist and friend Yeli Mady Konate said on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday evening. Local websites also reported the presenter's release. In Wednesday protests over his arrest, security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators who had gathered outside court to show their support for Rasbath, who had been due to appear in connection with the police investigation into whether he broke public morality rules. One person was killed in the skirmishes and 11 others injured and because of the unrest, the court hearing was postponed. Rasbath has accused President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of being unable to manage the Malian army and has attacked the prime minister and several senior military figures on his show "Carte sur table" (Card on the table). Political tensions over the army are high following a massacre on July 19 of 17 soldiers at a military camp in Nampala, central Mali, which also left dozens wounded. Rasbath had criticised top brass for what he said was poor leadership, making direct reference to the Nampala incident. The attack was claimed both by Ansar Dine Islamists and a newly formed group. OIL FLOWS FROM TEN AS PREZ TURNS VALVE The first oil from the Tweneboa Enyere Ntomme project began flowing yesterday when President John Mahama ceremonially turned on the production valve to mark the commencement of first oil production. 1ST PHASE OF DRAINAE PROJECT COMPLETED IN ACCRA The first phase of dredge works on some major drains from Alajo to Caprice and Sodom and Gomorrahto Accra has been compelled and would be handed over to the government in September this year. OBINIM UNDER FIRE FOR LASHING 2 CHURCH MEMBERS Public disgust and condemnation have greeted the latest video circulating on social media in which the Founder and General Overseer of the International Gods Way Church is seen whipping a young man and woman with is belt. DONKOKROM RESIDENTS ATTACK POLICE Four persons who were caught in standoff between residents of Donkokrom in the Afrm Plains North District in the Eastern Region and the police are currently in critical conditions after sustaining gunshot wounds. RUN-AWAY COPS CAPTURED; 14 SHOT, BARRACKS BURNT DOWN Fourteen residents of Donkokrom in the Afraim Plains North District of the Eastern Region are currently battling for their lives at the districts Presbyterian Hospital after they had sustained varying degrees of injury when the police reportedly fired live bullets into a mob during a demonstration yesterday. MAYHEM IN AFRAIM PLAINS OBINIM FLOGS CHURCH MEMBERS SHELL GETS FIRST TEN OIL AS PRODUCTION BEGINS Royal Dutch Shell is expected to begin lifting crude oil from the TEN oil fields, which achieved its first oil flow on Wednesday to signal commercial oil production from Ghanas second biggest oil project. PROPEL SMEs TO BECOME GLOBAL GIANTS Mike Nyinaku, Managing Director of Beige Group has challenged the countrys economic promoters to invest and propel small businesses to attain the level of reliability and maturity to become global giants. AVOID KILLER SITTING HOURS; STUDY SAYS EXERCISE CANNOT SAVE YOU Does your work demand that you sit in your chair for more than six hours? If yes, then you should be concerned because a new study suggests you could be at risk of developing a heart disease, diabetes and death. WOMAN FORCES GIRL TO DRINK URINE A 72-year-old woman resident of Tema Community Nine is in police custody for forcing her 13-year old house help to drink 1.5 litres of urine. WIFE KILLS HUSBAND WTH FIRE WOOD MAN POURS PALM NUT SOUP ON WIFE Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com 19.08.2016 LISTEN President John Mahama has asked electorates in the Western Region to reject the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) in the upcoming polls. This he said is because the NPP contributed to the overthrow of one of their own, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He argues that the party that gave birth to the NPP, the United Party (UP) tradition, accused, Dr. Nkrumah of embarking on what he calls ostentatious projects and also embezzled state funds, leading to his overthrow. Speaking at the inauguration of a clinic at Kokompeh in Takoradi as part of his campaign tour of the Western Region, the President urged the electorates to given him another term to continue the good works started by the NDC. Dr. Nkrumah was a man of vision he always thought about the future of the country. When he built the Akosombo dam, the UP tradition said it was just a flamboyant project but today the dam is still providing major parts of the country with electricity. The same people who ousted Nkrumah because they said he was embezzling state funds and undertaking unnecessary projects have metamorphosed to become the NPP. In Cape Coast, our founder, Jerry John Rawlings advised us to beware of them because they've been in politics for a long time. They only change their names but do not change their character. It is these same people who say development is not edible. They say the roads, hospitals are not edible and that my government is only incurring huge debts and embezzling state funds claiming we have undertaken projects. They also say Ghanaians rather need money in their pockets, they sung this same song during Nkrumah's time, today, they are at it again. The President explained that though this clinic we have built for you is not edible I can assure you, it will save many lives here. President John Mahama who is seeking another term in office begun a four day campaign tour of the Western Region on Tuesday. This follows the launch of the partys campaign in Cape Coast last Sunday. By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @AlloteyGodwin 19.08.2016 LISTEN The Senior Manager of Operations at the Robben Island Museum, Nomonde Ndlangisa, has described the famous island as the cornerstone of South African liberation and democracy. According to her, it was important for Ghanaians and Africans in general to take advantage of Citi FMs initiative in order to experience such an important part of Africas history. She added that the history of Robben Island must be shared by the entire continent as other African countries had played a significant role in helping South Africa surmount the challenges it faced during the apartheid regime. In South Africa, we see Robben Island as the nucleus of our liberation, where our democracy started, because our leader we know Nelson Mandela our ex president was incarcerated at Robben Island for 18 years. For us, it is a very important cornerstone of our liberation and democracy and we encourage other Africans to go and see Robben Island because there is a small bit of everyone there, she said. Every African person had a contribution in the liberation struggle during the apartheid years. All the countries stood up and supported the South African people in the fight so we all own the success and freedom that came with Robben Island and we would like it to be that hope and that symbol of triumph against adversity and injustice. Nomonde Ndlangisa believes the island is a symbol of hope for Africans facing any adversity or challenge, one that they can rally around as they persevere through their travails. If anybody is going through adversity, look at what happened at Robben Island, look at the resilience that the people in Robben Island showed. They said we are not giving up on our agenda. We don't give up, we will fight. So fight for your freedom, she said. Fight for whatever adversity or injustice that is against you. You are that symbol of hope, you have to go, every person has to go and ignite that resilience, that fight. Whatever it is that you are fighting against, we don't know what you are struggling with. About the trip Africa is home to some of the worlds best tourist sites. The sites come with breathtaking views and stories that enlighten visitors. One of the major tourism hubs is South Africa (SA). SA has some of the most exciting attractions that come with great stories, breathtaking sights and sounds and amazing people. Citi FM after successfully organizing the Heritage Caravan in Ghana in March 2016, has announced a special tour of Cape Town, dubbed The Robben Island Experience. The #RobbenIslandExperience is a seven (7) day trip that will take visitors to the Robben Island (where the late Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years), the Table Bay Mountain, Cape Town City, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and Cape Point. The trip comes off from the 20th to 27th of September 2016. Among the exciting packages for participants are Visa Fees, Flight Expense, 4 Star Hotel Accommodation, in land Transportation as well as Breakfast &Dinner. Meanwhile the major tour sites for the Robben Island Experience are the Robben Island, Table Mountain, Cape Town City, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront as well as Cape Point. Further details: The package costs $2600. It covers visa fees, airfare, 4-star hotel accommodation, inland transportation, breakfast, and dinner. Participants must be 18+ and must have a valid travel passport. Participants must register and pay as soon as possible to ensure adequate time for all the necessary arrangement. Interested participants should call 0248770925 for registration. By: citifmonline.com/Ghana Firtash fails to prove impossibility of his extradition to U.S. to Austrian court The Constitutional Court of Austria has refused the consideration of an appeal submitted by Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash, accused by the United States of corruption, on the unconstitutionality of the agreement on extradition between Austria and the United States, the Deutsche Welle edition has reported. The court refused the consideration of the businessman's petition, in which he demanded to recognize the extradition agreement between Austria and the United States unconstitutional. The relevant ruling was made on July 2. "Thus, the court of appeals has now no obstacles to consideration of the prosecutor's office complaint about the decision of the trial court, which refused the extradition of Firtash to the United States," the report reads. For the period of consideration of Firtash's petition filed to the Constitutional Court, the court of appeals, in accordance with the procedural rules, was forced to suspend consideration of the case. "The United States accuses Firtash of paying $18.5 million bribes to obtain permit for extraction of titanium in India. The oligarch faces up to 50 years in prison and confiscation of all assets," according to the statement. The trial court in spring 2015 prohibited the extradition of Firtash, pointing to the impossibility of ruling out the political motives of the request to extradite the Ukrainian oligarch to the United States. In September, the Vienna prosecutor's office filed an appeal against the decision. Nouakchott (AFP) - Thirteen anti-slavery activists in Mauritania were sentenced to between three and 15 years in prison, despite criticism of the case against them by international rights groups. A court in the capital Nouakchott found the 13 -- members of a group fighting hereditary slavery in the west African country -- guilty of "use of violence", but Amnesty International has said they were falsely accused because of their advocacy work. The thirteen all claim they were tortured in prison in the run-up to the court case and lawyers for the group denounced Thursday's verdict as "a travesty of justice". They were arrested between June 30 and July 9 after a protest by a Nouakchott slum community that was being forcibly relocated as the city prepared for an Arab League summit on July 25. The slum was home to many so-called Haratin -- a "slave caste" under a hereditary system of servitude whose members are forced to work without pay as cattle herders and domestic servants, despite an official ban. 19.08.2016 LISTEN The first batch of 500 of Muslim Pilgrims from the three Northern Regions will today fly direct from the Tamale International Airport to Jedda, Saudi Arabia. In all about 1500 pilgrims are expected to fly from Tamale to the Saudi Arabia. The pilgrims who will be flown in three batches from today to Sunday will travel via Saudi Airline, Fly Nas. This forms part of efforts by government to reduce the stress that pilgrims go through before embarking on the holy Pilgrimage to Mecca. According to the Hajj committee, about five thousand pilgrims are to fly from Ghana to Saudi Arabia this year. Deputy Public Relations Officer of the National Hajj Committee, Alhaji Mohammed Amin Lamptey told Citi News they are adequately prepared for the trip. This year, Saudi Arabia have developed a new strategy where each pilgrim will get a gadget to identify pilgrims; where they are coming from, the language they speak, and that particular gadget would help to monitor and evaluate pilgrims when they are participating in this year's rituals, he added. Citi News understands a total of 11 flights will be made this year to get the pilgrims to Mecca; the three Northern Regions will have 3 flights while the south will have 8 flights via the Kotoka International Airport. A total of 5424 pilgrims are expected to be flown to the holy city this year by August 31 2016. The main event will be held from 9th September to 15th September 2016. By: Lorrencia Nkrumah/citifmonline.com/Ghana The U.S. Labor Day holiday is fast approaching, and once again it is time for the sons and daughters of Akuapem and Asuogya to get together and celebrate their annual Odwira/Ohum Festival under the umbrella of the Okuapemman Association of USA and Canada (OKUSACA). OKUSACA is a non-profit charitable organization registered in both the U.S. (501(c)3 status) and Canada. The Association comprises mainly people of Akuapem and Asuogya descent from the Eastern Region of Ghana; however, it is also open to (and does include) Ghanaians from other parts of the country who identify with the vision/mission of the Association and share its cultural heritage and values. Traditionally, OKUSACA has used the Odwira/Ohum festival to also commemorate its founding, and this year is no exception: it will mark the Associations 31st anniversary, along with the 34th anniversary of the founding of the Okuapemman Fekuw of Chicago, IL, which is one of OKUSACAs ten Chapters across North America and the hosts of this years festivities. This dual anniversary gives additional significance to the 2016 festival, which will be celebrated under the theme "BASIC EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS KEYS TO A BETTER FUTURE FOR OKUAPEMMAN", chosen to underscore OKUSACAs strongly-held belief that basic education is the foundation to individual growth and personal development, which, when combined with awareness of the environment and appreciation of its importance, ultimately lead to community development and improved quality of life for all. The dates for this week-end of fun and colorful Ghanaian cultural ceremonies (North American-style) are Friday September 2nd through Monday September 5th, 2016, and the venue is The Holiday Inn Mattesson Hotel and Conference Center, 500 Holiday Plaza Drive, Mattesson, IL 60443. High-lights of the festival include: A durbar of chiefs and dignitaries from around the world in the afternoon on Saturday, September 3, 2016. A special fund-raiser towards the launching of an all-new OKUAPEMMAN DEVELOPMENT FUND. An architectural and historical boat-cruise on Lake Michigan, organized by the Host Chapter. A black-tie dinner-dance on Saturday, September 3, 2016. An indoor picnic/day-party with a live band on Sunday afternoon, September 4, 2016 followed by an after party for all the night owls. All Ghanaians and friends of Ghana are cordially invited to make their way to Chicago this Labor Day week-end and come celebrate with us. For more information, please contact the President of the hosting Chicago Chapter, Mr. Paa Kwasi Sam at 3 1 2-609-9907. Ofie..Biakoye!!!!!! Img 8767 Img 8781 Medical scientists are calling for a review of the law regulating the registration of Allied Health Professional and other care providers. The Medical Scientists Society of Ghana says the law in its present form discriminates against its members. We think our members have the right to practice their profession. For you to say you have come and therefore we should leave is just unfair," President of the society, Elisha Nketia Larbi has been lamenting. I have had many parents call me to find out the fate of their wards, the parents are worried, he added. He said the Allied Health Professions Council has refused to license its members for unknown reasons. Medical scientists comprise biochemists, biological scientists, chemists and science laboratory technologists. They provide supportive services in out-patient clinics and other wards in the healthcare delivery chain. The Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, Act 857 of 2013, mandates the Allied Health Professions Council to register practitioners. However, medical scientist says the council has refused to register and license them for no apparent reason. At a press conference in Kumasi, Mr. Nketia -Larbi insisted only an amendment will address what he says is an anomaly. He said the situation has left many of the societys members unemployed. Mr. Nketia- Larbi wants the Ministry of Health to spearhead the initiative to right the wrong. They have told us they will resolve the matter but we believe its taking too long, he pointed out. The National Communications Authority (NCA) is developing a Regulatory Framework for the operation of a new internet technology called Television White Spaces (TVWS). The technology is expected to serve scarcely populated areas and connect to home or work from another remote area through a broadband signal that is capable of handling multiple devices as well as reporting large amounts of data across long distances. According to Mr William Tevie, Director-General, NCA, who made these known at the opening of a Public Consultation Workshop on TVWS Spectrum Usage Regulatory Framework in Accra, yesterday, with the emergence of TVWS, the inability to serve scarcely-populated areas with internet connectivity would become a thing of the past. Mr Tevie noted that as a result of environmental obstacles, distance from major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the lack of financial incentives, internet connectivity was scarce in some areas with low population density. The situation, he said, had resulted in expensive and complex networks with a lack of options for those living in the underserved communities. He said White Space broadband could travel up to ten kilometers, through vegetation, buildings and other obstacles and that, tablets, phones and computers could all access wireless internet through fixed or portable power stations, adding that TVWS would encourage the creation of smart cities with inter-connected devices at home, schools, shopping centres, municipal areas and many more other places. He disclosed that in 2013, NCA collaborated with Google and other institutions to carry out TVWS trials in Labadi and East Legon and that the results of the pilot initiatives had helped to determine the capabilities of TVWS in reaching areas far beyond the reach of Wi-Fi. Mr Tevie said the trials had also shown that TVWS could also be used as an extension of fixed-line broadband to reach places not connected via cable without resorting to line of sight technology such as satellite or microwave. He said as a Regulator, NCA had come to the realization that there was a broad social value for effective wireless communication. He said the vision of NCA was to improve the communications experience of Ghanaian consumers who were growing more and more dependent on the internet as a means of communication and as a link to other resources for everyday life. Mr Tevie said the aim of the workshop was, therefore, to interact with stakeholders on the components of the proposed Framework that would regulate the operation of TVWS and urged all stakeholders to support NCA to ensure that TVWS served the consumer and the general public as effectively as possible. About 70 participants attended the workshop which was expected to produce a final Regulatory Framework for the deployment of TVWS technology in Ghana. I am no expert on issues of the law or the constitution of Ghana. I am like most Ghanaians I judge most issues on moral grounds. If an action is morally right and humanly possible as suggested by the late John Evans Atta Mills (of blessed memories) I readily endorse such actions. The sentence of the Montie three (Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase aka Mugabe) has been discussed in the media for some time now. But the issue has lost fame as the media pay attention to other issues of state concern. And it seems to me the three may not receive any presidential pardon. I was driving through Roman Ridge a few days ago with a friend. We chance on some prisoners weeding. The sight of the prisoners in the community weeding triggered a discussion between my friend and I. Why is Accra so dirty, why are our gutters choked if our prisons are over populated. Why dont the state throw in more prisoners in such areas to help clean our city. Any way as I said before, I am no expert on the law or the dynamics of the Prisons Services. But as I was thinking about the idea of prisoners helping keep the city clean, it occurred to me that indeed prison sentence may not be the only sure means to correct behaviours especially for celebrities who receive short term sentences. Example of such sentence includes people like Kwaw Kese who was sentenced a day in prison for public smoking of marijuana. Also Ken Kuranchie and Stephen Atubiga received 10 and 3 days respectively for contempt of court during the election petition. I am aware through news bulleting that our prisons are overcrowded or over populated and lacks some basic facilitates. All the above mention citizens returned with the horrific stories of the poor nature of our prisons. This led me thinking about how best we can correct behaviours of our citizens without necessary sentencing them to a day or two in prisons. The idea of community service then came to mind? It is general acknowledge that the prisons service is for correctional purposes. It is therefore possible for behaviours to be corrected without the prisons. Especially for people like Kwaw Keses, Mr. Atubiga, Mr. Ken Kuranchie and most recently the Montie trio. I am convinced these people could have been corrected without necessary sending them to prison. In elsewhere, we hear stories of celebrities, politicians and businessmen who were sentenced to community service instead of prisons. Just to mention a few, Silvio Berlusconi, Chris Brown, Naomi Campbell, Snoop Dogg and many others have all received community services from offences ranging from assault to illegal possession of drugs. So why is prisons sentence the only option left for Ghanaian celebrities who fault or offend. I am in no way condemning prison sentences but I am suggesting that, considering the deplorable state of our prisons it will do the state a lot of good if people who are given short sentences like those mention above are sentence to community services like cleaning the gutters, white washing the street, weeding among other things. This can save the state some valuable resources and also reduced politically tension especially in the case of the Montie trio. I think for example all the political castigation and the unnecessary pressure on the president to pardon them could have be avoided if our judicial system thought of other avenues (community service) as medium for correcting behaviours. After all what will a day in prison really do to Kwaw Kese. Again what did three days really do to Atubiga. How is the state going to benefit from the Montie 3? Are they going to be engage in hard labour like hard core criminals? Probably not. Probably they are going to receive the best treatments and hospitality they ever received in their lives as some high profile personalities have already visited them. Their celebrity might even soar high. We all can accept our City need a lot of clean up each day, so why dont we engage these celebrities in community service rather than sentencing them to prisons. In my candid opinion the Montie trio can do a lot better when given mowers, shovels, pick axe, wheel barrows among other tools to help clean up the city. It is even more visible than sentencing them into prisons where they may become Lords and waste state resources. On the street they even become better examples to all who see them weeding or cleaning the streets. They also will live in their own houses, use their own water and electricity and food saving the state some resources. Paa Kwesi Bonsu. Dredge Masters has completed the first phase of a project to de-silt about 7.5km of drain channels that feed the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon. The project, which started in December last year, was aimed at ensuring that flood disasters that characterise the raining season in 2015 will not recur in 2016. The scope of works involved excavation, de-silting and refuse removal from the Odaw channel. Dredge Masters was dredged and cleared of the banks of the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon. During a tour of the project site which stretch from Alajo to Sodom and Gomorrah in Accra to brief journalists on the extent of works, Director of Operations of Dredge Masters, Sena Adiepena lamented fast pace at which the drains get silted. The challenge we are facing concerns settlement along the drains. The settlers put a lot of foreign materials into the drains. Even in broad daylight you see people throwing refuse into the drains, he said. Sena Adiepena He called for government intervention to relocate residents along the drains and urged for public education to end the constant dumping waste into the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon. A Consultant to the project, Ing Wise Ametefe said efforts to de-silt the Korle Lagoon and restore it to its former glory can only be achieved with attitudinal change. Dumping of refuse into open drains is a major challenge because of the difficulty in scooping silt from the lagoon which is always mixed with plastic and other materials, he said. Dredge Masters, a Ghanaian-owned leading provider of dredging services, was contracted to dredge the Odaw drain which runs through a greater part of the city. It is the first company to be contracted by the government to clear the drain after the philanthropic gesture by Mr Ibrahim Mahamas Engineers and Planners following the June 3, 2015 floods. Dredge Masters, a subsidiary of the Zoomlion Group of Companies, has been awarded the contract since November 2015. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN 19.08.2016 LISTEN The USA and its soon to be departed lap dog at the UN, General Secretary Ban Ki Moon are pushing for regime change in South Sudan. The reason the USA wants to rid itself of President Salva Kiir, the internationally recognized leader of South Sudan and replace him with rebel leader Reik Machar is because the US wants to deny China access to Africas energy resources, with the Sudanese oil fields the only Chinese owned and operated in Africa.Its that simple, the USA is destabilizing South Sudan to deny China oil, period. The CIA, as it has done in Angola, Mozambique and numerous other African countrys for decades now, is using a rebel leader named Reik Machar to wage an ethnic based war against a government that is doing business with one of Pax Americanas rivals. The coup against President Kiir in early 2014 by V.P. Machar was planned since 2006, which we know about thanks to Wikileaks. Follow the Golden Rule for African Conflicts, Show Me The Money, as in the source of Reik Machars funds to pay and supply his rebel army of more than 20,000 these past over two years now. And how is all of Mr. Machars weapon resupply reaching him if not via Ethiopia where up until recently Machar has been a regular resident under the regimes protection. This isn't the first time Machar has gotten support from an Ethiopian regime going back to the 1980s and the genocidal Soviet backed Mengistu regime. And of course, the tottering Ethiopian government is being wracked by famine, infrastructure collapse and ethnic revolts so the US is feeling the pressure to bring about regime change in South Sudan before their policeman on the beat in Ethiopia may no longer be up to helping with the job due to its own regime change challenges. Now the UN has intervened directly by spiriting Reik Machar out of South Sudan (Ethiopia is no longer stable and Mr. Machar apparently no longer trusts the regime there) to the D.R. Congo where he is has been handed over by the UN to be protected by the D.R. Congo government of Joseph Kabila where Mr. Machar says he is waiting for the UN peacekeepers to arrive and, he hopes, shoe horn him into power in South Sudan. So much for the UNs neutrality. Its regime change time and the UN once again shows itself as a lackey of the USA. Its that simple, really. All the smokescreens being blown by journalists such as Nick Turse et al can only hide the big picture and only for so long. How it is that journalists, whether their work is found in the New York Crimes toilet paper or on alternative sites like Pierre Ukrainian Coup Omydars The Intercept cant make out something so apparent as US (and its minions in the UN) vs. China in South Sudan has raised questions within the evolving network of veteran African observers I have been a part of for over 30 years. Smokescreens galore, really, filling the pages of even the alternative media with horrifying tales of black on black tribal violence in South Sudan, and nary a mention of the only beneficiary of this murder and mayhem, the USA. Thats right, the USA is the ONLY beneficiary of this mess, having been able to repeatedly damage or shut down the Chinese oil fields as a result of the rebellion which the CIA is funding and which the UN has turned a blind eye to. What is really lacking is any understanding of an accurate history of what came to be Africas newest nation, South Sudan, though parts of it have been told in these pages over the years starting with Storm Clouds Over South Sudan back in 2009. This was followed by US Plan To Destabilize Sudan and then US vs. China in South Sudan (an article Mr. Turse casually dismissed in 2014). So in the interests of educating all of the international journalists covering South Sudan, and NONE of them have gotten the story right, here, once again, is the only accurate on the ground based history of the independence of South Sudan. In the early part of the new century the situation in Sudan, then Africas largest and potentially richest nation, was grim. Decades of marginalization and war by the Khartoum based clique of Generals that ruled the country had led to a desperate situation. In the south the armed rebellion and counter insurgency had left the countryside in ruin. In the east the ethnic Rashida and Beja had risen in arms against their destitution and in the west the beginnings of what came to be known as the War in Dafur was brewing. And the generals in Khartoum were playing hard headed, refusing to sit down and share power with all parties and talk seriously about how to solve Sudans many miseries. Then in 2003 the east Sudanese rebels provided cover for Eritreancommandos by launching a strike from their bases in northern Eritrea into Sudan and cut the Port Sudan-Khartoum highway, the Sudanese regimes lifeline, literally. The Sudanese army tried repeatedly to reopen the highway only to see their best troops routed by the battle hardened Eritrean commandos. With the government in Khartoum on the verge of collapse due to looming shortages of food and fuel, the Generals were forced to see the light and agreed to sit down and talk peace seriously. Thus began a process that includes what is today known as South Sudanese independence. Ironically, something that the lazy lot that writes about South Sudan no longer care to mention, the leader of the South Sudanese movement, John Garang, was vociferously OPPOSED to independence. I visited Eritrea at the end of 2004-early 2005 shortly after the first peace deal between President Omar Al Bashir and John Garang was signed in Asmara, Eritrea. That's right, the first deal between the leader of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement and the Government of Sudan was done here in Asmara, the Eritrean capital. The hotel where we were staying in Asmara was still full of senior SPLM leaders still exuberant over the deal their leadership had made and looking forward to peace and prosperity, or so they thought at the time. It wasn't long after I left that the USA hijacked the peace negotiations with threats and broken promises i.e. lifting of sanctions against the Khartoum government, that a new peace deal was brokered in Kenya. This time there was only one real difference, that there was to be a referendum on independence for the south in the not to distant future. This referendum was forced on both parties and was quickly renounced by John Garang of the SPLM, which by the way is entitled the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement, not the South Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement. Not long after signing the Kenya based deal, which called for a national presidential election including all parties before any referendum on independence for the south, John Garang made his first public appearance at a huge rally in Khartoum where he announced his bid to be elected Sudans new President and promised a country based on equal rights and justice for all Sudanese. John Garang was crystal clear that he was against independence for the south and wanted to maintain Sudan's national unity. And in what certainly doomed him, he described his future presidency as one based on an independent, non aligned foreign policy and an economy free of control by the west and partnering with China instead to develop Sudanese resources and infrastructure. A few weeks later John Garang was dead, killed in a highly suspicious helicopter crash and thus ending any hope of peacefully settling Sudans future. The subsequent election saw John Garangs replacement, former head of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army, General Salva Kiir attempting to fill John Garangs shoes, a task he has been entirely incapable of doing. The election was won by Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and as I was to write, there were to be Storm Clouds Over South Sudan. With John Garang out of the way the USA with help from its lickspittles at the UN could manipulate the situation with inducements and threats so that the independence referendum that John Garang was dead against would go ahead as planned and Africas newest nation, South Sudan, was stillborn. With 500,000 barrels a day of oil being pumped back when oil was averaging over $70 a barrel, the future after the independence referendum and the formation of the Government of South Sudan looked bright. But none of the oil money was showing up as development in South Sudan because it was almost all being stolen, of course without the direct criminal connivance of western banksters it couldn't have happened. Sudan claims it turned over $15 billion to the Salva Kiir government and I estimated that at least $10 billion of which was stolen, lock, stock and smoking gun barrels when it came time for Dinka and Nuer warlords to divide the loot (see $10 Billion Missing in South Sudan). In the midst of an almost unprecedented ransacking of a national treasury, a fratricidal dispute developed between the Bashir government and South Sudan over oil pipeline transit fees because with independence South Sudan was the new owner of most of the oil being pumped to the Red Sea for export to China. The Generals in Khartoum tried to play hardheaded once again and western diplomats began whispering in Salva Kiirs aides ears that South Sudan didnt need oil, it can live off of aid..., $200 million a month was what was promised, if South Sudan would just shut down the Chinese oil fields over the dispute. And incredibly enough, Salva Kiir did just that, cut off his own nose to spite his face, shutting down the oil fields and cutting off his only source of income. The USA won and China lost, with the real losers being the South Sudanese people, for without oil money all food and energy quickly ran out and Sudanese people were begging for aid once again. The off the record promises of US aid weren't kept and Salva Kiir, with his oil fields shut and dead broke went on national television and begged for his former comrade in arms to return some of their stolen loot to keep the country from falling apart. President Kiir infamously begged for only $4 billion [to] be returned and when the western banksters holding the loot turned a deaf ear to his pleas he was forced to go hat in hand back to the Chinese who obligingly promised $8 billion in emergency aid and loans, saving the Salva Kiirs government from collapse. Part of the deal with China required settling the transit fee dispute with the Bashir government and the reopening of the Sudanese oil fields. Of course, this enraged Pax Americana and the writing on the wall became clear, that Salva Kiir had to go if that is what it took to keep the Chinese oil fields in Sudan closed. The CIA clandestine operation to destabilize South Sudan and depose President Salva Kiir was launched and a rebellion was instigated in the form of an old time mercenary and ethnic warlord named Reik Machar, then V.P. of South Sudan. That some sort of rebellion would happen was almost inevitable from the start, really, for the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army was based on ethnic divisions, with the Dinka having their own military followed by the Nuer and so on down the line of almost half a dozen ethnically based military commands. When all the oil money was going missing as into ethnic warlords foreign bank accounts, there was a point where even the army salaries weren't being paid and mutinies broke out starting in the smaller ethnic commands who had been the first to get ripped off. Salva Kiir had to literally round up herds of cattle and truckloads of cash and run around putting out fires to keep the country from falling into ethnic conflict, with intra SPLA based warfare. Ethnic warlordism is what has ruled southern Sudan for decades with only a veneer of anything different since independence. The Chinese oil fields were shut down when the destabilization campaign by the CIA sent rebel fighters to attack the oil pipelines and pumping stations and left Salva Kiir in a dangerous situation. He eventually agreed to allowing over a 1,000 Chinese peacekeepers to surround the oil fields and get the oil flowing again. As should be expected this even further enraged the USA who now have turned to their lap dog at the UN Ban Ki Slippery Eel Moon to push a plan in the UN inSecurity Council for military intervention and sanctions in South Sudan to finish the job of removing President Salva Kiir from power. They call them peacekeepers though where ever they go it seems peace seldom follows. 4,000 foreign peacekeepers invading South Sudan in the first phase as well as sanctions against Salva Kiirs government. Why would the US be pushing sanctions on the South Sudanese government with its aid restrictions during war and famine unless Pax Americana wanted regime change in South Sudan? Now with the UNs direct involvement in smuggling Reik Machar out of the country and paving the way for his return once their invasionary peacekeepers are in place the likes of Nick Turse et al will have to do some serious spinning to maintain the facade of UN/US neutrality in South Sudans affairs. With regime change can come a new beginning when it comes to developing South Sudan's oil fields. China out and the US in, which is what has been the goal all along, no matter the smoke machines filling the international media with tales of black on black tribal bloodshed. This, of course, is a short article summarizing the history of the South Sudan independence fiasco and is not intended to be very comprehensive, but it lays out the over all development of events in a complete and accurate summary. It is hoped that the independence movements, or those claiming the right to self determination in Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa, some 65 million people divided into 5 nationalities will use this account to begin to understand the dangers any newly independent state in Africa will face, no matter the oil or gas wealth they are promised. What any new country does not want to happen is to find themselves caught in the middle of US vs. China and subject to the USA pushing for regime change in their newly independent land. Thomas C. Mountain is an independent journalist in Eritrea where he has been living and reporting from since 2006. His work can be seen on his facebook site at thomascmountain or he can best be reached at thomascmountain at g mail dot com Donkorkrom robbery where a GCB bullion van was attacked by armed robbers who were police officers and their mechanic accomplice will also go down in memory as one of the usual controversies that have been confronting the police service and be forgotten soon but it will certainly leave issues of broken trust among the police officers particularly junior ranks. You would not know who to trust again in this our police service since criminals are creeping into our midst. You now don't know the enemy since the enemy can be the same person you were trained together at the training school, passed out the same day, posted to the same station, staying in the same barracks with you currently or probably your next door neighbour, or the very one you are performing duty with holding AK47 assault rifle loaded with rounds of ammunition. He could turn on you and kill you since one cannot read the motive of human beings unless exhibited expressly or implied. It really calls for self-introspections and retrospection the police service now. Police involvement in robberies is now a trend in crime combat and must be approached with a certificate of urgency. Almost every now and then, robberies that have been orchestrated whereby a police officer died are engineered by our own colleagues in the black uniform. It is very disappointing and appalling that that those who are supposed to protect the nation are rather persecuting the nation and in the process killing fellow police officers. It's a trend that needs to be broken to eschew these "wolves in sheep clothes" in the police to save the confidence and trust Ghanaians have in the police service. Our sacred oath has been broken by some unscrupulous police officers and it will certainly have ripple effects on us as police officers. We have been put into disrepute. In my candid opinion, despite constraints faced by police officers in crime combat, the police administration made some strides in crime combat particularly in areas of robberies last year and this year. The tenure of COP/Mr Tetteh Yohunu as the Accra Police Regional commander almost brought robbery to its barest minimum in Accra and its environs. The current Ashanti Regional commander COP/Mr Kofi Boakye has also made positive strides in combating robberies. Other commanders who were not capture by the cameras of the media are also doing their best. We were making positive impact until the trend where police officers are themselves armed robbers started to emerge. All forms of robberies are dangerous but robberies engineered by police officers cum armed robbers is not only dangerous but a threat to police officers in particular and the society at large. Our threats and risks factors have increased considering this trend. Rampant police officers involvement in robberies should send positive signals to us that the police service needs serious self introspection and retrospection. How did these police- cum-robbers find their way into the noble police service? It's a multi dollar question that will always remain rhetorical but we must try and find serious answers to it for the sake of our safety and trust that we have in our colleague officers as far as crime combat is concerned. Gone were the days that BNI does serious background checks for "wannabe" police officers before they are admitted to the various training schools to be trained to become police officers. In those days, cases of these nature were very rare but now, it is increasingly becoming the order of the day in the police service. Since the BNI was detached from the police service, who performs the role of checking the backgrounds of numerous people who want to join the police service for their personal gains instead of service and dedication to mother Ghana? I guess the answer is system failures. The systems have been deactivated hence the results we are seeing. There is this crop of police officers I call money driven generation. They are very dangerous and can sacrifice anybody for monetary gains whether you are colleague or not. We are with them in barracks, stations and offices. We see them and realize that they have questionable characters that fall below the standards of police service but we wait till they commit heinous crimes before we realise that they were actually criminally minded people who mysteriously found themselves in the police. Their crave for money leaves a lot to be desired. We have to do internal soul searching as members of the police service take collective responsibility to help flush out these miscreants for our own safety as police officers. We have reach the stage where every police officer must be made to secretly monitor his fellow officers whether he or she is doing the right thing or not. We should set internal systems of monitoring and surveillance in motion to curb some of these disgraceful occurrences which make the police service a toast for public condemnation. There should be laid down mechanisms for police officers to reports colleagues with suspected criminal characters to the police administration for possible tracking and surveillance. You should be made to write confidential reports and forward them secretly to intelligence offices in the police for surveillance to be laid on those who the police administration has received several ill reports about them from their own colleagues as well as their commanders. They should be tracked for the safety of the police officer, his or her family in particular and that of the citizenry in general. It should be part of our strategies to fight crime from within the service. Character assessment of police officers should not be left in the hand of commanders alone but rather we should create "brothers keeper" situation where every police officer will have the feeling that he is being monitored by his own colleagues since you don't know the kind of confidential report your own colleagues are writing about you and in the same vein, they also don't know what you are writing about them. It is too early for one to conclude that there is syndicated sponsorship of criminals into the police as done in some jurisdictions particularly in areas of drug trafficking but emerging trends are really sending us signals that we need to do serious self retrospective assessment and start the hunting from within. We often sea the civilian population as a pool of potential criminals and presume that police officers do not have tendencies to commit crimes and that is very wrong. Currently there seems to me that there is a sharp contrast between police officers who were enlisted before the year 2000 and those who were enlisted after 2000. The before 2000 generatIon seem to have self comportment, tact and disciplined than the after 2000 generatIon who seems to be driven by monetary gains and greed. I have always been saying that serious background check should be conducted on those of us who joined the police service after the year 2000 since some of us behave strangely. Their association with questionable characters in the society leaves a lot to be desired. There is nothing about them which show that they are police officers but on the other hand, you can see from afar how comfortable they are when they are in the midst of questionable characters in communities. Their choice of friends sparks investigations. Donkorkrom robbery which was orchestrated by the two police officers will definitely affect the trust police officers have for themselves since everybody is now a potential suspect. Until we are able to break this trend by activating all our check systems to eschew these miscreants, it will definitely affect our tactics in crime combat. If it is not nibbed from the bud, in the near future there will not be any difference between a police officer and a criminal. We will all be the same. As to why the armed robbers-cum- police officers escaped, next time when I find my pen and paper, I will tell you my experiences of handling cases that involves our colleague police officers. It is full of conflicts of interest. For now, we really need to do self- introspections and retrospections both as individuals and a whole as police service. Ahanta Apemenyimheneba Kwofie III [email protected] #Ahantadiaries_2016_08_18 The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has observed that it is President John Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) appointees who deserve a gold medal for insults and not the opposition. At the NDC national campaign launch at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday, the president launched a blistering attack on the NPP, saying the party, under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has won an Olympic gold medal in insults. The party replied the president and his party in a statement issued in Accra and signed by the Director of Communications, Nana Akomea. It posited that Mr. Mahama has a track-record for making unpresidential remarks which do not help in nation-building. President Mahama claimed last Sunday, 14th August, in Cape Coast that the NPP will win a medal for insults at the Olympics. For such an aspiring Olympic referee, it is a shame that President Mahama has not taken into account his own leadership in this competition of insults, the statement underscored. The NPP further recounted, President Mahama at the last NDC congress in Kumasi before the Cape Coast campaign launch diagnosed the then general secretary of the CPP, Mr lvor Greenstreet, as suffering from 'incurable myopia.' President Mahama had gone on to tell Ghanaians last year that he would not take criticisms from anyone who has never been president before, and that the only people he would take criticisms from are former presidents Rawlings and Kufuor, he added. So the good people of Ghana, who elected President Mahama, cannot be fit to criticize him because they have never been president before. There can be no greater insult on Ghanaians. If anyone was looking for a gold medal for insults, this is it. Vote Buying Antics The NPP also said that apart from the insults President Mahama heaps on Ghanaians, the Ghana Integrity initiative (GII) has accused him of vote buying and abuse of incumbency. This GII accusation has followed President Mahamas open distribution of large quantities of outboard motors for fishing at an NDC campaign event last Monday, right at the start of his official campaign. So after all these years, President Mahama cannot distinguish between an official government occasion and a partisan political party campaign event and occasion. The NPP called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to condemn this act of President Mahama at this stage of our democratic development. 2012 Plunder The release reminded Ghanaians that in the 2012 elections, President Mahama engaged in this same vote buying exercise, adding, In pursuit of this, his government ran up a record and unprecedented deficit of $4.2 billion dollars (12%) in fiscal year 2012 the highest in the history of the fourth republic. According to the NPP, It is this reckless deficit in 2012 that caused the weak cedi to become by mid 2014 the worst depreciated currency in the whole wide world. It is that record deficit in 2012 that caused donors to suspend assistance to Ghana for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. The NPP added, It is this reckless deficit that caused President Mahama in 2014 to run to the IMF for policy credibility. President Mahama seems to be starting on this same path of vote buying again, right at the start of his 2016 campaign. For a government that claims to have delivered so much development to the people of Ghana and whose 'one-touch' victory is assured, why this resort to abuse of incumbency and bribery of the electorate? Or is it the case that President Mahama discovers charity when elections are due? The NPP charged, Ghanaians must rise up and save our economy from further destruction by President Mahama by showing him and his government the red card on 7th December. By William Yaw Owusu OSCE SMM observers continue observing heavy weapons not pulled back from the demarcation line, particularly, in the areas controlled by the so called LPR, and face obstruction to their work, Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) Alexander Hug has said. "Crater analysis conducted by the SMM showed that they had been fired at the government-controlled towns of Bohdanivka and Mykolaivka, both in Donetsk region. Aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM actually revealed the presence of 47 multiple launch rocket systems in so called LPR-controlled Miusynsk last Friday," Hug said at a briefing in Kyiv. He told there were just some of the proscribed weapons observed by the SMM in violation of respective withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. "The number observed did in fact almost double compared to the previous week," he said. Hug said it is that lack of trust that makes it impossible to do what is required to sustain long term cessation of violence. "Without trust, each side fears the vacuum will be filled by the other," Hug said. "It pains me to say this but the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) has not lived up to its potential. The JCCC needs your support and your attention. The fact is: unfettered and unhindered access for the SMM does not exist. And once again, without it, there can be no verification. Or trust. So long as there is no trust, there will be no peace," Hug said. Over the last week, the number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region remained largely unchanged compared to the previous week, with almost 1,800 explosions recorded there. Hug also noted that the mission has 706 monitors (of whom 578 are deployed in the east). Richard Nyamah addressing the media flanked by Salam Mustapha and Abu Ramdan on his left and Richard Asante Yeboah and Saaka Salia Concerns are being raised over government's intention to give away the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for 'sale.' Government is in the process of handing out the management of the company to a foreign investor who would be required to inject an estimated $450 million over a period of three years at an annual rate of $150 million an amount said to be far less than what ECG [as weak as it is said to be] is currently investing in its distribution operations every year. The contract would allow the investor to recoup its investment over a period of 25 years. This is what is raising hairs over what looks like a virtual sale of the national asset. At a press conference in Accra yesterday, members of the Coalition Against the Proposed Concession Arrangement for ECG could not fathom the viability of government's decision. Spokesman for the group, Richard Kwasi Nyamah, said, It is our considered opinion that ECG doesn't have to be operated by foreign investors for it to be profitable or successful. From the above, the company or individual who will be selected as the operator of ECG's assets could be less than one tenth the worth of ECG, which is worth $4 billion as valued by an independent international consultant. He wondered why government is bent on giving it away under bizarre circumstances for a pittance of $450 million an amount which is less than the debt of the government of Ghana to ECG and about one tenth of the estimated value of ECG. Mr Richard Kwasi Nyamah noted that In its down state, ECG annually expends at least an estimated amount of $100 million on network investments only; meanwhile, the company coming in is supposed to invest only $50 million per annum far less than ECG is currently investing. On the balance of probability, he and his colleagues believe that ECG is much healthier and in a better state than the company that would be taking over, wondering why the government would invite a weaker entity to operate a potentially viable company which on the average is able to rake in some $1.3 billion revenue per annum for the whole power sector. Mr Nyamah thus wondered whether government is not mentally enslaved, asking rhetorically, Why is it not giving the $500m to ECG to improve its performance and viability but rather give it to foreigners to run it for us? Is it the case of the white man being superior and better than we blacks? That aside, the Coalition indicated that the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), which is pushing for the privatisation of ECG, had either neglected or refused to take into cognizance, the interest of the employees and management of ECG. As we speak, as a result of this lack of consultation with ECG, some 7,000 plus workers and their families' faith hangs in the balance after five years of coming on board of the new company, Richard Nyamah noted, adding that Additionally, the fate of third party electrical contractors nationwide; indigenous local Ghanaian companies such as the cable manufacturers, meter manufacturers, transformer refurbishing companies, are all hanging since these individuals and firms largely depend on ECG for survival. The group has since resolved to hold a stakeholders' conference to solicit views of stakeholders on alternative and credible structures for a private sector participation in the running of ECG. At the said forum, they have promised to make available to Ghanaians evidence to the effect that government, in spite of the glaring evidence, is not interested in pursuing the country's interest. Also, they indicated, We will submit a petition to the United States government with our evidence through the United States Embassy in Ghana. This petition shall be on the basis of the US 'Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934' After that, leadership of the Coalition intends to bring a court action against government for failing to act in the supreme interest of Ghana. By Charles Takyi-Boadu The Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Mr. Kwame Agbodza has expressed dissatisfaction over the progress of work on the Community-Day Senior High School project in the area. The Ghc7.4 million World Bank funded project which is being executed by Messe SARBAH constructions Ltd at Adaklu-Abuadi, commenced in October 2015 and scheduled for completion at the end of September 2016. However, it has emerged during a surprise visit to the project site by the MP and his DCE, Emmanuel Sky Ganaku with some traditional leaders that, the 3-storey E-block project with a gate house is currently 64 percent completed instead of an 80 percent completion. This did not go down well with the MP, as he fears a delay in the timeline for the delivery of the school project, which is part of President Mahamas 200 community-day SHS projects. This project was to be completed by September in anticipation of students enrolment in the new academic year. But with what we are seeing now, Im doubtful if the school can be ready as scheduled, Mr. Agbodza told Starr News and wondered why the project was behind schedule, when funds have been made available to the contractor. The consultant has confirmed that there is no problem about payment on this job. Government honours their certificates on time, so I do not understand why the work is now 64 percent complete instead of 80 percent. He, however, urged the contractor to speed up work on the project and deliver it on schedule, without compromising on quality as it is crucial for the improvement of education in the Adaklu district. A director of the construction firm, Mr. Edem Sarbah acknowledged the delay in the execution of the project, and attributed to the topography of the project location and some issues with the workforce. The challenges, according to him, have since been resolved and work is progressing steadily, with the introduction of night shift in order to meet the project deadline. He has therefore assured all stakeholders of the companys commitment towards delivering school project by the end of October 2016. There was a little break in the work because site was not really good and we also had a few issues with some of the workers, but everything is on track now. We have augmented our progress of work with night shift and we are doing double of what we were doing in order to meet the deadline. Meanwhile, work on the Lot B of the school project comprising a headmasters bungalow, staff quarters and a canteen, being handled by another contractor, Macoby Ltd is almost completed with some finishing works left to be done. Just as one does not need to suffer from a physical malady or chronic disease to be a medical doctor, one does not need to marry in order to become a good couple counselor or therapist. Couple and family counseling is a combination of sociology and psychology. The Jewish psychiatrist and the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, defined love as a confluence between two currents erotic and affectionate. Therefore, love issues bother on emotions with serious mental health implications and as such families, counselors and pastors must avoid interfering in love affairs of couples or would be couples. Counselors must always raise the bar of competence. Any professional counselor must eschew ascribing or assenting to solipsism. Solipsism is the view that "I am the only mind which exists," or "My mental states are the only mental states." The purpose of this article is to elucidate on ethics of counseling using some utterances of a certain counselor in Ghana as a case study. A marriage counselor in Ghana is noted for controversial statements. For example, a counselor asserted as follows: Never marry a poor man, The age difference between couples must not be less than three years and more than seven years, Never marry someone who is not prayerful (the mindset of certain pastors) and so on. Well, as for the age difference, it is a matter of subjectivity. I remembered in 2003, at the National Pentecostal Church, Berea, Johannesburg, in the Republic of South Africa, a female physician from Australia presenting on HIV prevention and based on evidence-based research stated that the maximum age gap must be 12 years. Some people also marry their age-mates and they have successful marriages. We are even told of Anna Nicole Smith, an American model, actress and television personality who at the age of 26 married 89 year old Texas oil Tycoon, J. Howard Marshall (63 years difference). For the prayerful partner, God himself commanded prophet Hosea to marry Gomer, a harlot (Hosea Chapter 1). This is because our ways and thoughts are different from that of God (Isaiah 55:8). Besides, every saint has a past and every sinner has a future, example is an apostle Paul. For a poor mans marriage, there is a Ghanaian proverb that says no one knows the beginning of a great man. God also said: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Thus, such ignoble comments like never marry a poor man must be consigned to a trash bag. Counseling is both therapeutic (curative) and prophylactic (preventive). Must counselors take decision for their clients? The answer is no. In his psychodynamics and psychoanalytic theories, Sigmund Freud propounded two terms known as transference and countertransference. These two terms are universally applicable to counseling and psychotherapy. Transference is the process whereby clients project onto their therapists past feelings or attitude they had toward significant people in their lives. Transference is understood as having its origin in early childhood and constitutes a repetition of past material in the present. Countertransference is any projections by counselors that distort the way they perceive and react to a client. Simply put, counselors response to transference. This phenomenon occurs when there is inappropriate affect, when the therapist or the counselor respond in highly defensive ways, or when they lose their objectivity in a relationship because their own conflicts are triggered. For example, a counsellor who does not talk a lot may perceive a talking client as a terrible chatterbox, without recourse to personality differences. A counselor who does not drink or smoke may perceive clients who drink and smoke as irresponsible. To state in a simple language, the counselors reaction to the client is intensified by the counselors own experience. For instance, the counselors cognitive distortion or thinking error on living in a single room or living under hardship might compel him to say: never marry a poor man. A prime example of over generalization. Ethically, therapists are expected to identify and deal with their reactions through supervision, consultation or participate in their own therapy in order not to interfere counseling with their personal problems or convictions. However, countertransference is like our ancestors SANTROFIE bird if you take it, you take lamentation, if you leave it, you are deprived of a fortune. To put into perspective, countertransference is both constructive and destructive in the therapeutic relationship. A counselors countertransference can elucidate some significant dynamics of a client. A client may actually be stimulating reaction s in a therapist by the ways in which he or she makes the counselor into a key figure from the past. Gerald Corey is a professor emeritus in counselling psychology. He is institutionally affiliated to California State University, Fullerton. He is a member of American board of professional psychology. Marianne Schneider Corey is a counseling consultant and Patrick Callanan, a psychotherapist in private practice. In their book: Issues and Ethics in the helping professions 8th, edition, they asserted that counselors must be guided by moral principles to influence decision making. These principles include: Autonomy: the promotion of self-determination, or the freedom of clients to be self-governing within their social and cultural framework. Respect for autonomy entails acknowledging the right of another to choose and act in accordance with his or her wishes, and the professional behaves in a way that enables this right of another person. My dear Rev. Counselor in Ghana, should a cocoa farmer in the western, eastern, Brong Ahafo, or Ashanti region rent an apartment in his village before he could marry? the promotion of self-determination, or the freedom of clients to be self-governing within their social and cultural framework. Respect for autonomy entails acknowledging the right of another to choose and act in accordance with his or her wishes, and the professional behaves in a way that enables this right of another person. My dear Rev. Counselor in Ghana, should a cocoa farmer in the western, eastern, Brong Ahafo, or Ashanti region rent an apartment in his village before he could marry? Nonmaleficence: avoidance of harm, which includes refraining from actions that risk hurting clients. This includes emotional damage meted out to the client. It is not a duty of a counsellor or pastor to impose a partner or take decision for their clients. Motivational interviewing skills could be explored to ascertain the comfort zone of the client. The counselor must conduct self-introspection and ask like: how would I feel if my wife or my partner is asked to divorce me? Counselors and church leaders must be neutral because many individuals are psychologically fixated in anxiety due to relationship issues. avoidance of harm, which includes refraining from actions that risk hurting clients. This includes emotional damage meted out to the client. It is not a duty of a counsellor or pastor to impose a partner or take decision for their clients. Motivational interviewing skills could be explored to ascertain the comfort zone of the client. The counselor must conduct self-introspection and ask like: how would I feel if my wife or my partner is asked to divorce me? Counselors and church leaders must be neutral because many individuals are psychologically fixated in anxiety due to relationship issues. Beneficence: doing what is good for others and to promote the wellbeing of clients. This includes doing a good thing for society. Ideally counsellors must contribute to the growth and development of their client within their cultural settings. Counselors must respect the religion and culture of their client. doing what is good for others and to promote the wellbeing of clients. This includes doing a good thing for society. Ideally counsellors must contribute to the growth and development of their client within their cultural settings. Counselors must respect the religion and culture of their client. Justice: meaning to be fair by giving equally to others and to treat others justly. Counselors have a responsibility to provide appropriate services to all clients. Everyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic status, cultural background, religion, or sexual orientation is entitled to equal access of counseling. If a counselor asserts that never marry a husband who lives in a single room, is he insinuating that there should be a divorce as soon as the economic status of one partner changes? meaning to be fair by giving equally to others and to treat others justly. Counselors have a responsibility to provide appropriate services to all clients. Everyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic status, cultural background, religion, or sexual orientation is entitled to equal access of counseling. If a counselor asserts that never marry a husband who lives in a single room, is he insinuating that there should be a divorce as soon as the economic status of one partner changes? Veracity: means truthfulness, which involves the counselors obligation to deal honestly with clients. I think it is about time that Ghana government and all stakeholders must come out with evidence-based interventions to address the issue of marriage counselling. Some of the pastors lack the skills to counsel but they counsel. Who suffers? The venerable in the society. We all saw how the Self-acclaimed Bishop, Obinim was flogging two teenagers in his church coupled with faux pas. It is imperative counseling is factored into our national policies and programs. An Irish playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde, asserted that Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals. A good counselling prevents social vices such as arm robbery. I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing. (Socrates) Feedbacks must be directed to [email protected] Nana Yaw Osei (Padigo), PhD Candidate, Psychology Arizona, USA After recent reports of widespread violent demonstrations in Addis-Ababa and other parts of Ethiopia, local church leaders and members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) joined in a call for peaceful dialogue and restraint on all sides. We mourn the lives of those who perished during these protests, and regret the arrests and violence against protesters that have occurred during the demonstrations in different areas of the country, said Peter Prove, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs. We appeal to law enforcement officers not to resort to excessive force on unarmed civilians, and encourage protesters to look for open dialogue. Prove urged the ecumenical family to pray for the people of Ethiopia. We pray that all sides join hands for a better future based on social justice and human dignity, he said. Reports indicate more than 100 protestors were killed in Oromia and Amhara during the last two weeks alone, and local church leaders said the situation is still quite tense as demonstrators continue to clash with security forces. The violence comes on the heels of months of unrest in the western and northern parts of the country. The general manager of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abune Dioskoros, has also spoken publicly about the crisis, urging all parties to resolve their differences with dialogue and restrain from using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. The Catholic bishops of Ethiopia also issued a statement calling for peaceful dialogue, which read, in part: Our dear young children, we wish that you take over from us a developed and peaceful Ethiopia, not a country that is full of unrest. We urge you to remember that you have the duty and the right to take over a country that is full of peace and hope for development so you must work for this. Some of the hawkers trading on the footbridge 19.08.2016 LISTEN Hawkers have completely taken over a pedestrian footbridge in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital. They have turned the footbridge into a mini market where different items are sold to members of the general public. Some of the daring hawkers have even mounted wooden structures on the footbridge to market their wares on a daily basis. Owing to the development, pedestrians usually cross the street and compete with vehicles for space which endangers their lives. Anger The Metropolitan Roads Engineer for Kumasi, Ing. Nana Poku Agyeman, who has expressed gross concern about the trend, said the activities of the hawkers on the footbridge pose a threat to the public and other users of the facility. He charged the relevant authorities to expel the hawkers from the footbridge to avert calamity in the city. Ing. Nana Poku Agyeman said, The pedestrians are expected to use the footbridge when crossing the road and the stationery load is more than the load bearing capacity of the footbridge. He added that the infrastructure is now a deathtrap; I have notified the law enforcement agencies in Kumasi to enforce the laws and evict erring traders to serve as deterrent to others. The Metropolitan Roads Engineer for Kumasi stressed that national edifices need to be well maintained to reduce the cost of construction and reconstruction. From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., One person was reported dead while two others sustained various degrees of injuries when a Renault car lost control and ran into some members of the Great Fire Pentecostal Church headed by Bishop Daniel Bonegas at their Weija branch of the church in Accra. Madam Alice Doku,58, lost her life while Albert Coffie,55 and Georgina Antwi,38, sustained various degrees of injuries,according to reports received. The report indicates that Madam Antwi had one of her legs cut off. Consultation service was then being carried out by the Man of God when the accident occurred a few meters from the church premises. The woman was pronounced dead on arrival at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital but the other two, according to information, are currently on admission and receiving treatment. Police reportindicatedthat the accident occurred last Friday August 12, 2016 at noon. The driver of the Renault private car with registration number GX1985-15,Emmanuel Amartey-Fio was also from the church and was heading towards WeijaJunction. The driver was the one who sold the land on which the church is currently located to the church. According to the driver, the church was still owing him, so that fateful Friday, he received a call from Bishop Daniel Bonegas to come over to the church premises to collect the balance of his money. Suspect Amartey-Fio, reports indicate got to the church premises while service was still ongoing so he had to wait outside for theservice to be over before he sees the Man of God for his money. After church had closed, the driver said he called Bishop Bonegas on phone but Bishop asked him to wait for a while since he was in a counseling session. While Amartey-Fio sat quietly waiting, he said he received a distressed call from a friend to meet him immediately at WeijaJunction. He said he immediately sat in his car and switched on the ignition. While descending the hill from the church premises, he lost control of the steering and ran into some of the church members who were going home after the church service. The three victims were dragged by the vehicle to a distance before crashing into a bus belonging to the church parked in front of the premises. Superintendent ShaibuOsei, the District Police commander when contacted said the driver had been granted bail by an Accra Motor Court atthe sum of GH14,000 with three sureties. He would reappear before the court while police continue with their investigations. By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey ([email protected]) The mining sector accounts for more than one-third of the country's foreign exchange receipts, making it Ghana's largest source foreign exchange earner. In 2015, the realized mineral revenue reported by the producing member companies of the Ghana Chamber of Mines was $3.1 billion. Out of the amount, the producing companies returned 85 percent into the country, which is four folds more than the statutory repatriation requirement of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and also 13 percent increase over the amount recorded in 2014. Sulemanu Koney, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, disclosed this at the 2016 Zone two inter-mines First Aid and Safety Competition held at Prestea in the Western Region under the theme, Safety Our way of Life. He revealed that fiscal contributions by the mining sector increased from GH1.24 billion in 2014 to GH1.3 billion in 2015, representing a growth of 8.8 percent. He noted the mining sector accounted for nearly 15 percent of domestic revenue mobilized by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in 2015. These funds are largely channeled into the national budget to finance development programmes of the state, he added. He mentioned that even though the fiscal contribution from the mining sector was very significant, most people were unaware of the specific projects funded with mineral revenue. It is in this light that we continue to urge the government to pass a law similar to the Petroleum Revenue Management Act for the mining industry. Aside providing clarity on how the funds are utilized, such a law will also promote good governance and prudential management of revenues from the mining sector, he added. Safety has always been a priority in the mining industry and as good corporate entity, the Chamber of Mines and its producing member companies continue to work safely in a safe environment, Mr Koney pointed out. On his part, Shaddrack Sowah, Acting General Manager of Golden Star Bogoso/Prestea Limited (GSBPL), a mining firm in the region, noted that comprehensive risk management plan by the company had led to drastic reduction in work related injuries and illness. The Lost Time Injury (LTI) frequency rate over the past months saw a downward trend which we attribute to the enhanced awareness of safe working practices and overall improvement of our safety culture, he added. He said that over the years, the mining company had formed strong partnerships with its host communities. These efforts have yielded mutual benefits and led to support for the company's operations and sustained improvement in its host communities, he stressed. From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), as part of the Ghana National Single Window Project, has established electronic payment zones at some major ports in the country. This is expected to facilitate payment for port charges and other services by exporters to the Authority. Exporters in the past faced several challenges in transacting business with the GRA. Albert Akurugu, Head of Information Technology at the Customs Division of the GRA, who was speaking to the media after the Nigerian Export Promotion Council paid a courtesy call on the GRAs Technical Support Bureau in Accra, said the structures to house the e-zone facility are already in place at the Kotoka International Airport, Tema Port and the GRA headquarters. He added that payment zones would be rolled out at Takoradi Port and other border posts. The creation of the E-Zone at the ports is to serve as a one-stop shop for all exporters. This forms part of measures under the GNSW project to synchronize operations at the port, he stated. The interaction with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council offered an opportunity for both countries to share their experiences. The Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Olusegun Awolowo, who led the delegation, congratulated Ghana on the successes chalked despite the short implementation period of the GNSW project. He noted that since inter African trade is relatively low, a proper collaboration and implementation of the single window project on the continent would boost trade volumes. Today it is easier to export and import from Europe, USA than to do same from neighbouring countries. A harmonized single window project on the continent would transform who we do business among ourselves. Commissioner-General of GRA George Blankson, on his part, advised the two countries to pay more attention to export of value added products to boost development. By Cephas Larbi [email protected] Over 60 people gathered at Australian High Commissioners Residence to celebrate the accomplishments of Ghanaian and Australian women in politics and discuss ways to Pave the way for women at all levels of democratic governance. Former and present National Womens party political leaders as well as heads of student representative councils, ambassadors, academics, journalists and civil society representatives joined discussions on topics such as promoting gender perspectives in political systems and processes, getting more women into winnable seats and lessons for women in political leadership. The Australian High Commissioner hosted the event to highlight female leadership and discuss Australias Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment strategy. Leadership, crucial for womens empowerment, means giving women a voice, whether in parliaments, in communities, or in peace negotiations. It is about enabling and empowering women to be leaders in their communities. Supporting womens participation in politics is an important way to help realise this goal, High Commissioner Andrew Barnes said. The event strengthened networks between women involved in democratic governance and raised awareness of the crucial role women are playing and can play in the sector, as well as the issues and barriers to achieving greater inclusivity in both Australian and Ghanaian politics. The Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Senator, the Hon. Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, contributed to discussions with a video statement which noted Australias gradual process towards gender equality in the political arena. In Ghana, 11 per cent of parliamentarians are women, and I share the hope of many in the audience tonight that well see that number increase come December. Looking around, its evident that as in Australia, there is a community of passionate and skilled advocates for womens participation in Ghanaian politics who are dedicated to raising this number. High Commissioner Barnes commented. Private legal practitioner, Irene Aborchie-Nyahe says founder of the International Godsway Church has committed a crime and must be punished. She said the bishop, known for his controversial utterances and inappropriate attitude, violated the criminal offences Act (Act 29) and the Domestic Violence Act when he publicly flogged two members of his church. Although the bishop has justified the act and denies any wrongdoing, Mrs Aborchie-Nyahe says his actions cannot be justified under any circumstances. Related: Hot Video: Obinim belts church members for fornication and abortion She told host of Joy FMs Super Morning Show, Kojo Yankson Obinim has violated the laws of Ghana with his action. The constitution guarantees the dignity of every Ghanaian and for you to be flogged publicly and be ridiculed, it is not accepted, she added. Mrs Aborchie-Nyahe explained that the domestic violence act defines domestic violence as any act that seeks to cause physical harm, assault or any force that is used against a person, or if you subject any person to torture or any other inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. Therefore, once the bishop disclosed that he is responsible for the young adults, He has actually committed a crime. The lawyer, who is also a complainant in the issue, says the prosecution has a lot of work to do to prove the crime, because the victims might not be forthcoming with the needed information since they are under the control of the bishop. Related: Obinim disciplined his children to serve as a deterrent - Aide They might be influenced to even withdraw the case, she said, adding that is why some of us have taken up the challenge because we cannot be convinced to withdraw the case. Since the video recording shows the bishop committing the offence, Mrs Aborchie-Nyahe is confident that the crime will be easily proven and that will go a long way to help in the proceedings. So we are standing on a good ground and we want to test the law and see how far we can go and I am convinced that we will be able to assist the prosecution [to secure] a verdict. We need to protect society, it is not allowed. He might be caught on a video but there are thousands more who are using religion to perpetuate violence. So it is very important for us to send the message out there that it is not okay for you to violate the rights of a citizen just because they have come to you for a relief or two, she stressed. Related: Hot Audio: Obinim justifies public flogging Former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev Fred Deegbe who also contributed to the show, said the bishops behavior is appalling. What this brother has done is purely criminal. It is a criminal thing and there is no justification for it, he said. He indicated that no matter what scripture the bishop quotes, he cannot justify assault and battery in public for what he says are their deeds. If youre parents of these children and you say you move around ministering and this happens in your home, you should bow down your head in shame because you have failed to bring them up properly." Related: Obinim justifies church flogging as Gender Ministry reports him to DOVVSU Discipline does not mean flogging these children in public and humiliating them, then justifying it by quoting the bible, Rev Deegbe said. He stressed that the laws of the earth are applicable to all even though we are citizens of heaven, therefore, the bishops act is clearly irresponsible. Quoting proverbs and Mathew is a complete misapplication of scripture. I think that he has not done well, he should admit that he has committed assault and battery against his children and he must be dealt with properly. Related: Human rights groups gang up against Obinim; demand his arrest Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Naa Sakwaba Akwa | [email protected] Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has participated in the ceremony of opening the new Peremoha subway station in Kharkiv. "I am pleased that Kharkiv meets the Independence Day, the Day of City with the introduction of a new metro station, the subway station with the fantastic name of Peremoha (Victory)," Poroshenko said. He noted the station is almost the coeval of Ukraine's independence (its construction began in 1992), while, according to Poroshenko, 60% of its value had been invested during 20 years, while 40% of the cots over the last two years. The president expressed regret the station will start work in a few days after opening. "Technical things will require a few days, and then Kharkiv residents and guests will be able to use this station," Poroshenko said. He stressed it is needed to continue subway construction in Kharkiv, in particular, towards the airport (Odeska station). "Today we talk about the need to work with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, say it is necessary to give appropriate instructions to the government so that Kharkiv residents could be confident subway construction in Kharkiv will continue," the president said. BY KWAME GYASI Email: [email protected] KWAME GYASI When you are given an American Ford Expedition car bribe, say it is a Japanese Toyota V8 car gift Anon. When I was growing up in my holy paternal village of Adansi Brofoyedru, there was this woman who did not suffer fools easily. She once urged her children to beat up any person who displayed idiotic behaviour towards her. The children asked their mother if they answered to her call and did her bidding and were taken to court what would happened to them. The woman responded that if they were fined, she would pay. Then the children asked their mother in case they were sentenced to a term in prison without the option of a fine would the mother agree to serve the prison term for them. Your guess to the answer is as good as mine. Once upon a time, in the history of this country, there arose a lean hungry looking fellow with the countenance of a disenfranchised refugee who thought he had the conscience of society locked up in his brains. He viewed his own failure as that of the society that had been infested with deep seated corruption and had reached a critical mass and was at a take off point for redemption. He galvanised the disheveled mental thoughts of a population, a large majority of whom were prepared to catch any straw to avoid drowning in turbulent waters swiveling around them. He launched his own brand of revolution, support for which was not far away from the people who expected the second coming of the messiah sooner than later. To cut a long story short, at the end of the day, he created a Frankenstein monster of an evil state resource looting economic empire clothed in the banners of a draconian political party. In his own words the characters who populated the Frankenstein monster consisted of a rainbow coalition of greedy bastards, old evil dwarfs, babies with sharp teeth, liars, thieves, leeches, parasites. In the words of others, the characters consisted of a rainbow coalition of societal failures who had unprovoked axe to grind with the successful in society, a band of highly educated intellectuals who have had their education at the expense of the society but hid their failure to attain bourgeoisie capitalist lifestyle under puerile form of socialism, team B actors, arch ethnocentric tribalists who found the opportunity to turn the screws on their imaginary enemies belonging to other tribes too great to miss, blood thirsty violent seekers, looters of the national resources and bribe takers. Today the country is under the guidance and tutelage of a batch of the greedy bustards, old evil dwarfs, babies with sharp teeth, liars, thieves, leeches, parasites the Godfather created. Today, the Godfather who created these uncouth characters to make up the evil Frankenstein monster cuts a lonely worried figure in a transformed bloated body who could easily be a candidate for Olympic Games Sumo wrestling were Sumo wrestling an Olympic event. Today, he turns to express his thoughts in parables, a far cry from the booming speeches he used to be known for. Today the evil economic empire he created resembles a divided family of a man and wife with kids walking the street. Because the man and wife are at logger heads and walking metres apart, the children have to choose whether to follow the father or the mother. The formation of a political party by the wife and the divided attention of the children and the sermon at the NDC Cape Coast congress the Godfather delivered are all signs of the times which do not augur well for the country which had been blessed in the past. Today a band of criminal outcasts the Godfather created have captured the commanding economic, political, and societal heights of the nation. There has been an almost complete state capture of the media, a total state capture of the security system, the financial sector, and the public service to the extent that public servants have been cajoled, browbeaten, battered, assaulted, threatened, mesmerised to do the evil bidding of the criminal, corrupt, evil, incompetent John Dramani Mahama NDC administration. Abuse of incumbency is practiced with massive impunity where state resources are carelessly distributed at political rallies with reckless abandon like the way toffees are shared at a children's party, resources which should have gone into the creation of jobs and the fixing of the energy sector. Today, the Godfather has become the fiercest critic of the sons and daughters of the evil Frankenstein monster he created. Today, the Godfather walks the street all alone referred to as the old barking dog which has been caged by people he lifted from the filth and put on the pinnacle of power, wealth and influence. Years ago a historical event which perhaps has never happened anywhere before occurred in this country. Three of the most influential worldwide religious leaders met at the same time in this country. At one time in the life of this country, Ghana hosted the head of the worldwide Catholic Church, the Pope, the head of the worldwide Anglican Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Movement in Islam, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih. Today, an evil sinister event of three characteristics stands in complete contrast to the holiness which characterised the visit of the three highly exalted holy leaders who blessed this county with their visit. Today, the occupant of the State House can brazenly accept a gift of a car of all things from a small time foreign contractor who was awarded a contract by the state for the construction of an embassy wall at US$600,000 (it might be interesting to know how much the entire American embassy building in Accra cost to build) and dare the whole nation to a duel of fist to determine that it is a bribe.. Today three plus one mischievous characters can afford to use the public media to remind the whole nation of one of the most sordid, horrible, evil, criminal act ever perpetrated by criminals in charge of national affairs while making criminal threats against persons in the service of the nation. Today a Poison Ivy is pursuing a similar path walked by the Piped Piper of Hamlyn which led to the destruction of an entire generation with crass impunity and arrogance while the whole nation looks on with divided attention. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has released an amount of GH1.5m to the three psychiatric hospitals to enable them to settle part of their debts to suppliers. The three hospitals owed suppliers and creditors about GH10million, with government paying paltry GH1.5million. The release of the funds which is inadequate, considering the debt of the psychiatric hospitals to suppliers, follows the decision by the Accra Psychiatric Hospital to stop new admissions about three weeks ago for lack of funds. This was after several failed attempts by the management of the facility to get the government to meet its budgetary obligation. The hospital has, thus, been operating on credit which as accumulated to GH4.2m. Emmanuel Febiri, a nurse and a member of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, confirmed the release of the funds. No Admissions Despite the release of the funds, the Accra Psychiatric Hospital is yet to resume admission of patients into the facility. Mr Febiri said, Management is yet to decide on the admissions of patient because we still owe our suppliers. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mental Health Authority, Dr Akwasi Osei, speaking at the mid-year review meeting of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, pointed out that though the government released GH1.5 million to the three hospitals last week to ease the current financial pressure, the psychiatric hospitals are still in a financial crisis, which requires urgent attention. Dr Osei said GH10m debts had been accumulated by the Accra, Pantang and Ankaful Psychiatric Hospitals over the past four years. He stated that but for the release of the funds last week, all the three hospitals would have stopped outpatient care and sent some of the patients home. No Exaggeration He denied that the financial crisis of the psychiatric hospitals was being blown out of proportion. Dr Osei said, All the three psychiatric hospitals were going to stop outpatient care this week. It is a real crisis situation. He added that while other hospitals could generate income, the psychiatric hospitals were by law not allowed to generate any income, thus, compounding their financial situation. By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri Imoro Abdul Razak and Alhassan Rashid 19.08.2016 LISTEN Two persons linked to the attack on health officers at Damongo District Hospital Imoro Abdul Razak, 21, and Alhassan Rashid, 20, have been remanded into prisons custody by the Bole District Court to reappear on October 12, 2016. The suspects were arrested by the Damongo Police Tuesday dawn at their hideout upon a tip-off in the area. The Damongo District Commander, ASP Seidu Wemah, who confirmed the arrest to DAILY GUIDE, said the suspects were arraigned before court Wednesday. According to him, the suspects were charged with stealing and assault, but they pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Drama unfolded at the court premises when family members of the suspects attacked and verbally abused persons who tried taking pictures of them. The Damongo Hospital in the West Gonja District in the Northern Region has been shut down since Sunday due to attacks on nurses by some residents in the area. The facility takes care of over 2,000 patients in the district as well as other districts and surrounding communities in the area. Information available indicates that the facility has been experiencing some theft-related issues for some time now. On Sunday, two motorbikes belonging to the staff of the hospital were stolen, prompting them to lodge a complaint to the police, and some persons were arrested in the process. According to reports, two persons who were arrested by the police were later granted bail; the arrest which angered some youth in the area to launch an attack on the facility and in the process injuring some nurses. The angry youth allegedly threatened the staff of the facility; a situation which forced them to lay down their tools to save their lives. The authorities of the facility temporarily shut down the place and discharged all patients in the hospital. A patient who spoke to DAILY GUIDE on condition of anonymity said, It's unfortunate that this is happening but we have no choice than to go home hoping that they would reopen the place again but those who have money can still go to private clinics here. The leader of the nurses group at the facility, Justices Parmaak, told DAILY GUIDE that we are grateful to the police for a good job done by arresting the suspects. He prayed for justice to prevail, adding that the court should punish the suspects to serve as deterrents to others in the area because the incident that happened here makes us feel unsafe. From Eric Kombat, Damongo Sammy Awuku, the National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has sternly warned the party's youth to stop campaigning on the social media and rather convince people to vote for the party in the December polls. NPP youth must stop the campaign on social media platforms such as Whatsapp and let's get to the ground to campaign to help win the floating voters which will enable us to secure the first round electoral victory that we are craving for. He explained that it was good to spread the party's message to develop the country on the social media, but over-reliance on social media for campaign might spell doom for the party. Mr. Awuku disclosed this during the Youth Wing Conference of the Ashanti Regional branch of the NPP held at the Georgia Hotel in Kumasi on Wednesday. The NPP executive tasked the youth wing of his party to position it properly and lead the 2016 campaign of the party so as to help the NPP to secure victory to transform the country. He stated that the NPP youth wing boasts of energetic, hardworking and visionary young men and women who have the skills and resources to help the party. NDC Defeat Mr. Awuku predicted an embarrassing defeat for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), but stated that the NPP won't win the polls easily. President Mahama and the NDC are taking a long walk to opposition since the electorate are fed up with their bad policies. Poverty Unbearable poverty that has never been experienced in the country is now the order of the day due to the NDC's poor programmes and policies. Many graduates have resorted to prostitution and alcoholism due to the lack of jobs. He said after eight years in office, the NDC cannot pinpoint a single social intervention programme that it has introduced to improve the lives of the citizenry. Mr. Awuku charged the NPP youth to be vigilant on the election day to prevent members of the NDC from rigging the elections as they did in 2012, adding that we should not jubilate before the final results are declared. Party gurus such as Dr. Boakye Agyarko, Ayisi Boateng, Nana Bee and Stephen Amoah aka 'Sticker', among others, were present. Justin Kodua, the Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer of the NPP, said the programme was held to energize the party's youth in the region. FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi Chiefs in the Western region have renewed calls for increased allocation of the oil revenue to the region. They have expressed grave concern over what they say is the continuous disadvantage of the region despite it being home to the commercial exploration of the country's hydro carbon resources. The calls follow the official commissioning of the Tweneboa Enyenra Ntomme [TEN] oil fields by the President on Thursday, August 18, 2016. We will continue to demand our fair share because if you look at what PIAC has been presenting over the years, the distribution has not been fair to the region. As the bread basket, we get between 15 and 20 percent of the national allocation and for us; if you consider the pressure on our infrastructure, we should get more to be able to maintain them, Vice President of the Western Region House of Chiefs and Omanhene of Lower Discove, Nana Kwesi Agyeman IX, told Citi Business News. He added, What we are demanding is to get a quota if that is done for the people of the Western region, I think then we are all going to enjoy it anything not below 20 percent. Currently, the region receives about 15 to 20 percent of the total oil revenue accruing to the state. A situation the traditional leaders say has impacted on the ability to expand infrastructure. Declining oil prices affect oil revenue The chiefs have also lamented the impact of the plunge in global oil prices on expected oil revenue. Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, during his mid-year budget review presentation, announced a revision in projected price of a barrel of oil from 53.05 dollars at the beginning of the year, to 45.35 dollars for the rest of 2016. In addition, Mr. Terkper indicated that government has revised projected oil revenue from 2 billion cedis to 1.4 billion cedis. Though Nana Agyeman IX admits of the impact of the development, he maintains nonetheless that the region's due must be given to propel development. Our only handicap is that the price of oil declined significantly which made it difficult for the oil companies to carry out their mandate as expected. Despite these, we will continue to dialogue and resolve all outstanding issues we have as a region, he explained. TEN adopts local content in project Speaking at the commissioning of the project in the Western region, President Mahama lauded the decision by the TEN partners for the continuous engagement of local companies throughout the processes. This follows the passage of the local content law which has been in force since 2014. While commending the efforts by the oil companies in creating jobs through this directive, the Omanhene of Lower Discove further impressed on the companies to consider offering opportunities to qualifying personnel in the western region. It is good news to the country but as I speak now it is not pleasant for us in the Western region as most of the employment is done in Accra which places those of the Western region in a relative disadvantaged position. By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana An appeal for medical supplies and equipment by a nurse at the Nyive Health Center of the Volta Region, received an immediate response from Volunteers for International Medical Aid, VIMA, a California-based International humanitarian organization. Vincentia Rita Sedofia, a Nurse at Nyive, a border community in the Ho Municipality, appealed to the Non-Governmental Organization through correspondence to support their facility which lacked basic medical equipment and supplies. The situation according to her, was impeding basic health care delivery in the border town. Her appeal followed a visit by VIMA to the facility. A twelve-member delegation from the United States together with their Ghanaian counterparts, were at the facility to donate medical supplies which include mattresses, bed covers, syringes, C-section equipment, detergents and hand gloves. The founder and CEO of VIMA, Francis Kwame Agbemafle, told Citi News his outfit would adopt the facility by periodically supplying it with medical equipment as well as deploying volunteers from the United States to support workers at the facility. Volunteers for International Medical Aid, VIMA, is a California-based International humanitarian organization, established by a Ghanaian citizen living in the United States, to help provide the much needed medical aid to some rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. The organization supports five orphanages in rural Ghana. Vincentia Rita Sedofia thanked VIMA for the swift response. The chiefs and people of Nyive, expressed their gratitude for the gesture, and called on other organizations to support the community in areas of education and health. By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana 19.08.2016 LISTEN On Tuesday 16 August 2016, while scrolling through news items on Modernghana.com to confirm whether or not my two newly submitted feature articles a few minutes ago have been published, I chanced upon a curious title, Kumawuman recognizes Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua (Dr Yaw Sarfo) as Omanhene and at peace with his adversaries Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to read the publication and look and behold, it was one Alexander Afriyie, a self-proclaimed journalist overly exhibiting his utter ignorance, incompetence, lack of ability to engage in intellectual debate and spewing his usual threatening balderdash. His write-up was disgracefully heavily pregnant with grammatical and factual errors unbefitting of someone who claims to hold Masters in Journalism. This is Alexander Afriyie for you! I thought with the passage of time, coupled with his once announced enrolment into an American University to pursue further knowledge and higher course in journalism, he would overcome his problem with written English but he seems to be stagnant, mired in his usual error-deluged writings if not retrogressing. I will recommend to him to go back to proofread what he has written, and once done, resubmit the corrected version for publication as the current one of which I have printed off a copy for my file is disgusting and very shameful of such a loudmouth who proudly claims to have published two history books hence looking down on many a Kumawuman friend of his. His said books were rather booklets which were overflowing with grammatical and factual errors. One Nana Sarpong from Kumawu-Hyiawu helped me to purchase a copy each of those booklets in 1975 during the last Papa festival celebrations organised by the late Kumawuhene Barima Asumadu Sakyi II. I had decided not to respond to any silly accusatory publications against me by Alexander Afriyie, an unknown Kumawuman compatriot but an absolutely lick arse scumbag. However, I have a duty of service to fellow Kumawuman subjects to inform them of the truth at all times. With this in mind, it is incumbent upon me to set the record straight by correcting the errors and lies churned out by this empty human vessel called Alexander Afriyie, the son of Eno Akosua Dakwaah from Asante Akyem Akutuase and the late Opanin Kwame Doffour with ancestral roots from Bekwai-Asuoho. To educate this highly educated-illiterate, would he mind reading the full content of a publication I put out on Modernghana.com on 10 June 2015 revealing details about his origin to tell between him and me, who is more a native of Kumawuman? Yes, my mother is from Juaben in the Ashanti region and my father from Kumawu. But where does his father or mother come from? Check the web link below for the facts. https://www.modernghana.com/news/622496/a-us-based-journalist-of-kumawu-origin-is-happy-about-kumawu.html Additionally, where does the father of Dr Yaw Sarfo come from? Is it Salega that I heard his uncle Mr Osei Kwabena say? What about his fair-coloured great great grandmother? And yet, he calls himself not only a native of Kumawuman but a royal crowned the paramount chief of Kumawu. Does Alexander Afriyie now realise that I have the right to meddle in Kumawuman affairs more than he can? Let me take him back to the basics of English language. When we call ourselves subjects of a stool or subjects of an area, it does not invoke or denote any idea of slavery as misconstrued by our supposed man of many letters, Alexander Afriyie. Suffice it to define the words SUBJECT and CITIZEN to convey my views strongly to him to get him off the high horse he is ridding but without a saddle. It is said, He who does not know, and knows not that he does not know is a fool. Alexander Afriyie does understand English but only to a limited extent. He does not understand it to the level he outrageously makes a claim to. He makes a fool of himself getting entangled between the words Subject and Citizen as implied in Kumawuman Subjects Living Home and Abroad. He claims in his absurd publication under scrutiny that we are not slaves so we should not employ the word subjects to describe the people of Kumawuman. CITIZEN: a person who is a member of a particular country and who has rights because of being born there or because of being given rights, or a person who lives in a particular town or city: e.g. The interests of British citizens SUBJECT: a person who lives in or who has the right to live in a particular country, especially a country with a king or queen: E.G. He is a British subject. For his information, Kumawuman Subjects Living Home and Abroad is a registered association in Ghana. He had better find out than to come out to throw dust into peoples eyes. Again, Kumawuman does not refer only to Kumawu but the entire towns, villages and lands under the jurisdiction of the paramount chief of Kumawu. Therefore, any subject of the Kumawu Kodua Stool be they residents of Kumawu, Wonoo, Abotanso, Bodomase, Temaate, Besoro, Bodwase, Asekyerewa, Drobonso, Abenaaso, Ananangya, Woraso etc. could well be members of Kumawuman Subjects Living Home and Abroad. Subsequently, directing people to view pictures taken at the recent press conference organized by KSLHA at Kumawu to ascertain the fact that those in the pictures are not known Kumawu township faces hence the people were bussed from outer space to attend the conference is as preposterous as Afriyie is being irrational. They had come from all over Kumawuman from the towns and villages mentioned. Yes, Dr Yaw Sarfo has been enstooled and gazetted as Kumawuhene. He meets MPs, DCEs, Presidents and other paramount chiefs and attends high level public and traditional meetings. To a little-minded person like Alexander Afriyie, that is all what it takes to become a legitimate paramount chief. Let me refer you to the following two web links. Read or review them and you shall never be the same ignorant person any more. It takes more than what you know for one to become a legitimate Omanhene. https://www.modernghana.com/news/584823/re-asantehene-is-the-overlord-of-asanteman.html Is it too hard for Dr Yaw Sarfo and the registrars of Kumawu Traditional Council, Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs to provide interested subjects of Kumawuman or any interested sane citizen of Ghana a certified true form copy of the Chieftaincy Declaration forms filled out by Dr Yaw Sarfo subsequent upon which he was accepted and gazetted as Kumawuhene Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua? Why have they rather petitioned the Chief Justice to assist them withhold the requested document which is a public record from the requesters? Do you know that they dubiously condoned and connived with one Alexander Opoku Acheampong to get their said petition through to the Chief Justice? Let it be known to you and the masters you so stupidly prostrate to or kowtow to, that you can run but you cant hide. Did I hear you say, Rockson Adofo is arranging to get you deported to Ghana for being an illegal immigrant in the US? When did I say that? This is why I say you do not understand English hence asking you to go back to Class 1 to begin to learn to write, read and speak English properly. If you read my publication of which the first cited web link takes you to, and you do happen to understand it properly, you will realise your folly by falsely alleging that I intend to get the American Immigration Services to remove you from America. I am sounding a final warning to the bigot, opportunist, and Kumawuman wrecker going by the name Alexander Afriyie that if he plays with fire, fire will not only burn him but will consume him totally. Finally, Dr Yaw Sarfo aka Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua is the legitimate chief of Kumawu only in the figment of the warped imagination of crooks of whom Alexander Afriyie stands out conspicuously. Why should I spend my precious time on this thick person who is happy that the very traditional leaders he worships like a fool have cheated me by selling me a piece of land that has turned out not to be theirs? Instead of seeing his idols as thieves and crooks not worthy to be leaders, he is rather jubilant that I have become a victim to their evil manners. Is such a person worthy of any rational persons attention? Tweaaaaa Apuutoo! Rockson Adofo Despite the concerted effort by the Government as well as non-governmental organizations to combat the malaria menace in Ghana, Malaria still ranks first among the killer disease that is taking the lives of several children under the age of 5, every year. It is estimated that every sixty seconds an African child dies of Malaria. Malaria though preventable and curable, continues to take the lives of our future leaders. In recent news, a father lost his 5 year old child at the Amasaman Government Hospital in the Greater Accra Region and according to medical authorities of the Hospital, the child was diagnosed with complicated malaria with low blood level which resulted in her death. Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite known as Plasmodium and transmitted by the female Anopheles Mosquito. Infection with Plasmodium falciparum if not treated promptly can quickly progress to complicated malaria and if left untreated, severe malaria can lead to death. The debilitating effects of Malaria on people of all ages are quite great. Children under the age of 5years and pregnant women are most susceptible to the disease because they have lower immunity to the disease. When malaria in pregnancy is not treated properly, it can cause anemia leading to miscarriages, stillbirths, underweight babies and maternal deaths. In adult victims aside the financial cost incurred in treating the disease, malaria causes considerable pain and weakness, hence reducing their productivity at work. Malaria is therefore a developmental problem because we are all at risk. As an organization actively working with other groups to fight the Malaria menace, the Here for Perfection (H4P) Organization, believes that is it imperative for all and sundry to join in the fight against Malaria; a disease that is preventable and curable. The H4P organization is a non-governmental organization (NGO) with a focus on a Nation-wide Anti-malaria Campaign and a Special Advocacy for Persons with disability. Key to our Anti-malaria Campaign is the free distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets and the education of the general public about Malaria and its prevention. Mr. Henry Tims-Ankrah (H4P Crew) donating ITN to a mother The H4P Organization is therefore intensifying its anti-malaria campaign by creating awareness about the need to protect ourselves from the deadly Malaria. According to research, it has been proven that the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) gives maximum protection against Mosquito bites hence preventing the transfer of Malaria. The H4P Organization therefore implores us to join in the fight against malaria by preventing Mosquito bites as much as possible. This can be done by; sleeping in ITNs, applying mosquito repellent and indoor residual spraying for maximum protection. H4P Crew's net hanging exercise at Koforidua Central Hospital As the adage Prevention is better that cure goes, the H4P Organization is making a clarion call for us to intensify our fight against malaria by protecting ourselves, family, friends and loved ones from the deadly Malaria. Accra, August 17, 2016 Vodafone Ghana has unveiled an ultra-modern retail shop at Suame, near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, as part of its commitment to deliver great experience to customers. By this move, customers engaged in various trades such as car manufacturing and repairs, auto and spare parts dealership in Suame will have first-hand contact and attention from Vodafone for all their telecommunication needs. Additionally, the company also donated 100 motorbikes to its dealers in Kumasi in an effort to empower them in their daily activities. Speaking at the opening, Yolanda Cuba, Chief Executive of Vodafone Ghana said: It is no secret that putting the customer first in this very competitive telecoms landscape yields excellent results. At Vodafone, our commitment has remained unchanged over the years to provide unmatched experience for our customers. Our visibility in Suame is one of the many avenues we are deploying to ensure we are always leading the way. The Vodafone CEO said the retail shop has a Tech Zone which caters for internet-related issues, and a designated area where the retail team serves all business customers. The shop is also fully functional with a live experience zone where customers can explore and engage in quick transactions. Meanwhile, Vodafone is planning to increase its retail shops across the country to leverage on greater visibility and prominence. We should spend less time ranking children and more time helping them to identify their natural competencies and gifts and cultivate these. There are hundreds and hundreds of ways to succeed and many, many different abilities that will help you get there - Howard Gardner, Psychologist The road to better quality and transformative public education is paved with lots of contradictory prose and as a result, weak convergence on the way forward. Often those at the decision making table are quick to count the cost when it comes to taking real action (mostly because they were appointed to manage a system they dont use); a posture which gives our Academicians an opportunity to delight themselves in flowery, technical vocabularies in their ivory towers of abstraction (pun intended). We had a reenactment of this annual concert when news of the 2016 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results broke. As usual, our students passed with colors that did not fly. Out of the 274,262 students who took part in the exams, 45% did not do well in English, 50% did not do well in Science and 66% did not do well in Mathematics. This blew the whistle for Morning Show Hosts of media houses, Public Relation Officers of Education agencies, cynical politicians and Academicians to assemble and have their annual loquacious feast, which marks the unpacking of cliche remarks, accusations and defensiveness. Using the WASSCE results as rudimentary basis by contrasting failure rates to pass rates, they repeated the biggest mistake of past centuries, which is, to treat all students as if they were variants of the same individual. It became farfetched to imagine, let alone understand the unique circumstances of each WASSCE candidate. Our system is biased toward exam performance. No doubt. Instead of being one of the proxies for intelligence, academic exams has become the proxy. Not every student will be academically astute and the thought that failure to pass WASSCE (or any paper exam in general) will affect the potential and future of the not-so academically brilliant student is nowhere near an intelligent guess. Our over-emphasis on paper education is just as disturbing as the churn-out of graduates without employable skills. What is equally disturbing is our inability to put a firm grip on the dropout rates in our public schools. The much promised free Senior High School (SHS) program, if well implemented, will be of great relief to indigents especially. It will only be ineffective if many people become disinterested and distrustful of public education. Though the retention rate (the indication of flow through basic education) at primary school stood at 82 percent as at 2014, the figure dropped to 78 percent at Junior High School. The rate further drops at subsequent levels of education. In the absence of reliable data owing to data management and access challenges in Ghana, it is not out of place to intuit that the dropout rate could be higher than projected. An understanding of the circumstance and psychology of drop-outs is necessary. The parents and guardians of these dropouts do not have the financial means to further the education of their wards. They are paralyzed by poverty. Hence some of these young dropouts by virtue of economic disadvantage eventually resort to illicit means and social vices to cope and feed themselves. This improvisation eventually become costly to society and even themselves in the long run. It is instructive to note that these people have needs which require immediate satisfaction. Some are teenage parents. Some are first-borns who have to take care of younger siblings and to some extent, their families. Thus, the usual, traditional form of education, the read and write mode of instruction, which takes a while to complete will not work. These people want food on the table. They want to take care of their siblings and family. The last thing they want is an exams re-sit; another nightmare. Fortunately, some have honed their entrepreneurial edges into business enterprises. They however go about their businesses just to survive and thus, their businesses miss out on opportunities to grow and expand due to deficits in soft skills and better business management strategies. A study conducted in 2014 cited inadequate managerial knowledge and skills as one of the numerous challenges confronting small and medium scale enterprises in Ghana. At the moment, perhaps it will not be practically feasible to attempt to balance investments across the various sectors of education. What is urgent however, is the need to support ongoing government efforts and leverage impact through a capacity building programme for these entrepreneurial drop-outs. In 2012, the government of Ghana trained 5,000 Junior High School graduates in Technical and Vocational areas (garment, cosmetology, electronics and auto-mechanics). In 2013, the number of beneficiaries increased to 8,000. The talk about technical and vocational education gains momentum only when the issue of skills deficit of University graduates comes to the fore. It is a secondary topic, which clearly tells where our priority as a country lies. This has to change. Deputy Ambassador of North Korea in London Defects with Family to South Korea North Korea's deputy ambassador in London has defected to South Korea with his family according to several media news reports. A First in Many Years The defection of such a high ranking official is a first in many years. Advertisement A BBC report said that the defecting diplomat is Thae Yong Ho who works as a counselor at the North Korean embassy and acts as a deputy to the North Korean ambassador. Veteran Diplomat Thae Yong Ho has worked in the embassy for over a decade and is prominent among the British media as the main contact for UK journalists who wish to travel and cover news in Pyongyang. Thae's son, Thae Kum Hyok studied at Acton High School located near the North Korean embassy. Based on the school's website, the school term finished on July 22 which was also the same period that Thae apparently abandoned North Korea and his duties as a deputy ambassador. North Korean Embassy Silent Reuters asked a North Korean embassy official who neither confirmed nor denied the event merely describing it as "quite sudden." The North Korean Embassy has refused to answer any more questions. A Rise in the Number of Defections Thae's defection comes after the defection of twelve waitresses at a North Korean restaurant in China that took place early this year. A South Korean Unification Ministry official told Reuters that the number of North Korean defections this year through July was 814 which was a 15 percent annual increase. Other North Korean diplomats have defected to South Korea in the last two years including an envoy from Thailand according to Yonhap news a South Korean agency. Advertisement Advertisement Like us and Follow us Follow @Koreaportal and 2022 Korea Portal, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Volta River Authority has warned of an impending spillage of the water from the Bugre dam in Burkina Faso. According to VRA, the spillage is likely to commence over the weekend since information it has received from authorities of the dam in Burkina Faso points to that fact. The Volta River Authority has been advised by SONABEL, the power utility of Burkina Faso, of plans to commence spillage of water from the Bagre Dam, due to the amount of inflow into the catchment area of the dam. The spillage will commence when the water level reaches an elevation of 235m, and is likely to begin this weekend, a statement from VRA added. VRA explained that the spillage may cause the White Volta River to swell and most likely occupy its normal flood plains. However, this may be compounded during the period of heavy rainfall in the three regions in the northern part of Ghana, namely, Upper East, Upper West and Northern Region. It further urged residents in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions to note and take precautionary measures to avoid being affected by the impending spillage of water from the Bagre dam. Spillage of the dam in previous years caused flooding in most areas in the northern parts of Ghana and submerged farms and homes. Massive education by NADMO Speaking to Citi News, the Upper East Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) , Mr. Alfred Saavog said because the spillage will begin on Saturday [August, 20, 2016] they are embarking on a massive education exercise in the various towns. We have received information from the Burkina Faso authorities managing the Bagre Dam that, they will spill the dam tomorrow Saturday, 20th August 2016. The White Volta passes through about sixty three communities in the Binduri, Talensi Bawku west districts and the Bawku municipal. So everybody should stay away, farmers, fisher men shepherd boys and girls should stay away from their normal activities. Our zonal officers are in the communities informing community members, assembly men, chiefs and Tindans, in some of the communities information vans are going round informing community members about the spillage just to ensure that lives are saved, he added. By: Godwin A. Allotey & Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @AlloteyGodwin 19.08.2016 LISTEN Several People Suffered Bullet Wounds From Isaac Akwetey-Okunor, Donkorkrom ([email protected]) The escape of two police personnel who were allegedly involved in the attack on the GCB bullion van at Donkorkrom in the Eastern Region has angered residents of the area who launched an attack on the local police station, burning it down in the process. The residents would not accept police explanation that the two police personnel escaped whilst they were being transported to Koforidua, the regional capital, under armed guard. Though the police fired tear gas and live bullets among others to ward off the threat from the residents, resulting in some of the irate residents sustaining injuries, they (Police) were still overpowered and their barracks burnt down. Some cars parked around the police station were also set ablaze by the mob. Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) also had their share of the beatings by the residents when they made an attempt to douse the flames. National Public Relations officer of GNFS, Timothy Osarfo Affum, confirmed in a radio interview that that his officers were unable to get access to the fire scene due to the aggressive nature of the residents. At the time of filing this report, Police reinforcement has been sent to Donkorkrom to bring the situation under control. The Chronicle reported yesterday that the two policemen who allegedly robbed and killed the driver of Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) bullion van and wounded a colleague police officer escorting the vehicle on Monday at Maame Krobo in the Afram Plains South District, had run away. The two -Corporal Elvis Solomon Mensah, alias 'Fire' and Lance Corporal Kissi Abrokwa, who is also a Pentecost elder at Donkorkrom, escaped at Nkawkaw while being transported to the Eastern Regional Police Command at Koforidua, for further investigations and prosecution. The two police officers were arrested on Tuesday evening after the attack on the bullion van. The heinous incident reportedly occurred on Monday morning at about 10:30am. The robbers fled into the bush after the attack. However, the two were identified as the people behind the attack and subsequently arrested. The Police Commander in-charge of Tease District Police Command said the two policemen and a civilian, Danjuma, a mechanic at Donkorkrom, were arrested in connection with the robbery to help in investigations. The Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Assistance Superintendent of Police Yaw NketiaYeboah, also said that a police officer escorting the van was shot and is now receiving treatment at the Donkorkrom Presby Hospital, while the body of the driver, who is now deceased, has been deposited at the same facility. 19.08.2016 LISTEN From Ernest Best Anane, Dunkwa SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA The 2011 National Best farmer, Mr. Ignatius Agbo, has indicated that Ghana stands to lose volumes of tonnes in cocoa if the mass spraying exercise is not intensified. He wants government to take pragmatic steps to augment cocoa production and maintain growth in the cocoa industry. Mr Agbo suggested that the government should consider assisting farmers to spray their cocoa farms three times in a year, as a way of ensuring that cocoa yields are maintained. The chief farmer said the government should not play politics with the cocoa industry and make spraying insecticides accessible to farmers. He told The Chronicle in an interview that farmers are finding it difficult to get the right insecticide to spray their farms for more yields and complained that the government is not making any effort to improve upon the situation. The farmer chief pointed out that the brand of fertilizer imported for cocoa farmer during the regime of former President Kufuor was far better than what is being supplied to farmers now. In a related development, the chief of Dunkwa, Nana Obeng Nuako II has called for the involvement of farmers in the growth of the agricultural sector. He observed that the weather coupled with inadequate spraying machines have affected cocoa yield this year as compared to one million tonnes of cocoa produced in Ghana in previous years. The chief suggested that the government should import farming inputs for supply to farmers at subsidized prices. 19.08.2016 LISTEN From Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi MR KOFI Nyantekye, Deputy Chairman of the Publicity committee of Digital Broadcasting Committee has entreated the media to help educate the publicon the planned digital migration exercise from Analogue to Digital Television Broadcasting. According to him, digital migration refers to the process in which television services operating on analogue networks are transferred to digital based transmission networks over a period of time. In an interview with the media, after a day workshop, organized by DTT Media Resource Persons Training, Mr. Nyantekye hinted that analogue transmitters would be switched off at the end of the process. According to him, TV stations that are currently operating analogue networks are about 12 and said all these stations would be transmitting in digital form in the migration, with Ghana using the Digital Video Broadcasting-Second Generation Terrestrial (DVB-T2). He explained thatDVB-T2 is the enhancement of the television standards, as it is used for the digital TV broadcast transmission in Africa, Europe and Middle East. He said it is a suitable system for carrying more SDTV, HDTV, mobile TV and other multimedia signals on the terrestrial TV channel. Mr. Nyantekye underscored that, Analogue and digital television differ in the way the information is carried from the transmitting end to the receiver adding that, in simple terms, in analogue broadcasting, the signal is in the form of a continuous wave, whereas digital is in the form of discrete bits of information. He stated that, in digital, the signal is encoded and can be compressed to allow for more channels to be broadcast. The Deputy Chairman of the Committee said the world is migrating to digital to offer more services, improved quality and to improve spectrum and energy efficiencies and announced that the roll out of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform for migration would happen in three faces. He said, after the roll out of Free-to-Air (FTA) SGT services across the country, one year would be allowed for customers to acquire digital TV receiving apparatus, that is set-top-box deciders or integrated Digital TV sets, before the analogue television services are switched off to complete the migration. 19.08.2016 LISTEN From Ernest Best Anane, Dunkwa-on-Offin GUANGXI CHAMBERS Of Commerce and Guangxi Association of Ghana have expressed their profound gratitude to Police at Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Central region and the youth of Nyinawusu for their show of hospitality to Chinese Nationals. The two bodies are particularly happy for the efforts of the police and Nyinawusu indigenes in assisting in the protection of lives and properties of foreign nationals in their jurisdictions. Ms Monica Wei, the spokesperson for the Chinese unions, said following the attack by armed robbers , which led to the death of a Chinese national, Zhang Jingu, 29, a specialist in excavator mechanics, the youth in the community assisted the police to arrest one of the robbers, after one of them had been lynched . Ms. Wei donated GHc10.000, GHc4,000 and GHc2,000 respectively to Huag Qiao Tan, mother of the deceased who was in Ghana at the time the incident happened, the community and the Dunkwa-on-Offin Divisional police command. She stated that, the commitment of the police and their sense of readiness to fight crime to protect of lives and properties irrespective of the nationality of persons involved in the situation is commendable. Superintendent Dela Dzasi, who received the money on behalf of the police, thanked the Chinese bodies for the show of appreciation, which he said would spur them on to work harder. The Hague (AFP) - The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court welcomed Tuesday a nine-year jail term handed to a Malian jihadist for destroying Timbuktu's shrines, saying it sent "a warning" to others planning such attacks. The term imposed on Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi for directing the 2012 attacks on the fabled mausoleums in northern Mali was a "fair sentence," ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told AFP. But she stressed it "will give warning out there for those who are committing the crimes... that this is a serious crime. It is a war crime and they will be held accountable for destroying these important sites". Mahdi was sentenced to nine years imprisonment Tuesday by judges at the tribunal, after he pleaded guilty to a single war crimes charge of intentionally directing attacks against a religious and historic site. The judges said the destruction of nine mausoleums and the 500-year-old doors of the Sidi Yahia mosque at the UNESCO-listed site were of "significant gravity". UNESCO on Tuesday applauded the International Criminal Court for jailing Mahdi, calling it a "major step towards peace and reconciliation in Mali". The issue of cultural destruction has been catapulted into the spotlight as jihadists have swept into centuries-old sites in Iraq and Syria in recent years. "The court has recognised that this is a very serious offence, very grave offence and the impact that it has had also on the community," Bensouda said. The sentence would have "a deterrent effect on those who are considering committing these crimes". She stressed her office was also looking into other crimes in Mali following criticism from some rights group that not enough was being done to bring other suspects to justice after harrowing the events of 2012. "The investigations continue, we are looking into other crimes, we are also looking into these crimes such as sexual and gender-based crimes and killings," she said. Even though her office does not have jurisdiction to investigate crimes in Iraq and Syria, as they have not signed up to the court, "where we have jurisdiction, we will definitely intervene," Bensouda said. The Police administration say Police officers will not be assigned to Donkorkrom and Tease in the Eastern Region until a Police station that was destroyed by residents of the area is rebuilt. Over 500 residents of Donkorkrom and Tease attacked and set ablaze some Police facilities in those areas in protest of the escape of some police officers who were arrested for attempting to rob a GCB bullion van at Afram Plains in the Eastern Region. The attempted robbery led to the death of the driver of the van after a heated exchange of gunfire between the police officer in the van and the suspects. The police insist the people must pay for the construction of the offices else they will never return to protect the communities. Addressing the media on Friday, Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Prosper Kwame Agblor said when the incident happened we came out to assure the general public of the efforts we were making to re-arrest the suspects and urged them to remain calm and assist the police in this direction. However, the action that followed the escape of the suspects is unfortunate and reprehensible, to say the least. On Thursday, residents of Donkorkrom and Tease on the instigation of some opinion leaders mobilized and attacked some Police stations vandalizing service vehicles and other vehicles packed within the premises of the said police facilities and setting some rooms of the Donkorkrom Police barracks ablaze. He noted that the some of the residents also attacked the Police officers and their families and looted one of the blocks in the barracks, taking personal belongings of the affected personnel and their families away. Agblor said the police officers suspected to have tried to rob the bullion van including those who did the arrest will be subjected to a thorough investigations and severe sanctions taken against those found culpable. By: Godwin A. Allotey & Franklin Badu Jnr/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @AlloteyGodwin The passage of the Petroleum Production and Exploration Bill into law by Ghanas parliament has been hailed by some members of the Organisation of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC), describing the move as a regional triumph. Several energy experts and Civil Society Organisations which have been much concerned on the development and management of Ghanas nascent oil and gas have also applauded government and all stakeholders for the passage of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Bill into law. Nigeria, a leading oil producer on the continent expressed its excitements in its national newspaper news report days after the passage of the law. The report suggests the Worlds leading oil producer is fascinated about the swiftness with which Ghana, a country that only found oil 9 years ago, managed to pass the bill into Law as Nigeria keeps fumbling with the passage of her Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). An editorial session titled Ghana first, in the Nigerian newspaper commended the Ghanaian authority for having the foresight to pass the bill into law, while their country dither. An interesting thing about the development is that before now, the countrys petroleum industry had a 1984 law which regulated the sector; but the country still felt the need to rework the law to, as the energy minister, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah noted, make it tighter and to reflect international standards and best practices. The article reads. With this development, Ghana has sent a message to the international community that it is set to encourage multinational corporations to do business with it as well as attract more investment into the industry. For a country where oil was discovered only about nine years ago, this is a feat of sorts, compared with Nigeria where oil was discovered in 1956 but is still battling to have its PIB passed into law. The law governing the sector in Nigeria for now is fairly obsolete. With the discovery of larger commercial quantities of oil and gas in deep water offshore Ghana, It became necessary for the bill to passed as the new phase of oil exploration has comes with new challenges with actual development, production and utilisation of its oil and gas resources. On August 4th, The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Bill, 2016, was passed into law, after a long and extensive consultative process, aimed strengthening and improving the legal environment governing the exploration and production of fossil fuel. The Chairman for the Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas and also the Steering Committee Chairman of the Ghana Extraxtive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), Dr Steve Manteaw has described the passage as welcomed move. Adding, it was long overdue. He noted that, the need for a new Petroleum (Exploration and Production) law to replace the PNDC Law 84 was muted in 2008, after the first ever Oil and Gas conference. There several reasons why the PNDC Law 84 needed to be changed, he said. Among some of the reasons, were situations when the KOSMOS Energy at a time wanted to sell its shares in the Jubilee Field, the government at then put in a proposal that, the offer should first be given to the government of Ghana before any other party. But, the governments proposal was not grounded well since there no any provision in the PNDC E&P Law 84 to support it. However, he noted that, the current Act, Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act 2016 still has issues in it that need to be addressed. One of such issues, he mentioned was the provision that gives the Minister the discretional power to through away bidding results in awarding of oil block contracts and use his powers to allot the contract to an entity he deems fit. He believes that, this provision provides room for abuse of transparency and accountability in the award of oil blocks. Also, Energy think tank, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), had said the passage of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act 2016 by Parliament is welcome news for the oil and gas sector. However, ACEP says absence of punitive actions for conflict of interest by public officials blots the impeccable work by Parliament. We are however worried that an important provision relating to penalty for conflict of interest of public officers has not been incorporated in the Act despite many calls for it. In Liberias Petroleum Act 2014, a conflict of interest and penalty clause reads An officer in the public service engaged in the implementation of this Act shall not, in his or her private capacity, knowingly, directly or indirectly, acquire, attempt to acquire or hold: (a) a petroleum right or an interest in a petroleum right; (b) a direct or indirect economic interest, participation interest or share in an entity that is authorized under this Act to carry out petroleum right in Liberia; or (c) a direct or indirect economic interest, participation interest or share in a company that is providing goods or services to a holder of a petroleum right under this Act. A person who contravenes this commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand US dollars or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both, ACEP said in a release. However, the think tank says it will continue to campaign for the provision on conflict of interest to eventually reflect in future amendments to the Act. We believe strongly that it will deter the complicity of rent seeking public officials from undermining the good governance principles in the Act, ACEP stated. The bill was first laid before Parliament in 2012 but years of stakeholder consultations delayed its passage. ACEP says it has also taken positive note of the provisions of the new Act that will foster transparency in the sector. They include: An open and competitive public tender for the allocation of petroleum rights; A requirement for the publication by the Minister, the reasons for vetoing the outcome of a competitive public tender. This addresses the wide use of discretion by the Minister previously proposed in the Bill. The use of direct negotiation if only one company expresses interest in the area, after a notice to tender has been published. A requirement to enter into Petroleum Agreement with persons or companies that have the requisite technical competence and financial capacity to fulfill the obligations under the Agreement. The establishment of a public register for the disclosure of Petroleum Agreements, Authorizations and Permits, which will be open to the public. vi. A requirement for GNPC to seek parliamentary approval if it borrows in excess of US$30 million. We also take note of the provision for the disclosure of beneficial ownership information in the Companies Amendment Act, 2016, which will complement the governance principles provided for in the Petroleum Act, ACEP said in the release. These are very strong governance provisions, which make the Act very progressive, and an important milestone in Ghanas history of oil and gas resource management, said the energy think tank. ACEP has been at the forefront campaigning with other stakeholders for good governance principles to be incorporated in the Petroleum Act. At this point, it is our expectation that all Ghanaians will show interest in the implementation of the Act. We wish therefore to call on Government to issue the appropriate implementing regulations on the Act to ensure effective operationalization of the Act. We would like to commend Parliament for passing this very progressive Act particularly the Chairman and Members of the Committee on Mines and Energy for their great contribution to the Act. We would also like to commend the Minister of Petroleum, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah for his commitment and hardwork in pushing for the Bill to be passed. Finally, we salute our partners and all citizens of Ghana for their role and support in championing the cause of good governance in Ghanas oil and gas management, said ACEP. Ghana has been applauded for the step taken to ensure there exist a law to regulate the oil and gas sector. But, much to this, are the concerns raised by the experts on the omissions of some vital provisions in the law to guide the imminent abuse of the Ministers discretionary powers in award of oil blocks. Also, an issue of major concern is the worries raised by ACEP about an important provision relating to penalty for conflict of interest of public officers which has not been incorporated in the Act despite many calls for it. Citing example with the Liberias Petroleum Act 2014. Will something be done in the near future about the law to ensure that, those pertinent concerns raised are addressed to ensure wholesome commended for the law? Probably, a review or amendments would be needed to allow the law includes special clauses to avoid use of political power to abuse the law. The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has initiated background checks on police officers in the Region barely two days after two officers were busted for allegedly engaging in a robbery incident. Eastern Regional Minister, Mavis Frimpong, told Joy News the objective of the checks is to afford the Eastern Regional Police Command the opportunity to flash out personnel who have past criminal record. We are still going to beef up security to ensure that lives and property are not destroyed and we are going to check the background of existing security personnel and check if there are other people involved, she said. Tuesday's incident in which two police officers and a civilian allegedly robbed a GCB bank Bullion van has generated much tension in the region. Things took another turn after the two officers; Corporal Elvis Solomon Mensah (N39482) and Lance Corporal Daniel Kissi Abrokwa (N44912) bolted when they were being transported to the regional police headquarters at Koforidua. They were alleged to have requested to visit the urinal after the police van transporting them stopped to refuel at a filling station at Nkawkaw. One of them shoved the police officer escorting them and bolted. Consequently, a mass gathering of the Donkorkrom youth went to the police station demanding answers from the police to explain why they allowed the culprits to escape. Things escalated on Thursday when there was a clash between the residents and the police resulting in more than 20 residents getting injured after the police shot into the crowd. The two police officers were later re-arrested Thursday afternoon and transported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Accra. Mrs Frimpong wondered why the police would fire live bullet into a crowd because of some misunderstanding regarding the incident. She explained that the moment they got information about the incident, a contingent of 32 regional police officers were dispatched to the community to maintain peace. We have decided to maintain law and order and would also want to preserve further damage to lives and property hence the reinforcement, she said. She also said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), John Kudalor, led a team of police officers to the community to get first hand information of what happened. Meanwhile, the Director of Police CID, COP Prosper Kwame Agblor confirmed at a news conference that the two men are in their custody in Accra. He has entreated the media and well-meaning Ghanaians to help the police investigate the issue and put it to rest. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | Email: [email protected] High ranking government officials including former Interior Minister, Mark Woyongo, have been interrogated by the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), on the controversial Mahama Ford gift saga. The officials were made to answer questions on Mahama s decision to allegedly accept the gift from a Burkinabe contractor , Djibril Kanazoe when he was Vice President in 2012. Sources within the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), confirmed this to Citi News. The team of investigators from the Commission are also expected to present their report on the saga by the end of this August, 2016. The Youth League of the Convention People's Party (CPP), the Progressive People's Party (PPP) and a private citizen, petitioned CHRAJ with claims of conflict of interest against the President and called for an investigation into his receipt of the gift. The presidency subsequently submitted volumes of documents to the Commission, in which he rejected accusations of bribery and corruption leveled against him. CHRAJ is in custody of the vehicles log book and other relevant documents to guide it to bring closure to the matter. Background President Mahama came under intense public criticism for accepting the Ford gift worth about US$100,000 from the contractor, allegedly to influence him. The Burkinabe admitted giving President Mahama a Ford Expedition vehicle, for which the President called to thank him. The gift, according to reports, was prior to an attempt by the contractor, to win a bid to execute the Dodo Pepeso-Nkwanta road construction project. The same contractor had also been contracted to build a wall, at a cost of over half a million dollars, for the Ghana Embassy in Ouagadougou. Mahama's letter to CHRAJ President Mahama, in a letter signed by his lawyer, Tony Lithur, asked CHRAJ to dismiss the allegations of conflict of interest. In the letter addressed to the acting Chairperson of CHRAJ, President Mahama held that he was innocent of all the allegations leveled against him. By: Umaru Sanda/Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana Information gathered by the Economy Times indicates that, the country bagged little over US$3.1 billion in revenue from mining and quarrying activities in 2015. The statistics further provides that, of this amount a little over US$465,000 dollars was returned to Ghana through the Bank of Ghana as mandatory surrender. Also, a little over US$2.1 billion of the mineral revenue was returned to the country through commercial banks as voluntary repatriation. Of the total revenue, the Ghana Revenue Authority earlier stated that US$2.6 billion was returned to Ghana which comes up to 85 percent of the total revenue accrued. According to information published by the Ghana Chamber Mines, total fiscal payment from the US$3.1 billion amounted to US$377.3 million out of which a little over US$130 million went into mineral royalties, US$124 million into corporate tax. Again, US$108 million went into Employee Income Tax Payments (PAYE), while US$ 234,000 went into other taxes. Meanwhile dividends paid to the state amounted to US$13 million and property rate payments amounted to US$978,000. In other new, the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has bemoaned the activities of illegal small-scale miners, popularly known as galamsey operators, which are posing a threat to the security of its members. It said if steps were not taken to stop the activities of these illegal miners, the union would withdraw its services to the industry. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first half meeting of the National Executive Council of the union, the General Secretary, Mr Prince William Ankrah said, considering the dangers posed by this menace and the threat to the safety and security of our members, we as a union may be compelled at any stage to withdraw labour services to the industry if this situation persists. He said the issue had reached an alarming proportion, forcing AngloGold Ashanti to take the government to the International Court of Arbitration. Indeed, this enterprise has now reached a crescendo, forcing companies like AngloGold Ashanti to, out of desperation, file a suit against the government of Ghana at the International Court of Arbitration. Today, the safety and security of mining companies and our members cannot be guaranteed anymore, given the organised, sophisticated and aggressive nature of these galamsayers and their attacks on these concessions, he said. According to him, the illegal miners had been emboldened by politicians who had been promising them concessions. Our cherished members are living and working in fear, not sure what the next headline story would be. Sadly, these nefarious activities are carried out in the fullest glare of the powers that be, unfortunately with impunity, he said. Mr Ankrah said even though the government amended the Minerals and Mining Act, criminalising illegal small-scale mining, it appears to be the same government emboldening the perpetuation of this illegality and this sounds quite worrying and disappointing to us, to say the least. He called on the government to be bold and enforce the law and put to a stop to the activities of these illegal small-scale miners, adding, We believe that enforcement of the law still remains a major challenge and needs to be looked at closely, and this should be done devoid of politicisation and cronyism. He said considering the spate of destruction caused to the environment by these illegal miners, it will be extremely difficult to bequeath anything meaningful to generations yet unborn if we continue on this indiscriminate tangent with impunity. Today, water bodies which used to serve domestic purposes are all polluted, lands are degraded and communities are displaced, all in the name of galamsey,he stated. Pay discrimination Mr Ankrah said pay inequality in the mining sector was widespread and tilted towards expatriate workers who earned much higher than their Ghanaian counterparts. He said there was a very high income distribution inequality among employees in the mining industry of Ghana. Matters of income inequality is fast-growing, amidst heightened tension among stakeholders over a seeming heavily lopsided income sharing model which consistently appears to be in favour of a few privileged Ghanaian nationals but even more skewed in favour of the expatriate community, he said He said in the top-bottom income analysis, the ratio of the highest earner (GHC180, 066.90/$56,270.90) to the least earner (GHC1, 617.02 /US$505.31) in the industry was 1:111.36. Expressed in another form, it will take the least earner nine or more years of "hard labour to earn a months salary of the top earner, he said. He said that worrying development reinforced the call made last year by the quadrennial delegates conference of the union to leadership to aggressively pursue a global remuneration strategy that places appropriate values on mining skills, contrary to the current practice in the industry where earnings are heavily skewed in favour of colour and geography rather than skills. The 2016 Presidential nominee of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has expressed his commitment to empower the country's informal sector if given the nod to lead Ghana after the December elections. According to Nana Addo, making the informal sector viable will ensure the prosperity of the many Ghanaians who earn their income from that section of the economy. He said this on his campaign tour of the Klottey Korle Constituency in the Greater Accra region on Thursday. We want to strengthen the informal sector in Ghana. Restructuring the informal sector to make it viable is what can make the economy very strong. The informal sector is very dear to the heart of the NPP as a party. Empowering the informal sector and the private sector has been part of the agenda of our political tradition since the pre-independence era. God has given us the opportunity this year to bring an end to all the suffering in the country by using our thumbs well, please give me the chance. Enterprises in the informal sector constitute over 80% of the entire Ghanaian economy. Nana Akufo-Addo outlined a number of interventions his government will institute to help create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, when he's given the mandate to serve Ghanaians. There are too many taxes in our countryit is the reason why businesses are collapsing in our country. We are coming into office to reduce these killer taxes, and scrap the ones we deem unnecessary. This will help bring relief to business owners, who can then, in turn, create jobs for our unemployed youth. He further urged the people to vote for him to enable him put his promises into action. We are coming to vote and elect a new government which is bringing development to every part of the country without discrimination. We are asking Mahama, this year, to leave office, so an Akufo-Addo government will bring progress, development and prosperity to all. Ghanaians have had enough of President Mahama's mess, he added. By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @AlloteyGodwin Today 19 August 2016 marks World Humanitarian Day, a day set aside by the United Nations to remind us of the need to act to alleviate the suffering of others. The worlds problems are numerous and obviously cannot be tackled in one day or by one person. However we are reminded annually through World Humanitarian Day that no humanitarian action is too small. Mahatma Gandhi put it rightly when he said Whatever you do will be insignificant but it is very important that you do it. All over the world today, nations, societies, families and individuals face countless challenges sometimes through no fault of theirs. World Humanitarian Day offers us the opportunity to act and also to recognize the contribution of workers who deliver assistance to those who need it most, braving tremendous dangers. On the occasion of World Humanitarian Day 2016, the Osei-Kusi Foundation salutes all acts of humanitarianism by various individuals and organizations around the world. We encourage all to act in respect for humanity and to strive to stop human suffering wherever it is found. We all have a collective duty to make this world a better place for all. The Foundation would continue to offer our support to help alleviate the sufferings of the youth in Africa through the expansion of our scholarship scheme for deaf and blind students, prisoners support service, outreaches to deprived communities, and empowerment of young people. No matter how small your contribution is, do something for someone whos suffering. If you cannot feed a hundred, just feed one Mother Teresa. ENQUIRIES / CORRESPONDENCE Mrs. Kakra Benefo Asante on 0544 00 88 73 / 0302 96 58 59 or [email protected] 19.08.2016 LISTEN Global Media Foundation, human rights media advocacy organisation, has launched its 2016 election project dubbed: Change Ambassadors for Peace Education (CAPE) Project in Sunyani in the Brong- Ahafo region. The main objective of the project is to reduce the negative involvement of the youth, especially in elections and other events that often spark up tension and tendency of violence. The project is further committed to redirecting youth potential to productive ventures that empower them with knowledge and skills in peace building and leadership development. Addressing over 70 youth and Journalists at the launch, the CEO of GLOMEF, Raphael Godlove Ahenu , described the deletion of names of NHI card holders from the voter's register as needless and has therefore called on the EC to ensure that nobody is disfranchised during this year's general election scheduled to take place in December, 7th. He said every effort must be made to ensure that those whose name were deleted from the register for using the NHI card are re- registered to enable them to exercise their constitutional right and mandate come December, 7th. The CEO called on the youth to shun violence, refuse to be influenced and used by unscrupulous politicians for any form of conflict, but insist on being agents of peace, good governance for better society. He said the project will sensitize and increase the capacity of youth in peace building and leadership development. The project he noted will further educate them on their roles and rights to fully participate in democratic governance and assist them to achieve same. Mr. Ahenu also urged the Journalists to avoid reporting in media defamatory statements made by politicians that could spark political mayhem in the country. Mr. Michael Amponsah, the former Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of NCCE, launching the project, augured that election is about contest of ideas and not war. He therefore challenged presidential candidates contesting December 7th election to eschew deprecating statements that could incite political violence. The former NCCE Deputy Regional Director advised Ghanaians not to take for granted the peace being enjoyed in the country, saying, we in Ghana cannot afford to sit unconcerned when people make unguarded statements that could incite violence. According to him, it is this same silence that drove other countries to war and conflict and called on all especially the youth to champion the crusade against violent election. High ranking government officials including former Interior Minister, Mark Woyongo, have been interrogated by the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), on the controversial Mahama Ford gift saga. The officials were made to answer questions on Mahama 's decision to allegedly accept the gift from a Burkinabe contractor , Djibril Kanazoe when he was Vice President in 2012. Sources within the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), confirmed this to Citi News. The team of investigators from the Commission are also expected to present their report on the saga by the end of this August, 2016. The Youth League of the Convention People's Party (CPP), the Progressive People's Party (PPP) and a private citizen, petitioned CHRAJ with claims of conflict of interest against the President and called for an investigation into his receipt of the gift. The presidency subsequently submitted volumes of documents to the Commission, in which he rejected accusations of bribery and corruption leveled against him. CHRAJ is in custody of the vehicle's log book and other relevant documents to guide it to bring closure to the matter. Background President Mahama came under intense public criticism for accepting the Ford gift worth about US$100,000 from the contractor, allegedly to influence him. The Burkinabe admitted giving President Mahama a Ford Expedition vehicle, for which the President called to thank him. The gift, according to reports, was prior to an attempt by the contractor, to win a bid to execute the Dodo Pepeso-Nkwanta road construction project. The same contractor had also been contracted to build a wall, at a cost of over half a million dollars, for the Ghana Embassy in Ouagadougou. Mahama's letter to CHRAJ President Mahama, in a letter signed by his lawyer, Tony Lithur, asked CHRAJ to dismiss the allegations of conflict of interest. In the letter addressed to the acting Chairperson of CHRAJ, President Mahama held that he was innocent of all the allegations leveled against him. -Citifmonline 19.08.2016 LISTEN By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA Kumasi, Aug 19, GNA - Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the Trade and Industry Minister, has cautioned importers to desist from making false declaration of goods, cleared at the ports. He said in as much as the government was eager to create a business-friendly environment, anything illegal that denied the state vital revenue for socio-economic development would not be accepted. The Minister described as deeply disturbing the situation where about 65 per cent of importers engaged in the unhealthy practice. He was responding to concerns of the business community about the cumbersome process, delays and high cost of clearing goods at the ports at a forum held in Kumasi. This formed part of his three-day official visit to the Ashanti Region to learn at first hand challenges facing businesses and discuss the way forward. It brought together members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Association of Small Scale Industries (ASSI) and the Poultry Farmers Association. Dr. Spio-Garbrah said his ministry, the port authorities and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) had taken steps to straighten things to make clearing of goods quicker. He asked that business operators' upheld the values of honesty, trust and transparency, noting that, many banks were disinterested in granting loans to some of them because of their poor creditworthiness. He gave the assurance that government would continue to protect the local industries and promote patronage of made in Ghana products. Mr. John Alexander Ackon, the Regional Minister, indicated that a vibrant private sector would help to give jobs and create wealth for the people. That was why every effort would be made to address problems facing the sector to enable it to operate efficiently and optimally. He encouraged local businesses to make use of technology especially the internet to penetrate the international market. Mrs. Afua Gyamfuaa Owusu-Akyaw, Chairperson of the Ashanti/Brong-Ahafo AGI, complained about the high electricity tariff and over-taxation and said these were crippling their operations. She therefore appealed to the government to act swiftly to review the power tariff and reduce the taxes. GNA By Benjamin Akoto, GNA Asokore (E/R), Aug 19, GNA - An appeal has been made to all Ghanaians to demonstrate genuine commitment to work together to protect the nation's peace. Pastor Rexford Yaw Peasah, a retired priest of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), said it was not enough to proclaim peace but that this must be manifested in the way everybody conducted themselves. He was speaking at a camp meeting held by the Effiduase District of the SDA Church, East Ghana Conference, in Asokore near Koforidua. 'Reach the world' was the theme chosen for the event. Pastor Peasah expressed discomfort with the desperate attempts by some politicians to turn the people against each other for political convenience. 'It is unhealthy, tasteless and not a noble thing to do by anybody', he added. He asked the people to put the nation ahead of personal or group interest and comfort. He reminded the congregation to become good example to others in the society by reflecting sublime qualities of love, honesty, humility and tolerance. Pastor Nana Yaw Afari-Dadzie, the Area Pastor, urged Christians to remain unwavering in their faith and stick to the true Bible teachings. GNA Abuja, Aug. 18, (Allafrica.com/GNA) - Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has welcomed China's decision to support Nigeria in its quest to actualise the transition from Analogue to Digital broadcasting, Allaafrica.com has reported. He was responding to comments by the Vice-President of the StarTimes Group of China, Ms. Zhao Yueqin, who led a delegation of the company on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. In a statement, he said Nigeria was irrevocably committed to meeting the June 2017 Digital Switch Over deadline in order to protect broadcast signals from interference and also to unlock the creative potentials of Nigerians in technology and content development. "The process of digitalisation is unstoppable and irreversible; it's not a matter of choice. If we do not follow the world to digitalise and meet the June 2017 target, it means that our telephones, televisions and radios will not be free from interference. As a matter of fact, planet earth today does not know the extent of the dividends of digitalisation and how far it will go. "Digitalisation is going to affect the way we perceive and understand broadcasting. It will act as a catalyst to unleash the creative potentials of our youths. It will also provide the panacea to piracy. It will create so much possibility that will enable Africa leapfrog and join the next generation of technology," Mohammed said. He said his ministry would also borrow a leaf from China, particularly in the area of national re-orientation, having realized that Chinese economic boom and development were underpinned by the discipline of its citizens, their patriotism and dedication. "This ministry is going to start a campaign very soon to promote national rebirth and value re-orientation, because unless we change our ways and we are able to bring back discipline, integrity and values, the change we are talking about will not take place," he said. Mohammed, who expressed delight that the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China is waxing stronger in various sectors, said the trade volume between the two countries had jumped from $6.9 billion in 2009 to over $14 billion in 2015. He, however, stressed the need to correct the trade imbalance between the two countries by encouraging Chinese investors to set up factories in labour-intensive sectors in Nigeria and also canvassed for the abolition of the five per cent tax levied on agricultural products entering China from Nigeria. In her remarks earlier, Zhao, expressed China's willingness to assist Nigeria to realise the digital switch over. She stated the commitment of China to ensuring that every household in Nigeria has access to digital television signals. GNA By Gifty Amofa, GNA Kumasi, Aug 19, GNA - Thirty-four (34) suspected criminals including a young woman have been seized by the Ashanti police anti-robbery squad in a special operation carried out in Kumasi. They were arrested in different parts of the city - Asafo, Atonsu, Bantama, and the Race Course. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kwaku Osei Ampofo-Duku, the Deputy Regional Commander, told journalists that this was part of the effort to keep the city calm ahead of the coming election. He said they would continue to act firmly to make things uncomfortable for those who had chosen to live outside the law. He asked miscreants to reform in their own interest or face the full force of the law. ACP Ampofo-Duku said the arrested suspects would be screened and those found to have been involved in any crime prosecuted. He called for strong public support by way of useful leads to track down and arrest criminals out there. Separately, three teenagers said to be terrorizing people in Tafo-Adonpom have also been nabbed by the police in Tafo-Pankrono. They were seen together with nine others on the run, carrying offensive implements - cutlasses and broken bottles. The police have launched a massive manhunt to arrest their fugitive colleagues. GNA 19.08.2016 LISTEN By Jerry Azanduna, GNA Bawku (U/E) Aug. 19, GNA - Major- General Obeng Boamah Akwa, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, has assured Ghanaians of the Army's preparedness to provide security before, during and after the general election. Major-General Akwa said the constitutional mandate of the Armed Forces was to protect the country and it was committed to ensuring that every citizen lived without fear and panic. Major-General Akwa gave the assurance during a working visit to Bawku upon assumption of office as the Chief of Army staff, to have firsthand information about the area and to see to the welfare of soldiers operating in the area. He said the Armed Forces was adequately resourced with logistics that would aid it to perform its duties effectively before, during and after the election. He said apart from the army's overseas missions with the United Nations it had also deployed personnel to keep peace and protect lives and property at the various hot spots including Bawku and Bolgatanga, Yendi and Bimbila in the Northern Region and Alavayo in the Volta Region. Major-General Akwa paid a courtesy call on the Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugragoe Azoka II, Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area and some political and opinion leaders in the area. He said a permanent military garrison would be put up in the area to enable the people enjoy uninterrupted peace. Naba Azoka commended the Armed Forces and other sister security agencies for their effort in maintaining peace to enable the people to run their businesses freely. He called on the people not to use the election as an excuse to cause disturbances in the area saying anyone caught in an unlawful act would be dealt with according to the laws of the country. GNA File photo: PLA NAVY's missile destroyer Xi'an, missile frigate Hengshui, and supply ship Gaoyouhu in the Rim of the Pacific 2016 (RIMPAC 2016) multinational naval exercise in Hawaii, the United States Chinas PLA Navy has kicked off a combat drill in the international waters near the Sea of Japan on August 18, 2016. The missile destroyer Xi'an, missile frigate Hengshui, and supply ship Gaoyouhu forms a team to combat against PLA's East Sea Fleet. The drill was held on the fleets' way back from the Rim of the Pacific 2016 (RIMPAC 2016) multinational naval exercise in Hawaii, the United States. Holding a training drill in the international waters is in line with relevant international laws, said a PLA Navy official. This training is also part of the annual plan of the PLA Navy. When I first heard about the Cocoa Roads Program launched by President John Dramani Mahama, I could not stop myself from guffawing. The entire idea smacked of the sort of neocolonialist development policy that saw the construction of the countrys railroad system linking the mineral- and cash-crop-rich areas of the country to the coastal ports of Sekondi-Takoradi and later Accra-Tema. It shows how little the National Democratic Congress government has done towards the radical transformation of Ghanas economy, from the wanton exploitation of commodities and raw materials to one that could boast of a viable industrial base that focuses on manufacturing and value-added products. But even on this neocolonialist development front, to hear Nana Akufo-Addo say it, not much that is worthwhile has been achieved by the ruling National Democratic Congress. Winding up his just-ended presidential-election campaign tour of the Western Region, recently, the three-time presidential candidate of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) observed that a diddly little had been achieved by way of the construction of roads in this foremost cocoa-producing region of the country. In essence, Nana Akufo-Addos argument is that President Mahamas so-called Cocoa-Roads Program has been an abysmal failure. This poignant observation prompted Mr. Mahama and several of his minions and flunkies to retort that the NPP flagbearer had failed to recognize the remarkable number of roads constructed all over the Western Region, because Akufo-Addo had slept through most of his electioneering campaign tour of the region. This kind of retort is very laughable because it does not muster logic. But then, who said the NDC leaders have ever been about the noble, wholesome and cognitively exacting business of logic? First of all, about the only way for Nana Akufo-Addo to have slept comfortably through most of his campaign tour of the Western Region, would have been if most of the roadways were of the pebble-smooth quality of the Nkrumah-paved Accra-Tema Motorway (See Mahamas Sleeping Comment Against Nana Addo Charitable Baba Jamal Starrfmonline.com / Ghanaweb.com 8/17/18). Whatever the real conditions of the Western Regions roadways may be, the fact still stands that most residents of the region, as well as people who have recently traveled through the region, are unreservedly agreed that the Western Region, matched up with its enormous wealth in natural resources and human productivity, is unarguably the most shortchanged region in the country. And his neocolonialist development agenda clearly does not appear to have done much to remarkably improve the quality of the lives of the people of the region. Needless to say, there is far more to road construction than merely carting dried cocoa beans to the Port of Takoradi. Mr. Mahama could have done better to highlight the magnitude of investment that his government has achieved in the area of food production. That Ghana continues to be a net importer of basic food items like rice, wheat and wheat-flour, sugar and dairy products ought to have been the focus of his government. And on the foregoing count ought to be recalled the painful fact that President Mahama woefully failed to put in a personal appearance at the National Farmers Day Celebration which was held somewhere in one of the so-called Three Norther Regions last year. And his lame and downright insulting and utterly frivolous excuse then was that foggy climatic conditions had prevented him from flying Up-North. Such untenable excuse could not be even more untenable, especially when one reckons the fact that Mr. Mahama was born Up-North where he has also spent a considerable period of his life. In other words, the man knows the climatic conditions of the region the way he recognizes his own face in front of the mirror. Indeed, were he the visionary leader that he claims to be, the Gonja petty chieftain would have made plans ahead of schedule and possibly traveled there by road. Needless to say, this is the kind of rudderless leader and politician who would have Ghanaians believe that Akufo-Addo must be speaking from the wrong corner of his mouth, when the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice disputes President Mahamas vacuously pontifical claims that all the roads in the Western Region, since he assumed reins of governance, have been paved with gold by his National Democratic Congress government. Good for you, Little Dramani! *Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reiterated his commitment towards ensuring that the private sector regains its pride if he wins this year's elections. According to Nana Akufo-Addo, no political party has the private and informal sectors of the economy at heart like the NPP, evident in the history of the party's tradition, which has been a consistent and principled promotion and protection of free enterprise and private sector development. To buttress this assertion, the NPP flagbearer recounted how, a couple of weeks ago in Tamale, he was the only presidential candidate to honour an invitation from the Association of Small Scale Industries, where he put forward his vision for the development of micro and small scale enterprises. Why is this so? It is because we in the NPP are fully aware of the importance to the growth of Ghana's economy of small scale businesses. When given the opportunity, we intend to support small business owners across the country, as we believe this will help create jobs and bring progress and prosperity to Ghanaians, he said. To this end, Nana Akufo-Addo outlined a number of interventions his government will institute to help create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, when he's given the mandate to serve Ghanaians. Firstly, the NPP flagbearer noted that there are too many taxes in our country, adding that it is the reason why businesses are collapsing in our country. We are coming into office to reduce these killer taxes, and scrap the ones we deem unnecessary. This will help bring relief to business owners, who can then, in turn, create jobs for our unemployed youth. Secondly, the NPP flagbearer assured the artisans and mechanics of the availability of MASLOC loans, devoid of politicization, stressing that the loans are going to be restructured to allow small scale industries to be the major beneficiaries of the MASLOC programme. In keeping up with modern technological trends, Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that his government will introduce, into the country, the 'Dual System, which is in operation in Germany a system which combines apprenticeship and schooling. This, he noted, will afford artisans and mechanics the opportunity to go to school to learn and upgrade their skills, whilst working at the same time. In responding to a request from the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Garages, who appealed for the finalization of the transfer of ownership of the lands at Odawna to them, Nana Akufo-Addo assured that my government will regularize the ownership documentation so you can have full access to these lands. However, in order to bring these into fruition, he indicated that Ghanaians have an opportunity, this year, to alleviate their suffering through the power of their thumbs. We are coming to vote and elect a new government which is bringing development to every part of the country, without discrimination. We are asking Mahama, this year, to leave office, so an Akufo-Addo government will bring progress, development and prosperity to all. Ghanaians have had enough of President Mahama's mess, he added. Nana Akufo-Addo was addressing mechanics, fitters and business owners at the Odawna garages, in the Klottey Korle constituency, on Thursday, August 18, 2016, when he made these known. -Starrfmonline President John Dramani Mahama is expected in Tamale later Friday afternoon for the official opening of Hajj 2016 and to bid the first batch of 500 Pilgrims on board the flight farewell. Three flights are scheduled to fly from the newly refurbished Tamale International Airport from August 19-21. A total of 1,500 pilgrims with 500 passengers on board each flight will be flown to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to embark on this year's Hajj pilgrimage. The Tamale flight is a pilot project which the Hajj Committee is trying out so other Regions would soon be added. This is a drive to ease the pressure on the Kotoka International Airport and the Hajj Village in Accra, which has over the years witnessed a lot of chaos in terms of flight scheduling and living conditions of pilgrims. Deputy Communications Director of the Board, Mohammed Amin Lamptey told Joy News organisers of the Hajj in Saudi Arabia have introduced a means of providing every pilgrim with a gadget which identifies them. Coming off the back of last year's Hajj disasters where a crane, as well as a stampede, killed over 2,000 pilgrims, the gadget also shows their country of origin of the pilgrim, the language they speak and also monitor the pilgrim as they go about their Hajj activities. A stampede that killed hundreds and perhaps thousands of Hajj pilgrims made the 2015 disaster the deadliest on record for the worlds largest Islamic gathering. The Saudi Press Agency described the water-resistant bracelets as GPS-linked devices containing personal identification and medical records that Saudi officials and security forces could access via smartphone, according to BBC News. Ghana is expected to fly some 5424 pilgrims with 11 flights in total. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim | Email: [email protected] The Ministry of Health has denied allegations by the Ghana Association of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists (GABMLS) that the sector minister boycotted a meeting with the association hence its decision to strike. The laboratory scientists yesterday [Thursday] served notice of the strike set for August 22, after the Health Minister, Alex Segbefia missed a planned meeting to discuss the stalled implementation of the National Health Laboratory policy. But the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Tony Goodman responded to the associations explanation for the strike notice saying the minister did not show up because he was not invited. All our checks in the ministry to find out if even a letter was sent inviting the minister have proved futile. We have not seen any letter, Mr. Goodman retorted. I have seen their release stating that they went to the Labour Commission and the Minister didn't show up. We did not see any letter from the Commission inviting the Minster for Health. We will issue a statement very soon. In the statement all of this will be in it, he stated. GABMLS accusation A statement signed by the President of GABMLS, Ignatius Awinibuno, accused the Health Ministry of disregarding their prior threats to strike saying, the Minister of Health is not interested in improving and strengthening medial laboratory services for better quality health care in the country. The association has in recent times been calling on government to implement the National Health Laboratory policy as a matter of urgency. The association believes this new policy is critical to the raising the quality of laboratory science practice to international health standards. It had been accusing the Health Ministry of dragging its feet in the implementation of the policy which was developed through the support of the United States Government in 2013. The policy is meant to guide laboratory scientists in their operations to achieve quality service delivery and strengthen laboratory research. By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana Syecomp Ghana Limited, a private agricultural research company and Federation of Young Farmers Ghana launched a position paper on mainstreaming youth in agriculture in Accra . The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Ahmed Alhassan Yakubu who delivered the keynote address said the purpose of the position paper is to advocate for supporting youth in agriculture. Ghanas agricultural development programmes lack targeted and formal policies for youth. Where they exist, youth development programmes hardly include clear and detailed provisions to mobilize national resources and policy instruments for including youth participation in agriculture. Youth unemployment continues to rise today, partially due to the skills-mismatch in the labour market among university graduates. The youth possess limited knowledge, skills and lack financial resources to effectively participate in the agriculture sector. To address this gap and reduce poverty in Ghana, there is the need to establish a support system that guarantees young graduates and non-graduates exposure and participation in agricultural investment and self-employment in rural, peri-urban and urban areas. With growing numbers of disenfranchised youth in Ghana and a strong focus on finding opportunities for their engagement and employment, there is a need for decision-makers to plan appropriate activities, through targeted interventions for maximum impact. Through the USAID-funded Agricultural Policy Support Project (APSP), as part of Feed the Future the U.S. governments hunger and food security initiative, regional workshops were organized nationwide for various stakeholders to discuss and debate innovative approaches to youth engagement in agriculture. The outcomes of the workshops led to the development of a position paper on improving policy and youth participation in agriculture. Policy recommendations presented at the end of the regional workshop deliberations include: 1. Explicit targeting of youth in agriculture policies; 2. Developing a land policy/land bank system so that Ghanaian youth can have access to lease land; 3. Developing credit/financial schemes targeting youth in the agricultural sector; 4. Liberalizing markets for agricultural produce for youth-managed agribusinesses; 5. Promoting and expanding training in agriculture and agribusiness through designing and availing relevant syllabi and infrastructure; 6. Facilitating an improved information pathway; 7. Investing in youth capacity in technical, entrepreneurial and managerial skills. About Feed the Future: Feed the Future is the U.S. governments global hunger and food security initiative. With a focus on smallholder farmers, particularly women, Feed the Future supports partner countries in developing their agriculture sectors to spur economic growth and trade that increase incomes and reduce hunger, poverty, and undernutrition. the meeting agree as a matter of principle that Ghana needs a Youth in Agriculture fund to serve as an incentive to clear the bottlenecks by access to finance of the youth who wish to go into agriculture. The fund can be supported through additional taxes on all food imports that can be produced in Ghana. This and other recommendations, including developing a land policy/land bank system so that Ghanaian youth can have access to leased land, credit/financial schemes targeting youth in the agricultural sector and explicit targeting of youth in agriculture policies, are part of a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Agricultural Policy Support Project (APSP) to improve on policy and youth participation in agriculture. It is an initiative to analyse the challenges and opportunities for mainstreaming gender and youth in the countrys agriculture and develop innovative approaches and recommendations for rural and urban youth in the agricultural value chain. A position paper on the project containing the findings was presented to the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Crops, Dr Ahmed Alhassan Yakubu. The forum was organised to share the outcome of a three-month regional dialogue that took place among public and private actors to contextualise issues on Improving Approaches to Mainstreaming Gender in Ghanas Youth Policy and Youth in Agriculture Programme: Focus on Climate Smart Agriculture and Market-oriented Value Chains. Lead by Syecomp Ghana Limited, a private agricultural research company and Federation of Young Farmers, the project is part of Feed the Future the US governments hunger and food security initiative which is aimed at combating hunger, under-nutrition and poverty and currently operates mainly in the three northern regions. The purpose of the position paper is to advocate support for youth in agriculture. Be entrepreneurial Speaking at the programme, Dr Yakubu said the countrys policy on agriculture was not to help people find jobs but rather for the youth to create jobs and employ. He said what the country needed now was not replicating research in problems that already existed but rather investment in the solutions required to curb the challenges in the agriculture sector. The deputy minister urged young people interested in agriculture to choose entrepreneurial ventures in the sector that involved high value commodities that would yield good return on their investments. Too much import The Chief of Party of the APSP, Mr Walter Nunez-Rodriguez, observed that the country was importing too much of what it could produce. He said instead of waiting for the government to create jobs, Ghanaian youth should take advantage of the numerous opportunities that existed in the agriculture sector. The Project Lead for the initiative, Mr Solomon E. Allavi, observed that youth unemployment continued to rise partially due to the skills-mismatch in the labour market among university graduates, adding that the youth possessed limited knowledge, skills and lacked financial resources to effectively participate in the agriculture sector. Reducing poverty To address the gap and reduce poverty in Ghana, he said, there is the need to establish a support system that guarantees young graduates and non-graduates exposure and participation in agricultural investment and self-employment in rural, peri-urban and urban areas. Johannesburg (AFP) - A Chinese man with 10 rhino horns and scores of carved ornaments worth over $100,000 was arrested in South Africa as he tried to board a flight to Hong Kong, police said on Friday. The 48-year-old man was detained on Thursday at Johannesburg's O.R Tambo international airport and will appear in court on Monday on charges of trafficking in rhino horns. "The suspect claimed to have acquired the rhino horns from Maputo, Mozambique," police said in a statement. South Africa is battling a rhino poaching crisis, with nearly 1,200 animals killed for their horns last year. Most of the animals are poached from the Kruger National Park, which shares parts of its borders with Mozambique. South African authorities often say poachers who usually use high-calibre weapons to shoot the animals and saw off the horns, come across the border from Mozambique. Rhino horn is composed mainly of keratin, the same component as in human nails, but the substance is believed in some Asian countries, to have medicinal properties that could cure cancer - as well as being an aphrodisiac -- in Vietnam and China. Although scientifically proven to be false, the belief has fuelled a lucrative illegal trade in rhino horn in Asia. South Africa is estimated to host around 80 percent or around 20,000, of the world's rhino population. Nairobi (AFP) - The UN children's agency, UNICEF, warned Friday of a "spike" in the recruitment of child soldiers to fight in South Sudan's civil war. "All the different groups are recruiting," said Justin Forsyth, deputy executive director of UNICEF. "There is a mobilisation going on in some of those remote areas to get people into these armed groups because people fear the violence will escalate and they're taking advantage of that to recruit these very young people." An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups -- including the national army -- since civil war began in December 2013. Last year UNICEF helped free 1,775 former child soldiers from various armed groups, but Forsyth warned that recent fighting which engulfed the capital Juba last month and has thrown a shaky peace deal into doubt would lead to fresh recruitment. "At this precarious state in South Sudan's short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent," he said. An estimated 650 children have been recruited so far this year. "The dream we all shared for the children of this young country has become a nightmare," Forsyth said, adding that children had been among the many victims of "rape, sexual exploitation and abduction as a weapon of war". The war in South Sudan has been characterised by atrocities committed by both those loyal to President Salva Kiir and those fighting for his former deputy Riek Machar. Tens of thousands have been killed and around 2.5 million forced from their homes. A peace agreement signed in August 2015 has so far failed to stop the fighting in the world's newest nation, independent only since 2011. In the most recent fighting last month Machar's forces were pushed from the capital to which they had returned under the peace agreement. Machar fled South Sudan for neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and has been replaced in the so-called unity government by a former friend and ally, Taban Deng Gai. The UN Security Council last week authorised the deployment of 4,000 additional UN peacekeepers with a stronger mandate after a series of failures to protect civilians, including foreign aid workers, from rape and attack. No date has yet been given for when the new force might be deployed. Human Rights lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu together with two others have, in a joint writ, dragged founder of the International Godsway Church to court for assaulting two members of his church. The three are asking the court to take punitive measures against the man of God for his aggression in the church. Bishop Daniel Obinim in a video which has gone viral on social media is seen using a belt to lash two young adults he claimed were his adopted children. The two are accused of fornication and attempting to abort a pregnancy. Bishop Obinim, since the video surfaced on social media has been sternly criticized by the general public, lawyers and religious leaders. But the bishop finds nothing wrong with his conduct. In justifying his conduct, largely described as an assault, an aide to the bishop, said the man of God had every right, as a father to punish the children when they go wrong. Joseph Osei Brenya said the young adults, who have been adopted by the bishop were expected to live a life worthy of emulation by other children but they failed. Bishop Obinim has also lashed out at those calling for his head. In an interview on the AM Show on Multi TV, the bishop said anyone who is calling for his prosecution is unintelligent. He said his conduct was not only biblical but acceptable within the laws of the country but some lawyers disagree. The man of God will soon face the law, Myjoyonline.com can confirm. In a writ copied to Myjoyonline.com, the two lawyers, Francis Xavier Sosu, Irene Aborchie and an ordinary citizen, Daniel Agbavor say the bishop's conduct is in "breach of Article 15 of the 1992 Constitution and other International Human Right statutes on the inviolability of citizens right to personal dignity. The complainants say this is not the first time the bishop has subjected members of his church to such cruel and dehumanizing treatment and that through the exercise of religious freedom, Obinim is violently violating the 1992 Constitution. They prayed the court to intervene to protect the rights of members and followers of the bishop who are Ghanaians and who are also protected by the 1992 Constitution. Not only are the rights of these members and followers going to be abused with impunity but also other religious groupings are bound to take a cue from this conduct and perpetrate atrocities against their members and followers in the name of religious rights to the detriment of their member and followers and the entire nation as a whole. Below is a copy of the full writ AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF MOTION ON NOTICE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE APPLICANT I, DANIEL AGBAVOR of F-X Law & Associates, House No. 62, Forest Avenue, Opp GSL, Dzorwulu, Accra, in the Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana make oath and say as follows; 1. That I am the 2nd Applicant herein and I have the authority and consent of the 1st and 3rd Applicants to depose to this affidavit on matters the facts of which are within my personal knowledge, information and belief. 2. That I am the Transport Officer of F-X Law & Associate and a citizen of Ghana by birth and nationality whilst the 1st Respondent is a law firm with interest and specialties in Human Rights and Public interest litigation and advocacy, with the 3rd Respondent being a private legal practitioner and Director of a Human Rights project called Legal Assistance Network. 3. That I am a keen follower of the Respondents ministry and have been watching their preaching and sermons through Television, social media and other media platforms and feel very disgraced and scandalized by the conduct of the Respondents in the violation of the 1992 Constitution as it relates to the protection of dignity of every member of the Respondents Church who is a Ghanaian whose rights are protected by the 1992 Constitution. 4. That on Wednesday, 17th August, 2016, there was a video that was circulating widely in social media showing the 2nd Respondent beating up two of his church members on the suspicion that the man had impregnated the woman. (That we shall seek leave through Counsel to play the said video in open court) 5. That the said video caused public outrage with several media house publishing same and calling for action against the said Respondents. 6. That being Ghanaians who believe and are advised by Counsel that the conduct of the Respondents violate Article 15 of the 1992 Constitution, and in fear of future violations of the fundamental rights of members and followers enshrined in the 1992 Constitution by the Respondents, we have taken this step in accordance with Article 2, Article 33 and Article 33(5) of the 1992 Constitution to obtain a declaration and perpetual injunction to that effect and for further order or orders as the court may deem fit. 7. That this has not been the first time that the Respondents have subjected members to such dehumanizing and cruel treatment and if care is not taken the exercise of religious freedom would violently violate the 1992 Constitution. 8. That I am advised by Counsel and I verily believe same to be true that the continuous conduct of physical abuse of members of the 1st Respondent Church by the 2nd Respondent is in violent breach of Article 15 of the 1992 Constitution and other International Human Right statutes on the inviolability of citizens right to personal dignity. 9. That I am advised by Counsel and I verily believe same to be true that our right to challenge an arbitrary use of religious power of the 2nd Respondent, arises out of the application of Article 2 of the 1992 Constitution and several decided cases which had held that individuals may bring action for enforcement of constitutional breaches and though not expressly mentioned in the 1992 Constitution, is considered to be inherent in a democracy intended to secure the freedom and dignity of man as articulated by Article 33(5) 10. That I am again advised by Counsel and I verily believe same to be true that the said treatment meted out to members and followers of the 1st Respondent Church by the 2nd Respondent breach the fundamental right to dignity and freedom from all arbitrary abuses of the members and followers contrary to the 1992 Constitution , The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) . 11. That if this court does not intervene to protect the rights of members and followers of the 1st Respondent Church who are Ghanaians protected by the 1992 Constitution, not only are the rights of these members and followers going to be abused with impunity but also other religious groupings are bound to take a cue from this conduct and perpetrate atrocities against their members and followers in the name of religious rights to the detriment of their member and followers and the entire nation as a whole. 12. That we are advised by Counsel and we verily believe same to be true that the enormous breaches of the fundamental rights under the 1992 Constitution and the International Human Rights Instruments referred to above entitles us to bring this human right action for the reliefs endorsed on the application below. WHEREFORE , I swear to this affidavit in support of the facts stated above and claim the following reliefs against the 1st and 2nd Respondents jointly and severally: 1. A Declaration that the said beatings before the congregation amounts to violation of the dignity of the victims in violation of Article 15 (1) of the 1992 Constitution . 2. A Declaration that the said beatings before the congregation amounts to a dehumanizing and degrading treatment of them in violation of Article 15 (2) of the 1992 Constitution . 3. A declaration that the said punishment by 1st and 2nd Respondents violates Ghanas obligation under Articles 55 of the Charter of the United Nations to promote universal respect for, observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens of Ghana. 4. A declaration that the said punishment amounts to infringement of the said obligation and also an infringement of Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 7of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both of which provides that no one shall be subjected to torture, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment . 5. A Declaration that the conduct of Respondents violate Ghanas obligation under the Convention against Torture, and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment . 6. An Order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents, their agents, assigns, privies and workmen and any other person working under their authority or purporting to work in their names, from any further conduct such as beating, caning, stepping, spiting, insulting, inducements of fear and threat of death, invoking curses and any conduct whatsoever described which violates the dignity of their members and followers and constitute degrading, cruel and dehumanising treatment to their members and followers. 7. Cost and legal fees. Sworn at Accra this Day of August, 2016 Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Naa Sakwaba Akwa | [email protected] 19.08.2016 LISTEN Founder of International Gods Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim, says he is convinced a suit which has been filed against him for flogging two of his congregants would amount to nothing. He said I have gone to court several times and I know the law barely a day after a video in which he was seen flogging two church members went viral. I dont know the lawyer but the best practice was for him to have called any of the numbers to find out what happened and I would schedule a meeting to put up my defense, he told Joy News Mamavi Aboagye. Two human rights lawyers, Francis Xavier, and Irene Aborchie and a private individual, Daniel Agbavor have sued the controversial Ghanaian pastor at the Accra High Court (Human Rights Division) for openly flogging two church members he said are his 'children'. The incident which was captured on video showed a gentleman and a lady being flogged before a church congregation. Bishop Obinim while flogging the two made an allegation that the two stay with him and they have taken advantage of his numerous travelings to engage in a sexual affair which has resulted in a pregnancy they tried to abort. Even though he explained being the guardian of the two and believes he has the responsibility to ensure they behave in a manner prescribed by the Bible; criticism against him has never ceased pouring in. Season clergy men and human rights groups have asked the security agencies to effect arrest of Bishop Obinim for disrespecting the laws of the country. However, he says persons criticizing him for his actions should go into the Bible, adding, he only responded to what he was spiritually directed to do to the two for defiling themselves. 'Those who have sued me failed to do the right thing. I could have brought the children to them to find out what truly happened and not to be dragging me to the court,' he said in Twi. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | Email: [email protected] Accra Aug. 19, GNA - The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has held a National Debate 2016, to provide a platform for intellectual discourse on promotion of financial inclusion in the country. The event sponsored by MTN Ghana was on the topic: 'Mobile Money plays a critical role in promoting financial inclusion.' Team A, who spoke for the motion, said mobile money has created financial inclusion by delivering financial services at affordable cost to a disadvantage segment of the society. According to the Team, reports by Financial Access in 2009 points to the fact that about 50 per cent of the world adult's population do not save in the bank because of the exorbitant profits in the banking sector, however mobile money has been able to reach people at an affordable cost. They noted that the remittance cost of transfer of money across the world is at a very high rate but mobile gives low remittance cost charges. The team said the security of mobile money transaction is trustworthy to safeguard the user's money, adding that it also has potential to contribute to the economic growth of the country. Team B, also observed that mobile money has failed to address inconvenient network services, credit, saving with interest, insurance, investment, borrowing, fraud and hacking. After an hour of heated jaw-jaw session Team A, according to the cumulative results of the Judges were declared as winners. Mr Eli Hini, General Manager Mobile Financial Services MTN, congratulated NUGS on the celebration of its 50th anniversary being a formidable student body with its achievements over the years. He said MTN was privileged to partner NUGS to provide the platform for this topical issue to be debated. He said the issues appeared not to have had as much focus within the student body as it has had amongst the general public. 'The subject of financial inclusion is an important for our country, given its impact on national economic and social development,' he added. He said financial inclusion is an important subject for leaders of the country, and its linkages with poverty reduction, economic growth and employment and overall welfare improvement are well established. 'We each have a role to play in promoting financial inclusion - providers, citizens and regulators indeed all stakeholders must play their part,' he said. He said regulators must create an enabling regulatory environment, providers must offer effective, appropriate, affordable, secure and reliable services and users must act responsibly in the use of services. Mr Hini observed that mobile money is the facilitation of multi integration and the consolidation of services on the platform with ease. He encouraged students to conduct more research into how Mobile Money is breaking the frontiers of financial transactions and the prospects it has for Ghana's economic development. GNA By Kwamina Tandoh, GNA File photo taken on May 24, 2016 shows a music fountain in West Lake 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) LONDON, Aug. 18 -- As leaders of the world's major economies prepare to head to China for next month's crucial G20 summit, some leading British economists said leaders' talks at the forum will be more important than ever in addressing pressing global issues. Dr. Paola Subacchi, director of the International Economics Department at Chatham House, the London-based Royal Institute of International Affairs, spoke to Xinhua in an exclusive interview about the critical part the summit in Hangzhou will play. WIDE MENU Subacchi, an expert on the functioning and governance of international financial and monetary systems, said the summit gathering will cover a wide menu of issues ahead of a final communique being issued in what will be a wrap-up of discussions that started at the end of last year as part of the G20 process. The communique will express commitments looking at issues such as green finance and energy sustainability as well as the economy and security, the expert said. "Importantly, the G20 in China in September will see the leaders of the world's leading economies getting together. They will have the opportunity to speak around the table, talking for two days on pressing issues. It is an important forum to discuss the items that have been on the G20 agenda," she said. World leaders are also expected to talk about Brexit and the impact of the decision by Britain to leave the EU, the U.S. presidential election, according to Subacchi. "There will also be many geo-political tensions to discuss, such as immigration and migration, the refugee crisis and the tensions in Europe. There is going to be a very wide menu," she noted. "What I think will be interesting to see is whether there will be a more decisive steer on the need to embrace active fiscal policies and whether seeds will be established in the approach to economic policy-making," said the scholar. NEW CHARTER FOR GLOBALIZATION In a recent commentary, Alan Wheatley, associate fellow in International Economics at Chatham House, said the G20 should pursue a new charter for globalization. "Too many people are rebelling against the free flow of goods, capital and people because they have not benefited from them. The G20 can stop the rot at its summit in Hangzhou by pledging vigorous efforts to share the fruits of globalization more equitable," he said. On trade, Wheatley warned that public opinion in many countries has turned against free trade. "The G20 must prevent the sour mood from spawning outright protectionism. Governments should pledge not to erect trade barriers, beyond accepted remedies, or discriminate against foreign direct investment," he commented. NO SUBSTITUTE FOR G20 Prof. Gary Cook, who heads the Department of Economics at the University of Liverpool, agreed that leaders being able to talk freely away from the microphones is an important element of the G20 in China. "The G20 does have a useful role to play, particularly its case for economic co-operation and in maintaining confidence. "With Brexit there is still a lot of uncertainty and nervousness. The summit will give a strategic view of how that is viewed." "There is no substitute for world leaders to meet face-to-face as they will in China. The economic situation has wobbled and there is fragility in the financial situation in some parts of the world," he said. The economist expressed the hope to see the G20 promoting the idea that "free trade is in everybody's interest." "Maintaining global peace and helping to foster a sensible deal on Brexit arrangements are important. The UK is important globally in the economic situation, and it is in everybody's interest to reach a satisfactory conclusion on the future relationship," he explained. "The important legacies of the China summit should be firstly economic security and secondly political security. We are in what are perceived as difficult times, and what is needed at the G20 are frank discussions," said the professor. Accra, Aug.19, GNA - Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has commended the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) for helping to shape the career of the military. He said the quality of training the college provides to its students has enabled them to excel in their professions around the world. Vice President Amissah-Arthur was speaking at the joint graduation ceremony for Officers of the Regular Course 37 and Pioneer students of the 2015/2016 Master of Science in Defence and International Politics (MDIP) Weekend Graduands. In all 69 military officers and 30 civilians graduated with Master of Science in Defence and International Politics at the GAFCSC. The participants for the Regular Officers Course 37 are from Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Mali, Namibia, South Africa, Cote d'Voire, Liberia and The Gambia. Vice President Amissah-Arthur expressed delight that some aspects of professional military training are being integrated into the course to enhance the preparation of students. He said current global complexities and challenges demand that officers would have to develop a broad outlook to appreciate security issues around. He urged the management of the college to continue to design programmes that would enable it retain its strategic relevance on the continent. Vice President Amissah-Arthur also charged the pioneer students of the MDIP Weekend Graduands to maintain high standard in their endeavours and serve as ambassadors for the college He said the training that they have received from the college is not an end itself but should spare them on to do more. Rear Admiral, Seth Amoama, Commandant, GAFCSC the programme for the course was specially designed to prepare them for the demanding and challenging tasks ahead as they climb higher in their various profession. He said the qualities of leadership that they have leant over the period require them to be honest and have strong moral principles. 'I am convinced that you have developed an insatiable crave for knowledge over the period. Continue to educate yourselves wherever you find yourselves' he added. Major P.A. Hoffman, who was adjudged the overall best student, was given the honour graduate award. Lieutenant Commodore B.M. Braimah was given award for being the second best student whiles Lieutenant Commodore N.A.Akwei-Aryee was given award for being the third best student. Meanwhile, the main auditorium at the GAFCSC has been named after Lieutenant General, Joshua Hamidu for establishing of the college in 1976. GNA 19.08.2016 LISTEN Accra, Aug. 19, GNA - Mr Kafui Kanyi, Volta Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency has been honoured by United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF) at the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Media Awards ceremony in Accra. Mr Kanyi's feature article: 'Mass Defecation on Kabakaba Hill,' published on www.ghananewsagency.org on January 25, 2016 was adjudged among Online/Wire Service Category of the award acknowledged for its contribution to the fight against open defecation in Ghana. The ODF Media Contest was organised by UNICEF and Canada in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to award journalists for their contribution to increase awareness to eliminate open defecation. Other award winners are: Ms Jamila Akweley Okertchiri of Daily Guide who was adjudged the overall winner submitted two stories: 'Ending Open Defecation: The Smart Way,' and 'Open Defecation, a right denied.' In the TV category of the award: Ms Winifred Affum of Ghana Television with the story: 'Open Defecation at Akporman,' was adjudged the winner and Mr Gabriel Obodai Torgbor-Ashong of Metro TV with the story: 'Attitude undermining Open defecation,' runner up. The rest are: Mr Zadok Kwame Gyesi's article published on the graphiconline June 28, 2016 titled: 'Mion district leading war against open defecation.' In the radio category, Nyadror Adanuti Nelson Junior of Diamond FM, Tamale with the story: 'Behind closed doors,' was adjudged the best story in the Radio category while Mr Dominic Hlordzi of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation's radio story; 'Toilet Lagoon'. The contest was launched in December 2015 to improve media coverage against open defecation issues, as Ghana's sanitation coverage is dramatically lagging behind the rest of the continent. While the practice perpetuates diseases such as Cholera which killed 247 people in 2014, access to household toilet facilities in the country remains limited to 18 per cent of households in urban areas and nine per cent in rural areas. In Ghana, only 15 per cent of the population has access to household toilet facilities. Speaking at the Award Ceremony, Ms Susan Namondo Ngongi, UNICEF representative in Ghana said open defecation and poor sanitation resulted in the outbreaks of diarrhoea responsible for killing 2,500 children every year. 'Behaviour change is what we need to attain an ODF Ghana, but it will require a massive collaboration effort across a broad based partnership and the media is one of the key vehicles to drive this forward.' she said. Mr Obeng Poku, Director Policy at MLGRD said the ministry considers the issue of open defecation as crucial. He said the report from the World Bank Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) reveals that open defecation cost the country US$79 million annually. He said open defecation was a threat to human health and Ghanaians have a major role to play in addressing the problem. 'Ghana has set the target to eradicate open defecation by 2020, we urge the media to promote the ODF agenda, the ministry has been embarking on'', he said. He acknowledged WASH, UNICEF, Government of Canada and the media for its collaboration with the Ministry to drive the end of open defecation. Mr Affail Monney, President of the Ghana Journalists Association, congratulated the award winners for their efforts towards the good course and said that the media as an agent of change in society must use its influence to preach against open defecation. GNA By Kwamina Tandoh/Caroline Pomeyie, GNA Accra, Aug. 19, GNA - A Circuit Court in Accra on Friday sentenced an unemployed man to 20 years imprisonment for robbing his half-sister of Kia Sportage car after pulling a knife on her. Ebenezer Quaye aka Ataa Quaye charged with robbery pleaded guilty. Quaye was exposed after the mask he was wearing fell off after subjecting her to severe beatings and ransacking her room. His accomplice Abdul Tahidu Latif who was charged with abetment of crime was remanded into Police custody till September 2. The court, however, asked the Police to put their house in order and charge Latif with dishonestly receiving. Handing the sentence, the trial judge Mr Aboagye Tandoh said he took into consideration the number of days spent in custody and his plea for mitigation. However the trial judge said the conduct of Quaye and his modus operandi adopted especially when he subjected the complainant Madam Isabella Yeboah to severe beatings and attacked her with a knife. The court said until Quaye's mask used in covering his nefarious acts could no longer bear his acts but expose his identity. It noted that the vehicle he took away from his half-sister had not been retrieved hence the need to hand down a deterrent sentence. According to the court: 'It was worrying that one cannot trust his or her own brother even though the incident was not a strange one.' Prosecution, Detective Chief Inspector Isaac Agbemahia said the complainant was a trader residing at Ablekumah Agape in Accra. Chief Inspector Agbemahia said Quaye had moved out of the family house and was residing in a ghetto at Kasoa. On July 2, at about 8:00pm, prosecution said Madam Yeboah returned from Cape Coat after returning from a funeral. While entering her compound, a man in mask lurking around her gate attacked her with a knife and subjected her to severe beatings. Prosecution said the man escorted her to her apartment and ordered her to surrender all monies available or else he would kill her. While ransacking her room, prosecution said Yeboah's mask fell off his face and the complainant identified the man as her half-sister. Yeboah decided to flee but managed to driver away the complainant's Sportage KIA with registration number GY 490-13. Complainant reported the matter to the Police at Anyaa and she was issued with a medical form to seek medical attention. On July 5, this year, Chief Inspector Agbemahia said the case was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigations. On July 9, this year, Quaye was arrested at Mallam-Gbawe and he admitted the offence saying he handed over the vehicle to Latif who sold it and handed him GHa7,000.00. Latif was nabbed and he stated that he sold the vehicle in Savelugu in the Northern Region to one Haminu for GHa10,000.00. GNA Accra, Aug. 19, GNA - The Anglican Diocese of Accra, has pledged to build a Hope Community in one of its rural communities to resettle rescued children from trafficking. The Right Reverend Daniel S.M. Torto, announced this at the launch of the campaign against child trafficking in Ghana, collaboration between the Anglican Sunday School Association, the Anglican Diocese of Accra and the United States Embassy. He said the Hope Community is where the rescued children would have a new home, get education and be assisted to develop their God their God-given talents to become what they are ordained by God to be. The five-year campaign collaboration would focus on awareness raising and information campaigns through the use of symbols, and slogans; community mobilisation and outreach educational programmes; capacity building of especially the Church agents, institutional strengthening and networking. Others include individual and group empowerment to help in checking the abuse and supporting and engaging stakeholders in legislative and pragmatic measures to address root causes on a sustained basis. Rt Rev Torto said the Anglican Diocese of Accra in its quest to assist in eliminating the menace, has adopted a three-tier theory of change to drive individual, societal and systemic level of change. It has also adopted four prong strategies, namely, protection, education, livelihood and advocacy in identifying the root causes of child trafficking. He said the child protection aspect would entail a preventive strategy of raising awareness for behavioural change, a curative strategy of rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration and monitoring of victims of child tracking in Ghana. 'The education aspect involves providing affordable education for children from deprived families and general educational support to children, while livelihood category would focus on sustainable economic empowerment for deprived families as a way of reducing poverty levels, which has been the main underlying factor for child trafficking in Ghana, 'he added. The advocacy aspect, he said, would focus on influencing national and international policies, laws and programmes that protect children and also push for law enforcement. Rt Rev Torto, commended the US for his bold step to lend the support of his office and country to the laudable initiative, and called on other stakeholders to join hands in fighting the crime. Mr Robert Jackson, US Ambassador said his country has signed a five- million dollar Child Protection Compact Agreement with Ghana to combat child trafficking. He said his government also supported Ghana with GHa 32 million to get children out of cocoa and mining sectors, and expressed commitment to assist in eradicating the crime. He recounted the role United States religious leaders and groups played in the abolishing of slavery some 300 years ago, adding: 'Everybody has a role to play, every church has a role to in the fight against human trafficking.' Mr Jackson, therefore, urged the public to report perpetrators of the crime to the Police or Church Leaders for appropriate action to be taken. Mrs Victoria Natsu, Acting Executive Secretary, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Secretariat, said the recently passed Human Trafficking Regulation (LI 2219) s spells out the various penalties for trafficking in persons. She said if convicted for child trafficking or aiding the perpetration of the crime, parents or guardians would be imprisoned for a period not less than 2,500 penalty units and not more than 5,000 penalty units or to both. Mr Natsu said though it is the State that has the ultimate responsibility for the protection and welfare of children, families, communities, chiefs and the church must all be a part of the agenda of protecting the rights of children. She, therefore, commended the Anglican Diocese of Accra for the bold initiative. Oblempong Nii Kojo Ababio V, Paramount Chief of Ngleshie Alata, James Town, in a speech read on his behalf called on metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies and security agencies to clamp down on perpetrators and punish them severely to serve as deterrent to others. On the forthcoming elections, he said the country is once again confronted to elect a leader to govern the country and appealed for peace before, during and after the elections to further deepen the country's democracy. 'I appealed to the citizens to ensure that peace characterise this year's elections,' he said and commended the Anglican Church for the project. GNA By Patience A. Gbeze, Accra Accra, Aug .19, GNA - The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) have called on government to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to ensure an all-inclusive society for all. The Federation said government, should in particular, implement Article 33 of the Convention that requires States Parties to designate one or more focal points within government for matters relating to the implementation of the present Convention and give due consideration to the establishment of a coordination mechanism, which would facilitate related action in different sectors and at different levels. At a media briefing on Friday in Accra, addressed by Ms Rita Kyeremaa Kusi, Executive Director of GFD, Mr Alexander Bankole Williams, Member of Commutation Team of the Federation and Mr Moses Fordjour, Monitoring and Evaluations Officer of GFD, the Federation called on government to initiate strategic policy dialogue on carrying forward the provisions of the UNCRPD. Ms Kusi explained that though Ghana signed the convention in 2007 and ratified it in 2012 with the expectation tot starts implementing the tenets within two years after the ratification; the country is yet to do so. By the ratification of the Convention, government was expected to send a state report on the implementation processes of the convention but it has failed to do so because it has not been able to implement it. 'We had wished that the implementation will have been fast and given the priority that it deserves but that has not been possible. 'We therefore started a campaign last year to advocate the implementation of the Convention and calling on government to show commitment towards its implementation,' Ms Kusi said. She said what government is expected to do by virtue of signing and ratifying the Convention, is to set up the Committee and a focal point to implement the Convention. 'If government is so committed, it could set that up only within a week'. She expressed the hope that government would put in place the monitoring mechanism that would work to ensure the implementation of the convention to better the lot of persons with disability. Mr Williams said the delay in the implementation of the convention is an act of discrimination and that the rights of persons with disabilities need to be respected. He called on government to design and publish a comprehensive disability monitoring and evaluation framework for persons with disabilities to be established with clarity on reporting lines. Government should also take immediate steps to harmonise existing domestic legislations to conform to the UNCRPD as well as expedite action on proposals submitted by the disability movement for Amendment of the Disability Act 715. The GFD also asked government to introduce realistic measures to support the advocacy and sustainability of organisation of persons with disabilities in Ghana and to ensure and monitor the participation of persons with disabilities in the planning, designing and delivering of key national policies and programmes related to disabilities. It said government should consider building capacities of key officials such as the ministries, departments and agencies and other stakeholders for effective implementation of the CRPD and mainstreaming of disability issues in national policies and programmes. GNA By Lydia Asamoah/ Sarah Agyekum President John Mahama has reiterated his call for State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to build capacity and undertake activities on their own balance sheets. He believes this will ultimately turn around their fortunes and make them competitive in their respective ventures. The President made the remarks when he inaugurated the completed works of the first phase of the Tamale airport expansion and upgrade on Friday, August 19, 2016. The runway has been extended by more than 1400 meters from 2480 to 3940 meters. It is refreshing to note that the Ghana Airports Company is taking this project on its balance sheet and this is what I expect our State Owned Enterprises to do, he stated. The event also coincided with the airlifting of pilgrims for this year's Hajj directly from Tamale to Madina in Saudi Arabia. According to the President, the project which is valued at about 100 million dollars, is also expected to facilitate the transport of perishable goods from the Northern region to other countries across the sub-region and continent. Beyond facilitating the movement of people from one destination to the other, this airport will also support the SADA in its program to enhance the export of perishable goods especially fresh agricultural products, he added. Tamale airport hub to improve local economy President Mahama also indicated that phase two of the expansion and upgrade project of the Tamale airport is expected to commence next year. Meanwhile he has outlined plans to create an economic hub near the airport in a bid to create employment and improve the local economy of people living within the Savanna zone. The decision to upgrade the Tamale Airport to an international one is a well thought-through program aimed at extending opportunities to the people of the North for accelerated growth and development of our people, President Mahama observed. He added, Government will work with the GACL to see the airport develop into an aerotropolis with a one stop shop for hotels, conferencing facilities, shops and restaurants to serve as an economic growth node to improve more jobs and grow the local economy. Other airports underway Meanwhile other upgrades and expansion works are being carried out in other parts of the country. The phase two of the Kumasi airport expansion is expected to commence next year which will see an extension of the runway to enable the airport accommodate wide-bodied jets. In the Volta region however, works on Ho aerodrome is ongoing while the runway of the Ho airport will be completed before the end of this year. Also, the terminal building of the Ho airport to be completed early next year. Moreover, the rehabilitation of the Sunyani airport runway and feasibility studies for the Bolgatanga and Cape Coast airports are also yet to be concluded. By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana Premier Li Keqiang called on Wednesday for top advisers to contribute thoughts and suggestions on how to improve the government's policymaking. During a ceremony, Li granted certificates to six new counselors of the Counselors' Office of the State Council and to four newly recruited researchers at the China Central Institute for Culture and History. Both are think tanks of the central government. Li said he hoped counselors would closely follow China's social and economic development and conduct in-depth research on major issues, amid a sluggish world economy and the country's efforts to restructure and cultivate new economic momentum. According to its website, the the Counselors' Office of the State Council was initiated in November 1949, two years before the institute's establishment. Now the two bodies are housed in the same building and under the leadership of the Party committee of the COSC. The office has established ties with 46 think tanks from 26 countries and regions. Before the accreditation ceremony, the office had 57 counselors and 34 research fellows, and the institute had 65 researchers, the COSC website said. Most of these advisers are members of eight democratic parties or have no party affiliation. Some of them are members of the Communist Party of China, ranging from scholars to leading researchers with macro management expertise. At a meeting after the ceremony, the premier called on government departments to improve their work by absorbing research achievements and suggestions made by the advisers, who the premier said are knowledgeable and have broad vision. "Development is the top priority for the government, which must be a key area for counselors and researchers," he said. China has shown steady performance in economic growth, with people's livelihoods improved, but it still faces challenges, both domestically and from the international community, the premier said. Li said he hoped the advisers would strengthen research in key areas, such as how to balance the stabilization of economic growth with restructuring, promote supply-side economic reform and improve China's competitiveness through innovation. The premier said he expects research achievements from the advisers to be insightful, clearly targeted and applicable. you are here: How China and the Vatican City will improve ties has been under close scrutiny in recent months, with a top Catholic Church leader recently hinting that talks between the two sides over the key bishop appointing issue have made progress. After decades of waiting and negotiations, a top Roman Catholic Church leader has publicly announced that the long-running Sino-Vatican dialogue has finally made some progress on critical issues that have held ties back. Cardinal John Tong Hon published an article in the Hong Kong media on August 4 explaining the Vatican's position on many crucial issues regarding its relations with Beijing. His piece came just before Beijing and the Vatican hold another round of negotiations this month - talks which are apparently close to reaching a preliminary agreement, according to the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN). In Cardinal Tong's article, he said the Chinese government is now willing to reach an understanding with the Holy See on the key question of how Chinese Catholic bishops are appointed, perhaps the biggest obstacle that has blocked the normalization of bilateral relations. Cardinal Tong said the purpose of his article was to both dispel Beijing's lingering doubts as well as to reassure those in the Church that it was not about to give up its principles in exchange for opening the door to China. Centuries-old acquaintances The Catholic Church has a long history in China. Italian Jesuit and cartographer Matteo Ricci came to China in the late 16th century and through his sharing of knowledge and fluency in Sinitic languages eventually gained access to the court of Ming Emperor Wanli. Ricci was eventually buried in Beijing with the emperor's approval. Ties became rocky after the Communist Party of China's rise to power. The two sides broke off relations after Vatican envoy Antonio Riberi was expelled from the country in shady circumstances in 1951. Now the Vatican City is the only Western state without diplomatic ties with Beijing. However efforts to improve ties have remained a constant. Pope Francis has made improving links with China a priority since he was elected in 2013. According to a July 14 Reuters report, the negotiations between China and the Vatican have quickened since a working group was established in April. Both sides are now reportedly ready to sign an accord although the details have not yet been disclosed. The day after the report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said "We are willing, on the basis of the relevant principles, to continue having constructive dialogue with the Vatican side, to meet each other halfway and jointly promote the continued forward development of the process of improving bilateral ties. We hope the Vatican can likewise take a flexible and pragmatic attitude and create beneficial conditions for improving bilateral relations." Cardinal Tong started writing his article on May 24, the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China. He told AsiaNews that the purpose of his article is to help promote dialogue between the Church in China and the broader Church, and between the Chinese government and the Holy See. "The goal of the dialogue between the Holy See and Beijing is to strive for and protect the rightful religious freedom and rights of the China Church that are written in the Chinese Constitution. The Holy See hopes to point out that the Catholic Church respects the legal sovereignty of the country, the legitimate power and responsibility of its rulers and its laws," the cardinal said. Bishop blockade The Catholic Church in China is divided into two communities: the 5.5 million members under the supervision of the State-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association(CCPA), and the "underground" church, which swears allegiance solely to the pope. Experts believe that the underground church is considerably larger than the CCPA. According to Chinese officials, there are currently 110 bishops in China, most of whom have been sanctioned by both the Chinese government and the pope. But there are eight bishops who don't have papal approval. They are considered illegitimate by the Vatican. There are also another 30 bishops who are part of the underground church and have received papal, but not government, support. According to Reuters, Pope Francis is preparing to recognize the eight bishops while Beijing is to legitimize the 30 underground church bishops in return. Cardinal Tong said future bishops' conferences in China will include bishops from the CCPA and the underground church. How to deal with the CCPA is another conundrum both sides have to face. In his 2007 letter to Chinese Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI wrote that the CCPA is "incompatible with Catholic doctrine." The most sensitive issue is the future selection of bishops. Cardinal Tong said the two sides are now close to reaching a mutually satisfactory arrangement. China has insisted on electing and ordaining its own Catholic bishops over the past 60 years, claiming outside powers should not interfere in China's internal affairs. But the Catholic Church believes that local churches have no authority to appoint their own bishops. In his article, Tong suggested that a model similar to the one used in Vietnam since 2010 could be applied. In this system, the government and the Church collaborate to narrow down a list of candidates until they can choose a man that they both find acceptable. Underground believers Agostino Giovagnoli, a professor of contemporary history at the Catholic University of Milan who closely follows the Vatican's relationship with China, told the Global Times that the cardinal's article is highly significant. "It's the first time Cardinal Tong, who is well known as serious, reserved and cautious, speaks so clearly. He had never made rash statements. If he chooses to speak at this time it is just because he thinks there have been important developments in the negotiations. So he thinks the time has come to make the decision and, very softly but very firmly, says that the decision must be positive, because this agreement is not a victory of one of the two sides, but it's a win-win deal," Giovagnoli said. "Cardinal Tong knows very well that between China and the Vatican there was a very long and difficult history; there have been many conflicts and many opportunities have been wasted; today the greatest obstacle is the lack of confidence and mutual misunderstandings. Precisely for these reasons, he chooses to encourage the two sides to trust each other and he gives a good example in declaring his confidence in the results of the negotiations even though we still do not know about these results," the scholar added. While many Catholics have expressed their appreciation for the cardinal's efforts to help the negotiations along, others expressed skepticism towards his optimistic outlook, fearing that this dialogue will lead to nothing. The most outspoken critic of the talks is Cardinal Joseph Zen, a former Hong Kong bishop, who is seen by some as the spokesman for underground Catholics in China. In a recent article Cardinal Zen spoke with great fervor of his doubts regarding the future of the underground church in China, which he says have been "forgotten" by the Vatican, according to UCAN. Elisa Giunipero, a researcher at the Catholic University of Milan who has studied the history of the Catholic Church in China for 20 years, told the Global Times that she believes the present dialogue between Beijing and the Holy See will not sacrifice the legitimate rights of the clandestine communities and their difficulties will not be forgotten. "On the contrary, through dialogue and negotiation, it will be possible to improve conditions for both the open and underground Catholic communities in China," she added. Control concern While the Vatican is sending signals to Beijing that it is willing to make compromises to establish relations with China, the Chinese government still seems somewhat suspicious. On July 10, the People's Daily published three articles reiterating the importance of "sinicization" and asking religious groups to "resist control from a foreign version of the same religion." This was the first time this phrase was used, and it is believed to have been aimed at the Vatican. On July 31, Sun Chunlan, head of the United Front Work Department (UFWD), the top CPC organ in charge of religious issues, stressed that "there is no subordinate relationship" between religions in China and those outside China. Interpreting a speech made by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the National Conference for Religious Work in April, Sun noted that there are now 200 million religious believers in China, and being too loose or too tight on religious management are both incorrect methods. On August 7, after Cardinal Tong's piece was released, Wang Zuoan, head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA), urged the public to be alert to attempts of "hostile foreign forces" to alter China's ideology and political system through the use of religion. Wang emphasized that China must firmly control the leadership of the Catholic Church in China. Interview requests sent to the UFWD, SARA and Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association were not answered as of press time. Cardinal Tong's office said he expressed everything he wanted to in his article. Yang Fenggang, the founding director of The Center on Religion and Chinese Society at Purdue University in the US told the Global Times that Beijing may gain more benefits from this deal not only because the Vatican will first cut its official ties with Taiwan, but also as it will improve China's international image. Tsung-ming Chen, director of research at Ferdinand Verbiest Institute, a Belgian Catholic institute committed to the dialogue between Europe and China, told the Global Times he believes Beijing's biggest concern is losing control over churches in China. Liu Peng, a former UFWD official and director of the Beijing Pu Shi Institute for Social Sciences believes that the principles that the Vatican raised in its proposal are acceptable to Beijing. Besides, any Sino-Vatican cooperation on ordaining bishops would show China's confidence and openness to the world, as well as its respect for religious belief and Catholicism. "It is in the best interests of the Vatican, Beijing and Chinese Catholic churches if an agreement could be reached," Liu said. business Buy Hindalco Industries, says Sudip Bandopadhyay Sudip Bandopadhyay, Market Expert recommends buying Hindalco Industries at current level with one year plus time horizon in mind. business Invest in Tata Motors, says Gaurang Shah According to Gaurang Shah of Geojit BNP Paribas, Tata Motors is an investment idea. < As a staff member of Live Oak Adult Day Services, I help care for many seniors here each day, but I am not a caregiver in my private life. My husband is healthy, my sons are adults, and my parents and grandparents, sadly, are gone now. My dad died quite suddenly in his forties. My mom was just in her sixties, still working, fully independent, and busy as a bee when she suffered a stroke. I remember the dawning realization that I was about to become a caregiver. My siblings gathered with me around her hospital bed, and we planned out a schedule for each of us to assist our beloved mom during her upcoming hospital discharge and recuperation. We were actually grateful to have the chance to give back to mom. < Then, in the space of four days, she had several more strokes and slipped away from us. I was prepared to care for her, and I never got the chance to do so. The grief has become less raw over the years, but never really disappears. I realize now how rare it was that my siblings were so willing to join me as her caregivers. I see so many Live Oak caregivers who strive valiantly to watch over an older parent or spouse, often while juggling work and their own medical needs and appointments. They rouse their relatives from bed in the morning, bathe and dress them, walk with them, prepare meals, transport them to and from the doctor and adult day care and are sometimes the sole person to handle all of these responsibilities. < It breaks my heart to hear these caregivers say, My other family members wont lift a finger to help. Because Im helping mom/dad/spouse, they assume I can do it forever and theyre off the hook, but Im so tired. It does not seem to matter whether the other relatives live nearby or out of state, the pattern is all too familiar. A typical scenario involves a male relative who insists there is no way he is helping mom take a shower, so he leaves that and all the rest of the tasks to his sister. < My feeling is that if you cannot do the hands-on duties or you cannot bear to see your parent in such a state, then you should be contributing financially in some way to the needs of the parent and caregiver. Or they say, He/she doesnt recognize me, so I dont visit. I always respond, He may not know who you are, but you know who he is. < To be sure, there are families who share these responsibilities, and I have met some of them. It is never too late to step up and offer a hand to the caregiver of your loved one. Caregivers appreciate even a precious hour or two of time alone, or a chance to attend a wedding rather than have to stay home with a bedridden parent, or someone to sit with mom and dad to look at old photos and reminisce. Cheryl Huguenor is the program director at Live Oak Adult Day Services in Gilroy. For more information visit liveoakadultdaycare.org. North Korea's Atomic Energy Institute on Wednesday claimed that it has reprocessed spent nuclear fuel rods removed from a graphite-moderated reactor in a written interview with Japan's Kyodo News. It also disclosed that its Yongbyon nuclear facilities have produced uranium needed for nuclear armaments. At a time when Beijing and Seoul are in a tug of war on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system, Pyongyang has thrown a bombshell. North Korea mothballed the Yongbyon reactor in 2007 under the Six-Party Talks accord, but began renovating it amid the confrontation with the US and South Korea in 2013. Kyodo's report suggested that North Korea has resumed its reprocessing facilities and its nuclear reactor is in full swing. This is a dilemma facing China, the US and South Korea. The choice of the latter two is simple. The more nuclear activities North Korea will carry out, the greater pressure they will impose on it. But their tactics are of no help in solving the problem. Given the increasing risks of a military strike by the US and South Korea and subversion of the regime, Pyongyang seemingly has no other choice but to intensify its efforts in developing nuclear power. China seems to have the most options, but that has put the country in a predicament. Beijing has cooled down its relations with Pyongyang and imposed the toughest ever sanctions against it over the past several years. Complaints from South Korea that China hasn't pressured Pyongyang enough have often been heard. Seoul hopes Beijing and Pyongyang will openly turn against each other. It is even better for Seoul to see the North targets its nuclear weapons at China. Meanwhile, Pyongyang blames Beijing for taking the wrong side. China should stay unwavering to pursue denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, it should hold firm to opposing any strategic military deployment by the US that will cause threats to China's security under the excuse of dealing with the Peninsula situation. North Korea's resumption of uranium production further complicates the Korean Peninsula situation. But currently, China should pay more attention to THAAD. Pyongyang has paid the price for developing nuclear weapons, so should the US and South Korea for deploying THAAD. Any resolution by the UN Security Council to denounce North Korea and adopt new sanctions should be associated with the THAAD issue. The US and South Korea should take the blame if THAAD impairs the effectiveness of sanctions against the North. Nonetheless, Pyongyang shouldn't feel relieved. It would rather be totally isolated from the international community before it gives up its nuclear ambition. China objects to North Korea's nuclear tests and war on the Peninsula. But once large-scale military conflicts break out, the North and South Korea will take the brunt. China doesn't need to feel more anxious than them. Ive lived in Morgan Hill for 16 years now. To some, that makes me a newcomer, and to others an old timer; but to me its been time to understand and reinforce why I chose to live here. I recently spoke to some folks about why we moved here and it was fun comparing stories. It seems that emotions and desire played a surprisingly important role for quite a few in a decision that for so many is just a practical one. Michelle and I moved here after we spent one of those idyllic evenings visiting and enjoying the Friday Night Music Series. That was back when it was on Second Street. Maybe 100 people showed up. Ive said it before many times: I felt like we were back in my fathers hometown in Iowa and it just felt right. At the time, we were in the middle of a house remodel, lived 15 minutes from work and were close to everything. But something grabbed us and made us do what so many others weve spoken to have done: we dropped everything and found a new homenot just a househere in Morgan Hill. And Im going to throw a rant in herewe did not buy a house here because we got more house for our money. We bought here because we got more of a home for the life we choose to lead. Its not just us, it should be no surprise that so many of us felt an emotional response to this town and decided to move here. Its a choice that is not taken lightly, so its no wonder we have such a volunteer-rich community. We live on the northern edge of a lifestyle and we have a 12-mile gap to the next outpost to the north where we have to steel ourselves to enter an environment that is akin to being packed into sardine cans. To most of the sardine canners, were the ones making the sacrifices by living on the frontier and to some extent theyre right. Were modern frontierspeople, I tell ya We consciously and gladly give up a lot of conveniences to live here. In trade, I got this incredible rural community where the vistas of a narrow valley greet me every time I walk out my front door. We have access to such great local produce that I really suffer when I cant get what is local and fresh in season. We have a downtown that is a regional dining destination and its just getting better. I dont need to jump on a freeway to get to hiking, biking, boating or other outdoor pursuits. I can go to a couple dozen wineries within 20 minutes of my front door! Okay, so I have to leave town for fancy clothes (except for Tommy Bahama), I may sit in traffic for a couple hours a day trying to cross the great divide to earn a buck, I wear out my car and my gas card sizzles. I make those sacrifices and its OK, because I am a frontiersman. John McKay is Interim President of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, a city planning commissioner and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance. Burke County is now home to a United States Marine Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer. Jhonathan Morales Najera, a 2009 Patton graduate, now holds the rank of Second Lieutenant JAG Officer. His parents, Omar and Ingrid Najera, held a banquet in honor of his accomplishments on Saturday evening at the Morganton Community House. After graduating high school, he went on to receive his bachelors degree from UNC Charlotte and is finishing up his law degree at the Charlotte School of Law. He recently completed 10 weeks of Officer Candidate School and will now be attending Naval Justice School to brush up on his military law knowledge. A JAG Officer is an attorney for the United States military, Najera said. Every branch has their own JAGs and the Marine Corps, unlike any other branch, train their JAGs just like you would any other officer. According to initial research he has done around the county and speaking with several different attorneys, he believes to be the only Marines JAG Officer in the county. Just from initial research we have done in the Marine Corps at least, he said. There has been some Naval Officers, but as far as the Marine Corps from what we have heard and asked attorneys around here there has not been a Marine Corps JAG. He narrowed down three things that JAG officers are responsible for in their duties. They are the lawyers for the Uniform Code of Military Justice within the on-base, he said. They are adviser to commanders and, last and probably the most important thing, is they are also legal adviser to servicemen. They are able to assist military members by providing a will, or resolving landlord issues or consumer protection issues, he said listing off a few of the many possible scenarios. It is a busy job, but very rewarding, Najera said. I cannot wait to actually get out in the fleet and begin. Most likely, he will start in a year, but is not sure where he will be stationed. We will not know that until later it is pretty much anywhere around the world and wherever the Marine Corps needs me, Najera said. He hopes that through this position he can serve his country well. The thing about working there is not only am I an attorney, but I am a trained infantry officer ... I have a unique set of skills that I can provide to everyone here, he said. Najera was born in Guatemala in 1991 and moved to the United States when he was 5 years old, according to the Charlotte School of Law website. I am very patriotic and, as an immigrant to this community, I have always wanted to contribute and give back and I think this is the best thing I can do. He expressed his appreciation to his friends and family who without he believes he would not be where he is today. To my parents and little brother, thank you so much for your endless love, support and for always pushing me to do more, he said. To my colleagues at the Charlotte School of Law, UNC Charlotte, and Law Offices of Victor Yamouti, it was an honor representing such incredible institutions at Officer Candidates School. I am very lucky to have learned from such great professionals. Staff Writer Jonelle Bobak can be reached at jbobak@morganton.com or 828-432-8907. Premier Li Keqiang welcomes Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday in Beijing. Wu Zhiyi / China Daily Premier Li says Beijing willing to link strategies with its neighbor and advance major projects China and Myanmar vowed on Thursday to further enhance political trust with mutual respect, to advance major investment projects and to realize peaceful settlement of hostilities in northern Myanmar. Premier Li Keqiang hosted a ceremony on Thursday to welcome Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's No 2 leader, who started a five-day official visit to China on Wednesday. "China is the first country you've visited outside the Association of Southeast Asia Nations after taking office as state counselor, showing the importance the government of Myanmar and you yourself have attached to the bilateral relations," said Li. The premier said China and Myanmar are closely connected by extensive mountains and rivers, and the two peoples call each other baobo (brothers and relatives). Li said that bilateral cooperation should focus on the benefit of both peoples and achievement of win-win outcomes. China is willing to link its strategies with Myanmar's, to cooperate in key areas and to advance major projects such as the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project and Myitsone Dam, he said. The dam, a joint project to build a large hydropower station, began construction in 2009 but was halted by Myanmar over environmental concerns in 2011. Li said he hoped that Myanmar can resolve the issue of the dam, and Suu Kyi said Myanmar will set up an investigative commission to find a solution, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin. Suu Kyi said Myanmar's new administration highly values its ties with China and is committed to strengthening relations. Myanmar will continue high-level exchanges with its neighbor, enhance political trust, boost cooperation in such fields as cross-border trade and agriculture, and maintain stability in border areas, she added. China supports Myanmar in choosing a path suitable for its own national condition and backs its efforts to develop its economy and improve people's livelihoods, Li said. Li also said China respects Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peaceful settlement of hostilities between armed ethnic groups and the national government in northern Myanmar. Deputy Minister Liu said that China and Myanmar agreed to promote the peaceful settlement by strengthening communication and exchanges. After the meeting, two agreements were signed on economic and technological cooperation between the two countries. Suu Kyi is to visit Shaanxi and Yunnan provinces after her trip to Beijing, and she has invited Li to visit Myanmar, Liu said. China is Myanmar's biggest source of investment, and both countries have historically forged a deep-rooted friendship, said Ruan Zongze, executive vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies. China is willing to see a peaceful and stable Myanmar and will take a responsible and constructive role in helping to achieve that goal, Ruan said. "Myanmar has started to open up to the outside world," Ruan said. "China should get used to new changes and work with the neighbor to achieve pragmatic and win-win cooperation." [email protected] US granted re-run to send China out of relay race China unfortunately lost the chance to enter the women's 4x100 meters final at Rio Olympics with a narrow gap behind the Canadians after the US successfully appealed its second chance to race alone on Thursday morning local time. The defending champion cracked 41.77 seconds for the second chance, sending China out of the original finalists, among which its result of 42.70 seconds was placed last behind the Canadians' by six thousandths of a second. The Chinese delegation tried in vain to protest against the decision but said it respected the outcome. Allyson Felix of the US team bungled the second baton exchange but the defending champion appealed that the four-timeOlympic gold medalist had been bumped by a Brazilian athlete before the handover. The United States will join arch-rivals Jamaica, Britain, Germany, Ukraine, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada in Friday's final. Maintaining independence and editorial freedom is essential to our mission of empowering investor success. We provide a platform for our authors to report on investments fairly, accurately, and from the investors point of view. We also respect individual opinionsthey represent the unvarnished thinking of our people and exacting analysis of our research processes. Our authors can publish views that we may or may not agree with, but they show their work, distinguish facts from opinions, and make sure their analysis is clear and in no way misleading or deceptive. To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research. Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process. The continuous price increases in the high-demand housing markets of Vancouver and Toronto might be attractive to those who are looking to sell at a profit later down the line, but a prominent financial advisor cautioned against putting all of ones eggs on the real estate basket.In a contribution piece for HuffPost Business Canada, finance blogger and author Garth Turner described the dire situation faced by many young adults who are considering investing in Vancouver and Toronto homes.The liquid assets among 35-year-olds who have been working for seven or eight years is breathtaking. There aren't any. Instead, all the cash has gone into lifestyle, a soul-sucking condo or repaying student debt, Turner wrote.Turner noted that the case of real estate bloggers Firecracker and Wandererwho many youngsters have celebrated as examples of digital nomads (i.e., millennials making it big in continuously reselling homes)should be viewed as the exception rather than the norm.All kinds of people from all kinds of places were in touch with me because (of course) I can double people's money without any risk while they sleep. Piece of cake, Turner lamented.Missing from the [reports] was the fevered level of saving these two crazed beavers exhibited as I worked with them, the way they Hoovered up every scrap of cash from every source and jammed them into their portfolio ETFs, the insane budgeting they engaged in and the fact they lived on less than the average lichen, he added.The financial advisor emphasized that as with any other sector, real estate is subject to market forces that can make it either surge or crash in the flicker of just one key developmenteven more so nowadays, as housing is now one of the major engines of the Canadian economy.In an age of peak house, shoveling your cash into a dead-end condo or staggering under an epic mortgage for a slanty semi held together with bug spit, is not a strategy. It's a financial death sentence, Turner warned. Once markets turn (and they are), real estate can become illiquid and depreciating while the debt placed upon them doesn't shrink by a single dollar. The White House announced Thursday that U.S. President Barack Obama is to travel to China and Laos in early September, during which he will attend the G20 summit and conduct his first visit to Laos. Obama's September 2-9 trip will "highlight the President's ongoing commitment to the G-20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation as well as the U.S. Rebalance to Asia and the Pacific," the White House said in a statement. In China, Obama will participate in his final G-20 summit, "where he will emphasize the need to continue building on the progress made since 2009 in advancing strong, sustainable, and balanced global economic growth," the statement said. "He will underscore the importance of G-20 cooperation in promoting a level playing field and broad-based economic opportunity," it said. Obama "will also conduct in-depth meetings with President Xi Jinping of China in Hangzhou, where the two leaders will discuss a wide-range of global, regional, and bilateral issues," it added. While in Laos, Obama will participate in the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit, the statement said. "Additionally, he will have bilateral meetings with President Bounnhang Vorachith and other key officials to advance U.S.-Lao cooperation on economic, development, and people-to-people ties, among other areas," it said. Obama also will participate in the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative Summit, where he will hold a town hall meeting. During the ASEAN Summit, Obama will discuss ways to strengthen the U.S. economic cooperation with the countries of Southeast Asia, which collectively represent America's fourth largest trading partner, and further enhance the collaboration on regional and global challenges. "This visit also will support the President's efforts to expand opportunities for American businesses and workers to sell their products in some of the world's fastest-growing markets. Central to this effort is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the high-standards trade agreement that will unlock key markets to American exports and cement America's economic leadership in the Asia-Pacific," the statement added. This will be Obama's 11th trip to Asia since taking office in 2009. Latest official figures revealed that Victoria outstripped every other Canadian city in terms of home sales in July, boasting of more than 20 per cent growth compared to the same time last year.Victoria listings also declined by 45 per cent year-over-year last month despite the seasonal slowdown that we expect this time of year, Victoria Real Estate Board president Mike Nugent told The Globe and Mail.Concurrent with these developments is the upward trend in prices, with the benchmark value for a single-family home in Victoria growing by nearly 24 per cent in the 12 months prior to July, up to $741,100.And these numbers might prove to be just the beginning, BMO Nesbitt Burns senior economist Sal Guatieri said.Given its proximity to Greater Vancouver and its 43-per-cent lower prices on a typical property, Victorias market could get another injection of fuel if foreign buyers look outside the [Greater Vancouver Area] to avoid the new 15-per-cent land transfer tax, Guatieri wrote in a report.The Victoria Real Estate Board is opting to wait and see before offering its take on such a possibility, however.Does this mean international demand will spill over into Victoria and other areas of B.C.? We wont know until we see the data, Nugent said.The Capital Regional district saw 2 per cent out-of-country buyers in the year of 2015. Although this is a small percentage of our buyers, anecdotally foreign buyers do tend to favour the same core neighbourhoods and therefore can have an impact on those areas, he added. Mexican artist Elina Chauvet poses at her installation art show called "Red Shoes" at the Art Space Fair, in the city of San Isidro, 30 km from Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, on Aug. 18, 2016. The Mexican artist conceived the work as a collective reflection on violence against women, since she lost her sister because of it. Chauvet's work was originally presented in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and later in several other Mexican and foreign cities, where people donated hundreds of red shoes to the show. (Xinhua/Martin Zabala) Spooky sites Fall is the season of holiday spectacle in Moorpark. In December, of course, Pinedale Road transforms into Candy Cane Lane and dazzles visitors with Santa splendor. But for those who... Local hula group inspires global connections When the pandemic ushered everyone indoors, Moorpark resident and longtime dancer Lisa Rauschenberger decided to get people back outsidesocially distanced, of course. She began to hold weekly hula lessons at... Teens face high stakes in the Oval Office A press room befitting Americas commander in chief was set up inside the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. Journalists and others gathered inside. Ladies and gentlemen, I need you all... The president of a Massachusetts mortgage company has been accused of defrauding Ginnie Mae out of nearly $3 million. Robert Pena, the founder and president of the now-defunct Mortgage Security, Inc., has been indicted on conspiracy and wire fraud charges, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, the charges stem from Penas alleged plot to scam Ginnie Mae, a government-run corporation that promotes affordable housing be injecting capital into the market. Prosecutors say MSI was contracted with Ginnie Mae to pool eligible mortgages and sell Ginnie Mae-backed mortgage bonds to investors. MSI was also responsible for servicing the loans in the pools it created and placing the funds it collected into accounts held in trust by Ginnie Mae. But prosecutors say that in 2011, Pena began diverting money that should have gone into the Ginnie Mae accounts. He allegedly deposited large-dollar, loan-payoff checks into secret accounts, then used that cash for his own ends, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Pena also allegedly siphoned off borrowers escrow funds and mortgage insurance premiums for his own use. Pena allegedly stole nearly $3 million, which Ginnie Mae then had to pay to its investors, whose investments it had guaranteed. Pena is also alleged to have attempted to cover his tracks by providing Ginnie Mae with false reports on the loans MSI was servicing. If convicted, Pena could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each count. Midland Health & Senior Services has confirmed the first case of a Zika infection in a Midland County resident, according to the city of Midland. The person is said to have recently traveled to a country with locally transmitted Zika cases, according to a press release from the city. The release indicated the infection was reported Thursday to Midland Health & Senior Services by a local provider and has been deemed to be travel-associated. There still have been no locally acquired cases of Zika in Texas, according to the city, and this case in particular does not present a risk to the public in Midland. As of Thursday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported on www.texaszika.org that there were 118 other reported cases of Zika virus disease across Texas. The Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, or less commonly, through sexual contact. The types of mosquitoes that transmit Zika are not found in the West Texas area. With ongoing widespread outbreaks in South America and the Caribbean, the number of Zika cases among travelers returning to Midland County could increase. Communicable disease experts at Midland Health & Senior Services have been working with local health care providers to identify and evaluate potential Zika infections. Local providers have also been notified of Thursdays case. Due to the fact that the Texas Department of State Health Services guidelines for responding to the Zika virus continue to evolve, DSHS, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control, has information for the general public and health care professionals available at www.texaszika.org. All health care professionals should refer to this website before testing for Zika virus. Specimen submission forms are available as well on the website. **** Zika virus symptoms, risks and transmission Symptoms of Zika are generally mild and include fever, rash, joint pain and redness of the eyes. Symptoms typically begin two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Many people who get Zika have no symptoms at all. There is no vaccine to prevent infection or medicine to treat Zika. Zika infection is a very serious concern for pregnant women because of its link with a birth defect in newborns called microcephaly, an abnormally small brain and skull, and other poor pregnancy outcomes. Zika is also linked to Guillan-Barre Syndrome, a problem marked by muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. For more information, local residents can call Midland Health & Senior Services at 432-681-7613. Texas Zika Cases by County: County Cases Bell 4 Bexar 8 Brazos 1 Collin 3 Dallas 27 Denton 4 El Paso 1 Ellis 1 Fort Bend 6 Frio 1 Gray 1 Galveston 2 Grayson 1 Hamilton 1 Harris 32 Jefferson 1 Lubbock 1 Medina 1 Palo Pinto 1 Randall 1 Tarrant 14 Travis 3 Val Verde 1 Walker 1 Williamson 3 Wise 1 Total 121 ODESSA -- Concealed handgun license holders are allowed to bring guns into buildings at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The so-called campus carry law went into effect at Texas public universities Aug. 1, but some UTPB faculty and students dont think it will make a difference on the campus. UTPB President David Watts said he hadnt heard of incidents related to the law as of Wednesday. He said people should report instances of people openly carrying weapons on campus because visible weapons arent protected under the new law. If you see somebody with a gun, call the police, just like last year, Watts said. Otherwise, there should be no difference. There is no difference. A concealed handgun license holder can keep it concealed. Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 11 in June 2015. Texas law has allowed people to carry concealed guns in public since 1995, but the new law lifts restrictions on public university campus buildings. The law applies to those who are licensed to carry concealed weapons in Texas. State law requires license holders to meet federal gun ownership qualifications, receive training from a certified instructor and be older than 21 unless they are active military or police officers. James Eldridge, professor of kinesiology and president of the faculty senate, said the law will impact a fraction of students. I think its going to have a negligible impact on this campus, Eldridge said. There are going to be very few people that are going to be eligible to carry. Tailyn Gillette, a UTPB freshman, said she expects people carrying guns under the new law to be responsible. I think the stuff that people go through to get a concealed license is sufficient, Gillette said. After the law was approved, the UT System chancellor asked institutions to create policies for implementing the law on their campuses. The law specified the policies could not generally prohibit license holders from carrying guns on campus. Watts assembled a UTPB Campus Carry Committee, which reviewed the law and took input from the campus community. The committee recommended rules about gun storage. According to the universitys website, guns must be in a holster to prevent accidential discharge. Faculty with guns in their offices must lock the weapons with two methods, and students living in university housing must use a gun safe approved by campus police. It also recommended exclusion zones, places on campus where people wont be allowed to carry weapons. According to the universitys website, the zones include the STEM Academy, Early College High School spaces, Counseling Center, Child Care Center, ticketed sporting events, research labs with dangerous chemicals, shared bedrooms in university housing and the Student Testing and Accommodations Center. The committee has worked to put up signs and create a section of the UTPB website to share information about rules and exclusion zones. It will also send an email with the information before classes start Aug. 24. Because we are following the law closely, I dont think we will see people with concealed-carry licenses reject the restrictions, said Teresa Sewell, chair of the committee and senior associate vice president for student services. There are going to be people who dont think guns belong on campuses. Eldridge said UTPB faculty members are divided about the law. Although the faculty senate did not vote on the issue, he said some members spoke against having concealed weapons in campus buildings. Some faculty were concerned about it being in their classes and offices, Eldridge said. We have to find ways to support them and uphold the law and the Second Amendment. He said the exclusion zones help to ease some worries. He also said some faculty members are paying attention to a lawsuit filed by professors at the University of Texas. They sued July 6 to overturn the law, claiming it was unconstitutional and dangerous, according to an Associated Press report. UTPB students said they dont mind the law because it permits concealed guns, instead of allowing people to openly carry weapons in buildings. To me, its not that big of a concern for [concealed carry], said Vincent Urquidez, a UTPB junior. I dont believe in open carry. I think its pointless. I dont see why you have to show your gun. Gillette said she would be uncomfortable seeing people openly carry guns on campus. But she said the concealed carry law makes her feel safe. If there was a school shooting, they would be able to prevent it better, she said. Someone who had their gun with them could prevent a person from harming other students. Ambassador Zhang Yue with beneficiaries and government officials at the PRC Embassy in Monrovia on Tuesday More than 70 Liberians from various professional backgrounds are set to leave for the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) at the end of August for further studies. According to information from the Chinese Embassy in Monrovia, 50 beneficiaries of this years edition of the Chinese government scholarship program will enroll at various universities across China. Out of the number, 11 are going to do masters in various disciplines, 28 for military and security training programs and the others for other professional fields, the Embassy says. They were drawn from some government institutions and the public. In addition to the Chinese governments bilateral scholarships, more than 20 Liberians are expected to benefit from the Confucius Institute scholarship program. It has been gathered that the number Liberians to go for studies in China this year may exceed 100. At a farewell reception held honor of the students late Tuesday at the Embassy in Monrovia, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Zhang Yue, said the large number this year was in fulfillment of his governments promise to increase bilateral scholarship slots for Liberians. Zhang said China attaches great importance to the human resource development of Liberia and so he was happy to see such enthusiastic Liberians going for further studies to contribute to their countrys growth and development. The comprehensive partnership between China and Liberia is developing both in scope and depth. Our cooperation in education and human resource is also having an encouraging momentum, prospects and should take a strategic and long-term perspective and push the cooperation to a new level so as to better serve the social economic development of Liberia, he added. The Chinese envoy recounted more fruitful results in building a new bridge of friendship and cooperation between Liberia and China; and as a reliable partner, China has and continue to contribute to the educational sector of Liberia. Speaking further, Zhang said that for the infrastructure projects, China has provided modern educational facilities in Liberia including the Fendell ultra modern campus and laboratories for the University of Liberia (UL), primary schools as well as the extension of the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC), among others across the country. He also urged the students to focus on their studies and return home after completing to contribute to their country. He told them they are envoys of Liberia-China friendship as they will see more of China with their own eyes and today a small step of every one of them from Liberia to China symbolizes a great leap in educational cooperation between Liberia and China. Lets hold our hands even tighter to strengthen cooperation and march towards brighter prospects with full confidence, the Chinese diplomat stressed. During his visit to Liberia last year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated his governments promise to increase bilateral scholarship slogs to additional 25 slogs thus making the yearly scholarships to 50 slogs. Chinese President Xi Jinping made the announcement during bilateral talks with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Beijing in 2015. Latest information says the Chinese Embassy has also provided the Chinese Ambassador scholarship and Chinese enterprises scholarship to highly performing students in Liberias universities and colleges. Also speaking at the occasion was Moibah Johnson, the President of the Liberian Association of Chinese Trained Scholars (LACTS). LACTS is a group of professional Liberians who have benefited from the Chinese educational gestures. Johnson commended China for its continuous efforts in Liberias recovery programs, which said are giving hope to the country shattered by series of devastation. He admonished the beneficiaries to know the importance of opportunities afforded them by the Chinese Government to take their studies serious. Since the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two sides in 2003, China has provided more than 300 government scholarships to Liberians in undergraduate, master and doctorate degrees and trained over for 2,400 in other professional fields. Fredrick P. W. Gaye is the News Editor of In Profile Daily Newspaper in Liberia, a fellow at the China Africa Press Center (CAPC) and an intern at Peoples Daily English Online. He can be reached by: [email protected] It was 85 years ago that consolidated media organs started emerging strong in China. Then the civil war of 1927-1949 that had a break in between was raging. In 1937 when Japan invaded China, patriotism took the place of internal bickering and the warring KMT and CPC dropped their quarrels and united to push back the external enemy. In 1946, after the enemy was defeated, they returned to the trenches until 1949 when the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) overran the KMT and established the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) through the popular Peoples Revolution. During the period that started in the Sun Yat-Sen days after the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, known in Chinese history as the Warlord Years, many Chinese soldiers and other fighters died to build a new nation they dreamed of. And as the Xinhua News Agency was formed in 1931, the media was part of these wars contributing their professional way in reporting. They also died in the civil war and the Sino-Japanese war in the line of duty. Like in other worlds, the nation wrote its history of the fallen heroes of the wars. As you visit the museums in Yanan for the Communist Party or the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, you are entertained with a long list of soldiers and politicians that died and contributed in the wars to create the new nation. As usual, the pen-pusher heroes of war, journalists, are conspicuously omitted. However, the Xinhua News Agency that was there during the wars and lost men and women of the media didnt forget their own heroes. If you visit the Xinhua News Agency Museum in Beijing as a journalist, you would get emotional for the first time seeing where heroes of the media are celebrated with a Wall (sorry, Hall) of Fame erected in their honour. Of course, many of the African journalists that paid recent visit to the museum did. In China, there are museums of even Chinese Tea like the one in Hangzhou. So it was little surprise that they made a full circle with one for the media heroes. On visit to the Xinhua News museum, at the upper floor, immediately you step onto the exhibition floor, at your immediate left is a wall splattered with grottos, motifs and accompanying captions and short notes. The tour guide revealed that the faces painted or engraved on the wall are not imaginary creations of a weird mind of an artist. They are real persons. They are journalists that had blood flowing in their veins, their notepads in their hands, clutching their work tools, but not weapons of war. They were not combatants in the war. Maybe, some of them even reported fairly to end the war, but were felled by the bullets and arms of the combatants. As they died, their pens stopped to scratch the papers, their voices stopped relaying the news of the situation of the war. They were killed just like the many soldiers. So, their colleagues that survived decided not to make little of their sacrifices and contribution in heroism, and therefore built them an epitaph, a lasting memorial to eternalize the contribution of the media to Chinas process of development. There are more than 130 of them, made of men and women. On the wall, their faces are re-created like engravings on stone to make sure they are not forgotten. Walking round the museum and seeing the exhibitions, it provoked thought for the media profession where practitioners in most parts of the world are remembered when their reports offend interests, and never commended when they promote interests. Exchanging moments of the importance of that media heroes exhibition with colleagues, one of the African journalists from Tanzania, Elias Mhegera, said in his country, the journalists are euphemistically called bulldozers or earthmoving machines. They are used and deployed to build roads but when the road takes shape, they are banned from using it because they will destroy it. In most countries, the media is regarded that same way, so it was news and novel that in China, maybe because of the general love for keeping historic facts, the media has a Hall of Fame that celebrates fallen heroes. The last of the heroes is a Xinhua journalist attached to the Chinese embassy in the former Yugoslavia when US forces bombed the place and he was killed. Further in tour of the facility, the guide got to a shelf, stopped and read the caption written in Chinese and narrated that the brown leather box in the glass case was a courier pouch in which Chairman Mao Zedong, the father of the PRC, sent copies of his reports to the agency. He was asked if it is right to say Mao was a journalist. He answered that its beyond dispute that he was, because he wrote a lot of stories and had so many bylines in the agency. Later, during a visit to the Peoples Daily Newspaper, the oldest and largest newspaper of China, at their archives is the photo of a story, said to be the first for the paper and written in the handwriting of Mao. It is possible the professional leaning of China to a founder who was journalist was reason they celebrated fallen journalists that big. Whatever it is that led to this creation, it is there as monument of appreciation and encouragement to journalism in China and the world. Emewu, senior editor, The Sun Newspaper, Nigeria is intern at Peoples Daily and Fellow of the China Public Diplomacy media exchange in Beijing ([email protected]) Having just debuted in February of this year, K-Pop group Astro is already planning to go on their first ever concert tour all around Asia. The 6-member group from Fantagio Music, made up of Jin Jin, MJ, Eunwoo, Moonbin, Rocky and Sanha, has been receiving a lot of attention since its debut just 6 months ago with the song "Hide & Seek" off of the debut album, Spring Up. The group came back last July with the song "Breathless" from a 2nd mini album titled Summer Vibes. Mwave news reports that according to a representative of the group's agency, "It's extraordinary that they are touring abroad after 6 months of debuting. With this concert as a stepping stone, ASTRO plans to begin global promotions." Not many k-pop groups have a chance to go on their first solo concert tour right away. Sometimes, depending on the group's success, it can take a year to hit the road. For Astro to achieve this is a big feat in itself. Fellow rookie group Seventeen is another example of fast success, as they have also begun their first concert tour around Asia. The representative told kpop-map, "Astro has shown so much potential through their recent comeback. Their stage manners and heart-wrenching visuals have gotten them a lot of love calls from overseas ---They had broken into the Billboard World Album charts, performed in 2016 KCON in LA and will continue their international promotions through this upcoming Asia tour." This will serve as another way for them to be able to get to meet their fans from other countries. Even before their official debut tour, Astro has already become one of the groups to watch out for, having appeared as fictionalized versions of themselves in a web drama titled, To Be Continued, with labelmates and actors Seo Kangjoon and Kim Saeron. They have also been known for their dance covers of other k-pop groups as well. Currently, Astro has just finished the promotion for "Breathless" and the group is now preparing for a mini live concert on the 27th and the 28th of August. On September 3, Astro is scheduled to appear in a special episode of MBC's Show Champion in Manila, Philippines, alongside other acts like AOA, Gugudan, BAP, VIXX, BTS and Sonamoo. They will kick start the concert tour on the 29th of October with the first stop being Bangkok and will eventually release the details for other cities in Asia; Jakarta, Shanghai and Tokyo. Check out the "Breathless" music video below: 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (File photo) On Aug. 18, a woman stood trial in Beijing for the crime of killing her mother by forcing mercury down her throat. The woman, Yang Kun, spoke calmly at the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate Peoples Court as she recounted how she had killed her mother in January 2014, simply because the older woman wouldnt agree to give her money. The 39-year-old was charged with murder and theft, Beijing Evening News reported. My mother always had trouble with me. That day I was trying to borrow money from her. I told her I was running a business and I wouldnt mess around anymore, but she didnt believe me. She said she regretted having me as daughter and she was ashamed of me, Yang said in court, adding that she became agitated and tied her mother up with a long phone cable. Yang said she then broke two thermometers, poured the mercury into a bowl and again asked her mother to lend her some money. Still, her mother said no. Yang described what happened next: Then I used a spoon to open her mouth and pour the mercury insideI tied her legs with tape. She tried to kick me at first, but gradually stopped moving. After the murder, Yang said that she rummaged through her mothers room and found cash, bank books and bank cards. Yangs 7-year-old daughter was present during the altercation, and at first tried to stop it. Eventually, however, Yang locked her daughter in another room, according to Beijing Evening News. (Yang Kun stands on trial in Beijing. Photo/cztv.com) The victims body was hidden in the apartment for three months. Yang and her daughter also lived with the body for two months, until March 2014 when Yang moved out of the apartment, leaving her daughter with neighbors. In April 2014, the neighbor caring for Yangs daughter noticed inconsistencies in the stories Yang had told to explain her mothers absence. The neighbors suspicions eventually led to the discovery of the body. Yangs daughter allegedly cried out when the police broke into her house, Dont remove the quilt! Its not my grandma! According to Yangs neighbors, the child often had bruises on her body, allegedly caused by her mother and sometimes her grandmother. Yang pleaded guilty, though she argued that she didnt know mercury was so extremely poisonous, to the point that one could die so soon after drinking it. She said she intended the mercury as more of a threat. Her lawyer pleaded for leniency for the sake of Yangs daughter. The court did not give a final ruling on Aug. 18. We won't be seeing the Dance of the Dragons for quite a while. After that epic season one finale, HBO is making sure viewers don't expect a sequel to House of the Dragon in the new year. "Don't expect it in 23, but I think sometime in The "air hand-washing device" developed by students from Zhejiang University. A group of senior students from Zhejiang University have successfully developed an "air hand-washing device." The device utilizes an infrared ray induction system, which detects the presence of hands. A tap then sprays a light water mist along with a strong gust of air, which the students have proven to be nearly as effective as traditional hand-washing. However, the device uses only 10 percent of the water that regular hand-washing does. Li Qizhang, a member of the team that developed the device, told a reporter from thepaper.cn that a model of their device has already been installed in a classroom building at the university, and that the results have been satisfactory. The students have set up a company to further promote their product. In 2014, a student named Chen Puyang first came up with the idea while washing his hands in the school cafeteria. Washing one's hands uses a lot of water, Chen thought. Would it be possible to replace the water with air? Others may not have given the question a second thought. However, for Chen and Li, who were studying fluid mechanics, this constituted a brilliant idea. Soon, Chen, Li and several classmates embarked on the project. The design of the device required knowledge from a variety of different majors, so the R&D team eventually came to be composed of seven students from various majors. "We put different kinds of dirt on our hands and washed them with water. It turned out that 95 percent of water is used to flush away the dirt; only 5 percent is used to dissolve it. If we washed with only air, then the dirt on our hands would not dissolve. So we decided to use a fine water spray to complement the air. That way, the dirt is carried away by air and dissolved by water," explained Li. After a year of research and experimentation, the team came up with a gravity-driven hand-washing device whose reliance on water was minimal. The user stands on a platform in front of the device, which sinks because of the weight of the user. The gravity exerted by the user pulls the piston through a pulley block, and a gust of air is generated through air extrusion. The tap then releases a water mist coupled with the gust. The team tested the device by conducting chromogenic reaction and residual bacteria experiments, which proved that the results of hand-washing with air can be similar to those of washing with water. In September 2015, the team took its invention to the Global Grand Challenges Summit. They took home the top award, beating teams from 14 universities including MIT and Cambridge. Now they have launched a second generation of their product, which is powered by electricity and equipped with an infrared ray induction system. The R&D team show their "air hand-washing device" at the 44th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in April 2016. We were not bribed to drop ... China launches the world's first quantum satellite on top of a Long March-2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) According to an Aug. 19 report by People's Daily, the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has made an important breakthrough in quantum research. For the first time, the importance of non-locality in quantum simulation has been demonstrated. The research team, lead by Professor Li Chuanfeng from the university's Quantum Information Key Laboratory, developed a non-local quantum simulator to simulate the physics phenomenon of parity. The team's research has yielded a new direction for the quantum simulator. Renowned journal Nature Photonics recently published an account of the achievement. On Aug. 16, China launched the world's first quantum satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center; as a result, many people have been curious about the research behind this scientific achievement. The quantum simulator is a computer used to solve certain scientific problems. The concept was first proposed by Richard Feynman in 1981. In modern quantum simulator research, scientists generally focus on the simulator's ability to accelerate; the more quantum bits a simulator can manipulate, the stronger its computing power is. The research by USTC has now revealed another important advantage of the quantum simulator: quantum non-locality, which Einstein once described as "spooky action at a distance." The non-local quantum simulator can be used to research subjects such as faster-than-light communications, which standard computers are unable to do. Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva View Photos Stockton, CA Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges stemming from a strip poker game with teen counselors at a summer camp in Amador County for underprivileged children. Silva pled not guilty Thursday to a felony charge of using his cell phone to secretly record a 2015 card game during the annual one-week summer camp that he organizes. Silva also pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges involving contributing to the delinquency of a minor, providing alcohol to minors, and child endangerment. As reported here, earlier this month shortly after his arrest at a press conference Silva told reporters, Everyone there was 18-years-oldI never provided alcohol to anyone. And I certainly did not secretly record anyone. In October, Homeland Security investigators seized his cellphone and laptop after he was briefly detained at the San Francisco International Airport. Silva was returning from a mayors conference in China. Sonora, CA This years Joie de Vie Gala will feature a speech by a former San Francisco Giant, and special recognition given to a community leader. The annual fundraiser, to be held this year on October 16 at Ironstone Vineyards, benefits Sonora Regional Medical Centers Cancer Patient Support Fund and construction of the Diana J. White Cancer Institute and Outpatient Pavilion. This years gala will feature former pitcher, and cancer survivor, Dave Dravecky. SRMC spokesperson Lindsay Brewer says, We are so grateful and excited to have Mr. Dravecky share his story with us. Cancer is a disease that, either directly or indirectly, seems to affect all of us. Stories like Mr. Draveckys are an inspiration. Dravecky was sidelined in 1988 due to a cancerous tumor on his pitching arm, but was able to return the following year. His return was unfortunately short lived as he suffered other injuries, and the eventual return of cancer. Following retirement his left arm and shoulder were amputated, and he started sharing his story with others, and became an author and inspirational speaker. In addition, Kate Powell Segerstrom will receive this years Irving J. Symons Award recognizing outstanding community service. She joins past recipients like Frank Salel, H. Randolph Holder, Robert Cutler, Pete Kerns, Pete and Sue Kleinert, Joe Martin, Chuck and Willy Evans, Mary Laveroni, Patricia and Harvey Rhodes, Ty Wivell and Dick and Audrey Pland. For more details about the Joie de Vie Gala, click here. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 Trend: Armenias armed forces have 17 times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry Aug. 19. The Armenian army was using large-caliber machine guns. The Armenian armed forces stationed in the Paravakar village of Armenias Ijevan district opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions located on nameless heights of the Gazakh district. Positions of the Azerbaijani army also underwent fire from the Armenian positions located near the Chilaburt village of the Terter district, Ashagi Seyidahmadli and Horadiz villages of the Fizuli district. Azerbaijani positions also took fire from the positions located on nameless heights of the Goranboy, Khojavand 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. Nearly 1,000 students stayed home on the fourth day of the school year Thursday following a bulletin about threats to four Orange County schools. Orange County Public Schools on high alert after threats Threats made over social media by Jessie Calix, deputies say Deputies to conduct 'high visibility patrols' in schools Jessie Eloah Calix, 23, also known as "Jesus Kong" or "Jesus Matute," posted social media threats against Boone, Edgewater and Colonial high schools as well as Liberty Middle School. Calix allegedly stated he wanted to either "shoot up" or plant pipe bombs at the schools, according to a bulletin issued by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Calix's social posts, which the Sheriff's Office said began July 24, include (spellings are sic): "I encourage any mf being bullied there too shoot up the school on August 18" "I am going too put a mf pipe bomb in liberty middle school" "I would live too shoot a few students at colonial high school on August 18" "I want too shoot a few kinds at Liberty middle school I dislike homosexuals I am sooo scared do not tell the police" "Yeah and do not forget too them I would put a mf pipe bomb in Boone high school" "Anyone who makes contact with him is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff's Office," Sheriff's Office spokesman Jeff Williamson said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to find him and question him as to the legitimacy of these threats." Jessie Eloah Calix is accused of making threats against Orange County schools. (Orange County Sheriff's Office) For parents of the four schools, concerns were compounded by a lack of information from the school district. The Orange County Public Schools district sent out an automated message the night before alerting parents at all four schools. The message only said that authorities were handling a social media concern. Liberty Middle School student Emy Diclo had something different to say to her mom when asked about her day. I heard that there was going to be a shoot out, Diclo said. All of the teachers were telling me. The Orange County Sheriffs office did not release the bulletin until Wednesday, the day before the alleged attacks were planned. "We do not discuss all the threats that come into schools or buildings or whatever the case may be," Williamson said. But deputies would not elaborate on what makes Calix's threats different. I felt kind of unsafe, Diclo said. Authorities don't know where Calix is but say he moves between California, Virginia, Maryland and Florida "with relative ease." No reason why this man made threats to these schools has been revealed. Schools were open Thursday, but deputies urged extra caution. Nearly 1,000 students weren't in school on Thursday, according to Lorena Hitchcock, a spokeswoman for Orange County Public Schools. Below are the numbers of absences on Thursday, Aug. 18: Boone High School: 357 (2,845 enrolled) 357 (2,845 enrolled) Colonial High School: Still waiting on number (3,484 enrolled) Still waiting on number (3,484 enrolled) Edgewater High School: 174 (2,092 enrolled) 174 (2,092 enrolled) Liberty Middle School: 379 (1,186 enrolled) To compare, below are the numbers of absences at the same four schools on the fourth day of scool during the 2015 school year: Boone High School: 64 64 Colonial High School: 137 137 Edgewater High School: 46 46 Liberty Middle School: 18 "We want (parents) to know that we certainly would not be letting (students) back to school if this environment were unsafe," Williamson said. The Sheriff's Office said it has a plan in place and have taken necessary precautions against any kind of attack. Officials said they will provide extra patrols at the schools on Friday as well. Officials added they do not believe the suspect is in Florida or will act out on the threats. If you have any information about this case, you can call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). LUBBOCK -- The West Texas Agricultural Chemicals Institute will host its annual conference on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Bayer Museum of Agriculture, 1121 Canyon Lake Drive in Lubbock. This year represents the 64th meeting of WTACI, an unincorporated organization of dealers, industry representatives, agricultural producers, scientists, educators, and agribusiness members who support education and research programs promoting safe and effective use of agricultural chemicals and protection and preservation of the area's natural resources. While students hail intriguing teaching style of Dr. Kevin Sweeney, some might find the topic of his new book a little dry. But thats the point. Prelude to the Dust Bowl: Drought in the Nineteenth-Century Southern Plains is the culmination of 12 years of research by Dr. Sweeney, professor of geography and history at Wayland Baptist University. Published by the University of Oklahoma Press, Prelude to the Dust Bowl takes a look at the historical significance of drought in the 1800s and how it affected the governments response to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Of course, the Dust Bowl is very well known, but the droughts that occurred in the 1800s really set the stage for how the government reacts to the drought of the 1930s, Sweeney said. The government had a hands-off approach and then we saw the suffering, the dislocation, the crime associated with it. In the 1930s you get a rather radical change to that where the government does intervene and offer programs to people. Sweeneys work reveals that the Dust Bowl was only one cycle in a series of droughts on the U.S. southern plains. He looks specifically at four periods in the 1800s and the role they played on settlement, migration and war on the plains. Growing up on a farm in south-central Oklahoma, drought has always been of interest to Dr. Sweeney. Sitting on a tractor and watching it rain everywhere else but where we were really got me interested in drought, he said. Those formative years have also fed Dr. Sweeneys interest in and research on the importance of environmental history and how it can influence decisions. It doesnt dictate what we do, it just limits our possibilities, Sweeney said. That has made me wonder about historians in general. We write in air conditioned buildings. We have lights that we can turn on and off. We tend not to think about the environmental influences. Sweeney said there is a growing number of historians who are starting to look at these types of issues, and he feels its important for people to know how the environment has affected history. Prelude to the Dust Bowl: Drought in the Nineteenth-Century Southern Plains is available from online booksellers, in bookstores, or may be purchased directly from the University of Oklahoma Press at www.oupress.com. The unemployment rate in July rose slightly in Hale County and across the South Plains, but the minor change isnt a cause for concern. If you look back in the past, you see that it happens every year, explains Danny Soliz of Lubbock, director of business development for South Plains Workforce Solutions. These are raw numbers that havent yet been seasonally adjusted. In fact, looking across the South Plains this months numbers are actually a little lower when compared to last year. The U.S. Labor Department on Friday released the jobs figures for July, showing that Hale Countys unemployment rate is 7.0 percent, up from 6.8 percent in June. In July 2015, it stood at 7.2 percent. Briscoe County rose from 4.7 percent to 5.2 percent, Castro from 3.4 to 3.7, Floyd from 5.6 to 5.6, Lamb from 6.9 to 7.4, and Swisher from 4.5 to 4.8 percent. The same thing happened for the Lubbock Metropolitan area, which went from 4.0 to 4.1 percent, Soliz said. Its something that happens every summer. Schools dont need their bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and other staff until classes resume in the fall. There also could be some statistical rounding involved. We should see the unemployment rate come down in the next month or two. Soliz said Texas continues to see a jobs being created. Unfortunately, most are on either the lower and higher ends of the wage scale. Were seeing a lot of minimum wage jobs being created, but who wants to work for minimum wage? And most of the people looking for work dont have the training necessary for the higher-paying jobs. What we really need are more jobs in the middle category. Those are the people who are really hurting. Looking specifically at Plainview, Soliz said, Im surprised your numbers went up since things seem to be booming up there. Of course, they could come down once they are seasonally adjusted in a couple of weeks. Linda Morris, executive director of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, also was caught by surprise by the slight increase. Frankly its hard to determine why this change occurred, even ever so slightly, because there are so many businesses who are hiring, she said. In the last week, besides what the Herald listed in its classified pages, I have been contacted by four or five of our Chamber members who are hiring, including the Walmart DC. Mike Fox, executive director of the Plainview/Hale County Economic Development Corporation, agrees. In checking with our local large employers, there have been no recent lay-off that might have impacted the slight increase in the current unemployment rate. This appears to be driven by seasonal factors that we historically see this time of year. The EDC and its partners, the City of Plainview, Hale County and the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, are always working to bring new businesses and industries to our area as well as helping grow our existing companies in an effort to reduce our unemployment rate. A great example of those efforts is the investment that both the City of Plainview and Hale County are making in developing a business park. Having a shovel-ready business park will provide the Plainview-Hale County EDC with a job-creating asset that we have never had before. Officials from both the City of Plainview and Hale County should be commended for their vision for the future of our community, Fox said. The states seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.6 percent in July, up from 4.5 percent in June, while remaining below the national rate of 4.9 percent. The Amarillo and Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Areas recorded the months lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted 3.6 percent, followed by Lubbock MSA at 4.1 percent. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 Trend: The balance in the Caucasus is changing, according to an analysis posted on the website of the US-based geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor. With Iran emerging from the malaise of sanctions, it is reaching north and becoming more assertive. Russia, too, is changing tack, aligning with Azerbaijan instead of Armenia in the long-running Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, says the article. In early August, Azerbaijan made a bid to capitalize on these changes by hosting the presidents of Iran and Russia for a summit in Baku. The meeting featured discussions of counterterrorism initiatives and of the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh and Caspian Sea disputes. But it was regional connectivity not conflict that topped the agenda, specifically the North-South Transport Corridor and its railway construction component, reads the article. The 7,200-kilometer (4,500-mile) North-South Transport Corridor was first discussed in 2008, according to the article. It would involve building railway, road and shipping infrastructure stretching from Iran to Russia through Azerbaijan. If realized, the North-South Transport Corridor would have a strong effect on the region's geopolitical order. It would connect Iran with Russia's Baltic ports and give Russia rail connectivity to both the Persian Gulf and the Indian rail network, says the article. At least on paper, this would mean that goods could be carried from Mumbai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas and further to Baku. They could then pass over the Russian border into Astrakhan before going on to Moscow and St. Petersburg, then onward into Europe. And the project has been progressing railway connections between Iran and Azerbaijan are under construction, even connecting into the Russian system. While regional heavyweights stand to accrue economic benefits from the project, the transportation corridor would be a major geopolitical asset for Azerbaijan in particular. Much to the chagrin of Tehran and Moscow, Baku has shown a willingness to cooperate with the West, reads the article. The Azerbaijani government has participated in Western projects, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, and signaled it wants to participate in the Trans-Anatolian pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. These would connect the Caspian and the Black seas. Azerbaijans prominent role in the North-South Transportation Corridor would give it an advantage, in particular, over its major rival, Armenia, according to the article. The North-South Transportation Corridor would further isolate Armenia because it would allow Iran to connect with eastern Turkey via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, says the article. This link with Georgia's Black Sea ports would bypass Armenia entirely, partly sidelining its ambitions for greater regional connectivity while enhancing Bakus standing. The article says that the Baku summit could not have come at a better time for Azerbaijan. Relations between Russia and Armenia are tenuous, with Moscow pressuring the government in Yerevan to grant concessions in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian's administration is also beset by violent protests and political discontent. And there are signs that Azerbaijans push already has paid off, reads the article. Only two days before the start of the summit in Baku, Russian President Vladimir Putin received Armenian leaders in Moscow for talks on Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said his country would not make unilateral concessions in the dispute, especially if Russia sold military equipment to Azerbaijan. Putin responded that Azerbaijan is an oil producer with gold reserves and a growing economy and that it can buy what it pleases. On the sidelines in Baku, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced that Azerbaijan would sign a long-delayed contract to purchase 10 Irkut MC-21 airliners from Russia in February 2017, according to the article. Russia also agreed to open a helicopter factory and an aircraft assembly facility in Baku, says the article. Following the Baku summit, Iranian media also published rumors that Iran and Azerbaijan are considering signing trade agreements with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union. Despite its deepening ties with Azerbaijan, Moscow is unlikely to push Armenia too far. In spite of its apparent support for Baku over Yerevan, the Russian government understands Sarkisian's weak position and does not want his government to fall. And the Armenian president has made it clear his reluctance to make concessions over Nagorno-Karabakh has more to do with public discontent than with a concerted strategy. But the assets that Baku offers are too tempting to pass up at the moment. Armenia, like Azerbaijan, still needs Russia. And Russia has taken its usual approach of taking advantage where it can. Aug. 19, 1946: The first of a group of small cafes, to be known as Tumble Weeds and operated by H.W. Huntsaker, opened this week at the northwest corner of Seventh and Broadway. N.C. Stovall is manager. --Rays Roller Rink on South Columbia will reopen on Wednesday, Aug. 21, with a new top, new skates, new floor and new music. --Plainviews new parking meters are yielding about $100 a day, reports City Secretary Jack Gallaway. Since they went into effect Aug. 1, they have taken in $1,323.50. Aug. 19, 1956: Dennis J. Wosnitzky, manager of Continental Grain Co. since 1948, has been transferred to Hereford to manage the elevator there. Young Davitte Jr. is being transferred to Brownwood as his replacement. Leo Ehlinger remains in charge of feed operations in Plainview. --The Gene Bumpus Service Station at Fifth and Columbia has been sold to C.C. McGlasson of Plainview, according to Bill Taylor, general manager of operations for Gene Bumpus, Inc. --Edd Todd, principal at College Hill Elementary for the past three years, is the new Plainview High School principal. He succeeds M.L. Matherly who resigned to become part of the Amarillo High School faculty. Aug. 19, 1966: USAF Lt. Paul F. Gilbert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gilbert, is visiting his parents while on temporary assignment to ferry an aircraft from Birmingham, Ala., to his home base on Mactan Isle, Republic of the Philippines. He is a pilot in C-130 turboprop transport aircraft serving in Southeast Asia and Vietnam. --Veteran Herald reporter L.D. Brown will join the staff of Wayland Baptist College on Sept. 1 in the area of development and public relations, according to Wayland President Roy C. McClung. Brown joined the Herald staff in 1934. --The 1966 Plain View yearbook has arrived from the publisher and will be distributed Friday, according to co-editors Marie Bass and Sonjie Barclay. A signing party will be held in the PHS gym. Aug. 19, 1986: Herald Publisher James Thomas announced the addition of Perry Dorrell as advertising director. He has been retail sales manager of the Beaumont Enterprise, another Hearst newspaper, for the past 2 1/2 years. Two current employees have been promoted. Leota Bolding is now office manager and J.R. Ruiz has been named circulation director. --Plainviews Symphony of the Llano Estacado is beginning its eighth season. Board President Judy Ramsey noted that Plainview is the smallest town in Plainview to have a symphony. Tom Boyd is conductor and Mark Pair is guest artist. Four concerts have been scheduled this season. --Winston Redwine, piano teacher at the Fine Arts Center during the 1970s, is returning to Plainview to resume teaching private piano lessons, according to Ms. Bob Farmer, Fine Arts Center director. Compiled by Doug McDonough This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The naked Donald Trump statue that both awed and grossed out people in San Franciscos Castro District was taken into custody by the city Department of Public Works early Friday. Before dawn, workers uprooted the larger-than-life-size sculpture of the Republican presidential candidate that was glued to the pavement at Jane Warner Plaza at Castro and Market streets. Crews carted it away on a hand-truck. But the more than 6-foot-tall, potbellied piece of rogue artwork is expected to get a new home downtown. Lefty ODouls, the famed Geary Street restaurant and pub, wants to display the statue once it is released from DPW custody, the business announced in a statement. It was not immediately clear if DPW officials would allow the restaurant to adopt the statue. At a press conference Friday morning, Nick Bovis, the owner of Lefty ODouls, said he is offering sanctuary to the Trump statue and has assembled a legal team to work on getting the DPW to surrender custody of it to his business. On Thursday night, Supervisor Scott Wiener, who represents the Castro on the Board of Supervisors, tweeted that the statue was to be removed overnight, but that he was working to save him so SF can be reminded of his ridiculousness thru election. More for you Supervisor tries to save naked Trump statue in SFs Castro Weiner, who is expected to attend the press conference at Lefy ODouls, tried to get DWP to leave the statue in place in the Castro, but officials said it was presenting a traffic hazard by attracting crowds that spilled into the streets. The statue suddenly appeared about 8 a.m. Thursday morning and quickly became a star attraction, with people clamoring to take photos of it. Late Thursday, it was still attracting scores of onlookers, requiring the city to post traffic-control officers at the location. The statue was the rogue art project of the nonprofit activist group Indecline, which got sculptor Joshua Ginger Monroe to make it along with at least four others that were simultaneously installed in Los Angeles, Seattle, Cleveland and New York City. The statues in Cleveland, New York and Seattle were removed soon after they appeared. It was almost similar to planning a bank robbery, an Indecline spokesman told Chronicle columnist C.W. Nevius of the secret plot to plant the statues around the country. Bill Hutchinson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: bhutchinson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @bill_hutchinson Gap offered a downbeat annual profit outlook late Thursday after reporting a 43 percent drop in net income for the second quarter, weighed down by moves to close stores. The San Francisco retailer, which operates stores under its namesake brand, Banana Republic and Old Navy, faces the same problems as other fashion retailers as shoppers buy less clothing in general and shop more at off-price chains when they do. But its also struggling with its own problems. Gap has been in a cycle of discounting its goods to get shoppers to buy. CEO Art Peck, who took over in 2015, had promised investors that business would turn around in the spring, but that failed to happen. Peck said in a statement that during the quarter, the company took critical steps to restructure and build a more efficient brand with more growth potential. Gap said Thursday that it now expects earnings per share to be in the range of $1.87 to $1.92 for the year. Analysts had been expecting $1.95. The company said net income came to $125 million (31 cents per share) in the quarter that ended July 30. That compares with $219 million (52 cents) a year earlier. Gap announced this month that for the second quarter, it saw a 2 percent drop in sales at stores open at least a year. By division, Gap stores suffered a 3 percent decline in revenue, Banana Republic had a 9 percent drop, and lower-priced Old Navy was flat. Walmart raises outlook Walmarts vast fleet of stores and its online business are starting to click together. The company raised its earnings outlook for the year on Thursday and delivered strong profit and sales for the second quarter, as moves to improve the store and online experience are winning over customers. Walmart has undertaken a flurry of changes, from making sure vegetables look good, to cleaning up the stores, to being sharper on keeping prices low. Its melding online services with the stores introducing a mobile payment system to speed checkouts. And its pressing ahead with online grocery and pick-up services. As a result, the company reported its eighth consecutive quarterly increase in comparable-store sales, and the seventh straight quarterly gain in customer traffic at its U.S. stores. Courts VW supplier also under fire German auto supplier Robert Bosch played a key role in developing the software that let Volkswagen cheat on clean air rules, according to allegations filed in a San Francisco court on behalf of car owners. Bosch, which supplied the computer that controlled Volkswagen diesel engines, was already a co-defendant in class-action suits against the carmaker in the United States. But the new accusations, filed as part of those suits, portray Bosch as playing a more central role in the scandal than was previously alleged. The company is one of the worlds largest auto suppliers and a symbol of German engineering prowess. The new allegations, filed in federal court Tuesday and reported by Reuters late Wednesday, contend that Volkswagen could not have modified engine software to deceive emissions regulators without Boschs help. Bosch did not allow automakers to modify the software without its approval, according to the court papers. Therefore, the lawyers argued, Bosch must have known that its software had been made into a defeat device, able to recognize when emissions tests were under way, and to turn up pollution controls so that regulators would not realize that the cars flouted clean air rules. It is inconceivable, then, that Bosch did not know that the software it was responsible for defining, developing, testing, maintaining and delivering contained an illegal defeat device, the papers said, adding, Bosch was in on the secret. Bosch said Thursday that it could not comment on pending legal proceedings. Pollution Harley to pay $15 million Harley-Davidson Inc. agreed Thursday to pay $15 million to settle a U.S. government complaint over racing tuners that caused its motorcycles to emit higher-than-allowed levels of air pollution. Harley-Davidson manufactured and sold about 340,000 Screamin Eagle Pro Super Tuners since 2008 that allowed users to modify a motorcycles emissions control system to increase power and performance, according to court filings by the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency. The racing tuners, which the prosecutors said were illegal defeat devices that circumvented emissions controls, also increased the amounts of such harmful air pollutants as nitrogen oxide spewing from the bikes tailpipes. The government said Harley-Davidson also made and sold more than 12,000 motorcycles of various models between 2006 and 2008 with the illegal tuners pre-installed on them by dealers that were not properly certified as meeting clean air standards. Chronicle News Services Details added (first version posted on 14:31) Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 Trend: The balance in the Caucasus is changing, according to an analysis posted on the website of the US-based geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor. With Iran emerging from the malaise of sanctions, it is reaching north and becoming more assertive. Russia, too, is changing tack, aligning with Azerbaijan instead of Armenia in the long-running Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, says the article. In early August, Azerbaijan made a bid to capitalize on these changes by hosting the presidents of Iran and Russia for a summit in Baku. The meeting featured discussions of counterterrorism initiatives and of the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh and Caspian Sea disputes. But it was regional connectivity not conflict that topped the agenda, specifically the North-South Transport Corridor and its railway construction component, reads the article. The 7,200-kilometer (4,500-mile) North-South Transport Corridor was first discussed in 2008, according to the article. It would involve building railway, road and shipping infrastructure stretching from Iran to Russia through Azerbaijan. If realized, the North-South Transport Corridor would have a strong effect on the region's geopolitical order. It would connect Iran with Russia's Baltic ports and give Russia rail connectivity to both the Persian Gulf and the Indian rail network, says the article. At least on paper, this would mean that goods could be carried from Mumbai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas and further to Baku. They could then pass over the Russian border into Astrakhan before going on to Moscow and St. Petersburg, then onward into Europe. And the project has been progressing railway connections between Iran and Azerbaijan are under construction, even connecting into the Russian system. While regional heavyweights stand to accrue economic benefits from the project, the transportation corridor would be a major geopolitical asset for Azerbaijan in particular. Much to the chagrin of Tehran and Moscow, Baku has shown a willingness to cooperate with the West, reads the article. The Azerbaijani government has participated in Western projects, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, and signaled it wants to participate in the Trans-Anatolian pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. These would connect the Caspian and the Black seas. Azerbaijans prominent role in the North-South Transportation Corridor would give it an advantage, in particular, over its major rival, Armenia, according to the article. The North-South Transportation Corridor would further isolate Armenia because it would allow Iran to connect with eastern Turkey via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, says the article. This link with Georgia's Black Sea ports would bypass Armenia entirely, partly sidelining its ambitions for greater regional connectivity while enhancing Bakus standing. The article says that the Baku summit could not have come at a better time for Azerbaijan. Relations between Russia and Armenia are tenuous, with Moscow pressuring the government in Yerevan to grant concessions in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian's administration is also beset by violent protests and political discontent. And there are signs that Azerbaijans push already has paid off, reads the article. Only two days before the start of the summit in Baku, Russian President Vladimir Putin received Armenian leaders in Moscow for talks on Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said his country would not make unilateral concessions in the dispute, especially if Russia sold military equipment to Azerbaijan. Putin responded that Azerbaijan is an oil producer with gold reserves and a growing economy and that it can buy what it pleases. On the sidelines in Baku, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced that Azerbaijan would sign a long-delayed contract to purchase 10 Irkut MC-21 airliners from Russia in February 2017, according to the article. Russia also agreed to open a helicopter factory and an aircraft assembly facility in Baku, says the article. Following the Baku summit, Iranian media also published rumors that Iran and Azerbaijan are considering signing trade agreements with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union. Despite its deepening ties with Azerbaijan, Moscow is unlikely to push Armenia too far. In spite of its apparent support for Baku over Yerevan, the Russian government understands Sarkisian's weak position and does not want his government to fall. And the Armenian president has made it clear his reluctance to make concessions over Nagorno-Karabakh has more to do with public discontent than with a concerted strategy. But the assets that Baku offers are too tempting to pass up at the moment. Armenia, like Azerbaijan, still needs Russia. And Russia has taken its usual approach of taking advantage where it can. It wasnt the type of filet of sole a San Francisco apartment resident found appetizing. The burglar caused damage to the apartment Thursday by setting a shoe on fire in a cooking pot and triggering the residences sprinkler system to go off, officials said Friday. The break-in occurred just before 8 p.m. at an apartment in the 1100 block of Laguna Street in the Western Addition. They put the shoe in the pot and set it on fire, said Officer Carlos Manfredi, a spokesman for the San Francisco Police Department. The burglar entered the apartment through a back window, Manfredi said. He said it was unclear why the prowler set the shoe on fire in the cooking pot, and it was not immediately known if anything was stolen. Smoke from the fire prompted the sprinkler system to go off, causing water damage to the apartment, police said. Bill Hutchinson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: bhutchinson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @bill_hutchinson This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Police searching for missing Troy teen TROY City police are searching for a missing 16-year-old boy who was last heard from Wednesday morning. Kevin Ondeje is described as black, six-foot tall, weighing 188 pounds with brown eyes and black hair, police said Thursday. He was reported missing by his family on Wednesday after he sent a text message to his mother at 6:30 a.m., police said. Anyone with information is asked Detective Sgt. Mike Parrow at 270-4682 or Detective Colleen Goldston at 270 4771. Staff report Police: Choking suspect caught BROADALBIN An Amsterdam man who fled in a boat after choking his ex-girlfriend in a bar faces domestic violence and DWI charges, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies said Matthew S. Luzinas, 33, went at the woman at Vic's Tavern in Northampton on Saturday. He fled by boat and went to the Broadalbin boat launch, where a deputy found him driving his vehicle while intoxicated in the parking lot. Luzinas was charged in Broadalbin with DWI and having a BAC of 0.08 percent or more. He was ticketed and ordered to return to court at a later date. He was charged in Northampton with criminal obstruction of an airway, arraigned and released pending a court appearance. Hiker, 43, dies on mountain trail NORTH ELBA Efforts to revive a hiker who collapsed on a remote trail on Cascade Mountain in Essex County Thursday morning failed, State Police said. The Essex County 911 center received an emergency call just before 11 a.m. Troopers equipped with an automatic external defibrillator responded with fire and rescue, sheriff's deputies and forest rangers. The AED was used, as well as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, but the hiker, a 43-year-old man, was pronounced dead. The State Police's Special Operations Response Team helped bring the man's body to the trailhead. Essex County Coroner Francis W. Whitelaw removed the body to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. Troopers said the man's name will be released after the autopsy. Staff report Man suspected in salon burglary CATSKILL A Catskill man was arrested Tuesday, charged with breaking into a hair salon, State Police at Catskill said. Christopher N. Hale, 32, was charged with third-degree burglary, a felony. Hale was arraigned and sent to the Greene County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, troopers said. Staff report Home's residents found at border MOREAU Two adults reported missing were found crossing into Canada at the Champlain entry point, the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office said Thursday. The sheriff's office was notified at 2:40 a.m. Thursday by the Canadian Border Services that Mial (Sonny) Pierce, 74, and Betty Yole, 92, were safe and taken into protective custody. Both have dementia, deputies said. They were reported missing Friday after driving away. The adult care facility in Moreau where they live was arranging to bring them back. Staff report Demoted to the back bench by a domineering boss one who tried to copyright the phrase youre fired Connecticuts Paul Manafort resigned Friday as Donald Trumps campaign chairman. Trump confirmed the split in a statement, marking the latest shakeup for his faltering presidential campaign. This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign, Trump said. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success. Manaforts exit from Trumps campaign, which is playing catch-up with Hillary Clinton in terms of its infrastructure, comes at a time of turmoil for the GOP nominee. It also coincides with intense scrutiny of Manaforts ties to the pro-Russian political party of deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, which a secret ledger showed had made $12 million in off-the-books cash payments to the New Britain native. Manafort has denied receiving the money. A post-convention shift In what was widely viewed as a demotion for Manafort, Trump earlier this week hired Stephen Bannon, a top executive for the conservative news website Breitbart, as the campaigns chief executive and promoted pollster and senior adviser Kellyanne Conway to the job of campaign manager. If he walks, its because he sits there and says, I quit, Richard Dick Foley, of Danbury, a former state GOP chairman and friend of Manafort, said Wednesday. Manaforts partnership with Trump proved meteoric, with the hard-nosed tactician enlisted by the real estate mogul in March to corral delegates in anticipation of a contested convention. But the rebellion against Trump was quashed, changing the dynamic of Manaforts role from strongman to legitimizer of the brash nominee as presidential. The transition was a rough one, with the candidate preferring to stick to the recipe that won him the nomination Trump being Trump rather than teleprompter speeches. Trump trails Clinton by a 6-point average on national polls, according to the website RealClearPolitics. Hes been hurt by a series of missteps, including Trumps public feud with the Gold Star parents of a Muslim U.S. Army captain killed in Iraq. Trump compounded his problems with his recent comments that gun owners could stop Clinton from appointing U.S. Supreme Court justices who would overturn the Second Amendment. No room for him anymore Scott L. McLean, professor of political science at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, said Friday that Mannaforts attempt to make Trump kinder and gentler failed. Its a clear rejection of his strategy, which was to sand off the sharp edges of Trumps persona and make him a more conventional candidate, McLean said. He must have been exasperated in having to explain Trumps statement one day, and have Trump turn around the next day and say he was joking. McLean believes that Manaforts departure might mean he has no faith in Bannon and Conway. Whether he believed in Trump or not, his professional reputation was in the hands of someone who has no experience in a political campaign, let alone a presidential campaign, McLean said. Gary L. Rose, is chairman of the Department of Government, Politics and Global Studies at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, said Friday that a confluence of events and circumstances led to Manaforts resignation. Rose said he expects that more revelations on Manaforts Ukrainian and Russian business connections is bound to emerge. There is some suggestion that he was violating federal law on registering as a lobbyist, Rose said. Combined with declining polls for Trump and the discrepancy in fundraising figures between Trump and Hillary Clinton and the fact that Manafort failed in bringing the Republican Party party together, theres no room for him anymore. When Bannon and Conway joined the campaign, Manaforts role was thoroughly usurped. There was a combination of factors, Rose said. BRIDGEPORT A federal judge sentenced a Vermont man to a year in prison Friday for unlawfully keeping photos he took of the propulsion system of a nuclear attack submarine while serving aboard the vessel. U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill said he found sentencing guidelines calling for 63 months in prison and a hefty fine unhelpful because they included incidents of espionage and treason, which were not involved in this case. Underhill told Kristian Saucier, 28, of Arlington, Vt., that he did not believe that Saucier had passed the photos on to a foreign government or that he was paid to take them, but that the offense was very serious nonetheless, because of the risk it created for the U.S. military. Saucier took 14 photos that together showed the entire reactor area and propulsion system of the USS Alexandria, a U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine based at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. On at least three separate dates in 2009, Saucier used the camera on his personal cell phone to take the photographs, each time taking more detailed closeups of classified spaces, instruments and equipment. The sequence of the photos is disturbing, the judge said to Saucier, and if I thought you had transmitted them to a foreign power that would be treason and we should throw away the key. The cell phone with the photos was found in a landfill in the New London area in 2012, three years after they were taken, and a former U.S. Navy sailor there realized that they showed classified areas and turned the phone over to the FBI and the Navy Criminal Investigation Service. By then, Saucier had been transferred to the Naval Support Activity Base in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Although still officially in the Navy, he has been under home confinement for the past 18 months and faces a dishonorable discharge from the service, court officials said. He will also serve three months of supervised release when he is discharged from prison, the first six months under home confinement. Underhill said he will recommend that Saucier be sent to a minimum security prison camp, as close to his home as possible. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Richards argued that the photos did not represent a momentary lapse in judgment on the machinist mates part, but a thought-out plan that involved sneaking into areas of the submarine he was not permitted in, hiding from a sentry on one occasion and convincing another that he wanted the photos as a keepsake to show his children someday. But he had no children, no wife or girlfriend at that time, and he was not in any of the photos, the prosecutor noted. What kind of keepsakes would they be? Why not a photo of him at his bunk? Richards also noted that while Saucier had pleaded guilty in May, his mother has been attempting to raise money for his legal defense on a GoFundMe page, claiming an injustice had been done to her son by overzealous prosecutors. After Saucier was interviewed by the FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service in July 2012, Saucier destroyed a laptop computer, a personal camera and the cameras memory card. Pieces of a laptop computer were subsequently found in the woods on a property in Connecticut owned by a member of Sauciers family. Victor Faulk, the chief security officer for the Navys nuclear program, said the photos Saucier took would be of high value to an opposing foreign government, and that the devices photographed put the U.S. military a decade ahead of other countries. FBI Special Agent Gary Hoover, who serves in the agencys counter-intelligence unit, testified Friday that Saucier was not cooperative with investigators and had disabled the GPS in his phone to elude surveillance. The defendant also had as many as six phones, at least two of them active, and had moved the classified photos from the phones memory card to its hard drive. Saucier also had $30,000 in cash in his home, had marital problems and debts, had been described as disgruntled by some shipmates and took a sudden trip to Mexico, with a phone that did not have international calling capabilities, the FBI agent testified. Derrick Hogan, the defendants attorney, got Hoover to admit that Saucier had a clean service record, including two good conduct medals, and that several other sailors who had served with him had written letters in Sauciers defense. Saucier was indicted in May on one count of unauthorized retention of defense information, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000, and one count of obstruction of justice, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000. The obstruction of justice charge was dropped in court at the sentencing on Friday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Troy Diversifying the ranks of the Troy Fire Department is driving a recruiting initiative that's brought together the city's administration, black ministers and Hudson Valley Community College. The department has one woman and no minorities in its budgeted strength of 120 firefighters. Currently, the department has seven openings. The city workforce has to reflect the diversity in its neighborhoods, ethnicity and genders, Mayor Patrick Madden emphasized Thursday at a news conference at the Troy Boys & Girls Club. "It's important to me. It's important to Troy," Madden said. "A career in the Troy Fire Department offers great opportunities." The makeup of the city's population of 49,965 is 74.1 percent white, 14 percent black and 8.5 percent Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 2010-14. The city is 50.3 percent male and 49.7 percent female. Experienced firefighters earn up to $55,583 in base pay. Firefighters also receive additional incentive pay and benefits. This recruitment drive will not be a one-time occurrence, according to members of the Troy African American Pastoral Alliance. The group, whose members lead the city's black churches, has been meeting with the mayor and fire department leadership about making the effort to diversify the city workforce. "This is going to be an ongoing effort," said the Rev. Eric Shaw, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. The Rev. Norman R. Macklin, pastor of the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, said it was good to see the effort the city has started with this recruitment drive. Fire Chief Thomas Garrett said he and Assistant Chief Eric McMahon have been at at the Troy Boys & Girls Club the last three nights to recruit potential firefighters. This is part of the community outreach to neighborhoods, city schools and other venues to find people who may not have considered applying to become a firefighter. Hudson Valley Community College plays a role in the recruiting through its paramedic and EMT training programs. Firefighters staff the city ambulance. To be hired as a firefighter, candidates must be certified paramedics. As a cost-saving measure, the city hires trained EMTs and paramedics so that the city does not have to put them through the school. The HVCC programs provide a means for men and women interested in becoming city firefighters to obtain the necessary experience, said college President Andrew Matonak. Information about the recruiting and training programs is available by calling the fire chief's office at 270-4471 or HVCC at 629-7454. kcrowe@timesunion.com 518-454-5084 @KennethCrowe The following excerpt is from Karen Tiber Lelands book The Brand Mapping Strategy. Buy it now from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes On August 31, 1997, an article by Tom Peters simply titled The Brand Called You appeared in Fast Company magazine. It sparked a movement that would lead to a new way of defining personal achievement -- a movement that would forever change how we think about ourselves in the context of our relationship to our jobs, industries, co-workers and even the world at large. Whether Peters intended it or not, the idea that we as individuals are every bit as much a brand as Coke, Starbucks or American Express was born, and it has continued to unfold -- and even expand -- over the past two decades. Today, if you search personal brand, youll be rewarded with millions of books, articles, blog posts, consultants, trainers, workshops and more that promise to help you understand, define, and implement your personal brand. Not bad for a term that wasnt even in use a few decades ago. And with the invention of the internet and its focus on self-disclosure, personal branding has become a major player on the landscape of CEO effectiveness, executive leadership, entrepreneurial and startup success and career planning. From CEO to secretary, the message is clear: If you dont define your personal brand, someone else will define it for you. The downside of the personal brand movement is that a cluster of myths has grown up around it, which we often embrace without even knowing it. As a branding and marketing strategist, I come face to face with these myths daily. Here are a few Id love to bust for you. Myth 1: Personal branding is a relatively new phenomenon. While Tom Peters brought the idea of deliberately creating a personal brand into the foreground of business and career planning, its actually been with us for hundreds of years. Think of Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin, just to name a few. Myth 2: Your reputation is your personal brand. Popular wisdom goes something like this: Its not what you say your personal brand is, its what other people say it is. While thats true, what youre known for among your closest colleagues, friends and family (in other words, your reputation) wont necessarily be the brand you have online -- and vice versa. Myth 3: Your personal brand is all about you. Im often pulled aside by executives who say in a hushed tone, Karen, I understand the value of a personal brand, but I dont want to be seen as a braggart or an egomaniac. While a powerful personal brand can certainly be a career booster, its impact isnt limited to your professional advancement. People benefit from a leader who has a positive personal brand. Research from Barna Group reported the following: 91 percent of employees who work for good leaders say they enjoy going to work each day. 80 percent say their work makes a positive difference in the world. 74 percent say they feel empowered to be a leader at work. Myth 4: A personal brand is a good thing. Not always. Have you ever worked for someone who was known for being an X@!!&? Ill leave you to fill in the blank with your favorite term of non-endearment. We tend to think of a personal brand as a halo of positive attributes that surrounds someone successful and respected. But some entrepreneurs, executives, CEOs and individuals have poor reputations, which have become full-blown bad personal brands. Early in my career, I worked with a small bank whose president had a reputation for hurling phones at anyone who dared to deliver bad news. Did he have a strong personal brand? You bet -- but it was a disruptive and destructive one. Myth 5: Your image is your personal brand. A well-dressed businessperson with a snappy email signature line and a ready-made elevator speech about who they are and what they stand for does not a brand make. A strong personal brand goes beyond whats seen and said on the surface to a deeply authentic expression of values, purpose and contribution -- all backed up by action. In short, a personal brand isnt strategically conceived, its authentically discovered. Myth 6: A personal brand is nice but unnecessary. If your plan is to wait out this personal branding trend until it passes -- think again. In reality, its been with us for centuries (see Myth 1), and whether you realize it or not, you already have a personal brand -- even if its an unwitting one. As Jeff Bezos famously said: Your brand is what people say about you when youre not in the room. In a world where access to information on any individual is just a few clicks away, clarifying and managing your personal brand is an evergreen business skill. Myth 7: Your personal brand is at odds with your business brand. I dont want to be seen as competing with my businesss brand is a refrain I often hear from CEOs and executives when I bring up the topic of crafting a strong personal brand. Done right, creating a parallel CEO or executive brand in concert with your company brand can double your business brand exposure and even be a morale booster for your staff. Think Tony Hsieh (Zappos) and the late Steve Jobs (Apple). As Peters so famously said in his Fast Company article, All of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You. Related: Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved By Furio De Angeli, the representative in Azerbaijan for the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) The 19th of August the United Nations celebrate World Humanitarian Day. This is a relative recent addition to the list of special dates established by the General Assembly of the United Nations to raise awareness on the particular global challenges facing all of us. Presently, global humanitarian needs have reached record levels since World War II, with 130 million persons around the world depending on humanitarian assistance and on the efforts of humanitarian aid workers to deliver it. World Humanitarian Day was instituted in 2009, on the sixth anniversary of the 2003 Baghdad bombing of the UN mission, which cost the lives of 22 people, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Iraq. In highlighting the plight of humanitarian crises victims, World Humanitarian Day also celebrates the efforts and often the personal sacrifice that thousands of women and men from all countries offer in the quest for a solution to humanitarian crisis. It is a call for sympathy and support for people who often leave behind comfortable lives to go in the midst of conflicts, man-made or natural disaster, to help the most vulnerable to rebuild their lives, sometimes to help them just survive another day. Humanitarian work has always been a risky endeavour and in recent years incidents and fatalities have reached an intolerable level. The Aid Workers Security Database (https://aidworkersecurity.org/incidents/report/summary) has compiled the figures of security incidents from 2004 to 2014, showing the staggering rise of attacks, murders, kidnappings suffered by humanitarian works of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and of Non-Government Organizations. If 56 aid workers were killed in 2004, this number has risen to 121 in 2014. The total number of incidents passed from 63 in 2004 to 190 in 2014. The Database provides detailed figures on the price payed by people who volunteer to serve for the benefit of the civilian populations trapped in the horrors of war and violent conflicts. We all mourn when humanitarian workers fall in the line of duty and rejoice when freedom is restored to those kidnapped. But often we fail to understand why humanitarian workers become victims of the very problems they strive to solve. Why are humanitarian workers so increasingly becoming a target of violence and assassination? What can be done to ensure that humanitarian workers are recognised for what they are: committed people, solely preoccupied to alleviate the suffering of civilian people? Humanitarian work is based on simple and fundamental principles: the principle of humanity, which requires the protection of life, and addressing of human sufferings in the first place, wherever this is found; the principle of neutrality, which means never taking side in any hostilities; the principle of impartiality, for which humanitarian action must be based exclusively on needs, with priority given to the most urgent, and delivered without discrimination of any sort; and the principle of independence, for which humanitarian action must be autonomous from the political, economic, military or other objectives of any other non-humanitarian actors. These principles have a crucial practical relevance: first of all, adherence to them should allow the humanitarian workers to be recognised and distinguished from the actors of conflict and, secondly and most importantly, should guarantee their safety. Yet, this is not enough, and every year scores of humanitarian aid workers pay the ultimate price for just doing their work. Some conflicts in which humanitarian workers operate have witnessed new levels of disregard and indifference for humanitarian principles and operations. The protracted siege of civilian populations or the bombing of humanitarian actors hospitals are becoming dramatic symbols of how recent conflicts are substantially abdicating on any distinction between active belligerents and passive civilian populations. Climate changes and competition over scarce resources compound these conflicts and increase its civilian character. Communities turn on each other because of lack of water, desertification of pastures, and access to arable land and fishing waters. Ethnicity and clan protection become the guarantees for survival, to the detriment of fellow countrymen and old-time neighbours. Humanitarian workers are caught in this all-out merciless survival of the fittest and often perceived, on the basis of the faintest suspicion, to be on the wrong side or to have abdicated their neutrality. They become the lightning rod of impossible situations, the scapegoats of political games played in places far remote from where they operate. Attacking a humanitarian worker becomes a way to send political messages, to impose a commercial contract or just to make a point in some local dispute. States that are parties to conflicts must recognise the super-partes status of humanitarian workers, they have an obligation to prioritise and ensure their security. Conflicts need political solutions. There is no humanitarian solution to a humanitarian crisis. This was the clear message delivered by the 9,000 participants to the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit held in Istanbul in May this year. More credible efforts must be put in place by states, and not only by those directly involved in the conflicts, to exercise the political will to find compromises, to use leverages, and to apply the necessary pressure to induce belligerents to approach a negotiating table. Inaction is no longer an option if the world community wishes to see a resolution of old conflicts and a halt to the surging number of victims, including humanitarian workers. On the day we celebrate the courage and the sacrifice of those who offer their services in humanitarian operations, everybody should make an extra effort to think of ways and means to add a contribution, a bucket of water, to throw in the flames of conflicts. This can be done by contributing financially to humanitarian aid operations, or by continuing to remind world leaders of their responsibility to exercise leadership and show commitment to world peace and the solution of conflicts. This is what Humanitarian Day is for: to urge all of us to become part of the solution, to join, in spirit and actions, based on our capacity and means, the humanitarian workers' efforts to make this world a more peaceful and tolerant place. The UNHCR is the global UN Agency dealing with refugees and global displacement. The UNHCR has been playing a major humanitarian assistance role in Azerbaijan since 1993 and would like to pay tribute to all aid workers who were actively engaged in helping the government address the immediate humanitarian needs of displaced persons in Azerbaijan and improve their living conditions and economic prospects. The California parole board agreed more than two years ago to tell all life prisoners, at their first hearing, the appropriate sentence for their crime, but inmates lawyers who negotiated the settlement say the board has violated its pledge more than 1,600 times. More than 1,100 cases involved elderly inmates or those who were minors when convicted of serious crimes. The board claimed it was not required to notify those two groups, but a state appeals court has rejected that position. In 513 additional cases, the inmates lawyers say, the parole board offered no justification for failing to provide the notice required by the settlement. The board has willfully disobeyed the settlement order, attorney Andrea Nill Sanchez said in a filing this week with the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco. She asked the court to hold the Board of Parole Hearings in contempt and fine it $1,000 for each violation of the agreement. The board on Thursday declined to comment. The appeals court approved the settlement in December 2013, with an effective date of April 2014. It required the board to inform life-term inmates of their base term the sentence they could expect to serve because of the circumstances of their crime at their first parole hearing. For example, someone convicted of second-degree murder, which carries a legal sentence of 15 years to life, might get a base term of 15 or 16 years if the crime was not extraordinarily violent and the defendant was an accomplice rather than the actual killer. If the crime was horrific and the defendant killed an innocent victim, the base term might be 20 years or more. California has more than 30,000 inmates, most of them convicted murderers, serving life terms with the possibility of parole. Once an inmate has served the base term, the board must grant parole at the next hearing unless it has evidence, which can be tested in court, that the inmate is still dangerous. Before the settlement, the board was calculating the base term only after deciding that a life-term inmate no longer posed a danger to the public and was suitable for release. Defense lawyers said many inmates learned their base term had passed long before they were granted parole. According to court filings, the parole board decided last year that, because of new state laws, it lacked authority to give the notice required by the settlement to two groups of life prisoners: those 60 years or older who had served 25 years in prison, and those who committed their crimes as minors, were sentenced as adults, and had served at least 15 years. So far, Sanchez said in her filing, the board has held 466 hearings for the older group, and 676 for the younger group, without providing notice of their base terms. The laws entitle both groups to additional parole hearings at which the board must consider their age, and the youths maturity at the time of the crime, in deciding whether they are eligible for release. Because some of those prisoners might be freed before completing their base term, state lawyers argued that the base was no longer significant to either group and that notification was no longer required. The appeals court disagreed. For those prisoners, as for all others serving life terms, the base term indicates the point at which a prison term becomes constitutionally excessive, and the notification requirement increases the likelihood of an appropriate sentence, Presiding Justice J. Anthony Kline said in a July 27 order refusing to change the settlement. No California prisoner has yet used a base term to contest his or her continued confinement, said Sharif Jacob, another lawyer for the inmates. But now that life prisoners are supposed to receive earlier notice of their base term, he said, its a starting point for a constitutional challenge. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Students at city schools continue to lag behind in math and reading, according to preliminary results for the states tougher standardized tests, despite improvements in both areas. Stamford students scored slightly below the state average in math and reading, but improved in both areas from 2015 on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium test given to students in third to eighth grade, according to preliminary results released Thursday by the state Department of Education. We are pleased that Stamford Public Schools showed improvement over last years SBAC results, Superintendent of Schools Earl Kim said in an email. While the district showed an overall increase in English that was comparable to the state results, we recognize we still have work to do, particularly in math, where our increase is not as great as in the state. Nearly 56 percent of students statewide scored on grade level or better on the 2016 test a more than 3 percent increase from 2015. In math, 44 percent of Connecticut students were deemed proficient in 2016 a nearly 4 percent increase from last year. In Stamford, 41 percent of students met the math standard, a 1.5 percent increase from 2015. Nearly 50 percent of Stamford students met the English standard, which is a 3 percent increase from last year. Stamford also remained the highest-scoring district within its District Reference Group, a classification system grouping students with similar socioeconomic status. Stamfords group includes Norwalk, Danbury, West Haven, East Hartford and four other districts. In nearby Norwalk, 34 percent of students were deemed proficient in English and 47 percent made the grade in math. In East Hartford, less than 32 percent of students met the English standard and only 17 percent achieved the math standard. We will take the time required to carefully review and analyze the data in comparison to our past performances in both subjects, as well as by grade, cohort, school and subgroup, Kim said. Each school will also review their results with staff in relation to their instructional efforts of the past year. New standards, new challenges State Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzell, in releasing the preliminary test results Thursday, said she had confidence students would rise to meet the challenge. Connecticut definitely is moving in the right direction, Wentzell said, acknowledging there is more work to do. The tests were taken from March to June 2016 by some 234,000 students in grades 3 to 8. Participation rate was about 97 percent, state officials said, on par with the year before. Based on the new Common Core curriculum, the SBAC test is in its second full year of administration, but was made shorter in 2016 after districts complained it took too long to give six hours or more. This years test removed a long essay that Wentzell said really didnt add to the understanding of what students could do. Last years scores were adjusted to remove the essay portion as well, so results could be compared. But some, including the Connecticut Education Association, the states largest teacher union, say the test is still robbing students of teaching and learning time. Wentzell called testing a civil rights issue undertaken to make sure all students have access to an adequate education. She pointed out that gains seen by black and Hispanic students kept pace with students overall, but did not narrow what many consider to be the nations largest achievement gap. Overall, 31.4 percent of black students and 33.2 percent of Hispanic students statewide met expectations in reading, while 17.6 percent of black students and 21.1 percent of Hispanic students met the math standard. Wentzell said she was especially encouraged with the math scores of third-grade students children who have spent their entire public school careers learning under the Common Core curriculum. More than half, statewide 52.8 percent are now meeting or exceeding the achievement standard set for them. This helps to validate Connecticuts decision to adopt the more rigorous standards, Wentzell said. We are confident they will continue to improve year after year. She also touted improvements in high-needs districts such as Ansonia a district in the same group as Stamford as proof that state reform efforts are taking hold. Ansonia is one of 30 districts getting extra attention through the states Alliance District program. In Ansonia, there was a 5.5-point growth in math, to 24.1 percent proficiency. Although we have a ways to go, I am very proud of our students, Ansonia Superintendent Carol Merlone said. I can only imagine the growth our children could make if we had the human resources necessary to carry out the many interventions needed. More to come While the percentage of students deemed proficient or above were released, state officials were not prepared to release how many students are in two lower-scoring tiers one meaning they are not making the grade and the other meaning they are approaching grade level. Districts and thus, parents also wont get individual student reports until mid-September. The state also has not yet released results from a science test given in grades 5, 8 and 10. Earlier this month, the state released results for high school juniors who now take the SAT in school, rather than the SBAC test. On that test, 65 percent of students met the achievement standard in language arts and just 39.3 percent met the achievement standard in math. Chicago Seven Chicago police officers should be fired for filing false reports in the fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald in 2014, the police superintendent said Thursday, in a move aimed at repairing the reputation of a department dogged by decades of cover-ups and scandal. The release last year of official police reports that directly contradicted video evidence of McDonald's shooting by a white police officer turned a spotlight on longstanding concerns about a "code of silence" in Chicago's police force, in which officers stay quiet about or conceal possible misconduct by colleagues. Superintendent Eddie Johnson said in a statement Thursday that after reviewing documents, video and other evidence, he was accepting the recommendation of the city's inspector general to fire seven officers because of their accounts of the incident. The officers violated Rule 14, which prohibits "making a false report, written or oral," said Johnson. He did not name the seven officers. Johnson will take his recommendation to the city's police board, which will make the final decision. The process typically takes about seven months, so any decision to fire the officers isn't likely until next year. Johnson became the superintendent after Mayor Rahm Emanuel fired Garry McCarthy because of the McDonald shooting video and his recommendation marks the single biggest decision he has made for a department long dogged by suspicions that it condones or covers up the brutality and misconduct of its officers. Dean Angelo Sr., the head of the Chicago police union, defended the officers. He said their interpretation of what unfolded may have been accurate from their perspective, noting that perceptions can be affected in high-stress situations like shootings. But community activists praised Johnson's announcement. "I think Eddie Johnson gets it. He gets the crisis that we are in and how to solve it," said Jedidiah Brown, a leader of a group called Chicago Life. Thomas Gradel, a co-author of "Crime, Corruption and Cover-ups in the Chicago Police Department," a 2013 report published by the University of Illinois at Chicago, said the recommendation that so many officers be fired was unprecedented in the city and a step toward real reform. Johnson's decision stems from a scene captured on dashcam video taken in October 2014 in which Officer Jason Van Dyke can be seen firing 16 times at McDonald. The release of the video the next year sparked days of protests, an investigation of police practices by the U.S. Justice Department and promises of reforms by Emanuel Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 Trend: Azer Turk Bank starts new Take and win campaign. Every citizen of our city may take part in this campaign. To become a participant, just take a photo with card maquettes of the Bank located at Port Baku, Ganjlik Mall and 28 Mall shopping centers, share it in social networks with #cekqazan hashtag and send it to cekqazan@azerturbank.az e-mail address. Gathered pictures will be shared every week through corporate profiles of the Bank in social networks. Followers of the official corporate profiles of the Bank will be voting for shared pictures and by this determine the winner. Pictures will be gathered from Friday to Thursday (until 17:00), shared for voting on Friday (time for voting from 09:00 till 17:00) and the winner will be determined at the same day on 18:00. The participant getting the highest number of votes each week will get valuable prizes by Azer Turk Bank. To get more information about the campaign go to www.cekqazan.azerturkbank.az. The website was designed to provide apprehensibility for the campaign participants and is linked with the official website of Azer Turk Bank. The www.cekqazan.azerturkbank.az website provides information about the terms of campaign, list of presents, names of winners and more. Azer Turk Bank OJSC, which has identified financial support to the real sector of the economy as its main mission, by 75% is owned by the Government of Azerbaijan. More information about the Bank, its service network, products and services is available at www.azerturkbank.az, the Banks corporate pages at social networks or at (012) 945 Call Center. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 Trend: Azer Turk Bank has added another sub-branch to its service network. Thus, tomorrow on August 20th Gabala branch will start to function. The above-mentioned branch is located at the ASAN service center, which has recently been opened with the participation of the President Ilham Aliyev in Gabala city. Here, individual and corporate clients can open current accounts, individual clients may open deposit accounts, hold foreign currency exchange operations, implement cashless money transfers, countrywide money transfers, cash withdrawals from current accounts and operations through governmental payment portal. The new sun-branch, created in accordance with the development strategy of Azer Turk Bank will be at customers disposal every weekday from 10:00 (GMT + 4 hours) to 20:00 and every weekend from 10:00 to 17:00. The branch, which will also have a positive impact on the city's economy, operates on the basis of customer satisfaction, as well as other branches of Azer Turk Bank. Azer Turk Bank OJSC, which has identified financial support to the real sector of the economy as its main mission, by 75 percent is owned by the Government of Azerbaijan. More information about the Bank, its service network, products and services is available at www.azerturkbank.az, the Banks corporate pages at social networks or at (012) 945 Call Center. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A man who allegedly took part in an early August home invasion on the West Side that left a father dead was arrested Wednesday evening. Frank Gamez, 29, was charged with capital murder in the Aug. 5 shooting death of Enrique Gutierrez Sr., 45, at a home in the 100 block of South San Eduardo, according to the San Antonio Police Department. He is being held in lieu of a $1 million bail. Investigators said Gamez was one of four suspects who held bandanas over their faces as they made their way through the back yard of the home. They forced open the back door and demanded money from the Gutierrez and his son, stealing $480. Thats when the suspects began firing their weapons, striking both Enrique Gutierrez Sr. and his son, according to the warrant. The elder Gutierrez died at the scene, police said. Several witnesses at the scene including the younger Gutierrez recognized Juan Almendarez, 24, and his relative Alejandro Almendarez-Hurtado, 19. The witnesses said the two worked at the same construction company as the Gutierrezes, adding that the brothers were recently fired. The suspects knew the residents would have been paid by the time they broke into the home at about 8 p.m. that day, according to the affidavit. Juan Almendarez was arrested the next day, as police were surveying a place they thought was his home. After stopping him at a convenience store, Almendarez struggled with police as he was being removed from the passenger seat of a vehicle, the warrant states. A .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun fell from Almendarezs person during the confrontation, the warrant states, noting it was the same gun used in the robbery. During interrogations, Juan Almendarez told police he met his friends at a Peter Pipers Pizza to plan the robbery. He told police he shot the older Gutierrez who then ran outside, the warrant states. He added that Gamez was among the suspects who fired their guns, according to the affidavit. Police are still seeking a fourth person involved in the robbery, whom they have not identified, and the driver of the getaway car. jbeltran@express-news.net Twitter: @JBfromSA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate An Austin police officer was suspended Aug. 17 after posting a Facebook status in March calling David Joseph, the unarmed, black, naked 17-year-old fatally shot by an officer in February, a drop out drug using, neighborhood terrorizing, naked guy." In a memo obtained by CBS Austin, police chief Art Acevedo wrote that Detective Jason Chiappardi would be suspended from duty for three days for his actions on March 21. The Facebook post read: My family and friends are glad that the high school dropout drug using, neighborhood terrorizing, naked guy will never scare anybody else again. RELATED: Austin police to fire officer who fatally shot nude teen The detective acknowledged he was referring to Joseph in the post, Acevedo said in the memo. He also posted the day Acevedo fired the officer responsible for fatally shooting Joseph. Its too f---ing bad that the boss has no support for his officers. I hope he leaves soon, Chiappardi wrote. RELATED: BCSO deputy suspended for discussing 'threesomes,' providing false information regarding car crash The detectives post is not considered protected speech because he identified himself as an Austin police officer, Acevedo said in the memo. Chiappardi was found to have violated an employee speech rule within the department. The rule states that speech made related to the police department that compromises the function, reputation or professionalism of the Austin Police Department or its employees, is prohibited. RELATED: Graphic second video of Alton Sterling shooting emerges Joseph was shot and killed Feb. 9 in Austin when he refused orders to stop and charged at Officer Geoffrey Freeman, the officer said. Acevedo said in March that Freeman should not have confronted the teenager, using his weapon was not necessary and that there were other ways he could have apprehended the teenager. Freeman, who is black, was suspended indefinitely. Freeman, according to the Austin American-Statesman, appealed his indefinite suspension saying he did as he was trained during the incident. Fox 7 reported in February that Joseph was enrolled at Connally High School from Fall 2012 to Spring 2015 before withdrawing. Chiappardi's Facebook page appears to have been changed to "Jason Paul" and the URL to the page says "FreeSpeech." The Associated Press contributed to this report. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 AUSTIN - Former President Bill Clinton will be in San Antonio, Houston and Dallas Thursday to raise money for Hillary Clintons presidential campaign, according to invitations obtained by the San Antonio Express-News. Hosts of the Alamo City fundraiser include businessman Henry R. Munoz, national finance committee chair for the Democratic National Committee; and lawyer Jose Villarreal, national treasurer for Hillary Clintons campaign. City Manager Sheryl Sculley presented her proposed $2.5 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year Thursday, but some council members are already advocating for changes. Sculleys proposal meets the priorities set by the council and community spending on street maintenance and sidewalks, additional cops, workforce development, a Smart Cities technology initiative and Animal Care Services, among other things. It has increased general fund spending and a flat tax rate while keeping spending on public safety to under 66 percent of the general fund. Indeed, it adds 32 new police officers along with nine new parks police; 42 new civilian call takers in the 911 Call Center; $64 million for street maintenance and $15 million for new sidewalks; $1 million for additional street lighting; and $1 million each for pedestrian safety around schools and Vision Zero, a plan to end fatalities on public streets. What wasnt in the proposal caught the attention of some council members, including Ray Lopez, who attended his eighth and final annual budget presentation. What isnt on here, and Id like to ask you, Sheryl, to accept it as a recommendation, is the whole discussion around compensation for employees, he said. Last year, the council approved a policy that increased the wages of the citys lowest-paid employees to $13 an hour beginning this calendar year. The COPS/Metro Alliance has advocated for annual increases to the citys minimum wage calling for $14 an hour this year and $15 next year. Lopez noted that $13 an hour goes a lot further in San Antonio than in other major metro areas such as New York and San Francisco, but the idea of increasing wages, he said, goes directly at being an employer of choice that helps bolster families. A path to $15 with a reasonable step this year to $14 and next year to $15, I think goes a long way to ensuring that we achieve the kind of position we want to be as an employer of choice that is family-oriented, that gives opportunities for our employees being able to invest the time they have not in second and third jobs to be able to meet their financial demands or medical bills but to actually get an opportunity to invest it in strengthening their family unit. Sculley said she and her staff are prepared to brief council members on the impact of increasing the citys minimum wage when they discuss employee compensation at a meeting in the coming weeks. Sculley told the council Thursday that there would be significant impact to the budget by increasing those wages. Under the current proposal, she said, employees would be guaranteed to make $15 an hour once theyve reached a senior position within their job category. For more on this story, visit www.expressnews.com or read the Friday edition of the San Antonio Express-News. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Members of an archaeological dream team that has concluded a nearly monthlong excavation in Alamo Plaza said they consider the dig a success, despite rain that halted progress in the final week. Were all very excited that we found as much information as we did, Nesta Anderson, lead investigator on the project and senior archaeologist with Pape-Dawson Engineers said during a final daily briefing this morning. Highlights of the excavation included discovery of a formation of 1700s adobe bricks at what may have been the base of the inner portion of the Alamos west wall, and stones that may have been part of a footer for the south wall, near the main gate of the mission-fortress, which underwent numerous structural changes. Also found were the tip of a Mexican sword and about 1,700 artifacts, including pieces of a mission-era ceramic known as Goliad ware. Information from the dig will be incorporated into a report for a long-range master plan for the Alamo area. City Archaeologist Kay Hindes, who coordinated the work under a state permit held by the city, said the work in the city-owned plaza was done by a dream team of archaeologists that included Raba Kistner and the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio. One of the most important findings was that despite many changes to the plaza over the past 300 years, there still are intact artifacts from various period of history below ground, Anderson said. This is the project of a lifetime, she said. Read more about the project at ExpressNews.com or in Saturdays San Antonio Express-News. A jury Friday quickly found Antonio Torres, 39, guilty of murder in the shooting death of Roy Ruiz, 35, on Nov. 4, 2013, after the two argued. Torres pleaded not guilty Tuesday as his trial began, and on Wednesday the jury watched his interview with homicide detectives, in which he told them he was a victim of mistaken identity and that he did not kill Ruiz. Torres and Ruiz were dating two sisters. Ruiz and his girlfriend, Priscilla Oyervides, lived with the sisters' mother in a house in the 1300 block of Keats on the South Side. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the mother told police that she had argued with Torres and her other daughter, Kimberly Oyervides, 30. When the pair went to the house around 1 a.m. Nov. 4, 2013, Torres asked asked Ruiz to speak to the mother. The mother did not want to speak to them, so Ruiz told Torres she was not there, the document stated. When Kimberly Oyervides accused Ruiz of lying, he stepped outside to talk to them and was shot twice moments later, a bullet piercing his heart and fragments from the second shot striking his feet, the affidavit said. He died at the scene. Witnesses told police after the slaying that Torres and his girlfriend got into her silver Kia Sorento and drove away. One witness later identified Torres as the shooter through a photo lineup. Kimberly Oyervides, who is currently in jail on a drug charge, testified for the state Thursday. She said she heard the gunshots but did not see the shooter, and afterward, at the trailer in the 7400 block of Old Pearsall Road where Torres lived, he burned his clothes and gave his cellphones to his brother. On Wednesday, Torres' half-brother, Mike Morales, testified that he was asleep when his brother called him around 2 or 3 a.m. to his home. He said something happened, Morales told lead prosecutor Kimberly Gonzalez. I asked, what's the matter, and he said, Just come over here. Morales said when he arrived at the trailer, his brother and Kimberly Oyervides seemed worried. He gave me a plastic bag of broken cellphones and said just to take them. I asked why, but he didn't give me a reason. I got them and threw them into a trash container, Morales said. As he left, Morales said, his brother gave him a big hug and told him to take care of their father. Forensics experts testified that gunshot residue taken from Ruizs body indicated he was shot at close range, and that the bullet fragments examined were from a 9mm Glock or Luger. A gun, wrapped in paper and placed in a bag, was found months later on the doorstep of Kelly Hernandezs home in the 500 block of Standing Rock, not far from Old Pearsall Road, she testified Thursday. Shortly before the state rested Thursday, prosecutor Laura Maetzold played three audio recordings from two phone conversations and one jail visit between Torres and a female relative. In one, Torres could be heard saying, You've got to find a way to get a hold of Mike (Morales). They are trying to charge him for accessory, just tell him not to be stupid, to take the fifth (amendment). They will lock him up for accessory. Torres' court-appointed attorney, Joanne Eakle, told the jury her client was only identified through a prejudicial photo lineup showing him in a county jail uniform, that a succession of unbelievable state witnesses had criminal records and drug problems, and that no prints, no blood, no DNA...no evidence linked Torres to the killing. She said one prosecution witness had a heroin problem, refused to speak to detectives unless she got favorable treatment for past offenses and told us whatever was convenient for her. Torres is to be sentenced by state District Judge Jefferson Moore and could face life in prison. ezavala@express-news.net jbeltran@express-news.net Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Azerbaijans National Confederation of Entrepreneurs Organizations and Georgia Employers Association will organize the Georgia-Azerbaijan business forum on Sept. 29-30 in Tbilisi, the Azerbaijani confederation said in a message Aug. 19. The business forum will be attended by representatives of various Georgian companies operating in the same areas as the Azerbaijani companies. In January-July 2016, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia amounted to $234.9 million, some $220.56 million of which accounted for export of Azerbaijani products to Georgia, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. A Dallas-area man posing as a Lyft driver was charged with murder Thursday after he allegedly stabbed and killed a 34-year-old man in July, officials said. Donaldo Velasquez, 44, was arrested Thursday after being on the run for weeks and is suspected of stabbing Arnold Pinilla, 34, to death in Carrollton, northwest of Dallas on the night of July 31, according to the Carrollton Police Department Facebook page. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A second man is facing charges in connection with a meth lab case that involves two Midland County homes. David Ely Luckett, 30, Midland, is charged with second-offense possession of methamphetamine, possession of pseudoephedrine to make meth and habitual second offender notice. The first count is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and the second by up to five years. The labs were investigated by the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, which served search warrants at 1692 S. Nine Mile Road in Lee Township and 84 E. Miller Road in Homer Township on the afternoon of June 6. Meth, two active one pot cooks and numerous items used to make the drug were recovered from the East Miller Road home, where three adults and three children were present at the time detectives arrived. Items used to produce the drug were found at the South Nine Mile Road home. A suspect was interviewed and told detectives he had obtained pseudoephedrine to make meth, but did not help with the cook. Luckett was arraigned by Midland County District Court Magistrate Gerald Ladwig, and his bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety. The case has been bound over to the Midland County Circuit Court. Also charged in connection with the meth labs is Allen Jeffery Thorington, 27, Midland. Thorington is charged with delivery or manufacture of methamphetamine, operating or maintaining a lab involving meth and possession of meth. The first two counts are punishable by up to 20 years in prison; the remaining count by 10 years. His bond is set at $50,000 cash. Luckett is being represented by attorney Lee Burton of Midland; Thorington is being represented by attorney Dan Duke of Midland. Both attorneys were appointed to the cases. No future court dates are set for Luckett; Thorington is scheduled for a Cobbs hearing on Sept. 22. During a Cobbs hearing, which is not open to the public, the judge uses the information at hand to inform the defendant of the likely sentence in a case, and the defendant can then use that information in deciding whether to enter a plea. The defendant can withdraw the plea if the judge does not deliver the expected sentence. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate U.S. Olympic swimmer and San Antonio native Jimmy Feigen is free. The former Churchill High School and University of Texas standout has agreed to make a charitable donation in the amount of $10,800 (35,000 reals) to avoid formal charges for lying to Brazilian police about being robbed with Ryan Lochte and two other American swimmers at a Rio gas station. RELATED: Internet goes wild over Lochte, Feigen tale Feigens attorney Breno Malaragno told the Associated Press that, under an agreement with a Brazilian judge, Feigen will be allowed to return to the United States after he provides a donation to an institution." Melaragno did not return calls and emails requesting comment, but published reports said Feigen's payment would be directed to the Instituto Reacao, an athletic organization that trained Rafaela Silva, who went from the City of God slum to winning a gold medal in judo and became an icon for this country's downtrodden Afro-Brazilian population. Brazilian law allows for individuals to make charitable donations in order to avoid criminal prosecution for minor offenses. Surveillance footage from the gas station showed that the four swimmers had concocted their tale of robbery. It appears the inebriated Americans vandalized the station, including urinating on walls, breaking a door and ripping down an advertisement frame. The United States Olympic Committee apologized in a statement Thursday night. On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, we apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence, the USOC said. RELATED: Rio authorities recommend Lochte be indicted Lochte apologized for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning and for my role in taking away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics, via a Twitter/Instagram post Friday morning. The other members of the group, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, arrived back in the U.S. Friday morning after giving testimony to Brazilian authorities. nmoyle@express-news.net Twitter: @NRmoyle People everywhere have fallen completely in love with the Biles/Efron Olympic story, but our hopes and dreams for the adorable moments turning into something more just died, all for a good reason. Arthur Nory, Brazilian gymnast and bronze medalist, is quite the cutie, so we can't say we're upset that he stole Simone's heart before Zac was able to. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey and Russia have started negotiations to resume the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, said Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak in his interview with TRT Haber news channel. The minister believes the relations between Ankara and Moscow will return to their previous, pre-crisis level. Albayrak said the normalization of bilateral relations will benefit both countries. In December 2014, Russia abandoned the South Stream project in favor of Turkish Stream, which involves the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey through the Black Sea. However, the project was frozen after the relations between Moscow and Ankara deteriorated in November 2015. During a meeting on Aug. 9, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to resume the implementation of the Turkish Stream project. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to see Donald Trump become the next president of the United States. To that end, Putin and his government have taken unprecedented steps to influence our electoral process to help the Republican Party's nominee. Whether Russia's interventions will succeed is not obvious. But it's clear that Putin's government has the motives - and the means - to try. Putin has rational motives for wanting Trump to win: Trump champions many foreign policies that Putin supports. Trump's most shocking, pro-Kremlin proposal is to "look into" recognition of Crimea as a part of Russia. President Barack Obama and nearly every member of Congress - Republican and Democrat - have rejected that idea vigorously. Only Afghanistan, Cuba, Nicaragua, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela have recognized Russia's annexation of Crimea. Naturally, Putin would love to see the United States join that list. Trump also has made clear his disdain for the United States' alliances around the world. Demonstrating his misunderstanding of how NATO works, Trump has demanded that other NATO members essentially pay us for protection, making many of our allies, especially in the eastern part of Europe, nervous about his commitment to defend them. Trump has also disparaged our allies in Asia, creating new opportunities for Russian influence. On trade, Trump's promises to disrupt our agreements also play right into Putin's agenda. From Putin's perspective, what could be a better way to start the New Year than a trade war between the United States and China or Mexico? Trump's threats to stop paying our debts also would radically undermine our credibility as a lender, another desirable outcome for Putin. On the whole, Trump advocates isolationist policies and an abdication of U.S. leadership in the world. He cares little about promoting democracy and human rights. A U.S. retreat from global affairs fits precisely with Putin's international interests. And if Mr. Trump becomes president, experts on U.S. politics predict a tumultuous period domestically. If a President Trump tried to implement his radical ideas regarding immigration or walling off our southern border, a serious push-back effort would ensue, both in Congress and in the country as a whole. A United States convulsed by infighting over Trump's deeply divisive policy proposals gives Putin more freedom to act around the world. If a Trump victory would serve Putin's interests, a President Hillary Clinton would not. Clinton will never recognize Crimea as part of Russia, seeks to strengthen relations with our allies and speaks out about human rights. Putin and his government already know Clinton from her four years as secretary of state. They remember the tough line she took in seeking to negotiate a political transition in Syria; her efforts - though failed - to get Russia to support even modest U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding this humanitarian tragedy; and her early advocacy for arming Syria opponents of Bashar al-Assad, Moscow's ally. They remember her public criticism of irregularities in Russia's December 2011 parliamentary election, which Putin lambasted as a "signal" to Russian protesters to take to the streets against him. And they remember her portrayal of Putin's prized foreign policy project - the creation of the Eurasia Economic Union - as a "a move to re-Sovietize the region." No one should be surprised that Putin and his government would rather see Trump in the White House. Putin not only has strong motives for wanting to Trump to win over Clinton, but also has some means to try to influence our presidential vote. Kremlin-controlled media outlets have stated publicly their preference for Trump. RT, Russia's state-controlled television station broadcasting in the United States, has a clear preference for Trump. In one of many pro-Trump reports, the Russian state-controlled news service, Sputnik, said it confirmedTrump's claim about Obama being the "founder" of the Islamic State and tweeted the hashtag: #CrookedHillary. With vigor and volume, pro-Kremlin bloggers echoed these same messages on Twitter and Facebook. Putin himself has weighed in, praising Trump as a "colorful" ("yarkii") and talented politician (though not as a genius, as Trump has claimed), who seems more amenable to work with Russia than other candidates. More audaciously, Russians apparently stole emails from the Democratic National Committee, after which Trump then encouraged Russian spies to steal again and publish more of Clinton's emails. No one should be surprised that the Russian government uses its incredible cyber capabilities to collect intelligence on important U.S. politicians. That is what spies are supposed to do. What they have never done in the past, however, is publish stolen information to influence a U.S. presidential election. To be precise, WikiLeaks - not the Kremlin - dumped this data into the public domain on the eve of the Democratic National Convention with the clear and successful intent of damaging the Democratic Party and their candidate for president. To remind, WikiLeaks is a foreign agent now meddling directly in our electoral process. We are unlikely to ever know for sure if Russian spies gave this data to WikiLeaks, as WikiLeaks refuses to say and probably would not even know. The Russians are sophisticated enough to use intermediaries to make sure the recipients of the stolen information would not know the original source. WikiLeaks is promising to release more emails, fueling expectations about a possible "October surprise." U.S. electoral experts, not me, must judge whether Russian efforts will sway the elections this fall. From my amateur armchair, the tactics seem crude and counterproductive. Does Sputnik tweeting #CrookedHillary really win over any undecided voters? I hope not, but I don't know. What I do know is that Secretary Clinton could well become President Clinton on Jan. 20, 2017. Russian officials - from Putin to the person running the Sputnik Twitter account - might want to start thinking about what they plan to do then, and stop playing around with our electoral process now. Michael McFaul is director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and a Hoover fellow at Stanford University, and a contributing columnist to The Washington Post. He was previously special assistant to President Obama at the National Security Council from 2009-2012 and former U.S. ambassador to Russia from 2012-2014. This week Russian bombers flew out of Iranian air bases to attack rebel positions in Syria. The State Department pretended not to be surprised. It should be. It should be alarmed. Irans intensely nationalistic revolutionary regime had never permitted foreign forces to operate from its soil. Until now. The reordering of the Middle East is proceeding apace. Where for 40 years the U.S.-Egypt alliance anchored the region, a Russia-Iran condominium is now dictating events. Thats what you get after eight years of U.S. retrenchment and withdrawal. Thats what results from the nuclear deal with Iran, the evacuation of Iraq and utter U.S. immobility on Syria. Consider: Iran: The nuclear deal was supposed to begin a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran. Instead, it has solidified a strategic-military alliance between Moscow and Tehran. With the lifting of sanctions and the normalizing of Irans international relations, Russia rushed in with major deals, including the shipment of S-300 ground-to-air missiles. Russian use of Iranian bases now marks a new level of cooperation and joint power projection. Iraq: These bombing runs cross Iraqi airspace. Before President Barack Obamas withdrawal from Iraq, that could not have happened. The resulting vacuum has not only created a corridor for Russian bombing, it has gradually allowed a hard-won post-Saddam Iraq to slip into Irans orbit. According to a Baghdad-based U.S. military spokesman, there are 100,000 Shiite militia fighters operating inside Iraq, 80 percent of them Iranian-backed. Syria: When Russia dramatically intervened last year, establishing air bases and launching a savage bombing campaign, Obama did nothing. Indeed, he smugly predicted that Vladimir Putin had entered a quagmire. Some quagmire. Bashar Assads regime is not only saved. It encircled Aleppo and has seized the upper hand in the civil war. Meanwhile, our hapless secretary of state is running around trying to sue for peace, offering to share intelligence and legitimize Russian intervention if only Putin will promise to conquer gently. Consider what Putin has achieved. Dealt a very weak hand a rump Russian state, shorn of empire and saddled with a backward economy and a rusting military he has restored Russia to great power status. Reduced to irrelevance in the 1990s, it is now a force to be reckoned with. In Europe, Putin has unilaterally redrawn the map. His annexation of Crimea will not be reversed. The Europeans are eager to throw off the few sanctions they grudgingly imposed on Russia. And the rape of eastern Ukraine continues. Ten thousand have already died and now Putin is threatening even more open warfare. Under the absurd pretext of Ukrainian terrorism in Crimea, Putin has threatened retaliation, massed troops in eight locations on the Ukrainian border, ordered Black Sea naval exercises, and moved advanced anti-aircraft batteries into Crimea, giving Moscow control over much of Ukrainian airspace. And why shouldnt he? Hes pushing on an open door. Obama still refuses to send Ukraine even defensive weapons. The administrations response to these provocations? Urging both sides to exercise restraint. Both sides, mind you. And in a gratuitous flaunting of its newly expanded reach, Russia will be conducting joint naval exercises with China in the South China Sea, in obvious support of Beijings territorial claims and illegal military bases. Yet the president shows little concern. He is too smart not to understand geopolitics; he simply doesnt care. In part because his priorities are domestic. In part because he thinks we lack clean hands and thus the moral standing to continue to play international arbiter. And in part because hes convinced that in the long run it doesnt matter. Fluctuations in great power relations are inherently ephemeral. For a man who sees a moral arc in the universe bending inexorably toward justice, calculations of raw realpolitik are 20th-century thinking primitive, obsolete, the obsession of small minds. Obama made all this perfectly clear in speeches at the U.N., in Cairo and here at home in his very first year in office. Two terms later, we see the result. letters@charleskrauthammer.com Texas A&M-San Antonio will welcome its first freshmen students Monday, making it the second full-fledged four-year public institution in Bexar County. It is a notable achievement for a campus whose founders fought a long, hard battle to establish a foothold on the South Side. It took major lobbying efforts by the Bexar County legislative delegation, led by the late Sen. Frank Madla, to convince state lawmakers to allow Texas A&M-Kingsville to open a center at Palo Alto College. Although the targeted location was in a historically underserved area, there was stiff resistance from those who thought another college campus would dilute the limited funds available for existing higher education institutions. At least one local private university president objected on the grounds that it would duplicate offerings on local campuses. Perseverance paid off. After years of struggling to draw students, the local school achieved its goals and gained accreditation as a stand-alone university in 2009. In the past seven years, TAMUSA has expanded its upper division course offerings for a growing list of degree programs. The university offers 22 undergraduate and 10 graduate degree programs. Its spring enrollment of 4,428 students makes it the fastest-growing campus in the Texas A&M System. The incoming freshman class boasts 450 students, and the numbers are expected to grow. Projections are for 10,000 students by 2020 and 23,000 by 2025, with an ultimate goal of 30,000 students. A student body that size would make it close to the University of Texas at San Antonio and position it as the second-largest university in the Texas A&M System. Expectations are high for Texas A&M-San Antonio, for both the education it provides and its role in the economic development of the South Side. Many of the universitys students are from Bexar County, but it is also drawing students from the region. About 60 percent identified themselves as first-generation college students. Now a commuter school, it will open a 382-bed residence hall next fall. Its unique for the states two premier university systems to have a presence in the same community, and it brings optimism about the future of an often-neglected sector of Bexar County. Property values near the campus are on the rise, the construction of new homes is in the works, and there have been some small business starts. Expanding higher education opportunities and increasing access serve as an economic engine on many levels. We look forward to watching TAMUSA grow. Political consultants and their clients are likely to exert pressure on the Texas Ethics Commission during the public comment period on a proposed rule that will close a loophole that essentially allows candidates to report how much they spend but not how. The commission should stand firm. Heres how the loophole works. Currently, candidates report their spending on consultants, who then spend the money on their clients behalf on such items as mail and television ads. But the consultants are not required to report their spending. The Texas Tribune recently reported on the commissions plans to curtail what is called campaign in a box. An apt name, but a more appropriate one is campaign in a sealed box. Under the proposed rule, the consultants would report how the money is spent to the candidates, who would then report that on their own forms. Initially, the Texas Tribune reported, the rule would have required the disclosure only if the clients told them how to spend the money. That has been tweaked to require disclosure for advertising, event expenses, travel, polling, printing, salaries, fundraising, travel and a number of other types of spending listed in state ethics law. The commission proposed the new rule on Monday. A public comment period follows. Last session, the House proposed closing the dark money loophole that allows donors to some politically active nonprofit groups to remain anonymous. The Senate balked. Gov. Greg Abbott has signaled that he would veto such a measure. State Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, proposes to bypass the governor, asking the Legislature to allow a state constitutional amendment that would accomplish this. This requires approval by two-thirds of lawmakers. The Legislature should pass this and look again at gifts to legislators, and the Ethics Commission should do its part, following through on campaign in a box. SACRAMENTO A proposal by Gov. Jerry Brown to speed up the development of housing that includes affordable units is dead after failing to garner enough support from the Legislature. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount (Los Angeles County), said Thursday that Browns unpopular proposal wont be addressed before the Legislature wraps up its business Aug. 31. Brown wanted legislation that would alow housing developments with affordable units to move more quickly through the permitting process, largely by bypassing the typically lengthy California Environmental Quality Act reviews but only if the projects were consistent with local zoning. Lawmakers referred to the proposal as the by-right plan. In exchange for the legislation, Brown had agreed to include $400 million in the 2016-17 budget for affordable housing, which Assembly Democrats wanted. But that money would not be released without the by-right legislation. Negotiations over the language began to fall apart this month. Labor and environmental groups walked away from negotiations with Brown last week. Rendons office told The Chronicle that the speaker believes there will be no further negotiations on the by-right housing proposal. That caused immediate rebuke from housing advocates, who had hoped lawmakers would persuade Brown to untie the development issue from the affordable housing money. When vital programs that provide housing for vulnerable Californians are on the table, we count on having leaders in our corner, said Ray Pearl, executive director of the California Housing Consortium. The time to invest $400 million in affordable housing is now; we cant wait for the housing crisis to drive more Californians into poverty. A coalition of advocates for affordable housing and poor Californians sent a letter Tuesday to Brown and legislative leaders saying that if the state has budgeted $400 million in affordable housing, it should go for its intended purpose. The decision to link that $400 million to enactment of a controversial proposal to streamline market-rate housing development approvals has left the money stranded, the groups wrote in the letter. Tying the money to the by-right proposal was Browns best shot at getting wary Democrats to sign on to the idea. Developers say the current process for public environmental reviews is too expensive and drawn out. But opponents, such as San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, called Browns proposal a huge giveaway to developers. Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, said the state still has to address its housing issues. The affordable housing crisis doesnt go away, Chiu said. It is imperative we figure out how to solve it. Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Scientists aboard an ocean research are probing the sunken remains of an American aircraft carrier that was blasted by atom bombs at Bikini during the first postwar tests of the nations nuclear firepower. Marine archaeologists and biologists aboard the E/V Nautilus its initials stand for Exploration Vessel said Thursday that they will use a remotely operated underwater vehicle to take the first new photographs of the Independence, the famed World War II aircraft carrier that survived the first Bikini atom bomb tests in the Pacific in 1946 and was later used to train sailors for radiation readiness at Hunters Point. The ship was finally sunk by the Navy in 1951 and now lies in 2,600 feet of water near the borders of the Monterey Bay and Greater Farallones national marine sanctuaries. Video from the exploration is being streamed live. James Delgado, a deep-sea archaeologist leading the effort to photograph the Independence, said biologists will also bring up samples of any marine organisms they collect. It is highly unlikely that any trace of radiation remains after all these years, but whatever we bring up will be scrupulously tested scientifically. Radiation specialists at UC Berkeley will be involved in the testing, and a Berkeley physicist will be on board the Nautilus on Monday to test samples of sponges and corals growing on the wreck as well as other organisms and sediments on the sea bottom, said Kai Vetter, a noted UC specialist in radiation detection. Vetter will also analyze the samples in greater detail in his campus laboratory, he said. The Nautilus carries two remotely operated undersea vehicles named Argus and Hercules that carry high-resolution cameras to photograph the sunken ship. They are also equipped with specialized tools to gather the samples of organisms that have been growing on the ships hull for more than six decades. The research is being undertaken by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, known as NOAA, which operates the marine sanctuaries. Delgado, a veteran diver, heads the agencys maritime history program. Delgado said Thursday that the ship will also be surveying other sunken wrecks across both sanctuaries and is heading north Friday to locate some of them. The records tell us that more than 400 wrecks are scattered all over the ocean here, he said. Well be looking first at the Dorothy Wintermote. Its an old lumber carrier that ran aground off Point Arena in 1938 and sank four days later, and there are plenty of others we expect to take a look at. The Nautilus is operated by the nonprofit Ocean Exploration Trust, headed by Robert Ballard, the famed Navy veteran and marine engineer who discovered and explored the sunken remains of the Titanic, and later the German battleship Bismarck. When were cruising over the bottom, everyone on shore can see everything our ROV cameras are seeing, and scientists all over the world can help us identify every new organism we find, Ballard said. Everybody will be able to see what were seeing when were examining the Independence, and while were looking at any wrecks we find. Ive always loved shipwrecks, so Ill be looking, too. Another scientific research vessel, the R/V Sally Ride, from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego, is arriving Friday at Piers 15 and 17 and will be open for free public tours on Saturday from 1to 4 p.m. The ship, named for the first female U.S. astronaut, will take teams of oceanographers, marine geologists, biologists and fisheries specialists around the world on research expeditions. The 30-minute tours of the ships science laboratories and high-tech equipment will require tickets; they will be available free at the east end of Pier 15 starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. David Perlman is The San Francisco Chronicles science editor. Email: dperlman@sfchronicle.com Observations from the Nautilus are being streamed live at www.nautiluslive.org. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Aug. 19 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: During the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, Turkmenistan will continue to actively contribute to the work of the international expert group on the development of a new international legal mechanism, designed to ensure the compliance with generally accepted rules on the global energy area, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message Aug. 19. Reliability and safety of international energy flows, legal security of supply routes have become decisive today, said the message. Forming its position on the issue, Turkmenistan is confident that the international transit of energy resources should be realized on an equal and equitable basis, and should be economically and commercially reasonable. In this context, Turkmenistan expresses its readiness for the closest cooperation with partners on the basis of clearly defined principles. The countrys Foreign Ministry draws attention to the fact that Turkmenistan, as the chairman of the International Energy Charter in 2017, will consistently defend them; firstly, the principle of freedom of transit, as fully consistent with its approach to the problem. Turkmenistan expresses its confidence that sustainable energy is an essential factor in strengthening the security and reliability of the global economy, protecting ecosystems and achieving equity in international affairs, said the message. Turkmenistan is one of the main actors in energy market of the Caspian region and Central Asia. Turkmenistan intends to bring the gas output up to 230 billion cubic meters until 2030, according to the countrys development program on oil and gas industry. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. This week, a federal judge said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could not look at a label revision for a tobacco product as a new product, the Winston-Salem Journal reports. Judge Amit Mehta ordered the agency to eliminate its proposed label changes guidance. The judge also said that if a product changes the quantity in the package, that would make it a new tobacco product and thus require FDA approval. The Altria Group Inc., Lorillard Inc. and Reynolds American Inc. filed suit against the FDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services just over two years ago, claiming the new rules restricted their First Amendment rights. Mehtas ruling stated that under the Tobacco Control Act of 2009, a modification to an existing products label does not result in a new tobacco product, and therefore such a label change does not give rise to the act's substantial equivalence review process. However, the judge found that changing the quantity or size of a tobacco product did make it fall under the FDAs stringent review process: The court harbors no doubt that the FDA would have adopted the product-quantity interpretation set for in the guidance separate and apart from the labeling-change interpretation. According to Altria spokesman Brian May, the company is pleased the court struck down FDAs requirement that manufacturers obtain pre-approval from the agency before modifying product labels, which was the principal focus on our lawsuit. Specifically, the court ruled that changing labels does not change the tobacco product itself, and therefore cannot be part of FDA's process for approving new tobacco products. As an expert I know who has written regularly on EU trade treaties said, Whatever the Brits are smoking, I want some. Not only is it very strong, its clearly a hallucinogen. Its astonishing to see what passes for leadership in the UK retreat into its own echo chamber and ignore the clear and consistent messages sent by EU officials, the even clearer signals of their actions in recent trade matters, the content of the various precedents that serve as points of reference for a possible Brexit deal, and the difficulties of negotiating any particular deal. The only logic I can see behind the City pumping for a wildly unrealistic and unworkable Swiss plus deal, aside from sheer arrogance and stupidity, which has been on display in abundance, is that it might be a cynical ploy. Depict a plan that is destined to go nowhere as eminently fair, reasonable and achievable when it isnt but the UK media will broadcast otherwise, then blame those evil controlling Eurocrats as the problem, as opposed to the unreasonable UK expectations. The big problem with this charitable interpretation is how British officials get European officials to trash the UK fantasy without pulling the Article 50 trigger. As to why the Citys plan is wildly off base, lets start with the overview from the Financial Times: The City of London has given up hope of universal access to the EU single market and is now seeking a bespoke deal for its different sectors to trade with Europe, with similar but stronger ties than Switzerland Mr [Anthony] Browne [chief executive of the British Bankers Association] cited Switzerlands trade deals with the EU that give some sectors, such as life insurance, full two-way access to the single market via a so-called passporting deal in return for keeping its regulation at an equivalent level to that in the bloc. Swiss banks do not benefit from any such trade deal, meaning they must do most of their EU capital markets business from their London subsidiaries. But the City, which was overwhelmingly in favour of remaining in the bloc before the June 23 referendum, will argue that because the UK is the biggest export market for the rest of the EU it should be able to negotiate a beefed-up version of Switzerlands arrangement Earlier this week, Michael Roth, Germanys European Affairs minister, said that the UK could gain special status with the EU and have a bespoke deal. He repeated warnings, however, that the UK would not be able to cherry pick its position. Why is this nutty? Europan officials have made it clear that any Brexit arrangement needs to be consistent with the templates for other deals. Consistent does not mean the same but it means generally that it needs to be fair with respect to the gives and gets of the arrangements that other non-EU members have. In other words, even the very term Swiss plus which seems to reflect an expectation that the Brits can get a better arrangement that Switzerland has, is fundamentally wrong-headed. Conceptually, they could use the Swiss treaties as a starting point for formulating their relationship, but the negotiators need to expect to make tradeoffs: if they want a better deal than Switzerland on one axis, they need to make a concession on some other element. The general tenor of the EU negotiating posture has become frostier since the UK voted for Brexit. The cheery belief that the UK will get special breaks because it is oh so important is contradicted by the consistent cool messages EU leaders have sent, and more important, their stern posture toward other trade supplicants of late. Swiss citizens in a binding referendum voted in 2014 to restrict immigration and the arrangements must be in place by early 2017. The EU has said firmly that Switzerland will lose its access to the single market if it restricts immigration. Similarly, Canada and the EU recently agreed on the terms of a trade pact which took seven years to conclude. In the wake of the Brexit vote, the European Commission threw a spanner in the works by stipulating that the pact be ratified by all the parliaments in the 28 member states. This means that any country that feels the Canadian deal will put it at a disadvantage has a veto. Passporting rights for financial services is a huge ask. Note, as the pink paper points out, that the Swiss arrangement has passporting for life insurance only, a much smaller sector for them than banking. Recall that the EU was already trying to take a chunk out of the City by requiring that the UK be barred from Euroclearing. The only reason the EU lost that suit (in which the powerful ECB was one of the plaintiffs) was that the European Court of Justice ruled that discrimination of that sort against an EU member was not permitted. With the UK out of the EU, the Euroclearing business will need to be migrated to the Continent. Weve also pointed out that European member states, such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain have large banks that are eager to take a piece of the Citys business. And even though British and American concerns that operate out of the UK can probably hold on to much of their franchises by reorganizing their operations, the UK still comes out a loser because people and activities will move out of London to other cities in the EU. The Financial Times story points out that passporting is important to the provision of quite a few services: Both the BBA [British Bankers Association] and [chair of Sandater UK] Ms [Shriti] Vaderas task force known as the European Financial Services Chairmans Advisory Committee have spent hours examining what access the City would have to the single market without a bilateral trade deal to replace EU membership. They have found that many areas of the industry such as cross-border lending and corporate deposit-taking would be left without access to EU customers. Their work mirrors a parallel assessment being made by the Treasury. What could the UK possibly give up in return for such an enormous concession? I cant come up with any fix save a ginormous bribe, um, annual contribution, which would be anathema to British voters. The UK will not get concessions on immigration if it is to have access to the single market. European leaders have been completely consistent on this issue, and with good reason. It would be political suicide for them to let the obstreperous UK get a special break when EU members allow freedom of movement. The tough posture towards the Swiss was a warning shot. The Financial Times acknowledges this issue but weirdly downplays it: A likely obstacle to achieving the type of bespoke trade treaty that many in the City are pushing for could be an EU demand that the UK accepts freedom of movement of people from the bloc as a condition of keeping any single market access. Given how passionately many Brexit supporters want to control immigration, they are unlikely to accept the type of arrangement that Switzerland and Norway have in effect accepted by joining the Schengen passport-free travel area. A Swiss-type deal would be nightmarishly complex to negotiate. Due to competing duties, weve been remiss of late in not writing up the huge difficulties the UK is having in assembling a remotely competent and sufficiently adequate in size team to handle Brexit talks. The UK has not had to handle any meaningful trade talks in decades, so it has no one with relevant skills in house. To make matters worse, has severely hollowed out its Foreign Office, so it is even lacking in generalist negotiators. The difficulties in getting a team include: no one wants to accept government pay when they can make a multiple of that getting hired through a mercenary like an outside law or accounting firm; those firms tend to have siloed experts (usually by industry), making it hard to make tradeoff across issues and areas; the sort of negotiators that the Brits might be able to tease out of retirement or poach from Brussels are pro-EU and will not be philosophically aligned with UK objectives. One analysis warned that one of the major objectives of the deal, for the UK to have more national sovereignty, was almost certain not to be realized in practice. Why? UK officials at all levels would be so taxed by a Brexit (recall that many UK rules and regulations that reference EU agreements would need to be redone as well) that they would almost certainly revert to copying and pasting existing provisions! A Swiss type deal makes all those difficulties vastly worse because it is not one deal (as say, the TPP and the TTIP are) but a huge raft of separate treaties. As Lee Sheppard of Tax Notes explained in early July (no online source): Switzerland has more than 100 separate agreements with the EU, which it negotiates sector by sector. Switzerland has to accept free movement of people from the EU, which threatened to throw it out of the trading area when it proposed to restrict immigration from the EU. The EU is trying to persuade Switzerland to abide by CJEU decisions. Switzerland also contributes to the EU budget. So even though Switzerland has a pretty good deal, it still gets pushed around a lot, as its recent concessions on bank secrecy demonstrate Despite having a lot of bilateral agreements with the EU, Switzerland does not enjoy the extensive market access that the UK would need. Switzerland lacks the financial services passport but can sell insurance in the EU. For those privileges it follows EU rules and contributes to the EU budget. Reality check: it took Canada seven years to negotiate a vastly simpler, less contentious agreement. Its approval was expected to take a minimum of a year before the European Commission got cute and imposed a 28-parliament signoff requirement. The Financial Times admits this might be a wee problem: There are fears that even if an acceptable deal is struck between the UK and Brussels, it could be scuppered if one of the 27 member states rejects it, as happened in April when the Netherlands voted in a referendum to rebuff a planned EU free-trade accord with Ukraine. So as weve said before, the UK expects to get a pony in its Brexit talks. Good luck with that. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Aug. 19 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistan will host the Global Sustainable Transport Conference on Nov. 26-27, the Turkmen government said in a message. The conference will be held in Turkmenistans capital Ashgabat in accordance with the UN resolution titled Towards comprehensive cooperation among all modes of transport for promoting sustainable multimodal transit corridors, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2015. A wide range of topical issues have been proposed for the conference agenda. The Conference will bring together key stakeholders from governments, the private sector, and civil society to engage in dialogue that emphasizes the integrated and cross-cutting nature of sustainable transport. All modes of transport road, rail, aviation and maritime will be addressed as well as transport both in urban and rural areas, energy and transport, public transport, countries in special situations, road safety and financing for sustainable transport, while looking at the same time how to find a new paradigm for transport sustainability. The program of work will reflect the diversity and complexity of the transport sector and will provide a platform for forging partnerships and initiatives to advance sustainable transport objectives. Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan railways, road and railway bridges over the Amu Darya River, airports, motorways, and the international sea port of Turkmenbashi are designed to be the important links of international network of transport communications in the region. Whistleblower Eric Ben-Artzi, fired from Deutsche Bank for refusing to go along with the banks efforts to under-report the risks of a massive derivatives trading strategy, one that eventually blew up the Canadian commercial paper market, was the lead story at the Financial Times today. Ben-Artzi refused to take his share of a $16.5 million SEC whistleblower settlement, the third largest since this new program started. The reason? Per a letter that Ben-Artzi sent to the Financial Times (reproduced in full at the end of this post with his permission), he objected to the agencys failure to punish anyone at the bank. As he put it, after suffering at the hands of the Deutsche executives I will not join them simply because I cannot beat them. For background on the trade itself, see here for the details (note we wrote this post after Matt Levine at Bloomberg issued a typical nothing to see here dismissal. Even the normally-complacent SEC begged to differ). An overview from a 2013 post: The underlying trade in question was a MEGO (My Eyes Glaze Over) type, a pre-crisis confection called a leveraged super senior trade. The extensive attachments to Ben-Artzis complaint made it clear (once you parsed them) that the valuation of this very large trade was basically a kludge. Ben-Artzi had been hired from Goldman to address that, and was pretty much prevented from doing his job, and then fired. The reason this is a big deal is Deutsches losses on the trade would have been as much as $12 billion versus $45 billion of equity. And it had to go through what was called the largest credit resturcturing in history to dodge that bullet. Both the Bundesbank and the SEC are investigating the complaints about this trade. As Ben-Artzi explained, and as weve discussed numerous times over the years, the revolving door between Deutsche Bank and the SEC is so extensive that its hard to see it as an accident. Weve argued repeatedly that the failure of the SEC to pursue abuses in the CDO market in anything more than a cursory manner was due to the fact that the head of enforcement, Robert Khuzami, had been the General Counsel for the Americas for Deutsche Bank from 2004 to 2009. Deutsche Bank salesman Gregg Lippmann was patient zero of CDO abuses. CDOs constructed for the purpose of generating cheap subprime shorts were the mechanism that turned what would have been a savings and loan level domestic banking crisis into a global financial cataclysm. The failure of the press and regulators to pursue the central role of this strategy in the financial conflagration means that how and why we had a global financial crisis is still almost universally misunderstood. But any serious investigation of CDOs would have implicated Deutsche Bank and thus Khuzami. And please dont try arguing Khuzami could have recused himself. The head of an operation cannot effectively be taken out of the picture. No one is going to pursue a probe that will undermine his boss unless he thinks he can pull off a palace coup. But as the Ben-Artzi case reveals, its even worse. As we wrote in June 2013 in Mary Jo White Institutionalizes Deutsche Bank Protection Racket at the SEC, the agency hired Robert Rice as its chief counsel. Rice had been head of governance, litigation and regulation for Deutsche Bank for the Americas. Ben-Artzi had filed an anti-discrimination suit against him and three others. Dick Walker, who had been the SECs head of enforcement from 1998 to 2001, left to join Deutsche Bank, later becoming its general counsel. Critically, Ben-Artzi describes a two-tier standard of enforcement. He cites the SEC action against the pipsqueak Trinity Capital, and its Los Alamos National Bank operation, which engaged in misconduct that resembled that at Deutsche Bank. But there, the agency filed charges against five executives. The CEO paid a fine as part of his settlement and litigation against two other officers is still in process. The key section from Ben-Artzis letter regarding the glaring conflicts of interest: So why did the SEC not go after Deutsches executives? The most obvious concern is that Deutsches top lawyers revolved in and out of the SEC before, during and after the illegal activity at the bank. Robert Rice, the chief lawyer in charge of the internal investigation at Deutsche in 2011, became the SECs chief counsel in 2013. Robert Khuzami, Deutsches top lawyer in North America, became head of the SECs enforcement division after the financial crisis. Their boss, Richard Walker, the banks longtime general counsel (he left the bank this year) was once head of enforcement at the SEC. This goes beyond the typical revolving door story. In this case, top SEC lawyers had held senior posts at the bank, moving in and out of top positions at the regulator even as the investigations into malfeasance at Deutsche were ongoing. This took place on the watch of Mary Jo White, the current chair of the SEC, whose relationship with Mr Khuzami and Mr Rice dates back 20 years. She bears ultimate responsibility for the Deutsche fine. And to reiterate the point we made earlier: Khuzami and Rice recusing themselves from the Deutsche Bank investigation was a joke. The individuals who would be left running the project would all be their subordinates. Mary Jo White, per her endorsement of this revolving door and the SECs continued refusal to sanction executives at major firms, despite continuing pressure from the media and reform-minded legislators like Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown, is clearly no supporter of enforcement that might shake up big banks or worse, highlight how badly she erred in accepting senior staff members from banks with more than a little air of sulphur about them. Any SEC employee with an operating brain cell would see that following a line of investigation that might implicate Khuzami or Rice would be a career-limiting move. This case highlights an even bigger issue: the degree to which attorneys and other professionals are now in the business of providing cover for crooked behavior. In the stone ages of my youth, lawyers used to tell clients what the rules were, how close to the line they could go, and what would happen if they stepped over it. Now they seem mainly to be acting as professional liability shields. One way is via having outside firms rationalize questionable actions. The execs can say, We relied on expert advice! and they are off the hook. Benjamin Lawsky, the former Superintendent of Financial Services for the State of New York, started to tackle that issue by sanctioning outside consultants and law firms for providing liability cover in dodgy circumstances. The Deutsche Bank (and also Goldman) heavy-duty use of the revolving door is another protection racket. The idea that Khuzami and Rice could effectively recuse themselves is an insult to the intelligence of anyone who has ever worked in an organization of meaningful size. Inside players then going into key regulatory positions that shield all actions taken on their watch in their past life has to stop. And keep this in mind: having lawyers from big firms that have poor compliance cultures (and even by the bad standards of Wall Street, Deutsche Bank was a standout) has another destructive effect: those attorneys will be deeply invested in defending the tainted institutional standards of their former home. That means that they will depict this dubious conduct as normal to SEC staffers, further undermining vigorous enforcement. The Financial Times story on Ben-Artzis rebuff describes the cost to him: The award determination, which was made in July but has not been previously disclosed, allocated $8.25m each to Mr Ben-Artzi and Matt Simpson, a former Deutsche trader, who both applied for it Mr Ben-Artzi said that although he would refuse to take any money himself, he was not able to reject parts of his award accounting for the majority of the $8.25m that were claimed by his ex-wife, lawyer or outside experts who worked on his submissions to the SEC. Help make sure this sacrifice was not in vain. More and more members of the Senate have come to recognize that Mary Jo White, who was once enormously effectively prosecutor, is engaging in compliance theater in her current role. Nine Senators wrote White last month to demand why the SEC had not taken the basic step of issuing investor bulletins, which summarize recent abuses and enforcement actions on private equity, as it has with hedge funds. While this may seem like a minor bureaucratic failure, it actually gets at the heart of the SECs too-obvious lack of enthusiasm for pursuing private equity abuses in anything more than a pro-forma manner. Please e-mail or call the Senators who signed the July letter. Urge them to demand an explanation from Mary Jo White of the failure to fine Deutsche Bank executives over the leveraged super senior trade abuse, and more generally, to probe Whites failure to question how the depth of revolving door relationships between Deutsche Bank and the SEC have made it impossible for the agency to conduct anything more than a superficial investigation, particularly on the central issue of who was ultimately responsible and therefore needs to be held to account? Please press them to conduct hearings on how the revolving door amounts to a protection racket for senior bank executives, and above all, the lawyers themselves that turned a blind eye to or actively enabled misconduct. These Senators are: Tammy Baldwin Sherrod Brown Richard Durbin Al Franken Patrick Leahy Jeff Merkeley Jack Reed Bernie Sanders Elizabeth Warren You can find their contact information here. If any of them is your Senator, be sure to mention that, and in those cases, it would be desirable to call their office in their home state. Below is Ben Artzis letter. I hope youll circulate it widely. By Eric Ben-Artzi, a mathematician and former risk analyst at Goldman and Deutsche Bank; now a vice president of risk analytics at BondIT We must protect shareholders from executive wrongdoing I just got word from the Securities and Exchange Commission that I am to receive half of a $16.5m whistleblower award. But I refuse to take my share. My award, which comes from a fund allocated by Congress, amounts to 15 per cent of the $55m fine the SEC imposed on Deutsche Bank in May 2015 after I informed regulators that my colleagues at the bank had been inflating the value of its massive portfolio of credit derivatives. I was a risk officer at the bank, and one of the three whistleblowers who in 2010-11 reported the improper accounting internally and to regulators around the globe. The SEC attorney who oversaw the investigation told the New York Times: Its the only enforcement action where we allege that a major financial institution failed to properly value a significant portion of its portfolio of complex securities. But Deutsche did not commit this wrongdoing. Deutsche was the victim. To be precise, the banks shareholders and its rank-and-file employees who are now losing their jobs in droves are the primary victims. Meanwhile, top executives retired with multimillion-dollar bonuses based on the misrepresentation of the banks balance sheet. It is therefore especially disappointing that in 2015, after a lengthy investigation helped by multiple whistleblowers, the SEC imposed a fine on Deutsches shareholders instead of the managers responsible. Compare this outcome with a contemporaneous SEC enforcement action against the less connected executives of a smaller firm, Trinity Capital, and its subsidiary Los Alamos National Bank. The violations at Trinity seem similar to Deutsche, but orders of magnitude smaller. Five executives at Trinity were charged, the chief executive settled and paid a fine, and litigation continued against two senior officers. Former officer who exposed false accounting declines share of payout after executives go unpunished We will hold senior executives liable when they misstate the companys performance and fail to come clean with shareholders, explained Andrew Ceresney, director of the SECs Division of Enforcement. So why did the SEC not go after Deutsches executives? The most obvious concern is that Deutsches top lawyers revolved in and out of the SEC before, during and after the illegal activity at the bank. Robert Rice, the chief lawyer in charge of the internal investigation at Deutsche in 2011, became the SECs chief counsel in 2013. Robert Khuzami, Deutsches top lawyer in North America, became head of the SECs enforcement division after the financial crisis. Their boss, Richard Walker, the banks longtime general counsel (he left the bank this year) was once head of enforcement at the SEC. This goes beyond the typical revolving door story. In this case, top SEC lawyers had held senior posts at the bank, moving in and out of top positions at the regulator even as the investigations into malfeasance at Deutsche were ongoing. This took place on the watch of Mary Jo White, the current chair of the SEC, whose relationship with Mr Khuzami and Mr Rice dates back 20 years. She bears ultimate responsibility for the Deutsche fine. In 2010 I joined Deutsche from Goldman Sachs as a vice-president in the market-risk department. I am a mathematician and had worked in risk-modelling at other banks. When I joined Deutsche I was not made aware that an internal investigation was already under way into the inflated valuation of the banks $120bn portfolio of exotic credit derivatives. Within a few months, though, I realised something was very wrong, and I called the internal hotline. That is when I met Mr Rice. He was then Deutsches top lawyer for compliance and regulatory affairs, and asserted that our conversations were subject to attorney-client privilege and could not be disclosed. I did not agree and was fired. My Wall Street career was ruined. When I first helped the SEC investigation, the whistleblower award was a powerful incentive. My lawyers and ex-wife have a claim on a portion of my award, which I am not at liberty to reject. Although I need the money now more than ever, I will not join the looting of the very people I was hired to protect. I never intended to turn a job in risk management into a crusade, but after suffering at the hands of the Deutsche executives I will not join them simply because I cannot beat them. I request that my share of the award be given to Deutsche and its stakeholders, and the award money clawed back from the bonuses paid to the Deutsche executives, especially the former top SEC attorneys. I would then be happy to collect any award for which I am eligible. At promptly 11:45 a van for Manuel Antonio Surf School pulls up out front of our home, Villa Oasis, for the last three nights of our 10 day Costa Rican vacation. My boyfriend, Michael, and I are greeted by two locals who help us into the van. Our instructor, Lorenzo, introduces himself and informs us that we will be heading to Dominical, a surf spot about 40 minutes outside of Manuel Antonio. We drive along a typical Costa Rican highway, which consists of one lane each direction. The speed of Costa Rican drivers fluctuates from 20 to 70 miles per hour on the highway so cars pass by swerving into the left lane and hoping to make it to the right before a collision with head on traffic. Upon landing in Costa Rica, we had rented a car and had grown relatively acclimated to this pass and pray method, but it still jolted me every time wed swerve back into our lane, moments before oncoming traffic. We arrive safely at Playa Dominicalito, a less popular surfing spot known for its great waves, yet the tide was quite low by the time we arrived around 12:30. The low tide exposed various rocks and Lorenzo decided we should head to Playa Dominical instead to avoid surfing into rocks. As a complete beginner who has never surfed, I was grateful for his professional guidance. We learn that we will return later to have our lunch of shrimp and rice at one of the carts located at the beach entrance. Four steps to surfing At Dominical, Lorenzo gives us a 5 minute run down of the four steps to surfing: 1. Lay with your stomach flat and your feet almost off the edge of the surf board and place your hands close to your chest, making sure that everything is tight and compact. 2. Use your arms to enter the cobra position in yoga, with arms straight and abs engaged. 3. Twist your dominant leg out so that your knee is bent and ready to propel yourself to a standing position on the surf board. 4. Step with your other leg to the center of the board and twist so your feet are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the board, keeping them about shoulder-width apart. It is important to keep your knees bent to improve balance on the board. Once we have practiced those four steps two or three times on the sand we are ready to put them into practice in the water. Lorenzo explains how to maneuver the surf board over the waves and we are off. He is standing in the water which is almost to his neck, and at times over his head. We are both on our boards. He positions us and gives us a push as he yells Get up! I am first and I stand up immediately! I fall shortly after but the moment fills me with the sense that this is totally doable, even with no experience. I am 53 and my boyfriend is 64 and we were both up and surfing within the first few waves. We continuously return to Lorenzo who positions us before we pop up and surf for 30 seconds or so each wave. After about 45 minutes or an hour we are informed by our driver from the shore that lunch is ready and we head back in. Fresh pineapple and cold water is ready for us as we reach the van. We head back to Dominicalito and enjoy a low-key lunch. We learn that Lorenzo, who was born and raised in Manuel Antonio, is like most Costa Ricans and learned to surf at the young age of 8 and started teaching as early as he could, when he was 13 and could help out older instructors. Michael and I discuss how surprised we were at our abilities to stand up and ride in such a short amount of time but I was still frustrated by my lack of prowess and wanted to be better. Yet I had the feeling that this is all the surfing we will be doing for the day and it definitely felt like just a taste. I am also a little disappointed because I didnt have the opportunity to take a photo or two to commemorate the experience. We participated in multiple tours throughout our time in Costa Rica (including ziplining and monkey hikes) and most guides made efforts to ensure that everyone had a photo to remember the experience. I was surprised that our guides didnt offer to snap a photo or two. I asked if I could get a picture of Michael and I with our boards and Lorenzo could sense that we werent ready to be done. He asked if we wanted to surf more, we resoundingly responded with yes! The plan was to visit a waterfall after lunch but he said we could cut down on time spent at the waterfall to surf more. I knew prior to our lesson that the itinerary would include surfing, lunch, then a trip to the waterfall but our guides didnt make it clear what our timeline would look like for the day. Surfing Playa Dominicalito We appreciated Lorenzos willingness to let us surf some more. After lunch the tide had risen at Playa Dominicalito so the waves would be more enjoyable and less rocky so we headed into the water. Our driver took photos on Michaels phone from the shore. After lunch our surfing skills had greatly improved and we both rode almost every wave. After about half an hour I have had enough of the rocks and constant waves, so I head back to shore and Michael follows me soon after. He sustains a minor cut on his foot from the jagged rocks but our guides have first aid equipment and bandage him up without a problem. I am happy to see all the great actions shots our driver took of us learning to surf. We drive for a short 5 minutes to El Ojo de Agua, or water eye and take in the view of this lovely waterfall. I climb along the side and swing off the rope near the falls into the water. Swimming in the cool water is a refreshing way to end our day after getting pounded by salty waves in the morning. After about 15 minutes we load up into the van and head back to Manuel Antonio. Our ride back to our hotel is quiet as we are all exhausted. Lorenzo passes out because he did 99% of the work, positioning us both while getting pummeled by waves. We arrive back at our hotel around 5 pm and thank our excellent tour guides. Overall we had a wonderful experience with Manuel Antonio Surf School. Need to Know: The Dominical Tour offered by Manuel Antonio Surf School is $130 for the day and includes a lesson, lunch and a stop at the waterfall. If I were to do this tour again I would have signed up for their basic lesson which runs at $65 and focuses exclusively on surfing. The all day tour was great, however, I was mainly interested in learning how to surf. If you want to maximize your time in the water, I recommend surfing lessons. If you know how to surf and want the combination experience of surfing in Costa Rica and a scenic excursion, sign up for the waterfall tour. As I reside in Portland, Oregon where skies are often grey and rainy I am already planning a trip to sunny San Diego, California with hopes of catching more waves thanks to a great first-time surfing experience with Manuel Antonio Surf School! If You Go: Manuel Antonio Surf School 506 2777 4842 info@masurfschool Calle Principal a Manuel Antonio, frente a Pajaro Azul Quepos, Costa Rica Learning to surf review written by Kendall C. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. She received a media rate from Manuel Antonio Surf School while traveling in Costa Rica. The post Riding Waves at Manuel Antonio Surf School first appeared on https://www.nancydbrown.com. 'It just flipped': Busch details final season with Joe Gibbs Racing in 'Race for the Championship' In the latest episode of USA Network's "Race for the Championship," Busch describes the change at JGR and is introduced with a new team. Tehran, Iran, Aug. 19 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Tehran is encouraging the private sector to file a suit against Turkmenistan if they find Turkmenistans new tariff regime on transit trucks to expose them to financial loss. The private sector and international transportation companies that have suffered financially can sue [Turkmenistan] in international bodies, Irans Minister of Transport Abbas Akhondi said, IRNA news agency reported Aug. 19. Akhondi made the remarks after he signed a document authorizing the formation of a special workgroup to investigate the recent rise in Turkmenistans tariffs on Iranian transit trucks. Filing suits in international courts can act as a suitable deterrence against the Turkmen government, which claims to be the focal point of international events, the Iranian minister said. The war of tariffs between the two countries was ignited by Turkmenistan on Aug. 8 when it assigned $160 entrance duties for less-than-20-ton trucks and $260 entrance duties on more-than-20-ton trucks from Iran, added by $1 per kilometer mileage extra tariff. The move came without any advance notice. Shortly afterwards, Iran retaliated, saying transit trucks from Turkmenistan would have to pay more tariffs while crossing Iranian borders from Aug. 13. The tariffs recently implemented by Iran consist of $270 entrance fee and $1 per kilometer drive in the Iranian territory. Tehran, Iran, Aug. 19 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: The Islamic Republic of Iran is able to increase its gas export to Turkey by 6 million cubic meters per day (mcmd), said CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company Hamidreza Araqi. The existing contract would not allow Iran to do so and a new contract is needed to be signed by the two countries, Araqi told SHANA news agency Aug. 19. The official pointed to an Aug. 12 visit to Turkey by Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as related to the decision. The increase in gas export, thus, seems to be a part of a broad series of agreements between Iran and Turkey during Zarifs trip, of which their political cooperation on the ongoing Syrian crisis made the most headlines. The gas export issue, thus, indicates the use of energy resources as a tool for Tehran to achieve political favors. Under a contract that is currently underway, Iran is exporting 30 mcmd of gas to the neighboring country. Irans gas export from March 20 to Aug. 15 amounted to 2.093 billion cubic meters (bcm). The export for the same period last year was 2.051 bcm. Tehran, Iran, Aug. 19 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Volkswagen and an Iranian car maker are going to sign a contract in the few days to come, according to which the German and Iranian companies will produce cars in Iran, Irans Deputy Minister of Industry Mansour Moazami said. By the end of the current Iranian fiscal year (March 20), Iran is expected to sign four or five deals with foreign companies in car making, the official said, ILNA news agency reported Aug. 17. Two major Iranian car makers have recently signed contracts with foreign counterparts for joint car production. Iran-Khodro signed a deal with Peugeot and Saipa signed one with Citroen. Irans car production stood at 900,000 the last Iranian year. Moazami said the number is expected to rise to 1.3 million this year. Where is the lead exposure risk in your community? How we created this map Why it took so long to come up with a map like this Urban areas have greater concentrations of risk, especially old industrial cities (Older industrial cities like New York and Chicago have a large percentage of areas with risk scores of 10. In New York City, 20 percent of areas have a risk of 10 and in Chicago, 23 percent of areas. But cities like Los Angeles and Miami have significantly fewer areas at risk. In Los Angeles, only 12 percent of areas have a risk of 10 and in Miami, only 2 percent.) Knowing about high-risk areas is important. But what are the side effects of knowing? What this map tells us: Lead exposure risk is greatest in urban areas and less common in Western states (Western states like Colorado have a greater percentage of areas with lower exposure to lead than states like Pennsylvania, but urban centers like Denver have pockets of risk.) (In Nebraska, where more than a quarter of the state is rural, 92 percent of areas have a lead exposure risk of 6 or greater.) (NaturalNews) Neighborhoods where kids face the highest risk of lead poisoning exist all across America.The trouble is that exposure risk is surprisingly difficult estimate, due to a variety of state-by-state differences in reporting standards. So we worked with epidemiologists in Washington state to estimate risk levels in every geographic area in America.(Article by Sarah Frostenson and Sarah Kliff, republished from http://www.vox.com "As a parent, I found it very alarming," says Holly Davies, who works in Washington's Department of Ecology on lead exposure reduction. "My son was born in West Virginia, and there it was standard practice that at one year they get screened [for lead poisoning risk]. But here it wasn't a standard thing; I was the one who had to bring it up."The map you'll see below shows the risk of lead exposure across the United States. The areas where kids are at highest risk of lead exposure an estimate calculated using government data about the surroundings are scattered all across the country.These are the bright red areas in the map you see below the places that public health researchers have identified as having the highest risk of lead exposure. You can see that the vast majority cluster in urban areas.Vox worked with the Washington State Department of Health to map lead exposure risk nationally by census tract. We used housing and poverty data in our calculations to show areas of risk. These are not confirmed lead poisoning cases. (For interactive map of America please visit: http://www.vox.com/a/lead-exposure-risk-map In some of America's oldest and largest urban areas, places like New York and Chicago, one in five census tracts geographic areas that usually have between 1,200 and 8,000 people have very high risks of lead exposure. (We use a scale of one to 10 we use in the map above; these areas rank as a 10.)In younger metro areas, like Los Angeles, risks are smaller but still present; 12 percent of census tracts there have risk scores of 10. And it's important to remember that public health experts say no level of lead exposure is safe for children.Our map uses a methodology that Washington State's Department of Health pioneered earlier this year to estimate kids' risk of lead exposure in different neighborhoods. Their mission was to determine how to focus scarce public health dollars on the kids most at risk of being poisoned by lead. We worked with one of the chief epidemiologists who created the map, Rad Cunningham, to replicate the state's methodology nationally and apply it to all 72,241 census tracts in the United States.The idea wasn't just to treat lead poisoning the effects of lead exposure are often irreversible but rather to use mapping tools to prevent exposure from happening in the first place.To do this, researchers in Washington combed through the literature on lead poisoning to understand what factors best correlate with risk. They found that there were two the age of the houses (which predicts the likelihood of lead paint) and poverty that the literature consistently finds to be correlated with more kids coming into contact with lead."It's an extremely valuable tool," says Surili Patel, who is the American Public Health Association's senior program manager for environmental health. She has worked with Washington state, but not on this map. "I can see this helping the medical community and communities at risk understand where they are and why to pay attention."Rob Walker, a public health official in Iowa who chairs the Center for Disease Control's working group on Environmental Health Tracking said that Washington's map uses "the best data available and a sound methodology" to create the risk scores.It can be frustratingly difficult sometimes impossible for a parent or even a public health researcher to find good data on where the risks of lead exposure are highest."We don't really know where the problem is; we don't know where to target our resources to protect kids," Bruce Lanphear, a professor at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver who studies the effects of low-level lead exposure in children, recently told Vox.Cities and states aren't required to report data on how many kids have lead poisoning, or to even test all children for exposure. Flint's crisis earlier this year was unusually visual because of the unmistakable rust coloring the water, but lead normally isn't the type of toxin you can smell, see, or taste. It's different from secondhand smoke or air pollution in that it is invisible.In lieu of consistent reporting standards, the country gets left with a hodgepodge of data. Different states have different standards; for example, because Washington and neighboring Oregon or Idaho have different standards for which kids they screen, it's difficult to compare lead exposure risk levels."You get to compare side by side, an apples-to-apples understanding," Patel of the APHA says of the national map. "It goes to the bigger picture of getting uniform data."States that do very little testing might show very few lead poisoning cases which can create the appearance of safety but actually reflects a lack of data. Washington, for example, has had historically low levels of lead screening with only about 1 percent of all children there getting tested.Cunningham and his colleagues built a map meant to show both parents and health providers the places where they should be most concerned about the possibility of kids experiencing lead exposure."The ultimate goal is to make sure we're testing the kids who need to be tested," Elisabeth Long, also an epidemiologist with Washington, says. "This helps us start taking public health actions, and prevent other kids from exposure."There are certain challenges that come along with discussing lead risk and that might explain why it's an area that health departments have not approached aggressively.One is that high-risk scores don't correlate perfectly with an individual's chance of exposure. There are kids who live in the high-risk areas who might be just fine they might live in a brand new house, for example and children in low-risk areas who could still be harmed by exposure to lead."It's a hard message when you're talking about lead exposure," Long says. "And we don't want to be alarmist, but also [we want to] give more people more information about where they live."Sometimes health departments can be reticent to single out a specific area as "high risk," as it could pose economic harm if other families or businesses don't want to move there."One worry you can have is about a domino effect, where businesses may decide to pull out in high-risk areas or real estate prices go up in the lower-risk areas," APHA's Patel says. She still thinks it's better to make this type of information public, even though it does carry some of these risks.There are also limitations to how much epidemiologists can do to map risk. There are other factors that studies have associated with lead risk whether there has historically been a local lead smelting plant, for example. But this map doesn't take that factor into account, because the data on where those plants are isn't as robust as data on poverty and housing age, which the federal government tracks closely.While the data is relatively granular, pointing to how high the risk level in your specific geographic area might be, it still does not tell us which specific houses could expose children to lead."One challenge is that there is huge variability from neighborhood," says David Jacobs, chief scientist at the National Center for Healthy Housing. "What would be even more preferable is finding the exact houses where lead exists."This map identifies the places where kids would experience the highest and lowest risks of lead poisoning. It does that by taking all 72,241 census tracts and assigning them a risk score between 1 and 10, based on how old the local houses are and the percentage of the population living in poverty.Each grouping represents 10 percent of the total number of census tracts, so within each risk level (all the dark blue census tracts with a 1, for example) there is some variation. But what this map does especially well, as Cunningham explained, is identify the hotspots for lead exposure.A high risk score doesn't mean kids living there are certain to come into contact with lead or to even to become poisoned. But it does show that, given what we know about lead exposure, kids in these areas are more at risk for such contact.Areas of the country with lower risk are typically located in less populated Western states like Nevada, Arizona, or Colorado, where more than 25 percent of the areas have a lead risk score of 1. But there are also Southern states like Florida and Texas, where more than 15 percent of the tracts have a lead risk score of 1.On average, only 8 percent of census tracts, or geographic areas, in a state have a high risk of lead exposure. But there are four states Rhode Island, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania where more than 20 percent of the census tracts have a lead exposure risk of 10.Of the 7,224 census tracts with lead exposure risks of 10 the highest possible risk level the vast majority, 92 percent, are located in urban areas. In New York and Chicago, about 20 percent of census tracts have the highest risk score.Risks can be higher in some smaller cities, too. In small metro areas with populations under 2 million like Cleveland, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, more than 30 percent of all census tracts have a high risk of lead exposure. Even smaller cities with populations under 150,000 like New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Utica, New York, have high risks of lead exposure, with more than 40 percent of all census tracts at extreme risk.There are also rural areas with high risks of lead exposure. While only 17 rural tracts have a lead exposure risk of 10, the highest risk, 55 percent of rural areas have lead exposure risk levels of 6 or greater. Some states with large percentages of rural census tracts, like Kansas and Nebraska, have large swaths of lead exposure risks. In Nebraska, 92 percent of rural areas have a lead risk exposure score of 6 or greater.Read more at: http://www.vox.com Sources:[1] http://www.vox.com [2] http://www.nytimes.com [3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241046/ [4] http://www.vox.com [5] http://www.vox.com/2016/1/21/10811004/lead-poisoning-cities-us Are US government experiments from the '50s responsible for Zika today? (NaturalNews) As the first confirmed cases of Zika infection are now being reported in the U.S., the truth about where this virus came from and how our own government actually intended to use it as a weapon of mass destruction against Communist enemies after World War II is starting to emerge.Sarah Laskow fromtells the hidden story of Zika in a new investigative report, uncovering a little-known plot by the American military to usemosquitos, the main carriers of Zika, as a biological weapons delivery system during the McCarthy-era "Red Scare."Though tons of American money was poured into eradicating Zika from areas throughout the Caribbean where it was ravaging soldiers and local populations, the U.S. was also one of the last countries to engage ineradication within its own borders as part of a hemisphere-wide effort to combat yellow fever. That's because the federal government secretly realized that Zika could be used to its political advantage.At the same time that South America had all but completely eliminated Zika during the 1950s, the American military was busy studying how insects like mosquitos could be used as carriers of silent weaponry. Researchers at Fort Detrick, the military's biological weapons base in Maryland, figured out thatcould be "deployed" like a tank or plane to engage in combat.Experiments that were previously hidden involved raising hundreds of thousands ofmosquitos for the purpose of studying their spread. Chemical Corps reports published in 1960 show thatmosquitos were intentionally released throughout Florida and parts of Georgia -- the same areas where Zika-spreading mosquitos are causing problems today.The success of these operations resulted in the Chemical Corps setting up anproduction system, of sorts, where 500,000 new mosquitos could be bred monthly. Scientists would rear the creatures using a combination feed made up of sugar water and blood, and later release them into the wild.Contaminating these mosquitos with Zika , it was quickly realized, could be accomplished simply by mixing the virus with the sugar water and blood solution, which ended up infecting the new eggs. The operation was such a success that the Chemical Corps had planned to construct an entire facility in Arkansas capable of incubatingof Zika mosquitos per month, though the plan never came to fruition.The U.S. government's position towards Zika has long been duplicitous , this particular piece of history exemplifying that. The U.S. Public Health Service was supposedly trying to eradicate Zika and its carrier mosquitos in alliance with South America at the same time that the U.S. Army was trying to produce more of them for biological weaponry.It makes no sense until you realize that our nation's military has an extensive history of performing biological experimentation behind a cloak of secrecy, often unawares to even other branches within the same government apparatus. In this case, Zika andmosquitos were intentionally brought into the U.S. and used for research, begging the question: is this why Zika is still with us today?It's important to remember that Zika typically isn't even all that threatening to human health. If a person contracts it, he or she might develop symptoms like fever or headaches, though most sufferers don't even show symptoms. And truth be told, avoiding Zika is a simple as wearing an effective bug repellant like the Health Ranger's Bugs Away spray , which is free of DEET and other toxic chemicals. Tehran, Iran, Aug. 19 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is going to visit Iran Aug. 24, sources have revealed. Sources in the Turkish government have said that Erdogan will visit Iran to follow up on a series of cooperation among Ankara, Tehran and Moscow over the ongoing Syrian crisis, Tasnim news agency reported Aug. 19. The sources said that cooperation among the three countries will see a huge boost over the coming months. They also said Ankara stresses the territorial integrity of Syria and prevention of the formation of smaller regional governments, the report added. The sources also stressed Ankaras preparedness to engage in joint operations with Russia to fight the Islamic State (IS, aka ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) terrorist group. Turkey has grown more welcoming of Russias and Irans position on the Syrian crisis in the past few months. The country took sides with the US and Saudi Arabia in rearing opposition groups in Syria, but now voices a position that is more like that of Tehran and Moscow. Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Ankara a week ago. There, the Syrian issue constituted the hottest topic of discussion. On Aug. 16, it was announced that Iran had accommodated Russian bombers at one of its western air bases to help Russias air raids on Syrian terrorists. Aetna reports huge financial losses under Obamacare Government: Just raise the premiums and you'll be fine Is a healthcare collapse on the horizon? (NaturalNews) Healthcare providers are increasingly unable to survive unforeseen costs associated with Obamacare. In June, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas announced its plan to significantly increase health insurance rates, hitting the pocketbooks of some 600,000 residents.Now, healthcare insurer Aetna has announced that it will completely pull out of the Affordable Care Act individual public exchanges in 11 states, due to millions of dollars in losses. The provider said that it will still offer coverage in Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska and Virginia, but will cease operations in 11 other states beginning next year, as reported byA statement released by Aetna Chairman and CEO, Mark T. Bertolini, said that the company suffered "a second-quarter pretax loss of $200 million and total pretax losses of more than $430 million since January 2014 in our individual products."Of the 11 million Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, 838,000 were Aetna customers, according to data compiled in June. Aetna is the third large insurer to scale back services under Obamacare.UnitedHealth Group said it will also exit most exchanges next year, after it too suffered huge losses to the tune of $1 billion in 2015 and 2016. And Humana Inc., which covers about 800,000 people, will leave an estimated 1,200 counties in eight states in 2017.Aetna stated that it will reconsider entering the market in the future, but for now plans to limit its services."We will continue to evaluate our participation in individual public exchanges while gaining additional insight from the counties where we will maintain our presence, and may expand our footprint in the future should there be meaningful exchange-related policy improvements," said Bertolini.The Obama administration says it's the insurance companies' own fault for losing money because they set their premiums too low, adding that despite major scale backs from insurers, the system will continue to provide good quality coverage to many."Aetna's decision to alter its Marketplace participation does not change the fundamental fact that the Health Insurance Marketplace will continue to bring quality coverage to millions of Americans next year and every year after that," said Kevin Counihan, CEO of HealthCare.gov.Customers who are now forced to obtain insurance or pay a hefty fine that grows more costly over time are being left in a difficult position. Americans are essentially stuck between a rock and hard place , either losing coverage entirely, or having to cough up money for a plan they can't afford."Something has to give," said Larry Levitt, a healthcare law expert at the Kaiser Family Foundation. "Either insurers will drop out or insurers will raise premiums."Others question whether a healthcare collapse may be on the horizon. "While analysts expect the market to stabilize once premiums rise and more young, healthy people sign up, some observers have not ruled out the possibility of a collapse of the market, known in insurance parlance as a 'death spiral,'" reportsA March report published by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, said that new enrollees under Obamacare experienced 22 percent higher medical costs than people with coverage through their employer. The report drew immense controversy, highlighting the disaster that Obamacare has become.Last year, a top doctor issued a dire warning about the possibility of a "catastrophic collapse" of the U.S. healthcare system. The former president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons said that the result "will leave Americans clamoring for medical attention, medical supplies and hospital care," according to"Catastrophic collapse due to a 'doctor death spiral' will occur when we drop below a critical number of practicing physicians," said Dr. Lee Hieb, a practicing orthopedic surgeon and author of"As our population ages, it requires more physician man-hours of medical care. But as our population ages, so too do our physicians. More than half of the surgeons who cover emergency rooms are over 50."And although they are some of the most productive physicians, they are being overloaded and overstressed, and are beginning to burn out. Many are retiring early; others are dramatically reducing their patient loads."Recent surveys suggest up to 60 percent of physicians are preparing to do one or the other within two years," said Hieb. In partnership with the Space Center Houston, NineSigma, and the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA has opened registrations for their new competition. The Space Robotics Challenge will award $1 million to a team who can push the boundaries of robotics, which is part of NASA's Centennial Challenges program. Teams will have to program a virtual robot, which is modelled after NASA's Robonaut 5 (R5). R5, also called Valkyrie, will be thrust into a Mars-like habitat. Teams will works in a series of tasks in a simulated environment that includes periods of latency, which represents the delay of communication between Earth and Mars. Each of the team has three objectives in the mission held in a virtual environment: fix a habitat leak, repair a solar array, and align a communications dish. "Precise and dexterous robotics, able to work with a communications delay, could be used in spaceflight and ground missions to Mars and elsewhere for hazardous and complicated tasks, which will be crucial to support our astronauts," stated Monsi Roman, program manager of NASA's Centennial Challenges, adding, "NASA and our partners are confident that the public will rise to this challenge, and are excited to see what innovative technologies will be produced." Interested teams can register for the Space Robotics Challenge. The qualifying round runs from mid-September up until mid-November. Finalists will be announced by December, and they'll be able to do practice rounds until the final competition held in June 2017. The Centennial Challenges program is part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Doctorate (STMD), which is managed at Marshall Space Flight Center. STMD makes use of challenges to gather the best and the brightest in the government, industry, and academia to drive innovation as well as enable solutions. Innovators are currently invited to be contributors to the space agency's journey to Mars. One lucky company might just get their hands on one of the most coveted piece of property in the universe. NASA is reportedly handing over keys of the International Space Station (ISS) to a commercial owner by the mid-2020s. The announcement was made during a press conference held Thursday by NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development, Bill Hill. The influx of commercial launches to the ISS would reduce NASA's involvement in the project. "NASA's trying to develop economic development in low-earth orbit," explained Hill, adding, "Ultimately, our desire is to hand the space station over to either a commercial entity or some other commercial capability so that research can continue in low-earth orbit." NASA's decision to hand over the ISS to a commercial company isn't surprising given the funds set aside by the American government. Funds given by the government for the ISS to remain in orbit was originally set until 2016. The deorbiting date extended to 2024 thanks to President Barack Obama. The additional funds had extended the ISS operations. As for potential commercial companies, the space agency did not mention any buyers. Yet, two companies are said to be likely competing for the ISS namely SpaceX and Boeing. Both companies are already making their own trips to the ISS. SpaceX and Boeing are also set to ferry personnel to the ISS by 2017. Since 2012, SpaceX has run resupply missions for NASA and the ISS. Currently, it has completed nine missions. Aside from missions to ISS, SpaceX has already set out plans for their journey to the red planet. In fact, CEO of SpaceX Elon Musk appears to be more interested to making it to planet Mars than building more commercial space stations. On the other hand, Boeing has made no plans for their journey to the red planet. North and South America's relatively recent land connection is changing what is known about the ecology and evolutionary biology of the continents. A comprehensive review of studies concluded that the Isthmus of Panama is a recent development in geological time. The land bridge connecting North and South America is a mere 2.8 million years old as opposed to the 6 to 23 million years hypothesized and supported in other papers. "Our study had the simple aim of refining the timing of isthmus formation in a format intelligible for a wide audience of interested scientists, including geologists, ecologists, paleontologists, climatologists and evolutionary biologists, each of whom were begging for clarification of the question," staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama and the lead author of the study Aaron O'Dea told Live Science. Though the formation of the Isthmus of Panama did begin forming 30 million years ago, the land bridge didn't appear until a drop in sea level combined with a geologic uplift. Evidence to support the theory of a more recent formation of the land bridge was found by analyzing family trees of shallow water marine animals, deep ocean sediments and massive migrations of land animals. Results of this review have implications for understanding species evolution. North and South America connect to allow land access between the continents and to separate the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea. The current body of knowledge about land and sea life surrounding the Isthmus of Panama and across the Americas has been called into question. Scientific understanding regarding the evolution of these species hinges on knowing the age of the formation. Evidence for the recent connection of North and South America is strong, but still not definitive. Scientists will continue working together to find additional evidence supporting the modern age of the land connection. Trees that grew during intense radiation bursts hold "secret clocks" that could pinpoint historical events in world history, scientists said. According to researchers at Oxford University, massive solar storms caused intense radiation bursts to impact the Earth sometime in 775 and 994 AD, which caused large concentrations of radiocarbon to be trapped inside the trees growing during that period. "Variations in atmospheric radiocarbon concentration are largely the result of carbon dioxide emissions from activity from volcanoes and the ocean, but they are also influenced by changes in solar activity," Michael Dee from the School of Archaeology at the University of Oxford and lead author of the study said in a press release. "The spikes in 775 and 994AD were almost vertical and of comparable magnitude all around the Earth. Such markers can be easily identified in known-age tree-rings and are fixed in time. The researchers found unusually high levels of the radioactive isotope carbon-14 seen in tree-rings of certain trees, and that the presence of isotope in these tree-rings could help archaeologists date ancient events more accurately. The scientists outlined how they could find these distinct spikes in isotope or "time markers" from thousands of years' worth of tree-ring data around the world, suggesting that they could pinpoint the year in which a certain tree was exposed to high levels of radioactivity and create a dating framework for important civilizations. Archaeologists today rely on vague evidence in dating important civilizations, such as significant events in ancient Egyptian and Mayan civilizations. While standard radiocarbon measurements provide estimates, these data are only accurate from 200 to 300 calendar years. However, the researchers said that if the high levels of radiocarbon in the tree-ring data were also found in archaeological items taken from specific historical periods, such as timber, papyri, baskets made of living plants and other organic materials, the time markers could be used to point exactly when these events occurred. "In the past, we have had floating estimates of when things may have happened," Dee said. "But these secret clocks could reset chronologies concerning important world civilizations with the potential to date events that happened many thousands of years ago to the exact year." The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A. New York City Department of Health, led by assistant commissioner of the Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Dr Demetre Daskalakis has signed a groundbreaking consensus declaring that the risk of HIV transmission could be removed by faithfully following antiretroviral treatments. Dr. Daskalakis is the first major public health official in the United States signing the consensus, which were also signed by his counterparts in Denmark, Australia and Switzerland. "'Stigma runs deeper than data in so many ways. Several strong lines of evidence indicate that consistent viral suppression is truly HIV prevention," Dr. Daskalakis told Daily Mail. "I hope that this consensus will address the long-running tendency to look at people with HIV as vectors of disease," According to the consensus, HIV patients who consistently take their antiretroviral medications and have undetectable viral loads could not actively transmit HIV. This supported the claims of Hollywood star Charlie Sheen of "negligible transmission". The former "Two and a Half Man" star announced last November that none of his potential partners were transmitted with the virus because antiretroviral medications removed any trace of HIV from his system. Health care professionals noted that negligible risk does not mean zero risk. However, they believe that antiretroviral medications could reduced the risk of transmission to near zero, making it not worth worrying. "People who are successfully managing their HIV are not disease spreaders," Daskalakis explained in a report from New York Post. "They're responsible New Yorkers taking care of themselves and t HIV transmission is not the only one being prevented with the use of condoms. This is the reason why health care professionals are still urging consumers to use protection when having sexual intercourse, especially if the act is not with someone you have committed relationship with. The Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control is giving away 34 million condoms each year citywide. The birth of a wild animal is always cause for celebration, but this time everyone is invited to the party. San Diego's Lions Tigers and Bears' (LTB) beloved Meatball the Bear is turning 11 and the sanctuary is throwing its doors open for the event. According to the press release sent from LTB, the birthday party is set to take place on Thursday, August 25 at 10:30 AM. Reserve a slot at the party with an RSVP at (619) 659-8078. It's tough to determine the actual date of birth of rescued animals, so the volunteers and staff at LTB usually celebrate on the day the animal arrived at the sanctuary. As founder and director Bobbi Brink puts it, the day marks "the start of a brand new life." "Most of these animals came from deplorable conditions, where they never received proper care," she explained. "Our goal is to provide them with the care and attention they require and rightly deserve." Meatball, a California black bear, was rescued back in August 29, 2012 when California Fish & Wildlife officials picked him up for being a "nuisance bear." This followed after Meatball was spotted wandering around Glendale from swimming pools to garage refrigerators. One of the reasons why a lot of wildlife species like Meatball are venturing closer to humans is because they're losing their habitats due to the rising activity of deforestation. Another is the intense heat that had bears recently cooling off in public bodies of water that are often frequented by people. A report from KCRA revealed that a family of black bears took a dip at Pope Beach in Lake Tahoe earlier this month. It's a fairly common occurrence, according to California Department of Fish and Wildlife supervising wildlife biologist Jason Holley. The video is taken by Pallas Buckley, according to NBC4i. Moving through the U.S. immigration court system can be a slow and tedious process for the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. People like a 31 year-old woman whom we will call Juanita, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, who fled the only home shes ever known with her two sons. There are massacres where I am from, she said in Spanish through an interpreter. They dont have any respect for anybody. Because of fears for her safety NBC Bay Area agreed to call her by a different name. Juanita came to the United States looking for freedom, but now shes forced to wear an ankle monitor so US Immigration officers can track her whereabouts at all times. Its a small price for her, but she has no idea how long shell have to wear the monitor because a date for her court case was recently pushed back to more than a year away. I felt more secure before (when I had a court date), Juanita said. I cannot explain or understand ourselves why they moved the court date. I feel very insecure now. Another undocumented immigrant was forced to leave her young daughter behind in El Salvador because she feared for her life and had to flee to the US. Paola (not her real name) applied for political asylum, but, like Juanitas case, Paolas case keeps getting delayed. I have my daughter and for me thats my biggest desperation, the 31 year-old said. Thats why I wish the process was a little faster.. Her court case was originally scheduled for next month, but has now been pushed until January of 2017 at the earliest. Delayed Justice Paolas attorney, Emily Abraham, expects it could be delayed again and says her clients case is not unique. Families are being scheduled out to 2019, sometimes later and they cant actually get any justice here until their case is completed, Abraham said. They cant bring their family here to live with them. Data backs up what Abrahams sees firsthand. According to the U.S. Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), as of July 20, 2016, there were 35,005 pending immigration cases in San Francisco. Nationwide EOIR had more than a half million (500,051) pending cases. What makes things different this year is that after March 1, 2016, EOIR began prioritizing cases the Department of Homeland Security considered Priority 1 category for civil immigration enforcement. Since July, 2014, EOIR had been prioritizing unaccompanied children, families in detention, families released on alternatives to detention and detained cases of recent border crossers. Now when DHS categorizes undocumented immigrant cases as Priority 1, that action essentially puts them on the fast track toward a resolution. But it also means other undocumented immigrants waiting for their cases to be heard get delayed time and time again. Click here for full EOIR statement. A lot of clients get hearing dates continued, and continued just means theyre getting pushed off sometimes two, three, four times and were not being told why, said Guatam Jagannath, Abrahams partner at their non-profit, Social Justice Collaborative in Oakland. Clients deserve to know why theyre being pushed off. DHS and ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice told NBC Bay Area we dont directly tell EOIR and judges how to set their calendar. Kice did admit that DHS does categorize immigration cases into areas of priority and communicates with EOIR about setting those calendars, it is EOIR not DHS that sets US Immigration Court calendars. Click here to read full statement from DHS/ICE. Crisis of the Courts Id call it a crisis in the court, but that seems inadequate because weve been saying theres been a crisis for several years, said Judge Dana Leigh Marks, the President of the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ). Judge Marks spoke to NBC Bay Area as a representative of the NAIJ. The court is just under tremendous pressure. The judges are feeling the brunt of that. Judge Marks says she wants to move cases at a quicker pace, but thats difficult when DHS tells her and other judges how to set their calendars. It feels like youre tying my hands back in terms of not letting me use what I think is my best legal judgment after years on the bench to figure out how to schedule my cases so I can get the most done in the shortest period of time, said Judge Marks. The Executive Office of Immigration Review confirms that since March 1, 2016, DHS has flagged priority cases, allowing them to be fast tracked. I have not heard a coherent explanation as to why some cases are considered to be priorities and others are not, said Judge Marks. Click here for latest Border Patrol Statistics. All of this leaves the undocumented immigrants with lots of questions, and very few answers. We dont know what is happening, said Paola. We just would like it if they gave us some answers as to why. Officials with EOIR tell me they are doing their best to get everyones case before a judge. Not only do they have an all-time high 277 judges working an EOIR spokeswoman says the agency is working to hire 90 more. Even so, if NO MORE cases came in right now it would take more than 2 years just to clear the present hearing schedules; there are that many people in the system. Click here for 2015 Statistics Yearbook from US Government. California home sales cooled in July, a research firm said Thursday, amid tight supplies and prices that were out of reach for many potential buyers. There were 41,653 new and existing houses and condominiums sold in the state, down 11 percent from June and 10.3 percent from the same period a year ago, CoreLogic Inc. said. The annual decline is partly because this year had two fewer business days in July than last year, but it also reflects a much slower market than last summer's. The median sales price was $432,000, little changed from $435,000 in June and up 4.1 percent from $415,000 a year earlier. It marked the 53rd straight month that prices have risen from a year earlier, though increases have moderated in the last two years. The median price is still well below its peak of $487,000 in May 2007. The California Association of Realtors blamed low inventory and affordability constraints for the sluggish July, conditions that it expects will continue in the short term. The trade group said there was a 3.6-month supply of unsold single-family homes in the state last month, well below what is considered a normal market of five to seven months. The San Francisco Bay area posted its weakest July in five years with 7,901 homes sold, a decline of 10.5 percent from June and 13.5 percent from a year ago, according to CoreLogic. It was the fourth straight month that sales fell from a year earlier in the nine-county region. The Bay area's median sales price was $700,000, up 1.4 percent from an all-time high of $710,000 but down 6.3 percent from $658,500 in July 2015. It ended a three-month run of setting new highs for the region. Southern California recorded 21,705 home sales in July, down 11.3 percent from a month earlier and down 10.7 percent from July 2015, CoreLogic said. The median sales price in the six-county region was $465,000, unchanged from June and up 6.2 percent from $438,000 in July 2015. Tehran, Iran, Aug. 19 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Iran and Turkey, after having pledged cooperation to fight the critical situations in Syria, are likely to broaden their scope of cooperation into Iraq. Salim al-Jabouri, speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, will visit Tehran Aug. 20, IRNA news agency quoted from a statement by the Iraqi parliament Aug. 19. But after the Tehran trip, al-Jabouri is also going to visit Turkey. The news comes as Iran and Turkey have started to boost their ties over the Syrian crisis. Turkey recently announced intention to work with Iran and Russia to fight terrorism in Syria. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Ankara Aug. 12 and Tehran will be host to Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Aug. 24. Al-Jabouri will meet his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani and foreign minister Zarif while in Tehran. His trips to Tehran and Ankara will serve to review the developments of the region and Iraq, the Iraqi parliament said in its announcement. Talks on the operations to free the Nineveh Governorate will be on agenda, it said, adding, The issue is in need of more cooperation between Iraq and regional countries, such as Turkey and Iran. Syria and Iraq faced the attack of the Islamic State (aka IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) terrorist group in mid-2014, a plague that has been lingering on so far, with great loss for both countries. Iran has been dispatching military consultants to both the war-torn countries to help fight the terrorists. On Aug. 16, the country also opened an air base to Russian bombers for launching attacks on terrorists in Syria. Police in Berkeley are investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday night and left one person dead. Officers with the Berkeley Police Department responded at 11:58 p.m. Thursday to multiple calls of shots fired in the area of Mabel and Burnett streets. Responding officers located an unresponsive male shooting victim. There victim was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, police said. The suspect or suspects in the shooting remain at large. Police said the shooting does not appear to be random, and they do not believe there is an immediate threat to the community. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Berkeley Police Department at (510) 981-5741. A U.S. judge rejected an attempt by Uber to settle a class action lawsuit with drivers who claimed they were employees and entitled to expenses, according to Reuters, NBC News reports. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled Thursday the settlement was not fair or adequate for Uber drivers. The proposed settlement would have kept drivers classified as independent contractors. Several drivers who were part of the class filed objections with the court, particularly because the proposed amount was well below the total potential damages in the case of roughly $850 million. In a statement, Uber said it believed the settlement was fair and reasonable. "We're disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options," the company said. During its lifetime, millions of people drove across the eastern span of the old Bay Bridge, glimpsing its enormous steel girders through car windows. But that was nothing compared to the experience of walking among its newly salvaged beams, laying in a Caltrans yard not far from where it was erected in 1933 and now is being dismantled. Some of the shapes and forms are really, really lovely, said Leslie Pritchett, leading a group of artists on a tour of the salvaged steel. Joe Rosato Jr./NBC Bay Area On Tuesday, artists hoping to claim some of that salvaged steel took a tour of some of the 450 tons of metal awaiting its new home. Pritchett of the Oakland Museum of California is leading a new program administered by the museum to help the state distribute the steel to artists across California. The idea is that the metal, which once carried bodies, may now move souls. The whole idea is to take pieces of the old Bay Bridge, Pritchett said, and salvage them and allow them to have a new life. Kristofer Noceda The program has already allocated steel for six projects with a second round of applications due in December. The newly removed steel bore marks where the dismantlers' cutting torches sliced through, creating a patina in the layers of paint applied over more than a quarter-century. Oakland artist Karen Cusolito darted through the stacks of metal, taking pictures and imagining plans. Joe Rosato Jr./NBC Bay Area Im an artist who works with salvaged steel, Cusolito said. So for me to be surrounded by 450 tons of steel that have been salvaged from the Bay Bridge is just exhilarating for me. Cusolito helped organize a community movement that convinced the state to distribute some of the steel to artists. Under the program, the steel must be used for public projects within California. And while the state is covering the cost for the remediation and cleaning of the steel, artists must foot the bill for everything else, including transportation of the beams. The challenge artists are facing, Cusolito said, is finding the money to put the projects together. Artist Graham Prentice is part of a group already selected to receive a portion of the salvaged steel. Prentice said his group plans to build a public structure at the Port of Oakland to welcome truckers, the public and bicyclists. Prentice took so many photos of the girders during the tour, he maxed out the memory in his phone. Its beautiful also to see it in a state of disassembly, Prentice said, standing in the shadow of a heap of steel. A week ago, Caltrans workers marked a milestone in the demolition by lowering the spans largest remaining truss onto a barge to be hauled away. The total removal is expected to last into 2018. Were very excited to know that in one instance were bringing down the bridge, said Bay Bridge spokeswoman Leah Robinson-Leach, but through the art program the bridge will live on. Pritchett said the steel will go to a number of art projects ranging from massive installations to smaller pieces. Some of them will be turned into sculptures, Pritchett said, some of them will be turned into buildings and other structures. Cusolito said while organizing the artists' campaign, she received a letter from a young man hoping to secure just a small amount of the steel. A person wrote and said I want only enough steel from the Bay Bridge to create a picture frame for my grandfather who helped build the bridge, Cusolito said. The museum said once the steel is cleaned, it will begin getting it into the hands and studios of artists with hopes that the old obsolete bridge will find value in a new life. A decision by federal housing authorities to block a San Francisco ordinance setting aside spaces in affordable housing projects for neighborhood residents could set back efforts to prevent the displacement of low-income and minority residents, city officials and residents said Thursday. The ordinance, approved 9-2 by the Board of Supervisors in December, sets aside 40 percent of units in new affordable housing projects for residents already living in the supervisorial district where they are being built. However, city officials this week said they had been notified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that the plan could violate federal laws intended to prevent housing discrimination and the perpetuation of segregation. The neighborhood housing preferences legislation was put forward as a way to address the displacement of low-income and minority residents, particularly in the city's black community, which had declined from 13.4 percent of the population in 1970 to 5.5 percent by 2014. The legislation drew opposition from some supervisors and community residents, who argued that it would encourage segregation and not benefit residents in neighborhoods such as the Sunset District where little affordable housing is being built. HUD's decision will have an immediate impact on how spaces are allocated in the Willie B. Kennedy Apartments, a senior housing development opening this month in the Western Addition neighborhood that used HUD funding. Officials had hoped the project could offer some homes to some seniors in that neighborhood's dwindling black community. Board President London Breed, co-author of the legislation with Supervisor Malia Cohen, on Thursday said the fight was not over. "I want to be crystal clear: non-HUD-funded projects will still use neighborhood preferences in San Francisco," Breed said in a statement. "And we as a community are going to roll up our sleeves and continue pushing for neighborhood preferences for all affordable housing developments in San Francisco." "The soul of San Francisco's neighborhoods are on the line and we must to do everything we can to ensure local residents can remain in San Francisco and the communities they live and grew up in," Cohen said. A 36-year-old Oakland man died Wednesday as the result of an officer-involved shooting last weekend in Hayward, according to the Hayward Police Department. Eric Ortega Soto was pronounced dead by doctors at Eden Medical Center in Hayward. Soto was one of two suspects police encountered in a stolen car Saturday afternoon in the 900 block of Cheryl Ann Circle, police said. Soto had been hospitalized in critical condition since Saturday. He and a second suspect reportedly were driving a stolen car when they were confronted by police. Police did not provide further details about the shooting but said two officers and a citizen also suffered minor injuries. The second suspect was identified as 24-year-old Francisco Navarro, of Oakland. He was arrested shortly after the Saturday shooting and booked into county jail. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office is investigating the shooting and the two officers involved in the shooting, who have not been identified, have been placed on paid administrative leave. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Trevor Vonnegut at 510-293-7034 or contact detectives via email at HaywardPDTips@hayward-ca.gov. The victim of an armed robbery in Virginia was ordered to swim across the Potomac River, United States Park Police say. The victim was near the first scenic overlook on the George Washington Memorial Parkway between 6 and 7 p.m. Thursday when he was robbed at gunpoint, police said Friday. His wallet and cell phone were taken, police said. The victim was then forced to enter the Potomac River and told to swim across, police said. Authorities said he was able to reach the shore on the D.C. side of the river, where he alerted police. Police weren't immediately able to provide more details. They said two suspects were detained but were later released without being charged because they couldn't be positively identified as the attackers. Police have not provided any suspect information. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 202-610-8730. During the course of the search, a Park Police officer experienced heat-related distress and was taken by helicopter to a local hospital. The officer was later released. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson visited a devastated Louisiana on Thursday as the state's governor said that at least 13 people had died and that more than 86,000 people have registered for federal disaster assistance in flooding that has ravaged the state for days, NBC News reported. "The federal government is here. We will be here as long as it takes to let this community recover," Johnson said at a news conference Thursday afternoon in Baton Rouge, the state capital. Johnson, who arrived Thursday in Louisiana, said he met with state and local officials to discuss the extent of the flooding. Johnson and Gov. John Bel Edwards both defended President Barack Obama against criticism for continuing vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., instead of visiting Louisiana. Edwards said he had been in close contact with the administration since the disaster and that the extra security and police presence needed during such high-profile visits could take away from recovery efforts. Tehran, Iran, Aug. 19 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Iranian security forces have seized four tons of drug raw materials, also known as precursors for narcotic chemicals. The substances were discovered and seized by Intelligence Ministry forces in the southern Hormozgan Province, Tasnim news agency reported Aug. 19. The substances consisted of industrial and traditional precursors that could be used to produce one ton of pure heroin, the report said. The material had been placed in two separate containers of used automobile parts and industrial coolant sent from China and Taiwan, the provincial intelligence chief stated. Just a day earlier, Irans border police seized some 1.36 tons of hashish in the south-eastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan. The incident took place near the Saravan city on the Iran-Pakistan border, when smugglers were crossing the border in three vehicles, Rohambakhsh Habibi, commander of the province border guards, said. After a police operation, the smugglers escaped into Pakistan, leaving their hashish consignment and cars, he added. Iran is situated on a major drugs route between Afghanistan and Europe, as well as the Persian Gulf states. The Islamic Republic shares about 900 kilometers of border with Afghanistan, over which 74 percent of the worlds opium is smuggled. The fight against drug trafficking annually costs Iran about $1 billion, according to official estimates. The statistics also say there are about two million drug users in Iran. The Illinois Republican Party is using this weeks state fair as a platform to slam House Speaker Mike Madigan and Sen. Dick Durbin for vowing to oppose term limits. Gov. Bruce Rauner has been touring the state pushing a term limit petition. This week at the state fair, the IRP distributed buttons with dated pictures of Madigan and Durbin that say term limits now! The party also issued a pair of press releases Wednesday that further attack the Illinois Democrats. Its no surprise that Madigan opposes term limits, one release reads. Hes made millions of dollars off his speakership and his politically connected law firm. Madigan is using political clout for personal gain, the IRP added. Additionally, the party claimed Madigan has stonewalled every legislative and citizen attempt to get a term limits referendum on the ballot." Moreover, the party said the speaker controls politicians who are churned through his Chicago machine and propped up by his rigged system of special interest cash and gerrymandered districts." Madigan responded to the attacks during a Thursday press conference, claiming that his stance on term limits has been straightforward for a long time." "I support term limits as administered by the voters, Madigan said following the Democratic Chairmens Breakfast at the Illinois State Fair. We had a real good example of how term limits as administered by the voters happened last primary where I was a candidate for renomination as a Democratic candidate for state representative. The Rauner Republicans spent over a million dollars to try and defeat me in my district and they failed and so in my view that's how term limits works when its administered by the voters. After being pressed on a potential conflict of interest with his law practice, Madigan claimed that all his records were public. Any filing done by my law office is a public record because theyre filed with the local assessor, theyre filed with the board of review, Madigan said. So its all public record. The speaker also referenced a 2010 report by the Chicago Tribune that examined twenty years of filings from his firm. They spent a great deal of time examining twenty years of filings and one of them said to (Madigan spokesman) Steve Brown, 'we never found any impropriety here, we never found an instance where someone said were going to retain your office to get some advantage with state government or going the other way, Madigan said. "it just never happened. Madigan repeatedly linked Rauner and to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, claiming that he thinks Illinois voters will reject their brand of extremism in November. In a separate release, the IRP attempted to rebrand Thursday's Democrats Day at the state fair as Career Politicians Day. The party introduced a new Snapchat filter to promote their cause. The release attacked Durbin, claiming he opposes term limits because he's too busy making money off his elected office. The IRP also accused Durbin of funneling millions in government kickbacks to his wifes lobbying clients. Durbin, who is reportedly mulling a 2018 gubernatorial run, spoke at the Democrats breakfast at the state fair Thursday, faulting Illinois Republicans for dividing the state. Those politicians in the other party who would divide our state and set southern Illinois against Chicago and set central Illinois against northern Illinois - they aren't real leaders, they are dividers and we dont need them, Durbin said. Whether theyre a governor or a congressman or a senator, whatever they happen to be, we are stronger as a state when we stand together." Durbin also slammed Trumps candidacy and lauded President Barack Obamas leadership during his speech. The senators office did not respond to Ward Rooms request for comment on this story. A landscaping crew in a northern Chicago suburb was robbed of their leaf blower by two men in broad daylight, police said. Ignacio Alvarez, 31, of the 700 block of Wadsworth Avenue in Waukegan, was charged with theft. Juan Nieto, 31, of the 300 block of Powell Avenue, also in Waukegan, was also charged with theft. The landscapers reported that several suspects robbed them at gunpoint in the 400 block of Linden Avenue about 1:20 p.m. in Lake Forest on Thursday, police said in a news release. Police tracked down a brown Honda based on a description from the landscapers on Deerpath and Walnut roads. The driver was taken into custody but the passenger bailed from the car. Police thought he ran down nearby Metra tracks, causing trains to be delayed about 35 minutes while a Lake County Sheriff K9 unit searched the area, police said. Highland Park, Highwood and Lake Bluff police assisted, and a Lake Bluff officer apprehended the second man who ran from the car, police said. No gun was recovered from the men or the car but police say they admitted to being involved in the robbery. The men denied having a gun and the victims said they might have seen a cellphone, police said. Police said the incident caused nearby Woodlands Academy to be placed on a brief lockdown. Eight communities have recently experienced leaf blower thefts, police said, including Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Northfield, Lincolnshire, Tinley Park, Elmhurst and Rolling Meadows. Police said it is unknown if Alvarez or Nieto are responsible for the other thefts. It was the free roaming wildlife, beautiful scenery and the salmon fishing that first drew John and Elaina Balser of Valparaiso, Indiana, to travel to Alaska. Its like no other place in the lower 48 says Elaina. Adds John, Im an outdoorsman and I like to fish and the fishing up there is phenomenal But a second planned trip in September of 2015, included a sight that that they could cross off their bucket list, the Aurora Borealis. The couple departed from OHare Airport in Chicago, but soon after arriving in Anchorage, Alaska, they discovered their three checked bags, did not arrive with them. Officials with United, told the Balsers their luggage would be arriving on a 3:15 p.m. flight the next day. They told them they could continue on with to their next destination in Kenai, Alaska and their bags would be brought to them. According to scanned records, the bags did arrive the next day, but they never made it to Kenai and calls were soon made to the United Airlines Baggage Resolution Center. We made probably 40 to 50 phone calls in that weeks time, Elaina said. The Balsers tried to continue on with their dream vacation. But without their cold weather and rain gear, fishing trips ended in a soggy mess. I spent the rest of a six hour float trip in 45 to 50 degree weather, soaking wet, floating down a river in the middle of Alaska. It was pretty chilly, said John. The couple were able to purchase what they needed each day, but they say all purchases have to first be approved by the airline, and they would not be reimbursed for weeks after they submitted all their receipts. We were purchasing every day and going to the store to get things. It was very frustrating, says Elaina. Eventually, the Balsers had enough and packed it in early, missing the Fairbanks leg of their dream vacation, and the Aurora Borealis they wanted to witness. We just had to return home, because after 5 days of not having what you need, it was enough, said Elaina. In 2015, there were 207,606 claims of lost luggage filed with the Department of Transportation. 26,107 of those complaints belonged to United Airlines. According to Uniteds website, travelers must report lost luggage within three days and Uniteds liability caps out at $3,500, unless a higher value was declared in advance. While its not required by their baggage policy, United did compensate the Balsers for their troubles by giving them vouchers worth $600 and reimbursing them for all their purchases. But after NBC 5 Responds called, United provided them with another $500 voucher and reimbursed them the $65.15 spent on fishing gear. United stated, We apologize to the Blasers for the difficulties they experienced on their trip and our delay in settling this matter to their satisfaction. We look forward to welcoming them aboard on their next flight to Alaska. As for the missing baggage, the Valparaiso couple found their three suitcases on their own. They were accidently placed on a cart, bound for a hotel in Anchorage, and sat there for days until police finally reviewed security video. It's usually a time of celebration when pairing cake and ice cream, but in this case, not so much. A woman previously accused of drop kicking a birthday cake she was unhappy with is now charged with slapping an ice cream shop worker in Michigan, the Detroit Free Press reports. Tricia Ann Kortes turned herself in to the Royal Oak Police Department Thursday morning and was charged with assault, the newspaper is reporting. The manager of the ice cream shop told the Free Press Kortes reached over the counter and slapped an employee on the head after she was told the shop was out of Mackinac Island Fudge ice cream. The manager reportedly told the newspaper the ice cream flavor has been very popular since all this came out." According to the news report, the alleged ice cream shop assault happened last summer, but is only being addressed now because the manager saw a newspaper article about Kortes allegedly drop kicking a "Batman vs. Superman" birthday cake in a grocery store. Earlier in August, Kortes pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge in relation to the alleged cake-kicking incident. In that case, she could get a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine, the Free Press reported. Chicago police arrested more than 100 suspects in citywide drug and gun raids in less than 36 hours, the department announced Friday. The arrests were made by the organized crime units, which were conducting "high-precision raids against gangs" in the city, according to police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. Between Thursday morning and Friday afternoon, 100 felony arrests were made and one person was taken into custody on a misdemeanor charge, officials said. Among those arrested were members of 12 gangs in Chicago, according to Chief of Organized Crime Anthony Riccio. The department estimates up to 105 more suspects will be arrested in the seven to 10 days. "The results of this initiative put front and center the facts that Ive been saying for some time now," Supt. Eddie Johnson said during a press conference Friday. "That theres a small subset of the population that cycles through the criminal justice system to repeat the same crimes and drive the violence in some of our neighborhoods." Johnson added the raids aim "to put repeat offenders on notice that their behavior will not go without consequence." It is the third series of raids so far this summer. In May, the department announced it had arrested nearly 100 documented gang members on narcotics and weapons charges in one of the largest drug and violence missions in the department's history. Late last month, the FBI, CPD and federal partners charged dozens of members of the Latin Kings street gang in federal indictments. At the time, Johnson said the indictments should serve "as a warning to others that we will continue to come after them with everything we have," but he noted there is still more to do to combat the city's ongoing violence troubles. The Rev. Marco Mercado was removed last October by the Chicago Archdiocese, saying he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with an adult man has moved to Texas and begun working in hospital ministry. Mercado tells the Telemundo affiliate in San Antonio that Ive been able to refocus in my vocation, in my ministry, my priesthood. Thats why Im extremely grateful for all the people whove supported me, all the people whove prayed for me. Sources tell NBC 5 Mercado initially returned to Mexico for several months after being removed in October as the rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. However, now hes received a new position in the San Antonio Archdiocese where its Archbishop Gustavo Garcia Siller has welcomed him. Garcia had previously been a bishop in Chicago. The San Antonio Archdiocese released a statement saying we have conducted our own independent review of the facts and, following that effort, as well as the counseling Father Marco has undertaken and his acceptance of responsibility in the situation in question, we are satisfied that he is suitable for ministry here. The statement adds we are working very closely with Father Marco through this process of rehabilitation as he seeks to gradually assume additional responsibilities in ministry in this part of the church in South Texas. Archbishop Blase Cupich withdrew Mercados authority to minister. While he was in charge of the Des Plaines Shrine, it grew in popularity, each year holding the largest celebration in the United States each December for the Guadalupe feast day. At the time of his removal Mercado issued a statement saying as a human being I am not perfect, but as a priest my priority has always been the work of the Gospel and the struggle for immigrants and the most vulnerable. This week Mercado says I would love to be there, but were always together in prayer, always together in our faith, were always together in what we do together. A Chicago Archdiocese spokesperson says in a written statement, the Archdiocese of Chicago removed Father Marco Mercado from ministry and withdrew his faculties in October 2015. The statement adds Father Mercado decided on his own to leave the Archdiocese of Chicago and has informed us that he is seeking to incardinate in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. As a condition of considering any such request, the Archdiocese of Chicago sent Father Mercados personnel information to the Archdiocese of San Antonio in July. It is the right of every priest to request excardination or transfer. The Archdiocese of Chicago adds it was not consulted on any further decisions taken by the Archdiocese of San Antonio with respect to Father Mercado. The attorney who took over "Making a Murderer" subject Steven Avery's defense in January is encouraged to beef up exoneration efforts, after his nephew's conviction was overturned by a federal judge, the New York Times is reporting. Kathleen Zellner, Avery's lawyer, says she has a new theory as to who killed 25-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach after she disappeared on Halloween in 2005. Ken Kratz, the former Calumet County district attorney who prosecuted Brendan Dassey in the infamous trial showcased in the Netflix documetary series said he is very surprised, at the recent overturning of Dasseys conviction according to USA Today. Kratz, who prosecuted Dassey and his uncle Steven Avery for the murder of Halbach, recently told People magazine that he has "a great bit of sympathy" for Dassey, who he said "never would have been involved in this except for his uncle." Judge William E. Duffin found that investigators repeatedly made false promises to Dassey, who was 16 years old and a slow learner, in extracting a confession, which Dassey's legal team had maintained was coerced. The judge found that confession was involuntary in a 91-page decision handed down Friday. Krass Told USA Today evidence had been suppressed that had originally been allowed in the state prosecution, calling the decision unusual. In response to the recent ruling, Kratz said that the Dassey case isnt over and called the Duffins decision a bold statement that is almost never seen in court cases. USA Today notes that only one statement was thrown out in the judges decision and that others were not, including witness statements saying Dassey was next to the fire where shards of Halbachs bones were found. The newspaper reported that Kratz declined to comment on whether or not the dismissal of the statement would weaken the case it was built on. Dassey's attorney, Steve Drizin with Northwestern Universitys Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth, confirmed the news of the judges ruling last Friday. "I am just beyond excited," Drizin said at the time. "I had to pick myself up off the floor." Duffin ordered Dassey be set free unless the state initiates a retrial proceeding in 90 days. That, or an appeal of the decision, would put Dassey's release on hold, Drizin said. He and the legal team would then seek to have him released on bond. "A lot's going to depend on what the state does here," he said. The Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth legal team, based in Chicago, first took Dasseys case to federal court in Wisconsin in 2014 in hopes that he would be granted a writ of Habeas corpus, which would have forced the government to examine his case and rule whether he has been imprisoned illegally. Dassey was arrested at the age of 16 in connection with case, but his attorneys maintained his confession was coerced. Avery, a Wisconsin man who was imprisoned for 18 years for sexual assault before DNA evidence exonerated him in 2003, was accused of Halbach's murder as he was suing Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, the former district attorney and the county sheriff for wrongful imprisonment, seeking $36 million in damages. Most recently, the show's filmmakers said a juror from Avery's murder trial claims he was not proven guilty, but the juror had voted to convict him out of fear for his/her personal safety. The two filmmakers have not yet contacted other jurors to independently verify the claim, they said. NBC News has not independently verified the allegation with any jurors. Drizin said the team investigated Dasseys case for two years before filing an appeal in 2010. The appeal was ultimately denied by a state appellate court and the Wisconsin Supreme Court refused to hear the case. The habeas petition was filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Wisconsin in 2014. Were hopeful is what I would say, Drizin said at the time. The deeper you go into this system, whether its in the state court system or the federal court system, the harder it is to win. Weve won cases in federal court before and were hoping that this is another one that well win. Drizin said the petition focused largely on Dasseys original public defender, Len Kachinsky, who was ultimately removed from the case. A lot of our appeal has to do with the actions that Brendans original attorney Len Kachinsky took, which demonstrated his disloyalty to Brendan and his willingness to work with the prosecution to try to get Brendan to plead guilty and testify against Steven Avery, Drizin said. He also maintains that Dasseys confession was coerced by [investigators] feeding him facts. To me, this case is a classic example of how not to interrogate juvenile suspects and the tactics that were used during Brendans interrogation are a recipe for false confessions, he said. In a brief filed last year, the state argued Dassey failed to show that the appeals courts decision was unreasonable. [Investigators] merely stated, in calm tones, that they already knew what happened and allowed Dassey to confess that he had raped Halbach, and was involved in her murder, the brief reads. Dasseys confession was not coerced, and the state courts decision on Dasseys voluntariness claim did not involve an unreasonable application of clearly established Federal law. Former Calamut County District Attorney Ken Kratz, who prosecuted Dassey and Avery, recently told People magazine that he has "a great bit of sympathy" for Dassey, who he said "never would have been involved in this except for his uncle." Dassey would have been out sooner if he had taken a plea bargain, Kratz said. Drizin said while Making a Murderer has put Dasseys case in the national spotlight, he didn't believe it would have an impact on the judges decision. I dont think that the Netflix movie is going to influence a federal judge, but at the same time, judges are human beings and the Netflix film has created a context for Brendans case that didnt exist at the time of his trial or his appeals, he said. A man arrested outside Kendall Jenner's Los Angeles home in a stalking case told police he has frequently waited for the model and reality television star to try to talk to her, a police report shows. Shavaughn MacKenzie, 25, followed Jenner's car into her driveway on Sunday night, banged on her window and told her that he didn't have a gun, the report states. Jenner remained in the car, called her manager and waited for police to arrive, the report states. A judge on Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order at Jenner's request. McKenzie, a transient from Florida, remained in custody after pleading not guilty to misdemeanor stalking and trespassing charges filed earlier this week. Jenner, 20, told police she has seen McKenzie multiple times and he had to be escorted away from her former home. He once ran into traffic to try to get her to stop, she said. "I fear for my life and have suffered, and will continue to suffer, emotional distress," Jenner wrote in the restraining order application. Jenner is the daughter of Kardashian family matriarch Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner and appears on the family's reality series "Keeping Up With the Kardashians." McKenzie acknowledged he had waited for Jenner outside her residences multiple times, the police report states. "I just wanted to have a conversation with her, but everything just went wrong," McKenzie told police, according to the report. "If she could just see what a chill guy I am, I know she'd want to be with me." Records show McKenzie pleaded no contest to a pair of trespassing cases in May. Neither of the cases was related to Jenner. The two men who were convicted in the home invasion and murders of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters in their Cheshire home in 2007 have been transferred to prison in Pennsylvania. Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky were transferred on Tuesday to maximum security prisons run by the Pennsylvania Department of Correction, according to officials with the Connecticut Department of Correction. State officials said the transfer is part of the Interstate Corrections Compact in which participating States Departments of Corrections agree to accept inmates from each other for reasons of safety and security. Both men were on death row, but the state abolished the death penalty and Hayes was resentenced to life in prison in June while Komisarjevsky was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in July. Both will serve six consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of release and will be housed out of state for an indefinite period of time, according to state officials. The state Department of Motor Vehicles has discovered that registration renewal notices never went for more than 8,000 vehicles that were due in February because of issues associated with major work on the computer system. The DMV is conducting and ongoing renew and said the discovery came as part of an analysis completed today. It shows that about 8,340 owners of vehicles whose renewals were due in February have not renewed because registrations flagged for renewal in the computer system were not printed. The state agency is now sending a revised renewal notice and notifying the affected vehicle owners on Friday that they have until Sept. 30. Late fees associated with the overdue renewals will be waived. The DMV is also asking customers to carry the notice in the vehicle to show police and said, if you are stopped, the officer can take the letter into account when determining whether any enforcement action should be taken. The DMV has also notified law enforcement agencies and asked them to take the circumstances into account. A copy of the notice to law enforcement is also being mailed to the vehicle owners. They said this issue affects less than 1 percent of more than 3 million registered vehicles. "As part of our continuing analysis of our computer issues, we came across and verified today the extent of it. We are notifying these customers right away. I apologize for the inconvenience this causes the affected customers," DMV Commissioner Michael Bzdyra said in a statement. "While we have made many corrections to our system since last February when this occurred, it is still unacceptable and we will include this as part of our discussions with 3M as we hold its feet to the fire to fix everything wrong with this system," Bzdyra said. The DMV will be providing an envelope with the notice so you can return it directly to the registration unit for prompt service and avoid going to a DMV branch office. The renewal cannot be done online. If you have questions about your vehicle registration, call 860-263-5700 within the Hartford area or outside of Connecticut and 800-842-8222 elsewhere in Connecticut. Islamic State on Thursday claimed responsibility for an attack on a traffic police post outside Moscow a day earlier in which both of the attackers were killed, Reuters reported. The militant group made the claim via the Amaq news agency, which it regularly uses to issue statements. The Amaq statement said: "Two fighters of the Islamic State assaulted Russian policemen in the Balashikha area, east of Moscow". Russia's Investigative Committee said two unidentified people armed with a firearm and two axes had attacked a traffic police post outside Moscow on Wednesday. One of them was shot dead while attacking the post while the other was killed when he tried to put up armed resistance, investigators said. Two police were injured in the attack, one seriously. Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget office is releasing $183,000 in state funds it withheld from the state's three watchdog agencies. "Im glad that Gov. Malloy finally realizes how absurd and inappropriate his cuts to these three watchdog agencies were," Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano of North Haven said in a statement. "To see that a complete turnaround from the Governors office did not come until after I sought a formal opinion from the Attorney General on the matter is very telling." Leaders of the Office of State Ethics, State Elections Enforcement and Freedom of Information commissions have argued the Democratic governor was prevented by law from reducing their budgets, pointing to legislation passed in 2004 to protect the agencies' independence. Office of Policy and Management Secretary Ben Barnes has disagreed. But on Friday, following a meeting with the agency heads, Barnes says he has "voluntarily agreed that it is in the best interest of the watchdog agencies and the state to release the holdback of their appropriations." Colleen Murphy, executive director of the FOI commission, says this agreement means her agency no longer faces having to lay off another worker. The daughter of the woman attacked by two pit bulls in Hartford on Sunday morning said that she hopes the animals' owner will come forward. "I want to thank the Hartford community and especially firefighter Mercado for the outpouring support in connection with my mother's attack on Sunday morning involving two pit bulls which killed her two small dogs, as well. Its a horrific ordeal and hopefully the dog owners will come forward and take full responsibility. Its a lose lose situation and no one should have to go through this. We just want to prevent this from happening again in the future," The victim's daughter, Lisa Santini, told NBC Connecticut. Hartford Police are searching for the owner of two pit bulls that mauled a woman and her two dogs on Flatbush Avenue. Santini's mother,52-year-old Maria Ortiz was walking her dogs, Gizmo and Kira, in the neighborhood Sunday around 5 a.m. The dog walk turned gruesome when two pit bulls attacked Ortiz's pets. Police said as she tried to defend her two service dogs, she was mauled by the pit bulls and bitten on her hands, feet and chin. Neighbors heard the attack and that's when they came to the rescue, including an off-duty firefighter. "I heard her screaming with the dog in the fetal position and then I started hitting," said Nicole Mercado, the firefighter who told NBC Connecticut she used a bat to attempting getting the dogs off the woman. "I ran back in the house, my brother handed me a stick and we tried to get the dogs off her and they wouldnt let her go," neighbor, Terry Thornton, said. "And then a guy came over here with a bigger stick and then got one of them loose and then the other one got loose and he was looking like he was going to attack us." Hartford Police located the pit bulls, who are being quarantined, a block away from the attack. Deputy Chief Brian Foley believes the dogs have an owner, but they've been unable to locate them. "The reasons we believe they have an owner were that both dogs had collars; how they responded to humans; theyre well-fed and in good condition and the fact the victim says she believes she has seen the dogs," said Deputy Chief Foley. Ortiz was taken to the hospital and released the same day of the attack. Her pets were taken to the veterinarian, but they had to be put down because of their injuries. According to family, Ortiz had to return to the hospital because one of her injuries was infected. Police said the incident is still under investigation and whether the pit bulls will be euthanized with be dependent on locating the pit bulls' owners, who could face charges. With only two weeks before school starts, families and some school employees are scrambling to find jobs and enrollment after Newington's Saint Mary School announces it's closure. "I'm sad because they struggle to bring their children to a catholic school because they have faith in god, because they have faith in the church, and look what happens," former enrollment director at Saint Mary, Carmen Rodriguez, said. Wednesday, Saint Mary School administrators announced financial strain is to blame for the closure. They said they are $300,000 in debt and will be $200,000 more if they remained open for another year. "Last year they closed Saint Augustine and we came here. Again it's closed. It's real crazy," said one of the parents, Maria Lopez. Financial woes is an all too familiar story for Lopez. This is her second school for her daughter in two years. Hartford's St. Augustine School closed because of the millions of dollars needed in repairs. "It's very sad. It's very worrying," said Lopez. The school recommends that the 109 students enrolled at Saint Mary School consider attending St. Brigid-St. Augustine Partnership School, which is located 2.9 miles from Saint Marys. The West Hartford school would honor tuition, scholarships, and even uniforms. But Lopez disagrees. "I don't like it, I don't like it" said Lopez. On Wednesday night, parents and upset students protested outside of the school with signs that read, 'What would Jesus do?' Donald Trump and his running mate Mike Pence were in Louisiana Friday to survey the flood damage that killed at least 13 people and displaced thousands more. The visit comes amid an ongoing staff shakeup. Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort resigned Friday following revelations about his work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. In a statement, Trump praised Manafort's work on the campaign and called him a "true professional." The Associated Press reported Thursday that Manafort's firm orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's then-ruling political party. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. In East Baton Rouge Parish, Friday, Trump's motorcade drove through hard-hit communities, where ripped up carpet and flooring, furniture and the entire contents of homes were piled on the curb. People who were still mucking out their homes, in some instances, came out to wave at the motorcade with gloved hands dirty from their house-gutting work. He and Pence then met a group of volunteers at a Baptist church who have been cooking meals for flood victims and helping the elderly gut their homes. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Trump," one woman screamed. "We knew you would be here for us!" another shouted. A torrent of about 2 feet of rain inundated the southern part of the state, devastating areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina over a decade ago. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, says he won't be involved in Trump's visit, saying Thursday that Trump is welcome, "but not for a photo-op." Edwards' spokesman Richard Carbo said in a statement that "we hope he'll consider volunteering or making a sizable donation to the LA Flood Relief Fund to help the victims of this storm." Trump said this week he's overhauling his campaign operation, bringing in a new chief executive and appointing a new campaign manager. Trump's decision to tap Stephen Bannon, a combative conservative media executive, as his new campaign chief suggested to some that he might continue the divisive rhetoric that has angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the general election electorate. In an interview with Fox News Friday, Trump's son Eric said that Manafort "was amazing," but his father didn't want to be "distracted by whatever things Paul was dealing with." Trump's trip to Louisiana, a rare departure for the candidate whose campaign so far has consisted largely of mass rallies and television phone-ins, comes a day after he made a rare expression of remorse for making comments that "may have caused personal pain." In a highly uncharacteristic move at a rally in North Carolina on Thursday night, Trump said for the first time that he regrets some of the caustic comments he's made in "the heat of debate." "Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that," the GOP nominee, reading from prepared text, said at a rally in Charlotte, N.C. Thursday night. "And believe it or not, I regret it and I do regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain." It was a rare admission for a man who has said that he prefers "not to regret anything" and it underscored the dire situation Trump finds himself in. With just 80 days left until the election, Trump is trailing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in preference polls of most key battleground states. Earlier Thursday, Trump moved to invest nearly $5 million in battleground state advertising the first ad airing Friday, accusing Clinton of rigging the election. Clinton, by contrast, has spent more than $75 million on advertising in 10 states since locking up her party's nomination, Trump's new investment marks his first of the general election season. Trump's decision to visit Louisiana came after the White House said President Barack Obama was unlikely to break from a New England vacation to survey the damage, despite calls for him to visit and meet with responders and victims. In an editorial published Wednesday, The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge called on Obama to visit "the most anguished state in the union." The newspaper noted that Obama interrupted his two-week vacation on Martha's Vineyard earlier this week to attend a fundraiser for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on the Massachusetts island. Louisiana's Democratic governor defended the administration's response Thursday, saying he has spoken daily with the White House and would prefer Obama hold off on visiting because such stops pull local police and first responders into providing security. Trump's new campaign manager Kellyanne Conway suggested that the visit was part of a larger effort, like his speech on Thursday, to pivot to a more presidential phase. "It's also presidential today to have him and Governor Pence going to Louisiana in a decidedly nonpolitical event," she told ABC's Good Morning America Friday," adding that they would be "going to help people on the ground who are in need." AP writers Steve Peoples, Julie Bykowicz and Lisa Lerer in Washington contributed to this report. Sam Stout's mother, Frances, passed away in 2009. As executor of her estate, the Hartford man researched her assets, went to probate court and paid hundreds of thousands in estate tax to both the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Connecticut. But it's what happened last year that set him on a course to contact the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters. Last June, Stout received a letter out of the blue indicating his family had $32,000 coming to them in a "lost asset." "I thought it was good news. I contacted the state they said they had the shares of Wellpoint, Inc.," Stout said. They were in his late mother's name, so he had to go through probate yet again. He owed $4,400 in back taxes on the $32,000, because it was part of the estate. But Stout said the state was looking for more: $3,300 in interest. "Why should I pay interest on money I didn't even know I had?" Stout asked. The state charged him 1 percent per month on the unpaid liability, dating back to March 2010, when he paid the original tax bill on his mother's estate. According to the State Treasurer's office, the law requires that securities are sold on receipt. The state holds it as "unclaimed property" and invests the money until the rightful owner comes forward to claim it. That, said Stout, seems like "double dipping." "If you have money you don't know you have, the state's making money on it and if you go to get it, they're going to charge you for it," Stout said. Longtime estate attorney Paul Bourdeau has no relationship with Stout or his family. He said the Internal Revenue Service has a three-year statute of limitations so the Feds don't even ask for back taxes, let alone interest, when something like this happens. "If you had sent the IRS the amended return after the three year closure, they would not have accepted it. They would have sent your return back, sent your check back and said you're home free," Bourdeau said. Bourdeau said Connecticut law is less clearcut, but he believes Stout has a strong case for an appeal. "I think he could go to the DRS and said the statute of limitations has run, you didn't have the right to collect this tax and it should be refunded, together with the interest I paid," Bourdeau said. The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters contacted the Department of Revenue Services on Stout's behalf. Commissioner Kevin Sullivan responded with a statement that reads: "It's our duty to all other taxpayers that we collect what's legally due, including penalties and interest, when any taxpayer acts erroneously or knowingly attempts to evade the law. But DRS never wants to penalize taxpayers for trying to do the right thing. Based on what you have told me about this case, because I cannot legally disclose anything specific, there's room for further review and the taxpayer should contact my office." Commissioner Sullivan said that if you do hide assets or income from the state, the DRS can reach back in audit and charge penalties and interest that could can add up to even more than the tax itself. Local The latest news from around North Texas. Dallas County Community College District health officials say students aren't getting the right vaccinations, and when they're showing up to register they are being turned around. Since January 2012, incoming college and university students are required to receive one dose of meningococcal vaccine prior to attending school to combat bacterial meningitis (meningococcal disease). The vaccine is typically called Meningitis ACWY vaccine. In 2014, the Meningitis B vaccine became available and now students are receiving it instead of the required vaccine. The Meningitis B vaccine is recommended but not required. "Sometimes, the students and parents will just say, 'We need the meningitis vaccine to get into college,' and they end up receiving the B, when in fact, the state law says they should have had the ACWY," said Mildred Kelley, campus nurse at Brookhaven College. Kelley says problems with misunderstanding of immunization requirements among students have been reported at three Dallas County community colleges, including Brookhaven. Students who don't have the mandated immunizations face a delay in registration for fall classes, which ends Aug. 20 at Brookhaven. "They don't want to be delayed. They don't always complain about getting another shot, they just don't want to be delayed," said Kelley. Meningococcal disease is spread from person to person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and can be fatal. "One out of eight will die, and about one in five will have serious morbidity after they survive. That means potential cognitive defects, basically brain damage," said Dr. Daniel Moulton at TLC Pediatrics in Allen. Moulton says students should get both meningitis vaccinations to be safe. New students should make sure they get at least the mandated immunization before attempting to register for college courses. A proposed 13-cent property tax rate hike won't appear on the November ballot after Dallas School Trustees failed to advance the measure in a vote Thursday evening. The vote was 5-4, but six votes were required to place the issue on the ballot. Proponents had argued that the tax hike was needed for programs they cant expand without the extra money. The tax rate hike would've collected an extra $100 million as the Dallas Independent School District faces possible transfer of money to other districts in the near future under the states Robin Hood formula. The state rules send money from richer districts to property poor districts. Dallas ISD faces big challenges educating kids but enjoys higher property wealth and sharply rising property values compared with some other districts. The tax hike proposal was split into three separate questions for teacher merit raises, early childhood education and early college programs. Prior to Thursday's vote by the trustees, a teachers union leader said her members were divided on the salary issue because many think they all deserve raises. Incentive pay doesnt include everyone, Alliance AFT President Rena Honea said. Teachers supported the other two proposals, according to Honea. Early childhood money would've full day Pre-K classes available to more young students. When children start with us in Pre-K, both their language acquisition and their vocabulary when theyre in the classroom evolve at a much higher rate, said Kramer Elementary School Principal Katie Eska. It adds value at an exponential rate having them here for a full day. Early college credit programs currently offered at several Dallas high schools would've been expanded to more campuses. High school graduates also receive 60 hours of college credit and associate degrees under the program. The program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at Conrad High School in cooperation with Richland College, according to Conrad Principal Anthony Mays. Graduates can immediately enter the workforce full time or earn money on the side as they work for higher college degrees. Theyre going to start at a really competitive place in terms of their salaries based on the degrees that weve chosen and opportunities that weve chosen with Richland College, Mays said. We have students coming from outside the district that are interested in becoming a part of the collegiate academy. The total Dallas school tax rate would've risen to $1.41 per $100 value with the additional 13 cents still lower than many surrounding districts. The Dallas ISD average $157,000 value home would've paid an additional $205 per year with the increase. Officials had said the increase would've been reversed if the new programs didn't work. Still, voters would have been asked to give the district more money just a year after approving $1.3 billion in school improvement borrowing in a November 2015 referendum. An Olympian from Mississippi won a bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in Rio using a pole manufactured in Fort Worth. In 2014, American track and field athlete Sam Kendricks became the first American to to earn a medal in pole vaulting in 12 years. Fast forward to 2016, when Kendricks, 23, cleared the high bar at 19 feet and 2 inches. The 16-foot-1-inch pole Kendrick used earned him a bronze medal. "Everything was designed specifically for him," said UST-Essx founder Bruce Caldwell. "It was amazing to see Kendricks and our pole at the Olympics. We were glued to our TV's watching him," said Caldwell. Each pole has to be flexible and durable enough to withstand the inertia and body weight of the athlete. The poles, that are made with a mixture of fiber glass and carbon fiber, are tested before they leave Fort Worth. "We have to make sure they can bend, and can pass the buckle test. There is a lot of engineering that goes into the design and build of the poles," said Beto Sanchez, who has been making the poles for the last 17 years. Sam Kendricks is currently a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army reserve. He is the first military athlete on US Olympic team to receive a medal in Rio. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 By Orkhan Guluzade Trend: Turkeys National Intelligence Organization (MIT) cracked the codes of a messaging app called ByLock, which was used by Fethullah Gulen supporters, Haber 7 newspaper reported Aug. 19. Gulen is accused of organizing the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey. After cracking the apps codes, via which the Gulen movement members were communicating, the MIT identified 53,000 Gulen supporters. Currently, the National Intelligence Organization is decrypting 18 million messages sent by the Gulen movement participants. An Istanbul court ordered on Aug. 4 to arrest Fethullah Gulen. 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 had said 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. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade What to Know One of the bus drivers and a passenger died and 18 other people were hurt, some of them critically Authorities are investigating if the driver who t-boned the other bus ran a red light The intersection was shut down as emergency crews swarmed the area Two New Jersey Transit buses collided Friday in a horrific t-bone crash in downtown Newark, killing two people and injuring 17 others, some of them critically, officials said. The driver of the No. 59 bus from Dunellen to Newark broadsided the No. 13 bus from Irvington to Clifton while heading west on Raymond Boulevard near Broad Street shortly after 6 a.m. The driver of the No. 59 bus, James Barthelus, was the only person on board the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Seventeen passengers were on the other bus. All of them and the driver were taken to hospitals in varying conditions. Mayor Ras Baraka said that a woman passenger aboard the No. 13 bus was pronounced dead sometime after the crash. One passenger was in critical condition and five in serious condition, he said. Eight others were in fair or good condition, he added. The surviving bus driver, James Roberts, who had been on the job for 35 years, has since been released from the hospital, authorities said. Yacouba Savadogo was one of the passengers aboard the No. 13 bus involved in the crash. He said the impact zone was only a few rows in front of him and he threw himself as far back as he could as the other bus crushed into his. Afterward, he was the only person aboard the bus able to walk, so he helped as best he could until first responders got to the scene. He suffered minor injuries to his arm and leg. Chopper 4 footage showed one bus smashed into the other. One of the vehicles appeared crumpled like an accordion, and glass and mangled chunks of metal had spewed onto the ground below. Baraka said authorities were working to confirm reports that one of the drivers may have run a red light. "This is not a regular event for NJ transit," Baraka said. "We are working to make sure these things dont happen." Footage from the scene showed some victims lying on a sidewalk and others taken away in stretchers. They were surrounded by dozens of firefighters and police. One bystander who scrambled to try to help passengers described the scene as a "nightmare." NJ Transit police Chief Christopher Trucillo said in a statement that the bus agency was cooperating with prosecutors and others investigating the crash. "We at NJ Transit would like to give our condolences to the family of our driver who is a long time NJ Transit employee and our hearts and sympathies go out not only to his family but also to all our bus employees because NJ Transit is a family and when an incident like this happens it impacts everyone in a meaningful way," said Trucillo. Starbucks employee Jennifer Peltrain was opening up her store near the crash site and ran outside to help after hearing what she said sounded like an explosion. Peltrain and her fellow baristas were among the first people on hand and aided people with ice water, rags and a first aid kit. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the collision. Christie Brinkleys daughter is moving into college and trying to move on. Sailor Brinkley-Cook, 18, is firing back at Internet trolls who commented on an article depicting a photo of the teen and her supermodel mom in matching overalls moving Sailor into college. Brinkley-Cook, who is starting her freshman year at New Yorks Parsons School of Design, posted a screen grab of the offensive commentsmany of which concerned her appearanceon her Instagram accompanied by a lengthy caption. Everyone needs to stop putting me and my siblings and me and my mother in competition, Brinkley-Cook wrote. Comparison to others is toxic and unhealthy. As long as I am happy healthy and kind to others why should I care if I am not as 'pretty' as someone else. Brinkley-Cook said her mother serves as an inspiration, but the constant comparisons between her and her mother can be hurtful, especially at a young age. I'm just a person figuring out what I want to do and what makes me happy, she wrote. My one wish is that these people can get off their computers, go chase a sunset, kiss someone they love, pursue one of their dreams and STOP making an 18 year old girl feel constantly inferior and hurt. On Thursday Brinkley posted a video of Sailor on her Instagram telling Internet users to harness the power of social media and smart phones for good. Let's all choose to use this machine to make the world a kinder more beautiful place," Brinkley wrote. "Let's choose to create beauty, through mutual respect, compassion and love. The song Mean by Brinkleys ex-boyfriend John Mellencamp can be heard in the background of the video and in the caption Brinkley commends her daughter for speaking out. Bravo @sailorbrinkleycook sometimes when we stand up for ourselves, we are standing up for each other, she wrote. A San Francisco Bay Area woman was arrested Thursday morning on federal cyberstalking and hacking charges related to harassment and threats aimed at TV personality Kris Jenner, members of Jenner's family and two of Jenner's assistants, according to Justice Department officials. Christina Elizabeth Bankston, 36, of Newark, California, was arrested at her home by FBI agents, the DOJ said. Her arrest came after a 15-count indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on July 26 and unsealed Thursday. She is scheduled to make her first court appearance Friday in U.S. District Court in Oakland. Bankston, who is a nurse's assistant, stalked Jenner and her family over a six-month period, according to U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker. The harassment included hacking personal accounts, impersonating her victims, extortion and "swatting," Decker said. "This case illustrates that stalking is a very serious criminal offense," Decker said. "Such conduct can put lives in danger, cause considerable stress and anxiety to victims, and consume considerable law enforcement resources to respond to the false emergency calls." Most of the stalking and hacking was conducted anonymously and remotely while Bankston was in the Bay Area, the DOJ said. It consisted of her sending large numbers of text messages and emails, as well as making harassing phone calls, according to the indictment. Bankston is charged with six counts of stalking, one count for each victim discussed in the indictment: Kris Jenner, Caitlyn Jenner, two of Kris Jenner's assistants and two unnamed Jenner family members. The indictment also charges four counts of computer hacking, one count of extortion by threat targeting one of Kris Jenners assistants and four counts of aggravated identity theft related to the computer hacking offenses. Each of the cyberstalking and computer hacking offenses carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence. Here are just some of the allegations Bankston is facing, according to the indictment: If you get injured on the job in California, you are promised a paycheck through the state workers' compensation system, with quick and efficient medical care so you can get back to work. But as the NBC4 I-Team discovered, many police officers say they are being betrayed by the system, costing taxpayers millions, decreasing the public's safety and causing unnecessary suffering. Simple tasks are painful for Channing Lang, a 14-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Two years ago, she suffered a serious injury after morning roll call. "I stepped out of the car and my kneecap just finally goes completely over and I just fall to the ground," Lang said. What started as a knee injury from a foot pursuit several years ago spiraled into a life of pain, frustration and eventually the inability to work. "What it does to the human spirit, you asked me to put it into words and I can't even come up with words for what it did," Lang said. She says the workers' compensation system is failing her and hundreds of other officers by delaying, and even denying needed treatment. "That shouldn't be the case," said Martin Martinez, a senior lead officer with the LAPD. Martinez, a 30-year veteran, says his knees are shot from years of running and jumping with 30 pounds of gear. His orthopedic specialist recommended surgery. But to get approval for medical care, the request has to go through a company hired by the city, which manages workers' comp claims. According to the city controller, one in three LAPD officers files a workers' comp claim every year. The cost is nearly $100 million a year, leaving 15 percent of the department's workforce sidelined. "We want to get people back to work as quickly as they possibly can," said Bruce Whidden from the city's department of personnel, adding that the number of denials is not as big as it seems. "More than 95 percent of all police cases that are filed with work comp are proved without any review," Whidden said. "They are dealt with and the officers get the treatment necessary." We requested data from the city. It supports the claim that the percentage of denials is low. However, the number of cases being sent for review has doubled in the last couple of years from 3,200 to 6,400. And while that may be a small percentage, it represents a lot of officers. "That takes an officer off the street and out of a black-and-white," said Mark Cronin, an officer with the police union who spends a majority of his day dealing with officers who are denied prescriptions and medical care. Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin has issued several audits critical of the workers' comp system. "Our numbers is higher than other jurisdictions are, and also it is taking longer for our people to get back to work," Galperin said. Galperin says there is a lot of room for improvement. "If you wanted to design a painful, lengthy, expensive system you couldn't have done a better job than the one that the state has right now," he said. Attorney Bob Sherwin, who represents police officers, agrees. He says the problems began when the state legislature revised workers' comp laws, creating a complex review process. "This is an absolute nightmare," he said. "You have actual stories, nightmarish stories of people who can't get the treatment they need." After two years of pain and fighting against the system, Lang and Martinez say they have a message for Mayor Eric Garcetti, Police Chief Charlie Beck and the personnel department. "I just want to go back to work," Lang said. "There is no one else that wants to get back to work other than myself and many of my peers," Martinez said. The police union is trying to convince the city to adopt an alternative dispute resolution process that would bypass the state system. Other cities have cut the time to resolve disputes by more than 100 percent with the system. More information: A taxi passenger was arrested in connection with the killing of his driver after a fight over a fare at a gas station in Hollywood over the weekend, police said. Najib Halibi, 34, of Long Beach, was arrested on murder charges, said Detective Herman Frettloher, of the LAPD's West Bureau Homicide Division. Jail booking records online show that Halibi was arrested Wednesday and was being held on $2 million bail. He is accused of killing cabdriver Asfawosen Alemseged, 47, at the 76 gas station in Hollywood early Sunday morning. There were three passengers in the Yellow Cab that morning, all strangers, police said. The other two passengers helped identify the suspect, police said. Police said the cabbie was attacked and found unconscious at the gas station. He died at a hospital. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has not released a cause of death. The fare for the cab ride was $24.75, police said. Friend and colleague Mekebib Seifu, who bonded 25 years ago when both men moved to LA from the same town in Ethiopia, said Sunday that Alemseged was "one of the good drivers." It was not immediately clear whether the suspect had an attorney. As firefighters battle blazes across the state, another battle is about to be waged on the steps of the state capitol as firefighters and supporters of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection push for higher wages. Members of Cal Fire Local 2881, the union that represents 6,000 state employed firefighters who respond to brush fires and major emergencies up and down the state and calls for service in 36 of the state's 58 counties via contracts with local governments, plans to march to the state Capitol on Monday. The group plans to walk five blocks from the union offices to the north steps of the capitol where they will rally for about an hour. It'll be the first such rally the agency has had since the 1970s, said union president Mike Lopez. "When your employees are not being paid what I would consider an acceptable wage and when they're not allowed to go home because of Cal Fire understaffing, that is a recipe for bad morale," Lopez said. "Our membership wants the public to know that their firefighters are not happy." Firefighters say they are paid less and must work more hours compared with their counterparts at other agencies. They say that when they leave Cal Fire after 15 years of service at the rank of fire captain, they go to work for a local agency and make more money, work fewer hours and earn better benefits as a rookie firefighter. Firefighters in the 20 largest agencies in the state with more than 75 personnel, for instance, can earn up to $8,700 a month in gross base pay before retirement and benefits are taken out, compared with a Cal Fire captain who earns up to $4,609 a month in gross base pay, said Tim Edwards, the state rank-and-file director and chair of the union's negotiating team. Like other municipal fire agencies, Cal Fire firefighters also earn overtime. All municipal agencies in the state have 56-hour work weeks, while Cal Fire firefighters work a 72-hour workweek, Edwards said. Cal Fire firefighters last received a pay increase of 4 percent in fiscal 2014-15. The current agreement is scheduled to expire in July 2017, officials said. "Our state firefighters are everyday heroes and are valued civil servants," said Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the California Department of Human Resources, the agency negotiating with the union. "However, when considering compensation the state must balance the needs of many different bargaining units and the overall state budget." Harley Shaiken, a labor studies professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said that the union's push is a "very real, but hidden cost of climate change." "There are people on the front lines of this where this is their livelihood," he said. "They're feeling increased pressures and all the tensions that are related to this. At a minimum this is putting it front and center. These are real fiscal issues. There are a lot of other urgent priorities, but this has to be put in that mix." The push comes as firefighters are putting out or mopping up at least a dozen fires currently burning across the state during California's sixth year of historic drought and extreme heat combining to make for tinderbox conditions year round. "Our guys are going from fire to fire and they're not going home," Lopez said. "They're doing it for a longer duration than they ever had before." The time away from family is taking a toll, Lopez said. One firefighter reported recently working three weeks straight with no time off. A captain reported working for 20 days straight. The department gave him two days rest and relaxation but he couldn't go home. His wife and child visited him at a hotel, Lopez said. "That's the normal now," Lopez said. Orange County officials and victims' family members on Friday spoke out against the state hospital transfer of Edward Charles Allaway, the criminally insane gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting at Cal State Fullerton 40 years ago. Allaway was transferred from Patton State Hospital to another facility in Napa County that was described as "less secure" in a move the Orange County District Attorney said may indicate prison officials' eventually intent to release him. Allaway, found guilty of the shooting by reason of insanity, fired 23 rounds during the attack has been housed at Patton State Hospital. The attack, which lasted about five minutes, left two others wounded. Allaway was a janitor at the Orange County campus. He chased some of the victims, tracking them down by using elevators and stairs to move around during the rampage. Allaway fired into a graphic arts studio and library before driving to a hotel where his wife worked. He then called police to surrender. It was the worst mass shooting in Orange county until the 2011 shooting at a Seal Beach hair salon that killed eight people. Allaway has the legal right to petition annually for release from Patton State Hospital, where he was transferred in 1995 from Atascadero State Mental Hospital. He filed for release in 1986, 1991, 1994 and 2000. In 2001, there was a two-month trial in which he was found unfit for release. The Orange County District Attorney's office has opposed his release, arguing that he poses an unreasonable risk to public safety, if set free. A Santa Clarita man suspected of breaking into a series of residences in one case allegedly telling a victim, "I want to make you mine" and assaulting a woman was charged Thursday with seven felony counts. Russell Malcom Harris, 34, is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 14 on one count each of assault with intent to commit rape during the commission of a first-degree burglary, first-degree residential burglary and attempted first-degree residential burglary, along with four counts of first-degree burglary with a person present. Harris allegedly broke into a woman's home Aug. 1 and sexually touched her before fleeing. He's accused of breaking into three more residences the same day, and breaking into or attempting to get into three other residences on Aug. 2, according to the District Attorney's Office. He was believed to be involved in several incidents in the Echo Park, downtown Los Angeles, East Hollywood and Silver Lake/Sunset areas. Harris allegedly went to apartment buildings and homes and checked doors to see if anybody was at home. "In a couple of incidents, he was able to make entry, where he confronted the occupants of the home and he attempted to commit sexual acts with them," said Los Angeles police Lt. Joe Losorelli, who heads the Rampart Detectives Division. One victim said he told her: "You're pretty. I want to make you mine," before grabbing her. Harris was initially arrested Aug. 9 by Pasadena police responding to a call of a suspect trying to enter a home. Pasadena police subsequently got a call of a suspect in a yard and determined that he had broken his leg while trying to elude officers, according to the LAPD. Los Angeles police said they subsequently got a tip from an Antelope Valley citizen who recognized him after seeing a news report, and investigators were subsequently able to determine that he was the man who had been taken into custody by Pasadena police. Losorelli said investigators showed a "six-pack" containing a photo of Harris to one of the alleged victims, who "positively identified him as the person that entered her apartment and tried to sexually assault her," and other alleged victims also "positively identified him as the individual in the Rampart area and Hollywood" who had tried to break into their apartments. The defendant is wanted in New York "for the same type of violation" and has an "extensive criminal record," according to the LAPD. The criminal complaint alleges that Harris has prior convictions in New York. If convicted as charged, Harris could face up to life in state prison. Twisted metal gates and rusted mailboxes remained where houses once stood. Flames had turned a lot full of cars, including some vintage models, into a junkyard of hollowed-out shells. Countless trees were scorched or gone. Scenes of destruction were everywhere Thursday after a huge wildfire sped through mountains and high desert 60 miles east of Los Angeles so swiftly that it took seasoned firefighters off guard. But the day also brought the biggest gains yet against the blaze, with containment jumping to 26 percent, up from just 4 percent when the day began. The fire has burned over 37,000 acres. An aerial flyover revealed significant property loss, but crews were just beginning to comb through the rubble to document the devastation. "Most of the areas where there was structural damage, they're still smoldering," U.S. Forest Service spokesman Jake Rodriguez said. Many residents remained in limbo, unable to go home and wondering whether anything would be left when they can. "I want it to be over, but more than anything I just want to know, 'Is my house still there?' " Lisa Gregory said as she sat in a lawn chair under a tree at an evacuation center. At its height, more than 34,000 homes and about 82,000 residents were under evacuation warnings. While the east side of the fire near the desert was brought partly under control and some evacuees on that side were allowed to return home, the west side's hillsides were still showing heavy flames and thick smoke. Wildfires across the country in recent years have grown more ferocious and expensive to fight. Within hours, towering, fast-moving flames had ravaged pine forests near the California ski town of Wrightwood but only half of its more than 4,500 residents had heeded mandatory evacuation orders. Instead of heading for safety, many homeowners are staying put and dialing 911 for help, U.S. Forest Service spokesman John Miller said Crews, however, aren't always able to reach those who stay behind. Some say wildfires have now become a part of living in the wildlands. Kim Boyle, who has experienced a half-dozen wildfires during her decade in Wrightwood, said she would evacuate if she saw a fire actually burning in town. "But it'd have to be closer for me, and I think that's true for a lot of folks around here because they've been through this so many times," she said. The fire 60 miles east of Los Angeles cast an ominous gray-and-orange haze over the picturesque town at an elevation of 6,000 feet that's known for its 1930s cabins. The blaze began Tuesday in the Cajon Pass region in hot, gusty conditions and swallowed an undetermined number of homes as it scorched nearly 50 square miles in mountain and desert areas. Air tankers bombarded rugged slopes with fire retardant Thursday and a squadron of helicopters dropped load after load of water. On the ground, firefighters and bulldozers worked to protect Wrightwood and other areas high in the San Gabriel Mountains. No fire-related deaths have been reported so far in that blaze, but bodies have been found during other fires that prompted mandatory evacuations. In June, authorities found the burned remains of a man and woman who were caretakers of property in an area where an evacuation order had been issued near Potrero, about 45 miles east of San Diego. San Diego fire Capt. Robert Allen said fire engines have been stuck behind vehicles of people who have waited to the last second to leave. "I can understand their feelings but at the same time it creates a hazard," he said. "Not only do we have a fire to fight now we have to save lives." Leaving or staying when fire approaches is often a personal decision even though California and some other states consider it a criminal offense to ignore mandatory evacuation orders. Such offences, however, are rarely prosecuted, according to the American Bar Association. Boyle said her family felt an obligation to stay and keep their Wrightwood Market open to support firefighters. She figured it would take 10 minutes to pack up family photos, important documents and clothes when they did decide to leave. "Firemen come in and tell us what's going on, and I think that helps us feel better because we get the scoop from them," she said. "I trust they will do what they need to do and have always done for us. There have been a lot of wildfires around here but the town has always been safe." Many families that did evacuate will likely return and find their homes are gone. Former volunteer firefighter Steve Boyd, 67, stayed behind during a 2003 blaze to protect his home in Lytle Creek from looters. But he decided to evacuate this week. "It's just stuff," said Boyd, who joined a stream of vehicles on the only road out of town and headed to a shelter. In the Southern California fire, air tankers bombarded rugged slopes with fire retardant, and a squadron of helicopters dropped load after load of water to corral flames. On the ground, firefighters and bulldozers worked to protect the ski town of Wrightwood and other areas high in the San Gabriel Mountains. The fire unleashed its initial fury on a semi-rural landscape dotted with small ranches and homes in Cajon Pass and on the edge of the Mojave Desert before climbing the mountains. Travel was returning to normal in the pass, a major corridor for trucking, rail and commuter traffic, after Interstate 15 was fully reopened. Two new cases of Zika have been linked to Miami Beach, NBC 6 learned Thursday. One case was from a tourist that visited the city two weeks ago, and the other is from a resident who works on the beach according to an email obtained. Miami Beach city manager Jimmy Morales tweeted that officials have been in constant contact with the Florida Department of Health on the best strategies for mosquito control. Florida Department of Health officials confirmed in a statement that there were two new non-travel related cases of Zika outside the one-square mile area in Wynwood where more than two dozen other cases have been found, but didn't give an exact location. "While the department is continuing to investigate areas in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties where local transmissions of Zika may have occurred, the department still believes active transmissions are still only occurring in the area that is less than one square mile in Miami-Dade County," the statement read. "If investigations reveal additional areas of likely active transmission, the department will announce a defined area of concern." At a news conference Thursday night, Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine said there's a possibility of a link between the Zika cases and Miami Beach but stressed that they haven't been confirmed. "There is no epidemic, there is no outbreak of Zika on Miami Beach, there are two unconfirmed cases, the county says and the health department says, but they have not been confirmed for Miami Beach," Levine said. Levine also quickly dismissed any reports that there was a Zika cluster in Miami Beach. "I know there's been talk about some kind of cluster, there's no cluster," he said. Levine also said the city has been ramping up the fight against mosquitoes. "I can tell you this, I wouldn't want to be a mosquito on Miami Beach," Levine said. Morales sent a message to residents later Thursday asking them to drain sources of standing water, including flower pots, buckets, car tires, toys and other items. Morales added that they're also working with Miami-Dade County on inspecting and mitigating mosquitoes. Stay tuned to NBC 6 on air and online for more on this developing story. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 By Orkhan Guluzade Trend: Turkish police are conducting an operation in the Istanbul University against supporters of the movement of Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of organizing the July 15 coup attempt, Sabah newspaper reported Aug. 19. Sixty-two university teachers have been arrested during the operation. Police conduct searches in the rooms of university employees, who are suspected of having ties with the Gulen movement. Earlier, 95 teachers of the Istanbul University were dismissed, and 31 teachers were detained. The Istanbul University was created in 1453 and is one of the countrys biggest universities. An Istanbul court ordered on Aug. 4 to arrest Fethullah Gulen. 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 had said 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. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade The FBI is seeking help in finding the person who robbed a Bank United location in Miami. Officials say the man entered the building shortly after 10:30 AM Friday morning ask demanded money from an employee behind the counter. After getting the money, he left the bank. No one was injured during the crime. If you have any information on who the man involved is, call the FBI at 754-703-2000 or Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS. The FBI is seeking the public's help in locating a woman who robbed an Oakland Park Bank of America Friday afternoon. Authorities say the the robber entered a Bank of America located at 1601 E Oakland Park Blvd in Oakland Park around 2:45 p.m. and demanded money from a bank employee. There were no injuries, officials say. The amount of money taken has not be released. If anyone has information as to the identity of this bank robber, they are urged to call the FBI at (754) 703-2000 or Broward CrimeStoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Friends and family of the two people killed by a 19-year-old college student accused of eating the face of one victim Monday night said their final goodbyes Friday. Funeral services were held in Fort Lauderdale for Michelle Mishcon, 53, and husband John Stevens III, 59. The two were killed outside their home in Tequesta by 19-year-old Austin Harrouff, according to investigators. Harrouff, who was home for the summer from Florida State University, is alleged to have stabbed and attacked the couple after walking out of a restaurant following an argument with his parents. After killing the husband and wife, he stabbed a neighbor, 47-year-old Jeff Fisher, who had come over to help after hearing screams, investigators said. Fisher told deputies Mishcon and her 59-year-old husband John Stevens III were still alive when he got there Monday night. But Martin County Sheriffs officials say they were dead by the time deputies arrived and found Austin Harrouff on top of Stevens, biting his face. Fisher ran home after being stabbed several times. He was rushed to the hospital and was released Thursday. Harrouff remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition. Martin County Sheriffs officials say Harrouff will be charged with multiple counts, including first degree murder for the deaths of both Mishcon and Stevens, once he is released. They said they will ask for the death penalty in any future case. Harrouff also will be charged with attempted first-degree murder in the stabbing of Fisher, according to a statement from Trisha Kukuvka, a spokeswoman for Martin County Sheriff William Snyder. He'll also be charged with burglary, the statement said. That's because he's accused of entering private property to initiate the attack. Harrouff's parents, Wade and Mina Harrouff, issued a statement Friday expressing their condolences to the Stevens family and their apologies to Fisher "for the pain and suffering caused by Austin." "There are no words we can offer to give any real comfort for this tragic loss," the statement says. "We love our son and know that he is not the person some are making him out to be." A surveillance video released Friday, shows Harrouff walking calmly as he leaves Duffy's restaurant in nearby Jupiter about 45 minutes before the attack. Snyder has said Harrouff left in apparent anger after an argument with his father at their table. But in the video, he seems calm as he passes other diners and a waiter on the way out. Attorney Robert Watson, who said he's representing Harrouff, told TC Palm that the student's parents saw "indications of odd and unusual behavior" in him recently, but he declined to elaborate on possible mental health issues. He declined further comment to The Associated Press on Friday. Toxicology results are still pending, though officials have said there has been no confirmation of Flakka in his system as of yet. The neighbor who tried to help a Tequesta couple who were killed in Monday's face-biting attack has been released from the hospital. Jeff Fisher was released from the hospital Thursday and is home with family, Martin County Sheriff's Office officials said. Fisher, 47, tried to help but was stabbed multiple times during the attack on Michelle Mishcon, 53, and husband John Stevens III, 59. Austin Harrouff, a 19-year-old Florida State University student, is accused of stabbing and beating Mishcon and Stevens. Authorities say when deputies arrived at the couple's home, they found the teen biting parts of Stevens' face. It took a stun gun, a K-9 dog and multiple deputies to subdue Harrouff, officials said. Harrouff remains hospitalized in stable condition and is sedated with a breathing tube, officials said Thursday. Officials said hospital blood tests showed no signs of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin or other common drugs in Harrouff. It will take longer to test for less common hallucinogenic drugs such as flakka or bath salts. Officials said Thursday that blood tests have been sent to the FBI for more in-depth testing. Harrouff hasn't been formally charged with any crimes but detectives are working with the State Attorney's Office to determine charges, officials said. Funeral services for the victims will be held Friday in Fort Lauderdale. Two South Florida men are facing charges after police say they posed as lawyers in Coral Springs. Joseph Anton Hilton, 56, and Adam T. Forman, 46, presented themselves as licensed Florida attorneys, Coral Springs Police said. Hilton has been arrested but police are still looking for Forman. It's unknown if they've hired attorneys. Police say the pair ran The Asset Protection Law Firm at 3921 Northwest 126th Avenue and claimed to offer residential loan modification services and debt consolidation work. The business has had six different names over the past two years, police said. One patient died a few hours after being implanted with a cardiac stent that was "damaged and stretched." The stent maker called it a "malfunction." Another patient developed a fatal, septic infection after receiving a knee injection. The maker of the injection product labeled the death an "injury." In a third case, a patient died on the floor after falling out of a hospital safety bed. Hospital staff said the bed's alert system failed, but the bed manufacturer labeled the incident a "malfunction" instead of a "death." These are just three of the thousands of cases where medical device manufacturers have been allowed to classify patient fatalities as less serious injuries because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows companies to make their own determinations on causality. Even though those patient fatalities happened in close proximity to medical device malfunctions and problems, Angela Stark, an FDA spokeswoman said "the reports were likely classified correctly." The notion that a patient's death could be correctly classified as an injury is a perplexing prospect to the family of Oklahoma's Shelly Wilhite. She was an epilepsy patient who died in 2010 after being implanted with the Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), a device that emits small shocks intended to block seizures. Less than 48 hours after complaining of abnormally painful shocks, Wilhite's family says she collapsed and died on the bathroom floor. Since then, her loved ones have come to learn Cyberonics, the manufacturer of the nerve stimulator, has classified dozens of patient deaths as less serious injuries and malfunctions. "I would like to say to the company to start being honest and to let all of the numbers really reflect the people who have died from this," said Connie Walton, Wilhite's mother. Wilhite's family filed a lawsuit against Cyberonics, alleging the Vagus Nerve Stimulator caused her death. But the case was dismissed because the device passed through the FDA's most stringent approval process, which insulates the company from product liability suits. In 2001 and 2004, the FDA sent Cyberonics warning letters, accusing the manufacturer of failing to investigate and report patient deaths in a timely manner. The firm said all the issues in those letters were corrected. But after NBC New York and CNBC asked Cyberonics about a number of more recent patient deaths that were classified as injuries and malfunctions, the company did an internal review, finding a total of 108 misclassified deaths. Karen King, a spokeswoman for Cyberonics parent company Liva Nova, said the misclassifications were a mix of unintentional human and procedural errors. The company said the errors are being fixed and noted they make up less than one percent of the 34,728 safety reports filed for alleged problems with the Vagus Nerve Stimulator. "Aside from the rare instances described above, there have not been any significant misclassifications of reports," King wrote. She declined to address allegations in the Shelly Wilhite's death suit, but said more than 90,000 patients have been implanted with the Vagus Nerve Stimulator and the company categorically denies manipulating safety data. Madris Tomes, a former consultant for the FDA, said the labels "death," "injury," and "malfunction" matter a great deal because public health analysts must prioritize their work. "The way that the FDA reviews the [safety] reports is in order of importance by the classification that is checked on the form," Tomes said. "So if it is an injury or malfunction, it could take them weeks to months to get to reading them." The FDA said analysts do often prioritize death reports, but they also use other criteria to review safety data and identify patient fatalities. In 2009, an investigation by the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, found the vast majority of unread safety reports were events classified as "malfunctions" and the FDA's software only assigned about 10 percent of malfunction reports to analysts for review. Since the Inspector General report, the FDA has made investments to better track safety problems with medical devices. The agency is currently upgrading its software platform for reporting problems. The new system would link data on health risks from several different sources including clinical registries, electronic health records, medical billing claims and data transmitted from devices. After leaving her work consulting for the FDA, Tomes launched Device Events, a company that offers clients a streamlined way to search FDA safety reports about every medical contraption. According to data compiled by Tomes, between 2011 and 2015, device makers classified more than 4,000 patient deaths as "injuries" or "malfunctions." FDA reporting rules say manufacturers are supposed to report any event that "reasonably suggests a device may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury." Just because a patient death occurs it doesn't mean a medical device is at fault and the FDA says there is often insufficient evidence linking a device to a fatality. Typically the FDA allows manufacturers the discretion to decide when and if their product is related to a death. For example, in five separate cases, Vagus Nerve Stimulator patients were found to have died of pneumonia. Although the Vagus Nerve Stimulator instruction manual warns the nerve stimulator could cause patients to aspirate liquid into their lungs a known pneumonia risk - Cyberonics reasoned three of the patient deaths were properly classified properly as "injuries" or "malfunctions" because medical professionals attested the device was not related to the pneumonia. In the other two fatal pneumonia cases, Cyberonics said human errors resulted in reporting mistakes. Some lawmakers have criticized the FDA for relying on the judgment of industry players when those companies - and the doctors who use their products - have a financial interest in minimizing the appearance of medical risk. "Are physicians misreporting? Are companies misclassifying? I think the FDA is in the best position to answer those questions, and they should. And I don't think they have, to date," said Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania). Fitzpatrick has criticized the FDA for its handling of complaints about the permanent birth control implant Essure. Bayer, the device maker, has reported more than 300 miscarriages experienced by patients who became pregnant in spite of the implant. But instructions on filling out the FDA safety reports explicitly say not to check the "death" box if "a fetus is aborted because of a congenital anomaly, or is miscarried." Catrice Jones, an Essure patient who experienced two miscarriages, said the reporting rules obscure patient harm and favor companies over consumers. "Once a woman is pregnant, she's pregnant. That's a baby. And if she loses it, whether it's ten weeks, or fifteen weeks, or twenty-four weeks, that's a life that was taken away," Jones said. "And they're not being labeled as deaths." Tara DiFlumeri, a spokeswoman for Bayer, said the company reports all adverse events according to FDA rules. She stressed just because a pregnancy fails, doesn't mean the Essure implant caused the demise. "All of the Essure data from postmarketing monitoring show that pregnancy-related adverse events are within the background rate for similarly aged populations," DiFlumeri wrote in an email. Jones and other Essure patients have tried to launch product liability lawsuits against Bayer with limited success because, like the nerve stimulator, the birth control device has passed through the toughest approval process and has broad immunity from most legal claims. Without the ability to sue, both Essure and Vagus Nerve Stimulator patients must rely on health regulators to insure the products are safe. The FDA said when it comes to balancing the interests of the medical device industry and consumers, regulators favor the public. "The FDA considers patients to be our first and primary customer," Stark said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 Trend: Latest on the fire at a business center in Istanbul 17:51 (UTC/GMT +4) The fire at a business center in Istanbul has been extinguished, the Milliyet newspaper reports. 14:43 (UTC/GMT +4) The cause of the fire at an Istanbul business center has not been established, Dogan News Agency (DHA) reports. Fire and rescue brigades have arrived at the scene. People have been evacuated from the business center and fire-fighters are working to extinguish the fire. 14:21 (UTC/GMT +4) A large fire broke out in one of Istanbuls business centers, Dogan News Agency (DHA) reports. Five new cases of local transmissions of Zika have been connected to Miami Beach, state officials confirmed Friday. The five new cases are three more than originally thought after an email was obtained by NBC 6 from city officials Thursday. At a news conference Friday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said that three of the cases were from tourists who visited the area, while two are residents of Miami-Dade. The cases involve three men and two women. The cases came from an active transmission area between 8th and 28th streets, which is just under 1.5 square miles, Scott said. NBC 6 "We're making every resource available to ensure Miami and our entire state remains safe," Scott said at Friday's news conference. Shortly after the announcement, the CDC expanded their warning for pregnant woman, urging them to not visit the transmission zone, similar to the one made for the Wynwood area earlier this month. The group added that pregnant women and their sexual partners who are concerned about potential Zika exposure consider postponing non-essential travel to all parts of Miami-Dade. "We're in the midst of mosquito season and expect more Zika infections in the days and months to come," said CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden. "It is difficult to predict how long active transmission will continue." Frieden said officials will not be able to spray the South Beach area to prevent Zika as they have in other areas because of high-rise buildings and strong winds. Miami-Dade officials have been spraying pesticide from planes flying over Wynwood since early this month, when Zika transmissions by mosquitoes were confirmed there. Frieden says planes can't fly low enough among Miami Beach's high-rises to spray pesticides that kill mosquitoes and their larvae. He says strong winds over the narrow island city also hinder such flights. The county will continue targeted on-ground spraying efforts using EPA, CDC and Department of Agriculture approved pesticides, Miami Beach officials said. "We're going to do everything in our power to make this city safe for our residents and our tourists, that's the most important, that's job number one for the City of Miami Beach right now," Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine said at a news conference Friday. The governor pleaded for more money from the federal government to fight the disease, while also asking for extra testing kits in light of the new location. Through Thursday, 35 non-travel-related cases across Florida had been confirmed to go along with 479 travel-related cases. On Friday afternoon, the Florida Department of Health announced there are 14 new travel-related cases with six in Miami-Dade, one in Broward, one in Palm Beach, one in Seminole and five involving pregnant women. The Health Department added that there was one new non-travel related case located outside the Wynwood and Miami Beach areas in Miami-Dade. Gov. Scott said there would be a reduction in the size of the "Zika Zone" in the Wynwood area near Downtown Miami, where most of the initial non-travel cases were found. "Miami-Dade County remains committed to protecting our community from the spread of the Zika virus, and my administration and I will continue to provide whatever resources are necessary to keep our residents and visitors safe," Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said in a statement Friday. "Just like we mobilized and responded to suspected locally-acquired cases in the one-square-mile area north of downtown Miami, we will continue to follow our proactive, aggressive and time-tested protocol in the 1.5-square-mile area in the City of Miami Beach where locally-acquired cases have been confirmed." At the same time, researchers are planning a study this winter when mosquitoes aren't biting to help speed development of much-needed Zika vaccines, and are looking for volunteers. The quest for a vaccine began less than a year ago as Brazil's massive outbreak revealed that Zika, once dismissed as a nuisance virus, can harm a fetus' brain if a woman is infected during pregnancy. Now, researchers in the United States have begun safety testing of two vaccine candidates, and more experimental shots are poised to enter that preliminary testing soon. Any that seem promising will have to be tested in thousands of people in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean that are hard-hit by the mosquito-borne virus the only way to prove if an experimental vaccine really protects. Even if all goes well, a vaccine wouldn't be available for general use any time soon. But a different kind of research also can offer clues for vaccine development. It's called a human challenge study, when healthy and nonpregnant people agree to be injected deliberately with a virus, mimicking natural infection while scientists track how their bodies react. The first question is even more basic: How much of the virus does it take to infect someone? If government regulators agree, researchers could find out by injecting paid volunteers with different amounts of lab-grown Zika virus as early as December in a Baltimore hospital. That information will help the researchers later, when they're ready to test an experimental Zika vaccine. "We're looking at these human challenge protocols not only as an important step in vaccine development but as a means to learn more about Zika," said Dr. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who is leading the work. "We can look at things that you just can't do in someone who's naturally infected." What to Know The Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn erupted into four days of rioting in 1991 The riots were sparked by the death of a 7-year-old boy struck and killed by a car driven by an Orthodox Jewish driver A Jewish doctoral student was stabbed to death moments after the child was struck and killed An African-American crossing guard helps a group of Orthodox Jews cross the street -- a snapshot of an everyday occurrence, but one which carries added significance on Friday at this particular intersection. Twenty-five years ago at this corner in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn a young Jewish man was stabbed to death by black teens in apparent retaliation for the death of black child struck and killed by a Hasidic Jewish driver. The two deaths in 1991 ignited the most bitter racial clash in New York City in a generation. Days of rioting by black Crown Heights residents followed in what a 1993 state report called "the most extensive racial unrest in New York City in over 20 years." Nearly 200 people were injured. The stabbing death of Yankel Rosenbaum, a 25-year-old doctoral student, is still painful for his brother. "It's a numbness," Norman Rosenbaum told NBC 4 New York. "A sense of helplessness. A real loss." The relatives of 7-year-old Gavin Cato, crushed by the Hasidic driver, also wrestle with the painful loss of a loved one. Carmel Cato, the boy's father, told NBC 4 that the healing for the family, as well as the community, took time. "As a father, I wanted to see things better," he said. Since the riot, residents have worked to foster communication and familiarity between blacks and Jews, from forming organizations together to speaking up when violence strikes either community. Mayor Bill de Blasio credits Crown Heights residents with setting an example of of racial tolerance. "The Crown Heights community over a quarter century has achieved a miracle," he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The parents of Karina Vetrano, who was murdered while out for a run in her Queens neighborhood, said Thursday they are confident police will soon have their daughter's killer in custody. "We have a number of very strong leads and there are few suspects that are very interesting to the police," Karina's father, Phillip Vetrano, told NBC 4 New York Thursday. "You can't run. It's just a matter of time," Karina's mother, Cathy Vetrano, said Thursday. Their words come as police look for surveillance footage near Erskine Street and Fountain Avenue in Brooklyn. Investigators want to determine if the killer crossed the Belt Parkway near the intersection and took a bike path into the park. The family is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer. Thirty people have been diagnosed with a rare paralyzing condition caused by Zika virus infection in Puerto Rico, the territory's health department said Thursday. And Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Thomas Frieden says he expects even more cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome in Puerto Rico because the virus is infecting so much of the population, NBC News reported. "We think there will be as many as 200 additional cases, given the overall number of infections there," Frieden told NBC News. Rehoboth Beach Police say a Canadian man has been charged after his daughter lured a seagull to a hole in the sand and killed it with a plastic shovel. The department says in a news release that officers were called to the beach Wednesday after complaints about a teenager trying to hit seagulls. Officers say the 13-year-old put food into a hole in the sand to lure the birds, and tried to hit them with the shovel. Police say she hit and killed one seagull, which police found in a trashcan. Authorities say officers found the girl's father, 48-year-old Christian Lesieur of Quebec, Canada, drinking alcohol on the beach. Lesieur was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. It is not known if he has a lawyer. A disturbing 636 percent increase in overdoses from the medical-grade opioid fentanyl in Philadelphia has city health officials warning medical professionals and the public about the increased pervasiveness of the dangerously strong drug. City health officials said Friday that 184 people died last year as a result of a fentanyl overdose, whether by using the drug alone or in combination with another, like heroin. Two years prior, in 2013, the drug killed 25 people. The change equates to a seven fold increase.[[390744721, C]] "Clearly, we have an epidemic, Philadelphias Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said at a news conference in City Hall. This years data shows theres no expectation the epidemic will slow down. In the first four months of 2016, 99 of the overdose deaths involved fentanyl, city data shows. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid in the same family as heroin, oxycontin and morphine. But it is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. A small dose can prove fatal by causing a person to stop breathing. Often the drug is used to cut another, like heroin, for a stronger high. Sometimes, its sold by itself. People are buying this drug in the same way as others, Farley said. Denver Post via Getty Images Those suffering from opioid drug addiction quickly grow tolerant to the highs prescription painkillers and heroin provide. The result forces them into increasingly painful withdrawal. So they seek stronger highs, putting themselves at further risk with each hit and each new drug they try. Heroin users explained the vicious cycle to NBC10 earlier this year as part of our special investigation Generation Addicted. The project, which debuted in March, explored the tragic world of opioid addiction in Philadelphia and beyond. It also looked at its effects on the addicted, their families and society. Drug overdoses continue to rise despite frantic efforts by local, state and federal health and law enforcement officials to stem a tidal wave of deaths nationwide. More people died of a drug overdose than in a car wreck for the past three years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Opioid overdose deaths accounted for more than 28,000 of the lives claimed in 2014 the highest on record. A recently released Drug Enforcement Administration report showed similar trends involving fentanyl across Pennsylvania. Agents saw a 93 percent jump in deaths involving the drug from 2014 to 2015. Further troubling is the fact that fentanyl was the most commonly reported drug among people who overdosed from heroin, the agency wrote. Tara Lawley The overdose reversal medicine naloxone commonly known as Narcan has helped to bring countless people back to life, but doses may not be large enough to overcome fentanyls effects. Deputy Fire Commissioner Jeremiah Laster said while naloxone typically will coax a person back to consciousness and allow them to breathe on their own following a heroin overdose, the same isnt true for fentanyl. Medics often try to keep a persons airway open as they rush them to the closest emergency room, he said. The goal is to get somebody to the hospital to get them help, he said. Laster, who oversees emergency medical services, said the department is conducting a time-consuming review of patient records to determine whether an increase in naloxone dosage could make a difference in reversing fentanyl overdoses. Increased dosage will undoubtedly result in higher costs an issue thats already becoming a problem for the city and other naloxone providers. Three years ago, the city paid $13.74 for a dose of the medicine. Today, that same dose costs $37.52. Laster said thats still at a deep discount since the city gets government pricing. Some providers pay upwards of $100 a dose. NBC10 Everyone sees the medicine as a stopgap, preventing a person from ending up at the morgue. Prevention is key to solving this problem, Laster said. Dr. Arthur Evans, Philadelphias behavioral health commissioner, said the city is taking a number of steps to address the crisis. Evans said the city is significantly expanding access to services and medicine-assisted treatment. These medicine therapies help stabilize a person as they work to wean themselves off of drugs over a long-period of time. The city is adding 500 extra slots for methadone treatment, 500 additional detox opportunities and doubling access to buprenorphine, widely known as Suboxone, to offer people help when they are asking for it, Evans said. Behavioral health staff are doing outreach in communities with the highest concentrations of drug addicted people, like hard-hit Kensington, to let people how they can get help. In the heart of Philadelphias open drug market, theres an artery carrying drug addicted people to their high. A story from our award-winning 2016 special report on the heroin epidemic: Generation Addicted: The New War on Addiction. An assessment center at the North Philadelphia Health System (801 W. Girard Ave.) operates 24 hours a day helping to connect people to treatment offerings. A phone hotline (888-545-2600) does the same, Evans said. Three state-sponsored Centers for Excellence will begin offering expanded treatment for Medicaid patients starting in the fall. Evans is hoping new money appropriated through the recently-passed federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act will makes it way to the city through grants. Outreach is also taking place among the medical community. For years, doctors freely prescribed prescription opioids, in the form of pills like Oxycontin, Percocet and Vicodin, and benzodiazepines like Xanax contributing to the epidemics wide scope. Now officials are trying to help physicians balance managing a patients pain and preventing addition from taking hold. The Pennsylvania Medical Society and Pa. Gov. Tom Wolfs administration issued new prescribing guidelines in July issuing a number of recommendations to doctors including putting a limit of seven days on opioid prescriptions doled out in the emergency room. Philadelphia has more than 100 programs offering help for people suffering from addiction. But theres one place that serves drug addicted people in more ways than any other and its how they treat them, that makes the difference. Addiction experts say many times patients are given too many pills to treat a minor issue leaving the door open for dependence or abuse by another person in their home. Farley couldnt say whether the citys emergency rooms were following the guidelines (they are not required), but said his office plans to conduct outreach with doctors to keep them abreast of the epidemic. And as the city works to address this latest facet of the complex crisis, there are new concerns from law enforcement about even stronger opioids hitting Phillys streets. Narcotics officers and DEA agents believe the synthetic opioid W-18 has begun to seep into the the local drug market. Designed in China, the drug can be up to 10,000 times stronger than morphine. Large amounts of the drug were seized in Miami and Alberta, Canada. Police drug labs have begun testing for it. But as addiction specialist Dr. Brian Work told NBC10 earlier this year, with the heroin and fentanyl problem as pervasive as it is, it's hard worrying about the next thing down the pipe." Explore NBC10's digital exclusive investigation Generation Addicted by visiting our special section here. Wednesday, August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. NBC10 will be re-airing our 30 minute documentary from Generation Addicted at 7 p.m. that night. Cuban born, Brooklyn-based pianist Aruan Ortiz made his San Diego debut on Sunday night, performing a bracing solo set for concert promoter Bonnie Wrights Fresh Sound series before a large gathering at Bread & Salt, the Logan Heights multi-arts complex on Julian Avenue. Before he began, Ortiz stood before the crowd and announced in a very soft voice that his music drew upon a myriad of elements, much like a caldosa or Cuban stew. He then began teasing notes from the farthest reach of his left-hand at the house piano, very quietly organizing a sonic structure one brick at a time, forcing the listener to lean forward as he auditioned the resonance of the space, activating choice overtones that rang in the rafters of the high ceilinged industrial warehouse. These details were only discernable because of the pindrop quiet of the room and the rapt attention of the audience who seemed to wholly embrace Ortizs tension-filled single-mindedness. His second improvisation widened the dynamic and harmonic landscape, shifting suddenly into jagged flurries in the right-hand with ponderous thunder in the left as he stabbed, jostled and caressed the instrument with sweeping flourishes and stuttered arpeggios, eventually climaxing with rolling fist clusters and selective basso profondo which seemed to indicate that trouble was just around the corner. Shifting scenes again, Ortiz reached inside the instrument to pluck groups of strings while keeping his foot on the sustain pedal -- creating wafting clouds of reverberant textures that strained against the thud of a single hammered tone. Ortiz released a series of effusive notes that practically cascaded from his fingertips and at one point, he might have been channeling late-period Jarrett as his disassociative left hand clanged atonally against a melodically ebullient right. For the next piece, Ortiz chose Arabesques of a Geometical Rose, from his latest record Hidden Voices. Again he began with inside-the-piano sustain pedal textures against a loping bass line, continuing with muted pizzicato and tapping the frame of the instrument like a conga. He kept a pervasive sense of mystery at the heart of his exploration as each motif inched forward bathed in space. For the finale, the pianist returned to a wholly improvised context, carefully adjusting very dissonant clusters in a sequence that initially seemed to suggest a flirtation with Billy Strayhorns Isfahan. Throughout the evening, Ortiz demonstrated a very keen sense of structure, even in the most ostensibly free sections, yet he also avoided the temptation to allay tensions with convenient resolutions like the plague. There were definite cinematic implications all through this last piece, suggesting perhaps, the eternal struggle between order and anarchy. Another fabulous evening of thought-provoking music brought to San Diego by Bonnie Wright. Robert Bush is a freelance jazz writer who has been exploring the San Diego improvised music scene for more than 30 years. Follow him on Twitter @robertbushjazz. Visit The World According to Rob. A 4-year-old cat was humanely euthanized by the San Diego County Department of Animal Services because of injuries it suffered from an illegal trap found in Linda Vista earlier this week. The cat's right front leg had been caught in the trap. This is about as strong as the ones Ive seen, said Lt. Mitchell Levy, holding the trap. And it's got extra springs on it and it's just barbaric." Levy is part of the Department of Animal Services team searching for the person who set the illegal trap and exactly where it was placed in Linda Vista. I think thats crazy. Were not in the wilderness. We're in the city," said Alina Makinson. Her neighbor, who asked not to be identified, called for help after finding the wounded cat Sunday morning in his backyard on the 3900 block of Canning Avenue. To see the cat suffering as much as it was, we just tried to help it. I put on some thick gloves and tried to get the trap off its leg. The cat was terrified and lunged at me." The traps are considered cruel and illegal in California. Two cats and a coyote were killed last year in National City when they were caught in leg traps. In January, a raccoon was found stuck in an illegal trap in Tecolote Canyon and was also euthanized. We get a few of these a year in different parts of the county, Levy said. The contraptions put neighborhood dogs as well as people, especially children in the Linda Vista neighborhood in danger. A person could have stepped in this and caused the same damage to the person as it did the cat," Levy said. If that happened to my pet, I'd be on every single door hunting down whoever did it, said Alina. Residents in the area told NBC 7 that there havent been issues with cats. But gophers have been a problem. The person responsible for setting the trap could face felony animal cruelty charges and jail time of a year or more, if convicted. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 19 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey and Iran discussed the situation in Syria during the visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to Tehran, Hurriyet newspaper reported Aug. 19. The newspaper reported that Cavusoglu also discussed with his Iranian counterpart the activity of the PKK (Kurdish Workers Party) terrorist group. Discussion on Syrias territorial integrity was also included in the meetings agenda. Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has so far claimed over 500,000 lives. Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The Islamic State (IS, ISIL, ISIS or Daesh) is the most active terrorist group in Syria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu A courtroom battle is brewing over one of San Diego's ballot measures that would pave the way for a new downtown stadium. The city attorney's office came up with the heading: "Tax and Facilities Initiative" for Proposition D. Its author argues, that's not accurate. Attorney Cory Briggs refuses to spell it out this way, but the word 'tax" in the title of a proposition can be ballot-box poison to a lot of voters. So he'll be filing a Superior Court motion seeking a legal ruling on its validity. "The public is entitled to know what the entire 101,000 people who signed it believed it to be, Briggs said in an interview Tuesday. The public's entitled to have a fair description of what it is." Briggs questions branding Prop. D with the word tax" when Prop. C, the Chargers' measure just above it on the Nov.8 ballot, is titled "Downtown Stadium Initiative" -- when it calls for a higher room tax increase on hotel guests. Briggs prefers "Citizens Plan for Tourism Reform ", because Prop. D would preclude an expansion of the Convention Center on the Bayfront, authorize a Chargers stadium and convention annex elsewhere downtown, and allow use of the Qualcomm Stadium site for educational and park purposes -- while ending the hotel industry's Tourism Marketing District. "The politicians for a long time have let the tourism industry run City Hall, Briggs said. And the tourism industry, corporate interests and hotelier interests dictate how the public's money is spent. And we give tremendous subsidies to the hoteliers with no accountability to the detriment of the public. Should the political playing field be leveled? Longtime political consultant John Dadian says hes troubled by the disparity in how Props. C and D were titled. This just doesnt pass the smell test, Dadian told NBC 7. The fact that one has the word 'tax' in it and the other one doesn't I think what a judge is going to do when he review it is -- hopefully -- use common sense." Briggs also takes issue with City Attorney Goldsmith's legal opinion that his measure requires a two-thirds voter majority for passage. But court protocols rule out bringing a lawsuit on the issue until after the election, assuming the measure fails. A spokesman for Goldsmith emailed NBC 7 with the following observations: The title and ballot question were approved by the City Council on July 18 during a publicly noticed council meeting. Initiative proponent Donna Frye spoke in favor of the council action that included adoption of the title. No speaker raised any objection to the title or ballot question. The title and ballot question for the Chargers initiative were heard at the same meeting. Now, upon further review, that oversight by Frye and Briggs, apparently has set the issue up for a judicial resolution. A fast-moving brush fire sparked Friday in a canyon University City, initially threatening surrounding homes. Amid hot temperatures and a Red Flag fire weather warning issued for San Diego County, the fire started at around 12:20 p.m. in Rose Canyon, near Nobel and Towne Centre drives, west of Miramar and Interstate 805. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) said the blaze was burning brush in a canyon, uphill, tearing through heavy vegetation at a rapid rate of spread. Sixty fire personnel rushed to the scene to battle the blaze. There are several condomimium complexes in the area, including the Westwood Apartment Homes. The fire in Rose Canyon burned between the Westwood complex on the north side of th railroad tracks and University City High School on the south side of the railroad tracks. Brush fire in UC stopped at 2 acres. 60 fire personnel on scene. Investigators en route. pic.twitter.com/HVa8EMuXYT SDFD (@SDFD) August 19, 2016 Initially, fire officials said the blaze was threatening structures. SDFD Battalion Chief Ed Kinnamon told NBC 7 officials evacuated residents in about 50 apartment units, as a precaution. The fire reached the base of some of the buildings, Kinnamon said, but firefighters were able to protect the homes. Within 20 minutes, SDFD officials said the fire had burned two acres but the fuel in which it was burning was lighter, reducing its rate of spread. By 1:20 p.m., the SDFD said the forward rate of spread of the fire had stopped and crews had gained the upperhand. The fire held at two acres. No structures were damaged and residents were soon allowed back in their homes. No injuries were reported. Firefighters planned to remain at the scene mopping up hot spots and monitoring for any potential flare-ups. Kinnamon said fire units were very aggressive in tackling the blaze, which prevented it from spreading to the buildings. He said the fire sparked near power lines and train tracks, making it a bit more challenging crews. The battalion chief said the flames did not reach power lines, but SDG&E temporarily shut off power to residents to check the lines for damage. Residents were grateful the fire was knocked down quickly but the incident was still very alarming. Locals Amy Sui and Tania Delgado moved into an apartment complex in the area just a couple of weeks ago and were worried they would be evacuated. The women were happy to learn the fire had not spread. University City resident Brenton Maisel send he was heading home from brunch when he noticed several fire trucks surrounding his complex. "There was a ton of smoke coming out of the ground [in the canyon]," he told NBC 7. As a precaution, Maisel loaded up his belongings in his car, including his books for studying and his computer, and a bag of cookies. "I'm relieved. It looks like they've taken pretty good care of [the fire]," he added. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Eater San Diego shares the top stories of the week from San Diegos food and drink scene, including the preview of an exciting new restaurant coming to Imperial Beach and a guide to the city's best bargain bites. Indoor/Outdoor Shipping Container Eatery Headed to Imperial Beach Scheduled for a spring 2017 debut is The Shipping Yard, a new chef-driven casual eatery being planned just steps from the sand in Imperial Beach. The indoor/outdoor restaurant will be built with shipping containers and feature outdoor, dog-friendly space. San Diego's Essential Cheap Eats From Escondido to Barrio Logan, Eater maps the city's best spots to find bargain bites. Offering a variety of affordable eats ranging from tacos and Thai food to burgers and banh mi, the guide includes 17 favorite fueling stops that won't hurt your wallet. Waypoint Public, Piacere Mio & More Expand to North County Complex Several well-established local food concepts including North Park's Waypoint Public, Piacere Mio in South Park, sandwich chain Board & Brew and juice shop Choice Juicery are all headed to the same North County complex, Del Sur Town Center in Black Mountain Ranch. There, they join the just-opened Burger Lounge and Sprouts Farmers Market. Two-Level Breakfast Eatery Heads to North Park The founder of North Park's popular Breakfast Republic announced plans to bring another morning-centric eatery to the neighborhood. Opening in January on University is North Park Breakfast Company, which will feature an eclectic egg-focused menu, a full bar and a rooftop dining deck. Vital Intel on Little Italy's New Tiki Bar The highly-anticipated False Idol, a tiki bar tucked inside the soon-to-reopen Craft & Commerce, should be unveiled shortly. The cocktail bar, a partnership between local hospitality group CH Projects (Ironside, Noble Experiment) and Smuggler's Cove owner and drink expert Martin Cate, will feature a design by legendary tiki artists. Candice Woo is the founding editor of Eater San Diego, a leading source for news about San Diegos restaurant and bar scene. Keep up with the latest Eater San Diego content via Facebook or Twitter, and sign up for Eater San Diegos newsletter here. The mother of a baby found dead in a duffel bag at the U.S. Mexico border may have been a victim of human trafficking, according to multiple, independent law enforcement sources familiar with the case. 43-year old Mercy Maria Becerra and 39-year old Johnny Lewis Hartley were detained last Wednesday by Mexican Customs agents trying to enter Mexico from the San Ysidro pedestrian foot bridge. Hartley was attempting to carry the babys body in a duffel bag across the customs checkpoint into Tijuana. The couple are not related to the baby, but they do know the babys mother from their hometown of Whittier. Both are now charged with murder in the babys death caused by drowning, according to a San Diego District Attorney. An autopsy also revealed the baby, between 2 to 4 years old, suffered from malnutrition, dehydration, and there were signs of trauma on her body. There had been no missing person report filed for the baby. Last Friday, Hartley and Becerra pleaded not guilty. A public defender was appointed for both defendants. A judge set bail at $2 million for each. Hartley has an extensive criminal history, including a conviction for involuntary manslaughter and multiple gang enhancements on his record. Sources told NBC 7 the childs mother, a human trafficking victim, may have become pregnant with the baby as a result of being a victim of those prior crimes. Former neighbors said Becerra and Hartley had dozens of kids at their former residence. Law enforcement officials do not believe the baby was trafficked, but nonetheless was a tragic victim of a criminal enterprise. Susan Johnson, an advocate for human trafficking victims, and president of Alabaster Jar Project, a faith-based non-profit, said its not uncommon for traffickers to use children to manipulate, coerce or event threaten their victims. Theyll purposely impregnate the women that theyre trafficking, so that they can keep that control, and theyll use the child as a manipulation device to be able to get the mom to do what they want them to do, Johnson said. I havent had an instance that I have come across yet where they have threatened abuse on the child, but they have threatened to take the child away or threatened to have control of the child, and not give mom access to them, and its a very real threat, she said. Deputy DA Kurt Mechals said last Friday the murder occurred in Whittier. The prosecution of the case may be moved to Whittier. Both defendants were in San Diego Superior Court Thursday morning for a routine hearing, and are scheduled to return Sept. 7. Three San Diego families say they received collection notices in the mail for a Rural/Metro Corp. ambulance ride they took two years ago but never received a bill for. We got this bill in the mail and it was from a collections agency, which I said, Whats this? said Kenneth Howard of Rancho Penasquitos. Kenneth said he couldnt figure out why he was getting a collections bill from an ambulance ride he needed two years ago for chest pains. Its very strange to receive a bill two years later when youve had no communication with the company at all, said Ellen Hodgers of Chula Vista. Ellen received a similar collections bill for her husbands ambulance service in 2014. It was very irritating because I try to make sure all the bills are paid for my parents, thats my job, said Stephen Circo of Oceanside. Again, a collections notice arrived two years later, this time in Stephens mailbox for his elderly fathers ambulance ride. Kenneth, Ellen and Stephen have one thing in common: they all say they never received a bill from Rural/Metro ambulance service prior to a Texas-based collections notice arriving in their mailboxes. When Stephen inquired about the bill by calling Rural/Metro directly, he said a representative told him Rural/Metro couldnt speak about the collection because all of Stephens account information is in the hands of the collection agency. Ellen is a retired school teacher and kept detailed records of the familys medical bills but nowhere in her files is a bill for her husbands Rural/Metro ambulance ride. When Kenneth, Ellen and Stephen called the collections agency, Credence Resource Management, all that was offered to them was a payment plan. Theres got to be a mistake here someplace, said Kenneth. NBC 7 Responds reached out to Rural/Metro and within 48 hours, Kenneth, Ellen and Stephen were all offered an apology and had their accounts wiped clean. All three were told they no longer owed the money for the ambulance rides and no report would be sent to credit reporting agencies. In an email, Rural/Metro Corporation Media Relations Manager Tom Milton told NBC 7 Responds, The issue resulted from a processing change that was made when Rural Metro came out of bankruptcy. We have identified and corrected the issue and are handling each inquiry on a case-by-case basis." When NBC 7 Responds asked Rural/Metro if there could be more cases similar to this, the company did not respond. NBC 7 Responds is here to help you with your consumer issues and we want to hear from you. Submit your consumer problem through our online form by clicking here or you can call us 619-732-NBC7 (6332). Every call or online submission we receive will be answered because if you need help, NBC 7 Responds. The family of a San Diego man taken to the hospital after he was shocked by a power line says he loves his job as a Lineman. Scott Crummy was injured on Monday when he made contact with an electrical line while working in one of the baskets in a San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) vehicle. The SDG&E employee was transported to UC San Diego Medical Center for treatment. I am thankful for our family, his IBEW Brothers and our friends who have shown us so much love and support as we sit by Scotts side, Crummys wife Amy said in a statement Thursday. On Wednesday, the company released the following statement on Crummys condition which, in part, read: The SDG&E family continues to have positive thoughts for one of our linemen who was seriously injured on Monday. We were heartened by his change in condition yesterday from critical, to critical but stable. Please keep our lineman and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Crummys wife said he is the best Dad and husband and asked for prayers and privacy for her family. Donald Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort resigned on Friday in the wake of campaign shake-up and revelations about his work in Ukraine. In a statement issued as he arrived in Louisiana to tour the flood-ravaged state, Trump said Manafort offered his resignation Friday morning. The billionaire called Manafort "a true professional." "I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process," Trump said. Manafort's resignation comes a day after The Associated Press reported that confidential emails from Manafort's firm contradicted his claims that he had never lobbied on behalf of Ukrainian political figures in the U.S. Emails between Manafort's deputy, Rick Gates, also a top Trump adviser, and the lobbying firm Mercury LLC showed that Manafort's firm directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's then-ruling political party. The effort included not just legislative outreach but also attempts to sway American public opinion and gather political intelligence on competing lobbying efforts in the U.S. Manafort and Gates never registered as foreign agents for their work as required under federal law. In a statement Friday, Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, said Manafort's departure signals a connection between Trump and "pro-Kremlin elements in Russia." "You can get rid of Manafort, but that doesn't end the odd bromance Trump has with Putin," Mook said. "Trump still has to answer serious questions hovering over his campaign given his propensity to parrot Putins talking points, the roster of advisers like Carter Page and Mike Flynn with deep ties to Russia, the recent Russian government hacking and disclosure of Democratic Party records, and reports that Breitbart published articles advocating pro-Kremlin positions on Ukraine." Mook also challenged Trump to "come clean on his own business dealings with Russian interests." Also Friday, Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators released copies of handwritten ledgers detailing possible cash payments from Ukrainian political figures to Manafort totaling more than $12 million. Details of the payments described in the ledger were first reported by The New York Times. Manafort denies receiving those payments. Earlier this week, Trump brought in a new campaign chief executive and campaign manager following a disastrous stretch in which the New Yorker committed a series of errors and fell behind Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in both national and battleground state preference polls. The new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, had described Manafort and Gates as part of a new "core four" atop the Trump operation with her and CEO Stephen Bannon. What exactly is in a name? That was the $25,000 question for Peter D. Whitford, who has lived in Rockville, Maryland for 35 years. The 73-year-old former conservationist got jolted from retirement after a recent walk to the mailbox. "I had to read through it two or three times. They were talking about a plaintiff and a defendant and foreign judgment," he told the News4 I-Team. Whitford had received a foreign default judgment, stating he owed more than $25,000. His address was right there in writing. His name was listed as the defendant. But the problem was, he had never heard of the plaintiff, a guy in California. "Well I thought it was some sort of a fraud," he said. Good thing he didnt just toss the mail in the trash, because it turned out to be real. However, the I-Team found this judgment was for a different Peter D. Whitford, 2,600 miles away in Pasadena, California. "People getting judgments in the wrong name recorded against them is not uncommon," said consumer advocate attorney Peter Holland. Holland said he hears about cases like this all the time. "So somebody could have pulled a credit report and this person's file got mixed with that. It says, they now live in Maryland. It could have been as simple as a Google or you know a person search. We just don't know." Unfortunately, Holland said, it falls on the person who gets the letter to prove they're not the actual defendant. Otherwise, the court could start garnishing wages and bank accounts -- even take your home. Thats what scared Whitford the most, and why he called the I-Team to figure out what he could do. "My wife and I have been married for fifty-two years and it took that long to build up a nice credit rating. And build this house, which is almost paid for. This would just vacate our savings," he said. Whitford eventually decided, with help from a friend who is an attorney, to file his own motion to dismiss the judgment. When the I-Team contacted the attorney for the plaintiff in the case, he told us he, too, had filed a motion and that the case had been dismissed. He couldnt tell us what led to the mistaken identity. It took the I-Team less than ten minutes to track down the West Coast Peter Whitford, who runs an LLC listed at a large estate in Pasadena, California. He told us he had no idea about any lawsuit or judgment against him. But he told us by phone he is familiar with the plaintiff, who, according to him, did some work for his company. He denied owing any money. Public records show the plaintiff is also based in Los Angeles area. Holland said the mistake could be an indication of a bigger problem with mixed-up credit histories between the Peter Whitfords. "Somehow his name has been connected with someone on the opposite coast," he said. Thats why Holland recommended everyone request their credit reports every year to check for inaccuracies. Thats something the local Peter Whitford is now looking into, hoping to avoid another surprise in the mail. "If you get something like this, take it seriously," he said. So, what exactly is in a name? That was the $25,000 question for Peter D. Whitford who has lived in Rockville, Maryland, for 35 years. The 73-year-old former conservationist got jolted from retirement after a recent walk to the mailbox. "I had to read through it two or three times. They were talking about a plaintiff and a defendant and foreign judgment," he said. Whitford had received a foreign default judgment, stating he owed more than $25,000. His address was there in writing. His name was listed as the defendant. But the problem was, he had never heard of the plaintiff, a guy in California. "Well I thought it was some sort of a fraud," he said. Good thing he didnt just toss the mail in the trash, because it turned out to be real. However, the I-Team found the judgment was for a different Peter D. Whitford -- 2,600 miles away in Pasadena, California. "People getting judgments in the wrong name recorded against them is not uncommon," consumer advocate attorney Peter Holland said. Holland said he hears about cases like Whitford's all the time. "So somebody could have pulled a credit report and this person's file got mixed with that," Holland said. "It says, they now live in Maryland. It could have been as simple as a Google or you know a person search. We just don't know." Unfortunately, Holland said, it falls on the person who gets the letter to prove they're not the actual defendant. Otherwise, the court could start garnishing wages, bank accounts and even take your home. Thats what scared Whitford the most and why he called the I-Team to figure out what he could do. My wife and I have been married for 52 years, and it took that long to build up a nice credit rating. And build this house, which is almost paid for. This would just vacate our savings," he said. Whitford eventually decided, with help from a friend who is an attorney, to file his own motion to dismiss the judgment. When the I-Team contacted the attorney for the plaintiff in the case, he said he too had filed a motion and that the case had been dismissed. He couldnt say what led to the mistaken identity. It took the I-Team less than 10 minutes to track down the West Coast Peter Whitford, who runs an LLC listed at a large estate in Pasadena. He tsaid he had no idea about any lawsuit or judgment against him but said by phone he is familiar with the plaintiff, who, according to him, did some work for his company. He denied owing any money. Public records show the plaintiff is also based in Los Angeles area. Holland said the mistake could be an indication of a bigger problem with mixed up credit histories between the Peter Whitfords. "Somehow his name has been connected with someone on the opposite coast," he said. Thats why Holland recommended everyone request their credit reports every year to check for inaccuracies. Thats something the local Peter Whitford is now looking into, hoping to avoid another surprise in the mail. "If you get something like this, take it seriously," he said. Holland offered these resources to prevent debt collection harassment in Maryland: Private Attorneys: Other resources: Reported by Tisha Thompson, produced by Rick Yarborough, and shot and edited by Steve Jones. Eighteen Prime Ministry employees were detained in the capital city on orders of the Ankara Public Prosecutors Office on Friday as part of a probe into the July 15 defeated coup, Anadolu reported. The detentions were part of a joint investigation by the Ankara police department, focusing on anti-smuggling and organized crime, and the Ankara Public Prosecutors Office, the source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media. Prime Ministry experts are among the suspects, who will be then referred to the court after completing procedures at the police department. The city of Alexandria could be one step closer to making changes to Confederate tributes around town. Media outlets report that last year, the city council created a seven-member group to address confederate flags, memorials and roads named after confederates. The group released a recommendations report Thursday. Among its suggested changes are that the stretch of Jefferson Davis Highway through Alexandria should be renamed. Replacing the street signs along the highway could cost around $27,000. The group also recommends that the Confederate memorial statue in Old Town stay, but with ``additional efforts made to add context to its story.'' The City Council last September agreed to stop flying the Confederate flag on public property. It will consider the group's latest recommendations last month. A man has been arrested in connection to a house fire that killed a teenager, a man and four dogs in Manassas, Virginia, police say. Prince William County police said 35-year-old Noe Antonio Nolasco Amaya intentionally set fire to a house in the 10300 block of Lomond Drive on July 31. After the fire was discovered, Amaya was found walking nearby suffering from burn injuries, police said. Amaya was arrested on Aug. 11, police said. According to a release from police, Amaya lived at the home on Lomond Drive. Jose Javier Avalos, 17, was pronounced dead at the scene. Willian Alexander Molina-Rivas, 36, was taken to a hospital, where he died, police said. Four dogs also were found dead inside the burned home. Amaya has been charged with arson to an occupied dwelling, Prince William County police said. He is being held without bond and will have a preliminary hearing on Sept. 15. The investigation into the fire is ongoing, police said. Months before its expected opening, the MGM National Harbor Casino in Maryland is scaling back its plans for slot machines. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, which regulates Maryland casinos, has approved a plan by MGM to trim nearly 10 percent of the number of planned slot machines for the casino floor. In a memo obtained by the News4 I-Team, state regulators said the change was requested as a response "to present market factors. MGM was given formal permission to hold 3,600 slot machines, or VLTs (video lottery terminals), by Maryland state officials in December 2013. A powerpoint presentation prepared by casino operators for Maryland regulators said, "MGM requests that its VLT allocation be temporarily adjusted from 3,600 units to a minimum of 3,321 units at opening. The presentation said by reducing the number of slot machines, the casino expects to actually increase its slot machine revenue. In its presentation, MGM cites the changing nature of slot machines as a key factor. "VLTs have continued to evolve since 2013 with new game types and multiple denomination games that allow for increased utilization of VLTs with less machines," the casino said in its presentation to state regulators. The casinos presentation to state regulators said demand for table games is increasing in Maryland. The casino did not specify if its plans to eventually increase its slate of table games, including blackjack and craps, when the facility opens. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency approved the casinos request at a Wednesday meeting, News-4 has learned. The agency said similar requests for slot machine reductions were approved at Maryland Live! and Horseshoe Casino in recent years. Spokespeople for the casino did not immediately return requests for comment. In a recent interview with the News-4 I-Team, managers of Rocky Gap Casino in western Maryland described recent, dramatic evolutions in the technology and presentations of slot machines. The machines are increasingly utilizing video imagery and celebrity branding, they said. Rocky Gap officials said they are regularly updating and upgrading their slot machines, while also trying to manage and conserve floor space. An MGM spokeswoman did not offer specific comment to News-4 about the slot machine changes. The casino said in a statement its planning for the casino floor "reflects our commitment to a high quality guest experience and maximizing tax revenues for the state. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission said it must approve MGMs final floor plan for the casino before opening. The agency said it expects to review the floor plan in November. Officials say a natural gas explosion in the meter room of a Silver Spring, Maryland apartment building caused the Aug. 10 explosion that killed seven people and injured more than 40 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Three of the seven people who died have been identified as Augusto Jimenez, Sr., 62; Maria Auxiliadorai Castellon-Martinez, 53, and Saul Paniagua, 65, Montgomery County Assistant Police Chief Russ Hamill said Friday. Natural gas was a factor in the blast that involved two buildings in the Flower Branch apartment complex, ATF Special Agent in Charge Daniel Board confirmed Friday. "...[T]his tragedy was the result of a natural gas explosion that occurred in the meter room of Building 8701," he said. "...Subsequent to that explosion was a natural gas-fed fire that consumed the apartments directly above and adjacent to the source of the fire." Investigators conducted more than 100 interviews, reviewed surveillance video, analyzed evidence, reconstruct gas meter lines, and dug by hand through four stories of debris, Board said. However, investigators are still trying to determine what caused the gas explosion. There is no indication at this time that the blast was caused by criminal activity such as incendiary devices or unauthorized access to the meter room, Board said. Because there are multiple possible ignition sources in an apartment building, Board said further investigation is necessary. Residents of the apartment complex have told News4 that they had long complained of a smell of gas around the apartments, which each have a natural gas furnace and stove. "I've been smelling gas for weeks," said Adriene Boye shortly after the explosion. "I called 911, they came and told us it smelled like incense. That's pretty sad. It's like they didn't take us seriously." Boye said he smelled the gas on the night of the explosion, too -- but he didn't have time to call 911 before the building blew up. Boye told News4 he is considering filing a lawsuit against Kay Apartment Communities, the company that managed the Flower Branch Apartments. In a response to News4, Kay Apartment Communities said it has no record of Boye "reporting smelling gas on the evening of the explosion." Joy West said she also could smell gas in the area prior to the explosion. "When I walk in this area, you smell gas near the corner as you approached the gas station. But it's very strong on Flower, about a block from here," West said. "I just felt, and I told the guys at the store, 'You guys be careful 'cause one day something is going to blow up around here.'" A woman who used to work for the management office at Flower Branch Apartments told News4 that the smell of gas was a common complaint during the years she was employed there. "Oh my God. It finally happened," said the woman, who did not want to be identified. "They would send the maintenance people to check, but I think something more needed to be done." Montgomery County Acting Fire Chief Alan Hinde confirmed the fire department had received one 911 call for the report of a natural gas odor, on July 25. The fire department went to the area where the odor was reported, and surveyed building with a meter, but found no positive results, Hinde said. At a meeting with officials Tuesday in the community center, residents received reassurances that Washington Gas had checked out the remaining buildings. "The residents of the adjacent buildings should not experience a problem with their gas. If they do, they should certainly contact us," said Earl Stoddard of Montgomery County Emergency Services. Four other victims of the explosion have yet to be positively identified, but authorities believe the victims are 3-year-old Fernando Josue Hernandez Orellana, 8-year-old Deibi "David" Samir Lainez Morales, 34-year-old Aseged Mekonen, and 41-year-old Saeda Ibrahim. Another 31 people were injured, and scores of residents were traumatized by the explosion, which blew doors blocks down the street and shattered glass several streets away. "They were sleeping in the car for a while," said one resident in Spanish. "Now they've returned to the apartments, but they're afraid to turn the gas stove on. They're afraid to cook." The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began an investigation into the blast Thursday, said NTSB Investigator in Charge Ravi Chhatre. The NTSB is investigating because natural gas and petroleum pipelines are under the board's jurisdiction, he said. Chhatre said the NTSB aims to have their investigation completed within a year. Several school systems in Northern Virginia are testing the water for lead as students prepare to head back to class. Officials with the school systems told News4 they decided to do the testing in light of the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan. We took a proactive measure. Were not required to do this by any regulatory agency, and we decided that we would go ahead and test all of our schools, said Andy Hawkins, executive director of finance and operations for Manassas City Public Schools. Dozens of fountains and sinks were tested for lead at Manassas schools. Initial testing showed elevated lead levels in three fountains, Hawkins said. Although a second round of testing showed the fountains were safe, Hawkins said the school system did not want to take any risk. That didnt satisfy us. So, we went back and took those three devices out and replaced them, Hawkins said. In Arlington County, one fountain was replaced at Jamestown Elementary School after tests showed it had lead levels above the amount recommended from the Virginia Department of Health, according to Arlington County Public Schools spokesperson Jennifer Harris. Alexandria and Loudoun County officials told News4 their public schools' lead levels are safe. While local water officials said the source of the water is safe, but residents should be cautious of lead in their home faucets and pipes. The one thing to remember is that lead can be faucet-specific," said Susan Miller, a spokesperson for Fairfax Water. "So, it could be as simple as a fixture or something, one pipe, or a solder in particular that could be contributing to lead to the water. Miller said one fix is to turn on the cold water and let it run for a few minutes before using any water for drinking or cooking. "That will get any water thats been sitting in the pipe, that could potentially be exposed to lead, out of your pipes and get fresher water in," Miller said. What to Know Two youth pastors in Prince William County, Virginia, have been accused of having inappropriate relationships with minors. Jordon Baird, 25, is a youth pastor for The Life Church in Manassas. Police say he inappropriately touched a 16-year-old girl at church. Derrick Trump, 28, was the director of youth ministries at a church in Nokesville. He is also accused of inappropriately touching a minor. Two men who were leading separate church youth groups in Prince William County, Virginia, are facing charges they had inappropriate relationships with underage girls at their churches, police say. Jordan Baird, 25, is the youth pastor at The Life Church at 11234 Balls Ford Road in Manassas. Police said Baird sent inappropriate text messages and inappropriately touched a 16-year-old girl at the church numerous times between January and September 2015. Baird's father, David Baird, is the senior pastor at The Life Church, which has four locations in Northern Virginia. In a statement to News4, The Life Church said a church volunteer first notified leaders of Baird's alleged misconduct on June 10, 2016 and the church placed Baird on a leave of absence as they conducted an internal investigation. On July 13, police notified the church they were investigating. Baird was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 17 and he has been charged with two counts of indecent liberties by a custodian. "Jordan denies all allegations brought by Prince William County, but remains on leave from the church until the charges are resolved," The Life Church's statement read in part. "At this point, we don't believe there are any other victims, but there may be a possibility there could be, and so our investigation is still ongoing to identify if there are other additional victims," said Officer Nathan Probus, with the Prince William County Police Department. Another youth leader is facing similar accusations in Nokesville, Virginia. Derrick Trump, 28, was the director of youth ministries at Greenwich Presbyterian Church. He is accused of having inappropriate contact with a 16-year-old girl at his home in Fauquier County and at the church in Nokesville. Prince William County police arrested Trump on Tuesday, Aug. 16 and charged him with indecent liberties by a custodian. He also faces charges in Fauquier County. Greenwich Presbyterian Church gave the following statement to News4: "We appreciate and fully support the work of the Fauquier County and Prince William County authorities in the administration of justice in this incident. The employment of Derrick Trump as Director of Youth Ministries was terminated effective June 7, 2016 due to his failure to live up to the high standards we require of our staff. We are saddened by the impact of Derricks actions and invite the prayers of the community for all that are involved in this matter. We have no further statement at this time." Trump is being held on bond. Police are investigating two drive-by shootings that occurred overnight in Providence, Rhode Island. According to WJAR-TV, the first drive-by was reported around 10:20 p.m. Thursday on Lancashire Street. Residents reported that someone opened fire on a home, shooting out a window. No one was injured. The second shooting occurred about 10 minutes later just two miles away on Garfield Avenue. Five shots were fired at a house, one of which shot out a window. No one was injured in this incident either. A dark-colored sedan was seen leaving the scene of one of the shootings. Police aren't releasing much as they continue to investigate the death of a Massachusetts toddler after he was found unresponsive and his twin sister found with unknown injuries at their babysitter's Woburn apartment. The babysitter came to Woburn police to hand off her child to Department of Children and Families custody as the investigation continues. Necn has also learned that the twin sister of the 15-month-old boy who died, Noah Larson, and another child are also in DCF custody. Woburn police returned to the home of the woman caring for Noah and his twin sister early Friday afternoon, but no one came to the door and they left. It's not clear what happened to the little boy or if there will be any arrests, but what is clear is that his death has left a community heartbroken. Both Noah and his sister were found at the apartment on Kilby Street Monday; Noah died Thursday and his twin is still at Boston Children's Hospital; however, necn sources say she is expected to survive. The woman watching the toddlers is a family friend, according to sources. The babysitter lists on a website that she also works at a daycare. Officials tell necn her license to work as a child care assistant is no longer active pending the outcome of this investigation. Along with Woburn police, state police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office are investigating. The DA is not releasing any information about their investigation, only to say they are in the early stages and they are waiting on results from the medical examiner's office. DCF is also working with authorities in its investigation. Family and friends turned to GoFundMe to raise money for Noah's funeral expenses and medical costs for his sister, raising more than $20,000 Within a day. Noah's family says they are heartbroken but grateful in a message on their door offering thanks for the support but also asking for privacy. A man identified by federal prosecutors as the former "enforcer" for the Massachusetts Latin Kings street gang has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. The U.S. Attorney's office says 38-year-old Bienvenido Nunez was sentenced Thursday for distributing cocaine and illegally possessing a firearm. He pleaded guilty to the charges in May. Nunez was among a dozen alleged Latin Kings members who were arrested last November, the result of an effort by law enforcement to "disrupt and dismantle" the gang. Prosecutors said members were involved in narcotics distribution and that disputes with rival gangs often led to serious violent crimes. Earlier this month, the former reputed head of the Springfield Latin Kings, Jose "King Black" Cartagena, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for heroin distribution. Maine's Republican Gov. Paul LePage has endorsed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for president. The Kennebec Journal reports LePage endorsed Trump on Wednesday, saying Trump was the "lesser of two evils" and that despite his ups and downs, he's still a businessman. LePage says Trump was his third choice for president behind New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. LePage says he's concerned that Democrat Hillary Clinton was unwilling to bring home U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans, who died in the attack on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. The Clinton campaign declined to respond to the remarks and pointed to a fact-check by Politifact that says the military's chain of command was responsible for sending troops to Libya. China's state council wants to make sure that foreign trade levels are maintained effectively. (Photo : Twitter) China's State Council has called on local authorities to increase their efforts in effectively implementing policies to maintain the stability of the country's foreign trade. The council issued the statement after an executive meeting presided by Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday, China Daily reported. According to the statement, the trade facilitation measures that were initially adopted in the country's free trade zones should also now be implemented in other regions to enhance trade in these areas. Advertisement China began implementing such policies since 2013 to encourage foreign trade growth. With the policies, China has been able to remain as the world's largest economy in terms of trade in the last few years. However, foreign trade has decreased by 3 percent in the first seven months of 2016, with exports going down by 1.6 percents and imports by 4.8 percent. The slowdown was attributed to the global financial crisis that has occurred in the last few years. To reinvigorate foreign trade, the council also said that it is necessary for financial institutions to provide credit support for companies that are exporting goods, as well as help them in dealing with exchange rate risks and widening coverage for export insurances. On the other hand, local authorities were tasked with clearing management fees that ports and shipping companies incur. According to University of International Business and Economics professor Sang Baichuan, these fees are some of the hurdles that prevent trade companies from fully expanding their businesses. Li stressed the importance of maintaining the growth of foreign trade in order to attract more foreign investments in the country. He added that an increase in imports for this year could help boost exports next year. The council also said that bilateral investments will be further pursued in accordance with the Belt and Road Initiative being pushed by the government, China.org reported. "China is now deeply integrated with the world economy, and our international competitiveness will be better enhanced through opening up," Li remarked. A 31-year-old man is arrested and charged for driving under influence of drugs after he hit head-on a police cruiser Thursday night in Littleton, Massachusetts, police said. Timothy J. Walsh, of Ayer, Massachusetts, crashed into a police cruiser Thursday night in the area of Ayer Road. The police officer had arrived in the area in response to a report of an erratic driver. According to Littleton Police Chief Matthew J. King no was injured in the crash. Walsh is charged with driving under influence of drugs and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. He is expected to be arraigned Friday. One person was arrested following a road rage incident in Vermont, on Thursday night. According to the Vermont State Police, officers responded to a call at the North Bennington Variety Store to assist the Bennington Police Department with an active fight involving multiple people. Officers arrested Ryan Kinney, age 41, of Shaftsbury, Vermont, after they learned he engaged in a road rage incident which began on Harrington Road in Shaftsbury and ended at the store in North Bennington. Kinney became angry with several occupants in the other vehicle, including a family member, and chased the vehicle several miles, ramming into it several times. Kinney was estimated to be traveling at speeds greater than 80 mph. The incident ended in the parking lot of the North Bennington Variety Store where the occupants exited the other vehicle and engaged in a physical altercation. There were no injuries. Kinney was taken into custody and processed at the Shaftsbury Barracks. He was charged with four counts of aggravated stalking, three counts of first degree aggravated domestic assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated disorderly conduct, grossly negligent operation, excessive speed, and operating under criminal suspension. Kinney will appear in Bennington County Superior Court on Friday. A man has been arrested in a stabbing at a Massachusetts sports bar that left a 31-year-old Woburn man in critical condition. James Lyons, a 36-year-old Woburn resident, was charged with assault with intent to murder and is being held on $50,000 bail. He'll face a judge in Woburn District Court on Monday. Woburn police say Lyons stabbed the victim, whose identity has not been released, outside of Jake n JOES early Friday morning just as the restaurant was closing and sped off on a motorcycle. Wakefield police confirm just minutes after Woburn police broadcast a description of the suspect's motorcycle, one of its officers spotted a similar sports bike speeding up 128 North past his cruiser. Wakefield police say that officer at first pursued the suspect, but then backed off when it was clear the suspect was driving too fast to safely follow him. According to a source, the victim and Lyons were watching the New England Patriots preseason game against the Chicago Bears and began exchanging words. The victim was rushed to nearby Lahey Hospital, where he underwent surgery overnight and remains in critical condition. Woburn police say Lyons was caught using social media and police work, and that surveillance video from inside the restaurant gave them images to work from. On Friday, a member of the restaurants ownership group said the safety and security of employees and patrons is the companys top priority. Gerry Fruggiero said the fight happened outside the restaurant, and the victim and suspect has been inside before the fight but nothing seemed wrong at the time. Distraught, Fruggiero said when asked how he was feeling. Ive been with the company for 20 years and we never ever had anything like this happen. The investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office and the Woburn Police Department. Two days after residents on New Hampshire's seacoast were startled out of bed by the unusual sound of F-16 fighter jets, people are gathering at Pease Air Force Base for a rare opportunity to see them take off for their home base in Italy. "It's pretty cool," said seven-year-old Jake Humphrey of York, Maine. With a model F-16 in hand, he's ready for departure. "They just rumble everything," he said. He and his family are trying to catch a glimpse of the six fighter jets now parked at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth. "When you hear them, it's a distinctive sound," said Jake's dad, Peter Humphrey. The sound startled people awake early Wednesday morning. "Oh yeah, it shook the house," said Barrington resident Casey O'Brien. "It just rumbled everything coming through, it was pretty neat." A National Guard spokesman tells us the six jets were on their way home to a US Air Force Base in Italy when they were unexpectedly diverted to Pease because they were having trouble refueling. "It was pretty surprising," said Kensington resident Kate Mignone. "It was definitely loud enough, I mean we're 15 miles away from this area and we could hear it." The jets' unscheduled pit stop, reason enough for little Jake to dream big. "I want to fly through the clouds," he said. And a chance for his dad to honor those in the cockpit. "It is definitely the sound of freedom," Humphrey said. "It makes you feel good, they're still in the area, makes you feel safe." Seacoast residents should be prepared for more loud noises as the jets take off. Officials say that is expected to happen sometime Friday night or Saturday. Police in Fall River, Massachusetts, are searching for a suspect who allegedly robbed two business. According to the police, the first robbery occurred at a Rockland Trust Bank located at 855 Brayton Avenue on Wednesday around 3:55 p.m. The suspect was then seen walking west on Brayton Avenue. The second robbery occurred at a Tedeschi's Food Store located at 28 East Maine Street on Thursday around 1:42 a.m. The suspect was last seen running east on Hamlet Street. He is described as being 25-32 years of age, 5'7-5'9, balding, with brown hair and brown eyes, a slim build, and a brown beard. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, 3/4 length shorts, and grey sneakers. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fall River Police Department. Massachusetts State Police along with Sunderland Police are searching for a teenage girl who ran away from home early Friday morning. According to necn-affiliate WWLP, officers were called to the teenager's mother's apartment around 5 a.m. for a well-being check. Once police arrived at the apartment, one of the adults began arguing with an officer and eventually assaulted the officer. Police arrested the woman and called DCF to take custody of the other four children who were home. Then the teenager, a 17-year-old girl, jumped out the window and started running. Sunderland Police alerted the Massachusetts State Police who have been searching for the girl with the help of helicopters and police dogs. The girl is described as a thin black girl, with the sides of her head shaved, between 5'4'' and 5'7''. Officers are focusing on the area of Bull Hill Road and Clark Mountain where the girl's phone last had a signal. The phone is now shut off. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. Massachusetts' highest court ruled Friday that lawyers for former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez must turn over a cellphone that prosecutors believe has evidence in his upcoming double murder trial. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Hernandez's legal team "no longer requires possession of [the defendant's cell phone, which may contain evidence in his pending prosecution] for the provision of legal advice to the defendant." The ruling said the continued retention of the phone by Hernandez's lawyers "can only be understood as having the effect of concealing or removing it from the observation of others, namely the Commonwealth." "The SJC's decision is grounded in the lawn and in common sense," Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley said. "No court or legislature ever intended that critical evidence could be placed beyond the reach of investigators, in perpetuity, simply by providing it to an attorney." Conley said his office has already begun the process of seeking a search warrant to obtain the phone for analysis by his computer crime lab. The phone was last known to be in the possession of Rankin & Sultan, the Boston firm that had been representing Hernandez. That firm is no longer representing Hernandez in the double murder case. He is now being defended by Jose Baez, the attorney who represented Casey Anthony, the Florida mother charged with killing her toddler daughter. Prosecutors have said that they believe the cellphone contains evidence in the alleged shooting of Hernandez's associate Alexander Bradley. Hernandez reportedly feared Bradley would implicate him in the 2012 fatal shootings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in Bostons South End. Authorities say de Abreu accidentally bumped into Hernandez at a Boston nightclub and Hernandez then followed the men and opened fire on their car. Hernandez is currently serving a life sentence in the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd. He has pleaded not guilty to the double murder and his trial is scheduled to get underway in February of 2017. Anna Price encourages Christians to engage positively with Halloween rather than hide away, on what many see as the darkest night of the year. Anna Price encourages Christians to engage positively with Halloween rather than hide away, on what many see as the darkest night of the year. First service takes place at Norwich church site SOUL Church hosted around 400 people for a special service on the site of their new building on Heartsease Lane. Read more Dereham draws up list of warm places for winter As rising energy prices make it harder to heat homes, churches in Dereham are leading the way in creating warm spaces where people can go. Read more South Norfolk church scoops national award A medieval Anglican church in a tiny hamlet in South Norfolk has won a national award and a 10,000 boost. Read more Dereham churches help people to help themselves A group of churches in Dereham have launched an ambitious project which aims to meet needs in the town, including the provision of food and skills training. Read more Executive assistant and nursery manager jobs SOUL Church is a vibrant, welcoming and growing church in Norwich. They are seeking an organised and versatile Executive Assistant to provide key support to the churchs Senior Pastors, as well as a qualified Nursery Manager to head up SOUL Nursery. Read more Halloween light in Gorleston church On Halloween this year, St Mary Magdalene Church in Gorleston will be preparing to welcome around 200 families to experience their Light on a Dark Night event. Read more An opportunity for Norwich to pray for the nation Rev Nigel Fox, who has served as a Methodist Minister for 15 years in Norwich, shares an open invitation to pray for the nation at a crucial moment. Read more Norwich church seeks musicians Kingdom Ambassadors International Church is appealing for instrumentlists, keyboardists and guitarists to be part of their worship experience. Read more Please keep Rishi in your prayers Andy Bryant urges us to pray for our political leaders, especially the new Prime Minister, and avoid unhelpful judgementalism. Read more Emilys art boosts growing Yarmouth foodbank A pupil at a primary school in Bradwell has been selling her pictures in order to raise money for the Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank, which is expanding its capacity and is seeking more volunteers. Read more Patrick Regan helps Norwich to bounce forwards On Saturday St Stephens in Norwich hosted Bouncing Forwards as part of a national tour by the mental health charity Kintsugi Hope. Read more Painting and biblical feasting in Overstrand There will be opportunities to improve your painting skills and indulge in some biblical feasting next month at the Pleasaunce in Overstrand in North Norfolk. Read more Latest Norfolk Christian community events Events of interest to the Norwich and Norfolk Christian community happening over the next few weeks are listed. Read more National award for Dereham Christian bookshop The Green Pastures Christian bookshop in Dereham has won a national award for providing boxes of Christian books to 21 local schools. Read more Norma's care home jigsaw challenge complete A resident at Norwich-based care home Corton House has completed an incredible 70 jigsaw puzzles in celebration of the homes 70th anniversary this year. Read more Norwich charity's appeal to support Palestinian students A Norwich educational charity, set up in memory of a Norwich Anglican priest, to support students from a Palestinian refugee camp, is inviting people to support its Christmas appeal to be launched on November 29. Read more Norfolk drug and alcohol charity pays tribute to its founder Andy Sexton, CEO of the Matthew Project, introduces a series of tributes from the charity to its founder, Peter Farley. Read more Microsoft announced it plans to launch its charting and diagramming app Visio on the iPad, and with it an Insider Program for users to get a chance to try out the app before it launches. Amazing how creative companies are at avoiding the word "beta." The company is looking for 2,000 Insiders, and in a break from its usual English-only Insider programs, Microsoft is supporting multiple languages this time: English, Chinese, French, German, Russian and Spanish. The program will run on all iPads, including iPad Mini and iPad Pro, that are capable of running iOS 9.0 or later, which basically means iPad third generation or later. Microsoft plans to roll out the first feature update around August or September. Persons who qualify will receive an email invitation and confirmation from the Visio Insider team. From the email, they can launch the app by tapping Start Testing in the invite and sign in with your Microsoft account. I find this ironic because IT has been trying forever to educate users NOT to launch anything from an email because that's how malware is delivered. Microsoft said the key features include: View files from OneDrive, OneDrive for Business or SharePoint, or files received as email attachments The Pan and Zoom experience is optimized for a small touchscreen Turn the visibility of layers on or off Copy the current view of a Visio diagram as an image and paste it in another app Share a file as a link or attachment Find text in a shape AirPrint a Visio file Once signed in, users will be connected to OneDrive or OneDrive for Business cloud services. They will be able to access their Visio files stored in the cloud and share them with any other app, such as Outlook. Visio for iPad will likely be free for the iPad, since the other Office apps are free to download, but they aren't always free to use. Office for iPad Pro requires an Office 365 subscription, for example. You can sign up for the Visio on iPad Insider Program here. Debate on forced organ extraction in China has been reignited by reports. (Photo : Getty Images) China's long-debated practice of using prisoners' organs for transplants is subject of contention yet again ahead of a transplant convention with advocates saying it would be wrong to conduct the meeting in the controversy-stricken country. According to the New York Times, the debate over China's age-old practice flared again because of a report published in the American Journal of Transplantation questioning the venue of the 26th International Congress of the Transplantation Society. Advertisement This comes months after Chinese officials vowed to never harvest organs for transplant from prisoners ever again. The Issue There is a shortage of viable organs for transplant in China which becomes even worse after the government banned the use of prisoners' organs for such operations. In June, a report revealing that China is conducting forced organ extraction procedures to nearly 100,000 political prisoners was featured by CNN and other news agencies. "The (Communist Party) says the total number of legal transplants is about 10,000 per year. But we can easily surpass the official Chinese figure just by looking at the two or three biggest hospitals," said human rights lawyer David Matas who, with former Canadian lawmaker David Kilgour and journalist Ethan Gutmann publicized the shocking news. However, the Chinese government strongly denied such allegations with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying calling it "imaginary and baseless." Dr. Huang Jiefu, a senior health official overseeing transplantations in China, echoed Hua's statement, saying that the country only gets organs from voluntary donations. "As a doctor, we cannot reject the kindness and the conscience of the prisoners. However, on a practical level, we cannot do that, to put them into the civilian donation," he told the New York Times. Huang was criticized for his earlier comments stating how "willing death-row prisoners" are considered voluntary donors if they opt for their organs to be given to extend another person's life. International Scrutiny Doubt still hangs above China's word about getting organs for transplant from strictly from voluntary donation especially after Sheba Medical Center's Dr. Jacob Lavee and Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting Executive Director Dr. Torsten Trey questioned the veracity of the Middle Kingdom's words. According to Drs. Trey and Lavee's article, there is no way to verify whether or not China has indeed stopped organ extractions from prisoners who are about to be executed. "Until we have independent and objective evidence of a complete cessation of unethical organ procurement from prisoners, the medical community has a professional responsibility to maintain the academic embargo on Chinese transplant professionals," they wrote. Taceham House replacement to be named after local suffragette A NEW set of affordable homes in Thatcham will be named after a womens rights campaigner from the town. Sovereign housing has demolished Taceham House and is replacing it with 10 homes. The houses and flats will be available for local people at affordable rent. West Berkshire Council asked residents to suggest names for the new build and Munro House has been chosen. Anna Munro (1881-1962) championed womens votes as part of the suffrage movement until it disbanded in 1962. As well as working tirelessly for womens rights around the world, Mrs Munro was one of the first women councillors to be appointed to the parish council in 1919. Originally from Scotland, she moved to Park Farm in Thatcham where she started her family. Thatcham historian Nick Young said: Although not born locally, Anna Munro had a big impact on the community. Thatcham has a rich history; we celebrate a lot in the road and place names around the town. However, we tend to forget about the women in our history and I think that is something we should change. Anna fought for change, she fought for women to be recognised, so what better way than to start recognising the great women in our history than her? Taceham House was used as temporary accommodation until 2009, when it became unsuitable to house people. It has lain empty since then. The council sold the building to Sovereign housing for 1 in 2015 following the completion of a prolonged deal. Sovereigns executive director for housing and communities, Heather Bowman, said: It seems fitting to name the new flats after such a renowned local campaigner. We hope that Munro House will help shape the community while creating much-needed affordable homes for the residents of Thatcham for generations to come. Residents submitted 18 suggestions for the new building, with five relating to Mrs Munro. West Berkshire Councils executive for housing, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley), said: Five people each used Anna Munro as their suggestion, so she is clearly someone local people feel strongly about and I hope that Munro House changes lives just as Anna Munro herself did. Other suggestions included Victoria House, in recognition of Thatchams three Victoria Cross recipients; Waring Court, after distinguished army officer Richard Waring; and Hope House in recognition of the hope given to someones parents when they moved into Taceham House in the 1990s having lost everything in the recession. Development of the 10 new homes is expected to be completed later this month. Fundraiser marks memory of Bishops Green villager A LIP sync competition in Bishops Green raised 200 for bell restoration work. The recent contest at Bishops Green Village Hall followed a fete held at Ecchinswell Village Hall during the day. Both events were held in memory of the trust co-founder of The Ecchinswell Bell Restoration Trust , Simon Lipscombe, of Bishops Green, who lost a 21-month battle with melanoma on November 2 last year, at the age of 26. The lip sync contest which raked in 800 saw the childrens acts overshadow the adults. The 200 profit, after costs were deducted, was split between the trust and Bishops Green Village Hall. Queen songs proved popular, including I Want To Break Free, sung by the late Mr Lipscombes close friend, Lee Hill, as the lone adult entry. A group of three girls Mia Russell, Emma Bright and Teegan Hutt singing Let It Go from the Disney film Frozen, won the childrens section. The evening was hosted by Darren Higgins and Loz Wooldridge, with Newbury Lion John Coleman the DJ for the night. Overall, a total 2,000 was raised for the Ecchinswell Bells Restoration Trust, which to date has raised 13,000 towards its 35,000 target. To make a donation to the trust call Claire Kemp on 07795 164779. Sex Tourism is Big Business In Pattaya (Photo : Getty Images) The middleman in the sex trade industry, otherwise known as the pimp, is fast disappearing, thanks to technology. Motherboard reported that sex trade workers in Hong Kong have discovered online forums as a way to get in touch with customers. Among the popular forums are HK Big Man and HK Mensa where compensated dater offer their services. Advertisement Young women in the industry often look through the advertisements, copy it, make some adjustments and post it with a contact number. A call leads to a negotiation where they will meet and the cost of sex. Besides keeping all the payments to themselves, the prostitutes are less prone to police arrest because of the difficulty of tracing their movements. Phone transactions are preferred over chats because being traced by authorities becomes harder for workers in the flesh trade, said Bowie Lam Po-yee, who operates Teens Key, an organization which offers outreach for sex trade workers. But most of the young girls who get clients via online forums do not consider themselves sex worker because most of them say it is a one-time or two-time thing. Based on Teen Keys outreach work, Lam reckoned there are around 2,500 compensated daters in Hong Kong. Because of the relative anonymity of online and phone-only transactions, police arrest from July 2015 to July 2016 was only 12 compensated daters. Also, Hong Kong laws ban solicitation of clients in public, but not in private. Popular apps to get clients are WhatsApp and WeChat. Technology has also killed the business of karaoke brothels in Hong Kong since cyberspace is where the workers and their clients make a deal before they meet to have sex. Afterdark reported that in Wan Chai, a number of the women engaged in sex trade are Filipinas in mini skirts or tight jeans, victims of illegal recruiters who promise them good jobs and big money but instead send them to live in cramped apartments. Ikea had 83 million visitors last year. (Photo : Getty Images) Ikea will be its ready-to-assemble furniture, appliances and home accessories but not perishables like food and green plants online. The initial run will start in Shanghai by the end of August. An e-commerce business model was used by the company in Northern Europe and the United Kingdom. This is the first time that the same model will be used in the Asia Pacific region. Advertisement Experts believe that it's important for Ikea to build a presence in third to fourth level cities through e-commerce, especially in areas that a physical store is not established. "The physical stores of Ikea are very big and require large areas. The stores in first- and second-tier cities are nearly saturated," said Lu Zhenwang, an internet expert and chief executive of Wanqing Consultancy in Shanghai. He added, "There aren't any Ikea physical stores in third- and fourth-tier cities though the demand is emerging, so it's essential for Ikea to launch e-commerce services and to serve those places easily in the future. It would be convenient to set up some pickup and order points in smaller cities." For the manufacturer be able to meet shipping demands to various points in China, they established a pick-up and order depot in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. The company also said that their e-commerce model will enable them to establish more pick-up and drop-off points in smaller cities. Meanwhile, Ikea just opened two stores in Jiangsu Province and one store in Guangdong Province. The planned expansion to the online marketplace is seen to further increase sales. Ikea was able to earn 11.7 billion yuan or $1.76 billion. This is a 19.4 percent increase from 2015. The physical stores received 83 million customers while online store had 67 million individual visits. Ikea is targeting global sales of $55 billion by 2020. Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to discuss the controversial Myitsone dam project with Chinese officials during her upcoming state visit. (Photo : Twitter) Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to discuss the status of controversial dam project among other matters during her official visit to China this week. While no specific details were given, a senior Burmese official said that Suu Kyi will likely tackle a solution for the suspended Myitsone dam project with Chinese officials, Reuters reported. Advertisement "If the Chinese leaders bring up a specific issue like the controversial Myitsone mega-dam project, of course, we'll explain to them what we've been doing," Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Aung Lynn told reporters. Suu Kyi is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang during the visit. The $3.6 billion project, which was to be built on Myanmar's Irrawaddy River, was suspended by the country's previous government due to protests over its environmental impact. Environmentalists argued that the project could potentially flood a large area as well significantly alter the flow of the river, which is considered as Myanmar's most important waterway. On the other hand, nationalist groups protested the stipulation that 90 percent of the power generated would be diverted to China. Suu Kyi, a member of the opposition during the time, was among those who called for the suspension of the project. Myanmar's current president Htin Kyaw has recently formed a commission to re-evaluate the Myitsone project, as well as other infrastructure projects. The commission is expected to release an assessment report on Nov. 11. Suu Kyi has earlier proposed the construction of smaller hydroelectric projects that have less environmental effects as a replacement for the suspended project. Meanwhile, the Burmese leader is also expected to seek the participation of China in the upcoming peace negotiations with armed ethnic groups, the New York Times reported. Ethnic conflicts have raged in northern Myanmar for several years now, with two armed groups, the Kachin Independence Army and the United Wa State Army, refusing to sign ceasefire agreements Sou Kyi hopes that China acting as a mediator in the upcoming Panglong conference in the Burmese capital of Naypyidaw will convince the two groups, which are both composed of ethnic Chinese people, to finally lay down their arms. Chukchi Sea Town Of Shishmaref, Alaska Concerned Over Gov't Approval Of Exploratory Oil Drilling (Photo : Andrew Burton/Getty Images) An island village in the U.S. state of Alaska called Shishmaref, which is home to Inupiat tribe, is losing 10 feet of shore line every year. The tribe voted 89 to 78 to relocate, but the official count has not been certified yet and there are more absentee ballots that are still unopened. Advertisement Shishmaref, which has a population of around 600 people, is located on a small island just north of Bering Strait which separates the U.S. and Russia. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Alabama-based Auburn University did a research and said that the city is sinking 10 feet or three meters each year, as reported by Yahoo. Due to the climate change, the sea level rises causing Shismaref to sink. The tribe voted for the relocation to the mainland earlier this week according to Donna Barr, secretary of the Shishmaref Council. Eighty-nine voted to relocate and 78 voted to remain and build more environmental defenses. However, this is not the first time that the village decided to relocate. They voted to relocate in 2002 but it did not go through since relocation needs a huge budget and the village is racked by poverty. Whether they choose to relocate or stay, either choice is costly. A study made by the Army Corps of Engineers in 2004 said that relocating would cost $180 million. If they stay however, they would need $110 million to build some additional environmental protections, The Guardian reported. On local news, Mayor Harold Weyiouanna Sr said that they must do something because while their village continues to sink, their community continues to grow. The sea wall they have built is holding but they need more to protect the whole island, he added. The village is just one of dozens of other indigenous villages in Alaska that are facing the threats of flooding and erosion that is caused by global warming, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security and the International Organization for Migration estimated 50 million to 200 million people are going to be displaced by the climate change by 2050. What if one blood test could screen for more than 50 types of cancer? Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 Chlorhexidine Consumer Medicine Information What is in this leaflet This leaflet answers some common questions about Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution against the benefits this product is expected to have for you. This medicine is likely to be used while you are at the clinic or in hospital. If possible, please read this leaflet carefully before this medicine is given to you. In some cases this leaflet may be given to you after the medicine has been used. If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again. What Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution is used for Your doctor or nurse will use Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution for cleansing and irrigating the skin or wounds, or to prepare your body before using a special tube to drain the bladder (catheter). It contains antiseptics that will help prevent infection. Before you use Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution Do not use it after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the label. It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if you use it after the expiry date. Do not use Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. You must tell your doctor if you have allergies to: chlorhexidine any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash Before any Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution is used please tell your doctor about any of these things and anything else which you feel is important. How Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution is used Your doctor or nurse will normally use the irrigation to wash and clean your skin or wounds, or to clean your genital area before a special tube called a catheter is used to drain your bladder. It is for external use only and should not be injected or swallowed. It should not be used in the eyes or ears. Your doctor or nurse will decide how much of the irrigation to use which will be sufficient for your needs. As each irrigation is sterile, your doctor will use a new solution each time. If you are given this product to use at home it must be used as directed by your doctor or nurse. Rinse the area to be cleaned with water, then use the smallest amount of irrigation to gently wash the area. Rinse again with water thoroughly. Use a new solution each time. Your doctor or nurse will be happy to discuss the way the Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution will be used. Overdose As your doctor or nurse will administer this irrigation, they will use the correct amount. As it is for external use only, it is unlikely an overdose will occur. Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if you think that someone may have drunk Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution or if it has been put into the eyes or ears, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Side effects Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution helps most people when used for washing and cleansing the skin or wounds, but it may have some unwanted side-effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. Tell your doctor if you experience a skin rash or reaction. If you get a skin rash it may be because you have had an allergic reaction to the irrigation. If this is the case, you should no longer use this irrigation. Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any allergic reaction, notice any blood in the urine or feel anything unusual during or after Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution has been used. After using Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution Storage If you have this product at home, it should be kept in the original container, in a safe place, out of reach of children. A locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines. Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution should be stored below 25 degrees C and protected from light. Do not leave Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution in the car on hot days. Disposal Do not exceed the stated expiry date printed on the label. Product description What it looks like Chlorhexidine Irrigation Solution is a sterile, blue solution and comes in a 30 mL plastic Steritube ampoule. Pack size: 30 units. Ingredients Chlorhexidine 0.1% w/v Irrigation Solution contains chlorhexidine gluconate as the active ingredient and the excipients: methylene blue octoxinol 8 water for injections. Chlorhexidine 0.2% w/v Irrigation Solution contains chlorhexidine gluconate as the active ingredient and the excipients: methylene blue water for injections. Selective mutism has garnered a lot of attention as a childhood disorder that can have significant repercussions on the children and their families. Children with selective mutism need the help of a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals that includes a pediatrician, child psychologist or psychiatrist, and a speech language therapist. The school and family of the affected child should work closely with the health care team for the treatment to be effective. Support is widely available for parents to help them access speech therapy and psychological help for their children. Parents need to arm themselves with appropriate literature related to selective mutism. Adults with selective mutism need to see therapists and undergo talking therapy or counseling with the help of their GP. Adults can also go to online support groups and forums and interact with other adults who suffer from selective mutism. Children with selective mutism can contact the childline via phone or email for immediate support. The childline helps children dealing with unhappiness, depression, or bullying-related issues. Older children / teens may approach mutual support groups on social media, such as facebook. However, children should be very careful online and not share personal details or never agree to meeting people encountered in the virtual world. Organizations Providing Support for Selective Mutism The Selective Mutism Group provides information about the disorder through their website http://www.selectivemutism.org and is part of the childhood anxiety network. The main aim of the group is to guide parents and teachers with the help of books on the condition and aiding children affected by selective mutism. iSpeak is a voluntary organization run by Dr. Carl Sutton who was affected by selective mutism for many years during his childhood. iSpeak aims to provide selective mutism patients a platform to express themselves. It also strives to educate the public, media, health care professionals, and academia through real life experiences. It has published a book named Selective Mutism In Our Own Words, which has first-person accounts of the effects of the disorder by nearly 30 teens and adults with selective mutism and many parents as well. iSpeak aims at busting myths about selective mutism and breaking the stereotypes attached to the disorder. It also offers videos and other resources apart from conducting workshops and awareness events for individuals and families affected by the disorder. Selective Mutism Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in the year 1991. It aims at broadening public understanding and awareness of selective mutism. Its mission is to promote advocacy, research, and acceptance of selective mutism as a debilitating condition. SMIRA is a UK-based charity that was founded to offer support to families of children with selective mutism. It aims at giving information to health and academic professionals involved in helping out individuals affected by the disorder. SMIRA helps fight isolation among selective mutism sufferers and encourages sharing of ideas among people experiencing similar selective mutism-related issues at home or school. The charity has an active facebook group having members from about 50 countries across the globe. It also hosts annual conferences and training sessions related to the disorder for parents and professionals. The Selective Mutism Information and Research Association provides support and advice about selective mutism, including training for parents and health care professionals. The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice helps individuals or families affected by selective mutism find SLPs. Some other organizations that provide support for selective mutism are K12 Academics, NYU Child Study Center, and Selective Mutism and Childhood Anxiety Disorders Group. References Further Reading Ramucirumab (trade name: Cyramza) is a monoclonal antibody, which blocks a receptor, reducing the growth of blood vessels and so reducing blood supply to the tumours. This aims to slow the growth of the tumours. As a so-called orphan drug, i.e. a drug for the treatment of rare diseases, ramucirumab was initially exempt from proof of an added benefit. With several expansions of the therapeutic indication, it has lost this special status. Having already conducted early benefit assessments for two other oncological indications recently, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) was now commissioned to investigate, based on a third manufacturer dossier, whether ramucirumab offers an added benefit in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy for adults with advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach or of the gastro-oesophageal junction. Since the requirements specified by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) for the appropriate comparator therapy and for the target population were not met in the studies cited by the drug manufacturer, such an added benefit is not proven. Approved as combination and monotherapy After previous chemotherapy, ramucirumab can be used either in combination with paclitaxel or alone if paclitaxel is inadequate for the patients. The G-BA specified different appropriate comparator therapies for both situations: in the first case, individually optimized treatment specified by the physician under consideration of the respective approvals, and in the second case, best supportive care (BSC). Combination therapy: control arm did not concur with the G-BA's specifications For the first research question, the manufacturer cited the study RAINBOW, in which ramucirumab plus paclitaxel was compared with placebo plus paclitaxel. This study was unsuitable for conclusions on an added benefit of the combination therapy in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy for several reasons. First, determining paclitaxel deviated from the specification of "individually optimized treatment specified by the physician". According to guidelines, paclitaxel is only one of several treatment options for the target population and not preferred over the other options. Second, paclitaxel as monotherapy is not approved for people with advanced stomach cancer who have already received chemotherapy. The G-BA had explicitly pointed this out to the manufacturer before the dossier was compiled. The same applies to the other drugs recommended in the guidelines. Hence the patients in Germany are in a situation where the drugs recommended for their treatment are not approved, and the approved drugs, conversely, are not recommended in the guidelines. Since the G-BA explicitly reminded the manufacturer to consider the approval status, this inevitably resulted in the conclusion that the study did not concur with the requirements; an added benefit of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy is therefore not proven. Monotherapy: study deviated from the relevant patient population For the second research question, the manufacturer cited the study REGARD, in which ramucirumab plus BSC was compared with placebo plus BSC. This study was also inadequate for the assessment of the added benefit because this would require analysing data of patients for whom a combination therapy with ramucirumab and paclitaxel was not an option. The proportion of patients who were included in the study although they could have been treated with the combination was probably at least one third of the total study, however. The manufacturer did not address this problem in its dossier. Hence it was concluded for the second research question that an added benefit of ramucirumab in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy is not proven. Brivaracetam (trade name: Briviact) has been approved since January 2016 as add-on therapy for adults and adolescents from 16 years of age with epileptic seizures. The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) had already examined the drug in an early benefit assessment published in May. For several reasons, the indirect comparisons presented by the drug manufacturer were unsuitable to assess an added benefit in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy. Among other things, the manufacturer had not analysed all relevant outcomes. In the commenting procedure, the manufacturer presented a further indirect comparison. In the addendum thereupon commissioned to IQWiG by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), the Institute has now concluded that this new indirect comparison is methodologically better. Among other things, the manufacturer has now analysed the missing outcomes. However, this indirect comparison submitted subsequently still fails to show an added benefit of brivaracetam over the appropriate comparator therapy. New analyses only partly rectify the deficits In its dossier assessment in May, IQWiG criticized that not all brivaracetam studies presented by the manufacturer were relevant for the benefit assessment, that the studies were insufficiently similar for informative indirect comparisons, that the manufacturer had not presented analyses of all relevant outcomes, and that the comparator therapies had not been recognizably customized for the individual patient, as demanded by the G-BA. The new indirect comparison submitted subsequently by the manufacturer addresses the first 3 points of criticism. The brivaracetam study is relevant for the research question, the studies used for the comparison are sufficiently similar to this study, and further patient-relevant outcomes are addressed. However, the problem remains unsolved that treatment in the control arms was not customized for the individual patient and thus does not correspond to the appropriate comparator therapy. Non-inferiority of brivaracetam questionable Independent of the question as to whether the appropriate comparator therapy specified by the G-BA was implemented, in the overall consideration, the indirect comparison shows no advantage of brivaracetam over lacosamide. Neither advantages nor disadvantages of brivaracetam were shown in the outcome categories "mortality" and "health-related quality of life" in comparison with lacosamide. In the category "side effects", significant effects were shown in favour of brivaracetam (for serious adverse events and some specific adverse events, such as dizziness or eye disorders). However, the available data on the morbidity outcomes "seizure frequency", "50% responder rate" and "freedom of seizure", raise doubts that brivaracetam is at least equally effective as lacosamide. For seizure frequency, the one lacosamide study fails to show a clear advantage or disadvantage of brivaracetam, while the other shows a statistically significant disadvantage of the new drug compared with lacosamide. Both lacosamide studies also deliver heterogeneous results for the two other outcomes, which, however, do not lead to statistically significant advantages or disadvantages. Overall, the indirect comparison therefore does not show an advantage of brivaracetam over the comparator therapy. The very first cry of neonates is marked by their maternal language. This seems to be especially apparent in tonal languages, where pitch and pitch fluctuation determine the meaning of words. Chinese and German scientists under leadership of the University of Wurzburg have demonstrated this phenomenon for the first time by with newborn babies from China and Cameroon. Tonal languages sound rather strange to European ears: in contrast to German, French or English, their meaning is also determined by the pitch at which syllables or words are pronounced. A seemingly identical sound can mean completely different things - depending on whether it is pronounced with high pitch, low pitch or a specific pitch fluctuation. Tonal languages in China and Africa One example of such a tonal language is Mandarin. It is China's official language that is spoken predominantly in China, Taiwan and Singapore - by just over one billion people as of now. Four characteristic sounds must be mastered to speak this language. Things are much more complicated with Lamnso, the language of the Nso - a people estimated at 280,000 living mostly in high-altitude villages in the grasslands of Northwest Cameroon, where they practice agriculture. This complex tonal language possesses eight tones, some of which furthermore vary in their contour. This means that whoever wants to speak Lamnso perfectly should not only be able to hit the perfect tone but also to integrate specific pitch fluctuations in certain words. Now if pregnant women speak such complex tonal languages: does it show in the crying of their newborn infants? This question has now been examined by scientists from different countries in a joint project. The results of their studies have been published in the latest issues of the journals Speech, Language and Hearing and Journal of Voice. Like tonal languages, crying sounds like chanting The result: "The crying of neonates whose mothers speak a tonal language is characterized by a significantly higher melodic variation as compared to - for example - German neonates", says Professor Kathleen Wermke, Head of the Center for Pre-speech Development and Developmental Disorders at the University of Wurzburg (Department of Orthodontics) and lead author of the two studies. The infants of the Nso in Cameroon exhibited not only a significantly higher "intra-utterance overall pitch variation" (the interval between the highest and the lowest tone); also, the short-term rise and fall of tones during a cry utterance was more intensive in comparison with the neonates of German-speaking mothers. "Their crying sounds more like chanting", says Professor Wermke to describe this effect. The results were similar for neonates from Peking - but to a somewhat lesser degree. Language right from the start Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today From the scientists' point of view, these findings support a theory that they had already considered to be corroborated by comparisons between German and French neonates: "Building blocks for the development of the future language are acquired from the moment of birth, and not only when infants begin to babble, or to produce their first words", says the scientist. Having had ample opportunity to become acquainted with their "mother language" in their mother's womb during the last third of pregnancy, neonates exhibit in their crying characteristic melodic patterns influenced by their environment - precisely by the language spoken by their mother -, and that even before they coo their first sounds or try out speech-like "syllabic babbling". Same results across cultural boundaries At the same time, these findings highlight that neonates exhibit a high degree of cross-cultural universality in their crying. "We have examined in this case neonates from very different cultures", says Kathleen Wermke. On the one hand, there are neonates from Peking, who developed surrounded by all influences of modern civilization - radio, television, smart phone. On the other hand, there are the children of the Nso, who were born in a rural environment where none of the technical achievements of modern times are to be found. "The fact that despite these cultural differences both tonal language groups exhibited similar effects in comparison with the non-tonal German group indicates that our interpretation of data points in the right direction", explains the scientist. With all due caution, these results could even suggest that genetic factors are involved in the process in addition to external factors. "Of course, it remains undisputed that neonates are able to learn any language spoken in the world, no matter how complex it is", says Kathleen Wermke. A basis for the early diagnosis of disorders 55 neonates from Peking and 21 from Cameroon have been examined by scientists in the course of their studies, and their cry utterances recorded during their first days of life. Of course, no baby was made to cry for the purpose of research. "We only recorded spontaneous utterances, normally when a baby started to fuss because it was hungry", says Kathleen Wermke. From the scientists' point of view, the results of these studies contribute to a better understanding of essential influencing factors on the earliest phases of speech development than we have now. At the same time, they improve the possibility to identify early indicators that provide reliable information about any developmental disorders in this field at a very early stage. However, many questions remain to be clarified before these findings can be used in clinical practice. Tattoos are becoming ever more popular. In the EU, the number of people with tattoos has increased from 5% in 2003 to 12% in 2016 (60 million people in the EU-28), with at least half of them having more than one tattoo. A new JRC report explores the safety and regulation of the inks used for tattoos and permanent makeup. Particularly popular among young people, 30% of 16-34 year olds in the EU have tattoos. In the US, 40% of the same age population have at least one tattoo. Tattoos are created by injecting coloured inks into the skin and are intended to be permanent, thus resulting in long term exposure to the chemicals injected and, possibly, to their degradation products. There is currently no specific EU legislation on tattoos or permanent makeup products ((semi)permanent tattoos used to resemble make-up). They fall, like any other consumer products, under Directive 2001/95/EC on General Product Safety (GPSD) requiring that only safe products may be placed on the market. While most tattoo inks on the EU market are imported from the US, permanent makeup inks are generally manufactured in Europe. They all contain a combination of several ingredients and more than 100 different colorants and 100 additives are currently in use. The pigments used are not specifically produced for tattoo and permanent makeup applications, and generally contain impurities. Over 80% of the colorants in use are organic chemicals and more than 60% of them are a certain type of pigments, known as azo-pigments, some of which can release carcinogenic aromatic amines. This can be the result of a degradation process in the skin, particularly under solar/ultra violet radiation exposure or laser irradiation. There is no systematic data gathering for adverse effects on human health, so the actual prevalence of tattoo complications (mainly of dermatological nature) is not well known. Most complaints are transient and inherent to the wound healing process. However, bacterial infections may happen in up to 5% of people with tattoos, especially when the tattooing was carried out in unhygienic settings. Adverse health effects linked to the application but also increasingly to the removal of tattoos are reported. The risk of (skin) cancer from tattoo procedures has been neither proved nor excluded. Measures that could contribute to enhancing the safety of tattoos would be Good Manufacturing Practices for manufacturing tattoo/permanent makeup inks, guidelines for their risk assessment, as well as harmonised analytical methods and information campaigns on risks for both tattooists and potential clients. The JRC study, carried out on behalf of the Commission's Directorate-General Justice and Consumers, aims to provide the scientific evidence needed to decide if EU measures are necessary to ensure the safety of inks and processes used in tattoos and (semi)permanent makeup. The findings of this JRC report, as well as two previous reports, on trends in tattoo practices and on legislative framework and analytical methods, will be used by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to prepare a possible restriction proposal in the framework of the REACH regulation following a request from the European Commission. REACH refers to 'Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals' and is a EU Regulation, adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry. If you are rushed to a hospital in an emergency, is your complete medical record available to those caring for you? Will they know all medications you have been prescribed and whether you are taking them as directed? Does your primary care physician know your complete medical history? According to clinician-informaticians of the Regenstrief Institute, the answer to these questions is almost always "no." Not having complete health information available often results in subpar care and can endanger patients. But how can we effectively assemble a patient's medical history, lab test results, medications and other information stored in various electronic medical records (EMRs) installed at different healthcare organizations? To help solve this complex problem, the Regenstrief Center for Biomedical Informatics is pilot-testing a new, efficient method for compiling healthcare information electronically. Regenstrief has used this method, known as the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Standard (FHIR for short, pronounced "fire"), to merge data from individual electronic medical records with those stored in the Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC), Indiana's common framework for health information exchange. "What we are working on is a first and could have a huge impact on patients whose health information is distributed across multiple electronic systems -- probably the vast majority of the people in the United States," said Titus Schleyer, D.M.D., Ph.D., a Regenstrief Institute investigator and Clem McDonald Professor of Biomedical Informatics at Indiana University School of Medicine. "Using FHIR, we can combine information about a specific patient stored in systems developed by different vendors and installed in different healthcare institutions. This brings us much closer to a 'lingua franca' for health information, so clinicians finally have complete information available about their patients. "For example, imagine that you as a patient can use an "app" on your smart phone to reconcile the multiple lists of medications maintained by several care providers into one authoritative, current list. And then, you can bring that list to your colonoscopy screening appointment for review by your physician prior to the procedure. That is huge, which is why the federal government is also focusing attention on helping patients do that," emphasized Dr. Schleyer. "FHIR helps us create a secure, complete, accessible, and useful set of health information needed by clinicians and patients." "FHIR enables an ecosystem of innovative apps, much like the iPhone and Android platforms did," said John Halamka, M.D., chief information officer of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, chairman of the New England Healthcare Exchange Network and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "The difference is that FHIR is truly cross-platform. It doesn't care what EHR or system is underneath it." Regenstrief's Center for Biomedical Informatics is focused on the mission "better health through informatics." The center develops health information technology solutions to generate knowledge about health, disease and treatment; help clinicians make optimal decisions; empower patients; and inform healthcare policy. Areas of expertise include clinical applications, computer-based decision support, data mining, advanced analytics, healthcare information standards and global health. The center has developed and advanced one of the nation's first electronic medical record systems, one of the country's first computerized provider order entry systems, and a health information exchange which has made Indiana the most health-wired state in the country and a national model for health information exchange. These applications and tools are widely recognized for their roles in improving quality of care, efficiency of healthcare delivery, reducing medical errors, and enhancing patient safety. One Medicine: how human and veterinary medicine can benefit each other Professor Roberto La Ragione News-Medical speaks to Professor Roberto La Ragione, Chair of Trustees at Humanimal Trust, about the concept of One Medicine and how human and veterinary medicine can collaborate, share knowledge, and initiate research for the benefit of both humans and animals. The Kwid was launched in September 2015 and it went to do wonders for Renault in terms of sales and popularity of the brand. So much so, that it became the second best-selling entry-level hatchback in the country after Maruti Suzuki's Alto 800. There were reports earlier this month that a 1.0-litre version of the Kwid is set to hit roads this month and now, the company has revealed that the date is August 22, 2016.Renault had first showcased the variant, named Kwid SCe, during the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo. There is no major difference between the new Kwid and the existing one, except 'SCe' decals on the door cladding, two-tone ORVMs and SCe badging on the boot lid. The interiors, though, are expected to remain identical.The major change is under the hood, which will now be a 999 cc three-cylinder engine that is expected to deliver 67 horsepower and 91 Nm of torque and will come with a 5-speed manual transmission. The company is expected to come out with an AMT gearbox offering soon. In terms of fuel efficiency, the claimed mileage is expected to be around 23 km/l.The new engine will be available as the RXT and RXT(O) variants, and is expected to be priced Rs 50,000 more than the regular Kwid. Which translates to an expected price tag of Rs 4 lakh to Rs 4.3 lakh, putting it right against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Alto K10.For now, we have to wait and find out as to what the final product costs and what kind of new features Renault are loading it with, cause given the fact that the car is already a popular choice among buyers, they might have a winner on their hands if they get it right. A month after they booked the state women's panel chief for a similar offence, Delhi Police have given out details of a rape survivor. Senior officers of the Delhi Police at a press conference on Thursday gave out details of girl who was abducted, raped and brutalised ten years ago by eight traffickers. The police took credit for nabbing the culprits and everything was going fine till one of the reporters present at the press conference noticed that certain details about the trafficked girl were mentioned in the press release. The release mentioned the name of the survivor, her mother, her address and the name of her sister. When the reporter approached Addl DCP RS Sagar and pointed out the mistake, he smilingly said it would not matter as the victim was not staying there any longer. The police officer also said mentioning the mother's name in the release was not a problem. The reporter insisted again, but his words were ignored and the press release was sent from the DCP office. After seven hours, the Delhi Police woke up to their mistake and issued a Whatsapp alert to a group of journalists requesting them not to carry the name. The DCP also started calling up reporters, but the damage was already done. Unless the officials are caught up with other work, a Delhi Police press release is scanned at various levels - from the ACP-rank official to the district DCP - before it is sent to the media cell. In July, the Delhi Police had registered an FIR against Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief, Swati Maliwal, for disclosing the identity of a rape survivor from Burari. The FIR dated July 26 was registered under IPC section 228 (a) - disclosure of the identity of the victim of certain offences. New Delhi: UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has deplored the deaths in the current unrest in Jammu and Kashmir and also offered his good offices to facilitate dialogue between India and Pakistan to "achieve a negotiated settlement" on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir. "I deplore the loss of life and hope that all efforts will be made to avoid further violence," the UN Secretary-General said in his letter, obtained by IANS. "I appreciate the continued commitment of Pakistan to the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute for the sake of regional peace and security, as you reaffirmed in your letter," Ban said in reference to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's letter. "The United Nations remains convinced that it is only through dialogue that the outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, including on Kashmir, can be addressed." "I stand ready to offer my good offices, should it be requested by both sides, to facilitate dialogue in order to achieve a negotiated settlement," Ban wrote. In his letter earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif apprised the UN chief about the "deteriorating" situation in Kashmir. Nearly 70 people have been killed and thousands more injured in the Kashmir Valley in clashes with security forces in the wake of the killing of a prominent Kashmiri separatist Burhan Wani, in a military operation on July 8. In his letter of August 5, Prime Minister Sharif called for efforts to end the "violation of human rights" of the Kashmiri people and also to "implement the decades old UN Security Council resolutions for the settlement of the Kashmir dispute through a plebiscite". The UN Secretary-General said that he looked forward to meeting the Pakistani leader again during the upcoming 71st session of the UN General Assembly to "discuss matters of common interest". New Delhi: Bangladesh has sought from India, the details about Zakir Naik's operations, even as it said several prominent ulemas wanted action against the Islamic televangelist much before the deadly Gulshan attack last month. Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who is in India on a six-day visit, said his country has cracked down on Naik's Peace TV by banning its broadcast and indicated that it is waiting for India's action against the controversial preacher. Inu said his country doesn't have any evidence of links between home-grown terrorists in Bangladesh with extremists outfits in India, but at the same time slammed Pakistan for "harbouring terrorism". He said Bangladesh has witnessed over 43 attacks on thinkers, bloggers and people from Sufi faith and it has been found that in almost 90 per cent cases, the attackers had links with banned Jamaat-e-Islami which he alleged was a "corroborator" with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation war. "From Bangladesh's side Zakir Naik's case has been settled. We have stopped the broadcast of Peace TV. In last one year, ulemas came up with written complaints against Naik. We are examining it. We think his teachings, in certain cases, are not in compliance with the Quran or Hadith. So, that is creating confusion. In certain cases it is instigating. So, we have taken our position. We have asked the Indian side to take their position and give us necessary information," Inu told reporters. In the backdrop of reports that ISIS was gaining ground in Bangladesh, he asserted that terror networks in his country is home grown. Bangladesh had banned Naik's Peace TV following the terror attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan Thana locality on July 1 in which 29 people were killed. New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Friday directed Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to "gracefully" vacate the government accommodation she has been residing in with her two sons. Payal, who has been residing at 7, Akbar Road bungalow since 1999, however, refused to move out and urged the court to pass an order. The court then said a detailed order will be passed with regard to the time within which she and her children will have to vacate the bungalow. "Will you gracefully evict or I should pass an order?" Justice Indermeet Kaur asked Payal's counsel, who categorically stated that the court should pass the order. The judge also orally observed that every person who retires from the office has to move out. The judge also noted that Delhi Police will provide security to Payal and her children, who are 'Z' and 'Z plus' security protectees, during their stay in the capital. On August 16, a trial court too, had asked Payal to move out of the house in Lutyen's zone here. The high court was hearing Payal's plea seeking that she and her children be not evicted from 7, Akbar Road (type VIII) bungalow here or an alternative accommodation be provided in view of their security status and threat to their lives. The Centre, however, opposed her contention to retain the accommodation on the ground of security threat and said it is for Delhi Police to ensure her safety for her stay here. The Centre, through its counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, appearing for Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), submitted that there is no substantial reduction in the security given to Payal since she started living in the present bungalow. "Delhi Police will take care of the security personnel who will be deployed at the residence where she will move," the MHA counsel said. The Centre told the court that government accommodation, on security grounds, is given only to SPG protectees. It said that a "general threat to them is perceived from Kashmiri terrorists for being the family member of Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, and in Delhi their threat quotient is assessed to be not as high as in Kashmir". The Centre also said there is "no input with it indicating any specific or imminent threat to Payal Abdullah". Bareilly: Hafiz Saeed, Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief and mastermind of Mumbai terror attack, cannot be considered a Muslim as he has "terrorist ideology" and has "brought infamy to Islam", declared an Islamic seminary here while giving a 'fatwa' (edict) against him. The seminary of the Barelvi sect dubbed Saeed, founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba who carries a USD 10 million bounty on his head, as "outcast" from Islam and declared that following him or considering him as Muslim is "illegal". A 'fatwa' is a legal pronouncement in Islam which is given by a mufti, a Muslim scholar of a recognised authority, who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law. The fatwa issued by Mufti Mohammed Saleem of Manzar-e- Islam Saudagaran, an institution associated with Dargah Ala Hazrat, said that considering Saeed as a Muslim and listening to his words was "illegal" and "prohibited". As per the fatwa, Saeed is a man with "terrorist ideology", who with his acts has brought "infamy to Islam and Muslims across the world". "Therefore, it is compulsory for every Muslim not to follow him and keep away from his ideology," it said. The 'fatwa' was issued in a reply to a question asked by one Mohd Moinuddin of Jaipur who had mentioned in his query that Saeed considered those writing against Allah and Prophet Mohammad as Muslims. Besides, Saeed publicised anti-religious ideology and points of view and provoked people to create terror, Moinuddin said and asked whether such a person should be considered as Muslim. In his 'fatwa', Mufti Saleem said that having any type of connection with persons working against the dignity of Allah and the Prophet was illegal and 'haraam', an act that is forbidden by Allah. It said since Saeed was having contacts with such persons, he has been outcast from Islam. The ruling came close on the heels of Saeed asking Pakistan Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif to send troops to Kashmir to "obey" the pending order of Pakistan founder MA Jinnah. Addressing a rally held under the banner of 'Defence Council of Pakistan' in Karachi on Sunday, Saeed had claimed, "Kashmiris had announced before the partition that they wanted to remain with Pakistan. But after the partition, India forcibly sent Army to Jammu and Kashmir. "On this Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah ordered his commander-in-chief to respond by sending troops but he refused (to obey his orders). Now, I ask Gen Raheel Sharif to send troops in (Jammu and) Kashmir as Quaid-e-Azam's order is pending," Saeed said. He said he was not asking for a war with India but they (Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Raheel) must form a strategy regarding the Kashmir issue. Patna: Lalu Prasad, whose RJD is a major ally of the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar, has advised habitual drinkers to consume "toddy", locally called "tadi", to avoid incidents like the hooch tragedy that has killed 16 people. Lalu, who described the hooch tragedy in Gopalganj as a 'heart wrenching incident', said in his own style: "Sarab bandi ke baad ab jo milega jahrila hi milega. Aisi ghatna se sabak le, jaruri ho to tadi piyen. (After the liquor ban what you get will be poisonous. Draw a lesson from this, and if necessary drink toddy)". For hundreds of thousands of people in rural Bihar toddy is considered the poor man's beer and regarded as natural juice. For ages, toddy has been a favourite of villagers as a natural drink from the palm tree. Soon after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced total prohibition in the state from April 5, 2016, a large number of people, including alcoholics, thronged toddy shops after the government banned "desi" or, country-made liquor as well as foreign made liquor. But later the state government also banned the sale of toddy, which was opposed by the people, including by Lalu as well as the opposition BJP and its allies. According to RJD leaders, Lalu was not in favour of banning toddy. Lalu Prasad as Chief Minister in the early '90s had declared toddy tax-free in Bihar to help the people engaged in the business, particularly the 'Pasi' caste Dalits. However, last month in view of increasing pressure from main ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar decided to lift the ban on the sale and consumption of toddy. The move was welcomed by the people. Toddy is cheap and easily available at roadside shops and open fields in the morning and evening in rural areas. It is also available in urban localities. Mumbai: In a tragic incident, a state Agriculture Department official's pleas for a half-day leave to attend his depressed son were turned down by his superior who nudged the official to continue working, following which the boy allegedly committed suicide. The incident took place last week and the Maharashtra government has ordered an inquiry into it. Sources in the Agriculture Department said in the afternoon of August 12, department Joint Secretary Rajesh Ghadge (posted at department office in Mantralaya) got a panic call from his son, who was suffering from depression, asking him to come home in Navi Mumbai as soon as possible, failing which he (the son) would end his life. Panicked by the threat, Ghadge requested Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Bhagwan Sahay to let him go home early. But Sahay turned down his requests and made him work till regular office hours. "Ghadge's 23-year-old son was desperately calling him to come back home and had threatened to commit suicide if he did not turn up," the source said. "So Ghadge approached Sahay with a permission for a half-day leave. Sahay, known for his whimsical ways not only denied the permission, but asked Ghadge to work as per the regular office hours," he added. A distraught Ghadge was virtually on his knees as he got a second frantic call from his son. He once again approached Sahay pleading for mercy, but his pleas fell on deaf ears, the source said. "All that he got to hear again from Sahay was a 'no'. At the end of the day, Ghadge's worst fears came true as he got the news from his home that his son had committed suicide," he said. Speaking to reporters, state Minister for Agriculture Pandurang Phundkar said he has ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident. "I have spoken to Ghadge and had also asked state Chief Secretary to order an inquiry into the incident," Phundkar said. Following the directions, Chief Secretary Swadheen Kshatriya has ordered an inquiry into the entire episode. The incident sparked outrage in the department, with officers and Ghadge's colleagues staging a demonstration today. According to sources in the department, Ghadge is now contemplating applying for Voluntary Retirement. The body was taken to Solapur, the native place of the Ghadge family, for the last rites. Other officers in the department rushed to meet Ghadge at his Solapur residence. Efforts to contact Sahay did not yield results as he turned away media persons. Pasighat (Arunachal): Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday said there had been reports of the Chinese army transgressing into Arunachal Pradesh on two occasions recently. One incident was reported from Kibithu area in remote Anjaw district on July 22 and another at Thangsa in Tawang district in the same month, the minister said after inaugurating the Pasighat Advance Landing Ground. Rijiju said he was not describing these as acts of incursion, but transgression. "We cannot term it as incursion, but transgression as the Chinese army just crossed the perceived area along the Line of Actual Control," he said. He said when the matter was reported from Kibithu by the ITBP, the Centre verified it and found that it was only an act of transgression. Asked about the government's efforts to match China's infrastructure development across the border, the Union Minister said the Centre had already begun strengthening infrastructure across the border and the ALG at Pasighat was a major step in this direction. "We are not challenging or competing with any other country by strengthening our border infrastructure. We will have to build robust infrastructure to strengthen our defence and whatever we did is because India is an emerging power with capability. So IAF should have operational bases in all the bordering states," he said. He said the NDA government at the Centre attached priority to development of border infrastructure. Asked about the proposed ALG at Tawang, the minister said an area had been identified between Tawang and Lumla at an altitude of 11,000 feet and the height in such a rugged terrain was very challenging. "We will have to see whether the site is feasible or will have to look for an alternative," he said. When his attention was drawn to the civilian terminal at the ALG at Pasighat which is yet to be constructed, Rijiju said three locations were identified and he would discuss the matter with the Airport Authority of India and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry. About the Author Shomini Sen Shomini has written on lifestyle and entertainment for most part of her career. Having watched innumerable masala potboilers of the 1990s during her g ...Read More In what is being seen as an emulation of sorts of BSP leader Mayawatis politics, BJP is planning to install a statue or a bust of Jan Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyay in all 683 districts of the country. This is part of the Deendayal Centenary celebration being coordinated by the Culture Ministry for which a sum of one hundred crore rupees was allocated in the union budget earlier this year. Deendayal Upadhyay was an RSS pracharak and founder member of BJPs pre-emergency avatar- the Bhartiya Jan Sangh; and his treatise on Integral Humanism is considered one of the most powerful influences on BJPs ideological moorings with the RSS. He died under mysterious circumstances during a train journey in 1968 and his body was recovered near Mughalsarai railway station near Varanasi. It is expected that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the ambitious year-long centenary celebrations from Calicut, a day after the BJP national executive meeting for which the entire top BJP brass will travel to Kerala. Though RSS is not directly involved in the governments efforts to celebrate the centenary year, its affiliate, Deendayal Research Institute or DRI has been chosen as the nodal body to coordinate with the culture ministry. From the BJP, party general secretary Anil Jain will be in-charge for the event. The choice of venue is quite interesting and adds a historical perspective to the celebrations; says a BJP leader closely associated with the event. It was in the Calicut session of the Jan Sangh that Deendayalji was nominated as the president of the Bhartiya Jan Sangh," the BJP leader added. A meeting to give final touches to the ambitious programme was held in Delhi earlier this week. RSS-deputed BJP general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal chaired this meet which was also attended by culture minister Dr Mahesh Sharma. The BJP now in power at the Centre, with a majority of its own, is also using this opportunity to expand its base and political footprint to areas it has had very little influence. Cast in stone or metal, as it plans to take its icons to every nook and corner of the country, it seems to be following the well-trodden path of its political competition. Mayawati did the same thing as UP CM, when she installed statues of Dalit icons across the state, said a leader aware of the developments. Resources at hand are also a matter of concern. A back-of-the-envelope calculation shows more than half of the allocated Rs 100 crore would be utilised if government were to go ahead with the proposed plans to install a statue in all six hundred odd districts. That would leave very little for other programmes. Paris: The leak of what purports to be a National Security Agency hacking tool kit has set the information security world atwitter and sent major companies rushing to update their defenses. Experts across the world are still examining what amount to electronic lock picks. Here's what they've found so far. What's In the Release? The tool kit consists of a suite of malicious software intended to tamper with firewalls, the electronic defenses protecting computer networks. The rogue programs appear to date back to 2013 and have whimsical names like EXTRABACON or POLARSNEEZE. Three of them JETPLOW, FEEDTROUGH and BANANAGLEE have previously appeared in an NSA compendium of top secret cyber surveillance tools . The auctioneers claim the tools were stolen from the Equation Group, the name given to a powerful collective of hackers exposed by antivirus firm Kaspersky Lab in 2015. Others have linked the Equation Group to the NSA's hacking arm, although such claims are extraordinarily hard to settle with any certainty. The leaked tools "share a strong connection" with the Equation Group, Kaspersky said in a blog post late Tuesday. The Moscow-based company said the two used "functionally identical" encryption techniques. The leaked tools also appear to be powerful, according to a running analysis maintained by Richmond, Virginia-headquartered Risk Based Security. The group said several of the vulnerabilities targeted by the malware including one affecting Cisco firewalls were previously unknown, a sign of a sophisticated actor. Security and networking companies scrambled to investigate the flaws exposed by the auction. Cisco Systems, Inc. issued an urgent update to its software late Wednesday. Fortinet, Inc., a Sunnyvale, California-based security company, also said it was investigating. Nicholas Weaver, a researcher at the International Computer Science Institute in Berkeley, California, said that the news was terrible for the NSA no matter the circumstances behind the leak because companies like Cisco guard critical US infrastructure. "If the NSA discovered breach in 2013 and never told Cisco/Fortinet, this is VERY BAD," he said in a message posted to Twitter . "If they didn't know, this is VERY BAD." The NSA has not returned repeated messages seeking comment. Who is Behind the Leak? The documents have been leaked as part of a surreal online auction by a group calling itself "Shadow Brokers." Their madcap, Borat-like manifesto rails against the "Wealthy Elite" and the group's name appears to be a nod to the "Mass Effect" series of video games, where an elusive Shadow Broker traffics in sensitive information. Few take the name or the manifesto at face value. Many have floated the possibility of Russian involvement, a theory that received unexpected support when NSA leaker Edward Snowden endorsed it on Twitter. In a series of messages , Snowden wondered aloud whether the server the data was stolen from might be linked to a U.S. attempt to influence a foreign election. That would be a politically charged development in the context of recent allegations that Russia is trying to tamper with America's presidential campaign. The leak looks like a warning that any attempt to point the finger at Moscow over alleged electoral interference "could get messy fast," Snowden tweeted. He did not return messages seeking further comment. Comae Technologies founder Matt Suiche said the theory of a disgruntled insider couldn't be ruled out. In a blog post , Suiche said he'd been contacted by a former NSA hacker who pointed out that the tools leaked online normally resided on a segregated network and that the way they were named suggests the data was copied direct from the source. Suiche cautioned it was just a theory. "We'll never know," he said in a message to AP. Repeated emails and online messages seeking comment from the Shadow Brokers went unreturned. How Does the Auction Work? Shadow Brokers have already published much of the data they claim to have. The rest "the best files" will be released, they claim, to whoever wins the auction. The content of the files is secret, the group said in its announcement. So too is the length of the auction, which it said would end, in its signature broken English, "when we feel is time to end." Many dismiss the auction as a stunt. Hopeful bidders have been invited to send bitcoins the borderless electronic currency but as of late Wednesday the address specified by the group had only gathered 1.72 bitcoins, or $981. It's more than pocket change. But the group's stated goal is 1,000,000 bitcoins, or $570 million. Washington: US President Barack Obama will travel to China next month to attend the G-20 Summit which will also be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This would be Obama's 11th trip to Asia after he became the US President in January 2009. Two of these trips have been to India in November, 2010 and January 2015. "This trip will highlight the Presidents ongoing commitment to the G-20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation as well as the US Rebalance to Asia and the Pacific," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement. On the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, Obama among others is likely to meet Modi, which would be the eighth meeting between the two leaders after he became Prime Minister in May 2014. While there has been no word of confirmation from the White House on this, Modi during his joint White House media interaction in early June had said that the two leaders would be meeting in China in September. Earnest said, in China, Obama will participate in his final G-20 Leaders' Summit, where he will emphasise the need to continue building on the progress made since 2009 in advancing strong, sustainable, and balanced global economic growth. "He will underscore the importance of G-20 cooperation in promoting a level playing field and broad-based economic opportunity. The President will also conduct in-depth meetings with President Xi Jinping of China in Hangzhou, where the two leaders will discuss a wide-range of global, regional, and bilateral issues," Earnest said. During his week-long Asia trip from September 2 to 9, Obama would become the first US President to visit Laos, where he will participate in the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit. Additionally, he will have bilateral meetings with President Bounnhang Vorachith and other key officials to advance US-Lao cooperation on economic, development, and people-to-people ties, among other areas. Obama will participate in the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative Summit, where he will hold a town hall meeting. "During the ASEAN Summit, the President will discuss ways to strengthen our economic cooperation with the countries of Southeast Asia, which collectively represent Americas fourth largest trading partner and further enhance our collaboration on regional and global challenges," Earnest said. "At the East Asia Summit, the President will coordinate with the region's leaders on efforts to advance a rules-based international order," he said. The visit also will support Obama's efforts to expand opportunities for American businesses and workers to sell their products in some of the world's fastest-growing markets. "Central to this effort is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the high-standards trade agreement that will unlock key markets to American exports and cement America's economic leadership in the Asia-Pacific," Earnest said. Washington: A hijab-clad Muslim woman, who was evicted from a Donald Trump rally in January, has been booted out of his campaign event again after handing out pens inscribed with the word 'salam' which means 'peace'. Rose Hamid said a member of the Republican Presidential candidate's security staff removed her from the event in Charlotte, North Carolina, even before the rally began on the pretext that she was causing a "disturbance". "I just wanted to let people know that Muslims who don't support Trump can get along with people who do support Trump," Hamid told WBTV News. At the event, Hamid was handing out pens, decorated with a single red rose and the word "salam" which in Arabic means "peace" and is used as a greeting. "I thought it was sweet. I loved the little saying on it," a Trump supporter was quoted as saying. Hamid said she was inside the rally having positive conversations with Trump fans. "Those are the reactions I was getting. It was such a good experiment," Hamid said. This was the second time Hamid was kicked out of a Donald Trump rally after she was evicted from the business tycoon's event for a silent protest in January. However yesterday, she said it was her pens that sent her packing at the hands of a Trump staffer. "He claimed that I had been at several other disturbances, which is a lie. So that tells me they have a prejudice against Muslims," she said. She also expressed concerns over what life may be like for her under a Trump presidency. "The fact that he wouldn't allow me to be there says this is what America is going to be like if he's president," she said. The Republican presidential candidate had previously provoked global outrage by calling for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US and forcing them to carry special ID cards. Trump has since backed down on the proposal and appeared to deliver an apology to people offended by a string of controversies at his rally last night. The YMCA of Central Virginia has received $20,000 from Aetna Better Health of Virginia. The money will support the Ys Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program (SLLP). The program boosts the literacy skills and increases the self-esteem of children in need of academic intervention. The grant will enable the Y to increase the number of at-risk youth served by 10 percent. The Y will now be able to serve approximately 165 kids through the learning loss prevention program. BEDFORD A Bedford landmark, the former Elks National Home, marked its centennial anniversary of serving seniors on Thursday with an eye toward carrying on the tradition for years to come. The new owners of the 200-acre campus, now known as English Meadows Senior Living Community, plan to expand offerings so individuals can have personal cottages to live in before transitioning to assisted living. We really think over the next 20 to 30 years the big problem in this country is going to be taking care of seniors, said Mike Williams, who purchased the former Elks National Home with Steve Orndorff in 2014. And I think this town, this campus, is so beautiful that we can create a hub for the entire state of Virginia where we can have as many as 600 to 700 individuals living here. English Meadows has about 185 residents and 95 employees. Williams hopes to eventually employ up to 250 people. Though construction of the current building began in 1903, it wasnt until 1916 that it was dedicated. On Thursday, Williams and English Meadows residents celebrated the 100-year rededication ceremony of the building and discussed further developments over cake, ice cream and punch. Plans include renovations to the current buildings dining and activities rooms. Williams is most excited about the single-housing cottages which developers are focused on starting as soon as possible and he hopes to have the project complete in the next three to five years, he said. The independent-living housing will include the same amenities that assisted-living residents receive, such as lawn care and housing updates. If they need to graduate out of that when circumstances change, when they need assistance, theres already that available to them when that time comes, said Ashleigh Garnes, director of sales and marketing. Williams said assisting the increasing number of elderly is an issue across the nation. After recently attending a seminar in California, he learned the population is growing, but the birth rate has decreased. Half the worlds population in 30 to 40 years will be over the age of 80, he said. The decennial census and the American Community Survey show the portion of the population that is at least 60 years old and the median age of the population both are increasing across Virginia and the nation and especially in Central Virginia. According to the 2010 Census, 16 percent of people living in Bedford were 65 years old or older; in July 2015, that number increased to nearly 20 percent. Today, there are only a few rooms available at English Meadows Bedford facility. Garnes said it has been completely full for the past few months and there is a waiting list. Twelve-year resident David McSweeney said he supports the expansion projects, though he initially was worried when the Elks Home was closing and turning over to new ownership. The closing of the Elks had us all on edge whether someone was going to buy it it turns out [Williams and Orndorff have] done one hell of a nice job here, he said. He added the quality of meals has increased and the facility is cleaner. The difference is like night and day. The Elks didnt want to keep it anymore but the new people have come in, and for instance the air conditioning hasnt worked properly since Ive been here and its only broken once since the new people have been here, he said. The fraternal organization, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, with nationwide membership, had purchased the former Ashland Avenue hotel in 1902 and built the home, which was dedicated during World War I. Declining membership and accumulating fiscal problems at the facility led to sale in 2014 for $4.6 million. At the rededication ceremony Thursday, Nancy Higgs, facility administrator, recognized more than 20 team members who have served more than 10 years on the campus. Of those members was Greg Brennan, who has worked there for 26 years doing various jobs including painting and now transportation. I love the residents. So many of them are so friendly, you get along with everyone, he said. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy The Islamist militant group Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis (ABM) has confirmed the death of its chief two weeks after the Egyptian army announced the killing during an anti-insurgency operation in North Sinai. In a statement shared online on Thursday by accounts affiliated to the group, ABM said that Abu Doaa Al-Ansari along with other fighters were killed by the Egyptian army. On 4 August, the Egyptian army said it had killed Al-Ansari along with his top aides and dozens of other militants in a series of airstrikes. ABM said a new chief for the group, Sheikh Abdullah, has been named, warning that "more bitter" attacks are yet to come. Islamist militants in parts of the North Sinai region have spearheaded a deadly insurgency against the army and police since the 2013 overthrow Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Hundreds of security personnel have been killed in these attacks. The army said it also killed hundreds of militants. Search Keywords: Short link: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is seeking volunteers to assist with a trail widening project on the parks History/Nature Trail from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. August 27. Volunteers should meet park staff at Lees Headquarters pull-off on Virginia 24 at 9 a.m. The project is located along a 200-foot section of trail along the rivers edge. Along this steep, narrow section, volunteers will dig along the embankment to widen the trail. The project will include stabilization along the lower part to prevent further trail erosion. Volunteers will use hand shovels, hoes, and other digging tools to perform this service project, which will provide safer access for hikers and runners. Volunteers are encouraged to wear proper shoes as they will be hiking to the trail section. The project is about one mile from the trailhead. Volunteers are responsible for snacks and lunches. Water will be provided. Tools and equipment for the project, including safety gloves will be provided. Contact Alyssa Holland, volunteer coordinator at (434) 352-8987 ext. 234 or alyssa_holland@nps.gov for information or to sign up. Virginia State Police has issued a warning about what they described as an on-going "phone scam" in which a caller claims he's from the IRS and makes verbally threatening and intimidating demands for payment. Adding to the confusion, police said, is that the Caller ID number for the alleged scammer displays as a legitimate phone number for a Virginia State Police field office with an 804 area code. "State police has received numerous calls concerning this scam within the past few days," police said in a release. In each case, police said, the caller appears to have a "thick foreign accent" and identifies him or herself as working for the Internal Revenue Service. The scammer also has personal information for the person being called but police said that information can be commonly found by searching the Internet. "If the individual refuses to pay, then the fake IRS caller becomes very agitated and impatient, and begins threatening the individual with imprisonment or other severe punishment if the person does not promise to provide payment," police said. The scammer's use of a legitimate state police officer number is known as "spoofing," which enables the caller to disguise his or her true identity. "Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally," police said. Perpetrators of IRS phone scam commonly target senior citizens. One victim reported to police on Wednesday that she had just sent the caller $2,000 in gift cards. In addition, the Fredericksburg Police Department reported that a 72-year-old residents was targeted and scammed out of more than $12,000. Police offered these tips if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS: If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue if there really is such an issue. If you know you dont owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, youve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484. You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose Other and then Imposter Scams. If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words IRS Telephone Scam in the notes. The Virginia Department of Health is warning those who may have consumed smoothies containing frozen strawberries from any Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia of their increased risk of contracting hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. In a news release issued Friday, the health department said the frozen strawberries were served Aug. 5-8. If you have had hepatitis A or have been vaccinated for hepatitis A, you are already immune and therefore not at risk for getting the disease, the release said. Contacted Friday by phone, Lynchburgs only Tropical Smoothie Cafe, on Timberlake Road, declined to comment and referred callers to corporate headquarters. Haley Evans, district epidemiologist for the Virginia Department of Health, said Friday all Tropical Smoothie Cafes get their strawberries from the same supplier and the chain voluntarily pulled the product Aug. 6. Nobody is at continued risk, Evans said. Unfortunately, with hepatitis A symptoms can develop up to 50 days after exposure. Individuals who did consume smoothies containing frozen strawberries anywhere in Virginia at Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the last 50 days are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider and watch for symptoms of hepatitis A. The classic symptom of hepatitis A is jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or the eyes. Other symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and light-colored stools. Symptoms can develop 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus. Exposure can occur through direct contact with another person who has the infection or by consuming food or drink that has been contaminated with the virus. According to the news release, the health department continues to investigate cases with state and federal partners, including the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to identify additional locations where the product may have been distributed. Other restaurants, and firms that supply restaurants, may also have received the frozen strawberries imported from Egypt, according to the news release. Frequent handwashing with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper or before preparing food can help prevent the spread of hepatitis A. Vaccination is available to anyone but recommended for all children, for travelers to certain countries, and those at high risk for infection with the virus. The vaccine is available from health care providers, including some pharmacies and travel clinics. Individuals can contact their local health department with questions. For more information, visit: www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/hepatitis-a/ A Cyprus court on Thursday refused to hear testimony from a Cambridge University professor in defense of an Egyptian hijacker fighting an extradition request by his country over fears that he could be tortured or killed. Emile George Howard Joffe's testimony was inadmissible because his expertise wasn't specific to Egypt's current domestic situation and his academic research pertained to regional foreign relations in general, Judge Dona Constantinou ruled. State attorney Eleni Loizidou argued that a report Joffe prepared in which he concludes that extraditing admitted hijacker Seif Eddin Moustafa would put him at risk of torture or death was biased because of information he received from the defense team. Joffe said he has submitted dozens of reports on asylum cases involving Egyptians for British courts. Moustafa claims he hijacked a domestic EgyptAir flight in March and diverted it to Cyprus to underscore the wrongs done by Egypt's military-backed government and that he meant no harm to anyone. The hijack ended peacefully after all 72 passengers and crew were released and Moustafa arrested. Moustafa also claims to have seen an Italian doctoral student in an Egyptian prison before he was found dead on a Cairo road. The judge adjourned proceedings until next month to give defense lawyer Robertos Brahimis time to find another expert. Search Keywords: Short link: Hawk Claus spreads Christmas cheer in DC's Grifter Got Run Over By a Reindeer first look Take a look at two stories from the DC holiday special including the titular chapter and a Hawkwoman and Hawkman tale Military court sentences over four hundred Brotherhood supporters to prison on violence charges An Egyptian military court sentenced on Thursday more than four hundred supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group to jail terms of up to 25 years. Some 418 people were sentenced over convictions of committing various violent crimes in the governorate of Minya on the back of the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. The defendants were charged with "sabotaging public, judicial and police buildings" following the deadly dispersal of two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo more than one month after his ouster. The court handed 249 defendants terms of life in prison in absentia, while sentencing 50 others who were present in court to between two and 10 years in prison. The defendants were accused of storming a provincial police station in Minya. The court sentenced 101 others to life in prison, also in absentia, over the storming and burning of the government telecommunications centre in the governorate. Eighteen other defendants were given 10-year sentences on the same charges. The verdicts can still be appealed. According to Egyptian law, defendants sentenced in absentia automatically receive retrials when they turn themselves in. Egypt's government has banned the Muslim Brotherhood, declaring it a terrorist organisation in October 2013. In October 2014, Egypt allowed military courts to try civilians accused of attacking state facilities or blocking roads for two years, following deadly assaults that killed dozens of security forces in the Sinai Peninsula. On Wednesday, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi extended this provision for five more years. Search Keywords: Short link: Trinis hearing in Venezuela wraps up He is calling on Government to help them get out of jail, where they have been detained since March 19, 2014. The detainee, Wade Charles, indicated to Newsday yesterday from his Caracas jail that the judge wrapped up the proceedings on Wednesday against himself and the other four. They were initially detained on terrorism charges. Apart from the police who gave statements in which there was no evidence against them to be charged for terrorist activity in Venezuela, Charles said there were no more witness coming forward to testify. Having found no evidence to charge them for terrorism earlier in the hearing, Charles and the other men were asked to plead guilty to the lesser count of espionage, for which the sentence is three years, but they refused. They have already spent two and a half years in detention. They are due to return to court of September 12 for the judges decision. They are optimistic the judge will rule in their favour and they will be allowed to return home. Noting the frustrations they have been going through, Charles said they are hoping there is no further postponement. The other four detainees are Dominic Petilal, Asim Luqman, Andre Battersby and Leslie Daisley. They had gone to Venezuela to obtain visas to travel to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage to Mecca. Charles mother, Gloria, yesterday told Newsday she supports her sons plea for Government to intervene and assist the five men at this stage as they have not been charged for anything and with their fate now in the hands of a judge. She still thinks the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affair, through diplomatic channels, can assist the men greatly. She said the men were frustrated and at their wits end, not only because of being wrongfully accused, but they were in need of medical treatment and food. In addition, their families at home have been suffering emotionally. Her grandchildren, she said, have been deeply affected by their fathers absence as he was their sole provider. Ramdeen: Who doh hear, will feel! Ramdeen, who sometimes serves as a temporary Opposition United National Congress (UNC) senator, was speaking at a protest yesterday, held outside the Office of the Prime Minister in St. Clair by a group called Election Now. Ramdeen said the group, led by Laventille activist Lennox Smith, is comprised of frustrated citizens who are displeased with how the Peoples National Movement (PNM) administration has been running the country. This is a march of the people and for the people. And therefore I am here to support the people who are against this Government for all the suffering that theyre going through day after day, Ramdeen said. Every sector of society, whether it be teachers, public servants, pensioners, students, has felt the hurt of this Government and has felt the suffering that they have experienced since September 7. Many of the cries that are being heard right now are the cries of the PNM supporters more than anyone else. These are the people who are prepared to stand up. US: We See No Signs Putin Will Use Dirty Bomb General Joseph Votel met with Egypt's minister of defense and chief of staff during his visit to Cairo Egypt's Minister of Defence Sedky Sobhi met on Thursday in Cairo with General Joseph Votel, the head of the US Central Command, to discuss the latest efforts to fight terrorism and restore order, stability and security in the Middle East region, the Egyptian Armed Forces spokesperson announced. Votel also met with Egypt's chief of staff Lt General Mahmoud Hegazy on Thursday, where they discussed methods of exchanging expertise between the US army and the Egyptian Armed Forces. General Votel also praised Egypt's military efforts to combat terrorism in North Sinai. Votel is currently visiting Cairo with a delegation of US army officials. Search Keywords: Short link: (Newser) Ever since Deborah Skouson came home with a pink flowered shirt for her daughter five years ago, Cami, who has autism, has been "fixated" on it. It quickly became her favorite piece of clothing, leading Skouson to scour eBay each time her daughter's current shirt became unwearable. But the fifth time she sought a replacement, eBay's stock had run dry. That's when the Utah mom turned to Facebook, asking friends to share her request for the shirt along with her offer to pay whatever it cost, plus shipping. "It has to be this exact shirt!" Skouson wrote on Aug. 7. "We've tried similar shirts, and they don't cut it with Cami!" As of Thursday, no less than 150 matching shirts have arrived at her door from as far away as Germany, reports the Daily Dot. "At first, my daughter was a little confused to see more than one of her 'pink flower shirts.' I explained to her that people gave them to her because they loved her," says Skouson, a special education teacher, noting people have offered to make teddy bears, pillows, and blankets for her 10-year-old out of any extra shirts. She adds she tearfully accepted an offer from Targetwhich sells the Circo-brand item and heard about the storyto make larger versions of the shirt so Cami can wear it even when she's an adult. "It's been very, very touching," Skouson tells KUTV. "These are all total strangers," she wrote on Facebook. "People are inherently good and kind, and I'm glad I've been able to be a recipient of that kindness." (A photo of a cake decorated by someone with autism also went viral.) (Newser) Hillary Clinton's family foundation will no longer accept foreign and corporate donations if she is elected president, and will bring an end to its annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting regardless of the outcome of the November election, the AP reports. Former President Bill Clinton made the announcement at an afternoon meeting with foundation staff members. Bill Clinton said the foundation plans to continue its work, but intends to refocus its efforts in a process that will take up to a year to complete. The former president, who turns 70 on Friday, said he will resign from the board, and the foundation will only accept contributions from US citizens and independent charities. It will no longer take money from any foreign entity, government, foreign or domestic corporations, or corporate charities. At the staff meeting, Clinton said he and his daughter, Chelsea, did not face any external pressure to make the changes, but wanted to avoid any potential issues or second guessing for Hillary Clinton should she move into the White House. The future of the Clinton Foundation has been one of the overarching questions shadowing Clinton's campaign. The sprawling charitable network, founded after Bill Clinton left office in 2001, has raised more than $2 billion for initiatives focused on global health, climate change, economic development, and increasing opportunities for women and girls. While Hillary Clinton stepped down from its board after launching her 2016 campaign, her husband and daughter have remained in leadership roles, prompting questions about the ability of the organization to continue its work should Clinton win the White House. (Read more Clinton Foundation stories.) (Newser) The Amber Heard-Johnny Depp divorce saga has ended with a peaceful settlementand a stinging retort to those who accused Heard of being after Depp's money. Heard announced Thursday that she is giving the entire $7 million settlement to charity, People reports. "As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves," she said in a statement. Heardwho accused Depp of hitting her but dropped a restraining order request as part of the settlementsays half the money will go to the American Civil Liberties Union, with a request that it be used for the ACLU's programs to combat violence against women, the Guardian reports. The other half will go to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where Heard has worked as a volunteer for the last 10 years. (Read more Amber Heard stories.) (Newser) In what authorities describe as a "chilling" case, New York police say a 23-year-old put his mother in a headlock and drowned her in the family's pool on Long Island on Wednesday. Assistant DA Robert Biancavilla says 63-year-old Elizabeth Cullen initially argued with her son, Denis Cullen, in the shallow end of the pool over whether Denis had taken his psychiatric medication. But when she poked him, per the AP, Denis dragged her into the deep end, "waited until she stopped moving, and then carried the body out of the pool," Biancavilla tells CBS New York. Biancavilla says Denis tried to hide the body before stealing his mom's car, cash, and credit card. He then traveled to his sister's house where he reportedly confessed. Police were called to the scene and found Elizabeth Cullen dead in the backyard. Biancavilla adds that Denispreviously diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, per WABClater confessed. "He said she struggled violently and he was surprised a woman of her stature could struggle as much as she did," says Biancavilla, calling the description "chilling." Denis, who is the nephew of former US Army Chief of Staff George Casey, is charged with second-degree murder. (Read more murder stories.) (Newser) In a development that will alarm Florida tourist authorities as well as pregnant women, sources tell multiple news outlets that mosquitoes are spreading Zika in Miami Beach. A health official tells the New York Times that a cluster of cases probably spread by mosquitoes has been found in the city, which is separated by water from Miami itself. The official says authorities are considering telling pregnant women to avoid the areaand possibly all of Miami-Dade County. So far, the state health department says only that two new non-travel-related cases have been detected outside the 1-square-mile "Zika zone" in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood where the first mosquito transmissions of the virus in the US have been detected, the Miami Herald reports. Miami Beach's city manager told commissioners that the two cases are a tourist who visited about two weeks ago and a resident, according to an email obtained by NBC 6. Mayor Philip Levine, however, told reporters Thursday night that there is no cluster of cases. "There is no epidemic, there is no outbreak of Zika on Miami Beach, there are two unconfirmed cases, the county says and the health department says, but they have not been confirmed for Miami Beach," he said, adding that the city has stepped up its war on mosquitoes. "I can tell you this, I wouldn't want to be a mosquito on Miami Beach," he said. (Experts fear that Louisiana's floods could end up spreading Zika.) Funerals set for the victims on Friday in their hometown in Upper Egypt Two conscripts from the Egyptian armed forces were killed early Thursday in North Sinai, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported. Security sources told Al Ahram that 21-years-old conscript Emad Hanna and 22-years-old Ahmed Abu El-Anein were killed by snipers while on duty at a checkpoint near Al-Arish in North Sinai. The victims are natives of Beni Suef governorate in Upper Egypt. The bodies were transferred to Al-Arish military hospital. Funerals for the victims are set for Friday in their home governorate. Hundreds of security forces in North Sinai have been killed in similar attacks by Islamic militants in the past three years Search Keywords: Short link: (Newser) Usain Bolt completed an unprecedented third consecutive sweep of the 100- and 200-meter sprints in Rio Thursday, an accomplishment that further elevated his status as the most decorated male sprinter in Olympic history, the AP reports. He won the 200-meter race with a time of 19.78 seconds to defeat Andre De Grasse of Canada. He had already claimed gold in the 100 in Rio. Bolt did a lengthy victory lap around the stadium, proudly carrying a Jamaican flag and even taking a selfie as he jubilantly celebrated the win in what he has long said is his favorite race. He wanted to lower his world record of 19.19 seconds, but light drizzle at the stadium contributed to a slightly slower winning time. "I've proven to the world I'm the greatest," Bolt said. "This is what I came here for. That's what I'm doing. This is why I said this is my last OlympicsI can't prove anything else." Behind Bolt and silver medalist De Grasse, the difference between an Olympic medal and an also-ran was three thousandths of a second Thursday. Organizers said Christophe Lemaitre of France, Adam Gemili of Britain, and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands, who crossed the finish line in a blur, were separated by 0.006 seconds. It was Lemaitre who got to celebrate an unlikely bronze medal, with a time of 20.12. (Read more Usain Bolt stories.) (Newser) In a development that may have had some onlookers scanning the sky for flying pigs, Donald Trump expressed regret Thursday night for things he has said. "Sometimes in the heat of debate, and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that," he told a rally in Charlotte, NC, per the AP. "And believe it or not, I regret it. I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues," he said, reading from a teleprompter. He promised that he would always tell the truthand called on Hillary Clinton to apologize for "one lie after another." The speech was the first since Trump's campaign shake-up and was a stunning turnaround after more than a year of constant feuds, reports the Washington Post. Clinton's campaign called on Trump to be more specific about his regrets. Trump "literally started his campaign by insulting people," spokeswoman Christina Reynolds said in a statement. "He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize." The AP reports that in another campaign shift, Trump spent $5 million Thursday on TV ad space in battleground states. (Read more Donald Trump stories.) (Newser) Federal police executed at least 22 people on a ranch last year, then moved bodies and planted guns to corroborate the official account that the deaths happened in a gunbattle, Mexico's human rights commission says, per the AP. A total of 43 people, including one police officer, were killed in the confrontation in the western state of Michoacan on May 22, 2015. The National Human Rights Commission says five people were killed when a police Black Hawk helicopter fired 4,000 rounds at the ranch house after the officer was shot, the BBC reports. Another 22 were arbitrarily executed, while the circumstances of the other 15 deaths are still unclear, according to the commission. The lopsided death toll had led to suspicions that officers might have arbitrarily killed people during the operation against suspected members of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. Eighteen of the victims were found barefoot and one just in his underpants, leading the commission to conclude most were asleep when police arrived. Thirteen of the 22 people the commission says were executed had been shot in the back. Mexico's national security commissioner denies the accusations of what the commission called "grave human rights violations," saying federal police ordered the suspects to drop their weapons and surrender, but were answered with gunfire. (Read more Mexico stories.) (Newser) American swimmer Jimmy Feigen finally gets to go home, but it will cost him about $11,000. He will donate roughly that amount to an unspecified charity and get his passport back under a deal struck with Brazilian authorities, reports NBC News. "And with that the case is resolved," says his Rio attorney. Feigen and Ryan Lochte told a now infamous tale of being robbed that has quickly unraveled this week: Brazil's investigation concludes that there was no robberythe swimmers vandalized a gas station's bathroom, were questioned by security guards, and handed over $50 before leaving. Two other swimmers involved have been questioned and released. Lochte is already back in the US, and it's unclear if he might face charges. More developments here. (Read more Rio Olympics stories.) (Newser) One of two victims found dead behind a Publix grocery store in Georgia earlier this month was naked, her body placed in a "sexually explicit fashion," according to an autopsy. Natalie Henderson's body also revealed she had been shot in the head at close range, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She had no injuries indicative of a sexual assault, but the results of a rape kit are pending. Carter Davisshot in the head at medium rangewas posed in "a cross-like position" on his back with his arms stretched out, and was wearing only shorts, the autopsy notes, per Patch.com. Authorities believe the 17-year-olds, also with cuts and burns on their feet, were shot with a revolver, though no weapon or shell casings were recovered from the Roswell scene. Police say surveillance video and the victims' cellphones led them to Jeffrey Hazelwood, 20, who has been charged with murder, theft, and aggravated assault. His connection to the teens isn't clear. Authoritieswho've ruled out a drug deal gone wrongsay Hazelwood followed the pair as they drove behind the store in separate vehicles around 3am on Aug. 1, then killed them before making off with Davis' jumper cables and Henderson's bank card, which he later used, per the Journal-Constitution. He's due back in court on Friday. During an earlier court appearance, Hazelwood shook constantly, talked to himself, and appeared to pet something imaginary, per WSB. (Read more murder stories.) (Newser) Before Dino Carter even proposed to his girlfriend, he asked Martyn Galvin to be the best man at his wedding. Galvin repaid his pal of 18 years by setting up the bachelor party, collecting money from the groom and his friends for a big bash in Prague and a horse-racing outing in Yorkthen skipping out with the $10,500 or so he had gathered from the group, the Guardian reports. The British swindler (deemed perhaps the "worst best man ever" by the New Zealand Herald) was sentenced to 20 months in jail in a Teesside court Thursday in what the presiding judge called "one of the nastiest and meanest" scams he'd ever seen. The partygoers only found out they'd been bamboozled when 17 of them showed up at the Newcastle airport last August. Ready for their three-day Prague junket, they found they had no flight booked and no accommodations reserved in the Czech Republic, reports the Telegraph. Red flags arose before the trip when Galvin blew off group meetings, which is when he said he was unavailable because he'd been receiving treatment for bowel cancernot true. Galvin's attorney blamed a gambling addiction and said Galvin intends to pay back all the victims; the lawyer also admits that while Galvin never had cancer, he is plagued by a "chronic digestive problem." The groom, for his part, didn't let Galvin ruin his big day. "I picked a new best man and the wedding day was the proudest, happiest day of my life," he said in a statement read to the court. (A priest punched the best man at a wedding he was officiating.) (Newser) More than 900 students were absent from Orlando-area schools on Thursday after authorities say a man on Twitter threatened to shoot students and put pipe bombs inside campuses, per the AP. There were reportedly 379 absences at Orange's Liberty Middle School, 357 at Orlando's Boone High School, 174 at Orlando's Edgewater High School, and an undisclosed number at Orlando's Colonial High School. The FBI said Wednesday it was looking into the threats, but didn't think they were credible. Authorities are searching for a 23-year-old transient named Jesus Henry Kong (aka Jessie Eloah Calix and Jesus Matute) they say is responsible. "Although the FBI does not believe that the threat is credible, as the subject does not reside in Florida, we will continue to work with local partners to locate the subject," said an FBI special agent on Wednesday, per the Orlando Sentinel. Kong has lived in Florida, California, Virginia, and Maryland. (Read more Florida stories.) (Newser) Scientists say Oetzi the Iceman, whose mummified body has been studied extensively since it was discovered on a glacier near the Italian-Austrian border in 1991, wore clothes made of brown bear pelt and roe deer when he died in the Alps 5,300 years ago. Researchers in Italy used genetic analysis to determine that the two materials were used for Oetzi's fur hat and his leather quiver, respectively. Niall O'Sullivan, a researcher at the European Academy of Bolzano, says the study published Thursday in Scientific Reports also showed that other pieces of Oetzi's clothing came from domesticated animals. The mix of materials suggests the Iceman was adept at using material from domesticated sheep, cattle, and goat, as well as wild animals, to fashion clothes, the AP reports. The study notes it lends insight into what raw materials humans living during that time period used to make their clothes. "The choices that Copper Age people made with respect to [animal] exploitation were likely dependent on availability, necessity, functionality, and symbolism," the researchers write. The bear hat, for instance, may have served a powerful psychological purpose. "It is imaginable that with a hat of a skin of an intimidating animal, you become more intimidating yourself," Utrecht University professor Johannes Lenstra, who was not a part of the study, told the Christian Science Monitor in an email. (Read more discoveries stories.) (Newser) It may look like a giant rock right now, but inside is what dinosaur expert Jack Horner calls "one of the most significant" Tyrannosaurus rex specimens ever found, the AP reports. According to the Seattle Times, a 2,500-pound, plaster-encased lump of dirt and rock arrived at the Burke Museum in Seattle on Thursday. In October, a team will remove the nearly 4-foot Tyrannosaurus skull hiding inside. It's one of the 15 most complete Tyrannosaurus skulls in the world. Researchers hope to use the skull to learn more about the Tyrannosaurus' jaw strength and eating habits. The skull comes from a 40-foot-long Tyrannosaurus that died 66 million years ago and was found buried in Montana by two Burke Museum volunteersLuke Tufts and Jason Love. So far, 20% of the dinosaur's bones have been dug up, and researchers are confident there are still more to be found at the site. The museum plans to put the Tyrannosaurus skull on exhibit in March and hopes to display the entire skeleton in 2019. It will be the first major dinosaur specimen on display in Washington, KIRO reports. "We think the Tufts-Love Rex is going to be an iconic specimen for the Burke Museum and the state of Washington," the AP quotes a museum curator as saying. (Read more Tyrannosaurus rex stories.) (Newser) As part of his most recent effort to be more presidential, Donald Trump visited Louisiana Friday with Mike Pence, the AP reports. Flooding in Louisiana has killed at least 13 people and displaced thousands more. According to Reuters, 40,000 homes were damaged. Trump's campaign manager says Trump was there "to help people on the ground who are in need." His motorcade drove through debris-strewn streets, and Trump stopped to meet with supporters and volunteers. "You're all going to be fine, you're going to be fine," Trump told one group. He also signed autographs, the Advocate reports. "We knew you would be here for us," one supporter shouted. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, who says he wasn't informed of Trump's visit, welcomed the candidate as long as he wasn't just there for a "photo-op." "We hope he'll consider volunteering or making a sizable donation," a spokesperson for the governor says. Despite calls for President Obama to visit the state, Edwards says he'd prefer Obama stay away for a few weeks, as his visit would pull police and others away from where they're needed. Hillary Clinton, who has no plans to visit Louisiana, says the "relief effort can't afford any distractions." Louisiana attorney general Jeff Landry disagrees, saying Trump's visit brings important media attention to the disaster. "I think it is huge," he tells the Advocate. (Read more Donald Trump stories.) The Coptic Orthodox Church said that the amendments are 'impractical,' slamming what it described as 'complexities and obstacles' Related New Egyptian church building law to provide permits faster Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Church issued statements on Thursday slamming proposed amendments to the long-awaited church building draft law after Church officials met with state representatives on Wednesday at the cabinet headquarters. "The Church was surprised to find unacceptable amendments," said the Coptic Orthodox Church in its statement. Although it did not reveal the nature of these amendments, the Church described them "impractical," and said that they contain "complexities and obstacles" that could pose a danger to national unity, "with no consideration for the citizenship or patriotism of Egyptian Copts." Egyptian Christians have long struggled to obtain permits required to build churches, facing tough regulations and time-consuming red tape. Many are hoping that the new eight-article bill would loosen these regulations and facilitate the building of churches, as it would set a limit of four months to process requests to build or renovate churches. The government-drafted law would also designate any building where Christian rituals and services are held as a "licensed church." The Coptic Church said following the Wednesday meeting that the draft law was still being discussed. The Evangelical Church also issued a statement on Thursday stating that it was following the discussion about the draft law. Although the Evangelical Church did not directly criticise the new amendments, it did say that it hoped the government would take into consideration the concerns expressed by Egyptian churches. Legal and parliamentary affairs minister Magdy El-Agati confirmed in media statements that all the objections and remarks about the draft bill are being considered by the government. However, he dismissed the notion that any part of the amendments threatened national unity. The talks between representatives from Egyptian churches and the cabinet will continue on Wednesday in another meeting. Egyptian Christians make up roughly 10 percent of the country's population of 90 million. According to official figures from 2011, Egypt has 2,869 churches and over 108,000 mosques. Search Keywords: Short link: (Newser) Mosquitoes are spreading Zika in a whole new area of Miami, the CDC announced Friday. USA Today reports five new cases of mosquito-spread Zika have popped up in a 1.5-square-mile area of Miami Beach, including popular tourist area South Beach. In fact, three of the five patients were visiting Miami Beach when they contracted Zika, according to the Washington Post. There have now been 36 cases of mosquito-spread Zika in Miami. Mosquitoes had already been confirmed to be spreading the virus in the Wynwood neighborhood, which is several miles and a bay away from Miami Beach. Officials believe they have the situation under control in Wynwood, NPR reports. But it will be more difficult to contain the Zika outbreak in Miami Beach due to its high-rise buildings and aversion to long pants and sleeves. Officials are warning pregnant women who've visited Miami Beach since July 14 to consider being tested for Zika. Couples who've traveled to the area should wait at least eight weeks before trying to get pregnant. Officials believe it's likely mosquitoes are spreading Zika elsewhere in Miami, and the CDC is warning pregnant women to "consider postponing nonessential travel to all parts of Miami-Dade County." (Read more Zika virus stories.) The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. Two deadly car bombings hit east Turkey on Thursday killing at least six people and injured over 200 The Egyptian foreign ministry and Al-Azhar, the top Sunni Muslim authority, denounced terrorist attacks in Turkey on Thursday that killed at least six people in total and injured over 200. Two car bombs -- less than 12 hours apart -- hit the eastern Turkish city of Elazig targeting a police headquarters. Officials have blamed the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). "The Egyptian people stand in solidarity with the Turkish people in the face of these terrorist attacks that do not differentiate between religion or race," the ministry said in a statement late on Thursday. Meanwhile, in a statement reported by state official news agency MENA, Al-Azhar stressed his rejection of all forms of terrorisms in any place. The top Islamic body called on the international community to take urgent action to counter terrorism. Search Keywords: Short link: Caracas: Two Venezuelan journalists who work for foreign media outlets said they were detained by the army while reporting near the presidential palace, triggering condemnation and calls for their release. Andreina Flores, a correspondent for Radio France Internationale and Colombias RCN Radio, and Jorge Perez Valery of Colombian network Red Mas sounded the alarm on Twitter after being detained near President Nicolas Maduros offices yesterday. First they detained us in El Calvario (in central Caracas). Then they took us to an army post. Now were at Fort Tiuna, the largest military installation in the Venezuelan capital, Perez Valery wrote. The national journalists union, SNTP, said the journalists had been taken to military intelligence headquarters. They are accused of recording in a presidential corridor, the union said in a statement. SNTP demands these journalists immediate release and holds Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and army commander Antonio Benavides Torres responsible for anything that happens to our colleagues, it said. Government rights ombudsman Tarek William Saab said he had sent a delegation to verify (the journalists) legal status. Media rights groups frequently criticize Venezuela for violating the freedom of the press. One local group, Espacio Publico, registered 286 incidents last year, mainly in the form of intimidation and harassment. Reporters Without Borders ranks the country 137th out of 180 on its worldwide press freedom index. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Do you know Mahatma Gandhi and Amitabh Bachchan have applied for the post of assistant teachers in Uttar Pradesh? Yes, this is true. This may happen in Lucknow as Gandhi and Bachchan, if selected, could be seen as an assistant teacher in a government school in Uttar Pradesh. And this Mahatma Gandhi's name is on the top of the list of teachers with 94 per cent marks. The education department has prepared a merit list and Mahatma Gandhis name is on the top with highest mark. Other than Gandhi and Bachhan, there are few other celebrities' names in the list also. Praveen Mani Tripathi, officer in department of education, told News Nation reporter that not only Gandhi and Bachchan, there are 15 other applicants have the names resembling with other celebrities. Earlier, the list was rejected by officers of the education department, but later a committee was formed to verify the names of the applicants. Later, the committee decided to release the list after verification of all 15 applicants. Use of abusive words as title in names Many applicants had used abusive words as title in their names. The education department removed their names when the candidates didnt turn up. An officer told News Nation: "When these candidates didnt turn up, we understood that the applicants were fake. The Uttar Pradesh government is recruiting 16,488 assistant teachers in the state. There are 33 vacancies in Lucknow and more than 800 people have applied for this post. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A suspected Pakistani spy was apprehended by intelligence sleuths in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. The accused who identified himself as Nandu Maharaj is a Pakistani national and entered the country on visa, U R Sahoo, ADG Intelligence told PTI on Friday. He was found in suspicious circumstances in Jaisalmer on Thursday and was interrogated. He is now being taken to Jaipur. He will be placed under arrest later, he said. We are probing his local connections in the border areas and those who helped him reach there, he said. Jaisalmer borders Pakistan and is 560 km from state capital Jaipur. Revealing further details about the arrest, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria to News Nation, Nandu Maharaj used to come to India on visa to collect information by bribing money to the locals. His activities in India used to be suspicious. Police was trying to apprehend Nandu from quite some time, finally they were successful to arrest him on August 17, said Kataria. (With PTI Inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ballia: Lashing out at Pakistan, BJP MP Yogi Adityanath has said if the neighbouring country dares to fight with India, its existence would be in danger and that Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would soon be a part of India. The BJP lawmaker from Gorakhpur, who was here to attend a function in Rasra area, said last night that India should take a stand on the issue of Balochistan. On senior Congress leader Digvijay Singhs comments referring to Kashmir as India-occupied Kashmir, Yogi said Singhs reaction reflected the values of his party. Holding the Congress responsible for Kashmir problem, he said if Sardar Patel would have got the responsibility in place of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the issue would have not arisen. He said time has come for freedom of PoK and it would be part of India soon. On Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeeds appeal to Pakistan Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, to send troops to Kashmir to obey the pending order of M A Jinnah, Yogi said the neighbouring country has suffered four crushing defeats. Addressing a rally held under the banner of Defence Council of Pakistan in Karachi on Sunday, Saeed had claimed, Kashmiris had announced before the partition that they wanted to remain with Pakistan. But after the partition, India forcibly sent Army to Jammu and Kashmir. On this, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah ordered his commander-in-chief to respond by sending troops but he refused (to obey his orders). Now, I ask Gen Raheel Sharif to send troops in Jammu and Kashmir as Quaid-e-Azams order is pending, Saeed had said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A 22-year-old police conscript was killed on Friday and five other Egyptian policemen injured by an improvised explosive device in Arish in North Sinai, reported Al-Ahram Arabic website. The device exploded in the western part of the city. Security forces have been the target of deadly attacks by Islamist militant groups in North Sinai since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. Egyptian troops have been waging an extensive campaign in North Sinai dubbed "The Right of the Martyr" since late 2015, and the army has reported that it has killed hundreds of militants. Search Keywords: Short link: The German broadcaster Deutsche Welle said it might also pursue legal action against the journalist Germany's international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) has said it has ended its relationship with a freelance journalist due to comments he apparently made on social media calling for violence against well-known activist Mahienour El-Massry. Earlier this week activists began circulating online a Facebook post apparently written by a Nagy Abbas on his FB page, identifying himself as a journalist for Deutsche Welle Arabic, in which he urges readers to "kidnap Mahienour and give her a quarter-litre of acid to drink and pour the rest on her face." El-Massry, a prominent leftist rights activist from Alexandria, was released last week from prison after serving a 15-month sentence on charges relating to a protest in the spring of 2013. The media company said on their Arabic website that Abbas "clearly called for conducting an illegal act against Egyptian rights activist Mahienour El-Massry," DW added that as a broadcaster "it does not tolerate such actions in any form," confirming that it has ended the journalist's contract and might pursue further legal action. Search Keywords: Short link: Turkey on Friday detained dozens of academics suspected of backing Fethullah Gulen, the alleged mastermind of last month's failed coup, while pressing ahead with raids on businesses linked to the US-based Muslim preacher. Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 84 academics nationwide, the private Dogan news agency reported, while the state-run Anadolu agency said Istanbul authorities were separately hunting 62 academics from the city's main university. A total of 74 scholars had been detained so far in both operations, media said. A large majority of the suspects in the nationwide raids were from Selcuk University in Konya, central Anatolia -- a conservative bastion of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) -- including the university's former rector, Professor Hakki Gokbel. To the alarm of its Western partners, Turkey has pressed ahead with a vast crackdown on alleged coup plotters in the wake of July 15 military action seeking to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said this week that more than 40,000 state employees had been detained in the purge, with more than 20,000 remanded in custody. More than 5,000 civil servants have been dismissed and almost 80,000 others suspended, he added. Gulen, a former Erdogan ally, has a powerful network of influence in institutions such as the judiciary and police and has long been accused of running a "parallel state" in Turkey. The reclusive cleric, who has lived in self-exile in the United States since 1999, strongly denies he was behind the coup attempt. Police on Friday widened their probe into alleged Gulen-linked businesses, issuing arrest warrants for 18 more suspects, bringing the total number of those being searched to 205, Dogan reported. Police launched mass raids Thursday in the commercial hub Istanbul and 18 other provinces into companies with suspected ties to Gulen -- the biggest crackdown on business since the failed putsch, with prosecutors ordering their assets to be seized. Dozens were detained including Omer Faruk Kavurmaci, CEO of the Aydinli Group clothing retailer and son-in-law of Istanbul mayor Kadir Topbas, an AKP member. Police found books written by Gulen during a search of the CEO's offices, media reports said. In a series of tweets posted on his official account, Topbas said the judicial process would reveal whether his son-in-law was guilty. "My son-in-law will receive the punishment he deserves if he had acted contrary to his testimonies," he wrote. "I have a clear stance as someone who has walked shoulder to shoulder for 42 years with our president Mr Erdogan." Dogan reported that Friday's fresh raids targeted the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (Tuskon), which has 55,000 members. Prosecutors were already seeking its president, Rizanur Meral. The suspects are accused of "membership in a terrorist organisation" and "financing the activities" of Gulen. Erdogan has vowed to cleanse the state from the "cancer" of Gulen's influence. Search Keywords: Short link: Tunisia's Prime Minister designate Youssef Chahed plans to keep the same defence, foreign and interior ministers in his new government and is expected to name World Bank official Marouan Abassai as finance minister, sources close to the negotiations said on Friday. Chahed, who was named prime minister after his predecessor was ousted by lawmakers in a vote of no confidence last month, has been in talks with ruling parties, Nidaa Tounes and Islamists Ennahda, over cabinet posts in the government. Search Keywords: Short link: NEW MILFORD Mayor David Gronbachs latest strategy to combat commercial sprawl along Route 7 is to hire a town planner, a position that has been vacant for years. Its exciting, because one of the things I ran on is bringing a sense of logic in how development is perceived in New Milford, Gornbach said. The planner, whose position is called for in the town charter, would oversee a department that includes planning, zoning, land use and wetlands management. He or she would look at projects from a big-picture perspective and evaluate the role they play in zoning, economic development and environmental issues. Gronbach said the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities determined that New Milford is the only municipality of its size that lacks a town planner. New Milfords zoning enforcement officer has been handling planning responsibilities in addition to her zoning obligations. Its too much for one person, Gronbach said. This is important enough for another position. Gronbach said a planner would address problems such as spot zoning and unsustainable commercial development in certain parts of town, especially along Route 7, including overdevelopment in some places and underdevelopment in others. The planner would also relieve other departments, such as public works, of the burden of crafting and presenting certain town projects. Its important because we need someone like this to manage projects that are taking up a lot of time, Gronbach said. There is enough money in the town budget to cover the position, Gronbach said, assuming an average salary range for a town planner of $70,000 to $85,000. He plans to bring the position before Town Council soon. kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345; @kkoerting VANCOUVER, Aug. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - The Cement Association of Canada congratulates the province of British Columbia on the release of its Climate Leadership Plan today. Climate change is the single most important issue facing our society today and this plan lays the foundation for industries to play a major role in assisting government in meeting its 2050 targets. The cement industry welcomes the commitment of the B.C. government to mandate the use of Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC) in concrete used in the construction of public infrastructure projects. This commitment will provide a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, when compared to the use of regular Portland cement. "With today's release of the B.C. Climate Leadership Plan, the Province of British Columbia has laid out a framework to work collaboratively with individuals, local governments, business and industry in finding ways to address climate change," said Michael McSweeney, President and CEO of the Cement Association of Canada. "The cement industry in British Columbia is a leader in innovation. Our development and use of a lower greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity cement, Portland-Limestone cement, reduces GHG emissions by 10 percent. This is just one example of our commitment to help address climate change, and we look forward to engaging the province in keeping our industry competitive while fostering further innovation to lower our environmental footprint." The B.C. Climate Leadership Plan encourages industries to look at new technologies and innovation for the built environment, with a focus on energy efficient buildings, infrastructure upgrades and less waste to landfills. The cement industry will continue to be a vocal advocate for the introduction of policies that protect emissions-intensive, trade-exposed (EITE) industries from carbon leakage and ensure that the B.C. cement industry can remain competitive while reducing GHGs. About the Cement Association of Canada The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) is the voice of Canada's cement manufacturers. The industry provides a reliable, domestic supply of cement required to build Canada's communities and critical infrastructure. The CAC and its members are committed to the environmentally responsible manufacturing of cement and concrete products. CAC's members are: Ciment Quebec Inc., Colacem Canada, CRH Canada Group, Essroc Italcementi Group, Federal White Cement Ltd., Lafarge Canada Inc., Lehigh Hanson Canada and St Marys Cement A Votorantim Cimentos Company. Within B.C., Lafarge and Lehigh operate cement production facilities in Richmond, Delta and Kamloops. The cement and concrete industry's contribution to the Canadian economy is estimated to be $82 billion in direct and indirect impact and 170,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs. SOURCE Cement Association of Canada For further information: Tejindar (TJ) Parhar, Senior Director, Government and Public Affairs - Western Canada, Cement Association of Canada, [email protected], T: 250-818-0629; Lyse Teasdale, Director, Communications, Cement Association of Canada, [email protected], T: 613-236-9471, ext 211 Loss Reported for Second Quarter but Company Expects to Return to Profitability in the Third Quarter Listing: TSX Venture Exchange Symbol: DNX LINCOLN, England, Aug. 18th, 2016 /CNW/ - Dynex Power Inc., a leading, high power semiconductor company, today announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30th, 2016. Summary financial information for the three and six months ended June 30th, 2016 is as follows: Canadian Dollars (000's) June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 YTD 2016 YTD 2015 Revenue 9,123 11,994 19,395 21,540 Gross Profit/(Loss) (117) 756 1,071 (767) Other Income, Expenses and Costs (1,982) (1,276) (3,696) (3,130) Loss before Tax (2,099) (520) (2,625) (3,897) Income Tax Recovery 370 100 435 697 Net Loss (1,729) (419) (2,190) (3,200) Common shares outstanding-diluted 80,509,047 80,509,047 80,509,047 80,509,047 Earnings per share - diluted (0.02) (0.01) (0.03) (0.04) Weighted average for the period Revenue in the second quarter of 2016 was $2.9 million or 24.1% lower than in the corresponding quarter of last year. The reduction reflected lower sales of bipolar, IGBT die and modules and power assemblies. For the year to date, revenue was $2.1 million or 10% lower than in the first half of 2015. The reduction reflected a significant drop in bipolar sales with much smaller reductions in sales of IGBT modules and dies and power assemblies. The negative gross margin of 1.3% in the second quarter of 2016 compared to a gross margin of 6.3% in the second quarter of 2015. The negative gross margin reflected a lower volume of revenue for the quarter and the high level of fixed costs inherent in manufacturing semiconductors. For the year to date, the gross margin was 5.5% compared to a negative gross margin for the corresponding period of last year of 3.6%. The gross margin in 2016, though substantially improved compared to 2015, is still below the level targeted by management and again reflects the lower level of revenue for the period. Sales and marketing and administration expenses represented 14.4% of revenue in the second quarter and 13.9% of revenue for the year to date compared to 13.9% and 12.4% in the corresponding periods in 2015. The absolute level of such expenditure had fallen in the quarter but not sufficiently enough to offset the decline in revenue. The absolute level had risen by just over 1% for the year to date. The net expenditure on research and development for the second quarter of 2016 was $483,000. In the corresponding quarter of last year, there had been a small surplus from research and development. For the year to date, net expenditure was $783,000 compared to $98,000 in the corresponding period of last year. The increase reflected a significant increase in research and development expenditure and a reduction in the funding being accounted for from the UK government. As a consequence of these changes, Dynex reported a loss before tax in the quarter of $2.1 million compared to a loss before tax of $520,000 in the corresponding quarter of last year. For the year to date, a loss before tax of $2.6 million was recorded compared to a loss before tax of $3.9 million in the corresponding period of last year. At the end of the second quarter, the Company's order book stood at $14.1 million, approximately 6% higher than at the end of the first quarter. At the end of 2015, the order book had stood at $15.2 million but the reduction since then is more than accounted for by the strengthening of the Canadian Dollar against Sterling. Revenue is expected to be higher in the second half of the year compared to the first half and the management expects to return to profit in the second half of the year. Dr. Paul Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "Market conditions for our IGBT and bipolar products have remained weak. Global uncertainty has meant that our customers are being cautious and this has affected our order book for the first half of this year, resulting in low sales revenue. Our current outlook for the third quarter is for increased revenue and a return to profitability. " Dr Taylor also took the opportunity to thank Li Donglin for his wise counsel and support over the last six years as Chairman of the company. Li Donglin resigned from this role at the recent Annual General Meeting following his promotion in China. Liu Ke'an, who has also been a director of the Company for the last six years, has now replaced Li Donglin as Chairman. Bob Lockwood, Chief Financial Officer commented, "Second quarter results are disappointing, but we look forward to a return to profitability in the third quarter and are still hopeful of reporting a small profit for the full year". Liu Ke'an, the new Chairman of Dynex said, "I am delighted to become Chairman of Dynex. It is disappointing to be reporting a loss in my first quarter as Chairman of the Company. CRRC Times Electric remains strongly supportive of Dynex and we will work closely with management to help the Company return to profitability." Forward-looking Statements In commenting on its expectations, the Company cautioned existing and potential shareholders about relying on the Company's expectations in that the Company's expectations contain forward looking statements and assumptions which are subject to the risks and uncertainties of the markets and the future, which could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, and which are each difficult and subjective to forecast. Certain of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended June 30th , 2016 and include, among other things, risks and uncertainties relating to: the level of worldwide demand for power semiconductors and power semiconductor assemblies; the level of investment in power electronic equipment, electrification of transport systems, alternative power generation and high quality power transmission and distribution; and fluctuations in exchange rates between Canadian Dollars, Sterling, US dollars and Euros. As a consequence of these and other risks and uncertainties, shareholders and potential investors must make their own independent judgments about the accuracy and reliability of the Company's expectations. Dynex disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About the Company Dynex designs and manufactures high power bipolar semiconductors, high power insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules and die, high power electronic assemblies and radiation hard silicon-on-sapphire integrated circuits (SOS IC's). The company's power products are used worldwide in power electronic applications including electric power transmission and distribution, renewable and distributed energy, marine and rail traction motor drives, aerospace, electric vehicles, industrial automation and controls and power supplies. The Company's IC products are used in demanding applications in the aerospace industry. Dynex Semiconductor Ltd is its only operating business and is based in Lincoln, England in a facility housing the fully integrated silicon fabrication, assembly and test, sales, design and development operations. In 2008, a majority of the shares of Dynex were acquired by Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric Co., Ltd. In April 2016 this company changed its name to Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. is based in Hunan Province in the People's Republic of China. It is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. CRRC Times Electric is mainly engaged in the research, development, manufacture and sales of locomotive train power converters, control systems and other train-borne electrical systems, as well as the development, manufacturing and sales of urban railway train electrical systems. In addition, CRRC Times Electric is also engaged in the design, manufacturing and sale of electric components including power semiconductor devices for the railway industry, urban railway industry and non-railway purposes. Press announcements and other information about Dynex are available at www.dynexpower.com. Further information on CRRC Times Electric can be found at www.timeselectric.cn/en All monetary values expressed in this release are in Canadian Dollars unless stated otherwise. The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information in this press release. DYNEX POWER INC. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit (Loss) and Other Comprehensive Income (unaudited) in Canadian Dollars Quarter Ended June 30th, 2016 3 months 3 months YTD YTD Jun 30th Jun 30th Jun 30th Jun 30th 2016 2015 2016 2015 $ $ $ $ Revenue 9,122,739 11,994,138 19,395,293 21,539,673 Cost of sales (9,239,972) (11,238,062) (18,324,732) (22,306,985) Gross (loss)/profit (117,233) 756,076 1,070,561 (767,312) Other income 6,800 6,269 29,195 43,520 Sales and marketing expenses (391,313) (330,565) (718,555) (585,850) Administration expenses (918,060) (1,075,301) (1,978,610) (2,074,410) Research and development (expense)/recovery (483,282) 1,511 (783,243) (98,337) Finance costs (187,961) (137,981) (366,577) (345,289) Other (losses)/gains (7,527) 260,159 122,284 (69,826) Loss before tax (2,098,576) (519,832) (2,624,945) (3,897,504) Income tax recovery 369,445 100,342 434,644 697,020 Net loss (1,729,131) (419,490) (2,190,301) (3,200,484) Other comprehensive income Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (net of tax of $nil) (2,191,861) 1,440,028 (5,780,922) 2,247,198 Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year (3,920,992) 1,020,538 (7,971,223) (953,286) Loss per share Basic (0.02) (0.01) (0.03) (0.04) Diluted (0.02) (0.01) (0.03) (0.04) DYNEX POWER INC. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (unaudited) in Canadian Dollars As at June 30th, 2016 Jun 30th Dec 31st 2016 2015 $ $ NON-CURRENT ASSETS Intangible assets 1,260,370 1,594,142 Property, plant & equipment 35,083,918 43,447,376 Deferred tax asset 493,155 57,838 Total non-current assets 36,837,443 45,099,356 CURRENT ASSETS Inventories 13,374,407 15,215,237 Trade receivables 5,351,771 5,760,619 Amounts owing from group undertakings 3,025,231 6,019,175 Prepayments, deposits & other receivables 1,770,543 1,236,102 Tax recoverable 717 3,382 Cash 767,345 1,410,547 Total current assets 24,290,014 29,645,062 CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade payables 2,211,543 2,371,233 Amounts owing to group undertakings 1,351,894 760,062 Other payables and accruals 5,568,281 8,695,638 Borrowings 15,048,457 15,423,684 Provisions 17,361 20,599 Total current liabilities 24,197,536 27,271,216 DYNEX POWER INC. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited) in Canadian Dollars (continued) As at June 30th, 2016 Jun 30th Dec 31st 2016 2015 $ $ NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Borrowings 6,342,456 8,904,800 Provisions 52,083 61,797 Total non-current liabilities 6,394,539 8,966,597 NET ASSETS 30,535,382 38,506,605 EQUITY Share capital 37,096,192 37,096,192 Accumulated deficit (7,799,402) (5,609,101) Exchange fluctuation reserve 1,238,592 7,019,514 TOTAL EQUITY 30,535,382 38,506,605 DYNEX POWER INC. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited) in Canadian Dollars Quarter Ended June 30th, 2016 Foreign Currency Share Translation Total Capital Deficit Reserve Equity $ $ $ $ At January 1st, 2015 37,096,192 (7,416,640) 2,703,411 32,382,963 Total comprehensive income for the period - (3,200,484) 2,247,198 (953,286) At June 30th, 2015 37,096,192 (10,617,124) 4,950,609 31,429,677 Total comprehensive income for the period - 3,366,648 2,068,905 5,435,553 Capital Contribution - 1,641,375 - 1,641,375 At December 31st, 2015 37,096,192 (5,609,101) 7,019,514 38,506,605 Total comprehensive income for the period - (2,190,301) (5,780,922) (7,971,223) At June 30th, 2016 37,096,192 (7,799,402) 1,238,592 30,535,382 DYNEX POWER INC. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) in Canadian Dollars Quarter Ended June 30th, 2016 YTD YTD Jun 30th Jun 30th 2016 2015 $ $ CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Loss before tax (2,624,945) (3,897,504) Finance costs recognised in loss before tax 366,577 345,289 Investment income recognised in loss before tax (844) - Amortization of intangible assets 110,262 78,885 Depreciation of property, plant & equipment 2,616,831 2,568,733 Provision for slow moving and obsolete inventory 440,500 80,828 Movements in working capital (1,119,154) 1,324,768 Income taxes paid (45,069) - Net cash (used in)/generated by operating activities (255,842) 500,999 CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments for intangible assets (18,079) (97,083) Payments for property, plant & equipment (920,488) (1,573,862) Interest received 844 - Net cash used in investing activities (937,723) (1,670,945) CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from borrowings 2,821,288 17,570,499 Repayments of borrowings (1,827,120) (14,387,173) Interest paid (367,558) (334,910) Payments for other finance costs - - Net cash generated by financing activities 626,610 2,848,416 NET (DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH (566,955) 1,678,470 Cash at beginning of period 1,410,547 894,609 Effect of foreign currency translation on cash (76,247) (431,461) CASH AT END OF PERIOD 767,345 2,141,618 SOURCE Dynex Power Inc. For further information: Dr. Paul Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer or Bob Lockwood, Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer, Dynex Power Inc., Tel: +44 1522 500 500, Email: [email protected] Thirteen sick children were among 18 people evacuated by the Red Crescent from the besieged Syrian town of Madaya on Friday, a doctor that was treating them told AFP. A convoy "is headed towards Damascus where the patients will receive treatment," said Mohammad Darwish, adding that the operation was completed "in coordination with the United Nations." The cases included children with meningitis and malnutrition and two babies with blood poisoning. Search Keywords: Short link: ASBESTOS, QC, Aug. 18, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - This week Gaz Metro begins work to extend the gas network to Asbestos. This is an important step for Gaz Metro and the region's community, which has mobilized to make its businesses more competitive through natural gas. The extension of the gas network by around 7.4 kilometres has been made possible through the support of the Government of Canada and the Ville d'Asbestos, through a financial contribution of close to $3.7 million. Nature of work Gaz Metro's contractor will install new pipelines to connect to the existing supply network on Chemin des Canadiens, in Danville. The route will then run along Chemin Saint-Claude and Chemin Saint-Georges to serve the industrial area. The new section is scheduled to be commissioned in October. Ultimately, some 20 businesses, industrial plants and institutions will reap the benefits of natural gas. Customers could save more than $200,000 in overall energy costs, in addition to reducing their environmental footprint by around 192 tonnes of greenhouse gas annually. The Asbestos industrial area will have a competitive source of energy that could prompt new businesses to open their doors, promoting the region's development. "Natural gas continues to generate interest among the regions, and we appreciate that governments allow us to act on what is wanted by communities, such as Asbestos, which believes in base-building projects that promote Quebec's economic development and improve its environmental performance," said Sophie Brochu, president and CEO of Gaz Metro. About Gaz Metro With more than $7 billion in assets, Gaz Metro is a leading energy provider. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec, where its network of over 10,000 km of underground pipelines serves some 300 municipalities and more than 200,000 customers. Gaz Metro is also present in Vermont, where it has more than 310,000 customers. There, it operates in the electricity production market and the electricity and natural gas distribution market. Gaz Metro is actively involved in developing and operating innovative, promising energy projects, including natural gas as fuel, liquefied natural gas as a replacement for higher emission-producing energies, the production of wind power and the development of biomethane. Gaz Metro is a major energy sector player that takes the lead in responding to the needs of its customers, regions and municipalities, local organizations, and communities while also satisfying the expectations of its Partners (GMi and Valener) and employees. SOURCE Gaz Metro For further information: Gaz Metro, Catherine Houde, Media and Public Relations, 514 598-3449, [email protected] TORONTO, Aug. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - For the first time in Ontario, McDonald's employees can now receive credits towards a college business diploma, thanks to a new agreement between Colleges Ontario and McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited. The agreement will create a provincewide partnership with McDonald's Canada, a leading Canadian business, to establish a prior-learning recognition system. McDonald's employees, who have completed specific McDonald's training, will be eligible to be granted the equivalent of first-year credit for a business or business administration program at one of twenty-four (24) public colleges in Ontario. This may lead to significant cost-savings for eligible employees by reducing the number of courses and time required to earn a diploma with potential savings of up to $4,500. "We're thrilled to offer such an amazing program with McDonald's Canada," said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. "This unique arrangement marks a new way of thinking about how employees can get access to further education and training without repeating learning they have already acquired. It's the type of innovative partnership that colleges and businesses will be doing more of as Canada looks to strengthen its workforce and its economy." "McDonald's and its independent franchisees are committed to providing opportunities for people to learn life skills that will set them up for success skills such as leadership, communications, hospitality and profit management," said Sharon Ramalho, Chief People Officer of McDonald's Canada. "We're so pleased to work with the colleges on this new program that not only recognizes the quality of McDonald's training, but also empowers employees to apply the skills they've learned to reach their career and academic goals." Across Ontario, twenty-four (24) public colleges have agreed to grant recognition for first-year business credit into the business diploma or business administration advanced diploma (or the relevant related program at each local college) to McDonald's managers who have successfully completed the management development program level 2, with some additional requirements. This means that employees will have the opportunity to directly enter a second-year business diploma or business administration advanced diploma program. The program is now available for McDonald's employees across Ontario. McDonald's Canada currently offers a similar program in B.C. with the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is also exploring programs with other post-secondary institutions across the country. About Colleges Ontario Colleges Ontario is the advocacy organization for the province's twenty-four (24) public colleges. Colleges Ontario advances policies and awareness campaigns to ensure Ontario produces the highly skilled workforce that is essential to the province's prosperity. For more information on Colleges Ontario, visit CollegesOntario.org Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter About McDonald's Canada In 1967, Canadians welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving close to three million guests every day. Nearly 90,000 people from coast-to-coast are employed by either McDonald's Canada or independent franchisees, and approximately 85 per cent of McDonald's 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by these independent entrepreneurs. Of the almost $1 billion we spend on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from Canadian suppliers. For more information on McDonald's Canada visit McDonalds.ca For more information about McDonald's Archways to Opportunity program please visit www.ArchwaysToOpportunity.com SOURCE Colleges Ontario Image with caption: "Colleges Ontario (CNW Group/Colleges Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160819_C4184_PHOTO_EN_755737.jpg Image with caption: "McDonald's Canada (CNW Group/Colleges Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160819_C4184_PHOTO_EN_755735.jpg For further information: Amy Dickson, Manager, Media Relations and Communication, Colleges Ontario, T: 647-258-7686, [email protected]; Michelle Yao, Manager, Communications, McDonald's Canada, T: 416-642-3634, [email protected] TORONTO, Aug. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Pivot Technology Solutions, Inc. ("Pivot" or the "Company") (TSX-V: PTG) today announced that it will hold a conference call to discuss its fiscal 2016 second quarter results on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 11:00 AM (ET). The call will be hosted by Kevin Shank, Chief Executive Officer and Shaun Maine, Chief Operating Officer. All interested parties are invited to participate. The Company expects to report its financial results that same day before markets open. CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS: DATE: Friday, August 26, 2016 TIME: 11:00 a.m. ET DIAL IN NUMBER: +1 647-427-7450 +1 888-231-8191 TAPED REPLAY: 416-849-0833 or 1-855-859-2056 Available from August 26, 2016 14:00 ET to September 9, 2016 23:59 ET Reference number: 62629856 WEBSITE: A recording of the call will be available on the Company's website afterwards: www.pivotts.com About Pivot Technology Solutions, Inc. Together with its portfolio companies and partners, Pivot delivers solutions that enable organizations to design, build, implement and maintain computing and communication infrastructure that addresses their unique business needs. Pivot's approach supports improvement of business performance, helps organizations reduce capital and operating expenses, and accelerates the delivery of new products and services to end-customers. With over 2,000 customers, many of whom are Fortune 1000 companies, Pivot extends its value added solutions to help organizations of all sizes improve operating efficiency, reduce complexity and enhance service delivery through virtualization and cloud computing. Pivot enables businesses to extend their enterprise through mobility solutions to better connect business partners and customers. Pivot has offices throughout North America and can be found online at www.pivotts.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Pivot Technology Solutions, Inc. For further information: Marc Lakmaaker, National Equicom, [email protected], Tel: 416 848 1397; Kevin Shank, Chief Executive Officer, [email protected]; Andrew Bentley, Pivot Technology Solutions, Inc., [email protected], Tel: 647 788 2034 The Obama administration is facing a storm of Republican criticism after acknowledging that a $400 million cash payment to Iran seven months ago was contingent on the release of a group of American prisoners. Thursday's explanation was the first time the U.S. had so clearly linked the two events, which critics have painted as a hostage-ransom arrangement. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the negotiations to return the Iranian money from a 1970s account to buy U.S. military equipment were conducted separately from talks to free four U.S. citizens in Iran. But he noted the U.S. withheld the delivery of the cash as leverage until Iran permitted the Americans to leave the country. "First of all, this was Iran's money, OK? It was money that they were going to get back anyway," Kirby said Friday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program. While the prisoner and financial negotiations were separate, he said the two tracks converged and the U.S. "took full advantage" by insisting on the release of the Americans before making the cash payment. The prisoner release and cash transfer occurred Jan. 17, fueling suspicions from Republican lawmakers and accusations from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump of a quid pro quo that undermined America's longstanding opposition to ransom payments. Several members of Congress immediately pounced on Thursday's shift. "The president and his administration have been misleading us since January about whether he ransomed the freedom of the Americans unjustly imprisoned in Iran," House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement. "The president owes the American people a full accounting of his actions and the dangerous precedent he has set." Trump went further in a speech Thursday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, accusing President Barack Obama of lying. "He denied it was for the hostages, but it was. He said we don't pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages, openly and blatantly," Trump said. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday new details of the crisscrossing planes on that day. U.S. officials wouldn't let Iran bring the cash home from a Geneva airport until a Swiss Air Force plane carrying three of the freed Americans departed from Tehran, the paper reported. The fourth American left on a commercial flight. Earlier this month, after the revelation the U.S. delivered the money in pallets of cash, the administration flatly denied any connection between the payment and the prisoners. "Reports of link between prisoner release & payment to Iran are completely false," Kirby tweeted at the time. At an Aug. 5 news conference at the Pentagon, Obama said flatly: "We do not pay ransom for hostages." "We actually had diplomatic negotiations and conversations with Iran for the first time in several decades," he said, describing a busy weekend that also included finalizing the seven-nation nuclear accord. The confluence of diplomatic activity meant "our ability to clear accounts on a number of different issues at the same time converged." "This wasn't some nefarious deal," Obama said. The money comes from an account used by the Iranian government to buy American military equipment in the days of the U.S.-backed shah. The equipment was never delivered after the shah's government was overthrown in 1979 and revolutionaries took American hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The two sides have wrangled over that account and numerous other financial claims ever since. The agreement was the return of the $400 million, plus an additional $1.3 billion in interest, terms that Obama described as favorable compared to what might have been expected from a tribunal set up in The Hague to rule on pending deals between the two countries. U.S. officials have said they expected an imminent ruling on the claim and settled with Tehran instead. Some Iranian officials immediately linked the payment to the release of four Americans, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who had been held in Iranian prisons. Another of the prisoners, pastor Saeed Abedini, also had linked the two events. He said that as the prisoners waited for hours at an airport to leave Iran, a senior Iranian intelligence official informed them their departure depended on the plane with the cash. U.S. officials had pinned the delays on difficulties finding Rezaian's wife and mother, and ensuring they could depart Iran with him. Republican Sen. John McCain, himself a prisoner of war in Vietnam, said the administration "paid ransom to the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism and has been trying to deny it ever since." "The administration clearly has a lot of explaining to do," added Rep. Jeb Hensarling, the House Financial Services Committee chairman, saying Congress must "fully investigate this outrageous action." Search Keywords: Short link: A Delaware County parolee has been arrested after allegedly making over 1,000 hang-up calls to 911. Jennifer Morris Jennifer L. Morris, 31, of East Branch, NY, was arrested Wednesday after a 911 call that morning. According to WICZ-TV, a female caller reported that she was being held against her will by two men in East Branch. When police arrived at the residence, they determined that no one at the location had placed the call, and no crime had been committed. Police investigated and found that the call had come from an unidentified telephone number which was known to have made more than 1,000 911 hang-up calls in Delaware County since May. The number was traced to Morris, who was arrested for both falsely reporting an incident and violating the terms of her parole. Morris is serving parole for an earlier felony conviction of falsely reporting an incident after making threats online against school children. Deputies told WBNG-TV that Morris admitted making the calls to 911. Her charge of falsely reporting an incident in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor. She was arraigned and taken to Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 cash bail. She will remain held without bail on the parole violation charge, however. The ongoing investigation into the thousand hang-up calls is being handled by New York State Police and the Delaware County 911 Center. Mr Richard Young, Deputy Head of Department, European Union in Nigeria, says more than 5 million Nigerians are living abroad of which hal... File Photo: Nigerians in diapora Mr Richard Young, Deputy Head of Department, European Union in Nigeria, says more than 5 million Nigerians are living abroad of which half of them are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Young made the statement on Thursday in Abuja at the unveiling of the National Policy on Labour Migration. He said that Nigeria and four other countries which include India, China, Philippines and Mexico had been mentioned by the World Bank as top recipients of global remittance in 2012.Nigeria is estimated to have received about N21 billion in remittances in 2012 as compared to the N2.3 billion in 2004; being by far the largest recipients of remittance in Sub-Sahara Africa. Accordingly, Nigeria is followed by Senegal and Kenya in the Sub-Sahara Africa. On the other hand, due to the economic growth following the oil boom in 1975, Nigeria also become an immigration country. By 2006, Nigeria was estimated to host 600,000 foreigners mainly from other West Africa counties, he said.Young said that the unveiling of the national policy on labour migration would provide Nigeria a framework to regulate labour migration, adding that it would also enhance dignity of people involved in labour migration. He added that the policy would also clarify the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders dealing with the sector. The document is a concrete example to combination of synergies, competence, will and professionalism, he said.The EU under its funded project, Young declared, had assisted various governments to enhance their capacity to manage migration in order to maximise their development potential. He said the EU welcomed the adoption of the national policy on labour migration in Nigeria and expressed hope on its implementation. I am also pleased to know that the IT equipment provided to the ministry led to the establishment and functioning of the National Electronic Exchange (NELEX) This is a platform for job seekers to access job opportunities.So far, the platform has facilitated around 150 jobs matching for job seekers, he said. Young also decried lack of appropriate data on labour migration. He said that data on labour migration was still scanty and could be barely used for any strategic planning. According to him, obtaining adequate and reliable data on migration relating to flow, rate patterns, profile, impact of labour migration on both countries of origin, among others is difficult.To overcome the data gaps, utilisation of census figures and survey, Young suggested that administrative data must be put in place in Nigeria. He urged the National Policy on Labour Migration Implementation Committee to step up efforts to ensure effective implementation of information on migration. The Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 election, Jimi Agbaje, has condemned the alleged att... The Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 election, Jimi Agbaje, has condemned the alleged attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress to suppress the opposition.Mr. Agbaje said the situation was a far cry from what was obtainable under the PDP-led governments since the country returned to democracy in 1999.It is obvious that today, the ruling party is not very interested in democracy and you can see the hands in ensuring that opposition is not made to stand, Mr. Agbaje said. Under the Peoples Democratic Party, you cant take it away from our party that we allowed democracy to thrive.Mr. Agbaje spoke on the sidelines at the botched PDP national convention in Port-Harcourt on Wednesday, adding that the takeover of the convention venue by security agencies prompted him to recall the past and compare it to the present.Its not about my personal feeling, I am comparing the past and the present, he said.Mr. Agbaje was widely tipped to be the next chairman of the party, having reportedly secured the backing of the PDP governors, who maintain unwavering influence over the partys structure.The convention was canceled after a court granted reliefs sought by a factional leader of the party and ordered relevant government agencies to stay away.The APC could not be reached for comment for this story as its deputy national publicity secretarys phone line indicated it was unavailable. Three suspected militant recruiters were shot dead by police on Friday in southwest Rwanda while resisting arrest, a police statement said. Police said that during a targeted police operation in the Bugarama sector of Rusizi district to arrest the suspects "they turned violent, issued threats and attempted to flee". Three other suspects were arrested, one of whom was wounded. "Initial findings indicate that they were in a radicalisation campaign aimed at recruiting jihadists," the statement said. "Radicalisation materials including audio CDs and text books were seized from the house." On Thursday police said a "suspected terrorist" had been shot dead in Kigali during a three-hour shoot-out with officers. A short police statement said the armed man had been holed up in a house in a residential area in the capital. It gave no details on what group he allegedly belonged to. In January police shot dead a Muslim suspected of recruiting young people to join the Islamic State group in Syria when he reportedly tried to escape after being detained. Police said at the time that "terrorist networks" were being set up in Rwanda and made a number of arrests. Of those held, 23 are awaiting trial following a series of detention hearings, all of them held behind closed doors. Rwanda's Muslim community is tiny, representing two percent of the population, with Catholics accounting for 43.7 percent and Protestants for 37.7 percent. The country has never seen a jihadist attack but has been targeted in the past by grenade attacks, the latest in 2013. Those attacks were blamed by the authorities on rebels based in neighbouring Congo. Search Keywords: Short link: The General Overseer of the Later Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare on Friday urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Bu... The General Overseer of the Later Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare on Friday urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari as he steers the ship of state.According to him, any change for good normally takes time.Bakare, who was the running mate to Buhari during the 2011 Presidential Election under the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), spoke with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.He met behind closed doors with President Buhari for about fourty five minutes.Bakare said: I will like to appeal to all Nigerians that we should just excise a bit of patience. This change will not become chain that will tie all of us down. Change for good takes time and we should just exercise a little bit more of patience.We trust that government is listening and the leaders are listening too and they will respond to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. He addedSpeaking further on the change agenda of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bakare said: When you are driving on a wrong direction, for example, you are going to Ibadan and you face Badagry and you get to Cotonu and you realize you have gone in the wrong direction for too long a time, then you turn back and make a U-turn, there will be some suffering you have to go through.Pain is part of gain. No pain, no gain. The years of wastage and all that we have done wrong has finally caught up with us. All we are praying for is wisdom for this government to do things right and to do the right things. So that gradually, we can begin to come out of the woods, he said.He said that it is too early to begin to judge the performance of the administration.If there is anything I know about Mr. President, it is that he has a good heart. He loves this country and he wants the country to run well. But it takes time. I know we are all impatient and in a hurry and I trust we will come out of the woods. He addedBakare declined to speak on the Budget padding controversy at the National Assembly, stressing that he is still studying the allegations.I just return to the country last Friday. I am reading about it. I will make my decision when I have checked both sides. And I will definitely speak on that, he said.When asked if the time has not come for the President to carry out cabinet reshufflement, he said that it is left for the President to take the decision anytime he wants.He knows what he has given them. For example, I have not given any appointment to anyone so I cant judge their performance. But if there are yardsticks and standards given to them and if they have performed below par, definitely, the president would not mind at the right time to do those things.On why he visited the Villa, he said: I came to see the President and he is doing very well health wise. Thats all I came to do. Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, former Chairman of House of Representatives Appropriation Committee is not letting the budget padding scandal die ... Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, former Chairman of House of Representatives Appropriation Committee is not letting the budget padding scandal die down.On Thursday evening, Jibrin issued a statement reinstating his commitment to making sure perpetrators face justice.Read full statement below:Many concerned Nigerians have reached me in the past few days, expressing their fear over the fate of the allegations I raised against the very corrupt Speaker Yakubu Dogara, three (3) other Principal Officers and nine (9) other members.I understand the concern of many Nigerians who feel strongly that by now Speaker Dogara and the 12 others should have reconvened the House, resigned and faced arrest in the wake of the grievous allegations leveled against them, which they have responded to none.I wish to reassure Nigerians that I STAND by my allegations and there is no going back. We shall put in our all and expose DOGARA-GATE SCANDAL to the very end and ensure that justice is served on Speaker Dogara and his group of corrupt Principal Officers and members.For the avoidance of doubt, let me restate that I have interacted severally with anti-corruption agencies. It is however heartwarming to know that they are indeed working meticulously on the matter. I have little doubt that they will do justice expeditiously and sooner than letter, we will get to the point where every Nigerian is waiting for -- the arrest of Speaker Dogara and his group of budget criminals and fraudsters parading themselves as "Honourable" members, indeed!Nigerians must remain vigilant because Speaker Dogara is using his office to obstruct and neutralize investigation. He is also using same and the time he has now before the long arms of law catches up with him to hurriedly clean up the mess on his desk, spend the stolen money on all sort of consultants and people he thinks can help him out through subterranean means.On our side, while waiting for the response of our great party, the APC, on my letter, we are reaching out to everyone or group that can support this worthy cause against DOGARA-GATE, the biggest corruption case in the history of our country.We are also reaching out to the Presidential Advisory Committee Against corruption. In fact I spoke extensively on phone today with Prof. Itse Sagay and requested to make presentation to his committee on the allegations, just as we are reaching out to the Diplomatic Community and Civil Society groups so that everyone will understand the gravity of the allegations and the urgent need for decisive action to be taken by the anti corruption agencies.Let me express my profound appreciation to all my colleagues that visited me, called or sent text messages to show solidarity and express anger on why I did not open up much earlier. I must also thank the social media community and print media who have ensured that the issue remain in the front burner despite several attempts by Speaker Dogara to sweep it out and change the public narrative with personal attack on my person and attempt to drag the Executive, Senate and other government officials into this matter and blackmail them.My fellow Nigerians, be rest assured the DOGARA-GATE scandal will never be settled as a "family" matter or swept under the carpet, we shall remain vigilant until justice is served on these extremely corrupt members.God bless.Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, PhD MBAAPC-KanoKiru/Bebeji Federal ConstituencyKano The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a woman, simply identified as Asmau for stealing two children belonging to her employer and usi... The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a woman, simply identified as Asmau for stealing two children belonging to her employer and using them to beg for alms in Lagos state.Asmau, from the Fulani speaking part of the country, served as a housemaid to the mother of the two, simply identified as Hawau in the Ogere area of Ogun state, for a period of four months before kidnapping the children Amina, 6 and Rukayya, 7.Speaking with newsmen on Thursday, the mother of the kids narrated how the incident started.Hawau said Asmau had been living with her and assisting her with some domestic chores while being paid N400 or N500 daily.Hawau said, During the Sallah holiday in July, I planned to send my daughters to their grandparents in Lagos for holiday and I invited her brother to come down to Ogun state to take her children to Lagos.My brother came to pick them (Amina and Rukayya) but did not meet me and my children at home on Sallah day because we had gone to the Eid ground to pray. He did not wait for me as he left for Lagos.When my children knew that he had come and gone they started crying, so Asmau used the opportunity and told me she was going to Lagos that day and that she will help me to take them to their grandparents, so, I agreed and asked the children to go with her.After two days, I found out that the children were not at their grandparents house, I called the woman but her number was not connecting. I checked her at her house; I did not find her and my children.Hauwa afterwards reported the case to the Sarkin Hausawa of Ogere Alhaji Abdullahi Saminaka, who organised a prayer and informed the people. Luckily for me, some days later, a woman came to the palace and told the Sarkin that she saw Asmau with my children begging in Ikorodu in Lagos state.The children was brought back to Ogun by the Sarkins men.The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Abdulmajid Ali, who paraded the suspect at the police headquarters in Abeokuta, said Asmau was arrested with the help of the Sarkin Hausawa of the Ogere community few days after.He said she is presently in police custody and will be charged to court soon. United State Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, is expected to visit Nigeria next week. United State Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry United State Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, is expected to visit Nigeria next week.Matters relating to security and counter- terrorism will dominate discussion during the visit.The U.S Secretary of State will also visit Kenya and Saudi Arabia.However, Kerry will first visit Kenya before arriving Nigeria on August 23.In Kenya, he will meet President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss regional security matters, counter-terrorism cooperation and bilateral trading.He will also meet with Kenyan Foreign Minister, Amina Mohamed and other foreign ministers in East Africa to discuss key challenges in the region, including the prospects for resumption of a political process in South Sudan, support to Somalias political transition and ongoing fight against al-Shabaab.Kerry will meet with participants of the Young African Leaders Initiative and the Mandela Washington Fellows programs.In Nigeria, the U.S Secretary of State will meet President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja to discuss counterterrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption and human rights matters.Kerry will thereafter travel to Sokoto where he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh criminal charge against former Senior Special Assistant to ex-Pres... The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh criminal charge against former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Gooluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, at the Federal High Court in Lagos.He and his companies were charged before Justice Abdulazeez Anka with 17 counts of fraud involving $15,591,700 (about N5,460,980,487.62).The companies are Pluto Property and Investment Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Ltd, Transocean Property and Investment Ltd, Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd and Gloves Integrated Services Ltd.Also named in the charge are a lawyer Amajuoyi Azubuike Briggs, Ademola Bolodeoku and Sombre Omeibi (said to be at large).EFCC said they conspired on November 13, 2013 in Lagos to conceal $15,591,700, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.The alleged offence is contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2012 and punishable under section 15(3).The charge is the second filed against Dudafa in Lagos. He and Iwejuo Nna (alias Taiwo A. Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah) were earlier arraigned on 23-counts of conspiracy and concealment of crime proceeds before Justice Mohammed idris of the same court.EFCC said the accused conspired on June 11, 2013 to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to over N1.6billion. The pleaded not guilty.In the new charge, the commission alleged that the accused persons, between November 13, 2013 and last May 28, conspired among themselves to conceal the money through various banks in Nigeria.Their arraignment was stalled due to the absence of Dudafa and representatives of companies.EFCCs lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said Dudafa allegedly refused to accept service of the charge. He prayed for an order to enable EFCC effect the service.Dudafa is still in prison custody due to his inability to meet the bail terms granted him by Justice Idris.But defence counsel Tochukwu Onyiuke opposed the application on the basis that Oyedepo made an oral application rather than filing a proper motion.He said Briggs could not be held liable for discharging his professional duties, adding that EFCC could use substituted means to serve the companies rather than through his client.Oyedepo sought an adjournment to enable him bring all the accused persons to court.We are humbly applying for production warrant to be served on Ikoyi Prison to produce Dudafa, he added.Justice Anka adjourned until September 8. The Lagos State Government has asked residents to submit their planning permits for their houses and those under construction. Gover... Governor Ambode The Lagos State Government has asked residents to submit their planning permits for their houses and those under construction.The government, which unveiled the Alimosho Model City Plan on Thursday, stated that the era of haphazard development was over as such building could be forfeited or lost to other development.Speaking during a stakeholders meeting on the Alimosho Model City Plan, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu Animashaun, assured Lagosians that the government was not interested in demolition of buildings, but ensuring that people comply with building laws.He said, The acquisition of planning permit is to ensure that building developments are in compliance with the model city plan of government for areas. The planning permit can also serve as security or collateral for property owners.The General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, Remi Oni-Omisan, said planning was important before erecting structures, adding that the intention of the government for a well organised city required that everybody must obey the law.The LASPPPA boss, who spoke on the theme, Population Influx and Alimosho Development Plan: Prospect so far, said orderly development of landed property in the area would guarantee a win-win situation for all.He said, Making Lagos State an enviable city is our collective responsibility. Population influx should not have a negative impact on development plans. Everybody must strictly adhere to planning laws and regulations.Lamenting low level of compliance with building laws in Alimosho, Oni-Omisan said of all building development that took place in the area in 2015, only 50 persons applied for building permits, out of which 37 were approved.He said the government was making moves to ease the process of getting permits in the state.The LASBCA General Manager, Oladotun Olasoji, urged residents to report any building with poor materials to the government.The monarch of Ajasa land, Oba Sule Odu-Alabe, pledged the support of the community for the mega city plan in the area. Olusegun Obasanjo, former president, has expressed confidence in President Muhammadu Buharis ability to overcome Nigerias challenges. Olusegun Obasanjo, former president, has expressed confidence in President Muhammadu Buharis ability to overcome Nigerias challenges.Speaking with journalists in Taraba state on Friday, Obasanjo said he is certain that Buhari will not disappoint Nigerians.So far, Buhari has not disappointed us. I trust him (Buhari), he will not fail Nigerians. I know he will overcome the challenges the country is currently facing, he said.Obasanjo also reiterated that his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is final and cannot be reversed.He noted that having drawn the curtain on his membership of the former ruling party, there is no coming back.In the part of the country where I come from, there is a saying that you cannot say good night and come back to say good evening in the same place, he said.So for me, it is good night for the Peoples Democratic Party and thats all.The former president left the PDP in a dramatic manner. Nigerian students currently studying in Turkish private universities that have been shut down in the wake of the failed coup, have now b... Nigerian students currently studying in Turkish private universities that have been shut down in the wake of the failed coup, have now been transferred to public schools where they will pay very little or no tuition, the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Cakl, has said.A statement issued by the Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations) in the Ministry of Education, Ben Bem Goong, said Cakil made the clarification during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, on Friday in Abuja.He said, All students affected by the closure have been moved to public varsities nearest to them.Cakil informed the minister that no Nigerian students would be allowed to suffer the effects of the closure; adding that any student electing to return to Nigeria will be doing so as a matter of choice.In his response, Adamu expressed profound gratitude to the Turkish government for paying special attention to the wellbeing and safety of Nigerian students.He assured the Envoy that the government of Nigeria would continue to work hard to deepen educational cooperation with Turkey as well as boost the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries.A Turkish army faction backed by tanks and fighter jets had, on July 15, 2016, launched a coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.The Turkish authorities had called on the Federal Government to shut down 17 Turkish schools in Nigeria over their alleged links with a movement it claimed was involved in the July 15 failed coup. A certain woman identified with the Facebook name Ada Ogbonna , shared a photo on her wall where she cuddled a dog. A certain woman identified with the Facebook name, shared a photo on her wall where she cuddled a dog.In the photo which she shared with her friends, she introduced her dog, who she named "Lai Muhammed" after Nigeria's Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Muhammed.Ada claimed that she named the dog after a person she admires, and rebuked the police for arresting the man who named his dog "Buhari". In August 2013 the museum was looted and damaged following unrest sparked by the ousting of president Mohamed Morsi. Curators of Malawi Museum in the Upper Egyptian City of Minya are busy putting the final touches to the museum's exhibitions for a reopening expected to happen in the coming weeks. In August 2013, the museum was looted and damaged following unrest sparked by the ousting of president Mohamed Morsi. The damaged showcases have since been repaired and replaced, 900 artifacts of the 1,050 total collection have been recovered, and the exhibition design has been updated. "The new exhibition design focuses on highlighting Egypt's identity and the means of loyalty towards our country Egypt," Elham Salah, head of the Museum Department at the antiquities ministry told Ahram Online. She added that during the restoration walls and floors had been cleaned and damaged materials replaced. The restoration work was carried out by the National Sevice Agency of the army under the supervision of the antiquities ministry, she said. Search Keywords: Short link: CAMDEN -- A Pennsylvania man and star college athlete was killed Tuesday in a city shooting that remains under investigation. Brett Moss, 26, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, was found suffering from gunshot wounds after police responded just after noon Tuesday to 27th and Saunders streets for a report of a shooting. Moss was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries and was pronounced deceased at approximately 4:28 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The Trentonian reports that Moss played for the Bensalem Fighting Owls while in high school and continued playing in college at Lackawanna College and East Stroudsburg University. According to a GoFundMe page launched in the wake of Moss' death, the standout football player was "murdered" while on the job. "He went out everyday to make a living for his daughter and mother, until two thugs doubled teamed him and eventually murdered him," the page attempting to raise funds for the late man's funeral reads. The investigation into the shooting continues and no arrests had been made as of Friday. This is Camden City's 30th homicide of 2016. Readers with information regarding Moss' death are asked to contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Detective Jason Rowello at 856-225-8475 or Camden County Police Detective Mark Lee at 856-757-7420. Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Ariana Smyth was about to turn 2 when she was killed Michael Disporto Jr., 22, was charged with murder and sexual assault Police say Disporto was dating Ariana's mom, Amber Bobo for 2 weeks Authorities say Bobo noticed bruising on her daughter but didn't alert medics until the following day More than 2,200 people are demanding Bobo also be charged with murder GLOUCESTER CITY -- An online petition demands that Camden County authorities lodge a first-degree murder charge against the mother of a toddler who died due to injuries allegedly inflicted by her new boyfriend. Amber Bobo, 26, of Gloucester City, was booked on charges of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Boyfriend Michael Disporto Jr., 22, of Manahawkin, is currently facing murder and sexual assault charges. Ariana Smyth, Bobo's daughter who was remembered at a candlelight vigil last month on what would have been her 2nd birthday, suffered numerous injuries -- including bleeding in the brain, swelling consistent with sexual assault, a broken arm, fluid in the lungs and both blood and urine in her abdomen. "... Amber Bobo cared more for her boyfriend than her own child. She allowed Ariana to suffer for nearly 12 hours with obvious signs of having a head injury from being beaten and bruised genitals consistent with rape," reads the petition -- which has garnered a little more than 2,200 signatures out of a desired 3,000. The online effort was launched Tuesday by 28-year-old Barnegat resident Marilyn Mesmer, who said she has no connection from the family but reached out to the child's grandfather and received his blessing. "There needs to be more charges," said Mesmer. "She's gonna walk on this -- it's a first offense." According to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, Bobo and Disporto, who had been dating for about two weeks, picked Ariana up from her father's home in Cape May County and returned to Bobo's home in Gloucester City. Disporto and Ariana later watched fireworks together that night. He slept on a couch that evening while Bobo and the child slept together in a bed. However, prosecutors say Bobo found Ariana wrapped in a blanket on the couch and wearing different clothes when she woke up in the morning. The toddler also reportedly had bruising on both sides of her forehead and later discovered to have additional bruises on her body. Bobo later confronted Disporto, who denied causing the injuries and convinced Bobo not to take Ariana to a hospital, fearing "what people would think." They instead allegedly covered her bruises with a hat and took her on two separate trips to the Deptford Mall, where Ariana began to vomit. Bobo called EMTs later that evening after Ariana vomited two more times and lost consciousness, according to authorities. Unable to detect any activity following brain surgery, Ariana was taken off life support at Cooper University Hospital. Bobo and Disporto were held on $100,000 and $1.5 million bail, respectively. The head of New Jersey's Department of Children and Families told NJ Advance Media that the agency hadn't made any previous contact with the family. Oaklyn resident Nicole Tenuto helped organized last month's vigil along the Delaware River and told NJ Advance Media that she knew Bobo. At that time, she declined to comment on the woman's role in the toddler's death. However, she wanted to express her "condolences to the father and the entire family" and give the community an opportunity to "pay their respects to a child taken too soon" and "spread awareness to other mothers who may be naive." Reached by phone Friday, Mesmer said she became physically ill after reading the Camden County Prosecutor's Office probable cause statement for the first time. "For her to allow her child to suffer... she knew something was going on," said Mesmer, whose daughter will turn 2 in October. "She was more concerned about her boyfriend going to jail." Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook. MAURICE RIVER TWP. -- A dining hall at Bayside State Prison was damaged from a fire Thursday night, according to New Jersey Department of Corrections. The cause of the fire is under investigation and no injuries were reported in the incident. No inmates had to be evacuated due to the fire, said Matthew Schuman, spokesman for the department. Authorities were dispatched just before 8 p.m. Thursday to the farm at Bayside State Prison in the Leesburg section of Maurice River Township. The farm area of the prison is for minimum custody inmates. The fire started in the dining hall and kitchen in the farm area at the prison and no one was found in the area at the time of the fire. Officials are still assessing the damage. In the meantime, inmates will eat in their living quarters instead of the dining hall. Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook. UPDATE: 2nd person has died from NJ Transit bus crash in Newark NEWARK -- The driver of an NJ Transit bus was killed and 18 others were injured, including seven critically, when two buses collided Friday morning in Newark, officials said. "We're praying for all of those in the hospital," Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said at a news conference near the scene. One bus struck the other in a T-bone crash at the intersection of Raymond Boulevard and Broad Street just after 6:05 a.m., NJ Transit spokesman Jim Smith said. The No. 59 bus was traveling west on Raymond Boulevard when it struck a No. 13 bus traveling north on Broad Street. The No. 59 bus was coming from Irvington and traveling to its point of origin with no passengers. The No. 13 bus had 17 passengers aboard, said NJ Transit Police Chief Chris Trucillo. "We believe that all those passengers will be okay," Trucillo said. Baraka said one of the bus drivers was killed, calling it a "tragic accident." The driver's identity was not available. He said seven of those injured were in critical condition. Trucillo said the deceased driver was a longtime employee, but declined to give his age or how long he had worked for NJ Transit. He conveyed his condolences to the driver's family and his fellow NJ Transit employees. Baraka said it appears that one of the bus drivers ran a red light, but stressed that the investigation remains ongoing. "The Essex County Prosecutor's Office crash investigators are in charge of this investigation and they have begun the process of the difficult work of reconstructing exactly what happened to cause this event," Trucillo said. Raymond Boulevard and Broad Street remain closed as of 8:15 a.m. and traffic is being detoured onto University Avenue. Marquel Williamson was one of the passengers on the bus and described a scene of chaos by phone from a hospital bed at University Hospital in Newark, where he was being treated for shoulder, head and back injuries. "People were screaming because they were in pain," Williamson said. Williamson said he was thrown from his seat during the force of the collision. Two Starbucks workers, who were opening the store less than a block away, said they heard the crash and ran to help the injured. Kalita Cox "ran down to see what happened," Jennifer Petrain said. "She came back and got me and we ran down with ice, water and med kit for the EMS workers to see if we could help." "My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by today's terrible tragedy," U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who represents the district that includes Newark, said in a statement. "I want to thank the first responders who swiftly came to the aid of passengers," Payne said. "Newarkers are strong and resilient, and we stand together with the families and entire Newark community as they begin to recover from this horrible incident." Baraka, along with city police, the county prosecutor's office, and NJ Transit, announced a press conference about the crash to be held at 3 p.m. Out of 139 NJ Transit crashes reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration during the past 24 months, one resulted in a fatality, according to agency records. A 38-year old woman was killed on Black Horse Pike in Pleasantville by an NJ Transit bus that was making a turn, PressofAtlanticCity.com said. In March 2015, a 67-year-old man was struck and killed by a bus inside the Port Authority Bus terminal at the height of the rush hour. NJ Transit buses have outward and inward facing cameras that come on during a crash or hard braking or a sudden turn to record incidents. NJ Advance Media staff writers Marisa Iati, Larry Higgs and Jessica Mazzola contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. (Hong Kong) Ping An Insurance said its first-half profit rose 17.7 percent, mainly due to a one-time gain from a merger of two Internet finance businesses. Yao Bo, Ping An Insurance Group Co.'s Chief Financial Officer, said the company's better-than-expect performance can be attributed to a one-time gain of 9.5 billion yuan from merging its micro-financing business with its peer-to-peer lending subsidiary Lufax. Ping An is restructuring Lufax ahead of taking it public. The merger resulted in the Internet finance arm of the country's second largest insurer turning a profit for the first time ever, earning 7.1 billion yuan in the first half, which accounted for nearly one-fifths of the overall profit. Growth in returns from insurance fund investments also helped offset the impact of declines in the stock market that have rattled rivals. The CIRC said last month that insurance industry profits declined 54 percent year-on-year, in the first six months of 2016, mainly due to sluggish stock market performance. Returns from insurance funds edged up slightly to 5.7 percent in the first half, although the overall investment return rate dropped 3.3 percentage points year-on-year to 4.4 percent over the same period. The company has also been on a global shopping spree, buying property, logistics facilities and other assets in the United States and Britain, and said it was eying more foreign investments amid a slowdown in the domestic market. The company has invested 77 billion yuan abroad in the first half of the year, nearly double the 40 billion yuan at the end of 2015, its financial report released on August 18 showed. Ping An has invested nearly 8 percent of its total assets overseas, but it still has room to expand its portfolio abroad, said its Chief Investment Officer Timothy Chan. China Insurance Regulatory Commission allows domestic insurers to invest up to 15 percent of their total assets outside China. By the end of June, Ping An held total assets valued at 5.2 trillion yuan, the financial report showed. At the time of writing, Ping An's stock has risen 1.11 percent to HK$ 41.2. Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com); editor Poornima Weerasekara (poornima@caixin.com) (Beijing) In the next two years, more than 200 state-controlled enterprises may be getting a new type of shareholder their own employees. Using equity to encourage hard work and employee loyalty is common in the private sector and was tried with state-owned enterprises until 2005. But then concerns arose that the government by granting shares was underselling valuable assets which are, according to the definition of SOEs, owned by all Chinese people to certain private investors who, the argument went, benefited unfairly. The worries persist today and make the new policy just a "small step" toward reforming SOEs and motivating their workers, says Xu Yongqian, a lawyer who has followed SOE share ownership issues closely. The policy, announced by the State Council on August 18, fleshes out a guideline on SOE reform passed by the Central Committee of the ruling Communist Party back in 2013. It aimed to diversify the share ownership structure of state-controlled enterprises and make management more efficient. The program is to be launched by the end of the year and a progress review will be conducted by the end of 2018. Officials drafting the policy were apparently cautious about pushing the pilot program more aggressively. And it was for the same reason similar mechanisms permitting employees to own stocks in SOEs were called off, according to experts Caixin talked to. "The root cause is that there are no real, effective owners at SOEs," one of them said. Since, technically, SOEs are owned by the whole society, it is not up to any individual to decide what to do with their assets. "Because no one can really claim responsibility and take the risk, any progress has to be made with small steps, and won't have much impact," said one expert who asked not to be named. The employee shareholder policy places restrictions on which enterprises can participate, who can buy equity shares and the percentage of shares they are allowed to hold. Only secondary or lower-level subsidiaries of an SOE, which must already have private investors, are allowed in the program. They must also be in a competitive market, a requirement that rules out companies in the oil, electricity, telecommunications and grain supply industries. Only higher level managers and professionals are allowed to buy equities in the state-controlled enterprises they work at, and they must hold the shares they bought for at least three years before selling, according to the policy. The pilot program will not affect the dominance of state ownership in those companies, because total employee stock ownership is limited to 30 percent, while the state's ownership must not fall below 34 percent. There is a ceiling on employee share ownership and a floor for state holdings because "the reform is not about making the SOEs private," said Xu, the lawyer who follows SOE share ownership issues. To prevent any one person from gaining too much control of the enterprise through the program, individual share ownership has been capped at 1 percent. Employees can buy their companies' equity shares either directly or indirectly through companies, limited partnership enterprises or special asset management plans, according to the policy. All 31 mainland provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government's control, five special cities that are monitored separately, can choose five to 10 state-controlled enterprises to experiment with employee stock ownership. So, too, can the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a military regime that shares the governance of China's northern Xinjiang region with the local government. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission can choose another 10 SOEs to join the pilot program. Contact reporter Wang Yuqian at yuqianwang@caixin.com and editor Ken Howe at kennethhowe@caixin.com Only 5% of New Orleans sex crime cases were cleared in 2021, report says. Newman School grad accused of vandalism to plead not guilty, his attorney says WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all. Today Thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 76F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 62F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High around 75F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Today Thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High near 75F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Tonight A few clouds. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Sunshine and clouds mixed. High near 75F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Welcome to non league daily news now - your number one spot for all things relating to the National League System. Our dedicated reporters have come straight from the sidelines to bring you news fresh from the dugout - but not before theyve stopped off at the burger van first! We know that non league football fans are full of heart, passion, and belief. You trust the manager, you believe in the team, and, for some strange reason, you trust those rickety stands, too! Here at Non League Daily, we hope we can become your trusted non league news resource - a platform thats just as passionate about non league daily news now as you. Come rain or shine, well be out reporting on the latest non league fixtures. Well also be scouring the news, refreshing social media, and sourcing information from team websites in the hopes of finding the latest breaking non league daily news for our readers. As youll soon see, weve got exclusive match reports on the Vanarama National League, weve got transfer speculation thatll affect the National League South, weve found great stories thatll spice up the National League North, and weve even got news on the latest giant killers of the FA Cup. We may not be able to agree on who is going up this year, but we can all agree that any news on the NLS worth knowing will be published here, at Non League Daily. CROWN POINT The Regional Development Authority voted Thursday to contribute $20 million to fund the next stage of planning for the South Shore Lines West Lake Corridor project, which would extend the commuter rail lines service south to Dyer from Hammond. The $20 million will pay for engineering and environmental work required by the Federal Transit Administration to put the $600 million project in position for final federal approval. The critical time period is the next 18 months, RDA President and CEO Bill Hanna said. The first phase of planning involved writing a draft environmental impact statement, which is expected to be published in late September or early October. The second phase, to be funded by the $20 million grant, will take that draft to final status, and complete 50 percent of the project engineering. Michael Noland, general manager of South Shore operator Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, said railroad officials are negotiating with potential engineers for that next phase of the project, with the hope of awarding a contract at the NICTD boards Sept. 30 meeting. The federal government would pay roughly half the total project cost; the rest must come from local and state sources. The state has committed $6 million annually for up to 30 years; the RDA has committed as much as $8.3 million annually; and 16 local governments have pledged several million dollars annually. The states commitment comes with the stipulation that the RDA show a return on investment equal to at least double its contribution in the 20th year, which would be $6 million. An updated RDA comprehensive strategic plan, a summary of which was presented at Thursdays meeting, concludes that the state would collect an additional $26.2 million in sales and income taxes in 2038 as a result of the West Lake project, well above the required ROI. The RDA links the West Lake extension tightly to NICTDs proposed double tracking project that would add a second rail line along a stretch from Gary to Michigan City. That project, expected to cost more than $200 million, would open stations from Gary eastward to residential and commercial development commonly known as transit oriented development, RDA officials argue, by significantly reducing commuting times for rail riders and making those areas more attractive to commuters. The two projects would add $52.9 million to the states sales and income tax revenue in the year 2038, the RDAs new comprehensive plan concludes. It projects a total public and private capital investment of $2.3 billion around the eight major stations in Lake and Porter counties. Instead of just getting in cars and going home, were retaining economic activity in the area of the stations, Hanna argued. Each community offers a different niche in the market. The RDA board authorized its staff Thursday to negotiate a consulting agreement with KPMG to assist in planning for transit oriented development at the locations of the four new West Lake stations, and at stations along the existing east-west rail line. The approval came with a limit of $475,000. Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors members elected new officers and directors at their annual meeting on Aug. 10. Nathan Reeder of Reeder Companies in Hammond was elected 2017 GNIAR president. Saba Mohammed of Envision Real Estate Services in Merrillville was chosen to be president-elect. Eric Lopez of RE/MAX Realty Associates in Munster was elected treasurer. Newly elected directors include: India Castaneda, Coldwell Banker Highland; Tiffany Dowling, Century 21 Affiliated Lowell; Craig Frendling, Century 21 Executive Realty Schererville; Alison Rentschler, McColly Real Estate Valparaiso and Dave Woodson, Prime Real Estate Valparaiso. All new officers and directors will take office on Jan. 1, 2017. During the annual meeting, GNIAR honored two individuals for outstanding service to the real estate industry. Roger Lain of Century 21 Affiliated in Crown Point was named 2016 GNIAR Realtor of the Year. And Tim Chesna of Win Home Inspection was recognized as the associations Affiliate of the Year. Kurt Frey of Kurt D. Frey & Associates in Valparaiso, Nancy Isenberg of Fireside Realty in Schererville and Judith Milburn of Coldwell Banker in Schererville were given the honor of Realtor Emeritus status, which recognizes individuals who have been a Realtors for 40 or more years and have served the membership in a volunteer capacity at the national, state or local level. Nearly 300 local Realtors from throughout Northwest Indiana attended the meeting, which included a continuing education class on the topic of fair housing and diversity. This years trade expo included more than 50 exhibitors, including representatives of GNIARs Young Professionals Network, Realtors Political Action Committee, local non-profits that assist with housing-related needs, Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority and others. No matter the occasion or venue, theres no doubt that Dyer knows how to throw a party. Thanks to a plethora of celebratory experts, theres a variety of wise and winning ways to make your next shindig a festively memorable one. Have Dessert, Will Travel! What a sweet fantasy for kids and kids-at-heart alike to see a traveling bakery and malt shop arrive to make your sweetest party dreams come true. Now, courtesy of venerated dessert fantasy-fulfiller Cookielicious & Creams delectable Iscream & Cookies Truck, Cookie, that dream is a reservable reality. We had kids tell us that Cookie was their hands-down favorite at a recent touch a truck event that we took part in, says Cathy Jacobsen, Cookielicious & Cream owner. I was surprised that we beat out the usual favorites like the fire truck. Jacobsens unique, custom-made goodies, all made with natural, quality ingredients, run the gamutfrom cookie and brownie trays to custom sugar cookies available in hundreds of shapes. Weve made cookies in every shape imaginable, including Pokemon, Minecraft and Shopkins, she says. Our custom shaped sugar cookies are especially popular as shower and wedding favors. Since Cookie came on the scene at the Dyer shop last year, those delights, along with ice cream flavors courtesy of Chocolate Shoppe, travel to events such as weddings, corporate picnics, kids summer camps and birthday parties throughout Chicagoland. Customers can choose from a variety of ice cream cookie sandwiches and milkshakes. Jacobsens clients are as varied and memorable as her confectionary creations. As a thank-you to its staff for winning an award, Alverno Laboratory ordered pre-made cookie ice cream sandwiches, and our chocolate chip cookie-salted caramel with fudge ice cream sandwiches sold out, Jacobsen recalls. We now call it the Alverno special. Call (219) 440-7741 for more information. A Safe Place for Fun As the mother of a son with special needs, Funflatables owner Debbie Dorsey knows firsthand how important it is to have a place where kids of all ability levels can safely be themselves and have fun. Her two teenage daughters enjoy playing on the inflatables, as does her son. For her son, who has Down syndrome, The inflatables offer soft play, and the climbing and bouncing help with low muscle tone. My son will always have fun at Funflatables. It was her son whom Dorsey credits with giving her the extra push she needed to expand beyond the original Dyer facility, which is still private party headquarters, to other locations throughout the area. Funflatables has provided me with flexibility so that Ive never had to miss my sons therapies, she says. I can always be there for him. Located on Joliet Street in Dyer, Funflatables is equally flexible in accommodating families of children with abilities of all levels. She says, We host birthday parties and field trips, and we work with families of children with special needs to host private events. The inflatables course offers a unique opportunity for kids to use their creativity and burn energy. The kids come in, off the couch and off their electronic devices, and they use their brains to figure out games to play. When they play, they play hard, all-out being kids. Balloons Add Pop to the Party From Comic-Con to Pepsis corporate picnic, birthday parties to baby and wedding showers, Twisty Designs unique balloon creations add pizzazz to the party scene. Owner and balloon artist Angelica R. recalls one of her favorite creations: a three-foot tall Rapunzel standing on a base, holding her own balloon bouquet. People bring in their own creative ideas and themes, including Disney and Star Wars, as well as more unusual requests like a campfire creation and palette-and-paintbrush creation we did for an art party, Angelica says. We also had a recent request to create something for a shark birthday party. Twisty Designs, which also offers face painting in addition to its balloon twisting and decor, began as Angelicas home business three years ago until opening its storefront location on West 81st in Dyer last March. We do any kind of event, including corporate events, birthday parties, and baby and wedding showers, she says. We take custom pre-orders as well as walk-ins. To make the most of your big event, Angelica recommends having clear ideas of what youd like and coming in for a consultation. We can help you plan and provide ideas. Theres nothing weve been unable to recreate. Keeping the Party Jumping It all started humbly enough, with a high school-aged Patti Komara providing lessons on turning cartwheels to kids in a local church basement. Today, Pattis All-American on Joliet Street in Dyer is renowned as a go-to party destination where kids can tumble, dance, jump, and simply enjoy themselves to their hearts content. Costumed characters are party favorites, especially with the preschool-aged crowd. Weve had princesses, Olaf, Santa Claus, and our Teddy Tumblebear, mascot of our Tumblebears program for children ages six months to five years, come out to parties, Komara says. Pattis All-American has party options for toddlers to teenagers, including the Ninja Zone party. With an obstacle course reminiscent of the popular American Ninja Warrior television show (although kid-friendly, of course), Pattis All-American is one of only 200 gyms in the country to offer the licensed Ninja Zone program, which combines martial arts and gymnastics, for kids ages three to 10 years. Komara says, A party is only as good as the person leading it, which is why we have the sweetest hostesses and provide training for them. A great hostess will make the birthday child feel like a star. Bowl Them Over Sometimes simple traditions are the best way to go for parties; as Miguel Paz, manager of Stardust Bowl II, and Jackie Graan, event coordinator of Stardust Bowl II, point out, Bowling is an activity that is enjoyed by people of all ages. And, just as bowling is an activity for people of all ages, there are party options for kids, families and grown-ups at Stardust Bowl III, located on Sheffield in Dyer. For adult parties, drinks and other spirits are available from the Stardust Lounge. Every party has a dedicated party host, and catering is provided from Stardust Bowl IIIs in-house restaurant, the Original Pizza Kitchen, which serves a variety of food including pizza, wings, pasta and party platters. Theres a choice of five party rooms with different themes for childrens parties, with bumper lanes available for the littlest bowlers. Its My Party Practically anything you can dream up, Its My Party can create, as owner and certified balloon artist Amy Cullen can attest to. One of my all-time favorite party themes was a Willy Wonka themed party, where we made a Willy Wonka arch as well as Willy Wonka himself and a ceiling fan filled with candy, she recalls. Other uniquely fabulous balloon creations include a 12-foot octopus, which the client draped across her deck, an Alice in Wonderland party with a giant mushroom and tree, and a 12-foot-long Crayola crayon box. Whatever the theme, Its My Party on Joliet Street in Dyer offers unique customization and decor tailored to each customer, including balloon bouquets, arches, columns and sculptures. Though in its seventh year, Its My Party has focused exclusively on balloons for three years. Cullen says, We can do names in small or large letters and names on balloons. We put balloons in balloons, squiggles on balloons, and unique patterns of balloons together to create whimsical, affordable and fun balloon bouquets. Wherever you have your party and whatever theme you go with, Cullen says, Every party should be an experience! Decor adds to the experience because its something that guests can pose next to, Tweet about, or add to their Snapchat. HAMMOND A superseding indictment filed Friday alleges an East Chicago man killed a man he believed to be a rival gang member in June and attempted to kill the mans girlfriend. Luiz A. LA Perez, 26, is accused of shooting Manuel F. Martinez III, 31, on June 17 in the 4300 block of Euclid Avenue. Martinez died the next morning at St. Catherine Hospital, according to the Lake County coroners office. Martinezs girlfriend was wounded in the shooting. The indictment alleges Perez killed Martinez for the purpose of maintaining or increasing position in the Imperial Gangsters street gang. Perez thought Martinez was a member of the Renegade Imperial Gangsters, court records said. The original complaint against Perez shows police were investigating him back in March for an unrelated domestic battery charge. According to a probable cause affidavit, as officers approached Perez in the 1000 block of 167th Street on March 10, he immediately exited his vehicle, locked the doors and began walking away. He told police the car did not belong to him, but a registration check by police proved otherwise, the affidavit stated. Police noticed a faint marijuana odor coming from the vehicle, and a subsequent K-9 exterior sniff confirmed officers suspicions. The vehicle was towed for safe keeping until a search warrant was obtained March 15. Police later found in the car a plastic bag containing suspected marijuana, and a grocery bag containing five additional plastic bags with suspected marijuana weighing about 173 grams including packaging. Police also found a handgun and ammunition. HAMMOND An East Chicago man pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal charge alleging he shot at rival gang members in Hammond and committed other crimes as a member of the Latin Kings, U.S. District Court records show. Luis R. Rivera, 26, has agreed to pay restitution to a person wounded in a shooting Aug. 21, 2015, in the 6600 block of Arizona Avenue in Hammond. according to a plea agreement. Rivera remains free on bond. Rivera and George C. Gutierrez, of Hammond, were indicted in May in connection with the shooting. Gutierrez pleaded guilty in July and remains in custody. In exchange for Riveras plea, the U.S. attorneys office plans to recommend a sentence at the low end of federal guidelines. Besides playing a role in the August 2015 shooting, Rivera was accused of posting up gang graffiti and serving as a lookout, carrying a firearm, attending gang meetings and paying dues to the Latin Kings. CROWN POINT A Gary man netted in two drug sting operations in 2012 received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a narcotic drug. Eugene Walker, 44, appeared before Lake County Criminal Court Judge Clarence Murray on Wednesday with his defense attorney Steve Mullins. In May 2012, Walker was charged with two counts of dealing in narcotics, possession of cocaine and possession of a narcotic drug following an undercover drug buy in Lake Station. Two other Gary men also were arrested in that case. Walker also was charged in October 2012 with dealing drugs and possession of drugs following another undercover sting by Lake Station police at a gas station at 15th Avenue near Interstate 65 in Gary, according to court documents. Mullins told Murray that Walker has medical issues and no prior felony arrests. The co-defendants received a probationary sentence, Mullins noted. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Keith Anderson asked that Walker serve a four-year suspended sentence and be placed in a drug abuse program as part of the plea agreement. Murray sentenced Walker to three years in the Department of Corrections to be suspended and served on probation. The judge also ordered Walker to attend the substance abuse class. All remaining charges were dismissed. Mr. Walker, I sincerely hope we dont see you again, Murray said. GARY A 54-year-old man died Sunday following a shooting the night before in the citys Tolleston neighborhood, officials said. Christopher E. Mason, of Gary, was shot in the head late Saturday in the 2100 block of West 15th Avenue, Gary police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said. Police were called to the area about 11:45 p.m. for a gunshot victim and found Mason and a woman inside a Chevrolet Trailblazer at the southwest corner of 15th Avenue and McKinley Street, she said. The woman was holding Masons head. Mason was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and later flown to an Illinois hospital, police said. He was pronounced dead at 6:31 a.m. Sunday at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, according to the Cook County medical examiners office. Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call Detective Shauna Poirer-Peter, of the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit, at (219) 755-3855. To remain anonymous, call (866) CRIME-GP. In a separate case early Monday, a 36-year-old Gary man was shot in the back and drove himself to a local hospital on a motorcycle, Westerfield said. Police were called to the Buzz Box nightclub in the 1800 block of Massachusetts Street about 1:45 a.m. for a report of shots fired. Officers found at least two vehicles with damage from gunfire outside the club. About 1:55 a.m., police were dispatched to a local hospital for a man with a gunshot wound. The man told police he was outside in front of the bar when he heard arguing and then heard several shots. The man got on his motorcycle and left, but then realized hed been shot in the back and went to the hospital, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sgt. Daniel Callahan at (219) 881-1210. To remain anonymous, call (866) CRIME-GP. HAMMOND A Highland man invited into a Hammond mans home Thursday became violent with the Hammond man and stabbed the his son in the chest after the father asked the son to give the Highland man a ride home, police said. The Highland man was being held Friday pending formal charges, Hammond police Lt. Richard Hoyda said. Police were dispatched about 11:30 p.m. to a home in the 7100 block of Delaware Avenue for a stabbing, Hoyda said. Witnesses told police the 52-year-old Highland man was invited into the home by a 44-year-old man who owns the home on Delaware. The Highland man suddenly became violent and tackled the Hammond man in the kitchen, Hoyda said. The homeowners son, a 26-year-old man, and wife arrived home, and the father asked his son to give the Highland man a ride home. The Highland man then stabbed the son three times in the chest with a small knife, which was recovered at the scene, police said. The son was taken by ambulance to a local trauma hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Hoyda said. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sgt. Shawn Ford at (219) 852-2998. VALPARAISO After years of providing domestic violence education to female inmates, Porter County Jail is now preparing to offer a similar type of program for men in custody. We believe if we are going to change Porter County, we need to start equipping the people here with tools to help them when they get out, said Jay Birky, who serves as chaplain and program director at the jail. The new program will begin during the first part of September and the classes will be provided by The Caring Place of Valparaiso, which provides services and shelter to victims of violence and their children. The Caring Place has been providing a domestic violence program for many years to female inmates at the jail and there is need to provide similar information to the men, said Brandi E., a case manager, who asked that her last name not be revealed because of the nature of her work. The new mens program is tentatively being called Man in the Mirror, as in, Do you like this person you see in the mirror? Birky said. The four-week program will feature topics such as conflict resolution, healthy communication skills and healthy relationships, he said. While there are male and female inmates at the jail whose primary charges involve domestic violence, Birky said it often comes up as a secondary issue as inmates confront alcohol and drug problems. The Lake County Jail does not offer specific domestic violence programs for inmates, but mental health counseling is available and information is provided to both victims and suspects in these types of cases, said Dan Murchek, deputy chief at the sheriffs department. The Porter County programs do not presuppose that the men are abusers and women the victims, Brandi said. The Caring Place has served male victims, as well as females. Rather, the programs give an overview of issues involved with domestic violence, such as what defines abuse, how to handle conflict and what rights partners have in healthy relationships, she said. The presentation will differ slightly for the men, but the basic information will be the same as has been given to the female inmates. The new program, which will be presented Tuesday to the Porter County Board of Commissioners for final approval, is being funded by a grant from the Indiana Department of Correction, Birky said. A goal of this program and others offered at the jail is to reduce the number of repeat offenders, he said. Other programs include GED preparation, healthy parenting for men and chemical dependency assistance. The male inmates can request to take part in the new domestic violence program and some may be ordered by judges to show up, Birky said. CROWN POINT An arrest warrant has been issued for an East Chicago man charged with two armed robberies who again failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing. Darnell Romel Jones, 18, also has an electronic monitoring violation, and was to appear Wednesday with his defense attorney John Cantrell in front of Lake County Criminal Court Judge Clarence Murray. This is one of several times Jones has failed to appear for court hearings. The ICU monitoring violation dates back to February. Jones has been out on a $2,000 bond since Feb. 19, 2015. I am troubled by this, Murray said about the mans failure to appear record and ICU monitoring violation at the beginning of Wednesdays hearing. Cantrell said he did receive some phone calls from Jones, but said his whereabouts are unknown. Deputy Prosecuting Veronica Gonzalez requested the arrest warrant, a motion Murray granted. When Jones is arrested, he will be held without bond, according to court records. Jones is charged in two separate armed robberies in Hammond, one on Sept. 3, 2014, and the other on Sept. 4, 2014. Another omnibus hearing for Jones is scheduled for Monday in Murrays courtroom. LANSING A total of 75 kindergartners were enrolled in Sunnybrook Elementary School District 171 as of Monday as school opened this week. That number represents a sizable increase from the total of 40 kindergartners that D.171 Superintendent Hughes B. George said had been enrolled on Aug. 3. "That's huge, because that also impacts us financially, when our enrollment goes up," George said. Assistant Superintendent Erika Millhouse-Pettis told the School Board at its regular monthly meeting Monday the school year is starting with 464 students enrolled at Nathan Hale Elementary School and 448 students enrolled at Heritage Middle School. She said an additional 30 students will be sent to alternative sites in various communities. George said the total number of students currently enrolled in the district is about the same compared to last year. "Typically after Labor Day we're at about 1,050, but at this time we're where we need to be," George said. Later in the meeting, George extended an olive branch to the School Board by reading a statement in which he spoke of the importance of forgiveness and a desire to avoid negativity. In January, George was cleared of any allegations he had assaulted a student in the Heritage Middle School cafeteria last year. He said that with the new school year getting ready to start, he found himself looking back upon the district's successes the past school year. "As I continued to reflect, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the fact that this has been a year that has met with challenges in terms of superintendent and board relations," George said. "I want this community to know that I acknowledge that relationship building is a two-way street and I am committed to rolling up my sleeves and working together so that we can move from good to great." George said he is grateful for the opportunity the board has given him. "I hope we can get back to school business and find common ground on issues of concern while agreeing to disagree in a professional manner," George said. Only four of the board's seven members were on hand to hear George's comments, as Vice President David Lopez, Secretary Solomon Davis and member Lance Lape were all absent. Lape's seat on the board has been a matter of controversy since April, when board member Jada Curry questioned whether Lape lives within the district's boundaries. The issue has become a regular topic during the public comment portions of board meetings and was brought up again on Monday when an audience member asked if proof of residency had been provided to the board. "To date, I have not received any documentation or any supporting evidence regarding the residency," said Cozette Pettigrew, board president. Last month, Lape said he would give Pettigrew the necessary documentation so she would have it by this week's meeting. PORTAGE It isnt so much about teaching as it is learning in todays classroom, Portage Township Schools Superintendent Richard Weigel told a group Thursday. Speaking at the monthly Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce meeting, Weigel said education in the United States must change to keep up with the rest of the world. Most of education looks the same way as it did in the 19th century. If we want to stay globally on top of it, we have to think to the future, Weigel said. He said other countries are investing more in education, which is changing the trajectory of their nations. He said the U.S. also must invest more in education. That more doesnt necessarily have to be funding, but needs to be involvement and collaboration with other parts of society. He said in the old models, teachers taught. Today teachers must be facilitators of learning. Teachers also need to be supported, given time for professional development and encouraged to learn new strategies. Our kids can rise to the level of our expectations, said Weigel, adding it is the adults who need to raise their expectations. He also encouraged other changes, saying sitting in rows in classrooms is no longer conducive to learning. Students need to be put in situations where they can share and collaborate. He also encouraged new type of strategies such as project-based learning, whole brain teaching and flipped classrooms to change the way teachers teach and students learn. Portage also is looking into the middle college concept and will have an alternative school opened in about a year. It is about preparing kids for the future. All of these things take courage, he said. INDIANAPOLIS The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday affirmed a $32.5 million judgment awarded to the guardian of a Dyer woman who was partially paralyzed in a 2006 crash on Interstate 65 in Jasper County. Kristen Zak was the passenger in a vehicle driven by her then-fiance, Matthew Robinson, that slid off the highway on a snowy January night and struck a semitrailer that had jackknifed in the median an hour earlier. A Lake County jury found the trucking company, J.B. Hunt Transport Inc., and its driver, Terry Brown, Jr., 60 percent at fault for Zaks injuries, due in part to Brown driving too fast for conditions and failing to place reflective triangles warning other motorists of the wreck, according to court records. In their appeal, Hunt and Brown raised a variety of arguments challenging the verdict and damage award, but none of them convinced the three-judge appellate panel to overrule the jurys decision. We find that there were multiple questions of fact that needed to be answered by a jury, and we find no basis on which to second-guess the jurys answers. We also find no questions of law warranting reversal. Therefore, we affirm, wrote Appeals Judge John Baker for the court. Zaks attorneys at the Merrillville firm of Schafer & Schafer have said the money will be used to provide Zak lifelong assistance to meet her continuing need for help dressing, eating and other everyday activities. LaPorte County government is again demanding NIPSCO improve service or have its rates lowered in a petition filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. It's another in a long string of fights waged since 2000 by the county, which has racked up a number of successes against the utility. Most recently, the county played a role in NIPSCO's request for a 11.5 percent hike in its electrical rates being reduced by the IURC in July to 6 percent in a settlement with a number of consumer groups. As part of the same case, LaPorte County managed to negotiate a $3 million commitment from NIPSCO for electrical system upgrades at Kingsbury Industrial Park. A week later, though, a separate 1 percent increase in NIPSCO electrical rates was approved by state regulators to fund $1.25 billion in system-wide upgrades. The current petition, approved earlier this month by the LaPorte County Commissioners, seeks a further lowering of recently granted 6-percent rate hike if NIPSCO doesn't make gains in the service its provides to customers. NIPSCO, which continues to rank low in yearly surveys for customer satisfaction by the marketing research group JD Power, was cited for alleging service is not reflective of rates among the highest in the nation. The same argument was made in 2010 by LaPorte County when a proposed 17 percent rate hike by NIPSCO was lowered to 6 percent. Language tying service to rates was included by the IURC in its 2010 rate decision, but left out of its written order in the latest rate case. "This latest order omitted the language in favor of a much weaker stakeholder collaborative process, which we view as nothing more than asking them nicely to improve, as opposed to holding a hammer over their heads," said LaPorte County attorney Shaw Friedman. NIPSCO spokesman Nick Meyer said the utility has made service improvements the past several years, and while continuing to score low in the JD Power survey, NIPSCO has faired better in other surveys of its performance. Among the specific strides is replacing old meters with new automated ones to eliminate the unpopular estimated bills; improving restoration times during power outages and lowering the number of customers losing power. Meyer said a concerted effort to improve service began with a "low point" in 2009 when "we saw results that nobody in the company was proud of. We can honestly say we have made score improvements." Friedman said the Citizens Action Coalition has joined the county in the latest petition. Other local governments, like the city of Hammond and Marshall County, have been involved in some of LaPorte County's previous disputes with NIPSCO, including one in 2002 where NIPSCO was forced to keep open maintenance centers it wanted to close throughout its service area. There was also a 5 percent rate credit from 2002 to 2012 gained after LaPorte County took legal action over poor service and alleged overcharging by the utility. "Residents can be very proud of the role county government has played in serving as a watchdog," Friedman said. CROWN POINT Lake County E-911 dispatchers still struggle with state-of-the-art hardware that cant find hundreds of callers. Staff morale and technical glitches are among the first things Mark Swiderski Jr., the new director, said he will tackle when he takes over Sept. 6. County government and public safety officials greeted Swiderski on Thursday with both welcomes and warnings for the first meeting since hiring him Aug. 10. He will take over one of the largest consolidated communication centers in the state for police, fire and emergency medical providers. They asked him to fix the county GEOBASE, a computer mapping program designed to locate emergency callers from the addresses of their mobile cellphones and landbased telephone lines. But many business and residential addresses are missing from the countys electronic map, causing dispatchers to send police and fire personnel to incorrect addresses, James Donahue, deputy Merrillville police chief, said. Jack Allendorf, deputy E-911 director, said they have tracked more than 450 erroneous-address events. Highland Fire Chief William Timmer said, Its not just new subdivisions. If you listen to Gary calls, they will be sent to a street, and the place has been torn down. The accuracy of the database isnt that great. Daniel Murchek, assistant county police chief, said the county is plagued by mobile telephones that report their position to E-911 computers as the closest cell phone tower, rather than the callers true location. County Commissioner Mike Repay, D-Hammond, said he also wants Swiderski to stabilize a staff of full-time telephone and radio dispatchers roiled by personnel shortages and burnout in the face of having to work crushing overtime hours at salaries below those doing similar jobs in neighboring communities. These complaints are not new. Dispatchers told The Times last year about the frustrations of long, intense hours and an inability to locate callers, since they were consolidated in the multimillion-dollar call center last fall. The Indiana General Assembly in 2008 ordered all 92 counties to merge their county, city and town public safety dispatch services. Lake serves 15 communities, and its dispatchers took more than 176,000 emergency 911 calls between Jan. 1 and late July. Before consolidation, dispatchers were intimately familiar with their communitys streets. But reliance on the computer mapping has generated complaints from police and fire responders about being sent to the wrong streets and, sometimes, the wrong city. Swiderski said the county may have to buy additional hardware and programs to enter accurate address information the county now possesses into the Spillman database the countys E-911 department uses. Some things need to be tweaked, but moving forward I think it will be a good system and give dispatchers information, Swiderski said. Swiderski said he wants to upgrade the countys training process to more quickly assess the job applicants ability to do the job, rather than wait until the end of the lengthy training process. Repay said he also plans to complain to the state about the cell phone companies refusing to provide more accurate addresses. I would write a letter and send it to (State 911 Director) Barry Ritter, Repay said. They made us comply with this consolidation statute. They need to comply. Its not just new subdivisions. If you listen to Gary calls, they will be sent to a street, and the place has been torn down. The accuracy of the database isnt that great. Highland Fire Chief William Timmer A few months after Brianne Coleman started dating her new boyfriend, a cycle of brutal beatings and sexual abuse began. Throughout a serious of escalating crises that included a pregnancy and threats against their son, Coleman was supported by St. Jude House, an organization that shelters and helps victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Supportive and Non-Judgmental The staff at St. Jude were nothing short of fantastic and were very supportive and non-judgmental, says Coleman, who is now finishing up her MBA at Purdue University and works for the YMCAs national branch. Remarried, Coleman also speaks out about her abuse to help other victims. To accomplish this, St. Jude House provides a variety of programs including legal advocacy, short and long-term goal planning, and resident and non-residential support. Our focus is on the empowerment of those who are victims of violence and sexual assault as well as their dependent children, says Linda Perez-Gallegos, St. Jude House executive director. Respite and Independence St. Jude House is just one of several organizations in Crown Point whose mission is to help others in need. Founded almost 40 years ago by parents with autistic children, In-Pact now provides a wide range of services for adults and children diagnosed with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, genetic disorders, autism and cognitive delays. The programs we offer primarily support adults over the age of 20, says Herb Grulke, chief executive officer of In-Pact, which has grown over the last four decades from its beginnings in the basement of an old Ben Franklin store in Crown Point. But we do operate residential group homes for both adults and children, provide community support, day services, respite care and activities at our Clubhouse. In-Pacts Supportive Housing program makes independent living possible for those with disabilities. We have apartments, duplexes and multi-family homes that we keep at a subsidized rental level for 20 years, Grulke says. That makes it affordable for those who arent able to hold full-time jobs or are on Social Security Disability. One of our clients who has a cognitive delay had jobs at Home Depot and Sears and was living in a single family home with others. He saved up his money and we provided training in money management, taking care of a house and other aspects of home ownership. The location he was at was at the end of its 20-year period and he was able to buy the home and continue to live there. That epitomizes what we hope to be able to do with our clientele. Grulke says In-Pacts Group Home Division currently has nine homes for those who dont have the skills to live independently, and also offers In-Home Services, where In-Pact staff provides support and supervision for those wanting to remain in the family home, helping them learn how to become more independent with the goal of possibly being able to live on their own. They also offer support for the families. A Healthy Foundation Franciscan St. Anthony Healths St. Clare Health Clinic, a nurse-practitioner based clinic, helps poverty level individuals who have difficulty accessing health care because they are uninsured or under-insured, says Julie Mallers, FNP-BC, nurse practitioner/manager at St. Clare Health Clinic in Crown Point. The clinics prenatal assistance program helps ensure that expectant mothers have a healthy pregnancy and deliver healthy full-term infants by offering personal instruction in recommended pregnancy practices and nutrition education. Home visits by a registered nurse working in cooperation with the patients physician throughout the mothers prenatal and postpartum care are another service they provide. We provide health screenings, community outreach at area churches and the local YMCA as well as St. Jude House, in hopes of identifying people who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, Mallers says. We also offer medications assistance and have a social worker on site who helps support patients through services like financial counseling, navigating the health system, signing up for Medicaid, Healthy Indiana and insurance as well as learning to manage stress. Their baby closet provides diapers and clothing for newborns to 4T, and theres a food pantry as well. Indeed, it was at the food pantry that staff noticed a man who, because he worked six days a week, had trouble scheduling a doctors appointment. A screening showed he had both cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes. We set up a late evening appointment, making sure we had a nurse practitioner here as well as Dr. David Ashbach, a nephrologist, who does volunteer work here, Mallers says. We helped him sign up for Healthy Indiana so he could pay for his meds. The mans family was also selected by the staff to receive a holiday gift basket donated by the staff, including a Thanksgiving turkey donated by the Merrillville Rotary Club. Mallers says, Its all about accessing care and overcoming barriers. Earlier this summer, Donald Trump verbally attacked a federal judge for being, among other things, a Mexican. The result of this created a storm of well-deserved criticism. Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan claimed that it was textbook racism. Immediately, various interest groups seized upon the comment and described it as an insult to Hispanics. I agree with that assessment. However, for those of us born, raised and living in Lake County and Northwest Indiana, even if not of Hispanic descent, it is so much more. I am personally offended by this baseless statement, and Ill tell you why: The federal judge to whom Mr. Trump was referring, Gonzalo Curiel, was born and raised in the Indiana Harbor area of East Chicago. He and his three siblings were educated at and graduated from Bishop Noll Institute, as did I and my four siblings. Judge Curiel is a reflection of the rich diversity of our community where all regardless of race, gender or ethnicity are treated with respect and dignity. He is one of our own, and all of us should be insulted by, and take exception to, Trumps comments. While Republican after Republican national leader denounced Trumps racist comment, our governor (and now vice-presidential candidate) Mike Pence remained eerily silent, despite that Judge Curiel is a born and bred Hoosier of impeccable reputation who graduated from Indiana University and Indiana University School of Law, and became a fearless assistant U.S. attorney, prosecuting the leaders of drug cartels at the risk of his life. Curiel rose to the prestigious position of federal judge. After five days of inexplicable silence, Pence finally commented on the issue and said the attacks were inappropriate. Many were appalled at the governors failure to defend one of his own, until of course we came to realize he was to be chosen as Mr. Trumps nominee for vice president. Furthermore, our lieutenant governor (now Republican candidate for governor), Eric Holcomb, said at the time, when asked about Mr. Trumps racist comment, that he stood by Donald Trump. How is it possible Holcomb can condone a blatant racist statement made by the Republican nominee for president, particularly because it was directed at a fellow Hoosier whose family still lives in Indiana? I would expect every Hoosier, whether Democrat or Republican for example, Dan Dernulc, the chairman of the Lake County Republican Central Committee and a Bishop Noll graduate to reject this character assassination. I would expect each of us to strongly support our fundamental principles of fairness and equality. I would expect that on Nov. 8, each and every one of us, as we prepare to cast our vote, will remember that Judge Curiel is one of our own. Its a crucial plan whose time has finally come at least if comments made by competing sides of the Indiana gubernatorial campaign are any indication. Champions of our childrens educational success have plenty of reason to cheer. The proposed expansion of Indianas pre-K program is receiving plenty of campaign comments from the men seeking to become the Hoosier states chief executive. It should be a top priority of any candidate to explore ways of funding eventual universal preschool for all of the states 4-year-olds. And were encouraged its become a marquee issue on the campaign trail. Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg has teamed with state schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz in proposing a $150 million universal pre-K program. Gregg says it would be funded by re-prioritizing state spending and redirecting unspent money from other programs. Republican candidate and current Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb hasnt voiced a specific pre-K plan, but said last week hes #allIN4preK. Holcombs quoted hashtag was in reference to a coalition of corporate and community groups, All IN for Pre-K. The coalition is pressuring the Indiana General Assembly to provide all low-income Hoosier children with free, high-quality preschool instruction. The coalition, which launched last week, seeks to expand the states On My Way Pre-K program, a pilot program currently serving low-income children in Lake and four other counties. We need to ensure more Hoosier children especially children from low-income families who stand to benefit most can access high-quality pre-K so they start kindergarten ready to succeed, said coalition member and United Way of Central Indiana President Ann Murtlow. We agree. Anyone even remotely familiar with the keys to educational success knows how important early childhood development is to future learning. And universal offering of preschool to all Hoosier children should be the future goal. What could be a more important use of government resources than securing a brighter future for our most important assets? Indiana made a needed evolution in its adoption of funding for voluntary all-day kindergarten in recent years. Now its time to take the next step. A six-alarm fire on Staten Island on Thursday night is under control after it ripped through seven homes, according to the city fire department. Emergency crews responded to the initial blaze at a private home on Benziger Avenue near Jersey Street around 6:09 p.m. The fire spread to six other houses and knocked out power to Benziger Avenue, the FDNY said. The fire's cause is believed to be electrical. Officials say two residents were hurt and 10 firefighters suffered heat-related injuries. A fire department chief said the hot weather made it difficult for firefighters to battle the blaze. FDNY officials said the flames destroyed two of the homes affected, while they are concerned about two others collapsing. The fire was so strong that the siding on several houses has melted into the street, FDNY officials said. Red Cross officials said Thursday night that 42 displaced individuals have been registered for assistance. Residents told NY1 they were just relieved no one was killed. "Flames broke out, everybody was in the street," one witness said. "Everybody got the kids, then we saw the fire truck, you know, going up. "All my stuff, pictures, artwork I can't replace," another said. "I'm hoping the cat got out, but all the kids, everybody in the houseboth houses, everybody's accounted for, so at the end of the day, no loss of human life." 250 firefighters and emergency workers were needed to get the fire under control. Fire marshals have determined that two children playing with matches caused a six-alarm Staten Island fire Thursday that injured 23 people and left dozens homeless, the city fire department said. The FDNY said flames broke out at a house located at 228 Benziger Ave. near Jersey Street in New Brighton just after 6 p.m. The fire quickly spread and damaged four adjacent homes. It took crews around three hours to bring the flames under control. The house where the fire began has been completely destroyed. Residents who spoke with NY1 at the scene say they're just relieved no one was killed. "Flames broke out, everybody was in the street. Everybody got the kids, then we saw the fire truck, you know going up," said one witness. "All my stuff, pictures, artwork I can't replace. I'm hoping the cat got out, but all the kids, everybody in the house, all, both houses, everybody's accounted for. So at the end of the day, no loss of human life," said a displaced resident. The fire department says one resident was seriously injured and is in stable condition. Two other people and 20 firefighters suffered minor injuries. The city Department of Buildings is investigating the scene. The Red Cross is helping 55 people displaced by the fire, including at least 20 children. The boys, who are 6 and 8 years old, the FDNY said, will be entered into a program that the fire department runs to teach kids about fire safety and prevention. JOHANNESBURG President Edgar Lungu of Zambia eked out a victory in last Thursdays elections, according to official results announced Monday afternoon. But his main rival disputed the impartiality of election officials and demanded a recount. After an unusually violent campaign in a country considered one of Africas most stable democracies, Mr. Lungu garnered 50.35 percent of the vote, slightly over the threshold of votes to avoid a runoff. The main opposition candidate, a wealthy businessman, Hakainde Hichilema, won 47.67 percent of the total. Commission officials had initially said that they would release final results by early Sunday, but the vote tallying took longer because of an unexpectedly large turnout. Mr. Hichilemas party, the United Party for National Development, attributed the delay to Zambias electoral commission, accusing it of vote rigging. In a news conference on Sunday, as incomplete results showed he was trailing behind the president, Mr. Hichilema cited irregularities in the count in Lusaka, the capital, and demanded a recount. Weiner was in the news a day earlier: Donald Trump had called Clinton a security risk, citing among other things her close relationship with Weiners wife, Huma Abedin, a top adviser. Abedin, Trump said, is married to Anthony Weiner, whos a sleazeball and pervert. . . . I dont like Huma going home at night and telling Anthony Weiner all of these secrets. I asked Weiner what it has been like to have Huma dragged into these back-and-forths. Gut-wrenching, he told me. Ive never seen a staffer targeted like that. I dont engage on that at all. After about 20 minutes in the hotel bar, Weiner was summoned by an aide, and we boarded a van that would shuttle us to the Wells Fargo Arena. We pulled out of the hotel driveway and promptly plowed into a parked limousine with a loud crunching sound. No one was injured, though Weiners volunteer driver for the D.N.C., a local college student named Tim, was clearly shaken and upset. Weiner, who had been talking to his 4-year-old son, Jordan, over a speakerphone, jumped out of the van to direct traffic around the mishap. He evinced the take-charge demeanor of a man who was accustomed to handling things, someone very much in his element amid chaos. Weiner comforted both drivers and oversaw the exchange of insurance information. At one point, he instructed Tim to back up the van, which nearly resulted in a second collision, this time with a police car. Now, Tim, if you would have gone into reverse, and hit that guy, which you almost did, that would be a legitimate lifelong cocktail-party story, Weiner told Tim as the nervous volunteer maneuvered the damaged-but-still-drivable van toward the arena. One subject I was interested in discussing with Weiner was Weiner, the critically lauded documentary about his disastrous mayoral campaign. Weiners campaign melted down following reports of countless instances of the candidates tweeting dirty pictures of himself the fallout from which was captured by the filmmakers in excruciating behind-the-scene detail. Weiner said neither he nor his wife had seen the film and had no plans to. When he agreed to participate, he obviously envisioned a movie that would have a much happier ending, ideally starring Mayor Weiner and First Lady Huma. And his comeback triumph would be immortalized on screens much bigger than the hand-held ones that brought him down. For what its worth, Weiners selfie-immolation made for a much better movie, at least for viewers. But I was still curious: Why, after the scandal broke, given the personal and embarrassing nature of it, didnt Weiner just stop allowing access to the Weiner cameras? Weiner mentioned that one of the filmmakers, Josh Kriegman, was a friend and former aide, and he felt a degree of loyalty to him. I generally wasnt going to pull the plug, he said. I asked Weiner whether his wife got a vote on this. A selected guide to dance performances in New York City. Full reviews of recent dance performances: nytimes.com/dance. A searchable guide to these and other performances is at nytimes.com/events. ARDANI 25 DANCE GALA (Friday and Saturday) Since 1990, Ardani Artists has fostered a robust artistic exchange between the United States and Russia, introducing Western audiences to the choreographer Boris Eifman and star ballerinas like Diana Vishneva and Natalia Osipova. To celebrate its anniversary and influence, Ardani is staging two gala performances of new work, including premieres from the American Ballet Theater principal Marcelo Gomes and two young Russian choreographers: Maxim Petrov, who contributes a work starring Ms. Vishneva as Louis XIV, and Vladimir Varnava. At 8 p.m., City Center, 131 West 55th Street, Manhattan, 212-581-1212, nycitycenter.org. (Brian Schaefer) BALLETX (through Sunday) BalletX of Philadelphia is like a cold lemonade on a hot summer day uncomplicated and reliably refreshing. For this visit to the Joyce, the company brings three works new to New York: Jorma Elos Gran Partita, set to a potpourri of classical composers; Trey McIntyres Big Ones, a quirky ode to Amy Winehouse (who died in 2011), with peculiar costumes and Mr. McIntyres warm sensibility; and Show Me, a mellifluous ensemble work by Matthew Neenan, a founder of the company. Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue, Chelsea, 212-242-0800, joyce.org. (Schaefer) BATTERY DANCE FESTIVAL (Friday and Saturday) The 35th annual festival of local and international companies including a choice collection of Indian dance in collaboration with the Erasing Borders Festival of Indian Dance concludes its weeklong festivities with one more outdoor performance on Friday at Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park featuring seven back-to-back contemporary dance companies. On Saturday, the show moves to the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University with performances by Battery Dance, Unnath H.R. from India and SEAD Company Bodhi Project from Austria; reservations required. Friday at 6:30 p.m., 20 Battery Place, Battery Park City, 212-219-3910, batterydance.org. Saturday at 6 p.m., 3 Spruce Street, between Park Row and Gold Street, Lower Manhattan, 212-346-1715, schimmel.pace.edu. (Schaefer) A selected guide to concerts in the New York City area. For full reviews of recent concerts: nytimes.com/music. A searchable guide to these and other shows is at nytimes.com/events. JUAN ATKINS (Friday) Since its inception in 1980s Detroit, techno has splintered into subgenres, like trance and minimalist techno, that are prone to occasional disputes over legitimacy. Technos undisputed godfather is Juan Atkins, however, a producer who forged futuristic sounds from melodic electronica and wailing synthesizers in projects like Model 500 and Cybotron. This weekend, the man behind the machine will bring more than 35 years of robotic revelry to the ultimate battleground: the dance floor. With Boo Williams and Love & Logic. At 10 p.m., Output, 74 Wythe Avenue, at North 12th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, outputclub.com. (Paula Mejia) BILLBOARD HOT 100 MUSIC FESTIVAL (Saturday and Sunday) Putting together the definitive song of the summer is a worthy and often contentious challenge for pop musicians. Is it the tune most evocative of lightning-strike summer flings, such as Calvin Harris and Rihannas This Is What You Came For? Or is it the earworm that you cant seem to get out of your head, like Desiigners thumping Panda? Either way, the chart-topping elite are up to the task, and many will be heading to Jones Beach this weekend to duke it out at Billboards Hot 100 Music Festival. With Ariana Grande, Fetty Wap, J. Cole and Rae Sremmurd. At 1 p.m., Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 800-745-3000, billboard.com/hot-100-fest. (Mejia) DIAGONAL RECORDS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY (Saturday) The electronic provocateurs Oscar Powell and Jaime Williams, the forces behind the London-based record label Diagonal Records, are purveyors of unlistenable pop (at least according to the labels SoundCloud page). But Diagonals sounds arent so much unlistenable as they are angular, jutting with uneven drums, the experimental ethos of anti-movements like No Wave, industrial rhythms and a steadily beating techno heart. The label is celebrating five years of strange magic with live sets from Powell and his friends, label mates and collaborators, including Russell Haswell, Not Waving and more. At 10 p.m., Trans-Pecos, 915 Wyckoff Avenue, between Weirfield and Hancock Streets, Queens, thetranspecos.com. (Mejia) A rock star and her lover see their vacation go awry in A Bigger Splash, starring Tilda Swinton and Matthias Schoenaerts. A young womans disappearance sends her lover and best friend into each others arms in LAvventura. And Brazilians take a wild ride in Fearless. Whats Streaming A BIGGER SPLASH (2016) on iTunes. Marianne (a near-speechless Tilda Swinton), a rock star recuperating from throat surgery, and her lover, Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), find their reverie on a volcanic island in the Strait of Sicily interrupted when her former beau, Harry (Ralph Fiennes), and his daughter, Penelope (Dakota Johnson), unexpectedly roar in. Harry is on a desperate mission, and soon Marianne and Pauls bliss has been rather violently commandeered by wandering glances and furtive caresses. The Italian director Luca Guadagnino, who last leveled his gaze on Ms. Swinton in I Am Love, has loosely adapted Jacques Derays 1969 New Wave thriller La Piscine, and added magnificent digs and a soundtrack throbbing with the Rolling Stones, Harry Nilsson, Verdi and 1970s Brazilian classics. Mr. Guadagnino excels at creating lifestyle pornography of an especially rarefied kind, although in classic European style, he gilds the pleasure with some political guilt, Manohla Dargis wrote in The New York Times. Soon you will be able borrow money from a bank called Marcus. Goldman Sachs, which has been rolling out its first foray into banking for the little guy, is going back to its history to name its big new push: an online lender for the masses. After much internal discussion, the Wall Street company has decided to call the retail banking operation Marcus the first name of the companys founder, Marcus Goldman. Samuel, the first name of Mr. Goldmans business partner, Samuel Sachs, lost out. Marcus is expected to be officially unveiled when the bank is ready to roll out the offering, most likely in October, according to people who were briefed on the plans. Marcus is in line with recent start-ups taking on simple first names think Earnest and Oscar and is intended to convey a tech-era trendiness from a company that is not known for its youthful bona fides. Just in time for its 10th anniversary, Death & Co., the seminal cocktail bar in the East Village, is planning a second location, in Denver. The partners behind the bar, one of the trailblazers in New Yorks neo-retro cocktail scene, said that the new Death & Co. will be inside the Ramble Hotel, which is to open in late 2017. But the bar will be far from a duplicate of the small, darkened den in New York. It will include a lobby bar, a cafe bar offering coffee and breakfast, and a reservation-only private bar. It will also provide the food and beverage services in the hotel courtyard, an event space and a screening room, and run the hotels room-service program, right down to the contents of the minibars. Standing on the public side of the dunes, with tourists in bikinis and board shorts strolling by, Renaud showed me the life he and his wife had built for themselves. I took notes and snapped a few photos. Suddenly, a hefty man wearing a T-shirt and shorts emerged from the shade of a tree on the property and made his way toward us, mumbling into a walkie-talkie. Other men began pouring out of several adjacent shuttered properties, and still more from the Caribbean Sea, where they had been swimming. One of the men was brandishing a large tree branch. Soon Renaud and I were encircled. The hefty man, their apparent leader, was angry and wanted to know who we were and what we were doing and why we were taking photos. He insisted we were not allowed to take photos of the shuttered properties, not even from the beach. Things got tense very quickly. The men pressed in on Renaud and me. As I engaged the groups leader, Renaud slipped away and hustled up the beach. A contingent of guards pursued him, hounding him to remove his shirt from his head, to take off his sunglasses, to hand over his phone all of which he refused. Two brothers rob banks in Texas, and dont do a great job oft it, in Hell or High Water, starring Ben Foster and Chris Pine. Its from the British director David Mackenzie, who creates both levity and tension in his modest thriller. The sequence here is the films opening scene. In an interview, Mr. Mackenzie explained why finding a bank to film a robbery in was difficult and how to film a speeding car with an actor at the wheel. Here are edited excerpts from that conversation. What were your goals for the scene? The idea was to set up the world of the film, small-town Texas, seemingly quite sleepy. I wanted to do it in a single shot. Where did you shoot the scene? This was in Clovis, N.M., three miles from the Texas border. The film is set in Texas, but for economic reasons we shot in New Mexico. I was keen to make it as Texan as possible. Clovis is a cattle town. It really could be Texas. Kenneth Maxwell, a former agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation who later worked as a top security official at JetBlue Airways, said the Port Authority police contingent at Kennedy Airport generally performed well, particularly the elite squad held in reserve for emergencies. They try their best, Mr. Maxwell said, but I think theyre constrained a little bit by the number of people they have. Investigators are still trying to learn what started the panic. In recent days, they have been contacting some of the original 911 callers, said two officials with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees New York Citys airports. They requested anonymity because the investigation was continuing. One theory that has gained traction in news reports is that passengers watching the Olympics and celebrating the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolts latest gold-medal victory may have made enough noise to convince someone that the terminal was under attack. While the police have not confirmed that, a later review of video footage suggests that the disruption began near the Juan Valdez Cafe in Terminal 8. The first 911 call came in at 9:33 p.m. The caller, a woman in Terminal 8, said shots had been fired, one of the officials said. A minute later, another woman called with a similar report. Other calls soon followed, almost 100 in all. By 9:57, the panic seemed to have spread: A call came in regarding an emergency in Terminal 1, the official said. What we consider before using anonymous sources. Do the sources know the information? Whats their motivation for telling us? Have they proved reliable in the past? Can we corroborate the information? Even with these questions satisfied, The Times uses anonymous sources as a last resort. The reporter and at least one editor know the identity of the source. Learn more about our process. The terminals, although near each other on an airport map, are separated by the Van Wyck Expressway. One of the Port Authority officials suggested that travelers in Terminal 1, upon seeing social media accounts of shots fired, may have concluded that the emergency was occurring there, rather than in Terminal 8. Shorts and sneakers, a T-shirt and a boss: The chief of the New York Police Department turned up at the Police Academy to school some young officers. Cuff me, he instructed them. Much later, the chief, John F. Timoney, described the episode. Im a four-star chief in a gym outfit, Mr. Timoney said. Im not going to let you arrest me. He had wriggled, squirmed, locked his arms, squared his shoulders. The officers had struggled to pin his wrists. His point was how hard it could be for officers to subdue and handcuff an uncooperative person, and how easy it could be for them to lose their temper. If someone doesnt want to get arrested, it is going to look ugly, especially to a civilian, Mr. Timoney said. Sometimes you have to talk your way out of these things. We have to remind cops, we didnt hire you to be the toughest guy on the block. More than two and a half years have gone by since the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, went fully into effect. Most of the news about health reform since then has been good, defying the dire predictions of right-wing doomsayers. But this week has brought some genuine bad news: The giant insurer Aetna announced that it would be pulling out of many of the exchanges, the special insurance markets the law established. This doesnt mean that the reform is about to collapse. But some real problems are cropping up. Theyre problems that would be relatively easy to fix in a normal political system, one in which parties can compromise to make government work. But they wont get resolved if we elect a clueless president (although hed turn to terrific people, the best people, for advice, believe me. Not.). And theyll be difficult to resolve even with a knowledgeable, competent president if she faces scorched-earth opposition from a hostile Congress. The story so far: Since Obamacare took full effect in January 2014, two things have happened. First, the percentage of Americans who are uninsured has dropped sharply. Second, the growth of health costs has slowed sharply, so that the law is costing both consumers and taxpayers less than expected. Meanwhile, the bad things that were supposed to happen didnt. Health reform didnt cause the budget deficit to soar; it didnt kill private-sector jobs, which have actually grown more rapidly since Obamacare went into effect than at any time since the 1990s. Evidence also is growing that the law has meant a significant improvement in both health and financial security for millions, probably tens of millions, of Americans. Baton Rouge, La. Her eyes were a shade of red that could be achieved only by equal parts crying, worry and lack of sleep. Ive lost everything, she said. In the past week, Ive heard that phrase too many times. In 22 years as a pastor, I have learned when to simply listen. So I listened as this woman, a grandmother, caregiver and member of my congregation, told me that her neighborhood had not flooded in the 50-plus years shed been there. She told me how quickly they had to leave and how they left the family car in the driveway. It was painful to hear, and again, painfully familiar. On Aug. 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina struck, I was the deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. Previously, I had served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Six months after Katrina, I became the chief executive of the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps, a nonprofit focused on helping displaced hurricane survivors recover and return home. This became my all-consuming priority for the next three years. It is through this lens that I have watched as this city and the surrounding areas deal with this historic flood. But any illusion of familiarity is just that, an illusion. The summer of 2016 in Baton Rouge, La. has unfolded in such a way as to create and reveal a community that is unlike any other. With the eyes of the world watching, Katrina revealed some difficult truths about New Orleans. But it didnt occur on the heels of two high-profile events that tested everyones sense of place in such a profound way. We confronted senseless loss of life with the shooting deaths of Alton B. Sterling and valiant members of local law enforcement, and this adds a different challenge to the flood. Its about reacting to bad circumstances in the worst possible way, he writes in the book. Its about a culture that increasingly encourages social decay instead of counteracting it. In the episode, Im joined by my colleagues Nick Confessore and Nate Cohn, who discuss the shake-up in Mr. Trumps campaign, which seems to confirm his almost singular focus on white, economically insecure voters. We also discuss whether that segment of the electorate can really put him in the White House. Please let us know what you think of the show. You can reach us at therunup@nytimes.com, or find me on Twitter, and you can leave ratings and feedback on iTunes. How do I listen? Two ways From a desktop or laptop, you can listen by pressing play on the button above. Or if youre on a mobile device, the instructions below will help you find and subscribe to the series. On your iPhone or iPad: 1. Open your podcast app. Its a pre-loaded app called Podcasts with a purple icon. (This link might help.) 2. Search for the series. Tap on the search magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen, type in The Run-Up and select it from the list of results. 3. Subscribe. Once on the series page, tap on the subscribe button to have new episodes sent to your phone free. You may want to adjust your notifications to be alerted when a new episode arrives. SAN FRANCISCO A federal judge on Thursday struck down a proposed class-action settlement between Uber and a group of its current and former drivers, potentially continuing a protracted lawsuit that questioned a key tenet of the ride-hailing companys business. Under a settlement forged in April, Uber had been set to pay up to $100 million in reimbursement damages to nearly 400,000 drivers. The drivers first sued Uber in 2013, claiming that they should have been classified as employees rather than independent contractors of the company. Uber has opposed having its drivers be categorized as employees, a more costly designation that would require the company to pay payroll taxes and ensure that drivers earn at least the minimum wage. In documents filed in Federal District Court for Northern California on Thursday, Judge Edward M. Chen ruled that the April settlement was not fair, adequate, and reasonable as grounds for denial. He also said a small portion of the $100 million amount reflects only 0.1 percent of the potential full verdict value of the case. The decision is a blow to Uber in a longstanding battle with its drivers, many of whom have argued that the type of control Uber exerts over them constitutes conditions of employment. As employees, Uber drivers would be entitled to reimbursement for expenses and vehicle maintenance, costs that as independent contractors they now pay themselves. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is suggesting that pregnant women and their partners postpone trips to Miami-Dade County after five people, three of them tourists, were diagnosed with Zika that was transmitted from mosquitos in Miami Beach, the second reported area in the United States where transmissions have occurred. At least fourteen people have contracted the virus from mosquitoes in Miamis Wynwood area, prompting the C.D.C to issue its first call for pregnant women to steer clear of a section in Miami. Here is what travelers need to know if they are in Miami or plan to travel there. Is it safe to travel to Miami? In general, yes, said Dr. Stephen Morse, an epidemiology professor at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, although pregnant women or women who wish to become pregnant in the near future may want to avoid visiting. Miami is definitely a city in a subtropical climate, and it has plenty of mosquitoes year-around so there is always a chance of getting bitten, he said. Will airlines let you change or cancel your flight? Some carriers will. Delta Air Lines has been dealing with customers who want to make changes or cancel their reservations on flights to areas affected by Zika since February, said Morgan Durrant, a spokesman. Refunds are and have been available, he said in an email. Customers are asked to call and speak to a Delta reservation sales specialist to discuss. JetBlue is also working with travelers scheduled to fly to Miami. The airlines policy states: Customers traveling to/from destinations reported by the C.D.C. to be affected by the Zika virus may qualify for a refund or the option to make changes to their current travel plans to alternate destinations or travel dates. JACKSON, Miss. A jury convicted two people Thursday of making up fake clients to sue BP after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, but acquitted a Texas lawyer and those closest to him of fraud and other charges. The defendants, including Mikal Watts, a San Antonio lawyer, were accused of making up names on a list of 40,000 people who wanted to sue BP. They faced 66 federal counts of mail fraud, wire fraud and identity theft and aggravated identity theft. Part of Mr. Wattss defense was to blame two people who were convicted Gregory Warren of Lafayette, La., and Thi Houng Le of Grand Bay, Ala. telling jurors he got ripped off when he hired them to sign up clients. Mr. Watts and other investors spent almost $11 million to compile the list, but it was riddled with errors, including names of the dead, people who never gave permission for him to represent them and even a dogs name. Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., a soldiers soldier who lied about his age to enlist in the service, won his commission on a battlefield in World War II and became a four-star general and then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Reagan administration, died Thursday night at his home in North Oaks, Minn. He was 94. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Sarah Vessey Krawczyk. When his military career was finally over in 1985 after the wars and killing, the medals and promotions, the White House meetings on defense and nuclear strategies, and the 46 years that had made him the nations longest-serving active soldier General Vessey did not quietly fade away. Instead, in retirement, he went back to Vietnam repeatedly, as a special envoy of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Bill Clinton, to find out what had happened to the hundreds of Americans listed as prisoners of war or missing in action since 1975, when North Vietnam defeated United States-backed South Vietnam. The fate of the P.O.W./M.I.A.s has been one of the most divisive and troubling legacies of the war. General Vesseys breakthrough talks with Hanoi in 1988 led to on-the-ground searches by Pentagon teams that uncovered the remains of about 900 American military personnel over the next two decades, and to official conclusions that no American prisoners were still being held in Vietnam, though hundreds of cases remain unresolved, a source of continuing political controversy and grief for families. Mr. Trumps statement of regret, in a prepared speech in which he spoke of a New American Future, seemed to be a step toward trying to recover from a number of public quarrels and other episodes that have damaged his campaign, including a dispute with the family of an American Muslim soldier who was killed in Iraq. But in his speech, which he read off a teleprompter, he did not specify what he regretted, offer specific apologies or linger on the subject. In his campaign, Mr. Trump has at times sounded restrained and on-message, only to quickly revert to his more pugilistic nature. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, had previously warned about the prospect of Mr. Trump trying to change his ways, concerned that voters who had been turned off by his inflammatory comments on a variety of subjects might look favorably on any tempering of Mr. Trumps tone. There is no other Donald Trump, Mrs. Clinton said at an event in Florida this month. What you see is what you get. The rally here was Mr. Trumps first since he announced new leadership on Wednesday for his struggling campaign, the second overhaul in the last two months. Facing criticism for some of the donations given to his familys philanthropy, Bill Clinton said on Thursday that the Clinton Foundation would no longer accept foreign or corporate money and that he would resign from its board should Hillary Clinton win the presidency. Mr. Clintons announcement, which he relayed to foundation employees in a meeting on Thursday, followed the recent release of State Department emails mentioning donors to the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation who had contact with aides to Mrs. Clinton while she was the secretary of state. The donations have become a lightning rod in Mrs. Clintons campaign against Donald J. Trump, who has repeatedly implied that foreign donors had corrupted his opponents tenure as secretary of state. On Tuesday, the Trump campaign pointed to an editorial in The Boston Globe titled Clinton Foundation Should Stop Accepting Funds. The moves come amid concern among some Clinton allies that additional details could emerge about relationships between Mrs. Clintons State Department and foundation donors. Because the payment was made through a nongovernmental organization, the Podesta Group did not register as a lobbyist for a foreign entity. A co-founder of the Podesta Group, John D. Podesta, is chairman of Hillary Clintons campaign, and his brother, Tony Podesta, runs the firm now. The role of Mr. Kalyuzhny, a onetime computer programmer from the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, in directing funds to the companies of the chairmen of both presidential campaigns, had not previously been reported. Mr. Kalyuzhny was one of three Party of Regions members of Parliament who founded the nonprofit. The Associated Press, citing emails it had obtained, also reported Thursday that Mr. Manaforts work for Ukraine included a secret lobbying effort in Washington that he operated with an associate, Rick Gates, and that was aimed at influencing American news organizations and government officials. Mr. Gates noted in the emails that he conducted the work through two lobbying firms, including the Podesta Group, because Ukraines foreign minister did not want the countrys embassy involved. The A.P. said one of Mr. Gatess campaigns sought to turn public opinion in the West against Yulia Tymoshenko, a former Ukrainian prime minister who was imprisoned during Mr. Yanukovychs administration. The Podesta Group, in a statement, said its in-house counsel determined the company had no obligation to register as a representative of a foreign entity in part because the nonprofit offered assurances it was not directly or indirectly supervised, directed, controlled, financed or subsidized in whole or in part by a government of a foreign country or a foreign political party. Some patients are worried about Zika, but find it difficult to take precautions. Malorie Fitzgerald, a 29-year-old part-time secretary who is 33 weeks pregnant with her third child, has separated from the father and has been living in a homeless shelter in an area of Miami adjacent to Wynwood. While most patients came to the office wearing long pants and long sleeves, Mrs. Fitzgerald, who caught a bus, was wearing an ankle-length dress with a halter top. At the shelter she shares a room with 25 people, and they are lax about leaving doors open. She hangs blankets around her bunk bed to keep flies and mosquitoes out, to no avail. I get bit a couple of times a day, she said. Its a little less since the doctor gave me a can of Off. But the mosquitoes and flies are horrible there. Dr. Elkin runs an ultrasound, and reassures Ms. Fitzgerald that the measurements are normal. Its not a perfect guarantee, however. Infections can occur at later stages of pregnancy, and the scan wont pick up more subtle abnormalities caused by Zika that are not visible, like stiff joints and eye damage. That is the head of the baby, see? Its completely normal, Dr. Elkin said. Ms. Fitzgerald smiled with relief. But he repeated his advice about prevention. Wear long clothes and use the Off! But even the most vigilant efforts to prevent mosquito bites are not always successful. Lori Tabachnikoff, 36, who is 24 weeks pregnant with her first child and lives in South Miami, said she was fortunate because her employer, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, located just outside Wynwood, has allowed her to work from home to minimize her time outdoors. Even so, mosquitoes sneak in. She recently let a plumber into her home and was soon bitten by a mosquito that must have slipped in at the same time. She has been bitten five times so far this summer, and she and her husband recently went to the health department at 4 a.m. to get in line to be tested. There were already four couples ahead of them. They are waiting for the results. MEXICO CITY Mexican federal police officers summarily executed at least 22 people last year during a raid on an alfalfa ranch that had been occupied by members of an armed group, the countrys National Human Rights Commission said Thursday. The commissions report is a rebuke to Mexicos security forces, stung by repeated accusations of human rights violations, and is an additional blow to the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto, which is struggling to contain rising drug violence. The report by the commission, an autonomous government agency, concluded that the May 22, 2015, raid on the ranch, in which 42 civilians and one federal police officer died, was carried out in a way that involved serious human rights violations. Although the commission agreed with the authorities who said that the ranch had been taken over by members of a drug gang and that the victims had fired at the police, its investigation concluded that many of the victims had been shot at close range, from behind or from above. A United States federal appeals panel has upheld the argument that the United Nations cannot be sued in American courts, dealing a setback in a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of thousands of cholera victims in Haiti. The ruling by the three-judge panel in New York was released on Thursday, a day after a spokesman for Secretary General Ban Ki-moon acknowledged for the first time that the United Nations played a role in the outbreak, which killed thousands of people. In the decision for the panel, Judge Jose A. Cabranes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit wrote that the United Nations did not lose its legal immunity even if it failed to give the plaintiffs a chance to seek a settlement, as required by an international convention. The decision slammed the door on a day of muted celebration by the plaintiffs and many people in Haiti who had welcomed a statement by Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for Mr. Ban, that the United Nations had become convinced that it needs to do much more regarding its own involvement in the initial outbreak of cholera and that officials were considering a significant new set of U.N. actions to be presented publicly within two months. The State Department conceded for the first time on Thursday that it delayed making a $400 million payment to Iran for several hours in January to retain maximum leverage and ensure that three American prisoners were released the same day. For months the Obama administration had maintained that the payment was part of a settlement over an old dispute and did not amount to a ransom for the release of the Americans. Instead, administration officials said, it was the first installment of the $1.7 billion that the United States intends to pay Iran to reimburse it for military equipment it bought before the Iranian revolution that the United States never delivered. But at a briefing on Thursday, John Kirby, the State Department spokesman, said the United States took advantage of the leverage it felt it had that weekend in mid-January to obtain the release of the hostages and to make sure they got out safely and efficiently. Republicans opposed to the nuclear deal President Obama reached with Iran have described the payment as ransom and a further sign of his administrations feckless dealings with Tehran. Ignoring an approach from a pipeline rival could stir an activist hornets nest at the Williams Companies. The company, a $21 billion pipeline operator fresh off a failed merger with Energy Transfer, chose not to respond to an offer from the larger Enterprise Products Partners this summer, Reuters reported on Thursday. The rebuff all but invites two investors who joined a board exodus in June to lobby again to oust Alan Armstrong, the Williams chief executive. The value and precise timing of the Enterprise approach remain unclear. But the interest comes during a period of upheaval at Williams, which agreed to be taken over by Energy Transfer last year. The would-be buyer got cold feet after oil prices crashed, and it walked away on a technicality in June. Shortly afterward, six of Williamss 13 directors, including the chairman, quit the board after an effort to topple Mr. Armstrong failed. Among the departures were two activists, Keith Meister of Corvex Management and Eric Mandelblatt of Soroban Capital. They held onto their stakes in the company and between them own almost 7 percent. Mr. Armstrong, who has since revealed a new go-it-alone strategy for Williams, might have had good cause to ignore an opportunistic, possibly lowball, bid. Williamss shares have rallied 35 percent since early July during a recovery in oil prices, presumably wiping out any premium the $55 billion Enterprise may have offered. Its new suitors stock has fallen 8 percent, which may well limit its appetite to engage further. Zika transmission has been confirmed in two neighborhoods in the Miami area, and pregnant women have been advised to avoid both locations. Federal health officials have also suggested that pregnant women and their sexual partners consider avoiding the entire Miami area. Zika infections are also occurring in Puerto Rico and in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Should Americans Be Afraid? The vast majority of Americans have little to fear from the Zika virus. For almost everyone, including older adults, young children and people with compromised immune systems, it is a mild disease that usually causes nothing more serious than a low fever and an itchy rash. But because it can cross the placenta and attack fetal brain cells, it is dangerous to unborn children. Health officials have emphatically advised pregnant women to do everything they can to avoid it. Although thousands of Americans have returned from Latin America and the Caribbean with the virus, almost all have recovered within a week or two. A few have passed it to sexual partners, but in nearly all cases, those partners have also recovered quickly. Once people have had Zika, they are immune to the virus. They cannot get it again or pass it to their child. It is not yet known whether this immunity is for life, but it appears to be long-lasting. But the only mortuary school in New York City, the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services, had been pressing for a veto from Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat. Theyre extremely disappointed, the schools lawyer, Brian S. Sokoloff, said on Friday. Its unfortunate that the governor didnt heed their pleas. Image Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Credit... Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Unlike medical schools, McAllister has no body donation program. Mr. Sokoloff would not say what steps the school was considering to acquire bodies for embalmment training. But advocates of families too poor to claim a relative from a morgue suggest that many might consent to having students embalm the bodies in exchange for a free or low-cost funeral or cremation. Others point to Californias university system, where an exhaustive donor-consent form includes a mortuary school as one of the beneficiaries. The death of a loved one is a time of unimaginable grief, Mr. Cuomo said in an email. It is vital that we take every possible step to respect and follow the wishes of the deceased and their family members regarding the disposal of their loved ones remains. The city has offered at least 4,000 bodies to medical or mortuary programs in the past decade, records show. Among these, more than 1,877 were selected for use before being buried in mass graves on Hart Island, the potters field for the city. He was responding to the technical requirements of the law, but also to public pressure theres no doubt about it, said Murray Richman, a veteran member of the citys defense bar. While he came forward with the right charge, a lot of it was political. Whenever theres something that agitates a particular group, you dont have a choice. You have to respond. While prosecutors do not have to establish motive to charge people with a crime, it is an essential part of their subsequent efforts to prove their case at trial. Should Mr. Morel go to trial, an assistant district attorney will want to furnish to the jury a credible explanation for why he undertook two murders that he has denied committing. Some lawyers said that in the absence of a motive, it was a bit unusual to have accused Mr. Morel of first-degree murder. It would seem to me that murder in the first degree is all about motive, Gerald L. Shargel, another veteran defense lawyer, said. You dont need it, but it is definitely relevant to the defendants state of mind. Was this the guy who did it because, say, he had pictures of other Muslim leaders on his basement wall? Of course, the politics, history and social relations in every country are different. Tunisia is not the same as Libya; Egypt is not the same as Syria. And yet there are patterns: The results of the uprisings in most of the countries Arab are seen today as devastating. The Arab world is, indeed, a fractured land, as Scott Anderson describes it. It may be that if the revolutionaries had foreseen the fate of their countries, they would not have gone into the streets. Yet despite the devastation and the pervasive feeling of failure, those days of rebellion constituted a rare signpost for the entire Arab world. They posed a first, perfect opportunity for the establishment of true states whose function would be to protect citizens, their freedoms and rights not artificial states in which the regime functioned only to protect itself from its citizens. States where the regime and its rulers see the people as their enemies dont allow for reform. Popular uprisings were necessary to bring about change, since no reform was possible, but some of the revolutionaries failed to shape events after the regimes fell. They hurried to hold elections before there was agreement on a constitution, or on the nature of the state they wanted to establish. Maybe in some countries, where the rulers were ousted, the revolutionaries should have been more determined to take the reins of power, and defend themselves from counterrevolution. In Syria and Libya, what began as a quiet popular protest encountered cruel violence from the regime, and turned into armed resistance and later to civil war, tribal war and regional proxy war. The Arab revolutions were noble because they reflected the peoples desire for freedom. Those great early days silenced the fundamentalist movements and cast aside foreign interests. They heralded a new age in which the state would fulfill its function, in which conflicts and schisms, whether religious, ethnic or tribal, would dissolve. Tyrants will point to the revolutions aftermath and say to their subjects: See! Is this the devastation you wished for? And it may be that oppressed people have lost hope in the face of their rulers, on one hand, and the terrorists on the other. But the same cry of freedom continues to resound in their hearts and will return to echo in the Arab worlds streets and squares again, in the hope that the next generation will learn from the mistakes of its predecessors, and know how to better estimate the cruelty of its enemies. To the Editor: Re Frances Burkini Bigotry (editorial, Aug. 19): The editorial board offers a well-reasoned defense of the right of Muslim women in France to wear the burkini. But as a resident of a Salafist neighborhood in Paris, I am particularly aware of the extent of the problem we are dealing with here. The large majority of French women who practice Islam do not wear the burkini, for the simple fact that they are not extremists. French Salafists would like to segregate men from women in French swimming pools and not allow their sons to be taught in French schools by women whose heads are uncovered. Where does it stop, if not nipped in the bud? We are not practicing bigotry here in France by banning the burkini; we are fighting extremist behavior. RHYS CHATHAM Paris To the Editor: Re French Towns Battle to Ban Muslim Womens Beach Attire (news article, Aug. 18): This article is frankly appalling. France is essentially telling Muslim women that their desire to cover their bodies, dress modestly and be free of the male gaze is against Western values. The vast majority of Zika cases have been and will continue to be in people who have traveled to the other countries where the virus has spread widely, or have had sexual relations with someone who traveled to those places, officials said. There have been 2,260 cases of Zika reported in the continental United States and Hawaii, including 529 in pregnant women, the C.D.C. said Friday. So far, 36 cases of locally transmitted Zika have been identified, all in Florida, and 25 of them are linked to an area around two small businesses in Wynwood, north of downtown Miami. On Aug. 1, the C.D.C. advised pregnant women not to travel to a one-square-mile area in Wynwood. And while Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Health Department have announced that 17 blocks of that area have been found to be clear of Zika transmission, the C.D.C. maintains that the one-square-mile section should still be considered an active Zika zone, Dr. Petersen said. Mr. Scott also struck a different note from the federal health officials about the risks of Zika posed to Miami-Dade County, a sprawling multicultural metropolis of 2.7 million people. He minimized the extent of the spread, saying in a news conference, We have two small areas. One less than a mile, and weve already been able to reduce the footprint. We have another area now thats 1.5 miles on Miami Beach. Thats out of a state that takes 15 hours to drive from Key West to Pensacola, so lets put things in perspective. His communications director, Jackie Schutz, said Friday that Mr. Scott is encouraging people to come to Miami, to come to South Beach. Just remove standing water and wear bug spray. But Dr. Frieden noted that there have been several other cases of suspected local transmission in Miami-Dade County that are believed to be isolated cases. Other cases will likely crop up, he said. How different are whisky and coffee? Yes, one gets you drunk, and the other wakes you up. But they also linger in different ways. A spilled drop of coffee leaves a stain with dark, sharply defined edges. When whisky dries, it leaves a more uniform, often beautiful film. An unlikely research team of five scientists from Princeton and a photographer from Phoenix described the complex dynamics of evaporating whisky in a paper published this year in Physical Review Letters. The Phoenix photographer, Ernie Button, first noticed the whisky dregs at the bottom of his glass a decade ago and started photographing them under colored lights to accentuate the patterns. Mr. Button was curious about the underlying science and, through a Google search, found Howard A. Stone, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton, who does not drink much whisky but is fascinated by how fluids flow. For more than a year, much of the public scrutiny of Exxon Mobil was captured by the #Exxonknew hashtag shorthand for revelations about decades-old research on climate change conducted by the company while it funded groups promoting doubt about climate science. Articles about that research have energized protests against Exxon Mobil and the fossil fuel industry and had a role in initiating queries by at least five attorneys general, led by Eric T. Schneiderman of New York. Early on, his office demanded extensive emails, financial records and other documents from the oil company, leaving many observers with the impression that a deeper look into the companys past was the focus of the investigation. But in an extensive interview, Mr. Schneiderman said that his investigation was focused less on the distant past than on relatively recent statements by Exxon Mobil related to climate change and what it means for the companys future. If you learn one thing at the New York International Fringe Festival, its not to trust the programs blurbs. And yet what else is there to help make a decision? Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the two-week FringeNYC, which runs through Aug. 28, remains simultaneously part of New Yorks cultural scene and outside it. Obviously, a festival featuring nearly 200 shows makes a mark especially south of 14th Street, where the 16 venues are, and people perusing the ubiquitous Fringe postcards are a common sight. Yet a human theater wiki would be hard pressed to recognize any of the Fringe participants. There are few, if any, recognizable actors or creative teams, so picking shows requires a bit of sleuthing, a dash of intuition and a lot of luck. In the case of the drama Liars and Lovers, all of those failed me. Yes, I went by the blurb, which announced a cross between Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Big Bang Theory. As it turned out, Thomas Taferos heavy-handed, poorly acted tale of college frenemies (through Friday at 64E4 Underground) bears as much resemblance to those two shows as a radish does to a bicycle. While investigators in Florida are struggling to understand what prompted an attacker to approach two strangers this week, stab and beat them to death, and then chew on one victims face, many activists see racial bias in the way the police treated the suspect, a white 19-year-old college student. The crime was so violent that William Snyder, the sheriff of Martin County, told reporters he wasnt sure that he had ever seen a homicide committed with so much aggression in his 43 years in law enforcement. On Friday, the suspect, Austin Harrouff, a white bodybuilder, was listed in stable but critical condition at a hospital. Trisha M. Kukuvka, a spokeswoman with the sheriffs office, said in a statement that when he is released from the hospital, he will be arrested and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, burglary and the armed resistance of an officer. The details of the double homicide caught the attention of some activists, who said they believed that Mr. Harrouff would have been shot and killed on the spot if he were black. The Justice Department conducted criminal investigations into whether Mr. Bissonnette had disclosed classified information in his book or speeches and whether he had violated conflict-of-interest laws in consulting for companies that had contracts with SEAL Team 6. In the end, the department did not bring any criminal charges, settling instead for the cash forfeitures. Mr. Bissonnette said in a statement Friday that he regretted his failure to submit No Easy Day for vetting before it was published in 2012 so Pentagon officials could ensure that it did not include classified information. Mr. Bissonnette acknowledged that he was required under his security clearances to let the Pentagon review the book, and he blamed another lawyer for advising him that he did not need to do so. I acknowledge my mistake and have paid a stiff price, both personally and financially, for that error, he said. I accept responsibility for failing to submit the book for review and apologize sincerely for my oversight. Documents filed in Federal District Court in Alexandria on Friday indicated that Mr. Bissonnette must transfer nearly $6.8 million to the government as part of the settlement. The amount includes all of the $6.7 million in royalties he has earned on No Easy Day, as well as $100,000 in fees for six speeches he gave in early 2013 before the government approved the slides he used in such presentations. Mr. Bissonnette wrote in No Easy Day that he was one of the SEALs who shot Bin Laden, and he and Robert ONeill, another former SEAL Team 6 member who claims his shots were the fatal ones, have competed on the lecture circuit. Military officials said that Mr. ONeill is writing a book of his own and has asked the Pentagon to vet it. WASHINGTON Emboldened by their electoral prospects in November, Democrats are planning to redouble their efforts to make the fate of the Supreme Court a signature election issue, with the Democratic leader in the Senate threatening to stall Republican legislative priorities if no action is taken on the confirmation of Judge Merrick B. Garland. The Senate has been stuck in a stalemate since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February left a vacancy on the bench. Republicans have refused to hold confirmation hearings on President Obamas nominee, insisting that the next president should make the choice. But with Donald J. Trumps poll numbers sliding, the Democratic leadership sees an opening to derail Republicans who are facing re-election by blaming them for the delay. Were not going to back off, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic minority leader, said in an interview this week. There will be things we are going to do to draw more attention to this. He predicted that the Republican presidential nominees prospects would decline further by next month, adding, By then, they are going to have to look for some way to break from Donald Trump. ST. AMANT, La. If Donald J. Trump were looking for those fed up with the national media and the Obama administration, he had some fertile ground in flood-wrecked southern Louisiana. Over the week leading up to a visit here by Mr. Trump on Friday, a sentiment burned that the flooding, which has left thousands of people in shelters, has been unconscionably overlooked on the national level. The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge published an editorial on Wednesday slamming President Obama for not interrupting his vacation to visit the flood-stricken areas, comparing his absence to President George W. Bushs much-derided flyover of a flooded New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Into this came Mr. Trump. It just lets you know that somebody on the national level is doing something, said Sandra Bennett, 76, a Trump supporter who lost everything in the flooding and had come to see the Republican presidential nominee at the first of his several stops around the flood-battered area on Friday. We dont just believe in Trump for this, though, she said. We think hes got the right values. Word that Mr. Trump would be coming surfaced in reports on Thursday night after a speech in North Carolina in which he spoke briefly of the heartbreak and devastation in Louisiana, a state that is very special to me. Mr. Manafort helped defeat the never Trump movement within the Republican Party, opened lines of communication with party leaders in Washington and crushed a brief but noisy delegate uprising on the floor of the Republican convention in Cleveland on its first day. He also successfully pushed for the selection of Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana as Mr. Trumps running mate. But Mr. Trump never developed the sort of chemistry or comfort level with Mr. Manafort that he had with Mr. Lewandowski, campaign aides said. Mr. Trump has continued to seek out the advice of Mr. Lewandowski, who remains a fierce rival of Mr. Manafort. Nor did Mr. Trump ever quite buy into what Mr. Manafort was selling. Just as Mr. Trump has resisted behaving like a traditional presidential candidate, he has also felt little need to construct the sort of hierarchical organization typical of a campaign for the White House. This is in part, Mr. Trumps advisers say, because he relies on his instincts and the counsel of his family. But it is also because he simply prefers to improvise, unconstrained by convention or by a chain of command. A change in the leadership of his campaign may not stop Mr. Trump from making abrupt decisions based on news coverage, playing advisers off one another and following the guidance of whoever may be traveling with him or has just spoken to him on the phone. But what Mr. Trump loses in Mr. Manafort is somebody who has had decades of experience in campaigns and relationships in the party that made him a useful ambassador for a candidate who lacks both, and is given to angering fellow Republicans. Jason Miller, a spokesman for Mr. Trump, wrote on Twitter on Friday that Rick Gates, Mr. Manaforts deputy, would leave New York for Washington, where he would serve as the campaigns liaison to the R.N.C. WASHINGTON Senate Republicans breathed a sigh of relief in late June. Senator Mitch McConnells campaign to lure Senator Marco Rubio into running for re-election in Florida had paid off and Republican control of Congress felt a little more secure. It has been all downhill since. Donald J. Trumps post-convention plummet in the polls has taken vulnerable Republican Senate candidates along for the ride, throwing the door open to the prospect of a Democratic majority under the leadership of Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. On top of that, the Trump campaign brought on Stephen Bannon, the head of the conservative media outlet Breitbart News, which has savaged Republican congressional leaders like Mr. McConnell and Speaker Paul D. Ryan as hypocritical quislings. The new campaign team is also promising to let Mr. Trump be Mr. Trump, a prospect that no doubt terrifies many Republican candidates who would prefer not to comment on more incendiary statements from the Republican nominee. His blanket expression of regret Thursday night for earlier comments cheered some in his party, but that moment was quickly overtaken by news of the resignation of Paul Manafort, the embattled Trump campaign chairman. Residents of a small Alaskan village voted this week to relocate their entire community from a barrier island that has been steadily disappearing because of erosion and flooding attributed to climate change. In the unofficial results of an election on Tuesday in the village, Shishmaref, residents voted 89 to 78 to leave. The plan would move the village, which is 120 miles north of Nome, to one of two sites on the mainland about five miles away, officials said. But the village needs an estimated $180 million from a patchwork of sources to complete the move, according to a 2004 estimate. Shishmaref is an Inupiat community of about 600 people on Sarichef, an island north of the Bering Strait that is about one-quarter mile wide and two and a half miles long. It has been grappling for decades with the loss of buildings and infrastructure caused by storm surges, and it has shrunk over the past 40 years more than 200 feet of the shore has been eaten away since 1969, according to a relocation study published in February. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, they found insufficient septic tanks and soak pits, which are porous chambers that allow wastewater to slowly leach into the ground. In Darfur, they found partly treated wastewater had been discharged into open fields and farms. In one location, the Darfur audit said, kitchen organic waste was dumped into open pits exposing them to rodents and bugs and the growth of microbial pathogens. Perhaps most troubling were the findings in Haiti, which showed that more than three years after the cholera outbreak, peacekeepers were pouring inadequately treated sewage into public canals, ignoring laboratory warnings about fecal contamination, failing to inspect water treatment plants and septic tanks, and leaving some camps laden with garbage and overflowing toilets. Several studies have traced the cholera outbreak to a contingent of Nepalese peacekeepers in the Haitian mission whose fecal waste had leaked into a river adjacent to their base. The bacterial strain of cholera in Haiti, where the disease had not been seen for a century, was similar to the strain in Nepal, where a cholera outbreak was underway. The audits have not been publicized by the United Nations, although they are accessible on the Office of Internal Oversight Services website by searching for waste on the Internal Audit Reports page. The audit of the Haiti mission, however, was not accessible for months after it had been completed, for reasons that remain unclear. Ms. Lindstrom and other lawyers for Haitian victims of the cholera epidemic, who have been trying to sue the United Nations for compensation, first learned of the Haiti mission audit this month when Fox News reported it was on the oversight offices website. But it took a broader search of the website to find the audits of the other United Nations missions. It is unclear from the audits, which are generally available online 30 days after they are completed, whether the sanitation problems they enumerate have been addressed. In an emailed response on Thursday to requests for comment, the office of the United Nations Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support, which is responsible for the missions, said that all 13 of the auditors critical recommendations had been met, as had 14 of their 19 important recommendations. It did not specify which problems remained. Just days after the United Nations acknowledged playing a role in a cholera outbreak in Haiti, and a day after it was ruled immune from related lawsuits by a United States court, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called on the organizations member states to provide the money and resources needed to end the epidemic and help Haiti recover. Scientists have determined that United Nations peacekeepers from Nepal introduced cholera, a waterborne disease, to Haiti by allowing their infected feces to enter the countrys most important river system in October 2010. At issue is whether the organization and its members will pay for the sanitation infrastructure and treatment necessary to end the epidemic, which has killed at least 10,000 people and damaged Haitis economy. The imported cholera strain has also spread to other countries in Latin America. On Friday, the office of the secretary generals spokesman said that efforts to build water and sanitation systems have been seriously underfunded, and severe and persistent funding shortfalls remain. HONG KONG Chinese state news media and pro-Beijing newspapers in Hong Kong said on Friday that an international organ transplant conference in Hong Kong demonstrated that Chinas transplant system, which for decades used organs from executed prisoners, had global backing. That assertion was disputed on Friday afternoon by the president of the Transplantation Society, a nongovernmental organization based in Montreal that had organized the meeting. At a conference session on Thursday, several leading Chinese medical specialists including Dr. Huang Jiefu, a former deputy health minister; Dr. Zheng Shusen, a transplant surgeon at Zhejiang University; and Dr. Chen Jingyu, a transplant surgeon at Wuxi Peoples Hospital spoke about a new era of organ transplantation in China, according to the program and to several people who attended the event, which was not open to the news media. China says it stopped using the organs of executed prisoners on Jan. 1, 2015, but doubts linger. Scholars say this special Chinese organ transplant meeting shows that the Chinese organ transplant world has been truly accepted by the Transplantation Society, said Global Times, a Chinese state-run newspaper. Similar reports were published by the Hong Kong-based Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao. My grandmother always said, Youre Chinese and you should learn to speak Chinese, Mr. Oetomo said, laughing. But she told me that in Dutch. It was an era of great tumult in Indonesian history. His parents, whose schooling had been interrupted by the Japanese occupation of Java during World War II, stressed the importance of education to their son, whom they called their little professor. His father, a left-leaning nationalist and strong supporter of Indonesias founding president, Sukarno, bought him his first English-language book when he was 10, as well as Chinese and Soviet comic books exalting the proletariat. But Mr. Oetomos youth took a dark turn in 1965, when Suharto, the virulently anti-Communist general, began to seize power and started purging suspected Communists and Sukarno supporters. Though Mr. Oetomos father avoided arrest, life remained difficult for the family. The Suharto government associated Chinese with Communism, and for three decades banned the teaching of Chinese languages as well as Chinese festivals and religious practice. Mr. Oetomo grew up being taunted for his Chinese heritage. As a young man, Mr. Oetomo slowly realized he was a member of another minority, and embarked on a reading binge to understand his homosexuality. The more I read, the more I realized nothing was wrong, he said. His multicultural background and facility with languages led him in 1978 to Cornell University for graduate studies in linguistics. It was a liberating transition from Java in a number of ways. For the first time, he could honor his grandmothers wishes and study Chinese. And it was liberating in another way, too: He could finally pursue his romantic life and take part in gay rights activism. When I got to Cornell, it was like, Oh my God! Mr. Oetomo said of the opportunities on offer. Since Mr. Duterte has taken his campaign nationwide, more than 600,000 drug dealers and users have turned themselves in to avoid being killed, the authorities say. The result, they say, has been a visible reduction in drug use and petty crime. Renato Bertes, 49, and Jaypee Bertes, 28, lived with their families in a dark warren of alleyways in Pasay City, a part of greater Manila near Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The eight of them shared a small room and a kitchen area with buckets in place of a sink. According to the police, the officers chanced upon the Bertes men, out in the neighborhood gambling, on the evening of July 6. They arrested them, found small amounts of shabu in their possession and took them to the police station. The police declined to discuss the case or release their investigative report, but that document was summarized in a report by the Commission on Human Rights, a copy of which was provided to The New York Times. According to the commission report, members of the Bertes family and a neighbor told a different story. They said that the police barged into their apartment at 11:30 while they were in bed. The officers demanded to know where Jaypee Bertes was keeping drugs and began roughing him up. This was not the familys first run-in with the police. Ms. Pimentel-Gana said that according to family members, the police had extracted payments of hundreds of dollars from Jaypee twice before. It was a simple gesture captured in a photograph: Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister of Australia, leaning over and placing money in the paper cup of a homeless man in Melbourne this week. The contrasts in that moment of charity were stark. There were the buffed shoes and suit of a man of power, next to the ragged clothes of a man sitting on a sidewalk. The prime ministers cleanshaven face was inches from the mans scraggly hair and furrowed brow. In one of Mr. Turnbulls hands, a wad of bank notes; in the other, the single note he was depositing in the cup, an Australian 5-dollar bill (worth about $3.80). The political overtones were also hard to miss: Mr. Turnbull, who led his conservative coalition to an election victory just last month, was on his way to deliver a major speech at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia. By the end of the week, those few dollars had bought Mr. Turnbull a barrage of attention and had spurred a debate about how best to help homeless people a problem that has bedeviled major cities around the world, including New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. BERLIN Europes battle over public attire for Muslim women moved on Friday from the outcry over banning burkinis in France to a strong call from Chancellor Angela Merkels governing conservative bloc for a ban in Germany on face veils in schools and universities and while driving. The German proposal, announced by the interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, was clearly driven by an intensifying political season and a surge in support for the far right since Germany accepted more than a million migrants last year. There has been mounting public anxiety over integrating the newcomers, who are mostly from Muslim countries, particularly after a series of terrorist assaults and a gun rampage last month. The German plan arrives on the heels of a heated debate in France over the burkini a full-body swimsuit with a head covering since a handful of cities joined the mayor of the French Riviera town of Cannes in banning the garment from city beaches. Prime Minister Manuel Valls of France supported the move, calling the swimsuit a sign of the enslavement of women. Mr. Morris accomplished this in part by bringing the second movement down to a slower tempo than is customary. He describes it as the speed of raindrops. This gives it an almost woeful feel, grounding the entire concerto. That section of the dance, performed by women, is filled with images of melancholy, bodies crumpling to the ground, cheeks resting despondently on hands. If anything, Mr. Morriss concept of the three pieces is more operatic than the scores would imply. Each section introduces human situations, expressed through gesture and the give and take among individual dancers and the ensemble. This is evident in small details like a raised finger as if to say wait! or a strange, twisted pose on the floor, suggesting something far darker. But in larger themes as well, most especially during the double sonata, which includes a long duet for two men, with other members of the all-male ensemble weaving in and out. Mr. Morris has found a story in the music his own story, but somehow well suited to the structure and mood of the sonata. A complex emotional situation of love, mentorship and loss begins to coalesce, though the audience isnt spoon-fed a narrative. As in the music, it is open-ended. Gestural echoes multiply over the course of the three pieces. For Mr. Morris, this use of repetition and variations on themes has a structural purpose, giving a sense of whole. The symmetry of the evening goes out in both directions from the slow movement of the double sonata like a club sandwich, he explained using one of his homespun metaphors. That slow movement is the core, whose emotional resonance colors everything else around it. Mr. Morriss gestures gradually accumulate, so that by the end everything feels familiar, but also somehow different. Here again, you sense the strong influence of Mozarts operas. It was the operas, with their difficult-to-pinpoint emotional ambivalence, that turned Mr. Morris on to Mozart as a young dancer. He has spoken of Mozart Dances as his Cosi Fan Tutte a comic opera about the bitter aftertaste of betrayal. The first section of the dance is populated by women; the second by men; in the third, they form a mostly harmonious collective. As Mr. Morris said, most of my dances are about love in some way. The ending of Mozart Dances, like that of Cosi and the 27th concerto, is hopeful but not cloudless. This sensitivity to both the structure and theatrical qualities of the music is, in Mr. Ohlssons view, what makes the piece work. That, he says, and the extreme musical sensitivity of Mr. Morriss dancers, who respond to minute changes in the pianists tempos and dynamics: Because of your experience of whats happened before, when the theme returns at the end of the last movement of the 27th Concerto, you hear it in a new way. The dance becomes more personal and touching, without being radically different. And that has added a whole level of emotional memory to the way I play the piece. THE GLAMOUR OF STRANGENESS Artists and the Last Age of the Exotic By Jamie James Illustrated. 364 pp. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. $30. In this esoterically learned and always entertaining book, Jamie James offers biographical sketches of aesthetic extremists who decided to settle somewhere foreign to them, usually a hotter and poorer place: The Pacific and the Caribbean figure luminously in these pages. (Funny how people dont seem to reinvent themselves in Swindon or Stuttgart.) James names his subjects exotes. Unlike the traveler or the tourist, who belongs somewhere and intends to return there, the exote is a voluntary exile who goes to distant lands in search of a new home with no intent to repatriate. Rimbaud was an exote. Marco Polo wasnt. A Texan who wrote art reviews for The New Yorker in the 1990s, James is himself an exote. After years of incessant travel, in 1999 he upped sticks from New York and moved permanently to Bali, where, by all appearances, he has found his metier as a writer of fiction and nonfiction with local and regional themes. James is passionately interested in Pacific culture, Indonesian in particular, and he has an inordinate, and no doubt cost-ineffective, appetite for research. He may be a blue-chip professional writer (and one with a subtle sense of language and a very good idea of where his reader is), but theres no question that his new book is the work of an amateur in the strictest, most laudable sense: the one who acts, in this case writes, out of love. This amateurism generates the books raison detre and, most important, its good faith. It serves as a shield against the criticisms that a project of this kind must risk, given the ideological terrain it crosses. Difficult questions about race, Orientalism, imperialism and the sexual exploitation of the poor are squarely raised by The Glamour of Strangeness; and one is ticklishly aware, while reading about these advantaged bohemian adventurers, that more than 65 million people, an all-time high, are currently categorized by the United Nations as refugees or internally displaced or seeking asylum. Of course, its precisely in dark and vexing times that the fantasy of the exit revives. (Or, see Brexit, the fantasy of retreat and fortification.) Quite a few readers will, Im sure, pick up Jamess book to nourish dreams of escaping the malfunctioning contraption of the homeland. LOOK Poems By Solmaz Sharif 98 pp. Graywolf Press. Paper, $16. The poet and activist June Jordan once wrote that poetry means taking control of the language of your life. Solmaz Sharif does just that in her excellent debut collection, Look, pushing readers to acknowledge a lexicon of war she has drawn from the Defense Departments Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. Language, in this collection, is called upon as victim, executioner and witness. According to the military dictionary, a look is a period during which a mine circuit is receptive of an influence the word influence in this case a way to avoid the word person. Across Sharifs pages, other terms like battlefield illumination, dolly, hung weapon, penetration aids and act of mercy are skillfully repurposed in narratives and lists, with the dual capacity for violence and tenderness. This is not simply a war language; this is an American language. In Sharifs rendering, Look is at once a command to see and to grieve the people these words describe and also a means of implicating the reader in the violence delivered upon those people. The bodies this military lexicon surveils are the same bodies it attempts to make invisible. In Look, we recognize each body as human: a father, an uncle, a lover, a daughter, a niece, a wife, as well as the body of language itself. Sharifs bodies, even in their survival, succumb to the war. In a tender moment of pleasure an ocean away from the battlefield, Look shows us the speakers body is still susceptible to its devastation, still touched by it: Whereas the lover made my heat rise, rise so that if heat / sensors were trained on me, they could read / my thermal shadow through the roof and through / the wardrobe. LOSING IT By Emma Rathbone 258 pp. Riverhead Books. $26. Instead of chasing boys in high school and college, Julia Greenfield, the narrator of Emma Rathbones wise and witty novel, Losing It, squanders those years trying to become an Olympic swimmer. Adrift after graduation, she makes the further mistake of taking a job she doesnt like in a part of the country where she knows no one. Marooned in a suburban apartment complex, Julia worries herself into a chicken-and-egg quandary: Will men avoid having sex with a 26-year-old woman just because shes never had sex? Eventually, Julia ditches her job and moves to North Carolina to live with her aunt Vivienne. Here, shell start over and of course, lose her virginity. Unfortunately, it turns out that Viv, whose abrasive cleanliness leaps out at Julia when they first meet, is also (you guessed it) a virgin. Its the perfect setup for sending Julia into a tizzy. If she can figure out what went wrong for Viv, perhaps she can avoid making the same mistakes. And if she cant? The whole time Id thought there had to be a reason, and the thing I was realizing with dreadful clarity, the worst of all possible outcomes, was that there simply didnt have to be a reason. Losing It is cringingly insightful about sex and dating and all the ways we tie ourselves into knots over both: My virginity composed about 99 percent of my thought traffic, Julia observes. This is trademark Rathbone, who has contributed Shouts & Murmurs pieces to The New Yorker and has a knack for coming up with sharp images and painfully funny observations. Later, on a date with an obvious loser, Julia convinces herself hes good-looking, except for the fact that his face had become unmoored and drifted slightly off-center. Or as she waits for an email from a guy she hooked up with, the day feels like a can being slowly wrenched open. We are introduced to Fowler when shes already corrupted. As the chapters carry us backward, we see the relationship with her lover, Lieutenant Pulowski, go from tragic to uncomplicated, her responsibilities less consequential, her sense of right and wrong yet untested by war. Guilt about her troubled brother is displaced onto a missing soldier and drives her resolve to find him at any cost. We begin, however, disoriented by an ambush in Iraq, not yet familiar with who is involved or why these individuals are where they are almost an abstract excerpt of a story. And so it is. The rearrangement of time is surprising and takes a few chapters to figure out, but Terrell is experimenting with the slow revelation of character in the opposite direction of a normal narrative arc. Terrell was briefly embedded twice with the military in Iraq, but this novel is not so much a studied portrait of the American Army as it is a tragedy that needs a foreign war as its setting. Fowler is changed by bombs and casualties, her sense of morality transforms in order to exert control over chaos, and to avoid thinking of herself as a monster. In the end we are left to wonder about our own lies, when they became acceptable to us, whom we trust and how weve become who we are. WE COME TO OUR SENSES Stories By Odie Lindsey 208 pp. Norton, $25.95. How have we come to such ruin? Lindsey, himself a combat veteran, pays attention to the details in the 15 sharp stories of this debut. The collection paints rural Mississippi, Alabama, Nashville, Los Angeles and Chicago through the eyes of reluctant residents, childless people completely aware of where they are and how they got there. In a land of bars and cheap apartments, he indicts the great American industries television, film, music and war condemning them for selling empty fantasy. This is almost a novel in stories, thematically linked like Phil Klays Redeployment, but more particular in its examination of the new American veteran. Its filled with men yearning and drinking, women who want order or fair reckoning. These characters seek hope against all evidence to the contrary. Lindsey persuasively depicts the female veterans perspective as well, especially in Colleen (who visits a V.F.W. hall to confront an assailant) and Evie M. (whose imminent suicide is delayed by the machine of routine). Darla, who appears in three stories, has a chronic illness to which her lover, an incompetent romantic, cant reconcile himself. Everyone wants to be cured. We get the feeling these people are beside us at stop lights, their entire lives sitting in the cabs of pickup trucks, heading out one more time toward the highway with nowhere better to go. The book captures our culture now, its pop references flaring, familiar and embarrassing: a counterpunch to every ad you watch. Seven new paperbacks to check out this week. NEUROTRIBES: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, by Steve Silberman. (Avery, $19.) Two scientists Leo Kanner in America and Hans Asperger in Vienna independently identified autism. But while Asperger celebrated his subjects differences, Kanners placing of blame for the syndrome onto parents made his discovery a source of shame and stigma for families worldwide. Had Aspergers attitude prevailed, autism may have had radically different connotations today, Silberman argues. THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF EGYPT, by Alaa Al Aswany. Translated by Russell Harris. (Vintage, $17.) In post-World War II Cairo, with Egypt headed toward revolution, Abd el-Aziz, newly bankrupt, has taken a menial job at a club for wealthy Europeans. After a confrontational episode at work, Abd el-Aziz is killed, leaving his children in desperate financial straits. The author, one of the Middle Easts most popular, offers keen insight into midcentury Egypts colonial tensions. PRIMATES OF PARK AVENUE: A Memoir, by Wednesday Martin. (Simon & Schuster, $16.) Martin, who has a background in cultural anthropology, details her bewildering and opulent journey to the culturally remote enclave of mothers on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She is soon inducted into these womens ranks, but still sees reflections of Jane Goodalls researches in this honeyed and moneyed environment. SWEET CARESS: The Many Lives of Amory Clay, by William Boyd. (Bloomsbury, $17.) The plucky, if improbable, heroine of Boyds novel brushes off the societal norms that might have constrained her. Her birth announcement in 1908 mistakenly identified her as a boy, and her unhappy father tried to kill them both, yet she succeeds in building a life as a roving photographer. The novel is interspersed with photos meant to be Clays work. As a quirky lit-world it girl (her charming, wacky Letterman appearances hold up), Janowitz enjoyed a glamorous lifestyle. But she always positioned herself as a misfit outsider. Not for nothing did Janowitz appear in her heyday on the cover of New York magazine beside a slab of meat. Here she punctures myths of the erstwhile art-party scene. Studio 54 was indeed hip, she writes, though you had to be careful on the dance floor, lest you slip, or somebody suddenly shove a popper up your nose. Now, exiled in upstate New York, coping with her beloved mothers decline and embroiled in a series of real estate-based dramas, she enjoys little besides horseback riding and mocking the psychotic organization of her local supermarket. A witty recurring visual joke is made of the aisle signs on which cold beer and imported beer are listed separately, as are buns and bread. Otherwise, she feels the absence of love and, especially, money in her life. On both counts, she blames her family. Her father, a gun-toting psychiatrist, she describes as rage-filled when not high, sexually inappropriate with her and his female patients and emotionally abusive (in hate letters he calls her worthless). Her doctor-brother and stay-at-home sister-in-law come off as somehow worse. There is no such thing as a happy family, Janowitz says. I have met happy families, and after a few minutes one of them takes you off to one side to explain the real truth. But if her family is Exhibit A in humanitys capacity for awfulness, she makes her way through the full alphabet, complaining about everyone from a policeman who gave her a ticket for carrying her dog onto the subway to the journalist and editor Mary Cantwell cold, superior and malevolent under whom she worked at Mademoiselle. Its surprising Janowitz writes of disliking that pretentious, obnoxious Holden Caulfield, when she seems to see the world through his gray-tinted glasses. In my opinion, she writes, all of humankind is one bad genetic experiment. The feeling appears to be somewhat mutual. A hospital reports her to Adult Protective Services for suspected elder abuse. An accountant grows irate when Janowitz bounces a check. Her neighbor sends a threatening letter over extreme, perplexing measures Janowitz takes to protect a rhododendron. Her brother sues her for having used her mothers accounts to pay her own bills, which she learns constitutes fraud. There are some people on this planet who irritate others, Janowitz writes. It wasnt intentional, but I was one of them. The settlement barred Mr. Wyatt and his immediate supervisor from the securities industry for life. Morgan Stanley was also instructed to create a $4.2 million fund to reimburse clients, a small part of what customers claim they lost with Mr. Wyatt. Morgan Stanley did not admit or deny the accusations in the state settlement. The company is fighting dozens of Mr. Wyatts former clients in arbitration. It has said in legal documents that the clients were negligent for not following Mr. Wyatt more closely. In the three arbitration cases that have been decided so far, Morgan Stanley has had to pay about $3 million. James Wiggins, a spokesman for the company, said this week that many of Mr. Wyatts losses had resulted largely from the turmoil caused by the financial crisis. We take extremely seriously our responsibility for placing our clients interest first, Mr. Wiggins said. The state settlement provides few details about the behavior that got Mr. Wyatt and Morgan Stanley into trouble. But closed testimony and thousands of pages of documents from the arbitration cases reviewed by The New York Times shed light on how the matter played out at the company. At one point, Mr. Wyatts behavior raised enough concern that Morgan Stanley supervisors stopped him from trading in his personal accounts. At the same time, the company allowed him to continue trading money he managed for clients. One of his colleagues in Mississippi said in closed arbitration testimony that she and others in the office were suffering from a basic shock that nothing was happening to help Steve, help the clients, help the firm, help the office with what was going on, according to a transcript. At least he didnt write, as several others had, Thank you for being so honest. Its a line that makes you ask yourself: How could a mother lie about being a mother? Not ethically, but logistically? Maybe a liar would wait until the man is smitten, then spring the child on him and shout, Surprise! But to what end? I had tried to meet other single parents. I met a man who humble-bragged about the $10,000-a-month child support his ex-wife demanded for his daughters clothing allowance. I met another who asked how much I weighed, as if I were a chicken he was considering for a recipe. Then there was the man who told me about his summer plans to share a house with other singles on Fire Island. Do you do that every year? I asked. He let out of a puff of air. Of course not. Next year Ill be married. Married to who? I asked. I dont know yet. Meeting my eyes over his mojito, he said, Maybe to you. I also met plenty of nice men with whom I had nothing in common except similar philosophies on effective potty training. So when I saw the Right Stuff ad, I thought: At least someone I meet through an ad in The New Yorker will be someone who reads The New Yorker, and wed have that to talk about. Maybe I could find a man who reads the arts listings, and maybe even (if I could be this lucky) the poetry and fiction. A few weeks before she was to be married, Terri Nowak, her sister and a cousin left Duluth, Minn., for a bachelorette weekend to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in the northern part of the state, a place with lakes with names like Saganaga, Fall, Sucker, Moose and Newfound. Their journeys focus was Basswood Lake, a choice Ms. Nowak said had been inspired by an old photo of their paternal grandfather in which he stands before what is believed to be the oldest tree in the state. Basswoods waters were still that day, though the lake can be treacherous. The women said they did find the tree, a 1,200-year-old northern white cedar, and took turns posing for photos, just as their grandfather had 50-some years earlier. We were very lucky, Terri Nowak said. It was very calm. We swam. We had lunch. There was a dark side to this setting, too. Although the women said they had not intentionally sought to dredge up a tragic memory from their childhoods, Basswood through which Terri and Kelly Nowak paddled with their cousin Nicole Nowak-Saenz was where Terri and Kellys father, Theodore, a taconite miner, had drowned in a canoe accident decades earlier. The sisters mother, Susan Nowak of Hibbing, Minn., never remarried, leaving them to grow up fatherless and not entirely sure what a romantic relationship should look like. This gap in their upbringing had bedeviled Terri in particular. RE: PATIENT H.M. Luke Dittrich wrote about the relationship between H.M. (Henry Molaison), a profoundly amnesic patient, and Suzanne Corkin, an M.I.T. professor, and their important breakthroughs in the study of memory and the bitter fight over H.M.s brain. This is a fascinating article that touches on many problematic aspects of contemporary brain science. I have watched the sectioning of H.M.s brain. Trained in brain anatomy, I also noticed lesions outside the temporal lobe. As the article points out, there can be no final word on H.M.s brain and mind. As new methods of examination become available, H.M.s life will be understood in ever-evolving, novel perspectives. Some of Corkins conclusions may prove ill-conceived. Other observations she deemed ancillary may gain importance. Unfortunately, assuming those files have been shredded, her observations that did not seem to fit the hypothesis of the day may have been lost forever. A problem of todays science is that our publishing and funding system rewards findings that support current hypotheses. Corkin seems to have succumbed to that pressure, ignoring seeming misfits in her data. It is a shame that posturing and haggling over rights among eminent scientists and academic institutions have torn apart the precious wholeness of H.M.s life story. What is left of it ought to be considered a national treasure. A federal institution should be appointed as the brains custodian, providing access to any scientist who wishes to study it. Peter Melzer, Ph.D., Charlottesville, Va. Death is not to be laughed about, usually, but Exit the King is a tragicomic consideration of mortality that spins a good deal of absurd mirth from a grave subject. Although Eugene Ionesco is esteemed as one of the progenitors of absurdist drama, people who attend the Shakespeare Theater of New Jerseys current production of Exit the King in Madison are likely to find his story to be straightforward. The details of the play, which was first produced in 1962, are eccentric, and its tone is mostly whimsical, but the plot is easy to follow. Within the plays opening minutes, Queen Marguerite the elder of King Berengers two consorts coolly informs the monarch, Youre going to die at the end of the show. It is scarcely a spoiler to confirm that Berenger gradually declines and at last dies some 90 minutes later. That is because the ultimate value of the play is mined from the thoughts and questions regarding life and death raised during that time. Soon, warm Parmesan biscuits arrived. One bite of those and the bartender could have served me tap water with a maraschino cherry and I would have been happy. The biscuits were nestled in the little cast-iron pan they were baked in. The toasty, nutty biscuit tops gave way to a delicate interior, which I slathered in whipped honey-butter. My guests and I stopped speaking at this point. Those biscuits were almost enough to make us overlook other missteps by the restaurants young staff, who brought great enthusiasm but not always a lot of polish. On one of my two visits there, our entrees appeared when we were midway through the first course. The servers paused, looked at each other for a possible solution, then offered to take away our appetizers. When we insisted we wanted to finish them, they placed the main dishes at the edge of our table and left. (Later, the headwaiter apologized for the mistake and offered us free desserts.) The appetizers we nearly lost included goat cheese fritters with a crunchy panko crust, and mussels in a smoked tomato broth that didnt taste much of smoke, but were tasty nonetheless. Image The five-mushroom Bolognese. Credit... Bryan Anselm for The New York Times The star, however, was the burrata. It had arrived from Italy that day, our server said. The cool, soft mound of fresh cheese quietly oozed cream into the surrounding smear of honey-carrot puree. Marinated mushrooms and the bitter crunch of fresh dandelion greens provided clever foils for the rich cheese. This dish exemplifies Mr. Albrechts knack for layering complex flavors. There is currently a more summery version of the burrata: spiced plum puree, spiced almonds and marinated cherry tomatoes. Forced by exhaustion to leave his career as a Congregational minister in his early 40s, Wallace Nutting turned his photography hobby into a thriving business. That led him to buy and restore several Colonial-era homes during the early 20th century and to become a leading authority on early American antiques. One of those houses, the former Webb House in Wethersfield, opened to visitors on July 4, 1916. To mark its centennial, the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, which now operates the Webb House, has created an exhibition on Nuttings life. Nutting, a Harvard and Hartford Theological Seminary graduate, used five houses that he had restored to take pictures of women in Colonial-style dress engaging in activities like pouring tea, embroidering or trying on a bonnet. He employed a team of colorists and sold more than a million watercolor-tinted photos. Yet even talking about disability can be a fraught experience. The vocabulary of this status is highly charged, and for even the most well-meaning person, a conversation can feel like stepping into a maze of courtesy, correctness and possible offense. When I lecture about disability, someone always wants to know either defensively, earnestly or cluelessly the correct way to refer to this new politicized identity. What we call ourselves can also be controversial. Different constituencies have vibrant debates about the politics of self-naming. People first language asserts that if we call ourselves people with disabilities, we put our humanity first and consider our impairment a modification. Others claim disability pride by getting our identity right up front, making us disabled people. Others, like many sign language users, reject the term disability. The old way of talking about disability as a curse, tragedy, misfortune or individual failing is no longer appropriate, but we are unsure about what more progressive, more polite, language to use. Crippled, handicapped and feebleminded are outdated and derogatory. Many pre-Holocaust eugenic categories that were indicators for state-sponsored sterilization or extermination policies idiot, moron, imbecile and even mentally retarded have been discarded in favor of terms such as developmentally delayed or intellectually disabled. In 2010, President Obama signed Rosas Law, which replaced references to mental retardation with intellectual disability in federal statutes. The author and scholar Simi Linton writes about learning to be disabled in a hospital after a spinal cord injury not by way of her rehabilitation but rather by bonding with other young people new to disability. She calls this entering into community claiming disability. In Sight Unseen, an elegant explication of blindness and sight as cultural metaphors, Georgina Kleege wryly suggests the difference between medical low vision and blindness as a cultural identity by observing that, Writing this book made me blind, a process she calls gaining blindness rather than losing sight. Like them, I had no idea until the 1980s what it meant to be disabled, that there was a history, culture and politics of disability. Without a disability consciousness, I was in the closet. Since that time, other people with disabilities have entered the worlds in which I live and work, and I have found community and developed a sturdy disability identity. I have changed the way I see and treat myself and others. I have taken up the job of teaching disability studies and bioethics as part of my work. I have learned to be disabled. What has been transformed is not my body, but my consciousness. As we manage our bodies in environments not built for them, the social barriers can sometimes be more awkward than the physical ones. Confused responses to racial or gender categories can provoke the question What are you? Whereas disability interrogations are Whats wrong with you? Before I learned about disability rights and disability pride, which I came to by way of the womens movement, I always squirmed out a shame-filled, I was born this way. Now Im likely to begin one of these uncomfortable encounters with, I have a disability, and to complete it with, And these are the accommodations I need. This is a claim to inclusion and right to access resources. Daniel Stephen Hafner, the chief executive of the software company that operates the travel website Kayak.com, bought a four-bedroom four-and-a-half-bath duplex at Walker Tower, a 24-story Art Deco condominium conversion in Chelsea, according to city records. At $24,000,000, it was the most expensive closed sale of the week. In another big transaction this past week, the socialite Elizabeth Swig sold for $18 million her four-bedroom four-and-a-half-bath duplex at 740 Park Avenue, an exclusive limestone co-op building on the Upper East Side designed by Rosario Candela in the late 1920s. The unit was listed two years ago for $32.5 million. The Walker Tower apartment, No. 18A, on the 18th and 19th floors of 212 West 18th Street, near Seventh Avenue, was sold by Elliot Joseph, a principal of the Property Markets Group, one of the condominiums developers. It has monthly costs of $10,524, according to the listing with Sothebys International Realty. Mr. Joseph had initially hoped to sell 18A in combination with the adjacent 18C, a two-bedroom two-and-a-half-bath unit that he also owned, creating what would have been the largest residence in the building, at nearly 7,000 square feet, for $44.5 million. But with no takers, he opted to sell the apartments separately. Unit 18C, for which he paid $5.72 million in December 2014, sold for $10.41 million last summer. He purchased 18A around the same time, for $17.16 million. In Newarks Central Ward, not far from the site of the 1967 riots, a market-rate rental building opened earlier this year with 152 apartments and its name, 24 Jones, emblazoned in cheerful orange lettering on the blocky, colorful facade. Promotional materials invite prospective tenants to come to a place where everything is possible. What, exactly, is possible in Newark? That is the question driving this next chapter of the citys history. With about $2 billion in commercial and residential development underway, 1,500 units of housing are under construction and another 4,000 are planned, according to the citys department of economic and housing development. Corporate dollars have poured into the city in recent years. Since 2008, Goldman Sachs has invested $500 million in the city, and Prudential Financial, which is based in Newark, has invested $368 million. Vacant lots are being redeveloped, like the 11-acre parcel that now houses 24 Jones, which is the residential piece of a $94 million project called Springfield Avenue Marketplace that also includes a ShopRite and other stores. Forsaken buildings are being renovated, such as the 1901 Hahne & Company department store, which had been a grand shopping destination until it shut in the 1980s, languishing downtown ever since, a hulking testament to how far the city had fallen. By next year, a $174 million restoration will transform the structure into 160 apartments, a cultural center for Rutgers University and a Whole Foods Market. You know what happens. If they stay in a hotel, you have to make an appointment to see them. You say, You want to meet for breakfast? and then youre trying to figure out a convenient restaurant, continued Mr. Guttenberg, who reunited with some of his Police Academy colleagues in the 2015 comedy horror TV movie Lavalantula. The sequel, 2 Lava 2 Lantula, which recently had its premiere on the Syfy channel, will air several times through late September. Ms. Smith, 38, said, My parents try to stay at the Essex House or something, and I say, No! because theres never enough time. A reporter at WCBS-TV, she met Mr. Guttenberg through a colleague and has lived with him for two years. I like to wake up with them and have the news on and have coffee. Mr. Guttenberg has been a serial renter in his building, a high-rise condominium near Lincoln Center, since 2005, living first in a studio on the 24th floor, then in a two-bedroom on the 35th floor, and then in the 22nd-floor one-bedroom that he and Ms. Smith now call home. I like to change it up, said Mr. Guttenberg, who also has a house in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. I embrace change. Well, maybe, but thats not the whole story. The 24th-floor studio was like a jewel box, just gorgeous, he said. It had floor-to-ceiling windows and 360-degree views. To take full advantage of those views, Mr. Guttenberg decided against shades or curtains. In retrospect, this may not have been the best idea, he admitted, because like a lot of guys, I walked around the apartment nude or in my underwear. Some months into the lease, around Thanksgiving, a doorman beckoned Mr. Guttenberg in the lobby. This employee had gone to a holiday party at a building across the street, where he was buttonholed by the manager. The guy asked my doorman if he knew the tenant in 24N, and my doorman said, Yeah. In the same way that a funnel channels the flow of water, gates funnel the flow of people, but they do so with great artistry, and thats how they enrich everyday human experience. One of my favorite gates is the Dexter Gate. Above the entrance is an inscription thats often quoted, Enter to Grow in Wisdom. And that inscription summarizes the passage from ignorance to wisdom that a university education is supposed to be all about. Most of the gates were designed by McKim, Mead & White, a great architectural firm, and they are a family, a series of theme and variations whose materials are brick, wrought iron and stone. So if you stop and look, you see things like a cross that represents Harvards commitment to training ministers, or youll see delicate flowers and leaves made of wrought iron that extend the pastoral identity of Harvard Yard out to the street. Why was McKim, Mead & White chosen, and did its involvement lend continuity to the Yard? McKim, Mead & White was the great establishment firm of the era. They designed New Yorks Pennsylvania Station, the so-called cottages of the rich in Newport, R.I., and the Boston Public Library. They were the go-to firm for an institution like Harvard. The first gate, the Johnston Gate, was built in 1889, which was more than 250 years after Harvards founding in 1636. The gate was really a turning point in Harvards architectural history. The architect Charles McKim rejected the florid, multicolored, Victorian Gothic style of Memorial Hall and instead turned back to the colonial Georgian-era buildings as his inspiration. What surprised you most about inspecting the gates so closely? Just how beautiful they are. They keep giving you new details that enrich the experience of looking at them. For example, theres a gate thats dedicated to Charles William Eliot, the long-serving president of Harvard, and if you look at the wrought iron in that gate it has a whimsical nod to Eliots Pilgrim ancestors with a little Pilgrims hat. The contemplative atmosphere of the yard would not be the same if not for the gates and the fences that delineate a barrier between town and gown. Harvard Yard is surrounded most typically by a fence so its visually transparent. You get a sense of the beauty of the yard, the buildings, the sculptures, which are all accessible to passers-by as they walk along even outside of the gates. The building had the right bones. When Brian Ahern and Jamie Finnegan were looking for a space where they could start a food truck business in Chicago, Craigslist led them to the border of Ukrainian Village and a building that, they quickly discovered, had been a Polish and Ukrainian butcher shop since the early 1900s. At some point, an owner acquired a liquor license and added a small buffet restaurant. Mr. Ahern and Mr. Finnegan, who met while working at Daniel Bouluds DB Bistro Moderne in Miami, decided to change course. It had been a butcher shop for a hundred years, and we just kind of ran with the idea of beef and making it a focal point, Mr. Ahern said. They bought the building and got to work turning it into the high-spirited Boeufhaus, which opened last year. Wood from a vintage meat cooler on the property was used in the dining room (including for the banquette); when that supply ran out, Mr. Ahern found wood from an old Chrysler plant in Wisconsin for the handsome back bar. The subway tile is original, from the 1930s. Policies aimed at ending discrimination against people with criminal records may actually have the unintended consequence of increasing racial discrimination. That, at least, is the finding of a fascinating new study that focused on so-called ban the box regulations rules that prohibit initial job applications from asking prospective employees to check a box indicating whether they have a criminal history. It has implications for nearly all policies aimed at eliminating racial inequities. When we try to end discrimination without addressing the underlying causes of discriminatory behavior, our efforts may accomplish little and may even backfire. Efforts to ban the box are racially charged. As Bruce Western, a Harvard sociologist, documented in his 2009 book, Punishment and Inequality in America, many of those with criminal histories are black, particularly among the roughly 30 percent of black males who do not have high school diplomas. By 2013, nearly 70 percent of black male high school dropouts in their early 30s had served time in prison. One amusing account of whiskys origin holds that it was invented by the Irish as an embrocation for sick mules. Then the Scots learned the knack of distilling fermented grain mash and discovered it was much more enjoyable to drink than rub on the skin of ailing animals. Scotch has come a long way since then. Exports last year brought in 3.9 billion pounds, about $5 billion, to the Scottish economy, with more exclusive single malts now making up 25 percent of that amount, up from 18 percent five years ago. That increasing sophistication is reflected in a small but robust auction market for rare bottles of aged whisky, which have quietly gained the reputation of being a canny alternative investment. Prices at auction in Britain, by far the biggest resale market for collectible whiskies, have risen 23.25 percent over the past 12 months, according to Rare Whisky 101, a website that tracks sales of regularly traded collectors bottles through its Icon 100 index. The Times has produced a virtual-reality film about the war in Iraq. To view it, download the NYT VR app on your mobile device. Download the NYT VR app for Android or iPhone. If The New York Times Magazines Fractured Lands epic narrative helps you understand how the Arab world came apart, the accompanying virtual-reality film transports you directly into the violent center of the unraveling. The Fight for Falluja allows viewers to experience, firsthand, the battles that Iraqi forces endured to retake Falluja form ISIS this June. Ben C. Solomon, the Pulitzer Prize-winning filmmaker and video journalist for The New York Times, chronicles the push to retake the city and the aftermath, not just of that battle but of the larger war that has devastated the entire region. This 11-minute experience is available on the NYT VR app. A fan meet with actress Park Shin-hye scheduled on Sept. 10 in Shanghai has been canceled amid fears of anti-Korean sentiment amid an escalating spat over the stationing in Korea of a U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery. Beijing believes the battery is intended to keep its military might in check, and there is talk in China that the Korean Wave has turned into a "Korean Chill." A spokesman for Amore Pacific, which organized the event, said Wednesday, "We were told by Park's agency yesterday to postpone the event. They said there was no choice due to anti-Korean sentiment and animosity toward Korean entertainers" since the decision to deploy a THAAD battery here. Park starred in hugely popular TV series like "You're Beautiful," "The Heirs" and "Pinocchio." A fan meet in Shanghai last year drew reporters from 60 Chinese media organizations. Park rose to the top of the search on Weibo recently when her new hit series "Doctors" started. She was set to visit Shanghai next month as the poster girl for Amore Pacific's Ryo shampoo brand. But her agency has been inundated with messages of concern from Chinese fans after it was publicized on Chinese web portal Baidu. "Chinese fans voiced concerns about the actresss image should she visit China at this point," the spokesman said. "We'll try to hold the event later when things calm down." Appearances by several Korean stars like Song Joong-ki, Kim Woo-bin and Su-zy have been canceled since the spat escalated in June. Gov. Robert Bentley traveled to Phenix City Thursday to see some of the ongoing projects to improve the city. The trip was part of the citys second annual Governors Day event. Bentleys first stop in the city was at the Troy University Riverfront Campus, where he had a discussion with some of the citys leaders, economic developers and business owners about how to create new jobs and start new businesses. Frank Braski, founder of RiverCity Foundry, a business startup accelerator that began a month ago, briefed the governor about what the accelerator can do for entrepreneurs in the region. We can build businesses in Alabama," Braski said. We have the ideas. We have the talent. The accelerator has eight startups that include AgroPonics, Cold Brew Coffee System, DiscGo, Escape Technologies, Fanbrella, Forecast Reality, Intellishots, Slumber Pod and VillageCreed. This is not an incubator, Braski said. Its hard and vigorous, but the best things in life are. Braski said the accelerator will have a demo day on Sept. 1. Bentley said entrepreneurs in the region can take advantage of funding from the state in the form of grants. It just takes applications, Bentley said. He touted the state's Accelerate Alabama plan, which was created when he took office, along with a small business commission. Almost every business started out as a small business, Bentley said. The governor expressed his admiration for what is being done in the city. Phenix City has so much to offer, Bentley said. Its a city that is on the move. The trip ended with a luncheon in which Bentley spoke to city leaders and other community members about what is happening in the state, including the special session in which the House and Senate are considering putting a lottery on the ballot for people to vote on. This is not about a lottery, Bentley said. Its about people." Bentley said the lottery would bring in $225 to $300 million that would help fund Medicaid, among other state programs. We need to take advantage of what we have available, Bentley said. If we do not adequately fund Medicaid, there are people hurting. Twitter announced that it has suspended an additional 235,000 accounts for promoting terrorism over the past six months. "This brings our overall number of suspensions to 360,000 since the middle of 2015," the company said in a statement Thursday. Twitter says that daily suspensions of user accounts have increased by 80 percent since 2015. It adds that many of the suspensions immediately follow terrorist attacks. The U.S.-based company says it also has made progress in preventing users who were suspended from immediately returning to the platform using different accounts and that it "collaborates with other social platforms in identifying terrorist content." Despite the progress, many suspended users have found their way back onto Twitter. "The numbers include a fairly large number of users who are repeatedly suspended after creating new accounts, so the number of accounts suspended does not equal the number of users suspended," said J.M. Berger, a fellow at George Washington University's Program on Extremism. "It's not a trivial number." Berger was the lead author of a 2015 study titled, "The ISIS (Islamic State) Twitter Census," which found supporters of the Islamic State (IS) terror group used at least 46,000 Twitter accounts between September and December 2014, with an average of about 1,000 followers each. Most Californians have experienced pain in varying degrees and forms for some, it can be a part of everyday life. But many of my patients experience chronic pain in the extreme. And although pain can sometimes be localized in one part of the body or another, it often affects the whole person. Pain perpetually preoccupies the mind, and becomes an emotional and psychological stress in addition to a physical debilitation. The problem with pain lies in its complexity, which requires a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, which requires many tools. One commonly used tool is the prescription of extended-release and long-acting opioid medication also known as painkillers. But, while painkillers can be highly effective in appropriate situations, the frequency with which pain medication is prescribed has contributed to a cultural problem in California and across the country that extends beyond pain treatment, beyond medical considerations: the abuse of prescription drugs. A 2010-2011 government survey found that nearly 1.5 million Californians abused painkillers, and that 7 percent of children between the ages 12 and 17 used them for non-medical reasons. In California, deaths involving opioid prescription medications have increased 16.5 percent since 2006. In 2012, there were more than 1,800 deaths from all types of opioids including hydrocodone and oxycodone. The accessibility of these opioids has contributed to the rise of their abuse. One of the most uniquely potent highs is found in our purses and medicine cabinets. Herein lies the catch-22: those who suffer from chronic pain need prescription pain medication, but that guarantees there will be a source and supply of opioids for those who will abuse them. There are, however, a growing number of available medication formulations that can help stop prescription drug abuse at its source: the quality of the high. When opioids are ground up, cut, crushed or chewed, they provide an instant high by immediately entering the bloodstream. This type of abuse requires none of the paraphernalia commonly associated with street drugs there are no needles, no burnt spoons, no evidence left behind. Prescription drug abuse, which is on the rise, goes unnoticed. Abuse deterrent opioids offer an alternative medication to traditional opioids, but because of their chemical compounds, the opiate is rendered useless when its form is altered. To the point, if these pills are crushed, chewed, cut or ground for the purpose of maximizing an immediate high, the pill becomes inert. When prescribed and monitored appropriately, most patients do extremely well on ADO formulations and experience improvements in pain, function and quality of life. The Federal Drug Administration strongly encourages the development of opioids that will deter abuse, and considers the development of ADO medication a top public health priority. The problem for physicians like myself lies in the current Medi-Cal policy. Medi-Cal does not currently have ADOs available on their medication formulary even though 42 states currently do. A Medi-Cal patient must try and fail on an opioid protocol without abuse-deterrent properties before they can get an abuse-deterrent medication, even if their physician feels that an ADO medication is best for the situation. Of course, a medication that prevents one type of abuse cannot be considered the panacea for the overarching drug epidemic. Still, as a doctor and pain management specialist, I believe that creating a medication that can only be used for its intended purpose is a good step. When Californias Medi-Cal Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee meets this month to review abuse-deterrent opioids, I hope they will make an abuse-deterrent opioid for each class of medication so that these medications can be part of a multi-faceted approach to decreasing prescription drug abuse. Dr. Medhat Mikhael is a pain management specialist in Long Beach. Freeway travel through San Clemente will take a dramatic turn Saturday when Caltrans opens a new southbound roadway segment that passes over Avenida Pico. But the transition could be painful Saturday morning for motorists heading for San Diego from points north. Officials say the process of switching traffic onto the new segment will require significant southbound lane reductions between the Avenida Vista Hermosa and Avenida Palizada exits. During a 14-hour construction period from 10 p.m. Friday until noon Saturday, transportation officials are warning motorists to expect delays. Crews will be grinding pavement, putting down new pavement and restriping the freeway and adjoining ramps, said Eric Carpenter, a spokesman with the Orange County Transportation Authority, via e-mail. Here is how OCTA expects it to unfold: The existing four lanes of southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane at 10 p.m. Friday. Two lanes of southbound I-5 traffic are scheduled to open on the new freeway segment at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, growing to four southbound lanes when the transition is complete at noon. On-ramps from Avenida Vista Hermosa and Avenida Pico onto southbound I-5 will be closed the entire 14 hours. Southbound off-ramps from I-5 onto Pico and onto Avenida Palizada will be closed the entire period. Southbound motorists who want to exit I-5 at Pico or Palizada during that period will be directed to exit at Avenida Vista Hermosa instead and take surface streets. Motorists who want to get onto southbound I-5 at Avenida Vista Hermosa or Avenida Pico will be directed southward along El Camino Real to a southbound on-ramp at Avenida Presidio. Avenida Pico itself will remain open to traffic during the 14-hour transition. Carpenter said Saturdays realignment of I-5s southbound traffic will mark a significant milestone in a 5.7-mile-long freeway widening scheduled to be finished in early 2018. The $230 million widening is adding a carpool lane in each direction and expanding transition lanes between San Juan Creek Road and Avenida Palizada. Work on the Pico segment began in Feb. 2014, highlighted by the construction of a wider bridge over Avenida Pico. The Pico interchange beneath I-5 also is being expanded. Carpenter said the new stretch of I-5 over Pico creates less of a curve at Pico, enhancing safety. For the first time, drivers will be able to see those benefits as they travel on the new, straighter southbound segment of freeway, he said. The new freeway segment also is at higher elevation than before, easing an I-5 dip at Avenida Pico. See octa.net/i5south for project updates. Contact the writer: fswegles@ocregister.com or 949-492-5127 A couple of recent German films have taken on the task of reckoning with the countrys history, depicting the prosecution of Nazis and SS officers responsible for the horrendous crimes of the Holocaust. Last years German submission for the foreign language Academy Award was Labyrinth of Lies, about prosecutor Johann Radmann, who went after Auschwitz officers in the late 1950s. This year sees the release of a film about Radmanns boss, Attorney General Fritz Bauer, who worked diligently to pursue Adolph Eichmann, in The People vs. Fritz Bauer. The political thriller directed by Lars Kraume picked up six German Film Awards, and is an intelligent depiction of Bauers personal quest to not only bring Eichmann to justice, but to bring justice to Germany. Bauer is here played by Burghart Klaussner, who nails the dogged, pugnacious attorney generals manner, which we see in a clip of archival footage. Were introduced to him in his most vulnerable state, slipping away into unconsciousness in the tub, red wine and sleeping pills at hand. While he claims its an accident, the incident is spun into a suicide attempt by his political enemies, who would prefer the rabble-rousing Nazi hunter not retain his post. For Bauer, Nazi hunting is personal. Having been imprisoned in a concentration camp in the 1930s for his political activities, and possibly for his sexuality, he spent the war in exile in Scandinavia before returning to his homeland to rebuild. Germanys democracy is also a deeply personal issue. As we see in a television appearance, he believes that living the ideals of democracy are of utmost importance, and he sees an opportunity for Germany to find redemption through the pursuit of justice, including acknowledgment of its mistakes and tortured history. This proves complicated in late-50s postwar Germany, when Nazi officials disappeared abroad or melted back into everyday life, which Bauer finds at odds with Chancellor Adenauers desire to reconcile with Israel. That doesnt stop him from the only kind of hunting he cares for, which as he says, is not for animals. After receiving a tip that Eichmann is in Argentina, he secretly meets with Mossad, the Israeli secret service (an act of treason), to arrange Eichmanns arrest and trial. Bauer is aided in his quest by Karl Angermann (Ronald Zehrfeld), a fictional character who is an amalgamation of the young, driven prosecutors who brought fresh blood to this fight. Angermann and Bauer share many of the same secrets and burdens, targeted for their personal choices, railroaded by larger forces. Zehrfeld sensitively renders Angermanns internal angst, struggling with the conflict of personal values that go against status quo. Shades of Weimar-era hedonism lurk just below the pristine and proper surface of this period, which Kraume re-creates in rich hues and layered textures; cigarette smoke and raindrops wafting by detailed architecture and design. What The People vs. Fritz Bauer does so well is distill large, complicated political issues into an intimate, personal story about one mans desire to bring not only justice, but catharsis to post-war Germany, mired in a fog of complacency. Bauer and Angermann never stop fighting because they know that this moment will decide what kind of country they can choose to be in the wake of unspeakable horror. Its a lesson that remains resonant, in any time, in any place. MAIDUGURI, Nigeria It had been more than a month, and Dije Ali was still locked in a military prison with her seven children. She had thought they were being taken to safety. Her family and other villagers had been low on food and feared that Boko Haram was closing in. They ran to Nigerian soldiers for protection. Get in the vehicle, Ali recalled the soldiers telling them. But instead of being whisked to freedom, she said, her family wound up in a military detention center with 130 other women and their children, uncertain when they would be released and why they were there. I didnt know what Id done wrong, she said. I was just praying God would get us out. Here in northeastern Nigeria, soldiers are fighting a brutal battle with Boko Haram, the Islamist extremist group that has terrorized the region for years with its campaign of murder, kidnapping, rape and thievery. But in its aggressive hunt for Boko Haram fighters, the Nigerian military has ensnared and detained scores of civilians, including toddlers and infants, for weeks or months. Nearly 150 people have died this year in just one of the detention centers, Giwa barracks, where Ali was held with her family, according to Amnesty International. Eleven of the dead were children younger than 6, including four babies, it said. The prison this spring held 1,200 people, at least 120 of them children, Amnesty found. Many were arbitrarily rounded up during mass arrests, the group said, often with no evidence against them. The Nigerian military says it detains people it suspects of being Boko Haram sympathizers including people who have been kidnapped to weed out anyone who might be dangerous. Officials have reason to be suspicious: Boko Haram has managed to turn captives into suicide bombers, including children as young as 8. Mothers, boys, girls and other suicide bombers have killed hundreds of people, striking crowds at markets, schools and even camps for people who fled their homes to escape Boko Harams violence. Questioning suspects is a lengthy process, said Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, an army spokesman, explaining the detentions. It is better to take time to screen them out than to allow a single terrorist to go free and carry out a suicide bombing. Usman said the military follows international best practices and has sniffed out Boko Haram terrorists during screenings. But legal experts accuse the Nigerian military of breaking domestic and international laws in the process. The military has no authority to detain civilians under Nigerian law, argued Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer in Lagos. Other critics cited a long pattern of abuse by the military. Ali, the mother who described being held at Giwa barracks with her seven children, said she was led from the cell only twice once the day she arrived, and once the day she was freed. She was taken under a shady tree for questions to determine her Boko Haram leanings. Each time, she said, she told the soldiers she opposed the militants who had torn through the region. After five weeks, she said, they released her and her children, the youngest of whom was still breast-feeding. Her husband had been held in another part of the facility, away from his family. During her detention, Ali said she caught a glimpse of him through a small cell window as he was being taken for questioning. She has not heard from him since. DANA POINT The city is backing a plan requested by residents of the Strand at Headlands that would allow gates to block public access to the popular Strand Beach from the community from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The Dana Point City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night in favor of changing the Headlands Development and Conservation Plan and the citys zoning code in the area over Stand Beach to allow the gates to be used during the set hours. The council is expected to review the plan, which was also approved by the Planning Commission, on Sept. 6. If it gets a second approval, the plan will go to the California Coastal Commission for review. Two other trails around the community provide 24-hour access, though the beach is closed to the public from midnight until 5 a.m. Its already illegal for people to walk through the community during those hours, City Attorney Patrick Munoz said Thursday. This is simply a way to enforce those hours. City Councilman Scott Schoeffel said at the meeting that he had received correspondence suggesting the Coastal Commission might want the city to consider something other than gates to enforce the time restrictions. The move follows a settlement in which city officials agreed to remove restrictions to beach access at the center gate above the Headlands gated community. The settlement followed six years of litigation among the city, the Coastal Commission and Surfrider Foundation over beach access. The dispute began in 2009, when Dana Point officials approved an ordinance to limit beach-access hours through the neighborhood after requests by the developer and some homeowners. City officials said they didnt have to follow the Coastal Act of 1976. The Coastal Commission and Surfrider Foundation fought the ordinance in court, saying it could set a precedent that might limit beach access throughout California. A court ruled in the publics favor in 2011. Following that settlement it was up to the Strand Homeowners Association to ask the city to pursue gate restrictions on the communitys behalf. Several residents urged the council to support the effort. They cited a continued problem with late-night loitering, graffiti and safety issues. Safety is our primary concern, said David Dempshire. I travel every week and leave my wife alone. I dont want this to provide individuals an opportunity to commit a crime. Right now, if individuals want to illegally access the beach, they can. David Buckanavage said the situation is extremely dangerous. People have dogs off leash walking around and are flicking cigarettes, he said. We need to have our neighborhood protected, he said. Russ Chilton, Orange County Sheriffs chief of police in Dana Point, said most calls have been for vandalism and a few thefts but largely burglary alarms that have gone off. There is a low crime rate here compared to other areas of the city, he said. Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@ocregister.com or on Twitter:@lagunaini But two of the swimmers, Conger and Bentz, admitted to fabricating the story after they were detained at the airport late Wednesday while attempting to head back to the United States. Feigen also is still in Brazil, while Lochte returned to the United States Monday before any of the news emerged. Swimmers Ryan Lochte, Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and James Feigen initially told police they were robbed at gunpoint early Sunday morning on their way back from a party outside Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian police say they might charge U.S. Olympic swimmers with vandalism and giving false testimony after the swimmers admitted they fabricated a story about being robbed at gunpoint. Fernando Veloso, head of the civil police of Rio, told reporters Thursday that security cameras revealed the swimmers actually visited a gas station early Sunday morning, and that witnesses said they damaged a bathroom, were confronted by an armed guard and left before police arrived. Brazil's Globo TV on Thursday aired security video of the swimmers showing them arriving at the gas station in a taxi, entering the building, leaving, and later sitting on the curb with their hands up, as instructed by one of the staff members at the gas station. Veloso said the men left $20 and 100 Brazilian reals to pay for the damage to the bathroom, which included broken mirrors and damage to the door. The police chief also said Lochte was "physically outraged" during the incident and was "probably drunk." But he said Lochte could not be held solely responsible for the incident. "That would be a premature assumption of guilt," Veloso said. Despite the visible ire of the police, Rio Games organizers defended the swimmers, insisting, "Let's give these kids a break." Rio 2016 spokesman Mario Andrada told reporters, "They competed under gigantic pressure... They had fun, they made a mistake, life goes on." The gas station is close to Olympic Park, where the sporting events have been overshadowed over the past two weeks by a series of muggings and robberies, including incidents involving other athletes and two visiting government ministers. Anna Cecilia Meyer of Orange County School of the Arts was given the Youth Grand Prix award this year for best overall performance in contemporary and ballet dance at the Youth America Grand Prix regional round in Las Vegas. This is the highest honor for a dancer in her age category at one of the largest and most esteemed international dance scholarship competitions in the world. While competing in New York, Meyer was approached by the director of the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco and offered a four-year scholarship to live and train at the school, one of the most prestigious in Europe, which she said has always been her dream. Since then, Meyer has also been offered a place in the School of American Ballets year-round program in New York, but as her mom, Lena Meyer, said, Her toes are still pointing towards Princess Grace. Name: Anna Cecilia Meyer School: Orange County School of the Arts Grade: ninth in fall Hometown: Corona How did you get involved in dance? Since I was very active as a young child, my mom and dad put me into gymnastics and creative dance through the community center. It turned out that I was really enjoying dance so my mom found a real ballet studio for me to continue my classes, and Ive now been there for 10 years, and Im basically dancing 24/7. What is your favorite role to dance? What is your favorite ballet of all time and why? My favorite role to dance is definitely Giselle. I love the acting and emotion. My favorite ballet is Christopher Wheeldons Royal Ballet production of Alice in Wonderland. I would love to see it live but was fortunate to see it at the Ballet in Cinemas. I love it because the repertoire includes so many diverse styles and aspects along with a sense of humor. It also featured one of my all-time-favorite dancers, Sarah Lamb. Who have been your influences? There have been so many, but the main ones are Steven Hyde, director of the Classical and Contemporary Dance Conservatory at OCSA, who believed in me and accepted me into the CCD; Rosemary Molak-McCarter, founder of Corona Dance Academy, who has taught me for the past 10 years that there is a lot more to dancing than just having good technique; and Elizabeth Molak-Huebner, director of the Classical Dance Academy, who sparked the idea in me that I could actually become a professional ballerina. What inspires you? Listening to the stories of what some dancers went through to get where they are today. When I feel like its too hard to keep going, then I think of them and what they had to go through and how some of them had it a lot harder than me, and I tough it out and keep going. The next challenge I want to take on is To keep doing what Im doing but far away from home in a different country. It will be challenging and I will have to learn French, but it is all about what I will take away from my experiences, and hopefully it will lead to fulfilling my dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. Other than dance, are you involved in any other activities? I currently dance 20-24 hours per week so I dont have any time left after school but I love comedy and like to have silly conversations or make silly videos with my sister and some of my best dance friends. I also love experimenting with makeup and practicing what my future stage makeup will look like. If I had more time I would probably learn to cook. I love helping my dad cook at home. How do the arts figure in to your long-term goals? My long term goal is to dance full-time and to be a professional ballerina so the arts will always be a part of my life. Especially on the performance side. What is the best advice you have received? Be yourself! For example, when Katy Perry was young, she was told she was going to be the next Avril Lavigne, and she responded with, No, I will be the next Katy Perry. I want to be the next and best me that I can be! I hope my legacy as an artist will be I hope one day I will inspire young people to take chances in order to follow their dreams, even if it sometimes means moving halfway across the world. A UCI student organization that led an anti-Israel protest in May was given a written warning Thursday by school administrators saying the group violated conduct policies. An investigation by the Office of Student Conduct was finished this week and a warning was delivered to organizers of Students for Justice in Palestine on Thursday, said spokeswoman Cathy Lawhon. On the night of May 18, a group of Jewish students gathered at a campus theater to watch a film about young Israeli soldiers. Outside, another group of about 50 protested the screening saying the movie glorified the Israeli army. Campus officials said the protest was organized and led by the group Students for Justice in Palestine. A confrontation ensued and UCI police were called. Jewish students said they felt threatened, while protestors maintained they were expressing opinions and didnt harass anyone. Police conducted an investigation that was sent to the Orange County District Attorneys Office, which found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. In the warning, which is in effect until March 29, 2017, the students were told they have to present an educational program for their members on how to host positive events, Lawhon said. Basically to know how to not run afoul of the student conduct policy again. The group can otherwise function as usual. Representatives for the protesters did not immediately respond to requests for comments. The decision was reached after weeks of interviews with multiple witnesses and a thorough review of pertinent information, in accordance with the due process procedures found in our Code of Conduct, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Thomas Parham said in a statement. University officials said the warning letter is subject to an appeal. UCI police has kept its investigation open for any other witnesses to come forward in the future. Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com WASHINGTON This week Russian bombers flew out of Iranian air bases to attack rebel positions in Syria. The State Department pretended not to be surprised. It should be. It should be alarmed. Irans intensely nationalistic revolutionary regime had never permitted foreign forces to operate from its soil. Until now. The reordering of the Middle East is proceeding apace. Where for 40 years the U.S.-Egypt alliance anchored the region, a Russia-Iran condominium is now dictating events. Thats what you get after eight years of U.S. retrenchment and withdrawal. Thats what results from the nuclear deal with Iran, the evacuation of Iraq and utter U.S. immobility on Syria. Consider: Iran The nuclear deal was supposed to begin a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran. Instead, it has solidified a strategic-military alliance between Moscow and Tehran. With the lifting of sanctions and the normalizing of Irans international relations, Russia rushed in with major deals, including the shipment of S-300 ground-to-air missiles. Russian use of Iranian bases now marks a new level of cooperation and joint power projection. Iraq These bombing runs cross Iraqi airspace. Before President Obamas withdrawal from Iraq, that could not have happened. The resulting vacuum has not only created a corridor for Russian bombing, it has gradually allowed a hard-won post-Saddam Iraq to slip into Irans orbit. According to a Baghdad-based U.S. military spokesman, there are 100,000 Shiite militia fighters operating inside Iraq, 80 percent of them Iranian-backed. Syria When Russia dramatically intervened last year, establishing air bases and launching a savage bombing campaign, Obama did nothing. Indeed, he smugly predicted that Vladimir Putin had entered a quagmire. Some quagmire. Bashar Assads regime is not only saved. It encircled Aleppo and has seized the upper hand in the civil war. Meanwhile, our hapless secretary of state is running around trying to sue for peace, offering to share intelligence and legitimize Russian intervention if only Putin will promise to conquer gently. Consider what Putin has achieved. Dealt a very weak hand a rump Russian state, shorn of empire and saddled with a backward economy and a rusting military he has restored Russia to great power status. Reduced to irrelevance in the 1990s, it is now a force to be reckoned with. In Europe, Putin has unilaterally redrawn the map. His annexation of Crimea will not be reversed. The Europeans are eager to throw off the few sanctions they grudgingly imposed on Russia. And the rape of eastern Ukraine continues. Ten thousand have already died and now Putin is threatening even more open warfare. Under the absurd pretext of Ukrainian terrorism in Crimea, Putin has threatened retaliation, massed troops in eight locations on the Ukrainian border, ordered Black Sea naval exercises, and moved advanced anti-aircraft batteries into Crimea, giving Moscow control over much of Ukrainian airspace. And why shouldnt he? Hes pushing on an open door. Obama still refuses to send Ukraine even defensive weapons. The administrations response to these provocations? Urging both sides to exercise restraint. Both sides, mind you. And in a gratuitous flaunting of its newly expanded reach, Russia will be conducting joint naval exercises with China in the South China Sea, in obvious support of Beijings territorial claims and illegal military bases. Yet the president shows little concern. He is too smart not to understand geopolitics; he simply doesnt care. In part because his priorities are domestic. In part because he thinks we lack clean hands and thus the moral standing to continue to play international arbiter. And in part because hes convinced that in the long run it doesnt matter. Fluctuations in great power relations are inherently ephemeral. For a man who sees a moral arc in the universe bending inexorably toward justice, calculations of raw realpolitik are 20th-century thinking primitive, obsolete, the obsession of small minds. Obama made all this perfectly clear in speeches at the U.N., in Cairo and here at home in his very first year in office. Two terms later, we see the result. Ukraine dismembered. Eastern Europe on edge. Syria a charnel house. Iran subsuming Iraq. Russia and Iran on the march across the entire northern Middle East. At the heart of this disorder is a simple asymmetry. It is in worldview. The major revisionist powers China, Russia and Iran know what they want: power, territory, tribute. And theyre going after it. Barack Obama takes Ecclesiastes view that these are vanities, nothing but vanities. In the kingdom of heaven, no doubt. Here on earth, however Aleppo to Donetsk, Estonia to the Spratly Islands it matters greatly. Think of Isaac Jenkinson Frazee as the father of Laguna Beach. Frazees art, poetry, personal philosophy and appreciation for Southern Californias native people left an indelible mark on Laguna, where the eccentric visionary spent the last two decades of his life. He was a pioneering plein air painter and founded the tradition of outdoor summer festivals in O.C.s arts town with his Native American extravaganza, the Kitshi-Manido pageant. Frazees final home was a rambling, barnlike cottage completed just two years before his death in 1942. Like the man, its quirky, full of character and undeniably Laguna in spirit. When Clark Collins and his husband, Greg, wanted to move with their sons, Jackson, 9 and Sawyer, 7, to a traditional Laguna home, the Frazee property came to mind as ideal. We had owned the house next door, which was a small 1930s Laguna cottage on the historic register, said Collins, whose Laguna company, Collins Design & Development, provides design services for new construction and remodeling projects. We got to know Elizabeth, the owner. She had raised her kids there and was living in Hawaii, just renting it out. On a whim, Clark Collins called and asked if she would consider selling. Oddly enough, she said yes. The home has an ownership history as unusual as its design. Its been sold only four or five times since it was built, Collins said. He added that the house had never been on the market; it always changed hands privately. When the family took possession of the home, it was largely unaltered. A few closets had been added and a small eat-in area of the kitchen had been enclosed, along with a deck, which created a bedroom wing. But the main house was untouched. It had been made with redwood, and there were no knots and, of course, no termites. The couple aimed to preserve the look and footprint of the house as much as possible. We wanted to be really careful with the existing structure and make it feel like it would have in 1940. But major work was needed. The place was falling apart. The plumbing and electrical systems didnt work well. Despite the urgency, they opted for patience. We lived in it for a year before we did anything. We thought, How could we make this a house that would work in the 21st century without destroying the 1940s look? The soul of the house is its barnlike architecture: 18-foot ceilings held up by trusses. And Collins appreciated its eccentricities. Theres a funny little attic area at the back. I have no idea what purpose it served. But we kept it. The kitchen received the most visible redesign. The original kitchen was very small and tucked away in the back of the house, Collins said. We opened it out onto the primary living area. But as in other parts of the house, the couple kept things looking traditional. We wanted to use a style that would have been typical of California homes from that era. The kitchen was given soapstone counters, with the drain board carved into the countertop, and Shaker-style cabinets. Other details reinforce the historic look. Most of the lights in the house are original fixtures that we rewired. We preserved the old push-button switches on the walls. We saved the closet doors and the stained-glass windows. Frazee was a prolific artist, and he covered his home in paintings. A chance encounter made Collins decide to welcome the art of Frazees time and place back into the home. When we first moved into the house we saw a painting go to auction that was a portrait of (Frazee). We looked at it; it was in terrible condition and nobody had bid on it. Collins asked the auctioneer to introduce him to the paintings owner. It turned out to be Frazees great grandson, Craig Walker. He talked about how the living room used to be a gallery filled with paintings. A deal was struck, and Frazees portrait now graces the home. Frazees august face presides over an interior the man would surely have adored. Collins owns a growing collection of paintings by early Laguna artists. Our collection isnt as big as his, but hopefully over time we will fill the walls of this place with plein air art from Laguna just like it was in Frazees time. Isaac Jenkinson Frazee: Lagunas arts pioneer Who: One of Southern Californias first local artists, Frazee had a unique impressionistic style that is evident in his languid, dreamlike landscapes. His many published poems were often witty and folksy, and they reveal his love of Californias natural beauty as well as its Spanish American and Indian heritage. He also brought outdoor theater to Laguna. Born: Nov. 30, 1858 in Winchester, Ind. Named after his maternal uncle, Isaac Jenkinson, who was owner and publisher of the Richmond Palladium, active in Indiana politics, and a longtime trustee of Indiana University. 1873: Moves at 15 with his family by wagon to San Bernardino County. 1878: Sketches a picture at Laguna Beach while on a horseback trip through the area. He camped for two days on a bluff overlooking Main Beach. 1882-85: Studies at the Louisville Art Academy. 1885: Marries Bettie Shryock Dickinson, daughter of a wealthy Louisville businessman. 1885-90: Lives in San Luis Rey Valley. 1890-1921: Moves family to Moosa Canyon. Builds a castle on a ridge with the help of a Scottish stonemason. 1915-16: First performances of his pageant Kitshi-Manido, an Indian word for Great Spirit. 1921: After rearing seven children, moves to Laguna Beach, where he remains for the rest of his life. That year, Kitshi-Manido is performed in Laguna to raise money for the towns first fireproof art gallery. Precursor to the Pageant of the Masters, the show gets a rave review from the Los Angeles Times. 1920s: Isaac and Bettie are referred to as mother and father by Lagunas first group of artists: William Wendt and his wife, Julia Bracken Wendt, Joseph Kleitsch, Edgar Payne, Clarence Hinkle, Karl Yens, Alice Fullerton, Roy Ropp and Anna Hills. 1942: Dies on June 23 at home in Laguna. Source: Craig Walker Contact the writer: 714-796-7979 or phodgins@ocregister.com Florida Gov. Rick Scott confirmed Friday that the Zika virus is being spread locally by mosquitoes in Miami Beach, a development that marks an expansion of the outbreak in South Florida and immediately prompted a new travel advisory by federal officials. We believe we have a new area where local transmissions are occurring in Miami Beach, Scott said at a noon press conference. This area covers about 1.5 square miles between 8th and 28th streets and between the beach and Intracoastal Waterway a stretch that encompasses the vibrant, densely packed South Beach tourist district. It also encompasses the Miami Beach Convention Center, which is set to host the Asia America Trade Show for vendors around the world starting Sunday. Health officials said at least five people have been infected with Zika in this area, including two who live in Miami Beach. One person from Texas, one from New York and another from Taiwan have returned home after being infected while in Miami Beach. The news marks a second front in Miamis fight against local transmission of the virus. Previously, officials had pinpointed local infections in a one-square-mile area north of downtown Miami known as Wynwood. That prompted federal health authorities to urge pregnant women not to visit the area, the first time they ever had warned against travel to a part of the continental United States because of the outbreak of an infectious disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quickly issued a second travel advisory Friday afternoon, saying pregnant women should also avoid the designated area of Miami Beach. The agency said that pregnant women who live in the area or have to travel there should take extra precautions to guard against mosquito bites, including wearing repellent. It gave the same direction for these womens sexual partners. In a call with reporters Friday, CDC Director Tom Frieden said Miami Beach presents a difficult situation for health officials trying to halt the Zika outbreak. The area has a constant stream of visitors, many of them international, who could carry the virus elsewhere should they get infected. In addition, the low-flying planes that have been spraying specialized insecticide over Wynwood cannot do so over Miami Beach because of the high-rise buildings that front the Atlantic Ocean and often windy conditions. And the citys South Beach is a beach, after all, notorious for skimpy bikinis and a general lack of clothing at all hours. The amount of exposed skin also makes it harder to prevent infections there, Frieden said. We think this will be a challenging area. Scott said Miami-Dade County already had begun an intensified mosquito control campaign in Miami Beach. He sought to reassure state residents and especially the tourism industry that his administration was doing everything possible to combat more spread of the virus. He said the state would be requesting more resources from the CDC, including additional Zika testing kits. Tourism is a driving force of our economy, and this industry has the full support of our state in the fight against the Zika virus, Scott said. We want to do all we can to ensure Florida remains safe for businesses and our families. But while Frieden praised the work of Florida officials and said intense spraying and other efforts had killed many mosquitoes in the Wynwood neighborhood, he noted that the Aedes aegypti mosquito primarily responsible for spreading Zika is resilient. Its a tough mosquito to kill, he said. This is truly the cockroach of mosquitoes. Nationally, there are more than 2,200 confirmed Zika cases in the states and more than 8,000 in U.S. territories, the vast majority of those in Puerto Rico. The CDC is tracking 529 pregnant women with the virus nationwide and nearly 700 in those territories. President Barack Obamas administration has sought nearly $2 billion in emergency appropriations to help fight the spread of Zika, but Congress has been deadlocked for months and left for its summer recess without approving any funding. The administration recently announced plans to reallocate $81 million from other programs at the National Institutes of Health and elsewhere. Still, officials said, the money being used to combat Zika will be virtually exhausted by the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. ANAHEIM Call it the bargain-bin find of a lifetime purchased with a shrug. Kent Shrewsbury and Kenneth Solis share an offbeat father-son tradition: thrift store excursions. A couple of months ago, Shrewsbury and his 20-year-old son stopped by the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Anaheim, a nonprofit shop they frequented during a recent remodel of their Westminster home. Shrewsbury, 48, drifted throughout the used-merchandise store, looking at furniture, cabinets and glassware. His son, a fan of records and film photography, made a beeline to the vinyl. I was flipping through, looking for records, said Solis, who didnt find any he liked. Between records, though, he came across a batch of black-and-white photographs printed with the high-end gelatin silver process, a favorite of fine-art photographers from the 1870s until the 1960s. An artistic, tasteful portrait of a naked woman staring down at a baby in the buff. Dogs in a wheelbarrow. Theyd be perfect on a wall. His dad, a locksmith, took a look at the photos and spotted an interesting one of Marilyn Monroe dancing with former husband and playwright Arthur Miller. The 23 photos cost $23. Sold. Shrewsbury likes to know the history of what he buys, so he deciphered the signatures on the photographs and took to Google. I thought I might have something, he said. Indeed. Shrewsbury thought they possibly might be original prints from some of the most accomplished and sought-after photographers of the 20th century Elliott Erwitt, Burk Uzzle and Eve Arnold. Then, early this month, his brother gave him a ticket to an upcoming episode of PBS-TVs Antiques Roadshow in Palm Springs. On the show, experts appraise garage-sale finds to passed-down family treasures. Shrewsbury took five of the photographs. He showed them to Aimee Pflieger, a photograph specialist for Sothebys, a famous auction house in New York. Its a fantastic find, Pflieger told the Register on Thursday. Its highly unlikely to find something like that in a thrift store. I was shocked. Pflieger declined to tell a reporter the numbers she attached to the photos, based on the sales of similar photographs in the past. But Shrewsbury said she gave him a high and low estimate for each photo $24,000 to $36,000 in all. I dont go out hunting for things like this, Shrewsbury said. When she told me the estimate, I was blown away. I thought they might be worth something, but not like that. And, of course, there are another 18 originals. Shrewsbury, in recent days, has talked with Uzzle and the studio manager for Erwitt, the two photographers whose work covers a majority of Shrewsburys new collection. He has spoken with Pflieger about selling the photos at auction. I do hope to work with him, she said. Shrewsbury plans to help his son get a car. Im not really a car guy, his son said. As long as it gets me to where I need to go. The rest? Shrewsbury intends to give it to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, which builds homes for those who otherwise wouldnt have one. Im a resident of Orange County, Shrewsbury said. I believe in this store and what Habitat stands for. The ReStore sells everything from dime-store novels to pricey chandeliers. The shops employees try to research any item that appears valuable, and some are clearly worth safeguarding, such as a locked-up painting the store manager says could be worth as much as $7,000. But those employees are not experts on the value of art or artifacts. Its unclear where the photos came from. You see a lot of things come through here that you think may be valuable, but you have to know what youre looking for, said Kate Baribeault, assistant store manager for the ReStore in Anaheim. She sold the photos to Shrewsbury. I didnt think twice, she said. When he came back and told me what they are worth, I couldnt believe it. Im excited for him. Because of who he is. Most people would take the money and run. Shrewsbury spent much of Wednesday afternoon with a reporter, deflecting questions about himself, trying instead to put the focus on Habitat. He said he cant wait to give back. Contact the writer: 714-796-6979 or chaire@scng.com Were all going to die, and while we hope for a good long life and a peaceful exit, such will not be the case for many of us. So should you have the right to end your own life? Californias End of Life Option Act recently went into effect. It will allow terminally ill patients to end their own lives with the assistance of a doctor. The bill passed after Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman with a rare form of cancer, sparked national debate by moving to Oregon, where that states Death with Dignity law would allow her to end her life with a high dose of doctor-prescribed sedatives. Brittany ultimately used Oregons law to end her life, and the debate has continued ever since. Proponents of physician-assisted suicide argue that such an option provides control and comfort to patients who would otherwise suffer a slow and painful death. Opponents posit that allowing people the option to end their lives would open a Pandoras Box. It is said that people may be pushed into suicide to save on health care costs, or individuals with treatable conditions may kill themselves instead of seeking help. More fundamentally, opponents contend that suicide is inherently irrational. While I dont know that my personal morals would ever allow me to commit suicide even if facing a terminal illness (I hope Im never confronted with such a scenario), the arguments against assisted suicide come up short. Lets start with the claim that suicide is fundamentally irrational. Rational choice, basically defined, means making a decision after thinking things through instead of going with your gut. Economics and other disciplines teach us that people do a pretty good job of making rational choices. We make choices every day by weighing the potential costs and benefits of an activity. We generally make the best decisions we can with the information we possess in order to achieve goals big and small. Suicide is a choice like any other. If a person believes that the costs of living outweigh the benefits, then choosing death is perfectly rational. Since we cannot know how an individual thinks about a situation or know their internal cost-benefit calculation, we cannot say that suicide is inherently irrational without imputing our own personal beliefs and biases. Many critics are more concerned with the practical implications of normalized assisted suicide, arguing it would lead to everything from suicide epidemics, to encouraging grandma to check out early in order to cash in on the inheritance, to euthanizing people with severe mental or physical problems. What do the data tell us? While assisted suicide is legal in only a few places, it is not new. Switzerland, Germany, Albania, Colombia and Japan allow it. California joins Washington state, Oregon, Vermont, New Mexico and Montana in allowing Americans to die with their doctors help. In the years after enacting their death-with-dignity laws, places like Oregon indeed saw an increase in assisted suicide, but it hardly has reached epidemic status. In 1998, 16 Oregonians used the law. In 2013, 71 people did so about 0.21 percent of all deaths in the state. What about using the law to murder or euthanize? Its important to note that all these laws, both domestically and internationally, pertain to suicide, not euthanasia two ideas that could not be more different. With suicide, someone takes their own life. With euthanasia, someone takes another persons life. Moreover, safeguards prevent abuses of the law (though we may argue that any adult should be allowed to end his or her life). For example, only terminally ill patients are candidates for assisted suicide. Further, medical professionals repeatedly evaluate candidates to determine their psychological state and ability to consent. In some states these safeguards go even further: patients must be able to self-administer the lethal medication. The idea of assisted suicide makes many of us uncomfortable. However, living in a free society means we must respect other peoples choices. Part of living is dying. People should be free to choose. Abigail R. Hall Blanco is a research fellow at the Independent Institute and assistant professor of economics at the University of Tampa. Re: Donald Trump and the Constitution [Opinion, Aug. 18]: Erwin Chemerinskys column begs the question: If not Donald Trump, then Hillary Clinton? Unfortunately, theyre peas in a pod. Hillary believes the Constitution is not socially acceptable. She believes the First Amendment is far too threatening to politically correct sensibilities. The Second Amendment is merely the home of dangerous gun owners and needs to be regulated out of existence. Amending the Constitution needs to be replaced by the living constitution concept because the public is not capable of self-government. We are not great if this is the best we can do. Jim Staub Laguna Niguel One-sided media Re: Republican misery [Opinion, Aug. 18]: Its not that we cant handle the truth. Its that we cannot handle the unbelievable one-sided bias. Both the Register and Los Angeles Times get most of their news from the Associated Press, Washington Post and New York Times. Extreme left sources. Time magazine recently devoted an entire issue to praising Hillary Clinton. Then devoted an entire issue telling us what is wrong with Donald Trump. The Washington Post assigned over 20 reporters to find dirt on Trump. Monday, Trump gave a good speech pointing out all the Middle East failures of Hillary and President Obama. Wednesday, Trump gave a very good speech in Milwaukee pointing out all the failures of Democratic polices to black Americans, especially in inter cities like Milwaukee. Nothing in the Register about either speech. Instead, an article about Trump shaking up his campaign staff. James Haynes Irvine ANKARA, Turkey A string of bombings, blamed on Kurdish rebels and targeting Turkeys security forces, killed at least 14 people and wounded more than 220 others, officials said Thursday. Two of the attacks were car bombings that hit police stations in eastern Turkey, while a third a roadside blast targeted a military vehicle carrying soldiers in the southeast of the country. Authorities say the assaults were carried out by the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which has launched a campaign of car bombings targeting police stations or roadside bomb attacks against security force vehicles. Last week, PKK commander Cemil Bayik threatened increased attacks against police in Turkish cities. The wave of attacks come as Turkey is focused on a clampdown on suspected followers of a movement led by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, which the government accuses of orchestrating a failed military coup last month, that killed at least 270 people. The first car bombing hit a police station in the eastern province of Van late Wednesday, killing a police officer and two civilians. At least 73 other people 53 civilians and 20 police officers were wounded, officials said. Another car bombing hit police headquarters in the eastern Turkish city of Elazig early Thursday, killing at least five people, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. Officials said earlier 146 people were wounded and 14 of them were in serious condition. Video footage showed a large plume of smoke rising from the area. Cars were overturned and the windows of the four-story building and its wings were blown out. In the southeastern province of Bitlis meanwhile, five soldiers were killed after rebels detonated a roadside improvised explosive device as an armored military vehicle was passing by, officials said. Five other soldiers were wounded in the attack. A government-paid village guard, helping the security forces battle the PKK was also killed in a clash with rebels in the province, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim traveled to Elazig to visit the site of the bombing as well as those wounded in the attack. He told reporters there that both the PKK and the Gulen movement were directed by the same intelligence intent on causing Turkey harm, without elaborating. The (Gulen movement) has lost its assertiveness and has handed over the duty to the (PKK), Yildirim said. The intelligence that directs them is the same. When ones duty ends, the other takes up the duty. Yildirim vowed to fight the PKK until it is eliminated. No terror organization will force this nation to cow in submission, Yildirim said. Speaking in Ankara, Erdogan said Turkey was jointly attacked by various organizations who he said were in close contact with each other and were acting under the same motivations even if they have different names. He said the Turkish security forces have killed at least 182 Kurdish rebels in the weeks following the July 15 failed military coup, insisting that there has been no slackening in the fight against the PKK. Fighting between the PKK and Turkeys security forces resumed last year after a fragile peace process collapsed. Since then, more than 600 Turkish security personnel and thousands of PKK militants have been killed, according to Anadolu. Human rights groups say hundreds of civilians have also died in the clashes. Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict since the PKK took up arms for autonomy in southeast Turkey in 1984. Turkey and its allies consider the PKK a terrorist organization. U.S. National Security Council spokesman Ned Price issued a statement condemning the attacks. We remain steadfast in our support for Turkey, our NATO Ally and partner, which continues to be afflicted by terrorist attacks that indiscriminately kill and wound both security personnel and civilians, Price said. We are in close touch with Turkish authorities and will continue to work together with Turkey to confront the threats we face from terrorist groups. Vice President Biden will travel to Ankara next week to reaffirm our commitment to Turkeys security and democracy. Amnesty International also condemned the car bombings, which it labeled as the latest in a series of reckless and brutal attacks. Those responsible for these crimes show a contempt for the right to life and must be brought to justice, said Andrew Gardner, the rights groups Turkey researcher. On Thursday, authorities imposed a temporary blackout on media coverage of the bombing in Elazig, citing public order and national security concerns. Turkey frequently imposes such bans following deadly bomb attacks. Thursdays order asked media organizations to refrain from broadcasting and publishing anything that may cause fear in the public, panic and disorder and which may serve the aims of terrorist organizations. Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., a soldiers soldier who lied about his age to enlist in the service, won his commission on a battlefield in World War II and became a four-star general and then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Reagan administration, died Thursday night at his home in North Oaks, Minnesota. He was 94. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Sarah Vessey Krawczyk. When his military career was finally over in 1985 after the wars and killing, the medals and promotions, the White House meetings on defense and nuclear strategies, and the 46 years that had made him the nations longest-serving active soldier Vessey did not quietly fade away. Instead, in retirement, he went back to Vietnam repeatedly, as a special envoy of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Bill Clinton, to find out what had happened to the hundreds of Americans listed as prisoners of war or missing in action since 1975, when North Vietnam defeated U.S.-backed South Vietnam. The fate of the POW/MIAs has been one of the most divisive and troubling legacies of the war. Vesseys breakthrough talks with Hanoi in 1988 led to on-the-ground searches by Pentagon teams that uncovered the remains of about 900 U.S. military personnel over the next two decades, and to official conclusions that no U.S. prisoners were still being held in Vietnam, though hundreds of cases remain unresolved, a source of continuing political controversy and grief for families. Far from a West Point or Annapolis man, the future general was a Minneapolis high school boy, not quite 17, when he slipped past recruiters (minimum age was 18) and joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1939. His Army infantry unit was activated in 1941, months before Americas entry into World War II. By 1943, he was a first sergeant fighting in North Africa. His unit took a strategic hill in the U.S. drive to seize the Tunisian port of Bizerte. Allied victories there and at Tunis proved critical to the defeat of the German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in North Africa. A year later, as U.S. troops clung to the Italian beachhead at Anzio in some of the wars bloodiest fighting, the sergeant and two other noncommissioned officers in his unit won battlefield commissions as second lieutenants. They were dispatched as forward observers; within days one was dead and the other seriously wounded. After the war, he served in Germany, a Cold War hot spot, and in Korea, though not during the Korean War. He next saw action in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. He was wounded and won a Distinguished Service Cross for defending a firebase that was partly overrun by Viet Cong, the Communist insurgents in the south. The invaders were so close that he and his men had to depress their howitzer barrels and fire point blank into the onrushing enemy ranks. After assignments in Europe and Southeast Asia and at the Pentagon, where he was in charge of operations and plans, he won his fourth star in 1976. For three years, he commanded U.S. forces in South Korea. There, amid threats from North Korea, he persuaded President Jimmy Carter not to withdraw U.S. ground forces from the peninsula. Vessey was a surprise choice for chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 1982. Plain-spoken, he had none of the polish of former chairmen, and unlike most of them he had never been a service chief. He had mostly been a combat officer, out of Washingtons limelight. But he was regarded as a leader of proven courage and integrity who inspired confidence. He was also an old-fashioned patriot, and Reagan liked him. The general oversaw enormous growth in military spending and global military presence to counteract Soviet expansion. He deployed missiles in Europe and maintained strength in Southeast Asia, but was leery of military interventions in Central America. He directed a Caribbean operation to rescue Americans at risk in Grenada, but opposed using U.S. troops in a multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon. Those troops were withdrawn after a 1983 truck-bomb attack in Beirut killed 241 Marines and Army soldiers. Vessey improved interservice cooperation, defense budget analyses and military planning. In 1983, he suggested to Reagan that weapons in space might be used in the future for defense against Soviet missiles. The president seized on the idea and proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative, the space-based system called Star Wars. It was never fully developed, although it led to better antimissile systems. The general was entitled to wear seven rows of battle decorations and campaign ribbons, but kept most of them in a drawer. On Memorial Days, instead of riding in staff cars, he marched to Arlington National Cemetery to pray at the Tomb of the Unknowns. He disliked jargon; to him, restoring peace on favorable terms meant winning the war. He rarely gave news conferences or interviews, and avoided the spotlight. We have had a lot of famous generals who have been in the public eye, and I think rightly so MacArthur, Eisenhower, Bradley, he told The New York Times in 1984 as he approached retirement. I am not in that category. They dont need to see me. What they want me to do is to make sure that the armed forces of the United States are as effective as we can make them. John William Vessey Jr. was born in Minneapolis on June 29, 1922, to John and Emily Roche Vessey. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1940. He earned his first college degree, a bachelor of science from the University of Maryland, when he was 41 and a lieutenant colonel. He later received a masters degree from George Washington University. When he graduated from helicopter school at 48, his classmates were young enough to be his children. In 1945, he married Avis Claire Funk, who died in 2015. In addition to his daughter, Vessey is survived by two sons, John W. III and David; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was active in the Lutheran Church and once considered a career as a minister. For his post-retirement efforts in Vietnam on behalf of U.S. prisoners of war and those missing in action, Vessey received from Bush the nations highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1992. A ranking North Korean diplomat in London who recently defected to Seoul was at least partly motivated by his son, who went to an ordinary day school in the U.K., the Guardian reported. Thae Yong-ho, the second-ranked diplomat at the embassy, was faced with the decision whether to take his 19-year-old son out of university and back to the repressive North or whether to allow him to lead what by then seemed a "normal" life. Thae was scheduled to return to North Korea this summer after working in Europe for more than a decade. Kum-hyok was born when Thae was stationed in Denmark and grew up in Sweden and the U.K. He attended a state school near the unglamorous embassy in the western suburb of Ealing, where the boy excelled academically. He "had been due to take a place this autumn at Imperial College London, reading maths and computer science." HUNTINGTON BEACH When the Bolsa Chica wetlands were opened to the ocean in 2006 for the first time in more than a century, it brought in a flush of saltwater and an abundance of sea life that has helped transform the wetlands. On Wednesday, the Amigos de Bolsa Chica and California State Lands Commission will celebrate the seminal moment in that restoration when environmental activists and volunteers gathered to watch the tide rush in on an August morning. The day was the culmination of a $147 million project that scooped away sand and cleared a channel from the ocean to the wetlands. The two-year effort, which included installing jetties, removing massive amounts of sand and diverting and building a bridge for Pacific Coast Highway, turned deserted oil fields into a vibrant marine life habitat Since the inlet was opened, more than 50 species of fish have been observed including stingrays and sharks and it has become a nursery for halibut and white sea bass. There are 65 species of fish that live in the wetlands. Its kind of a magical resource, said Shirley Dettloff, a founder of the Amigos environmental group that banded together 40 years ago to save the wetlands from developers who wanted to fill the area with upscale housing. The celebration, however, is not without a worrisome backdrop. After 10 years, the $15 million fund to dredge the opening near the bridge at Pacific Coast Highway at Seapoint Street to keep it clear is drying up, according to an Aug. 9 report by the State Lands Commission, which is responsible for management and protection of natural and cultural resources. The fund has dwindled to $2.8 million, with no replacement money in the pipeline, the report said. If more money isnt found, the report states, funding will be depleted in a few years, leading to the potential failure of the restoration. The money to create and maintain the inlet came from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as an offset for the habitat lost in the building of the ports. Dave Brown, a recently retired assistant executive director with the commission, said the agreements with the ports were pay and walk deals that did not require paying for upkeep of the inlet. The cost of removing the sand that continuously flows in and out of the wetlands is about $1.5 million to $2 million annually, most of that for dredging. Each year, about 75,000 cubic meters of sand are removed enough to fill about 7,000 standard dump trucks. If the sand is allowed to build until it completely cuts off the oceans influence, the results could be devastating, experts say. A full closure would be a full catastrophe, said Victor Leipzig, a biologist and chairman of the science committee for the Amigos. The opening of the wetlands to the sea created new habitat for a variety of vegetative, invertebrate, fish, and avian species, including 22 endangered and sensitive species, according to the commission report. But if there is no other regular source of water to feed the 366-acre inlet basin, Leipzig said, it would become stagnant and deoxygenated, suffocating the fish and plant life. Brown said such a large stagnant body could create a severe mosquito problem. The State Lands Commission has searched for grants, but Brown said while there is strong interest in creating new wildlife habitat, the same is not true for maintaining those that exist. Im hoping well find some rich uncle somewhere or be able to cobble together funding sources, he said. Contact the writer: gmellen@scng.com If you have followed this column you know Ive often written about workers wages: Fair wages, a living wage, gender wage disparity. I address the subject of wages frequently for three reasons. First, wages are what most working people exclusively rely upon to provide the basic necessities of life for themselves and their families. Second, nearly every day I come in contact with good and decent people who are underpaid for the hard work they do, and who as a result struggle to cover the cost of those basic necessities not just month-to-month but day-to-day. Finally, the causes of this are deliberate policies and programs that have resulted in the massive upward redistribution of wealth in the United States over the past 30-plus years, leaving working people to bear an ever-greater economic burden while the real value of their paychecks shrinks. And yet thats not the whole story. Exacerbating this unsustainable economic model is the fact that we know that there has been a resurgence of wage theft, which now constitutes a frequent, deliberate strategy by employers to steal money from working people. Wage theft can occur in several different ways. For example, failing to pay earned overtime, paying less than the applicable minimum wage, charging exorbitant fees to cash payroll checks, or requiring an employee to perform work outside his or her job classification. These practices and others all have one primary objective: To steal wages from workers. An investigation by the Economic Policy Institute verified that in 2012 more than $933 million was recovered from wage theft. Most victims of wage theft never report the theft to the government and never sue, so in 2012 the actual amount of wage theft was much higher. To put it in perspective, the EPI found that according to FBI records for that same year the total value of property taken in robberies of all kinds (including bank, residential, convenience store, gas station and street robberies) was just under $341 million. When we realize wage theft is nearly triple all other robberies nationally, we know we face a critical legal and moral problem. A bill currently making its way through the California state Senate seeks to eliminate one form of wage theft specifically aimed at the states agricultural workers. Existing California law exempts agricultural workers from many workplace protections, including portions of the requirement that an employer pay overtime wages for hours worked in excess of those set by statute within a designated period. Assembly Bill 1066 would eliminate that exemption by gradually reducing (between 2019 and 2022) the number of hours agricultural workers must work in order to receive overtime. AB1066 would be a small but significant step toward curbing wage theft in California and ensuring that workers are paid fairly for work performed. Those who stand to benefit from wage theft have rallied to oppose AB1066. Corporate farmers and others who have for decades profited off the backs of their workers call foul at any effort to interfere with what they perceive as their entitlement to exploitation. Ive even recently read a prominent blogger drag out the theres no overtime if there are no jobs red herring. That sort of rhetoric betrays a condescending view toward workers and a lack of concern for fair and equal treatment. Farm workers are deserving of our deep respect and gratitude for performing grueling physical work that many of us take for granted when the food they produce makes its way to our dinner tables. We should praise and support their work ethic and perseverance, their determination to overcome long-standing prejudice, and their right to receive fair and equitable wages. Farm workers have families to support just like other workers. Farm workers contribute to our local, state and national economies just like other workers. With the passage of AB1066, they will finally be able to earn overtime just like other workers. Jennifer Muir Beuthin is general manager of the Orange County Employees Association. The Associated Press has led in-depth coverage of the lobbying and PR activity of Donald Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who advocated for pro-Russian interests in the Ukraine without registering in the US as a foreign agent. Manafort resigned today from the Trump campaign. The AP reported Thursday that the efforts of Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates included plays for positive press coverage of Ukrainian officials in major media like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, with the dual goal of "undercutting American public sympathy for the imprisoned rival [Yulia Tymoshenko] of Ukraine's then-president." According to the New York Times, $12.7M in undisclosed cash payments were designated for Manafort from the pro-Russian political party of former president Viktor Yanukovych. Ukrainian investigators allege the payments were part of an illegal payment sysytem involving election officials, the Times reported. Manafort in a statement accused the Times of fostering a "political agenda" and attacking "my character and reputation rather than present an honest report." He called himself a "campaign professional" who works in the US and overseas and denied ever accepting cash payments. He also denied ever working for the governments of Ukraine or Russia. In a campaign shakeup earlier this week amid the Ukraine reports and scrutiny, as well as a flagging campaign, Trump replaced Manafort as campaign manager but let him stay on as chairman. Trump said today: "This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success." Manafort has said the work did not require registration under the Foreign Agent Registration Act in the US. The AP reported that Manafort's deputy, Gates, personally directed the work of Washington lobbying shops Mercury and Podesta Group from 2012-14, organizing meetings between US and Ukrainian officials. Yahoo chief investigative correspondent Michael Isikoff reported Mercury senior partner Vin Weber was recruited by Manafort to lobby for a Brussels non-profit, European Centre for a Modern Ukraine, backed by unnamed business people. Weber told Isikoff he repeatedly asked Manafort to disclose the principals, but Manafort declined. Manafort also hit the Times for not highlighting the Clinton Foundation's receipt of funds "in exchange for favors from Hillary Clinton while serving as Secretary of State." Loading... OilVoice will be with you shortly... Financially, artistically, morally, a $100 million remake of Ben-Hur makes about as much sense as a $100 million remake of Ben-Hur. This 2016 re-do from Timur Bekmambetov (the man behind Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) feels like the last idea of a veteran studio exec: Cigar-chomping exec: You know what the kids would love to see at the movie theater in the summer of 2016?! Cigar-chomping execs long-suffering assistant: What, sir? Cigar-chomping exec: A remake of a 57-year-old property, this time done with digital effects and no movie stars. Well, maybe Morgan Freeman could do a supporting role. Assistant: Very good, sir. Ben-Hur (2016), the fifth adaptation of the 1880 novel by Lew Wallace, shouldnt exist, but it does, and its fine. If the Charlton Heston film is the vinyl classic, this is the MP3 version. A lot of quality has been sacrificed in the transfer. But the song itself remains strong. In case you havent watched any version of Ben-Hur recently, heres a quick brush-up on the plot. Jerusalem nobleman Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston, not Heston) is accused of sedition by his adoptive brother, Messala (Toby Kebbell), the latter now a powerful man of Rome. Judahs mother (Ayelet Zurer) and sister (Sofia Black-DElia) are condemned to crucifixion. Judah is sent to the galleys. Several years of slave labor later, Judah escapes and seeks revenge against Messala through an epic chariot race. In the midst of his vengeance, Judah encounters Jesus of Nazareth, who tries to teach Judah (and everyone else) the way of love and grace in the face of his rage. The Huston Ben-Hur is about 90 minutes shorter than the Heston Ben-Hur, and thus much of the plot is truncated and rushed. Still, this 2016 film has the pace of an older film. A few stretches have a leisurely stroll that some will find draggy but I found charmingly quaint. The pace is one of the few analog aspects of an aggressively digital movie. The computer-generated coliseums and cities and battles dont exactly inspire awe. The shaky cam close-ups and medium shots wont exactly remind movie buffs of the glory days of Technicolor. And too much of Ben-Hur gives off the estate-sale musk of a made-for-TV movie. But Bekmambetov is a skilled enough technical director (and hes been given enough money) to give the action centerpieces (the shipwreck, the chariot race) some thrilling sound and fury in fact, the sound is incredible. If the inherent strength of the story keeps the film at a baseline level of quality, a few other things elevate it further. The script (co-written by Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave scribe John Ridley) is surprisingly competent. There are a few unintentionally funny moments. But the dialogue is overall respectable, sometimes witty. Morgan Freeman who partially narrates the film (because how could he not?) plays an ally to the newly escaped Judah, and the two have a hostile working relationship that borders on fun. The script also handles its two major emotional threads fairly well: the saga of the estranged brothers and the tale of Christ. The 2016 Ben-Hur is actually one of the more moving portrayals of Jesus weve seen on screen in quite some time. Played by Rodrigo Santoro (who played Xerxes in 300 and Laura Linneys crush in Love, Actually), Jesus pops up a few times in the narrative to remind the revenge film that its really a forgiveness film. Those who feared the remake would lose the faith can rest assured. The story of the brothers is given a boost by the talent of the actors playing them. Messala is Kebbells highest-profile role to date: Hes mostly known for playing motion-capture characters in films like Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Warcraft. Ben-Hur isnt going to win him any awards, but it might convince casting agents that hes capable of more than monkey business. And Huston might lack the gravitas of Heston, but hes still a likable and charismatic performer though I struggled with him for the first 20 minutes or so. I knew of course that I was watching Jack Huston (son of Danny Huston and acclaimed actor of Boardwalk Empire), but I couldnt help but feel that I was watching Russell Brand. With the short beard and the long hair and the billowy, circa-A.D. 30 wardrobe, Huston looks distractingly like Katy Perrys ex. The problem goes away once Huston gets a little more beard. Ben-Hur of course ends in a climactic chariot race that highlights the utter uselessness of the movies existence. Its not that its an awful sequence; its just that its an animated update of one of cinemas great scenes in one of cinemas great movies. The 1959 chariot race was made with blood and dynamite. The 2016 race was made with code and mouse clicks. But Ill say this in the new races (and the new films) favor: I will take fake horses looking fake over real horses getting hurt for real. The race in the 1925 version of Ben-Hur reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 100 horses and one stuntman. The 1959 version was safer but still disgusting for the chariot accidents, horses were felled by tripwires, which often led to their deaths. In Ben-Hur (2016), the horses are real but the accidents are animated. The horses get to live. In this one and only way, the new Ben-Hur is the best Ben-Hur ever made. Ben-Hur Grade: C+ Cast: Jack Huston, Morgan Freeman, Toby Kebbell, Nazanin Boniadi, Ayelet Zurer Director: Timur Bekmambetov Rating: PG-13 for sequences of violence and disturbing images Running time: 2 hours, 4 minutes Theaters: Aksarben, Alamo, Bluffs 17, Majestic, Midtown, Oakview, Regal, Twin Creek, Village Pointe, Westroads For the 10th time, you can walk, run or crawl your way through the Mud Run. The annual run, which has been around for a decade as of this year, is Saturday at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln. More than 1,100 runners are signed up for the race, made up of mud, obstacles and dirt tracks. A 1-mile mud run will kick off at 9 a.m., followed by the 5K at 10 a.m. Both courses feature a mud pit near the finish. Showers are available for runners to rinse off after the race. Each person receives a shirt and a post-race beverage. A post-race party is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There is a shoe drop-off for runners who want to donate their muddy sneakers once theyre done. The youngest registered runner so far is 3; the oldest is 71. They can participate as individuals or as part of a three-person team; in the team event, the runners are tethered together. Registration for the 3-mile course is closed; the 1-mile course registration is open through today at nebraskasportscouncil.com. Contact the writer: 402-444-3100, maggie.obrien@owh.com Iowa has recorded its first two human cases of West Nile this season, the Iowa Department of Public Health announced Wednesday. A girl and a middle-aged man, both of Sioux County in northwest Iowa, were hospitalized with the virus but are now recovering, according to a press release from the department. The diagnoses were confirmed by the State Hygienic Laboratory. West Nile virus season typically lasts from late summer into early autumn, said Iowa Department of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. These cases serve as a reminder to all Iowans that the West Nile virus is present, and its important for Iowans to be using insect repellent when outdoors. Council Bluffs Public Health Director Donn Dierks said he still has not heard of any local cases but added that they tend to be most prevalent in August and September. All of the surrounding states, except Missouri, have had human cases, a map on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website shows. In the last couple years, the Dakotas and Nebraska have had higher rates of West Nile virus than other parts of the Midwest, including Iowa perhaps because of agricultural practices, said Polly Carver-Kimm, communications director for the Iowa Department of Public Health. As of Wednesday, a total of 42 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds or mosquitoes in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overall, 213 cases of West Nile virus disease in people have been reported to CDC. The dry spell southwest Iowa experienced earlier in the summer may have helped keep the mosquito population down, Dierks said. I dont think we have an overabundance of mosquitoes, he said, adding that recent rains will likely lead to more mosquitoes hatching out. Risk of exposure to the West Nile virus will continue until the first hard frost kills the mosquitoes, Carver-Kimm said. The health department recommended taking the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure: >> Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children. For example, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old, and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children younger than 3 years old. >> Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. >> Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes and socks whenever possible outdoors. >> Eliminate standing water around the home, because thats where mosquitoes lay eggs. Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers and pet water dishes. Change water in birdbaths every three to four days. Approximately 20 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and vomiting. Less than 1 percent of people infected become seriously ill, and, rarely, someone dies from complications of the virus. In 2015, 14 human cases of West Nile virus were reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health. The last time the state had a death caused by West Nile virus was in 2010, when two deaths were recorded. Chilling a patient to the bone would seem to be dubious therapy, but doctors increasingly are refining that strategy to treat some cardiac arrest patients. The process, called therapeutic hypothermia, targeted temperature management or code chill, is used at large hospitals in Omaha, Lincoln and nationwide. Its evolving, though, and a 2013 study prompted the Nebraska Medical Center to modify its use of the procedure. The chilling strategy exemplifies how medical techniques morph over time, and how they are interpreted in different ways from one physician to the next. That, physicians say, is part of the challenge and art of medicine. Most doctors who see cardiac arrest patients those whose hearts stop functioning, a catastrophic condition that usually results in death believe chilling can be beneficial. The degree of cooling is among the elements in question, as is the reason for its effectiveness. I think code chill is just absolutely amazing, said Dr. Joseph Thibodeau, a cardiologist who helped write the therapeutic hypothermia protocol for CHI Health. Its the closest thing to science fiction, I think, that we do. Denny Powers, 63, suffered cardiac arrest on May 26, 2015, then rolled through a Council Bluffs stop sign in his Ford pickup and bumped into a building. Council Bluffs Fire Department emergency medical technicians arrived soon after, performed CPR and shocked his heart with a defibrillator. They raced him to Mercy Hospital, from which he had recently retired as director of engineering. His story is told mostly through his wife, Gail, because he remembers little of it. At Mercy, a catheterization procedure unblocked an artery in his heart. Then physicians used code chill, placing a catheter containing chilled saline inside his body. Blood flowing past that catheter would then be cooled. Doctors using code chill lower the patients temperature for at least 24 hours before gradually rewarming it. For several days, Powers was unconscious. A physician told Gail Powers that if her husband were to wake up, he most likely would be severely impaired. Then, six days after his cardiac arrest, he began moving his arms and trying to sit up. The next day, medical personnel removed the ventilator from his throat. And the following day he inquired about his blood pressure and other vital signs. Today hes doing home-repair work for friends, laying rock around his house and tinkering with his two Corvettes. Powers suspects that a series of things went right for him, from the EMS care to the code chill. I dont feel that Ive lost any cognitive resources because of this event, he said last week. The American Heart Association estimates that EMS crews respond to 420,000 cardiac arrest situations a year in the United States. Thibodeau and others said cardiac arrest continues to be fatal in most cases. But if a bystander or EMTs can promptly resuscitate the heart with chest compressions or defibrillation, an ambulance transports quickly, the blocked heart artery can be unplugged and the body cooled, some patients can survive and bounce back with little or no impairment to brain or body. We have many more survive than we used to, said Dr. Benjamin Abella, director of the Center for Resuscitation Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Decades ago, cardiac arrest was really considered hopeless. The role of cooling in that process continues to be discussed, as does the amount of cooling. The American Heart Association changed guidelines last year from those written in 2010. Among other things, the association said pre-hospital cooling in other words, that done by paramedics on ambulances provides no direct benefit and may have some potential harm. Dr. Bryan Krajicek, medical director of the Methodist Hospital intensive care unit, said patients receiving chilled saline intravenously by EMS services were at risk of getting too much fluid in the lungs. EMS services, including those of the Papillion and Bellevue Fire Departments, then stopped chilling patients intravenously. A spokesman for the Omaha Fire Department said his organization never used that strategy. The guidelines also changed the range that should be targeted for therapeutic hypothermia. The new guidelines cite the target range as 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) to 36 degrees Celsius (about 97 Fahrenheit). The 2010 guidelines mentioned a range of 32 degrees Celsius to 34 degrees Celsius (about 93 Fahrenheit). Dr. Eric Ernest, the states EMS director and an emergency medicine physician with Nebraska Medicine, said the new guidelines recognize that fever prevention is the most important element of therapeutic hypothermia. That, he said, can be achieved with a very mild hypothermia. The Nebraska Medical Center has changed its protocol and shoots for 36 degrees Celsius, not lower, he said. And what you think is great science one year, a couple years from now (changes), he said. Ernest said a key study was reported on in the 2013 New England Journal of Medicine. That study of more than 900 patients found little or no difference in deaths or poor brain function when patients were chilled to 33 degrees or 36 degrees Celsius. Thibodeau said that was a single study that requires additional trials to validate or refute. ... There is no doubt more to come on this topic. Thibodeau, Dr. Hosakote Nagaraj and others say therapeutic hypothermia helps many patients by slowing their metabolism, or chemical processes. Nagaraj, a Lincoln-based interventional cardiologist with CHI Health, said that gives the patients organs, including the heart, a chance to work less and heal. Krajicek, a pulmonary critical care specialist, said the depth of hypothermia may depend on the severity of the coma. If a patient shows the ability to withdraw from pain, for instance, the hypothermia may be kept at a more mild 36 degrees Celsius, he said. The breadth of the evidence would suggest that it (hypothermia) is helpful, but theres a lot of unknowns with these patients, he said. Thirty-two degrees, 36 degrees, we can debate. He said he views the slowing of metabolic processes as a way to diminish demand on the brain, prevent seizures and stop swelling of the brain, among other things. Abella said the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania sets its therapeutic hypothermia goal at 33 degrees Celsius in most cases, but if a patient is bleeding, it aims for 36 degrees. As for whether it benefits the brain or heart, Abella said, It does both. He said cooling increases survival with excellent brain recovery by about 50 percent. But, he said, physicians have improved other strategies, too, such as who should have cardiac catheterization. So its hard to know how many patients are saved by therapeutic hypothermia and how many are saved by other actions. CHI Health said that of 36 patients who received code chill at CHI hospitals in the metro area in 2015 and 2016, 21 were discharged alive and well. Abella said people have been aware of the beneficial effects of cooling injuries for hundreds of years. But a University of Pittsburgh scientist, Dr. Peter Safar, began to refine it for cardiac arrest in the 1960s. It was only in the early 2000s that the first randomized trials (those with control groups to compare against) began for therapeutic hypothermia, Abella said. Nagaraj agreed that improved survival rates arent simply attributable to code chill. It is not the sole factor, he said. It is a part of the treatment. But who survives and who doesnt is hard to predict. That is the beauty of the complexity of medicine, he said. How quickly the patient is brought in, the patients age, the patients kidney function and other factors have an impact. Laura Lambert, a Bellevue teacher from Glenwood, Iowa, had chest pains in early July and went to an Omaha urgent care center. She fell off the exam table there and went fully into cardiac arrest. Lambert, 47, received CPR from staffers there and EMTs administered defibrillation. At Methodist Hospital, doctors found blockage of an artery caused by a tear in it. After the repair, she was placed on therapeutic hypothermia. One of her first memories four days later is of saying hello to her two sons, 14-year-old Luke and 11-year-old Sam. The whole experience, honestly, was emotional, she said. She has all of her cognitive skills back. Her stamina isnt what it had been and she wears a heart monitor. She said shes glad that she doesnt know what condition she would be in if therapeutic hypothermia hadnt been used. * * * How its done Therapeutic hypothermia, also known as code chill, is used in some cases after cardiac arrest patients have had circulation restored. Using catheter technology or a chilled covering over the patient, providers select and maintain a temperature between 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit) and 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit). The patient stays at the target temperature for 24 hours, then gradually is rewarmed to about 36 degrees Celsius. The catheter is left in for 48 hours to cool the patient as necessary to avoid fever. Seventy-two hours after the beginning of the procedure, the catheter or covering are removed. Source: American Heart Association 2015 guidelines, CHI Health For decades, banking was a mundane, routine task. You visited a local branch to open or close accounts, deposit, withdraw and transfer funds. If you wanted to apply for a mortgage or loan, you made a personal appointment with a banker. Now, smartphones and online banking can complete most of your transactions. Technological advancements have made online banking and mobile banking fast, flexible and convenient. Banking is a notoriously slow-moving industry, even in the technology age, so there likely wont be a radical shift in the products and services offered in the next 10 years, said Mike Catania, an engineer and mobile-payment app developer. Although its difficult to predict the rate of change in banking practices, here are three banking services that might become obsolete within the next decade. Bank branches and tellers A decrease in physical bank branches over the next decade is plausible given the recent frenzied introduction of new technology to financial transactions and the changing customer demographics. Local bank branches are staffed by bank tellers who, although they are the consumer-friendly public faces of the financial institutions, could quickly be on their way out as well. The role of tellers has markedly decreased over the past 15 years, and the next 10 years will eliminate most of the jobs in the form of more advanced ATMs, Catania said. The number of teller jobs is expected to decline, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Specifically, the 10-year outlook from 2014 to 2024 is that employment of tellers will decline by 8 percent. The digital transformation of society is driving a significant change to enterprises of all types including banks to ensure that they adapt to the evolving preferences of their current and future users, said Ricardo Villadiego, CEO of Easy Solutions, a company that provides fraud prevention and detection solutions to financial institutions. As millennial and future generations become the majority of the user base of a bank, this transformation will be accelerated in the institution to keep pace with the preferences of the new majority (who) like to get things done rapidly and efficiently and dont necessarily value the personal touch of previous generations, he said. Passwords and PINs It can be annoying to remember different alphanumeric passwords and PINs for all your online bank accounts, plus youre required to change them regularly. However, pesky passwords and PINs are rapidly becoming features of banking past. Many big banks, such as Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo and Citibank, enable customers to access their accounts via various biometric methods including fingerprints, eye scans, voice recognition and facial contour recognition, according to the New York Times. Financial institutions believe these new verification methods offer increased security over passwords that can be hacked. So, in favor of these more secure methods, passwords and PINs could phase out completely in the next 10 years. Checks and paper statements For decades, people paid their bills with paper checks, whether in person at the grocery store or by mail to the electric company. Commercial banks mailed monthly paper statements to customers with checking accounts, as well, before gradually offering customers the option to obtain account information via phone. The next step in the financial services evolution was online banking and, more recently, mobile banking. You can now view all of your banking statements, and current account balances, online or from your phone no matter where you are. Although you can still get paper checking account statements, many banks such as Citibank and Bank of America will provide them only if you pay a fee, which might be $5 per statement. In addition, your paper statement previously included the physical checks that you wrote during the monthly period. Now, even if you receive statements in the mail, most banks do not send the canceled checks. You can get copies from your bank, but they might charge a fee. So, its inevitable that banks will phase out the use of paper items altogether before long. Farm equipment sales stall in the midst of a commodities slump and tightening credit. As a global grain glut is poised to reduce U.S. farm incomes for a third straight year, growers are tightening their pocketbooks and increasingly turning to used machinery to trim spending. Deep in the heart of the grain belt, farm-equipment auctions are attracting bidders from as far away as South Africa as the agriculture troubles make used machinery more attractive. As farmers move away from buying new tractors and combines it could mean more pain for Deere & Co., the worlds biggest agricultural equipment manufacturer, which is already struggling through an industrywide glut. To understand why, look no further than Matt Maring, owner of Matt Maring Auction Co. in Kenyon, Minnesota. Buyers are driving more than 400 miles to attend his auctions and online simulcasts are drawing participants from around the globe, boosting the bidding field said Maring, who has been an auctioneer for 36 years. Farmers are spending $50,000 on replacement tractors that would otherwise cost more than $100,000 new from Deere, he said. Adding to the picture, credit conditions have eroded and made it tougher to get a loan for new equipment. For Moline, Illinois-based Deere, farmers turning away from its dealerships could further pressure profits, which underscores why Moodys Investors Service this week downgraded its outlook on the companys credit rating to negative from stable. This is much worse than expected, Eli Lustgarten, an analyst at Longbow Research in Independence, Ohio, said by telephone. The crops are so much bigger, making farmers less willing to spend, he said. Deeres third-quarter adjusted profit is expected to drop 38 percent from a year earlier to 94 cents a share, the average of 19 estimates in a Bloomberg survey showed. The company is scheduled to report today. The companys shares have fallen more than 18 percent over the past 12 months. Even as Deere has shed jobs and reduced output, the prolonged slump in commodity prices has crimped demand and limited the impact of cost savings. Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Deeres second-biggest shareholder, reported a reduced stake in the company in a filing this week. While inventories of farm tractors have declined since reaching a 16-year high in April, stockpiles are still at record seasonal highs, data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers show. As farmers buy more used equipment, the glut is unlikely to be wiped out any time soon. Its like a bus service, Maring said. If business is slow, but you need to get a new bus, youre going to go out and buy a well-cared-for used one. Analysts are expecting that Deeres full-year net income will get dragged down to $1.23 billion, compared with the $1.2 billion the company forecast in May when it slashed guidance. That would be the lowest since 2009. Last month Deere said it was laying off 120 workers at an Illinois plant because of slow sales. Meanwhile, machinery auctions are on the rise, said Greg Peterson, the founder of MachineryPete.com, a website that monitors prices of farm equipment at auctions. He said hes seen a 20 percent jump in the past year for search traffic for low-horsepower machinery. At an auction last week in Hammond, Illinois, it took about 17 minutes for a large tractor in excellent condition to sell, when it should take about three minutes in a healthy market, Peterson said. The longer auction time reflects the increased number of bidders and an aversion to escalating prices. Peterson said even dealers are showing up at auctions to get good deals for resale at a profit. For Deere, it means a prolonged rough market to navigate, according to Karen Ubelhart, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence in New York. People are comfortable that its bad and that it will take a while to recover, Ubelhart said. Its not great, but theyre not bleeding. Its just not getting better. MACAU (AP) From a pair of giant golden dragons encircling a vast man-made lagoon to phoenix and cloud motifs inside, Steve Wynns Macau resort brims with auspicious Chinese symbolism. The U.S. casino mogul will need luck on his side as he launches his $4.2 billion Wynn Palace project in the gambling hub on Chinas southern coast, where growth is downshifting after years of turbocharged expansion. Macau, a former Portuguese colony near Hong Kong, is the worlds biggest casino market, with revenues four times those of the Las Vegas Strip. But Chinas slowing economy and President Xi Jinpings crackdown on corruption are crimping the lavish spending by Chinese high-rollers that powered Macaus boom years, putting casino operators under pressure. Monthly casino revenues have declined for 26 straight months and the market has shrunk by a third to $29 billion. In an interview ahead of the Wynn Palaces opening next Monday, Wynn said he was still optimistic. What took place here in previous years was an anomaly, Wynn said. The amount of revenue, the rate of growth was unprecedented and historic and in many cases not just extraordinary but outrageous. Growth now is representing more normal patterns of human behavior, and that applies as well financially. Current opportunities are wonderful, said the 74-year-old CEO of Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts Ltd. Chinas Communist Party leaders want Macau the only place in China where casino gambling is permitted to give up its reliance on VIP gamblers, who often have been corrupt mainland Chinese government officials or executives at state-owned companies. Instead they want more non-gaming attractions to lure middle-class families and help turn the city of 567,000 into a prominent Asian tourism destination with a more sustainable growth model. Worried over capital flight, Beijing has been tightening scrutiny of VIPs suspected of using Macau as a money-laundering hub to spirit money out of the mainland via casino junket operators shadowy middlemen who help skirt Chinese capital controls by lending money to gamblers. Signaling their resolve to rein in gambling growth, Macaus regulators last week granted Wynn 150 new gambling tables 100 now, the rest over the next two years, less than the 250 given to other recently launched casinos. Wynn said he was satisfied with that number. Its better to have fewer tables that are fully busy than a lot of tables that are just sitting there for a few shifts and arent used, he said. The new resort will have a total of 350 tables at its launch, including 250 existing ones shifted from Wynnes first Macau casino. Some 50 to 60 will be for high-spending VIP gamblers, the rest for mass market customers, Wynn said at a press conference Wednesday. He wouldnt specify whether the VIP tables would come from new or existing tables, saying the tables all merge together. Starting in 2013 Macau regulators capped the number of new tables granted to the citys six casino operators, to limit growth to 3 percent a year. The new casino, six years in the making, comes a decade after Wynn opened his first resort in Macau. Wynn said that while Chinas slowdown to its weakest growth in a quarter century last year could hurt customer spending, he was too busy to pay much attention to goings on in Beijing. The policies of the central government are only tangentially important to us because were in the middle of delivering a service, he said. In the long run the economy of China is going to affect all my customers and their ability to recreate, but on a day-to-day basis its not part of our script. Its far away from us compared with the demands of the moment. Copyright 2016, the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A 22-year-old Kansas man will serve more than five years in prison for human trafficking in Omaha. Thursday, U.S. Senior District Court Judge Robert Pratt sentenced Jason Gregory Johnson of Overland Park, Kansas, to 63 months in prison for transporting a person with intent to engage in prostitution. Pratt also required Johnson to serve 10 years of supervised release after he gets out of prison. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Iowa accused Johnson of providing transportation to a minor through Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa, where she was being prostituted. He would receive a cut of her profits in return, according to a press release. Omaha police found the 17-year-old girl in Omaha in late January after receiving calls she was being prostituted. Authorities talked with her and then identified Johnson as the person providing her transportation. The Council Bluffs Police Department and the FBI also investigated the case. Ben Lein, a murder suspect awaiting trial at the Pottawattamie County Jail, was charged Thursday with assisting another inmate with a suicide attempt. On March 9 Lein was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, first-degree robbery, escape from custody and violation of probation in Pottawattamie and in Dallas County, Iowa. Lein has been in the Pottawattamie County Jail since March 8. On March 7, following reports of shots fired, Council Bluffs police went to an apartment in the 100 block of Glen Avenue, where they found Anthony Walker dead of gunshot wounds and Patrick Schutz wounded. Leins bail is set at $1.061 million. According to court documents, on Aug. 15 Lein allegedly handed a towel to a fellow inmate who is on suicide watch. The inmate reportedly tore the towel into strips and attempted to hang himself. A corrections officer saw the incident and removed the towel before the inmate died. At his court appearance Thursday morning Lein questioned how he could be charged with assisting suicide if no one died. According to court documents, Lein told investigators he left the towel outside the inmates door but did not push it into the cell. There is surveillance video of Lein outside the cell, but the view is obstructed by a staircase. A preliminary hearing on Leins latest charge has been set for Aug. 26. Lein has a trial date set for Sept. 26 on his previous charges. A 36-year-old woman was seriously injured early Friday in a shooting in South Omaha. Police said Maria Castillo was taken to Nebraska Medical Center after the shooting around 2:30 a.m. near South 20th and W Streets. Police said Castillos injuries were not life-threatening. Castillo and a witness told officers that they were at a friends house when Castillo was shot during an argument, police said. No arrests were announced by police. Marcia Kay Regan accepted children regardless of their background, their situation or who they were, said her husband, Michael Regan. She taught for years at local Catholic schools, where she believed she could best guide students for the better. Marcia Regan died of an aggressive form of ovarian cancer Aug. 10 at age 50. She spent her whole life in Nebraska. She was born and raised in Omaha and graduated from Marian High School in 1984. She earned degrees in music and art from Hastings College in 1988. She started teaching in Lincoln before spending 28 years teaching at Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Omaha. Marcia encouraged as many as she could to play instruments, her husband said. She played the oboe and the flute, and she viewed music as her way of contributing to her faith and churches, he said. She didnt like to sing, so she just played the instruments, Michael Regan said, chuckling. She taught at St. Bernard and St. Stephen the Martyr Schools. She was an award-winning educator, receiving a distinguished teaching award from the National Catholic Education Association. David Peters, head of Mount Michael Benedictine High School, worked with her at three different schools. He began working with her at All Saints Catholic School in 1989 before hiring her years later at St. Bernard and St. Stephen. Shes just so phenomenal, he said. Peters said she wasnt the type to announce she was a better Catholic than others. To her, practicing her faith was simply a matter of fact, he said. Her husband said she preferred working with junior high-age students. At that age, he said, they could truly benefit from guidance in ways older or younger students couldnt. Michael Regan said hed received quite a few letters from her students, each mentioning how great a teacher she was. He said he also heard over and over again from people who said Marcia had the ability to see the good in children, no matter their background, situation, behavior or who they were. It really seemed to her that she was making a real difference, making an impact on the kids, he said. Peters agreed, adding she wouldnt expect anything less from students regardless of their situation. She would go to bat for her students, and they knew she had their backs. She was a devout Catholic who lived the religions ideals in everything she did. She was very Christian, he said. But it wasnt lip service with her. Marcia was happiest when spending time or playing Barbie dolls with her granddaughter, her husband said. Michael Regan said she had nicknames for every niece and nephew in the family. She also coordinated the annual Metro Catholic Schools Spelling Bee and was active with the Servants of Mary, a religious group for Catholic women. In addition to her husband, Marcia is survived by her grandfather, Paul Filipi; her son, Chris Regan; her granddaughter, Charlotte Jo Regan; and her five siblings, Kevin, Bob and David Leahy, Jody Filipi, and Janet Janda. Contact the writer: 402-444-1304, news@owh.com GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - With the Nebraska State Fair eight days away, Grand Island is gearing up for the 11-day event, which drew more than 350,000 people last year. That includes the 2016 State Fair Hay Bale Decorating Contest, which is going on now. Throughout the community, businesses have decorated 31 hay bales with this years State Fair theme, "Grand Champions. Made in Nebraska." Judging for the event, which is sponsored by the Nebraska State Fair and the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, is going on now with the judges looking for the most creative and imaginative hay bales. The entries are judged on eye appeal, construction, use of materials and creativity using some element of the overall fair theme. Along with hay bales around the community, there will also be bales on the fairgrounds. The winners will be announced on Aug. 29. See a gallery of the decorated hay bales here. The idea behind the sixth annual Hay Bale Decorating Contest is for local businesses to get involved and show their support for the Nebraska State Fair, said Casey Haberman, chamber volunteer and program coordinator. After six years, enthusiasm for the program continues to grow, Haberman said. "We had quite a few who wanted to join, and we actually had to turn a couple away because we didnt have enough hay bales," Haberman said. The hay bales were donated by Roger Luebbe with Chief Carriers and Kramers Auto Parts and Iron Co. delivering the bales. Haberman said there were a lot of great ideas for this years hay bales. "We are excited to see them," she said. "It is a fun event. We have a lot of people who look forward to it. As soon as they are out, the news spreads ... and people get excited about it. It is a great way to build up excitement for the Nebraska State Fair." Five hay bales will be decorated on the fairgrounds beginning next week, Haberman said. "Some of our companies want to do it on the fairgrounds," she said. State Fair Facilities Director Jaime Parr, who helps coordinate the hay bale contest with the chamber, said the "hay bales are an excellent way for the community to show their excitement for the upcoming fair." "They get excited by the contest of decorating, and the people who driving by like to find where all the bales are in town, and they make their own route and go around to see all of the bales," Parr said. "It is just exciting. It is colorful, and its fun, and its creative." Back in 2009, the year before the Nebraska State Fair moved from Lincoln to Grand Island, a number of "Can Do" committees were organized to promote the fair in Grand Island. The hay bale contest was organized by one of those committees. "The hay bale committee is made up of volunteers, and we are grateful for all of their time and effort," Parr said. She said the decorators did a good job this year of incorporating the State Fair theme into their hay bales. "A lot of the designs are highlighting and emphasizing the Grand Champions. Made in Nebraska theme of the fair, and we appreciate it," Parr said. KEARNEY, Neb. In 1999, Ronald Shavas plan was to earn a masters degree and doctorate from the University of Northern Iowa and then go back to his home in Harare, Zimbabwe. Fate changed his plans. The country had become unstable, and I wanted my family to have a life and better opportunities here, the former professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney said. Ronald didnt expect to fight a 17-year battle to bring his two sons and wife onto American soil. Now with his wife, Christine, finally at his side, the nearly two-decade-long mission is complete. Ronald's sons, Munyaradzi and Munashe, came to the United States in 2013. Christines visa was granted for travel to the United States in 2013, but she was delayed until December 2015. Since January, she has been re-united with Ronald in Nebraska. She recalled her thoughts as she was separated for so long from her husband. I wondered if he still loved me or would find me attractive. I was so scared, she said. She said that feeling changed when Ronald and her two sons embraced her in a long hug at Eppley Airfield in Omaha. This was the moment I was forever fighting for, Ronald said. It nearly destroyed me fighting for this. One of the difficulties in bringing his wife to this country was proving their marriage. The Shavas say both governments wanted proof of their marriage with photographs and documentation of Skype and phone conversations. Christine also went through questioning by the Zimbabwe government. How do you want me to prove we are still married even though hes in been the U.S. for 17 years?" she said. She eventually gave them transcriptions of their phone and Skype conversations. We dont blame the government. They dont know anything about us. We prefer to be safe, Ronald said. They say the last seven months have been an adjustment period for Christine. She is learning to better understand the language, which has been her biggest challenge aside from small-town life. The couple have an apartment on Central Avenue close to a grocery store and downtown Kearney. The city of Harare was big. It has 2 million people living there. She is getting used to small town life here, Ronald said. Christine works in housekeeping for Younes Hospitality. Im just taking my time to start building my life aging with Ronald," she said. "Kearney is similar to the Zimbabwe a lot of the same things like shops and restaurants but the food there was organic and fresh every day. Today, Ronald is contracted with Walmart to redesign the layout of the stores. He may begin traveling for the store chain. But right now, his time is spent with his loved ones. We are taking the time to get used to being together and adjusting to this way of life, Ronald said. LINCOLN An at-times heated hearing on Sen. Bill Kintners cybersex scandal ended Friday with the Legislatures executive board deciding to meet in about a week to determine possible action against the senator. Board members said they wanted the time to digest all of the information about the incident involving Kintner and to give the embattled Papillion senator another chance to speak for himself. Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha, the executive board chairman, said that Kintner could have attended Fridays meeting but chose not to. One of Kintners staff members was in the audience. Krist sent Kintner a letter earlier in the week notifying him that the meeting was open to the public, but that he was not required to attend. The meeting was advertised as accepting invited testimony only. Krist said that Kintners absence was telling, calling him conveniently quiet. If I was the subject of this conversation, I would have called up and said I want to be there, I want to speak for myself, Krist said. It speaks to his character. Kintner said in a statement that he was never invited to testify at Fridays meeting, but that he looks forward to the opportunity to address fellow senators on the matter. I do not want to comment on any potential additional action until I consult with my legal counsel, he said. The executive board will next meet Aug. 29 at 10:30 a.m. That hearing will allow for invited and public testimony and will give Kintner a chance to defend himself. Krist said that the committee should be prepared to offer and vote on possible action against Kintner. What binding action the committee could take, however, is unprecedented and unclear. The executive board could possibly sanction Kintner by taking away his state computer and office at the State Capitol, among other penalties. The committee could also censure Kintner. Expulsion or impeachment would take a vote by the full Legislature. The executive board also could decide to convene as a legislative council, which is a committee of all senators. Doing so would allow the full body to discuss Kintner without calling a special session, Krist said. Its unclear what official action a legislative council could take. Special sessions are typically called by the governor, though lawmakers can do so with 33 votes. On Friday, all of the executive boards nine voting members said that Kintner should resign. Gov. Pete Ricketts also has called for his resignation, as have other senators. Kintner has rejected those calls, previously saying that he is being obedient to Gods decision. I dont think theres a sensible person in this Legislature who hasnt reached out to urge him to resign, Krist said. He later added: Whatever phone number hes using to talk to God, I want it. Kintner is not up for re-election until 2018. But if he were to resign this month, his seat would become subject to election in November. Anyone interested in running for his seat would then have to file petitions to get on the ballot. Ricketts, Krist and Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley have urged him to resign, then petition to put his name on the ballot to let his constituents decide his fate. Some lawmakers, including Hadley and Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln, said they would support a special session to address the matter. It happened on the watch of this Legislature, and I think we need to reach some closure on this matter, Hadley said. Just 17 times in U.S. history has a sitting state legislator been impeached, Hadley said, hypothesizing that senators in other cases have resigned before it got to that point. Sens. John Murante of Gretna and Dan Hughes of Venango spoke against holding a special session, saying the matter isnt urgent and could wait until January. They also cited the possibility for a special session about the budget. Hughes said more egregious acts have taken place within the Legislature, although he did not cite any. To me, this is a tempest in a teapot, he said. In his statement, Kintner rejected a special session, saying he hopes a majority of senators do not want to waste at least $75,000 of the taxpayers hard-earned dollars. Murante cautioned his colleagues about the unprecedented nature of overthrowing the outcome of an election and removing a member of the State Legislature. If we are going to tear down any concept of due process, if we are going to tear down the institution of this Legislature to get at Bill Kintner, then we had better be able and willing to stand upright with the winds that blow, he said. Much of Fridays hearing focused on the chronology of the events surrounding Kintner, who admitted to engaging in cybsersex on his state-issued computer a year ago with a woman he met online. It happened while he was in Boston for business unrelated to the Legislature. He reported the incident to the Nebraska State Patrol after the woman tried to extort money from him. The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission this month approved a settlement with Kintner under which he agreed to pay a $1,000 fine for misuse of public resources. The Nebraska attorney general decided not to press criminal charges against Kintner, saying that Nebraska courts dont have jurisdiction because the incident occurred out of state. A State Patrol investigation into the extortion attempt is continuing, spokeswoman Deb Collins said Friday. According to Krist, based on information from the State Patrol, attorney general, Accountability and Disclosure Commission, and notes from a year ago: Kintner contacted the State Patrol late last July for what Krist believed was a potential hacking incident. In early August 2015 the patrol informed the attorney general about its investigation regarding a possible Internet scam involving Kintners use of his state-issued computer. Krist talked to Kintner and told him he was concerned that the Legislatures system could have been hacked. Krist said the matter was turned over to the proper authorities. Later, Krist met with Matt Miltenberger, Ricketts chief of staff, and State Patrol Col. Brad Rice. Krist said he asked to be involved and kept informed as the investigation progressed. On Aug. 13, 2015, Krist sent an email to all senators and staff about appropriate use of state computers and emails. Almost two weeks later, on Aug. 25, a senator approached Krist about receiving a message from someone offering material that would damage Kintner. Krist said he told the senator to contact the patrol. It wasnt until later that Krist realized that Kintners hacking report and the offer the other senator received in late August 2015 might be connected. He said he didnt say anything sooner because he was advised not to be involved in speculation. I was only told there was a potentially sexually explicit video or content from Sen. Kintner with another person. Those arent rumors you spread, Krist said. Those are rumors you turn over for investigation. In October, the State Patrol turned over its probe to the attorney general. The investigation was referred to the accountability commission in November. The commissions staff was briefed on the matter Dec. 21, and formal action commenced on Jan. 7. The commission approved a settlement agreement with Kintner on Aug. 5. On Friday, Hadley requested information about how the commission had jurisdiction to penalize Kintner, yet the attorney general said it didnt. Sen. Ernie Chambers called for an objective review of the decision not to criminally prosecute Kintner, saying he disagreed with the attorney generals opinion. Public officials who misuse state property can be charged with a misdemeanor. This now is my Legislature in the sense of having developed a proprietary interest in it, he said. I do not want to see it demeaned. I do not want to see it disparaged. A strong cold front began moving south across most of eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa early today, bringing a good chance of thunderstorms late this afternoon and tonight. The National Weather Service office in Valley said the thunderstorms could become severe across the region, possibly producing large hail, strong winds and heavy rain in some locations. There is a slight risk for severe weather in most of eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa, forecasters said, and a marginal risk in a swath across northeast Nebraska. Included in the slight risk area are Omaha, Lincoln, Beatrice, Columbus, Council Bluffs and Red Oak. Included in the marginal risk zone are Norfolk, Wayne and Albion. Cooler conditions are expected to follow the cold front and storms over the weekend, forecasters said. In the Omaha area today, the weather service called for a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m., and a high temperature near 85. Tonight, there is a 90 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m., and a low around 62. Saturday, there is a 20 percent chance of showers before 7 a.m. and a high near 75. Northwest winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Forecasters said Saturday nights low temperature will slide into the low 50s. Sunday in the Omaha area will warm up a bit to 79 under most sunny skies, the weather service said. Sunday nights low is likely to slip into the upper 50s. Conditions will warm up next week in the Omaha area. Daytime highs will range from the low to mid-80s on Monday through Thursday and overnight lows are forecast to be in the low to mid-60s. Also, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday through Thursday, the weather service said. The westbound lanes of Interstate 80 will be temporarily closed at 10 p.m. Monday near Gretna, state officials said. The closure will allow for the installation of a new overhead digital message sign, the Nebraska Department of Roads said. The sign will be installed over I-80 westbound at mile marker 428. Westbound I-80 traffic will be detoured at the Gretna interchange -- Exit 432 -- and routed west along U.S. Highway 6. Traffic will re-enter I-80 at the Greenwood interchange -- Exit 420. Westbound I-80 traffic will resume by 6 a.m. Tuesday, officials said. The contractor for the work, which is dependent on the weather, is Watts Electric Co. of Waverly. Donald Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort is resigning from the campaign. In a statement, Trump said Manafort offered his resignation Friday morning. Trump praised Manafort's work on the campaign and called him a "true professional." Manafort is stepping down in the wake of a campaign shake-up, as well as revelations about his work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. The Associated Press reported Thursday that Manafort's firm orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's then-ruling political party. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. Earlier in the week, the campaign added two new top officials to the campaign in a move widely seen as a demotion for Manafort. Meanwhile, for the first time since declaring his presidential run, Republican Donald Trump acknowledged that his caustic comments may have caused people pain, saying that he regrets some of what hes said in the heat of debate. A day after announcing a campaign shake-up and as he trails in the polls, the GOP nominee said that he recognized that his comments which have angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the general election electorate may have been ill-advised. Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, the GOP nominee, reading from prepared text, said at a rally in Charlotte, N.C. And believe it or not, I regret it and I do regret it particularly where it may have caused personal pain. He added that, Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues. As the crowd cheered, Trump pledged to always tell you the truth. The remarks came as Trump was trying to rescue a campaign that has struggled since the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions from a series of self-created distractions. Early Wednesday, Trump announced that he was overhauling his operation, bringing in a new chief executive and appointing a new campaign manager. Rarely do presidential campaigns wait to advertise, or undergo such leadership tumult, at such a late stage of the general election. Yet Trump has struggled badly in recent weeks to offer voters a consistent message, overshadowing formal policy speeches with a steady stream of self-created controversies, including a public feud with an American Muslim family whose son was killed while serving in the U.S. military in Iraq. Trumps decision to tap Stephen Bannon, a combative conservative media executive, as his new campaign chief, suggested to some that he planned to double down on the playbook he used in the primary, playing to his angry rally crowds and bouncing from one controversy to the next. Instead, a new Trump emerged on Thursday: a less combative, more inclusive candidate who said he was running to be the voice for every forgotten part of this country that has been waiting and hoping for a better future and for those who dont hear anyone speaking for them. Earlier Thursday, Trump moved to invest nearly $5 million in battleground state advertising to address daunting challenges in the states that will make or break his White House ambitions. The New York businessmans campaign reserved television ad space over the coming 10 days in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to Kantar Medias political ad tracker. While Democrat Hillary Clinton has spent more than $75 million on advertising in 10 states since locking up her partys nomination, Trumps new investment marks his first of the general election season. Election Day is 81 days away, with early voting in the first states set to begin in five weeks. In his remarks, Trump struck a new, inclusive tone and tried to appeal directly to non-white voters, shown by polls to an overwhelmingly unfavorable view of the candidate. I will not rest until children of every color in this country are fully included in the American Dream, Trump told his audience, again accusing Democratic Hillary Clinton of bigotry. Clinton, he claimed, sees communities of color only as votes and not as human beings worthy of a better future. He urged African-American voters to give him a chance, saying: What do you have to lose by trying something new? Clintons campaign, meanwhile, brushed the speech off as just words he read from a teleprompter. Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret, said spokeswoman Christina Reynolds in a statement. We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize. But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regretsand changes his tune altogether, she said. It remains to be seen whether Trumps reboot comes too late, and whether he has the discipline to maintain it. Trump now trails Clinton in preference polls of most key battleground states. And his party leaders, even at the Republican National Committee, have already conceded they may divert resources away from the presidential contest in favor of vulnerable Senate and House candidates if things dont improve. But Trump supporters largely accepted the change of tone, even if some saw it as unnecessary. It takes a lot of strength to say, Im sorry, to admit not that he was wrong, but he wished he hadnt done it, said Cindy Ammons, 70, a Trump supporter from Spindale, North Carolina, I think hes evolving, she said. Copyright 2016, the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. LINCOLN Six people wrongly convicted of a 1985 homicide have asked a judge to uphold a $28 million jury verdict against Gage County for the more than 70 years they served in prison. Lawyers for the Beatrice Six said the court should flatly reject the countys recent motions to overturn the verdict or grant a new trial. The six won their landmark civil rights lawsuit against Gage County on July 6 in U.S. District Court in Lincoln after a monthlong trial. Lawyers for Gage County have asked Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf to overturn the verdict because they contend it went against the great weight of the evidence. In a response brief filed late Wednesday, Jeff Patterson, one of the lawyers for the six, reminded the judge that the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reviewed the case three times and always concluded the plaintiffs had raised legitimate claims that needed to be decided by a jury. Now that the six have won vindication, defendants want the court to act as their super jury, Patterson stated. The six were convicted in 1989, four years after 68-year-old Helen Wilson was found beaten, raped and suffocated in her Beatrice apartment. Court-ordered DNA testing of blood and semen recovered from the crime scene in 2008 matched none of the six and proved that the crime could not have occurred as prosecutors and investigators had alleged. A task force that reopened the case was able to match the DNA with Bruce Allen Smith, a former Beatrice resident who died in Oklahoma in 1994. Joseph E. White, Kathy Gonzalez, Thomas Winslow, Ada JoAnn Taylor, James Dean and Debra Shelden sued Gage County, its former sheriff and investigators for a reckless investigation and fabrication of evidence. White died in a workplace accident in his home state of Alabama before the lawsuit went to trial. The jury found against Gage County deputies Burt Searcey and Wayne Price. Although jurors did not find against the estate of Jerry DeWitt, the late sheriff who led the department in 1989, it did hold Gage County liable. Lawyers for the county also have urged the court to reduce the $28 million in damages, calling them excessive. Patterson pointed out the award equated to $365,000 per year in prison for each plaintiff, significantly less than the $500,000 per year they had sought. Gage Countys attorneys also argues that misconduct by one of the lawyers for the plaintiffs prejudiced the jury against the county. During closing arguments, the attorney in question showed the jury a computer slide with the word innocent, in violation of the judges order that jurors were not to consider the guilt or innocence of the six, but only the actions of the investigators. Lawyers for the six argued the reason their clients were seeking damages was because of the years they spent in prison for a crime they didnt commit. The computer slide was broadcast only during the portion of the closing that related to damages. In addition, Patterson argued lawyers for the county frequently suggested throughout the trial that the six were actually guilty of the homicide. Contact the writer: 402-473-9587, joe.duggan@owh.com LINCOLN On the third anniversary of the slaying of Curtis Bradford of Omaha, one of his killers has lost an appeal challenging her life prison term. The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the conviction and sentence of Erica Jenkins for the Aug. 19, 2013, murder of the 22-year-old Bradford. Jenkins and her brother, Nikko Jenkins, shot Bradford after luring him out on the pretense of the trio committing a robbery. The murder was one of four committed by Nikko Jenkins during a killing spree in the days following his release from prison. Nikko Jenkins, who faces the death penalty, is awaiting sentencing for those convictions. Erica Jenkins appealed her conviction for first-degree murder and weapons charges, alleging evidence presented as trial was insufficient to prove guilt. A unanimous Supreme Court disagreed. We hold that there was sufficient evidence to support Jenkins convictions, said the opinion written by Chief Judge Michael Heavican. Testimony at Jenkins trial could have led a rational juror to find, beyond a reasonable doubt, every element of the crimes for which Jenkins was convicted. Douglas County District Judge Peter Bataillon sentenced Jenkins to life in prison for murder plus 80 to 100 years for weapons counts. She also is serving 40 to 60 years in prison after she was convicted of two counts of robbery in the Aug. 11, 2013, deaths of Juan Uribe-Pena and Jorge Cajiga-Ruiz. VALENTINE, Neb. A Plan B is emerging that would retain public access to the popular Rocky Ford rapids on the scenic Niobrara River without federal ownership of the land. Brad Arrowsmith, a member of the Niobrara Council and a local rancher, revealed Thursday that he has signed a purchase agreement to buy the 25-acre piece of land around the rapids and he plans to hold on to the property until the council can raise the estimated $2.5 million to buy the land. The 16-member river council, which consists of local landowners and elected officials from the area, voted earlier this year to oppose a federal purchase of the property after criticism of a plan by the National Park Service to buy it. Arrowsmith, of rural Bassett, was one of the original members of the Niobrara Council. He said he believes the local council is much better equipped to reflect local wishes for the ownership and management of the property. This isnt about making money. This is about protecting something I believe in, Arrowsmith said. He commented after the Niobrara Council met on Thursday afternoon in Valentine and unanimously voted to table a resolution concerning the Rocky Ford issue until the purchase of the property is finalized. Council members said it didnt make sense to discuss whether the council wanted to mount a multimillion-dollar fundraising drive until the purchase has closed. We need to wait until after the transaction takes place, said Mike Tuerk of Springview, a member of the Keya Paha County Board. After the meeting, Arrowsmith revealed that he was the pending purchaser. He said his plan allows the council the opportunity to buy the land and form partnerships with other entities, including the park service. A purchase by the council would also ensure public access to Rocky Ford, a popular takeout point for canoe and inner tube float trips on the Niobrara, a nationally designated scenic river. Access to Rocky Ford has been in doubt since the current owner, canoe outfitter Kerry Krueger, announced his intention to sell the property to the park service. After the council in May voted to vigorously oppose the sale, Krueger said he was upset that the council was telling him, a willing seller, who could buy his property. About a week later he threatened to begin charging $38 a person more than 10 times the going rate to use the takeout spot, in response to the councils decision to oppose the sale. Several groups, including Friends of the Niobrara, have spoken out in favor of public ownership of Rocky Ford, one of the states only Class III rapids and a place where most canoe and float trips end. They fear that a private party could purchase the rapids site and close it off to canoe groups, which would restrict access to not only to the rapids but the most scenic portion of most float trips, which draw more than 30,000 people a year to the Niobrara. Theres particular urgency because of the uncertainty of ongoing public access to Smith Falls State Park, a few miles upriver on the Niobrara. A lease with a local family for the parkland is set to expire in a few years, and there are rumors that a family member wants to take back ownership. In addition, a private trout fishing club recently announced that it was closing off all public access to another local landmark, the Snake River Falls on the Snake River. Under Arrowsmiths plan Krueger would continue to manage his outfitting business on the property for the next two years, giving the council time to pursue a purchase. Whether the council wants to launch a fundraising drive to do that is undecided. Arrowsmith said it may take 30 days to finalize his purchase. The river council tabled discussion of any action until its next meeting, Sept. 15. Tuerk and another member of the council, Dallas Dodson of Cherry County, said it was premature to say whether they supported launching a fundraising drive by the council. Tuerk did point out that the council passed a resolution in April to discuss and pursue options to be a partner in the acquisition of Rocky Ford. He added that if the council owned land it would have to pay local property taxes. Taking land off the property tax rolls, as a federal purchase would have done, is counter to the purpose of the river council, he said. A former member of the council, Dave Sands, of the Lincoln-based Nebraska Land Trust, told the council on Thursday that if it did eventually decide to launch a fundraising drive, it would take a lot of work and would have to include a vision for Rocky Ford that would draw donations from Omaha and Lincoln, the states largest cities. The Niobrara (River) is popular. It resonates with a lot of folks. You just have to have the right vision, Sands said. Contact the writer: 402-473-9584, paul.hammel@owh.com LINCOLN Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot in Nebraska. Secretary of State John Gale announced Friday that her supporters had submitted 5,388 valid signatures to add her name to the ballot. She needed 2,500 signatures to qualify. Although Stein is the nominee of the Green Party, she will be identified on the Nebraska ballot with the words by petition next to her name. The Green Party did not submit petitions to be a recognized party in Nebraska for the 2016 general election, Gale said. He said Steins supporters turned in just over 7,800 signatures on August 1, the deadline for presidential candidates to petition for inclusion on the ballot. Of that total, 2,445 signatures or about 31 percent were rejected. Most were rejected because the signer was not registered to vote in Nebraska or was not registered in the county indicated on the petition sheet. Stein joins Democrat Hillary Clinton, Republican Donald Trump and Libertarian Gary Johnson on the ballot. The Marijuana Party of Nebraska also had submitted signatures to put a candidate on the ballot but came up short when the signatures were checked by election officials. Contact the writer: 402-473-9583, martha.stoddard@owh.com Native Americans lived in the Midlands for about 10,000 years before the first Europeans set foot here. Iowas one national monument, Effigy Mounds, on a promontory overlooking the Mississippi River, provides an invaluable opportunity to understand and honor that remarkable history. Dedicated in 1949, the park in Iowas northeast corner contains 13 miles of trails and a major series of Native American mounds that date from between A.D. 700 and 1300. Many of the mounds depict animals. One mound features the outline of a bird with a 212-foot wingspan. The largest bear mound is 138 feet long and 65 feet wide. Its lamentable that the National Park Services management of Effigy Mounds has been tainted by a reprehensible scandal. Thomas Munson, the monuments long-retired superintendent, was convicted this year of stealing the ancient remains of Native Americans in 1990 and lying about it for decades. Munson didnt like a newly passed federal law in 1990 that required museums to return the remains of ancestors and burial items to tribes. So he had bones linked to more than 40 individuals clandestinely removed from the Effigy Mounds collection and placed in his home in Wisconsin, where the items were improperly stored for two decades. They were eventually returned, but in damaged condition. Such actions constituted gross disrespect for Effigy Mounds affiliated tribes, which include the Winnebago, Omaha, Ponca, Santee Sioux and Iowa. Munson, who retired in 1994, offered misleading explanations about the missing items for years in the face of inquiries and investigations. The most recent investigation brought out the truth, and the 76-year-old was sentenced in July to one year of home detention and 10 weekends in jail. He also was ordered to write an apology to the tribes and the park service and pay $108,000 to cover the cost of repairing the collection. Once restored, the remains are expected to be returned to the appropriate tribes. The final investigation into the matter said the National Park Service needs to take major steps to ensure proper decision-making, oversight and reporting of mismanagement all of which the agency should implement to lessen the chances that this type of disaster will occur again. To receive once-a-day updates of Omnimystery News posts via email, enter your address: Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz Like and Follow Omnimystery News on Facebook to see more television and film mystery news as well as additional new and discounted mysterebooks! @mysteries Subscribe in a reader Karnataka to survey all Arabic schools to check if on same page as state board Hate crime: Manipuri evangelist harassed in Bengaluru Bengaluru oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Bengaluru, Aug 19: In another case of hate crime, a 26-year old evangelist from North-east was assaulted by five unidentified men near his house in Lakshmipura in Indiranagar early on Thursday. Evan Mamang Kipgen, a Manipuri, works with the Thadou Christian Fellowship Church (TCF). Speaking to the police and reporters, he said that the incident happened when he was returning from a friend's place at 2 am. He said, "I saw these men standing in a group. I quietly crossed them and didn't say anything. As I walked further, they came from behind and attacked me without any provocation." He further added, "They were speaking in Kannada and I could not understand. They didn't rob me. I raised an alarm and called for help. When they saw my friends coming, they fled." He filed a complaint in the jurisdictional police and registered an assault complaint. He came to teh city in 2012 and then moved to Tamil Nadu. He returned to the city two months ago. Meanwhile, the Thadou Students' Association condemned the assault and requested the police to take strict action against the culprits. They also demanded that security should be increased in Lakshimipuram as there has been increasing cases of robbery and assaults in the area. Indiranagar police has taken up the case and have started investigations. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 19, 2016, 13:56 [IST] TRS, BJP are two sides of same coin: Rahul Gandhi in Telangana Brother and sister drown in water tank in Telangana Hyderabad oi-PTI Sangareddy (Telangana), Aug 19: A nine-year-old boy and his seven year-old sister today drowned in a water tank at Gondanapally village in Medak district yesterday, police said. "The incident took place when Vishnu and his sister Lata were washing their feet in the water tank in their native village", said Kamlakar, Sub-Inspector of Police, Gajwel Police Station. The kids along with their parents M Ravinder and Tara had come to the village to celebrate 'Raksha Bandhan', the officer said. The duo slipped into the tank and drowned. A case has been registered in this regard and investigations are underway, Kamlakar added. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 19, 2016, 12:20 [IST] Parrikar says new army, air force chiefs would be announced soon Army chief briefs Manohar Parrikar on affidavit against V.K. Singh India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, Aug 18 Army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Thursday briefed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar about an affidavit in which he accused former Army chief General V.K. Singh, who is now a minister in the Narendra Modi government. Parrikar had sought details about the affidavit, which was originally filed in the Armed Forces Tribunal in 2012, wherein Dalbir Singh said he was "victimised" by the then army chief V.K. Singh "with the sole purpose of denying promotion to the appointment of Army Commander". Sources said the affidavit was filed by Dalbir Singh in his "personal capacity" when he was not the army chief, nor was V.K. Singh a minister. The old affidavit was resubmitted by the present army chief after the matter came before the Supreme Court. V.K. Singh slapped a discipline and vigilance ban on Dalbir Singh between April and May 2012 for alleged "failure of command and control" in an operation in Assam's Jorhat in 2011. The ban was lifted in June 2012 after General Bikram Singh succeeded V.K. Singh as the army chief. Dalbir Singh was then appointed commander of the army's Eastern Command. IANS Karnataka to survey all Arabic schools to check if on same page as state board Bengaluru Demolition Drive: Actor Darshan's house, ex-minister's hospital under BBMP scanner India oi-Shreyas By H S Shreyas Bengaluru, Aug 19: After Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) razed shops and houses of ordinary citizens, it is now slowly turning its sights onto the properties of bigwigs in the state capital. Bengaluru Demolition Drive: Now, Manyata Tech Park in BBMP's sights The BBMP's Rajarajeshwarinagar Zone Joint Commissioner B. Veerabadrappa said he had sent a letter to the Revenue Department seeking superimposed maps of location of Kannada film actor Darshan Thoogudipa's house and former minister Shamanur Shivakumar's SS hospital. Veerabhadrappa said the BBMP would survey the properties based on the Revenue Department's report on encroachment of storm-water drains and mark the alignments for demolition. Bengaluru Demolition Drive: It'll go on for four months, says BBMP Besides, there were reports of Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar's Hill View School also coming under the scanner. BBMP officials, however, said Shivakumar's properties were not on their list. Speaking to OneIndia, Darshan's brother Dinakar Thoogudipa said, "We learnt about encroachments from the media and we contacted the BBMP officials ourselves. They suspect that a portion of about 5 ft at the back of the house may have to be razed." Bengaluru demolition drive: BBMP asks encroachers to DIY, puts up storm-water drain maps Dinakar said Darshan has no qualms if the BBMP demolishes the portion. "He is currently engaged in a film-shoot. He told me to just let the BBMP do its work." Davangere South MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa said his SS Hospital in RR Nagar was built on 2.34 acres of land given to him on lease by the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) for 30 years. "We have not encroached on any storm-water drain while building the hospital. How can land given on lease by the BDA itself be in violation," Shivashankarappa said. Energy Minister Shivakumar's personal assistant said if the BBMP finds any encroachment on storm-water drains at Hill View School, "they can fearlessly raze it down for the public good". OneIndia News BJP ally RLSP heading for a split, MP and MLA suspended India oi-PTI Patna, Aug 19: Union minister Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), an NDA constituent, is heading for a split with the party today suspending an MP and an MLA for alleged anti-party activities. Based on the recommendations of party's disciplinary committee chief and MP Ram Kumar Sharma, the National Council has decided to suspend Lok Sabha member Arun Kumar and MLA Lallan Paswan for indulging in anti-party activities, said a statement by RLSP's Principal General Secretary Shivraj Singh. RLSP which had contested the 2014 general election with BJP as an ally has three Lok Sabha MPs in Bihar. They are Upendra Kushwaha (Karakat), Arun Kumar (Jehanabad) and Ram Kumar Sharma (Sitamarhi). It has two MLAs in 243-member Bihar Assembly -- Lallan Paswan (Chenari) and Sudhansu Sekhar (Harlakhi). The statement said former national general secretary Binod Kushwaha has also been suspended, besides the two. A rival faction headed by Arun Kumar had on August 17 held a meeting at Patna which was attended by Lallan Paswan and others and removed Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development (HRD) Upendra Kushwaha and appointed Kumar as new party chief in his place. Infighting intensified in the RLSP whose majority leaders had moved away from JD(U) before Lok Sabha poll in 2014 to form a new party and join hands with BJP. Now the dissenting faction is accusing Kushwaha of having links with people allegedly involved in hawala trade. Reacting to his suspension, Jehanabad MP Arun Kumar told PTI today that the suspension was "illegal" and holds no relevance as the party's national council had on August 17 removed Upendra Kushwaha as chief of the party. MLA Lallan Paswan also trashed the suspension saying it was "undemocratic" and the group led by Kushwaha did not have the right to take action against them. Both Kumar and Paswan said they would soon approach the Election Commission to recognise them as real RLSP. They said they would stay in NDA. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is our leader. We fought election in his name so we would continue to work under his leadership in the NDA," Kumar said. While Paswan has dissented, the second MLA Sudhansu Sekhar said he would remain with Kushwaha. Sekhar was elected from Harlakhi seat after a by-poll following the death of his father Basant Kushwaha who died a day before the new legislators were to take oath in November last year. PTI CBI takes over investigation in Bulandshahr gangrape case India oi-PTI New Delhi, Aug 19: CBI has taken over investigation in the Bulandshahr gangrape and dacoity case in which a woman and her minor daughter were assaulted by a gang in July. The incident had taken place when six members of a Noida-based family were travelling to Shahjahanpur in western UP. At the national highway passing through Bulandshahr, their car was stopped by criminals who dragged the 13-year-old girl and her mother out and raped them in a field nearby. The Allahabad High Court had ordered CBI to take over investigation in the case. CBI Spokesperson Devpreet Singh said the agency has registered a case under IPC sections related to dacoity, gangrape, kidnapping among others besides provisions of POCSO Act. "CBI took over the investigation of case No.838 of 2016 registered at Police Station Kotwali Dehat, District Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) on the allegations of abduction, dacoity and rape of a lady and her daughter by five-six assailants in fields situated in village Dostpur, district Bulandshahr in the intervening night of 29/30 July 2016," the spokesperson said. PTI Decide on surcharges on card transactions: HC asks govt India oi-PTI New Delhi, Aug 19: Delhi High Court today asked the government to decide on the issue of surcharges levied on transactions done through debit and credit cards across the country. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra passed the direction on a plea which claimed that such charges were "unlawful" and "discriminatory" and credit or debit card transactions should be incentivised. "We direct respondents (Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of India) to decide the issue raised in the writ petition in a reasonable amount of time. They will also consider the present writ petition as a representation and pass an order," the court said. While disposing of the plea, it further said the decision should be communicated to petitioner, advocate Amit Sahni. The lawyer had moved the court seeking direction to frame guidelines in order to prevent "unlawful" and "discriminatory" surcharges being levied on debit and credit card transactions. Maintaining that India was one of the most cash-intensive economies in the world, he said there was an urgent need to incentivise credit or debit card transactions and dis- incentivise cash transactions. Sahni, in his PIL, said the "unlawful, unequal and arbitrary treatment is visible on the payment of petrol charges through credit and debit cards". The petitioner had also said the ministry and RBI were "responsible for making rules/guidelines and for monitoring banks across the country". He also claimed that the surcharge was not only illegal, but was discriminatory too as it also promoted circulation of black money as surcharges were not imposed on cash payments. "The petitioner has noticed that illegal, unequal and arbitrary treatment is seen across the country on transactions being done through credit and debit cards by levying surcharge at the rate of 2.5 per cent or more, while such surcharge is not levied when the payment of such transaction is done by making cash payment in that regard...," the plea had said. PTI ESMA promulgated in Assam oil, gas sector India oi-PTI Guwahati, Aug 19: The Essential Services Maintenance (Assam) Act (ESMA) has been promulgated for six months in the oil and gas sector in Assam, which witnessed protests by Opposition parties against the Centre's decision to auction some oilfields. A notification in this regard prohibiting strikes in the sector by officers, workmen, contract labourers, etc was issued yesterday. The oil and gas sector includes any service in any oil field or refinery of any establishment or undertaking dealing with the production, supply or distribution of petroleum and petroleum products including natural gas, according to the notification. The oil sector of Assam witnessed protests by Opposition parties since the Centre decided auctioning of 67 oilfields of the country, including 12 in Assam, last month. Meanwhile, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) today expressed disappointment at the promulgation of ESMA at the oilfields of Assam in view of the protest against the move to auction the marginal oil fields. NDFB(S) militants kill couple in Assam "This is another move of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state to gag the voice of protest," AJYCP president Biraj Talukdar said in a release here. People in this country are denied the right to protest even after the country celebrated its 70th Independence Day "but we will never bow down to any suppressive tactic of the state and we will intensify it", he added. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 19, 2016, 9:02 [IST] HC asks Payal Abdullah to 'gracefully' vacate govt bungalow India oi-PTI New Delhi, Aug 19: Delhi High Court on Friday directed Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to "gracefully" vacate the government accommodation she has been residing in with her two sons. Payal, who has been residing at 7, Akbar Road bungalow since 1999, however, refused to move out and urged the court to pass an order. The court then said a detailed order will be passed with regard to the time within which she and her children will have to vacate the bungalow. "Will you gracefully evict or I should pass an order?" Justice Indermeet Kaur asked Payal's counsel, who categorically stated that the court should pass the order. The judge also orally observed that every person who retires from the office has to move out. The judge also noted that Delhi Police will provide security to Payal and her children, who are 'Z' and 'Z plus' security protectees, during their stay in the capital. On August 16, a trial court too, had asked Payal to move out of the house in Lutyen's zone here. The high court was hearing Payal's plea seeking that she and her children be not evicted from 7, Akbar Road (type VIII) bungalow here or an alternative accommodation be provided in view of their security status and threat to their lives. The Centre, however, opposed her contention to retain the accommodation on the ground of security threat and said it is for Delhi Police to ensure her safety for her stay here. The Centre, through its counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, appearing for Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), submitted that there is no substantial reduction in the security given to Payal since she started living in the present bungalow. "Delhi Police will take care of the security personnel who will be deployed at the residence where she will move," the MHA counsel said. The Centre told the court that government accommodation, on security grounds, is given only to SPG protectees. It said that a "general threat to them is perceived from Kashmiri militants for being the family member of Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, and in Delhi their threat quotient is assessed to be not as high as in Kashmir". The Centre also said there is "no input with it indicating any specific or imminent threat to Payal Abdullah". PTI Pakistan spy arrested in Rajasthan had smuggled 35 kgs of RDX India oi-Vicky Jaipur, Aug 19: A Pakistan spy, Nandlal Maharaj was arrested in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in a joint operation carried out by the Intelligence Bureau and police. The spy on being arrested admitted to the police that he had smuggled in at least 35 kilograms of RDX into India. The police recovered a diary, two mobile phones, a satellite phone and several sim cards from him. His diary details reveal that he was in touch with people in Pakistan from whom he is said to have taken orders. The probe has also led to the police seizing maps from him. The police are currently questioning him to find out where he had dropped the huge quantity of the RDX that he had smuggled in. ADG Intelligence, U R Sahoo informed that they are probing to find out who his local contacts are. Sahoo also said that his local connections may have helped him cross over into India. Maharaj who is a resident of Pakistan was picked up by the ISI to spy on India. He was also told to transport a huge quantity of RDX which was meant to be used in a lethal operation, sources say. Further the ISI decided to send in Maharaj as the eye of suspicion would be less on him due to his Hindu name. Sources also say that Maharaj was not alone in this operation. There were at least 8 others who were helping him out, but it is not clear whether they were Pakistani nationals or locals. The 8 men fled from the scene at the time Maharaj was arrested. Maharaj is said to have slipped into India six months back. Back in Pakistan he was working in a textile showroom. Although his financial background was quite sound, his questioning indicated that he took up spying as the ISI had promised him a huge sum of money. While in India he constantly kept in touch with his handlers in Pakistan, investigations so far have shown. OneIndia News Reports of two Chinese transgression in Arunachal: Rijiju India oi-PTI Pasighat (Arunachal), Aug 19: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today said there had been reports of the Chinese army transgressing into Arunachal Pradesh on two occasions recently. One incident was reported from Kibithu area in remote Anjaw district on July 22 and another at Thangsa in Tawang district in the same month, the minister told reporters here after inaugurating the Pasighat Advance Landing Ground. Rijiju said he was not describing these as acts of incursion, but transgression. "We cannot term it as incursion, but transgression as the Chinese army just crossed the perceived area along the Line of Actual Control," he said. He said when the matter was reported from Kibithu by the ITBP, the Centre verified it and found that it was only an act of transgression. Asked about the government's efforts to match China's infrastructure development across the border, the Union minister said the Centre had already begun strengthening infrastructure across the border and the ALG at Pasighat was a major step in this direction. "We are not challenging or competing with any other country by strengthening our border infrastructure. We will have to build robust infrastructure to strengthen our defence and whatever we did is because India is an emerging power with capability. Rijiju dedicates Pasighat ALG to nation So IAF should have operational bases in all the bordering states," he said. He said the NDA government at the Centre attached priority to development of border infrastructure. Asked about the proposed ALG at Tawang, the minister said an area had been identified between Tawang and Lumla at an altitude of 11,000 feet and the height in such a rugged terrain was very challenging. "We will have to see whether the site is feasible or will have to look for an alternative," he said. When his attention was drawn to the civilian terminal at the ALG at Pasighat which is yet to be constructed, Rijiju said three locations were identified and he would discuss the matter with the Airport Authority of India and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry. PTI Shivpal meets Akhilesh to say all is well in Mulayam family India oi-PTI Lucknow, Aug 19: Amid reports of differences between them, Shivpal Yadav, brother of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, today met his nephew and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at his official residence here to send out a message that all is well in the family. The 90-minute meeting is being seen as an attempt at reconcilation between Shivpal, a Cabinet Minister, and Akhilesh after intervention of the latter's father Mulayam. Later talking to mediapersons at his residence, Shivpal denied any "differences" within the family. "Where is it?...I can't see. The family had met yesterday and is with each other today also. We (Akhilesh and Shivpal) were busy yesterday. So we sat together today," he said when asked to comment on reports of differences. Shivpal had skipped a meeting of the state cabinet on Wednesday, adding fuel to speculation about his unhappiness, which was music to the ears of the opposition in view of the upcoming Assembly elections. "He is Chief Minister and I am a minister, we have joint resonsibility in the government," he said. At the same time, Shivpal said he was "pained" when action was not taken against land grabbers and accepted that some "party office bearers" were involved in such "illegal" acts. "It's my opinion that such persons should be sacked from the party," he said. Recently, even Mulayam had given a tongue lashing to SP lawmakers asking them to refrain from land grabbing and making easy money and instead concentrate on development work if they wanted to retain power in the state. Exuding confidence that SP would form government again, and this time with a thumping majority, Shivpal said, "In 2017 we will get majority again and it will be bigger than 2012." SP had won 224 of the 403 UP Assembly seats last time and stormed to power. PTI TN making efforts to resume Jallikattu: Minister India oi-PTI Chennai, Aug 19: Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Minister P Balakrishna Reddy today said the state government was making all-out efforts to resume the banned bull taming sport of 'jallikattu'. "Jallikattu, a traditional sport which reflects bravery, is an integral part of social, cultural and religious sentiments of Tamils.The Tamil Nadu government is making all- out efforts to resume it," Reddy told the state Assembly. SC to Govt on Jallikattu: Child marriage is also old tradition, is it legal then? He said the issue of jallikattu's conduct "has been under judicial scrutiny since 2006". The minister said the government, in a bid to resume the sport banned by the Supreme Court in May 2014, also knocked on the Centre's door. In 2015, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice to denotify bulls from the list of performing animals, he said. Accordingly, the Environment and Forest Ministry had issued a notification on January 7, 2016 to conduct the sport but the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on January 12, he said. The minister recalled that Jayalalithaa had immediately urged Modi to promulgate an ordinance to enable conduct of jallikattu. In March, the state government filed a common counter affidavit in the apex court for the conduct of the sport, Reddy said, adding Jayalalithaa took up the matter with Modi again in June. He said the next hearing in the case is scheduled on August 30. Reddy said the governor, in his address to the Assembly in June, had also mentioned that steps would be taken to "lift the ban" against holding the sport. PTI African Swine Fever: 16 more pigs die in Mizoram; Toll rises to 770 in two months Union minister on a private visit to Mizo warrior's village India oi-PTI Aizawl, Aug 19: Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain today paid a private visit to Ailawng, the village of Mizo warrior Khuangchera, and laid wreath on his plaque, student leaders said. Gohain was accompanied by leaders of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students Association, Mizo Students Union (MSU) and the BJP Mizoram unit. The union minister had yesterday cancelled his programme to felicitate the 19th century Mizo warrior as an Indian freedom fighter after meeting student leaders who were opposed to the move. A joint press statement issued by Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students Federation and Mizo Students Union (MSU) had said the leaders of student bodies deliberated the issue with Gohain at the Lengpui airport and the minister agreed to cancel his programme. Gohain was quoted as saying that he understood the sentiments of the Mizo people and did not want to hurt them. Instead he decided to go to the village on a private visit. The MZP and the MSU with Aizawl City College Students Unions had staged a demonstration yesterday and thousands of students had blocked the two roads leading to Ailawng village against Gohain's proposed programme. Mizoram bans import of domestic animals from Manipur They had dispersed after learning that the programme stood cancelled. The students opposed the Centre's intention to felicitate Khuangchera as an Indian freedom fighter, saying the Mizos at that time were not a part of India and did not even know about the existence of India or British India. Khuangchera and his friend Ngurbawnga were killed in 1890 when they tried to expel British invaders from Lushai country to save the Mizo people from the British colonial army, they said. "We had appealed to the Indian government to respect our history and not try to change the Mizo history," the student leaders had said. PTI California wildfire: Several residents refuse to evacuate International oi-PTI Fontana (US), Aug 19: Within hours, towering, fast-moving flames had ravaged pine forests near the California ski town of Wrightwood but only half of its more than 4,500 residents had heeded mandatory evacuation orders. Officials say it was another example of a disturbing trend in the state as infernos speed through drought-starved vegetation during what could be California's most hazardous fire season on record. Instead of heading for safety, many homeowners are staying put and dialing 911 for help, US Forest Service spokesman John Miller said "We have seen that throughout the state this year," said Miller, who is assigned to San Bernardino National Forest. Crews, however, aren't always able to reach those who stay behind. Some say wildfires have now become a part of living in the wildlands. Kim Boyle, who has experienced a half-dozen wildfires during her decade in Wrightwood, said she would evacuate if she saw a fire actually burning in town. "But it'd have to be closer for me, and I think that's true for a lot of folks around here because they've been through this so many times," she said. The fire 60 miles east of Los Angeles cast an ominous gray-and-orange haze over the picturesque town at an elevation of 6,000 feet that's known for its 1930s cabins. The blaze began Tuesday in the Cajon Pass region in hot, gusty conditions and swallowed an undetermined number of homes as it scorched nearly 50 square miles in mountain and desert areas. Air tankers bombarded rugged slopes with fire retardant yesterday and a squadron of helicopters dropped load after load of water. On the ground, firefighters and bulldozers worked to protect Wrightwood and other areas high in the San Gabriel Mountains. More than 34,000 homes and some 82,000 residents were under evacuation orders at one point. No fire-related deaths have been reported so far in that blaze, but bodies have been found during other fires that prompted mandatory evacuations. In June, authorities found the burned remains of a man and woman who were caretakers of property in an area where an evacuation order had been issued near Potrero, about 45 miles east of San Diego. AP For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 19, 2016, 16:22 [IST] At UNSC, US calls on world to tell Russia to stop its nuclear threats Indian-American Congressman's father sentenced over election fraud International oi-IANS By Ians English New York, Aug 19: A US federal judge sentenced Babulal Bob Bera, the 83-year-old father of the only Indian American Congressman, Amerish Ami Bera, on Thursday to a year and a day in prison for fraudulently funding his son's election campaigns. Babulal Bera had earlier admitted before federal Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento, California, that he had illegally contributed $268,726 to the election campaigns in 2009 and 2011 through fraud. Before he was sentenced, Babulal Bera asked the court to consider an option for him to stay with his 82-year-old wife, CBS Sacramento reported. "I know I cannot survive without her and she will not survive without me," he told the judge. "The defendant's efforts were calculated. This is more than just a naive person who doesn't know how elections work," Nunley said as he imposed the sentence on Babulal Bera, a retired chemical engineer, The Los Angeles Times reported. The judge set aside the recommendation of a probation officer not to give Babulal Bera a prison sentence because of his age and health but only fine him $30,200, The Sacramento Bee reported. Probation officials suggest punishments after studying the background of the convicted persons and their circumstances. Federal prosecutors demanded some prison time for him citing "the serious nature of the crime". The judge also fined him $100,000 and ordered three years of restrictions after his release. Usually the actual time served is reduced for good behaviour in prison and the Sacramento Bee said he "will likely serve 10 months". The maximum amount anyone could contribute to a candidate was $2,400 in 2009 and $2,500 in 2011. To overcome these limits on his personal contributions to his son's election campaign, Babulal Bera had 90 people send in the $268,726 in small contributions in their own names and then reimbursed them for the amounts they gave. Federal prosecutors have not identified those who participated in the scheme or prosecuted anyone. Babulal Bera's admission of guilt or guilty plea - avoided a lengthy trial while his son faces a tough battle to retain his seat in the House of Representatives. He will start his prison sentence ten days after the November 8 elections. The prosecutors has cleared Ami Bera of involvement in is father's funding fraud. He had earlier said that he would have stopped his father from carrying out the scheme had he heard about it. "My father's accepted what he did was wrong, he's taken responsibility, and I love him more than words can express," Ami Bera said after his father's sentencing according to CBS Sacramento. "I'm absolutely devastated and heartbroken for how today's decision will impact our entire family." Democrat Ami Bera, a 51-year-old doctor who converted to the Universalist Unitarian Church, was re-elected in 2014 with a slender margin of just 1,455 votes from a constituency that covers parts of California's state capital, Sacramento. In this year's selection he faces a tough battle against the influential local Republican Sheriff Scott Jones, who is turning the Babulal Bera's conviction into an election issue, the Sacramento Bee reported. "Jones, who has repeatedly suggested his rival knew about the illegal fundraising from the beginning and let his father take the fall, this week proposed a set of campaign finance changes to 'root corruption out of politics and expose conflicts,'" the daily said. IANS It's World Photography Day on August 19 International oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Washington, Aug 19: The nineteenth day of the month of August is celebrated across the day as World Photography Day for it was in this day in 1839 when the French Academy of Sciences had revealed before the world the photograhic technique called 'daguerrotype'. First of its kind in the world, the technique had been developed by French artist and photographer Loius Jaques Mande Daguerre, after whose name the technique has been named. Today, we have come a long way since the days when a lot of efforts used to be made to use a silver-plated copper for taking a photograph. Today, taking a photo is as simple as inhaling oxygen, such has been the advancement in the technique over the years. The credit for that also goes to France for making the technology available for free, after buying the patent. Since daguerrotype was the first practical photographic technique, the date to celebrate the World Photography Date was chosen to be August 19, when it was made free. The daguerrotype technique was invented in 1837. The project to celebrate World Photography Day began in 2009, according to the website www.worldphotoday.com and the first occasion was observed the next year. The founder and project director is Korske Ara, a renowned adventurer, photographer and story-teller. Oneindia News We will find, destroy you: Donald Trump to terrorists International oi-PTI Washington, Aug 19: In a strong message to terrorists planning attacks against the US, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to "find and destroy" them and asserted that he will focus on "radical Islamic terrorism". "I have a message for the terrorists trying to kill our citizens: we will find you, we will destroy you, and we will win," Trump on Thursday said at an election rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. "On terrorism, we are going to end the era of nation-building and instead focus on destroying ISIS and Radical Islamic terrorism," he said. "We will use military, cyber and financial warfare and work with any partner in the world, and the Middle East, that shares our goal of defeating terrorism," Trump said. He said that if he wins in the November general election, he will temporarily suspend immigration from any place where adequate screening cannot be performed. "All applicants for immigration will be vetted for ties to radical ideology, and we will screen out anyone who doesn't share our values and love our people. Anyone who believes Sharia law supplants American law will not be given an immigrant visa," Trump said. "If you want to join our society, then you must embrace our society, our values and our tolerant way of life. Those who believe in oppressing women, gays, Hispanics, African-Americans and people of different faiths are not welcome to join our country," he said. "We will promote our America values, our American way of life, and our American system of government which are all the best in the world," he said. Trump also alleged that his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton is "running to become America's Angela Merkel". "We have seen how much crime and how many problems that's caused the German people. We have enough problems already, we don't need another one," he said. "On trade, we are going to renegotiate NAFTA, withdraw from the TPP, stand up to China on our terrible trade agreement, and protect every last American job. Hillary Clinton has supported all of the major trade deals that have stripped this country of its jobs and its wealth," he said. "On taxes, we are going to massively cut tax rates for workers and small businesses creating millions of new good paying jobs. We are going to get rid of regulations that send jobs overseas and we are going to make it easier for young Americans to get the credit they need to start a small business and pursue their dreams," Trump said. The Republican presidential nominee who has very popular ratings among the African Americans sought one chance from them. "African-American voters give Donald Trump a chance by giving me their vote, the result for them will be amazing. Look at how badly things are going under decades of Democratic leadership look at the schools, look at the 58 per cent of young African-Americans not working. It is time for change," he said. "What do you have to lose by trying something new? I will fix it. This means so much to me, and I will work as hard as I can to bring new opportunity to places in our country which have not known opportunity in a very long time," Trump said. "Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party have taken African-American votes totally for granted. Because the votes have been automatically there, there has been no reason for Democrats to produce," he said. PTI Where is the $100 billion? India to remind developed bloc at G-20 International oi-IANS By Ians English Beijing, Aug 19: India will raise the issue of climate change at the upcoming G-20 Summit in China where it will remind developed nations about their commitment to mobilise $100 billion for developing countries, a top government official said here on Friday. "There will be emphasis on appealing to the countries to carry forward the commitment to the issue of climate change and climate change finance," Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told IANS. "There was a $100 billion commitment which has been made by developed countries -- that 100 billion is nowhere near sight. We would like to again stress the importance of developed nations making available that $100 billion," Das said while speaking to IANS on the sidelines of Indo-China Financial Dialogue. Six years ago, developed countries had committed $100 billion to developing nations for cutting their greenhouse-gas emissions. The developed bloc has to provide the sum by 2020. "And this $100 billion should be new and additional source of financing. It should not be the reclassification of existing flow of finance," he added. Das said that India will also push for structural reforms at the two-day summit, beginning from September 4 at Hangzhou in China. "Our emphasis is to appeal to the world community to continue with the policy of structural reform. That's the only way you can survive and sustain the economic growth," Das said. "In India, as you know, our track record in the last two years is very strong. We have done huge amount of liberalisation in FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) policy. With regard to FDI, we are the most open economy in the world today," he added. Das hoped the summit would be inclusive as it was being held in Asia. "The main focus will be achieving sustainable economic goals and inclusive and innovative growth," he said. "It is interesting because when the summit is held in Asian country the issue of inclusiveness comes in that is because inclusiveness is a priority of all the Asian nations. You won't see inclusiveness when the summit is held in Europe because the theme or agenda is decided by the chair of G-20." "When the summit was held in Cairns in Australia in 2014, it only talked of economic development, etc. When it came to Asia in Antalya the inclusiveness came. In China, too, inclusiveness comes in," Das said. Talking at the Dialogue, Das underlined how India and China can help the world economy to recover. IANS A rakhi message for PM Narendra Modi from Balochistan New Delhi oi-Vicky New Delhi, Aug 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a message from a student in Balochistan. Karima Baloch, the chairperson of the Baloch Student Organisation in a video message says that we will fight our war, you be our voice. The video was posted on the Youtube channel of activist Tarek Fatah on Raksha Bandhan. Karima says at the end of the video in Gujarati that the entire community in Balochistan would be grateful to Modi if he stood by them. While asking Modi to be a brother, Karima also requests in the video that India must engage the world in a dialogue about the human rights violations in Balochistan. #WATCH Baloch activist Karima Baloch wishes PM Modi for Rakhsha Bandhan (courtesy: Karima Baloch's Twitter)https://t.co/gq6KdEkWGn ANI (@ANI_news) August 19, 2016 Following the Independence Day speech made by Modi, there has been a fresh lease of life among the activists in Balochistan. Modi had said in his speech that he is thankful for the gratitude shown to him by the people of Balochistan after he had raised their concerns. Pakistan had however, criticised Modi's Baloch statement. Pakistan says that the Prime Minister violated a United Nations Charter by referring to Balochistan. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 19, 2016, 15:10 [IST] Govt seeks to sensitise TV coverage on J&K issue New Delhi oi-Vicky New Delhi, Aug 19: The Union Government is looking at ways of sensitising television channels who have proven to be counter productive in the Jammu and Kashmir issue. The first step would be to call a meeting of the editors of major news channels and discuss the issue. It has been found that several channels had been putting out a narrative that has proven to be counter productive when it comes to maintaining peace in the Valley. Soft approach against militants has demoralised J&K police The Valley has been under curfew since the past 42 days and in several cases it has been found that some television channels have in fact done more harm than good for the state. Reports of some channels changing the narrative or provoking the agitators have come to the notice of the Union Home Ministry. Sources say the immediate step would be to hold a meeting with the channel editors and work out a solution on how to avoid worsening the situation. Officials say that ways would be found to sensitise the coverage of the Kashmir issue. Ban on Pellet guns The Home Ministry is soon to announce a ban on the use of pellet guns. While the Centre is set to ban the use of pellet guns, there are other alternatives that are being studied. So far three other alternatives have been studied and a decision on the same would be taken once the expert committee set up by the home ministry submits its report. The government feels that a ban on the use of pellet guns may calm the nerves of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This is likely to open up a way of holding talks with the people and ensure that the situation returns to normal. However, the ban will be enforced once an alternative solution to pellet guns is found. On Thursday the CRPF had told the Jammu and Kashmir high court that it is difficult to follow standard operating procedures on use of weapons, given the dynamic and mobile situation. The high court is hearing a petition seeking a ban on pellet guns. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 19, 2016, 14:45 [IST] On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Karima Baloch, a 32-year-old political activist, fighting against atrocities in Balochistan has a solid message for her bhai Prime Minister Narendra Modi.,We will fight our own battle, but we want you to be our voice, says Karima, in a video message from Modis sisters in Balochistan.,Modis statement during his Independence Day speech about atrocities in Balochistan has hit a nerve with neighbouring Pakistan, who now say they will be sure to bring up Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly. Community Its now easier than ever to connect and chat with others in your local area. You can connect with your community by asking general questions, give area updates and recommendations and even let your community know about local events that are taking place. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Newsy 28 Oct 2022 Watch VideoAn evacuation order has abruptly forced out residents of a 14-story oceanfront building on the same avenue where a.. Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia: China-focused hedge funds declined in the first seven months of 2016 but still beat their benchmark by a margin of almost 10% for the year. Data tracker Eurekahedge said that Greater China-focused hedge funds fell 4.70% as of end July, beating the CSI 300 Index, which lost 14.13% during the same period. Meanwhile, Asia ex-Japan gained 0.48%, however North American hedge fund managers are leading the gainers column, up 3.87% up to July this year, reported China Money Network. Japanese and European-focused hedge funds felt the market pinch during the same period and were down 4.21% and 1.82% respectively. Across the globe, an estimated 80% of hedge funds were in the positive territories over the three year annualized period with roughly 25% of those funds generating double-digit profits over the period, said Eurekahedge. It added that despite three consecutive months of outflows and redemptions from investors, hedge funds saw its assets expand by $9.1bn from January to July this year, with the industrys assets estimated at $2.25tln. From May to July, hedge fund outflows and redemptions totaled $20.7bn. Hedge funds liquidations in reach record level in China Early this week, it...................... To view our full article Click here Reprinted from The Hill 'The BernieCare option has always been a frontal assault against the greed of certain insurance companies and the lobbying industrial complex that has dominated healthcare policy for far too long.' (Image by (Image: DonkeyHotey/flickr/cc - with overlay)) Details DMCA The decision by Aetna to withdraw from many ObamaCare exchanges was a predictable outrage that opens the door not to the demise of ObamaCare, but the dramatic improvement of ObamaCare led by a grand battle by Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and progressives to enact the public option and move toward a Medicare-for-all healthcare system. Let's coin the phrase "BernieCare" to describe the kind of healthcare system that progressives believe, with some reason, would be the kind of program that voters prefer. Sanders has long been a champion of single-payer healthcare -- which I personally support -- but for obvious political reasons in a lobbyist-dominated Washington, single payer is highly unlikely to happen soon. Sanders, who is more of a highly skilled political and legislative tactician than pundits understand, has responded to the Aetna withdrawal from many healthcare exchanges by publicly announcing he will wage an all-out campaign to enact the public option. The Sanders response to Aetna is perfectly timed and politically powerful. The public option, which should have been enacted with the original ObamaCare program, would guarantee that every healthcare exchange will have at least one highly affordable choice for consumers to accept. The result of including a public option on healthcare exchanges would be that one of two things would happen. Either other insurers would remain on the exchanges to compete for the consumer's dollar, which would create a downward pressure on insurance premiums that benefits consumers, or Americans would enroll in the public option en masse, which would accelerate the move toward a true single-payer system. I was a vehement supporter of the public option during the original ObamaCare debate. It was a tragedy of epic proportion that the public option was not included in the final ObamaCare law, despite the fact that President Obama supported it and Democrats then had large majorities in the House and Senate. That omission occurred, despite strong public support for the public option, because of the power of insurance lobbyists in Washington, the obstruction of Republicans in Congress and the reluctance of a small number of more conservative Democratic senators to defy the insurance lobby. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Sanders and the Democratic Party are now united in support of the public option. This was one of the more important developments at the time of the Democratic National Convention when the Clinton and Sanders camps unified behind a series of platform positions that included long-held progressive policies and ideas. The BernieCare option has always been a frontal assault against the greed of certain insurance companies and the lobbying industrial complex that has dominated healthcare policy for far too long. The BernieCare strategy was dramatized during his campaign for president, where he advocated a full single-payer system, and is now advancing again with the decision of Aetna to abandon most of the ObamaCare exchanges. This strategy has taken various forms in recent years. The idea of a public option on the exchanges has always garnered strong public support. The idea of a Medicare-for-all system builds on the enormous public support for the Medicare program. And I would emphasize again today, as I have throughout the presidential campaign, that I believe the reason that Sanders dominated Republican nominee Donald Trump in match-up polls throughout the presidential campaign is that he embodies the kind of progressive populist reformation that voters prefer over the status quo or the conservative alternative. Many analysts believe that the Aetna decision to withdraw from most ObamaCare exchanges was a retaliation against the Obama Justice Department taking a strong position on egregious examples of mergers and acquisitions in the insurance industry, including a proposed but rejected merger sought by Aetna. I fully support the Justice Department's policy, deplore the Aetna withdrawals, and expect the Aetna move to backfire. Among the many reasons that Sanders is supporting Clinton for president, and turning his attention to electing other Democrats to regain control of the Senate and potentially the House of Representatives, is that he is poised to become one of the most powerful and important senators if Democrats regain control. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Reprinted from Mike Malloy Website Truthseekers, normally we would be thrilled to discuss ABT (Anything But the Tangerine), but the video of the stunned and bloodied Syrian boy sitting alone in the back of an ambulance is utterly heartbreaking. Covered in smoky dust, Omran Daqneesh doesn't cry, although he reaches up with a dirty hand to touch the blood on his head several times during the video. He is a painful reminder of the smallest victims in the ongoing Syrian civil war. He and his family miraculously survived a Syrian/Russian bomb hit that destroyed the family home on Wednesday. Omran is alive, but her children died in the explosion. Another 4,500+ other children have been killed as a result of the warfare in the last year. Thousands of other children have been maimed, orphaned, and left homeless. Almost 400,000 civilians have lost their lives and millions have lost their homes and are now refugees. (Image by Whatsupic) Details DMCA Omran's photo provides a bookend to that other now-famous photograph of another Syrian boy who washed up on a beach in Turkey almost a year ago -- three-year-old Aylan Kurdi and his family were trying to escape. A Sudanese artist based in Doha, Qata who goes by "Albaih" perfectly captured the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" plight the Syrian children -- and their families -- suffer in this brilliant artwork: So many refugees, vulnerable to everything from disease to starvation to human trafficking, and there is no end in sight. The remaining few doctors in a hidden hospital in Aleppo sent President Obama a letter pleading for help. This is from the Washington Post: "Dear President Obama, We are 15 of the last doctors serving the remaining 300,000 citizens of eastern Aleppo. Regime troops have sought to surround and blockade the entire east of the city. Their losses have meant that a trickle of food has made its way into eastern Aleppo for the first time in weeks. Whether we live or die seems to be dependent on the ebbs and flows of the battlefield. "We have seen no effort on behalf of the United States to lift the siege or even use its influence to push the parties to protect civilians. For five years, we have faced death from above on a daily basis. But we now face death from all around. For five years, we have borne witness as countless patients, friends and colleagues suffered violent, tormented deaths. For five years, the world has stood by and remarked how 'complicated' Syria is, while doing little to protect us. Recent offers of evacuation from the regime and Russia have sounded like thinly-veiled threats to residents -- flee now or face annihilation ? Last month, there were 42 attacks on medical facilities in Syria, 15 of which were hospitals in which we work. "Right now, there is an attack on a medical facility every 17 hours. At this rate, our medical services in Aleppo could be completely destroyed in a month, leaving 300,000 people to die. What pains us most, as doctors, is choosing who will live and who will die. Young children are sometimes brought into our emergency rooms so badly injured that we have to prioritize those with better chances, or simply don't have the equipment to help them. Two weeks ago, four newborn babies gasping for air suffocated to death after a blast cut the oxygen supply to their incubators. Gasping for air, their lives ended before they had really begun. Despite the horror, we choose to be here. We took a pledge to help those in need. "Our dedication to this pledge is absolute. Some of us were visiting our families when we heard the city was being besieged. So we rushed back -- some on foot because the roads were too dangerous. Because without us even more of our friends and neighbors will die. We have a duty to remain and help. Continued US inaction to protect the civilians of Syria means that our plight is being wilfully tolerated by those in the international corridors of power. The burden of responsibility for the crimes of the Syrian government and its Russian ally must therefore be shared by those, including the United States, who allow them to continue. Unless a permanent lifeline to Aleppo is opened it will be only a matter of time until we are again surrounded by regime troops, hunger takes hold and hospitals' supplies run completely dry. Death has seemed increasingly inescapable.?We do not need to tell you that the systematic?targeting of hospitals by Syrian regime and Russian warplanes is a war crime. We do not need to tell you that they are committing atrocities in Aleppo.? We do not need tears or sympathy or even prayers, we need your action. "Prove that you are the friend of Syrians. "Yours, 1 Dr. Abu Al Baraa, Pediatrician 2 Dr. Abu Tiem, Pediatrician 3 Dr. Hamza, Manager 4 Dr. Yahya, Pediatrician and head of Nutrition Program 5 Dr. Munther, Orthopedics 6 Dr. Abu Mohammad, General Surgeon 7 Dr. Abu Abdo, General Surgeon 8 Dr. Abd Al Rahman, Urologic Resident 9 Dr. Abu Tareq, ER Doctor 10 Dr. Farida, OBGYN 11 Dr Hatem, Hospital Director 12 Dr. Usama, Pediatrician 13 Dr. Abu Zubeir, Pediatrician 14 Dr. Abu Maryam, Pediatric Surgeon 15 Dr. Abo Bakr, Neurologist." How would Hillary or Trump respond? How would Dr. Jill Stein? The Nazareth District Court and the Israeli Supreme Court have so far refused to produce any duly signed and certified decision or judgment record, pertaining to Roman Zadorov. Zadorov is held by the Israeli authorities, purportedly as a convict in the gruesome murder of 13.5 yo Tair Rada - with no duly made Verdict, no duly made Sentencing, and no duly made Arrest Decree. (Image by Public) Details DMCA Figure 1: Support sign for Roman Zadorov at the OccupyTLV camp: "Me too with Roman Zaoorov. We are sick and tired of the corruption." Over a quarter million members are listed in social networks support groups, and the case led to unprecedented attacks on the courts and the justice system by senior law professors. In Israeli law, there is no provision for a grand jury, or any other effective mechanism for addressing corruption of the justice system itself. ________ OccupyTLV, August 16 -- Roman Zadorov, a Ukrainian citizen, is held by the Israeli authorities, purportedly as a convict, sentenced to life in prison in the murder of 13.5 yo Tair Rada. However, inspection of the trial court records failed to discover duly made Verdict, Sentencing, or Arrest Warrant. The case exposed widespread corruption of the justice system, and led to unprecedented attacks on the courts by senior law professors. [1-2] This week, as part of the ongoing efforts to obtain duly made decision records pertaining to Roman Zadorov, a series of requests and inquiries have been filed in the Supreme Court: [3-7] a. State of Israel v Roman Zadorov(502/07) in the Nazareth District Court - six (6) trial hearings protocol records, which were published unsigned, uncertified electronic records by Judges Yitzhak Cohen, Esther Hellman, and Haim Galpaz of the Nazareth District Court, were filed with the Supreme Court Chief Clerk (where the Nazareth paper court file is now held). The Chief Clerk was asked to provide photocopies of the original protocol records, signed by the respective judges and duly certified by the Chief Clerk, "True Copy of the Original". A previous attempt to inspect the Nazareth District Court's paper court file, which is held by the Supreme Court, in order to verify that signed, original records existed at all, was prevented by Supreme Court Magistrate Gilad Lubinsky under the incredible reasoning of a "jumble" in the court file. That, when the Regulations of the Courts -Inspection of Court Files (2003) say: "Every person is permitted to inspect court decisions, which are not lawfully prohibited for publication". Beyond that, the Supreme Court has repeatedly made lofty declarations, regard the right to inspect court records, e.g., "a fundamental principle of any democratic regime... constitutional, supra-statutory"" (2009 Judgment in Association for Civil Rights in Israel v Minister of Justice). b. Roman Zadorov v State of Israel (7939/10) in the Supreme Court - request was filed with the Supreme Court for a duly signed and certified, "True Copy of the Original", copy of Magistrate Gilad Lubinsky's decision, which denied access to inspect of the original paper court records in the Nazareth District Court paper court file - State of Israel v Roman Zadorov (502/07) - under the incredible reasoning of a "jumble" in the paper court file. The decision record was received by mail unsigned and uncertified as purported service by the Supreme Court. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Last Sunday, the New York Times (NYT) devoted its entire Sunday Magazine to a five-part article by Scott Anderson. It was called "Fractured Lands: How the Arab World Came Apart." The epic piece traced the lives of six Arabs from Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Iraqi Kurdistan as each struggled to live through and make sense of the disintegration of the Arab World since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. In so doing, Anderson attempted to put compelling faces on a longer historical narrative that begs for clarification, order and humanization. The author succeeds admirably in the human interest portion of his project. More importantly, he supplies invaluable detail about a 100 year-long history of political decisions and processes responsible for the crumbling of the Arab world. But perhaps his most stunning insight is that "Arabia" has been fractured not principally by internecine religious radicalism, but by a long-standing anti-socialist policy on the part of the United States and its allies. Ever since the conclusion of World War II, that policy has blocked economic reform not only in the Arab world and the Middle East, but also in Latin America, Africa, and South Asia -- in other words in the former colonies. In the Middle East, the resulting conflict has only recently taken on heavy religious overtones. Specifically, in that troubled region, the result of U.S. policy has been warfare and economic sanctions imposed on socialist movements involving both Arab and non-Arab countries -- on peoples most of whom happen to be Muslims. As a result, those Muslims have experienced extreme poverty, joblessness, and loss of hope. Consequently, many have gravitated towards a brutal gang of reactive terrorists (ISIS) offering employment, a sense of identity, pride, short-lived hope -- and the power that comes from a uniform and a gun. The grunts in this gang know very little about Islam. In an August 12thinterview with Scott Anderson on "Democracy Now," Juan Gonzalez led the Times correspondent to make that very point. He asked Anderson what he had learned from his 18 months of research that included interviews with 20 ISIS fighters all of whom are now imprisoned in Iraq or in Kurdistan. Anderson responded: "There was an amazing pattern. . . (T)hey were all young men, kind of with very bleak futures, either unemployed or underemployed, from working-class families, and not religious at all. . . (T)hey were not from religious families. They did not know the Qur'an very well. In a couple of cases, I knew the Qur'an better than they did. . . And I think it was this kind of decision that young men make, that better to live large for a couple of years, and, you know, the power and the so-called glamour. . . that comes of carrying a gun . . . they had more akin to why somebody might join like an inner-city gang or why in Mexico they might join a narco gang. It's this kind of despair at seeing any sort of future. But it's not political, it's not religious. It's just this impulse to--you know, to have some sort of--I mean, it's awful to say, in terms of ISIS, but adventure." Juan Gonzales then observes, "But that's a quite different perspective from what we get here . . . that these are religious zealots who are willing to die for Islam." "Yes," Anderson agrees. With that astounding exchange in mind, it's informative to reread the NYT article and the long-term history it reviews to detect the pattern underlying what Anderson uncovers as an economic rebellion with a recent and thick religious overlay that obscures what's really behind ISIS and the fracturing of the Arab world. For as Anderson implies, the rebellion there is not about religion, but about economy. It is about the conflict between capitalism and socialism that has been raging at least since the 1848 publication of The Communist Manifesto. Far from ending with the fall of the USSR in 1990, the conflict has only intensified, when the West took the Soviet demise as a signal that it could subsequently increase pressure and even overthrow socialist governments everywhere -- from Cuba and Venezuela to Yugoslavia and Iraq -- without fear of reprisal. To understand, we need to examine the underlying historical pattern responsible not only for the fracturing of the Arab world, but for relations between the developed world (principally the United States) and impoverished nations generally. That pattern (identified specifically by J.W. Smith and implicitly by John Perkins) runs as follows: Any Western colony that attempts to "break for freedom" (from capitalism and colonial control) By instituting a "socialist" economy prioritizing the needs of its own people, especially its majority poor Will have its leaders accused of being undemocratic dictators -- communist, totalitarian, or terrorist. Those countries will find themselves undermined (with Western support) by local dissidents -- usually drawn from those privileged under the old colonial order or from those marginalized by the new socialist order. This will cause the governments in question to institute severe national security measures that Western enemies will vilify as dictatorial, thus justifying further measures to overthrow the "repressive" regime. If such methods do not result in the desired regime change, the country in question will ultimately be subjected to direct invasion or other military action on the parts of its former colonial masters. Interventionist military action will be met with resistance and retaliation on the part of imperialism's victims. (This explains the origins of ISIS.) To reiterate, this pattern lays the blame for Middle East conflict at the feet of colonialism. It suggests that since the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, capitalism's real enemy in Arab countries and throughout the Middle East has been anti-imperialist socialism not primarily Islam. More precisely, the conflicts in Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan have been spawned not by religion, but by anti-colonialism and by economic policies resistant to free market capitalism. To grasp that point, let's think first of all about imperialism or colonialism. Then connect resistance to such foreign adventurism with socialism and the birth of ISIS. In essence, colonialism is a system of robbery. It has foreign armies invading, conquering militarily weak, resource-rich countries, and then controlling them either through occupying armies or through local militaries armed by the invaders and headed by indigenous collaborators working hand in glove with the colonists. The chief goal of such invasion is resource extraction -- wealth transfers for purposes of enriching the colonizers. Western colonization of Arabia began in earnest after World War I. Up until then (and from the end of the 13th century), what Westerners called the "Middle East" was the center of the Ottoman (i.e. the Turkish) Empire controlled by Muslim sultans. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Burning Money (Image by purpleslog) Details DMCA We have become so accustomed to war we don't even bother to discuss it anymore. The war in Afghanistan has dragged on for almost 15 years, and it is no longer mentioned or discussed on corporate news. The clown show, sometimes called a presidential race, has been reduced to two candidates, both of whom are hated by the voting public, and neither has raised the issue of Afghanistan once. The candidates have not been asked about it, and neither has spoken about it. It is the silent war that appears to be never ending, but just because it is not discussed does not mean you are not paying for it. So far the tab is one trillion dollars and rising every day. To most of us a "trillion" dollars is a meaningless figure, because most readers, myself included, cannot relate to a "trillion", but consider this. A trillion dollars looks like this: $1,000,000,000,000, and a billion looks like this: $1,000,000,000. A trillion dollars equals one thousand times a billion, so there are 1,000 billions in a trillion. Still can't relate? How about billions? One billion equals 1,000 million. Still cannot relate. One trillion dollars spread out flat on the ground would cover 4 thousand square miles. If you stacked one trillion dollars in a pile, the pile would be 68,000 miles high. So what is the point? What do we have to show for our one trillion-dollar war? What have we accomplished? We have nothing to show, and have accomplished absolutely nothing. NOTHING!!! The Taliban now controls more land in Afghanistan than ever. US forces cannot venture into the Afghan countryside because they will get killed. The only place in the entire country that is considered under US and Afghan control is the capital city of Kabul, which coincidentally is where the US has its giant embassy with its Green Zone. However, even within Kabul, US troops usually resort to helicopters to get from one section of Kabul to another for fear of getting killed in cars or armored vehicles. Originally we went to Afghanistan to get Bin Laden and the perpetrators of 9/11, despite the fact that none of those perpetrators came from Afghanistan. They all originated in Saudi Arabia. The Taliban contacted the US government and said they were willing to give us Bin Laden if we presented proof or evidence that Bin Laden was responsible for 9/11. The US refused their offer, so the entire war was a wasted effort from day one. First we attacked the wrong country, and second, Bin Laden could have been handed over to us without any war. When the war did not go as expected, President Obama announced a new Drug War in Afghanistan. So how has that gone? We have spent about 10 billion dollars on the drug war, and the rate of opium and heroin production is now about 40 times greater than when the drug war began. Afghanistan now is responsible for about 85% of the worlds heroin production. The US nor the Afghan government can go into the highly productive heroin and opium areas for fear of their safety. Once outside Kabul, US soldiers are at great risk. The Taliban sells its heroin around the world and uses the money to finance its war against the occupation of their country by the US. So what are we doing there?? Who knows? The war is not good for the Afghan people, or the US army, and certainly not the American people. It goes on endlessly with no winner. At some point down the road, the US will be forced to end the occupation and leave Afghanistan to its own people. Isn't that the way it should be? Since 9/11 cannot be used as a pretext for the endless Afghan war and occupation, the focus had to change. We began saying the Taliban had to be stopped from taking over the government. But wait; two opposing forces fighting to control a country is a civil war, i.e. North vs South in Civil War. What business is it of the US to get involved in another countries civil war? What give the US the right to decide who should rule Afghanistan? There is no such right! So in the end, we have no business being there, and never had a legitimate reason to get involved in the affairs of Afghanistan, but we have been for 15 years. One trillion dollars of your money has been spent on an illegitimate war which has resulted in absolute and total failure. But the Military Industrial Complex has grown rich, which just might be the point of this whole endless war. A wonderful example of corporate welfare. Will either of the two candidates end this nonsense? No, but Jill Stein will. How about Iraq then? Even worse. Perhaps a subject for a later article. What could have been done with one trillion dollars? How about infrastructure, how about Single Payer health care for all, how about free college for all? When Democrats, Republicans, and corporate media say such things are not affordable, they are lying. Easily affordable if we stopped our worldwide wars. All other major nations have these things; they can afford them because they don't just do war. What fools we are. Reprinted from Consortium News The new excuse for the U.S. mainstream media to violate its professional principles of objectivity and balance in covering this presidential race is that it's all Donald Trump's fault, or as The New York Times put it , "Trump Is Testing the Norms of Objectivity in Journalism." But that is just the latest dodge for American journalists who don't really believe in the principle of evenhandedness. Many have been slanting their coverage for as long as I can remember in my nearly four decades covering news in Washington. Indeed, bias and outright dishonesty have long been the norm for major American news outlets, especially in the fabrication of foreign monsters around the world for the U.S. military to seek out and destroy. The truth is that at virtually every spin of America's revolving wheel of "enemies," The New York Times could write a similar headline blaming the foreign leaders, just as the newspaper did Trump: "Putin Tests the Norms of Objectivity in Journalism" or Bashar al-Assad or Saddam Hussein or any other designated villain du jour. In the Times' framing of the problem, it's not the journalists who have a responsibility to maintain "the norms of objectivity"; it is Trump or some foreign villain who "tests" the norms. The journalists are the victims here, with their high standards being put under unfair pressure. But I can't remember a time when major U.S. news outlets approached a foreign policy issue with anything approaching objectivity or balance. With very few exceptions, the pattern is to fall in line behind the U.S. foreign policy establishment's propaganda. Indeed, when some of us have tried to apply objective or even-handed standards to foreign controversies, we faced resistance and punishment from our own news organizations. We learned that very few senior editors would challenge even the most blatant nonsense from the State Department or the White House. After all, that's how they got to be senior editors. Whether it was Nicaragua's Sandinistas in the 1980s, or Iraq and Serbia in the 1990s, or Iraq (again) and Iran in the 2000s, or Syria, Russia, China and Iran (again) today, U.S. "star reporters" shucked aside even the pretense of fairness in favor of careerism. The more you pile on these "enemies" the better for you. Along with these longer-term "enemies," there are short-term "villains" who are transformed into cartoon characters almost overnight, such as Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych. Though elected by the voters, he was made into a "black hat" in 2013 and 2014 because he wouldn't go along with an economic deal with Europe that involved harsh "reforms" from the International Monetary Fund . Yanukovych also was considered an ally of neighboring Russia, so he got the full propaganda treatment from U.S. government agencies and their client "journalism" outfits, such as the U.S. AID-funded Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Those anti-Yanukovych themes, in turn, were picked up and amplified by mainstream U.S. media outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post. So, on Feb. 22, 2014, when Ukraine's elected president was violently overthrown in a putsch spearheaded by neo-Nazis and other ultra-nationalist street fighters, the West's media almost universally cheered the coup as a victory for "democracy." No Self-Awareness Of course, the abandonment of "objectivity" and honesty is not a new story in American journalism. In reality, there has long been a self-serving suspension of self-awareness on the part of U.S. media figures who still view themselves through the heroic but now foggy and yellowed prism of the Pentagon Papers and Watergate. Russian President Vladimir Putin, following his address to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 28, 2015. (Image by (UN Photo)) Details DMCA Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Reprinted from Paul Craig Roberts Website The American version of Left vs. Right (Image by morningmail.org) Details DMCA Acquaintances of my generation are puzzled by the disappearance of the American left. They remember when there was far less war, far less monopoly capitalist theft, a less rich and powerful elite, less police violence against civilians, less militarization, less privatization and deregulation, fewer attacks on the social safety net, less propaganda from the media, and yet, despite the milder state of affairs, the left-wing was present raising hell about it all. For 15 years, and more if we go back to the Clinton regime's destruction of Yugoslavia, the US has been engaged in wars on populations in seven -- eight counting Yugoslavia/Serbia -- countries, causing millions of deaths, disabled, and dislocated peoples. A police state has been created, the US Constitution stripped of its protective features, and massive crimes committed under both US and international law by three administrations. These crimes include torture, transparent false flag events, naked aggression (a war crime), spying without warrants, and murder of US citizens. Yet, the left-wing's voice is barely heard. Clearly, my acquaintances are beginning to miss the challenge to explanations and the country's direction that the left formerly provided. I know how they feel. We used to be pushed along by biases and stereotypical thinking, and the left was there to rattle our cage. Now we are pushed along by propaganda and there is no countervailing force except a few Internet voices. I remember telling the audience in the Q&A session after my Frank M. Engle Lecture in 1992 that I never realized how much we would miss US Supreme Court Justices Brennan and Marshall. Today we need a left-wing far more desperately than we did when we had one. Today governments considered democratic have the powers of a dictatorship. In the United States, for example, habeas corpus has been erased from both law and Constitution. Even worse, White House officials can create lists of citizens to be murdered without due process of law. These are the powers of a dictator. Yet, these attributes of dictatorship are now institutionalized and go unremarked. One would think that the dispossessed American workers, whose jobs and financial security have been moved offshore and given to foreigners, would be protesting in the streets like the French do. But not a peep. When presidential candidate Ross Perot warned American workers of what was about to happen to them, they did not have enough confidence to vote for him. Have the dispossessed American workers gained enough sense -- or is the problem a lack of leadership -- to vote for Trump who acknowledges the job loss that is eroding the prospects of the 99 percent? If Trump does not intend to deliver or is incapable of delivering, we are still better off because a failure to deliver raises the awareness of the people. From the standpoint of the left, there is a perfect environment for them in present day America. So where is the left? Here is my answer to the question. The left suffered a tremendous blow when the Soviet Union collapsed. The Soviet collapse deprived the left of its belief that there was an alternative to American "democratic capitalism." The Soviet collapse also disheartened the left because the collapse removed any constraint on Washington's unilateralism. With China shaking off Mao and moving into the capitalist camp, there was no one to pick up the torch. People are puzzled why the left goes along with the government's explanations of what appear to be orchestrated false flag terror events. If people of no political persuasion, such as architects and engineers, physicists, nano-chemists, firemen and first responders, airline and military pilots, challenge on the basis of evidence the official account of 9/11, why does the left-wing defend the account of a government that in other circumstances the left distrusts 120%? The left knows that the Tonkin Gulf was an orchestration for war, that Saddam Hussein had no "weapons of mass destruction," that Iran had no nukes. The left knows that the government lies through its teeth, so why does the left believe the government's improbable conspiracy theory of 9/11? The answer, I think, is that with the demise of Marxism, the left's only hope is that the peoples oppressed by the West will rise up. The left finds huge emotional satisfaction in 9/11 as blow-back of the oppressed against the oppressor. This is why the left clings to the official story of 9/11. And to the stories of other "terrorist events," such as Orlando and Nice despite the lack of any real evidence in behalf of the stories. I can remember when the American left, if told that a large truck travelling at a reported 56 miles per hour had mowed down 185 people and, then, being shown in the immediate aftermath the truck devoid of a spot of blood, clothing, human flesh, or even a small dent, would have shouted down the obviously false account. Ask someone who has hit a dog at 56 mph about the blood and damage to the car. Ask someone who has hit a deer and the car is totaled. Ask experts if a large truck hit a person at 56 mph if the person's body would remain intact and could be viewed lying without any apparent damage or blood in the street. You don't need to ask, do you? You see the point. The force of a large truck moving at 56 mph that hits a human is going to splatter that human all over the street. Yet, the Nice photos show no such event. I can remember when the American left, if told by a Nice police official that the French Minister of the Interior in Paris had ordered Nice authorities not to release and to immediately destroy the entire filming of the alleged terror event from security cameras posted along the entire street where allegedly 185 people were hit by a truck and, additionally, to falsify the police report of the event, the left would have been demanding blood from the authorities, not calling those who do demand explanations "conspiracy kooks." Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. Global Wood Pellets Market worth US$ 20 Billion by 2023 Global Wood Pellets Market http://www.marketresearchengine.com/reportdetails/wood-pellets-market http://www.marketresearchengine.com/ New York, August 18: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Eubiotics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2020The wood pellets market is expected to exceed more than US$ 20.0 Billion by 2023 growing at a CAGR of more than 14% in the given forecast period 2016 to 2023.Browse Full Report here:Wood pellets are a form of biomass fuel produced from wood waste products, sawdust, industrial byproducts and forestry wastes. The virgin trees are specially grown for producing pellets. The shape of wood pellets is cylindrical in shape and having diameter between 6-12m.m and length is 1-3c.m. After manufacturing of wood pellets it should be used as fuel for commercial building, homes or in power plants. Wood pellets are dry, easy to store and hydraulic rate of wood pellets is stable as compare to other biomass fuel. It has high energy density so it can be transported long distance at once. Wood pellets is burnt it generates very small amount of carbon dioxide that is CO2 so this fuel broadly standardized as more eco friendly fuels.The major driving factors of wood pellets market are as follows:Government rules and contractFinancial inducement by centralized agenciesLong term supplyLow price of wood pelletsThe restraints factors of wood pellets market are as follows:Flue Gas Release during Storage of Wood PelletsThe wood pellets market is segmented on the lines of its application and regional. Under application segmentation wood pellets market covers power plants and heating. The wood pellet market is geographic segmentation covers various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Each geography market is further segmented to provide market revenue for select countries such as the U.S., Canada, U.K. Germany, China, Japan, India, Brazil, and GCC countries.This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for wood pellets and related technologies.2) Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2013, estimates for 2014 and 2015, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2023.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for wood pellets4) Discussion of research and development, and the demand for new products and new applications.5) Comprehensive company profiles of major players in the industry.REPORT SCOPE:The scope of the report includes a detailed study of global and regional markets for various types of coatings with the reasons given for variations in the growth of the industry in certain regions.The report covers detailed competitive outlook including the market share and company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Andritz AG, Drax Group plc, Enito Singpellet Pte Ltd, Enviva LP, F.E. Wood & Sons, German Pellets GmbH, Georgia Biomass, LLC, Allance Pellet Machinery, The Westervelt Company, Pinnacle Renewable Energy Group, Rentech, Inc., Energex, and Wood Pellet Energy (UK) LTD.. Company profile includes assign such as company summary, financial summary,business strategy and planning, SWOT analysis and current developments.The Top Companies Report is intended to provide our buyers with a snapshot of the industrys most influential players.The Wood Pellets Market has been segmented as below:By Application AnalysisPower PlantsHeatingBy Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the WorldReasons to Buy this Report:1) Obtain the most up to date information available on all Wood Pellets Market globally.2) Identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry.3) Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of coating industry and unit capacity data.4) Assess your competitors refining portfolio and its evolution.About MarketResearchEngine.comMarket Research Engine is a global market research and consulting organization. We provide market intelligence in emerging, niche technologies and markets. Our market analysis powered by rigorous methodology and quality metrics provide information and forecasts across emerging markets, emerging technologies and emerging business models. Our deep focus on industry verticals and country reports help our clients to identify opportunities and develop business strategies.Media ContactCompany Name: Market Research EngineContact Person: John BayEmail: john@marketresearchengine.comPhone: +1-855-984-1862, +91-860-565-7204Country: United StatesWebsite:Address: 3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8942, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, United States Mobile Applications for Melanoma Detection Market to cross US$ 1.5 Million by 2022 Mobile Applications for Melanoma Detection Market http://www.marketresearchengine.com/reportdetails/mobile-applications-for-melanoma-detection-market http://www.marketresearchengine.com/ New York, August 18: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Mobile Applications for Melanoma Detection Market (For Europe and Israel) - Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2022The mobile applications for melanoma detection market in Europe and Israel is projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 46.5% and expected to exceed more than USD$ 1.5 million by 2022.Browse Full Report here:Melanoma is most dangerous type of skin cancer, increased in cells which generate melanin. This melanin or the pigment gives color to your skin. It occurs on skin, in eyes and rarely in internal organs. It mostly occurs in women and people under 40 ages. If we detect the symptoms of this skin cancer early then we can treat it before the cancer has been spread across skin. Anticipation of melanoma can be reached through skin surveillance and screening achieved by healthcare expert. And through Skin Self Examination carry out by the person. Still observance of the screening guide lines by the heaps has been low. Using different mobile applications for melanoma detection can guide to improved association of patients in self screening, so leading to decrease in mortality rate. Variety of mobile applications are saying to be able to judge definite skin changes and update persons for further analysis. The application gives direction that how to verify for skin lesion, moles, how users can take photos of any doubtful moles and have the app use them. The app also informs person that how to examine changes which occurs on skin and it contains information on prevention of skin cancer.The major driving factors of mobile applications for melanoma detection market are as follows:Rising Cases of Skin Cancer and MelanomaIncreasing tendency of mHealth is driven by Improved Smartphone and Internet PenetrationMobile Applications for Melanoma Detection present simplicity of UseCost effectiveness and Advantages such as Early Detection of the DiseaseThe restraining factors of mobile applications for melanoma detection market are as follows:Facing worry about accuratenessDoubtful and Costly Regulation proceduresThe mobile applications for melanoma detection market is geographic segmentation covers various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Each geography market is further segmented to provide market revenue for selected regions such as the Europe and Israel.This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for mobile applications for melanoma detection market and related technologies.2) Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2013, estimates for 2014 and 2015, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2022.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for mobile applications for melanoma detection market.4) Discussion of research and development, and the demand for new products and new applications.5) Comprehensive company profiles of major players in the industry.REPORT SCOPE:The scope of the report includes a detailed study of global and regional markets for various types of coatings with the reasons given for variations in the growth of the industry in certain regions.The report covers detailed competitive outlook including the market share and company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include ABCDEs of Melanoma, DermaCompare, Dermatology Planet, DermLink.MD, Doctor Mole, FotoSkin, iDoc24, iSkin, LoveMySkin, Melanoma Calculator, Melanoma iABCD rule, Melanoma Visual Risk Calculator,Melanoma Watch, MelApp, Mole Check, Mole Checker, Mole Checker (Stroika), Mole Doctor Skin Cancer App Dermatologist, Mole Monitor, Mole Trac, MoleQuest, Mollies Fund, Nevus OnlineDermClinic, Skin Analytics, Skin Cancer, Skin Doctor, Skin Of Mine, Skin Prevention, Skin Scanner, Skin Tagger, Skin MD Now, Skin Mole Analysis, SkinVision, SPOT IT & NAME IT, SpotMole, SpotMole Plus, SpotCheck, Track-A-Mole, UMSkinCheck and YourSkinDiary. Company profile includes assign such as company summary, financial summary,business strategy and planning, SWOT analysis and current developments.The Top Companies Report is intended to provide our buyers with a snapshot of the industrys most influential players.The Mobile Applications for Melanoma Detection Market has been segmented as below:by Regional AnalysisEuropeIsraelReasons to Buy this Report:1) Obtain the most up to date information available on all Melanoma Detection Market.2) Identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry.3) Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of coating industry and unit capacity data.4) Assess your competitors refining portfolio and its evolution.About MarketResearchEngine.comMarket Research Engine is a global market research and consulting organization. We provide market intelligence in emerging, niche technologies and markets. Our market analysis powered by rigorous methodology and quality metrics provide information and forecasts across emerging markets, emerging technologies and emerging business models. Our deep focus on industry verticals and country reports help our clients to identify opportunities and develop business strategies.Media ContactCompany Name: Market Research EngineContact Person: John BayEmail: john@marketresearchengine.comPhone: +1-855-984-1862, +91-860-565-7204Country: United StatesWebsite: Cosmetic and Perfume Glass Bottle Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=9299 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The improved lifestyle coupled with increased disposable income and desire towards better personality are the prime reasons for growing demands of beauty products. The rapid growth in consumption and production of these products is evident that the look and feel of the packaging is also a considerable factor. Hence, manufacturers are highly focusing on better packaging solutions which gives customers a premium feel in a cost effective way. Quality packaging not only offer an attractive options for customers but it also maintain the quality and effectiveness of the product inside the bottle.The global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market is primarily driven by the growth in cosmetic and perfumery industry. The global cosmetic industry is forecasted to be of more than US $ 600 Bn by 2019. The growing aspirations of better physical appearance and beauty is anticipated to be the major driving factor for the cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market. The fierce competition in cosmetic industry is supposed to force the cosmetic and perfumery industry to choose innovative and better glass packaging solutions which is anticipated to be the driving factor for the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market. The increased disposable income and growing inclusion of cosmetic and perfumery products into everyday grooming practices is projected to the driving factor for the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market. On the other hand the growing use of plastic in cosmetic and perfumery packaging is anticipated to be the major restrain in the growth of the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market.Get Free Sample Report Copy :The opportunity of global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market lies in providing durable packaging solutions at cost effective especially in mid and low range perfume and cosmetic segments. Improving the product visibility and attractiveness is anticipated to be the major challenges for the global cosmetic and cosmetic and perfumery which can be perceived as an opportunity for the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market by providing innovative packaging solutions.The global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market is segmented on the basis of product into high-end cosmetic and perfumes, mid-range and low range. The mid-range cosmetic and perfumery market is anticipated to register the highest growth in global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market. By application the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market is segmented into hair care, skin care, make-up, fragrances, bath and shower and others. Where skin care and fragrances is anticipated to be the major contributor of the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market.On the basis of geography the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America. Europe is anticipated to be the largest market for global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market primarily driven by strong demand and higher consumption of cosmetic and perfumery products. Asia pacific is anticipated to be the second largest market for the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market primarily driven by growing per capita income and increasing awareness of cosmetic and perfumery especially in rapidly growing urban population. The strong demand in Japan, India and China are the major contributing factors for the demand in Asia pacific region. The North America is also anticipated to contribute significantly in the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market followed by Asia pacific. Middle East is also expected to contribute to the demand of global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market primarily due to rapid urbanization and rising expenditure on beauty care products.Some of the key players in the global cosmetic and perfume glass bottle market are Heinz-Glas Group Holding, SGD Group, ZIGNAGO VETRO S.p.A., Rockwood & Hines, Gerresheimer Group, Saverglass, Piramal Glass, Groupe Pochet and others.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Egg And Egg Products Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2012 - 2018 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1303 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Products which are obtained from different blends and components of eggs and are ready for human consumption are known as egg products. Egg products can partly be complemented by additives or some other food products. They can be found in different forms such as concentrated, crystallized, deep-frozen, liquid, solid, and frozen with a shelf life of three weeks.View exclusive Global strategic Business report :About 70% of the eggs are produced in China, India, U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, and France. Out of these, 36% of the eggs are produced in China and about 11% in Latin America. There are different types of eggs products available in the market such as pasteurized liquid egg, pasteurized liquid yolk, pasteurized liquid white, dehydrated white, dehydrated egg, hardboiled egg, dehydrated yolk, and ready-cooked meals with egg as their main ingredient.Since egg and egg products offer a source of protein with negligible environmental impact, it is the major factor driving the growth of the market. Technology changes and government regulations are some of the factors contributing to the growth of the market. As the industry is continuously changing due to rising demand, increasing consumption and production of egg and egg products and technology advancement, the market has huge growth opportunities in future. However, insignificant growth in the international trade with some exceptions can act as a hurdle for the growth of the market.Some of the key players in this market are Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., Land O'Lakes, Inc., Noble Foods Ltd, Tyson Foods, Inc., and Ningbo Jiangbei Dexi Foods Co. Ltd. and others.This research report analyzes this market depending on its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Liquid Encapsulants Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=9311 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com For electronic components firm structuring of electronic component which are shock and moisture proof are considered to be essential for smooth functioning. To avoid these issues electronics manufacturers are increasingly using products called liquid encapsulants. Liquid encapsulants provide additional protection to the electronics components liquid encapsulants are considered to be the better alternative to the molding in high volume manufacturing processes used through automated dispensing equipment. Growing consumer demand of electronics equipment and accumulative reach of technology in everyday life are considered to be the prime factors for the growth of the Liquid encapsulants market. Primarily, there are two types of liquid encapsulants i.e. glob top and dam-and-fill. In addition to the shock and moisture protection the liquid encapsulants also provide excellent film formability, high voltage resistance, impregnation, migration resistance. Some of the Liquid encapsulants are also used to provide reduce wafer warps.Global liquid encapsulants market is primarily driven by the growing use of electronics and semiconductor devices in everyday life. Electronics and semiconductor devices are progressively being used in healthcare, transportation, industrial automation and consumer electronics. Global liquid encapsulants market is driven by strong demand in consumer electronics primarily driven by changing lifestyle and growing per capita income. The growing use of complex structures in semiconductors for electronic and electrical application is anticipated to drive the global lencapsulants market. Miniaturization trend of consumer electronic devices is also anticipated to catalyze the demand for liquid encapsulants. On the other hand the sluggish growth of end use sectors in few regions might acts a restraint for global liquid encapsulants market.Get Free Sample Report Copy :The opportunity for the global liquid encapsulants market lies in increasing the application horizon in electronics and electrical device manufacturing. Increasing use of semiconductors in transportation and industrial automation is considered to be the major opportunity for the global liquid encapsulants market players.The global liquid encapsulants market is segmented on the basis of the material, product, application and geography. On the basis of material the global liquid encapsulants market is segmented into epoxy modified resins, epoxy resins, hardners colorants and others. On the basis of product the global liquid encapsulants market is segmented into sensors, semiconductors, integrated circuits, optoelectronics and others .On the basis of application the global liquid encapsulants market is segmented into consumer electronics, industrial electronics, automotive, industrials automation, telecommunication and others.On the basis of geography the global Liquid encapsulants Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America. Asia Pacific is considered to be the leading consumer and manufacture of global Liquid encapsulants Market by volume and value. Japan, China, South Korea and others are considered to be the major consumers of the global Liquid encapsulants Market. Followed by Asia Pacific North America is considered to be the major market for the global Liquid encapsulants Market primarily due to growth in consumer electronics segment. Europe is considered to be a leading consumer especially due to growth in application sectors such as automotive, industrial equipments and healthcare equipments. Latin America is considered to show sluggish growth in the global Liquid encapsulants market. Middle East and Africa due to its growing economies is anticipated to contribute the growth in liquid encapsulants market.Some of the key market participants in the global liquid encapsulants market are Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., KYOCERA Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd., Sanyu Rec Co. Ltd., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., NITTO DENKO CORPORATION., NAGASE & CO., LTD., Epic Resins and Others.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Anti-counterfeit Food Packaging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=9320 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The malpractice of introducing counterfeit products is severely affecting the global food industry, causing legitimate and well-established brands tangible and intangible losses. Such unethical practices affect the revenue of food companies and also creates distrust towards brands among end-users. Major players in the global food industry are constantly striving to remove counterfeit products from their supply chain, as these affect their sales revenue, thus impacting profits. Besides this, poor quality of counterfeit products affects respective brand image of various companies and also raises severe health concerns among consumers. Well-industrialised counterfeit products are so well packaged that normal detection techniques are unable to effectively spot any difference during regular inspection, and these products are sent to the retail market for sale. Each year, major players in the global food industry suffers losses, estimated in hundreds of million dollars, due to the presence of counterfeit products in the market.Anti-counterfeit food packaging technology has emerged in the recent past, and has been proving to be an efficient and important solution against counterfeiting globally. Since food products are available easily at all levels of the market, the food industry is most vulnerable. Increasing cases of counterfeiting in the food industry are forcing manufacturers to use anti-counterfeit food packaging at various levels, and this is expected to increase growth of the concerned market significantly over the forecast period.Get Free Sample Report Copy :The global anti-counterfeit food packaging market is projected to account for significantly high revenue by end of 2024. Several efficient and innovative technologies are fast emerging in the market for validation of original products, which are gaining popularity among manufacturers globally. In addition, increasing use of highly efficient RFID technologies is one of the most significant factors expected to drive overall growth of the anti-counterfeit food packaging market globally.Rising health awareness among consumers, understanding of the hazards associated with forged or counterfeit products, and emergence of anti-counterfeit technologies are factors expected to fuel growth of the global anti-counterfeit food packaging market over the forecast period. Besides, increasing government regulations for eliminating counterfeit food products from local markets is also encouraging global companies to invest more in advanced anti-counterfeit technologies.Intense capital expenditure for anti-counterfeit technology setups and their impact on the product distribution system and supply chain network are factors expected to hamper growth of the anti-counterfeit food packaging market.The global anti-counterfeit food packaging market is segmented on the basis of technology and regions. The technology segment is categorized into authentication packaging technology and track and trace packaging technology. The authentication technology is further sub-segmented into ink & dyes, holograms, watermarks and taggants. The track and trace packaging technology is sub-segmented under barcode technology and RFID technology.In terms of geography, the global anti-counterfeit food packaging market is segmented into seven main regions namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East & Africa, and Japan. Due to high awareness about the technology and products, North America is expected to hold the largest market share in the global anti-counterfeit food packaging market, followed by Europe. The Asia Pacific anti-counterfeit food packaging market is expected to expand at the highest CAGR in terms of revenue over the forecast period.Some key players in the market include Zebra Technologies, Alien Technology Corp., AlpVision, Avery Dennison Corp., SICPA HOLDING SA and others.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Wafer Level Package Dielectrics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=9551 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Wafer Level Package (WLP) is a type of packaging used in the semiconductor industry for the packaging of Integrated Circuits (ICs) as it is very fragile in nature and highly susceptible to contamination, which can lead to improper working of the IC. WLP finds application in the ICs used in portable consumer electronic devices; for instance, smart phones. Increasing consumer demand for technologically advanced mobile devices that are capable of performing an array of functions in a single small-end product is a major factor propelling demand for wafer level packaging technology as compared to the conventional mode of packaging in case of semiconductors, thus boosting growth of the market for wafer level package dielectrics further. Comparatively, the low cost associated with the wafer level packaging as compared to the conventional packaging technology used in case of semiconductor packaging is also a major factor expected to boost growth of the market for wafer level package dielectrics over the forecast period.The wafer level package dielectrics market is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR over the forecast period, and the major driving factor responsible for growth of the wafer level package dielectrics market is the rising demand for compact electronic devices with high performance and cost effective packaging in the semiconductor packaging industry. In case of conventional packaging, such as die level packaging, with the variation in size of the ICs, the cost of packaging becomes more as compared to the production cost of the ICs. On the contrary, wafer level packaging is much more cost-efficient as compared to the conventional packaging or the production cost of the ICs. The technological advancements in IC design & production are also, to an extent, propelling growth of the wafer level package dielectrics market currently. The wafer level packaging technology has certain perks over the traditional packaging technology, such as minimized electricity consumption and long battery life in case of mobile phones, and its compactness helps manufacturers design and develop ultra-thin mobile phones. However, fluctuations in some of the physical properties of the technology, such as the coefficient of thermal expansion of the materials of wafer with respect to the material of ICs, are considered as a drawback of the wafer packaging technology, which in turn might restraint growth of the market for wafer level package dielectrics.Get Free Sample Report Copy :The global wafer level package dielectrics market is segmented on the basis of type of wafer level packaging, application, and region. On the basis of type, the global market for wafer level package dielectrics is segmented into FOWLP (Fan-Out Wafer Level Package), FIWLP (Fan-in Wafer Level Package), FIWLCSP (Fan-in Wafer Level Chip Scale Package), flip chip, and 3DFOWLP. On the basis of applications, the global market for wafer level package is segmented into consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, defense, and healthcare.On the basis of geography, the global rigid plastic packaging market is segmented into seven key regions, namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and the Middle East & Africa. Among the aforementioned regions, the Asia-Pacific market is projected to grow at a promising CAGR, which is attributed to the increase in demand for smart phones globally. For instance, recently, India become the second largest user of smart phones globally, beating the U.S. This is turn is expected to drive growth of the wafer level package dielectrics market in the country. Moreover, the presence of leading semiconductor manufacturers, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, among others, is expected to have a positive effect on growth of the wafer level package dielectrics market in APEJ over the forecast period.Some of the major players identified in the global wafer level package dielectrics market include ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., STATS ChipPAC Ltd., IQE PLC, Amkor Technology Inc., TriQuint Semiconductor Inc., Deca Technologies, KLA-Tencor Corporation, Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd., China Wafer Level CSP Co. Ltd., and Jiangsu Changjiang Electronics Technology Co. Ltd.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: global jams, jellies, and preserves market to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% during the period 2016-2020 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/741921 About Jams, Jellies, and PreservesThe use of jams, jellies, and preserves is increasing in salads, cookies, pizzas, sandwiches, and smoothies as customers are willing to expand their taste pallet. In the new era, where healthy eating is becoming the prime motive of many consumers, the vendors increase their sales by focusing on products that are both indulgent, have high fruit content, and/or are sugar-free.In terms of consumption, the majority of jams, jellies, and preserves are consumed in European countries, especially in Western European countries. France is the leading contributor in terms of consumption while Germany and the UK are the two other major countries.Technavios analysts forecast the global jams, jellies, and preserves market to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% during the period 2016-2020.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global jams, jellies, and preserves market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sale of products in Americas, APAC, Europe, and MEA.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEuropeMEAGet To Sample Report:Technavio's report, Global Jams, Jellies, and Preserves Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAmericasAPACEuropeMEAOther prominent vendorsBaxter & SonsCentura FoodsDuerr & SonsKewpieKraft FoodsMurphy OrchardsNational Grape Co-operative AssociationOrkla GroupPremier FoodsTrailblazer FoodsWelchWellness FoodsWilkin & SonsMarket driverIncrease in at-home cookingFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeCompetition from other spreadsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendDemand for natural/organic productsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?You can request one free hour of our analysts time when you purchase this market report. Details are provided within the report.Marketresearchreports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. Marketresearchreports.biz services are especially designed to save time and money of our clients.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA) Software as a Service (SaaS) Market to Grow Over US$ 418.92 Bn by 2025 The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/software-as-a-service-saas-market http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000113 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100000113 According to the new Market research study published by The Insight Partners, The Global Software as a Service Market was estimated at US$ 34.78 Bn in 2015. This market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 28.3% between 2016 and 2025, to reach US$ 418.92 Bn in the year 2025.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Software as a Service (SaaS) Market to 2025 @North America and Europe dominate the global software as a service market, however, they are expected to lose market share to APAC during the forecast period. The APAC region is expected to register a growth rate of 33.1% during 2016 to 2025.The global software as a service segments the market on the basis of deployment model, applications, end-users and regions. The deployment model segment is divided into public model, private model and the hybrid model. The applications segment is further subdivided into broad categories namely CRM, HRM, ERP, SCM and Others. SMEs, Large Enterprises and Government constitute the end-users for the global SaaS market.Request sample copy @In 2015, Brazil led the software as a service market in South America (SAM), and is expected to continue its dominance by expanding at a CAGR of 29.4% during the forecast period from 2016 to 2025. Brazil is expected to witness rising adoption of software as a service model due to rise in the number of small and medium scale organizations.The report provides deep insights on the growth rates, market shares, market drivers and restraints and the opportunities for market players in the future. Major Key market players have also been profiled in the report. The profiling of the market players provides their financial information about revenues as well as segment revenues, a competitive SWOT analysis for each player and the recent developments by the player in the SaaS domain. The key developments are related to the mergers and acquisitions by the players in the recentInquire about discount on this report @Some of the key points covered in the report: Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Landscape SaaS Market Key Industry Dynamics SaaS Market Five Forces Analysis Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Analysis Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Deployment Model SaaS Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Applications SaaS Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 End-user Verticals Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Geographical Analysis SaaS Market, Key Company ProfilesAbout The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Smart Lighting Market to Grow Over US$ 51.05 Bn by 2025 The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/smart-lighting-market http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000112 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100000112 According to the new Market research study published by The Insight Partners, the Global Smart Lighting Market was valued at US$ 10.55 Bn in 2015 and is estimated to reach US$ 51.05 Bn by 2025. The report highlights the trends prevalent in the global market and the factors driving the market along with those that act as deterrents to its growth.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Smart Lighting Market to 2025 @Currently, smart lighting have seen significant adoption in the European countries and North America. Furthermore, with advancements in technology and infrastructure, various developing economies in APAC and MEA are expected to witness significant adoption of smart lighting solutions. Thus, Europe dominate the global smart lighting market, however, they are expected to lose market share to APAC during the forecast period. The APAC region is expected to register a growth rate of 23.7% during 2016 to 2025.In 2015, Saudi Arabia led the smart lighting market in Middle East and Africa (MEA), and is expected to continue its dominance by expanding at a CAGR of 23.8% during the forecast period from 2015 to 2025. Also, South Africa is expected to witness rising adoption of smart lighting owing to the increasing awareness of energy consumption and decreasing price of LED.Request sample copy @The global smart lighting market has been segmented on the basis of lighting Type into. Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lamp, Fluorescent Lamps, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), High Intensity Discharge Lamps and Others (Neon Lamps and Photographic Flashes). The global smart lighting market is further segmented on the basis of application Industrial lighting, Residential lighting, Commercial lighting, Government, Outdoor lighting and Automotive lighting by. Geographically, the global smart lighting market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM).The report profiles key players such as Konjnklijke Philips N.V., Osram GmbH, Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., Lutron, Legrand S.A., Acuity Brands, Digital Lumens, Inc. and Zumtobel.Inquire about discount on this report @Some of the key points covered in the report: Smart Lighting Market Landscape Smart Lighting Market Key Industry Dynamics Smart Lighting Market Five Forces Analysis Smart Lighting Market Analysis Smart Lighting Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Lighting Types Smart Lighting Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Application Smart Lighting Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Connectivity Technology Smart Lighting Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Geographical Analysis Smart Lighting Market, Key Company ProfilesAbout The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Neurology Devices Market: Regulatory Hindrances to Force OEMs to Prod Emerging Economies http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=284 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/neurology-devices-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Neurological disorders-conditions that affect the nervous system-are on the rise, and so is the demand for treating these conditions. This, in turn, has given the demand for neurology devices a fillip. The market for neurology devices is currently in expansion mode, and this research report charts this growth path between 2013 and 2019.Given that about 12% of all deaths globally are related to neurological disorders, the growth of the neurology devices market will occur in a sustained and organic manner, the report observes. For the purpose of this study, the global neurology devices market has been systematically segmented and sub-segmented on the basis of product types and geographical regions. An analysis of the key performance indicators of the market has been carried out to understand the future course of growth of the global neurology devices market.Download Free Sample Research Report:A market share analysis forms an important part of the report and has been applied to both the competitive scenario as well as the segments (products and geographical regions).The report segments the global neurology devices market on the basis of segments into: Cerebrospinal fluid management devices, interventional neurology devices, neurosurgery devices, and neurostimulation devices. In the same vein, the market is also segmented on the basis of geography into: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.The report estimates the growth of the neurology devices market for a six-year period ranging from 2013 2019; whereas 2012 has been taken as the base year for all calculations, unless otherwise stated.Overview of the Global Neurology Devices MarketOf all deaths linked to neurological disorders globally, 85% occur due to cerebrovascular diseases. This alarming increase in the number of cerebrovascular diseases is a result of the expanding aging population base and a general rise in the diagnosis of and awareness about neurological disorders. To address the growing burden of neurological disorders on healthcare systems, governments are imposing price controls on various medical devices used to treat these conditions. OEMs are thus seen introducing cost-effective neurology devices, furthering the expansion of the market.Although growth is occurring, it is stunted by the presence of various levies and compliance norms being adopted not just by the developed, but also developing economies. This problem is only heightened by an almost-stagnant growth in the neurology devices market in developed countries. This brings developing economies such as China, India, and Brazil on the radar of OEMs in the neurology device market.The sub-segments under the cerebrospinal fluid management devices market are: cerebral external drainage and cerebral shunts. Likewise, the market for interventional neurology devices has been split into: Neurothrombectomy devices (clot retrievers, snare devices, and suction aspiration devices), cerebral balloon angioplasty and stents (carotid artery stents, filter devices, balloon occlusion devices), aneurysm coiling and embolization (embolic cells, flow diversion devices, and liquid embolic agents), and support devices (micro guidewires and micro catheters).The report also segments the neurosurgery devices market into: neuroendoscopes, stereotactic systems, ultrasonic aspirators, and aneurysm clips. The sub-segments analyzed under the neurostimulation devices market are: spinal cord, deep brain, vagus nerve, sacral nerve, and gastric electric stimulation devices.Browse Full Research Report:Companies profiled in the reportThe leading players in the global neurology devices market that have been profiled in the report are: Medtronic, Boston Scientific Group, St. Jude Medical, Cyberonics, and Covidien.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market to Grow Over US$ 25.27 Bn by 2025 The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/telecom-billing-and-revenue-management-market http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000103 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100000103 According to the new Market research study published by The Insight Partners, The global Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market was valued at US $9.27 billion in 2015. The market of telecom billing and revenue management is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.7% between 2016 and 2025, to reach US $25.27 Billion in 2025.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market to 2025 @The billing and charging software segment had the largest share of the global telecom billing and revenue management market by solution types in 2015, whereas the revenue assurance software segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 12.2% between 2016 and 2025.In the deployment model segments on-premise deployment holds the major share of the telecom billing and revenue management market in 2015, whereas the cloud based deployment segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR between 2016 and 2025.The telecom billing and revenue management market is divided on the basis of solutions, services and deployment models, the solutions segment is further categorized on the basis of billing and charging software, mediation software, fraud management software, revenue assurance software, partner and interconnects management software, the service segment is further classified on the basis of, managed services, operations services, consulting services, and system integration services. The market is further classified on the basis of deployment types into cloud-based deployment, on-premise deployment and hybrid deploymentRequest sample copy @Presently, Asia-Pacific dominates the global telecom billing and revenue management market, due to high growth of telecom industry in the last decade and increasing data consumption trend In addition,North America and Europe telecom billing and revenue management market is anticipated to be grow at a decent growth rate owing improving needs for advanced billing and revenue management solutions and services.The major companies operating in the telecom billing and revenue management market include Accenture PLC (US), Alcatel-Lucent S.A. (France), Amdocs, Inc. (US), CERILLION PLC (UK), CSG Systems International, Inc. (US), Ericsson (Sweden), go Transverse International, Inc. (US), Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P (US), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China), NEC Corporation (Japan), Oracle Corporation (US), Redknee, Inc. (Canada), SAP SE (Germany), XURA (US).Inquire about discount on this report @Some of the key points covered in the report: Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market Landscape Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market Key Industry Dynamics Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market Five Forces Analysis Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market Competitive Landscape Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market Analysis By Solutions Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market Analysis By Services Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Analysis By Deployment Types Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market Geographical Analysis Telecom Billing and Revenue Management Market, Key Company ProfilesAbout The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) Market to Capitalize on Rising Demand for Mobile Deposits http://goo.gl/2VhdXM http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com In its new report, titled Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 2023, Transparency Market Research studies the global market for remote deposit capture (RDC) in a ground-up manner, covering aspects such as market definition, classification, and projected growth trajectory.RDC is a novel technology introduced to simplify the otherwise time-consuming banking process. It is a three-step method, including scanning of digital images, verifying it, and then depositing it in the bank. Remote deposit capture helps reduce the time needed for depositing checks by eliminating the need to buy deposit slips, photocopy checks, and engaging the bank employees to process the request.Read More :The advent of RDC is intended to add value to the banking industry. RDC offers several advantages, some of which are: intelligent document and character recognition, data management, ability to feed internal systems, smart clearing capabilities, and others. A bank can successfully deploy RDC if it has a few basic requirements, such as internet connection, check scanner, service provider, and a personal computer. With RDC services, checks can be truncated and cleared electronically.Merchant RDC offers a plethora of benefits such as improved cash flow, day ledger transaction, convenience of depositing checks in-house, and efficient customer services. These advantages over traditional banking methods are boosting the global market for remote deposit capture. The advent of electronic gadgets such as advanced smartphones and tablets is providing greater accessibility to RDC services, thereby fuelling demand from around the world.The global market for RDC is broadly classified on the basis of geography and business size. Based on business size, the market is segmented into large, medium, and small-sized businesses. RDC enables banks to lower their operational costs, in turn enabling them to focus more on ensuring better customer satisfaction. Additionally, the advent of RDC has also enabled the banking sector to provide better financial solutions for small businesses, tailor-made to suit the specific consumer requirements.Regionally, the global RDC market can be segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and South Africa, and North America. Of these, North America led the global RDC market due to the presence of large American banks in the region such as Citibank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chells. All these banks offer the facility of mobile deposits, in turn bolstering the demand for remote deposit capture from North America.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: The Time Tracker Enables You to Take a Break When It Is Really Needed http://crocotime.com/en/ When you work as a freelancer or run your own business, the last thing you want to do is to adopt corporate working style. The main goal, of course, is to get more freedom, not less. A time tracker can allow you to do that. You do, however, have to use it correctly.The first step is simply to start using it. This is often the hardest step, as most employees who switch to self-employment or small business ownership are not trying to recreate their former hourly employment-based existence. There are very good reasons to go ahead and start time tracking the work you put in on projects.Increased PayFor freelancers, holidays mean lost pay. This is why its so important to make sure you get paid what youre due. Having the right accurate time tracker setup is a great way to make sure you dont end up shorting yourself on hours.Shorting sometimes takes place because employees doing the work fail to track their time accurately and they dont want to overbill. It can create a situation when good intentions make work a lot less commercial than it should be. The hours that are not billed for are lost and the money that should have come from the sweat put into work is not likely to ever be recovered.A CrocoTime time tracker allows you to track time very precisely. This can guarantee that you dont put in abnormally long work days when they are not needful and, of course, it guarantees that you bill correctly for the time that you put in.This also increases the efficiency and accuracy of your bidding process. When you can look back and understand exactly who long a particular task took, its a lot easier to provide an accurate bid for same model of work in the future.Time When You're Not WorkingFor all freelancers or small business owners, its likely that they have to spend some of their time doing work that is off the clock. This can include research that is related to but not immediately billable to a project and so on. Tracking how much time you spend doing work is vital and can help to make better business decisions.For instance, imagine that you spent 2 hours studying a new software but that time was not billable to the project you were working on. This isnt much time, but imagine that the "lessons" keep happening over and over again. Over time, you may end up having wasted many days on non-billable work.CrocoTime may help you to figure out whether or not its worth it to bid on some tasks. If the amount of side work that youd have to do for main work would make the total pay for the job not worth it, youll know that at the outset rather than finding out after youve invested the time. This can help you to see when you should bid on a work or when the extra work it would entail makes it not worth putting in a bid at all. That time you dont spend billing can be put toward something profitable rather than wasted on preparing for a task that isnt going to pay well.Good subcontractingWith a good time tracker, there really isnt much of a studying curve involved. A good time tracker should also allow employees to share their data with others engaged in the same project.If youre subcontracting a job out, having the subcontractors use the same time tracker can help to make sure that everyone in your team knows what everyone else is doing. This can remove redundant work and, in the worst case scenarios, may show when someone is trying to overbill for their work. If you see several employees being billed for the same task its an indication that there is a problem. If someone in a project's team is billing hours but work doesn't move forward as one would expect given work time put into it, it also indicates that there is some kind of mistake.A time tracker can secure you in cases where you end up paying for work that really wasn't done or that didn't need to be done and just served as a method for employee to fluff their hours.Its important to track work time so that you know how you spend it. Its also good to see when its time to rest for a while knowing that youve got something accomplished allowing you the mental space to relax, recharge and think about your family, hobby, etc.Today CrocoTime is approved by more than 500 of customers ranging from small companies to enterprises of different spheres of business: production companies, project companies, trading, and service companies have been using CrocoTime to become more productive and efficient.3, Severo-Vostochnoy Ave., Saransk, Mordovia, Russia, 430000 Global Coronary Stents Market expected to reach USD 14.2 Billion by 2020 http://www.ihealthcareanalyst.com/report/coronary-stents-market/ http://www.ihealthcareanalyst.com Coronary Stents Market Analysis and Forecast 2013-2020 report estimates the global coronary stents market to reach nearly USD 14.2 Billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2016 to 2020 - iHealthcareAnalyst, Inc.Visit the Coronary Stents Market Analysis and Forecast 2013-2020 reportThe global coronary stents market report provides market size (Revenue USD Million 2013 to 2020), market share and forecasts growth trends (CAGR%, 2016 to 2020).A coronary stent are tube-shaped devices placed in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, to keep the arteries open in the treatment of coronary heart disease. It is used in a procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Stents reduce chest pain and have been shown to improve survivability in the event of an acute myocardial infarction.The global coronary stents market segmentation is based on product types (Bare Metal Stents, Drug Eluting Stents, Bio-absorbable Stents), and products in pipeline (CORACTO, EXCELLA II and EXCELLA BD, DESolve Nx and DESolve FIM, ZoMaxx I and ZoMaxx II, ABSORB STEMI, BioFreedom, TAXUS PERSEUS, BioNIR). The global coronary stents market report also provides the detailed market landscape (market drivers, restraints, opportunities), market attractiveness analysis and profiles of major competitors in the global market including company overview, financial snapshot, key products, technologies and services offered, and recent developments. The global coronary stents market research report is divided by geography (regional and country based) into North America (U.S., Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of LA), Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of EU), Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Rest of APAC), and Rest of the World.1. Product Type1.1. Bare Metal Stents1.2. Drug Eluting Stents1.3. Bio-absorbable Stents2. Product Pipeline2.1. CORACTO2.2. EXCELLA II and EXCELLA BD2.3. DESolve Nx and DESolve FIM2.4. ZoMaxx I and ZoMaxx II2.5. ABSORB STEMI2.6. BioFreedom2.7. TAXUS PERSEUS2.8. BioNIR3. Geography (Region, Country)3.1. North America (U.S., Canada)3.2. Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of LA)3.3. Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of EU)3.4. Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Rest of APAC)3.5. Rest of the World4. Company Profiles4.1. Abbott Laboratories, Inc.4.2. amg International GmbH4.3. B. Braun Melsungen AG4.4. Biotronik SE & Co. KG4.5. Boston Scientific Corporation4.6. C. R. Bard, Inc.4.7. Cook Medical, Inc.4.8. Johnson & Johnson4.9. Medtronic, Inc.4.10. MicroPort Scientific Corporation4.11. STENTYS SA4.12. Terumo CorporationiHealthcareAnalyst, Inc. is a global health care market research and consulting company providing market analysis, and competitive intelligence services to global clients. The Company publishes syndicate, custom and consulting grade healthcare reports covering animal healthcare, biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, healthcare informatics, healthcare services, medical devices, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals.iHealthcareAnalyst, Inc. provides industry participants and stakeholders with strategically analyzed, unbiased view of market dynamics and business opportunities within its coverage areas.Ana AitawaiHealthcareAnalyst, Inc.2109, Mckelvey Hill Drive,Maryland Heights, MO 63043United StatesPhone: (314) 736-9294.Email: sales@ihealthcareanalyst.com Global 3D Printing Gases Market Size, Shares, analysis & trends up to 2020 http://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/3d-printing-gases-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/3d-printing-gases-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/3d-printing-gases-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/3d-printing-gases-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com Zion Research has published a new report titled 3D Printing Gases (Argon, Nitrogen and Gas Mixture) Market, By Technology (Stereo lithography, Laser Sintering, Poly-Jet Technology and Others), By End-user (Design & Manufacturing, Healthcare, Consumer Products, and Others): Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Segment, Trends and Forecast, 2015 2021. According to the report, global demand for 3D printing gases market was valued at USD 25.85 million in 2015, is expected to reach USD 46.50 million in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 9.75% between 2016 and 2021.Request Sample Report:3D printing is also referred as additive manufacturing. Additive Manufacturing (AM) refers to a process by which digital 3D design data is used to build up a component in layers by depositing materials. The term 3D printing is increasingly used as synonyms for additive manufacturing. Several different materials can be used for 3D printing, such as plastic, PLA, nylon, polycarbonate, glass filled polyamide, and others. There are numerous different 3D printing technologies used nowadays. The major variations are how layers are built to produce parts. 3D printing have several applications, one of the most significant applications of 3D printing is in the healthcare industry. With 3D printing technology, surgeons can produce patients 3D printed model of body parts.The global 3D printing gases market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period on account of increasing industrialization coupled with an growing population in developing regions. The growing demand formedical industryis expected to drive the demand for 3D printing gases market within the forecast period. Furthermore, the growing demand 3D printing in emerging economies and increase in investment in research & development for the technologies of 3D printing is expected to boost the 3D printing gas market during the years to come. However, high cost of 3D printing is expected to restrain the growth of market over the years.Do Inquiry before buying:Argon, nitrogen and gas mixture are the main type segment of global 3D printing gases market. The argon segment was dominated type of global 3D printing market in 2015. By technology, 3D printing market is segmented into stereolithography, laser sintering, poly-jet technology, and others. The laser sintering segment is estimated to be the highest-growing technology in the next five years. The 3D printing gases market is also expected to witness growth in poly-jet technology and stereolithography technology during the forecast period.In 2015, 3D printing gases market was dominated by North America and expected to remain competitive with the presence of a large number of vendors. The second largest market for 3D printing gases was Europe. Asia Pacific is likely to grow at the fastest pace over the next few years.Air Products and Chemicals Inc, BASF SE, The Linde Group, Air Liquide S.A., Messer Group, Airgas Inc. and among others are some of the leading key players in 3D printing gases market.Browse detail report at:The report segments the global 3D Printing Gases market as3D Printing Gases Market: Type Segment AnalysisArgonNitrogenGas mixtures3D Printing Gases Market: Technology Segment AnalysisStereolithographyLaser sinteringPoly-jet technologyOthers3D Printing Gases Market: End User Segment AnalysisDesign & manufacturing,HealthcareConsumer productsOthers3D Printing Gases Market: Regional Segment AnalysisRead Report TOC:North AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East and AfricaAbout Us:Zion Market Research is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations. Zion Market Research is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading industry and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite: Nitric Acid Market: Europe is mainly driven by fertilizer and explosives industry, 2015 to 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4520 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/4520 Nitric acid, also known as spirit of niter or aqua fortis, is a corrosive mineral acid. Nitric acid in pure form is colorless and becomes pale yellow due to decomposition of oxides. Commercially sold nitric acid has concentration of around 70%. Nitric acid with more than 85% concentration is known as fuming nitric acid. Depending upon the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid is further classified as red fuming and white fuming depending upon the color of the solution. Nitric acid is used as a reagent in nitration reactions. Few of the nitric acid based compounds are unstable and are generally sued in explosives while the stable compounds are used in manufacturing of paints, dyes and pigments. Commercially, nitric acid is manufactured through Ostwalds process in which there is catalytic oxidation of anhydrous ammonia. The process gives nitric oxide which is again treated with water and then reoxidized to get nitric acid. The aqueous solutions will have concentration of around 65% while further concentration of more than 95% is achieved through dehydration with 98% sulfuric acid.Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:The market for nitric acid was mainly driven by fertilizer industry. Nitric acid is used in manufacturing of ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate which finds application in fertilizers. Ammonium nitrate is also used in manufacturing of urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) which is used as fertilizer solution and in explosives. Ammonium nitrate is also used as blasting and explosives agent in various applications. Calcium ammonium nitrate is used in manufacturing of fertilizers solutions. Adipic acid is one of the applications which use nitric acid during manufacturing process. Adipic acid is used in manufacturing of nylon 6,6. Nylon 6,6 is used in various end-user industries such as automotive, textiles and tire among others. Nitric acid is also used as an intermediate in manufacturing of toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Toluene diisocyanate is used in manufacturing of polyurethane foams which are used in automotive, transpiration, carpet and furniture industry. Nitric acid is used as an intermediate in manufacturing of nitrobenzene and nitrochlorobenzenes among others. Nitric acid is also used as oxidizer in rocket propellants. However, the market is likely to hinder in near future owing to environmental and health hazards associated with the nitric acid industry.In terms of demand, Europe was the leading region in nitric acid market in 2013. The demand in the Europe is mainly driven by fertilizer and explosives industry. Western and Eastern Europe had the highest demand for nitric acid in this region. However, central Europe is likely to offer better opportunity for the market in near future. Europe was followed by Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is considered to be one of the fastest growing regions for the nitric acid market. China had the highest demand for nitric acid in this region. India, Japan and Taiwan are expected to positive outlook for the nitric acid market in upcoming years. North America had the third-largest demand for nitric acid market in 2013. Increasing demand for nitric acid from fertilizer industry coupled other end-user such as explosives, TDI and adipic acid has been driving the market for nitric acid. U.S. had the highest demand for nitric acid in North America. Rest of the World market is anticipated to demonstrate optimistic future for the nitric acid market. Latin America and the Middle East will exhibit higher demand for nitric acid over the forecast period.Buy Full Report@Some of the key manufacturers in the nitric acid market are Agrium Inc., BASF SE, Bayer AG, LyondellBasell Industries and The Dow Chemical Company among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.ContactPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Announcing the launch of the Polymer Exchange App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shalimar.polymerexchange&hl=en https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/polymer-exchange/id1143475919?ls=1&mt=8 http://www.polymerexchange.in/PolymerExchange-UserGuide-v1.0.pdf Polymerupdate - the worlds leading petrochemical and polymer market intelligence provider has launched a brand new app which promises to forever change and revolutionize the way in which plastics and polymers are bought and sold. The Polymer Exchange App makes buying & selling of polymers easy, simple and efficient. Buyers and sellers can post their inquiries for free through this intelligently built robust trading tool.One can download the app through the following links:Android:Apple:User Guide:App Features:- Allows you to post your inquiries and requirements in a few easy steps.- Geographical mapping of your location and product availability highlighted.- Global coverage of buyers and sellers.- View details of buyers and sellers and widen your network of industry contacts like never before.- Communicate directly with buyers and sellers.- View previous listings of buy inquires and sell postings.- Polymer Exchange Approval mechanism for sell postings ensures that sellers are authentic.- No cost for posting your buying or selling requirements.Who Should Use this App?This app has been intelligently designed for all in the petrochemical industry including producers, processors, suppliers, distributors and traders of plastics resins or polymers. It allows you to buy or sell polymers and also helps locate the nearest buyer or seller of your product. The location map allows you to zoom in or zoom out to broaden your search coverage area.This sophisticated app is indispensable for those industry players seeking to buy or sell frequently-traded products such as -- Polypropylene - PP - (Copolymer, Raffia, TQ Film Homopolymer, Block Copolymer, Random Copolymer and BOPP grades)- HDPE (Raffia, Injection, Film, Blow Moulding, Pipe and HMHD grades)- LDPE (Milk Pouch, General Purpose, Heavy Duty and Injection grades) and- LLDPE (Film, RotoMoulding and Injection grades), PVC, PET, PS, HIPS, GPPS & EVAUsers can buy/sell polymers, find the most competitive deal around his required location. The trade takes place off-line between the buyer and seller. The Polymer Exchange only facilitates the trade and is not involved in the final transaction. Sellers can post photos of his products and the exact specifications along with the ideal price he wishes to sell at. Buyers can speficy their preferred buying price.App Segments:The app is organized into segments such as :BUYBuy Inquiry Form for buyers to search for suppliersMap view of sellers based on Product, Grade and current locationMap view of regional and international sellers by zooming in and out of current locationSellers Detail viewList view of sellers based on Product and GradeProduct Sold indicatorListing of last 7 days buy inquiriesQuick Map view of sellers based on last buy inquiry doneBuyers can edit their inquirySELLSell Post Form for sellersPolymer Exchange Approval mechanism for all sell postingsListing of last 30 days sell postingsMap view of buyers based on Product, Grade and current locationMap view of regional and international buyers by zooming in and out of current locationList view of buyers based on Product and GradeProduct bought indicatorQuick Map view of buyers based on last sell post doneSellers can edit their postingPolymer Exchange is a trading tool app that helps buyers and sellers meet on a common platform to fulfill their raw material requirements. Polymer Exchange is an initiative of Polymerupdate one of the fastest growing petrochemical market intelligence companies in the world. Polymerupdate is a world renowned provider of business critical industry news and real time price alerts. The Polymer Exchange app is free to download and use. For any queries, contact us on info@polymerexchange.inContact Person:Neeraj RawalAddress:Polymerupdate1001, Lodha Supremus, Opp :The World Towers, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (West), Mumbai, 400013email:neeraj@polymerupdate.comPhone : (91-22) 61772000 Polyamideimide Fibers Market: Latest innovations and key events in the industry 2015 to 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4521 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/4521 Polyamideimide fibers are one of the most essential fibers in aramid family. Polyamideimide fibers are thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers which have excellent chemical, thermal and mechanical resistance properties. Polyamideimide fibers have properties of both polyamides and polyimides. Polyamideimide fibers are non flammable due to higher double bonds and aromatic structures. Polyamideimide fibers offer higher resistance to abrasion and fire. Polyamideimide fibers have lower thermal conductivity as compared to other aramid fibers. Due to excellent chemical resistance polyamideimide fibers finds applications in chemical plants where there is regular spillage of chemicals. Polyamideimide fibers offer excellent protection against flame and radiant heat. Polyamideimide fibers will not melt and will not form molten droplets. Polyamideimide fibers can be either manufactured through diisocyantes or acid chloride method.Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:The market for polyamideimide fibers was mainly driven by coatings and molded applications. In coatings industry, polyamideimide fibers are in powder form and half imidized. Polyamideimide fibers are used in magnetic enamels. The wire enamel is manufactured by dissolving it in polyamideimide fibers with solvents. polyamideimide fibers enamel have thermal stability and offer resistance against heat and chemicals. Polyamideimide fibers are used in corrosion resistance and decorative coatings used in industrial applications. Polyamideimide fibers are used in non-stick utensils. In molding industry, polyamideimide fibers are used in manufacturing of gears, bushings, fasteners and seals among others. In gas separation industry, polyamideimide fibers are used in membrane separation technology for gas separation due to its ability to sustain higher temperature levels. In electronics industry, polyamideimide fibers are used in manufacturing of electric motor components and semiconductor fabrications. However, higher prices and environmental regulations is anticipated to hinder the growth of the market in next few years to come.In terms of demand, Asia Pacific was the leading region in polyamideimide fibers market in past few years. Asia Pacific is considered to be one of the fastest growing markets for polyamideimide fibers due to huge demand from molding and coatings industry. China had the highest demand and production for polyamideimide fibers in Asia Pacific region. Southeast Asian countries and Indian subcontinent is expected to have higher demand for polyamideimide fibers in next few years. Asia Pacific was followed by North America. Growing demand from aerospace, electronics and coatings industry has been major factor behind driving the demand for polyamideimide fibers in this region. U.S. had the largest demand and production for polyamideimide fibers in North America. The demand was huge owing to increased molding activities and manufacturing of industrial and water borne coatings. However, regulations regarding polyamideimide fibers are anticipated to hinder the growth in this region. In 2013, Europe had the third largest demand for polyamideimide fibers market. Western European countries such as Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK are one of the largest consumers of polyamideimide fibers in this region. Central Europe and Russia is expected to show positive outlook for the polyamideimide fibers market in near future. Rest of the World market is projected to show encouraging view for the polyamideimide fibers market in foreseeable future. Countries such as Brazil, South Africa, Argentina and the Middle East region is expected to exhibit higher demand for polyamideimide fibers in near future.Buy Full Report@The market for polyamideimide fibers is highly oligopolistic in nature and is dominated by two or three major players. Some of the key manufacturers in the polyamideimide fibers market are Swicofil and Solvay S.A. among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.ContactPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Polymerization Inhibitors Market: Growing demand from composites and petrochemical industry drives market 2015 to 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4523 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/4523 Polymerization inhibitors are also known as polymerization retardants, polymerization controllers, polymerization suppressors and polymerization terminators among others. Polymerization inhibitors are specialty chemicals which are required to stabilize reactive monomers and prevent is from spontaneous polymerization process. Polymerization inhibitor slows down or stops the polymerization process by reacting with the growing-chain radicals or initiators. Polymerization inhibitors should be added in controlled amount to the reaction. Polymerization inhibitor is smaller quantities to reaction will lead to polymerization vessels and pipes. The polymerization in pipes and vessels require mechanical removal. In case, the polymerization inhibitor is added in excess amount, there will be difficulty in polymerization stage. Polymerization inhibitors are used for monomers of acrylic and styrene such as methyl methacrylate and styrene monomers among others. Polymerization inhibitors prevents temperature excursion due to exothermic polymerization. In addition, polymerization inhibitors prevent fouling as well as the upsurge of large amounts of polymer in the reaction. Polymerization inhibitors thus enable manufacturing and purification process to run easily. Polymerization inhibitors are classified on the basis of their efficiency and protection length. Compounds such as, hydroquinones, quinines, aromatic nitro compounds, amines, aromatic are used as polymerization inhibitors in the market.Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:The market for polymerization inhibitors was mainly driven by huge demand from manufacturing industries. Uncontrolled polymerization reactions has been major issue in the industry and polymerization inhibitors plays key role in the process. Polymerization inhibitors are used in various end-user industries such as petrochemical, resins, chemical intermediates among others. Polymerization inhibitors are used in manufacturing process of unsaturated polyester resin and epoxy resins in order to control the polymerization reaction. Polymerization inhibitors are used in distillation process with lower vapor pressure. In composites industry, polymerization inhibitors are used for controlling the polymerization process. In chemical industry, polymerization inhibitors are used to suppress monomer reactions of vinyl acetate, ethylene and other chemicals. In spite of several applications, environmental regulations are anticipated to hamper the growth of the market in next few years to come.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market for polymerization inhibitors in the next six years. The major reason for the growth is the increasing demand for polymerization inhibitors from emerging countries such as India, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. China had the highest demand for polymerization inhibitors in Asia Pacific region due to higher demand from unsaturated polyester resin industry. Asia Pacific region was followed by North America. Growing demand from composites and petrochemical industry was the major factor behind driving the demand for polymerization inhibitors in this region. U.S. had the highest production and demand for polymerization inhibitors in North America. Europe had the third largest demand for polymerization inhibitors market in 2013. Countries from Western Europe region such as Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the UK are considered amongst the largest consumers of polymerization inhibitors in this region. Other European countries such as Russia, Sweden and Netherlands are likely to demonstrate optimistic future for the polymerization inhibitors market in foreseeable future. Rest of the World market is estimated to illustrate encouraging outlook for the polymerization inhibitors market in future. Latin America and the Middle East region are anticipated to show signs of higher demand for polymerization inhibitors in near future.Buy Full Report@Some of the key manufacturers in the polymerization inhibitors market are Addivant, Chemtura Corporation, Nufarm Limited, Nalco Company, Kawasaki Kasei Chemicals Co. Ltd., among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.ContactPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Polytrimethylene Terephthalate Market: Facts, Figures and Analytical Insights 2015 to 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4524 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/4524 Polytrimethylene Terephthalate (PTT) is a semi crystalline polymer manufactured by polycondensation of trimethylene glycol with either a dimethyl terephthalate or a terephthalic acid. It finds major application in industrial and residential carpet market. Polytrimethylene terephthalate has similar optical properties as that of polyethylene terephthalate fibers. However, its elastic recovery is beyond that of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Polytrimethylene terephthalate is soft, resistant to stretching and wrinkle resistance.Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:The market for PTT was mainly driven by industrial and residential carpet market. PTT is used in textile industry as it can be spun both in yarn and fibers. It can be used in textiles and apparels, non-woven, films, engineering thermoplastics and monofilaments. PTT is used in carpets for automotive market. This material finds applications in apparel, home furnishing and automobile upholstery. PTT composites and bio-composites can be major opportunity for the market. However, higher manufacturing costs and patented process can be major restraint for the market in upcoming years.In terms of demand, Europe was the leading region in PTT market. The demand is high due to huge demand from automobile upholstery industry. Germany and UK are the major markets for PTT. Europe was followed by Asia Pacific. The demand for PTT is significant from carpets and apparel market. North America market is anticipated to grow and is likely to show greater demand in upcoming years owing to huge demand for PTT from home furnishing and composites market. The Rest of the World market is likely to exhibit steady demand for polytrimethylene terephthalate in next few years.Buy Full Report@Some of the key manufacturers in the polytrimethylene terephthalate market are Eastman Chemical Co., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Huvis Corporation, Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, Teijin Ltd., SK Chemicals and Toray Industries Inc. among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.ContactPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Soda Ash Market: Huge demand from buildings & construct ionindustry drives the market 2015 to 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4526 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/4526 Soda ash also known as sodium carbonate is a salt of carbnoic acid. Soda ash is hygroscopic in nature and forms strong alkaline solution in water.Soda ash is manufactured via three different process viz. Leblanc process, Solvay process and Hous process. Solvay process is most preffered manufacturing process in the industry due to its efficiency and cost. In this process, sodium chloride to sodium carbonate in presence of ammonia. Soda ash finds applications in various end-user industries such as glass, detergents, food and beverages, chemicals and dyeing among others.Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:The market for soda ashwas driven by various factors from different end-user industries. Huge demand from buildings & constructionindustry is driving the soda ash market in past few years. Soda ash is used in manufacturing of flat glass which is used in modern construction activities.Increasing demand from end-user industries such as automotive from emerging countries has been one of the major factors for the growth of flat glass, subsequently increasing demand for soda ash.Another, major factor driving the soda ash market is increasing demand for powder detergents from developing countries.Soda ash is also used in various applications such as metallurgy, personal care and water treatment among others. Rising demand for personal care and water treatment industry is expected to open new markets for the soda ash market during the forecast period. Increasing demand for soda ash from fiberglass and silicates is likely to provide major opportunities for soda ash market in next few years to come. However, stern regulations faced by soda ash industry are anticipated to hider the growth of the market in next few years.In terms of demand, Asia Pacific was the leading region insoda ashmarket. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be one of the fastest growing markets for soda ash due to increasing demand for glass and detergents from emerging countries such as India, Indonesia and Korea among others. The demand for soda ash is huge especially from buildings & construction, automotive and personal care end-user industry. The market for soda ash in Asia Pacific was led by China. However, India is likely to provide better opportunity for soda ash market owing to increasing consumption from various end-user industries. Asia Pacific was followed by Europe. Increasing demand from modern construction activities has been driving the market for flat glass in Europe, thus driving the demand for soda ash in this region. Germany, the UK, France and Italy were the major consumers of soda ash in Europe. However, certain regulations related to soda ash industry is likely to stagnant the growth of the market in this region. North America had the third-largest demand for soda ash in 2012. Increasing demand from glass and detergent industry were driving the growth of the market in this region. The U.S. had the largest demand for soda ash owing to huge demand from end-user industries such as buildings & construction, personal care and automotive among others. Rest of the World market is anticipated to show potential growth for the soda ash market in near future.Latin America is anticipated to show fastest growth for the soda ash market in this region. The demand is huge owing to increasing applications in personal care and water treatment applications.Buy Full Report@The market for soda ash is fragmented and however, various manufacturers have dominated in particular regions. Some of the key manufacturers in thesoda ashmarket areGujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd., Solvay Chemicals Inc., OCI Chemicals Corporation and Tata Chemicals among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.ContactPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Sodium Borate Market: Increasing demand for treated water drives the market 2015 to 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4534 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/4534 Sodium borate also known as borax is a mineral, a boron compound and a salt of boric acid. Sodium borate is available in crystalline form and is water soluble. Sodium borate can also be easily converted to borates and boric acid. Borax decahydrate is the commonly used grade in the market. Some of the countries such as Turkey, the U.S., Chile and Romania have commercially important deposits of borax. Sodom borate is used in variety of end-user industries such as personal care, biochemistry, paints & coatings, metal processing, food processing, mining, paper processing, water treatment and ceramics among others. Sodium borate is also used as buffer solutions in biochemical processes and laboratories. Fire retardant is another major outlet for sodium borate and is likely to grow in years to come.Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:The market for sodium borate was mainly driven by end-user industries such as increasing demand from personal care, water treatment and disinfectant market. Huge demand for sodium borate as antiseptic solution from detergent, disinfectant and water treatment has been the major factor for the growth of sodium borate in past few years. Sodium borate is used in manufacturing of glass, ceramics, paints & coatings and coated paper among others. Sodium borate is also preferred as a flux in metal processing industry as well as in metal welding. In ceramics, sodium borate is used as ingredient in enamel glazes and as ingredient in ceramic slips. In agricultural chemicals, sodium borate is used in micronutrients to correct the boron deficiencies in the soil. In food processing, sodium borate is used as food additive, food preservative or to improve the rubbery texture of the food. Increasing demand for treated water thus driving the water treatment industry is likely to be major opportunity for the sodium borate market in upcoming years. In spite of so many applications, environmental and health regulations associated with sodium borate are anticipated to hider the growth of the market in next few years.In terms of demand, Asia Pacific was the leading region in sodium borate market in 2013. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing markets for sodium borate due to increasing demand from agricultural chemicals, detergents, ceramics and water treatment in this region. The market for sodium borate in Asia Pacific was led by China. Other Asian countries such as India and Japan are likely to provide better opportunity for sodium borate market owing to increasing consumption from water treatment and agricultural chemicals end-user industries. Asia Pacific was followed by North America. Increasing demand from detergents, agricultural chemicals and water treatment industry is driving the demand for sodium borate in this region. U.S. had the largest demand for sodium borate owing to huge demand from end-user industries such as personal care, water treatment and ceramics among others. Europe had the third-largest demand for sodium borate market in 2013. Increasing demand for sodium borate from personal care industry coupled with chemical industry has been driving the market for sodium borate in Europe. Germany is one of the largest consumers of sodium borate in this region owing to the huge demand from ceramics and paper processing industry. Rest of the World market is anticipated to show positive outlook for the sodium borate market in near future.Buy Full Report@The market for sodium borate is highly oligopolistic in nature. Some of the key manufacturers in the sodium borate market are Etimine S.A., Larderello S.p.A., Quiborax S.A. and Rio Tinto Group among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.ContactPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com AERB gives the permit for power start-up of Kudankulam NPP unit 2 Atomic Energy Regulatory Body (AERB) gave a permit for the power rise of the reactor plant, thus, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India obtained from the atomic regulator the permit for power start-up of Kudankulam NPP second unit. Tonight the start of operations for bringing the reactor power unit to the minimum controllable power level is planned, with subsequent loading of the reactor up to the level of 30% of the nominal neutron power, said Mr. Andrey Lebedev, Vice-president for Projects in South Asia of ASE Group of Companies, The Customers planned deadline for connection of Kudankulam NPP second unit to the national Grid is August 27-28, 2016. The supervisory body believes that the unit may be operated safely.On July 10, 2016, power unit 2 of Kudankulam NPP constructed in India under technical support of ASE Group of Companies, was risen to the minimum controllable power level (MCL). The beginning of the physical start-up of power unit No. 2 took place on May 11, 2016, when, after performance of all preparatory works, the first fuel assembly was installed in the reactor. In total, 163 fuel assemblies were loaded into the reactor. All the works were performed by Russian and Indian specialist in the mode of automatic operations, in strict compliance with the schedule and safety regulations. The permit for loading was obtained from the supervisory body of India (AERB) after the detailed review of all Safety Reports prepared earlier. On May 19, 2016, the loading of the fresh fuel into the reactor of Kudankulam NPP second unit was successfully completed. The works were performed fully in the automatic mode within the time interval of less than 7 days, 4 days in advance of the schedule. Further the fuel loading was controlled by IAEA inspectors, thereafter the works for the reactor sealing were performed. On 28.06.2016, the permit for rising power to MCL was obtained from the Indian regulator AERB. On 10.07.16, the reactor plant was brought to MCL. On 18.07.16, in accordance with deadlines of the Power Unit Commissioning Program, the stage of physical experiments at low levels of power was successfully completed.ROSATOM is the Russian Federation national nuclear corporation bringing together circa 400 nuclear companies and R&D institutions that operate in the civilian and defense sectors. With 70 years' expertise in the nuclear field, we are a global leader in technologies and competencies offering cutting-edge industry solutions. We work on a global scale to provide comprehensive nuclear services that range from uranium enrichment to nuclear waste treatment.One Raffles Place, Tower 2 #19-61Singapore 048616tel: +65 6808 5687 Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic Offers Sustainable Solution To Mounting Plastic Waste In India RtoL - Mr. Umesh Anand of HPL Additives with Mr. Joseph Gho of EPI Global signs landmark agreement Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic Offers Sustainable SolutionTo Mounting Plastic Waste In IndiaHPL Additives Signs Landmark Agreement With EPI Global To Manufacture Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic Additives In IndiaHPL Additives Limited, a market leader in the plastic industry of polymer additives in India has this week forged a path-breaking strategic alliance to diminish large-scale plastic waste, with EPI Environmental Technologies Inc., of Canada, a global supplier of additives for oxo-biodegradable plastic applications. This agreement will enable HPL Additives to manufacture totally degradable plastic with EPIs Totally Degradable Plastic Additive (TDPATM) in India. This also makes HPL Additives the sole licensee to manufacture oxo-biodegradable plastics for the first time in India at their manufacturing unit in Haryana.HPL Additives Limited is a prominent name in the global market for Polymer Additives. It is not only a significant player domestically with a market share of over 75% but is also a prominent player in the international industry with exports to more than 49 countries worldwide.According to Mr. Umesh Anand, Joint Managing Director, HPL Additives, We see our strategic alliance with EPI Environmental Technologies Inc. as a win-win situation for all. Oxo-biodegradable plastics will be an enormous game changer towards plastic waste management in India. With ever increasing population and urbanization, waste management has emerged as a growing challenge for the country. Plastic waste alone accounts for 5.6 million tons on an annual basis. The scientific disposal of solid waste through segregation, collection and treatment and disposal in an environmentally sound manner is the need of the hour. The Government of India is committed to and aims to achieve Swachh Bharat by 2019. Able management of plastic waste via the oxo-biodegradable process can be a large contributor towards providing relief from pollution and contamination in our environment.In the progress of delivering environmentally friendly plastic, Oxo-Bio-Degradation is the latest, forward-looking innovation with a two-step process whereby the conventional polyolefin plastic is first oxo-degraded to short-chain oxygenated molecules, and then biodegraded by micro-organisms (Bacteria, Fungi, etc.). The main difference between oxo-biodegradable plastic and other plastic is the presence of an oxo-formulated additive in concentrations of 1-3% (metal salts) within the petroleum based plastic. This additive allows the plastics to degrade in the presence of oxygen, light, heat and moisture. Oxo-biodegradable plastic is designed to degrade in the open environment.The Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Association reports that its 1,600 members in 63 countries worldwide are seeing increased sales year on year, with applications in agriculture and horticulture seeing the biggest increase, as new markets emerge and companies and different governments recognize that oxo-biodegradable plastic addresses the much needed environmental concerns. According to studies, the global plastic additives market is predicted to generate revenue of $57.8 billion by 2020. This growth is driven by more and more countries legislating for the use of oxo-biodegradable technology. As an innovation, it is sought out by responsible companies and governments keen to find the most practical solutions to their environmental footprints. Oxo-biodegradable plastic degrades in the presence of oxygen, and the process is accelerated by UV and heat. Oxo-biodegradable plastic performs exactly the same function as conventional plastics but will not remain an environmental nuisance for future generations. Oxo-biodegradable plastic is tested according to ASTM D6954 or BS 8472 to prove that it degrades and biodegrades without becoming toxic. Further, it can be programmed to degrade in whatever approximate timescale is desired.As the pioneer in the oxo-biodegradable plastic technology revolution, EPIs TDPATM can be incorporated at manufacturing level into a wide range of single use plastic products such as carry-bags, garbage bags, produce bags, BOPP films, food containers made from PE, PP, Plastic Sheets, or PS, and organically convert them into a biodegradable material at the end of their useful life. In the agriculture sector too, farmers using oxo-biodegradable plastic film, do not anymore have to remove and dispose of tons of contaminated plastic after the harvest. EPIs vision of reducing plastic pollution has always been a global one and the incorporation of their latest technology in a large nation like India is a gratifying reward of that goal.Mr. Joseph Gho, EPI President and CEO states, We are pleased with the strategic alliance with HPL to incorporate EPIs oxo-biodegradable plastic technology in India. EPI is committed to achieving sustainable and environmentally-friendly means of utilizing plastic products while keeping the process cost effective. Furthermore, our unparalleled record for innovation, underpinned by rigorous scientific validation of our technology, places EPI at the forefront of the degradable plastics industry. Our commitment to disseminating oxo-biodegradable plastic technology globally remains undiminished, and this tie-up with HPL is a giant stride in that direction.Today, life without plastics is difficult to imagine, since a complete ban on the use of plastics will cause major impediments to majority of human amenities. With the only alternative being paper, it is not feasible due to the real danger of mass deforestation. Hence, advanced, sustainable technology in the manufacture of plastic is the way ahead. According to Dr. Ramani Narayan, an international expert on Biodegradability and a professor of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science at the Michigan State University, When plastic is combined with an oxo-biodegradable proprietary application method used to produce films, bags, etc., this product, when discarded in soil in the presence of micro-organisms, moisture and oxygen, completely biodegrades decomposing into simple material found in nature leaving no residue or harmful toxins. (Source:bpiworld.org)Some of the countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East have after carefully considering the effectiveness and safety of oxo-biodegradable technology, legislated for this as the only sensible and sustainable solution to the growing problem of plastic litter and pollution.For Further information please contact PR Grid:Ajay Garkal/Jitendra Parmar911141431044, 41431455, 9818410072PR GRID is a public relations consultancy formed in 1996.W-127, Greater Kailash-1, New Delhi 110048 JANKI IMPEX, EXHIBITOR AT THE ASIA LABEX 2016 : GUJARAT, INDIA SEPTEMBER 22-24 Janki Impex Janki Impex is pleased to be an EXHIBITOR at the Asia Labex 2016, International Exhibition & Conference on Laboratory, Scientific Instruments and Consumables in Gujarat, India.ASIA LABEX 2016 is an exceptional Trade Show, Fair and Exhibition that will cope with the topics of Laboratory Technology, Testing Instruments, Laboratory Equipment, Consumables, Analytical Chemistry, Biotechnology, Diagnosis, Science, Research, Laboratory Management and much more.Asia Labex The Laboratory Show is a 3 day event being held from 22nd September to the 24th September 2016 at Gujarat University Exhibition Hall in Ahmedabad, India. This event showcases products like Analytical Instruments & Technologies, Laboratory Instruments and Apparatus, Diagnostics Instruments, Testing & Measuring Instruments, Research Lab Equipments, Material & Water Testing Instruments, Laboratory Chemicals & Consumables, Environmental Lab Instruments, Laboratory Planning & Furniture, Laboratory Glassware & Balances, Chromatography, Educational Lab Products for all levels, Life Sciences, Spectroscopy & Microscopy, Biotechnology, Laboratory Automation, Nanotechnology etc. in the Scientific Instruments industry.Janki Impex an ISO 9001:2008 Company, manufacturer and supplier of scientific laboratory instruments, pharmaceutical equipment and analytical instruments. It is proud to serve customers as Authorised Dealer and Distributor for company like Shimadzu, IKA, Hanna, Electrolab, Brookfield, Veego, Rocker, Remi, Thermo Scientific, Binder, GonDo and Kasablanka. We are the leader in the world market in most of the product groups and a leading example for development and growth.Janki Impex CEO, Prashant Jaiswal said, This Asia Labex will be indeed the largest gatherings of laboratory professionals from around the region.We invite customers, stakeholders, and partners to join us at the Asia Labex, The Laboratory Show 2016, said Mr Jaiswal. Attendees will benefit from a practical, informative update on scientific, Laboratory Instruments & Consumables and corporate performance management now and in the future.We look forward to welcoming our colleagues, Jaiswal said. This Summit will provide exciting opportunities in a pharmaceutical environment, and the Janki Impex team is pleased and proud to participate in this event.About Janki ImpexJanki Impex is the close-knit organized team that consists of drive, dynamic and talented achievers. We always press on developing innovating solutions and learning new technologies. The result is very important for us. We prefer challenging tasks that give us opportunity to work on the edge of our capabilities. We cope with customers order in the earliest possible date. We work to make our customers feel comfortable and happy carrying out their business tasks with Janki Impex products.Innovative technology, top quality components and the highest level of experience made Janki Impex the most advanced, precise, compact and economical instruments available.Today, Janki Impex is constantly improving and developing new products that are user friendly, easier to install and provide multi-functionality. We understand that our customers need tilt indicating devices that simplify work, without installation hassles and are flexible enough to meet their requirements. To this end we are currently applying our efforts.Customer service is very important for Janki Impex. We pride ourselves on it. We want our customers to be happy when using our product.Janki Impex an ISO 9001:2008 Company, manufacturer and supplier of scientific laboratory instruments, pharmaceutical equipment and analytical instruments. It is proud to serve customers as Authorised Dealer and Distributor for company like Shimadzu, IKA, Hanna, Electrolab, Brookfield, Veego, Rocker, Remi, Thermo Scientific, Binder, GonDo and Kasablanka. We are the leader in the world market in most of the product groups and a leading example for development and growth.First Floor, Centaur Complex,Vijay Cross Road, Navarangpura,Ahmedabad - 380009 Ideal vacuum solutions for degassing plastics Plastex BM 0280 extruder degassing system from Busch Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems will be showcasing its enhanced vacuum solutions for the plastics and rubber industry at K 2016. In addition to the new size of Mink MV claw vacuum pump, an extruder degassing system will also be on display at Busch's trade show booth.With the new Mink MV series, Busch has succeeded in developing claw vacuum pumps that have a significantly lower noise level than comparable pumps on the market. They are also extremely compact and efficient. The new series operates in the same way as the previous series, i.e. according to the dry and contact-free claw principle. Therefore, no operating fluid is required in the compression chamber, which means that all associated maintenance work, such as oil and filter changes, is eliminated. There is no wear thanks to the contact-free operation and therefore no wearing parts have to be replaced.Mink claw vacuum pumps are used to generate the vacuum required for feeding material into extruders and injection moulding machines pneumatically. Their high level of energy efficiency and wear-free operation make Mink claw vacuum pumps the most cost-effective solution for the pneumatic suction conveying of granulates.In principle, Mink claw vacuum pumps are also suitable for use in centralized vacuum systems which generate vacuum for feeding material into all injection moulding machines or extruders. An additional vacuum supply offers high energy-saving potential.Mink claw vacuum pumps have been used for degassing extruders for more than 20 years. Busch's many years of experience in degassing plastic melt during extrusion, expertise in separation technology and regular dialogue with customers enable it to offer tailor-made solutions for customers in the plastics and rubber industry in addition to standard degassing systems.Apart from Mink claw vacuum pumps, Dolphin liquid ring vacuum pumps can also be used in degassing systems depending on the material to be extruded. Subject to the vacuum level required, Panda or Puma vacuum booster can be connected downstream as well.Visit Busch at K 2016 in hall 09 booth 9E23.Busch Vacuum Pumps and SystemsUli Merkle - 15/08/2016Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems is one of the largest manufacturers of vacuum pumps, blowers and compressors in the world.With a lot of experience and top qualified personnel, we are forward-looking and strive to improve our products and ourselves. We are constantly at work developing innovative technologies that will define the vacuum world of the future.Our manufacturing plants utilize the most modern manufacturing techniques, machinery and equipment under very strict quality controls, which surpass DIN EN ISO 9001 requirements.As of 2016, Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems employs more than 3000 people and features the largest selection of vacuum pumps for the industrial applications in the world. Due to its immense line of vacuum pumps, expertise and experience in the building of vacuum systems and the extensive service network, Busch is capable of providing ideal comprehensive solutions.With 60 companies in 42 countries and sales agencies worldwide, we are strategically positioned throughout the world to provide our customers with the essentials for success.Our goal always is to provide the customer with the highest possible return on investment. Personal consulting, choice of the optimum product and prompt service on site are key features of our comprehensive service that make the achievement of this goal reality. Our experience and know how in broadly diversified applications and product design furnish the basis.Buschs headquarter is located in Maulburg, Germany. Besides Busch Holding, the German manufacturing plant, Busch Produktions GmbH, the sales organization, Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH and service company, Busch Dienste GmbH are headquartered here. In addition, Busch operates production plants in Switzerland, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Korea and the USA.Busch Vacuum Pumps and SystemsSchauinslandstrae 179689 Maulburg Global Smart Card Market is expected to grow at CAGR of 7.4% during peroid 2016 to 2022 Smart Card http://www.qyresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-smart-card-market-2016-industry-trends-sales.html http://goo.gl/y2feLc Global Smart Card market 2016 report has Forecasted Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in 7.4% value for period 2016 to 2022, that will help user to take decision based on futuristic chart. Report also includes key players in global Smart Card market. The Smart Card market size is estimated in terms of revenue (US$) and production volume in this report.Access Complete Report with TOC @A recent market study depend on Smart Card market provides an analytical view of the global market, The QYResearch Group has announced a new report titled "Global Smart Card Market 2016" with key focus on the industry performance as exhibited in China. The research provides first hand industry information on the present market condition in the most genuine way, and forecast for Smart Cards in the world top ten countries. The demand and supply forces sketching the growth trajectory of the market is studied extensively.The report studies detailed of the key segments in the market with the import, export, stock size and relevant data of Major GDP regions such as EU, US, Japan and China are listed in the report. The key emerging opportunities of the fastest growing market segments are also covered in this report. Each segments and sub-segments market size, share, and forecast are available in this report.The Smart Card market research report covers every aspect of the global market for Smart Card, starting from the basic market information and advancing further to various significant criteria, based on which, the Smart Card market is segmented. Key application areas of Smart Card are also assessed on the basis of their performance. The competitive framework of the Smart Card market in terms of the global Smart Card industry has been evaluated in the report. the highest companies and their overall share and share with relevance the global market are enclosed in the report.Get FREE Sample Of Report @Leading Key Manufacturers- Analysis of Smart Card with Company Profile, Product Picture and Specifications, Sales Volume, Sales Revenue, Sale Price and Gross Margin and Contact Information:GEMALTOKONAVALIDOBERTHURGIESECKE & DEVRIENTMORPHOWATCHDATAEASTCOMPEACEWUHAN TIANYUDATANGHENGBAOCPI CARD GROUPQYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651Email: sales (@) qyresearchgroup (dot) com Reduce Some of Your Hassles by Owing the Best Outsourcing Company for Your Business http://www.josoftech.com Josoft Technologies (Josoftech), IndiaGrowing business in India is also increasing the need of outsourcing company as the large businesses require a sum of support services like customer support services, sales services, manpower services. These outsourcing companies work as a faithful partner of the big companies. Every business owner wants to hire a top outsourcing company in India to support his business by providing support services. The main objective of hiring these companies is to maximize the production and profit and to minimize the cost of service but not to compromise with the quality of services. The goodwill of a company mainly depends on the customer satisfaction and this can only be achieved by providing suitable answers to their queries and all the necessary technical support. In this connection top outsourcing companies in India play a vital role. These outsourcing companies provide services in two forms, the first one is inbound services and the other is outbound services.Outbound call centers are growing on a rapid rate, as every business requires sales promotion of their products and services. Outbound call centers make calls to provide information about new launched products and services of the company and also do some sales calls to sale the products and services on behalf of the company. Josoft, a leading outsource service providing company will be the best option for any growing business to avail the best IT support to the business. Josoft pays much attention towards the quality of work and never compromise with it.Josoft, as an IT outsourcing services provider deals with the entire major and minor IT hassles occurs in doing your business. It makes the task easier by providing assistance to your well increasing business. It helps to increase your business by making outbound calls for selling products and services to the customers who are not aware with the new services and products of the company. It provides services at a cost effective rate and provides valuable work in return to make your business a model to follow.While choosing an IT outsource service provider, you must consider a few factors as is it providing the required support in the desired field which your business needs? How much time will it take to bring your business expanding high? You can browse for several options for the outsourcing companies but you need to choose the best one according to your business.Contact:E-mail us at: info@josoftech.comCall or reach us at: +91-9026209005Website:It would be a better choice to hire an outsourcing company for providing assistance to your business and put it at the ladder of success. All you need to need to select the best outbound call center in India.1-B Nanak Arcade 85-A Hind NagarL.D.A Colony, Opposite Shivalik School,Lucknow - 226012 Non-Destructive Testing Equipment Market Forecast and Segments, 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1580 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1580 www.futuremarketinsights.com Non-destructive testing equipment is used for evaluation and inspection of various properties of materials, components, and assemblies. As the name suggests, these equipment do not alter, or cause any damage to the materials that are subjected to evaluation.Non-destructive testing equipment are deployed to determine the properties of materials and constructions in terms of ductility, ultimate tensile strength, impact resistance, fracture toughness and fatigue strength. Non-destructive testing equipment sustains a uniform quality level and lowers the cost of production. Since Non-destructive testing equipment does not permanently alter the article being inspected, it is a highly valuable technique that can save both money and time in product evaluation, research, and troubleshooting. The various Non-destructive testing equipment methods include ultrasonic, magnetic particle, radiographic, liquid penetrant, eddy current testing, remote visual inspection, low coherence interferometry, etc.Global Non-destructive Testing Equipment Market SegmentationThe global Non-destructive testing equipment market is segmented on the basis of end-use verticals, services, technology, and geography.On the basis of end use verticals, the global non-destructive testing equipment market is segmented into petrochemical and pipe, manufacturing applications, government infrastructure, aerospace, manufacturing applications, automotive, public safety, power generation and others.On account of services, the global non-destructive testing equipment market is segmented into training, inspection, consultation and others.On the basis of technology, the global non-destructive testing equipment market can be segmented into radiography testing, ultrasonic testing, visual testing, magnetic particle testing, liquid penetrant testing and others.Request Free Report Sample@On the basis of geography, the global non-destructive equipment market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Japan.Global Non-destructive Testing Equipment Market: DriversIncreasing safety regulations for quality control, safety and reliable performance of machines are driving the adoption of Non-destructive testing equipment in end-use industries. Focus on improving the quality and longevity of the materials is also driving the growth of the market. Focus on maintaining quality and preventing breakdowns have also led to increased adoption of Non-destructive testing equipment in end-use industries. Advancement in electronics, robotics, and automation and development of user-friendly software have made these equipment more appealing to end-users. Incorporation of Non-destructive testing equipment has shown to reduce maintenance and repair costs in the long run, fuelling their demand from end-use industries.Global Non-destructive Testing Equipment Market: RestraintsAlthough Non-destructive testing equipment offers good ROI in the long run, high initial investment is a deterrent for many organisations. Lack of product knowledge and skilled manpower continue to be a challenge for the adoption of these machines.Visit For TOC@Global Non-destructive Testing Equipment Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThere are significant opportunities for existing- and new- players to differentiate their offerings through product innovation and competitive price offerings. Resurgence in development of infrastructure after the recession of 2007-08 is expected to provide ample growth opportunities to manufacturers. For many construction projects, carrying out Non-destructive testing has become an integral part of the overall process, and this trend is only going to be stronger over the forecast period. Development of automatic and laser based testing equipment are also expected to create new avenues of growth for this market.Global Non-destructive Testing Equipment Market: Key PlayersThe major companies involved in the production and manufacturing of Non-destructive testing equipment are GE Inspection Technologies, YXLON International, Mistras, Nikon Metrology, Olympus Corporation, Eddyfi, Sonatest Ltd., Magnaflux Corporation, Zetec Inc. etc.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Cohda sets off to Storm the world in 80 days The MK5 has unmatched radio performance in harsh outdoor, mobile environments. http://follow.storm-eindhoven.com/ www.cohdawireless.com http://www.cohdawireless.com.com Two student-built electric motorbikes undertaking an 80-day around-the-world odyssey are equipped with world-leading vehicle communication technology from Australian company Cohda Wireless.On Sunday, August 14, STORM Eindhoven, a team of 23 students from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, set off with these electric motorbikes on a round-the-world journey.Aiming to cover 26,000 kilometres in 80 days, the motorbikes contain Cohda MK5 On-Board Units which enable V2X (vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure) communications. As well as monitoring motorbike performance during the journey, Cohda plans to demonstrate how V2X systems can improve vehicle safety and traffic efficiency in cities with V2X infrastructure installed.Cohda Wireless Vice President of Business Development Bernd Luebben said the company was proud to sponsor this trailblazing event. We are supplying Cohda MK5 On Board Units for the motorcycles and support vehicles, he said.Cohdas MK5 On-Board Units allow real-time communication to ensure the motorbikes perform according to design and meet this demanding schedule. We also plan to support V2X demonstrations in cities such as Shanghai where we have V2X units installed.The STORM World Tour began in the southern Netherlands city of Eindhoven last Sunday, starting a route that circumnavigates the northern hemisphere, leaving Europe via Central Asia and then crossing North America before returning to Eindhoven on November 2.Each electric motorbike has a top speed of 160 km/h and can travel 380 kilometres before requiring a recharge. The student-designed batteries 24 separate cartridges that can store as much as 28.5 kWh energy can be replaced by a fully charged battery pack within seven minutes.Each day, the students will re-charge batteries from the local power grid at companies, universities or homes en route. The team will also take part in events that show the potential of electric mobility.Follow the STORM World Tour live on its 80-day journey atAbout Cohda WirelessCohda Wireless is the leading equipment vendor in the V2X market. The Australian company manufactures systems with acknowledged best-in-world performance. Cohdas hardware and software products are used in more than 65 per cent of all V2X field trials worldwide today. Customers include many carmakers, tier one suppliers, automotive chipmakers, road authorities and new market entrants. Cohdas products are already widely used in many countries like USA, Europe, Australia, Japan, Africa, Middle East, China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Korea. For more information, visitMedia Contact:Mandy Ahlendorfahlendorf communicationmail@ahlendorf-communication.comCohda Wireless Europe GmbHSchatzbogen 7DE-81829 MunchenBernd LuebbenVP Business DevelopmentE bernd.luebben@cohdawireless.com Market Research on Absorption Chillers Market 2016 and Analysis to 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1584 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1584 www.futuremarketinsights.com Absorption chillers are cooling units that operate on heat instead of mechanical power. Absorption chillers consume a small amount of fuel as compared to other refrigeration devices; however, their cooling performance is also significantly lower. Absorption chillers use waste heat energy -- a by-product in gas turbines, commercial centre, and hotels for refrigeration for cooling purposes. Owing to their low operational costs, they are widely used in educational institutes, hospitals, and mini vans.Absorption Chillers Market: Drivers and RestrainsThe global absorption chillers market is expected to expand at a moderate CAGR during the forecast period 2016-2026. Absorption chillers offer numerous benefits over conventional chillers, including low noise levels, improved efficiency, and lower operational & maintenance costs. These factors make absorption chillers an appealing option in the refrigeration sector. Absorption chillers are environmentally-friendly as compared to conventional refrigerants, owing to lower emissions of gas and other pollutants during their operation.A major challenge to widespread adoption of absorption chillers is the high risk of deterioration & damage to the entire unit in case of air leakage from the main panel. High cost of absorption chillers is another constraint thats impeding adoption, especially in developing countries.Absorption Chillers Market: SegmentationThe global absorption chillers market is segmented on the basis of source of energy, refrigerant, packaging of chillers, application, and end-use sector.On the basis of source of energy, the absorption chillers market can be segmented into:-Direct FiredSteam HeatedHot-Water HeatedGaseous FuelsRequest Free Report Sample@On the basis of refrigerant, the absorption chillers market can be segmented into:-AmmoniaLithium Bromide (Brine)On the basis of packaging of chillers, the absorption chillers market can be segmented as follows:-Modular ChillersPackaged ChillersOn the basis of applications, the absorption chillers market can be segmented into:-Food StorageAir ConditioningOn the basis of end use sector, the absorption chillers market can be segmented into:-IndustrialCommercialResidentialAbsorption Chillers Market: Region Wise OutlookRegion-wise, the global absorption chillers market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and Middle East and Africa. North America is a highly lucrative region for absorption chillers, owing to strong adoption from the regions food processing and petroleum industries.In Europe, growth of the absorption chillers market is anticipated to be driven by steady demand from the frozen food sector. Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa (MEA) are expected to offer substantial growth opportunities to absorption chillers manufacturers, owing to overall economic growth in the region. Decades of strong economic growth has resulted in the emergence of a burgeoning middle class in APEJ and MEA, which is ramping up demand across a broad spectrum of end-use industries. Steady growth in the regions food processing sector, especially frozen food, is expected to ramp up demand during the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Absorption Chillers Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global absorption chillers market are as follows:Thermax LtdHelioclimMultiChill Technologies IncKirloskar Pneumatic Company LtdWorld Energy Absorption Chillers Europe LtdLG Air Conditioning (Shandong) Co., Ltd.Hitachi Appliances Inc.EAW Energieanlagenbau GmbHCarrier CorporationCentury CorporationYazaki Energy Systems Inc.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Nanomaterial Supercapacitors Market Trends and Segments 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1593 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1593 www.futuremarketinsights.com The ever-increasing need for electrical energy storing devices will continue to influence the growth of the nanomaterial supercapacitors market during the forecast period 2016-2026. The surging end-use applications of nanomaterial supercapacitors in transportation, consumer electronics, wind turbines and sensors will continue to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. Increasing preference towards compact devices that have high electric storage capacity will continue to create sustained demand during the forecast period.High cost and low availability continue to remain persistent challenges with nanomaterial supercapacitors.Global nanomaterial supercapacitors market: SegmentationOn the basis of the product type, the global nanomaterial supercapacitors market can be segmented as follows:IndustrialConsumerTransportOn the basis of applications, the global nanomaterial supercapacitors market can be segmented as follows:SensorsInstrumentationElectric & hybrid vehiclesWind turbinesPhotovoltaic modulesOn the basis of end-use industry, the global nanomaterial supercapacitors market can be segmented as follows:HealthcareEnergyElectronicsTransportationOthersRequest Free Report Sample@Global nanomaterial supercapacitors market: Region Wise OutlookThe global nanomaterial supercapacitors market can be divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan and Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific dominates the global nanomaterial supercapacitors market due to the mature electronics industry in the region. Strong demand from China will be key to the growth of the market in the region. North America is the second largest market globally, and demand is on account of its flourishing medical and healthcare industry.Demand for nanomaterial supercapacitors in Europe will continue to be driven by the booming automobile sector in Europe. Latin America is witnessing a modest CAGR in terms of value in global nanomaterial supercapacitors market because of the strengthening information technology in this region. Middle East and Africa (MEA) is at a nascent stage in the global nanomaterial supercapacitors market but is expected to have a healthy CAGR in the forecasted period.Global nanomaterial supercapacitors market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global nanomaterial supercapacitors market are:Nippon electrical Co.Panasonic Electronic Devices Co. LtdTTI, IncMAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INCNesscap Co., LtdAxion Power International, Inc.Cap-XXSPELMurata Manufacturing Co., LtdVisit For TOC@About Nanomaterial SupercapacitorsA capacitor is an electronic component that stores energy in the form of electrostatic field. The amount of electrical energy stored in the capacitor is directly proportional to the surface area of the conducting plates and inversely proportional to the distance between the conducting plates. Nanomaterial supercapacitors are the devices that increases the surface area of the plates, thus increasing the storage capacity of the capacitor. Nanomaterial supercapacitors uses nanomaterial in the manufacturing of the dielectrics or electrodes. Supercapacitors are used instead of capacitors for high energy density, and are used in electric vehicles, grid energy storage, mobile electronics, power tools and hybrid vehicles. Nanomaterial supercapacitors are generally made up of Nano composites that are composed of nanotubes (that are composed of carbon materials). Nanomaterial supercapacitors is an electronic device that has the capability of increasing the storage of electrical energy by improving the storage of electrons with the expanding the surface area of the electrodes. The overall efficiency of nanomaterial supercapacitors is dependent on the material used for its manufacturing and its electrodes properties. The nanomaterial supercapacitors market is anticipated to expand at a modest CAGR in the forecasted period.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: The Mascleta more than just firecrackers and Fireworks www.Costadevalencia.com Spanish language students from Valencia get to experience extraordinary traditionsValencia. What exactly is a typical Mascleta from Valencia? Days worth of work to build a little artwork on the square in front of the city hall, plan everything exactly, just so that everything gets destroyed in 15 minutes, is there more?Yes Spanish language students of a language school in Valencia got to experience that in Burjassot. Burjassot is a little community in the region of Valencia and known for its grain silos, which proved to be very important during the Spanish civil war. Those can be visited during the whole week of celebration but the more significant event was the one that took place that day.Mascletas accompany all celebrations in and around Valencia. Those kinds of fireworks are of course much more impressive during the nighttime, but a typical Mascleta is being showed at 2 PM. Just like during the week of celebration in Valencia las Fallas in March from the first until the 19th, every day at 2 PM in front of the city hall. An unforgettable event with a lot of visitors.Just like in Valencia the people of Burjassot gathered to get a good spot for the event. The mayor and the municipal council are a part of the event as well. Together with their families they show themselves on the balcony. The language students were all very astonished by the festive dresses of the Spaniards. The Mascleta is more than just firecrackers and fireworks; it is a celebration, a gate to the tradition of the locals and an event for the whole family. Children and adults were watching anxiously while the Mayor lids the string to mark the beginning.Quickly the noises from the Mascleta were overshadowing all others, the sky was covered in lights and clouds of smoke. An extraordinary picture, which cannot be captures by a camera you have to experience it. Just like the language students of the Spanish language school Costa de Valencia, who got to experience this cultural celebration. Although the spectacle only lasted 15 minutes the students returned to Valencia with a lot of unique memories.Since 1995 the language school Costa de Valencia has focused on teaching Spanish to non-native speakers. This language school, which is situated in the heart of Valencia, is a Centro Acreditado of the Instituto Cervantes and a member of many associations.The teaching material, which is used during the lessons, is worked out by a team of well-versed teachers. One of the most important aspects of teaching in this school is the individual involvement of every single student. This way every student has the possibility to speak very much during the language course. Furthermore, both managers place big value the quality of the language lessons and a broadly diversified leisure programme.Costa de Valencia, S.L.Avda. Blasco Ibanez, 66E-46021 ValenciaTel.: (+34) 96 361 03 67Fax: (+34) 96 393 60 49info@costadevalencia.comContact person:Andreas Temer (manager)Andreas@Costadevalencia.com Marketing Mix Optimisation Market Value Chain and Forecast 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1626 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1626 www.futuremarketinsights.com Marketing mix optimisation or marketing mix modeling is a method that is used for the statistical analysis of the various advertising and marketing efforts done on a products performance in the market. The key elements of marketing mix modeling are product, promotion, distribution and the pricing, each of these elements are analyzed closely before finalizing the suitable model for marketing a particular product. The marketing mix modeling allows quantifying the sales and revenue generated by the marketing done on a particular product. It also allows planning the strategies for marketing of particular product or marketing service in an optimized manner. The shift of global markets to the emerging regions such as, China, India, Brazil and Russia and the established markets being on the threshold of saturation, manufacturers are looking forward to establish markets in the emerging regions with low investments and high return on investment. With various big organizations adapting the marketing mix modeling for optimized marketing of their products, the global market for marketing mix modeling will register a healthy growth rate by the end of forecast period.The global marketing mix modeling market is primarily driven by the demand for efficient marketing strategies by organizations including the fortune 500 companies, which will help minimizing the lump sum investments in marketing of a particular product and give high return of investment to the companies in terms of marketing costs by increasing the sales for that particular product. The implementation of marketing mix modeling helps in achieving the targeted goals of the company and benefits the organization as a whole. Somehow, there are some challenges related to the marketing mix modeling which might restrain the growth of the market. Some of the challenges includes, unstandardized measurement of the market, lack of transparency in the modeling methods among others, which makes difficult to narrow down actual predictions.Request Free Report Sample@The global marketing mix modeling market is segmented based on approach for marketing mix modeling and region. Based on the approach used for marketing mix modeling, the marketing mix modeling market can be segmented into OLS (Ordinary Least Square) regression approach and Constraint regression approach.Based on the geographic regions, global automotive seating systems marketing market is segmented into seven key market segments namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. The marketing mix modeling being a new concept it is being adapted globally in the established as well as the emerging markets. The global trend of big manufacturers and markets shifting the business to Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe markets to tap the growth opportunities in these markets are fostering the growth of marketing mix modeling market in the aforementioned regions as well as in the established markets of North American and Western Europe.Visit For TOC@Some of the major players identified in the global marketing mix modeling market includes, Wipro Limited, Polaris Research, Decision Analyst, Inc., The Nielsen Company, Analytic Partners, Inc., Ninah and ThinkVine.com among others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global Fluoroscopy and Mobile C-arms Market growing at a CAGR of slightly above 2.80% between 2015 and 2020 http://goo.gl/y4P6KU http://goo.gl/V9Gct6 http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/fluoroscopy-and-mobile-c-arms-market-35585 http://goo.gl/sfolXS http://www.marketresearchstore.com Zion Research has published a new report titled Fluoroscopy and Mobile C-Arms Market(Mini C-Arms and Full Size C Arms) for Hospitals And Diagnostic Units, Interventional Radiology Procedures and Other Applications: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 According to the report, global demand for fluoroscopy and mobile c-arms market was valued at over USD 1.69 billion in 2014 and is expected to reach USD 1.99 billion in 2020, growing at a CAGR of slightly above 2.80% between 2015 and 2020.Request Sample Report:Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique commonly used by the physicians to obtain real-time moving images of the interior of an object. Fluoroscopy helps physician to see the internal organs and function of patients. Fluoroscopy provides great aid to physician for diagnosis therapy as well as image guided surgery. Fluoroscopy is widely used in orthopedic surgery, angiography, placement of catheters, and implantation of cardiac rhythm management devices. A mobile C-arm is a medical imaging device that is based on X-ray technology and can be used flexibly in various ORs within a clinic. C-arms are widely used for imaging during various critical, surgical, orthopedic, and emergency care procedures.The global fluoroscopy and mobile C-arms market is expected to grow at slow but steady CAGR during the forecast period. Rise in number of hospitals and diagnostic units are key factors driving the demand for fluoroscopy and mobile C-arms. Rapidly growing aging population has been resulted into increased number of orthopedic surgeries. Fluoroscopy dominated the market with around 55% share of the market in 2014. However, C-arms market is expected to exhibit fastest growth rate (CAGR) as compared to fluoroscopy. Moreover, development of innovative C-arms for multiple applications is also expected to boost the demand for Carms. C-arms offer certain advantages over fluoroscopy such as better visibility and ease in detecting the presence of foreign bodies. Mobile C-arms market is also segmented into mini size mobile C-arms and full size mobile C-arms. Full mobile size C-arms dominated the mobile C-arms market in 2014 with over 94% share of the total mobile C-arms market.Do Inquiry before buying:The Americas was the largest regional market for fluoroscopy and mobile C-arms in 2014. It accounted for around 43% share of the global market in 2014. Demand for fluoroscopy and mobile C-arms in America is mainly driven by strong demand from North America because of insurance coverage for both C-arm and fluoroscopy systems. In addition, high expenditure on healthcare, especially on the elderly, is expected to propel market growth in the region during the forecast period. However, APAC is expected to exhibit fastest growth in during the forecast period.Global fluoroscopy and mobile C-arms market is highly competitive, with the presence of well-established global vendors. ATON, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Shimadzu, and Siemens Healthcare are the key vendors in the market.Browse detail report at:Other prominent market players operating in this market includes Hitachi, Ltd., Hologic, Inc., Omega Medical Imaging, Inc., Healthcare, Toshiba Corporation and Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Ziehm Imaging GmbH and OrthoScan, Inc. This report segments the global market as follows:Global Fluoroscopy and Mobile C-arms Market: Product Segment AnalysisFluoroscopyMobile C-armsFull Size C- ArmsMini C-armsGlobal Fluoroscopy and Mobile C-arms Market: Regional Segment AnalysisAmericas (North America and Latin America)Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)Asia PacificRead Report TOC:About UsZion Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Zion Research experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants uses proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@marketresearchstore.comWebsite: Now Available - Worldwide Smart Fabrics Market Report 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1657 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1657 www.futuremarketinsights.com Smart fabrics, also known as smart textiles, E-textiles or electronic textiles, are the fabrics that has electronics and digital components embedded in them. These are the fabrics that can sense stimuli from environment and adapt and react to those stimuli in a predetermined manner. Smart fabrics can incorporate actuators/sensors, communication and processing for applications in automotive sector, consumer products and health monitoring. The basic elements of smart fabrics are semi conductive and conductive yarns and threads, Nano electronics applied to yarns, fibres or woven elements. Smart fabrics are even chemically treated to provide distinct and special features. Smart fabrics are traditional fabrics with integrated functionalities, which could include storage or power generation, sensing devices, human interface elements, assistive technology or radio frequency functionality. Smart fabrics are distinct from wearable fabrics in a way that wearable devices are only carried and contained by clothing, whereas smart fabrics has wearable devices integrated into the fabrics. Nowadays, smart fabric technology is developing in the fields of sport, medical, artistic communities, fashion etc. The global smart fabrics market is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR in the forecast period.Global smart fabrics market Drivers and RestrainsThe ever increasing use of electronics devices in day to day life is driving the smart fabrics market due to major application of smart fabrics as an electronics device. The ease of use of smart fabrics and the integration of electronic devices in it, makes it an integrated device for normal use as a simple fabric, which further contributes in the flourishing global smart fabrics market. The rising awareness and multiple applications of smart fabrics such as energy harvesting, sensing, and thermo-electricity is anticipated to bolster the global smart fabrics market.However, the smart fabrics devices require a portable power supply that need to be removed during washing and needs to be charged frequently. Thus this is a factor that can slowdown the growth of global smart fabrics market. Also the initial high cost and the expertise required to manufacture these fabrics can be a hurdle in the path of global smart fabrics market.Request Free Report Sample@Global smart fabrics market SegmentationOn the basis of the product type, the global smart fabrics market can be segmented as follows:Ultra-smart fabricsActive smart fabricsPassive smart fabricsOn the basis of the functionality, the global smart fabrics market can be segmented as follows:Thermo-electricityEnergy harvestingSensingLuminanceOn the basis of the end use industry, the global smart fabrics market can be segmented as follows:HealthcareAutomobilesElectrical & ElectronicsArtichetureConstructionGlobal smart fabrics market Region wise OutlookThe global smart fabrics market can be divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan and Middle East and Africa. North America is a leading player in the global smart fabrics market due to the ever increasing electronics market in this region and the booming information technology sector. Asia Pacific is the next upcoming region in the global smart fabrics market owing to the flourishing healthcare industry and construction industry. India and China are the leading countries in this region contributing in the growth of global smart fabrics market. The ever increasing automobiles market in Europe is a driving factor for the growth of smart fabrics in this region, thus witnessing a healthy CAGR in the forecast period. Latin America and Middle East and Africa are at a nascent stage in the global smart fabrics market but are projected to have a significant CAGR in the future.Visit For TOC@Global smart fabrics market Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global smart fabrics market are:adidas GroupTextronics, IncOutlast Technologies LLCMilliken & CompanyKCWWInternational Fashion MachinesInteractivewearFibertronicEleksen Group PlcABOUT US:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Automotive Air Filter Market To Increase at Steady Growth Rate http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1684 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1684 www.futuremarketinsights.com An automotive air filter is a device that is made up of fibrous materials that removes solid particulates like pollen, dust, bacteria, and mould from the intake air. A chemical type of air filter consist of a catalyst or absorbent for removing molecular contaminants like ozone or volatile organic compounds. Air filters are being used in applications where air quality is of vital importance, notably in building ventilation systems and in vehicle engines. The cabin automotive air filter is a paper-pleaded filter, which is located in the air intake from outside for the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Some of the automotive air filters are rectangular or similar in shape as that of the combustion air filter, others have a unique shape to fit the available space of outside-air intakes. The very first automaker to provide a disposable air filter in order to clean the ventilation system was Nash Motors. The combustion automotive air filter restricts particulate matter to enter into the engines cylinders, where it can cause oil contamination and mechanical wear. Nowadays, fuel injected vehicles are using a paper pleated filter element that is in a flat panel form. These filters are placed in a plastic box connected with a throttle body. Older vehicles using throttle body or carburettors fuel injection system use a cylinder air filter, which are a few inches and are between 6 to 16 inches.Global Automotive Air Filter Market: Drivers and RestrainsThe ever increasing automobile market, and particularly the cars market is the major driving factor for the growth of global automotive air filter market and specifically the cabin filter market due to the cars market. Also automobile consumers are becoming aware about the importance of air filter for purified air and staying isolated in their passenger cabin from the atmosphere dirt that leads to the booming cabin air filter aftermarket.However, the flourishing electric vehicle market is restricting the growth of intake air filter, which is specifically required in the internal combustion engines intake manifold. Thus it can slowdown the growth of global automotive air filter market.Request Free Report Sample@Global Automotive Air Filter Market: SegmentationOn the basis of type, the automotive air filter market can be segmented as:Cabin air filterIntake air filterOn the basis of filtering media, the automotive air filter market can be segmented as:SyntheticCelluloseActivated carbonParticleGlobal Automotive Air Filter Market: Region Wise OutlookThe global automotive air filter market can be divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan and Middle East and Africa. Europe is the dominant region in the global automotive air filter market owing to the ever increasing automobile market in this region. Asia Pacific is the second major contributor in the automotive air filter market due to the automobile giants such as Maruti, Hero and other companies. The companies such as General Motors, Ford are having a significant contribution in the global automobile market making North America a considerable player in the global automotive air filter market. Japan is technologically advanced country in terms of automotive markets and so the technology of automotive air filter is very common in this country. Latin America and Middle East and Africa are at a nascent stage in the automotive air filter market but is anticipated to have a modest CAGR in the forecasted period.Visit For TOC@Global Automotive Air Filter Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global automotive air filter market are as follows:MANN+HUMMELDonaldson Company, IncNGK INSULATORS, LTDSogefi SpAMahle International GmbHC & R Fab Media Private LimitedMelkev Machinery ImpexGlobal FiltersSimplex CorporationABOUT US:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Europe Residential Security Market Reach USD 1,867.5 Million in 2020 http://goo.gl/1WgnkK http://goo.gl/NI1OLN http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/residential-security-market-in-europe-35582 http://www.marketresearchstore.com Zion Research has published a new report titled Residential Security Market in Europe (Surveillance Systems, Intruder Alarms, Access Control Systems and Software) : Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2014 - 2020. According to the report, the Europe residential security market was valued at USD 759.2 million in 2014 and is expected to reach USD 1,867.5 million by 2020. Europe residential security market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.11% between 2015 and 2020.Request Sample Report:Residential security system includes various components such as surveillance systems, intruder alarms, access control systems and software. Residential security is a part of physical security that assures the security of homes and individual. With increasing instances of criminal activities such as burglary and theft in residential buildings and among the aging people has resulted into growing demand for residential security systems in Europe. Residential security system also provides safety against gas leaks, fire, and other hazards. It effectively provides the surveillance services and facilitates an option raise an alarm in case of any emergency.Key factor driving demand for residential security in Europe is increasing installations of smart homes. Smart home market in Europe is growing at a rapid pace and is expected to cross 15 billion mark by the end of 2020. Smart home market is on the rise especially in Germany, UK and France. With increasing number of installations of smart home, demand for residential security systems is expected to increase. Moreover, advances in the technology and entry of the new players in the Europe residential security systems market is expected to lower down the price of residential security. This in turn is expected to boost the demand for residential security market in Europe. However, high installation cost and uncertain economic conditions across Europe except Germany is expected to arrest the growth of residential security market.Do Inquiry before buying:Surveillance systems, intruder alarms, access control systems and software are the key segment of residential security market. Surveillance systems segment dominated the residential security market in 2014 with around 35% share in total market. Surveillance systems are witnessing strong demand from end users. However, it is expected to decrease in its market share during the forecast period owing to availability of different substitutes such as cloud-based services. Access control systems market is expected to exhibit fastest growth rate during the forecast period.Some of the key industry participants in residential security market include Honeywell International Inc., Bosch Security Systems Inc., Tyco International, GE Security Inc Ltd., AMX Corp., Control4 Corp., Alarm.com Inc., Siemens Building Technologies AG., and home Automation Inc.Browse detail report at:This report segments the Europe market as follows:Residential Security Market: Product Segment AnalysisSurveillance SystemsIntruder AlarmsAccess Control SystemsSoftwareAbout UsZion Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Zion Research experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants uses proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@marketresearchstore.comWebsite: Waste to energy Market will grow at a CAGR of 8.1% to reach US$31.89 Bn by 2019. http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/waste-to-energy-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=633 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global waste to energy market is highly fragmented with a large number of small and local players. This gives the bigger companies an opportunity to increase their geographical reach and profit margins via mergers and acquisitions. A case in point is be Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. The company has signed a cooperation agreement with Shanghai Chengtou Holdings to generate revenue from the growing Chinese waste to energy market. Companies such as C&G Environmental Protection Holdings Limited are also entering into long term contracts with municipal governments, giving them stability for over two decades.Complete Report with TOC :Another common strategy adopted by companies is the concentration on technological and project development. For instance, China Everbright International Limited focuses on updating the existing technology by undertaking R&D as a means to enable product innovation. Companies are also patenting their products to expand their share or diversifying their product portfolio to overcome the risk related to losses in a particular sector.Need for Economical Energy Solutions Spurs Growth of Waste to Energy MarketEnergy is used by the domestic, commercial, transport, and industrial sector. Thus, owing to increasing energy demands, companies are exploring various options to generate energy. Numerous technologies are being developed to make energy generation economically feasible. As such, waste to energy is a technology that makes use of municipality solid waste to produce energy, making it a highly economical solution to energy problems. Using waste to energy technology also resolves problems relating to space required for landfill or GHG emissions from open dump. Thus the demand for waste to energy is growing.Get free research PDF for more Professional and Technical insights :Another factor fueling the demand for waste to energy is the growing government support for such renewable projects that generate electricity. Government efforts to trim down the dependence on conventional sources of energy and protect the environment from harmful emissions are aiding the growth of the market.High Initial Cost Presents a Hurdle for Adoption of Waste to Energy TechnologyThe cost of a waste to energy plant can range from US$110 mn to US$140 mn. The high initial cost of these plants is due to various essentials such as feedstock preprocessing equipment, storage, digester, and energy generator. The average anaerobic digestion project payback time is five to six years and it may take several years to get economic benefits out of municipal solid waste (MSW) plant. All these factors deter companies from adopting waste to energy technology.Need to Improve Waste Disposal Practices and Reduce Landfills to Create Opportunity for MarketThe growing population across the globe is resulting in an increase in the waste generation. As a consequence, there is an increase in the supply of feedstock for waste to energy plants. With the intent to improve waste disposal practices by reducing landfills and promoting waste to energy, densely populated countries such as India and China are expected to emerge as a boon for the market. Moreover, the rising disposable income levels of consumers in developing countries is directly proportional to an increase in the per capita waste generation.According to the report, the global market opportunity in waste to energy will rise from US$23.44 bn in 2015 to US$31.89 bn in 2019. By technology, the thermal segment is expected to lead by 2019. Asia Pacific is expected to lead and account for 51.2% of the global waste to energy market by 2019.The global waste to energy market is segmented as follows:TechnologyThermalBiologicalAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Food safety testing Market: Industry Size, Share, Trends Analysis and Forecast, 2015 2021 http://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/food-safety-testing-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/food-safety-testing-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/food-safety-testing-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com Zion Market Research has published a new report titled Food safety testing Market (traditional and rapid) by Technology, (pathogens, toxins, GMOs, pesticides and others) by contaminant, (meat & poultry, dairy, process food, fruit & vegetables and others) by Application - Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2015 2021 According to the report, global demand for food safety testing market was valued at USD 4.8 billion in 2015, is expected to reach USD 8.04 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% between 2016 and 2021.Request Sample Report:Globally, food safety is a major concern in consumers due to the constant threat of foodborne illness. Food safety testing is necessary to achieve a certificate of analysis of raw food products and ready to eat foods at several stages of food processing. Customers are provided with food safety labels on food products to ensure quality and safety of products.The global food safety testing market has been presenting tremendous growth with increasing foodborne illness worldwide. The market growth is driven by growing consumer awareness associated with food safety matters. Worldwide all regions experiencing food disease epidemic cases, the due occurrence of microbial pathogens and chemical contaminant. The key market players are experiencing escalating demand for food safety testing owing health issues and increasing awareness amongst customers.Do Inquiry before buying:Food safety testing market is segmented based on technology, contaminant, application, and by region. Different technologies used for testing food safety include traditional technologies and rapid technologies. Due to some limitations of traditional food safety methods, rapid food testing technology accounted for a significant share in 2015 market. Pathogen is a leading contaminant segment in food safety market. Furthermore, GMO testing segment is expected to fastest growing segment over the forecast period. The key application covered under this study includes Meat & poultry, dairy, process food, Fruit & vegetables, and others. Among all, meat & poultry were the largest application segments that accounted for a significant share of global food safety testing market in 2015 and are expected to be the fastest growing segment for the predicted coming years.Geographically, North America dominated the food safety testing market in 2015. The biggest share of this region can be attributed to various factors such as increased prevalence of food disease and rising government regulations. Europe is a one of the major players in the food safety testing market due to increased awareness about government food safety policies in this region. Asia Pacific represents a region with a very large potential for food safety testing market due to increases emphasis on food securities in this regions.Browse the full "Food safety testing Market (traditional and rapid) by Technology, (pathogens, toxins, GMOs, pesticides and others) by contaminant, (meat & poultry, dairy, process food, fruit & vegetables and others) by Application - Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2015 2021" report atBiocontrol Systems Incorporated, 3M Company, Roka Bioscience, Bio-Rad Laboratories Incorporated, Agilent Technologies Incorporated, Douglas Scientific, IDDEX Laboratories INC, and Ecolab Incorporated are some of the leading profiles in the food safety testing market.The report segments the global food safety testing market as:Food Safety Testing Market: Technology Segment AnalysisTraditionalRapidFood Safety Testing Market: Contaminate Segment AnalysisPathogensToxinsGMOsPesticidesOthersFood Safety Testing Market: Application Segment AnalysisMeat & poultryDairyProcess foodFruit & vegetablesOthersAbout UsZion Market Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Zion Market Research experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants uses proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite: TeleMental Health Institute Forms Affiliate Alliance with Virtual Therapy Connect to Train Mental Health Professionals in Distance Counseling 18 August 2016, San Diego, CA The TeleMental Health Institute (TMHI) is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Virtual Therapy Connect (VTC). VTC offers a secure video connection platform, allowing practitioners and clients to connect remotely utilizing the computers, tablets, and smartphones they already own.. Through an affiliation with TMHI, VTC is encouraging its behavioral health professionals to obtain professional training from the industrys leader, while also curbing the irresponsible practices by some professionals who might not be aware of professional and ethical guidelines to providing distance counseling.Dr. Marlene Maheu, the founder of TMHI and a pioneer in the field of telemental health, said, "Virtual Therapy Connect offers one of the best of video conferencing services, with an eye toward quality as well as efficiency of their service. Dr. Maheu continued, We are proud to be associated with VTC, and look forward to a bright future as more and more professionals realize how advantageous it can be to start their telepractices immediately.Dr. Martha Ireland, co-founder of VTC and a veteran mental health professional said, "Tele-medicine is a relatively new frontier for many practitioners and clients, and it is VTCs mission to make the technology experience secure, and user friendly so that quality care that supports the journey to wellness can be delivered even at a distance!" Dr. Ireland continued, "VTC is excited about our partnership with TMHI, because just as important as the technology is to the process of providing successful distance counseling, so is having qualified and properly trained professionals delivering this treatment model."The TeleMental Health Institute, Inc. is the worlds first, largest and most rigorous online telemental health training, consulting and staffing institute. It is devoted exclusively to addressing the emerging opportunities and challenges of telepsychiatry, telepsychology, distance counseling, online therapy, speech therapy and other behavioral specialties. TMHI offers convenient 24/7 internet access to 100% online courses for continuing education (CE) and continuing medical education (CME) credit for these professionals with two types of Certificate Training Programs. Topics covered by TMHI professional training include risk management and best practices of behavioral telehealth (i.e., legal, ethical, practical or technical issues of video, telephone, email, or text-messaging; choosing apps and other technologies). In addition to professional training, TMHI provides consultation and staffing for:Medical groups seeking to expand into behavioral telehealthCommunity mental health centers, addiction treatment facilities, federally qualified behavioral centers, residential treatment facilities and specialty agencies looking to serve more patientsResearch projects needing telemental health program design, standardized protocols and clinical staff trainingSmall group and independent practitioners looking to grow practices, reduce operational costs or re-locate to other statesTechnology companies searching for patient engagement, other behavioral interventions and viable partnersFor more Information about TMHI, send a note to contact@telehealth.org.Virtual Therapy Connect seeks to assist people in getting the help they need, while guiding those who have considered counseling or therapy without the knowledge of where to start learn. The goal is for clients to see emerging and easy-to-use technologies can help, without the individual having to leave home in order to take advantage of them. Contact info: info@virtualtherapyconnect.comThe TeleMental Health Institute, Inc. is the worlds first, largest and most rigorous online telemental health training, consulting and staffing institute. It is devoted exclusively to addressing the emerging opportunities and challenges of telepsychiatry, telepsychology, distance counseling, online therapy, speech therapy and other behavioral specialties.1876 Horse Creek RoadCheyenne Wyoming 82009 Global Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Market to Reach US$ 960.8 Mn by 2023 http://bit.ly/2b61tS0 http://bit.ly/2bCCS66 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The trend in the global cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) indicates that players must invest in developing countries to cater to consumers unmet medical demands and attain bigger revenue shares, says Transparency Market Research in a new report. Danaher, Planmeca, and Sirona jointly held a massive share of 70% in the global market in 2015.Download Free Sample Research Report:Analysts have identified Asia Pacific as the most promising region for growth in the coming few years. Furthermore, leading players are also focusing on strategic mergers and acquisitions to expand their product portfolio and their access to the customers.Rising Pool of Geriatrics to Determine Market GrowthStatistics published by the United Nations Population Division in 2013 suggested that the aging population is anticipated to reach 2 billion by the end of 2050 from 841 million in 2013. This whopping rise is likely to be the basic premise ushering in a new wave of growth for the CBCT technologies across the globe. The dental complications of the aged people are going to increase the demand for sophisticated imaging techniques in dentistry, thereby propelling the revenues earned by these technologies in the coming few years. This growth will also be complemented by factors such as the need for effectiveness in medical interventions and result-oriented research and development activities.Heavy Excise Duties Hamper MarketThe tough excise duty imposed on the sale of medical devices across the U.S. is an unfair constraint for the CBCT market. The high cost of utilizing this technology is also holding back several institutes and healthcare centers to use CBCT technologies. TMR analyst says, The adamancy to stick with conventional methods instead of adopting new-age technologies is also hampering the growth of the CBCT technologies across the world.Developing Nations Open Up Growth OptionsAnalysts predict that strengthening economies of Mexico, Brazil, China, and India will offer a score of opportunities to the overall CBCT market to grow in the near future. Furthermore, the increasing healthcare expenditure of these countries is also going to play a major role in the surge of this market. The improving disposable incomes of Asia Pacific are also going to contribute generously to the CBCT market in the coming years.The report published by Transparency Market Research states that the opportunity in the global CBCT market will be worth US$ 960.8 mn by the end of 2023. As of 2014, the market was valued at US$407.5 mn. However, the market will expand at a CAGR of 10.0% between 2015 and 2023. The report also suggests that oral surgery will be fastest-growing application segment promoting the use of CBCT technology.Browse Full Research Report:As of 2015, this application segment held a share of 26.4% in the overall market. Regionally, North America held a share of 41.4% in the total of CBCT market in 2015. The soaring demand for dental procedures is expected to keep this region as the leading geographical segment in the coming years.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Smart Healthcare Products Market is expected to reach US$57.85 bn 2023 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=9437 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-healthcare-products-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global smart healthcare products market is expected to reach US$57.85 bn by the end of 2023. This market is progressing at a strong CAGR of 8.84% between 2015 and 2023, and was recorded at a much lower value in 2014, after which several positive factors have helped accelerate the growth rate, imparting the predicted market value. These findings are from Transparency Market Researchs report, titled Smart Healthcare Products Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023.View exclusive Global strategic Business report :According to the report, the primary driver for the global smart healthcare products market is the constant and consistent rate of innovations that are capturing niche and high demand fields in the healthcare industry. Over the recent past, there have been major and successful efforts in integrating high end inventory management systems. These include cabinets that use smart RFID systems that can help reduce inventory expenses and create near perfect logistical management.Other factors promoting the growth of the global smart healthcare products market include the advancements in technology, such as the developments on the smart syringe and the introduction of smart pills that let doctors monitor their patients remotely. This also include technology that can help reduce the overall area an infection occurs over, aiding the diagnostics in GI disorders, and a real-time and detailed monitoring of healing processes.The global smart healthcare products market, however, is currently restricted by a few factors, the major one being the overall cost. This market requires a high initial investment, the lack of which can disrupt growth rates. Another restraint on the global smart healthcare products market is the introduction of privacy and data security issues as the introduction of networked devices can make them prone to hacking attempts.The report utilizes a segmented method to completely analyze the global smart healthcare products market. For this, the report makes use of the categories of product types, industry verticals, and geography.In terms of products, the global smart healthcare products market is segmented into smart syringes, electronic health record, smart RFID cabinets, and smart pills. In terms of industry verticals, the market is segmented into inventory management, monitoring and treatment, and health data storage and exchange.Segmented by geography, the global smart healthcare products market was dominated by North America in 2014. The report estimates that this region will maintain leadership of the market, while the Asia Pacific region will show the fastest growth rate.Research Report:The report provides a highly descriptive analysis of the global smart healthcare products market on the basis of its competitive landscape. To do so, the report makes use of the profiles of the current key players in the market, their business strategies, and their estimated growth patterns for the forecast period. According to the report, the global smart healthcare products market contains the key players TAGSYS, Stanley Healthcare, Terumo Corporation, Becton Dickinson and Company, Olympus Corporation, Medtronic, CapsoVision, eClinicalWorks, Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc., and Epic Systems Corporation.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Meningococcal Vaccines Market to expand at a healthy CAGR of 12.40% from 2022 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1666 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/meningococcal-vaccines-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Transparency Market Research (TMR) has recently published a report on the global meningococcal vaccines market, according to which the market is estimated to expand at a healthy CAGR of 12.40% during the period between 2014 and 2022.The research report, titled Meningococcal Vaccines Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2022, projects this market to rise from an overall value of US$1.5 bn in 2013 to US$4.4 bn by the end of the forecast period.View exclusive Global strategic Business report :Meningococcal infections such as meningococcemia, meningococcal pneumonia, and Meningitis are caused by Neisseria meningitidis and carry a high risk of mortality if left untreated. However, these infections can be prevented by meningococcal vaccines. Various versions of these vaccines are 85% to 100% efficient against different types of meningococcus, resulting in a swift recovery from sepsis and meningitis.The meningococcal vaccines market has gained a significant impetus in the global arena in recent years, thanks to the advancement of the medical and healthcare industry in emerging economies. The increasing concerns over the growing incidence of meningitis and sepsis have also fueled the demand for these vaccines significantly across the world, states the report.The research report has evaluated the worldwide meningococcal vaccines market on the basis of the type of meningococcal vaccine and the geographical distribution of this market. Based on the type, the market has been segmented into conjugate vaccines, men b vaccines, combination vaccines, and polysaccharide vaccines. In terms of revenue, the conjugate vaccines segment is expected to dominate the global market for meningococcal vaccines in the coming years. During the forecast period, the segment is likely to rise at a CAGR of 11.10% and reach a value of US$3.1 bn by the end of it.On the regional basis, the worldwide meningococcal vaccines market has been segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World. In 2013, North America held the leading position in this market. However, Asia Pacific is likely to emerge as the fastest growing regional market for meningococcal vaccines over the forecast period. The continual rise in the regions population base and the increasing focus on preventive measures against meningococcal infections are the major factors driving the growth of this regional market, states the research report.Research Report:The report also studies the competitive landscape of the global market for meningococcal vaccines by profiling the key companies operating in this market. Serum Institute of India Ltd., Sanofi SA, Pfizer Inc., Nuron Biotech Inc., JN-International Medical Corp., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Biomed Pvt. Ltd., Novartis International AG, and Baxter International Inc. have been identified as the leading meningococcal vaccine producers in the global arena. Among these, Sanofi, GSK Plc, and Novartis International dominate the worldwide market with a collective share of approximately 90%, notes the market study.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Lactose Monohydrate Market Trends & Industry Growth 2015 to 2023 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4055 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/lactose-monohydrate-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Lactose monohydrate is an organic compound with the chemical formula C12H22O11. It is crystalline form of milk powder. It is employed as an pharmaceutical filler for the production of capsules and tablets. Lactose monohydrate is also known as milk sugar in the industry as it is a disaccharide sugar obtained from galactose and glucose found in milk.Download the Lactose Monohydrate Industry Fact Sheet by 2023Lactose monohydrate appears as a white solid powder or pale yellow crystalline solid with a specific odor identical to milk. Lactose monohydrate is soluble in water. It is synthesized industrially through a two step process. First step involves crystallization of lactose solution by cooling to form crystals. Second step involves segregation of lactose crystals by centrifugation followed by drying. Lactose monohydrate has been generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in controlled quantities as an additive in edible products.Lactose monohydrate finds application in a wide array of foods, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and animal feed. Lactose monohydrate has been found to have a bland flavor and is utilized as a stabilizer for formulations. It has a longer shelf-life and is cheaper than real milk. Lactose monohydrate is primarily used as an additive in the formulation of several pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, foods and beverages. It is often used in tablets capsules, ready-mix infant formulas, chocolates, biscuits, ready-to-make foods, candies, ice-cream and bread and bakery products to enhance aroma and flavor. Lactose monohydrate is used in pharmaceuticals and animal feed as a filler because of its physical and chemical stability. Additionally, Lactose monohydrate is easy to mix with other ingredients and does not absorb water. Cheaper prices and longer shelf-life are the key benefits of using Lactose monohydrate. It is the most commonly available and most widely utilized milk sugar because of its stabilizing effect and easy solubility with water.The lactose monohydrate market is mainly driven by its demand from the pharmaceuticals and food and beverages industry. Additionally, increasing adoption of cosmetics is expected to further boost demand for lactose monohydrate in the near future. However, availability of substitutes and shift towards natural ingredients in food may hamper market growth. New products developed with lactose monohydrate as an ingredient may bring prospective opportunities for future demand growth.Geographically, Asia Pacific is estimated to be the key consumer as well as producer of lactose monohydrate. Key industrial economies including India, South Korea, Japan and China are the major markets for lactose monohydrate for utility in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals industry as an additive. High population growth and increasing purchase power parity, in China and India specifically, is likely to lead growth of demand for lactose monohydrate. Europe is another key market for lactose monohydrate in food industry and as an additive in infant formula. European Commission has approved use of lactose monohydrate in infant formula and for food supplements in older children. Demand growth for lactose monohydrate in North America is estimated to be driven by pharmaceuticals and food and beverages industry. Animal feed is also an attractive market segment in this region. In rest of the world Africa and Latin America have a high potential for growth due to the high growth of the pharmaceuticals industry and food and beverage industry.Research Report:Some of the market players include Sheffield Bio-Science Ltd., Lactose India Ltd., Hummel Croton Inc., Mallinckrodt Baker Inc. Meggle Group and Merck Millipore among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Healthcare Cyber Security Market to Global Industry Technological Advancements in 2016 to 2023 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=11078 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/healthcare-cyber-security-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com A new report from Transparency Market Research, titled Healthcare Cyber Security Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 2023, states that the global market is expected to expand at a rapid pace during the period between 2016 and 2023 due to increasing cyber-attack threats, improvements in healthcare infrastructure, and increasing spending.Download Complete Healthcare Analytical Brochure:Cybersecurity technologies are fast evolving across the globe owing to the changing digital landscape, where security threats are becoming more damaging and smarter. Today, amid the connected health environment, cyber security is not an option, rather it is a compulsion. For every organization, cyber security has become a strategic asset. The healthcare industry is increasingly implementing healthcare IT infrastructure to easily access, send, receive, and manage health care data. The rise in the patent violation cases, medical identity frauds, loss of patient information, and business record breaches are predicted to propel the global healthcare cyber security market in the years to come.The global healthcare cyber security market is segmented on the basis of end user, region, and solution type. By region, the global healthcare cyber security market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. Currently, North America dominates the global healthcare cyber security market owing to the increasing presence of a developed medical and healthcare infrastructure. Going forward, factors such as the increasing spending on healthcare information technology, the availability of medical and pharmaceutical devices, and the rising government support are expected to propel the North America healthcare cyber security market.Asia Pacific is expected to be the attractive market in the years to come owing to economic developments in nations such as India, Japan, and China. Further, the Asia Pacific healthcare cyber security market is expected to grow swiftly due to the rapid enhancements in the healthcare sector. Developing a technically advanced cyber-system platform is a necessity today. Leading players such as Cisco Systems, Inc., MacAfee, Inc., Symantec Corporation, IBM Corporation, Palo Alto Networks, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumma Corporation, FireEye, Inc., and Kaspersky Lab are taking efforts to introduce new healthcare cyber security platforms in the global market.Research Report:By solution type, the global healthcare cyber security market is classified into identity and access management, intrusion detection system, risk and compliance management, antivirus, data encryption software, antimalware, firewall, and others. Currently, the global healthcare cyber security market is dominated by the identity and access management segment. Based on end user, the global healthcare cyber security market is classified into medical devices companies, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturers, hospitals, and health insurance companies.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Bold, bloody, fantastical or sublime: However you like your dance, Portland's fall season has offered a scintillating mix of styles and themes from homegrown artists and international imports. There is still time to catch one of these must-see events. Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group/White Bird "Moses(es)," from Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group, traces the African diaspora through several eras of movement and music. Inspired in part by Zora Neale Hurston's 1939 novel "Moses, Man of the Mountain," Wilson draws from an eclectic range of music -- from Louis Armstrong to The Klezmatics -- to create a soundtrack for what he has dubbed "post-African/Neo-Hoodoo Modern Dances." The critically acclaimed New York-based company, which dates back to 1989, performs this evening-length piece as the second of White Bird's "Uncaged" entries this season. Nov. 17-19, Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave., whitebird.org or 800-380-3516. Already occurred: Diavolo: Architecture in Motion/White Bird Thrilling theatrical parkour from Los Angeles company Diavolo: Architecture in Motion will open White Bird's 2016-2017 season. Diavolo has always specialized in enormous shifting set pieces and daredevil physicality -- picture dancers sailing down skate ramps or clambering onto an oversized moving hamster wheel -- and "L.O.S.T. (Losing One's Self Temporarily)" is no different. Choreographed by Diavolo artistic director Jacques Heim, the piece showcases the company's facility with modern dance, hip-hop, ballet, gymnastics and martial arts. "L.O.S.T." has two parts: In "Passengers," dancers tackle a giant morphing staircase; in "Cubicle," they navigate immense cubes. "L.O.S.T." doesn't come with a narrative per se, but themes of strength, struggle and freedom thread through it. Oct. 6-8, Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, whitebird.org or 800-380-3516. "Giants," Oregon Ballet Theatre Oregon Ballet Theatre's season-opener program, "Giants," is a collection of firsts. There's "Serenade," the first work legendary choreographer George Balanchine created in the U.S. after leaving the Soviet Union; "Serenade," in four movements set to Tchaikovsky, is famous for the unadorned loveliness of its opening and its layered movement for more than two dozen women. There's the company premiere of William Forsythe's "In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated," featuring Jacqueline Straughan, a newly appointed principal dancer who danced it at Utah's Ballet West and takes another crack at it in her Portland debut. There's Nicolo Fonte's "Giants Before Us," meant to showcase the bravura of the company's men in his first piece as Oregon Ballet Theatre's choreographer in residence. The company orchestra plays for all performances. Oct. 8-15, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St, obt.org or 503-222-5538. "Bolero," NW Dance Project Choreographers love Maurice Ravel's Spanish-accented "Bolero"; now NW Dance Project debuts a contemporary version -- no pointe shoes -- from Ihsan Rustem, recently named the company's resident choreographer. He's been a strong collaborator since 2010, when the company's artistic director, Sarah Slipper, gave him a commission; the resulting "State of Matter" won the 2011 Sadler's Wells Global Dance Contest. Rustem is also tackling "Carmen" for the company in the spring, setting it in dueling hair salons; until then, look for his "Bolero" on a bill with new works by Lucas Crandall, ballet master at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Felix Landerer, resident choreographer at Scapino Ballet Rotterdam. Expect at least one new dancer this season, too, following Viktor Usov's injury-related departure. Oct. 13-15, Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave., nwdanceproject.org or 503-828-8285. Camille A. Brown & Dancers/White Bird The Camille A. Brown & Dancers company dismantles and examines stereotypes of black women with the evening-length "BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play." Brown brings her award-winning New York-based company to White Bird to perform the work, which incorporates elements of social dances and playground games into the company's blend of modern, ballet, hip-hop, tap and African dance styles. By turns rhythmic and lyrical, playful and clear-eyed, "BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play" is set to an original score performed live, punctuated by stomps and hand claps. The work is designed to represent a full spectrum of experience; it resists the tropes -- angry black woman, strong black woman -- which Brown has said she sometimes feels stuck between. Oct. 13-15, Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, whitebird.org or 800-380-3516. Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company/White Bird The last time Tel Aviv's Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company visited Portland, in 2008, it unveiled the haunting "Shaker," which evoked an oversized snow globe shaken just enough to cause a flurry of movement and powder. The company returns this fall to open White Bird's "Uncaged" series with the equally imaginative "Wallflower," in which 10 dancers wearing brightly striped unitards leap through, roll around on and launch themselves off white walls, scrawling movement pictures onto a theatrical canvas. The piece, set to music created in collaboration with Japanese musicians, has the look and feel of sculpture come to life. Oct. 20-22, Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave., whitebird.org or 800-380-3516. "BloodyVox," BodyVox BodyVox doesn't do Christmas; instead, it has claimed Halloween for its holiday show. The Portland contemporary company opens its home season with "BloodyVox," a now 4-year-old tradition of danses macabre. As with many BodyVox shows, "BloodyVox" alternates live dance with dances on film, shot by longtime collaborator Mitchell Rose. Past incarnations of "BloodyVox" have seen two-headed dining companions quarrel over pasta and cigarettes, bike-riding zombies wheeling down the Springwater Corridor and -- coulrophobes take note -- creepy, grunting clowns. This year promises new works, but it's fair to expect plenty of funny bits and a few surprises. Oct. 20-22 and 27-29, BodyVox Dance Center, 1201 N.W. 17th Ave., bodyvox.com or 503.229.0627. "Incipio," PDX Contemporary Ballet Although it's a relative newcomer to the Portland dance scene, PDX Contemporary Ballet -- founded a year ago and helmed by artistic director Briley Neugebauer -- is composed of six dancers with plenty of collective local performance experience, in companies including NW Dance Project, Polaris Dance Theatre and TopShakeDance. The new season begins with "Incipio," a 90-minute piece about starting over again, and the potent blend of freedom and uncertainty that beginnings can engender. Company members will perform on pointe in the round, entering, exiting and dancing close to the audience. Oct. 28-30, N.E.W. Expressive Works, 810 S.E. Belmont St., pdxcb.com or info@pdxcb.com. -- Heather Wisner, for The Oregonian/OregonLive An earlier version of this post misidentified the composer of "Bolero." KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS Monkey, Kubo and Beetle are all Japanese, but the actors playing them are South African (Charlize Theron), Irish (Art Parkinson) and Texan (Matthew McConaughey). (LAIKA | Focus Features) Hillsboro animation studio Laika sets its newest feature in Japan, drawing on traditional Japanese art, architecture and culture - origami is a running theme - to create an inventive myth about a young village boy on a journey to discover his roots and secure his future. In "Kubo and the Two Strings," all the main characters are Japanese - but those parts are all voiced by white actors. The cast includes A-listers Charlize Theron, Rooney Mara and Matthew McConaughey. Ralph Fiennes, Voldemort himself, plays the villain, while a young Irish actor named Art Parkinson (Rickon Stark, from "Game of Thrones") plays Kubo. Director Travis Knight, son of Nike co-founder Phil Knight, says his reverence for Japanese culture and film dates back three decades to a trip he took to the country as a boy. Knight told BuzzFeed that Laika sought actors who could reach "the emotional truth of the role," and that took precedence over other considerations. "We made a commitment to making diverse stories with diverse characters brought to life by diverse artists," Knight told BuzzFeed. "I can appreciate that someone isn't happy with any specific decision that we make, but ... we honestly were trying to do what we thought was the best interest in this movie, to bring this film to life in the best way." Portland, long an animation outpost, is becoming a destination.The actors in "Kubo" have won strong reviews, as has the film (it's at 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes), and the movie does include some actors of Japanese ancestry - "Star Trek" alumnus George Takei has a small role. Tim Williams, director of the Oregon Governor's Office of Film & Video, said diversity in casting is an issue that extends far beyond Kubo. "There's a lot of work to be done," he said. Casting for the upcoming films "Ghost in the Shell" and "Doctor Strange," along with ones set in Asia but featuring white Hollywood stars, has frustrated Asian Americans. And the film industry spent much of last winter coping with the absence of nonwhite actors from nominations in the Oscars' major categories. "I was a producer for 25 years and you have a lot of pressure to sell your product," Williams said. It helps a lot to have bankable names to put atop movie posters. But Williams said it's a chicken-and-the-egg problem: Until major films consistently cast diverse actors in leading roles, there won't be as many diverse actors with marquee cachet. Ultimately, he said, diverse casting makes both artistic and business sense because it will serve the narrative and it will help filmmakers reach a broader audience. "It's better for the story," Williams said, "and it's better for the long-term health of the industry, overall." Laika has always sought to tell stories outside the mainstream and has made efforts at diversity in the past. In its 2012 feature "ParaNorman," the studio attracted attention because one of the film's main characters is gay. "I fully believe that representation and inclusion matters," Knight told BuzzFeed. "That's why on all of our films, we've featured diverse casts, and that actually is true for Kubo as well." -- Mike Rogoway mrogoway@oregonian.com 503-294-7699 @rogoway 403 Forbidden 403 Forbidden Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied RequestId: 310794CF4074BD8F HostId: xU0oVnfQEnBGfZRzngfRKP0x67ysDFq4Y8eHZQG4vEHN75Pf+vta6kNTchi8huzLifR1rIEuB3k= An Error Occurred While Attempting to Retrieve a Custom Error Document Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied Get ready for more fried chicken sandwiches. Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta-based fast food chain, will open the Portland area's third restaurant -- among nearly a dozen locations it plans for the area -- in Vancouver's Cascade Park at 719 S.E. 164th Avenue on Sept. 15, according to a press release. The chain's other restaurants are in Tanasbourne at 2865 N.W. Town Center Dr. and at the Clackamas Promenade, 12520 S.E. 93rd Ave. The restaurant will host its usual festivities on opening day: free Chick-fil-A for a year for the first 100 people in line. -- Samantha Bakall sbakall@oregonian.com Follow @sambakall A Bay Area food start-up that's raising questions about the legality of selling food out of your home has arrived in Portland. Josephine, the latest Bay Area startup to try its hand up north, wants to help you find dinner and also empower local home chefs to create their own small businesses. Basically, here's how it works: a person cooks meals in their home, other people order those meals and come by and pick them up at dinner time. The chef gets 90 percent of the revenue and Josephine gets the rest. Charley Wang, who founded Josephine in April 2015, says it's less like the "Uber for food" than it is the "Etsy for food." "The big difference," he told us over the phone on the way to the annual company retreat in Truckee, California, "is that Etsy empowers their users." Wang said his business is about "de-commoditized food" and giving communities control over their own food sources. "The best way to sell home cooked meals," said Wang, "is not to sell to strangers." With that in mind, Josephine helps its cooks learn how to reach out to, and feed, their own communities. "You know what your community loves," he said. "Let us help you do that." But of course, it isn't that simple. According to Berkeleyside, in California's Alameda County, Josephine has severely restricted its activities after cooks were served with cease-and-desist orders from environmental health regulators for illegal food sales. Though Josephine conducts virtual home tours, interviews and health inspections of cooks' kitchens, and requires a food handler's permit be obtained by every cook, those things don't fulfill the requirements of most states' regulations around commercial cooking. In California, the startup came up against the Homemade Food Act, which Berkeleyside writes, "places tight limitations on the types of foods that can legally be prepared in a home kitchen." In Portland, Josephine may run into similar problems. Dave Martin with the Food, Pool and Lodging Health and Safety Program at the Oregon Health Authority is part of the group that oversees, you guessed it, food, pools, hotels and motels. While he hadn't heard of Josephine prior to our conversation, he had immediate concerns. "When you prepare food for public consumption," Martin told us over the phone, "You need to do that in a restaurant under a license." Martin said, with a few exceptions for things like baking wedding cakes, all commercial cooking must be done in a commercial kitchen. "You can convert your garage into a commercial kitchen," said Martin, but a regular home kitchen won't meet the requirements, which include hand washing stations and certain dishwashing codes. Wang is aware that Josephine isn't necessarily acting within the rules. In a blog post on Medium, he wrote, "Existing regulation has excluded and disenfranchised the cooks that feed our population." Josephine has launched a petition to try to change the Homemade Food Act to be more inclusive. Wang said it his goal to empower communities to work outside existing corporate food systems, and he also believes Josephine won't face the same legal issues in Portland that it's faced in Alameda County. "One of the big factors that we looked into," said Wang about the choice to come to Portland, "is actually the legal and political climate." So far in Portland, Josephine has around a dozen cooks, with more signing up almost every day according to Wang. For $6 you can order "Delicious Pancake Balls with Sides of Fruit Salad and Homemade Sausage!" to be picked up on Wednesday, August 25. At least, you can for now. -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker Clipboard in hand, Leslie Kleinkopf stepped into the converted workshop and looked up. She scanned the entry for sensors that detect open doors. She glanced around for security cameras and looked on as owner Chris Ford showed her how his battery backup keeps the cameras rolling even when the power goes off. Check, check and check. Kleinkopf does two to three marijuana inspections a day, looking for all the ways pot can leak out of a system that regulators spent more than a year creating and find its way into the black market. "We don't want the whole market to walk out the door," she said. Kleinkopf is one of nearly three dozen Oregon Liquor Control Commission staffers working to review hundreds of applications for marijuana licenses. The agency, created in 1933 to control alcohol distribution and sales after Prohibition was repealed, is adjusting to its new mission: regulating marijuana. The liquor commission has been swamped with applications - more than 1,300 and counting - from people hoping to operate a legal cannabis business in the state. So far, the state has licensed about 200 marijuana businesses, almost all of them marijuana growers. The state expects to take until the end of the year to process all existing applications. Incomplete applications and extensive local approvals have delayed the state's review process, said Steven Marks, the liquor commission's executive director. The state allows growers to request a waiver from some security requirements -- and that process at first was time-consuming, with many outdoor growers in rural southern Oregon asking for exceptions, he said. Outdoor producers argue some of the requirements are unnecessary at rural or remote locations. "It's going smoothly, but it's a slower pace than expected," he said. It's not just producers flooding the state with license applications. The liquor commission is charged with licensing processors who turn the plant into edibles and oils, wholesalers, retailers, labs that will test for pesticides and potency and researchers. In Oregon, people can hold multiple licenses so growers can also process or sell marijuana. Growers were the priority, as state officials hoped to avoid the problem that Washington encountered when it opened stores in 2014 without enough marijuana flowers. But that scenario isn't likely to be repeated in Oregon, Marks said. Licensed marijuana producers already are harvesting their plants and stockpiling dried flowers while they wait for labs to come on line and stores to open. So far 5,000 pounds of marijuana have been harvested by licensed producers, according to the state's marijuana tracking system, which monitors the program from seed to sale. The state cautioned that the total refers to freshly harvested plants and isn't marijuana in a dry, usable form. Of that, 700 pounds is intended for the marijuana seed market. Marks said he expects the state to roll out its recreational market with a handful of stores opening Oct. 1. Medical marijuana dispensaries planning to convert to the new recreational system have until the end of the year to make the switch. Marks expects many will wait so they can clear out their existing inventory first. "It's going to be a prelude not a crescendo of retailers," he said. Like Washington and Colorado, Oregon's approval process is daunting and detailed, with one busy staffer estimating that it takes between 45 to 60 days to review everything the state requires. The agency created a dozen inspector positions statewide to process marijuana applications; but hiccups in hiring have left only eight filled. Officials pulled from the agency's alcohol enforcement staff, assigning another 26 staffers to help comb through marijuana applications. That work includes running detailed criminal background checks into applicants and their business partners. The state also requires that applicants file site plans and security systems, along with where they'll get water to irrigate and what products they'll use on their plants. Also time-consuming: digging into the financing of these newly legitimate businesses. "We have to verify: Did it come from a bank? Did you take out a loan? Did you get a loan from grandma? And then we have to contact grandma and get the information on grandma," said Denise Byram, a longtime investigator on the agency's liquor enforcement side who now works on marijuana applications. Some businesses have complicated ownership setups, which the state is supposed to untangle and investigate before issuing a license. "We have some with five, six, seven, eight layers of corporations we are dealing with," Byram said. Ford, 42, poured his own savings into his marijuana plans, so his financing was straightforward for investigators. He estimates he spent between $60,000 to $80,000 to get the business going. His plan is to start small: 48 plants in the 1,300-square-foot erstwhile workshop next to his home in Clackamas County. That way, he figures he can focus on producing smaller batches of high-quality marijuana. On Tuesday, the liquor commission inspector and an investigator poked around his empty warehouse, confirming that it meets state requirements. The liquor commission approved the license for his business - Workingman's Bud - on Thursday. Now it's time to get some plants, he said. "Being able to get in on the ground floor of an industry isn't something that happens often," he said. "For an entrepreneur, that's very exciting." -- Noelle Crombie 503-276-7184; @noellecrombie Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. Whether its sports, entertainment and the arts, or business and industry women have excelled in all spheres of life, and it is unfair to treat them as any lesser than their male counterparts. The whole reason why the talk of empowering women has come into focus, is because of... More than 60 U.S. Army Soldiers with the 228th Combat Support Hospital, U.S. Army Reserve unit arrived at Misawa Air Base, Aug. 16, to participate in the joint exercise MEDEX 16 with Airmen assigned to the 35th Medical Group. MEDEX 16 will allow Army and Air Force medics to integrate and train with one another, while also improving upon the mission set of aeromedical evacuation. "We want to know how the Air Force does it," said U.S. Army Col. Elizabeth Anderson, MEDEX 16 mission commander. "We are used to doing things a different way; is there a middle ground or do we stick with the one road that works best? This is a testing bed for that question, and we are excited to figure it out." Given Misawa's strategic location in northern Japan, the base serves as a potential hub for contingency operations and the evacuation of patients from areas in the Pacific to forward locations in the states. MEDEX 16 will build upon this concept by integrating Air Force and Army capabilities, expanding the ability of Misawa's medical treatment facility to care for patients relocated from different areas. This exercise gives us an opportunity to work with the Air Force in a different way," said Anderson. "We have familiarity working with them in an evacuation perspective on the backside of the hospital once we have done all the patient care, but we have not integrated with the clinic before. From Aug. 22 through 24, participants from the two units will cross train on Air Force and Army medical practices, as well as integrate with different units and sections of the hospital including the intensive care unit, operating room and surgical unit. The actual exercise will be conducted during the latter part of the week, Aug. 25 and 26, and is unique in that it will involve real patients. We are shadowing, so we are going to be there working alongside [the Air Force] and our providers will take care of real cases during the day," added Anderson. "This is a two-day exercise and our staff will see how the number of patients facilitated in the exercise worked, as well as observe any challenges in the logistical resources and clinical resources of the facility. This is the first iteration of the medical exercise and the 228th CSH from San Antonio, Texas, are excited to support. This is a first for us," said Anderson. "Its a chance to learn how the Air Force medical model and clinical model works and we are very excited from an Army perspective." RCAF participates in RF-A 16-3 Royal Canadian Air Force Captain Yuri Mokievsky, a pilot assigned to the 409th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta, prepares to take off from the flight line at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-3, Aug. 18, 2016. The pilots will fly to the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, which provides more than 67,000 square miles of airspace, including one conventional bombing range and two tactical bombing ranges containing 510 different types of targets and 45 threat simulators, both manned and unmanned. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cassandra Whitman) 354 MDG EMT Rodeo U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 354th Medical Operations Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, transport a simulated casualty from a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during joint training at Ladd Army Airfield on Fort wainwright, Alaska, Aug. 12, 2016. The height of the people carrying the casualty should be properly distributed to keep the simulated casualty safe as they are transported from the helicopter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Isaac Johnson) U.S. Forces, Japan officials are preparing for the largest land return on Okinawa since the 1972 reversion of the island to Japanese control. The return of more than half of the Northern Training Area, nearly 4,000 hectares of single and double-canopy rainforest, will reduce the amount of U.S. exclusive-use land on Okinawa by more than 17 percent. The NTA, also known as Camp Gonsalves, is a 7,500 hectare stretch of largely undeveloped jungle land in the northern part of Okinawa prefecture, and is currently used by the U.S. military and the Japan Self-Defense Forces for jungle training. According to military officials, the return is possible because U.S. forces will be able to conduct their training on the remaining land in the NTA following the construction of six new helicopter landing zones and access roads. "The construction of several new helipads in the Northern Training Area supporting Camp Gonsalves and the Jungle Warfare Training Center will enable us to significantly reduce the amount of land we need to conduct jungle warfare training, said Col. Thomas J. Verell, U.S. Forces Japan Command Engineer. Specifically, nearly half of the entire training area, by far the largest on Okinawa, will no longer be required for training as soon as the Government of Japan completes construction of the remaining helipads and the associated ground access roads. Following the latest return, approximately 64 percent of U.S. exclusive-use area and one percent of limited-use area will remain on Okinawa. Despite the name exclusive-use, nearly 81 percent of such U.S. facilities on Okinawa include joint use agreements, which allow for use by the JSDF or other Japanese government agencies. According to Maj. Gen. Charles Chiarotti, USFJ interim commander, the return of the land is in accordance with long-standing agreements between Japan and the United States. As part of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States of America and Japan, the U.S. is granted the right to certain exclusive-use facilities for the purpose of the defense of Japan and maintenance of peace and security in the Far East, said Maj. Gen. Charles Chiarotti, United States Forces, Japan Deputy Commander. Under the treaty, once facilities or areas are no longer necessary to meet those ends, they will be returned to Japanese government. In this case, the construction of several replacement helicopter landing zones to consolidate training within other existing areas will allow the return of almost 4,000 hectares. The conditional land return is part of the 1996 Special Action Committee on Okinawa report (SACO). This decreased training area on Okinawa will not deteriorate our commitment or our ability towards working with the Government of Japan and our partners in the Japan Self Defense Force in mutual defense of this country, said Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Forces Japan. Our capabilities to operate in the Pacific will remain consistent, even within a smaller space. We will continue to use this area respectfully within operations and safety requirements for Osprey and other aerial platforms. We have plans for many more SACO agreement and other returns to be implemented in coming years, because we are respectful of the feelings of Okinawans that our footprint must be reduced. The partial return of the NTA is one portion of other initiatives and agreements with the Government of Japan to consolidate U.S. facilities on Okinawa, with the eventual goal of returning most facilities south of Kadena. The return of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, in particular, has been a major goal of both the U.S. and Japan for several years. LeROY Affordable American classics are the focus of the latest restaurant from the Epiphany Farms Hospitality Group. The Old Bank Restaurant & Bar opened Thursday at 201 E. Center St. in downtown LeRoy. The historic building, once the LeRoy State Bank, has been a variety of restaurants through the years, most recently Teddy Buckmens. EFHG co-owner and chef/farmer Ken Myszka described the new eatery as a made-from-scratch, home-cooking-style restaurant at a very affordable price point. Every single product we use here is made in the United States, which is really cool, added the 33-year-old Myszka, who remembers going to the restaurant as a child. He co-owns EFHG with chef/farmer Stu Hummel and financial/administrative officer Nanam Yoon Myszka, his wife. The company, which prides itself on creating healthy, sustainable food, also farms about 100 acres in the area and uses the harvest in its restaurants. The Old Bank Restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Appetizers are priced from $3.95 to $9.95 and include a pretzel braid served with pepper jam and cheese sauce. Sandwiches are priced from $7.95 to $9.25 and include the Epiphany BLT, with applewood smoked bacon, dressed greens, heirloom tomatoes and mustard/mayo, served with fries. Main courses are priced from $15.95 to $24.95 and include St. Louis ribs, with Sweet Parkers barbecue sauce, coleslaw and fries. A fresh salad bar is offered for $4.95. Other menu items include soup, burgers, pasta, salmon, side dishes and desserts. The menu will change seasonally. I think this is going to be great for LeRoy, said Dave Barron of rural Ellsworth, who attended a friends and family soft opening on Wednesday. It is wonderful, added his wife, Karen. You can just tell everything is fresh. It tastes amazing. The restaurant has a full-service bar adjacent to the dining area. There are eight beers on tap, including two from Bloomington-Normal Abbeys Single from Destihl Brewery and Extra Medium Mild from White Oak Brewing. Signature cocktails include the Epiphany House Punch, Moscow Mule, Whiskey Smash and a Cucumber Gimlet. An outdoor patio seats 36 and an upstairs banquet area can be used for private events for up to 45 people. The Old Bank Restaurant & Bar has 18 employees, including Chef de Cuisine Martin DeJesus. Hours for the business are 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Down the road, Myszka hopes to extend the bar hours and open for weekend brunch. After an exhausting summer buffet of set pieces, superheroes and whatever s-word you might use for "Suicide Squad," the gentle "Pete's Dragon" is a welcome palate cleanser. Where other summer movies are chest-thumping, it's quiet; where others are brashly cynical, it's sweetly sincere; where others are lacking in giant cuddly dragons, "Pete's Dragon" has one. Few may remember the 1977 Disney original, in which a young boy's best friend was a bubbly dragon invisible to others. As part of Disney's continuing effort to remake its animated classics in live-action, "Pete's Dragon" has been confidently reborn as an earnest tale of green-winged wonder. David Lowery, a veteran of the independent film world and the director of the lyrical crime drama "Ain't Them Bodies Saints," inherits a far bigger film. But his "Pete's Dragon" still maintains the homespun feel of an American fable. Spielberg-light, you might call it. The film begins, in the "Bambi" tradition, in parental tragedy. Pete's family is driving through a remote Pacific Northwest forest with Pete nestled in the backseat of the station wagon, reading a children's book about a dog named Elliott. A deer sprints out and, in poetic slow-motion, the gravity of the car's interior is upended. The car flips off the road and Pete staggers from the crash. Flashing forward six years, Pete (Oakes Fegley) is a wild 10-year-old orphan living in the woods alone except for his magical companion, the dragon Elliott. As far as CGI creatures go, Elliott is an irresistible one. Furry as a fairway, he's like an enormous emerald-green puppy. Far from the "Game of Thrones" dragon variety, he's more adept at chasing his own tail than breathing fire. He's also the subject of local folklore, mostly as told by Robert Redford's wood-carving storyteller. But it's his forest ranger daughter Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard) that first encounters Elliott and ultimately leads to the dragon's discovery. Grace coaxes Elliott back into society and into the fold of her family. She has a daughter, Natalie (Oona Laurence) and lumber mill-running husband Jack (Wes Bentley). It's the push by a logging company where Jack's brother, Gavin (Karl Urban) is a gun-totting lumberjack into the forest that simultaneously begins flushing out Pete and Elliott from their home in the trees. The lush forest (New Zealand, again, subbing for North America) reigns over "Pete's Dragon," a tale scored with soft bluegrass and exuding an environment-friendly love for the beautiful and exotic splendors of nature. When competing interests come for Elliott, they are really fighting for the soul of the forest. There are Spielbergian gestures here of magic and family and faith, perhaps better orchestrated than Spielberg's own recent try at a Disney film, "The BFG." But it's missing a spark, a sense of danger and maybe a little humor. The lean simplicity of "Pete's Dragon" is its greatest attribute and its weakness. It doesn't quite achieve liftoff until the film's final moments. But it does at last catch flight, finally soaring beyond its humble folksiness. BLOOMINGTON Bond was cut in half Friday for a Chicago man charged with drug possession in connection with a July 19 incident at Illinois State University in which his son is charged with sexually assaulting a woman during Preview student orientation. Shawn Childs Sr., 40, must now post $10,035 to be released on charges that he possessed ecstasy with intent to deliver the drug. Judge Robert Freitag told Childs that a significant bond is necessary to ensure the suspect's appearance at court appearances but the $200,000 bond initially set was "somewhat excessive." In asking for a lower bond, public defender James Tusek argued that Childs is employed and supports his family in Chicago. The judge noted that Childs has an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on a minor charge in another county and other charges of attempted murder and mob action are not recent. In her argument in favor of the $200,000 bond, Assistant State's Attorney Kristin Alferink offered details of the state's case against Childs and his son Shawn Childs Jr., who is charged with criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse. According to the prosecutor, Childs Sr. joined his son and several students in a dorm room at Hewett Hall where the elder Childs offered to purchase alcohol for the underage group. After he returned with the alcohol, Childs Sr. allegedly sold a pill of ecstasy for $10 to a male student, who was identified by name for the first time in court. The alleged victim told police she saw the male student put a pill into her soda, which she drank. The male student's name is not being disclosed because The Pantagraph does not name suspects until formal charges are filed. The woman told police she went to her room because she felt "out of it and intoxicated," said Alferink. In her report to police the following day, the alleged victim claimed that Childs Jr. came to her room and sexually assaulted her. When Normal police located the father and son as they were getting ready to board a train to Chicago, officers found 22 ectasy pills in the pocket of Childs Sr., who told police he is "a user of MDMA (ecstasy) and not a dealer," said Alferink. Alferink also argued that the interim suspension of Childs Jr. as a new student at ISU removes the father's ties to the Twin Cities. Childs Jr. is free on $10,035 bond. In another matter, the judge approved a request for extended media coverage of the case over objections from the defense. Tusek argued that the request to allow cameras in the courtroom could increase the negative comments the Childs' family has faced since the charges were filed. In brief testimony Friday, Childs told the judge that his family has received threats and his wife has been forced to leave her job. Some postings on social media have linked the father directly to the sex assault, he said. Freitag said he regrets the problems the family has faced but the court cannot control what people do. The father and son are scheduled to appear in court Sept. 2 for status hearings in their cases. NORMAL Overcrowded and late buses resulted in uncomfortable students and frustrated parents as McLean County Unit 5 started school this week, and officials pledged Thursday to make improvements. For the new school year, the Normal-based district rolled out new start and dismissal times, cut 20 school buses and rearranged transportation routes. The changes saved the district $1.2 million, officials said. But to parents who posted complaints on social media about bus overcrowding and timeliness Wednesday and Thursday, those savings came at a cost. Loretta Palmer of Normal told The Pantagraph her freshman and sophomore children "were crammed four or five to a seat with some sitting in the aisle on the way to Normal Community High School for the first day of school on Wednesday. Bus industry guidelines recommend three elementary students per seat and two junior high or high school students per seat. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, children must be completely protected by the seat behind them and in front of them. Ive had kids in school for a while and there has always been a little crowding on the buses, but Ive never seen it like this before, said Palmer. She said some children from her neighborhood exited the bus at the next stop because it was so crowded. Palmer picked up those students and drove them to school. Unit 5 officials conceded there have been problems with buses running their routes on time. Palmer said the bus dropping children off in her neighborhood Wednesday didn't arrive until after 5 p.m. She said she and other Unit 5 parents plan to attend the next Unit 5 school board meeting to voice their concerns to district officials. The meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the district offices, 1809 West Hovey Ave. in Normal. I know the superintendent said the issue is the budget, but then they should redo the budget. They need to change something, whether its bringing in more drivers or more buses to get these kids to and from school in a more reasonable way, said Palmer. Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel said things looked better Thursday, but he is "still not satisfied." I still believe we have room on other buses and we do have ways to correct our problems. Were not just running into a wall here, we have ways to make it better, said Daniel. He said the district is examining how to create more efficient routes by using less-crowded buses to pick up more students. If our system is just not functioning, well have to look at adding additional routes and growing our fleet, which is a last resort, he said. Daniel said drivers are being told they have to ensure students are seated and out of the aisle before the bus can move. If a bus is too crowded, the driver can call for a backup bus, or sweeper bus, to come through and collect the students left behind. Daniel said all of the sweeper buses couldnt help with crowded buses Wednesday because they had to be used for other first day phenomena, like students at incorrect stops. A scanning system is currently being installed on buses. Students will scan a card so the district can ensure they are boarding and exiting the correct bus. The system will provide exact ridership, officials said. The district also is working on activating a bus tracking app for parents and students to keep an eye on their buses. Once GPS is installed in all of the buses, the app is expected to be available by mid-September. Daniel said that if parents are not seeing a change, especially with overcrowding and timeliness, they should call the district. My collective message to parents is: we are listening. We have set up a communication triage in the unit office. We have someone who is organizing phone messages in a Google doc to gather information," he said. "We value that input and were working on resolutions. BLOOMINGTON Central Illinois Regional Airport has been awarded an $891,915 grant by the Federal Aviation Administration to purchase two high-speed rotary plows for snow removal. The new plows will replace a single, 23-year-old rotary plow, according to Carl Olson, the airport's executive director. When we do snow removal, we have to do it within a certain time constraints and do it to FAA standards, Olson said. The FAA requires the airport to remove 5,000 tons of snow an hour, he explained. The old equipment was able to do that but, as it got older, it was becoming harder to maintain, said Olson. Each of the new plows will have the capacity to remove 3,000 tons of snow an hour, for a combined capacity of 6,000 tons an hour, he added. The grant will cover 90 percent of the cost of the snow removal equipment, with the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority covering the remaining 10 percent, according to Olson. Airport officials thanked U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican from Dunlap, for his assistance in advocating for the grant. David Colee, chairman of the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority, said in a statement, Priority one for the Central Illinois Regional Airport is a safe and efficient operation for all airport users and these new plows will provide additional, much-needed resources for keeping our runways, taxiways and ramps clear of snow during winter operations. Allegiant Air, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines offer passenger service from CIRA. In addition, the airport is used by corporate and general aviation aircraft and FedEx has a regional sorting and distribution operation at the airport. BLOOMINGTON A McLean County resident has tested positive for West Nile virus, resulting in the county's first case of the potentially deadly disease since 2013, a representative of the county health department said Friday. Cathy Coverston Anderson, health department assistant administrator, said t she didn't know the condition of the person. The McLean County resident is among five cases of West Nile in Illinois so far this year, said Melaney Arnold of the Illinois Department of Public Health. None of the people have died, she said. Other counties with cases are Franklin, Massac, Monroe and Warren, Arnold said. Because mosquito pools and a bird also tested positive for West Nile in separate neighborhoods of the Bloomington-Normal area from the human case, Coverston Anderson said that confirms that the virus is widespread in the area. She asked residents to reduce the risk of mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors, repairing torn window screens and draining stagnant water outside. County residents also are asked to call the health department at 309-888-5482 to report dead birds on their property. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they feed on infected birds. Mosquitoes then pass the virus to humans and animals. Last year, there were 77 confirmed cases of West Nile and nine deaths, Arnold said. Among the 77 cases were two Livingston County residents, one of whom died. It's unknown how many people become ill each year with West Nile because most people who get the disease show no symptoms or only mild symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches that last a few days. But, in rare cases, meningitis, encephalitis and death occur. Older adults and people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk. People who are bitten by a mosquito and experience fever, headache, stiff neck or disorientation should contact their medical provider. Whether recent rain resulting in standing water is responsible for the uptick in mosquito activity is unknown. The disease remains a threat until there's a hard freeze. On Wednesday and Thursday, health department employees went door-to-door in three Bloomington-Normal area neighborhoods notifying more than 1,100 residents and businesses of the heightened risk for the virus. SPRINGFIELD A day after Republicans largely avoided mentioning their partys presidential candidate during Governors Day at the Illinois State Fair, Democrats on Thursday lauded candidate Hillary Clinton and sought to tie Gov. Bruce Rauner and the rest of the Illinois GOP to Donald Trump. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who also chairs the state Democratic Party, vowed during a breakfast meeting of party leaders ahead of Democrat Day at the fair that the party and its labor union allies will continue to stand up to the extreme agenda of Rauner and Trump ahead of Novembers election. Rauner in particular leads an effort to reverse a trend in American government that has held steady since the start of Franklin Roosevelts presidency, Madigan said. For 83 years, the American national government and state governments, including Illinois, have always worked to raise wage levels and the standard of living and to protect the vulnerable in our society, he said. Thats been the policy of American governments for 83 years. "However, today in Illinois, Gov. Rauner is attempting to advance an extreme agenda that would actually take the state of Illinois in the opposite direction. At the breakfast and an afternoon rally at the fairgrounds, Madigan and fellow Democrats touted their efforts to block Rauners turnaround agenda, which they say would hurt working- and middle-class families, and they blamed the governor for spending most of his first term so far holding the states budget and residents in need of state services hostage in an attempt to force his ideas through the General Assembly. Those ideas include business-friendly changes to workers compensation laws and diminished collective bargaining rights, which Rauner says would make Illinois more attractive to employers and help spur economic growth. Rauner said Wednesday that Republicans will use the unprecedented campaign cash that he and his wealthy allies have brought to the party to launch the biggest ground game (thats) ever been done for legislative races in state history. But Democrats said theyll use their network of union members and ordinary, everyday Illinoisans to counter the millions of dollars Rauner and his allies are pumping into the election. I think Democrats know a little bit about the ground game, Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan said at the breakfast meeting, which dwarfed a similar GOP event held Wednesday morning. Its in this room. You live in Illinois; youve raised your family in Illinois; its your community. You know how to get out and work for your candidates. Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, whos challenging incumbent Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger, urged her fellow Democrats to go to the polls Nov. 8 and to make phone calls and knock on doors to convince others to do the same. I need you to do it not just for me but for every single Democrat on the Democratic ticket this year from the top to the very bottom, she said. Republicans have been airing TV commercials all summer labeling targeted lawmakers as minions of Madigan, whom they blame for the states many fiscal woes. Madigan said hes not surprised by the tactic, which has been tried unsuccessfully many times in the past, although without nearly as much money behind the message. Theyre doing that because they dont want to talk about themselves, he said. They dont want to talk about the record of the Republican Party nationally, the record of the Republican Party here in Illinois, because they know the national Republican Party under Trump and the Illinois Republican Party under Rauner is a Republican Party of extremism. And Illinoisans are prepared to reject extremism. While Democrats were eager to tout their 2016 candidates up and down the ballot, they werent so willing to discuss who might step up to challenge Rauner for the governors office in 2018. Several people whove been mentioned as potential candidates, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, waived off questions about possible gubernatorial bids and said theyre focused on their current jobs and helping fellow Democrats win in November. One candidate who received a strong showing of support from her party in the November race was U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, who spoke at the breakfast and is challenging U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in one of the most closely watched Senate contests nationwide. "Iron Man 4" rumors continue to spread online, but Marvel Studios has yet to confirm whether a fourth Tony Stark standalone is indeed underway. Contradicting speculations have surfaced on the web, but more sources are claiming that another solo flick could not be happening. However, this doesn't mean that Robert Downey Jr. won't be returning to reprise his role. It was previously confirmed that despite "Iron Man 4" not happening, RDJ will still star in the third "Avengers" movie, and will be part of "Spider-Man: Homecoming." New reports are now claiming that apart from the mentioned MCU flicks, the genius philanthropist will also have a cameo in another MCU flick. If new rumors are true, fans shouldn't be disappointed that "Iron Man 4" won't come to the big screens as Tony Stark will have a cameo in "Doctor Strange." MoviePilot speculated that this could be a possibility given that the film has most likely done reshoots. According to the site, "Doctor Strange" star Benedict Wong claimed that filming has finally wrapped in a tweet dated August 15, 2016. However, director Scott Derrickson has already confirmed that filming for the film was done back in April 4, 2016. This raised speculations that an "Iron Man 4" movie could be shelved, but cameos for Tony Stark are already underway. What do you think of these rumors. Meanwhile, it was previously reported that RDJ's Tony Stark could be axed to give way to a new character that will don the "Iron Man" suit. In the comics, Tony Stark has already passed on his legacy to a 15-year-old African American genius Riri Williams. Follow Parent Herald for more "Iron Man 4" release date rumors! Honolulu, Hawaii - Kamehameha Schools and Kennedy Wilson announced today they have reached final agreement on a ground lease of the Kona Village Resort property on Hawai'i island. While complete terms of the transaction remain undisclosed, the agreement allows Kennedy Wilson to immediately begin the process of restoring and enhancing the 81.4 acre property while maintaining a clear focus on retaining the original vision as a low density iconic destination. The agreement also allows for the rehabilitation of the 125 vacation bungalows (hale), the property's infrastructure, and other operational improvements. "This agreement is a testament to the commitment and diligence of all parties that will reconnect the resort with the Kona community, " said Walter Thoemmes, Kamehameha Schools' managing director of commercial real estate. "Kona Village will provide much needed jobs for the West Hawaii Region and will perpetuate Native Hawaiian identity through its rich cultural history. We are excited to have a project partner that maintains the vision." With the agreement in place, Kennedy Wilson is now poised to focus on redevelopment and rehabilitation plans with an anticipation of being fully operational by the summer of 2019. "Kennedy Wilson is humbled to become the next steward of the iconic Kona Village Resort" said Dave Eadie of Kennedy Wilson. "We are well aware of the trust that Kamehameha Schools has placed in us in choosing Kennedy Wilson to protect and preserve such a culturally significant resource for the benefit of all Hawai'i island residents and the thousands of guests around the globe who consider the Kona Village Resort one of the most special places in all the world. Kennedy Wilson has been involved in Hawaii for over a quarter century and embraces and respects Hawaiian culture and the protection of Hawaii's natural resources. We take great pride in the fact that returning the Kona Village Resort to full service will provide stable jobs for scores of Hawai'i island residents." Prior to its closure in 2011, Kona Village Resorts was in operation for 45 years. Opening its doors in 1965, Kona Village employed a significant role in the economic and cultural vibrancy of the West Hawai'i island region. About Kamehameha Schools: Kamehameha Schools (KS) is a private charitable educational trust endowed by the will of Hawaiian Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop (1831-1884), the great-granddaughter and last direct descendant of King Kamehameha I. Today, her endowment supports an educational system that serves thousands of Hawaiian learners in Hawai'i and across the nation. Approximately 98 percent of the support for KS' educational programs comes from the endowment fund. Program tuition and fees are nominal, and the majority of students receive financial support from KS. As Hawai'i's largest private landowner, KS is responsible for the stewardship of over 365,000 acres of land on Hawai'i island, Maui, Moloka'i, O'ahu and Kaua'i. The endowment's plans include countless opportunities to broaden and deepen Kamehameha's impact on the wellbeing of Hawai'i through KS programs and with the assistance of dedicated individuals, groups and organizations who share KS' educational mission. For further information on Kamehameha Schools, please visit www.ksbe.edu Strategic Plan 2020: SP2020 is a five-year strategic plan that will guide Kamehameha Schools from 2015 to 2020. The plan marks a starting point toward KS' Vision 2040, which envisions success for all Native Hawaiian learners. This agreement addresses Goal 5 of SP2020 which calls for KS to prudently optimize the strength, breadth, and strategic alignment of our resources with an organization-wide focus. About Kennedy Wilson: Kennedy Wilson is a global real estate investment company. We own, operate, and invest in real estate both on our own and through our investment management platform. We focus on multifamily and commercial properties located in the Western U.S., UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and Japan. To complement our investment business, the Company also provides real estate services primarily to financial services clients. For further information on Kennedy Wilson, please visit here. "Teen Wolf" Season 6 will serve as a fitting conclusion to the story of Scott, Stiles, Lydia, Malia and the rest of the Pack in Beacon Hills. While the reason behind the show's cancellation is unclear to most, a recent report suggests that Tyler Posey, Dylan O'Brien and Holland Roden are demanding raises in their pay, which led to the cancellation of the series. This article contains spoilers. Read on if you want to learn more about the details of this story. "Teen Wolf" Season 6 cancellation news came as a disappointment to most fans and viewers who have watched the show since its first season on MTV. The reason behind the show's cancellation is unclear to most, but many fans believe that the series had to end because Scott, Stiles and the older members of the Pack were already graduating from high school. However, a recent report from Star suggests that the "Teen Wolf" Season 6 cancellation is due to the demands from its cast members - Tyler Posey, Dylan O'Brien and Holland Roden, reports Gossip Cop. Posey, O'Brien and Roden are allegedly demanding for hefty amounts of money to reprise their roles for "Teen Wolf" Season 7. An insider claimed that the actors' demands for "Teen Wolf" Season 7 were so big that there would not be enough money left for production. This is what allegedly led to the cancellation of the show after Season 6. The publication, however, refuted the aforementioned report and stated that the "Teen Wolf" Season 6 cancellation is not due to the cast's negotiations. Meanwhile, filming for the remaining scenes of the show is expected to resume in October, reports Teen Wolf News. According to the publication, O'Brien will be filming his remaining scenes for "Teen Wolf" Season 6 in October. As most fans can recall, production for the upcoming season had to be postponed because of O'Brien's injuries on the set of "The Death Cure." Do you think MTV canceled "Teen Wolf" Season 6 because of Tyler Posey and Dylan O'Brien's demands? Share your thoughts in the comments section below! Botox and other botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) products are widely known for their use in treating facial wrinkles-but did you know they can also be used to treat a wide range of non-cosmetic problems? Eight conditions with good evidence of effective treatment with BoNT are identified in a special review in the August issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The international review analyzed the research evidence on plastic surgery procedures using BoNT. "The use of botulinum neurotoxins has revolutionized the treatment of several different problems seen in the plastic surgeon's office, from facial wrinkles to painful conditions with limited treatment options," comments lead author Marie E. Noland, MD, of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her coauthors were Donald H. Lalonde, MD, of Dalhousie University in Saint John, New Brunswick; G. Jackie Yee, MD, of Baker Plastic Surgery, Miami; and Rod J. Rohrich, MD, of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Evidence and Experience Show Benefits of BoNT: A purified protein derived from bacteria, BoNT acts as a "neuromodulator"-it interferes with communication between nerves and muscles, causing local paralysis in the areas where it's injected. Two types of BoNT are available: BoNT-A (with brand names including Botox and Dysport) and BoNT-B (Myobloc). The review identifies eight conditions treated by plastic surgeons with high-quality evidence of good responses to BoNT. The evidence is strongest for minimally invasive treatment of facial wrinkles (rhytides). The FDA has approved BoNT-A for treatment of forehead lines or wrinkles, while Botox specifically is approved for treatment of "crow's feet" at the corner of the eyes. Studies support the use of BoNT for other types of facial aging problems as well. Cosmetic injection of BoNT-A is by far the most common plastic surgery procedure, with more than 6.5 million procedures performed in 2015, according to ASPS statistics. Botulinum neurotoxin is also effective for some types of facial movement disorders (dystonias)-for example, tics caused by benign essential blepharopasm. It can also be used to treat issues related to facial nerve palsy and abnormal facial nerve regeneration, which can cause problems such as abnormal tears or sweating. Two studies have reported that Botox can reduce hand tremors in patients with essential tremor, although hand function may not improve. Both BoNT-A and BoNT-B show evidence of effectiveness in patients with chronic, excessive sweating, especially of the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis). Botulinum neurotoxin is a safe and effective treatment for upper limb spasticity of the arm and hand in adults. It also shows promise for treatment of muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. Neuromodulator therapy with BoNT has emerged as a useful new treatment for migraine headaches. This benefit was discovered coincidentally when patients undergoing cosmetic BoNT injection for forehead wrinkles reported decreased migraines. Based on three large studies, Botox has been approved for treatment of chronic migraine headaches. More recently, studies have supported BoNT for treatment of neuropathic (nerve-related) pain-a common problem with few effective treatments. Injection is effective for the treatment of some important causes of neuropathic pain, including diabetes and surgical nerve damage. The review includes figures and online videos illustrating proper BoNT injection technique for plastic surgeons. In a featured video on the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery website, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Rohrich comments: "Neuromodulators are safe, but they must be done appropriately-in the right dose, in the right area, in the right way." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is published by Wolters Kluwer. About Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery For more than 60 years, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has been the one consistently excellent reference for every specialist who uses plastic surgery techniques or works in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. The official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery brings subscribers up-to-the-minute reports on the latest techniques and follow-up for all areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction, experimental studies, maxillofacial reconstruction, hand and microsurgery, burn repair, and cosmetic surgery, as well as news on medico-legal issues. About ASPS The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the world's largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Representing more than 7,000 Member Surgeons, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS advances quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. You can learn more and visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at here. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in professional information services. Professionals in the areas of legal, business, tax, accounting, finance, audit, risk, compliance and healthcare rely on Wolters Kluwer's market leading information-enabled tools and software solutions to manage their business efficiently, deliver results to their clients, and succeed in an ever more dynamic world. Wolters Kluwer reported 2015 annual revenues of 4.2 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, and employs over 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY). Wolters Kluwer Health is a leading global provider of information and point of care solutions for the healthcare industry. For more information about our products and organization, visit here. follow @WKHealth or @Wolters_Kluwer on Twitter, like us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn, or follow WoltersKluwerComms on YouTube. Netflix will debut the first season of "The Crown" on Friday, Nov. 4. The show, with a rumored $156 million budget, will deliver 10 full-hour episodes on the story about Queen Elizabeth's ascension to the royal throne for its first season. Claire Foy leads the cast as Elizabeth II. According to Vanity Fair, "The Crown" Season 1 will chart the story from 1947, with Elizabeth II in her early 20s. Tony-winning writer Peter Morgan helped develop the series. He is also the writer behind the stage play "The Audience" and the Oscar-nominated movie "The Queen." Both productions are also based on Queen Elizabeth II. "The Crown" could easily fill the void left by "Downton Abbey," which viewers lapped up because of its classy soap opera premise. According to Peter Morgan, Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family are actually aware that such a show is going to premiere. "They are very nervous and very excited," said Morgan, per Variety. Times are changing. Morality is changing. The country is changing. #TheCrownhttps://t.co/6BMZkK7ldd The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) April 11, 2016 Production for "The Crown" started in July 2015 with Claire Foy joined by cast members like Matt Smith (Prince Phillip), Victoria Hamilton (Queen Mother), Jared Harris (King George VI) and Vanessa Kirby (Princess Margaret). John Lithgow plays William Churchill, who was the Britain's prime minister at that time Elizabeth II was proclaimed queen. The actor admitted he was quite intimidated to play such an important historical and political figure. Netflix viewers can expect to learn a different side to Queen Elizabeth in "The Crown." For actress Claire Foy, playing her has been challenging because the royal is such a private person. According to The Knowledge Online, "The Crown" is supposedly getting ready to film Season 2, despite the show still set to debut on Netflix in November. The plan is for each season to cover a decade of the Queen's life. Watch the teaser to "The Crown" on Netflix in the video below. The sixth book of the popular novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire" remains undone. According to reports, the earliest possible release for "The Winds of Winter" is in 2017, so fans should not expect it at the Worldcon. Every time George RR Martin attends an event, he always reads a free "The Winds of Winter" chapter. In fact, some believe that they can collect the free chapters and compile a book. Due to this, there are rumors that "The Winds of Winter" is already done. Parent Herald previously reported the book is already done and that George RR Martin is only waiting for a year-end release. However, in a separate report, after several updates about "TWOW" we learned that the book is unlikely to arrive this year. Per Vine Report, George RR Martin admits that he is a slow writer, which suggests that "The Winds of Winter" is still in the works. "I'm a slow and painstaking writer," Martin told the Kansas City Star. The "The Winds of Winter" author is honest enough to admit that there are good days and bad days while writing the book. During, good days, his creativity just goes out naturally but on bad days he struggles to write. As a result, he just resorts to reading emails. Meanwhile, Christian Post reported that it is unlikely to see "The Winds of Winter" at the Worldcon. In fact, George RR Martin already debunked the rumors that he will make a big announcement about "The Winds of Winter" on the said event. Although it is already confirmed that "The Winds of Winter" will not be in attendance at the Worldcon, many are hoping to hear another chapter in the upcoming book. There are rumors that George RR Martin might read the Cersei chapter on the said event. Meanwhile, Parent Herald previously reported that the book is still not late. One fan studied George RR Martin's speed and according to him, the book is still on time if it comes out in 2017. When do you think will "The Winds of Winter" arrive? Are you supportive of George RR Martin's slow phase as long as he delivers a quality book? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. The childhood obesity action plan of the government has been criticized by two past health ministers - Dr. Dan Poulter, a NHS psychiatrist and Norman Lamb, who served as the Health spokesperson of the previous government. While Jamie Oliver, a celebrity chief, described it as "underwhelming" and had "so much missing." In response to the increasing rate of childhood obesity in England which the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, described a0s a "national emergency," the government came up with a plan to considerably lessen childhood obesity through supporting healthier selections. The plan calls children to stay active and eat healthier food and asks the food industry to lessen sugar amount in drinks and food. Dr. Poulter commented that the plan is over - promised. In a report in Mail Online, Poulter commented: "This is certainly not the 'game changing' plan for reducing childhood obesity that it had been built up to be. This policy has over-promised, but I fear that the reality will be under-delivery." Moreover, Poulter has condemned the action plan for the failure to include controls on marketing junk foods to kids. He said that soft drinks and food manufacturers are not trustworthy to help boost children's health. Norman Lamb, a health minister along with Jeremy Hunt till May 2015, also commented on the issue and branded the strategy as "a massive damp squib". He also questioned if the plan was really the best answer to the growing childhood obesity problem or the "national emergency" the health secretary described. He continued to question if the strategy can be really described as a "game changing moment". In the end, Dr. Poulter told the health ministers to study the findings that increasing the cost of the products which can damage health reduced both consumption and demand. From this, he suggested to increase the VAT on junk food price. A recent research indicates that private companies who supply educational technology to school use these tools to know the preferences of children. The main purpose of which is to use the gathered data as basis in coming up with advertisments for their products, like junk foods. According to a report in U.S.News, millions of digital data from children are gathered by private businesses that provide educational technology to schools and teachers every day in the United States and all over the globe. The fact that there is no law or policy that can stop these companies from gathering data for any purpose they have t allows them to use the data to produce products personalized to the preference of the children and all parents should be aware of this. Based on a report in The Journal, virtually all high school and middle school students in the United States use smartphone devices provided by their schools, for their schoolwork. Aside from cellphones, children are sometimes required by school to use software, applications and sites for their projects or any researches entailed in a specific subject in school. While kids are busy working on their schoolwork, the applications and software are also busy gathering data. Private companies take advantage of this "screen time" in order to figure out what children want and use it as datta needed in providing their products with more appealing advertisements. For example, according to a report in The Conversation, a site may allow a third party to gather information such as the date and tie, the subject of commercials scrolled or clicked on by a kid and the browser utilized. This third party can later on use the data gathered to link the kid with their commercials. Researchers discovered that private companies use the gathered information to come up with commercials for clothing, toys, food, gadgets, and toher products for kids via application activities in their laptops or computers. Adults should recognize the underlying motive of private companies and be aware of screen time of children in their care. While amusement parks are fun for the whole family, it is also a place prone for accidents. Nonetheless, parents still bring their children to amusement parks for a day of fun and very rarely does an accident happen. Sadly, these six children in Connecticut were electrocuted on a ride this week. ABC News reports that the incident happened in one of the rides at Ocean Beach Park in New London before 2 p.m. Police were alerted by a small child who appeared to have been shocked by electricity. When they reached the park, they found five more victims. The six children were rushed to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital because of their injuries caused by the electrical shock. The kid with the most serious injury just normally touched the metal railing while getting off the ride and had the palms of his hands burned. The good news is none of the victims had to check-in for an overnight stay in the hospital. As per Fox 25, the ride is called the Scrambler. For the meantime, it would be closed while investigation is still ongoing. Police suspect that a loose wire from the Octopus ride sent a current to the Scrambler through its frame. Investigation is still ongoing as to what have caused the electrical shock but Ocean Beach Park assures its goers the safety of their amusement park. Just recently, Parent Herald reported the death of a 10-year-old boy in Kansas, Alabama from a waterslide. This raised issues on state regulations of amusement parks, something that Alabama does not require for a permanent or temporary attraction. As per Saferparks, Connecticut amusement parks are inspected by federal authorities. Rides go through inspection of government officials and if accidents happen, the state also conducts an investigation. Because of annual reports of injuries and deaths caused by rides in amusement parks, what do you think can the government do to fully address the problem? Comment your thoughts below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions The ED also seeks transfer of further trial from Kerala to Bengaluru in the affidavit. The Annunciation (1444), by Barthelemy dEyck (fl. 1444-1469) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (8-31-06) *** This is my own original draft for a chapter that was to appear in my book, The One-Minute Apologist (2007). Its very different from the final draft, so that it amounts to an alternate approach to arguing the Catholic position. ***** MARY * Calling Mary Mother of God makes her greater than God How can someone be greater or older than God? It makes no sense! ***** Initial Reply * The title Mother of God (Greek, Theotokos, or God-bearer) refers to the indisputable fact that Mary was the mother of Jesus, Who was God. Understood properly in this way, it shouldnt be objectionable in the least. Extensive reply * Historic Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants all believe that Jesus was God Incarnate: God in the flesh; the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. This title for Mary was specifically intended by the early Church to protect the deity or divinity of Jesus, since some were arguing that she was the mother of His human nature only. It would be odd to argue that human mothers give birth only to the bodies of their sons and daughters, rather than to a person who consists of body and soul. Human beings co-create in a sense the bodies of their children (implied by the word procreate), while they have nothing to do with their souls, which are directly created by God. Likewise, Mary gave birth to Jesus as a human person, even though she had nothing to do with His divine nature (now merged with a human nature), which existed eternally. She gave birth to the man Who was God, so she is the mother of God (the Son). At no time have Catholics or Orthodox thought that Mary was mother of God the Father or the Holy Spirit. It is only from sheer misunderstanding that anything other than this was thought to be implied by Mother of God. Many notable Protestants have also used the title: She became the Mother of God, in which work so many and such great good things are bestowed on her as pass mans understanding. For on this there follows all honor, all blessedness, and her unique place in the whole of mankind, among which she has no equal, namely, that she had a child by the Father in heaven, and such a Child . . . Hence men have crowded all her glory into a single word, calling her the Mother of God . . . None can say of her nor announce to her greater things, even though he had as many tongues as the earth possesses flowers and blades of grass: the sky, stars; and the sea, grains of sand. It needs to be pondered in the heart what it means to be the Mother of God. (Martin Luther, Commentary on the Magnificat, 1521; in Luthers Works, Pelikan et al, volume 21, 326) On account of this personal union and communion of the natures, Mary, the most blessed virgin, did not conceive a mere, ordinary human being, but a human being who is truly the Son of the most high God, as the angel testifies. He demonstrated his divine majesty even in his mothers womb in that he was born of a virgin without violating her virginity. Therefore she is truly the mother of God and yet remained a virgin. (Formula of Concord, from 1577: one of the Lutheran confessions, translated by Arthur C. Piepkorn: Solid Declaration, Article VIII: The Person of Christ, section 9) The description of Mary as the Mother of God was and is sensible, permissible and necessary as an auxiliary Christological proposition. (Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics, I, 2, Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1963, 138) Objection * But Catholics take it too far and regard Mary as more than the creature she is by calling her this title. What Catholics mean by it is different from what others mean, because it is in the context of all the excessive Marian doctrines, which exalt Mary far higher than the way she is presented in Scripture: as a humble handmaiden of the Lord. Reply to Objection * This is an unfair accusation and absolutely untrue. It is impossible to find any official Catholic dogmatic document stating that Mary is the mother of God the Father or mother of the Holy Spirit. But to deny that Mary was the mother of God (the Son) would be to deny that Jesus was God. Catholics use the term in the first place to glorify Jesus! God the Father (not Catholics) chose to use Mary in the incarnation. Nor is it true that anything else Catholics believe about Mary changes their understanding of this description: agreed-upon by the vast majority of all Christians throughout history. Heinrich Bullinger (1504-1575; prominent early Protestant leader and author of the Second Helvetic Confession): What pre-eminence in the eyes of God the Virgin Mary had on account of her piety, her faith, her purity, her saintliness and all her virtues, so that she can hardly be compared with any of the other saints, but should by rights be rather elevated above all of them, appears very clearly in the first chapters of the gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke, and particularly in her Magnificat . . . If Mary really is the Mother of the Lord, . . . then it is altogether just that she should be named by the Fathers of the Church theotokos, that is to say Mother of God. Nestorius denied that in the most infamous manner . . . (in Max Thurian, Mary: Mother of all Christians, translated by Neville B. Cryer, New York: Herder & Herder, 1963, 197-198; 89; from Uber die Selige Jungfrau, May 18, 1558) ***** Meta Description: Refutation of the notion that Catholics actually regard Mary as a higher being than God, by calling her the Mother of God [the Son]. On the same day the Patheos editors put my post Are We Bringing Sin Into Paganism? on the front page, they also featured a post titled The Re-Paganing of America and Gods Eternal Word. I clicked on the link, getting ready to compose an angry Pagan response to Christian paranoia and triumphalism. To my surprise, though, the Re-Paganing post wasnt on the Evangelical channel or the Catholic channel, but on the Progressive Christian channel folks who are often our allies in secular matters, even if we dont see eye to eye when it comes to religion. And despite its rather problematic title, I found myself in general agreement with its theme: that Christians would do better recognizing the good in the world rather than trying to gain converts through threats of eternal damnation. Yet despite its tolerant tone and encouraging message, I must challenge its foundational assumption. Heres a quote: in the Graeco-Roman world it was clear that a great deal of what was good, relevant, and essential to the ordering of human society (and Christian communities!) came from pagan philosophers, political scientists, and rulers. So how, those early Christian theologians were forced to ask, could good things come from polytheistic and theoretically sin-soaked society? How could it be that such insightful philosophy and productive political order derived from persons and societies sunk in the degradation of idolatry and cut off from the knowledge of God by sin? To answer this question, Progressive Christian blogger Robert Hunt refers to 2nd century CE philosopher Justin Martyr, a Roman Palestinian who tried his hand at various forms of philosophy before converting to Christianity, moving to Rome, and getting himself beheaded for refusing to sacrifice to the Gods of Rome according to the Christian accounts, anyway. Justin argued that God is continually present in human society and individual hearts. That assumption allows him to claim as Christian all insights into the truth advanced in human society before the time of Jesus. To quote a more recent Christian philosopher, how convenient. It couldnt be that the wisdom of ancient pagan philosophers came from their own Gods and their own traditions. No, they had to be secretly inspired by the Christian God. If you do much reading from the Druid Revival, you come across this concept over and over again. The Druids of the 18th, 19th, and even the early 20th centuries were Christians living in a thoroughly Christian environment. For example, David James, an Anglican clergyman and member of the Ancient Order of Druids, wrote an 1836 essay titled The Religion of Noah Preserved in Britain under the Name of Druidism wherein he claimed the Druids were the descendants of Japheth, one of the sons of Noah, who James assumed moved west after the great flood receded. Im thankful to David James and his contemporary Druids for beginning and continuing the Druid orders from which my own order is descended. Im happy they claimed the ancient Druids as theirs instead of disowning them as brutal savages, as others had done. But how much better would it have been if they had been able to accept that their own ancestors of blood were good, wise, and powerful on their own. How many times do we see someone from another culture or subculture do something good and then we attempt to claim them as one of our own? Acknowledging their work is a good thing, but when we attempt to claim it as ours we de-value their culture, their heritage, and their ancestors and in doing so, we devalue the very people who came from that lineage. We imply that whatever good they did came through their association with us. How much better is it to recognize that good things, good works, and good ideas come from many sources? This is what our eyes and ears show us, and this is what our intuition confirms no one religion has a monopoly on truth and goodness (nor, for that matter, on abuse and evil). The wisdom of Socrates and Plato came out of the religion of Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and Athena. So did the wisdom of the Pythagoreans, who Justin Martyr rejected because learning their prerequisites was too much work. The wisdom of the Druids came out of the religion of the Dagda, Lugh, and the Morrigan we think. Theres a lot more about the ancient Druids that we dont know than we do know. But it is historically certain their teachings had nothing to do with the God of Peter and Paul. When Robert Hunt writes of Re-Paganing America, he misuses Pagan to mean non-Christian. Its clear he does so without malice, though I would hope anyone writing for the largest multifaith website in the world would know the difference. His post was written for his fellow Christians I hope they read it and take its primary message to heart. But Im a Pagan, who worships the Gods of ancestors who never heard of Christianity or the Christian God. My religion comes from the strength of Cernunnos, the nurturing of Danu, the sovereignty of the Morrigan, the persistence of Lugh, the magic of Isis, the justice of Osiris, and many more. I do not proselytize as a polytheist, I recognize that different Gods call different people to worship Them in different ways. But I want everyone to know what Justin Martyr wouldnt see and what the Revival Druids couldnt see: there is wisdom and goodness in many religious traditions. And so Im proudly Re-Paganing the world. A Review Series of Anonymous Tip, by Michael Farris Pp. 351-357 So weve just got through Peters dramatic rescue of Gwen from Gordon. Well get back to the Gordon situation in a moment, but first we get another moment of Rita and Donna. Ritas pretty excited. She tells Donna that shes found a job in Sacramento, starting in December, and that she will get a $15,000 a year raise. That sounds excessive even for 2016, and this book was published in 1996. Perhaps the point is that social work lobbyists get paid enormous amounts of money? Anyway, Donna points out that its more expensive to live in California, and Rita says shell be far enough from the bay area to keep the prices reasonable. At least one thing has stayed the same, lol! Anyway, theres another mention of Ritas daughter. Ritas daughter is yet another invisible child in this book. We learn that she thinks she can go to Disneyland every day after school if she lives in California, so she must be in elementary school. Donna says Stephen has been calling more often, and that hell be back in Spokane for Christmas. Rita tells her to Go get him. For some reason feminist Donnas escape plan involves a man, and feminist Rita approves of this. Now back to Gwen and Gordon. Gordon called Gwens house twice that week. She hung up each time. Her father waited at her home for thirty minutes longer each night. He was glad Peter had responded so effectively for his daughter. But actually, thats basically all we get, except for Stan wondering why Gwen and Gordon dont just get together for gracious sakes. Apparently their mutual attraction is obvious to absolutely everyone around them. So much for being discreet! Next we learn that both Peter and Gail submitted their briefs on October 10, and that both briefs were the maximum allowed by the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Joe told Peter his brief was awesome-socks. Matt Bartholomew told Gail her brief was the bomb. And then this short section is done toothats three short, completely different sections in a row, if youre counting. Okay, whats next? Joe has arranged for a moot court session to help Peter practice for the next hearing. He calls in favors with some friends to do so. Joes friends were two former federal prosecutors and two others who had clerked in the Washington State Supreme Court. All four had fewer total years in practice than Peter, but each had substantially more exposure to the appellate process. And again we get to wonder why Peter didnt pass the court on to someone with more experience in this area, or at least call on a more experienced colleague for advice and input. Oh, and all these learned people meet in the large conference room at Joes old firm, where he worked before joining Peter. We learn that this old firm had an entire appellate department. What follows is a description of their practice, and its extraordinarily boring. May it please the Court, Peter began. My name is Peter Barron, I represent the plaintiff Peter, let me stop you, Dan Henderson said. In the Court of Appeals you are the respondent-cross-appellant, not the plaintiff. They do get into some of the actual argumentation, but Peters really just saying everything weve heard beforethat social workers only have immunity after charges are filed, and that this makes the forcible search of Gwens home and Caseys person unconstitutional. The only interesting thing is that Peter does get hung up on one question Joe throws out therethis one: Arent social workers protected because of their association with the judicial process? We give them basically the same protection we give to judges, right? Arent judges protected for virtually everything they do? Judges can only be sued if they act in some capacity other than in their role as a judge before they can be sued. Why shouldnt we adopt a rule that says that social workers can only be sued if they are acting in a capacity totally outside of their jurisdiction as social workers? Peter says this is a really hard question and can they stop the timer for a moment and that Gail has never raised this question. The way I would answer it, Dan Henderson said, is to point out that there is no such thing as social worker immunity. The doctrine is called quasi-judicial immunity. There is no immunity until the social worker steps into the arena where the judges theoretically are supervising their conduct. When social workers are acting outside a judges supervision, then they should possess no social protection. In retrospect Im not sure that was actually interesting, but seriously, that was the only even quasi-interesting thing about this section. Farris tells us this went on for two hours, and that whenever Peter got stopped the others would pitch in and find the answer they felt was most likely to appease a panel of federal appeals court judges. The moot court session leaves Peter feeling much better. Farris tells us he hadnt realized how invaluable it would be when Joe first suggested it. And yet somehow this doesnt come across as him admitting to being cocky and overly self-confident. Which it probably should. This whole bit has been very very boring, so Im going to plough through and keep going and see if we cant find something interesting. Peter goes through the Wendys drive-through and then heads home. Its already late. Farris tells us Peter has spent a four-hour session in his office re-reading all the briefs and many of the cases which were cited by both sides, and that hes determined not to let the judges detect any lack of preparation or appellate experience in his presentation. Farris says Peter, Gwen, and her parents are driving to Seattle the next day, and that theyve booked three rooms at the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza near the courthouse. I find myself curious why Gwen and her parents arent rooming togetherI thought money was tight?and whether were even going to learn where Casey will be during this time. Peter throws himself on his couch determined to sleep, but he ends up thinking about Gwen and her divorce, and wishing hed given her some deadline other than the end of October. Its apparently just too much to think about. He picks up one of the books Pastor Lind gave him and starts re-skimming him, but finally throws it down in frustration, tired of the confusion, tired of wrestling with God, and just plain tired. So he starts reading the Bible instead. He picks Chapter 11 and prays hell find something relevant to his life right now. I know this game. I know it well. You pick a passage and read it until something stands out, like it was written just for you, at this very moment. Nothing in the chapter seemed to particularly stand out until he got to verse 17. That verse, and the two just after it, seemed to jump off the page and speak to his heart. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice, He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. He remembered his conversation with Pastor Lind, comparing his situation with Gwen to Abraham and Isaac. He laid the Bible down on his chest and just thought. Tears were welling up in his eyes, but they did not spill over. I dont have any choice, he said aloud chocking back the tears. Ill have to break it off. He tumbled off the couch onto his knees. God, this is the hardest prayer Ive ever prayed. I dont want to sacrifice Gwen. I wanted to find a way around your Word. But I know that kind of thinking is wrong. And etc. It goes on for a while. After praying he decides to tell Gwen after they were back from Seattle and away from her parents. On some level, this was predictable. The moment Peter considered rethinking his religious beliefs so that he could marry Gwen, it was obvious that hed have to conclude that he couldntafter all, evangelicals are huge on teaching that beliefs have to come first, and that you should never rethink your beliefs because of life circumstances. Because thats what it comes down to, isnt it? Peter came face to face with the dire and unpleasant consequences of his belief that believers should not marry anyone divorced for reasons other than infidelity. He realized that his belief that believers should not marry divorced individuals prevented him from marrying a woman like Gwen. He liked Gwen, she liked him, all in all it seemed a perfect matchbut they couldnt get married. Look, it is only natural and normal for people to question or rethink a belief when that belief has real world consequences that dont make sense, or are bad, or when confronted with new information. Ive done this myself, many times. Beliefs are not supposed to be frozen and unchanging. Underlying values, sure, but there are a huge variety of beliefs that can be formed and reformed, thought and rethought, within a similar ethic. But the evangelical idea that changing a belief based on changed or new circumstances is always always always wrong circumvents that very natural process. Peter has several times wished that Gordon would just die already. That is the consequence of his belief vis a vis divorced womenit least to wishing death on the other divorced partner. If that snot enough reason for rethinking this belief, I dont know what is. But then, this is Peter were talking about. Patna: After four days of playing coy over the death of sixteen people in Gopalganj district, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on late Friday admitted that the tragedy was the result of the consumption of illicit liquor and not food poisoning as previously conjectured by him. Not willing to admit though that the prohibition in Bihar was far from working and more such deaths would take place in the coming days or months, Kumar instead ordered the suspension of 25 cops holding them directly responsible for the tragedy in Gopalganj. Whether Kumar will order the arrests of all adult family members of all sixteen victims as outlined in the new Excise Law is yet to be seen. Kumar had earlier stated that the autopsy report did not conclusively determine that spurious liquor was the cause for the 16 deaths. "In the postmortem report, the liquor angle has not been proved but there must be some reason for 15 deaths. That reason could be liquor", the Chief Minister had said on Friday. Superintendent of Police (SP) Raviranjan Kumar said that 15 policemen, including the station in-charge of Khajurbanni, were suspended on the charge of dereliction of duty. Meanwhile, four other victims of the hooch tragedy remain admitted at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) battling for their lives. So far over a dozen people have been arrested in the case while many remain at large, officials said. Kumar, who was celebrating Rakhi with his sisters and visiting school girls, said the 'culprits would be dealt with seriously'. He further said that this incident would have no impact on the current liquor policy in the state. Zamaneh Conference and Festival in Amsterdam - Iran: The Road Ahead 08/19/16 Source: Radio Zamaneh Together with friends and partners, Zamaneh Media will celebrate its 10 yr. anniversary with a conference and festival. October 21, 2016 at 1:30 PM to October 22,2016 at 4 AM in UTC+02 Pakhuis De Zwijger Amsterdam - Piet Heinkade 179, 1019 HC Amsterdam, Netherlands Please join us for a day and night filled with debate and presentations on Iran's domestic challenges, the changing regional order, women's and LGBT rights and more. There will be music, cinema, an art exhibition and... food! Key note address by Shirin Ebadi Art work by Mostafa Heravi Afterparty with DJ Amir Ghavami Stay tuned for more information on the program, confirmed speakers and tickets on the event's facebook page and through our newsletters! Iranian researchers develop new method for breast cancer treatment, replacing chemo 08/19/16 Source: ISNA TEHRAN (ISNA)- Iranian researchers at Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, in Tehran, along with scientists at the country's Pastor Institute have conducted a study on effects of plasma in treating breast cancer. The pink ribbon is a symbol to show support for breast cancer awareness The results of the study showed that cold plasma is capable of killing cancer cells in cellular cultivation phase. The new method does not damage healthy cells comparing to chemotherapy which targets both healthy and cancer cells. Farahnaz Yazdan-Talab, one of the researchers of the study, said that in the research named 'Investigating cold atmospheric plasma in treating breast cancer', effects of atmospheric plasma on breast cancer cells were studied. The aim of the research was to investigate curbing growth of breast cancer cells using cold atmospheric plasma jet. The study was conducted on MDA-MB-231 cell lines. The outcomes also indicated that cold plasma does not cause any effect on healthy breast cells. She noted that the method could replace chemotherapy. She said that the best time of plasma radiation to kill cancer cells is 90 seconds. Russia, Iran Appear to Double Down on Assad's Behalf in Syria 08/19/16 By Jeff Seldin, VOA Russias use of an Iranian base to launch airstrikes in Syria jolted the U.S. and its allies in the region, but the timing may have more to do with concerns about the fate of the Syrian regime than the need of Moscow or Tehran to send a message. A Russian fighter jet at an airbase in Hamadan, Iran Both Russia and Iran have become increasingly concerned about the most recent rebel offensive in Aleppo city, which made progress against regime forces in the south and east despite intense fighting in recent weeks. Its all hands on deck to get the upper hand in that battle space, a U.S. counterterrorism official said on condition of anonymity. The Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday that Tu-22M3 "Backfire" bombers and Su-34 "Fullback" fighter-bombers took off from Hamedan air base in Iran to hit what the ministry said were the Islamic State terror group and al-Qaida-linked Jabhat al-Nusra in Aleppo as well as in Deir ez-Zor and Idlib. Still, the Russian strikes are only part of what appears to be a rejuvenated effort to bolster forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Iran is continuing to provide support for the Syrian regime and support efforts to contain opposition members in Aleppo, according to a U.S. intelligence official. Increase in militias Much of that support seems to be coming on the ground, with indication of a significant influx of Iranian-backed militias. "They've been continuing to pump Shia jihadists in, said Phillip Smyth, a University of Maryland researcher who specializes in Shia militia activity. Smyth said a spike in recruiting last year left Iran with an estimated 14,000 militia fighters, in addition to about 3,500 Iranian troops. But he said recruitment efforts aimed at Afghanistan and Lebanon have not stopped. I also have seen an increase in 'new' Iraqi groups pushing the unified Iraqi-Syrian jihad message, Smyth said. So there's a strong likelihood that something else is up." Funeral in Tehran on wednesday for two Iranians from Fatemioun Brigade killed in Syria (photo by Islamic Republic News Agency) Likewise, the Russian movement seems to have been in the works for some time. Some Russian bombers and transport aircraft reportedly were stationed at Hamedan as far back as November 2015. Iranian fighters have been seen escorting Russian bombers as they transit Iranian airspace, said Marie Donovan, an Iran analyst with the American Enterprise Institutes Critical Threats Project. More recent images obtained by Stratfor, a U.S.-based global intelligence company, indicate Russia had at least three or four of its Backfires and some Fullback aircraft stationed at Hamedan in the weeks or months leading up to the strike. And Stratfor believes it would not have taken much work to prepare Hamedan to handle the larger Backfire bombers. We now have Russian aviation, Russian aircraft directly based in Iran, said Stratfor senior military analyst Omar Lamrani. Its an escalation. The fact that the Russians were given this access tells us a lot about the degree to which the relationship between Moscow and Iran has evolved, especially as they pursue the same goals in Syria, he said. Cause for concern? It's unfortunate but not surprising or unexpected, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Tuesday, noting Russias use of the air base might even violate the U.N. Security Council resolution on Irans nuclear program. Toner also cast doubt on Moscows claims it struck only IS targets, saying Tuesdays action appeared to be part of a familiar pattern in which Russian jets continually, predominantly target moderate Syrian opposition forces. Were not going to turn our back on moderate Syrian opposition forces, he said. As for the Russian bombers aircraft used in Tuesdays airstrikes in Syria, another U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity said it appears they returned to Russia and not to Iran. Still, there are questions as to whether the Russian planes in Iran were just part of a rotational force that will be based at Hamedan briefly or part of a more permanent deployment that could alter the balance of power in the region. Russia digging in Christopher Harmer, senior naval analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, leans toward the latter. This looks like Russia is acknowledging the limitations of operating from Syrian bases and is digging in for a long-term campaign based out of Iran, Harmer said, pointing to the ever-present threat of suicide bombers and rocket attacks in Syria. The maintenance facilities in Iran will be much higher quality, and the Russian air force will have unlimited supplies of electricity and fresh water, both of which are essential for ongoing maintenance on the aircraft, he added. But even if it is just a temporary, rotational Russian force, Stratfors Lamrani said it could be cause for concern. The influx of Russian hardware into Iran, Russian personnel being based at an Iranian airbase, signals a shift in Irans status in the region, he warned. That says a lot to the Saudis. That says a lot to the Gulf Cooperation Council, Lamrani said. Theyre going to be asking such questions as, If we do come into conflict with Iran, does that also mean we are coming to come into conflict with Russia?' " VOA State Department correspondent Steve Herman contributed to this story. About the author: Jeff Seldin works out of VOA's Washington headquarters and is national security correspondent. You can follow Jeff on Twitter at @jseldin or on Google Plus. The best 2-in-1 laptop 2022: our picks of the best convertible laptops These are the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy right now This TLC-NAND M.2 SATA SSD is bargain priced, and offers good everyday performance. But large write performance is slow and disconcertingly inconsistent over the span of the write. Subjectively, we couldnt tell the difference between the two drives until we enabled the caching software offered by each. At that point the 850 EVO left the M7G in the dust. These days when it comes to affordable M.2 SATA drives, theres more to look at than just the Samsung 850 EVO. Plextors SATA 6Gbps M7V SSD is considerably cheaperand it actually bested its rival in one of our performance tests. But a lower price tag often comes with compromise, and the M7V unfortunately follows suit. In other performance tests, it showed inconsistencies. Plextor The only difference between the MG7 on retail shelves and the one we tested is that ours used a Samsung DRAM cache instead of the Nanya shown here. Specs and warranty The M7V is currently available in three capacities: 128GB for $50, 256GB for $71, and 512GB for $136. Thats 39 cents, 28 cents, and 27 cents per gigabyte respectively. Pretty darn competitive. The drive comes in the 22x80mm form factor thats most common with M.2 drives of any ilk: That would be SATA in this case, but most PCIe/AHCI and PCIe/NVMe as well. The M7V is also unusually thin, thanks largely to the high-density of its TLC NAND. Only one chip is required to provide 512GB of storage, leaving the opposite side of the PCB (printed circuit board) empty. Youll have no problem fitting two of these babies in a stacked M.2 slots, and there will be better air flow around them to ward off premature failure. We were initially suspicious that the M7V actually was an 850 EVO, as the 1GB DRAM chip (used for buffering) on our test drive was labeled Samsung. However, peeling back the Plextor sticker next to it revealed a Marvell 88SS1074B1 controller and Toshiba 15nm NAND. Samsungs drives use the companys own controller and NAND. Lite-On owns the Plextor name so call this drive an international (Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and) effort. Plextors PR person informed me that the Nanya DRAM you see in the pictures now ships in place of the Samsung chip. Plextor This is the only side of the M7V with chips, which leaves more room when stacked in double M.2 slots. The M7V is warrantied for three years and/or 80TBW (terabytes written) for every 128GB of capacity. Thats about par for the industry, whose representatives are constantly reminding me that these are very conservative estimates. Performance The areas where the M7V compared well to the 850 EVO were small file writes, as well as all types of reading. Both drives are based on TLC (triple-level cell/3-bit) NAND and drop to around 300MBps writing when the fast NAND cache (TLC treated as faster 2-bit MLC)) is exceeded. Plextor wouldnt tell me exactly how much NAND was treated as cache, but the point at which write speeds dropped off was at about the 10GB mark, or just around 2 percent of total capacity. The more common allocation is 2.5 percent of total capacity. AS SSD rated the drive as reading sequentially at 494MBps and writing at 336MBps with 10GB worth of data. Thats slightly slower than the Samsung 850 EVOs 508MBps reading, but faster than the EVOs 319MBps writing. 4K/64-thread writes were a similar story. On the other hand, the M7V was significantly slower with the single-thread 4K writes at 59MBps, compared to the 850 EVO clocking 97MBps. Single-thread 4K reads were also slower at 23MBps, compared to 36MBps. AS SSD 4K 64 thread and 10GB sequential test results.Theres little difference between the M7V and 850 EVO. Single 4K write speeds as indicated by AS SSD. We included the 1GB test to show an unusual drop-off between the 1GB and 10GB test sets. 20GB read and write tests. Aside from the large file write, where the M7V ran out of cache sooner, performance is comparable. Where the differences between the EVO 850 and the M7V became more apparent were in our 20GB read and write tests. The M7Vs write rate fell off significantly at the 10GB mark when it ran out of cache, but there was also a large momentary drop-off earlier. Subsequent to the drop-off, speeds varied considerably where the EVO 850s performance remains relatively flat. Copying our 20GB single large file to the M7V resulted in an extremely inconsistent operation with all sorts of dips and peaks. Cache ran out after about 10GB. This shows writing a 20GB file to a 256GB Samsung 850 EVO. Theres one drop after the cache is emptied, but performance is consistent after that. The climbing and dipping is most likely interaction between the main body of NAND and the cache. It could be a choice to wring every ounce of performance out of the drive, or poor regulation. Only time and driver or firmware updates will tell. The MG7 gets the job done, it just does it oddly. Plextor also bundles its PlexTurbo software which dedicates part of your system memory to caching data for the drive. It allows minor tweaking, but its primitive compared to Samsungs similar RAPID software. I never recommend caching software for mission-critical applications, as loss of power can lead to losing any data thats stranded in the cache. It can also get in the way of certain drive-intensive applications. However, for everyday use, it can be sweet. But Samsungs RAPID mode is transparent, PlexTurbo is not, and PlexTurbo also produced even more of those dips and climbs, not to mention very inconsistent results in AS SSD. I removed it. Hopefully it will have improved by the time you read this. Other than the large-data drop-off, which in most users day-to-day usage is rare, both the MG7 and the EVO 850 provide the full-on SSD experience. The MG7s dips and climbs are unsightly, but produce roughly the same overall, everyday performance. Conclusion Given the right price, the 5125GB Plextor M7V could be an attractive alternative to the Samsung 850 EVO. Id stay away from the 128GB and 256GB models which have proportionately less cache and subject you to the large file-write drop-off sooner. As a matter of fact, if writing large amounts of data is a common scenario for you, the Samsung EVO 850 is worth the small premium. Better yet, opt for an MLC SSD that offers consistently fast performance across the board. Microsofts got another Windows 10 Anniversary Update problem to fix following the login freeze issue that came to light in mid-August. Many users are now complaining that they can no longer use their USB-based webcams since updating to the latest version of Windows 10. The source of the problem is that Microsoft decided to filter out two common video compression formats for connected webcams in the Anniversary Update, as first reported by Thurrott.com. Microsofts reasons for restricting the formatsMJPEG and H.264were reasonable enough, as explained by Windows Camera Team member Mike M. on Microsofts developer forums. In the Anniversary Update, Microsoft allows multiple apps to access a single webcam at the same time. The problem with MJPEG is that multiple apps could then decode the stream at the same time, which would reduce system performance unnecessarily. Mike M. said H.264s problem was a little different and could basically result in apps interfering with each other. It appears Microsofts simple solution of disallowing compression formats led to a much bigger problem. Potentially millions of webcams were suddenly broken, since they would freeze after failing to enable the blacklisted formats. The impact on you at home: If your webcam has had problems after updating to the Anniversary Update, this may very well be the reason. Mike M. says Microsoft hopes to distribute a fix for the MJPEG issue in September, but solving H.264 will take a little longer. Unfortunately, until theres a fix theres not much you can do other than wait. If your webcam is a mission-critical peripheral then you may want to try and rollback to pre-Anniversary Update Windows 10. However, remember you only have 10 days to revert your system after you upgradeanother change bundled with the Anniversary Update. For early adopters, that means its already too late. For those who havent updated their systems yet, it might be a good idea to wait until September or later in order to save yourself any webcam hassles. Clothing retailer Eddie Bauer has informed customers that point-of-sale systems at its stores were hit by malware, enabling the theft of payment card information. All the retailers stores in the U.S. and Canada, numbering about 350, were affected, a company spokesman disclosed Thursday. He added that the retailer is not disclosing the number of customers affected. The card information harvested included cardholder name, payment card number, security code and expiration date. The retailer said that information of payment cards used at its stores on various dates between Jan. 2 and July 17, 2016 may have been accessed, but added that not all cardholder transactions were affected. Payment card information that was used for online purchases at its website was not affected. The company is the latest in a long list of retailers, hotels and other establishments that were hit by point-of-sale malware that skimmed payment card information. Eddie Bauer learned during the investigation that the malware found on its systems was part of a sophisticated attack directed at multiple restaurants, hotels, and retailers, besides its own operations, CEO Mike Egeck said in a statement. Unfortunately, malware intrusions like this are all too common in the world that we live in today, he added. The company said it has been working closely with the FBI, cybersecurity experts, and payment card organizations, and wanted to reassure customers that it had fully identified and contained the incident. Customers would not be responsible for any fraudulent charges to their accounts, it added. Eddie Bauer said it had taken measures to strengthen the security of its point-of-sale systems to prevent a similar hack in the future. Kroll, a provider of risk mitigation and response, would provide 12 months of complimentary services to affected customers, it added. Businesses need to be able to watch more closely the data passing through a corporate network to have a better chance of preventing breaches or at least minimizing the damage by stopping them soon, said John Christly, chief information security officer of Netsurion, a provider of remotely-managed security services for multi-location businesses, in an emailed statement. Some of these breaches may look like normal web traffic coming out of the firewall, and other attacks can even seem like legitimate DNS traffic, which may pass right by the typical un-managed firewall, he added. Hyatt Hotels, Target, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Omni Hotels & Resorts, HEI Hotels & Resorts and Neiman Marcus have also reported previously data breaches through their point-of-sale systems. Documents leaked by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden share a malware tracking code with several files released this week by hacking group Shadow Brokers, according to a news report. Shadow Brokers claimed they had hacked a cyberespionage team linked to the U.S. spy agency when they released a group of sample files earlier this week. Similarities between the Shadow Broker files and information in documents leaked by Snowden give credence to the claims by the anonymous hacking group. Fourteen files in the Shadow Brokers leak contain a 16-character string, ace02468bdf13579, that NSA operatives used to track their use of one malware program, The Intercept reported Friday. That tracking string was described in an NSA manual for implanting malware originally leaked by Snowden, The Intercept reported. That tracking string was tied to malware called Seconddate, allegedly designed to intercept web requests and redirect browsers to an NSA server, according to the story. Snowdens leaks provided information on Seconddate, and the Shadow Broker files also include information on the malware, including a file titled SecondDate-3021.exe, The Intercept said. The Shadow Brokers have offered to sell the trove of supposed NSA files. One security expert suggested the NSA may have arranged the leak. Youre talking about the worlds top intelligence agency here, John Gunn, vice president of communications at VASCO Data Security, said by email. I think it is much more likely that the tools were intentionally leaked and were being used just as marked money is used to trace criminal and state-sponsored hacking activity. The leak confirms some information about the NSA that many security experts already knew, added Jonathan Sander, vice president at Lieberman Software, another security vendor. We knew from Stuxnet and Snowdens documents that they were engaging in cyberwarfare, and we knew that means they were developing malware to do it, he said by email. We knew that the NSA is a department of humans using technology, which means they are vulnerable to mistakes and attacks like all other humans using technology. The leaks also show the NSA is doing good work, he added. If anything, the universal agreement on the quality of the tradecraft which was stolen and its clear value on a black market should tell us that our tax dollars are getting quality results, he said. A federal judge in California has rejected a proposed settlement between Uber Technologies and drivers in Massachusetts and California, in lawsuits that claimed that they should be classified as employees with full benefits rather than as independent contractors. The ride-hailing company has insisted that its model, based around freelance contractors over whom it says it has minimal control, gives drivers flexibility to choose when to work and be their own bosses. Recognizing the drivers as employees would require the ride-hailing company to pay them benefits, which would push up its cost of operation. The rejection of the settlement in the class-action suit could hence have a potential fallout on the entire on-demand economy, which depends to a great extent on using contract workers rather than employees. For now, the settlement seems to be stuck over the amount, including the payout under a California labor law. The parties have been asked to hammer out a way to proceed with the case and submit it to the court next month. On Thursday, District Judge Edward Chen of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, ruled that the settlement as a whole is not fair, adequate, and reasonable. The vast majority of class members are slated to receive less than US$100 each from the settlement, Judge Chen noted. The settlement amount added up to only about 10 percent of the $854 million claims by the drivers, covering expense reimbursement, overtime and tips. The proposed settlement, announced in April, would have given the drivers in the class-action suit a $84 million payment, which could see a top up by $16 million depending on Ubers valuation if it goes public. Under the settlement, the drivers would continue to be classified as contractors, but it also proposed some non-monetary benefits to the drivers including conditions that Uber would not be able to deactivate drivers at will, and drivers would not be subject to deactivation for low acceptance rates. Uber would also collaborate with the drivers over the creation and funding of a driver association as a means of opening a dialogue between Uber and Drivers. Judge Chen, however, said that much of the non-monetary relief was not as valuable as the parties suggest, limiting their worth in considering the amount being offered in settlement. The proposed settlement was opposed both by individuals and attorneys representing drivers in other California cases, Judge Chen said. Uber did not immediately comment on the judges decision. The company has the option to negotiate a new settlement or to continue to question in an appeals court a decision by the District Court that arbitration clauses signed by the drivers are not enforceable. A decision in the companys favor by the appeals court could substantially decrease the class from approximately 240,000 drivers to 8,000 drivers, dramatically lowering any class monetary recovery that Plaintiffs might obtain through the class action, Judge Chen wrote, while listing the risks for the drivers. The fundamental question of whether Uber drivers are employees or independent contractors is also not a simple one, Judge Chen observed in his order. Should the issue of employee versus independent contractor status proceed to trial, it would be up to the jury to make the ultimate determination, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any certainty, he added. Uber has also threatened to take the case up to the Supreme Court. SALT LAKE CITY When Andrew Bailey won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2009, he couldnt have predicted the frustration in his future. Since his rookie season in which he recorded 26 saves and a sub-2.00 ERA for Oakland and a solid follow-up season, the right-hander has pitched for four other organizations and has seen his career ravaged by a string of injuries. After being released by Philadelphia following his lackluster performance this season, Bailey is hoping Anaheim will be the home of his resurgence. The 32-year-old recently signed a minor league deal with the Angels, reporting to Triple-A Salt Lake City over the weekend. The right-hander missed much of the 2012, 2013 and 2015 seasons, as well as all of 2014, due to a pair of surgeries and associated lingering injuries. He had a 6.40 ERA in 32 1/3 innings in his return to the majors with the Phillies this year, but attributed his poor performance not to injury he said hes felt healthy all season but to being too passive. With the Salt Lake Bees, he was hoping to find the aggressive approach that made him successful early in his career. So far, he has done just that while tossing a pair of perfect frames in his first two outings. On Saturday, he struck out two while allowing no baserunners against the Round Rock Express, then followed that up Monday with an identical performance. I got away from being myself a little bit when I was up with Philly, he said after Saturdays game. I was trying to pick too much and fell behind in some counts. And, you know, in the big leagues you cant make mistakes, especially when youre behind in the count. So for me, its just getting back to attacking the zone and feeling comfortable with all three pitches. Bailey said he was pleased the Angels offered him a chance to find himself. Part of what swayed him to sign was his relationship with General Manager Billy Eppler, who was an executive with the Yankees when New York signed Bailey in 2014. It just feel like the opportunity is right, Bailey said. From the perspective of the Angels, who are looking to shore up their bullpen, Bailey represents a chance to strike a bit of luck. They took a flier on him in the hopes that he can return to the pitcher he was before the injuries, or at least something close. Asked whether thats possible, the right-hander seemed cautiously optimistic, even if the results with Philadelphia didnt show a lot of reason for hope. Thats the question I always get asked, he said. Im only 32 I still feel great, I feel strong. Its been a long road for me with all the injuries and the shoulder surgery and stuff. This is really my first year back. Whatever happens, though, Bailey insists he wont stop trying. If it works out with the Angels, great. If not, hell move on and give it another shot. We get to play a kids game for a living, and Im never going to stop until they take the jersey from me, he said. For me, its just about making most of every opportunity and continuing to fight. Donald Trumps campaign chairman Paul Manafort resigned on Friday in the wake of campaign shake-up and revelations about his work in Ukraine. In a statement issued as he arrived in Louisiana to tour the flood-ravaged state, Trump said Manafort offered his resignation Friday morning. The billionaire called Manafort a true professional. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process, Trump said. Manaforts resignation comes a day after The Associated Press reported that confidential emails from Manaforts firm contradicted his claims that he had never lobbied on behalf of Ukrainian political figures in the U.S. Emails between Manaforts deputy, Rick Gates, also a top Trump adviser, and the lobbying firm Mercury LLC showed that Manaforts firm directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraines then-ruling political party. The effort included not just legislative outreach but also attempts to sway American public opinion and gather political intelligence on competing lobbying efforts in the U.S. Manafort and Gates never registered as foreign agents for their work as required under federal law. Also Friday, Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators released copies of handwritten ledgers detailing possible cash payments from Ukrainian political figures to Manafort totaling more than $12 million. Details of the payments described in the ledger were first reported by The New York Times. Manafort denies receiving those payments. Earlier this week, Trump brought in a new campaign chief executive and campaign manager following a disastrous stretch in which the New Yorker committed a series of errors and fell behind Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in both national and battleground state preference polls. The new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, had described Manafort and Gates as part of a new core four atop the Trump operation with her and CEO Stephen Bannon. REDLANDS The City Council has taken the first step toward changing to a district-based election system. During a special meeting Tuesday, the council approved a resolution establishing the criteria for five voting districts. Now it will begin seeking public input. The councils decision comes after an advocacy group threatened to sue the city for violating state voting laws. The council, however, already had been working to bring its elections into compliance with the state. UPDATE: How you can shape Redlands political future Justin Levitt, vice president of Claremont-based National Demographics Corp., presented the council Tuesday with methods for drawing district boundary lines and suggested ways to get the public involved in the process. Ultimately this will empower you and members of the public to make the right decision for Redlands about which map youre going to adopt, Levitt told the council. Thats really, at the end of the day, what this process is about empowering the public to be able to participate and work with you. Next steps include reviewing draft maps from a consultant and the public, workshops and informal public meetings, and at least three public hearings at regularly scheduled City Council meetings. The city and consultant will then work with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters office to implement the map. Districts are expected to be in place for the November 2018 and 2020 elections. Current terms will not be affected by the change, but council members running for re-election must reside in the district they wish to represent. The districts each must contain a nearly equal number of inhabitants; have borders in compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act; and not be drawn with race as the predominant factor. Additionally, the districts would be contiguous in territory and in as compact of a form as possible; respect communities of interest as much as possible; have borders that follow natural and man-made geographical and topographical features as much as possible; and have borders that respect the previous choices of voters by avoiding head-to-head contests between current council members. The City Council in May directed city staff to seek a consultant to assist the city in addressing possible violations of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 and change to a district-based election system. At that time, the city was not under threat of litigation. The city later received a letter from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund threatening to sue the city if it did not change to a district-based election system. It was our councils desire that the publics money wasnt spent defending something we knew we would lose, Mayor Paul Foster said, and move to something that would most greatly benefit the members of the Redlands community. The state voting act attempts to enhance the ability of members of race, color or language minority groups to elect candidates of their choice by challenging a government agencys at-large election system. If the groups can prove racially polarized voting is occurring in the at-large system, which is illegal under the act, they can pressure the city or school district to change to a district-based system. Many California cities, including Highland, where voters opposed changing the election system, have been forced to change to a district-based system after being sued for violating the act. New state legislation allows cities with populations under 100,000 to convert to a district-based system through an ordinance adopted by a city council. It was too risky to have situations like Highland, where voters could vote it down, Levitt said. Some jurisdictions were dragging their feet with their election cycle, so (legislators) wanted to make it very clear that small- to medium-sized cities could do it more quickly. Levitt said most municipalities that have made the change have done so preemptively to avoid the cost of going to court if sued. The cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Chino and Upland are examples. The city of Yucaipa also is making the change, although it has not been threatened with litigation. Once a city or other jurisdiction has a by-district election, theyre protected, Levitt said. They cannot be sued again under the state voting act. For more information, go to cityofredlands.org/By-District-Voting Contact the writer: semerson@scng.com; @TheFactsSandra on Twitter UPDATE (2:15 p.m.): More openings announced. More of Highway 138 reopened Friday afternoon as firefighters began to get a handle on the Blue Cut fire. As of 1:40 p.m., the highway is open from the 15 Freeway to Highway 173. Highway 138 remains closed from the 15 to the Los Angeles County line until further notice, Caltrans announced shortly before 2 p.m. The 15 Freeway reopened Thursday, leaving one additional closure: Highway 2, from Highway 138 to the Los Angeles County Line. Ramps are also closed at Kenwood Avenue, Cleghorn Road and on the 138, according to Caltrans. Caltrans recommends drivers take the following detours: Eastbound 10 Freeway to eastbound Highway 62 to northbound Highway 247 to westbound Highway 18 to the 15 Freeway northbound. Northbound to the 5 Freeway to northbound Highway 14 to eastbound Highway 58 to the 15 Freeway. Highway 18 south through Apple Valley, Lucerne Valley, and Big Bear to Highway 330 south to the 210 Freeway (not recommended for trucks or oversized loads). Blue Cut fire day 4: Firefighters on the offensive as containment grows RELATED PHOTO GALLERIES: Day 3 | Day 2 | Day 1 At least 96 homes destroyed by Blue Cut fire as of Friday VIDEO: Evacuated animals cared for at Victorville fairgrounds ROADBLOCK: Did you hear that one? CHP officer gets excuses, excuses HOTELS: DA investigating evacuees price-gouging reports MONIKERS: How the Blue Cut fire got its name CRIME: 3 arrested on suspicion of looting evacuated home MOUNTAIN TOP Cafe becomes gathering place, ray of hope LIVE BLOG: Heres the latest on what we know about the fire A nonprofit corporation dedicated to helping low income people in San Bernardino County announced Thursday, Aug. 18, that it would not be able to make a scheduled food delivery because of the ongoing Blue Cut fire. The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County said in an email Thursday that it would not be able to deliver food to High Desert residents who are recipients of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Supplemental Commodities Program. Please be advised that, regrettably, we were unable to provide our USDA commodities food delivery scheduled for the high desert area today due to the local fire and road closures to this region, reads part of an email of from the organization. The email said that CAP was trying to make arrangements to get the food delivered sometime next week. According to the USDAs website, the USDA Supplemental Commodities Program aims to provide low income residents who are 60 years or older with food items such as milk, oats, fish and poultry. Contact the writer: 951-368-9693, agroves@scng.com or @AlexDGroves on Twitter. UPDATE (Saturday, Aug. 20): Blaze acreage halted, containment grows The lifting of evacuation orders and the reopening of a stretch of highway heralded more progress against the Blue Cut fire Friday, Aug. 19. And a favorable overnight weather forecast from decreased winds to lower temperatures was expected to help firefighters overnight. But for families returning to burned-out ruins instead of homes, the massive wildfires destructive wake was nothing to celebrate. And officials are asking for the publics help in finding the fires cause. RELATED: How to help determine cause of Blue Cut fire The conflagration in the San Bernardino Mountains had consumed 37,020 acres as of Friday morning with 40 percent containment, up from 22 percent going into Friday. Fifty-seven square miles the city of Ontario takes up about 50 have been burned. At least 105 single-family homes and 216 outbuildings were lost as of Friday, San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said at a news conference. The count could rise in the days ahead. Numerous animals also died in the blaze, although no human deaths have been reported. FLAMES WERE SO HOT Ronnie Moores home was among those lost. I tried to run back in to save some things, said Moore, who is married with four children. But the smoke and flames were so hot I couldnt make it. Moore said he didnt have insurance on the property. RELATED: How the weather will help battle the Blue Cut fire We knew when we bought the home that the previous homeowner didnt pull permits when they built, so we couldnt get insurance. he said. Because he lacks insurance and all his receipts burned in the fire, Moore said San Bernardino County cant help him. But hes determined to rebuild. If they let me back on my property tomorrow Im going to start working on clearing debris, Moore said. Im just glad were all alive because you cant rebuild the worst case scenario. MORE EVACUATIONS LIFTED More than 2,600 firefighters continue to battle the fire, which started around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and grew to 18,000 acres by the first night as it moved with a pace and fury shocking even to veteran firefighters. Interstate 15, which shut down at the fires onset, is now reopen in the Cajon Pass in both directions, although on- and off-ramps through the pass remain closed. Eastbound Highway 138 from I-15 to Highway 173 reopened Friday. Westbound 138 from I-15 to the Los Angeles County line remained closed as of Friday evening. Mandatory evacuations for portions of Phelan were lifted Friday afternoon. Residents west of Baldy Mesa Road to Wilson Ranch Road and south of Phelan Road to Mission Street were allowed to return home. Later, the order was lifted for residents living south of Phelan Road and west of Green Road to Snowline Road. Lytle Creek, West Cajon Valley and Wrightwood will remain shut down until its safe, said San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon. Firefighters repeated their plea for people to comply with evacuation orders, something 50 percent of people had refused to do, according to officials. One of the biggest risks to firefighters and first responders is people waiting to evacuate, said Rocky Oplinger of California Federal National Team 4. We saw what happened in Australia in 2009 Black Sunday where 179 people died because they waited too long. FAVORABLE FORECAST A favorable weather report between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday bodes well for fighting the Blue Cut fire, a fire official said. Winds at ridge tops, on slopes and down canyons are forecasted to die down, said Lt. John Cambra, of Elfrida Fire Department of Arizona and a Blue Cut fire spokesperson. A red flag warning indicating high wind activity was set to be lifted 9 p.m. Friday, and winds are expected to subside after that, he said. Temperatures are on a slight decrease as well, he said, yet its a set of other numbers that are looking good. Live fuel moisture or plantlife that can still burn is at 48 percent, he said, below the critical level of 60 percent. At elevations below 3,500 feet, he said there is less than a 20 percent chance of fuels to ignite, while above 3,500 feet the chance is 20 percent to 30 percent. Taken together, the weather forecast ought to decrease fire action substantially, he said. STILL DANGEROUS Jody Noiron of the U.S. Forest Service warned firefighters at a Friday morning briefing that dangers remain. Just because you dont see a lot of smoke out there, the hazards are all still there, Noiron said. Hand crews from Navajo Scouts, a Bureau of Indian Affairs team from Wind Rock, Arizona, spent Friday looking for hot spots, a practice called cold trailing, along Lytle Creek Road north of the town, said crew boss Terry Tso. They also sought green islands of unburned fuel. They used hand tools and chainsaws to make sure nothing was left to flare up into another fire. Were still finding heat, said Tso. The containment line runs along the fires southeast flank between Hesperia and Cajon. Lytle Creek and Wrightwood are still our highest priority, Oplinger said, adding firefighters also are focusing on the west side of Hesperia and Baldy Mesa. RELATED: Where Blue Cut fire victims can turn for county help RELIEF CENTER San Bernardino County officials opened a fire relief center at the county fairgrounds on 7th Street in Victorville on Friday. Through the Inland Empire United Way, county officials also established a relief fund for affected residents. Weve been struck by one of the worst disasters of fires back to back, San Bernardino County Supervisor Robert Lovingood said. First there was the Pilot fire and now the Blue Cut fire. County services include helping homeowners file insurance claims and apply for disaster assistance. Buildings with at least $10,000 in damage are eligible, San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Bob Dutton said in a news release. We are reaching out to potentially affected parties with information on how to file a claim, in addition to services to replace vital records such as birth, death and marriage certificates, Dutton said, adding its important to file a claim as soon as possible. Even without a claim form filed, our staff will be reducing (property) values and notifying owners of any reductions made to their assessed valuation, Dutton said. For more information, call the Hesperia assessor district office at 760-995-8030 or the Hesperia recorder division at 855-732-2575. While devastating, the fire does not meet the threshold to qualify for federal disaster relief funds, county spokesman David Wert said. RELATED: Federal aid for Blue Cut fire denied CAMPING OUT Since evacuating Lytle Creek on Tuesday afternoon, Laurie and Kenny DeClue and their dogs have been camping out in their 33-foot recreational vehicle. The RV is parked near the roadblock standing between them and home. Weve been watching the road, waiting for it to open, said Kenny DeClue. The couple joked about their fire adventure, but Laurie DeClue said it had been a difficult week. Its been hot, different and out of our place, she said. In the rush to get out Tuesday, they forgot to fill the water tank of their home-on-wheels. Theyve been spending more money than usual not only on water, but also ice and food. Making matters worse, they couldnt get their generator to work until Thursday, and they run it sporadically so it doesnt overheat and ignite nearby dry grasses. Without power, the DeClues rely on smartphone apps and conversations with family for news. As the couple sat beneath their RV awning, they laughed about how long theyve gone without a shower. We found out how much we love each other, quipped Laurie DeClue. As Friday wore on, the DeClues wished they had ignored the evacuation order, like some of their neighbors. But Laurie DeClue said when the fire came up, It was looking really big and close. I just thought, Get us out of there, she said. I got spooked. But now I want back in. RELATED: Why a Riverside rescue crew cant help with the Blue Cut fire ON STANDBY A new Riverside Fire Department rescue crew had to turn down a call to help on the Blue Cut fire because theyre on an urban search-and-rescue team on deck to respond to a large-scale West Coast disaster. Like other fire departments in Riverside County, Riversides agency has also already sent firefighters to help battle fire. There was also a request for help from Riversides Rapid Extraction Module Support, a search-and-rescue team that uses rope systems to help sick or injured wildland firefighters, especially in steep terrain. But members of that team are part of California Task Force 6, one of 28 national urban search-and-rescue teams in the nation that can be called out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This month, that task force tops the roster to respond to a disaster anywhere on the West Coast, said Steve McKinster, Riverside Fire Departments urban search-and-rescue division chief and program manager for California Task Force 6. Its really like having a perfect storm to have a big fire like what we have and also needing to be number one nationally to deploy a task force if needed, he said. Staff writers John Blodgett, Ryan Hagen, Jeff Horseman, Suzanne Hurt, Anne Millerbernd, Doug Saunders and Beatriz Valenzuela contributed to this report. RELATED EVACUEES: Love pulls couple through the Blue Cut fire WEATHER FORECAST: Will rain help quench Blue Cut fire this weekend? HISTORICAL BUILDINGS BURN: Earp cabin, Clyde Ranch burn in Blue Cut fire COLLEGES HELP: Chaffey, Cal State help students cut off by fire AIR QUALITY: Airs been bad; Blue Cut fire will make it worse DAMAGE CAUSED: At least 96 homes destroyed by Blue Cut fire as of Friday RELIEF FUND: Donations to help Blue Cut fire victims hits $100,000 PHOTO GALLERIES: Day 3 | Day 2 | Day 1 ROADBLOCK: Did you hear that one? CHP officer gets excuses, excuses LIVE BLOG: Heres the latest on what we know about the fire Students take part in cyber camp RIVERSIDE The Navy JROTC at Martin Luther King High School recently hosted the Air Force Associations CyberCamp. As a camp host, the NJROTC received software and a hands-on curriculum kit designed to teach students cyber safety, cyber ethics, and critical network security skills and tools, according to a news release. More than 50 students from the Inland region participated in the camp, which took place Aug. 1-5 at Bourns Technology Center. Staff report TEMECULA A recent blood drive at Pechanga Casino generated 60 pints of blood from 72 donors. The Aug. 9 blood drive was organized by the Temecula chapter of the San Diego Blood Bank. Donors received refreshments and were entered into drawings for gift cards at local stores. Manny Otiko RIVERSIDE Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, is hosting a veterans roundtable for former service members to discuss issues important to them. The event is from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26 at VFW Post 10267 at 8607 Mission Blvd. To register go to veterans-roundtable2016.eventbrite.com. Manny Otiko RIVERSIDE Mayela Caro of Temecula, a UC Riverside Ph.D student in history, is interning this summer at the National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C. A news release from the university says one of her assignments is to help plan the museums upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month Festival. Staff report ONTARIO The Ontario Reign has launched the Read to Reign student reading program, which will run through the teams 2016-17 season. Participating students can win prizes, such as tickets to games and ice cream parties, by reading. Students and teachers can also register for the Reigns Education Day on Oct. 6, which will include a preseason game. Information: ontarioreign.com/EducationDay or ontarioreign.com/ReadtoReign Manny Otiko HEMET The Hemet Library Foundation will hold its fifth annual golf fundraiser Sept. 10 at the Golden Era Golf Course. The event includes 18 holes of golf and a barbecue lunch. Participants will be eligible for prizes and awards. The entry fee is $50 per golfer or $140 per foursome. Information: thehemetlibraryfoundation.org Staff report Send items for possible inclusion in Community Notes to community@pressenterprise.com. The Redlands Unified School District has agreed to pay a former high school student $6 million to settle a lawsuit brought against the district after former teacher Laura Whitehurst was convicted of having sex with him and other students. While we are not pleased with this outcome, this agreement settles this tragic case once and for all so we can move forward, district spokesperson Tom DeLapp said at a press release Friday morning at district headquarters. Whitehurst, he said, violated district rules that and policies that she was aware of and had received training on repeatedly. (Employees now receive even more training, DeLapp said Friday.) Whitehurst, who taught English at Citrus Valley, Redlands and Orangewood high schools, was arrested in 2013 after a complaint from the parents of a 17-year-old boy who claimed Whitehurst had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with their son over the past year. Investigators said Whitehursts baby was the product of that relationship. She is a 2003 graduate of Redlands East Valley High and began her career at RUSD in 2007 as an English teacher at Redlands High, where she worked until spring 2009, when she was laid off due to budget cuts, according school district records. Whitehurst returned to the district in fall 2009 to teach at Orangewood and transferred to CVHS in the fall of 2010. She worked at CVHS as an English teacher and adviser to clubs until her resignation following criminal proceedings. No one in the district was charged for its handling of the Whitehurst matter, and on Friday, DeLapp categorically denied any wrongdoing. var _ndnq = _ndnq || []; _ndnq.push([embed]); According to the San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office in 2013, Whitehurst and the future father of her child both gave the district each gave what appeared to be reasonable explanations for any allegedly suspicious conduct, according to DAs spokesman Chris Lee, when the district interviewed the pair on May 17, six weeks before Whitehurst was eventually arrested on July 1, 2013. Whitehurst gave birth to her child in June 2013. It was then that the student fathers mother discovered the relationship, and called the district, who in turn called the police on July 1. Two former Redlands High School students made allegations against Whitehurst after her arrest, and Whitehurst was charged with 41 felony counts of unlawful sex acts with minors. She accepted a plea bargain, pleading guilty in San Bernardino Superior Court to six felonies. Under the plea deal, Whitehurst would serve five years on probation, up to a year in county jail, forfeit her teaching credentials, register as a sex offender, be required to attend sex offender treatment, must wear a GPS tracking device and was not allowed to make contact with the teen. She ended up serving only six months in jail. In the meantime, the by-then 17-year-old father of her child was pursuing a civil suit against the school district. On Friday, DeLapp said the district was not admitting guilt with its settlement, but was doing so to avoid dragging employees through the mud all over again and damaging the reputation of a very fine district. He also noted that jury awards are escalating out of control, and the district wanted to avoid an even higher settlement amount. The Redlands Unified community is tired of the case, according to DeLapp, and Fridays $6 million settlement puts an end to it. Staff writer Sandra Emerson contributed to this story. Students attending public universities in the Inland Empire are getting a good deal when compared to the nation as a whole. When the cost of a college degree is compared to the salaries those graduates can command, Californias public universities rank high. Those same students end up having less student loan debt than most of the nations other college graduates. But among the states public university students, those graduating from Cal State San Bernardino have the second-highest average debt according to a newly released study. UC Riverside students are fourth highest among the UC campuses. Lendedu, a private student loan aggregate company, compiled the rankings from data that appear in the most recent annual figures compiled by Petersons, a company that publishes college guides. Petersons gathers its data from voluntary reports submitted by the universities and colleges it lists in its guides. According to those numbers, the average Cal State San Bernardino student earning a bachelors degree also has a debt load of $23,141. Humboldt State University was the only California public university to rank higher, with an average student debt of $23,973. For UCR students, the average reported debt is $21,464. That amount is slightly higher for UCLA and UC San Diego students, but UC Santa Cruz is the highest with an average graduating student having a debt load of $22,580. Cal State San Bernardino spokesman Joe Gutierrez said a number of factors might account for the apparent higher debt load. Gutierrez said not all schools report their information in the same manner. Theyre giving it a broad brush, Gutierrez said of Lendedu. Im not sure how many (schools) are doing it the same way. The methodology for the study, however, looked at a schools total student debt among the 2015 graduating class and divided it by the number of graduating seniors. Gutierrez said San Bernardino might be higher because of the socio-economic pool from which the school draws. We have a higher percentage of first-in-family to go to college, he said. Most of the time it involves income. He said scholarship and grant monies might play a factor. Schools such as Cal State Bakersfield and Fresno State also have high percentage of first-generation college students (58.2 percent and 53.4 percent respectively, compared to San Bernardinos 59.4 percent) but those schools graduates have average debt that is half that of San Bernardino students. They also have very similar average amounts of grant or scholarship aid. The reported average debt for Bakersfield students is $11,679. For Fresno, the number is $10,872. Fresno State has the lowest average student debt among public universities in California. Here are some other local universities and their average student debt according to the rankings: Cal Poly Pomona: $22,224 University of Redlands: Not included California Baptist University: $37,140 Cal State Fullerton: $14,965 Cal State Dominguez Hills: $15,838 Cal State Long Beach: $16,077 UCLA: $21,596 Cal State Los Angeles: $16,402 Cal State Northridge: $18,164. The full report can be found at http://bit.ly/2bBMDRZ UCR leaders honored Two UC Riverside administrators were named to state boards this week. Deborah Deas, the recently hired dean of the School of Medicine, has been appointed to the governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the states stem cell agency. Karthick Ramakrishnan, associate dean of the School of Public Policy, was appointed to the California Endowment Board of Directors, a private organization promoting health care for underserved communities. Cal States Morales on leader list The July/August issue of Latino Leaders magazine lists Cal State San Bernardino President Tomas Morales among its 101 most influential Latino leaders in the United States. Contact the writer: mmuckenfuss@scng.com or 951-368-9595 The Bank of Ghana (BOG) has expressed discomfort over continued poor handling of the cedi notes the local currency, something Dr. Johnson Asiama, the Second Deputy Governor, says is a huge bother. He said people should recognize that it costs a lot of money to print and replace the dirty and torn notes. That was why everybody must accept to handle them properly they should not be squeezed. He was speaking after an-hour-and-a-half walk in Kumasi by workers of the Central Bank to send a message to the public about the need to ensure that the notes were kept clean. Dr. Asiama indicated that holding clean notes tended to give confidence in the currency, saying, nobody wants to have dirty notes. He spoke of the banks determination to intensify the public education campaign to aid the people to do the right thing. The staff, he said, would sustain their visits to the markets, churches and other public places to bring the much needed change. Mr. Bernard Otabil, Director of Communications of the Bank, responding to concerns about the activities of illegal micro-finance companies, said steps had been taken to rein them in. He said the BOG, as a regulatory body, was eager to make sure that there was sanity in the financial sector and underlined that everybody must be ethnically guided in things that they do. He rallied the media to support the BOG effort at protecting people from being swindled by fraudsters by refusing to run advertisements for unlicensed microfinance companies. He asked that they went the extra mile to check from the list of licensed microfinance companies posted at the Central Banks website, adding that, all should find space to assist stop fraudsters out there from having their way. The other highpoint of the walk was the promotion of the physical fitness of the workers to keep them healthy and reduce medical bills. Source: GNA 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 Nesrin Bayazit, Ambassador of Turkey to Ghana, has disclosed that bilateral trade between the two countries currently stands at $400 million. She said Turkey intends to strengthen trade ties with Ghana to increase trade volumes to about $1 billion by the year 2020. Mr Bayazi, who speaking at a press briefing in Accra said, Turkey companies will undertake major projects in Ghana and contribute to the development of Ghana. We have to move towards a common objective and interests of our nations and improve our relations in every aspect possible for the prosperity of our people. Turkish Products Fair She announced that all is set for the maiden edition of the Turkish Products Fair and exhibition in Ghana at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra from 24-27 August 2016. The fair is expected to attract leading Turkish companies with more than 500 selected products to be displayed at the stands. It is under the auspices of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC), founded in 1882 with 400,000 members. The conference is expected to pave the way for major boost in trade between Turkey and Ghana. Cagri Oluc of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce stated that since the 1960s, ICOC organized international fairs across the world. Since 1999, ICOC has organized Turkish Product Fair in various countries commercial regions. In this respect, ICOC supports sincerely all efforts and works in order to develop and strengthen social and commercial relations with great ECOWAS countries of Africa, he said. 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 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. Ghana government has absolved itself of any blame over the cancellation of President Robert Mugabes visit to the country, noting it did not invite the Zimbabwean president. The 92-year-old president was scheduled to arrive in Ghana at 4:00pm on Thursday, August 18, for a four-day state visit but the said visit was cancelled at the last minute. No reasons were given. However, sources told 3News that Ghanas President, John Mahama, who was expected to confer on Mr Mugabe, the Millennium Lifetime Achievement award for his role in Zimbabwes liberation struggle from British colonial rule, was going to be out of Accra. The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who was to play a key role in the visit of President Mugabe was also said to be out of town. But Deputy Minister of Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu told Onua FM that Ghana had no hand in the invitation of President Mugabe. He said though President Mahama was to have billed to have hold bilateral talks with Mr Mugabe, the visit was not a State visit, indicating that Mr Mugabes invitation was on the request of a private institution, the Millennium Excellence Foundation. Several bill boards announcing President Mugabes visit have been mounted along various ceremonial streets of Accra and the cancellation of the said visit has raised eyebrows with some arguing that it has caused financial loss to the State. Others argued the visit was needless in the first place. Source: 3news.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 The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West Constituency, Ursula Owusu Ekuful has slammed colleague MP, Kennedy Agyapong for saying his "misogynistic" comment against the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission was a joke. Mr. Agyapong two months ago alleged that Charlotte Osei was appointed boss of the election management body after giving into sexual demands. His comments attracted severe criticism from the general public. However, speaking Tuesday on Adom FM, the Assin North legislator explained that his scandalous claims were nothing but a joke. I said a lot of things on that day, even this one, I was joking, I immediately took my seat after making those comments...yes, I was joking, said Agyapong and that calls on him to apologise are baseless. But, Mrs. Ekuful labeled the explanation as utterly offensive and unfortunate. According to her, the allegations against Mrs. Charlotte Osei are so serious that attempting to trivialise it is unacceptable, saying what he [Kennedy Agyapong] said now makes it even more offensive. She told Morning Starr host Nii Arday Clegg Wednesday that the legislator's conduct ought to be condemned without fear or favour. ...It doesnt matter who says that. I dont care who says that. So long as those offensive words come out of anybodys mouth, we all ought to condemn it and not say that we will justify it, we will white wash...and we will pray that it just goes away...because it is our friend who is saying that, she said. Mrs. Ekuful, who herself over the years was subjected to vicious sexist slurs said comments from men-like Mr. Agyapong whom she described as some misguided idiots discourage young women from aspiring to the higher echelons of the Ghanaian society. That notwithstanding, she quickly added that he, Kennedy is a product of this sick society which condones that kind of offensive behavior against women. Source: starrfmonline.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 The Coalition on the Right to Information, Ghana presented a petition today, August 18th 2016 to his Excellency, the President on the need for Ghana to pass the RTI Bill inclusive of the crucial amendments proposed by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs before Parliament lapses in 2017. The petition which was received by the Chief of Staff on behalf of the President was presented following the failure of Parliament, despite several promises made by its Leadership, to pass the RTI Bill in its second session which ended on 5th August 2016. The petition signed by the Steering Committee members of the Coalition called on His Excellency to intervene to facilitate the speedy passage of the Bill with the proposed amendments by Parliament. It also called on His Excellency to fulfil Ghanas international commitments under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by engaging Parliament to pass the Bill as government committed to do under its OGP National Action Plan. The Coalition in its petition noted that the unfulfilled promises by government at various international platforms that the RTI Bill will be passed by this administration is a dent on the image of the country, the President and the NDC government. Below is the full petition. PETITION TO HIS EXCELLENCY, JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA PLEASE INTERVENE AND EXPIDITE THE PASSAGE OF THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION BILL Your Excellency, we the under listed organisations and individuals would like to urge you to engage Parliament to resume and expedite the consideration of the RTI Bill currently at the consideration stage in Parliament. Your Excellency, upon assuming power in 2012, tabled the RTI Bill before the 6th Parliament on November 12th 2013 and subsequently the Bill was referred to the Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for thorough discussion and review. The Select Committee, as part of its deliberative processes, held consultations with various stakeholders including the RTI Coalition and unanimously adopted a number of critical amendments to the Bill in its report presented to Parliament in December 2014. The objective of these proposed amendments by the bipartisan Committee is to make the Bill a robust, transparent and effective Bill which when passed into law would promote democratic participation, transparency and aide the fight against corruption. In March 2016, Parliament began the consideration of the Bill with the proposed amendments by the Select Committee. Between March and June, 2016, Parliament was only able to consider 29 out of 157 clauses of amendments. However, Parliament suspended the consideration of the RTI Bill without any particular reason and began consideration of other bills some of which have today been passed. In all our engagements with Parliament, we were assured by both the majority and the minority members of Parliament that the RTI Bill will be passed in its second sitting for the year (May July, 2016). Even at the 117th UN Human Rights Committee meeting, Members of Parliament led by the Deputy Attorney General, Hon Dominic Ayine assured the international community that the RTI Bill will be passed by July 22nd, and that Your Excellency has personally tasked him to attend Parliament regularly to ensure that the Bill is passed, but this promise has failed to materialise. THE IMPLICATIONS OF GHANAS FAILURE TO PASS THE RTI BILL THIS YEAR: We would like His Excellency to note that the NDC government has a very unique opportunity to demonstrate to Ghanaians that the anti-corruption campaign is more than mere rhetoric. This is because this government has been in power for eight years and unlike any other party, the NDC party had made promises twice in both its 2008 and 2012 manifestoes to pass the RTI Bill into law. The delay in the passage of the Bill has huge implications for Ghanaians, Ghana as a country and Your Excellency, as the President of the Republic and the Co-Chair of Eminent Persons to Champion the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As you are aware, Goal 16:10 of the SDGs requires all countries to ensure public access to information for their citizens and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. The absence of the RTI law and the current delay in its passage means firstly, that Ghanaians would continue to struggle in their quest to effectively participate in governance and hold their leaders accountable; which may mean that public confidence in the government and state institutions may very soon be eroded. Secondly, the non-fulfilled promise in various international platforms that the Bill will be passed by this administration is a dent on the image of the country and puts the credibility of government into question. Ghana signed unto the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Initiative in 2011 and made commitments in both the 2013/14 and 2016/17 National Action Plans to pass the RTI Bill. The failure by Ghana to pass the Bill four years on makes the countrys OGP participation questionable. Signing unto the OGP was an indication that government is committed to promote transparency, accountability, active citizen participation and the use of technology and innovation to strengthen governance. However, these objectives cannot be achieved without an effective access to information legislation. . Thirdly, the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) which is a strategy developed by government and other stakeholders to tackle corruption holistically and which envisions the involvement of all stakeholders in the fight against corruption cannot be implemented effectively without access to credible information. In the absence of the RTI law presently, Ghanaians, including our MPs, are limited in their ability to effectively scrutinise the nature of loan agreements and contracts that are signed in the name and on behalf of Ghana. The passage of the RTI law provides a good opportunity for Government to demonstrate its commitment to the fight against corruption. Finally, an effective RTI law will set out the mechanisms by which citizens and indeed all persons can enjoy the constitutional right to access information. Many African countries, including Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burkina-Faso, Togo, South Sudan, have taken the bold step to empower their citizens by passing the Right to Information Law, but Ghana, the beacon of democracy, which is supposed to be setting the pace for other countries to follow, is yet to pass the law. Your Excellency, we have heard you say on several occasions that when the RTI Bill gets to your table, you will sign it into law. However, we would like to urge you to go further to demonstrate your commitment by engaging Parliament to accelerate the passage of the RTI Bill before the 6th Parliament lapses in 2017. More specifically, we would like His Excellency to urge Parliament to review and endorse all the proposals by the Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and ensure that the amendments proposed by the Select Committee are carried on board. SIGNED: STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE RTI COALITION: 1. COMMONWEALTH HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE (CHRI) 2. MEDIA FOUNDATION FOR WEST AFRICA (MFWA) 3. GHANA INTEGRITY INITIATIVE (GII) 4. GHANA ANTI- CORRUPTION COALITION (GACC) 5. GHANA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION (GJA) 6. CENTRE FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (CEPD) 7. GHANA TRADES UNION CONGRESS (GTUC) 8. CENTRE FOR DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT (CDD) 9. EANFOWORLD 10. PERFECTER OF SENTIMENTS (POS) FOUNDATION 11. PROF. KWAME KARIKARI (CO CHAIR) (INDIVIDUAL MEMBER) 12. MR. VITUS ADABOO AZEEM (CO CHAIR)(INDIVIDUAL MEMBER) 13. MR. SETH ABLOSO (INDIVIDUAL MEMBER) 14. MR. AKOTO AMAPAW (INDIVIDUAL MEMBER) AUGUST 2016 Source: Peacefmonline.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 President John Mahama has asked electorates in the Western Region to reject the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) in the upcoming polls. This he said is because the NPP contributed to the overthrow of one of their own, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He argues that the party that gave birth to the NPP, the United Party (UP) tradition, accused, Dr. Nkrumah of embarking on what he calls ostentatious projects and also embezzled state funds, leading to his overthrow. Speaking at the inauguration of a clinic at Kokompeh in Takoradi as part of his campaign tour of the Western Region, the President urged the electorates to given him another term to continue the good works started by the NDC. Dr. Nkrumah was a man of vision he always thought about the future of the country. When he built the Akosombo dam, the UP tradition said it was just a flamboyant project but today the dam is still providing major parts of the country with electricity. The same people who ousted Nkrumah because they said he was embezzling state funds and undertaking unnecessary projects have metamorphosed to become the NPP. In Cape Coast, our founder, Jerry John Rawlings advised us to beware of them because theyve been in politics for a long time. They only change their names but do not change their character. It is these same people who say development is not edible. They say the roads, hospitals are not edible and that my government is only incurring huge debts and embezzling state funds claiming we have undertaken projects. They also say Ghanaians rather need money in their pockets, they sung this same song during Nkrumahs time, today, they are at it again. The President explained that though this clinic we have built for you is not edible I can assure you, it will save many lives here. President John Mahama who is seeking another term in office begun a four day campaign tour of the Western Region on Tuesday. This follows the launch of the partys campaign in Cape Coast last Sunday. 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 There could not be a greater insult in Ghanas political game than a claim by President John Dramani Mahama that he would not accept criticism from anyone apart from former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufour, Nana Akomea, Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said. His comment follows a claim made by Mr Mahama during the launch of the 2016 campaign of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Cape Coast on Sunday, 14 August, that were insults an event at the Olympics, the NPP could be considered as gold medallists. Responding to the president in a press release issued Thursday, 18 August, Mr Akomea said: President Mahama at the last NDC congress in Kumasi, before the Cape Coast congress, diagnosed the then General Secretary of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) Mr lvor Greenstreet as suffering from incurable myopia. President Mahama has gone on to tell Ghanaians last year that he would not take criticism from anyone who has never been president before, and that the only people he would take criticism from are former Presidents Rawlings and Kufuor. So the good people of Ghana who elected President Mahama cannot be fit to criticise him because they have never been president before, he observed. He added: There can be no greater insult on Ghanaians. If anyone was looking for a gold medal for insults, this is it. Source: classfmonline.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 The Nigerian media mogul, Chief Dele Momodu has advised opposition parties who want to unseat President Mahama to focus on convincing Ghanaians with a realistic manifesto, instead of trumpeting promises. Chief Momodu who has received backlash from opposition parties for promoting President John Mahamas administration has refused to back down on his conviction that Mahama is the best choice for Ghana - as the country head to the election in few months. Advising the opposition party on how best to unseat Mahama, he said What I expect the opposition to tell Ghanaians is that Mahama is not doing enough; we can do better, and show Ghanaians how they intend to do it because promises are very easy to make. Comparing opposition campaign strategy to that of Donald Trump strategy, he said look at Donald Trump, he promised to drive out ISIS, but when he was asked how hes going to go about it, he cant tell; thats what I think is wrong with politicians competing with Mahamas re-election. He however advise the political parties desperate to dislodge President to concentrate their energy on providing a realistic manifesto: the energy people waste attacking Mahama, they should please consolidate that energy and concentrate it on showing specifically how they are much better; their track record, what they want to do in the future because its not always easy, he said. Video below:- Source: ghanaweb.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 President John Mahama has disclosed plans to expand the Tamale International Airport, says the conversion of the Tamale airport into an Aerotropolis, which will be a major hub to service the airline industry in the sub region. The planned airport city will provide one stop airport support facilities including hotels, conferencing facilities, shops, restaurants among others. The President who was addressing a brief ceremony to see off the first batch of pilgrims who flew directly from the Tamale Airport to Jedda, Saudi Arabia said the newly expanded Tamale International Airport feeds into the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for States to have an alternate airport that has similar capacity as the main airport in any country. He also announced ongoing feasibility studies to build a new airport in the Central regional capital, Cape Coast and Bolgatanga in the Upper East. President Mahama observed that the vision of ensuring that every region in Ghana gets an airport is in line with governments transformation agenda. He explained that the Aviation industry is growing rapidly and Ghana needs to embark on massive aviation infrastructure across the country to meet demand. These are not the only airports we are working on. Phase two of the Kumasi airport expansion will kick off next year. It will involve the extension of the Kumasi airport runaway to accommodate wide bodied jets. We will construct an additional terminal building at the airport so that we can handle the growing amount of traffic that is developing at that airport. We also intend to rehabilitate the runway of the Sunyani airport to facilitate takeoff and landing of aircrafts there and we are conducting a feasibilities study for the cape-coast and Bolgatanga airports. The construction of these facilities will see a takeoff of aviation in this country and you are aware already, the aviation and passenger traffic continues to increase year on year. This will serve as an economic growth nod and there by generate more jobs and improve the local economy said the President. The President made reference to the Terminal 2 expansion project at the Kotoka International Airport which has equipped the arrival hall with state of the art gadgets to enhance clearance and security. He added that the construction of Terminal three is ongoing and when completed it will turn KIA into one of the most modern terminal buildings in the whole of West Africa. Work on the Ho aerodrome which preferably is called Ho airport is also ongoing. We expect the runway to be completed before the end of this year and the terminal building will be completed early next year. We also expect the flight to begin operating from the WA airfields in the next few months. In the next few months it should be possible to catch a flight from WA to the other parts of the country.. This fits into my economic transformation and livelihood empowerment program to be pursued in my second and final term in office Insha Allah he added. The event at ther Taamale airport was witnessed by Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Shaributu and other Moslem Clerics, the Transport Minister Fiifi Kwetey, the Hajj Board members and Management of Queroz Galvao which is executed the project. The direct flight to Jedda marks a historical feat for Hajj pilgrims from the Northern, Brong Ahafo, Upper East and Upper West regions who otherwise would have traveled down south to catch a flight at the Kotoka Airport. In all 1,500 will be flown from Tamale. Two more flights, each with 500 passengers are set to leave the country on Saturday and Sunday. All other pilgrims will embark on their spiritual journey from Accra. The Tamale airport is now equipped with an extended runway (3,940metres) and a complete lighting system to accommodate bigger aircraft. According to the president, currently, none of the regional airports has the capacity of accommodating wide-bodied aircraft such as the Boeing 747- 800 series. Any such aircraft would have otherwise been diverted to one the neighboring West African countries and hence revenue losses made to the GACL and the State at large, he added. Ghanas second international Airport, is now ready for use by both domestic and overseas players in the aviation industry, the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has disclosed and it will also provide services to the sub-Saharan regions including Burkina Faso and Mali. Our vision is to enhance the transport sector and there will be a mix market high density commercial development to serve as an economic growth node; it will also generate employment and improve income in the local economy, he added. Source: Peacefmonline.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 Travelling is kind of a mine field at the best of times, and often the (for lack of a better term) arrogance of being a westerner means youre not exactly clued in on the various local customs and laws of other countries. But even with that in mind, this one is really something else. An Adelaide humanitarian charity volunteer was arrested in the United Arab Emirates, and has been held in prison without charge for the past three weeks, for the apparent grave crime of sharing a Facebook post. Scott Richards, who is based in Dubai with his family where he works as an economic development consultant, was arrested in late July under UAE laws that prevent the promotion of overseas charities. Richards is also a volunteer for the US-based Zwan Family Charity, who helps provide impoverished and orphaned children in Afghanistan with vital medical education and treatment, such as vaccination programs, dental treatment, and disease prevention. They also distribute tarps and blankets to refugees struggling with the Afghani cold in Kabul-based refugee camps. Richards, whilst in Dubai, shared a Facebook post that asked people in his friends list and news feed to help support the charity. Thanks to a UAE law implemented in 2015, anyone who intends to raise money for charity whilst in the country, regardless of where that charity is based, needs prior approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. Richards shared the post, and was arrested by UAE officials in late July, and he has since been held without charge in a Dubai prison with extremely limited contact from his wife allowed. Richards mother Penelope Haberfeld states that he has only been allowed to see his wife once a week, and is being held in extremely trying conditions. He himself is holding up well. Its not nice. They only get 10 minutes of sunshine once a week. Richards also reportedly is only allowed to change clothes once every seven days, and has to buy water. The detention, which is arbitrary, is not uncommon in the UAE, and could see Richards held for an indefinite period of time without charge or prosecution. Radha Stirling from advocacy group Detained in Dubai explains thusly: There are constantly expats falling foul of the law and also being victims of other people because its so easy in the UAE for an individual to take out a police complaint against someone. There are so many laws, its so different, yet so many expats, but UAE doesnt make any effort to inform expats. In a case like this where its so obviously unjust we are hoping for diplomatic intervention which the Australian Government has done in the past. The Australian Consulate in the UAE is aware of Richards case, and is in contact with the UK Embassy who is handling the case due to Richards status as a dual-national. Its currently unknown how far along efforts to free Richards are progressing. Source: ABC News. Earlier this week, news broke that after months of legal battles and terrifying domestic abuse claims, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard had settled their divorce out of court. Heard and Depp agreed on US $7 million (approx. AUD $9 million) as a divorce settlement, and released a joint statement saying, Neither party has made false accusations for financial gains. Completely ignoring the fact that most people accused of domestic violence will try to settle the claims outside of a court room to avoid criminal charges, many vocal Facebook users had plenty to say about both the reason they settled (incl. Amber Heard is a gold digger who just wanted Johnny Depps money!) and the amount that the pair settled on (incl. See, I knew that money-hungry skank just wanted money!). But today, Heard has announced that she will be donating the entire settlement to charity. Lets say that one more time together: shes going to donate THE ENTIRE SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS TO CHARITY. In a solo statement released on Thursday, Heard said that she would be splitting the donation in two, with half going to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the other half going to the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. She said that the money going to the the money to the ACLU was being donated in order to assist with the unions efforts to combat violence against women. As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves. Source: SMH. Photo: Axelle / Bauer Griffin / Getty. A former security guard for the Childrens Court has been released on a good behaviour bond after being found guilty of having sex with a 14-year-old girl a charge that carries a maximum sentence of ten years. 32-year-old Franco Abad seemingly received sympathy from County Court Judge Christopher Ryan, who said the ways in which honest-to-god grown adults have sex with minors can vary immensely. The court heard Abad believed the girl, whom he met outside the court building he worked at, was 17 when they met therefore one year older than Victorias age of consent. Several weeks into their relationship, the victim clued her school welfare coordinator into her circumstances. From there, police were informed, and they told Abad she was living in a residential care facility and was actually 14. Following an argument in which the victim disputed the polices claims, Abad ended the relationship. Regardless, he confessed to one more instance of sexual intercourse with the victim after discovering her actual age. Judge Ryan said he [then] goes to bed and is joined by a young woman. Well, hes not made of steel. He went on to say theres nothing unnatural about having sex, and the human aspect of it is readily understandable if I can put it that way. The victim was also typified by Judge Ryan as worldly and older than her years. To recap: Childrens Court security guard has sex with a 14-year-old, whom he met at a workplace designed to protect vulnerable minors, after learning she was well and truly underage. And the judge gave him a good behaviour bond, claiming hes absolutely satisfied that this man has learned his lesson. Boggling. Absolutely boggling. Source: The Age / ABC. Photo: @its_sherylr / Instagram. That utterly vile website that was sharing sexually explicit images of over 2000 Australian high school girls some of them underage might have finally been shut down, but the ramifications are still coming in strong. Firstly, theres a Change.org petition calling on Malcolm Turnbull to bring in better legislation to deal with these websites (both in shutting them down and punishing those responsible) thats already hit 30,000 signatures in two days. (It should be noted that although the Australian Federal Police confirmed today that the site had indeed been shut down, they elaborated only so-far as to say authorities had done so. It is believed the site was shut down by administrators.) And secondly, theres this sub-par response to the website from one of the schools affected. Kimbraya College, a co-ed progressive school in Victoria, apparently hauled all its Year 7 and 10 female students into an assembly to tell them to dress more conservatively and not take nude photos or else they might just end up online. Catherine Manning, a mother of one of the students, accused the school of slut-shaming and victim-blaming the students instead of laying the blame at those responsible for this vile website. She posted on Facebook that shed received a furious text from her daughter about a meeting it. Instead of laying blame directly where it falls with the perpetrators it seems her school decided the best line of defence was to haul the girls into a meeting and not just police their appearance, but thoroughly insult and denigrate them, she wrote. Nice job, revolution school. At the assembly my daughter and her friends said they were told they had to check the length of their skirts, and that anything that doesnt touch their knees or below by Monday morning would be deemed inappropriate. They were informed that this was to protect their integrity. They were also told not to post photos of themselves online, and to refuse any request from a boyfriend for a sexy selfie, as their boyfriends will only be around for a couple of days; maximum a year; but definitely not in ten years time. They were told the boys are distracted by their legs, and that boys dont respect girls who wear short skirts. Manning writes that afterwards, some of the girls got together to document their outrage to the meeting, only to be shut down by a teacher. As a parent, I am MORTIFIED that my daughter was subjected to such appalling messaging at the hands of those entrusted to care for her. The school has yet to make a comment, although they did send out an email on Wednesday that they believed no current students were involved. Meanwhile, if you want to add your name to the Change.org petition, you can do so here. You can also read Mannings full post below: Photo: Kambyra / Facebook. Simon Gittany will serve his full non-parole sentence of 18 years in jail, after the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal dismissed his appeal of the murder conviction handed to him in 2013. Gittany was found guilty of murdering his then-fiancee Lisa Harnum in July of 2011 by throwing her off the balcony of his 15th floor Sydney apartment. He was sentenced to 26 years prison, with a non-parole period of 18 years, in November of 2013. The trail heard that Gittany was a violent, abusive, jealous, and possessive partner, who monitored Harnums movements via CCTV cameras he had installed to track her, and read her emails and text via a surveillance computer program. The court heard that Gittany flew into a violent, uncontrollable rage after learning that Harnum was making plans to escape him and leave the relationship, which resulted in him pushing her off the balcony to her death. Gittanys appeal centred on the reliability of an eye witness to the crime whose memory they claimed would have been influenced by what he learned about the incident after the fact. The Court of Appeal dismissed Gittanys claim outright. He will not be eligible for parole until May, 2031. Source: 9News. First of all, if you dont know Indigenous + award-winning rapper, actor, comedian and all-round legend Briggs, then you must rectify that at once (clicking on this article was a good start). Second of all, he called The Australians cartoonist Bill Leak an example of the rock bottom of Australia, and we are 100% here for it. Unless youve been living under a wonderfully sweet + bigot-free rock for the past few weeks, you already know that The Australian recently published an incredibly fucked racist cartoon from Leak that ignited a resounding call for a) its removal, b) an apology, and c) Bills resignation. It got none. But when we spoke to Briggs first name: Adam ahead of the release of ABCs Aboriginal superhero series Cleverman, the conversation inevitably turned to Leak, and Briggs did not hold back. Hes a dick, Briggs said. He just doesnt get it. Fuck off. I write satire and I like comedy, fucking dick. Its a racist cartoon in a history of racist cartoons you stooge. Its always gonna get worse before it gets better, he said, referring to the unacceptable and damaging levels of racism experienced by Indigenous Australians in this country. You have to hit rock bottom before you know how bad it can get. And thats always the way no one knows how bad it is until theyre at the bottom of it. These people the Bill Leaks of the world are the rock bottom. They do propagate stereotypes, and they do enforce it. If youre not making the oppressor uncomfortable, youre not doing it right. BRIGGS AKA BIG SIGH (@BriggsGE) August 18, 2016 Its difficult to talk about what seems to be a clusterfuck of racist incidents in the first half of 2016 (athletes doing blackface, News Corp promptly wetting themselves because UNSW correctly described Captain Cook as invading Australia), because how do you say racism has gotten worse in a country with a deeply racist history? Australia has such a superficial relationship with history that it doesnt have any real identity, said Briggs. Everything about Australia and the Australian way of life is so superficial and so surface level, that any kind of real history and identity is really confronting for Australia. And so we celebrate this beers and barbecues and mates as if no other place in the world has that, like Argentina doesnt have beers and barbecues and friends. Thats king of a universal thing, everywhere has that. Until Australia recognises its history and its really good at picking and choosing the history that it celebrates its really not gonna have an identity to have any kind of ownership. So what is Aussie culture to Briggs? Shit, he replies, with a hollow laugh. Its broken. Australia is such a broken place at the moment, you can tell just by the way If Australia was measured by how it treated its indigenous people, wed be a third world country. And the fact that people are living in third world conditions in a first world country attests that something is amiss. Which makes the political landscape of Cleverman where a species from an ancient mythology (the Hairypeople) must live amongst the humans and battle for survival in a hostile world that wants to silence, exploit and destroy them not too far from the truth. Naturally, Briggs plays one of the Hairypeople. He said he didnt have to spend too much time in hair + makeup, cause he BYOd his beard. It is a top quality beard. The concept for Cleverman is rooted in 60,000+ years of Aboriginal storytelling, and transforms them into a show that at once extremely important and wildly entertaining. There are no books which say these are the following 300 Aboriginal stories, theres no text, theres no Aboriginal Shakespeare, said producer Rosemary Blight. So you have to listen. Youve got to sit in rooms with people who have been handed the stories down from generation to generation to generation. So we spent a lot of time talking and listening and talking and listening so that the stories could bubble up. And thats exactly what creator Ryan Griffen did, seeking permission from Indigenous communities to tell these stories. One of the stories that we obtained permission to tell was from out near Katherine in the Northern Territory, he said. It was a four-hour plane ride, a four-hour drive and then I sat in the riverbed for another four hours discussing the story with an elder. For me, it was probably one of the strongest stories. I sat in the river where theres a songline the paths across the land, water or sky which mark the route followed by spirits or creator-beings during the Dreaming travelled for that specific story so it was an absolute privilege to be there to hear the story and then for the community to give me permission to bring it to the screen. When we asked Briggs if he was familiar with most of the stories coming into the series, or if it was a learning experience for him too, he replied, Both! I feel like every nation in the country has their own Namorrodor story [for example], its different dialects and whatnot. I feel like what Cleverman did was such a great approach to identifying the best parts of relatable and Dreaming stories, and also just mythology around Indigenous culture. Considering theres hundreds and thousands of stories to draw from, from over 60,000 years, to whittle it down to six episodes I feel like theyve done it justice. Cleverman Season 1: Out now on Digital. Available on Blu-Ray & DVD 24 August. Photos: Supplied. J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Don't Edit FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016 file photo, Nate Parker arrives at the Sundance "Night Before Next" benefit in Los Angeles. The upcoming film, "The Birth of a Nation," co-written, directed and starring Parker, has been celebrated as an urgent film for both an America roiled by protest over racial equality, and for Hollywood, which is still dealing with a diversity crisis. But the newfound attention on Parker has dredged up a rape allegation made against him in 1999 when he was a student and wrestler at Penn State University. Parker was acquitted in the case. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Penn State to "The Birth of a Nation": A timeline of Nate Parker's rape case The release of "The Birth of a Nation" this October has renewed attention for a 1999 rape case at Penn State University that involved its director, star and writer Nate Parker. A woman accused him and his former wrestling teammate Jean McGianni Celestin of rape while they were students in State College. Parker was acquitted of the charges in 2001, but Celestin was convicted of sexual assault. The woman later killed herself in 2012 by overdosing on sleeping pills. This is a timeline of events, starting from when the woman claimed the rape happened. Don't Edit Cast member Nate Parker poses at the premiere of the film "The Secret Life of Bees" at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday, Oct. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Nov. 18, 1979 -- Parker is born Parker is born Nov. 18, 1979, in Norfolk, Virginia, according to The Virginian-Pilot. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / Alexey Lysenko) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Aug. 21, 1999 -- Parker, Celestin raped woman, according to her An 18-year-old Penn State student claimed that Nate Parker and Jean McGianni Celestin, who were both on the university's wrestling team, raped her while she was intoxicated and unconscious Aug. 21, 1991, in his off-campus apartment, according to Buzzfeed and The New York Times. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / Aperture51) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Oct. 21, 1999 --Parker, Celestin charged and arraigned Parker and Celestin were arraigned Oct. 21, 1999, on charges of rape and sexual assault, according to the Daily Collegian. They're suspended from the wrestling team. Don't Edit Don't Edit (Shutterstock / K. Jensen) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Fall 1999 -- The woman withdraws from Penn State The woman withdraws from Penn State before the end of the fall semester, according to the Daily Collegian. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / Kuzma) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Oct. 5, 2001 -- Parker acquitted, Celestin convicted Parker was acquitted of all charges, which Variety reported was partly because he had consensual sex with the victim before the reported rape. Celestin was acquitted of the rape charge but was convicted of sexual assault, according to Deadline. Parker would later transfer to the University of Oklahoma. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / Inked Pixels) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Nov. 20, 2001 -- Celestin sentenced Celestin is sentenced to six to 12 months in Centre County Prison, according to the Daily Collegian. Judge Thomas Kistler deviated from sentencing guidelines, which calls for a three-to-six-year sentence in a state penitentiary. His sentence, however, is suspended so that he could complete his studies. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / Ensuper) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Nov. 28, 2001 -- Judicial Affairs hearing against Celestin started The woman requested that Penn State Office of Judicial Affairs reopen its case against Celestin, according to the Daily Collegian. She told the office that she would not testify or be questioned by Celesian, which is standard of the university's judicial process. The woman previously asked the university to delay proceedings until the conclusion of the court case. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / LindaZ74) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Dec. 6, 2001 -- Celestin is expelled Celestin was expelled from Penn State for two years starting Dec. 6, 2001, according to the Daily Collegian. He was not able to participate in graduation ceremonies that month and was not allowed on campus during his expulsion. Don't Edit Don't Edit (Shutterstock / sindlera) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com March 8, 2002 -- Woman files lawsuit against Penn State The woman filed a lawsuit against Penn State, claiming that the university did not do enough to stop Parker and Celestin from harassing her after the reported rape, according to previous reporting by PennLive. She claimed that they hired a private investigator who showed her photograph to students around campus and disclosed her identity, which was not made public. The woman also said that the two men had intimidated and stalked her, according to The New York Times. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / trekandshoot) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com March 2002 -- Penn State issued apology Penn State issued an apology for the reported rape but maintained that they took appropriate action by offering her safe housing, according to previous reporting by PennLive. The university also instructed the Parker and Celestin not to go near her or the part of the campus where she lives; disciplined one of them for violating that order; and also put a trace on her phone. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / Billion Photos) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com Dec. 3, 2002 -- Woman and Penn State settle lawsuit out of court The woman and Penn State settled out of court for less than $20,000, according to previous reporting by PennLive. That amount is later reported to be $17,500, according to The New York Times. The terms were not disclosed in the settlement notice that was filed with the U.S. Middle Court District. Penn State also agreed to review its harassment policies. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / bikeriderlondon) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com May 2003 -- Celestin ordered to be resentenced Pennsylvania Superior Court ordered Kistler to resentence Celestin, according to the Daily Collegian. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / baipooh) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com 2003 -- Parker graduated from the University of Oklahoma Parker graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in management science and information systems, according to The Washington Post. He also learns of Nat Turner, who will become the subject of his 2016 film "The Birth of a Nation," while taking an African-American studies, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Parker then moves to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Don't Edit Don't Edit (Shutterstock / Kaspars Grinvalds) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com March 30, 2004 -- Celestine resentenced Kistler resentenced Celestin to two-to-four-years, according to the Daily Collegian. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / Podvysotskiy Roman) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com August 2007 -- Parker gets married. Parker is married to his wife Sarah, according to The Virginian-Pilot. They had been in a relationship since college and briefly parted when news of the reported rape broke. Don't Edit (Shutterstock / JJ_SNIPER) J.C. Lee | jlee@pennlive.com 2012 -- Woman commits suicide The woman involved committed suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills in a drug rehabilitation facility, her brother told Variety. Staff found her unresponsive with two pill bottles of an over-the-counter sleep aid. Her death certificate stated that she suffered from "major depressive disorder with psychotic features, PTSD due to physical and sexual abuse (and) polysubstance abuse" Don't Edit 2013 -- Parker told agents he won't be acting until "The Birth of a Nation" After Parker finished filming on the drama "Beyond the Lights" in late 2013, he told his agents that he would not act until he could play Nat Turner, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He sought help with the story through the Sundance Lab but was told that Nat Turner's story wouldn't work. He later invested $100,000 of his own money into the movie and looked for investors. Don't Edit Oct. 7, 2016 -- "The Birth of a Nation" to be released The Birth of a Nation, which Parker co-wrote with Celestin, will be released Oct. 7, 2016, according to The New York Times. The movie is about an 1831 slave rebellion in Virginia. Don't Edit Willie L. Robertson Jr., serial burglar Lancaster Willie L. Robertson Jr. A career criminal has received his stiffest prison sentence yet, after being convicted in May of burglarizing a Lancaster hotel room. Willie L. Robertson Jr., 51, of Lancaster, has criminal convictions dating back to 1985, including at least three separate felony burglary convictions, the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office reports. Since 1985, Robertson has at least 18 separate criminal convictions and 17 violations of parole and probation. He was convicted earlier this year for burglarizing two rooms at the Motor Lodge on Old Philadelphia Pike in Lancaster, making off with electronics and furnishings. He was sentenced this week to 5 to 12 years in state prison, the high end of the sentencing range, by a judge who cited his "life of crime" as a factor. According to the DA's office, Robertson was tied to the May break-ins after his DNA was found on a cigarette left inside one of the hotel rooms. Some of the stolen goods were also found in Robertson's South Ann Street home, officials say. In sentencing this week, Robertson blamed his actions on a long-standing drug addiction. His prior convictions include counts of theft, receiving stolen property, hit-and-run, drug-dealing, DUI, and providing false ID to police. A former bookkeeper convicted of stealing more than $156,000 from a church has failed to convince a state appeals court panel that he got a raw deal the he was sentenced to 6 to 27 years in prison. James Moody Perhaps the leaders of the Victory Christian Fellowship shouldn't have been surprised at the pilfering. They knew James Moody, 50, of Philadelphia, already had a 2001 conviction for stealing nearly $21,000 from the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania when he was serving as its controller. And they kept him in his job at the church anyway, as Senior Judge Correale F. Stevens noted in the Superior Court opinion rejecting Moody's appeal. The state court ruling upholds the penalty Montgomery County Judge Gary S. Silow imposed after a jury convicted Moody on an array of criminal charges including theft by unlawful taking and theft by deception. According to court filings, the church hired Moody in 2010 as a consultant to do bookkeeping. He was paid by invoice and was not part of the salaried staff. A year after his hiring, church leaders learned that he had concealed from them his conviction in the Special Olympics case. They didn't fire Moody, deciding to give him a second chance. Moody used that opportunity to put himself on the church's payroll, without permission, so he received additional unauthorized pay, investigators said. He also added himself to the church's health insurance plan, again without seeking approval. Those crimes were discovered when a bank alerted church leaders about bounced checks. On appeal to the state court, Moody claimed his lawyer was ineffective and that prosecutors withheld information they should have handed over. He insisted he should have been prosecuted civilly, not criminally. None of his claims have merit, Stevens concluded. Libre the dog Libre the puppy is held by a staff member at Dillsburg Veterinary Center on July 13, 2016. The puppy's case, and the failure of local SPCA officials to bring charges against the owner, have prompted a continuing shake-up of humane law enforcement in Lancaster County. (Dillsburg Veterinary Center/Facebook) Changes to humane law enforcement in Lancaster County continue with the launching of a new email tipline for suspected cases of abuse. Tips can now be sent directly to the district attorney's office at AnimalAbuse@co.lancaster.pa.us. The new reporting mechanism comes amid recent upheaval in the arena of local humane law enforcement, including the ousting of a top humane officer and the setting in motion of the DA's plan to have such cases handled by local and state police going forward. The district attorney's office is also developing a countywide training program for officers who will be involved in cruelty investigations, it has said. Changes are underway after a recent spate of animal abuse and suspected animal abuse cases in Lancaster County. Among them, the case of a Boston Terrier puppy found "near death" on a breeder's farm in July. It sparked outrage on social media, a global response and condemnation of the local SPCA's failure to charge the puppy's owner. The SPCA official in charge, Susan Martin, who also serves as the group's director, said she lacked the grounds to charge the animal's owner. But after weeks of angry letters and lingering questions, the county's DA said he would be charging the puppy's owner, 33-year-old Benjamin Stoltzfus, and also seek the suspension of Martin's powers of arrest as humane officer. Martin remains director of the SPCA and tells PennLive she has no plans to step down from her position with the non-profit. She agreed to a revocation of her powers as humane law officer on Wednesday, saying she saw "no reason to continue" in light of the DA's decision to have municipal police handle cruelty cases instead of SPCA officials. Martin called the decision "great news," adding "We are happy the DA's office and local and state police will now be handling these cases as our hope is this will ultimately provide more protection to all animals in the county." "We wish them the best success and are happy to help in any way our shelter can," she said. Brett Hambright, spokesman for the DA's Office, said the tipline was set up Thursday and will be "monitored by our detective division, primarily Det. Joanne Resh." Hambright added: "Every lead will be vetted and followed up. We're thinking in many cases, tips will be referred to the respective police departments and they will investigate." Considering the recent changes in procedure regarding animal cruelty policing and enforcement in Lancaster County, Hambright said a county-wide tipline made sense, adding "Email seems to be the preferred method, as opposed to a phone call or someone walking into the police station." As of Friday, two tips had been submitted. UPDATE: This article has been updated to include comment from the DA's Office. UPDATE: Tow truck enforcement at Uptown Plaza triggers lawsuit. HARRISBURG -- Michael Zarecki and his wife stopped at the Uptown Plaza shopping center Tuesday night to grab some Chinese takeout after work. The shopping center's parking lot near Seventh and Division streets was filled with vehicles and people, so Zarecki pulled to the back and parked in a small area of paved asphalt. Zarecki, 61, and his wife started walking toward to the Great Wall restaurant. But before they could reach for the door, Zarecki spotted a tow truck racing toward his Honda Civic. Zarecki started racing to his Honda too, sprinting across the grass, as he saw his car being lifted by the tow truck. Since the truck had already clamped onto his car, Zarecki faced a decision: Pay $120 cash to the driver on the spot to lower his car, or let the car go and pay fees in excess of $200 to spring it from the impound lot later. For shopping center regulars, the scene is all too familiar. Shoppers and business owners have been complaining for years about what they consider aggressive towing practices by the ownership of the shopping center, LCL Equities, out of New Jersey. The company hired Mid-Atlantic Auto Recovery Service, known as Mars, to patrol the parking lot. Managers at the towing company say they're just enforcing the rules, as the property owner has asked them to do. And parking in the fire lane appears to be a problem at the center as at least five vehicles were parked momentarily along the fire lane Wednesday when PennLive visited the lot. But drivers say the towing goes beyond the fire lane. They say the towing strategy is too nitpicky and at times, downright unfair. Some have called for a boycott of the shopping center. Business owners say they have seen vehicles towed for parking with their tires touching the white lines or outside of the lines. Business owners also say vehicles are towed for parking in "handicapped spaces," that aren't well marked. Zarecki, of Tremont, considers himself the victim of a towing racket at the sprawling parking lot. The area where his Honda Civic was scooped up by a tow truck has no signage or indications that drivers are not allowed to park there. He said he never got an explanation from the tow truck driver about why he was slapped with a violation Tuesday night other than he was parked in a "private lot." Zarecki said he had to stand between his car and the tow truck and bang on the back of the truck to stop the driver from fleeing. "He would have had to run me over with my own car, " Zarecki said. "I was fearless." The commotion attracted dozens of onlookers and police, he said. The police officers told Zarecki there was nothing they could do; that it was a civil matter on a privately-owned lot, but they seemed sympathetic, he said. It was the second time police were called to the parking lot for a towing dispute that day. Several interactions between tow drivers and vehicle owners have turned physical. Some car owners, including Zarecki, become incensed because they believe they are being wrongfully extorted. "I literally put my body at risk," he said, to stop the tow driver from dragging his car away with the parking brake still on lock. "There is some sort of gangster activity other there. It was very brazen he wanted to take my car away, with the wheels not spinning." Some people worry that physical contact between tow drivers and customers could escalate as the clashes continue. Police have been called to the lot for towing disputes 66 times so far this year, according to police Capt. Gabriel Olivera, when police resources are already spread thin across the city. Don, a manager with Mars towing who declined to provide his last name, said his drivers get abused verbally and physically simply for doing their jobs. He said vehicle owners who want to dispute a violation can approach the driver calmly or ask for a manager at the office next day. "We try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but most of the time, you can't even talk to people when they come out screaming and cursing at you," Don said. All tow trucks have four cameras attached to record violations and activity. Managers can review the footage and he said they would refund drivers' money if a tow truck driver wrongly towed a vehicle. Don disputed some of the customers' claims as overblown. He said they "never" tow because a tire is touching a white line. He said they tow when both tires are at least 12 inches outside of a white line. Although Mars towing admittedly takes a zero-tolerance approach to parking violations in the shopping centers they control-- they even demanded $120 from a volunteer firefighter for his unmarked truck parked at a car wash after a wall collapsed by the Mulberry Street bridge-- they aren't a stickler for one state law that may apply to their company. State law requires spaces for those with disabilities to include a notification that violators are subject to towing. But the signs at the Uptown Plaza lack that information. The law also said the fine amounts should be noted, although a missing fine schedule isn't enough to negate the violation. State law, according to Act 110 of 2012, also requires tow companies responding to auto accidents to accept credit cards as payments, but it's unclear if that applies in general to tow companies. Managers at Mars said the Act does not apply to them and they only accept cash, certified bank checks or money orders. Although Mars added better signage within the last two months to the Uptown Plaza, they have been towing vehicles for years based on little more than small signs at the entrances to the lot. The signs used to say simply that "unauthorized vehicles" would be towed, without giving any example of what constitutes authorization. Managers said that drivers should have known that that applied to any vehicle that parked outside of the white lines. But new signs added recently are more clear: they say that vehicles must be parked in designated spaces. Still, the signs are placed at the entrances to the lot, when drivers aren't always in a position to slow down and read the fine print, especially if a line of cars is behind them. Some drivers admit that parking in the fire lane is fair game for a tow truck violation, but others think the tow company should provide some grace there, too. The owners of Jimmy the Hot Dog King said they saw a tow truck trying to haul away a mail truck stopped in the fire lane four months ago in front of their shop. The mail carrier summoned the postmaster who rushed to the scene to stop the mail from being hauled away. Other drivers have been towed from the fire lane while getting DVDs from a Redbox machine or stopping to read the sign on the door of a business that had moved. The oppressive atmosphere has scared away customers in a situation not unlike the one in downtown Harrisburg where some drivers revolted against increased parking rates of $3 per hour and possible $30 tickets for expired meters. But the cost of a parking error at the Uptown Plaza is four times that of a downtown parking ticket. It has contributed to the relocation of at least one business that had been at the Uptown Plaza for 30 years. The beer distributor Beer King moved to an independent location just down the street two weeks ago, in part because of problems with the out-of-state landlord, including the towing situation. A tow truck even halted the moving efforts Aug. 1 by trying to tow away a flatbed truck that was stopped in the fire lane with its flashers activated. Workers were trying to load a walk-in cooler on the flatbed. Store managers had to pay $120 to the tow truck driver to finish moving. "It's just like printing money for them," said Steven Rachal, a Beer King manager. Richard Ortiz, of Giovanni's Pizza, said he believes the tow trucks have cost him paying customers. He has videotaped numerous instances from inside his pizza shop. "It affected business a lot," he said. "They just show up and start picking up cars." Carmen Skopelitis, who owns the Jimmy the Hot Dog King restaurant with her husband Antonio, said customers don't want to drive to their store for $5 worth of hotdogs if they're going to get stuck with $120 in towing fees. But Don, a manager from the towing company, said business owners should focus on educating their customers about the parking rules instead of complaining about drivers getting towed. Business owners, for their part, said the property owner should provide better signage that gives drivers a fair shot. The fire lane is clearly marked, but there are no other signs inside the parking lot that warn drivers that they could get towed. The owner of the shopping center did not return calls or requests for interviews from PennLive. But a company representative, Mark Hollenshead, of New Jersey, has reached out to city officials to try to arrange a meeting among officials from the fire and police departments. Fire Chief Brian Enterline said the shopping center is required to have a fire lane directly in front of businesses and that the city could try to take action against the center if it didn't try to keep the lane clear for fire equipment. The aggressive towing approach at the Uptown Plaza disproportionately affects impoverished minorities who frequent the shopping center, said Steven Crawford, a city activist. He said such extreme parking enforcement would not be tolerated in a suburban parking lot. Stan Lawson, president of the local chapter of the NAACP, said scaring away potential customers and hurting local businesses was bad for the city. "They'll close that place down," Lawson said. "We would lose a lot of jobs, and a lot of taxes for city." Don defended the business practices of Mars and said his driver's don't lurk in the lot waiting for violations. Instead, he said they drive through lots periodically. He also said the drivers are paid an hourly wage and they don't get incentives for the number of towed vehicles. "We're contracted to do a job and yes, I don't give any leeaway," he said. "Because if I do it for one, I have to do it for everyone. Editor's Note: This article was updated to clarify that Act 110 may only apply to the towing of vehicles from auto accidents. " Getting towed can be a frustrating and costly situation in Pennsylvania. But not knowing your rights can only compound the problem for you. Pennsylvania has few laws governing the operations of towing company, leaving consumers with limited options if they believe they've been treated unfairly by the towing company. That could change in the future. In December, President Barack Obama signed a bill into law that gives local governments some authority to regulate towing companies. A sponsor of the law, U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, said local jurisdictions have the authority to end egregious fees, ban the practice of "spotting," mandate proper signage, and strike the proper balance based on the needs of their consumers and businesses. But few municipalities have yet enacted new towing regulations. So most Pennsylvanians must rely on just a handful of laws, such as the Towing and Towing Storage Facility Standards Act of 2012, that govern towing operations. Here's a rundown of your rights when your vehicle is towed: When can I be towed? Vehicle can be towed when they are parked illegally on private and public property. Municipal parking authorities are able to tow vehicles for a number of reasons, such as parking in a handicapped spot. The owner of private properties can also have vehicles towed if they are parked in the fire zone, in a loading area or in other restricted areas. Vehicles, of course, are also towed when they become inoperable, due to a mechanical failure or a collision. How much will it cost? Gary N. Stewart, with Rawle & Henderson LLP in Harrisburg, said towing companies can charge whatever they want for their services. If a car's breaks down and needs to be towed, it could cost around $200. But if a vehicle is damaged in a collision, is towed and then stored for a couple days, the cost could top $1,000. Tow truck operators who have hooked up but not towed a vehicle may offer to unhook a vehicle if the owner pays on the spot -- known as a "drop fee." Most often that payment is smaller than it would be if the vehicle is towed and stored. While PennLive could not find a state law that prohibits charging a drop fee, some municipalities -- like York -- limit the maximum rate that could be charged. State police tow away a car left near a school in Lower Paxton Township in 2009. What happens if my car needs to be towed after a collision? Tow truck operators are only allowed to tow a vehicle away from a collision if they are summed by the vehicle owner, a law enforcement officer or municipal personnel. The vehicle owner can choose which tow company they wants to use. The choice is made for the vehicle owner if they are incapacitated from the collision. The choice is taken away from the vehicle owner by a law enforcement officer or authorized municipal personnel if the tow truck operator of choice cannot respond in a timely fashion and the vehicle is a hazard, impedes the flow of traffic or may not legally remain in its location in the opinion of officer or authorized personnel. Tow companies cannot force the vehicle's owner to sign something that would make towing contingent on authorization of making repairs. Companies are also not allowed to secure the signature of the vehicle owner or vehicle operator to authorize storage of the vehicle for more than 24 hours. Can I have access to my vehicle? Yes. A tow truck operator or towing storage facility must allow the vehicle's owner access to their vehicle during posted hours of operation so it can be inspected or retrieved. How do I get my car back? A tow truck operator or storage facility cannot not refuse to release a vehicle to its owner during posted hours of operations unless law enforcement has asked for the vehicle to be held, according to the Towing and Towing Storage Facility Standards Act. However, release of the vehicle is contingent on the owner paying for towing, storage and related services. All charges must be itemized and in writing. Payment may be made with cash, a credit card, insurance company check or by an insurance company representative. Is signage required? State law says that a private property owner must post signs that parking is restricted so that vehicle owners know their illegally parked vehicles may be towed. The office receives more than 50,000 complaints a year relating to everything from insurance fraud to consumer issues. What's my recourse? Unfortunately, drivers only have two options for appeal if they feel they've been unfairly targeted by a towing company -- other than taking the issue with the company itself. The first is filing a civil lawsuit. The downside is the cost involved in taking the towing company to court. "Hiring a lawyer and going to court will end up costing more than paying for the towing," Stewart said. "It's a problem." The second option is filing a complaint with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection. The office receives more than 50,000 complaints a year relating to everything from insurance fraud to consumer issues. Spokesman Jeff Johnson said the office investigated 73 towing complaints in 2015 and 40 so far this year. Johnson said the office would first find out if it has jurisdiction to investigate the complaint. If it does, it begins the investigation. It's possible, Johnson said, that the investigation would result in legal action. In many cases, the state office would seek restitution on behalf of the affected consumer, or consumers, as well as civil penalties for violations of the law. Complaints can be filed using the online complaint forms or printing and sending a complaint form to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. Is the state trying to solve the towing problem? Not really. Few bills have been introduced regarding consumer protection from unfair towing practices. Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Philadelphia, introduced a bill that would require tow truck operators in Philadelphia to provide the owner of a vehicle with photographic evidence of the violation for which their vehicle was towed. The bill was introduced in February 2015 and quickly died in the House Transportation Committee. State police reported Friday that they have charged a 19-year-old Lebanon man with engaging in sex acts with two underage girls. Trenton Wizar picked the girls, ages 12 and 15, up in his car late on March 30 and then parked at a boat dock off West Market Street in Jonestown, police said. Trooper Norbert Brennan said the three crawled into the back seat and "began to engage in sexual relations." They were interrupted when another car pulled into a nearby parking lot and the driver flashed his lights and honked the horn. Wizar then drove away and dropped the girls off at a Walmart in Palmyra, Brennan said. Wizar was charged this week with attempted rape, attempted statutory rape, indecent assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with minors. The 15-year-old was charged as a juvenile with criminal solicitation to rape, statutory rape, and indecent assault and with criminal use of a communication facility, police said. Juan Espinosa.png Juan Roberto Espinoza, 18, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at an unidentified male victim as he tried to break up a fight in Susquehanna Township Wednesday, police said. (Susquehanna Township police) Police are searching for a man who allegedly pointed a gun at an unidentified male who tried to break up a fight in Susquehanna Township Wednesday. Juan Roberto Espinoza, 18, pulled out a handgun, pointed it at the victim and threatened to shoot him as he tried to break up a fight involving several males and females in the 2200 block of Ionoff Road, police said. Police have filed an arrest warrant for Espinosa, of Lebanon, who is charged with making terroristic threats, simple assault and disorderly conduct. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Espinosa is asked to call the Susquehanna Township Police Department via Dauphin County emergency dispatch at 717-558-6900, or call 717-908-TIPS. Health Minister Jane Philpott answers a question during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 16, 2016. The limo company that provided thousands of dollars in high-end car service to Health Minister Philpott says it is willing to reimburse taxpayers.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld East Jordan wins first playoff game since 1999, beat Frankfort in OT FRANKFORT If you were looking for the last time the East Jordan football team earned a playoff victory before Friday, you had to do a bit of scrolling in the record books. T20 World Cup 2022 Points Table Update: The Latest Standings in Group 1 After Friday's Washout T20 World Cup 2022: All to Play For After Australia-England Washout in Melbourne Watch: Suryakumar Yadav Reacts After Ravi Shastri Calls Him a 'Three Format Player', Claims he Can Surprise in Test Cricket T20 World Cup, IND vs SA: Lance Klusener Reckons Outcome Will Depend on How Well Indian Batters Can Handle South African Pacers OPEC cuts unlikely, meeting of producers could help price - Nigeria LAGOS Petroleumworld.com 08 19 2016 Nigerian oil minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu said on Thursday that while a cut in OPEC production is unlikely, there is hope a meeting of producers in Algeria next month could help shore up crude prices. Kachikwu also said in a speech in Lagos that his country's oil output had fallen to 1.56 million barrels per day (bpd) as persistent militant attacks took out some 700,000 bpd. But he cast doubt on any plans by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to voluntarily reduce their output at the meeting in Algeria. "Are we cutting volumes? I don't see that happening," Kachikwu told reporters, but added that all options are on the table and other action could have an impact. "Will that meeting help lift the price? Well yes if we succeed in having conversations with Russia, the USA and Mexico." "If there is a handshake with individuals across the aisle that would be the beginning," he said when asked whether OPEC members could make a new attempt to agree on a freeze. Russian output currently hovers near an all-time high of 10.85 million bpd. It has signalled it is no longer keen on a dialogue to freeze output and would continue boosting production. North American producers are also expected to add more barrels. Four streams of Nigeria's oil, including the country's largest, Qua Iboe, along with Bonny Light, Brass River and Forcados are currently under force majeure. Kachikwu said it was too early to say when Nigeria could increase output as security in its oil hub, the Niger Delta, needed to improve first. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari was continuing talks with militants, he said. "We are talking but is not an easy thing." The Niger Delta Avengers, which has claimed a wave of attacks, said it would declare the region's independence on Oct. 1 unless the government restructured the country. The group, which apparently split in recent weeks, did not elaborate. "The Buhari-led government has fail(ed) Nigerians with their misdirected policies that has divide(d) the country, as such nobody wants to be part of that failed state not even the Niger Delta," the group said on its website. "The October 1st declaration of independence is still sacrosanct," it said. The militants say they want a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth, which accounts for around 70 percent of national income, to be passed on to communities in the impoverished region and for areas blighted by oil spills to be cleaned up. Kachikwu said the violence had also slashed domestic gas supply this year from 1,400 million standard cubic feet (mmscf) to 550 mmscf. He said a much-delayed petroleum industry bill (PIB) to overhaul the industry would be split in three parts but discussions with parliament were ongoing. Alexander Megos flashes The Path at Lake Louise in Canada 19.08.2016 by by Planetmountain The German climber Alexander Megos has made an impressive flash ascent of The Path at Lake Louise in Canada. This extremely difficult trad climb was freed by Sonnie Trotter in 2007 and is graded 5.14 (8b+). Alexander Megos from Canada once again. This time not for sport climbing though, but in the unusual role as a trad climbers. For after having established Fightclub - the hardest sport climb in the country and also only the second 9b in North America after Jumbo Love - the 23-year-old German climber has now made a flash ascent of The Path up the Wicked Gravity Wall at Lake Louise. This 40m overhanging line had been bolted over 20 years ago but was freed in 2007 as a trad climb after Sonnie Trotter removed the bolts and "replaced" these with nuts and friends. In the past The Path has been repeated by perhaps ten other climbers (including Tim Emmett and Read Macadam who recently repeated it on the same day), but so far no one had dared to try to flash it. Understandably so, given that the difficulties weigh in at around 5.14 (8b+). But Megos, once he had the moves explained to him, after having watched the footage and above all after receiving instructions on how to place the gear, decided to give it a go. And, for the first time in his life, he put on a climbing helmet. ... Trotter explained that in the next 40 minutes Megos "took gear climbing to another level with an all out ground up flash of the route. His endurance and patience were both inspiring and calming, he moved through each sequence with confidence but then allowed ample time to rest and recover. He climbed the route like he had done it 10 times already, (perhaps in his mind). He executed each sequence perfectly. It was AMAZING and was not without a good fight and a decent pump. Thanks Alex for always demonstrating how to give climbing (and life) your ALL." For the record, this is is not the first time that Megos dabbles in a bit of trad; five years ago in the Frankenjura he made a quick repeated of the trad 8b Archon. Yesterdays ascent - during which he admits to having felt a bit scared but never risked too much - stands as one of the toughest flash ascents of a trad climb. On that note, its worth recalling the 2014 flash ascent carried out by James Pearson on Something's Burning E9 (8a+/8b) at Pembroke in Wales. Sonnie Trotter climbing The Path, Lake Louise Image: Facebook Detroit Officer Chris Rabior wrote a powerful post on Facebook about a shooting that left a 7-year-old boy in critical condition with a suspect, Torrey Craft, eventually turning himself in Wednesday morning. Rabior's post was shared by the Detroit Police Department on its page. He talks about the challenges of being a police officer in Detroit and the emotions he went through when a routine night was turned upside down with a child's life and death situation, reports WJBK. "Just prior to the end of my shift, I found myself lifting the nearly lifeless body of a 7-year-old boy from the back of our scout car and onto a stretcher for staff waiting on his arrival. I don't even know the boy's name. I don't know his mother's name. My hands should have been busy tapping away at a keyboard, writing a report about the four guns we got off the street earlier in the shift. Instead my hands were covered past my elbows in the blood of a child." Rabior's post starts with people wondering why he would "ever want to work as a police officer in Detroit" adding that he's been assaulted before, shot at, and felt hatred directed at him due to his uniform. His post ends with him describing why he and so many others who chose to wear the uniform do so with pride. "He made it through surgery," Rabior wrote. "He's listed critical due to his age and the amount of blood he lost. But he's alive. "I don't know his name, but I'll never forget his face. He's why we do what we do." Hardwire LLC, is a manufacturer experiencing rapid growth on Marylands Eastern Shore as it creates life-saving products and armor systems used by military, police, and civilians. Hardwire, based in Pocomoke City, MD, has been making its way into the military, law enforcement and private civilian defense industries. Hardwire is a member of MEPs Make it in Maryland program, Marylands first and only program dedicated to manufacturers within the state to showcase companies, demonstrate the value of manufacturing within Maryland and highlight manufacturing successes. Hardwire currently employs 42 people and owns more than 100,000 square feet of space between three facilities throughout Worcester County. Committed to the protection of law enforcement and civilian bodies, Hardwire has recently unveiled an array of new products to protect vehicles and personnel with its armor systems. "As Marylanders and supporters of manufacturing in the state, were extremely proud of the recent success of Hardwire, LLC," said Brian Sweeney, Executive Director of Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership. "MD MEPs mission is to serve, grow and support manufacturing throughout Maryland. Were proud to call Hardwire a member of the Make it in Maryland program and thrilled to feature the accomplishments of companies like Hardwire, truly a vital Maryland manufacturer making extremely important products every day." Hardwire produces armor technology for application anywhere from the classroom to military environments. Hardwire develops and manufactures products used in military vehicles, police and tactical units, aircraft, commercial vehicles and U.S. transportation infrastructure. Among its products are armors to protect against small arms, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and under-body blasts. Hardwires products are also used in upgrading bridges and buildings, restoring historical buildings, and reinforcing flooring. Continuously researching and developing new products, Hardwire recently developed law enforcement vehicle safeguards that include B-Kit Vehicle Door Armor and Transparent Armor Window Inserts to provide necessary security for police officers. Moreover, Hardwire also recently introduced the companys new line of soft body armor, allowing police officers to move freely with peace of mind. These products will support a three-year growth initiative Hardwire announced last month. The plan includes plans to add new jobs and expand its operations. To support Hardwires expansion, the State of Marylands Department of Commerce is providing an $85,000 loan through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF). Worcester County Economic Development (WCED) has also worked in partnership with the City of Pocomoke to provide financial assistance for power upgrades at Hardwire facilities. Worcester County has pledged a $10,000 grant to Hardwire and Pocomoke City also has committed $10,000 to aid Hardwires expansion. For more information, visit http://www.hardwirellc.com. Photo: Facebook The Dallas Police Department's three counselors jumped into "triage" mode in July after a lone gunman opened fire on officers as a protest was ending downtown, killing five and injuring nine others and two civilians. But in the month since the shooting, the trauma response has shifted toward creating a long-term counseling plan for police officers grieving those killed in the downtown ambush, reports the Dallas Morning News. The Dallas Police Department has partnered with the mayor's office and Mental Health America of Greater Dallas to offer counseling services to police officers and their families. There is no national standard for how a law enforcement agency should handle long-term mental health care after a mass shooting like the one in Dallas. The department has three full-time counselors on staff and 35 employees trained to offer peer support. Counselors were sent to the southwest and north central division, where the four Dallas police officers worked. The fifth slain officer worked for Dallas Area Rapid Transit. But three counselors aren't enough to help the entire department, which includes 3,400 sworn officers. Those counselors have been vetting outside counseling services to help officers and their families. For many officers, though, help has come from their peers. "A lot of what you do is establish a culture that it's OK to talk about this," said trauma surgeon and Dallas police Lt. Alex Eastman. "Emotional reactions are normal. It's OK to be upset. It's OK to cry." Supervisors are trained on the warning signs when someone is having an unhealthy emotional response or could develop post-traumatic stress disorder, though those cases are rare. Counselors also are available via phone 24 hours a day. Department psychologist Trina Gordon-Hall said many of the calls come overnight, often when people can't sleep or have had nightmares. All counseling services are free and confidential. Though no dates have been set, the department and mayor's office are planning to host community meetings to talk about what happened downtown. Officials want to show that it's not taboo to seek emotional and mental support. "We need to talk about it," said Deputy Chief Christina Smith. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trumps complete surrender to the fantasy world of paranoia and conspiracy theories has Alex Jones very excited. Yes, Alex Jones is excited by Trumps retreat from our fact-based reality into a Breitbart-based reality. It hardly needs be said the two have nothing to do with one another. As CNNs Brian Stelter put it, the addition of Breitbarts Stephen Bannon as chief executive of the Trump campaign means nothing is off limits now, and were going to see the most fringy ideas, the most right-wing ideas bubble up to the surface. And you thought it was bad before. According to Jones, the addition of Bannon means a globalists nightmare because of Bannons focus on a globalist New World Order takeover program. This is Bannons milieu, a place so out there that even Tolkiens elves and orcs wouldnt feel at home. Because as Jones says, Just because the old mainstream media calls us conspiracy theorist when we cover facts, doesnt mean we should then bow down to them. Oh dear. Take a listen courtesy of Media Matters for America: We also have, obviously, massive news dealing with the Trump campaign, with the chairman and head of Breitbart, Stephen Bannon, who is a patriot and who is an anti-globalist, taking over as the CEO/chairman of the entire campaign. Paul Manafort, who has also been doing a great job, is going to be staying on in the position hes at right now. This is just an expansion of the campaign in Bannons own words and in Manaforts own words. And I talked to Roger Stone, he concurs with that and said that he was also part of the research and trying to bring the head of Breitbart, who also heads up the institute dealing with government corruption, fighting government corruption. Hes the co-founder and executive chairman of Government Accountability Institute and the executive chairman of Breitbart News LLC. Youve noticed since hes been running Breitbart its gotten more hardcore, more pro-Second Amendment not that it was ever bad, and really tells it like it is about the true nature of whats happening, that this is a globalist New World Order takeover program. I mean, we have the emails from the U.N., we have the emails from the normal cast of characters like George Soros. We know whats going on, and just because the old mainstream media calls us conspiracy theorist when we cover facts, doesnt mean we should then bow down to them. And thats why theyre calling him a street fighter, a brawler. The media is scared of this move because Manaforts pretty hardcore but not compared to Trump. Obviously you get Stephen Bannon and these other folks who have joined the campaign in there, this is really creating a globalist nightmare. Just because the old mainstream media calls us conspiracy theorist when we cover facts, doesnt mean we should then bow down to them. Wellits not just the mainstream media, buddy. Its most people. My third grader was into stories about the Illuminati. By the time fifth grade was over he knew better. Now youd blame public schooling for that. I thank public schooling for that. Bretibart is nothing these days but a Trump fansite, or as former editor-at-large Ben Shapiro wrote in The Daily Wire, [Bannon] has sold out Andrews mission in order to back another bully, Donald Trump; he has shaped the company into Trumps personal Pravda. With Bannon embracing TrumpBreitbart has become the alt-right go-to websitepushing white ethno-nationalism as a legitimate response to political correctness, and the comment section turning into a cesspool for white supremacist mememakers. WellHitler and the Nazis preferred pseudo-science to the real thing too. So did Stalin. Millions died in each case. Millions will lose their jobs at least in a Trump administration as a result of clinging to fantasy over fact. Seems dictators cant stomach the world-as-it-is and need a fake version more congenial to their wants and desires. Cults of personality dont stand up to close inspection. Bannon, like Jones, hasnt had one foot in the pool of our shared reality in a long time. Neither, apparently, has Trump. Its the stuff of fiction to see something like the Trump campaign, and I hope you are keeping your diaries updated, because if were lucky, well never see anything like it again. The Trump campaign is a bad acid trip, which unfortunately, weve been pulled into by some Alice Through the Looking Glass effect. Seriously, ladies and gentlemen, it doesnt get any more bizarre up than this. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print According to a bombshell report dropped by the Associated Press on Thursday, advisers of Donald Trump conducted an undisclosed covert influence campaign for pro-Russian Ukraine government from 2012-2014. The APs tweet: Emails: Trump campaign chief orchestrated lobbying for Ukraines pro-Russian government. https://t.co/dZ078UdJWJ pic.twitter.com/47a9qybTDE AP Politics (@AP_Politics) August 18, 2016 According to the AP, the emails show that Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, worked on a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraines ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the countrys pro-Russian government. The AP report: Emails obtained by The Associated Press shed new light on the activities of a firm run by Donald Trumps campaign chairman. They show it directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraines ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the countrys pro-Russian government. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents between 2012 and 2014 as required under federal law. The lobbying included attempts to gain positive press coverage of Ukrainian officials in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and AP. Another goal: undercutting American public sympathy for the imprisoned rival of Ukraines president. The men have said they were not doing work that required them to register as foreign agents. Neither commented Thursday. As AP notes, federal law requires U.S. lobbyists who have represented foreign governments to publicly disclose their work. If the two Trump officials are found in violation of the law, they could face up to five years in prison. Perhaps this wouldnt be a big controversy for another presidential candidate, but throughout his campaign, Donald Trump has repeatedly praised Russian president Vladimir Putin and promoted policies that would only embolden the American adversary. The latest reporting suggests that its not such a stretch to imagine that Trumps pro-Russian advisers have been impacting the candidates positions. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Last year, Donald Trump uttered these words: Ive always said, if you run for president, you shouldnt be allowed to use teleprompters. Because you dont even know if the guy is smart. Now, as his chances of winning the presidency grow bleaker by the day, Trump is breaking his own rule and hoping the device his new best friend will save his failing campaign. In Charlotte, North Carolina tonight during his first rally since restructuring his campaign Trump was rolled onstage by his handlers and told to read another staff-written speech from a teleprompter. Once again, as the Republican nominee read the remarks, it was if both he and the audience were hearing them for the first time. If youre keeping count, Trump is using a teleprompter for the third time this week, Reuters political reporter Ginger Gibson tweeted on Thursday. Hasnt given a single off-the-cuff speech yet. This is clearly an effort by Trump and his new babysitters to make sure he doesnt again start insulting Gold Star families or mocking those with disabilities. This strategy shift will likely be a failure for several reasons. First, it isnt who Trump is and who his die-hard supporters want him to be. After all, it is the voters who applaud his impromptu bluster and bigotry that made him the GOP nominee in the first place. These are the people that make up the bulk of Trumps support. Secondly, Trump was supposed to be a non-politician that cant be controlled by anyone. How can he make that argument now, when hes clearly under the control of newly hired political operatives? If Trump is so weak that he cant take charge of his own campaign, then hell be eaten alive should he ever become president. Probably the biggest reason why Trumps teleprompter bet wont pay off is that he cant take it with him everywhere. There will be interviews with reporters who will give Trump questions he thinks are unfair. If he doesnt dodge them, there will be three head-to-head debates where Hillary Clinton is likely to say something to get under his skin. At some point, he will be forced to speak off-the-cuff about policy matters, an area in which he has shown zero knowledge. In these circumstances, without a teleprompter to hold onto, there is no evidence that the real Donald Trump can conduct himself like a rational adult and potential president. It essentially boils down to this: Voters either get the real Donald Trump, who is an erratic and irresponsible demagogue; or they get Teleprompter Trump, who is a puppet to right-wing political strategists. Neither of these options is all that appealing, which is why the Trump campaigns makeover is likely to fail. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print The new version of Trumps campaign was on full display on MSNBC as Trump spokesperson Katrina Pierson claimed that Hillary Clinton couldnt be president because she has brain damage. Pierson was asked by MSNBCs Kristen Welker about the questions that Trump has raised about Sec. Clintons health. Pierson answered, Yes. He has said that she doesnt have the strength or the stamina for a very long time. That part is nothing new. Whats new are the other reports of the observations of Hillary Clintons behavior and mannerisms. Specifically, with what you just showed in those previous clips as well as her dysphasia. The fact that shes fallen. She has had a concussion. Kristen Welker read the statement from Clintons doctor debunking the fake Clinton medical documents and reaffirming Clintons good health. Welker said that these health questions have been debunked, and asked if that was responsible behavior? The worst spokesperson in history (Pierson) continued by claiming that Clinton has taken a lot of time off of the campaign trail and that she hasnt held a press conference. The Trump campaign has now become a suicide mission. Donald Trump doesnt seem to be trying to win the White House anymore. Instead, the GOP nominee seems intent on blowing up everything in his path from now until November. The claim that Hillary Clinton has brain damage is insane. Any Republican that continues to support Donald Trump while his spokesperson is going on national television making these crazy claims deserves to be tarnished with his campaigns insanity. Not only were Piersons claims false and nuts, but they were wildly irresponsible. What is is clear is that Donald Trump is still looking for that distraction that will take the Clinton campaign off of their game and turn the presidential election into the sort of rumor-filled tabloid style mud fest that Trump is comfortable with. The remaining eighty plus days of the presidential campaign are going to be consumed by lies and conspiracies. This is the path that Trump has chosen for the Republican Party, and by the time that he is done, there may not be much of a Republican Party left to rebuild. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trump kicked one of his own supporters out of his rally in Charlotte, NC because the person matched the profile of a protester. ABCs Candace Smith tweeted: Jake's a Trump supporter. Was just kicked out of Trump's Charlotte rally. Told he matched profile of known protester pic.twitter.com/jzaTJqRahF Candace Smith (@CandaceSmith_) August 18, 2016 I wonder what would make the Trump campaign think that Jake was not one of their kind? The person in the photo above doesnt look angry, pasty white, and over 70 years old, so that must be what set off the alarm bells for the Trump campaign. The fact that Trump and his campaign are kicking their own supporters out of rallies was the next illogical step for a candidate and a campaign that is becoming increasingly more unhinged as time goes on. The polls arent improving for Trump, and his campaign is responding by taking their paranoia up to a new level. Trump makes a big show of how much he likes to interact with the protesters, but the campaigns preemptive removal or denial of entry to people who look suspicious to them suggests a group that is governed by fear, not strength. If this is what a Donald Trump presidency would look like, voters would be wise to run quickly in the other direction. Because what Trump is doing is un-American to its core. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trump tried to woo African-American voters in Charlotte with one of the worst candidate pitches ever. Trump told African-American voters to vote for him, because what have they got to lose. Video: Trump promised to bring our country together and said: Were going to reject bigotry, and I will tell you the bigotry of Hillary Clinton is amazing. She sees communities of color only as votes and not as human beings worthy of a better future. Its only votes. It is only votes that she sees, and she does nothing about it. Shes been there forever and look at where you are. If African-American voters give Donald Trump a chance by giving me their vote. The result for them will be amazing. Look how badly things are going under decades of Democratic leadership. Look at the schools. Look at the poverty. Look at the 58% of young African-Americans not working. Fifty-eight percent. It is time for a change. What do you have to lose by trying something new? I will fix it. Watch, I will fix it. You have nothing to lose. You have nothing to lose. ./ What made Trumps pitch so awful was that he was saying to African-American voters, eh, why not vote for Trump? That is not exactly an inspirational appeal to a group of critical voters that the candidate has completely ignored. Donald Trump has turned down invitations to speak to the NAACP and the National Urban League multiple times, but he wants the votes of African-Americans. Trump is a bad candidate with limited appeal, but his pitch to African-American was so empty and lacking in sincerity that it left listeners with one answer in mind to Trumps question. What do African-American voters have to lose by voting for Trump? Everything. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trumps supporters in Texas want to secede from the United States if Hillary Clinton wins the presidential election. PPPs latest poll of Texas found that Trump supporters want out if Clinton wins, Finally we polled on Texas secession. Overall 26% of voters would support leaving the United States to 59% who want to stay, and 15% who arent sure either way. Among Trump voters support for secession goes up to 37%, with only 49% opposed to exiting. If you look at the Presidential race in Texas only among voters who are opposed to seceding from the United State, Clinton leads Trump 54/41. But thats offset by Trumps 72/20 advantage with the secession crowd. If Clinton is elected President this fall, the Trump voters really want out- in that case 61% say theyd support seceding from the United States, to only 29% who would stick around. The Trump supporters dont represent the feelings of the entire state of Texas. In fact, the secede and stay numbers are reversed when the entire population of the state is surveyed. What these results demonstrate is that even within a Republican Party that has shifted rightward and out of step with the mainstream of the country, the Trump supporters are an extremist fringe. It might be a win-win for the state of Texas and the rest of the country if the Lone Star states Trump supporters got their way. Hillary Clinton can be president, and the United States could get rid of 61% of Donald Trumps suppporters in Texas. The Trump supporters who are in favor of leaving the United States probably dont understand how difficult the process of secession is. To them, it just sounds like a cool thing to say. The odds are that if Clinton wins, the 61% of Trump supporters will be planted in front of their televisions for the next four years, ranting about how the country is heading for ruin as they watch Fox News. It is a nice thought, but sadly it looks like Texas and the United States of America are stuck with Donald Trumps supporters. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Fact checkers have blown apart Donald Trumps first general election campaign ad, by finding that the television spot contains one lie every four seconds. Here is the ad: Trumps ad begins with a favorite lie of the GOP nominee that the system is rigged against Americans. PolitiFact has rated this a pants on fire lie, While there are isolated examples of bought local elections, experts say it cannot be replicated on a national scale. While it is possible to tamper with electronic voting machines, there is no evidence deliberate malfeasance has altered any election. The ad said that there is a flood of Syrian refugees coming into the US. According to an ABC News fact check, The vetting process typically takes from 18-24 months. To expedite the process for Syrian refugees, the Obama Administration launched a surge operation with the hopes of reducing the time to three months in hopes of resettling some 10,000 refugees by fall 2016. According to the New York Times, however, the onerous and complex web of security checks and vetting procedures has hampered the expedited process. Trumps ad claimed that illegal immigrants who commit crimes get to stay in the US, but this is also false. According to a Washington Post fact check, We reviewed cases from 2014 and 2015 involving 76 people charged with activities relating to foreign terrorist organizations. The majority of those cases involved naturalized U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. There were both naturalized and natural-born U.S. citizens (including those of Caucasian, African American or Hispanic descent). Many of the naturalized citizens had arrived in the country as children, and therefore, not recent immigrants. The ad accused undocumented immigrants of skipping the line and collecting Social Security. PolitFact also rated this statement as not totally true, Also, its important to note that illegal immigrants pay an estimated $12 billion in payroll taxes to Social Security and dont receive benefits. So Trump is leaving out a significant part of the picture when it comes to taxes and undocumented workers. Trump claimed that Clintons immigration plan would open the borders, but an AP fact check found that this wasnt true, Its not true that Clintons plan would create open borders. Her plan does call for a pathway to citizenship that would allow people currently in the country illegally to stay, but only after going through a series of steps to become a citizen. On enforcement, Clinton has called for focusing on detaining and deporting those individuals who pose a violent threat to public safety, but not ending enforcement outright. Trumps ad also lied about having a plan and lied about keeping the borders secure. All total, theTrump ad managed to jam seven lies into 30 seconds. Trump is airing an ad that tells a lie to voters once every four seconds. When Democrats suggests that Trump is running a campaign of lies, this is exactly what they are referring to. If Donald Trump is talking, or in this case, if his campaign is running a commerical, the odds are good that he/it is lying. Never has a candidate been so willing to pile so many lies on top of each other at such a rapid pace. Donald Trump is trying to lie his way to the White House, which is why it is vital that each of the GOPs nominees false statements get the scrutiny that they deserve. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print MSNBCs Joe Scarboroughs latest lame defense of Donald Trump was that Trump is only placing a role when he behaves like a racist bigot. Video and transcript via Media Matters: JOE SCARBOROUGH (HOST): Fake it til you make it. Fake it until you make it. And that is a question. I will say, though, one of the great ironies of this campaign, Ive said it here on the show every day, is anybody and Donny certainly has known Donald for a long time anybody that knows Donald knows that that Donald last night was closer to the Donald Trump that weve all known for decades than the character hes playing. Because make no mistake of it, make no mistake of it, this loud, screaming, racially insensitive, at times race-baiting buffoon that gets behind microphones at political rallies, thats Donald Trump playing a role. I just think unless the Donald Trump that weve known for 20 years is not the Donald Trump. And so Im saying KATTY KAY: Its also the Donald Trump that came up with the Muslim ban and the Mexicans being rapists and things that hes said about women. Those are his statements, he owns them. SCARBOROUGH: Right, right, Katty. And thats exactly what I was saying about the guy that gets behind the microphone. Im just saying, this is an interesting pivot because as he goes to teleprompter, hes actually becoming more of the Donald Trump that Donny and Mika and myself and everybody else has known for decades, which is really bizarre, that hes got to go to teleprompter to be more naturally himself. Ill ask you this question, again. Because the list of offenses are so long. The Mexicans, the Muslims, John McCain, Megyn Kelly, etc., etc. Have you in 20 years of knowing Donald Trump behind closed doors and Im not asking for you to vouch for his character, Im just trying to make this point have you ever heard him say the first thing in private that was close to being racially insensitive. Never, right? Never. Just because Trump used the word regret in a sentence during a rally in Charlotte, NC doesnt mean that everything that the Republican nominee has said was all part of some big act. If Trump was playing a role, as Scarborough suggested, what does that say about the fact that the Republican Party nominated a guy who played to racists and bigots? There is no good way to explain Trumps decades of behavior as playing a role. Trump wasnt playing a role when he went birther on President Obama. Trump wasnt playing a role when made bigoted and sexist remarks as a private citizen. It isnt surprising that fellow rich conservative white men like Joe Scarborough think that Donald Trump is a great guy. On the same morning that Scarborough was trying to defend Trump, the Trump campaign released their first general election campaign ad, which fearmongers about and bashes immigrants: The Republican Party isnt going to be able to save itself by pretending that Donald Trump was just acting or kidding. The American people know who Trump really is, so forcing him to read a script that uses a few words that sound potentially humbling isnt going to work. The Joe Scarborough apology tour for Donald Trump is back in business, as the Republican Party continues to try to sell the unsellable Trump as presidential. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print While speaking in a Michigan city that is nearly 93% white, Donald Trump unveiled his plan to make African-Americans hate the Democratic Party and vote for him. Video clip of Trump in Michigan: Trump: "If Clinton's goal was to inflict pain on African-American community she couldn't have done a better job." https://t.co/QXYmTsiOWb ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 19, 2016 Trumps master plan to get the votes of African-Americans is to portray Hillary Clinton as a racist who is out to harm them. The Republican nominee said, No group in America has been more harmed by Hillary Clintons policies than African-Americans. No group. No group. If Hillary Clintons goal was to inflict pain on the African-American community, she could not have done a better job. Its a disgrace. Tonight, I am asking for the vote of every single African-American citizen in this country who wants to see a better future. Trump went on to assume that all African-Americans live in inner cities, The inner cities of our country have been run by the Democratic Party for more than fifty years. Their policies have produced only poverty, joblessness, failing schools and broken homes. Its time to hold Democratic politicians accountable for what they have done to these communities. At what point do we say enough? Trump thinks that he is going to be able to make African-American voters angry enough to leave the Democratic Party and vote for him. This is the same Donald Trump who seems to believe that African-Americans only live in the inner cities. When a candidate is losing with every demographic, but conservative white men, he has to start somewhere, but Trumps strategy to court African-American voters does nothing but highlight his race-based attitudes. Donald Trump would have more credibility with African-American voters if hadnt spent years launching birther attacks on President Obama. Trumps pleas for African-American votes might have more merit if they were delivered to an audience of African-American voters. Trump made his pitch for the support of African-Americans in a city that is 92.7% white. As usual with Trump, the actions dont match the mans words. Nothing has changed with Donald Trump. The only visible difference between old Trump and new Trump is that the schemes are getting crazier, and he gets more desperate. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trumps first TV ad is out, all of 30 seconds long, sent to audiences in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, all swing states. And no surprise, it is all about ramping up fear. The narrator tells us, Hillary Clintons America, the system stays rigged against Americans. In other words, of course, angry white people who dont want to see other people have the same rights they enjoy. Watch for yourself: PFAW Director of Latinos Vote! Lizet Ocampo released the following statement condemning the ad: Trumps new ad is nothing short of despicable. It vilifies immigrants as criminals, staying in line with the entirety of Trumps anti-immigrant, fear-mongering campaign. The ad is the latest example of why Trump would be a divisive leader who would push policies antithetical to American values, from mass deportation to discriminating against Americans based on where were from or what religion we practice. Trump regrets nothing, and a teleprompter wont change that. The message remains the same, as Clinton deputy communications director Christina Reynolds reminds us: Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. Hillary Clinton says we are stronger together. Donald Trump, for all his Twitter preachiness about working together, directs his message only to his white supremacist base. The message is clear: white folks are stronger together. The rest of you: stay out. Portfolio English Edition's premium content is available only for subscribers Learn about the hottest news of the day, along with immediate follow-up analyses and 1000's of exclusive articles with full access to the premium content. Register and apply for a 14 days free trial period. CLAREMONT Nearly a year after it was first proposed and narrowly voted down by shareholders, a plan to expand and modernize the Al-Corn Clean Fuel ethanol plant is back on the front burner. The plan calls for $145 million in renovations that would expand production at the Claremont plant from 50 million gallons to 130 million gallons per year. The project would include a new natural gas combustion turbine and expand rail loading capabilities. The new plant would be able to process about 47 million bushels of corn per year and produce nearly 4 million gallons of corn oil per year. Proponents say the expansion will help the company, producers and consumers alike. "Our members are growing more corn, and we need a bigger market here," Al-Corn CEO Randall Doyal said. "The corn production in the area has outstripped our ability to process it. The board has been looking at this investment for a number of years." The project was originally introduced to Al-Corn's farmer-owners in September 2015 . ADVERTISEMENT To raise the money for the project, company officials suggested increasing the number of available shares (at least 50 percent of the plant's supply must come from members to retain cooperative status). Each share represents a commitment to supply one bushel of corn annually. "Since we had a limit on the number of shares we had authorized, we had to go to the members to authorize more," Doyal said. But shareholders balked at the idea of authorizing more shares and narrowly voted the plan down. "The board and staff got together, took the membership list to call them and ask what they were thinking on this and what we needed to do," Doyal said. There were various reasons why some member-owners voted against authorizing more shares, but "most folks said they understood where we were at as a company and that we needed to expand." Ultimately, board members decided they could move ahead with the project without acquiring additional capital by using a "nest egg" in retained earnings built up since 2006. "We've passed out well over 80 percent of our income as cash to our members, which is not a bad track record," Doyal said. "We decided it was time to do the capital expenditure here." Al-Corn is now seeking permits from state agencies to begin construction. The public can submit written comments on Al-Corn's Environmental Assessment Worksheet from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency through Sept. 14. It is available on the MPCA's EAW webpage. Written comments can be directed to Karen Kromar, MPCA, and mailed to 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155. Doyal is optimistic that the renovation will lead to a better future for Al-Corn. ADVERTISEMENT "There are a lot of neat things to this design that will put us on good footing for the next 20 years," he said. "We're here to provide value for our rural communities and farmer-owners, and we want to do that for the next generation as well." Nate Stencil, the CEO of South Dakota-based Stencil Homes , really likes Rochester. I mean, he really, really likes Rochester. In the past two years, he has built and opened two apartment complexes Nue52with 83 units, and Kascade Placewith 96 units. Another Stencil complex, a 192-unit project called The Pines , is nearing completion. Flats on Fourth , a high-profile 92-unit apartment and retail complex, is in the early stages of being built on the corner of Fourth Street and Third Avenue Southeast in downtown Rochester. Stencil also is moving through the early permitting phases for another project, Miracle Market, which is "a mixed-use redevelopment of a portion of the Miracle Mile Shopping Center" that will include 107 apartment units. ADVERTISEMENT All of those projects tally up to 507 new or in-process apartments, but paperwork filed this week shows Stencil has even more plans for Rochester. New permits moving through the Rochester planning process shows Stencil is sketching out plans to building another complex called Eastgate Apartments. The address on the permits is 1201 Eastgate Drive SE. That also is the address for the Wicked Moose Bar & Grill . No one at Stencil Homes was available on Thursday to ask about the project, so no details are available. The apartments could be built near the Wicked Moose. Or the plan could be to clear away the bar and build Eastgate Apartments on top of it. This project is in the initial planning stages, so the paperwork does not yet list its size or how many apartments it might include. However, it seems like a safe bet that Stencil Home's Med City apartment tally probably will top 600 by 2018. Biz buzz The road has not always been straight or smooth, but Rochester City Lines buses have continued to roll along for 50 years. ADVERTISEMENT On Sunday, Rochester City Lines is celebrating its 50th anniversary at the Olmsted County History Center. George and Marilyn Holter, who began Richfield Bus Co. in 1959, launched RCL in 1966. "It really is a milestone," said General Manager Dan Holter. In addition to having a fleet of vintage buses on display and games for the kids, Holter said the event will feature the ultimate crowd pleaser. "Free ice cream," he said. Three generations of the Holter family have steered the bus company through the twists and turns of the business. In 2011, the bus company lost the city contract to serve Rochester. Since then, the company has continued to grow through focusing on commuter service and charter service as well as buying new vehicles to fill specialty markets. RCL currently has a fleet of 50 vehicles on roads and about 125 employees on the payroll. 'We've adapted our services. Being family run, we can make changes quickly," Holter said. "It's a changing world. We continue to try to lead the way in what we're doing." -- Jeff Kiger NEW YORK Twitter said Thursday it has suspended 360,000 accounts since mid-2015 for violating its policies banning the promotion of terrorism and violent extremism. The San Francisco-based company said in a blog post that it has also made progress in preventing users who were suspended from immediately returning to the platform using different accounts, which has been a problem in the past. It said its rate of daily suspensions is up 80 percent since last year, though it did not provide specific numbers. The suspensions spike immediately following terrorist attacks, it said. Twitter noted that there is no magic formula for identifying extremist accounts. Like other social media companies, it uses a variety of tools, including spam-fighting technology, automatic identification as well as reports from users, to help combat abuse. The report on its efforts come after Twitter has been criticized for not doing enough to keep extremist groups like Islamic State from using the short-messaging service to crowdsource supporters and potential attackers. ADVERTISEMENT Last week, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Twitter that accused the company of supporting Islamic State by allowing it to sign up for and use Twitter accounts. The judge agreed with Twitter that the company cannot be held liable because federal law protects service providers that merely offer platforms for speech, without creating the speech itself. At the same time, Twitter stressed that it was working to combat violent extremism on its service. One of two men involved in a February drug deal and robbery at gunpoint has been sentenced in the case. Keith Marcus West, 23, was charged after the incident with one count of first-degree attempted aggravated robbery and three counts each of second-degree assault, all felonies. He was sentenced Thursday in Olmsted County District Court to 179 days in jail, with credit for 179 days served, and placed on probation for seven years. He was also ordered to complete chemical dependency evaluation/treatment and 100 hours of community work service, in addition to other conditions. West pleaded guilty in May to one of the assault charges; in exchange for the plea, the remaining counts were dismissed. He and Jamil Lamon James, 22, are accused of attempting to rob an unnamed 18-year-old man during a drug deal, according to the criminal complaint. ADVERTISEMENT The teenager met West and James shortly before 2:30 a.m. Feb. 22 at a business on Marketplace Drive Northwest, police said, to sell them marijuana. He got into the back seat of their car. While in the car, West allegedly drew a handgun, pointed it at the man and attempted to rob him. The 18-year-old got out of the vehicle after a brief struggle and returned to the car he'd arrived in. The driver of that car and a third man had stayed in the vehicle during the incident. As West and James left the scene, the teenagers followed and called 911. In the area of Gage Elementary School, the caller reported West had leaned out of the window and fired shots at the trailing vehicle, the report states. A Minnesota State Patrol Trooper eventually stopped the car driven by James. James was arrested at the scene, West fled the vehicle and was arrested later. A handgun was located nearby. A handgun round found in the vehicle matched the rounds in the handgun found near the scene of West's arrest. James was charged with felony aiding and abetting on all counts. Interstate 94 in Minneapolis reopens after gas pipe break MINNEAPOLIS Authorities say Interstate 94 at the Lowry Hill Tunnel in downtown Minneapolis has reopened after it was closed due to a broken gas main. Minneapolis police and fire officials say Centerpoint Energy declared the area safe around 2 p.m., so I-94 and nearby city streets have been reopened. Officials say a crew apparently broke a 16-inch natural gas main around 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Centerpoint spokeswoman Becca Virden says the gas supply was shut off shortly after 1 p.m. The fire department says the Walker Art Center, a pedestrian bridge crossing Interstate 94, and surrounding buildings were evacuated as a precaution. ADVERTISEMENT The closure backed up traffic for miles on the heavily-used freeway. The Walker is closed until 5 p.m., when galleries will reopen and evening programs will run as scheduled. -------------------- Trump visit to Minnesota gets cold shoulder from Somalis MINNEAPOLIS GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump's visit to Minnesota on Friday is getting the cold shoulder from the state's Somali community. They're upset because Trump targeted the Somali communities in Maine and Minnesota during a speech in Maine this month. He said the U.S. does a poor job of vetting refugees, which he says raises concerns in Minnesota, straining its safety net and creating potential recruiting targets for Islamic terror groups. The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations plans a news conference Friday to condemn Trump's statements. CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein says Trump's "anti-Muslim and anti-Somali rhetoric" is sowing divisions and impacting the lives of ordinary Muslims and Somali-Americans. ADVERTISEMENT Trump is coming to Minnesota for a private fundraiser in Minneapolis. The time and venue have not been publicized. -------------------- Tall ships sail into Duluth harbor for 4-day festival DULUTH Eight tall ships from around the world have arrived in Duluth for a festival that's expected to draw 300,000 spectators. The star vessel of this year's four-day festival is expected to be the 170-foot El Galeon Andalucia, a replica of a 16th-to-17th century Spanish galleon that was part of Spain's West Indies fleet. But one ship is absent from the lineup. The Draken Harald Harfagre, billed as the world's largest Viking ship, had to turn around following a festival in Green Bay, Wisconsin, after failing to raise the money required to pay U.S. pilots to guide the ship through the Great Lakes. Duluth's last tall ships festival, in 2013, drew an estimated 250,000 people, and generated $15 million in economic activity. Associated Press WASECA A 10-year-old bicyclist was killed in a crash Wednesday evening in Waseca, police said. Maohamed Faqay Mungani was biking north in the southbound lane of 4th Street Southwest when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Mavis Kratz, 80, of Waseca, around 5:30 p.m. in the 700 block, Waseca police said in a news release. Mungani had just entered the lane of traffic after going around a parked vehicle, police said. Mungani was airlifted to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester and died at 1:05 a.m. Thursday. Kratz, who was not injured, said she did not see the child until he hit her vehicle, according to police. ADVERTISEMENT Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Waseca Police Department at 507-835-9720. ST. ANTHONY The police officer who killed a black motorist in a shooting whose bloody aftermath was livestreamed on Facebook was defended by his chief Wednesday as a level-headed member of the force with "a real sound ability when it comes to communicating and relating to people." In an interview with The Associated Press, St. Anthony Police Chief Jon Mangseth sketched a portrait at odds with the image of the officer screaming expletives while pointing his gun at the dying man in the video. St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez fatally shot 32-year-old Philando Castile during a traffic stop in nearby Falcon Heights on July 6. Castile's girlfriend streamed the aftermath live on Facebook and said Castile was shot several times while reaching for his ID after telling the officer he had a gun permit and was armed. More than a month later, Yanez was expected to return to work for the first time Wednesday, Mangseth said. Yanez will perform desk duties and other administrative work until the investigation is completed and charging decisions are made, the chief said. Mangseth wouldn't discuss any details of the shooting, including what prompted the traffic stop that preceded Castile's death, citing the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's ongoing review of the incident. ADVERTISEMENT Mangseth also wouldn't say whether he thinks his officer should be charged or exonerated in the case. But he said the 28-year-old Yanez, who is Latino, has had a sterling reputation in St. Anthony's police ranks since joining the force in late 2011. The chief described Yanez as energetic and intelligent, a skilled officer whom he chose to join the department's special crime prevention program. "He has a real sound ability when it comes to communicating and relating to people," Mangseth said. "He showed me that he could shine in that public eye." In Castile's girlfriend's archived video of the aftermath of the shooting, Yanez is shown occasionally yelling expletives and pointing his gun at Castile as he lies bleeding in the driver's seat of the car. "I told him not to reach for it! I told him to get his hand off it!" he screams. The chief called Yanez's reaction common in a high-stress situation. Through an attorney, Castile's family declined to comment on the chief's assessments. Castile's death set off weeks of protests and calls for Yanez to be charged. It also put the sleepy collection of St. Paul suburbs that St. Anthony police serve in the group of communities dealing with officer-involved shootings of black men, along with Baltimore, Ferguson, Mo., and most recently Milwaukee. "There's been no time in my career where we've ever had this type of dynamic at work, this national stage, so to speak," said Mangseth, who joined the department in 1995 and took over as chief earlier this year. That scrutiny eventually revealed Mangseth's department has disproportionately arrested African Americans. While just 7 percent of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area is black, nearly half of St. Anthony police's arrests in the first half of 2016 were of black people, according to an AP analysis of arrest data provided by the department. Members of Minnesota's black community said the statistics were proof of racial profiling. ADVERTISEMENT Mangseth called those arrest rates a societal issue that extends far beyond law enforcement, St. Anthony's police department or the neighboring communities of Falcon Heights and Lauderdale that it also serves. He said it merits a discussion in their area of 16,000 people and said he'd consider implementing bias training for his 23-member department. "I am open for that training," he said. Mangseth said he spoke to Yanez a handful of times while he was on administrative leave. The chief said he made sure to offer counseling or psychological services, though he couldn't say whether Yanez had used them. "He's concerned for his future and for his family," the chief said. "This has put him and his family front and center in our metro area, not to mention the nation." A free community health fair is coming to Rochester this Saturday. LifeGate Services, the community outreach ministry of Chosen Generation Parish, is offering a health fair that will focus on lifestyle changes, addressing health concerns and will provide complimentary screenings. Free health care screenings include blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, body mass index, and mammograms for women ages 40 years and older. Aside from free screenings there will be Chiropractice, health care education and resources, refreshments, giveaways, a bounce house, door prizes and more. The health fair will be held at Chosen Generation Parish, 1300 10th Avenue NE, Rochester, MN 55906, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ADVERTISEMENT This event is sponsored by SAGE Minnesota Cancer Screening Program, the Rochester Fire Department, Bounce World, Mayo Clinic, Sky Dragon Buffet and Olmsted County Public Health. For more information or for women who wish to schedule a free mammogram, call 507-421-3107. Rapid growth of property development in Rochester has placed new and unprecedented demands of the city of Rochester's administration office, and in response, the city has approved a new position to join the office. The Rochester City Council gave its approval for the administration department to create a new position: assistant city administrator I. The position will be a subordinate of the current assistant city administrator, Gary Neumann, whose title will change to assistant city administrator II. The duties of the position will meet the range of responsibilities handled by the current administration office leadership and strategic direction, municipal administration, special projects and development and permitting functions. Rochester's administration office has, historically, been relatively lean. The office currently employs Stevan Kvenvold, city administrator, Neumann, Terry Spaeth, redevelopment director, Brent Svenby, Senior Administrative Analyst, and Lisa Mullenbach, clerical staff. "We have the distinction of being the only city department that has less employees than it did in 1980. The population has doubled since that time," Neumann said at a Rochester City Council meeting Monday. ADVERTISEMENT The city had previously considered adding a development director or development coordinator position to assist with development permitting and associated duties. The new assistant administration position will incorporate some of those duties, about 25 percent or more of the position's planned workload, Neumann said. The new position also adds a layer to the city's succession planning, a point City Council President Randy Staver said had been a concern. "We know multiple senior staff members are probably within one to three years of retirement. I'm quite concerned that we'll have a great deal of institutional knowledge walking out the door when those individuals depart," Staver said Monday. The 2016 pay range for the assistant city administrator I is expected at $100,463 to $147,738, according to a city document. The additional salary to budget the position will come from general fund tax dollars, Neumann said. Council member Nick Campion encouraged the administration office to keep track of the time it spends of development permitting. Based on the value added by the new position, the city could consider recouping some costs by increasing its fee to developers, Campion said. The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council this week awarded 27 grants for a total of $106,000 to groups or individuals in southeastern Minnesota. This includes $43,500 to fund eleven General Operating Support grants, and $62,500 to fund 16 Individual Artist grants. Money came from the Legacy Amendment funds. Grants, by counties, are: Fillmore County: Lane Powell, $5,000 for "Spiritual Reflections," a proposed concert band piece to be created for area bands. Freeborn County: Freeborn County Arts Initiative, a $4,000 for FCAI rent and gallery maintenance expenses 2016-2017. ADVERTISEMENT Goodhue County: Jessica Woken, $5,000 for album composition and band creation; ArtReach, $4,000 studio space rent 2017; Cannon Arts Board, $4,000 for website and marketing development/maintenance; and Zumbrota Area Arts Council, $4,000 for administrative expenses for 2017. Houston County: Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association, $4,000 for administrative expenses for 2017. Olmsted County: McKay Bram, $2,500 for "Hand Dance Adorned;" Kevin Dobbe, $5,000 for composition of original musical; David Kassler, $5,000 for a concert of choral music on texts of regionally and nationally recognized poets; Kathleen Lamb, $2,500 for The Voices of Europe - An exploration of chamber music from Baroque to the 20th Century; Ivete Martinez, $5,000 for the study of three advance concepts in oil paintings: chessboard effect, passages and color bleeding; Irissa Ryant, $2,500 for Sharing Music with All Ages; and Northland Words, $4,000 for administrative staff salary expense in 2017. Rice County: Terra LaChance, $2,500 Emerging for Tintypes and Authenticity; Andrea Mazzariello, $5,000 for "Plant Another Flower;" Meg Ojala, $5,000 for "Bogs and Fens: A Photographic Investigation;" Wendy Placko, $2,500 for "Lady Parts;" Bridge Chamber Music Festival, $3,500 for Chamber Music Festival 2017; and Cantanti Chamber Choirs, $4,000 for program expansion to diversify audience. Wabasha County: Margaret Bauernfeind, $5,000 for "Alien in an Old Place: People and Places on Route 74." Winona County: Skylar Burkhardt, $2,500 for "Native American Ancestry;" Lisa Gray, $2,500 for "Gravel Roads;" Elizabeth Oness, $5,000 for "Look Both Ways (working title);" Frozen River Film Festival, $4,000 for personnel expenses, 2017; Theatre du Mississippi, $4,000 for administrative expenses 2016-17; and Winona Symphony Orchestra, $4,000 for administrative expenses for the 2016-2017 season. Just days before Crossroads College's fall semester was slated to start, Rochester's small Bible college has made a decision to not offer classes this year. President Michael Kilgallin said the 103-year-old Christian college isn't closing its doors for good, but a sudden drop in the number of students planning to attend this fall cemented the decision because of underlying financial issues and already low enrollment. "Once the low enrollment was known, the administration realized that Crossroads College was not viable for the fall semester of 2016," Kilgallin said in a news release Thursday, noting enrollment has declined to the point where classes, chapel and campus life events "lack critical mass for optimal education and college experiences." Enrollment numbers listed on the college's website from 2012 put the student population at about 150, no other recent figures were available. With students set to move in Monday, and classes beginning Wednesday, the college's leaders have brought forward plans to place students at other Christian colleges and universities throughout the country, including Hope International University, Manhattan Christian College, and Lincoln Christian University. They've all agreed to accept the students at no additional cost to the student, according to the news release. ADVERTISEMENT And with the students, and costs associated with teaching them, diverted to other schools, the college will be able to put the money it is making through office and classroom rental toward its debt and outstanding accounts. One of the college's students, Christina Campos, 18, has been taking Post Secondary Enrollment Options classes through the college the last two years, and had plans to enroll at Crossroads and Rochester Community and Technical College this fall, but was "shocked" when she heard the news Thursday. She said an adviser reached out to her about the situation and it was "very disheartening only because I had gotten to know so many of the staff and faculty and many of the other students there, that for me personally, it was heartbreaking to hear that I wasn't going to be in that community with those people again." A history of financial struggle The college, founded in Minneapolis in 1913, moved to its 38-acre Rochester campus in 1971. Today's offerings range from a two-year associate of arts degree, to four-year degrees such as business administration, music, counseling psychology, biblical thought and literature to various Christian ministry degrees. The college offers a "rigorous academic program that will challenge you to think critically about scripture, the church, and the culture in which we live," according to its academic programs information. Tuition and fees will runs students about $20,000 each year, according to the college's website. The school considers itself one of the "most affordable private colleges in Minnesota." Now, leaders want to transform the campus into "Rochester Christian University Center" by inviting educational partners to use the housing space and facilities for ministry. Some of the college's staff will remain to run the housing, maintenance and fundraising related to that, but many will be out of a job. ADVERTISEMENT "The employees of Crossroads College are outstanding, dedicated workers and are a genuine asset," Kilgallin said in the news release. "Crossroads will make every effort to secure new employment for those whom the college cannot retain." Leaders say they will also continue too look at "new education models" for the college "in light of new technologies and shifting demographics." The college went from Minnesota Bible College to Crossroads in 2002, and at the time looked to expand academic offerings, pumping $1.2 million more than it had into marketing efforts and new hires. At the same time, donations to the school began to decline. In 2007, the 135-student college embarked on an ambitious campaign of growth. It spent $4 million to build a new student center and more student housing as part of a plan to grow to a 450-student campus. But those students never materialized, and then the college was blindsided, like many businesses and schools, by the recession in 2008. In 2013, amid celebrating its 100th birthday, college officials learning the Association for Biblical Higher Education revoked Crossroad's accreditation because of the college's weak finances . which the college failed to regain . In April 2013, the college received five-year accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools and were awarded accreditation as a "Category II institution," according to its website. Since January 2015, the college was exploring the possibility of merging with another, larger college , "although plans did not include a transition this fall," according to the release, "unfolding events necessitated an immediate partnership with (Hope International University)," where current students can transfer without losing credits or at an additional expense. Campos didn't say if she'll look at the other outstate options, but said she does plan on staying enrolled at RCTC, but she said she was "at peace about it, but at the same time, I have no idea what I'm doing now." ADVERTISEMENT "It's still a shock," she said, "but as a Christian I believe in a God that allows us to be OK in situations like this." PINE ISLAND The idea of a senior housing community is not dead. Nate Carlson, executive director of the Pine Island Economic Development Authority, said the city's previous attempt to find a partner to develop a senior community got bogged down in government funding, changing plans and a lack of developers showing serious interest in the project. "It's a project that is just kind of lingering," he said. So Carlson went back to the drawing board to develop a new request for proposals. He plans to send them out around the first of September to area developers. "This would be more aimed at able-bodied seniors who don't need care," he said. "Farmers or Baby Boomers who are looking to downsize. A lot want to get off the farm but don't want to move to Rochester." ADVERTISEMENT It's an idea that has merit, said Roy Larson, who attended a meeting last fall where about 30 Pine Island residents showed up to hear a presentation on the plans at the time for a senior community. "A complex like that, I think it's a good thing, but it doesn't appeal to us," he said. Larson's main concern was the lack of garage parking in the plan. "All year long, we like to keep the weather off them. So that's kind of a drawback." That drawback was one of the changes to the original vision for the project that derailed the plan in the first place, said Pine Island Mayor Rod Steele. "We had a couple of developers look at it," he said. "One was set on bringing in SEMMCRA," he said, referring to the Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. "The financing is so restrictive, we got off target." That included axing the enclosed parking and in-unit laundry. "When you apply for government financing for these project, they insist you target certain groups," Steele said. For this project, that meant low-income seniors with limits on rent and no option to buy. The revised project would be a three-story structure with eight to 10 units per floor. Laundry and garage space would be included. A condominium-like community would also make it easier for those snowbirds who like to take off for two or three months a year. "I think it's something the community needs, and it's something they want," the mayor said. "We're going to try to see if we can back to where we wanted." While he's not ready to leave his house just yet, Larson said, if done right, a senior community could be appealing in the future. ADVERTISEMENT "Certainly, we need to be giving some strong consideration to that as it gets harder to get around," he said. Living downtown with quick walking access to the grocery store, city hall, library and other businesses would make the location ideal. "I think it has some merit, yes." Carlson said the initial estimate for the project would be about $2 million to $3 million. "That's probably just a ballpark," he said. The city's role would be to acquire the land and gift it to the developer. "I know there's a market for it," Steele said. "We'll see if we can get someone to put up the money and build it." "I loved the process of going through it all and the memories," said internationally known artist Judy Onofrio, of Rochester, about the estate sale in her name that was held over the weekend in her Rochester warehouse. "I've always gotten power from objects," she said. "I call it retail therapy." Onofrio decided it was time to downsize and spent seven weeks "clearing and unpacking and discovering" items from her attic that she included in the sale. "I felt like I was working with different materials now," she said. Onofrio currently has an exhibit at the Rochester Art Center. She noted that her collectibles were "stuff you don't see anymore. I have a really funky taste." Items for sale included vintage pottery, mirrors, jewelry, marbles, dishware and glass. ADVERTISEMENT "I love Judy's work. I saw it (the sale) on Facebook and had to come down," said Lisa Rietveld, of White Bear Lake, who attended the sale on Saturday. Because she had "enough for an auction," Onofrio said she has a "ton left" and that if anyone is interested in possible purchasing some of those treasures to contact her at judyland@judyonofrio.com . Wabasha-Kellogg's SeptOberfest will not only offer events like pumpkin races and scarecrow contests this year. It will give community members the opportunity to learn the history of the Civil War and what Wabasha County was like in the 1860s. As part of SeptOberfest, the annual Wabasha-Kellogg celebration, the Wabasha County Historical Society will be hosting the first ever Civil War Weekend on Sept. 24 and 25. The festival opens Sept. 9 and runs through October 23. At the Civil War encampment, re-enactors will portray what life was like during the Civil War, demonstrating camp life, period arms, civilian life, soldiers and society, and Civil War medicine. Both days will start with the opening of the camp, a weapons inspection and the posting of the colors. This will be followed by infantry drills, cannon firings and speakers. There will also be a candlelight tour to end Saturday at 7:30 p.m. to further demonstrate camp life during the Civil War. During the tour and throughout the day, the reenactors will not interact with the crowd or even recognize their presence, like ghosts from another era. In the main tent, there will also be a display of civil war guns and family genealogy of the 1,500 Civil War soldiers from Wabasha County. ADVERTISEMENT On Saturday at 9:30 a.m. there will be a cemetery rededication at the Riverview Cemetery in Wabasha to honor the 13 Civil War soldiers that are buried there. The graves have been recently refurbished and there will be speakers and the firing of guns. Joe Dick, president of the Wabasha County Historical Society, said that this is the first time that the historical society will be putting on an event like this, and that they hope to continue it at SeptOberfest every other year. "It's all new, this is the first time we've done something like this, so we don't really know what to expect," Dick said. Civil War Weekend will take place at Ed Malone Park in Wabasha and will start with the camp opening at 9 a.m. on Saturday and will continue through Sunday, ending with the retiring of the colors and the camp closing at 5 p.m. Entering the camp will be $5 per day and people can enter and leave the camp throughout the day. For the complete schedule of the Civil War Weekend and information on SeptOberfest, visit http://www.wabashamn.org/septoberfest/. LAKE CRYSTAL A fast-moving thunderstorm Thursday afternoon dumped almost an inch of rain in some places in south-central Minnesota as wind gusts that reached nearly 70 mph downed trees and power lines and caused wrecks. In Lake Crystal, numerous trees and power lines were downed and a few homes sustained roof damage. About two-thirds of the city lost power in the storm and officials decided to cut power to the rest of the city as a safety precaution, said Mayor Brad Ahrenstorff. Crews from multiple agencies were arriving to help restore power around 5 p.m., which was restored late Thursday. "We have several communities coming to assist us," Ahrenstorff said. "Everything is secure and a lot of help is coming." No one was displaced by the storm in Lake Crystal and city officials were not activating emergency shelters. ADVERTISEMENT Xcel Energy was reporting 425 customers without power in Blue Earth County around 6:30 p.m. but most outages were restored Thursday night. One person was injured in a wreck in Lake Crystal on eastbound Highway 60 at Main Street, where pools of water and downed branches were snarling traffic. State Patrol said a Chevrolet Malibu was westbound on Highway 60 when a vehicle ahead hit its brakes. The Chevrolet hit its brakes to avoid a crash, then crossed over the median and into the eastbound lanes, where it was struck by an eastbound Volvo. State Patrol as well as the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office and Lake Crystal Police Department were continuing to investigate the wreck around 6 p.m. About seven miles southwest of Lake Crystal, a semi-truck flipped over into the shoulder just north of County Road 119 but the driver miraculously was not injured. Truck driver Tom Kachelmeier, of Sleepy Eye, was driving the empty trailer from Storm Lake, Iowa, to Mankato when the deluge erupted around 3:30 p.m. He likened it to a white-out. While only traveling at 30 mph, the winds were strong enough to lift up the trailer and flip it on its side. "The big wind was just enough to tip me over," he said. "I was going to try to get to Lake Crystal at least to stop but I didn't make it that far. I didn't think it was that bad." Kachelmeier stood on the shoulder while efforts continued nearly two hours later to right the truck. Both eastbound lanes of Highway 60 remained open. In Brown County, winds were measured at 69 mph and caused tree damage, some power outages and some soybean field damage, according to the National Weather Service ADVERTISEMENT Two box cars were blown off the track at a co-op northeast of Springfield in Brown County, the weather service reported. Springfield received .73 inches of rain Thursday afternoon, the Weather Service said. Most areas in Blue Earth County received about three-quarters to an inch of rain. The weather service also reported a large tree down in Mankato and 59 mph winds in Waseca. MILLE LACS Gov. Mark Dayton's decision to keep Lake Mille Lacs open to catch-and-release walleye fishing after surpassing an agreed-upon harvest quota could lead to a lawsuit. Melanie Benjamin, the chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, said in a Facebook post that treaty rights attorneys are assessing legal options. This year's walleye harvest allocation was set at 40,000 pounds 28,600 for state-licensed anglers and 11,400 pounds for tribal fishing. Anglers on Mille Lacs have been restricted to catch-and-release walleye fishing this season. But fish that don't survive after release count against the allocation, and the most recent harvest estimate reached nearly 38,000 pounds almost 10,000 pounds over the state limit. Meanwhile, tribal members did some spearing this season but decided against gill netting walleye to stay under their allocation. ADVERTISEMENT "As has been our history, the band has kept our promise" Benjamin said in her post. "But in violation of the court order, the promise was broken on the other side. We will do whatever we must to ensure the [walleye] are protected for generations to come." A lawsuit isn't the first option, according to Susan Klapel, the Mille Lacs Band's commissioner of natural resources. "Obviously, we're going to try reaching out to the state and coming to an agreement again," Klapel said. "There are steps to be taken, there's mediation, dispute resolution, before it actually gets to the point of a lawsuit." When Dayton announced last week that the lake would remain open to catch-and-release fishing, he said closing the walleye fishing season "would devastate area businesses and communities." He added the state's fisheries experts have assured him that continuing catch-and-release walleye fishing "will not negatively impact the health of the walleye fishery." However, tribal representatives say they're not as confident about the state of the fishery. They will do their own analysis of the state's data to determine next steps, according to Dylan Jennings, a spokesperson with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. "That fish as a resource to our people is invaluable, you can't put a price on it," Jennings said. "So by the state continuing to do this, it's almost like a disregard to that." ST. PAUL Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders are abandoning their hopes of a special session. Minnesota's top politicians have met routinely for months to try to find an agreement for an overtime session. A $260 million tax relief bill and package of public construction projects were at the top of the to-do list since the Legislature adjourned in late May. But an ideological disagreement about building a light-rail train to the southwestern Minneapolis suburbs proved too much. Dayton said Thursday he won't call a special session this year. Republicans dislike the project but Democrats say it's essential. The outcome means it's likely to become an issue in the fight for legislative majorities this fall. Dayton says he'll incorporate tax and construction measures in his 2017 wish list. In her Aug.15 letter to the editor, Moms Demand Action member Donna Miller urges citizens to support candidates who will put our safety first. While that sentiment is certainly commendable, her logic on who has an effective plan to do so is terribly flawed. Hillary Clinton and politicians like her will, by their own admission, try to impose Australian-style gun control in America. According to statistics from the Australian Government Institute of Criminology, homicides, rapes, robbery, kidnappings and muggings all showed significant increases right after the strict new gun laws, followed by gun confiscations, were enacted in 1995. Some violent crime rates jumped by 40 percent. Powerless to defend themselves, honest citizens were victimized at alarming rates. Why? The criminals did not feel obligated to turn in their weapons and were emboldened, knowing most honest citizens did. Every conceivable gun crime is already covered by multiple state and federal laws. What we need is not further restrictions on law-abiding citizens, but strict enforcement of existing laws. It's pointless to demonize the NRA, which has consistently advocated for innocent citizens and strict punishment of evil doers. Democrats have had total control of our most violent cities for the better part of the last 50 years with tragic results. The last thing we need is those failed policies for the rest of America. ADVERTISEMENT Jeff Erding Wykoff We have reached many milestones and witnessed plenty of success stories at the Guam Department of Labor during my current tenure, but I will b Read moreGDOL wants to be a part of your employment solutions This is the kind of news item that has Angela Merkel in political trouble: According to mayor Bernd Pohlers of the eastern town of Saxony Waldenburg, the asylum seekers refused to accept the work that was offered to them after they arrived in the country. The local council spent 600 arranging for the men to have uniforms but were stunned when they were told they would not complete it because they were guests of Angela Merkel. While asylum seekers are not allowed to work under immigration rules within the EU, they are allowed to do voluntary work. However officials in the district of Zwickau came up with a plan to help encourage those without employment to get back to work and to help them become more accepted within the local community. In order to do this they created voluntary jobs which included a nominal payment of 18 for 20 hours work. But all of the male residents of the local refugee accommodation who initially agreed to get involved in the charitable activities quit after discovering there was a minimum wage 7.30 (8.50) in Germany. The men had been picked up and offered transportation from their paid-for housing where they are also given food and then dropped home. Mayor Pohlers said: It was subsequently argued by these people that they are guests of Mrs. Merkel and guests do not have to work. Furthermore, they were of the opinion that there is a minimum wage (8.50) in Germany, and that this had to be paid by the City Waldenburg. Despite attempts at mediation the asylum seekers refused to return to work. Did the United States really owe the Islamic Republic of Iran $1.7 billion because of a previousl Iranian regimes payment of $400 million to us? Somehow I doubt it. The previous regme was a friend of the United States; the current one is a deathly enemy. Even if we owed it, there must be a loophole somewhere in the nature of a self-preservation exception. Did the $400 million cash payment the administration delivered to Iran constitute a payment of ransom for a few hostages? President Obama has sarcastically denied it, in the fashion to which we have grown accustomed. Custom has not staled its infinite offensiveness. The Wall Street Journal has rather authoritatively demonstrated that the payment was a ransom in common parlance, of the Groucho Marx who- ya-gonna-believe? variety. The Journals most recent story on it, the second by Jay Solomon and Carol Lee, shows up the Obama version as a lie, bald-faced division. The story U.S. held cash until Iran freed prisoners is accessible online via Google here. The ransom payment has done great harm. If President Obamas words have any credibility, the ransom payment has damaged it. The ransom endangers the lives of Americans all over the world. Shocker: the Islamic Republis of Iran has followed up by taking more American hostages. The ransom payment sets a rather high price on the lives of Americans overseas. Seth Lipsky raises related questions in the context of the current presidential campaign in the New York Sun editorial Latin lesson. I will only add that President Obama seems to revel in the humiliation and abasement of the United States before its avowed enemy. To the humiliation he adds his transparent dishonesty to the American people. NOTE: See also David Sangers New York Times article U.S. concedes $400 million payment to Iran was delayed as prisoner leverage. They think were stupid and they have the evidence to prove it! AddThis Sharing Buttons PR-Inside.com: 2016-08-19 20:06:09 Press Information GAIKINDO Jakarta, Indonesia Diah Putri Seven Events +62-21-29054091 ext.109 email http://www.gaikindo.or.id/en/ # 832 Words Jakarta, IndonesiaSeven Events+62-21-29054091 ext.109 BSD City, INDONESIA, Aug 19, 2016 - GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS 2016), taking place through the weekend (Aug 11 - 21), has been a roaring success, with more than 190,000 visitors crowding into 95,000 sqm of the modern Indonesian Convention Exhibition (ICE - BSD) in BSD City, Tangerang, during the first weekend alone.Equally notable have been the numbers of new cars, concept cars and commercial cars vying for attention at GIIAS. 34 authorized brand holders (APM) are showing 33 new and concept automobiles among the 430 vehicles on dislay. Some of the new and concept automobiles featured at this year's GIIAS are presented for the first time in the Indonesian market, and even the world, including the following.1. PT ASTRA DAIHATSU MOTORAt the GIIAS 2016, PT ADM presented a total of 16 displayed vehicle units and 3 concept cars, namely:- Daihatsu TEMPO, a commercial vehicle with maximum functionality,- Daihatsu HINATA, a mini car with seat adjustment feature,- Daihatsu CAST ACTIVA, a sporty mini crossover car.Shigeharu Toda, Director of Daihatsu Motor Company, Japan, stated that Daihatsu is committed to be a stable and strong global player at the compact cars segment, including in Indonesia.2. PT HONDA PROSPECT MOTORPT HPM chooses Indonesia as the market to launch two of its concept cars, Honda Clarity Fuel Cell and Honda Civic Hatchback Turbo Prototype, at the GIIAS 2016 exhibition.- Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the first 5-seater sedan-based model in the world that uses a very environmental friendly hydrogen fuel cell. Here Honda has focused its research on hydrogen as a solution to several issues, such as global warming and the depletion of fossil fuel, by developing Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) that only releases water vapor, without any amount of CO2, as an environmental friendly car.- Honda Civic Hatchback Turbo Prototype - a 5-door version from the 10th generation of Honda Civic, completed with 1.5 VTEC TURBO, a sporty and environmental friendly engine.Featuring 35 display units, President Director of PT HPM, Tomoki Uchida expressed that the launch of the special edition is meant to energize the automotive market in Indonesia.3. PT KRAMA YUDHA TIGA BERLIAN MOTORS (Mitsubishi)PT KTB presents Mitsubishi XM Concept, the first MPV Concept Crossover to be introduced in the world. This model will enter the Indonesian market in 2017 as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).The theme from Mitsubishi is "Brand New Exploration with Mitsubishi Motors". This year, Mitsubishi utilizes Global Booth Design from Mitsubishi Motors Company to strengthen the Mitsubishi Motors' brand, with a more consolidated communication program.4. PT NISSAN MOTOR INDONESIAPT NMI presents Datsun GO-cross Concept for the first time in Indonesia. Datsun GO-Cross Concept was first introduced in Tokyo in 2015, showcasing Datsun's vision for the opportunity to expand the Datsun GO and Go+ models in countries with a significant market potential, including Indonesia.- Datsun GO-cross Concept, has a bolder and more dynamic design, with a practical touch.Datsun Executive Design Director Nissan Motor Co, Kei Kyu, stated that Datsun GO-cross Concept is designed to provide style, fun, and adventure with a new twist among Datsun's products. On top of that, this car is specifically made to fulfill the preference of the new generation of drivers - young, ambitious, and adventurous.5. PT TOYOTA ASTRA MOTORThrough its premium brand, Lexus, PT TAM presents a Fuel Cell concept that is prepared for the future. The two concept cars are Lexus LF-LC and Lexus RC F GT3.With its theme "Visionary Anticipation", Lexus states its commitment and its anticipation for future changes in terms of product, service and design, by understanding the world's taste across time, for the premium vehicle customers.6. PT SUZUKI INDOMOBIL SALES (SIS)At this year's GIIAS, PT SIS carries the theme "Urban Sport" by presenting 20 vehicles, in three categories: Reference Model, Current Model, and Modification Model.- Reference Models, Suzuki presents the Ignis, the Suzuki Baleno, and the Suzuki Jimny.- Concept Model, Suzuki presents the 'Ignis Water Activity' Concept.Through the GAIKINDO automotive event, Suzuki chose Indonesia to introduce its lineup of concept cars to the wider public.There are 6 commercial vehicle brands present at the exhibition, FAW, Hino, Isuzu, Mitsubishi FUSO, Tata Motors and UD Trucks. Big-size trucks with new innovations to make field operation easier are exclusively introduced at the GIIAS 2016.With a multitude of concept cars, passenger cars and commercial cars, GIIAS 2016 aspires to be a platform of growth and development for the Indonesian automotive industry, while GIIAS strengthens Indonesia's automotive sector in the international marketplace.About GAIKINDO Indonesia International AUTO SHOW (GIIAS)GAIKINDO hosted the very first Indonesian Autoshow in 1986. As an international exhibition endorsed by OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles), and changing its name to Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS), and in 2009 moved to the Jakarta International Expo - Kemayoran.In 2015 the autoshow ytansitioned into GAIKINDO Indonesia International AUTO SHOW (GIIAS), now the largest in Southeast Asia, held at the spacious Indonesia Convention Exhibition - Bumi Serpong Damai (ICE - BSD), Indonesia. For more information, please visit www.indonesiaautoshow.com Osun-Osogbo cultural festival will hold today as usual. From the traffic jam in different parts of Osogbo, it could be seen that large number of people across all walks of life have entered the city. And more are still coming to grace the ceremony that keeps growing in the face of negative attitudes shown to it by government and the people. If not for my research about the life and times of the late Mama Adunni Olorisha, Susanne Wenger, I may not have visited the groves till now. This was not mainly out of religious belief but the fact that am not an outgoing person. In 1950, it took the intervention of Susanne Wenger before the grove was saved and it remains the only major grove in Yoruba land that has withstood the test of time. Wengers arrival coincided with era of fervent nationalist struggle in Nigeria that later manifested in cultural undertone as Nigerians sought national identity in their religions, cultures and arts. It was in the process of preserving the grove of Osun-Osogbo that she later became not only the priestess but also protector of the grove against different attacks from some interest groups since then till her passage in 2009. The point of this post is on the latent potentials of the grove. If well exploited, it has capacity of boosting the states economy; create jobs; attract investors and generate several positive multiplier effects on the peoples livelihood regardless of their beliefs. We need to take a cue from the House of Saudis. The rulers of Saudi Arabia are promoting Islam as a cardinal agenda of the countrys foreign policy not exclusively out of religious belief but the fact that the more people convert to Islam, the more people would travel down for pilgrimage. That explains the economic aspect of promoting the religion. According to a report, Saudi Arabia is generating nothing less than $8.4 billion annually from Hajj and Umrah. This excludes other non-religious visits by tourists. Fortunately, most Cubans in particular and other Americans believe they originated from Yorubaland and Osun State is believed to be the cradle of the Yoruba race. This view was buttressed by the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Sosa, while hosting the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi, at Cuban embassy in Abuja. Hence, within Cuba and other neighbouring countries, the Osun State government could make their visit to the grove so attractive that they would begin to see it as their holy land as we have it in the two major religions Islam and Christianity. This among others is a means of increasing the states IGR instead of depending on Abuja for allocation. Presently, the festival has been ranked second to christian programmes in term of tourists attraction to Nigeria. The state government could further showcase the festival to the world through massive adverts that will create more awareness about it abroad. As a state within the most peaceful region in Nigeria, foreign tourists will not find insecurity as an obstacle on their visit to Osun state when other things are put in place. It is hopeful that with the crash in the price of oil, Nigeria and Osun State in particular would learn how to generate incomes and employment from the grove and other tourist centres as part of efforts towards the diversification of the economy from oil dependency. Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said on Thursday the federal government was justified in stopping the export expansion grant (EEG) policy. The Minister, who was receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Abuja, said the policy was stopped to check the high incidence of abuses. We need to realize that with the collapse of commodity prices, we dont have enough foreign exchange to buy as many imported goods as we like to. So, when there is import substitution, we must embrace it, she said Although our predecessors in office halted the implementation of the policy, the decision was in order going by the harvests of startling revelations on the abuse of export grant, she said. On paper, EEG is to encourage export business in the economy. However, a situation where we do not have control, we open doors for the kind of abuse, which are only imaginable. We have people exporting stones, describing them as high valued goods, collecting an import credit and used to import fish. We do need to look for how to support export. We have to be very realistic in the recommendations we are coming up with, Mrs Adeosun said. The EEG is an incentive, including reduction in import duty rates or waivers for equipment and materials, granted by government to encourage producers of goods to export them abroad to earn foreign exchange for the country. The benefiting sectors of the economy include agricultural machinery, solid mineral, equipment and gas-using equipment, aviation, health, mines and steel, water resources, gas, power, as well as donations to states, education and related ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs. Others include the steel sector, specific manufacturing sub-sectors, including imports of completely-knocked down parts, automobiles and tyres. The policy covered sectors seen as strategic areas capable of stimulating growth, supporting diversification of the Nigerian economy, and creating jobs for Nigerians, and promote Nigerias non-oil exports. On the ongoing policy review by the government, Mrs. Adeosun sought the understanding of the private sector in that direction, saying they should come up with implementable policies in view of the current economic situation in the country. She said the NESG must be ready to work with the Ministry of Finance by keeping track of some of the recommendations to the Federal Government. I ask you to keep track of how many of your polices are implemented and those not implemented, she said. You also need to find out why those policies were not implemented. They may be great policies at wrong times, or wrong policies. They may even be unimplementable policies. The Minister also stressed the need to prioritize in the face of the revenue challenge in the country. Yes, the economy is challenged and people are extremely frustrated. We need to rebuild fundamentally. We need to prioritize. We have to rebuild this country and it has to be data driven. The federal government on Friday said it was pursuing an aggressive spending stimulus plan to reflate the economy and set it on recovery path. Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, told reporters that since the 2016 was signed into law in May, the government has disbursed over N400 billion on capital projects. The minister said by the end of Friday, another N60 billion would be approved for various contractors. She expressed optimism that a sustained spending stimulus would bring rapid economic recovery. We are pumping funds into the economy at a very rapid rate, she said. We are solving the fundamental problems of the economy, namely under-investment in infrastructure for industries to spring up. Government said we need to fix infrastructure to create jobs for the people. With oil now about $50 per barrel, the highest in the last two months, we are working with less money. We try to do much more on fundamental things to grow the economy. The minister said the government was re-negotiating some of the failed public-private partnership (PPP) projects to see how private sector money could be mobilized to complement government funding of projects. She lamented the huge debt to several contractors since 2012, saying the government spent time re-negotiating with them to accept to return to site, while arrangements were made to settle the debts. The minister said most of the contractors have not only agreed to return to site, but have actually started work again, saying work at the international airport terminals, stalled by a N4.5 billion debt in counterpart funding restarted following payments to the contractors. Government is looking at things to grow the economy and create jobs. It will soon roll out projects in the areas of affordable housing to create jobs for the people. What we have been doing for years was never going to work. We were just pushing the problem down the line, postponing the hard decisions for the future. So many people have been employed, but have nothing to do. The solution is not for government to keep creating more jobs. But, to develop the economy and create the environment for private sector to unleash the entrepreneurial skills of Nigerians to provide goods and services. She blamed the seeming slow pace of governments business on the need to ensure decision, especially those capable of impact on people negatively in the short term, were thought through. The senate president, Bukola Saraki, and his predecessor, David Mark, and other prominent Nigerians may soon be in trouble as the Presidency has ordered the investigation of present and past Nigerian officials named in the Panama Papers scandal. The chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Sam Saba, confirmed the directive to PREMIUM TIMES. This newspaper had published leaked papers from a Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonsecca, which were obtained by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung. The 2.6 TB files, involving 214,488 entities, exposed incredible secrets of the underworld economy, where a network of banks, law firms and other middlemen utilize shell companies, sometimes to hide illegal wealth. PREMIUM TIMES identified at least 110 Nigerians and companies operating offshore shell companies in tax havens. Mr. Saba said the Presidency forwarded names of some persons mentioned in the Panama Papers, to the agency for investigation. I want to let you know that government has written to us and given us some names based on what they have been reading and hearing regarding that document, Mr. Saba said. He said as soon as the #PanamaPapers reporting started, the CCB attempted to get the full leaks until PREMIUM TIMES assisted it by making some details for its scrutiny. Mr. Saba said the CCB, after studying the papers, has questions for some public officers in the country. He would not, however, disclose the names of the affected public officers. I think it (Panama Papers) is going to be helpful because already we have some questions for certain public officers, which I will not be able to disclose at the moment. Until they finish answering those questions, I may not be able to discuss it, he said. The CCB boss said the agency took some time to respond because it could not secure the leaked documents. I tried to access the document via the internet, but I was required to subscribe and pay some money, which I didnt have, Mr. Saba said. That was what stalled our effort at the time. But I later asked my counterpart in the ICPC if he was in the picture and he replied in the negative. He, however, advised me to approach PREMIUM TIMES. Public officers who may be investigated by the CCB Senate President, Bukola Saraki Four assets listed in the secret offshore accounts carry Mr. Sarakis name, but the embattled senate president failed to disclose them in violation of Nigerias Code of Conduct law. One of the companies in Mrs. Sarakis name in Seychelles Island is Sandon Development Limited, a vehicle used in acquiring a property on 8 Whittaker Street, Belgravia, London, in 2012. Another shareholder listed for that company is Babatunde Morakinyo, a long-term personal aide and friend of Mr. Saraki. PREMIUM TIMES confirmed that the assets actually belong to Mr. Saraki, and not his wife, Toyin. Evidence showed that Mrs. Saraki and Mr. Morakinyo were mere fronts and nominee directors holding assets in trust for the Senate president. According to one of the documents obtained by this newspaper, Mr. Sakari, while still Kwara State governor, and describing himself as landlord of 8 Whittaker Street, London and 70 Bourne Street, London, executed a deed granting his tenants license to alter the premises of the properties. A part of the deed reads, This license is supplemental. The reversion immediately expectant on the determination of the lease is now vested in the landlord. The unexpired residue of the No. 70 (Bourne Street) lease is still vested in Dr. Saraki and the unexpired residue of the number 8 (Whittaker Street) lease is now vested in the companies. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered by Mr. Saraki on behalf of himself, Sandon Development Limited and Renocon Property Development Limited. It was, however, from Renocon that Mrs. Saraki, posing as owner of Sandon, purportedly bought Number 8 Whittaker Street in July 2011. Both companies belong to Mr. Saraki, but he only used a company owned by him to buy a property from another of his companies. Toyin acted as a front for her husband in the purported transaction. The Sarakis also own Girol Properties Ltd, which was registered on August 25, 2004 (a year after Mrs. Sarakis husband became governor) in the British Virgin Island (BVI). Company documents show that Mrs. Saraki owns 25,000 numbers of shares with a par value of US$ 1,00 each. She was appointed the first and only director of the company. Mrs. Saraki had in a letter to the International Center for Investigative Journalism, ICIJ, denied having a shareholding in Girol Properties. But this newspaper found a document linking her to the firm, as well as another handwritten document suggesting that she was known within Mossack Fonseca as just a nominee director and not the beneficial owner of the company. Former senate president, David Mark Former Senate president, David Mark, has links with eight offshore companies in British Virgin Island as shown by the leaked database of Mossack Fonseca. The database showed Mr. Mark is one of Nigerias most extensive users of offshore shell companies, while serving as a public official. The companies are Sikera Overseas S.A, Colsan Enterprises Limited, Goldwin Transworld Limited, Hartland Estates Limited, Marlin Holdings Limited, Medley Holdings Limited, Quetta Properties Limited, and Centenary Holdings Limited. In the documents, Mr. Mark was repeatedly marked as a politically exposed person, and at a point the former senate president had to send documents, across to Mossack Fonseca to prove that he was clean. The 68-year-old former military officer spent the last 40 years covered by the investigation largely as public office holder. He is widely seen to be far richer than his legitimate incomes could have provided. He served as military governor of Nigerias north-central state of Niger, minister of communications, and later as president of the Nigerian Senate from 2007 to 2015. Mr. Mark has been in the senate since 1999, and remains a senator of the federal republic, representing Benue South Zone in the upper legislative chamber. Former National Planning Minister, Rasheed Gbadamosi A former Minister for National Planning, Rasheed Gbadamosi, owns two expensive and luxurious penthouses in Panama, a notorious tax haven. Mr. Gbadamosi, writer, businessman and bureaucrat, who was recently appointed co-chairman of the Lagos at 50 planning committee, bought the two properties in 2008, while serving as chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA. He paid a staggering N836.8 million ($2.6 million) for the penthouses located in a swanky tower in Panama. According to the leaks, sometime in early 2008, the former minister approached Gilberto Aleman, a Panamanian real estate broker, to help him secure two posh penthouses owned by Nicolas Corcione, owner of Ciclones Corporation Inc, and Cosmopolitan Corp, the companies under which the properties were registered. Valued at N436,800,000 ($1,365,000.00), Penthouse 1, the first penthouse Mr. Gbadamosi bought, is located in Ocean Park Tower 2, and consists of a surface area of 537.33 square meters, on floors 35 and 36 of the Tower. Former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Funsho Kupolokun Mr. Kupolokun, 69, is one of the largest shareholders in one of Ghanas biggest hotels, the Kempinski Accra Hotel, a 269-luxury rooms five-star facility. But a close look at the companys records will not reveal this fact because in 2013, Mr. Kupolokun, who was head of the NNPC between 2003 and 2007, used a shadowy offshore company registered in Mauritius, a known tax haven, to hide his shares in the company that owns the hotel. The company, Gold Coast Resorts International Limited, is an entity incorporated in the British Virgins Island in 2006. Details obtained by PREMIUM TIMES from the leaked Mossac Fonsecas database showed that Mr. Kupolokun became director of Gold Coast Resorts on August 11, 2008 and personally held 17.23 per cent shares in the company. Correspondence between Mossac Fonseca and a London-based law firm representing Mr. Kupolokun, Kennedys Law LLP, revealed that the former aide to ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, authorized the transfer of his shares in Gold Coast to Blue Chapel, a company registered in Mauritius (another tax haven), in January 2013. At a point, Mossac Fonseca raised concern about Mr. Kupolokun, after its compliance unit identified press reports accusing the former NNPC chief of corruption. In response, on September 7, 2014, Mr. Kupolokun wrote, Thanks so much, I now know what is being referred to. Former Delta State Governor, James Ibori Mr. Ibori, is found to have established limited liability companies and foundations in secret offshore tax havens to hide some of the funds he looted from the states treasury, a leak of secret tax documents has revealed. The former governor, who is currently serving jail term in the United Kingdom after pleading guilty to fraud charges in 2012, enlisted his immediate family as beneficiaries of the offshore companies and foundations. To hide his loot, Mr. Ibori, working through a Swiss asset management firm, Clamorgan S.A. in Geneva, established several offshore companies, including Stanhope Investments Limited, a foundation, Julex Foundation, and a trust, The Hopes Trust, enlisting himself, his wife and daughters as beneficiaries. Clamorgan prides itself as a company that provides asset management, fiduciary services, immovable property administration, amongst others, and operates under the laws of Geneva, Switzerland. After almost five years of playing cat and mouse with Nigerian and British authorities, the former governor capitulated on February 27, 2012, pleading guilty in a London court to 10 counts of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. Before Judge Anthony Pitts, Mr. Ibori admitted stealing $250million as alleged by the prosecution. A former Group Managing Director, NNPC, Abubakar YarAdua Mr. YarAdua bought a posh home worth 890,000 in London using a secret offshore company he registered in the British Virgin Island. Leaked files showed the offshore company to be Hydrocarbon Assets Investments Limited. Mr. YarAdua bought the house in 2008, while serving as the Group Managing Director of the NNPC. He became NNPC GMD in August 2007, and was removed from office in January 2009. In April 2008, eight months after he took the NNPC top job, Mr. YarAdua used a London residence address at Beechwood Hall, Regents Park Road, London N3 3AT to register an offshore company, Hydrocarbon Assets Investments Limited in the British Virgin Island. To cover his track, Mr. YarAdua prepared a corporate smokescreen by appointing two front companies to act as directors of Hydrocarbon Assets Investments Limited. Documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES showed that on November 7, 2008, Mr. YarAdua was the sole director of Hydrocarbon Assets Investments Limited. He resigned on the said day but appointed two companies, Gudson Limited and Roselle Limited as directors of his company. Additional documents scooped from the Mossack Fonseca files exposed how Mr. YarAdua utilized his Hydrocarbon Assets Investments Limited to secure a loan from Dexia Private Bank Limited in Jersey. This he used to purchase a property worth 890,000 in London. Dexia Private Jersey Limited, Hydrocarbon Assets Investment Limited and Mr. YarAdua signed the loan agreement on November 18, 2008. It was effected on December 2, 2008. The property, until now a secret, is located in a freehold estate at 28A North Crescent, Finchley, London N3 3LL. It was registered under the title number NGL624398. A freehold property refers to outright ownership of a property and land on which it stands. The owner of the land has no time limit to his period of ownership. Andy Uba, Senator, Anambra State In November 2004, Mr. Uba was only a special assistant on domestic affairs to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo but he possibly had enormous wealth in his hands that he sought the services of the offshore handlers, Mossack Fonseca, to float for him an anonymous company. Now a serving senator, Mr. Uba, owns a shell company by name Wentworth Properties Limited in the Republic of Seychelles, an infamous tax haven. Andy Ubas net worth was insignificant before May 29, 1999 when Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in as president. He later returned from the United States to be appointed a presidential aide. He is believed to have become suddenly rich, running for governor in 2007, and then for senatorial position after his governorship election was annulled. Mr. Ubas offshore structure in the Seychelles was erected with the help of two women, Marta Edghill and Vianca Scott, believed to be his fronts. Minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors of Wentworth Properties Ltd showed that the said meeting was held on November 3, 2004. The minutes said the two women constituted the totality of the board of directors. Marta Edghill and Vianca Scott elected themselves President and Secretary of the company respectively. David Umaru, Senator, Niger State In his native Niger State, David Umaru, the All Progressives Congress, APC, senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, is something of a folk hero. He was a thorn under the skin of the immediate past administration of Governor Babangida Aliyu. He was an unwavering critic and soon gained the reputation of a whistleblower after be published series of advertorials in national newspapers exposing alleged corrupt practices by the Muazu Babangida administration. But one aspect of his life Mr. Umaru would hesitate to see on the pages of newspapers is his dealings in notorious offshore tax havens and his role in laundering money for the countrys most notorious dictator ever, Sani Abacha. Documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, revealed that Mr. Umaru incorporated two shell companies in the British Virgin Islands. The first company, Yorkshire Investment Limited was incorporated on April 27, 1998 with a registered address at No2 Commercial Centre Square, Alofi, the capital of the Niue Island. The company was incorporated by International Trust Company (ITC), a Niue-based registering agent. In other to conceal the true ownership of the shell company, ITC provided two nominee directors for the company Melvin Scales (Chairman) and Ramses Owens. Mr. Umaru was named the true and lawful attorney of the company. Not satisfied by the incorporation of his first shell company, five months later, exactly on September 15, 1998, Mr. Umaru again went shopping for his second shell company Darweng Holding. This time he decided to incorporate it in the British Virgin Islands. Ibrahim Gobir, Senator, Sokoto State Ibrahim Gobir, an All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmaker, who represents Sokoto East Senatorial District in the National Assembly has also been named in the leaked document as having secret offshore accounts. Fuller details of his involvements will be available in future publications. The Nigerian military should cease threatening freelance journalist Ahmad Salkida with prosecution for not acting as an informer, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The military has said the journalist could face terrorism charges if he does not provide it with information he gained in the course of his reporting on the militant group Boko Haram. In a statement carried by Nigerian news websites on August 14, military spokesman Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman declared Salkida and two civil-society workers Aisha Wakil and Ahmed Bolori wanted for interrogation regarding the location of over two hundred school girls Boko Haram abducted in April 2014. In the statement, Col. Usman invoked the 2011 Terrorism Prevention Act, under which Nigerians could be punished for failure to disclose information about terrorists or terrorists activities. He said, We are also liaising with other security agencies for their arrest if they [fail] to turn up. Salkida has lived in the United Arab Emirates since August 2013. Journalists must sometimes rely on the trust of dangerous people. Coercing them to become informants risks putting all journalists under suspicion and in danger, CPJ West Africa Representative Peter Nkanga said. Nigerias military should not threaten Ahmad Salkida and instead ensure that he is free to work. On August 16, Nigerian Director of Defence Information Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar said that the military was only inviting Salkida and the two civil-society workers for questioning. We are only inviting them to shed light on pending issues that will support current military efforts, and not to arrest them, Abubakar said in remarks quoted by the broadcaster Channels Television. Salkida wrote on his personal blog on August 15 that he would accept the militarys invitation. The journalist told CPJ that he believed the military was trying to punish him for his persistent reporting on Boko Haram since 2006. He said that he had returned to Nigeria three times since May 2015 at the invitation of various federal government agencies. Salkida told CPJ that he feared for his life, and that anonymous callers had threatened him about his articles and posts to social media websites and his contacts with Boko Haram. Salkida has received similar threats in the past, CPJ reported at the time. Salkida has been covering Boko Haram since mid-2006. Police detained him in 2009 over his reports on the activities of the militant group when he was a reporter for the independent Daily Trust newspaper. He fled his home in the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri in July 2011 after callers identifying themselves as Boko Haram members threatened him with death, following the publication of his profile of Boko Harams first suicide bomber. Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for attacks that have killed thousands of people, including Nigerian television journalist Zakariya Isa, who the organization claimed was a spy for the government. The U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, is expected in Nigeria on Aug. 23 to discuss U.S. cooperation with Nigeria over Boko Haram, economy and human rights issues. A statement issued by the Information Office of the Embassy of the U.S. on Friday in Abuja, said Kerry would hold meetings with President Muhammadu Buhari and Northern Governors. According to it, the Secretary will travel to Sokoto and Abuja on Aug. 23 to 24. Kerry will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss counter terrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption and human rights issues. In Sokoto, he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism. In Abuja, the Secretary will meet with a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society. He will also meet with northern governors and religious leaders, the statement said. It added that Mr. Kerry would travel to Nairobi earlier on Aug. 22 to meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss regional security issues and counter terrorism cooperation, as well as bilateral issues. The statement said the secretary would also meet with Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed and other regional foreign ministers to discuss key challenges in East Africa. It said key challenges in East Africa included the prospects for resumption of a political process in South Sudan and support to Somalias political transition and ongoing fight against al-Shabaab. The statement explained that the secretary would have the opportunity to meet with participants of the Young African Leaders Initiative and the Mandela Washington Fellows programmes during the visit. According to it, Kerry will travel to Jeddah from Aug. 24 to 25 for a series of meetings with senior Saudi leaders. It said the series of meetings would include his counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council, the UK and the UN Special Envoy for Yemen. The statement said the secretarys discussion would focus on the ongoing conflict in Yemen and efforts to restore peace and stability. Additionally, the leaders will discuss the regions most pressing challenges, including Syria and our global effort to counter Daesh and violent extremism, the statement said. (NAN) August 12, 2016 Chief John Odigie Oyegun The National Chairman All Peoples Congress APC National Secretariat Wuse II Abuja Dear Sir DETAILS OF THE ALLEGATIONS I MADE AGAINST SPEAKER YAKUBU DOGARA, DEPUTY SPEAKER YUSUF LASUN, HOUSE WHIP ALHASSAN DOGUWA AND MINORITY LEADER OF THE PDP LEO OGOR AND 9 OTHER STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN: THIS IS A LITMUS TEST AND DEFINING MOMENT FOR THE ANTI-CORRUPTION STAND OF THE APC AS THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING I write to the Leadership of our Party, the various Organs and chapters of the Party, elected and appointed officials of our party, supporters, well-wishers and members of our party in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large through your good office, the Chairman of our great party. I write you this letter for four very important reasons; 1- To apologise and seek forgiveness of the party for the role I played in the election of the extremely corrupt Speaker Dogara 2-To give a background of the current crisis as a result of the allegations I raised against Speaker Dogara and the 12 other corrupt members 3-To furnish you with the details of the allegations against Mr Speaker and the 12 others and 4-To provide urgent recommendation on the way forward before this crisis cause irreparable damage to our great party APOLOGY TO THE APC Mr Chairman, you will recall the crisis during and after the election of Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun and Whip Alhassan Doguwa. You will also recall the leading role I played in bringing these 3 Principal Officers on board. I recollect with deep regret and pains and can still hear the eco of your voice in the make or mar meeting at the ICC shouting sit down Jibrin, sit down Jibrin, Jibrin sit down you dare not walk out of this hall Jibrin! Sen Lawali Shuaibu watched helplessly with the box of ballot meant for the mock elections as I forced myself up, stood my grounds, made my points, held the hands of Yakubu Dagara, a green snake under green grass, and pulled him out of the hall. You saw what I didnt see. A validation of the saying that what an old man can see, a young man cannot even if he climbs a tree worst, an old man of over 7 decades. The rest is history. The role I played to the best of my conscience at then sir was patriotic. I analysed the 2 candidates and felt Speaker Dogara has a better temperament to make a good Speaker. It was a narrow line of thinking, an error of judgement. It took only few weeks after the election for me to realize the corrupt and dangerous man inside the skin of Speaker Dogara. That was when I started getting reports of his corrupt practices for many years in the House undetected. I fell apart will Speaker Dogara instantly. Contrary to public believe, we have never been close since few weeks after he emerged Speaker. We practically disagreed on almost everything. From the appointment of Committee Chairmen, to splitting of Committees, to non disclosure of the finances of the house, to his greed of unifying everything under his control, commercializations of bills, divisive approach across ethnic and religious line, arrogance and power drunk, corruption and fraud during the budget period among many others. But who will I tell or run to having played such a leading role in bringing him on board. It was a painful,frustrating and depressing period for me. He operates alone, keep weird relationships with top politicians. His God father is Sen Iyola Omisore. Speaker Dogara is of the habit of taking standing Committee Chairmen to swear Oath of allegiance before Omisore. During the build up to the appointment of committee Chairmen, I had a terrible disagreement with him. I stayed far away from him. I was in london when he insisted he wants to see me. He came to my hotel room and we talked for hours. I gave him a lot of advice but I never knew it was getting in from one ears and out from the other. He was more interested in telling me about the forces who didnt want me to be appointed Chairman appropriation as if I cared. He mentioned Former Speaker and present Governor of Sokoto state Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as one. That is how narrow minded Dogara can be. I have always maintained to him that being Chairman appropriation is not in any way a favour to me. I dashed him money, he thanked me and left. The following day, he pleaded to me to join him at a house in london. I went and I saw him seated very comfortably with Sen Omisore. It was there he said he was going to appoint me Chairman appropriation and I should be reporting to Omisore! I was completely shocked. A nice lunch was served, we eat and We left. Atleast there are CCTV in london. I confided in a highly placed person who I wouldnt want to mention his name. He advised me to remain calm and consentrate on my job. My refusal to comply with such questionable instructions largely accounted for the anger of Mr Speaker towards me. It was much later that I realized that Sen Omisore had adopted Speaker Dogara as a god son since their days as Chairman appropriation and house services in the 6th Assembly respectively. Studying Speaker Dogara in the last one year and many things I know that it may not be proper to mention here, he does not wish the APC well, he is a cheap pretender, he is not loyal to the party and he will provide a solid platform for a massive attack against our party in the nearer future. I know what Iam talking about. In a nutshell, it will be dangerous and potentially disastrous for the party to keep Speaker Yakubu Dogara on that seat. I wish to state that I deeply regret the role I played in the emergence of Yakubu Dogara as Speaker. I seek the understanding and forgiveness from you, our leaders and every member of the APC family that was hurt by my action. Thank God Almighty, Iam young and energetic. I will be 40 on September 9th. I promise that moving forward, I will dedicate and completely commit my self to achieving the goals set out by the party. This case should serve as a lesson for everyone in the future. BACKGROUND OF THE CURRENT CRISIS Mr Chairman sir, let me reemphasis that I did nothing wrong. I committed no offense. I have never abused my office or corruptly enrich myself in the 5years I have spent in the House. No one has ever accused me of corruption in the House until lately, after raising allegations against Speaker Dogara, corruption started fighting back. They starting bringing up baseless allegations. Iam pretty sure the anti corruption agencies will do their job and all our party men and women will know the truth at the end of the day. My offense has been my refusal to be used as conduit to to facilitate free flow of corruption in the House of Representatives. I came under severe pressure during the budget period to break procedures and commit fraudulent actions. When they could not use me, the Speaker connived with few committee chairmen and they opened a bazaar of corrupt insertions into the budget. I complained to the Speaker but he took no action only for me to discover later that he, his deputy, Whip and Minority Leader were indeed the ring Leaders of that corrupt cabal in the House. All they wanted was to do away with me, considered the obstacle. The Speaker and the 3 others were in the tick of the plot. The only time they call on me is when they need someone on television. I was blackmailed that it is my job as Appropriation committee Chairman to defend everything about the budget whether I agree with it or not. I did my work as appropriation committee chairman diligently. I followed all the laws and procedures. I have all the documents and video recordings of proceedings intact. Problem started when the President returned the budget. I was invited to a meeting of body of Principal officers. The speaker shamelessly denied he knew anything about the insertions. He knew very well that he and the 3 other Principal Officers connived with some Committee Chairmen to commit the fraud. By then, I could not take the pressure anymore from Nigerians who thought I wrote the budget alone while the Speaker, the 3 other Principal Officers and the Committee chairmen involved wickedly kept quite. I told the meeting clearly that they were the culprit. The meeting became very tensed to a point where Lasun and Ogar wanted to exchange blows with me. I maintained my calm and to the God Almighty that I worship, I apologized to them. I was overwhelmed but I knew I cannot continue to cover up anything again. It was at that meeting that they requested me not to tell my colleagues at the executive session that the four of them stole 40billion out of the 100 billion meant for constituency projects. I told them clearly I cannot. We then moved into the executive session. Members were very angry with me. They have every reason to be because they do not have full information of what transpired. I was called upon to adress the session. I prayed quietly and stepped forward. They asked me about cuts in their budgets, the Speaker knew the answer and kept quite, they asked about the insertions, all the culprits were seated there but the Speaker kept quite, they asked about their missing 40billion, the Speaker kept quite. At that point, I told them that the Speaker and the 3 other Principal Officers took the money and shared it to themselves and few others. The session went balistic! I was scared to say more than that. After that meeting, the Speaker and the 3 others became even more angry with me. They were determined to embarrass and disgrace me using every means possible. They just wanted me out of out of the job. They quickly in an arrangement strange to parliamentary practice set up a harmonization committee and appointed one of them the Deputy Speaker, Lasun as Chairman all to send a message to members and the public that there is no more confidence in me and I am the culprit and provide a more comfortable avenue to continue there fraud and poisonous insertion in the budget. Deputy Speaker Lasun did a great job. He indeed FANTASTICALLY loaded the budget with poisonous insertions for the QUARTET aided and abetted by the Speaker. In protest that my secretariat was taken away from me on two occasions for such insertions to be made on the instruction of Speaker Dogara, I refused to sign the harmonized version until a compromise was brokered by Sen Danjuma Goje that the Deputy Speaker who headed the harmonization should also sign. After the budget was signed into law, the QUARTET resumed their hunting for Hon Jibrin. They went every where In search of something to nail me, they could not find any. They were frustrated but remained desperate. At that point, I was already fed up but I was sure I will stand up to them and expose them. The immunity debate gave me a chance to prove to them that enough is enough. At that point, I had made up my mind to leave. The whole environment was filthy. The smell of corruption was all over Speaker Dogara. Everybody knows he and his gang of few other members like Hon Herma Hembe were very corrupt front, back, left, right and center. He isolated himself with a very few small-minded rogues in the House. I informed the Speaker on three occasions that I want to leave but he always replied me that he would call me later so we could discuss. On Wednesday the 20th July I went up to him and told him I will announce my resignation if he doesnt. He still said to me lets meet at 10pm in the night. They just wanted to ensure I was disgraced out of office. He went on at the end of the session and announced that I had resigned but they had taken a decision already to sack me on allegation of offenses regarding the 2016 budget. A budget fiasco they and I know too well they are the culprits. I had to respond for so many reasons. It provided me an ample opportunity to open up on the mess they perpetrated in the budget and corruption in the House in order to force reforms that will restore the battered image of the House. Mr Chairman, believe me or not, this is what I have always wished and prayed for an opportunity to do. Secondly, it is important to say my side of the story so that Nigerians will know I committed no offense. I was worried about my image. I have a family and children. The best I can bequeath to them is a good name. I therefore set out and released dozens of allegations against the Speaker and 12 others. Until date they have not responded to any of the allegations. In contrast, I have responded to all the allegations they raised against me which largely bothered on immaturity, betrayal and so on. My responses are in the public glare. I proceeded to submit petitions based on the allegations to the EFCC, ICPC, DSS and the NPF for investigation and prosecution. While I have attended several meetings with these agencies to give insight on the allegations, provide documents and codes on how to crack these kind of corrupt cases and others in the House, they on the other hand continue to evade the anti-corruption agencies. They have used the period to intensify lobby in high places for a safe landing, hurriedly clean up the mess on their desks, share money to some members for signature of confidence vote, offer incentives of committees to the Transparency and Integrity groups which the groups rejected, embarked on an expensive media campaign to launder the image of the Speaker and attack my person and worst of all Speaker Dogara sponsored black mail to drag the executive, senate and highly placed individuals into this matter with cheap lies that the padding allegations, if dealt with decisively will bring down the whole country. What a blackmail on the entire country! When Mr Speaker and his cohorts realized that I was out for a real show, having submitted my petition and documents to the anti graft agencies which clearly shows my innocence and they as the culprits in the whole budget issues, he made a disgraceful about-turn. He announced to the whole world that padding is not an offense. Few days later, he boasted that the anti graft agencies have no power to investigate or prosecute him, that is why he has shunned all their invitations. There was uproar all over the country against Speaker Dogara. Yet, in another shameful and disgraceful about turn, he said in a statement yesterday that he was misunderstood, Indeed! And added that no money was lost during the appropriation exercise. But at the same time all of these are offenses if the accused is Hon Jibrin. What a shame! The same Speaker who claimed he sacked me for budget offenses. Mr Chairman, all the statements of Mr Speaker during the last few days have clearly proven my innocence. I have decided to find appropriate constitutional and legal means to get the Speaker and his co travelers to account for the damage to my name and person and the trouble he has caused me and my family. Yes, he has the powers to remove a committee chairman but it must be done with a huge sense of justice, fairness and responsibility. The Speaker also claimed at the Civil Society dialogue that we did lot a lot of work in the budget. Why did it take him this long to come out and admit? Simple, it was myself and Goje that sorted out all of that. He knew nothing about the efforts we made in that regard but shamelessly he wants to take credit for it. Mr Chairman, I have taken my time to explain this so that you will have a proper context to this crisis. Let me reiterate that padding is an offense. Padding can be tried under Nigerian laws. The Speaker can be investigated and prosecuted contrary to the claim of Mr Speaker. I have pledged maximum cooperation to the anti-corruption agencies and I will provide them with guide and assistance on how to unravel all these crimes and theft of our common wealth. For instance, lets say an item in a budget proposed by the executive under Power for the purchase of a transformer cost N2million and same amount was budgeted. If the Chairman House Committee on power because he has the powers to appropriate decides to add N3million to jack up the allocation to N5million when it is a public knowledge that the transformer cannot cost more than 2million naira, what do you call that? That essentially means APPROPRIATION FRAUD! And such a chairman is a FRAUDSTER, a common criminal. On the other hand, lets say he decides to irrationally reduce the amount to 500,000 thousand naira knowing full well that the said amount cannot buy the transformer, what do you call that? APPROPRIATION SABOTAGE and such a chairman is a SABOTEUR. And lets say he just decided to take the entire N2million away, the question is where has he taken it to? Lets follow up, we might discover something shocking. I have no apology for saying this! Little by little, I will be providing more in-depth details. DETAILS OF ALLEGATIONS Mr Chairman, I have decided to capture properly the allegations I leveled against the Speaker and 12 others so that you will understand the gravity of the matter at hand and also understand that the allegations are beyond budget issues and includes tens of other criminal allegations that cannot be swept under the carpet. The allegations are against the following: i. Speaker Yakubu Dogara, ii. Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, iii. House Whip Alhassan Ado Doguwa iv. Minority Leader Leo Ogor. v. Hon Herma Hembe vi. Hon Mohammed Bago vii. Hon Zakari Mohammed viii. Hon Chike Okafor viiii. Hon Dan Asuquo X. Hon Jagaba Adams Jagaba Xi. Hon Haliru Jika Xii. Hon Babanle Ila Xiii. Hon Abonta Abonta Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the three others fraudulently shortchanged the House of Representatives and abused their offices by unilaterally taking away 40 Billion Naira out of the 100 Billion Naira allocated for constituency projects and distributing same to themselves and the trio of Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, House Whip Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Minority Leader Leo Ogor and others without the approval of the House Speaker Yakubu Dogara approached our client with personal requests of about 30 Billion Naira to be inserted into the 2016 budget. Our clients refusal to get that done caused a major rift between them which has escalated beyond measure Speaker Dogara acting in concert with the aforenamed trio and as against the advice of our client inserted wasteful projects for their constituencies worth about 20 Billion Naira. Our client also complained to Speaker Dogara that the Chairmen of about 10 out of the 96 standing committees of the House have inserted over 2000 projects worth about 284 Billion Naira but his complaint was ignored because the Speaker was acting in cahoots with them. That in a bid to ensure that his nefarious intentions are met, the Speaker took away the appropriations committee secretariat on two occasions where several insertions were made into the budget and this created avoidable tension during the budget process. The Speaker also gave directions to our client to create a strange line item in the service wide vote to allow for a 20 Billion Naira insertion into the budget under the name of National Assembly. Our client refused to accede to this request. The Speaker fraudulently diverted a Federal Government water project to his farm in Nasarawa State and the source of funding for the farm remain questionable The Speaker also made a fraudulent arrangements to deduct monthly from money meant for members office running cost to fund a so-called dubious mortgage arrangement The Speaker abused his office by directing an agency to grant loans and also arrange frequent private meetings with heads of MDAs in a clear case of corruption and conflict of interest. The Speaker acting in concert with the above named trio allocated to themselves the entire 20% inputs reserved for the House of Representatives after the harmonization exercise. The Speaker fraudulently collected undisclosed millions of Naira in a scam arrangement for the rent of houses and guest houses acting in collusion with Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun and Hon. Herman Hembe. It is a matter of public knowledge in the House that Lasun had openly accused Hembe of having carted away some millions from the illicit money The Speaker has ordered that all the computers in the appropriation secretariat be shut down and moved to his office whilst the secretariat staff are being harassed to keep quiet and suppress facts relating to the entire budget and there has been attempts by agents of the speaker to burgle our clients office to steal vital documents. The Speaker also allowed several wasteful procurement of needless items, including ones that are already in the offices of members as a ploy to siphon funds of the House The Speaker has despite several protest from members continue to run the management of finances of the House and its budget in absolute secrecy in the face of several allegations of sharp practices The Speaker was involved in money laundry cases in the House and was the architect of the fraudulent multi billion naira car purchase contract when he was Chairman House services committee And allegations of harassment and attempt to kidnap or kill me by Speaker Dogara and his corrupt gang. He is using his office as Speaker to sabotage the on going investigation. 1.Honourable Herma Hembe: Honourable Herman Hembe is the member representing Vandeikya/KonshishaFederal Constituency of Benue State and also the Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory. Honourable Hembe lives way above his means from funds. Apart from being adept at misappropriation, He has plenty questions to answer for movement of massive amount of money in the Federal Capital Territory budget. 2.Honourable Umar Mohammed Bago: Hon Umar Mohammed Bago is the member representing Chanchanga Federal Constituency of Niger State and also the Chairman of the House Committee on marine transport. The fraudulent investigative hearing organized by Hon Umar Mohammed Bago with support of Speaker Yakubu Dogara wherein he invited about 1000 companies as a conduit to extort money. The source of money used to fund the investigative hearing has remained a mystery 3.Honourable Zakari Mohammed: Honourable Zakari Mohammed represents Baruten/ Kaiama Federal Constituency of Kwara State and also the Chairman House Committee on higher education. He made a complete mess of the higher education committee budget through massive movements of funds and hundred of insertions. To investigate allegations of bribery against him and Speaker Yakubu Dogara over roles they played in the NNPC crude oil SWAP investigation. 4.Honourable Chike Okafor: Honourable Chike Okafor is the member representing Ehime Mbano/ Obowo/ Ihitte of Imo State and also the Chairman House committee on health. To investigate Honourable Chike Okafor for being involved in and responsible for the movement of colossal amounts of money in the Health Committee budget. 5.Honourable Dan Asuquo: Honourable Dan Asuquo represents Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency of Cross Rivers State and also the Chairman of the House Committee on Power. To investigate his involvement in and responsibility for the movement of massive amounts of money in the Power budget. 6.Honourable Jagaba Adams Jagaba Honourable Jagaba Adam is the member representing Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency of Kaduna State and also the Chairman House committee on Power. To investigate his movement of massive amounts of money in the interior budget. 7.Honourable Haliru Jika Honourable Haliru Jika represents Darazo/Gunjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State and is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs. To investigate his movement of massive amounts of money into the Police budget. 8 Honourable Babanle Ila Hon Babanle Ila represent Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano state and is also the Chairman House services committee. To investigate thoroughly the wasteful contracts awarded under his and the Speakers watch in order to justify spending and non disclosure of the finances of the house 9 Hon Abonta Abonta He is the Chairman House committee on public petition. To investigate allegation of embezzlement, misuse and misappropriation of millions of naira meant for the running of his office. Just to bring you up to date Sir, I have forwarded to the anti corruption agencies documents showing how Speaker Dogara and the 3 others allocated the 40billion naira they stole from 100billion for constituency project, how they inserted about 20billion naira of wasteful projects, how they cornered the entire 20% of inputs reserved for the house after the harmonization exercise, attempts to force in about 30billion naira of wasteful projects into the budget, attempt to force me to introduce a strange line item and insert about 20billion naira in the service wide vote using the name of nass, evidence showing that indeed about 10 standing committees of the house made about 2000 insertions in budget worth about 284billion naira and indeed reports of 6 standing committees showing massive movement of money with clear intent to commit fraud. I have also commenced providing the anti corruption agencies clue on how investigative hearings in the house under Speaker Dogara are used as conduit pipes to carry out massive corruption and how the house services committee chairman and the Speaker runs and spend money meant for the House in absolute secrecy. I will continue to cooperate with the anti-corruption agencies and guide them on how to crack the code of curruption that has assumed a monumental proportion under the very corrupt Speaker Dogara. WAY FORWARD Mr Chairman sir, you will agree with me that the world is watching to see how the APC will deal with this issue of incontrovertible corruption in high places. We have a golden opportunity to show the world that there is zero tolerance for corruption in our great party the APC. Even more, is the willingness of a serving member in my person who understands these issues and who has offered to stand as witness and provide every support to the anti corruption agencies to investigate the allegations thoroughly and commence prosecution in earnest. There is no better way of demonstrating our commitment to the fight against corruption than to use Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the 12 others as example. You will also agree with me that in the face of all these allegations and back and forth in his utterances, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the other Principal Officers have lost the moral ground to continue in office. They have become a baggage that should be off loaded by the APC before they inflict an irreparable damage to the Party. From every part of Nigeria and the world, that is the opinion of people. The party must act very quickly and decisively. In his usual mischievous manner, Speaker Dogara is bandying around religious and ethnic cards. He has so soon forgotten those that led the campaign that brought him up as Speaker in the first place. As a way forward, I wish to recommend the following; 1-To direct Speaker Yakubu Dogara to reconvene the House and step down with other accused Principal Officers immediately to allow for internal and external investigation without interference so that sanity will return 2-To nominate a Speaker Pro Tempore and mobilize our members to support him to take over and adjourn the House until when we are due for resumption in September. This will give room for consultations on the election of a new Speaker when we resume 3-To Insist on internal reform of the activities of the House and ensure that the new Speaker implements it fully. 4-To discuss on the possibility of returning the N100billion constituency project component of the budget under any of our laws so that all stolen money can be returned particularly the 40billion naira and equitably distributed to all constituencies. 5-To discuss if the party so desire, Iam offering to identify all the toxic insertions by Speaker Dogara and 12 others in the budget so that they can be removed. We have different laws under which that can be done. I strongly believe that if these recommendations are implemented, it will go along way in resolving the crisis and provide the ventilation for the House to commence the process of internal reforms and self cleansing to repair its battered image and restore the trust of Nigerians in the House. This will also provide a relief for the party and the government that had been completely embarrassed with this development. Mr Chairman, Iam available and always at your service should there arise a need for me to provide further explanation in person as regard my letter. Thank you very much for your attention. Yours in service to the Nation. Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin APC-Kano Kiru-Bebeji Federal Constituency Kano Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, on Friday suspended the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters/Rural Development, Samuel Okoronkwo. Although Mr. Umahi did not clearly state the reason for his action, it was learnt it had to do with the lopsided selection of youth in the state for the Industrial Training Fund programme. Mr. Umahi asked the permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance, Ignatius Unah, to take charge of the LG ministry. The governor, who announced the suspension while declaring open the ITF programme in Abakaliki, also disbanded the states Committee on Employment. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Emma Anya, quoted Mr. Umahi as saying The Commissioner for Local Government is hereby suspended from office effective from now. And the highest officer, a civil servant, should take over and be attending Exco until further notice. This administration from day one has been built on the principle of justice, equity and fairness. In some of our programmes, we do equality of Local Governments. But in this kind of empowerment, we do equality of wards, so what I expected to see here would have been for them to borrow a leaf from what we are doing to empower about 3,000 of our women and youths. We are doing this and everybody is happy. We are called to build Ebonyi State where nobody will say I am from North or South or Central. I think we are succeeding.Anybody that is going to take us back to the dark ages will be resisted. Mr. Umahi called on the unemployed youth of Ebonyi to return home and find something meaningful to do under his governments youth-oriented programmes. Every Ebonyi youth in other parts of the country especially Lagos should please come back home; we are ready to create jobs for them. A day is coming when nobody will be willing to seek political office because of the current reality. One day, there will be no kobo from the Federation Account. So it high time we started thinking outside the box. The governor said his administration would create over 100,000 jobs for the youth and women especially in the agriculture sector. He said the state was now focused mainly on mechanised system of farming because agriculture without technology is death. Governor Umahi promised the trainees of financial assistance to enable them set up their businesses after acquiring necessary skills. Kim Conner sees more than bricks and steel rising at High and Vine streets in Millville. She also sees hope that the future Cumberland County Colleges Arts and Business Innovation Center, and the estimated 500 students it will bring to High Street each semester, could help revive the downtown arts district that took a downturn along with the rest of the national economy. Im optimistic, but Im also practical, said Conner, who owns Artistic Touch Beads at the Village on High. I have the arts and crafts that the students might need. But these are students who are working to put themselves through school, and they have bills to pay. The opening of college satellite campuses and learning centers in the past decade came with hopes that facilities would drive customers to downtown districts. The results were mixed. Merchants and officials in Hammonton say Stockton Universitys Kramer Hall has sent customers to restaurants and stores on Bellevue Avenue since it opened in January 2013. Merchants display welcome stickers for students on their doors and offer them discounts on everything from food to clothing. New Cumberland technical high school preps for first classes VINELAND Patients are already waiting for the first full-time students to arrive at the ne There are more people in the town. They may grab a cup of coffee or a lunch, said Hammonton Mayor Steve DiDonato. Were excited and optimistic about what it can still bring to the town. Atlantic City is similarly optimistic as Stockton prepares to build a $156 million campus in the Chelsea neighborhood. The situation is different in Cape May Court House, where Atlantic Cape Community College opened its Cape May County campus in August 2005. When asked about the campus economic impact on the county seat, Middle Township Chamber of Commerce President Carol Sawyer replied, Im not aware of that. I cant answer. I havent heard any great reviews on that. Opened to give Cape May County residents relief from having to drive to classes in Atlantic County, Sawyer attributed the lack of an economic boost to the facility being its own sort of commuter campus. Students simply go back home when theyre finished for the day, she said. Probably, there are some students who are buying local, Sawyer said. But were not seeing businesses open, and if they are, its not based on the college. Maybe at some point, it will. And in Bridgeton, officials say its too early to gauge the impact of Cumberland County Colleges downtown STEAMWorks facility. STEAMWorks based off the acronym for science, technology, engineering, arts and math opened in October to provide more technical and educational opportunities to residents in the western half of the county. Bridgeton Economic Development Director Kevin Rabago said STEAMWorks opened at a time when CCC was undergoing some leadership changes. Its just now that theyre hitting their stride with programs, Rabago said. Youve got to get the program up and running and ... build the brand and get it out there. The goal for that being an anchor and bringing more foot traffic, that was more of a long-term goal. The potential for economic development can be significant. Penn State sets the economic impact of its main campus and 24 satellite campuses at $8.4 billion. That figure includes spending on capital improvements, goods and services, along with spending by staff, faculty, technical-service employees, students and visitors. On a smaller scale, Harrisburg Area Community College has five campuses in Pennsylvania and regularly works with businesses in those campus communities to buy goods and services and set up business internships and on-campus presentations by businesses. The college also has a standing committee that regularly meets with businesses. Tom Baldridge, president of the chamber of commerce in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where the college has one of its campuses, said the campus provides significant economic help in ways other than doing business with downtown merchants. Their economic impact has been huge, especially in an area that is desperate for a trained workforce, Baldridge said. Cindy Doherty, the colleges provost, said campuses in Lancaster and York were partly responsible for new businesses related to the arts community in both cities. The college also helped start a farm-to-table restaurant in York, she said. Cultural Alliance opens offices in Stockton's Hammonton hub HAMMONTON The South Jersey Cultural Alliance formally opened its new offices Tuesday at St She said another economic benefit of the campuses is that an estimated 80 percent of college graduates stay within and work in a 25-mile radius of the campuses. The apparent success of Kramer Hall started several years ago with efforts by Stocktons then-provost, Harvey Kesselman, who is now the universitys president, said Eileen Conran-Folks, who oversees the hall. That included a pilot program at St. Josephs High School and recruitment of support from Hammonton residents, she said. We were asked to cultivate relationships, she said. Staying connected and being participants in the community. Kesselman also was clear that Kramer Hall have an economic impact not just for students but Hammonton as a whole, Conran-Folks said. I am so humbled to hear from the town that it was appreciated, she said. Antonio Mandreucci, who owns Marcellos Restaurant on Bellevue Avenue, said he was impressed with the way Stockton officials took the time to introduce themselves to downtown merchants. Theyve become like family, he said of university officials and students. Mandreucci said Kramer Hall incorporates local businesses in its activities. An event more than a month ago that featured local merchants included about 400 handmade vegetable rolls from his restaurant, he said. About a block away at Marys Cafe, food server Kim Baum said the establishments customers include a growing number of Stockton students and staff. Those customers are dining in and ordering a significant amount of takeout, Baum said. They tip on the to-goes, she said. Thats good enough for me. Contact: 609-226-9197 Twitter @ACPressBarlas Malik Derry, 25, of Atlantic City, was sentenced to life in prison Friday in a Camden federal court for his role in a violent drug gang that operated in the resort. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that painted Derry as an enforcer and street-level dealer for one of Atlantic City's most notorious criminal gangs, dubbed Dirty Blok. Leader of violent A.C. gang gets life-plus term for drug trafficking CAMDEN An Atlantic City man convicted as the leader of a violent drug gang was sentenced t Prosecutors said the group used violence and intimidation to exert control over the drug trade in the resorts Stanley Holmes Village and Browns Park neighborhoods, as well the surrounding areas. Malik Derry, Mykal Derry and other Dirty Blok members were responsible for eight drug-related shootings in Atlantic City during a three-year span from 2010 to 2013, according to prosecutors. One of those shootings ended in a teenager being paralyzed. After a six-week trial, Derry was convicted of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, possessing and discharging firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy and using a communications device in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In addition to life in prison, U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman sentenced Derry to 10 years of supervised release after his sentence. Derry and his brother have also been separately charged in connection to the 2013 death of Tyquinn James. Prosecutors allege that Mykal Derry ordered his brother to kill James, a rival drug dealer. James died after being shot Feb. 10 of that year on Adriatic Avenue near South Carolina Avenue. A trial in that case is pending. Derrys 36-year-old brother, Mykal Derry, was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years in January after he was convicted similar charges. 41 charged in major Atlantic County drug bust Authorities seized 20,000 bags of heroin and charged 41 people in connection with a network A three-year FBI investigation uncovered through wiretaps that Mykal Derry was a leader in the gang, prosecutors said. Evidence presented at Malik Derrys trial included recordings of hundreds of phone calls and text messages between Dirty Blok members, the recovery of 20 guns associated with the gang, crime scene evidence from eight shootings, large quantities of heroin recovered during drug raids, an estimated $40,000 believed by authorities to have been made selling drugs, as well as testimonies from witnesses and experts. ATLANTIC CITY A city employee has been charged with official misconduct and theft after rent paid to use the All Wars Memorial Building was stolen. William P. Hadley, 56, of Egg Harbor Township, was arrested after a several month investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office Official Corruption Unit. The investigation led to one count of official misconduct and five counts of theft against Hadley, acting Prosecutor Diane Ruberton said Friday. Hadley was suspended without pay by the city. His 2016 salary was $46,480, according to Press archives. Hadley, who works as the building coordinator for the All Wars Memorial Building, accepted money orders that people used to rent the meeting rooms at the building and deposited them in his own bank account, according to the Prosecutor's Office. The stolen funds, from five victims, were more than $6,500. The charges include one third-degree charge, three fourth-degree charges and one disorderly persons offense. The degree of charges depended on the size of the thefts. Hadley turned himself in to the Prosecutors Office in Mays Landing, where he was processed for the arrest, served a summons complaint and released on his own recognizance pending court proceedings. His first appearance in court is scheduled for 1 p.m. Aug. 24. Official misconduct, a second-degree crime, carries a potential penalty of five to 10 years in prison. A third-degree conviction carries a potential penalty of three to five years in prison. The potential penalty for a fourth-degree conviction is up to 18 months. A disorderly persons offense conviction can result in up to six months in jail. Built in 1924 to honor the resorts black veterans, the building is known to locals as the Old Soldiers Home. During World War II, it was used as a hospital for black soldiers. The facility has historically been heavily used by the black community. The 29,100-square-foot space features three ballrooms, an atrium and conference rooms and is home to American Legion Post 61, according to a Press report. The fee for residential use of the All Wars Memorial Building increased in March from $100 to $125 per hour per ballroom. Nonresidential use rent saw an increase to $250 from $200 per hour. If alcohol is served at an event, a police officer must be hired at a cost of $67.50 per hour, according to the report. Contact: 609-272-7090 PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. CAPE MAY -- It was an emotional day at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, as the family of a recruit who died last month watched his company graduate. Eileen and Franklin Redd, parents of Aaron Redd, a 21-year-old recruit seaman who died suddenly on July 1, and other family members watched as the 72 remaining members of Delta Company 193 graduated Friday at the base in Cape May. Coast Guard recruit who died in training donates heart CAPE MAY U.S. Coast Guard recruit Seaman Aaron Redd enlisted because he wanted to save liv Aaron wouldve expected us to be here, Eileen Redd said. Redd, 21, of Stafford, Virginia, collapsed during a training run as part of a fitness assessment and died at Cape Regional Medical Center five days later. The Coast Guard is still investigating the cause of Redds death. A group of recruits graduates almost every week at the Coast Guard training center, but Fridays ceremony was different. Redd was recognized several times, and the training centers commanding officer, Cpt. Owen Gibbons, named him as an honorary Coast Guard Member and Delta Company 193 graduate. We are here to celebrate the accomplishments of Aarons shipmates, Eileen Redd said in a written statement to the Press. We are so proud of the graduates and their families and look forward to hearing about their journeys. The crowd assembled in the training centers gym gave Redds family a loud round of applause when Gibbons asked them to stand and be recognized. We supported them and we continue to support them, Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards added. Because thats what family does. Coast Guard leaders stressed that Redd has become part of the organizations family, and Eileen Redd said in the statement she hopes to stay in touch with some of her sons shipmates. Im here for the graduates because theyre family, she said shortly before the start of the ceremony. Though he never got a chance to perform a Coast Guard rescue, Redds parents said he did save a life after his death. Redds heart was donated to someone who needed a transplant through the Gift of Life Foundation. Aaron became the first member of Company 193 to save a life by donating his heart, Gibbons said during the ceremony. Delta Company 193 was officially disbanded at Fridays graduation after training together for eight weeks. Theyll have five days to spend with their families before being sent off to various assignments around the country. Redds parents, who live in Virginia, said they plan to support a project to build a Coast Guard Enlisted Memorial in Cape May County to the 1,500 seamen who have died in service to their country. If we could be a part of this [the memorial], it would give us a great purpose, Eileen Redd said. A statement made available by the Redd family asked people to interesting in donating to the memorial project to visit http://www.cgemf.org/.Fami UPPER DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP A Cumberland County man currently faces no charges after a shootout with State Police last month in which he told dispatchers he shot at prowlers. The attorney for one of the troopers who fired the shots and struck Gerald Sykes, 76, of Centerton Road, said his client followed proper procedures for the use of deadly force. Sykes was released from the hospital last week following the July 29 shooting, when two troopers approached a sliding-glass door in the rear of Sykes home, shining flashlights into the residence and announcing that they were responding to a 911 call, the Attorney Generals Office said. 911 tapes provided by Cumberland Countys dispatch center indicate that Sykes thought the troopers were prowlers. Sykes is currently not charged with anything, said a spokesman for the state Attorney Generals Office, which is investigating the shooting that occurred after the troopers were apparently dispatched to the wrong location of a 911 call. When asked if Sykes was cleared of any wrongdoing, or if Sykes could be charged at a later time, the spokesman, Peter Aseltine, said, I cannot comment other than to say that Mr. Sykes has not been charged. Sykes attorney, Richard Kaser, couldnt be reached for comment. Kaser said last week that the 76-year-old Sykes was charged when state troopers ordered Sykes to walk out of his home after being shot three times in the torso. Kaser said one of the troopers fired three shots at Sykes, who fell bleeding from a trio of gunshot wounds onto the floor of his living room. Sykes returned fire with one blast from his shotgun, Kaser said, and the same trooper fired once more into the house, striking a couch. Authorities arent identifying the state troopers, saying only that they were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the shooting investigation. The attorney representing the trooper who fired the shots told NJ.com that his client followed proper proceedures. I believe that after this incident is thoroughly investigated by the Attorney Generals Office, (it will be determined) that the troopers there acted consistent with the New Jersey attorney generals guidelines for the use of force, the attorney, John Eastlack Jr., of Cherry Hill, Camden County, told the publication. Sykes told The Press of Atlantic City last week that he holds no ill will against law enforcement. He called the shooting an unfortunate incident. I like police, Sykes said Friday as he sat on a couch in his living room. Im pro-police. This has not changed my opinion. Asked how he felt, Sykes replied, Im alive. Thats the best thing. Contact: 609-226-9197 WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration said Thursday that a $400 million cash payment to Iran seven months ago was contingent on the release of a group of American prisoners. It is the first time the U.S. has so clearly linked the two events, which critics have painted as a hostage-ransom arrangement. State Department spokesman John Kirby repeated the administration's line that the negotiations to return the Iranian money from a military-equipment deal with the U.S.-backed shah in the 1970s were conducted separately from the talks to free four U.S. citizens in Iran. But he said the U.S. withheld the delivery of the cash as leverage until Iran permitted the Americans to leave the country. "We had concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release," Kirby said, citing delays and mutual mistrust between countries that severed diplomatic relations 36 years ago. As a result, he explained, the U.S. "of course sought to retain maximum leverage until after the American citizens were released. That was our top priority." Both events occurred Jan. 17, fueling suspicions from Republican lawmakers and accusations from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump of a quid pro quo that undermined America's longstanding opposition to ransom payments. In a speech Thursday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, Trump accused President Barack Obama of lying. "He denied it was for the hostages, but it was. He said we don't pay ransom, but he did. He lied about the hostages, openly and blatantly," Trump said. Kirby spoke a day after The Wall Street Journal reported new details of the crisscrossing planes on that day. U.S. officials wouldn't let Iran bring the cash home from a Geneva airport until a Swiss Air Force plane carrying three of the freed Americans departed from Tehran, the paper reported. The fourth American left on a commercial flight. Earlier this month, after the revelation the U.S. delivered the money in pallets of cash, the administration flatly denied any connection between the payment and the prisoners. "Reports of link between prisoner release & payment to Iran are completely false," Kirby tweeted at the time. The money comes from an account used by the Iranian government to buy American military equipment in the days of the shah. The equipment was never delivered after the shah's government was overthrown in 1979 and revolutionaries took American hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The two sides have wrangled over that account and numerous other financial claims ever since. Obama has said his negotiators secured the U.S. a good deal on a busy diplomatic weekend that also included finalizing the seven-nation nuclear accord. But he and other officials have consistently denied any linkages. "We actually had diplomatic negotiations and conversations with Iran for the first time in several decades," Obama said Aug. 5, meaning "our ability to clear accounts on a number of different issues at the same time converged." "This wasn't some nefarious deal," he said. The agreement was the return of the $400 million, plus an additional $1.3 billion in interest, terms that Obama described as favorable compared to what might have been expected from a tribunal set up in The Hague to rule on pending deals between the two countries. U.S. officials have said they expected an imminent ruling on the claim and settled with Tehran instead. Some Iranian officials immediately linked the payment to the release of four Americans, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who had been held in Iranian prisons. Another of the prisoners, pastor Saeed Abedini, also had linked the two events. He said that as the prisoners waited for hours at an airport to leave Iran, a senior Iranian intelligence official informed them their departure depended on the plane with the cash. U.S. officials had pinned the delays on difficulties finding Rezaian's wife and mother, and ensuring they could depart Iran with him. House and Senate Republicans have peppered the administration for more details about the transaction. "If it quacks like a duck, it's a duck. If a cash payment is contingent on a hostage release, it's a ransom. The truth matters and the president owes the American people an explanation," Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said Thursday. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., the chairman of the Senate Banking national security subcommittee, said he sees congressional hearings as necessary for answering questions. The House Financial Services Committee hasn't yet decided whether to hold hearings. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., who chairs the Financial Services oversight and investigations subcommittee, asked the Treasury and Justice departments and the Federal Reserve last week to provide all records related to the $400 million payment as well as the names of government officials who authorized the payment and those who objected to the cash transfer. Duffy wants responses by Aug. 24. Congress returns from a lengthy recess after Labor Day. WILDWOOD -- Veterans rallied in front of the citys Vietnam Memorial Wall on Friday to urge the Veterans Administration to improve their access to health care in South Jersey. About 100 people held up signs and spoke about long waits for doctor visits, lengthy administrative battles to get acknowledgment of disabilities stemming from military service and ailments from Agent Orange they say are still being ignored. "The V.A. has a saying, deny, deny until the vet dies, U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Metchnik of Wildwood Crest said. He served in the Air Cavalry in Vietnam in 1967 to 68. Im about to be a grandfather. Im hearing stuff about Agent Orange that affects children and grandchildren. It scares the hell out of me, he said. Im not sure the V.A. is looking at answers enough. The treatment of veterans in South Jersey has gotten more attention since U.S. Navy veteran Charles Ingram III, 51, of Egg Harbor Township, set himself on fire and died outside the Northfield VA outpatient clinic on March 19. The clinic did not have weekend hours and was closed at the time. The VA increased staffing at the clinic with additional behavioral health specialists. Many veterans in Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic counties routinely travel to VA hospitals in Wilmington, Del., or Philadelphia. A veteran should not have to travel hours to obtain routine healthcare. They should not have to sit in a waiting room for hours to be seen, said Harry Weimar, post commander for the American Legion in Wildwood. We need a facility in Cape May County with qualified doctors to take care of veterans. In a statement, the Wilmington VA Medical Center said the average wait for behavioral health appointments is eight days in Cape May and Atlantic County and 4.5 days in Cumberland County. Spokesman James A. Coty said veterans who are experiencing a crisis will have their needs addressed the same day. "VA is committed to providing veterans access to timely, quality health care, where and when they need it," he said. "Providing same day access is one of the most important ways in which VA will improve services for veterans. Our pledge to veterans and their caregivers is that by the end of December 2016, veterans will be able to have their behavioral health and primary care needs addressed on the same day at all VHA medical centers." John Mink, 71, of Stone Harbor and Haddon Township, served in Vietnam in 1969 and 70 and now battles ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer. He had a heart attack at age 41. I personally have three symptoms related to my exposure to Agent Orange. The V.A. has treated me. Its important to call attention to the fact that theres still a long way to go, he said. Mink said he is worried that the dioxin he was exposed to through Agent Orange could lead to genetic health problems for his children and grandchildren. Government officials sometimes forget what happened 50 years ago. But theres a growing body of proof, he said. Veterans held up signs reading PTSD Silent Killer and Agent Orange Kills Veterans. Nancy Wesley, of Wildwood, joined the rally in honor of her late husband, Alvin. He served at Fort Dix. He was one of the lucky ones. He didnt get shipped out, she said. The V.A. isnt taking care of our vets as they should be. And I think its still going on with the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Make sure they can get well again, she said. SueAnn Casey, of Wildwood, attended to support her husband, John, who served in the U.S. Navy. The veterans need a lot of help. Its sad they have to wait months for appointments. And psychiatrists never call them back. Its a disgrace the way they treat veterans, Casey said. Veterans made nearly 58 million appointments at VA hospitals and clinics from July of 2015 to July of 2016. This represented more than 1 million more appointments than it scheduled in the 2014-15 fiscal year. The VA is moving to same-day access to primary care and mental-health services when it is medically necessary, the report said. But according to the report released this month by the Joint Commission, just 39 facilities nationwide provide same-day care. The VA initiated the study with the accreditation agency to examine complaints from veterans across the country in 2014 about long wait times for medical care. The Joint Commission found that two-thirds of VA hospitals or clinics examined had at least one shortcoming that needed a follow-up. Among the issues: processes that could lead to delays in a patients diagnosis and care. Nationwide, the commission found 225 areas that needed improvement among the VAs 139 medical facilities and 47 community-based outpatient clinics. The commission recommended the continued monitoring of scheduling and appointments; developing a process to track referrals out of the VHA network; building greater patient engagement in all aspects of care and sharing best practices, among others. Subsequent surveys this year of 57 clinics and medical centers found nearly all had addressed the deficiencies identified in earlier surveys. Staffing continued to be a challenge in this area but as new staff was hired, the wait times for appointments were more effectively addressed, the report found. Donald Trump's newly proposed ideological test for immigrants - one that he characterized as "extreme vetting" in a speech on Monday - has renewed debate over immigration reform in the presidential election. It's a debate worth having, and there are plenty of valid questions to be raised about his proposal. This is one occasion, however, when Trump may have the law on his side. As a general proposition, a litmus test for new immigrants isn't unconstitutional or even unprecedented. Indeed, Trump could cite an unlikely figure in support of the authority for such changes: President Obama. Trump wants to screen potential immigrants for "hostile attitudes towards our country or its principles" and ban those who harbor those views; or who, in his words, believe that sharia law should "supplant" our system of laws; or those who express "bigotry and hatred" with regard to gender equality or gay rights. Although Congress could block these conditions, Trump would have considerable leeway in requiring background checks and imposing such tests. It has happened before: During the Cold War, there was ideological screening designed to prevent the entry of communists, anarchists and others. Immigrants are currently required to know basic civics as part of a citizenship test, and Trump's extreme vetting would require visa applicants' affirmative agreement with those principles. A president's power is most pronounced when it comes to protecting the country's borders. Even though the Supreme Court deadlocked 4 to 4 earlier this year over Obama's sweeping immigration plan, which exempted many undocumented immigrants from deportation (and, as a result, left an injunction in place against the administration), the court has previously yielded great authority over the control of the borders to presidents. The concept of a litmus test based on civic values is more likely to resonate with those who fear immigrants who come to the United States for economic benefits but who oppose core rights of free speech, freedom of religion, equality of women, LGBT citizens and others. Trump isn't alone in raising such concerns. There is rising opposition in the West to increased immigration by Muslim refugees seen as bringing with them extreme Islamic values opposed to the foundations of Western civilization. Although Muslims constitute about 7.5 percent of the French population, in a recent poll, 63 percent of French people think Islam "is not compatible with French values." A British poll found that 52 percent of Muslims felt homosexuality should be illegal, and almost a quarter supported the introduction of sharia law in England. Trump's proposal poses logistical problems that go beyond legal or political considerations. Extensive investigations of the social media accounts and personal backgrounds of immigrants is likely to slow legal immigration to a crawl and massively increase the costs of immigration enforcement. Given, though, the growing unease over illegal immigration both inside and outside the United States, many Americans could probably be convinced of the need to beef up resources for the agencies involved or at least slow down the pace of entry to allow for heightened background checks. Regardless of the feasibility of Trump's plan, Hillary Clinton's camp would probably like to avoid this debate by dismissing the proposal on constitutional grounds - that would save her from having to defend an opposing view and reinforce the narrative that Trump's worldview is generally out of bounds. But in advancing a litmus test for entry, a President Trump would be claiming the same unilateral authority so willingly yielded to Obama on immigration over the past eight years. Obama has asserted sweeping, unilateral authority in his opposition to state laws seeking to force deportations. Democrats, including Clinton, enthusiastically supported Obama's assertion of such unilateral powers in exempting undocumented immigrants from deportations. In doing so, they have laid the foundation for Trump to push for the inverse of those policies. It would be difficult, now, for Clinton to claim that Trump cannot use the same unilateral powers to reduce entries as opposed to deportations. Indeed, as a longtime advocate of unilateral executive power over immigration and foreign policy, Clinton would be hard-pressed to challenge Trump's authority to impose such tests absent a conflict with federal law. With this proposal, then, Trump may have found an issue that not only threads the constitutional needle with the courts, but moves the political needle with voters. Jonathan Turley is a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School. The falling out between state Senate President Stephen Sweeney and the largest union for government employees has been instructive. Nothing could make clearer that public-worker unions and state Democrats have been colluding to put their own interests above those of citizens and taxpayers. The N.J. Education Association is furious that, after having paid millions in advance in support of Democrats, they have to wait at least a year for the big payoff they were promised - a vote on a constitutional amendment requiring the state to pay their members' pensions ahead of everything else. Sweeney has accused officials of NJEA and a police union of "attempted bribery and conspiracy" for threatening to fund opponents, particularly next year when he's expected to run for governor. Does that mean if he had pushed through the constitutional amendment they wanted and expected, it would have been bribery and conspiracy accomplished, not merely attempted? This kind of quid pro quo worked in the past, when public worker unions got politicians of both parties to promise outsized pension benefits to be paid (long after those politicians were out of office) by future taxpayers. Perhaps now voters and taxpayers are starting to realize the state can't afford to shower benefits on government workers well beyond the norm for the private sector. Or maybe it's just, as Sweeney indicated in defense of his delay in gratifying the public unions, that it would be tough to persuade people to support the forced payment of at least $46 billion in pension promises when New Jersey can't even afford to fund its transportation work. Sweeney thinks next year may be better to rewrite the Constitution to put public employees first and leave everyone else - senior citizens, schoolchildren, low-income workers - to fight over what's left. We think, instead of putting off that battle over the primary goal of New Jersey government, the leaders of both parties should seize this opportunity to thrash out a reasonable, workable compromise on pension funding. Gov. Chris Christie deserves much of the blame for the threat this issue poses to New Jersey. He reneged on the 2014 compromise he had worked out with Sweeney that reformed benefits a little in return for committing to reduce the pension-funding deficit. Sure, the reforms turned out to be too little, the state couldn't easily afford the funding, and the Supreme Court upheld his authority to renege if he thought state finances required it. But in doing so Christie destroyed the precious bipartisan compromise and trust in his ability to honestly work on further reform. That prompted Sweeney to look for a way to put the public unions and their pensions first. Now there's a long pause in that fight. And Sweeney and the unions admit that the Christie administration made the $1.3 billion pension payment they wanted in June, and the 2017 budget includes the $1.9 billion pension payment they seek. This year seems like the perfect opportunity for N.J. leaders of both parties to put this political disaster behind them and develop a compromise that's as fair to N.J. citizens and taxpayers as it is to the state's teachers and other public employees. The resulting confidence in New Jersey's budgetary responsibility and financial stability would yield a better economy helping everyone. Our view Roadwork shutdowns needlessly left obstacles For two months, the Hamilton Mall intersections have been rerouted at the Route 40/322, Pomona Road and Atlantic City Expressway exit intersections with lane closures, traffic barrels, stop signs and access limitations. This has caused accidents, pollution and traffic congestion. Ostensibly this is because of construction in the area. However, no one has seen any construction worker in two months in the area since this was done. Why do it if there's no construction going on? With a work stoppage it should have been removed. Hamilton Township should sue the construction company that left this stuff there to get back the lost revenue. No one seems to take responsibility (township or state). With no one admitting responsibility, the public and economy suffer. Government officials should do their jobs on behalf of citizens and taxpayers. Harold Olson Egg Harbor Township Bike paths also good for commuting, errands It is nice that there is a growing bike path system throughout the county and beyond, but besides the fitness aspect of riding there should be more emphasis on commuting and running errands using these paths. I would guess that about only 1 percent of businesses have a bike rack for customers who prefer to ride for a gallon of milk or paint brush or a meal. The bike path system is progressive, yet as a whole the communities and businesses that they connect need to do more. Chris Ryan Somers Point Union chief to blame for lost jobs, investment Robert McDevitt, president of Unite Here Local 54, should be thanked for helping 2,000 people loose their jobs and the area stay in an economic depression. He took on a billionaire and thought the billionaire wasn't going to do something. He helped a weak city stay sick when it needs every dollar it can get. McDevitt has displaced families and probably lost another 1,000 or so jobs at businesses in the area. Carl Icahn is a successful, self-made billionaire and one of the original "corporate raiders." He likes taking struggling companies and making them profitable. $100 million to him is like a $20 bill to us. So what is McDevitt's plan "B"? Stephen Link Linwood Politicians worry Trump a threat to their deals How is it that the American people do not realize that all businesses in the United States of America are given the rules for their businesses by the government, and businessmen wouldn't be good businessmen if they didn't use the tools that the government gave them? Everything that Donald Trump has been able to do with his businesses is because the politicians had made it possible. I think that he is exactly what America needs because the experts (politicians) say they are the only ones who can help, but have they? I believe that all politicians are the same and that behind closed doors are working their deals with each other. They are worried because Trump isn't one of them and might disclose something that us, the American people, aren't supposed to know. What is amazing to me is that some people are willing to end a relationship because of a political opinion of someone they don't even know. Cathy Lafferty Absecon 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. MUNICH, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Two revolutionary electric motorbikes undertaking an 80-day around-the-world odyssey are equipped with world-leading vehicle communication technology from Australian company Cohda Wireless. On Sunday, August 14, STORM Eindhoven, a team of 23 students from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, set off with these electric motorbikes on a round-the-world journey. Aiming to cover 26,000 kilometres in 80 days, the student-built motorbikes contain Cohda MK5 On-Board Units which enable V2X (vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure) communications. As well as monitoring motorbike performance during the journey, Cohda plans to demonstrate how V2X systems can improve vehicle safety and traffic efficiency in cities with V2X infrastructure installed. Cohda Wireless Vice President of Business Development Bernd Luebben said the company was proud to sponsor this trailblazing journey. "We are supplying Cohda MK5 On Board Units for the motorcycles and support vehicles," he said. "Cohda's MK5 On-Board Units allow real-time communication to ensure the motorbikes perform according to design and meet this demanding schedule. We also plan to support V2X demonstrations in cities such as Shanghai where we have V2X units installed." The STORM World Tour began in the southern Netherlands city of Eindhoven last Sunday, starting a route that circumnavigates the northern hemisphere, leaving Europe via Central Asia and then crossing North America before returning to Eindhoven on November 2. Each electric motorbike has a top speed of 160 km/h and can travel 380 kilometres before requiring a recharge. The student-designed batteries 24 separate cartridges that can store as much as 28.5 kWh energy can be replaced by a fully charged battery pack within seven minutes. Each day, the students will re-charge batteries from the local power grid at companies, universities or homes en route. Follow the STORM World Tour live on its 80-day journey at http://follow.storm-eindhoven.com/. About Cohda Wireless www.cohdawireless.com Cohda Wireless is the leading equipment vendor in the V2X market. The Australian company manufactures systems with acknowledged best-in-world performance. Cohda's hardware and software products are used in more than 65 per cent of all V2X field trials worldwide today. Customers include many carmakers, tier one suppliers, automotive chipmakers, road authorities and new market entrants. Cohda's products are used widely in locations including the USA, Europe, Australia, Japan, Africa, Middle East, China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Korea. Related Links www.cohdawireless.com SOURCE Cohda Wireless TSX-V:ELY VANCOUVER, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ely Gold & Minerals Inc. ("Ely Gold") announces that, pursuant to its Stock Option Plan, it has granted incentive stock options to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,350,000 common shares in the capital stock of the Company. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.15 per common share and will expire on August 18, 2026. About Ely Gold Ely Gold is focused on developing recurring cash flow streams through the acquisition, consolidation, enhancement, and resale of highly prospective, un-encumbered North American precious metals properties. Ely's property development efforts maximize each property's potential for acquisition, while reserving significant royalty interests. Additional information about Ely Gold is available at the Company's website, at www.elygoldinc.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors Signed "Trey Wasser" Trey Wasser, President & CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. For further information: trey@elygoldinc.com, 972-803-3087; ir@elygoldinc.com, 647 964 0292 Related Links http://www.elygoldinc.com SOURCE Ely Gold & Minerals Inc. SCHEVENINGEN, the Netherlands, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hague gains tourist attraction The Ferris wheel on The Pier has started turning. With this, The Hague gains a tourist attraction: Europe's first Ferris wheel constructed over sea. The Ferris wheel is over forty meters high and has 36 closed gondolas with air conditioning, including one VIP gondola with a glass bottom. All gondolas have luxury seats and each gondola offers room for up to six people. From the Ferris wheel visitors have a panoramic view of the sea, the beach and The Hague's skyline. Adults pay 9.00 and children under twelve pay 7.00 for this special experience. On average, a ride on the Ferris wheel lasts 20 minutes. Lunch, dinner or high tea at a high altitude over the sea will soon also be possible. For more information http://www.skyviewdepier.nl (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/399271 ) Perry Oerlemans, owner of Skyview Attractions: "We are very proud that the Ferris wheel on The Pier can finally be put into service and that we can introduce the public to this great attraction. With the construction of the Ferris wheel we have definitively changed the Scheveningen skyline and given the seaside resort even more international allure!" https://youtu.be/mWaiyWy7zos About Skyview Attractions Skyview Attractions is responsible for the realization of the so-called 'Dinner Wheel, which was developed by the company Dutch Wheels (part of Vekoma) from Limburg. The calculation of the construction by Royal HaskoningDHV has taken the most extreme weather conditions into account. For more information visit http://www.skyviewattractions.com/ About The Pier On July 18, 2015, The Pier reopened to the public, after KondorWessels Vastgoed (VolkerWessels) and DanZep bought it in October of 2014. The renewed Pier is now a true food boulevard, with a contemporary and high-quality range of street food, restaurants, bars, terraces and shops. In addition, there are festivals, cultural events, Pier markets, kids' afternoons, educational activities and musical performances on The Pier throughout the year. The Pier is open daily and all year round from 10.00. Admission to The Pier is free of charge. For more information visit http://www.pier.nl SOURCE Den Haag Marketing The launch event, themed "Enjoy delicacies on board", engaged guests in sharing the experience, as they showcased Hainan Airlines' high quality in-flight services. During the event, Hainan Airlines displayed its superior airline cuisine menu designed exclusively for its passengers by Michelin-starred chefs who articulated what could be expected as specialties for passengers boarding Hainan Airlines' flights departing from Paris, Berlin and Brussels. These passengers will be served delicacies from different parts of the world while in the air. The new Michelin menu is part of Hainan Airlines' "Exclusive Restaurant on Board" program. Hainan Airlines plans to launch more in-flight special and gourmet meals based on new international routes in the future. The airline has also hired renowned Chinese chefs as advisors for the Chinese food served so that Chinese tourists returning home can experience authentic Chinese meals while on board. In addition to providing full support for the design and preparation of meals served on Hainan Airlines' international routes, the chefs will be on board the flight and, while visiting with the passengers, will have them sample the foods as they share stories behind the research and development that went into the creation of the new meals. In addition, Hainan Airlines' signature in-flight service, Restaurant on Board five-star private cuisine, debuted at the launch event, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy five-star cuisine while in-flight. Hainan Airlines has continued to enhance the standards of their five-star cuisine service to cater for differing dining preferences of passengers, demonstrating the high quality of the food and the innovation that went into its creation. These new additions to the suite of offerings is evidence of the SKYTRAX five-star airline's excellence in services. In addition to the roll out of the new services, the launch event was a testament to an increasing vibrancy and innovation that makes Hainan Airlines one of the industry's global leaders. SOURCE Hainan Airlines Co., LTD PRAGUE, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 19, the European Outsourcing Association (EOA) announced the names of the 2016 EOA Awards shortlist. IBA Group - http://www.ibagroupit.com - was shortlisted in the categories Outsourcing Destination of the Year (Belarus) and Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). IBA Group submitted Belarus for an EOA award because the Belarusian IT outsourcing industry contributes significantly to the national economy and serves as a foundation of information society and knowledge economy in the country. The Government of Belarus declared IT a foundation of information society and included outsourcing services in the National Strategy of Sustainable Economic Development. With a population of 9.5 million people, Belarus hosts the largest IT outsourcing companies in Eastern Europe. As for the CSR award, IBA Group submitted the project Promotion of IT in Belarus among People with Disabilities. Implemented by the IBA Institute, a member of IBA Group, it was the first IT education project for disabled people in Belarus. In total, 120 disabled were trained, including 89 remotely. Following the course, IBA Group organized a national contest in system administration for people with disabilities with 45 course graduates joining the competition and ten qualifying for the final. After the project was completed, former students volunteered transfer of their competencies to peers and six graduates, including the contest winner, were offered IT jobs. Commenting on this year's EOA Awards, Kerry Hallard, CEO of the NOA and Director of the EOA, said: "This year we've had an unprecedented number of entries of excellent quality, which really is indicative of the high standard of outsourcing programmes being implemented across Europe. The shortlist is truly representative of the best and brightest that European outsourcing has to offer, with innovation, collaboration and customer-centricity inherently featured throughout. The award winners will be announced in Sofia on 6th October and we're very excited to see which partnerships and organisations will be crowned as the best of Europe's outsourcing elite." To see the 2016 EOA Awards shortlist, visit http://www.noa.co.uk/files/1019.pdf About EOA The European Outsourcing Association is the centre of excellence for outsourcing in Europe. The EOA is the leading association serving both the outsourcing professional and the global outsourcing industry. It is a membership organisation, representing the interests of companies and individuals which span the breadth of the outsourcing industry: buyers, suppliers and advisors. The EOA is committed to advancing the outsourcing profession and improving and growing the outsourcing industry by driving awareness, education, standards and thought leadership. About IBA Group IBA Group is one of the largest IT service providers in Eastern Europe. Headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, IBA Group has offices and development centers in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Czech Republic, Belarus, South Africa, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Slovakia. IBA Group focuses on mainframe systems, enterprise applications, web solutions, SAP, business analytics, and mobile applications. IBA Group is recognized by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) as one of The Global Outsourcing 100 in the Leaders Category, and ranks as one of the world's largest software companies in the Software Magazine's Software 500. In 2015, 2014, 2012, and 2011, IBA Group won IT Europa's European IT & Software Excellence awards. For more information, visit http://ibagroupit.com SOURCE IBA Group PUNE, India, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Market-Research-Reports.com adds reports on "Global and Chinese Load Cell Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report" latest study of 150 pages, published in Aug 2016, to the Electrical and Electronic collection of its store. This report estimate 2016-2021 Load Cell Industry Cost and Profit with Market Competition of Load Cell Industry by Country: (Including Europe, U.S., Japan, China etc.), By Company and Application. Complete report on Load Cell market divided into 11 major chapters that offer an overview of current market scenario as well as 2021 forecasts is now available at http://www.market-research-reports.com/466837-load-cell-industry. This Global and Chinese Report 2016 is a result of industry experts' diligent work on researching the world market of Load Cell. The report helps to build up a clear view of the market (scenario and survey), identify major players in the industry, and analyzes the upstream raw materials, downstream clients, and current market dynamics of Load Cell Industry. The report reviews the basic information of Load Cell including its classification, application and manufacturing technology. This report explores global and China's top manufacturers of Load Cell listing their product specification, capacity, Production value, and market share etc. The report further analyzes quantitatively 2011-2016 global and China's total market of Load Cell by calculation of main economic parameters of each company. In the end, the report makes a proposal for a new project of Load Cell Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2016 global and China Load Cell industry covering all important parameters. Order a copy of this report at http://www.market-research-reports.com/contacts/purchase.php?name=466837. The first chapter introduces the Load Cell Industry by Brief Introduction, Development & Status of Load Cell Industry. The second chapter focuses on Manufacturing Technology of Load Cell, the third one gives Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers (Including Company Profile, Product Specification, 2011-2016 Production Information etc.). The forth chapter deals with 2011-2016 Global and China Market of Load Cell. The chapter 5 summarizes Market Status of Load Cell Industry. List of Tables and Figures for Global & China Load Cell Industry Figure Load Cell Product Table Load Cell Classification Table Load Cell Applications Figure Load Cell Manufacturing Technology Table Major Manufacturers Production Technology List Table Load Cell Industries Policy List Figure 2016 Global Load Cell Market Share By Country Figure 2016 Global Load Cell Major Manufacturers Market Share Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Capacity List Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Capacity Market Share List Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Production List Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Production Market Share List Figure 2011-2016 Global Load Cell Capacity Production and Growth Rate Another research titled Global and Chinese Femtocell Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Femtocell industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Femtocell manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. The report estimates 2016-2021 market development trends of Femtocell industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Femtocell Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2021 global and Chinese Femtocell industry covering all important parameters. Comprehensive Table of Contents and more for the report is available at http://www.market-research-reports.com/471711-femtocell-industry . Explore more reports on Electrical and Electronic Industry at http://www.market-research-reports.com/cat/information-technology/electrical-electronic-market-research. About Us: Market Research Reports is an aggregator of syndicated market research studies that offer current and future market intelligence across multiple industrial verticals through is high quality database. Market Research Reports aims to help you take business decisions accurately and on time, every time. Understanding your time constraints, we can help you find the most relevant research based on the requirements you share with us. Our customers get 24 X 7 email and phone support. Feel free to reach us at +1 888 391 5441 with your business intelligence needs. Contact: Ritesh Tiwari UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune - 411013 Maharashtra, India. Tel: +1-888-391-5441 | sales@market-research-reports.com SOURCE Market-Research-Reports JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mjolner Shipping ("Mjolner") is pleased to announce that MT Aegean Unity, a Suezmax tanker built in 2016 under Mjolner's commercial management, has completed a transit of the Panama Canal. Aegean Unity is the first crude oil tanker to transit the new locks in the expanded canal. "Working with trading partners Core Petroleum and Statoil, the vessel's technical managers, and the Canal authorities, our team expertly planned the first of what is expected to be many transits of the new locks for our fleet," said Mjolner's president and CEO, Kevin Wise. "As oil majors and traders make sense of the opportunities that the expanded canal can bring we expect to see more demand to move crude oil cargoes in both directions." DUBLIN, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Saudi Arabia Water Dispensers Market By Type (Top Mounted, Upright & Bottled), Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 - 2021" report to their offering. The water dispensers market in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 6% during 2016 - 2021. Saudi Arabia has limited water resources as the Kingdom is situated in tropical and sub-tropical desert region. The kingdom suffers from scarcity of fresh water resources, and with every year per capita water availability in Saudi Arabia is declining. Majority of groundwater in the country is extremely saline, and as a result, extracted water needs to be desalinated for human consumption. In Saudi Arabia, numerous desalination plants are installed across the country to cater to the growing water demand. However, due to high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level, the water supplied to households is unfit for direct human consumption. Consequently, demand for packaged mineral water is increasing, which is positively influencing the water dispensers market in Saudi Arabia. Deteriorating water quality, growing water pollution and increasing health concerns among consumers is augmenting demand for water dispenser units. The market has been segmented into three categories, namely, bottled, upright and top mounted. Among these categories, the top mounted segment dominated the Saudi Arabia water dispensers market in 2015, and is anticipated to maintain its dominance over the next five years as well. Various companies are offering top mounted water dispensers with a refrigeration compartment in the bottom of the equipment, thereby aiding the segment in maintaining its dominance in the overall market. Few of the leading players operating in the Saudi Arabia water dispensers market include LG, Geepas, Magic, Midea, and Dosel, among others. Market Trends & Developments Increasing Online Sales Penetration of Top Mounted Water Dispensers Rising Health Awareness Multiple Channel Marketing New Product Innovations Key Topics Covered: 1. Research Methodology 2. Product Overview 3. Analyst View 4. Global Water Dispensers Market Overview 5. Saudi Arabia Water Dispensers Market Outlook 6. Saudi Arabia Water Dispensers Market Segmental Analysis 7. Market Dynamics 8. Market Trends & Developments 9. Policy & Regulatory Landscape 10. Trade Dynamics 11. Saudi Arabia Economic Profile 12. Competitive Landscape 13. Strategic Recommendations Companies Mentioned Clikon Eurostar GeePaas Haier Home Appliances Hamad A. Alessa & Sons Co. (HAASCO) & Sons Co. (HAASCO) LG Electronics NIKAI Sharp Middle East FZE TCL Home Appliances ( Hong Kong ) Co., Ltd. ) Co., Ltd. TONGYANG Magic For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/wbnwcg/saudi_arabia Related Topics: Bottled Water Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets 100 shoppers receive Rosegal gift certificates in exchange for sharing pictures SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosegal is proud to announce the success of its Rising Stars Program, which rewards customers for sharing photos of their genuine Rosegal products. So far, the incentive has attracted a minimum of 30 submissions a day, with over 100 people receiving USD20 gift cards for their honest product reviews along with their picture in said product. The Rising Stars Program was designed to give customers an idea of what products truly look like on others, and how pictures will look when taken with something like a smartphone camera. This gives shoppers the opportunity to judge how they will look wearing the garment and what kind of accessories go with it. High end cameras used at Rosegal make items look good to the point of it being hard to recreate with traditional lenses. There is no doubt that good lighting along with the proper clothes and accessories can make a product look amazing, but sometimes customers can feel let down when the lighting is not always the same or they don't have the right accessories to go with it. To mediate this Rosegal started the Rising Star Program. Rosegal wants customers to feel confident that the products they are buying are truly as described and working on many methods to achieve this. The Rising Stars Program is just the start and new transparency programs are on the horizon. In the event a customer is unsatisfied with a product Rosegal will be happy to work towards a return or exchange. The company has updated its customer service terms to allow up to 30 days for a return or exchange. No questions will be asked, but customers need to contact Rosgal before sending anything back to ensure it is received right away and money/exchanges can be returned to the right account. About Rosegal Rosegal is a subsidiary of Globalegrow and sister site of Zaful and SammyDress. Rosegal was started to bridge the gap between vintage and modern clothing. Related Links http://www.rosegal.com SOURCE Rosegal Looking at S6, the most notable are the 4 foldable motor arms and an ultra-thin body design. Its size is roughly the same as an iPhone 6 Plus in the compact form, easy to store and carry around. Featuring a 13MP low distortion camera, the S6 becomes the world's thinnest 4K drone, weighing in at only 230g including the battery and is only 26.8mm thick. Available in six colors, the S6 is also one special collaboration design with fashion brand-MLGB. The S6 allows you to attach different functional accessories through extended port which is located on the upper shell of the S6. Wingsland has three fun compatible modules for users to choose from: a toy gun, a searchlight and an emoji display screen; an all-around obstacle avoidance module will be available later. The S6 is controlled with a powerful piloting app and can be maneuvered in different control modes. It also has all mainstream drone features: intelligent orientation control, auto return home, follow me and one-key takeoff/landing. If DJI is the drone world's "DSLR," then the S6 will be known as the "smartphone." Light, smart, portable, it has all the features that you expect in a drone, but more functions can be added through compatible accessories, making it more like an aerial robot. The S6 starts at 2199 RMB in China, the approx. price for overseas is 350 USD. Wingsland will be shipping the S6 worldwide very soon. SOURCE WINGSLAND SAN FRANCISCO, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The global spinal pumps market is expected to reach USD 319.8 million by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The rising geriatric population base, which is highly susceptible to developing chronic disorders, such as cancer as well as movement and neurological disorders, leading frequently to subsequent spasms and pain, is presumed to propel the need for spinal pumps. According to a report published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC of WHO), there is an upsurge in the number of cancer patients and approximately 14.1 million patients were estimated to suffer from cancer in 2012. These statistics indicate the indisputable requirement to incorporate spinal pumps, which is expected to present the industry with lucrative growth opportunities. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757) Furthermore, the growth of the spinal pumps market is attributed to the technological advancements and the expanding product pipeline comprising pump volume indicators, valve-regulated pumps, and pressure monitors. In addition, the rising involvement of the industry players in the development of treatment solutions through strategic alliances is likely to present the intrathecal pumps market with a potential growth platform. For instance, in December 2015, Medtronic plc and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., announced their collaborative agreement to develop health solutions in the area of neuromodulation. Browse full research report with TOC on "Spinal Pumps Market Analysis By Application (Spasticity Management, Pain Management, Non-Malignant Pain, Malignant Pain) And Segment Forecasts To 2024" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/spinal-pumps-market Further key findings from the study suggest: The pain management category dominated the application segment of the overall spinal pumps market in terms of revenue share at over 69.0%in 2015, owing to the increasing preference for long-term relief alternatives and the high prescription prices associated with conventional opioid drugs used in pain management. These aforementioned factors are responsible for the high adoption rate of spinal pumps in pain management. Spasticity management is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR at over 4.0% throughout the forecast period. This can be attributed to the rising government initiatives and recommendations, such as by the British Pain Society to promote effective spinal drug delivery in the treatment of spasticity in adults, as well as to support and provide guidance to the institutions and healthcare practitioners to maximize the benefits in patients undergoing treatment. In 2015, North America dominated the overall intrathecal pumps market at over 54.0%. Moreover, the subsequent demographic trend changes, such as the increase in the elderly population count, and the high awareness levels related to the availability of highly efficacious pain management solutions including the spinal pump devices are presumed to drive the industry growth in this region. Furthermore, the high R&D intensity aimed at developing technologically advanced products is expected to propel the industry growth in the North America region. dominated the overall intrathecal pumps market at over 54.0%. Moreover, the subsequent demographic trend changes, such as the increase in the elderly population count, and the high awareness levels related to the availability of highly efficacious pain management solutions including the spinal pump devices are presumed to drive the industry growth in this region. Furthermore, the high R&D intensity aimed at developing technologically advanced products is expected to propel the industry growth in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest, at a CAGR of over 6.0% over the forecast period owing to the presence of untapped opportunities especially in the emerging economies, of China and India . Additionally, the rising number of government initiatives focusing towards the enhancement of the existent healthcare infrastructure, for instance in China , the healthcare reforms introduced through an initiative, the New Health Care Reform Plan, implemented by the Chinese State Council and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), serve as the key growth contributing factors towards the growth of the regional spinal pumps market of China . is expected to grow the fastest, at a CAGR of over 6.0% over the forecast period owing to the presence of untapped opportunities especially in the emerging economies, of and . Additionally, the rising number of government initiatives focusing towards the enhancement of the existent healthcare infrastructure, for instance in , the healthcare reforms introduced through an initiative, the New Health Care Reform Plan, implemented by the Chinese State Council and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of (CPC), serve as the key growth contributing factors towards the growth of the regional spinal pumps market of . The key players in this industry are increasingly involved in adopting collaborative strategies and in announcing frequent product approvals to facilitate business expansion. For instance, in November 2014 , Tricumed Medizintechnik GmbH launched the implantable, programmable infusion pump for baclofen therapy. This launch resulted in the expansion of the intrathecal product portfolio for the treatment of spasticity thereby capturing a larger share of the industry. Grand View Research has segmented the spinal pumps market on the basis of application and region: Global spinal pumps application outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024) Spasticity Management Pain Management Non-Malignant Pain Malignant Pain Spinal pumps regional outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024) North America U.S. Canada Europe UK Germany Asia Pacific Japan China India Latin America Mexico Brazil MEA South Africa Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Live Cell Imaging Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/live-cell-imaging-market Diagnostic Electrocardiograph (ECG) Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/diagnostic-electrocardiograph-ecg-market Acute Coronary Syndrome Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/acute-coronary-syndrome-market Radiation Detection, Monitoring and Safety Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/radiation-detection-monitoring-and-safety-market About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. Read Our Blogs - ni2014.org, grandviewresearch.com/blogs/healthcare Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. DUBLIN, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Switzerland Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021" report to their offering. The tire market in Switzerland is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 6% during 2016-2021. Furthermore, in 2015, passenger car tire segment dominated the country's tire market, followed by two-wheeler vehicle tire and light commercial vehicle tire segments. Increasing demand for tires in Switzerland can be attributed to expanding passenger car fleet size and rising construction activities. Automobile sales in the country increased from nearly 352 thousand units in 2011 to around 360 thousand units in 2015, and the same trend is anticipated to continue over the next five years as well. Anticipated growth in automobile sales is being supported by rising disposable income levels, increasing urbanization, and growing infrastructure and construction sectors in the country. In Switzerland, replacement demand for tires is mainly addressed through imports, due to absence of domestic tire manufacturing facilities in the country. The country mainly imports tires from Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Romania. Why You Should Buy This Report? To gain an in-depth understanding of tire market in Switzerland . . To identify the on-going trends and segment wise anticipated growth in the coming years. To help industry consultants, tire companies and other stakeholders align their market-centric strategies. To obtain research based business decision and add weight to presentations and marketing material. To gain competitive knowledge of leading players. To avail of 10% customization in the report without any extra charges and get the research data or trends added in the report as per the buyer's specific needs. Companies Mentioned: Apollo Vredestein B.V. Bridgestone Schweiz AG Continental Suisse SA Goodyear Dunlop tires Suisse SA Hankook Tire Company Ltd. Michelin Suisse SA Nokian Reifen AG Pirelli Tire (Suisse) SA Toyo Tire Europe GmbH Yokohama (Suisse) SA Key Topics Covered: 1. Product Overview 2. Research Methodology 3. Analyst View 4. Switzerland Tire Market Outlook 5. Switzerland Passenger Car (PC) Tire Market Outlook 6. Switzerland Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Tire Market Outlook 7. Switzerland Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV) Tire Market Outlook 8. Switzerland Off-the-Road (OTR) Tire Market Outlook 9. Switzerland Two Wheeler Tire Market Outlook 10. Import-Export Analysis 11. Market Dynamics 12. Market Trends & Developments 13. Policy & Regulatory Landscape 14. Switzerland Economic Profile 15. Competitive Landscape 16. Strategic Recommendations For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/sb9rfb/switzerland_tire Related Topics: Automotive Tires Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets PUNE, India, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Turbocompressor Market by Type (Centrifugal & Axial), Application (Oil & Gas, Chemical, and Power Generation), Stage (Single & Multi), Output Pressure (0-20, 21-100, Above 100 Bar), and by Region - Global Trends & Forecasts to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets The market is projected to grow from an estimated USD 12.15 Billion in 2016 to USD 15.81 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 5.4%. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 66 market data Tables and 51 Figures spread through 144 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Turbocompressor Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/turbocompressor-market-78667090.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. Increasing LNG trade between nations, the growing demand for energy, and investments in sectors other than oil & gas are expected to drive the market for turbocompressors. Oil & gas sector to dominate the Turbocompressors Market during the forecast period The Turbocompressors Market has been segmented according to application into oil & gas, power generation, chemical, and others. The oil & gas sector accounted for approximately 50% of the market share in 2015. The growing number of LNG projects will likely increase the demand for turbocompressors. This is expected to drive the market for turbocompressors in the oil & gas sector. Axial turbocompressors to hold the largest share of the Turbocompressors Market, by type, during the forecast period The Turbocompressors Market has been segmented on the basis of type into axial and centrifugal turbocompressors. Centrifugal turbocompressors are estimated to dominate the market. Axial turbocompressors are used as compressors in gas turbines and in the steel and chemical industries. These turbocompressors are primarily used for applications that require a high intake volume of flow, and are more efficient than centrifugal turbocompressors. Most axial turbocompressors produce pressures higher than 100 psi, at intake volumes between 23,500 acfm to 588,500 acfm. The market for axial turbocompressors is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. North American Turbocompressors Market to witness the highest growth during the forecast period The report covers six regions, namely, North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. The Turbocompressors Market in North America is expected to witness the highest growth from 2016 to 2021, owing to the growing manufacturing sector in the region. The increase in the LNG trade between nations would drive the North American Turbocompressors Market, as turbocompressors are used for gas transportation and storage. Make an Inquiry: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=78667090 The report also provides an in-depth analysis of the competitive landscape, along with profiles of leading market players such as Atlas Copco AG (Sweden), GE Oil & Gas (U.K.), Siemens AG (Germany), Ingersoll Rand (Ireland), Hitachi Ltd. (Japan), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Japan). Browse Related Reports: Subsea Pumps Market by Type (Helico-Axial, ESP, Centrifugal, Twin-Screw, Hybrid, Counter-Axial), Application (Subsea Boosting, Subsea Injection, Subsea Separation, Subsea Gas Compression), & by Region - Global Trends & Forecast to 2020 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/subsea-pumping-systems-market-112518945.html Thermoplastic Pipe Market by Polymer Type (PE, PVDF, PVC, PP & PA), Application (Oil & Gas, Municipal, Mining & Dredging & Chemicals), & by Region (APAC, North America, Latin America, Europe and Middle East & Africa) - Global Trends & Forecast to 2019 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/thermoplastic-pipe-market-94371234.html 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. Contact: Mr. Rohan Markets and Markets UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune, Maharashtra 411013, India 1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog@ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/energy-and-power Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets VIENNA and LONDON, August 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Free trip to Vienna for 20 selected start-ups from London "Junge Wirtschaft Wien", the youth institution of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, offers its help to British start-ups, which are facing an uncertain future because of the Brexit-vote, and promotes Vienna as an established start-up-hub. In cooperation with another institution of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, "Junge Wirtschaft Wien" invites 20 selected start-ups to visit Vienna for free. From 5 - 7 October, these start-ups will be informed about the Viennese start-up-scene, will meet business angels and investors and visit the city. Vienna seizes the opportunity and solicites for British start-ups to settle down in Austria. Therefore, the "Junge Wirtschaft Wien" and another institution of the Chamber of Commerce invites British start-ups to visit Vienna from 5 to 7 October 2016. "Vienna is an established business location for innovative start-ups and has a lot to offer", Jurgen Tarbauer, chairmen of "Junge Wirtschaft Wien" and initiator of this campaign is convinced. "We want to offer British start-ups an opportunity to experience the spirit of Vienna". As an incentive costs for flight and accommodation will be covered for the 20 most remarkable start-ups. Application ends on 9 September. Vienna is an upcoming start-up-city and was rated among the top 10 of the European start-up-hubs. Especially life sciences and information and communication technology count to the Viennese economy's major areas of expertise. The loaction in the center of Europa, a stable economy and several initiatives and funding programs for start-ups are some of Vienna's advantages. http://startupswelcome.com/ Enquiries: Christian Blumauer, Himmelhoch PR, phone: +43 (0)650 203 74 12, mail: christian.blumauer@himmelhoch.at SOURCE Junge Wirtschaft Wien WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The largest union of federal government employees is applauding the federal government's announcement that transgender federal workers must be able to use restrooms that correspond to their gender identity. The American Federation of Government Employees said the Aug. 18 memo from the General Services Administration affirms recent decisions by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other agencies that discrimination based on gender identity is illegal under the same laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex. The American Federation of Government Employees is applauding the federal government's announcement that transgender federal workers must be able to use restrooms that correspond to their gender identity. AFGE represents 670,000 federal and D.C. government employees nationwide. "The federal government has torn down another wall of bigotry by rejecting discrimination against employees based on their gender identity," AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. said. "Every person should be able to go to the bathroom that corresponds to their gender and it's up to each person to make that determination." The new regulation applies to all facilities that GSA owns, leases, or manages on behalf of federal agencies. GSA currently owns and leases nearly 400 million square feet of space in 9,600 buildings nationwide, including office buildings, courthouses, post offices, and laboratories. One of AFGE's own members, Tamara Lusardi, faced discrimination at work after transitioning from male to female, including not being able to use the women's bathroom. Lusardi's discrimination case against the Army went to the EEOC, which in April 2015 issued a landmark ruling that the Army had discriminated against Lusardi on the basis of sex, which is a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. "Today's move by the GSA means that federal employees will no longer be harassed or intimidated from using the bathroom that corresponds to their gender," said Augusta Y. Thomas, AFGE's National Vice President for Women and Fair Practices. "This is one more step along the path to having a discrimination-free workplace." Click here for an online version of this release. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399651 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131120/MM21150LOGO SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees Related Links http://www.afge.org Saddlebred Rescue's event in Louisville will be held beginning at 11:00 am on Thursday August 25, 2016 across from the Kentucky State Fair at the Crowne Plaza. Attend the brunch to bid or arrange for a closed bid or phone in option to participate in this opportunity. The rescue who had previously been awarded the "Heroes for Horses" Award by the United States Equestrian Federation is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year. Brunch tickets are available on the website www.saddlebredrescue.com or you can contact co-chair Kathy Weems to register and arrange for a sealed bid or phone in bid by calling her at (815) 263-1811 or email [email protected] Funding from this special offer and the many other donations to the auction will go towards continuing the legacy of the rescue which takes unwanted horses headed to slaughter and rehabs and repurposes them into new homes. "We have rescued and saved over 1,000 horses to date and have had great success in our adoption program," notes Nealia McCracken, volunteer and head of rescue operations. Thanks to the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation's Matching Grant and all of our donors and supporters over the years we have been able to get the job done. Each horse gets individual attention and the rescue has developed an effective evaluation and placement system. Saddlebred Rescue Inc also known as American Horse Adoption works mostly with American horse breeds, the American Saddlebred and Morgan's. The rescue was originally founded in Georgia but currently operates from the McCracken's North Wind Stables facility in northwestern New Jersey. From early on the rescue has ascribed to high operating standards and is a verified member of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). Over recent years the rescue, its founders with Nealia McCracken have been awarded by breed associations and groups that it serves. Nealia and others from the rescue also volunteer at the Kentucky State Fair to provide educational horse barn tours to the public. "We are now looking to the next 10 years at the rescue and only with secured financial support can we continue to do our part for the horses in need. Our event committee has been working hard on the Brunch and Auction and we need your support," asks Nealia. Saddlebred Rescue Inc is a registered 501c3 nonprofit. Follow us on our website at www.saddlebredrescue.com, on Facebook at Saddlebred Rescue Inc. and at Twitter @sbraha12. #saddlebredrescue, #asblm Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399669 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399668 SOURCE Saddlebred Rescue Inc. Related Links http://www.saddlebredrescue.com COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society (ACS), announces a complimentary beta version of Chemistry Class Advantage, a new learning solution for undergraduate organic chemistry students. Organized by topics taught in the classroom, Chemistry Class Advantage harnesses the power of SciFinder and research published in journal articles to help teach organic chemistry students to learn chemistry by critically evaluating the research literature. Chemistry Class Advantage will help faculty instruct students to: refine their understanding of the organic chemistry topics being studied in class review real-world reactions that illustrate the empirical nature of chemistry leverage published research to learn critical aspects of organic chemistry critically read and evaluate research literature "Earlier this year, CAS worked with organic chemistry faculty from undergraduate institutions to create lessons used in Chemistry Class Advantage," said Christine M. McCue, vice president, CAS marketing. "The goal of this new solution, enhanced through SciFinder skills application as well as journal articles from ACS Publications, is to help students to begin to think more like researchers. Covering eight topics from alcohols to alpha carbon chemistry, the beta version of Chemistry Class Advantage comprises 62 available lessons across the organic chemistry curriculum." After a successful spring pilot with faculty and students, CAS is now providing free access to the beta version of Chemistry Class Advantage to faculty teaching undergraduate organic chemistry this fall. As an added benefit, all students participating in the fall beta are eligible to receive a complimentary one-year student membership in the ACS. To participate, interested faculty may send an email request to [email protected] with a subject line of "Chemistry Class Advantage Beta." About CAS CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, is dedicated to the ACS vision of improving people's lives through the transforming power of chemistry. The CAS team of highly trained scientists finds, collects, and organizes all publicly disclosed substance information, creating the world's most valuable collection of content that is vital to innovation worldwide. Scientific researchers, patent professionals and business leaders around the world rely on a suite of research solutions from CAS that enable discovery and facilitate workflows to fuel tomorrow's innovation. CAS.org SOURCE CAS Related Links https://www.cas.org AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Chameleon Cold-Brew, the nation's original purveyor of bottled cold-brew coffee, announces its spot as #140 on the coveted 2016 Inc. 5000 List, beating out any other bottled coffee brand on the list. Chameleon also landed #2 in Top Austin companies, #8 in Top Texas companies, and #9 in Top Food & Beverage companies. Chameleon Cold-Brew grew 2,507% over a three-year period, on the heels of triple digit growth every year since the company's inception in 2010. Founded in the heart of Austin, Chameleon sticks to authentic and proven sourcing and brewing methods. Each cold-brew batch uses only 100 percent organic, Fair Trade Arabica coffee and Texas Hill County limestone-cured water. Chameleon's proprietary brewing process carefully controls temperatures for more than 16 hours and then slowly small-batch air-roasts on-site, which only 1% of roasters in the U.S. do. This process ensures no bean burns, and preserves maximum freshness for a uniquely smooth taste that is 50% less acidic than typical brewed coffee. The result is a super smooth, less acidic, highly caffeinated coffee, that can be enjoyed hot or cold, with a little milk, sugar, or even booze - for a fully customizable drink. "We are truly honored to be recognized on the 2016 Inc. 5000 List and to place so high on the list within our industry," said Chris Campbell, president and CEO of Chameleon Cold-Brew. "Our growth as a brand speaks to maintaining the highest standards in sourcing, roasting and brewing our cold-brew, and continuing to deliver the highest quality, organic cold-brew coffee to the masses." According to Mintel, cold-brew coffee, one of the fastest growing caffeinated beverages, grew 580 percent from 2011-2016 in sales. Chameleon continues to stay ahead of the trend, by continuing to bring new innovation to the cold-brew coffee category. This year, the brand unveiled an upgraded holographic label, and the world's only Pecan flavored concentrate, Texas Pecan, a nod to its lone star roots. Chameleon currently offers five concentrates and six ready-to-drink flavors, and can be found in the refrigerated section in recyclable glass bottles. For more information on the brand and products, please visit www.chameleoncoldbrew.com. About Chameleon Cold-Brew Chameleon Cold-Brew Coffee, founded in 2010 by Chris Campbell, is the nation's original purveyor of bottled cold-brew coffee. Providing a one-of-a-kind and completely customizable coffee experience, Chameleon uses only 100% organic, Fair Trade Arabica coffee and earth-filtered water. Chameleon's proprietary brew process carefully controls temperatures for over 16 hours, using only Texas Hill Country limestone-cured water, and then is slowly tailor-roasted on-site to preserve maximum freshness. The result is a super smooth, less acidic, highly caffeinated coffee, that can be enjoyed hot or cold, with a little milk, sugar, or even booze - for a fully customizable drink. Chameleon is available in five concentrates and six ready-to-drink flavors, and can be found in the refrigerated section in recyclable glass bottles. Providing a completely customizable coffee experience, Chameleon Cold Brew is Coffee Made for Makers. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/399553LOGO SOURCE Chameleon Cold-Brew Related Links http://www.chameleoncoldbrew.com BEIJING, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheetah Mobile Inc. (NYSE: CMCM) ("Cheetah Mobile" or the "Company"), a leading mobile internet company that provides mission critical applications to help make the internet and mobile experience speedier, simpler, and safer for users worldwide, today announced its unaudited consolidated financial results for the second quarter of 2016. Second Quarter 2016 Highlights Total revenues increased by 18.1% year-over-year to RMB1,046.7 million ( US$157.5 million ), exceeding the Company's previous guidance of RMB975 million to RMB1,000 million . The better-than-expected results in total revenues was primarily driven by the Company's strategies to rejuvenate revenue growth in 2016, including refreshing its app products and ad layouts as well as improving its direct sales programs. increased by 18.1% year-over-year to RMB1,046.7 million ( ), exceeding the Company's previous guidance of . The better-than-expected results in total revenues was primarily driven by the Company's strategies to rejuvenate revenue growth in 2016, including refreshing its app products and ad layouts as well as improving its direct sales programs. Mobile revenues increased by 36.7% year-over-year to RMB772.3 million ( US$116.2 million ). Mobile revenues accounted for 73.8% of total revenues. increased by 36.7% year-over-year to ( ). Mobile revenues accounted for 73.8% of total revenues. Overseas revenues [1] increased by 25.3% year-over-year to RMB560.7 million ( US$84.4 million ). Overseas revenues accounted for 53.6% of total revenues and 72.6% of mobile revenues. increased by 25.3% year-over-year to ( ). Overseas revenues accounted for 53.6% of total revenues and 72.6% of mobile revenues. Content-driven products made solid progress in the second quarter of 2016, particularly in the U.S. market. According to App Annie's July 2016 data, News Republic, a global mobile news service operator recently acquired by the Company, was ranked as one of the top three news & magazine apps in the U.S. on Google Play. Live.me, the Company's recently launched live streaming app, was ranked as one of the top five social apps in the U.S. on Google Play. In early August, Live.me was also ranked as one of the top ten social networking apps in the U.S. on Apple App Store. Second Quarter 2016 Key Operating Metrics The number of mobile monthly active users ("Mobile MAUs") was 623 million in June 2016 . The number of mobile MAUs from overseas markets accounted for 79.4% of total mobile MAUs in June 2016 . . The number of mobile MAUs from overseas markets accounted for 79.4% of total mobile MAUs in . Total global mobile user installations was 3,099 million as of June 30, 2016 . Mr. Sheng Fu, Cheetah Mobile's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased that the initiatives we have implemented to rejuvenate sustainable growth for our company are starting to bear fruit. In the second quarter of 2016, we achieved better-than-expected total revenue growth. We expect revenues to resume its sequential growth trends in the second half of 2016, primarily driven by steady and sustained revenue growth generated by our existing utility apps. Additionally, we further expanded our content-driven product portfolio to include news service, short video, live streaming and casual gaming. Most notably, two of our content-driven products, News Republic and Live.me, demonstrated strong performance over the past quarter, particularly in the U.S. market. According to App Annie's July data, News Republic, our newly acquired global mobile news service operator with thousands of high-profile media partners worldwide, was ranked as one of the top 3 news & magazine apps in the U.S. on Google Play. Live.me, a live streaming app, was ranked as one of the top 5 social apps in the U.S. on Google Play in July and was ranked as one of the top 10 social networking apps in the U.S. on Apple App Store in early August. While we don't want to downplay the challenges we face in our transformation from a utility app based mobile company to a content-driven mobile company, our initial success proves that we are on the right track and is progressing according to plans. Going forward, we will continue to leverage our over 600 million mobile MAUs to support our content strategy, deliver more personalized and relevant content to our users, and build Cheetah into one of the world's leading mobile Internet companies." Mr. Andy Yeung, Cheetah Mobile's Chief Financial Officer, commented, "Our total revenues this quarter increased to RMB1,047 million, which well exceeded our guidance and was primarily driven by the success of our strategies to rejuvenate revenue growth in 2016, including plans to refresh our app products and ad layouts as well as improve our direct sales programs. On the cost side, we have also implemented stricter controls and more efficient management of our product promotion strategies. We expect these initiatives to continue to help sustain our growth and improve our financial recovery in the coming quarters. Looking ahead, we remain focused on aggressively executing on our content strategy to establish a sustainable and profitable growth model for the long term. We are confident that by doing so, we will be well positioned to grow our business and deliver additional value to all of our shareholders." Second Quarter 2016 Consolidated Financial Results REVENUES Total revenues increased by 18.1% to RMB1,046.7 million (US$157.5 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB886.2 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by the Company's organic business growth, which was attributable to the Company's larger global mobile user base compared to the prior year period and its continued improvements in mobile monetization. Revenues from online marketing services increased by 24.0% to RMB939.1 million ( US$141.3 million ) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB757.2 million in the prior year period. Mobile advertising revenues represented approximately 77.9% of online marketing revenues in the quarter, as compared with approximately 66.7% in the prior year period. The increase in mobile advertising revenues was driven by the Company's larger global mobile user base compared to the prior year period, and higher demand from advertisers, including third-party advertising platforms, for the Company's mobile advertising services worldwide, as well as the improved monetization of light causal games through in-game advertising. increased by 24.0% to ( ) in the second quarter of 2016 from in the prior year period. Mobile advertising revenues represented approximately 77.9% of online marketing revenues in the quarter, as compared with approximately 66.7% in the prior year period. The increase in mobile advertising revenues was driven by the Company's larger global mobile user base compared to the prior year period, and higher demand from advertisers, including third-party advertising platforms, for the Company's mobile advertising services worldwide, as well as the improved monetization of light causal games through in-game advertising. Revenues from internet value added services ("IVAS") were RMB79.6 million ( US$12.0 million ) in the second quarter of 2016, as compared with RMB109.3 million in the prior year period. The year-over-year decrease was due to the decline of mobile game publishing revenues in China , which was offset by the Company's growth in overseas markets. were ( ) in the second quarter of 2016, as compared with in the prior year period. The year-over-year decrease was due to the decline of mobile game publishing revenues in , which was offset by the Company's growth in overseas markets. Revenues from internet security services and others increased by 41.5% to RMB27.9 million ( US$4.2 million ) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB19.7 million in the prior year period. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by higher internet software licensing revenues from Kingsoft Japan. By platform, revenues generated from mobile business increased by 36.7% to RMB772.3 million (US$116.2 million) from RMB565.1 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by the Company's larger global mobile user base, and the higher popularity of the Company's mobile marketing services worldwide. By region, revenues generated from overseas markets increased by 25.3% to RMB560.7 million (US$84.4 million) from RMB447.5 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by the Company's larger overseas mobile user base and improvements in overseas monetization compared with the prior year period. COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT Cost of revenues increased by 58.4% to RMB354.7 million (US$53.4 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB223.9 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by increased investments in content for the Company's content-driven products, higher traffic acquisition costs associated with the Company's third-party advertising publishing business on the Cheetah Ad Platform, and higher bandwidth and internet data center costs associated with increased user traffic worldwide and data analytics. Gross profit increased by 4.5% to RMB692.0 million (US$104.1 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB662.3 million in the prior year period. OPERATING INCOME/LOSS AND EXPENSES Total operating expenses increased by 19.5% to RMB755.0 million (US$113.6 million) in the second quarter of 2016 from RMB632.0 million in the prior year period. Total non-GAAP operating expenses increased by 15.6% to RMB666.6 million (US$100.3 million) from RMB576.6 million in the prior year period. Research and development expenses increased by 54.9% to RMB227.5 million ( US$34.2 million ) from RMB146.9 million in the prior year period, primarily driven by an increase in personnel-related costs and share-based compensation expenses. The increase in personnel costs associated with research and development was primarily driven by the Company's increased investments in big data analytics and new product development, particularly the development of new content-driven mobile applications and services. Non-GAAP research and development expenses, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, increased by 37.5% to RMB178.1 million ( US$26.8 million ) from RMB129.5 million in the prior year period. ( ) from in the prior year period, primarily driven by an increase in personnel-related costs and share-based compensation expenses. The increase in personnel costs associated with research and development was primarily driven by the Company's increased investments in big data analytics and new product development, particularly the development of new content-driven mobile applications and services. Non-GAAP research and development expenses, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, increased by 37.5% to ( ) from in the prior year period. Selling and marketing expenses increased by 16.2% to RMB407.2 million ( US$61.3 million ) from RMB350.3 million in the prior year period, primarily driven by higher expenses on promotional activities for the Company's content-driven products, as well as on sales and marketing personnel as a result of the Company's strategy to expand direct sales operations. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, increased by 16.9% to RMB405.9 million ( US$61.1 million ) from RMB347.2 million in the prior year period. ( ) from in the prior year period, primarily driven by higher expenses on promotional activities for the Company's content-driven products, as well as on sales and marketing personnel as a result of the Company's strategy to expand direct sales operations. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, increased by 16.9% to ( ) from in the prior year period. General and administrative expenses increased by 33.0% to RMB160.7 million ( US$24.2 million ) from RMB120.9 million in the prior year period. The year-over-year growth was primarily driven by an increase in expenses associated with higher headcount, share-based compensation expenses and staff benefits. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, increased by 43.0% to RMB123.0 million ( US$18.5 million ) from RMB86.0 million in the prior year period. ( ) from in the prior year period. The year-over-year growth was primarily driven by an increase in expenses associated with higher headcount, share-based compensation expenses and staff benefits. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, increased by 43.0% to ( ) from in the prior year period. Other operating income was RMB40.4 million ( US$6.1 million ) for the second quarter 2016, which primarily consisted of government grants, subsidies and financial incentives that the Company received for its operations that were not subsidies for research and development projects. Operating loss was RMB63.0 million (US$9.5 million), as compared with an operating profit of RMB30.3 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP operating profit was RMB25.5 million (US$3.8 million), as compared with RMB86.4 million in the prior year period. Share-based compensation expenses increased by 57.8% to RMB88.6 million (US$13.3 million) from RMB56.1 million in the prior year period. OTHER EXPENSES The Company recognized impairment losses of long-term investments of RMB95.2 million (US$14.3 million) for the second quarter of 2016, primarily driven by one-time non-cash write downs in certain investment assets, which the Company considered other-than-temporary, to their fair value. These write-downs were a result of lower-than-expected performance and financial position of the Company's investees, including a web game developer as well as a global social and mobile advertising software provider. NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHEETAH MOBILE SHAREHOLDERS Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders was RMB150.5 million (US$22.6 million) in the second quarter of 2016, as compared with net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders of RMB60.1 million in the prior year period. The decline in net income was partly attributable to increased investments in content-driven products and an RMB95.2 million net impairment loss of investments. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders was RMB61.9 million (US$9.3 million), as compared with Non-GAAP net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders of RMB116.2 million in the prior year period. NET LOSSES PER ADS Diluted losses per ADS in the second quarter of 2016 was RMB1.08 (US$0.16), as compared with diluted earnings per ADS of RMB0.42 in the prior year period. Non-GAAP dilute losses per ADS in the second quarter of 2016 was RMB0.44 (US$0.07), as compared with Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS of RMB0.81 in the prior year period. ADJUSTED EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) decreased by 46.0% to RMB67.6 million (US$10.2 million) from RMB125.3 million in the prior year period. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, RESTRICTED CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS BALANCE As of June 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB1,421.1 million (US$213.8 million). SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING As of June 30, 2016, the Company had a total of 1,425,162,680 Class A and Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding. One ADS represents 10 Class A ordinary shares. Recent Developments Acquisition on News Republic During the second quarter of 2016, Cheetah Mobile acquired News Republic, a global mobile news service operator, for a total consideration of up to US$57 million. Headquartered in Bordeaux and San Francisco, News Republic leverages editorial, algorithmic and community intelligence to offer a sharp and wide perspective on the world by enhancing relevance and discoverability in custom news flows. Readers can gain access to articles, videos and photos from thousands of high-profile media partners around the world. News Republic is available in 37 languages and 40 editions. Users can download the app from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, and the app is also preloaded on certain popular smartphones brands. News Republic has received multiple Best News App awards globally, including the Best Media and Publishing App at MWC 2015, as well as the Editors Choice and Super Developer on Google Play and recognition of "Great Apps" and "Best of AppStore" on iOS. News Republic is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheetah Mobile, and the News Republic app will continue to operate independently while receiving development assistance and improvements from the global Cheetah Mobile team. Disposal of Suzhou Jiangduoduo During the second quarter of 2016, Cheetah Mobile disposed of its 65% interest in Suzhou Jiangduoduo ("JDD") and realized a gain on disposal of RMB13.6 million (US$2.0 million). JDD is engaged in online lottery sales business in China, which has been suspended since March 2015 in response to the PRC government's regulatory measures. Departure of Chief Marketing Officer Mr. Xinhua Liu, Chief Marketing Officer of Cheetah Mobile, resigned from his position for personal reasons, effective July 11, 2016. Update on Share Repurchase Program On March 16, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase plan, pursuant to which the Company may repurchase its own issued and outstanding ADSs with an aggregate value of up to US$100 million from the open market, in negotiated transactions off the market, or through other legally permissible means in accordance with applicable securities laws from time to time within one year after March 16, 2016. The share repurchase plan does not require the Company to acquire a specific number of ADSs. As of August 18, 2016, the Company had repurchased a total of 2,536,808 ADSs, representing 25,368,080 Class A ordinary shares, at an average price of $10.7483 per ADS. Business Outlook For the third quarter of 2016, the Company expects its total revenues to be between RMB1,100 million (US$166 million) and RMB1,150 million (US$173 million), representing an estimated year-over-year growth of 7% to 12%, and quarter-over-quarter growth of 5% to 10%. This estimate represents management's preliminary view as of the date of this release, which is subject to change and any change could be material. Conference Call Information Company will hold a conference call on Friday, August 19, 2016 at 8:00 am Eastern Time or 8:00 pm Beijing Time to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers: International: +1-412-902-4272 United States Toll Free: +1-888-346-8982 China Toll Free: 4001-201203 Hong Kong Toll Free: 800-905945 Conference ID: Cheetah Mobile A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.cmcm.com/. Exchange Rate This press release contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars in this press release were made at a rate of RMB6.6459 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2016 as set forth in the H. 10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. Such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB amounts could be converted into U.S. dollars at that rate or any other rate, or to be the amounts that would have been reported under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). About Cheetah Mobile Inc. Cheetah Mobile is a leading mobile internet company. It aims to provide the best apps for mobile users worldwide, while building a leading global mobile ad platform for advertisers. Cheetah Mobile had approximately 623 million global mobile monthly active users in June 2016. Its mission critical applications, including Clean Master, CM Security, Battery Doctor and Duba Anti-virus, help make the internet and mobile experience speedier, simpler, and safer for users worldwide. The Company also provides multiple user traffic entry points and global content promotional channels capable of delivering targeted content to hundreds of millions of users. Its customers include direct advertisers and mobile advertising networks through which advertisers place their advertisements. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements, including management quotes and business outlook, constitute forward-looking statements under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but are not limited to the following: Cheetah Mobile's growth strategies; Cheetah Mobile's ability to retain and increase its user base and expand its product and service offerings; Cheetah Mobile's ability to monetize its platform; Cheetah Mobile's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; competition with companies in a number of industries including internet companies that provide online marketing services and internet value-added services; expected changes in Cheetah Mobile's revenues and certain cost or expense items; and general economic and business condition globally and in China. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Cheetah Mobile's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Cheetah Mobile does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement Cheetah Mobile's consolidated financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Cheetah Mobile uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: Non-GAAP operating expenses reflect operating expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses. reflect operating expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP operating profit reflects operating profit excluding share-based compensation expenses. reflects operating profit excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP net income (losses) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders is net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses. is net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP diluted earnings (losses) per ADS is non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders divided by weighted average number of diluted ADSs. is non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders divided by weighted average number of diluted ADSs. Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-operating income and share-based compensation expenses. The Company believes that separate analysis and exclusion of share-based compensation expenses and the use of Adjusted EBITDA add clarity to the constituent parts of its performance from the cash perspective. The Company reviews these non-GAAP financial measures together with GAAP financial measures to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses the non-GAAP financial measures for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures are useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the effect of share-based compensation expenses, which have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in its business. However, the use of non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company's net income for the period. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not measured in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measure in isolation from or as an alternative to the financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Cheetah Mobile Inc. Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" and "Cheetah Mobile Inc. Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Cheetah Mobile Shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)" at the end of this release. [1] Overseas revenues refers to revenues generated by the Company's operating legal entities incorporated outside the People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan for the purposes of this press release), or the PRC. Such revenues are primarily attributable to customers located outside the PRC. Cheetah Mobile Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited, in '000) As of December 31, 2015 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB USD (As adjusted, unaudited) (a) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1,843,233 883,721 132,972 Restricted cash 156,161 156,822 23,597 Short-term investments 29,234 380,597 57,268 Accounts receivable 633,440 581,952 87,566 Prepayments and other current assets 360,004 440,042 66,213 Due from related parties 60,794 80,756 12,151 Deferred tax assets 5,101 8,874 1,335 Total current assets 3,087,967 2,532,764 381,102 Non-current assets: Property and equipment, net 121,241 131,990 19,860 Intangible assets, net 233,092 266,723 40,133 Goodwill 617,863 953,572 143,483 Investment in equity investees 124,708 103,775 15,615 Other long-term investments 700,113 920,427 138,495 Deferred tax assets 12,843 19,732 2,969 Other non-current assets 28,724 24,652 3,709 Total non-current assets 1,838,584 2,420,871 364,264 Total assets 4,926,551 4,953,635 745,366 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Bank loans 130,273 344,450 51,829 Accounts payable 137,883 186,819 28,110 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 1,308,717 1,107,800 166,689 Redemption right liabilities 474 866 130 Deferred revenue 56,070 56,933 8,567 Due to related parties 56,932 69,180 10,409 Income tax payable 29,822 47,119 7,090 Deferred tax liabilities 414 - - Total current liabilities 1,720,585 1,813,167 272,824 Non-current liabilities: Bank loans 10,523 69,209 10,414 Deferred revenue 8,166 8,062 1,213 Deferred tax liabilities 99,006 102,478 15,420 Other non-current liabilities 73,826 33,123 4,984 Total non-current liabilities 191,521 212,872 32,031 Total liabilities 1,912,106 2,026,039 304,855 Shareholders' equity: Ordinary shares 226 229 34 Treasury stock - (178,991) (26,933) Additional paid-in capital 2,414,706 2,589,594 389,653 Retained earnings 317,818 178,073 26,794 Accumulated other comprehensive income 121,317 165,332 24,878 Total Cheetah Mobile shareholders' equity 2,854,067 2,754,237 414,426 Noncontrolling interests 160,378 173,359 26,085 Total equity 3,014,445 2,927,596 440,511 Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and shareholders' equity 4,926,551 4,953,635 745,366 Note: (a) The above condensed consolidated balance sheets have been prepared as if the Kingsoft Japan had been owned and operated by the Cheetah Mobile throughout the periods presented in accordance with ASC 805-50. Kingsoft Japan became a subsidiary of the Company on January 29, 2016. Cheetah Mobile Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited, in '000, except for per share data and number of shares and ADSs) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD (As adjusted, unaudited) (b) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Revenues 886,222 1,114,988 1,046,664 157,490 Online marketing services 757,170 992,279 939,125 141,309 Internet value-added services 109,308 102,268 79,601 11,977 Internet security services and others 19,744 20,441 27,938 4,204 Cost of revenues (a) (223,929) (321,010) (354,710) (53,373) Gross profit 662,293 793,978 691,954 104,117 Operating income and expenses: Research and development (a) (146,875) (207,462) (227,496) (34,231) Selling and marketing (a) (350,323) (443,782) (407,206) (61,272) General and administrative (a) (120,878) (133,085) (160,735) (24,186) Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (20,216) (2,350) - - Other operating income 6,340 14,948 40,446 6,086 Total operating income and expenses (631,952) (771,731) (754,991) (113,603) Operating profit (loss) 30,341 22,247 (63,037) (9,486) Other income (expense): Interest income, net 4,028 3,387 2,715 409 Changes in fair value of redemption right and put options granted 167 20 (308) (46) Settlement and changes in fair value of contingent consideration 2,677 (683) (664) (100) Foreign exchange (loss) gain, net (188) (1,362) 486 73 Impairment of investments - - (95,206) (14,326) Losses from equity method investments (6,846) (7,731) (6,070) (913) Other income, net 35,777 651 17,620 2,651 Income (Loss) before taxes 65,956 16,529 (144,464) (21,738) Income tax expenses (9,646) (2,998) (1,964) (296) Net income (loss) 56,310 13,531 (146,428) (22,034) Less: net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests (3,786) 2,826 4,022 605 Net income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders 60,096 10,705 (150,450) (22,639) Earnings (Losses) per share Basic 0.04 0.01 (0.11) (0.02) Diluted 0.04 0.01 (0.11) (0.02) Earnings (Losses) per ADS Basic 0.44 0.08 (1.08) (0.16) Diluted 0.42 0.07 (1.08) (0.16) Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic 1,374,275,098 1,392,324,511 1,391,355,172 1,391,355,172 Diluted 1,438,132,050 1,441,882,966 1,391,355,172 1,391,355,172 Weighted average number of ADSs used in computation Basic 137,427,510 139,232,451 139,135,517 139,135,517 Diluted 143,813,205 144,188,297 139,135,517 139,135,517 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of nil Foreign currency translation adjustments (7,352) (6,473) 54,165 8,150 Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net 7,161 1,215 (389) (59) Other comprehensive (loss) income (191) (5,258) 53,776 8,091 Total comprehensive income (loss) 56,119 8,273 (92,652) (13,943) Less: Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests (3,323) 4,234 7,117 1,071 Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders 59,442 4,039 (99,769) (15,014) (a) Share-based compensation expenses (In '000) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD (As adjusted, unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Cost of revenues 744 339 140 21 Research and development 17,387 40,129 49,410 7,435 Selling and marketing 3,117 6,144 1,300 196 General and administrative 34,858 44,835 37,707 5,674 Total 56,106 91,447 88,557 13,326 Notes: (b) The above condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income have been prepared as if the Kingsoft Japan had been owned and operated by the Cheetah Mobile throughout the periods presented in accordance with ASC 805-50. Kingsoft Japan became a subsidiary of the Company on January 29, 2016. Cheetah Mobile Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (Unaudited, in'000, except for per share data and percentage) For The Three Months Ended June 2016 GAAP % of Net Share-based % of Net Non-GAAP % of Net Non-GAAP Result Revenues Compensation Revenues Result Revenues Result ($) Revenues 1,046,664 1,046,664 157,490 Cost of revenues (354,710) 33.9% 140 0.0% (354,570) 33.9% (53,352) Gross profit 691,954 66.1% 140 0.0% 692,094 66.1% 104,138 Research and development (227,496) 21.7% 49,410 4.7% (178,086) 17.0% (26,796) Selling and marketing (407,206) 38.9% 1,300 0.1% (405,906) 38.8% (61,076) General and administrative (160,735) 15.4% 37,707 3.6% (123,028) 11.8% (18,512) Other operating income 40,446 3.9% - - 40,446 3.9% 6,086 Total operating income and expenses (754,991) 72.1% 88,417 8.4% (666,574) 63.7% (100,298) Operating (loss) profit (63,037) 6.0% 88,557 8.5% 25,520 2.4% 3,840 Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders (150,450) 14.4% 88,557 8.5% (61,893) 5.9% (9,313) Diluted losses per ordinary share (RMB) (0.11) 0.07 (0.04) Diluted losses per ADS (RMB) (1.08) 0.64 (0.44) Diluted losses per ADS (USD) (0.16) 0.09 (0.07) For The Three Months Ended March 2016 GAAP % of Net Share-based % of Net Non-GAAP % of Net Result Revenues Compensation Revenues Result Revenues Revenues 1,114,988 1,114,988 Cost of revenues (321,010) 28.8% 339 0.0% (320,671) 28.8% Gross profit 793,978 71.2% 339 0.0% 794,317 71.2% Research and development (207,462) 18.6% 40,129 3.6% (167,333) 15.0% Selling and marketing (443,782) 39.8% 6,144 0.6% (437,638) 39.3% General and administrative (133,085) 11.9% 44,835 4.0% (88,250) 7.9% Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (2,350) 0.2% - - (2,350) 0.2% Other operating income 14,948 1.3% - - 14,948 1.3% Total operating income and expenses (771,731) 69.2% 91,108 8.2% (680,623) 61.0% Operating profit 22,247 2.0% 91,447 8.2% 113,694 10.2% Net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders 10,705 1.0% 91,447 8.2% 102,152 9.2% Diluted earnings per ordinary share (RMB) 0.01 0.06 0.07 Diluted earnings per ADS (RMB) 0.07 0.64 0.71 For The Three Months Ended June 2015 GAAP % of Net Share-based % of Net Non-GAAP % of Net Result Revenues Compensation Revenues Result Revenues Revenues 886,222 886,222 Cost of revenues (223,929) 25.3% 744 0.1% (223,185) 25.2% Gross profit 662,293 74.7% 744 0.1% 663,037 74.8% Research and development (146,875) 16.6% 17,387 2.0% (129,488) 14.6% Selling and marketing (350,323) 39.5% 3,117 0.4% (347,206) 39.2% General and administrative (120,878) 13.6% 34,858 3.9% (86,020) 9.7% Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (20,216) 2.3% - - (20,216) 2.3% Other operating income 6,340 0.7% - - 6,340 0.7% Total operating income and expenses (631,952) 71.3% 55,362 6.2% (576,590) 65.1% Operating profit 30,341 3.4% 56,106 6.3% 86,447 9.8% Net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile Shareholders 60,096 6.8% 56,106 6.3% 116,202 13.1% Diluted earnings per ordinary share (RMB) 0.04 0.04 0.08 Diluted earnings per ADS (RMB) 0.42 0.39 0.81 Cheetah Mobile Inc. Reconciliation from Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Cheetah Mobile Shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (Unaudited, in '000) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD Net income (loss) attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders 60,096 10,705 (150,450) (22,639) Add: Income tax expense 9,646 2,998 1,964 296 Interest income,net (4,028) (3,387) (2,715) (409) Depreciation and amortization 38,867 37,076 42,126 6,339 Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests (3,786) 2,826 4,022 605 Other non-operating (income) expense, net (31,587) 9,105 84,142 12,661 Share-based compensation 56,106 91,447 88,557 13,326 Adjusted EBITDA 125,314 150,770 67,646 10,179 Cheetah Mobile Inc. Revenues Generated from PC-based and Mobile-based Applications and Services (Unaudited, in '000) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD PC 321,107 288,398 274,329 41,278 Mobile 565,115 826,590 772,335 116,212 Total 886,222 1,114,988 1,046,664 157,490 Cheetah Mobile Inc. Revenues Generated from Domestic and Overseas Markets (Unaudited, in '000) For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 RMB RMB RMB USD Domestic revenues 438,697 481,373 485,972 73,123 Overseas revenues 447,525 633,615 560,692 84,367 Total 886,222 1,114,988 1,046,664 157,490 Investor Relations Contact Cheetah Mobile Inc. Helen Jing Zhu Tel: +86 10 6292 7779 ext. 1600 Email: [email protected] ICR, Inc. Jessie Fan Tel: +1 (646) 417-5395 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Cheetah Mobile SAN DIEGO, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cireson Today, Cireson releases the Self-Service Portal - Community app, now free to users with Microsoft Service Manager. Committed to the success and growth of the System Center community, Cireson is dedicated to maximizing IT investment and enabling ridiculous productivity with the release of this free solution. As they continue in innovation based on community, customer, and partner feedback, Cireson looks forward to enlightening IT departments and end-users across the globe with self-service adoption. Considered the most substantial contribution thus far to their collection of free apps for both Microsoft Service Manager and Configuration Manager, Cireson is extremely proud to offer this much-loved solution for organizations looking to become more efficient and aligned with ITIL best practices. Commenting on this major reveal, Chris Ross, Managing Partner and Director of Program Management states, "At Cireson, we have always wanted to provide even more value to the amazing power of Microsoft Service Manager. Over the years, we have released numerous apps for the community to help maximize their System Center investment. After listening to our customers' and partners' feedback on how we can further help the community, and in conjunction with the forthcoming release of Service Manager 2016, we decided to make our popular Self-Service Portal free for everyone's benefit." The Cireson Self-Service Portal allows end users the ability to perform everyday self-service tasks with an easy to use, personalized experience when reporting issues, searching the knowledge base, and requesting services from the service catalog. The Portal also keeps customers informed of the status of requests and captures bi-directional communication between the service desk staff and the requestor. The Cireson Self-Service Portal Community app includes: Integrated HTML Knowledge Base: Replaces the out-of-the-box Rich Text Format (RTF) knowledge base in Service Manager, giving you the ability to create, edit, search and view knowledge within a web browser Replaces the out-of-the-box Rich Text Format (RTF) knowledge base in Service Manager, giving you the ability to create, edit, search and view knowledge within a web browser Out-of-the-box Dashboards: Create meaningful, intelligent and dynamic dashboards to drive business decisions Create meaningful, intelligent and dynamic dashboards to drive business decisions Adaptive Display: Use the portal on any device without the need for separate web applications Other popular features include: 100% browser, mobile device & OS agnostic Customizable Portal Themes Blazing-fast response times Modern, lightning fast web architecture Windows integrated authentication support Integrated Announcements Individuals interested in downloading the Cireson Self-Service Community app can do so here. Register here to attend the Cireson webinar, which will offer key insights, features, and benefits of the Portal v6 including a live demo of the free Self-Service Portal - Community app. About Cireson Born in 2012, Cireson was founded on a simple, powerful idea: to be the forward thinkers on all things Microsoft Cloud and System Center. Today, our values from the beginning remain the same; keep it genuine, do the right thing, and listen to customers. As a world leader in Microsoft Cloud and System Center, our mission is to make your working life ridiculously more productive by bringing service and asset management together - that's the Cireson Platform. Taking pride in our expertise, we proudly boast some of the brightest and most fanatical IT professionals in the industry. From the Cireson Platform to Consulting Services and community engagements everything we do is designed to push technical brilliance forward. Our headquarters are located in sunny San Diego with offices throughout North America, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160809/397015LOGO SOURCE Cireson Related Links http://www.cireson.com Registration is $25 per seat and can be completed at https://lanfest.intel.com/events/cpulan2016/main. Capacity is set at 500 participants, and all registration proceeds will go to the Food Bank of Lincoln. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Sept. 23 and close at 9 p.m. Sept. 24. Food and beverages will be available onsite throughout the event. "We expect CPULAN 2016 to be a 26-hour celebration of everything that makes CPU great: PCs and PC hardware, games, friends, and fun," says Computer Power User editor Chris Trumble. Leading companies from the computer hardware, software, and video game industries are serving as official sponsors of CPULAN 2016, which will include thousands of dollars in prizes raffled to attendees. Live demonstrations are also scheduled, including a presentation on liquid-cooling computer systems that Swiftech and PrimoChill are sponsoring and world-class computer system modders Richard "DarthBeavis" Surroz and Travis "V2-V3" Jank will present. Launched in 2001, Computer Power User is a monthly internationally distributed print and online publication that targets technically advanced computing users, system builders, video game enthusiasts, and others with in-depth hardware and software reviews, industry news and trends, and other technology-related content. CONTACT: https://lanfest.intel.com/events/cpulan2016 https://www.computerpoweruser.com/home Chris Trumble: (402) 458-4524 Ron Kobler: (402) 458-4587 About Sandhills Publishing Sandhills Publishing is an information processing company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our products and services are aimed at gathering, processing, and distributing information in the form of trade publications, websites, and online services that connect buyers and sellers across the trucking, agriculture, construction, heavy equipment, aviation, and technology industries. Our integrated, industry-specific approach to hosted technologies and services offers solutions that help businesses large and small operate efficiently and grow securely, cost-effectively, and successfully. Sandhills Publishingwe are the cloud. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399741 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150316/182003LOGO SOURCE Sandhills Publishing BEIJING, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DHgate.com announces the launch of a special zone on their website specifically for buyers to find UL 2272 certified self-balancing scooters with 3-5 day express shipping. The UL 2272 certification is the new golden standard for the electrical system of the popular self-balancing scooter, and ensures the safety of the electrical drive train system of the scooters including the battery and charger system combinations, which protects US business buyers by guaranteeing them high quality at the better prices. UL certified its first scooter in May, 2016 and now has certified the following models which can all be found on DHgate's website: Hangzhou Chic Intelligent Technology Co Ltd., Cxinwalk, and superpowerhoverboard. The UL 2272 is recognized by the US government agency the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), and according to UL's website, the CPSC issued a letter to manufacturers, importers and retailers of "hoverboards" urging them to make certain the self-balancing scooters they "import, manufacture, distribute or sell in the United States comply with currently applicable voluntary safety standards, including all referenced standards and requirements contained in UL 2272 -- Outline of Investigation for Electrical Systems for Self-balancing Scooters." About DHgate.com DHgate.com is the first to market and the biggest transactional cross-border B2B e-commerce marketplace in China, aiming to provide global buyers with quality products at competitive prices. Founded in 2004, DHgate.com has approximately 10 million global buyers from 230 countries and regions, with 1.2 million global sellers offering 33 million products. DHgate.com's business enables buyers to directly access global manufacturers of the world's top brands with rich product selections. DHgate.com is an all-in-one platform with integrated services for international logistics, cross-border payments, internet financing, etc. DHgate.com's US product distribution warehouses allow for 24 hour delivery and convenient product returns & refunds, bringing great convenience to buyers at http://www.dhgate.com. SOURCE DHgate.com Related Links http://www.dhgate.com WEST ISLIP, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Larry M. Altschul, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.S.E, is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a 2016-17 Doctor of The Year in the field of Healthcare. Dr. Altschul is the Chief of Cardiology at Good Samaritan Hospital. As a leader in cardiology, the South Bay Cardiovascular Group of St. Francis Hospital provides an extensive array of expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all types of cardiovascular disease, working predominantly out of Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip NY and Southside Hospital (of the Northwell Healthcare system) in Bayshore, NY . Recognized as one of the nation's best hospitals by U.S. News and World Report, South Bay Cardiology of St. Francis Hospital is your best choice for both inpatient and outpatient cardiology services performed by esteemed physicians. Board Certified in Cardiology, Dr. Altschul specializes in all facets of cardiovascular medicine including but not limited to: echocardiography, EKG, nuclear cardiology, and heart failure. Not only does he focus on top tier patient care, he has lectured nationwide. Dr. Altschul teaches medical residents and students at area Hospitals where he has received honor as Teacher of The Year on countless occasions. He is also an official Lecturer for Nurse Practitioners at Columbia Presbyterian School of Nursing. An expert in critical care medicine, Dr. Altschul is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and is a member of the American Heart Association. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, sports, art, and being outdoors. Dr. Altschul obtained his Medical Doctor degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. He then went on to complete his internship, residency and fellowship at the Nassau University Medical Center. For more information, please visit www.stfrancisheartcenter.com Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com CHICAGO, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On July 16, 80 Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) dealers fired up their grills and hosted individual community fundraising events, collectively raising $160,000 the highest amount to date for the USO of Illinois. Participating dealers gathered last evening during the USO of Illinois' Clark After Dark event to formally present the check. "This is the fourth year that the CATA has partnered with the USO of Illinois on the Barbecue for the Troops effort, and we're thrilled that this program continues to gain momentum," said CATA Chairman John Hennessy. "It doesn't come as a surprise. Dealers are deeply rooted within their communities and this cause truly resonates with everyone. Rallying their communities in support of the USO of Illinois is one way dealers can show gratitude for all that U.S. troops do to keep us safe each and every day." Since the campaign's launch in 2013, Chicagoland's new-car dealers have raised more than $420,000 for the USO of Illinois, quite a feat for an initiative that started as a grassroots program where dealers would agree to set out a grill and a tin can. This past July, Chicagoans who visited their local new-car dealer's Barbecue for the Troops event found everything from patriotic ceremonies including 21 gun salutes and the national anthem sung by American Idol stars to giant inflatables for kids, to classic car shows, all to help draw interest and crowds to raise money for local troops. "This year, as we celebrate 75 years of connecting our service members to family, home and country, the USO of Illinois is very grateful to the CATA for their continued leadership and generous support that enables us to stay connected with more than 330,000 military and military families every year," said USO of Illinois President and CEO Alison Ruble. "Thanks in part to the 100 local new-car dealers that have participated over the last four years, we are able to continue delivering programs and services to our service members that provide care and comfort and truly send an important message that the American people appreciate their service and sacrifices." To help raise additional awareness for the dealership fundraisers, the CATA coordinated a #BBQ4Troops social media contest where one winner would be selected to receive the Ultimate Backyard Barbecue, a catered barbecue meal by Real Urban Barbecue for 50 friends and a special visit from Chicago Blackhawks great Tony Esposito. Rebecca Wilson from Oak Lawn was selected as the winner for her entry, which received 415 Facebook votes. She nominated her fiance, a U.S. Army veteran, who will receive his Ultimate Backyard Barbecue later this summer. The CATA and the USO of Illinois already have big plans for the fifth anniversary of the USO Barbecue for the Troops events, which will be held across Chicagoland on Sat., July 15, 2017. For more information on the CATA, please visit www.cata.info or contact CATA Director of Public Relations and Social Media Jennifer Morand at [email protected]. For more information on the USO of Illinois, please visit http://usoofillinois.org or contact USO of Illinois Vice President of Development Jessica Dolan at [email protected]. About The Chicago Automobile Trade Association Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is the nation's oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization. It is comprised of more than 400 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information, please visit CATA.info. About the USO of Illinois The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. Supporting over 330,000 troops and their families every year, the USO of Illinois is a civilian 501(c)(3) non-profit that is supported solely by the generosity of the American people. For more information about the USO of Illinois, visit: www.usoofillinois.org. SOURCE Chicago Automobile Trade Association Related Links http://www.cata.info LOS ANGELES, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Emilygrene announced today the launch of its newly revamped website. This redesigned site offers quick and easy access to essential information and features while offering a more comprehensive understanding of the Company's value proposition and overall client benefits. The website also offers updated information on news and press releases, client testimonials, management biographies, and career opportunities. Updated blog post will launch the week of August 22nd and will include topics centered around technology, tips on savings, key industry highlights and current legislative and policy updates in the clean tech field. The new website has a clean uncluttered design, improved functionality and enhanced rich content focused on the Company's mission to provide cost effective energy savings through renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions. The new website goes live today, August 19th, 2016 and is located at the same address: www.emilygrene.com. "We are excited about our new website launch and the robust information it provides for customers, investors, partners and media to better understand emilygrene's energy saving solutions," said Burke Ewers, CEO of emilygrene. "We believe that this new site will allow our visitors to have a very informative experience as we continue to grow and increase our market presence." "Emilygrene solutions provide significant financial and environmental benefits to our clients. With increasing utility rates, environmental regulations, and corporate sustainability goals, our team of professionals are able to provide easy to understand solutions that contribute significant triple bottom line (financial, environmental, and social) benefits for our clients. Our ability to also offer attractive financing solutions, coupled with our in-house staff of utility incentive experts, allow our customers to implement our projects with no out-of-pocket expense and immediate positive cash flow," added Mr. Ewers. Emilygrene's new website will be updated on a regular basis with news of product launches, business activity, corporate milestones, events, and press releases. Visitors are encouraged to explore the website and sign up for direct emails from the Company at www.emilygrene.com/contact/. https://vimeo.com/179328175 About the Company Emilygrene is a single-source provider of comprehensive energy solutions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the company delivers Triple Bottom Line (Social, Environmental, Economical) benefits by implementing demand-side and supply-side energy solutions. Emilygrene works with its customers to reduce operating expenses, upgrade and maintain their facilities, improve occupancy comfort levels, increase energy reliability and enhance the environment. Emilygrene team members have successfully completed energy projects with federal, state, and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, and commercial and industrial clients. By providing two core business services of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, emilygrene affords its customers the chance to capitalize on energy opportunities and to focus on their organization's primary mission. - See more at: http://www.emilygrene.com/. Media Contact: Mary Bonura [email protected] Photos: http://www.prlog.org/12580544 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Emilygrene Related Links http://www.emilygrene.com BEIJING, July 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SouFun Holdings Limited (NYSE: SFUN) ("Fang" or the "Company"), the leading real estate Internet portal in China, today announced the appointment of new President, Mr. Jian Liu and the New Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Zhihong Zhang. Mr. Liu joined Fang in 2000 and most recently has served as the Company's Chief Operating Officer since 2007. Prior to that, he served as the president of various business divisions, including new home and financial services. Mr. Liu also served as the Chief Information Officer of the Company from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Liu has extensive experience in the business operation and management. He holds a bachelor's degree from Ningbo University. The Company also announced the promotion of Ms. Zhang to the Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Zhang has served as senior vice president of the Company since April 2016 (in charge of the financial and operation optimization). Prior to that, she served as vice president of the Company (in charge of the sales department), president of the resale group and financial vice president of the Company. She holds an MBA degree from University of International Business and Economics. "Both Mr. Jian Liu and Ms. Zhihong Zhang have been with the Company for more than 16 years. They have extensive experience in different positions with the Company, as well as deep understanding of the industry," commented Vincent Mo, the Chairman and CEO of Fang. "I believe it is the right time to further strengthen our core management team as Fang is quickly expanding its E-Commerce business and gaining market share across China. I look forward to working closely with Mr. Liu and Ms. Zhang to drive the transformation and lift the Company to the next level." About Fang Fang operates the leading real estate Internet portal in China in terms of the number of page views and visitors to its websites. Through our websites, we provide e-commerce, marketing, listing, financial and other value-added services for China's fast-growing real estate and home furnishing and improvement sectors. Our user-friendly websites support active online communities and networks of users seeking information on, and other value-added services for, the real estate and home furnishing and improvement sectors in China. Fang currently maintains about 100 offices to focus on local market needs and its website and database contains real estate related content covering more than 629 cities in China. For more information about Fang, please visit http://ir.fang.com. Safe Harbor Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "is expected to," "anticipates," "aim," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "are likely to," "estimates," "may," "should" and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding Fang's future financial performance, revenue guidance for 2016, growth and growth rates, and market position and continued business transformation. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Fang's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, whether the transactions contemplated by the restructuring of Fang's assets and businesses will receive the requisite approvals and clearance, whether such restructuring will be carried out as planned, the impact of such restructuring on Fang's assets and businesses, the impact of Fang's transformation from a pure Internet information platform to a transaction-oriented platform, the impact of Fang's implementation of a "zero tolerance policy" that has resulted in dismissal of employees, the impact of the slowdown in China's real estate market on Fang and the impact on revenues of our existing and new service fees reductions, the ability of Fang to retain real estate listing agencies as customers during challenging economic periods, the success of Fang's new business initiatives, the ability of Fang to manage its operating expenses, the impact of, measures taken or to be taken by the Chinese government to control real estate growth and prices and other events which could occur in the future, economic challenges in China's real estate market, the impact of competitive market conditions for our services, our ability to maintain and increase our leadership in China's home related internet sector, the uncertain regulatory landscape in China, fluctuations in our quarterly operating results, our continued ability to execute business strategies including our SouFun membership services and SouFun Online Shop, our ability to continue to expand in local markets, our reliance on online advertising sales and listing services and transactions for our revenues, any failure to successfully develop and expand our content, service offerings and features, including the success of new features to meet evolving market needs, and the technologies that support them, the quality of the loans we originate and resell and the performance of those loans in the future, our ability to successfully service and process customer loans for our own benefit and for the purchasers of those loans and, should we in the future make acquisitions, any failure to successfully integrate acquired businesses. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: Mr. Kent Cangsang Huang CFO Phone: +86-10-5631-9668 Email: [email protected] SOURCE SouFun Holdings Limited During the event, Hainan Airlines displayed its superior airline cuisine menu designed exclusively for its passengers by Michelin-starred chefs who articulated what could be expected as specialties for passengers boarding Hainan Airlines' flights departing from Paris, Berlin and Brussels. These passengers will be served delicacies from different parts of the world while in the air. The new Michelin menu is part of Hainan Airlines' "Exclusive Restaurant on Board" program. Hainan Airlines plans to launch more in-flight special and gourmet meals based on new international routes in the future. The airline has also hired renowned Chinese chefs as advisors for the Chinese food served so that Chinese tourists returning home can experience authentic Chinese meals while on board. In addition to providing full support for the design and preparation of meals served on Hainan Airlines' international routes, the chefs will be on board the flight and, while visiting with the passengers, will have them sample the foods as they share stories behind the research and development that went into the creation of the new meals. In addition, Hainan Airlines' signature in-flight service, Restaurant on Board five-star private cuisine, debuted at the launch event, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy five-star cuisine while in-flight. Hainan Airlines has continued to enhance the standards of their five-star cuisine service to cater for differing dining preferences of passengers, demonstrating the high quality of the food and the innovation that went into its creation. These new additions to the suite of offerings is evidence of the SKYTRAX five-star airline's excellence in services. In addition to the roll out of the new services, the launch event was a testament to an increasing vibrancy and innovation that makes Hainan Airlines one of the industry's global leaders. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399570 SOURCE Hainan Airlines Co., LTD GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HomeActions LLC, a lead-nurturing and client relationship service for the real estate industry, is now offering to its 3 million enrolled members two special hyper-local features that help its subscribing agents market themselves. Both services, the automated valuation model (AVM) and AddressReport (AR), are offered in partnership with Onboard Informatics, the leader in data-driven consumer engagement. The tools empower HomeActions' real estate professionals to give their prospects the ability to estimate property values and do a deep data dive into their own neighborhoods or any neighborhoods they are investigating. The AVM offers a range on what a property of interest is worth. This range is calculated using Onboard's proprietary algorithms and data compiled from all 150 million properties across the country. This is an interactive feature and a proven way to help real estate professionals identify likely home sellers. "An Automated Valuation Model gives users an estimate of what their property might be worth. There are several models out there, and Onboard has a model that has property values calculated using multiple models and inputs, including assessments, sales, on-market prices and trends," says Marc Siden, CEO of Onboard Informatics. "This is a great addition to the HomeActions newsletter and one of the most engaging tools in real estate today." The second new tool, AddressReport, engages prospects using elegant property reports featuring hyper-local data on an area or property of interest. When consumers request these reports, agents are immediately notified and encouraged to follow up. This predictive data is valuable for agents who want to see who is actively engaged in the home-buying process. "This is an enormous advantage for both real estate agents and their clients," says Barry Friedman, CPA, who is the founder and CEO of HomeActions. "The agents get to provide a unique service to their prospects, and the consumers get to unveil the estimated property values of their own homes or homes they want to buy as well as key details about the neighborhoods. Today's agents seldom add meaningful content to their websites because the sites are not getting any visits. With HomeActions, we push out via email in-demand content and widgets to everyone in their databases." About Onboard Informatics Onboard Informatics is the leader in data-driven consumer engagement. Our data powers engagement solutions for some of the largest companies in real estate, technology and media. For more information, visit onboardinformatics.com. About HomeActions HomeActions LLC was founded by Barry Friedman, CPA, who managed many CPA firms for over 25 years and subsequently sold them to American Express. He then created BizActions LLC, which became the largest marketing e-newsletter company for CPA firms and payroll companies. He sold it to Thomson Reuters in 2012. He has over 15 years' experience in the e-mail newsletter space. HomeActions LLC is a virtual company that employs more than 35 people and is headquartered in Green Cove Springs, Florida. For more information, please visit our website, HomeActions.net, or contact Richard J. Koreto, chief content officer, at 845-642-4314 or email. SOURCE HomeActions Related Links http://homeactions.net ADDISON, Texas, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- From liquor-laced cupcakes to boozy popsicles, Americans' desire to go beyond drinking their alcohol has launched a new category of products in the last five years. This summer, eclectic urban bar and gathering place, Bar Louie, builds on the trend and dives deeper into the classic flavor combination of barbeque and bourbon with its new Spiked Bulleit Bourbon Burger. Packing an authentic bourbon punch that requires guests to show I.D.s upon ordering, the new burger is available at more than 110 Bar Louie locations across the U.S. And, Bar Louie fans can visit their local restaurant on Tuesdays when the bar celebrates their ritual "Burger Night" to enjoy deep discounts on the new offering. "Burgers, barbeque, bacon and bourbon are four B's that just belong together," said Stephanie Hoppe, Bar Louie's Chief Marketing Officer. "We're taking it one step further, in partnership with our friends at Diageo, and creating a new way for our guests to indulge by adding Bulleit Bourbon to our house-made barbeque jam after cooking, so the burger is enhanced with the full flavor of the bourbon." Since its launch in July 2016, the Spiked Bulleit Bourbon Burger has become a customer favorite and is currently the top-selling specialty burger. Beyond the juicy all-beef hamburger patty and house-made Bulleit bourbon barbeque jam, the indulgent flavors of this one-of-a kind burger also include smooth and rich cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon and the crunch of fresh onion strings. Guests can choose to create a beef-free version of the same spiked deliciousness by swapping the hamburger patty for a chicken breast, turkey burger or portabella mushroom. Be sure to bring your I.D. to Bar Louie to try the new Spiked Bulleit Bourbon Burger, along with two limited-time summer cocktails. Bar Louie's new Mangria is "sangria for guys," combining Maker's Mark with fresh mint and lemon. And, the new Berry Peach Sangria, features the flavors of Deep Eddy Peach Vodka, Simi Rose, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. These seasonal features are available in addition to Bar Louie's scratch-made menu items including appetizers, flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, burgers and large plates, available all night until close. The regular bar menu includes 32 signature martinis and cocktails made from the highest quality ingredients, fresh fruit and hand-squeezed juices, in addition to domestic and imported beers, microbrews and 20 wines by the glass. About Bar Louie Founded in downtown Chicago in 1990, Bar Louie is an award-winning collection of neighborhood bars with a lively, social atmosphere. With more than 110 locations across the United States, Bar Louie is growing through both franchise and corporate openings. Known for their signature handcrafted martinis and cocktails, Bar Louie also features a scratch menu of shareable plates, burgers, and sandwiches served every day until close. For more information on Bar Louie, visit www.barlouie.com. To learn about franchising opportunities with Bar Louie, go to www.barlouie.com/franchise. Tweet language: I.D. REQUIRED! The Spiked Bulleit Bourbon Burger at @BarLouie? It's true. #EatDrinkBeHappy Facebook post: A burger that's for 21-and-over only? Yup. Bar Louie's newest special is smothered in cream cheese, cheddar, crispy bacon and onion strings, then topped off with a spiked (no, seriously!!) Bulleit Bourbon sauce. #EatDrinkBeHappy Media Contact Beth Silverberg The Fearey Group for Bar Louie [email protected] www.feareygroup.com (206) 343-1543 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130906/MM75444LOGO SOURCE Bar Louie Related Links http://www.barlouie.com FORT WAYNE, Ind., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Local bidders dominated the auction of approximately 705 acres in Allen County, Indiana, with the land selling to five different buyers for a total of $6.435 million. Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company marketed the property and conducted the auction. "Overall, the land averaged $9,125 per acre. The highest price was on 117 acres, which sold for $1.2 million, or $10,256 per acre. Close behind were another 172 acres, selling for $1.75 million, or $10,174 per acre," said Jerry Ehle, who managed the auction for Schrader. "The auction attracted 63 registered bidders, including investors and operators alike, but it was clear early on that the local operators would prevail," said Ehle. All five successful bidders lived within a few miles of the property, he said. R.D. Schrader, president of the auction company, said the result shows continuing demand for quality land. "These prices were strong. While farmland values have declined some, it's just been a few years ago that land values would have been half that. Despite concerns about low commodity prices, landowners can still get a good price for quality land that is marketed well," said Schrader. "I can't say what the future will bring, but we're still seeing vibrant demand, especially among farmers who are in a position to acquire land for the long run," he said. Major upcoming auctions include 397 acres in Cass County, Indiana, set for Sept. 8, and 604 acres in Morgan County, near Nashville, on Sept. 13. Also on the horizon are auctions of 8,638 acres in Illinois (Dec. 12), 12,160 acres in Texas (Dec. 14) and 24,441 in Nebraska/Colorado (Dec. 15). Individuals seeking additional information may visit www.schraderauction.com or call 800-451-2709 (headquarters) or 260-749-0445 (Fort Wayne). Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company, based in Columbia City, Indiana, is a leading auctioneer of agricultural land throughout the United States and is a five-time USA Today/National Auctioneers Association Auction of the Year winner. For more information: Carl Carter, 205-823-3273 SOURCE Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company Related Links http://www.schraderauction.com SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lear Corporation [NYSE: LEA], a leading global supplier of automotive seating and electrical systems, today announced that it was recently inducted into the Billion Dollar Roundtable Inc. (BDR), a top-level corporate advocacy organization that promotes supply chain diversity excellence, during the annual BDR Summit in Atlanta. "We have significantly increased our focus on diversity in recent years both in terms of minority sourcing and our organization. Valuing diversity makes Lear a stronger and better company. I am pleased that we have reached this very important milestone with women and minority suppliers by exceeding $1 billion in sourcing with them. While we have more work to do, we have been making steady progress in all elements of diversity. I am gratified that the Billion Dollar Roundtable, our key customers and others have recognized our efforts," said Matt Simoncini, President and Chief Executive Officer. The Billion Dollar Roundtable honored Lear Corporation at a formal induction ceremony today during its Summit in Atlanta. BDR summits convene thought leaders, procurement executives and other stakeholders to offer critical reviews of current approaches to supplier diversity and devise solutions to foster new opportunities. The theme of the Atlanta Summit was "Leading Breakthroughs in the Supply Chain: Trends, Economic Impact & Innovation." "Lear's induction offers an exciting addition into the Billion Dollar Roundtable. Lear operates a robust supplier diversity program and also is a major Tier I supplier to major automotive companies, including other BDR members. Lear joins 21 other U.S.-based corporations in an exclusive group of companies that have attained $1 billion or more in annual Tier I supply-chain diversity spend, including its two largest customers General Motors and Ford in the organization. We will welcome Lear's unique contributions at the BDR table," said BDR Chairman Rick Hughes. "Lear joins the BDR at a time when our recent annual summits have examined topics that include how global supply chains are being impacted by innovation and emerging technologies. These changes are redefining the roles of diverse suppliers within corporate supply chains. Lear is a model for advancing new approaches within its business and industry, and the BDR looks forward to Lear's ideas and thought leadership on these and other current topics in supplier diversity," said Sharon Patterson, BDR co-founder, president and CEO. In addition to Lear, other BDR member companies are AT&T Inc., Avis Budget Group, Bank of America, The Boeing Co., Comcast NBCUniversal, Cummins Inc., Fiat Chrysler., Dell Inc., Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp., Honda North America, IBM Corp., Johnson Controls Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Kaiser-Permanente, The Kroger Co., Microsoft Corp., Procter & Gamble Co., Toyota Motor North America Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. ABOUT LEAR CORPORATION Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) is one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive seating and electrical distribution systems. Lear serves every major automaker in the world, and Lear content can be found on more than 350 vehicle nameplates. Lear's world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by a diverse team of approximately 140,000 employees located in 36 countries. Lear currently ranks #154 on the Fortune 500. Lear's headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan. Further information about Lear is available at http://www.lear.com or follow us on Twitter @LearCorporation. ABOUT THE BILLION DOLLAR ROUNDTABLE The Billion Dollar Roundtable Inc. was created in 2001 to recognize and celebrate corporations that achieve spending of $1 billion or more with diverse suppliers, including minority- and woman-owned companies. The BDR promotes and shares best practices in supply chain diversity excellence through summits, collaboration with other organizations and the production of policy papers. BDR member companies review and discuss issues, opportunities and strategies related to supplier diversity as a way to advance opportunities for corporations and diverse suppliers. The BDR encourages corporate entities to continue growing their supplier diversity programs by increasing commitment and spending levels each year. For more information, go to billiondollarrountable.org. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110307/DE59731LOGO SOURCE Lear Corporation Related Links http://www.lear.com PUNE, India, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Market-Research-Reports.com adds reports on "Global and Chinese Load Cell Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report" latest study of 150 pages, published in Aug 2016, to the Electrical and Electronic collection of its store. This report estimate 2016-2021 Load Cell Industry Cost and Profit with Market Competition of Load Cell Industry by Country: (Including Europe, U.S., Japan, China etc.), By Company and Application. Complete report on Load Cell market divided into 11 major chapters that offer an overview of current market scenario as well as 2021 forecasts is now available at http://www.market-research-reports.com/466837-load-cell-industry. This Global and Chinese Report 2016 is a result of industry experts' diligent work on researching the world market of Load Cell. The report helps to build up a clear view of the market (scenario and survey), identify major players in the industry, and analyzes the upstream raw materials, downstream clients, and current market dynamics of Load Cell Industry. The report reviews the basic information of Load Cell including its classification, application and manufacturing technology. This report explores global and China's top manufacturers of Load Cell listing their product specification, capacity, Production value, and market share etc. The report further analyzes quantitatively 2011-2016 global and China's total market of Load Cell by calculation of main economic parameters of each company. In the end, the report makes a proposal for a new project of Load Cell Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2016 global and China Load Cell industry covering all important parameters. Order a copy of this report at http://www.market-research-reports.com/contacts/purchase.php?name=466837. The first chapter introduces the Load Cell Industry by Brief Introduction, Development & Status of Load Cell Industry. The second chapter focuses on Manufacturing Technology of Load Cell, the third one gives Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers (Including Company Profile, Product Specification, 2011-2016 Production Information etc.). The forth chapter deals with 2011-2016 Global and China Market of Load Cell. The chapter 5 summarizes Market Status of Load Cell Industry. List of Tables and Figures for Global & China Load Cell Industry Figure Load Cell Product Table Load Cell Classification Table Load Cell Applications Figure Load Cell Manufacturing Technology Table Major Manufacturers Production Technology List Table Load Cell Industries Policy List Figure 2016 Global Load Cell Market Share By Country Figure 2016 Global Load Cell Major Manufacturers Market Share Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Capacity List Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Capacity Market Share List Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Production List Table 2011-2016 Global Major Manufacturers Load Cell Production Market Share List Figure 2011-2016 Global Load Cell Capacity Production and Growth Rate Another research titled Global and Chinese Femtocell Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Femtocell industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Femtocell manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. The report estimates 2016-2021 market development trends of Femtocell industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Femtocell Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2021 global and Chinese Femtocell industry covering all important parameters. Comprehensive Table of Contents and more for the report is available at http://www.market-research-reports.com/471711-femtocell-industry . Explore more reports on Electrical and Electronic Industry at http://www.market-research-reports.com/cat/information-technology/electrical-electronic-market-research. About Us: Market Research Reports is an aggregator of syndicated market research studies that offer current and future market intelligence across multiple industrial verticals through is high quality database. Market Research Reports aims to help you take business decisions accurately and on time, every time. Understanding your time constraints, we can help you find the most relevant research based on the requirements you share with us. Our customers get 24 X 7 email and phone support. Feel free to reach us at +1 888 391 5441 with your business intelligence needs. Contact: Ritesh Tiwari UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune - 411013 Maharashtra, India. Tel: +1-888-391-5441 | [email protected] SOURCE Market-Research-Reports CHINO, Calif., Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lollicup USA Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of disposable foodservice products and specialty beverage supplies, has been ranked on Inc. magazine's prestigious list of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies. This is the fourth year in a row the company has been ranked. This year, Lollicup USA was no. 2908 on the list. Placement on the Inc. 5000 list is determined according to the percentage growth of a company's annual revenue. A 3-year growth rate determines which companies make the cut, and where they place on the list. Lollicup USA ranked among some of the biggest names in business, including Loot Crate, Dollar Shave Club, Bai Brands and many more. This year, the company's revenue grew 118 percent over the past three years, and had $100.2 million in 2015. Lollicup USA is committed to continuing its growth streak, with more sales and new Karat products launching regularly. The company also continues to increase its number of employees. Lollicup USA recently opened a fourth warehouse, which is located in Wilmer, Texas. The company has also begun plans to build a manufacturing facility in Rockwall, Texas. This will be Lollicup USA's second US-based manufacturing plant. Inc. 5000 companies will be honored at the Inc. 5000 conference and awards ceremony in San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 18-20. The full Inc. 5000 list is available on Inc. magazine's website. About Lollicup USA Inc. Lollicup USA manufactures and distributes Karat paper and plastic disposable foodservice packaging products and Tea Zone beverage ingredients for thousands of retail business accounts, including several Fortune 500 restaurant franchises. Lollicup USA is proud to provide a true ''one-stop solution'' for all beverage and foodservice needs. Please visit lollicupusa.com for more information, or contact us at [email protected]. Contact: Julia Gutierrez Phone: (626) 965-8882 Email: [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/319093LOGO SOURCE Lollicup USA Inc. Related Links http://www.lollicup.com OCEAN CITY, Md., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Believe In Tomorrow Children's Foundation will host Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on Friday, August 19, at 10:30am, as he tours the Believe In Tomorrow Children's House by the Sea. The Governor will spend time with the critically ill children and their families who are staying there. As a cancer survivor himself, the Governor will have the chance to reconnect with one of his fellow treatment buddies, who is staying at the Children's House along with her family this week. The Believe In Tomorrow Children's House by the Sea is recognized as the first pediatric respite facility for critically ill children in the United States. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160817/399194LOGO Believe In Tomorrow Founder and CEO, Brian Morrison was quoted: "We are very excited to host Governor Hogan at our House By the Sea. This facility and our other two locations in Ocean City, along with our other properties in Deep Creek Lake, Delaware and North Carolina serve pediatric oncology patients and their families from throughout the United States. I'm sure our guests will be excited to meet the Governor. Moments like these provide lifelong memories, and we are grateful that Governor Hogan will be joining us." Believe In Tomorrow continues to expand our pediatric respite programs. We currently have two additional Maryland properties under construction in Ocean City, Maryland and Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Additional respites facilities are under development in Colorado, Florida, and Virginia. Believe In Tomorrow receives an extraordinary level of support from local businesses and residents. Due to their generosity, families in Believe In Tomorrow respite programs enjoy a wide array of donated local activities such as surfing lessons, amusement park access, fishing and boating trips, as well as delicious meals from restaurants. All of these activities are free of charge to the families. About Believe In Tomorrow: Believe In Tomorrow National Children's Foundation provides exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families. Our unique programs bring comfort, hope and joy to children and their families, enabling them to renew their spirits mentally and physically. Since 1982, Believe In Tomorrow has provided over 800,000 overnight accommodations to critically ill children from every state in the U.S. and more than 82 countries worldwide. Our unique Hospital Housing, Respite Housing and Hands On Adventures programs serve as a support system for when families need it most. learn more about Believe In Tomorrow at; www.believeintomorrow.org Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg image4.jpg Related Video https://vimeo.com/90998289 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Believe In Tomorrow Children's Foundation Related Links http://www.believeintomorrow.org MONROE, La., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NE Delta HSA) announced today that it has been selected by the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) North America, a research center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as a winner of its inaugural Health Care Delivery Innovation Competition. The competition identifies innovative programs with the potential to serve as national models and supports the development of large-scale randomized controlled trials to evaluate these programs' impact. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399724 "We want to thank J-PAL for this prestigious award and for the opportunity to work with their renowned research team as we continue to perfect our integrated service model," said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, Northeast Delta HSA Executive Director. "Empirical test findings around our innovative service delivery model could change the way primary and behavioral healthcare is delivered for vulnerable populations with complex needs in Louisiana and across the country. Being selected for this award is a testament to our Board and staff's commitment to our vision and mission. We look forward to sharing and implementing discoveries with our state's healthcare, business, community, and elected officials." Northeast Delta HSA has developed an innovative services network that provides integrated behavioral and primary healthcare services. Northeast Delta HSA also supports a range of social services, including housing, inpatient addiction services, employment, prevention and peer support to rural and low-income populations who have behavioral health and developmental disability needs. Additionally, NE Delta HSA works to leverage faith-based supportive services and governmental program offerings like transportation and workforce development throughout Louisiana's rural Delta region. "We applaud the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority for their innovative work in providing patients with access to quality behavioral health care, integrated primary care, and social services," said Quentin Palfrey, Executive Director of J-PAL North America. "We share their commitment to improving health care delivery for vulnerable populations. Together, we look forward to developing rigorous evidence of a potential national model for integrated care and ancillary services." "Our inaugural Health Care Delivery Innovation Competition was very competitive, attracting applicants from across the nation and across the spectrum of care. We were all deeply impressed by the commitment of the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority to not only deliver quality behavioral health services, but also to improve the holistic well-being of its clients," said Jason Bauman, Manager of J-PAL North America's U.S. Health Care Delivery Initiative. "This is an organization that embraces a challenging mission, creatively leverages surrounding resources and is dedicated to continuous improvement and responsible stewardship by measuring the impact of its work. We are excited to work together to evaluate their innovative integrated care model and spotlight their path-breaking work." "Because Governor Edwards brought Medicaid expansion to Louisiana, thousands and thousands of our citizens now have greater access to the healthcare they need. We also support Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Gee's work to ensure healthy living for citizens throughout Louisiana," said Dr. Sizer. "We are excited to work with J-PAL researchers to develop meaningful data and best practices for improved health outcomes in the Northeast Louisiana and beyond." NE Delta HSA was one of four nationally-awarded organizations. To see the J-PAL MIT press release, click here. About Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (Northeast Delta HSA) Northeast Delta HSA directs the operation of community-based programs to improve the quality of life of people with major mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictive disorders. Northeast Delta HSA is devoted to deliver programs and services that encourage people to reach their true human potential. Three tenets guide our efforts: excellent customer service, greater access to services and competent, quality care. Northeast Delta HSA serves citizens in 12 parishes of northeastern Louisiana: Caldwell, East Carroll, West Carroll, Ouachita, Lincoln, Madison, Franklin, Morehouse, Jackson, Tensas, Richland and Union. For more information, please call 318-362-3270. J-PAL North America is a regional office of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). J-PAL was established in 2003 as a research center at MIT's Department of Economics. Since then, it has built a global network of affiliated professors based at over 40 universities and regional offices in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. J-PAL North America was established with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Laura and John Arnold Foundation and works to improve the effectiveness of social programs in the region through three core activities: research, policy outreach, and capacity building. www.povertyactionlab.org/north-america. NE Delta HSA Media Contact: Jill Hirsekorn Public Information Director 2513 Ferrand Street, Monroe, LA 71201 Phone 318-362-5482 Email NE Delta HSA Press and Media SOURCE Northeast Delta Human Services Authority MILL VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ARCC Programs is thrilled to announce two 90-day Spring semester gap programs to complement our Fall gap offerings. Beginning in February of 2017, ARCC will offer a brand new Spring semester gap program in Patagonia and Cuba, as well as our popular Asia gap semester offering to China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/399528 New Spring Semester Gap Year Programs From ARCC Gap Programs These programs are designed to be either stand-alone spring programs or natural extensions of ARCC's Fall semester gap programs. Just as with our fall gap programs, these new spring semester gap programs will use service learning experiences and cultural immersion as the jumping off points for discussions centered around our five global gap themes: Environment and Conservation Literacy and Education Public Health Micro-finance and Economic Growth Urbanization and the Movement of Peoples PATAGONIA AND CUBA: SPRING SEMESTER GAP PROGRAM February 13 May 12, 2017 The Patagonia & Cuba Spring Semester Gap Program explores the wild frontiers, rugged mountain ranges and stunning coastlines of Chile and South America's Patagonia region. The program then travels to Cuba, the vibrant Caribbean nation closed to U.S. travelers for almost 60 years, and home to a fun loving, proud and welcoming population. With unparalleled access to these remote and rarely visited destinations, we explore our five gap Global Themes through service learning projects, travel and research that includes fishery studies in the southern Pacific Ocean, trail work in Patagonia's park system, climate change research in Chile's high country, teaching English to Cuban students ages 5-60, providing meals for Cuba's underserved elderly population, and much more. Along the way, the group experiences the Latin magic and electric atmospheres of Havana and Santiago and Cuba's magnificent Caribbean beaches and crystal clear waters. This immersive 90-day educational semester is a formative experience, breaking the mold of the traditional academic classroom. ASIA: SPRING SEMESTER GAP PROGRAM (CHINA, VIETNAM, CAMBODIA & THAILAND) February 13 May 12, 2017 ARCC's Asia Spring Semester Gap Program travels through the culturally distinct nations of China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. This one-of-a-kind experience blends education, service and exploration of these ancient cultures. With decades of experience in Asia, this program dives deep into unique and untouched geographies, rarely visited by outsiders, to unearth a way of life rooted in history over the course of centuries. With projects and curriculum grounded in our five Global Themes, students on our Asia Spring Semester Gap programs explore the issue of human trafficking with a local NGO, camp overnight on the Great Wall of China, install clean water filters in rural Cambodian homes, study the devastating effects of Agent Orange in Hanoi, work side-by-side with local mahouts and biologists at an Elephant Rehabilitation Center in Thailand and much more. ABOUT ARCC PROGRAMS Founded in 1983, ARCC Programs is a leading provider of Community Service, Service Learning and Adventure Travel programs for youth ages 13 to 19. For 35 years ARCC has been offering life-changing experiences to students who participate in two- to four-week small group programs in 20 countries on six continents. From teaching primary school English and building water solar power installations in Africa to running whitewater rapids in Costa Rica to enhancing fluency in Spanish or Mandarin in Spain or China, ARCC brings youth face to face with the challenges, realities and beauties of nature and our global community. For post-high school students ARCC operates Gap Year Programs in Africa, Asia, Cuba and Latin America including the Patagonia Region of Chile and Argentina. These 90-day semester programs offer an educational and cultural bridge between high school and college combining a rich academic curriculum with the experiential benefits of international travel. Follow Adventures Cross-Country: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventurescrosscountry Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARCC_Adventures Instagram: http://instagram.com/arcc_adventures Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg image4.png Related Links ARCC Gap Programs ARCC Programs This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE ARCC Programs Related Links http://www.adventurescrosscountry.com "OnDeck's top twenty ranking on the Selling Power 50 Best Companies to Sell For list is a clear indication of our relentless commitment to fostering a top-notch workplace environment where employees feel both supported and challenged," says Paul Rosen, Chief Sales Officer at OnDeck. "Our sales team shares a genuine passion for technology, innovation and always the needs of our customers the small businesses of America. That passion translates into energy, enthusiasm and success measured in relationships with customers that matter." For the last 17 years, the corporate research team at Selling Power has identified and ranked the best companies to sell for among the top sales forces in the United States. The list encompasses companies of all sizes with sales forces ranging from fewer than 100 salespeople to companies with sales-force numbers in the thousands. To gather data, the Selling Power research team issues an extensive questionnaire to executives in sales, training, and human resources. The questions focused on the areas of customer growth and retention; hiring, compensation, sales training, and enablement; and company recognition and reputation. OnDeck's robust compensation packages include medical, dental, vision and life benefits, up to four months of paid parental leave, lunch on OnDeck plus a fully-stocked kitchen, 401(k) matches, compensation for education, student loan refinancing and more. Ready to join the team? Check out job opportunities on OnDeck's sales team here. About OnDeck OnDeck (NYSE: ONDK) is the leader in online small business lending. Since 2007, the Company has powered Main Street's growth through advanced lending technology and a constant dedication to customer service. OnDeck's proprietary credit scoring system the OnDeck Score leverages advanced analytics, enabling OnDeck to make real-time lending decisions and deliver capital to small businesses in as little as 24 hours. OnDeck offers business owners a complete financing solution, including the online lending industry's widest range of term loans and lines of credit. To date, the Company has deployed over $5 billion to more than 50,000 customers in 700 different industries across the United States, Canada and Australia. OnDeck has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and operates the educational small business financing website www.businessloans.com. For more information, please visit www.ondeck.com. About Selling Power In addition to Selling Power magazine, the leading periodical for sales managers and sales VPs since 1981, Selling Power Inc. produces the Sales Management Digest and Daily Boost of Positivity online newsletters, as well as a five minute-video series featuring interviews with top executives. Selling Power is a regular media sponsor of the Sales 2.0 Conference. Media Contact: Miranda Eifler [email protected] 917-677-7112 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150812/257781LOGO Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/399323 SOURCE OnDeck ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PenFed Credit Union has been helping Greater Omaha DO BETTER for almost 25 years, and we are adding local branches to offer hometown service and advice for our members. With over 500 local employees and more than 10,000 local members throughout the Greater Omaha Area, PenFed is opening our first full-service branch in the state of Nebraska. PenFed's Chairman of the Board of Directors Ed Cody and President and CEO James Schenck will host a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and welcome a Congressional delegation and community leaders during the event. The $20 Billion Credit Union has operated locally since 1992. The inaugural Papillion branch will feature the full array of PenFed's services and a state of the art facility. PenFed serves 1.4 Million members worldwide. Representatives from several Omaha Area charitable organizations will be on-hand to for a special presentation from PenFed during the Grand Opening Celebration. Additional guests to include local community leaders, senior personnel from Offutt Air Force Base and members of the public. WHEN: Tuesday, August 23rd 11:30am WHERE: 312 Olson Dr. Ste 105 Papillion, NE 68046 About PenFed Credit Union Established in 1935 as the War Department Credit Union, PenFed Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in the country, serving 1.4 million members worldwide; with $20 billion in assets. Its long- standing mission has been to provide superior financial services in a cost effective manner, while being responsive to members' needs. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading mortgages, automobile loans, credit cards, checking, and a wide range of other financial services with its members' interests always in mind. PenFed Credit Union serves a diverse population, and no military service is required to join. We offer many paths to membership, including numerous employee groups and association affiliations. It's easy to apply. We invite you to come see why you belong at PenFed Credit Union. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an equal housing lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org , like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on Twitter . Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on Linkedin . We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer: M/F/V/D. Papillion Grand Opening VIP Attendees James Schenck is President and CEO of the PenFed Credit Union and the PenFed Foundation. PenFed Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in the country. Its long- standing mission has been to provide superior financial services in a cost-effective manner, while being responsive to members' needs. The PenFed Foundation raises over $4 million each year in support of veterans and their families. Since becoming CEO in April of 2014, Schenck has led PenFed's asset growth from $17.6 billion to over $20 billion; grew its net income from $116 million to $159 million; and increased its membership from 1.29 million to over 1.41 million members. Prior to becoming CEO, Schenck was a member of the credit union's leadership team for 13 years. As an Executive Vice President, Schenck led most of PenFed's operating divisions, serving in many different roles including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and President of PenFed's wholly owned subsidiary, PenFed Realty. Prior to joining PenFed, Schenck served on the Army Staff in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans and was selected to serve as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. He received the Legion of Merit for his contribution to the Army in overseeing the creation of the $453 million Army University Access Online Educational Initiative. Prior to his assignment to the Pentagon, he taught economics and finance at the United States Military Academy. James is a graduate of the Harvard Business School and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. A former member of the West Point Federal Credit Union and Pentagon Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, Schenck was also a term member on the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, DC. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Lasermax, headquartered in Rochester, NY; as Senior Advisor to BizFlow Corporation; and on the Board of Advisors for the Center for New American Security (CNAS). In March of 2015, Schenck was selected by HillVets as one of the 100 most influential veterans in the United States. Schenck resides in Virginia with his wife, Lisa, and their son, James, Jr. Edward B. Cody is the owner of Enterprise Business Consulting, a Service Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Business. Formerly, he was the Chief Financial Executive and Comptroller at the Defense Information Systems Agency. Cody had over 35 years of federal service, including 2 years as an Army Lieutenant stationed at Fort Sill and in Vietnam. He has been associated with PenFed for 34 years, starting out on the Supervisory Committee and as a member of the Board for 29 years. For many years, he served as PenFed's Treasurer. Cody is also a member of the PenFed Foundation Board, and has been assisting our wounded, ill and injured recovering Service members for the last 5 years. The Honorable Bruce Kasold joined the PenFed Board in 1991 and was awarded the Chairman's Award in 2001. He served as a fully engaged Director Emeritus from 2004 until he was reappointed as a full voting member two months ago. Kasold served just over 20 years in the Army and retired in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel, at which time he joined the law firm of Holland & Knight. He subsequently served as the Chief Counsel to the Senate Rules Committee, followed by service as the Chief Counsel to the Senate Secretary and Sergeant at Arms. He currently serves as the Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150123/170917LOGO SOURCE PenFed Credit Union Related Links https://www.penfed.org/ NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine today ranked Prepaid Ventures, Ltd. NO. 4150 on its 35th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Domino's Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees of the Inc. 5000. "Inclusion in the Inc. 5000 means the world to us. As a Financial Services Technology provider our mission is to deliver cutting edge financial inclusion products to our customers. The task required significant investment and careful execution to get to this stage. I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish and even more excited for what lies ahead for us as a company. I know I speak for the entire team, from our Engineers, to our Call Center Representatives, to our sales force, when I say we are honored to have been considered, and now included, with the other best in class companies who made the list." Andrew Siden, Founder and CEO The 2016 Inc. 5000, unveiled online at Inc.com and with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc. (available on newsstands August 23) is the most competitive crop in the list's history. The average company on the list achieved a mind-boggling three-year growth of 433%. The Inc. 5000's aggregate revenue is $200 billion, and the companies on the list collectively generated 640,000 jobs over the past three years, or about 8% of all jobs created in the entire economy during that period. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. "The Inc. 5000 list stands out where it really counts," says Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg. "It honors real achievement by a founder or a team of them. No one makes the Inc. 5000 without building something great usually from scratch. That's one of the hardest things to do in business, as every company founder knows. But without it, free enterprise fails." The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring all the companies on the list will be held from October 18 through 20, in San Antonio, TX. Speakers include some of the greatest entrepreneurs of this and past generations, such as best-selling author and strategist Tony Robbins, SoulCycle co-founders Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice, Cornerstone OnDemand founder, president and CEO Adam Miller, Marvell Technology Group director and co-founder Weili Dai, and New Belgium Brewing co-founder and executive chair Kim Jordan. Prepaid Ventures, Ltd. (PPV), founded in 2007, is a leading processor of Payments and prepaid debit card solutions in the United States. Leveraging proprietary cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of the Financial technology landscape, Prepaid Ventures offers innovative solutions to Banks and Businesses as well as Financial Inclusion solutions to end users. By having the foresight to see the transformation of payments from paper check form to fully electronic before the larger marketplace, PPV has been able to build technology to help foster this change. Now with processing, sales, call center, and payments infrastructure, PPV delivers end to end solutions to businesses and individuals alike. PPV has been recognized as a leader in the FinTech industry by several market participants as well as by unaffiliated third parties. More about Inc. and the Inc. 500|5000 Methodology The 2016 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2012 to 2015. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2012. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2015. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2012 is $100,000; the minimum for 2015 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.'s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. About Inc. Media: Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Winner of the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 15,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com. The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list of the nation's most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates their remarkable achievements. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions. For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399606LOGO SOURCE Prepaid Ventures, Ltd. NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network it's easy and free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://prn.to/queryform. EXPERT ALERTS Zika Spread Magnifies Questions of Employer Liability Zika Exposes IT Gaps Anyone Planning on Having Children Should Consider Genetic Screening How CFOs Can Stop Worrying and Love Their Company's Wellness/EAP Flood Safety Tips That Could Save Your Life MEDIA JOBS Sports Reporter Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (AK) Breaking News/Crime Reporter Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA) Energy Reporter Houston Business Journal (TX) OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES 6 Simple Tools for Creating GIFs to Enhance Your Storytelling Facebook Live: A Game Changer Know Before You Go: 4 Tips for Journalists Covering a Major Event ------------------------------------------------------------------- EXPERT ALERTS: Zika Spread Magnifies Questions of Employer Liability Justin Markel Attorney Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey PC in Houston Health officials have reported the first spread of the Zika virus from state to state when a Texas man got the disease after visiting a section of Miami where mosquitoes have been spreading Zika. The virus can cause brain damage and other birth defects in infants if the mother is infected during pregnancy. While its dangers first appeared in Brazil, its spread to the U.S. has magnified questions about risk, including to workers whose employers want them to travel. Says Markel: "Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employees may refuse to work in certain circumstances when working conditions are dangerous. Among other things, the employee must genuinely believe that an imminent danger exists, and there must be a real danger of death or serious injury. Because of the way Zika is transmitted and the availability of preventive measures, it is unlikely that an employee could refuse to travel on this ground unless the employee is pregnant. However, employers should be cautious when an employee refuses such a work assignment. An employee could argue that she is protected by OSHA and is shielded from adverse employment actions." News Contact: Kit Frieden, [email protected] Zika Exposes IT Gaps Ritu Agarwal Information Systems Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business "Health departments have lacked guidance to effectively strategize about appropriate IT investments, and incidents like the current Zika crisis bring the issue to the forefront. From intensive analysis of the rollout of an electronic health records system [in a nearby county], we uncovered a host of barriers and obstacles to effective use of information, including the complexity and usability of the software, the inability of the software to support certain unique public health reporting needs, the learning curve for public health workers, and the lack of standards for effective data exchange. All of this does not bode well, either for crisis response or for proactive crisis anticipation." Agarwal is founder and Director of the Center for Health Information and Decision Systems at the Smith School and Editor-in-Chief of Information Systems Research. Bio: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/directory/ritu-agarwal Website: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/chids Contact: Greg Muraski, [email protected] Anyone Planning on Having Children Should Consider Genetic Screening Karen Grinzaid Genetic Counselor Emory University's JScreen Program Eighty percent of babies with genetic diseases are born to parents with no known family history of the disease, so the only way to know if you are a carrier with the potential to pass it on to your future child is to get screened. Says Grinzaid: "One in four people are a carrier for a genetic disease. Being a carrier doesn't mean you aren't healthy, but two carriers for the same hereditary disease could unknowingly pass on a devastating disease. Anyone over 18 and planning to have children in the future should consider screening to help keep their future families healthy." With many genetic disease awareness months approaching (August: Spinal Muscular Atrophy; September: Tay-Sachs: October: Gaucher Disease and Niemann Pick Disease), Grinzaid is available to discuss screening programs. A national public health initiative out of Emory University called JScreen has transformed the way people can get screened, with 24/7 access to their at-home, highly subsidized, saliva test. Once the results are ready, a genetic counseling session by video teleconference will be scheduled. Website: http://www.JScreen.org Contact: Hillary Kener, [email protected] How CFOs Can Stop Worrying and Love Their Company's Wellness/EAP Dr. Dave Sharar Research Scientist, Commercial Science Division Chestnut Global Partners A recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (see link below) reports that some employers are cutting back on wellness programs and related services, as management has remained skeptical as to their value in making their company healthier and productive, while reducing the cost of doing so. However, Sharar says companies are not measuring these programs properly: "Companies, government agencies, and other organizations in today's world need objective data to validate and justify all expenditures. Measuring the success of employee assistance in particular has historically focused on utilization rates, client satisfaction, and occasional surveys of symptom reduction or problem resolution. The most reliable measure, however, is how employee assistance programs (EAPs) affect specific workplace outcomes." Chestnut Global Partners and the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) recently did a "before and after" assessment of 13,400 users of employee assistance services, based on their correlation to absenteeism, productivity, and other key workplace outcomes measures. Sharar is available to discuss their findings and how applying outcomes-based measures -- and analytics -- to wellness and employee assistance programs gives CFOs and senior management a systematic and objective way of determining their value to the organization. Survey: http://tinyurl.com/jt2k9gc Contact: Charles Epstein, [email protected] Flood Safety Tips That Could Save Your Life Joe Alton, M.D. Disaster Preparedness Expert "Floods are just one of the many natural disasters that can endanger your family and turn your home into a ruin. With planning and some supplies, however, you'll be able to keep your loved ones safe and healthy." Alton is available to provide flood safety tips, including: "1) Hit the road early: Make the decision to leave for higher ground before flooding occurs and roads are blocked. Having a NOAA weather radio will keep you up to date on the latest advisories. When the authorities tell you to evacuate, don't hesitate to get out of Dodge. 2) Be careful walking through flowing water: Drowning is the most common cause of death during a flood, especially a flash flood. Rapidly moving water can knock you off your feet even if less than a foot deep. Most vehicles can be carried away by water just two foot deep. 3) Don't drive through a flooded area: In a flood, many people drown in their cars as they stall out in moving water. Road and bridges could easily be washed out if you waited too long to leave the area. The U.S. Weather Service says: 'Turn around, don't drown!' Plan before a flood occurs to see if there is a 'high road' to safety. 4) Beware of downed power lines: Electrical current is easily conducted through water. You don't have to touch the downed line to be electrocuted, only step in the water nearby. There are numerous instances of electrocutions occurring as a result of rescuers jumping into the water to try to save victims of a shock. 5) Turn off the power: If you have reason to believe that water will get into your home, turn off the electricity. If you don't and the water reaches the level of the electric outlets, you could easily get electrocuted. Some warning signs might be sparks or strange sounds like crackling, popping, or buzzing." Alton is a disaster preparedness expert, member of the Wilderness Medical Society, and New York Times/Amazon bestselling author of "The Survival Medicine Handbook" and other books. He has also written the just-released and timely "The Zika Virus Handbook." He is a well-known speaker and host of "The Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour" syndicated podcast. Website: www.doomandbloom.net Contact: Ryan McCormick, [email protected] **************** MEDIA JOBS: Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/ Sports Reporter Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (AK) Breaking News/Crime Reporter Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA) Energy Reporter Houston Business Journal (TX) ***************** OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES: Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line. 6 SIMPLE TOOLS FOR CREATING GIFs TO ENHANCE YOUR STORYTELLING. GIFs never seem to get old or go out of style. These animated silent loops have dominated the world of online memes for some time now, going viral on blogs and social media more times than we can count. Here are six simple tools you can use to create GIFs to enhance your articles: http://bit.ly/2bpY9Ci FACEBOOK LIVE: A GAME CHANGER IN 2016 SUMMER OLYMPICS IN RIO. As athletes continue to compete against each other for medals, social media platforms are also still vying for a spot on the podium. With its live-streaming features and Instagram, Facebook seems poised to take home gold against the likes of Twitter and Snapchat -- hardly even a qualifier four-years ago during the last summer games. Read more: http://prn.to/2brgJv3 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: 4 TIPS FOR JOURNALISTS COVERING A MAJOR EVENT. If you're covering a major event like the Olympics, here are some pointers to keep in mind: http://bit.ly/2b4RCsC **************** PROFNET is an exclusive service of PR Newswire. To contact ProfNet: [email protected] or 800-776-3638, ext. 1 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150416/199234LOGO SOURCE ProfNet Related Links http://www.profnet.com TEWKSBURY, Mass., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $92,069,954 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the engineering and manufacturing development of the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar. EASR will consist of two configuration variants: Variant 1, a rotating phased array; and Variant 2, a three-face fixed-phased array. Raytheon will build, integrate and test an EASR engineering development model (EDM). The base contract begins with design work leading to preliminary design review, and culminating with system acceptance of the EDM at the end of testing. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $723,063,945. Work will be performed in Sudbury, Massachusetts (63.6 percent); Fairfax, Virginia (9.5 percent); Andover, Massachusetts (7.2 percent); Stafford Springs, Connecticut (4.2 percent); East Syracuse, New York (4.0 percent); High Ridge, Missouri (2.6 percent); Flemington, New Jersey (2.0 percent); Indianapolis, Indiana (1.9 percent); Lawrenceville, Georgia (1.8 percent); Eau Claire, Wisconsin (1.7 percent); and Big Lake, Minnesota (1.5 percent), and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2016 research, development, test and evaluation funding in the amount of $11,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-16-C-5370). About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter @Raytheon. Media Contact Carolyn Beaudry +1.401.842.3550 [email protected] SOURCE Raytheon Company Related Links http://www.raytheon.com HOW TO HELP The flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to hit the United States since Superstorm Sandy. Early estimates predict the massive Red Cross relief effort in Louisiana could cost at least $30 million and this number may grow as more is learned about the scope and magnitude of the devastation. The Red Cross urgently needs the public to support relief efforts in Louisiana by making a financial donation today. People can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recovery from these disasters. "Our volunteers are tirelessly working around the clock to help thousands of people in Louisiana," said Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. "Right now we are concentrating on providing food, shelter and relief supplies. But with thousands of homes affected, our work is just getting started. We'll be there for the long run to help people recover from this historic disaster." ONE FAMILY'S STORY Tenisha Longmire and her three young children are safe in a Red Cross shelter in Baton Rouge. But her journey to safety was frightening. After running to the store to stock up on supplies, Longmire couldn't get home to her children because of the flooding. Her mother took the kids in, but Longmire couldn't get to them. She slept in her car for several days until she reunited with her family. Then the family looked for a place to stay, but some places said they had no room. "I felt ashamed," Longmire said. "But you folksthe Red Crossyou welcomed us.memy kids. You folks have been so wonderful. I don't know what we are going to do or where we are going to go, but I'll never forget how kind your volunteers have been to us. You've treated us like family. Thank you, Red Cross." RED CROSS RESPONSE More than 1,500 Red Crossers from all 50 states as well as hundreds of local volunteers are part of the relief effort. The Red Cross is working with the entire disaster response community national, state and local agencies and organizations to make sure people get the help they need. On Thursday night, as many as 3,900 people were still seeking refuge in 28 Red Cross and community shelters in Louisiana. At the peak of the floods, more than 50 shelters provided safety for more than 10,000 people. As of Friday morning, the Red Cross has provided more than 32,000 overnight shelter stays since the flooding began as well as serving more than 158,000 meals and snacks with the help of several organizations. Volunteers are visiting shelters to offer emotional support and help replace things like lost eyeglasses and medications. Dozens of disaster response vehicles are deployed to Louisiana as well as numerous trailer-loads of relief supplies to bolster relief efforts. Some of the thousands of supplies arriving include water, personal hygiene items, insect repellant, cleaning kits, bleach and other supplies. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399715 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399713 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399714 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO SOURCE American Red Cross Related Links http://www.redcross.org ALPHARETTA, Ga., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The RDC Summit Conference, to be held September 14-16, 2016 in Orlando, Florida, is the premier industry event focused exclusively on Remote Deposit Capture and payments. Attend the RDC Summit 2016 to learn first-hand how to optimize your RDC offering, from risk management and pricing, to mobile deposit, integrated receivables and next-generation solutions. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/399440LOGO Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/399438 Now in its 9th year, the 2016 RDC Summit Conference features over 20 in-depth sessions ranging from case studies and roundtables to insightful presentations and panel discussions. The hottest topics facing the RDC Industry will be addressed, including Risk Management, Mobile Deposit, Corporate Solutions, integrated receivables, the role of RDC in Payments Modernization and more. Organizations presenting and speaking at the RDC Summit include the Federal Reserve, ECCHO, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, USAA, JP Morgan, Capital Bank, Santander, Celent, Mitek Systems, Cachet Financial Solutions, RDM, and many other industry-leading organizations. To view the complete agenda, please visit http://www.rdcsummit.com/pages/Agenda.html. Close to 30 RDC Solution Providers representing over 90% of the market will be exhibiting, sponsoring and attending the RDC Summit this year. Leading sponsors and exhibitors include Mitek Systems, RDM, Cachet Financial Solutions, Fiserv Solutions, Digital Check, Burroughs, Ensenta, Epson America and Canon U.S.A. The complete RDC Summit sponsor and exhibitor directory can be found at http://www.rdcsummit.com/sponsors-exhibitors/. "Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) is having a transformative effect on financial services. It is a driving force behind mobile banking adoption, branch transformation and improved cash management practices." said John Leekley, Founder and CEO of RemoteDepositCapture.com. "This year at the RDC Summit 2016 we will explore how RDC continues to expand, evolve and create new opportunities for financial institutions, solution providers and businesses of all sizes." The RDC Summit 2016 will take place September 14-16 2016 at the Omni Orlando ChampionsGate Resort in Orlando, Florida. Registrations are still available. Paid registered members of RemoteDepositCapture.com qualify for a $200 discount on the cost of attendance. To learn more about and to register for the RDC Summit 2016 visit www.RDCSummit.com. Accredited members of the press are invited to attend the RDC Summit 2016. Please contact [email protected] to request a complimentary press registration. About RemoteDepositCapture.com RemoteDepositCapture.com is the de facto trade association for the Remote Deposit Capture Industry. From informative webinars, topical research and original news and analysis, to solution directories, business tools and access to knowledge experts, RemoteDepositCapture.com is the only information and services portal devoted to RDC and Payments. Learn more about us, about RDC and the RDC Summit by visiting www.RemoteDepositCapture.com and www.RDCSummit.com . Contact Information: John Leekley Founder & CEO RemoteDepositCapture.com Email 1-888-290-1581 www.RemoteDepositCapture.com SOURCE RemoteDepositCapture.com Related Links http://www.remotedepositcapture.com MILWAUKEE, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Anticipating the bus industry's growing needs, REV Group is answering demand in the transit segment with an all-new bus brand World Trans. REV rolled out the World Trans narrow-body T-Series in May of 2016 at the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference in Charlotte, N.C. REV is now gearing up for the official unveiling of the full line during BusCon 2016, slated for Sept. 19-21 in Indianapolis. World Trans joins seven other bus manufacturers to create an impressive REV Bus Group portfolio of industry-leading products. Engineered to be lighter, stronger and safer, World Trans gives customers a quieter and more fuel efficient transit bus in both wide- and narrow-body designs. Already, World Trans has begun producing the T Series, a narrow-body model built on a Ford Transit cutaway chassis, available with a gas or diesel engine. Interested dealers can schedule a demo of the T Series by completing the World Trans' Request for Information form. By mid-September, World Trans expects to unveil the E Series on the Ford E-350/450. Following the E Series rollout, the new REV brand will introduce the G Series on the Chevy G3500/4500 in October. The Ford Transit T Series will be manufactured in South Hutchinson, Kan., alongside Collins, a sister bus manufacturer. The E and G Series will be built in Salina, Kan., at ElDorado, another REV brand. Based on decades of industry knowledge, World Trans has designed these products to answer almost any basic bus need that a customer might require: The T Series is available in a narrow-body design in 22- and 24-foot models with industry-leading capacity of up to 18 passengers. The World Trans T Series features the largest view-out windows and external storage in the industry, while its exclusive continuous one-piece tubular roof bow design provides unmatched safety. For added durability, the series features a galvanized steel structure for superior strength and rust prevention. The E and G Series will offer 22-, 24- and 26-foot floorplans. Seating capacity will range from 12 to 25 passengers. These two lineups feature unique modular construction, which allows for World Trans to offer a 60-day lead time, far surpassing the typical 90- and 120-day norm. Despite these impressive lead times, World Trans does not sacrifice durability. Like the T Series, both feature galvanized steel construction. All three World Tran series are Altoona Tested as 7 Years/200,000 Miles and offer popular configurations, like perimeter seating or rear luggage space. The E and G Series will offer a front or rear lift configuration. World Trans also features a number of options, including backup camera, colored flooring and rear heating or cooling systems. Interested dealers or customers can learn more about these products by completing the World Trans' Request for Information form. About REV Group, Inc. REV Group, Inc., is a $2+ billion manufacturer of industry-leading motor vehicle brands. Products include ambulances, fire trucks, shuttle buses, transit buses, yard trucks, street sweepers, luxury motorhomes and wheelchair accessible vehicles. REV owns 26 brands, employs more than 6,000 people in 16 different manufacturing facilities in the U.S., and produces more than 20,000 specialty vehicles annually. REV Group recently moved its corporate headquarters from Orlando, Fla., to Milwaukee, Wisc. For more information, about REV, visit revgroup.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Renato Sa, REV Group, Inc. E [email protected] T 786-279-7023 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160603/375403LOGO SOURCE REV Group, Inc. Related Links http://www.revgroup.com SAN DIEGO, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SourcingLink.net Inc. (OTC Pink:SNET) is pleased to announce that on our Lac Fire property we have a significant indication of Lithium. According to the USGS metal reports, Lithium ore grades vary from >1% in pegmatites to between 0.05% and 0.75% in brines. Lithium is used principally in ceramics and glass; electrical and electronic equipments such as batteries; lubricating greases; inorganic salts for pyrotechnics, hygroscopic uses, dessicants and ropellents/fuels); air treatment and purifications; optics in mobile phones as resonant crystals; coolants in nuclear reactors; primary aluminum production; continuous casting; rubber and thermoplastics; and pharmaceuticals. SNET is also pleased to announce the significant indications of Tantalum ore grades range from 200 g/t to 300 g/t on the Lac Fire property. Tantalum is more cost effective to extract. Processing is considerably minimal in comparison to most other metals. Tantalum is used for the production of electronic components such as capacitors and resistors in mobile phones, PC's and automotive electronics; alloys that have high melting points, are strong and have good ductility; chemical reaction vessels and pipes such as coils; ultra high frequency electron tubes for radio transmitters; high refractive index glasses for camera lenses; vacuum furnace parts; shaped charge and explosively formed penetrator liners; watches; and orthopedic implant materials. "Further exploration is on target for this September on the Lac Fire properties. Lithium and Tantalum is our company's focus for this area." Anne Carioti, CEO About The Eldor and Lac Fire Projects: SourcingLink.net, Inc. acquired 8 new lithium-tantalum claims in James Bay, Quebec, Canada. The block of 8 new claims share a 12 km boundary which is on three sides with the Rose Lithium Tantalum Property of Critical Elements Corp. The new Lac Fire property was staked to strategically cover ground that may be on strike and have similar geology to the Rose Lithium Tantalum Resource. The company has signed an agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Eldor Rare Earth Property Claims (The Eldor Project) located inNorthern Quebec, Canada (one of the most favorable mining jurisdictions in the world). The Eldor Project consists of 34 mineral claims covering approximately 3951 acres and is located in Northern Quebec which is considered one of the most favorable mining jurisdictions in the world. About SourcingLink.net, Inc.: SourcingLink.net is a U.S. based publicly traded exploration and development company. Their focus in on rare metals and rare earth elements which are among the primary input materials for the 21st Century technology. Forward-looking Statements: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, which contain words such as "expect," "believe" or "plan," by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These uncertainties may cause actual future events to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements. Contact: SourcingLink.net 12526 High Bluff Drive, Ste 300 San Diego, CA 92130 Phone +1-855-726-RARE (7273) Website: http://www.sourcinglink.org Email: [email protected] SOURCE SourcingLink.net, Inc. ST. LOUIS, Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in honor of the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum's (IPHF) 50th anniversary and World Photo Day, the IPHF announced its 2016 class of Photography Hall of Fame inductees. Eight photographers or photography industry visionaries that embody the spirit, artistry and innovation of modern photography have been selected for induction, including: Ken Burns , documentary filmmaker , Ernst Haas , 20 th century professional photographer , Steve Jobs , former Apple Inc. chairman and CEO and technology pioneer , John Knoll , co-creator of Adobe Photoshop , Thomas Knoll , co-creator of Adobe Photoshop , Annie Leibovitz , portrait photographer , Graham Nash , creator of fine art digital printing, photographer and musician , Sebastiao Salgado, documentary photographer and photojournalist Inductees were selected by a nominating committee made up of IPHF representatives and distinguished leaders in the photography industry. To be eligible, inductees must have made a notable contribution to the art or science of photography, having a significant impact on the photography industry and/or history of photography. "As we look ahead to the next 50 years of the IPHF, we are honored to continue to recognize and celebrate photographers and industry professionals that have made significant contributions to the profession, helping to shape and define modern photography," said Patty Wente, executive director of the IPHF. "This year's inductees represent the perfect combination of innovation and artistry; bridging photography's pioneering past with its fantastic future." The IPHF is the only organization worldwide that recognizes and honors those who have had a significant impact on the evolution of photography. Past inductees to the Photography Hall of Fame include Ansel Adams, George Eastman, Edwin Land, Edward Steichen, and 65 other esteemed professionals. Inductions will be held at the Induction and 50th Anniversary Celebration Event on Friday, October 28 in St. Louis, Mo. For details, contact Patty Wente at 314-479-2698 or [email protected]. As a Hall of Fame and Museum, the IPHF has work from more than 500 artists, 5,000 historical cameras and more than 30,000 photographs in its permanent collection. More information on the International Photography Hall of Fame and inductees can be found at www.iphf.org. Additionally, leading up to the Induction and 50th Anniversary Celebration Event, the IPHF has teamed up with the World Photo Day organization to profile one inductee on the organization's blog each week. About the 2016 inductees: Ken Burns: Ken Burns is an acclaimed American documentary filmmaker. Among the many films he's produced and directed are The Civil War, Jazz, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, and, most recently, Jackie Robinson. His next project, scheduled for broadcast on PBS September 20, 2016, is Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War. Burns' films incorporate a distinct style of using archival photographs, panning across and zooming in on them to create a sense of motion that engages viewers. The style prompted Apple Inc.to create in their iMovie and Final Cut Pro programs the "Ken Burns Effect," so users could achieve the same results Burns uses in his documentaries. Ernst Haas Ernst Haas (1921-1986) is acclaimed as one of the most celebrated and influential photographers of the 20th Century, and considered one of the pioneers of color photography. In the 1950's he began experimenting with Kodachrome color film and went on to become one of the premier color photographers of the decade. In 1953, Life featured his groundbreaking 24-page color photo essay on New York City, the first time such a large color photo feature was published in the magazine. In 1962, a retrospective of his work was the first color photography exhibition held at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Throughout his career, Haas traveled extensively, photographing for Life, Vogue and Look, to name a few of many influential publications. Haas has continued to be the subject of museum exhibitions and publications such as "Ernst Haas, Color Photography" (1989), "Ernst Haas in Black and White"(1992) and "Color Correction" (2011). Steve Jobs: Steve Jobs was an American inventor and entrepreneur who cofounded Apple and led it to become the world's most innovative company. Steve helped create products that revolutionized the creative world and became essential tools for designers, filmmakers, music producers and photographers. Passionate about photography both in his work and personal life, his most profound contribution to the artistic community and the world is the iPhone which, in less than a decade, has changed both the art of photography and the industry around it. John Knoll: John Knoll is the chief creative officer at Industrial Light & Magic and co-creator of Adobe Photoshop. He also is the sole inventor of Knoll Light Factory, a digital lens flare generating software. Today Photoshop is the industry standard in digital photo editing, allowing photographers to digitally alter and manipulate photo files to create extraordinary images. John created Adobe Photoshop along with his brother Thomas, and together the Knoll brothers have revolutionized the photography industry and completely changed the way people create and edit images. Thomas Knoll: Thomas Knoll is an American software engineer who co-created Adobe Photoshop with his brother John. Knoll created the first core image processing routines for Photoshop in 1988, and when his brother saw them he encouraged Thomas to bundle them into one package. Since licensing Photoshop to Adobe in 1989, Thomas Knoll has continued to work for Adobe creating updates to Photoshop and Photoshop related products. His recent work includes the Camera Raw plug-in for Photoshop, the develop module for Adobe Lightroom, and the DNG file format. Annie Leibovitz: Annie Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer whose bold use of colors and poses has become her trademark style. Leibovitz began her career as a staff photographer for Rolling Stone magazine where she helped define the magazine's look. She was the first woman to have a show at the National Portrait Gallery when her exhibition was shown in 1991. Some of her notable portraits include Demi Moore for the cover of Vanity Fair, Caitlyn Jenner for the cover of Vanity Fair, and a portrait series of Queen Elizabeth II. Graham Nash: In addition to his prodigious talent for music, Graham Nash is also a renowned photographer, collector of photography, and digital imaging pioneer. In the 1980s, Nash began experimenting with digital images, but soon found that there was no printer capable of reproducing what he saw on his computer screen. Nash began searching for a printer that was capable of reproducing high-quality images and eventually discovered the IRIS printer. In 1991, he founded Nash Editions, a fine art digital print company that further adapted the IRIS printer to print high-quality digital photography and art prints as large as 3 feet by 4 feet. Nash Editions is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution for its role in the invention of and accomplishments in fine arts and digital printing. Its original IRIS 3047 printer and one of its first published works - Nash's 1969 portrait of David Crosby is now housed in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Graham Nash also is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and with the Hollies. His new studio album This Path Tonight was released April 15, 2016, and he is set to embark on an U.S. East Coast tour beginning Sept. 23. Sebastiao Salgado: Sebastiao Salgado is a renowned documentary photographer and photojournalist with a deep love and respect for nature while also sensitive to the socio-economic conditions that impact human beings. He has traveled to over 120 countries for his projects. He is perhaps most known for his long-term social documentary projects. Among them: Workers (1993) documenting the vanishing way of life of manual laborers across the world, Migrations (2000), a tribute to mass migration driven by hunger, natural disasters, environmental disaster and population explosion, and most recently GENESIS (2013), an epic eight-year expedition to more than 30 countries to rediscover the mountains, deserts, oceans, animals, and peoples visioned as they must have been at the dawn of creation. Salgado has been the recipient of numerous awards and has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2001. Salgado is the author of eight books and soon the forthcoming "Kuwait: A Desert On Fire" (Taschen) which documents the battle to extinguish the environmentally devastating oil fires in Kuwait started by fleeing Iraqi forces at the end of the Gulf War. SPONSORS FOR THE IPHF'S INDUCTION AND 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT INCLUDE: Emerson, Steward Family Foundation, PNC Bank, Ameren, Ken Kranzberg, Anna Harris, PBS, Professional Photographers of America (PPA), The Lawrence Group, Fashion Fund, SM Wilson, H&H Color Lab and Schillers. About the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to celebrate the achievements of the inventors, pioneers, and pivotal artists throughout the history of photography. The IPHF has preserved the art of photography and its contribution to modern civilization since 1965, and is the proud home to over 6,000 historical cameras and 30,000 images. The IPHF is located in the Grand Center Arts District in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information, please visit www.iphf.org. Contact: Angie Taylor, Weber Shandwick 314-552-6752, [email protected] SOURCE International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum Related Links http://www.iphf.org CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., Aug.19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket carrying the AFSPC-6 mission for the United States Air Force lifted off from Space Launch Complex-37 Aug. 19 at 12:52 a.m. EDT. This is ULA's seventh launch in 2016 and the 110th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006. "Thank you to the ULA, Air Force and industry partners for the outstanding teamwork and flawless execution that made today's mission a success," said Laura Maginnis, ULA vice president of Custom Services. "This morning's AFSPC-6 launch is a prime example of why our customers continue to place their trust us to launch our nation's crucial space capabilities." This mission was launched aboard a Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) configuration Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) powered by one common booster core. The common booster core was powered by an RS-68A liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine producing 702,000 pounds of thrust. A single RL10B liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine powered the second stage. The booster and upper stage engines are both built by Aerojet Rocketdyne. ULA constructed the Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) launch vehicle in Decatur, Alabama. The AFSPC-6 mission consists of twin Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) spacecraft, built by Orbital ATK. The new satellites will join the first two GSSAP spacecraft launched approximately two years ago aboard a Delta IV launch vehicle. GSSAP is a space-based capability that collects space situational awareness data, allowing for more accurate tracking and characterization of man-made orbiting objects. It has a clear, unobstructed, and distinct vantage point for viewing resident space objects orbiting earth in a near-geosynchronous orbit without the weather or atmosphere disruptions that limit ground-based observations. The data from GSSAP greatly improves our ability to rapidly detect, warn, characterize and attribute disturbances to space systems in the geosynchronous environment. ULA's next launch is the Atlas V OSIRIS-REx spacecraft for NASA. The launch is scheduled for Sept. 8 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The EELV program was established by the U.S. Air Force to provide assured access to space for Department of Defense and other government payloads. The commercially developed EELV program supports the full range of government mission requirements, while delivering on schedule and providing significant cost savings over the heritage launch systems. With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 100 satellites to orbit that provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system. For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch. SOURCE United Launch Alliance Related Links http://www.ulalaunch.com In addition, WellCare has extended the hours of its Community Assistance Line (CAL) to help connect those impacted with needed social services. WellCare has a referral database with more than 4,500 Louisiana-based community organizations and 50 community-based programs that are available to help with needs including food, transportation, shelter, and other support services. The new extended CAL hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT Monday-Friday. "WellCare is committed to supporting organizations like the Red Cross that can mobilize quickly and get people the support and services they require," said Kelly Munson, president of the WellCare Community Foundation and WellCare's senior vice president, division president and Medicaid product. "There is a great need to help those in Louisiana, both in terms of assisting with recovery efforts now and in continued support to help communities rebuild." "Like so many, WellCare's Baton Rouge employees were impacted by the flooding, including 11 employees who were displaced from their homes," said Anthony Valdes, WellCare's vice president of market performance. "WellCare is dedicated to providing support during this devastating time for our members, employees and the broader communities we serve as part of our overall mission to help people live better, healthier lives." This is the second time in five months that torrential rains have hit Louisiana, causing record flooding and prompting a federal disaster declaration in 20 parishes. An estimated 40,000 homes were damaged, affecting at least 75,000 people, according to the Red Cross. Continued flooding and closed roads have made it challenging to get relief supplies to people in need. The Red Cross has more than 1,000 disaster volunteers on the ground and 36 shelters. The Red Cross is also mobilizing over 50 disaster response vehicles, nearly 40,000 ready-to-eat meals and dozens of trailers filled with shelter and kitchen supplies. "We are so grateful for this gift from WellCare," said Linda Jorge Carbone, regional chief executive officer for Red Cross of Central Florida. "It is only because of the great support from corporate partners like WellCare and gifts from the American people that we can provide our important services to those impacted by devastating disasters." For more information about relief efforts or to make a donation to the Red Cross, visit redcross.org. To contact WellCare's CAL for social services assistance, call 866-775-2192 (main line) or 855-628-7552 (video relay). As of June 30, 2016, WellCare serves approximately 10,000 Medicare Advantage members and 25,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Louisiana. About WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. The company serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of June 30, 2016. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan. About the WellCare Community Foundation The WellCare Community Foundation was established in 2010 and is a nonprofit, private foundation. Its mission is to foster and promote the health, well-being and quality of life for the poor, distressed and other medically under-served populations including those who are elderly, young and indigent and the communities in which they live. The WellCare Community Foundation carries out this mission by supporting work that helps people live healthy, safe and productive lives, and by assisting groups with serious and neglected health needs. Underscoring this mission is the WellCare Community Foundation's goal to serve as a national resource that fosters an environment where there is a continuum of education, access and quality health care, all of which improve the overall health, well-being and quality of life of targeted beneficiaries. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150701/227667LOGO Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151120/289928LOGO SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Related Links http://www.wellcare.com If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Lucknow, Aug 13 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah paid tributes to the revolutionaries -- Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqullah Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil -- at Kakori on the outskirts of the state capital on Saturday. Addressing a gathering of party workers, he said that the sacrifices of the great freedom fighters cannot be paid back. After paying floral tributes to the three revolutionaries who robbed a train carrying money for the British treasury in Kakori in 1925, Shah said that he will talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop this place as a big tourist attraction. Shah's visit is part of a nationwide outreach programme by the ruling party, "Azadi 70 - Yaad Karo Kurbani", to be followed by "Tiranga Yatra" in which several union ministers, party leaders, MP's would take part from August 16. Urging the young generation to be informed about the freedom struggle and the supreme sacrifices of the freedom fighters, Shah said Uttar Pradesh has given a patriotic government at the Centre by its blessings, and that the BJP was yet again looking to them to form a "doer" government in the state. Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to go to polls in early 2017. He slammed the Congress for the backwardness in many parts of the state even after 70 years of independence as the party was at the helm for almost 60 years. He lashed out at the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) for working for just one community, and the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) for working for the development of just one family. He said, it is only the BJP which works with the idea of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas". He later had lunch at the BJP's Dalit MP from Mohanlalganj, Kaushal Kishore's house. Mumbai, Aug 13 : Healthy influx of foreign funds in domestic equities and debt markets is expected to keep the Indian rupee on a steady trajectory during the upcoming week. "RBI (Reserve Bank of India) may continue to intervene in the spot and futures market to prevent appreciation in the rupee against US Dollar. At the same time, inflows in debt and equity markets may continue to push the US Dollar downward," Anindya Banerjee, Associate Vice President for Currency Derivatives with Kotak Securities, told IANS. "The result of this fight can be a period of reduce volatility and base formation in USD/INR. Indian Rupee is expected to trade firm against British Pound and Euro. However, against Yen, Rupee may remain under pressure." The Indian rupee is predicted to range between 66.50-67.20 in the very near-term. Inspite of healthy inflow of funds, the rupee depreciated last week. It weakened by 11 paise to 66.89 against a US dollar from its previous close of 66.78 to a greenback on August 6. Lately, the influx of foreign funds has aided the equity and currency markets to recover from lower levels. For last week, provisional figures from the stock exchanges showed a hefty influx of foreign funds worth Rs 3,524.96 crore. Figures from the National Securities Depository (NSDL) showed that FPIs (Foreign Portfolio Investors) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 2,466.14 crore, or $368.53 million, from August 8-12. According to Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, the pace of FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors) fund inflow into the Indian equity markets will be another key factor for the indices movements. Beijing, Aug 16 : China on Tuesday launched the world's first quantum satellite, designed to establish "hack-proof" communication between space and the ground. The satellite will also ensure a secured communication between Beijing and Xinjiang -- a restive province in China. Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) was launched at 1.40 a.m. on Tuesday from the Gobi Desert, the state media said here. The feat is part of China's aggressive space exploration drive with Beijing harbouring the ambition to surpass NASA and Russia. "Becoming an aerospace power has always been a dream we've been striving for," Chinese President Xi Jinping had said in April in his address to the country's scientists. Quantum communication boasts ultra-high security as a quantum photon can neither be separated nor duplicated. It is hence impossible to wiretap, intercept or crack the information transmitted through it. In its two-year mission, QUESS is designed to establish "hack-proof" quantum communications by transmitting uncrackable keys from space to the ground, and provide insights into the strangest phenomenon in quantum physics -- quantum entanglement. "With the help of the new satellite, scientists will be able to test quantum key distribution between the satellite and ground stations, and conduct secure quantum communications between Beijing and Xinjiang's Urumqi," the official media said. The over 600kg satellite will circle the Earth once every 90 minutes after it enters a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kms. (Gaurav Sharma is the Beijing-based correspondent of IANS. He can be contacted at sharmagaurav71@gmail.com or gaurav.s@ians.in ) Lucknow, Aug 17 : At least 13 persons were killed in the past 24 hours in rain related incidents in Uttar Pradesh, a home department official said on Wednesday. It has been raining heavily in most parts of central and eastern Uttar Pradesh since Tuesday evening, leading to water logging, caving in of houses and collapse of walls. As many as six persons were killed in Rae Bareli late on Tuesday after their mud house caved in due to heavy rains, the official said. Two others were killed in Khurehati village here after being struck by lightening, he said. Another woman and her minor daughter were also killed due to lightening in Tedhwa Chillaula village of Sitapur district. Three persons died in Lucknow due to wall collapse of their house. More than two dozen villages have been inundated in Bahraich district as the in spate Ghaghra river breached an embankment and flooded 28 villages. Many houses in Kayampur village were washed away due to the strong current in the river. Buses and vehicles were stuck on the NH-76 due to water logging in Chitrakoot district which has been witnessing heavy rains for the past five days. A warning has been sounded in Ballia district where the water level of the Ganga river has risen alarmingly in the past 24 hours. The Ganga has already been flowing one metre above the danger mark. More than 100 villages here were inundated due to torrential rains. A large tract of agriculture land has been flooded after a Yamuna river embankment was damaged in Kelra village of Shamli district. Yamuna here was in spate which has threatened a large number of population. After receding for the first two days of the week, water level in Ganga in Varanasi has once again raised by a feet in the past 24 hours. The Central Water Commission has sounded an alert for the eastern Uttar Pradesh districts like Ghazipur and Ballia. The regional Met department has forecast heavy rains in the next 48-hours. Chennai, Aug 18 : The one-week suspension of DMK legislators from the Tamil Nadu assembly will not be revoked, Speaker P. Dhanapal said on Thursday. When the issue was raised in the assembly by lawmakers of the Congress and DMK parties (members who were not present in the House on Wednesday), Dhanapal said the suspension could not be revoked. Meanwhile Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, DMK's M.K. Stalin, and other lawmakers of DMK held a sit-in protest at the entrance of the assembly as they were not allowed to enter their chambers. Stalin said the assembly proceedings should be telecast live so that people will know what is happening inside the House. On Wednesday Dhanapal suspended 80 DMK members including Stalin for a week for unruly behaviour in the House. The DMK has 89 members in the 234-member assembly. Accra (Ghana), Aug 19 : Online retailing is the future in Africa, says 25-year-old Rahul Kalra, from India's financial capital Mumbai. Kalra believes that by 2025 e-commerce will be the way most Africans shop for a whole range of products. It comes as no surprise then that Rahul has set up an online retail company, Africakart.com, primarily targeting customers in Ghana, but with plans to expand across the continent. Rahul Kalra arrived in Ghana three years ago to join his father, Colonel Raj Kalra (retd), who has established a company called ACEC to facilitate the entry of foreign firms into Ghana. But he decided to branch out on his own and joined a young Ghanaian, Theodore Lawson, to set up the online trading company. They see themselves as trailblazers in a business that is not well-developed in Ghana, Kalra told IANS. He is, however, not daunted because he is focused on building a business in an age when entrepreneurship has become the buzzword. He said Africakart.com will become the biggest and most preferred online place for smart family shopping with wings spread across the whole of Africa by 2025. "I am really convinced that e-commerce is the future and I believe that Africakart has what it takes to become the brand that would bring e-commerce to homes and offices," he said. Kalra's ambition hinges on his belief that the online retail environment is catching on fast with the Ghanaian population and those in other parts of Africa. Proof of this lies in the emergence of online malls where people are able to shop for goods and services. He said with the gradual growth in this new sector, there exist tremendous opportunities for businesses to position themselves to serve the ever-growing online population here in Ghana and, as an extension, all of Africa. "There is still the need for great value creation as businesses engage in the online retail business. This is when Africakart comes in with the aim of providing lasting value for stakeholders: made up of vendors, intermediaries such as payment gateways, shipping agencies and, of course, the target consumers," Kalra said. Both entrepreneurs have strong backgrounds in e-commerce which will help them grow the business. Before arriving in Ghana, Kalra had built a career in e-commerce, hotel management and customer service in France and India. His Ghanaian partner Lawson started off his career in customer services and later went into IT business development, business copywriting for banks and telecommunications companies, among others. Lawson said his decision to venture into the e-commerce business was fuelled by his visit to London. "Although my reason for going to London was to pursue further education in bio-medicine, I found a new interest in doing business via electronic means," he added. Kalra said: "I came to Ghana in 2013 and set up a small firm. But finding the gap in the e-commerce sector and with my experience in France, I decided to set up Africakart.com." Both of them say the passion to see electronic business flourish in Ghana and for that matter Africa led them into various ventures that were all geared towards creating better value within the electronic ecosystem. "Among such ventures is the continuous education of both industry and customers in strategies and best practices in e-commerce business ecosystem," Lawson said, adding that the "areas covered have included online retailing and shopping, e-banking, e-governance, mobile money, social media, corporate data governance and various enterprise solution adoptions". Africakart.com as an online retail start-up was registered this year. "The initiative, however, started in late 2015 with support from some well-wishers. "We all squeezed ourselves into a borrowed conference room where we operated from," Kalra recalled. "Today, we are growing in strength and experience and are poised to do more," he said, adding that they have made some breakthrough in creating brand awareness for Africakart. Lawson said the company plans to take advantage of the growing online market in Ghana and Africa as a whole to offer better value for vendors and consumers. "Existing companies have ignored the core value of relationship-building and identifying unique offerings for customers online," he said. "(We) strongly believe that by offering unique services as opposed to general merchandising we will build lasting relationships with customers, hence creating a niche within the online environment." (Francis Kokutse can be contacted at fkokutse@gmail.com) Manila, Aug 19 : Top leaders of a Philippine leftist rebel group were released on Friday from detention to participate in the resumption of peace talks next week in Norway. "The couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon finally walked free," Xinhua news agency quoted Edre Olalia, peace panel legal consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) as saying. "They will join 14 others released for peace talks in Oslo and for consultations with NDF Negotiating Panel," Olalia said in a Facebook post. The participation of the Tiamzons in the peace talks "ensures an inclusive outcome, hopefully to end conflict and bring about comprehensive and sustainable peace throughout the land", Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, who will lead the government delegation in the formal peace talks in Oslo starting August 22, said. The Tiamzon couple were arrested in Cebu province in March 2014 on multiple murder charges. Benito is the chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), while his wife Wilma is the secretary general. The CPP-NPA-NDF is waging Asia's longest running insurgency since the 1960s. The formal peace talks between the government and the leftist rebel group bogged down in 2011 during the administration of then President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III. Mumbai, Aug 19 : Profit booking, negative global cues and a weak rupee subdued the Indian equity markets on Friday. Heavy selling pressure was witnessed in automobile and information technology (IT) stocks. The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) slipped by 11.95 points or 0.14 per cent to 8,661.30 points. The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 28,167.66 points, traded at 28,076.78 points (at 2.15 p.m.) -- down 46.66 points or 0.17 per cent from the previous close at 28,123.44 points. The Sensex has so far touched a high of 28,212.30 points and a low of 28,026.12 points during the intra-day trade. In contrast, the BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bulls -- with 1,413 advances and 1,159 declines. On Thursday, the benchmark indices had closed in the green prompted by positive global cues and value buying. The barometer index had closed higher by 118.07 points or 0.42 per cent, while the NSE Nifty edged up 49.20 points or 0.57 per cent. "Negative Asian and European markets weighed heavy on the domestic equity indices," Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services, told IANS. "Profit booking, along with a weak rupee also dented investors' sentiments." According to Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, banking and auto stocks traded with mixed sentiments on profit booking. "IT and pharma stocks traded with sideways to firm sentiments, whereas aviation stocks faced selling pressure due to higher crude oil prices," Desai noted. "FMCG stocks traded with sideways sentiments on lack of buying support. Sugar stocks traded firm on short covering and some lower levels buying." Desai added that Nifty is likely to face resistance at higher levels due to firm USD/INR futures prices. London, Aug 19 : The mother of an eight-year-old disabled girl has shamed a fellow passenger on Facebook for yelling abuse at her daughter who had "a meltdown" mid-flight, the media reported. In a Facebook post, Nicola Colenso stated that the "abusive" woman screamed "shut that child up" as her daughter Yasmin was crying on the flight from Ibiza to Manchester, telegraph.co.uk reported on Thursday. The woman berated the couple in front of their four children and Rick Murray, Colenso's partner, was allegedly branded as a "pr**k" for not keeping his daughter quiet. Yasmin, who suffers from Sturge-Weber syndrome -- a rare condition affecting the skin, brain and eyes, was later that night rushed to hospital as her condition worsened and her lips turned blue, Colenso was quoted as saying. Colenso described the incident on the Jet2 flight in her post that has been shared more than 100,000 times on the social networking site. "Dear lady on the Manchester-bound flight from Ibiza yesterday! We are sorry our daughter stopped you from getting your beauty sleep but clearly she was having a meltdown and was not feeling 100 per cent," said Colenso in her post. She also posted a photo of the woman pointing out that she wanted to raise awareness about the difficulties faced by children with disabilities when travelling. "We were really shocked by the way she spoke to us. It was horrible," Colenso noted, adding: "It was clear to anyone who looked that something wasn't right with Yasmin. But even after explaining it to her calmly and politely, she gave no consideration to this." Yasmin's battle with Sturge-Weber Syndrome has seen the little girl already go through more than 50 general anaesthetics. In 2013, she underwent a nine-hour brain surgery to disconnect her left temporal, parietal and occipital lobes in a bid to reduce her 200 seizures a day. Now she has around 11-12, mostly at night. Imphal, Aug 19 : The supply of essential commodities has been badly hit in Manipur and prices of items available in markets have soared after police job aspirants enforced an economic blockade, protesting the delay in declaration of results of a recruitment test held in 2013. The economic blockade along the highways in Manipur began on Tuesday night and will continue till August 23, the protesters said. They got agitated after the state government recently conducted tests for fresh appointments of police constables even as results of the recruitment drive conduceted three years ago are still awaited. The candidates after passing the written test also appeared for interviews. They are still awaiting their selection results. The protesters said Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and Home Minister Gaikhangam had assured them that the results would be declared soon. But brushing aside their appeal, the government went ahead with the fresh recruitment process, they said. A truck was torched and many other vehicles were damaged by the blockade supporters in the last two days. All petrol vends have gone dry although the government claimed that fuel stock available in the state will last for over a month. In addition to the blockade, a 48-hour general strike was launched from Thursday midnight to protest the arrest of Khomdram Ratan, a former convener of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System. Ghaziabad, Aug 19 : At least two people who were involved in an attack on Bharatiya Janata Party leader Brijpal Teotia on August 11, were arrested by the police here on Friday. Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police K.S. Emmanuel said the two -- identified as Abhisekh, 22, and Gaurav, 20 -- admitted to their crime. Emmanuel said Abhishek had studied for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course from IMS Ghaziabad while Gaurav was a matriculate. Abhishek, along with another accused Pahalwan, carried a bag containing an AK-47 and four pistols, which he dumped in his three-wheeler after the attack, and escaped. The other accused who were in another vehicle with Gaurav, were being tracked, the official said. The Uttar Pradesh Police had on Wednesday announced it had solved the case following the arrest of four shooters involved in the shooting. Police said the four shooters were hired by two cousins from Teotia's native village to avenge a family member's killing 17 years ago. Inspector General of Police Meerut Zone Sujeet Pandey told the media here that main conspirators Manish and Manoj, both cousins, hailed from Teotia's native village Mahrauli under Kavi Nagar Police Station of Ghaziabad. Both had hatched the conspiracy to avenge the murder of Manish's father Suresh Diwan, a Delhi Police Constable killed in 1999 in Shakarpur in Delhi. Singapore, Aug 19 : Four Singaporeans have been prosecuted under the Internal Security Act for their involvement in terrorist activities, the Home Affairs Ministry said on Friday. Rosli bin Hamzah, 50, Mohamed Omar bin Mahadi, 33, Dian Faezah binte Ismail, 34, and Mohamad Reiney bin Noor Mohammad, 26, were self-redicalised, Xinhua news agency reported citing the ministry. While Hamzah and Mahadi were ordered jailed for two years, the other two -- Ismail and Mohammad -- were placed under Restriction Orders (RO), the ministry said. Hamzah and Mahadi were preparing to travel to Syria to fight for Islamic State militant group (IS), said the ministry. Ismail, Mahadi's wife and also an IS supporter, was also planning to travel to Syria. Mohammad was also prosecuted for adopting more fundamentalist religious practices in 2013. Gurgaon, Aug 19 : A 25-year-old bus driver was arrested by Gurgaon police for raping a 19-year-old woman inside a parked bus, police said on Friday. Raka, who ferries passengers on a private mini public transport bus from Gurgaon bus stand to sector 55-56, was arrested for sexually assaulting a woman known to him. The accused lives in a rented accommodation in Ghata village near sector 56 and hails from Jodhpur in Rajasthan. Police said that the victim arrived in Gurgaon with some family members from Faridabad to visit the Sheetla Mata Temple here. The accused parked his bus near the temple and managed to call the victim inside the bus in the early hours of Friday and executed the crime. "The accused was arrested after a case under section of rape was registered at sector 5 police station," Anil Kumar, chief of the police station told IANS. Srinagar, Aug 19 : At least four Border Security Force troopers were injured when militants attacked their camp in Kupwara district of Kashmir on Friday. A gunfight began in the area when the militants attacked a BSF camp in Karnah town, a police official said. "Two critically injured troopers have been air-lifted to Srinagar," the official said. The fighting was continuing till the last reports came in. New Delhi, Aug 19 : The government on Friday announced that a team would be set up to advise on how to further improve India'a ranking in the global index of countries in the sphere of innovations. "I am announcing that from the department (of Commerce) a team would be formed that would look at repositioning India in the sphere of innovations," Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here. He made the statement while releasing the Global Innovation Index 2016 Report at an event hosted jointly by the Niti Aayog, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and Industry chamber CII. "This team, which will include members from both the government and outside, will not reinvent the wheel, but will go into the report, identify challenges and weaknesses to India's innovation and what the government can do -- where it should step in and where it should step back and away," Sitharaman said. India has this year improved its index ranking by 15 places over last year to 66th place in 2016, following five previous years of decline in position, the report said. "I commit myself to the government's assistance and facilitation to improve India's innovation ranking next year," the minister said, adding the composition of the committee would be announced in a few days. The Global Innovation Index ranks innovation performance of 128 countries based on 82 indicators. The 2016 report said India showed weakness in the indices of business environment and education. Noting that India ranks first in its region and second among BRICS emerging economies in innovation, the report co-editor and Dean of Cornell University in the US, Soumitra Dutta, said India needed to improve in the areas of branding and investment in the areas of R&D and in human capital. "Branding currently emphasises India's strength in frugal innovation or 'jugaad'. Instead, the country should reposition as a leader in innovation, knowledge and technology," Dutta said. Referring to "jugaad" in her address, Sitharaman said that "in a country where resources are scarce, you have to adapt to 'jugaad'." Refuting observations about Indian innovation being capable of only "jugaad", the minister said: "I am sorry. No, that was only a survival technique." Citing the example of India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan, she asked: "Isn't that frugal? Keep your expenses optimum, but also come out with something that is going to make a difference." In his address at the event, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said India was becoming a centre for innovation and in the last few years over 1,500 multinationals had relocated their R&D centres to places like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Gurgaon. "India needs innovation for providing things like drinking water, sewage and improved seeds and productivity in agriculture. India needs innovation to satisfy the needs of a billion people," he said. Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Francis Gurrey lauded India's efforts in innovation, particularly being a vast and diverse country, pointing out that the top ranked countries were mostly small compact economies with much lesser complexities and issues. New Delhi, Aug 19 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday paid floral tributes to former President Shankar Dayal Sharma on the occasion of his birth anniversary. "The President, family members of Shankar Dayal Sharma, officers and staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan paid floral tributes in front of a portrait of late President," said a Rashtrapati Bhavan release. Sharma served as the President of India from 1992 to 1997. He died of a heart attack on December 26, 1999. New Delhi, Aug 19 : Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi on Friday visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) office here, where he was informed of India's experience in tackling natural disasters in the past. Nidhi's visit to the NDMA along with senior Nepal officials acquires significance since the Himalayan country is in the process of reconstruction in the wake of a huge earthquake in 2015. The NDMA under the Ministry of Home Affairs aims to coordinate responses to natural and manmade disasters and capacity-building in disaster management and crisis response. NDMA member R.K. Jain made a presentation to the visiting dignitary, highlighting India's experience in managing floods, avalanches, earthquakes and landslides, with special emphasis on reconstruction efforts after earthquakes. The officials pointed out that India has a vast and varied experience in post-disaster reconstruction which may be useful to Nepal. Ranjit Rae, India's Ambassador to Nepal, underlined the importance of institutional mechanisms for disaster management set up in India. The possibility of replicating a similar institutional set-up in Nepal was also discussed. Nidhi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening as a Special Envoy of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He is in India on a four-day visit. Patna, Aug 19 : Lalu Prasad, whose RJD is a major ally of the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar, has advised habitual drinkers to consume "toddy", locally called "tadi", to avoid incidents like the hooch tragedy that has killed 16 people. Lalu, who described the hooch tragedy in Gopalganj as a 'heart wrenching incident', said in his own style: "Sarab bandi ke baad ab jo milega jahrila hi milega. Aisi ghatna se sabak le, jaruri ho to tadi piyen. (After the liquor ban what you get will be poisonous. Draw a lesson from this, and if necessary drink toddy)". For hundreds of thousands of people in rural Bihar toddy is considered the poor man's beer and regarded as natural juice. For ages, toddy has been a favourite of villagers as a natural drink from the palm tree. Soon after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced total prohibition in the state from April 5, 2016, a large number of people, including alcoholics, thronged toddy shops after the government banned "desi" or, country-made liquor as well as foreign made liquor. But later the state government also banned the sale of toddy, which was opposed by the people, including by Lalu as well as the opposition BJP and its allies. According to RJD leaders, Lalu was not in favour of banning toddy. Lalu Prasad as Chief Minister in the early '90s had declared toddy tax-free in Bihar to help the people engaged in the business, particularly the 'Pasi' caste Dalits. However, last month in view of increasing pressure from main ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar decided to lift the ban on the sale and consumption of toddy. The move was welcomed by the people. Toddy is cheap and easily available at roadside shops and open fields in the morning and evening in rural areas. It is also available in urban localities. Manila, Aug 19 : The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Friday night issued a unilateral declaration for a seven-day ceasefire to "celebrate and bolster" the resumption of formal peace talks with the government. The ceasefire will take effect starting 12.01 a.m. on August 21 and will last until 11.59 p.m. on August 27 (local time), the Information Bureau of the CPP said in a statement. The formal talks between the negotiating panels of the leftist National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Philippine government are scheduled for August 22-26 in Oslo, Norway, Xinhua news agency reported. The ceasefire declaration is encouraged by the Philippine government's facilitation of the release of nearly all NDFP consultants who are set to participate in peace negotiations in the course of the next several months, said the CPP and New People's Army (NPA), armed wing of the CPP-NDF. Earlier on Friday, the government released NDFP consultants Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria Tiamzon, who were leading members of the CPP and key consultants of the NDFP when they were arrested in March 2014. Kolkata, Aug 19 : Aiming to change the investors perception about Jharkhand, Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday said there has been no Maoist problem for the past 20 months and the state has received investments of around Rs 21,000 crore in the past one year. "If anybody comes with an investment proposal in the state, the government would provide them with land and electricity within a month", he said at the Investor Outreach Campaign roadshow. The state has around 1 lakh acre of land bank and it acquires land from farmers at four times the market price, said Chief Secretary Raj Bala Verma. "We also facilitate deals between industry and farmers," she said, adding that food processing, education, healthcare, housing, textiles, cement, steel are some of the areas of focus for the government. Verma said Maoist activities have been declining sharply and there was no major incident in the state this year. She said around 10-12 pockets in the interiors of the state have been identified where the government had restricted the Maoist activists in those pockets. Around 6 CRPF battalions and paramilitary forces were deployed in these pockets to limit their activities. "Around 600 villages in these pockets are impacted," Verma said. The state has also introduced an open jail policy for those willing to surrender with an objective that they can live with their families under police surveillance, can avail state funded compensation packages and be provided with vocational training, the Chief Minister said. The state also had discussions with Kolkata-based companies such as ITC Ltd, Century Plyboards India Ltd, Bandhan Bank for potential investments in the state. It signed Memorandums of Understanding with Cisco India Ltd, Oracle India Pvt Ltd, Shree Cement Ltd and ACC Ltd. To promote start-ups, the state government is also coming up with a new start-up policy with a corpus fund of Rs1,000 crore. The state will also earn a royalty income of Rs5,000 crore over a period of 30 years from the auction of 18 coal mines in Jharkhand. Moscow, Aug 19 : Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Moscow had no intention of breaking relations with Kiev. "Despite the reluctance of current Kiev authorities to have full diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, we will create opportunities to develop contacts and support them," Xinhua quoted Putin as saying in Crimea. Russia was mulling additional security measures following clashes on the peninsula that killed two of its servicemen. Russia's Federal Security Service has accused Ukrainian authorities of masterminding an attempt to send a group of saboteurs to Crimea, which it thwarted last week. Kiev denied the accusations. "It appears, our partners in Kiev have decided to aggravate the situation, and it is clear why," Putin said. Putin said the reason behind the incident was Kiev's intention of avoiding implementing the Minsk agreements aimed at reaching a political settlement of the crisis in the country and to divert the attention of the Ukrainian people from social and economic problems. "I hope this will not be the final choice of our partners and common sense will prevail," he added. Earlier in the day, Putin appointed former Education Minister Dmitry Livanov as his special representative for the development of commercial, economic and scientific relations with Ukraine. Russia currently has no ambassador in Kiev after Putin relieved Mikhail Zurabov of his duties in July. New Delhi, Aug 19 : The BJP on Friday hit back at the Congress for its criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that BJP leaders suffered more after Independence "than what the Congress did under the British", saying he did not intend to undermine the opposition party's role in the freedom movement. "The opposition party's objection to the Prime Minister's comments is baseless. He did not intend to undermine the Congress role in the freedom movement but only talked about the BJP's struggle since the time of Jan Sangh," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said at a press conference at party headquarters here. "It's a fact that the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and BJP leaders had to face torture in Kerala, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country in the past and the Sangh was also banned many times," he added. Prasad said he wanted to know from the Congress if it was not a fact that Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee scarified his life after Independence and another party ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyay was killed. "We accept that the Jan Sangh was not born before Independence. All the workers of the BJP or the earlier Jana Sangh have suffered enormously, be it Kerala, West Bengal or Kashmir. Isn't it a fact?" Prasad said. Modi said on Thursday that the Bharatiya Janata Party as a political party faced more adversities in independent India compared with any other political party, and the world knows the party only through what others have said about it. He said it was on the directions of Mahatma Gandhi that Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar were inducted into independent India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet. "They were all completely nationalists. The Congress needs to explain why Sardar (Vallabhbhai) Patel was given the Bharat Ratna after 41 years of his death and that too when Chandrashekhar was the Prime Minister. Even Maulana (Abul Kalam) Azad got the Bharat Ratna in 1992. In fact, they were punished because they had opposed the policies of Nehru," he said. Taking a dig at the Congress, the BJP leader wondered if the "present day family-centric Congress" represents even an iota of the grand old party of freedom movement. "A party which still nurtures the nostalgic days of ruling the country for 50 years plus is not able to reconcile to their very weakened political strength. I allow them that indulgence. No problem. They should not make historical mistakes and they should not make mala fide comments," Prasad said. The Congress on Friday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark, saying Modi has trivialised the freedom struggle. The Congress also attacked the RSS, saying it "was a non-participant" in India's freedom struggle and had on critical occasions supported the British government as a "collaborator". "It does not behove the Prime Minister to lower the dignity of his office by making a statement which is factually incorrect and insult to the freedom fighters, and thousands of others who made manifold sacrifices during India's national struggle," said senior Congress leader Anand Sharma. New Delhi, Aug 19 : India will work closely with the new Nepal government headed by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Friday, and also extended him an invite to visit New Delhi. She conveyed this during a meeting with Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi who is visiting India as Special Envoy of the Nepal Prime Minister, it is learnt. This is the first high-level visit from Nepal to India after the formation of the new government in Kathmandu earlier this month. "The External Affairs Minister appreciated the initiative of Prime Minister Prachanda to send Nidhi as his Special Envoy to India," sources here said. "She said that India stands ready to work closely with Prime Minister Prachanda's government and to welcome him in India soon on a bilateral visit," they said. Sushma Swaraj emphasised that India attached the highest priority to its relations with Nepal, and offered full assistance and cooperation for Nepal's economic development. According to the sources, on his part, Nidhi shared the vision and priorities of the new government as implementation of the Constitution to promote political stability, taking the Constitution and peace process forward by addressing all issues through a process of consensus building between all major political parties, and focusing on post-earthquake reconstruction efforts and economic development. Nidhi also appreciated India's goodwill and support to the peace process and economic development in Nepal, and emphasised the need to strengthen bilateral partnership in all areas, including development cooperation. There was also a discussion on possible high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in the coming months, including an invitation to President Pranab Mukherjee to visit Nepal as well as a visit by Prime Minister Prachanda to India. Apart from Sushma Swaraj, Nidhi also held a meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, according to the sources. The Special Envoy also called on President Mukherjee and reiterated the invitation from Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari to visit the Himalayan nation. Earlier on Friday, Nidhi attended a programme on natural disasters organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of India. The Himalayan country is in the process of reconstruction in the wake of a huge earthquake in 2015. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. After coming to power, the new Maoist-led government in the Himalayan nation has said that it wanted to further strengthen bilateral relations with India. While Nidhi, who is also Nepal's Minister for Home Affairs, has been deputed to visit India as Special Envoy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Krishna Bahadur Mahara of Prachanda's Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre), visited Beijing in a similar role earlier this week. New Delhi, Aug 19 : Though secularism has been pronounced as part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution by the Supreme Court, an ambiguity about its meaning and practical implication continues to exist, said Vice President Hamid Ansari here on Friday. Releasing a book by former Union Home Secretary Madhav Godbole, Ansari emphasised that the reasons for the ambiguity should be addressed to ensure a secular society. "One reason is the selective orientation given by public figures, while, another reason being the sociological perception about the relevance of secularism in a society characterised by pervasive religious groups," he said. The book titled 'Secularism: India at a crossroads', is published by Rupa PUblications. Quoting from the book, the Vice President said "For a country to be secular, it's not enough that its Constitution is secular and its government respect all religions alike or it's equidistant from all religions, it's equally necessary that the society is secular and its individual citizens are secular too," he read. Agreeing with the author that there is a lack of will on the part of central, state governments and political parties to strive for secularism as a way of life, Ansari felt that a great deal needs to be done in this regard. "A great deal remains to be done if secularism is to become a way of life in India. This will be possible only if there is real political, social and intellectual commitments and the state, central governments, the political parties, civil society, and the media strive for it," Ansari quoted the book. However, he added, "This I conceive, is yet to come." Describing the book as a volume of encyclopedia on secularism, Ansari said that it is relevant to the public. "This book is timely, and has considerable relevance to the public discourse," said Ansari. Speaking on the occasion, journalist and former member of Parliament H.K. Dua said that the country is passing through a difficult phase and a culture of 'imposition' is being promoted. "Mediocrity is being promoted in the name of majoritarianism and the minorities are being alienated," he said. Godbole, author of several books, expressed hope that his suggestions like setting up a constitutional commission on secularism and separating religion from politics will help to begin new conversations on secularism. New Delhi, Aug 19 : Indian industry chambers on Friday raised concerns on the draft Goods and Services Tax (GST) law at a meeting here with Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, flagging issues like dual administrative control vested and wide discretionary powers for tax authorities. "Provisions may lead to unwarranted disputes in future so it requested to give a re-look the law before finalising," a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) representative said after the meeting. "Non-inclusion of electricity will lead to significant economic distortion," Assocham said in a representation to the government. The chamber also said that on products like petroleum and alcohol, the industries will operate under a hybrid tax regime and will be unable to claim GST credit due to temporary non-inclusion of these products, that could increase costs. "Consequently, some thinking around zero rating or concessional taxation under existing law on the inputs for these industries is warranted," Assocham said. The GST Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed by Parliament earlier this month, while three states - Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand - have so far ratified the Bill. The meeting was a part of a Finance Ministry exercise to solicit industry's views on the proposed model GST law before finalising it. London, Aug 20 : Fashion designer Henry Holland says his popular friends don't influence his designs as he creates a fictional character to personify each collection. "People always love the idea of a muse but I wouldn't say I have one exactly. What I do though is create a fictional character for each show to guide the narrative behind the clothes. She might be made up of lots of different people, but while I'm working on the show she's real to me and everything we do goes through that filter, if you like," Holland told GraziaDaily, reports femalefirst.co.uk. "A few years ago we did a collection and we called her 'Nana rave'! It was all about an old lady who likes to go to raves - there were loads of bright colours and 90s iconography. "I thought of maybe someone like my mum in a few years' time, going out and partying! I like taking two different worlds and fusing them together to make something exciting. So, yeah, there's a muse but she might not be a real person, she might be an idea that then takes off and becomes something else," he added. Holland will soon unveil a new collection for sportswear brand Umbro. And he says every one of his joint ventures has to be "authentic" and true to the values of his brand. "You have to be doing it for the right reasons and be involved in the whole process, not just putting your name to something. It's important to be authentic. "We're always hugely involved in the design process and we make sure that everything with our name on it carries the brand's DNA. It's got to be real. It is a great opportunity to broaden your customer and reach new people but you have to keep your integrity as well," he said. There has been a furious reaction to the UK Governments plans to introduce an increased rate of Stamp Duty for property investors purchasing buy to let properties and those buying a second home from April 2016. Stamp Duty will be calculated at an extra 3% on top of the basic rate if a property is for buy to let purposes, bringing in some 880 million for the Treasury by 2020. But large corporate investors will be exempt from the charge, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced. But the industry is furious, saying that it will result in house prices being pushed up between now and next April as would be landlords wanting to extend their portfolios do so before the new rate comes in, then it could result in a catastrophic drop in buy to let investment which would in turn force up rents due to a shortage of supply. David Cox, managing director of Association of Residential Letting Agent (ARLA), described the move as a catastrophe. He pointed out that it is a bitter blow to landlords coming on top of recent changes to mortgage interest tax relief and the annual wear and tear allowance. Increasing tax for landlords will increase rents and reduce property standards for tenants. To make owning a BTL property financially viable, landlords will need to pass on the increased stamp duty costs to tenants, who will in turn see less spent on maintaining their property and of course see increased rents, said Cox. The changes will also deter new landlords from entering the market, pushing the gap between dwindling supply of available property and growing demand even further apart, which will also in turn push up rental costs. In London, where demand is so strong and last years stamp duty changes hurt, rather than helped, will see tenants having the greatest burden to bear, he added. Richard Lambert, chief executive director of the National Landlords Association, believes that it will cut off future investment in private properties to rent. The exemption for corporate investment makes this effectively an attack on the small private landlords who responded to the housing crisis by putting their own money into providing homes by the party that they put their faith in at the election, he said. If its the Chancellors intention to completely eradicate buy to let in the UK then its a mystery to us why he doesnt just come out and say so, he added. David Gibbs, partner at Alliotts Accountants, pointed out that not only will buy to let investors be hit with additional stamp duty on purchase but also a requirement to pay capital gains tax within 30 days of a sale. Investors will face a hike of 3% on stamp duty for all buy to let purchases from 01 April 2016. That means stamp duty rates will run from 5% for property over 125,000 up to 15% on property over 1.5 million. In addition, when a property is sold from April 2019 the capital gains tax will be due just 30 days after completion, he explained. Ultimately this set of proposals could drive buy to let investors out of the market leading to a serious shortage of rental property, he added. Jo Bateson, tax partner at KPMG in the UK, explained that more detail is awaited to fully evaluate the tax implications and also how second home owners could be affected. These measures might dampen demand for the kind of properties that are marketed as buy to let investments. And investors may decide to re-evaluate the attractiveness of the residential market ahead of this announcement, she said. There are a number of important issues still to be addressed such as precisely how the stamp duty changes will be applied, what is the definition of a second home, and what is the position of a purchaser who is at first unsure how it might be used, she pointed out. We are waiting for some important outstanding details such as how reliefs and allowances can be applied to a tax payment which is outside of self-assessment which I am sure will be part of the consultation process, she added. Mike Chapman, senior manager for corporate tax at Knill James Chartered Accountants, described it as a double whammy for buy to let landlords which could have a major impact on the residential property market. The higher rates will be three percentage points above current SDLT rates and the exclusion of companies from the charge indicates that the Government sees the freeing up of residential property currently in private hands as key to its housing policy, he said. So, there will be pain on the way into the buy to let market through SDLT and the second announcement on Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on exit. From April 2019, a payment on account of any CGT on the disposal of residential property will be due just 30 days after completion. This compares to the current rules where the settlement of the tax due can be anything up to 21 months after disposal depending when in the fiscal year the sale occurs, he explained. Clearly landlords who have maximised their borrowings with a view to enjoying capital growth may now seek to restrict their financial exposure by disposing of parts of their property portfolios. Where such properties are standing at a gain, disposal before the CGT acceleration is due will clearly be advisable, he added. Peter Williams, executive director of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA), believes that the Government must be very careful not to go too far and overly constrain the private rental sector, which performs an essential role in the housing market. For all their new initiatives, successive Governments have a poor track record of delivering the required number of new homes, and a healthy private rental sector is vital for those either needing to rent or choosing to do so, he said. The Stamp Duty changes will impose higher initial costs for investors but most mortgage deals should be able to absorb a slightly higher loan size, if the borrower requires, within lenders existing guidelines. Data suggests that landlords invest for the long term, so this change is unlikely to materially reduce activity on its own, he explained. Essential Systems Solutions announces the election of Michael L. Tash to the Board of Directors of the Retail Service Providers Association (RSPA). Voting for the Board of Directors took place on Monday, August 1, 2016 at RetailNOW during the mornings Annual RSPA Membership Meeting. Only the authorized voter of RSPA member companies that were present at the Membership Meeting were eligible to vote. Michael has been an RSPA member, RSPA ambassador and advocate for over 10 years. He will be working to build the relationships between resellers and vendors to help them see value in working together to help one another grow. As part of the RSPA Ambassador Program he has seen how people in our industry are not aware of the opportunities RSPA has to offer. While attending various industry events he was able to get both dealers and vendors interested in the association and the benefits of becoming members. Michael Tash is the co-founder, co-owner and Vice President, Customer Relations of Essential Systems Solutions headquartered in Frederick, MD. Michael has been in the POS business for over 25 years, beginning his career by installing POS systems in quick service restaurants. Michael has worked as an installer, service manager, VP of Administration, and finally VP, Customer Relations. Michaels current role is to be the relationship guy and to grow the customer base and make sure that when customers have any POS needs, Essential gets the call. When he is not talking about POS, Michael flies around the country playing guitar with the blues band, Bad Influence. About Essential Systems Solutions Founded in 2011, Essential Systems Solutions is a single-source technology provider of traditional, mobile, and cloud-based Point of Sale solutions for restaurants, hospitality, and retail establishments throughout the United States. Essential also offers a vast selection of hardware equipment to meet a wide variety of business needs. Known for outstanding and professional service, Essentials expert technicians are available to fix any kind of POS equipment. For more information about Essential Systems Solutions call 301-732-5000 or visit http://www.esspos.com. Follow @ESSisEssential on Twitter About RSPA The RSPA is the only association dedicated to the point of sale and retail technology industry. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the point of sale ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers education, certification, a legal hotline, industry advocacy, and discounts on other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW and INSPIRE which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by going to http://www.GoRSPA.org These styles are easy to make and on the surface they look great, but art is art at the end of the day and thats what we bring to the table. The Guardian recently published a provocative article that raised a few eyebrows in the media about the wave of hipster sameness that has pervaded the cities and streets of various countries. The term refers to the same overall atmosphere that comes with the hipster style. The articles described the scene that most people are familiar with, Its a coffee shop with rough-hewn wooden tables, plentiful sunlight from wide windows, and austere pendant lighting. The trouble arises from the irony of people using the same style to achieve some level of uniqueness. It seems to have the world in a stranglehold, unable to break free from the dimly lit coffee hubs that feature antique furniture and play the latest album of obscurity that you cant help but tap your finger to, added TurquoiseJewelry.com spokesman, Jack Burch. TurquoiseJewelry.com, a company that has been pondering the solution to this problem for the past few months has come up with a genuinely unique answer. Burch continued, The problem is lacking a genuine approach to the artistic. These styles are easy to make and on the surface they look great, but art is art at the end of the day and thats what we bring to the table. The latest collection from the company is in fact a collaboration of artisan made jewelry with names, faces, and highly-regarded reputations. The team at TurquoiseJewelry.com has been working with the artists they represent to bring a new collection of styles that have the attention to detail and commitment to art that Burch describes. 3 Styles to Break the Hipster Sameness Effect Bolo Ties- Bolo ties have been making a comeback in recent years as the Southwest style continues to become more contemporary; however, these are a vast departure from those found in common boutiques. Like many of the names featured on TurquoiseJewelry.com, Robert Leekya works the silver and cuts each gem into his work with the passion of a true artist. Cuff Bracelets- Another element that makes TurquoiseJewelry.com unique is their Native American aesthetic. The new release features a collection of authentic Navajo cuff bracelets. As with most of their jewelry, the company meets directly with the tribe to bring unique art to the public, no two pieces are exactly the same. Squash Blossom Necklaces- These pieces have a rich background, rooted in both Spanish and Native American history. The ornate crescent shape of the piece (the Naja) is typically hand set into the intricately worked silver. Depending on the family technique an artist uses and the stones they choose and cut, the necklace itself can look drastically different from another of the same Squash Blossom design. TurquoiseJewelry.com believes that the genuine nature of their company, working with artists that are free to express their talent and skill, is the best way to go about achieving a truly unique style. Burch is confident that this new collection is exactly what people need to break free of the hipster sameness effect once and for all. This is the second time CompuClever Antivirus PLUS received a VB100 rating of "Solid" CompuClever is pleased to announce Antivirus PLUS, its all-in-one PC security software, has achieved a favorable review from Virus Bulletin's renowned VB100 certification programme. "As part of its review, released in the summer of 2016, Virus Bulletin noted that CompuClever Antivirus PLUS is accurate, stable and responsive, with a slick and attractive interface," says Andy Thompson, CompuClever Communications Director and Editor-in-Chief. "In its review Virus Bulletin also noted that CompuClever Antivirus PLUS provides a range of PC optimization tools and other software alongside its anti-malware offering, including a browser plug-in wallet system." This is the second time CompuClever Antivirus PLUS received a VB100 rating of "Solid" from Virus Bulletin, with no false positives and "excellent detection." CompuClever Antivirus PLUS has also passed the Windows 10 Logo Certification Test, which means it has obtained Microsoft's approval for running on the Windows 10 operating system. "CompuClever Antivirus PLUS relies on sophisticated security technology to protect Windows computers against malware threats and is fully compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP," says CompuClever's Andy Thompson. "CompuClever Antivirus PLUS is designed to deliver the best performance for your PC and its built on the most advanced antivirus technology available today." Easy to use, CompuClever Antivirus PLUS allows any PC owner to manage security with a single click. The intuitive technology also guards online privacy and digital identity, including banking and credit card details, as well as email passwords and social media information. About Virus Bulletin Based in the United Kingdon, Virus Bulletin is a magazine about the prevention, detection and removal of malware and spam. It regularly features analyses of the latest virus threats, articles exploring new developments in the fight against viruses, interviews with anti-virus experts, and evaluations of current anti-malware products. About CompuClever Founded in 2010, CompuClevers mission is to provide PC users with a safe and enjoyable computing experience. CompuClever offers products and services, powered by knowledge, know-how and expertise, aimed at enhancing computer safety, performance and stability. CompuClever software products are designed from the ground up to provide powerful utility and optimization software that can be used quickly and effectively, even by novice computer users. Prayer evangelist and transformation leader Ed Silvoso addresses At Work on Purpose business and church leaders in Cincinnati. He has all the power and he is working alongside you," said Silvoso. "As you go, you will be disciple-ing a city, a state, a nation and the world. Prayer evangelist and city transformation leader Ed Silvoso invited Cincinnati's At Work on Purpose leaders to operate like the first-century Church that Jesus designed to act as an ekklesia to eliminate systemic poverty in the city. An ekklesia is a community called out. Silvoso urged Cincinnati Christians to minister to the felt needs of the people here to eliminate systemic poverty, transforming the city. Silvoso is best known as a leader of the modern transformation movement. The CEO of Transform Our World Network in San Francisco, Calif., spoke to a group of church and business leaders at an At Work on Purpose (AWOP) leadership gathering at ScrogginsGrear Consultants and CPAs in Springdale. Silvoso directly influences 3,500 leaders who lead more than 3.5 million people around the world. He stresses the importance of developing strategic alliances between church and marketplace leaders to bring about changes in spiritual climates that will positively impact government, education and workplace environments. Ed Silvoso has connected the dots between the marketplace, ministry and nation transformation, said Chuck Proudfit, AWOP founder and president. He brings people together to illustrate how local businesses can work with local pastors and ministries to positively change cities and nations. AWOP, located in Blue Ash, Ohio, is the nations largest citywide marketplace ministry, and connected to more than 8,000 working Christians. The nonprofit was formed in 2003. Silvoso identified four hierarchical levels of involvement that Christian business people typically engage in in the marketplace: those who simply survive spiritually amidst the secular pressures of the marketplace; those who apply Biblical principles to the way they do business; those who operate in the power of the Holy Spirit and view themselves as ministers in the workplace rather than just CEOs; and those who lead efforts to transform the marketplace through their ministries at work. If your work is an act of worship, it changes you, said Silvoso. You realize you are anointed by God to effect positive change. He has all the power and he is working alongside you. As you go, you will be disciple-ing a city, a state, a nation and the world. Silvoso stressed that the power of God can change hearts, improve conditions for people and create miracles. With God we can, but without us, he wont, he said. He invited Christian business people and ministry leaders to join him Oct. 3-7 to attend the 26th annual Transform Our World global conference, which will be held in San Jose, Calif. Each day will feature speakers and interactive workshops on how participants can take spiritual transformation to higher levels within their spheres of influence. The theme of this years conference will be miracles-- how leaders are turning school systems, hospitals, city halls and factories into ekklesias of Christian ethics and biblical practices. The conference will focus on how church and business leaders can minister to people in their communities, eventually engaging them in faith conversations to help embrace positive change. Miracles in congregations; the marketplace; in education; the family; and through strategic intercession will also be addressed. John McCarthy, CEO at AGI Hospitality Recruiting, is part of AWOPs Neighborhoods Embracing Transformation, a member of the International Transform Our World network. He announced a Cincinnati event to be held Oct. 14 and 15 called CincyShift, aimed to claim Cincinnati for Christ and work to eliminate poverty. Speakers from local businesses and ministries are planned. For more information about the Silvoso global conference, visit http://www.transformourworld.org. For more information on AWOPs CincyShift and other events, its faith-at-work tools and activities, go to http://www.atworkonpurpose.org or call (800) 513-9580. # # # Contact: Laura Jackson Email: ljackson(at)atworkonpurpose.org Phone: (513) 477-2652 About At Work on Purpose: At Work on Purpose is the nation's largest, citywide marketplace ministry. Based in Cincinnati, the nonprofit organization helps working Christians mobilize the work world for Christ by offering inspiring and proactive ways to integrate faith into work, transforming jobs into platforms for ministry. Luis Mascareno Celebrates 15 Years with Bill Howe! He is a master of his craft. Bill Howe began as a small drain cleaning company over 35 years ago and has grown through the years delivering excellence in multiple services including heating and air conditioning, restoration and flood remediation, epoxy relining, and plumbing in San Diego. By focusing on their three-tiered mission of fostering healthy and happy employees, providing honest and affordable services to customers, and giving back to the community, they have become a trusted name in service companies in the community. The Company of Success Stories remains at the top of their industry by hiring and retaining quality team members who become the Bill Howe Family. San Diego plumber, Luis Mascareno, is an example of one of the best in his trade. He is dedicated to his craft and an expert at major plumbing repairs like slab leak location and re-pipes, bathroom remodels, and gas line repairs. He is one of the most requested San Diego plumbers in the company by his customers, as well as a mentor for new apprentices in the trade. On August 20, Luis will celebrate his 15th anniversary with Bill Howe. Luis is one of our best and we rely on him to help our junior plumbers learn the ropes and learn the Bill Howe Way, said Amber Baynard, Human Resource Manager of Bill Howe Plumbing, Heating & Air, Restoration & Flood Services. He is one of our lead Journeyman plumbers and truly inspires his colleagues to excellence, not to mention, he is incredibly giving and caring. He wants others to succeed and do well and helps his team out each day. Luis recently assisted with the bill Howe team to develop two of their Howe-to video series. He used his expertise to educate customers on how to check their home for leaks and save water, and also how to shut off the water to their home in emergencies. When we first began producing our educational and DIY videos, Luis was very excited to be a part of it, said Marketing Director, Julie Riddle. He is a master of his craft and looks great on video, so I knew he would be perfect. Bill Howe Plumbing, Heating & Air, Restoration & Flood Services has 159 employees across its three divisions. In 2016, there are 40 percent who have been with the company for 5 or more years and another 10 percent celebrating more than 15. Part of the success is that the company creates an environment that encourages their team to grow and advance their careers. They offer promotions form within, such as the Team Leader position, as well as providing full tuition for all training and education. For more information about the local plumbing company in San Diego, visit http://www.billhowe.com, or to speak with Bill or Tina Howe regarding this announcement, contact Bill Howe Marketing Director, Julie Riddle at Julie(at)billhowe(dot)com. About Bill Howe Family of Companies Bill Howe Family of Companies is comprised of Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc.; Bill Howe Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.; Bill Howe Restoration & Flood Services, Inc. The family-owned and operated company began in 1980 with the plumbing division and has grown into San Diego Countys largest low-cost one-stop-shop for service, repairs and installation, offering both residential and commercial services. 9085 Aero Drive, Suite B, San Diego CA 92123. Call 1-800-BILL-HOWE because We Know Howe! ### Mushmina is about sharing the spirit of the people we work with and the vibrant culture of Morocco. Each piece tells a story of tradition and integrity, says Mushmina co-founder and creative director Katie ONeill. Katie ONeill, co-founder and creator director of Mushmina the mindful accessories brand, will debut four new designs in their classic Hobo bag on QVC Friday, September 9th at 2 PM EST. The four unique handbag styles will be featured on Shawn Killingers 'Shawn Says Accessorize' show and a limited run of bags will be available for purchase through QVC. Founded in 2009 by sisters Katie and Heather ONeill, Mushmina is a family business that produces custom accessories in collaboration with artisans in Morocco. The ONeill sisters custom design their own brand of handbags, scarves, and jewelry. Katie and Heather work directly with a team in Morocco to produce new collections each year, giving artisans the opportunity to sell their goods to a global market. The boutique is located at 164 E. Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, Pennsylvania and online at http://www.mushmina.com. Katie ONeill designed four limited edition fabrics especially for QVC fans across the country. Made by Moroccan artisans using colorful Moroccan upholstery fabrics, each of the bags boasts an adjustable strap, the first time the brand has revealed such a feature. Designed with fashionable QVC audiences in mind, each of these handbags is inspired by Mushminas ethos to live mindfully. The inspiration for the collection: Mushmina Hobo Grenadine Moroccos countryside and royal red hues Mushmina Hobo Jasmine The beautiful, sweet-scented wildflowers and nature Mushmina Hobo Mediterranean Moroccos Northern border of the Mediterranean Sea Mushmina Hobo Zelig Intricate patterns found in zelig ceramic tiles Mushmina is about sharing the spirit of the people we work with and the vibrant culture of Morocco. Each piece tells a story of tradition and integrity, says Mushmina co-founder and creative director Katie ONeill. Our seven years in business can be attributed to our love of adventure and to the relationships weve built with Moroccan communities who have shown us great hospitality and have become our family. We could not be more excited to share these new designs with the QVC community. QVC is an American cable, satellite and broadcast television network based in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1986, QVCwhich stands for quality, value, conveniencebroadcasts to more than 350 million households in seven countries. The network strives to surprise and delight customers every day through a carefully curated, ever-changing mix of relevant products. Shawn Killinger is a TV host on QVC, a news anchor and reporter, and a former contestant on NBCs The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. In 2007, she signed on to be a national program host for QVC. With no teleprompter to guide her, Shawn broadcasts live 3-4 hours a day, driving hundreds of millions of dollars in annual sales all while entertaining millions of viewers. For more information on Mushmina, please visit mushmina.com. You can also follow Mushmina on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. END About Mushmina Mushmina is a fashion and design company with a social mission that began with two sisters, Heather and Katie ONeill, living and traveling in Morocco and Mali. They started Mushmina to translate the impeccable craftsmanship and vision of local artisans to the global market. Their mission is to create beautiful inspired products that have cultural integrity and soul. Through the sale of uniquely stylish, handmade clothing and accessories, Mushmina creates employment opportunities for women and men in developing countries. Mushminas products empower all people to be beautiful and expressive. Mushmina on QVC Friday, September 9, 2 PM Check your local TV listing Mushmina Boutique 164 E Lancaster Avenue Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 Phone: (610) 293-8089 Website: mushmina.com Shop Hours Tuesday: 10 AM5 PM WednesdayFriday: 10 AM6 PM SaturdaySunday: 11 AM5 PM Sunday: 12-6 PM Dr. Donath of Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgery was honored to recently speak at the 8th World Congress of Facial Plastic Surgery - Faces of the World Conference in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The Cincinnati native was invited to the esteemed event to speak on the topic of Periorbital (Eyelid) Rejuvenation. The procedure is among the most important areas of rejuvenation for the aging face Dr. Donath, a plastic surgeon in Cincinnati, also moderated a panel for FaceLifts alongside several industry leaders. He is an active member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The son of a Cincinnati physician and nurse, Dr. Donath is a summa cum laude (highest honors) graduate from Ohio University. In college, he was inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa national honor society. There he was President of the schools American Medical Student Association chapter, Secretary of the Surgery club. He completed medical school at the University of Cincinnati, one of the top medical centers in the United States. He has learned first-hand experience with some of the countrys top facial surgeons, from New York City to Beverly Hills. This wealth of experience positions the plastic surgeon in Ohio as one of the top authorities and role models in his field, a top plastic surgeon in Ohio. Dr. Donath completed a rigorous five-year residency training program at St. Louis University. The residency included extensive experience in Facial Plastic Surgery as well as all aspects of Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Donath was also selected for a highly competitive facial surgery fellowship with the Glasgold Group, in the New York City suburbs. The Glasgold Group fellows are recognized as some of the worlds best facial cosmetic surgeons. This plastic surgeon of Cincinnati has previously enjoyed other speaking and teaching opportunities across the globe. Here are some of the other events where he has shared his knowledge: Im excited to be part of the team that will shine a spotlight on Mr. Tracy and chronicle his triumphs and legacy of uplifting people and helping them reach their full potential. On the heels of his recent address at the United Nations in New York City, Newport Beach attorney West Seegmiller will spread his wings even further by serving as co-producer of a documentary exploring the life of Brian Tracy, considered by many to be the grandfather of motivational speaking. Seegmiller will join 4-time Emmy Award winning filmmaker Nick Nanton on Maximum Achievement: The Brian Tracy Story, that will explore the life of this pioneer who laid the groundwork for Tony Robbins, Dale Carnegie and other self-help gurus. Before any of todays motivational speakers were ever around, Brian Tracy was the first to hold self-help seminars where he developed audio books and other tools to help inspire tomorrows leaders. He carved out a niche for himself in a budding industry and parlayed his skills and talent to become a go-to source for government leaders, captains of industry and other world-renowned figures, said Seegmiller, who received acclaim on his recent UN talk about the exploitation of impoverished workers around the world by profit-seeking companies in America. Im excited to be part of the team that will shine a spotlight on Mr. Tracy and chronicle his triumphs and legacy of uplifting people and helping them reach their full potential. Seegmiller, a former California State Pro-Tem Judge, is known for taking on well-known entities like Coca Cola, Southern California Edison, Rockwell International and, most recently, TGI Fridays and emerging victorious, earning his clients multi-million dollar verdicts. He has generated interest in his practice by building reproductions of actual courtrooms complete with judges bench, jury box and tables for the plaintiff and defendant at his offices. This isnt an aesthetic consideration, but rather a functional space for him to conduct pre-trials of his cases. He hires mock juries to hear his cases before presenting them to real ones so he can shape and reshape his arguments for maximum impact. Seegmiller became an advocate for the underdog due to personal circumstances. While in his 20s, he was involved in a devastating motorcycle accident that required months of painful treatments to recover from his injuries. He sought justice for himself and it inspired him to help others. Visit http://www.SeegmillerPersonalInjury.com. emfluence Digital Marketing, a Kansas City-based full service digital marketing agency and creators of the emfluence Marketing Platform, has expanded into the Denver market. Im thrilled to be joining the team at emfluence, and bringing their marketing solutions to businesses in the Denver area, said Fritz Stahmer, Senior Digital Strategist and founding member of the emfluence Denver team. emfluence has revolutionized how larger companies acquire new customers, then communicate effectively with them, and I know our services will be in high demand here in Denver. As the newest member of the emfluence team, Stahmer brings a wealth of digital marketing experience and expertise. He has over 28 years of marketing and sales experience in numerous industries. Fritz is a wonderful addition to emfluence, said Mike Tipton, Director of Business Development at emfluence. With his extensive experience and knowledge of the Denver market and the needs of potential clients in the area, our Denver-based clients are set up for success from day one. emfluence is a full service digital marketing agency based in Kansas City, Missouri. emfluences roots run back as far as 1999 when it was the fastest growing division of a full service advertising agency. In 2003, emfluence became its own legal entity and since that time, provided digital marketing services for numerous agencies and brands across almost every industry segment. For many brands, understanding the customer pathway-to-purchase can be daunting, which is why they come to emfluence. They need their websites to be more than beautiful- they need them to convert customers. emfluences expertise in technology, conversion optimization, and direct marketing make the agency a powerful partner for brands. MagicGPS - GPS tracking Just $29.95 a Year! "The Village of Bayside, WI Residents are Very Excited about the MagicGPS Live View Collection Vehicle GPS mapping service which is just $29 a year!" MagicGPS LLC awarded the first Internet of Things (IoT) Wi-Fi based GPS Tracking System, patent # 9,307,399 granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). MagicGPS has developed the first system and IoT device that detects and connects to open or secure Wi-Fi from a moving vehicle in order to send GPS and other information to a cloud service. The IoT IP is a unique capability to automatically identify, authenticate and securely connect to open and known (private or subscribed) WiFi hotspots. This allows GPS breadcrumbs to be stored in the low cost, onboard device and regularly forwarded through the APs to the SaaS application. "MagicGPS set out to change the GPS Tracking industry by eliminating High Monthly Fees! Having used many of the largest GPS tracking products over 3 decades at a Major Intermodal trucking company, we were told by the statuesque you cant use Wi-Fi! said Vincent Nicosia, CEO at MagicGPS. He further added, MagicGPS is focused on helping reduce operating cost for service fleets and transportation companies by eliminating high monthly fees for GPS tracking. With lower margins and higher prices on: fuel, insurance, power units, drivers, fleet maintenance Many customers are looking to reduce costs wherever possible without sacrificing benefits. This is exactly what MagicGPS delivers. This Patented GPS tracking service has No High Monthly Fees, at just $29.95 a year. MagicGPS reduces transportation GPS tracking costs by as much as 80% or an average of $240 per truck per year using Wi-Fi Hot Spots. MagicGPS Internet of Things (IoT) devise records all GPS information called "MagicCrumbs," a cookie crumb trail that you can see when logging into your custom MagicGPS Google Maps Dashboard. By leveraging Wi-Fi Hot Spots the IoT device sends information about where it has been (i.e., GPS locations, speeds and directions, trail, etc.). Eliminating the normal cellular monthly services charges which typically range from $15 to $45 per month per vehicle. The Village of Bayside, WI, wanted a low cost way to answer the question "Has the garbage truck come by my house yet? Now, the citizens simply click on this link: http://www.bayside-wi.gov/535/Live-Collections-Vehicle-Tracking to check on their garbage truck status in near real time. "The Village of Bayside, WI Residents are Very Excited about the MagicGPS Live View Collection Vehicle GPS mapping service which is just $29 a year!" says the Assistant Village Manager. MagicGPS has a simple low one-time service activation fee that includes, a device, first year service, training, all setup, all programing, device activation, all cloud account setup, dashboard customization/programing and many other items. For a limited time customers can try it for $289.95 which includes 1st year, yearly service after that is just $29.95 a year. Unlike others systems there are no other surprise fees, no training fees, no setup fees, no FCC licensing fees, No monthly cellular connection fees, no customization or programing fees. MagicGPS connects and automatically sends "MagicCrumbs whenever it finds an open 802.11 Wi-Fi connection or Customer's Wi-Fi Hot Spot with known passwords like customer's offices/lots, terminals, container yards, distributors, suppliers, partner, or Wi-Fi subscription services like Verizon Jetpack, Sprint Overdrive Mobile 3g and 4g Hotspots. Customers of Cox Communications, Optimum, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, and XFINITY allow each other's high-speed Internet customers to access more than 250,000 Cable Wi-Fi hotspots for free. Check your Zip Code for coverage. http://www.cablewifi.com/. MagicGPS let customers leverage the ever growing availability of Wi-Fi Hot Spots at transportation centers, coffee shops, restaurants, fuel centers, suppliers, distributors, distribution facilities, lots, yards, and ports etc... These types of businesses and many others can increase customer traffic by easily adding their Wi-Fi hot spot to the MagicGPS website and inviting all their customers to use it. We also provide Geo Fencing, Real time Onboard Wi-Fi, Auto big wall map display, Alerts for device connections like: OverSpeed Notifications, Wi-Fi connection Alerts, and if you would like complete control of your data, your own in house hosted MagicGPS Private server! About MagicGPS MagicGPS LLC is the leading, worldwide provider of highly innovative, yet low cost GPS Tracking Services designed to reduce operating costs for companies with Service Fleets and those in the transportation industry. More information about MagicGPS can be found at http://www.magicgps.com. ################################################################################################ Natalie PR at MagicGPS Phone: 480-779-9301 natalie(at)magicgps(dot)com MagicGPS, MagicCrumbs, and the MagicGPS logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of MagicGPS and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Duck Donuts: warm, delicious, and made-to-order. With the expansion of each Duck Donuts location, we are adding 25 to 40 new jobs to the economy and that has a direct impact on the residents of Central Ohio. Russ DiGilio, founder and owner of Duck Donuts Franchising Company LLC, is pleased to announce the opening of his nationally celebrated donut franchise in the Columbus, Ohio suburb of Westerville. Darren Shutler and Brad Hobbs, new franchise owners and brothers-in-law, are thrilled to bring the first Duck Donuts franchise to Ohio. They are planning an October 2016 opening at 825 Polaris Parkway, located in the Westar Development on the corner of Polaris Parkway and Worthington Road, just east of the Polaris Fashion Place and I-71. The 1,500 square foot location will feature select retail items and indoor seating that reflects the franchises iconic beach theme. Our first Duck Donuts experience was love at first sight. We went on a family vacation to the Outer Banks in 2014 and visited the Duck Donuts in Corolla, North Carolina. They were the most delicious donuts we had ever tasted, but it wasnt just the donutsit was the entire experience, from choosing the icings and toppings, to ordering and watching these special donuts being made and topped! It was so much fun, we couldnt wait to go back, says Darren Shutler, school teacher-turned-small business owner. I have been happily teaching for over 20 years, but my Duck Donuts experience made me want to take a chance on something completely different. Its a unique, successful, family-oriented business, and we wanted to be a part of it, says Shutler. Shutler added that they recently joined the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce and are excited for Duck Donuts to add to the regions growing reputation as a foodie destination. Movoto Real Estate named Westerville Americas Best Suburb in 2013 and Money Magazine ranked Westerville #15 on its list of Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2009. Westerville is known as a great place to live and raise a family, and we are elated to have the opportunity to share our Warm, delicious & made to order!TM donuts with the community, students, and families of this region, says Russ DiGilio. Central Ohio is home to more than a dozen colleges and universities. Were serving the best warm and fresh donuts in the world, but were also very proud of the number of jobs were able to provide for people who are passionate about the hospitality industry. With the expansion of each Duck Donuts location, we are adding 25 to 40 new jobs to the economy and that has a direct impact on the residents of Central Ohio. The Franklin County location is store #42 in the Duck Donuts enterprise. By the end of 2016, Duck Donuts will have 100 stores in operation and/or with signed contracts. Donuts are made fresh to order 7 days a week: SundayThursday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday-Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit our Facebook Page for updates, follow us on Instagram, and connect with us on the web at DuckDonuts.com. ABOUT DUCK DONUTS Duck Donuts was founded in 2006 by Russ DiGilio in Duck, North Carolina. His intention? To solve a family vacation problem: Our family wanted a place to buy warm, delicious, made-to-order!TM donuts, and when we couldnt find one, we decided to start our own. By 2011, Duck Donuts had expanded to four Outer Banks locations and the donut business was so successful that DiGilio was continuously approached about franchise opportunities and by fans who begged for a Duck Donuts in their communities. The first franchise opened in Williamsburg, VA, in 2013 and there are now 26 open franchise locations. Duck Donuts store openings are scheduled for: Woodbridge, VA August 2016 Fayetteville, NC September 2016 Bridgewater, NJ October 2016 Wilmington, NC October 2016 Stafford, VA October 2016 Orlando, FL November 2016 Charleston, SC December 2016 Nashville, TN January 2017 Birmingham, AL January 2017 Pittsburgh, PA March 2017 State College, PA TBD Atlanta, GA TBD THE DUCK DONUTS EXPERIENCE We discovered that the most powerful marketing advantage we have is the aroma of warm donuts wafting from every store. Our light vanilla cake donut is a little crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, made fresh right in front of you, hand-dipped in hot icing, and sprinkled with your choice of delicious toppings and drizzles. Its that simple. Children love to stand on the strategically placed step in the waiting area, allowing them to see the entire process, as the donut machine cooks and carries their donuts down the line, where they are dipped, topped, packaged, and served warm in the box. Duck Donuts serves its own signature coffee blendsRiptide Roast, Light House Blend, and Sunset Pier Decaf with new special seasonal flavors changing throughout the yearand offers breakfast options, as well as catering services. Indoor and outdoor seating is available at most locations. For customers who dont have a Duck Donuts in their neighborhood, or wish to gift a delicious box of Duck Donuts to someone far away, order specialty Flash Frozen donuts. To learn more or to share your Duck Donuts experience, Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, or send us a Tweet. ### Hoosier Hill Farm We are excited about our future and the growth opportunities we are seeing ahead of us Inc. Magazine today ranked Hoosier Hill Farm LLC No. 174 on its Inc. 500|5000 for 2016, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Hoosier Hill Farm ranks 4th of 50 companies in Indiana and the only company from Fort Wayne, Indiana to make the top 500 list. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy -Americas independent entrepreneurs. We are absolutely thrilled about making the list in 2016 and appreciate the validation of our hard work and vision, says Peter Roesner, CEO. Our fantastic team of employees have played a significant role in our growth are a huge part of our success." When asked about the success, General Manager Janet Saaf says "Customer service has made us #1, and from the beginning we have focused on quality products and standing behind our products with our customers." Ms. Saaf has been with the company since it started selling products online in 2011. "Each member at Hoosier Hill Farm recognizes that they are part of a team working toward a common goal," says Nichola Sobota who is responsible for customer service and marketing. Most of the products are packaged in the main facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. "our production team is thrilled to see the quality of their work is paying off in ever growing volumes and increasing business," says Nicole York who is responsible for packaging and production. Mr. Roesner adds, "We have had great success online and selling to several leading national online retailers, additionally in 2015 we began selling in Canada, which has grown to over 10% of our sales." Since 2016 Hoosier Hill Farm is also expanding into the fast growing European e-commerce market. We have setup headquarters in Belgium, the very centre of the European Union. As of April 2016 we are actively marketing and selling Hoosier Hill Farm products in the UK with a clear plan to add additional markets in the near future says Wouter Ollevier, Managing Partner Europe. "Wouter is doing a fantastic job introducing the brand to Europe and we are seeing a great acceptance of our products," adds Roesner. "The European audience is responding enthusiastically to the product and brand awareness content on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hoosierhillfarm) which strengthens our belief and commitment to this market." "We have expanded sourcing to include contract farming regionally, which will enable us to control the care of those products as we expand our Non-GMO and Organic offerings. We are excited about our future and the growth opportunities we are seeing ahead of us," concludes Roesner. Complete results of the Inc. 500|5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/500. About Hoosier Hill Farm LLC Hoosier Hill Farm LLC is a Fort Wayne, Indiana based company that markets and sells its products throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Contact support(at)hoosierhillfarm(dot)com ERA 2016 We distinguish ourselves from our competitors through our customer service, education and relationships. Crop Production Services of Vanceboro, North Carolina, is one of four agricultural companies named an Ambassador of Respect for the 2016 Environmental Respect Awards. The company was selected in April during an event attended by global environmental and agricultural experts from around the world. Ambassadors also were named for Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe/Middle East/Africa. Crop Production Services received the award during a special ceremony at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, DE, (USA) last week. DuPont is pleased to congratulate the winners of the 2016 Environmental Respect Awards and applauds their accomplishment in environmental stewardship, said Tim Glenn, president, DuPont Crop Protection. These leaders are helping to advance environmental safety as well as the safe use of agricultural products. We hope they will inspire others who share our passion and commitment to elevate environmental stewardship around the world. Located in the countryside of North Carolina, the Crop Production Services (CPS) outlet in Vanceboro puts a laser sharp focus on furthering the cause of environmental respect. We feel that being a responsible environmental steward is not only required, but is the right thing to do, Tommy Greene, Facility Manager said. We are committed to advance new technologies, products, and provide information to train our employees and growers as the agricultural world continues to evolve. Our business model is not to just sell products; we arent just retailers, Greene added. We distinguish ourselves from our competitors through our customer service, education and relationships. We believe that product stewardship requires a partnership with our farmer customers to maximize yields while minimizing product hazards and environmental impact. The Environmental Respect Awards, sponsored by DuPont Crop Protection, CropLife magazine and AgriBusiness Global magazine, honor outstanding environmental stewardship among those who supply farmers with inputs that are critical to safe and effective crop production globally. The winners exemplify environmental care in areas including security, risk management, product handling and use, worker safety, and education and outreach to their communities. 2016 marks the programs 26th year honoring the stewardship, sustainability, safety, and community outreach efforts of the worlds leading agricultural retailers and distributors. In all, 15 companies were honored with regional awards for their outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship. Ambassadors received special honors as the best of the best in their respective regions. For 16 years, Paul Schrimpf, Group Editor of CropLife and AgriBusiness Global magazines has led the programs judging process and development. Its through the conscientious efforts of these ag businesses and the crop producers they serve that the world is assured of a safe and bountiful food supply, Schrimpf said. Were delighted to be able to gain them some recognition for their environmentalism. Find more information on the Environmental Respect Awards at http://www.EnvironmentalRespect.com. ### For 26 years, the Environmental Respect Awards have been the foremost distinction in stewardship among agricultural retailers and distributors worldwide. Since its inception in 1991, more than 6,500 businesses in the U.S. and Canada have shared their stories of environmental stewardship, sustainability, product safety standards, and customer and community outreach. Approximately 700 have earned state/provincial awards. Over the past 11 years, the international extension of the Environmental Respect Awards has seen participation from more than 550 businesses in 33 countries. ERA 2016 marks the continuation of a fully integrated global selection and recognition process. The program is sponsored by DuPont Crop Protection and is managed and conducted by CropLife magazine and AgriBusiness Global magazine, Meister Media Worldwide publications. We invite the entire De Pere community to join us for a sweet treat. sweetFrog Enterprises, LLC. is pleased to announce the reopening of its location in De Pere, WI. sweetFrog offers a wide selection of premium frozen yogurt flavors, along with fresh topping choices within a self-serve model and was recently named Best Frozen Yogurt in the USA by The Daily Meal. This sweetFrog store, located at 590 Redbird Circle, De Pere, WI 54115, will re-open its doors on August 19 with a variety of opening festivities that will continue every day until their Grand Opening on September 10. The shop will host an Alexs Lemonade Stand from August 20-31, featuring a strawberry lemonade sorbet and collecting donations to fund research projects searching for better treatments and cures for all childhood cancers. Opening festivities will continue September 1, as t-shirts will be given out to the first 25 guests each day and a sweetFrog party for six will be given to a lucky guest through a Like and Share Facebook contest. The grand opening celebration on September 10 will feature prizes, balloons, stickers, lots of giveaways and appearances by the ever-popular sweetFrog mascots, Scoop and Cookie. The first 100 guests receive will t-shirts and every purchase comes with a return-visit BOGO card. In addition, guests can get their frozen yogurt free if they can guess the weight of their cup and there will be a drawing for one lucky guest to win FROYO for a year. "We invite the entire community to join us for a sweet treat," said Patrick Galleher, sweetFrog CEO. "In fact, we'll be giving every local elementary school student a free yogurt card in September as a back-to-school gift. From birthday parties to fundraisers, we want sweetFrog to be the place our friends in De Pere choose to gather and celebrate. The celebrating will not stop after the grand opening. From September 12-16, sweetFrog will honor De Peres medical professionals, schools, fire and rescue, local businesses and churches with 50% off purchases on their designated day. In addition, there will be a 50% donation of sales to non-profit organizations who book benefit nights and $50 discounts on birthday party bookings by September 17, 2016. About sweetFrog Frozen Yogurt: Sweet Frog (http://www.sweetfrog.com) is the fastest growing premium, all natural, self-serve frozen yogurt restaurant company in the country. Sweet Frog currently has 344 stores including both company-owned, franchise and independently licensed locations either open or under contract in twenty-four states in the U.S, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom and Egypt. The company was founded in 2009 and is based in Richmond, Virginia. Sweet Frog prides itself on providing a family-friendly environment where customers can enjoy soft-serve frozen yogurt, gelato and sorbets with the toppings of their choice. The company was founded on Christian principles and seeks to bring happiness and a positive attitude into the lives of the communities it calls home. Contact: Matt Smith, Chief Marketing Officer matt(dot)smith(at)sweetfrog(dot)net (804) 835-6796 10800 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23235 myCNAjobs will help us connect even more students these opportunities and it's our privilege to join forces to bring more awareness to our industry myCNAjobs and Giving Care Education Center (GCEC) announce a new partnership through the myCNAjobs Scholarship Fund. Giving Care Education Center, based in Woodstock, GA, will extend two full-scholarship awards to attend training classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. Giving Care Education Center is one of the largest private training centers with the an extensive hands-on training program in northern Georgia. GCEC offers CNA training, including additional hands-on CPR and First Aide modules. GCEC developed a unique learning experience, resulting in teaching a high level of empathy, character, and good judgment to bring quality care into the lives of seniors. This results in a higher demand for our students by larger, more established companies. GCEC chose to partner with myCNAjobs because it's "about doing good and setting future generations up for success," comments Molly Lewis, Program Director at GCEC. "95% of our graduates pass the state exam and go on to serve important roles in the community," adds Lewis. "myCNAjobs will help us connect even more students these opportunities and it's our privilege to join forces to bring more awareness to our industry." The partnership opened many new doors to CNAs and myCNAjobs caters specifically to the vast array of job opportunities now open to CNAs. She believes that the CNA training program at GCEC gives our previous, current and future students an invaluable tool when finding the right career choice for them. Caregivers or those interested in learning to become a caregiver, can learn more and apply for a scholarship via myCNAjobs. About myCNAjobs myCNAjobs is innovating the way healthcare companies hire and caregivers find work. Home care agencies, nursing homes, and assisted living communities recruit qualified aides efficiently through a suite of digital and career fair tools. Caregivers, CNAs, and Home Health Aides easily connect with local jobs, career fairs, scholarships, and resources to build a schedule to fit their needs with a tech-powered platform. LinkNow Media Our new website design, launching next month, was created with the needs of small insurance companies in mind. In an effort to meet the needs of their small business customers, online marketing company LinkNow Media will be releasing a new website design in the next month. "Our new website design, launching next month, was created with the needs of small insurance companies in mind," says LinkNow Media blogger Lauchlin MacDonald. "We've spoken to insurance agents and brokers, and we know how important it is for them to establish their credibility and professionalism. This site features pages and pages of professionally written content and high quality photos that will help our clients reassure potential customers that they're in good hands." Like LinkNow Media's other industry-specific website designs, the design was created with the needs of small businesses in mind. "When people make purchases today, the simple fact is they're going online to check businesses out before they spend any money," MacDonald says. "This website has everything consumers who are shopping for a new insurance company want to see, including the ability to request a quote directly from the site." LinkNow Media's new insurance website design will be launching in September of 2016. Prices for websites and online marketing plans are available on their website, at http://linknow.com. View of Brimfield Flea Markets, Brimfield, Mass. Labor Day is approaching and collectors, antiques lovers and the experts at Kovels.com look forward to exploring fall flea markets throughout the country. The Kovels have rounded up five of their favorites. Some only come around a few times a year and each is renowned for its scale, variety of items, negotiable prices and popularity among both locals and tourists. Best of all, they are overflowing with treasures waiting to be found. 1. Shipshewana Trading Place Auction & Flea Market, Shipshewana, Indiana Saturday Outdoor Antique Market Saturday, September 3, 2016 Labor Day Market Monday to Wednesday, September 5 7, 2016 Fall Extravaganza Tuesday to Saturday, September 27 October 1, 2016 Something is always happening at Shipshewana. Located in Indianas Amish country, this market is a Hoosier tradition and worth the trip. Saturday Outdoor Antique Markets (three each year) feature many vendors with quality antiques and vintage collectibles. Shoppers will find everything from small pieces of jewelry to large kitchen cupboards. There are also weekly auctions, a flea market twice a week from May through October 1, and extended flea market weekends, including Labor Day and the Fall Extravaganza, with antiques, art, jewelry, collectibles, home goods, up-cycled items and more. 2. Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Shows Brimfield Town Hall, 23 Main St., Brimfield, Massachusetts Tuesday to Sunday, September 6 11, 2016 Make your way to central Massachusetts to visit the market that attracts over 50,000 people three times a year. The six-day Brimfield Flea Market is over 50 years old. There are twenty-one independent show fields and thousands of dealers, and they operate on a staggered opening and closing schedule. This large market has become an exciting tradition that attracts visitors from many states and countries. 3. Renningers Antique and Collector's Extravaganza Kutztown, Pennsylvania Thursday to Saturday, September 22 24, 2016 Located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, Renningers hosts a flea market extravaganza three times a year. September 22 to 24 is the final market of the year. The extravaganza is set up behind Renningers Antique & Farmers Market, with exhibitors outside, under tents and in two 350-foot long pavilions. The event goes on in all weather conditions. 4. Burton Ohio Antiques Market Geauga County Fairgrounds, Burton, Ohio Saturday, September 24, 2016 This twice-a-year market is held rain or shine at Ohios oldest county fairgrounds. Dealers from across the United States and Canada are under tents on the racetrack and inside under the grandstand, displaying silver, fine china, jewelry, porcelain, glassware, textiles, paintings, Americana, furniture, decorative accessories, rugs, primitives, old tools and much more. Burton is just east of Cleveland and home to one of the largest Amish communities in the world. 5. Round Top Texas Antique Week 4036 Texas Hwy. 237, Round Top, Texas 78954 Monday to Saturday, September 26 October 1, 2016 Everything is bigger in Texas, and its premiere flea market is no exception. Round Top offers three shows a year Spring and Fall Antiques Fairs that take place in four venues and a Winter Antiques Show. Round Top prides itself on being 100% antique and vintageno reproductions and no new merchandise. Admission is $10, $20 for VIP Early Shopping, good for all days of the show. Plus more than 50 other shows are also held along Highway 237 in communities around Round Top and Warrenton, where thousands of dealers from across the country sell a wide variety of merchandise, as well as antiques and collectibles. These shows open and close on different dates during a three week period, from September 17 to October 2. Most are free and they attract tens of thousands of buyers. About Kovels.com Kovels.com, created by Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel, provides collectors and researchers with up-to-date and accurate information on antiques and collectibles. The company was founded in 1953 by Terry Kovel and her late husband, Ralph. Since then, the Kovels have written some of Americas most popular books and articles about antiques, including the best-selling Kovels Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide 2016. The website, Kovels.com, online since 1998, offers more than a million free prices, and includes a free weekly email, Kovels Komments. It gives readers a birds-eye view of the market through the latest news, auction reports, a Marks Dictionary, readers questions and answers and much more. Contact Information: Liz Lillis 216.752.2252 Pr(at)kovels(dot)com We love the work that we do, and were honored to be recognized for it. JFS Wealth Advisors, a leading wealth management firm for successful families and businesses, was recently selected by the Pittsburgh Business Times (PBT) as one of 100 fastest growing companies in the western Pennsylvania region. This is the third year in a row the company has made the list, which recognizes for-profit companies with annual revenue growth exceeding 20% over the past three years. Together with other winners, JFS will be honored at an August event and in a supplemental issue of PBT. Were excited to make the PBT list, said Robert Jazwinski, President and Founder of JFS. Its a nice bookend to an eventful summer, after being named one of the top 300 registered investment advisors in the country by the Financial Times. In addition to recent media mentions, JFS is celebrating another point of pride this season: its 30-year anniversary. Founded in 1986, the company has maintained steady growth and a steadfast commitment to unbiased wealth management. After joining forces with Focus Financial Partners in 2007, JFS completed strategic mergers with several respected Pennsylvania firmsmoves that strengthened its team and its reach. We love the work that we do, and were honored to be recognized for it, added Jazwinski. We take pride in our ability to serve clients at every financial stage, as they progress in years and wealth accumulation; its part of our Lifetime Planning Continuum. More information on JFSincluding the firms percentage of growth between 2013 and 2015will be included in the Pittsburgh 100 supplement of the Pittsburgh Business Times, available later this month. About JFS Wealth Advisors JFS assists purpose-driven individuals, businesses, and institutions with customized, solution-based financial planning and investment management. As an independent fiduciary, JFS advocates for clients best interests by maintaining objectivity in advice, integrity in service, and compassion in understanding the unique complexities that impact financial success. JFS has six locations across Pennsylvania and Florida, and services clients in over 40 states. For more information, contact JFS at 877.745.1700 or visit http://www.jfswa.com. PBT 100 Disclosure To qualify for the Pittsburgh 100 Fastest Growing list, companies must be locally owned, for-profit corporations, proprietorships or partnerships. To enter, companies must provide annual revenue results and other information to the Pittsburgh Business Times directly and allow for such information to be independently verified. The top 100 companies were selected based on the percentage of growth over the three year period. For more information regarding the Pittsburgh 100, please visit http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh Get IN Chicago announced today it will continue to fund for two additional years the Healing Hurt People-Chicago (HHP-C) program, a trauma-informed hospital-based violence intervention program that recognizes that individuals traumatized by violent injury are among those at highest risk for re-injury as well as violent perpetration. Additional funding was awarded based on program analyses demonstrating the substantial benefits for participants. For example, data collected from youth who received HHP-C services for at least six months as of May 31, 2016, and reports from the programs Trauma Intervention Specialist showed the following results: 84% of participants experienced decreases in PTSD symptoms 89% exhibited increased self-efficacy 80% engaged in less aggressive behavior 8% of youth were reinjured, none seriously Level 1 Trauma Centers are at the frontline of violence and so uniquely positioned to treat and support acutely high-risk youth. After a violent injury, there is a moment of opportunity to address the psychological trauma that can drive the cycle of violence, and to provide ongoing services that young people need to reduce high-risk behaviors, stay safe and create brighter futures for themselves, said Toni Irving, Executive Director at Get IN Chicago. Operating at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital and The John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, the HHP-C team attempts to meet every violently injured patient under the age of 19 in order to: Provide trauma-focused support and psychoeducation services as early as possible following violent injury; Assess safety and identify other basic needs; and Offer patients the opportunity to participate in ongoing services, which include Assessment, Intensive Case Management, and Psychoeducation Groups. Prior to the establishment of HHP-C, violently injured trauma patients in Chicago were treated for their medical injuries and discharged without any services for psychological trauma recovery and little, if any, follow-up support. Since Get IN Chicago funding began in April 2015, HHP-C has provided initial support and psychoeducation services to more than 240 high-risk patients who have been exposed to or injured by community violence. The need for HHP-C services continues to grow as more young people are injured and Chicago remains the leader in the sheer volume of killings and shootings. The program currently receives referrals for over 30 youth each month, with even greater numbers during the summer. The additional funding provided by Get IN Chicago will be used to expand and scale HHP-Cs service capacity in order to reach even more acutely high-risk youth. Affiliated with the Drexel Universitys Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice, HHP first began serving adult Level 1 trauma patients at Philadelphias Hahnemann Hospital in 2008 and expanded to serve pediatric patients of St. Christophers Hospital for Children in 2009. In the last year, HHP has been replicated at three additional trauma centers in Philadelphia. HHP-C is the second replication of HHP outside of Philadelphia. ### About Get IN Chicago Get IN Chicago (GIC) provides counsel to funder and community-based organizations working to reduce youth violence and address the underlying, systemic issues that lead to youth violence. Get IN Chicago also studies and funds antiviolence initiatives focused on acutely high-risk youth, those who are at heightened risk for becoming victims or perpetrators of violence. To date, Get IN Chicago has awarded more than $29 million to support work across the city. About Healing Hurt People Healing Hurt People (HHP) is the cornerstone program of the Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice at the Drexel University School of Public Health in Philadelphia. HHP is a trauma-informed, community-focused, hospital-based program designed to reduce re-injury and retaliation among young people ages 8-30. For the last nine years, HHP has been developed and refined by pioneers in the fields of Emergency Medicine, Trauma Psychiatry, and Public Health. AGC MA Mass Merit Award 2015 To be honored and recognized with this award is further representation of Jim Barnetts leadership as Safety Manager for our Massachusetts Business Unit and every Gilbane team members unwavering dedication to safety. Dennis Mullen, NE Safety Director Gilbane Building Company was recently honored by the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts at its annual Safety Breakfast, sponsored by AON Construction Services Group, held at the Boston College Club. At Gilbane, the safety actions of employees and co-workers are driven from choice, not just from formal compliance. Through a progressive safety program and techniques, Gilbane continues to raise the bar by applying innovative processes, checks and balances and the latest technology. Combined with its award-winning training programs, Gilbane empowers employees and project partners to embrace a true safety culture based on people, not statistics. We are honored to have been recognized for the accomplishments of our Massachusetts team who exemplify what can be accomplished when everyone is committed to establishing a culture of safety, notes Dennis Mullen, Gilbanes New England Safety Director. To be honored and recognized with this award is further representation of Jim Barnetts leadership as Safety Manager for our Massachusetts Business Unit and every Gilbane team members unwavering dedication to safety. The National Safety Award recognizes firms that have developed and successfully implemented industry-leading safety standards across its portfolio of work. The award program incentivizes construction firms to evaluate and improve existing safety standards. In order to qualify for a Safety Award, an AGC-member firm must participate in the AGC Safety Awards Program for three consecutive years and have either zero lost-day incidence cases, or an average incidence case rate 25% below the average rate of all firms that participate in that particular division. AGC of Massachusetts About Gilbane Building Company Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, close-out and facility management services for clients across various markets. Founded in 1873 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 50 office locations around the world. Gilbane has been a leading Boston construction firm since 1946, serving commercial, institutional, and public clients in the Commonwealth including the University of Massachusetts, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Tufts University, Verizon, Genzyme, Fidelity Investments, and Bank of America. The Boston office was recently named a Top Charitable Contributor in 2015 and 2016 by Boston Business Journal. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com/boston For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com. 1SEO.com Digital Agency 1SEO.com Digital Agency, a digital marketing firm that provides industry-leading end-to-end solutions for their clients, including SEO, web design, PPC, social media optimization, and content and email marketing, is pleased to announce their ranking on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America for a third straight year. Located in historic Bristol, PA, 1SEO.com Digital Agency landed on the 35th annual edition of this distinguished list due to their 58% growth over the past three years. They attribute this success to their client-first focus and dedication toward fostering a winning company culture. Changing the lives of our clients while changing the lives of our employees is our greatest source of accomplishment, Founder and CEO Lance Bachmann stated. The honorees of this list will be acknowledged at the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala in San Antonio, TX from Oct. 18-20. Keynote speakers include New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur and life strategist Tony Robbins and Marvell Technology Group co-founder and director Weili Dai. Vice President of Operations CJ Bachmann and Senior Project Manager Ben Bechtel will attend the event on behalf of 1SEO.com Digital Agency. It is a privilege to be recognized once again, said CJ Bachmann. We are honored to be acknowledged for our companys continued growth, she added. 1SEO.com Digital Agency recently achieved Premier Google Partner status because of their mutually beneficial relationship with the search engine giant. In fact, the two companies will be holding an exclusive event at the 1SEO.com Digital Agency Bristol, PA office on Wednesday, Sept. 14 about the evolving digital marketing landscape. To find out more information about 1SEO.com Digital Agency and the solutions they provide, visit them online. About 1SEO.com Digital Agency 1SEO.com Digital Agency is a Philadelphia, PA-based digital marketing firm that provides end-to-end solutions for their clientele, which is comprised of hundreds of businesses in countless industries that operate in several sectors, from the niche to the mainstream. Using a full suite of services like search engine optimization (SEO), pay per click (PPC), social media optimization (SMO), website design, content writing and email marketing, 1SEO.com Digital Agency helps their clients win online by cultivating online presences and harvesting leads, closes, conversions and profits. To learn more, please visit http://www.1seo.com/. BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy (BioPlus), a leading innovative specialty pharmacy, is one of the specialty pharmacies granted access to the limited distribution medication Zinbryta (daclizumab) from Biogen and AbbVie. Zinbryta received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of the relapsing form of multiple sclerosis in adults. Zinbryta offers multiple sclerosis patients a new therapeutic choice to assist in the management of their condition and we are proud of being not only the first specialty pharmacy in the country to receive a Zinbryta referral but also the first in the country to send out a Zinbryta prescription to a patient, shares Sharon Ferrer, VP of Pharmaceutical Relations at BioPlus. Our specialty pharmacys extensive experience with autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis, makes us a perfect partner for supporting patients prescribed this new medication. In addition, our 2-Hour Patient Acceptance Guarantee program ensures prompt treatment starts, adds Ferrer. Zinbryta is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds selectively to interleukin-2 receptor subunits (CD25). It is provided as a long-acting injection medication that prescribed patients can self-administer subcutaneously once a month. Zinbryta gained FDA approval following two clinical trials showing greater benefit from Zinbryta in preventing multiple sclerosis relapses compared to an existing medication (Avonex), as well as in comparison to a placebo. Zinbryta is available as a limited distribution drug since it presents serious safety risks of liver injury and immune conditions. It is only prescribed to patients who have not responded to two or more other multiple sclerosis medications. Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. In the relapsing form of multiple sclerosis, there are periods of more disease activity followed by times of remission. Over time, the remissions often become incomplete, leading to progressive decline in function and increased disability. About BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy is the first specialty pharmacy to introduce a two-hour turnaround from referral to patient acceptance. BioPlus... Where healing begins in 2 hours. Our company celebrates 27 years of innovative excellence in specialty pharmacy, working closely with payers and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as with prescribers to get prompt treatment for patients, and directly supporting our patients nationwide to achieve optimal health outcomes. Our proprietary web tool Tap App connects prescribers to the pharmacy by bringing the pharmacy chart into the doctors office with real-time specialty pharmacy information and treatment monitoring. BioPlus provides a complete range of specialty services, including for hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, cancer, bleeding disorders, and other complex, chronic conditions. BioPlus, a privately-held, pharmacist-owned company based in Altamonte Springs, Florida, is accredited by URAC, VIPPS, and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). For information: http://www.bioplusrx.com or Contact: info(at)bioplusrx(dot)com Phone: 1-888-292-0744 ### UBCF is a national 501c3 charitable organization. www.UBCF.org This year it is estimated that 2,600 men will be diagnosed with male breast cancer and 440 will lose their battle with the disease. Learn the male self breast exam at ubcf.org/male-self-breast-exam/ United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF), selected as charity of choice for the second consecutive year, announces the airing of a Public Service Announcement (PSA) at the Brickyard 400, a NASCAR Sprint Cup points race. The race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, July 22 24, 2016. The spot aired twice per hour during the three-day event, making an estimated 1.3 million impressions. The PSA was created to help raise awareness about male breast cancer and inform those in need that support and assistance is available through UBCFs seven patient and family programs. UBCF congratulates two-time Brickyard 400 winner, Kyle Busch who lead a race-record of 149 of 170 laps! This year it is estimated that 2,600 men will be diagnosed with male breast cancer and 440 will lose their battle with the disease. One reason for such a high mortality rate is that men are not encouraged by health professionals to self-examine or be screened for breast cancer. UBCF encourages men to learn the male self-breast exam and to be routinely screened by a doctor. Further, seek second and third opinions - male breast cancer is often misdiagnosed in the early stages when it is most easily managed. UBCF Executive Director Stephanie Mastroianni says, It's an honor to participate at the Brickyard 400 for the second year. We want to remind the community that UBCF is here to support men with breast cancer. Early detection is key - be sure to visit our website to download UBCF's male self breast exam." There were an estimated 325,000 attendees present during the three-day event. Throughout the weekend, UBCF representatives interviewed spectators and distributed educational information. UBCF reps let attendees know that UBCF programs are available across the country to both women and men managing breast cancer, in recovery or those in need of early detection services. People watching the race from home were also able to view UBCF's PSA during the race when the jumbo-tron announcements were on-screen. UBCF is committed to offering breast health and wellness services focused on cancer prevention, screening, treatment and over-all wellness. UBCFs mission, to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer, is carried out every day through seven life-supporting patient and family programs available to women, men and families nation-wide. UBCF never denies services to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, income or medical insurance coverage. If you are in need of breast health services, please visit UBCF at http://www.ubcf.org or call toll-free, 877-822-4287. Tax-deductible contributions may be made towards UBCFs programs. UBCF accepts vehicle and property donations as well. Contributions may be mailed to UBCF, P.O. Box 2421, Huntington, NY 11743, or donate through the Combined Federal Campaign, #77934. The City of Saraland is committed to providing our residents with the best experience possible when interacting with our municipal court. Saraland Municipal Court chose Pioneer Technology Group to replace their current Court Case Management System. Saraland will soon be implementing Benchmark, which will simplify court processing and improve public service for the residents Saraland and visitors of the Court. The Honorable C. Erwin had this to say: The City of Saraland is committed to providing our residents with the best experience possible when interacting with our municipal court. After seeing the positive impact that Benchmark and the Pioneer team have had on other courts in Alabama we knew that this was a step that Saraland needed to take to continue to provide the best service for our citizens. I am grateful for the way Mayor Rubenstein and the City Council support our Court and for their leadership in making this huge leap forward in technology possible. The City of Saraland marks the seventh customer in Alabama to have picked up a product by Pioneer Technology Group. Benchmark is the industry leading case management system, and Saraland will soon be the 78th Benchmark user in the nation. Benchmark was designed for court case management and continues to improve each year thanks to feedback from customers and a revolutionary customer service department. Pioneer Technology Groups innovative land records system, Landmark, is scheduled to go live in Jefferson County, AL later this year. This project is currently underway. We are happy to have the City of Saraland join the Pioneer team in Alabama, said Ryan Crowley, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Pioneer Technology Group. We pride ourselves in the partnerships we build with our customers and Saraland is an exciting one as we know they will benefit from the efficiencies our CMS will provide for years to come. About Pioneer Technology Group Pioneer Technology Group (PTG) is a leading developer of software solutions and services to Governments and the private sector. The company, headquartered in Sanford, Florida, develops and supports the Benchmark court case management system, the Landmark official records system, the YourDox title document system, and tax processing systems for counties and municipalities. PTG also provides content management systems and a scanning services bureau for transitioning paper to digital images through its subsidiary, Pioneer Records Management. For more information about the company, please visit PTGs website at http://www.ptghome.com. Founding partner Craig McClellan has been helping injured victims and their families by focusing The McClellan Law Firms practice on complex, high stakes litigation in personal injury, product liability, and business cases where owners or shareholders have been harmed. He has successfully obtained more than 110 verdicts and settlements of more than $1 million each, including a verdict of more than $15 million in a wrongful death case in 2015, the largest net verdict for a single family in San Diego history. McClellan has been listed as one of The Best Lawyers in America since 1993 for Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Litigation Plaintiffs, and was named the Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in 2012 for Product Liability Litigation, and again in 2014 for Product Liability Litigation Plaintiffs as well as Personal Injury Litigation Plaintiffs. Along with awards received from Best Lawyers, he received the "Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award" from the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego for cases in which million and multi-million dollar verdicts were obtained three times, as well as numerous other awards from organizations across the United States. Along with his various accolades, McClellan has served on the Board of Directors for the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers. He is also the only San Diego Lawyer to be selected as a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of 100 of the nations top plaintiff lawyers. The McClellan Law Firm is a personal injury law and business litigation firm based out of San Diego, CA that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for clients across the country, and continues to fight for the rights of injured victims and harmed businesses. To contact The McClellan Law Firm, call us at (619) 215-1488, or visit our website at http://www.mcclellanlaw.com/. Rigaku XtaLAB mini Benchtop chemical Crystallography system Rigaku Corporation will be presenting its diverse lines of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman spectroscopy instrumentation at the 2016 ACS Fall Meeting, Monday, August 21 through Friday August 23, 2016. The event is organized by the American Chemical Society and will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. ACS National Meetings provide researchers with current scientific, professional and product information news through various poster sessions, exhibitions, seminars and networking events. Rigaku, a global leader in X-ray analytical instrumentation, will be exhibiting at the event at booth #527. ACS National Meetings provide researchers with current scientific, professional and product information news. The theme for the Fall event is: Chemistry of the People, by the People, for the People. Analytical and industrial instrumentation from Rigaku range from bench-top devices, suited for researchers employing X-ray techniques, to high-end instruments with advanced analytical capabilities. Among the instruments on display at the event will be the Rigaku XtaLAB mini bench-top chemical crystallography system. The XtaLAB mini system is a compact single crystal X-ray diffractometer designed to produce publication-quality 3D structures. The system is designed to provide the same quality data as a larger 3 kW X-ray system, but with reduced size afforded by the generators lower operating power (600 W). Also featured at the event will be the fifth generation Rigaku MiniFlex bench-top X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument. The MiniFlex is a general purpose X-ray diffractometer that can perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of poly-crystalline materials More information about the MiniFlex bench-top X-ray diffractometer is available at http://www.myminiflex.com. About Rigaku Since its inception in Japan in 1951, Rigaku has been at the forefront of analytical and industrial instrumentation technology. Rigaku and its subsidiaries form a global group focused on general-purpose analytical instrumentation and the life sciences. With hundreds of major innovations to their credit, Rigaku companies are world leaders in X-ray spectrometry, diffraction, and optics, as well as small molecule and protein crystallography and semiconductor metrology. Today, Rigaku employs over 1,400 people in the manufacturing and support of its analytical equipment, which is used in more than 70 countries around the world supporting research, development, and quality assurance activities. Throughout the world, Rigaku continuously promotes partnerships, dialog, and innovation within the global scientific and industrial communities. For further information, contact: Michael Nelson Rigaku Global Marketing Group tel: +1. 512-225-1796 michael(dot)nelson(at)rigaku(dot)com Damien Prosser On August 16, 2016, integrated health system Health First reached a settlement agreement with Plaintiffs Omni Healthcare and a group of Florida Physicians. The terms and amount of the settlement have not been disclosed. The Whatley Kallas firm and The Business Trial Groups Damien Prosser, William Lewis and Jessica Thorson comprised the two trial counsel groups for the Plaintiffs. As stated in court documents, the Plaintiffs alleged that the Defendant, Health First, attempted to monopolize regional healthcare in Brevard County. According to the allegations, Health First threatened to exclude physicians from future contracts if the doctors failed to admit or refer patients exclusively to the companys approved providers. According to the lawsuit, certain Plaintiffs also claimed to have been dropped from insurer contracts for failing to follow exclusivity requirements, which allegedly resulted in professional and financial repercussions. In court documents, the physicians and physician groups that brought the suit requested that these alleged Health First policies be addressed as violations of antitrust and competition legislation, both on a state and federal level. As Central Floridas only fully integrated health system, Health First has a significant patient base. According to the lawsuit, exclusion from Health First contracts could therefore significantly reduce a physicians access to patients in certain regions of Central Florida. The lawsuit lasted for three years, and sought approximately $360 million in damages to resolve the allegations. Antitrust lawsuits concern instances where a businesss policies, contract requirements, competitive behavior or merger or acquisition plans threaten the free market or unfairly impact regional, state, or national competition. The Business Trial Group is the complex commercial litigation arm of Morgan & Morgan, one of the nations leading plaintiffs law firms. Business Trial Group attorneys take cases exclusively on a contingency-fee basis, and practice a wide range of commercial litigation, including contract disputes, professional liability claims, real estate disputes, securities litigation, and construction litigation. Case details: Omni Healthcare Inc. et al. v. Health First Inc. et al. Case number 6:13-cv-01509. U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. ZIKV Detect IgM Capture ELISA InBios announced today that it received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA for its ZIKV Detect IgM Capture ELISA. The product is intended for the presumptive detection of Zika virus IgM antibodies in human sera collected from individuals meeting CDC Zika virus clinical criteria (e.g., a history of clinical signs and symptoms associated with Zika virus infection) and/or CDC Zika virus epidemiological criteria. This important diagnostic test kit contains all the necessary reagents to perform this assay and obtain results in four hours or less. Additional testing is required to confirm positive results from this assay. The ZIKV Detect IgM Capture ELISA is not cleared or approved by the FDA. It is now available for use in laboratories in the United States that are certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), 42 U.S.C. 263a, to perform high complexity tests, or by similarly qualified non-U.S. laboratories, as a part of a multi-test CDC recommended testing algorithm. As one of the conditions of authorization outlined by FDA, InBios will report any suspected false negative results of which it becomes aware to the FDA. This test has been authorized only for the diagnosis of Zika virus infection and not for any other viruses or pathogens. This test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of in vitro diagnostic tests for detection of Zika virus and/or diagnosis of Zika virus infection under section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner. Wendy Bagnato, Senior Marketing Manager of InBios said, One of the challenges with developing a serology kit for Zika is the likelihood of cross reactivity with other flaviviruses such as dengue. This can be a particular problem for patients living in or returning from areas where both Zika and dengue (or other flaviviruses) are endemic, making it difficult to determine the status of the patient. InBios kit has been designed to differentiate between the possibility of Zika virus and other flaviviruses, thus providing an important diagnostic tool for clinicians. We are very pleased to be able to offer this high quality kit in time to fill the critical demand in the US and its territories. We are acutely aware of the devastating effect this disease is having on pregnant women and believe this test will aid clinicians to diagnosis Zika virus infection faster. About Zika virus: Zika virus is a disease which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Other symptoms include muscle pain and headache. Many people infected with Zika virus wont have symptoms or will have mild symptoms, which can last for several days to a week. Complications: An infected pregnant woman can pass Zika virus to her fetus during pregnancy or at the time of birth. Also, individuals infected with Zika virus can pass it to sex partners. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe brain defects. Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an uncommon sickness of the nervous system, is also very likely triggered by Zika virus infection in a small number of cases. Recent Outbreaks: Zika virus outbreaks may have occurred in many locations previously but have gone unrecognized because the symptoms are similar to other diseases such as dengue and chikungunya viruses. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil and on February 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Local transmission has been reported in Americas, including recently in the United States. The U.S. has declared a Public Health Emergency in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico due to the large number of ZIKA cases. For more information on Zika virus, visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html About InBios International, Inc. InBios International, Inc., located in Seattle, WA, USA develops and manufactures high-quality proprietary diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. The facility is USDA licensed, FDA registered and ISO 13485:2003 Certified. InBios develops and markets a full range of diagnostic products affecting global public health including its FDA cleared Dengue Detect IgM Capture ELISA and West Nile Detect IgM Capture ELISA. The company also offers a full range of CE marked products including a Chikungunya ELISA kit. All products are manufactured in the USA. Visit the InBios website: http://www.inbios.com Follow us on Twitter: @InBiosUSA References: 1. https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/questions.html Randy Frisch, President of City University of Seattle The National University System announced today that its affiliate, City University of Seattle (CityU), a nonprofit leader in serving adult learners and providing an array of global study programs, has appointed Randy Frisch as President, effective Oct. 1. President Frisch has extensive experience as a leader in the private and nonprofit sectors, most recently served as Vice Chancellor of Business and Administration and General Counsel for the National University System, a network of private, nonprofit educational programs and institutions, which serve more than 36,000 students. President Frisch, who was chosen following an extensive national search, will focus on strengthening collaborations with the Seattle business community, refining the Universitys global study opportunities and furthering CityUs mission of changing lives for the better by offering access to specialized, high quality and relevant education to lifelong learners. The decision included the participation and input of the University community of faculty, students and staff. President Frisch, who had been serving as Interim President in recent months and has family ties to the Pacific Northwest, joins CityU after serving as Vice Chancellor for NUS, which is based in San Diego, from 2013-2016. In that capacity, he oversaw many transformational initiatives and was responsible for numerous community partnerships and collaborations. He also was instrumental in laying the foundations for the national expansion led by National University of innovative programs that support the education and nonprofit sectors. Two of these are being expanded regionally by CityU: Sanford Harmony, an innovative social emotional program, and Sanford Inspire, which provides a resource of inspiring teaching methodologies. President Frischs leadership during this critical time period in higher education has made our universities stronger than ever, said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the National University System. He has had such a significant impact serving our students, and inspiring the greater University community with his innovative approaches, collaborative spirit and philanthropic values. I am sure he will take these same attributes to City University of Seattle. CityU has over 20 locations in the Northwest and worldwide. Aside from its flagship campus and headquarters in Seattle, CityU offers programs in Canada at campuses in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and Edmonton. Other CityU programs are offered in China, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Vietnam. In addition to its international focus, the University has achieved distinction for its quality online programs. Accredited through the doctoral level, CityU is ranked by the U.S. News & World Report among the top 30 for online bachelors degree programs, and among the top 20 online programs for veterans in the U.S. Among its many offerings are doctoral programs in Business Administration and Education in Leadership. We are very pleased to welcome President Frisch to City University of Seattle where his ongoing dedication to student success, innovation and collaborative leadership over the years has made our university even stronger, said CityU Provost Dr. Kurt Kirstein. Before joining the National University System, President Frisch served as President and Publisher of the San Diego Business Journal; as Vice President, Operations & Information Technology and Chief Financial Officer for the The San Diego-Union Tribune; and as the Chief Operating Officer of the The Salt Lake Tribune. President Frisch, who is a member of the California, Nevada, and Idaho bars, earned his law degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, and established his own practice with a focus on labor and employment law. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Washington State University and a bachelors degree from Lewis-Clark State College. I am very excited to return to the Pacific Northwest and honored to join City University of Seattle where we will build on the Universitys strong academic foundations and commitment to student success, said President Frisch. I am looking forward to strengthening our ties within the Seattle community and abroad, and to working even more closely with the Universitys talented leadership team, board members, staff and faculty on our collective mission to provide our students an exceptional student experience. Among his many community-focused activities, President Frisch has also served as Chairman and President of San Diego Habitat for Humanity, and has served on the Board of Directors of numerous organizations, including San Diego-Imperial County American Red Cross, the Neighborhood House, United Way of San Diego, YMCA of San Diego County, and the ESET Foundation. He has also served on the Finance and Public Policy Committees for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of Rotary International, Club 33. President Frisch is married to the former Suzanne Nelson, who is a graduate of Seattle Universitys School of Nursing. They have been married for 28 years, and have four children: Abigail, Emily, Anna, and Rob. We are very excited to welcome President Frisch and his wife Suzanne back to the Pacific Northwest where they have such strong roots and community ties, said Hiep Quach, of the City University of Seattle Board of Trustees. President Frisch is a proven leader in education, and his background in the legal and media fields makes him such a well-rounded person for this important position. We look forward to working closely with him as he guides our institution to the next level of excellence. About the National University System The National University System, a network of accredited nonprofit education institutions serving higher education and K-12 students, includes National University, John F. Kennedy University, City University of Seattle, WestMed College, National University Virtual High School and the National University Academy. Established in 2001 to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st Century, the networks complementary universities offer pathways for students to attain professional and terminal degrees through quality and innovative programs delivered in a format that is flexible to the needs of adult learners. About City University of Seattle City University of Seattle is a private nonprofit university accredited at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level. CityU is dedicated to serving the working adult and transfer student and is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 30 for online bachelors degree programs, and among the top 20 online programs for veterans in the U.S. It offers over 60 flexible online, onsite and performance-based programs. CityU has its headquarters and main campus in Seattle, Washington and has sites throughout North America, Asia and Europe. We are excited about making the Inc. 5000 list for the tenth time, but in many ways, we also feel like we are just getting started. Chicago-based @properties, the largest independent real estate brokerage firm in Illinois, has been named to Inc. magazines 35th annual Inc. 5000 list of the nations fastest-growing private companies once again. This marks the tenth time in the past eleven years that @properties has appeared on the list. @properties landed at No. 2569 based on a three-year revenue growth of 138 percent. With annual revenue of $200.2 million, @properties had the highest revenue of Illinois-based residential real estate brokerage firms on the list. The firm is the only real estate brokerage to make the list 10 times. Established in 2000 by Thaddeus Wong and Michael Golden, @properties has grown from a four-person real estate company to one of the top 11 brokerages in the United States by sales volume. The company is the No. 1 real estate brokerage firm in the city of Chicago by a sizable margin, with over 20 percent market share year to date, and is the second largest brokerage firm on Chicagos North Shore. @properties also has offices in New Buffalo and St. Joseph, Mich., and in Lake Geneva, Wisc. In 2015, the firm closed a record $7.4 billion in sales. Besides attracting new brokers (the firm recently welcomed its 2000th licensed real estate agent), @properties continual growth has been driven by innovation. Within the last few years, the firm has invested in or partnered with a number of local tech startups, including TurboAppeal, PointDrive and Yapmo, which offer products and services that enhance the real estate experience for brokers and clients. Recently, @properties also unveiled a new consumer app and plans to launch a redesigned website in the coming months. 2015 was a great year for @properties, said Wong. We posted our highest sales volume in company history, and also introduced a number of new technologies and marketing initiatives. We are excited about making the Inc. 5000 list for the tenth time, but in many ways, we also feel like we are just getting started. While we have grown rapidly, we have been committed to remaining independent since Day One. Were proud to be recognized among such an impressive list of private companies, and grateful for the hard work our team puts in every day, added Golden. According to Inc., the 2016 Inc. 5000 class is the most competitive in the lists history. The average company on the list achieved three-year growth of 433%. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue is $200 billion, generating 640,000 jobs over the past three years. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. About @properties @properties is the No. 1 independent residential brokerage firm in Illinois and one of the top 11 residential brokers in the U.S. by sales volume. @properties has more than 2,000 licensed brokers in 23 offices throughout downtown Chicago, surrounding suburbs, southwest Michigan, and Lake Geneva, Wisc. For more information, visit http://www.atproperties.com. About Inc. Media: Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Winner of the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 15,000,000 today. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. Amanda Runge There is no doubt that Amanda will enable ShelterBox to serve more people in extraordinary need around the world. International disaster relief charity, ShelterBox, announces the appointment of Amanda Runge as its Strategic Gifts Officer. Runge comes to ShelterBox from Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation where she previously managed Annual Giving throughout the Midwest and Northeastern United States. I have been aware of and a fan of ShelterBox for years, said Runge. It is a privilege to be a part of the organizations fundraising team as we focus on the development of resources which are critical to providing more communities with the essential shelter and equipment they need to survive." Kerri Murray, President of ShelterBox USA, said, ShelterBox USA is pleased to welcome Amanda and her high energy personality to the team. Her understanding of ShelterBox and our mission of disaster relief, rooted in her experiences with Rotary International, made her an ideal choice for the organization. There is no doubt that Amanda will enable ShelterBox to serve more people in extraordinary need around the world. ShelterBox is currently responding to flooding in Sri Lanka; conflict in Cameroon and Niger; and the ongoing refugee crisis in and around Syria. Other 2016 responses include the earthquake in Ecuador and typhoon in Fiji. ### About ShelterBox Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth, and dignity following more than 270 disasters in over 95 countries. ShelterBox responds urgently to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami, or conflict by delivering boxes of essential aid and other supplies. Each iconic green ShelterBox contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, a water filtration system, emergency lighting, and other tools for survival. ShelterBox USA is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. ShelterBox is an official Project Partner of Rotary International. Tax-deductible donations to the organization can be made at http://www.ShelterBoxUSA.org or by calling (941)907-6036. The Internet Marketing Association (IMA) and Cayman Enterprise City (CEC), Caymans technology-focused Special Economic Zone, strengthened and extended their strategic partnership this week, with the IMA announcing its commitment to host annual IMPACT CAYMAN conferences in Grand Cayman for a further five years. The IMA is one of the worlds leading internet and digital marketing associations with over 1,000,000 professional members across the globe. It is underwritten by corporate partners to provide members an opportunity to learn, engage and define Internet Marketing best practices. As part of their partnership, the IMA introduces their membership of tech entrepreneurs to the benefits of the Cayman Islands as an ideal jurisdiction from which to conduct global business. The Cayman Islands Government introduced competitive concessions that make it quick, easy and cost-effective for globally focused companies in the tech and digital marketing sphere to establish and operate from Caymans tax-neutral special economic zone. The IMA host their flagship IMPACT conference in Las Vegas each September, where over 1,000 tech professionals and thought leaders converge for a content packed conference and many networking sessions. This April, the IMA and CEC launched IMPACT16 CAYMAN, a two-day conference in Grand Cayman, designed to become the IMAs East Coast flagship annual spring conference. IMPACT16 CAYMAN brought in big-name speakers, devoted to digital marketing and attracted international tech entrepreneurs to the sandy shores of Seven Mile Beach, at the luxurious Ritz Carlton Resort. Keynote speakers included Joe DeMike, Head of Advertising CX Programs at Google, Jeff Marcoux Chief Marketing Officer Lead Worldwide Enterprise at Microsoft and serial tech entrepreneur, Victor Cho, Chief Executive Officer at Evite. When I attended the IMPACT conference in Las Vegas in 2014 I saw the potential to attract tech and other businesses to the Cayman Islands. Our experience there, at the invitation of Cayman Enterprise City, gave us a wonderful opportunity to tell potential investors that we have a stable economic and political climate, tax neutrality, sound and reputable legal framework, proximity to the United States, no foreign exchange controls, and a highly skilled professional business support environment. Those efforts have paid off and we have now hosted two successful IMPACT CAYMAN conferences over the past two years and are pleased that the IMA has committed to bringing a larger conference to Cayman over the next five years, said Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin. I look forward to working with and continuing our relationship with the Internet Marketing Association and Cayman Enterprise City. This year we are expanding our footprint and booking the all-new, 5-star Kimpton resort for our destination. We are looking to expand this to a multi-year commitment given our growth potential and already pledged commitments by partners and attendees. Cayman makes so much sense for the IMA, it is a leader in economics, innovation, beauty, diversity and fun, says Kanatsiz, Chairman of IMA. The IMA and CEC are looking to grow IMPACT17 CAYMAN to upwards of 300 people next year, and as well as an excellent line up of world-class speakers and interesting panel discussions. It will once again feature some great culturally rich networking events where business-leaders, dignitaries and local marketers can mingle, exchange ideas and spark deal transfer. In conjunction with leading global brands including Oracle, IMPACT17 CAYMAN aims to launch a new mentoring element to the conference next year, in the form of a youth symposium, which focuses on mentoring young aspiring local entrepreneurs. There were many enquiries from local students and educational institutions this April, on how young persons could participate in the event and in response to this demand, the youth symposium will add a new and dynamic aspect to the overall conference. From humble beginnings, this has grown into something extraordinary and we are very excited about the IMAs five-year commitment and the impressive line-up at the conference next year. It is perfectly aligned with CECs commitment to connect Caymanians with opportunities being created by the special economic zone. As well as providing special rates for locals to attend the conference and enjoy this first-class content, there will be free youth symposium where local youths can learn from leading tech icons, and gain tips and advice, which is priceless, said Charlie Kirkconnell, CEO of CEC. International delegates will again be encouraged to tag on a few days before and after the conference next April and enjoy Caymans wonderful water, beaches and attractions. Some of the international guests brought their family along and many vowed to take their annual vacations here next year. We look forward to welcoming the IMPACT conference back to the Cayman Islands over the next few years. Beyond the robust infrastructure in place to successfully host conferences of this calibre, the Cayman Islands offers a multitude of activities that extend the conference experience beyond the meeting space into a perfect mix of business and leisure, said Mrs. Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands. About the Internet Marketing Association The IMA is the industrys largest organization dedicated to the profession with over 1 million members worldwide. It serves as a knowledge-sharing and networking platform to connect members and partners with the certified education, advocacy, market research, thought leadership and recognition necessary to succeed in todays fast-changing online business environment. http://www.imanetwork.org About Cayman Enterprise City Cayman Enterprise City is an award-winning Special Economic Zone in the Cayman Islands focused on knowledge-based industries, technology companies and specialized services businesses. With a dedicated Government Authority and guaranteed fast-track processes, International companies can quickly and efficiently establish a genuine physical presence in Cayman to generate an active business income. This enables businesses take advantage of Caymans jurisdictional benefits which include zero corporate tax, zero income tax and zero capital gains tax, along with a raft of special zone concessions and incentives. These concessions were designed to attract international companies from five specific high-tech sectors; internet and technology, media and new-media ventures, biotechnology, commodities and derivatives, and maritime services. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call: +1-345-945-3722 E-mail: h.cahill(at)caymanenterprisecity.com Web: http://www.caymanenterprisecity.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/caymanenterprisecity Twitter: @CEC_Cayman LinkedIn: Cayman Enterprise City Dr. Akash Bajaj, MD, MPH is helping to provide comprehensive care for personal injury victims in Los Angeles County Doctors on Liens is elated to be working with such a renowned, double board certified physician. There are very few doctors in the personal injury industry that have an educational background as extensive as Dr. Akash Bajajs. Doctors on Liens is continuing its steady expansion of specialties throughout Southern California with the recent addition of esteemed pain management and anesthesia specialist, Dr. Akash Bajaj, MD, MPH, practicing at Remedy Pain Solutions in Marina Del Rey. Pain management procedures can often be overwhelming for personal injury victims, however these critical treatments can provide dramatic relief when overseen and administered by a compassionate and highly experienced doctor. The challenge is locating qualified doctors who work on a lien basis, especially in the greater Los Angeles area. Doctors on Liens is making that challenge much easier with the addition of Dr. Bajaj to its expansive network. Dr. Bajaj attended University of California, San Diego, where he graduated summa cum laude and was a member of the esteemed Golden Key and Pi Beta Kappa honor societies. He simultaneously earned both his MD and Masters in Public Health from the renowned New York Medical College. Not only did he complete his residency in Anesthesiology at the highly accredited University of California, Los Angeles, but he was only of only six doctors in the United States to be selected to complete an arduous pain management fellowship at University of California, San Francisco. And now, as part of Doctors on Liens, Dr. Bajajs prestigious background and wealth of experience will be available to even more injured patients throughout Los Angeles County. Dr. Bajaj and his team can treat a vast array of injuries with procedures including: Epidural steroid injections (inter laminar and transformational) Facet injections and diagnostic medial branch blocks Sacroiliac joint injections and sacroiliac rhizotomy Radio frequency ablation/ Rhizotomy Joint injections Piriformis and Obturator Internus injections Trigger point injections Selective nerve root block Spinal cord stimulation Occipital nerve block Sympathetic plexus block Botox (for migraine, trigemenal, hyper hydrous) Platelet Rich Plasma evaluation & treatment Stem Cell Therapy Evaluation & Treatment Says Doctors on Liens President, Samantha Parker, Doctors on Liens is elated to be working with such a renowned, double board certified physician. There are very few doctors in the personal injury industry that have an educational background as extensive as Dr. Akash Bajajs, and we feel confident his patients are in the best hands possible. With Remedy Pain Solutions and Dr. Bajaj, Los Angeles now has the very best pain management team to turn to after an accident. Doctors on Liens is an innovator in the medical lien specialty referral industry and has forged close relationships with both legal firms and medical practices over the past 20 years. Doctors on Liens features medical specialties including board certified orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, general practitioners, psychologists, and chiropractors. Each medical office is independently owned and operated and all appointments can be conveniently scheduled directly with the facility. Doctors on Liens lists medical professionals who offer medical services on a lien basis in Southern California, Central California, and Nevada. News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-10-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, the first of more than 70 books illustrated by Eric Carle, and Macmillan will begin celebrating the milestone this September. Our goal has always been to take a mature and popular classic and elevate it to a higher level, and the anniversary is the perfect excuse to do that, says associate publisher Angus Killick. New publishing that will debut on September 6 includes a 50th-anniversary jacketed hardcover of Brown Bear with an accompanying audio CD that features Gwyneth Paltrow reading the story; a 50th-anniversary padded board book edition that, at 6 1/4 x 8 inches, is larger than the classic board book; and a novelty lift-the-tab board book, with the tabs featuring all the animals that Brown Bear encounters throughout the book. Macmillan is also reprinting 50th-anniversary editions of the classic $7.95 Brown Bear board book and the $12.99 novelty slide-and-find board book, the two bestselling Brown Bear formats by far, Killick reports. Carle and the late Bill Martin Jr., author of Brown Bear, also collaborated on three follow-ups, starring Polar Bear, Panda Bear, and Baby Bear, all published by Macmillan. The publisher has collected all four Bear titles, in both a boxed gift set and a Brown Bear & Friends Little Bear Library mini-hardcover set, for the first time. And Baby Bear is celebrating its 10th anniversary next year, so Macmillan is reprinting the Baby Bear cloth book with a 10th-anniversary logo and debuting a Baby Bear mini lift-the-tab book. The program is robust and offers pretty much something for every retailer and every reader, Killick says, noting that the flurry of publishing is unusual for Brown Bear and friends. We rarely add a new book to the list. We have been careful not to flood the market with competing titles that might cannibalize each other. All told, with the new releases, there are about 50 different editions in print collectively, of the four titles, including classic hardcovers, board books of various sizes, novelty books, beginning readers, and audio and e-books. All together, the four Bear books have sold 50 million copies in the U.S., including 14 million of Brown Bear. Meanwhile, the anniversary is inspiring a number of events and promotional activities under the tagline Brown Bear, Brown Bear Everywhere. One key component is the Brown Bear Turns 50 exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, which debuts on September 17. It will feature the original artwork from every page of the books 1992 edition; images from the earlier and slightly different 1967, 1970, and 1984 editions; some of the original collages for the other Bear books; and copies of Brown Bear in the 31 languages in which it has been published. Prior to the opening of the exhibition, the Museum is overseeing its first public art project, Brown Bear Everywhere, throughout its hometown of Amherst, Mass. Opening August 13, the event will feature 14 installations of large-scale digital reproductions of Brown Bears original artwork, from Black Sheep at the Black Sheep Deli to Brown Bear at the top of Bare Mountain. Its been a real labor of love over the past eight to 10 months to get all the permissions from governmental departments, restaurants, and school principals, but nobody turned us down, says Ellen Keiter, the Museums chief curator. It will be interesting to see the publics response to the works. Theres a real sense of community pride behind the Museum and Eric Carle and the book. Other birthday events will take place at the 15 most-visited national parks and at New York City zoos and aquariums. Meanwhile, Macmillan is offering a retailer event kit, hosting retail display contests for both retailers and libraries, and is working with the ALA on a Brown Bear poster, bookmark, and baby t-shirt. It has been handing out anniversary totebags at recent shows; we printed enough to be blanketing the conventions for the next year, says Killick. A national media campaign will be supplemented by digital marketing. A dedicated website, launches this month and features a recording of Carle reading the book. Meeting Eric [through the video] is a very special way to enjoy the book anew, Killick says. His reading is so very charming. The festivities will continue throughout 2017 with a campaign called A Bear for All Seasons that highlights a different bear each quarter: Polar Bear for winter, Baby Bear for spring, Panda Bear for summer, and Brown Bear for fall. This way we can have beat points all year long for celebrating, Killick says. Macmillan has been strategizing with The Joester Loria Group, licensing agent for The World of Eric Carle, for a year, Killick reports. Macmillan and TJLG have jointly approached retailers to pitch cross-merchandising of the books and products, which Killick says is likely to happen once the new titles are available. The World of Eric Carle licensing effort, which has 135 licensees and promotional partners worldwide, has been Very Hungry Caterpillar-centric to date, but TJLG created a new style guide to assist licensees in creating merchandise featuring all four bears, according to president and CEO Debra Joester. Brown Bear products on the market so far have included teachers materials from Oriental Trading, sleepwear from Ultimo and Gymboree, plush from Kids Preferred, board games from University Games, and apps from Story Toys. Most of the five million Americans whom the New York Times recently estimated as belonging to at least one book club are adults wishing to mix reading with socializing. While book clubs are not as prevalent among children and teens, who have to contend during the school year with classes, homework, and after-school activities, and then summers outdoor distractions, a number of bookstores around the country have launched book clubs for young customers with varying degrees of success. Some readers, according to Lisa Baudoin at Books & Company in Oconomowoc, Wis., need a social aspect to their reading, which book clubs provide. Its especially important for kids, she added. The store hosts an in-store group for middle grade students and teens, in which the members read the galleys of their choice provided by the store and then discuss them. The store also partners with a school librarian who distributes six copies of a galley at the end of the school year to rising fourth-graders and sets dates during the summer to meet to discuss it. There are eight children as well as teachers and librarians in the group, called the Meadow View Book Club. Its heavy on the boys, Baudoin noted about the club members, ascribing that to the personality and efforts of the librarian who moderates the group. But, she wonders, Why do we have them when theyre younger and lose them when theyre older? Its a sentiment echoed by Clarissa Murphy, a bookseller at Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, Mass., who spoke to PW about a book club of boys moderated for several years by one of her bookselling colleagues that is now in hiatus: its members ranged in age from eight to 12 years old. Then they turned 13, she said, And they were interested in other things. In contrast, Holly Myers, a buyer at Elliott Bay Bookstore in Seattle, says that the club she moderates for customers in grades six up to 12 has been doing well for the past two years with no signs of a loss of interest in its membership. Its dozen or so members are primarily female, though; they meet monthly to discuss the book of their choice. Many of them also have their own blogs, upon which they post reviews of the books they read. They do buy books, but we also give them galleys, Myers said, explaining that the members are asked to write reviews of books they read and then post them on Instagram. Every time they write a review, their name is placed in a hat, and during meetings, as each name is pulled, that person is allowed to select a galley out of the pile. So theres incentive to write reviews, she said, Afterwards, everyone else is allowed to descend upon whats left, and I do mean descend. The club refers to the ritual as The Bloodbath. The book club at Page & Palette in Fairhope, Ala., is also thriving. The club, which attracts eighth grade girls, is moderated by a retired English teacher, and has been meeting at the store for the past three years. The 15 members read the classics and discuss them once a month; they receive a 15% discount at the store. For kids, its nice to have someone who is knowledgeable bring out the issues in the stories, bookseller Stephanie Crowe said, ascribing the success of the club to its moderator, who was an excellent teacher and has a great reputation. Prospective members can sign up in the store and often hear about the club through word-of mouth. We never tried to do a boys book club, Crowe said, speculating that girls are more interested in participating in discussions about books, while boys are more interested in playing sports. But, she says, what ultimately matters is that they are getting more kids reading, period, in the age of the iPhone. Brenda Weaver, owner for the past two years of Hearthside Books & Toys, in Juneau, Alas., reports that its Galley Rally book club for teens is gaining in popularity. The approximately one dozen teenage members can pick up to three galleys of their choice once a month. After meeting to discuss their reads, the Galley Rally members are required to write a review or recommendation, which the store then uses to promote those titles. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, N.C. has hosted a YA book club for the past year. While there are only 1012 members who participate in monthly discussions, 80 others have signed up for a store newsletter geared to YA readers. Our book discussions might be small and cozy, said its moderator, bookseller Johanna Albrecht said, but its engaged. I enjoy the community its created. YA authors on tour promoting their own books are participating in the groups discussions and then speaking to members afterwards about their own work. For instance, Alison Umminger, the author of American Girls (Flatiron Books) recently sat in on the groups discussion of Becky Albertallis debut novel, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens (Balzer + Bray) before discussing her own debut novel with them. The most interested and engaged readers are teens. Theyre looking for an outlet to discuss what they read, Albrecht said, noting that she gets teens as young as 15 in an in-store group open to all ages that focuses on science fiction and fantasy. At Greenlight Books in Brooklyn, bookseller and book club moderator Grace Ecton notes that the stores club for readers ages 912 has been going strong for three years, with monthly meeting attendance ranging from five people to 18, both male and female, depending upon who bring their friends. The club goes on hiatus in July, August, and December. Ecton selects the reads and members receive a 15% discount on books plus free pizza during meetings. Thats how you get the kids, Ecton said with a laugh. You feed them. But you dont want to give them sugar. Free pizza seems to be the secret to Arizonas Changing Hands success as well, which launched its Club Read for middle grade readers in 2008 and a few years later added a second childrens book club this one for teens, called Turning Pages. Both groups meet once a month, with the 20 Club Read members meeting at either the Phoenix or the Tempe location, while six to eight Turning Pages members meet at the Tempe location. While Club Read is mixed, Turning Pages happens at this time to be all female, though it has had male members previously. Turning Page members receive 20% discounts on hardcover reads and 10% on paper, and Club Read members receive points for book purchases and for attending author and other store events, which they can redeem for free books and store gift cards. Pies donated by a local pizzeria sustain attendees at their meetings. We try to make it as fun as possible for them, bookseller Brandi Stewart said, noting other perks: club members receive front-row seating at appropriate author events, and also get to meet the author beforehand to have their books signed. Stewart recalled also that Club Read once received several galley copies of Story Thieves by James Riley, and Skyped with him months before the middle-grade novel was released in January 2015. The book clubs also participate in Changing Hands Before Its Trendy program, in which they join staff members in writing pre-pub reviews of books. They get to read books before their peers and write shelf talkers, Stewart said, adding that the reviews are posted online as well. Vromans Books in Pasadena, Calif., also hosts two book clubs: one for middle grade readers that has more than a dozen members, both male and female, whove met for the past two years; and a club for YA readers with six girls, one mom, and the moderator that has met for the past year, according to childrens book buyer Ashlee Null. Book club members receive 20% off books they buy at Vromans, but however they obtain copies is fine by us, Null said. Books & Companys Baudoin probably summed up best the reasoning behind these general interest booksellers putting so much energy, resources, and pizza into running in-store book clubs, saying, Its been a wonderful way to keep kids reading, to get feedback on upcoming books, to bring families into the store, and to keep a strong connection with the school and the community. In February, Sandy Mathrani, head of General Growth Properties, set off widespread speculation about Amazon's growth strategy when he said that the tech giant was intending to open 300-400 bookstores. Six months later, just how many stores the mega-retailer has in mind, and their format, is still not clear. While Amazon continues to move ahead with staffed pickup locations in college communities, little word has come out on its future bookstores. After opening its first bookstore, Amazon Books, in Seattle in November, the retailer was reported to be readying a second Amazon Books location at the University Towne Center Mall in San Diego, close to the University of California. The store was supposed to open this summer. However, the University Towne Center location, which is across the street from an Apple store, has yet to open. In June, Fortune reported that a third Amazon Book is slated to open in Portland, Ore., in the Washington Square Mall. By contrast, Amazon seems to be moving ahead quickly on its pickup locations, having signed a number of agreements with colleges and universities. Since Amazon opened its first pickup location, at Indiana's Purdue University in February 2015, it has opened a dozen such stores. The company has also opened a few pickup locations that are not officially connected to the school they are near. Amazon has a pickup location in Isla Vista, Calif., unaffiliated with the local University of California at Santa Barbara and one near the University of Cincinnati. This week alone announcements were made for two new pickup locations, including one set to open this fall at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The University of Illinois location will mark Amazon's entry into the bricks and mortar business in the high volume Chicagoland market. Amazon's second planned pickup store, which the Milwaukee Journal reported, will be at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The newspaper said Amazon signed a five-year agreement with the school for the store. According to Michael Lehman, UW-Madison's interim vice chancellor for finance and administration, Amazon views the location "as a Top Ten list of places where they have plenty of opportunity. Eowyn Ivey follows up The Snow Child, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, with the excellent To the Bright Edge of the World. The novel centers on an 1885 wilderness expedition in which Colonel Allen Forrester is tasked with mapping Alaskas northern interior, leaving his pregnant wife, Sophie, on her own at Fort Vancouver. Ivey talks about her editing process with her two editors: Reagan Arthur, publisher at Little, Brown, and Mary-Anne Harrington, publisher at Tinder Press in the U.K. Arthur: As a wise woman once (or twice) said, it takes a village. With Eowyn Ivey, while I can think of few people more purely capable of doing just about anything, thats been the case, and happily so. We had so much fun and success with her first novel, The Snow Child, which Andrea Walker acquired and edited, and which Mary-Anne Harrington also published in the U.K., lending an editorial assist. Eowyns agent, Jeff Kleinman, was always a valuable voice along the way. When it came time to talk about Eowyns second novel often a daunting prospect for authors and publishers alike, especially when the first has gone so well she came to us with an idea that was very different from The Snow Child. It was a more epic story, with more historical and geographical detail, and more complicated but with some of the same hallmarks that made her first novel so indelible: the Alaskan wilderness, the complications of married love, and a slightly mystical element rooted in the landscape and its people. Of course it was easy for Mary-Anne and me to know we wanted to publish this novel now it was up to Eowyn to keep writing it beyond the early pages she showed us at the outset. Ivey: Yes, it was such a different process for the two books. The Snow Child came to you both as a complete manuscript, and as I recall the edits were extremely important but relatively painless. With To the Bright Edge of the World, our editorial conversation started when all I had was a skeleton outline and I think, like, 50 pages. I then spent the next two years not only writing, but also doing a tremendous amount of research, including floating the Copper River and visiting Fort Vancouver in Washington. Considering all that, it seems remarkable to me how much the story stayed true to my original vision. What is it like for you as editors to work with an author from so early on? Was the final story much like how you imagined based on that initial conversation? Harrington: Although it's the most enormous privilege to be involved in shaping an author's work at a very early stage, this can be nerve-wracking, too. I've learned that a very light hand is needed: no matter how engaged you are with a book as an editor you're not living and breathing it in the same way the author is, so your job is really to head off any obvious difficulties while keeping the author's fire and enthusiasm alive. I don't think either Reagan or I had any big concerns about those early pages we knew Eowyn was embarking upon a bit of an adventure but it was obvious she knew her characters intimately, and she had the unique tone of each strand of the narrative absolutely nailed. What surprised and delighted me when I read the first full draft was the scope of the narrative, which had opened out beyond the story of a marriage and the journey of discovery promised in the initial pages. The magical elements that had been just a glimmer at the outset had come powerfully into their own, and the account of the First Nation inhabitants of the Wolverine's banks was more resonant than I'd anticipated as a British reader this felt very fresh to me. It was a book that not only fulfilled its initial promise, it ended up delivering significantly more. Ivey: Im relieved and surprised to hear you say that, Mary-Anne, about the task being somewhat nerve-wracking. I secretly wondered if only authors felt that way. While all the components were there from early on for Bright Edge, you probably remember that both of you asked me to make what I felt like was a fairly significant plot change and approach for one of the main characters. I tried very hard not to freak out or complain at the time, but in truth it meant I had to excise 30,000 words and in some ways start from scratch for that particular aspect of the story. When you both proposed this idea, to be honest I wasnt sure I agreed. But I did what every good author does I called my mom. And she had the best advice. She said I would always have the original manuscript, and I should try to do what you all asked. If in the end I felt my original was better, then I could make my case, but perhaps the revision would make it a better book. All I was risking was a lot of hard work, she pointed out. So I did just that, and spent several months doing that revision, and in the end I am very happy to report that you both were right the change made the story much stronger. Harrington: One thing that didnt really change was the story within a story device, and the use of artifacts and pictures. All of these were there at the start. Ivey: From the very beginning I imagined telling the story through diaries, documents, and images, because that was how the story was unfolding for me as I did the research and I hoped to recreate a sense of discovery and surprise for readers. But in truth, that was the aspect I most expected to have to change. I didn't have a lot of confidence in the beginning that I could make it work, and I remember telling Reagan during our very first conversation that if necessary I would rely on a more straightforward narrative style as I did in The Snow Child. Weaving these different voices and time spans, being bound to first-person accounts I almost chickened out several times. But I stuck with it and was so thrilled that in the end it felt like it worked. Arthur: Mary-Annes comments also remind me that the title was initially Shadows on the Wolverine. Titles can be so tricky and we all spend a lot of time discussing them; in this case there was concern that the Wolverine River was not familiar to enough readers to be meaningful or to convey that this was a story set in the Alaskan wilderness. But I confess that Ive forgotten who came up with what now feels to me like the absolute perfect title (it definitely wasnt me) Eowyn, was that your bright (get it?) idea? Harrington: I have to say that when Eowyn came up with that title my team here at Tinder Press pretty much applauded. Shadows on the Wolverine felt like one of those titles that might feel resonant if you'd read the actual book but we didn't feel it staked out a big enough claim for this ambitious novel. I could absolutely understand how Eowyn had arrived at it, but I wasn't confident it would play that well internationally. To the Bright Edge of the World immediately had so much power and poignancy, it's so clearly a story of endeavor, and perhaps too of its cost. In short, we knew straight away that it was perfect, it felt like the final piece of the puzzle falling into place. That said, I'm not sure I know exactly where it came from, so I'd love Eowyn to tell all! Ivey: Its so funny because with The Snow Child, I was prepared to have to change the title and I had a list of a half-dozen possibilities, but there never seemed to be any question about changing it. With the new book, I was completely unprepared I thought we had our title and when you both asked for something different, I was stumped. I spent weeks arranging and rearranging several words that I hoped would capture something of both Allens and Sophies stories. Titles are so hard! In the end, I think I sent you four or five suggestions, really not knowing which one you would like. But To the Bright Edge of the World was my favorite, and I was so happy when you both agreed. Arthur: As for how the editing unfolded, we did have a number of round-robin emails among the four of us after Eowyn sent us her first draft, and then two very productive conference calls along the way. I think we all wanted to be sure that Sophies role was as interesting and active as it could be, in contrast to Allens great adventures in the wild, and there was a fair amount of discussion about her back story and how to integrate that into the ongoing narrative. We also worked on the various voices and personalities among the men in Allens party, making sure those were distinct and recognizable. I agree with Mary-Anne, that the draft delivered even more than I could have hoped for in terms of story and detail and drama it really didnt require much from us in the way of heavy lifting, only a series of small questions and suggestions from across the continent and across the Atlantic, until we could all hash it out over the phone together. If Eowyn was ever overwhelmed by the various editorial input and accents, she certainly never let on, and delivered a novel that hit every note, and then some. Harrington: And as for those conference calls I loved them so much. When I first began working with Eowyn I doubted we'd ever manage to speak, given the time differences, and yet we were able to settle quite subtle questions of emphasis in terms of Sophie's character and backstory relatively easily over the phone, with Eowyn at home in Alaska, Reagan in New York, Jeff, I think, in Virginia (am I making that up?) and me in London. The delightful thing was that despite the distances involved we were all sufficiently on the same page to get pretty well everything settled quickly. It was a powerful reminder that there's no clearer and more helpful way to edit than to pick up the phone, and to remember to listen. Ivey: The calls were instrumental because it gave us a chance to talk through some of the ideas and suggestions for changes. Its incredible to think that we were able to collaborate on a novel that way, each of us on far-flung sides of the planet. Between the calls and email, we were able to work as a team. After all the research I did for the book, I cant help but to wonder how we could have gotten it done in the 19th century, limited to snail mail and slow ships. It would have taken years! Instead, we were able to edit and communicate instantly, and work together to get Bright Edge out into the world. Premium online access is only available tosubscribers. If you have an active subscription and need to set up or change your password, please click here New to PW? To set up immediate access, click here. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. For off-site access, click here. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. Created in response to the Arab oil embargo of 1973-74, the U.S. government created the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Deep inside underground caverns at four storage facilities along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts, the SPR has a max capacity of 727 million barrels of crude oil. Its purpose to serve as an emergency stockpile of crude oil to help blunt the impact of disruptions to the flow of crude oil to the American marketplace. In theory, the SPR would prevent the use of crude oil as a potential weapon, as with the 1973-74 Arab embargo, and to mitigate the impact of global crises on the U.S. economy. A former Illinois Youth Center-Kewanee inmate on Thursday was sentenced in Henry County Circuit Court on an amended Class 4 felony charge of resisting a correctional institution employee. Edward Abrams, 21, pleaded guilty to swinging his fist and hitting IYC employee Ben Dingman in the head on March 18, 2015, causing swelling and bruising. Mr. Abrams was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The original charge of two counts of Class 2 felony aggravated battery of an officer were dismissed. The new sentence will run concurrent with his sentenced for a 2014 Class 2 felony battery charge that he pleaded guilty to in June 2015 and a Cook County aggravated robbery charge. Mr. Abrams has been in custody since Dec. 17, 2015, and will get credit for time served. Public defender James Cosby told Judge Jeffrey O'Connor Mr. Abrams was close to release. Mr. Abrams also will have one year of mandatory supervised release and must pay court costs. The judge also granted a request by Mr. Abrams to delay transfer to the Illinois Department of Corrections until after his 22nd birthday on Aug. 27 to facilitate contacting his family on his birthday. CAMBRIDGE Board members on Thursday approved the petition for consolidation with the AlWood school district in a 6-0 vote; Lance Edmund was absent. If approved by the regional office of education and the state, the question will be placed before voters of the two school districts in April 2017. The earliest the districts could actually merge would be the 2018-19 school year, Cambridge superintendent Tom Akers said earlier. Board members Blake Reed and Chad Humphrey reported Thursday on consolidation work with the Committee of Ten. Mr. Reed said the finance subcommittees main task was to set the maximum property tax rate for the combined district. He said the group seriously discussed a lower rate than was recommended in the consultants feasibility study, but it was felt the projected increase in equalized assessed valuation was too high at 3 percent. The lower tax rate they initially discussed would have meant $100,000 less in property taxes on a $5 million budget. After settling on a conservative 2 percent annual increase in the districts wealth, committee members opted to keep the studys $5.30 maximum tax rate. I think the committee wanted that cushion there, he said. Consultants said the districts should not have to levy the maximum for 20 to 30 years, and Mr. Humphrey said people should know the maximum tax rate on the referendum question is not what the rate is going to be. Somewhere down the road if the state of Illinois continues its uneasy path, they have the ability to set that rate, he said, adding more information would be forthcoming. Mr. Akers said one key factor wont appear on the ballot. I want to know whats going to change to make my children ready for the next level, he said. Im thinking about what classes there will be not just for high school, but junior high and elementary. The opportunities we can offer at all three levels just makes me excited for the future. He added they will unveil curriculum offerings soon. John Barton of Alpha, president of the Committee of Ten, told the board he had been impressed with the Cambridge people on the committee. The individuals from Cambridge were unique in their own ways, he said. No comments were taken during a public hearing on the proposed $500,000 in working cash bonds. Mr. Akers reiterated $300,000 in working cash bonds expired last December without having to be used, and he would only plan to use new bonds in case of dramatic state cuts. Last years Cambridge audit showed the education fund ended with $100,000 less than the year before, although state aid was down by an even greater margin from $1.2 million to $1.03 million. Overall, the ed fund balance still has more than two months worth of expenditures. The board also undid authorization from June to allow $75,000 transfer from the building fund to the transportation fund; Mr. Akers said it wasnt needed after all. The transportation fund balance was enough for seven months spending at the end of June. A tentative fiscal 2017 budget was placed on display; a budget hearing will be held at 6:45 p.m. Sept. 15. CARBON CLIFF Village trustees on Tuesday were addressed by Vince Didonato of the Quad Cities Coalition for Worker Justice and two employees of Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors, a division of Brandt Construction Co., who urged the board not to do business with Brandt or any of its affiliates, citing alleged physical and verbal abuse and low wages. Mr. Didonato and the others asked the board to support the striking workers by not hiring Brandt Construction or its affiliates for any municipal projects. The village has no projects slated in the near future but thanked the speakers for the information, indicating they would take it under advisement. In other action the board: * Approved motions to approve a proposal from Mississippi Valley Pump Inc. to replace a sewer ladder at Ruths Roads master meter pit for $2,200 and to authorize McClure Engineering to make a site visit to the master meter pit for the sewer line in order to give recommendations to the village. * Adopted ordinances governing water service and deposits and water meters. * Continued the meeting to 6 p.m. Monday, at which time President Bill Hintz and Clerk Karen Hopkins will present the 2015 Annual Financial Report, which was received from Carpentier, Mitchell, Goddard & Co. just before the meeting. The report must be filed with the state by Aug. 31. Thursday, Sept. 1, at 3 p.m. at Moline's Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, TAI and the Quad Cities Chamber, will feature a panel discussion with Dr. Donald S. Doucette, Chancellor of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges; Jaimy Szymanski, Digital Experience Analyst; Glenn P. Baker, Global Director, Enterprise Strategic Manufacturing at John Deere & Company; RK Vilayannur, Vice President IT Services at YASH Technologies Inc; and Greg Price, Vice President of Defense Programs at Trowbridge & Trowbridge, LLC discussing technology topics such as attracting and retaining talent, STEM education, and data security. WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration said Thursday that a $400 million cash payment to Iran seven months ago was contingent on the release of a group of American prisoners. It is the first time the U.S. has so clearly linked the two events, which critics have painted as a hostage-ransom arrangement. State Department spokesman John Kirby repeated the administration's line that the negotiations to return the Iranian money from a decades-old military-equipment deal with the U.S.-backed shah in the 1970s were conducted separately from the talks to free four U.S. citizens in Iran. But he said the U.S. withheld the delivery of the cash as leverage until Iran permitted the Americans to leave the country. Both events occurred Jan. 17, fueling suspicions from Republican lawmakers and accusations from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump of a quid pro quo that undermined America's longstanding opposition to ransom payments. Kirby spoke a day after The Wall Street Journal reported new details of the crisscrossing planes on that day. U.S. officials wouldn't let Iran bring the cash home from a Geneva airport until a Swiss Air Force plane carrying three of the freed Americans departed from Tehran, the paper reported. The fourth American left on a commercial flight. Earlier this month, after the revelation the U.S. delivered the money in pallets of cash, the administration flatly denied any connection between the payment and the prisoners. "Reports of link between prisoner release & payment to Iran are completely false," Kirby tweeted at the time. The money comes from an account used by the Iranian government to buy American military equipment in the days of the shah. The equipment was never delivered after the shah's government was overthrown in 1979 and revolutionaries took American hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The two sides have wrangled over that account and numerous other financial claims ever since. President Barack Obama has said his negotiators secured the U.S. a good deal on a busy diplomatic weekend that also included finalizing the seven-nation nuclear accord. But he and other officials have consistently denied any linkage. "We actually had diplomatic negotiations and conversations with Iran for the first time in several decades," Obama said Aug. 5, meaning "our ability to clear accounts on a number of different issues at the same time converged." "This wasn't some nefarious deal," he said. The agreement was the return of the $400 million, plus an additional $1.3 billion in interest, terms that Obama described as favorable compared to what might have been expected from a tribunal set up in The Hague to rule on pending deals between the two countries. U.S. officials have said they expected an imminent ruling on the claim and settled with Tehran instead. Some Iranian officials immediately linked the payment to the release of four Americans, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who had been held in Iranian prisons. Another of the prisoners, pastor Saeed Abedini, also had linked the two events. He said that as the prisoners waited for hours at an airport to leave Iran, a senior Iranian intelligence official informed them their departure depended on the plane with the cash. U.S. officials had pinned the delays on difficulties finding Rezaian's wife and mother, and ensuring they could depart Iran with him. House and Senate Republicans have peppered the Obama administration for more details about the transaction. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., said Thursday he sees congressional hearings "as the only way for the American people to fully know whether their tax dollars went directly to Iran's terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps." Kirk is chairman of the Senate Banking national security subcommittee. No hearing dates have been set. Congress returns from a lengthy recess after Labor Day. The House Financial Services Committee hasn't yet decided whether to hold hearings. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., who chairs the Financial Services oversight and investigations subcommittee, asked the Treasury and Justice departments and the Federal Reserve last week to provide all records related to the $400 million payment as well as the names of government officials who authorized the payment and those who objected to the cash transfer. Duffy wants responses by Aug. 24. (This is the first in an occasional series of eight essays about politics and policy-making in Illinois, which will run between now and the November election, interspersed here and there with a few columns on timely topics. Since we will see no presidential election campaign in Illinois -- (the race has been ceded to Hillary; campaign money will go elsewhere -- election activity here will focus on a few contested state legislative races.) The Roman philosopher and politician Seneca said that, All thats past is prologue, so I hope this series, a kind of primer, will help us understand how we came to where we are today in Illinois politics -- fragmented, fractious, barely functional. In 2010, the Associated Press analyzed our 50 states and found Illinois to be the most average. That is, Illinois almost mirrored the nation as a whole in demographic diversity and economic activity. Average maybe, but certainly not typical. In his book, The Nine New Nations of North America, Joel Garreau found Illinois to be part of three of those nations, more than any other state: Foundry, Breadbasket and Old Dixie. We have a deep state, with a latitude at the top the same as that of Portsmouth, N.H. and that of our southern tip that of Portsmouth, Va. Carbondale is an hours drive closer to Oxford, Miss., than it is to Chicago. Half a century ago, the late political scientist Daniel Elazar plotted the political cultures of America. He found three: a traditional, elite-dominated politics, found largely in the South; a Yankee-driven, culture of individualism and, third, a good government set of values, located largely across the northern tier states like Wisconsin and Minnesota. I would add a fourth: an urban, big city political culture created in the late 1800s by hyphenated Americans, who displaced the Yankees in running the cities. All these cultures except for the good government one tolerated, sometimes espoused corruption. All four cultures are found in Illinois, though the good government values dominated in Elazars time only across the northernmost tier of Illinois counties. Rivers make terrible boundaries. They bring people together, yet we use them to separate governments, as we do along the Mississippi and Ohio. The great, three-state metropolitan Chicago region of 10 million people is a more natural demarcator than those carved by our state boundaries. As a result of our states geographic depth, initially we developed two geopolitical regions in Chicago and Downstate, and now three, with sprawling suburban Chicago added. Chicago the city, which had fully one-half the states population after World War II, now has but 20 percent, and the fragmented suburbs, 44 percent. And the older, near-in suburbs are now often mostly Latino or black, having spilled over from the city. Interest groups are also stronger, more entrenched in Illinois than in most states: unions versus management; teachers versus school boards. Farmers, hospitals, doctors, insurers, financial firms protect their interests aggressively; most contribute big money to campaigns. All of this means that culturally, demographically, geographically, economically -- we are not all in this together, not on the same page politically, certainly not the way more homogenous neighbors like Iowa and Wisconsin, even Indiana, are. Probably the single biggest difference between Illinois and our neighbors is our reputation for corruption. In a poll I conducted in 2012, a national sample was asked to identify, unprompted, the one or two most corrupt states in the nation. One-third named Illinois; 45 percent of those over age 35 fingered Illinois. This was more mentions than for any states other than New York and California. Our neighbors were rarely mentioned. Illinois residents share these national perceptions of Illinois corruption. I always get a big, knowing laugh when I open a Rotary or other talk by noting that I have worked for three unindicted Illinois governors. This Wheres mine? culture of corruption has added to the complexity of policy-making in Illinois, as it accentuates a parochial rather than comprehensive approach to problem solving. And there are few unifiers. There is no Eyes of Texas Are Upon Us to bring us together emotionally. What this all means is that policy-making in Illinois is even messier, more complicated than it is in most states. Gov. Bruce Rauner had hoped to unify the state behind his turnaround agenda, but has failed to do so thus far. He clearly thought doing so would be much easier than it has turned out to be. Some now say he should compromise; others say, vehemently, stay the course. (In installment two, which will appear Monday, I will take a look at how governors of Illinois have approached leadership over two centuries to see if there are useful lessons from history.) Judith Ripka Ruby, Emerald or Sapphire & Diamond Cuff Bracelet, 14K is rated 4.4 out of 5 by 10 . Rated 5 out of 5 by ILLINOIS from Rich and Beautiful This will make you feel like a queen of your castle when you wear this bracelet. Thank you for easy pay. Love the gems that are faceted for sparkle and it brings out the rich color of the rubies and the emerald which I purchased. I never thought I could purchase a 14K item from Judith but now she is making it possible. Please if you could bring your early romance collection to us in this scale for the different textures which make a stack collection so put together in her line. Cant stop looking at them. It was a great chance that you took to bring on the 14k but it is a winning move for us. This isnt just for the rich and famous . Judith wants us all to shine with this opportunity. Thank you Judith!! Rated 5 out of 5 by SJab from This bracelet is stunning! This is one of the most beautiful Judith Ripka bracelets that I have ever laid eyes on! The rubies are rich. The 14k gold is absolutely beautiful. The gold alone adds a wonderful warmth to the wrist that allows the rubies to pop. This bracelet has become one of my go-to pieces...I wear it several times during the week. I like it so much, I am contemplating purchasing the sapphire and emerald options, as well. Rated 5 out of 5 by Pisa from Love it A beautiful bracelet the rubies are bright and clear I purchased the large and it fits perfect. I am going to purchase the other ones it will make a nice set Rated 3 out of 5 by Joy08 from Pretty This cuff is pretty but very overpriced. There is not a lot of gram weight and while the rubies are a nice color and clarity they are very tiny. The diamonds are mere chips and Not full cut. I wear a small and it is too large for my wrist. Also, the arm that opens the cuff is quite loss. Disappointing for a gold Judith Ripka piece. Rated 5 out of 5 by KATYC from Expensive but Gorgeous I am a May baby, so I am familiar with emeralds. The emeralds n the bracelet that I received are stunning. Even an untrained eye can tell these are the real thing. A trained eye will appreciate the lack of dark specks found in lesser quality emeralds. It is dainty. I think the sale price is fair, not a real deal. I love the bracelet, so I am willing to pay what I consider full price. I ordered the matching ring, but haven't received it yet. Rated 5 out of 5 by sexyinthecity from Danty But Elegant Yes t did Open a few times and n me But it was so pretty I decided to pinch it close a bit n that worked!! Rated 5 out of 5 by 01Linda from Beauty on My Arm I shopped for this item prior to its television presentation. I wanted to buy it before it was gone. I am happy for my purchase. The bracelet is beautiful. The stones are blue and clear. My bracelet matches my new ring beautifully. Both the ring and the bracelet boast Judith Ripka's signature. In a nutshell, I love my new acquisition and would like to layer another bracelet with it. Wow! #flight resumption Flights from Gimpo airport to Osaka, Taipei to resume Sunday Flights from Seoul's Gimpo International Airport to Osaka and Taipei will resume later this week, the state-run airport operator here said Saturday, more than two years after the r... We're sorry. We are currently having technical issues and apologize for the inconvenience. Please call 888-345-5788 to place your order. Rated 4.7 out of 5 by 3 reviewers. Rated 5 out of 5 by Sweet Tootsie Gorgeous Earrings! I originally ordered the yellow gold on wait list. (That was the only color available at that time.) I noticed a week or so later that the rose gold was in stock. I ordered them and received them in the mail today. They are Beautiful!! I'm thankful for the clearance price, but they are more than worth the regular QVC price. I think they're versatile and can be worn casual to dressy and in between. The earrings are elegant but will also go well with jeans and a t-shirt. They're unique and classy. I can feel them on, but they are lightweight and comfortable. The overall size of the earring is just right (length and width), with a bold presence. I respectfully disagree with the review that indicates that their difficult to put on and time consuming if you're in a hurry. Yes, the presentation makes us aware that there is a left and right design and that the earrings are designed to face forward. As the host Antionella mentioned, if you put them on and they're facing sideways, they're in the wrong ear. When I held the earrings in my hand, while looking at the FRONT of the earrings, I quickly noticed that the earring designed for the left ear curves UP and to the LEFT; The earring designed for the right ear curves UP and to the RIGHT. You might quickly notice another way that quickly identifies the left and the right for you personally. Either way, it only took a moment and you'll know going forward. Ladies, I really don't think that you'll find them time consuming or difficult to put on. If you like the only pic and/or presentation, I think that you'll love them in person. 10-21-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by sanpedro Impressive! Just received these earrings and was impressed by the weight, shine and boldness for such a low price. I have purchased oro nuovo before and have been satisfied with my purchases. These are great as a an everyday earring. Would make a nice gift for anyone on your list. Highly recommend. 10-08-16 Rated 4 out of 5 by Pace Palma Lovely earrings perfect size...but Very light weight...and there should be indicators as to which is meant for the right ear and which is the left. ear..even though in the presentation it is explained, it still should be emphasized on the packaging or on the closures..."L" for left and an "R" for right....very confusing and time consuming as these are not easily put on if you are in a hurry because of that issue. Otherwise, they are pretty but also very light weight...I actually thought they were a bit tinny for 14K white gold. 10-03-16 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! This is really what happens behind the scenes on Kyle & Jackie O. Congrats to ARNs Chief Operating Officer & CFO, Michael Harvey who has been shortlisted as a finalist for CFO of the Year at this years 2016 Executive of the Year Awards. The awards will honour and acknowledge some of the finest business leaders and professionals in Australia and may just see Michael follow in the footsteps of now APN CEO Ciaran Davis. Ciaran took out the CEO Magazine Executive of the Year Awards in 2015 when he was CEO of ARN. Michael Harvey is one the top 102 finalists for the 2016 Executive of the Year Awards from 24 categories. Eddie McGuire will be the MC on awards night on 24 November at Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour, Sydney Pandora has launched a new audio advertising solution, Audio Everywhere. Its the net radio giants next salvo in mainstreaming of internet radio for both listeners and advertisers. Audio Everywhere connects advertisers with their audience no matter where they are across mobile, web, tablet, PC, desktop or in-car. Our audio advertising solutions are driving exceptional results for advertisers. Our listeners are passionate and the most highly engaged in Australia and New Zealand, listening for an average 2.3 hours per day*. This creates a great environment for advertisers, Pandora Commercial Director Chris Freel said. Due to demand from radio advertisers, we are increasing the opportunity for advertisers to engage with our audience, ensuring the listener experience remains best-in-class. Our goal is to continue to make enhancements to our products that keep our listeners coming back to Pandora for personalised music and connecting our advertisers with a receptive and engaged audience. Those results quoted are Nielsen, and IAB Digital Ratings (Monthly) Report. Pandora Internal Metrics. Long time CD of Macquarie Medias News Talk 6PR in Perth John Solvander, is exiting the network to join Media Stable as the Director of Media Engagement. With 20 years in radio in both Perth and Melbourne John Solvander said he was excited to join the company. The Media Stable model is one Ive admired for some time. It fills an important space in the media industry. Delivering timely, relevant and engaging content from trusted experts is a service now more in demand by the industry than at any other time in history. Nic Hayes the Managing Director and founder of Media Stable said: Media Stable is a trusted and well-utilised source of media contacts across the country. With John joining the team we are investing in the future of media interaction and the relationships that all forms of media are seeking today . Media Stable recently opened an office in Sydney, adding to its presence in Melbourne and Perth. Media Stable is media directory and content provider. The guy has gotta have more frequent flyer points than anyone. It was New York for the release of Suicide Squad, now Novas Smallzys Surgery is heading to London for the V Festival 2016. Smallzy will head backstage at the annual music festival with access to one of the worlds biggest music events as he interviews Olly Murs, Zara Larsson, Foxes, Craig David, Digital Farm Animals, Snakehips and the girls from Little Mix. With Smallzy doing his show from the Capital FM radio studios in Leicester Square he said, I am so excited to tick off the bucket list and attend V Festival in London. The line-up of guests we have locked in is super exciting and I cant wait to share all the interviews (and a stack of London souvenirs) with our listeners. Smallzys Surgery will be broadcasting live from London and heard across the Nova Network from Monday 22 August to Friday 26 August from 7pm 10pm. Heres a different way to sign your next contract you do it On-Air on Melbournes Number 1 breakfast show. Take a look as Tony Moclair signs on as the new host for Australia Overnight for 3AW and 2UE. Tony has been featured On-Air at different times since 2011 on 3AW including Friday Night Lights over summer. 3AW Operations Director Stephen Beer says: Tonys a proven broadcaster and entertainer, and his natural curiosity for world affairs makes him the perfect fit for Australia overnight. {youtube}MWqkTMhAeOQ{/youtube} Zimbabwes transport and infrastructure development minister, Mr Joram Gumbo, said in July that government plans to introduce legislation to ban the transport of bulk freight by road in an attempt to reduce damage to the road network and boost rail freight. National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is supposed to be the prime mover of freight, but has lost traffic due to the deteriorating state of the infrastructure. NRZs financial performance has declined sharply, with its net loss increasing from $US 31.6m in 2014 to $US 40.9m last year contributing to a cumulative loss of $US 276.4m. According to the Zimbabwe auditor-generals report for 2015, NRZ closed the year with net current liabilities of $US 170.9m compared with $US 131.1m in 2014. NRZ slashed salaries by 50% in July, citing the tough operating environment, a development that will see some employees taking home less than $US 90 per month. NRZ says it may have to lay off 1400 of its 6000-strong workforce. Nashville transit plan proposes LRT and commuter rail expansion Written by Keith Proposals for a 46-mile light rail network and a second commuter rail line for Nashville have been included in a 25-year transit strategy for the region, which was presented to the boards of Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (NMTA) and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) on August 17 following 16 months of public consultation. Public feedback will now be sought on the recommendations of the nMotion plan before approval by the boards of the two authorities next month. Since the start of the nMotion planning process in April 2015, more than 25 technical documents and studies have been released and the two authorities have considered more than 18,000 survey responses. This has fed into the recommended plan, which includes short-term enhancements and a framework for longer-term improvements. A key recommendation is the development of a light rail network with four lines radiating from Nashville city center to Gallatin Pike, Murfreesboro Pike/Airport, Nolensville Pike, and Charlotte Avenue. The plan proposes increasing services on Nashvilles only existing commuter rail line, the Music City Express from Riverfront in the city center to Lebanon, to operate all day seven days a week. A new station would be built at Hamilton Springs and services would be extended to Lebanons planned Expo Center. New rolling stock would be acquired and track-doubling would be needed on most or all of the 51km line to accommodate increased frequencies. Some improvements to Music City Star, including a Saturday service are proposed for short-term implementation. A transit study on the northwest corridor from Nashville to Ashland City and Clarksville is nearing completion and this is expected to recommend commuter rail. However, nMotion notes that it will not be possible to bring the line into the centre of Nashville, requiring a transfer at Farmers Market which is likely to suppress potential ridership. It also suggests that more growth will be needed along the corridor to make the operation of the service cost-effective, making the development of commuter rail along this route a longer-term project. nMotion envisages planning for the future development of the rail network will take place over the next five years with the network being built in phases between 2021 and 2041. If all of the measures put forward by nMotion are adopted, transit ridership is expected to increase from 34,000 passengers per day to 180,000 per day and 391,000 Davidson County residents will live within 800m of a bus stop or railway/light rail station, compared with 230,000 at present. Amtraks next President and Chief Executive Officer is an experienced and deeply respected Class I freight railroader who brings more than 40 years in railroading to the position: Charles W. Wick Moorman, who recently retired as Executive Chairman of Norfolk Southern Corp. Railway Ages 2011 Railroader of the Year will take over Amtraks throttle on Sept. 1, 2016, on a $1 per year salary plus an annual bonus of $500,000 tied to performance goals. Moorman succeeds current CEO Joe Boardman, who announced his intention to retire last fall. Moorman is only the second Amtrak chief executive with practical railroad experience since the legendary W. Graham Claytor, Jr., who ran Norfolk Southern predecessor Southern Railway from 1967 to 1977, retired from Amtrak in 1993 after 11 years. He was named Railroader of the Year in 1989. David Gunn, who began his career with the Santa Fe Railway in the 1960s, ran Amtrak from 2002 to 2005. I view this as public service, Moorman told Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono. Amtrak is important to the freight rail carriers, and to the country. This is something I really want to do, and I believe I can contribute to making Amtrak a better railroad. Im sure the work will be interesting, and I hope it will be fun as well. Moorman added that he is not doing this for the money (performance-based bonuses are extended to other Amtrak employees) and that he has not been unhappy in retirement. In Amtraks press release announcing his appointment, Moorman said, It is an honor and privilege to take on the role of CEO at Amtrak, and I look forward to working with its dedicated employees to find ways to provide even better service to our passengers and the nation. At Norfolk Southern, our team fostered change by placing a solid emphasis on performance across all aspects of our business, which helped develop a stronger safety and service culture throughout the company. I look forward to advancing those same goals at Amtrak and helping to build a plan for future growth. Moorman comes to Amtrak after more than 40 years at NS and predecessor Southern Railway, where he began his career as a track worker during college and then rose from management trainee to Chairman, President and CEO. A graduate of Georgia Tech and Harvard Business School, Moorman serves on the boards of Duke Energy Corporation, Chevron Corporation, the Virginia chapter of the Nature Conservancy, and the Georgia Tech Foundation. Wick Moorman is a proven railroader whose track record of success demonstrates his commitment and adherence to rail safety, efficiency and service to customers, said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ed Hamberger. His contributions and leadership in the freight rail industry, I believe, will advance the working partnership the freight railroads have with Amtrak. The AAR and its freight rail members recognize the importance of Amtrak as a reliable U.S. passenger rail service and look forward to working with Wick in his new capacity. Similar accolades came from Amtrak Board Chairman Anthony Coscia and Vice Chairman Jeffrey Moreland. We are very pleased that someone with Wicks experience and vision will lead Amtrak during this critical period as the company charts a course for future growth and improvement, said Coscia, who believes Moorman will improve Amtraks relationship with freight carriers. He clearly understands both worlds, and hes going to be in a position to try to get us all to a much better place. Wicks deep operational background and track record of building teams and driving innovation is exactly what we need to provide unparalleled service to the more than 500 communities we serve, said Moreland. We are confident that, working together with the Board, Wick can formulate a strong plan to take Amtrak to the next level and assemble the management team and expertise to carry it forward. In a letter to Amtrak employees, Coscia said, Having worked at NS from the ground up, Wick Moorman and his team modernized the way that NS conducted business, served customers and worked with communities. As CEO, he emphasized performance and teamwork across all aspects of the company, helping to drive a new culture of safety and service throughout NSs system. When he retired, NS was well-positioned to leverage opportunities and manage future challenges. Wick has the expertise and vision to build on the record levels of performance and investment that Amtrak achieved under Joe Boardmans leadership. He is looking forward to meeting with employees and stakeholders to establish a strong agenda to grow and strengthen Amtrak and to work together with the Board to chart a course for our future. Boardman, Railway Ages 2014 Railroader of the Year, led Amtrak for eight years. He said that he has been humbled to lead this extraordinary organization. . . . I look forward to spending time with my family and wish Wick all the best as he brings his excellent experience to Amtrak. Joe recognized the delicate balance that exists in this country between freight rail and passenger rail and was a partner in forging new ways to find that right transportation mix, noted Ed Hamberger. Joes steadfast commitment to positively advancing the role of Amtrak and raising the profile of passenger rail in the United States has left an enduring record of achievement. Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here. OK Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to public health and the global economy. Indeed, a RAND Europe study found that failure to address AMR could result in worldwide economic losses of $3 trillion and annual population decreases of 10 million people every year until 2050. In May 2016, the UK's Review on AMR, headed by economist Jim O'Neill, delivered its final report (PDF), which stressed the need to find global and cooperative international solutions. It is good news then that the United States and the EU are among the most important international actors in this area committed to making an effort to tackle AMR, both domestically and in collaboration with their international partners. The United States adopted a National Action Plan to tackle AMR in 2015, and the Obama administration nearly doubled federal funding for 2016 to more than $1.2 billion. Similarly, the EU's activities in the area are guided by an EU Action Plan on AMR, which RAND Europe is evaluating, with the EU dedicating substantial resources to AMR-related efforts, including about 2 billion on AMR-related research from 2012 to 2015. Efforts to tackle AMR on both sides of the Atlantic share common objectives around key areas for improvement, such as the stewardship of existing antimicrobials, surveillance of their use and development of new antimicrobials. Importantly, both the United States and the EU explicitly recognize the importance of adopting a one health approach, which acknowledges that efforts to tackle AMR need to incorporate all relevant perspectives, including human medicine, agriculture and the environment. Together the United States and the EU have formed the Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance, which began in 2009 and last year was extended until 2020. As part of their approach to addressing AMR, the United States and EU share a common commitment to stimulating new drug discovery. The EU, through its flagship Innovative Medicines Initiative, is funding a research project DRIVE-AB, which aims to develop new economic models for the discovery and production of antimicrobials. The United States has passed similar initiatives to improve the incentives for potential new drug developers. The Generating Antibiotics Incentives Now Act, signed into law in 2012, increased the period of market exclusivity for pharmaceutical companies and offered companies early engagement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and access to priority review procedures. Other proposals still to be considered include the Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation Act, proposed in 2015 and modeled after previous legislation on orphan drugs, would provide transferrable tax credits to companies for rapid development of new antibiotics. Finally, the U.S. House of Representatives' Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment Act and the Senate's counterpart Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health Act would permit the FDA to approve antibiotics that treat a serious condition or unmet need for a narrow patient population. Despite common declared objectives and the existence of collaborative platforms, one notable point of divergence persists between the EU and the United States. In 2006, an EU ban on the use of antibiotics in livestock as a growth-promoting agent went into effect (although the use of antibiotics in animals continues to be permitted in the EU for therapeutic reasons). In the United States, despite previous efforts by the FDA, no such ban has been passed. Instead, the FDA has issued a series of voluntary guidelines regarding antimicrobial use in farming. These guidelines have led to some results; for instance, every company producing antibiotics for livestock feed has opted to adhere to the FDA's request not to use medically important drugs for production purposes. However, participation in this arrangement is not mandatory and entire classes of antibiotics remain outside of its scope. Monitoring and follow-up is necessary to assess the implementation and effects of the voluntary guidelines to determine whether, as the FDA suggests, they are the fastest, most efficient way to achieve changes in antimicrobial use or whether a ban more in line with the European approach may be needed. Although there are similarities between U.S. and European approaches to tackling the threat of AMR, the EU has arguably taken a more holistic approach to dealing with the threat, not only looking at human health, but also mandating practices and policies in agriculture to manage AMR more stringently. Regardless, the United States and Europe have made important and significant moves in addressing the threat, with further action expected on both sides of the Atlantic in the near future. Jirka Taylor is an analyst at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and Elta Smith is a research leader at RAND Europe. Both are involved in RAND's work on AMR. This commentary originally appeared on The Health Care Blog on August 17, 2016. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. Google has launched its subscription online video platform YouTube Red in Mexico, marking its first arrival in a Spanish-speaking market. The platform lands in Mexico along with YouTube Music, and will enable subscribers to watch curated and personalised online video on-demand (VOD) through a browser platform or an app. Unlike the popular free version of YouTube, Red has no advertising and enables offline watching.Following the US launch last year, YouTube Red is also available in Australia and New Zealand . Choosing Mexico to open the window on the Spanish-speaking market is not random, as it is the third largest consumer of YouTube videos in the world, after the US and Brazil.The premium online video platform also delivers exclusive content originally produced through an subscriber-only channel launched in February.As in the other three territories, YouTube Red will incorporate YouTube Kids in Mexico ; the childrens VOD platform has been available in the country since March. Camera manufacturer Blackmagic Design has supported the UNITE electronic dance event in Germany, with a multi-device live production PPU solution. The set-up features the ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K, ATEM 2 M/E Broadcast Panel and MultiView 16.In addition to the event in Germany, several UNITE festivals took place simultaneously in Mexico, India, Japan, Colombia, South Africa and Israel alongside the Tomorrowland EDM festival in Belgium. A live video connection was established between the Tomorrowland main stage in Belgium and live DJ sets on the UNITE stages around the world. UNITE in Germany attracted more than 35,000 people and relied upon VPS Media to handle all aspects of the festival's live production.Each festival supplied a live satellite uplink to a production team in Belgium throughout the day. In turn, the UNITE festivals received a live feed from Tomorrowland, which played out onto an LED wall. This meant attendees were able to enjoy sets from DJs such as Nicky Romero and Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike.The event in Germany had two distinct elements, as Andreas Schech of VPS Media explains: We produced a live mix of content during the day that wasnt shared. That was all sent through to the stadiums production suite via a multicore fibre connection before it was then output to LED walls, monitors and television screens around the complex. It was all treated as a self-contained live arena concert, however, producers at the Tomorrowland event could access that feed if they required it.In the evening, the satellite uplink connected all of the UNITE events, as well as a live feed from Belgium, which was used to create the live show in Germany.This meant we were producing two simultaneous programme mixes; a local feed and a global mix, said Schech. That is why the two mixing engines on the ATEM 2 M/E switcher, combined with Blackmagics MultiView 16, formed the centrepiece of our live system.VPS live director mixed the feed for Tomorrowland while another member of the crew managed a local feed from the ATEM 2 M/E Broadcast Panel. The programme mixes were then routed out to VJs who played out the feed to five LED screens, and VFX was blended in where necessary. Everything was captured to SSDs using the Blackmagic HyperDeck Studio 12G. Appeal against forfeiture of Sakhalin ex-governors assets to be reviewed in September MOSCOW, August 19 (RAPSI) The Sakhalin Regional Court has postponed review of an appeal against a lower courts decision on forfeiture of assets belonging to Sakhalins ex-governor Alexander Khoroshavin and his family members, valued at 1.1 billion rubles (about $17 million), RIA Novosti reported on Friday. The appeal is going to be reviewed on September 2. In May, a court in Yuzno-Sakhalinsk granted a lawsuit filed by prosecutors seeking confiscation of property owned by Khoroshavin, his wife and son. Expensive apartments, fancy cars, money, jewelry were taken to the state based upon the facts of corruption established by investigation. In August 2015, Russias Prosecutor Generals Office filed a motion with the Yuzno-Sakhalinsk court to confiscate the assets registered to Khoroshavin, his wife and son. Last September, Irina Khoroshavina filed for divorce and division of property. Investigators announced in March 2015 that Khoroshavin and several other officials were arrested for allegedly taking a $5.6 million bribe to secure a contract to build a power unit for the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk thermal plant. In April 2015, Khoroshavin was charged in another criminal case with taking a bribe of at least 15 million rubles ($233,800) for providing credits on advantageous terms to one of the local businessmen. He pleaded not guilty. In January, the third criminal case was opened against Khoroshavin. According to investigators, he took 27 million rubles ($420,800) in bribes from candidates for the positions in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk City Duma in 2014. President Vladimir Putin dismissed Khoroshavin from his post due to loss of trust in March 2015. Ukrainian antimonopoly agency ready to sue Gazprom over $3 bln fine - report MOSCOW, August 19 (RAPSI) The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) is going to sue Gazprom seeking to make the Russian company pay a 85 billion hryvna ($3.4 billion) fine it imposed on the natural gas producer this January alleging violations of the Ukrainian and EU laws on protection of competition, Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reports on Friday. UNIAN quotes Yuri Terentyev, the AMCU Head, as saying that at present Gazprom is making efforts to battle this decision in courts. Nevertheless, according to Terentyev, there is an AMCU decision, a fine is imposed, the decision shall be enforced. If it is not complied with, we will turn to courts. At the same time, the head of the antimonopoly agency could not provide the exact date, when the claim could be lodged. Gazprom had been fined by the Antimonopoly Committee for abuse of its dominant position on the gas transit market. At that time, the company was ordered to pay the fine until April 12. According to a companys representative, this fine was unexpected since the firm was not engaged in business activity within the Ukrainian territory. Gazprom states that natural gas is being sold to Naftogaz on the Russian-Ukrainian border. In April the Russian company appealed the fine in the Kiev Commercial Court but the complaint was returned to the plaintiff without hearing. In May, the Kiev Commercial Court of Appeal upheld this decision, and in June the Ukrainian Supreme Economic Court has upheld the lower courts rulings. As we see a surge in inflation globally, it is now critical that everyone is aware of the implications this will have along every step of the insurance and reinsurance value chain. One especially disturbing trend in global affairs is the marked deterioration in relations between the United States and Russia. Much will depend on the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Donald Trump has staked out a reasonably conciliatory policy toward Moscow. And in the highly improbable event that Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson emerged victorious, the United States would certainly pursue a less interventionist, confrontational foreign policy toward Russia as well as other countries. Libyan forces advancing on Isis holdouts in Sirte claim they are close to securing victory in the coastal city that is a critical battleground in the fight against the jihadi group. Now comes the hard part for Libya's weak authorities: curbing the instability and violence that have blighted the North African nation since the 2011 overthrow of Muammer Gaddafi. Have you ever wondered why the Syrian conflict has dragged on for so long? At the core of the struggle is that local Syrian actors have so far been unable and unwilling to agree on an acceptable and sustainable way to end their conflict. And as attested to by the recent back-and-forth struggle over the fate of Aleppo -- Syrias second largest city -- none of those actors seem powerful enough to best the others. None can restore the old order, and none can create a new order -- not even with the help of outside powers. So what about those outside powers? Theres a tendency to blame the United States in the main for failing to act more assertively. But there are any number of other participants -- Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia -- who instead of showing a willingness to work together, show little beyond narrow self-interest when it comes to addressing the two central questions that define the Syrian civil war: what to do about Bashar Assad, and how to deal with the Islamic State. Civil wars usually end in one of a few well-defined ways: one party gains a decisive advantage; all sides exhaust themselves and are open to compromise; or outside powers intercede to tip the balance. None of these outcomes is possible in Syria right now, and the outside powers only seem to complicate matters. All have different agendas, and some of those agendas align better with the others than with Washingtons priorities. Indeed, the administration of President Barack Obama seems like the odd man out -- committed to the defeat of ISIS and to a vision of Syria that does not appeal to its counterparts. Without an unlikely congruence among the outside actors, the conflict will go on, to Americas disadvantage. Russia is perhaps the most dynamic of the outside players. President Vladimir Putins military intervention, launched in September 2015, clearly reflects his desire to enhance Russias influence and leverage on the international stage while blocking American wishes and securing the Assad regimes place in whatever arrangements are to outline the new Syria. Russias role in the siege of Aleppo makes it pretty clear that Moscow is both supporting the Assad regimes efforts to regain control over the city and at the same time trying to persuade the Americans that in exchange for restraining Assad, Washington should align with Moscow in striking radical Islamist groups such as Fatah al-Sham -- formerly Jabhat al-Nusra -- long a Russian core priority. Moscow is also backing Kurdish forces in the struggle for Aleppo -- an indication that Moscow understands that the Kurds may well expand their territorial ambitions in northern Syria. In short, Russia has a game plan for Syria, and its not one that envisions a unified country under the control of the Sunni majority without Assad or at least an Alawite successor. Iran seems even more determined to oppose any solution that doesnt involve a key role for Assads regime. Tehran laid the groundwork for Assads forces to move on Aleppo by deploying units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and mobilizing Shiite militias. For now, Russian and Iranian goals have aligned to play a major role in keeping Assad in power. That Russia is now flying bombing runs against Assad's opponents from Iranian airbases drives home that point. We dont know whether Tehran believes a military victory for Assad in Aleppo and beyond is possible. But what is evident is that Iran relies on the presence of a friendly Alawite regime in Syria, and views it as vital to strategic Iranian priorities: to the need to maintain its ties to Lebanon; not to see its window into the Arab-Israeli conflict closed; and to avoid encirclement by its Sunnis neighbors. Tehran is even more set on keeping Assad in power over part of Syria than is Moscow. Turkey also has clear goals in Syria that depart from Americas. And the recent abortive coup will not make a U.S.-Turkish alignment any easier. The coup attempt will likely undermine the militarys readiness and preparedness and will discourage any major military involvement against Assad or ISIS. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is focused on limiting Kurdish gains both at home and in Syria. And tensions with Washington over the presence in Pennsylvania of Mr. Erdogans archenemy, Fethullah Gulen, and the Obama administrations support for the Syrian Kurds, will continue. Putin is already moving closer to Iran. Now, the United States should expect little help from Turkey in Syria -- and potentially a lot of trouble. Saudi Arabia clearly is focused more on trying to weaken Assad rather than striking at ISIS. But Riyadh seems much more concerned with checking Iranian influence closer to home in Yemen than in making major contributions to the fight in Syria. The Saudis argue of course that getting rid of Assad would in fact be a blow to Tehrans regional influence and reach. But bogged down in their campaign against the Houthis, theres little the Saudis are prepared to do, outside of funneling money and weapons to Islamist groups battling Assad. Many of those groups are only one step removed from ISIS in their radical aims. Right now, given the numbers of civilians that Riyadh has killed in their airstrikes, Saudi Arabia is more concerned about its image in Yemen than in Syria. All of this leaves the United States isolated and alone. Washingtons efforts with Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have not paid off in Syria yet. Washingtons policy is focused on defeating ISIS and al-Nusra in Syria and trying as best it can to work with Moscow to find ways to tamp down the violence and create a stable political transition. Focusing primarily on an anti-ISIS agenda seems to be paying off. But surely Washington would also like to see Assad go. Indeed, as a recent interview I did with the NSCs top Middle East hand Robert Malley suggests, the administration knows that without a solution to the Assad problem, defeating ISIS and creating anything like a stable state in Syria wont be possible. Neither Russia nor Iran is willing to do that. Nor is the administration -- worried about getting too heavily involved in Syria militarily, confronting Russia, and mucking up the Iranian nuclear accord -- willing to play tough with Tehran and Moscow in order to induce a change in their policy. In other words, Washington wont place direct U.S. military pressure on Assad or create no-fly zones to limit Russian and Syrian airstrikes. This leaves the Obama administration betwixt and between a number of powers that are willing to risk much in defense of their interests. More than likely, come January 2017, neither the Assad nor the ISIS files will be closed. Syria will still be a mess, and the next administration will be wrestling with powers in the country that it can neither contain nor influence. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Property details: Southern California Ranch - 8 Ac. in Wine Country SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RANCH 2 HOURS FROM SAN DIEGO FULL PRICE $25,299 -- TERMS OR CASH This auction is for the 8 acre lot in Riverside county, California, bordering San Diego County, less than 2 hours drive from San Diego, going north on freeway 15. The ranch is an undeveloped land located on the border of San Diego and Riverside counties in California. Only 1 hour and 45 minutes north of San Diego and Pacific coast, this ranch is perfect f... Price: $ 20 Seller State of Residence: California State/Province: California City: Anza, Temecula Type: Recreational, Acreage Zoning: Mixed Location: 937**, Fresno, California You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Mixed Property details: CORAL SANDS RESORT SV62035-47319 **AS PART OF YOUR PURCHASE YOU WILL RECEIVE $1000.00 TOWARDS YOUR MAINTENANCE FEES WHICH WILL BE SUBMITTED BY SUMDAY VACATIONS WITH THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP. THIS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED TO YOUR FUTURE MAINTENANCE FEES UNTIL IT HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED.** CONTACT66 Pope AvenuePO Box 5686Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 USAResort telephone number: 843/842-5583, ext. 1Resort Fax Number: 843/341-3641 All within about three blocks or less from your do... Price: $ 19 Property Address: 66 Pope Avenue Seller State of Residence: Missouri State/Province: South Carolina City: Hilton Head Island Zip/Postal Code: 29938 Type: Attractions Number of Bedrooms: 2 Number of Bathrooms: 2 Location: 656**, Kimberling City, Missouri You will be redirected to eBay Nearby 2 , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Kanye West will open 21 worldwide pop-up shops for his "Life of Pablo" merchandise, each store giving shoppers three days to snag items from the luxury line. ADVERTISEMENT Two Australian stores in Sydney and Melbourne saw fans waiting in lines for hours for the shops to open, each store only allowing 10 shoppers in at a time. In addition to $400 jackets, each shop will be stocked with customized shirts emblazoned with the name of each shop's city. West is announcing each location's address on his website 24 hours before the shop's doors open. Some cities on the list include Singapore, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Toronto, and Atlanta. Yeezy tweeted a map on Wednesday highlighting the cities hosting the fashion line. West opened a pop-up shop in New York City earlier this year, claiming his brand made over $1 million in two days. Behold RECOILtv And there was much rejoicing. Relevant. Honest. Unfiltered. RECOILtv has all the latest guns, gear, accessories, and in-depth reviewsplus the skills you need to gain the edge. With RECOILtv you have immediate and unrestricted access to the expertise you trust and the content you deserve. Our goal is to entertain, educate, edify, enthrall, and perhaps even enlighten. Just as RECOIL magazine gives you no-holds-barred insight into the modern American firearms lifestyle, RECOILtv brings you unfettered and honest videos about the same. We will begin with 10 channels: Ballistics, DIY, Full Auto Friday, Gun Room, Mail Call, Road Trips, SHTF/OFFGRID, Sponsored Showcase, Training Tuneups, and Transport. RECOILtv is Brought to You By: SIG SAUER You'll see at least one monthly episode of Ballistics. In these episodes we'll showcase ballistic testing and look at ammunition performance, from how new rounds react to ballistic gelatin to what they'll do to intermediate barriers. Tune in to get your learn on. Ballistics is Presented to You By: Freedom Munitions In these episodes we're going to teach you to do it yourself; to make modifications, to perform upgrades, to get it done the right way without looking for outside help. Cyclic, often belt-fed, select fire, fully automatic brass-dumping goodness. That's what you can expect from an episode of Full Auto Friday. Full Auto Friday is Presented to You By: FN History lessons, video overviews of takedowns, specifications, demonstrations, and candid reviews of every sort of firearm including some you won't believe we got our hands on. It's one thing to watch a visit to the range with the marketing contact and latest release from a manufacturer; quite another to hit the range with door-kicking royalty or to go loud with the very last incarnation of a firearm in existence. Gun Room is Brought to You By: Kimber Mail Call will feature incoming products, equipment reviews and overviews, and a few derptastic atrocities that demand our mockery. Here you'll see things that run the gamut of practicality and quality. In Road Trips we'll be venturing forth RECOIL style. Think Americana filmed through a gun-lifestyle lens. Travelogue, transportation, visits to badass places, time on different gun ranges, tours of interesting facilities we refuse to be home or office bound. Whether you're venturing into remote places, preparing for worst case eventualities, or worried about SHTF-TEOTWAWKI, your primary concerns should be your skills and your gear. On this channel we'll be testing both. Our results may also be of interest to those of you living in parts of our country where civil unrest seems to now be a cottage industry. SHTF/OFFGRID is Brought to You BY: Cannae Pro Gear These will be sponsored product episodes, where we bring you the best shootin' irons and most rugged thingamawhatsits the manufacturers just can't bear not to show off. Software should always trump hardware when it comes to where you allocate time and resources we're going to help with that by showing you the techniques preferred by the most skilled and experienced instructors in the business. Training Tuneups is Brought to You By: BCM From dune buggies to technicals, everyone loves a sweet ride. In Transport we'll be showcasing off-road, on-road, up-armored, four-wheeled, four-hooved, six-wheeled, two-wheeled, and tracked conveyances of every possible intended use. Hell, we're not even sure what we're going to be getting so there's no telling what you'll see. Want to see more from RECOILtv? WATCH NOW! After a trial run in May, the food trucks of Athens are back this Thursday, June 14, for their second Athens Food Truck Night and, this time, with a few more additions. Heres a breakdown of whats on the menu. Since Zombie Coffee and Donuts opened May 23 in downtown Athens, crowds have flocked to the location in hopes of ordering the donut of their dreams. Donuts are made-to-order and customers can build their own donuts with whatever icing or topping they desire. Fan favorites include chocolate M&M, vanilla rainbow, maple bacon and strawberry fruity pebble. Former Georgia athlete Levern Spencer represented St. Lucia in the womens high jump final at the Olympic Games on Saturday night. She did not medal, but she was the first St. Lucian ever to advance to the finals of an Olympic track and field event. Back when Terrapin Beer Co. first debuted its Rye Pale Ale in 2002 it had many investors to get off the ground. However, in 2012 these investors backed out, leaving only a loan offer by Tenth and Blake, the craft and import division of MillerCoors, on the table. SHARE Turtle Bay accepting art entries Turtle Bay Exploration Park is accepting entries for the fourth West Coast Biennial Juried Art Exhibition. Artists can submit art work (original pieces, completed in the last three years) through Nov. 4. Entry details are available at www.turtlebay.org/biennialcompetition. The juror for the competition is Michael Duncan, a critic, independent curator and corresponding editor for Art. Duncan will select from submitted images to be exhibited in the Turtle Bay Art Gallery. Artists will be notified of the results on Dec. 16 and the exhibition of chosen works will open Jan. 27 through April 30. The Friends of the Arts at Turtle Bay, in cooperation with Turtle Bay Exploration Park, is putting on the event. Call 242-3108 for more information. Housing group will raffle off RV, or $250,000 Innovations Housing in Redding will hold its 15th annual charity raffle on Aug. 31. The nonprofit will be giving away a 38-foot Winnebago Forza motorhome or $250,000 winner's choice. The raffle is authorized by the California Department of Justice and monitored by the accounting firm of Redwine & Tegerstrand in Redding. No more than 7,500 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by calling 800-764-8096 or go to www.innovationshousing.org. Reporter David Benda can be reached at 225-8219 or at david.benda@redding.com. SHARE By JEFF AYERS, Associated Press "Rise the Dark" (Little, Brown and Co.), by Michael Koryta Mark Novak, seen previously in Michael Koryta's "Last Words," is still seeking answers regarding the murder of his wife in "Rise the Dark." Garland Webb, the man responsible for killing Lauren Novak, walks away a free man on a technicality. Mark knows Garland is responsible, but can he prove it? The words "Rise the Dark" were written in Lauren's notebook prior to her death, and the cryptic message has been elusive. In a small town in Montana, Sabrina Baldwin watches her husband, Jay, head out to repair a downed power line. She showers, and when she steps out, she's shocked to see a man waiting for her. Garland shoots her with a tranquilizer dart and his bold plan begins. Mark visits the site of his wife's murder and learns that he's a pawn in a game where his survival is doubtful. Garland knows every move Mark is going to make, and the truth behind Lauren's cryptic message will ruin the lives of many people. Jay learns of his wife's kidnapping and realizes he will have to betray everything he holds dear in order to win her freedom. Koryta has a gift for terrific suspense that immerses the reader while also delivering prose that almost reads like poetry. Some of the answers that Mark finds are a bit hard to believe, but that's a minor bump in the road that should definitely be traveled. This July, 25, 2016 photo, shows Bassam al-Habary, 13, who was injured when a bomb exploded killing his friend, 10-year-old Youssef al-Salmi, in Hasn Faj Attan village, on the mountainous outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen. Al-Salmi, became the latest of several Yemeni civilians to be killed by unexploded ordnance from the countrys ongoing civil war, which pits Saudi and U.S.-backed government forces against Shiite Houthi rebels. Rights groups and U.N. agencies have expressed concern that even if the fighting is brought to an end, the country will still grapple with a brutal legacy of unexploded munitions. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) SHARE By AHMED AL-HAJ, Associated Press HASN FAJ ATTAN, Yemen (AP) Screams rang out through the hilltop village outside Yemen's capital after 10-year-old Youssef al-Salmi set off a bomb he had found in a field, perhaps thinking it was a toy. He became the latest of several Yemeni civilians to be killed by unexploded ordnance from the country's ongoing civil war, which pits Saudi and U.S.-backed government forces against Shiite Houthi rebels. The conflict has killed more than 9,000 people, displaced 2.4 million, and destroyed much of the already limited infrastructure in the Arab world's poorest country. U.N.-backed peace talks held in Kuwait collapsed earlier this month. Rights groups and U.N. agencies have expressed concern that even if the fighting is brought to an end, the country will still grapple with a brutal legacy of unexploded munitions, including bombs dropped by Saudi-led warplanes in and around the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, and in the Houthis' northern heartland. They say most of the deaths to date have been caused by the Saudi-led airstrikes, and blame the United States and Britain for supplying weapons and providing logistical support for the bombings. Amnesty International said its researchers found thousands of unexploded munitions in northern Yemen following a 10-day tour of the region earlier this year. "The lives and livelihoods of civilians, including young children, continue to be on the line in Yemen," said Lama Fakih, an adviser at Amnesty. "They cannot live in safety until contaminated areas in and around their homes and fields are identified and cleared." Amnesty said 16 Yemeni civilians, including nine children, were wounded or killed by cluster munitions between July 2015 and April 2016. Such munitions scatter small, explosive balls across a wide area. In Yemen and in other conflict zones, children have been known to stumble upon undetonated balls or mistake them for toys, resulting in deaths long after the fighting has ended. The July 20 blast that killed Youssef and wounded a 13-year-old friend took place inside Hasn Faj Attan village, which lies near a military base that housed a vast arsenal. Saudi-led airstrikes on the base caused a series of powerful explosions in April 2015, blanketing the skies over the rebel-held capital with thick black smoke and smashing the windows of high-rise buildings. Several mud-brick houses in Hasn Faj Attan were buried under a hail of rocks and explosives. More than 80 soldiers were killed, and at least 12 villagers were wounded. Youssef's father, Nasser al-Salmi, said the warplanes came one after another, raining missiles and bombs over the entrance to the base. Another villager, Ahmed Garadi, who was struck in the head by a rock, recalled how "houses toppled and people screamed for help." Yemen's ill-equipped demining agency began clearing work in April in the northern cities of Saada and Hajja but had to stop after three of its members were killed in an explosion, Amnesty said. Some 40 trucks were sent to cart away explosives from in and around Hasn Faj Attan earlier this year. The U.N.'s de-mining coordinator for Yemen, Ahmed Allawi, told The Associated Press that up to 7,800 pieces of unexploded munitions were retrieved from the area, including from Youssef's village. The mine-clearers missed the small, metal ball that Youssef picked up and then smashed with a rock as his friends watched. The boy survived on life support for five days, but the doctors could not save him. ___ Associated Press writer Maggie Michael in Cairo contributed to this report. County clerk says she won't tolerate election interference Cathy Darling Allen, the county clerk and registrar of voters, said she will answer questions from anyone who wants to observe the vote tally. Greg Barnette/Record Searchlight A commercial airline passes over Redding leaving a contrail. A report released this week includes a survey of scientists who cast doubt over claims such contrails contain metals that are harming people and the environment. SHARE By Damon Arthur of the Redding Record Searchlight A report published this week by a group of scientists attempts to debunk a theory with a strong North State following that airplanes have been spraying deadly chemicals from the sky. Authors of the study, published in Environmental Research Letters, said the aim of the paper was to provide a counterbalance to information on the internet much of it originating in the North State that lays out a case for a conspiracy to poison the planet. Mick West, who runs a website called Metabunk.org, said he hopes the paper provides credible information for people looking for more information about "chemtrails" or "geoengineering." The paper surveys 77 scientists about claims made by groups who believe the government or businesses are spraying chemicals from airplanes high in the atmosphere. "If the only response to that is my own personal blog, that's not going to influence people," said West, who helped formulate the survey. So the authors of the survey recruited scientists in the fields of atmospheric chemistry and geochemistry specializing in atmospheric deposition of dust and pollution. The report says 76 of the 77 atmospheric scientists and geochemists surveyed said they had not encountered evidence of a secret large-scale atmospheric program, what the report calls a SLAP. They also said the claims of geoengineering activists could be explained by other factors. The possibility that airplanes are deliberately spraying heavy metals across the sky has gained traction in the North State, with dozens of people taking their concerns to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors in recent years. In 2014 the board voted unanimously to seek more information on the subject and ask federal and state agencies to address the topic. There's even a line about chemtrails in the song "What I Hate," performed by the late Merle Haggard, who was one of the North State's most famous residents. "What I hate is looking up and seeing Chemtrails in a clear blue sky today." West, who lives in the Sacramento area, said he could understand why people would be curious about the numerous contrails left by airplanes over the Sacramento Valley. He often drives up Interstate 5 on his way to southern Oregon and sees many contrails, more than he remembers seeing in the Los Angeles area, where he formerly lived. But he maintains the aircraft are not attempting to poison North State residents. The study, West said, particularly takes aim at information disseminated by Dane Wigington of Bella Vista, who runs one of the more popular geoengineering websites, geoengineeringwatch.org. Wigington said he posted a response to the survey on his website, which claims the study is merely propaganda. "The effort to bring the climate engineering insanity to light is gaining ground rapidly," Wigington said. "This has caused the global controllers to push back with a pathetic piece of total propaganda that does not in any objective way, shape or form address the mountain of material facts which conclusively confirm that global climate engineering has long since been deployed," he said. West and other authors of the study said they did not intend to change the minds of true believers, such as Wigington, but instead want to offer another side of information for those interested in learning more. In the survey, experts were asked to give a response to evidence used by geoengineering activists, such as photos of airplane contrails and whether those could be caused by releasing metals such as strontium, aluminum and barium. They were also asked about soil and water samples geoengineering activists claim contain high levels of metals and are evidence of atmospheric spraying. Most of the experts said there were common explanations behind the formation of contrails, such as aircraft exhaust condensation and ice crystals. As far as soil and water samples showing various levels of aluminum, barium and strontium, some scientists said the sample levels showed normal amounts, while others said they were unsure what to make of the readings, the report said. One of the samples was taken in snow on Mt. Shasta in 2008. Most of the scientists viewed the results similar to other samples, but one expert said it may be evidence of atmospheric spraying. "Unless there is some kind of aluminum pollution source in the direct neighborhood, the results are ridiculously high," the unnamed expert wrote. While most scientists surveyed felt there was not a conspiracy to spray poisons from the sky, there still has been no peer-reviewed scientific study testing geoengineering enthusiasts' claims. West said most scientists don't believe it is a topic worthy of study. "The majority of scientists see it as a silly conspiracy theory," he said. SHARE By Nathan Solis of the Redding Record Searchlight Shasta County Planning Commissioners gave the owner of Hat Creek Construction the go-ahead to build a new biomass facility in Burney. The approval comes just as another facility in Burney issued a 60 days' notice to its employees that it would be closing its doors. The proposed 9-acre facility given the go-ahead by commissioners at a special meeting on Thursday would sit on an 85-acre property owned by TLT Enterprise, Inc. listed under Perry Thompson, owner of Hat Creek Construction. Thompson is also the nephew of Shasta County Supervisor Pam Giacomini. The biomass plant would convert wood chips into energy and the authors of the application intend to sell that energy to Pacific Gas & Electric under the mandate of Senate Bill 1122, a 2012 law that requires corporations to gather a certain amount of bioenergy megawatts statewide. Thompson is hoping that mandate would guarantee his biomass facility a contract with the power company and allow him to negotiate a rate. Shasta County Resource Management planners said an environmental impact report from 2000 reviewed the property where the facility would be placed. A quarry and asphalt plant, along with the Hat Creek Construction offices, are located on the property off Highway 89, about 5 miles northwest of Highway 299 in Burney. In 2000 the area was rezoned for the other facilities. On Thursday planners tacked on an addendum to the existing permit to allow the biomass facility to be placed on the property, which is surrounded by undeveloped timber and a handful of houses. California Historical Resources Information System research assistant Adrienne Springsteen recommended the project owners have a professional archaeologist survey the area, because it is close to other sites with connections to the Wintu Tribe, according to a letter included in the agenda packet. Commissioner James Chapin applauded Thompson's initiative to bring the plant to the area, as it would bring jobs to the area and use up fuels that would otherwise be neglected or decompose. The other facility that will close its doors, Burney Forest Power, employed about 25 employees. The proposed facility under Thompson would have about four full-time employees and 10 more who would transport wood to the facility. It would generate 3 megawatts of energy and consume about two trucks' worth of wood per day. "The plant would get rid of a lot of wood that is left to rot in the area," Thompson said. "Wildfires devastate the area and having a place to put those fuels would help Burney." Thompson said he hopes the other facilities in Burney find a way to renegotiate their contract with the power company so they can continue operating and providing jobs for the area. Because the commission approved the addendum to an existing permit the application will not appear before the Shasta County Board of Supervisors. Thompson said he did not have any conversation with Giacomini about the project before applying for the permit. The city of Shasta Lake's fountain was turned off during the drought to promote water conservation. SHARE By Joe Szydlowski of the Redding Record Searchlight When Shasta Lake resident Donna Heisler, 58, opened her newspaper Wednesday, she discovered an unpleasant surprise her city's water rates are going to rise substantially. "I can't believe our water's going up. I thought, 'Why?'" said Heisler, who with her husband, Robert, live on a fixed income in a retirement community. "It's not fair." Come Oct. 1, the price of water will see an increase, averaging 67 percent for the typical home, that's phased in over three years after the Shasta Lake City Council approved the hikes 5-0 Tuesday despite near-universal opposition among previous comments. The new rates come in three tiers based on how many thousands of cubic feet per-second of water is used a month, according to the ordinance. Users would start in the first tier, which would charge $1.92 per 100 cubic feet in 2017 and then $2.44 in 2019, and then enter the second tier at 1,001 cubic feet and pay $2.20 this year and $2.79 per cubic foot, until they reach 2,000 cubic feet. The typical home uses 1,300 acre feet, according to a staff report. A shortage surcharge that is tied to drought-severity is added when the City Council proclaims a drought. Shasta Lake Water Utility Director Tony Thomasy could not be reached for comment Thursday. He and City Manager John Duckett have said the city needs to start accumulating funds for maintenance and construction projects for the aging system no such account existed until 2009 and large drops in revenue and increases in cost because of the drought. Nearly 89 protests were given to the council at a public hearing earlier this month. Several people also spoke before the council Tuesday. Bernadette Quinn told council members the city should have been more transparent. "I know you put something in the Record Searchlight, but a lot of people don't get it," she said. "The council is hearing you especially on notification," Councilman Larry Farr told the handful of people who attended Tuesday. She also expressed concern for those poor or on fixed incomes, one of whom is her mother in Twin Lakes Mobile Home Resort, which collects water payments from its customers and then pays the utility. Because her mother isn't listed as a customer the park is she might not be able to qualify for a 20 percent discount for low-income people. Duckett, however, said staff members looked into those concerns when they were first brought up. Staff found that those homes' bills would rise an average of 8 percent. Nonetheless Heisler, who moved to her current home about a year ago, doesn't know where they'll cut back they already have energy-efficient appliances and low-flow plumbing. Almost all appliances purchased within the previous few years will be water- and energy-use efficient, said Dakota Sanchez, a salesman at Carmona's Appliance Center in Redding. But if their appliances date back further and aren't efficient, they could save a lot of money by getting a new dishwasher, washing machine and/or water heater, he said. "Dishwashers, washing machines and water heaters are the big ones," Sanchez said. Pre-tax prices start at $270 for dishwashers and $400 for washing machines, which use between half and 10 percent as much water as older appliances. His store offers loans through a third party that doesn't charge interest on the first 12 months, he said. Local governments, including Shasta Lake and Redding, offer rebates for water-efficient appliances, according to their websites. Heisler's husband Robert, however, said, they don't use much water because they don't have a lawn, so he thinks they can absorb the costs without too much trouble. Nonetheless, both of them didn't understand why the hikes were needed. Donna Heisler said she understands the need for infrastructure repairs, but thinks people will cut back more and, thus, offset the anticipated utility revenue. "Every month it seems like something costs us more," Donna Heisler said. This week Russian bombers flew out of Iranian air bases to attack rebel positions in Syria. The State Department pretended not to be surprised. It should be. It should be alarmed. Iran's intensely nationalistic revolutionary regime had never permitted foreign forces to operate from its soil. Until now. The reordering of the Middle East is proceeding apace. Where for 40 years the U.S.-Egypt alliance anchored the region, a Russia-Iran condominium is now dictating events. That's what you get after eight years of U.S. retrenchment and withdrawal. That's what results from the nuclear deal with Iran, the evacuation of Iraq and utter U.S. immobility on Syria. Consider: Iran The nuclear deal was supposed to begin a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran. Instead, it has solidified a strategic-military alliance between Moscow and Tehran. With the lifting of sanctions and the normalizing of Iran's international relations, Russia rushed in with major deals, including the shipment of S-300 ground-to-air missiles. Russian use of Iranian bases now marks a new level of cooperation and joint power projection. Iraq These bombing runs cross Iraqi airspace. Before President Obama's withdrawal from Iraq, that could not have happened. The resulting vacuum has not only created a corridor for Russian bombing, it has gradually allowed a hard-won post-Saddam Iraq to slip into Iran's orbit. According to a Baghdad-based U.S. military spokesman, there are 100,000 Shiite militia fighters operating inside Iraq, 80 percent of them Iranian-backed. Syria When Russia dramatically intervened last year, establishing air bases and launching a savage bombing campaign, Obama did nothing. Indeed, he smugly predicted that Vladimir Putin had entered a quagmire. Some quagmire. Bashar Assad's regime is not only saved. It encircled Aleppo and has seized the upper hand in the civil war. Meanwhile, our hapless secretary of state is running around trying to sue for peace, offering to share intelligence and legitimize Russian intervention if only Putin will promise to conquer gently. Consider what Putin has achieved. Dealt a very weak hand a rump Russian state, shorn of empire and saddled with a backward economy and a rusting military he has restored Russia to great power status. Reduced to irrelevance in the 1990s, it is now a force to be reckoned with. In Europe, Putin has unilaterally redrawn the map. His annexation of Crimea will not be reversed. The Europeans are eager to throw off the few sanctions they grudgingly imposed on Russia. And the rape of eastern Ukraine continues. Ten thousand have already died and now Putin is threatening even more open warfare. Under the absurd pretext of Ukrainian terrorism in Crimea, Putin has threatened retaliation, massed troops in eight locations on the Ukrainian border, ordered Black Sea naval exercises, and moved advanced anti-aircraft batteries into Crimea, giving Moscow control over much of Ukrainian airspace. And why shouldn't he? He's pushing on an open door. Obama still refuses to send Ukraine even defensive weapons. The administration's response to these provocations? Urging "both sides" to exercise restraint. Both sides, mind you. And in a gratuitous flaunting of its newly expanded reach, Russia will be conducting joint naval exercises with China in the South China Sea, in obvious support of Beijing's territorial claims and illegal military bases. Yet the president shows little concern. He is too smart not to understand geopolitics; he simply doesn't care. In part because his priorities are domestic. In part because he thinks we lack clean hands and thus the moral standing to continue to play international arbiter. And in part because he's convinced that in the long run it doesn't matter. Fluctuations in great power relations are inherently ephemeral. For a man who sees a moral arc in the universe bending inexorably toward justice, calculations of raw realpolitik are 20th-century thinking primitive, obsolete, the obsession of small minds. Obama made all this perfectly clear in speeches at the U.N., in Cairo and here at home in his very first year in office. Two terms later, we see the result. Ukraine dismembered. Eastern Europe on edge. Syria a charnel house. Iran subsuming Iraq. Russia and Iran on the march across the entire northern Middle East. At the heart of this disorder is a simple asymmetry. It is in worldview. The major revisionist powers China, Russia and Iran know what they want: power, territory, tribute. And they're going after it. Barack Obama takes Ecclesiastes' view that these are vanities, nothing but vanities. In the kingdom of heaven, no doubt. Here on earth, however Aleppo to Donetsk, Estonia to the Spratly Islands it matters greatly. Charles Krauthammer's email address is letterscharleskrauthammer.com. He writes for The Washington Post Writers Group. Corrective measures are already being taken by fund managers - overall allocation to the IT firm has been pruned by 120 basis points, from 4.43 per cent in March to 3.24 per cent in July A 20 per cent drop within a quarter in the stock price of Infosys, an information technology (IT) firm, has made equity fund managers a worried lot. The stock is the third-most owned in their schemes' portfolios and accounts for 3.2 per cent of equity assets or about Rs 13,000 crore (Rs 130 billion). A total of 480 mutual fund (MF) schemes from all categories have invested in Infosys. The slide in its shares hasnt yet reflected in a big way in the performance of MF schemes, compensated by the sharp rise in other stocks in their portfolios, amid market buoyancy. However, it has definitely weighed on the performance of schemes with high exposure to the stock. IT schemes have been hit badly, the only sectoral scheme with negative return over a three-month period. Corrective measures are already being taken by fund managers, who feel the sector faces a lot of uncertainty. Thus far this financial year, overall allocation to the IT firm has been pruned by 120 basis points, from 4.43 per cent in March to 3.24 per cent in July. "The sector has not been growing as fast as was the case in earlier years. The (annual) growth in top line (revenue) has dipped from as high as 70-80 per cent before (the year) 2000 to 12-13 per cent in recent quarters. The growth has substantially come down as these companies have grown in size. The event of Brexit (the UK vote to leave the European Union) has created a lot of uncertainty for the IT sector and probably because of that, investors are staying away from here for the time being," says Amit Nigam, equity head at Peerless MF. A top chief investment officer, who wished not to be named, said: "Currently, there is not much value in the sector. Growth has plateaued and it is beginning to hurt the performance of schemes, being a laggard sector. Infosys, in particular, is turning out to be a pain but one should note that this company has grown on sound parameters. It has huge cash flows, a big positive. It is not advisable to exit the counter; a downward revision in allocation looks possible." This is the not the first time Infosys is making fund managers uncomfortable. In the past three years, the stock has seen sharp gyrations of five to 10 per cent in a single trading session. However, fund managers' love for the IT bellwether company refused to die and the counter remained among the top three most owned stocks for several years. Atul Kumar, head of equity at Quantum MF, says: "There have been some companies which are seeing a slowdown in BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) space. BFSI is the largest contributor to the revenue of IT companies. Brexit is another factor which can impact their revenue. However, over the longer term, the sector has a lot of potential. The arbitrage between wages in India and western countries is likely to remain. On top of that, outsourcing opportunities will increase. HDFC Equity, HDFC Top 200, ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund, Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund, ICICI Prudential Focused Bluechip Equity Fund and Franklin India Bluechip are among the schemes which have pumped a lot of money in Infosysy' stock. However, performance over the past three months period was satisfactory, with the quarterly return at 12 per cent. Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters Apart from rail mishaps, the coverage would take care of terrorist attacks and accidental fall of a passenger from a train and normal accidents, riots, robbery and dacoity The Indian Railways (IR) has selected three insurance companies - Shriram General Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance and Royal Sundaram General Insurance - for insuring its passengers. To begin next month, it would be among the cheapest in the world, at a premium of 92p a passenger for coverage up to Rs 10 lakh. The three were selected through competitive bidding, among 17 companies. At first, insurance would be available for those who book tickets online. Later, the scheme could be extended to season ticket travellers, where for a premium of Rs 200-300, they will get annual coverage. Irrespective of class, destination and distance to be travelled, the rate of premium and coverage would be uniform. Travellers who book tickets online through our website can opt for it giving a nominees name. Later, it might be extended to unreserved travellers and monthly season ticket holders, said A K Manocha, chairman and managing director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), an IR subsidiary that handles online ticketing, catering and rail tourism. In the case of death or permanent disability of the traveller, Rs 10 lakh will be provided. For permanent partial disability, the coverage extends to Rs 750,000; for hospital expenses, the coverage would be up to Rs 200,000. In addition, the insurance would provide Rs 10,000 for transportation of mortal remains. Apart from rail mishaps, the coverage would take care of terrorist attacks and accidental fall of a passenger from a train and normal accidents, riots, robbery and dacoity. Of the three companies selected, each would get insurance policies on a rotation basis from an automated system. Shriram General Insurance was the lowest bidder, quoting 92p. ICICI Lombard quoted 99p and Royal Sundaram Rs 1.15. The other two will have to match the lowest bid of 92p. Others in the fray were HDFC Ergo, Reliance General Insurance, Apollo Munich Health Insurance, New India Assurance, Tata AIG, Bharti Axa, National Insurance, Iffco Tokio, Bajaj Allianz, Oriental Insurance, Star Health & Allied Insurance, CholaMandalam MS, United India Insurance and Future Generali India. There is no data available to suggest this is the cheapest in the world. However, it is sure that this premium is way below the global market standards. Though travel insurance compensation for flights are higher, ranging about Rs 75 lakh, the premium is also on the higher side, Rs 2,000-3,000, said V Ramakrishna, founder of India Insure, a Hyderabad-based insurance broking house. Compared to the proposed railway insurance, which comes at 9.5p per Rs 100,000 cover, airline insurance comes to Rs 26 at the lower end of the premium. The railway scheme is in line with the present governments policy of affordable insurance schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Suraksha Bima Yojana, where for an annual premium of Rs 330 and Rs 12, respectively, consumers get coverage of up to Rs 200,000. Viability Some doubt if the companies selected would find this sufficiently viable. About 59 per cent of IR tickets are booked online. The IRCTC site sees 3.2 million average daily user log-ins, with an average of 550,000 tickets booked a day, for about a million passengers. I doubt whether this would be viable for the companies. Earlier, too, the railways used to buy a similar scheme. It needs to be seen whether IR is washing its hands off from the huge compensation they have to pay to passengers in an accident, putting the onus completely on insurance companies. It would only be viable if there are no major accidents in a year, Ramakrishna added. Since 1994, the railways had been paying an annual premium to insurers, through which those on a valid ticket in a passenger train, as also platform ticket holders, were insured. According to media reports, it was discontinued in 2008-09, citing higher premiums as a reason. Since then, IR has been compensating for deaths and injuries from its revenue. On an average, about 15,000 people are said to die in rail mishaps yearly. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2014, 28,360 rail accidents were reported, in which 3,882 were injured and 25,006 lost their lives. Photographs: Sailesh Andrade/Reuters 5 associate banks, BMB will merge with SBI by March 2017 The State Bank of India on Thursday approved the share swap ratios for the merger of five associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank with itself. The banks board had approved the scheme of acquisition, SBI informed stock exchanges in a notice. SBI will issue 28 shares of Rs 1 each for 10 shares of Rs 10 each for the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, and 22 shares for 10 shares of the State Bank of Mysore. Likewise, shareholders of State Bank of Travancore will also get 22 shares in SBI for every 10 shares held by them in SBT. SBI will also issue 44.2 million shares to the government for one billion shares of Bharatiya Mahila Bank, a Delhi-based bank started in 2013 and wholly-owned by the government. As for the unlisted State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Hyderabad, in which SBI holds 99 per cent each, it would be a line-by-line merger, SBIs Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Managing Director Anshula Kant said. All shares held by SBI in the five associate banks will stand cancelled after merger. Kant said the bank would send the merger scheme to the Reserve Bank of India for approval. After scrutiny, the RBI will forward the proposal to the government. SBI is planning to consolidate operations and balance sheets by March 2017. EY advised SBI for finalising the share swap, while JM Financial Services advised on fairness of merger swap ratios. Most analysts believe the swap ratios are fair and expect the stocks to rise, except for State Bank of Mysore. Brokerage Religare said, in a note, the share swap ratio was broadly even for all shareholders, barring those of the State Bank of Mysore. Even if the swap ratio is unfavourable for shareholders of an associate bank, it is unlikely to make any difference because SBI holds an overwhelming majority in each of them. While the market was expecting this merger in FY17, since it is happening sooner than expected the stocks will react positively to the swap ratio, says Siddharth Purohit of Angel Broking. SBI's asset quality is better than its associate banks and there is unlikely to be any material improvement in SBI's asset quality after the merger, according to Religare. The clean-up exercise will continue for the associate banks in 2016-17, which will deteriorate their asset quality. According to Bloomberg's list of the world's top 50 banks by assets, SBIs $550 billion, after consolidation, will move it six notches to 44th slot. At the top of the heap is Chinese bank ICBC with $3,423 billion in assets. SBI has maintained, besides making the group more efficient, the consolidation will be of huge value. The associate banks have fixed assets of around Rs 4,000 crore (Rs 40 billion), which will add to the banks capital. After the merger, SBIs cost-to-income ratio will come down by one percentage point in a year. The SBI Group controls 22 per cent of the Indian banking system. The five associate banks have a market share 5.30 per cent in deposits and 5.33 per cent in advances. Their cumulative net profit was Rs 1, 368.7 crore (Rs 13.68 billion) at end of March. SBI will face challenges in rationalising branches and in integrating employees from the associate banks. The bank will prepare a plan on rationalising the retail banking network. The SBI Group has 22,000 branches, of which SBI has 16,800. Corporate finance branches of the associate banks will be absorbed by SBI because 60-70 per cent accounts are common. Can the country afford to have problems of such magnitude in the cities of Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, which not only are the major growth drivers but are also the biggest revenue contributors in their respective states? IMAGE: Vehicles wade through a waterlogged highway after heavy rains in Gurugram, previously known as Gurgaon. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters On July 28, every single policeman in Gurgaon had to roll up his sleeves and get down to the flooded roads to clear hours-long traffic jams on National Highway 8 and sector roads that house offices of multinational companies. This was on the first of the three days when torrential rains had wrecked havoc in the so-called millennium city on the outskirts of the national capital. Although the local police stopped short of explicitly blaming any civic agency or the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for the mess, its twitter account was clear about who should be blamed for the 15-km long traffic snarls. The police tweeted: Smooth traffic management is function of Engineering (70%), Education (20%) and Enforcement (10%). The police department was hinting at the faulty design of the exit points on the NH8, poor quality of roads and missing drainage system in the city, besides the lack of civic sense among commuters. While these problems could be common for other Indian cities as well, the question is whether the country can afford to have problems of such magnitude in the cities of Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, which not only are the major growth drivers but are also the biggest revenue contributors in their respective states. Gurgaon, for instance, has 400 multinational companies, including half of the Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola, GE and Google, and attracts 70 per cent of the total investment in the state. Its tax contribution is also the highest in Haryana. According to an Assocham study of 2015, there is further scope of economic growth in the millennium city. The study, however, adds a caveat that the state government needs to immediately have a master plan for Gurgaons growth. The study notes that without a master plan in place, Gurgaon has grown haphazardly leaving its residents to deal with power outage, water shortage, poor sewage disposal, and dearth of public transport. The activists blame the state government for allowing conversion of agricultural land to industrial and residential purposes after the mid-1990s. This led to rampant and unplanned construction destroying the natural drainage systems, including ponds, ravines, and bundhs. Since it involved large companies and more revenue, successive governments in the state remained mute spectators to uncontrolled and illegal construction. The present government, which took charge last year, also failed in its duty to remove silt from the drains before the rains. The late response from the district administration made the problem worse. The situation was so terrible that the local administration started advising outsiders not to come to Gurgaon. Schools were requested to close down for the next two days. The problem is with the vision. Gurgaon is a millennium city without a drainage system. The government should not give permission for construction unless the builders lay the drainage network, says Rajesh Kaul, chief executive officer of IT firm Triotech Solutions. Kaul has been working in Gurgaon since 1999. Industry captains believe if the state government wants to keep generating revenues from this area, it must bring the road rationing system, increase the number of traffic policemen, work on the bottlenecks and make top builders, including DLF, Ansals and Unitech partly responsible for creating infrastructure in the so-called millennium city. Till the time the Haryana government starts putting things in place, the industry in Gurgaon can take some lessons from Indias leading information technology (IT) city Bengaluru, which contributes to a third of Indias $100-billion software exports. Although the city of Bengaluru is also crumbling under the weight of rapid urbanisation, industry has learnt to live with the traffic woes and made alternative arrangements. If there is something beyond human control, even we are not prepared for it. We have a lot of facilities that alert the employees in case of emergency, says Ramadas Kamath, executive vice-president and head, infrastructure and sustainability at Infosys. Infosys has 36,000 employees in Bengaluru. "We have three roads connecting the campus; so, even if one is flooded, people can use any of the other two. We have an information system that gives employees area-specific SMS alerts, which basically means if a particular area is flooded, then employees of that area get an alert. We have stock in terms of food, UPS, power, etc, that can last up to two days. We have Flexi timings option, and employees have an option to work from home. With all this in place, we feel we are in a good position in case there is a disaster, Kamath adds. After Bengaluru, the city that is most favoured among the IT firms to set up their delivery centres, is Pune in Maharashtra. The total software exports out of Maharashtra amount to Rs 51,760 crore (Rs 517.6 billion), compared to Karnatakas Rs 80,000 crore (Rs 800 billion). Unlike Gurgaon and Bengaluru, Pune still has the scope to expand and promises better infrastructure. Its areas such as Kharadi, Magarpatta, Tathawade and Hinjewadi are said to be the emerging IT hubs. These areas may not have flood or water logging situation, but the traffic flood, if not controlled well in time, may seriously impact the growth prospects of Pune. Companies also need to consider shared bus, car pools, work from home to avoid such situation, says Prashant Pansare, Nasscoms Pune regional council member and managing director, Inteliment Technologies. Close to 400,000 people commute to Hinjewadi every day from Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad areas to work in companies such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, Tech Mahindra, Atos, Capgemini, Persistent Systems and KPIT Technologies. One of the biggest problems at Hinjewadi is lack of public transport because of which companies in Pune need to run private buses and cabs for employees. A few years ago, Hinjewadi Industries Association along with Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited had started a point-to-point shuttle services, but it failed to attract office goers. Around 550 km from Pune, Hyderabad which is known for the presence of multinationals such as Apple Inc, Microsoft, TCS, Amazon and Wipro, is considered a safe place from the point of natural calamities such as earthquakes. Many companies have chosen Hyderabad for their Business Continuity Plans. The city contributed Rs 75,000 crore (Rs 750 billion) to Indias IT exports in FY16 and it employs around 400,000 software professionals. Although Hyderabad boasts of a new international airport, an elevated expressway to the airport and the 160-km Outer Ring Road that provides fast connectivity to all the existing and upcoming IT locations, experts warn of problems that arise with any expanding city. V Rajanna, vice-chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry-Telangana, says the citys IT hub is unlikely to face the kind of situation witnessed in Gurgaon as Hitch-City and Gachibowli areas have got a network of good roads as well as elevated bridges to avoid choking of traffic. However, as the city is growing at a much faster pace, I strongly recommend the government should adopt the China model where the government builds all the necessary infrastructure first while development comes thereafter and the upcoming IT areas like Pocharam requires infrastructure similar to High-tech City, Rajanna adds. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation commissioner B Janardhan Reddy claims the city administration was ready with 113 emergency response teams and they have worked on reducing the reaction time in case of traffic jams or power disruptions caused due to heavy rains. The citys infrastructure can handle even if there is a 20 cm rain in a duration of 24 hours, but there will be problems when there is a sudden 3-4 cm rain in an hour or so. But, we are well prepared to tackle those situations, he says. The outgoing chairman believed in building for the future; for his successor, the challenge will be to maintain the momentum, says Ishita Ayan Dutt. Five hundred rooms. A 37,000-square-feet pillar-less banquet. Eight to ten restaurants. Thats ITCs luxury hotel, Royal Bengal. Set to launch next year, the hotel promises amenities that would lead people to believe that Kolkata is the hub of economic activity in the country. But with the number of investment proposals at 67 (according to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotions annual report for 2015-16) amounting to an investment of Rs 17,615 crore, the reality in Bengal is a far cry. ITC is unperturbed by these numbers. Between the ITC Sonar and the upcoming Royal Bengal next to it, there would be some 1,000 rooms, 15 restaurants and a sprawling banquet area, making it a destination of sorts. The giant leap of faith is in sync with the underlying philosophy of ITCs longest serving chairman and chief executive officer, Yogesh Chander Deveshwar: build for the future. Steadying the ship Rewind to 1996 when Deveshwar took charge of ITC; the company was facing its worst crisis: charges of FERA violation and a battle for control with its single largest shareholder, British American Tobacco. Against this backdrop, Deveshwar built the ITC of today. A retrospective excise demand of Rs 803 crore, on the very first day of my assuming charge as chairman and CEO, amounting to three times the annual profit, imperiled your companys financial stability. The shareholders and the members of the board stood divided on the future direction of the company, Deveshwar told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting in July. The solution was to create new revenue streams, apart from cigarettes. Deveshwar had inherited the hotel and paperboard businesses from his predecessors, which he grew. The hospitality business operated 12 hotels in 1996 when he took charge; it now has over 100 properties across four brands: ITC Hotels, WelcomHotels, Fortune and WelcomHeritage. And in the paperboard and packaging industry, ITC is the market leader. To these he added FMCG and information technology. The FMCG business has 25 mother brands that have a turnover of over Rs 12,000 crore. This includes Aashirvaad (over Rs 3,000 crore); Sunfeast (over Rs 2,500 crore); Bingo (Rs 1,000 crore), Classmate (Rs 1,000 crore); and Yippee (close to Rs 1,000 crore). The goal is ambitious: turnover of Rs 100,000 crore from the non-cigarettes FMCG business by 2030. But Deveshwar will not be in the drivers seat to target this turnover. With effect from February 5, 2017, Deveshwar will slip into the role of a non-executive chairman for a period of three years. Sanjiv Puri has been appointed the chief operating officer, making him the frontrunner for the top job. Challenges for successor Analysts are by and large happy with the performance of the non-cigarettes FMCG business. Ninety to 95 per cent of all new FMCG launches fail. In that context, ITC has managed to create brands that are category leaders in some segments, says Abneesh Roy, senior vice-president (institutional equities), Edelweiss Securities. ICRA analyst Mahi Agarwal says: The other (non-cigarette) FMCG segment of ITC has grown rapidly with revenues more than doubling over the past five years, and the challenge for the company will be to maintain the pace of growth and improve its margin. An Edelweiss research note after first quarter results said that FMCG sales grew 9.5 per cent year-on-year (5.0 per cent in Q1 FY16, ahead of market; HUL reported 3.6 per cent year-on-year growth) aided by growth returning in noodles and new launches: dairy whitener, Aashirvaad Sugar Release Control Atta, Fabelle chocolates and so on. Roy, however, said that investors were waiting for growth to be back in double digits. The real areas of concern, according to him, were hotels and paperboards that had long gestation periods. Agarwal, however, believes that given the regulatory environment for cigarettes, the main challenge for the company would be to quickly grow other business segments in terms of their contribution to the companys overall profits, since cigarettes still drive around 85 per cent of ITCs profits before interest and tax at present. With GST coming in, there is talk that cigarettes will be either kept out of its purview or would attract higher tax rates. Also, the size of pictorial warnings has increased from 40 per cent to 85 per cent on the cigarette packs, which may have a significant impact on consumption, she cautions. The game changer The best is yet to come, Deveshwar had said at the AGM. The real game changer, according to some ITC officials, is the integrated manufacturing hubs. To illustrate with an example, a low margin product like a Rs 5 Bingo! packet of chips was being produced at the companys Haridwar factory in Uttarakhand, stored at a warehouse in Delhi and then sold in the East or North East where its a market leader. The integrated manufacturing hubs will change all of that. In the next three years, 20 such hubs would come up across the country. The first two will go on stream by December in West Bengal. ITC has bought the land for all of these projects. State-of-the-art cold chains to cover farm produce, including fresh, frozen and dehydrated fruits and vegetables, will be part of these manufacturing hubs. The food wastage, mostly in the form of perishables, is estimated to be Rs 92,000 crore (Rs 920 billion), and thats the value that ITC is looking to unlock. So the growth, as ITC sees it, will come from expanding the basket of offerings as the company gets into newer categories. ITCs Life Sciences Centre is working on delivering products of the future aimed at nutrition, health and well-being. Even the land for the medicinal plants has been bought, an official close to the development adds. Multiple projects with an investment outlay of Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 250 billion) are in the process of being executed. Deveshwars only regret is the pace of execution of these projects. Most of the delays in the investment take place on account of the permission that is required, he said at the AGM. Over to the successor now - to make it happen. Photograph: Rupak De Choudhury/Reuters Over the years, Mr Singh has got in and out of innumerable businesses, cutting across sectors. He is one businessman who I have always found to be in a start-up mode, says Bhupesh Bhandari. Analjit Singh will now become a shareholder in HDFC Life. He will also get richer by Rs 850 crore (Rs 8.5 billion), which is the non-compete fee he will receive for not floating a life insurance venture for the next four years. It is not clear what he will do with this money. Maybe he will invest it in his chain of hospitals, or maybe he will start something new. The situation is not new to the urbane businessman. Over the years, Mr Singh has got in and out of innumerable businesses, cutting across sectors. He is one businessman who I have always found to be in a start-up mode. Mr Singhs career in business started in 1982 when Bhai Mohan Singh, his father and the Ranbaxy patriarch, asked him to put up a project to make 6APA, the raw material for ampicillin. Ranbaxys ampicillin was selling like hot cakes and backward integration was the best way to stay a step ahead of rivals. The project cost was Rs 5 crore (Rs 50 million). The family gave him Rs 25 lakh (Rs 2.5 million) and Ranbaxy agreed to invest Rs 40 lakh (Rs 4 million) - Mr Singh had to arrange the rest of the money through personal debt, which he was repaying till 15 years back. Nevertheless, he got the project off the ground and later also added a line to manufacture 7ADCA, the raw material for a range of cephalosporin antibiotics. Ranbaxy, run by his older brother, Parvinder Singh, was his main customer. In 1991, Ranbaxy decided to set up its own 7ADCA plant, which plunged Mr Singh into some sort of a crisis. Three years later, Gist-Brocades, the largest producer of 6APA and 7ADCA in the world, tied up with Mr Singh as it was on the lookout for inexpensive sources of supply. Max-GB was owned equally by the two partners. To feed these lines, Mr Singh proposed to the government that he be allowed to take over the penicillin unit of state-owned Hindustan Antibiotics, which he would upgrade along with Gist-Brocades. Hindustan Antibiotics was aware that its penicillin was not up to the mark and this was a good opportunity to fix the problem. It supported the proposal and the government gave its nod. Max-GB and Hindustan Antibiotics signed the agreement in 1995. All hell broke loose. Some pharmaceutical companies went to court that Hindustan Antibiotics, being a public sector unit, ought to have gone through the tender route to select a partner and had therefore violated the rules by cutting a private deal. Yet, Mr Singh held his ground and the courts gave their order in his favour. Mr Singh had big plans for pharmaceuticals: He set up a formulations plant in Delhi and a bulk drugs unit in Karnataka and tied up with Upjohn to distribute its products in the country. Soon thereafter, he began to unwind his pharmaceutical portfolio. He ceded control in Max-GB to his Dutch partner, divested the formulations business in favour of Rhone Poulenc and sold the bulk drugs business to the Bhartiya brothers of Jubilant. By now, consumer electronics were on his radar screen. In 1991, he tied up with Motorola to launch paging services. (It was the first case cleared by the newly-formed Foreign Investment Promotion Board.) But Mr Singh soon realised that while paging was a service business, he had tied up with an equipment manufacturer. His search for the right partner brought him in touch with Li Ka-shing of Hutchison Whampoa. And when the Indian government in 1994 decided to hand out licences for cellular services, Mr Singh and Hutch together bid for the lucrative Mumbai circle - and bagged it. In April 1998, Mr Singh sold 41 per cent stake in the company to Hutch for Rs 549 crore. That was the end of his financial woes. For six months, Mr Singh just relaxed. Then the question came up: What next? Mr Singh couldnt make up his mind till a consultant he had hired asked him to write his obituary. Then Mr Singh made up his mind that he wanted to pursue service excellence. He admired what Naresh Goyal had done in aviation and the Oberois had done in hotels. It was then that he launched into hospitals and insurance. At least twice he tried to spread his wings but it came to naught. Some 15 years back, he had initiated talks to acquire Dr Lals Path Labs for around Rs 25 crore, but the talks fell through. The chain of diagnostic labs is now valued at over Rs 7,500 crore (Rs 75 billion). Then, a few years ago, he was in the running to become a white knight for the Oberois who were threatened after ITC had acquired a stake in their flagship, East India Hotels. But the Oberois finally chose Mukesh Ambani. From what I understand, Mr Singh had told the Oberois that he would raise debt for the investment, which unsettled them: It meant he would forever keep a hawks eye on the return on his investment, and this could spell trouble in a bad year. The two had even agreed to put up a hotel in Dehradun, but the partnership fell through. The deal with HDFC Life is yet another twist in his eventful life. Photograph: PTI Photos Rising skills gap, falling exports, low productivity, rising debt and low foreign investment is jeopardising the target set for the textile and apparels sector As Textiles Minister Smriti Irani settles in to her new job overseeing an industry that is Indias largest source of formal jobs, the governments hope that it will continue to be an employment engine is under growing threat, as job-growth plateaus and exports wilt against Vietnamese and Bangladeshi competition. The textile and apparels industry employs 105 million people directly and indirectly and is thought to have the potential to create 50 million more jobs by 2025, holding the key to growing unrest over Indias inability to create the million jobs it needs every month. But a rising skills gap, falling exports, low productivity, rising debt and low foreign investment is jeopardising the target set for the textile and apparels sector: additional $30 billion in exports and 10 million additional jobs over the next three years. Instead, textiles and apparels employment fell -0.11 per cent in April-June 2015, rose 0.18 per cent in July-September 2015 and 0.23 per cent in October-December 2015, according to Labour Bureau estimates; and exports of cotton commodities, which account for 24 per cent of textile & apparel exports, declined 34 per cent in the last three years, according to data from United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade). While exports of some commodities, such as knitted/crocheted and non-knitted/crocheted apparel and clothing, grew 12 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, textile & apparel exports from India declined more than 7 per cent between 2013-14 and 2015-16. Source: ITC compilation of UN Comtrade data Why the textile industry is key to Indias job aspirations The textiles sector has been instrumental in creating mass employment, particularly for women, and has lifted millions out of poverty as they moved out of farm jobs in many countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mauritius, Cambodia and Pakistan. Textiles were the largest creator of Indian formal-sector jobs, with 499,000 added over the last three years, IndiaSpend reported in July 2016. There is strong international evidence that exports help create additional jobs and push up wage and income growth. With fears that India is experiencing jobless growth and skepticism abounding, the countrys ability to cash in on its demographic bonus, the worlds largest working-age population - 869 million by 2020 - is in doubt, IndiaSpend reported in May 2016. But in the 15 years between 1997 and 2012, employment in the organised sector shrank, wrote Mint columnist Manas Chakravarty, who called this the biggest failure of economic liberalisation. Over 22 years of unprecedented economic growth (1991 to 2013), less than half the Indians who sought jobs, 140 million of 300 million, got them, according to this United Nations Development Programme report. India will need to generate 280 million jobs between now and 2050, the year when the working-age population (15 to 64) will peak, the report said. The rate of employment in the sector, as we said, is dropping. A driving reason is that cotton, which commands the highest share (24 per cent) of textiles and apparels exports, witnessed a 11 per cent decline in production over the last two financial years. Source: Cotton Corporation of India, Ministry of Textiles; 1 bale = 170 kgs Crop damages in Punjab and Haryana and low rainfall in Gujarat and Maharashtra may be the reason for the lowest annual cotton output in five years, according to a report in the Business Standard. This will potentially increase prices, making Indian textile products uncompetitive, at a time when Indias exports are facing competition from Bangladesh, Vietnam and China. While India still exports more than Vietnam and Bangladesh in absolute terms, but over the last three Vietnams exports grew 34.92 per cent and Bangladeshs 13.52 per cent, as Indias exports declined 7 per cent. From a 43 per cent and 87 per cent lead over Bangladesh and Vietnam, respectively, in textile and apparel exports in 2013-14, Indias lead has now declined to 16 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively, in 2015-16. Source: ITC trade data Vietnam is a part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade bloc, and so enjoys preferential access tothe US, the worlds largest importing country with 19 per cent share of global textile and clothing imports. India is not a member of the TPP, meaning it does not get preferential or duty-free access to important markets. Lots of schemes, but productivity and skills falter There is much for Irani to do, such as evaluate, bolster or scrap multiple government schemes that do not appear to have boosted low productivity and skills evident in Indias textile industry. Some of these programmes include the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme and Integrated Skill Development Scheme. One of the major problems with the sector - as in most sectors in India - is the dominance of informal establishments where worker productivity is about 15 times lower than formal establishments. The lack of skills in the textiles sector pervades levels like workers (operators, weavers, tailors, etc.), supervisors, managers, quality control representatives, merchandisers and designers/developers, according to this National Skill Development Corporation report. Foreign direct investment (FDI), a driver of productivity, modernisation and skill development, in textiles more than doubled in 2013-14 over the preceding year, but investments growth stagnated in 2014-15. That year, no more than 0.64 per cent of FDI into India went to textiles. Source:Economic Division, Ministry of Textiles Abhirup Bhunia is a development consultant Photographs: Jayanta Dey/Reuters, Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters Powered by Indiaspend.org is a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday dedicated to the nation the Pasighat advanced landing ground in Arunachal Pradesh which will allow fighter aircraft like Su 30 MKI to land and take off, in a major fillip to India's military capabilities along its border with China. Terming it a red letter day in the history of the state, Rijiju said with the formal inauguration of the ALG that is capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters after Tezpur and Chabua, development process has started in the state which was lagging behind even after 70 years of independence. Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command, who was present on the occasion said, "The ALG would enhance air support capability for the Army, paramilitary forces and the civil administration and would facilitate air connectivity for the people of Arunachal Pradesh with the rest of the country." Pasighat ALG is a strategic asset and would be one of the operating bases under the Eastern Air Command capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters, Easterm Air Command spokesperson said. Activation of this ALG would not only improve the response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of the air operations in the eastern frontier. The Union Minister of State for Home said, "The Northeast region abundant with rich natural resources is lagging behind in terms of development due to various reasons and the NDA government at the Centre is committed for its development on par with other parts of the country." "The Northeast, a jewel in the country's crown was known to the rest of the country only after the 1962 Chinese aggression," he said. Rijiju added that the commitment of the Centre was proved after Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed all the ministers to personally visit the region along with departmental officers to oversee the requirements. Stating that there would be no dearth of development fund for the state, the Union minister asked the state government to judiciously utilise all the Central funds without compromising on the quality of work and time line. "There should be a close coordination between the Centre and the state government to remove the 'under-developed' tag of Arunachal," Rijiju said. A flypast by three Sukhoi-30 MKI Air Dominance Fighters, which took off from Chabua airbase in Tinsukia district of Assam, was the major attraction of the function. Out of the three Sukhois, one piloted by Group Captain Satbir Singh and co-piloted by Mustaq Ahmed, landed at the ALG for the first time bringing cheers among the people of the centurion town in East Siang district. The ALG at Pasighat was earlier partly paved and partly grassy, and smaller in size. To bolster the operational capability in the eastern part of the state, IAF took over the ALG in February 2010 and started the aviation infrastructure development. The ALG was earlier utilised for air maintenance sorties and casualty evacuation by the IAF. Commercial helicopter operations were also undertaken from the helipads that existed earlier at the ALG. The new runway surface and other infrastructure built were similar to the other upgraded ALGs that have been inaugurated in recent months. Equipped with facilities such as aprons for ground manouevering, Air Traffic Control Tower, perimeter road and a security wall, the ALG would facilitate operations of fixed wing aircraft as well as helicopters of both civil and military operators. The Arunachal Pradesh government had in June 2009 inked an MoU with the defence ministry and accordingly IAF had embarked on an ambitious construction plan to upgrade eight ALGs in the state, including infrastructure development at an overall outlay of over Rs 1,000 crore. The ALGs at Walong, Ziro, Along, Mechuka and Pasighat have since been upgraded and are operational now. Two other ALGs at Tuting and Tawang are expected to be ready by the year end while the one at Vijaynagar would be undertaken for reconstruction as soon as the road connectivity between Miao and Vijaynagar is restored, Easterm Air Command spokesperson said. The runways of all the ALGs in the state are between 3,500 to 4,200 feet. Pasighat is the oldest town in the state founded in 1911 by the British for the administration of the far-flung areas of the greater Abor Hills and other places which were inaccessible and bereft of basic facilities and communication. The town which has come a long way now is the only town from the state selected for development as a smart city. IMAGE: An IAF Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet parked at the Pasighat advanced landing ground in Arunachal Pradesh. Photograph: Ministry of Defence US Congressman's father was convicted for making illegal donations to his son's campaign coffers. Rediff.com's Ritu Jha reports from California. Babulal Bera, US Congressman Ami Bera's 83-year-old father, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison by Judge Troy Lynne Nunley of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, August 18. Babulal Bera was charged with making an excessive contribution to his son's campaign and also with making campaign contributions in other people's names. The octogenarian was not taken into custody, the court clerk at the Eastern District of California in Sacramento told Rediff.com The court ordered Bera to surrender to the authorities on November 18. A chemical engineer, Bera came to the US from Gujarat in 1958. Judge Nunley also ordered that Bera, on his release from prison, be placed on supervised release for 36 months. He was also ordered to pay a special assessment of $200 and a fine of $100,000. Court documents stated that Bera utilised people across the country on a repeated basis and over the course of two elections to help his son Dr Bera, a candidate for a seat in the United States Congress representing California Congressional seats District 3 (2010) and District 7 (2012). Dr Bera currently represents California's Congressional District 7 and is seeking re-election in November. The court documents stated that Dr Bera received funds which were illegal contributions provided by his father. Babulal Bera did not merely reimburse relatives who wanted to contribute, the court documents stated. He reached out to individuals in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois among other states, and encouraged them to participate in his scheme. He recruited bundlers to whom he provided as much as $25,000, and encouraged them to bring others into his scheme. In doing so, the court documents stated he was exerting considerable influence over members of his community and making them complicit in his crime. Bera Sr orchestrated at least 130 improper contributions, the documents stated. Between May, 11, 2009 and August 20, 2010 Bera and his wife Kanta Bera contributed $225,000 to his son's campaign committee. Beginning 2009 until 2010 they in full or part reimbursed contributions others made either in the form of funds or through a third party. Congressman Bera has denied any knowledge of his father's actions. After the sentencing, Dr Bera released this statement: 'This is one of the most difficult moments my family has ever experienced. My dad is 83 years old and my mom is 82 and Janine (the Congressman's wife Dr Janine Bera) and I are worried about both of my parents.' 'Of course, I'm absolutely devastated and heartbroken for how today's decision will impact our entire family,' the Congressman added. 'But my father has accepted what he did was wrong, he's taken responsibility, and I love him more than words can express.' Reacting to Babulal Bera's sentencing, Robert Longer, California Democratic party delegate and legislative director for the Communications Workers of America, asked Congressman Bera to "resign immediately. He is unfit to serve." "He knew what was going on," Longer alleged, "and let his 83-year-old father take the fall for him. How can he let him do this?" "My first thoughts when I learned about it months ago," Longer said, "was that there was no way in my mind that Dr Bera was not involved in this." "Dr Bera is a smart man. I know him personally and have had him at my home. I have worked with him and know he is a sharp and an intelligent man," Longer added. "In my mind there is no way at all that he had no idea that his father was engaged in illegal activity. So what I am saying is he is complicit." Babulal Bera's sentencing may impact the vote in November. Dr Bera faces Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones, a Republican, in the November 8 election. 'The District Court gave thorough and thoughtful consideration to the arguments of both parties in imposing sentence,' Acting United States Attorney Phillip A Talbert said in a statement. 'That sentence, which is significant given this defendant's age, sends a clear message that campaign finance crimes are serious offenses that will result in real consequences.' 'In imposing the sentence recommended by the government, the court balanced the serious nature of Bera's offence with the defendants advanced age and associated health issues. The court said the defendant's conduct was calculated and cuts to the heart of the integrity we expect of elections,' Talbert added. 'Mr Babulal Bera knew the law when it came to campaign contributions, but he tried to beat the system using straw donors,' Monica Miller, special agent in charge of the FBI's Sacramento field office, said in a statement. 'His sentence,' Miller added, 'demonstrates that the US government takes these crimes seriously and will spare no effort to defend the integrity of the electoral process which is the foundation of American democracy.' IMAGE: Kanta and Babulal Bera with their son United States Congressman Dr Ami Bera. Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has landed into controversy after his personal bodyguards were caught on CCTV camera ruthlessly thrashing security guards of a society in Ghaziabad. In the CCTV footage which was shared online by ANI, the minister's bodyguard is seen thrashing the security guards without any provocation from the latter's side. "There were about five vehicles. We told them to wait for two minutes after which the minister's bodyguard started beating us. All three of us were brutally beaten up by the bodyguard," a security guard told media persons. The culture minister, who reportedly did not intervene, later said that he had apologised to the guards for his security detail's behaviour. According to media reports, as Sharmas entourage moved away, the officer in question was seen pointing a finger at the guard saying something at first. A moment later, he could be seen slapping and thrashing the guard while yelling at him. A guard standing next to the man tried to save him from being beaten, but he too was slapped repeatedly in return. After stopping for a while, the security officer also made threatening advances towards the third man standing at the scene. He then came back and slapped the guards again. Other security officers finally stopped him. A housing society official said that they were not happy with the behaviour and would approach the police. Video grabs: Courtesy ANI The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe in Bulandshahr gang rape and dacoity case in which a woman and her minor daughter were assaulted by a gang in July. The incident had taken place when six members of a Noida-based family were traveling to Shahjahanpur in western Uttar Pradesh. At the national highway passing through Bulandshahr, their car was stopped by criminals who dragged the 13-year-old girl and her mother out and raped them in a field nearby. The Allahabad high court had ordered the CBI to take over investigation in the case. CBI spokesperson Devpreet Singh said the agency has registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections related to dacoity, gang rape, kidnapping among others besides provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The CBI took over the investigation of case No. 838 of 2016 registered at Police Station Kotwali Dehat, District Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) on the allegations of abduction, dacoity and rape of a lady and her daughter by five-six assailants in fields situated in village Dostpur, district Bulandshahr in the intervening night of 29/30 July 2016, the spokesperson said. A CBI team, headed by Deputy Inspector General Sharad Agarwal, met senior district police officials in New Delhi and took stock of the situation on Friday. Later, it visited the spot of incident and examined the things minutely. At least 25 Bihar police personnel have been suspended in connection with the suspected hooch tragedy in Gopalganj district which has claimed the lives of 17 people. 15 personnel of the Town police station and 10 from the Nargav police station in Gopalganj have been suspended for dereliction of duty. "The 15 policemen, including the Officer In-charge of Town police station under which the tragedy took place in Khajurbanni locality, were suspended on charge of dereliction of duty," Superintendent of Police Raviranjan Kumar said. The tragedy was the first major incident after Bihar was declared a total dry state in April this year. Santosh Kumar has been made the new OC of the police station, the SP who ordered suspension of the errant policemen, said. Meanwhile, with the death of one more victim at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) yesterday, the toll has climbed to 17, District Magistrate Rahul Kumar said. Four others are still admitted in PMCH, Principal of PMCH S N Sinha said on Friday. Asked about media reports suggesting that all the four have lost their vision in the tragedy, Sinha said eye surgeons have been directed to examine their eyes. The DM said that viscera and blood samples of the deceased were handed over to a Muzaffarpur Forensic Science Laboratory team on Thursday evening. With post-mortem report remaining inconclusive, all eyes are now set on the FSL report to unravel whether the Gopalganj tragedy was linked to consumption of spurious liquor or not. One more person has been arrested in connection with Gopalganj incident taking the total number of those arrested to seven, the DM said. The SP said that seven more accused are at large and hectic search was on for them. Principal Secretary of Excise and Prohibition K K Pathak is visiting Gopalganj today in connection with the incident. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has expressed grave concern over the Gopalganj tragedy has said that culprits would be dealt under the stringent new liquor law. Image: Policemen recoverd poisonous liquor in a field at Harkhua Khajurbari Village in Gopalganj district of Bihar on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Additional Inputs: PTI Photo If the Anandiben Patel administration was shaken by the Patidar agitation, the Vijay Rupani government would have to deal with the Jignesh Mevani-led Dalit movement, reports Sohini Das. IMAGE: Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, in a blue shirt, with JNU students union President Kanhaiya Kumar and Dalit community members during a solidarity rally in Una, Gujarat. Photograph: PTI Photo Last August, 22-year-old Patidar leader Hardik Patel caught the imagination of the nation when his firebrand speeches and ability to gather masses led to a huge agitation against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government. His demand: Reservation in government jobs and institutions for Patidars. While the state government is still grappling with the Patidar movement, they have a new challenge -- Jignesh Mevani, a 35-year-old English and law graduate, the convenor of the Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti, which is fighting against the July 11 incident in Gir Somnath district. Mevani is also a member of the Aam Aadmi Party's Gujarat unit. As his voice gains popularity and renews interest in the Dalit discourse, it might emerge as a critical factor for the AAP in the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections next year. Sociologist Vidyut Joshi quips, "Historically, every movement has given rise to a new leader and the Dalit movement will not be an exception." He said the trio -- Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor (who is spearheading the voices of the Other Backward Castes in Gujarat) -- are likely to emerge as political leaders. Why is Gujarat suddenly witnessing the rise of youth leaders who represent the voices of disgruntled communities? Joshi says Gujarat's traditional social structure is in shambles and people are struggling to ensure secured livelihood. This has set the stage for the entry of 'angry young men.' While the July 11 atrocity against Dalits might be the trigger for mass protests in Gujarat, followed by some high-profile visits to Una -- including those of Arvind Kejriwal, Mayawati, Rahul Gandhi, in the past few weeks -- it is largely an issue of 'identity and security' for the long-oppressed community. The death of Hyderabad Central University Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in January, and the events that followed, led to a feeling of alienation in a large section of the community, which comprises 15 per cent of the national population and had voted for the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. With atrocities against Dalits rising in the state, especially after self-styled cow protection groups unleashed violence on Dalits and minority communities, the issue of security has taken centre stage. This is when Mevani stepped into the scene. However, unlike Hardik Patel, he has deep roots in activism. Mevani worked with the late Mukul Sinha's Jansangharsh Manch for the rights of landless communities and municipal workers. Many feel Mevani is filling the vacuum that existed in articulating the sentiments of Dalits in Gujarat. Unlike Hardik Patel's demands for reservation for his community, Mevani has sought something for which the government already has provisions. A JSM survey in 2009 covering over 10 villages in Surendranagar and Ahmedabad districts showed how land was denied to Dalits. However, the Gujarat Agriculture Land Ceiling Act provides for allotting five acres of surplus government land to landless Dalits. "This obviously has never been done. The surplus land has already been identified but the government is not willing to give it to Dalits. If they (the state government) do not initiate the process of transferring land to Dalits within the next one month, we will stage a 'Rail Roko' agitation on September 15," said Mevani. Mevani seems to be a meticulous planner. Dalits comprise just about 7 per cent of Gujarat's population and hence cannot potentially 'swing' election results. However, nationally, they are an electoral force to reckon with. This explains why a contingent of national leaders descended in Una last month. He says, "I am very much a part of the AAP. But the Dalit movement is open for anyone (a Dalit, or a sympathiser) to join, irrespective of his/her political affiliations." Communist leader and Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was thus by his side when the week-long rally, which started from Ahmedabad, culminated in Una. If the Anandiben Patel administration was shaken by the Patidar agitation, the new Vijay Rupani government would have to deal with the Mevani-led Dalit movement. Its Donald Trump like hes never been seen before. The illegally placed statue drew hundreds of curious onlookers, who took selfie picture with the statue, which was signed 'Ginger.' Photograph: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Residents of five major American cities woke up on Thursday to find large naked statues of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump standing in public places. According to the The Washington Post, the project -- called The Emperor Has No B---s -- was put on by a group called INDECLINE. The statues were placed in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cleveland and Seattle. According to the INDECLINE spokesperson, the statues all went up without a hitch using "insult teams with hard hats and neon construction vests." Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A spokesman for the group said the naked Trumps were inspired in part by the Hans Christian Anderson story about an overly self-assured leader who fails to realise his new suit is in fact his birthday suit. The intent was to create a mocking tribute to the modern day Emperor of Fascism and Bigotry. When the guys approached me, it was all because of my monster-making abilities, the artist who goes by the nickname Ginger told The Washington Post. Trump is just yet another monster, so it was absolutely in my wheelhouse to be able to create these monstrosities. According to the Post, he spent 25 hours weekly since receiving the commission in April. A passerby takes a selfie with a statue depicting republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the nude on August 18, 2016 in San Francisco, United States. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images The artist told the Daily Beast that the process of creating the sculpture consisted of two stages. The first was sculpting the original, 317 kg model in specialty clay using a six-foot-two hired model with similar proportions to Trump. After the prototype was complete, Ginger made a giant silicone mould so that he could create identical replicas. In all, the project required 136 kg of Monster Makers Oil Clay, 181 kg concrete and rebar, 181 kg Walter E Disney Clay (for the mould), 3.78 litres of smooth cast 300 (liquid resin), and 37 litres of Foam It, costing around $6,000 (Rs 4,01,498). Park authorities haul away a statue of a naked GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump that appeared in Union Square Park on Thursday morning on August 18, 2016 in New York City. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images According to the INDECLINE spokesperson, the statues all went up without a hitch using insult teams with hard hats and neon construction vests. A report in NBC News quoted a statement by the group as saying that the hope behind putting up the statues is that Trump is never installed in the most powerful political and military position in the world. It is through these sculptures that we leave behind the physical and metaphorical embodiment of the ghastly soul of one of Americas most infamous and reviled politicians, the group said in a statement. The spokesperson also told The Daily Beast that the New York City piece, which was erected in Union Square, was taken down about half an hour after The Washington Post went up because the article was making them look bad and feel like they should go do their job. In all, the project cost around $6,000 (Rs 4,01,498). Photograph: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images The New York City Parks Department told the report, NYC Parks stands firmly against any unpermitted erection in city parks, no matter how small. Amused and surprised passers-by flocked to take pictures with the statue showing a stern-faced Trump with trademark flock of bright yellow hair and hands folded over a bulging belly. Trumps campaign declined to comment on the statues. -- With inputs from PTI Lashing out at Pakistan, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Yogi Adityanath has said if the neighbouring country dares to fight with India, its existence would be in danger and that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir would soon be a part of India. The BJP lawmaker from Gorakhpur, who was in Ballia to attend a function in Rasra area, said on Thursday night that India should take a stand on the issue of Balochistan. On senior Congress leader Digvijay Singhs comments referring to Kashmir as India-occupied Kashmir, Yogi said Singhs reaction reflected the values of his party. Holding the Congress responsible for Kashmir problem, he said if Sardar Patel would have got the responsibility in place of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the issue would have not arisen. He said time has come for freedom of PoK and it would be part of India soon. On Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeeds appeal to Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, to send troops to Kashmir to obey the pending order of M A Jinnah, Yogi said the neighbouring country has suffered four crushing defeats. Addressing a rally held under the banner of Defence Council of Pakistan in Karachi on Sunday, Saeed had claimed, Kashmiris had announced before the partition that they wanted to remain with Pakistan. But after the partition, India forcibly sent army to Jammu and Kashmir. On this, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah ordered his commander-in-chief to respond by sending troops but he refused (to obey his orders). Now, I ask General Raheel Sharif to send troops in Jammu and Kashmir as Quaid-e-Azams order is pending, Saeed had said. Tamil Nadu Speaker P Dhanapal on Friday once again ruled out reconsidering the suspension of Dravida Munnetra Kazagham MLAs on Wednesday for allegedly creating a ruckus in the House, even as the suspended legislators continued to protest the action. Led by Opposition Leader MK Stalin and DMK Deputy Leader Durai Murugan, the suspended DMK MLAs staged a model assembly session outside the House. The Speaker, responding to pleas by DMKs KN Nehru, who was not among those suspended since he was not present in the House on August 17, made it clear that there was no reviewing of his decision to suspend the agitating DMK legislators for a week. I was very patient that day and had to finally take action, he said about his decision to suspend the MLAs, even as DMK found support from allies, Congress and Indian Union Muslim League, who also sought revoking the suspension order. Seven of the nine non-suspended DMK legislators, who were not present in the House on Wednesday, along with Congress and IUML members subsequently staged a walkout. Dhanapal had on Thursday refused to revoke the en masse suspension of 80 DMK members. The suspended members had staged a protest outside the House and their colleagues inside twice staged a walkout over the issue. Later, speaking to reporters , Stalin said the suspended MLAs had held a model assembly where they were informed in advance that only peoples issues should be discussed and nothing else. The model assembly was led by Durai Murugan as Speaker, he added. Stalin reiterated his demand for live broadcast of assembly proceedings, saying that will help in identifying on who committed mistakes. Image: M K Stalin along with other DMK legislators during a protest outside the Tamil Nadu assembly in Chennai on Thursday, a day after they were suspended for a week for creating ruckus in the House. Photograph: R Senthil Kumar/PTI Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said he regretted causing pain to people by not choosing the "right words" sometimes and uttering "wrong thing" even as his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton termed the statement as a mere "well-written phrase". "Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that, and I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues," Trump said at an election rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also said that he is not a politician. "I have worked in business, creating jobs and rebuilding neighborhoods my entire adult life. I've never wanted to learn the language of the insiders, and I've never been politically correct -- it takes far too much time, and can often make more difficult," he said. "But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth. I speak the truth for all of you, and for everyone in this country who doesn't have a voice. I speak the truth on behalf of the factory worker who lost his or her job," Trump asserted. Trump said his only interest is the American people. "So while sometimes I can be too honest, Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite: she never tells the truth. One lie after another, and getting worse each passing day," he said. In a late night statement, the Clinton Campaign said he has much for which he should apologize. "Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. We learned tonight that his speech writer and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize," said Christina Reynolds from the Clinton Campaign. "But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regretsand changes his tune altogether," Reynolds said. "The American people are still waiting for Hillary Clinton to apologize for all of the many lies she's told to them, and the many times shes betrayed them. Tell me, has Hillary Clinton ever apologized for lying about her illegal email server and deleting 33,000 emails?" he asked. "Has Hillary Clinton apologized for turning the State Department into a pay-for-play operation where favors are sold to the highest bidder? Has she apologized for lying to the families who lost loved ones at Benghazi? Has she apologized for putting Iran on the path to nuclear weapons?" he asked. Trump alleged that Clinton's mistakes destroy innocent lives, sacrifice national security, and betray the working families of this country. "Please remember this. I will never put personal profit before national security. I will never leave our border open to appease donors and special interests. I will never support a trade deal that kills American jobs. I will never put the special interests before the national interest. I will never put a donor before a voter, or a lobbyist before a citizen," he said. "Instead, I will be a champion for the people," he said. "The establishment media doesnt cover what really matters in this country, or what's really going on in peoples lives. They will take words of mine out of context and spend a week obsessing over every single syllable, and then pretend to discover some hidden meaning in what I said," he alleged. In a strong message to terrorists planning attacks against the US, Trump vowed to "find and destroy" them and asserted that he will focus on "radical Islamic terrorism". "I have a message for the terrorists trying to kill our citizens: we will find you, we will destroy you, and we will win," Trump said. "On terrorism, we are going to end the era of nation-building and instead focus on destroying ISIS and Radical Islamic terrorism," he said. "We will use military, cyber and financial warfare and work with any partner in the world, and the Middle East, that shares our goal of defeating terrorism," Trump said. He said that if he wins in the November general election, he will temporarily suspend immigration from any place where adequate screening cannot be performed. "All applicants for immigration will be vetted for ties to radical ideology, and we will screen out anyone who doesn't share our values and love our people. Anyone who believes Sharia law supplants American law will not be given an immigrant visa," Trump said. "If you want to join our society, then you must embrace our society, our values and our tolerant way of life. Those who believe in oppressing women, gays, Hispanics, African-Americans and people of different faiths are not welcome to join our country," he said. "We will promote our America values, our American way of life, and our American system of government which are all the best in the world," he said. Trump also alleged that his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton is "running to become America's Angela Merkel". "We have seen how much crime and how many problems that's caused the German people. We have enough problems already, we don't need another one," he said. "On trade, we are going to renegotiate NAFTA, withdraw from the TPP, stand up to China on our terrible trade agreement, and protect every last American job. Hillary Clinton has supported all of the major trade deals that have stripped this country of its jobs and its wealth," he said. "On taxes, we are going to massively cut tax rates for workers and small businesses creating millions of new good paying jobs. We are going to get rid of regulations that send jobs overseas and we are going to make it easier for young Americans to get the credit they need to start a small business and pursue their dreams," Trump said. The Republican presidential nominee who has a very popularity ratings among the African Americans sought one chance from them. "African-American voters give Donald Trump a chance by giving me their vote, the result for them will be amazing. Look at how badly things are going under decades of Democratic leadership -- look at the schools, look at the 58 per cent of young African-Americans not working. It is time for change," he said. "What do you have to lose by trying something new? -- I will fix it. This means so much to me, and I will work as hard as I can to bring new opportunity to places in our country which have not known opportunity in a very long time," Trump said. "Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party have taken African-American votes totally for granted. Because the votes have been automatically there, there has been no reason for Democrats to produce," he said. IMAGE: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters at a rally on August 18, 2016 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photograph: Brian Blanco/Getty Images Paul Manafort, the beleaguered chairman of Donald Trumps presidential campaign, resigned on Friday after a staff shake-up this week that marginalised him in the team amid growing speculation about his links with Ukrainian politics. This (Friday) morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process, Trump said. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success, the 70-year-old business tycoon said. Manaforts role was reduced after Trump elevated two aides to senior positions on Tuesday, appointing Breitbart News chief Steve Bannon as campaign chief executive officer and Kellyanne Conway as campaign manager. Manafort, who had once lobbied for pro-Inter-Services Intelligence and anti-India groups, had been recently attracting negative publicity for his alleged lobbying activities in Ukraine. Manafort had joined the campaign after Trumps historic wins in the Republican primaries. He successfully led the campaign in the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where Trump was formally nominated as the partys presidential nominee. Trumps popularity rating had been falling down after the convention. Manafort told Trump he was becoming a distraction and he wanted to end that, a Trump source was quoted as saying by CNN. The resignation comes as the campaign seeks to correct course after weeks of damaging controversies and self-inflicted wounds, effectively evaporating Trumps steady footing against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the polls and his post-convention bump. Trump is now trailing Clinton in every major poll. The most damaging for Trump was his attack on a Gold Star family -- who lost their son, Army Captain Humayun Khan, while he served in Iraq -- for speaking out against him at the Democratic National Convention. He later refused to apologise or express regret. Manaforts personal business dealings have also come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, amid damaging questions over his ties to foreign governments and indications that he might have received $12 million (Rs 80 crore) in undisclosed cash payments, according to the Washington Post. The alleged payments, which Manafort denied, were noted in a ledger kept by former Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovychs political party. Since then, more evidence has surfaced that raised concerns about his ties to the Kremlin. One Grand Old Party strategist was quoted as saying that Manafort was undone by the combination of revelations about his work in behalf of pro-Russian forces in Ukraine and the elevation of Conway and Bannon. Rajiv Gandhi would have turned 72 on August 20. Had he lived. On a humid night 25 years ago, the former prime minister of India was murdered in cold blood by an LTTE suicide bomber. Neena Gopal was an eyewitness to the assassination, and in this exclusive extract from her new book, The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, she reveals for the first time what she saw in Sriperumbudur that night. IMAGE: Rajiv Gandhi was just 46 when he was murdered. He was just 40 when he became prime minister of India. As we turned off the main road, there was a mandatory burst of welcoming firecrackers. We had stopped on a slope on slightly higher ground and had walked down the approach, a few hundred yards or so to the open space in front of the main temple at Sriperumbudur, where a red carpet had been laid out. Stepping out from the front seat, Rajiv Gandhi had said, 'Come, come, follow me' and I had demurred, walking to the back and around and then to the front of the car so I could have a bird's-eye view of the venue, without having to deal with the throng. 'I have one more question,' I had said. 'I'll wait for you here.' A bomb, a suicide bomber, let alone the first female suicide bomber on Indian soil, was the last thing on anyone's mind as Rajiv Gandhi plunged into the crowd of supporters on his way to the podium at the far side of the ground, shaking hands, smiling warmly, as was his wont, at everyone who reached out to him. But as the huge explosion went off a few minutes later and I, standing about ten steps away, felt what I later realised was blood and gore from the victims splatter all over my arms and my white sari, a nameless dread took hold -- something terrible had happened to the man I had just been talking with. Minutes after he walked unhesitatingly into the crowd, there was a deafening sound as the bomb spluttered to life and exploded in a blinding flash. A moment that, in my head, will always be frozen in time. It was exactly 10.21 pm. IMAGE: Minutes before his death, Rajiv Gandhi greets admirers before the rally in Sriperumbudur. Gone was the excited crowd that had been shouting and cheering only seconds before. In its place were the wails, the screams, as I ran forward; and then, someone behind me pulled me back just in time and said in Tamil, 'Watch out, you're about to step on somebody's arm.' The revulsion, the horror was complete. As I fought my way through to the blast site that was only a few feet away, stepping over the debris of the dead and the broken barricades, the one thought running through my head was the fate of Rajiv Gandhi. He was in there somewhere in that mass of bodies. How serious was it? Could he have survived it? Could he be dead? And then I saw his body. It was a sight I would never forget. 'Why is he just lying there? Why doesn't someone help him up? Someone should get him to a hospital, get him immediate emergency treatment... Where is the emergency medical team? Has someone called the hospital?' I said out loud. No one was listening. As the terrified crowd fled from the spot where the dead and injured lay, and bewildered, anxious survivors ran through the gathering throng in the semi-darkness, I spotted Congress leaders G K Moopanar and Jayanti Natarajan, and Margatham Chandrasekhar who had been in the car with me, and at whose behest the former prime minister had made a special effort to address this oddly timed, late-night election rally. They looked shaken, aghast, devastated at the sight of Rajiv Gandhi's prone, seemingly lifeless body. Margatham looked shattered, as if her world had ended. Rajiv Gandhi had only come to Sriperumbudur at Aunty's request. The next day both Natarajan and Moopanar would separately tell me how they had tried to lift Rajiv Gandhi from the ground but couldn't as his body 'simply disintegrated in their hands.' Worse, how at that crucial moment, they couldn't find a single policeman, barring Rajiv Gandhi's personal bodyguard Pradip Kumar Gupta who was lying right next to Rajiv Gandhi and had died in the blast. There was no ambulance -- now an accepted fixture at election rallies. They couldn't find any medical personnel, or a stretcher or gurney or even a vehicle to get him to the nearest hospital. In fact, within minutes of the blast, two cars, one a white Ambassador flashing a red beacon, and another that came from somewhere in the back, had backed on to the main road and sped away. IMAGE: Rajiv Gandhi addresses an election meeting in Kishanganj, Bihar. Photograph: Krishna Murari Kishan/Reuters The mood on the ground was getting decidedly ugly. At the spot where Rajiv Gandhi's body lay, it was getting more and more difficult to hold one's ground as his supporters closed in, muttering unintelligibly under their breath. From the corner of my eye, I finally saw a vehicle that I presumed was an ambulance, lights flashing, trying to make its way from the main road that we had left only minutes earlier. Blocked by the crowd, it was inching its way forward. I had to move with it, follow the ambulance carrying Rajiv Gandhi's body, take the story to its logical conclusion. By a stroke of luck, as I was pushing my way through the crowd, trying to find the car that I had hired for the evening, Rajiv Gandhi's driver emerged from the melee. I didn't know him personally but he called out to me and said he had been looking for me everywhere. Catching me by the arm, he said, 'We should leave; it's not safe here. Anything can happen. Let's go, let's go, I will take you back to Madras. Once the protests start, there will be riots, they will block all the roads; we won't be able to get back.' Brushing aside my protests about abandoning the Congress leaders if we left, and how we should stay with Rajiv Gandhi's body, he insisted that I go with him, assuring me we would follow the body, which we were anyway ill-equipped to transport. With no sign of my driver and realising this was my only way back to the city, I jumped in as he quickly reversed the car. We inched our way out of the venue as I continued to scan the scene for my driver who was nowhere to be found. We followed the ambulance to a hospital just ahead; checked whether Rajiv Gandhi's body would be kept there overnight and, receiving conflicting, contradictory reports from the bewildered medical personnel there, with no one ready to confirm or deny that he had indeed died, we raced to Madras before the mobs had a chance to block the roads into the city. At the Central Telegraph Office on Mount Road, as I typed the copy, for once the sleepy telex operators were all awake. They stood behind me, their jaws dropping, reading the story as I wrote it. Rajiv Gandhi was dead. Assassinated at 10.21 pm on 21 May 1991. IMAGE: Rajiv Gandhi's funeral cortege makes its way through New Delhi Once I filed the story I returned to my uncle-in-law's apartment on Harrington Road in Madras, where was staying. My husband's wonderful uncle, M K Ramdas, was fielding all calls, including the critical one from his cousin M K Narayanan (who was also my husband's uncle). Narayanan headed the Intelligence Bureau and wanted every single detail of the night's terrible events. He listened patiently as I described what I had seen, asking me repeatedly about the ring of fire that I insisted I had seen around Rajiv Gandhi as he lay on the ground, minutes after the bomb had exploded. Only much later would it hit me that if there was indeed a ring of flames around the blast site, it would imply the use of landmines. The next morning, an IE team assigned by Narayanan came to hear my account after they had reconnoitred the Sriperumbudur area. They said they saw no evidence of a ring of fire, but conceded that what I had seen must have been the flames when the victims' possessions and clothes caught fire. They listened as I described the shocking lack of security for a former prime minister who had only four years earlier survived an assassination attempt in Colombo by a Sri Lankan naval rating. Even at that point, as we mourned the death of a wonderfully warm human being, few had a clue about who was actually responsible for the killing. The investigators hadn't yet gone public with the fact that a senior policeman and his team had stumbled upon a camera that had captured telling images of Rajiv Gandhi's assassins. I was in limbo, in some sort of a bubble. In shock. It was only when I got back to my parents' home in Bangalore and my normally undemonstrative parents enveloped me in a highly unusual bear hug that I began to shiver uncontrollably and allowed myself to cry and mourn the passing of Rajiv Gandhi. The full horror of what I had witnessed, and the images and emotions that I had blocked and suppressed for seventy-two hours came rushing back. On 24 May, the nation stayed riveted to television screens as the funeral, attended by dignitaries from over sixty countries, was telecast live. The mortal remains of Rajiv Gandhi were consigned to flames on the banks of the Yamuna; his stoic son, Rahul, and daughter, Priyanka, the cynosure of all eyes. IMAGE: Sonia Gandhi, her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, and son-law Robert Vadra pay homage to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial on his 25th death anniversary, May 21, 2016. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Days later, I received a call from the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi. Rajiv Gandhi's widow had sent a message asking me to meet her at their New Delhi home at 10, Janpath. I flew to Delhi on 31 May and, as I walked from the Congress party office to the pathway that led to the house that Rajiv Gandhi had called home, alongside the Gandhi man Friday V George, I was accosted by several senior Congressmen, saying I must find out at any cost, whether Sonia Gandhi would lead the Congress party! Inside, in a room lined with books and a long table where Rajiv Gandhi had often been photographed confabulating with his Cabinet, was Sonia Gandhi, her face devoid of make-up, a far cry from the beautifully coiffed creature whom I had met on her visit to Dubai a few months ago. She reached across, held both my hands in hers and said, 'Tell me everything, tell me what he said, what mood was he in, what were his last moments like. I want to hear it from you, every tiny detail. Was he happy, was he tense, what were his last words...' Tears streaming down her cheeks -- and, I realised, mine too -- and still holding on to my hands, she listened as I recounted the last forty-five minutes of India's youngest prime minister's life; his unexpected death closing the chapter on India's all too brief Camelot. Excerpted from The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, by Neena Gopal, Penguin Viking, 2016, Rs 499, with the publisher's kind permission. Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Title Italy: Legislative Decree No. 142 of 2015 (reception) Publication Date 19 August 2016 Country Italy Other Languages / Attachments Italian Cite as National Legislative Bodies / National Authorities, Italy: Legislative Decree No. 142 of 2015 (reception), 19 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b6d6cd4.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Comments Implementation of Directive 2013/33/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council), as lastly modified by Law Decree No. 113 of 4 October 2018 converted into Law No. 132 of 1 December 2018 and by Law Decree No. 130 of 21 October 2020 converted into Law No. 173 of 18 December 2020. Ukraine: Information on the Right Sector, including affiliated groups and activities; involvement in eastern Ukraine; relations with authorities (2013-July 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 22 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol UKR105554.E Related Document(s) Ukraine : information sur le groupe Secteur droit, y compris sur les groupes affilies et les activites; les interventions dans l'Est de l'Ukraine; les relations avec les autorites (2013-juillet 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ukraine: Information on the Right Sector, including affiliated groups and activities; involvement in eastern Ukraine; relations with authorities (2013-July 2016), 22 July 2016, UKR105554.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b6d7424.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Overview Sources describe the Right Sector [Pravyi Sektor (Jane's Intelligence Review 17 Apr. 2014; Council of Europe 3 Nov. 2015, para. 59)] as a "small radical far-right group" (ibid. 28 Jan. 2014), a "paramilitary" group (PHW 2015, 1531) or a "volunteer militia" (AI May 2015, 6). According to sources, the Right Sector was founded in late 2013 (Al Jazeera 20 May 2014; BBC 28 Apr. 2014) during the Maidan protests (ibid.; AI May 2015). Sources further note that it became a political party in 2014 (BBC 28 Apr. 2014; PHW 2015, 1531). In the parliamentary elections held in October 2014, the Right Party obtained approximately 2 percent of the overall vote, securing one seat (OSCE 19 Dec. 2014, 35; IWPR 3 Nov. 2014); their leader, Dmytro [Dmitri] Yarosh, won the seat, representing Dnepropetrovsk (ibid.). According to sources, Yarosh ran for president in the May 2014 election and received approximately 1 percent of the vote (PHW 2015, 1531; Jamestown Foundation 30 May 2014). A July 2014 article in Jane's Intelligence Review indicates that the Right Sector has an estimated strength of 10,000 armed militia members (2 July 2014). According to a 2014 article by Al Jazeera, there are no official statistics on the number of people who are members of the Right Sector, but approximately 450,000 people were affiliated with them through their Facebook page in 2014 (20 May 2014). . Sources indicate that some Right Sector members are heavily armed (Al Jazeera 20 May 2014; Jane's Intelligence Review 2 July 2014). According to Jane's Intelligence Review, weapons in the possession of the Right Sector include AK-47 assault rifles, handguns, light machine guns and rocket launchers, which were seized from a military arsenal in western Ukraine in February 2014 (ibid.). The same source reports that following the Maidan protests, the Right Sector refused to surrender all of their unregistered weapons to the Ukraine military (ibid.). 1.1 Affiliated Groups Sources indicate that the Right Sector is an alliance of Ukraine's "ultra-nationalist" groups (BBC 28 Apr. 2014; Al Jazeera 20 May 2014), including: Trident (Trizub) (ibid.; National Interest 12 Aug. 2015); The Ukrainian National Assembly - Ukrainian National Self Defence (UNA-UNSO) (Al Jazeera 20 May 2014); The Patriots of Ukraine (ibid.; National Interest 12 Aug. 2015); The Social National Assembly (Al Jazeera 20 May 2014). In a profile of the Right Sector, Al-Jazeera reports that these right-wing groups had "relatively low visibility" until the Maidan protests began in November 2013 (ibid.). The Political Handbook of the World (PHW) 2015 notes that during the Euromaidan movement, the Right Sector gained "attention" or "notoriety" (PHW 2015, 1531). According to the Interpreter, a journal affiliated with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps (DUK) is also affiliated with the Right Sector (Interpreter 13 Nov. 2015). 1.2 Ideology According to Al Jazeera, the Right Sector's ideology is based on the "ultranationalist values" of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), a party founded during the interwar years in Western Ukraine and directly supported by Nazi Germany between 1939 and 1941 (20 May 2014). The International Crisis Group states that the Right Sector "rejects democracy, has no interest in the EU and routinely describes the mainstream Maidan protesters as part of the system, or part of the problem" (14 May 2014, 10). The Interpreter indicates that the Right Sector "radicalised its rhetoric and actions after the signing of the Minsk II agreement in February 2015," is "the most radical opposition" to the Ukrainian government, believing that the Euromaidan protests were "an unfinished revolution, or was not a revolution at all" (Interpreter 13 Nov. 2015). However, the same source notes that the Right Sector has neither the manpower nor the public support to stage a coup d'etat against the government (ibid.). A 2014 report by the UN Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) indicates that the Right Sector's goals include "combatting homosexuality" (UN 15 May 2014, para. 87). According to the US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015, on 6 June 2015, Right Sector members were among a group who attacked an LGBT "Equality March" in Kyiv (US 13 Apr. 2016, 48). The same source notes that during the incident, attackers physically assaulted both protestors and police and threw firecrackers laced with shrapnel, injuring 9 participants and 10 police officers (ibid.). An article in the New York Times indicates that The Right Sector issued a joint statement with the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists prior to the planned gay pride parade in Kyiv on 12 June 2016, stating that "'[i]n short, it will be a bloody mess on June 12 in Kiev'" (New York Times 13 June 2016). According to PHW, the Right Sector is "a strident opponent of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine" (2015, 1531). According to Jane's Intelligence Review, they have threatened to bomb Russian gas pipelines if Russia intervenes beyond Crimea (2 July 2014). 1.3 Leaders Sources indicate that Dmitry Yarosh was the leader of the Right Sector in 2014 (Al Jazeera 20 May 2014; BBC 28 Apr. 2014) and 2015 (Jamestown Foundation 23 July 2015; PHW 2015, 1531). Al Jazeera reports that before the Right Sector, Yarosh led Trident, a "conservative paramilitary organisation that ran training camps in case the time came to defend Ukraine from invaders" (Al Jazeera 20 May 2014). According to Amnesty International (AI), in April 2015, Yarosh was appointed as an advisor to the Ukrainian chief of staff and tasked with bringing "volunteer battalions under central command" (AI May 2015, 6). According to Ukrainian News Agency, a Kiev-based news provider, Yarosh reportedly left the Right Sector in December 2015 in order to found a new movement (20 Mar. 2016). Ukrayinska Pravda, a Ukrainian-language news source, also states, in an article translated by BBC, that in February 2016, he started a national movement called "'Yarosh's Statehood Initiative'," which aims to "'unite many patriotic forces'" and "restore order" in Ukraine (Ukrayinska Pravda 24 Feb. 2016). According to the Interpreter, Yarosh's resignation meant that he would no longer act as a "mediator between the state and the Right Sector's extreme wing" (13 Nov. 2015). In a 2014 article, the BBC reported that Andriy [Andrii] Tarasenko was a "leading figure" in the Right Sector (28 Apr. 2014). Ukrainian News Agency notes that Tarasenko was elected chairman of the Right Sector in March 2016 (20 Mar. 2016). The New York Times names Artem Skoropadsky as the spokesperson for the Right Sector in a June 2016 article (13 June 2016). Media sources describe Oleksandr Muzychko [also known as "Sashko Bily" (BBC 25 Mar. 2014)] as "a leader" (ibid.) or "a prominent member" of the Right Sector (RFE/RL 25 Mar. 2014). According to RFE/RL, Muzychko was under investigation by a Ukrainian organized-crime unit (ibid.). The BBC reports that Ukrainian authorities described Muzychko as "a criminal gang leader" (BBC 25 Mar. 2014). Sources indicate however, that Muzychko was shot and killed (ibid.; RFE/RL 25 Mar. 2014) during a shoot-out with police in March 2014 (BBC 25 Mar. 2014). 2. Activities According to sources, during the Maidan protests, the Right Sector called for the removal of former President Yanukovych (Al Jazeera 20 May 2014; National Interest 12 Aug. 2015) and was a "catalyzing force that eventually helped to remove Yanukovych from power" (ibid.). The BBC states that the Right Sector were "the most radical wing of Ukraine's Maidan protest" and "played a leading role" in the violence during the protests (BBC 28 Apr. 2014). Sources indicate that they were involved in violent confrontations with the police (ibid.; Al Jazeera 20 May 2014; Council of Europe 28 Jan. 2014, para. 43; UN 4 May 2016, para. 34), engaging in activies such as throwing stones, firecrackers and Molotov cocktails at the police (ibid.). Sources report the following examples of the Right Sector's activities: In April 2014, Right Sector activists prevented a non-affiliated political candidate from leaving a press conference at his hotel in Odessa (UN 15 May 2014, para. 69). In April 2014, Right Sector activists reportedly "picketed, burned documents and then sealed off the office of the Communist Party" in Rivne due to their support of separatist activities in south-east Ukraine (ibid.). In April 2014, there was an incident in which graffiti depicting swastikas was painted on tombs a Jewish cemetery; the Right Sector was accused of the vandalism, although the group denied it and helped clean it up (ibid., para. 83). On 2 May 2014, some members of the Right Sector took part in a rally in Odessa (TASS 22 Apr. 2016; UN 15 May 2014, para. 63) and were armed with "bats and metal sticks" (ibid.). There was a confrontation between "radical members" of the Right Sector and Maidan self-defence unit and armed pro-federalism activists that turned violent and disorderly; the incident ended in a fire at the Trade Union building where the protesters supporting federalism had taken refuge (ibid.; TASS 22 Apr. 2016). In total, at least 46 people were killed and at least 230 people were injured (ibid.; UN 15 May 2014, para. 63). Five people were reportedly taken into custody in connection with the incident, and, as of April 2016, were in pre-trial detention (TASS 22 Apr. 2016). From 13 June to 26 July 2015, Right Sector members raided, stole equipment from, and occupied the office of the Odessa branch of the Communist Party (UN 15 Aug. 2015, para. 82). In August 2015, Right Sector members were among a group who attacked a rally in Kharkiv organized by the Opposition Bloc party, a group affiliated with the administration of former President Yanukovych (ibid., para. 80). Reporting on the time period from 16 May to 15 August 2015, the UN OHCHR states that the Right Sector organized a number of rallies to "express distrust" in the government, to end corruption, to introduce martial law, and to "'stop persecution of members of volunteer battalions'" (ibid., para. 74). On 11 July 2015, 20 members of the Right Sector shot a man in Mukacheve (Zakarpattia region), attacked and destroyed three police cars, and blocked the Kyiv-Chop highway, in an operation that they claimed was to stop illicit trafficking in the area; two Right Sector members surrendered to the police while the others could not be found (ibid., 20). Jamestown Foundation, a research and analysis organization with experts in 50 countries whose "mission is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends in those societies which are strategically or tactically important to the United States" (n.d.) reported on the same event, stating that the Right Sector attacked the local police with machine guns and grenades, that three people were killed and at least 13 people were wounded (23 July 2015). According to Freedom House, in response to the incident in Mukacheve, authorities "began a crackdown on Right Sector members, with a dozen arrested on various charges" (2016). Following the confrontation with police in Mukacheve, the Right Sector organized rallies across Ukraine (Jamestown Foundation 23 July 2015; UN 15 Aug. 2016, para. 74), including in Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivao-Frankivsk, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Kramatorsk, Kyiv, Lviv, Mariupol, Odessa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Ternipol and Zaporizhzhia, demanding that "persecution of patriots" be stopped (ibid.). According to the Jamestown Foundation, the Right Sector also erected "self-styled checkpoints on highways" in order to prevent the army and police from sending reinforcements to Transcarpathia following the events in Mukacheve (Jamestown Foundation 23 July 2015). On 21 July 2015, the Right Sector arranged a rally in Kyiv and called for a referendum of no-confidence in the government (National Interest 12 Aug. 2015; Jamestown Foundation 23 July 2015). Estimates of the number of people at the rally range from "several hundred" (ibid.) to "over 5,000" people (National Interest 12 Aug. 2015). The Jamestown Foundation indicates that there are allegations that the Right Sector is involved with smuggling and racketeering, particularly in Transcarpathia province (23 July 2015). 3. Involvement in Eastern Ukraine According to the National Interest, a magazine focused on US foreign policy issues (National Interest n.d.), the Right Sector "has played a significant role in providing paramilitary support for Ukrainian troops in the Dombas" and "is the last militia force to operate in the east independent of the government-controlled army" (ibid. 12 Aug. 2015). A report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, who visited Ukraine in September 2015, similarly indicates that the Right Sector remained an active and independent militia "both in the Dombass region and in wider Ukraine" at that time (UN 4 May 2016, para. 50). The same source expressed concern that there have been physical attacks on journalists, writers, defense lawyers and judges perpetrated by militant groups, such as the Right Sector (ibid., para. 51). In their 2015 report Breaking Bodies: Torture and Summary Killings in Eastern Ukraine, AI has expressed particular concerns with how Right Sector members have treated prisoners in eastern Ukraine, stating that former prisoners of Right Sector, who they interviewed detailed a horrifying spectrum of abuses, including mock executions, hostage-taking, extortion, extremely violent beatings, death threats and the denial of urgently needed medical care. Using an abandoned Pioneer camp near the village of Velykomyhailivka, near Dnipropetrovsk, as an ad hoc prison, Right Sector has reportedly held dozens of civilian prisoners as hostages, extorting large amounts of money from them and their families. (AI May 2015, 6). The Right Sector reportedly denied these allegations (ibid.). AI also provides an example in which Right Sector members manned a checkpoint in the city of Volnovakha and subjected a man to physical and verbal abuse (ibid., 21). A Right Sector spokesman reportedly told AI that members of his organization "conduct elements of military and policing operations, including stop and search roles at checkpoints," which he alleged was in agreement with Ukrainian authorities (ibid., 25). He further stated that the Right Sector detains suspected separatist fighters for up to a week and later hands them over to Ukrainian authorities, but denied all allegations that captives were mistreated in any way (ibid.). According to the International Crisis Group, the Right Sector is used as a "propaganda tool" by Russia, and "[n]early all clashes in and around separatist-held towns have been attributed to it, though evidence is usually sparse" (14 May 2014, 10). The International Federation for Human Rights (Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme, FIDH) also indicates that the Right Sector is a "symbol of the anti-Russian movement in the Russian media" and that people in the conflict area are "often targeted simply because of a suspicion that they belong to or support it" (FIDH Oct. 2015, 27). Sources state that the Right Sector has supported Crimean Tatars in blocking food supplies from entering Crimea (Jamestown Foundation 14 Dec. 2015; Human Rights Watch 2016). 4. Relations with Authorities Media sources report that, in March 2014, prominent Right Sector figure Oleksandr Muzychko was shot and killed in the western Ukrainian city of Rivne (RFE/RL 25 Mar. 2014; BBC 25 Mar. 214). BBC quotes Ukraine's Deputy Interior Minister as stating that Muzychko was killed during a police raid after opening fire on the police and special forces and that three other Right Sector members were arrested at this time (ibid.). The same source indicates that a Right Sector representative was quoted by a Ukrainian newspaper as accusing authorities of ordering a contract killing of Muzychko (ibid.). According to the UN OHCHR, in May 2014 ,the Right Sector was banned in the Luhansk region by the "'people's council'" (UN 15 June 2014, para. 135). A 2014 article by Jane's Intelligence Review reports that the Ukrainian government "faces the challenge" of getting the Right Sector and other nationalist groups to surrender weapons seized from the military and police, particularly in Lviv oblast (17 Apr. 2014). Al Jazeera also states that the government's "inability to successfully clear out ultra-right groups from the Maidan contributes to an overall impression that the new government is unable to control protesters who helped bring down the last government" (20 May 2014). According to the UN OHCHR, in August 2014, seven members of the Right Sector, who were found with a large number of rifles, shells and explosives in their vehicle in the Lviv region, were detained and investigated for illegal possession of weapons, but were released later the same day (UN 17 Aug. 2014, para. 48). In a visit to Ukraine from 29 June to 3 July 2015, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights said that he was aware of "credible reports" of armed groups, including those affiliated with the Right Sector, who "enjoy a high degree of independence and do not appear to be fully incorporated in the regular chain of command" (Council of Europe 3 Nov. 2015, para. 59). The Jamestown Foundation noted, in July 2015, that Right Sector members are able to openly travel throughout Ukraine fully armed, despite strict gun regulations (23 July 2015). The UN Special Rapporteur further expressed concern that a number of militias, such as the Right Sector, remained in Ukraine and acted with "almost complete impunity" due to a "high level of official toleration" (UN 4 May 2016, para. 50). This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. References Al-Jazeera. 20 May 2014. Katherine Jacobsen. "Ukraine's Far-Right: Popular or Propaganda?" [Accessed 24 June 2016] Amnesty International (AI). May 2015. Breaking Bodies: Torture and Summary Killings in Eastern Ukraine. [Accessed 28 June 2016] British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 28 April 2014. "Profile: Ukraine's Ultra-Nationalist Right Sector." [Accessed 20 June 2016] _____. 25 March 2014. "Ukraine Far-Right Leader Muzychko Dies 'in Police Raid'." [Accessed 24 June 2016] Council of Europe. 3 November 2015. Nils Muiznieks. Commissioner for Human Rights. Report by Nils Muiznieks , Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Following his Visit to Ukraine from 29 June to 3 July 2015. [Accessed 24 June 2016] _____. 28 January 2014. Parliamentary Assembly. The Functioning of Democratic Institutions in Ukraine. [Accessed 24 June 2016] Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH)October 2015. Eastern Ukraine: Civilians Caught in the Crossfires. [Accessed 29 June 2016] Freedom House. 2016. Oleksandr Sushko and Olena Prystayko. "Ukraine." Nations in Transit 2016. [Accessed 28 June 2016] Human Rights Watch. 2016. "Ukraine." World Report 2016. [Accessed 24 June 2016] Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). 3 November 2014. Oleg Shynkarenko. "Mixed Messages from Ukrainian Voters." [Accessed 18 July 2016] International Crisis Group. 14 May 2014. Ukraine: Running Out of Time. [Accessed 24 June 2016] Interpreter. 13 November 2015. Anton Shekhovtsov. Dmytro Yarosh's Resignation from the Right Sector. [Accessed 21 June 2016] Jamestown Foundation. 14 December 2015. Oleksandr Gavrylyuk. "The Crimean Blockade: An Unfinished Saga." Eurasia Daily Monitor. Vol. 12 Issue: 223. [Accessed 21 June 2016] _____. 23 July 2015. Oleg Varfolomeyev. "Right Sector Challenges Kyiv in Western Ukraine." Eurasia Daily Monitor. Vol. 12 Issue: 138. [Accessed 21 June 2016] _____. 30 May 2014. Vladimir Socor. "Ukraine's Presidential Election Reveals Unexpected Trends." Eurasia Daily Monitor. Vol. 11 Issue: 101. [Accessed 21 June 2016] _____. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 22 July 2016] Jane's Intelligence Review. 2 July 2014. "Gathering Storm - Insurgency Escalates in Eastern Ukraine." [Accessed 27 June 2016] _____. 17 April 2014. "Eastern Rising - Ukraine Struggles to Maintain Territorial Integrity." [Accessed 27 June 2016] National Interest. 12 August 2015. Julia Embody. "Beware Ukraine's Rising Right Sector." [Accessed 20 June 2016] _____. N.d. "About the National Interest." [Accessed 4 July 2016] The New York Times. 13 June 2016. Alisa Sopova. "Ukraine Police Shield Gay Rights Parade from Violence." (Factiva) Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). 19 December 2014. Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Ukraine. Early Parliamentary Elections 26 October 2014. OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report. [Accessed 24 June 2016] Political Handbook of the World (PHW). 2015. "Ukraine." Edited by Thomas Lansford. Washington, DC: CQ Press. [Accessed 21 June 2016] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 25 March 2014. Daisy Sindelar. "Profile: Who Was Right Sector's Oleksandr Muzychko." [Accessed 24 June 2016] TASS, Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 22 April 2016. "Defendents in Odessa Massacre Case Remanded in Custody until May 10." (Factiva). Ukrainian News Agency. 20 March 2016. Serhii Rodin. "Right Sector Elects Tarasenko as Chairman." (Factiva) Ukrayinska Pravda. 24 February 2016. "Ex-Leader of Ukraine's Ultranationalist Right Sector Unveils New Movement." (Factiva) United Nations (UN). 4 May 2016. Human Rights Council. Report of the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions on his Mission to Ukraine. (A/HRC/32/39/Add.1) [Accessed 24 June 2016] _____. 15 August 2015. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Report on the Human Rights Situation in Ukraine 16 May to 15 August 2015. [Accessed 24 June 2016] _____. 17 August 2014. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Report on the Human Rights Situation in Ukraine. [Accessed 24 June 2016] _____. 15 June 2014. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Report on the Human Rights Situation in Ukraine. [Accessed 24 June 2016] _____. 15 May 2014. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Report on the Human Rights Situation in Ukraine. [Accessed 24 June 2016] United States (US). 13 April 2016. Department of State. "Ukraine." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015. [Accessed 28 June 2016] Additional Sources Consulted Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; EurasiaNet; Factiva; The Guardian; Russia Today; UN - Refworld. Mauritius: Treatment by society and authorities of interreligious couples, including the marriage of a Hindu man to a Muslim woman; state protection available (2014- January 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 18 January 2016 Citation / Document Symbol MUS105402.E Related Document(s) Maurice : information sur le traitement que la societe et les autorites reservent aux couples de religions differentes, y compris ceux formes d'un hindou et d'une musulmane; la protection offerte par l'Etat (2014-janvier 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mauritius: Treatment by society and authorities of interreligious couples, including the marriage of a Hindu man to a Muslim woman; state protection available (2014- January 2016) , 18 January 2016, MUS105402.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b6f47e4.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Overview The US Department of State's International Religious Freedom Report for 2014 cites information from a 2010 census as stating that Hindus account for approximately 48 percent of the Mauritian population and Muslims account for approximately17 percent (US 14 Oct. 2015). The same source notes that in Mauritius "there is a strong correlation between religious affiliation and ethnicity [whereby] [c]itizens of Indian ethnicity are primarily Hindu or Muslim" (ibid.). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Mauritian author and linguist, who has written a book on "interculturalism" and co-founded the Foundation for Interculturality and Peace (Fondation pour l'interculturel et la paix, FIP), an organization that promotes intercultural dialogue (FIP n.d.), stated that interreligious marriages are not common in Mauritius (Author 17 Dec. 2015). Similarly, a Research Fellow who specializes in religious anthropology, including in Mauritius, and who is affiliated with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (Centre national de la recherche scientifique, CNRS) [1], indicated that interreligious marriages are [translation] "the exception" in Mauritian society (Research Fellow 15 Dec. 2015). In contrast, according to a Professor of social anthropology at the University of Oslo, who has conducted research on ethnic relations in Mauritius for several years and is still monitoring developments within that country, "interreligious marriages are fairly common in Mauritius (but rarely involve Muslims)" (Professor 19 Dec. 2015). Both the Professor and the author expressed the opinion that marriages between a Hindu man and a Muslim woman are rare (ibid.; Author 15 Dec. 2015). According to the Professor, these marriages are "uncommon" due to "historical animosities between the communities and the gender dimension" (19 Dec. 2015). The Professor explained the "gender dimension" in the following manner: All other things being equal, a marriage between a Muslim man and a Hindu woman would be more easily accepted in the Muslim community in Mauritius, since it would then be assumed that the woman would convert to Islam. The children would also become Muslims. When the woman is Muslim and the man Hindu, the situation is less straightforward. (14 Jan. 2016) The author indicated that differences between the two religions as well as conflicts between Hindus and Muslims in India and Pakistan are factors that discourage such marriages (15 Dec. 2015).Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2. Treatment by society 2.1 Treatment of Interreligious Couples by Society, Including the marriage of a Hindu Man to a Muslim Woman Information on the treatment of interreligious couples by Mauritian society, including Hindu men married to Muslim women, was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the author, Hindu-Muslim couples, including Hindu men who are married to Muslim women, are not considered [translation] "examples to follow" in Mauritian society and that they and their children would be [translation] "stigmatized for life" (15 Dec. 2015). The Professor specified that in most cases, Hindu-Muslim couples would experience familial hardships, "sometimes to the point of ostracism" (19 Dec. 2015). According to the Research Fellow, such a couple [translation] "would likely face extreme social and family pressure that could lead in some instances to psychological or physical violence" (16 Dec. 2015). According to sources, Hindu men married to Muslim women would face less familial stigmatization if they belonged to the upper class (Professor 19 Dec. 2015; Author 15 Dec. 2015). The author also noted that there would be [translation] "less hurdles [to overcome] from the parents of the Muslim woman if the Hindu man agreed to convert to Islam" (ibid. 17 Dec. 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the Professor, a Hindu-Muslim couple could receive "threats" from Muslim extremists, should the Hindu man not convert to Islam (19 Dec. 2015). The same source indicated however that "militant Islamism is not widespread in Mauritius" (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2.2 Treatment of interreligious couples by Authorities Information on the treatment of interreligious couples by the Mauritian authorities, including Hindu men married to Muslim women, was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the author, such a couple would likely face [translation] "no threat" from Mauritian authorities (Author 15 Dec. 2015). Without providing further details, the same source noted however the existence of [translation] "black sheep" within Mauritian security services (ibid.). The Research Fellow indicated that in principle, a mixed religious couple would not be subjected to any kind of [translation] "official segregation, violence or discrimination" from either the Mauritian state or the Mauritian police (15 Dec. 2015). He also stated however that [translation] "the authorities who are often favourable to Hindus, could show 'understanding' towards people exerting pressure against a couple that does not conform to social norms" (Research Fellow 7 Jan. 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the times constraints of this Response. 3. State Protection Information on state protection available to interreligious couples was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The author stated that [translation] "in principle," the Mauritian police would intervene to protect an interreligious couple, should they be mistreated by a member of society but that there are always [translation] "bad apples" among them (15 Dec. 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the times constraints of this Response. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. Note [1] The CNRS is an interdisciplinary French public institution (CNRS 4 Dec. 2015) that employs over 11,100 researchers (ibid. July 2015). References Author. 17 December 2015. Correpondence with the Research Directorate. _____. 15 December 2015. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS). 4 December 2015. "Overview." [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016] _____. July 2015. "Key Figures." [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016] Fondation pour l'interculturel et la paix (FIP). N.d. "Objectifs et fonctions." [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016] Professor of social anthropology, University of Oslo. 14 January 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. _____. 19 December 2015. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Research Fellow, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS). 7 January 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. _____. 15 December 2015. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. United States (US). 14 October 2015. "Mauritius." International Religious Freedom Report for 2014. [Accessed 22 Dec. 2015] Additional Sources Consulted Oral source: Professor of society and culture at the University of Gottingen. Internet sites, including: 5 Plus Dimanche; AllAfrica; Amnesty International; BBC; La Croix; ecoi.net; L'Express; Factiva; Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'hommes; Harvard University's Pluralism Project; Human Right Watch; Le Mauricien; Mauritius Times; Republic of Mauritius - Human Rights Unit of the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment, Ombudman's Office, Republic of Mauritius Portal, Statistics Mauritius; United Nations - Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, Refworld; United States - Commission on International Religious Freedom; University of Mauritius; Universal Peace Federation. Egypt: Information on national identity cards including appearance; requirements and procedures to obtain the card, and whether documents required to apply for a card can be obtained by a proxy (2010-June 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 26 May 2016 Citation / Document Symbol EGY105529.E Related Document(s) Egypte : information sur les cartes d'identite nationale, y compris leur aspect; les exigences et la marche a suivre pour obtenir la carte; information indiquant si un mandataire peut obtenir les documents requis pour demander une carte (2010-juin 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Egypt: Information on national identity cards including appearance; requirements and procedures to obtain the card, and whether documents required to apply for a card can be obtained by a proxy (2010-June 2016), 26 May 2016, EGY105529.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b6f63f4.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Overview According to a 2014 report by a European Union (EU) election observation mission, which explains national identity and voting laws in Egypt, Law 143/1994 on Civil Status states that each citizen must apply for an identity card within six months of turning 16 years of age (EU 26/27 May 2014, 17). Sources report that failure to show an identity card immediately upon request by authorities is punishable by a fine of EGP 100 to 200 [approximately C$14.75 to C$29.50] (ibid.; Human Rights Watch 2007). Sources indicate that the Ministry of Interior's Civil Status Department is responsible for issuing national identity cards (ibid.; Lawyer 16 May 2016). According to Amnesty International (AI), mandatory official identification documents are required in order to enrol in educational institutions, gain employment, access medical treatment and open bank accounts (AI Oct. 2013, 6). The US Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2016 Annual Report similarly states that, in Egypt, without an identity card, it is not possible to conduct daily transactions such as banking, school registration, or owning a vehicle or a home (2016). A 2012 article by United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), reports that identity cards are required to obtain state medical insurance and to obtain ration cards that permit citizens to buy food more cheaply (UN 18 July 2012). According to the 2014 EU report on Egyptian elections, since 2011, the Egyptian voter database is based on the Civil Register, listing only citizens who hold a national identity card (May 26/27 2014, 17). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2. Appearance and Security Features Two samples of the Egyptian national identity card, including security features, are attached to this Response (Attachment 1 and Attachment 2). Two lawyers based in Egypt stated that there is only one type of national identity card issued in Egypt (Attorney 14 May 2016; Lawyer 16 May 2016). According to Keesing Reference Systems, the type of Egyptian national identity card identified in Attachment 2 was first issued in the year 2000 (n.d.). Sources report that the validity period for the national identity card is seven years (Attorney 14 May 2016; Lawyer 16 May 2016; EFRR 16 May 2016), from the date of issue (ibid.). 3. Requirements and Procedures to Obtain a National Identity Card 3.1 From Within Egypt, Including Use of a Proxy to Obtain a Card In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a lawyer based in Cairo provided the following information regarding the procedure to apply for a national identity card from within Egypt: An applicant must [go] to the Ministry of Interior's Civil Status department head office in Cairo, any of its offices located in each district in each city, or police stations. The regular application costs EGP 20 [approximately C$2.95] and [processing takes] 15 working days, while the expedited application costs EGP 80 [about C$11.82] and [processing takes] 4 working days. (Lawyer 16 May 2016) The attorney stated that in order to obtain a card, a person must fill out the official application form, pay a fee of 85 EGP [approximately C$12.85], present their identity documents, and go to "any personal status department in Egypt" in order to have a photograph taken (Attorney 14 May 2016). He further explained that the applicant can submit their completed application at any police station in Egypt which has a personal status department [civil status department], but that not all police stations have these departments (ibid.). The lawyer indicated that the documents required to obtain a national identity card are: Birth certificate ([which] can be extracted from any civil status office [for] EGP 10 [approximately C$1.45]); Old ID card [if applicable]; Proof of ownership of property (this can be through Electricity/gas/ water bill in the applicant's name) or lease agreement, with date authenticated [by a] Notary Public, of the residence to be put in the ID. In case the applicant lives with his parents or relatives and wants to put their address in his ID, they also must attend to declare such; Certificate proving the academic qualification (in this case the occupancy that will be written in the ID will be "hold bachelor in ..... ") or letter from the syndicate that the applicant belongs to or the syndicate's stamp on the ID application (in this case the [occupation] that will be written in the ID will be "free-lance lawyer/ doctor/ engineer/ etc."), or from the current employer to put such on the ID (in this case the [occupation] that will be written in the ID will be "employer at. ... "); If married, original copy of the marriage certificate must be submitted; In case of renewing the ID, only the old ID and the application are needed unless new data [needs to be added]. (Lawyer 16 May 2016) According to the Attorney, the documents required for the application for an identity card are a birth certificate, a residential electricity receipt, and a marriage contract, if applicable (14 May 2016). Regarding the use of a proxy on the behalf of the applicant, the lawyer explained that when applying from within Egypt, in the case of issuing the identity card for the first time, the applicant must attend in person for submission. However, in the case of renewing [or] replacing a lost identity card, a [power of attorney] specifically empowering the other to apply for and receive IDs from [the] civil status department can be used. (Lawyer 16 May 2016) Similarly, two sources stated that when a person applies for a new identity card, the applicant must appear in person when applying in Egypt, in order to have a photograph taken (Attorney 14 May 2016; EFRR 16 May 2016). The attorney indicated that, other than the first instance of applying for an identity card and having the photo taken, a lawyer can be used by the applicant to present and receive documents through a power of attorney (14 May 2016). Without providing details, he also stated that a person can apply online for a card renewal "in some cases" (ibid.). 3.2 From Abroad According to a 2011 news release from the Embassy of Egypt in Ottawa, published on the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the following are the "papers and requirements for issuance or renewal of the National ID card:" Completing the "Request for issuance of a National ID card" application form. This form shall be available at the venues where the delegation will be providing the service at a cost of $75 CAD. Applicants should present a valid Egyptian photo ID (Passport, Driving license, Personal ID, Family ID). In the event that such valid photo IDs are not available, applicant may present an expired ID subject to the presence of a relative (up to third degree) and the presentation by this relative of a written attestation to the accuracy of the information in the expired document, OR in the event that this is also not possible, applicants may present a translated and notarized copy of their Canadian ID documents. For applicants wishing to indicate an Egyptian residential address in their ID card: They would be required to present an Egyptian ID document (Egyptian Passport - Personal or family ID card - Drivers License), or a utility bill (electric - water - natural gas) or a lease/rent contract. For applicants wishing to indicate a Canadian residential address in their ID card: They would be required to present a legalized copy of their Passport or Permanent residence card. In order to prove marital status (married- divorced - widowed) applicants would be required to present the appropriate Egyptian document (marriage contract - divorce ruling - death certificate of spouse) OR an official notarized translation of the relevant Canadian documents. The Embassy further wishes to inform that the actual issuance of National ID cards takes place in Cairo and takes approximately 8 weeks, after which cards will be ready either for pick up in person, or delivery by courier in which case applicants are requested to provide a pre-paid self-addressed envelope at time of submission of papers. (Egypt 25 Sept. 2011) The lawyer provided the following information regarding the procedures and requirements to apply for a national identity card from abroad: There are no differences between the documents needed in Egypt and abroad. However, any document submitted in any language [other] than Arabic, must be translated [by] official translation to Arabic. The applicant also must attend the Egyptian Consulate. The applicant must also submit to the Consulate a valid passport with a valid residency in the hosting country. The fees vary from one country to another; in Canada it costs CAD 80. (Lawyer 16 May 2016) 4. Religion and Compulsory Military Service Sources report that identity cards identify a person's religious affiliation (Human Rights Watch 2007; AI Oct. 2013; EFRR 19 May 2016). AI states that national identity cards only permit individuals to identify as Muslim, Christian, or Jewish; however, since 2009, authorities have applied a policy to issue "individuals whose religious beliefs are not recognized by the State with identification cards with dashes ("-") to indicate they do not belong to the three categories listed above" (AI Oct. 2013, 6). The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2010 notes that "some Bahai have obtained national identification cards with a 'dash' for religion" (US 4 Aug. 2011, 20). According to sources, members of the Bahai community encounter difficulties obtaining identity cards (IRIN 18 July 2012; US 15 Apr. 2016, 26-27), "because the government did not recognize Bahai marriages as legitimate" (ibid.). Further information on how a person's religion is registered on the card could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Country Reports 2015 states that Egyptian national identity cards indicate completion of military service (US 15 Apr. 2016, 26). However, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Egyptian Foundation for Refugee Rights (EFRR), an organization that promotes the legal protection of asylum seekers in Egypt (EFRR n.d.), explained that status of military service completion is not written on the identity card, but that information about a person's military service status is accessible from the person's identity number, which is written on the card (ibid. 19 May 2016). This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. References Amnesty International (AI). October 2013. Egypt - Submission to the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, 51st Session, November 2013. [Accessed 18 May 2016] Attorney. 14 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Egypt. 25 September 2011. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "To Issue National ID Cards for Egyptians Abroad." [Accessed 18 May 2016] Egyptian Foundation for Refugee Rights (EFRR). 16 May 2016. Correspondence from a representative to the Research Directorate. _____. 19 May 2016. Correspondence from a representative to the Research Directorate. _____. N.d. "About EFRR." [Accessed 26 May 2016] European Union (EU). 26/27 May 2014. European Union Election Observation Mission. Arab Republic of Egypt - Final Report - Presidential Election, 16/17 May 2014. [Accessed 19 May 2016] Human Rights Watch. 2007. "III. Religious and National Identity in Egypt." Prohibited Identities: State Interference With Religious Freedom. [Accessed 19 May 2016] Lawyer. 16 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. United Nations (UN). 18 July 2012. Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). "No ID No Services." [Accessed 18 May 2015] United States (US). 15 April 2016. Department of State. "Egypt." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015. [Accessed 18 May 2016] _____. 2016. Commission on International Religious Freedom (CIRF). "Egypt." Annual Report 2016. [Accessed 19 May 2016] _____. 4 August 2011. Department of State. "Egypt." 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. [Accessed 19 May 2016] Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: Canada - Global Affairs; Egypt - Civil Status Organization, Embassy in Ottawa, Embassy in Washington, Government Services Portal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights; six law firms based in Egypt. Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; Egypt - Civil Status Organization, Consulate General in Montreal, Embassies in Ottawa and Washington, Government Services Portal, Ministry of Interior; European Union - Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online; Minority Rights Group International; United Nations - Refworld. Attachments 1. Edison TD. N.d. "National Identity Card." [Accessed 19 May 2016] 2. Keesing Reference Systems. N.d. "Egypt - Domestic Identity Card." [Accessed 19 May 2016] Egypt: Information on passports including appearance, requirements and procedures to obtain a passport, and whether passports can be obtained by a proxy (2010-2016). Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 26 May 2016 Citation / Document Symbol EGY105528.E Related Document(s) Egypte : information sur les passeports, y compris sur leur aspect; les exigences et la marche a suivre pour obtenir un passeport; information indiquant s'il est possible de recourir a un mandataire pour obtenir un passeport (2010-2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Egypt: Information on passports including appearance, requirements and procedures to obtain a passport, and whether passports can be obtained by a proxy (2010-2016)., 26 May 2016, EGY105528.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b704104.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa According to sources, the current Egyptian passport was first issued in January 2008 and has a validity period of 7 years (EU 4 May 2016; Keesing n.d.). Sources further indicate that there is only one version of the Egyptian passport in circulation (EFRR 16 May 2016; Attorney 14 May 2016). 1. Appearance and Security Features 1.1 Appearance According to sources, an Egyptian passport is a 52 page booklet measuring 125 x 88mm (EU 4 May 2016; Keesing n.d.). Keesing Reference Systems' document checker specifies that it contains the following features: laminate: "front endpaper, clear holographic laminate, not sewn in, does not cover the whole page"; photo: "integrated, repeated in smaller size"; numbering: "8 digits, preceded by a letter, front endpaper, inkjet printing, page 1- back cover, laser perforated"; "bearer's signature on page 3" (Keesing n.d.). According to the same source, the passport's biographical data page includes the following information fields: name, first names, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, gender, document number, date of validity, date of issue, issuing country and authority (ibid.). A sample of an Egyptian passport is attached to this Response. 1.2 Security Features Keesing Reference Systems' document checker indicates that Egyptian passports contain the following security features: security thread with microtext from page 1 to page 52, "2D barcode, microprint, photo repetition, diffractive identification device (DID) [and] alphagram laminate" (Keesing n.d.). According to the European Union's Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO), the biodata page of Egyptian passports contains the following security features: Laminate featuring holographic motifs relating to ancient Egypt (scarab beetles, Eye of Horus (Rah)) and present-day Egypt (national coat-of-arms, microprint in Arabic script, "ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT"); besides holographic features, the 3 pyramids of Giza can be seen, whose colours are reversed if the angle of view changes (DID) ... OVD (Optically variable device): also in facial image field: vulture (goddess Nekhbet) and "ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT" (in Arabic and Latin script) in metallic pigment ... UV feature...: national coat-of-arms and "EGYPT" in both Latin script and Arabic script [in red] (repeated). (EU 4 May 2016) The same source states that the inner pages (from page 2 to page 52) of the Egyptian passport contain the following security features: watermark and offset printing (guilloches and fine line patterns) (ibid.). 2. Requirements and Procedures to Obtain a Passport from Within Egypt In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a lawyer who practices in Cairo described the requirements and procedures to obtain a passport from within Egypt as follows: An applicant should [go to] the Ministry of Interior's department of passports' head office in Cairo or any of its offices located in most of the cities in Egypt. The applicant must be a holder of a valid ID as a source for all information needed. If the applicant is less than 16 years old, [an] original birth certificate must be submitted. the applicant must submit a military status certificate which indicates whether the applicant has fulfilled his military duty, postponed [it] or [has been] exempted. In case the applicant is a student, a registration letter from the school/university must also be submitted. All in addition to 4 close up photos of the applicant with white background. (Lawyer 16 May 2016) In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an Egyptian Supreme Court attorney similarly indicated that the applicant must submit their application to one of the offices of the Immigration, Passports and Nationality Department [of the Ministry of Interior (Egypt n.d.b)] (Attorney 14 May 2016). The same source specified that the applicant must fill out an official form, bring four personal photos, a copy of his or her national identity card and pay a fee of 135 EGP [approximately C$20 ] (ibid.). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Egyptian Foundation for Refugee Rights (EFRR), a non-governmental organization that "provides legal assistance to refugees and migrants who are in detention and who find themselves victims of crime" (EFRR n.d.), stated that a fee of 150 EGP [C$22] must be paid by the applicant (EFRR 16 May 2016). The EFRR representative further noted that the documents to be submitted with the passport application depend on the situation of the applicant (for example, whether or not the applicant is a student) (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2.1 Whether Passports Can be Obtained by a Proxy According to the EFRR representative, passport applications must be submitted in person (EFRR 16 May 2016). According to the lawyer, the first time, the applicant must attend in person to apply for a passport. If renewing the old one or replacing a lost one, a [power of attorney] specifically empowering [an individual] to apply for and receive the passport from the passports department can be used. (Lawyer 16 May 2016) The Supreme Court attorney stated that the applicant must go to an "Immigration, Passports and Nationality Department" office in person for their photo to be taken, but that a lawyer can present and receive documents on their behalf "by using a power of attorney" (Attorney 14 May 2016). According to the website of the Egyptian Consulate General in London, a proxy individual can collect the applicant's passport on their behalf, however, this person must carry an authorization letter from the applicant, as well as provide the ticket showing a tracking number which was given to the applicant. This person will also be required to identify himself/herself with an ID card / passport and sign in order to acknowledge receipt of the applicant's passport. (Egypt n.d.b) 3. Requirements and Procedures to Obtain a Passport from Abroad According to the Supreme Court attorney, no passports can be issued from abroad (Attorney 14 May 2016). The lawyer stated that in order to apply for a passport abroad, "the applicant must attend to the Egyptian consulate" (Lawyer 16 May 2016). According to the website of the Egyptian Consulate General in London (UK), [s]ince 28th April 2010, the Egyptian Consulate General in London has been accepting passport applications for the issuance of machine-readable Egyptian passports. Application forms are only obtainable from the Egyptian Consulate General, in person. Applications will be sent to the issuing authority in Egypt, and subsequently returned to the applicant, via the Consulate. Processing time for the new passports can take up to 10 weeks. Application requirements: Birth certificate (showing national ID number for children under 16 years of age/women over 60 years of age) ID card (for those over 16 years of age) Marriage certificate Military service status if applicable Three passport sized photographs. (Egypt n.d.a) According to the same source, a passport can be collected at the consulate on the applicant's behalf (ibid. n.d.b). However, the source specifies that, this person must carry an authorization letter from the applicant, as well as provide the ticket showing a tracking number which was given to the applicant. This person will also be required to identify himself/herself with an ID card / passport and sign in order to acknowledge receipt of the applicant's passport. (ibid.) Information on the ability to apply for an Egyptian passport through other embassies or consulates, including in Canada, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. References Attorney, the Supreme Court of Egypt, Cairo. 14 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Egypt. N.d.a. Consulate General in the United Kingdom. "Issuing New Machine-Readable Egyptian Passports." [Accessed 6 May 2016] _____. N.d.b. Consulate General in the United Kingdom. "Frequently Asked Questions." [Accessed 20 May 2016] Egyptian Foundation for Refugee Rights (EFRR). 16 May 2016. Correspondence from a representative to the Research Directorate. _____. N.d. "About EFRR." [Accessed 17 May 2016] European Union (EU). 4 May 2016. Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO). "Document: EGY-AO-01001." [Accessed 6 May 2016] Keesing Reference Systems. N.d. "Egypt - National Passport (P4)." [Accessed 6 May 2016] Lawyer, Cairo. 16 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: Egypt - Embassy in Ottawa, Embassy in Washington DC. Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; Egypt - Consulate General in Montreal, Consulate General in the United Kingdom, Embassy in Ottawa, Embassy in Washington DC; United Nations - Refworld; United States - Embassy in Cairo. Attachment Keesing Reference Systems. N.d. "Egypt - National Passport (P4)." [Accessed 6 May 2016] Egypt: Whether a citizen of Egypt who is living abroad can obtain a studentment from military service without a National Identity Card; whether an Egyptian citizen can apply for a National Identity Card from outside of Egypt Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 8 January 2016 Citation / Document Symbol EGY105396.E Related Document(s) Egypte : information indiquant si un citoyen d'Egypte vivant a l'etranger peut obtenir un sursis d'incorporation au service militaire pour etudes sans posseder de carte d'identite nationale; information indiquant si un citoyen d'Egypte peut presenter une demande de carte d'identite nationale depuis l'exterieur de l'Egypte Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Egypt: Whether a citizen of Egypt who is living abroad can obtain a studentment from military service without a National Identity Card; whether an Egyptian citizen can apply for a National Identity Card from outside of Egypt, 8 January 2016, EGY105396.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b704fb4.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Student Deferment from Military Service Sources report that military service in Egypt is compulsory for males between the ages of 18 and 30 years old (US 10 Dec. 2015; Egypt n.d.d; Gulf News 26 Apr. 2015). Sources indicate that the length of military service varies from a minimum of 12 months (ibid.) or 18 months (Gulf News 26 Apr. 2015) to a maximum of 36 months (ibid.; US 10 Dec. 2015). The website of the Consulate of Egypt in Los Angeles states that military service can be postponed in the following circumstances: Students, [who] are currently [study]ing in coll[e]ges or schools. For the only son of a father less than 60 years old. For the oldest son after immigration of his brothers or obtaining du[a]l citizenship. For the only son of [a] divorced mother. (Egypt n.d.d) In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Director of Student Affairs and International Relations at the Canadian International College (CIC), a Cairo-based post-secondary institution that offers "Canadian-style" programs in partnership with two universities in Canada (CIC n.d.), stated that militaryment for university students will normally only be granted until the age of 28; however, it can be extended until the age of 29 if a student is completing his final year of study (ibid. 10 Dec. 2015). According to Gulf News, a newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egyptian students can postpone their military service "until their studies are completed, before they turn 25 years of age (Gulf News 26 Apr. 2015). According to the US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014, in Egypt, "[m]en who have not completed compulsory military service may not travel abroad or emigrate" (US 25 June 2015, 25). The Gulf News reports that Egyptian students cannot travel abroad without a travel permit from the Ministry of Defence" (26 Apr. 2015). The CIC Director stated that students obtain a military permit in order to travel at any time during their study period; which is given upon an official letter from the university being stamped by the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education (CIC 9 Dec. 2015). 1.1 Application for Military Service Deferment from Outside of Egypt Media sources report that Egyptian authorities have arranged for panels of representatives from the armed forces to travel to different countries in the Middle East, Europe and America in order to regularize the military service status of Egyptians residing in those countries (The Cairo Post 17 May 2015; Daily News Egypt 4 Nov. 2012). An article by Khaleej Times Online, a UAE-based news portal of an English-language newspaper circulated in the Gulf states (Khaleej Times Online n.d.) reports that, according to a Military Attache at the Embassy of Egypt in Abu Dhabi, during a 5-day visit of a special military commission to the UAE in November 2012, Egyptians over 30 years of age would be able to apply for a release from military service before the commission at the Egyptian embassy, after paying a set fine of 2,163 dirhams [C$795] (ibid. 1 Nov. 2012). The Military Attache said that the panel would also examine the status of persons below 30 and [t]hose who have not yet obtained their national ID cards shall be granted temporary military certificate until the final one is issued after the verification process. Youth born in 1993 and above shall be issued 'Below Age' letters so that they can renew their passports and legally stay abroad. (ibid.) He also indicated that the same services would be provided in Bahrain, Kuwait, Amman and Riyadh (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. An April 2015 article from Gulf News reports that, according to a Defence Attache at the Embassy of Egypt in the UAE, during a visit of the military panel to that country in June 2015, the panel "[would] only handle the issues of Egyptians who have turned 30 or those whose parents have turned 60 and they have no siblings" (Gulf News 16 April, 2015). The May - June 2015 Newsletter published by the Embassy of Egypt in Washington, DC and available on their website, states that a delegation of the "Judicial and Military Service Committee" arrived and would stay until 16 June 2015, in order "to reconcile military service cases for U.S. members of the Egyptian community" (Egypt June 2015, 1). 1.2 Required Documents Country Reports 2014 states that the status of completion of military service is indicated on a person's national identification card (US 25 June 2015, 25). The website of the Consulate of Egypt in Los Angeles indicates that all Egyptians "must have a military number, which is based on his Egyptian personal ID" (Egypt n.d.d). The website of the Consulate of Egypt in Montreal provides a list of documents required for applications for military exemption, and lists the documents that are required to obtain "the military identification number," which are photocopies of the applicant's birth certificate and of his identity card (ibid.). The Consulate of Egypt in Montreal states on its website that the documents required for a student to apply for an exemption from military service are handled by the Egyptian Cultural Office in Montreal, for which it provides the website address, telephone number and fax number (Egypt n.d.e). Further information on which documents are required by this office for a student to apply for an exemption could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the Director of Student Affairs and International Relations at CIC, the following documents are required to apply for a studentment at an Egyptian mission abroad: Enrollment letter from the university abroad showing that the student is accepted and will or is studying regularly in the university he will be joining abroad and university letter must be accredited from the Cultural Office of the Egyptian Embassy in the country he is travelling to for study. A copy of the High School Certificate. Bank Statement or HR letter for the student's Guardian. A copy of a valid passport. A copy of Birth Certificate. Valid National ID Card. Military form (6) & Military form (2) filled and stamped (in order to postpone the military service). For new students travelling for study and who haven't joined any university before (not a transfer) they shouldn't be above 22 years old. (CIC 9 Dec. 2015) The Director stated that the application for ament would not be accepted without the national ID card (ibid.). Similarly, according to the "Guide for Military Drafting and Mobilization for Egyptians Living Abroad" issued by the Ministry of Defence and available on the website of the Consulate of Egypt in Los Angeles, [translation] [t]he data stated in the application for issuing a Personal or Family ID (which is issued for the first time) is the primary source used to issue a military and national service cardand the person will be dealt with according to his military status. Therefore, any Egyptian living abroad (who has never been issued a Personal ID) must take the initiative and issue these cards from the Egyptian Consulate in the country where he residesso that he would not face any difficulties in determining his military status from the relevant drafting and mobilization region. (Egypt n.d.c) 2. Application for National Identity Card from Outside of Egypt According to Egyptian governmental sources, national identity cards are only issued in Egypt; however, the Ministry of Interior sometimes dispatches delegations to Egyptian consulates in order to process applications for national IDs from Egyptians residing abroad (ibid n.d.h; Egypt n.d.g). On its website, the Consulate of Egypt in Montreal announced of planned visits of the "Civil Status Authorities" to Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa in March 2015 (ibid. 24 Feb. 2015). The same source provides the following instructions in regards to the documents required to issue a national identity card: [translation] First Step A valid Egyptian identification document (an expired National ID card, passport, Driver's Licence) or a copy of a Canadian passport sealed and signed by a notary public. To prove the place of residence, submit a receipt from the electrical company in Egypt or the residence will be written as "residing abroad." To prove the marital status, an Egyptian marriage document or a translated marriage certificate, sealed from Canada. To prove the profession, you must submit a letter from your place of work signed by a notary public. If the applicant is a student, a letter from the educational institution is required. Second Step If all of the above documents are available, you must buy the application form to issue the National ID card for CAD 100.00 If any of the above documents is not available, please speak to a civil affairs official before buying the application form. (ibid. n.d.f) The Consulate of Egypt in New York announced a visit from "the Civil Registry Office" from 17 to 21 October 2014 and notes on its website that the following documents are required to apply for a national identity card: Computer-generated Egyptian birth certificate. Egyptian passport: machine-readable (new version) or regular (old version) with a copy of pages 2-9, even if expired. Documents proving marital status (i.e. marriage contract, divorce certificate or an affidavit of being single for those who have never been married before). Documents issued in the U.S. must be certified by the Secretary of State where it was issued. Proof of profession or academic qualification "Issued from Egypt ONLY" for those who wish to establish or change profession or qualification. For students: A notarized letter (plus a copy) from the school or university showing proof of enrollment or a VALID school ID. Proof of address in the Arab Republic of Egypt (billing statements for electricity, phone, gas or water; housing lease contract or an Egyptian passport) The old national ID card (plastic or paper) when applying for the renewal of the card. [Emphasis in original] (ibid. n.d.g) The same source also states that the application fee is US$75 and that, "citizens from outside the jurisdiction of the Consulate in New York are welcome to apply for a national ID card" (ibid.). The website of the Embassy of Egypt in Washington, DC includes information on a visit of a delegation from the "Egyptian Civil Affairs Authority" to Washington, DC, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US in May 2015, where they reportedly accepted applications for renewing and issuing "thousands" of national ID cards (ibid. June 2015). The Consulate of Egypt in Chicago indicates that, "[the] National ID Card team visits Chicago once a year," (ibid. n.d.a) and an undated announcement on the consulate's website includes information on the arrival of issued identity cards and instructions on how to collect them, either in person or by mail (ibid. n.d.b). Applicants collecting their national IDs in person are required to bring their original national ID application receipt and a photo ID, as well as signed authorization letters and all receipts, if collecting ID cards for other applications (ibid.). Applicants collecting their ID cards by mail are required to send a cover letter including their full Egyptian name, address and phone number, as well the original nation ID application receipt and a return pre-paid envelope (ibid.). This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. References The Cairo Post. 17 May 2015. "Military Delegations to Fly to 11 States to Settle Conscription Issues." [Accessed 7 Dec. 2015] Canadian International College (CIC). 10 December 2015. Correspondence from the Director of Student Affairs and International Relations to the Research Directorate. _____. 9 December 2015. Correspondence from the Director of Student Affairs and International Relations to the Research Directorate. _____. N.d. "About CIC." [Accessed 9 Dec. 2015] Daily News Egypt. 4 November 2012. Joel Gulhane. "Military to Settle Service Issues with Egyptians Abroad." < http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/11/04/military-to-settle-service-issues-with-egyptians-abroad/> [Accessed 4 Dec. 2015] Egypt. June 2015. Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Washington, DC. Newsletter - May / June 2015. [Accessed 9 Dec. 2015] _____. 24 February 2015. Consulate General of Egypt in Montreal. "National ID." [Accessed 10 Dec. 2015] _____. N.d.a. Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Chicago. "National ID Cards" [Accessed 10 Dec. 2015] _____. N.d.b. Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Chicago. " National ID Cards Have Arrived to the Chicago Consulate." [Accessed 9 Dec. 2015] _____. N.d.c. Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Los Angeles. "Guide for Military Drafting and Mobilization for Egyptians Living Abroad. Issued by the Military and Mobilisation Directorate of the Ministry of Defence." Excerpts translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Works and Government Services Canada. [Accessed 11 Dec. 2015] _____. N.d.d. Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Los Angeles. "Postpone Military Service." [Accessed 7 Dec. 2015] _____. N.d.e. Consulate General of Egypt in Montreal. "Exemption from Military Service." [Accessed 21 Dec. 2015] _____. N.d.f. Consulate General of Egypt in Montreal. "Documents Required to Issue a National ID Card." Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Works and Government Services Canada. [Accessed 9 Dec. 2015] _____. N.d.g. Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in New York. "Important Announcement." [Accessed 9 Dec. 2015] _____. N.d.h. Consulate General of the Republic of Egypt in the UK. "Egyptian Identification." [Accessed 11 Dec. 2015] Gulf News. 26 April 2015. Samir Salama. "Egyptians in UAE Can Have Their Recruitment Issues Settled." [Accessed 7 Dec. 2015] Khaleej Times Online. 1 November 2012. Ahmed Shaaban. "Egyptians in UAE Can Skip Mandatory Military Service." . [Accessed 7 Dec. 2015] _____. N.d. "About Us." < http://www.khaleejtimes.com/about-us> [Accessed 7 Dec. 2015] United States (US). 10 December 2015. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "Egypt." The World Factbook. [Accessed 11 Dec. 2015] _____. 25 June 2015. Department of State. "Egypt." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014. [Accessed 8 Jan. 2015] Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: American University in Cairo; British University in Egypt; Egypt - Consulate General in Chicago, Consulate General in Frankfurt, Consulate General in Montreal, Consulate General in Los Angeles; Egyptian Student Association at the University of Alberta; Egyptian Student Association in North America; Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau; German Academic Exchange Service Cairo Office; researcher affiliated with the International Organization for Migration. Internet sites, including: Ahram Canadian University; Al-Monitor; American University in Cairo; BBC; British Council Egypt Office; British University in Egypt; Cairo University; Canada - Embassy in Cairo; Canada Visa Application Centre in Cairo; Cape Breton University; Child Soldiers International; Concordia Egyptian Students Association; Keesing's Documentchecker; ecoi.net; Egypt - Embassies of Egypt in Canada, Germany and Kuwait, Government Services Portal, Middle East News Agency (MENA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Egyptian Canadian Club; Egyptian Canadian League; Egyptian Community in Canada; Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureaus in Montreal and Washington, DC; Egyptian Students' Association at the University of Toronto; Factiva; German Academic Exchange Service Cairo Office; German University in Cairo; Human Rights Watch; International Organisation for Migration; MENA; Midlands Egyptian Society; Middle East Institute; Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Arab Student Association; St. Mary and St. Antonios Coptic Orthodox Church in New York; University of Ottawa; Voice of Egypt in Canada; Wamda.com; War Resisters' International; United Nations - Refworld; United States - Embassy in Cairo, Library of Congress. Kazakhstan: Sharing faith a state security issue? Publisher Forum 18 Author Felix Corley Publication Date 12 August 2016 Cite as Forum 18, Kazakhstan: Sharing faith a state security issue? , 12 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b70eb64.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Secret police officers hold "conversations" with and warn individuals suspected of talking to others of their faith, official reports from Almaty Region confirm. Talking about religion without state registration is illegal and punishable. Officials refuse to say why this is a state security issue. Russia: Anti-sharing beliefs law first use Publisher Forum 18 Author Victoria Arnold Publication Date 19 August 2016 Cite as Forum 18, Russia: Anti-sharing beliefs law first use, 19 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b70f1b4.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Less than four weeks after Russia's legal amendments restricting sharing beliefs came into force, a Judge acquitted Vadim Sibiryev on 15 August in the first attempted prosecution. Anti-extremism police had charged Hare Krishna devotee Sibiryev for offering religious books on the streets of Cherkessk. South Sudan's Risky Political Impasse Publisher International Crisis Group (ICG) Publication Date 17 August 2016 Cite as International Crisis Group (ICG), South Sudan's Risky Political Impasse, 17 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b711984.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. One year ago, the main warring parties in South Sudan the government and Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) signed a peace agreement designed to end South Sudan's nearly two-year civil war. The government only signed under concerted pressure from regional and international powers; yet despite Juba's reservations, the agreement stopped the worst of the fighting. By mid-2016, peace implementation halted and fighting erupted between the government and rebel forces brought into Juba under a contentious post-agreement security deal. Following the brief fighting, the First Vice President and SPLM/A-IO leader, Dr. Riek Machar, left Juba and remained in the bush, waging a limited guerrilla conflict, for over a month. As the international community was focused on the security of Juba and their nationals, the South Sudanese government seized the opportunity and replaced Machar with the SPLM/A-IO's General Taban Deng Gai as First Vice President. Last week, the UN Security Council authorised a regional protection force, on the basis of regional endorsement for the force after the clashes in Juba. Despite agreeing in principle to a protection force, the South Sudanese government strenuously objects to the mandate, leaving little option but negotiations to secure consent for deployment. The regional force is to operate under the existing UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which includes more than 13,000 troops and police. The over-focus on a new peacekeeping mandate at the expense of political developments in the country reflects international disunity and a lack of political strategy. International actors are struggling to respond to the evolving situation while regional actors are busy creating facts on the ground. A stronger government, watered down peace agreement, a new regional force under the UN (which has little linkage to peace implementation) and growing regional divisions are some of the outcomes of the last month's events. How we got here The regional organisation for the Horn of Africa, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), launched the peace talks that eventually resulted in the government and SPLM/A-IO signing the Agreement on the Resolution on the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS). The agreement called for the establishment of a transitional government and, through subsequent negotiations, Machar returned to Juba in April with a force of over 1,000 to take his place as First Vice President of the transitional government. Many members of both the government, led by President Salva Kiir, and the SPLM/A-IO were only interested in the parts of the agreement that would benefit them, while others engaged in political brinkmanship to seek maximum advantage from the deal's various provisions. By the middle of this year, implementation of the peace agreement had stalled. In this environment, IGAD-PLUS a grouping intended to bolster the peace process that includes the African Union (AU), China, European Union (EU), the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF), Norway, UK, UN, and U.S. failed to recognise that Juba was a powder keg. The dangers were compounded by poorly designed post-ARCSS security arrangements that involved opposing forces in their thousands in the capital. Conflict in Juba Fighting between government forces and former rebels erupted in Juba in early July. As tensions increased, a series of violent incidents led to fighting at the Presidential Palace where both Kiir and Machar were meeting. The fighting was started by a rogue SPLA-IO officer attempting to gain entry to the palace. Despite the protection he received from the president and senior security personnel, Machar failed to control his forces' actions. Amidst further fighting, the remaining SPLA-IO forces and much of its leadership, including Machar, withdrew from Juba. Government forces then took control of the Jebel area on the outskirts of Juba where the SPLA-IO forces and large U.N. base were located and were involved in violence and looting in that area. Machar's predominantly ethnic Nuer SPLA-IO forces joined with Equatorian SPLA-IO members in different parts of Equatoria region (but not in close proximity to Juba), where there have been sporadic clashes, of varying degrees of seriousness, since. During the fighting, Kiir protected many senior SPLM-IO officials, some of whom remain in Juba. Leading this group is Taban, Machar's former chief negotiator. In a controversial meeting on 23 July, the few SPLM/A-IO members remaining in Juba appointed Taban as the group's Chairman. Following July's fighting, many SPLM-IO members in Juba said they believed that Machar would not be able to return to Juba and work with the president. They think Taban was unlikely to seek the presidency, and therefore Kiir would be able to work with him. Taban was sworn in as first vice president on 26 July. Political Impasse Despite enjoying the support of the government and most of the SPLM/A-IO leaders in Juba, Taban does not have the support of the diverse military groupings that comprise the SPLM/A-IO. (However, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal SPLA-IO forces defected to the government during July's fighting.) Meanwhile, Machar and remnants of his SPLA-IO forces in Juba moved to other parts of Equatoria region. Some have remained peaceful while others are responsible for new recruitment and attacks against government and civilian targets, including South Sudan's main Juba-Nimule road (a situation of concern to Uganda, which uses the road for profitable exports to Juba). Most of Machar's forces that were expelled from Juba remain in the Equatoria region far from the SPLM/A-IO strongholds in Greater Upper Nile. This is an untenable position, despite indications that his forces are receiving some material support from Sudan. Amidst diplomatic conversations about putting South Sudan under UN trusteeship, sending an intervention force and imposing an arms embargo, other opposition figures from across the political spectrum ramped up anti-government agitation. With a perceived "power vacuum" in opposition leadership, new alliances emerged and leaders sought external support for rebellion. Sudan's limited support to the SPLM/A-IO effectively constrained both the activity and number of armed groups in South Sudan over the past three years. Khartoum's current participation in talks with Juba over armed group activity, as well as the government's preference to carry on with peace implementation with Taban as first vice-president and begin integration offers, may be the only realistic alternative to further widespread conflict. The diplomatic community in Juba is increasingly resigned to accepting Taban a significant deal on armed group integration could cement his position and may offer the only viable option to pull back from renewed conflict, especially as Machar is unlikely to be welcomed back to Juba. In the midst of these significant developments, disunity and the lack of a political strategy among IGAD-PLUS leaves it struggling to respond to the evolving realities shaped by the South Sudanese and regional actors. Regional Geopolitics South Sudan has long been an arena in which regional powers competed for influence, and the geopolitics of its conflicts are now undergoing their most significant shift in more than a decade. The thaw in relations between Sudan and Uganda; on-going tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia; South Sudan's strengthening of ties with Eritrea, and the deterioration of its relationship with Ethiopia have all created new opportunities and constraints both for South Sudanese parties and external peacemakers. Efforts to resolve the current conflict and pursue "punitive" measures against the South Sudanese government have run into opposition both within the region and on the UN Security Council. This puts Juba's supporters and those who propose measures that would have a negative effect on the government in increasingly polarised positions. Unlocking these complex geopolitical dynamics should be part and parcel of developing a political strategy that reduces regional tensions while bringing competing groups in South Sudan back into dialogue. Sudan and Uganda The outbreak of civil war in South Sudan in December 2013 brought long-standing tensions between Sudan and Uganda to the fore and caused many to fear a further regionalisation of the conflict. Yet through frequent meetings between Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, the two came to terms over South Sudan and took a series of steps towards a less confrontational relationship. The countries did not have long to settle into this posture before facing new challenges. July's outbreak of conflict, subsequent discussions over an intervention or protection force, and SPLA-IO leader Riek Machar's replacement as first vice president has placed the new relationship under an immediate stress test. Though both sides are taking actions to keep the peace, a renewed rift between Sudan and Uganda, with each side backing their favoured actor, could escalate conflict and further divide the region. Ethiopia and South Sudan At the civil war's outset, Ethiopia hosted peace talks and tried to take a neutral position between the government and SPLM/A-IO, as well as with Sudan and Uganda. Ethiopia's intention was to prevent South Sudan's civil war from becoming a regional conflict. Still, South Sudan saw Ethiopia's hosting of Machar, and even the peace talks, as being "unsupportive", and viewed its close relationship with the U.S. the main proponent of punitive measures against the government as un-neighbourly. Following the tremendous pressure that Juba came under during negotiations to sign the ARCSS in August 2015, tensions continued to grow. The cold war between Addis and Juba is ever more apparent, and Juba's belief that Addis is partial makes it increasingly difficult for Ethiopia to play a leading role in ARCSS implementation and potentially in the regional force. The two countries share a restive border and violent inter-communal clashes are common; conflict dynamics along the border will continue to be influenced by events in Addis and Juba. Eritrea and South Sudan Eritrea worked closely with the SPLA in the 1990s, particularly on its short-lived eastern front. During the period of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (2005-2011), relations soured and Asmara was widely accused of providing material support to anti-SPLA groups. However, in 2014, the SPLM/A-IO was disappointed to discover that Eritrea would not provide them with support. As relations between Addis and Juba became increasingly complicated, Juba pursued a rapprochement with Asmara. With plans to strengthen ties, including the shipment of humanitarian assistance through Eritrea's Massawa port, the restart of regular flights between the two countries and an increase in official bilateral activity, the relationship appears set to deepen. This sets off alarm bells in Addis and will further complicate the relationship between Ethiopia and South Sudan. Meanwhile, South Sudan may now provide an alternate stage for the projection of unresolved matters between Asmara and Addis. Ethiopia and Egypt Beyond the IGAD region, Egypt's role in South Sudan has increased in importance, particularly following its ascension to a seat on the UN Security Council, where it generally takes a non-interventionist stance. Egypt is in a long-running dispute over Ethiopia's construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile. Egypt believes the dam will reduce the flow of the river, particularly as its reservoir fills, violating principles on preventing downstream harm (one reason the World Bank declined to support it) and treaties on Nile water usage. Other Nile basin countries have challenged the continuing validity of treaties created while most of these states did not exist and have proposed a new one, which Egypt rejects. The dam is anticipated to finish in 2017, and current negotiations focus on the timeline for filling the reservoir. Egypt has engaged South Sudan in talks on how to increase the water flow from the White Nile. This mutually beneficial relationship gives Juba a key ally on the Security Council at a time when it faces calls from other council members for further sanctions, arms embargos, demilitarisation of the capital and a regional force. Ethiopia, which does not always share the same approach to South Sudan as Egypt, will join the Security Council in 2017. Regional Protection Force Following July's fighting, IGAD agreed to send a regional force to South Sudan. This was a revival of its 2014 proposal for a regional protection force, intended to put some weight behind the IGAD mediation, but it faltered in negotiations with the UN. The new force was subject to more than a month of debates over its mandate, composition and size. While the South Sudanese government consented in principle to the force, it strenuously objected to the mandate agreed on in UN Security Council Resolution 2304 on 12 August. The mandate calls for a force of 4,000 to protect civilians, UN and humanitarian personnel, and ceasefire and peace agreement monitors. Controversially, it also calls for the force to control the airport; secure entry and egress from Juba; "disarm" government security forces who threaten civilians or protected persons; and take action in extremis in Juba or elsewhere security tasks the government believes violate their sovereignty. That the forces are regional does not ameliorate the government's concerns, given the region's vested interests in South Sudan (which are not always the same as Juba's). Some Council members supported the mandate based on the belief that the SPLA-IO was capable of launching a large-scale attack against the capital, which it is not. After peacekeepers failed to respond to attacks on foreigners last month, many believed a stronger mission was necessary to prevent a repeat of these events. Rather, the previously Juba-based SPLA-IO forces' destabilising presence in the Equatoria region is almost entirely unaddressed by the mandate. Many Council members who abstained were concerned about the mandate's lack of focus on a political path forward and connection between the force and political objectives. Other diplomats and advocates questioned the utility of additional forces from regional countries that are already part of UNMISS and have a spotty record in discharging the pre-existing mandate. Senior UNMISS officials are concerned about the mission's ability to absorb an additional 4,000 troops, as well as about the negative implications for the safety of mission staff and ability to carry out its core mandate to protect civilians. A 5 August IGAD communique laid out some of the controversial tasks that were included in the mandate and called for the next step to be a meeting (which Juba believed would be a negotiation) with South Sudan and the region's military chiefs. This meeting had not happened by 12 August and the Council, having already delayed consideration once, voted on the mandate drafted by the U.S., the regular penholder on South Sudan on the Council. The debate was contentious and, though the mandate passed, four Council members, including Russia, China, Egypt and Venezuela, abstained. The absence of consensus on the Council and Juba's objections to the resolution call into question whether the mandate will be implemented as intended. There is doubt as to whether a threatened arms embargo - conditions for which are spelt out in the resolution's annex - is a realistic punitive measure. Several Council members are reluctant to impose an arms embargo, so it may not pass a vote - and, absent more unified Council support, may not be particularly effective regardless. Likewise, many non-Council members in the Horn of Africa are experts at skirting arms embargos and restrictions on arms transfers. If they are not fully committed to implementation, this could also limit an embargo's effectiveness. There are further questions about how an effective arms embargo would impact Juba's ability to provide border security or address internal rule of law challenges which include rebel groups other than the SPLA-IO. Juba has already expressed its displeasure and is likely to seek to make the peacekeeping mission's operations even more difficult including through limitations and delays on movement and clearances of personnel, and harassment of UN staff as it negotiates over the new force. Routine and pre-agreed unit changeovers may be subject to delays given suspicions that the UN will use these changes to surreptitiously increase the force size. Next Steps At this juncture, the transitional government, with Taban as the first vice president, appears set to use a combination of carrots and sticks to implement the ARCSS - along lines far more favourable to the wartime government than originally envisioned by IGAD-PLUS. Deals on armed group integration within or outside the parameters of ARCSS could significantly reduce tensions between Khartoum, Juba and Kampala, break apart Machar's fragile coalition and maintain Taban as the first vice president. Such a situation could result in stability in Juba and in many parts of the country, while leaving other areas still in conflict. Juba is unlikely to accept another mediation in an international forum as it did in 2014-2015, choosing to manage the ongoing conflict on its own, with its closest neighbours remaining deeply involved. Discussions within IGAD, the African Union and Security Council over a regional force have sent the relationship between South Sudan and the west, particularly the U.S., into a downward spiral benefiting no one. The government is now seeking to make clear through restrictions on the UN inside South Sudan that it is not possible to send in a 4,000-strong force without consent. Additional negotiations with the UN, IGAD and regional participants in the force are likely to continue to occupy key actors at the expense of engagement on a political resolution to the conflict. The UN should be cautious about the use of force without clear political objectives, and it should work with other IGAD-PLUS members to re-assess how the ARCSS can be realistically implemented in a manner that increases stability given the shift in dynamics in-country. Juba has succeeded in clawing back from its position a year ago when it signed the ARCSS with significant reservations. At this stage, a partially implemented agreement favouring the government and presenting no threat to Kiir's presidency is the most likely outcome of the past month's tumult. This would mean relative stability in Juba and much of the country, with perpetual conflicts elsewhere. Divisions within the international community, and IGAD-PLUS in particular, are likely to inhibit the formation of an overarching political strategy to address ongoing conflict and governance challenges. Instead, the South Sudanese will seek to shape the country's future trajectory, with regional influences - whether Juba welcomes these influences or not. Yet, a key aspect of the ARCSS is the devolution of power, some of which is still possible. IGAD-PLUS should coordinate its efforts with the transitional government to devolve power in line with the agreement's power-sharing ratios to disaffected groups and communities who hoped to benefit from the agreement. UNESCO chief 'denounces' terrorist attack that killed dozens in Pakistan Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 10 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UNESCO chief 'denounces' terrorist attack that killed dozens in Pakistan, 10 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b71bc440c.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 10 August 2016 - The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom denounced the recent terrorist attack that killed at least 70 people, including two journalists, in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Baluchistan province. There can be no justification for violence targeting civilians, Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said today in a statement condemning the attack. The loss of these media professionals in the brutal terrorist attack in Quetta undermines citizens' ability to sustain informed debate that is the bedrock of good governance and dialogue, she added. Mehmood Khan, a cameraman for Dawn News, and Shehzad Ahmed, a cameraman for Aaj TV, were reporting at the time of the bomb blast on a gathering of mourners following the murder of the president of the Baluchistan Bar Association earlier in the day. On Monday, in a statement issued by his office, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the attack, underscoring that the targeting of mourners made it particularly appalling. The UNESCO chief regularly issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States in 1997, entitled Condemnation of Violence against Journalists. New law a 'direct attack' on free expression in Maldives, UN rights expert warns Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 10 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, New law a 'direct attack' on free expression in Maldives, UN rights expert warns, 10 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b71c0340e.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 10 August 2016 - Denouncing a new law in Maldives as a "direct attack" on free speech, a United Nations human rights expert warned today that elements of the bill, such as the vague use of religion, social norms and defamation as reasons for punishing expression, contradict not only international norms, but also obligations set out in the country's own Constitution. "Criminalizing speech on such vague and broad grounds as set out in the Bill is a direct attack on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in the Maldives," David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, said today in a news release issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). "Freedom of expression is a fundamental right and any restrictions on it must be narrowly and objectively defined, not a matter of common routine," he stressed. On 9 August, the country's Parliament adopted the 'Protection of Reputation and Good Name and Freedom of Expression Bill,' which criminalizes speech deemed to be defamatory, to comment against 'any tenet of Islam', to 'threaten national security' or to 'contradict general social norms'. Those committing an offence under the bill can face fines, and failure to pay, will result in jail sentence of three to six months. Mr. Kaye further added that the broad grounds for restrictions in the Bill contradict not only international human rights standards recognised by the Maldives, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, but also the its own Constitution, which protects the right to freedom of expression. "The use of religion as a ground for limiting free speech is particularly worrying," he cautioned, emphasizing that international human rights law protects individuals from discrimination and violence based on their religion or belief, but it does not protect religion or belief from comment or criticism as such. The Special Rapporteur also expressed that the Bill will have a "strong chilling effect" on media and civil society, making reporting and criticism truly risky. "The threat of additional penalties for the media are likely to lead to even greater self-censorship on issues perceived to be sensitive, limiting public debate on issues of public interest and depriving society from accessing important information on sensitive affairs," said Mr. Kaye. Noting that he would be eager to engage in discussion with the Maldivian authorities on the law, the rights expert expressed hope that "the President will reverse the decision by sending back the bill to Parliament for further review in consultation with independent institutions, journalists, civil society organisations and human rights defenders and bring it in compliance with international human rights standards." UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst, also shared the concerns expressed by Mr. Kaye and endorsed his statement. They had also co-signed a letter to the national authorities detailing their concerns about the legislation on 26 May 2016. Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work. Millions of Syrians in 'free fall' as raging battles across country hinder aid access UN Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 11 August 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Millions of Syrians in 'free fall' as raging battles across country hinder aid access UN, 11 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b71cb5318.html [accessed 29 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 11 August 2016 - The tragedy unfolding in what has sadly become "the battle for Aleppo," where attacks and counter-attacks over the past days have only compounded the suffering on two million civilians already struggling to cope with power outages and water shortages, spotlights again that there is "no military solution [there] or anywhere else in Syria," the United Nations envoy on the crisis said today. "Civilians on both sides of the conflict - on both sides of Aleppo - are in danger of being surrounded and affected by shortages and bombings," UN Special Envoy for Syria told reporters in Geneva, where he stressed that as the fighting in Aleppo has escalated, the people should not be forgotten and neither should the ongoing United Nations appeal for weekly 48 hour ceasefires. As for the Russian proposal of three hour pauses in the hostilities, he said that amount of time is insufficient. "We need 48 hours in order to make convoys [] effective," he said, adding that Russia had indicated its willingness to discuss as soon as possible, with the UN, "how to improve what has been, in my opinion, an initial idea." Mr. de Mistura also said that senior military officials from Russia and the United States are still working on restoring an overall ceasefire "focusing on the Castello road developments, no doubt, and on general new approaches for a reduction in violence," he said referring to the main supply route into the area. Cape Town, South Africa -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/19/2016 --Children love to learn new things; they have an inbuilt drive to find and master new experiences, and that is one of the reasons parents and guardians introduce their young child to books and the exciting stories, adventures and ideas that they contain. Providing stimulating reading material for children, and reading aloud to young ones is one of the best ways to create a child that will be open to different ways of doing things and one who will succeed. With a burning desire to bequeath such of these materials to kids, and to allow them to explore the adventurous world in a fascinating way, Matthew Newnham, a passionate writer, wrote and launched the book Space Ranger Fred and The Shoelace Adventure. However, ever since the release of the book in December 2015, many parents and kids who got absorbed with the book's content has been requesting Mr. Matt as he is fondly called, to turn the Space Ranger Fred and The Shoelace Adventure into a fantastic series. This reason made Matthew start a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo (https://goo.gl/L3LVVK) as he his keen on raising $15, 000 US Dollar to make the project a reality. He hopes to use the fund to provide for the production of the next few book in series of eight, which kids would love. One of the parents who bought the on Amazon shared his experience, "My son is almost five years old, and he is at a stage where he loves the galaxy, astronauts, and aliens. We spent nearly a week reading this story together around bedtime, and he loved it. The writing is easy for him to understand, and the story is engaging. Sometimes, when reading stories as a parent, the story becomes trivial and boring. Not with Fred... I was not able to guess the next sequence of events and my son loved the story. Even if you have a reader on your hands already, I think kids would enjoy the story on their own." Matthew provides an explanation of what the book entails and how children will benefit from it: Space Ranger Fred and the Shoelace Adventure is an exciting science fiction novel, ideal for elementary and middle school-aged children. "In this thrilling adventure story, we meet Fred Sanders, a six-year-old boy. Fred's biggest dream in life is to become an intergalactic space ranger. Out of boredom, Fred finds himself talking to his dog named Jupiter. He tells Jupiter that he wishes his comic book hero Zando Centauri was there to make things exciting. No sooner had he finished speaking when Zando Centauri arrives in a rocket ship, and Fred's exciting intergalactic space odyssey begins. Fred flies off into outer space with Zando. The pair visit Jupiter for refueling and then travel on to the planet Jambori where Fred meets the aging Emperor Gandori and helps him with an important shoelace tying challenge," Matthew explained. Space Ranger Fred and the shoelace adventure is the first in a series of books each with the same group of characters. Space Ranger Fred and the Umbrella Rescue is currently being edited, Space Ranger Fred and the broken treasure map and Space Ranger Fred and the lost spacemen are all written and about to be edited. "Spaceships, planets, galaxies, emperors, adventure..what's not to love?! Fred is the master of shoelace tying; he even teaches the emperor of a foreign planet how to tie laces... that's his sole mission..to share his talent and to show others. Helping others, and teaching others, is what this book is all about. Community and being proud of the small things, that to another may be not very small," explained another parent who bought the book from Amazon. For more information about Space Ranger Fred and The Shoelace Adventure, and to make donations, visit https://goo.gl/L3LVVK. About Matt Newnham Matt Newnham was born and educated in Sussex, England and fell in love with reading at a young age. Matt now lives and works as a freelance writer and author in Cape Town, South Africa with his teenage son, Sebastian and his love of reading has now turned into a passion for encouraging others to read through his writing. Contact: Matt Newnham Telephone: +27 (0) 81 708 2166 matt@mattnewnham.co.za Twitter: @mattnewnhamZA Instagram: @spacerangerfred Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpaceRangerFred www.mattnewnham.co.za New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/19/2016 --Glamira is one of the top industry leaders in the European jewelry market, specializing in selling and manufacturing custom jewelry, which includes their growing product line of engagement and wedding rings. About Glamira Glamira opened their first store in Heilbronn, Germany in 1999, which remains as their headquarters today. It still remains as a head office for its branches. Through the eight years that Glamira has been in business, they have seen a great deal of their success in the European jewelry sector. In less than a decade, Glamira has implemented and executed huge changes in order to further develop its product line to better serve customers and even expand their customer base. It was through these changes that their trade name, GLAMIRA was established in 2011. Since then, GLAMIRA has developed a reputation for being one of the biggest names in the European jewelry market, particularly for their custom jewelry. In 2012, GLAMIRA made the business decision to begin designing and developing their own unique products. This strategic move only led to more growth and even international success. Because of these vast business model and strategic changes, GLAMIRA has come a long way from their first office in Germany. Glamira has grown to become and even described as a global icon for their vast portfolio, product line, and their mission to serve their customers, which is by far their greatest achievement. About Products by Glamira Glamira is known for specializing in custom wedding rings, and offers a wide product line, including color and style, such as white and yellow gold bands, a wide array of diamond cut, quality, and sizes, and even precious and semi-precious stones. Because Glamira stands by their products, all diamond ring purchases come with a Diamond Certificate that document the cut, clarity, color and the overall quality of the diamond. Certificates are typically provided by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a nonprofit organization that specializes in the field of gemology, and is also the most widely known and reputable diamond institute in the world. Part of the mission behind Glamira is to listen to customers, learn about their stories and personal relationships, and take that personal touch and build a beautiful, custom piece of jewelry that symbolizes the true unique bond between customers. Click here to learn more about custom engagement and wedding rings with Glamira. A Commitment to the Future. The future of Glamira looks bright, just like one of their wedding rings. Glamira has made the commitment to further grow and develop the company to become a true global leader within the custom jewelry sector by working with customers to build a ring or another piece of jewelry that symbolizes commitment. Contact For more information on Glamira, or their products, be sure to visit their website at www.glamira.com or contact them Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 am to 5 pm. Visitors are encouraged to email their inquiries to service@glamira.com. Wichita, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/19/2016 --RSM Marketing Services has again qualified to be included on Inc. Magazine's ranking of the nation's fastest growing private companies. Founded in 2010, RSM has developed many of the most effective and visible marketing campaigns in the region, including work for Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Wesley Medical Center, Scholfield Honda, Reddi Industries, Wichita Furniture, Equity Bank and many others. RSM has grown rapidly with an exclusive marketing service and technology offering that is now the most comprehensive range of in-house produced marketing tools in the region. RSM's exclusive service offerings include aerial photo and video services from its Air Capital Drone Company, industrial video and photo production company Hydraulic Studio and the popular local events, culture and business directory website 360Wichita.com. In the list the company will appear as RSA Marketing, the name used for application prior to its merger with 360Ideas earlier this year. RSM now employs more than 40 professionals at three locations in Wichita. Construction is underway to expand the warehouse-style offices in the Arena District and consolidate staff at the single location. "Our growth is directly tied to the growth of our clients," said RSM Managing Partner Bruce Rowley. "We work with growth-minded companies of all sizes, but they all have a strong desire for breakthrough business growth driven by superior marketing strategy, innovation and rapid execution across a wide range of marketing tactics." In 2016, 58 Kansas-based companies made the list, 8 of those companies are based in Wichita. This is up from 2015, when 33 Kansas companies made the list, with 6 based in Wichita. The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy America's independent entrepreneurs. Companies such as Yelp, Pandora, Timberland, Dell, LinkedIn and Zillow gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 5000. "The average company on the Inc. 5000 grew nearly six-fold since 2012." says Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg. "It takes something extraordinary to take your company to the top, businesses don't achieve that kind of consistent success by accident." About RSM Marketing Services RSM Marketing Services works with entrepreneurial-minded companies of all sizes to achieve breakthrough business results through strategic and consistent marketing efforts. RSM offers the most comprehensive range of in-house produced marketing tools in the region and delivers these services with a flat-rate monthly subscription that enables clients to consistently and efficiently develop and execute a full range of marketing communications. A key RSM advantage is the ability to produce many tactics in-house, such as video production, photography, and web development and design. RSM has been a Google Partner since 2013, today employing the region's' largest certified team for search advertising, display advertising and analytics. This provides clients with greater cost efficiencies and flexibility. For more information, visit RSMconnect.com. About The Inc. 5000 Methodology The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list of the nation's most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The 2015 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2011 to 2014. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2011. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent (not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies) as of December 31, 2014. Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired. The entire list can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000 Miami, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/19/2016 --In addition to providing a wealth of private transportation services, ranging from drivers, chauffeurs, and even aerial transport services, Transekur also provides Executive Protection Services for VIPs, high-profile executives, and celebrities traveling to and from the Dominican Republic. Although the Dominican Republic is a beautiful country, attracting many visitors and tourists, it is also a dangerous and violent region; therefore, Transekur offers Executive Protection Services in order to provide the utmost security and safety to high-profile travelers. About Transekur Transekur is a company that provides private transportation services and Executive Protection Services in the Dominican Republic at flat fees and rates. Transekur's base rates include a private chauffeur, bilingual drivers, personal armed and unarmed security and bodyguards who are available 24/7 or on an as needed basis. Executive Protection Services are highly recommended for VIPs, executives, and celebrities who want to visit the country but with the safety and protection of security personnel. Part of the mission behind Transekur is to provide supreme protection and service up to the highest quality standards. Team members who join the Transekur family make a pledge to provide this standard of service to every client without any exceptions. Transekur Executive Protection Services in the Dominican Republic. With the rise in crime and violence in the Dominican Republic, protecting travelers and visitors is a priority. Transekur stepped up to the challenge by entering an agreement with a company to offer executive protection services and a range of private transportation services throughout the country. The associates on the Transekur team are highly trained armed and unarmed security professionals, many with military experience and extensive private protection expertise. The Transekur associates and security professionals are experienced and are well trained in the following areas: - VIP / Celebrity protection - Executive and / or government protection - Unarmed combat - Weapons disarming - First aid - Defensive / Offensive driving - Risk assessment - Dispute resolution - Anti-Terrorism Transekur security professionals and associates are also required to participate in and attend continuous training throughout the year in order to better serve and protect clients. This commitment is another reason why Transekur remains to be the leading executive protection services firm in the Dominican Republic. Furthermore, the Executive Protection Services by Transekur have been used by over 100 multinational corporations, diplomats, politicians, artists and celebrities. In addition to the line of premium vehicle fleet, ranging from limo services to aerial transport services, Transekur offers a number of services tailored to each client's transportation and protection needs in the country. Click here to learn more about the executive protection services provided by Transekur. Contact: For more information on executive protection services in the Dominican Republic, a detailed executive protection and transportation proposal, or for more detailed information on air and/ or ground transportation to and from or within the country, Email or call us today. Be sure to also follow us on Twitter at @Transekurdr. 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. FRIDAY Neighborhood tour Connecting Caring Communities will conduct a neighborhood tour from noon to 1 p.m. starting at 910 Cypress St. Admission is free. To RSVP, email megan@wecareabilene.org. Dance TYE A country-western dance featuring Muddy Creek will be 7-10 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel in Tye. Admission is $5. 'After Zoey' A production of the musical 'After Zoey' will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Fulks Theatre at Abilene Christian University. Tickets are $15. 'King o' the Moon' A production of 'King o' the Moon' will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Abilene Community Theatre, 809 Barrow St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors and military. Dance OPLIN A dance featuring Midnight Blue will be 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the Oplin Community Center. Admission is $5. Information: www.grandoleoplin.com. Other ... Blood drive, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kwik Kar Lube, 4824 S. 14th St. Abilene Chinese Corner, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Abilene Christian University library. lld09a@acu.edu. Mid-City Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First Christian Church. 325-670-4304. SATURDAY Coffee competition A 10th birthday celebration 'Coffee Kumite' competition will begin at 10 a.m. at Monks Coffee Shop, 233 Cypress St. Participants will compete in events to test their brewing skills. For information, go to monkscoffeeshop.com. Movie at the library A showing of a recent PG-rated fantasy adventure movie will begin at 3 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. Popcorn will be provided. Admission is free. Festival and glow run A family day featuring vendors, live music, painting and more will begin at 7 p.m. at Nelson Park. A 5K glow run will begin at 9:30 p.m. Proceeds will go to the Abilene Dream Center. For more information, or to register, go to www.abilenedreamcenter.com. 'Love, Loss and What I Wore' A production of 'Love, Loss and What I Wore' will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Amy Graves Ryan Fine Arts Center at McMurry University. Proceeds will go to the Presbyterian Medical Care Mission. Seating is limited. For information, go to medicalcaremission.org. 'After Zoey' A production of the musical 'After Zoey' will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Fulks Theatre at Abilene Christian University. Tickets are $15. 'King O' the Moon' A production of 'King O' the Moon' will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Abilene Community Theatre, 809 Barrow St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors and military. Square dance TYE The Wagon Wheel Squares will sponsor a square dance at 7:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. Other ... Overeaters Anonymous, 10 a.m., Shades of Hope, 402A Mulberry St., Buffalo Gap. 800-588-4673. Big Country Chapter American Association of Medical Transcriptionists meeting, 10 a.m., Arbec Room, first floor, Texas State Technical College, East Highway 80, Abilene. For medical transcriptionists or anyone interested in becoming one. 325-698-8898. Abilene Society of Model Railroaders, 10 a.m. to noon, 2043 N. Second St. SUNDAY Trade Days of West Texas Trade Days of West Texas will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2501 E. Highway 80. Crafts, antiques, food trucks and more will be available. Cougars defeat Westerners in Abilene Abilene Cooper took on Lubbock High at at Shotwell Stadium. Final score was 54-7, Abilene Cooper. SWEETWATER Summer's end, and a swim is a nice way to mark it. Sure, summer doesn't technically end for another month, but don't expect anyone younger than 18 to believe that. Or their parents. 'Yay. Free baby-sitting,' joked Donna Baca. I laughed, if only because I'm looking forward to my daughter starting school, too. I'm almost as excited about it as she is. Sitting behind the wheel of a pickup parked near the shore of Lake Sweetwater, Baca's propped foot held the door open to admit the afternoon breeze. Thin clouds provided a patchy overcast; not really direct sunlight but it wasn't gloomy, either. 'It's nice out here, but I'm ready for the fall weather,' she said. 'I don't like summer in Texas, but I didn't it in Georgia, either.' A group of youngsters of various ages splashed in the water nearby. 'I work midnights so I'm just relaxing,' Baca said. 'I've got my three grandsons, a friend of mine's two daughters, and two friends. Just getting them out of the house; we love the water.' I hadn't seen this lake for a few years. The last time I came was in August 2006; it was one of the two times that I've seen a horned toad in the wild. At that time, the area where Baca's kids were playing was more meadow than waterway. It's a little better, but Lake Sweetwater still has a ways to go. The Texas Water Development Board's Water Data for Texas website currently lists it as 22 percent full. 'I've only been in Texas eight years, my friend Bobby has been here his whole life,' Baca said. 'He told me stories of the water being up by the swing sets. I find it kind of hard to believe.' Bobby Holland had told me the same thing, too. Those swing sets were a good 60 or so yards up the slope from Baca's truck. Even the cement boat ramp ended at least 50 feet from the water line. But having seen Breckenridge's Hubbard Creek Reservoir go from 12 percent to 100 percent full in barely a year's time, picturing Lake Sweetwater lapping at its swing sets wasn't a stretch of the imagination for me. The question on everyone's mind is, when will it happen again? Baca sighed, looking across the lake through the windshield. Atop their bluffs, wind turbines spun beyond the far shore. 'That makes a beautiful picture, those fans right there,' she remarked. 'I've got pictures of them when it's cloudy, in the sun, at dusk, at dawn; they look different every time. They're so pretty.' Below them in the water, a personal watercraft was trying to pull a water skier. 'I wonder how they got that Jet Ski in here?' Baca asked. 'I know you can't get on the other ramp, either. They've been closed forever. Maybe they carried it?' Salt cedars, cottonwood trees and what reminded me of pampas grass fronds bunched on the lake's shore near the kids. Bobby Holland went for a swim later, floating on his back, while beyond him dead tree limbs bleached pale jutted skyward from the water. Baca waved at an area on another shoreline. 'I used to work for a lady over there for two years. She had a massive home. She said you wouldn't believe how this lake used to be a big party,' Baca said. 'Boats and all kinds of water toys and slides. It was just one big party, all summer, from spring to fall. And patio parties in the winter.' Twenty-two percent full might put the brakes on lakeside partying. But just because the lake's low, that doesn't mean it's dead. Lots of minnows along the rocks, and anglers looking to hook the tiny fishes' bigger cousins, evidenced that. Besides, with precipitation in the forecast for the next week, things might get even better for Lake Sweetwater. Rain always can wash your troubles away. 'Oh Lord, people are going to act like it snowed,' Baca said, laughing. 'That's the way they do, you know?' Oh, come on, they aren't that bad. Baca, still chuckling, conceded my point. 'Well, maybe it'll make everything greener,' she acknowledged. Before long, the students who graduated Thursday night from Cisco College's nursing programs will get to hear the words that nurses live for. 'Where is MY nurse?' a patient will ask, emphasizing the personal relationship between patient and nurse. 'That's a wonderful feeling,' said Donella Tucker, guest speaker for the graduation ceremony held at First Baptist Church. Tucker retired six months ago as director of the nursing programs at Cisco College in Abilene. Marvella Starlin, current director of the nursing programs, said the crop of 68 graduates Thursday night showed a lot of grit and determination. 'Everything you can imagine happened to one of the students in my class,' Starlin said. Even so, it appeared that all of the students, plus families and friends, showed up for the graduation ceremony, filling the church sanctuary. Of the 68 students, 50 earned an associate of applied science degree in nursing and 18 earned a licensed vocational nurse certificate. Nursing is filled with tradition, and much of it was on display at the graduation. One table at the front of the sanctuary was covered in red roses, another with neatly lined pins one side for the LVNs and the other for the RNs. A third table was stacked high with diplomas and a fourth table held pocket-size New Testaments, courtesy of Gideons International, stacked in the shape of a cross. Each student received three roses, Starlin said. 'They give those to people who have had the most impact,' she said. One of the speakers for Thursday's ceremony was Pearl Merritt, dean of the nursing programs at Cisco College and also for the Abilene campus of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing. Merritt said that 90 percent of the 50 graduates getting an associate degree Thursday had signed a letter of intent to enroll in Tech's online bachelor of nursing degree program. Thanks to an arrangement between the two institutions, the students will complete their bachelor's degree in two semesters. And, the majority of those students plan to stay in Abilene after completing their schooling, Merritt said. Among the students earning an associate degree Thursday night was Sean Jacques, who lives in Sweetwater and has been commuting to Abilene. He was one of those students Starlin was talking about who had something happen to him. Actually, he had several 'somethings' happen to him. Jacques, 32, and his wife, Lindsey, who just earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the TTUHSC School of Nursing in Abilene, both work at the state hospital in Big Spring. They think nothing of commuting from Sweetwater to Big Spring one day and Abilene the next. One early morning in March, Jacques was at his parents' home in Sweetwater, dropping off the couple's two children. His phone rang and his neighbor was on the line. 'Your house is on fire,' was the message. Fortunately, the family was out of the house, but they lost their home and most of their possessions. His parents took them in until a month ago, when they were able to rent their own home. But losing their home was just one in a series of setbacks that could have caused Jacques to drop out of the program. Jacques had learned at the beginning of the 2015 fall semester that he didn't qualify for financial aid, forcing him to raise $1,500 in a hurry. One week before the fire, his wife traded in an old car for a newer model. A hailstorm hit before the first payment was made, causing $4,000 in damage. One month after the fire, Jacques was attacked at his job by a patient, sustaining a concussion that made it impossible to work for a month. 'It was a very eventful semester,' Jacques said, but he stuck with it. 'We had a lot of support with family and friends.' Commutes from area communities is the norm at Cisco College, but one nursing student, Sam Nyakunda, made the round trip from Arlington twice a week, without fail. He was rewarded Thursday night when his wife, the younger of his two sons, his mother, and a brother, Richard, showed up for graduation. Of course, when it was over, they drove back to Arlington. Richard Nyakunda said the trip had gotten a little long for his brother by the time he finished his degree, but now all is well. 'Once you're done, you don't remember it,' Richard Nyakunda said, 'you just celebrate.' WASHINGTON One of the most cynical men in America has taken Donald Trump under his wing and warned the bombastic billionaire to straighten up and fly far, far right or risk losing the November presidential election. Roger Ailes, ousted earlier this summer as head of Fox News following allegations of sexual harassment from a number of former female employees, is the brains behind Fox's self-aggrandizing 'fair and balanced' slogan, which actually describes the exact opposite of what the network pushes. Ailes probably has done more to foment political division and lack of civility in this country than anyone else and is now telling his old friend Trump what to do if he really wants to win. And Trump, apparently, really does want to win. After news of Ailes advising Trump broke, the often foul-mouthed, off-the-rails tycoon immediately read actually read a teleprompter speech in a lily white town near Milwaukee in which he stuck to the conservative script of being tough on 'law and order,' berating Hillary Clinton and insisting that Democrats merely want to exploit African-Americans. Next we learned Ailes is forcing Trump to run TV ads, something Trump so far has not wanted to spend money on, preferring free publicity. Ailes was behind the 'Morning in America' messaging that got Ronald Reagan re-elected. He also helped Richard Nixon get elected and worked to take the patrician edges off George H.W. Bush. He's a best friend of Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York who has become one of Trump's hardest-working surrogates. Up until now, Trump has refused to listen to Republican graybeards who have said he needs to stay on-message, stop bloviating pure nonsense and vitriol, and keep focused on blasting Clinton. But as his polls plummeted and the pundits began looking at Trump's poor performance among college-educated voters, women, and minorities and in swing states, even Trump began to panic. This is all of a pattern, folks. Rich, influential Republicans want to win. Trump was flailing. Tired of fretting, the big boys have taken the situation in hand. Trump also tapped for his team two other friends, Kellyanne Conway, a take-no-prisoners GOP strategist, and Stephen Bannon, the 'pit bull' executive chairman of Breitbart News, which long has touted Trump and derided Clinton. If Trump listens to Ailes, Conway and Bannon, as well as his campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who helped pull strings for the Russians in Ukraine, November will be a narrow contest between Trump and Clinton. Potentially both have a little over 40 percent of the vote just by virtue of being a Democrat and a Republican. So the real fight is over the roughly 13 to 15 percent of undecided independents who really don't like either one of their choices and who are waiting to see if Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson gets 15 percent of the polls to qualify for the all-important debates. The first debate on Sept. 26, warns Ailes, will be crucial for Trump, who likes to say he needs no debate preparation and that Americans loved his all-over-the-place, domineering style in the Republican debates. Ailes, Conway, Bannon and Manafort have persuaded Trump that debating Clinton will be a different ballgame and that Trump better learn different rules and behavior. Fast. Trump sulked a bit and fretted that if he changes, he'll lose his base. The we-who-must-be-obeyed quartet is sweet-talking Trump into realizing that it's not his base he has to worry about now it's moderate Republicans and disaffected Democrats who want a candidate who isn't Clinton but who sounds rational, especially on economics. Make no mistake, Trump will keep up his coded braying to his followers, assuring them that political incorrectness, sexism, racism and xenophobia are still OK with him. But he will put a fine sugar-coating on his words. And middle-of-the-roaders will begin to convince themselves that Trump isn't so bad after all. He will say exactly what the oligarchs and Trump is a true oligarch want him to say: That lowering taxes on the rich will raise all boats (although it never has), the end justifies the means, cruel as they may be, and strange bedfellows produce results, although they may be the opposite of what most people want. Do not gloat, Democrats. This is not over. In this wacky world of do-overs and second chances and mass manipulation, sow ears are made into silk purses all the time. Email Ann McFeatters, an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service, at amcfeatters@nationalpress.com. Herb Chabek, Abilene I love kids; I have three. And now grandkids; I have five. And I want them to have fun places to go. But not at the expense of our degrading infrastructure. We all had splash pads in our own backyards as do my grandkids today. It's called a hose and a sprinkler, or a slip-and-slide. And a trip to the zoo was a major adventure. We went to the Cleveland Zoo, the Atlanta Zoo and the zoo in Dallas-Fort Worth. Real zoos, not a wannabe zoo. If you took all of the money invested in the zoo and splash pads ... well, you get the picture. Abilene needs an extra $4 million next year for sewer projects. The mayor decided to allow three days a week watering. We should conserve after many years of drought. But the mayor is never one to pass up a golden opportunity. There are 40,000 water meters in Abilene. Last month, I watered three times a week. My water bill increased $60. Back to once a week. But if only 10,000 customers increased their usage to three times a week for a month, that would be $600,000 a month. How long should it take to get to that extra $4 million. And why don't we ever hear anything about the windfall that extra water has brought us? It's time for the city politicians to start informing residents what kind of money is coming in instead of always asking for more money every year. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below This just in... Hong Kong-based investigative journalism website FactWire received an anonymous threat after publishing a July report about faulty trains, as seen in this screenshot, Aug. 19, 2016. An investigative journalism website based in Hong Kong has vowed to ignore an anonymous threat of "trouble" following a report published in July about faulty trains made across the internal border in mainland China. Independent news service FactWire said it would stand its ground in spite of "possible reprisals." "[Our] investigation reports are not meant to target any particular party," the organization said in a statement after it reported on faults in trains bought to run on Hong Kong's subway network from a Chinese company. "We have a duty to tell the truth," it said. On July 21, FactWire received an anonymous message which read: "The subway train story has caused a big reaction, some trouble heading your way." FactWire said an unidentified individual had been seen outside its offices in the former British colony, which was promised the continuation of its existing freedoms under the terms of the 1997 handover to China. The news organization said it has since stepped up security measures and reminded its reporters to be vigilant. Under the terms of the handover and the city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, China has promised to allow Hong Kong to continue with its existing way of life until 2047. The "one country, two systems" policy pledged to allow the city to continue as a separate jurisdiction for law enforcement and immigration purposes, and with wide-ranging freedoms of expression and association. But the cross-border detentions last year of five Hong Kong booksellers and the jailing of two veteran journalists accused of selling "banned publications" to customers across the internal border in tightly controlled mainland China have rocked the once-freewheeling city. Hong Kong political affairs commentator Lai Chak Fun said FactWire's investigation, which found that trains similar to those used in Hong Kong had been secretly recalled by the manufacturer from Singapore, likely cost someone a large sum of money. "The figures involved are very large, in the hundreds of millions, and the Singapore contract will probably have an impact on the fortunes of the entire company," Lai told RFA. "They are afraid there could be another report, so they are trying to warn them off," he said. Shut the media up Political commentator Poon Siu-to said the more outspoken members of the Hong Kong media have already suffered a strong of violent attacks in recent year. "They want to shut the media up," Poon said. "There have been so many holes blasted in press freedom [in Hong Kong], and the people who ultimately lose out the most are its citizens." "If the media don't uncover things, then the public loses the right to information," he said. "Even worse, everyone is still riding those trains every day." "We don't know when this time bomb will go off, nor how many people could be killed or injured," Poon said. Last month, a court in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen jailed two veteran Hong Kong journalists after they sent their political magazines to subscribers in mainland China. Wang Jianmin was sentenced by Shenzhen's Nanshan District People's court to five years and three months' imprisonment. Fellow defendant Guo Zhongxiao, a former editor at the weekly news magazine Asiaweek, was jailed for two years and three months. Both men, who pleaded guilty at their trial last November, had edited and published New-Way Monthly and Multiple Face magazines, which were published in Hong Kong, but had some subscribers in mainland China. China's "one country, two systems" policy for Hong Kong pledged to allow the city to continue as a separate jurisdiction for law enforcement and immigration purposes, and with wide-ranging freedoms of expression and association. But the detention of Causeway Bay Books publisher Gui Minhai at his Thai holiday home last October, followed by the detentions of four of his colleagues, prompted a public outcry. The U.K. government has said in an official report that bookseller Lee Bo, who holds a British passport, was "involuntarily removed" from the city. The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) last month called on the city's government to do much more to protect press freedom, citing a "grave threat" to its traditional freedoms of expression and association. Reported by Ho Shan for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. China's powerful internet regulator has further ratcheted up controls on what the country's 700 million netizens can see online, requiring round-the-clock monitoring of all live-streaming and holding editorial chiefs personally responsible for "problem" content. New rules issued by the powerful internet regulation agency, the Cyberspace Administration, require editors-in-chief to monitor their sites' ouput 24 hours a day to ensure "correct orientation, factual accuracy and appropriate sourcing." The new rules follow a number of embarrassing gaffes surrounding the reporting of President Xi Jinping, who recently called on the country's media to remember its loyalty to the ruling Chinese Communist Party. Last month, major internet portal Tencent fired its top editor after an apparent typo said Xi had delivered a "furious," rather than an "important" speech on the anniversary of the party's founding on July 1. Authorities also detained a number of writers and editors at online news portal Wujie after a mysterious and anonymous call for Xi's resignation was posted to its website in March. And in February, the Shenzhen edition of the Southern Metropolis Daily published a front page containing an apparently inadvertent acrostic that read: "If the media belongs to the party, its ashes will be scattered at sea." China has already moved to ban the country's internet portals like Tencent and Sina from conducting any independent journalism of their own, requiring them to post syndicated content from the state-run Xinhua news agency and state broadcaster CCTV instead. Now, the agency is warning websites to avoid clickbait, and to act with "responsibility and restraint" when publishing content online, Xinhua news agency reported. Tightened controls Wang Yanjun, deputy editor of the reform-minded political journal Yanhuang Chunqiu, said the move will further tighten controls on online content, which is already limited by a system of blocks, filters, and human censorship known as the Great Firewall. "They are saying that they won't pursue the reporter, but rather the editor-in-chief, if there's a problem somewhere with the content," Wang said. "That means that editors are going to be a lot more careful from now on when giving instructions to reporters." He said the aim of the new rules is to step up control of public opinion. "No dissenting opinions are allowed, and when dissenting voices are no longer heard, they will think they have achieved their aim," Wang said. "But actually that's a very naive approach; it's much harder than that. How do you control what people actually think?" One of the activities targeted in the new guidelines, which came out of a recent internet management summit, is live-streaming, which must now be monitored around the clock. Live streaming is hugely popular in China, particularly among younger people, who can amass huge followings to their individual channel. Stability maintenance Hebei-based veteran journalist Zhu Xinxin said the additional pressure on individual website editors is a sign that the authorities are unable to effectively monitor online content any more by themselves. He said the move takes the country further away from the rule of law. "This is management of information by political ideas, not by law," Zhu said. "That's why they keep producing an endless stream of directives and guidelines." And online activist Li Fei said the measures form part of the nationwide domestic security apparatus known as "stability maintenance." "These measures are clearly an attempt to deepen stability maintenance ... but the country is getting less and less stable," Li said. "They don't want to see any negative comments appearing online for the whole world to see, especially ahead of the G20 summit [in Hangzhou in early September]," he said. Jiangsu-based netizen Shen Aibin agreed. "Everything we read, hear, and watch online is controlled by them ... so that means there isn't really anything real online at all any more," Shen said. "We are being forcibly brainwashed by them, and any factual content that has to do with social justice gets deleted," he said. Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi (L) greets Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Aug. 19, 2016. Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi received a pledge of support from Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday in Beijing an upcoming peace conference that will bring together Myanmar government representatives, the national military, and armed ethnic groups. Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmars de facto national leader, is in China on a five-day official visit to meet with top leaders to discuss bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest. Her visit comes two weeks before the Myanmar government holds the Panglong Peace Conference in Naypyidaw in an attempt to end decades of civil wars and foster permanent peace. While Chinese leaders have been pressing for a solution to the stalled Chinese-financed Myitsone Dam project in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi has been concerned about getting China on board for the peace negotiations she is spearheading. Xi assured Aung San Suu Kyi that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting Myanmar's peace process and work with the country to safeguard peace and stability in their border areas, Chinas official Xinhua news agency reported. Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters in Beijing before her meeting with Xi that China will do everything possible to promote our peace process, according to an Agence France-Presse report. She added that Chinas friendship is important given that the two countries share a border along which there are many armed ethnic groups, the report said. On Thursday, Aung San Suu Kyi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang agreed to work towards a solution of the stalled $3.6 billion dam project in northern Myanmar funded primarily by Chinese energy interests. Former Myanmar president Thein Sein had stopped the project temporarily in September 2011 amid protests over its predicted environmental impact. Border clashes Multiple skirmishes between Myanmars ethnic armies and the government military have occurred along the countrys border with China, necessitating the countrys help with resolving the civil wars. In early 2015, Myanmars national army launched an offensive against the ethnic Kokang Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), which had tried to retake the rugged, mountainous region of Shan state, after losing a similar regional conflict in 2009. The ethnic Kokang region in the northern part of Shan state shares a border with Yunnan in the east and had historically been under Chinese imperial control for several centuries. The clashes sent tens of thousands of refugees across the border into Yunnan province where they struggled with limited food and supplies in refugee camps. The MNDAA along with the Arakan Army (AA) and Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which have also been involved in skirmishes with the Myanmar military in the Kokang region, did not sign a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) with the previous government last October. On Thursday, however, the three ethnic armies said they are prepared to join in the Panglong Conference at the end of this month if they receive an invitation. Likewise, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) has agreed to participate in the Panglong Conference. The UWSA, Myanmars largest nonstate army, is led by ethnic Chinese commanders and controls the Wa Special Region in Shan state. It has previously received support and weapons from China. Chinas exposure to the strife next door was underscored again this month when fighting broke out in northern Myanmars Kachin state between army troops and a regiment of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), forcing residents of the Sadon and Kan Pike Tee border regions to flee to safety across the border into China, Naw Ja, a Sadon resident, told RFAs Myanmar Service. The residentsmost of whom are from the Lisu ethnic minority grouplive in villages near Myanmar-China border marker No. 6., he said. Sparse fighting has been going on for three or four days already near a KIA station between border markers Nos. 5 and 6, he said. We heard that the villagers fled to China because of the fighting, Naw Ja said. Senior citizens and children have been fleeing since last week. Only a few have stayed behind to guard their property. Because of the fighting in Myanmar, Chinese soldiers are said to be guarding areas along the border, he said. Reported by Kyaw Myo Min for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Kyaw Min Htun. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Authorities in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region are allowing HIV infection rates to spiral out of control by favoring stability maintenance education over efforts to promote a better understanding of the disease and its causes, sources say. As of October 2015, about 38,238 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Xinjiang, according to figures released by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Health and Family Planning Committee. Now, with 2,591 people in Xinjiang found to be newly infected during the first six months of this year, the HIV virus has swept like a flood across the regions mostly Muslim southern areas, a clinic owner in Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefectures Peyziwat (Jiashi) county told RFAs Uyghur Service. Local authorities have meanwhile failed to control the diseases spread, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. They believe that religious extremism is a more dangerous threat than HIV/AIDS, and have ignored the educational work that could prevent infections, the source said. The early spread of AIDS in Xinjiang was linked to drug use and occurred mainly in the north, but sexual transmission in migrant brothels now drives the climb in rates of infection among farmers and other young Uyghurs in Xinjiangs south, the source said. HIV-infected prostitutes working in massage parlors, barber shops, public baths, and hotels are actively spreading the disease, but nobody cares about this, he said. The owners [of these facilities] all come from Chinas central and eastern provinces and cities, he said. They are all Han Chinese. I cant say much about this, though. You understand what I mean. Programs stopped Sexual transmission now accounts for more than 85 percent of all new infections across the Uyghur region, a former senior official at the Office for HIV/AIDS Control and Prevention in the regional capital Urumqi told RFA. And though officials hoping to fight the spread of the disease had formerly held large-scale educational programs each year focused on prevention, since 2014, these have all been stopped, he said. Local governments no longer want us to come because of the pressures of [political] stability work, he said, adding, They say that gathering large numbers of people in any one place is a threat to social stability. China has vowed to crack down on what it calls religious extremism in Xinjiang, and regularly conducts strike hard campaigns including police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the culture and language of the Uyghur people, including videos and other material. But experts outside China say that Beijing has exaggerated the threat from Uyghur separatists, and that domestic policies are responsible for instability in the region and an upsurge in violence that has left hundreds dead since 2012. Reported and translated by Eset Sulaiman for RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Richard Finney. As Chinas ethnic Uyghur Muslim minority group falls under increasing suspicion amid terrorism concerns in the countrys northwest, authorities are fencing off entire neighborhoods in Xinjiang to conduct security checks, Uyghur sources say. Construction of the barriers began after deadly ethnic riots ripped through the regional capital Urumqi in July 2009, and fences are now being built across the region, a neighborhood committee worker in Urumqis Tengritagh district told RFAs Uyghur Service. Every neighborhood has a fence now, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. They have check systems at the gate, but some neighborhoods are stricter and require people to swipe ID cards before they enter, he said. Our own neighborhood is more secure, so we have fewer checks. Yes, we have fences in every neighborhood, a Han Chinese office worker in the Ili River neighborhood of Ili (in Chinese, Yili) prefectures Ghulja City told RFA. We check the IDs of everyone who enters the area, he said. It has been like this for a while now. There is nothing wrong with it. Its only for security, he said. Yang, a security officer in Urumqis Gherbiysay neighborhood, said, We check suspicious persons more carefully. Basically, we check the Uyghurs, he said. Its for security, and [our orders are] very strict. We worry that incidents might happen. Hardships Contacted by RFA, a Uyghur businessman speaking on condition of anonymity after recently escaping from China said that similar restrictions are now in place across Xinjiang, with fences also being built in the prefectures of Kashgar (Kashi), Aksu (Akesu), and Hotan (Hetian). Enclosed neighborhoods are creating hardships in Uyghurs daily lives, another Uyghur living outside Xinjiang said, also speaking on condition of anonymity. They cannot get into the neighborhoods without registering their names or leaving their IDs at the security gate, and security personnel constantly come into their homes without permission. The Han Chinese residents of these neighborhoods are left alone, and are never checked at all, she said. Uyghurs in Xinjiang have long been subject to violent police raids on their households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on their culture and language by Chinese authorities who impose heavy-handed rule in the region. But some experts outside China say Beijing has exaggerated the threat from Uyghur separatists, and that domestic policies are responsible for an upsurge in violence that has left hundreds dead since 2012. Reported by Gulchehra Hoja for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by Mamatjan Juma. Written in English by Richard Finney. Chinese postgraduate student Zhu Xixi spoke to RFA's Han Qing about the growing problem of gender discrimination in graduate recruitment fairs, where some companies will overtly advertise for male graduates in posters on campus, while others make it clear to applicants at graduate jobs fairs that women aren't welcome. Other companies demand physical attributes in female recruits that aren't required of male recruits in the same job, while some jobs extend a quota limiting the number of female recruits. While some Chinese universities have responded to complaints by promising to investigate the matter, Zhu said that legislation banning such practices still isn't being implemented on the ground: I have seen a lot of employment recruitment ads on campus that say that they are recruiting men or women ... In the past, very few of them would actually specify men or women at the recruitment stage, but we are seeing it more and more nowadays. A lot of my friends who attended recruitment fairs said that even when they don't make it clear on the poster, it becomes clear at the recruitment event. We have had laws forbidding gender discrimination in workplace recruitment for a long time now, but these practices are still very common. The main problem lies with the companies who believe that women will always put their families first. So they make the assumption that this will affect their performance at work once they have children. Another issue is the uneven division of labor in the home ... This also affects the ability of women to compete in the job market. If you don't have equality in the home, then that will translate itself into society as a whole, and into the workplace. It's going to make life even more difficult for women. The companies use this as an excuse for not hiring women, that they have too many responsibilities in the home. And it's used again as an argument in the home for women not working, because they will have to work even harder and find it even harder to achieve the same as men of a similar level to them. I think it's important to divide the sacrifices more equally and have men spend more time in the home. The government also makes discrimination worse with some of its policies, especially now that it is allowing families to have two children. It's important to emphasize the role of men in raising children, not just leaving all of the burden to women. That way, companies won't see hiring women as being more costly than hiring men. It's also important to have articles and websites emphasizing the need for greater equality. I think the two things have to work in tandem: the strengthening of women's status in the family as well as in society as a whole. It's crucial that we start changing people's attitudes, because we already have the laws in place. But unless a lot of university students start to speak out [about gender discrimination in campus recruitment] people won't take it seriously. Companies may be perfectly well aware of the laws, but because there may be a cost associated with them, they're not going to change [unless they're forced to]. This is something that everybody needs to work on together. Reported by Han Qing for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The Associated Press (AP) said it has obtained e-mails showing that a company run by Donald Trump's campaign chairman lobbied for Ukraine's Russian-backed president and did not meet legal requirements that it disclose those activities. The e-mails show that a lobbying firm run by Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, sought to gain publicity and sway American public opinion in favor of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who was forced out by a popular revolt in 2014. The latest disclosures on August 18 about Manafort's Russian connections come as Republican presidential candidate Trump faces increasing criticism for his friendly views on Russia. Manafort and Gates have steered Trump's campaign since April and have retained their titles despite a campaign shake-up this week. Manafort said earlier this week that he never performed "direct lobbying support" for the governments of Ukraine or Russia. But AP said his firm did such lobbying and should have registered and disclosed its role as an foreign agent. Under U.S. law, people who lobby on behalf of foreign political leaders must provide detailed reports about their actions to the Justice Department. A violation is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. On August 18, Ukraines National Anticorruption Bureau published excerpts from accounting ledgers from the political party of ousted President Victor Yanukovych documenting more than $12 million in under-the-table payments designated for Manafort. The documents do not confirm that Manafort actually received the money, and his lawyers have denied that he participated in any illegal activities. Based on reporting by AP The Moldovan Foreign Ministry has complained to Russian diplomats over a recent military exercise involving Russian troops on the territory of Transdniester, a region of Moldova de facto controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The ministry issued a statement on August 18 saying that the exercise was illegal, "provocative, and inadmissible." It aimed to "undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Moldova, the statement added. The ministry repeated Chisinau's demand that Russia withdraw its forces and heavy weaponry from the country and that the peacekeeping operation be handed over to international organizations. It was the second time that exercises involving separatists and Russian forces have been held in Transdniester this month. Russia has maintained a force of some 1,000 troops in Moldova since a cease-fire was brokered in 1992 after a brief, bloody conflict between the separatists and the Moldovan state. Some 1,500 people died in that conflict. In 1999, Moscow agreed to a complete withdrawal of its forces by 2002, but has failed to implement that agreement despite repeated appeals by the Moldovan government for it to do so. Based on reporting by AP and Interfax Russian President Vladimir Putin has chaired a session of the Security Council in Crimea, the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula that Moscow annexed in 2014. Putin told the August 19 gathering in Sevastopol that Ukraine attempted to carry out sabotage attacks in Crimea because Kyiv is "reluctant or unable" to implement the Minsk Accords. Putin was referring to Moscow's claim earlier this month that it had thwarted a Ukrainian plot to carry out sabotage in the region. Kyiv has denied the existence of any such plot and Western officials say Moscow has failed to produce convincing evidence of one. On August 17, European Union President Donald Tusk said Russias account of the events was unreliable. Putin told the Security Council that "it looks like our partners in Kyiv have made a decision to aggravate tensions." Nonetheless, Putin said Russia was not planning to cut off diplomatic relations with Ukraine "despite the unwillingness ofKyiv to have full-fledged diplomatic relations at the level of ambassadors." Russia was holding a military exercise in Crimea as Putin was speaking, training the logistics of bringing troops, armor, and equipment from Russia to Ukraine. Putin will also address the Tavrida youth forum, an event that has been held annually since the annexation that assembles young professionals from across Russia. It is Putins fifth visit to the region since it was annexed. Based on reporting by AFP, RIA-Novosti, and Interfax In Afghanistan, August 19 typically spurs an outpouring of celebration and patriotism over the day in 1919 that the multiethnic country regained its independence from Britain following the end of the third Anglo-Afghan war. But a fuss this time over a contentious historical figure who overthrew the Afghan monarch credited with winning the country's independence provides a reminder of Afghanistan's deeply rooted ethnic divisions. Ahead of this year's festivities, a new movement spread north of Kabul calling for the government to organize an official state burial and gravesite for former Afghan King Habibullah Kalakani. In 1928-29, forces loyal to Kalakani took advantage of the absence of royal troops from the capital to overthrow the reformist king, Amanullah Khan, who is widely regarded as a national hero for his successful war against Britain and his efforts to modernize Afghanistan. Kalakani's reign was brief, as he was executed after being deposed less than a year later. He is the only ethnic Tajik monarch to have ruled Afghanistan from the country's emergence in 1747 to the overthrow of the monarchy in 1973. Pashtuns, the country's largest ethnic group, have otherwise dominated the leadership of the Afghan state. Among some Afghans, Kalakani is derided as a "bandit king" whose revolt against Amanullah Khan clogged Afghanistan's path to modernization. Others, however, see Kalakani as an important figure who broke the Pashtun stranglehold on power. The historical event has drawn parallels with the current struggle for power between President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, a Pashtun and Tajik, respectively, who bitterly fought a disputed election in 2014 and together share power in what critics regard as an unwieldy national unity government. The pro-Kalakani movement, whose strength is difficult to gauge but which is supported by some prominent ethnic Tajik lawmakers and former militia commanders, has threatened street protests in Kabul if its demands are not met. Backers have called for a memorial ceremony to be held on September 1. The whereabouts of Kalakani's remains is unclear. Still, some Afghan lawmakers have pressed the government to allocate land to erect a tomb in his honor. Abdullah has promised to bring up the issue with the president. Calls to honor Kalakani have exposed historical ethnic divisions, with Afghans taking to social media to vent their support or anger at the issue. Afghan journalist Daud Junbish claimed Kalakani's reign reversed the reformist agenda of Amanullah Khan. Junbish compared Kalakani to the fundamentalist Taliban movement's late founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar. Another Afghan Twitter user suggested disdain for Kalakani was "ethnically motivated." Some Afghans have been circulating posters of Kalakani. This poster says: "Independence was not mine or Amanullah Khan's. It is because of the sacrifice of the people." YEREVAN -- A Yerevan appeals court has granted bail to another leading member of the Heritage opposition party who was charged in connection with his participation at a recent rally. The court on August 19 ordered David Sanasarian, who serves as a member of Yerevan's municipal assembly as part of an opposition faction, to pay 1.5 million drams (about $3,150) before being freed pending his trial. On August 17, the court released the deputy chairman of the Heritage party, Armen Martirosian, on bail. Sansarian and Martirosian were arrested on July 29 along with another top Heritage party member and an opposition activist on charges of organizing mass disturbances during public protests on that day and remanded to pretrial detention earlier this month. On August 16, the Heritage party announced it was pulling out of local elections scheduled for September-October because of the arrests of its leading members. GYUMRI, Armenia -- An Armenian court has finished hearings in the high-profile case of a Russian soldier accused of killing an Armenian family of seven. A court in the northwestern city of Gyumri ruled on August 19 that the verdict of Russian Army Private Valery Permyakov will be announced on August 23. Permyakov, who previously pleaded guilty, waived his right for a final statement in the courtroom before his verdict's pronouncement. On August 12, the prosecutor in the process demanded a life sentence for Permyakov. On January 12, 2015, six members of the Avetisian family were found dead in their house, including a 2-year-old girl. All the victims were shot or stabbed to death. A 6-month-old boy who was seriously wounded died a week later. Permyakov was later detained near the Armenian-Turkish border. The case led to mass protests in Gyumri and Yerevan against Russia's military presence in the country and calls for the trial to be heard by Armenian judges instead of Russian military judges. In August 2015, a Russian court found Permyakov guilty of desertion and other charges. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was then handed over to Armenia for trial on murder charges. Russia has a garrison of around 3,000 soldiers in Gyumri, some 120 kilometers northwest of the capital, Yerevan. BATUMI, Georgia -- A court in Georgia's Ajara region has convicted four men of bride-snatching. The Batumi City Court on August 18 found all four defendants guilty of depriving a person of liberty and illegally possessing a firearm. One of the defendants was also found guilty of using illegal drugs. He was sentenced to eight years in prison. The other three were each sentenced to seven years in prison. The bride-snatching took place in the town of Kobuleti, on the Black Sea coast, in November. In her testimony in the courtroom, the victim said she was abducted by one of the defendants at gunpoint, but managed to send a message from her mobile phone to her sister. Police arrested the man and his three associates, who assisted him in the crime. With reporting by Batumelebi 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." Three prominent political figures from diverging backgrounds who hoped to run as independent candidates from North Caucasus constituencies have been refused registration to participate in the September 18 elections to the State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament. They are Russian journalist Maksim Shevchenko, a member of the presidential Council on Civil Society and Human Rights and editor in chief of the website Kavpolit.com, who sought to register as a candidate in Daghestan's Southern Electoral District; Aly Totorkulov, a Karachai businessman who heads the Russian Congress of Peoples of the Caucasus and who applied to register in the Karachayevo-Cherkessia Republic's sole electoral district; and Murat Aguzarov, a lawyer and former Republic of North Ossetia parliament deputy whose twin brother, Tamerlan, served briefly as Republic of North Ossetia head until his sudden death earlier this year. In all three cases, the reason cited for denying registration was the purported invalidity of signatures the prospective candidates had submitted in their support. In fact, however, they appear to have incurred the displeasure of senior republican officials who intervened to prevent their participation in the ballot for fear that due to widespread popular dissatisfaction they would garner far more votes than the candidate representing the ruling United Russia party. All three men intend to appeal to Russia's Central Election Commission the rulings by its republic-level counterparts. No Friend Of Police Shevchenko announced his intention of running for the Duma just one month ago, declaring that social degradation in the North Caucasus in general and Daghestan in particular had reached rock-bottom, and "things can't go on like this." The only way to restore violated civic rights, he said, was through political engagement. Shevchenko has written extensively on human rights violations in Daghestan, in particular the seemingly arbitrary and at times brutal harassment -- allegedly by the republican Interior Ministry -- of individuals suspected of adhering to the Salafi strain of Islam, rather than the "official" Sunni Islam represented by the Shafii legal school, and which is heavily influenced by the local form of Sufism. Specifically, he has criticized the inclusion of peaceful and law-abiding citizens in the "prophylactic register" of suspected Salafi sympathizers created in 2010 on the basis of an edict, which has never been made public, by Daghestani Interior Minister Abdurashid Magomedov. Daghestan's Salafi community is estimated at 40,000-50,000. Republic of Daghestan head Ramazan Abdulatipov says there are 9,000 names on the prophylactic register, while Magomedov says there are 16,000. Shevchenko wrote on August 11 to Russian Central Election Commission Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova asking her to monitor the signature-verification procedure in light of the Daghestani Interior Ministry's negative perception of him. The ministry responded with a statement defending its targeting of suspected Islamic extremists on the grounds that "our police colleagues died or were crippled in the fight against those whom Shevchenko seeks so selflessly to defend. Every Daghestani knows the external attributes of extremists: wearing a beard, attending the 'wrong' mosque, calling for the overthrow of the legitimate authorities, hatred for the law enforcement agencies." In the event, the Daghestani Interior Ministry did not dispute that the signatures Shevchenko submitted were genuine, but claimed that in 7 percent of the total number the date was written in the same handwriting, which differed from that of the signatory. Shevchenko publicly accused Magomedov of having co-opted to assess the signatures in his support a relative of a rival prospective candidate. Shevchenko claimed Magomedov warned the woman in question she would be dismissed unless she had him removed from the list of candidates. Shevchenko argued that it was unacceptable for an agency that routinely engages in blatant human rights violations to determine whether or not he should be allowed to participate in the election. Ethnic Calculus As for Totorkulov, he initially sought to participate in the Duma election as a representative of United Russia. The selection of United Russia's parliamentary candidates in Karachayevo-Cherkessia is dictated less by ability than ethnicity. The Karachais are by far the largest ethnic group, followed by the Russians and the Circassians. It is accepted practice that the republic head is a Karachai, the prime minister a Circassian, and the parliament speaker a Russian. Given that the Karachais are unlikely to vote for a Russian, the Duma candidate elected from the republic's only single-mandate constituency is invariably a Karachai, while the two candidates elected on the basis of party lists are Karachai and Russian. (Of the 450 State Duma deputies, 225 are elected in single-mandate constituencies and the remaining 225 under the proportional system.) In March, Totorkulov duly applied to register for the "primaries" to select United Russia's candidate in the Karachayevo-Cherkessia single-mandate constituency, but his application was rejected on the grounds, according to republican parliament speaker Aleksandr Ivanov, that "he could discredit the good name of the party." Instead, acting Karachayevo-Cherkessia Republic head Rashid Temrezov engineered the selection of a young, little-known republican parliament deputy, Rasul Botashev, despite a smear campaign arguing that Botashev was not a suitable candidate because he once studied Islamic law in Saudi Arabia. Botashev and Totorkuov are distantly related by marriage, their wives being cousins. Totorkulov then declared his intention of participating in the election as an independent candidate but was refused registration. That decision was made in the absence of one of the Karachayevo-Cherkessia Election Commission's 14 members by a vote of six in favor and seven against, and despite a statement by commission Chairman Mekhti Baytokov to the effect that the federal Central Election Commission had recommended including Totorkulov on the ballot. Totorkulov reportedly countered obstruction and official pressure ever since he announced his intention of running as an independent candidate. In early August, 90 NGO heads and human rights activists from across Russia (including Shevchenko) signed an open letter to President Vladimir Putin deploring the pressure brought to bear on Totorkulov in direct violation of Putin's injunction that the election campaign should be "open and honest, in a spirit of mutual respect." Hope For Change Denied Although a member United Russia, Aguzarov applied in late June to register as an independent candidate for the Duma ballot from North Ossetia's sole single-mandate constituency. He said he decided to do so, after lengthy reflection, "to justify the hopes of those people who believe in me." That Aguzarov succeeded in garnering more than 100,000 signatures in support of his candidacy in a region with a total population of just over 700,000 testifies to the extent of that trust, which is partly due to his brother's reputation: After a decade of economic stagnation and corruption, Tamerlan Aguzarov became a symbol of a new beginning that his successor, Vyacheslav Bitarov, is struggling to build on. The North Ossetian parliament is expected to confirm Bitarov, currently acting republic head, in that post on September 18. Aguzarov deplored the refusal to register him as "spitting in voters' faces." Assuming that the federal Central Election Commission does not intervene to reinstate them, none of the three candidates has any hope of redress in the immediate future. Totorkulov, however, is already thinking ahead to 2021, when Temrezov's second term in office will expire. In an extensive online question-and answer session in June, he declared that "if the republican authorities continue in future to try to keep me out of politics, I shall have to start fighting for the post of republic head." Russian military forces are carrying out "logistical exercises" in and around the Crimean Peninsula, the Ukrainian Black Sea region that Russia annexed in 2014. Russia's state RIA-Novosti agency announced the August 18 drills. The point of the exercise is to train moving troops, armor, and other equipment from Russia to Crimea. Some 2,500 troops, 350 armored vehicles, a large landing ship, a submarine, and other units are participating. The current exercises are the forerunner of a much larger war-games exercise planned in the region for September. The Defense Ministry said Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu observed part of the exercise on August 17 in the Russian port city of Novorossiisk. Tensions have been high in the region since Moscow earlier this month accused Ukraine of plotting "sabotage" attacks in Crimea. Kyiv denies any such plots. Recent weeks have also seen a noticeable increase in shelling and other violence in eastern Ukraine, where Kyiv is battling against Russia-back separatists. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on August 17 warned that he does not rule out "a full-scale Russian invasion" and said that if the situation in the east and around Crimea continues to deteriorate, "we will have to impose martial law and order mobilization." Based on reporting by RIA-Novosti, Reuters, and AFP On August 17, 10 of the 11 political parties registered to participate in the September 18 elections for a new Daghestani parliament signed a formal pledge to ensure an honest vote. Whether that commitment is more than a pure formality is questionable, however, in light of an audio file recently uploaded to the Internet in which speakers tentatively identified as senior Daghestani officials instruct local mayors to bar opposition parties, including Motherland (Rodina), from the ballot in order to guarantee a resounding victory for the ruling United Russia party. Rodina announced on August 3 the withdrawal of its prospective Daghestani candidates for both the Daghestani parliamentary ballot and the nationwide elections to the State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, citing alleged pressure, threats, and blackmail by the authorities. A second opposition party, People against Corruption (NPK), had pulled out two weeks earlier citing similar pressure. The memorandum on abjuring so-called "black PR" and illegal manipulation of the vote was the initiative of Republic of Daghestan head Ramazan Abdulatipov. It was under discussion even before the clandestine audio file surfaced and was thus not an exercise in damage containment in response to that leak. On the surface, the signing of the memorandum conforms to Russian President Vladimir Putin's injunction that the State Duma elections should be free and fair, in accordance with the law. But according to Gadzhimurad Sagitov, chief editor of the independent Russian-language weekly Novoye Delo, whereas the federal authorities genuinely want the elections to be fair, the republican leadership in its efforts to sideline the opposition has already crossed the boundaries of what is permitted. In his opening comments to the various party representatives who subsequently signed the memorandum, Abdulatipov said candidates should refrain from trying to reap political dividends by leveling unfounded accusations at the authorities, and he made clear his disapproval of those political forces that, even though they purportedly lack popular support, seek "to undermine the legitimacy of the election campaign by criticizing the authorities' undemocratic approach." He argued that for all those who truly care about their country, "the interests of the motherland should take precedence over narrow party interests." The speakers in the audio clip, who commentators believe include parliament speaker Khizri Shikhsaidov and former Makhachkala Mayor Magomed Suleymanov, are more explicit, while showing a total disregard for legal procedure. The official chairing the meeting, who has been tentatively identified as first deputy presidential administration head Aleksei Gasanov (others present address him as "Aleksei Petrovich"), impresses on local mayors the need to do everything in their power to ensure that Rodina's candidates withdraw by August 2 but to do so in such a way that they do not lodge a formal complaint about official pressure. At the same time, "Aleksei Petrovich" evinces a total disregard for the consequences of such actions. ("Let the papers write whatever they like....") That audio file was discussed in detail at a roundtable in Makhachkala on August 18 attended by journalists and representatives of opposition parties and NGOs. Participants subsequently addressed an appeal to top Russian officials, including President Putin and Central Election Commission Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova, to take action to rectify the illegal actions of Daghestani leaders, specifically the refusal to register Rodina and the NPK to participate in the parliamentary elections, and journalist and human rights campaigner Maksim Shevchenko as an independent candidate for the Russian State Duma elections. Commentator Rasul Kadiyev has observed that in Russian politics, as in Russian sport, you only get punished for cheating if you're found out. He predicts that Gasanov will be made a scapegoat for the leaked audio file, which is not entirely fair given that Deputy Prime Minister Rayudin Yusufov has been quoted as making very similar remarks ("Don't worry about the law, just do what I tell you.") when addressing local officials in the town of Dagestanskiye Ogni late last month. On the other hand, if the Daghestani authorities' machinations result in the desired handsome majority for United Russia, the Kremlin may turn a blind eye to how those results were achieved. Insofar as the scandalous audio file only serves to corroborate malpractice that many voters have long taken for granted, it is difficult to predict how it will impact on voter behavior, except perhaps by reinforcing the perception that there is no point in casting a ballot if all the parties/candidates you might have voted for have been excluded, which would result in a very low turnout. Whether popular anger and frustration will translate into mass protests, as commentator Suleyman Uladiyev has predicted, is questionable, however. MOSCOW -- Forget duty-free vodka and "matryoshka" dolls: Travelers looking for a last-minute souvenir of Russia can now pick up an assault rifle -- well, a plastic replica -- before heading for flights out of Moscow's main airport. Arms manufacturer Kalashnikov has opened a shop at the terminal of a train that carries passengers from central Moscow to Sheremetyevo International Airport. Along with less striking souvenirs such as pens, backpacks, and caps, the boutique sells replicas of assault rifles and pistols. The plastic mock-ups do not fire and do not require a license, but they look real and they don't come cheap. According to prices listed on the gunmaker's website, the replica AK-74 assault rifle costs 34,500 rubles ($540). An MP 654K replica pistol fitted with a silencer costs 7,300 rubles ($115). The shop also stocks T-shirts, flash cards, wallets, and camouflage coats with the logo of the producer of the world's most famous assault rifle, the AK-47 -- a red letter K with a part that looks like the gun's distinctive curved magazine. T-shirt designs feature slogans such as "I [heart] AK" and "I'm your father" with a picture of a rifle with an optic sight. "Kalashnikov is one of the most popular brands that comes to the mind of most people when they hear of Russia so we are happy to provide the opportunity to everyone who wants to take away from Russia a souvenir with our company brand," Kalashnikov marketing chief Vladimir Dmitriyev said in a press release. Buyers will have to check in their fake guns before boarding, however. Both flagship Russian carrier Aeroflot's rules and a Sheremetyevo phone helpline said replica weapons are allowed only in check-in luggage, and the airport said that during security checks at the airport entrance, staff may inspect the item and ask for documentation, including receipts. In e-mailed comments, Sheremetyevo said that the Aeroexpress train terminal, where the Kalashnikov shop is located, is not managed by the airport, and that "there have been no cases of a conflict situation arising" since it opened on August 16. "But this question is important," it said. "The situation is being monitored by our aviation security service. In the event that instances of conflict regularly arise that have an impact on the provision of passenger security, we do not rule out the possibility of establishing product-range recommendations for our commercial partners." Many other airlines prohibit toy guns in the cabin, and some airports bar them as well. Military Publicity The opening of Kalashnikov's first souvenir shop appears to be part of a marketing push by the arms firm, which coincides with a publicity drive by the Russian military. The Kremlin's annexation of Crimea in March 2014 was hailed in Russia as a victory for national military might, and the military has sought to cash in, among other things opening a series of boutiques in Moscow where it sold designer clothing with Russian military insignia, slogans, and pictures of President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. A branch was even opened directly opposite the U.S. Embassy. Russian state media covering the opening of the Kalashnikov store did not question the choice of location. To the backing of upbeat electronic music, a video report on state news agency RIA Novosti showed people happily perusing the Kalashnikov gadgets and replica weapons. In another report, a photographer could be seen posing with an assault rifle raised in one hand and his camera in other. But comments on social media reflected surprise at the decision to sell realistic-looking toy guns in a major transport hub that has had metal detectors at its entrances and beefed-up security since a suicide bomb blast ripped through the arrivals section at Moscow's Domodedovo airport in January 2011, killing 37 people. "Great location, make the purchase and then go and scare passengers going into duty free," mused one Twitter user sarcastically. "And will the happy buyers go onto planes with these 'replicas'? Aren't you afraid the planes will stop flying?" asked prominent Russian journalist Vitaly Tretyakov. An evident Kalashnikov supporter, however, pushed back on the criticism, writing that "these replicas have been sold on the Internet for 10 years, if not more, and planes for the time being have been flying." Moscow airports have proved something of a target for patriotic, nationalist advertising. Putin T-shirts are sold in vending machines. A recent ad campaign by the ultranationalist Liberal Democrat Party calls for the "return of the borders of the U.S.S.R." Last year, passengers arriving at Sheremetyevo passed a 2-meter tall cardboard soldier holding a machine gun and the message "Russians are polite people" -- a reference to Russia's informal name for its soldiers who seized control of Crimea -- apparently used this time as an advertisement for a shopping center. KYIV -- Ukrainian authorities have published excerpts from secret accounting ledgers of former President Viktor Yanukovychs political party documenting more than $12.7 million in under-the-table payments that were earmarked for Paul Manafort, who chaired U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trumps campaign until his resignation on August 19. Some of the 22 line items posted on the website of the National Anticorruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) show payments of more than $1 million for Manafort's "services," while others describe the payments as being for "Manafort exit poll in real time," "personal computers for Manafort," and simply "sociology" -- possibly a reference to opinion surveys. The handwritten entries span nearly five years, from November 20, 2007 to October 5, 2012, when Manafort was working for Yanukovych's ruling Party of Regions in Kyiv. Yanukovych fled to Russia in 2014, after being pushed from power by protests over his decision to scrap plans for a landmark cooperation pact with the European Union and forge closer ties to Moscow instead. Manafort has come under fire over the revelations, first reported by The New York Times on August 14. He was removed from day-to-day management of Trump's campaign on August 17 but retained his title until August 19, when Trump issued a statement via his official website in which he described Manafort as "a true professional." "This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign," the statement read, adding that the Republican nominee was "very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today...." NABU said the presence of Manafort's name in the ledger did not mean that he actually received the money designated for him, because the signatures that appear in the column of recipients belong to other people. Manafort has said he never received any illegal payments and his lawyers have denied that he participated in any illegal activities in Ukraine. But Serhiy Leshchenko, a Ukrainian lawmaker and anticorruption campaigner who has studied the ledger, is convinced that Manafort received the payments listed. "Manafort didn't work for free in Ukraine, he served the Party of Regions for over 10 years and it is clear that his work was paid," Leshchenko said, holding up copies of the ledger items at a news conference in Kyiv on August 19. "The money was transferred in cash and it is impossible to trace the transactions, but I have no doubt as to the authenticity of these documents." "We know that people who were mentioned in these books...they confirmed they were involved in this activity and money [was] taken," Leshchenko added. Money 'Funneled' To Washington Firms His belief is bolstered by the fact that the signatories for the payment orders include top former Party of Regions lawmakers Vitaliy Kalyuzhny, who served as chairman of the Ukrainian parliament's International Relations Committee, and Yevhen Heller, who Leshchenko said was considered to be the party's "cashier." Heller is also one of the founders of the European Center for a Modern Ukraine, a Brussels-based nonprofit organization that Associated Press reports say was used to funnel money from the Party of Regions to two U.S. lobbying firms. AP reports said the news agency obtained e-mails showing that Manafort -- using his own firm, run with help from his deputy Rick Gates -- helped route at least $2.2 million through the European Center for a Modern Ukraine to lobbying firms Mercury and the Podesta Group in order to sway American public opinion in the interest of Yanukovych and his party. The AP said Manafort and Gates failed to disclose their roles as foreign agents by registering as such with the federal government. Under U.S. law, people who lobby on behalf of foreign political leaders must provide detailed accounts of their work to the Justice Department. Failure to do so is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Manafort has denied ever performing "direct lobbying support" for the Ukrainian government. Manafort is not the only American whose name appears in the party ledger. In his presentation on August 19, Leshchenko also revealed for the first time that veteran U.S. journalist and longtime CNN television host Larry King's name is listed in the accounting book. 'Larry King Payment' In an entry dated October 11, 2011, King is listed as the recipient of a $225,000 advance for an "interview." King's signature is not on the page. As with the entries referring to Manafort, Heller signed for the payment. Leshchenko's colleague Sevhil Musayeva-Borovyk, an investigative reporter and editor in chief of the independent news site Ukrayinska Pravda, said she believes the payment was for King to conduct an interview with then-Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, a Yanukovych ally and senior Party of Regions member. King visited Kyiv and interviewed Azarov weeks after the date of the entry, on November 28, 2011, at the government headquarters in Kyiv. At a news conference following the interview, King called Azarov a straightforward and honest person. He said that after the interview he had told his wife, who joined him in Kyiv, that Azarov "would have been a successful U.S. politician." "He's a bit like Jimmy Carter. He looks good, and it's easy to meet with him," King said when asked with whom of the world's politicians he would compare Azarov, according to the Interfax news agency. King's representatives could not be reached for comment. The Azarov interview did not air on CNN, and it is unclear whether it was broadcast elsewhere. King's CNN show Larry King Live was canceled in 2010, but he was still hosting CNN special programs at the time the interview was conducted. CNN cut ties with King in February 2012. In 2013, King signed on to host a new program on state-funded Russian channel RT. 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." Eleven hard-liners in the Soviet government, military, Communist Party, and KGB were named in a Russian court as the organizers of the failed August 1991 coup against Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. They included the so-called Gang of Eight that had placed Gorbachev under house arrest -- a short-lived, self-declared provisional government that called itself the State Committee for the Emergency Situation was known by its Russian acronym, GKChP. They also included three other senior Soviet political and military officials. One Gang of Eight member, Soviet Interior Minister Boris Pugo, committed suicide shortly after the coup collapsed. The 10 other men named as coup plotters were all granted amnesty by the State Duma on February 23, 1994 -- ending their 14-month trial, on high treason charges, by the military branch of the Supreme Court. They went on to play various roles in politics and the private sector in post-communist Russia. Vladimir Kryuchkov, Soviet KGB Chief Vladimir Kryuchkov, the KGB chief who initiated the creation of the GKChP, was named by the court as one of four main conspirators in the attempted coup. After the amnesty, Kryuchkov wrote extensively about the events that preceded the disintegration of the Soviet Union -- criticizing Gorbachevs for his political, social, and economic reforms, for the loss of Soviet domination over Eastern Europe, and for the reunification of Germany. Kryuchkov died at age 83 on November 23, 2007. Valentin Pavlov, Soviet Prime Minister Valentin Pavlov, prime minister of the Soviet Union, was released on bail in January 1993, more than a year before the amnesty. As a key member of the Gang of Eight, he was named by the court as one of the four main coup plotters. From 1994 to August 1995, Pavlov -- a former Soviet finance minister -- was a director of the commercial bank Chasprombank, resigning at the boards request six months before Chasprombanks license was revoked for violating Russian central bank rules. In 1996 and 1997, Pavlov was an adviser to Promstroibank, another commercial bank. In 1998, he became vice president of a U.S.-based software developer called Business Management Systems. He also was named during the 1990s as the vice president of an organization called Free Economic Society -- a renamed version of the All-Soviet Economic Society. Pavlov died in Moscow on March 30, 2003. Dmitry Yazov, Soviet Defense Minister Soviet Defense Minister Dmitry Yazov, another member of the Gang of Eight, also was named by the court as one of the four chief conspirators. A World War II veteran and the last Marshal of the Soviet Union, Yazov accepted the amnesty after 18 months in Moscows Matrosskaya Tishina jail, but insisted he was not guilty of treason. He was dismissed from military service in February 1994 by President Boris Yeltsin, but continued to take part in veterans activities and was a guest of honor at subsequent May 9 parades commemorating the Allied victory in World War II. After Vladimir Putin became president, he became a chief military adviser to the Defense Ministrys International Military Cooperation Department and to the chief of the General Staff Academy. In 2006, during Putins second term, Yazov took a post with the Inspectors General Service at the Defense Ministry, where he was a leading analyst. On November 8, 2014, Putin personally presented Yazov (pictured above) with Russias Order of Honor medal for high achievement in useful societal activities. Oleg Shenin, Politburo Member Oleg Shenin, a secretary of the Communist Party and member of its ruling Politburo, was the only official not among the Gang of Eight to be named by the court as a main conspirator. In 1993, while still on trial for high treason, Shenin became the founding chairman of the marginal Union of Communist Parties -- Communist Party of the Soviet Union (UCP-CPSU), and remained at that post after the amnesty. He met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during a September 1997 visit to Pyongyang. In 2001, he split from the main Russian Communist Party after its leader, Gennady Zyuganov, refused to support his idea of creating a united Communist Party of Russia and Belarus. Shenin sought to run for the Russian presidency in 2008, but was denied registration on the grounds that there were omissions in his paperwork. He died at age 71 on May 28, 2009. Boris Pugo, Soviet Interior Minister Boris Pugo, the Soviet interior minister who was part of the Gang of Eight, fatally shot himself on August 22, 1991, after being summoned to a meeting with a Russian prosecutor over his role in the failed coup, according to multiple accounts. His wife also died after the incident. Prosecutors dismissed speculation that one or the other was murdered, saying that both left suicide notes and that Pugos wife managed to place his pistol neatly on a chest of drawers after shooting herself. Some of Pugos contemporaries have cast doubt on the official version. Oleg Baklanov, Soviet Defense Council Deputy Chairman Oleg Baklanov, was head of the ministry responsible for building ICBMs, booster rockets, and space vehicles. As Communist Party secretary in charge of defense issues, he was a top figure in the military-industrial complex at the time of the coup. After the amnesty, he worked as a scientist and a businessman in Russias defense sector. Baklanov became chairman of the board of Rosobshemash, a state-owned military contractor that builds military aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles, like the SS-18 Satan, for Russias nuclear arsenal. Gennady Yanayev, Soviet Vice President Soviet Vice President Gennady Yanayev was a Gang of Eight member who claimed the post of acting president during the attempted coup. His hands trembled at the plotters press conference, prompting speculation that he was drunk and making him a symbol of the failed power grab. After being freed from jail in March 1994 under the State Duma amnesty, Yanayev stayed out of politics and business. He became the head of the Department of History and International Relations at the Russian International Academy of Tourism. He died at age 73 on September 24, 2010, after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Anatoly Lukyanov, Supreme Soviet Chairman Anatoly Lukyanov was chairman of the Supreme Soviet, the U.S.S.R.s top legislative body. He became deeply involved in the creation of the Russian Communist Party after the breakup of the Soviet Union, even before the amnesty. In 1993, Lukyanov co-founded the Communist Party of the Russian Federation with Gennady Zyuganov. He served until 2003 as the chairman of the partys Central Advisory Council and as a senior adviser to Zyuganov. Lukyanov also was elected as a Communist Party deputy to the State Duma in 1993, 1995, and 1999. Lukyanov stopped taking part in Duma elections in 2003 when he became a board member of OEG Petroservis, a Russian firm involved in exploration and drilling for oil and natural gas. Valentin Varennikov, Soviet Deputy Defense Minister Valentin Varennikov, a Soviet general and deputy defense minister, is the only coup plotter who refused to accept the State Dumas amnesty offer after it was reviewed by a Russian court in March 1994. Varennikov was acquitted of treason on August 11, 1994, when a newly appointed judge in the case ruled that he had merely followed the orders of Defense Minister Yazov and had acted in an interest of preserving and strengthening his country. Varennikov won a State Duma seat in 1995 as a member of the Communist Party, and headed the Committee on Veteran Affairs. In August 2003, Varennikov co-founded the nationalist political party Rodina. He also founded a nongovernmental group that he called the International League for Human Dignity and Security and vehemently defended the reputation of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, saying that the Soviet Union became a great country because we were led by Stalin. Varennikov died at age 85 on May 6, 2009. Vasily Starodubtsev, Soviet Peasants Union Chairman Vasily Starodubtsev, chairman of the Soviet Peasants Union, continued his political career after the August 1991 coup. He was treated leniently by the court compared to other members of the Gang of Eight. He was released from jail in 1992, officially for health reasons, on the condition that he stay out of politics. But Starodubtsev ignored those terms. In 1993, he helped found the Agrarian Party of Russia, which advocated agrarian socialism and collectivism, and was elected to the State Duma. Starodubtsev was governor of Tula Oblast from 1997 to 2005. His party supported Dmitry Medvedevs 2008 presidential candidacy and merged into Putins ruling United Russia party the same year. Starodubtsev died of a heart attack at age 80 on December 30, 2011. Aleksandr Tizyakov, Soviet Industrial Consortium Leader Aleksandr Tizyakov, a member of the Gang of Eight, used his connections as the head of a Soviet industrial association to launch a career as a private businessman after the 1994 amnesty. At the time of the coup, Tizyakov headed the Soviet Unions Association of State Enterprises and Industry, Transport, and Communications Facilities. By 2001, he had founded or cofounded a series of private companies: a mechanical engineering firm called Antal; an insurance company called Severnaya Kazna; a consumer goods firm called Fideliti; and plywood producing enterprise called Vidikon. He is founder and board chair of an investment firm called Noviye Tekhnologii. He also founded a Russian-Kyrgyz joint venture called Tekhnologia and a Yekaterinburg-based firm that rents out non-residential properties called Nauka-93, and is listed as a founder of several other companies. Tizyakov ran unsuccessfully for the State Duma in 1995 and 1999 and again in 2003, when he was a candidate on the Communist Party ticket. Demographic Divergence - RFE/RL Demographic Divergence by Li Ping Luo After 25 years of independence, some former Soviet republics are experiencing record population decline while others are soaring to new highs. This is a story about demographic destiny. Population Migration Fertility Life Expectancy Future Projections Population: Opposite trends Eastern Europe & the Baltics Central Asia The Caucasus Source: The World Bank The extent of population loss in many former Soviet republics has been staggering. Ukraine has lost more than 6 million people since gaining independence in 1991, while the Baltic states have lost a combined 20 percent of their population. Russias population briefly dipped below 142 million in 2009 -- a post-Soviet low -- but has recently rebounded due to migration, increasing fertility, and declining mortality. In the Caucasus, Armenia and Georgia have experienced similar population decreases while Azerbaijan has surged. Data from Central Asia tell a very different story. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan all have youthful booming populations that are at historic levels. Kazakhstans population fell for over a decade after the dissolution mainly due to an exodus of ethnic Russians and Germans, but has grown overall thanks to strong fertility. Migration: Russia's draw Eastern Europe The Baltics The Caucasus Central Asia Source: The Pew Research Center Russia has been the main destination for migrants from the post-Soviet space. Many of these immigrants are ethnic Russians once dispersed throughout the U.S.S.R. seeking to reunite with their families, while newcomers tend to go to Russia for education or economic opportunity. A common lingua franca and shared sociocultural characteristics continue to make Russia a preferred choice for migrants from ex-Soviet republics -- especially Ukrainians, 3 million of whom now call Russia home. Baltic emigrants have also preferred to settle in Russia, although many have permanently settled in the United Kingdom or Germany. Educated young people are disproportionately likely to emigrate. This phenomenon has led to accelerating brain drain, thereby weakening labor-market competitiveness and creating long-term structural demographic imbalances. Fertility: Downward trajectory Source: The World Bank In the 1980s, the Soviet Union implemented nationwide pronatalist policies that effectively boosted birthrates in Russia. But this was a temporary boon. The disintegration of the U.S.S.R. was followed by a rapid downturn in births across all former republics. Many state-run day-care centers were shut down or privatized, meaning that childcare costs increased significantly. Economic instability discouraged large families as the cost of living increased dramatically, impoverishing many families with children. Twenty-five years later, Russia has the one of the highest fertility rates in Europe -- though still well under 2.1, which demographers stress is the level needed for natural population balance. Central Asia experienced an overall drop in fertility, but all five of its post-Soviet republics show a fertility rate that is well above replacement level. Fertility rate is one of the determinant factors in population growth or decline. Life Expectancy: Sweeping spectrum Source: The World Bank The life expectancy of a Turkmen born in 2015 is about 65 years -- well over a decade less than an Estonian. There are large disparities in life expectancy across the post-Soviet space. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania -- all members of the European Union and Schengen zone -- lead the pack in life expectancy at birth and GDP per capita but are experiencing severe population downturns. Russia and the Eastern European states fall in the middle of the pack. Central Asia is encountering relatively low life expectancy and high population growth rates on average. Future: Paradigm shift Source: The United Nations Population Division Demographic decline worries governments because it may go hand in hand with geopolitical weight, economic might, and military prowess. In 1989, there were 289 million Soviet citizens -- making the U.S.S.R. the third most populous country in the world, ahead of the United States and behind only India and China. Twenty-five years after its disintegration, the combined population of the 15 former republics stands at just under 294 million. But by 2050, the combined population of former Soviet countries is projected to decrease to just 284 million, a lower estimate than Nigerias. Ukraine, once home to more than 50 million people, will likely continue to suffer acute population loss and will be surpassed by Uzbekistan in the coming decades. Immigration will help to slow Russias losses but not reverse the overall trend of decline throughout post-Soviet Europe. Only Central Asia and Azerbaijan will weather the demographic storm affecting the rest of the former Soviet Union. 3 A portrait of Serhiy Nigoyan, the first person to be shot dead during the Euromaidan protests in 2014. The ethnic Armenian was struck down shortly before a police assault on protesters during the snowy morning of January 22. On seeing the portrait, Nigoyan's father said, "We are proud. Thank you to everyone who respects, participated, and strove in his memory." Healing hasnt been easy for the family of Jamycheal Mitchell, a mentally ill man who stole $5 worth of snacks and then died of starvation in a jail cell a year ago today. Its still hard because we havent been able to get closure, said Roxanne Adams, Mitchells aunt. From last year this time to now, we still dont know anything. We dont know what happened; we dont know how it happened. Hampton Roads Regional Jail in Portsmouth, which housed Mitchell for 101 days before he died, cleared itself of wrongdoing after conducting an internal investigation, but officials have refused to release their findings to the public. Other agencies have investigated Mitchells death, but none has reached any conclusions publicly, at least about how he was allowed to deteriorate under near constant supervision of guards and medical staff. Adams said the family misses Mitchells laugh, and holidays have been difficult without him. They have been trying to live a day at a time, hoping someone would come forward to explain what happened to Mitchell while he was locked up alone in a cell. We have a great loss as a family, and theyre able to go on with their lives, Adams said. We still have this in the back of our minds. He had his whole life ahead of him and now hes gone. Adams is the plaintiff in a $60 million lawsuit filed in federal court against the jails top officials and more than three dozen other defendants. The suit alleges repeated physical abuse, neglect and inadequate health care. Attorneys for Adams and the defendants have been filing motions and pleadings. The discovery process will begin soon, when witnesses will be questioned under oath and the jail likely will have to provide internal documents it has declined to release to Adams and the media under the Freedom of Information Act. Mark Krudys, the attorney representing Adams, declined to comment on Thursday. Lt. Col. Eugene Taylor III, the assistant superintendent at the jail, and Jeff Rosen, the jails attorney, did not reply to emails seeking comment. The numerous unanswered questions in the case include those about video that was shot outside Mitchells cell. The jail initially claimed the footage had been recorded over but later reversed itself. The jail has not explained how the video was recovered, what is on the footage, how much of it exists or why officials originally claimed it had been deleted. Adams believes the jail should release it. If youve done the right thing, come out and present it, she said. Dont hide behind those locked doors. Virginia State Police began investigating Mitchells death in June. A spokeswoman said Thursday the work is ongoing. Adams said a thorough investigation may give her peace. I do want change. I dont want another family to go through what were going through, but I want to know what happened to my nephew, she said. Then I could start healing and forgiving. Several advocacy organizations have called for a federal investigation into Mitchells death and for significant changes in the way mentally ill Virginians are treated. It pains me that the anniversary of his death is (today), yet we are no closer to understanding what happened than we were one year ago, said Mira Signer, executive director of the National Alliance on the Mental Illness for Virginia. The Richmond-based disAbility Law Center of Virginia, which contracts with the federal government to act as legal advocates for Virginians with disabilities, will continue to push for programs that stabilize people in mental health crises and for training for police and correctional officers, said Colleen Miller, executive director. The Virginia State Police have issued a warning about what they described as an ongoing phone scam in which a caller claims hes from the IRS and makes threatening and intimidating demands for payment. Adding to the confusion, police said, is that the Caller ID number for the alleged scammer displays a legitimate phone number for a Virginia State Police field office with an 804 area code. State police said they have received numerous calls concerning this scam within the past few days. In each case, police said, the caller appears to have a thick foreign accent and identifies him or herself as working for the IRS. The scammer also has personal information on the person being called, but police said that information can be commonly found on the internet. If the individual refuses to pay, then the fake IRS caller becomes very agitated and impatient, and begins threatening the individual with imprisonment or other severe punishment if the person does not promise to provide payment, police said. The scammers use of a legitimate state police number is known as spoofing, which enables the caller to disguise his or her true identity. Perpetrators of IRS phone scams commonly target senior citizens. One victim reported to police on Wednesday that she had just sent the caller $2,000 in gift cards. In addition, the Fredericksburg Police Department reported that a 72-year-old resident was targeted and scammed out of more than $12,000. Police offered these tips if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS: Richmond runners without an exercise buddy can now add a four-legged companion to their jogs. A new program at Richmond Animal Care and Control pairs runners with adoptable shelter dogs. The program, meant mostly for women who run alone, is intended to provide an extra sense of security for the runner and exercise for energetic dogs. Workers at the shelter had been talking about starting a program for quite a while, and they decided to roll it out after the recent killings of women running alone in New York and Massachusetts. Anyone that feels like they could use a companion for safety when jogging can definitely take part in the program, said Robin Young, outreach coordinator for the citys shelter. I dont have statistics, but I just know I feel safer when Im with my dog. Obviously if you cant run with a running buddy, to have a dog Im sure is a deterrent for some people who are looking to do bad things to someone. Program participant Morgan Soukup says the idea was a great one. Its just perfect all around for the dogs and the runners, Soukup said. I think its a really great opportunity to get the dogs out into the community and seen. Theyd be awesome pets; they just need a chance for people to see them. Soukup was drawn to the program because none of her three dogs at home is a runner. I was attracted to the fact that so many dogs are there and have pent-up energy, and I hate running alone. So why not have the dog come with me and get their energy out, as well as have a running partner? Soukup said. The shelter has about 10 medium or large dogs in the program. Dogs are picked based on a behavior assessment. In addition, the dogs must be younger than 6, up to date on shots and negative for heartworm. Give these dogs some time to get used to this. They have a lot of energy. We see them in a shelter environment and we see that they have a lot of energy, but just start slow with the dogs. Dont expect a dog to run 7 miles if you normally run 7 miles, Young said. The dogs cannot be taken running or walking if its too hot or too cold outside. The heat has kept Soukup from taking a dog out yet, but shes hoping to go running with a shelter dog over an upcoming weekend. Dogs are great running partners. They not only keep you motivated, but also deter possible scary or unsafe situations, Soukup said. I think itll be beneficial having a dog running with me at all times. The program, which debuted last week, is free and open to anyone who would like to participate. Runners come to the shelter, pick up a dog and sign out, telling staff members where theyre going and at what time. As of now, runners can choose which dogs to run with and can opt to stick with the same dog or mix it up. The shelter is hoping some of the runners become attached to the dogs and adopt them, Young said. A previously deferred plan for 22 new homes in Hanover County will be considered for final approval after receiving the backing of the countys Planning Commission. The ClubRun subdivision, proposed by ClubRun of Virginia LLC, was recommended for approval to the Board of Supervisors at the Planning Commissions regular meeting on Thursday by a 6-0 vote. The commission delayed making a recommendation on plans for the project at its July meeting after neighboring homeowners requested more time to review changes to plans for the development, which included the addition of shared driveways. ClubRun would be located on nearly 25 acres along the north side of West Patrick Henry Road at the intersection of Country Club Drive near the existing Country Club Hills subdivision. House sizes would be a minimum of 2,000 square feet. Scott Courtney, vice president of land development engineering with the consulting, engineering and construction firm Resource International Ltd., spoke on behalf of ClubRun and said the developer has taken into account community concerns and adapted plans accordingly. We made a lot of changes, Courtney told the commission. I think youll find that we have really listened. Chief among the changes was reducing the number of homes in the proposed subdivision by about 40, he said. A community meeting was held Aug. 10 to address additional questions from nearby residents, said Hanover senior planner Lee Garman. Before submitting a motion to recommend the project for approval, Beaverdam District representative Edmonia Iverson acknowledged that the developer had been accommodating to the community. A lot of work has been done and everybody worked really hard to get as much satisfaction for all of the citizens, all of the residents (in) Country Club Hills, she said. In addition to receiving final approval with the Board of Supervisors, ClubRun must seek permission from the Circuit Court to be admitted into the South Anna Sanitary District for public utilities to reach the subdivision. CHARLOTTESVILLE For University of Virginia students, attending the raucous, alcohol-fueled Wertland Street Block Party may seem like harmless fun the perfect way to kick off the school year. But university officials are imploring students to stay away, and law enforcement officials have pledged to crack down on anyone who breaks the law at Saturdays event. In the past dozen years, the Wertland Street Block Party has grown from a cluster of rowdy house parties just off campus to a massive event attracting more than 5,000 people. Last year, police issued 26 warning tickets, mostly for alcohol-related offenses such as drinking from an open container in public, and arrested two people for underage drinking. The arrest numbers likely will go up as police try a new, more aggressive approach to help curb underage drinking. Lt. T.V. McKean of the Charlottesville Police Department said the size of the event, along with the use of alcohol, has created some dangerous situations in past years. Charlottesville and U.Va. police plan patrols of Wertland Street. The family of a 10-year-old girl bitten by a camel at the Virginia Safari Park has reached a $155,000 settlement with the drive-through zoo. Madison Holland suffered serious injuries to her forearm during a May 30, 2015, visit to the Rockbridge County attraction, according to a court settlement approved Monday. Visitors to the safari park drive their cars or ride on wagons through the 180-acre property, where antelopes, camels, llamas, zebras and other animals often approach the vehicles to be fed from buckets of grain provided by the park. Holland, of Franklin County, was on a wagon ride when the camel went to obtain food and bit [her] arm, according to a settlement approved by Roanoke County Circuit Judge David Carson. Had the case gone to trial, the attorney for Hollands family would have argued the park was negligent in the way it allowed its patrons close access to the animals. Having a wild animal that is interacting with people, I think you would have to use an extra degree of care, said lawyer Brooks Hundley of Richmond. At the time of the incident, Holland was riding in a hay-filled wagon with friends who had gone to the safari park for a birthday party. She was not attempting to feed the camel when she was bitten, Hundley said. I cant say what the animals thought process was, but the animal was probably upset that she wasnt feeding him, the attorney said. Through its insurance carrier, Scottsdale Insurance Co., the safari park agreed to the settlement without admitting any liability. Court papers call the settlement a good faith payment to compromise a disputed claim. Calls to the safari park and its lawyer were not returned this week. Although the settlement was for $155,000, Holland actually will receive nearly $190,000. Thats because the money will earn interest until she turns 18, when she will be old enough to begin collecting payments. Holland is now 11. An annuity established for Holland will pay her a $10,000 lump sum when she turns 18, followed by $1,000 monthly payments starting when she turns 21 and continuing through 2040. About $35,000 of the settlement will be paid to Hundleys firm for legal fees, and nearly $3,000 will go to medical bills. Holland spent several days in the hospital and still bears a scar on her arm, Hundley said. A key attraction at Virginia Safari Park is the close encounters its visitors have with exotic animals. We encourage interaction by allowing visitors to feed the animals with our specialty grain, the parks website states. That practice, at least in some cases, has drawn concerns from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which regulates zoos. An enforcement action filed last year against the Gulf Breeze Zoo, a Florida zoo operated by the same company that owns the Virginia Safari Park, alleges that children were allowed to move unattended while feeding camels, goats and llamas. In one case, a child was bitten by a camel at the Gulf Breeze Zoo, according to the USDA complaint. The civil complaint which also accuses the Virginia Safari Park of violating the Animal Welfare Act for the improper care of a monkey that died from frostbite is pending an administrative court hearing, according to a USDA official in Washington. The men and women who have worked as prosecutors and law-enforcement officials across this nation have had a front row seat to our countrys gun violence crisis. Law enforcement professionals know all too well that our gun laws matter and that a constant re-evaluation of laws that affect access to guns deserves serious discussion by every candidate for office. As a former United States attorney I have spent years trying violent crime and other cases in federal courts. In that capacity I often felt frustrated that our elected officials could not even agree to put the issue of gun violence in our communities on their agenda. It is important that people of varying perspectives on this issue come together to discuss and prioritize the issue of gun violence. Because no matter your political stripes, we are all better off when the people who seek elective office commit to have a serious, honest, and balanced discussion about how we can strengthen our laws to help save some of the 33,000 lives lost every year to gun violence. It has been particularly encouraging to see Hillary Clinton make gun violence prevention a centerpiece of her campaign. Her choice of my friend and our states junior senator, Tim Kaine, as her running mate shows not just that she recognizes he is an experienced, fair-minded public servant who is prepared to be president. It also shows how committed she is to taking on the gun lobby and advancing responsible change that will save lives. Like Clinton, one of the constants of Kaines long career in public service has been a commitment to fighting for gun violence prevention. In Richmond, as a City Council member and then as mayor, Kaine worked to shift the prosecution of gun crimes to federal court. That program and other law-enforcement improvements he implemented led to a 55 percent decrease in the citys homicide rate. When he ran for lieutenant governor on that record and voiced support for closing loopholes in Virginias gun laws that allowed dangerous people to obtain firearms, some predicted his stance would cost him. But the voters of Virginia rewarded him. The same thing happened when he ran for governor of our commonwealth. Special interests attacked his record and worked hard to mislead voters. Once again, the people of Virginia recognized Kaine as a leader who understands that you can simultaneously protect the rights of law-abiding people and do more to keep guns out of dangerous hands. He made the case that the Second Amendment is not inconsistent with responsible restrictions on gun ownership. And once again he went from underdog to winner. A year into his term as governor, the mass shooting at Virginia Tech shocked our entire country. The sorrow and grief showed on Kaines face as he honored the victims and their families and praised our communities for coming together. He turned his grief into action to help prevent future tragedies. He acted within his authority to make it harder for the dangerously mentally ill to get guns. He vetoed a bill that would have allowed individuals to carry concealed weapons into restaurants that served alcohol. And he earned the scorn of the gun lobby, which was intent as always on protecting the status quo. When Kaine decided to run for the U.S. Senate, the gun lobby went after him yet again. They tried to use false attacks on his record to defeat him. And they failed. In his commitment to be a voice for gun violence prevention in the Senate, Kaine has supported legislation to close the loopholes that let felons and domestic abusers buy guns online and at gun shows without a background check. He introduced and co-sponsored legislation to crack down on illegal gun sales. He supports legislation to give law enforcement more time to complete a criminal background check before a sale is allowed to proceed. He has consistently advocated responsible, pro-public-safety restrictions on gun ownership a position that strikes the right balance of protecting both our Second Amendment rights and the safety of our communities. More than a year ago, a reporter asked Kaine about Clintons commitment to standing up to the gun lobby and its political threats. No matter what she said about our gun laws, Kaine responded, the gun lobby would try to mislead voters on her record, so why not go head-on on an issue that will improve safety? Fast-forward to today, and that is precisely what Clinton and Kaine are doing together: running as the gun safety ticket. Kaines presence as Clintons running mate represents a shared commitment to tackling gun violence fearlessly and decisively, both on the campaign trail and, more importantly, in office. Together, the Clinton-Kaine ticket will forcefully advocate a responsible commitment to saving lives and protecting the rights of law-abiding people. It is a position I suspect the American people will reward this November. Lenovo profit beats estimates Updated: 2016-08-19 07:04 By MA SI(China Daily) Employees demonstrate a Lenovo TAB2 A8 tablet device in the Lenovo Group Ltd pavilion at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. [Photo / Agencies] Lenovo Group Ltd saw a 64-percent jump in its net profit in the quarter ended June, beating analysts' estimates, as the Chinese tech giant benefited from the better-than-expected global PC market and a one-off asset sale that helped offset its declining smartphone business. The Hong Kong-listed company said on Thursday that its net profit hit $173 million in the quarter, outperforming the $130.1-million average analysts estimated, who were polled by Thomson Reuters. The profit was boosted by a $132 million gain from the sale of a Beijing office property. Yang Yuanqing, CEO and chairman of the world's largest PC maker, said that the slowing global PC market fared better than the company had expected. Its PC shipments fell 2.3 percent year-on-year during the quarter, compared with the average 4.1 percent decline in the entire industry. Zhao Xiaolei, an analyst at research firm International Data Corp, said China's enterprise-oriented PC market, especially the government procurement niche, has started to revive and that gave Lenovo a boost. In August, Lenovo won a bid worth around 285 million yuan ($42.9 million) to supply the National Bureau of Statistics more than 285,000 tablets, according to ccgp.gov.cn, the official website for government purchasing projects. However, the company posted a pretax loss of $206 million in its mobile unit, as it is struggling to integrate the Motorola handset business, which it bought from Google Inc for $2.8 billion in 2014. The loss also came as Lenovo is ramping up its efforts, even at the expense of profits, to regain the share of the smartphone market it is losing to rivals such as Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and Oppo Electronics Corp. The company said it hopes its money-losing mobile division is expected start making profits in the next fiscal year, and it will focus more on the premium sector and step up its marketing efforts. Xiang Ligang, a telecom expert and CEO of the industry website cctime.com, said Lenovo has made significant progress in reviving its faltering smartphone business in recent months. In June, the company unveiled Phab2 Pro, the world's first smartphone to host argumented reality applications, and the Moto Z modular series, whose high-powered magnets can allow users to upgrade the handset with additional equipment such as speakers and projectors. "These efforts demonstrate Lenovo's innovative capabilities. The two phones won't boost revenue too much in the short term because it takes time to educate consumers, but they have big long-term potential," Xiang added. It looks like nothing was found at this location. Maybe try a search? Search for: Search Polarized housing market creating policy dilemma amid signs of cooling Updated: 2016-08-19 07:20 (China Daily) A property construction site in Huai'an, Jiangsu province. [Photo provided to China Daily] China's property market has shown signs of cooling, posing a dilemma for policymakers who need to shore up the slowing economy. In July, the property sector continued to moderate, with fewer cities reporting monthly rises in new-home prices. Of 70 large and medium-sized cities surveyed in July, 51 saw new-home prices climb month-on-month, down from 55 in June and 60 in May, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday. Meanwhile, 16 cities reported month-on-month price declines, up from 10 in June and four in May. Official data last week showed that property investment in the first seven months rose 5.3 percent from a year earlier, slowing from a growth of 6.1 percent in first six months, and 7 percent in the first five months. Growth in property sales in terms of floor area slowed to 26.4 percent in the first seven months, down from 27.9 percent in the first six months, and 33.2 percent in the first five months. The cooling should come as relief to authorities who have been worried about asset bubbles, but there are concerns that the property sector is losing steam. A recovery in the property market starting from late last year partially helped prop up growth in the Chinese economy, which has been weighed down by cooling investment, the cutting of industrial overcapacity and weak demand. However, sharp increases in home prices have fanned fears of overheating. On an annual basis, Shenzhen saw home prices rise 41.4 percent in July. Prices in Shanghai and Beijing rose 33.1 percent and 22.7 percent year-on-year. Less-developed areas and smaller cities have been reporting falling prices and huge inventories of unsold houses. Jinzhou and Dandong in Liaoning province, and Mudanjiang in Heilongjiang provinces saw year-on-year declines of 3.8 percent, 2.4 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively, in July. "The property market is becoming increasingly polarized," said Ni Pengfei of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In upper-tier cities where the economy is vibrant, abundant job opportunities, an inflow of peopwle and money, and a lack of housing supply combine to push up prices. The NBS put the inventories of unsold homes, mainly in smaller cities, at 714 million square meters at the end of June, only 21 million sq m less than the previous quarter. It may take nearly five years to destock if homes are sold at the average speed of the past three years, said Huang Yu from China Index Academy. The split picture creates a thorny task for the government, which must strike a balance between curbing asset bubbles in big cities and boosting sales in the smaller cities. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Mayor Sherman Lea has proclaimed that Aug. 22 will be Virginia Western Community College Day in the city in honor of the colleges 50th Anniversary. Virginia Western will celebrate its 50th anniversary and honor the distinction of being the first institution in the Virginia Community College System throughout the 2016-17 academic year. Virginia Westerns fall semester begins on Aug. 22 and registration for classes will be available until Aug. 28. Students can find the classes they need and register online at: www.virginiawestern.edu. Then-Virginia Gov. Mills Godwin established the VCCS in 1966, financing the initiative with the commonwealths first-ever sales tax (at 1 cent). The Roanoke Extension Division of the University of Virginia and Roanoke Technical Institute, an extension of Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech), were merged to create the Community College of Roanoke, to be later renamed Virginia Western. From the first class of 1,352 students, Virginia Western has grown to an enrollment of more than 12,000. The colleges main campus along Colonial Avenue in Roanoke has changed dramatically in the past 50 years and will continue to grow with plans for a new STEM complex and parking garage being refined. In the next 50 years, Virginia Western will continue to serve its mission to provide quality educational opportunities that empower students for success and strengthen communities. To read all of the citys proclamation, view Page 10 on the city council agenda from Aug. 15: http://www.roanokeva.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/08152016-136?packet=true. Submitted by Josh Meyer Healing hasnt been easy for the family of Jamycheal Mitchell, a mentally ill man who stole $5 worth of snacks and then died of starvation in a jail cell a year ago today. Its still hard because we havent been able to get closure, said Roxanne Adams, Mitchells aunt. From last year this time to now, we still dont know anything. We dont know what happened; we dont know how it happened. Hampton Roads Regional Jail in Portsmouth, which housed Mitchell for 101 days before he died, cleared itself of wrongdoing after conducting an internal investigation, but officials have refused to release their findings to the public. Other agencies have investigated Mitchells death, but none has reached any conclusions publicly, at least about how he was allowed to deteriorate under near constant supervision of guards and medical staff. Adams said the family misses Mitchells laugh, and holidays have been difficult without him. They have been trying to live a day at a time, hoping someone would come forward to explain what happened to Mitchell while he was locked up alone in a cell. We have a great loss as a family, and theyre able to go on with their lives, Adams said. We still have this in the back of our minds. He had his whole life ahead of him and now hes gone. Adams is the plaintiff in a $60 million lawsuit filed in federal court against the jails top officials and more than three dozen other defendants. The suit alleges repeated physical abuse, neglect and inadequate health care. Attorneys for Adams and the defendants have been filing motions and pleadings. The discovery process will begin soon, when witnesses will be questioned under oath and the jail likely will have to provide internal documents it has declined to release to Adams and the media under the Freedom of Information Act. Mark Krudys, the attorney representing Adams, declined to comment on Thursday. Lt. Col. Eugene Taylor , an assistant superintendent at the jail, and Jeff Rosen, the jails attorney, did not reply to emails seeking comment. The numerous unanswered questions in the case include those about video that was shot outside Mitchells cell. The jail initially claimed the footage had been recorded over but later reversed itself. The jail has not explained how the video was recovered, what is on the footage, how much of it exists or why officials originally claimed it had been deleted. Adams believes the jail should release it. If youve done the right thing, come out and present it, she said. Dont hide behind those locked doors. Virginia State Police began investigating Mitchells death in June. A spokeswoman said Thursday the work is ongoing. Adams said a thorough investigation may give her peace. I do want change. I dont want another family to go through what were going through, but I want to know what happened to my nephew, she said. Then I could start healing and forgiving. Several advocacy organizations have called for a federal investigation into Mitchells death and for significant changes in the way mentally ill Virginians are treated. It pains me that the anniversary of his death is [today], yet we are no closer to understanding what happened than we were one year ago, said Mira Signer, executive director of the National Alliance on the Mental Illness for Virginia. The Richmond-based disAbility Law Center of Virginia, which contracts with the federal government to act as legal advocates for Virginians with disabilities, will continue to push for programs that stabilize people in mental health crises and for training for police and correctional officers, said Colleen Miller, executive director. It just seems like Virginia has one wake-up call after another highlighting the deficiencies in our mental health services, and we seem unwilling to respond to the wake-up calls in any kind of meaningful, lasting way, she said Aussie baby formula producer triples profits on back of Chinese demand Updated: 2016-08-19 13:38 (Xinhua) MELBOURNE - One of Australia's biggest producers of infant formula has tripled its profits in a year due to a sales boom in China. Bellamy's Australia recorded a 322-percent increase in its net profit, to $29 million in the financial year which ended in June 2016. The Tasmanian-based company's total revenue also soared, up 95 percent to $187 million. Bellamy's attributed the rapid growth to a growing demand for baby formula from the Chinese market, where the company's revenue grew 331 percent on the previous year. "We are passionate about producing world-class, safe, clean, organic products so that babies can have a pure start to life," Bellamy's CEO Laura McBain told News Limited on Friday. "This passion has underpinned our brand, making us the leader in organic food and formula products for babies and toddlers in Australia, with a growing strong reputation among Chinese parents. "We recognize the importance of having a multichannel distribution strategy in China, and providing easy access to our products for parents regardless of their physical location. "This philosophy ensures that as consumer preferences in China evolve, we remain agile and able to adapt to changing consumer purchasing trends and government regulations." The better-than-expected financial results have seen the company's shares continue to grow at a rapid rate, from $1.07 per share when the company became publicly traded in August 2014 to $10.26 per share at close of trading on Thursday. High demand from Chinese consumers forced Bellamy's to raise the price of its organic baby formula for the first time in five years. "Having held our infant formula pricing for five years, in December 2015 we increased prices to balance cost increases for organic ingredients and ensure our formula was appropriately priced given its premium organic nature. This has delivered benefits to our gross profit margins in the financial year 2016," McBain said. Ningbo becomes first pilot city to implement Made in China 2025 Updated: 2016-08-19 15:11 By Ma Si(chinadaily.com.cn) Ningbo, a manufacturing powerhouse in southeastern Zhejiang province, became the first pilot city in China to implement Made in China 2025, the high-end manufacturing drive. The move came as China's top industry regulator warned that enterprises and provinces need to refrain from rash action when stepping up efforts to advance the use of cutting-edge technology in factories and plants. Xin Guobin, the vice-minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said it has somehow become a tradition in China that enterprises always rush headlong into action whenever enacting initiatives of national importance. "We must guard against this trend when it comes to the Made in China 2025 drive," Xin said, "because it will affect our capability to upgrade manufacturing power and boost the quality of industrial products." According to him, each province should base its own unique edge and current development status to implement the plan, rather than involving all industries as their priorities. To prevent the trend, China picked Ningbo, which has good industrial foundations, as the pilot city to test what is the best way to promote smart manufacturing. Tang Yijun, acting mayer of Ningbo, said the city will focus on smart equipment, hardware, services and self-driving systems to transform its current industrial structure. In 2015, the industrial output of Ningbo reached 1,670 billion yuan, with strength in cars, petrochemicals, home appliances, clothing and other industries. It is the country's largest processing base for refined oil products and houses the factories of leading car manufacturers Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co and Shanghai Volkswagen. Xin said the central government will give enough effort to help Ningbo achieve its industrial transformation. Asian multinationals should develop a global outlook Updated: 2016-08-19 07:52 By Bonnie Wang in Hong Kong(China Daily Europe) Firms grow rapidly but need better brand building and post-merger integration to be successful In a short period of time, Asian multinational corporations have come a long way and are now included in the ranks of the world's elite. But despite this rapid success, these multinationals still have far to go to catch up with Western counterparts, at least in terms of business sophistication and image. A giant billboard advertising Huawei smartphones on the Piazza di Spagna in Rome in Italy. Asian enterprises, such as Huawei, are rapidly evolving into successful multinational corporations. Zoraz / For China Daily Many are struggling with issues such as post-merger integration and trying to generate synergies from disparate operations. "Asian companies usually operate in a top-down system, with a single person making most of the decisions," says Harsha Basnayake, head of transactions for Singapore and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with global consultancy EY. "When (Asian companies) acquire a foreign one that does not operate that way, there are conflicts." He warns that if Asian multinationals do not adjust their management approach, they risk losing the talent of the acquired company. "Companies should value the team they purchase and preserve the local management team. How to get business together requires thinking and planning," he adds. Ultimately, this means companies should find ways to plan ahead and be more flexible, both in terms of how they work independently and how they work with their partners. Lan Sai, a professor from Peking University HSBC Business School, says: "Companies should have an overall integration strategy and a clear purpose in advance. Sometimes, we find that China's state-owned companies are a little bit irrational, as they only step out because of government policies." One example is Shougang Group's operation in resource-rich Peru. A pioneer of Chinese overseas investment, Shougang set up shop in South America in the 1990s, when the Chinese government started initiatives to encourage companies to expand abroad. The company has been in Peru for more than two decades and, in that time, has been dogged by labor disputes and strikes that have resulted in a steady stream of losses. For companies in much of Asia, particularly those in Southeast Asia, traditions of family-owned businesses often conflict with the needs of successful world-class multinationals. In India, between 70 and 80 percent of large businesses are owned and controlled by a single family. In China, the proportion is 35 to 45 percent. Elsewhere in Asia, however, families own between 80 and 90 percent of large companies, according to a report by global consulting firm McKinsey & Co. The management style in these businesses is not always conducive to growth. Instead, a patriarchal style and strong family culture often make outsiders uncomfortable, particularly at the highest levels of management. Amit Nandkeolyar, assistant professor of organizational behavior at the Indian School of Business, says the CEO of a family-run business should not always be a family member. "The concept is that the business owner started the whole thing, and after it gets bigger, he or his family doesn't need to be the one who runs the business," he says. "If you have a global ambition, you have to hire the best people to run a business. "However, it's always easier to think it or say it than to do it. The idea of having nonfamily members as the decision-makers is difficult to turn into fact, even when the company becomes a multinational." Cultural barriers may also hinder the global growth of Asian multinationals. In countries with strong local cultures like Japan and South Korea, some employees see international opportunities as a punishment instead of a reward. Their main concerns are cultural clashes and a disruption of the work-life balance. Statistics from Willis Towers Watson, a risk management consultancy, show that 35 percent of Asian companies say employees from their home countries are unwilling to move to other markets, which is a major obstacle for global mobility. Lan at HSBC Business School cites the challenges faced by workers asked to move overseas: "Many staff members are sent to Africa or the Middle East or Europe as pioneers to expand new markets. In this situation, they usually have to face severe living conditions, and some young people worry that they could miss the time and chance to get married." These cultural concerns also mean that Asian multinationals are often reluctant to hire foreign workers. At a US multinational, about one in five executives is a foreigner. However, Chinese and Indian nationals hold all the senior management roles in the top multinationals in their countries, according to Willis Towers Watson. Nandkeolyar refers to a national glass ceiling. "Employers at Indian and Chinese companies prefer to hire talent from their home country," he says. "But as a company expanding to another market that you're not familiar with, the first thing to do should be finding people who know the local market. The next step is hiring globally, aiming to be as diversified as possible." Unfortunately, this is not always up to the company. Asian employers often find it difficult to attract international employees, and they may not be able to manage them well. "They grew too fast and lack corporate culture and brand cultivation," Lan says. "It's hard to attract international talent, and this is particularly true in private companies in China." Many private enterprises in China are successful because they are growing at a time when there are many opportunities, he adds. "The owners become billionaires quickly, but they do not really know how to manage multinational companies. That keeps away international talent." Another obstacle for multinationals is brand building. Most Asian companies have not managed to build a good brand image and fail to prioritize the need to reach consumers and investors. "The ability of cultivating public relationships in China's multinationals still lags behind," Lan says. "Three internet giants - Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent - have all made mistakes on the way to building their brands." Baidu, for example, failed to appear sincere in its apology after Wei Zexi, a 21-year-old student, died this year after taking an ineffective treatment for cancer that he had discovered on its search engine. The company's statement was almost dismissive and did not outline any action that it would take to prevent a repeat of the incident, Lan says. Another example is Jack Ma, the founder and chairman of Alibaba, who made a seemingly flippant response to accusations over the availability of counterfeit products on the company's online marketplace, Taobao. He said many fake goods are now of better quality than the genuine articles, which infuriated his critics. Such an approach needs to change, Lan says. "China has been focusing on exporting goods. Now, it's time for multinationals to foster our own brands and export them." Despite obstacles, experts say Asian multinationals are young and learning fast. "This is a perception issue," says Basnayake at EY. "We should not underestimate Asian multinationals that are doing a decent job, such as DBS Bank in Singapore and Samsung in South Korea. "Samsung's expansion happened not that long ago. We'll see other multinationals following suit." For China Daily ( China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page7) THE Mayor of Rotherham praised an independent respite service catering for young people for thinking outside the box. Cllr Lyndsay Pitchley visited Rainbow House in Brampton-Bierlow to see for herself the unique work it carries out. The Mayor set up a visit after meeting the owner of the project, Nichola West, at a Clifton Park event and being really excited to hear about its work. Rainbow House, on Brampton Road, supports young people with additional needs and learning disabilities. Nichola founded the respite service two years ago after working in social care for 24 years. The detached property has four bedrooms and currently supports around ten people aged between eight and 23. Nichola said: Young people come and stay for respite for a few days or over a weekend to give their carers or parents a break. We also teach life skills like budgeting money, as well as confidence skills. Nichola said that around 30 young people had been supported by Rainbow House since it was established. The Mayor said she had been very impressed on her visit to the house and had never seen a project locally like it. With a son who has autism, the Mayor said she knew from personal experience that having a place like Rainbow House that fitted around a childs needs was very important as the school environment could often be too rigid. She praised its way of teaching and said the approach of the service for struggling families was thinking outside the box. For more information visit rainbowshouse.co.uk. Diamcor more than doubles Q2 revenue Diamcor generated gross revenues of about $3 million from its operations in the interim period ended September 30, 2022, compared to $1,4 million for the same period in the previous year. The company is still conducting trial mining exercises at its... IBJA commits to Declaration of Responsibility & Sustainability Principles The Indian gold industry has signed a Declaration of Responsibility and Sustainability Principles, convened by the LBMA and the World Gold Council, which expresses a commitment to operate responsibly and sustainably, based on a clear set of shared goals... De Beers boosts Q3 output, maintains production guidance De Beers rough diamond production rose 4% to 9.6 million carats, mainly due to the treatment of higher grade ore at both Orapa in Botswana and South Africa as well as continued strong performance in Namibia, according to its parent company, Anglo... Hong Kongs major jewellery fairs are set to return in 2023 An announcement from Informa Markets Jewellery indicates that the industrys two biggest B2B sourcing events will be back in action in Hong Kong in 2023 following a three-year forced pandemic break. Tanzania sold tanzanite worth $4.3 million at a four-day gemstone auction held in the northern capital of Arusha. Coastweek reports that the Tanzanian government earned more than $170 000 in royalties from the auction, but could not state the carats sold. Meanwhile, energy and minerals deputy permanent secretary James Mdoe said tanzanite auctions help the country contain the problem of smuggling. Tanzania loses millions of dollars in tax revenue annually due to smuggling and illegal mining of tanzanite. Regional commissioner for Manyara Joel Bendera also said tanzanite auctions should continue if the country wanted to derive sustained revenue from the rare stones. "This has proved to be an effective tool towards reducing smuggling of the gemstones as miners and dealers can get better price within this area," he said. Bendera said that the Tanzanian government would continue to guarantee safety and security of the gemstones against smugglers. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Mustang Resources has found another ruby deposit at its Montepuez concession in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado. The Australian mining company, which also has a majority interest in two diamond exploration licences along the Save River, in central Mozambique, has now found a further 19 rubies, bringing the total haul to 29 with a combined weight of 5.79 carats. That our exploration team has recovered 29 high quality rubies to date is very encouraging, and further highlights the potential underlying value to be extracted from the Montepuez Project, company managing director Christiaan Jordaan was quoted as saying by Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique. Mustang Resources was at an early stage of developing the mine and taking small samples from various gravel deposits. Once the mapping of the areas geological makeup was complete, Mustang would move on to the bulk sampling programme, according to the news agency. The sampling would involve processing material at a rate of 800 tonnes per day to get a better picture of the grade and gemstone size distribution of the deposits. The Montepuez Ruby Project consists of three licenses covering 15,800 hectares directly adjacent to the worlds largest ruby deposit mined by Gemfields. Mustang Resources reported last month its first discovery of 10 rubies from its initial sampling programme. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Diamond Autumn has indexed occupational pensions 19 august 2016 News Diamond Autumn, a non-government pension fund established by ALROSA has indexed occupational pensions as of January 2016. On July 25, 2016, the Fund acting under the instruction from ALROSA, the founder and chief fund investor, indexed occupational pensions paid to the companys former employees by 6.5%. This means that the newly indexed pensions will be paid in the second half of 2016. Indexing occupational pensions for veterans of the diamond company takes place annually based on the decision taken by ALROSA and today their average size is 5,253 rubles per month. The program of occupational pensions for the employees of ALROSA is one of the most important components of the company's social policy. The long-term program of private pension provision for the companys personnel is based on a common approach, common goals and principles in all the fields of the social policy pursued by ALROSA. The occupational pension program has been implemented since 1998 and its aim is to provide a decent standard of living for ALROSAs employees after their retirement, as well to attract, retain and motivate the companys personnel for long and efficient work. Occupational pensions are paid to the former employees of ALROSA through Diamond Autumn in accordance with the Regulation on Occupational Pension Provision for the Companys Employees under the agreement between ALROSA and Diamond Autumn. The latter has 21,819 participants, of which 19,306 receive supplementary pensions. Diamond Autumn paid a total of RUB 10.1 billion by way of occupational pensions during the 21 years of its operation under the occupational pension program. Dominion Diamond Corporation announced that Trudy Curran and Tim Dabson had been appointed to its Board of Directors this week. The companys statement says that Ms. Curran will also assume the role of Chair of the Health, Safety, and Environmental Committee. Trudy Curran brings 30 years experience in mergers and acquisitions, financing, executive compensation, and governance across a range of industries including oil and gas, mining and transportation. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Baytex Energy Corp. and is a member of its Audit Committee and its Nominating and Governance Committee. Trudy Curran also serves on the Executive Committee of the Calgary chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors and is a member of the board and the Finance and Audit Committee of Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. Mr. Dabson brings 35 years experience across the whole of the diamond industry value chain from manufacturing through distribution to consumer marketing. He worked for De Beers for 33 years in a variety of positions, most recently in the role of Executive Director Beneficiation which culminated in the transfer of De Beers international distribution activities from London to Botswana at the end of 2013. Mr. James Gowans, Chairman of the Board, commented, We are extremely pleased to welcome Trudy and Tim to the Board. Trudys experience in mergers and acquisitions along with corporate governance and Tims experience across the whole of the diamond industry value chain will be strong additions to what is already a diverse skill set of the Board. Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished In the wake of the First International Bank of Israels (FIBI) step to tighten its lending standards for the diamond trade, the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) has pledged to contest the decision, says a report in Rapaport. Following the FIBI raising collateral requirements for the diamond industry, IDE president Yoram Dvash wrote to bourse members, vowing to lobby state authorities and persuade the bank to retreat. In his letter, Dvash said: FIBI has changed its policy, and whats even worse from our point of view is that the pressure for this came from the Supervisor of Banks unit at the Bank of Israel. It is not possible for a unilateral decision to be passed without a battle. All bank CEOs and regulators know diamantaires are a vital part of Israeli industry and for the country's banks. Our business is stable and good, and no backward attitudes or agenda will create a bad situation for us. The IDE plans to hold an emergency meeting after the summer vacation this month, when the bourse re-opens August 28. It will also invite public figures from politics and business to participate in the discussion. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished HART The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) and its Board of Directors have announced the resignation of Executive Director and CEO Dan Grabauskas, effective Aug. 18. HART ex-officio voting board member Michael D. Formby is immediately serving as acting executive director. Formby also holds the role of director of Transportation Services for the city and county of Honolulu. He resigned from the HART board in order to begin serving as acting executive director of HART. Grabauskas and the board confirmed a separation agreement that will pay $282,250 to the former president and CEO. It has been an honor and pleasure to have worked on this transformational project for [more than four] years, Grabauskas said regarding his departure. I believe in the project and its importance to the residents of Oahu, and by stepping aside I hope to allow HART to move forward to ultimate success with fresh leadership. The wonderful HART team has been like a second family to me and I wish all the best for them and the board in the work ahead. HART officials emphasized that the board remains committed to the completion of the 20-mile rail route to Ala Moana. We are very thankful to Dan for all of his years of dedicated service to the rail project, said Chair of the HART board Colleen Hanabusa. The project got off to a strong start because of his energy and enthusiasm. We wish him well. HART officials also announced the launch of a HART board subgroup, led by businessman Colbert Matsumoto, that will search for candidates to permanently serve as the companys new executive director and CEO. The HART board wanted to act swiftly but prudently so that the business of HART is not interrupted by Dan Grabauskass resignation, Hanabusa said. We are fortunate that [Michael Formby] has the knowledge and leadership skills and was willing to assume this temporary assignment while the board recruits for and fills the position of executive director and CEO. Hanabusa added that Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has shown support for the HART board and the rail project, and she is hopeful that he will agree to Formbys temporary appointment. I look forward to working closely with Deputy Executive Director Brennon Morioka and the hard-working HART staff as we move quickly to strengthen our working relationship with the Mayor, the Honolulu City Council, the State of Hawaii and the Federal Transit Administration, Formby said of his new appointment. As a HART board member, I am familiar with the many challenges facing this project and I am committed to working with the HART team to move this project forward in a manner that is transparent, responsive and in the best interest of the transit riders and taxpayers. Formby has previously served as Interim Director of Transportation in 2010 and the Deputy Director of the State of Hawaii Harbors Division prior to that from 2007 to 2010. With more than 20 years of experience as a lawyer, Formby has taught at Hawaii Pacific University and the William S. Richardson School of Law. He has also served on the State of Hawaiis Land Use Commission. Charles "Wick" Moorman, retired chairman, CEO and president of Norfolk Southern will take the lead of Amtrak beginning Sept. 1. Current Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman announced his retirement in December 2015. Moorman completed his service as executive chairman of the board of directors of Norfolk Southern on Oct. 1, 2015, and continued to serve as a director until retiring from the board on Dec. 31, 2015. Both men have also been named Railroader of the Year by Railway Age; Boardman in 2014 and Moorman in 2011 while leading Norfolk Southern. Anthony Coscia, chairman of the Board of Directors of Amtrak said, We are very pleased that someone with Wicks experience and vision will lead Amtrak during this critical period as the company charts a course for future growth and improvement. Under CEO Joe Boardman, and with the support of the administration and Congress, Amtrak has achieved record levels of performance and investment. The board believes Wick can build upon this success in the coming year by launching initiatives to further enhance safety and customer service, modernize our operations and guide our implementation of the [Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST)] Act. It is an honor and privilege to take on the role of CEO at Amtrak and I look forward to working with its dedicated employees to find ways to provide even better service to our passengers and the nation, said Moorman. At Norfolk Southern, our team fostered change by placing a solid emphasis on performance across all aspects of our business which helped develop a stronger safety and service culture throughout the company. I look forward to advancing those same goals at Amtrak and helping to build a plan for future growth. Moorman, a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., comes to Amtrak after more than 40 years at NS, where he rose from management trainee to CEO and chairman of the Board of Directors. Having worked with NS from the ground up, Moorman gained an appreciation for the many facets of railroad operations and used this knowledge to modernize the way NS conducted business, served customers and worked with communities. A graduate of Georgia Tech and Harvard Business School, Moorman serves on the boards of Duke Energy Corporation, Chevron Corporation, the Virginia chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the Georgia Tech Foundation. Wicks deep operational background and track record of building teams and driving innovation is exactly what we need to provide unparalleled service to the more than 500 communities we serve, said Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Jeffrey Moreland. We are confident that, working together with the board, Wick can formulate a strong plan to take Amtrak to the next level and assemble the management team and expertise to carry it forward. Boardman, who led Amtrak for the past eight years said, I look forward to spending time with my family and wish Wick all the best as he brings his excellent experience to Amtrak. The Board and I thank Joe for his dedicated service to Amtrak and its customers and for his long career in public service. Under his leadership, Amtrak delivered record ridership, introduced a series of safety initiatives and modernized its fleet. For this, he should be proud, Coscia said. Moorman currently holds securities of a rail carrier. Amtrak will ensure that any conflict will be avoided as is required by federal law. Association of American Railroads President and CEO Edward Hamberger issued a statement that read: Wick Moorman is a proven railroader whose track record of success demonstrates his commitment and adherence to rail safety, efficiency and service to customers. His contributions and leadership in the freight rail industry, I believe, will advance the working partnership the freight railroads have with Amtrak. The AAR and its freight rail members recognize the importance of Amtrak as a reliable U.S. passenger rail service and look forward to working with Wick in his new capacity. Joe recognized the delicate balance that exists in this country between freight rail and passenger rail and was a partner in forging new ways to find that right transportation mix. Joes steadfast commitment to positively advancing the role of Amtrak and raising the profile of passenger rail in the United States has left an enduring record of achievement. New UK government is playing a risky game Updated: 2016-08-19 07:53 By Chris Peterson(China Daily Europe) While there may be good reasons for concern about the Hinkley Point reactor's viability, May bobbled relations with China British Prime Minister Theresa May is playing with fire over the Hinkley Point nuclear project fiasco, risking the alienation of China over her apparently abrupt decision to defer approval of the project until September. The stakes are high - ever since President Xi Jinping's state visit in October last year, Britain and China have entered what both sides agree is a "golden age", with Chinese investors ready to plough 40 billion pounds ($51.8 billion; 46.5 billion euros) into projects here, including 6 billion pounds toward the 18 billion pound price tag of Hinkley Point. So as the diplomatic row, predictably, deepens, it's time to look at a few undeniable facts, which may help to push toward a solution that saves face all round and satisfies both proponents and critics. The reactor planned for Hinkley Point will be built by France's EDF, to a design that has not yet successfully entered service - the one at Flammanville, in France, has been beset by problems and delays. China's CGN is a financial investor in the Hinkley project, for which no Chinese designs are planned. The potential agreement will, as far as we can tell, include a commitment for China to build two of its smaller reactors at Bradwell, in Essex, a project that will have financial and technical assistance from EDF. The main gain for China would be international recognition for its reactor designs, given that British criteria are among the strictest in the world. Another undeniable fact is that Britain needs to augment its power supply, with other nuclear generators nearing the end of their useful lives. Hinkley Point will provide enough power for 7 million households. Much has been made in the British media of the questions of security, with unproven allegations that China could write code into any computer program for the project software that would give it effective control over a strategic British asset. That is nonsense. China is a friend. And the concept of foreign powers being involved in key British infrastructure is not exactly new - France, with whom Britain fought a series of bloody wars into the 19th century, has massive investments, if not outright ownership, of transport, power and water projects in the UK. Likewise Germany. So please, enough of the xenophobia. We live in a globalized world. I think it is safe to say that Britain's new Conservative government, installed after David Cameron quit as prime minister after losing the referendum on continued EU membership, is eager to forge ever-closer ties with China, and that included the Hinkley Point project. But there are other factors to consider. Although France has been eager for the project to go ahead, much of the delay was down to the fact that EDF, already struggling financially, was having serious difficulty raising its share of the cash. Even now, according to the French media, the state-controlled firm's money men and the trade unions believe it is a project too far that could damage EDF. Originally, France, Britain, China and EDF had set September as the deadline for the French company's board to agree. However, for reasons that are not entirely clear, the date was brought forward in a rush, without Britain, and presumably the Chinese, being told of the revised timetable. At that point, May, known as a much more cautious politician than her predecessor, told French President Francois Hollande she wouldn't be rushed, and would adhere to the September timetable. It must be said that much of the consequent angst could have been avoided if the British government had issued a more complete statement, rather than just a bald decision to review it. A discussion with the Chinese government would have helped, too. What is clear is that there are doubts about the technical viability of the reactor, and the serious chance of cost overruns - when it was first mooted, the price tag was set at 9 billion pounds. May's officials have doubts about the high tariff guarantees that have been set in the potential agreement. And remember, this is only a memorandum of understanding at this stage. So here, I humbly suggest, is the solution. Britain is not the power it once was, and it must recognize China's role on the world stage. In crude terms, China has the cash, Britain doesn't. Working on the basis that you should never upset the man with the money, British officials should urgently seek to negotiate a deal with China, apologize for any perceived loss of face, if necessary scrapping the whole Hinkley Point project, and instead invite CGN to build its new, smaller reactors. I would hope that China can see its way to taking a pragmatic approach. That way, Britain gets the power resources it needs, China gets the international seal of approval on its new generation of nuclear generators, and France's EDF gets an honorable exit from what is proving to be a seriously expensive financial liability. In other words, let common sense prevail. The author is managing editor of China Daily European Bureau. Contact the writer at chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com (China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page11) Infrastructure and policy affecting the rail industry were discussed at an event hosted by RailWorks Track Systems at its Deer Park, Texas facility on Aug. 18 with Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX). GoRail and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) joined the event at the RailWorks facility, which employs 260 people locally. Infrastructure is the backbone of our economy and the track that RailWorks builds and maintains is critical to Americas rail network, said Rep. Babin. I was pleased to learn more about the facility in Deer Park, which not only supports the hundreds of Texans who work here, but also the thousands of businesses in Texas and across the country that utilize rail and will benefit from enhanced efficiencies from new and upgraded track. The event began with a tour, led by Bob Rolf, RailWorks Track Systems vice president and general manager, where the group learned about the companys important contributions to track maintenance and new construction, which augment efficiency and safety across the network. One recent project in Baytown, Texas, for which RailWorks provided comprehensive track construction services, increased the storage-in-transit capacity at three Chevron Philips plants by an additional 2,000 railcars, improving efficiency for their customers. We are proud to host Congressman Babin at the Deer Park facility and give him a hands-on look at the work we do in support of the 140,000-mile rail network, said Rolf. Its a good opportunity to underscore the economic impact of the freight rail industryincluding rail supply companiesto our legislators in Washington. The work we do, from track inspections to emergency repairs to track rehabilitation, ripples throughout the economy because it makes our transportation network safer and more efficient, benefiting businesses and consumers alike. The group concluded the tour with a discussion of the public policy issues affecting rail suppliers and railroads. Ofgem has announced an update on its Mid-Period Review (MPR) for the RIIO-T1 price control. As expected, the scope of this MPR is narrow with no change to key financial parameters of the framework. The areas covered by the MPR related to specific outputs with eight year allowances in Gas Transmission and Electricity Transmission. Following the review, Ofgem propose that allowances are adjusted to reflect that some outputs are no longer required, resulting in a reduction of 169 million pounds in Gas Transmission and 38 million pounds in Electricity Transmission. Ofgem is also proposing to approve 21 million poundsof the request related to enhanced System Operator outputs. These changes are expected to be implemented from April 2018. National Grid (NG.L) said that it welcomeed Ofgem's continued commitment to the clarity and certainty offered by the eight-year RIIO framework, which has started to deliver important benefits for customers. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News South Korea's producer prices continued to decline in July, though at a slower pace than in the previous month, preliminary figures from the Bank of Korea showed Friday. The producer price index fell 2.4 percent year-over-year in July, following a 2.7 percent drop in the previous month. Prices for manufacturing industry products dipped 4.0 percent annually in July and that for utility products plunged by 8.7 percent. On a monthly basis, producer prices edged down 0.1 percent from June, when it increased by 0.2 percent. Domestic supply price index slid 3.7 percent yearly and by 0.4 percent monthly in July. Similarly, the total output price index declined 3.9 percent from a year ago and decreased 0.6 percent from June. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Public sector finance from the U.K. is the major data due on Friday, headlining a light day for the European economic news. At 2.00 am ET, Destatis is slated to publish Germany's producer prices for July. Economists forecast prices to drop 2.1 percent year-on-year, following a 2.2 percent fall in June. At 3.30 am ET, Sweden's industrial capacity is due for the second quarter. At 4.30 am ET, the Office for National Statistics is set to release public sector finance data for July. The U.K. budget deficit is seen at GBP 1.9 billion versus a surplus of GBP 7.8 billion in June. At 6.00 am ET, the Central Statistical Bureau is scheduled to issue Latvia's producer prices for July. Prices had declined 3.5 percent year-on-year in June. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Agricultural machinery maker Deere & Co. (DE) believes its financial condition remains strong and claims it is well-positioned to capitalize on attractive growth opportunities that will deliver value to its customers and investors in the future. Also, the company continues to focus on streamlining its operations and make them more efficient and profitable. The company is slated to release its third-quarter numbers before the bell on Friday, August 19, with analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimating earnings of $0.94 per share on revenue of $6.09 billion. Analysts' estimate typically exclude certain special items. Q3, FY16 Outlook The company's third quarter net sales are forecast to be down about 12% compared with 2015, including about two points of price realization and unfavorable currency translation of about one point. Full year 2016 net sales forecast now calls to be down about 9%, with current net income target of about $1.2 billion. Previously, 2016 net income was expected to be about $1.3 billion. In the last quarter... Net income attributable to Deere & Co. was $495.4 million or $1.56 per share for the second quarter ended April 30 compared with $690.5 million or $2.03 per share for the same period of last year. Net sales and revenues were down 4% to $7.875 billion. The company's second-quarter results reflected the continuing impact of the downturn in the global farm as well as weakness in markets for construction equipment. Nevertheless all of its businesses remained profitable, and benefited from the sound execution of the company's operating plans, the strength of its broad product portfolio, and its more flexible cost structure. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Latvia's producer prices continued to decline in July, though at a slower pace than in the previous month, figures from the Central Statistical Bureau showed Friday. The producer price index dropped 3.1 percent year-over-year in July, following a 3.5 percent decrease in June. Prices have been falling since January 2015. Both domestic and foreign market prices dipped 3.7 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively in July from a year ago. Among the main industrial groupings, prices in the utility sector plunged 8.5 percent in July and those in the manufacturing sector went down by 2.0 percent. At the same time, mining and quarrying prices logged an increase of 0.6 percent. On a monthly basis, producer prices edged down 0.1 percent from June, when it rose by 0.2 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Donald Trump's presidential campaign has claimed that the U.S. government's airlift of $400 million worth of cash to Iran that coincided with the release of four Americans detained in Tehran in January was nothing but a ransom payment. The statement from the Trump campaign came after U.S. State Department Spokesman John Kirby confirmed at a press briefing Thursday that the $400 million payment was withheld until Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three other Americans were released. "With concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release given unnecessary delays regarding persons in Iran who could not be located as well as, to be quite honest, mutual mistrust between Iran and the United States, we, of course, sought to retain maximum leverage until after American citizens were released. That was our top priority," Kirby told reporters. Kirby argued that the payment did not amount to ransom, as the $400 million was already due to be paid to Iran to settle a dispute over payment for military equipment that predated Iran's Islamic revolution. However, the Trump campaign said the admission by the State Department that they paid $400 million to secure the release of the American hostages "further cements Hillary Clinton's role in crafting disastrous policies that have led to a more dangerous world." "Already under fire for lying to the American people about her illegal email server, Clinton is continuing to align herself with an Administration that has continually lied to Americans as well," said Jason Miller, Senior Communications Adviser for Trump. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News G20 summit will look to long term Updated: 2016-08-19 07:54 By Zhang Yunbi(China Daily Europe) Beijing ready to offer its ideas on global economy, puts green financing on agenda When hosting the forthcoming 11th G20 Leaders Summit, China will offer its ideas on how to tackle the world's lingering economic problems and rising protectionism, experts say. President Xi Jinping will deliver the keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the summit, to be held on Sept 4 and 5 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang confirmed on Aug 15. Since the last summit, in November in Antalya, Turkey, new uncertainties about the world economy have emerged, including Britain's decision to exit the European Union. In its most recent forecast, the International Monetary Fund lowered this year's global economic growth target to 2.9 percent from 3.1 percent, and this could be the second year in a row with global growth of less than 3 percent, Xinhua News Agency reported. Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Baodong says it is hoped that the G20, which evolved into a premier leaders' forum in 2008 amid a major global financial crisis, will shift from a focus on addressing crises to "a governance mechanism with long-lasting effect". When asked if China will avoid highlighting the South China Sea issue, Li says the top concern of the summit will be the growth of global trade and investment and that all parties should "stay concentrated and focus on the economy". Although many leaders have proposed bilateral meetings with China on the summit sidelines, the schedule will be packed and Beijing is communicating with relevant parties regarding such meetings, Li adds. Jia Jinjing, an expert on macroeconomic studies at Renmin University of China's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, says the Hangzhou summit could be a turning point during which the G20 mission will shift to long-lasting governance, as more minister-level meetings have been included to expand the G20's role in navigating global growth. "The summit will see China offering solutions in addition to its contributions made to the global economy," Jia adds. Xu Hongcai, an economist with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, says G20 members should boost their coordination on monetary policies, as "there is a serious differentiation among the policies of the major economies in the world". Yi Gang, a vice-governor of the People's Bank of China, also told a news conference that China has introduced "green finance" as a G20 agenda topic for Hangzhou, with a study group established to report on green financing at the summit. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, green financing and investment involve "technologies, infrastructure and companies that will be critical in the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and resource-efficient economy". Zhu Jiejin, an associate professor of global governance at Fudan University in Shanghai, says China is becoming "a front-runner in boosting green finance", as the country states in its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) that it will establish a green finance system. The G20 members' support for lowering financing costs for the growth of a green economy shows the increasing recognition of green financing and puts a high priority on environmental sustainability, Zhu says. Lu, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, also says the annual informal leaders' meeting of the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - will be held on the sidelines of the summit. zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page14) Satellite to lead to hack-proof links Updated: 2016-08-19 07:54 By Zhao Lei(China Daily Europe) Micius would use photons to create virtually uncrackable communication system China launched the world's first quantum experiment satellite on Aug 16, taking a big step in building a space-based quantum communication network that would be virtually uncrackable. The 631-kilogram satellite, named after the ancient Chinese philosopher and scientist Micius, was lifted atop a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region at 1:40 am. It will operate 500 kilometers above Earth for at least two years. Rocket carrying the Micius experimental satellite lifts off on Aug 16. Zhang Xuehong / Xinhua It is the third of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' first group of space science satellites. Micius follows the Dark Matter Particle Explorer Satellite, which will help scientists to deepen their understanding of the past and future of galaxies and the universe, and the Shijian 10, which carried out a series of experiments in microgravity, according to the academy. The Micius will test the technology of relaying quantum keys, which can be used to encrypt or decrypt data, between ground stations and the satellite, says Gong Jiancun, deputy director of the academy's National Space Science Center. He says the experiment will involve encoding and sharing of a cryptographic key using the quantum properties of photons, with the aim of paving the way for the commercial use of quantum communications. Previous research has found that it is practically impossible to crack, intercept or wiretap quantum communications because the physical traits of the quantum key prevent it from being replicated, separated or reverse-engineered. Any attempt to interfere with the transmission of photons would leave its mark and disrupt the communication, thereby warning the sender and receiver. Another task of Micius will be to conduct experiments to help scientists improve research into quantum mechanics, Gong says. Pan Jianwei, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and chief scientist for the quantum satellite project, says: "Once the tests and experiments prove successful, quantum communications technology will start to be adopted in some business sectors such as the finance and banking industries. "In, say, 15 years, it will also find a way into people's lives, thanks to the development of infrastructure." Wang Jianyu, the quantum satellite project's executive deputy head, says the satellite's instruments are advanced, so they can meet the tough requirements of the mission's experiments. "Matching the photon beam with the ground station is like throwing coins in succession from 10,000 meters above the ground, and they must fall into the narrow slot of a moving piggy bank," he explains. "Moreover, detecting the photons requires the equipment to be so sensitive that you can use it to find a match that is on fire on the surface of the moon. The satellite's accuracy and agility are the best compared with other Chinese satellites." China's second space laboratory, Tiangong II, which will be sent into space in mid-September, will also perform quantum key distribution experiments, Pan says. In addition to China, researchers in Austria, Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Canada and Italy are also developing quantum communication technologies, he adds. "We're cooperating with Austrian researchers on the Micius project, while our counterparts in Germany and Italy will join us later. Canada also wants to be part of the program and is in talks with us on this matter. This is because Chinese scientists are good in this field." zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page15) SNc Channels: Search About Salem-News.com Aug-18-2016 16:11 TweetFollow @OregonNews Oregon Fire Marshall Urges Vigilance During Dangerously Dry Days A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the majority of NW Oregon Photo: oregonforests.org (SALEM, Ore.) - With Oregon's hottest temperatures, gusty winds and low humidity occurring throughout the next few days, Oregon State Fire Marshal Jim Walker is urging all residents to take the utmost care and thorough caution to prevent wildfires. "A majority of this year's wildfires have been human caused," says State Fire Marshal Jim Walker. "This demonstrates that all of us need to take responsibility for protecting ourselves and our neighbors by preventing wildfires in these extreme conditions." The City of Salem is following Marion County's Fire Defense Board recommendation, and has enacted a burn ban within the City of Salem effective immediately. All outdoor burning, including recreational fires, are now prohibited within the City of Salem. This ban is based on weather conditions and community fire safety needs, and will remain in effect through the weekend, or until weather conditions improve to minimize the fire danger. In Salem, cooking outdoors in approved propane or charcoal barbecue grills is allowed during this total burning ban, with a reminder to be cognizant of the risk and follow safe grilling practices. The Oregon Department of Forestry has reported that since January 1, 2016, there have been 466 wildfires caused by humans. And due to the extreme temperatures, much of Oregon is under a burn ban. Due to dangerous fire conditions some areas are moving to EXTREME fire danger tomorrow morning (Friday, August 19); in those areas, ALL open burning is prohibited. This includes recreational fires, specifically camp fires, portable propane/patio fire places and charcoal BBQs, all backyard burning, and agricultural burning, land clearing or slash burning. "Our office is in constant communication with the Oregon Department of Forestry and our other wildland partners to assist with firefighting efforts if called upon, said Walker. Currently, Oregon has several active wildfires that have put people and homes at risk, and a number of families have received evacuation warnings. The NW Sheridan fire had burned 300 acres in Deschutes County by Thursday morning, and is 10% contained with full containment expected by August 21. The cause is also undetermined for the Withers Fire which has burned 800 Acres in Lake County, Oregon. 0% is contained as of this morning with expectations of containment by Aug 31. The Rail Fire has burned 111,503 Acres in Baker County. It is 20% contained, and should be contained by August 31. Individuals found to be in violation of the burn ban may be held liable for the cost of extinguishment and for any property damage resulting from an illegal fire. Sources: Oregon Fire Marshall; NOAA; City of Salem; others. _________________________________________ Oregon | Wildfire | Business | Health | Most Commented on Articles for August 17, 2016 | Articles for August 18, 2016 | Lawyer on course for flight record Updated: 2016-08-19 07:54 By Tuo Yannan(China Daily Europe) Chen Jingxian bids to become first female Chinese pilot to fly around the world Not everybody gets to fulfill their dreams, but 31-year-old Chen Jingxian, a lawyer from a small town in Sichuan province, is well on the way to living hers - to be the first Chinese woman to fly around the world. To make the dream sweeter, Chen is aiming to win a prize of 1 million yuan ($150,700; 134,700 euros) for a circumnavigation by a female Chinese pilot. Chen Jingxian with two members of her support crew, Larry Rohl (right) and Richard Rohl, in front of their airplane in France. Photos by Tuo Yannan / China Daily Following in the footsteps of many famous pilots, Chen departed Cleveland, Ohio, in a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 on Aug 1. She stopped in New York, Boston, Canada, Greenland and Iceland, finally reaching Paris. There, she spoke to China Daily with her stuffed toy cat named Ebony, and her support crew, which is accompanying her on the plane. After Paris, she plans to touch down in Spain, Italy, Greece and Egypt, traverse Saudi Arabia to Dubai, and hop from India through Thailand to China. She is still applying for permission to land in China, and after a brief stop in her homeland, she plans to head for Japan and Russia before re-entering the United States by way of Alaska. That's some trip for a woman who had never been to a big city until she went to university in Beijing at the age of 18. There, she read Night Flight and Wind, Sand and Stars, classic books about aviation by legendary French pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupery, author of the novella The Little Prince. "His experience made me want to know how to fly and what it's like to fly around the world," she says. Chen estimates it will take 45 to 60 days to complete her journey, which she plans to do on a budget of $10,000. To make ends meet, she has borrowed money from family and friends. Chen, who jokingly describes herself as a "weekend pilot", is a corporate lawyer who divides her professional time between New York City and Shanghai. In 2011, she left Beijing for New York to get a master's degree in law. There, she set about learning to fly on weekends, which required a bus journey of several hours to get out to an airfield. With about 300 hours of flight time under her belt, one year ago she started approaching rental companies to get a plane. More than 20 rejection letters later, she received a more positive reply from Air Z Charter and T&G Flying Club, which are run by Richard Rohl. "I was very skeptical about the letter Chen sent me at the beginning," Rohl recalls. "The reason I replied is although we receive many request letters, hers was the most unique." He asked Amanda Lincoln, one of the club's student pilots, to meet with Chen. The school teacher hit it off with the Chinese lawyer immediately. "From the first meeting, we connected because we share the same love for flying," Lincoln says. "Female pilots are rare commodities, not only in the US, but also internationally. She is legitimate, educated and determined. "Chen is not only a role model to me, she is also setting a good standard for other women to recognize and respect for reaching out and achieving their highest dreams." Lincoln was so impressed by Chen that she has joined her on the trip, taking care of media and administrative tasks. The support crew flying in the plane with her also includes Rohl and his father, Larry, the founder of T&G Aviation School and a veteran pilot with 40,000 hours of flight amassed over 50 years. Larry Rohl is the safety pilot, which means he is in charge of checking Chen's fuel and navigation calculations, while his son is the backup safety pilot, taking care of instrumentation and technical matters. Chen is doing the flying, but in case of an emergency, the Rohls will be on hand. "Flying around the world is something that many pilots would like to do," says Larry Rohl. "My son and I had the same dream that one day we would fly around the world. However, like so many people, when you have a business, you don't have time to chase your dreams. Chen shook us and woke us up to fulfill our dreams." The prize money was put up by Chen Wei, from the central city of Changsha in Hunan province, who became the first Chinese pilot to circumnavigate the globe in 2011. He flew a Socata single-engine turboprop 40,200 kilometers through 21 countries, stopping at 39 cities. "Meeting a young woman like Chen, who is very personable and intelligent, and shares this same dream, was wonderful," Larry Rohl says. "She made me look back at myself when I was her age. It's nice that we can be part of that dream to be the first Chinese woman to fly around the world." tuoyannan@chinadaily.com.cn Chen and her team in waterproof pilot garments, which they wore over the Atlantic Ocean. Firsts in around-the-world flight 1924 First to fly around world: Four Douglas World Cruiser aircraft with eight US crewmen set out from Seattle, Washington. Three of the aircraft completed the circuit in 175 days. 1933 First solo trip: Wiley Post from the United States took seven days, 18 hours to accomplish the feat. 1949 First nonstop: US Air Force team completes the circuit in 94 hours, one minute. Their plane was refueled in flight four times. 1964 First woman solo: Geraldine Mock became the first woman to fly solo around the world. Her single-engine Cessna 180 was called the Spirit of Columbus. 1986 First nonstop, non-refueling flight: Voyager, a lightweight aircraft with a front canard wing, was flown by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager. They made the trip in nine days, three minutes, 44 seconds. 2011 First Chinese men's solo: Chen Wei from Changsha, Hunan province, became the first Chinese pilot to circumnavigate the globe in a Socata TBM 700 single-engine turboprop. Source: idyouknow.com ( China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page19) Here's where to get a pumpkin in central Kansas for fall Local farms are preparing for the upcoming pumpkin harvest. Here's where to go pumpkin picking in the greater Salina area. Under pressure from Australia, Vietnam lifted a sudden ban on veterans who had traveled to the country to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia's most costly battle of the Vietnam War, but officials prevented hundreds from paying their respects at a monument to Australian casualties, Australia's prime minister said Friday. About 1,500 Australian and New Zealand veterans and their families traveled to Vietnam to commemorate the anniversary on Thursday of the Battle of Long Tan at a cross marking the site where 18 Australian soldiers and hundreds of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops died on a rubber plantation on Aug. 18, 1966, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said. Turnbull said he spoke to his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc for an hour on Wednesday night to persuade the Vietnamese government to lift a ban on all commemorations announced that day. But officials at the memorial, insisting that only small groups gathered and without uniforms, medals, flags or banners, turned away all but 700 veterans, Turnbull said. "We're very disappointed that not all of the Australians and their families were able to go to the Long Tan complex and reverently commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day before the Long Tan Cross," Turnbull told Radio 3AW. "We respect the right of the Vietnamese government to determine what ceremonies and observances are held in their country, but to change the rules literally the day before was very unreasonable," he said. Veterans' Affairs Minister Dan Tehan earlier said Vietnam had informed Australia of the ban late Tuesday. Tehan on Wednesday called that "a kick in the guts." He told reporters the veto reflected "deep sensitivities" within Vietnam and was not a response to problems in the bilateral relationship. The Long Tan anniversary is Australia's official Vietnam Veterans Day and has been commemorated by Australians at the battle scene since 1989. Turnbull said the rules for next year's commemoration would be agreed with Vietnam "very, very clearly and very publicly so there is absolutely no possibility for any misunderstanding." In the fighting, a company of 105 Australian soldiers plus three New Zealanders supported by artillery survived a rain-drenched, three-hour battle by driving off wave after wave of attacks by more than 2,000 enemy troops. On Thursday, hundreds of veterans and their families gathered in the Australian capital to mark the anniversary at the Australian War Memorial. Australia deployed more than 60,000 military personnel to Vietnam between 1962 and 1973, of whom 521 were killed. -AP Dear Editor, I wonder why it was necessary for the police to have such a show of force when issuing a warrant to Mauga Precious Chang for what is ostensibly a traffic offence? Did they expect her to jump out of the window and escape in a speedboat like James Bond or was the point of the exercise just to embarrass and intimidate a public officer at their place of work? Maybe the police were fearful and needed plenty of back-up because Ms. Chang looks so formidable! Ive heard shes pretty quick with those hands when it comes to basket weaving so who knows what shes capable of when holding a pen! I just hope the police were equally cautious for their safety when charging the Police Commissioner with those much more serious offences. After all hes an alpha male who doesnt like to be challenged. As Joseph Hollywood pointed out, the big loser in this tit-for-tat cavorting is his damaged shop but perhaps I might also add a couple of other Samoan icons, like respect, courtesy and confidence in our government institutions. Pika T Have you ever had a great night with some friends and wanted a coffee only to realize that this is Samoa and most restaurants where you could find a flat white closes after 10pm? What about those times youre sitting at home late at night and you suddenly have cravings for something sweet dessert like sweet? Well those tough times are now a thing of the past with Samoas very own and very professional 24 hour cafe. Located at the lobby area of the recently opened five star Sheraton Samoa Aggie Greys Hotel in Apia, the 24-hour cafe welcomes all with the sweet aroma of sweet and savory delights mixed with that freshly ground coffee smell. Our 24 hour cafe which is called the Lobby Lounge will definitely cater to anyones needs, Sheraton Samoas Executive Chef, Pawel Klodowski told Samoa Observer. We serve a range of cakes, daily made pastries prepared by our very own bakery, sandwiches, Paninis, Tortillas, sandwiches along with different beverages. According to Mr. Klodowski, opening Samoas only 24 hour cafe is a privilege and an honour for him. It feels great to be the only 24 hour cafe and I have noticed that it is starting to get busy, he said. We are having a lot of late night customers coming over to have some food like a grilled Panini, cakes with coffee, some people also come in for just a drink and play cards with friends; its all about having a good time. The cafe is open to everyone and we are happy to see the local guests becoming regular who we now know by name. And dont worry, unlike many hotel based five start services, the Lobby Lounge cafe wont dry up your bank account. We dont want to be too expensive and we want to create a good atmosphere that is welcoming to all the locals so it will be a place for everyone, Mr. Klodowski said. The price ranges from cookies that are $4 to a ham and cheese or smoked Salmon Panini which is about $22; our variety of cakes served here ranges from $6 - $12. But running something for 24 hours straight is bound to have its own set of issues. Running a cafe like this does have its own set of challenges but thanks to the training we provide our team everything becomes manageable, Mr. Klodowski said. We keep a fair rotation of staff so it gets much easier. According to Mr. Klodowski, the idea of having such a cafe was that of the people. The idea actually came from the guests and locals, he said. When they came they told us that they are looking for something thats open 24 hours and thats why we decided to extend the hours and now we are open all day and night. We have a chef on standby every time and we have people standing in the front ready to serve 24hours. So if you want to enjoy a hot cup of joe with friends and family, then why not check out the Lobby Lounge, Mr. Klodowski and his team welcomes all. We are very happy to see everyone coming over and I want to let Samoa know that they are all welcome here. Leaving your home country is never an easy process, but if there is a chance to see the world, most young people will not reject to take this opportunity. The Chinese government has, along with the Chinese Scholarship Council (C.S.C.) provided such a chance to 32 students from Samoa. The group, which includes students from all different subjects, was farewelled by the Chinese Embassy in Apia on Thursday. Ambassador Wang Xuefeng spoke of the wonderful opportunities to study and live in China for the following years, mentioning that this important station for the students brings them one step closer to fulfilling their dreams. To provide a first impression of what to expect from the Chinese culture, two students who had already been to China with the help of the scholarship program and successfully finished their studies, shared their expressions with their successors. Lui Enoka, who had had the chance to complete his studies in International trade in Dalian, a city located in Chinas Northeast, was even able to retell some of his impressions in Chinese an impressive achievement that was rewarded with an enthusiastic applause by the Chinese delegates at the embassy. Enoka also explained to the evenings hosts from China as well as Samoas Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which was represented by its CEO, Mrs Peseta Noumea Simi, that all the students gathered at todays event will do their best to represent their country for the future years at their universities in China. But China is indeed not as unknown to the Samoan students as one might expect it to be. Some of them already had the chance to spend time in the country that will be their home for the next five to six years. Like Philton Solomona. The 18-year old already had visited Asias far east as he had taken part in a journey organised by the Embassy and Samoas National University just earlier this year. During the ten-day long trip, Philton had seen the great wall and visited the city of Beijing. But even though he had experienced China before, the scholarship that makes it possible for him to return to Asia was not his first choice, as the future student of music was able to tell Samoa Observer: I originally applied for the university scholarship at N.U.S., and I wanted to study in Fiji, but unfortunately, there is no music programme over there. So I was looking for alternatives, and after I had learnt that the Japanese scholarship programmes do not include arts scholarships, I applied to China. For his future studies for the next six years in the city of Wuhan, located in central China, Philton Solomona pursues another goal besides achieving his degree of course: becoming more independent. I am just getting ready to realize that I wont see my family for the next six years and that I will have to live all by myself. But I also think thats one of the advantages of this opportunity, because I want to improve my self-dependence. Also, with my trip to China a couple of weeks ago, I think that the cultural shock wont be that hard for me, he said. Not all of the students which will soon leave Samoa to complete their education in China share the advantage of already knowing what to expect from their future home. It is a privilege and an honour for me to take part in this programme. I know it might get hard to get used to the new environment and the culture but it will definitely be worth the struggles, thats what Im sure about, told Fiaalii Henry Pula, who will soon begin his Civil Engineering studies for the next five years in Asias far east. The students were also encouraged by the representatives of their own home country: Always remember that as a Samoan in a foreign country, you always carry the spirit of your home with you and you will be representing our nation during your stay, explained Peseta Noumea Simi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the 32 students who will leave for China in the next two weeks. The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laauli Leuatea Polataivao, has encouraged students to consider agriculture as a career path. The message was delivered yesterday during the University of the South Pacifics Open Day at Alafua, guided by the theme Shaping your Future. The Minister delivered the keynote address, during which he urged young people to be serious about developing agriculture. He reminded about the importance of agriculture to Samoa in terms of food security, income generation and employment opportunities. I am told and I have seen a lot of students from several schools that are here today to find out about study pathways to a secured future, he said. Studying agriculture as a profession is very important. Increasing food prices and generally slow growth rate in most development economies, highlights in the need to strengthen our countrys agricultural base. According to the Minister, this is where institutions like U.S.Ps Alafua campus with a strong emphasis on agriculture play a vital role. U.S.P Alafua has responded to the regional manpower development needs by making its programme more relevant and focusing its activities in areas for immediate social and economic benefits. A vital part to the U.S.P mission is to provide appropriate level of education and training in response to the needs of the community in the South Pacific and the Pacific Region. He added that education is one of Samoas development priorities and agricultural studies is part of that. Each year a large number of school leavers join the unemployment ranks of our country, he said. Agriculture provides an opportunity for you to be self employed. We need further education in various areas but especially in sustainable agriculture in order to strengthen our capacity of sustainable development towards food security, climate change, amongst other things. These are our stepping stones to the development of our families, villages and nations and the government of Samoa has and will continue to support U.S.P in all aspects and levels. As the Minister of Agriculture, I advise you all to make your future career profession as a farmer because they are the richest people in the world. They are the most needed people on the planet because they provide food and wealth for every living organism. Look around you in our campus all the students from all over the pacific, they come from afar, they leave their families and their friends and here you are the USP is at your door step so I encourage and advise you all to come and take advantage of our USP Alafua. The man dubbed Samoas most dangerous prisoner, Lauititi Tualima, has been sentenced for a further 18 years for rape and other charges. The decision was delivered yesterday by Justice Lesatele Rapi Vaai in the Supreme Court. Tualimas latest sentence is for multiple charges including rape, sexual violation, burglary, robbery, threatening to kill and being armed with a dangerous weapon. These charges are in relation to the attack of an Australian couple who were staying at the Lupesina Treesort on 24 September 2015. In handing down the sentence, Justice Lesatele said Tualimas actions are unacceptable and he had violated the privacy of the couple who were guests of Samoa. Not only that he violated their privacy, he also demanded cash, personal belongings and he went on to rape the woman. You decided to stay and you took advantage of the couple, you tied them up and continued to sexually abuse the victim in front of her partner, Justice Lesatele said. Mindful of his history of escaping from prison, Justice Lesatele said Tualima has obviously decided to make Tafaigata Prison his home. The Court heard that Tualimas criminal life started as a young person. And now aged 23, he is set to stay behind bars well into his 50s when hes finally done serving all the sentences he has been handed. Tualima had pleaded guilty to all the charges against him. He acknowledged that what he had done was unacceptable and it had brought shame to Samoa. But Justice Lesatele was not convinced that he was remorseful. You are a big risk to the general public, said Justice Lesatele. He told Tualima that unless he really wants to change, prison is the only place for him to keep members of the public safe. In his pre-sentence report prepared by the Probation Office, it highlighted that the accused is not remorseful at all. This is reflected in the numerous times he has escaped from prison. Lesatele said the only mitigating factor for him was his early guilty plea, which saved the Courts time. Clearinghouse to improve security of online transactions Updated: 2016-08-19 07:55 By Wang Yanfei and Jiang Xueqing(China Daily Europe) China's central bank is building a clearinghouse for online transactions to tame online finance risks and better regulate the expanding industry. The People's Bank of China says it has approved preliminary plans for the establishment of the platform and the management plan submitted by the Payment and Clearing Association of China, the nation's regulatory body for the industry. The platform could be launched early next year, according to Cheng Shigang, a senior official with the central bank's payment and settlement department. The clearinghouse for online payments will reduce settlement risks by disconnecting the direct clearing business between third-party payment firms and banks, and by regulating a guarantee fund that can be used to cover losses, the central bank says. It will regulate all Chinese and foreign third-party online payment providers, including Alipay, which is part of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. The move comes after the central bank issued a regulatory guideline in July for internet finance, including online payment services, peer-to-peer lending and crowd-funded equity finance. Officials and analysts say it is a necessary step, taken at the time when the online payment industry, while expanding, is not mature and faces rising risks. IRsearch Consulting Group in Beijing estimates that the size of third-party online payments last year reached 11.8 trillion yuan ($1.78 trillion; 1.75 trillion euros), up nearly 70 percent compared with the previous year. In the meantime, 326,000 new payment viruses emerged and 25 million Chinese users were affected, almost equivalent to the population of Australia, the group says. Zhao Ying, a senior official at the central bank's Chengdu branch, says the clearinghouse will help improve information transparency and security. "A unified platform would do a better job and will verify the identity of clients," she says, citing concerns about the rising risk of fraud and money laundering through online transactions. Echoing her statement, Zhao Yao, a research fellow of Hengfeng Bank Co Ltd, a joint-equity commercial bank in Shandong province, says such a platform would help create a standardized payment market and restore market order. "Currently, the use of money deposited in the third-party payment institutions lacks standardization and transparency," says Zhao, who has been researching the subject since 2012. "How the money flows remains unknown to commercial banks and regulators, thus leading to risks of embezzlement and capital chain ruptures. "Establishing a centralized depository system will fundamentally prevent payment institutions from misappropriating the money and using it for loans, investment or wealth management." Contact the writers at wangyanfei@chinadaily.com.cn China's Central Bank approved preliminary plans to establish a platform and the management plan to reduce risks in online transactions. Zhang Yu / For China Daily (China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page25) A major stepping-stone in terms of Samoas shipping services was celebrated yesterday, with the arrival of Matson South Pacific (S.P.X.) service vessel. The M.V. Islander Voy 001 arrived at 6am from Honolulu and a service to bless the vessel and crew was led by Father Falaniko Matulino on the wharf.So what does this vessel have in store for Samoa? Last month we launched the Matson South Pacific SPX service and this is the first time there is a direct shipment or service from the U.S. West coast to Honolulu and then to Apia, Molida Group Director, Masuisui JR Pereira told the Weekend Observer. After Apia, the ship will go to Pago American Samoa, Nukualofa Tonga, Fiji then back to Honolulu. The vessel will open up a more accessible and necessary trade-link between Honolulu and the Pacific. I think the significance of this vessel is this is the first time there is a direct service from Honolulu to Apia, Mr. Pereira said. At the moment with the competition, they have vessels which come from the U.S. to other parts of the region for example Tahiti and Tonga. I think the last port they come to is Apia before returning to the U.S. but with Matson South Pacific Service this is the first time we have a service directly from Honolulu to Apia. According to Mr. Pereira, the significance of this new service is that it opens new opportunities for Samoa in terms of shipping. It takes eight days to get from Honolulu to Apia, he said. So with the current shipment or trade, most of our people are not aware of how expensive it is. What were doing here is vital because of Matsons commitment to Samoa and American Samoa. Another significant fact is that the government is pushing Taro export not only to New Zealand and Australia but in particular the mainland U.S.A and Honolulu because the margins in terms of the prices are much better than what we are currently getting from New Zealand and Australia. So the implementation of this service will open up opportunities for Samoas exports through the accessibility to more trade links to assist Samoa for the U.S. markets but also the other Pacific Islands. After todays maiden voyage the vessel will be around every 28 days; apart from that we still have two vessels from New Zealand and Fiji which comes into Samoa and the region every 14 days. We thank the community and the Government for their support and in particular the trading businesses in Samoa and of course the suppliers who are exporting to Samoa. But for Matson, entering the trade competition is somewhat a challenge and a form of motivation at the same time. The key challenge is really the competition, Mr. Pereira said. But it is also good for the people because the prices of the freights are coming down and if you look at the freights, our prices are lower than the competition. This is good for our community as a whole because when the freight prices drop then the costs of the products in the market should also drop. I mean thats the ideal scenario but from Matsons perspective the competition is still the same as any other shipping line; but we welcome competition and it improves the services as well as the freight rates; its good for our people. The creation of this service opens doors for a lot of our people, especially our people in Honolulu because there are many Samoans there; it also serves the Samoan community in Tonga and Fiji. Mr. Pereira assures that the service that Matson provides is for the people and his appreciation goes to everyone who helped make the maiden voyage possible. Matson has been here for almost five years now and since our inception four years ago we have now added this service, he said. This gives evidence to Matsons commitment to Samoa in building the trade; not only the trade links but in particular the exports for Samoa. I want to thank our people because at the end of the day they are the ones were trying to serve but they are also the ones who keeps business going; its not only good for business but also the government in terms of taxes. Analysts: British infrastructure projects still appeal Updated: 2016-08-19 07:55 By Cecily Liu in London(China Daily Europe) Hinkley Point A and B nuclear power stations are seen behind the site where Hinkley Point C nuclear power station will be constructed in Bridgwater in south west Britain, in this file photograph dated Oct 24, 2013.[Photo/Agencies] British infrastructure remains an attractive investment for Chinese companies keen to expand into developed markets, despite the uncertainty generated by Brexit and the new government's cautious approach to expensive projects, according to industry analysts. In the long run, Britain will actually become more open to Chinese investment, lawyers and researchers predict, as Brexit will mean the loss of funding from European Union institutions. Experts also are playing down concerns over the decision by Prime Minister Theresa May to delay approval of Hinkley Point C. China has agreed to provide one-third of the funding for the nuclear power plant, which is forecast to cost 18 billion pounds ($23.5 billion; 20.8 billion euros), as the nation attempts to internationalize its nuclear industry. French energy company EDF, the main investor, gave the project the green light in July. May's decision led some to suggest the delay was motivated by security fears, which could affect Chinese investment in other sectors where security is key, such as high-speed rail. State-owned China Railway Group is reportedly preparing a bid for the UK's High Speed 2 project, which would be another breakthrough for Chinese industry in a developed economy. However, Christopher Brown, a partner specializing in infrastructure finance at law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, says Britain will be in need of more foreign investment options when it eventually leaves the EU. The government will have to look to replace EU institutional investors, he says, which means "this is a great opportunity for Chinese investors who have the right skill-sets and financial resources". In July, Sir Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said in a speech at the Institute for Government that the British government will need to scrap billions of pounds worth of projects as a result of a what he called a "tidal wave" of economic pressures caused by Brexit. Last year, the European Investment Bank committed almost 8 billion euros ($9.05 billion) to the UK, including more than 400 million euros for the expansion of Aberdeen and Liverpool ports and more than 525 million euros for the Caithness wind farm. However, without EU membership, the UK will no longer be eligible for funding from the bank unless its board of governors unanimously authorize it. Either way, the volume of loans to the country will drop. In addition, Brexit could mean the UK is no longer eligible for the so-called Juncker Plan, which aims to unlock 315 billion euros of infrastructure investment between 2015 and 2017. Currently, the plan includes eight major UK projects worth a total of 8.2 billion euros, which could create more than 70,000 jobs in total. Whether the funding continues will rely on the UK-EU exit negotiations. Ian Wood, a partner at law firm King & Wood Mallesons, says it seems the new British government wants to take control of infrastructure projects, to take time to understand them and give approval, rather than relying on assessments by the previous government. "This is unnecessary and unsettling for investors, as the previous government has already decided the projects are acceptable," he says. "By going through the approval process again, the UK risks losing energy security and infrastructure investors, as foreign investors may look to other countries due to the political uncertainties in the UK." Morse says projects such as the third runway at Heathrow Airport and HS2 and the 24 billion pound Northern Powerhouse strategy will have to be reassessed as the government decides on which projects can be shelved. China Investment Corp is a minority stakeholder in Heathrow. George Osborne, the former chancellor, also showcased a selection of Northern Powerhouse opportunities to investors during a visit to China in September. Richard Marshall, a senior infrastructure analyst at BMI Research, says Brexit is unlikely to reduce the attractiveness of British infrastructure projects to Chinese investors. "Chinese companies with a UK partner or subsidiary will still be well placed to target European infrastructure from the UK, albeit they won't have immediate access if the UK does not remain part of the single (European) market after negotiations are concluded," he says. Sir Keith Burnett, vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, adds that Chinese companies remain competitive in the UK market due to their unique combination of innovation, financing and design, and that such integration is important for costly projects like nuclear power stations to control costs at each step, from financing to construction. According to a 2014 report by law firm Pinsent Masons and the Centre for Economics and Business Research, Chinese companies have the potential to invest 105 billion pounds in British infrastructure by 2025. ( China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page28) Major steel merger could face obstacles Updated: 2016-08-19 07:55 By Wan Yanfei in Beijing and Duan Ting in Hong Kong(China Daily Europe) Consolidation aims to cut industry's excess supply and increase overall productivity Consolidation of China's steel industry may be more complicated than many outside observers thought, according to sources with the central government. Commenting on market rumors that China is regrouping its steel industry into two large blocs, one in the south and the other in the north, an official from the National Development and Reform Commission says forming a northern steel group will probably take a much longer time than a southern group. A technical worker examines steel plates at Hebei Iron and Steel. Zheng Yong / For China Daily The formation in the south may come about soon, industry observers say. Baoshan Iron and Steel and Wuhan Iron and Steel both issued notices of suspension of stock trading on June 26. The companies are large, state-owned steelmakers that could form the backbone of the southern steel group. Li Hongzhong, Party secretary of Hubei province, met with chairmen of the Baoshan and Wuhan steel works recently to push for restructuring of the companies. However, no final confirmation has been given by the companies. Xinhua News Agency, however, indicated that Magang Group could be a third member of the proposed southern group. In contrast with the southern steelmakers, industry sources say it is hard to guess how the northern group's top management might be formed. Bloomberg reported that a northern group will be formed by Shougang Group, which was moved out of Beijing ahead of the 2008 Olympics, and Hebei Iron and Steel, whose interests cover all of Hebei province. Although both companies are located near each other, Shougang is directly administered by the central government, while its potential partner is under the Hebei government. The companies have markedly different cultures, according to Wang Guoqing, the director of Lange Steel Information Center, an industrial consultancy in Beijing. Yet if they can be merged, the northern group would still be larger than the southern group by 16 million metric tons of annual capacity, he adds. Strategically, analysts say, such reorganization would help the industry shed its excess capacity, cut pollution and become more focused on product quality. Zhu Bin, an analyst with Southwest Securities, says he believes the consolidation would increase general profitability, enabling the industry to optimize its product structure and cut costs. According to the World Steel Association data, Hebei Iron and Steel produced 47.74 million tons of crude steel last year, making it the world's second-largest steel company. For Baoshan, the figure was 34.93 million tons; Shougang, 28.55 million tons; and Wuhan, 25.77 million tons. If the consolidation program works, the northern and southern groups would be the second- and third-largest iron and steel producers in the world, after only Arcelor Mittal, the Indian multinational based in Luxembourg that produced 97.13 million tons last year. Du Juan contributed to this story. Contact the writers at wangyanfei@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page30) Policies strengthening aims for steady trade growth Updated: 2016-08-19 07:55 By Zhang Yue and Zhong Nan(China Daily Europe) China will reinforce existing policies and streamline administrative procedures to promote steady growth of imports and exports, the central government has said. A State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Aug 16 focused on key problems concerning the implementation of trade policy and measures needed to address them. Li said the sluggish global outlook and weak overseas demand have undermined efforts to shore up China's trade volume. Rising domestic manufacturing costs also have consequences for China's imports and exports, he said. The government has adopted several policies since 2013 to encourage the steady growth of foreign trade, and China remains the world's largest trading nation in goods in recent years. Yet because of the global financial crisis and resulting slowdown, China's foreign trade growth has lost momentum. Customs figures show that in the first half of 2016, China's foreign trade stood at 11.13 trillion yuan ($1.68 trillion; 1.48 trillion euros), down 3.3 percent year-on-year, while exports amounted to 6.4 trillion yuan, down 2.1 percent. Imports decreased by 4.7 percent to 4.73 trillion yuan, but the country's trade surplus increased by 5.9 percent to 1.67 trillion yuan. "We should support steady growth in exports and imports to advance the country's industrial upgrade and attract new foreign investment beyond that which is already in the Chinese market," Li said. High financing costs for companies remain a major burden in maintaining trade growth. Other problems include sluggish trade policy implementation as well as outdated management methods, analysts say. A third-party evaluation by the State Council's Development Research Center in July found that China's trade faces headwinds from deep adjustments in the global economy, as well as from the country's economic transition. The center's evaluation also found that officials were not sufficiently aware of the problems that would be encountered in policy implementation, and the country has not firmly established its competence in technology, branding and marketing in the global market. More measures will be introduced to ensure the steady growth of China's foreign trade, according to a statement by the State Council after the meeting on Aug 16. For example, detailed adjustments will be made to existing policies to better facilitate foreign trade development and to streamline procedures in trade gateways. Financial institutions will be encouraged to provide more credit support to enterprises with substantial business profits. And export credit insurance will cover a wider range. In addition, procedures for tax reimbursement for exports will be more efficient, and unnecessary harbor and shipping costs will be reduced, the statement said. In addition, policies will be further adjusted to facilitate new types of trade, such as cross-border e-commerce. The role of bilateral investment will be further encouraged to boost foreign trade, by promoting the country's Belt and Road Initiative and international cooperation on capacity, the statement said. Equipped with big data systems, many Chinese companies' products and supply chain systems have already experienced dramatic changes. Zhao Ying, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Industrial Economics, says many companies have begun to adjust their supply chain networks for different products based on big data about demand in foreign markets. Contact the writers at zhangyue@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page26) Not all relief programs during the Great Depression were as successful as the CCC. One Post reporter believed that Hoovers FERA program was taking the U.S. down the same road that led to Nazi Germany. Not all relief programs during the Great Depression were as successful as the CCC. One Post reporter believed that Hoovers FERA program was taking the U.S. down the same road that led to Nazi Germany. (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library) Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join The crisis created by the Great Depression was like nothing the United States had ever seen, and the federal government had to scramble to create programs that addressed the nations problems. FDRs Civilian Conservation Corps, for instance, put young men across the U.S. to work on important, useful, long-lasting projects. But many programs of the time were both more controversial and less successful. With an unemployment rate that reached as high as 25 percent, state and local welfare systems that had been established primarily to deal with the unemployable the blind, the deaf, orphans, the aged were faced with a growing population of educated, experienced, but unemployed adults. In 1932, President Hoover established the Federal Emergency Relief Administration to help states create new unskilled jobs in local and state government and get people back to work. But by 1935, FERA had grown into something that looked more permanent, was a drain on taxes, and simply wasnt improving the situation. Whats more, as Dorothy Thompson argued in Our Ghostly Commonwealth, FERA was leading to a new class struggle not the class struggle according to Marx not the workers against the capitalists, but the working against the workless, the haves against the people they support. And it was creating the same type of social and economic environment that had allowed Adolf Hitler to seize power in Germany. Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today Our Ghostly Commonwealth By Dorothy Thompson Excerpted from the article originally published July 27, 1935 There exists in the United States, alongside our so-called normal social and economic life, another commonwealth, a ghostly one ghostly because it is largely invisible to those who are not its members, and ghostly in the vague uneasiness which its haunting presence provokes. It is a commonwealth of people who live in a separate world of their own. They are not isolated in some distant state, on some reservation set aside for them, but they live in the midst of us, in our cities and villages, in our very streets. They can vote although it is suggested in some states that they should not they look like the rest of us; they have the same desires, the same needs, the same urges. But not exactly, and always decreasingly, the same hopes. They belong to the same trades, professions, crafts, and skills as the rest of us, and, on the whole, to the same races, although there is a larger proportion of Negroes amongst them than in the other society, our own society, and a slightly larger proportion of Mexicans and Filipinos. There are mechanics and farmers, engineers and executives, lawyers and journalists, artists and teachers, laborers and musicians, dancers and actors, miners, carpenters, stonemasons, clerks, stenographers. They are, indeed, a pretty fair cross section of the United States. There are stockbrokers amongst them, and former $50,000-a-year men, and sharecroppers who never in their lives have handled more than $100 a year in cash money. And lots and lots of children. Curiously, there are, proportionately, rather more children amongst them than the rest of us have. They constitute between one-sixth and one-seventh of our population, because, all together, their number is around 20 million, and the experts tell us there are an additional 25 million potential members of their society. They are the people on relief. But the people on relief are not usually referred to as people. The society in which they live has a nomenclature of its own, as well as a social and economic organization of its own. They are usually referred to as clients or as cases, and, in groups, as a case load. Thousands of them live in barracks, under the supervision of Army officers, but they are not soldiers. They and many of the others work, and at all sorts of tasks: construction, manufacturing, transportation, education, building, mechanics, drafting, moving pictures. They play instruments, sew clothes, manufacture mattresses, till farms, but they do not work at jobs, but on projects. They work, but most of them do not receive wages, but budgets, and the amount which they earn is not decided according to their merits, but according to their minimum needs as determined for them by careful investigation. They produce all manner of things, from iron cots and refrigerators to pictures and plays, but they may not sell anything they produce. Their lives for 10 years back are investigated, recorded, catalogued, and cross-catalogued. More is known about them than about any other part of the population about their race, and skills, work histories, diseases, even about their personalities but the knowledge is in the files of state and federal government agencies, and is not part of the public awareness. In so far as the rest of our society is conscious of them, the attitude is a combination of bad conscience and hostility, and of this attitude they are also aware and repay it, on their part, with a feeling of frustration and hostility. Limitations of Local Relief The poor have long been the charges of state, county, and township governments. But possible taxation for such purposes was severely limited. And the whole mentality of local poor administrators was awry. To them, the destitute were so because they were simply misfits. It was, in essence, their own fault. The attitude was embodied in some New England states by laws which disfranchised recipients of public relief. The local poor-law authorities were trained by tradition and experience to take care of the neer-do-wells, the village idiots, the aged, the infirm, the orphaned. But they were not prepared for a program of relief for Thomas Smith, able-bodied, aged 35, six years ago receiving a salary of $25 a week and a so-to-speak house owner, meaning that he had a house worth $5000 on which he had a $4000 mortgage; four years ago cut to $20; three years ago cut to $12, and unable to pay the mortgage; two years ago dismissed because of lack of business, and today totally without resources. President Hoover, with the experiences of the war, the Belgian relief, the all-European campaign against typhus, the 1930 drought, and the Mississippi flood behind him as justification, believed that there was sufficient goodwill, energy, and organization power in the American people to deal with the administration of this problem on a local and largely voluntary basis. But the analogy with the war and with President Hoovers previous great relief administrations was fallacious in one important particular. The war, the postwar starvation, the drought, and the Mississippi flood were catastrophes which affected all parts of the population. People starved in postwar Belgium because there was actually no food. Everybody starved. The good and the bad, the poor and the rich, the deserving and the undeserving. In the war, the bankers son needed bandages as well as the truck mans. And the Mississippi rose upon the just as well as upon the unjust, upon the efficient as well as the unlucky. There was solidarity of action because there was solidarity of distress. No such solidarity of experience exists between the employed and the unemployed. But one thing which President Hoover foresaw has come to pass. Many of the fortunate, being isolated from any participation in the troubles of the unfortunate, except to pay for them, are developing a callousness and hostility toward them which aggravate the whole social situation, and which no amount of press releases from the publicity bureaus of the various relief administrations can dissipate. This country is dividing into two classes the employed and the people on relief. A genuine class struggle is emerging, but it is not the class struggle according to Marx not the workers against the capitalists, but the working against the workless, the haves against the people they support. The Working and the Workless This is reflected in almost every conversation which one may have with people whom the depression has not touched severely. The Long Island ladies who are indignant that they cannot get a handy man to help lay a carpet; the newspaperman who has kept his job securely all through these last five years; the employers of cheap labor who cant find men at prices they can afford to pay. Being cut off from the problem, which is isolated behind a bureaucracy, they generalize from their own experience, and there are plenty of experiences to bear them out. They see the relief problem in its bulk and implications only in the un-quieting growth of the extraordinary budget. In the great cities, in the winter of 1932, the attempts at local relief had certainly broken down. The local charities were bankrupt. Milkmen could not deliver milk, because their cars were overturned and the milk looted. Grocery windows were smashed. There were riots. Gangsters joined the ranks of the unfortunate, and racketeering was coupled with destitution. There was a clamor from all quarters that something should be done. And President Roosevelt came in, surrounded by youth and social indignation, pledged to action, and a lot of it. And gallantly flinging back their locks from their foreheads, and with a smile cheery and brave, this administration gathered the whole kit and caboodle of the destitute to its bosom. Since then it has been exceedingly busy trying to bounce many of them off again. The federal government had no more experience than anyone else in being an eleemosynary institution. It had vast quantities of goodwill, optimism, and idealism. It was manned with as attractive a crowd of people as ever were got together in Washington; for eagerness and earnestness, youth and enthusiasm are extremely attractive qualities. It is probably the most literate administration that this country has ever had since the early days when politics was believed to be a gentlemans profession, and it is certainly the most talkative. It is also probably one of the most truly representative of administrations, for it shares practically all the illusions of the typical American intellectual. It believes that any action is better than none; that the scientific attitude is synonymous with being willing to try anything once; that economic reform can be interpreted in terms of social uplift; and that the lion and the lamb can be brought to lie down together by persuasion. This is preeminently the administration of goodwill on all sides. But the good, says the proverb, die young. It is the wise who die of old age. A Sympathy All-Embracing This administration has been truly encyclopedic in its sympathies. It has tried, in the midst of depression, to raise wages and preserve profits. It has encouraged monopolies and sought to protect labor. It has advocated high prices and the protection of the consumer; [Secretary of State] Mr. [Cordell] Hull wants to restore international trade, and so does [Secretary of Agriculture] Mr. [Henry] Wallace, but meanwhile Mr. Wallace scales down production to domestic consumption. It believes in inspiration and in the expert. Now, the same ambivalence of feeling dominates the relief program. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration is accurately described by one word in the title, and somewhat accurately by another. It is almost Federal, and it is certainly Administration. But no one whom I have been able to find in the whole organization, whether in Washington or in the field, believes that it is Emergency. On the contrary, its members are convinced that we are settling down to deal with a permanent problem, and they are directing policy with this in view. It is not relief. It is or intends to become a system of employment and, as such, should be no more relief than the check I hope to get for this article. The destitute, in the mind of this government, have a right to support. But there is something humiliating about the exercise of this special right. Therefore, work must be provided for them. But the work must not interfere with private industry. The relief worker must be free, but in order to live on his budget, he must be controlled. The relief worker must not be insulted, but the public must be scrupulously protected. The problems of the immediate present must be met. The problems of a distant future must be met. The chief aim must be to provide immediate projects to meet the needs of the individual unemployed; the chief aim must be to construct lasting works of public importance. Every destitute person in the country must be relieved, but the taxpayer must not be overburdened. Benevolent Serfdom I am amazed that some people consider that the work-relief system is a form of socialism. Go out and look at it, and you see that it is actually a new form of benevolent serfdom. I say benevolent because almost all the people in administrative positions from top to bottom are full of human kindness, full of sympathy. They are not well-paid themselves. They work extremely hard. They are, for the most part, vigorously honest. And most of them know that this system will not work in the long run. Some of them foresee its extension into a universal program of production for use, a sort of nationwide EPIC. Others believe that the government must openly compete with private industry and gradually expropriate it. They should observe that no country yet has managed to edge its way into socialism. Others believe that such a system can only be integrated with the rest of society by political means. Now, the political means of integrating such a society with the rest is fascism. It is, as far as I know, the only political means which has been pragmatically successful. Germany, from 1925 onward, built up a system of work relief very similar to this one. In fact, it is the only parallel which I can find in a study of social service in European countries. It had the same sort of projects subsistence farms, unemployed production for unemployed, and in the Voluntary Works Corps, an organization not unlike CCC. It did not, under this system, stabilize the social order. The resentment of the unemployed against the state was prodigious. According to the classes from which they came, the younger elements flocked to the extreme right or the extreme left. They furnished strong support for Hitler. And when he came into power, he took over the whole system. It was literally ready-made for him. He reorganized it along military lines. He put the workers in camps into uniforms, and the social workers, to a large extent, as well. He kept the system and changed the psychology. Now the subsistence workers are not pariahs of the social order but are hailed as its pillars. They are the builders of the New Germany. They have parades. They are drilled, exercised, trained. Arrangements are made to keep many of them permanently in this status. And a vast propaganda machine with the whole field to itself is busy persuading them that they like it. Well, perhaps they do. But would we? President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 7034 less than three months before this article was printed, establishing the more ambitious and unconventional Works Progress Administration. Like FERA, the WPA was accused of promoting communism, socialism, fascism, corruption, and political favoritism. But its results are difficult to argue against: 651,000 miles of roads, 124,000 public buildings, 800 airports, and 124,000 bridges built or improved; 225,000 public concerts presented; 475,000 works of art and 276 full-length books created; plus public swimming and wading pools, utility improvements, and over a billion school lunches. FERA was dissolved in December of the same year. Read Dorothy Thompsons Our Ghostly Commonwealth in its entirety. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/19/2016 -- Andalusite is an aluminum nesosilicate mineral belonging to the sillimanite family and found in metamorphic rocks. It is a polymorph with two other minerals: kyanite and sillimanite and is named after Andalusia, a province in Spain. Since it is polymorph, it has similar chemical composition but different physical structure as compared to kyanite and sillimanite. Andalusite is commonly used for production of refractory materials and as a precursor for porcelain which is used in spark plugs and other products. Andalusite generally forms under low pressure and high temperature and converts to sillimanite or kyanite at different temperature-pressure regime. It comes in pink, green, yellow, violet and gray colors among others. Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4546 Andalusite is a precursor for production of refractory materials, which is used in linings for incinerators, furnaces, kilns and reactors. It can also be used for the production of crucibles. A refractory material should be physically and chemically stable at high temperatures, resistant to thermal shock and chemically inert. Andalusite has high purity, stable volume, good creep resistance, a high thermal shock resistance, metal penetration resistance and low porosity that make it suitable for production of refractory. The steel, glass, aluminum and cement industry are the key end users of andalusite. The andalusite industry is driven by the growth of refractory industry. The global demand for longer lasting, higher quality and low cost refractories is rising in emerging economies of the Asia Pacific, especially China and India due to rapid economic growth. The refractory industry follows the trend set by the main end user, the steel industry. The steel production makes up the majority of demand for refractories and profitability of the refractories industry is influenced by investment in steel production and steel plants. The continued demand for andalusite by China for its refractive industry will drive the demand of andalusite. Although end users other than the steel industry consume less andalusite, they have a strong impact on the growth of andalusite industry. The ceramic, glass, aluminum and cement industry contribute heavily to the growth of andalusite industry. However, fluctuations of major currency such as Euro and Dollar, rising oil prices and availability of substitutes such as bauxite could hamper the growth of this market. The Asia Pacific is one the biggest consumer of andalusite due to the rapid growth of refractory industry in emerging economies such as China and India. China is the main producer and user of refractories, mainly driven by the steel industry. Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Russia and Turkey are some of the other key markets in this region. The future of the refractories will depend on emerging economies of Asia and Latin America. Brazil remains the most promising end market for andalusite in Latin America. The consumption of refractories will be moderate in the European Union and North America. Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4546 The production of andalusite is concentrated in the hands of few companies who produce majority of andalusite for the global market. Some of the key players in this market are Andalusite Resources, Rhino Minerals Pty Ltd (IMERYS), Samrec Pty ltd (IMERYS), Damrec (IMERYS), Picobello Andalucita and Andalucita S.A. among others. Damrec, subsidiary of IMERYS, is the largest producer of Andalusite and has operations in China, South Africa, France and Peru. Andalusite Resources (Pty) Ltd is a newcomer to the Andalusite Industry and plans to increase its production capacity due to strong growth potential of andalusite market. Key points covered in the report 1) Report segments the market on the basis of types, application, products, technology, etc (as applicable) 2) The report covers geographic segmentation North America Europe Asia RoW 3) The report provides the market size and forecast for the different segments and geographies for the period of 2010 to 2020 4) The report provides company profiles of some of the leading companies operating in the market 5) The report also provides porters five forces analysis of the market. About Persistence Market Research Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes. Going for the gold in London Updated: 2016-08-19 07:55 By Cecily Liu in London(China Daily Europe) New exchange expected to see significant activity from Chinese banks and investors, some of whom have a stake in platform The launch of London's new gold exchange, LMEprecious, in 2017 could generate more participation from Chinese banks and investors in London's gold trading, analysts say. The exchange is to be launched by The London Metal Exchange and The World Gold Council. One big China link is that LME has been strategically redeveloped to cooperate more closely with Asian investors since its acquisition by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing in 2012. Traders at the Ring, the London Metal Exchange's open-outcry trading floor. Adam Gray / London Metal Exchange In addition, China's ICBC Standard Bank is set to cooperate closely on LMEprecious, being one of its stakeholders and founding supporters, alongside four other global investment banks. ICBC Standard Bank is a London-based bank with a history dating back to 1992, and derived its current name in 2015 when ICBC acquired a controlling 60 percent stake from the South African lender Standard Bank. In addition, because LME already has three Chinese banks as clearing members - China Merchant Securities, Bank of China and ICBC Standard Bank - these banks are expected to bring more of their existing Chinese clients to trade through LMEprecious, says Harry Knott, head of operations, risk and derivatives at Brady, a trading and risk management software services firm. "The ability for the Chinese clearing members to clear precious metals contracts in addition to the existing base metals contracts will offer a more comprehensive range of products to both new and current clients," Knott says. Approximately three-fourths of global bullion dealing takes place in London, but most of it is still done directly between buyers and sellers, as it has been for decades. Such lack of transparency has attracted market concerns, warning that London could lose gold trading volumes to China, the world's largest gold importer, if it does not introduce more efficiency and transparency. This year, the Shanghai Gold Exchange launched its own benchmark, the renminbi-denominated Shanghai Gold Fix, which is open to trading by international investors. Andrew Leyland, a director at consultancy Wood Mackenzie who heads the metals and mining consulting team, says LMEprecious' launch is "really about transparency and future-proofing the London market versus both regulatory scrutiny and a rising challenge in Shanghai." Historically, London's gold trading is overseen by the London Bullion Market Association, and individual contracts are cleared by LBMA member clearing banks, although no central clearing existed. Under the LMEprecious arrangement, LME clearing member banks will act as counterparties to clear their clients' trades, and all trades will be cleared by LME Clear, to increase transparency. Such central clearing fits in with Europe's post-financial crisis regulations, which are increasingly strict on central clearing and transparency. Katarina Cvijovic, head of precious metals for ICBC Standard Bank, says the Chinese banks' close participation in LMEprecious can play a role in "the construction of an integrated global precious metals business". ICBC's Shanghai precious metals department is a participant in the LBMA gold price benchmark, and also an Shanghai Gold Exchange gold benchmark fixing member, so effectively ICBC Standard Bank and its parent company's gold trading activities link the Shanghai and London markets. Daisy Liang, director and head of investor relations for Asia-Pacific at Gresham Investment Management, says the establishment of LMEprecious will help LME to diversify into precious metals trading, in addition to the exchange's established base metals trading. "But because base metals rely heavily on emerging-market demand, such as China's infrastructure construction boom, and now this supercycle is coming to an end with China's slowdown, it makes sense for LME to diversify into sectors like gold, which is less cyclical," Liang says. Liang also expressed optimism over LMEprecious, as "LME has demonstrated it has the successful capacity to create benchmarks, and to facilitate the trading of contracts as useful, liquid tools." cecily.liu@mail.chinadailyuk.com (China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page28) Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/19/2016 -- The report "Core Materials Market for Composites by Type (Foam, Honeycomb, and Balsa), by End-Use Industry (Aerospace, Wind Energy, Marine, Transportation, Construction, and Others), and by Region - Global Forecasts to 2021", The global core materials market for composites is projected to reach USD 1.72 Billion by 2021, registering a CAGR of 8.60% between 2016 and 2021. The major factors fueling the growth of the core materials market for composites are the growing demand from the wind energy industry, growing usage of composites in the aerospace industry, and recovery of marine sector in the U.S. after the economic recession. Browse 111 market data Tables and 69 Figures spread through 182 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Core Materials Market for Composites - Global Forecasts to 2021" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/core-material-market-146879627.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. High use in wind energy industry expected to drive the core materials market for composites The blades for large wind turbines have been made from various low-weight composites. According to the GWEC (Global Wind Energy Council), by 2035, the renewable energy sector is expected to generate more than 25% of the world's electricity, and a quarter of this is expected to be derived from wind. With the increasing demand for wind energy, the demand for core materials is also rising for manufacturing of the wind energy blades as these materials are economical and have low-density and high performance. Foam: The largest core type for core materials Foam is the most common core material used in composites due to its ready availability and low cost. Foam core materials are used in sandwich construction of wind mill blades, and they impart strength and stiffness while keeping the composite structure lightweight. PVC, PET, and SAN foam are the most popular core materials used in wind energy turbines. These foams are used in various applications such as wind energy blades, nacelles, and so on, depending on their resin compatibility, usage temperature, manufacturing aspects, and costs. The demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles in the transportation industry is also driving the demand for foam. Apart from this end-use industries, they are also employed in marine and other industries. Download PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=146879627 Asia-Pacific is the key market for core materials The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the largest market for core materials due to the increased demand from wind energy and aerospace industry. In addition, easy availability of raw materials, low labor costs, growing manufacturing industries, new product developments, capacity expansions, and new plant establishments by various leading players are few factors leading to the growth of the core materials market for composites in this region. Some of the leading manufacturers of core materials for composites include Diab Group (Sweden), Hexcel Corporation (U.S.), 3A Composites (Switzerland), Euro-Composites S.A. (Luxembourg), Gurit Holding AG (Switzerland), The Gill Corporation (U.S.), Changzhou Tiansheng New Materials Co. Ltd. (China), Plascore Incorporated (U.S.), Armacell International S.A. (Luxembourg), and Evonik Industries AG (Germany). These players adopted various organic and inorganic developmental strategies. Enquire Before Buying of this Report @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=146879627 This report covers the market by value and volume for core materials for composites and forecasts the market size till 2021. The report segments the market on the basis of type, end-use industry, and region. It also provides company profiles and competitive strategies adopted by the major market players in the global core materials market for composites. Browse Related Reports: Nomex Honeycomb Market by Application (Aerospace & Defense, Transportation, Sporting Goods and Others), Aerospace & Defense, Sub Application (Interior and Exterior), and by Region - Global Forecasts to 2021 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/nomex-honeycomb-market-197303057.html Prepreg Market by Type of Fiber Reinforcement (Glass fiber, Carbon fiber, Aramid fiber), by Types of Resin (Thermoset, Thermoplastics), by Manufacturing Process (Hot melt, Solvent Dip), by Applications (Wind, Aerospace, Automotive, Sporting goods, Electronics (PCB) etc.) and by Region - Global Trends and Forecasts to 2020 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/prepreg-market-56131284.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. 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Contact: Mr. Rohan Markets and Markets UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune, Maharashtra 411013, India Tel: 888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets Visit MarketsandMarkets Website: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com [JAKARTA] Rapid conversion of natural forests in mainland South-East Asia have put more animals at risk of extinction but are not making it to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species. A remote sensing study led by the United States-based Duke University found that 79 mammals, 49 birds and 184 amphibians in the region now live within less than 20,000 square kilometres, a habitat range which the IUCN defines as an endangered zone. We argue that some species in the region are much more threatened with extinction than IUCN is saying. Stuart Pimm, Duke University The study analysed vast areas in mainland South-East Asia which include Chinas Yunnan province, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and eastern India. The region is said to have the worst deforestation in the world. In 2000-2010, countries in the region cleared around 480,000 hectares of natural forests each year, leading to habitat destruction and fragmentation. This destruction has become a factor in the regions 56 per cent share of the worlds rubber production and 39 per cent of that of oil palm. The study, published in PLOS One (3 August), notes that this rapid rate of deforestation is threatening 122 kinds of mammals, 183 birds and 214 amphibians that are endemic to the region. A traditional species-by-species assessment as done by the IUCN is deemed too slow to deal with this rising threat. Stuart Pimm, one of the studys authors and a conservation professor at Duke University, says the team used remote sensing technology to analyse the changing landscape in mainland South-East Asia and how it has affected the distribution of animals living in the region. The result surprised the researchers who said they found many animals not listed as threatened but were actually in danger. We argue that some species in the region are much more threatened with extinction than IUCN is saying. An example is the red-throated squirrel (Dremomys gularis). It appears to have a large range, but much of it is not at the right elevation, which isnt forested. Its probably in a lot more danger than the IUCN thinks, says Pimm. Four mammals, nine birds and seven amphibians, which the IUCN had listed as species of least concern, are now living within a habitat of less than 5,000-square kilometre. Other endangered animals include the Assam mole shrew, Millets leopoldamys rodent, chestnut-headed partridge, Malayan laughing thrust and Vietnamese green finch. Achmad Farajallah, a zoologist from Bogor Agricultural University, reports the same pattern in Indonesia. In 2014, he published a study in Nature Communications which found that land conversion from natural forests to oil palm plantation has contributed to at least 45 per cent of the biodiversity loss. Regarding the use of remote sensing in evaluating risks of animal extinction, Farajalla stresses that it should not be used as the main indicator. He says that aside from analysing shrinking habitat, risks of extinction can be influenced by other factors.To analyse a species risk of extinction, we need information regarding its generation time, strategy of reproduction, feeding preference and its environmental support, including space and shelter, he says. Janssen Pharmaceutical announced on Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration has placed the experimental drug esketamine (popularly known as ketamine) on the fast lane to officially approve it to be used for treating severe depression. It was said that the "breakthrough therapy" would give psychiatrists a new way to manage patients with suicidal tendencies, and would also be known as the first new treatment for major depression in almost half a century. According to CNN, ketamine is a psychedelic club drug popularly known as "Special K" that has been in circulation since the 1960s. It was given approval by the FDA to be used in humans in 1970, and shortly after, military doctors used the drug on American soldiers fighting in the war as a sedative and pain reliever. Today the drug is commonly used as veterinary anesthetic. However, this drug is also widely known as the top date-rape drug used for its power to quickly numb and make a person immobile. Despite all these, people have been known to take ketamine for pain, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. "We don't exactly know how it works," said Dr. Julie Coffman of the department of internal medicine, hospice and palliative medicine at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, who is not affiliated with Janssen or any pharmaceutical company. Newser.com has reported Dr. Coffman explaining that the drug might be able to transform damaged nerves that caused depression. Ketamine prompts neuroplastic processes which creates new connections among brain cells, said Dr. Dan Iosifescu, an associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is named on a license patent for using ketamine to treat depression. "What's unique about ketamine is, this happens in hours or days, while with other depression medications, this happens in weeks to months," Iosifescu said. Dr. Coffman also said in a report that she once used a single dose of ketamine to a depressed patient who was not responding to any antidepressants she gave. Dr. Coffman found that that single oral dose of ketamine "had a very positive effect," and helped improve his anxiety symptoms. "Even from his family's standpoint. They noticed a marked improvement," Coffman said. The drug is said to last for up to 30 days and can take effect within 4 hours. But, the drug has a tendency to elevate blood pressure and reverse tolerance to opioids, among other things. So, if the drug is approved by the FDA, it should only be given under the supervision of a health professional with patients to be monitored every two hours after taking the medication, There have already been several researches that have studies the potency of the drug for depression. However, most of the studies were small studies that tested a dose of ketamine on acutely depressed patients. The 3 year-trial in Australia and New Zealand was part of the requirements to prove whether the drug can bring about a long-term response in depressed patients when given in multiple doses. This would also determine which method of administration would be most effective, either intravenously, nasally or subcutaneously, The Guardian reported. At present, Janssen is conducting clinical trials for two uses for esketamine, one for treatment-resistant depression and another for depression with suicidal thoughts. The company plans to present its phase III data for treatment-resistant depression in 2018 and file with the FDA that year. Experts are suggesting that pool lanes gave an unfair disadvantage to swimmers competing in the Olympics. A research conducted by experts from the Aquatic Science Center at Indiana University on the 2013 Barcelona Olympics suggests that current from the pool favored some lanes by disadvantaging others, as repoted by Deadspin. The anomaly was first noticed back then in Barcelona Olympics when the researchers compared the overwhelming medals obtained by swimmers from lane 8 and the consistent losers who swam in lane 1. When this "current" issue surfaced, several Olympic teams protested however, even the researchers of the study has no way to confirm the incident. In a sport like swimming where margins between winners and losers are just split seconds, it is very hard to verify the said anomaly. According to an analysis from Swimswam in the recently conducted swimming event in Rio Olympics, the "current" anomaly has a sparing coincidence. Lanes 8 to 5 produced more medalists than lane 1-4. The researchers speculated that the current might be caused by the substandard construction of the swimming pools. Coincidentally, the contractor who built the pool in the Barcelona Olympics also constructed the swimming pool used in the recently conducted Rio Olympics swimming event. The contractor, Martha Pools USA denied the allegations. Trevor Tiffany, Chairman of Martha Pools said that they complied with all the specifications of the International Olympic Committee in building the swimming facility. "We were required to do tests to show that there was no movement of water, and the tests were conclusive that there was no movement of water. If any current had been detected, obviously it would have been of concern to us and of concern to FINA," Tiffany said in an Wall Street Journal report. Officials of FINA, the international ruling body in swimming, together with the contractor Martha Pools USA, said that they will conduct an investigation in the said issue. Martha Pools will also rerun the tests using a more sophisticated device to finally put the issue to an end. The mosquito-borne virus looks like it can have an effect on adult brain cells, a new study suggests. This is new discovery, considering that just several months ago, health officials were able to verify that the virus can cause a range of congenital birth defects like microcephaly and brain damage in infants born to mothers affected with the disease during pregnancy. #Zika may damage brain cells in adults, not just in developing fetuses https://t.co/H22bsY6CST pic.twitter.com/QGt2Q1uUqs China Xinhua News (@XHNews) August 18, 2016 The effect of Zika on adults, according to Newsweek, has not been studied widely until lately. Although most adults who contract the virus seem asymptomatic, there have been some researchers who suspected that the Zika may have effects on the adult central nervous system in ways that cannot be fully understood yet. It seems that they were right. A new study published in Cell Stem Cell contains some of the initial research at how the virus may affect the brains of infected adults. Still in its preliminary stage and conducted on mice, it does, however, provide clear evidence that health officials may need to closely monitor neurological and cognitive functions even after the infection has been resolved. Lead author of the study, Dr. Joseph Gleeson, an expert in pediatric brain disease at The Rockerfeller University in New York said, "This is one potential consequence we need to look at." According to Reuters, Gleeson wanted to see whether or not Zika could attack neuro cells in adult mice, so he injected the virus into lab mice and examined their brains for infection. He found that the hippocampus "lit up like a Christmas tree and wiped out the stem cell population." He also added, "Based on our findings, getting infected with Zika as an adult may not be as innocuous as people think." Appearing only recently, Zika already affected 66 countries and territories, and earlier this month, researchers from the Notre Dame University already estimated as many as 93 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean affected with the disease. The NASA scientists unravel the dramatically declined of the Arctic sea ice because of the warm temperature. The sea ice is frozen ocean water around the polar caps. In the winter, it grows. On the other hand, during summer, it thins and decreases. According to NASA, the Arctic is the Earth's air conditioner. It helps in regulating the global temperatures. On the other hand, it is warming twice as fast as any other places in the world. This makes the Arctic one of the most visible signs of the changing planet. They are observing now the changing conditions in the Arctic with its satellites and airborne. Their ground campaign also measures the polar sea ice. @NASAEarth @NASA I'm looking forward to the discussion on the role +AMO phase has had on melting Arctic Sea Ice. pic.twitter.com/pcsJrCFoJE Climate News (@ClimateNewsCA) August 18, 2016 As of today, they are monitoring the ice sheets that are melting at increasing rates. NASA will also launch the ICESat-2 satellite, in which it will make the most advanced measurements of the polar regions in 2018. Walt Meier, a NASA sea ice scientist stated that they had the lowest sea ice extent average over the first six months by a fair amount in the satellite record going back to 1979. Meanwhile, Gavin Schmidt said that 2016 has really blown that out of the water. He is referring to last year's record for being the hottest year globally, as noted by International Business Times. Peter Wadhams, the former director of the Scott Polar Research Institute and professor of ocean physics at Cambridge described and commented on the decline of the Arctic Sea Ice. He said that humans are taking away the beautiful world of Arctic Ocean sea ice which once protected people from the impacts of climate extremes. People have created an ocean where there was once an ice sheet. He concluded that it is man's first major achievement in reshaping the face of the planet. The NASA scientists will show images of the Arctic sea ice on August 19 from 6:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. EDT. They will also discuss how the polar region is fairing this summer. Coral reefs have been under threat from global warming. However, for some coral reefs, the rise in sea levels brought by the same global warming may just be what it needs. A new study of reefs revealed that although tides are the major cause of water mixing, experts have found that the increase in sea level may save the corals from bleaching. Although reefs are essentially found in a much deeper part of the ocean, most tropical types of corals usually get a thin layer of water on them during low tide. Experts say that corals closer to land can trap small amount of water between them and the shore. Big effects can be seen when low tide coincide with the middle of a summer day. "You can think of it as applying the same heat to a smaller amount of water," Professor Ryan Lowe of the University of Western Australia, lead author of the study, told IFLScience. The Telegraph reported that mounting levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are thought to cause a considerable amount of changes to ocean temperature over the next 100 years which will increase the frequency and severity of mass bleaching, where corals eject the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, turning them completely white. According to the new study, sea levels are forecasted to rise by more or less 0.5-0.8m by the end of this century. The study said that this rise in sea levels brought about by the melting of polar ice caps will be good for the reefs since it could help improve the extreme temperature changes experienced by many shallow reefs. The remote and iconic Kimberley region of Western Australia is not only home to some of the world's most ancient rock art, rare species such as the golden bandicoot, the scaly-tailed possum and the toe-tapping monjon, but also some of the world's strongest corals. Dr. Lowe explained that the Kimberly coast also boasts one of the world's most extreme tidal ranges, with the water height measuring more than 10m over each tidal cycle. When these tides combine with the reefs in the area, it converts into big temperature changes. "Extreme temperatures are known to be one of the key stressors to coral reef communities around the world, and developing an improved understanding and ability to predict temperature extremes within reefs is critical to predicting the fate of reefs in the future," Dr. Lowe said. Dr. Lowe and his team wanted to find out what factors can control temperature changes within the shallow reef systems. To do that, they developed a physically based model to conclude temperature changes within tide-dominated reefs considering factors such as tides, solar heating cycles and reef structure, australiangeographic.com.au reported. "By assessing reefs in the Kimberley and a number of other reefs around the world, we identified how the regular cycles of the tide and heating by the Sun interact to drive extreme temperatures, in many cases by over 6C each day, and how even moderate increases in mean sea level can dramatically reduce these temperature variations by more than 50 per cent." The findings suggest that even with the harsh predictions of ocean warming and rising sea levels, the tide-dominated reefs can have unexpected benefits from it. "While rising sea temperature from global warming will clearly have negative effects on reefs globally, these kinds of reefs should at least see a slight drop in the large temperature variations they presently experience," explained Dr. Lowe. Meanwhile, future research are a must to how reef organisms will behave to changes in future temperature routines, focusing specifically on the acute effects of short-lived temperature extremes versus the longer term effects of sustained warming. It was reported just recently that McDonald's had included Step-It activity trackers from their Happy Meals. However, a new report was released saying that it is removing the fitness tracker due to concerns over skin irritations. In a statement sent to CNN, company spokeswoman Terri Hickey said: "We are voluntarily removing the Step It! Activity Band Happy Meal toys in our restaurants in our United States and Canadian markets. It will no longer be offered as part of our Happy Meals. We have taken this swift and voluntary step after receiving limited reports of potential skin irritations that may be associated from wearing the band. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers and we are fully investigating this issue. Our restaurants are now offering our youngest guests an alternative Happy Meal toy." The fast food company didn't exactly say how many reports it received of the tracker apparently causing skin irritations or if it would recall the trackers, as it did with 2.3 million Hello Kitty whistles after two children coughed up pieces. The Happy Meal toy was announced earlier this week and was set to be released and available for four weeks while McDonald's is having their big marketing push for the Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. The company said that the trackers were released as part of a promotional campaign geared towards getting kids to be physically active. According to consumerist.com, Casey Collyar of Arkansas posted on Facebook last week that her child was burned by the Happy Meal toy after playing with it for eight minutes. Her post went viral and was shared more than 100,000 times. After voicing her concern on social media, Collyar received messages from other children saying that their children experienced the same irritations. The fitness trackers, which came in six different colors, were already distributed in the United States and Canada, gizmodo.com reported. The plastic wrist-worn pedometer measures steps and blinks quickly or slowly depending on the pace of the person wearing it. Powering ahead through diversification Updated: 2016-08-19 07:55 By Lyu Chang in Beijing and Xie Chuanjiao in Qingdao(China Daily Europe) Hengshun Zhongsheng Group morphs from equipment maker to a global player in industrial parks, coal, nickel and ports When Qingdao Hengshun Zhongsheng Group Co Ltd, a firm focusing on electric projects and equipment, listed on the Shenzhen stock market in 2011, it attracted the attention of investors straight away. The company's more than 20 percent year-on-year growth since it was founded in March 1998 was already a talking point in the state-regulated power transmission industry. An employee works at an Indonesian food and beverage company in an industrial park in Kerawang in West Java province. Hengshun has diversified into building industrial facilities in Indonesia and elsewhere. Chai Shijue / For China Daily The company makes and sells high-voltage reactive power equipment, compensation devices and filtering devices, with its products including capacitors, reactors and coil dischargers. In 2012, when Hengshun was hit by a domestic glut in power transmission and control equipment and an economic slowdown, the company ventured into other businesses as well as overseas. It began by building industrial parks and power plants. And it looks like these forward-looking initiatives are beginning to bear fruit. Profits are robust and its financials are sound, and investors are chasing Hengshun stock again. The company, based in the eastern port city of Qingdao, calls the recent trend a "strong headwind in the cold winter". Executives have seen profits rise from 109.5 million yuan ($16.4 million; 14.7 million euros) in 2014 to 338.6 million yuan last year, a 209.2 percent increase year-on-year. Jia Xiaoyu, the president of Hengshun, attributes the growth to the decision to diversify its core businesses and become an overseas developer of industrial parks, coal mines, power plants and ports. "How do you define an 'owner' of a project? I think the one that can bring you the profit is the owner, regardless of which industry it comes from," Jia told reporters two years ago. He was referring to a series of recent deals the company had struck. The range was as imaginative as it was wide, Jia says. The deals were for investing in nickel ore in Indonesia and building industrial parks in Africa - all seemingly unrelated but capable of funneling gold into the company coffers. That kind of bold expansion may not have been possible without the foresight of Jia. He predicted several years ago that China's state-controlled utilities would face oversupply sooner or later as a severe and prolonged recession in the construction sector put immense pressure on the infrastructure construction sector. In 2014, Jia was looking at opportunities in Indonesia when the country banned exports of mineral ore in order to develop its own ore-processing technologies. He decided to stock nickel ore reserves and develop a ferronickel industrial park, as the export ban was expected to drive up huge demand for nickel ore in China, a major importer of Indonesia's nickel ore. But the company took a leap on the back of China's Belt and Road Initiative, which opened up new opportunities in South and Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. As Beijing strengthened bilateral cooperation with Jakarta, Hengshun and two other Chinese companies teamed up to build a ferro-nickel industrial park in Indonesia, exploiting their collective experience in nickel exploration and inventory. This also helped the companies build factories and captive power plants in industrial parks in Indonesia. Last year, Hengshun struck a deal to build a special economic zone and an industrial park in Zimbabwe to further stimulate the African country's economic development and transformation. What attracted Hengshun was that foreign investors in the Zimbabwean zone were accorded several preferential policies and allowed to build industrial parks and factory shells to rent out to other companies. "We started investing in the overseas market in 2011," Jia says. "Over the years, we've gathered much experience in industrial park investment, development, attracting business and operations." The company now plans to use this business model in South Africa, Laos and Thailand. In November, Hengshun signed an agreement worth $114 million with Coal of Africa Ltd, a mining company in South Africa. Its Makhado coal project, in the northernmost province of Limpopo, has a gross reserve of 790 million metric tons and a recoverable reserve of 340 million tons. The project is expected to start next year, and will likely yield 12.6 million tons of raw coal a year, according to Hengshun. Lin Boqiang, head of the China Center for Energy Economic Research, which is under the aegis of Xiamen University, says many industries in China are facing pressure from oversupply, while countries like Indonesia and Zimbabwe are in huge demand of energy and infrastructure construction. "In terms of going global, most companies would take the mergers and acquisitions route to market share, or leverage their core businesses. But sometimes, we need to think outside the box and look at what we are good at and what they can provide," Lin says. Contact the writers at lvchang@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily European Weekly 08/19/2016 page29) What constitutes a libel in a marital case Updated: 2016-08-19 08:32 By QIAO XINSHENG(China Daily) Ma Rong, wife of actor Wang Baoqiang, entrusted her lawyer to file a lawsuit in a court in Beijing's Chaoyang district on Tuesday, accusing the actor of maligning her reputation by writing on his micro blog that she had an affair with his agent for which he was divorcing her. Ma has demanded that Wang delete the post and apologize to her. The Chaoyang court has formally accepted the lawsuit. But people cannot help but wonder why Wang cannot make a statement saying he was dissolving his marriage with Ma after he found that she was cheating on him? Some lawyers argue that a couple's marital matterslove, affection, arguments, disloyaltyare part of their privacy if they are not known to others and thus should not be made public by anyone, husband and wife included. Adultery, too, is part of a person's private affair and therefore should not be revealed even by the husband or wife, the lawyers say, because it violates the person's privacy rights and could constitute a libel. But others believe a person's privacy is not boundless, and if a person's seemingly private matter constitutes a violation of others' legitimate rights, it can be made public. This debate fails to touch the essence of the problem. There are no explicit stipulations in China's laws on privacy protection, although there are legal clauses on a person's right to reputation and dignity. If one person damages another's reputation, he or she should undertake civil liabilities or bear criminal responsibility. The same applies to cases related to personal dignity. So if disclosing an individual's personal information unknown to others harms his/her reputation, it becomes a typical case of libel or character assassination. In the Wang-Ma case, the actor's disclosure of his wife's extra marital affair does damage her reputation. But Wang's act is essentially aimed at safeguarding his marital rights and thus cannot be construed as a libel, especially because he claims to have sound evidence about Ma's extra marital affair, which is a violation of their marital contract. In legal terms, the protection of a person's right to privacy does not mean the protection of all of his/her private matters. Many countries have enacted specific laws on such kind of protection. If the protection of citizens' right to privacy clashes with national interests, public rights or other citizens' legitimate rights and interests, it can be legally restricted. In other words, no individual can refuse to provide evidence for the protection of national interests by citing his/her right to privacy. The same rule applies to cases that involve the protection of public interests or other citizens' legitimate rights. Ma's affair is a serious violation of her husband Wang's marital rights. And if Wang had not made her disloyalty public, he could have been in a disadvantageous position in a future lawsuit as the defendant. By revealing Ma's extra marital affair, Wang has prevented Ma from possibly confusing public opinion in the future. Prioritizing the protection of individuals' right to privacy even in cases that could damage national interests or other citizens' rights is a sure recipe to fuel moral chaos in society. It is absolutely necessary to protect individuals' right to privacy, but this principle has a preconditionthat such protection does not damage national or public interests or infringes on other citizens' legitimate rights. If a totally unrelated person reveals an individual's extra marital affair, then a lawsuit can be filed against the former for damaging the latter's reputation. But such a lawsuit is uncalled for when one of the spouses comes out with such a disclosure. That no one can benefit from his/her illegal acts should become one of the basic codes of conduct. The author is a professor of law at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law. Realty boost to economy not good in long run Updated: 2016-08-19 08:32 By YI XIANRONG(China Daily) Cars pass by a housing block in Binzhou, Shandong province, Feb 4, 2016. [Photo/IC] If the asset bubbles are not deflated, China's economy cannot continue to grow and its financial market will face a huge risk. For example, housing prices in the first-tier and some second-tier cities rose sharply in the first half of this year, which "land speculators" used to their utmost advantage. The property bubble is largely related to the People's Bank of China's excessive credit expansion. In Shanghai, Nanjing and Xiamen, prices of newly built housing units in June increased more than 30 percent year-on-year, and housing prices in Shenzhen jumped 47 percent year-on-year. Although an unprecedented real estate boom was seen in the first half of this year with housing sales reaching at 640 million square meters, the year-on-year housing inventory actually increased instead of decreasing. By the end of June 2015, the housing space for sale stayed at 657 million square meters. But despite the upbeat property market in the first half of this year, residents couldn't find enough investment channels for much of the money in their hands. It seems the property market boom in the first half was the consequence of speculation by using banks' financial leverage. Bank loans in China during the first half of the year rose by 753 million yuan ($113.5 million) and the social financing increased by 975 million yuan, both record-high figures. What's more, housing sector loans increased to 295 million yuan, 262 million yuan of which was midto long-term loans, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the entire bank loans in the first half of the year. This is unprecedented in China. This also means China's property market boom and growth in the first half was generally the consequence of over-expanded bank loans. Such huge amounts of bank loans flowing into the property market is fine when housing prices are increasing. But if housing prices fall after the real estate sector's ongoing periodic adjustment, many problems will arise. At present, China faces the problems of excessive debts owed by local governments, enterprises and individuals. And if the problems reach extremes, it will be very difficult to solve them. When all social funds flow into the real estate market as speculative money, they not only veer away from the real economy but also push up asset prices comprehensively. And a GDP growth driven by fast rising asset prices will give rise to huge hidden perils and risks for the economy. This form of economic growth is not only unsustainable but also could cause the asset bubbles to burst at any time. This is the fundamental reason why the meeting of the Communist Party of China Central Committee proposed to control asset bubbles. In conclusion, we can say the Chinese economy did not ease the downward pressure and was mainly fueled by the real estate and rising prices in the first half of the year. Of course, economy cannot sustain itself in this way. If China's central bank tightens its monetary policy to some extent, the real estate market may undergo a real periodic adjustment. If this happens, economic growth is very likely to feel a downward pressure and China's economic situation would not look so cheerful in the second half of the year. And the authorities need courage and wisdom to deal with this dilemma. The author is a professor at School of Economics, Qingdao University. Myanmar no pawn in geopolitical games Updated: 2016-08-19 08:45 (China Daily) China's Premier Li Keqiang and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (L) attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, August 18, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] In a time rife with conspiracy theories and the Cold War-style imaginings of major-power geopolitical games, it perhaps should come as no surprise that State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to China means the China-Myanmar relationship is being scrutinized through the lens of power games. That Suu Kyi has chosen China as the destination for her first foreign visit outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has thus been interpreted as an attempt to assuage any concerns Beijing might have about Naypyitaw drawing closer toward disruptive foreign powers from outside the region, most notably the United States and Japan. It would be naive to ignore the complexity of diplomacy in these times of uncertainty. After all, major-power competition for influence is a political reality in East Asia at present. But that does not mean Beijing and Naypyitaw have to surrender their relationship to such an exhausting, damaging game. Ties between these two neighbors have never worked that way. They have long been on good terms largely because they have treated each other as equals. It is the constructive engagement in the past that has nurtured the special historical closeness between the countries' peoples and governments. It would be demeritorious for Naypyitaw to allow itself to be the pawn of any country in a geopolitical game. While outsiders have speculated Myanmar under Suu Kyi would estrange China by leaning toward the West, her trip to Beijing indicates she is not who others think she is, or should be. Instead, she is a political realist who wants what is in her country's best interest. A new administration in Naypyitaw does entail a reboot for her country's foreign relations, including those with Beijing. But that is more about reassuring and recommitting, rather than reworking, because the friendly foundations of bilateral ties remain sound and solid. As Suu Kyi has said, unlike an estranged couple who can break their wedlock, China and Myanmar can't change the fact they are neighbors. Those subscribing to the theory that China and Myanmar are falling out have substantially underestimated this essential aspect of the relationship. Even some in the two countries seem to fail to appreciate that their interests converge and complement each other more than they compete. At the same time, Beijing is a constructive stakeholder in Naypyitaw's pursuit of domestic peace and national reconciliation. That is why stalled projects like the Myitsone Dam should not be allowed to continue bogging down bilateral ties. And why those with strategic insight should look beyond such temporary setbacks. Premier Li welcomes Aung San Suu Kyi Updated: 2016-08-18 19:18 By Hu Yongqi(chinadaily.com.cn) China's Premier Li Keqiang and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (L) attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, August 18, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Premier Li Keqiang welcomed Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to China during a ceremony at the People's Great Hall on Thursday afternoon. Suu Kyi is on a five-day visit after taking the position in April, which is second only to the country's president. During a meeting after the ceremony, both sides agreed to stick to mutual respect, consolidate political trust, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation based on Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. Brexit will affect Chinese investment Updated: 2016-08-19 07:55 By Andrew Moody(China Daily Europe) Britain should make clear that the Hinkley review is for economic, not security, reasons, says leading business figure Peter Batey, one of the most senior British figures in the China business community, says British Prime Minister Theresa May should not listen to junior advisers when determining Sino-UK relations. The British government has been accused of Sinophobia over the decision to review whether to build the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in which China would be a major investor. Peter Batey believes there could eventually be a second EU referendum and people may decide to remain. Wang Zhuangfei / China Daily May's chief of staff Nick Timothy is said to want a more distant relationship with China than the one envisaged when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Britain in October. "I would hope that ministers were making these decisions, not 30-year-old kids who have these advisory positions in No 10 (Downing Street)," he says. Batey, who is founder and chairman of Vermilion Partners, and who was a political private secretary to former British prime minister Edward Heath, says the British government needs to make clear the review is taking place for economic and not security considerations if it is to avoid damaging relations between the two countries. May has now attempted to dampen down the controversy with a personal letter delivered to the Chinese President. "I think there will be tremendous damage to the bilateral relationship if it doesn't go ahead. The government should say plainly it is an economic issue, not let this impression build up that it's a security one instead. "There really ought to be some consistency between the position of one Conservative government and the next. I don't like to see these great oscillations in policy. After all, a British government made this (the Hinkley Point investment) a central feature of the Chinese president's state visit, so they have to recognize their actions have consequences for leaders of other countries as well." Batey, a former chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, who last year was awarded the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George for services to Sino-UK relations, says it is wrong to present former prime minister David Cameron and chancellor George Osborne in wanting to deepen UK-China relations as following an outlier strategy. "Is it not consistent with the approach of, say, the Germans to China? They have maintained a close relationship with China over a far longer period than we have. Look at the number of visits Chancellor Angela Merkel makes to China." Batey, 58, who was speaking in his offices in Beijing's China World complex, says the China row only compounds Britain's decision to leave the European Union in the June referendum. "I saw there was a headline running across the bottom of the screen this morning saying that Nissan is now worried about its investment in Sunderland (the Japanese car maker has its largest European manufacturing base near the city). This is close to my heart because I come from that part of the world. "The great irony of it all is that it is these people in the northeast who voted for Brexit. They have benefited enormously from Britain's membership of the European Union but they simply didn't see it that way." Batey believes the decision was a "leap in the dark" for many people who voted to leave because they were "not happy with their lot" rather than on any particular view about the EU. He believes ultimately - despite what the politicians currently say - there could eventually be a second EU referendum, and people may decide to remain. "We've first got to ask ourselves whether Brexit will happen and what form it will take. People knew what they had when they were in the European Union, or thought they did, but they didn't really know what they were going to have in terms of coming out. "The government is now seeking to craft the package, in which one of the most important issues will be whether we remain part of the single market. It may want to put that to the people whether through a general election or a further referendum. It may dawn on people that if we want to remain in the single market, they might be better off remaining in the European Union." Batey, who is from Consett in County Durham and studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University, is celebrating 30 years in China this year. He first arrived to work as a representative for accountants Arthur Andersen. He set up Vermilion Partners in 2004 and has been involved in a number of high-profile investment deals involving China and the UK. His firm advised on the acquisition of English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion by Chinese entrepreneur Guochuan Lai, which was announced earlier this month. One of the big concerns about the UK leaving the EU is how it will impact on Chinese investment in Britain. "It certainly might affect it. One of the reasons why companies from China or Asia - although not the only reason - invest in the UK is to have access to the European market. "On the other hand, China has been very successful in the European market anyway. What is driving most of China's outbound mergers and acquisitions at the moment is not really market access but the acquisition of technology. The problem area for the UK could be financial services, whether institutions who base themselves in London can passport their operations anywhere else in the European Union. So far, however, there hasn't been an enormous amount of Chinese investment in the financial services sector." The UK leaving the EU has a personal dimension for Batey as it was his former prime minister boss who was the undoubted driving force behind the country joining the then Common Market in 1973. Batey has been instrumental in preserving Heath's legacy, being now behind the charitable foundation trust to preserve the prime minister's former home Arundells in Salisbury as a visitor attraction. This year is the centenary of his birth and there will be an event in Beijing next month to celebrate this. Does the Brexit decision affect his legacy? "Well, look in terms of anybody's legacy, we were a member of the European Union from 1973 and to at least 2016 and beyond. I think membership has contributed greatly to the prosperity of this country for that period. I think that in itself is a substantial legacy." He believes those who think Britain can create some new great Commonwealth trading bloc involving Canada, New Zealand and Australia are not living in the real world. "It is a folly. The Australian economy is only a fraction of the size of the British economy and you have to look also at the distances involved." Batey insists that being a member of the European Union never prevented Britain doing trade with whoever it liked anyway. "In many ways we had the absolute perfect deal with the European Union, which is what makes it all such a shame. We had the bits of Europe that we wanted and not the bits we didn't want. We weren't in the single currency, nor part of the Schengen passport area and we had opted out of ever-closer union." andrewmoody@chinadaily.com.cn We are pleased to bring this new service to the market beginning today from Jacksonville, said Steve Collar, Crowley senior vice president and general manager, international liner services. We are confident this service enhancement will add a new dimension to our portfolio of Latin America services and bring increased efficiency and savings to our customers." The two containerships in the service, which will call at the Jacksonville Port Authoritys Talleyrand Terminal, will make port calls in Jacksonville on Thursdays, Port Everglades, Fla., on Fridays, and arrive in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, on Wednesdays. Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 124-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company. The company provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets through six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico Liner Services, International Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Alaska Petroleum Distribution and Marine Services, and Technical Services. With our warehousing and cross-dock operations in Jacksonville, we are well situated to funnel cargo originating outside Florida, to Costa Rica, saving customers time and reducing their overall landed costs, said Frank Larkin, Crowley senior vice president and general manager-logistics. We can swing loads from trailers to ocean containers here, reducing equipment re-positioning expenses, and save the additional inland transportation costs that come with the traditional movement of cargo to South Florida. Northbound Crowley will sail from Costa Rica on Fridays, which is an attractive end-of-the-work-week sailing for perishables shippers. Additionally, we believe we can achieve further velocity and continuity of customers supply chains by providing expert customs clearance for perishables and other cargoes being imported through Jacksonville, said Larkin. Archaeologists who unearthed the remains of a 3,500-year-old pyramid-shaped mausoleum in the Kazakh steppes, have now opened its funerary chamber, finding a skull, human bones and Bronze Age pottery objects. Wrongly hailed by several media outlets as the world's first pyramid, the structure dates back to the 14th to 12th century B.C. and contains five walls that gradually rise toward the center. The structure appears to resemble the step pyramid of Djoser, which was built about 4,700 years ago at the site of Saqqara in Egypt. RELATED: 16 Pyramids Discovered in Ancient Cemetery Considered the first Egyptian pyramid, the Djoser monument originally stood 203 feet tall, with a base of 358 by 410 feet. By contrast, the Kazakhstan "pyramid" was much smaller. Made from stone, earth and slabs in the outer side, it measured about 6.6 feet high and about 49 by 46 feet long. "It was built by the Begazy-Dandybay culture of Late Bronze Age in Kazakhstan," Viktor Novozhenov, an archaeologist with the Saryarka Archaeological Institute at Karaganda State University in Kazakhstan, told Discovery News. WATCH: Why Did We Stop Building Pyramids? A Bosnian pine growing in the highlands of Northern Greece is the continent's oldest living tree at 1,075 years, say a group of international scientists. The ancient pine was dated using tree rings, by extraction a core from the outside to the center of the tree. The discovery was made by researchers from Stockholm University, the University of Mainz (in Germany) and the University of Arizona. RELATED: Photos Capture Some of the Oldest Trees on Earth Scientists often use tree rings to examine Earth's climate history, which to some degree drove the find. "Many years ago I read a thesis about this very interesting forest in Greece," said Paul J. Krusi from Stockholm University, in a press release. "I am impressed, in the context of western civilization, all the human history that has surrounded this tree -- all the empires, the Byzantine, the Ottoman, all the people living in this region. " With a nod to its Greek home, the tree was named Adonis after the god of beauty and desire. RELATED: World's Tallest Trees at Risk: Photos "It is quite remarkable that this large, complex and impressive organism has survived so long in such an inhospitable environment, in a land that has been civilized for over 3,000 years," Krusic said. " Fortunately, this forest has been basically untouched for over a thousand years." The tree is one of a dozen that are more than 1,000 years old, all found along a tree line in the Pindos mountains. WATCH VIDEO: Humans Can Be Dated Like Trees Alert viewers of the Olympics broadcasts will have noticed that the country of Brazil, unlike other Latin American countries, speaks Portuguese rather Spanish. Why is this the case? History, of course! Laura Ling has the details in today's Seeker Daily report. In the 15th century, Christopher Columbus and other explorers discovered the New World, triggering a land grab competition between Spain and Portugal. In 1494, the two countries signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, which divided their claims. Spain was given rights to all lands west of the line of demarcation, while Portugal got everything to the east. It wasn't a particularly great deal for Portugal. Spain went on to colonize much of what is today Latin America, while Portugal got a sliver of land on the east coast of modern-day Brazil. What's more, the Portuguese didn't do much with their claim until around 1530, when the newly discovered land was found to be a rich source of the valuable Brazilwood. As you may have already intuited, this is how Brazil got its name. RELATED: Is Brazil's New President Corrupt? The really valuable cash crop in the region, however, turned out to be sugar cane. Plantation owners began migrating inland in search of more fertile land, bringing the Portuguese language and culture with them. A subsequent gold rush led to further expansion in the late 1600s. Over the next century or so, Brazil's modern borders were established and the country eventually gained independence. Portuguese remained the dominant language throughout all of these developments, adding linguistic bits and pieces from from native groups, African slaves and neighboring European settlers . Today, Brazilian and European Portuguese have slight differences in grammar and vocabulary -- and major differences in pronunciation -- but the languages remain very similar. Feel free to drop a few of these details at your next Olympics-watching event to impress friends and family. Also, if you're a fan of history and exploration, you should check out Discovery Go. You can watch all your favorite Discovery Channel shows anytime, anywhere and you can download it for free at your app store. Ate mais tarde! -- Glenn McDonald Learn More: New York Times: A Brief History of Brazil Britannica: Brazil- Agriculture and Prospecting National Geographic: June 7th, 1494: The Treaty of Tordesillas Have a story idea or tip about something happening in the East Village? Or maybe a photo? Or several photos? Or video! We'd love to hear about it. Or see it. Or something. Please go here to submit a tip. Message of Senator Nancy Binay on the celebration of the Kadayawan Festival I join our kababayans in Davao in their celebration of the Kadayawan Festival, a thanksgiving and commemoration of the city's rich cultural heritage and a bountiful harvest. Kadayawan honors the lumad and Muslim cultures which make Davao a vibrant and dynamic metropolis. It also showcases the abundant harvest that our hardworking farmers have produced, as well as the natural richness of the land. Kadayawan strengthens the camaraderie, friendship and goodwill among the residents of Davao, as well as our fellow Filipinos and friends from abroad, by celebrating the variety of cultures, traditions and groups that make up the Philippines. Ipinagpapatuloy at pinapalakas ng Kadayawan ang pagrespeto, pag-unawa at pagkakaroon ng bukas na isipan upang makapamuhay ang bawat isa na malaya, matiwasay at may pagkakaisa. Press Release August 19, 2016 De Lima pushes for PNR's rehabilitation Recognizing the importance of transportation infrastructure as a crucial element to boost economic productivity among regions, Sen. Leila M. de Lima has filed a measure to rehabilitate and revitalize the operations of Philippine National Railways (PNR). De Lima, who hails from Iriga City, Camarines Sur, filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 370 to amend the existing laws that cover the operations of the PNR, which shall give the state-owned railway company bigger fiscal space for its much-needed rehabilitation. "The PNR is an indispensable element to infrastructure connectivity. Its rehabilitation will impact not only the daily lives of Filipino commuters but also the whole country," she said. "Unfortunately, efforts to rehabilitate its operations have often been marred with either man-made or natural disaster. In this age of modernity, it seems the Philippines is being left behind by its neighboring countries in terms of railway system," she added. At present, the PNR only operates three segments: from Tutuban, Manila to Calamba, Laguna; Naga, Camarines Sur to Legazpi, Albay; and Sipocot to Naga which are both in Camarines Sur. Once the train line has been fully restored, the train route will run from Manila to Legazpi City. The neophyte senator said her bill proposes an increase of the PNR's authorized capital stock from P250 million to P100 billion, thereby giving it enough fresh capital outlay to strengthen its assets. "By increasing the authorized capital stock, the PNR shall have enough fiscal space to roll out its rehabilitation program. The PNR needs all the funds it can obtain for its rehabilitation," she explained. De Lima also said the rehabilitation of the PNR's system will significantly contribute to the government's efforts to strengthen the transportation system in Metro Manila as well as in northern Luzon. "The completion of the rehabilitation efforts will allow direct linkages to the southern Luzon at a fraction of the time. Eventually, it will also allow farmers to sell their goods to the cities with lesser overhead costs," she noted. "President Duterte himself mentioned of the planned roll-out of railway projects all over the country. I am confident that as a former local chief executive, he knows the importance of modern transport system in revitalizing economic activities in the regions," she said. Press Release August 19, 2016 GORDON WANTS RAILWAY SYSTEM IN MINDANAO TO SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT Senator Richard J. Gordon has proposed the establishment of a railway system in Mindanao to spur economic growth and development in the second largest island in the country. "Mindanao is known as the Land of Promise, yet until the present, the State has failed to maximize the potential of the island to contribute to regional and national economic development. It is essential to facilitate transportation for both people and goods to spur economic growth and development in Mindanao," he pointed out. Hence, Gordon filed Senate Bill No. 103 or the Mindanao Railway Act which aims to create the Mindanao Railway Corporation, an agency that would be authorized to establish and maintain an efficient railway system. The senator explained that the creation of the Mindanao Railway Corporation is a crucial step in the State's efforts to fully harness the natural and human resources of Mindanao for the benefit of the island's inhabitants and the Filipino people as a whole. "To invest money and time in the Mindanao Railway System would be risky beyond anything ever before attempted, but when it is completed, it would link the entire island of Mindanao, forever changing the nature of Mindanao's politics and economy," he added. Under the proposed measure, the powers and functions of the Mindanao Railway Corporation include the following: To formulate, adopt, and implement a comprehensive development plan for the Mindanao Railway System; To promote and encourage the participation of local governments and the private sector in the establishment of the Mindanao Railway System; To develop, construct, operate, and maintain, directly or indirectly, the Mindanao Railway System, including but not limited to stations, terminals, and warehouses; To prescribe, fix and regulate the schedule, frequency, routing and pricing of railway transportation fees, and other service fees of the Mindanao Railway System; To construct, own, lease, operate, and maintain, directly or indirectly, public utilities and infrastructure facilities and such auxiliary support services needed for the Mindanao Railway System; To design, construct, operate and, maintain, directly or indirectly, through contract such auxiliary infrastructure support facilities; To exercise the right of eminent domain; To form, establish, organize, and maintain subsidiary corporations or joint ventures to encourage local government and private sector participation in the development of the Mindanao Railway System; To encourage private investment in the Mindanao Railway System; and To promulgate rules and regulations, and perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary, appropriate, or incidental to this Act. Section 6 of the said bill provides that "The Mindanao Railway Corporation shall undertake, directly or indirectly, a comprehensive development plan of the Mindanao Railway System to provide an adequate and efficient railway transportation." The measure also proposes to give a 10-year national and local tax exemption to all properties, whether real or personal, that would be actually, directly, and exclusively used in the Mindanao Railway System. Gordon has long been proposing the development of what is tagged as the country's Food Basket, he authored Republic Act 9996 or the Mindanao Development Authority Act of 2010. Press Release August 19, 2016 SEND A NOTE VERBALE TO CHINA ON RP'S DRUG SITUATION - GORDON With Philippine law enforcers admitting that the bulk of the illegal drugs entering the country comes from China, Senator Richard J. Gordon yesterday proposed that the Department of Foreign Affairs should send a note verbale to the Chinese Embassy. During a joint Senate hearing, Gordon assured that he is not saying that it is state-sponsored but the DFA should inform the Chinese government that there is a serious drug problem in the Philippines and that according to law enforcement authorities the drugs or raw materials for manufacturing drugs come from China. "That is an act of friendliness. We take them into account...I'm not going to accuse China that it is state-sponsored. Remember, I said this is dangerous. There could be national security concerns here. They could be invading us with drugs. We have empirical data that many Chinese (citizens) are involved in the drug trade here. They should be accountable for their citizens," he said. Drug enforcement authorities disclosed during the hearing that at least 3.7-million Filipinos are affected by the drug menace, 1.8-million of them are metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu users. The senator said the DFA should appeal to China for help in arresting their citizens involved in the illegal drugs trade by ensuring that their Customs authorities, as well as the officials of their airports and seaports, should strictly inspect Philippines-bound shipments and Chinese travelers. "We should send them a note verbale. Tell them that we have a severe problem here, according to our law enforcement authorities the drugs are coming from China. We appeal to them to help us by being pro-active in making sure that all the goods headed to the Philippines and all the citizens coming to the Philippines are told that we do not give you the death penalty, so we are asking you to help us arrest all these people who are bringing drugs to our country, bringing materials to our country," he said. Press Release August 19, 2016 Law enforcers, CHR exec to attend Senate probe on extrajudicial killings Monday The country's top law enforcement and human rights officials are expected to attend on Monday, August 22, an inquiry on how to address the spate of extrajudicial and summary killings in the country in the government's campaign against illegal drugs. Sen. Leila M. de Lima, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said the committee will also look into probable solutions on how to improve the Philippine's criminal justice system. "We need to address the phenomenon of vigilantism and summary killings and to enhance the accountability of state and non-state actors," she stressed. "Regardless of the question whether those killed were in fact criminals, precisely because there was no opportunity for them to be prosecuted before a court of law, the fight against crime is apparently becoming a state-sanctioned cover for a policy of summary executions and extrajudicial killings of any and all suspected criminals," she added. De Lima said she filed Senate Resolution No. 9 to address the increase in extrajudicial killings and summary executions of suspected criminals and to strengthen "the mechanisms of accountability of law enforcers, instituting corrective measures to ensure full respect for basic human rights, especially the right to life." Law enforcement officials including Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald de la Rosa, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Isidro Lapena, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Dante Gierran, among others, are expected to give their testimonies on the rising trend in extrajudicial killings during the hearing. Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Chito Gascon will also attend the hearing as resource persons to provide their insights on the issue. A former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, de Lima lamented the fact that "killings have become so common that mass media has settled for fill-in-the-blank template news reports, differing only in the place, time and name of the victim." De Lima said she fully supports President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs and crime and "by presenting the truth, we aim to achieve genuine victory in the campaign against drugs and criminality by enacting the necessary laws and policies that will help our law enforcers better perform their mandate." "Above all else, we are one with President Duterte in wanting to reinforce our systems of laws to ensure the rule of law and respect for human rights at all times," she stressed. She cited a television report which pegged the total death toll from summary and extrajudicial killings at 399 from May to July 12 this year. The same report pinpointed police officers or unidentified vigilantes as the culprits for the killings. De Lima said the committee will also discuss a proposal she filed, Senate Bill No. 369 or the Criminal Investigation Act of 2016, which seeks to improve the criminal justice process to dissuade vigilantism. She said SBN 369 would "ensure the speedy, effective, efficient and economical conduct of criminal investigations by enhancing the cooperation and coordination of law enforcement and prosecution agencies." The cooperation between law enforcement and prosecution agencies would streamline "the process of determining which criminal complaints should proceed to trial and eliminating bureaucratic layers which cause undue delays in the criminal justice," according to de Lima. (Yvonne Almiranez) This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Scientists aboard an ocean research are probing the sunken remains of an American aircraft carrier that was blasted by atom bombs at Bikini during the first postwar tests of the nations nuclear firepower. Marine archaeologists and biologists aboard the E/V Nautilus its initials stand for Exploration Vessel said Thursday that they will use a remotely operated underwater vehicle to take the first new photographs of the Independence, the famed World War II aircraft carrier that survived the first Bikini atom bomb tests in the Pacific in 1946 and was later used to train sailors for radiation readiness at Hunters Point. The ship was finally sunk by the Navy in 1951 and now lies in 2,600 feet of water near the borders of the Monterey Bay and Greater Farallones national marine sanctuaries. Video from the exploration is being streamed live. James Delgado, a deep-sea archaeologist leading the effort to photograph the Independence, said biologists will also bring up samples of any marine organisms they collect. It is highly unlikely that any trace of radiation remains after all these years, but whatever we bring up will be scrupulously tested scientifically. Radiation specialists at UC Berkeley will be involved in the testing, and a Berkeley physicist will be on board the Nautilus on Monday to test samples of sponges and corals growing on the wreck as well as other organisms and sediments on the sea bottom, said Kai Vetter, a noted UC specialist in radiation detection. Vetter will also analyze the samples in greater detail in his campus laboratory, he said. The Nautilus carries two remotely operated undersea vehicles named Argus and Hercules that carry high-resolution cameras to photograph the sunken ship. They are also equipped with specialized tools to gather the samples of organisms that have been growing on the ships hull for more than six decades. The research is being undertaken by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, known as NOAA, which operates the marine sanctuaries. Delgado, a veteran diver, heads the agencys maritime history program. Delgado said Thursday that the ship will also be surveying other sunken wrecks across both sanctuaries and is heading north Friday to locate some of them. The records tell us that more than 400 wrecks are scattered all over the ocean here, he said. Well be looking first at the Dorothy Wintermote. Its an old lumber carrier that ran aground off Point Arena in 1938 and sank four days later, and there are plenty of others we expect to take a look at. The Nautilus is operated by the nonprofit Ocean Exploration Trust, headed by Robert Ballard, the famed Navy veteran and marine engineer who discovered and explored the sunken remains of the Titanic, and later the German battleship Bismarck. When were cruising over the bottom, everyone on shore can see everything our ROV cameras are seeing, and scientists all over the world can help us identify every new organism we find, Ballard said. Everybody will be able to see what were seeing when were examining the Independence, and while were looking at any wrecks we find. Ive always loved shipwrecks, so Ill be looking, too. Another scientific research vessel, the R/V Sally Ride, from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego, is arriving Friday at Piers 15 and 17 and will be open for free public tours on Saturday from 1to 4 p.m. 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. The ship, named for the first female U.S. astronaut, will take teams of oceanographers, marine geologists, biologists and fisheries specialists around the world on research expeditions. The 30-minute tours of the ships science laboratories and high-tech equipment will require tickets; they will be available free at the east end of Pier 15 starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. David Perlman is The San Francisco Chronicles science editor. Email: dperlman@sfchronicle.com Observations from the Nautilus are being streamed live at www.nautiluslive.org. When Joani Blank, founder of San Franciscos sex shop Good Vibrations, learned that she was dying of pancreatic cancer in June, she decided to approach death the way she had approached sex: no-nonsense and full steam ahead. Ms. Blank died Aug. 6 surrounded by family in her Oakland home, opting to take advantage of Californias recently enacted aid-in-dying law to orchestrate the timing of her death. She was 79. Up until her final moments, the pioneer of female sexuality served as a guiding light for others. She wrote on her Facebook page offering friends advice on how and when to reach out to her while her illness worsened and sharing her thoughts on her impending death. There is sadness in knowing that your life is going to end soon, but there is real freedom and liberation in that knowledge as well, she wrote on July 2. And in the time ahead Im going to embrace that freedom as best I can. Part of this embrace meant thwarting the conventions of death itself. Ms. Blank decided she did not want a funeral and instead organized a celebration of life at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland so she could say goodbye to friends, family and admirers. Hundreds arrived to celebrate Ms. Blanks lengthy career as an activist, entrepreneur and champion of feminist ideals. She was doing for death what she did for self-pleasuring, said Carol Queen, sexologist for Good Vibrations and longtime friend of Ms. Blanks. She really wanted to take death out of the space of euphemism, out of the shadows, and allow people to discuss it. To look at this natural part of life. Honest communication and interpersonal connection were the cornerstones of Ms. Blanks life. She founded Good Vibrations in San Franciscos Mission District in 1977, hoping to appeal to women who would otherwise shy away from adult shops by creating a no-nonsense, clean environment for sex toys and sex education. It was the second store of its kind in the country a sex shop founded by a woman for women. A vibrator store in the Bay Area hardly seems novel in 2016, but in the 1970s, when Ms. Blank pioneered the idea, she was breaking new ground. She conceived the idea for Good Vibrations while working with famous sex therapist Lonnie Barbach and women struggling to achieve orgasm. Ms. Blank learned through interviews that many everyday women werent comfortable purchasing vibrators because of the environment they were typically sold in. She wanted Good Vibrations to be a comfortable and safe space for any and all customers. Ms. Blank extended this interest to publishing, founding Down There Press, a sex-positive publishing company. She wrote multiple books, including a Playbook for Women About Sex, and even invented her own sex paraphernalia the Butterfly Vibrator and temporary tattoos for breasts. Ms. Blanks sex-positive and activist aura seems quintessentially Bay Area, but she was born and raised in a Boston suburb. In fact, Ms. Blank lived all over the country before landing in San Francisco in 1971. She studied anthropology and sociology at Oberlin College in Ohio, and public health at the University of Hawaii and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Joani and the San Francisco of the 1970s were a perfect match, Queen said. Its not surprising she stayed here for the rest of her life. Ms. Blank sold Good Vibrations in 1992 but remained actively involved with the company until her death. Almost 40 years after its founding, Good Vibrations now has seven storefronts in the Bay Area and a Massachusetts location. It will soon open a ninth in Santa Cruz. Always full of energy and new ideas, Ms. Blank dedicated herself to the First Unitarian Church choir and the Cohousing Association of the United States a group that encourages communal living as a sustainable and equitable housing method. Ms. Blank was living at a co-housing center in Oakland at the time of her death, a way of living she hoped could teach others. Her life was based on advancing social justice issues, and the bigger picture always took precedence over her personal struggles, her daughter, Amika Sergejev, wrote on Facebook. This fierce revolutionary woman has taught us all so much. Ms. Blank is survived by her daughter and three grandchildren. Libby Rainey is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lrainey@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rainey_l Jacom Stephens/Getty Images A man died after he was found shot in Berkeley on Thursday night, marking the citys first homicide of the year. Police discovered the wounded man just before midnight after responding to numerous reports of gunfire in the area of Mabel and Burnett streets in the southwest part of the city. The victim, whose name was not immediately released, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. California health regulators on Thursday formally restarted the controversial process of setting new safety standards for adult film performers, including condom use on sets. The decision by the board of the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, during its meeting Thursday in Walnut Creek, drew more than 20 speakers currently or previously involved in the porn business, most of whom were opposed to being forced to use condoms or other devices that protect against blood-borne pathogens. We are the people who are affected by your decision; our bodies, our lives, our jobs, Janice Griffith, an adult performer for three years, told the board. The regulations and protections we have in place make me feel very safe. Weve implemented them ourselves because we know ourselves. But board Chairman David Thomas made it clear the issue wasnt up for debate. He said that federal and state laws already have standards in place that require the use of such protection as condoms. The adult film industry argues that the laws arent clear and remain open to interpretation. You have to get over it, Thomas said Its already the law. The board on Thursday approved the creation of an advisory committee that will include adult film representatives in the process of determining regulations. But the move reignites a more than six-year battle over safety rules that has pitted the industry, represented by the Free Speech Coalition, against the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a Los Angeles nonprofit that has pushed for condom use in films. While the AIDS Healthcare Foundation says the law already requires condom use on sets, the group wants the rules enforced and clarified. The foundation is also behind Proposition 60, a measure on the November ballot that would require porn actors to use condoms and would increase the penalties for violators who stand to financially benefit from the production. Porn industry representatives object to standards they say may force them to use goggles and safety dams, even when performing with their spouses or partners. They contend their own safety standards and regular testing protocols have prevented on-set HIV infection for more than a decade. The industry also opposes the ballot initiative, a measure they say would supersede the boards health and safety rules and potentially open a floodgate of lawsuits against individual performers. We as a community are trying to regulate ourselves, trying to make ourselves safe, said Kevin Quintero, an adult performer from San Francisco. To the outside world, people who have never been in this industry, it (Prop. 60) sounds like a really great thing, but its not. Its hidden in the words, its hidden in the rhetoric being used there. Some former performers spoke out against the industry they felt had endangered their safety. Jennie Ketcham, said she left the industry in 2009 to pursue a career as a medical social worker. While she was still performing, she did not know what protections the law offered her. She told the board that she eventually tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection, but did not specify the disease. Porn performers deserve better protections than they currently receive, Ketcham said. Victoria Colliver is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vcolliver@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @vcolliver A U.S. judge in San Francisco on Thursday rejected a proposed $100 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit by Uber drivers who had sought employee status. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen said the settlement for 385,000 Uber drivers in California and Massachusetts is not fair, adequate, and reasonable. If the drivers were to prevail in a trial, fines assessed by the state might exceed $1 billion, Chen wrote. The drivers had said they were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees and should be entitled to compensation for expenses such as gas and maintenance, as well as tips for previous trips. Uber fiercely resists the notion of making the drivers employees, saying that would undercut its business model and hurt the flexibility that drivers prefer. The proposed settlement, first announced in April, left the drivers as independent contractors and included some procedural changes at Uber. The ride-hailing company said it would provide more information and recourse when it deactivated or terminated drivers, and would fund peer-led driver associations in California and Massachusetts and meet with them quarterly to discuss driver concerns. Uber also agreed to clarify to passengers that tips are not included in fares. The cases are OConnor vs. Uber in California and Yucesoy vs. Uber in Massachusetts. The proposed settlement was for a minimum of $84 million, with an additional $16 million payout after a successful Uber public offering on Wall Street. The proposal, under which many Uber drivers would have received as little as $24 each, was already under fire by some drivers, including Douglas OConnor, the lead plaintiff in the California case. The deal is not in my interest or in the interest of any Uber driver, OConnor said in a court filing in May. Meanwhile, Uber drivers may be on the verge of losing a key ruling that would undercut future legal actions. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently indicated that it may uphold Ubers mandatory arbitration requirements for drivers. That would prevent the drivers from banding together in a class action, instead requiring each one to separately seek redress. Chen had previously ruled that Ubers arbitration clauses were unenforceable, which allowed the case to proceed as a class action. In a similar case brought by Lyft drivers, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in June granted preliminary approval to a $27 million settlement, after earlier rejecting a $12.25 million deal as inadequate. Driver attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Uber said in a statement that it was disappointed in the ruling. The settlement, mutually agreed by both sides, was fair and reasonable, it said. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid Are Uber drivers employees or independent contractors? That still-unresolved question is central to driver lawsuits, including the class-action cases whose settlement agreement was rejected by a U.S. judge on Thursday. And it is key to the business model for Uber and numerous other on-demand companies, which fiercely resist the drivers-as-employees classification as expensive and cumbersome. Now, theres a chance that a San Francisco jury may get to weigh in the issue or that deep-pocketed Uber may pony up more money in an effort to prevent that from happening. I think Uber will take a hard look to try to get it resolved (out of court) so the employment status wont be litigated, said Jason Geller, a San Francisco employment-law attorney. A settlement resolution that provides the drivers remain as independent contractors is a huge victory for them. The 35-page ruling Thursday from U.S. District Judge Edward Chen who said the $100 million payout for California and Massachusetts drivers was inadequate left the door open for Uber and the drivers to still try to settle out of court. It is possible the parties could reach a revised agreement that satisfies the courts concerns, said drivers attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan in an email. But if not, as Ive said before, I will take the case to trial and fight my hardest for the Uber drivers. Liss-Riordan acknowledged that the cases scope might be drastically reduced to about 8,000 drivers, rather than the 385,000 now covered. Thats because the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals seems likely to uphold Ubers arbitration agreements, so only drivers who opted out of arbitration or worked before the agreements were in place could be part of a class action. For those drivers subject to arbitration, We are prepared to start bringing these claims individually, Liss-Riordan said, noting that more than 1,000 California drivers have already signed up for this representation if the class-action is reduced. Even with a smaller group of plaintiffs, a court case raises the specter of having drivers reclassified as employees. Uber expressed disappointment with the judges decision and said the settlement was fair and reasonable. The ride-hailing company had agreed to variety of policy changes, including a clearer policy for terminating drivers, funding and meeting with driver-led associations in California and Massachusetts, and clarifying to passengers that tips are not included. While Judge Chen said the amount might be reasonable, if modest, compensation for drivers past expenses and tips, where it fell short was in whats called PAGA. That stands for Private Attorneys General Act, a novel California statute adopted in 2004 that allows regular people to sue companies over labor-law violations. PAGA claims three-quarters of which go to the state could exceed $1 billion, Judge Chen wrote, noting that the settlement allocated just $1 million for them. Uber seemed perfectly happy to pay $100 million as a cost of business to move on and maintain its current business strategy thats the foundation of its business, said Steve Hirschfeld, a San Francisco employment attorney. Would it pay $1 billion? That seems kind of crazy. From the drivers side, the $100 million offer seemed like a significant bird in the hand, Hirschfeld said, forestalling the risks of losing at trial where the case would face an all-or-nothing outcome: If the drivers are found to be independent contractors, they could end up with no money at all. If thousands of cases go to arbitration, they would be charting a new course, according to Hirschfeld. This is unprecedented, he said. In theory, Uber could insist on a little trial for every single one of them with hundreds of arbitrators. But more likely, one arbitrator would address all the legal issues, and then mini-arbitrations could determine damages for each individual. Ultimately, Hirschfeld said, the freelance or employee issue is so pivotal, not just to Uber but to a whole sector of on-demand companies, that it eventually may have to be resolved by a higher authority. This is an issue for either the U.S. Supreme Court, or the Legislature, or both, he said. Right now were applying standards (for determining employment status) that have been around for years and never anticipated these new kinds of business enterprises. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate One of El Dorado Countys most wanted felons was arrested in Sonoma County after he and an accomplice allegedly used a stolen credit card to go on a Home Depot shopping spree, officials said Thursday. The arrest of Michael Bonari, 32, and his friend, 27-year-old Robert Gilliland, led Sonoma County Sheriffs deputies to a counterfeit currency operation the pair is suspected of being involved in, authorities said. At the time of his arrest, Bonari was being sought on a no-bail warrant out of El Dorado County on numerous counts of driving under the influence and violating the terms of his release 26 times, officials said. He may not be armed, but he is dangerous and his weapon of choice is driving under the influence ..., El Dorado County district attorney officials said in a YouTube video released earlier this month asking for the publics help in finding Bonari. Bonari refuses to obey the law and is a danger to our society, officials said in the video. Sonoma County sheriffs deputies were alerted to Bonari when he and Gilliland were caught on surveillance video Sunday burglarizing a business on the 7500 block of Conde Lane in Santa Rosa, said Sgt. Spencer Crum, a Sonoma County Sheriffs Office spokesman. The security footage showed the men entering and fleeing the business in a stolen white Dodge pickup truck. Gilliland, who once worked for the business, used an old access code to open a mechanical gate to the companys parking lot, Crum said. From there, he and Bonari went into an unlocked company vehicle and swiped several credit cards, Crum said. They used the cards to purchase thousands of dollars worth of merchandise at a Sonoma County Home Depot store. Investigators believe the men planned to resell the merchandise. Its not clear if Gilliland was a disgruntled former employee, but Crum said it was unlikely that was the case. Officials at the business declined to comment. One could assume he was doing this as a crime of opportunity to get money and property, Crum said. Police identified both men after reviewing the surveillance footage from the burglarized business, then began a search that led them to the stolen Dodge pickup on Wednesday. They stopped the car after spotting it about 3:45 a.m. on Franklin Street in Santa Rosa, Crum said. The driver, Gilliland, was immediately arrested. Bonari bolted from the truck but was tracked to the Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa in Santa Rosa about 1 p.m. When deputies moved in to, he ran through parking lots and jumped several fences before authorities caught up to him and arrested him, Crum said. A credit card making machine and evidence of a counterfeit U.S. currency operation was found inside of the stolen truck. Sheriffs deputies are investigating both suspects involvement and expect additional charges, Crum said. Bonari and Gilliland were being held Thursday without bail. Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno We looked at some of the best travel deals available just in time to make your Labor Day plans. Frontier Airlines offers some one-way fares with prices starting at $28.10.This sale includes flights to Las Vegas (LAS); Austin, TX (AUS); Orlando, FL (MCO); Denver (DEN); and more. Book this travel deal by August 19 for flights from August 25 through February 8, 2017. All prices, dates, and booking details were valid at the time of publication. Hipmunk offers Labor Day Stays in Chicago with prices starting from $68 per night. (We found this rate on September 4.) That's $2 less than booking any such Labor Day stay in Chicago elsewhere. Additional fees may apply. Vacations to New Zealand from $669 per person. (We found this rate on September 4.) This sale includes hiking packages, whale-watching packages, guided glacier packages, and more. Note that not all packages include airfare. Book this travel deal by August 31st.(Price is based on two people sharing.) United Airlines Fares to Europe from $527 roundtripThis sale includes flights to Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, France, the UK, and more. Book this travel deal by August 19 for travel from October 30, 2016 through March 31, 2017. Let us know if you find any better deals out there, and check back every day for the latest deals our shopping partner, DealNews, published for you to check out. There's not a lot left to say about Hempfest, possibly the world's largest "protestival" ... including saying "possibly," because we've not been to every marijuana festival in the world. But, brothers and sisters, it's big. More than 100,000 people on three linked major city parks big. We should also add the usual funding angle: The organization heavily relies on volunteers, but, you know, an event this big costs a lot of money... like a million bucks and they need help. And, to celebrate 25 years, Hempfest organizers have put together a to-do list for the next 25 years -- see the list below. I don't see anything on the list that's B.S. or in any way more ridiculous than the notion that marijuana could be sold in state-licensed stores. So, it's a good list of demands. I will emphasize three things: For simplicity and justice and equality of access, Washington must legalize home growing. For pure sanity sake, please let's drop the plain ol' stupid felony for sharing anything marijuana. I mean, if I pass a joint to my wife in the privacy of our own home, it's a felony. It's a felony that pretty much no one would or could enforce, which makes it even more stupid. And, third, the Washington State Legislature last year made ILLEGAL any designated place to use cannabis. Wow. So, that needs to change. Seattle and other Washington cities desperately need enclosed, safe and fun places for tourists and others to consume the state-licensed-legal weed. Now, what does it mean to one of the original Hempfest organizers and leaders that the protestival is 25 years old this year? Well, Hempfest co-founder and executive director Vivian McPeak published a speech he gave at a local cannabis event that couldn't be any clearer or compelling. So, we're reproducing it here in full. Yes, it's long, but you'll not find a better overview of the state of marijuana, past and present, and future needs anywhere. Enjoy McPeak's essay: Here, today, as we meet at CannaCon, we are enjoying the result of the sacrifice of many, some who are no longer with us, as we cross the rivers of prohibition safely together on the bridges of the past. Because the human condition is such that throughout recorded history ordinary people have been required to go to extraordinary lengths to secure their freedom & to pursue a quest for justice. Well before the word activism showed up in the English language there were constant struggles waged by people of all walks of life to influence the condition of their lives, and defend against that which was unfair and less than just. Just about every freedom, and many of the simple pleasures that we enjoy & take for granted in our daily lives were won in hardscrabble scrapes against formidable forces fought and scrapped for by people who were hell bent for a better world. Those mostly unseen efforts to influence social, political, economic, or environmental change, have greatly molded the societies that we live in today. Turning to agitation, protest, and civil disobedience in the forms of boycotts, divestment, tax resistance, marches, rallies, sit-ins, die-ins, blockades or employing music and the arts through protest songs or guerrilla street theater ordinary human beings have realized that they have the right NOT to remain silent in the face of gross injustice and inhumanity. They have raised their voices, sometimes their fists, as more often than not the future of a nation has been determined in its streets, sometimes costing blood and treasure. The dissidents & demonstrators, the whistle blowers and agitators throughout history those at the front lines who have placed themselves at tip of the spear in the forward thrust to advance equality, liberty, and social justice, whether it be through blockades or the ballot box deserve our highest praise and undying respect. And we cannot forget the armchair warrior in the form of the home-bound activist that utilizes the letter, the telephone, or the internet to wage their advocacy, or the shopping activist who votes with their dollar each purchase a declaration of, and an investment in, their values. And blessed is the non-violent activist who utilizes the alchemy of ideas and the science of strategy to enact social change with nary a bullet or a blow. Without them all we'd still be living in a world without any sense of human rights or social justice. There will always be someone who comes along with the intent to persecute, subjugate, or exploit at the cost of others most often the weak, the vulnerable, and the defenseless. We should look and listen when our community activists speak because their voices often speak for the voiceless. If we are ever to live in a society where "unarmed truth" and unconditional love are shared common values we will need to invest more social capital in those willing to be active advocates in our communities. You may wonder, what experiences have brought me to these opinions? What experiences have qualified me to possess such attitudes about activism? This year marks my 25th year with the Seattle HEMPFEST, one of the world's largest and most influential annual volunteer protest events, and my 20th year as a director. This is my 12th year as its executive director. While Hempfest is unquestionably being somewhat institutionalized as a Seattle Special event, it remains an aberration and an anomaly in that it is, still to this day, a somewhat rogue, insurgent urban protest phenomenon. And, I assume, in many ways, a hot potato for local government and it would be for any local government because of the sheer size of the event coupled with its controversial theme. When I started with the group I was committed to making Hempfest an organization that has no human enemies, and that has a laser focus on attacking issues not personalities, policies not people. I also came to want Hempfest to be a creative alternative to the traditional methods of protest that I felt were sometimes not all that effective, sometimes divisive, and perhaps even counterproductive (or easy to dismiss or marginalize by some). I eventually developed a vision of a community protest event that could generate revenue for the organization, its suppliers, and its community, and which could involve a community beyond the usual suspects associated with local protest events. As Hempfest progressed I saw opportunities to try and build bridges between local law enforcement and the cannabis community, in an effort to heal some of the damaging societal wounds generated by prohibition, deep wounds that have the potential to create casualties on both sides. I saw an opportunity to provide the community volunteers which came forth to participate something to believe in, and to strive for, while gaining both a sense of community through networking, and also a chance to perhaps be exposed to some skills they might be able to take forward into their private lives. But, most importantly, with Hempfest my colleagues and I stumbled upon an opportunity to impact local, regional, and national cannabis policy by proving to everyone just how many people there were willing to come to Hempfest and out themselves as supporters of the herb. It is impossible to deny over 100,000 people safely and non-violently standing for reform year after year, decade after decade without incident. The Seattle Hempfest is a demonstration against America's pot laws. But it is also a demonstration of the fact that the cannabis community is as professional, as creative, and as talented as any other community when given half a chance. Seattle Hempfest remains the most sophisticated, the most complex, and the most expensive to produce pot rally in history. The free to attend event will cost 1 million dollars to produce in 2016. There is nothing like it anywhere once you get down to its details, and while many in our community certainly enjoy it, and many exploit it for monetary gain (and some even compete with it), the Seattle Hempfest will not exist much longer if more people do not actively give back to the tremendous sacrifice and hard work that so many have put into making it a reality. Then entire landscape is changing, but the need for events like Hempfest has not. I implore everyone to think about the difference Hempfest has made in the last 25 years in this region and consider contributing in the form of money or volunteer hours. It is one hell of a fun work party and we need to fill 1,000 staff shirts with honest, reliable people. And I am very grateful of the respect for the 1st amendment that has been displayed by our city government over the 25 years that Seattle Hempfest has been touting its message of responsibility and reform. But it's not just Hempfest that has created our momentum to victory, that's for sure. Today's advances in the quest for cannabis liberation would not be happening if not for the continued hard work, sweat equity, and shoe-leather advocacy that so many cannabis and hemp policy reform activists have contributed over the past decades. In the face of a state sanctioned campaign of intimidation, terror, and persecution, and perhaps the most well-funded domestic campaign of its kind, the citizens of this country are shaping public policy and lending credence to the old adage "when the people lead the leaders follow." Yet, prohibition is so institutionalized and prevalent in our society today that it is almost impossible to adequately discuss the policies objectively as we are still living under the ominous specter that they manifest. Successful reform efforts have been so recent, where victories have happened, that most of us are still living in an old head space. Today, in the Pacific Northwest, with Oregon and Washington, we currently constitute the largest legalization block in the nation with a combined 12 million people, in contrast to Colorado's 5 million people. Over time the cannabis industry is poised to be a major economic contender as legalization efforts appear to be waking a sleeping giant from its government induced slumber, and the future looks bright for a coming explosion of products, uses, and applications derived from the resilient, versatile natural resource. Our culture and industry has already proven that we can generate revenue, create jobs, innovate products, and compete in the global marketplace. We have been told that cannabis is a gateway to hard drugs, which we all know is pure bullshit. But what we are proving is that cannabis is the gateway to economic recovery for our nation at a time when jobs and tax revenues are sorely needed. We've done a lot, and we've come so far. Here at CannaCon today we see many examples of the ingenuity, the acumen, and talent that our community possesses, as we have already begun to create safe paths through the jungles of prohibition paths that can lead us to the tomorrow we seek so badly. But we need to double down and get to work because, with all the progress we have made, there are still many critical areas that we need to focus on to gain the equality that we demand. We need to be committed to ending the federal schedule and getting cannabis out of the Controlled Substances Act. This needs to be priority one. We need to be committed to defending parenting rights. We need to demand school based medicating protection for minor medical marijuana patients. We need to be committed to legalizing home-grows for every adult in Washington State. We need to be committed to gaining workplace protections and ending job discrimination. We need to demand reasonable regulations for concentrates. We need to get the pesticides out of the grows and the greenhouses. Cannabis needs to be 100% organic. We need to fight for sensible laws regarding gun ownership for cannabis users, who deserve the same rights as everyone else. We need to fight for impairment based driving science and end the bogus DUIs. We need reasonable zoning for recreational stores. What's wrong with the idea of "green zones"? They work in Amsterdam quite well. We need to demand tax reform and banking equality. We need reasonable laws regarding the smell generated by industrial grows. And we need either a separate medical system or to create a rec store model that actually serves and protects the needs of qualified patients (and every patient should qualify for medical marijuana regardless of their condition or whether they have some costly piece of paper). We need to fight for affordability for low-income people and for pot use in public housing. We even need to examine the environmental impact of throw away packaging. And we will meet all of these challenges if we can stay together as a community and industry and resist the allure of those few in our communities who use their articles, their tweets, and their Facebook posts to insult, to divide us, and to pit us against each other with their cannabis kindergarten, circular firing squad antics. You know who I am talking about. They've done enough damage already, and caused enough division, and we should all, as a community, collectively stand up to them and forcefully tell them to grow up or shut the hell up. Because all our community has ever needed is an opportunity to showcase our creativity, our business acumen, our resilience, and our adaptability, as we seize the moment and collectively cobble together a bold new global industry from the smoldering ashes of prohibition. All we've ever needed is to stay united in spite of our disagreements, and understand the power we have when we can act as a community, warts and all. All we've ever needed was to come together at the seams despite the strain and the bulge of our differences, as our commonalities are greater if we have the vision to see through the muck of our failures and disappointments. Our failures teach others who are watching, and they are only speed bumps on the high road to victory. If we can weather it all we will know that we will be bringing America closer to the core ideals and principles of liberty and justice that will elevate us all. And its never been easy, and often not pretty to turn injustice around against the odds. But there has never been any other course worth pursuing. Just as Americans of color may not be thinking of Rosa Parks when they take a seat at the front of a city bus, future cannabis enthusiasts will most likely not be thinking of all of us when they pull out their stash and spark up in the public spaces of the future. But that will not minimize the fact that our combined vision, perseverance, resilience, and sacrifice is paving the way for a better, freer, more just and equitable America, and perhaps a better world. Eventually prohibition will be razed down to its rotten foundation, and a new structure can be erected in its place. A structure placed upon a foundation of truth by which successive generations can build a sustainable and democratic future for all who follow in the name of the healing herb. Because cannabis speaks to us through the rooted wisdom of its DNA with a message from our ancestors who lived in a degree of freedom that no human will likely ever experience again. Sometime in the 5th Century BC, on the Ukok permafrost plateau, some 2,500 metres up in the Altai Mountains, in a border region close to frontiers of Russia with Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan, the body of a women between 20 and 30 years of age who had been suffering from breast cancer was laid into a burial chamber, after being embalmed for the process of mummification. She was placed lying down in a Kurgan, inside a burial log in a sleeping position, with her knees bent. A kurgan is a burial mound filled in with smaller sediment and covered with a pile of rocks; typically, the mound is a covered tomb chamber, containing the burial inside a log coffin, with accompanying grave goods. The young woman was buried in a yellow silk tussah blouse, a crimson-and-white striped wool skirt with a tassel belt, thigh-high white felt leggings, with a marten fur, a small mirror made from polished metal and wood with carved deer figures, and a headdress that stood nearly three feet tall. Inside the Maiden's tomb chamber was her coffin, which was made of a solid larch wood tree trunk decorated with leather appliques depicting deer figures. The chamber also contained two small wood tables with tray-shaped tops, which were used to serve food and drink. Horse meat and mutton, & a dairy product, perhaps yogurt, was found in a wooden vessel with a carved handle and stirrer; as some kind of beverage was served in a horn cup to sustain her on her journey. There were also coriander seeds, previously found only in so-called 'royal mounds'. But what I find most interesting is that the Ice Maiden, as she is called, had beside her a small container of cannabis, along with a stone plate on which were the burned seeds of coriander. She may have used the herb as an intoxicant, or as a medicine. She may have used its oil, buds, or leaves, in ceremonies as she prayed to a deity that has been lost to the yellow sands of time. But one thing is certain; she lived with the freedom to use that sacred ganja in any freaking fashion she wished, and nobody in her clan or village could in their wildest imagination think of a time when using that simple plant would be considered a crime against society. Whatever threat to her life and liberty she feared, we can be certain that it was not a fear of retribution and persecution for exploiting the benefits of the amazing, resourceful cannabis plant and its ancient DNA that seeks the receptors of each and every one of us. And any one of us with any freedom receptors in our brains can understand how precious and sacred that liberty, that freedom, is, and that ability to take advantage of the fruits of nature's bountiful buds. For the sacrifices that so many have made to bring us to this point have been equal to the sacrifices that any freedom fighter anywhere throughout history have made in the quest for justice and freedom of choice. Because after 10,000 years of human consumption, and 100 years of prohibition, our bold new present reveals only a glimpse of the next 10,000 years of cannabis use that begins with us here at CannaCon today. If we can rise above the infighting, if we can resist the cut throat, dishonest tactics that some in our community use to compete with other cannabis businesses. If we can build and evolve this industry enough to fend off the big money corporate carpetbaggers and takeovers that we know are coming from the pharmaceutical institutions and moneyed interests so as to feast off of our hard work and sweat equity. If we can do these things we can survive to help shape a more sustainable, more profitable, and more equitable future for ourselves, our families, our communities, and our nation as we go forward to compete in the global marketplace that lays before us on this sometimes arduous long and winding road to cannabis liberation. Because, at the end of the day, to me, cannabis is the embodiment of peace and love embedded into the genome of a single species of plant. Keep the fire burning, because humanity needs our warmth. Thank you. 1 Illegal donation: The father of a California congressman was sentenced Thursday to a year and a day in federal prison after prosecutors said he illegally funneled nearly $270,000 in contributions to his sons campaigns. A federal judge also fined Babulal Bera $100,000 for violating federal election laws, according to the U.S. attorneys office in Sacramento. Rep. Ami Bera, D-Elk Grove (Sacramento County), was not charged and has denied knowing about his fathers activities. Prosecutors said they have found no evidence that he was involved. Babulal Bera of La Palma (Orange County) pleaded guilty in May to making excessive campaign contributions and making contributions in someone elses name. 2 Prisons phase-out: The Obama administration said Thursday that it would begin to phase out the use of private for-profit prisons to house federal inmates. The Bureau of Prisons had resorted to such prisons to ease overcrowding as the incarceration rate soared, but the number of federal inmates has been dropping since 2013. In announcing the policy shift, the Justice Department cited that decline, as well as a critical recent report by the departments independent inspector general about safety and security problems in private prisons. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates instructed the Bureau of Prisons not to renew contracts to use private prisons as existing ones expire. BATON ROUGE, La. Offering consolation, expressing regret, cutting ties with a controversial aide. Donald Trumps campaign turnaround plan on Friday featured the unorthodox candidate acting much like a conventional politician struggling to revive a presidential bid on the ropes. Trump headed to flood-damaged Louisiana to express solidarity with residents cleaning up after devastating flooding that left at least 13 people dead. The trip made for a pointed contrast to President Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who both have yet to go, although Obama announced late Friday that he, too, would visit next week. The typically brash and spotlight-seeking billionaire offered notably restrained remarks as he surveyed the waterlogged wreckage. Nobody understands how bad it is, Trump said after briefly helping unload a truck of supplies while cameras captured the moment. Im just here to help. Yet the trip did little to obscure the turmoil in Trumps campaign, punctuated early Friday when Trump announced that he had accepted campaign chairman Paul Manaforts offer to resign. Manaforts departure followed a string of revelations about his work for a pro-Russia political party in Ukraine. The damaging news included an Associated Press report Thursday describing a covert Washington lobbying operation run by Manaforts firm. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law. Trump, in a statement, praised Manaforts work on the campaign and called him a true professional. But his son, Eric Trump, made clear the controversy was behind the resignation. His father didnt want to be distracted by whatever things Paul was dealing with, the younger Trump told Fox News. Campaign spokesman Jason Miller said Gates would remain part of the campaign with a new role as liaison to the Republican National Committee, which has had a turbulent relationship with its nominee this year. Clintons campaign called the resignation an admission of the Trump campaigns disturbing connections with allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia and Ukraine. Trump said this week hes overhauling his campaign operation. His decision to tap Stephen Bannon, a combative conservative media executive, as his new campaign chief suggested to some that he might continue the divisive rhetoric that has angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the electorate. While it remains too early to tell, the first moves under the new regime have largely shown an investment in conventional campaigning. Trumps operation on Friday released its first general-election TV commercial, one of two set to run in battleground states over the next 10 days. The hard-hitting spot touts Trumps plan to crack down on illegal immigration and halt some refugee programs. But it also keeps up his unfounded suggestions that a Clinton victory would be the result of an election system rigged against Americans. The candidate has taken a quieter tone in person. In a highly uncharacteristic move at a rally in North Carolina on Thursday night, Trump said for the first time that he regrets some of his more caustic comments. WASHINGTON The Obama administration said Thursday that a $400 million cash payment to Iran seven months ago was contingent on the release of a group of American prisoners. It is the first time the U.S. has so clearly linked the two events, which critics have painted as a hostage-ransom arrangement. State Department spokesman John Kirby repeated the administrations line that the negotiations to return the Iranian money from a military-equipment deal with the U.S.-backed shah in the 1970s were conducted separately from the talks to free four U.S. citizens in Iran. But he said the U.S. withheld the delivery of the cash as leverage until Iran permitted the Americans to leave the country. We had concerns that Iran may renege on the prisoner release, Kirby said, citing delays and mutual mistrust between countries that severed diplomatic relations 36 years ago. As a result, he explained, the U.S. of course sought to retain maximum leverage until after the American citizens were released. That was our top priority. Both events occurred Jan. 17, fueling suspicions from Republican lawmakers and accusations from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump of a quid pro quo that undermined Americas long-standing opposition to ransom payments. Kirby spoke a day after the Wall Street Journal reported new details of the crisscrossing planes on that day. U.S. officials wouldnt let Iran bring the cash home from a Geneva airport until a Swiss Air Force plane carrying three of the freed Americans departed from Tehran, the paper reported. The fourth American left on a commercial flight. Earlier this month, after the revelation the U.S. delivered the money in pallets of cash, the administration flatly denied any connection between the payment and the prisoners. Reports of link between prisoner release & payment to Iran are completely false, Kirby tweeted at the time. The money comes from an account used by the Iranian government to buy American military equipment in the days of the shah. The equipment was never delivered after the shahs government was overthrown in 1979 and revolutionaries took American hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The two sides have wrangled over that account and numerous other financial claims ever since. President Obama has said his negotiators secured the U.S. a good deal on a busy diplomatic weekend that also included finalizing the seven-nation nuclear accord. But he and other officials have consistently denied any linkages. DENHAM SPRINGS, La. Michelle Parrotts children hear thunder when there is no storm. When rain does fall, they ask their mother if the floodwaters are rising again. In flood-ravaged pockets of south Louisiana, mental scars are already showing on the youngest victims of a disaster that prompted more than 30,000 rescues and left an estimated 40,000 homes damaged. Children who endured harrowing rescues are returning home to a jarring landscape that even their parents can scarcely grasp: Homes filled with ruined possessions need to be quickly gutted. Scores of damaged schools and day care centers are closed indefinitely. Parents juggling jobs and cleanup work must also line up caretakers for their kids. Parrott, her husband and her six children, ages 6 to 17, have slept in cars, a shelter and a hotel room in the week since they had to be rescued by boat. The flooding wrecked their home in Livingston Parish, where one official has estimated that three-quarters of the residences are a total loss after more than 2 feet of rain fell in three days. The emotional toll on the kids has been heavy. Theyre all in a bit of shock and stress and having meltdowns and tantrums, Parrott said. Trying to get back into their routine is going to be difficult when we dont know what the future holds for us. Routines are particularly important for her 17-year-old son, Blake, who is autistic and attends special needs classes at one of the many Denham Springs schools damaged in the floods. He feels unsafe constantly. Hes had a lot of breakdowns, she said. Weve had trouble getting his medications in. The therapist flooded, so hes lacking the emotional support he needs from professionals. The floods hit just as the school year was starting in many districts, reminiscent of how Hurricane Katrina abruptly ended a New Orleans school year that had barely begun in 2005. For most parents in the flood zone this week, patience is their only option. Some school districts, including in East Baton Rouge Parish, are making plans to reopen their doors next week. But in Livingston Parish, it could take several weeks, maybe even months. Amanda Burge, 35, said one of her friends from Denham Springs plans to temporarily enroll her daughter at a school in Covington while they stay there with a relative. Burge said she cant move her three sons to another district because her husbands job is rooted here, but they havent had time to weigh their options. Everything is gone. School is gone. Home is gone. Church is gone, said Burge. Her 11-year-old son, Logan, smiled at the prospect of a second summer. At the same time, Im starting to miss my teachers and my friends, he said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate "I have these moments where I'm like 'wow, what will this feel like,'" Wendy Tokuda said on the eve of the final television broadcast of her decades-long career in California. "I started anchoring in the 70s. There were only four (stations). That was it. Look at what you can do now. We were shooting on film when I started." Friday night won't mark the first time Tokuda has stepped out of the Bay Area spotlight. The veteran journalist established herself as the female face of KPIX for more than a decade before leaving for a coveted job in Los Angeles, the second largest market in the United States, in the early 1990s. Television was king and local anchors were as visible as anyone in the region. The Seattle native would later return to our living rooms as an anchor for both the local NBC and CBS affiliates, but ultimately gave up the anchor chair in 2010. Now, after six years working primarily as a feature reporter, Tokuda is retiring from local television for good. Tokuda still remembers the day the newsroom put the old typewriters up on the shelves to make room for computers. They had to pull them back down at least once when computer networks failed. In that age before internet, television was king and local anchors were as visible as anyone in the region. "Television had the ability at that time of making the Bay Area more of a community," Tokuda recalls. "I just happened to be there at this magical time. It was extraordinary and it isn't going to happen again." Dan Rosenheim helped convince Tokuda to sign on at KRON after her detour in Los Angeles and he later convinced her to retake her seat at the KPIX anchor desk. He says Tokuda was a big part of that conjuring that special connection between the anchor desk and the audience. "She anchors the news with intelligence and polish and warmth. It's kind of a magical combination, and it helps explain why she has been so popular with the audience," says Rosenheim, now vice president and news director at KPIX. "She is very knowledgeable, very well read." But Tokuda recalls an era when her reputation wasn't so well established. During that first week as a permanent KPIX anchor she remembers returning to a ringing phone at her desk and a man demanding to know who "that woman" was in the anchor chair. After listening and politely informing the man that SHE was that woman, the viewer agreed to give her a chance. "I was such a pit bull with it. Reporting was something I really wanted to do," recalled Tokuda, who says she really only sees the challenges of being a woman and a minority in hindsight. But there was one topic that got her more hate mail than any other. "Nobody even knew about the internment. It was not in the history books or anything and our parents never talked about it," said Tokuda, whose parents met at a camp for Japanese-Americans from Seattle. Tokuda said she related stories of what happened in the Bay Area and chronicled the movement to make sure that internment couldn't happen again. "That's when I felt it. I couldn't help but think that my parents were affected by that," she said. From the anchor desk, Tokuda and longtime anchor partner Dave McElhatton brought us the signature local stories of a generation. "I'll tell you what, I worked with (McElhatton) for 14 plus years. He was the sweetest, most supportive partner - I used to call him my "cell mate" - that I could ever have asked for." Tokuda was a steadying voice following the Loma Prieta earthquake and a gifted storyteller during the scramble to rescue Humphrey the whale. She turned the latter into one of three reality-inspired children's books. That passion for connecting with children slowly surpassed her desire to command the anchor desk, and she said her most recent endeavor, a regular feature known as Students Rising Above, is her most important work. The segment highlights a nonprofit that helps at-risk students who excel in the classroom despite harrowing personal challenges. "Thanks to Wendy's initiative, it raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to send kids to college each year," said Rosenheim. "They have an annual banquet, and it's stunning when they introduce someone, who maybe lost both parents and single-handedly raised two siblings and had a job on weekends all while getting A's in high school, and now they've gone to college and graduate school and are about to join a big law firm!" Tokuda says that franchise will be turned over to a trusted journalist, Sherry Hu, allowing her to step away for good. She plans now to spend more time with her husband and the five daughters they share while continuing to pursue her continuing passions of storytelling, environmental restoration and finding ways to help at-risk children. "I've got these periods where I can hardly wait. But then I have these flashes where I know I need to take a leap," she says. That leap comes Friday evening after her final segment on KPIX at 6 p.m. Bill Disbrow is a content manager for SFGATE. Follow him on Twitter here, because he needs somebody to. CHICAGO Seven Chicago police officers should be fired for filing false reports in the fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald in 2014, the police superintendent said Thursday, in a move aimed at repairing the reputation of a department dogged by decades of cover-ups and scandal. The release last year of official police reports that directly contradicted video evidence of McDonalds shooting by a white police officer turned a spotlight on long-standing concerns about a code of silence in Chicagos police force, in which officers stay quiet about or conceal possible misconduct by colleagues. NEW YORK Hillary Clintons family foundation will no longer accept foreign and corporate donations if she is elected president, and will bring an end to its annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting regardless of the outcome of the November election. Former President Bill Clinton made the announcement at an afternoon meeting with foundation staff members, according to participants who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement. Bill Clinton said the foundation plans to continue its work, but intends to refocus its efforts in a process that will take up to a year to complete. The former president, who turns 70 on Friday, said he will resign from the board, and the foundation will only accept contributions from U.S. citizens and independent charities. It will no longer take money from any foreign entity, government, foreign or domestic corporations, or corporate charities. A Clinton spokesman said the former president will also refrain from delivering paid speeches until the November election and will no longer give paid speeches if Hillary Clinton is elected president. At the staff meeting, Clinton said he and his daughter, Chelsea Clinton, did not face any external pressure to make the changes, but wanted to avoid any potential issues or second guessing for Hillary Clinton should she move into the White House. The future of the Clinton Foundation has been one of the overarching questions shadowing Clintons campaign. The sprawling charitable network, founded after Bill Clinton left office in 2001, has raised more than $2 billion for initiatives focused on global health, climate change, economic development and increasing opportunities for women and girls. While Hillary Clinton stepped down from its board after starting her 2016 campaign, her husband and daughter have remained in leadership roles, prompting questions about the ability of the organization to continue its work should Clinton win the White House. Some of the groups funding has come from foreign donations and political donors to the Clinton family. Money accepted from countries such as Saudi Arabia drew scrutiny from both Republicans and Democrats early in Clintons presidential bid. The results are in. Texans would rather vote for Deez Nuts, a fictional politician and prankster, than for the Green Party's Jill Stein. And the percentage backing Stein is the same as that expressing support for Harambe, the gorilla killed earlier this year in a Cincinnati zoo. Public Policy Polling (PPP) on Tuesday released its Texas poll data an offbeat new survey and found that only 2 percent would vote for Stein. Harambe also garnered 2 percent of supporters in this unconventional poll. TechCrunch Twitter's stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange on November 8, according to a new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This comes a day after Elon Musk completed the company's takeover after a lengthy ordeal late Thursday. "The New York Stock Exchange hereby notifies the SEC of its intention to remove the entire class of the stated securities from listing and registration on the Exchange at the opening of business on November 08, 2022, pursuant to the provisions of Rule 12d2-2 (a)," the filing reads. Is it just us, or has this summer been particularly difficult for travelers? Sure, the price of fuel is down and airline tickets are cheaper, but the actual getting there part has been wrought with danger, setbacks and startling discomfort. It seems like we cant go more than a few days without hearing a shocking story about crazy turbulence, power outages or the constant newsmaker Zika. Going on a vacation is supposed to be fun, but given all the news of inconveniences and mishaps, travelers might do better staying home. Here are a few travel lowlights from the summer so far: Passengers injured by extreme turbulence Turbulence is always a risk of flying, its part of the territory. But passengers aboard a JetBlue flight got the scare of their lives when their plane suddenly plummeted out of the sky. According to the Boston Globe, everything was normal when JetBlue Flight 429 left Boston on Aug. 12, but halfway through the flight to Sacramento, the plane made a sudden drop. People were flying all over the place, passenger Dr. Alan H. Lee told the Globe. If people werent wearing their seat belt, they hit their head on the ceiling. Twenty-two passengers and two flight attendants were injured, and the plane was diverted to Rapid City, S.D. After regrouping, JetBlue ordered a replacement plane to transport the uninjured passengers to Sacramento, while others stayed behind to get medical treatment. Airline outages cause widespread cancellations No one notices when an airline cancels one flight, but the world stood still on Aug. 8 when Delta announced that it was canceling more 1,000 flights because of a computer outage. The glitch left thousands of travelers stranded in the airport, many taking to Twitter and Facebook to air their frustrations. As for Delta, they were able to get their systems up and running about 6 hours after the outage, but the damage was already done. The airline spent the next couple of days delaying and canceling flights, ultimately unable to get completely back on schedule until Aug. 11. Passengers affected by the disturbance received a voucher from Delta to refund or rebook their ticket. Even so, little can be done to ease the stress and drama that ensued after the computer failure. Story continues Southwest suffered a similar fate on July 20 when a router at its data center in Dallas failed. At one point, all flights were grounded, setting off a domino effect of setbacks. After a few days, the airline had canceled about 2,300 flights and ruined countless vacations. Hotel data breach exposes credit card information Delta isnt the only company having computer issues this summer. HEI Hotels and Resorts recently reported a data security breach at 20 of the properties it operates around the US, including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG hotels. According to a notice to customers, a malicious software was found in payment processing systems used at hotel restaurants, bars, spas and lobby shops. The breach, which started in March 2015, could have exposed the names, credit account numbers, expiration dates and verification codes of thousands of customers. Unfortunately, HEI is unable to contact all of the customers who might have been affected, so if you stayed at one of the properties where the breach occurred, check your credit card statement for any fraudulent charges. If something is out of place, contact your card issuer immediately. Terrorist attack at Turkey airport Few moments shook us more this summer than the bomb and gun attack on innocent travelers at Istanbuls Ataturk airport on June 28. According to reports, the three suspects were affiliated with ISIS, and opened fire in the terminal entrance before blowing themselves up. The attack killed 44 people and injured at least 230 others. After this violent event, the Ministry of Culture reported that tourism in Turkey was down 41% in international arrivals compared to 2015 the biggest tourism decline since 1994. Zikas summer surge Its hard to mention travel without talking about Zika the mosquito-borne virus that continues to terrify travelers. In January, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advised pregnant women against traveling to 14 countries and territories in Central and South America because of the link between microcephaly in the babies of mothers infected with Zika while pregnant. In addition, the World Health Organization declared Zika a public health emergency of international concern in February 2016. In response, this summer thousands of travelers canceled their vacations, weddings, honeymoons and babymoons to places with Zika. Recently added to that list is Florida, where health officials have found 30 non-travel related cases of Zika. The number of travelers canceling airfare reached such a high that the notoriously strict airlines had to loosen their policies. So far, each major US airline now allows pregnant women and those advised not to travel refunds for their flight. Each airline has their own cut-off date and rule about travel companions. Passengers faint on stranded bus in China Taking the train is usually a reliable mode of transportationuntil its not. In China, dozens of passengers fainted on Aug. 12 after their train got stuck on the tracks in the sizzling heat. According to the news site China Gate, the high-speed train was headed from Beijing to Shenzhen when it encountered a power outage. While waiting for repairs, passengers were stranded on the train (the doors wouldnt open) for more than two hours, sweating as temperatures reached a staggering 104 degrees. Pictures quickly circulated on social media of listless passengers sweating profusely on their backs and faces. The train eventually got on its way, but with service like that, we wouldnt be surprised if these passengers decided to drive next time. Brittany Jones-Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Finance. Read more: These airlines will refund tickets for flights to Zika hotspots Low on cash? Now there is layaway for airline tickets American Airlines new awards chart could cost you miles This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The house of a man who has claimed natural disasters were sent by God as a message to punish members of the LGBT community has been flooded by 10-foot waters in Louisiana during the worst natural disaster since 2012. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council lobbying organization, told guest host Ken Klukowski on his Watch Washington Live podcast Aug. 8 his family had to vacate their house by canoe due to flooding. This is a flood of, I would have to say, biblical proportions, Perkins said, adding water flooded his familys house and cars. We had about 10 feet of water at the end of our driveway. RELATED: In flooded Louisiana, a cleanup and a search for bodies Perkins, who spoke at the Republican National Convention this year, said the flood has affected 80 percent of the members of the church he attends and has been interim pastor for. He said his church was flooded as well. Perkins shared images of his flooded house to his Facebook page Aug. 16. He said the flood was a "devastating situation" for the entire community. In October 2015, Perkins interviewed Rabbi Jonathan Cahn on his podcast about the state of the country. Cahn said the country had crossed a gigantic line, citing the killing of unborn and the striking down of marriage. On June 26, 2015, same-sex marriage was legalized in the United States. The historical day was commemorated when the White House was lit up in rainbow lights, something Cahn said God was not happy about. RELATED: New plight for Louisiana flood victims: Find a place to live The White House became a vessel of desecration as it was lit up in the colors of the rainbow, he said. The rainbow is about judgement, mercy and the covenant. On Oct. 7, 2015, Hurricane Joaquin, a nearly category five hurricane, dissipated after it hit the Bahamas and surrounding areas beginning Sept. 27, 2015. Cahn said the hurricane was a sign of Gods wrath after the legalization of same-sex marriage. Perkins agreed and asked, Is God trying to sending us a message? RELATED: Kid dancing behind TV reporter provides much needed laugh as historic floods roll across Louisiana kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 These articles and photo collections on SFGate.com and the premium SFChronicle.com got the most visits in the week ended Thursday at 10 a.m. SFChronicle.com 1. Race, class collide in prosecuting theft of Scott Wieners phone 2. Killion: Lochtes legacy is most embarrassing American Olympian 3. Thomas Lee: Consumers arent the only ones leaving Macys; brands are too 4. Trump upsets Filipinos with proposal to block immigration 5. The Lee brothers and their path to SFs most representative restaurant SFGate.com 1. Clayton Fire devastates Lake County town; thousands flee 2. Tiny Inner Richmond bakery named top in the nation 3. How much do Olympians make for winning a gold medal? It varies by country 4. Daylight-saving time may be no more in California 5. Bernie Sanders rustic new lakefront home is his third house Most popular searches 1. Clayton Fire 2. Elon Musk solar roof 3. Nicholas Dirks 4. Malia Obama 5. Usain Bolt meme Peter Hockaday, SFGate deputy managing editor Lee Brady has been a professor, a theater critic, an actor, theater director and producer. But mostly shes been a playwright in a career going back nearly 50 years. Her award-winning work, which includes the plays Home From the Wedding (among her favorites) and Southern Lights, has been produced all over the United States and as far afield as Scotland and Costa Rica. She is also a founder of San Franciscos 3 Girls Theatre. Brady remembers well the dinner five years ago with AJ Baker and Suze Allen, playwrights all. The wine was flowing and so were the ideas. By the end of the meal, they had a plan to start a theater company that would soon become a reality. We started this 3 Girls Theatre, Brady says, who describes herself as 80-plus. Not one of us was a girl, but it sounded like a great title. We would get womens plays onstage where they belong. That was our motto. Five years later, 3 Girls Theatre is thriving. There are nine playwrights in the group. In addition to staging original plays, the group holds staged readings through its monthly Salon Series; promotes the creation of new short plays by lesbians and youth through, respectively, its LezWrites! and Girlwrights programs; and from the very beginning has produced the New Works Festival that brings together all of 3 Girls Theatres initiatives and more for a weeklong theater extravaganza. The festival was almost immediate, because we didnt want a vanity theater, says Brady. We didnt want to just get together and do our plays. Thats why we have nine playwrights instead of just the three of us. Women and the Body Politic is the theme of the fifth annual, admission-free New Works Festival, Monday, Aug. 22- Aug. 28, at Thick House in San Franciscos Potrero Hill. LezWrites!, Girlwrights, and Reprorights!, featuring short plays on the subject of choice, are all slotted into the festival, as is Women Are the Body Politic! The Late Night With 3GT Show (Just Not Really Late), an evening emceed by Debi Durst that will include a short play, A Voters Song, by Brady and Suze Allen; audience improv; the 3 Girls Band; and more. Brady, along with Robin Bradford, was chosen by an independent committee from the 2016 Salon Series to do a staged reading of her comedy Country Matters. Country Matters is cultural, says Brady. Its two couples, and theyre an older couple. Thats another thing I do, my goal is to write roles for older actors, because no one is doing that too much. The play revolves around one couple who live in San Francisco and another in Edinburgh. The San Francisco wife wants to travel to Scotland to attend Edinburghs Fringe Festival, and her husband is a teacher whose work will keep him in the Bay Area. The Scottish wife wants to stay in San Francisco, where she has a son and a new grandchild, while she hires a nanny for the baby. Her architect husband is involved with efforts to stop a building project that will destroy a meadow and must stay behind in Scotland. They have really good reasons to agree to trade houses for the summer, Brady says. Then someone comes up with, We have to trade spouses, as well. The Scotsman says, Well, it might work, because were past all the passionate entanglement period in our lives. But, of course, they havent. They do trade, and it just gets all crazy and complicated, because of passionate entanglements. The (Americans) ideas of Scotland and (the Scottish couples) ideas of America arent very real. Those cultural differences really start to mount up and count. Its a fun play, adds Brady, a playwright so prolific that she even wrote three short plays to take back to a recent family reunion in Tulsa, Okla. For the most part, I write comedies. I call it comedy. Sometimes actors disagree, but one of them that Im writing is about Medea, who kills her children onstage. Its kind of hard to make something funny out of it, but it is. Its comedy, because the audience is laughing one second before she takes the knife and goes after them. Pam Grady is a San Francisco freelance writer. Twitter: @cinepam New Works Festival: Monday, Aug. 22-Aug. 28. Admission free (but reservations strongly recommended). Thick House, 1695 18th St., S.F. http://3girlstheatre.org/2016-new-works-festival This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In the aftermath of Donald Trump aide Paul Manafort being criticized for his ties to the Ukraine, comes a tale about the infamous taco bowl/Cinco de Mayo tweet and how there was actually a person within the campaign that thought sending out that tweet was a bad idea. And that person (apparently) is Manafort. The Huffington Post wrote a profile piece of Manafort, and in it, told the story of Manafort and the taco bowl, as an example of his attempt to manage the "unmanageable" Trump. Here's how it went down, according to the news site: The Trump gang was supposedly having a group lunch together on Cinco de Mayo, with Trump chowing down on a taco bowl. A family member suggested tweeting out a photo of Trump and his taco bowl, because, why not. It's #CincoDeMayo. Manafort somehow became the voice of reason and, according to the Huffington Post, "politely suggested that this might be seen as condescending and cautioned against it." So much for that. We all know what happened next. The resulting controversy of the tweet everything from the phrase, "I love Hispanics!" to the fact that taco salads was actually invented in Texas was scrutinized by the public. Much to The Donald's apparent delight. "The people who were offended were people we wanted to offend," Trump was reported as later saying. So there you have it, two lessons learned: There is some consideration for what's being tweeted out from the Trump campaign, even if it's not followed by Trump himself, and sometimes the controversial tweets don't come from Trump, but from a family member... whoever that may be. On Friday, this column highlighted the case of EJ, the anonymous woman who blogged that her San Francisco home was burglarized by a guest who arranged to stay there through the service Airbnb. Later that day, EJ agreed to a brief interview about her case, saying she wanted to provide an update on her story. In particular, she said she wanted to clarify some of the information that began spreading about the incident online, after the story went viral this week. "The whole situation has become overwhelming," she said. "I have a lot of decisions about how I need to move forward here and I need the space to make them. I feel very uncertain right now." Separately, the San Francisco Police Department confirmed late Friday that it made an arrest related to the case. EJ asked not to be named, because she still feels victimized and vulnerable, but said it was OK to say that she's a corporate event planner in her late 30s. She said she occasionally works with but definitely not for the hotel industry, refuting some online claims that her story was manufactured to damage the reputation of Airbnb, a challenger to the traditional hospitality sector. Some online commenters have said she wasn't a real person at all, and at least one on her blog called her a derogatory term. (We confirmed her identity through a public records search that matched identifying details she offered with those provided by the Police Department, as well as additional information about the case that corresponded with what police later revealed.) EJ first posted a description of what happened to her apartment in late June: "I returned home from an exhausting week of business travel to an apartment that I no longer recognized. My home had been burglarized, vandalized and thoroughly trashed by a 'traveler' I connected with via the online rental agency, Airbnb.com." The rest unfolded like a horror story. The thieves allegedly grabbed jewelry, used her credit card to shop online, sliced tags off pillows and appeared to have incinerated a set of sheets. At the time, EJ said Airbnb had been responsive and supportive. But she said the tone changed several days later, when an executive reached out and asked her to take down the post. This person explained that they were in the middle of a funding round that could have been harmed by the negative publicity, she said in an updated blog post Thursday and in the interview. On Monday, the company said it raised $112 million. "That made me feel very upset, like I was completely losing their emotional support and assistance," she told The Chronicle. "There was a tone in it that made me feel very scared. I felt like it was very heavy-handed. It felt like pressure and I was in a very emotionally fragile state at that point." "It was one week after," she added, "so I just felt like I was being squeezed on all sides." She said she broke down crying in the San Francisco district attorney's office after talking to the Airbnb executive. EJ said her apartment has been completely cleaned and mostly rehabilitated at this point. She said the subject of compensation from Airbnb is still in flux, declining to provide further details. In a corporate statement on Thursday, Airbnb said: "Trust and safety are Airbnb's highest priorities and as such the improved safety processes are being implemented immediately and will roll out of the coming days, weeks and months. Furthermore, these procedures will continually evolve as we strive to make the service we provide as safe as possible." The SFPD said Friday that on June 28 officers arrested Faith Clifton, a 19-year-old in San Francisco, in connection the case. She was booked into San Francisco County Jail on possession of stolen property, methamphetamine, fraud charges and an outstanding warrant in Milpitas. They also detained two individuals in Belmont earlier that day, but released them pending further investigation. A search of the premises produced some items taken in the alleged theft. "SFPD has been in contact with the victim and have been in contact with the website company, who has provided as much information as possible in this matter," the department said. 1 Massacre alleged: Federal police executed at least 22 people on a ranch last year, then moved bodies and planted guns to corroborate the official account that the deaths happened in a gunbattle, Mexicos human rights commission said Thursday. One police officer was killed in the confrontation in the western state of Michoacan on May 22, 2015. The government has said the dead were drug cartel suspects who were hiding out on the ranch in Tanhuato, near the border with Jalisco state. The National Human Rights Commission said there were also two cases of torture and four more deaths caused by excessive force. It said it could not establish satisfactorily the circumstances of 15 other deaths. Mexicos national security commissioner, Renato Sales, who oversees the federal police, denied the accusations during a news conference. He said federal police ordered the suspects to drop their weapons and surrender, but were answered with gunfire. 2 Child soldiers: South Sudans government has recruited child soldiers in the past week to prepare for a renewed conflict, according to an internal United Nations document. The document says a senior politician appointed by President Salva Kiir led the recruitment of an entire village of boys using intimidation. Some were as young as 12 years old. It was not clear how many children were involved. Armed groups in South Sudan often coerce children to join their ranks by threatening to confiscate their familys cattle, a key source of wealth and status in this pastoral society. The U.N. document indicates that the recruitment of children took place shortly after the U.N. Security Council a week ago approved sending an additional 4,000 peacekeepers to the East African country to protect civilians after renewed fighting in the capital, Juba, last month. Around 16,000 child soldiers have been recruited since civil war began in December 2013. 1 Turkey coup: Police have detained dozens at Turkeys banking regulatory agency and at one of Istanbuls largest universities as part of an investigation into the July 15 abortive coup that killed more than 270 people, Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency reported Friday. Anadolu said 29 auditors at the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency were detained for allegedly conducting irregular probes into businessmen and foundations that are close to the government. Detention orders were also issued for 62 academics working at Istanbul University. Turkey accuses U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the coup and has launched a massive crackdown on his movement. 2 Veil ban: Security officials from German Chancellor Angela Merkels conservative bloc on Friday proposed a ban on wearing the burqa and other face-covering veils in public schools, courts and while driving. Full-face coverings worn by some Muslim women are not part of our open society and officials urge everyone to show their faces, said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere. Calls for a ban on burqas and other full-face veils emerged over the past two weeks amid discussions of how to improve security following several attacks last month two of them claimed by the Islamic State group which rattled Germany. MANILA Philippine communist rebels declared a weeklong cease-fire Friday to promote the resumption of long-stalled peace talks aimed at ending one of Asias longest-raging rebellions. The Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New Peoples Army, said in a statement that the unilateral cease-fire would be in effect next week. Government and rebel negotiators are to resume talks in the Norwegian capital of Oslo on Monday. The Maoist guerrillas expressed hope the government would reciprocate with a similar cease-fire as a show of all-out determination to move forward with peace negotiations. To further bolster peace talks, the rebels said they are open to discuss the possibility of a longer cease-fire upon completion of the release of all political prisoners. Two top rebel leaders, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, were freed from a maximum-security jail Friday to participate in the Norwegian-brokered peace talks. The Tiamzons smiled and raised their fists as they stepped out of detention at the national police headquarters, where their supporters greeted them. In a news conference, they thanked Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for their release and for a restart of talks that will tackle wide-ranging reforms in a bid to end the decades-long conflict. These releases are goodwill measures that will create a positive environment for the progress of the peace talks, Benito Tiamzon said. His wife called on young people to become more involved in fighting the monsters of society. For the Filipino youth and other countrymen now hooked on catching monsters in Pokemon Go, you know, there are so many real monsters in our country, Wilma Tiamzon said to laughter in the room. The insurgency has left about 150,000 combatants and civilians dead since it broke out in the late 1960s, drawing support from the ranks of those dissatisfied with economic inequality and the Philippines alliance with the U.S. BEIRUT Scores of residents of the northeastern Syrian city of Hassakeh took advantage Friday of a lull in fighting between Kurdish forces and Syrian government troops to flee to safer areas. Fighting had intensified the previous day with government warplanes bombing Kurdish-controlled positions in the city for the first time, Kurdish officials and activists said. Also Friday, the Russian military said two of its ships launched cruise missiles at militant targets in Syria from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The development came after Russia this week began using Iranian territory to launch air strikes into Syria, with Moscows bombers flying out of the Islamic Republic for three straight days to hit targets in the war-ravaged country. The missiles add an extra dimension to the aerial campaign Russia has conducted since September in support of President Bashar Assads military. Russias Defense Ministry said that the Serpukhov and Zeleny Dol corvettes launched three long-range Kalibr cruise missiles on Friday at the al Qaeda-linked militant group of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front. The ministry said the missiles destroyed a command facility and a militant camp near Daret Azzeh along with a mine-making facility and a weapons facility in the province of Aleppo. In Hassakeh, after dozens of townspeople fled, clashes broke out anew later on Friday, a Kurdish official said. Nasser Haj Mansour of the predominantly Kurdish Syria Democratic Forces said Syrian government warplanes and helicopters launched more attacks on areas controlled by Kurdish fighters on Friday. Later in the evening, the Syrian army said the main Kurdish militia had surrounded Hassakeh and bombarded it with artillery and tanks, killing a number of soldiers and civilians. SRINAGAR, India Government forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir fired tear gas and shotguns Friday as thousands of people defied a toughening security crackdown to protest against Indian rule in the disputed Himalayan region. At least 40 civilians were reportedly injured, one critically. Tens of thousands of government forces patrolled the region and erected barbed wire and steel barricades on roads in an attempt to prevent protests after Friday Muslim prayers. Chanting Go India, go back and We want freedom, Kashmiris at dozens of locations defied the security restrictions. Clashes erupted in at least 20 locations after government forces fired tear gas and shotguns to stop protesters who tried to march, police said. The protesters responded by throwing rocks, they said. A strict curfew and a series of communication blackouts have failed to stop six weeks of protests, as residents have struggled to cope with shortages of food, medicine and other necessities. Shops, businesses and schools have remained closed because of the security lockdown and protest strikes since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 that sparked some of Kashmirs largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. At least 63 civilians have been killed and thousands injured, mostly by government forces firing bullets and shotguns at rock-throwing protesters. Two police officers have also been killed and hundreds of government forces have been injured in the clashes. Worshipers were blocked Friday from offering prayers at large mosques for the sixth consecutive week. However, prayers were allowed at small neighborhood mosques. In signs of an intensified crackdown against anti-India protesters since last week, counterinsurgency police and army soldiers have increasingly been accused of raiding neighborhoods, ransacking houses and beating residents to intimidate protesters. Local volunteers have engaged in a massive effort to get food and medicine to people in besieged neighborhoods, delivering items mostly at night. The volunteers have also run free community kitchens at almost all major hospitals in Srinagar and other towns for the injured and their attendants. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both. Most Kashmiris want an end to Indian rule. UNITED NATIONS Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is working on a package that would provide material assistance to cholera victims in Haiti, his spokesman said Friday, indicating for the first time that hundreds of thousands of people affected will get financial help from the United Nations. The statement from deputy spokesman Farhan Haq follows Thursdays statement in which the United Nations said for the first time that it was involved in the introduction of cholera to Haiti and needs to do much more to end the suffering of those who contracted the disease, estimated at more than 800,000 people. Special Session Likely in September Its looking like Gov. Susana Martinez will call lawmakers into special session in September that amounts to $635 million over two years. Lets hope they dont cut backroom deals before they get there. The public has the right to provide input before legislators start cutting programs. Bishops Oppose Reinstating Death Penalty The governors call to reinstate the death penalty is getting mixed reviews, but shows that Twitter followers oppose the idea by a wide margin. As expected, the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops is , saying the states life without parole option renders violent predators harmless. Student Scores Up; Still Not Good It looks like New Mexico on the PARCC tests, but only a third of them are ranked proficient. At least the district is continuing its Digital Learn Plan program and 2,500 students will be to assist their studies. Special Oversight at HSD Approved The Associated Press reports, A federal judge has agreed to the appointment of a court-appointed 'special master' to help by the New Mexico Human Services Department, amid internal investigations by state and federal agencies into allegations that food aid applications were falsified. Auditor Reports on Rape Kit Backlog Were finally why it takes so long to process rape kits in New Mexico. Survey: A Quarter of UNM Students Sexually Harassed Meanwhile, a quarter of students at the University of New Mexico report theyve been sexually harassed at least once in the past year; 11 percent of women say theyve been , according to a new study. Cannabis Laws Need to be 'Untangled' After a federal judge dismissed a Deming mans request to carry his medical cannabis with him across the US-Mexico border without interference from US Border Patrol agents, the editors at the Las Cruces Sun News say its between federal and state statutes that allow for the use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana. Santa Fe Reporter Gov. Susana Martinez' support for reinstating the death penalty in New Mexico bucks a national trend of turning away from state-funded executions for people convicted of especially heinous crimes, according to researchers who study capital punishment in America. Since 2000, eight states have implemented legislation or followed court orders abolishing the death penalty. During that same period, no statewide attempts to reinstate capital punishment have been successful. In fact, no state that abolished the death penalty has brought it back since the early 1920s, according to Frank Zimring, a law professor and death penalty expert at the University of California, Berkeley. Once the death penalty is gone, people tend not to miss it, says Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. It costs a lot of money and it doesnt work.New Mexico repealed the death penalty in 2009, under the administration of Gov. Bill Richardson. The state last executed a prisoner, convicted child rapist and murderer Terry Clark, in 2001.Gov. Martinez, a former prosecutor, on Wednesday announced that she will push lawmakers to reinstate the ultimate penalty during the next legislative session, raising criticism from Democrats and advocacy groups who say taxpayer-funded executions should remain a part of New Mexicos past. The governor cited the recent killing of a Hatch police officer and the kidnapping and murder of a 9-year-old Navajo girl as crimes that should be eligible for execution. (Martinez husband, Chuck Franco, is a retired police officer.) It is not uncommon in the modern era for death penalty proponents to call press conferences after highly publicized killings of police officers, says Dunham, but these efforts typically go nowhere.Im sure there are people who will pay attention and applaud. That doesnt mean anything is going to happen, says Zimring. Welcome to the United States. New Mexicos move to repeal the death penalty did not apply to two prisoners currently awaiting execution.Robert Fry was sentenced to death in 2000 for murdering a mother of five. He was also convicted of two prior murders. Timothy Allen was convicted for the strangling death of a teenager. Robert FryBoth defendants are awaiting their fate on a sentencing appeal with the the Supreme Court claiming that the the 2009 repeal should apply to them as well. Attorneys for the prisoners presented arguments to the Court in October. Ray Twohig, one of the attorneys representing Allen, says Martinez announcement doesnt change anything about his appeal process. Timothy Allen It seems like a foolish, ill-conceived, unlikely effort that reflects she is living in the politics of the past, Twohig says. According to Dunham, Delaware is the only other state where inmates await execution despite the state having abolished capital punishment. Governors in New Jersey and Maryland commuted the sentences of condemned inmates after repealing the death penalty. The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that executing prisoners after abolishing capital punishment would violate the states constitution. While public opinion for the death penalty has remained steady over the last decadeabout 60 percent of Americans support itexecutions have declined. 2015 saw 28 executions in America, the fifth most in the world after China, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Santa Fe Reporter A break is coming for medical cannabis patients who've have had a hard time getting their expired program cards renewed by the New Mexico Health Department. On Friday, Health Secretary-Designate Lynn Gallagher informed licensed producers the department is extending its enrollment periods by 60 days. That means growers will be allowed to sell medication to cardholders whose cards expire between June 15, 2016 and December 31, 2016 while program staff catches up on paperwork for thousands of renewals. Producers have been prohibited from providing medication to any patient whose cards are expired by even one day. Mikey B Innis, a patient in Albuquerque and industry consultant in New Mexico, Arizona, and Oregon, tells SFR he doesn't think the delays should ever have gotten to this point. "For the people who treat this as medication, it's kind of a slap in the face that they were forced back to the street to get unknown and untested pot while they waited for their cards to be renewed. They just don't know what they're getting. It's not right," he says. Gallagher's announcement comes ahead of an interim legislative meeting in Taos on Monday where lawmakers are expected to ask tough questions about cannabis program registration delays and a glitchy software program the department purchased from BioTrackTHC, a contract vendor, to manage patient and producer data. State law requires the department to process patient applications and renewals in 30-days, but it has been taking up to three months. Gallagher claims the numbers are improving. "The department is taking about 42 days to process applications, which is only about one week beyond the normal 35 days to process patient applications. However, the department is implementing this temporary change in an abundance of caution, to ensure that patients' enrollments in the Program do not lapse while applications are being processed," reads Gallagher's letter. To ensure no patients are needlessly arrested while they wait for their paperwork to be approved, Gallagher says her department has alerted law enforcement agencies to the temporary extension. Gallagher also encouraged producers to help patients complete their paperwork in their dispensaries. (Read Gallagher's memo here.) Santa Fe Reporter New Zealand shares rose, led by Tegel Group on prospects for growth in Australia while Port of Tauranga dropped following broker downgrades. The S&P/NZX 50 Index gained 20.14 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,405.26. Within the index, 24 stocks rose, 21 fell and six were unchanged. Turnover was $162 million. Tegel Group led the index, up 2.9 percent to $1.78. The shares have gained 8.5 percent since an announcement yesterday that it will be able to export raw poultry to Australia for the first time. In a statement to the NZX, Tegel told investors that previously exports had been limited to fully cooked chicken, but work alongside the Ministry for Primary Industries had secured changed access conditions to the market across the Tasman. "It's probably one of the highlights - clearly investors are beginning to factor in potential export growth for the business," said Matt Goodson, managing director at Salt Funds Management. "It will be very interesting to see in the future if they can take advantage of that. It had been a little bit stuck post-IPO a little bit above the IPO price, and certainly there had appeared to be some quite intense pricing competition in chicken, but this announcement potentially opens up a very large export market. They're obviously yet to prove that they can export to Australia and make satisfactory profits but clearly the expectation is that they will." A2 Milk Co gained 2.8 percent to $2.18, Meridian Energy rose 2.3 percent to $2.90, and Heartland Bank advanced 2 percent to $1.50. New Zealand Refining Co was the worst performer, down 2.7 percent to $2.54. Mercury NZ dropped 2.3 percent to $3 and Sky Network Television fell 2 percent to $4.88. Port of Tauranga dropped 1.2 percent to $19.10. New Zealand's biggest port company posted a 2.3 percent decline in full-year profit yesterday, missing some estimates, while announcing plans to return $140 million to shareholders over four years and a five-for-one share split to boost liquidity. It declared a fully imputed special dividend of $34 million, or 25 cents a share, as the first step in a capital return proposal that chairman David Pilkington says will still allow for a conservatively geared balance sheet and an investment grade credit rating. "The result itself was certainly a little bit soft and I think perhaps yesterday that was overlooked a touch given the modest special dividend and the intention to split their shares," Goodson said. "The fact was, the results were a little soft and several brokers have cut their calls to a sell on valuation grounds." According to Reuters, Port of Tauranga is rated a sell across two broker recommendations with a mean target price of $17.08. Outside the main index, Michael Hill International was unchanged at $1.56. The jewellery chain business posted a 30 percent decline in annual profit to A$19.6 million as it accounted for tax adjustments. The jewellery retailer grew revenue and earnings before interest and tax across its key Australian, New Zealand and Canadian markets. Insurance Australia Group's New Zealand division posted a 38 percent slide in annual profit as rampant competition for commercial customers drove down prices and as the country's biggest general insurer faced a higher risk margin on the Canterbury earthquakes. The ASX-listed shares recently traded at A$5.80 and have dropped 0.9 percent today. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKO - FY23 Interim Results Announcement Date - 23 November 2022 Downer awarded $490 million road maintenance contract SKC - 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND TRADING UPDATE TCL - Result of AGM TradeWindow secures U.S. footprint with FoodChain ID October 28th Morning Report October 25th Morning Report Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update Michael Hill International, the jewellery chain business founded by its namesake, posted a 30 percent decline in annual profit as it accounted for tax adjustments. Profit fell to A$19.6 million, or 5.09 Australian cents per share, in the 12 months ended June 30, from A$27.8 million, or 7.22 cents, the year earlier, the Brisbane-based company said in a statement. The earnings included a A$28.8 million settlement of a historic tax dispute with New Zealand's Inland Revenue Department and A$19.4 million of tax adjustments related to its listing on the ASX. Adjusting for those items, profit increased 4.2 percent to A$28.9 million. The jewellery retailer grew revenue and earnings before interest and tax across its key Australian, New Zealand and Canadian markets. Revenue improved at its fledgling US operations, though its loss widened as it opened a new store, while its emerging Emma & Roe brand boosted revenue and slimmed down its loss. The 2016 financial year "was a significant year for the group, with a record ebit result being achieved on the back of solid performance by our Australian, New Zealand and Canadian businesses," the directors said in their report. The company's 168 Australian stores increased ebit 9.6 percent to A$50.3 million as revenue rose 4.4 percent to A$307.3 million. The profit margin expanded to 16.4 percent from 15.6 percent in the year-earlier period. It opened three stores and closed two during the year, and plans to open a further three this year. "This result is particularly pleasing against a backdrop of a continued challenging retail environment, especially in regions impacted by the resources sector downturn," the company said. Its 52 New Zealand stores grew ebit 16 percent to $27.3 million as revenue rose 7.2 percent to $122.2 million, helped by strong consumer demand in Auckland. The profit margin improved to 22.3 percent from 20.7 percent. Michael Hill's Canadian unit improved ebit 57 percent to C$9.5 million while revenue jumped 19 percent to C$94.1 million, as it gained market share, benefited from its bigger scale and improved margins. The profit margin widened to 10 percent from 7.6 percent. Store numbers increased to 67 from 60, and the company plans to open as many as 10 new stores in the coming year and aims to expand towards 110 stores. "The group has several years of new store growth in the Canadian market which will further lift revenues and profits," it said. The operating loss in the US widened to US$2.3 million from US$1.9 million a year earlier, although revenue increased 24 percent to US$14 million. It added one store, taking the total to 10. "Our US trial continues and while the bottom line slipped on the previous year, some headway was made with real estate and merchandise refinements," it said, adding that most of the stores were expected to produce positive ebit in the current financial year. The company said it has moved its Emma & Roe chain from a trial phase and into growth mode, with as many as 12 new stores planned for the current financial year. The brand, which sells charm bracelets and accessories, was launched in April 2014 and doubled its size in the past year, taking the total number of stores to 16. It is eyeing 200 Australasian store locations for the brand, and as many as 100 in Canada. Emma & Roe's ebit loss narrowed to A$2.4 million from A$2.9 million as revenue jumped 92 percent to A$9.3 million The group opened 19 new stores in the past year, taking the total to 313, and expects to open more than 20 new stores in the current financial year. Its revenue from branded collections lifted to 14 percent of total revenue, from 13 percent the previous year, and it expects that to push higher to 15 percent in the current year. It aims to have 20 percent of its global sales coming from branded collections, which have a 5 percent margin premium on other goods. "This strategy will remain in coming years as more of our investment in inventory is shifted from generic product to proprietary branded collections that offer higher margin and superior return on investment," it said. The company flagged that it will be seeking support from shareholders at the upcoming annual meeting for a termination package for former chief executive Mike Parsell at a level "substantially below" that specified in his 2004 employment contract. Parsell resigned on Aug. 8, having worked for the company since 1981 and as chief executive since 2004. The company said that except in cases of termination by the company for cause, the CEO contract provides for the payment of an exit package to the CEO of up to 2 years remuneration based on an increasing scale commensurate with the CEO's length of employment in the group. In the last year, Parsell was paid A$824,000 in salary and fees and A$794,481 in a short-term incentive cash bonus, taking the total to A$1.6 million. He also received A$35,000 in superannuation benefits. The company will pay a 2.5 Australian cent final dividend on Oct. 6. Michael Hill shares last traded at $1.56, and have jumped 58 percent this year. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKO - FY23 Interim Results Announcement Date - 23 November 2022 Downer awarded $490 million road maintenance contract SKC - 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND TRADING UPDATE TCL - Result of AGM TradeWindow secures U.S. footprint with FoodChain ID October 28th Morning Report October 25th Morning Report Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update Alex Van Heeren has failed his Court of Appeal bid to overturn a ruling that he pay US$25 million as an interim measure to former business partner Michael Kidd until they can agree on the full amount owed. The issue estoppel, made by Auckland's High Court last April, prevents van Heeren from denying he is in formal partnership with Kidd and that they accumulated assets worldwide, as was found in the South Gauteng High Court of South Africa in 2013. In April this year, van Heeren's lawyers argued for this to be overturned, saying the High Court judge had "erred in adopting a broad approach to estoppel" and there was not a clear legal partnership between van Heeren and Kidd, but a "trust relationship." When the 16-year partnership ended in 1991, Kidd signed an agreement which saw him receive just US$3 million as his share of the assets. Those assets include the global award-winning Huka Lodge in New Zealand, which Kidd has put a caveat on to prevent its sale; Dolphin Island in Fiji; shares in various New Zealand and South African companies; half the proceeds from the 1987 sale of nearly 14,000 shares in Wellesley Resources in New Zealand variously estimated to have been worth between US$16.8 million and US$20.7 million; offshore bank accounts around the world; and gold bars and bearer certificates. In the High Court, van Heeren's lawyers argued the pair never had a formal partnership and that the indemnity settled what was owed between the two. Kidds lawyer Stephen Mills told the court there was at least an US$18 million shortfall in what his client should have received when the partnership ended, and Kidd believed the US$3 million was a dividend payment from the cash held in a joint company, but never intended that would be the full payout for his share of their assets. In the High Court judgment, Justice John Fogarty ordered that van Heeren make an interim payment to Kidd of US$25 million and that an account be taken between the two former partners to determine the full amount owed. Van Heeren was also required to cover Kidds court costs. Kidd also signed an agreement which not only indemnified van Heeren against any future claims by his former business partner but also said subsequent disputes had to be settled in South African courts. In 1996, Kidd sued van Heeren for half of his New Zealand assets. In a 1997 ruling, Justice Robert Smellie said both agreements Kidd signed were an absolute defence against his claims in New Zealand but that the South African courts must decide if the documents Kidd signed meant he had no case. The matter was heard in a South African High Court in 2013 and the judge ruled the documents were void. Van Heeren failed to get leave to appeal the South African case. "It would be unjust to deny Mr Kidd the fruits of his success in the South African proceeding where the partnership and assets issues were squarely in issue, as Mr van Heeren well knew," Court of Appeal Justices Rhys Harrison, Forrest Miller and Mark Cooper said in their judgment. "There was nothing to prevent him calling evidence in relation to any of the issues he now says he wishes to contest." The Court of Appeal bench said it saw no basis for disturbing Justice Fogarty's payment order, and ordered van Heeren to pay Kidd's costs. "As Justice Fogarty found, it is unlikely that Mr van Heeren will be able to displace the presumption that the partnership anticipated equal sharing in the profits," the judges said. "Finally, because the order for payment of US$25 million was conservative, we think it unlikely that it would need to be disturbed in the event that the mutual accounting process proves Mr Browning's estimate wrong." In a further judgment from the High Court in October 2015, where an application for stay from van Heeren was dismissed, Justice Fogarty said both counsel indicated it was likely that whoever lost in the Court of Appeal would seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, leaving the process capable of going "well into 2017." BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKO - FY23 Interim Results Announcement Date - 23 November 2022 Downer awarded $490 million road maintenance contract SKC - 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND TRADING UPDATE TCL - Result of AGM TradeWindow secures U.S. footprint with FoodChain ID October 28th Morning Report October 25th Morning Report Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update * Japan military tech plan aims at drone fighter in 20 years * Hike of 2.3 pct over this year's budget of 5.05 trln yen * Fifth successive annual increase sought by defence ministry * Comes amid East China Sea tension, N.Korea missile threat (Adds defence ministry to announce drone fighter project) By Nobuhiro Kubo TOKYO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Japan aims to develop a prototype drone fighter jet in two decades with private sector help in a technology strategy that focuses on weapons communications and lasers, according to a document seen by Reuters. The plan will be announced this month when the Defence Ministry also unveils its request for a record budget of 5.16 trillion yen ($51 billion) for fiscal 2017, as tension rises in the East China Sea and North Korea steps up its missile threat, government officials with direct knowledge of the matter said. The military technology plan calls for first developing an unmanned surveillance aircraft in the next decade and then an unmanned fighter jet 10 years later, the document showed. The rise of 2.3 percent over this year's budget of 5.05 trillion yen marks the fifth successive annual increase sought by the ministry, which is keen to stiffen Japan's defences as North Korea upgrades its ballistic missile technology. However, one security analyst said the spending was insufficient. "The security environment surrounding Japan is severe, due to neighbouring North Korea and China," said Takashi Kawakami, a security expert at Japan's Takushoku University. "I personally think it's not enough." Japan will this month formally unveil budget requests for its defence and other ministries for the year ending March 2018. The defence ministry's request covers the 100 billion yen cost to upgrade Japan's PAC-3 missile defence system, said one government source, who declined to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media. Such an upgrade would roughly double the missile system's range to more than 30 km (19 miles), other sources have said. Story continues The budget proposal also includes the cost of production of the Block IIA version of the Standard Missile-3 system being jointly developed with the United States to shoot down missiles at higher altitudes, the source added. The ministry will also allocate budget funds to acquire an upgraded version of the F-35 stealth fighter, made by U.S. company Lockheed Martin Corp, the source said. The budget request also includes the cost of strengthening the coast guard in the southern islands of Miyakojima and Amami Oshima to allay worries over China's more assertive activities in the East China Sea, said the source. Tension mounted this month after a growing number of Chinese coast guard and other vessels sailed near disputed islets in the East China Sea. Japan, China and South Korea are in talks to hold a meeting of their foreign ministers next week. ($1=100 yen) (Reporting by Nobuhiro Kubo; Writing by Kaori Kaneko and Linda Sieg; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Nick Macfie) NEW DELHI: Healthcare provider Narayana Health has joined hands with Infosys Foundation to launch Infosys Institute of Robotic Surgery in Bengaluru. The da Vinci robotic surgical system in Narayana Health City will be used primarily for prostate, kidney, colorectal, gynecological and select head and neck cancer surgeries. "Our partnership with Narayana Health... Is aimed at encouraging rapid adoption of robotics in healthcare in India," Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murthy said in a statement. Through this endowment, the Foundation also intends to provide impetus for further research in this area, and enable the masses to reap the benefits of affordable and high-quality treatment, she added. "Infosys Foundation always believed in the power of technology to transform the world and address the human sufferings. With that objective, Infosys Foundation donated 'da Vinci Surgical Robot' to develop Infosys Institute of Robotic Surgery to train robotic surgeons for the future," Narayana Health Chairman Devi Shetty said. The philosophy of creating the institution is to train any surgeon with a passion to learn robotic surgery and certify them to start robotic surgical program in different parts of the country, he added. Established in 1996, Infosys Foundation is philanthropic arm of Infosys. Read Also: NCR To Create New World Class R&D Centre In Hyderabad U.S. Visas: Discriminatory Action, Not Rhetoric Worries Nasscom BENGALURU: Tally Solutions, the premier Indian software product company, announced the rollout of Release 5.4, the latest version of the Release 5 series from its Tally.ERP9 suites, in the national Capital Territory of Delhi and five states Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. While this is the maiden launch of Series 5 in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh; Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu stand to benefit from the enhanced performance experience the 5.4 version has to offer. With the constitutional amendment for GST now passed, the entire country is gearing up for the biggest indirect tax regime. Through GST, the government intends to bring about greater transparency in business transactions and simplify compliance needs. Tally.ERP 9 Release 5.4 aims to help businesses ensure that their transactions are correct and complete through the powerful concept of triangulation and with it Tally Solutions will help prepare businesses across the country for the GST regime. The Tally.ERP9 Release 5 series is designed to empower businesses to be fully tax compliant, ensuring that tax returns reflect the books of accounts accurately. This helps businesses with simpler, easier and quicker compliance. The VAT capabilities in Release 5 are being launched in an incremental manner across India.In line with its preceding versions, Release 5.4 is also aimed at supporting businesses with a comprehensive compliance solution for the geographies mentioned above, and provides the latest VAT capabilities. In this regard, Release 5.4includes all the features present in the releases before it.Additionally, users of Release 5 Series, also stand to benefit from the performance enhancement features incorporated in central taxation capabilities (Excise, Service Tax and TDS) that is applicable across the country. Since its release in July 2015, Release 5 series has already been made available in18 Indian states and union territories. With the introduction of the latest version 5.4 in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, the product currently provides comprehensive compliance support to 20 States across the country. Tally.ERP 9 Release 5 Fact Sheet With Tally ERP.9 Release 5, Tally Solutions has taken a major leap in terms of innovation and reinforced its commitment tocustomers and partners to deliver greater value. Some of the key highlights of the release include: Tally.ERP 9 Release 5 supports users to remain compliant towards VAT, Service Tax ,Excise , TDS and TCS, in the most simplest and efficient manner Tally.ERP 9 Release 5s on-demand synchronisation capabilities will help organizations to conveniently exchange business information independently and reliably, across multiple branch locations. Release 5 comes with a seamless product upgrade facility, which allows users to easily upgrade to the current version from all previous versions. Users will get personalised product updates relevant to their geography and usage. This greatly reduces the update size and thus enhances the update experience. The new version will occupy significantly lessmemory space, thus optimizing system performance. Tally.ERP 9 Release 5 also provides separate tools for partners to create layout customisation within minutes, thus saving time and enhancing the user experience. Partners can migrate their customisations developed on earlier releases of Tally.ERP 9 seamlessly in a shorttime, to the latest version, ensuring that the time and money invested in the past remains meaningful. Read Also: Cipla, Godrej Recognised In Fortune Change The World List NCR To Create New World Class R&D Centre In Hyderabad BENGALURU: Maybe not under any limelight like those wannabe entrepreneurs that we see around TIER I and TIER-II cities, a bunch of small businesses have rooted their businesses providing services to discerning clients overseas by utilizing online market places, namely eBay and Amazon. There are many equally compelling, if not more audacious, SMEs that are growing and contributing to the economy of India, without getting famous. "India is possibly the only country in the world where commercial exports through courier are not allowed," says Vijay Kumar, chief operating officer of the lobbying body Express Industry Council of India. Another problem, he says, is the "humongous amounts" of paperwork required to clear customs. 1. Monkey Brand tooth powder in Moscow - Deven Rao Deven Rao, 32, is a Chemical engineer and an MBA in finance. He practices selling Indigenous FMCG products, herbal creams, Ayurvedic concoctions online since 2011 on various platformseBay, Amazon, Seekyouout, Ioffer . With 2,500 number of listings, his annual revenue is over Rs 2 crore. His owns a small workplace in Mahim is similar to an old general store. Along with a range of indigenous herbal, Dabur Amla hair oil and Ayurvedic concoctions, the shelves in his office groan with brands such as Monkey Brand tooth powder, and Afghan snow fairness cream. The products are a rage in several overseas markets. The decision made by him was a one night instance, five years ago. Initially, Rao was diddled with the vague idea of selling products online until he exhibited his father's coin collection on eBay. Simultaneously, he made an attempt to physically export vanilla beans. "Someone gave me the bright idea to display vanilla beans on e-commerce sites. I did that along with four other products such as saffron in 2011. They were instant hits," he says. Now, Rao aims to list 5,000 listing and interestingly, he doesn't list anything to sell in India. "We are the global online Big Bazaar of indigenous Indian products." 2. The Valentino of Dharavi Tausif Ansari Tausif Ansari, 27, studied till 10th standard selling leather jackets online since2012 on eBay and Amazon. His number of listings varies from 800-2,000 with an annual revenue of Rs 60-80 lakh. Tausif Ansari, from Munger in Bihar, had arrived Mumbai in the year 2006 with only Rs 1,000 in his pocket, carrying plenty of financial baggage with him. After stitching leather bags and jackets for three years, the business was folded. Later, he went to Goa and came into contact with foreign tourists and travelers which led him to find foreigners craze for Indian products. Coming back a year to Dharavi, Ansari resumed his work at different leather garment shop. During this, he managed to save some money and bought a laptop to himself. He then started stitching leather jackets and showcased them on Amazon and eBay; which turned him into the business world, soon. "Once a week, I carried about five jackets by train to the general post office near Chhatrapati Shivaji railway station. It had a DHL outlet which shipped my consignments," he says. Read Also: State to Get Start-ups for Wastewater Treatment Hindi-Hebrew Great Combo For Global Start-Up Ecosystem: Israeli Ambassador STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The American Red Cross is assisting over 50 people who were forced out of their homes by a six-alarm fire in New Brighton. Most of the about 55 people who registered with the agency, including 53 who were housed in area hotels overnight, will meet with Red Cross caseworkers on Friday to discuss whatever additional assistance is needed. They also will talk about next steps such as longer term housing available from other agencies, said Michael de Vulpillieres, a spokesman for the relief agency. Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) said she will inform the public via Facebook about donations needed by the victims. The fire that began shortly after 6 p.m. on Thursday at 228 Benziger Ave. injured 23 people, mostly firefighters, and also damaged or destroyed at least seven homes. The blaze that was brought under control about three hours later was so hot that it melted siding on homes across the street. Firefighters remain on the scene on Friday morning to ensure that the blaze doesn't reignite and to douse any potential hot spots. On Thursday night, the Red Cross registered 12 families, about 55 people including at least 20 children, for assistance. Of these households, 10 families were in need of emergency housing which the Red Cross provided at local hotels. The Red Cross also is providing additional aid such as debit cards loaded with money for food, clothing and other essentials. The Red Cross will be helping the victims replace necessary medications and other necessities such as eyeglasses or wheelchairs that might have been lost in the fire. "Many people have asked what they can donate," Rose said on her Facebook page. "Today, caseworkers will be meeting with the displaced residents to address additional needs and discuss options for longer-term housing. When I hear from them more about the specific needs of the victims of the fire, I will pass it along to you." While not specifically seeking funds for the fire, "we are able to mobilize and help following incidents like this because of generous financial donations and we need more help from the American public to fund this work," the Red Cross spokesman said. Community groups often sponsor drives for food and clothing donations after such incidents and then inform Red Cross caseworkers, who pass that information along to the affected residents. So far this month, the Greater NY Red Cross has assisted nearly 500 residents following approx 120 disasters in NYC, Long Island and the Lower Hudson. Visit Redcross.org to donate or for information. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A six-alarm fire ripped through New Brighton on Thursday night, injuring 12 people and destroying two houses. The blaze began at 6:09 p.m. at 228 Benziger Ave. and quickly spread to neighboring houses, tearing through seven in all, according to the city Fire Department. Two of the homes were in significant danger of collapse, another could collapse, two had moderate damage and two had minor damage, FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard said. Ten firefighters suffered heat exhaustion due to the intensity of the blaze, Chief of EMS Operations James Booth said. Five of them were taken to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton to be treated. Two residents of Winter Avenue, located behind Benziger Avenue, were also injured, one of them seriously. One had a respiratory condition and was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, Booth said. The other had a minor skeletal condition, he added. 'WE WATCHED MY HOUSE BURN DOWN' Kasha Phillips, who lives in a third-floor apartment at 226 Benziger Ave., said her entire home was destroyed. "My mom smelled [plastic] burning, and she knew we had to get out," Phillips said. "Five minutes later, we were outside watching my house burn down." Leonard said the blaze was so hot, it melted siding on houses across the street from the fire. But he added that a particularly dangerous aspect of the fire was the amount of carbon monoxide in the air from the smoke. "One of the obstacles of this fire was the heavy, heavy smoke conditions in the street," he said. Smoke from the fire was visible from the intersection of Targee Street and Vanderbilt Avenue. It could also reportedly be seen from as far away as Manhattan. DIFFICULT NATURE OF THE FIRE Approximately 250 members of the FDNY responded to the scene and more than 60 pieces of equipment were used to combat the fire, which was brought under control but still wasn't fully extinguished shortly after 9 p.m., according to the FDNY. Tameka Wright-James said her sister, Latoya Samuels, lives at 228 Benziger Ave., where officials say the fire started. "It's very traumatic, very surreal," Wright-James said. "You always think you'll know what to do in those situations, but then they happen." Leonard said the close proximity of the houses contributed to the difficult nature of the fire, but that the firefighters did an "unbelievable job." Jersey Street, which intersects Benziger, was closed for the emergency response, and NYPD Aviation assisted the FDNY in surveying the scene from above with two helicopters. FIRE BEING INVESTIGATED Power was shut off in the area during the fire, leaving more than 400 people without power, according to Con Edison. Felicia Philson, who lives across the street from where the fire originated, said the fire "was blazing hot." "When I came out of my house, I saw it -- a big, huge fire," she said. She added that she had not been allowed back into her home as of Thursday night. Leonard said residents of the block would be able to return to their homes, but they could be without power. He said the FDNY would be on the scene for "at least a day or two." The American Red Cross said it was assisting 42 residents displaced by the incident as of 10:24 p.m. Thursday. Leonard also commended the residents of Benziger Avenue for their efforts during the disaster. "I can't say enough about them. They came out with water for us; they were supportive. It was very good to see," he said. Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire. A search of city Buildings Department records shows 17 complaints at 228 Benziger Ave. dating back to 1994, including an active complaint from Aug. 1 claiming no permit for electrical wiring on the second floor of an apartment building. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The six-alarm fire that ripped through several homes in New Brighton injured 23 people -- including 21 firefighters -- is under investigation, but does not appear to be suspicious, according to a spokesman for the FDNY/EMS. Firefighters are still on the scene Friday morning to prevent the fire from reigniting and to put out any hot spots. The blaze that began at 6:09 p.m. Thursday at 228 Benziger Ave, and was brought under control about three hours later, at 9:05 p.m., said the FDNY spokesman. The injured included 21 firefighters and two civilians, said the spokesman. A total of 22 people were transported to area hospitals, with one of the injured refusing further medical attention. The fast moving, smoky fire quickly spread to neighboring houses, tearing through at least seven, according to an FDNY spokesman. Many of the firefighters suffered heat exhaustion due to the intensity of the blaze and two residents of Winter Avenue, located behind Benziger Avenue, were also injured, one of them seriously. One had a respiratory condition and was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, an EMS spokesman said. The other had a minor skeletal condition. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Firefighters and other emergency responders were battling a massive six-alarm blaze late Thursday afternoon in New Brighton. At least 25 emergency vehicles were on the scene of the fire, which began at approximately 6:10 p.m. at 228 Benziger Ave. and quickly spread to two neighboring homes. Three homes were affected by the fire as of 8 p.m. At least one was empty, according to an eyewitness at the scene. As of 7:45 p.m., the FDNY said that 10 firefighters had suffered minor injuries. Several could be seen being transported from the scene. 10 minor injuries to Firefighters reported at 5-alarm fire, 228 Benziger Ave #StatenIsland pic.twitter.com/zvIQi0gqGR FDNY (@FDNY) August 18, 2016 NYPD Aviation was assisting the FDNY in surveying the scene of the blaze with two choppers in the area. Jersey Street, which is a cross of Benziger, was closed for the emergency response. Smoke from the fire was visible from the intersection of Targee Street and Vanderbilt Avenue. It could also reportedly be seen from as far away as Manhattan. Residents were advised to close their windows to avoid the smoke. The Office of Emergency Management said to expect traffic delays in the area. As of 8 p.m., firefighters were still trying to contain the blaze. According to an emergency radio transmission, heavy fire still persists in the original building. It is unclear at this time if anyone was home when the fire started. The Red Cross will provide assistance to residents displaced by the incident. A cause of the fire wasn't immediately available. A search of city Buildings Department records shows 17 complaints at 228 Benziger Ave. dating back to 1994, including an active complaint from Aug. 1 claiming no permit for electrical wiring on the second floor of an apartment building. This is a breaking news story. More information will be posted as it becomes available. A first-class ride for Cowboy Kel Bridle Path residents show love for mail carrier For the past six years, Kelvin Hoang has been delivering mail and smiles to people living in Simi Valleys Bridle Path neighborhood. We love Kelvin. Hes the best. Hes like... SV Womans Club to meet Detectives Kelly King and Jessica Getchius of the Simi Valley Police Department will discuss the problems faced by victims and perpetrators of domestic violence at the monthly luncheon meeting of... Womans flight aboard B-25 bomber honors grandfathers WWII bravery As Kerri Braemer-Castro looked down at the mountains and valleys of Camarillo from the cockpit of a World War II B-25 bomber earlier this month, she finally felt connected to... Shred your documents The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a drive-thru document shredding event from 1 to 4 p.m. Fri., Nov. 11 in the parking lot behind the Chamber office, 40... Climate-related disasters raise conflict risk, study says Posted on 19 August 2016 by dana1981 This is a re-post from Carbon Brief by Robert McSweeney Extreme weather increases the risk of armed conflict in ethnically-diverse countries, a new study suggests. Around 23% of conflict outbreaks in these countries over the last three decades have occurred during climate-related disasters, such as droughts and heatwaves, the paper says. The results dont suggest that weather extremes directly trigger conflict, the researchers say, but that they can be one of many contributing factors. Carbon Brief speaks to a number of experts to dig a bit deeper into what has become quite a controversial field of climate research. Climate-related disasters A host of different factors can increase the risk of armed conflict breaking out in a country. Some examples picked out by previous research include poverty, weak governance, a history of conflict, income gaps between rich and poor, and disputes over natural resources. The new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that climate-related disasters should be added to this list. This conclusion stems from a statistical analysis of armed conflicts and the economic damage caused by extreme weather events over the period 1980-2010. The researchers looked at three categories of climate-related disasters. These include meteorological events (blizzard/snowstorm, hailstorm, tornado, tropical cyclone, winter storm), hydrological events (avalanche, flash flood, general flood, landslide, storm surge), and climatological events (cold wave/frost, drought, heatwave, wildfire). The results suggest that around 9% of all armed conflicts over the past 30 years have occurred during i.e. in the same month as an extreme climatological event. Taking all three disaster types together, the researchers only found a link when they added another factor ethnic fractionalisation into their analysis. This is a measure of how how ethnically diverse a country is. The researchers find that in top-50 most fractionalised countries, around 23% of armed conflicts have occurred at the same time as a climate-related disaster of any kind. Other studies of highly fractionalised countries have identified similar links, the paper notes. Prolonged droughts, for example, may have contributed to outbreaks of conflict in Somalia and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. The results suggest that disasters may increase the risk of conflict though not directly cause it, says lead author, Dr Carl-Friedrich Schleussner, from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. He tells Carbon Brief: We do not report evidence that climate disasters are directly triggering conflict outbreak, but rather that they may enhance the risk of an outbreak of a conflict rooting in context-specific circumstances. While more work is needed to establish exactly how disasters enhance the risk of conflicts, the findings suggest they add pressure to existing ethnic divides, says Schleussner: It seemsplausible that such disruptive events fuel smoldering social tensions. With extreme weather (pdf) likely to be more intense and frequent as global temperatures rise, the climate could be become a more prominent factor for conflict in the future, says Schleussner: Several of the worlds most conflict-prone regions including North and Central Africa as well as Central Asia are both exceptionally vulnerable to human-made global warming and characterised by deep ethnic divides. This means that a changing climate should be taken into account when developing security policies in these regions, Schleussner says. No clear picture The new study adds weight to the link between climate and conflict, says Dr Peter Gleick, an expert on water and conflict at the Pacific Institute, who wasnt involved in the study. He tells Carbon Brief: This paper adds to the growing evidence that climate disruptions can be, and indeed have been, a contributing factor in violent conflicts in the recent past, especially in areas already vulnerable to ethnic, political, or economic disruption. But this field of research is still very contested, points out Alex Randall project manager of the Climate Change and Migration Coalition, who also wasnt involved in the research. So its sensible to view the study in the context of the wider literature. Many similar studies have focused on specific forms of violence. For example, research has linked drought with riots in sub-Saharan Africa, hot temperatures with violent crime in the US, and flood events with civil conflict in different parts of the world. But when researchers look at the entire world and all types of violence, there isnt a clear picture, Randall tells Carbon Brief: Its not possible to say that, universally, climate impacts will lead to more violence. For example, huge literature reviews of climate-conflict research, known as meta-analyses, have come to different conclusions. A 2013 study of 50 research papers found consistent support for a link between the climate and different types of conflict. Yet, another group of researchers disputed this finding, and concluded from their own assessment that the body of research produced mixed and inconclusive results. Even a single climate-related disaster can have more than one impact on the risk of conflict. A study of the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, for example, found the crime rate in the Philippines fell in the short-term, before increasing again later down the line. Randall explains: The researchers argue this is because of an increase in people helping each other through adversity. But then 12 months later the crime rate increases probably as people find themselves in deeper poverty. However, despite some mixed results from the scientific literature, there is enough evidence to suggest that action to tackle climate change is needed to limit disasters becoming more extreme, Randall says: The fact that there is some evidence for climate impacts increasing conflict risk makes the case for [greenhouse gas] emissions reduction even more compelling. Ethnicity and history Its not just the role of climate in conflicts that needs careful interpretation, says Randall, so too does ethnicity: Although its true that, historically, many conflicts have erupted along ethnic and religious lines, it is also the case that ethnicity and religion are used and abused by political actors to create divisions within societies where they had not previously existed. In other words, it is not diversity itself that leads to violence, but the way that diversity is exploited for political ends, or where different ethnicities are not treated equally. In fact, research suggests that there is no clear link between diversity and conflict. The study also leaves one question unexplored, says Prof Halvard Buhaug, research professor at the Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO), who also wasnt involved in the paper. While the findings suggest that climate-related disasters and conflicts often happen around the same time, there could be a third factor affecting their occurrence, says Buhaug. The authors point out that there might be a hidden common cause behind both, but they dont go as far as suggesting what that cause could be. Buhaug suggests that a history of conflicts in a country or region would be a likely candidate. He tells Carbon Brief: We know that conflict begets conflict, and conflict also is development in reverse destroying economic activity and material products thereby increasing the likelihood that a given meteorological event (drought, heat wave, flood) reaches the required level of severity [to cause conflict]. In other words, a more unstable country is less likely to be able to help its citizens in the aftermath of a disaster for example, by providing food and clean water raising the risk of further violence breaking out. This highlights how important it is to prevent conflict in the first place, says Randall, as well as mitigating climate change: There is clearly a massive unmet need for conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and studies like this make that even more important. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree It was at least 160 years old, about 8.2 tonnes heavy and dead. But this yellow box gum (picture), which has stood for decades longer than the Amaroo houses built around it, will be resurrected as a habitat for native birds, bats and other animals at Barrer Hill at the new reserve being created on the banks of the Molonglo River. ANU honours student Lucy Hannan with a 160-year-old dead tree being removed from Amaroo. Credit:Daniel Burdon A team of professional arborists joined staff from the ACT Environment Directorate's Parks and Conservation Service and Australian National University senior fellow Dr Karen Ikin and honours student Lucy Hannan, for the operation to move the tree on Friday. Ms Hannan, who is researching the potential for old large trees to be re-used as new, partly artificial habitats for native birds and animals, said it was the fourth tree so far removed from Canberra's suburbs as part of what may be a global-first research project to both restore degraded landscapes and save old trees from fireplaces. Battling blazes is not the only way Canberra firefighters are trying to save lives. There might not be a fire at the top of the Sydney Tower Eye when five heroes in overalls take on its 1504 steps, but they're still running for a cause close to their hearts - helping to find a cure for a Motor Neurone Disease (MND). ACT Firefighters Matt Buchtmann and Kari Harlovich are among five ACT firefighters who will be running up and down Sydney Tower in their full gear to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease. They are training at the Hume training facility. Credit:Karleen Minney The team from ACT Fire & Rescue will join about 300 firefighters from around Australia on October 23 in climbing the tower's 98 storeys while fully geared with 20kg on their backs, in an effort to raise money for MND, which has affected current and past local firefighters. MND is a progressive, terminal neurological disease in which the nerve cells that control the muscles involved in speaking, breathing and swallowing deteriorate and die. The Rebels members had waited more than an hour outside Westfield Belconnen for the rival bikies intruding on their "turf". Do you know this is Rebels territory? one had said to their rivals before bashing them and stripping them of their Finks colours. The 2014 attack was caught on the shopping centre's CCTV. Dean Stephen Reid and Kirk Jacques Newman had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges of assault and affray. A service set up to keep Indigenous children out of the youth justice system says its pleas for funding have been ignored by the ACT and federal governments. Tjillari Justice Aboriginal Corporation was created three years ago to support the children of offenders in Canberra, an attempt to break the cycle that traps many in foster care or the youth justice system. Tjillari Justice Aboriginal Corporation strives to stop children from offending and ending up at the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. Credit:Elesa Lee The service's mantra is to train and work with parents, grandparents and the children themselves, providing training, workshops and support to help them cope when a family member is incarcerated. It relies on a shoestring budget and small staff of volunteers. Competition tsar Rod Sims says the regulator must decide which is the lesser of two evils as it assesses a request by three big banks to team up in their talks with technology giant Apple. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on Friday said it had not granted permission to three of the big banks to form a bloc in their negotiations with Apple over its digital payments service, but the decision is not final. ANZ Bank is the only big four bank so far that has signed up for Apple Pay. Westpac, Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank and Bendigo Bank last month sought urgent permission for a collective boycott of Apple, and ACCC on Friday said it needed more time to assess the case. It expects to make a draft ruling in October. The banks want to boost their bargaining power in talks with the technology giant over the part of the iPhone that allows tap and go payments, but they need the watchdog's approval to team up in this way., Eric Ben-Artzi is a brave man. The former Deutsche Bank risk officer was one of three whistleblowers who reported improper accounting at the German bank to US sharemarket regulators in 2010 and 2011. Deutsche Bank's shareholders were held accountable, rather than its managers. Credit:Getty Images In 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission imposed a $US55 million ($71.8 million) fine against the bank over the issue. Ben-Artzi is due 15 per cent of this sum, or $US16.5 million. In an opinion piece in The Financial Times on Thursday, he revealed that he had rejected the payout. The chief executive and chairman of the Perth miner that failed to tell its shareholders the $6 billion of funding it obtained was from a colourful hair growth entrepreneur, Roland Bleyer, has been banned from managing companies for three years. The banning orders against Padbury CEO Gary Stokes and chairman Terence Quinn, flagged by Fairfax Media in July, came after an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Entrepreneur Roland Bleyer was behind the mystery funding. Padbury shocked the market in April 2014 when it announced it had secured financing for the Oakajee port and rail project in Western Australia. Ahead of its announcement its shares had "soared" from 2 to 5.2 and more than 200 million shares had been traded. What Padbury didn't tell the market was the finance had been supplied by Mr Bleyer a man who has been involved in several civil cases and some criminal actions, including beating drug possession charges in California, and has made claims he helped the Greek government in its debt crisis negotiations, and ran a bank in Azerbaijan that collapsed in 2012. Keith Tremain with his late wife and daughter Sharon Bate in front of the family's Forestville home in the mid 1980s. Credit:Kate Geraghty Keith, who can utter only a few simple words due to his stroke, lives in a unit at the Glenaeon Retirement Village in Belrose on Sydney's Northern Beaches. More than 280 people live in the village with 34 of the most vulnerable residents living in serviced apartments alongside Keith. Keith Tremain has called on his mate, former prime minister Tony Abbott, for support against Lendlease. Credit:Kate Geraghty Lendlease, which yesterday reported a full-year profit of $698 million, want Keith and around 50 other residents to leave their homes and build in their place more than 100 more-profitable retirement-living units and an aged-care facility. Keith moved into his new apartment after the sudden death of his wife and his second stroke in 2014. He paid Lendlease $200,000 for the apartment on a 99-year lease. To move ahead with its proposal Lendlease needs 75 per cent of residents to support its plans in a vote and agreement from residents on leases. No date for the vote has been set, but that hasn't stopped the company from having one-on-one meetings with residents, to encourage them to leave. The company is even throwing in incentives to sweeten the deal offering to pay $4000 in moving costs, $2000 in legal fees, while waiving "selling fees" and "re-establishment fees" worth around $12,000. Keith and his neighbours fear Lendlease will whittle down the resident population with these deals until the remaining few feel like they've got no choice but to take a deal. The former prime minister is watching the situation with interest. "Obviously Lendlease are entitled to propose an upgrade but they do need to treat the residents with respect and negotiate with them in good faith and they need to make sure the residents get a good deal. That means as little as possible disruption and better accommodation than they have now," he said. The issue has divided the centre. Many of the residents directly affected say they feel cheated and pressured to leave. Others feel the plans would bring much-needed new facilities and add value to their homes. Lendlease first told them of its intentions at a meeting in June, indicating serviced-apartment residents would have 12 months to find alternative accommodation. At more recent meetings it backtracked and reiterated that no one would forcibly evicted. It has also offered to resettle residents inside the centre. But residents say the plans have created "total terror" inside the serviced apartment block. Lendlease has also told residents not to go to the expense of contacting lawyers. About 120 residents met on Monday at the Glenaeon community centre, in the heart of the village, to hear from Lendlease managers Greg Little and Ann Holzer about the plans. They were told the 30-year-old serviced apartments had become a liability, losing $300,000 in the last year alone. "We are not a hotel. That's not our business to run a hotel ... we are about providing a retirement environment that has to have a commercial outcome both for Lendlease and the resident," Ms Holzer told the meeting. Even if Lendlease does not get the 75 per cent it needs, it says it will close down the serviced apartments eventually anyway, including Keith's. Surveyors have already been hired and Lendlease is speaking to aged-care providers to operate the yet-to-be approved centre. Lendlease has also offered to buy back units at a market price determined by an independent assessor. But some residents are digging in their heels. Keith's daughter Sharon Bate has joined the battle and says her father will refuse to leave. She says the plans have had a devastating impact on morale at the centre. "I can't believe that they can do that to all of those people. One man is 99 years old. These people are living out the end of their lives. They've spoken about suicide as a result of all of this," she said. Prices for serviced apartments at Glenaeon vary from between $200,000 to $300,000. Residents also have to pay a monthly service fee of around $2000 as well as an exit fee typically around 3 per cent for each year of residence when they sell their unit. During the sometimes heated meeting on Monday, some residents vowed not to leave. "You said that no person in serviced apartments will be forced to leave their home. That means I can stay in my home until the day that I die and you can't do anything about it That's fine. I plan to live another eight years," one resident told the meeting to rousing applause. The meeting was also shown a concept sketch of the new proposal which included three-storey apartment buildings connected to an aged-care centre, where the serviced apartments now stand. Former construction manager Stan Fields, 91, has been living in the centre for 14 years. He believes Lendlease is strategically drip feeding information until they reach the 75 per cent support needed to pass their plans. "They will work away at us and work away at us, until more and more people say 'well I suppose it is not so bad'," he said. "There is this feeling that this is going to happen whether we want it to or not." The meeting was told Lendlease operates 17 villages with serviced apartments across the country with many suffering ongoing problems with vacancies. Michael Eggington, Managing Director of Lendlease's Retirement Living business said Glenaeon was an ageing village that was not meeting the requirements of village residents who may need higher levels of care. He said no resident will be forcibly evicted. Property group BlackWall has capped off another strong financial year, boosted by its office share business WOTSO. The company reported a 38 per cent increase in operating revenue and lifting its full-year dividend by 17 per cent to 3.5, fully franked. Net profit after tax was $2.9 million. BlackWall chief executive Stuart Brown said the company's operations were split into three complementary segments. WOTSO WorkSpace, the collaborative workspace and serviced office business, was the engine, generating revenue of $3.4 million up 80 per cent on 2015. Property services and funds management under BlackWall Property Funds lifted revenue 19 per cent to about $5 million, and investment activities helped grow BWF's net tangible assets by 9 per cent to $18.7 million. WOTSO offices at 55 Pyrmont Bridge Road, formerly the Fox Sports building. Chifley expands. Non-bank finance group Chifley Securities has posted record levels of lending for the 2015-16 financial year, lending more than $600 million to a range of investors, builders and property developers across Australia. Chifley Securities' director Joe Morello said the 20-month-old group has $230 million in loans to projects in progress, with loans ranging from $1 million to $50 million in first mortgages, mezzanine, bridging and construction finance. Now with $1.1 billion worth of loan funding available, Chifley Securities is finding strong demand from commercial and residential property developers who do not fulfil the major banks' new, tighter requirements of pre-sales and added security. Southern Sydney is receiving a new lease of life with a big increase in new social and affordable housing, integrated with private housing. As the Minister for Family and Community Services and Social Housing Brad Hazzard, said recently "The recent renewal in Washington Park in Riverwood North has demonstrated what can be achieved through creating mixed communities, with the ability to house more vulnerable families who are on the waiting list." The latest area to receive State Significant Precinct status is 30.5 hectares in Riverwood, which will feature all types of housing, community amenities, services and infrastructure needed for the new and existing population. The 7,125 square metre site at Glebe for 247 private homes has been sold for more than $67 million - to help fund the Cowper Street Glebe Redevelopment and build more social housing for NSW PAYCE was instrumental in the development of Stage 1 and created a market for a seamlessly integrated development between social and private apartments. Architects are meeting the challenge to create social housing that looks and feels like modern private housing, with the key being to mix those subsidised dwellings with private housing. The City of Sydney is forging ahead with its plan to make Sydney more appealing for residents and boost its standing as a liveable city through its new rezoning and planning strategies. In the most recent Economist survey, Melbourne again outshone Sydney as one of the world's most liveable cites, which has spurred on the northern capital to lift that profile. The heritage-listed property at 362 Kent Street, with rear lane access to Council Place, is being sold via Colliers International. This is happening with the "Manhattanisation" of Sydney through new apartment developments, such as Cbus plans above David Jones and the plethora of new restaurant and food precincts, such as DEXUS Property's projects at Gateway, Circular Quay and ground floor at Grosvenor Place. The City of Sydney Council has also released its Central Sydney Planning Strategy for development over the next 20 years, to bring Sydney back to life on the weekends as much as during the week. Kim Williams' speech at the Melbourne Press Club this week is the latest tirade against copyright reform. It's striking to observe such acid being spat at a Productivity Commission inquiry that isn't even finished. Modernising copyright's creaking 100-year-old structure with exceptions suited to our current environment yes, including fair use is really important, but there will be time to debate that when we have the report. Right now, the focus should be on moving forward with legislation to fix copyright's most egregious and indefensible failures. On September 30, global copyright rules will finally recognise the right of visually disabled people to have equal access to the world's culture. On that day, the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or otherwise Print Disabled will come into effect. It's important because, in a world filled with a bounty of words, the vision impaired are in famine. Worldwide, they can access less than 5 per cent of titles. The Marrakesh Treaty is an important step towards removing copyright barriers to the global sharing of accessible books. Australia is a signatory, but we now need to actually pass the copyright reforms that will give effect to that commitment. The bill would make it simpler and fairer for the print disabled to be able to access books, and thereby help do our bit to end the book famine. Credit:Tanya Lake In Australia, copyright is a problem for people with a visual or other disability that prevents them reading books in the usual way. They do not have any general right to make the copies they may need to in an accessible format. Organisations that help people with disabilities have to rely on a statutory licence with detailed, bureaucratic rules, which means already scarce resources must be wasted on compliance. Publishers do not have to supply digital files for people with print disability, and when they do, restrictive terms and conditions are often attached. The Government has a draft bill to fix this, developed with an unusual degree of cooperation and consensus last year. It's already been the subject of wide consultation with relevant stakeholders. The bill would make it simpler and fairer for the print disabled to be able to access books, and thereby help do our bit to end the book famine. So many ways to teach and learn. We heard of a teacher at Summer Hill in the 1950s who inverted her students like fractions. Now Joy Cooksey of Harrington says "another maths lesson that can remain imprinted on the young mind is 'axis of symmetry'. With a black (water-soluble) felt marker, draw a line down the centre of a student's forehead. Continue on down the ridge of the nose and on to the mid-point of the chin. Leave on all day. Do the same with a second student so all are accessed, and so everyone remembers." Richard Stewart returns, this time concerned about the Pearl Beach wetlands lagoon, currently bereft of its usual duck population. The reported disappearance of the ducks at Victoria Park, Broadway led him to wonder why few remain at a place usually teaming with ducks. "Popular thinking is the rains in the far west have filled the oft-parched Menindee Lakes and the water birds have relocated to Darling River waters." A much happier theory than that offered by C8 yesterday. More irreverent VC poetry, which had started with a misspelling on a rest stop sign named after Roden Cutler. Peter Wotton of Pyrmont reveals: "my late father recounted a story about one of his commanders in the liberation of Balikpapan in WWII who was not allowed to accept the award of a Wilhemina Cross from a grateful Dutch government. As he already had a Victoria Decoration from the British government, he was heard to remark that it was just as well since he would otherwise have the initials "VD WC" after his name. C8's newly generated schools-who-produce-two-or-more-Olympic-gold-medal-winner rivalry has prompted Elisabeth Hawkins to recall "two 17 year old girls from Hornsby Girls' High represented Australia at the Melbourne Olympics 1956. Not gold but still exciting. Maureen Wright competed in the javelin throw and Michele Mason in the high jump. Michele won silver in Tokyo 1964. Of innocent commodities, a recollection of selling ice decades ago prompted Dalton's John Boddington to remember: "a while ago I complained bitterly to friends that my coke supplier had gone broke, and I couldn't source the stuff anywhere. I was greeted with some strange looks, thought about it, then added hastily 'I mean blacksmith's coke. For my forge'." The news at least five Canberra schools have been caught up in a porn sharing website scandal in which explicit images of girls and young women are hunted down like Pokemon Go characters highlights a battle society appears to be rapidly losing. On the one hand millions of dollars are being spent to persuade young Australians sexual exploitation, sexualised violence and the abuse of women and girls is never acceptable. Credit:Toby Hillier On the other, a billion-dollar pornography industry, which is never further away than any teenager's mobile phone, is normalising such behaviours with easy access to imagery that would once have been restricted to X-rated cinemas in the seediest parts of St Kilda and Kings Cross. Unless broader society makes a serious effort to condemn grubby and sordid behaviours whenever they raise their ugly head this is a battle we are going to lose. The saddest part is that the casualties in this war are our children who, because the internet has made pornography such a pervasive presence, are constantly at risk of being persuaded aberrant, and in many cases, abhorrent, behaviours are acceptable. As early as 1975 US academic and author, S. Brownmiller, was writing: "Pornography has been so thickly glossed over with a patina of chic in the name of verbal freedom and sophistication that important distinctions between freedom of political expression [a democratic necessity], honest sex education for children [a societal good] and ugly smut [the deliberate devolution of the role of women through obscene, distorted depictions] have been hopelessly confused." A 1990s NSW government report was even more succinct: "Businesses spend billions on advertising in the belief the media can and do influence behaviour. We support and encourage the arts in the belief they have the capacity to uplift and enhance society. Yet we are expected to believe that increasing tide of pornography does not affect attitudes to women." That tide has, since the advent of the internet, become a tsunami with many of the causal links between smut and rape, child molestation, domestic violence and sexual harassment first identified in the print and film era now reaching crisis levels. Omran Daqneesh has joined Phan Thi Kim Phuc and Alan Kurdi as a child whose image of suffering has momentarily captured the attention of the world. Five-year-old Omran, unlike Alan whose body washed ashore on a beach near Bodrum in Turkey almost a year ago, survived the air strike that demolished his home in Aleppo this week. Omran Daqneesh, rescued from rubble after a government air strike in Syria. Credit:Aleppo Media Centre And, equally fortunately, he was spared the life-threatening burns and other injuries that left the then nine-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc scarred for life after South Vietnamese planes dropped a napalm bomb on her village of Trang Bang on June 8, 1972. All three images graphically depict the horrors of wars fought without limits or any regard for the suffering of innocent children and other non combatants. Nor were they told that citizens of other countries have no ability to lodge protection claims concerning persecution in their country of origin if they visit Australia. In some cases, it was a mere quirk of fate that meant that some family members arrived before, and others after, Kevin Rudd declared before the 2013 election: "As of today, asylum seekers who come here by boat without a visa will never be settled in Australia." For those on Manus with family in Australia, the daily queuing for meals in the detention centre is the most painful reminder of separation, because meal-time used to be family time. After Dutton's remarks, I spoke to two asylum seekers at the detention centre with family in Australia and the response was sadly predictable. This was, said 24-year old Ben, who has cousins in Melbourne, another form of the mental torture the asylum seekers have endured to for the last three years. The refugees on Manus and Nauru did not, of course, get a vote in the July 2 election, but they stand to lose the most from Malcolm Turnbull's wafer-thin victory. Had Labor won, Bill Shorten vowed to put his immigration minister on the first plane to Geneva to enlist the UNHCR in finding resettlement countries, whilst retaining turnbacks and offshore processing. Had Turnbull scored an emphatic victory that enhanced his authority, he gave the distinct impression that ending the misery of those on Nauru and Manus would be a priority. That, at least, was my conclusion when he told Four Corners' Sarah Ferguson that finding "alternative places for them to settle" would be "easier" after the election. Almost two months on, this does not appear to be the case. Rather, Dutton gives every indication that little effort is being made to find third countries with established resettlement programs; that first-world resettlement options like the US, Canada and New Zealand are off limits; and that the options for those on Manus are to go home (even if they are refugees) or settle in PNG. The Immigration Minister appears to be driven by twin convictions: one, that the slightest hint of compassion will be viewed as a sign of weakness that will embolden the people smugglers and lead to deaths at sea; and two, that public opinion is overwhelmingly on his side. Rather than increase pressure on the government to find a solution for those who have been left in limbo, the leaking of the "Nauru files" to Guardian Australia appears only to have hardened his resolve. In one interview this week, he insisted he was not going to be "defamed" by the likes of the Guardian or the ABC, and said flatly there was "no third country option for people out of Manus at this point in time". In another, he defamed those who have been found to have a well-founded fear of persecution if they return to their country, telling 7.30's Leigh Sales: "I think the situation is that people have paid people smugglers for a migration outcome." Implicit in his refusal to bend is what amounts to a vote of no-confidence in the ability of Operation Sovereign Borders and the ADF to repel any attempt to restart the smuggling trade through turnbacks, co-operation with Indonesia and the policy that new arrivals will be processed offshore and not resettled in Australia. What we do not know is how much effort Turnbull is devoting to finding an outcome, and whether Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is engaged in talking to counterparts in developed and developing countries with resettlement programs. One likelihood is that Malaysia, the country that was spurned as part of any response not once, but twice, by the Coalition purely to extract partisan political advantage, is part of any such endeavour. But there is evidence that the public no longer sees everything done with boat people as part of a seamless whole. The policies fit into two categories. One is about boat interception and resettlement, whether on Manus or Nauru. It is shrouded in secrecy and want of accountability, but apparently quite successful. Then there's the policy and the practice of effectively punishing the boat people children and women as much as men by making their lives as miserable as possible. This happens in places that are inaccessible to outsiders, particularly to those who might alert the public to the horrible things being done in our nation's name. More members of the public are now wondering whether the cruelty, isolation and neglect is necessary. Given the fabulous sums of money involved in detaining people on these islands, might it not be possible to give people some comfort, some dignity and some respect for the sufferings from which they have fled, or the sufferings they have endured since running into Australia's border forces? Some in government and the bureaucracy think that any relaxation of the regime runs the risk of seeming weak in the face of resistance, or failing to "send a message" to potential boat people. After all, the department invests millions in trying to persuade potential asylum seekers that they will ruin all of their chances if they try to come by boat, since then they will never be allowed to settle in Australia. There is no doubt that the wider world, and probably, potential boat people, know how Australia and its client governments are treating boat people. From the wider world it is coming back to us, continually, in the form of bad international press, scarcely disguised disdain and difficult relations with countries with whom we would like to be good friends, such as Indonesia. That Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull now "owns" the problem with almost the same enthusiasm as his predecessor is a significant barrier to his ever being counted any sort of international statesman. Effective, and some think, deliberate institutional abuse of detainees is not of itself a moral justification for such abuse, even on some claim of being cruel to be kind. And in any event, for the desperate the potential boat people the important message they must receive is not that they will be punished (in contravention of international law) for taking a boat, but that doing so will be counterproductive, since it will serve to deny them refuge in Australia. Distance and bluster and blackguarding of "advocates" may serve to keep the issues at bay. But increasingly a public that can bear to know about our maltreatment intellectually, as long as it is not shoved in their face, are being forced to confront ample evidence of what is happening. It's a bit like the Northern Territory juvenile justice system story. There was never a secret that life is tough in the NT system, that many of the guards are as brutalised as those in their custody, and that politicians (and police, and the public) turn a blind eye to a punitive regime as long as they do not officially know (or can claim they did not notice). Even sequences of reports, inquiries, criticisms and attempts to explain what is going on may not cause great ripples, especially if the reports are sober, fair-minded, somewhat academic in tone, and confined to paper, which apparently politicians do not much read much these days. That's the power of television. The Four Corners report showed actual physical abuse on tape. Right in your face. It excited an emotional reaction as much as an intellectual one. No effort to pretend that the problems of the system are exaggerated, or that the timing of the report was "political" with an intention to damage the Country Liberal Party can account for the shock or the need to be seen to be doing something. At least until everyone has forgotten when, one can be sure, the same old regime will be back, whether under a re-elected CLP government or, more likely, under a "reforming" Labor government that will not have the guts to take on prison officer unions. With Manus and Nauru, Labor can almost certainly afford to put on its concerned face and pretend to be shocked and surprised. Still, of course, 100 per cent on turn-backs, but asking aloud what the warrant has been for the mental and physical collapse of so many asylum seekers. Labor's concern will, of course, be laden with hypocrisy and not only because Labor set up the system, with conscious intimations of cruelty to come. It has always known exactly what has been going on. A substantial minority of the party openly hates the policy, but none have had the guts to repudiate it because of the fear of being wedged by the coalition. It has been, as ever, expediency over principle. But that it is Dastyari who is taking the opportunity to divide the boat-people policies is hardly insignificant. He's expediency and opportunism personified. But he does read (and have access to) polling data. In any event, Dutton seemed to be more going through the motions on Nauru. His department has been more than usually inept. No one can predict when it all blows up in the government's face, but the sense that it is coming is palpable. And, like moves to dismantle Manus, the timing and the explosive are not matters in the government's control. At least since the election (one might say at least since his election a year ago), Turnbull has seemed in a state of drift. He's not been shaping events. Not even anticipating them. All too often it has been ad hoc responses to an immediate crisis. The government is not setting the agenda or making things happen. There could hardly be better witness to that than the bungled decision to have a royal commission into NT juvenile justice. Has Turnbull a plan for the next stage of immigration policy? Has his minister, or the department? Assuming that, for the moment at least, government persists with the turn-back policies, what is the contingency planning for a loss of access to Manus, and/or the disaster in waiting with Nauru? If something happens will the government seem unprepared, unready and surprised? Of one thing one can be fairly sure. If there is to be, instead, a "be tough but nice" policy, perhaps at other, if more accessible venue, there will be years of cleaning up the mess, not least of shattered lives. I've felt like that. I've looked at the word "the" for awhile as my brain has turned to custard. It seems to be the right spelling, I've thought. But suddenly putting the letters t, h and e in sequence to make a word seems wrong and confronting. Then the world seems wrong and confronting. Then you feel on the verge of tears if someone asks you for your phone number. WHAT? You want me to REMEMBER all those numbers and SPEAK at the same time? Can't you SEE how TIRED I AM? You can end up in the foetal position in a shopping centre carpark on days like that because you can't even remember what car you drive. Anyone who's had children particularly anyone who's had children knows what the I'm-so-exhausted-I-don't-even-know-my-own-name-or-gender bone tiredness is that's peculiar to bringing home a new baby and feeling the weight of responsibility for a dear little life. Whole chunks of my life have disappeared because of the tiredness of having a newborn. I had three children under three years of age. The year that followed the birth of my third son, when my second son had just turned one and my eldest son had just turned three, I now refer to as the Grey Period. There were no colours for a year or so just the dull grey that comes from chronic, brain-befuddling, spirit-sapping exhaustion as my sons took it in turns to ensure any sleep we had came in 30 minute bursts. Despotic regimes learn their most exquisitely diabolical torture methods from three-month-olds. Sleep was snatched whenever three babies somehow, almost miraculously, coordinated their sleeps. The two or three times that happened were wonderful. The rest of the time their father and I took it in turns to roam the streets with whichever son was awake so that we didn't wake the others. Sometimes the roaming was in a car that desperate, slow roaming you do, with one eye on the baby in the back seat and you in the front praying to God even if you're an atheist that you'll become a believer if a deity would just please, please make the child one of those mythical all-night sleepers. But there is no God, we found. Our children remained appalling sleepers until they discovered beer and takeaway food in their late teens, and the challenge then became getting them out of bed before 1pm. Sometimes I roamed the streets on foot while carrying a baby in my arms. I'm not saying it wasn't unpleasant on occasions, despite the tiredness just me, a baby, a stray cat or possum and the dark of the hours after midnight. The walks were interrupted two or three times by helpful cruising police fearing the worst, until I whispered that everything was fine but if they woke the sleeping baby they were taking him with them. Something called the National Sleep Research Project notes that a new baby typically results in 400-750 hours lost sleep for parents in the first year. Then you spend three decades getting over it. In 2013, the Coalition received $137 million in donations, Labor $78 million and the Greens $21 million. Moreover, we don't know how much money was spent by which special-interest groups on general political messaging that supported the position of one side or the other. We do know that, given the closeness of the election, any one significant donor could reasonably say that most likely they influenced the outcome. That makes the political parties highly beholden to them. This whole system needs a thorough overhaul. For a start, all donations over $1000 should be disclosed. They should be disclosed within 24 hours of being received and posted on the Electoral Commission's website for all to see. This is the age of instant information, after all. Twenty-four weeks after the election is too late. In 2013, we were told after the election that the largest donor to the Liberals was private hospital operator Paul Ramsay Holdings, which, incidentally, gave nothing to Labor. Voters have a right to know before the election who is paying the piper. The loophole whereby people can give to different state and territory branches of a party should be closed. There should be caps on donations to parties of, say, $5000. Or at least a requirement to accept a cap or lose public funding. Some control should be put on spending on political campaigns by third parties, such as industry groups. That will be tricky, but not impossible, in the face of the implied freedom of political communication in the constitution. In October last year, all seven judges of the High Court upheld a NSW law capping donations to $2000 to individual candidates and $5000 to a party. And six of them upheld a ban on property developers making any donations at all. After that case, NSW Liberal Premier Mike Baird said political donations should be put on the agenda at the Council of Australian Governments. But nothing came of it. However, now, with a decidedly different Parliament, maybe the major parties could be pressured in action. One of the problems in NSW was the ease with which developers could channel money through the federal Liberal Party, which had no caps on donations. Obviously, any cap on donations to individual candidates would also need to limit the number of candidates someone could give to, say, four or five. Otherwise, someone could give $2000 to each of a political party's 220 candidates, defeating the purpose of the cap. We are fortunate to have such a wise High Court. In the US, the Supreme Court has struck down many attempts to control political donations and spending by "public action committees" as being inconsistent with the first amendment on freedom of speech. It has led to the erosion of the democratic will. Five of our judges, on the other hand, said about the implied freedom of political communication that the NSW provisions "support and enhance equality of access to government, and the system of representative government which the freedom protects". Justice Stephen Gageler said the provisions met the "compelling statutory object ... of preventing corruption and undue influence in the government of the state". So Baird is right. The way is open to stop undue influence. It may mean, of course, that we have to increase public funding. If so, it will be cheap at double the price, especially if it weeds out the rent-seekers, favour-seekers and purveyors of self-interest over the national interest. By the way, all of the talk about an aberrant Senate result is utter nonsense. The correlation between percentage of the vote and the percentage of the seats won is remarkably close, both state by state and even nationally. The Coalition, Labor and the Greens each got just three or four per cent more seats than votes. The percentage of seats won by One Nation, Xenophon, the Liberal Democrats and Family First was each less than 1.5 per cent different from the percentage of their seats. Derryn Hinch's and Jacqui Lambie's vote was fair for their respective states, even if nationally their "political parties" are a bit over-represented. "It's a long lineage that stretches all the way back 50 million years, and we only have one species left that we don't know anything about," Seiffert said. "We don't know when it is active, or what it eats, or if it spends all of its time in the trees or on the ground." That's pretty much unprecedented for mammals, which are among the best-researched taxonomic classes of creatures. Much of what is known about the Zenkerella genus comes from the fossil record, which is how Seiffert, a palaeontologist at University of Southern California, became one of the world's only specialists on the creatures. Fifteen years ago, while working on a dig in Egypt, he and his colleagues uncovered the fossilised remains of a now extinct Zenkerella cousin. Examining the arm and leg bones of the 37-million-year old creature, he realised, "we know more about this species than we know about something that is alive today running around in the forest". Seiffert was certain that the living Zenkerellas could tell scientists a great deal about rodent evolution, not to mention the changes that have taken place in Africa in the past 50 million years. But first, he would have to find one. So he reached out to Fernandez, who was then the director of a wildlife centre run by the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program. Fernandez is a conservation biologist and lecturer at the University of the West of England, but he'd never even heard of Zenkerella before. When he spoke to friends and colleagues in the community, most of them hadn't heard of it either. But Seiffert told him that Zenkerella specimens had been spotted on Bioko before, so Fernandez showed his neighbours a picture of the funny little creature and asked them to keep an eye out for it. Most of the island's residents are subsistence hunters, and it seemed likely that, eventually, someone would catch a Zenkerella in one of their traps. Weeks passed. Then months. Finally, almost a year after he made his initial request, Fernandez got a call from a colleague. "They said, 'We got one of your guys,'" he recalled. "I took a look, and it was one of them." The living Zenkerella looks almost like the reconstructions of its long-dead ancestors envisioned by palaeontologists. It is a squirrel-y creature with fluffy black fur, including a fluffy tail. But beneath all that hair, the base of the tail is covered in scales. It lacks the parachute-like membrane found in its close cousins, the "gliders" Anomalure (also known as scaly tailed squirrels) and Idiurus, leading scientists to wonder whether Zenkerella had somehow lost its ability to fly during its evolution. "Which would be strange because it would be the loss of a complex anatomical adaptation," Seiffert says. But he and his colleagues determined that Zenkerella is actually a member of a separate taxonomic family, indicating that the flight membrane evolved after the group branched off into its own lineage. The finding supports a growing consensus that advanced adaptations such as flying, swimming and gliding, once acquired, are unlikely to be reversed over the course of evolution. Indeed, Zenkerella is the ultimate survivor. Of the 5400 mammal species known to science, only it and five others are the sole surviving members of ancient lineages. Even among that select group, Zenkerella's living fossil status makes it almost unique. But it is the least studied of all these ancient creatures. That's bad news for Zenkerella, whose habitat in Central Africa is under threat from deforestation and development. Since scientists have never seen the animal alive in the wild, they're not entirely sure where they live, or how many of them there are left. The utter lack of information has led the International Union for Conservation of Nature to designate Z. insignis a "species of least concern". "These small obscure animals, they're not getting the attention they would actually need to confirm their distribution," Seiffert said. We don't know for certain that Zenkerella is threatened, but we don't know that it isn't, either. "When more work is done, we could easily find that is the case." For now, Seiffert, Fernandez and their colleagues are hoping to sequence the genome of their three specimens to understand the genetic roots of their strange and ancient traits. They're analysing the animals' gut contents, which will help researchers understand what they eat and hopefully track down where they live. After all those years looking at fossils, Seiffert holds out hope that he might yet see a Zenkerella in action, a living ghost of the ancient world. A Monash University lecturer whose application for permanent residency was rejected because of his son's autism has been saved by an intervention from Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke. Dr Biswajit Banik and his GP wife, Dr Sarmin Sayeed - who moved to Australia from Bangladesh in 2007 - faced an uncertain future when an appeal for residency was denied in July because of their 12-year-old son Arkojeet's disability. Dr Biswajit Banik and his wife Dr Sarmin Sayeed with their autistic son Arkojeet Banik. Credit:Chris Hopkins On Thursday, Dr Banik was informed that the Assistant Immigration Minister had overturned the finding of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for Migration and Refugees, following a concerted campaign by the family and their supporters. "It's been such an emotional journey," the health academic said on Friday. "This has been our 10th year in Australia and the last 18 months we have been battling with our application." Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Credit:AP "We now find ourselves at a tipping point," he says, "for the notion of how China is emerging as a state makes our dependence on that economic relationship now something of a risk factor. I think this is going to be a horribly difficult problem for governments to work out how to navigate. The way Xi Jinping seems to want to take China, it is simply no longer possible for Australia to believe that there is only growth and no risk in terms of doing business with China." The alternative view was put succinctly to this reporter by an electricity sector worker who supports selling to the highest bidder. "It's like you put your car up for sale for ten grand," he says, "and someone comes along and offers you 14 grand and you say no, because you're Chinese. Your money's no good here." Professor Peter Drysdale of ANU found Australian exports to China will still grow by 28 per cent. Credit:Sasha Woolley 'It's a bunch of people talking in completely different worlds' No one reading reports on China's brazen cyber espionage, even the non-classified stuff, would be particularly surprised by the Treasurer's decision. But plenty of people were not least the NSW government, apparently, which has already promised voters a lot of goodies from the $10 billion they were going to get from the sale. The state government has no mechanisms or expertise for assessing foreign security risks and apparently relied on Commonwealth advice throughout the process. The divide in Australian policy circles on China is stark. It was somewhat pejoratively summed up by Tony Abbott's insightful coinage "fear and greed", and the Ausgrid decision is where the two camps have collided spectacularly. Illustration: Simon Letch "It's a bunch of people talking in completely different worlds," says Jennings. "It's almost a breakdown in public policy with economists and strategists talking past each other. They read different journals, they're motivated by different concerns, and really up until now it's fair to say they haven't really treated each others' views that seriously." China optimists, overwhelmingly on the economic or business side of the debate, were dismayed by the messiness of the process and the apparent inconsistent application of the foreign investment rules. Former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr, who leads the China-backed ACRI think tank at UTS, pronounced it "a policy sacrifice to the witches' Sabbath of xenophobia and economic nationalism stirred up in the recent federal election". The economic case for optimism about China was outlined in forensic detail this week in a major report, produced with the support of both countries, which examined the bilateral relationship and found nothing but upside. Even on the most pessimistic scenario for China's growth trajectory, lead author Professor Peter Drysdale of the ANU found Australian exports to China will still grow by 28 per cent and Chinese exports to Australia by 20 per cent over the next decade. China's soaring middle classes want Australian cheese, Australian universities, Australian vitamins. For speakers at the Sydney launch of the Australia China Joint Economic Report hosted by Asialink and Corrs Chambers Westgarth on Wednesday, security concerns were just a bump in the road. China "urged a measure of regulatory certainty" in our foreign investment regime, Drysdale said, in reference to the Ausgrid deal. Chinese investors expect Australia to have a national security policy, said Dr He Fan, an economist from Renmin University, but the "main complaint is that the policy needs to be more transparent. Make the rules more clear. Fifty-one per cent is too much? Just give us the number, we'll adjust the investment." Speaking at the same event, Carr repeated his concerns about the decision, asking why State Grid, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, was allowed to buy into the South Australian grid, which supplies Woomera, a rocket range, and why late last year State Grid got the go ahead to bid for another NSW electricity distributor. "There are serious questions and inconsistencies that ought to be addressed," he said. There are a lot of answers to those questions. There is the Treasurer's, who said on radio this week, "just because someone is able to own one asset, doesn't mean they can own another one", arguing the character of Ausgrid and the structure of the proposed deal made this a different case. There is the fact the foreign investment review regime was changed late last year expressly to take into account national security concerns, and the former ASIO head David Irvine was appointed to the Foreign Investment Review Board in December. There is the fact of China's increasingly aggressive tactics in the South China Sea, where they have been building military bases in disputed waters; and increased awareness of China's policy of actively pursuing infrastructure and port acquisitions throughout the Asia-Pacific. And there is ASPI's Jennings, who says bluntly that three years ago, when State Grid was permitted to buy the South Australian distributor, "we had a FIRB that didn't take security issues as seriously as it should have". Morrison's office would not confirm it, but experts believe the Port of Darwin was the tipping point. When the Northern Territory government sold 80 per cent of the port to Chinese company Landbridge in November, the Americans made their displeasure at the surprise well known. Within weeks, the government was quietly rolling out foreign investment regime reforms, including the register of agricultural land and the appointment of national security experts to the board. Sales of the Port of Melbourne and the Port of Fremantle are on the horizon. "There has tended to be a bifurcation of economic and security issues in discourse about China, but of course they're connected," says Marina Tsirbas, from the National Security College at the ANU. "In the investment context there now seems to be a more overt expression of the fact that foreign investment including potentially Chinese investment can have national security implications. That's more overt than 10 years ago, where I think the Treasurer would have just said national interest." But she doesn't believe China's territorial aggression has impacted the decision. "I think the change of perception may be more in the public eye." Loading The broadly bipartisan line since John Howard was prime minister has been that Australia does not have to choose between its history and its geography: that we could continue to walk a happy line with our major security partner being the US and our major trade partner being China. But finding that line is getting trickier by the day. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has accused the Vietnamese government of behaving unreasonably by denying hundreds of Australian veterans access to the Battle of Long Tan memorial site. Hundreds of veterans and their families were reportedly not allowed access to the site on Thursday night Australian time despite a compromise deal struck between Mr Turnbull and his Vietnamese counterpart. Long Tan commander Harry Smith was among those who were reportedly turned away. He told the ABC he planned to "say a prayer for the soldiers lost that day." Seborrhoeic keratoses, sometimes inelegantly called senile warts or barnacles, are another common benign skin lesion. These are considered part of the normal skin ageing process. These wart-like growths can begin to appear in your 30s and 40s. By the age of 60 around 90 per cent of people will have at least one seborrhoeic keratosis. They can erupt suddenly after a sunburn or a bout of dermatitis, or gradually appear for no discernible reason. If many itchy seborrhoeic keratoses erupt suddenly, it is occasionally a sign of an internal cancer. Very rarely, basal or squamous cell carcinomas arise within a pre-existing seborrhoeic keratosis. Seborrhoeic keratoses themselves are harmless, but can be prolific some people have hundreds and they increase in number as the years go by. Seborrhoeic keratoses can be flat or raised, and often look as though theyve been glued onto the skin instead of growing out of it. Their colour ranges from pale yellow to black. They can be waxy, warty or scaly, and anywhere between one millimetre and several centimetres across. This lesion looks alarming at first glance, but under a dermoscope its obvious by the banksia-like appearance that its a benign seborrhoeic keratosis. Those that are dark and large can look alarming, but when seen under a dermoscope they usually have a characteristic brain-like or banksia-like appearance and are easily distinguished from skin cancers. If in doubt, your doctor will take a biopsy to investigate further, since a melanoma can occasionally simulate a seborrhoeic keratosis. Seborrhoeic keratoses can be annoying if they snag on clothes or get in the way of your razor, and some people find them unsightly. In these cases they can be removed by freezing, cutting them off, burning, laser surgery, chemical peels or excision with scalpel or scissors. Cysts A cyst is a round lesion made of a capsule filled with keratin (the structural material that makes up the outer layer of our skin), sebum (the oil from our skin), fluid or pus-like material. Firm or squishy to the touch, they are totally benign. At least 20 per cent of adults will have a cyst of some sort in their life. Sometimes cysts form when injured skin gets tucked in to form a pocket and the maturing and dying skin cells build up inside it. Other cysts are formed when epidermal cells, normally found on the surface of the skin, proliferate in the deeper dermis and fill up in a similar way. Some cysts form when a hair follicle, sweat duct or mucous gland becomes blocked and fluid builds up behind the blockage. Ganglion cysts form when fluid from nearby joints leaks into a capsule under the skin. Several genes can make you more susceptible to forming cysts of various sorts. An inflamed epidermal inclusion cyst. The material inside a cyst can range from watery to soft-cheese-like, and can be odourless or smelly. A central pore may be visible on the cyst, but beware of trying to pop and drain the cyst yourself it can become infected if you dont clean it adequately. Usually the only way to get rid of a cyst permanently is to surgically remove its encapsulating wall. If it is only drained of fluid, it will just fill up again. Fortunately, a dermatologist can usually remove a cyst in a short procedure with a little local anaesthetic. This is demonstrated in the weirdly popular videos of Dr Pimple Popper (which, by the way, you might not want to watch at lunch). Haemangiomas Haemangiomas are another benign, usually painless skin lesion, formed from an excessive growth of blood vessels in the skin. They are usually firm lumps and can present as cherry angiomas, venous lakes or spider angiomas. Depending on how deep in the skin they are, they can be red, purple or even deep blue. Cherry angiomas are round or oval, sharply defined, bright red bumps, usually less than half a centimetre wide. If found on the lip, they are called venous lakes. Spider angiomas also have a tiny central red lump, but with red lines (capillaries) wriggling outwards like the legs of a spider. They usually appear on the face and upper body. If many spider angiomas suddenly appear, it can be a sign of high oestrogen or poor liver function, but, as a rule, isolated spider angiomas are not a cause for worry. Rarely, angiomas mimic amelanotic (non-pigmented) nodular melanomas. These need to be excised for further testing. The rest dont require treatment except for cosmetic reasons. In that case, the angioma can be frozen with liquid nitrogen, burnt off with electrosurgery, or treated with lasers. Dermatofibromas Dermatofibromas are firm small nodules, which are sometimes itchy and might be mistaken for an insect bite. In fact, most probably they also evolve from some types of insect bites. They are usually 1cm across or smaller, seem to be in the surface layer of the skin and, if you pinch one, a dimple will appear in it. On pale skin, they range from pink to light brown, and on darker skin from dark brown to black, and can be paler in the middle. They are caused by a benign proliferation of fibroblast cells (the main cells in connective tissue), perhaps in response to a mild skin injury, but its not clear why this happens. The immune system seems to keep them in check, as several new dermatofibromas can appear when a persons immune system is suppressed. Like seborrhoeic keratoses, dermatofibromas are harmless but can be annoying. In this case, they are removed by simple surgical excision. If they are ulcerated, have recently become bigger or are unusually coloured, your doctor will excise them to check they arent melanomas or basal cell carcinomas. Lipoma Lipomas are not, strictly speaking, a skin lesion at all. Often appearing similar to cysts, lipomas are actually slow-growing tumours of fat cells surrounded by a fibrous capsule. They dont actually grow in the skin, but in the subcutaneous layer underneath. Like cysts, they are very common and not malignant. Many people with lipomas have a family history of lipomas, so theres probably a genetic cause. Some lipomas might arise after a blunt injury to the site, but the mechanism causing that is not well understood. The egg or dome-shaped lipoma usually feels rubbery and moves around easily under the skin. This makes them easy to diagnose clinically, though doctors sometimes use a deep skin biopsy to be sure. Most lipomas are not painful to touch, but they can grow as big as 10cm across and restrict movement of nearby muscles or joints. If thats the case, or you are bothered by its appearance, lipoma can be treated by surgically removing the whole tumour, liposuction to drain the inside, or simple squeeze technique, where a doctor makes a small incision in the skin and squeezes out the fat tissue. When to get it checked Any lump, bump or lesion on your skin is worth showing to a doctor if its worrying you, but there are some red flags that should prompt you to make the appointment sooner rather than later. A newly appeared mole or an existing mole that starts growing or changing colour should be checked. If the lesion bleeds very easily at a touch get it looked at as soon as possible. Painful lumps are another sign all is not right. For Yarrie Bangura, a bottle of ginger tonic is a country, a life and womanhood in a drink. It is memories, opportunity and a thank you to a new home. It is also proof to her mother - and wider African community - that a Sierra Leonian refugee can also be an Australian business woman. Yarrie Bangura and her family fled Sierra Leone when she was eight. Now 22, the Sydney-based refugee has big ambitions for her business. "You are dreaming" laughed her mother when she first voiced her plans to create a ginger drink business from her home in Marayong, NSW. "Look around. No-one of our colour has a business in Australia." They are words that Bangura, 22, now laughs at. It's the world's oldest optical device, the discovery that led to the invention of photography: the camera obscura. Since 2013, acclaimed Australian photographer Robyn Stacey has been transforming rooms into walk-in camera obscuras. Latin for "dark room", a small hole in the wall channels light from an external scene and projects an inverted image of the outside world into the box. Archaeologists predict that the phenomenon was first observed by people during the Paleolithic era, when random holes in cave walls and tents caused light to project the outside landscape inside. First documented by the ancient Chinese, it was most accurately described in 1021 AD by Arab physicist Alhazen, who built the first pinhole camera. Robyn Stacey's camera obscura installation is taking place at the Sofitel Melbourne. Credit:Robyn Stacey The Sofitel Melbourne is hosting Stacey's latest camera obscura installation, Are You Experienced?, where a hotel room window has been masked to create the magic effect. The image cast across the walls and furniture only exists for a few hours each day as it depends on the position of the sun in relation to the room. It casts an inversion of the sky, with passing birds and clouds, trees and architecture. "It's like being in your own private movie", Stacey said. The artist, who has been creating images since the 1980s, photographs the unions of exterior-interior worlds, producing dreamlike, apparent double-exposures in single images. An expensive breakthrough drug that prevents people from getting HIV won't be funded by taxpayers in Australia this year, the nation's drug funding panel has ruled. Truvada, a once-daily pill shown to be highly effective at preventing HIV in people at risk of getting the virus, costs about $1200 a month to buy in Australia. It can also be bought on the internet and imported into Australia for less than $100. The drug Truvada will not be subsidised in Australia Credit:Jeff Chiu HIV advocates and groups say the drug is so popular among men having sex with men that it has the potential to halve the number of HIV transmissions in Australia within a year if it was made more affordable. The antiretroviral drug, which is being used as a strategy known as "pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)", was approved for use in Australia in May. Laura Pilati fears she will never forget the moment she found a topless photo of herself circulating on an online forum. The 22-year-old could hardly believe her eyes. She had never seen the photo of herself but she knew almost instantly where it had come from. "I was so upset," she said. "I think I cried every day for a week." The Wollongong waitress is one of hundreds of Australian women unwittingly targeted by a photo-sharing website on which men anonymously share and swap nude images, including those of underage schoolgirls. Bali police detain Australian woman Sara Connor over the death of a policeman. Ms Connor, a mother-of-two from NSW's Far North Coast, and Mr Taylor were brought to Denpasar police station on Friday afternoon with staff from the Australian consulate in Bali. It came after images of Ms Connor's driver's licence and visa were printed on wanted posters and plastered across hotels and police stations through the popular holiday island. Kubu Kauh Beach Inn, where British man David Taylor may have been staying. Credit:Amilia Rosa Police had initially said they wanted to question Ms Connor and another man, Tomas Schon, in relation to the murder of the police officer on Kuta Beach. It later emerged police had the wrong name and Mr Schon told Fairfax Media he was in Europe and "had never been to Bali in his life". Bali police have 24 hours to decide whether or not to name Mr Taylor as a suspect. Mr Schon said he had known Ms Connor from when he lived in Australia for three years and the photos of him the police had mistakenly used on the wanted posters had been taken from Facebook. "I have never been to Bali, never in my life. I am now going to talk to a lawyer," he said. Ms Connor arrives at Denpasar police station. David Taylor was then revealed as the man Bali police were after. Ms Connor's arrest has shocked friends and relatives back home in Byron Bay. Sara Connor arrested in Bali after police officer was found 'bashed to death with a beer bottle' on Kuta Beach. "Sara is the least violent person I have ever met," one close friend said on Saturday. "She is like a puppy dog." Briton David Taylor was arrested in Bali on Friday with Ms Connor. Ms Connor works as a housekeeper at the Nomads Arts Factory Lodge and also creates handmade pasta for her company, Byron Bay Fresh Pasta. She separated from her husband a couple of years ago but the pair used to live in London and Berlin before moving to Byron Bay. Mr Taylor also goes by the name DJ Nutzo and according to social media lived in Byron Bay, played various gigs around town and worked at a local brewery. Bali police chief Sugeng Priyanto said on Friday that Ms Connor had claimed she was drunk and couldn't remember much. "She did say she lost her bag during the incident," he said. He said Mr Taylor refused to answer any questions and was waiting for his lawyer. Mr Taylor had told police that wounds on his hands had been sustained some time ago. Alerts were issued at the airport and all seaports to prevent the pair from leaving the resort island. However, after leaving their homestay in Kutam Mr Taylor and Ms Connor went to a place in Jimbaran Bay where they contacted the Australian consulate in Bali. On Friday the family of dead police officer, Wayan Sudarsa, held a Balinese traditional ritual known as Ngulapin, which helps victims and their families become calmer. The ceremony, which takes place at the scene of the death, calls the spirit back. Police say a smashed Bintang beer bottle and a broken body board, found near the victim's body, may have been used as weapons to kill the police officer - Wayan Sudarsa. He had been attacked by more than one person and had 42 wounds to his body, the head of Sanglah Forensics and Morgue, Dr Dudut Restiadi, said. Finger marks on his arm suggested he had been held down during the attack. Mr Sudarsa's walkie-talkie was lying in the sand, just inches from his ear, while a police cap was nearby. He had been on duty at the time of his death. Police identified Ms Connor as someone they were keen to talk to after her handbag, with her driver's licence and credit card, was found near the officer's bloodied body on the beach outside the Pullman Hotel in Kuta. Mr Sudana said police had spoken to several witnesses including security officers, traditional guards, known as pecalang and ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers. "One of the ojek drivers saw [a foreign man] at the scene - he was seen covered in sand," he said. Police went to Kubu Kauh Beach Inn in Kuta, where the man had been staying, and found blood in his room and on the scooter he had rented. "One of the maids at Kubu Kauh Beach Inn also noticed blood on a towel," Mr Sudana said. A housemate of an Australian woman linked to the death of a Bali police officer on Wednesday believes she has been mistakenly mixed up in the incident. Bali police are looking for Byron Bay resident Sara Connor and a foreign man over the alleged brutal murder of traffic policeman Wayan Sudarsa on Kuta beach. However, Bali police spokesman Made Sudana said they were not suspects. Wanted notices being posted at the Bounty Hotel in Kuta. Credit:Amilia Rosa A Bali immigration officer told Fairfax Media that police wanted to speak to the pair and were searching for them. Police are co-ordinating with immigration at all exits from Bali, including the airport and seaport to Lombok, to ensure the two do not leave the island. Glebe Island should continue to operate as a working port even as the government develops the harbourside land around it, industry leaders said on Friday. The commercial future of Glebe Island, which is Sydney's major berth for more than 1 million tonnes of construction materials each year, has been unclear since the government released its plans to transform the Bays Precinct into an innovation district in October 2015. The NSW government plans to dramatically transform the Glebe Island precinct. Credit:Robert Pearce At a business forum on the future of Sydney Harbour, industry leaders were especially frank with their concerns that the government had failed to appreciate the economic value of the port to the city's commercial infrastructure. "We must keep port land in Sydney Harbour for working-harbour activities. It is the lifeblood of the city," Grant Gilfillan, chief executive of the Port Authority of NSW, told the forum. A new, beefed-up independent education authority will have the power to close non-compliant schools and conduct random unannounced inspections in Catholic, private and public schools, in major changes announced by the NSW education minister Adrian Piccoli on Friday. The Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards, known as BOSTES, will be renamed the NSW Education Standards Authority and given enhanced powers to lift school compliance and teacher quality with the ultimate aim of improving student results. Independent schools will be subject to an increased number of random and risk-based audits, and the agency will have the power to formally warn and ultimately deregister any school not meeting regulatory requirements. On teacher standards, the authority's inspectors will be trained in special curriculum areas to conduct classroom observations, in some cases down to the level of detail of ensuring students' workbooks properly reflect the official curriculum. Simon Gittany, who killed his fiancee by throwing her off the balcony of a Sydney high rise apartment block, has lost an appeal to overturn his murder conviction on Friday. He is serving a minimum 18-year sentence for killing former dancer Lisa Harnum, 30, in a jealous rage in July 2011. Simon Gittany was convicted in 2013 of murdering his fiancee Lisa Harnum in 2011. Credit:Ben Rushton All three judges of the NSW Criminal Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal. During a hearing in June, Gittany's barrister, Stephen Odgers, SC, questioned the testimony of ABC producer Joshua Rathmell, the Crown's key witness. Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath has ordered an independent review into the state's youth detention centres after released internal government reports show the alleged mistreatment of children. The government's Ethical Standards unit quarterly reports from Queensland's two youth detention centres, Cleveland Youth Detention Centre and Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, dated between 2010 to 2015, were released under Freedom of Information laws on Thursday. Within the reports were allegations of the mistreatment of children, including CCTV images showing a teenage boy, 17, handcuffed and ankle-cuffed, being restrained on the floor by five guards before being allegedly carried into an isolation cell where his clothes were cut off. Amnesty International, which obtained the 1000-page documents, said the reports showed a "culture of abuse and secrecy going back many years". Brisbane City Council should appoint a third party to assess a development application for a block of units in which it had invested almost $25 million, the council's Labor opposition has demanded. Earlier in the week, the opposition called for Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to resign over the approval of the 90-unit complex, to allow him to pursue a career in property development after the units were approved last October. Brisbane City Council oversaw a development application for this proposed unit block in which it had invested close to $25 million. Credit:Brisbane City Council However, the council-owned City of Brisbane Investment Corporation lodged a subsequent application this month for minor amendments to the approval, including a reduction in three-bedroom units and the addition of two residents' parking spaces. Opposition leader Peter Cumming said the council needed to excuse itself from the approval process, otherwise it could be seen as a case of Caesar judging Caesar. Flu season has hit Queensland in full force but health authorities warn the worst is yet to come. Confirmed influenza cases spiked in the past two weeks over the perennially unhealthy Ekka period, with 40 per cent more cases than a fortnight ago. Weekly influenza notifications in Queensland by type and percentage of positive tests (public laboratory system only) by week and month of testing, 1 January 2016 to 14 August 2016. Data extracted from NOCS and AUSLAB 15 August 2016. Credit:Queensland Health A Toowoomba school will close to more than 1000 students on Monday and Tuesday as it tries to deal with an outbreak. Queensland is leading the nation when it comes to residents catching the disease, with a significantly higher rate of infection than anywhere else in Australia. "If you move something really quickly and then let it go it takes a bit of time to reach an equilibrium state so these are all just small adjustments to get it into a point where the fault will start again to build up some stress on that fault and lock together until it goes again some time in future." Earthquakes occur in Queensland due to the Australian plate moving northward, about seven centimetres a year, and colliding with the Pacific plate. This causes stress to build up, which is released by earthquakes that Mr Bathgate said could not be predicted. "It is something we don't know, we can't predict where it is going to occur or when so at the moment it is just a matter of monitoring the area," he said. "We are sending out some extra monitoring equipment over the next week to deploy on some of the islands and along the coast line to get a better idea of where the activity is occurring and get a better idea of what is causing it." A Queensland woman accused of failing to properly supervise a party where two teens were horribly burned is facing damages claims totalling more than $18 million. Matthew Richards and Paris Turkington were aged 15 and 16 when they were engulfed in flames after an accelerant was poured on a fire at a Toowoomba house party in 2013. Two guests were badly burnt at a Toowoomba house party in 2013. Credit:Gabriele Charotte Mr Richards, who's now 18, says his injuries ended his dream of becoming a physiotherapist, derailed his studies and led to 11 painful operations. He's claiming $6.5 million against the woman's home and contents insurance policy, alleging her supervision of the party was neglectful. Townsville City Council has been scammed of $300,000, meaning an elaborate public tender fraud has now siphoned off more than $750,000 from Queensland councils since July. All Queensland councils, semi-government authorities and government departments are now alert, according to Queensland's Audit Office. Earlier this week Brisbane City Council confirmed ratepayers had been defrauded by scammers targeting the council's garbage contract, siphoning off $450,000 in nine payments since July. By Friday morning it had been confirmed the scam had targeted nine Queensland councils. An Australian technology minnow is turning heads here and around the world with one of the first examples of internet of things (IoT) technology that can improve train travel efficiency and safety. The system, called the Pantograph Collision Detection System (PCDS), is designed to help network operators locate failures in overhead wiring systems rapidly and at lower cost that the current methods they use. As a result, it could also vastly minimise service delays. New technology could help minimise train delays by identifying faults in overhead wires. Credit:Fiona Morris Australian Rail Technology (ART), a rail industry supplier based in Sydney's north, developed the GPS-based system with $15,000 grant from the NSW government. Inventor and ART principal Garry Lougher said that trials of the system on five trains with Sydney Trains had gone well, had been expanded interstate and that some interest was coming in from overseas rail operators. A commuter has described the terrifying moment two men "covered in blood" boarded a bus in Melbourne's east before one man pulled a large knife on the other. Police believe the men had been fighting outside the Wesfield Knox Shopping Centre on Burwood Highway about 4.40pm on Friday. One of them was chased by the other as he ran inside the shopping centre, a police spokeswoman said. Do you know more? Email scoop@theage.com.au Missing Mulgrave teenager Cloe McLeod has been found while police continue to search for Chloe Smith. Cloe was found safe and well on Friday after she was missing for more than two weeks, police announced on social media. Chloe Smith has been missing for more than a week. Credit:Victoria Police However, the search continues for missing teenager Chloe Smith, who was last seen leaving her family home in Mulgrave on August 11. Investigators had previously been exploring the possibility that the two girls could be together. A man who allegedly hailed a cab in Melbourne, assaulted the driver and took off with the taxi, has been charged after he was arrested at Melbourne Airport on Thursday. Police said a 26-year-old Queensland man hailed the taxi in Flinders Lane about 10.30pm Sunday, he then became aggressive and assaulted the cab driver before dragging him out of the taxi. Queensland man who assaulted a taxi driver before stealing his taxi was on the run for several days before being arrested at Melbourne Airport on Thursday. Credit:Angela Wylie The stolen taxi was found dumped on Bendigo-Sutton Grange Road in Harcourt about 6.30am Monday. The taxi driver, a 33-year-old Braybrook man, suffered minor injuries in the assault. Two men have been arrested and charged with drug possession after a dramatic scuffle with police at Broome Airport. Stunned passengers looked on as three officers were required to subdue one of the men. More than $4 million worth of methamphetamine has been seized at Perth Airport. Credit:Kimberley District- WA Police The pair were first identified as persons of interest by Broome detectives as they flew from Perth to Broome on Wednesday evening. As the pair attempted to walk toward the exit, plain clothed officers arrested them under suspicion of possession of prohibited drugs with the intent to sell or supply. WA's jobless rate returned to decade highs of 6.3 per cent in July compared to 5.7 the previous month, in the latest negative economic sign for the state that was until recently the nation's strongest. Western Australia now has the second-highest jobless rate in the country among the eight states and territories, with only South Australia faring worse, with its unemployment falling from 7.0 to 6.4 per cent. Opposition leader Mark McGowan used the figures to attack the state Liberal National government's economic performance. Credit:Bohdan Warchomij The trends are not good for WA, which recorded its highest unemployment in a decade when it breached 6.0 per cent at the start of 2016, double where it was 10 years ago. The figures are also flattered by the fact that the number of WA full-time jobs have been falling for nearly two years, meaning that the number of people in full-time jobs are at near five-year lows. Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified the annexation of Crimea during a 2014 ceremony in Moscow (AFP Photo/Sergei Chirikov) Moscow (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin was on Friday visiting annexed Crimea to boost security measures there, just days after accusing Kiev of attempting an armed incursion into the peninsula. Putin chaired a meeting of his powerful security council in Crimea as he made his fifth visit to the strategic Black Sea peninsula since annexing it from Ukraine in March 2014. "We have gathered because of the well-known incident, after stopping an attempt by Ukrainian army sabotage groups to stage an incursion into Crimean territory," he said during the meeting whose aim was to "discuss and implement additional security measures." Last week, Putin lashed out at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea and Ukraine, accusing it of "practising terror" and sending a group of saboteurs into Crimea ahead of the elections. Two Russian officers were killed in the incident, in which Ukraine denied any involvement. Putin however continued his accusations Friday, saying "our partners in Kiev have decided to exacerbate the situation" because they did not want to uphold their end of the European-brokered truce agreement signed in Belarussian capital Minsk last year. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday said he considered the likelihood of an escalation "high" and could not rule out a "full-scale Russian invasion along all fronts." Kiev said Thursday heavy rebel shelling killed three soldiers in its east, where the government has been battling pro-Russian separatists since 2014. Western leaders have expressed alarm over the possibility of an escalation. Washington: A firm run by Donald Trump's campaign chairman directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favour of the country's pro-Russian government. According to emails obtained by the Associated Press, Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under US federal law. The lobbying included attempts to gain positive press coverage of Ukrainian officials in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press. Another goal: undercutting American public sympathy for Yulia Tymoshenko, the imprisoned rival of Ukraine's then-president Viktor Yanukovych. At the time, European and American leaders were pressuring Ukraine to free her. Facing criticism for some of the donations given to his family's philanthropy, Bill Clinton said on Thursday that the Clinton Foundation would no longer accept foreign or corporate funds should Hillary Clinton win the presidency in November. Clinton's decision, which the former president relayed to foundation employees in a meeting, followed the recent release of State Department emails mentioning several donors to the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation who had contacts with aides to Clinton while she was secretary of state. Foreign nationals and countries are prohibited from donating directly to political campaigns, but have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to the Clinton Foundation, which works globally to combat AIDS/HIV, malaria, childhood obesity and climate change, and promotes women's rights and other causes. The donations had become a lighting rod in Hillary Clinton's campaign against Donald Trump, who has repeatedly implied that foreign donors had corrupted his opponent's tenure as secretary of tate. On Tuesday, the Trump campaign blasted out an editorial in The Boston Globe titled "Clinton Foundation Should Stop Accepting Funds." PHILIPSBURG:--- A decision was taken at the shareholders meeting of the Central Bank on Thursday where the dividends from the Central Bank will be divided and St. Maarten will get its share of NAF.10M confirmed Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr. Minister Gibson said the decision was taken Thursday afternoon. However, he could not give an exact date as to when those monies will reach St. Maarten. The Minister of Finance travelled to Curacao on Wednesday for the shareholders meeting of the Central Bank and also to meet with Curacao Finance Minister. After two-year absence, paralyzed children in Nigeria Millions of doses of vaccine will be given to children in the region. After two years with no reported cases, experts had hoped that the disease was gone from the African continent forever. Now, Nigeria joins Afghanistan and Pakistan on the short list of countries where polio is still actively infecting children. Despite difficult and dangerous social and geographic circumstances, the World Health Organization and other involved groups say efforts to contain the virus will be swift and aggressive. Millions of doses of vaccine, thousands of vaccinators, and the health ministries and militaries of five different countries will be involved in the process. Vaccinations will begin as soon as next week, starting in the two Borno state villages where paralyzed children have been found, and spreading in ever widening circles to include Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. Authorities believe that the virus may have been circulating in the area for some time. Only about one in 200 cases produces paralysis. Sick and disabled children may have been overlooked or lost in the panicky political climate. Until very recently, threats by Boko Haram have made Borno too dangerous for the vaccination teams to travel. The vicious Islamic fundamentalist militia has murdered and kidnapped hundreds. Due to the violence, thousands of Kunari people have been displaced and living in refugee camps. A mobile population is hard to reach, and this particular vaccine requires at least three doses over three or more weeks to be effective. Now, after a prolonged effort by the Nigerian Army in cooperation with neighboring militaries, most villages in the area can be reached, at lest intermittently, and the population is returning home. It is believed that there are at least 200,000 unvaccinated children under 5 in the areas that have been altogether off limits for several years, and countless more in the surrounding areas that may not have been vaccinated. The region is also regularly crossed by the nomadic Fulani people and their cattle. The Fulani rarely visit health clinics, so medic teams try to reach them by travelling to cattle markets or tribal festivals, or by accompanying the veterinarians who tend to the care of the herds. In addition to the polio vaccinations, the medical teams encourage visits to temporary "health camps" by offering prenatal care, vitamins, food, and shots for other diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, and measles. Containment of this outbreak is expected to be easier than the last big outbreak which was in the conservative northwest part of the country, and much easier than the ongoing struggles for containment in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In those places rumors persist, some spread by religious leaders, that the vaccination will sterilize girls, or that it contains pork or the AIDS virus. Polio often leads to paralysis in the legs. This distrust of western medicine has hindered the decades-long effort to eradicate the disease. Since 1988, the world incidence of polio has been reduced by 99%, but holdout areas in the Middle East and Africa have prevented its complete disappearance. Rotary International has led the eradication charge, along with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and, more recently, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Nigeria's Rotary International polio committee is helping to coordinate the current campaign. They report that in Borno both religious leaders and average residents accept the vaccine. The new cases were discovered after the virus was detected in sewage samples. This strain was last seen in Chad, where many of the Nigerian families traveled as refugees, so it likely came to Borno with a returning family. The website's tagline is "Life is short. Have an Affair." The website was hacked in July, 2015 The website's tagline is "Life is short. Have an Affair." The website was hacked in July, 2015 This morning the Hews Media Group broke a story about prominent California legislators and their staff who use the Ashley Madison adultery website, some of them doing so on government time. Ashley Madison is a website that enables married individuals to find partners wishing to have extramarital affairs. The website's tagline is "Life is short. Have an Affair." The website was hacked in July, 2015 by a group calling itself "The Impact Team." The hackers tried to force Ashley Madison to shut its operations by threatening to release the names of its clients and their personally identifying information. When Ashley Madison balked at ceasing business, the hackers released the information of all of the website's 37 million users. 37 million users. Think about that. Unfortunately, the release of email addresses was unusable to journalists who were unable to link the addresses, which could be false, with actual people. However, Hews Media Group hired a programmer to sort through the financial information that had also been released. They were able to match credit card numbers with computer IP addresses and home addresses. Hews Media claims that several prominent officials used the affair-promoting website, including one who ran for LA County Supervisor and another who is now angling for a statewide agency seat. The website's tagline is "Life is short. Have an Affair." The website was hacked in July, 2015 One name Hews Media did release was that of Trent Hager, Chief of Staff to California State Senator Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) and now Adam Gray (D-Merced). Hager is married to Janelle Beland, who works for Governor Jerry Brown. Hager earns a yearly salary of $141,408. According to the Hews Media research, Hager used the adultery website on eleven occasions between September 2013 and May 2014. He made five credit card charges on the site during working hours. In 2014, Hager paid the site's $19 fee to have his information erased (money they should undoubtedly refund him). Hager told Hews Media on August 11, "Here's what I know. My credit card has been hacked 3 times in the last 4 years. The Legislative work hours are 35 hours per week. All employees are entitled to a lunch hour and breaks." Apparently, we are to make of that information what we will to exonerate him. Corey Lequieu will serve 2.5 years in prison on Federal Conspiracy charges Corey Lequieu on guard duty with an assault rifle at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge outside of Burns, according to federal prosecutors. Corey Lequieu has become the first defendant sentenced for the armed takeover the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in January. U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown sentenced Lequieu to 2 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release in the federal conspiracy case. He must also pay restitution, in an amount to be determined later. Lequieu, 46, was the first of the 26 defendants to plead guilty. He admitted to impeding federal employees through intimidation, threats, or force. A conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of six years, but federal prosecutors recommended that Lequieu serve less time as part of a plea agreement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel said the government took under considered the fact that Lequieu was the first in the case to take responsibility for his illegal actions. Gabriel dismissed Lequieu's remaining count of possessing a firearm in a federal facility. Lequieu, of Fallon, Nevada, had ties to the 2014 Cliven Bundy standoff near Bunkerville, Nevada. The government also agreed not to file felon in possession of a firearm charges against Lequieu in either state. Lequieu's defense attorney, Ramon Pagan, told the court that his client was grateful that they reached an agreement without Lequieu agreeing to testify against other defendants in the case. The government had asked that Lequieu's sentencing be pushed back until December, when other defendants in the case will be scheduled for sentencing, so that the victims could make just one trip to Portland to speak about the fear they felt and continue to feel because of the occupation. The workers, employees of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management, couldn't make Lequieu's hearing on Tuesday. Brown decided to move ahead because Lequieu wished to do so. The judge noted that Pagan will no longer be available to represent Lequieu in December because he was recently appointed as a Circuit Court Judge in Washington County. Ten other defendants charged in the case have also pleaded guilty. Gabriel told the court that Lequieu was among a group of protesters, including Jon Ritzheimer and Ryan Bundy, who were first to arrive at the refuge and enter the buildings with weapons on Jan. 2. He jad traveled to Harney County from Nevada in December in preparation for the occupation. Lequieu was clearly seen holding an assault rifle in a video calling for militia members to support the occupation, Gabriel said. He also worked as security for the occupiers and was armed with an assault rifle in that capacity, the government has said. Lequieu has claimed ties to the Nevada and 3 percent militia groups and prosecutors have said that he has made violent threats against the Bureau of Land Management and the FBI. While the government has characterized Lequieu as one of the planners of the takeover, Pagan has said his client didn't play a leadership role. Multnomah County Sheriff Booking mugshot of Corey Lequieu Lequieu left the refuge on January 26 after the FBI and state police arrested Ammon Bundy and other leaders during a stop outside the refuge. He was arrested in Nevada on February 11 and returned to Oregon. In April, U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones declined to release Lequieu from custody pending trial. "You're just too dangerous to let out at this time,'' Jones said at the time. Pagan told the court that before the takeover, his client hadn't recently engaged in criminal behavior and his life was moving in a better direction. Lequieu then asked if the judge could recommend that he serve his time at the federal prison in Sheridan, which is the closest to his Nevada home, making the trip easier for his family and supporters. Brown agreed to make the recommendation, but ultimately, she said, the Federal Bureau of Prisons will decide where he goes. Claim: Products from Pepsi and other major food producers are 'manufactured using the tissue of aborted human babies.' Rating: About this rating False Origin In April 2015, the quack web site Natural News rebeat the drum of a several-year-old contoversy by publishing a misleading article (which was republished by a number of other equally disreputable web sites) holding that major food companies such as Pepsico sell products "manufactured using the tissue of aborted human babies": Every time you purchase mass-produced processed "food" from the likes of Kraft, PepsiCo, or Nestle, you're choosing, whether you realize it or not, to feed your family not only genetically engineered poisons and chemical additives, but also various flavoring agents manufactured using the tissue of aborted human babies. It's true: A company based out of California, known as Senomyx, is in the business of using aborted embryonic cells to test fake flavoring chemicals, both savory and sweet, which are then added to things like soft drinks, candy and cookies. And Senomyx has admittedly partnered with a number of major food manufacturers to lace its cannibalistic additives into all sorts of factory foods scarfed down by millions of American consumers every single day. Other similar articles purport to offer a "List Of Companies Using Fetal Cells From Aborted Babies To Flavour Products." In order to debunk such claims, we need first provide a couple of definitions: Human Embryonic Kidney 293 cells, commonly known as HEK 293, are a specific cell line which, as the name denotes, were derived from the kidney cells of an aborted human embryo in 1972. This cell line is widely used in efforts such as cell biology research and biotechnology/pharmaceutical development. Senomyx is a U.S.-based biotechnology company focused on "discovering and developing innovative flavor ingredients for the food, beverage, and ingredient supply industries," primarily additives that amplify certain flavors and smells in foods A controversy over Senomyx originated with the pro-life organization Children of God for Life back in March 2011, which maintained that Senomyx used HEK 293 in its flavor ingredient development efforts (citing a 2002 paper by company researchers published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences as evidence). That organization called for a boycott of major food companies (including Nestle, Campbell's Soup, Kraft Foods, and PepsiCo) that had partnered with Senomyx: Senomyx website states that "The company's key flavor programs focus on the discovery and development of savory, sweet and salt flavor ingredients that are intended to allow for the reduction of MSG, sugar and salt in food and beverage products ... Using isolated human taste receptors, we created proprietary taste receptor-based assay systems that provide a biochemical or electronic readout when a flavor ingredient interacts with the receptor." Senomyx notes their collaborators provide them research and development funding plus royalties on sales of products using their flavor ingredients. "What they do not tell the public is that they are using HEK 293 human embryonic kidney cells taken from an electively aborted baby to produce those receptors," stated Debi Vinnedge, Executive Director for Children of God for Life, a pro-life watch dog group that has been monitoring the use of aborted fetal material in medical products and cosmetics for years. "They could have easily chosen COS (monkey) cells, Chinese Hamster Ovary cells, insect cells or other morally obtained human cells expressing the G protein for taste receptors," Vinnedge added. It's important to note here that whatever one might think of fetal stem cell research in general, and regardless of whether or not Senomyx uses HEK 293-derived cells in its development efforts neither Pepsi nor any other U.S. food company is manufacturing or selling any consumable products "that are actually made using the cell tissue of unborn babies that were murdered through abortion." What we're talking about here is a cell line derived from a single (healthy, aborted) fetus over forty years ago: claiming that current food products employing flavorings derived from research based on the HEK 293 cell line "are actually made using the cell tissue of unborn babies" is like saying that possessing a digitized image of a photocopy of a picture of a Beethoven manuscript is the same as "owning a document in Beethoven's own handwriting" the original is not present in substance, only in a multi-generational, representational form. CBS News noted such in a mid-2011 report on the Senomyx controversy (which for some reason primarily focused on PepsiCo): [Senomyx] appears to be engineering HEK cells to function like the taste-receptor cells we have in our mouth. This way, Senomyx can test millions of substances to see if they work as different types of taste enhancers without subjecting human volunteers to endless taste tests. To non-scientists this may sound a bit strange, but the reality is that HEK 293 cells are widely used in pharmaceutical research, helping scientists create vaccines as well as drugs like those for rheumatoid arthritis. The difference here is that Senomyx's work for Pepsi is one of the first times the cells have (potentially) been used to create a food or beverage. (And it's important to note that no part of a human kidney cell are ever a part of Senomyx's taste enhancers or any finished food products.) For Debi Vinnedge, who runs the anti-abortion group Children of God for Life, that doesn't matter. "It's the eeew factor. It strikes a really strong reaction in people," she said in an interview. Even though HEK 293 cells trace their origin to a single fetal kidney back in the 1970s everything since has come from cultured cell lines Vinnedge considers their use unethical because it indirectly creates a market for aborted fetuses and encourages scientists to hunt for new embryonic cell lines. She argues that Senomyx could use other, non-fetus-based cell lines, such as those from animals. Science and medicine writer Matthew Herper offered a similar explanation in Forbes: The fetus-derived cell line we're talking about was created around the time I was born. This is 35-year-old technology. And it is widely used in cell biology. And there is no way you'll consume them or that the cells would cause any health problems. The cells, called HEK 293 cells (that stands for human embryonic kidney) were taken from an aborted fetus in the 1970s in the Netherlands. Bits of chopped up DNA from the adenovirus, a virus that causes a pretty severe cold. The kidney cells were forced to take up bits of DNA using a technique invented in 1973 that used a calcium solution. The resulting cells don't act much like human cells at all, but they are very easy to work with and have become workhorses of cellular biology. That's why they're used in the development of drugs and vaccines. No new fetal tissue has been used to keep the cell culture going; the use of this cell line isn't leading to new abortions. A tiny company called Senomyx has been working to use this new technology to create food additives. Senomyx has isolated receptors found on cells that detect taste, and added them to the HEK cells. This allows them to test thousands of potential taste additives to see whether they might taste sweet or savory with a speed that would be impossible with human taste testers. Synomyx has announced collaborations with Pepsi, Nestle, and Coca-Cola. Senomyx themselves were circumspect about publicly addressing the issue of their whether they actually used the HEK 293 cell line in their research, although reporters investigating the subject noted references to HEK 293 in the company's patents. For example, Laine Doss wrote in the Miami New Times that: Asked about the [Children of God for Life's] action alert, Gwen Rosenberg, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications for Senomyx, said, "We don't discuss details of our research, but you won't find anything on our website about HEK293." I asked Rosenberg if Senomyx had a position on stem cell research. "We've never been asked that," she replied, "We don't have a position on anything. We're dedicated to finding new flavors to reduce sugars and reduce salt. Our focus is to help consumers with diabetes or high blood pressure have a better quality of life." Though Rosenberg states there is nothing on the company website linking Senomyx with HEK293, a little Googling turned up a patent issued in 2008 for "Recombinant Methods for Expressing a Functional Sweet Taste Receptor," in which a line item mentions HEK293. And Melanie Warner wrote for CBS News that: Is this claim true? Neither Pepsi nor Senomyx returned calls, so we don't know the companies' side of the story. But a perusal of Senomyx's patents suggests that it may well be. All but 7 of the company's 77 patents refer to the use of HEK 293 (human embryonic kidney) cells, which researchers have used for decades as biological workhorses. In 2010 Senomyx entered into a four-year collaborative agreement to develop sweet enhancers and natural high-potency sweeteners for PepsiCo beverages, but it's unclear whether PepsiCo has ever marketed any food products that include additives (of any kind) developed by Senomyx. It wasn't until March 2014 that Senomyx announced the first fruits of their partnership with PepsiCo, a sweetness-enhancing "flavor modifier" known as Sweetmyx, but we've seen no subsequent announcement that PepsiCo has begun using Sweetmyx, and that additive appears to be a purely synthetic one: Q: How exactly does Sweetmyx work? A: Our tongue's taste receptors work somewhat like pieces of a puzzle. When sugar hits our tongue a molecule of it will connect with a sweet taste receptor, stimulating the nerve pathway and creating the sensation of sweet. Sweetmyx hijacks that pathway by agitating and exciting that sweet taste receptor with another chemical that works when it's in the presence of sugar. So in a way, it increases your receptors sensitivity to sweet taste sensations. Q: Is Sweetmyx natural? A: Although Senomyx has both "natural" and artificial flavoring additives in their pipeline, from what I've been able to surmise, S617 (the company's moniker for Sweetmyx) is not a naturally derived sweetness enhancer. It appears to be artificially synthesized from chemicals. Pepsi's official response to the Senomyx issue was to point inquirers to their Responsible Research Statement, which stated that "PepsiCo's research processes and those of our partners are confidential for competitive reasons. However, PepsiCo does not conduct or fund research that utilizes any human tissue or cell lines derived from human embryos." We contacted the Media Relations department at PepsiCo and posed some specific questions to them about their relationship with Senomyx but received only non-specific answers in response: PepsiCo has a relationship with Senomyx to help us reduce sugar in future products. Senomyx does not provide ingredients to PepsiCo, nor does it manufacture PepsiCo products. Senomyx is required to abide by our responsible research statement for any work they conduct for PepsiCo. As with each of our research partners, Senomyx is also required to meet all relevant industry and government regulatory standards in the work it performs for PepsiCo. We can't speak on behalf of another company or address speculation about work involving other companies. Senomyx did not respond to our request for additional information. The Trade Desk, Inc. Welcomes Kate Falberg to Its Board of Directors LOS ANGELES, CA (Marketwired) 08/18/16 The Trade Desk, Inc., a global technology platform for buyers of advertising, today announced that Kate Falberg has joined its board of directors. Falberg, who began her career in technology, held the role of CFO at fellow Ventura County company Amgen and most recently served as CFO for Jazz Pharmaceuticals in Palo Alto, California. Falberg currently serves as a Board Member for technology and biotechnology companies BioMarin, Medivation, Aimmune Therapeutics and aTyr Pharma. Ive known Kate for nearly 10 years, and am humbled and honored to have her join our board of directors at The Trade Desk, said Jeff Green, CEO. Kates deep experience as a company officer and a member of other high growth company boards makes her counsel invaluable. Im delighted to be working with her again. Im immensely thrilled to join Jeff and the leadership at The Trade Desk as a member on their board of directors, Falberg said. I first came to know Jeff when he sold AdECN to Microsoft, which was a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to his vision and stewardship of the business. Its been a joy to watch him grow The Trade Desk over these past few years, and Im so pleased to join him in steering the companys global charter. Falberg served in several executive roles at Amgen including head of strategy and CFO from 1995 to the early 2000s, which were years of rapid growth and shareholder value creation as Amgens market value rose nine-fold to $75 billion. Prior to that, Ms. Falberg spent ten years with Applied Magnetics Corporation, a computer components company listed on the NYSE, with over 10,000 employees and manufacturing operations in Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. More recently, she has served as a Board Member and Audit Committee Chair for several companies, primarily in the life sciences industry. Falberg holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from UCLA, is a CPA (inactive), and a UCLA Certified Director. The Trade Desk is a technology company that empowers buyers of advertising. The Trade Desk provides a self-service platform that enables ad buyers to manage data-driven digital advertising campaigns using their own teams across various advertising formats, including display, video, and social, and on a multitude of devices, including computers, mobile devices, and connected TV. Headquartered in Ventura, Calif., The Trade Desk has offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Alexis Roberts Blast PR for The Trade Desk 805-886-8511 This Article Covers Car Insurance Quote Ottawa And Planning Summer Road Trip Mark Neuman Insurance Agency Inc. has published a new article entitled 5 Tips To Planning The Best Summer Road Trip In Ontario, which sheds light on the most important aspects of planning a road trip in Ontario. People who are serious about summer road trip preparation and getting the best car insurance or auto insurance coverage in Ontario can view the full article at [https://www.facebook.com/notes/mark-neuman-insuran](https://www.facebook.com/notes/mark-neuman-insurance-agency-inc/5-tips-to-planning-the-best-summer-road-trip-in-ontario/1131732290217157) The article includes several interesting pieces of information, one in particular is Tip #1 Take Some Time To Plan Your Route. This should be of particular interest to Home insurance, Car insurance, Life insurance and Business Insurance seekers because Just like auto insurance, before you hit the open read, make sure you have a plan in place to avoid road closure, construction and being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic or trying to backtrack to where you made that wrong turn before you head out.. One of the most important piece of information the article tries to convey and communicate its always best to make a few plans, and to make sure your car is in top shape before you head out to ensure safe summer road trip and everything that you need on the open road. . The best example of this is perhaps found in the following extract: Just like auto insurance, home insurance or life insurance, to make your road trip as carefree as possible, its best to make a few plans, and to make sure your car is in top shape. In discussing the articles creation, Mark Neuman, CEO / Founder at Mark Neuman Insurance Agency Inc in Ottawa Ontario. said: When it comes to getting the best quote on insurance, we understand that many families have a long list of financial obligations to meet, rest assured, my team and I will be looking for every discount we can offer you to get the best competitive rate on your auto insurance. . Regular readers of Mark Neuman Insurance Agency Inc. will notice the article takes a familiar tone, which has been described as wildly entertaining and fun article to read. Mark Neuman Insurance Agency Inc. now welcomes comments and questions from readers, in relation to the article. We welcome comments from people who have a strong interest on insurance. The reason is simply because this because this is the best way to ignite the most productive discussion on auto insurance Ottawa, car insurance in Ottawa and summer trip. Anyone who has a specific question about a past, present, or future article can contact Mark Neuman Insurance Agency Inc. via their website at https://neumaninsurance.ca or [https://www.markneuman.ca](https://www.markneuman.ca/) The complete article is available to view in full at https://www.facebook.com/notes/mark-neuman-insurance-agency-inc/5-tips-to-planning-the-best-summer-road-trip-in-ontario/1131732290217157. What you need to know about Powerball and the $825 million jackpot Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city. Never miss a Swansea story with our daily newsletter Sign up to comment on our stories here Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea NASA's R5 robot, also called Valkyrie, is the target of a new competition that puts its virtual alter ego to work repairing a simulated Mars habitat. NASA is offering $1 million to teams that can coax a virtual robot through tricky tasks to save a simulated habitat on Mars. The robot, based on NASA's Robonaut 5 (R5, also known as Valkyrie), will have to repair the habitat after a dust storm by aligning a communications dish and fixing a solar array and habitat leak, all while dealing with a delay in communication like the real one from Earth to Mars. The contest is a partnership with Space Center Houston and the innovation consultant organization NineSigma. "Precise and dexterous robotics, able to work with a communications delay, could be used in spaceflight and ground missions to Mars and elsewhere for hazardous and complicated tasks, which will be crucial to support our astronauts," Monsi Roman, program manager of NASA's Centennial Challenges, said in a statement. "NASA and our partners are confident that the public will rise to this challenge, and are excited to see what innovative technologies will be produced." Robots like R5 could one day explore new territory before humans can, help them on their long interplanetary journeys, conduct preliminary scientific research and take care of habitats once humans leave, officials said in the statement. Teams can register for the Space Robotics Challenge now, and enter a qualifying round running from mid-September to mid-November. Finalists, announced in December, will be able to do practice rounds up until the final competition, which will be held virtually in June 2017. The successful software developed during the competition can be used with R5 and also earlier robots, such as Robonaut 2, which was sent to the International Space Station in 2011. The contest is a part of NASA's Centennial Challenges program, which encourages innovation and technological advances for spaceflight through open competitions. You can read more about the challenge and registration here: https://www.nasa.gov/spacebot/. Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The total solar eclipse of March 8 to 9, 2016, reaches totality in this still image from a NASA webcast from Woleai Island in Micronesia. Aug. 21, 2017, is a red-letter day for eclipse enthusiasts. On that date, the sun will be partially eclipsed over an immense area that includes all of North America, the northern third of South America, much of the eastern Pacific Ocean (including the Hawaiian Islands), virtually all of the north Atlantic Ocean and a slice of western Europe. For much of the United States, at least 80 percent of the sun's diameter will be eclipsed by the passing new moon. Some eclipse chasers have billed it as the "Great American Total Solar Eclipse." And a total eclipse will be visible along a narrow track that runs diagonally from northwest to southeast across the Lower 48 the first such event that's visible for this part of the world since February 1979. It will also be the first time that the path of a total solar eclipse will go coast to coast across the U.S. since 1918. [Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It] Although many people have viewed a total eclipse of the moon, few have been lucky enough to see a total solar eclipse. In the 21st century, total eclipses of the sun occur on an average of once every 17.6 months, but they're often only visible over open water or from sparsely populated areas. Indeed, Americans under the age of 40 who have never ventured outside of the country have never witnessed a total solar eclipse. Since 1960, just three such events have been visible from the U.S. mainland on July 20, 1963, March 7, 1970 and Feb. 26, 1979. But at long last, next summer, this greatest of celestial roadshows will be coming to a sky near you. Map showing the path of totality for the "Great American total solar eclipse" of Aug. 21, 2017. (Image credit: Fred Espenak/NASA GSFC) The path of the moon's shadow This August 2017 eclipse will have a potential viewing audience of at least 12 million people who already happen to live within the totality path. However, about 220 million people live within a one-day drive (about 500 miles, or 800 kilometers) of the totality zone. At local sunrise on Aug. 21, 2017, the dark umbral shadow of the moon will first touch Earth at a point in the North Pacific, about 1,500 miles (2,400 km) northwest of Hawaii. And then, for the next 193 minutes, the shadow will first head east-northeast, then east and finally southeast, darkening a narrow strip of North America along the way. For the first 28 minutes, the shadow will only touch open ocean. The shadow will make its first landfall along the coast of Oregon at Yaquina Head, a headland extending into the Pacific Ocean north of Newport. As it traverses the United States, the total eclipse will be visible within a path of darkness stretching from Oregon through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and finally South Carolina. The path will average 67 miles (108 km) in width, but it will widen to a maximum of 71 miles (114 km) while moving through western Kentucky, about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of the town of Hopkinsville (population 3,000). Because the moon's shadow will be moving at a tremendous speed, totality will not last very long in any one place. The duration of the total phase is always longest along the center of the shadow's path; as one moves away from the center, the duration of totality time decreases, becoming zero along the path's edges. [Solar Eclipses: An Observer's Guide (Infographic)] At the Oregon coastline, totality lasts less than 2 minutes, as the shadow will be traveling at more than three times the speed of sound (2,400 mph, or 3,860 km/h). Heading southeast along the center line, the totality time slowly lengthens, reaching a maximum of 2 minutes and 40.2 seconds at a spot in southern Illinois about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of the city of Carbondale. The shadow will slow to 1,450 mph (2,330 km/h) as it moves through the Tennessee Valley, and then speed up; subsequently, the duration of totality will begin to diminish. Indeed, when the eclipse arrives at the South Carolina coastline, the duration of totality will have dropped to 2 minutes and 34 seconds. The shadow then exits out to sea, finally leaving Earth 75 minutes later at local sunset in the North Atlantic Ocean, 390 miles (628 km) southwest of the island nation of Cape Verde. Notable cities that fortuitously find themselves inside the totality path include Idaho Falls; Casper, Wyoming; Lincoln, Nebraska; Columbia, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina. The metropolitan areas of Kansas City and St. Louis straddle the southern and northern edges of the totality path, respectively. A number of cities and towns lie just outside of the totality zone, and their residents will see the sun cut down to an exceedingly thin sliver of light. These include Portland, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; and Knoxville, Tennessee. But a partial solar eclipse pales in comparison to a total one, even when more than 99 percent of the sun's disc is obscured. The great show can only begin at the moment when the last speck of sunlight is extinguished. On the edge! Earlier, I said that 12 states lie within the eclipse path, but to be more precise, there are actually 14; the shadow will also give glancing blows to two other states. About 5.4 square miles (14 square km) of the southernmost tip of Montana's largest county, Beaverhead, will be tucked just inside the northern limit of totality, providing up to 50 seconds of total eclipse. And an even tinier plot of land 0.7 square miles (1.8 square km) in the extreme southwest corner of Iowa's Freemont County will be barely nicked by the shadow's northern edge; there, totality will last up to about 30 seconds. And if you live in either Kansas City or St. Louis, you'll want to know where the boundary line will run between a 99.9 percent partial eclipse and the far grander spectacle of a total eclipse. In Kansas City, the southern edge of totality lies very near to the Central Avenue Viaduct Bridge in the Central Industrial District; the farther north you go, the longer the duration of totality. Totality will last longest in the neighborhood of Ferrelview, with a duration of about 2 minutes. In St. Louis, the northern edge of totality runs close to the Hi-Pointe and Forest Park South East neighborhoods; heading south will lengthen the time of total eclipse. Totality will last longest in Patch, the southern tip of the historic Carondelet neighborhood, with a duration that's close to 80 seconds. [Incredible Solar Eclipse View Shot During Alaska Airlines Flight (Video)] The table below provides local circumstances for 21 cities that are within the path of totality. For each location, it gives the local daylight time (LDT) of the beginning of the partial phase (First Contact), the start of totality and its duration (Dur.) and the altitude (Alt.) of the sun above the horizon at midtotality. Finally, there's the end of the partial stage (Last Contact). "P.A." is the position angle of the point where the sun's and moon's discs touch. It is measured clockwise around the sun's edge from 0 degrees at the north point of the disc. Hence, the value 42 degrees for Yaquina Head means that the first "bite" out of the sun will appear in the upper right part of the solar disc. Weather prospects To help observers pick the best opportunity for cloudless skies on Aug. 21, 2017, many experts are scrutinizing climatological records in and near the path of totality. Climatological cloud amounts are consulted only because there are no reliable alternatives. Unfortunately, meteorological weather forecasts for eclipse day are not possible more than a week or so ahead of time. The best probabilities of clear skies for eclipse viewing appear to be in the region running from western Oregon through Wyoming, where, on average, the odds for fair skies are on the order of about 70 to 80 percent. Going farther east, the odds gradually diminish; across the Piedmont plateau to the Atlantic coast, it appears to be just about a coin toss: 50-50, except perhaps less than 50 percent for people in the western mountains of North Carolina and the coastal plain of South Carolina. People living around the immediate Pacific coast of Oregon, with its gusty onshore winds and frequent bouts of low cloud and fog, appear to have the lowest odds of seeing the eclipsed sun probably only around 40 percent. Regardless of where you plan to be, staying mobile to dodge cloud cover will always enhance your chances. Space.com will be providing more details about the "Great American Eclipse" in the coming months. But for now, be sure that when you get a 2017 calendar, you put a big red circle around Aug. 21! Editor's Note: This coming Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. EDT, Space.com Night Sky columnist Joe Rao will be giving a special presentation at New York's Hayden Planetarium titled, "Countdown to Totality." Joe will detail all the specifics concerning next year's big solar sky show and, utilizing Hayden's state-of-the-art Zeiss IX planetarium projector, will attempt to replicate the sights and sounds that accompany an actual total eclipse of the sun. Full details can be found here: http://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/adults/hayden-planetarium-programs/astronomy-live-countdown-to-totality Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, the Farmer's Almanac and other publications, and he is also an on-camera meteorologist for News 12 Westchester, N.Y. Follow us@Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. It's relatively common to find debris from rocket launches in the waters off Cape Canaveral in Florida, but divers exploring the seabed recently uncovered artifacts from an age of exploration long before America's space program: 22 cannons and a marble monument in what they think are three 16th-century Spanish shipwrecks. The finds include three ornate bronze cannons two that are 10 feet (3 meters) long and one that is 7 feet (2 m) long and the marble monument, engraved with the coat of arms of the king of France, which has been identified from the manifest of a 1562 expedition to Florida by the French navigator and colonialist Jean Ribault. Robert Pritchett, chief executive of the Florida-based company Global Marine Exploration, which explored the wrecks in May and June, told Live Science that it was initially thought that the newfound wrecks might include Ribault's two "lost ships," which sank during a storm in 1565, a few years after the voyage from France. [See Photos of the Colonial-Age Shipwrecks Found Off Cape Canaveral] But records showed that the bronze cannons and monument from Ribault's expedition were installed at Fort Caroline, an early French Huguenot colony on the St. Johns River, in what is now Jacksonville, Florida. In 1565, the cannons and monument were seized in a Spanish raid, "so [the monument] would not be on a French ship if it was removed by the Spanish," Pritchett said. Instead, Pritchett thinks these items were being carried away from Florida as booty on Spanish ships, bound for Havana, Cuba, when they were struck by a storm that banished them to the seafloor. The remains of the three colonial-age ships were found across a wide "scatter field" of debris on the seafloor about 4 miles (6 kilometers) long and about a half mile (0.8 km) wide, along with the remains of a later shipwreck that is thought to be from the 1800s, Pritchett said. Divers discovered the shipwrecks during a marine survey of the area in late September 2015 using underwater magnetometer equipment that allowed them to locate metal items lying beneath the seabed. This engraving from a painting by a member of Ribaults expedition, Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues, shows the monument in place beside the St. Johns River in Florida, where it was erected in 1562 to mark the French claim to the territory. (Image credit: Jacques Le Moyne des Morgues/Public Domain) In addition to the three bronze cannons and the marble monument, the divers found 19 iron cannons, 12 anchors, a stone grinding wheel, and scattered ballast and ammunition from the ships, Pritchett said. The markings on one of the bronze cannons indicate that it was cast in the 1540s, during the reign of King Henry II of France, he added. Rocket graveyard Pritchett explained that his company had permits from the state of Florida to explore seven areas off the coast of Cape Canaveral, where the wrecks were found an area littered with debris from rocket test launches at the U.S. Air Force base at Cape Canaveral, southeast of NASA's Kennedy Space Center. "We've found hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of U.S. Air Force rockets that they were testing from 1948 forwards, and also shrimp boats, airplane engines, airplanes, " Pritchett said. "We have found some of the actual rocket engines, and lots of rocket tubes some of these things are 30, 40 feet long," he said. "Some are sticking halfway out on the surface, or sticking straight up out of the sand there are literally thousands of them out there. We GPS and photograph everything we find, and we turn that stuff over to the U.S. Air Force, because one day, it will be valuable to someone for a historical reason." The area containing the colonial-age wrecks is in shallow water, and the conditions on the seabed changed from day to day, he said. [Shipwrecks Gallery: Secrets of the Deep] "The sea there is shallow, 15 to 25 feet [4.5 to 8 m], and the sand shifts a lot out there, " he said. "So the cannons could be covered by 3 feet [0.9 m] of sand, or they could be covered by 8 feet [2.4 m] of sand it's different every time the wind blows." Looter danger For now, the cannons and the marble monument remain with the other debris of the wrecks on the seafloor, until Florida authorities approve a permit for Pritchett's company to recover the artifacts, Pritchett said. "We've been letting the state [of Florida] know that these artifacts are at the jeopardy of looters, and of the weather," he said. "These cannons are worth over a million dollars apiece so if looters could find out the location, then a piece of history is gone forever, because it's going to be sold on the black market." Pritchett thinks the marble monument may be worth many times that amount, as "the only one of its kind and probably the most significant piece of maritime history that's ever been found on the entire East Coast of the United States," he added. The monument, which is in the shape of a coat of arms set atop a pillar, is about 3 feet high and 2 feet (0.6 m) wide, "exactly the way it is described in the original records," Pritchett said, and decorated with fleur-de-lis symbols a stylized flower used in heraldry by French royalty and the crown of the king of France. Pritchett said more information about the origin of the wrecks will have to wait until archaeologists on the surface can study them. "It's a mystery at this point, and until we bring all these items up and study them, we're not going to know a lot more about them only what we know from the little bit of research in the water that we've been able to do," Pritchett said. "But right now, we're waiting on the state of Florida." Original article on Live Science. The CARE II experiment launched on Sept. 16, 2015 and set a world record for most rocket engines used in a single flight. NASA and the Naval Research Lab have set a world record for the highest number of rocket engines used on a single flight: a total of 44 engines, which flew on a sounding rocket last year. On Sept. 16, 2015, a Black Brant rocket carried an experiment to study "dusty plasmas": an electrically charged mixture of gas and bits of dust that can occur naturally in the mesosphere (the region of the atmosphere about 30 to 50 miles, or 50 to 80 kilometers, above the surface). Thirty-seven rocket engines were used to create an exhaust cloud for the experiment. Three engines were used to launch the rocket, and the remaining four were used as spin motors to control its position. The experiment, called the Charged Aerosol Release Experiment II (CARE II), was led by Paul Bernhardt of the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C. NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia oversaw the development of the experiment hardware. "Being recognized by Guinness World Records for this achievement is icing on the cake for the entire team. To successfully carry out this mission required great planning from everyone involved," said Phil Eberspeaker, NASA's office chief for the sounding rocket program, in a statement. The mission lasted about 10 minutes and flew as high as the ionosphere, about 186 miles above Earth. Scientists were able to create the dusty plasma by injecting aluminum oxide dust particles (among other compounds) into the ionosphere, where the dust was charged and created plasma particles moving at hypersonic velocities. Instruments on the rocket detected disturbances in the ionosphere and relayed the information back to scientific radars on the ground. NASA isn't expected to break the record again soon, but Chuck Brodell, vehicle manager of the sounding rocket program, left a small window of hope open. "You never know what's down the pike," he said in the same statement. Follow Elizabeth Howell @howellspace, or Space.com @Spacedotcom. We're also on Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. 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Despite this, there are still people here who could leave Libya, but choose to stay because they are determined to save their country. People like the student leader who organizes an international book swap each year. Or the human rights expert who dispatches stoic reports about abuse of migrants and private torture chambers to Human Rights Watch and journalists. Fifty-six-year-old Prime Minister Sarraj, an architect, is one of these people. His father had been a minister during the times of the monarchy, before Gadhafi came to power in 1969. Sarraj himself had been a member of parliament in Tobruk. The UN and Libya's international partners appointed him as prime minister specifically because he isn't closely aligned with any group, he has no criminal background and because he appears to be entirely free of corruption. All these factors are simultaneously strengths and weaknesses, because Sarraj appears to be independent, but also lacks a strong connection to the people he is supposed to be governing. Nor has he been elected in any election or vote by parliament. Sarraj receives two editors from SPIEGEL to conduct an interview at a navy base. Pictures of sea battles are hanging all over the place, images of things that are burning or exploding. What will happen to Libya? Will the country disintegrate into two or more parts that will be forever at war with each other because they all want power over Libya's oil? Will it become a second Somalia controlled by pirates, thieves and jihadists? Or will Prime Minister Sarraj succeed in establishing a conciliatory dialogue that can result in rebuilding Libya into a normal country? SPIEGEL: Mr. Prime Minister, are you really the right man to lead Libya? Sarraj: It would be better if you posed this question to the people of Libya -- they are qualified to answer it. The situation here is complicated, and when I was appointed chairman of the Libyan presidency council, I was in any case ready to accept the assignment. We are hoping for support, both locally and internationally. SPIEGEL: It is said that you are a good listener, that you're well educated, that you're not corrupt and, if we may say so, that you're a pleasant man. Will you be taken seriously in a country as armed and brutal as Libya? Sarraj: The Libyans have experienced a great deal of unrest and difficulties during the past five years, as well as a delicate security situation. They need a bit of peace and reflection. SPIEGEL: You don't have any apparatus of power -- you don't even have the power base to govern in Tripoli, not to mention the east. We're sitting here at a naval base at the port, and you are relying on a militia to provide you with protection. Do you have any connection to your people whatsoever? Sarraj: This here was our first stop when we arrived in Tripoli in the spring. The new seat of government for the prime minister is now located in the original government building. We work there often. But now and then we get a longing for the naval base. SPIEGEL: It offers a great view of the sea. Sarraj: (Laughs.) The sea air! And seriously: I meet with the people often. SPIEGEL: Do you feel safe? Sarraj: Most of the time. SPIEGEL: There haven't been any attempted attacks yet? Sarraj: No, as we Arabs say: Whether you live or die lies in the hands of God. One should not have too much fear. SPIEGEL: So you still consider the probability of terrorist attacks to be very likely? Sarraj: The threats will increase as a result of our fight against terrorism, but we have to play our role and take responsibility in this battle. That is our fate. SPIEGEL: When you traveled in a ship from Tunis to Tripoli in March, to get started with the business of governing, you had the support of the people. Unfortunately, that backing is now dwindling because the situation is so difficult and unstable. Why can't you offer your people more? Sarraj: I didn't take office until March 30, 2016. We were immediately confronted with numerous problems that were produced by former governments and the old regime, not by us. We have a difficult environment here and no financial resources. Oil exports have stopped. The government has no revenues. SPIEGEL: No taxes, nothing? Sarraj: No. We have been working here for months without a budget. We first got access to a small amount of resources two weeks ago that we have been able to pass along to the ministries, making a few things easier. SPIEGEL: How much money? Sarraj: 1.5 billion Libyan dinar. SPIEGEL: That would have been worth just under a billion euros in 2009, but the value of the dinar is falling. Sarraj: Anyone who is familiar with economics knows that this is not enough to enable a country to function -- particularly in a postwar situation in which there is so much damage all across the country. SPIEGEL: Where will you start with rebuilding? Sarraj: Everywhere at once, but of course it won't happen quickly enough for the people anywhere. Sometimes we are only able to mitigate the impact of the problems, not solve them. SPIEGEL: No, the problems actually seem to be getting bigger right now. Sarraj: Let's take electricity as an example. The war and the lack of maintenance and repairs have triggered a mechanical crisis that has in turn resulted in many power plant outages. Foreign firms had to leave the country because of the security situation. There were no replacement parts. And the demand increased. SPIEGEL: Through flight and migration? Sarraj: That too. But also because of the summer heat. In any case, we contacted numerous companies, including Siemens, in order to get the plants working again. SPIEGEL: Was it successful? Sarraj: Yes, an improvement will soon be felt by the people. Or look at the liquidity crisis: It was created because oil exports, already hit by falling prices, fell to a minimal level and because citizens and businesspeople pulled close to 24 billion dinar out of the banks. The banks almost collapsed. SPIEGEL: What are you doing to counteract this? Sarraj: We have contacted the two central banks in order to solve the problem. During Ramadan, we supported businesspeople both financially and in terms of easing imports so that prices wouldn't continue to climb. We also printed dinar abroad. SPIEGEL: Young men continue to join the militias. Schools and universities are open, but there is no work. Sarraj: We only have a limited number of jobs that can be offered in the public sector. In order to create jobs, we need an economic upswing, and for that to happen, we need to recommence our oil exports. They are the decisive motor for our economy. SPIEGEL: Do you have a plan for the rebuilding the economy? Sarraj: The presidency council and I have ordered the resumption of oil exports and the repair of the important ports. Once the country has revenue streams again, we will carry out infrastructure projects, build the factories and revive trade. SPIEGEL: You have little support and likely little time. Why aren't you acting more assertively? Why don't you leave it to the two central bank chiefs in the east and west to solve the money problem together? Why aren't you initiating a national dialogue under your auspices with the true ruling powers -- the men with the weapons? Sarraj: Don't underestimate us -- we have done a lot. There have been meetings with the two central bank heads in Bayda in the east and here in Tripoli and even in Tunis, because we want to unite the central banks. These efforts are ongoing. Unfortunately, the political tensions between east and west are casting a shadow over these talks. SPIEGEL: How was Islamic State able to become so strong in Libya? Sarraj: The reason is that there was a security vacuum in Libya after 2011. SPIEGEL: You mean the lack of police, military and a functioning civil society after Gadhafi's toppling? Sarraj: Yes. We often pointed this out to the world, but nobody listened. No one gave us support. Today our youth are fighting bravely against Islamic State, but IS remains an international problem. SPIEGEL: Is the West listening to you now? Sarraj: We are exchanging views. We have received support from the United States, which helped a lot. We still need logistical support. We need the lifting of sanctions against our armed forces that are fighting against IS. And it is enormously important that the West take in our injured. We have no medicines and our hospitals aren't in working order. We all have a shared responsibility for these young men who are fighting for our cause. SPIEGEL: Many countries have so far pursued their own interests in Libya. Sarraj: I cannot speak to the past, but since we have been in office, the United States has been helping to overcome the crisis and in the fight against terrorism. The Americans are supporting our military in the battle against Islamic State in Sirte with airstrikes. There is also contact with Saudi Arabia -- I was there and they pledged to promote the process of national reconciliation. SPIEGEL: Your government has not yet been officially recognized by the eastern part of the country, and many consider you to be a puppet of the West. How is that supposed to work? Sarraj: By changing it. There is no problem between us and the parliament in the east -- the problems exist within the parliament in Tobruk. So far, the confidence vote to legitimize the government has been obstructed there. We have done everything conceivable: When our first government was criticized for being too large, we offered to create a significantly smaller one. To date, the parliament in Tobruk has neither rejected that nor agreed to it. Supporters of the government were driven to keep silent with threats. Can I use this interview to make an appeal? SPIEGEL: We're listening. Sarraj: The parliament in Tobruk needs to finally allow the decisive session to take place, so that members of parliament can exercise their democratic right and express their view of the government. Libya needs progress, not a blockade. SPIEGEL: Who do you blame for the blockade? Sarraj: The problem is the continual obstruction of this session and parliament's disappearance from the political stage. We were forced, here in Tripoli, to ask our ministers to start their work without official recognition from parliament. SPIEGEL: You are avoiding mentioning the name of Khalifa Hafter, the east's military leader and a man who would like to have your position. General Hafter is the one preventing any kind of unity. Sarraj: Now we've arrived at a minefield. I've visited Mr. Hafter in his office, and we had a discussion. We told him that he should recognize the presidency council and that the military leadership must be subordinate to the political leadership. SPIEGEL: How do you intend to prevail? Sarraj: The insistence of the military leadership under General Hafter that it is not subordinate is a serious problem. The parliament in Tobruk has rejected this subordination, even though they had agreed to it in the Skhirat accord in Morocco. Now, unfortunately, we are back at the beginning of the dialogue. SPIEGEL: What does Hafter require in exchange for him becoming cooperative? Would half the country be enough? Sarraj: We cannot live in a country in which the military and political leaderships are working separately and against each other. Mr. Hafter and Mr. Agila Saleh Essa, the head of the parliament, need to allow the decisive session of parliament to take place. SPIEGEL: Doesn't Libya need to be split anyways because of the endless conflicts? An arrangement of three states -- Misrata, Benghazi and the south -- under a central political government, would also be conceivable. Sarraj: That is all unrealistic. The future of Libya lies in the hands of the people, not in those of the politicians or the military. And the Libyans believe that Libya is a single entity -- and the political elites should realize that they must forge ahead with the Libyan Unity project. Today's government exists for everybody -- in the east, the west and the south. SPIEGEL: What will you do if Islamic State is defeated in Sirte, the Misratis want to keep the city -- and then General Hafter rejects this? The next civil war could unfold there. Sarraj: I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our heroes. I value their willingness to sacrifice themselves in order to free our country from terrorism. I plea to God that he take mercy on our martyrs. SPIEGEL: Will you answer our question? Sarraj: My answer: We are all Libyans. We do not accept that parallel illegitimate institutions act outside of our agreement. We will not stop calling for them to overcome this country's division. If Libyans are not united, we will not be able to achieve the goals of our people. And I'm not worried about Sirte: The inhabitants of Sirte, who were forced to flee, will return and rebuild the city. The city has a tradition, and Sirte is no vacuum -- one cannot wrest it from the citizens. SPIEGEL: Libya is a rich country. What went so fundamentally wrong after Gadhafi's fall? Sarraj: Many decisions would have been easy to implement right after the revolution, easier than today. Back then the weapons of the youths and all of the other fighters could have been collected. If there had been explanations, goals and opportunities, it would have worked. But nobody did it. Militias were founded, there were many militias and that led to today's situation. SPIEGEL: What mistakes did the West make? Sarraj: Shortly after the revolution, the West abandoned Libya. The country stood alone with its economic, societal and political problems. SPIEGEL: You mean that Libya could have used nation-building, or reconstruction aid or at the very least attention? Sarraj: Yes, after decades of dictatorship and a violent revolution, that's only natural. SPIEGEL: Now Europe is struggling with the refugee crisis. Do you sense this has made the West more understanding? Sarraj: It has gotten better lately. The West is trying to understand and help Libya. Illegal migration creates problems for Libya as it does for the West. But above all else it's a humanitarian catastrophe for all of those who are fleeing and for their families. The crisis has three dimensions: a humanitarian one, a financial one and a criminal one. Libya is a bridge to the West for migrants and smugglers. Unfortunately, our southern area, the desert, is open, and the borders there are open. SPIEGEL: Is Libya doing everything it possibly can in this crisis? Sarraj: We have built up good relations with our neighboring countries, and we are working on borders with joint controls. Our view is that people who are caught should be sent back to their countries of origin. We cannot be their home, because of our unstable situation we cannot take them in. SPIEGEL: The man who is possibly the biggest human trafficker in Libya lives in Sabratha. It is believed that he smuggles at least one-third of all migrants coming to Europe, or around 50,000 per year. Sarraj: These kinds of networks are bigger than individuals -- they exist in Libya but also in neighboring countries and in Europe. We are talking with Germany, Italy, the EU. We will lead the fight together in order to save the refugees and beat the smugglers. SPIEGEL: Do you also expect more engagement on this issue from Europe? Sarraj: Yes, there are two levels of cooperation. One is that the Europeans should apply pressure on the surrounding countries in the south. On Chad, Niger, Mali. So that the border controls work and are taken seriously. The border soldiers on both sides require training. And as for Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean: We hope that the Europeans will modernize and support our navy, so that it can play its role. It is very weak. SPIEGEL: Why does an architect become a prime minister? Sarraj: That's difficult to answer. I was asked. It's an experience, that I can tell you. SPIEGEL: You couldn't have said "no"? Sarraj: I couldn't. It's a national duty. By the way, I have endurance, and the architect's way of thinking can be useful when it comes to finding political solutions. SPIEGEL: How so? Sarraj: Purposeful planning. Exactitude. SPIEGEL: Will you wage a look into the future: Is Libya more likely to develop in the direction of Somalia or in the direction of, let's say, Italy. Sarraj: We will not become like Somalia. SPIEGEL: What kind of Libya would you like to leave behind for your successor? Sarraj: A secure and stable one, a prosperous one in which the people smile once again; our people have suffered very much and have a right to prosperity and security. One with better relationships to its neighbors, one in which the state functions and has the sole right to the use of force. One that is free of the Islamic State and one that has a self-evident place in the international community. SPIEGEL: Mr. Prime Minister, we thank you for this interview. Dar Es-Salam (Tanzania) , August 19, 2016 (SPS) -The president of the United Republic of Tanzania John Pombe Magafuli reiterated, Wednesday, his countrys strong support to the Sahrawi peoples just fight and their legitimate right to freedom and independence. The Tanzanian president also expressed his support to the Sahrawi peoples inalienable right to the self-determination referendum, after receiving the special envoy of the president of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) Bachir Mustapha Moustapha Sayed. The Sahrawi Presidents envoy delivered a message to the president of the United Republic of Tanzania, from his counterpart, Brahim Ghali. Over the past few days, Bachir has been on a tour in some African countries to inform them on the latest developments on the issue of Western Sahara, according to the source. SPS 125/090/7000 This year, five Barenbrug marketed ryegrasses and one clover variety have achieved acclaimed 1st Choice status. In addition, two brand new ryegrass varieties available from Barenbrug secure a listing for the very first time as Provisional 1st Choice options. The Scottish Recommended List of Grasses is an independent study of the grass seed varieties available to Scottish farmers. Published by Scotlands Rural College (SRUC), the list ranks grasses by performance making it easier for farmers to pick varieties that are proven to thrive in Scottish conditions, and deliver a quick return on investment. In compiling the 2016/17 Recommended List for Scotland, SRUC retested ten intermediate tetraploid ryegrass varieties that had been given 1st Choice status in previous years. Of the ten ryegrasses retested, only three remained categorised as 1st Choice: Malone, Seagoe and Dunluce all varieties available via Barenbrug. In addition, two other Barenbrug marketed ryegrasses Glenariff and Clanrye plus Katy, a clover, were confirmed as 1st Choice having spent a couple of years listed as Provisional 1st Choice. Furthermore, Gosford and Carland two new intermediate perennial ryegrass varieties available from Barenbrug were added to the Scottish list for the first time, going straight in as Provisional 1st Choice options. In total, 82 perennial ryegrasses appear on the Scottish list, almost a quarter of which are bred by AFBI in cooperation with Barenbrug through a specialist breeding partnership. Other ryegrass varieties on the list and available from Barenbrug include Kilrea and Moyola (early); Fintona, Ramore, Spelga, Moira, Caledon and Copeland (Intermediate); and Tyrella, Drumbo, Navan and Dunloy (late). Alongside Katy, three other white clover varieties from Barenbrug also appear including Crusader a medium leaf white clover, and the only clover variety to ever win the prestigious NIAB Variety Cup. Although currently most AD plants burn the gas they produce to generate electricity and heat, there is an emerging market for bio-methane, which can be injected directly into the gas main, says Richard Palmer, Energy Consultant at Butler Sherborn Energy. Although consumers in the UK are reluctant to pay a premium for this green energy, corporate energy customers across Europe are increasingly keen to demonstrate their energy credentials, he says. We have secured an agreement with a major energy company, which can pipe green gas through the interconnected gas mains to European customers, so can now offer British producers a share of this premium market. The development comes at a critical time for the British renewable energy industry, which is looking increasingly unstable as a result of Government spending reviews and Brexit. Historically, biogas has been used primarily to generate electricity, supported by the Renewables Obligation and Feed-in Tariffs (FiT), says Mr Palmer. However, in 2011 the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) helped to kick-start the market for bio-methane injection in to the mains gas grid. So far this has yielded two income streams: the RHI and the wholesale gas price. Now there is a third source of revenue, offering a 10-20% premium over current wholesale gas returns. Lucy Hopwood, Director at bio-economy consultant NNFCC, says that gaining added value for green gas is very timely in light of recent tariff reductions. Its no longer possible to add additional capacity under the FiT scheme and the same is soon likely to be true of the RHI, so for many plants expansion isnt an option they must make better use of what they have, she explains. Developers are also starting to look at how they can increase productivity, without the expense of capital outlay. The price of bananas is displayed on a digital price tag at a 365 by Whole Foods Market grocery store ahead of its opening day in Los Angeles, U.S., May 24, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo By Yeganeh Torbati WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When the United States blacklisted John Angel Zabaneh, a banana farmer and exporter in Belize, for alleged ties to a top drug lord, it did more than just sideline one local businessman from the global financial system. The action, designed to target only Zabaneh, his alleged associates and their businesses, also dented Belize's banana exports for months from last October, throwing hundreds of people out of work and undercutting a main source of hard currency for the tiny Central American country. Zabaneh's blacklisting shows the ripple effects that U.S. sanctions aimed at stopping illicit activity such as drug trafficking, terrorism, and human rights abuses can have on the people and industries of economically fragile countries. Broad U.S. sanctions against entire countries have drawn criticism for impoverishing millions while doing little to hurt those at the top. But Zabaneh's case shows that even laser-targeted actions against individuals and firms -- a strategy the United States is increasingly using -- can cause collateral damage. Belize's banana crop, which makes up a fifth of the country's exports, faces other obstacles beyond sanctions. Droughts and floods have damaged crops and a further hit is likely after Hurricane Earl swept through the tiny nation this month. But government officials and industry executives in Belize said Zabaneh's blacklisting -- part of counter-narcotics sanctions aimed at choking off the drug trade in Latin America -- had a marked impact on the country's overall banana exports in late 2015 and early 2016 and contributed to a sharp economic contraction. [Graphic showing banana export trend: http://tmsnrt.rs/2b8WA97] A 42 percent drop in banana shipments in the first three months of 2016, stemming from the closure of Zabaneh's farms and the floods, helped drive a two percent drop in economic output in the first quarter, according to the Belize Statistical Institute. Story continues "We're a smaller banana supplier, therefore the economics are very touch and go," said Sam Mathias, general manager of the Belize Banana Growers' Association (BGA). "You reduce our annual volume by a little bit, it does make a big difference." Zabaneh, the U.S. Treasury said, was a key associate of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, head of Mexico's powerful Sinaloa drug cartel. In a telephone interview with Reuters, Zabaneh denied any connection to Guzman, and said he has sent Treasury information on decades of his finances in an effort to get his name off the blacklist. A U.S. Treasury spokeswoman declined to comment on the designation's impact on Belize's banana industry. TARGETED SANCTIONS The banana crop, exported year-round, is vital to Belize, a country the size of New Jersey with a 40 percent poverty rate. It provides thousands of jobs to migrants and Belizeans in the country's southeastern agricultural region. The United States has increased its use of targeted economic sanctions in recent years, with officials seeing them as an alternative to more deadly options like air strikes or military raids. They also view them as preferable to the kind of broad boycotts of Cuba, Iraq, and Iran that stunted those countries' economies, experts and former officials said. "Increasingly the U.S. government has imposed sanctions on individuals, entities, and companies that are wrongdoers as opposed to entire jurisdictions because the more surgical approach is viewed as more effective and more fair," said Adam Smith, a former senior advisor at Treasury. Wary of hurting a major economy with broad sanctions, the United States imposed highly tailored measures on Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea, targeting particular transactions in the energy, defense and finance sectors. But even those specific measures had an "outsized impact" on levels of foreign investment in the Russian economy, said Eric Lorber, a senior associate at the Financial Integrity Network, which advises banks on sanctions. Many sanctions can lead to unintended damage, but it is relatively common in counter-narcotics designations because major players in drug trafficking often have ties to legitimate business, Smith said. "People who rise to the level of interest with respect to the U.S. government almost by definition are substantial players," said Smith, now an attorney at Gibson Dunn in Washington. "They may be important components of a country's economy." "RENDERED USELESS" The blacklisting of Zabaneh in 2012 had little impact for the first three years because Zabaneh, now 61, quickly stepped away from his business, once one of the largest banana farms in Belize. Soon after the U.S. Treasury blacklisted Zabaneh, his company Mayan King, and a handful of other people and companies, Treasury and Belize officials explored the idea of transferring the farms to another firm, said Jose Alpuche, chief executive of Belize's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The officials' aim was to figure out how to "keep the banana industry up and running," Alpuche said. Treasury officials made clear in a 2012 phone call with Belize officials that it was up to private firms, not the U.S. government, to determine whether the solution was acceptable, he said. Another company, Meridian Enterprise, took over management of the farms from Mayan King, Zabaneh said. For years, the sole buyer of Belize's bananas has been Ireland-based Fyffes. The company said in a statement that the BGA had confirmed in 2012 that Zabaneh and Mayan King had resigned from the trade group, and that the farms were under new ownership not connected to Zabaneh. It continued to buy bananas from the farms for three more years. But the blacklisting finally bit late last year when Zabaneh was quoted in local media speaking about the farms' operations. He said he was representing his mother, who, he told Reuters, owned the farms throughout the change in management. The report publicly linking him to the farms prompted Fyffes to cut off purchases of the bananas, the company said in October 2015. It has continued to buy bananas from other farms in Belize. "Those would have been bananas that were already ready for harvest and for shipment, so the minute he was stopped, then we lost his portion of exports," Alpuche said. Fyffes' decision caused an instant 13.5 percent plunge in Belize's banana exports, said Mathias. The value of banana exports dropped by $1 million in October 2015, or 20 percent compared to the prior year, according to the Belize Statistical Institute, which linked the drop that month to the closure of the farms. Fyffes declined to comment beyond an October 2015 statement confirming it had stopped purchasing bananas from the farms, and that it had immediately cut ties with Zabaneh and his businesses following the Treasury sanctions in 2012. Zabaneh's farms now lie dormant and overgrown with weeds, with the bananas sick with black sigatoka disease, said Alpuche, who recently visited the area. The farms used to employ about 900 workers, Alpuche said. "It's been rendered useless," he said. "It's not in a condition where it can export any time soon." (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati, editing by Stuart Grudgings) When shod with tall 710/70 R42 tyres or 24 tracks the CR8.80 treads a narrower path through traffic and gateways at 3.24m wide, while high capacity headers ensure optimum productivity in the field. The CR8.80 is capable of harvesting in excess of 50 tonnes of wheat per hour when fitted with a 30 (9.1m) Varifeed table. It also features the same Twin Pitch Rotor technology and Dynamic Feed Roll module as can be found in the range topping CR10.90. The CR8.80 is a comfortable place to spend long hours at the wheel with the Harvest Suite Ultra cab. Operators benefit from low noise levels of 73dB and a glass area of 6.3m2 for exceptional visibility, plus air-conditioning, automatic climate control, coolbox and removable fridge. New Hollands CommandGrip handle and IntelliView IV monitor come as standard, while optional IntelliSteer auto guidance helps operators manage a variety of guidance paths and SmartSteer edge guidance automatically ensures the header is full, right to the edge. The new CR8.80 makes its debut during New Hollands Harvest Demonstration Tour of the UK during August and September. WASHINGTON Sen. Chris Murphy on Thursday said GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump may be hiding his tax returns to mask extensive business dealings with Russia, and that profiting from those investments may be his prime motivation in seeking the White House. This is an extraordinary moment in which a presidential candidate may be seeking the presidency in order to protect his investments, said Murphy. He spoke on a conference call with Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in which both urged quick Senate consideration and passage of legislation to force presidential candidates to disclose tax returns. Trump so far has declined to disclose his return, saying it is under government audit. His Democratic opponent, former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, last week disclosed her joint return with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. On Thursday, the Clinton campaign released an ad attacking Trump for not releasing his taxes. And in New York, Clinton supporters, including one in a Donald Duck outfit, were in front of Trumps midtown office tower with signs saying Donald Ducks Releasing His Taxes. Wyden and Murphy argued that for Trump to ignore a 40-year tradition of candidates releasing tax returns means voters are in the dark about a host of issues surrounding the New York real estate moguls financial net worth, tax payments and income sources. Murphy, a critic of Russia from his perch on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the extent of Trumps financial investments in that nation worried him the most. He pointed to Donald Trump Jr., who said in 2008 that Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. Trump himself has spoken positively about Russian President Vladimir Putin, and advocated closer relations with Russia. He even listed his Miss Universe Beauty Pageant being held in Moscow in 2013 as evidence of his foreign-policy experience. I think the question really is whether its fair to the American public to have a candidate break this longstanding precedent and force voters to go into the polls blind as to whether a candidate is running for office in order to make himself richer, Murphy said. Joe Visconti, a Connecticut supporter of Trump who has run for office as an ultra-conservative Republican, dismissed Murphys outrage over Trumps non-disclosure of taxes. Senator Murphy needs to use common sense and realize that Donald Trump and his private tax returns never caused a pay-to-play scheme and national security risk as Secretary Clinton and the Clinton Foundation did when they facilitated Russia securing 20 percent control of Americas uranium, he said. Visconti was referring to a disputed Trump claim that Hillary Clintons State Department approved the transfer of 20 percent of Americas uranium holdings to Russia, while nine investors in the deal funneled $145 million to the Clinton Foundation. dan@hearstdc.com There has been a steady drumbeat across the nation about the rising health epidemic of opioid overdoses, but it is not nearly loud enough. There were more than 19,000 prescription opioid overdose deaths in the United States in 2014. Connecticuts figures shorthand how the crisis is spiraling. The 723 people who died of overdoses in the state last year represented twice the number of lives lost under similar circumstances in 2012. Recently, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities sounded a call for towns to implement their 10-point plan, which was part of a report, How Local Officials Can Combat Drug Abuse. The short version of those 25 pages is to increase public awareness and to get Narcan in the hands of first responders so they are armed to reverse the deadly effects of an overdose. These are appropriate goals, but the problem is much deeper than that. Fairfield University hosted a public panel discussion on the issue Wednesday, the 10th such roundtable involving U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. He brought Democratic colleagues Sen. Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes with him. Fairfield student Will Cromwell rose from the audience to share his experience, which tapped into one of the broader challenges of combatting the crisis. Cromwell, of New Canaan, explained that doctors prescribed him with an addictive painkiller while he was recovering from minor foot surgery in the eighth grade, but they neglected to explore his family history of addiction. The gateway was a doctors office, he suggested. Thats a dramatic shift in the stereotypical narrative about addiction to drugs. Stopping street drug sales with stronger police presence does nothing to cap exposure to addictive opioids in the medical community. Connecticut lawmakers have been crafting laws to curb how many painkillers can be prescribed at one time. State and national lawmakers need to keep working on measures that would require stronger networks to prevent abusers from shopping from doctor to doctor to stockpile painkillers. Medical experts need to resist pressure from drug salesmen and consider alternative treatments. As municipal leaders ponder approaches to public campaigns, they should take care to avoid characterizing it as a problem of youth. The addiction to fitness among our aging population has undoubtedly contributed to the need to quell pain. The face of the crisis may be Prince, who overdosed on fentanyl, which he apparently took to relieve knee and hip discomfort. He survived an earlier episode after Narcan was administered. Narcan can save a life in an emergency and better conversations in our schools can educate youths about the perils of addiction, but addicts of all ages need better services. For most people, insurance offers no relief to recovery costs, and our health system is not designed to help people find their way out of the darkness. As lawmakers such as Blumenthal and Murphy huddle to understand the subject, they should press for ways Congress can codify a national approach to addiction recovery. Public awareness is just a piece of the puzzle, but we must resist becoming numb to the news of drug-related deaths in modern America. Turn up the volume. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK Pulling up to the house at 170 Silvermine Ave. or speeding past it as most visitors to this sleepy neighborhood tend to do the home looks like so many others, a well-kept antique reminiscent of another time. What isnt visible from the road, and what makes the property unlike any other, is the backyard. The Silvermine River meanders behind the home, attracting wildlife and offering a serene setting for owner Leah Hartman, who has lived there since 2012. What Im really pulled toward is the water and the sanctuary and the tranquillity of the property, Hartman said. Thats what did it. I was looking at all sorts of properties, and that water view is something that draws me. That little part across the river that I own, no one can build over there. You have that whole expanse beyond the river. It really is like having your own nature park. I found that very tranquil in a busy Fairfield County. Now on the market for $699,000, the property is listed through Cyd Hamer of William Pitt Sothebys International Realty in Westport. Experts who examined the house say it is post and beam construction on the first floor, a combination of post and beam on the second floor and entirely balloon construction on the third floor. The original portion of the house was built in the 1700s, and was expanded in the middle of the 19th century. Low ceilings, wide plank floors and a lumpy but incredibly sturdy foundation are all hallmarks of the antique home. Although not much is known about the house itself, the Silvermine area is rich in history and local legends. When a group of artists settled there in the early 1900s, the area became known as a haven for the arts and the Silvermine Arts Center and Silvermine Artists Guild were born. A commemorative plaque was put on the house by the Norwalk Historical Society in 2003, but at the time, the society did little research into the homes they put plaques on beyond ownership and land transfers. The house is officially dubbed the Rufus Ryder house via the plaque out front, although the man who owned the house most likely spelled it Rufus Rider, according to Norwalk public records. Rider, described in the 1850 Connecticut Census as a 30-year-old white male, was a sawyer, probably at the Buttery or Gutherie saw mill. At one time, the Silvermine River is estimated to have powered at least 12 mills because the water fell steeply enough to make water power profitable. Rider lived at the home with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children after he purchased the house in 1844. He sold it in 1858. Its estimated that Rider was responsible for the renovations and expansions to the home that occurred during that time. Other than updates to the kitchen and bathrooms, the home has not been expanded since Rider owned the home. Through the years, the house has also been known as The 1789 House and The Civil War Families House, because, according to local legend, the house acted as a sort of commune during the Civil War when it housed families of men who were away fighting the war in the 1860s. Finding a buyer for an antique is finding someone who loves the history, Hamer said. This would be a magical place to grow up. Theres so many places to explore and so much history. Hartman said she is sad to sell the property, which she fell in love with for the Silvermine River that cuts the property in half. Hartmans job causes her to split time between Boston and New York City, so she was forced to give up the home for something halfway between the two cities. Although the house hasnt been expanded since the 1800s, Hartman set to work renovating the property. She opened up the kitchen and installed all new appliances, turned the basement into a large master suite with an accent wall exposing the original foundation and enclosed one of the porches. Im proud of what Ive done, Hartman said. Every time I see it Im, like I really love this house, and I dont want to leave. KKrasselt@scni.com; 203-354-1021; @kaitlynkrasselt T here is something bizarre about Xavier Rolet, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, being the person on Shriti Vaderas task force, working out the Citys response to Brexit, advising it on access to capital markets. After all, Rolet is a Frenchman, a committed European and is in the process of selling his business to Deutsche Borse in a 22 billion deal. I cannot disagree with his remarks to the Financial Times, where he said: European companies large and small as well as governments rely heavily on access to the UK financial services sector and the work of this committee is to look at the impact of the sector on the real economy. But surely Rolet is conflicted. The committee is working on how different areas of Londons financial sector can achieve passporting post-Brexit to ensure that services and products from the City can continue to be sold across Europe. The likelihood is that this will be done sector by sector rather than through a single, all-encompassing access agreement. Access to capital markets is one of the cornerstones of the City and one where it undoubtedly has a beneficial effect on the real economy of Britain. Rolet has spent much of his seven years in charge of the Stock Exchange campaigning relentlessly for a fair playing field between equity and debt. Which makes it all the more strange that he is on the Financial Services EU Task Force batting for the City while the elephant in the room is Deutsche Borse. Whatever promises the Germans have made about having the headquarters in London, we all know, particularly post-Brexit, the engine room and the bulk of the work will eventually end up in Frankfurt. Shareholders of both firms have overwhelmingly backed the deal so it is now up to politicians and regulators to scrutinise and potentially block it. Chancellor Philip Hammond, Bank Governor Mark Carney and Financial Conduct Authority chief Andrew Bailey must be absolutely certain that losing ownership of the UKs stock exchange will do no damage to the real economy if they are to wave it through. If they have the slightest doubt they should block it now. Will Hills now turn tables in bid race? It is unusual to see shares in a bid target rise 5% the day after the bid fails. But thats what happened to William Hills shares today. Punters are convinced that consolidation will continue in the gambling market and that Hills will be part of it. The only question is how soon will the hunted become the hunter? H ousebuilders are expected to step up land buying close to stations on the new Night Tube lines, sending local house prices rising, residential experts have told the Evening Standard. Developers ranging from FTSE 100 property giants to small London builders are expected to invest in areas at the end of the lines, including High Barnet, Cockfosters and Walthamstow. The service begins on the Central and Victoria lines tonight before expanding to other lines later this year. Estate agent Strutt & Parker believes there will be price rises on property within a 10-minute walk of a number of stations over the next 12 months. Dominic Price, a partner at Strutt & Parker, said: The stops on the end of the Night Tube lines will be of particular appeal to the first-time buyer and the younger demographic who enjoy Londons nightlife and will like not having to spend a fortune on taxis late at night." Housebuilders will want to capitalise on this new demand, Price added. Killian Hurley, the boss of luxury flats company Mount Anvil, said: The locations along these lines make for a more attractive prospect to buyers, and developers have to respond to that with more homes. Henry Smith added that his property firm Aitch Group expects a spike in demand for flats around these areas similar to what happened after the announcement of Crossrail. Separately, the boss of online agent easyProperty has called on the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to expand the Night Tube to run all week to help shift workers. Rob Ellice said the move would mean employees dont need to pay high Central London rents to be close to work. T onight, for the first time, the Underground will transport late-night Londoners across the city, and London itself into its exciting future. The long-heralded arrival of the Night Tube for Fridays and Saturdays, opening up the Central and Victoria lines for now with plans for future extension, is a welcome evolution for the capitals internationally renowned transport system, and while the benefits include improved options for late-night workers and early risers, it also provides an opportunity for some well-earned hedonism. Beyond this long-held curfew, London is an unexplored territory ripe for discovery. Working on The Londoners Diary, this papers century-old society column, provides access to some of the citys most raucous and late-night parties. Whether its an awards ceremony that lasts until dawn, a music festival where the headliner decides to add a couple of hours to their late-starting set, or a film premiere where even the after party has an after party, darting across London in search of a story is a fun yet logistically difficult endeavour. Making my way to a secret celebration at Chiltern Firehouse after last years British Independent Film Awards involved two cancelled Ubers and a sprint down Marylebone High Street. Joining celebrities at a post-Brit Award bash in Shoreditch after initial drinks at The Savoy phone battery having given up the ghost led to a hopeless search for a taxi and a final, melancholy walk across town. And quaffing champagne from a well-stocked vending machine in Bloomsbury Ball Room earlier in the summer was not exactly conducive to finding a night bus way past midnight. In short, Londons partygoers need, and deserve, all-night access. For too long, the capital has lost out on the global stage in this department. New Yorks impossibly cliched and yet entirely accurate status as the city that never sleeps is earned in mileage. The city offers countless nightclubs, bars and restaurants that never seem to close, and the village-like areas across Manhattan are connected at all times by the 24-hour subway service. Copenhagen, Barcelona and Berlin, just some of Europes most in-demand destinations for visitors seeking to squeeze every opportunity from a single weekend, provide the same, and even Sydney, the ultimate city for sun-seekers, caters equally to the nocturnal. But few places provide a better nightlife out than ours, and this weekends Night Tube debut should be ideal motivation to start embracing ones inner night owl, revisiting old watering holes and unearthing exhilarating new experiences. Once the clock has struck midnight and you feel the urge to head home, reconsider. Linger for a late bite at Duck and Waffle or Polo Bar off Spitalfields. Keep the first date going with drinks at new 24- hour cafe VQ in Notting Hill. Or see in the sunrise with a Bloody Mary at Sohos Balans. In London, there is always somewhere new to eat, some culinary trend to try, a new barman mixing a cocktail in a bar you may have walked past a hundred times but only stray into at 3am when somewhere else has closed. In this time between night and morning, you unearth a new side of a familiar city with which our European rivals cant compete. London puts on a different mask when the witching hour falls, and the Night Tube means thousands more can see it transform There is something special about sliding your key into the lock of your front door just as the birds wake up, or arriving at a club straight from the airport, suitcase in hand only realising that the club in which you have found yourself is closing when you notice that theyve turned the lights on and someone is sweeping the floor. Regaling your bright-eyed friends with the gory details at the brunch you should have cancelled. Or just the blissful, satisfying exhaustion that can only be felt when you have had a memorable or perhaps completely forgotten night. From cosy pub lock-ins to hours spent in giant, pulsating venues in nondescript locations. From a summer BBQ that somehow accelerates and stretches into the night and beyond, to a good old-fashioned house party that ends with a fight for the sole spare bed. London puts on a different mask when the witching hour falls, and the Night Tube means thousands more can see it transform. Using the two currently available lines alone opens up countless chances to indulge: an evening at the Brixton Academy doesnt have to end after the gig. A nightcap in Vauxhall can turn into a morning cuppa. Dancing at the Bethnal Green Working Mens Club can end with a 4am bagel on Brick Lane. But the blue and red ribbons running through London, all night at last for key weekend evenings, also make the areas beyond them accessible. The services expansion in the autumn to include the Piccadilly, Jubilee and Northern lines will add hours to our social lives. Partying into the early hours or pulling an all-nighter isnt easy you have to keep your energy levels up, maintain hydration, keep track of wayward friends and dodge unwelcome exes and the concern at getting home has always posed a problem. A couple of extra beers makes the task all the harder, especially for those used to the Tube. One colleague hates nothing more than the fear of missing out on something special when leaving a group of friends to their one last round at the bar just to ensure catching the last Tube. For those left behind, the night may end after that next drink. But when the drinks are flowing and the night is young, spontaneous plans are hatched and unseen pockets of the city are discovered. Going home with the sense that you might not be privy to that can be unbearable. The removal of the weight of this ominous pilgrimage to bed, then, is wholly freeing, offering an invaluable promise that, wherever the night takes you, you are either going to be able to get home orto the next checkpoint. Doesnt everyone want to be a part of that unpredictable journey sometimes? Lift yourself with an Old Fashioned and a flirt, take centre stage on a dancefloor or retire to unchartered territory. The Night Tube is the new tool in the belt of hedonists everywhere. London: drink responsibly; dance horribly; repeat to fade. And enjoy. Review at a glance S cottish Ballets double bill of UK premieres at this years Edinburgh International Festival shows the company taking a very contemporary direction under artistic director Christopher Hampson. Be warned: it is not an evening of levity and joy. This is dark stuff, made of doom, menace and beauty. Perhaps we could have done with more tonal contrast but theres enough striking imagery and strong dancing to forgive that. First is French choreographer Angelin Preljocajs MC 14/12 (Ceci est mon corps). The title refers to Jesuss words during the Last Supper, This is my body, and its the bodies of Scottish Ballets male dancers that are offered up to us, 12 of them, bathed in ritual, tied up with tape, pummelled and manhandled, laid on tables like slabs in a morgue. This is a brutal picture of masculinity, escalating into antagonism, tightly choreographed, then frozen in exquisite tableaux of excess, abuse and aggression. Imagine Leonardo capturing a night of Ayia Napa carnage with bare torsos bathed in chiaroscuro. Theres more strange beauty in Crystal Pites Emergence. Based on the behaviour of swarming insects and birds, it turns the dancers into elegant arthropods in a particularly refined creature feature. The dancers cluster in a hive-minded mass, their bodies bend into odd angles, extremities twitching, wings flickering. Movement comes in quick, sharp cuts and warped undulations and the company now joined by the women embody it all admirably. Pite always creates work with a sense of theatre. At one point a wall of women sweep across the stage, pushing back the tide of men, repelling them with their fearsome, insecty femininity. Fantastic. Until August 20 (0131 473 2000, eif.co.uk) Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout S ound and fury signify everything in Scott Walkers score for this pulchritudinous period drama. Maybe its ageist to mention that Walker is 73. Lets just say that the Sixties legend (who may well be nominated for an Oscar next year) is on pugnacious form. The plot concerns feral, precocious, cross-dressing rich kid Prescott (fabulous, preternaturally poised British newcomer Tom Sweet), stuck in a mouldering mansion near Versailles in 1918, while his distracted, uptight American diplomat dad (Liam Cunningham) tries to broker peace and his lonely, bitter mum (Berenice Bejo, pictured) tries not to implode. American director Brady Corbet clearly wants us to view Prescott as an attention-seeking Hitler/Mussolini/Stalin type, deformed by casually cruel parenting. Actually, Prescott just seems like a typical only-child (I can say this, because I am one). His domestic woes are affecting in a soapy sort of way. Yet because they carry so much symbolic weight you find yourself resisting the narrative thrust. Corbets take on political terror boils down to the idea that the powerful are endlessly fascinating pioneers, which doesnt so much deconstruct the cult of personality as demonstrate that were no closer, in the 21st century, to moving beyond it. Still, the film is never dull. Cinematographer Lol Crawley (45 Years) makes sure every smooth cheek and crumbling edifice looks like its tumbled out of a Visconti movie (The Damned and Death in Venice in particular). Wonky shots of Prescott, with his beautiful nanny, also recall the uncanny work of Jack Clayton on The Innocents, and the adult cast (including Robert Pattinson, in two non-showy roles) are solid. Is it ageist to mention that Corbet is 28? The one-time actor may or may not have what it takes to become a cinematic trailblazer but hes certainly got our attention. Cert 12A, 115 mins Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout 1. Rose lacks class Rose wine doesnt lack class, it is your cool and funny friend thats light in mood and fuss-free. The one whom you might not go into the deepest conversation with but still is very good company. Rose is the fun and careless one in the wine world. A refreshing, unpretentious beverage; rose is a ready to drink wine 2. Rose is just white and red mixed together A wine connoisseur would scoff, uh no!! which is mostly true. Everywhere in Europe its a no-no, except in Champagne, where Rose is indeed a blend of red and white. If you remember only one thing when it comes to wine, it is that colour and tannins come from the skin and pips. With red wine, the skin and pips are fermented with the juice, which gives this deep colour, with Rose, the skin and pips are taken away before the fermentation. So the juice has very little time to get coloured which makes it very light this cause it to go pink! The distinguishing feature is that it is made with black or red grapes without the skin and pips! 3. Rose is only good in warm weather Nothing beats a glass of icy rose in the heat, besides maybe a good white wine. Rose is definitely seen as the summer holiday drink; its reputation for this is said to stem from the rose of Provence, in the south of France, where many people go on holiday and enjoy lazy nights drinking rose with friends at l'apero". However, over the past five years, this has shifted and now more people identify rose as a celebratory party drink - perfect for a date, Valentines day or even Christmas. Its became popular across many seasons and occasions. 4. Real men dont drink rose Because its pink? Real men wear pink and dont blush if theyre seen with their girlfriends handbag on their arm and especially not with a glass of rose. We are coming into a gender-fluid era and as much as women start enjoying whisky, we are welcoming the Rose bro. Did you see Brad Pitt sipping his rose? He looks like a real man to me. Summer roses 1 /20 Summer roses Pasaeli Calkarasi Rose, 2015 13.99, Red Squirrel Buy it now Super-dry and with a strong saline edge, this wine from Cal, Turkey, really stands out. Made from the Calkarasi grape, favoured for its high acidity, ripe stone fruit and red fruit aromas. This is also the grape used to make the more traditional spirit, Raki, but the rose wont give you the mind-numbing hangovers. Graci Etna Rosato, 2014 16.95, Berry Bros. & Rudd Buy it now Wines from Mount Etna are hugely popular due to the ideal climatic conditions - vines are grown on the slopes of the volcano and protected from rain showers, while minimal chemicals or pesticides are required and high altitudes provide a long ripening season, enabling the grapes to maintain acidity. Made from Nerello Mascalese, this wine displays high acidity, subtle citrus, red fruit and white pepper mineral tones, and its bone dry. This really opens up with food, from starters through to main course. Joseph Mellot, Sancerre Le Rabault, 2014 15.60, McDonald Wine Store Buy it now Salmon pink in colour and made from 100 per cent Pinot Noir, after only a few hours of skin contact this Loire Valley wine has the structure of a light red, with delicate strawberry and blackcurrant flavours. Would work well with slightly more exotic foods, such as Vietnamese or Japanese. Rosato di Fonterenza, 2014 20, Dynamic Vines Buy it now Founded in 1999 by twin sisters Margherita and Francesca Padovani, Fonterenza is a 40-hectare estate in Montalcino, Tuscany. Located 450 metres above sea level and surrounded by forest, the area is a diverse living ecosystem, its energy reflected in the deep-pink wine. Strong fruit in the centre, elegant and well structured and - most importantly - highly quaffable. Rosato di Fonterenza, 2014 20, Dynamic Vines Buy it now Founded in 1999 by twin sisters Margherita and Francesca Padovani, Fonterenza is a 40-hectare estate in Montalcino, Tuscany. Located 450 metres above sea level and surrounded by forest, the area is a diverse living ecosystem, its energy reflected in the deep-pink wine. Strong fruit in the centre, elegant and well structured and - most importantly - highly quaffable. Domaine Maby La Fermade, 2014 12.50, Yapp Brothers Buy it now A Tavel-style rose from Lirac, Tavels closest neighbour, in southern Rhone. Medium-bodied with brick-pink depth of colour, the wine has 70 per cent Cinsault balanced with 30 per cent Grenache. It has a good depth of flavour - strawberries, rosehip and redcurrant, with a saline edge - and pairs well with traditional charcuterie as well as Asian cuisine. Red Car Winery, Sonoma Coast Rose, 2014 20.70, Honest Grapes Buy it now A counterpoint to the popular sweet blush roses typical of California, this cool-climate vin gris (a wine made via the Direct Pressing method with no skin contact) from Sebastopol, Sonoma Coast, is made from whole-bunch Pinot Noir grapes, cool harvested and immediately pressed to preserve aromatic flavours of tangerine oil, pink grapefruit, red berry and lime. Sweet and savoury in continual harmony with a refreshing and thirst-quenching acidity, make this altogether moreish. Mazza Bastardo, 2014 17.95, Berry Bros. & Rudd Buy it now An unfortunate name, the Bastardo grape originally hails from the Duoro Valley where it was used in Port production in the 19th century. Now, winemaker David Mazza has made this thin-skinned grape a hit in Western Australia. Medium-bodied, with fresh citrus acidity and more savoury, herbal notes to balance out the strawberry red fruit. Absolutely delicious. Gerard Cordier, Reuilly Pinot Gris, 2015 12.50, Yapp Brothers Buy it now From the Loire, hand-harvested, low-yield Pinot Gris grapes are delicately crushed and pressed to produce a bone-dry wine of superb quality. Crisp and sophisticated with subtle fruits of redcurrant and rosehip, serve with seafood and a scenic view. Warnung, Etsdorf Blauer Zweigelt, 2013 20, Les Caves de Pyrene, call 01483 554750 A beautiful Austrian, natural wine made from Zweigelt grapes - citrus and herbal on the nose but with delicate rosewater and white fruit on the palate. This is fresh and well balanced with a pleasant hint of fizz and at only 11 per cent will be enjoyed within minutes. Chateau Barbeyrolles, Petale de Rose, 2013 15.99, The Wine Press. Buy it now Dont be deceived by the delicate peach colour, Chateau de Barbeyrolles is a characterful wine with some weight to it. Usually priced at 21.99, the 2013 is now on discount and the wine has benefited from a little time in bottle. Regine Sumeire is the woman behind this organic wine, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather. The eight grape varieties brim with all the flavours of peach, raspberry, citrus, a little honey but are never overbearing. Served as an aperitif or pretty much with any dish, the wines elegant beauty refuses to be diminished. Clarendelle Bordeaux Rose, 2015 13.90, Hedonism Wines Buy it now A region less known for its roses, Bordeaux is now getting in on the act with total production at eight per cent last year. Clarendelle is a grown-up rose made by first-growth estate Chateau Haut-Brion. Inspired by the traditional Clairets, this is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc - complex with notes of grapefruit, blackcurrant, lychee and strawberry and a satisfyingly long, dry finish. The perfect wine for bigger dishes such as lobster, pork and creamy chicken - or with salty, grilled halloumi, the silkiness of the wine supplying the perfect contrast. Dominio de Punctum, Lobetia Rosado, 2015 8.99, Ocado Buy it now A biodynamic wine from Las Pedroneras, at the northern end of La Mancha, and made entirely from Garnacha grapes. These thin-skinned berries are susceptible to early oxidation, so are harvested at night and cold macerated before fermentation to preserve fresh flavours of ripe red cherry, white pepper and racy acidity. Great with food rather than as an aperitif. Gut Oggau, Winifred, 2015 25, Dynamic Vines Buy it now I first drank this last summer at Ottolenghis Nopi, in Soho, and it was love at first sip. Light with red fruits, made from a blend of Blaufrankisch and Zweigelt grapes, the 2015 is richer than previous vintages, balanced with lively acidity and an unexpectedly savoury, herbaceous finish. Winifred's personality is expressed in the face drawn on the label by designer Jung von Matt, each wine making up a different family member of the Gut Oggau family tree. Chateau de Lascaux, Garrigues, 2015 12.99, Ocado Buy it now From Coteaux de Languedoc, this Grenache and Syrah blend makes an ideal start to a summers evening. Its full of ripe red berry fruit, redcurrant, raspberry and a touch of minerality. Theres enough character and complexity to keep you happily interested for a good few glasses before realising the night has raced by, leaving you with a hungry stomach and a bowl of empty pistachio shells. 5. Rose wines have a higher sugar content then red/white No and yes. If you buy a high standard, origin specified (AOC/DOC/DOCG..) wine, it will most likely be dry. However, when rose is not well-made it can be super acidic and then sugar is added to counterpart this. This is actually the same for red and white. Go to a brand you know is low in residual sugar. The perceived sweetness should come from the fruit flavour and not the sugar. 6. All rose wines are sweet Not at all. Rose wines are mostly made from black and red grapes. You dont get the tannins but you get very delicate aromas ranging from grapefruit and violet to raspberry and strawberry jam (red fruits are very strong in Spanish roses). Therefore depending on the style you can find some very fruity rose, but also more crisp and light ones. 7. Roses cant be aged or cellared This is semi true - the very idea of rose is to be an easy drinking, fresh wine, however some producers have tried oak ageing to build the structure and body in the wine (though without tannins the experience is quite limited.) Most roses dont last more than a year or two as they contain almost no tannins, and tannins are the component which make wines age well. Dont worry, aged roses wont turn to vinegar, they will just be less aromatic and flatter. 8. Rose is cheap There are cheap roses, just like there are cheap red and white wines and cheap perfume however there is also a great selection of delicious, well-crafted roses like fine perfumes. A rose doesnt necessarily need to be expensive to be good, the key is to look out for high standards, low residual sugars and good producers one of my favourites is our Cotes de Provence - its not cheap, but its definitely good value. Charlotte Calvet is the founder of online wine studio Garmence; garmence.com F or the average traveler, a hotel room is merely a place to rest up. But in these weird and wonderful lodgings, you dont have to look far to come across the thrill of adventure. From an inn where you can brunch with giraffes to an underwater resort where you can sleep with marine life, these once-in-a-lifetime hotels will make you have no regrets about holing up in your bedroom for an entire fortnight. The outlandish hotels on this list pack in impressive views, erupting volcanoes, death defying heights and bucket loads of wanderlust. So if youve had your fill of cookie cutter chain stays, make your next exotic holiday a trip to an equally exotic hotel, where the adventure of a lifetime is, quite literally, on your doorstep. Check out our pick of the 10 coolest hotels in the world in the gallery above. Follow Liz Connor on Twitter: @lizconnor_ I n 1957 Frank Sinatra recorded At Long Last Love, a wry, somewhat cynical song about the authenticity of true romance. Is it for all time or simply a lark? Is it Granada I see or only Asbury Park? Comparing Spains majestic city to an obscure town on the New Jersey coast, the inference was clear: Granada is the real, heart-swelling deal; Asbury Park, little more than a kiss behind the bike sheds. Ol Blue Eyes may have had a point. First impressions of Asbury Park are remarkably unlovely. From the vantage of a fifth-floor window it looks like Croydon in a state of flux. The fact that its raining and theres a building site sandwiched between me and the slate-coloured ocean probably doesnt help; yet theres a definite ennui to this once buoyant coastal resort thats difficult to shrug. Just 60 miles from the bright lights of New York, the difference is palpable. But change is under way, and theres every possibility that AP, as its known locally, will rise phoenix-like from the flames of regeneration. Developments have come thick and fast. In the first part of the 20th century, Asbury Park was a smart weekend getaway for fun-loving Manhattanites. With its handsome promenade and bawdy beachside culture, the town thrived on aspirational fun. But decades of post-war decline wore the good times down, and by the end of the Sixties people had moved elsewhere. Race riots, hurricanes and corrupt investment have blighted this spot over the years but a fighting spirit prevails. Its gritty, blue-collar charm has drawn in rockers of all persuasions the town is famously name-checked by local boy Bruce Springsteen on his first studio album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N J, recorded in 1973. The Boss even stopped by to play a surprise set at the Wonder Bar last year. Everyone from Blondie to The Clash have played AP at some point in their lives, and sticky-floored rock n roll culture is a mainstay. In my head I see Mick, Joe and Paul swaggering down the boardwalk in pegs and felt fedoras, while Jersey girl Debbie Harry eats a corn dog outside legendary music pit The Stone Pony, APs very own CBGB. Its not the Hamptons, it plays on broken strings and the old girl has seen better days. So why has The Asbury, a large, show-stopping hotel, just opened here, and will it revive Asbury Park in the revolutionary way everyone anticipates? Cycling on the boardwalk / Getty Images A former Salvation Army retirement home stripped of uniform and redressed in hipster clothing, this is investment hospitality taking itself very seriously. Co-owned by British hotel guru David Bowd, a protege of Ian Schrager and Andre Balazs, its the first new venture of its kind here in 50 years. Bowd talks about fun and diversity, and seems remarkably light-hearted for a man putting his career on the line: I wanted to take a risk and do something different. Asbury Park needs this hotel and I think we can make the place come alive. He smiles awkwardly when he tells me the whole thing cost $50 million to put together, then leads me through an impressive front atrium The Pit strewn with giant lanterns, pinball machines and bright silk banquettes, up to an outdoor cinema and rooftop bar. Its a city pad desperate to shed its suit and slip on a pair of trunks the Ace Hotel-on-Sea, perhaps? and thats no bad thing. Wonder Bar The Asbury does have teething problems (bland, bleached-out rooms, mostly passive staff), and will need to work hard to maintain its box-fresh appeal, but theres an ambitious spirit wafting around this lofty concept thats hard to knock. Weather permitting, Id be poolside, reading a borrowed book about The Ramones and eating turkey and Swiss cheese on rye. But the sun is staying away. I check out and spend the weekend with friends a few blocks away an ex-New York couple who moved here a decade ago in search of oxygen and space. We walk their English bull terriers by the beach and they show me patches of land once littered with glass and needles, now replaced by manicured shingle and exotic grasses. Later, as we glide into town on cruiser bikes, this strange jigsaw of a town starts to piece together. We cycle up to the Convention Hall, designed by the same architect who built New Yorks Grand Central Station, now a bustling arcade, and peer into a derelict casino due for imminent renovation. Ditching the bikes, a stroll down the arrow-straight promenade reveals Italian Jersey brides, veils flapping in the wind and hirsute men in tiny red budgie smugglers. There are art galleries a stones throw from the sea, pristine surf shops and pop-up stores in shipping containers. Its hard to reconcile the fact that this was once a no-go area, dogged by drugs and crime. The town centre is diminutive to say the least, but what it offers is something quite uncommon in a state more used to meatballs than mise-en-place unbelievably good food. This is thanks to Brooklyn emigres who are tired of Williamsburg rents, and a savvy gay community which has flourished here since the early Seventies. 10 once-in-a-lifetime hotels around the world 1 /13 10 once-in-a-lifetime hotels around the world Pemba Island Floating Hotel, Zanzibar This dream stay boasts a bedroom that is completely submerged underwater, giving the effect of sleeping in an aquarium. Located 250m off the coast of Pemba Island, the floating structure has an upper deck where you can relax and gaze at the turquoise waters for hours. But the fun really begins at night, when you can drift off to the sounds and sights of shoals of fish swimming around you. The outer walls of the underwater bedroom have also been fitted with lights to attract squid, octopuses and other nocturnal creatures to your door. Giraffe Manor, Kenya Live alongside a herd of friendly Rothschild giraffe at this glamorous manor-style guesthouse set in a leafy Nairobi suburb. In the 1930s colonial-era hotel, guests can expect the giraffes to turn up at the most unlikely of moments in search of treats. If youre lucky, they might pop their heads through the windows during breakfast to steal a snack from the table. As well as these long-necked neighbours, patrons can also wildlife watch for warthog, impala and antelope from the veranda. The hotel itself is worth mentioning too, the owners have lovingly restored the property with many of its original Art Deco features still intact. Attrap Reves Hotel, France This space-age stay lets you, quite literally, live in a bubble. The innovative AttrapReves hotel is a small crop of habitable plastic bubble domes, built using recyclable materials. These transparent spheres are maintained by a silent blower, and offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside in Allauch, a French commune situated 10 kilometers east of Marseille. But dont worry about flashing the neighbours, the owners guarantee absolute privacy at all times. Husky-Lodge, Switzerland If you love Siberian Huskies but you dont have the space in your poky London flat to keep one, this Swiss hotel may be the answer. At Husky-Lodge you can sleep in a cosy wooden cabin next to the kennels of these wolf-like canines. By day, you can join in on the training runs around the mountain trails in Schwyz as they pull sledges in the winter and bikes and carts in the summer. The hotel itself is situated between limestone rocks and mystical spruce forest at the entrance of the wild Bisisthal valley, 2 km east of Muotathal village. Huttenpalast Hotel, Berlin Retro caravan holidays are revived in this unusual stay in the central Berlin district of Neukolin. Located inside an old vacuum cleaner factory, the Huttenpalast is essentially an indoor campsite. It offers a variety of classic caravans from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies - each lovingly restored. Outside of your four-wheeled domain youll find garden benches, tables and washing lines strung between trees, where guests can share a beer and some fare from the in-house veggie cafe. Costa Verde Hotel, Costa Rica A refurbished 1965 vintage Boeing 727 fuselage was transported to Costa Verse to create this stay for aviation enthusiasts. A favourite for honeymooners, its set on a concrete plinth that's just 15m into the jungle canopy. As you might guess, sitting in the cockpit of the plane really feels like youre flying across the skies. Theres a wooden cabin built into the aircraft where guests can sleep, and an adjacent deck where you can watch for toucans, sloths and monkeys. Mirrorcube Treehouse Hotel, Sweden This unusually romantic forest stay is a 4 x 4 x 4 metre cube thats suspended from the trunk of a tree. The modern treehouse has been covered in mirrors which reflect the surrounding forest and sky, giving the effect of a camouflaged refuge. Inside youll find a compact but stylish Scandi retreat for two, perfect for a romantic weekend break. Montana Magica Lodge, Chile The thrills start from the moment you arrive at this towering lodge - the only way to get in is via a very rickety rope bridge. Once youve screamed your lungs out getting to the front door, you can really start to appreciate this incredible hotel which is nestled right in the heart of a Chilean forest. Inside, the wooden-clad bedrooms are large and cosy, while the mossy structure of the lodge resembles a volcano and regularly erupts with water. Hotel Kakslautten, Finland Theres no better way to spend a week in Lapland then at Hotel Kaslautten, where you can admire the northern lights from the comfort of your bed in one of their glass igloos, with options for two or four-person spaces. Nestled in the wilderness near Finlands Urho Kekkonen National Park, the hotel is also home to the worlds largest smoke sauna complete with its own restaurant, ice bar and snow chapel that is built fresh every winter. Ascher Cliff, Switzerland If you have a weak stomach for heights, you probably wont want to book in a stay at Asher Cliff. This precarious-looking guest house clings to a vertical cliff around 5km above sea level, nestled in the side of a mountain in the Alpstein area. The hotel has become something of a bucket list destination for keen adventurers, but be warned: it takes three hours to hike up the cliff to the hotel. so expect to work up a keen appetite on the way. Luckily, theres a fabulous restaurant inside, and a cable car to take you back down to the valley the next day. Talulas stands out from the pack, offering pillowy pizzas with mashed potato and chilli honey, but theres international flair at every corner: a louche French brasserie, a vast German beer hall and a budget Korean taco joint, all colluding to widen your waist in varying degrees. Walking home, the sound of lady-loving tribute band Lez Zeppelin seeps out through the rafters of a bar. Much like this quirky square mile, theyre playing an old riff in a new way. Details: New Jersey Norwegian (0330 828 0854; norwegian.com) flies from Gatwick to New York JFK daily from 300 return. The Asbury (001 732774 7100; theasburyhotel.com) offers double rooms from $125 (96) excluding breakfast. visitnj.org A best man has been jailed for 20 months after conning a groom and friends out of nearly 8,000 and lying about having terminal cancer. Martyn Galvin, 30, failed to book a stag do for his closest friend and 16 others, who only found out what had happened when they turned up at Newcastle airport last August and discovered there were no flights to Prague or accommodation booked. Galvin, from Yarm in North Yorkshire, blamed the problems on a blunder by travel agents, Gazette Live reported. Instead of arranging a series of trips for the stag party, he trousered 7,945 received from them to feed his gambling habit, Teeside Crown Court heard. The devastated groom said: I felt like I was living the script from a soap drama. It tore me apart that Martyn used the most important day of my life to get money. Im mortified that the biggest conman Ive ever known was the person I asked to be my best man. Martyns claim that he had bowel cancer, used to distract his friend and avoid meetings with him, was also later revealed to be a lie. Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told him: This fraud is perhaps one of the nastiest and meanest Ive encountered in my time involved in criminal law. He was jailed yesterday for 20 months and ordered to pay compensation within 28 days, the website reported. P olice investigating the death of a carer in Hyde Park have tonight charged a man with murder. Hani Khalaf, 21, will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Saturday accused of murdering Jairo Medina, 62, last Friday. Mr Medinas body was found under a tree near Speakers Corner just before 6am, less than a mile from his flat in Cadogan Street, near Sloane Square. Detectives said Khalaf was arrested and taken into custody on Thursday before he was charged. Mr Medina was described by neighbours as a carer with a "heart of gold" following his death. Last year he won an award for the care he has given to Joe Behrens, 95, a Jew who fled Nazi Germany for Zambia in 1939 before moving to the UK in the 1970s, since his diagnosis with Alzheimers four years ago. P olice have launched an investigation after a man exposed himself and performed a sex act in front of a woman on the Central Line. In what is described as an extremely disturbing incident the man touched himself whilst staring at a stranger on the evening of June 5. The 32-year-old victim got on the Underground at Tottenham Court Road station a 7pm and, as she sat down, the man began staring at her. He then proceeded to expose genitals and touch himself throughout the journey, before leaving the Tube at East Acton station. Sexual act: Police want to speak with the man in connection with the incident on the Central Line / British Transport Police The British Transport Police have now released images of a man in connection with the incident. Detective constable Andrew Parkinson, who is leading the investigation, said: This was an extremely disturbing experience for this woman and we are working hard to track the man responsible. "I believe the man in the images has information about this incident. Who is he? We will never tolerate sexual offences on the Tube network and I would encourage victims and witnesses of crime to always come forward and report them to us. Anyone who has any information is urged to contact BTP by text on 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 184 of 19/08/2016. C ommuters told how police stormed an east London Tube station to tackle a disruptive man waiting for a train. Witnesses said up to a dozen officers, wearing body armour, raced through Canary Wharf station at around 8pm on Friday before a man was taken down on a Jubilee line platform. A British Transport Police spokesman confirmed a man was arrested at the station for being drunk and disorderly. One woman tweeted: Loads of police surrounding a guy on the Canary Wharf Jubilee platform. Not clear quite what happened. While another posted: Just seen a dozen police run through Canary Wharf Jubilee line platform to take someone down. No idea what was going on, just got on my way! A woman, who was in the station at the time of the incident, told the Standard: I saw four heavily armoured officers running down the escalator shouting at people to move. When I got down to the platform there was half a dozen police standing over someone at the opposite end. The person on the floor was shouting a bit but otherwise it was pretty calm. R ip Off Britain presenter Gloria Hunniford has fallen victim to fraudsters who posed as the TV star to drain her bank account of 120,000. She was oblivious as scammers added a fake grandson as a signatory to her Santander account. An older woman posing as Ms Hunniford, 76, attended the Croydon North End branch on June 3 last year, saying she had a few bob but was ill and wanted to hand control of her funds to her grandson. The con artist was accompanied by a woman who said she was the presenters daughter, as well as a boy of 18 posing as her grandson. One of the two suspects in the case They filled in paperwork to access the account, including photocopying their passports, and within days had stolen 120,000 from the star. A bank fraud task force set up by the Met and City of London Police has snared the fake grandson, Alan Dowie, 18, and Reyon Dillon, also 18, who received some stolen funds. But the pensioner who posed as Ms Hunniford and her bogus daughter are still on the loose. Police today released CCTV images of the suspects in a bid to catch the rest of the gang. Ms Hunniford who has previously told of her devastation at the death of her daughter, Blue Peter host Caron Keating, in 2004 from breast cancer was reimbursed by the bank once the scam was discovered. The second of two suspects in the case Today, she called on banks to overhaul security and told the Standard the ordeal left her feeling violated and shattered her trust in them. The star said: If my husband or one of my two sons went into my bank and said they wanted to be a co-signatory Id expect very thorough checks. But in this case somebody was able to go to the bank with a copy of a driving licence or something. I didnt understand it from the off. I felt completely violated. These were my savings. You expect your money to be safe in a bank but it is not. Glorias late daughter Caron Keating Ms Hunniford, who lives in Kent, added: These days, banks have no interest to give you. I am left with no trust. You think anybody can walk into a bank pretending to be someone else and get it all signed over. Banks are going to have to step up their security with staff and systems. If someone can be scammed as easily as this they have to up their game. She said her work with Rip Off Britain gave her an insight into scammers methods, but added: Theres no way I could have foreseen this. In this case, a bank official took them on their word and did not, in my opinion, double-check the facts. It was such a shock. You keep your savings where you feel they are safe. What else can you do with them? Banks give out advice all the time on scamming but the one piece of advice I think they need to pick up on is that their own security checks have to be stronger. An Old Bailey jury yesterday cleared banker Aysha Davis, 28, of helping the fraudsters to pull off the scam. Ms Davis, of Streatham, who denied conspiracy to defraud, said she had no idea who the TV star was when she fell into the gangs trap. Dowie, of Oxted, pleaded guilty to the same charge. He and Dillon, of Croydon, both admitted one count of money-laundering. They were both due to be sentenced today. O ne of Londons most established gay pubs is set to shut its doors next month. Staff at The Queens Head in Chelsea announced the pub will close for good after the pub's operators failed to agree terms on a new lease with landlords. The pub, in Tyron Street off the Kings Road, is described on its website as once a key gay drinking destination in London that has served the LGBT community or at least 60 years. In a statement on its Facebook page staff said they were bloody gutted by the decision. It said: Unfortunately its true, the Old Lady of Tryon Street will be closing her doors for the last time on 6 September. Weve been unable to come to reasonable terms for renewal of the lease on the building with our landlords and therefore well be shutting up shop. The Queens Head will be back in some form or another but the place that we all know and love will cease to be. The announcement sparked a wave of sympathy from former drinkers who described the closure as a blow to the capitals gay community. Ellis Collins posted: Can't bear it. There will be no queer culture left in London soon. All that history that other fought for. Gone. Stephen Eden added: Gutted. Yet another jewel in the crown lost to ourselves and our future generations. While Kathleen Walsh wrote: So sorry to get your news. Such a shame a great pub with beautiful people, and Artists. Xxxxx Some people attacked the pubs operator Stonegate over the move but staff said they were not to blame. They explained the building was owned by an offshore property holdings. They said: They honestly didn't want to let us go and have been trying for months to come to an agreement with the landlords. A Stonegate spokesperson told Gay Star News: The lease at the Queens Head is due to expire and as a result, we will be vacating the property September 13. We are currently looking to relocate staff to other suitable venues within the business. It is at the landlords discretion as to future plans for the property. A farewell party is set to take place at the pub on Saturday, September 3. F amilies fled in terror when a people carrier burst into flame in an underground car park below an apartment block in south London. The car was destroyed and another ten vehicles damaged by the fire, apparently caused by an electrical fault. The blaze sent plumes of black smoke shooting out of the lobby and engulfing seven-storey Aura Court, which overlooks Peckham Rye Park. London Fire Brigade released a picture of the burned-out wreckage of the vehicle, believed to be a Vauxhall Zafira. Burnt out: The people carrier after the blaze / LFB More than 234,000 Zafiras were recalled for a second time in May over an engine problem that caused some to burst into flame, with the LFB having attended around 120 Zafira fires since 2013. Neighbours today told how 25 people were evacuated from the building and a neighbouring block as fire crews battled the intense blaze on Sunday night. Many of the 30 residents have yet to return to the block and the car park remains closed. Property consultant, Dee Baker, 56, said: The owner went to his car, opened the door and it exploded. Andy Hudson, 30, whose car was also damaged, said: I saw the smoke and came downstairs. It all happened very quickly and the fire brigade were already on the scene. A spokesman for LFB said 21 fire-fighters spent more than two hours tackling the fire, which he said is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault within the cars electrical circuit. Vauxhall, who originally ordered a recall of the Zafira B last December, has blamed improper repairs to the cars blower motor resistor for the fires. A poster campaign by a council was slammed as disgusting and offensive for apparently encouraging women to have unprotected sex on nights out. Kingston Councils get it, forget it campaign hoped to promote the contraceptive coil - a copper device inserted into the womb that works by stopping the sperm and egg from surviving - but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. The poster, that has been put up across the south-west London borough, read: You spent the night in Clapham but you left your pill in Kingston, it might be time to consider the coil. Objectors said the posters promote promiscuity, do not warn of the dangers of catching an STI, and are giving a dangerous message to young girls. Independent councillor Mary Clark said: I am very broad-minded but I just find this campaign disgusting. The posters have no place in the middle of New Malden High Street. The message is completely confused. A council spokesman said: Kingston has made excellent progress in reducing teenage pregnancy rates and has the second lowest abortion rate in London. More than 700 coils [have been] fitted in Kingston GP practices in the last 12 months. Kingston Councils coil campaign is designed to build on this success with a thought-provoking message. This is a responsible public health campaign. O ne of Londons oldest theatrical suppliers has been ordered to pay nearly 40,000 after a lorry driver was crushed under a tonne of artists canvasses. Brodie and Middleton has been trading since 1840 and is a favourite of London theatre companies for costumes, make-up and drapes. Westminster magistrates heard that the Estonian lorry driver was crushed under canvasses being unloaded by a Brodie and Middleton worker at its warehouse in Tottenham. The court was told that the worker was using a forklift truck which was ill-equipped to handle the weight. Driver Jaan Kramartsuk suffered fractures to both legs as well as nerve damage to his left arm, and was still badly injured more than a year later, the court heard. The firm, based in Store Street, Bloomsbury, pleaded guilty to three health and safety breaches over the accident, in June 2014 at the warehouse in Garman Road. Mr Kramartsuk blocked traffic with his lorry and a Brodie and Middleton staff member attempted to unload the consignment of Estonian stretched canvasses swiftly so traffic could get past again, the court heard. The load fell from the forklift truck, striking the driver, trapping his left arm, and the pallet was on both legs, said prosecutor Jim Meyer. Sentencing the company this week, Judge Purdy said: It was a well-intentioned if seriously misguided attempt by a long-standing employee to try and assist unloading the lorry, which arrived without warning. He did so too quickly, without regard to the need to ensure it was done properly. He ordered Brodie and Middleton pay 2,000 compensation to the victim, a 30,000 fine for the health and safety breaches, and 7,292 court costs. Julia Hendrick, representing the company, said it was the latest setback for bosses coping with the loss of a major Chinese contract and the rising cost of imported materials caused by the fall in sterling after the Brexit vote. This is a company which in the past made a modest profit, but now is in relative dire straits the director is trying to keep it afloat, she said. The director and senior managers care very much about their staff, they dont want to lay them off if they dont have to. There have been additional difficulties in recent times, the cost of the importation of various items is going up a practical impact of the pound being weaker. Ms Hendrick said the firm had also been forced to move premises when the previously advantageous rental agreement came to an end promptly, causing the loss of local custom. Although insurers will cover the court costs, the firm, which last year posted a profit of 10,000, was given up to five years by the judge to pay the fines. M ore than 100 firefighters were called out to a huge blaze in a block of flats in Shepherd's Bush on Friday. The adjacent West 12 shopping centre was been evacuated, as smoke filled the skies above the apartment block. London fire officers have confirmed the blaze is under control, after 20 engines went out to tackle the fire in Shepherd's Bush Green just before 3:45pm. Ambulances have treated two people for injuries at the scene but no one has been taken to hospital. Blaze: the fire broke out in a block of flats / Danny Lorimer A London Fire Brigade spokesman said there were no immediate reports of anyone injured in the blaze. He added that the fire was under control but that crews were remaining at the scene. Residents and shoppwers crowded round outside the building, where lines of abulances were parked up ready for anyone injured. On Twitter shopper Dani Davey said: "Just been evacuated from the W12 centre in #shepherdsbush due to fire - hope nobody is hurt." Alight: Fire at tower block in Shepherd's Bush. / Liam Twomey. While another Twitter user said: "Chaos in Shepherds Bush as fire envelops side of tower block with people still inside. Streets thick with smoke #w12." A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman tolt the Standard: "One hundred and twenty firefighters are tackling a high rise blaze at Shepherd's Bush Green. Billowing smoke: Fire at tower block in Shepherd's Bush. (James Roberts) / James Roberts. "Twenty fire engines and 120 firefighters and officers have been called to a fire in a high rise block of flats on Shepherds Court in Shepherds Bush Green. "Smoke from the blaze can be seen across the area and 999 control officers have taken over 40 emergency calls to the incident. "The Brigade was called at 1544. Crews from Hammersmith, Kensington, Acton, Chiswick, Paddington and Fulham fire stations are at the scene. "The cause of the fire is not known at this stage." Natasha Wills, Assistant Director of Operations at London Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 4:01pm to reports of a fire at an address in Shepherds Bush. Emergency response: Ambulances can be seen parked up at the scene of the fire / @euphoric_dreams "We sent multiple resources including ambulance crews, single responders in cars, our hazardous area response team and an incident response officer. "We remain at the scene. This page is being updated. A nightclub faces being forced to close following a series of violent incidents including a shooting and the death of a reveller after he was restrained by bouncers. One senior Met detective raised concerns over excessive use of force by doorstaff at Club 65 in Vauxhall, and reports of patrons taking revenge. Lambeth councillors temporarily suspended the clubs licence after police called for a review, and say they will make a final decision on the venues fate by Monday. Club 65, in Albert Embankment, has a capacity of 300 and hosts events including house, RnB, bashment and hip-hop nights. In 2014, aspiring pilot Adam Hird, 30, from Epping, was pinned down by bouncers for six minutes before dying in hospital. An inquest ruled he died of asphyxiation. Three doormen were acquitted of manslaughter by negligence at the Old Bailey in February. The most recent trouble flared after a heated argument when entry was refused to four men last month. Asphyxiation death: Adam Hird had been pinned down by bouncers A police report submitted to Lambeth council states that after the men left, a car pulled up and a passenger got out, pulled out a black and silver handgun and fired four shots towards the bouncers. One hit [a doorman] in his right ankle. The gunman escaped. One patron claimed he was punched in the face by bouncers and kneed in the stomach, the report adds. Another alleged he was dragged out and headbutted. Applying for a licensing review, Detective Superintendent Sean Oxley wrote: A number of patrons have made allegations of assault or heavy-handedness at the hands of the door staff. [The Met] acknowledges staff have the right to use force to eject patrons, however the following shows ... a concerning pattern of potential excessive force. He questioned whether Club 65 was helping reduce crime if it was attracting patrons who, on being refused entry, will resort to ... firearms. After Mr Hirds death Club 65s licence was suspended before it reopened under new conditions including hiring better-trained door staff. Artur Moreno, who runs the venue with wife Dora, said Mr Hirds death affected us all greatly. He wrote in evidence that they co-operated with police, CCTV was always made available to officers and security measures included an ID scanner. Prior to last months shooting door staff behaved entirely properly and one of the four men refused entry was thought to have had a knife, he said. A suspension of my licence will be a disaster. I do not believe the club can survive a closure, he added. The Morenos were unavailable for comment. T he journalistic exodus continues. Poppy Trowbridge, consumer affairs correspondent at Sky News, has joined Philip Hammond at the Treasury as a special adviser. It may come with the financial drawback of a 72,000 salary cap that can only increase with Downing Street approval but perhaps she sensed a trend from her seat in the Rupert Murdoch media empire. In May, Skys former deputy political editor Joey Jones became Theresa Mays spokesman. Then, last week, The Suns one-time chief political correspondent Craig Woodhouse joined the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Interesting appointments, considering the partys historic links to Murdoch media outlets, which caused such a storm under David Camerons premiership. He came under fire for his friendship with Rebekah Brooks remember the country suppers? while his employment of the News of the Worlds Andy Coulson ended in the courtroom. May, though, seems happier with Murdoch staffers. The new PMs acknowledgement of the power of the press comes at an interesting time for Labour. Yesterday a leaked e-mail from Jeremy Corbyns team stated a refusal to be involved with debates arranged by titles including The Guardian and Channel 4. The correspondence complained of partisan positions against Jeremys leadership or campaign which suggested they could not be regarded as impartial hosts or moderators. A strange hesitation, considering Corbyns spin doctor Seumas Milne is a Guardian alumnus. The Londoner wishes Trowbridge the best but its a step down in the glamour stakes: she had a cameo in the Idris Elba film thriller Bastille Day, playing a newsreader. --- The Londoner was tapped on the shoulder last night and an old friend whispered: Have you heard that George Osborne wants to be an ambassador? An intriguing proposition. The top job is Washington but current ambassador Kim Darroch has only been there since January. Osborne, though, has shown ambassadorial swagger in hanging out with Tina Browns set in New York. Theres always Paris. Despite David Cameron recommending former adviser Ed Llewellyn for the job there in July, theres still no sign of a Eurostar ticket for Ed. How about a posting in Asia? After all he was keen on opening business relations with China and made an impression with his machine gun in Vietnam. Wired mag hard on Trump statue HATS off to Wireds pun-laden coverage of whether artists who placed naked Trump statues in various US cities should be arrested. It remains unclear whether the artists who thrust these statues upon the world committed a crime. It probably depends on the penile code in the various cities ... They could just get banned from future art events, either temporarily or spermanently. Then it turns into a whole prostates-rights issue, and you just know the artists would end up getting the shaft. Thats the answer when someone says, take it down or leave it up, whats the vas deferens? Etc, etc... Whats in a name? Lets not go there ... British actress Emily Blunt glammed it up in New York last night to support her American husband John Krasinski at the special screening of his new comedy The Hollars, which he directs and stars in. The couple stayed at George Clooneys Italian pad in Lake Como when they got married in 2010 and they now have two daughters called Hazel and Violet. Emily recently revealed she almost changed her surname. Because we all know what it rhymes with. But my English agent at the time said Dont, its so memorable. Now every male actor I work with ends up just calling me Blunt. Shoppers frock to a royal bargain IMITATION is the sincerest form of flattery but its about time fashion designer Daniella Helayel flattered herself. The Brazilian founder of Issa was responsible for the blue wrap-around dress that became famous all over the world when the Duchess of Cambridge wore it to announce her engagement, and while that memorable day was six years ago Helayel will be hoping that style doesnt fade.High-street brand Monsoon has announced a new collaboration with Helayel, which includes a range of 13 wrap-around dresses. A glance at the collection shows floral patterns and bold prints but amid the colour one item, the Gisele, stands out: dark blue, with long sleeves and a plunging neckline, it is almost identical to the Duchesss engagement dress but, as bargain-hunters will celebrate, at a less royal price. The original dress retailed for around 400. The Gisele is a more affordable 99. Helayel is due a renaissance, surely. She founded Issa but left the company after it was taken over by Camilla Fayed, under whom the company wound down its activities. The Londoner had long awaited Daniellas return to form. It seems inevitable: this morning, Monsoons website was already out of stock in certain sizes, with only a few left in others. Nice to see that Catherine can still rival Prince George in the style stakes. -- A new book hops onto The Londoners desk: The Royal Rabbits of London, the first collaboration between Simon Sebag Montefiore and his wife Santa. The pair usually write cerebral fare but this childrens book is on bunnies protecting Buckingham Palace and introduces a new tribe: cool rabbits called Hopsters. As holidaying MPs cultivate unkempt hipster stubble, could they do with Hopster style? Fraternite, egalite, vanite NOT all Eurocrats are oil paintings. But Frenchman Michel Barnier, pictured, who is heading the EUs side of the Brexit negotiations with the UK, seems to think he is. Apollo magazine noticed that former Treasury minister and M&S chairman Lord Myners raised the alarm about Barnier in 2011. I worry very much about Mr Barnier, Lord Myners told the House of Lords. He came to see us at the Treasury. He came down the corridor and I was watching him. I am a great fan of art and I was impressed that he stopped to look at every painting. I thought this was a man with whom I share a common interest until I realised he was actually looking at his reflection in the glass on every painting, and adjusting his hair. -- Menagerie of the day: the Department for Brexit is rumoured to be acquiring a British Bulldog in lieu of the trio of Westminster cats. A man has been arrested for appearing to drunkenly have sex with a parked van. Michael Henson was spotted by a woman in Ohio pulling his pants down and swinging on a stop sign. Police were called to St Nicholas Street in Dayton at around 8pm on Tuesday. When police arrived they found the man, who police said appeared to be drunk, walking nearby wearing only black gym shorts and shoes. Officers put Mr Henson in the back of a police car and spoke with the woman who called the police, local television station WDTN reported. She told officers she had seen Mr Henson stand near to a parked van, pull his shorts down and place his genitals in the front grill of the van. The woman told officers he did that for a while and then appeared to pass out in a nearby yard. Henson was arrested for public indecency and is now in the Montgomery County jail. A motorcyclist has been flown to hospital with head injuries after a hit and run crash with a car in east London this morning. The air ambulance was scrambled after a crash on the A13 eastbound in Barking, closing part of the road. Paramedics took the man, who was in his 50s, by air ambulance to a central London hospital as a priority following the accident at around 3.45am. But the car which was involved in the crash failed to stop and enquiries are now underway to trace it, police said. Officers arrived at the crash scene this morning to investigate but a spokesman said no arrests have yet been made. The road at Movers Lane, Barking, was closed for most of this morning and police warned drivers to avoid the area. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We sent an ambulance crew, a single responder in a car and an incident response officer to the scene alongside Londons Air Ambulance. We treated a man at the scene for a head injury and took him as a priority to a hospital in central London. The Met Police said his injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Traffic was queuing for four miles until the road reopened at around 10am six hours after the crash. Transport for London said traffic is still moving slowly. A good Samaritan pensioner had 5,000 of her savings stolen after going to the aid of a woman faking illness. Police said the 78-year-old victim is now too scared to leave the house after the ordeal. Detectives today released a CCTV image of a woman wanted in connection with the case. The theft took place after the pensioner withdrew 5,000 from Lloyds TSB bank in Brixton, which she planned to give to her family after a relative died. Two women, who were believed to have been in the bank at the same time, followed the elderly victim down Coldharbour Lane towards Brixtons indoor market. But as the pensioner stopped at nearby butchers Dombey Meats, one of women pretended to fall ill during the scam at about 1pm on July 21. The victim, who is an ex-nurse, went to help the woman who used a knife to slice open her shopping trolley and steal the 5,000 cash. Unaware, the victim carried on shopping and only later discovered what had happened. Scotland Yard have said they are investigating and have released a CCTV photo of a woman they are hunting in connection with the theft. The Met Polices officer on the case, PC Susan Nash said: "This is a horrible crime that has left the victim stripped of her independence. "She's now afraid to leave the house, scared she could be followed again. This is a victim who gave her life to caring for others as a nurse, who wanted to use some of her life savings to help her family. We urge anyone who has any information to get in touch." Officers want to speak to the woman who officers believe may be able to help. The woman is described as an Asian woman in her 20s with dark clothing and a dark head scarf Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise or witness the woman shown on the CCTV image or who was shopping at Dombey Meats that day. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. H e almost had his finger on the nuclear button .... but now George Osborne has been firing a machine gun while on holiday in Vietnam. Video shot by fellow tourists appears to show the former Chancellor blasting away with an M60 light machine gun at a former Viet Cong base that is now an attraction near Ho Chi Minh city The footage posted online by The Daily Mirror appears to show the MP for Tatton firing three bursts of gunfire after paying 1 per round of ammunition. Empty cartridges can be heard clattering onto the ground. One onlooker told the newspaper the weapon was one of those really, really big machine guns - the Rambo-style one. Witnesses joked that Mr Osborne was probably aiming at photos of Theresa May or Boris Johnson. Mr Osborne, who served as Chancellor since 2010, has kept a low profile since being sacked from the Cabinet by Theresa May. He had been tipped to succeed David Cameron as Prime Minister until the Brexit vote wrecked their hopes. M ilitary leaders and MPs branded Jeremy Corbyn dangerous today after he refused to say he would always defend a Nato member from being invaded by Russia. Lord West, the former Naval commander and ex-Labour minister, said the extraordinary refusal undermined a military alliance that has kept peace in Western Europe for 70 years. He said the Labour leaders stance would actually make wars more likely if he became Prime Minister, adding: As we know from history, if bullies are allowed to make little gains, they just push harder. At a leadership hustings in Birmingham, Mr Corbyn was repeatedly asked if he would uphold the Nato principle of collective defence where an attack against one member is considered an attack against all. But Mr Corbyn declined to give the assurance, saying: I would want to avoid us getting involved military, by building up democratic relationships. Pressed further he said: I dont wish to go to war. What I want to do is achieve a world where we dont need to go to war, where there is no need for it. That can be done. Leadership challenger Owen Smith gave an unequivocal response, by contrast. We would have to come to the aid of a fellow member of Nato, he declared. Thats the nature of the Nato accord. That would be the job of Britain in the event of a fellow Nato member being invaded, obviously. Lord West said any hint that countries like Britain would not maintain collective defence could invalidate Nato. It is an extraordinary comment by Jeremy Corbyn, said the former First Sea Lord who served in the Falklands. It shows a compete lack of understanding of what is the main purpose of Nato. If you say you will not defend a fellow Nato member, then that invalidates Nato. It actually makes it more likely that countries will be invaded. London Labour MP Neil Coyle commented that Clement Attlee, the post-war Labour premier who helped found Nato, would be unimpressed with a leader who was soft on Russian aggression ... weak on NATO. Fellow Labour MP Ian Lucas tweeted: Anzio veteran Denis Healey [the former Labour Defence Secretary] did not want another war in Europe. Thats why he supported Nato. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: Nato has been a cornerstone of our security since 1949. To say we will not stand with our allies is a dangerous green light to Putin. Westminster Labour councillor David Boothroyd said Mr Corbyns remarks were shameful. O wen Jones today claimed the departure of broadcaster Mark Longhurst from Sky News after the pair rowed on air has nothing to do with me. The pair clashed during a live discussion in June about newspaper coverage of Orlando nightclub massacre which claimed the lives of 49 people at a gay club in Florida. Political activist and columnist Jones, who is gay, eventually took his microphone off and walked out after his description of the homophobic terrorist attack was queried by Longhurst and fellow guest, journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer. Longhurst, who spent almost 20 years at Sky, is now leaving the channel amid reports his departure was prompted by the row. But Jones today tweeted: Mark Longhurst leaving Sky News has nothing to do with me or anything that happened involving me. Any claim to the contrary is false. Longhurst, whose career includes stints with the BBC and ITV covering stories including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the first Gulf War, said he had been asking if their discussion should delineate between Islamist terror and homophobia. He later apologised to Jones and said he regretted the incident, adding: I absolutely accept the atrocity in Florida was, of course, an attack on LGBT people, but I was also trying to reflect what was on the newspapers front pages. It was never my intention to offend Owen Jones. Owen Jones storms off Sky News paper review over Orlando shooting Sources at the channel confirmed the broadcaster was leaving, alongside Lorna Dunkley and Samantha Simmonds, but denied his departure was related to the row. A Sky source said: Mark is leaving Sky News. His departure has nothing to do with Owen Jones but a shake-up of the schedule. Hes a very well respected journalist and hell be missed. Jones, the author of two books on class in Britain, is a Guardian columnist and regularly appears on TV and radio discussing politics and has a devoted following online. The Orlando attacks, carried out by a gunman claiming allegiance to Islamic State, sparked revulsion around the world. D onald Trumps presidential campaign manager has resigned just two months after taking up the position. Paul Manafort took control of Trump's campaign when Corey Lewandowski was fired from the role in June. Political strategist Mr Manafort, 67, announced his resignation on Friday. Republican presidential candidate Mr Trump confirmed the move in a statement and descried Mr Manafort's as a "true professional" 'True professional': Donald Trump praised his campaign manager / Reuters He is stepping down in the wake of a campaign shake-up, as well as revelations about his ties to a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. It was revealed on Thursday that Mr Manafort's firm worked on a Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine's then-ruling President Victor Yanukovych. The reason for his resignation is not yet known. A British citizen has been charged in Dubai for sharing a charity post on his Facebook page calling for help for Afghan refugees. Scott Richards, who has joint British-Australian nationality, promoted a charity drive to buy blankets and tarpaulins. The 43-year-old was held for 22 days before being charged with fundraising without permission. Under strict new laws only charities registered in the United Arab Emirates can make charity appeals. Mr Richards, who was brought up in the Australian city of Adelaide but travelled to Dubai on his UK passport, has been living in Dubai with his wife and two sons while working as an economic development adviser. Penalties for violating the law include prison terms between two months and one year and a fine of up to 100,000 dirhams (20,000). Mr Richards mother Penelope Haberfield, said he had only been able to change his clothes once every seven days while detained and had to pay for water. She said: His wife is under extreme stress. She can only take the clothes to him once a week. She takes him money so that he can buy water and extra food. Shes worried for him, shes worried for herself because if she runs out of money, will she have to leave the country? Shes frightened for her children. Police confirmed that Mr Richards had used social media to recommend a crowd-funding GoFundMe campaign run by a US charity which works in Afghanistan. The page aims to raise $35,000 (26,000) for new tarpaulins, blankets, warm clothes and socks, and sleeping bags for children at the Chahari Qambar refugee camp on the outskirts of Kabul. More than 100 children froze to death at the camp four years ago. Mr Richards was arrested at his home on July 28 and has been held at Dubai police Station where he has been refused bail three times. He has been able to see his wife once a week and make limited phone calls. The jail where he is being held - Dubais Al Muraqqabat police station - does not allow prisoners access to a mattress or blankets, nor give inmates toilet paper. Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, said: Holding an Australian-British National in detention for weeks without charge, is a breach of international human rights standards. The Foreign Office said it was proving support to Mr Richards and his family. T wenty-two people were arbitrarily executed by federal police on a ranch in Mexico last year, according to the countrys human rights commission. The commissions president Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez said the investigation revealed a range of human rights abuses on the part of government forces in the western state of Michoacan. The government said the dead were drug cartel suspects hiding on a ranch in Tanhuato, near the border with Jalisco state, but refused to release the victims' post-mortem reports. One police officer was killed in the confrontation on May 22 2015. The governments transparency watchdog earlier said there was no evidence to indicate human rights violations. Police used a Black Hawk helicoper for the operation, firing a reported 4,000 rounds into the ranch. The report found that police moved bodies and weapons to cover up arbitrary killings, while two bodies were burnt and two suspects were tortured while in custody. Mr Gonzalez Perez said: "The investigation confirmed facts that show grave human rights violations attributable to public servants of the federal police." However, Mexico's national security commissioner, Renato Sales, rejected the report's findings, stating the use of weapons was "necessary and proportional". I t's Donald Trump like youve never seen him before - and probably dont want to either. Naked statues of the Republican presidential candidate have been popping up in cities across the US sparking laughter and queues for selfies. The life-sized caricature captures Trumps famous quiff and perma-tanned skin tone with the billionaires hands clasped over a large belly. A sculpture unveiled in Union Square in New York came with an engraved plaque saying The Emperor Has No Balls. Selfies: There have been queues for photos (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Despite proving popular with passers-by, it was removed by park wardens who ripped the statue from its base using shovels. A spokesman said in an email: NYC Parks stands firmly against any unpermitted erection in city parks, no matter how small. Passer-by, Peri Fisher, 48, who works an electronics company, said she was pleased to see a male politician being judged on his appearance for a change, criticising the decision to destroy the statue. Personally, I think Trump is insane and not fit to be president, not that Hillary Clinton really is either, but shes the lesser of two evils, she said. Statues: The naked artworks have popped up across the US / Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Right or wrong, people have the right to put it up there. Hes a public figure - public figures are open to mockery. This was a mockery. Its just part of the American way of life, she added. Four other Trump statues appeared in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Ohio. Indecline, a California-based company, released a video on its website showing the naked sculptures being made. A Jewish man has been stabbed by a knife-wielding attacker in Strasbourg this morning, it has been reported. Local media reported the alleged attacker was arrested today after knifing a man wearing traditional Jewish garb. The knifeman yelled "Allahu Akbar" during the incident, it was claimed A 62-year-old man was rushed to hospital but was only "moderately" injured in the attack and was saved when a passer-by rushed to help. French news channel BFM TV said the arrested man was suffering from mental health problems. He is currently in custody where he is being quizzed by detectives. A source close to the investigation told the channel that terrorism is not believed to be a factor. The attack is likely to cause concern in a country still recovering from the brutal murder of a priest by Isis-inspired knifemen in Normandy just weeks ago. T he little boy whose bloodied face has become a symbol of Syrias suffering has been reunited with his parents. A video showed five year-old Omran Daqneesh just after he had been pulled from the rubble of his home after an air strike in Aleppo. Medics who treated Omran said he did not cry as he was treated for his wounds - and only burst into tears as his parents arrived at the medical centre. Abu Rajab, from the Syrian American Medical Society, told ABC: He was in a daze. It was if he was asleep, not unconscious, but traumatised, lost. Child pulled alive from rubble in Aleppo He didnt say anything except to ask for his parents. They arrived shortly after in a second wave of people. Only then once Omran saw them did he start crying. The images of the youngster sitting dazed and confused as he was loaded into an ambulance went viral and have become a symbol of the plight of the civilian population in the war-torn country. Doctors feared the boy may have suffered internal injuries when he was pinned under the the remains of building, which collapsed an hour after he was rescued. But Omrans wounds were superficial and nurses were able to wrap up his head, bandage his eye and discharge him. He lives with his mother, father and three siblings - who all miraculously survived Wednesdays strike. His parents told medical staff they would not speak for fear of reprisal from forces allied to the regime of President Bashar al Assad. Eight other people, including five children, however, are believed to have died in the air strike. The video taken by the Aleppo Media Centre showed the moment Omran was plucked to safety along with three other small children from the rubble. His rescuers were volunteers from Syrias Civil Defence group known as the White Helmets. The video of the rescue and images of a battered and bloody Omran sent shockwaves around the world. CNN journalist Kate Bolduan had to fight back tears while reporting live on CNN about Omran. Her voice quavered as she explained that the boys home in Aleppo was destroyed and he was buried. The images of Omran echoes the anguished global response to the pictures of Aylan Kurdi, the drowned Syrian boy whose body was found on a beach in Turkey and came to encapsulate the horrific toll of Syrias civil war. T witter has suspended 235,000 accounts for promoting terrorism in the past six months. The social media giant revealed that a total of 360,000 accounts have been suspended since the middle of 2015. This equates to an 80% increase in suspensions over the last half year, with spikes immediately following terror attacks. The company said: While our work is not done, today we are announcing that we have suspended an additional 235,000 accounts for violating our policies related to promotion of terrorism in the six months since our February 2016 post. "Our efforts continue to drive meaningful results, including a significant shift in this type of activity off of Twitter. "We continue to work with law enforcement entities seeking assistance with investigations to prevent or prosecute terror attacks," the statement added. The announcement comes as hate preacher Anjem Choudary faces jail for drumming up support for Isis. His official account is no longer visible online after his conviction was reported for the first time on Tuesday. The 49-year-old amassed 32,000 followers and his Old Bailey trial heard how British authorities tried and failed to get his posts taken down in August last year and the following March. The father-of-five was a leading figure in the since-banned extremist group al-Muhajiroun, and his followers have gone on to be involved in terrorist plots including the murder of soldier Lee Rigby. A zoo in Gaza dubbed the worst in the world will shut for good after a charity was given the green light to rescue its remaining animals. The Khan Younis zoo was closed to the public in 2014 because of the Israel-Palestine conflict, leaving animals including a tiger, to starve. The zoo was described as bombed out as a result of the fighting as some animals, including three lions, were rescued while others remained. Owner Mohammad Eweda confirmed he had no plans to reopen the centre after an agreement was reached to ship 16 animals to a rescue centre in Jordan. The deal was reached after lengthy negotiations with the Four Paws charity whose bosses described the zoo as the worlds worst. A statement on the Four Paws website read: A Four Paws team is hoping to enter Gaza in the coming days to retrieve the 16 animals, including Laziz the tiger, and transfer them to new, species-appropriate homes. The logistics are now being planned at full speed, so the mission can be executed as quickly as possible. We'll keep you updated as the situation develops. Egyptian-born veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil said the closure signalled a new way of life for the animals which have suffered from a lack of food, medical care and desolate cages. S unning in Provence This week I have been in the South of France, in the most beautiful area near St. Remy de Provence and Mausanne Les Alpilles. There are fresh fruit and vegetable markets on every corner, the most incredible boulangeries for fresh French bread and patisseries that make your mouth water everywhere you go! Whats not to love! Rosie Fortescue/Instagram I couldnt resist buying this blow up unicorn for the pool! My bikini is from Marysia Swim from Salt Resort Wear and hat from Yosuzi. Summer nights The evenings here are warm and its such a treat being able to explore the villages and walk around, especially because we have Noodle here. Rosie Fortescue/Instagram My top is from Atty London, trousers from Elie Tahari, bag from Gucci and heels from River Island. Rosie Fortescue/Instagram A weakness for cheese One thing I have massively over indulged in on holiday is cheese. Its my weakness and its safe to say this huge cheese board at one of my favourite restaurants the Bistrot du Paradou was unreal. My brand of the week this week is Octavia Hix. Its a new resort wear brand and I am BEYOND obsessed with this bright blue marble print dress! Rosie Fortescue/Instagram My beauty product of the week this week is Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lip colours. They are not drying on the lip and give the perfect amount of colour for both a day and night look. Follow @RosieFortescue and @StandardEnts. This page may have been moved, deleted, or is otherwise unavailable. To help you find what you are looking for: Enter Search Term(s): Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL. Thank you for visiting state.gov. 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Omaha police officers were called to a house near 90th and Maple Streets about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday to investigate an accidental overdose. They learned that a 53-year-old man had been unloading groceries and found some brownies in the back seat of a car that his adult children had used earlier in the day. The man ate four of the brownies. The mans wife told police that as she and her husband were watching TV, he noted that he was getting bad anxiety. She tried to call their children to ask them what was in the brownies but couldnt reach them. (The woman told officers that she would rather not provide her childrens names because she thought they could get in trouble. An Omaha police spokesman said the investigation into the matter has concluded.) While police were at the house, one of the couples children arrived and told officers the brownies belonged to his siblings. He told them he was pretty sure it was just marijuana in the brownies, according to a police report. Paramedics called to the scene who checked the man found his vital signs to be normal. But they noted that he was displaying odd behavior crawling around on the floor, randomly using profanities and calling the family cat a "bitch." The man told paramedics he felt like hes trippin. He declined their offer to be taken to the hospital. The paramedics helped the man to his bedroom and he got into bed. The man and his wife were told to call 911 again if his situation worsened. Thursday, 18 August 2016 10:45:17 (GMT+3) | Blockades at Mexican railways continue, despite warnings from the countrys president, Enrique Pena Nieto, who said the country could use the force to stop the protests. Late in July, several industrial segments complained that the blockades imposed by the National Coordination of Education Workers, CNTE, were affecting local steelmakers and other industrial sectors. The education workers oppose education reforms introduced by president Enrique Pena Nieto. The blockades continue at Mexican railways in the states of Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Michoacan. Canacero said in July it respects the freedom of expression, but opposes any action that violates the citizens rights. At the time, Canacero said a lot of plants have been seriously affected by the blockades. In a letter sent to SteelOrbis on July 26, Canacero said that at the time the blockades have cost local steelmakers MXN 700 million in losses. Brazilian miner and iron ore producer Vale said on Thursday a federal court dismissed their appeal of an injunction filed by Brazil s government and the states of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo. In addition to dismissing Vale s appeal, the court also ruled that Samarcos iron ore concession licenses should continue to be suspended. In a statement, Vale said the court decision doesnt affect the companys production and commercialization activities. Friday, 19 August 2016 23:38:39 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo Chilean mining and steelmaking group CAP posted a $2.8 million net loss in H1, reverting a $12.7 million net profit reported in the same period of the year prior. As for Q2, the CAP Group posted a $5.9 million net profit. The groups steel arm, CAP Acero, saw its net loss in H1 rise 87.6 percent, year-on-year, to $10.5 million thanks to a 20.6 percent decline in average steel prices in H1, year-on-year. CAP Acero sold 356,574 mt of steel in H1, up from 345,627 mt in the same period of the year prior. Average sales cost per mt fell 12.6 percent in H1, year-on-year, the company said. The company attributed the declining revenues to persisting price distortions. As for its mining arm, CAP Mineria, the company said net profit in H1 was $8.3 million, 60.6 percent down, year-on-year, due to a 15.9 percent decline in the same period in the average prices of the iron ore shipped in the six-month period. Friday, 19 August 2016 09:57:23 (GMT+3) | Shanghai According to the data released by the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), as of the end of July (July 31) this year the composite steel price index (CSPI) for the Chinese domestic market was at 72.09 points, up 4.26 points or 6.28 percent month on month, while increasing by 9.36 points or 14.92 percent on year-on-year basis. At the end of July, the CSPI long steel index was at 71.55 points, up 5.07 points or 7.63 percent month on month and increasing by 8.09 points or 12.75 percent year on year, while the CSPI flat steel index stood at 74.55 points, up 3.43 points or 4.82 percent month on month and increasing by 12.20 points or 19.57 percent year on year. As of the end of July this year, among the eight main steel products monitored by the CISA, prices of high-speed wire rod, rebar, angles, medium plate, hot rolled coil (HRC), cold rolled sheet (CRS) and seamless pipe increased by RMB 147/mt ($22.17/mt), RMB 210/mt ($31.67/mt), RMB 107/mt ($16.14/mt), RMB 176/mt ($26.55/mt), RMB 129/mt ($19.46/mt), RMB 161/mt ($24.28/mt) and RMB 49/mt ($7.39/mt), while the price of hot dip galvanized (HDG) declined by RMB 21/mt ($3.17/mt), all compared to price levels at the end of June of the current year. In the January-July period of the current year, Georgia 's total external trade turnover with Turkey , which is the second biggest trading partner of the country, amounted to $891.27 million, including exports worth $123.99 million, down 1.1 percent, and imports worth $767.27 million, increasing 2.7 percent, both on year-on-year basis, according to the data provided by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat). Thursday, 18 August 2016 23:14:16 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo A body of public prosecutors in the state of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) is investigating the legality of fiscal benefits granted by both the state and the city of Rio de Janeiro to ThyssenKrupp-owned slab producer Companhia Siderurgica do Atlantico (CSA). Vale was a former partner at CSA. The probe will also investigate potential administrative misconduct by the the city and the state of Rio de Janeiro as well as negligence by the two parties for not collecting the needed taxes. The state of Rio de Janeiro faces a financial crisis thanks to a rising public deficit. The Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors said that both the state and the city of Rio de Janeiro renounced to millions of BRL in revenues since they alleged gave CSA fiscal incentives as well as tax exemptions. CSA doesnt have an environmental license to operate, and has been operating through a TAC agreement, in which the steelmaker is expected to meet a series of obligations. Earlier this month, the Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors filed a lawsuit in an attempt to void the operations of CSA. MPRJ demanded at the time new analysis about the impacts of the mills activities to the environment. A former partner at CSA, Vale sold its stake in the project back to ThyssenKrupp for a symbolic price. Friday, 19 August 2016 12:30:11 (GMT+3) | Istanbul Germany-based plantmaker SMS Group has announced that it will supply a high-performance hot strip mill to Indonesian steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel. The hot strip mill is scheduled for commissioning in early 2019 in Cilegon on the Indonesian island of Java. The new hot strip mill designed for strips with a maximum width of 1,650 millimeters will have a capacity of 1.5 million mt per year in its first expansion stage. At a later stage, the annual production can be increased to up to four million mt per year. SMS stated that the new hot rolling mill will enable PT Krakatau Steel to fulfill the highest demands regarding quality, productivity and production cost. 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St. Petersburg and Moscow. I wanted so bad to go. My parents said I was too young. Even now, I dont know if they were right or wrong. Missing an adventure like that. Would I let my children do the same? Maybe they should have volunteered to come too. All I know for sure is that this book was an amazing read. It was eye-opening, to say the least. If you are interested in Russia or a culture other than your own read this book. And if you are going to Russia for a few days, please take me with you. Two of my favorite quotes: This isnt a country in transition but some sort of postmodern dictatorship that uses the language and institutions of democratic capitalism for authoritarian ends. Politics is the ability to use any situation to advance your own status, Sergey told me with a smile that seemed to mimic Surkovs (who in turn mimics the KGB men). How do you define your political views? I asked him. He looked at me like I was a fool to ask, then smiled: Im a liberal . . . it can mean anything! NEW YORK The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority accused a New York broker of unfairly charging a 72-year-old retiree $376,000 in fees and commissions after he made repeated unauthorized trades of her blue-chip Colgate-Palmolive Co. stock. Craig Dima, a broker at K.C. Ward Financial on Long Island, was hit with civil charges on Thursday of making unauthorized and unsuitable trades from 2010 to 2015, including selling and soon after repurchasing nearly all of the client's dividend-paying stock 11 times. The client, whose name was withheld for privacy, had a 28-year-long career at Colgate, and held more than 7,500 shares of the company's stock. A share of Colgate stock was priced at $74.49 when the market closed on Friday. Dima's inappropriate trades cost the client a further $127,000 in lost dividend payments she would have earned if the broker had held her stocks as she requested, and $72,000 in losses from three unauthorized trades where Dima sold her Colgate stock and repurchased it at a higher price, according to the complaint. Dima did not respond to requests for comment. The client's account was the largest Dima managed, and he made roughly 80 percent of his annual commissions from trades on her account, according to the complaint. When she inquired about the unauthorized trades, Dima told her it was the result of computer glitches and human error, the complaint said. The complaint did not charge Dima with churning, a practice in which a broker excessively buys and sells securities in a client's account to inflate commissions he or she earns. FINRA spokeswoman Michelle Ong declined to comment on the specific charges in the complaint because the matter is in litigation. Morgan Stanley and its board were accused of mismanaging the firm's 401(k) retirement plan and costing 60,000 employees hundreds of millions of dollars by picking inappropriate and high-priced investments, some of which were managed for the firm's own profit. The lawsuit, filed Friday in Manhattan federal court, highlights a friction that exists at financial-services firms that put employees into their own product. The suit cited several Morgan Stanley mutual funds included in the 401(k) that fared worse than offerings from rivals. For instance, a small-cap growth fund underperformed 99 percent of similar funds in 2014 and 94 percent in 2015, according to the suit. Morgan Stanley sought a financial benefit for itself while causing the plan's participants "to suffer staggering losses of hundreds of millions of dollars," lead plaintiff Robert Patterson alleged in the breach-of-duty lawsuit. The firm "treated the plan as an opportunity to promote Morgan Stanley's own mutual fund business and maximize profits." Mary Claire Delaney, a spokeswoman for the New York-based securities firm, declined to comment on the claims. Patterson is identified in the complaint as a Morgan Stanley retirement plan member from January 2011 to April 2014. His suit, ostensibly filed on behalf of the plan, seeks class action status for all who were enrolled in it from March 2010 to February 2016, including current and former employees. The plan manages $8 billion in assets, according to the complaint. Management failed its duty to act in the best interest of plan participants by putting six Morgan Stanley mutual funds into the 401(k), some of which were "tainted" by poor performance or high fees, Patterson alleged. The suit seeks damages of $150 million. "Morgan Stanley selected their proprietary funds not based on their merits as investments, or because doing so was in the interest of plan participants, but because these products provided significant revenues and profits to Morgan Stanley," he alleged. Employees were also charged millions of dollars in higher fees for company mutual funds than Morgan Stanley's outside clients, Patterson said. For instance, an international stock fund charged retirement participants the equivalent of 0.88 percent of assets under management, almost double what a similar-sized outside client would be charged. Morgan Stanley's investment-management business creates funds for institutional and retail clients and has $406 billion in assets under management. Daniel Simkowitz took over the business, one of three main divisions alongside the investment bank and wealth management brokerage, in October.